South Africa: July violence instigator released on R3 000 bail Alleged public violence instigator, Zamaswazi Zinhle Majozi, has been released on R3 000 bail. The 36-year-old mother of two was Monday released on bail by the Germiston Magistrates Court after she was arrested on 28 August in Leondale on charges of incitement of public violence. Majozi is alleged to have incited public violence in the content she circulated on her social media accounts, which resulted in the looting and burning that occurred at Brookside Mall in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. Meanwhile, a 35-year-old suspect, who was arrested over the weekend, appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrates Court on charges of incitement to commit public violence. The session was held in camera, therefore, his name cannot be divulged as yet. The case was held behind closed doors so as not to prejudice the identification parade, which is yet to be conducted, said Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale. The case was postponed to 6 September 2021 for possible bail application. Thus far, about 18 suspects have been arrested by SAPS and the DPCI (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation). Mogale said some have already appeared in various courts in Gauteng, the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. While some have been granted bail, others were remanded in custody. Majozi was granted bail of R3 000 with conditions including the surrender of her passport, reporting to the nearest police station daily and ensuring that she informs the investigating officer when leaving the province. The case was postponed to 18 October 2021. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-08-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: Improving the state of provincial roads In an effort to improve the state of provincial roads, government is rolling out a labour intensive road construction and maintenance programme. The programmes targets for physical works involves resealing, blacktop patching, including pothole repairs and maintenance of gravel roads. Amongst the outcomes we have committed to, is the maintenance of approximately 20 000 kilometres of roads in our secondary network by March 2024. These are Provincial roads that are in desperate need to be brought to an acceptable state of repair, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said on Monday. He was addressing the launch of the SHamba Sonke Programme, where he unveiled the first project on road D2091, from Marapyane at Dr. JS Moroka Municipality, in the Nkangala District of Mpumalanga leading to the Limpopo border. This is a block paving road project, through which the Mpumalanga Province will share their best practice experiences to other provincial Road Authorities and to showcase how more jobs can be created using labour intensive methods, the Minister said. Over the medium term, the maintenance of provincial roads, largely funded through the provincial roads maintenance grant, is set to receive R37.5 billion over the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) period. In order to maximise impact, decisively address the maintenance backlog in the secondary network and contribute to sustainable livelihoods through job creation initiatives, we conceptualised the SHamba Sonke Programme. An initiative that allows national and provincial spheres of government to work towards common road maintenance targets while augmenting funding through the Provincial Roads Maintenance Grant, Mbalula said. He said the SHamba Sonke Programme must deliver tangible outcomes to South Africans and serve as a contribution towards eradicating poverty and create jobs. Through the programme, government seeks to distribute road construction and maintenance budgets to achieve the maximum impact for reducing the transaction costs of South African products on international markets. In addition, government intends to adopt best practice road construction and road maintenance methodologies to create cost efficient and cost effective job, Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) and co-operative opportunities. Government will also ensure that the public good associated with new access and mobility is maximised by prioritising those transport corridors that will impact on sustainable social and economic upliftment and by coupling road construction and maintenance programmes with people centred road safety initiatives. Over time, potholes and road crashes on South Africas secondary road networks drive public perceptions that financial resources meant for transport infrastructure do not always reach their destination. This is reinforced by the reality that that South Africa has a pristine and well-maintained primary road network managed by South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) and a secondary road network, in dire straits and to a large degree, poor state of repair, managed by provinces. Our revamped programme means we will tighten collaboration and break down the artificial barriers created by a silo approach to service delivery, the Minister said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-08-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: Departments finalise skills, innovation strategies to support economic recovery Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande says different departments are finalising their skills and innovation strategies to support governments Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP). The Department of Higher Education and Training is finalising the Skills Strategy, whilst the Department of Science and Innovation is finalising the Innovation Strategy, Nzimande said. Nzimande said the Department of Higher Education and Training has generated the scarce, critical skills, and occupations in high demand lists to guide programme offerings and student enrolments in the Post School Education and Training (PSET) institutions. While this work is underway, the Minister said targets are set for the placement of graduates in work places so that they are work-ready for easy absorption into the world of work, given that the lack of work experience is often the barrier to securing gainful and permanent employment among young people. He said that entrepreneurship hubs are being established at Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges to support students to move into self-employment after completing their programmes. The Minister said both the universities and TVET Colleges curricula are strengthened to be relevant to skills required by the national economy and that of the world. This is to ensure that the PSET sector produces world class graduates who, more importantly, are able to participate and grow the South African local economy and help in the local job creation drive and the implementation of the ERRP. At various intervals our universities align their study programmes to these national priorities, whilst our TVET colleges are gradually aligning their programme offerings to the needs of local employers and communities, Nzimande said. The Minister noted that some of these changes are happening within current programme offerings, whilst many colleges are introducing new occupational offerings that are in demand within their specific local economic context. In addition, there has been an extensive review of much of the TVET curricula to make them relevant and keep them current, and this will continue for the next several years. The focus at the moment is on digital and related skills to meet job demands driven by the 4th Industrial Revolution, Nzimande said. He added that the Department of Higher Education and Training also initiated different programmes aimed at encouraging young people to become artisans. In 2014 we launched the Decade of the Artisan at Ekurhuleni East TVET college which is a campaign that seeks to promote artisanship as a career of choice for South Africas youth as well as highlight skills development opportunities for artisans. This was aimed at developing qualified artisans to support the South African economy, particularly in light of the successful implementation of the Strategic Infrastructure Projects (SPIs). The theme of this campaign was Its cool to be a 21st century artisan, Nzimande highlighted. In 2017, the department started with the establishment of Centres of Specialisation in more than 20 colleges focusing on 13 designated trades. Centres of Specialisation in the TVET College sector is a programme which aims to inform college differentiation, promote quality teaching and learning, facilitate responsiveness and provide a model for the implementation of Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTOs) trade qualifications at the same time, as it develops artisanal skills. In relation to artisan training, Nzimande said in the 2018/2019 financial year, the number of registrations was at 29 982. However, due to economic slowdown and COVID-19, the number dropped to 16 218 in 2019/2020 year and is expected to further drop in 2020/2021 year, due to the current pandemic. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-08-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: Society called to stand in unison against GBV Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, has reiterated the call for society to stand in unison with government to fight the battle against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). The Minister made the call during a visit to the bereaved family of Fort Hare University student, Nosicelo Mtebeni, who was brutally murdered allegedly by her boyfriend. Nkoana-Mashabane emphasised that while government is doing its part, it cannot achieve this objective alone. Prevention of GBVF must start at family and societal level, where perpetrators live side by side with victims. How we raise our girl and boy children is key. We have to teach boys that resolving conflict without resorting to violence is critical. We have to work on the self-esteem of young boys and men in our society, Nkoana-Mashabane said. The Minister expressed her heartfelt condolences to the Mtebeni family, saying their pain is shared by the whole nation. This is a very painful period for all of us. The Mtebeni pain is our pain. Nosicelo was the beam of hope for this family and that hope has been gruesomely taken away from them, Nkoana-Mashabane said. She said the visit to the Mtebeni homestead was of paramount importance, as the family needed to be reassured that they are not mourning the death of their daughter alone. On Saturday, the Minister also met with the granddaughter of 93-year-old, Cynthia Doubell, who was raped and murdered in her home in Belville, Western Cape. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-08-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: Justice department fighting GBVF The Department of Justice and Correctional Services is taking decisive steps to fight Gender Based Violence and Femicide, says Minister Ronald Lamola. He said the department is taking a victim centred justice system. In the Justice Sector, we continue to lead various campaigns against Gender Based Violence and Femicide, for both society and the workplace. We have availed resources to fight this pandemic including ensuring that we have victim centric justice system that eliminates secondary victimisation, he said. Lamola said the courts are meting out hefty consequences for perpetrators of the scourge which has gripped South Africa for a long time. [W]e have taken decisive actions within the ambit of the law against perpetrators. This sends a strong message that there will be serious consequences and severe punishment for violating women. The courts are demonstrating to South Africans through convictions and harsh sentences that strong actions are taken. We have also toughened granting of bail and our parole regime is reformed to ensure that perpetrators of Gender Based Violence and Femicide are not granted parole prior to satisfying strict requirements, Lamola said. He assured that officials whose action, inaction or failure to observe standard operating procedures lead to compromised security resulting in loss of lives will be punished. The Minister said although government has initiated progressive policies against Gender Based Violence and Femicide, society is also needed to fight patriarchy and misogyny. Society must come on board, we must address and tackle the deep rooted culture of violence and masculinity which manifests itself in our communities. Concerted efforts to dismantle patriarchal mindsets in society are still needed, we will remain relentless in promoting gender equality. We will continue agitating for increased representation of women which must culminate into increased influence. If all of us can take a firm stand against this pandemic and commit ourselves as activists, together we can defeat this monster. Violence against women is a direct threat to the fabric of society, Lamola said. The Department of Social Development has established a 24-hour Gender Based Violence Command Centre which offers trauma counselling and assistance to survivors. It can be contacted on 0800 428 428 or send a please call me by dialling *120*7867# on a cellphone. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-08-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: SA to look into vaccinating children once most adults are covered Government is making every effort to reach population immunity and is investigating immunising children with the remaining vaccine stock once most adults are covered. Just in the same way as when we were convinced that we have enough capacity and stock to cover the above 35. Therefore, when that stage arrives, we will definitely look at science and our capacity. Then, at that stage, we should be able to move towards the lower ages below 18, as some of the vaccines have already been approved for those who are under 18, said Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla on Tuesday. Last week, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) reported an uptick in respiratory and COVID-19 hospital admissions in the Free State and Western Cape and children younger than 20 years. Addressing the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), the Minister said, while other nations are already inoculating children as young as 12 years-old, South Africa is currently prioritising the adult population. So, the question is whether at some stage, even if we're not fully opening up for the below 18 [year-olds], whether children with comorbidities [should be vaccinated]. Were keeping that on the radar screen, he said. Phaahla explained that this could mean that the children with comorbidities come forward with clinical records for his department to investigate. At this stage, because of the hierarchy of risk, we're still focusing on the adult population, he stressed. Sufficient vaccines Meanwhile, he said the country has sufficient capacity and life-saving shots for the countrys adult population. Generally, stock levels is not a challenge to us, he added. Briefing the NCOP on the COVID-19 vaccination programme, he said government continues to focus on the work-based vaccination plan while working with major chain pharmacies such as Dischem and Clicks that have come on board to distribute vaccines. In addition to the health facilities, the Minister said government has been going into communities, workplaces including mines and farms to ensure that the jabs reach the far corners of the country. In the medium to long term, what we're looking forward to is to be able to achieve what is called population immunity, so that the vast majority of the South African population, especially those who are 18 and above can be saved and be able to be economically active, he explained. Government is aiming to vaccinate at least 70% of the 40 million adults by December. The country has now distributed 12 289 478 vaccines, translating to 9 252 975 people who have received their vaccination. According to Phaahla, this means there are another 30 million adults that still need to be jabbed. So, we still have a long way. But, we are hoping that at least by December, it will be covered minimum of 70% of this adult population that will give us very good coverage, he said, adding that government is due to receive large stock of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine vials very soon. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-08-31. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 President Ho Chi Minh with aspir President Ho Chi Minh with aspiration for independence, freedom, happiness spotlighted A symposium named President Ho Chi Minh with the aspiration for independence, freedom and happiness was held via videoconference on August 31 by the Institute of Ho Chi Minh and Party leaders under the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and the President Ho Chi Minh relic site at the Presidential Palace. On September 2, 1945, at Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (File Photo: VNA) In his opening remarks, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics Le Van Loi said that the symposium offered a chance to once again study and clarify the revolutionary life of President Ho Chi Minh and pay tribute to his great contributions to the national liberation and development cause. Loi said that according to the late President, national independence must be associated with freedom and happiness for all people and is a prerequisite for the realisation of the people's freedom and happiness, and the people's freedom and happiness are the fundamental criterion and a measure of the value of national independence. President Ho Chi Minhs aspiration for independence, freedom and happiness has become a great motivation and strength for the Vietnamese people to overcome all difficulties and challenges, he affirmed. He emphasised that the entire Party, people and army are currently implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, promoting the movement of studying and following President Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle, and taking drastic measures to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and protect public health. The late leaders will and aspiration for independence, freedom and happiness should continue to be creatively applied and developed in order to encourage and promote the tradition of patriotism, solidarity, and self-resilience to overcome difficulties and obstacles, firmly stepping on the path of renewal and development, for a Vietnam with wealthy people, strong country, democracy, justice and civilization, added Loi. Participants also focused discussion on the life and career of the late leader who devoted all of his life to national independence and the people's freedom and happiness. Source: NDO Indian naval ship arrives in HCM City with Covid-19 relief The Indian Navy's INS Airavat has arrived in HCM City, bringing 100 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen and 300 oxygen concentrators to support the city. The Indian Embassy in Vietnam described the activity as friendly assistance by the Indian government to the people and government of Vietnam in the ongoing fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The Indian naval ship arrived in HCM City on August 30 The ship controlled by Captain M. Prasanna Kuma docked at Nha Rong-Khanh Hoi Port in HCM City on Monday. Attending the receiving event were representatives of the two countries, including Deputy Chief of Staff of the HCM City Border Guard, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Anh Duc; Deputy Chief of Staff of Naval Region 2, Colonel Tran Dinh Nui and those from the Indian Consulate General in HCM City. Ho Chi Minh City has been Vietnams Covid-19 epicentre since the fourth pandemic wave hit the country since late April this year. Commentary: U.S. politicizing of origins tracing threatens global fight against pandemic Xinhua) 08:10, August 31, 2021 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. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) EU removes U.S. from safe travel list due to COVID-19 surge Xinhua) 08:24, August 31, 2021 A European Union flag is seen in front of the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, July 7, 2020.(Xinhua/Zhang Cheng) The EU's criteria to determine the third countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted cover the epidemiological situation and overall response to COVID-19, as well as the reliability of the available information and data sources. Reciprocity is also taken into account on a case by case basis. BRUSSELS, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Council of the European Union (EU) on Monday recommended that member states of the EU reintroduce restrictions on travellers from the United States due to a surge in COVID-19 infections there. The decision, which the Council announced through a statement, reversed a decision taken in June when the bloc put the U.S. on the safe travel list just in time for the summer holidays. In the past week, the U.S. reported 977,947 confirmed cases and 7,394 deaths, the most severe in the world, according to the World Health Organization. Apart from the U.S., the Council also removed Israel, Lebanon, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo from the safe list of countries and regions for nonessential travel. A pedestrian wearing a face mask passes in front of Pfizer's World Headquarters in New York, United States, on Aug. 23, 2021. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua) The recommendation is not binding but travellers from these countries and regions will face increased scrutiny and restrictions when they travel to the EU, including mandatory quarantine. "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 travellers," the Council added. The EU's criteria to determine the third countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted cover the epidemiological situation and overall response to COVID-19, as well as the reliability of the available information and data sources. Reciprocity is also taken into account on a case by case basis. On the latest safe travel list were Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Japan, Jordan, New Zealand, Qatar, Moldova, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Ukraine and China (subject to confirmation of reciprocity). (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) An all-out battle against Delta outbreak in China's Henan Xinhua) 08:26, August 31, 2021 Central China's Henan Province has seen an all-out battle against a COVID-19 resurgence in the past month. Last Saturday, Zhengzhou city cleared all its medium- and high-risk areas for COVID-19, with restriction measures in affected areas lifted. Zhengzhou, the province's capital city, has suffered a double whammy of devastating floods in July, and the following emergence of COVID-19's Delta variant. On July 31, 12 cases were reported in Zhengzhou and there were 30 asymptomatic cases under medical observation in Henan, among which 10 were imported. Genome sequencing revealed the COVID-19 cases were highly similar to an imported case from Myanmar under treatment at the sixth people's hospital of Zhengzhou, according to a health official. In the following days, Zhengzhou, a city with more than 10 million people, completed five rounds of mass nucleic acid testing. Epidemic prevention and control measures were immediately tightened. The municipal urban administration bureau led relevant environmental sanitation departments to disinfect key areas and main roads in the city. The city's primary school enrollment was postponed. All residential communities and villages in the city implemented closed-loop management, urging residents in medium and high-risk areas for COVID-19 to quarantine at home and calling on people not to leave the city unless necessary. In Erqi District, food items such as noodles, flour and vegetables were delivered to communities. Inspection teams were deployed at the airport, railway stations and expressway toll gates for checking the COVID-19 negative certificates. From July 31 to Aug. 26, the province reported a total of 167 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases. On Saturday, Zhengzhou cleared all its medium- and high-risk areas for COVID-19, with closed-loop management measures in affected areas lifted. Temporary sites for checking nucleic acid test reports for those leaving the city were also removed. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Technology provides training muscle for Beijing Winter Olympics Xinhua) 09:03, August 31, 2021 A training system based on wind tunnel at Beijing Jiaotong University sends real-time data including speed, wind resistance and posture to a tester on July 16, 2021.(Xinhua/Ren Chao) BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have joined forces to prepare venues, gear, and athletes' training facilities for the Beijing Winter Olympics coming up in 2022. VENUE In 2018, researchers and students from the wind tunnel lab at Beijing Jiaotong University joined the construction efforts of the Winter Olympic venues. The National Alpine Ski Center, one of Beijing 2022's most technically challenging venues, was built more than 1,200 meters above sea level on Xiaohaituo Mountain in the Yanqing competition zone. At the foot of the Alpine Ski center, a sliding track for bobsled, luge, and skeleton at the 2022 Games winds down the mountain, ready for the world's best pilots to display their courage and skills in disciplines often dubbed "Formula 1 on ice." The 1.9-km sliding center, the first of its kind in China, features 16 angled curves to resemble a mythical Chinese dragon. "The Yanqing competition zone has complex terrain and strong wind," said Li Bo, a professor at Beijing Jiaotong University. "Wind resistance is key to the construction of buildings and temporary facilities. Li and his team from the wind tunnel lab studied the wind field data in the Yanqing competition zone and used tunnel tests to assist in the design of the Olympic venues. According to Qiu Jianbing, the design leader of the sliding center, the facility at the Yanqing competition zone is located on the mountain's southern slope. The design team developed a system combining the terrain, awning, and sunshade to reduce the impact of solar radiation. They analyzed the sun's height in spring, autumn and winter, and used computer models to simulate and determine the awning and sunshade coverage on the track. Now, harsh sunlight will not be an issue for athletes' training and competition. Aerial photo taken on Jan. 19, 2021 shows the National Sliding Center in Yanqing District, Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) GEAR Last month, the first bobsleigh developed in China was exhibited in Shougang Park, the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games headquarters. In the Winter Olympics, Bobsleighing, a traditional sporting event, has been largely dominated by Western teams. As a late comer, the Chinese team has been relying on imported sleighs for training and competitions. A research and innovation consortium of 12 industry units was established to make the Chinese bobsleigh from scratch. China's space technologies played a role in developing the country's first homemade bobsleigh. The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology chose carbon fiber composite material to make the bobsleigh lighter, and used streamlined design to fit the body shape of Chinese athletes. The sleighs went through wind drag tests at the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA), and their shapes have been optimized to experience lower resistance and higher speeds. The homemade sleighs have an 8 percent lower wind drag, significantly boosting athletes' performance. The sleigh is expected to be delivered to Chinese athletes in mid-September and make its debut in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Researchers from the wind tunnel lab at Beijing Jiaotong University discuss their experiment plan on July 16, 2021. (Xinhua/Ren Chao) TRAINING Finding the most aerodynamic position is vital for athletes across many sports, and many use wind tunnels to train. Testing performance in the wind tunnel can help optimize sportswear and equipment to reduce drag, and help athletes find their "winning postures." Zhang Yuanzhao, a member of the wind tunnel lab of Beijing Jiaotong University, said that more than 10 national Winter Olympics teams had completed wind tunnel tests and data analysis at the lab as of mid-July. The CAAA also developed a wind tunnel to help train Chinese athletes for the 2022 Winter Olympics. The maximum wind speed in the tunnel is 42 meters per second. A 6 DoF (degrees of freedom) skeleton sled training system has been developed with the help of virtual reality and digital simulation technologies. The system, which gives athletes the feel of training on an actual track, can calculate the gravity, wind resistance, and track friction data in real time and help athletes form muscle memory at turnings. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) COVID-19 origins probe by U.S. intelligence community merely another political manipulation farce People's Daily) 09:09, August 31, 2021 The United States intelligence community report on COVID-19 origins is "not scientifically credible", and Washington's assertion of lack of transparency on the part of China is only an excuse for politicizing and stigmatizing purpose, the Chinese embassy in the U.S. said on August 28. A two-page summary of the report the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released on that day does not rule out either natural exposure or laboratory accident as the origins of SARS-CoV-2, but it claims that China "continues to hinder the global investigation, resist sharing information and blame other countries". A woman gets inoculated with Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination hub in Taguig City, the Philippines, on April 16, 2021. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali) The U.S. intelligence agencies are quite experienced in making and spreading disinformation. It cooked up the conspiracy theory that the novel coronavirus leaked from a Wuhan lab, which was soon debunked by the global science community; it then repeatedly hyped up the lab leak theory in disregard of the scientific conclusions in the WHO-China joint report on COVID-19 origins; more surprisingly, U.S. President openly ordered intelligence community to probe into the origins of the COVID-19, and asked for a report based on analysis of information that could bring us closer to a definitive conclusion in 90 days. Continuously hyping the origins-tracing investigations, the U.S. side doesnt care about facts and truth, but tries hard to exhaust Chinas diplomatic resources, increase U.S. leverage toward China and hedge against Chinas influence. Such malicious intentions of the country have become all too clear. The despicable misdeeds of the U.S. side, while revealing the countrys disrespect for scientific spirit, have disrupted global anti-epidemic cooperation. They are accomplices of the pandemic and more dangerous political viruses. The so-called report on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic compiled by U.S. intelligence agencies was aimed at covering up the truth about the failure of the U.S. to control the pandemic and shifting the blame for the incompetence of U.S. government to China. In the report, the U.S. continued to confuse the public by falsely accusing China of hindering global investigation, lacking transparency, and refusing to share information. Such groundless accusations are merely poorly fabricated excuses for its failed investigation into the roots of the COVID-19. Since the highly-anticipated report failed to serve its intention of pursuing presumption of guilt against China, the White House claimed that it would continue working with like-minded partners around the world to press China. China has always taken a scientific, professional, serious, and responsible attitude towards in tracing the origins of the COVID-19. It is the first country in the world that has carried out cooperation with the WHO on global COVID-19 origin tracing. It has twice invited WHO experts to China for origin tracing, and was completely open and transparent when the experts were in China. They visited every site on their list, met every individual they asked for, and were provided with all the data they wanted. The WHO-China joint report provides authoritative and science-based conclusions on COVID-19 origin tracing, serving as a good foundation for the next stage of COVID-19 origin tracing work around the world. In contrast, the U.S. has not only reported the highest number of COVID-19 infections and death toll in the world, but caused the most serious cross-border spread of the virus. The time of the first cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. has been continuously proven earlier than previously reported. The connection between the countrys biological labs of Fort Detrick and University of North Carolina and the COVID-19 is highly suspicious. The international community strongly urges the U.S. side to show an open and transparent attitude towards concerns over these labs and provide detailed information about them. However, the U.S. has not only avoided questions and remained secretive about them, but constantly set up barriers to prevent the world from getting more information. The U.S. has confused right and wrong, arbitrarily sought presumption of guilt, and openly played double standards on COVID-19 origin tracing, continuously pursued politicization and stigmatization against China amid the pandemic, and used the COVID-19 origin tracing as a tool to serve its own interest. Such self-deceiving tricks make the country both pathetic and ridiculous. Although the WHO-China joint report stated that the introduction of COVID-19 through a laboratory accident is extremely unlikely, the U.S., driven by its tendency to look for a scapegoat for its incompetence in handling the pandemic, has insisted that the two hypotheses, natural exposure or laboratory accident, are both plausible. Americans always associate epidemics with foreign immigrants, and use them as convenient scapegoats, pointed out a U.S. scholar, adding that blaming others for ones own mistakes is always easier than looking into the mirror or examining the broken heart. Instead of focusing its energy on fighting the COVID-19 at home, the U.S. has just continuously played the blame game and resorted to political manipulation, which could only lead the country to failure of pandemic response and worse cross-border spread of the virus. If the U.S. truly cares about the COVID-19 origin tracing and wants to play the role of a responsible country, it should not splash dirty water onto other countries, but show its sincerity by earnestly taking effective measures to control the pandemic and inviting the WHO over for investigation into the origins of the pandemic. By doing so, the country can help mankind defeat the pandemic at an early date and better respond to future public health emergencies. An old Chinese saying goes A just cause enjoys abundant support while an unjust cause finds little. Today, the COVID-19 pandemic is still raging across the world. The horrible virus has so far infected more than 200 million people and caused over 4.4 million deaths globally. At such a critical moment, the U.S. side had better understand that its attempt to politicize COVID-19 origin tracing will lead nowhere. It should never disturb and delay science-based COVID-19 origin tracing out of ulterior motives and disregard the lives and health of people around the world. The U.S. side must stop poisoning international cooperation on COVID-19 origin tracing and sabotaging global anti-epidemic cooperation, return to the correct path of science-based origin tracing and cooperation for fighting the pandemic. Its the expectation of international community, and will also serve the interests of the American people. If the U.S. failed to meet these expectations and pushed its political manipulation farce too far to be stopped, it would find itself end up becoming a laughing stock in the world stage. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) China issues commemorative coins to mark its first Mars mission Xinhua) 09:19, August 31, 2021 Photo shows a set of commemorative coins celebrating the success of China's first Mars mission issued by the country's central bank. (China Gold Coin Incorporation/Handout via Xinhua) BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- China's central bank issued a set of commemorative coins Monday to celebrate the success of the country's first Mars mission. The success of the mission marks an important step in China's interstellar exploration and has left a Chinese mark on Mars for the first time. Orbiting, landing and roving on the planet has been achieved in one launch mission for the first time in the world. The commemorative set contains two gold coins and one silver coin. All coins feature the logo of China's planetary exploration missions, the country name and year of issuance on the obverse, while the reverse shows images of orbiting, landing and roving by the mission and a line --"China's first Mars mission Tianwen-1 succeeds" -- in Chinese. China's Tianwen-1 mission, consisting of an orbiter, lander, and rover, was launched on July 23, 2020. As of Monday, the Mars rover Zhurong has traveled 1,064 meters on the red planet's surface since it set its wheels on Martian soil on May 22. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) China, DPRK vow to enhance traditional friendly relations Xinhua) 09:22, August 31, 2021 Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi meets with Ri Ryong Nam, ambassador of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to China, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 30, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi met with Ri Ryong Nam, ambassador of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to China, in Beijing on Monday. Zhao said that China is ready to work with the DPRK to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two countries, enhance strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation, and jointly safeguard the security of the two countries and the stability of the border areas. Zhao also called for efforts to maintain, consolidate and develop the two countries' traditional friendship and promote their causes of socialism for new development. Ri Ryong Nam said the DPRK stands ready to work with China to enhance communication and coordination, deepen practical cooperation and promote the development of bilateral relations. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Geng Shuang: Withdrawal from Afghanistan is not the end CGTN) 09:25, August 31, 2021 On August 30, The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting and voted on the draft resolution on Afghanistan. Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the U.N., pointed out that the recent chaos in Afghanistan is directly related to the hasty and disorderly withdrawal of foreign troops during the meeting. He hoped that relevant countries can realize that withdrawal is not the end of responsibility, but the beginning of reflection and correction. Geng Shuang said that relevant countries should learn from the lesson, earnestly respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, earnestly respect the right of the Afghan people to independently determine their own future and destiny.Wantonly slapping sanctions and exerting pressure solves no problem and will only be counterproductive. He also said the actions of foreign forces in Afghanistan in the past 20 years, including the criminal responsibility of the U.S. and Australian forces for the indiscriminate killing of civilians, must not be completely written off and must continue to be held accountable. The U.S. military recent retaliatory attacks against ISIL in Afghanistan, caused innocent civilian casualties. China calls on the U.S. to refrain from indiscriminate bombing of civilian clusters in Afghanistan. Geng Shuang emphasized that China has always attached importance to Afghanistan's fight against terrorism and strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Kabul. Geng said China hopes that the safety of Kabul Airport can be guaranteed, the evacuation of relevant personnel can proceed smoothly and smoothly, and all parties concerned can strengthen coordination and jointly prevent new terrorist attacks. "All countries should fulfil their obligations in accordance with international law and Security Council resolutions, work with each other in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and take resolute actions to prevent terrorist organisations from taking advantage of this chaos in Afghanistan," Geng said. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Senior CPC, CPV officials hold talk on promoting publicity cooperation Xinhua) 09:45, August 31, 2021 Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, holds talks with Nguyen Trong Nghia, head of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee's Commission for Information and Education, via video link in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 30, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Huang Kunming, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, held talks with Nguyen Trong Nghia, head of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee's Commission for Information and Education, via video link Monday. Huang, also a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the Committee, said that China is willing to work with Vietnam to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two parties and the two countries, promote pragmatic cooperation in the fields of publicity and culture, and continuously enrich the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. Nguyen extended congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC and said that Vietnam is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China and promote bilateral ties. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Major incidents of Afghan civilian casualties from U.S. airstrikes in recent years Xinhua) 10:03, August 31, 2021 KABUL, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. drones and fighter jets have been bombing Afghanistan since late 2001 when the United States invaded the landlocked country in Asia. Shrouded in secrecy, U.S. airstrikes have taken a hidden but heavy toll on civilian lives. In the latest tragedy on Sunday, at least nine people, including children, were killed in a U.S. drone strike targeting a vehicle in the Afghan capital of Kabul. Here is a list of some of U.S. airstrikes that resulted in multiple deaths of Afghan civilian in recent years. The list is far from being complete as the U.S. campaign is marked by a lack of transparency and accountability: Aug. 29, 2021: -- A U.S. drone strike on a vehicle in a Kabul neighborhood killed at least nine civilians, allegedly including some children, according to local reports. Some other media also reported that nine members of a family, including six children, were among the dead. Oct. 26, 2020: -- A U.S. airstrike, which targeted a Taliban stronghold near civilian houses in the Durrani area of Nerkh district, 40 km from Kabul, killed three children. As usual, the Pentagon denied any civilian casualties, but The New York Times said its reporters had confirmed the civilian casualties. March 2020: -- To make its airstrike campaign even more opaque, the U.S. Central Command stopped publishing its summaries of airstrikes in Afghanistan from March, which meant that there were no figures for airstrikes available after February 2020. July 19, 2018: -- U.S. airstrikes on a residential compound in Chahar Dara district, Kunduz province, killed 14 women and children, all from the same extended family. The U.S. military initially denied any civilian casualties, and only conducted a probe after "significant protest" from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. October 2017 through 2019: -- Then U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis announced that the U.S. military had relaxed its rules of engagement for airstrikes in Afghanistan. In the following two years, Afghan civilian casualties due to U.S. airstrikes jumped through 2019. According to the London-based research charity Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), in 2018 alone, 236 minors were killed by U.S. airstrikes. Another 256 were injured, leaving a total of 492 child casualties. In 2019, the U.S. Air Force was responsible for more than two thirds of child casualties from airstrikes, according to the AOAV. Oct. 3, 2015: -- A U.S. AC-130 gunship devastated an Afghan hospital run by the international medical aid agency Doctors Without Borders in Kunduz, killing 42 civilians and injuring another dozens. A U.S. military internal probe concluded that it "was not a war crime," arguing that the mistake was caused by a combination of human error and failures of systems and equipment. Feb. 21, 2010: -- A drone strike in southern Afghanistan's Uruzgan province killed 23 civilians and wounded 12 others. In a rare move to acknowledge any civilian casualties, the Pentagon later released a report on the incident, criticizing a drone crew for the deadly mistake. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) UK double standards on human rights 10:10, August 31, 2021 By Wu Chaolan ( People's Daily Online Passengers walk at St. Pancras International Station in London, Britain, July 29, 2021. (Xinhua/Han Yan) The 53rd Press Conference by the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Xinjiang-related issues was held in Beijing on August 30, with nearly 50 representatives attending the conference. Three Uygur scholars shared their opinion about the United Kingdoms double standards on Xinjiang-related issues, including the accusations of so-called forced labor, genocide, racism, and social inequality. Scholars have enumerated numerous irrefutable pieces of evidence on the UKs own violations of human rights, which discloses the bloody British history of colonialism and racialism. Its ridiculous that the United Kingdom, a country that committed towering crimes in human history, has touted itself as a lecturer on human rights, said Xu Guixiang, a spokesperson from the Information Office of the Peoples Government of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Genocide Along with other countries, the UK has attempted to concoct some of the biggest lies of the century by hurling the so-called Xinjiang genocide falsehood, but the truth is that the United Kingdom has committed numerous genocides around the world in its shameful history of colonialism, said Mahmut Abduwali, an Associate Professor at the Institute of History with the Xinjiang Academy of Social Sciences. Since 1803, when the UK began its colonization of Tasmania, British settlers committed brutal crimes against the native population, such as depriving them of food and killing able-bodied men, which led to the widespread genocide of aboriginal Tasmanians. In 1876, the last survivor of these aboriginal Tasmanians was killed. The UK also engaged in the brutal killing of the Maori people in New Zealand, the crushing of the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya, not to mention its holocaust in India. There is no position for the United Kingdom to talk about human rights and point fingers at Chinas Xinjiang issues, said Abduwali. Forced Labor The UK has continued to falsely accuse Xinjiang of so-called forced labor and has encouraged unreasonable sanctions against relevant enterprises in Xinjiang, but the UK itself in fact is actually the country guilty of rampant forced labor. From 1700 to the 1820s, the British slave traders sold more than 3 million black slaves, with the figure ranking first among all European colonial powers at that time. Most black slaves were sold to the British colonies and forced to do heavy work under adverse working conditions. Statistics show that the average lifespan of black slaves during that period was only 29 years old. The gene of forced labor that is inseparable from UK history was passed on to the country in its current form in the 21st century. In 2015, more than 3,000 individuals were enslaved in British cannabis factories. According to the Centre for Social Justice, a British think tank dedicated to advocating for the rights and interests of disadvantaged groups in the UK, there are at least 100,000 potential victims of modern slavery in the country at present and the actual figure may be even higher. A news report from The Sun revealed that the country had 136,000 domestic slaves in 2019. Anti-Muslim For years, the UK has disseminated malicious lies that China has persecutes Muslims in Xinjiang, without providing any conclusive evidence. However, discrimination against Muslims is widespread in the UK. According to the Guardian, the number of anti-Muslim attacks and incidents of abuse increased by 26 percent in 2017, with 1,201 verified reports submitted. Experts put the rise down to the growth of the far right, as well as a large number of trigger incidents. Islamophobia has intensified in the United Kingdom, and it is common for Muslims to suffer discrimination as their basic political, economic, cultural, and social rights are difficult to protect, said Ramila Shawkat, an Associate Professor at the School of Marxism in Xinjiang University. Racism The UK has bragged about itself being a democratic country, emphasizing racial harmony and mutual respect, but the fact is that racial discrimination, violence, and harassment against ethnic minorities are ingrained phenomena inherent to the country both past and present. According to the Lancet, an international medical journal, minorities in the UK have faced a greater risk of infection and death than their white counterparts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The death rate among British-Africans and British-Pakistanis from coronavirus in hospitals in England has been more than 2.5 times that of the white British population, according to a stark analysis by the Institute of Fiscal Studies. Racial discrimination in the United Kingdom not only lasts for a long time but also sprawls to every corner of British society, said Elijah Anayat, a spokesperson from the Information Office of the Peoples Government of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Vulnerable Groups The UK has relentlessly forged the groundless accusation that China abused women and children in Xinjiang while ignoring the inhuman treatment toward the vulnerable groups within its own country. The rights of women, children, and the elderly have been severely violated. The UCL analyzed data from nearly 3,000 UK women that showed one in five women in the country had, on average, been subjected to some form of gender discrimination. A YouGov poll in May 2020 commissioned by the charity Food Foundation found that 2.4 million children in the UK were living in food-insecure households. By October last year, an extra 900,000 children had been registered for free school meals. A considerable number of UK elderly people live in dire straits. More than 700,000 elderly people are subjected to abuse in their own homes or privately run nursing homes, according to the report. (Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Liang Jun) Meituan put under probe for Mobike acquisition China Daily) 11:08, August 31, 2021 The State Administration for Market Regulation, China's top market regulator, said on Monday that it is launching an investigation into food delivery giant Meituan's undeclared acquisition of bike-sharing firm Mobike. The administration said on its website that the move is to strengthen the regulation of the shared consumption sector. It had already urged eight sharing economy firms, including Meituan and Shenzhen Laidian Technology, to rectify soaring prices. The announcement followed an exchange filing by Meituan in which it said it was likely to make changes to its business practices or be fined a significant amount following an administration investigation in April into alleged monopolistic behavior by the company. Meituan is likely to be fined about $1 billion by the antitrust regulator in the coming weeks for allegedly abusing its dominant market position to the detriment of merchants and rivals, The Wall Street Journal reported. "Such moves clearly send a signal that the country is boosting regulations on improper market behavior, especially monopolistic behavior, by internet and technology firms," said Wang Peng, an associate professor at Hillhouse Research Institute at Renmin University of China. "Behaviors that violate the interests of consumers will not be tolerated anymore." On Monday, China's top leadership said at a high-level meeting that it is necessary to boost supervision and law enforcement in key areas, such as the platform economy, technological innovation, information security and the protection of people's livelihoods. Meituan, which is backed by tech giant Tencent Holdings, has shed about $160 billion in market value since its February high. It reported on Monday that its total revenue rose 77 percent year-on-year to 43.7 billion yuan ($6.77 billion) in the second quarter of this year, but its net loss hit 3.36 billion yuan during the period. Since last year, a string of Chinese internet heavyweights, including Alibaba Group Holding, Tencent, JD and Suning.com, have been investigated or fined for alleged monopolistic behavior. "Antitrust efforts will not crack down on a single company or industry," said Li Chao, chief analyst at Zheshang Securities. "On the contrary, such moves will lead to the flourishing of the sector as a whole in the long term." (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Chinese envoy to UN urges reflection from relevant countries over Afghanistan fallout Xinhua) 14:21, August 31, 2021 UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan does not mark the end of responsibility, rather the beginning of reflection and correction, a Chinese envoy said here on Monday. "The chaos in Afghanistan is directly related to the hasty and disorderly withdrawal of foreign troops," Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council in remarks after a vote on a draft resolution on Afghanistan. "We hope that relevant countries will realize the fact that withdrawal is not the end of responsibility, but the beginning of reflection and correction," he said, while urging them to learn from the lessons, and truly respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, and the rights of the Afghan people to determine their own future. On recent retaliatory attacks on ISIS-K, an affiliate of the Islamic State group, which had reportedly caused casualties of innocent civilians, Geng urged the United States to refrain from indiscriminately bombing populated areas in Afghanistan. The Chinese envoy stressed China strongly condemns the recent terrorist attacks in Kabul and warned the hasty withdrawal of foreign troops would likely provide opportunities for various terrorist organizations to make a comeback in Afghanistan. "We hope that the security of Kabul airport can be guaranteed, the evacuation of relevant personnel can proceed smoothly, and all parties concerned can strengthen coordination to jointly prevent new terrorist attacks," he said. Afghanistan, Geng said, must never again become the breeding ground of terrorism or a base for terrorists. This is the bottom line that Afghanistan must adhere to in any future political settlement, he continued, adding that it is hoped that the Taliban will honestly fulfill their commitments and completely cut off ties with all terrorist organizations. Mentioning that the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan will expire next month, Geng said China looks forward to continuing constructive consultations with members of the Security Council, and conducting in-depth discussions and striving for board consensus on the UN presence in Afghanistan in the next phase in order to help Afghanistan achieve peace and reconciliation, and start its reconstruction process. As a member of the Security Council and an important neighboring country of Afghanistan, China has all along followed the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, and always pursued a friendly policy toward all Afghans, the Chinese envoy said. China, he added, is ready to continue to develop good-neighborly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan and play a constructive role in the peaceful reconstruction of the country. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Lasting settlement of Palestine-Israel question lies in two-state solution: Chinese envoy Xinhua) 14:24, August 31, 2021 UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy said Monday that a lasting settlement of the Palestine-Israel question lies in the two-state solution. The frequent conflicts between Palestinians and Israelis are largely due to the fact that the Middle East peace process has deviated from the right track, that relevant UN resolutions have not been effectively implemented, and that Palestine's right to statehood has been repeatedly violated, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN). "This proves, once again, that a lasting settlement of the Palestine-Israel question lies in the two-state solution," he told the UN Security Council. During a visit to the Middle East last month, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi put forward three ideas on implementing the two-state solution with a view to breaking the current impasse and translating the consensus on the two-state solution into concrete action, he noted. China calls for enhancing the authority of the Palestinian National Authority, supporting intra-Palestinian unity and reconciliation, and encouraging the resumption of Palestinian-Israeli peace talks based on the two-state solution. Palestinian and Israeli negotiators are welcome to conduct direct talks in China. China also calls for holding a UN-led international peace conference that brings together the permanent members of the UN Security Council and all stakeholders in the Middle East peace process, he said. As a sincere friend of the Palestinian people, China supports Palestine's just cause for fighting for its national rights and the establishment of a fully sovereign and independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. China will continue to work with the international community to preserve peace and justice, uphold fairness and conscience, practice true multiculturalism, and promote a comprehensive, reasonable, and just settlement of the Palestinian question, as well as the early realization of lasting peace in Palestine, Israel, and the wider region, he said. Geng said China is deeply concerned about the recent escalation of tensions in the occupied Palestinian territory, which casts a shadow over the cease-fire agreement reached three months ago. China urges all parties, especially Israel, to exercise maximum restraint, avoid any violence against civilians, and refrain from any actions that may heighten tensions. "We call on Israel to earnestly abide by relevant UN resolutions, halt settlement activities in the West Bank, and cease demolition of Palestinian homes and expulsion of Palestinians," he said. The double shocks of conflict and COVID-19 have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory. The international community should act urgently to provide Palestine with humanitarian and COVID response assistance through multiple channels and continue to support the work of the UN agency for Palestine refugees, or UNRWA, he said. China welcomes Qatar's cooperation with the UN to provide relief to the people of Gaza. China urges Israel to open relevant entry points, lift the blockade and siege on Gaza as soon as possible, and provide access for humanitarian assistance and reconstruction materials rather than setting up obstacles. China has been following closely the humanitarian situation in Palestine and provided concrete support to the Palestinian people's fight against the pandemic. In March this year, the Chinese government donated 100,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Palestine and will donate another 1 million doses in the near future. In addition, China will partner with Egypt to provide Palestinians in Gaza with 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines from an Egypt-based joint vaccine facility. China will also provide 200,000 doses of COVID vaccines to UNRWA, he said. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) U.S. intelligence community fails to determine COVID-19 origins: Jakarta Post Xinhua) 14:26, August 31, 2021 JAKARTA, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. intelligence community has failed to determine the most likely origins of the COVID-19 in its investigations, said The Jakarta Post reported on Sunday. The United States in its Friday report has not rule out either natural exposure or laboratory accident as the origins of SARS-CoV-2, said the daily English-language newspaper in Indonesia. The Chinese side expresses its firm opposition and strong condemnation of the report, it said. "A report fabricated by the U.S. intelligence community is not scientifically credible," a statement by Chinese embassy in the United States was quoted by the paper as saying. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) China, Cuba walk together in building socialism Xinhua) 14:45, August 31, 2021 BEIJING, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to walk together with Cuba in building socialism, be good partners in pursuing common development, good exemplars of anti-COVID-19 fight and good comrades in strategic coordination, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday in a phone conversation with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China has always supported Cuba in taking the development road in line with its national conditions and building prosperous and sustainable socialism. 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. Xi has on various occasions promoted China's long-term friendship with Cuba, and expressed China's willingness to jointly contribute to the cause of socialism. The following are some highlights of his latest remarks in this regard. May 6, 2021 Xi said in a phone conversation with Diaz-Canel that he is willing to consolidate and develop friendly relations between the two countries, and jointly open up new horizons and make new contributions to the cause of socialism. Xi said he believes that under the leadership of the new Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee led by Diaz-Canel, the PCC and the Cuban government will lead the Cuban people to forge ahead in unity and steer the cause of socialism with Cuban characteristics towards new achievements. China and Cuba are good friends, comrades and brothers, bound closely together by their common ideals and beliefs, Xi said, adding that he and Diaz-Canel have reached many consensuses in recent years on developing China-Cuba relations in the new era, which have helped push forward the development of bilateral relations. March 2021 In a reply letter to extend gratitude to Cuban leaders for congratulating China's complete victory in poverty alleviation, Xi said China and Cuba are good friends, good comrades and good brothers, adding that the two countries' traditional friendship has been deepening and their friendly cooperation has undergone all-round development in recent years. Xi said that China will, as always, support Cuba in keeping to the path of socialism and push bilateral relations to higher levels. Sept. 28, 2020 In congratulatory messages exchanged with Cuban leaders to celebrate the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, Xi said he highly values the unique friendship between China and Cuba and stands ready to help make the two countries good friends, good comrades and good brothers forever. Xi said the bilateral ties have over the past 60 years withstood the vicissitudes of the international situation and grown ever stronger. Political mutual trust between China and Cuba has been continuously deepened and bilateral practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results, Xi said, adding that the two countries have stood together and joined hands to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which has raised their traditional friendship to a higher level. Xi said that since the two countries established diplomatic ties 60 years ago, China and Cuba have forged a profound friendship with mutual understanding, mutual trust and mutual support. Feb. 28, 2020 Xi noted during his talk over phone with Diaz-Canel that after the outbreak of the pandemic, Cuban leaders immediately extended their sympathies to him, and the Cuban president also paid a special visit to the Chinese embassy in Cuba to express support for China, which fully demonstrated the profound traditional friendship between China and Cuba. China and Cuba are good friends, good comrades and good brothers who can rely on each other in difficult times and are as close as lips and teeth, Xi stressed, adding that bilateral relations have withstood major tests of winds and waves and remained resilient and vibrant. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Chinas first artificially-bred loris baby born in Yunnan People's Daily Online) 14:53, August 31, 2021 Recently, a baby loris was born at a wild animal rescue center in Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. It is reported to be China's first loris baby that was given birth to in an artificially-bred environment. In their house, the mother embraced the 10-day-old baby in her arms who was enjoying his sweet nap and presenting a lovely countenance to all. After getting enough sleep, the female loris cheerfully climbed onto the wire mesh while the baby clutched onto his mother in a playful manner. Lorises, which are under national first-class protection, feature a small size, slowness in physical movement as well as big round eyes. Staff members explain that such breeding experiments lay a foundation for lorises' future return to the wild. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun) Taliban special forces take over Kabul airport after U.S. troops pullout from Afghanistan Xinhua) 15:38, August 31, 2021 KABUL, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Taliban deployed special forces at the Kabul airport on Tuesday hours after the last batch of U.S. troops left Afghanistan. The Badri Special Forces have been deployed at the Kabul airport. "Security and safety is ensured at the airport," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told reporters at the airport. "We are ready to secure the airport. Everything will be back to normal soon," Mujahid said. "The U.S. troops have left a lot of mess at the airport, so it is a technical issue and will take some time to be solved, and efforts are underway to restart commercial flights as soon as possible." Earlier in the day, the Taliban spokesman welcomed the U.S. troops pullout from Afghanistan. "After the U.S. withdrawal, Afghanistan became completely free and independent," he said. The final evacuation flight was conducted on the last hours of Monday night, airlifting the last U.S. military and non-military personnel back home, one day before the Aug. 31 deadline set by U.S. President Joe Biden. "The U.S. had withdrawn from Afghanistan after two decades, but the Americans left a mess in our country," said Khoja Wahid, a Kabul resident. "The U.S. is defeated and it is badly defeated," said the 42-year-old man. "As I found in media reports early Tuesday that Americans are going to open its embassy to Afghansitan in Qatar. It is showing that the U.S. lost everything in Afghanistan." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said just hours after the final evacuation flights left Kabul that the United States shifted its diplomatic operations to Qatar. "As of today, we've suspended our diplomatic presence in Kabul and transferred our operations to Doha, Qatar," the top U.S. diplomat said. However, spokesman Mujahid made it clear that Taliban intended to have economic and trade ties with all countries around the world, including the United States. "Every country can have good relations and political and trade ties with Afghanistan," he said. Kabul resident Ahmad Fawad told Xinhua that the U.S. claimed they came to Afghanistan to ensure peace and security and uphold human rights, but "you can see their evacuation was not conducted in a responsible manner, as so many people died, including 13 U.S. soldiers." Fawad referred to the suicide bomb blast and gun firing on Aug. 26, which killed at least 160 Afghans and 13 U.S. troops, and injured nearly 200 others at a gate of the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, when huge crowds were waiting to board evacuation flights. ISIS-K, a local affiliate of the Islamic State group in Afghanistan, claimed responsibility for the deadly attack. "Although thousands of Afghan experts and educated people left the country, the young generation is still determined to stay in Afghanistan if peace returns and their safety and security are ensured," Fawad said. "Now, it is on the United States, their allies, the UN and the countries in the region to help we Afghans building our future." Shortly after the U.S. withdrawal from the Kabul airport, Taliban members started celebratory gun firing in Kabul roughly at 1:00 a.m. local time Tuesday, which lasted for about an hour. The Afghan capital was calm "like other normal days," but a U.S. drone was spotted flying over the city, witnesses in Kabul told Xinhua. The main business hub Mandawi in Kabul is open and there is traffic jam in the central part of the city. As the exchange market is still closed, many exchangers and vendors are doing small business on a road outside the market, according to the witnesses. Most banks in Kabul still remain closed on Tuesday with only government and private bank's main branches open. Salima, a female teacher in Kabul, expressed her hope for lasting peace in the country, welcoming the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan. "At least there is no more pretext for any armed group to continue war and fighting," she said. "Americans did not accomplish what they promised to Afghans. Although I am also concerned by the ongoing uncertainty, hopefully the situation will get better eventually, borders will reopen, and the prices are not out of control. It will take a little time to have everything well," she added. The U.S. Central Command announced Monday that the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan has completed, ending the longest war in the U.S. history. "I'm here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the mission to evacuate American citizens, third country nationals and vulnerable Afghans," Kenneth McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, told a news conference in Washington. "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 space above Afghanistan," McKenzie said. The general said the number of U.S. citizens currently still stranded in Afghanistan is "in the very low hundreds," stressing that the Department of State is in charge of assisting those evacuees. The United States and its allies speeded up their troops withdrawal from Afghansitan after the Taliban took control of Kabul on Aug. 15. The U.S. allies, including Britain, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey and Australia, have already pulled out their troops from the war-torn country. Claiming to be in pursuit of Osama bin Laden, the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, the U.S.-led military forces invaded Afghanistan and ousted the Taliban within weeks of the terrorist attacks in 2001. Over 2,400 U.S. troops have been killed in Afghanistan over the past two decades, with 20,000 others wounded, according to the Pentagon. Estimates showed that over 66,000 Afghan troops have been killed, and over 2.7 million people have been forced to leave their homes. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Xi's close bond with ethnic areas Xinhua) 15:40, August 31, 2021 BEIJING, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Dawa Gyaltsen, a 37-year-old Tibetan herder, plans to build a family inn to host increasing tourists to his village near a national highway, thanks to the local annual peach blossom festival. "My life is getting better and better," he said, bidding farewell to the hard life in his childhood. His family income from transportation, tourism cooperative dividends and herding exceeded 300,000 yuan (46,380 U.S. dollars) last year. With increased income, Dawa Gyaltsen in Galai Village in the city of Nyingchi, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, lives in a new house. His two children enjoy free education. Most of the medical fees of his parents can be covered by a rural healthcare program. In July, President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited Dawa Gyaltsen's home and chatted with the family during his inspection tour of Tibet. During the inspection trip, Xi said development in all sectors should focus on ethnic unity and progress, help improve people's livelihood and build consensus. Xi attaches great importance to ethnic unity and the development of ethnic areas. Guiding all ethnic groups to jointly strive for fully building a modern socialist country must be taken as a crucial task of the CPC's ethnic work in the new era, Xi said at the recent central conference on ethnic affairs held in Beijing. COMMON DREAM The Chinese nation is a big family and all of the family members shall live a good life, Xi has said. Not a single ethnic group should be left behind in the efforts to fully build a modern socialist China, Xi said during his inspection tour of Qinghai Province in June. He said that the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation can be only achieved when all ethnic groups remain closely united like the seeds of a pomegranate that stick together. In a historic feat, China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has eliminated absolute poverty and built a moderately prosperous society in all respects, with no one or single ethnic group left behind. Before sunrise, Wang Deli, a villager in Maozhushan Village, Quanzhou County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, arrived at his vineyard and started picking grapes. "The buyers come to the village in the morning, so I have to get the fruit ready before they come," Wang said. His 0.8-hectare vineyard has brought him over 30,000 yuan in income so far, and when all grapes are sold, he is expected to earn more than 100,000 yuan this year. While inspecting the local grape-growing industry in the village in April, Xi called for efforts to pursue rural vitalization based on local specialty industries. He also stressed measures that can ensure farmers benefit more from the development of rural industries. Ethnic areas have accelerated efforts in fostering and promoting high-quality development, developing special industries and paying more attention to ecological conservation. In 2020, these areas contributed more than 10 percent of the national GDP. From 2016 to 2020, these areas registered an annual GDP growth of 6.6 percent, 0.9 percentage points higher than the national rate, and created a total of 12.83 million urban jobs, or nearly one fifth of the country's total. Cui Lijun, a Mongolian who lives in the Linhuangjiayuan Community in the city of Chifeng, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, focuses on learning brushwork skills with calligraphy lovers. Recently, the community organized activities such as Mongolian-Chinese bilingual calligraphy classes, encouraging residents to inherit excellent ethnic culture and boost ethnic solidarity. During an inspection tour of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in July 2019, Xi visited Cui's community. He called for more efforts to promote ethnic unity and create a favorable environment where people of various ethnic groups can happily live and work. Cui's community consists of residents from 13 ethnic groups. More than 1,300 families or 30 percent of the total community are comprised of two or more ethnic groups. "The calligraphy class is a family of various ethnic groups. We have enhanced our friendship and enriched our lives through the learning and studying activities," Cui said. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Hong Kong reports 2 new imported COVID-19 cases Xinhua) 16:44, August 31, 2021 HONG KONG, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection (CHP) reported two new imported cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, taking the total tally to 12,112. The new cases involved patients arriving in Hong Kong from Turkey and Greece. A total of 74 cases have been reported in the past 14 days, including one untraceable local case, with the rest imported, according to the CHP. Hong Kong's vaccination drive is making steady progress. Since the launch of the government vaccination program in late February, around 4.12 million people, or 61.2 percent of the eligible population, have taken at least one shot of the vaccine, while around 3.41 millions are fully vaccinated. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Chinese coast guard wraps up fishery patrol in North Pacific Xinhua) 16:46, August 31, 2021 SHANGHAI, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- A fleet of two ships dispatched by the China Coast Guard (CCG) has completed a patrol mission of 2021 to enforce fisheries law in the high seas of the North Pacific Ocean and has returned to the eastern city of Shanghai. During the 31-day patrol, the coast guard ships conducted inspections and supervision on fishing boats operating in the North Pacific Ocean in accordance with relevant regulations, according to the CCG. They observed and recorded 111 fishing boats and boarded to check three boats, which have effectively fulfilled the law enforcement responsibility in high seas and maintained the fishery production order of the North Pacific Ocean, said the CCG. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) On August 30, The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting and voted on the draft resolution on Afghanistan. Geng Shuang, Chinas deputy permanent representative to the U.N., pointed out that the recent chaos in Afghanistan is directly related to the hasty and disorderly withdrawal of foreign troops during the meeting. He hoped that relevant countries can realize that withdrawal is not the end of responsibility, but the beginning of reflection and correction. Geng Shuang said that relevant countries should learn from the lesson, earnestly respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, earnestly respect the right of the Afghan people to independently determine their own future and destiny.Wantonly slapping sanctions and exerting pressure solves no problem and will only be counterproductive. He also said the actions of foreign forces in Afghanistan in the past 20 years, including the criminal responsibility of the U.S. and Australian forces for the indiscriminate killing of civilians, must not be completely written off and must continue to be held accountable. The U.S. military recent retaliatory attacks against ISIL in Afghanistan, caused innocent civilian casualties. China calls on the U.S. to refrain from indiscriminate bombing of civilian clusters in Afghanistan. Geng Shuang emphasized that China has always attached importance to Afghanistans fight against terrorism and strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Kabul. Geng said China hopes that the safety of Kabul Airport can be guaranteed, the evacuation of relevant personnel can proceed smoothly and smoothly, and all parties concerned can strengthen coordination and jointly prevent new terrorist attacks. All countries should fulfil their obligations in accordance with international law and Security Council resolutions, work with each other in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and take resolute actions to prevent terrorist organisations from taking advantage of this chaos in Afghanistan, Geng said. By Zhang Aolin On August 26, local time, the US, Japan, India and Australia kicked off the Malabar 2021, a large-scale joint maritime exercise, in the Philippine Sea. The US side announced that the exercise will be carried out in two stages, and the first stage takes place in the Philippine Sea. It can be seen that the Philippine Sea is part of the Western Pacific, which is adjacent to the East China Sea, South China Sea and Taiwan island. Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, said that the military exercise is the latest strategic move made by the US to compete with China. As part of its so-called Indo-Pacific Strategy, the exercise was intended to rope its allies and partners for a series of try-out operations. The Indo-Pacific Strategy, first initiated by former US President Donald Trump, was ostensibly aimed to keep the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean free and open, but was essentially designed to lure regional countries to give a wide berth to China and maintain Americas leading position in the West Pacific and the world in general. While Washington is bent on pulling all its troops out of Afghanistan against widespread criticism and opposition, it is at the same time going at full tilt to implement the Indo-Pacific Strategy. Admiral John Aquilino, Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, visited India, where the two sides held talks about the regional security situation in relation to China. US Vice President Kamala Harris visited Singapore, where she gushed over freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, and also went to Vietnam at a moment when Americas withdrawal from Afghanistan was ridiculed as a re-appearance of the Saigon moment. She was trying to convince the Asian countries that America had not changed and alliance with it was the only way to guarantee security. Yet Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam, did not want to take side. According to Li, countries like Singapore had their own strategic considerations; they wont blindly dance to Americas tune, and Washington cannot change their view on regional and international order in the short term. As Singapores Lianhe Zaobao and Frances AFP reported, the US has to accept the fact that Asian-Pacific countries are having closer trade ties with China. Besides, Washingtons latest debacle in Afghanistan has lent a serious blow to its credibility, not only incurring complaints from its European allies but also filling ASEAN countries with worries and doubts over Harris commitment. Yet as a country in East Asia, Japan has made no secret of its intention of taking advantage of foreign powers. It attached great importance to the exercise by dispatching four warships (in comparison with Indias two and Australias one), including the JS Kaga (DDH-184), a helicopter carrier with a planned future conversion into an aircraft carrier. Japan has completely broken away from the exclusively defense-oriented strategy in recent years. In the past, it could only leverage on the US to go global; now it is taking advantage of the four-nation joint military exercise, said Lyu Yaodong, a researcher at the Institute of Japanese Studies of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, adding that Japan is moving from playing second fiddle to taking the lead in the joint exercise. Apart from the joint exercise, Washington, Tokyo, New Delhi and Canberra are also pushing relevant matters through the QUAD organization, which, as explained by Li Haidong, plays a very limited role and cannot count as an alliance at the moment, though it may evolve into an alliance-like organization similar to NATO. According to Li, China and the US enjoy vast room for cooperation, but the latter is exerting deterrence through QUAD. Obviously, such an idea and practice are out of place in the current age and mirror the psychological imbalance of those countries. These countries are attempting to use the QUAD as a platform to establish their domination in the West Pacific and cause division and turmoil in the region, but such actions that are blatantly against the laws governing historical development are doomed to fail. Chinas position is consistent military exchanges and cooperation between countries should help maintain regional peace and stability, deepen mutual understanding and trust, rather than target any third party or harm its interests, said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, on August 26. Editor's note: This article is originally published on chinanews.com, and is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn. On August 30, the last individual vehicle race of the Suvorov Onslaught event in Korla section of the International Army Games (IAG) 2021 kicks off and the Chinese team wins first place. (Photo by Wang Kanghua) BEIJING, Aug. 31 -- Competitions of the International Army Games (IAG) 2021 are currently underway in many venues in Russia, China, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Iran. Up to now, the Chinese participating troops have won first places in the individual vehicle race of the Suvorov Onslaught event, the shooting race of the Safe Environment event, the Cooperation stage of the Clear Sky event, and the third round of the individual vehicle race of the Tank Biathlon event. They have also won the second places in the Masters of Armored Vehicles event, and the team race of the Military Rally event. New race record in the individual vehicle race of the Suvorov Onslaught event The last individual vehicle race of the Suvorov Onslaught event the in Korla section of the IAG 2021 was held on August 30, local time, and the Chinese team won the first place. The three rounds of 12 vehicle groups in the individual vehicle race of the Suvorov Onslaught event were all completed then. The Chinese team ranked first with a total of 47 minutes and 25.72 seconds, setting a new race record. The Russian team and the Belarusian team ranked second and third respectively. The three vehicle groups of the Chinese team, Group 3, Group 1 and Group 2 won the top three places in the "Winning Vehicle Group". The Chinese teams vehicle captain Zhang Yang, artillery captain Tian Zhilong, and driver Li Xiaying won the "Best Captain", "Best Artillery Captain" and "Best Driver respectively. First place in the shooting race of the Safe Environment event The shooting race of the Safe Environment event of the IAG 2021 kicked off in Korla, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on the morning of August 29, Beijing time. Teams from China, Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam competed fiercely. Confirmed by the referee committee, the Chinese team won first place in the shooting race. First place in the cooperation race of the Clear Sky event On the morning of August 29, Beijing time, the results of the cooperation race of the Clear Sky competition for man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) crews in the previous day were announced, the Chinese team took the first place. First place in the third round of individual race of the Tank Biathlon event The third round of the individual race of the Tank Biathlon event was held at the Alabino training ground in Russia on the afternoon of August 28, local time. The Chinese crew competed with participants from Russia and Uzbekistan. After fierce competition, the Chinese crew won first place and successfully advanced to the semi-finals. Second places in the Masters of Armored Vehicles event and the Military Rally event Two events of the IAG 2021, namely, the Masters of Armored Vehicles and the Military Rally have come to an end. On the morning of August 29, local time, the Chinese team won first place in the captain race of the Masters of Armored Vehicles event. In addition, it has won the second places in three individual races, the TTO workshops and the team relay race respectively, as well as the second place in overall results. The closing ceremony of the Military Rally event was held in Kyzyl region, Russia, on the morning of August 29, local time. This year, seven countries including China, Russia, Belarus and Serbia participated in the competition. The Chinese team won the third places in two races and runner-up of the overall event. The Chinese participant shoots at the target during the mastery race of the Clear Sky event of the IAG 2021 held in Korla, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on August 28. Photo by (Zhang Jiacheng) The World Health Organization says an aircraft provided by Pakistan Monday delivered the first shipment of much-needed medicine and health supplies to Afghanistan since the country came under control of the Taliban. The humanitarian assistance was loaded in Dubai and flown directly to the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif, said a WHO statement. The supplies will be immediately delivered to 40 health facilities in 29 provinces across Afghanistan. The Taliban marched into Kabul on August 15 after their weeklong stunning battlefield advances overran 33 of the country's 34 provinces without facing any significant resistance from security forces of the ousted Afghan government. The WHO said Monday that a reliable humanitarian air bridge is urgently required to scale up the collective humanitarian effort. "After days of non-stop 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 -- WHO-supported health services can continue," said Dr. Ahmed Al Mandhari, WHO regional director for the eastern Mediterranean. The 12.5 metric ton supplies delivered consist of trauma kits and interagency emergency health kits, and are enough to cover the basic health needs of more than 200,000 people, as well as provide 3,500 surgical procedures and treat 6,500 trauma patients. The WHO noted that Monday's flight was the first of three planned with Pakistan International Airlines to fill urgent shortages in medicine and medical supplies in Afghanistan. The U.S. Education Department on Monday opened a civil rights investigation into five U.S. states that have banned school districts from requiring face masks to combat the spread of the coronavirus, suggesting that the bans discriminated against students with disabilities. The agency sent letters to officials in South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Oklahoma and Iowa, all states that have barred local districts from mandating masks. The letters alleged that the states may be keeping local school districts from meeting the needs of students with disabilities, often children who are at increased risk of severe illness if they contract the coronavirus. U.S. President Joe Biden earlier this month said the Education Department would look to use its authority to try to block states from interfering with school districts that want to require masks. In numerous states, Republican governors critical of the Democratic president have contended that masking should be a personal choice for parents and families, part of the contentious national debate over mask and vaccine mandates, especially as the delta variant of the coronavirus has surged by tens of thousands of new cases in recent weeks. 22 foreigners telling their stories in China By:Zhao Chunyuan, Fu Yifei | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-08-30 16:59 "We are really good in China and we cherish our current living conditions," Anasi, 36, said at the "Top of Shanghai" reading club at the flagship store of Duoyun Academy on the afternoon of August 29. Anasi, a Latvian, came to Shanghai at the age of 19 as an exchange student at Fudan University. She originally planned to return to her country after a year in China, but she was "fascinated by the beautiful Shanghai and the rapidly developing China". Therefore, Anasi decided to further her study in law at Fudan University. After successfully completing her bachelor's and master's degrees in law, she stayed in Shanghai to work. At present, she has been the president of a nursing home in Qingpu District for nearly three years. During the coronavirus period, the nursing home where Anasi worked implemented fully closed management. Family members could not visit and the elderly couldnt go out. Centralized dining was changed to scattered dining in the rooms. The elderly have no family to visit and many activities have been cancelled. How to enrich their lives under this circumstance? Anasi decided to plant vegetables in the open space of the yard and let all employees participate, which can not only improve the food quality of the nursing home, but also enhance the cohesion of the team. The old people will see what kind of vegetables we grow and will usually advise us on the food suitable for growing in different seasons. Loofah, tomato, pumpkin and soybeans are all being grown based on the opinions of the elderly and can be brought to the table once they are freshly picked, "said Anasi. Anasi wrote an article about her study, life and work experience in Shanghai, which was collected in the book "I'm good in China: the fate of 22 foreigners and China" edited by a French woman, Mello. Anasi and Mello, together with the other two authors of the book, the French woman Ellie and the Brazilian man Diego, are the guests of this special book club. Mello was born in 1988. She studied at the school of Oriental Language and Culture in Paris, France, and graduated with a master's degree in Chinese. In early 2020, due to the impact of COVID-19, she was unable to return to China and began to think about writing some articles. At first, she didn't know what to write, but just wanted to share her love for China. Later, she realized, "I'm definitely not the only foreigner who loves China so much. Isn't it more interesting to find others to share our stories and experiences in this country?" So, she contacted 21 other people from different countries with different experiences to record their stories with China. Among these people, there are her close friends and classmates, as well as strangers she didn't know at first but who contacted each other through the Internet. "I hope to let more Chinese know foreigners lives in China and let more foreigners know the real situation in China," said Mello, adding that she hopes to translate the book into English, French and other languages in the future. "This has become my goal." "I like Chinese people. One important reason is that Chinese people work really hard," Diego, who has lived in Shanghai for five years, said. "For a foreigner like me, working in China is a challenge, as my interpersonal relationships here started from scratch. But when I know more about China, everything goes better. My experience and life in China are very wonderful, thanks to China and the Chinese who welcome me warmly. " Ellie, who once studied Chinese at the Yancheng Normal University, said that before coming to China, she saw that the news photos of China in the media all had overcast skies. When she finally came to China, she found that it was completely different, "The sky in the coastal city of Yancheng is so blue and the air is very fresh." Ellie is now working on new media planning in China. She said, "I love Chinese social software, where I can transmit the Chinese songs Ive sung to the Douyin and share the life of my family in France. Now I have 170,000 fans!" Recently, she began to cover Chinese songs in French because of a special passion for cross-cultural exchange. She hopes she can become a French cultural ambassador in China. "The 22 foreign friends in the book come from different continents and countries. They are facing cultural conflicts and value challenges in the process of cultural communication. At the same time, they complete cultural adaptation and cultural blending through their own unique experience. The wonderful stories take place in such a transformation," Miao Hongcai, president and editor in chief of the Shanghai Education Press, said. "The narration is sincere and the feelings are real. At the same time, thanks to their different cultural backgrounds, this book is not the words of one person, but a lively tittle-tattle with various people. Their experiences have brought together the experiences of all walks of life, showing that the days in China are very vivid. These stories are condensed into one sentence, I'm fine in China." Two area people have established ongoing awards in their memory. Bell County Sheriffs Deputy Shawn Hearn, 63, received the Greg McFarlin-Max Banks Texas Lawman of the Year Award from Sheriffs Association of Texas at their 143rd annual conference held Sunday through Wednesday in San Antonio. Hearn saved the life of an infant girl near Heidenheimer. He is pictured here with the infant and the foster mother, who asked not be named. Law Enforcement Officer of the Year/ Greg McFarlin-Max Banks Award The 2021 Sheriffs Annual Conference was held August 1-4 in San Antonio's Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center. Read about this conference HERE Panhandle delegation. L to R, Sheriff J Dale Butler, Deaf Smith Co, Sheriff Brent Clapp Hemphill Co, Sheriff Chris Forbis, Randall Co, Sheriff Ted Allen, Sherman Co, Sheriff Brian Thomas, Potter Co, Sheriff Chanze Fowler, Hartley Co, Sheriff Morgan Hightower, Moore Co, Sheriff Blaik Kemp, Hutchison Co.walking among giants!The Greg McFarlin-Max Banks Award was instituted at the close of the 1985 Annual Training Conference to recognize an outstanding law enforcement officer in the State of Texas. The Award was established in memory of Greg McFarlin, son of the late Sheriff R.L. McFarlin, Jr. and Kaye McFarlin, who died at the age of 9-1/2, due to an unfortunate accident. Greg had already discussed with his parents his desire to be a lawman. Needless to say, this boys interest in law enforcement had always been his life.The late Max Banks was a successful oilman in Spearman and a very loyal supporter of law enforcement. The Award is also named for Mr. Banks because of a donation he made to the Sheriffs Association of Texas for outstanding investigative work done by Sheriff McFarlin.The Annual Award includes a pistol and a plaque. The recipient must have outstanding work accomplishments and have given significant service rendered above and beyond the call of duty during the previous year. PRESS RELEASE 12500 N.E. Tenth Place Bellevue, WA 98005 JPFO.org 800-869-1884 info@jpfo.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 31, 2021 Contact: Floyd Neeland If they can votecan they keep and bear arms? Democrats are planning a new underclass "If you vote for your leaders, you get to keep them under control." Many if not most of the illegal aliens now flooding into America under Mr. Biden's emigration policy come from places where only two groups keep and bear armsofficials and criminals. The newcomers, many of them, only know oppression facing a gun's muzzle. Entering America illegally under this unconstitutional debacle does not change that. Biden's cabal may offer them the vote in some outrageous future scheme, but these people still only face guns in the hands of officials and criminals. They will not gain Second Amendment or most other rights of citizenship. "It's a free country and I can do what I want!" Not if you slip past ports of entry and border checkpoints without papers, scrutiny, using lies and deception, false claims of hoped for amnesty, and then disappear into the countryside. Being bussed or airlifted to an American city only gains you the right to be forcibly deported. You never have the right to arms, because you're criminally present in the country. If you get caught with arms, even JPFO will support prosecutions, because everyone knows the Second Amendment stops short of legally arming criminals. Democrats know you will never have the right to keep and bear arms because they will never allow you to be real citizens. They don't even want true citizens to bear arms, because we threaten their absolute power, and they know this. It is why Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership exists. We learned our lessons the hard way, just look at World War II, or world history. But the left and its "news" media allies are ignoring the fact that illegal immigrants will never legally gain any right to vote, be free from searches and seizures or have the rest of the glories of liberty and citizenship, because they are making them an underclass, something new in America. WARNING: Democrats running this illegal and unconstitutional scheme must be made to understand that the millions of foreigners they have uncontrollably admitted to our land must be forced to leave, repatriated to their homelands, and may apply for entry in an orderly, lawful way. "Giving" them the vote, as Democrats apparently seek only comes with all the mechanisms of the Bill of Rightsincluding the right to keep and bear arms. Are Democrats prepared to do this? Or do they intend to create subservient partial citizens? We know the answerthey've done it beforetwo-thirds of a person was abandoned with the Civil War. It's unacceptable, one more dead and buried Democrat's policy. We also harbor no false illusions that any of these criminal aliens will be "hunted down and forcibly deported," let alone legitimately gain rights, voting or otherwise, under the Constitution. It is more likely they'll illegally obtain arms in the same way homegrown criminals in Chicago, Detroit and New York do, and we'll see more Kate Steinle-type murder victims This impending national disaster overloads JPFO's agenda, and as passionate as we are, there is a hollow ring to the concept of bearing arms when the nation is packed with people who are not of the body politic. The NRA, GOA, SAF and of course we at JPFO have a big job on our hands, as defenders of RKBA. We must reach the nation, along with millions of new American occupants (not citizens or even residents), and make it clear to them that, being here illegally, they do not have rights as we citizens do. They are here in direct violation of our laws. They can no more legally gain a right to vote than gain the right to have guns. Get caught with arms and go to prison. Democrats must be clear about thisthey detest even real citizens bearing arms. These political elites seek enhanced power simply in numbers. They imagine the illegal immigrants as a subservient new voting bloc. This is an intolerable act, and denial of human rights. Illegal immigrants are slated to be a permanent underclass, without the Bill of Rights that makes America great. The so-called "news" media won't say it, and the party doing it won't, but JPFO certainly will. Do not arm illegal aliens, they are subject to search and seizure, and they may not vote. So will we have half citizens with partial privileges granted by one party? Vote but nothing else? We citizens vote an emphatic no. Voice your opinion at 1-800-869-1884 info@jpfo.org ##### It was hot and muggy on Aug. 24, 2016. And that Wednesday afternoon, moist air and atmospheric pressure triggered severe storms across northern Indiana. Tornado alerts hit cellphones in Howard County a bit after 3 p.m. Twenty minutes later, an EF3 tornado landed west of Kokomo and tore an 8-mile path of destruction through the city and county. In its wake was Inventrek Technology Park, one of hundreds of structures damaged by the twister. That August, the business incubator had a solid 27 tenants. It had celebrated the one-year anniversary of The Shared Drive, Howard Countys first co-working space, which was seeing growing membership numbers. The consensus among those in the building was that Inventrek had a lot of promise. All of that came to a complete halt that August day five years ago. In the months that followed, several Inventrek tenants took up space in a temporary facility. Others were forced to sign leases in other buildings. So work began almost immediately on the exterior of the building, and, in January, the interior work started. Since the roof partially collapsed, the building sustained extensive water damage. The interior work included a complete remodel, replacement and upgrade of both the HVAC and electrical systems, the removal and rebuilding of some walls, and every ceiling tile in the 98,000-square-foot facility was replaced. By April, the work was completed enough to allow tenants to move back in, and Mike McCool, manager of Inventrek, said he felt he now had a facility that was even better than before, as modifications were made to better serve the tenants. Fourteen of the former 27 tenants moved back in. Ivy Tech, which previously occupied 30,000 square feet, was one of the tenants that didnt return, leaving quite a bit of space unoccupied. And, thus, Inventreks management began work to entice new tenants to move in. The interest was there. Thirteen months later, Inventrek had 28 tenants, one more than it did prior to the tornado. That, said McCool, reaffirms the need for a building of this sort to continue to thrive in Howard County. Before the tornado, I used to always say, I think its the best-kept secret in Kokomo, and its a great asset. Id say post-tornado that theres no doubt in my mind the facility is a great asset for the entire community to use, and we continue to look for ways to get the word out and increase its utilization, said McCool. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute During these changes, the facility also inked an agreement for a new, large tenant to occupy 9,000 square feet that formerly housed Ivy Tech. WorkOne moved from its home on Reed Road into the incubator in a move that McCool said fits the mission of Inventrek perfectly. WorkOne is such a compliment to what we do out here with the location, the bus stop, the fact that what they do is workforce development. Thats what were trying to do, create the workforce and make it grow, so theyre a great partner for us to have here, he said. Other new tenants joining Inventrek included the YMCA, Mental Health Association, TARDEC, Better Choices Counseling, Shine 99, Foster Accounting, and Beloved Daffodils Inspirations. Occupancy in Inventrek was at 65% just one year after the tornado. Five years later, its at 100% capacity. McCool also is working to bring in new members to The Shared Drive, as those membership numbers have not yet returned to what they were prior to the tornado. Following Aug. 24, 2016, a temporary Shared Drive location was set up, and about seven members utilized the space. When Inventrek reopened, those members came back. Since, seven new members have joined, bringing the total to 14 members. Were not back to our original 20 members, but were moving in the right direction. Its a great asset. I dont think Ive shown The Shared Drive to anybody who was interested who didnt end up becoming a member, he said. Its just a matter of getting people in here and getting the word out. In its first year after reopening post-tornado, long-standing tenants, TLB Electric, graduated. The moved onto Markland Avenue. Thats exactly what we want, for these businesses to be able to go out on their own and thrive, McCool said. The best thing to us is that a business comes in and leaves us. Thats what we hope for. For those looking to take their own business or business idea to the next level, Inventrek is planning its second PitchFest, a dinner that serves as a fundraising program for small businesses and under-resourced entrepreneurs. The event will return in 2022. At the first event, attendees paid a nominal entry fee that covered dinner, beverages, and one vote. Guests listened to the stories from entrepreneurs during their short pitches and then voted for their favorite. The winner received feed money for the business, as well as advice, guidance, and counseling. The Kokomo Art Association has been part of the city for 95 years. As First Friday hits on Sept. 3, the Kokomo Arts Association (KAA) will reflect on its history with a Preserving the Legacy Fundraiser from 6-9 p.m at its Artworks Gallery. Its only one of several big events that will take place at the art gallery this weekend. Preserving the Legacy will highlight the KAAs permanent collection that goes back to the very beginnings of the organization. Pieces are rotated in and out on a monthly basis at the Kokomo Art Center and includes work from mostly Indiana artists, with some exceptions like an Italian painting from 1826. Modern art will also be highlighted as 16 new works of art and a sculpture make their debut in Artist Alley. When the alley debuted in 2014, only eight works were showcased. The new pieces will remain on display for one year. The unveiling will begin at 5:20 p.m. and the artists will be on hand to talk about their work. Artists exhibiting in the alley are free to sell their work, said Cheryl Sullivan, KAA president, but they can also work with the gallery and have the pieces sold in a silent auction. Such an auction will take place Friday evening for some of the current work that will be ending its run in the Artist Alley. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute The artwork is not the only thing going up for auction. Mayor Tyler Moore will be on hand from 6-7 p.m. doing a live painting demonstration. Art patrons will be able to place bids on his work. Musical performances will include Chris Washington (6-7 p.m.) and Ruth Lawson (7-8 p.m.). Refreshments will also be available for gallery visitors. On Saturday during Artsapalooza, the KAA will offer art demonstrations that involve pottery, acrylic painting, stone and pebble art and many more mediums. Im hoping [Artsapalooza] continues the vision of making Kokomo an art community, said Sullivan. Kokomo used to be a drive-by city. We are kind of a destination city now. Sullivan is pleased Mayor Moore has continued to support the artistic vision that began with Mayor Greg Goodnight. She encourages Kokomo and Howard County residents to come out and see the art on hand. Come on downtown and see what Kokomo has to offer, said Sullivan. A lot of people dont realize what goes on in downtown Kokomo. There are a lot of things that happen here. Come and find out. The KAA Artworks Gallery is located at 210 N. Main St. The Indiana State Department of Health hosted a COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinic last week at the Kokomo Event Center. The clinic, held between Aug. 23 and 25, offered PCR and rapid testing, as well as both the Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer vaccines. The Pfizer vaccine recently was the first COVID vaccination to receive full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. According to the Indiana State Department of Health, the clinic administered 931 COVID tests and 50 vaccinations over the three-day period. They had quite a few cars. They were wrapping around the building at times, James Vest, administrator of the Howard County Health Department, said. The community needed that service, and we were happy to provide it. Wed like to see more people vaccinated out there than what we saw, but each vaccination is more than we had before. Were happy seeing anything we can get. Vest said the Indiana Department of Health use factors like community spread, school outbreaks, and the availability of testing and vaccines to determine where clinics are needed most. They try to focus on areas where it is more difficult to access testing and vaccines. Vest is hopeful another clinic will be scheduled again soon in Kokomo. Any time they can come to our county we would like them here, Vest said. We have a spot for them. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute Data from the Howard County Health Department shows the current weekly average for COVID cases is 83 per day. That average is about four times higher than it was at the beginning of August, when the weekly average was 21 cases per day. At the beginning of August the average number of cases per day in school-age children was three. Now that number has risen to 30 cases a day. The Howard County Health Department reports that 21 people died of Covid-19 in Howard County between August 20 and August 26. So far fewer than 40% percent of the population in Howard County is fully vaccinated and only about 42% have received one dose. Vest said the start of school increases the likelihood of children spreading the virus, especially since the vaccines are not approved for children under 12. He highly recommends parents get any eligible school-age children vaccinated. Were looking to do everything we can to get people vaccinated, Vest said. Were doing our best to encourage them to do that as soon as possible at any of the locations that are available, and were putting out as much information as we can. In addition to getting vaccinated, Vest said the best thing people can do to reduce the spread of the virus is stay home if they show symptoms, get tested, and follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Howard County currently has a community testing site at 620 N. Bell St. in Kokomo. Anyone interested in scheduling a COVID vaccine or finding additional information should visit www.ourshot.in.gov. A comprehensive list of locations that provide the COVID vaccine can be found at bit.ly/ourshotmap. On 30 August a local civil-society group, Alianza Civica por la Justicia y la Democracia (ACJD) denounced the killings of at least a dozen members of the indigenous Mayangna and Miskitu in Nicaraguas north Atlantic autonomous region (Raan). End of preview - This article contains approximately 392 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 28 August, Argentinas government accused Chile of trying to appropriate a segment of its continental shelf in the South Atlantic, a day after the Chilean government issued a decree defining its maritime boundaries. End of preview - This article contains approximately 373 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Press Release August 31, 2021 Privilege speech on Breastfeeding Month By Senator Pia S. Cayetano Principal sponsor and author, Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act (RA 10028) Dear colleagues, before the month ends, I'd like to draw attention to a very important matter that, quite honestly, we take for granted, hopefully because we have done our job and we are heading in the right direction. I am talking about the most nutritious food for infants: breast milk. By now, we all know that breast milk is best. It provides all the nutrients an infant needs up to 6 months. Only then is supplemental feeding recommended, along with continued breastfeeding. I am taking this up now, dear colleagues, because it is August 31, the end of breastfeeding month. This has been a strong advocacy of mine, ever since I was a new mom, and even before I became a senator. And so every year, during the month of August, I do try to promote breastfeeding by delivering a privilege speech in the hope to educate even one more parent, grandparent, husband, so that they become supportive breastfeeding husbands to their wives. We have had a number of legislations that promote breastfeeding. First was EO 51, known as the Milk Code in 1986. And then RA 7600, known as the Rooming-in Law in 1992. This primarily mandated that a baby be roomed in with the mother immediately after birth, to promote breastfeeding. In 2007, I sponsored the Expanded Breastfeeding Act, which we passed in 2009 and became a law in 2010. I'd like to mention at this point that I worked with the late Senator Ed Angara, who prior to his interventions during the period of interpellation, I did not know that he was the author of the Rooming-in law. So together, we came up with what is now the Expanded Breastfeeding Law, which basically mandated that workplaces support mothers who are breastfeeding by providing for the lactation room and giving them time to breastfeed. It also included a comprehensive national public education and awareness program. So the photos that you see, I think this one is actually the breastfeeding room in the House of Representatives, which I initiated when I was in the House the last 3 years. But previous to that, what was shown is the breastfeeding room in the Senate. This we did together with the GAD office of the Senate. So we have a lot of women, mostly our staff who have availed of this, but interestingly enough, we had signages at the time it was open to the public, of course now, due to COVID, we are not really inviting too many people to come in. But we used to have signages that inform those attending hearings, listening to sessions, that we have a breastfeeding room and we have had resource persons who have availed of the breastfeeding room. That's how productive that breastfeeding room has been for breastfeeding mothers. Now, I'd like to tell you, dear colleagues, that in addition to that, there have been other laws passed by Congress, including Republic Act (RA) 11148 (the First 1000 Days act). I wasn't in the Senate then but I do know that Sen. Grace was principal author, just because I know she filed a bill when I was still in the Senate... I'm sure there are others in the Senate as well. And then, later on, RA 11210 or the Expanded Maternity Leave Act, which was passed when I was in the House of Representatives. And prior to that, when I was still in the Senate, I sponsored RA10821 or the Children's Emergency Relief and Protection Act. All of these laws support and promote breastfeeding in different ways. But let's look at the trends. Infants Exclusively Breastfed until 6th month - that is the recommended period, exclusive breastfeeding from birth to 6 months - sadly has declined. From 2011-2013, there was a drastic increase in mothers who were exclusively breastfeeding up to 6 months, but then this went down between 2014-2019 and it hovers between the number of 51% to 59%. So we really need to increase those numbers of mothers who are exclusively breastfeeding. Yes, we do have a high number of women who do breastfeed, but we want to see this done on a continuous basis and ideally, as exclusively as possible. And then, let's look at what the experts say about breastfeeding during the time of COVID. These are statements by various experts: WHO says: To date, COVID-19 has not been detected in the breastmilk of any mother with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. While researchers continue to conduct tests, it appears unlikely that COVID-19 would be transmitted through breastfeeding or by giving breastmilk that has been expressed by a mother who is confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19. Sa madaling salita, Tagalugin ko para sa lahat. Wala hong ebidensya na pwedeng magkaroon ng COVID-19 ang baby na galing sa nanay niya kung pinadede siya o itong milk ay in-express at nilagay sa bote at binigay sa kanya. The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) says: Current evidence suggests that breast milk is NOT likely to spread the virus to babies. It provides two options for lactating mothers who have COVID-19: They can still directly feed the baby but must wash hands before breastfeeding and wear mask while breastfeeding and whenever you are within 6 feet of your baby; or express breast milk to be fed by a caregiver to the baby We further would like to provide the statement of Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, WHO Representative to the Philippines: "Breastfeeding is the cornerstone of every infant's survival, nutrition, and development. It allows early and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact between the mother and her child, and this significantly improves infants' survival as well as the mother's well-being. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when health and other essential services are disrupted and limited, we remind mothers to keep their children close and breastfeed them to prevent infection and for their optimal early development. Let us support mothers as they exclusively breastfeed in the first six months of life. The Philippines' breastfeeding status needs to be improved so we are able to achieve and sustain the exclusive breastfeeding global targets at 70 percent in 2030." So I will remind everyone that the latest figures we have are in the 50s. 2019, 59% are exclusively breastfeeding within the 6-month period. So the target there is 70%. I also have a joint statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week: At the start of this year, governments, donors, civil society and the private sector united to launch the Nutrition for Growth Year of Action. The Year of Action is a historic opportunity to transform the way the world tackles the global commitment to eliminate child malnutrition. And breastfeeding is central to realising this commitment. Initiating breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, followed by exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continued breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond offer a powerful line of defence against all forms of child malnutrition, including wasting and obesity. Breastfeeding also acts as babies' first vaccine, protecting them against many common childhood illnesses.There has been a 50% increase in the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding globally, in the last 4 decades but the pandemic highlights the fragility of those gains. The pandemic has caused significant disruptions in breastfeeding support services, while increasing the risk of food insecurity and malnutrition. Unfortunately, producers of baby foods have compounded these risks by invoking unfounded fears that breastfeeding can transmit COVID-19 and marketing their products as a safer alternative to breastfeeding. Huwag naman po sanang ganyan. Iba naman na pinapayagan namin ang ligal na produkto niyo, ibenta niyo, pero huwag naman kayo magkalat ng false information na magpapatigil o kakabahan ang nanay na magpa-breastfeed o magpasuso sa kanyang anak. This year's World Breastfeeding Week, under its theme 'Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility' is a time to revisit the commitments: - Ensure the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes is fully implemented; - Ensure HCWs have resources and information needed to effectively support mothers to breastfeed; - Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative and guidelines on breastfeeding counselling are available; and - Employers allow women the time and space they need to breastfeed; including paid parental leave with longer maternity leave; safe places for breastfeeding in the workplace; access to affordable and good-quality childcare; and universal child benefits and adequate wages. As we approach the UN Food Systems Summit in September and the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit in December, governments, donors, civil society and the private sector all have an opportunity to make smart investments and commitments to tackle the global malnutrition crisis - including protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding - through stronger policies, programmes and actions. Yan ho ang statement ng WHO and UNICEF on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week. Just to add, during this month, on the occasion of our celebration of breastfeeding month, WHO PH, DOH, Korean Embassy, the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and UNICEF jointly appealed to the public to protect and promote breastfeeding, similar to what I said earlier. Dear colleagues, there is a lot that we can do individually. Many of us are active in our local government units. We can support the barangay health workers, who are really the frontliners in promoting breastfeeding among the women in our communities. They used to conduct seminars. I don't think may nagpapa-seminar ngayon, but perhaps they could still be going house-to-house and be supportive with mothers. We need to continue doing that. Because these are the instruments of information that reach the grassroots. Over the years, I've done multiple breastfeeding seminars, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. We've put up milk banks in cooperation with many hospitals, including the Vicente Sotto Hospital based in Cebu. We've done milk letting projects, where you gather women and they donate their milk, which will be given to mothers of infants who, for one reason or the other, cannot breastfeed. So dear colleagues, I simply ask that we do whatever we can to continue to support this throughout the years, the days, because this is really vital for the survival of our infants, especially during this pandemic. Thank you, dear colleagues, thank you, Mr. President. Press Release August 31, 2021 ICC report a step closer to achieving justice - De Lima Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima believes that the International Criminal Court's (ICC) report showing that victims 'overwhelmingly support' an investigation of the crimes committed under President Duterte's drug war brings the victims and their families a step closer to achieving the justice that they deserve. De Lima, a social justice and human rights champion, stressed that such report is another glaring reminder to Duterte that the ICC process is real and he cannot anymore escape from accountability. "It is becoming more real for him as certain procedures are accomplished towards the decision of the Pre-Trial Chamber to order an investigation on the Philippines," she said in her Dispatch from Crame No. 1136. "This also brings hope to all the families of the victims of Duterte's drug war, that the ICC is working and that it is their best hope for justice," she added. Last August 27, the Victims Participation and Reparations Section (VPRS) of the ICC submitted its victim consultation report on the Philippine case to the ICC Registry, this being the fifth victim consultation exercise conducted by the VPRS. The VPRS report states that an overwhelming number of the 204 victims' representatives (representing 1,530 victims), or 94%, want the ICC to continue with the investigation of the Philippine case. Notably, the victims reported murder, attempted murder, imprisonment, sexual assault, enforced disappearance, and torture. "The victim consultation of the ICC aims to get the side of the victims in the Philippine drug war, preliminary to making its decision of whether or not to order the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) to conduct a formal investigation on the Philippine case," De Lima explained. The lady Senator from Bicol warned that it is only a matter of time before identified perpetrators of Duterte's drug war start cutting deals with the OTP to stand as witnesses against Duterte and the other masterminds of the drug war. "It is, therefore, not a remote possibility that a new round of killings arising from the drug war will soon take place - that kind of killing intended to cleanse the ranks of the drug war assassins or whistle-blowers," she said. "This happened in Davao with the DDS after the CHR investigation, when a number of the non-police component of the DDS, mostly rebel returnees, were eliminated to prevent them from testifying against Duterte and their DDS police handlers." "It is not farfetched that this will happen again, especially with Duterte running out of time, both here in the Philippines and in the Hague," she added. Earlier, the Supreme Court ruled that Duterte cannot invoke the Philippines' withdrawal from the Rome Statute to evade the investigation by the prosecutor of the ICC of charges that he committed a crime against humanity in the killings of thousands in his brutal drug war. De Lima filed a communication to the ICC in October 2017 to complement the allegations made by the late Atty. Jude Sabio, and former lawmakers Antonio Trillanes and Gary Alejano against Duterte. The Sabio communication included statements of self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato and retired police officer Arturo Lascanas, that they killed people in Davao City upon the orders of then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Trillanes and Alejano, meanwhile, said thousands more were killed in the war on drugs since Duterte became president in 2016. Press Release August 31, 2021 Poe to lead hearing on water franchises on Sept. 1 The Senate committee on public services led by Sen. Grace Poe is set to tackle the franchise applications of Maynilad Water Services Inc. and the Manila Water Co. Inc. in a virtual hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 10:30 a.m. "It is the goal of our committee to ensure that the franchise applicants will indeed put the welfare of our people first," said Poe. The senator earlier said the bills will go through a fine-tooth comb and challenged the applicants not only to provide access to safe and clean water, but also root out the inconvenience of constant water interruptions. In its 2013 and 2016 studies, the Asian Development Bank has rated the country's water security at the bottom quarter out of 48 Asia-Pacific countries, with poor governance as the main cause, not water scarcity. Currently, 15 million Filipinos still do not have access to water while more than 55 people die every day from water-related causes. "Now more than ever, access to safe and affordable water is basic and crucial in our fight to douse the risks and perils of the unseen virus," Poe said. To be discussed are: House Bill (HB) 9422 or "An Act granting Maynilad Water Services Inc. a franchise to establish, operate, and maintain a water supply and distribution system and sewerage and sanitation services in the west zone service area of Metro Manila and province of Cavite"; and HB 9423 or "An Act granting Manila Water Co. Inc. a franchise to establish, operate, and maintain the waterworks and sewerage system in the east zone service area of Metro Manila and province of Rizal." Among the invited guests who have confirmed attendance to the hearing are Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Chief Regulator Patrick Lester Ty, Deputy Administrator for Technical Regulation Evelyn Agustin, Deputy Administrator for Administration and Legal Affairs Claudine Orocio-Isorena, Acting Deputy Administrator for Financial Regulation Christopher Chuegan, Legal Affairs Department Manager Crescenciano Minas Jr., Head Technical Assistant Ivan Bernard Samson; Department of Justice State Counsel Melvin Suarez; Philippine Competition Commission's Jared Rivera and Ramon Jeriel Sawit. Attendees from Manila Water Co. Inc. are Chief Regulatory Officer Donato Almeda, Director Rene Almendras, Chief Finance Officer Ma. Cecilia Cruzabra, East Zone Chief Operating Officer Abelardo Basilio, Corporate Secretary Silverio Benny Tan, Enterprise Legal Services and Regulatory Support Head Ia Laurienne Ramiro-Castro, and Enterprise Regulatory and Stakeholder Engagement Group Head Jo Kristine Revil and External Counsel Ninez Maningat. Representatives from Maynilad Water Services Inc. are President and Chief Executive Officer Ramoncito Fernandez, Chief Operating Officer Randolph Estrellado, Chief Finance Officer Ricardo Delos Reyes, Regulatory Affairs Head Marianina Guilbert, Legal Affairs Head Mercedita Ona-Saldua, Corporate Secretary Alex Fider, and Assistant Corporate Secretary Kristina Caro Gangan. Stakeholders led by Laban Konsyumer Inc. President Victorio Dimagiba are also expected to attend the hearing. ___________________________________________________ [FILIPINO TRANSLATION] Pagdinig sa water franchises, pangungunahan ni Poe sa Sept. 1 Itinakda ng Senate committee on public services sa pamumuno ni Sen. Grace Poe ang pagtalakay sa aplikasyon ng prangkisa ng Maynilad Water Services Inc. at Manila Water Co. Inc. sa isang birtuwal na pagdinig sa Miyerkules, Sept. 1, 10:30 ng umaga. "Hangarin ng ating komite na matiyak na uunahin ng mga aplikante ng prangkisa ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan," ayon kay Poe. Naunang inihayag ng senador na masinsing paghihimay ang dadaanan ng mga prangkisa na hindi lamang magbibigay ng ligtas at malinis na tubig, kundi aalisin din ang kaabalahang dulot ng mga water interruption. Ayon sa isinigawang pag-aaral ng Asian Development Bank noong 2013 at 2016, nasa huling kwarter ang seguridad sa tubig ng Pilipinas mula sa 48 na bansa sa Asya-Pasipiko, kung saan mahinang pamamahala ang pangunahing dahilan, hindi ang kakapusan ng tubig. Sa kasalukuyan, 15 milyong Pilipino ang walang napagkukunan ng tubig habang mahigit 55 katao ang namamatay kada araw sanhi ng iba't ibang problema sa tubig. "Ang pagkakaroon ng ligtas at abot-kayang tubig ay krusyal sa ating laban sa hindi nakikitang virus," ayon kay Poe. Kabilang sa tatalakayin ang: House Bill (HB) 9422 or "An Act granting Maynilad Water Services Inc. a franchise to establish, operate, and maintain a water supply and distribution system and sewerage and sanitation services in the west zone service area of Metro Manila and province of Cavite"; at HB 9423 or "An Act granting Manila Water Co. Inc. a franchise to establish, operate, and maintain the waterworks and sewerage system in the east zone service area of Metro Manila and province of Rizal." Kabilang sa dadalo sa panig ng pamahalaan sina Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Chief Regulator Patrick Lester Ty, Deputy Administrator for Technical Regulation Evelyn Agustin, Deputy Administrator for Administration and Legal Affairs Claudine Orocio-Isorena, Acting Deputy Administrator for Financial Regulation Christopher Chuegan, Legal Affairs Department Manager Crescenciano Minas Jr., Head Technical Assistant Ivan Bernard Samson; Department of Justice State Counsel Melvin Suarez; Philippine Competition Commission's Jared Rivera at Ramon Jeriel Sawit. Dadalo mula sa Manila Water Co. Inc. sina Chief Regulatory Officer Donato Almeda, Director Rene Almendras, Chief Finance Officer Ma. Cecilia Cruzabra, East Zone Chief Operating Officer Abelardo Basilio, Corporate Secretary Silverio Benny Tan, Enterprise Legal Services and Regulatory Support Head Ia Laurienne Ramiro-Castro, Enterprise Regulatory and Stakeholder Engagement Group Head Jo Kristine Revil at External Counsel Ninez Maningat. Darating din ang kinatawan mula sa Maynilad Water Services Inc. na sina President and Chief Executive Officer Ramoncito Fernandez, Chief Operating Officer Randolph Estrellado, Chief Finance Officer Ricardo Delos Reyes, Regulatory Affairs Head Marianina Guilbert, Legal Affairs Head Mercedita Ona-Saldua, Corporate Secretary Alex Fider, at Assistant Corporate Secretary Kristina Caro Gangan. Inaasahang dadalo din sa pagdinig ang iba't ibang grupo sa pangunguna ni Laban Konsyumer Inc. President Victorio Dimagiba. Your browser does not support the video tag. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East Detention of forensic doctor accused of forgery during culture official's autopsy appealed flickr.com/ Ilya Schurov 17:47 31/08/2021 MOSCOW, August 31 (RAPSI) The Moscow City Court will consider an appeal against detention of forensic physician Alexander Pentsakov charge with negligence and forgery in office as part of a case over the death of deputy head of Moscows Culture Department Leonid Osharin on September 15, according to the courts press service. Earlier, Pentsakov was put in detention for two months. According to investigators, the accused performed an autopsy on Osharin of 47 years. He concluded that the official had died from suicide despite multiple stab and slash wounds on his body. Businessman Bykov found guilty of 1994 double murder organization RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 15:02 31/08/2021 MOSCOW, August 31 (RAPSI) Jurors have found Krasnoyarsk businessman Anatoly Bykov guilty of masterminding double homicide in 1994, the Investigative Committees press service reports. According to the Russian Investigative Committee, in the first half of 1994, Alexander Naumov, a 23-year old member of a criminal group headed by Bykov, had a conflict with the gang leader because of unjust, according to him, dividing of the joint criminal income. Later, Bykovs car was exploded. The businessman suspected Naumov and his friend Kirill Voytenko of the blast organization and decided to kill them. He ordered his acquaintance Vladimir Tatarenkov to organize the murder; the latter in turn involved his gang members in the crime. On July 24, 1994, Naumov and Voytenko were shot dead, investigators claimed. One of the killers Sergey Bakurov was sentenced to life. Another one is on a wanted list. Tatarenkov was sentenced to 13 years in prison, the Investigative Committees statement read. Bykov pled not guilty. However, investigators claim that many witnesses confirmed that Bykov had business relations with Naumov and a conflict after which the latter was afraid of his life and began wearing body armour. Moreover, he is prosecuted of leading a criminal community and organization of one more murder. According to investigators, in the summer of 2004, Bykov ordered his acquaintance to kill a 42-year resident of Krasnoyarsk, the founder of an industrial waste utilization firm, for an award of $50,000. On January 18, 2005, the killer shot the victim dead. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on August 31, 2021 2021/08/31 CCTV: The US announced on August 30 that it has completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan and that its 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended. The Taliban spokesperson declared "full independence" of Afghanistan on the same day. Do you have any comment on that? Wang Wenbin: The US withdrawal from Afghanistan shows that wanton military intervention in other countries and the policy of imposing values and social systems onto other countries will lead nowhere and is doomed to end up in failure. Afghanistan has broken free from foreign military occupation and the Afghan people are standing at a new starting point for peace and reconstruction. China has always respected Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, adhered to non-interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs and pursued a friendly policy toward the entire Afghan people. The past and present of Afghanistan demonstrate that the realization of peace, stability and economic development will be impossible without the establishment of an open and inclusive political structure, implementation of moderate and prudent foreign and domestic policies and a clean break with all terrorist groups. China will continue to maintain close communication and coordination with all parties in Afghanistan and the international community, and provide utmost support and assistance to help Afghanistan restore peace, rebuild economy, combat all terrorist groups including ETIM and integrate into the international community. China Daily: We have learned that Sun Guoxiang, Special Envoy for Asian Affairs of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has just wrapped up a visit to Myanmar. Could you provide some information on the visit? Wang Wenbin: Sun Guoxiang, Special Envoy for Asian Affairs of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, paid a visit to Myanmar from August 21 to 28 upon invitation. During the visit, he met with the leader of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Wunna Maung Lwin, and Union Minister for the Union Government Office Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, and exchanged views with them on the political landscape in Myanmar and China-Myanmar cooperation in combating COVID-19. The Chinese side stated that the two countries are neighbors with a "pauk-phaw" friendship. China's friendly policy toward Myanmar is for all the people of Myanmar. We hope that all parties and groups in Myanmar will proceed from the long-term interests of the country and people, and seek a proper solution through political dialogue within the constitutional and legal framework. China actively supports Myanmar in working together with ASEAN to implement the five-point consensus on Myanmar reached by ASEAN, and opposes undue external intervention. We will work together with the international community to play a constructive role in Myanmar's efforts to restore social stability and resume democratic transformation at an early date. In keeping with our bilateral friendship and the humanitarian spirit, China will continue to offer anti-epidemic support to Myanmar, strengthen joint pandemic prevention and control, and safeguard the health and safety of our two peoples. The Myanmar side thanked China for the anti-epidemic assistance, offered updates on the domestic political situation, stressed its commitment to maintaining stability, combating COVID-19, revitalizing the economy and improving people's livelihood, and expressed its hope to have close communication and cooperation with friendly countries and organizations such as China and ASEAN. China Review News: According to reports, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution drafted by the US, the UK and France which requires the Taliban to honor its commitment to allow a "safe, secure, and orderly departure from Afghanistan of Afghans and all foreign nationals." China and Russia abstained from the vote. Why did China abstain? Wang Wenbin: The representative of China has elaborated on China's position after the vote. The countries concerned hastily circulated the draft resolution on the evening of 27th, demanding action to be taken on 30th. China has huge doubts about the necessity and urgency of adopting this resolution and the balance of its content. Despite this, China has still participated constructively in the consultations and put forward important and reasonable amendments together with Russia. Unfortunately, our amendments have not been fully adopted. China is always opposed to forcefully pushing for resolution by any sponsor when disagreements still exist among parties. Based on the above considerations, China has abstained from this draft resolution. Fundamental changes have taken place in the domestic situation in Afghanistan. Any action taken by the Security Council, including the timing, should help to ease the conflict instead of flare up tensions, and facilitate a smooth transition rather than plunge the country back into chaos. The recent chaos in Afghanistan is directly related to the hasty and disorderly withdrawal of foreign troops. We hope that relevant countries will realize the fact that withdrawal is not the end of responsibility, but the beginning of reflection and correction. Relevant countries should learn from the lessons, truly respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, and genuinely respect the rights of the Afghan people to determine their own future. It is hoped that relevant countries will effectively change the wrong practice of imposing their own models on others, and change the hegemonic practice of imposing sanctions or even using force at every turn. The US and some other Western countries should provide Afghanistan with urgently needed assistance for the economy, livelihood and humanitarian needs, help Afghan people overcome difficulties as soon as possible and embark on the path of peace and reconstruction at an early date. What they should not do is to simply take to their heels and leave a mess behind in Afghanistan and the region. The recent terrorist attacks in Kabul once again proved that the war in Afghanistan did not achieve the goal of eliminating terrorist groups in Afghanistan. Countries should follow international law and Security Council resolutions, and resolutely combat international terrorist organizations such as ETIM, the Islamic State and al-Qaeda through cooperation. On the issue of counter-terrorism, there must not be any double standard or selective approach. TASS: Vsevolod Ovchinnikov, a famous Russian journalist, passed away yesterday. He wrote many reports about China throughout his life. What is the foreign ministry's comment on his passing? Wang Wenbin: This Russian friend is a famous Russian journalist, a well-known sinologist and an old friend of the Chinese people. He dedicated his life to developing mutual understanding between the two peoples, and promoting the friendship between China and Russia. We are deeply saddened by his passing and express our sincere condolences to his family. RIA Novosti: After the final withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, is China ready to recognize the Taliban as the legitimate authority in the country? Wang Wenbin: China's position on the Afghan issue is clear and consistent. We hope Afghanistan can form an open, inclusive and broadly-based government, uphold moderate and prudent domestic and foreign policies, resolutely combat terrorist forces in all forms, co-exist friendly with all countries, and respond to the shared aspiration of the Afghan people and the international community. People's Daily: A dozen of international experts who were on the joint China-WHO mission have recently published an article in Nature, proposing priorities for the next phase of origins study, including looking for early COVID-19 cases in all regions in and outside China that have the earliest evidence for SARS-CoV-2 circulation, and conducting antibody surveys in these regions to identify places with infections unobserved through disease reporting. Does the foreign ministry have any comment on this? Wang Wenbin: We agree with the views of these international experts. China holds that international cooperation should be earnestly conducted in pursuing the next phase of science-based origins study in countries and regions across the globe guided by scientific evidence. In March this year, the joint report released by Chinese and WHO experts clearly states that a global perspective is needed to carry out future origins tracing work in multiple countries and regions instead of just one area. With continued research on the novel coronavirus by scientists in many countries, test results have shown that the virus emerged in many localities earlier than dates previously known. Openly-available information shows that a urine sample collected on September 12, 2019 from a measles patient in Italy tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The sequencing result has been uploaded to open databases. A SARS-CoV-2 in situ hybridization reaction was detected at multiple parts on the skin biopsy of an Italian female patient who reported dermatosis disease in November 2019. Fragments of genetic material from the virus were found in a sewage sample collected on November 27, 2019 in the Brazilian city of Florianopolis. Altogether 106 blood samples taken in nine US states between December 13, 2019 and January 17, 2020 tested positive for antibodies. Seroprevalence of neutralizing antibodies in France increased in mid-December 2019. A throat swab of a French patient with hemoptysis from December 2019 tested positive for novel coronavirus RNA. Waste water samples collected in Barcelona of Spain from January 2020 tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Nine out of 24,079 blood samples from 50 US states taken between January 2 and March 18, 2020 were seropositive. Testing of 624 white-tailed deer blood samples collected in northeastern US states between 2019 and March 2021 turned up antibodies in one sample from 2019, three samples from 2020, and 152 from 2021. All infected deer showed no sign of sickness. The list goes on. It shows strongly that there is every reason to conduct origins study in multiple localities, a point that must be given full emphasis in the following origins research. China has been conducting continuous origins research at home based on the recommendations in the joint report. We hope countries where earlier evidence has been found will take prompt actions, and follow China's example by inviting WHO experts for scientific research on the ground so that together we can solve the mystery of the origins of the virus. Beijing Youth Daily: We noted that many people have criticized the report on COVID-19 origins compiled by the US intelligence community. Do you have any comment on that? Wang Wenbin: I made China's position clear yesterday. The so-called assessment on COVID-19 origins made by the US intelligence community is a political report, a scapegoating report and a false report. This truth is crystal clear to all perceptive people in the international community. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on his Twitter account that the political manipulation of the US government by trying to blame China for the origins of SARS-CoV-2 is irresponsible and unacceptable. As the US is used to, it lies to achieve its political objectives. The Venezuelan government pointed out in its statement that the US practice of politicizing origins study is very dangerous, and called on the international community to condemn this. Vladimir Petrovsky, Chief Researcher Fellow at the Center for Russian-Chinese Relations Studies and Forecasting, the Institute of Far Eastern Studies, the Russian Academy of Sciences, said the US accusations against China without any evidence and politicization of origins tracing are unacceptable, and that the US is aimed to shift blame on China. Officials and scholars from Pakistan, Cambodia, Egypt, Brazil, Syria and other countries have also published articles to slam the US intelligence community's so-called report on origins study and lab leak theory, pointing out that political motivation can by no means replace scientific evidence, and that the US should better focus on its own domestic epidemic response and uphold international cooperation rather than pin blames on other countries. China always believes that origins tracing is a complex scientific issue which should and can only be studied by global scientists through cooperation. 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, and must be respected and followed through upon by all parties including WHO. The future origins tracing work should and can only be conducted on this basis instead of starting anew. The US politicizing of origins tracing only poisons the atmosphere of international cooperation on origins tracing and undermines global solidarity in fighting the epidemic, which will lead nowhere. Bloomberg: Japan's defense ministry announced that they were seeking a record budget for the 2022 fiscal year of 50 billion dollars (5.5 trillion yen) in total. Does the foreign ministry have any comment on this? Wang Wenbin: Due to historical reasons, Japan's moves in the military and security fields have always been followed closely by its Asian neighbors and the international community. Japan has increased its defense budget for nine consecutive years. By making an issue out of its neighbors at every turn, the Japanese side is merely seeking to justify its military expansion. We urge Japan to adhere to the path of peaceful development, speak and act prudently in the military and security fields, and do more that is conducive to maintaining regional peace and stability, instead of the opposite. RIA Novosti: Is China ready to provide any humanitarian aid to Afghanistan? If so, will China provide it through Taliban or independent organizations, such as UN agencies and NGOs? Wang Wenbin: The war in Afghanistan launched by the US was the main reason for the chaos and socioeconomic difficulties in Afghanistan. Rather than simply walk away, the US should earnestly shoulder responsibilities and work with the international community to provide urgently needed assistance for the economy, livelihood and humanitarian needs, help the new authority maintain the normal operations of governing institutions, maintain public order and stability, curb currency depreciation and price increase, and embark on the path of peace and reconstruction as soon as possible. For a long time, China has provided much support and assistance to socioeconomic development of Afghanistan, and has played an active role in Afghanistan's improvement of self-development capabilities and betterment of people's livelihood. China will continue to support the peace and reconstruction process in Afghanistan on the basis of respect for Afghanistan's will and need. Xinhua News Agency: According reports, the Korea Fire Safety Education Culture Association (KFSECA) filed a complaint with the court against a US Army biolab in Fort Detrick, among others. It claimed that the US Forces Korea (USFK) violated the ROK law and imported lethal toxic substances into the country multiple times between 2017 and 2019. Do you have any comment on that? Wang Wenbin: I noted relevant reports. It is also reported that the US army set up anthrax labs at its bases in the ROK as early as September 1998. It has also secretly conducted a biological weapons research program in the ROK since June 2013, which is known as the JUPITR program. Despite the exposure of JUPITR program, the US army did not disclose the actual situation of biochemical weapons experiments conducted at USFK bases. Instead, it has been shipping an increasing number of biological weapons samples to the ROK over the years, indicating that the US biochemical weapons experiments in the ROK are also expanding and reinforced. The ROK has strict restrictions on the shipping and experiments of the above-mentioned substances under various laws. However, the USFK, in disregard of the ROK law, secretly transported these substances to the ROK and conducted biochemical experiments without undergoing any declaration procedures, which endangers the lives and health of the people. The US has been stressing openness and transparency, but it is the least open and transparent in terms of bio-military activities and bio-lab safety. The US is the only country that has been obstructing the negotiations on the BWC verification mechanisms for 20 consecutive years. The US has established over 200 bio-labs around the world. The distribution of these labs reportedly correlates well with the sites where some dangerous diseases and viruses were first identified, such as SARS, EBHF and Zika virus. The international community has repeatedly called for an detailed explanation from the US side, but the latter has not made any serious response. Besides, the US is blatantly applying double standards. On the one hand, it refuses to open the Fort Detrick base; on the other hand, it demanded an investigation into the lab in Wuhan. The US side has yet to give an honest answer to the international community as to whether its labs are conducting gain-of-function studies on coronavirus. All this shows that the US does not care a whit for openness and transparency if the issue conflicts with its own interests. The so-called openness and transparency the US claims to seek, like democracy and human rights, is nothing but a cover for the US to deceive the international community and oppress other countries. Prasar Bharati: You said there were some differences or some demands by China which were not properly included in the UNSC resolution. And if it is so, then what are the demands from China that were not included in the UNSC resolution passed today? Wang Wenbin: As I said just now, we believe any action taken by the Security Council, including the timing, should help to ease the conflict instead of flare up tensions, and facilitate a smooth transition rather than plunge the country back into chaos. Also, China is always opposed to forcefully pushing for resolution by any sponsor when disagreements still exist among parties. China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN has published an explanation of the vote, which I would refer you to. Bloomberg: The disbursement of the IMF Special Drawing Right is meant to happen soon. The disbursement of about $300 million worth of that money to Afghanistan has been frozen by the IMF because of the fall of the government and the Taliban takeover. Does China have an opinion on whether the SDR disbursement should go ahead or is that decision rest on first recognizing the government? Wang Wenbin: We always hold that the international community should step up coordination and provide necessary economic, livelihood and humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan to help it realize peace, stability and development. The Paper: According to reports, the US Secretary of State Blinken is offering a reward of $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of a Chinese national who is suspected of transnational drug trafficking. What is China's comment? Wang Wenbin: The case you mentioned was jointly investigated by China and the US since 2016. Based on the limited clues provided by the US, China has confirmed the Chinese national's identity through lots of work and shared the relevant information with the US. Through China-US joint investigation, the type of substance involved in the case was not scheduled in China and belonged to common chemicals. China has asked the US side to provide evidence for the Chinese national's violation of Chinese law for many times, which is still not given by the US. China believes that identification of transnational drug traffickers must be based on facts and evidence. The US side is offering another reward after three years, knowing that the rewarded arrest is hardly achievable. This will severely undermine the foundation for China-US counter-narcotics cooperation and will create obstacles to China-US cooperation going forward. Any subsequent consequence of this should be borne by the US. China solemnly asks the US to stop the rewarded arrest. China attaches great importance to China-US counter-narcotics cooperation, and pays particular attention to the opioid overdose crisis in the US. China was one of the first in the world that announced the scheduling of fentanyl-related substances as a class on May 1st 2019 on humanitarian grounds, when its domestic fentanyl problem was not prominent, and actively helped the US address the opioid crisis. The US side has expressed gratitude to China through multiple channels, believing that counter-narcotics cooperation is a key point and highlight in China-US law enforcement cooperation. China urges the US to respect facts and truth, immediately revoke the public reward for the arrest of the Chinese national, and stop any smear and attack on China so as to create a positive environment for bilateral law enforcement cooperation. RIA Novosti: American President Joe Biden earlier said that the US decided to withdraw the troops because they have achieved all their goals in Afghanistan. But Taliban spokesman yesterday said that the United States was defeated. I wonder what's China's view on the 20-year US mission in Afghanistan? Wang Wenbin: Just now I articulated China's position. I want to stress that we hope the US can have some serious reflections on its willful military intervention and belligerent policy, and stop interfering in the internal affairs of other countries and undermining peace and stability of other countries and regions under the pretext of democracy and human rights. 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 clean - it contains lots of other elements, including oxygen, carbon, and iron." The process of atoms flooding into galaxies - known as 'accretion' - and their eventual expulsion - known 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. To make their findings, the researchers focused on a galaxy called Mrk 1486, which lies about 500 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 gas - now containing these other elements - through the top and bottom." The elements - comprising more than half the Periodic Table - are forged deep inside the cores of the stars through nuclear fusion. When the stars collapse or go nova the results are catapulted into the Universe - where 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 do - and 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 Diego - all in the US - plus the Universidad de Concepcion in Chile. Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. 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 Researchers led by Osaka University and NASA find that the distribution of cold planets in the Milky Way is not strongly dependent on the distance from the Galactic center 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 bulge--the 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 brightness--two other important quantities associated with planetary microlensing. ### The article, "No large dependence of planet frequency on Galactocentric distance," was published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters at DOI: https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ac17ec Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. A U.S. cargo craft stands at its Florida launch pad less than 24 hours from a mission to resupply the International Space Station. Back in space, the Expedition 65 crew stayed focused on human research and while moving headlong toward upcoming spacewalks. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Cargo Dragon vehicle atop is counting down to a liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Saturday at 3:37 a.m. It will arrive at the station on Sunday for an autonomous docking at 11 a.m. packed with over 4,800 pounds of new science experiments, crew supplies and lab hardware. The launch and docking will be broadcast live on NASA TV, the NASA app, and the agency's website. Flight Engineers Megan McArthur and Shane Kimbrough will be on deck Sunday morning monitoring the Cargo Dragon's approach and rendezvous as it targets the Harmony module's forward international docking adapter. The duo was joined Friday afternoon by Flight Engineers Mark Vande Hei and Thomas Pesquet and Commander Akihiko Hoshide to review Dragon's cargo manifest and upcoming transfer activities. Continuing ongoing space research, Pesquet and Hoshide started Friday morning taking turns on an ESA (European Space Agency) experiment to understand how living in space affects time perception and cognitive performance. They each wore virtual reality goggles and clicked on a track ball to measure their time reaction and how they estimate time duration. In the orbiting lab's Russian segment, cosmonauts Oleg Novitskiy and Pyotr Dubrov are getting ready for two spacewalks to configure the Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module for upcoming science operations. First on Friday's schedule, the duo had a cardiovascular exam to monitor their physical fitness ahead of the excursions scheduled for Sept. 3 and 9. Next, the Roscosmos Flight Engineers were joined by Vande Hei in the afternoon installing lights and cameras on the Orlan spacesuit helmets. The spacewalk that had been scheduled for Aug. 24 is being moved to Sept. 12. This is the earliest opportunity to accomplish U.S. EVA 77 after arrival of the SpaceX CRS-23 cargo Dragon spacecraft and the first two Russian spacewalks to begin outfitting the newly arrived Nauka laboratory. Mark Vande Hei will provide internal support for spacewalkers Thomas Pesquet of ESA (European Space Agency) and Akihiko Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) while Vande Hei continues to recover from a minor medical issue. All spacewalkers are trained in a variety of tasks they may need to perform, and Pesquet has performed similar tasks in previous spacewalks. This will be the first spacewalk conducted out of the Quest airlock by two international partner astronauts at the space station. On-Orbit Status Report Payloads Phospho-Aging: The crew took blood and urine samples in support of the Phospho-Aging investigation. Phospho-aging Mechanism of Accelerated Aging Under Microgravity (Phospho-aging) examines the molecular mechanism behind aging-like symptoms, such as bone loss and muscle atrophy, that occur more rapidly in microgravity. Using analysis of human premature-aging syndromes (progeria) in mouse models, scientists identified calciprotein particles (CPPs) as a pro-aging factor in mammals. CPPs behave like a pathogen, inducing chronic inflammation and systemic tissue damage that could be the mechanism behind accelerated aging in space. Ring Sheared Drop: The crew removed the processed sample syringe and installed a new syringe. The Ring Sheared Drop investigation examines the formation and flow of amyloids without the complications associated with the solid walls of a container, because in microgravity, surface tension provides containment of the liquid. Fibrous, extracellular protein deposits found in organs and tissues; amyloids are associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Results could contribute to better understanding of these diseases as well as to development of advanced materials. Time Perception: The crew set up the appropriate hardware and participated in the Time Perception science sessions. The accurate perception of objects in the environment is a prerequisite for spatial orientation and reliable performance of motor tasks. Time perception in microgravity is also fundamental to motion perception, sound localization, speech, and fine motor coordination. The Time Perception in Microgravity experiment quantifies the subjective changes in time perception in humans during and after long-duration exposure to microgravity. Systems Deck Airlock Stowage Platform (ASP) Install: Today, the crew completed installing the new ASP in the Airlock Deck location. Today's steps including installing the closeout panels, reconfiguring the Airlock UOP and transferring stowage into the new ASP.This week the crew replaced the old Airlock deck stowage bins with the new ASP, increasing the stowage capability by approximately 10 CTBE. Hatch Seal Inspection: The crew cleaned and inspected the N1 Aft, Port, Starboard, Forward, Nadir and Cygnus hatches, hatch plate sealing surface and crank handles for damage or foreign object debris (FOD) following the transfer of the Airlock closeout panels during the ASP install activities. Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustible Products (CSA-CP) Extended Maintenance: Today, the crew replaced the battery packs in all CSA-CPs and calibrated the units. The CSA-CP provides real-time readings following a combustion event and subsequent clean-up efforts. The CSA-CP are also used for continuous monitoring of carbon monoxide levels in the ISS. Completed Task List Activities: None Today's Ground Activities: All activities are complete unless otherwise noted. JEM Airlock Repress [Planned] Look Ahead Plan Saturday, August 28 (GMT 240) - SpX-23 Launch 7:37 GMT Payloads: Astrobee off Phospho-Aging Repository Systems: Housekeeping Sunday, August 29 (GMT 241) - SpX-23 Dock 15:00 GMT Payloads: Nanoracks mod 9 OBT POLAR procedure reviews Systems: Dragon Ingress SpX-23 priority cargo transfer Monday, August 30 (GMT 242) Payloads: Bioanalyzer CBEF CIR manifold bottle replace Cols Stowage unpack Faraday facility installation HRF Blood/urine JAXA Video take 8 JWRS Nanoracks Module-9 ops 1 Phospho-Aging POLAR desiccant swap RR-D1 SAMS sensor-ER6 SCEM closeout Tangolab-4 Systems: SpX-23 Cargo Transfer EMU Suit IV Review Today's Planned Activities: All activities are complete unless otherwise noted. Standard Measures Post-sleep Questionnaire Phospho-Aging Generic Sample MELFI Insertion Stowing of ESA Power Bank Airlock Closeout Panel Installation Phospho-Aging Generic MELFI Sample Insertion Operations Time experiment science Dragon Cargo Operations Review Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) - JEM Airlock Stowage Platform (ASP) Equipment Restow Bag Culture PWD water collection XF305 Camcorder Setup Bag Culture set up Payload Data Router Power off Deck 1 cleanup from cargo Kubik 5 setup on COL1D1 Kubik 6 setup on COL1D2 Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) - Lab ExPRESS Rack 6 Laptop Troubleshooting Dragon Cargo Operations Conference Atmosphere Control and Supply (ACS) Nitrogen Manual Valve Open Hatch Seal Inspection Photo TV High Definition (HD) Dragon Video Setup Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Airlock Restow Node 2 Fwd Hatch Open Polar Desiccant Swap Polar Desiccant Swap in Cygnus Emergency Equipment Restow Node 2 Fwd Hatch Close On-Board Training (OBT) Conference after Rendezvous CBT review Ring Sheared Drop Procedure Review Health Maintenance System (HMS) Crew Medical Restraint System (CMRS) - Checkout Ring-Sheared Drop Syringe and Test Cell Removal Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustion Products (CSA-CP) Extended Maintenance Health Maintenance System (HMS) Ultrasound 2 Scan MSG Glove Swap Ring-Sheared Drop Syringe and Test Cell Install RSD MELFI Sample Insertion Phospho-Aging Generic MELFI Sample Retrieval And Insertion Operations Record ESA PAO Message with Thomas Pesquet Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. There are now five spaceships are parked at the space station. While the International Space Station was traveling about 260 miles over the Western Australia, a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft autonomously docked to the forward-facing port of the orbiting laboratory's Harmony module at 10:30 a.m. EDT, Monday, Aug. 30. Flight Engineers Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur of NASA monitored operations. Among the science experiments Dragon is delivering to the space station are: Building bone with byproducts REducing Arthritis Dependent Inflammation First Phase (READI FP) evaluates the effects of microgravity and space radiation on the growth of bone tissue and tests whether bioactive metabolites, which include substances such as antioxidants formed when food is broken down, might protect bones during spaceflight. The metabolites that will be tested come from plant extracts generated as waste products in wine production. Protecting the health of crew members from the effects of microgravity is crucial for the success of future long-duration space missions. This study could improve scientists' understanding of the physical changes that cause bone loss and identify potential countermeasures. This insight also could contribute to prevention and treatment of bone loss on Earth, particularly in post-menopausal women. Keeping an eye on eyes Retinal Diagnostics tests whether a small, light-based device can capture images of the retinas of astronauts to document progression of vision problems known as Space-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS). The device uses a commercially available lens approved for routine clinical use and is lightweight, mobile, and noninvasive. The videos and images will be downlinked to test and train models for detecting common signs of SANS in astronauts. The investigation is sponsored by ESA (European Space Agency) with the German Aerospace Center Institute of Space Medicine and European Astronaut Centre. Robotic helpers The Nanoracks-GITAI Robotic Arm will demonstrate the microgravity versatility and dexterity of a robot designed by GITAI Japan Inc. Results could support development of robotic labor to support crew activities and tasks, as well as inform servicing, assembly, and manufacturing tasks while in orbit. 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 experiment will be conducted inside the Nanoracks Bishop Airlock, the space station's first commercial airlock. Putting materials to the test MISSE-15 NASA is one of a series of investigations on Alpha Space's Materials ISS Experiment Flight Facility, which is testing how the space environment affects the performance and durability of specific materials and components. These tests provide insights that support development of better materials needed for space exploration. Testing materials in space has the potential to significantly speed up their development. Materials capable of standing up to space also have potential applications in harsh environments on Earth and for improved radiation protection, better solar cells, and more durable concrete. Helping plants deal with stress Plants grown under microgravity conditions typically display evidence of stress. Advanced Plant EXperiment-08 (APEX-08) examines the role of compounds known as polyamines in the response of the small, flowering plant thale cress to microgravity stress. Because expression of the genes involved in polyamine metabolism remain the same in space as on the ground, plants do not appear to use polyamines to respond to stress in microgravity. APEX-08 attempts to engineer a way for them to do so. Results could help identify key targets for genetic engineering of plants more suited to microgravity. Easier drug delivery The Faraday Research Facility is a multipurpose unit that uses the space station's EXPRESS payload rack systems, which enable quick, simple integration of multiple payloads . On this first flight, the facility hosts a Houston Methodist Research Institute experiment and two STEM collaborations, including "Making Space for Girls" with the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council in Orlando, Florida. The Faraday Nanofluidic Implant Communication Experiment (Faraday-NICE) tests an implantable, remote-controlled drug delivery system using sealed containers of saline solution as surrogate test subjects. The device could provide an alternative to bulky, cumbersome infusion pumps, a possible game changer for long-term management of chronic conditions on Earth. Remote-controlled drug delivery could simplify administration for people with limitations. A partnership between Faraday and Girls Scouts allows troops to play a role in conducting the control experiments, including providing them with images of the same experiments that are happening in space. The studies involve plant growth, ant colonization, and the brine shrimp lifecycle. These are just a few of the hundreds of investigations currently being conducted aboard the orbiting laboratory in the areas of biology and biotechnology, physical sciences, and Earth and space science. 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 Artemis. On-Orbit Status Report SpaceX (SpX)-23 Docking: Following yesterday's successful launch, Dragon was captured today at 09:31 AM CT and docked successfully to Node 2 Forward at 09:44 AM CT. Prior to docking, the crew gathered and set up necessary tools required for monitoring vehicle approach. After the vehicle docked, the crew completed Dragon International Docking Adapter (IDA) Vestibule pressurization and leak checks, opened Node 2 Forward Hatch, Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA)2 Androgynous Peripheral Assembly (APAS) hatch, and ingressed the vehicle. Payloads: Bioanalyzer: The crew connected the Bio-Analyzer to EXPRESS Rack 3 and powered on the Bio-Analyzer in preparation for Bio-Analyzer update to flight software v6.1. Following a successful checkout of the updated software, the unit was powered off. Bio-Analyzer is a Canadian Space Agency (CSA) onboard instrument that serves as a platform for scientific experiments on the International Space Station (ISS). The instrument performs on-orbit quantification of biological molecules and cellular composition in samples collected and prepared aboard the ISS. Cold Atom Lab (CAL): The crew performed the steps necessary to replace a suspect CPU card within the CAL hardware. CAL produces clouds of atoms that are chilled to about one ten billionth of a degree above absolute zero -- much colder than the average temperature of deep space. At these low temperatures, atoms have almost no motion, allowing scientists to study fundamental behaviors and quantum characteristics that are difficult or impossible to probe at higher temperatures. In microgravity, researchers may be able to achieve even colder temperatures than what is possible on the ground and observe these cold atom clouds for longer periods of time. Combustion Integrated Rack/Advanced Combustion via Microgravity Experiments/Cool Flames Investigation with Gasses (CIR/ACME/CFI-G part 2): A crewmember exchanged a used 100% propane bottle with a new bottle of the same composition. Cool diffusion flames were discovered during droplet combustion experiments aboard the ISS in 2012, and this initiated a rapidly growing field of combustion research. A cool flame is one that burns at about 600 degrees Celsius. A typical candle is about two times hotter, burning at around 1,400 degrees Celsius. Most internal combustion engines are designed using computer models that neglect cool flame chemistry, but ignition and flame propagation in engines depend on cool flame chemistry. Cool flame chemistry also has a significant impact on fuel octane and cetane numbers, whose understanding has large economic consequences. JEM Water Recovery System (JWRS): The crew installed the Gas Trap Module and JEM WRS Bypass Line in the JWRS system. JWRS generates potable water from urine. In the past, on manned spacecraft, urine and wastewater were collected and stored or vented overboard. For long-term space missions, water supply could become a limiting factor. Demonstrating the function of this water recovery system on orbit contributes to updating the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) to support astronauts on the space station and future exploration missions. Systems: Cargo Dragon Cargo Operations: The crew began cargo transfer operations by unloading cargo from Cargo Dragon. The crew also collected air samples from Cargo Dragon using the AK-1M sample collector. Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis & Data Record: Crew performed an analysis of the water processing assembly (WPA) using the TOCA. The TOCA unit oxidizes organic carbon species present in the water to carbon dioxide gas and measures the concentration using nondispersive infrared spectroscopy. Analysis of the potable water using the TOCA occurs on a weekly basis. Completed Task List Activities: None Today's Ground Activities: All activities are complete unless otherwise noted. Primary Power System (PPS) Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) Lock Thermal Control System (TCS) Thermal Radiator Rotary Joint (TRRJ) Locking SpX-23 approach and dock operations Attitude Control System (ACS) Global Positioning System (GPS) Antenna and Relative Navigation Management After Docking Configure for Docked Operations Look Ahead Plan Tuesday, August 31 (GMT 243) Payloads: APEX-8 ESA Biofilms Cold Stowage unpack Faraday facility installation Food Acceptability HRF hardware consolidate ISS Experience EVA camera remove Lumina data transfer MSRR/MSL SCA exchange Nanoracks Module-9 ops 1 Plant Habitat-04 POLAR CS transfer Rodent Research-Demo 1 crew review Redwire Regolith print remove Tangolab-4 Veggie OBT (supports APEX-8) Systems: In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Airlock (A/L) Common Cabin Air Assembly (CCAA) Water Separator (WS) Remove & Replace (R&R) Cargo Transfer to Dragon Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) External Mobility Unit (EMU) Resize EVA procedure review Wednesday, September 1 (GMT 244) Payloads: APEX-8 Astrobee Eklosion Food Acceptability ISS Experience EVA camera data transfer JAXA video take-8 Nanoracks mainframe Alpha install Nanoracks Module-9 POLAR transfers RR-D1 crew conference T2AR Systems: EVA loop and Hard Upper Torso (HUT) scrub Cargo Transfer to Dragon ARED arm inspection Thursday, September 2 (GMT 245) Payloads: Astrobee stowage replace ELF EPO Blob conclude FIR/LMM/ACE oil dispense GIS-8 ICE cube 8/9 experiment install POLAR desiccant swap RSD retrieve SALI 1 install Systems: Cargo Transfer to Dragon Stowage Ops EVA procedure review Today's Planned Activities: All activities are complete unless otherwise noted. Atmosphere Control and Supply (ACS) Nitrogen Manual Valve Close Dragon Docking Station Support Computer Relocation JEM Water Recovery System (JWRS) Gas Trap and Bypass Line Installation Cold Atom Lab CPU Card Replace Solid Combustion (SCEM) Power and Comm Unit Closeout [Deferred] Bio-Analyzer Hardware Connection and Power On SAMS es18 Sensor Move to EXPRESS Rack 6 JEM Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) Alternative Humidifier Setup Combustion Integrated Rack Manifold #4 Bottle Replacement Public Affairs Office (PAO) Social Media Event Docking Dragon Monitoring Tools Setup in Lab [Aborted] Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis USOS Window Shutter Close Dragon Forward Approach Monitoring Transfer Cygnus Cargo Operations Node 2 to Dragon Pressurization and Leak Check Rodent Research Habitat Install FRIDGE Card Locate Node 2 to Dragon Final Pressurization and Vestibule prep for Ingress ISS Experience EVA ZCAM Cover Repair Dragon Forward - Station Support Computer Relocate Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Sample Data Record Dragon Cargo Transfer Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. After two unsuccessful tries earlier this month in the Open, the third time was the charm as P H Kenny won the $7,700 Open Pace at Monticello Raceway in 1:54 on Tuesday, Aug. 31. Sammy B Happy (Joe Chindano Jr.) rushed to the lead as the gate left, as did a rammy Camwood (Michael Merton), starting from post seven. Sammy B Happy briefly had the lead before the quarter-mile stanza in :27.4, but Cory Stratton, aboard P H Kenny, quickly pulled from the two-hole and took the lead past the quarter then took the pack through fractions of :56.2 and 1:25.2. At this point, Camwood began to tire, and P H Kenny kept the field at bay with a one-length advantage. Stratton continued to urge P H Kenny down the lane to win by a length in 1:54, with a :28.3 last quarter. Sammy B Happy finished second, followed by KJ Erich (Jim Taggart Jr.). Camwood, last weeks Open winner, was parked the entire mile and finished in fourth. P H Kenny is trained by Veronica Merton. The nine-year-old gelded son of Lis Mara notched his fourth win of the 2021 season. He is owned by Cinderella Stables of Ronkonkoma, New York. Merton enjoyed a training double on the afternoon as Metro Glide won the eighth race in 1:56.2 with John Desimone in the sulky. (With files from Monticello Raceway) Burgan Bank has announced the upgrade of its safe deposit boxes at the Head Office branch with new sizes to offer customers a greater variety of options. Burgan Bank upgraded this service in the aim of meeting its customers various needs and ensuring their peace of mind. Designed with the best-in-class technology, the banks secure safe deposit boxes are ideal for storing and securing valuable items, a bank release said. Now available in eight different sizes with competitive annual charges. The boxes are ultimately protected with exclusive access during the banks working hours. The safe deposit boxes are guarded by the banks 24/7 active and advanced security system and can be conveniently accessed by the customer or a delegated representative. Burgan Bank is dedicated to providing its customers with the finest personalised and professional services. The banks great variety of products and services are constantly enhanced to meet its customers lifestyle and personal banking needs with increased convenience and comfort.-- TradeArabia News Service The Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) has announced the opening of a new start-up incubator with launching of ABCC 4.0 Space to facilitate further trade growth momentum between Brazil and the Arab world. The announcement was made in a webinar hosted by ABCC with the special participation of Marcos Pontes, Brazils Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation. During the event, ABCC unveiled three initiatives, namely the implementation of Ellos Platform to store all supply chain records digitally, the forming of the Innovation Committee to facilitate technology-related discussions, as well as the launching of the ABCC Lab, which is an incubator dedicated to start-ups planning to contribute to the continuous growth of the Arab and Brazilian markets. Osmar Chohfi, President, ABCC, said: The pandemic has spurred us to ramp up our digital transformation by exploring new technologies and frameworks through the Ellos blockchain platform, ABCC Lab, and the Innovation Committee, alongside virtual work setups and more to enhance business workflow. With the launching of ABCC 4.0 Space, we aim to connect Brazilian and Arab ecosystems, as well as disseminate information and expand our operations further. We expect our respective communities to benefit greatly from ABCC 4.0 Space as we continue to implement better strategies to advance our economic and diplomatic agenda. As demonstrated by companies who achieved monumental success during the initial wave of the pandemic, investing in new manufacturing technologies is the key to maintaining production efficiency. We join the rest of the world in welcoming the fourth industrial revolution by integrating smart technologies and intelligent machines to automate processes, boost production quality, and minimize waste across our inter-continental trade community, Chohfi added. ABCC developed Ellos Platform as a distributed digital ledger to enhance its supply chain documentation, effectively tracking all information regarding any product being sold across the Brazilian and Arab markets, including all commercial, banking, trade, and export transactions from end to end. Buyers will be able to access relevant product information upon scanning a QR code on its packaging, ensuring customer satisfaction and quality of goods. Within the blockchain, stakeholders will be able to review the involvement of manufacturers, transporters, point of sale (POS), and others through immutable data. As an incubator for start-ups that aim to enter the Arab and Brazilian markets, ABCC Lab will focus on equipping start-ups with adequate training and promote networking among participants to improve the exchange of best practices in the innovation sector, and more. Through the project, ABCC plans to enhance enterprise-grade technology and innovation within the Arab-Brazilian trade community. Meanwhile, the Innovation Committee will oversee all matters related to ABCC Labs progress and hold regular meetings to discuss trends and connect stakeholders. TradeArabia News Service Rising long-term rates and port congestion have compounded the woes of cargo owners, according to the latest data from Oslo-based Xeneta, which crowd sources real-time rates from leading shippers to produce Long-Term XSI Public Indices. After another month of high demand, over-stretched infrastructure and difficult negotiations for shippers, long-term contracted ocean freight rates now stand 85.5% higher than at this point last year. Although August saw rates rise by a relatively modest 2.2% (contrasted to Julys astonishing 28.1% jump) there appears to be little sign of relief on the horizon, with increasing port congestion and relentless demand ahead of the all-important pre-Christmas period. Container ship operators are reaping record-breaking financial rewards as a result. POSITIONS OF POWER Those movements have been following a familiar trajectory throughout the course of 2021, with climbing rates fuelled by demand outpacing supply, supply chain disruption, and the ongoing impact of Covid-19. In the context of 2021, a 2.2% monthly increase in rates appears modest, but in any other year this is an excellent result for carriers, notes Patrik Berglund, Xeneta CEO. Remember, this is yet another rise on the back of the largest ever monthly increase in July. So, while some may have been expecting read hoping for if youre a cargo owner an adjustment downwards, were seeing a further demonstration of the powerful position liner operators find themselves in. They really are holding all the cards and winning big. RECORD REVENUES August saw OOIL disclose a net profit of $2.8 billion for the half-year, the best results in the groups history, while Zim reported a net profit of $888 million for the second quarter. This figure is higher than the Israeli lines accumulated total profits for the last five years, showcasing a spectacular turnaround. The firm, like its peers, is now looking to expand to take advantage of what Berglund calls red hot market conditions. STEADY GAINS Augusts XSI demonstrates that the heat is on across all major trading corridors, with every region seeing import and export benchmarks edging upwards. In Europe imports rose by 0.5%, while exports climbed 3.4%. Although the pace of growth has slowed compared to recent months, it still leaves the respective benchmarks up 123% and 49.1% year-on-year. Results in the Far East followed a similar pattern, with imports nudging up a further 0.8% (up 50.5% since August 2020) and exports jumping by 2.5% (a massive 115.5% up year-on-year). The XSI paints the same picture in the US, where imports increased by an additional 2.1% and exports climbed 0.6% month-on-month. The benchmarks now stand 67.2% and 16.8% up compared to the same time last year. Seen as a whole, the XSI is now scaling record heights and, Berglund suggests, theres little evidence of the curve pointing downwards in the immediate future. CYCLE OF DELAYS While we cant be certain of a repeat of the astronomical monthly increases the industry has grown accustomed to, further gains are certainly not of the question, he comments. Theres still a dearth of equipment, high demand and, worryingly, very congested ports that are choking up the supply chain for shippers and retailers. For example, in Europe Maersk is advising customers of wait times up to 10 days at Antwerp, while Hapag-Lloyd reports that voyage delays have tripled in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. A round trip between the Far East and Europe now takes approximately 100 days to complete. The situation isnt much better in the US with wait times of five days (and increasing) at the Port of Los Angeles. The Xeneta CEO says landside infrastructure is simply overwhelmed, with the congestion tying up vessels , and their sought-after containers, in an ever-worsening cycle of delays. With the holiday season logistical rush round the corner things may get worse before they get better, concludes Berglund, and thatll have an obvious knock-on effect on rates. As ever, wed advise all parties in the chain to keep up to date with the very latest intelligence to understand, and get value out of, this extraordinarily competitive marketplace. Companies participating in Oslo-based Xenetas crowd-sourced ocean and air freight rate benchmarking and market analytics platform include names such as ABB, Electrolux, Continental, Unilever, Nestle, LOreal, Thyssenkrupp, Volvo Group and John Deere, amongst others.-- TradeArabia News Service Epson has appointed Natalie Harrison as head of marketing services for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. In this role, she will be responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, and forecasting of regional and local marketing initiatives that align with Epson's business objectives. Harrison joined Epson in October 2018 as the marketing services manager for Epson UK Limited and managed a team specialising in channel marketing, PR and social media, events and digital marketing. Ive loved the experience Ive gained working with Epson during this time. I'm really excited to join our MEA marketing team now and Im looking forward to working closely with our internal and external stakeholders to ensure we obtain the best possible results for the business and our customers, says Harrison. Natalies experience working with both B2C and B2B companies has equipped her with the skills and knowledge required to take on the challenges and opportunities that come with this new role. With her expertise and experience, we look forward to expanding our footprint even further across the South African and untapped African markets," says Jason McMillan, sales director for Epson Middle East. -- TradeArabia News Service Anchovys Dubai office has been appointed to design and build a customised online voting platform for the Arabian Parliament of the Child in Sharjah, UAE. A Council for childrens dialogue, Arab Parliament of the child aims to train children in meaningful dialogue and on how to express their wishes and needs in accordance with the principles of Shura, as well as to form the core nucleus of the State Parliamentary Councils. Only taking 6 weeks from conception to deployment, the highly secure electronic platform includes a portal for members, administrators, and auditors that ensured votes and information were accurately managed and facilitated the process for up to two rounds of voting. Anchovys strategic division, which headed the project, had the task of ensuring a seamless user experience and reporting that could cater to varying skill sets and ages ranging from eight to eleven years old. Ayman Othman Al-Barout, the Secretary General for the Arab Parliament for the Child, praised Anchovys efforts by stressing the ease and usability of the voting platform. He said: We needed to vote for a number of different positions including The President, two vice Presidents and a permanent committee, namely the activities and Events Committee and the Committee on the rights of the Child. He continued: These were to be elected by 68 members from 17 countries. This is not a simple task, seeing that we also had 12 members nominated for president, 10 nominated for first deputy and 8 nominated for the second deputy. The platform allowed us to run a straightforward, non-time-consuming process that can only benefit us moving forward. This platform created by Anchovy PLC, served to ensure that all preliminary voting for this election was done safe and in a secured manner. The digital experience agency also partnered with local partners TechFirm to ensure the best navigation of the local market and seeking out the best approach that works in the region. Al-Barout added: The main objective of the Parliament is to care about Arab youth across all Arab countries. Its role is to offer the children everything they need to be able to grow and progress in their lives, including their participation in society and their contribution to building their countries. -- TradeArabia News Service India's top engineering and construction firm Larsen & Toubro (L&T) said one of its key subsidiaries, Power Transmission and Distribution, has been awarded a contract for the turnkey construction of a gas insulated substation in Saudi Arabia. in Saudi Arabia in addition to several major orders in India. The scope of work for the L&T Power Transmission & Distribution business includes setting up four different voltage levels of up to 380kV in addition to associated control, protection, automation, telecommunication systems and civil and electromechanical works. Elsewhere in India, the L&T Buildings & Factories business has secured an order to construct multilevel parking and chamber for advocates at Allahabad High Court in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh (UP). The project, which has a 2-miilion-sq-ft built-up area, will on completion feature 2,294 advocate chambers, 2,323 car parking spaces in a multilevel car parking and 1,552 two-wheeler parking spaces with associated utility buildings. The Indian construction conglomerate has also clinched a smart city project from Moradabad Smart City Limited in UP. The scope of work includes designing, development and implementation and management of the operations and maintenance of a command-and-control centre (CCC), CCTV surveillance, smart traffic solutions, and to integrate various ICT components with an Integrated Command and Control Center Platform (ICCC) for Moradabad. by Shafique Khokhar The number of people crossing the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan has doubled in recent days. The UN foresees the arrival of another half a million refugees. Two Pakistani soldiers killed at the border. Despite reassurances from Islamabad, security in the province of Balochistan remains unstable. Quetta (AsiaNews) - After the Taliban takeover and the US withdrawal, which ended today, Caritas Pakistan is committed to providing hospitality to refugees from Afghanistan. The two countries share a border of 2,670 km; most of the crossings take place near the Pakistani city of Chaman. In recent days images have emerged showing hundreds of people crowded at the border in the Afghan city of Spin Boldak. The border between the two locations had been closed for a week, only to reopen on August 21. Since then, local authorities report an "unprecedented" exodus. According to sources on the ground, after the terrorist attacks claimed by Isis-K (Islamic State in Khorasan province) the number of refugees who crossed the Spin Boldak-Chaman border doubled. In these days, more than 20 thousand Afghan nationals then landed in Islamabad with 332 flights. The Extraordinary Commissioner of Chaman said that the city administration and the police are looking for accommodation for the Afghan refugees. The Interior Ministry has determined that hotels and university campuses will be earmarked for reception. The Punjab government said it will provide housing for the refugees "on a temporary basis." Amjad Gulzar, executive director of Caritas Pakistan, told AsiaNews that the Catholic organization is examining the situation and is ready to provide support to those most in need. He stressed that assistance will be provided following the Pakistani government guidelines. Based on last year's data, Pakistan is already hosting nearly 1.5 million Afghan refugees. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) is preparing for the worst in the coming months, predicting the arrival of at least another half-million people as the situation in Afghanistan "remains uncertain and can evolve rapidly." On August 29, two Pakistani soldiers were killed by shots fired across the border. Pakistan's military reported that it was the first such attack since the Taliban seized power two weeks ago, and that Pakistani security forces responded by killing the attackers. However, the information is not verifiable by journalists or human rights organizations. Pakistani army chief commander, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, has assured that the border with Afghanistan is secure. Balochistan, where Chaman is located, is one of Pakistan's most turbulent provinces, subject to attacks by Baloch rebel groups and Islamist militants. Liaquat Shahwani, a spokesman for the local provincial government, said security at the border has been tightened. "There is no official warning for any terrorist attacks, but security forces are on alert and are guarding the border," Shahwani said. "There have been a few terrorist attacks in recent weeks, but the situation is under our control in Balochistan." The Parisian museum opens a ninth exhibition space tomorrow, dedicated to the region's art, history and Christian culture. A response to recent decades of war, violence and destruction. Over the weekend, French President Macron on an official visit to Iraq; in Mosul, with stops at the Clock Church and al-Nuri Mosque. Paris (AsiaNews) - Tomorrow the Louvre will inaugurate a ninth exhibition space dedicated to Byzantium and Eastern Christianity, just days after French President Emmanuel Macron made an official trip to Iraq, stopping in Mosul, where he visited churches destroyed by Isis. The opening of the space dedicated to Eastern Christians had been announced last May by the president-director Laurence des Cars, the first woman to head the famous Parisian museum. Charles Personnaz explains in Paris Notre-Dame that the bringing together collections related to Byzantium and Eastern Christianity" heretofore exhibited separately is a "great satisfaction". The expert notes that "the need" to unite all the treasures of Christian art, history and culture in a single space "is reinforced" by the events that have affected the region "in recent years, from heritage destruction to wars, urbanization and increasing demographic pressure." This new exhibit, continues Personnaz (director of the Institut national du patrimoine, Inp), will foster "research around the arts of Eastern Christianity" and allow "Eastern communities to exhibit works at the Louvre (icons, manuscripts)" and make them participants "in the dissemination of heritage." The goal is to enhance the specificity of a cultural era that is nourished by the encounter "between Byzantine art and regional geographic expressions: of Africa in Ethiopia, the Caucasus in Armenia and the Syriac civilization in the Middle East." "But the most interesting aspect - clarifies the scholar - is to show the unity of Eastern Christianity and at the same time its great diversity, something many Christian leaders in the region have affirmed in recent years, from Chaldean Patriarch Card. Louis Raphael Sako in Iraq, to Syria s churches which are an example of reconciliation. The project also provides for the strengthening of the French-speaking and Christian educational network in the Middle East, with the creation of a joint fund between the French State and uvre d'Orient that has enabled 140 schools, over a hundred of which are in Lebanon, to support educational activities. Charles Personnaz himself in early January 2019, at the request of President Emmanuel Macron, presented 35 projects to boost French support in protecting the Christian heritage and educational network in the region. The bonds between the Elysee and the nations of the area is confirmed moreover by the visit made by the French president to Iraq in recent days, which touched on August 29 the northern metropolis of Mosul, once a stronghold of the Islamic State (IS, formerly Isis). Macron visited the ancient clock church, which was half-destroyed by jihadist militias in the first phase of their rule. This is the same place of worship where Pope Francis held the special prayer during his historic visit to Iraq in March, asking Christians to forgive the injustices suffered by Islamic extremists. After visiting the church, Macron then headed to the historic al-Nuri mosque, from which Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had proclaimed the birth of the "Islamic caliphate" in the summer of 2014 and blown up by militiamen during the Iraqi army's offensive three years later. "We are here - said the French president - to express the importance of Mosul and reiterate our appreciation for all the souls that make up Iraqi society" in a reconstruction effort that is proving itself to be "slow, very slow." by Vladimir Rozanskij Special military exercises organised in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The Russians have several bases in the region. The Kremlin's ties with the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance. Afghan extremists likened to Ukrainian anarchists of the 1917-1921 period. Moscow (AsiaNews) - Russia is preparing new military exercises in Central Asia to be ready for possible conflicts after the Taliban seizure of power in Afghanistan. At the beginning of September, a number of maneuvers will be carried out in Kyrgyzstan by contingents of the "Collective Forces for Rapid Deployment" (Ksbr). This is a military coordination group created in 2001 between the countries of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (Csto), founded in 1992 by the Russians and some former Soviet nations. Called "Border 2021", the maneuvers had been planned for some time, but given the turn of events in Central Asia, the goals have been recalibrated to take account of developments in Afghanistan. Military experts fear that a new Afghan civil war will begin, similar to the one that pitted the Taliban against the Northern Alliance nearly 30 years ago. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Sojgu places emphasis on the huge arsenal remaining in Taliban hands, and does not rule out instability spreading to neighboring states. The Kremlin has mobilized over 400 soldiers from its mountain troops, mostly transferred from the Tuva Republic in Siberia: these are the units considered most suitable to face possible Afghan conflicts. The Kyrgyz maneuvers follow two other similar initiatives in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, other states where there are several Russian military bases. Sojgu specified that all these facilities "will be used to defend the borders of the Csto countries in case of aggression from Afghanistan". Tajikistan's "Base 201" has been supplied with new "Verba" portable surface-to-air missiles and other state-of-the-art weapons, together with 60 armored vehicles, which will remain in Kyrgyzstan after the end of the exercises. Tajikistan is the only country in the Csto that borders Afghanistan, with which it also shares a part of the same ethnic composition, but in post-Soviet history it has already happened that rebels and terrorists have poured into Kyrgyzstan through the mountains, and from there into other Central Asian countries. The internal conflict has already somehow started in Panjshir, a small province close to the mountains that wind their way to Tajikistan and Pakistan. Militias of opponents to the Taliban are gathered in the narrow valley. They are led by former Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh and commanded by Ahmad Massoud, son of Ahmad Shah Massoud, one of the leaders of the Northern Alliance killed by the Taliban in 2001. Before the arrival of the USA in Afghanistan, the Northern Alliance was supported by Russia, together with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Massoud has announced that he is now flanked by Abdul Rashid Dostum. Of Uzbek origin, he is a historic "warlord" and former Afghan vice-president, now a refugee in Uzbekistan. If a political solution is not found that guarantees ethnic minorities, the Uzbeks will also take up arms against the Taliban. Russian-Uzbek Colonel Samil Gareev, who participated 20 years ago in organizing support for the Northern Alliance, believes that inter-ethnic conflict in Afghanistan is possible only if the most radical members of the Taliban prevail, as he told Nezavisimaja Gazeta on August 29. He compared the Taliban "to the army of batka Makhno," an anarchist group of peasants in southern Ukraine who attempted to seize power between 1917 and 1921 during the Austrian occupation and also fought against the Soviets. For the Russians, it is an almost anecdotal example of disorganized militarism to indicate the general chaos that might emerge with Taliban rule. By Hannah Schunker, Lecturer of Physics, University of Newcastle Shutterstock Why is the Suns atmosphere hotter than its surface? Olivia, age 9, Canberra Hi Olivia, thats a great question! In fact, its such a great question many scientists around the world are trying to answer it. The truth of the matter is we dont know! But we do have some ideas about where the energy that heats the Suns atmosphere might be coming from, and it has a lot to do with the Suns magnetic field. Let me explain what this means. The temperature of the Sun Heat is created in the very centre of the Sun, at its core, where the temperature is a blistering 27 million degrees Celsius. And just like walking away from a campfire, the temperature gets cooler further away from the core. The temperature of the Suns surface is about 6,000, which means its much cooler than the core. Also, it continues to cool down for a short distance above the surface. But higher above the surface, in the atmosphere, the temperature suddenly shoots up to more than a million degrees! So there must be something thats heating the Suns atmosphere. But we cant easily find out what it is. The key is the Suns magnetic field The leading idea among experts is the Suns magnetic field is actually bringing energy from inside the Sun up through its surface and into its atmosphere. Like Earth, the Sun has a magnetic field. We can imagine a magnetic field as invisible lines connecting the North and South poles of a star or planet. We cant see magnetic fields, but we know they are there because we have objects that react to them. For example, a compass needle on Earth will always point to the North pole because it lines up with Earths magnetic field. https://images.theconversation.com/files/418590/original/file-20210831-1... 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/418590/original/file-20210831-1... 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/418590/original/file-20210831-1... 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/418590/original/file-20210831-1... 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/418590/original/file-20210831-1... 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"> Shutterstock While the Sun also has a North and South pole, its magnetic field behaves differently to Earths and looks a lot messier. At the surface of the Sun, the magnetic field lines look like many loops rising up out of the surface into the atmosphere and these loops are changing all the time. If the loops touch each other they can cause sudden explosions of enormous amounts of energy that heat up the atmosphere. We also know there are waves travelling along the magnetic field lines bringing energy up. Could they be responsible for heating the atmosphere? Is it a combination of the waves and the explosions, or something else altogether? Being able to measure the Suns magnetic field would really help us understand whats going on. https://images.theconversation.com/files/418540/original/file-20210831-2... 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/418540/original/file-20210831-2... 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/418540/original/file-20210831-2... 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/418540/original/file-20210831-2... 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/418540/original/file-20210831-2... 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"> NASA Measuring the magnetic field Magnetic fields may be invisible, but we can still measure them because they make small changes to the light that comes from the Sun. The surface of the Sun is very bright, so its easy to see changes in the light coming from the surface, and measure the magnetic field there. But the Suns atmosphere is so hot the light there is not visible anymore. Rather it makes X-rays, which are a type of light we cant see! Even if we use special X-ray telescopes, the X-rays from the Suns atmosphere are too dim for us to figure out what the magnetic field in the atmosphere looks like. The good news is there is a brand new satellite, NASAs Parker Solar Probe, which is now orbiting close to the Sun (but not too close) and actually flying through the magnetic field to measure it. We should be receiving a lot of exciting new information from it over the next five years. These magnetic field measurements will bring us closer to understanding what is making the atmosphere of the Sun, and other stars, much hotter than their surface. https://images.theconversation.com/files/418541/original/file-20210831-2... 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/418541/original/file-20210831-2... 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/418541/original/file-20210831-2... 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/418541/original/file-20210831-2... 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/418541/original/file-20210831-2... 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"> NASA Read more: Curious Kids: how does the Sun make such pretty colours at sunsets and sunrises? The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Originally published in The Conversation. Earlier in the day, as Hogan stopped in Baltimore, he told WBFF-TV: Im not going to create a state of emergency to waive the ability for legislators to hear from the citizens. They just have to do the process as they normally do. It doesnt really change much, except for those handful of kids in a couple of rural counties. Both the New Town Elementary School and New Town High School are on the 4900 block. Police did not say whether the shots were fired at students after classes had been dismissed for the day. Inspectors also found insufficient maintenance and operational staff at the Patapsco plant, the report about the plant said. When asked about the issue, plant manager Neal Jackson cited a worker shortage due to the pandemic, according to the report. In some cases, water samples required by the state were mishandled or collected incorrectly, according to the report, contributing to gaps in data. Gary Weldon, 34, was charged with first-degree attempted murder following a July 25 incident in the Fairmont neighborhood. Police said that the 34-year-old victim, who was not identified, was shot in the face and the back after struggling with his attacker. No one else was injured in the fight, Vernarelli said. He also said the suspects are other men locked up at the detention center. Just before 4 p.m. on Aug. 25, Goldstein and his girlfriend were riding on I-95 in her Buick Enclave when she called 911 and reported that the two of them had a verbal dispute, according to the fire marshals office. She got off the interstate and drove to the 100 block of Hunter Court in Havre de Grace, where city police responded. The workcamp was thrilled to have nearly 80 volunteers, ranging from 6 years old to seniors, participate this year. While that represents about half of the typical participation rate, the volunteers were able to complete 18 of the 22 projects requested. Even though the fellowship of the usual evening meal gatherings and send-off breakfasts was missing this year, the resilience of the volunteers and the gratitude of the homeowners made for a wonderful experience for all involved. If youd like to participate in the 39th Baltimore County Christian Workcamp next year or would like to get involved, visit bcchristianworkcamp.org. 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 Vietnam, we werent fighting the same war that our enemy was fighting. In simple terms, we were fighting to stop the spread of international communism, while our enemy was fighting a war against colonial or neocolonial dominance by outsiders, first against China, then against the French and finally against us. Weed remains illegal to smoke in public, such as on the street or in parks, in public buildings, and on private property such as hotels or apartments where property owners prohibit it. The lounges provide a legal place for adults 21 and over to smoke or vape and create social gatherings to share the experience with friends or acquaintances. The lounges operating so far cant sell cannabis, so users bring their own. But as of Monday evening, the environmental groups and the governors office remained opposed to the latest iteration of an energy plan, in large part because it would allow the Prairie State Generating Station in southern Illinois the largest source of carbon pollution in the state and one of the largest in the country and the city-owned coal plant in Springfield to continue releasing carbon emissions through 2045. Chinese authorities on Monday issued a circular urging further management and education for artistic performers across the country. Noting problems including tax evasion in the performance industry, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism stressed that artistic performers should strengthen their legal awareness. Artistic performers should be educated in terms of laws on copyright and tax, said the document. The commercial events of artistic performers, especially of those serving in public institutions, should be brought under strict management, the document said, noting that performers involved in illegal or unethical activities should be shunned from the performing business. Illegal and unethical acts by performers should be reported and dealt with as soon as possible, it said. The document urged artists and performers to carefully consider the social influence of their works and their personal behaviors. It said a review and assessment mechanism for performers' morality should be established and improved, stressing that artists and performers should be constantly reminded to have reverence for rules and moral standards. For Chinese students, the upcoming semester might be a little bit different from those in the past. They will be able to stay on campus longer, as a cornucopia of after-class programs are being offered by schools. The changes come amid a national campaign to reduce excessive homework and off-campus tutoring for students receiving the nine-year compulsory education. In July, Chinese authorities introduced a set of guidelines aimed at effectively reducing the heavy workload placed on students and the financial burden on parents. The overall requirement is to pursue a high-quality basic education, improve school education, and develop a complete system of on-campus services, said Lyu Yugang, an official with the Ministry of Education, at a press conference on Monday. As the main battlefield in the campaign, schools need to recalibrate homework assignments, provide better after-class services and improve classroom teaching, he added. Schools are required to introduce specific regulations on preventing excessive academic burdens on students. An online questionnaire will be opened to the general public and the feedback will be considered as an important indicator for reference when evaluating the performance of schools in this regard, said Lyu. In order to relieve the students of the burden of excessive homework and off-campus tutoring, China has been striving to extend after-class services to all schools. Clubs for arts, sports, labor skills, reading and other hobbies are encouraged, the ministry said. Teachers are allowed to work on a flexible time schedule and obtain subsidies for after-class services. Retired teachers, professionals and volunteers will be enlisted. Social organizations such as Children's Palace are out there to tap into. Schools are urged to improve classroom teaching to boost the efficiency of students' in-class study, according to the ministry. Schools are encouraged to launch innovative programs and textbooks, while making good use of online courses created by elite teachers across the country. A nationwide selection of high-quality basic education courses has been launched this month, said Lyu. No paper-and-pencil exams will be arranged for first and second graders in primary schools, and only a final examination is allowed at the end of the semester for other grades, Lyu added. Fifty-eight tombs and artifacts from the pre-Qin period (before 221 B.C.) have been unearthed from a site in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province. According to the Guangzhou Municipal Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology, over 200 tombs, pits and cellars have been cleaned at the Lanyuanling site in Guangzhou's Huangpu District. The institute said the remains date back to two periods -- the late Neolithic Age to the early Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 B.C.), and from the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 B.C.) to the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 B.C.). The excavation work began in June and has spanned some 2,000 square meters. Over 160 pieces and sets of earthenware, proto-porcelain, and wares made of bronze, jade and stone have been unearthed, including a well preserved, high-quality jade bracelet, according to the institute. Zhang Qianglu, deputy head of the institute, said the new discoveries will help reconstruct the early history of the northeast region of Guangzhou. They are also further proof that the area was important to the development of early civilization in the Pearl River Delta in south China, Zhang added. You are here: Arts Jinan, capital of East China's Shandong province, was conferred the title of 2022 Culture City of East Asia at the 12th China-Japan-South Korea Cultural Ministers' Meeting on Aug 30. The East Asia City of Culture program was first proposed by the cultural ministers of China, Japan and South Korea at the third ministerial conference in Nara, Japan, in January 2011. The program aims to promote regional cultural diversity and increase mutual understanding among the three countries. China's Jinan and Wenzhou, Japan's Oita prefecture, and South Korea's Gyeongju city were given the official certificates of the title at this year's ministerial conference. The selected cities will carry out diverse cultural and tourism activities to promote cultural exchanges among the three countries. Jinan, dubbed as a city of springs, is an important site for the inheritance and development of Confucian culture. The city will promote traditional Chinese culture and work with selected cities to enhance people-to-people exchanges and practical cooperation in the region, said Sun Shutao, mayor of Jinan, at the awarding ceremony. Jinan will also carry out a wide range of cultural activities and participate in cultural cooperation with East Asian countries, stimulate urban vitality and expand the city's international reputation. To date, 29 cities from the three countries have been designated as Culture Cities of East Asia. China's fund industry is crucial to the country's promotion of high-quality development in its capital market, the head of China's securities regulator said Monday. China's fund industry, now managing assets topping 60 trillion yuan (about 9.27 trillion U.S. dollars), has become an important force in serving the real economy and wealth management, said Yi Huiman, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission. By the end of July, assets under management of public offering funds in China surged 160 percent from the end of 2016 to 23.5 trillion yuan, ranking fourth globally, Yi told a representative conference of Asset Management Association of China. In the same period, the volume of private equity fund and venture capital fund tripled to 12.6 trillion yuan, the second highest in the world, while private securities fund volume doubled to 5.5 trillion yuan. The fund industry has played a positive role in China's major capital market reforms by ways such as attracting medium to long-term funds, boosting market stability and improving the quality of listed companies, according to Yi. As of end of June, up to 10.8 trillion yuan of stocks were held by funds, accounting for 12.5 percent of the A-share market, up 4.3 percentage points from the end of 2017. Yi said the fund industry has also contributed to China's old-age pension system reform as well as innovation and entrepreneurship. By the end of June, some 3.6 trillion yuan of pension had been entrusted to the hands of fund managers, accounting for more than 50 percent of the total pension entrusted to investment. In the meantime, Chinese private funds' principal of equity investment reached 7.6 trillion yuan, about 87 percent of which had gone to small and medium firms, high-tech companies and start-ups. Fund investment into the green sector has topped 480 billion yuan. Yi called on the fund industry to properly handle the relationship between scale, structure and development quality, seek a balance between regulation, innovation and risk prevention, strengthen client service, and crack down on irregularly managed private fund products. To enhance regulation, authorities will introduce rules for private funds at an appropriate time and continue to improve the fund regulation system to facilitate institutional investors, encourage long-term investment in the capital market, and protect market order as well as the legitimate rights and interests of investors, he said. China will hold the second China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha, the capital city of Hunan Province, from Sept. 26 to 29, with a slew of online and offline activities. The fair, with the theme "New Start, New Opportunities, and New Accomplishments," will invite six African countries including Kenya and Rwanda as the guests of honor, the organizer said at a press briefing Monday. So far, over 9,700 people have signed up for the expo, including those from African embassies in China, international organizations, as well as Chinese enterprises. During the expo, 12 forums and economic and trade talks will be held in key and emerging areas of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, including cooperation on food and agricultural products, medical and health development, and infrastructure and financial cooperation. Against the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic, the expo will build a cloud platform to hold online conferences, exhibitions and transactions. A report on China-Africa economic and trade relations is expected to be released at the expo. Aerial photo taken on March 19, 2021 shows a Yuxinou (Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe) China-Europe freight train running beneath a bridge in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. [Photo/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. Students look for jobs during a spring campus job fair in Xining, capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province, March 24, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua] China's job market will remain generally stable for the next five years as the country cranks up its proactive job-creation measures to cope with the challenges ahead. Led by the country's consistent job-first policy, the State Council has released a plan on boosting employment for the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), vowing to add over 55 million new urban jobs in the next five years. Li Zhong, vice minister of human resources and social security, told a press conference on Monday that the plan is an "important guide" for the work related to employment, which faces both opportunities and challenges. Acknowledging the current problems and future uncertainties in the job market, a senior official with China's top economic planner who was also at the meeting said that they are "overall confident in keeping employment stable." Positive factors The country's positive economic outlook has laid an important foundation for promoting employment, said Gao Gao, a senior official with the National Development and Reform Commission. New growth drivers have also been formed to boost employment, Gao said, citing the examples of the digital economy and the country's efforts in promoting mass entrepreneurship and innovation. China's ever-growing service sector, with new industries constantly emerging, has served to absorb labor. The number of people working in the tertiary industry accounted for 47.7 percent of the total workforce in 2020, up 4.4 percentage points from that of 2016, according to Li. The country's job market is also underpinned by the private sector. Vibrant market entities, especially the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employed businesses, provide over 80 percent of job positions and create over 90 percent of new jobs in China. Gao also noted that China boasts 200 million skilled workers, of whom over 50 million are highly-skilled, and they now constitute a strong pillar supporting the drive of "made in China" and "designed in China", he added. Challenges & solutions With the launch of the five-year job plan, China aims to solve prominent issues underpinning the country's job market. The main conflicts in employment are the "structural" ones, noted Gao. For example, structural conflicts occur when the education and training models in the higher-education system do not accord with the market demand, he said. Gao also pointed out that amid the acceleration of population aging, older workers will increasingly find it hard to gain employment as industries transform and upgrade. Although promoting employment is an arduous task, Li said the human resources ministry will "make every endeavor" to expand the employment capacity, scale up multi-level vocational-skill training and safeguard employment among the key groups. Specific measures have been mentioned in the plan, including setting up support schemes for workers involved in flexible employment and new forms of work, while pushing for the coordinated development of employment across different regions, Li added. BlackRock, a global asset manager, launched on Monday China's first mutual fund, or MF, run by a wholly foreign-owned firm. Market insiders said this can be taken as a sign that China's financial opening-up and future potential of the local mutual fund market are encouraging foreign asset managers to reinforce their commitment to the country. BlackRock Fund Management Co Ltd, BlackRock's wholly owned mutual fund business in China, offered its first product on Monday, aiming to raise between 200 million yuan ($30.9 million) and 8 billion yuan. The BlackRock China New Horizon Mixed Securities Investment Fund has attracted subscriptions of more than 3 billion yuan on Monday, financial news outlet Cailian Press reported. Distribution channels also told China Daily the offering will continue as the money raised on Monday did not hit the 8 billion yuan cap. "As the first mutual fund run by a wholly foreign-owned manager, the fund's offering has marked a milestone for China's mutual fund industry," said Dong Dengxin, director of the Wuhan University of Science and Technology's Finance and Securities Institute. Taking a long-term investing approach, the fund will mainly invest in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong-listed stocks, bonds, and derivatives. It will focus on five growth sectors in China, namely new energy, mass consumption, digital transformation, retirement and industrial innovation and upgrade. The fund launch reflects the trend of global players entering the Chinese MF market at a fast clip, attracted by the market's future potential and China's financial opening-up efforts, especially the removal of foreign ownership caps in the sector last year, experts said. In June, BlackRock received approval to start a wholly owned onshore mutual fund business, while Fidelity International received approval in August. A string of other global managers, including Neuberger Berman, AllianceBernstein, VanEck and Schroders, have also applied to set up a wholly owned mutual fund business each in China. China's MF market, currently the world's fourth-largest with assets worth 23.5 trillion yuan under management by the end of July, is expected to keep up a double-digit growth in the next few years. For instance, a McKinsey & Co report said in January that the value of China's MF market is forecast to expand at an annualized rate of 18 percent on average from 2019 to 2025, thanks to the booming demand for wealth management from retail investors, the development of personal retirement products, and the capital market reform and opening-up efforts. Dong said the introduction of wholly foreign-owned managers into China's MF market will usher in different investment strategies and mindset, with a particular strength in overseas asset allocation and investment advisory. "Their rising presence will boost competition and give rise to more consolidations in the industry," Dong said. He said foreign players' MFs with considerable exposure to global markets are expected to be more appealing to investors in China than those with focus on domestic market investments. Tony Tang, BlackRock's head of China unit and BlackRock Fund Management's chairman, said, "The continuous opening-up of China's financial markets presents compelling opportunities for BlackRock." The company is well-positioned to introduce a series of MF products and help more Chinese investors improve financial well-being through its global investment platform, local market insights, and risk management expertise, Tang said. The State Administration for Market Regulation, China's top market regulator, said on Monday that it is launching an investigation into food delivery giant Meituan's undeclared acquisition of bike-sharing firm Mobike. The administration said on its website that the move is to strengthen the regulation of the shared consumption sector. It had already urged eight sharing economy firms, including Meituan and Shenzhen Laidian Technology, to rectify soaring prices. The announcement followed an exchange filing by Meituan in which it said it was likely to make changes to its business practices or be fined a significant amount following an administration investigation in April into alleged monopolistic behavior by the company. Meituan is likely to be fined about $1 billion by the antitrust regulator in the coming weeks for allegedly abusing its dominant market position to the detriment of merchants and rivals, The Wall Street Journal reported. "Such moves clearly send a signal that the country is boosting regulations on improper market behavior, especially monopolistic behavior, by internet and technology firms," said Wang Peng, an associate professor at Hillhouse Research Institute at Renmin University of China. "Behaviors that violate the interests of consumers will not be tolerated anymore." On Monday, China's top leadership said at a high-level meeting that it is necessary to boost supervision and law enforcement in key areas, such as the platform economy, technological innovation, information security and the protection of people's livelihoods. Meituan, which is backed by tech giant Tencent Holdings, has shed about $160 billion in market value since its February high. It reported on Monday that its total revenue rose 77 percent year-on-year to 43.7 billion yuan ($6.77 billion) in the second quarter of this year, but its net loss hit 3.36 billion yuan during the period. Since last year, a string of Chinese internet heavyweights, including Alibaba Group Holding, Tencent, JD and Suning.com, have been investigated or fined for alleged monopolistic behavior. "Antitrust efforts will not crack down on a single company or industry," said Li Chao, chief analyst at Zheshang Securities. "On the contrary, such moves will lead to the flourishing of the sector as a whole in the long term." China's central bank issued a set of commemorative coins Monday to celebrate the success of the country's first Mars mission. The success of the mission marks an important step in China's interstellar exploration and has left a Chinese mark on Mars for the first time. Orbiting, landing and roving on the planet has been achieved in one launch mission for the first time in the world. The commemorative set contains two gold coins and one silver coin. All coins feature the logo of China's planetary exploration missions, the country name and year of issuance on the obverse, while the reverse shows images of orbiting, landing and roving by the mission and a line --"China's first Mars mission Tianwen-1 succeeds" -- in Chinese. China's Tianwen-1 mission, consisting of an orbiter, lander, and rover, was launched on July 23, 2020. As of Monday, the Mars rover Zhurong has traveled 1,064 meters on the red planet's surface since it set its wheels on Martian soil on May 22. 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. Officials and scholars from China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Monday countered accusations by U.K. politicians and journalists against China on Xinjiang-related issues. Xu Guixiang, spokesperson for the People's Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, said at a press conference that some U.K. politicians and journalists have been rattling on about "human rights violations in China," calling counterterrorism, deradicalization and solidarity efforts in China's Xinjiang "genocide" and "forced labor." "The misleading reports and wanton accusations they have made over Xinjiang-related issues are counter to the facts and completely politically motivated," Xu said. He remarked that politicians in the U.K. are turning a deaf ear to the development and progress of human rights in Xinjiang. Xu added that these self-styled "human rights judges" who are keen to lecture others should stop pointing fingers at China's affairs and instead examine their own ignoble record on human rights. He said that the U.K. has a long history of involvement in the slave trade. Between 1640 and 1807, Britain was the most dominant country in terms of the slave-trading industry, with estimates showing that around 3 million African people were transported to British colonies. Numerous enslaved Africans died during the brutal maritime transport, while those who survived were forced to work in plantations where they were cruelly treated by the local colonists. Even in modern times, the dark past of threats, violence and coercion to exploit people for labor still looms large, Xu said. According to a report by British newspaper The Sun in 2019, there were as many as 136,000 people in the U.K. living in modern slavery, trapped in forced labor and sexual exploitation. Even earlier, a 2015 report in the Guardian said that around 3,000 Vietnamese children in the U.K. were in forced labor and being used for profit by criminal gangs. Mahmut Abduwali, an associate researcher with the Institute of History at the Xinjiang Academy of Social Sciences, said that the U.K.'s history is witness to systematic ethnic cleansing and genocide against Australian Tasmanians, the Maori in New Zealand, American Indians and Indians, with racism still persisting in British society. "With such a record of human rights violations, what right does the U.K. have to make irresponsible remarks about other countries' human rights issues, and point fingers at issues related to China's Xinjiang?" he asked. Ramila Shawkat, associate professor at the School of Marxism of Xinjiang University, pointed out that Muslims in the U.K. suffer from great hatred, making it harder for them to secure their basic political, economic and cultural rights. Muslim groups in the U.K. have also been the target of hate crimes. The Guardian reported in 2017 that there had been a 26% increase in reports of Islamophobic hate crime compared with the previous year, marking the highest number since records began. "Why do Muslims in the U.K. have to live in hatred? U.K. politicians should face up to their own problems at home and stop meddling in Xinjiang-related issues," she said. Xu Guixiang also denounced the BBC's false reports which spread rumors and lies about vocational education and training in Xinjiang. He said that the facts told us that the establishment of vocational education and training centers was a key measure to effectively crack down on terrorism and religious extremism, helping to create jobs for locals and enable them to live happy lives. "These anti-China forces don't really care about the lives of people in Xinjiang," Xu said. "In fact, they are trying to disrupt the overall stability of Xinjiang under the guise of human rights by imposing sanctions on local industrial development and dragging Xinjiang back to a time when terrorist activity was a frequent occurrence. In the end, that would gravely undermine the basic rights and interests of its people." Flash With stranded people waiting for rescue on damaged roofs, flooded roads blocked by downed trees and power lines, and over one million people without power through Monday morning, Hurricane Ida has wreaked widespread havoc since its landfall in southern U.S. state of Louisiana on Sunday. The hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm over southwestern Mississippi on early Monday morning, about 16 hours after striking the state as a Category 4 hurricane, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. However, it continues to leave a path of damage. There are four flash flood emergencies in place for portions of southeastern Louisiana through late Monday morning, according to a CNN report. A tornado watch has been issued for portions of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida that is in effect through Monday afternoon. PowerOutage.US reported that the hurricane had triggered a massive blackout across the region, leaving at least 1 million customers in Louisiana and 80,000 more in Mississippi without power as of early Monday morning. Hundreds of boats, high-water vehicles and helicopters headed out on Monday across southern Louisiana in search of residents trapped on rooftops as floods overwhelmed their neighborhoods. In Slidell, Louisiana, Mayor Greg Cromer said there is water in "every neighborhood in town" and local officials had to deploy boats to rescue 15 residents off their home roofs early Monday morning. "In about a three hour period, we had probably five to six foot rise in the bayou and the lake estuary system that pushed water into a number of people's homes on the south side of our community," Cromer said. At least one person was confirmed dead due to a fallen tree on his home in Prairieville, Louisiana, Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office said on Sunday night. The 60-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards told MSNBC on Monday that he "fully expects the death count will go up considerably throughout the day" as search and rescue efforts get underway in the wake of Ida. Almost all of southeast Louisiana is without power and that all eight major transmission lines that feed electricity into the greater New Orleans area have failed, said the governor. Road and debris cleanup alone "is going to be a fairly long ordeal," he said. Some New Orleans officials said it could be "weeks" before the power supply is restored, according to local media reports. "The full extent of damage is yet to be seen," Louisiana state police said in a Facebook post on Monday, noting that search and rescue workers are still not able to access certain impacted areas. U.S. President Joe Biden declared a major disaster in Louisiana and ordered federal aid to supplement recovery efforts in the Ida-hit areas, the White House said on Sunday. "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. Ida landed on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's strike, tying with 2020's Hurricane Laura and the Last Island Hurricane of 1856 as the strongest ever to hit Louisiana. Flash The U.S. Central Command announced Monday that the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan has completed, ending 20 years of U.S.-led invasion into the country. "I'm here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the mission to evacuate American citizens, third country nationals and vulnerable Afghans," Kenneth McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, announced during a news conference held by the Department of Defense. "The last C-17 lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 30, this afternoon, at 3:29 p.m. East coast time, and the last manned aircraft is now clearing the space above Afghanistan," McKenzie said. McKenzie said while the completion of withdrawal drew an end to U.S. military presence in the war-torn nation that Washington accused of harboring Al-Qaeda -- the mastermind behind the 9/11 terror attack on American soil in 2001 -- "the diplomatic mission to ensure additional U.S. citizens and eligible Afghans, who want to leave, continues." While paying tribute to the 2,461 U.S. service members killed -- including the 13 troops lost Thursday to a terror attack aimed at sabotaging the evacuation mission -- and over 20,000 U.S. personnel injured during the longest war Washington has engaged in throughout history, McKenzie also told reporters that no American citizens managed to embark on the final five evacuation flights leaving Kabul, meaning there were still Americans wishing to depart the country that were left on ground. "We maintained the ability to bring them in up until immediately before departure," McKenzie 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 able to be accommodated," he added. The general said the number of U.S. citizens currently still stranded in Afghanistan is "in the very low hundreds," stressing that the Department of State is now in charge of assisting those evacuees. "The military's phase of this operation has ended ... The diplomatic sequel to that will now begin," he said, adding that the United States will continue trying to extract the remaining U.S. citizens and "negotiate very hard and aggressively" to get eligible Afghans to come to the United States. U.S. media cited a State Department official as saying earlier on Monday that it was believed that there were fewer than 250 American citizens who may wish to leave Afghanistan. Flash After years of being silenced in the war-battered Afghanistan, the Islamic State (IS) group launched a deadly attack on the fortified Kabul airport Thursday, leaving at least 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. soldiers dead and about 200 others wounded. The bloody attack, claimed by ISIS-K, a local affiliate of the Islamic State group in Afghanistan, has taken many by surprise and the armed extremist group has warned of more attacks after completion of the pull-out of U.S.-led forces from Afghanistan. The attack on the Kabul airport has been faced by the U.S. military's sharp reaction as it launched drone strikes in the eastern Nangarhar province, killing an alleged attack planner of the terror group. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has confirmed the incident in Nangarhar, saying two civilians were killed and four others including two children were injured in the unmanned plane attacks. The attack on the alleged IS hideout in Afghanistan has been termed by the Taliban as breach of the U.S.-Taliban peace deal inked in Doha. "The airstrike inside Afghanistan is a violation of Doha agreement and America does not have the right to conduct operations in Afghanistan soil," a Taliban senior leader Abdul Haq Waseq was quoted by a local media outlet Tolo News as saying. Mujahid also said that the U.S. had to share its intention for attack before launching it. In the meantime, Kabul has been the scene of more violent attacks in recent days. 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 from Khair Khana Minia locality. It looked to me that the U.S. missile system intercepted the rockets," witness Sayyad Mohammad told Xinhua. 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. Afghans fear that the IS fighters would conduct more attacks in the coming days or weeks to prove its presence in Afghanistan. The ISIS-K emerged in Afghanistan in 2015. Flash 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 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. Flash The Council of the European Union (EU) on Monday recommended that member states of the EU reintroduce restrictions on travellers from the United States due to a surge in COVID-19 infections there. The decision, which the Council announced through a statement, reversed a decision taken in June when the bloc put the U.S. on the safe travel list just in time for the summer holidays. In the past week, the U.S. reported 977,947 confirmed cases and 7,394 deaths, the most severe in the world, according to the World Health Organization. Apart from the U.S., the Council also removed Israel, Lebanon, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo from the safe list of countries and regions for nonessential travel. The recommendation is not binding but travellers from these countries and regions will face increased scrutiny and restrictions when they travel to the EU, including mandatory quarantine. "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 travellers," the Council added. The EU's criteria to determine the third countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted cover the epidemiological situation and overall response to COVID-19, as well as the reliability of the available information and data sources. Reciprocity is also taken into account on a case by case basis. On the latest safe travel list were Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Japan, Jordan, New Zealand, Qatar, Moldova, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Ukraine and China (subject to confirmation of reciprocity). Flash The Taliban welcomed the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan early Tuesday after the last U.S. troops left the Kabul airport, ending a 20-year invasion war in the Central Asian country. "In this way, our country became completely free and independent," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on Twitter. The final evacuation flight was conducted on the last hours of Monday night, airlifting the last U.S. military and non-military personnel back home one day before the Aug. 31 deadline set by U.S. President Joe Biden. "The U.S. had withdrawn from Afghanistan after two decades, but the Americans left a mess in our country," said Khoja Wahid, a Kabul resident. "The U.S. is defeated and they are badly defeated," said the 42-year-old man. "As I found in media report early Tuesday that Americans are going to open Afghanistan's embassy in Qatar. It is showing that the U.S. lost everything in Afghanistan." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said just hours after the final evacuation flights left Kabul that the United States shifted its diplomatic operations to Qatar. "As of today, we've suspended our diplomatic presence in Kabul and transferred our operations to Doha, Qatar," the top U.S. diplomat said. Another Kabul resident Ahmad Fawad said the U.S. claimed they came to Afghanistan to ensure peace and security and uphold human rights, but "you can see their evacuation was not conducted in a responsible manner, as so many people died, including 13 U.S. soldiers." Fawad referred to the suicide bomb blast and gun firing on Aug. 26, which killed at least 160 Afghans and 13 U.S. troops, and injured nearly 200 others at a gate of the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, when huge crowds were waiting to board evacuation flights. ISIS-K, a local affiliate of the Islamic State group in Afghanistan, claimed responsibility for the deadly attack. "Although thousands of Afghan experts and educated people left the country, and the young generation is still determined to stay in Afghanistan if peace returned and their safety and security are ensured," he said. "Now, it is on the United States, their allies, the UN and countries in the region to help Afghans in building our future." Shortly after Mujahid's comments on social media roughly at 1:00 a.m. Tuesday local time, Taliban members started celebratory gun firing in the capital Kabul, which lasted for about an hour, causing panic among local residents. Following the firing, Mujahid said in a separate tweet that "the gunshots heard in Kabul are as a result of celebratory firing, the Kabul residents should not worry, we are trying to control it." The capital city Kabul is calm "like other normal days," but a U.S. unmanned plane has been spotted flying over the city, witnesses in Kabul said. Like many, Salima, a female teacher in Kabul, expressed her hope for lasting peace in the country, welcoming the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan. "At least there is no more pretext for any armed group to continue war and fighting," she said. "Americans did not accomplish what they promised to Afghans. Although I am also concerned by the ongoing uncertainty, hopefully the situation will get better eventually, borders will reopen, and the prices are not out of control. It will take a little time to have everything well," she added. The U.S. Central Command announced Monday that the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan has completed, ending the longest war in the U.S. history. "I'm here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the mission to evacuate American citizens, third country nationals and vulnerable Afghans," Kenneth McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, told a news conference in Washington. "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 space above Afghanistan," McKenzie said. The general said the number of U.S. citizens currently still stranded in Afghanistan is "in the very low hundreds," stressing that the Department of State is in charge of assisting those evacuees. The United States and its allies speeded up their troops withdrawal from Afghansitan after the Taliban took control of Kabul on Aug. 15. The U.S. allies, including Britain, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey and Australia, have pulled out their troops from the war-torn country. Claiming to be in pursuit of Osama bin Laden, the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, the U.S.-led military forces invaded Afghanistan and ousted the Taliban within weeks of the terrorist attacks in 2001. Over 2,400 U.S. troops have been killed in Afghanistan over the past two decades, with 20,000 wounded, according to the Pentagon. Estimates showed that over 66,000 Afghan troops have been killed, and over 2.7 million people have had to leave their homes. When post-modern theorist Francois Lyotard wrote in 1979 that knowledge would soon become primary commodity, he could not have conceived what the internet would become. He wrote of the unimpeded globalisation of the first world; commerce, culture and even politics crossing the boundaries of geography and language. Today we find ourselves in an age that has ridden these concepts to the nth degree; information has become less of a data-transfer and more a global flood with half the worlds population accessing and posting on social media platforms. We have witnessed the Post-modern notions of relative truth be adopted by our societies as an acknowledgement of the value of perspective and individual storytelling, but in a turn of cultural persuasion relative truths are now absolutes and we find ourselves in an unnerving state where reality doesnt quite fit our definitions. Like many readers, I have spent the last eighteen months in and out of lockdowns and restrictions. Currently, I find myself in this paradoxical state of connection to the far reaches of globe, while being simultaneously confined to a 5-kilometre radius. Theres a point where, to understand the reality of what is going on beyond my own home, I have to scour through the mass of information plastered on news sites and social media, searching for the fact behind the opinion. The value of information If information is a commodity, the market it saturated. As consumers we find ourselves naturally responding to this overload of information in two ways; apathy, where to an extent, all information becomes of equally low worth; or in recognising some information as more valuable than other information, cynicism towards both the platform and source. This creates a further question, that if all information is given equal value, what factors play into our evaluation of the sources? Personal biases, political alignment, socio-economic status, the elusive algorithm that preferences information that evokes our most emotional responses; all these play a part, but not necessarily as youd expect. The search for truth Im yet to witness an issue as divisive and on as grand a scale as this pandemic. Friends and family who grew up with the same values and social settings have vastly different opinions on the issue that have followed COVID-19. Post after post, one vehemently opposes vaccines and another proudly wears their post-jab plaster. Novel-length comment feeds follow; citing sources, calling names, all with a passion as though their livelihoods depend on it; because in a pandemic, they do. After living with a fluid concept of truth, this generation is simply not satisfied. The arguments that have catalysed under the pressures of a global pandemic are symptom to a deeper issue, the search for truth. As believers in an absolute, unchanging God, we tend to deal in absolutes. We value Jesus Christ as the very definition of truth, and regardless of context of the reader, we have faith in the inspirational work of the Holy Spirit to illuminate scripture, and the responsibility of believers to guide one another in sound doctrine. It is safe to say that most of us see ourselves in the early churches of scriptures; we may face similar challenges, similar triumphs; we certainly hope to be proclaimers of the Good News in the face of adversity, just as the apostles were. We should hope to see testimonies of Gods goodness in this challenging time, and there are some; but a quick survey of feeds and I struggle to find a single word to Gods grace. I am no different. I find myself in a deeper relationship with my government officials than some of my closest friends; Ive certainly seen more of them. I find myself so overwhelmed by the information that I simply have no response; but in the Christian walk, there is no challenge we face that we face alone. What will this age become? We sit in the comfortable prison of our own homes; whether endorsing or doubting the decision to keep us here, it was not our decision to make. We can save our witness for freer times, or we can take stock of the words we share while our voice is limited to zoom calls and social media posts. Are we offering hope, or just adding to the information? The world is seeking truth, and we have it. I wonder whether Paul had the slightest suspicion that the four epistles he wrote under house arrest would have a greater impact than any sermon he spoke in person. We live in unique and challenging times. We are simultaneously confined to our Jerusalem, yet closer to the ends of the earth than we have ever been. The value of information has proven to be at the discretion of the consumer; yet we as believers hold a truth that stands outside the limitations of context and perception. That is the truth for which the world hungers; we have the unique opportunity in a time of unique limitation to cut through the mass of contention and shape the history of this age according to the Gospel. 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. Gun rights and second amendment advocates have complained for years about impediments to legal ownership imposed by the state through the tough gun laws enacted following the Sandy Hook massacre in 2012. In the new lawsuit, the Connecticut Citizens Defense League claims that police departments in Hartford, Bridgeport, Waterbury and New Haven are making an already difficult registration process onerous by imposing processing delays that can last months or even years. As one of the only all-night restaurants in central Connecticut, the Gold Roc was a natural draw for partiers leaving bars. West Hartford police broke up numerous fights over the years, including a 3 a.m. brawl in 2013 that started when one patron mistook another for Aaron Hernandez, the New England Patriots linebacker and Bristol native who had just been charged with murder. Three people went to jail. 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.' Opioid Distributor Turns to Insurance Company for Protection against Government Lawsuits The Ohio Supreme Court will hear eight cases next week, on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 7 and 8. The Ohio Supreme Court will hear eight cases next week, on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 7 and 8. Faced with thousands of lawsuits from local governments responding to the opioid epidemic, the makers, distributors, and suppliers of prescription painkillers have turned to their business insurance providers for help. A case before the Ohio Supreme Court could help determine whether insurance companies will be responsible for paying parts of the billions of dollars in damages sought. The Ohio Insurance Institute notes the disputes between business insurance provider Acuity and Hamilton County-based prescription drug distributor Masters Pharmaceutical are not taking place in a vacuum, but instead are taking place against the backdrop of one of the largest, most complicated litigation phenomena this nation has ever seen. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments next week in Acuitys appeal of a First District Court of Appeals decision. The appellate court ruled that the insurer sold a general commercial liability policy to Masters requiring it to defend Masters against lawsuits from the state of West Virginia, as well as local government bodies in Michigan and Nevada. Acuitys policies have an insurance-industry standard clause stating Acuity will pay those sums that the insured becomes legally obligated to pay as damages because of a bodily injury or property damages to which this insurance applies. The policy also states Acuity wont defend Masters or pay damages to which this insurance does not apply. The case before the Court began when West Virginia and local governments in Michigan and Nevada sued Masters and other painkiller distributors in 2012. They sought to be compensated for costs associated with increased police patrols, court expenditures, substance abuse treatment, emergency responses, medical services, and other epidemic-related expenses. In an amicus curiae brief, the Ohio Insurance Institute notes the West Virginia case spawned thousands of state and local government lawsuits against multiple businesses sought to be held responsible for the opioid epidemic. Most of those cases are now pending in what is known as the federal multi-district litigation before Judge Daniel Polster in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. However, additional lawsuits are still taking place across the nation. Several courts have weighed in on the issue of whether standard, general commercial liability policies cover the damages sought by the governments. Acuity, and insurance industry supporters, say they dont. Meanwhile Masters and United Policyholders, a non-profit founded in 1991 that advocates for individual and business policyholders rights, have noted the standard policies have covered businesses for years in nuisance suits brought by governments ranging from deaths from firearms, poisoning from lead paint, and environmental damages. United Policyholders urges Ohio to take the same positions as several courts around the nation that have upheld the insurance companies duty to defend the policyholders. It is critical to policyholders that this Court secure Ohio consumers and business ability to rely on an insurance companys promise to fund their defense when these claims are raised, United Policyholders states in its amicus brief. The parties note they are still contesting the potentially more expensive issue of whether the insurer must pay a portion of the damages sought by governments if Masters is forced to pay. However, at this point in the case, the Court is considering only the question of whether Acuity must provide a defense to Masters. Government Expenses Not Related to Identified Injuries, Insurer Asserts Acuity argues the policy restricts payment of damages for bodily injuries incurred by specific persons who are injured by the insured business. The insurer maintains the government bodies arent claiming to recover the costs of care for specific people impacted by prescription painkillers in their communities, but rather their overall costs associated with additional expenditures made to address unidentified people involved in the crisis. To extend the policy coverage from the costs of bodily injury to all societal costs associated with addressing those addicted to opioids would extend the obligation of the insurance company far beyond what the insurance contract contemplated, Acuity asserts. Policy Covers Business against Plausible Claims, Distributor Maintains Masters notes the appellate court determined some of the government claims, especially those for emergency services and medical care, relate directly to bodily injuries suffered by residents in their communities. Insurance companies must provide a defense if there are plausible claims against the insured for the damages they allegedly inflicted, Masters maintains, and if some damages are plausible, then the insurance company is required to defend the insured against every claim made in the case. Masters argues the insurance policy doesnt state the damages must be limited directly to the bodily injuries suffered by named people, and notes that if the government bodies were required to identify who they treated, they could. The Court will hearon Sept. 8, and seven other cases during a two-day session on Sept. 7 and 8. Oral arguments begin each day at 9 a.m. The arguments will be streamed live online at sc.ohio.gov and broadcast live, and archived, on The Ohio Channel. In addition to these highlights, the Courts Office of Public Information released preview articles today about each case, available through the case-name links. Since 2009, motorists who drove leased vehicles have challenged Clevelands law on the use of automated traffic cameras to catch red-light and speeding violators. Although voters disbanded the photo enforcement program in 2014, a Cuyahoga County court certified a class-action lawsuit against the city, and estimated the city must refund drivers of leased vehicles about $4.1 million in fines . An appeals court ruled the Cleveland law as written in 2009 allowed the city to ticket those who owned cars, but not those who leased them. In, the city and violators who leased vehicles and paid the tickets debate whether the motorists were required to exhaust the administrative appeals process before being allowed to seek further legal action against the city. An employee who lost four fingers in 2019 while working for a Stark County milk processor sued his employer in court for damages. The employer and the employee union have a collective bargaining agreement mandating that certain disputes be resolved through arbitration. The employer in Sinley v. Safety Controls Technology contends that the collective bargaining agreement clearly and unmistakably requires the employees claim to first go through the arbitration process. The employee responds that the agreement doesnt state that claims of intentional torts under Ohio law must be arbitrated, and this type of claim falls outside of employment-related matters. A one-year suspension is recommended in Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association v. Whipple for a Cleveland-area attorney based on his conduct while handling a heated estate dispute between a man in a nursing home, his wife, and their relatives. The parties had arrived at a settlement, but a few months later, the opposing counsel raised concerns about the wifes competency to serve as her husbands power of attorney and to partly control a trust. The couples attorney responded with a public motion on the court docket stating his opposing counsel was unfit and should be referred to a lawyer assistance program. The attorney opposes the proposed disciplinary sanction, arguing he was genuinely worried for the lawyer and needed to alert the judge. A lawsuit involving two partners that own a microbrewery was appealed. A three-judge panel ruled 2-1 in favor of one partner. On the day the decision was entered, one of the three judges resigned from the bench. The losing microbrewery partner applied for reconsideration of the decision. The court, with a new judge appointed to fill the seat of the resigning appellate judge, voted 2-1 to reverse the earlier decision. In Jezerinac v. Dioun , the Court will consider if the appellate rules allow a judge that didnt hear the case originally to vote to reconsider the case. A man convicted of two 1996 murders in Columbus and sentenced to death filed varied motions after his convictions. In two of the court filings, the man argued that statements made to law enforcement before his trial implicated other individuals in the murders. However, those statements werent given to his defense lawyers, he maintained. In, he points to U.S. Supreme Court precedent that concludes the prosecutions suppression of evidence favorable to him violates his constitutional rights and entitles him to a new trial. He argues that he isnt required to dig for hidden evidence. The Franklin County prosecutor contends that the defendant and his lawyers werent unavoidably prevented from discovering the statements. A Franklin County attorney objects to a proposed two-year, fully stayed suspension. The attorney filed a lawsuit for a Toledo man whose insurance claim was denied. The insurance companys lawyers complained to the court that neither the attorney nor his client was cooperating with their requests for information. The delays ultimately led to the lawsuits dismissal. In Disciplinary Counsel v. Hillman, the attorney argues that he repeatedly informed his client of the need to cooperate and that he shouldnt be sanctioned for his clients misconduct. The disciplinary counsel counters that the attorney didnt prove he kept his client reasonably informed about the status of the case and the actions the client needed to take to prevail. Supreme Court Again Enlists Ohio Attorneys as Poll Workers The Ohio Supreme Court has issued an order to offer four hours of continuing legal education credit for attorneys to volunteer as poll workers on election day Nov. 2. The Ohio Supreme Court has issued an order to offer four hours of continuing legal education credit for attorneys to volunteer as poll workers on election day Nov. 2. The Ohio Supreme Court has issued an order allowing Ohio attorneys to receive continuing legal education credit by serving as poll workers at general election sites on Nov. 2. The Supreme Court has issued such an order in two previous elections. Chief Justice Maureen OConnor first called on attorneys to volunteer during last Novembers general election and then again for the May primary election. A total of 1,255 lawyers participated. I am confident that Ohio attorneys will perform this critical civic duty as we continue to see the pandemic numbers rise, Chief Justice OConnor said. Safe elections are crucial, and I hope we can fill this urgent need. Lawyers in Ohio are required to earn 24 continuing legal education credits known as CLE every two years by attending live and online programs accredited by the Ohio Supreme Courts Commission on Continuing Legal Education. The order permits attorneys to earn four credit hours for serving as poll workers. Attorneys can register as poll workers through the secretary of states website. To earn their four credit hours, volunteer attorneys must complete training at their county board of elections, and they must work the entire voting day. Ohio is believed to be the first state to ask attorneys to work the polls in return for mandatory education credits. This program is a collaboration between the Court and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who recently won the 2021 Innovators Award for the program. Chief Justice OConnor was featured on CBS This Morning, explaining the need for the program. Poll volunteers in Ohio begin work at 5:30 a.m. The polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m., when administrative closing procedures begin. As of today, there are 45,056 actively licensed attorneys in Ohio. For those seeking more information about the attorney poll worker program, the CLE commission produced a section dedicated to frequently asked questions. Lincoln, NE (68508) Today A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 76F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 54F. Winds light and variable. 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. Most Americans (55%) who are either employed or looking for a job what economists would describe as being in the workforce say they are likely to look for new employment in the next 12 months, according to Bankrates August 2021 Job Seeker Survey. Even more surprising, some 28% of working Americans who currently say theyre not looking for a new job are still expecting to search for a different position at some point in the next year. But no one knows the exact reason the graves were placed there. Additionally, there was a time in which church members visited the gravesites. However, as time marched on, those graves fell to the wayside as those who knew of their whereabouts grew older or died. As developers moved onto the site, access to the area became limited and eventually cut off. Lime-S scooters are available for public ride sharing on the Texas Tech campus on 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2019. Lime-S was launched on campus on November 7, 2019 at Memorial Circle. Lubbock, TX (79409) Today Plentiful sunshine. High near 90F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 64F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices. MS-13 is the most notorious gang from L.A., with a reputation for heinous crimes in places that take root. Their members are known to be the most savage gang with an international reputation. If the name is mentioned in places where they are active, their mention the gang's name, and everyone keeps quiet. They have their origin in the U.S. in L.A., which was exported to North America via deportation of these hardened criminals. Crime is their motto The street gang has the distinction of one the most prominent groups with a finger in drugs and murder. They live with the anti-social motto of 'Kill, Rape, and Control,' reported the Daily Star. Many of the trademarks they control are due to the discovery of headless bodies that bear the scars of machetes, which is a favored type of execution. The level of violence they present was enough to make people call them a terrorist body due to the terrible atrocities against others. The cruelest gang on earth? Its bloody reputation is everywhere. Gangs like the Sinaloa and Los Zetas fought a war in Mexico, cited by the BBC, that had a casualty of 10,000 people caught in the cartel's crossfire. The conflict prompted the competing cartels to get the violent L.A.-based gang on their side. Read Also: World's Worst Jails: Inmates' Mouths Sewn Shut, Rats Served for Food While Corpses Are Dumped in Drains Violence is part of the MS-13 culture from day one. They are brutalized with a beating that lasts about 13-seconds long. Afterward, they have to commit a terrible crime which is commonly murder. Next is to get marked with a tattoo that will identify them as members who won't ever leave. Leaving will usually be fatal for members and their families. The group first started in Los Angeles that has links in South America in all sorts of crimes. Dealing with drugs and human trafficking, flesh trade, extortion, and murder are crimes they have committed. A deluge of immigrants from El Salvador in the 1980s, when other gangs were fighting, the notorious group added more members. The vicious gang pushed back with a machete as a weapon of choice, not a firearm, when the gang wars began with members deported to El Salvador. It only imported their violence to south America. Members range from 30,000 to 50,000 globally, with 10,000 in America competing with bigger gangs like the Crips and Bloods. Regardless, the L.A.-based gang is at the top for its brutality. In Honduras, the death penalty is active again, so its members are wary. Crimes committed by their members In one massacre, they stopped a bus and shot 28 dead. Most were women and children. Juan Bautista Jimenez, the man who ordered the bus massacre, was hanged by gangmates in prison for displaying horrendous publicity. When gangs were causing instability in El Salvador, young members asked for a dollar from people that wanted to cross a checkpoint, and older gang members would kill them if they don't cooperate. In the U.S., it was getting bloody, with many teens killed by the L.A. gang. One incident where two girls were used as lures to stage the murder of four teens as a rite of passage, noted CBS News. A gang member of MS-13 was ignored by a woman and killed, along with her baby being shot twice. Relate Article: Death Row Inmate Kills Other Prisoners to Express Refusal to Get Lethal Injection, Prefers Electric Chair Execution Instead @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In the 2019 Democrat Presidential debate, Joe Biden gave confusing answers to the Afghan problem and is clueless about Afghanistan. He never read up on understanding the solution to that problem, which surmises what is happening now. Political commentator Zack Beauchamp said then ex-Obama VP gave very confusing answers to questions posed in the debate. Many of his contemporaries in the Obama administration said that Biden had not gotten any decision on foreign policy correct. Biden's vague answer depicts his confusion The Afghan withdrawal is the deficiency of the Biden administration that tried to spin all his officials' truth of catastrophic failure. He would even blame Trump that backfired fast, reported the Express UK. The perception that the Taliban outmaneuvered him and dictated their terms culminated in the suicide bomber attack of ISIS-K, which claimed the lives of 179 Afghanis at least, with 13 US soldiers and two Brits last Thursday. The bomber snuck in the crowd and blew up in the middle of the mass of people in the airport. The US said that more retaliatory attacks would come before the August 31 deadline to make up for the terrible bombing. Touting that ISIS-K will be targeted by the US, despite almost no intel on the ground that amounts to nothing. Suspicions about the mental sharpness of the US leader have been doubted, like when Biden is clueless about Afghanistan, but the debacle only exposed more his failed mental acuity. Politicians from his party and UK politician have attacked if he is genuinely mentally onboard for the rigors of the US presidency. Read Also: Joe Biden Appears to Fall Asleep During Meeting With Israeli PM Naftali Bennett, Strives Diplomacy First With Iran Donald Trump has mocked Joe Biden's propensity to fall asleep in a crucial meeting. He dubbed his opponent "Sleepy Joe" that drew heckles in the 2020 US elections, cited the Sun UK. During the 2019 Democrat Presidential debate to choose the next candidate for the 2020 election, the commentator said that the ex-VP had mistaken and confused statements compared to Bernie Sanders, 79, and Elizabeth Warren, 72; all were in their 70s. Political commentators doubts Biden's mental sharpness The political commentator, Zach Beauchamp of Vox, remarked that ex-VP had no cognizance of getting troops out of Iraq or Afghanistan and was very cryptic. Biden's answer to the Afghanistan dilemma was not clear, mentioning counterinsurgency then putting the country together. The answer was unclear and gave no solution like what he does today. Biden called it three different countries, also three counties, then it is three provinces in the east. For a veteran politician, the comment was vague and uninformed. Beauchamp said it was a vague statement, and the new US leader is just as ambiguous. He added that Afghanistan has three major geographic regions, but the geographic distinctions were not answered. Steve Saideman, an expert on Afghanistan, said that Biden's answer was strange. Adding that the reference of three regions about getting an agreement is incorrect, noted CDSN RCDS. There are 30 Afghan provinces, not three as claimed, and the US president has mixed up Iraq and Afghanistan. In the 90s, Biden suggested giving the three Islamic religious groups their territory. Joe Biden is clueless about Afghanistan during the 2019 Democrat Presidential debate, where he gave a cryptic answer. To this day, he is not on the same page as well about the Kabul debacle. Related Article: Joe Biden has Dropped it in Afghanistan; Allies Fear US Fail Against China in the Future @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The suspect in the shooting murders of several residents in a Georgia spa could face the death penalty as prosecutors confirmed their intentions to seek the legal charges in Atlanta's Fulton County, arguing the gunman's acts were hate crimes. Authorities arraigned the suspect, Robert Aaron Long, on Monday on the four Fulton County murder counts and other charges. The 22-year-old is believed to have shot a total of eight people, the majority of them having Asian descent. Georgia Spa Shooter Could Face Death Penalty The series of attacks were conducted at three separate spas in or near Atlanta a single day earlier this March. Long has previously pleaded guilty to the murder shootings in Cherokee County, which is located north of Atlanta. He was sentenced to life in prison for the crimes. On Monday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville in Atlanta preceded a hearing where prosecutors affirmed that District Attorney Fani Willis had filed to seek the death penalty against Long. The papers seeking the charge argued that the suspect committed hate crimes based on race or gender, Reuters reported. For the majority of the hearing, Long sat in silence, quietly responding with, "yes, sir" when asked if he understood the hearing. The suspect's attacks in March caused an awareness of the wave of anti-Asian bias and violence in the United States. Read Also: Chicago Hit-and-Run Leaves Couple Critically Injured; Circles Back, Strikes Good Samaritan Last month, Long was in another court hearing in Cherokee County where he could be seen showing little emotion as he detailed the events of the shootings. He said that he purchased a firearm and a bottle of bourbon and planned to kill himself, saying he was remorseful for being a self-proclaimed sex addict. However, he later decided to shoot other people instead of himself. He drove about 50 km south to Atlanta and conducted shootings at two spas managed by residents of Asian descent. Prosecutors said he killed a total of eight people in two different counties, Yahoo News reported. Victims of the Brutal Shootings Authorities gave Long four life sentences last month without parole for the shootings of 33-year-old Delaina Ashley Yaun, 54-year-old Paul Andre Michels, 49-year-old Xiaojie Yan, and 44-year-old Daoyou Feng. Long's attorneys revealed that they have reached out to Willis to enter a plea deal but she said she plans to continue to seek the death penalty. Conversely, Cherokee County District Attorney Shannon Wallace agreed to a plea deal last month in the interest of swift justice and avoiding lengthy appeals. The official said her decision was made after discussing with survivors and families of the victims. Wallace argued that if Long's case went to trial, she was planning on seeking the death penalty as well. She would have argued that the suspect committed the crimes based on gender bias. However, she said that investigators found no evidence to support that Long's crimes were motivated by racial bias. While noting the diversity of the victims, Wallace said the suspect shot anyone and everyone he saw in the area. "I am very comfortable in my decision to request sentencing enhancements based on the fact that race and gender played a role," Wallace said, ABC News reported. Related Article: Georgia Professor Quits During Class After Student Refuses to Properly Wear Face Mask Amid Region's COVID Surge @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Since President Biden took office, the Department of Education has canceled more than $9 billion in student loan debt, affecting more than 563,000 students. Department of Education Confirmed the Cancelation of Student Loans In a recently published article in The Hill, the new top-line number was verified by the government in a recent statement outlining the cancellation of $1.1 billion in debt for 115,000 debtors who attended the now-defunct ITT Technical Institute. The decision comes just days after the Biden administration revealed intentions to cancel $5.8 billion in federal student loans for over 323,000 students who have been classified as completely and permanently disabled by the Social Security Administration. Meanwhile, as the administration prepares to terminate the current hold on federal student loan payments, progressives have increased pressure on Biden to speed up efforts to cancel additional student loan debt for students, according to a report published in Yahoo News. Read Also: Stimulus Bill Won't Cancel Student Loan Faster $9.5 Billion Student Loans Will Be Canceled According to the Education Department, this new wave of forgiveness from Pres. Joe Biden takes the administration's overall forgiveness to $9.5 billion for approximately 563,000 debtors, according to a recently published news article in CNBC News. This targeted assistance was designed to prevent individuals from being scammed by institutions that engaged in wrongdoing or broke specific laws, such as fraudulently guaranteeing assured employment or wrongly assuring students that their credits would transfer to other universities. Needless to say, the Biden administration is still working on expanding student loan debt forgiveness, which would benefit millions of people who are struggling to make payments. The president is presently awaiting findings from the Department of Education and the United States Department of Justice on the constitutionality of canceling student loan debt via executive order. Borrowers Who Attended ITT Borrowers who received relief attended ITT at a time when the school misrepresented its finances and misled students about expensive private loans that were falsely disguised as financial assistance, according to the Department of Education. In a recently published article in Forbes, the agency said that ITT's deception diverted financial resources away from student education in order to keep the school open for years longer than it would have otherwise, resulting in debts that will be released beginning today. Education Secretary Released a Statement ITT, which closed permanently in 2016, "kept its real financial condition from borrowers" for years, enticing many of them into taking out private loans with deceptive and expensive terms, which may have led borrowers to drop out of school, according to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona. After a review of the circumstances that led to the institution's collapse, as well as filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the company's bankruptcy court proceedings, Cardona extended the window for relief until March 31, 2008. According to the agency, qualified debtors who attended any institution that closed between November 1, 2013 and July 1, 2020, and did not enroll in another university within three years of the school's closure would get automatic relief. Borrowers who were students at ITT during the last four months of its existence previously got automatic relief in 2019. Related Article: Biden Administration Automatically Forgives Student Loans To Disabled Borrowers @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A Chicago couple defended their choice to issue invoices to guests who failed to show up on their destination wedding. Doug Simmons, 44, and Dedra McGee, 43, married at the Royalton Negril Resort & Spa in Jamaica in front of 109 guests. However, the Chicago couple felt so tricked when some of their guests failed to show up on their wedding day that they decided to generate invoices for the expense of their meals. The invoice was captured and posted by Huffington Post editor Philip Lewis, who went viral this week. He wrote, "I don't think I've ever seen a wedding reception invoice before lol." Couple defends the action of invoicing "no-show" wedding guests Doug and Dedra created an official-looking expense invoice with only one line item: "Wedding Reception Dinner (No Show)." The bill has elicited varied comments, with some accusing the pair of being snobbish and petty. Some individuals didn't defend the couple openly, but they were eager to condemn the absent guests. Other comments echoed the couple's sentiments, with a few even wishing they'd done something similar, as per Daily Mail. After Simmons released the $240 invoice on Facebook, it went viral, giving the absentees until September 18 to pay up. The no-show guests were hunted down by the small company owner because it "made [him] feel some sort of way" that they had repeatedly RSVPed "Yes" before disappearing on the day. Per Republic World, almost 6,000 people shared the post on social media. He acknowledged that the action was "a little petty" but said, "I am not some trifling person who is going to bill somebody." The bold action sparked a heated online discussion about whether the couple's invoice was nasty or justified. According to the invoice, which many Twitter users thought was a fake, the no-shows were given a one-month payment deadline starting August 18. The bill was submitted by the once-anonymous newlyweds, whose Jamaican wedding at the Royalton Negril Resort & Spa allegedly cost $120 per guest. Simmons, a small business owner in Chicago, stressed that it's not about the money. Read Also: Mississippi Man, Girlfriend Arrested After Innocent Neighbor Died During a Fight Between Couple Invoice shared on social media caused a stir online They were upset and humiliated by the no-shows at his and his new bride's hard-earned fantasy wedding, which drew over 100 guests. Doug Simmons asked the guests several times whether they could attend the vacation wedding. Some participants failed to come up without so much as a phone call or text, after promising him that they would. The couple claims that the no-shows have caused damage and mistreatment. It's another issue if they'll carry out their demand. According to the pair, they take payments via Zelle and PayPal. The cardinal sin of wedding etiquette is failing to tell a couple that the guests were skipping their big day. Even yet, many married couples have horrible stories about "no-shows" ruining their wedding day and their finances. Although the couple didn't send the invoice to their pals, several Twitter users believed it was inappropriate to make it at all, implying that some visitors may not have felt safe traveling during the pandemic. Even though a few people thought it was rude, many of them agreed that abandoning friends on their wedding day is worse. Esther Lee, a senior editor at The Knot, said she'd never heard of a wedding invoice before but understands why it's causing such a stir. Even if the guests were at fault, Lee argued that if Simmons had issued the invoice, it would have been against conventional wedding etiquette. The no-show attendees, according to Lee, should still give the happy couple a present because they RSVPed that they would be attending the wedding. Janessa White, the co-founder of Simply Eloped, said the couples should budget for no-shows or last-minute cancellations, but she acknowledged that this invoice is an example of how the wedding industry is "hugely out of control" in terms of expenses, as per TODAY. Related Article: Chicago Hit-and-Run Leaves Couple Critically Injured; Circles Back, Strikes Good Samaritan @YouTube @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Last week, a Butler County court decided in favor of a lady who wanted a hospital to provide her husband Ivermectin after he spent many weeks in the ICU with the illness. Ohio Woman Asks the Court for an Emergency Order for the Use of Ivermectin In a recently published article in USA Today, Jeffrey Smith, 51, was diagnosed with COVID-19 in early July and has spent weeks in a Butler County hospital's critical care unit. Julie Smith, his wife, filed an emergency order for the use of Ivermectin in Butler County Common Pleas Court on Aug. 20. Julie Smith brought the case on behalf of her 24-year-old spouse. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 on July 9 and was brought to the ICU on July 15, when he was started on the hospital's COVID-19 regimen, which included the antiviral Remdesivir as well as plasma and steroids. Jeffrey Smith's health started to deteriorate on July 27, following a period of relative stability. On Aug. 1, he was sedated, intubated, and put on a ventilator before being placed in a medically induced coma. Julie Smith looked into Ivermectin as a therapy option for her husband on her own and found Wagshul. The medication was prescribed by him, but the hospital refused to provide it to him, according to a published article in MSN News. Read Also: Oxford University Scientists to Give Ivermectin Drug to COVID-19 Patients, Exploring If It Can Help Them Recover at Home Judge Howard Gives the Go-Ahead to Dr. Fred Wagshul's Prescription Dr. Fred Wagshul's prescription of 30 milligrams of Ivermectin daily for three weeks, as requested by his wife, was approved by Judge Gregory Howard on Aug. 23. According to court records, Julie Smith is her husband's guardian, according to a published report in News5 Cleveland. The research supporting Ivermectin's treatment in COVID-19 patients, according to Wagshul, is "irrefutable." He said that the CDC and FDA conspired to prevent its usage in order to preserve the FDA's emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccinations. He claims that the mainstream media and social media corporations have been "censoring" the advantages of ivermectin and that the US government's reluctance to recognize them amounts to genocide. On the other hand, several state officials have refused to comment on the situation. Inquiries should be directed to the state Medical Board, the Attorney General, and the Ohio Hospital Association, according to Cameron McNamee, a spokesperson for the state Board of Pharmacy. FDA, CDC, NHI Warn Americans Against the Use of Ivermectin Before physicians started using Ivermectin to treat parasite illnesses in people, it was initially designed to deworm farm animals. The medication is prescribed for the treatment of head lice, onchocerciasis (river blindness), and other human diseases. The Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health have all cautioned against the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19. They claim that the medication is untested as therapy and that high dosages may be hazardous and may cause severe damage, according to a published report in Cincinnati. Moreover, the journal Nature published a review of the existing literature earlier this month that concluded there is no confidence in the current evidence on the possible advantages of ivermectin. According to a check of the U.S. National Library of Medicine's website, there are six ongoing clinical studies of Ivermectin against COVID-19 in the United States. Related Article: WHO, Others, Warn Using Ivermectin as Treatment to COVID-19 @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The United States has exerted pressure on the United Kingdom in an attempt to get Prince Andrew to cooperate with sex abuse investigations. Investigators looking into the deaths of Ghislaine Maxwell and other companions of pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein are reportedly interested in speaking with the Duke of York about his relationship with the pedophile financier. In the wake of Prince Andrew's refusal to cooperate with investigators, officials from President Joe Biden's administration reiterated the US and UK's strong connection when it comes to providing legal assistance in criminal situations. Relations between the US, UK strained over Prince Andrew's refusal to cooperate This isn't the first time the US government has looked at Prince Andrew as a possible "person of interest." The US Attorney's office for the Southern District of New York confirmed earlier this month that the prince is being considered at least as a prospective witness, as per The International News. Last year, prosecutors submitted a formal request to the British government, known as a mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT) submission, requesting access to Prince Andrew so they could speak with him. The MLAT is a mechanism used in criminal investigations to collect information from foreign countries that is difficult to get cooperatively although it is known that the Duke of York has yet to cooperate. According to reports, prosecutors at the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York continue to be interested in Prince Andrew, but they do not anticipate to be able to interrogate him anytime soon, if at all. The Queen's son is being investigated as a person of interest, and interrogating him would be part of the inquiry into the suspected co-conspirator, Daily Mail reported. The Duke of York had sought to falsely portray himself to the public as eager and willing to comply, according to prosecutors. But he had provided no interview to federal officials and had repeatedly refused requests to speak with investigators. Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was sexually abused by Epstein, has filed legal action against Prince Andrew in federal court in Manhattan. Giuffre, then Virginia Roberts, claims Epstein compelled her to have forced sexual relations with Prince Andrew in the London house of British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, called "Epstein's Madame." Between 1994 and 2004, Ghislaine Maxwell pleaded not guilty to accusations that she supplied underage girls for Epstein to sexually abuse. In November, she is scheduled to go on trial. After being accused of sex trafficking, Epstein died in his prison cell in 2019. The Prince's representatives declined to comment although he has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or refusal to help. Read Also: Tom Cruise's BMW X7 Stolen While Filming Next Mission: Impossible Movie; Thieves Also Take His Hundreds of Thousands Worth of Luggage Prince Andrew allegedly hides in a mansion According to reports, Prince Andrew has been accused of hiding at his royal house to avoid being served with a sexual abuse lawsuit. At the Royal Lodge last week, security officers repeatedly blocked officials from handing the documents to the Duke of York. Per MIRROR, Prince Andrew hasn't been seen in public in 19 days and is said to be hesitant to leave his Berkshire mansion in Windsor Great Park. The Duke might face a default judgment next month if he refuses to accept a civil summons issued by a New York court three weeks ago. During an interview with BBC Newsnight, Prince Andrew stated that he had never met her. Giuffre's case was filed only days before a New York state legislation allowing alleged victims of sexual abuse as minors to make civil claims was set to expire. The statute of limitations prevents them from being brought after ten years. Related Article: Queen Elizabeth Urges Prince Andrew to Keep His Titles; Prince Charles May Be Tougher When He Becomes The King @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. North Korean cadres are spreading rumors that Kim Jong Un, the country's leader, was inoculated against COVID-19 in May. Kim Jong-Un's Unplanned Disappearance Was Linked to His Vaccination In a recently published article in Daily NK, the rumors about Kim's unplanned disappearance are very specific. They claim that Kim was inoculated more than three months ago in a home outside Pyongyang. According to other reports, Kim went missing unintentionally due to high fever and nausea after receiving the vaccine. Between May 6, when he attended an arts performance for military families, and June 4, when he led a Central Committee politburo meeting, Kim made no public appearances. Kim was most certainly vaccinated at the time, according to North Korean officials. There are even reports that around 100 individuals, including high-ranking cadres who met with Kim in person, have been vaccinated. However, South Korea's intelligence service said that there is no evidence that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been vaccinated against the coronavirus, and his nation has not received any foreign vaccines, according to a published report in ABC. Read Also: Kim Jong Un Weight Loss Speculation Unlikely; Geopolitical Consequences May Imply as He Gets Thinner North Korean Leader Might Not Be the First to Receive the Vaccine Some speculate that Kim was not the first North Korean to get vaccinated. Given the nature of North Korea's system, which prioritizes the safety of the country's "supreme leader," it's highly probable that officials conducted a test vaccine to see whether there were any negative side effects before giving Kim a dosage. The Chinese government supplied Sinopharm and other vaccinations to North Korean authorities earlier this year at their request, thus it seems that North Korean trade business executives and foreign ministry cadres were the first to get vaccinated, according to a published report in Business Insider. Furthermore, unnamed intelligence sources informed Harry Kazianis, senior director of the think tank Center for the National Interest, that many additional high-ranking people inside the Kim family and leadership network were thought to have gotten vaccination from China in the past two or three weeks. North Korea Hopes to Arrange a Meeting and Dialogue With China North Korean officials want to organize a meeting between Kim and Chinese President Xi Jinping in the second half of the year, according to another source in the country. And, if the circumstances are perfect, the officials think Kim might participate in talks with the U.S. as well. According to the insider, North Korea has two diplomatic tactics in its arsenal. One is aimed at the United States while the other is aimed at China, and the nation will pursue both tactics depending on the circumstances most especially in this time of economic crisis. North Korean officials think that if the US develops a friendly environment toward Pyongyang and provides a chance for the North to engage in conversation, Pyongyang will be willing to meet with Washington. However, if such circumstances do not materialize, they think that getting direct assistance from China is not a terrible option. Related Article: Is Kim Jong Un's Weight Loss Due to Health Condition or Food Shortage? North Koreans Heartbroken Over His Looks @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Former President Donald Trump's team reportedly paid more than $4.3 million to the people who organized the controversial "Save America" rally held on Jan. 6, prior to the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol. Last week, lawmakers for the U.S. House Select Committee to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection sent a letter to 15 social media companies, as well as the National Archives and Records Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice requesting for more information related to the riot. Trump's Alleged Involvement in Capitol Hill Riot In the letter, lawmakers named several individuals affiliated with Republicans who were involved in the Capitol riot, including Caroline Wren, Megan Powers, Gina Loudon, Amy Kremer and Dustin Stockton, according to Open Secrets. According to the request, Wren received at least $170,000 as the former president's national finance consultant. On the permit granted by the National Park Service for Trump's Save America campaign, she was listed as "VIP Advisor." Powers received $300,000 as the former president's director of operations. She was one of the two campaign operations managers listed on the rally permit. She also received an additional $20,000 for "recount administration consulting" from Make America Great Again PAC in 2021. The House committee also requested records related to Loudon, a co-chair of the Women for Trump initiative and a speaker at the rally. The committee also asked records on Kremer, who co-founded nonprofit pro-Trump group Women for American First, Stockton, who was a co-organizer of the rally and a spokesman for the WeBuiltTheWall nonprofit. Read Also: US Pressures UK to Hand Over Prince Andrew for Questioning Over Jeffrey Epstein Sex Abuse Case Stockton and Kremer had previously told ProPublica that they felt the need to warn the White House of the possible threats posed by Trump's Save America campaign. Both organizers had warned Katrina Pierson, Trump's former campaign spokesperson. Stockton later claimed she and Kramer called former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows to voice their concerns, but the later has denied she spoke with White House officials. Supporting the Rally Stockton also previously served as the spokesperson for former White House strategist Steve Bannon and three others who were charged with fraud for using money gained from an online funding effort to cover their personal expenses, according to Newsweek. In the letter, the House committee said they believe the five individuals played a key role in the "Save America" campaign, which occurred hours before the attack in the U.S. Capitol that led to the death of five people, including a Capitol police officer. So far, the federal government has charged more than 570 Americans in connection to the attack on the Capitol. The charges include obstructing an official proceeding and engaging in disorderly conduct in a restricted building. If the House committee finds that any of the members in Trump's inner circle purposely wanted the rioters to disrupt the counting of Electoral College votes, they could also be charged with engaging in disorderly conduct in a restricted building. Several anecdotal evidence point to it being the case, such as the name of the rally, which was "Stop the Steal," and the time the rally was held, which was around the time the Congress as meeting, according to NBC News. Related Article: Joe Biden Is Clueless About Afghanistan, Giving Vague Answers on Foreign Policy; Others Doubt His Mental Sharpness @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Children's Rights Activist Georgette Mulheir uncovers the hidden truths behind juvenile justice systems and the steps we can take to help children change their behaviours without incarcerating them. The right to personal liberty may be one of the oldest and most essential human rights. But justice systems around the world detain or incarcerate children in poor conditions for even the smallest offences. Though international legislation is designed to minimise the incarceration of children, a 2020 study by the United Nations has found that millions of children live in prisons, detention centres, and other institutions around the world. As children are deprived of their liberty, each loses their childhood, agency, and visibility. They lose opportunities for a better future and relationships with those who love them. Here, Children's Rights Activist and Global Systems Change Expert Georgette Mulheir examines the dangers of detention facilities around the world, including the institutions that promise rehabilitative treatment and care. Children at Risk Whilst some children do commit serious offences, the UN Study found that justice systems incarcerate children who have only committed minor offences - even in high-income countries. These children tend to be from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Moreover, children from ethnic and religious minorities, or migrant and indigenous communities are much more likely to be incarcerated - even if they have not committed offences. Once living in detention facilities, children find themselves at a serious disadvantage. The risk of abuse is high. They often miss out on education. The chances of these children committing further offences once released increase significantly. These institutions share characteristics that make them dangerous living environments for children. Many young people who live in these settings face separation, isolation, and sometimes solitary confinement. Many develop infectious diseases because of overcrowding. In some, wardens physically restrict children, which can lead to poor physical development. In others, wardens force children to take medication to control their behaviour. Most importantly, all of these children lack the love and family life essential for emotional and cognitive development. When deprived of their liberty in these ways, children are more likely to develop psychiatric disorders and even to die prematurely. Juvenile Justice System Scandals in the UK and U.S. International law states that justice systems should only incarcerate children as a last resort and that if justice systems must incarcerate a child, this should be for the shortest time possible. However, justice systems incarcerate many children for long periods, even if they have only committed minor offences. Often, it's indigenous and minority children that justice systems are subject to arrest and detention - and many countries detain children to enforce migration law. Even some of the wealthiest countries, like the UK and U.S., are responsible for unjustly incarcerating children. According to Georgette Mulheir, "profit-led motives often drive these cases. In some situations, the drive for profit is made at the expense of quality provision, resulting in serious risk to children. In other cases, the profit motive has led directly to increased levels of unnecessary incarceration of children." Scandals in the USA and the UK reinforce Mulheir's concerns. In 2011, two judges from Pennsylvania were convicted[CM1] of incarcerating 2,401 young people in two detention centres. The judges accepted bribes totalling $2.6 million from the builder of these detention centres, who received funding per occupied bed, to increase the number of children incarcerated. The convicted children - some as young as ten - had committed minor offences: one had stolen a jar of nutmeg. One had posted webpage spoofs about an assistant school principal. And another was caught with drug paraphernalia. Though the justice system has expunged these criminal records, the effects are long-lasting. One of these young people committed suicide. As recently as June 2021, the UK government closed a private youth jail in Warwickshire because of serious ongoing safety issues[CM2]. Ofsted had raised concerns about Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre, where wardens locked up children for more than 23 hours a day. Given the lack of secure training centres, the justice system has now transferred at least half of these 33 children to young offender institutions[CM3] (YOIs), even though many of these young people are assessed as too vulnerable for YOIs and require the higher staff-to-child ratio that secure training centres offer. Community-Based Responses According to Georgette Mulheir, "most children living in detention facilities would be better served by community-based approaches - and this is also beneficial to society, as community-based responses are much more likely to reduce repeat-offending among children and children are at a much lower risk of abuse." Research, such as R. A Mendel's Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Progress Report, increasingly demonstrates that adolescents need a rehabilitative justice system, not a punishment-centred system. As the adolescent brain is not fully developed, a focus on rehabilitation is essential to help young people remap their lives and learn how to integrate with society. The Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative's (JDAI) research also supports this way of thinking, having found that even a short stay in detention facilities can cause lifelong damage. The World Report 2016 (Rights Trends in Children Behind Bars) explains[CM4] that rehabilitation-focused policies and procedures that focus on probation, mediation, counselling and community service could divert many children from incarceration. "Crucially", says Mulheir, "integrating social work into the practice of juvenile justice can be hugely beneficial for children." The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law published a study that introduced social work in juvenile justice systems around the world. The study concluded that juvenile justice systems should offer tailored support for each child. It also emphasised that juvenile justice systems should accept that occasional 'non-compliance' is normal for adolescents. Introducing social workers to juveniles' care allows each child's needs to become a priority in their rehabilitation. When justice systems tailor services to a child, their family, and their specific circumstances, they are in the best position to rehabilitate, treat, and educate children. The good news is that, in some countries, these new approaches are being translated into practice - and the results speak for themselves. The JDAI is working to reform U.S. juvenile justice systems. This network of justice practitioners and stakeholders reaches more than one-third of the total youth population in the U.S justice system. So far, JDAI has helped decrease the daily detention population by 43 per cent. One of the keys to success in rehabilitating children in contact with the law is the strength of children's family relationships. That's why the role of social workers in juvenile justice is so important. Recognising what has caused children's offending behaviour and helping overcome those challenges is key to reducing repeat-offending and helping children get back on the right path. Family-based responses for children who commit offences But for children who are charged with serious offences, it is usually decided to remand them in custody. Some children can wait long periods incarcerated before their case is heard and this can have a detrimental effect on their well-being as well as the chances they will re-offend. "In these circumstances", says Georgette Mulheir, "around the world, justice systems should consider carefully the emerging evidence on utilising specially trained foster families, rather than incarceration." Specially-trained Remand foster families usually care for juveniles while they await court proceedings. They provide a stable family environment, whilst working closely with all the other professionals in the child's life - justice officials, social workers, teachers, health workers. These foster families can have a positive impact on a child's life and research shows that children who have committed offences are far less likely to re-offend if placed in a specialised foster family[CM5] instead of a detention facility. Meanwhile, over 88 per cent of juveniles who await court proceedings in prison re-offend within two years[CM6]. This is because specially-trained foster families can offer children safe, non-judgemental environments to help them reform their lives. They can also accompany juveniles on meetings with solicitors and court matters, becoming their allies. Various studies confirm the positive outcomes that remand foster care placements encourage. For example, the University of Bristol conducted a study into an NCH Wessex project that employed 15 foster carers to care for 46 children who were on remand. The study compared the behaviour of juveniles in foster care against the behaviour of juveniles in custody and on unsupported bail. The research found that fewer than a quarter of young people in foster care offended while awaiting court proceedings. Only one young person in the project population committed an offence that was more serious than their original charge. Meanwhile, 58 per cent of children remanded to local authority accommodation committed offences during their remand. And 35 per cent of children on unsupported bail committed offences during their remand, too. 91 per cent of the children in the study had faced serious family issues. These issues included limited contact, rejection, violence, and drug and alcohol abuse. Many had also been in care. Foster placements helped these children form new family relationships and develop vital connections with a support network. As young people develop relationships with their foster families, they're more likely to talk with their carers openly and honestly. "Remand foster caring is challenging and requires much hard work and patience", says Georgette Mulheir. "But placing young people in supportive family settings helps them change their behaviours and, often, recover from previous traumas. Institutional settings simply cannot offer this support." Georgette Mulheir Comments on Progress to Date According to the UN Study, the world has a long way to go. Every year, judicial and administrative authorities deprive at least 1.3-1.5 million children of their liberty. "Throughout the world", says Georgette Mulheir, "juvenile justice systems are still too focused on punishment and control, rather than creating a better society." Recent developments in some countries are rethinking the purpose of juvenile justice - to protect society from crime, but also ensure responses are proportionate and effective. Where children have committed offences, countries also have a responsibility to protect them from harm. Incarceration of children is inherently harmful and exposes children to a high risk of all forms of abuse. And it has been demonstrated that community and family-based responses are much more successful - both in protecting children and in reducing reoffending. What's more, says Mulheir, "these approaches are also cheaper. As a world, we spend billions locking children up. If we invested those funds in supporting children in families and strengthening communities, we would reduce crime and increase the number of children given a second chance to contribute to society." About Georgette Mulheir Georgette Mulheir works with child protection organisations around the world to put a stop to abusive practices and ensure children receive the care they need. Over the past three decades, she has led programmes that have saved the lives of 15,000 children and protected hundreds of thousands more. Many know her for her influential TED talk, 'The Tragedy of Orphanages' and her works on children's rights. @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A researcher, Sangeetha Abdu Jyothi has warned about solar superstorms that could trigger an "internet apocalypse," especially in Europe and the USA. Jyothi is a researcher from the University of California - Irvine, who studied solar superstorms and their direct correlation to an event called the "internet apocalypse." Her scientific article was presented and recognized at the recent Sigcomm 2021 data communication conference. Jyothi expressed her concerns about the vulnerability of global internet communication structures. Solar Superstorms Can Cause 'Internet Apocalypse' By definition, solar flares are large eruptions of electromagnetic radiations lasting between a few minutes to a couple of hours. This outburst of electromagnetic energy originally comes from the Sun and travels at lightspeed over the sunlit side of Earth's atmosphere. This phenomenon often creates problems for power grids around the world. The strongest solar storm recorded happened in 1859 and 1921. Long before modern technology was developed, weaker solar flares caused a massive power outage in Quebec, Canada. Jyothi warned a similar incident happening sometime soon. According to Techxplore, many power producers are well aware of the risk. They have taken steps to deal with such events happening to their system. However, the same cannot be said for global internet systems. In Jyothi's paper, she explained that optical fibers used in submarine cables are immune to the effects of solar storms. However, every 50 to 150 meters of distance, repeaters are installed to amplify the signals. These repeaters are, unfortunately, vulnerable to solar storms. When damaged, they would cut off international internet communications until workers replace them. The repair could take weeks or possibly months to complete. Jyothi also emphasized that the solar superstorm risk is higher on higher latitudes. Read Also: SpaceX Falcon Launch: Dragon Capsule Contains Robot Arm, Shrimp, Avocados and More Strange Cargos [Where to Rewatch Rocket Flight] Specific Countries With Internet Outage Problems During a Solar Superstorm As previously mentioned, connections between Europe and the USA are at high risk. Submarine cables of these two are highly concentrated, which would lead to catastrophic damages to its city. Europe is better off than the USA since its undersea cables are better connected and relatively shorter. Continents like Asia seem safer than the two, mainly because Singapore is geographically well placed against a solar superstorm. Africa and its submarine cables are also recorded to be safe, perhaps even Brazil. However, countries like Australia and New Zealand need to prepare. Their connections between other islands might be cut off during the "internet apocalypse." Areas in the Arctic region are also at a high risk. Jyothi's study also wrote that Google's data centers are geographically better distributed than Facebook. For this reason, Google should be more resilient than Facebook. It is not elaborated, but Market Research Telecast also warned about the internet infrastructure around the orbit, like the Starlink network. These systems are at risk of having their electronics and GPS broken on a solar superstorm. In conclusion, Jyothi predicted a 1.6 to 12 percent chance of a solar superstorm happening in the next decade. Related Article: Is Elon Musk an Alien? Dogefather Responds to Biggest Question on Twitter, Fans React President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, right, poses for a photo with Korea's Speaker of the National Assembly Park Byeong-seug during a meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, April 5. Courtesy of Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Korea By Dinara Kemelova On Aug. 31, 2021, the Kyrgyz Republic celebrates the 30th anniversary of its independence. The Kyrgyz nation with a centuries-old history and rich cultural identity has undergone many challenges in the struggle for its national identity and statehood. In the past century, Kyrgyzstan was a part of the Russian Empire, and after the October Revolution of 1917 and the creation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), became a Soviet Socialist Republic. The collapse of the USSR and the adoption by the Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan of the "Declaration of State Independence" on Aug. 31, 1991, were significant events in the history of the development of the Kyrgyz Republic. According to this historic act, Kyrgyzstan has become an independent, sovereign, and democratic state. In addition, the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic, adopted on May 5, 1993, proclaimed Kyrgyzstan as a legal and secular state based on the principles of freedom, independence and unity. Kyrgyzstan is a multinational country, where more than 100 nationalities live. Today, there are more than 17,000 ethnic Koreans citizens of Kyrgyzstan. There are a lot of successful entrepreneurs, athletes and public figures among them, of whom Kyrgyzstan is proud. And in turn, there are more than 6,000 citizens of Kyrgyzstan in the Republic of Korea and about 350 Kyrgyz students are studying at various universities in Korea. Since gaining independence, Kyrgyzstan has established democratic institutions of government, legal mechanisms, a market economy and a stable national currency. There has been built a strong civil society and legal institutions have been established for the protection of human rights and freedoms. The Kyrgyz Republic has made significant progress, especially in strengthening the country's sovereignty. During this period, the people of Kyrgyzstan, who have experienced many challenges, have proven that they're the only source of power. This shows similarity with the Korean people. The spirit of freedom and democracy lives in us. Dinara Kemelova, left, ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Korea, shakes hands with Korea's President Moon Jae-in during a reception for diplomats in Seoul at Cheong Wa Dae, Oct. 18, 2019. Courtesy of Embassy of Kyrgyz Republic in Korea This year early presidential elections were held in Kyrgyzstan in January. The current President Sadyr Japarov won. This year two referendums were held in Kyrgyzstan to determine the form of government of the Kyrgyz Republic and the draft of a new Constitution, which was adopted on May 5. According to the new Constitution, our country is currently a presidential republic, as is the Republic of Korea. This year, it is planned to hold parliamentary elections under a mixed system in autumn. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kyrgyzstan and South Korea in 1992, an atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding has been prevailing. More than 50 treaties and memorandums have been signed, and the parties are engaged in an active political dialogue and maintain dynamic cooperation in the economic, cultural and educational spheres. The dynamics of bilateral relations are confirmed by fruitful exchanges of high-level visits. The following visits of the Kyrgyz delegations to the Republic of Korea by the Presidents of the Kyrgyz Republic in 1997 and 2013, by heads of Government in 2007 and 2012 and by speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament in 2014 played an important role in promoting bilateral relations. In 2019, South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon made his first historic visit to Kyrgyzstan. Another significant event of the history of bilateral relations was this year's first official visit of the Speaker of the National Assembly of South Korea Park Byeong-seug to Kyrgyzstan in April. During the visit, Park held talks with President Japarov, Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament Talant Mamytov and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Ulukbek Maripov. Kyrgyzstan is one of the countries embraced by the "New Northern Policy" of South Korean President Moon Jae-in. In January 2021, by a decision of the Korean government, Kyrgyzstan was placed on the list of priority partner countries of the Republic of Korea. Ala Kol lake in Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan / Courtesy of Tokochev Kenjebek In this July 6 file photo, a coalition of around 100 migrant human rights groups calls upon the South Korean government to provide COVID-19 relief fund to residents of foreign nationality during a news conference held in front of Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. Yonhap Local migrant human rights groups on Tuesday called upon the government to come up with a non-discriminatory COVID-19 relief aid program, ahead of the envisioned mass rollout of cash handouts next month. Around 100 groups for the human rights of migrants and foreign national residents, including Solidarity for Migrant Human Rights, issued a joint statement demanding the government to cover the migrant and foreign national resident population in its plan to start distributing stimulus checks of 250,000 won ($215) per person to the bottom 88 percent of South Koreans in terms of income bracket on Sept. 6. "Many of the foreign nationals who live, work and may taxes here have again been excluded from the list of people eligible for claiming the state-funded pandemic relief checks," they said, asking the government to add the population of residents of foreign nationality to the latest list. Under the current plan, they claimed that among 2 million foreign residents here, cash handouts are available to only about 300,000 who have permanent residence (F-5) or marriage migrant (F-6) visas, as well as the same national health insurance coverage as Koreans. According to the groups, residents of foreign nationality have been repeatedly discriminated against in South Korea's pandemic relief policies, such as in the public supply of face masks and the provision of emergency relief funds, ever since the coronavirus pandemic broke out early last year. The country has so far provided four rounds of pandemic relief aid to Korean citizens. Migrants should be considered as part of the Korean community as they pay taxes here and have been fulfilling their responsibility in the fight against the virus, they added. "Foreign national residents have suffered the (economic) fallout of the pandemic (just like Korean national residents). There is no reason to exclude them from relief fund programs created to lessen people's financial burden and revitalize the economy." (Yonhap) Courtesy of Embassy of Uzbekistan in Korea A multiparty system has been established in the Republic of Uzbekistan, and is being developed in accordance with modern requirements, as a result of large-scale political, socio-economical and legal reforms that were gradually carried out in the process of independent statehood of nearly 30 years. As in all democratic countries, elections in the Republic of Uzbekistan are conducted in accordance with the universally recognized democratic standards on the basis of unity, equal, direct, alternative, open and transparent, multiparty ballot. As of today, five political parties are operating on the basis of the multiparty system in the New Uzbekistan: the People's Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (1991), the Social Democratic Party of Uzbekistan "Adolat" (1995), the Democratic Party of Uzbekistan "Milliy Tiklanish" (1995), the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen also called the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (2003) and the Ecological Party of Uzbekistan (2019). Every political party, operating in modern Uzbekistan, endeavours to gain firm trust and voice of its electorate, to courageously advance program goals that serve the interests and aspirations of a broad constituency, to gain a majority in Parliament, and thus to be leading party to provide new proposals and practical solutions in order to develop the state and the society. Kim Dong-jin, left, chairman of the Hulbert Memorial Society, shows a new book full of writings by Homer Hulbert, an American educator who supported Korea's independence from Japan, during an event in Seoul, Tuesday, to commemorate the 72th anniversary of his death. Hulbert first came to the Korean Peninsula in 1886 and died in 1949 in Seoul. He was buried at Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery. The book, titled "Korea As Seen From The Saddle," is a collection of Hulbert's essays about his 1890 trip to Pyongyang, which have been translated into Korean recently. Next to Kim are Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Seoul Regional Office Director General Lee Seong-choon, Mapo District head Yoo Dong-gyun and the Association of Independence Patriot's Descendants Chairman Kim Sam-yeol. Courtesy of Hulbert Memorial Society In this June 18 file photo, a U.S. infantry fighting vehicle arrives Busan Port. Yonhap A new draft bill on the U.S. defense budget does not specify a lower limit for the number of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea as the administration of President Joe Biden has no plans to reduce troop levels in the Asian ally, an informed source said Monday. U.S. Congress had prohibited the use of U.S. defense budget to reduce the number of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) troops for three consecutive years since 2018 through its annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). But the draft NDAA for fiscal year 2022, sponsored by the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), does not have such a clause, according to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "The bill proposed by Rep. Smith currently lacks the clause that limits the use of U.S. defense budget to reduce the number of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea," the source said. "However, both the Congress and U.S. administration are saying the clause has apparently been removed, because it is no longer needed," the source added, noting the Congress had only added the clause to the NDAA to prevent the former Donald Trump administration from reducing the size of the USFK. Trump had often threatened to reduce U.S. troop level in South Korea while demanding Seoul pay more for the 28,500 U.S. forces stationed there. The informed source here said the ban on the use of U.S. defense budget for USFK troop reduction may still be added to the final draft as the House Armed Services Committee will begin reviewing the proposed bill, along with those passed by armed services subcommittees on Wednesday. The source noted similar lower limits for U.S. troops levels in Germany and Afghanistan have also been removed from the draft NDAA for the next fiscal year. The U.S. Department of Defense is currently conducting a global defense posture review that may affect U.S. troops stationed overseas. Defense Department spokesman John Kirby has said the U.S. remains committed to maintaining an appropriate number of troops in South Korea. "Our global force posture review will be a chance for us to take a look at resourcing on the (Korean) peninsula and whether we have that right, given the threats, given the challenges and given the strategy that we want to pursue in the Indo-Pacific region," he said earlier. "We remain fully committed to our alliance with South Korea, and part of that commitment means having appropriate readiness on the peninsula as we say 'Ready to fight tonight,' and that means having appropriate force levels." (Yonhap) Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon leaves his office, Tuesday, while police searched City Hall offices over allegations that he spread false information during his mayoral by-election campaign in April. Investigators from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency searched some city offices including the city planning and transport policy bureaus as Oh is accused of making false remarks on Pi-City, a scandal-plagued development project. Yonhap The justices of the Constitutional Court prepare to be seated at the courtroom in Jongro District, Seoul, Aug. 31. Yonhap The Constitutional Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed by a group of South Koreans who were forced to serve in the Japanese army during World War II and later punished as war criminals. The plaintiffs filed the appeal asking the court to confirm the government's violation of their basic rights by not redressing the plight they endured as convicted war criminals. The court rejected the case in a 5-4 vote, saying their suffering which largely came from the rulings in war tribunals are not subject to the 1965 agreement between Seoul and Japan on resolving colonial-era issues. "It is difficult to see B/C-class war criminals convicted in war tribunals in the same light as the victims of crimes against humanity, such as sexual slavery or nuclear bombs," the court said. It also rejected the plaintiffs' claims the government did not fulfill its responsibility as a nation to work for its people, saying "The government has consistently requested Japan resolve the problems regarding Korean war criminals and compensate them through various diplomatic channels." The decision came seven years after the group of convicted war criminals and their family members brought the issue to the court. Lee Hak-rae, one of the plaintiffs, was recruited by the Japanese Army in 1942 and worked in a prisoner-of-war camp. He was among 148 Korean war criminals convicted of war crimes by an Allied tribunal after the war ended. While he was alive, he worked to bring attention to the difficulties Korean war criminals went through: They were not properly compensated in Japan as war veterans, and at the same time feared they would be labeled as Japanese collaborators back in their motherland. Lee died in March at the age of 96 in Tokyo. (Yonhap) Bukchon Hanok Village / Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization By Bahk Eun-ji Strolling through downtown Seoul can bring some freshness into the weary daily routine for citizens who have been unable to travel since the start of the prolonged pandemic. The Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Tourism Organization operate guided walking tour programs where participants can explore various themed tourist attractions in the capital while listening to tour guides certified by the city government. There are a total of 44 courses with 225 guides including speakers of various foreign languages. As the highest Level 4 social distancing measures have been implemented in the greater Seoul area, the number of participants for each tour is limited to three until at least Sept. 5. Of the 44 courses, the organization has recommended three courses, full of cultural attractions and artistic ambience. They are: Bukchon Hanok Village, where visitors can feel the elegance and serenity of the country's traditional hanok architecture; Daehangno, which is full of passion of cultural and performing artists with artistic sculptures and buildings with modern history; and Chungmuro and Euljiro where the past and present coexist in the alleyways. Bukchon, place of elegance and quietness of hanok If you are looking for hanok (traditional Korean houses) in downtown Seoul, the first place that comes to mind is probably Bukchon Hanok Village. Bukchon is located between Gyeongbok Palace and Changdeok Palace, and was regarded as one of the ideal places to live, situated between Mount Bugak and Cheonggye Stream. In particular, Unhyeon Palace near Anguk Station on Seoul Metro Line 3, the starting point of the course, was the residence of Heungseon Daewongun, the father of King Gojong of the late Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). Jeongdok Public Library / Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization When heading to the Bukchon Hanok Cultural Center from the starting point, the houses of royal families and aristocrats of Joseon continue to spread out so that visitors can feel as if they are in the Joseon era. But there are also modern buildings such as Choong Ang High School, Jeongdok Public Library, Gahoedong Cathedral and the emerald blue roof of Lee Jun-gu House, a Western-style house built in late Joseon. A hilly alley there provides the best photogenic spot in the Bukchon area looking down over hanoks and even Mount Nam in the distance. The two-hour course starts in front of the tourist information booth at Unhyeon Palace, and operates twice daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Daehangno for architecture tour Daehangno, meaning university street, traces its name back to when the law and medical departments of Keijo Imperial University were established on both sides of the road in the area during the Japanese colonial era. Marronnier Park in Dahangno / Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization After being liberated from the Japanese occupation in 1945, Keijo Imperial University was reorganized as Seoul National University (SNU) in 1946, and the colleges of liberal arts, law and fine arts were set up there. Currently, only SNU's hospital, medical school and nursing school remain, while other colleges were moved to Mount Gwanak in the southern part of Seoul. The building of Daehan Hospital, which was one of the main state medical institutions in the late Joseon era, still stands within the SNU Hospital compound. It has a clock tower of the 17th- and 18th-centuries European neo-baroque architectural style, with harmony of red bricks and granite. To this day, it still boasts an elegant appearance. Across the street from the hospital are dozens of art galleries and small theaters for plays, as well as Marronnier Park. Flea markets and street performances are often held there. The three-hour course starts in front of exit 3 of Hyehwa Station on Seoul Metro Line 4 and operates twice daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Chungmuro, Euljiro alleys to feel retro vibe Alleys in Chungmuro and Euljiro enjoyed a boom during the renaissance of the Korean film industry in the 1960s and 1970s. More recently, many of the alleys have been revitalized with an urban regeneration project aimed at restoring the historical and cultural value of the art industry. In Pil-dong Culture and Art Street, one such alley, visitors can enjoy various artworks for free. Sewoon Plaza /Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization Two famous streets are Euljiro's "sea snail street" and "nogari (dried young pollack) alley." This alleys, which has been frequented by workers at nearby print shops and building material dealers for over 50 years, have been keeping the same ambience, so visitors can enjoy food and beer as well as a retro atmosphere of Seoul. Due to the attractive taste and price, it has been a popular spot for young people as well in recent years. Restaurants along Sewoon Plaza /Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization This satellite photo released by the 38 North, a U.S.-based media focusing on North Korea, in May, shows satellite imagery of North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear complex. Yonhap The U.N. nuclear watchdog has detected "deeply troubling" indications that a key nuclear reactor at North Korea's main Yongbyon complex has been in operation since July, including the release of cooling water, an annual report showed Monday. Submitted to the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors on Friday, the report covered new developments of the five megawatt reactor, from which the North obtained spent fuel rods to extract plutonium a fissile material used for a bomb in the past. The report based on satellite imagery and other sources came as Seoul and Washington push to resume dialogue with the North, following its furious reactions to the allies' recently concluded annual military exercises. "Since early July 2021, there have been indications, including the discharge of cooling water, consistent with the operation of the reactor," the report reads, noting there were no indications of such a reactor operation from early December 2018 to the start of July this year. The report also said that the steam plant, which serves the radiochemical laboratory at the Yongbyon complex, operated for approximately five months, from mid-February 2021 until early July 2021. The plant is used to provide heat to a fuel rod reprocessing facility "The duration of the operation of the steam plant and Radiochemical Laboratory in 2021 is significantly longer than that observed in the past during possible waste treatment or maintenance activities," the report said. "The five-month timeframe is consistent with the time required to reprocess a complete core of irradiated fuel from the 5MW(e) reactor," it added. The report stressed that the North's nuclear activities remain a "cause for serious concern." "Furthermore, the new indications of the operation of the 5MW(e) reactor and the Radiochemical Laboratory are deeply troubling," the report said. "The continuation of the DPRK's nuclear program is a clear violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and is deeply regrettable," it added, referring to the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The latest development came after the North responded angrily to the South Korea-U.S. exercise, calling it the "most vivid expression of the U.S. hostile policy" toward the North and warning of a "serious security crisis." Apparently to allay the North's anger, the U.S. special representative for the North, Sung Kim, said during his trip here last week that Washington does not have a hostile intent toward the North, renewing his offer to "meet with my North Korean counterparts anywhere, at anytime." During their talks, Kim and his South Korean counterpart, Noh Kyu-duk, discussed various areas of humanitarian assistance to the North, such as health care, to encourage the North's return to dialogue. Over the weekend, Noh flew to Washington for talks with officials from the State Department and the White House National Security Council. (Yonhap) 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." By Lee Min-young ESG, or the environmental, social, and governance principles of a company, is one of the main topics being discussed these days in the business world. Europe and the U.S. have been leading the adoption of ESG standards, while businesses in Asia have recently started to jump on the bandwagon. To understand this topic in more depth, The Korea Times invited Jeon YouMe, the managing director of PERSOLKELLY Korea and the group leader for PERSOLKELLY Consulting in the APAC region, for a discussion on how Korean companies are responding to the rapidly evolving business environment in which ESG management practices are becoming the central issue for companies to tackle in order to survive both for the firms themselves and for humankind's future generations. Jeon has more than 20 years of experience in consulting for multinational corporations in Korea and Singapore to help them build corporate strategies for market entry, HR solutions, and corporate restructuring. We also invited Elvin Tan, who will join us online from Singapore. He is the Regional Director of PERSOLKELLY and the Head of Operations in the APAC region. With our two panelists having worked in the HR solutions industry for many years, they will give us more focused insights on what roles HR plays in helping companies succeed, as well as how companies can incorporate HR strategies that pursue ESG principles and standards. By Kim Sun-ae Recently, I watched the beautiful Bhutanese movie, "Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom." In the movie, Ugyen, the protagonist, is not satisfied with his life as a schoolteacher. He is assigned to Lunana, a small mountain village that seems to be the remotest place in the world. Ugyen begins to teach young students at a little school in the village. Paper is rare there, so the students do not have notebooks. Ugyen distributes two pieces of paper to each of his students for their studies. To be happy, how much should we have? Many people in a materially rich country sometimes want to escape from where they are. From time to time, many of us feel dissatisfied with our lives, even though we have many more possessions than the people in Lunana. The villagers there tend yaks, gather herbs and do farming. The electric supply is not stable. Although the villagers of Lunana are not rich materially, many of them seem to be content with their lives. Ugyen meets Saldon, a herder who tends to yaks in the village, and he learns how to sing from her. He asks her if she would like to visit the city where he lives someday. But she is satisfied with where she is now, and she knows that she belongs there. Every day, she sings a song in a mountain. The song is her gift for all beings. Just as black-necked cranes sing whether anyone hears them or not, Saldon gives what she can to the world. She lives a centered life, and her warm attitude toward the world is beautiful. Many of us want to have more and more; we are not content with what we have. This movie gives us a precious opportunity to look back on our lives and to think about what true happiness is. In the movie, Ugyen's young students and a couple of yak herders sing together, "Happiness, like a shadow, follows a pure, clear and humble mind." The song helps us remember that our lasting happiness comes from a pure heart. Dissatisfaction follows attachment to material possessions. If we try to find happiness in our possessions, we come to want new things right away, even if we get what we want. Possessing something can only give us momentary pleasure. What is essential to our happiness? Everyone needs food and shelter, of course. My family and friends are inseparable from my happiness. Just several books a month and a few good movies a year give me joy. Nature also delights me with its ever-changing, colorful shapes and forms. I smile at the beauty of the mysterious purple morning glories in full bloom every morning and the small green fruits that I see on my way to the library. I have decided not to buy anything other than groceries such as food for a month. Indeed, perhaps we don't need so many things to be happy after all. Kim Sun-ae (blog.naver.com/dancinglf) wrote "Old Potato, New Potato" and translated "Little Lord Fauntleroy." North Korea should refrain from nuclear activities A U.N. watchdog's report on North Korea's presumed resumption of the operation of its main nuclear reactor is bad news for South Korea and the United States. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in its annual report that North Korea appears to have restarted its plutonium-producing reprocessing reactor in the Yongbyon nuclear complex, north of Pyongyang. According to the report dated Friday, the IAEA has spotted the discharge of cooling water and other signs of operation at the 5-megawatt reactor since early July. It also detected indications of the operation of Yongbyon's radiochemical laboratory between mid-February and early July. The North had used the 5-megawatt reactor and the laboratory to produce weapons-grade plutonium. The nuclear complex had also been used to extract highly enriched uranium. Its operation came to a halt in December 2018, six months after the historic summit held in Singapore between the leaders of the U.S. and North Korea. The IAEA report, if confirmed, could bode ill for the U.S. efforts to resume stalled denuclearization talks with the North. It could also cast a dark cloud over President Moon Jae-in's policy of active engagement with Pyongyang which is aimed at facilitating his much-avowed Korean Peninsula peace process. That's why the IAEA said North Korea's nuclear activities continue to be a "cause for serious concern." It also described the new indications of the operation of the reactor and the laboratory in Yongbyon as "deeply troubling." Seoul and Washington need to work together closely to confirm the IAEA report. Denuclearization talks between Washington and Pyongyang have been deadlocked since the collapse of the 2019 Hanoi summit between then President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. During the summit, Kim offered to dismantle the entire Yongbyon complex in return for extensive sanctions relief. But Trump turned down Kim's offer, asking the North to dismantle all of its nuclear facilities. Some pundits argue that the Kim regime has probably resumed reactor and laboratory operation in order to put pressure on the U.S. to accommodate its call for the lifting of sanctions before starting a denuclearization process. In other words, the North seems to be trying to play a nuclear card again in order to win what it wants. However, others point out that the renewed reactor operation could signal the North's resumption of its nuclear program -- after a brief pause -- to upgrade its nuclear weapons capability. If that is the case, the North's denuclearization will become a remote possibility which could escalate tension and destabilize the peninsula further. We urge Pyongyang not to return to square one by resorting to brinksmanship. The North should realize that nuclear gambling will only lead to self-destruction. It now faces the dire consequences of economic failure and food shortage amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Further development of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles could only aggravate the situation. The most viable option for survival is to return to dialogue and move toward denuclearization and peace. By Lee Seong-hyon The Global Times, the public opinion warfare tool under Chinese publication People's Daily, is at it again. In an Aug. 16 editorial titled "A Lesson for Taiwanese Authorities to Learn from Afghanistan," it said: "If there is an all-out war in the Taiwan Strait, U.S. reinforcements will not come." The news spread to every corner of the world and caused commotion. Concerns have also arisen in South Korea whether its alliance with the U.S. is strong enough, or South Korea should be prepared for "contingency." U.S. President Joe Biden hurriedly stepped in, clarifying that South Korea (together with a few other allies) is "fundamentally different" from Afghanistan. Regardless of whether the U.S. will come out to intervene in the event of the Taiwan Strait crisis, China has, in fact, already succeeded in achieving the basic goal of public opinion warfare by making people "agitate." Even the U.S. president felt compelled to respond. From the U.S. side, it had reason to be indignant toward the Global Times' editorial. It was Biden himself who had declared "America is back," but then he withdrew U.S. forces from Afghanistan, one of the primary global hot spots of conflict. Biden's move was also harshly criticized by Britain, Washington's foremost ally. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair even lashed out at Biden by publicly describing him as an "imbecile," a term North Korea used in 2019 to criticize then-presidential candidate Biden. It's like the U.S. is sustaining the same insult from both allies and adversaries. The U.S. is legally obligated to provide defense to Taiwan, yet Washington maintains a policy of "strategic ambiguity" as to whether it will intervene militarily to protect Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. As the Taiwan crisis escalates, there is an increasing argument in some pockets of Washington that it should shift to "strategic clarity" that affirms military intervention. However, this is not happening. Herein lies the American dilemma. If the U.S. vows military intervention, it makes logical sense for China to pre-emptively strike and neutralize U.S. air bases and naval assets near Taiwan before Beijing mounts armed attacks on Taiwan. On the other hand, if the U.S. "declares" it will not intervene in a Taiwan Strait crisis, China will be lionized to invade Taiwan. It's similar to the "Acheson Line." Just months before the outbreak of the Korean War, the then-U.S. Secretary of State Dean Acheson announced the so-called Acheson Line. In a speech, delivered at the National Press Club, he excluded Korea from the U.S. defense line (Japan was included). Albeit there is no conclusive historical evidence that the Acheson Line was what motivated North Korea to decide to invade South Korea. But a good number of Koreans think so. Chinese leader Xi Jinping may believe he has a license for kinetic outreach to Taiwan. Here, the license is the public backing. In a recent survey in China, as many as 86.2 percent of Chinese respondents said they would support the unification of Taiwan even by force. Xi, who is trying to use the Taiwan unification as a paving stone for his long-term power and as he dreams of establishing the legacy of being the "unification president," may feel that he has already secured a foundation for the people's support for the use of force. Against this backdrop, the U.S. lifting of "strategic ambiguity" has the danger of emboldening China. Furthermore, an armed conflict between the U.S. and China near the Taiwan Strait would make a U.S. aircraft carrier increasingly vulnerable to Chinese anti-ship ballistic missiles such as the DF-21D. Nevertheless, there is a very high possibility that the U.S. will intervene, should a conflict in the Taiwan Strait actually arise. The purpose of the editorial in the Global Times was to spread the image of the U.S. as a "kaobuzhu" (unreliable) country, by negatively highlighting the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. If successful, that will frustrate the establishment of a global "anti-China solidarity" toward which the Biden administration has been working hard. Given Taiwan's increasing prominence in the U.S.-China rivalry, as well as its strategic location in the Indo-Pacific, Washington cannot afford to tarnish its image by neglecting Taiwan. The global audience is watching. And Washington's reputation is at stake. Taken together, the United States cannot make Taiwan a "second Afghanistan." Ironically, the Global Times made a significant contribution to this realization. Lee Seong-hyon, Ph.D. (sunnybbsfs@gmail.com), is a visiting scholar at Harvard University's Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies. He is the former director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the Sejong Institute. By Kim Bo-eun Korea's three major telecom firms offered higher 5G speed and greater coverage this year, according to a biannual government inspection unveiled Tuesday. This year's assessment comes at a particularly sensitive time, following consumer complaints of sub-par internet speed offered by telecom firms. Around 500 consumers have already launched a class action against the telecom firms for slow 5G speed, while around 1,500 more are in are also gearing up to sue the firms. The mobile carriers are accused of exaggerating internet speed when infrastructure for the service was not fully set up. The Ministry of Science and ICT conducts the inspection twice a year at the end of each half. The government evaluation is a sensitive matter for the telecom firms, that continue to compete for subscribers and higher internet speeds. According to the ministry's inspection, SK Telecom (SKT), KT and LG Uplus offered an average of 808.45 megabits per second in 5G download speed, which is up by 117.98 megabits per second compared to the latter half of 2020. SKT led the telecom companies in 5G speed with 923.2 megabits per second, followed by KT with 782.21 megabits per second and LG Uplus with 719.94 megabits per second. All of the three firms showed enhanced 5G speed compared to a year earlier. Coverage of 5G services in 85 cities nationwide increased to an average area of 6,271.12 square kilometers, up 16 percent from a year earlier. Lack of 5G coverage in provincial areas had been an issue, as the necessary infrastructure had been concentrated in metropolitan areas. LG's telecom unit outranked its two rivals with an area of 6,805.25 square kilometers, followed by KT with 6,333.33 square kilometers and SKT with 5,674.79 square kilometers. The coverage of 5G services at major facilities such as department stores, libraries and airports also grew to an average of 3,707, up 33 percent from a year earlier. KT led indoor 5G coverage, offering the service at 4,205 facilities, followed by SKT with 3,923 and LG Uplus with 2,992. The inspection showed 96 percent of the area of the venues offered 5G services, which is up from 90.99 percent of the latter half of last year. As for coverage for transportation infrastructure, the three telecom firms offered 5G services at 835 out of a total of 1,028 subway stations. The service was also available at an average of 53 out of 54 high-speed KTX and SRT train stations. The three companies offered 5G services in an average of 94 sections of 141 sections of major highways nationwide. "Coverage and quality of 5G services has shown rapid improvement, but in order for further enhancement to be experienced by users of 5G services, the three telecom companies need to make greater investments in networks and the expansion of applied 5G services are necessary," the ministry stated. The controversy surrounding the telecom companies' subpar internet speed grew following a YouTuber's expose in April, prompting the government to initiate an inspection into their internet speed. Tests showed local 5G services do not provide speeds that are purportedly 20 times faster than the previous-generation LTE services. This is attributed to telecom operators not having carried out their investment pledges for the necessary infrastructure. By Kim Jae-heun Hyundai Oilbank, one of Korea's top refiners, introduced a new craft beer called "Premium IPA" in collaboration with the country's No. 1 convenience store chain, CU, last month. The alcoholic beverage is part of the refiner's strategy of redefining its role as Korea's second-largest operator of gas stations to find more opportunities for growth. Last year, the refiner renewed its premium gasoline brand "KAZEN" which is a compound word of the words Kaiser (German for "emperor") and Zenith, meaning a culminating point. Premium gasoline is mainly used to fuel imported cars. And as millennials emerge as the main customers in the high-grade petrol market, Hyundai Oilbank came up with the idea to launch the craft beer as a part of a multi-layered marketing strategy. Hyundai Oilbank operates more than 2,500 gas stations in Korea and is expanding services at the petrol pumps by opening convenience stores and a growing number of other facilities. Customers can charge their electric cars and also shop at convenience stores and grab burgers and sandwiches prepared by the refiner's private brands. Hyundai Oilbank also launched an online secondhand item trading platform called "Blue Market" in July where customers can utilize 352 gas stations in the country to trade their used items. Customers can use the market for free without registration or certification. Large parking spaces at Hyundai Oilbank gas stations make it easier for customers to trade larger items. In April, the company launched a small hotdog franchise brand "Blue Pick" in collaboration with New York Hot Dog & Coffee. Instead of opening new branches, the hotdog franchise decided to launch a new brand specialized for the gas stations. Hyundai Oilbank has the most directly-managed network of gas stations among all local oil refiners. In the near future, the company said it expects to generate profits through various marketing activities. Daewoo E&C employees engage in voluntary housing renovation projects for descendants of independence fighters, including Chang Seon-ok, second from left. The house of Chang and her husband will be the first of six housing renovation projects that Daewoo E&C will complete by next February. Courtesy of Daewoo E&C By Anna J. Park Marking the 76th anniversary of the country's liberation day in mid-August, Daewoo Engineering & Construction (Daewoo E&C) has been involved in a volunteering campaign to renovate housing for descendants of independence fighters during the 36-year Japanese occupation in the earlier part of the 20th century. The campaign is jointly managed by the company and Habitat Korea. Daewoo E&C is planning to renovate six houses of the descendants by next February, while the construction company donated 200 million won ($171,000) to Habitat Korea on August 10 for the housing projects. The first of the six housing projects is renovating the house of Chang Seok-ok a granddaughter of late independence fighter Chang Il-hwan in Cheongju city, which will be completed within four weeks during the month of August. "Hoping for the descendants of independence fighters to enjoy comfortable living conditions, Daewoo E&C vows to proactively participate in various housing improvement campaigns," an official from the construction company said. Daewoo E&C CEO Kim Hyung, right, holds a memorandum of cooperation with Habitat for Humanity Korea Chairman Yoon Hyung-joo on March, after signing the partnership. Courtesy of Daewoo E&C 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 American automaker General Motors said it will expand the recall of Chevy Bolt electric vehicles equipped with South Korean supplier LG's batteries over fire risks, which is expected to cost the U.S. company an additional $1 billion. The latest recall covers 73,000 Bolt EVs and EUVs from model years 2019 through 2022 sold in the United States and Canada to replace the defective battery modules. This is on top of about 69,000 Bolt EVs from 2017-2019 model years included in the previous recall in July over the same issue, which cost about $800 million. "In rare circumstances, the batteries supplied to GM for these vehicles may have two manufacturing defects a torn anode tab and folded separator present in the same battery cell, which increases the risk of fire," GM said in a statement. GM said it will pursue reimbursment from LG after further investigation, saying it has discovered manufacturing defects in certain battery cells beyond the Ochang plant in South Korea. LG Energy Solution operates a battery factory in Michigan, while its joint venture with GM, Ultium Cells, has been building another facility in Ohio, with plans to open another in Tennessee. LG said it has been actively working with its client and partners to ensure that the recall measures are carried out smoothly. LG Electronics has supplied GM with battery modules that are made with battery cells from LG Chem's wholly owned subsidiary, LG Energy Solution. "The reserves and ratio of cost to the recall will be decided depending on the result of the joint investigation looking into the root cause, currently being held by GM, LG Electronics and LG Energy Solution," LG said referring to its subsidiaries. Earlier this month, LG Electronics set aside 234.6 billion won as a provision expense for the Bolt EV recall, while LG Chem earmarked 91 billion won. The recalls are a blow to GM's plan to go all-electric by 2035 and to LG Energy Solution, which is preparing to go public on the Seoul bourse later this year. (Yonhap) Hyundai Motor Group Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-koo / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group By Baek Byung-yeul The Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation renamed its scholarship program as the "Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Scholarship," and announced it will take a more active role to foster the next generation of workers, the charity organization established by the automotive giant said Wednesday. The foundation added that it decided to reorganize its scholarship program to better reflect the commitment of Chung Mong-koo, the foundation's founder and the automotive group's honorary chairman, to finding skilled personnel to increase the nation's competitiveness. "The Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Scholarship program will work as a platform to foster next-generation leaders who will lead social change, innovation and play crucial roles to create a sustainable future, in addition to supporting the underprivileged and nurturing the country's cultural scenes," the foundation said. With the rebranding, the foundation has set a goal to support around 1,100 talented individuals in five fields for the next five years. The five fields include global, future industry, international cooperation, social renovation and culture and arts. In the global field, the foundation will select graduate and doctoral students in eight ASEAN countries, and provide them with support so they can study at graduate schools in Korea and grow into thought leaders. For the future industry field, the scholarship program will concentrate on future leaders in science and technology to help them take a lead in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Scholarships will be provided to Korean university students studying intelligent information technology, bio health and new energy industries. In the field of international cooperation, the program will provide related educational opportunities and support scholarships to university students who wish to work for international organizations. For the social renovation field, the foundation will cooperate with Hyundai Motor Group affiliates to jointly foster social entrepreneurs and social ventures. For culture and arts, the foundation will promote the next generation of future cultural leaders who will be active on the global stage. It will select middle and high school students and college students majoring in classical music or gugak (traditional Korean music and dance), and offer systematic education programs along with scholarships. Also, the foundation will provide additional scholarships to students who achieve outstanding performance on the global stage, helping them to become leaders of future generations. "The foundation will provide the nation's best scholarship support for talented people to grow into future generation leaders through the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Scholarship," said Kwon Oh-kyu, chairman of the foundation. These screenshots show the hosts and speakers of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI)'s Economic Outlook 2021 event held online, Aug. 26. In the top row center is KGCCI President & CEO Martin Henkelmann and right, Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone Authority Deputy Commissioner Kim Gyu-sik. In the middle row is the charge d'affaires at the German Embassy in Seoul, Peter Winkler, left, and Germany Trade and Invest Director and Correspondent for Korea, Frank Robaschik. In the bottom row right is the Sustainable Management Research Group head & Korea University Professor Rhee Jay-hyuk / Courtesy of KGCCI By Kim Bo-eun Korea and Germany's trade volume reached a record high in the first half of this year, a seminar hosted by the bilateral chamber of commerce and the Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone Authority noted on Aug. 26. This record is an achievement in addition to Korea becoming Germany's second-largest export market in Asia, after China, in 2020. The growth in exports was backed by solid demand for German vehicles, as Korea's consumer sentiment was relatively less affected than neighboring countries by the COVID-19 pandemic last year. "The longstanding, traditional German-Korean friendship has become ever more crucial as we are 'building back better' for the post-COVID world," Charge d'affaires at the German Embassy in Seoul, Peter Winkler, said at the Korea-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) Economic Outlook 2021 event held online. He stressed that Germany and Korea should stand together in tackling global challenges such as fighting climate change, transforming to sustainable energy, safeguarding supply chains in core technologies and upholding the rules-based international order, as strategic partners with shared values. Germany Trade and Invest, Germany's investment promotion agency, noted that it has recently observed more travel from representatives of Korean companies to Germany for greenfield investment projects. "The forecast for the Korean economy currently the 10th-largest worldwide continues to be good, especially in manufacturing. However, stronger social distancing will slow down the recovery of the service sector," GTAI's Director and Correspondent for Korea Frank Robaschik said. The seminar also addressed boosting ESG management practices in businesses here. "ESG management is a global phenomenon, but the ESG disclosure system and related regulations are still in the process of being established in Korea," Head of Sustainable Management Research Group Rhee Jay-hyuk said. "For ESG management to serve as a means of enhancing corporate sustainability, procedural justice and social legitimacy must be secured," the Korea University professor added. The KGCCI Economic Outlook is a bi-annual event hosted by the bilateral chamber of commerce. This year, the event was held online to comply with social distancing policies amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with attendees in both Korea and Germany. The KGCCI has served as the official representative of German business in Korea since its founding in 1981. The organization is the second-largest foreign chamber of commerce in Korea, with a growing network of around 500 members. Celebratory gunfires light up part of the night sky after the last U.S. aircraft took off from the airport in Kabul, early on Aug. 31. AFP-Yonhap 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. Taliban fighters buy Taliban flags in Kabul, Aug. 30. AP-Yonhap 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. Afghans wait in long lines for hours to try to withdraw money, in front of a bank in Kabul, Aug. 30. The Taliban have limited weekly withdrawals to $200. AP-Yonhap A flooded street is pictured after Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana, Aug. 30. Reuters-Yonhap The death toll from Hurricane Ida was expected to climb "considerably," Louisiana's governor warned Monday, as rescuers combed through the "catastrophic" damage wreaked as it tore through the southern United States as a Category 4 storm. The city of New Orleans was still without power almost 24 hours after Ida slammed into the Louisiana coast, exactly 16 years to the day Hurricane Katrina made landfall, wreaking deadly havoc. "The biggest concern is we're still doing search and rescue and we have individuals all across southeast Louisiana... who are in a bad place," Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards told the Today show Monday morning. People walk through a flooded neighborhood from Hurricane Ida in Narco, Louisiana, Aug. 30. EPA-Yonhap One death has been confirmed so far but Edwards said he expected the toll "to go up considerably." Images of people being plucked from flooded cars and pictures of destroyed homes surfaced on social media, while the damage in New Orleans itself remained limited. Branches, broken glass and other debris littered New Orleans's downtown, while in the touristy French Quarter, a number of trees were uprooted. Ida which was downgraded to a tropical storm early Monday knocked out power for all of New Orleans, with more than a million properties across Louisiana without power, according to outage tracker PowerOutage.US. "I was there 16 years ago. The wind seems worse this time but the damage seems less bad," said French Quarter resident Dereck Terry, surveying his neighborhood in flip flops and a t-shirt, umbrella in hand. "I have a broken window. Some tiles from the roof are on the streets and water came inside," the 53-year-old retired pharmacist added. According to Edwards the levee system in the affected parishes had "really held up very well, otherwise we would be facing much more problems today." Electricity provider Entergy reported that it was providing back-up power to New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, which operates the pumping stations used to control flooding. Damaged building and cars are pictured after Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana, Aug. 30. Reuters-Yonhap 'Total devastation' In the town of Jean Lafitte, just south of New Orleans, mayor Tim Kerner said the rapidly rising waters had overtopped the 7.5-foot-high (2.3-meter) levees. "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. Cynthia Lee Sheng, president of Jefferson Parish covering part of the Greater New Orleans area, said people were sheltering in their attics. Several residents of LaPlace, just upstream from New Orleans, posted appeals for help on social media, saying they were trapped by rising flood waters. "The damage is really catastrophic," Edwards told Today, adding that Ida had "delivered the surge that was forecasted. The wind that was forecasted and the rain." President Joe Biden declared a major disaster for Louisiana and Mississippi, which gives the states access to federal aid. One person was killed by a falling tree in Prairieville, 60 miles northwest of New Orleans, the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office said. Edwards reported on Twitter that Louisiana had deployed more than 1,600 personnel to conduct search and rescue across the state. "We're going to be responding to this hurricane for quite a while and then we're going to be recovering from it for many months," Edwards said. US Army Major General Hank Taylor told journalists at Pentagon briefing the military, federal emergency management officials and the National Guard had activated more than 5,200 personnel in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Alabama. "They bring a variety of assets including high water vehicles, rotary lift and other transportation capability to support recovery efforts," he said. A person uses a rope to try and tow a submerged car out of flood waters in LaPlace, Louisiana, Aug. 30, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. AFP-Yonhap Lawmakers listen as Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Judy Chu delivers remarks during a press conference about the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., May 18. EPA-Yonhap Reported hate crimes in the U.S., in particular targeting African Americans and Asian Americans, surged in 2020, according to statistics released Monday by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In a year that saw huge Black Lives Matter protests which helped force a reckoning on racism, reports of hate crimes against Black Americans rose 40 percent, from 1,972 to 2,755, the data showed. Meanwhile, attacks against Americans of Asian heritage surged 70 percent with 274 incidents in 2020 against 161 in 2019, seemingly confirming a trend reported by the community since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The statistics spotlight the urgent need for a comprehensive response, Attorney General Merrick Garland said. People hold a Black Lives Matter flag out of their cars during a march, in Minneapolis, June 6. AP-Yonhap Micron Technology, Inc. has openings for the following positions in Boise, ID. Mail resume to Amberley Johnson, 8000 S. Federal Way, Boise, ID 83716. Must reference Job number and job title when applying. Product Engineers: Developing a new generation of DRAM memory as it transitions from the design stage to mass production.Job #10878.3323 Non-Volatile Memory Quality Reliability Assurance SSD Test Engineers: Develop, Support, and Maintain Quality Reliability Test Solutions. Develop specific test flows to meet customer reliability and design validation requirements. Job #10878.3395 IT Manager: Collaborate successfully with business partners and a broad set of internal technical partners to develop product roadmaps and execute efficiently against a solution backlog. Job #10878.3552.5 IT Software Engineer: Configure, develop, maintain and support Micron and third-party manufacturing applications. Create and analyze software specifications, and research, design, document, modify and support software throughout the development life cycle. Job #10878.3926 DRAM Design Engineer: Build and analyze digital and analog circuits used in-memory product development. Simulate, optimize, and floor plan DRAM circuits. Job # 10878.3838.4 Process Integration Engineer: Generate short and long-term projects in the Semiconductor memory R&D industry based on device requirements. Manage group resources (engineers, wafers) based on priorities and assist engineers in reaching their performance and development goals. Job #10878.3024.3 Supply Chain Engineers: Design and implement business processes and/or plans with internal and external customers. Identify process inefficiencies and collaborate with key partners to drive continuous improvement efforts to address the gaps. Job #10878.4047 IT Storage Engineer: Manage production storage across Micron. Implement new systems and support existing systems across Micron, and act as an escalation point for global storage escalation. Job #10878.4147 Engineer-Dry Etch Process: Work with other Research and Development team members to design and optimize plasma (Dry Etch) processes for the development of Microns leading-edge memory technologies. 10% international and domestic travel required. Job #10878.2083 Photolithography Track Development Engineer: Create and optimize track processes, implementing new track technologies, and driving process alignment across our global manufacturing network. Collaborate with our team of engineers to understand roadmap requirements for advanced memory, and how new hardware solutions intercept our roadmap. Job #10878.3919 Signal Integrity Engineer: Analyze and optimize memory modules and perform SI/PI analysis on all DDR4 and DDR5 DIMMS. Guide layout and part placement on memory modules to provide optimum routing solutions with good electrical performance that meet system integration requirements. Job #10878.3115.4 Engineer-Process: Work with Technology Development research groups and Fab engineers to develop new processing recipes and new cell materials with improved electrical performance to expedite the product transfer and improve the yield. Job #10878.3295 Product Engineer: Interface with Technology Development, Design, QRA, and the business units and utilize expertise to validate and steer the direction of next-generation memory technology. Job #10878.3519 Supply Chain Planner: Orchestrate supply chain activities to meet performance objectives for assigned products and proactively manage supply fill rate (to demand and inventory) through various analytics of ERP tools and advanced planning systems. Job #10878.3873 recblid 09d1shytw0ul5386h0zv1s8dl5evjx Home Health Aide for private household in Sunny Isles Beach FL. Provide personal care of elderly employer at private residence. Care, plan and prepare meals, accompany to doctor, among other duties attending employer at private household. Req: 1yr of exp in the position. Mail resume to Rebeca Perez De Bibas, 16051 Collins Ave, Apt 1704, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160 recblid m2j2rqijf5os00uabv63ko8xp0zwec NC State Agency needs attorney to serve as Associate Legal Counsel I to prosecute cases before the Commission involving character qualifications of applicants. License to practice law in the State of NC and responsible professional experience required. $72,324 - $86,788 (based on experience and qualifications), plus excellent benefits. Must reside in Raleigh area. Distinguishing Features of the Class An employee in this class performs legal services for areas of law that are limited in scope and complexity in comparison with the Senior Attorney level, may assist higher level attorneys with cases, serves as legal counsel for the Commission on simple disciplinary and character application cases, conducts settlement negotiations and oversees case management. Work involves providing advice to non-attorney complaint and information staff on cases, writing informational materials on legal matters, and overseeing the work of the Administrative Procedures Act coordinator to assure a thorough and timely rulemaking process. Employee prepares legal documents and presents cases to the Commission. Employee conducts legal research in the law relating to licensing and professional discipline, and keeps informed of Commission policies and actions. Independent professional judgment, initiative and public contact skills are essential in performing various duties. Work requires considerable knowledge of State real estate laws and Commission policies and rules, as well as strong analytical skills. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Director, Assistant Director of Regulatory Affairs, and Deputy Legal Counsel and is reviewed through discussion, results achieved, and feedback from the Commission, licensees and the public. Application deadline September 13. NC Real Estate Commission. EOE. recblid 8pvq4rapld4j9kmj0p57p7jeg8ynna Description System ID 727595 Category Environmental Services / Custodial Relocation Type No Employment Status Full-Time Unit Description Grow your career and develop a team that shares your desire to make a difference. Sodexo is seeking a General Manager 4 of Environmental Services at Riverside Regional Medical in Newport News, VA supporting a team of 110 employees. This team will have responsibility for driving client satisfaction by providing stellar customer service via effective communication with all levels of hospital staff, as well as follow-through with action items that impact both client and patient satisfaction. At Sodexo Health Care, patients are the heart of everything we do. Our ability to create a clean, healthy and comfortable environment for hospitals is key to the full patient experience. Our Sodexo Health Care Environmental Services/Housekeeping teams work to direct housekeeping operations at health care client locations, partnering with them to deliver innovative solutions. The successful Director level candidate will: have exceptional client service mentality and executive presence; be responsible for driving client and patient satisfaction scores; provide a clean and safe environment for patients, visitors and staff and works closely with the Infectious Control department; partner with the Environment of Care Committee, Infection Prevention Director and other key members of hospital leadership; effectively manages the Unit Operating System; and/or support a diverse and inclusive workforce. Is this opportunity right for you? We are looking for candidates who: are leaders who develops and motivates a team to exceed the expectations of clients and customers in service and the technical execution of a housekeeping system; are an expert in building and maintain strong customer / client relationships; possess strong leadership skills and can work independently to drive program compliance and reach project target dates of completion; have 3-5 years previous custodial or housekeeping director level experience preferably in a hospital environment; can analyze data, present and effectively communicate to all levels within the organization related to training, leading committees and change management; have experience effectively managing projects within agreed upon timelines; are proficient with computers and other technology; have strong financial acumen and budget management experience. Learn more about Sodexo's Benefits Not the job for you? At Sodexo, we offer Environmental Service/Housekeeping positions in Health Care and Senior Living locations across the United States. Continue your search for ES/Housekeeping jobs. Working for Sodexo: Sodexo fosters a culture committed to the growth of individuals through continuous learning, mentoring and career growth opportunities. Position Summary Provides local account leadership and strategic direction to the on-site Environmental Service exempt and non-exempt level staff (client and/or Sodexo employees) in the delivery of Sodexo Environmental Service programs. Directs business practices in order to uphold Company mission and values and commitments made in the Sodexo/Client contractual agreement. Key Duties - Establishes safe work environment for clients/ customers/staff. - Executes strategic plan in alignment with the scope of service, Sodexo mission & values within our contractual agreement - Fully implement and adhere to the Sodexo Clients for Life process - Provides team leadership and direction by ensuring cohesiveness among the activities of subordinates to achieve planned outcomes. - Ensures compliance with consistency of application of all Sodexo Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement and Regulatory standards within the contractually agreed upon scope of services. - Ensures full administration of and adherence to all regulatory, Sodexo, Client, and Regulatory Human Resource standards and requirements - Supervises day-to-day work activities by delegating authority, assigning and prioritizing activities, and monitoring compliance to operating standards. - Develops, administers, and monitors Sodexo and/or Client budget performance. Develops action plans to ensure performance is in accordance with strategic initiatives and client commitments. - Develops and utilizes performance metrics to assist with problem analysis, and development of action plans and solutions - Facilitates ongoing effective communications with direct reports, frontline staff, Clients, Customers, and Sodexo Leadership - Oversees major repairs and renovation projects by identifying and managing vendors/contractors, including bid process, contract compliance and vendor/contractor performance Qualifications & Requirements Basic Education Requirement - Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience Basic Management Experience - 5 years Basic Functional Experience - 5 years Sodexo is an EEO/AA/Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran employer. Requirements See Job Description Research Assistant Department of Geology #B037F20 University Enterprises Inc.(UEI) at Sac State is seeking a Research Assistant for the Department of Geology. The faculty and staff of the Sac State Geology Department are committed to providing the best geological education available anywhere. We meet this commitment through high-quality teaching, close student-faculty interaction, undergraduate and graduate research, and an emphasis on field geology. This project collects and analyzes data from archived oil and gas well logs to help understand the interaction between wastewater injection and groundwater resources. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: This position is a full-time, non-exempt (eligible for overtime pay), benefited position, with a defined contribution retirement plan through TIAA. (The position is not covered under the California Public Employees Retirement System.) Continued employment in this position is dependent upon funding and the mutual consent of University Enterprises and the employee, and either University Enterprises or the employee, can, at any time, terminate the employment relationship at will, with or without cause. Program continuation is contingent upon funding. RATE OF PAY: $16.78 -$25.17 per hour MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Bachelors degree in Geology, or related field or equivalent combination of education and/or work experience. Demonstrated experience digitizing geophysical logs using Neuralog software. Demonstrated experience with the California Geologic Energy Management (CalGEM) Division online oil and gas well archives. Demonstrated experience interpreting oil and gas well histories and geophysical logs from oil and gas wells. Demonstrated ability to work in a team. Demonstrated ability to prioritize many different tasks, determine the relative importance of each task, complete projects accordingly, and work with deadlines and time pressure. Excellent attention to detail and oral and written communication skills. Must pass a background check, which may include fingerprinting. Must continue to meet the established standards. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Completion of a Sedimentology and Stratigraphy course. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Research Assistant is responsible for quality control and quality assurance of well construction data that has been submitted by student researchers. This process involves reviewing data coded from California oil and gas well histories, reviewing digitized borehole geophysical logs, and maintenance of a cloud-based database. The person in this position reports directly to and receives general supervision from the Project Manager. May receive occasional work direction from the Principle Investigator. The specific duties and responsibilities are as follows: 1. Manually reviews project deliverables such as coded well histories, geophysical log data, and publications. Ensures data is corrected, as needed. 2. Assists the Project Manager with maintenance of a cloud-based database, including data organization and backup. 3. Provides lead work direction and feedback regarding data quality to student researchers. 4. Creates training materials for well history coding. 5. Assists in managing project workflow, such as redirecting student researchers and providing training support. 6. Conducts independent research and assists with project publications. FILING DEADLINE: 9/10/2021 Note: This position vacancy is with University Enterprises Inc., an auxiliary organization of California State University, Sacramento. This is not a University position; the incumbent will be an employee of University Enterprises. University Enterprises operates commercial enterprises on the California State University, Sacramento campus; it is responsible for grant and contract management and fiscal services for University research and sponsored programs and provides fiscal services to University related agencies and activities. University Enterprises is a non-profit corporation governed by a board of directors in conformance with the appropriate State of California codes and policy directives of the Board of Trustees and the campus administration. University Enterprises is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of University Enterprises that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, placement, and promotions will be on a basis of qualifications of the individual for the position being filled, regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age (over 40 years), sex, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition (diagnosis or history of cancer)*, citizenship, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. Any persons who feel that they have been discriminated against in connection with an application for employment should contact University Enterprises' Director of Human Resources at (916) 278-7003. *As defined in Section 12926(F), Government Code 12990. ***AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER*** recblid 2qv1iynqw1u0mbx4tzx9qyfjt8sp9x Lead Customer Service Representative $25.05 Per Hour Canby Utility is accepting applications for a lead customer service representative. Canby Utility provides drinking water and electricity to customers within the city limits of Canby. This position provides lead support to the customer service department by overseeing billing, credit, adjustments, and collection activities. This position also assists customers by phone and in person, direct incoming calls, set up and close utility accounts, processing payments, and bank deposits. The successful candidate will have a high school diploma or equivalent, a minimum of 5 years of cash handling and balancing experience plus 2 years of credit and collections experience. Must have a valid drivers license with a satisfactory driving record. Candidate must also be proficient in typing, 10-key, and in use of computers. Canby Utility offers an excellent benefit package, including 6% employee portion paid into Oregon PERS/Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP), 95% medical, dental and vision premiums paid for employee and family, employer contributions into a VEBA account, life insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, and 401k and 457 deferred compensation plans. This position is represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union (IBEW Local 125). Canby Utility is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications, accompanied by a resume and cover letter, are being accepted until filled. First review of applications will be on September 7, 2021. recblid mpl56i1aljucvkawk41876w0h5n9l1 Position: Dental Hygienist Position Summary: In our practice, our hygienists are often the first place our patients receive compassionate and necessary healthcare. Our hygienists do not simply clean teeth; they are instrumental in achieving optimal health. About Us and Who We Want to Join Our Team: Healthy Smiles of Scappoose is a fixture of the local community. We have been serving patients for over 50 years throughout the area. Our patients know us, and we know them. We are recognized as the go-to family dental practice because of our loyal team and our commitment to health. Due to growth and expansion, as well as retirement of one of our long-term employees, we are looking for a hygienist to join our cohesive team. This is a full-time position (4 days/week, ~32 hours/week) working Monday through Thursday. We have long-term employees at our practice. The newest hire has been here for 3 yearsSome of our employees have worked for us for decades. This demonstrates our commitment to our employees. This is not just a job but rather a livelihood. We are committed to employee appreciation, kindness, understanding, and a positive mindset. Our overriding goal is to first find a person who will enjoy being a member of our team, both as part of the organization as a whole and specifically with our incredible team of dental professionals. Characteristics that we are looking for include: Team collaborative outlook, Patient-centric and solutions/problem solving approach, Fun-natured and a sense of humor, Good communication skills (written and verbal), Self-motivated attitude, A desire to make a difference We are committed to each employees success. As such, we invest time, energy, and money in onboarding and training to ensure competency and confidence with the type and kind of patients we serve. This, combined with your qualifications, represents a winning formula for long-term professional success. Additional Information: Our practice offers a relaxed work environment, places a high value on work/life balance, and located in Scappoose. This position offers an excellent benefit package that includes: PTO, paid holidays, medical insurance, dental services for you and your immediate family, and a retirement plan. Starting salary will depend on experience and qualifications. If you believe this opportunity represents a fit for you, please send a cover letter and an up-to-date resume to: jessica@healthysmilesofscappoose.com recblid c0skoqphnlkskstqc0exbub2xvmhmi Description System ID 728165 Category General Management Relocation Type No Employment Status Full-Time Unit Description Sodexo is seeking two full time Manager 1, Regional Operations Support (ROS) to provide regional support in Environmental Services at Sodexo hospitals and surrounding areas. This position will last for up to 18 months. While in this full time support role, you are encouraged to apply to permanent positions at any Sodexo location. The successful candidate will know Sodexo systems and is willing to travel to the following states but not limited to TN, GA, and Arkansas. The schedule could include working 10 days on and 4 days off or 5 on and 2 off. The successful candidate will need to be flexible to work a variety of shifts while supervising the EVS department for daily, weekly and monthly cleaning. Must me able to travel 10 days at a time. Overall expectation is to have good client, customer, and employee relations. This position supports this progressive organization by providing leadership for our Environmental team in the delivery of safe, sanitary and innovative services to our patients, customers and hospital employees in a variety of settings. Hours will vary depending on the business needs of the unit. Prior Environmental Services/housekeeping experience is required, must be results driven, understand employee engagement, and be committed to a winning culture. The successful candidate will have experience with EPIC, bed tracking, patient satisfaction, and possess strong computer skills. Preferred candidates will have experience in Environmental Services, Hotels housekeeping and/or Custodial Services, military service, and excellent customer service skills. Sodexo is seeking a true self-starter who can lead a team under minimal supervision. The successful candidate will: be responsible for driving client and patient satisfaction scores; provide a clean and safe environment for patients, visitors and staff and works closely with the Infectious Control department; work with the Environment of Care Committee and Infection Prevention Director; effectively manages the Unit Operating System; and/or support a diverse and inclusive workforce. Is this opportunity right for you? We are looking for candidates who: have experience leading and managing a team and is a leader who develops and motivates a team to exceed the expectations of clients and customers in service and the technical execution of a health care housekeeping system; have experience driving customer service and/or guest satisfaction results in a health care environment is preferred; possess strong leadership skills and can work independently to drive program compliance and reach project target dates of completion; can analyze data, present and effectively communicate to all levels within the organization related to training, leading hospital committees and change management; have experience effectively managing projects within agreed upon timelines; are results and safety driven; have in-depth knowledge of housekeeping systems and procedures; have experience with vendor and contract management, as well as union and contract negotiations; have experience improving patient satisfaction, and driving full compliance to HCAHPS, local, state and Joint Commission standards; have 3-5 years previous custodial / housekeeping or similar management experience., in a hospital, health care experience preferred but not required; have strong financial acumen and budget management experience; can multi-task and set priorities; are proficient with computers and other technology Learn more about Sodexo's Benefits Not the job for you? At Sodexo, we offer Environmental Service/Housekeeping positions in Health Care and Senior Living locations across the United States. Continue your search for ES/Housekeeping jobs. Working for Sodexo: Sodexo fosters a culture committed to the growth of individuals through continuous learning, mentoring and career growth opportunities. Our Sodexo Health Care Environmental Services/Housekeeping teams work to direct housekeeping operations at health care client locations, partnering with them to deliver innovative solutions. These teams also have responsibility for driving client satisfaction by providing stellar customer service via effective communication with all levels of hospital staff, as well as follow-through with action items that impact both client and patient satisfaction. At Sodexo Health Care, patients are the heart of everything we do. Our ability to create a clean, healthy and comfortable environment for hospitals is key to the full patient experience. Position Summary The Manager I, Regional Operations Support (ROSI) has overall responsibility, or a portion of an on-sight operations area (ie Food, ES, Clinical, Culinary, Facilities, CTM) as assigned by the Client Executive. In this role, the ROSI has direct accountability for executing Sodexo systems, programs, resources, tools, and talent management that drives operational excellence and our service commitments that are: Predictable, Reliable, and Repeatable. Primary Responsibilities: Client / Customer Service Provide effective communication for client and customers to ensure excellent customer service. Effectively partners with client and Sodexo employees to drive successful outcomes. Complies with all client policies and procedures. Owns and drives operational excellence outcomes of Sodexo and client. Effectively deploys, embeds and ensures Sodexo standardized processes are in place. Creates a continuous quality improvement culture that drives operational efficiencies. Utilizes all operational processes to drive continuous improvement and celebrate successes. Analysis & Decision Making Utilizes tools within Sodexo Healthcare to drive and manage middle of the page (Labor Expense, Raw Materials) to deliver positive outcomes. Follows best practices in decision making to determine best solutions for the business. Effective risk management by ensuring consistent regulatory and legal compliance. Supports and drives operational goals and ensures a prompt resolution to mitigate adverse impact on our clients or our performance. Effectively delegates operational responsibilities to appropriate individuals / positions. Safety Ensures that individuals performing service-related tasks have the competence to do so without putting the health and safety of themselves or others at risk. Behaviors include: Working as a team for safety Communicating Effectively for Safety Managing Safety Risks Optimizing Human and Environmental Factors Recognizing, respond and reporting incidents Adherence to all operational safety practices and protocols Drives a safety culture throughout the team Qualifications & Requirements Basic Education Requirement - Associate's Degree in related field or equivalent experience Basic Management Experience - 2 years Basic Functional Experience - 2 years work experience in facilities (e.g., maintenance, plant operations, engineering services, grounds, custodial/environmental, or transportation) or food (e.g., food services or operations, concessions, retail sales, store operations, or vending) services, CTM, or Clinical Nutrition; Sodexo is an EEO/AA/Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran employer. Requirements See Job Description Magnolia, AR (71754) Today Mostly cloudy skies. High 84F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 68F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Child care benefits | Child care needs vary from home to home, depending on the needs of each family and its children. Of those surveyed, 81% of executives say their company successfully expanded child care benefits under remote work, but only 45% of employees said the same. The nonprofit Catalyst found that working mothers who have the option to do their work remotely are 32% less likely to leave their jobs than working mothers who don't have the option to work from home. Increased flexibility is a big reason for this finding, but employers expanding child care benefits is another factor that can have a dramatic effect on parents' abilities to stay in their jobs and perform well. Some parents juggled managing young children's online schooling while simultaneously performing their work duties remotely both experiences oftentimes being new and unfamiliar and coming at the same time. In two-parent homes, one caretaker may have been on the front lines while the other was left to work and take care of a student with a learning disability. Experts on work-life balance say that parents' personal lives were highlighted in a new way because of remote work, and employers should be making child care benefits a priority. (GaudiLab/Shutterstock) According to the arrest affidavit, ODea gave the girl and two of her friends alcohol and marijuana at his home on Jan. 19, 2020, causing her to lose consciousness. She awoke the next morning to discover her underwear was on backward and her bra was incorrectly hooked. She also had a burning sensation when she urinated. We know there are parents that are listening to and reading internet sites that dont believe in having themselves or their children vaccinated for COVID when theyre eligible, Mr. Frankel said. Its putting not only themselves and their families at risk but our community at risk, both in terms of spreading a disease and thwarting our ability to have a full-throated economic recovery. Burley, ID (83318) Today Plenty of sunshine. High 78F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A clear sky. Low near 45F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. As a current print subscriber, you receive 24/7 access to our website and online e-edition at no additional charge. All you have to do is activate your access. To activate digital access, you will need your account number. You can find your account number on any recent subscription notice or bill. Afghan resistance movement and anti-Taliban uprising forces are pictured on a Soviet-era tank as they are deployed to patrol along a road in the Astana area of Bazarak in Panjshir province on August 27, 2021, as among the pockets of resistance against the Taliban following their takeover of Afghanistan, the biggest is in the Panjshir Valley. AFP photo The Talibans takeover of Afghanistan has brought back bad memories to the countrys ex-Soviet neighbours, who fear a jihadist threat and a refugee crisis. While the Islamist extremists have never vied for territory beyond Afghanistan, their reign some two decades ago still wrought uncertainty in neighbouring Central Asia. Now the regions governments are steeling themselves against instability spilling over into their territory once again while locals are preparing for new neighbours at home. If refugees come we will give them our home and our salt and bread, said Abdualziz Mukhamadjanov, a 26-year-old businessman in the city of Termez in southern Uzbekistan near the Afghan border. What else can you do? That sentiment is not shared by Russia, a longstanding force in the region, which has urged Central Asia to refuse Western requests to shelter Afghans. Refugees have nonetheless arrived in Uzbekistan, though the government has said that it is only allowing them to pass through. On August 20 it said it had assisted the westward evacuation of nearly 2,000 people mostly European citizens working in the country and some Afghans via the capital Tashkents airport. It also said it had returned 150 Afghans following talks with the Taliban to guarantee their security. Still, reports have circulated of large numbers of refugees crossing into Uzbekistan over the Amu Darya river using makeshift rafts, and an Afghan embassy staffer told AFP that a coronavirus centre in Termez was housing up to 1,500 people. Tashkent has been tight-lipped about the situation. Mukhamadjanov and many other residents of Termez near the Afghan border expressed surprise at the reports of asylum-seekers having crossed over, while AFP was barred access both to the coronavirus centre and a camp near the border. When the Taliban first ruled from 1996 to 2001, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan formed by Uzbeks, found homes in Afghanistan and neighbouring Pakistan. Those extremists stunned the region in 1999 with a daring incursion into Kyrgyzstan, briefly occupying a village. Uzbekistan blamed the group for bombings in Tashkent earlier that year. The IMU is believed to be a much diminished force, but its remnants and other extremist groups in Afghanistan with Central Asians among their ranks can still pose a threat, said Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili of the University of Pittsburgh. The Taliban have never made any move on Central Asia, but have Central Asian fighters that they can use as leverage with Central Asian states, Murtazashvili told AFP. Moscow, which has ramped up military drills in Central Asia, has said countries bordering Afghanistan had put in fresh orders for arms. Russian president Vladimir Putin warned this month that militants could enter the region under the guise of refugees. Of the three ex-Soviet countries bordering Afghanistan Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan only Tajikistan, where Moscow has a base, has refused to hold official talks with the Taliban. Leader Emomali Rakhmon complained this month of the build-up of terrorist groups on the Afghan side of the border that is over 1,300 kilometres long. The country has also denied reports that it sent military supplies to a group dominated by ethnic Tajiks that is mounting resistance to the Taliban in Afghanistans remote Panjshir Valley. But the impoverished republic has its own reasons to fear Islamism after coming through a five-year civil war in the 1990s that saw a coalition of Islamist and regional forces defeated by the government. For Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, economic considerations could take precedence, necessitating a stronger relationship with the Taliban, Mullojanov Parviz Mullojanov, a visiting researcher at the School of Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences. For Tajikistan, security will be foremost. Both Tajikistan and Turkmenistan have suggested they are ready to take in refugees, while noting that the coronavirus poses complications. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan meanwhile have released statements saying they have not agreed to accept refugees in bids to curtail social media rumours. Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-31 00:19:36|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close 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| 2021-08-31 04:39:20|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A European Union flag is seen in front of the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, July 7, 2020.(Xinhua/Zhang Cheng) The EU's criteria to determine the third countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted cover the epidemiological situation and overall response to COVID-19, as well as the reliability of the available information and data sources. Reciprocity is also taken into account on a case by case basis. BRUSSELS, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Council of the European Union (EU) on Monday recommended that member states of the EU reintroduce restrictions on travellers from the United States due to a surge in COVID-19 infections there. The decision, which the Council announced through a statement, reversed a decision taken in June when the bloc put the U.S. on the safe travel list just in time for the summer holidays. In the past week, the U.S. reported 977,947 confirmed cases and 7,394 deaths, the most severe in the world, according to the World Health Organization. Apart from the U.S., the Council also removed Israel, Lebanon, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo from the safe list of countries and regions for nonessential travel. A pedestrian wearing a face mask passes in front of Pfizer's World Headquarters in New York, United States, on Aug. 23, 2021. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua) The recommendation is not binding but travellers from these countries and regions will face increased scrutiny and restrictions when they travel to the EU, including mandatory quarantine. "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 travellers," the Council added. The EU's criteria to determine the third countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted cover the epidemiological situation and overall response to COVID-19, as well as the reliability of the available information and data sources. Reciprocity is also taken into account on a case by case basis. On the latest safe travel list were Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Japan, Jordan, New Zealand, Qatar, Moldova, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Ukraine and China (subject to confirmation of reciprocity). Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-31 07:50:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Video: Kenneth McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, announced during a news conference on Aug. 30, 2021 that the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan has completed, ending 20 years of U.S.-led invasion into the country. Kenneth McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, said the number of U.S. citizens currently still stranded in Afghanistan is "in the very low hundreds," stressing that the Department of State is now in charge of assisting those evacuees. WASHINGTON, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Central Command announced Monday that the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan has completed, ending 20 years of U.S.-led invasion into the country. "I'm here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the mission to evacuate American citizens, third country nationals and vulnerable Afghans," Kenneth McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, announced during a news conference held by the Department of Defense. "The last C-17 lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 30, this afternoon, at 3:29 p.m. East coast time, and the last manned aircraft is now clearing the space above Afghanistan," McKenzie said. McKenzie said while the completion of withdrawal drew an end to U.S. military presence in the war-torn nation that Washington accused of harboring Al-Qaeda -- the mastermind behind the 9/11 terror attack on American soil in 2001 -- "the diplomatic mission to ensure additional U.S. citizens and eligible Afghans, who want to leave, continues." A CH-47 Chinook is loaded onto a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 28, 2021. (U.S. Central Command Public Affairs/Handout via Xinhua) While paying tribute to the 2,461 U.S. service members killed -- including the 13 troops lost Thursday to a terror attack aimed at sabotaging the evacuation mission -- and over 20,000 U.S. personnel injured during the longest war Washington has engaged in throughout history, McKenzie also told reporters that no American citizens managed to embark on the final five evacuation flights leaving Kabul, meaning there were still Americans wishing to depart the country that were left on ground. "We maintained the ability to bring them in up until immediately before departure," McKenzie 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 able to be accommodated," he added. The general said the number of U.S. citizens currently still stranded in Afghanistan is "in the very low hundreds," stressing that the Department of State is now in charge of assisting those evacuees. A CH-47 Chinook is loaded onto a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 28, 2021. (U.S. Central Command Public Affairs/Handout via Xinhua) "The military's phase of this operation has ended ... The diplomatic sequel to that will now begin," he said, adding that the United States will continue trying to extract the remaining U.S. citizens and "negotiate very hard and aggressively" to get eligible Afghans to come to the United States. U.S. media cited a State Department official as saying earlier on Monday that it was believed that there were fewer than 250 American citizens who may wish to leave Afghanistan. Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-31 12:18:33|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry was invited to visit China from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment said Tuesday. During the period, China Special Envoy for Climate Change Xie Zhenhua will hold talks with John Kerry in Tianjin to exchange views on topics including the Sino-U.S. climate change cooperation and the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-31 17:27:26|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attends and addresses the central conference on ethnic affairs in Beijing, capital of China. The conference was held in Beijing on Friday and Saturday. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) BEIJING, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation must be the focus of the Party's work on ethnic affairs in the new era, President Xi Jinping said at a recently-concluded key meeting on ethnic affairs. Acting upon the guiding principle put forth by Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, people of all ethnic groups are working to boost ethnic unity, in the pursuit of a modern socialist country for China. ETHNIC AFFAIRS IN NEW ERA Work related to ethnic affairs has always been a matter of significance for China, a vast and populous country consisting of 56 ethnic groups. The sense of community for the Chinese nation was first put forward by Xi at the second central work conference on Xinjiang in May 2014. At a central conference on ethnic affairs held later in the same year, Xi once again highlighted the importance of laying a solid foundation for the sense of community for the Chinese nation. The idea was enshrined in the Party's Constitution at the 19th CPC National Congress in October 2017. At the central conference on ethnic affairs last week, Xi once again emphasized this point. Liu Xinjian, an official in Hami, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, considered making the sense of community a matter of utmost significance. From his perspective, it helps to motivate all ethnic groups to strive for the further development and progress of the Chinese nation. Ma Guoqing, a professor at Minzu University of China in Beijing, said Xi's latest speech is significant in terms of both ideology and theory. "It represents the latest achievement in adapting Marxist theory on ethnic affairs to the Chinese context," Ma said. UNITY BRINGS PROSPERITY Xi stressed that guiding all ethnic groups to jointly strive for fully building a modern socialist country must be taken as a crucial task of the CPC's ethnic work in the new era. China in February announced that it has eradicated absolute poverty. Continuous efforts are being made to enhance the sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security among people of various ethnic groups. Shi Yongjun, a government official in the Tibet Autonomous Region, learned from his work experience that the focus of forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation could start from further improving people's livelihoods. The case of Tibet is a prime example of how national unity has boosted local development. Home to 45 ethnic groups including Tibetan, Hui and Menba, the region has witnessed huge changes over the past 70 years since its peaceful liberation. The regional GDP ballooned from 129 million yuan (about 19.9 million U.S. dollars) in 1951 to 190 billion yuan in 2020; all registered poor residents and counties had shaken off poverty by the end of 2019, meaning that the region escaped absolute poverty for the first time in history. "Tibet could never have attained such achievements without ethnic unity," Losang Jamcan, director of the Standing Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Regional People's Congress, once said. "Tibet's development over the past 70 years has offered convincing evidence that solidarity and stability bring prosperity." CULTURAL RECOGNITION Identifying with the culture is the foundation for ethnic unity, Xi noted when joining deliberations with lawmakers from north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region during the annual meeting of the National People's Congress in March. "To forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, we need to act in a concerted fashion. And more importantly, we need the people to identify with the Chinese culture," said Kong Qingju, an education official in Menyuan Hui Autonomous County in northwest China's Qinghai Province. Kong suggested that efforts should be made to boost students' recognition of the Chinese nation, Chinese culture, the CPC and socialism with Chinese characteristics. "The fine traditional cultures of all ethnic groups are constituent parts of the Chinese culture," said Fu Jizhen, a resident from the Li ethnic group in south China's Hainan Province. A master of traditional Li spinning, dyeing, weaving and embroidery techniques, Fu said she will carry forward Li culture and boost its communication with others. In enhancing the recognition of the Chinese culture and boosting national cohesion in Xinjiang, local governments are launching education programs and activities for extensive exchanges and communication among ethnic groups, local officials said. Si Qin, an official in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, said promoting educational programs on ethnic unity and progress are underway to boost cultural recognition among all ethnic groups. Herders, students, teachers, company employees will all benefit. Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-31 22:57:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Taliban members are seen at Kabul airport in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Aug. 31, 2021. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) -- The Taliban deployed special forces at the Kabul airport on Tuesday hours after the last batch of U.S. troops left Afghanistan. -- After the U.S. withdrawal from the Kabul airport, the Afghan capital was calm "like other normal days," but a U.S. drone was spotted flying over the city, witnesses in Kabul said. -- Over 2,400 U.S. troops have been killed in Afghanistan over the past two decades, with 20,000 others wounded, according to the Pentagon. Estimates showed that over 66,000 Afghan troops have been killed, and over 2.7 million people have been forced to leave their homes. KABUL, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Taliban deployed special forces at the Kabul airport on Tuesday hours after the last batch of U.S. troops left Afghanistan. "Security and safety is ensured at the airport," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told reporters at the airport now under the control of Taliban forces. "We are ready to secure the airport. Everything will be back to normal soon," Mujahid said. "The U.S. troops have left a lot of mess at the airport, so it is a technical issue and will take some time to be solved, and efforts are underway to restart commercial flights as soon as possible." The final evacuation flight of the U.S. was conducted on the last hours of Monday night, airlifting their military and non-military personnel back home, one day before the Aug. 31 deadline set by U.S. President Joe Biden. Before the U.S. troops left, they "demilitarized", or damaged, over 70 aircraft, dozens of armored vehicles and disabled an air defense system which reportedly had thwarted Islamic State rocket attacks during the withdrawal. Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2021 shows military vehicles at Kabul airport in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) Celebratory gunfire could be heard across the capital city as the Taliban took control of the airport. Check points had been removed from the road leading to the airport. Earlier in the day, the Taliban spokesman welcomed the U.S. troops pullout from Afghanistan. "After the U.S. withdrawal, Afghanistan became completely free and independent," he said. Khoja Wahid, a Kabul resident, said to Xinhua that "The U.S. had withdrawn from Afghanistan after two decades, but the Americans left a mess in our country." "The U.S. is defeated and it is badly defeated," said the 42-year-old man. "As I found in media reports early Tuesday that Americans are going to open its embassy to Afghanistan in Qatar. It is showing that the U.S. lost everything in Afghanistan." Taliban members are seen at Kabul airport in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Aug. 31, 2021. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said just hours after the final evacuation flights left Kabul that the United States shifted its diplomatic operations to Qatar. "As of today, we've suspended our diplomatic presence in Kabul and transferred our operations to Doha, Qatar," the top U.S. diplomat said. However, spokesman Mujahid made it clear that the Taliban intended to have economic and trade ties with all countries around the world, including the United States. "Every country can have good relations and political and trade ties with Afghanistan," he said. Kabul resident Ahmad Fawad told Xinhua that the U.S. claimed they came to Afghanistan to ensure peace and security and uphold human rights, but "you can see their evacuation was not conducted in a responsible manner, as so many people died, including 13 U.S. soldiers." Fawad referred to the suicide bomb blast and gun firing on Aug. 26, which killed at least 160 Afghans and 13 U.S. troops, and injured nearly 200 others at a gate of the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, when huge crowds were waiting to board evacuation flights. Photo taken on Aug. 27, 2021 shows the explosion site near the Kabul airport in Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) Talking about the U.S.-led military operation in Afghanistan, Moeed Pirzada, CEO and Editor of Global Village Space, a Pakistani media outlet, said "In the end, they failed because they couldn't come up with a sustainable, intelligent, political solution to Afghanistan." ISIS-K, a local affiliate of the Islamic State group in Afghanistan, claimed responsibility for the deadly attack. "Although thousands of Afghan experts and educated people left the country, the young generation is still determined to stay in Afghanistan if peace returns and their safety and security are ensured," Fawad said. "Now, it is on the United States, their allies, the UN and the countries in the region to help we Afghans building our future." After the U.S. withdrawal from the Kabul airport, the Afghan capital was calm "like other normal days," but a U.S. drone was spotted flying over the city, witnesses in Kabul told Xinhua. People are seen on a street in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan on Aug. 31, 2021. (Photo by Kabir/Xinhua) The main business hub Mandawi in Kabul is open and there is traffic jam in the central part of the city. As the exchange market is still closed, many exchangers and vendors are doing small business on a road outside the market, according to witnesses. Most banks in Kabul still remain closed on Tuesday with only government and private bank's main branches open. Salima, a female teacher in Kabul, expressed her hope for lasting peace in the country, welcoming the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan. "At least there is no more pretext for any armed group to continue war and fighting," she said. "Americans did not accomplish what they promised to Afghans. Although I am also concerned by the ongoing uncertainty, hopefully the situation will get better eventually, borders will reopen, and the prices are not out of control. It will take a little time to have everything well," she added. Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2021, shows people queuing in front of a bank in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. (Photo by Kabir/Xinhua) The U.S. Central Command announced Monday that the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan has completed, ending the longest war in U.S. history. "I'm here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the mission to evacuate American citizens, third country nationals and vulnerable Afghans," Kenneth McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, told a news conference in Washington. "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 space above Afghanistan," McKenzie said. A vendor is seen on a street in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan on Aug. 31, 2021. (Photo by Kabir/Xinhua) The general said the number of U.S. citizens currently still stranded in Afghanistan is "in the very low hundreds," stressing that the State Department is in charge of assisting those evacuees. The United States and its allies speeded up their troops' withdrawal from Afghanistan after the Taliban took control of Kabul on Aug. 15. The U.S. allies, including Britain, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey and Australia, have already pulled out their troops from the war-torn country. Claiming to be in pursuit of Osama bin Laden, the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, the U.S.-led military forces invaded Afghanistan and ousted the Taliban within weeks of the terrorist attacks in 2001. Over 2,400 U.S. troops have been killed in Afghanistan over the past two decades, with 20,000 others wounded, according to the Pentagon. Estimates showed that over 66,000 Afghan troops have been killed, and over 2.7 million people have been forced to leave their homes. Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-31 21:34:48|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo shows artist Yoseph Bekele in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Aug. 20, 2021. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua) ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Sitting in front of a canvas in his small living room in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, 49-year-old artist Yoseph Bekele is fully absorbed in the creation of his new piece of art, drawing a painting of an Ethiopian countryside landscape with his mouth. Around him, collections of his paintings over the years, consisting of physical aspects such as landscape, cityscapes and portraits, make colored decorations in his room. Bekele lives in a small and compacted room along with his wife and three children in one of the slums located at the heart of Addis Ababa. Born disabled, Bekele is chasing his dreams of becoming a painter against all odds and is now considered one of the admired artist painters in Ethiopia. "I was born with my hands and legs paralyzed, but as time went by, my legs started to function with the help of medical treatment," Bekele said in a recent interview with Xinhua. Bekele had to take a ride on his mother's back while going to a traditional Ethiopian kindergarten, dubbed Priest's School, until he turned 11 when he started to stand on his feet and learned to walk gradually. Bekele first started painting at the age of 12 when he started to use his feet to draw things around him, seizing a pencil between his toes. "I continued to paint pictures of saints and flowers on papers and sold them to boys who gave the paintings as gifts on Ethiopian New Year holidays," Bekele recalled, but the artist finally found his mouth more convenient in painting than his feet. "It was by chance that I started to paint with my mouth. It came about when my oldest daughter left the house without placing the drawing pencil between my toes. I picked the pencil by my mouth and started to paint. I found my mouth more comfortable to paint," he said. Bekele's professional painting endeavor started back in 2005 when he joined a local fine arts and vocational training center where he acquired extensive painting techniques and enjoyed special support from the famous Ethiopian armless artist, Worku Mamo, who teaches aspiring painters. His inspiration for painting often emanates from nature and the physical surroundings, such as landscapes, cityscapes, portraits of spiritual figures such as saints and angels as well as human beings. Now a famed painter, Bekele has exhibited his artworks across Ethiopia's major artistic sites, including the Ethiopian National Theater, the Addis Ababa Municipal Hall, and the National Museum. His paintings are now also on display across various international hotels in Addis Ababa. Genet Kebede, founder and owner of Abyssinia Fine Arts and Vocational Training Center, where Bekele learned professional painting, spoke highly of Bekele's transformation as a fine artist over the years. "Bekele's painting skills have improved over time despite the unfriendly working environment that he is working with. He painted fascinating pictures," Kebede said. "The courageous Bekele would be one of the notable African painters if he is provided with favorable working areas and the much-needed financial support," she said. His paintings won the admiration of many people and visitors, who are flocking to his house to see firsthand some of his works as well as his striking painting style. Bekele, a father of three, receives a helping hand from his family in his painting endeavors. "My husband has been able to adapt to everything that the able-bodied painters could do," said Yenenesh Taye, Bekele's wife. "Many people do not believe that they were drawn by a mouth." In Ethiopia, where stigma and discrimination are often witnessed, Bekele emphasized that his success as a painter despite his physical condition is now igniting hopes for various disabled Ethiopians. According to a survey released by the Ethiopian Statistical Agency in 2015/16, nearly 7.8 million people in Ethiopia are estimated to live with some form of physical disability. Of these, up to 2.2 million people have very profound difficulties; while about 90 percent of them were engaged in begging to make a living, according to the survey. With a proud smile, Bekele's mother Metekie Woldemariam said her son offered her big relief. Courtesy of his artworks, Bekele was also more financially supportive of his mother than his other siblings. Despite the lack of a convenient working space and studio, Bekele said he aspired to be a role model for those who have similar physical conditions. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-01 05:34:26|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BRUSSELS, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Senior officials from European Union (EU) member states on Tuesday pledged coordination with the United Nations on the stabilization of the region after Taliban takes over Afghanistan, urging Taliban to cut ties and practices with international terrorism, amid fears of illegal migration. Justice and home affairs ministers of the EU countries said in a statement following a meeting in Brussels that the EU and its 27 nations "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 pledged to help Afghanistan's neighboring countries host people fleeing their home country, claiming that the resettlement would be on a voluntary basis with women and children being priority cases. "The EU remains committed to supporting vulnerable Afghans, and in particular women and children, both in Afghanistan and in the region," Slovenian Minister of the Interior Ales Hojs said. "We are determined to prevent smugglers and human traffickers from exploiting this dire situation by coordinating our response to any illegal migration movements and protecting the EU external borders," he said. European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson told a press conference following the meeting that "the best way to avoid a migratory crisis is to avoid a humanitarian crisis." In their joint statement, the ministers said the EU's immediate priority was to continue to coordinate with international partners, in particular the United Nations and its agencies, on the stabilization of the region and to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the vulnerable populations. The EU will also engage and strengthen its support for the third countries, in particular, the neighboring and transit ones, hosting large numbers of migrants and refugees, said the statement. The ministers also noted that the EU and its member states "will do their utmost to ensure that the situation in Afghanistan does not lead to new security threats for EU citizens." "All efforts must be pursued to ensure that the Taliban regime ceases all ties and practices with international terrorism and that Afghanistan does not become once again a sanctuary for terrorists and organized crime groups," the ministers said in the joint statement. Also on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron and visiting Dutch Premier Mark Rutte called for "unhindered access for humanitarian aid, including through a reopened and secure Kabul airport." The two countries "demand that the Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack other countries, or to shelter, finance or train terrorists," said a joint declaration issued Tuesday evening following a meeting between the two leaders. France and the Netherlands "recall the need to respect human rights, including the rights of women, children and minorities," said the joint declaration. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-01 04:53:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NEW YORK, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- The raging Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to bring more people, including many children, into U.S. hospitals, and force cancellations of college enrollments and social events, in addition to disrupting Americans' daily life and eroding their long-term welfare. Trustees for the U.S. Social Security trust fund in an annual report released on Tuesday said that the program is expected to pay benefits that exceed its income in 2021, the same as it anticipated last year at the outset of the pandemic. While the pandemic had a significant impact on the program, the trustees said, they expect Social Security's reserves of 2.9 trillion U.S. dollars to be depleted by 2034, only one year sooner than they estimated in their April 2020 report. "Once the reserves are exhausted, benefits would be reduced automatically unless Congress steps in to shore up the program," reported The Wall Street Journal. MORE PATIENTS As COVID-19 cases surge across the United States, particularly among unvaccinated Americans, hospitals have been pushed to their limits treating the influx of patients. Five states, namely Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Florida and Arkansas, are nearly out of ICU beds, having less than 10 percent left of their ICU bed capacity, reported CNN on Tuesday. "Hospitals around the country have been stretched as cases have picked back up, but the South, where vaccinations have been lagging, has been particularly hit. Many hospitals have been reporting oxygen shortages," said the report while quoting data from the Department of Health and Human Services. On Monday, data presented by a vaccine adviser from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed a hospitalization rate 16 times greater in the unvaccinated population than in those vaccinated, it added. Last week, the CDC also highlighted the potential danger for children under the age of 12, the only group in the United States ineligible for coronavirus vaccines as the hyper-infectious Delta variant tears across the country. Just this month in Brevard County, Florida, 1,623 children were infected and more than 8,000 students were quarantined. In the Atlanta area, thousands of positive cases were confirmed in schools with 23,000 students and staff have been quarantined. "Without concerted efforts to curb Delta's transmission, things are likely to get worse in coming months. A simulation posted this month by a CDC-funded lab predicted that in elementary schools without either masks or regular testing, more than 75 percent of children might be infected with the coronavirus in the first three months," reported The Washington Post. MORE CANCELLATIONS This year's Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival, a major music, culinary and arts event first held in 2019 upon the stunning waterfront of downtown San Diego, has been postponed until Nov. 18 to 20, 2022 due to the surge in COVID-19 cases caused by the Delta variant. The call was made by the Port of San Diego on Monday. "The continued safety of the community had to be front and center in our decision making. We pushed as long as we could working with the Wonderfront Festival team to see if case trends might look more positive or new information would give us the comfort level needed to move forward," said Michael G. Brown, Port of San Diego's vice president of marketing and communications, in a press release. "But at the end of the day, the situation has not improved. Knowing that people book advance travel to attend, and production crews have months of logistical planning to do, a final decision needed to be made," he added. Organizers are now working with artists to pivot toward the new 2022 dates. A lineup announcement and ticketing on-sale are expected this fall. Xavier University is dis-enrolling students who have not received the COVID-19 vaccine, reported Black Enterprise, the No. 1 Black digital media brand in the United States, on Monday. The private Catholic and historically Black college in Louisiana will begin the process at the end of this week. "I think it's unfair to unenroll them because they still need their education. But I can see both sides," sophomore Elise Tookes was quoted as saying. "They're trying to protect the students that they have on campus and they're trying to make it normal for us as much as possible." In April, the university's president Reynold Verret sent students a letter stating proof of vaccination would be required to attend the fall semester. MORE DEFENSE Suzanne B. Goldberg, acting assistant secretary for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Education, sent letters on Monday to state education leaders in Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah, informing them that the department's Office for Civil Rights is investigating whether their mask mandate bans are discriminatory. At the center of the department's concerns, according to Monday's letters, are students with disabilities who may be at heightened risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Goldberg's letters said these investigations would focus on whether the state bans are discriminatory by preventing students with disabilities from safely returning to in-person education. Federal law "guarantees qualified students with disabilities the right to a free appropriate public education in elementary and secondary school," Goldberg wrote in each of the letters. "This includes the right of students with disabilities to receive their education in the regular educational environment, alongside their peers without disabilities, to the maximum extent appropriate to their needs." Also on Monday, a CDC advisory panel indicated it could take a substantially different approach to booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines than the one proposed by the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, reported The Hill. Members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) said the evidence on boosters is not clear and indicated it would likely consider a risk-based approach that would prioritize residents of long-term care facilities and health workers rather than all eligible Americans at once. COVID-19 vaccines continue to maintain high protection against severe disease, hospitalization and death. While some studies have found some waning of effectiveness against infection, members of the panel said the evidence is not clear enough to justify a booster recommendation, according to the report. Enditem More than 100,000 pregnant women have contracted coronavirus in the U.S. alone, sending 18,000 to the hospital and killing 131. Fauci said women with hypertension or who are obese are particularly at risk of negative outcomes. They know what is best for their children. Whats unacceptable is the politicians who have raised their right hands and pledged, under oath, to uphold the Constitution but are not doing so. Simply said, elected officials cannot pick and choose what laws they want to follow. Our health care system is designed to deal with the everyday realities of life, said Little, according to KHQ. Our health care system is not designed to withstand the prolonged strain to caused by an unrestrained pandemic. It is simply not sustainable. Please choose to receive the vaccine now to support your fellow Idahoans who need you. In a 48 Hours special airing Wednesday, Daybells children denied their father had anything to do with JJ and Tylees deaths, including insisting that if he had been the one to bury them in his backyard, hed have done a better job. The day after Robert Durst was acquitted of the murder of Morris Black, the Daily News ran this cover on Nov. 12, 2003 which read, "Millionaire cross-dresser Durst shot a man, chopped up his body -- and beat the rap. So Bobby, where's the head?" referring to the fact that Morris Black's head was never found, while the rest of his body was discovered. (New York Daily News) Outside of the tragedy that has happened and the loss of life, this is a unique site, he said. You dont have a property of this size on the ocean in Miami Beach, Surfside or surrounding municipalities. We know that there are groups that are looking at all possibilities and options to build whether its condominiums, hotels or a combination thereof. We control the purse strings here in the state of Florida, said Fried, who is running for governor next year. When you go to the food store, look for Fresh From Florida, Florida Grown labels on your produce. Go to your local farmers market. Demand that these products be served in our restaurants and our food stores. A Polk County woman who survived COVID-19 came home from the hospital to find her husband dead in their bed from the virus, according to news reports. New York, US (PANA) - The UN on Tuesday celebrated the enormous contributions African diaspora has made in every field of human endeavour, marking the first-ever International Day for People of African Descent News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. NEWSALERT-AFGHAN-MINISTER Afghanistan foreign minister says new Taliban government will prevent militants from using territory to attack others. (AP)Afghanistan foreign minister says new Taliban government will prevent militants from using territory to attack others. (AP) Member of terrorist cell operating in colony in Russias Kalmykia gets 5.5 years in jail RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 11:38 31/08/2021 MOSCOW, August 31 (RAPSI) - A military court has sentenced Robert Emirgamzayev, a member of a terrorist organization operating for more than 6 years in a penal colony in Russias Kalmykia, to 5.5 years in jail, the Investigative Committees press service reports. The man was found guilty of participating in an extremist community. In 2013, Emirgamzayev serving prison sentence in the Republic of Kalmykia voluntary joined the terrorist community. He was an active member of the group, learnt Arabic, underwent ideological training and read extremist literature, according to investigators. The terrorist cell was created in 2013 by an inmate convicted of illegal arms trafficking in order to justify terrorism. After his release, the group leader declared himself the sharif. In March 2015, he was killed when infringing on the life of law enforcement officers in Dagestan, the statement reads. Widow of killed St. Petersburg ordered to remain in detention until late October Mikhail Telekhov, RAPSI 14:06 31/08/2021 ST. PETERSBURG, August 31 (RAPSI, Mikhail Telekhov) The St. Petersburg City Court on Tuesday extended detention of Marina Kokhal, who stands charged with killing her husband, rapper Alexander Yushko, until October 30, the United press service of St. Petersburg courts told RAPSI. The investigation has extended over 12 months. Therefore, the matter was considered by the St. Petersburg City Court but not by a district one. Kokhal in turn sought for house arrest. According to the investigation, on July 29, 2020, the woman had a conflict with Yushko and then killed him and dismembered his body in order to further wean it off. Kokhal pleaded not guilty. During the questioning, she said that her husband died from drug overdose. However, the analysis of the victims hair and human tissues showed no drugs. The St. Petersburg investigators believe the murder of the musician was planned by his wife. They earlier said they found out that shortly before the crime Kokhal got medical drugs at a pharmacy which later used to kill her husband. Moreover, it was revealed that the womans mother was at the scene of the crime, according to the probe. Yushko known as Andy Cartwright took part in rap battles and released his sole tracks on the Internet. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Robert Vadra, husband of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the Congress general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh, has on Tuesday slammed Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for dragging his name in the New Delhi Railway station monetization allegation. In a Facebook post, Vadra wrote, "Know your facts, Nirmala Ji! I am shocked that a minister of your stature makes claims & utterances without any fact check or merit! For the record, I have nothing to do with any 'Railway Station'! The only relationship I have with the railways is that of a passenger taking train journeys!" "I urge you as well as other political leaders in the ruling party to stop dragging my name into every issue as if it's your default setting for when you get caught on the wrong foot! Please stop defaming me baselessly and do your homework properly next time, Nirmala Ji." Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last week had said that the government will not give away ownership of assets under the national monetisation plan and they will be mandatorily handed back to the government. Addressing the media, Sitharaman hit out at the opposition citing monetisation processes were also undertaken by the Congress-led UPA government. Citing the example of the New Delhi Railway Station, she took a barb on the Congress and said: "Who called the RFP (request for proposal) on it? Is it owned by 'Jijaji' now!" "We are not selling off, there will be a strict handing back," she said. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday urged the people to remain alert as "anti-liberation forces", along with their associates, are still conspiring against the country, "taking assistance from abroad". "War criminals, defeated forces, August 15 killers, and their children are still conspiring against Bangladesh. They're plotting against the country," she said in her address at a programme of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of her Awami League, at Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh (KIB) to mark the National Mourning Day. "Evil forces are pampered by some international forces which had acted against Bangladesh's Liberation War. The nation must remain alert about it," she said, joining the programme virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban. At the beginning of the programme, a one-minute silence was observed to show respect to the martyrs of the August 15, 1975 massacre, where her father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and most of the family were killed. Hasina, the chief patron of BCL, asked its members and ruling party activists and leaders to work for the country being imbued with patriotism and follow the ideals of Bangabandhu, the Father of the Nation. Referring to his hectic nation-building hectic effort, she said the defeated forces staged the August 15 massacre when they saw Bangladesh cannot be stopped from its economic march forward. "We've to move forward keeping that in our mind." She said the defeated forces of 1971 took their revenge with the August 15 carnage and distorted the history of Bangladesh after that, including its liberation struggle. About Ziaur Rahman, who seized power after Sheikh Mujib's assassination, and his engagement in the Liberation War in 1971, Hasina said there is no instance that he fired a single shot at the Pakistani forces. "No one can prove that." She mentioned that Mustaq, Rashid and Farooq, proclaimed killers of Sheikh Mujib, in their interviews with the BBC, admitted that Ziaur Rahman was always with them. "Zia was the source of all power (for them), he betrayed Sheikh Mujib," she stressed. The PM said she is surprised that these people, who had always visited Bangabandhu's house for various purposes, including personal matters, killed him. "How could they do that!" She also highlighted the sacrifice of her mother Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib. "My father could fully engage in the service of the country as he got such a companion beside him... this is a rare instance," she said. The Prime Minister stressed all that Bangladesh has many enemies and massive hurdles in every step of its development journey "Our path of progress is not smooth. It is rather full of hurdles, but we've to move forward overcoming all the odds and obstacles, and we're doing that," she said, adding Bangladesh has stood out on the world stage in the last 12 years. The Prime Minister earlier unveiled a book titled "Matribhumi" and the "Joy Bangla Magazine". Members of the Alabama Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard posted the colors during Ralph Curtis Battles funeral Saturday. Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/31/2021 -- The Latest survey report on Worldwide Frozen Sea Food Market sheds lights on changing dynamics in Food & Beverages Sector and elaborates market size and growth pattern of each of Worldwide Frozen Sea Food segments. As the shift to value continues, the producers are tackling challenges to personalized nutrition and match taste profiles. A wide list of manufactuerers were considered in the survey; to include mix bag of leaders and emerging manufacturers for company profiling that includes AquaChile, Clearwater Seafood, Iglo Group, Leroy Seafood, Marine Harvest & Austevoll Seafood. Unlock new opportunities in Worldwide Frozen Sea Food Market; the latest release from HTF MI highlights the key market trends significant to the growth prospects, Let us know if any specific players or list of players needs to consider to gain better insights Get Access to Free PDF Sample of Worldwide Frozen Sea Food Market @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/3544318-worldwide-frozen-sea-food-market "Consumers are increasingly aware of the food they consume and it impacts on holistic health. As affluence increases, the ability to invest in diagnostic services and premium food products to meet their expectations." To provide further guidance on how specific trends in Worldwide Frozen Sea Food Industry will have a big impact and what factored into the market trajectory and strategy planning of manufacturers in next 5-7 years is precisely covered in scope of Worldwide Frozen Sea Food Market Study. Scope of Study: The Worldwide Frozen Sea Food Market Size by Revenue in Dollar (USD) terms, Volume (Consumption, Production & Capacity) is segmented by Type (, Frozen Sea Food markets by type, Fish, Shrimp, Squid, Crab, Lobster & Others), Applications (Hyper Markets, Specialty Retailers, Convenience Stores & Independent Stores), Materials, by Country/Region and Players. The Country Level Analysis in Worldwide Frozen Sea Food Market Study provides Breakdown as - North America (U.S. & Canada) {Market Size by Value (USD Million) & Sales (Units), Growth Analysis (%) and Opportunity Analysis} - Latin America (Brazil , Mexico & Rest of Latin America) {Market Size (USD Million) & Sales (Units), Growth Analysis (%) and Opportunity Analysis} - Europe (The U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Sweden & RoE) {Market Size (USD Million) & Sales (Units), Growth Analysis (%) and Opportunity Analysis} - Asia (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Rest of Asia) {Market Size (USD Million) & Sales (Units), Growth Analysis (%) and Opportunity Analysis} - Middle East & Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, South Africa, Egypt, RoMEA) {Market Size (USD Million) & Sales (Units), Growth Analysis (%) and Opportunity Analysis} - Rest of World {Market Size (USD Billion) & Sales (Units), Growth Analysis (%) and Opportunity Analysis} Acquire Single User PDF License of Worldwide Frozen Sea Food Market research report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=3544318 Additionally, the study has given lot of attention on Worldwide Frozen Sea Food Pricing Analysis by Region (Weighted Average) & Supply Chain Metric to deliver impact analysis of downstream and upstream stakeholders (Raw Materials, Suppliers, 4Ps etc). Also, a separate chapter is added showcasing survey outcome of most significant drivers or growth initiatives that companies should consider in next one to three years. Some of the parameters considers during interview / questionnaire of Worldwide Frozen Sea Food Market survey are Product Innovations, New Sales Channel and distribution strategies, Pricing and promotion strategies, Merger & Acquisitions, entering in new market, technological advancements, new Merchandizing strategies and Changing customer dynamics. "38% expect Worldwide Frozen Sea Food companies would increase spending on new product and services" - Says Research If you wish to customize study by adding or profiling a greater number of players / additional segmentation / adding more country level break-ups compared to standard version of Worldwide Frozen Sea Food Market Study or need to have dedicated study specific to any Region or Country; then Make an Enquire for customize Report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/3544318-worldwide-frozen-sea-food-market Thanks for reading Worldwide Frozen Sea Food Industry research publication; Our team is constantly studying Covid-19 impact analysis on various industry verticals for a better analysis of markets and industries. The 2020 latest edition of Worldwide Frozen Sea Food market report is entitled to provide additional chapter / commentary on latest scenario, economic slowdown and COVID-19 impact on overall industry and what possible measures industry players are taking to deal with current situation. you can also get individual chapter wise section or region/country wise report version like USA, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, LATAM, APAC etc. Northbrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/31/2021 -- According to the new market research report "People Counting System Market with COVID-19 Impact Analysis by Type (Unidirectional, Bidirectional), Technology (Thermal Imaging, Video-Based), Offering, End-User (Retail Stores, Supermarkets, Shopping Malls), Region Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the People Counting System Market size is projected to reach USD 1.4 billion by 2026 from an estimated USD 0.9 billion in 2021, at a CAGR of 9.4% from 2021 to 2026. The incorporation of people counting system for end users such as retail stores, supermarkets, and shopping malls, and transportation are among the factors driving the growth of the people counting system market. Ask for PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=206905443 By type, the bidirectional segment is projected to hold the largest share of people counting system market during the forecast period The market for bidirectional is expected to hold the largest share of people counting system market during the forecast period. The growth is attributed to the advantages such as retail analytics, queue management, staff optimization, and space utilization. These people counting systems can identify whether a person is walking in or out of the entrance. They allow end users to count the number of visitors on a particular floor or zone, along with the direction they used to enter/exit. Sensors used in bidirectional people counting systems can scan areas 200 times/seconds, which allows them to work on the accuracy of more than 95%. By technology, video-based technology is projected to witness the growth at highest CAGR during the forecast period The video-based technology is projected to grow with the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth can be attributed to significant demand for accuracy as this technology is capable of providing a more precise count of visitors compared to other technologies. These systems have a ~95% accuracy and can count in both directions; they may be linked with modern analytical systems that help end users with in-store analytics, dwell time measurement, queue management, etc. By offering, the hardware segment is projected to hold the largest share of people counting system market during the forecast period The offering segment is projected to hold the largest share of the people counting system market, during the forecast period. The capacity to gather more precise data necessary for giving an exact visitor count plays a crucial role in expanding the market for hardware offerings. Companies have been substantially investing in the development of additional technology that can operate in severe settings without affecting the efficiency of people counting systems. Browse in-depth TOC on "People Counting System Market" 272 Tables 81 Figures 317 Pages Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=206905443 By end user, the retail stores, supermarkets, and shopping malls end user is projected to witness growth at the highest CAGR during the forecast period The retail stores, supermarkets, and shopping malls end user of the market is projected to record the highest CAGR from 2021 to 2026. The increased number of shopping malls in emerging nations such as Brazil, India, and China contributes to the growth of the people counting system market. Retailers can also benefit from people counting systems by obtaining key performance indicators (KPIs) that characterize their current business scenarios. Further, the top companies have been enhancing their product portfolios and cracking deals by signing agreements with various retail stores, shopping malls, and supermarkets to improve customer retention by adopting people counting systems. By region, North America to hold the largest share of the people counting system market throughout the forecast period North America is projected to account for the largest share of the overall people counting system market in 2026. The increased adoption of people counters in the region is attributed to the existence of technologically advanced retail stores and shopping malls, stadiums, banks, and amusement parks. It is also predicted to grow at a considerably high rate due to the presence of a significant number of airports that require visitor counting and tracking solutions. Further, some major players such as InfraRed Integrated Systems Ltd (IRISYS), RetailNext, and Teledyne FLIR LLC are headquartered in North America which spur the growth of the market. Integrated Systems Ltd (IRISYS) (US); Sensormatic Solutions (US); RetailNext (US); HELLA Aglaia Mobile Vision GmbH (Germany); V-Count (Turkey); FootfallCam (UK); Eurotech (Italy); Axiomatic Technology Ltd. (UK), DILAX Intelcom GmbH (Germany); IEE S.A. (Luxembourg); SensMax Ltd (Latvia); are some of the key players in the people counting system market. Key Market Players: Apple (US), Microsoft (US), IBM (US), Alphabet (US), Amazon (US), Sensory (US), CANTAB Research (UK), Baidu (China), iFLYTEK (China) and SESTEK (Turkey) are among the key players operating in the speech and voice recognition market. Related Reports: Automated Passenger Counting System Market with COVID-19 Impact, by Technology (IR, ToF, Stereoscopic Vision), Passenger Information System Market by Type (Display System, Mobile Applications), Application and Region - Global Forecast to 2025 Smart Retail Market by System (Smart Payment Systems, Intelligent Vending Machines), Application (Foot-traffic Monitoring, Inventory Management), Retail Offering (Fast-moving Consumer Goods, Hardlines & Leisure Goods), & Geography - Global Forecast to 2025 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Yerkin Tatishev's Kusto Group is turning ash into microspheres used in toys, cosmetics and life jackets, among other things. In July 2021, Kusto Group, an international, multi-industry company founded by Yerkin Tatishev, inaugurated the KazCenosphere plant in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan. The plant transforms white ash from the local state district power station, the Aksu power plant, into high-value aluminosilicate microspheres. Cenospheres, as they are known, are made during the warm combustion of pulverized coal. The aluminosilicate microspheres that Kusto Group now produces are used as a lightening additive in dry backfill mixtures in oilfield services. They also serve as whitening elements in composite materials to increase wear resistance, heat resistance, and strength. The Cenosphere additives can also help reduce the weight of the product. The finished result is then used in the manufacturing of everything from life jackets to navigation buoys, concrete, road thermoplastics, radio engineering, paint production, and cosmetics. Kusto Group-run plant is good news for the environment The primary consumers of aluminosilicate microspheres from Tatishev's new KazCenosphere plant are the oil and gas sectors. However, other companies such as the Danish toy manufacturer LEGO have bought Kusto Group's material through traders. According to Kusto Group, the KazCenosphere plant can process 21 thousand tons of ash and slag waste per year, generating 12 thousand tons of finished products. Yerkin Tatishev has stated that production at Kusto Group's new plant will significantly improve the environmental situation in Pavlodar and the surrounding areas because the KazCenosphere plant uses waste from coal combustion and reduces the dustiness of the atmospheric air. Furthermore, the production at the Kusto Group-run plant is waste-free, as substandard fractions become general construction fillers and off-gases go through three stages of purification. "In two years, we have come a long way from a cool idea to an actively developing enterprise. A modern high-tech enterprise that produces a useful product from waste, improving the ecology of the region. This is an example of the rational use of resources that benefits people," Kanat Kopbayev, a member of the Board of Directors of Kusto Group, says. "The completion of the plant's construction in less than a year has only been possible thanks to the support of the local administration and personal participation of Saken Beimbetovich Shayakhmetov, Deputy Akim of Pavlodar Region," Kopbayev added. High demand for Kusto Group's new product KazCenosphere is a joint project between Kusto Group and GRANULA LLC. The cost of the plant is 2.3 billion Kazakhstani tenges ($5.4M USD), with a projected payback of five years. According to Abay Kairzhanov, the director of the KazCenoshpere plant, they collect raw materials at the ash dump of the local state district power station, the Aksu power plant, worth about 1 billion tenges per year. "Coal flaring waste is discharged into the ash dump by means of hydraulic ash removal. The white fraction of fly ash floats to the surface in the form of 'foam.' We collect this foam. In fact, it is tiny glass balls with gas inside. We bring it to the factory, dry it, cool it and separate it into fractions," he explains. "All the products from KazCenosphere are exported, as no complex industries in Kazakhstan use such expensive additives," Abay Kairzhanov adds. "The finished product costs more than a thousand dollars per ton. There is great demand for it in Europe and North America," the KazCenosphere director says. KazCenosphere's unique technology The Aksu power station is the main source of raw materials for Kusto Group's plant, as all other thermal power plants produce gray ash when burning coal rather than white ash. "Our microparticles are whiter because the power plant has new equipment that allows it to reach a temperature of 1500 degrees Celsius, whereas all other thermal power plants and state district power plants in Kazakhstan burn coal at a temperature of 1000-1300 degrees," the plant manager explains. The project in Pavlodar has yielded 36 permanent jobs as well as 200 seasonal jobs. In the summer, when raw materials are collected, the plant employs crane and forklift operators, truck drivers, and security guards to escort the cargo. In the winter, the plant uses stored raw materials. Expansion in the works Even though the new KazCenoshpere plant has just been inaugurated, an expansion has already been announced. The construction of the second stage of the Kusto Group-run plant will begin in 2022. "This will be the next redistribution. Now, we collect, dehydrate, dry, cool and separate raw materials into fractions. The next stage is finer drying and preparation of mixtures," Abay Kairzhanov explains. "For example, we need a mixture of microspheres for a glass blowing furnace or paint for a bridge being built somewhere in the far north, where there is a certain composition of water. Mixtures for oil wells in the North Sea and in the Persian Gulf, each with its own acidity, etc. will also be different. Depending on the application, we will not produce raw materials but a turnkey solution," he adds. "KazCenosphere is, of course, a commercial project," says Kusto Board member Kopbayev. "But it's one that forms an important part of the wider region's environmental strategy by helping reduce pollution. For Kusto Group, it represents the latest step forward in our vision to turn Kazakhstan into a global, agricultural powerhouse rooted in sustainable principles." "The venture adheres to the core values of Kusto Group by delivering innovative, high-tech projects that support their local communities and are environmentally sustainable." 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Activity will take place between September 10-17th, starting from 1000 UTC on Friday, September 10th, until 2400 UTC on Sunday, September 19th. Operations will be on various HF bands (80-10m) using CW, SSB and the Digital mode (FT8). A downloadable special diploma/award (PDF) is available (see QRZ.com for details). QSL via the Bureau OPDX We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Assuming that your immune system is not compromised by any underlying medical conditions or medication use, you will have some protection 14 days after your first dose, she said. You would be considered well protected once you have completed your second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, raising your COVID-19 protection from what might be as low as 33% better than an unvaccinated person up to 90%. The vaccines protection is generally achieved somewhere between seven to 14 days after the second dose. It is important to continue to take precautions to limit your exposure, including masking, social distancing, avoiding crowds and hand-washing. Could the Mediterranean coast, in the south of Spain, be hit by a tsunami? Although the probability is very small, the reality is that the danger exists. In fact, there is a State Civil Protection Plan for the risk of a tsunami in which Malaga is marked in red. Now, a study led by researchers from the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) has discovered that directional jump faults, such as the Averroes fault - offshore from Malaga, Granada and Almeria - in the Alboran Sea have more potential to generate coastal tsunamis than previously believed. The work, published in the 'Scientific Reports' journal, analyses this active fault and reveals the nearby coastal areas that could be affected by the arrival of tsunami waves, as well as the magnitude. Ferran Estrada, an expert from the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), said "the Averroes fault presents, in its extreme northwest, a vertical jump of up to 5.4 metres", which "could generate a magnitude 7 earthquake. This is known after analysing the activity of the fault of the last 124,000 years. According to historical records, the last earthquake generated by this fracture may have been in the year 365. Thanks to a mathematical model of the deformation of the sea floor, the team of researchers has calculated the behaviour of the water masses of the Alboran Sea in the event of a new seismic episode on the fault. According to this simulation of possible scenarios, the tsunami waves would spread in two main branches and reach and flood heavily populated sectors of the southern coast of Spain and northern Morocco. These waves could reach six metres in height and would take between 21 and 35 minutes to reach the coast. "These episodes are too fast for current early warning systems to work successfully," the scientist warned. In his view, these findings show the potential for tsunami generation of jump faults 'should be considered' for the reassessment of tsunami early warning systems'. As the CSIC points out, until now it was believed that tsunamis originate from the seismic activity of normal and reverse faults; while the direction jump, which separate blocks that move laterally, were discarded as triggers. Estrada warns that "giant waves can represent a threat to coastal populations, damage marine and land infrastructure, and cause an economic and environmental crisis." That is why, according to the scientist, these results will be "vital to improve planning measures aimed at mitigating the impact of a possible tsunami." After considering the worsening coronavirus transmission indicators, the 27 members of the EU agreed on Monday (30 August) to remove the United States and Israel from the list of destinations considered safe until now. The new decision translates, in practice, into not allowing "non-essential" travel of people from these countries. In the new update released by the European Council, it has also reintroduced restrictions for Kosovo, Lebanon, North Macedonia and Montenegro. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom continues not to be considered a safe destination. Thus, the only countries that currently have carte blanche to enter the EU are: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, Japan, Jordan, New Zealand, Qatar, Moldova, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea and Ukraine. The list is updated by the EU based on the number of infections per 100,000 inhabitants in the last fourteen days, on the trend of new cases and the capacity of the countries to contain and treat possible new outbreaks. It should be remembered, though, that this is only a recommendation since the power to control borders is exclusive to each Member State. Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-Edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Class of 2021 graduate Lauren Eckert released her first single titled "Forever" on Aug. 14 with the hope that it will be her first of many. If you already subscribe to our print edition, sign up for FREE access to our online edition. Thanks for reading The Henderson News. Asiacell Telecom, a leading telecom services group in Iraq, has chosen Nokia to build its next-generation microwave network to meet the capacity and provide the ultra-low latency required to delivering compelling experiences to end users. For this project, Nokia will replace legacy microwave equipment by either modernizing or deploying approximately 3,000 network links across multiple locations in Iraq over the next five years. Nokia will deploy products from its industry-leading Wavence microwave packet radio portfolio to help Asiacell simplify network operations for improved cost efficiency and performance. Nokia Wavence ultra-broadband transceivers will further enable Asiacell to provide fiber-like connectivity even in areas where fiber cannot be deployed. Asiacell will benefit from enhanced network capabilities, allowing it to support ever-increasing demands for data. As part of this renewed partnership, Asiacell will leverage its existing Nokia Network Services Platform (NSP) deployment for managing the complete set of Nokia transport equipment. This will enable automation for rapid equipment commissioning, optimizing network performance, and the automating of operational tasks, thus simplifying microwave integration into Asiacells existing network environment. By utilising Nokias NSP, Asiacell will also be able to use the network automation capabilities to ensure maximum network service performance and reliability. The project marks yet another milestone for Nokia and Asiacell as they strengthen their partnership with the vision of providing the best-in-class telecom services across Iraq. Recently, Asiacell had selected Nokia to provide nationwide network optimization for two years, which started in January 2021. While Nokia is already transforming Asiacells network operations, the Wavence portfolio will further ensure Asiacells seamless transition to next generation technology. Amer Sunna, CEO and Managing Director of Asiacell, said: We are pleased to extend our partnership with Nokia by trusting them with yet another project. Improving network performance and enhancing the end-user experience has always been our top priority and having Nokia as a strategic partner is helping us achieve this. By leveraging Nokia's global scale, we look forward to building a future-proof network that will help us meet the growing mobile traffic demand in Iraq. Rima Manna, Head of the Middle East Market Unit at Nokia MEA, said: Were delighted that Asiacell has turned to us again to build a reliable and future proof microwave network. With our Wavence portfolio, we are confident of providing the best-in-class microwave enabling Asiacell to easily upgrade to next-generation technology. This microwave network modernization will allow Asiacell to provide differentiated services and enhance its revenue by introducing new and innovative services." TradeArabia News Service Nokia has announced that Asiacell Telecom, Iraqs leading telecommunications services provider, has chosen Nokia to build its next-generation microwave network. This new microwave network will be essential to meet the capacity and provide the ultra-low latency required to delivering compelling experiences to end users. For this project, Nokia will replace legacy microwave equipment by either modernising or deploying approximately 3,000 network links across multiple locations in Iraq over the next five years. Nokia will deploy products from its industry-leading Wavence microwave packet radio portfolio to help Asiacell simplify network operations for improved cost efficiency and performance. Nokia Wavence ultra-broadband transceivers will further enable Asiacell to provide fiber-like connectivity even in areas where fiber cannot be deployed. Asiacell will benefit from enhanced network capabilities, allowing it to support ever-increasing demands for data. As part of this renewed partnership, Asiacell will leverage its existing Nokia Network Services Platform (NSP) deployment for managing the complete set of Nokia transport equipment. This will enable automation for rapid equipment commissioning, optimising network performance, and the automating of operational tasks, thus simplifying microwave integration into Asiacells existing network environment. By utilising Nokias NSP, Asiacell will also be able to use the network automation capabilities to ensure maximum network service performance and reliability. The project marks yet another milestone for Nokia and Asiacell as they strengthen their partnership with the vision of providing the best-in-class telecom services across Iraq. Recently, Asiacell had selected Nokia to provide nationwide network optimisation for two years, which started in January 2021. While Nokia is already transforming Asiacells network operations, the Wavence portfolio will further ensure Asiacells seamless transition to next generation technology. Amer Sunna, CEO and Managing Director of Asiacell, said: Improving network performance and enhancing the end-user experience has always been our top priority and having Nokia as a strategic partner is helping us achieve this. By leveraging Nokia's global scale, we look forward to building a future-proof network that will help us meet the growing mobile traffic demand in Iraq. Rima Manna, Head of the Middle East Market Unit at Nokia MEA, said: With our Wavence portfolio, we are confident of providing the best-in-class microwave enabling Asiacell to easily upgrade to next-generation technology. This microwave network modernisation will allow Asiacell to provide differentiated services and enhance its revenue by introducing new and innovative services."-- TradeArabia News Service International beauty companies from more than 50 countries, including 15 national pavilions, will reconnect at the 25th Beautyworld Middle East, the regions largest international trade fair for the beauty industry. Organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, Beautyworld Middle East will run from October 5 to 7 at Dubai World Trade Centre and assume even greater significance as the first major in-person international beauty event of 2021. A diverse mix of industry exhibitors will use the three-day platform to demonstrate new-to-market products and solutions, reconnect with partners and explore new opportunities in an expanding regional market, with latest Goldstein Market Intelligence report forecasting a 20% growth for premium cosmetics in the UAE alone by 2030. The landmark edition will, for the first time, include participation of exhibitors from Azerbaijan, Ghana, Hungary, Philippines, Serbia, and Syria, reinforcing Beautyworld Middle Easts status as a strategic gateway for the global industry. It is evident that there remains strong international appetite for the UAE market and Beautyworld Middle East is the bridge that connects manufacturers and prospective buyers and brands, said Elaine OConnell, Show Director for Beautyworld Middle East. The event will provide the perfect platform for international and regional industry players to meet, in-person, for the first time since the pandemic. We are looking forward to three days of dialogue, networking and deal making. The show will host high-level international governmental agencies and trade delegations across 15 country pavilions. Among them is France. An event stalwart, this years French pavilion will host 71 French companies, including 55 first-time participants. Caroline Escudier, Project Manager of Business France, official organisers of the French pavilion, said: Why Dubai? The answer is simple: the accessibility here is like no other, we have an opportunity to meet with a global audience we cannot reach from only France. As a governmental agency we have been organising the French pavilion at Beautyworld Middle East for 25 years now, and while in a different region, the show has had an impact on the French market. It is essential for us to be present. Featuring exciting perfume innovations such as Dapy Paris new automatic perfume dispenser, the French pavilion will host a number of household brands such as Parfums Plus exhibiting a new style of fragrances in partnership with Parisian and Grassois perfumers. Brazilian exhibitors will also be out in full force with haircare focused brands covering a selection of products such as hair treatments, oils, hair dye, and styling tools. The anticipated line-up includes Maxibrasil, Macpaul, Kur Cosmeticos, Macpaul Cosmeticos, and Agilise Cosmeticos. Caio Lopes, Export Director at Agilise, said: Agilise has established a number of business partnerships with companies from the Middle East. The quality of our products, the appeal of Brazilian assets and our company policies which reinforce a relationship-driven culture resonate with customers in the Middle East and has led to success for ourselves and our partners. The international exhibitor line-up is spread across seven distinct product segments: Cosmetics & Skincare; Hair, Nails & Salon Supplies; Machinery, Packaging & Raw Materials; Fragrance Compounds & Finished Fragrance; Personal Care & Hygiene; Natural & Organic; and Beauty Technology, a brand-new segment. Beautyworld Middle East 2021 will take place amid stringent health and safety measures in accordance with official government, local authority guidelines, and the Dubai World Trade Centre venue. Visitors can also gain access to the shows new hybrid event platform where they can experience AI-powered matchmaking, connect with exhibitors in-person or virtually, discover unmissable products and content, and bookmark sessions they want to attend.-- TradeArabia News Service India and Bahrain are celebrating this year the golden jubilee of their diplomatic relations, said the India's Ministry of External Affairs in statement. Coinciding with this important occasion, V Muraleedharan, Indias Minister of State for External Affairs, began yesterday (April 30) a three-day visit to Bahrain. This is his maiden visit to Bahrain. The Indian delegation was received at the Bahrain International Airport by the Foreign Affairs Ministrys Undersecretary for Consular and Administrative Affairs, Ambassador Tawfeeq Ahmed Al Mansoor, and the Indian Ambassador Piyush Srivastava, as well as a number of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On the first day of his visit, Muraleedharan had a meeting with Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Bahraini Minister of Foreign Affairs. He will be holding discussions with Bahraini ministers and dignitaries during his visit. The visit is part of Indias continuing engagement of countries in the Gulf region. The minister will also meet a wide cross-section of the Indian community in Bahrain, including those in health, education, business and social service sector, said the statement. About 350,000 Indians live in the kingdom and India-Bahrain bilateral trade is around $1 billion.-TradeArabia News Service The General Authority of Ports, Borders and Free Zones Security and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) have announced that travellers from Oman can visit the UAE. This is in conjunction with the announcement of the protocol governing those coming from the Sultanate via land crossings from September 1, Emirates news agency WAM reported. Based on this, all those coming from Oman have to present a negative PCR test result, conducted no more than 48 hours before the date of arrival, in addition to undertaking a rapid nasal PCR swab while in the vehicle upon arrival. Travellers will also have to take a PCR test on day four of entry if they stay four consecutive days or more, in addition to another PCR test on day eight if they stay eight consecutive days or more. The two authorities underlined the importance of complying with all precautionary measures in place, including wearing masks, maintaining physical distance and sanitising luggage. Those suffering from chronic diseases and individuals with Covid-19 symptoms are advised to avoid travel. All those arriving from Oman will be guided to Covid-19 screening centres while adhering to all precautionary and preventive measures, said the two entities. At such an important time for the reactivation of post-pandemic tourism, Promtur Panama will hold a virtual fair called Explore Panama, in order to generate a commercial space where buyers and sellers can interact. The event will be held on October 20 and 21, 2021, and will have 20 virtual stands for local exhibitors, including the Tourism Promotion Fund (Promtur Panama), and is expected to attract around 350 travel agencies and wholesale operators from markets such as the US, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia and the UAE, who, through a commercial agenda, will be able to interact with key suppliers of the Panamanian tourism industry. Panama will present the tourism activities that will lead this year and in the future, under the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism 2020-2025 (PMTS). The plan revives the "Tourism - Conservation - Research (TCI)" strategy by highlighting the country's extraordinary natural, cultural and historical wealth with a strong focus on destination sustainability through research and conservation actions. The updated strategy focuses on three fundamental pillars: Cultural Heritage (multifaceted culture), Green Heritage (extraordinary biodiversity) and Blue Heritage (ocean wonders). The event will allow real interaction between exhibitors and buyers in a 360-degree environment with customisable virtual landscape, virtual private meeting rooms, chat, browser-based chats, presentations and live keynotes. Buyers, once registered, will be able to view the profile of participating exhibitors to schedule their meetings and once at the event, they will be able to access the customised virtual booths of each brand and will have the possibility to view the video of their interlocutor, as well as download their brochures and available material. In addition, participants will also be able to meet exhibitors in real time, walking through the exhibition hall or simply moving through the aisles and/or booths through Avatars. Explore Panama will be held within the framework of Expo 2020 Dubai, one of the most important commercial showcases worldwide that will take place in Dubai from October 21, 2021 to April 10, 2022, where Panama will also have a physical pavilion. Edgar Lacker, CEO of Aviareps, Virtual Fair Organising Company for Promtur Panama, said: "We are happy to support Panama in the development of this project, at such a decisive moment for the reactivation of international tourism. We are proud to have local teams in the priority markets for Panama as a tourist destination for the MICE and vacation segments, to support all the tasks that derive from an event of this magnitude, at the level of detail and professionalism that is required." Ivan Eskildsen, Panama's Minister of Tourism, said that Panama's presence in important international fairs where the MICE and vacation segments are combined, offers a range of opportunities for the country to showcase the extraordinary richness and diversity of its nature, culture and history, as well as the modern infrastructure in Panama City, ideal for holding major events; all this at a time when the National Government is focusing its actions on strengthening the economic recovery strategy, with the resumption of airline flights from Europe to Panama and vice versa. The participation of authorities and private companies in prestigious fairs such as Expo 2020 Dubai, which this year will bring together 350 buyers, supports the country's projections for the early recovery of this industry, which was hit hard by the global pandemic. Fernando Fondevila, CEO/General Director of Promtur Panama, said: "Panama continues to stand out as a leading destination in Latin America for vacation and meeting tourism, and we are proud to join an international audience during Expo 2020 Dubai to present the country's many tourism attractions. With the reopening of meetings and conventions at 25% capacity, the early opening of the new convention centre and the activation of our Sustainable Tourism Master Plan, we have much to share and are ready to welcome tourism."-- TradeArabia News Service The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced updates to its Phuket Sandbox programme - which was pivotal to the Kingdoms tourism recovery with the 'Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension'. Following approval from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration in Thailand, the programme provides fully vaccinated travellers from the Middle East with opportunities to visit multiple Thai destinations without the need to quarantine. Launched on August 16, the programme reduces the mandatory stay in Phuket from 14 to 7 days for Mena travellers who received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Following the initial seven days, another seven days can be spent in select destinations, including Krabi (Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai, or Railay), Phang-Nga (Khao Lak or Ko Yao), or Surat Thani (Samui Plus Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, or Ko Tao). Director of the TAT for Dubai and the Middle East, Chaiwat Tamthai, said: We are delighted that the Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension programme signifies the progress of Thailands plan to gradually reopen to fully vaccinated travellers from the region. "The launch of the Phuket Sandbox from July 1, Samui Plus from July 15, and now Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension aim to inspire confidence and ensure the health and safety of visitors from the Middle East, as well as preparing more destinations for travellers to experience. The existing entry measures in place for the Phuket Sandbox programme remain unchanged for the 7+7 extension. Travellers planning to spend another seven days in designated destinations must obtain a Transfer Form issued by their hotel in Phuket indicating that they have stayed in Phuket for seven nights, which they will need to present together with two negative Covid-19 test results - conducted on day 0 and day 6 in Phuket. After completing the 7-night extension in Krabi, Phang-Nga and Surat Thani (Samui Plus), a Covid-19 test needs to be conducted on Day 12 to receive a Release Form from the travellers hotel in order to continue their journey to other destinations in Thailand. If the stay in Krabi, Phang-Nga or Surat Thani (Samui+) is less than seven days, travellers must proceed directly to Phuket International Airport on the day of departure. At the port of entry back into Phuket, they will need to show a plane ticket or proof of their international travel from Phuket. Travelling from Phuket to selected areas in Krabi, Phang-Nga, or Surat Thai is available only via approved routes and modes of transport. While in Thailand, travellers from the Middle East are urged to follow D-M-H-T-T-A precautions to prevent the spread of Covid-19: D Distancing, M Mask wearing, H Handwashing, T Temperature check, T Testing for Covid-19, and A alert application.-TradeArabia News Service Taiwan is a place rich in history, character, and fantastic scenery. This place is the ideal spot for any photographer wanting to take some amazing pictures. With beautiful forests and crystal blue rivers, not to mention the amazing night markets and temples, itll make you feel as it you got transported to the past. No matter what it is that you like to photograph, there is something for you. Architecture comes of age: The buildings are an amalgamation of traditional, contemporary, and modern style of structures. There were some noteworthy exceptions, prestige pieces constructed between the 1950s and 1980s combining both function and beauty. Many of these buildings are still iconic features on Taiwans architectural landscape, most notably the Taipeis Grand Hotel, the National Palace Museum and the magnificent Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Modern architecture rose in Taiwan in the 1990s to the 2000. Taipei 101 held the title of Worlds Tallest Tower until losing it to Dubais Burj Khalifa in 2010. Graceful and elegant as the bamboo stalk it was built to resemble, Taipei 101 is praised for both its seamless blending of modern and classical style. Scenery is a shutterbugs paradise: Running down the countrys spine is the Central Mountain Range, a magnet for mountaineers looking to scale east Asia's tallest peak, Yushan (Jade Mountain). Photographers are also drawn daily as Yu Shans peak is the perfect spot from which to catch a shot of the sea of clouds that sweeps over the mountains at dawn. Taiwan's beaches are beautiful as well, offering some of east Asia's finest surfing and windsurfing spots. Magic in the night markets: As photographers love to experiment with different styles, one of the main muses is to try out street photography. Taiwan has the most vibrant night markets. Night markets are important in Taiwanese culture and are often the best night life you can experience in certain areas outside of Taipei as you'll find people of all walks of life enjoying the carnival like atmosphere. Browsing a night market is always a cool experience for foreigners who come to Taiwan as its a great way to experience a bit of the liveliness of Taiwanese culture. Colourful spots perfect for your Instagram: Taiwan is a colourful place filled with quaint corners and streets making it perfect for Instagram. Photographers can catch the beautiful sunset and sunrise of Alishan. Visit the JiuFen Old street, hike up the Elephant Mountain to get the perfect view of the Taipei Skyline, rainbow village in Taichung, Toroko Gorge, Dragon and Tiger Pagoda, Sun Moon Lake and so much more. Its an ideal place filled with beauty and wonder leaving you with unforgettable memories to cherish forever. Its the people and culture that make the place: Taiwan is a country of many layers and culture. Taipei is buzzing and vibrant attracting people from different parts of the world for business and opportunities. Taiwanese locals are one of the friendliest people you will come across without having language as a barrier. For street photographers, this is a true delight as they can capture the true essence of this country, which is its people. - TradeArabia News Service Indie band Everett performs the opening set at UA Beta Upsilon Chis Island Party music festival Saturday. The festival returned in 2021 after a two-year hiatus. Kabul, Aug 31 (UNI) Horrifying audio of distant gunshots appears to confirm reports of "house-to-house executions" being conducted as the Taliban asserts control of Kabul and Afghanistan after the USs withdrawal from Kabul, a news report said. An Afghan man who worked with Americans on the ground provided Fox News with the chilling audio featuring distant gunshots. "I think there's a conflict between the Taliban, I have no idea where I'm located. From everywhere I hear the sounds of shooting, gunfire. I have no idea how to leave," the Afghan man said in the audio clip, recorded around the time the final US plane left Kabul on Monday night. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. The World Customs Organization (WCO)s Environment Programme (EP) and the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) renewed and enhanced their partnership in their efforts to curb illegal wildlife trade (IWT) by launching a new project, which officially kicks off on 1 September 2021 for an expected duration of two years. The project has the objective to strengthen the enforcement capacities of a range of Customs administrations in East and Southern Africa to conduct more effective Illicit Wildlife Trade operations by addressing matters of international and inter-agency cooperation, risk management and operational capacities with a specific focus on data collection, analysis and data exchange. IWT affects adversely not only the environment but also economic and social development, as well as national and international security of the member countries. Law enforcement agencies are in the spotlight of fighting this global scourge, and Customs play a pivotal role by identifying, intercepting, and processing illegal transboundary wildlife trade consignments. The WCO EP has a long history of success in providing support to Customs administrations in curbing IWT and enforcing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), especially under the auspices of the INAMA Project and the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC). This new project shows the steady commitment of the Programme and the WCO in tackling environmental matters. The above-mentioned partnership demonstrates joint values by both partners in the desire to eliminate illegal wildlife trade and support the protection of wildlife resources. FARMERVILLE, La. Authorities are searching for two 16-year-old male juveniles in connection with a homicide that occurred last week in Farmerville, according to the Farmerville Police Department. Police said the teenagers are being sought on charges of second-degree murder. After days of withholding the names of the juveniles, due to their ages, Friday, in a public social media post, Farmerville Police Department identified the teens as Lavonte Holly and Keejuan Hendricks, both of Farmerville. Authorities said Holly and Hendricks are to be considered armed and dangerous. The search for the juveniles comes on the heels of Farmerville police officers responding to a call in reference to a shooting in the 2500 block of Camp Road around 11:3 p.m. Aug 20, according to Farmerville Police Chief Ernest "Bim" Coulbertson. Upon their arrival, police located Christopher Nolan, 30, of Bernice, inside his vehicle in the parking lot of an apartment complex suffering from a single gunshot wound. Nolan was pronounced dead at the scene. Coulberston said it appears the motive was robbery. The victim had reportedly given Holly and Hendricks a ride. After they reached their destination, the victim was shot and killed and the juveniles fled, Coulberston said. Anyone with information on their location is asked to call Farmerville Police Department at (318)-368-2226 or Crime Stoppers of Union Parish at (318)-368-9679. Fort Polk, LA (71446) Today Rain likely. Potential for heavy rainfall. High 74F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 69F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 2 to 3 inches of rain expected. Calloway County Sheriff's Office Arrests Five People Over the Weekend Through Various Investigations Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-31 09:19:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KABUL, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. drones and fighter jets have been bombing Afghanistan since late 2001 when the United States invaded the landlocked country in Asia. Shrouded in secrecy, U.S. airstrikes have taken a hidden but heavy toll on civilian lives. In the latest tragedy on Sunday, at least nine people, including children, were killed in a U.S. drone strike targeting a vehicle in the Afghan capital of Kabul. Here is a list of some of U.S. airstrikes that resulted in multiple deaths of Afghan civilian in recent years. The list is far from being complete as the U.S. campaign is marked by a lack of transparency and accountability: Aug. 29, 2021: -- A U.S. drone strike on a vehicle in a Kabul neighborhood killed at least nine civilians, allegedly including some children, according to local reports. Some other media also reported that nine members of a family, including six children, were among the dead. Oct. 26, 2020: -- A U.S. airstrike, which targeted a Taliban stronghold near civilian houses in the Durrani area of Nerkh district, 40 km from Kabul, killed three children. As usual, the Pentagon denied any civilian casualties, but The New York Times said its reporters had confirmed the civilian casualties. March 2020: -- To make its airstrike campaign even more opaque, the U.S. Central Command stopped publishing its summaries of airstrikes in Afghanistan from March, which meant that there were no figures for airstrikes available after February 2020. July 19, 2018: -- U.S. airstrikes on a residential compound in Chahar Dara district, Kunduz province, killed 14 women and children, all from the same extended family. The U.S. military initially denied any civilian casualties, and only conducted a probe after "significant protest" from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. October 2017 through 2019: -- Then U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis announced that the U.S. military had relaxed its rules of engagement for airstrikes in Afghanistan. In the following two years, Afghan civilian casualties due to U.S. airstrikes jumped through 2019. According to the London-based research charity Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), in 2018 alone, 236 minors were killed by U.S. airstrikes. Another 256 were injured, leaving a total of 492 child casualties. In 2019, the U.S. Air Force was responsible for more than two thirds of child casualties from airstrikes, according to the AOAV. Oct. 3, 2015: -- A U.S. AC-130 gunship devastated an Afghan hospital run by the international medical aid agency Doctors Without Borders in Kunduz, killing 42 civilians and injuring another dozens. A U.S. military internal probe concluded that it "was not a war crime," arguing that the mistake was caused by a combination of human error and failures of systems and equipment. Feb. 21, 2010: -- A drone strike in southern Afghanistan's Uruzgan province killed 23 civilians and wounded 12 others. In a rare move to acknowledge any civilian casualties, the Pentagon later released a report on the incident, criticizing a drone crew for the deadly mistake. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-31 12:31:29|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A citizen rides a unicycle to celebrate the 64th anniversary of Malaysian independence in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Aug. 31, 2021. Malaysia marked the 64th anniversary of its independence on Tuesday, with a scaled-back celebration due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation in the country. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua) KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia marked the 64th anniversary of its independence on Tuesday, with a scaled-back celebration due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation in the country. The celebration, hosted in the country's administration center of Putrajaya, was held under the new normal circumstances for the second year with various programs and a small scale parade of the armed forces and civil service branches. The program was held in compliance with standard operating procedures (SOP) with the physical presence of a limited number of viewers, while others could watch them on television or virtually. Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who was undergoing self quarantine after being in close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual, joined the celebration virtually. In his address to the nation on Monday, Ismail Sabri called on his countrymen to remember that the country faced many challenges to achieve independence and build itself up afterwards, urging them not to lose hope. "The challenge that we are facing today has never been experienced by leaders and previous governments. Now we are faced with several simultaneous challenges namely disease outbreaks and economic turmoil. Where, it threatens the political stability of our country and the whole world," he said. He also urged Malaysians to cooperate in the country's national vaccination drive to help the country return to normalcy. "This success will pave the way for economic recovery in this country and allow us to live in the new normal. The economy should be restored, the well-being of the people should be improved, investor confidence should return," he said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-31 14:27:39|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SEOUL, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- South Korea on Tuesday proposed a record-high budget plan for next year to prop up the economic recovery and narrow the income disparity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 budget was offered at 604.4 trillion won (520 billion U.S. dollars), up 8.3 percent from this year's budget of 558 trillion won, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance. It was lower than this year's budget increase of 8.9 percent, but it was higher than the total revenue growth of 6.7 percent. The expansionary fiscal spending came as the COVID-19 outbreak resurged here in early July. In the latest tally, the country's daily number of confirmed COVID-19 cases stayed above 1,000 for 56 days since July 7. Income disparity deepened amid the prolonged pandemic, leading the government to increase the social safety net budget. Next year's budget for the health, welfare and employment sectors came in at 216.7 trillion won, with 83.5 trillion won earmarked to address the income and social gaps. The ministry expected the country's national debt to reach 1,068.3 trillion won in 2022. It was up from the estimate of 965.3 trillion won for this year. The government planned to submit the budget proposal to the parliament for approval later this week. (1 U.S. dollar equals 1158.96 won) Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-31 15:08:53|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SEOUL, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- South Korea confirmed a total of 3,128 "breakthrough" COVID-19 infections, which refer to people who tested positive after a full vaccination. Meanwhile, the country reported 3,455 more cases of COVID-19 variants for the past week, the health authorities said Tuesday. The new cases of COVID-19 variants brought the total number of such cases to 20,297. Among the new cases found since Aug. 22, 327 were imported from overseas while the remaining 3,128 were locally transmitted, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The far higher number of local transmissions indicated the domestic spread of the variants. Of the new cases, 3,427 came from the Delta variant, 27 from Alpha and one from Beta. Among the combined cases involving the variants, 16,881 stemmed from the Delta variant, 3,244 from Alpha, 150 from Beta and 22 from Gamma. The four variants are believed to be more transmissible than the original one. The number of the fully vaccinated people who were infected with the COVID-19 was 3,128 as of Aug. 23, up from 2,599 a week earlier, the KDCA said Tuesday. It equals to 40.5 in every 100,000 people who got fully vaccinated. As of Aug. 23, the number of the fully inoculated people was 7,728,157. It is known that people can be protected from the virus two weeks after the full vaccination. The breakthrough case refers to people infected with the virus two weeks after the full inoculation. Among the total, 631 were infected with the Delta variant, 26 with Alpha, one with Beta and one with Gamma. The KDCA said the breakthrough infections can be found amid the rising number of vaccinations, noting that benefit from the inoculation remains large as it lowers the serious cases and death. In the latest tally, South Korea reported 1,372 more cases of COVID-19 for the past 24 hours, lifting the total number of infections to 251,421. The daily caseload hovered above 1,000 for 56 straight days. Among the new cases, 39 were imported from overseas, raising the combined figure to 13,550. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-31 18:48:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DHAKA, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Only scientists should study the origins of COVID-19, the leader of the Bangladesh Medical Association, the largest nationwide professional body of medical doctors in the country, told Xinhua on Tuesday. "If we have a clear and transparent idea about its origins or source, it will be an easy task to deal with the virus," said Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin, the association's president. Mohiuddin, a former Member of the Bangladesh Parliament, hailed China for supporting his country with COVID-19 vaccines. "Definitely we applaud Chinese support," he said, adding that if rich countries fail to help their less fortunate counterparts with vaccines, medical equipment and technology, the world can't expect a return to normalcy. Mohiuddin said the Chinese government has taken the right approach to controlling the virus. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-31 21:18:02|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MANILA, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines has extended the travel ban for all inbound travelers from India and nine other countries till Sept. 5 as the COVID-19 Delta variant spreads across the country, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Tuesday. Roque said Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte approved the travel ban extension after the current ban expired on Tuesday. Aside from India where the Delta variant was first detected, the Philippines also banned travelers from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Returning overseas Filipino workers are allowed under the repatriation program, but will be isolated for 14 days upon arrival. "These travel restrictions form part of the pro-active measures to slow down the rising number of COVID-19 cases, stop further spread of variants, and increase the country's existing healthcare capacity," Roque said in a statement. The Philippines has detected 1,789 Delta cases, including 33 deaths. The World Health Organization confirmed the community transmission of the highly infectious Delta variant in the Philippines, saying it is now the dominant strain spreading in the country. The Philippines is grappling with soaring COVID-19 infections fueled by the Delta variant. The Southeast Asian country has reported a total of 1,989,857 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday, including 33,448 deaths. Enditem PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has assured of continued protection of the right to worshipping for every Tanzanian as per the coun- try's Constitution. The Premier further said the government will continue respecting freedom to worship as well as cooperat- ing with all religious institu- tions for the wellbeing of the nation and its people. Mr Majaliwa made the assurance yesterday when representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan during installation of Archbishop for Pentecostal Churches in Tanzania, Ilieza Isaka Mazinge The installation of Archbishop was held during mass at the Pentecostal church in Nzega District, Tabora Re- gion. "When you face any chal- lenge that needs solution from the government please consult government leaders at your areas. Our directive is that government leaders should support efforts by religions in making the nation calm and peaceful," Mr Majaliwa stated. Speaking to worship- pers at the church, the Pre- mier said it was important to continue working hard in order to increase income, bring individual and nation- al development at large. Hesaid currently the country has entered in middle income status which was a result of Tanzanians to work hard, calling on citizens to continue with ef- forts of strengthening peace and support the government under President Samia. "Let me ask Tanzanians not to relax for achieve- ments attained so far, but should keep on working hard in all sectors, and our objective is to see every Tanzanian earn decent in- come, pay tax and contrib- ute to national economy," he stressed. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Religion Coronavirus Tanzania By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Meanwhile, Mr Maaliwa used the platform to ask people in regions that expect to get short and long rain seasons to ensure they use that opportunity for cul- tivating for high harvests. "High harvests would guarantee food security and give us surplus crop for the country's demand and sell others abroad. Doing so we would have imple- mented directives in the Holy Books and the govern- ment," he said. Mr Majaliwa said the government recognises and supports social develop- ment commitees formed by religious leaders, urging the believers to use such com- mitees to pray for the nation and national leaders as well as supervising parenting of children at families by providing spiritual education. Earlier, Archbishop Mazinge noted that the church recognises efforts by the government in fighting the Covid-19. In supporting govern- ment's efforts the church has donated oxygen cylin- ders worth 2m/- to Nzega District hospital for Co- vid-19 patients. analysis The first case of fatal Marburg virus disease was identified in Guinea, West Africa on 9 August 2021. Marburg is a highly infectious zoonotic haemorrhagic fever transmitted to people from fruit bats, specifically the Egyptian Rousette bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus). It spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials. No cases have previously been reported in West Africa. Marburg virus is part of the same family as the Ebola virus. Guinea's detection comes less than two months after it declared an end to an Ebola outbreak that erupted earlier this year. It is also the same region where cases of the 2021 Ebola outbreak in Guinea and the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak were initially detected. Zoonotic diseases will continue to emerge in areas where the reservoir host species occurs and opportunities for contact between humans and wildlife arise. Marburg disease was first reported in 1967 in laboratory workers in Germany and Yugoslavia (now Serbia), transmitted from green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) imported from Uganda to Europe. Since then, Marburg virus has been reported in various parts of Africa in bats. Human disease has been reported from Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Uganda and an imported case in South Africa. The most significant human outbreaks were in the DRC in 1998-2000 and Angola in 2004-2005 with 128 and 227 human fatalities. Case fatality rates varied from 24% to 88% in past outbreaks, depending on virus strain and case management. The latest detection in West Africa expands our knowledge of the incidence of spillover and human diseases to a new geographical area. What does this mean? For more than two decades after the first detection, scientists didn't know how the green monkeys from Uganda had got the disease. The host species - where the virus lives in nature - and epidemiology - how it spreads - weren't understood. It was only in 1999 that Marburg virus was detected in bats for the first time, including the Egyptian Rousette bat in the DRC. This indicated that the host of the virus might be bats. The virus was detected and isolated from Egyptian Rousette bats in East Africa and South Africa in the following years, expanding the geographical range. This bat is cave-dwelling and widespread throughout Africa, including West Africa. The Egyptian Rousette bat has been confirmed as a reservoir host species of Marburg virus. This was done through surveillance and follow-up experimental infections in a laboratory to investigate disease development in a controlled environment. When these bats are infected they do not show signs of disease but can transmit it to humans and other animals, where it is sometimes fatal. Specific high-risk infection periods have been identified in bat populations, and birthing periods during the summer are reported to be a driver. These pulses coincided with the timing of human infections in Uganda. The Egyptian Rousette bat lives in caves or mines, and outbreaks have been linked to gold mining activities and entering caves with potential contact with bat faecal excretions or aerosols. The geographical range where Marburg virus has been detected in bats is more widespread than recorded human outbreaks and they coincide with the presence of the Egyptian Rousette fruit bat. However, surveillance has been sporadic and hasn't covered all geographical areas in the past. Studies in West Africa have been very limited. Wildlife surveillance is severely lacking on several levels including collection of samples. Diagnostic capacity to test for these types of viruses is also lacking. The same is true for detecting disease in humans especially when only a few cases occur and in very remote areas. From our knowledge of the epidemiology of the virus, it will be present wherever this bat species occurs. Environmental and man-made changes act as a significant contributor to disease emergence. These include changes in land use, human population growth and increased mobility across landscapes, changes in human socioeconomic behaviour or social structure, increased trade, forest fires, extreme weather events, wars, and breakdown in public health infrastructure, to name a few. These activities also result in increased contact with wildlife such as bats, ultimately leading to a higher risk of spillover. The Egyptian Rousette bat will also use abandoned mines as roosting sites and this may change their distribution. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines West Africa Health Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. As additional opportunities arise for spillover, it's probable that more of the bat-borne viral diversity could spill over in the future. This is also true for Marburg virus. More opportunities for contact between bats and humans will certainly lead to an increase in human infections. This again highlights the importance of surveillance, quickly detecting these spillover events to prevent further human transmission, and building the in-country capacity to make the diagnosis quickly and efficiently. Wanda Markotter, Professor/Director Centre for Viral Zoonoses/ DST-NRF South African Research Chair, University of Pretoria Buhari urges communities to unite against the horrific attacks, saying retributive violence is not the answer. President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration is aware of events and is moving ahead with force to crush the perpetrators of the current unrest in Plateau State. The president gave the assurance in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Sunday in Abuja. Mr Buhari, however, maintained that to achieve success, communities must unite against these horrific attacks, saying retributive violence was not the answer. He challenged religious, traditional and other community leaders on the need to preach peace and not to allow the use of their spaces for the propagation of violence and incitement to violence. According to him, the troubled communities on the Plateau are being reinforced with security personnel to protect lives and property in the state. The president said: "Attempts to simplify the reasons into a basic narrative may help raise donor-dollars for international NGOs, fill pages of overseas newspapers and burnish foreign politicians' faith credentials; but this does not increase understanding, nor offer solutions. "If anything, simplistic theorising and finger-pointing make the situation worse. "It is important both for Nigerians and the international community to appreciate that there are a multitude of factors attendant to these troubles." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. According to Mr Buhari, "there is the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorism, as well as the spate of kidnappings for ransom, transformed by some misinformed global media into a Muslim-on-Christian threat". "Yet, in reality there are no religious connotations at all when the primary purpose of these acts is to extract money. "Then the herder-farmer clashes. While international voices and some Nigerian politicians who seek personal gains from division declare this a matter of religion, for those involved, it is almost entirely a matter of access to water and land. "Herders have moved their cattle into contact with farmers for millennia. "'But increasingly, due to population pressure, escalating aridity of northern states and climate change, they are forced to travel further south to find grazing lands," he said. On the activities of IPOB, the president said: "Then, further afield in the South-East, IPOB are not struggling for freedom when they attack police stations and property, but rather committing acts of terrorism in order to steal money. "IPOB is not defending Christians, as their highly paid foreign lobbyists claim, when almost every citizen of those states they terrorize is uniformly Christian. "'Yet mistakenly and because the lobbyists for IPOB have duped them, some misguided foreign media and politicians believe so. "As for Nigerians, what we need is to come together. And we must do this firstly and for the most part by our own hands, by casting asunder those who seek to divide us for their own nefarious financial and political gain." (NAN) Nigeria and other African Union (AU) member states will receive an additional 10 million doses of Astra Zeneca and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines over the next three months through a new partnership between the French government and the African Union. The vaccines will be allocated and distributed by the initiative known as the Africa Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) and the COVAX global vaccine initiative. The AVAT initiative was set up as a pooled procurement mechanism for the African Union member-states to be able to buy enough vaccines for at least 50 per cent of their needs. The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) said in a statement that AVAT works closely with the COVAX initiative, which seeks to provide the other 50 per cent through donations. AVAT is managed on behalf of the AU member states by an alliance of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), as well as Afreximbank, which also provides the funding for the acquisition of vaccines. AVAT has already acquired enough vaccines for African countries to vaccinate 400 million people, or one-third of the African population, by September next year, at a cost of $3 billion, supported by an innovative partnership with the World Bank. Since the beginning of the pandemic, President Macron of France has been a powerful advocate in support of Africa's need to have equitable access to vaccines and was the first leader to welcome and acknowledge the efforts of the AU member states to build institutions like AVAT. He had met several times with AU's leadership and has also travelled to South Africa where the French development agency, Proparco is helping to expand Africa's largest vaccine manufacturing facility. France will also contribute to the Eorld Health Organisation (WHO) supported Hub, which will enable mRNA vaccines technology transfer to the African continent. The French government has also been a strong advocate of vaccine sharing in the fight against COVID-19 in order to accelerate global vaccination rates and ensure equitable access to safe and efficacious immunisation against COVID-19. In April, France became the first country to share doses with COVAX, a global vaccine initiative managed by CEPI, Gavi, WHO, and UNICEF. Through its new partnership with AVAT, the French government will add to these efforts and advance its commitment of sharing at least 60 million doses before the end of 2021. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. President of the Republic of South Africa and African Union COVID-19 champion, Cyril Ramaphosa said: "The donation by the French Republic of 10 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to the African continent is a clear and welcome demonstration of human solidarity and political cooperation at a time the world needs this most. "A safer and healthier Africa is a prerequisite for a safer and healthier world. I commend President Macron and the government and people of France for this important contribution to our continent's fight against illness and against the unfortunate and avoidable reality of unequal access to vaccines in many regions of the world, including Africa." In his remarks, President of the French Republic, Emmanual Macron, said: "The solution to the pandemic will only come from strong cooperation, between multilateral, regional and national actors. Based on our solid partnership with the African Union, I want us to build together on the expertise and the political legitimacy of African leaders. "Thus 10 million doses of Astra Zeneca and Pfizer vaccines will be donated by the French people to the African Union, who will decide on their allocation, in coordination with COVAX. This demonstrates my will, as President of France, to stand shoulder to shoulder with African people and face the pandemic together." The Dangote's $2 billion petrochemical plant located in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, is to produce 77 different high-performance grades of polypropylene. The Group Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects and Portfolio Development, Dangote Industries Ltd., Mr Devakumar Edwin, disclosed this in a statement obtained in Lokoja on Monday. The statement sent by e-mail said that Edwin disclosed this while giving an update on the petrochemical project which is nearing completion and said to be the biggest in Africa. The statement was signed by Tony Chiejine, Assistant Manager, Group Communication and Branding of Dangote Group. According to the Group Executive Director, the plant with an estimated yearly turnover of $1.2 billion has the capacity to produce 900,000 metric tonnes of 77 different grades of petrochemical per annum. He said that the 77 different polypropylene can go for different usage. The Dangote Petrochemical plant is situated alongside the Dangote Refinery also in Lekki, Lagos State. " It has been strategically positioned to cater for the demands of the growing plastic processing downstream industries; not only in Africa, but also in other parts of the world. "The Dangote Petrochemical Plant will drive investment in the downstream industries massively, generating huge value addition in the country, generate employment, increase tax revenues, reduce foreign exchange outflow and increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country," he said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Business By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Edwin added that the petrochemical plant would also embark on the production of polyethylene products in the nearest future. On completion, the Dangote Chief said that the petrochemical plant would reduce the demand for foreign exchange from the nation's treasury. "Right now, raw materials from polypropylene are imported into the country. There is no foreign exchange for manufacturers to import raw materials. The Dangote Petrochemical plant is going to take care of this challenge. "When the raw materials are locally available, there will be many more people who will be willing to invest in the economy. "So, it not just the savings of foreign exchange from petrochemical products' importation, the country's downstream sector will also benefit hugely from the availability of petrochemicals in the country," he further explained. (NAN) Families affected by enforced disappearance live through unimaginable torment. The Nigerian government must urgently address the heinous crimes of enforced disappearances, to comply with Nigeria's 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 brother's 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 government's continuing failure to establish the truth and bring justice to their families, are growing stains on Nigeria's reputation. Scores of disappearance cases such as these remain unresolved and cast doubt on Nigerian government's commitment to keeping its own citizens safe," said Isa Sanusi, Media Manager, Amnesty International. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. 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. The boat was carrying illegally refined oil products, the military says. 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". "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. NSW Police have arrested more than 150 people and issued almost 600 fines after dozens of co-ordinated anti-lockdown protests were held across the state on Tuesday, primarily targeting local council chambers. Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon said three officers had received minor injuries during 79 unauthorised demonstrations with fines issued for breaches of public health orders. Police disrupted dozens of coordinated protests in NSW on Tuesday. Getty Images NSW Police have been monitoring the online activities of fringe groups behind the demonstrations with officers deployed to various sites expected to be targeted by protesters, including Parliament House and council chambers. Police attended the protests across NSW, including 29 in Sydney, 25 in the northern part of the state, 14 in the south and nine in the western region. Demonstrations were held outside council buildings in Sydney including Sutherland, Blacktown, Fairfield and Liverpool. In regional NSW, protests were held in locations including Byron Bay, Grafton, Lismore, Dubbo and Shellharbour. As of 4.30pm, 153 people had been arrested and 573 fines issued for breaches. We have made it very clear through the previous weeks that police arent opposed to free speech, Commissioner Lanyon said. We are opposed to activity that breaches the health order and puts the vast majority of the community in danger. Todays actions only further serve to jeopardise the freedoms of those people who are doing the right thing. He said it was completely unacceptable that three police officers were injured following interactions with protesters at Lismore, Murwillumbah and Raymond Terrace. A total of 135 people have been arrested after almost 70 separate coronavirus lockdown protests in NSW. Police were aware of discussion online about organising a truck blockage, but it never eventuated. There are a number of people online at the moment who are attempting to organise, unauthorised protests without any real legitimacy or without any real support, Commissioner Lanyon said. Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the high take-up of vaccinations in NSW showed most people were supportive of the states efforts to contain growing COVID-19 cases. You will always have a certain group who unfortunately are spending more time on social media and listening to people with crackpot ideas than you will have reading the scientific journals and talking to doctors, he said. Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens. Get it here. New Zealands COVID numbers have dropped again to the lowest number in six days. Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said on Tuesday that 49 cases had been recorded the previous day, all in Auckland, bringing the total number of infections in this outbreak to 612. New Zealand Pm Jacinda Ardern and Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield. Getty Images Bloomfield said most importantly, the reproduction rate is remaining under 1, which means cases should continue to decline and were breaking the train of transmission. But he said six cases were under the age of one, reinforcing the need to isolate and remain vigilant. He said 33 people were in hospital, including eight in ICU. Two were on ventilators, Bloomfield said. The youngest person in hospital was 18, while two-thirds of all cases were under 30. There were 53 cases on Monday, 83 on Sunday, the worst day of the current Delta outbreak so far, and 82 on Saturday. The whole country south of Auckland will go to a level-three lockdown for a week as planned at 11.59pm on Tuesday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. The Northland region will move to level three restrictions at 11.59pm on Thursday, but Auckland will stay on level-four lockdown for at least another two weeks as previously announced. Asked about the investigation into the transmission of the Delta variant from a returned traveller from NSW in quarantine to the first case in the community on August 17, Ardern said there was still no answer. Genomic sequencing linked the cases, but the train of infection was still a mystery. Click to reload Weve conclusively ruled out any links - there was a theory that there was a link to someone at the Crown Plaza - but they have had three tests and they do not have COVID, she said. She said several theories and contacts have been investigated and all possible person-to-person contact ruled out. She said investigations would continue. We may never find the exact way the virus got from the facility into the community, Bloomfield added. Severe rains in western Auckland had complicated both the vaccination rollout and lockdown, Ardern said. Two drive-in vaccination centres had experienced flooding and up to 60 people had been evacuated from their homes. Of course, we understand the situation will mean some [lockdown] bubbles, by necessity will need to join other families simply because they need shelter, she said. Emergency crews have attended to 370 incidents by Tuesday morning. MetService forecaster Allister Gorman told local media outlet Stuff that the rain was not enough for the bureau to issue any warnings, but was still enough to cause surface flooding. Stuff said there were more than 600 lightening strikes over Auckland on Monday evening. New Zealand lockdowns explained: LEVEL 4: Stay home, safe recreational activity allowed in your local area; no gatherings; childcare closed but essential workers home bubble can be extended to allow a carer; schools closed; only supermarkets, petrol stations, pharmacies, health clinics open; green grocers, butchers, bakeries and fishmongers can sell only uncooked food online for delivery; masks obligatory when leaving the house. LEVEL 3: Stay home but can extend exclusive bubble to care for others; school and childcare open with limited capacity; more businesses can open but customers cannot enter (takeaway ok), public facilities still closed (eg gyms, pools, markets); masks required on public transport and shops/public venues. LEVEL 2: Gatherings of up to 100 people and domestic travel allowed; businesses can open with record keeping and social distancing; same for public facilities such as libraries, hairdressers, other services. LEVEL 1: No restriction on social gatherings; no restriction on personal movement; masks on public transport; check-ins and social distancing still required in public venues and businesses. Get a note direct from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for the weekly What in the World newsletter here. ?? ATENCION LIMA METROPOLITANA Y CALLAO | Este 31 de agosto, se inicia la vacunacion contra la #COVID19 a las personas de 34 anos segun horario programado. ? Consulta tu fecha, hora y lugar de vacunacion en https://t.co/FMfPvIH3kQ #PongoElHombro ???? pic.twitter.com/DvH0GHRGx3 YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian sent a congratulatory letter to President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov on the countrys national day the 30th anniversary of Independence, the Armenian Presidents Office told Armenpress. Armenia attaches importance to the further development of the mutual inter-state partnership, the implementation and expansion of joint projects in economic, cultural and humanitarian areas with Kyrgyzstan, the President said in his letter. I am sure that the close cooperation of our countries will contribute to raising the Armenian-Kyrgyz relations to a higher level of partnership. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan congratulated President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov on the countrys national day the Independence Day, the PMs Office told Armenpress. Dear Mr. Japarov, I cordially congratulate you on the 30th anniversary of the Independence of Kyrgyzstan. I am sure that the best traditions of mutual respect and friendship between our nations will continue serving as a firm base for the multilateral mutually beneficial cooperation between Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. By using this chance, I want to thank you for the warm welcome in the town of Cholpon-Ata. I am confident that we will manage to implement our agreements very soon with joint efforts. On the occasion of this holiday I wish you good health, happiness and new achievements in your responsible position, and to the good people of Kyrgyzstan peace and welfare, the letter sent by the Armenian PM reads. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. The Polish government asked the president on Tuesday to declare a state of emergency in two regions on its border with Belarus after the Polish Border Guard said hundreds of illegal crossingshad taken place this month, Reuters reports. The situation on the border with Belarus is a crisis and is still tense, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told a news conference as he announced the move. Poland began building a barbed wire fence last week along the border in an effort to curb the flow of migrants from countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan crossing from Belarus. A state of emergency would give authorities broader powers to monitor and control people's movements. YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan and Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov held a meeting in Moscow. FM Lavrov addressed the NK issue, stressing that in the issue of the Karabakh resolution there is an entire circle of items which are directly discussed by the Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders. There are issues which are being solved on a daily basis by our military, border guards, in cooperation with Armenian and Azerbaijani colleagues. The trilateral deputy prime ministerial working group dealing with economic and transportation communication unblocking is functioning, Lavrov said. The Russian FM noted that the Armenian-Russian cooperation agenda is very rich, encompassing the sectors of economy, investments, security, humanitarian, education and science. We want this cooperation to continue developing for the benefit of our citizens and our partnership, Lavrov said. Lavrov congratulated Mirzoyan on his appointment as Armenian foreign minister and thanked him for his first official trip to Moscow. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan says the current tense situation in the region is due to Azerbaijans unconstructive policy. At a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, the Armenian FM noted: Peace and stability in the region are our strategy, and we are ready for active dialogue on this direction. However, quite a tense situation is being observed in the region, and this is greatly conditioned by the unconstructive policy of Azerbaijan. The Armenian FM stated that Baku doesnt fulfill the agreements reached by the November 9 trilateral statement. Moreover, Azerbaijan, in violation of international law, publicly takes provocative actions which are a direct encroachment against Armenias sovereign territory, which we have faced this year since May 12, Ararat Mirzoyan said, adding that all these actions are accompanied by aggressive statements from the authorities of Azerbaijan. The FM added that Azerbaijan refuses to implement its commitments, always generating new fake agendas, in particular it doesnt return all prisoners of war and forcibly held persons. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. If Armenia and Azerbaijan were to start negotiations over a peace treaty, then the agenda of these negotiations must unconditionally include the issue of the status of Nagorno Karabakh based on the principles stipulated by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said during a joint press conference with Russian FM Sergey Lavrov when asked to comment on statements made in Azerbaijan that a potential peace treaty must include Armenias recognition of Azerbaijans territorial integrity. The Azerbaijani government would be better off focusing on the implementation of the agreements that have already been reached under the trilateral statements of 2020 November 9 and 2021 January 11. At this moment there are no negotiations over a peace treaty, Mirzoyan said. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. Russia calls on Azerbaijan to return all Armenian prisoners of war without preconditions, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan in Moscow. He stated that there was a talk in the November 9 trilateral statement about those POWs who were in captivity that time. At this moment Azerbaijanis hold a large group of Armenian servicemen who have appeared there in late November after when the statement came into force and an agreement was reached to stop any hostile action. The Russian President in contacts with the Azerbaijani leadership, President Aliyev, as well as we in other levels are sending this signal to the Azerbaijani partners, call on to release them without preconditions because it would be an important humanitarian step and action for building trust, which is so needed, the Russian FM said. He added that they will continue to act from these positions, but stated that the final decision doesnt depend on them. In his turn Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan stated that Armenia has fulfilled its commitment long ago as it has returned all Azerbaijani POWs with all for all principle. We believe that Azerbaijan must return all prisoners of war and other detained persons, not only as a fulfillment of its commitments, but also for creating an atmosphere of mutual trust. In that atmosphere it would already be possible to pass to further discussions and solution of all issues, Mirzoyan said. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, who is in Moscow on a working visit, met with CSTO Secretary-General Stanislav Zas. As ARMENPRESS ws informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan and Stanislav Zas discussed in detail the regional and international developments that have a direct impact on the vital interests of the CSTO member states. During the meeting, the interlocutors referred to the situation created by the penetration of the Azerbaijani armed forces into the sovereign territory of Armenia. Both sides stressed the need for a speedy resolution and de-escalation of the situation. Ararat Mirzoyan stressed that the forthcoming chairmanship of Armenia over the CSTO will make active efforts to develop and strengthen the potential of the organization. Stanislav Zas assured that the CSTO Secretariat will make all the necessary efforts to advance the priorities of the Armenian chairmanship in the CSTO. The Taliban says Afghanistan is a free and sovereign nation as it hails the exit of US troops after 20 years of occupation, describing their departure as a historic moment. August 31, 2021, 10:50 Taliban says Afghanistan free nation as it hails US exit STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 31, ARTSAKHPRESS: Taliban fighters on Tuesday took charge of Kabuls airport as the last US soldiers flew out of the country. Celebratory gunfire and fireworks lit up the Kabul night sky. Speaking to reporters from Kabul airport on Tuesday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said: We do not have any doubt that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is a free and sovereign nation. America was defeated and on behalf of my nation, we want to have good relations with the rest of the world, he said. He also promised Afghans will protect our freedom, independence and Islamic values. Earlier, Marine General Frank McKenzie, head of US Central Command, announced that the last American troops flew out of Kabul just before midnight local time (19:30 GMT). We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out. But I think if we stayed another 10 days, we would not get everybody out that we wanted to get out. US President Joe Biden set a deadline of August 31 for the withdrawal of US troops. Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan and Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov held a meeting in Moscow. August 31, 2021, 15:17 New Armenian FM meets Lavrov in Moscow STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 31, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: FM Lavrov addressed the NK issue, stressing that in the issue of the Karabakh resolution there is an entire circle of items which are directly discussed by the Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders. There are issues which are being solved on a daily basis by our military, border guards, in cooperation with Armenian and Azerbaijani colleagues. The trilateral deputy prime ministerial working group dealing with economic and transportation communication unblocking is functioning, Lavrov said. The Russian FM noted that the Armenian-Russian cooperation agenda is very rich, encompassing the sectors of economy, investments, security, humanitarian, education and science. We want this cooperation to continue developing for the benefit of our citizens and our partnership, Lavrov said. Lavrov congratulated Mirzoyan on his appointment as Armenian foreign minister and thanked him for his first official trip to Moscow. DUBLIN, August 31, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Egypt Ride Hailing Service Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Offering (E-hailing, Car Sharing and Rental) and Segment Forecasts, 2021-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Egypt ride hailing service market size is anticipated to reach USD 2.99 billion by 2028. The market is projected to register a CAGR of 15.8% from 2021 to 2028. The emergence of ride hailing services has opened a new avenue in the field of public transportation. The service providers, often known as transportation network companies, are claimed to be the new future of public transport. The service enables customers to hire personal drivers who drive them from one place to another, as required. These rides are extremely convenient as they provide numerous alternatives with customization options. Customers can choose the pick-up/drop-off location, preferred route, number of riders, number of stops, as well as the type of vehicle. Many transportation network companies also offer ride-sharing services. Another reason for their rapid adoption is that the service provides an instant solution to traffic congestion and parking difficulties. The service has evolved as a massive alternative to personal vehicles, traditional taxi services and community transports. Following the trend across the globe, the Egypt ride hailing service market can also be seen heating up. Lucrative growth prospects have been enticing both domestic as well as international transportation network companies to the market. According to the World Bank, Egypt's population is estimated at 98.42 million as of 2018. Regular means of transportation, such as personal vehicles, traditional taxi services and community transport services like mini-buses, tuk-tuks and motorbikes no more suffice the requirements of the country. Along with this, the traffic situation has worsened over the years with an increase in the number of personal vehicles. Story continues As a result, ride hailing services have been experiencing massive growth. The market is being largely dominated by UBER, Dubci and WNGO. This spur, along with technological advancements, is expected to maintain the dynamic nature of the market. The car-hailing market has gradually established itself in Egypt. Companies in the market are focusing on strategies such as mergers and acquisitions to gain market share and to increase their service footprint. For Instance, In November 2018, Avis Budget Group Inc. partnered with Ford's Transportation Mobility Cloud to enable data to flow from vehicles through Ford's data systems and onto Avis' computers. Through this, the company aims to puts more control in the customer's hands, while at the same time reducing costs and vehicle turnaround times. By adding connected functionality to their vehicles and their mobile app, Avis measured a corresponding 30% increase in their Net Promoter Score. The data from Avis's connected Ford vehicles are tracked primarily at car pick-up and drop-off, not during the customer's rental period. Egypt Ride Hailing Service Market Report Highlights E-hailing is projected to be the fastest-growing segment by progressing at a CAGR of 18.9% over the forecast period The car-sharing segment is foreseen to remain at the forefront regarding revenue share and is projected to accounts for a total market share of over 40% in 2028 Some of the key players operating in the market include Uber Technologies, Inc., Avis Rent a Car System, LLC, Sixt SE, Halan Inc. and SWVL Technologies Inc. Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1 Methodology and Scope Chapter 2 Executive Summary Chapter 3 Market Variables, Trends & Scope 3.1 Market Introduction 3.2 Service Mix for Ride Hailing and Food Delivery 3.3 Penetration & Growth Prospect Mapping 3.4 Industry Value Chain Analysis 3.5 Market Dynamics 3.6 Business Environment Analysis 3.7 PESTEL Analysis 3.8 Market Entry Strategies 3.9 Roadmap of Egypt Ride Hailing Services Market 3.10 Impact of COVID-19 on the Egypt Ride Hailing Services Market Chapter 4 Egypt Ride Hailing Services Market: Consumer Behavior Analysis 4.1 Consumer Trends & Preferences 4.2 Factors Affecting Buying Decision 4.3 Consumer Product Adoption 4.4 Observations & Recommendations Chapter 5 Egypt Ride Hailing Services Market: Offering Estimates & Trend Analysis 5.1 Market Share, 2020 & 2028 5.2 E-hailing 5.3 Car Sharing 5.4 Rental Chapter 6 Competitive and Vendor Landscape 6.1 Key Global Players, Recent Developments, and Their Impact on the Industry 6.2 Key Company Categorization 6.2.1 Vendor Landscape 6.2.1.1 Key Company Market Share Analysis, 2020 Chapter 7 Company Profiles Uber Technologies, Inc. Dubci Wngo Technologies Inc. Fyonka Halan Inc. SWVL Technologies Inc. Sixt SE Avis Rent a Car System, LLC M Car Egypt FriendyCar For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wuh6ep View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005451/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 GEDDES The New York State Fairgrounds is now home to a memorial for transportation workers who have been killed on the job. The Highway Workers Memorial near the midway at the fair honors those who died while working on bridges and roads in New York. The memorial is a bronze sculpture with boats, hard hats, shovels and four cones. Paved walkways lead to the memorial, with a marker near one of the walkways. Plants and trees surround the area. Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled the memorial at a ceremony on Sunday. She noted that the state Department of Transportation has lost 56 employees in roadside accidents. That tally does not include contractors and Thruway Authority employees who have been killed in the line of duty. "This is a relationship we have," Hochul said. "You protect us. You give us the finest quality roads ... We'll put people out there. We'll get the job done, but I have to also trust that the motorists all over the state will protect them as well." One of the speakers at the unveiling of the memorial was Sally Deming, whose husband, Ron, was a Thruway maintenance worker. Deming was killed in 2016 when he was struck by an SUV along the Thruway. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} AUBURN, Ala. Southeastern Louisiana announced the cancellation of this weekend's Southeastern Showdown as the university and local community begin the recovery process after the city of Hammond, La., sustained a direct hit from Hurricane Ida. Auburn will now welcome two of the three opponents it was originally scheduled to face in Hammond in a modified tournament on Thursday and Friday inside Auburn Arena. The Tigers will face Cal State Fullerton on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT. Cal State Fullerton and the Lady Lions will compete Friday at 11:30 a.m. CT. Auburn returns to the court Friday night against Southeastern Louisiana at 7:30 p.m. CT. Southern University, originally scheduled to compete in the Southeastern Showdown, will not make the trek to Auburn. UPDATED WEEKEND SCHEDULE Thursday, Sept. 2 Auburn vs. Cal State Fullerton 7 p.m. CT Friday, Sept. 3 Cal State Fullerton vs. Southeastern Louisiana 11:30 a.m. CT Auburn vs. Southeastern Louisiana 7:30 p.m. CT Leaded petrol used in cars has been completely eliminated from the world as the last remaining stocks were used up last month by Algeria. The United Nations (UN) has hailed the achievement as a milestone moment for health and environment because leaded petrol has been blamed for a wide range of human health problems. The UN's Environment Programme (UNEP) ran a 19-year campaign to end the use of the poisonous substance in the world and after Algeria exhausted its final stocks in July, the era of leaded petrol has been declared to be officially over. Leaded petroleum pollutes air, soil and drinking water and can cause heart disease, strokes and cancer among humans. As per some studies, it can also harm brain development, especially in children. Thus, UNEP has been actively working with governments, businesses and civic groups of various countries to eliminate its use in vehicles. (Also read | Avoid selling diesel cars, look for alternatives: Nitin Gadkari urges carmakers) UNEP explained that leaded petroleum has been a contributor in driving climate change, pollution and a loss of biodiversity. "Leaded fuel illustrates in a nutshell the kind of mistakes humanity has been making at every level of our societies," Inger Anderson, UNEP executive director, was quoted by Reuters. During the early 2000s, at least 86 countries were using leaded petroleum to fuel their vehicles. The UNEP-led campaign was then formed to help them move away from the fuel with the help of investments to overcome concerns around prices of other fuels. (Also read | Racing cars are about to start running on wine dregs) The organisation explains that since a growth of the transport sector was imminent in coming decades with around 1.2 billion vehicles set to hit the roads, it was necessary to eliminate the use of leaded petroleum from the world altogether. Humanity can learn from and fix mistakes that we've made," Anderson was quoted. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for similar initiatives towards emissions-free transport in tackling climate change. (with inputs from Reuters) Li Auto sets up joint venture with BMWs supplier for range extension system Beijing (Gasgoo)- On August 27th, Li Auto signed an investment agreement with Mianyang Xinchen Engine Co., Ltd. (also known as PXC), a subsidiary of Xinchen China Power Holdings Ltd. to set up a new joint venture. The venture, named Sichuan Lixiang Xinchen Technology Ltd., will develop and manufacture next generation range extension system. Li Auto and PXC agreement signing ceremony, photo credit: Li Auto PXC is one of China's leading independent automotive engine manufacturers in passenger vehicle and light commercial vehicle engine market, and an authorized third-party engine manufacturer of BMW. Different from other Chinas new energy vehicle startups, Li Auto laid out a dual-way roadmap with both extended range and high voltage solutions, in order to provide EV users an experience as convenient as gas-powered vehicles. Li Auto expects the delivery of its battery electric vehicles starts in 2023. Therefore in the next two years, Li Auto still needs to depend on its extended range electric vehicles to compete with NIO, Xpeng and other rival brands. Yanan Shen, Co-founder and CEO of Li Auto, believes that in a longer term, extended range EVs will be a rather perfect substitute of gas-powered vehicles. Smart extended range EV technology will also be one of the companys core strategic developing directions. Shen said, by virtue of the research, developing and producing advantages from both companies, the new venture will provide Li Auto with high quality products, and expand the market shares of smart extended range EVs in China. Li Auto will equip their full-size electric SUV (debuting in 2022) with next generation range extension system which will be manufactured by their new joint venture. GAC Group plans to bring new strategic investors for GAC AION Shanghai (Gasgoo)- GAC Group intends to introduce strategic investors for its wholly-owned NEV-dedicated subsidiary GAC AION, the Guangzhou-based automaker announced on August 30. According to the announcement, GAC Group will boost the increase of registered capital and shares for GAC AION by restructuring and integrating its NEV-related R&D capability, businesses, and assets. Through promoting the mixed ownership reform for GAC AION, GAC Group expects to improve capital strength, optimize management structure, build a market-driven incentive mechanism, and enhance the ability of independent operation for its NEV business. AION V; photo credit: GAC AION The aforementioned plan is still on the drawing board, said GAC Group. The company has not signed any legally binding agreements for the matter. After introducing new investors, GAC Group will still be the majority shareholder of GAC AION. In the future, GAC AION will positively seek appropriate time to go public and build an independent capital platform and a market-driven incentive mechanism to support its sustainable development. Founded in 2017 and previously named GAC New Energy Automobile Co.,Ltd., GAC AION was known as a standalone NEV brand for the first time at the Auto Guangzhou 2020. It currently has four vehicle models for sale, namely, the AION S, AION LX, AION V, and AION Y. For the first seven months of this year, GAC AION's new vehicle sales surged 110.3% year on year to 53,541 units, 10,528 units were sold in July. The NEV maker also received 16,000 new car orders last month. GAC AION has made sustained efforts to develop cutting-edge battery and EV charging technologies. On August 30, it launched a 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. Unveiled at the GAC Tech Day in April, its in-house developed sponge-like silicon anode battery technology purportedly can offer up to 1,000-km range of an AION LX. NIO, Sinopecs Hainan branch join hands to deploy EV charging, battery swapping stations Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On August 31, NIO and Sinopec Group's Hainan sales subsidiary (called Sinopec Hainan for short) entered into a strategic agreement to co-deploy EV charging and battery swapping stations. At the same time, the first EV charging & battery swapping station co-built by the two parties started operation at a rest stop next to a highway in Qionghai city. NIO, Sinopec's Hainan branch signing agreement; photo credit: Sinopec The newly-launched facility features the technologies designed for NIO's second-generation battery swapping station. According to NIO, each NIO Power Swap Station 2.0 is equipped with 13 battery packs and is capable of completing up to 312 battery swaps per day, significantly improving swapping efficiency. Thanks to 239 sensors and four cooperative cloud computing systems that maximize the application of visual recognition technologies, users can complete a self-service battery swap with only one click while staying in the car. On the same day, NIO also launched battery swapping stations in Haikou and Danzhou cities of Hainan province, as part of efforts to build a battery swapping network covering Hainan Island Ring Expressway. On April 15, NIO and Sinopec Group struck a deal for a strategic cooperation on the deployment of battery swapping stations. Under the agreement, the duo will carry out all-around collaboration on such spheres as new materials, smart electric vehicles, BaaS (Battery as a Service), vehicle procurement and the building of scenarios for recreation and consumption. Meanwhile, NIO's first Power Swap Station 2.0 was officially launched at Sinopec's Chaoying Station in Beijing. GAC Aion launches new battery tech with high charging multiplier speeds Shanghai (Gasgoo)- 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. According to the automaker, by virtue of the innovation and upgrade of anode and cathode materials, electrolyte, membrane, and conductive agent, the migration and embedding process of lithium ions will be greatly quickened and the electric conductivity will be improved, so as to enhance battery's charging speeds. GAC Aion's battery technology with 6 charging multipliers; photo credit: GAC Aion While improving conductivity, the charging stability is also ensured thanks to the use of such materials as high porosity ceramic-coated membrane and low-viscosity high-power electrolyte, and the soft-carbon/hard-carbon/graphene coating modification technology. The newly-launched technology can enable batteries to work under a voltage of up to 880V and withstand a recharge rated at up to 480kW. Besides, a five-minute charging can support a range of over 200 kilometers. The technology will be first applied in the Aion V, which has been on the market since 2020. The new variant has already been included in the MIIT (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology)'s catalogue. GAC Aion's A480 supercharger; photo credit: GAC Aion Under the peak charging power of 480kW, GAC Aion's A480 ultra-fast charger is capable of a top voltage of 1,000V and a current of 600 amps, according to the company. GAC Aion said its first supercharging station was launched on August 30 at Guangzhou Donghong International Square. Focusing on first- and second-tier cities in China, GAC Aion will speed up the expansion of its charging network, which is scheduled to have 2,000 charging stations in 300 cities by 2025. 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. How to Clip Click and hold your mouse button on the page to select the area you wish to save or print. You can click and drag the clipping box to move it or click and drag in the bottom right corner to resize it. When you're happy with your selection, click the checkmark icon next to the clipping area to continue. 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. Several of those House members spoke to Trump as the rioting was unfolding. Their names were first reported by CNN as on the committee's list. Thompson wrote in the letter that the individuals listed may have relevant information to aid the factfinding of the Select Committee, but notes that inclusion on the list should not be viewed as indicative of any wrongdoing by that person or others. The panel also asks the companies to preserve information about individuals who have been charged with crimes associated with the Jan. 6 attack and those who were listed on permit applications for Trumps rally immediately preceding the siege or were otherwise involved in organizing, funding or speaking at rallies of Trump supporters on Jan. 5 and Jan. 6. The request comes after the panel demanded a trove of records from federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies last week. The committee also asked 15 social media companies to provide copies of any reviews, studies, reports or analysis about misinformation related to the 2020 election, foreign influence in the election, efforts to stop the election certification and domestic violent extremists associated with efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including the attack on the Capitol. 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 Indiana's 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 Indiana's 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 doesn't 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. We looked like we were going to war and I think that we were, she said. We were raging against an unknown entity that we had no answer to. The patients kept coming. "I think the numbers are numbing, she said. I think for the state of Arizona, I think for the country, I think theyre abstract, I dont think theyre concrete for people anymore. COVID-19 patients struck by the virus die a horrible death, their lungs ravaged by the disease and unable to absorb enough oxygen to support life. Were hoping for that miracle, but you see the writing on the wall, she said. Their lungs are like steel gates, you cant expand the oxygen in their lungs. Making it worse, their families are not allowed to be there to hold their hands. Nurses at hospitals across the nation have become the link between ill patients and their families, holding phones and tablets so patients can hear loved-ones' voices, reporting on their progress or decline. By January, mask mandates had split the state and the country, but the COVID-19 vaccine brought a bright glimmer of hope for a way out of the pandemic. A letter to the Mayor and Council: There has been much discussion within the community this summer about the proposed move of the hospital to the southern edge of Flagstaffs city limits. This is a significant development issue that directly and indirectly affects much of the population of Flagstaff as well as the character of our community. Two main issues deserve wide public input before any decisions are made about the relocation of the hospital: What are the positive and negative impacts on the community of moving the hospital from a central location in town to a location at the outskirts of the city? And what will happen to the current hospital site on North Beaver Street? Both of these issues have enormous impact on the community as a whole and they deserve to be given thorough consideration. Friends of Flagstaffs Future, speaking on behalf of our hundreds of members, requests the Council ensure a transparent review process that includes robust community input. Among the many questions to be answered are: -- What are the opportunities, limitations and drawbacks to the community? -- What are the impacts on the citys commitment to sustainability, smart growth and climate resilience? "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. \Sulfur deficiency in Southeast Nebraska crops has been more frequently observed over the past two decades. Some of the contributing factors include higher yearly removal of sulfur in harvested grain due to increasing yields, less atmospheric deposition, less sulfur impurities in non-sulfur fertilizers and pesticides, and less potential mineralizable sulfur in eroded and lower organic matter soils. What should a sulfur management plan look like for the 2022 growing season? There is a lack of local agronomic sulfur research since deficiencies have not been a historical issue like nitrogen, phosphorus, and zinc. Lets walk through some factors to consider when you develop a sulfur management plan for the 2022 growing season. Corn, soybean, wheat, and alfalfa are the four most planted crops in the area. Sulfur deficiency in alfalfa on sandy soils dates to the 1950s. I have seen visible sulfur deficiency in both corn and wheat in 2020 and 2021 and it was previously observed by former Extension educators. Lastly, there has been observations of sulfur deficient soybeans in eastern Nebraska the past several years. If you made me choose the likelihood of sulfur deficiency in Saline, Jefferson, and Gage counties it would be wheat > corn > alfalfa > soybeans. As all the military personnel and diplomats got out of Kabul, I am very grateful for the effort and I am especially grateful for 13 men and women (including 5 Latinos). More than 122 thousands Afghans and including 6 thousands Americans got out, they are more 100 thousands Afghans were interpreters or help us over 20 years, the number seemed to be large. Hope those Afghanistan schools, skateboarders will embrace liberty and freedom. Two things were very surprising to me Centcom commander McKenzie was praising the Taliban they are very helpful and useful that was beyond my ears. Of course, Joe Biden told us white supremacy is the greatest threat to US homeland security, bigger than ISIS and Al Qaeda . Today's poll showed 38% of Americans approve of Joe Biden handling this withdrawal. It is hard to believe. As an Afghan will tell you that the difference between ISIS and Taliban is like Coke vs. Pepsi. There were a lot of acrobats in Delaware Park and from around Western New York, like Acroyoga Buffalo, who really didnt have a place to practice consistently in the winter, explained Eaker. Ben was part of that community, and he was planning on purchasing this space when coincidentally a group of aerialists were interested in expanding their practices. They were really excited about how high the ceilings are here and collaborated with Ben to become part of the space as well. Undeniably a good workout just by the looks of it, a 2016 study from the American Council on Exercise (ACE) confirmed its many health benefitsa 50-minute aerial session burns 320 calories on average. Participants who took three or more sessions a week for six weeks lost an average two and a half pounds and an inch from their waist. The modern circus came out of traveling shows. They were called freak shows, you know? But they just had people who were really good gymnasts or ballerinas, and they would put them up high. So trapeze, for example, a lot of its classic moves are just ballet on a bar. While the notion of learning aerial tricks can be intimidating for some, the carefully trained staff at The Birds Nest encourage safety above all and finding the joy in connecting your body to the movements. The push to extend New York States eviction moratorium past its Aug. 31 expiration date is occupying Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democratic leaders of the Legislature this week. After a U.S. Supreme Court ruling this month that substantially weakened the state moratorium, extending it may involve more symbolism than substance. A more urgent concern is the need to deliver more than $1 billion in backed-up federal rent relief funds to tenants and landlords. The U.S. designated up to $2.7 billion for the states Emergency Rental Assistance Program, but much of the money has not been distributed. Hochul, on her first day as governor, declared that getting rent relief money to those who need it is a high priority. I want the money out now, she said. I want it out with no more excuses or delays. Unlike an eviction moratorium, aid from the rental assistance program benefits both tenants and landlords or property owners, and it helps utility companies get paid from tenants who are in arrears. The renter and landlord must work together in filling out an application to demonstrate need. Assistance payments are then made directly to the landlord or property owner and utility company on behalf of the tenant. HOUSTON, August 31, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Contango ORE, Inc. ("CORE" or the "Company") (OTCQB: CTGO) announced today it filed its Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2021 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company reported a net income of $23.9 million or $3.82 per basic and diluted share for the year ended June 30, 2021 compared to a loss of $9.2 million or $1.43 per basic and diluted share for the same period last year. The increase in the net income is due to the gain from the Companys sale of 30% of Peak Gold, LLC to Kinross Gold Corporation (Kinross") during the fiscal year. CORE President and CEO Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse said: "The Company would also like to welcome Chris Kennedy as the Lucky Shot Mine General Manager. Chris brings a wealth of Alaska mine operating experience to the Company. Chris was the former Pogo mine manager (2011-2018) when Sumitomo operated the mine and spent an additional year at Pogo during the transition when North Star took over operations in 2018. Chris also held senior positions at the Greens Creek mine when it was operated by Rio Tinto (2001-2005) and at the Fort Knox gold mine operated by Kinross (1995-2001). With the addition of Chris to our staff and our strong cash position, the Company is well positioned to execute on our plan to explore and develop the Lucky Shot project into a second significant asset for the Company. Meanwhile, our 70/30 joint venture Manh Choh project is in good hands with operator Kinross on plan and on schedule to initiate permitting next quarter and advance the feasibility study for completion later in 2022. Our field exploration programs on our 100% owned Shamrock and Eagle-Hona projects are nearly completed, and we look forward to reporting results for both projects once analytical results have been received and evaluated." ABOUT CORE CORE is a company that engages in the exploration in Alaska for gold and associated minerals through a 30% interest in Peak Gold, LLC, which leases approximately 675,000 acres for exploration and development and through Contango Minerals Alaska, LLC, its wholly owned subsidiary which leases approximately 200,000 acres for exploration. The Company also owns Alaska Gold Torrent, LLC which holds the rights to the Lucky Shot Mine and approximately 9,000 acres of related mining claims located in Willow Mining District about 75 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska. Additional information can be found on our web page at www.contangoore.com. Story continues FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding CORE that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor "forward-looking statements" provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, based on COREs current expectations and includes statements regarding future results of operations, quality and nature of the asset base, the assumptions upon which estimates are based and other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, strategies or statements about future events or performance (often, but not always, using words such as "expects", "projects", "anticipates", "plans", "estimates", "potential", "possible", "probable", or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "will", "should", or "could" be taken, occur or be achieved). Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those, reflected in the statements. These risks include, but are not limited to: the risks of the exploration and the mining industry (for example, operational risks in exploring for, developing mineral reserves; risks and uncertainties involving geology; the speculative nature of the mining industry; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to future production, costs and expenses; the volatility of natural resources prices, including prices of gold and associated minerals; the existence and extent of commercially exploitable minerals in properties acquired by CORE or Peak Gold LLC; ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the recent transactions with an affiliate of Kinross; disruption from the transactions and transition of the Joint Venture Companys management to an affiliate of Kinross, including as it relates to maintenance of business and operational relationships; potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the interpretation of exploration results and the estimation of mineral resources; the loss of key employees or consultants; health, safety and environmental risks and risks related to weather and other natural disasters); uncertainties as to the availability and cost of financing; COREs inability to retain or maintain its relative ownership interest in the Joint Venture; inability to realize expected value from acquisitions; inability of our management team to execute its plans to meet its goals; the extent of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak; and the possibility that government policies may change, political developments may occur or governmental approvals may be delayed or withheld, including as a result of the recent presidential and congressional elections in the U.S. or the inability to obtain mining permits. Additional information on these and other factors which could affect COREs exploration program or financial results are included in COREs other reports on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from the projections in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management at the time the statements are made. CORE does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or managements estimates or opinions change. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005311/en/ Contacts Contango ORE, Inc. Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse (713) 877-1311 www.contangoore.com TORONTO, August 31, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nickel 28 Capital Corp. ("Nickel 28" or the "Company") (TSXV: NKL) (FSE: 3JC) has released its results for the three-month period ended June 30, 2021. "In addition to another exceptionally strong quarterly performance from Ramu, the Company believes it has reached a significant milestone and repaid its operating debt based on Ramu Mines continued exceptionally strong results," stated Anthony Milewski, chairman of the board. He continued, "we would like to thank our partners at Ramu, MCC, for their continued outstanding financial and production results from Ramu." Q2 2021 Highlights The Companys principal asset, an 8.56% joint-venture interest in the Ramu Nickel-Cobalt ("Ramu") integrated operation in Papua New Guinea, continued to have another strong quarter in terms of sales and cash flow. Highlights from Ramu during the quarter include: - Expected repayment of the Companys operating debt from Ramus quarterly results, the first of two debt tranches from Ramu, which triggers cash-flow to the Company. - Nickel 28s cash generation from Ramu in Q2 2021 of US$7.7 million. - Project revenue in Q2 2021 of over US$218 million, as a result of strong nickel/cobalt commodity prices and improved payability for mixed hydroxide (MHP). - Quarterly sales of 10,975 tonnes of contained nickel and 1,004 tonnes of contained cobalt in MHP. - Quarterly production of 7,773 tonnes of contained nickel and 718 tonnes of contained cobalt in MHP placing Ramu as the number one producer of MHP globally. - Average cash costs for the quarter, net of by-product credits, of US$2.83/lb. of contained nickel. Nickel 28 Highlights: - Strong quarter end cash balance of US$4.6 million, providing ample liquidity for the Company. - Non-recourse joint-venture debt, as of June 30, 2021, of US$94.0 million, consisting of US$10.2 million of operating debt and US$83.8 million of construction debt. The Companys semi-annual repayment of joint-venture debt from Ramus H1 2021s cash flow generation is expected to be finalized in the next 6 weeks and the Company believes this cash flow will be in excess of the remaining operating debt of US$10.2 million. Story continues About Nickel 28 Nickel 28 Capital Corp. is a nickel-cobalt producer through its 8.56% joint-venture interest in the producing, long-life and world-class Ramu Nickel-Cobalt Operation located in Papua New Guinea. Ramu provides Nickel 28 with significant attributable nickel and cobalt production thereby offering our shareholders direct exposure to two metals which are critical to the adoption of electric vehicles. In addition, Nickel 28 manages a portfolio of 13 nickel and cobalt royalties on development and exploration projects in Canada, Australia and Papua New Guinea. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain information which constitutes forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian 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 the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to: statements and figures with respect to the operational and financial results; statements with respect to the prospects of nickel and cobalt in the global electrification of vehicles; statements related to the repayment of the Companys Ramu operating debt; statements related to the production impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic; and statements with respect to the business and assets of the Company and its strategy going forward. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, most of which are beyond the Companys control. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties underlying these forward-looking statements materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements could vary materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this release and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. 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. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005340/en/ Contacts Investors: Nickel 28 Investor Relations Tel: 647.846.7765 Email: info@nickel28.com New Democrat Jeff Ward, left, and Liberal Jaime Battiste are two of the candidates running in the riding of Sydney-Victoria. (Matthew Moore/CBC - image credit) Liberal Jaime Battiste made history in the 2019 federal election when he became the first Mi'kmaw MP elected to the House of Commons. This time around, Battiste is joined on the ballot in the Cape Breton riding of Sydney-Victoria by New Democrat Jeff Ward, marking what's believed to be another first: two Mi'kmaw candidates running in the same riding. "Diversity is strength in Canada and having more diverse people that represent Canada leads to a more bold and fuller discussion that is more reflective of actual society in Canada," said Battiste, who lives in Eskasoni with his family. He said some days were difficult on the doorstep during the 2019 campaign. The riding includes the core of downtown Sydney along with rural towns. "I was told that Sydney wasn't progressive enough to vote in a Native," he said. "I heard those exact words. And I said, 'You know what? I think it shouldn't matter.'" Matthew Moore/CBC As the first Mi'kmaw MP, Battiste said he was often questioned about his priorities. A balancing act When he spoke about issues involving Indigenous people, Battiste said he'd be criticized for not representing all of the people in his riding. "My electorate is 90 per cent non-Mi'kmaw," he said. "So I have to always make sure that I'm balancing what's important for the riding." Battiste said he feels like he has contributed to breaking the glass ceiling, which has helped bring a second Mi'kmaw candidate to the ballot. Ward was born in the Mi'kmaq Nation of Metepenagiag, located along the Miramichi River in New Brunswick. He later moved to Membertou, where he now serves as general manager of the Membertou Heritage Park. Ward has been involved with several community groups and boards since moving to the area, and said he feels it's his time to run federally. Matthew Moore/CBC Ward would like to see people have a better understanding of Indigenous rights and policies, which he said would be a strength he'd bring to Ottawa. Story continues He said treaty education is an important topic, but he believes it often takes a backseat to other national issues like health care and the environment. "If we teach the history the real history and not the edited part it would make a difference in our whole society," he said. Like Battiste, Ward said he wants to be an MP for the entire riding. Ward said representation in the House of Commons is important, but he believes a candidate's resume should play a more important role in who voters send to Ottawa. "We should be past that," he said. "We should be able to say, 'What are the real issues here in Cape Breton?'" While Battiste believes more representation makes for better democracy, the incumbent said he was "shocked" to see Ward throw his hat in. "If we split the Mi'kmaw vote and the Conservatives get in, he's going to have to explain to the Mi'kmaw nation why he decided that he wanted to be the Mi'kmaw MP as opposed to me," Battiste said. Four candidates vying for seats In all, there are four candidates vying for the seat in Sydney-Victoria. Eddie Orrell, a former PC MLA, is once again running for the federal Conservatives. Orrell served as the MLA for Northside-Westmount between 2011 and 2019, when he resigned his seat to run federally. He lost to Battiste by 1,308 votes in the last election. Ronald Barron is on the ballot for the People's Party of Canada. His party's website describes Barron as a musician and father of six who works in the mining industry as an industrial mechanic. MORE TOP STORIES However, Evers didnt ask for companies to require workers to be vaccinated. We need your help to get the word out, he said. Evers discussed how money from the American Rescue Plan is being used for broadband expansion, promoting tourism, and assisting farmers and small businesses. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Were not just going to recover from this pandemic; we are going to get back in the saddle, Evers said. We are also helping people get back on their feet. Evers said the state is welcoming refugees from Afghanistan to Fort McCoy. I had a chance to be there a couple days ago with one of the generals, Evers said after his speech concluded. I found the refugees to be in good spirits, happy to be in Wisconsin, happy to be in the United States. We have to support them. CCEDC executive director Charlie Walker invited Evers to speak; former Gov. Scott Walker has spoken at the annual meeting in the past. It is such an honor to have our governor here, Charlie Walker said. Chippewa County always awards four Business of the Year honors, giving an award to each corner of the county. This years award winners are: Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) Sourced loans in the country might increase with the spike in COVID-19 infections hampering an economic rebound, but banks are capable of weathering the losses, a global credit rater says. "As a resurgence of coronavirus cases amid a low vaccination rate delay the Philippines' economic recovery, defaults by individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will result in an increase in nonperforming loans (NPLs)," said Moody's Investors Service in a report published Tuesday. While conglomerates are expected to stay resilient given the diversification of their revenue sources, mid- to large-sized firms in sectors gravely hit by the health crisis like hospitality and retail are confronted with higher default risks, according to Moody's. Still, it says rated banks have "strong" buffers against loan losses despite the increase in bad loans in the previous 18 months, with the banking system's NPL ratio at 4.48% as of June -- way up from pre-pandemic rates. Moody's attributes this to banking institutions "proactively increasing loan-loss provisions in early 2020 in anticipation of increases in problem loans caused by the pandemic," adding that they also possess "sufficiently strong" capital to take in unexpected losses. "Under a stress scenario where 50% of Stage 2 loans become NPLs, the asset-weighted average for the tangible common equity ratios of rated privately owned commercial banks in the Philippines would still remain above 15% in 2023, a strong level," added the American rating agency. Long-term prospects 'remain intact' Even with the global pandemic disrupting the national banking system, Moody's notes its growth prospects in the long run stay in place. The credit rater cited the large, young population of the Philippines, which yields a pool of future customers for banks. Financial institutions are also able to expand their customer bases through the wider availability and adoption of digital financial services, it added. "The pandemic and a policy push for the adoption of digital financial services have led to exponential increase in digital transactions," said Moody's. Authorities have been pushing for digital transactions to further reduce the spread of COVID-19 by eliminating physical contact among users. I have met different versions of myself, marked by the pop culture I consumed across time. On the LiveJournal blog I kept through my late teen years during the aughts, I have repeatedly self-professed as an emo kid. Later, I would smoothen out my identity as a fan of indie music popular in the late 2000s to early 2010s. Now navigating my 30s, I am at a phase which I call a return to sentiment. I cycle through my playlist of love songs from the 1970s to 1990s, deposited in my mind through core childhood memories. These days, I find myself a captive audience, too, of music that sits in hugot territory, best represented by the nine-piece Filipino band Ben&Ben. The songs in the bands first album Limasawa Street and the string of hits prior to their debut won the hearts of many Filipinos. Romantic films like Exes Baggage, Dito at Doon, and LSS prominently featured Ben&Bens music, and they have built a solid fanbase the Liwanag now with more than two million followers on their Facebook page alone. Their YouTube account has more or less the same number of subscribers, and their TikTok page has racked up more than four million likes. RELATED: The past, present, and future of Ben&Ben It is against these formidable numbers that one may begin to understand the anticipation in the days leading up to the release of their second album. The record, entitled Pebble House Volume 1: Kuwaderno, features 12 tracks, all written in Filipino, half of which are collaborations with other artists. Several songs were released early as a sampling of the album. Pasalubong features Moira Dela Torre, while Munimuni joins the band in Sugat. These collaborators themselves hold mass appeal similarly owing to their emotional lyricism and melodies. Adjusting to the circumstances of the pandemic, the band produced the album while cooped up in one house. Miguel Guico succinctly describes the record as a collection of memories. In the musical house that Ben&Ben built, sincerity is the main foundation. Ben&Ben is a contemporary musical force to be reckoned with. Amid the educated discussions and healthy debates on what hugot means for Filipino culture in the past years, TikToks of confessions and proposals have been set to Pagtingin, newly-wedded couples have slow-danced to Araw-Araw, and thousands more have shared their love stories in the comments section of Ben&Ben music videos. In a display of how acutely aware they are of the potency of narratives, the band crafted their song Lifetime out of a fans YouTube comment. Therein lies the commercial aptitude of the band edging out their mastery of emotion by a little: they know the significance of a moment. I have heard the critique from a musical standpoint, which I can comprehend on a general level. Being saccharine all over, the songs are sometimes too linear, the lyrics too literal. That little room is allowed for musical complexity, which is to say they have not experimented much sonically. The critiques are somewhat familiar. I have heard similar things more than a decade ago aimed at pogi rock bands and their music. Ben&Ben diverges, and the honesty they let their fans consume is a strategy propping up their success. This has become vital in a world where virtual and public spaces serve as confessionals. In their second album, the band churns out an assortment of sound and feeling. The musical diversity in the tracks is no accident. Percussionist Andrew De Pano alludes to the deliberateness in the bands fresh direction. I dont think it came from the fear of sounding the same, but more [that] it came from a place of genuinely wanting to stretch the limit of what we can do creatively and explore even more the creative energy of each individual member. The decision to feature other artists on half of the tracks was done thoughtfully as well. Miguel explains it well, that [Were] all about serving the song. And if we feel like a collaboration will help serve the song...then we want for it to happen. Pebble House Vol. 1 feels more than just a bag of musical tricks. The songs, as different as they sound individually, flow seamlessly into one another. Kasayaw is a slick, groovy opener that sets the complex tone of the album. A playful reflection on an otherwise dreary existence, Swimming Pool tucks in a meditation on faith. Elyu is a temporal trip, an exercise in remembering and forgetting that takes us to a familiar elsewhere. Two tracks where percussionist Toni Munoz shares songwriting credits stand out: the beat-driven Sabel and Ilang Tulog Na Lang that sways with peace. Ben&Ben ventures into previously uncharted themes while retaining the elements crucial to their initial success. *** I first came across Ben&Bens music when I heard Kathang Isip on the radio sometime in 2017. Maybe my story is not too different from other fans their songs were precise articulations of sentiment, pulling the words that need to be said on our behalf. Id like to think I understood on initial contact what they were trying to do. Every so often, a generation needs a catchy, anthemic love song. Once I got home, I picked up my acoustic guitar already collecting dust and learned to play the song. Kathang Isip came along when I already had relegated musics place in my life as a filter for background noise. Years of sitting in coffee shops for hours to study with headphones on drastically reconfigured my relationship with music. Leaving behind the act of listening purely within the context of utility left me more lost than found. What is my relationship now with songs? How is pleasure to be regained? I was then a newly-minted lawyer in my first foray into difficult, emotionally demanding human rights work. I matriculated at different spaces of human encounter. I was a lost sheep needing instruction on how to be tender and delicate once more. Maybe pop love songs served as the vehicle for me to learn joy again because they allowed me to tap into something primordial. They were my homecoming to the radio hits I listened to in the many long car rides of my childhood. They, too, served as a balm for my soul roughed out by failed relationships. Failures that have forced me to ask probing questions on loneliness. To whom I projected the scenarios in my head remained tentative then, not seeing myself breaking the cycles of modern-day dating. I listened to Limasawa Street with intent upon its release in the summer of 2019. I liked the album so much that when I moved to Europe the following year with all the optimism I could muster, its songs gave me a soundtrack. At the beginning of 2020, I relocated to the city of Turin in northern Italy for graduate school. The charm of living in Europe aside, Ben&Bens music became my default reminder of home. The Italian Alps were picturesque, and the whole record would play from start to finish in my rather long daily commute. But when the world plunged into the initial shock and chaos of the pandemic, I was once again unmoored, finding myself in an existential trap while I was stuck, away and alone. A week into lockdown, I bought a new guitar. I started posting silly and badly-sung tunes. I joined the Lifetime cover fest on Twitter. Slowly, I regained my footing, if only to survive. Music would see me survive. Different artists found ways to entertain the world gripped by fear and anxiety. Online concerts held in the confines of their homes became our distraction for a while. There was a strange aspect to this sudden invitation to intimacy. Ben&Ben had their own fundraising concerts, the first one for the benefit of healthcare workers. They have since replicated the performance in another online show, providing their fans with everyday video content in between. The tracks the band dropped in 2020 alone once again showcased their sharp reflexes: they fashioned the pandemic as a canvas for their songs. Nakikinig Ka Ba Sa Akin references what ails us collectively. Their newer songs after Limasawa Street are stirring enough to have helped expand their fanbase. It was in December of that year, in the wake of a violent shooting in Tarlac, that the Guico twins would come out strong with a short song directly interrogating power and the powerful. The full track, now entitled Kapangyarihan and features bars from SB19, made its way to Pebble House Vol. 1. Keyboardist Pat Lasaten reflects on the bands awareness of their growing influence in shaping conversations. Speaking about the value of providing representation to their young fans for instance, Pat says Its nice for girls to see na nandito kami, and we stand for what we stand for, we fight for what we fight for. Perhaps at a time where were individually made to face difficult choices, its comforting to know artists who understand the underlying strength of lending their voices and acknowledging their impact. Ben&Ben does this and so much more they have nurtured the deep bond between them and their fanbase, and that of their fans with one another. Pebble House Vol. 1 is a place as much as it is a collection of sounds. Its where we can potentially find pieces of ourselves that have gone missing from living through the pandemic. *** Some parts of the world have begun to imagine and plan their post-pandemic lives. Here in the Philippines where the increasing number of COVID cases shows no signs of letting up, the end seems nowhere in sight. The pandemic has brought out the best of collective action set against the backdrop of collective rage. And rightly so. While hugot is a respite, our practice of care demands a radical transformation. The bands violinist Keifer Cabugao sings in the track War from Limasawa Street I wanna see / A people of my kind / I wanna hear / the marching sound of love. I imagine someone reaching out. I think of the communities we have builtand have yet to create to resist the enveloping darkness. Meanwhile, Magpahinga from the new album does not shy away from advocating the value of rest that comes after leading the charge and confronting what troubles us. Ben&Bens music, for fans, is a guide through the gloom in their lives. In reprising the hopefulness of their sound in Pebble House Volume 1, the band renews their promise to be our companions in seeking light, as liwanag, but also as ease. *** Watch our interview with Ben&Ben on their new album below. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) The Commission on Higher Education is crafting the guidelines on tapping medical and nursing students as additional vaccinators for the COVID-19 vaccination drive. CHED chairperson Prospero De Vera said the government plans to enlist fourth-year and fifth-year students as well as graduates who have not yet passed the board exam. "Positive naman ang response ng mga eskwelahan. We are now crafting the guidelines to see how it will work. Kasi kailangan na natin ng dagdag na tulong para sa pagbabakuna habang dumadami ang dumadating na bakuna sa atin," he said during the Laging Handa briefing on Tuesday. [Translation: We received positive response from the schools. We are now crafting the guidelines to see how it will work. Because we need additional help in the vaccination program as more vaccines arrive in the country.] Testing czar Vince Dizon earlier said that the government seeks to enlist medical students to assist in the country's vaccination program, especially in areas where there is a surge in COVID-19 cases. De Vera also stressed the need to produce more doctors despite calls to postpone the physician licensure exam in September. "Kailangan natin ng additional health workers dahil sa COVID (We need additional workers because of COVID). So we have to produce more doctors," he said. CHED has allowed 118 higher education institutions to conduct limited face-to-face classes for their medical and allied health programs. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) Amid a possible probe into his alleged ties with an ex-Budget official behind a supposedly shady deal, Senator Bong Go hit Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and Philippine Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon for entering into a contract with PhilHealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Hindi ba may conflict of interest na isa sa iniimbestigahan mo ay katransaksyon ng organisasyong pinamumunuan mo?" said Go in a privilege speech during a Senate session on Tuesday. [Translation: Isn't there a conflict of interest if you are investigating someone who had a transaction with the organization you're heading?] The Blue Ribbon Committee is in the middle of an investigation into alleged anomalies in the Department of Health's spending of COVID-19 response funds, which also covered PhilHealth's pending claim payments to hospitals. "Dagdag pa diyan, hindi ba disadvantageous sa gobyerno, at against the law ang paghingi ng advance payment?" Go raised. "In the spirit of impartiality, shouldn't the Blue Ribbon Committee chair inhibit himself from further hearing all matters involving PhilHealth?" [Translation: Moreover, isnt it disadvantageous to the government and against the law to ask for advance payment.] Conflict of interest had been raised last year when Gordons panel led the probe on PhilHealth for corruption. The PRC previously maintained that all its transactions with the state health insurer were legal since its memorandum of agreement is exempted from the Government Procurement Reform Act. 'Panic mode' Responding to Go, Gordon said they should focus on the issue at hand, instead of attacking institutions. He also directed the remark to President Rodrigo Duterte who has been launching tirades against the Commission on Audit and the Senate for flagging and probing possible irregularities in the government's COVID-19 response. "Itong ginagawa natin dito, ayaw ko i-divert ang public attention, ina-attempt eh, inaalis sa atensyon ng publiko 'yung talagang kwestiyon na ano ba talaga ang nangyari," said Gordon. [Translation: We don't want to divert the publics attention from what we are doing here because there is an attempt, they are distracting the public's attention from the question of what really happened.] "Nasaan napunta ang limpak-limpak na bilyon na pera? 'Yan lang ang tinatanong," he added. [Translation: Where did the billions of cash go? That is the only question.] Senator Ping Lacson, who was also the target of the President's recent verbal attacks, suggested that Duterte may be in "panic mode." Both Lacson and Gordon surmised that it may be due to a video that resurfaced showing the President meeting with former presidential consultant and Chinese businessman Michael Yang, along with officials of Pharmally International Holding, in 2017. The Taiwan-based company is linked to small local firm Pharmally Pharmaceutical which is under scrutiny for bagging an 8.68-billion procurement contract for supposedly overpriced face masks, face shields and COVID-19 test kits. The contract was awarded by former Budget undersecretary Lloyd Lao who allegedly has ties to Go since he earlier worked under the Office of the Special Assistant to the President previously headed by the senator. He also served as an election lawyer to Duterte during his 2016 campaign. Gordon said Go may face an investigation by the Senate ethics committee for his possible involvement with Lao, but Go maintained there was no collusion. "Hindi ibig sabihin na dahil nakatrabaho kita, naging aide na kitaPorket taga-Davao, naging abogado ng Pangulo at nakatrabaho ko ng isang taon, pinipilit na i-connect sa atin," argued Go. [Translation: Just because we worked together, it does not mean that he became my aideJust because hes from Davao, served as the President's lawyer, and we worked together for a year, they are forcing a connection.] CNN Philippines Correspondent Eimor Santos and Digital Producer Janine Peralta contributed to this report. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) The Lung Center of the Philippines is aiming to open part of its off-site modular hospital or "hospitainer" for moderate to severe COVID-19 cases this week, but its spokesperson said more personnel are needed to make it fully operational. LCP spokesperson Norbert Francisco told CNN Philippines' The Source on Tuesday that they will need around 200 more personnel to man the five-modular unit facility, amid the surge in COVID-19 cases. "Today, we are testing generators, the electrical outlets, while we are trying to fill them up with necessary (medical) equipment. And of course, we are hiring personnel to man those things," Francisco said on the status of the hospitainer. "We projected in our surge plan that if we will open the whole hospitainer complex of five clusters, we can use as much as 200 more nurses for the whole (modular) hospital needs," he said. Francisco said the LCP hopes to open at least one unit of the facility within the week, with "a little healthcare team there to start running." He said that as the hospital expands its services, it needs to hire nurses, nursing aides, medical technicians, respiratory therapists, and nutritionists, among others. "Even if we dedicate more areas for COVID, we will be needing even more personnel kaya yung operational capacity ng hospital 'pag hindi COVID [that's why for the operational capacity of the hospital for non-COVID], we can admit as much as 220 to 225 beds. But right now, we can only operate 182 because of the staffing," Francisco revealed. He noted that of the 182 beds in the LCP, 84% or 152 beds are dedicated to COVID-19 cases, but figures have been "on the brink of full capacity over the past few days." He added that ICU beds in the hospital have already reached 97% occupancy, while their isolation rooms are already 100% occupied. The national government formally turned over the modular hospital to the LCP on Aug. 11. The facility is expected to accommodate 108 COVID-19 patients once it is fully operational. Cebu City (CNN Philippines, August 31) A man selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards in Cebu City was arrested by police on Monday. Police said Clifford Arcilla was collared inside a printing shop on Sanciangko Street in downtown Cebu City where the fake vaccination cards were made and sold to customers. Arcilla is believed to be co-owner of the printing shop. PLt Albe Codilla, deputy chief administration for Cebu City Police Office station 5, said they received a tip about the illegal printing and sale of vaccination cards. Codilla said they were able to validate the claims of the tipster and prepared an entrapment operation. Codilla said the suspect will be charged with falsification of documents. The police are also studying other charges against the suspect and against the establishment. Police believe the shop was able to issue an undetermined number of fake vaccination cards prior to the arrest. Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak, one of city officials on the forefront of the local vaccination program, told reporters the card being faked by the shop is that of Mandaue City. Tumulak admitted it is still difficult to verify vaccination cards as of this time because many of the cards still do not have security codes or QR codes. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines Life, August 31) This week, were welcoming the -ber months so were recommending some cozy things to do such as watching a Southeast Asian short film festival, viewing a young artists exhibit on humanity and ecology, and more. Check out the SeaShorts Film Festival Theres been a lot of film festivals this month aside from Cinemalaya 2021. One of the most interesting so far is SeaShorts, which gathers some of the best contemporary filmmakers from around the region. The festival is on its last two days (it closes on Sept. 2) and the festival pass is $15. Some of the Filipino films in the festival are Petersen Vargas How to Die Young in Manila, Shireen Senos A Child Dies, A Child Plays, A Woman Is Born, A Woman Dies, A Bird Arrives, A Bird Flies Off (Arcade 4walls Edition), and Miko Reverezas Distancing. DON JAUCIAN View Brighter Than Many Ever See Artist Issay Rodriguez continues her study of the link between humanism and ecology in her latest exhibit at Silverlens. The exhibit features photos of mutant plants in monochrome prints that show the elaborate and intimate workings of plant breeding, leading us to think about these interventions; what we make of these findings becomes shared participation in visual culture and meaning-making entrenched in the curiosities of human-centric activities, economies, cultures, and the sciences. The exhibit opens on Sept. 4 at Silverlens Galleries in 2263 Don Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City, Metro Manila. The show is by appointment only. For more information visit the Silverlens website. CNN PHILIPPINES LIFE STAFF Mask simply In a bid to promote mask-wearing, streamings own orator Hasan Minhaj once suggested messaging face masks as bumper stickers, but for the face. For those who are more minimal in their style, KOSTURAs linen number is a gentler statement, with ear loops that dont hurt, a vent shape and fabric that makes it easier to breathe, and the branding tucked away inside. Watch My Father is Strange I started watching the 2017 Korean drama My Father is Strange when our Korean language teacher suggested it as a good way to practice using Korean honorifics. What was initially a review attempt became one of my new favorite dramas a great comedy of manners that focuses on the Byun family, a middle class brood living in the outskirts of Seoul. Whats great about the show is how its able to intersect the various storylines (every family members relationship within and beyond the household is explored) while managing to keep the storytelling compact. Perhaps what is most comforting to learn is how familiar their family values are with those of Filipino families: the closeness (and its pros and cons), the conservatism, and in many ways, its humor. It reminds me a lot of how much I loved Kevin Kosme (Dolphy) and his family in Home Along Da Riles, a long-running sitcom in the early aughts about one familys many misadventures. My Father is Strange is 50 episodes long, but I promise that its worth the time invested. MARGA BUENAVENTURA Watch Gonjiam Haunted Asylum South Korean horror has become something of a cinematic genre on its own, with films like The Wailing, The Host, and A Tale of Two Sisters, that there have been YouTube essays dissecting and exploring its merits. Recently, I watched Gonjiam Haunted Asylum (2018), an interesting South Korean addition to the wildly erratic found footage horror film canon. The films plot is pretty basic: a group of horror enthusiasts film their attempt to open a mysterious (not to mention deadly as other attempts have led to several deaths) room in the abandoned Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital one of the ten freakiest places in the world according to CNN Travel. They broadcast their visit live but, as this is a horror movie, things dont exactly go the way they planned out to be. We get pretty attached to the characters, even the crooked film crew (led by the affable Wi Ha-Joon of 18 Again) who risks taking the trip just to monetize their livestream that its kind of hard to see them killed off when the terror gears start grinding. Jump scares are aplenty but the whole atmosphere of the abandoned asylum, plus the backstory of the tortured patients, make up for an unnerving experience. Stream on Vivamax. DJ (CNN) Four men, including a Hindu priest, have been charged with the rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl in the Indian capital Delhi, police said Saturday, in a case that has once again highlighted widespread sexual violence and caste-based discrimination in the country. The men, who were arrested on August 2, have been formally charged with rape, murder, and destruction of evidence, among other crimes, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement. They could face the death penalty if found guilty. The victim belonged to India's Dalit community, the most oppressed in Hinduism's caste-based hierarchy, senior police official Ingit Pratap Singh told CNN. The victim was allegedly gang-raped and killed on August 1 in a southwestern district of the Indian capital, after she had gone to fetch water from a crematorium, he said. The crematorium's priest had called the victim's mother and showed her the body of her dead child, Singh said, citing the mother's statement. The priest allegedly told the mother her daughter had been electrocuted, he added. The priest and three other crematorium employees convinced the mother to cremate the body, claiming it would be a hassle to involve the police, Singh said. The girl's body was cremated, with her parents present, he added. But the incident caused uproar in the victim's village, where about 200 villagers gathered that night, demanding justice. Police then arrested the four men accused of the girl's murder, according to Singh. Days of protests followed in New Delhi as hundreds of protesters gathered at the victim's village, demanding accountability for the girl's death. Some burned effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as anger grew over his alleged failure to protect young girls from the country's urgent rape problem. Anil Kumar, a 46-year-old protester said there was "complete lawlessness" in New Delhi. "A 9-year-old is raped and the administration was sleeping," he said. "We want the harshest punishment for the accused, an example should be set by the government. Women's safety cannot be taken lightly." The case will be heard in a district court on Tuesday and will later be sent to a fast track court, according to the Home Affairs Ministry's statement. Anti-rape and women's rights activist Yogita Bhayana said that while the swift laying of charges in the case was "very welcoming and progressive," it was a result of the immense pressure placed on authorities to swiftly investigate. "I welcome the move but I want every such case to be dealt in the same way this case has been handled," she said. Violence against Dalit women and girls Though India's caste system was officially abolished in 1950, the 2,000-year-old social hierarchy still exists in the Hindu-majority nation. The caste system categorizes Hindus at birth, defining their place in society, what jobs they can do and who they can marry. Dalits -- who account for about 201 million people of India's 1.3 billion population, according to government figures -- are one of the most oppressed groups in the caste system. They have been referred to as "untouchables" in the past and continue to experience rampant discrimination, sexual violence and assault. According to a the latest figures from India's National Crime Records Bureau, more than 32,000 cases of alleged rape against women were reported in 2019. But activists believe the real figure is much higher, as many go unreported out of fear. Dalit women are further marginalized, owing to their status in society, coupled with the social stigma and shame attached to reporting sexual assault. A litany of violent crimes and sex attacks against Dalit women and girls have caused outrage in recent years. In September last year, the gang rape and death of a 19-year-old Dalit woman in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh sparked protests across the country. The incident followed the rape and murder of a 13-year-old Dalit girl in the same state just a month earlier. In 2019, two Dalit children were allegedly beaten to death after defecating in the open. And in 2018, a 13-year-old girl from a lower caste was beheaded in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, allegedly by an assailant from a higher caste. Activists and opposition politicians say the crimes reflect an atmosphere of hate, fueled in part by a rise in Hindu nationalism. According to a 2020 report by the non-government organization Equality Now, sexual violence is used by dominant castes to oppress Dalit women and girls. Their investigation found that Dalit women and girls in the northern state of Haryana are often denied access to justice in cases of sexual violence due to the "prevalent culture of impunity, particularly when the perpetrators are from a dominant caste." The organization called on the government to ensure increased police accountability and effective law enforcement to protect caste-based minorities. In March last year, then junior member of the Ministry of Home Affairs, G. Kishan Reddy, said in a written response to parliament that the government was "committed to ensure protection" of those in marginalized castes. He added that laws had been amended in 2015 to strengthen both preventative and punitive measures for crimes against Dalits. Editor's note: This story was excerpted from the August 31 edition of CNN's Meanwhile in America, the daily email about US politics for global readers. Click here to read past editions and subscribe. (CNN) For the first time in nearly 20 years, Afghans spent the day without US troops on their soil, after the last jet carrying the rearguard of a onetime conqueror lifted off the tarmac at Kabul airport late Monday. If nothing else, President Joe Biden can claim to have had the courage to end US involvement in a war that his predecessors all knew was going nowhere. But his erratic handling of the trauma of the last two weeks shredded his reputation as a foreign policy expert and safe pair of hands, and left millions of Afghans again in the hands of the fundamentalist Taliban and their even more extreme adversaries in the country's ISIS franchise. Tens of thousands of Afghans who worked with NATO troops and Western diplomats fear execution. Somewhere in Afghanistan are around 250 US citizens who wanted to leave but couldn't. But over 122,000 Americans, Afghans and people of other nationalities were rescued in one of the biggest airlifts in history. America is mourning its last casualties of the war 13 troops killed by a suicide bomber last week as they tried to organize the evacuation of Afghan refugees. The deaths of more than 170 locals in the same blast reflect the long-running lopsided toll of a war that has claimed far more Afghan civilians than Westerners. Meanwhile, the idea touted by Biden in Europe that "America is back" is being questioned by allies, who sense a continuation of some of ex-President Donald Trump's isolationist tendencies. All of these events have unfolded with such staggering speed and intensity that it's difficult to assess their lasting impact on the Biden presidency and global geopolitics. There is a definite feeling in the US that this is the end of a chapter that opened at 8.46 a.m. on September 11, 2001, when a hijacked jet careened into the World Trade Center. But it's a case of back to the future: When Biden marks the 20th anniversary of those attacks next month, the Taliban will be celebrating their control of a country where they once hosted Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda. Off the list again The United States is no longer "safe." That at least is the conclusion of the European Union, which is advising its 27 member states to slap travel restrictions back on Americans as the pandemic rages stateside. The move underscores just how hopes for a resumption of something like normal life were scuppered this summer by the surging Delta variant. The US is again recording an average of more than 150,000 new cases of Covid-19 every day. The Europeans haven't exactly hidden frustration that the US didn't reciprocate their earlier step of lifting curbs on American travelers when the pandemic appeared to be easing -- in fact, Biden reimposed limits on Europeans entering the US. But the European recommendation that Americans be dropped from member countries' "safe lists" isn't as strict as it sounds: Individual nations still may set their own policies toward Americans, who pour billions of tourist dollars into the bloc's economy every year. And vaccinated Americans are still likely to be welcome, as noted Jen Psaki, the press secretary of a White House that has spent months pleading with Americans to save themselves, with free and safe inoculations. "The fastest path to reopening travel is for people to get vaccinated, to mask up and slow the spread of the deadly virus," she said. Psaki also hinted at the way that more sustainable travel links might be maintained reciprocally between the US and EU, including strengthened testing and proof of vaccinations with limited exceptions. But Washington isn't in any hurry, even though the US appears to pose more of a threat of infection to Europeans than the other way around. For one thing, after Afghanistan, Biden can't afford any more missteps. Even a small chance of letting some new variant onto US soil is probably not worth the risk. This story was first published on CNN.com, "After Afghanistan, Biden can't afford any more missteps." President Joe Biden set an Aug. 31 deadline to complete a U.S.-led evacuation. The U.S. withdrew the last of its troops on Monday, with the last planes taking off from the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, at 2:59 p.m. central time one minute before midnight in Kabul, the Associated Press reported Monday afternoon. Thousands have been leaving Afghanistan in fear of the Taliban carrying out revenge attacks against those associated with Americans or the government, AP reported Aug. 17. They (the Taliban) dont allow people to go out because they think because my family want to go to another country, they think Im military or Im (against) Taliban, Jafary said. But this is (my) family Im worried theyll kill them. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Hanif Sufizada, the outreach and education program coordinator at the University of Nebraska-Omahas Center for Afghanistan Studies, had been in Kabul when the situation broke out. He told the Telegram about the difficulty in trying to get out of Afghanistan on Aug. 13, the day the Taliban took over Kabul. Afghans working for or on behalf of the U.S. government, and those who were U.S. citizens, received priority in getting evacuated. Sufizada, a green card holder, was one of many who faced struggles in being able to fly out. Pennsylvanians deserve a future with the health and economic benefits of clean energys lower emissions. RGGI, which is currently awaiting final approval by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) in September, is on track to be enacted in 2022. Under this program, Pennsylvanias largest power plants would buy allowances to account for the carbon they emit. Those payments (which would generate an estimated $300 million in proceeds for the Commonwealth in the first year alone) would then be invested into helping the communities impacted by power plant emissions and go toward developing new innovations in the clean energy sector. With this program we can help lower emissions per UN recommendations all while improving air quality and growing jobs in a high-paying sector. RGGI has already proven to be a highly successful market-based model that has helped over eleven other states, and it is time for PA to join their ranks. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft was at the Ironton branch of the Ozark Regional Library on Monday to present the library system with grant check for $8,000 for its summer reading program. In addition to Ironton, the Ozark Regional Library also has branches in Fredericktown, Viburnum, and Annapolis. The grant money, the maximum awarded, added richness and depth to their summer program, Tails and Tales from the Ozarks: Lakes, Creeks, and Ponds. We were just able to do all kinds of programs that we would never have been able to afford without us states help on this, Director Holly Martin-Huffman said. The state has been a great helper to the public libraries. We're very honored to have Mr. Ashcroft here. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} For the summer program, patrons were able to go on an edible hike with First Earths Bo Brown, make a stop-motion video of Missouris endangered animals, craft nature embroidery, learn about bees, and watch the Eulenspiegel Puppet Show from Iowa, among other things. We are able to have a lot of specialists come in and do programs that we wouldn't have otherwise been able to do because of funding, Youth Librarian Suzette Spitzmiller said. She said it provides the patrons with more access. She has been here 28 years, he said. Auditor Louie Seiberlich spoke about Jenkins in her role. We still have some employees that receive paper checks as opposed to direct deposit, he said. On holidays and other days we are closed and everybody else gets paid. Dana comes to this building and hands out those paper checks. During public comments, Stew Dunivan, an alderman of Iron Mountain Lake, addressed the commission. He spoke about Sheriff Dan Bullock. This gentleman has stepped up for us out there that is making an impact, he said. We are trying to do an arrangement with them where were paying for some of these deputies come in and we pick up the cost. Our roads are in shambles. Im doing everything I can to get our budget lined up. We have a lot of bad information passed down from year to year about what the finances are. We were all told we were broke when we came in as aldermen and we found out we do have money, its just not being spent. At least it hasnt been embezzled, thats a positive that were going with. Engler commended Dunivan and others for trying to improve the governance of Iron Mountain Lake. We still need a lot more. But I will tell you that it's nice to be in Bunker, Missouri, and to have cell phone service when we hadn't for such a long time. You know, being that I live three miles south of Salem, I barely have cell phone service. But when you drive from Salem to Ellington for an hour, you used to have no cell phone service. And now at least halfway in the middle to have it. It's amazing. Still, he said, he continues to do battle to secure more and better access in his district. I fight with these people in Washington DC all the time, and they're like, We need 5G. I'm like, Folks, we just want a G. And I'll tell you we're getting there. And this is something to celebrate and to be excited with. Smith said it wasnt just about private and commercial connectivity, it was about safety, which was fleshed out further by Unruh. Of the 41 new towers built in the 8th District, many of them were what we call purpose-built, FirstNet towers, Unruh said, explaining that FirstNet is a dedicated communications platform for first responders. 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. 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. But Chinese Deputy Ambassador Geng Shuang said the U.S. and its allies have left behind a huge catastrophe they have created while shifting the blame and responsibility to Afghans neighboring countries and the Security Council. 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. It is absolutely too darn expensive to live in Virginia. The liberal left keeps piling on costs, Youngkin said Monday. If elected governor, Youngkins tax agenda also includes requiring local governments to issue referendums to collect more in property taxes. An aide to the campaign said the candidate wants to end runaway property tax increases, homeowners face when their homes value is assessed to be higher and the local municipality simply moves to keep their tax rate the same, effectively raising the amount the homeowner pays. While Youngkins tax agenda doesnt do away with the states income tax as he had previously proposed following facing criticism over the hit it would cause the states budget he is also proposing to offer Virginians a one-time tax rebate of $600 per household or $300 per individual. As hes proposing large tax cuts, Youngkin is also vowing to improve the way state agencies and services function, namely, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Virginia Employment Commission and the states behavioral health system. Youngkin said he wants to make them more customer-service oriented. 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. Emerging Technology Texas Military Department opens 3D-printed barracks The Texas Military Department (TMD) plans to house up to 72 Texas National Guard members in a newly constructed 3D-printed barracks. Working with Austin-based construction company ICON and AFWERX, the Air Forces innovation incubator, TMD designed and built the first innovative training barracks at the Camp Swift Training Center in Bastrop, Texas. By 3D printing the 3,800 square-foot bay-style building, TMD delivered the barracks faster and at one-third the cost of traditional construction methods. The barracks, which will be fitted with communal bathrooms and showers, will be the largest 3D-printed structure in North America and is expected to last for decades. Designed by Logan Architecture and structurally engineered by Fort Structures, the barracks were printed using ICONs Vulcan construction system between December 2020 and April 2021. Ordinarily, 3D printing uses a digitally-generated design to manufacture thin layers of material that are stacked on top of each other, eventually forming a physical object. Here, a construction-scale printer deposited streams of polymer concrete to create the foundation and walls of the barracks. The end product is said to be capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions including natural disasters. In addition, the structure will be more sustainable than conventional construction material and resilient to more common issues such as mold or water intrusions, ICON Co-Founder Evan Loomis said. The Texas National Guard plans to build more 3D-printed barracks at Camp Swift and around the state, including ones in Camp Bowie, Camp Maxey and potentially Camp Mabry, TMD Maj. Gen. Tracy Norris told Stars and Stripes. The 3D-printed facilities may also be deployed in forward locations for expeditionary forces, where the technology can potentially reduce time, cost and construction risks, TMD officials said. This article first appeared on GCN, a Defense Systems partner site. 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. 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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 The City Council has approved a ballot measure that, if passed by voters, would move Denvers municipal elections from May to April to address federal deadlines for mailing ballots to military and overseas voters. The measure was passed unanimously without comment Monday. The measure will now be added to the November 2021 ballot for voter approval. This change was made necessary after Colorado adopted a federal requirement for cities to provide ballots to overseas and military voters 45 days before elections. Currently, Denvers municipal elections are followed by runoffs only 30 days later, with the top two candidates appearing on the runoff ballot. Councilman Kevin Flynn, who sponsored the proposal, called it the simple answer to the deadline issue during previous council meetings. "It resolves the insufficient timeframes and, most importantly, it preserves the charter requirement that all elected officials except for the two at-large council members must be elected by a majority of the votes cast, Flynn said. The two-round runoff system is the only option that guarantees a winner will receive a majority of the vote. In addition to moving up the election, Clerk and Recorder Paul Lopez suggested Denver could instead implement a ranked-choice voting model, eliminating the citys current runoff structure, as a solution to the deadline issue. Under ranked-choice voting, voters rank candidates by preference on their ballots. If no candidate gets the majority of first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated and all ballots with that candidate selected first move to their second preference. This is repeated until a candidate has a majority of votes counted. "Our charter is very antiquated, thats why something has to be done, said Lopez, Denvers chief elections official. I recommended two recommendations that are viable. We are able to do either with the same amount of excellence that our office is nationally renowned for. Some residents and council members have raised issue with the ranked-choice voting proposal not going to the ballot, but Flynn said the council cannot send both proposals to the ballot and the majority of council members voted to move up the election instead. Five of the seven members of the clerks advisory committee also recommended moving the municipal election to April over implementing ranked-choice voting, Flynn said. "There's a timing problem," Flynn said. "When you take your car to a shop because you need to replace the timing belt, you don't want be sold an entire new car." Lopez said he considered other solutions to the deadline issue that were less popular in the public outreach process, including moving municipal elections to November, changing elections to a plurality model and changing to approval voting where voters could select as many candidates as they want. If passed by voters in November, the date change would begin with the next municipal election in 2023. Denvers municipal elections are held every four years, appointing the citys mayor, city council members, auditor and clerk. Honduras state-back operator Hondutel has revealed that its losses topped HNL298.9 million (US$12.4 million) for the first half of 2021, reportedly prompting a rescue package from the countrys government. Local news outlet La Prensa reported that Hondutel has registered an annual net loss for the past three years. The operator has now had its power shut off by state utility firm Empresa Energia Honduras (EEH) after failing to pay its HNL450 million electricity bill. TeleGeography reports that the governments general coordinator Carlos Madero has laid out a plan to modernise the operator into a broadband institution capable of delivering gigabit speeds. Under the preliminary proposals, the government will invest in a new submarine cable in order to boost Honduras available bandwidth by two or three times. Madero noted that privatizing Hondutel was not under consideration. Mobile TeleSystems (MTS), the largest mobile network operator in Russia, has proposed spinning off its infrastructure assets, an idea it's taking to shareholders. For a special shareholder meeting, the company has added to the agenda the proposal to split off its passive infrastructure - cell towers and related assets - into a wholly-owned unit called Tower Infrastructure Company (TIC), said a note from the Russian carrier. It's also suggesting the separation of a significant share of its active network and digital infrastructure (fixed, data centre, and cloud computing) into the entity MWS-1. If that's approved, MWS-1 would be integrated into the company's existing wholly-owned unit MTS Web. "As provided for under Russian regulations concerning voting on matters of reorganization, the Board also decided that owners of MTS ordinary shares voting against the above items or those who abstain from voting will be eligible to submit their shares for repurchase at the price of RUB 326.73 per ordinary share, based on the weighted average trading price over the six months before the Board decided to call for the EGM," it said. Statement by Amb. Byrne Nason at UNSC Meeting on the Middle East, Including the Palestinian Question Statement Thank you very much Mr. President and I want to welcome you Foreign Secretary to this Security Council table. Thank you Tor for your report. The fact is, we should all be concerned by the rising tensions between Israel and the Gaza Strip over recent weeks, and Tor your comprehensive report today just reinforces us in that view. The fragility of the ceasefire underlines, as if those of us here need reminding of that, the urgent need to address the root causes of this conflict. The high number of casualties, including children, from recent violence at protests along the Gaza border are unacceptable, and we also strongly condemn the release of incendiary balloons from Gaza. We have already this year seen the devastating loss of so many lives, including the deaths of children in Gaza and in Israel. In addition, 13 children have been killed in the West Bank so far this year as a result of this conflict, many by live fire from Israeli security forces. We expect the Israeli government to hold the perpetrators of these killings to account and to conduct transparent investigations to that end. There is a clear risk of an even more severe escalation and today we urge all sides to exercise restraint and to uphold rules of international humanitarian law applicable to children in armed conflict. Mr. President, We welcome recent positive developments including the agreement to distribute Qatari aid payments to vulnerable families in Gaza through the UN. The situation in Gaza remains dire, marked by alarming unemployment and poverty rates, increased food insecurity and an inadequate health service to tackle the challenges posed by the pandemic. Without the hope of a better future for Gazans, especially for young people in Gaza, we cannot hope to resolve these issues in a sustainable way. It is imperative that Gazans are given such hope, and that reconstruction and recovery moves forward without delay. I reiterate our appeal to international donors to step up support, including through UNRWA. I would like also to underline the necessity of full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access into Gaza. Positive steps we have seen in recent days must be expedited and expanded. I repeat Irelands call on Israel to end its illegal blockade in line with Resolution 1860. Time and again, Council members have expressed support for the development of a sustainable and sovereign Palestinian state. To make this possible, we simply must keep alive the viability of a two-State solution. Ireland repeats our call on Israel to end all settlement expansion, in line with international law. We remain very concerned about the impact of settlements and increasing reports of settler violence on Palestinian communities. We call for attacks against civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory to cease immediately and for those responsible to be clearly held to account. Demolitions, including in Humsa al-Baqaia and Ras al Tin last month, as well as threatened evictions of Palestinian families from their homes, including in Sheikh Jarrah, Silwan, Al Walaja and elsewhere in the West Bank are part of a deeply concerning trend in displacement of Palestinians which simply must cease. We reject any attempts to undermine the status quo of the Holy Sites of Jerusalem, which will only further fuel tensions on the ground. Mr. President, Ireland encourages the Quartet to renew their efforts to revive the Middle East Peace Process. We also recognise the importance of holding Palestinian elections across the occupied territory, giving a democratic voice to Palestinians, redoubling efforts to achieve intra-Palestinian reconciliation, and renewing the legitimacy of national institutions. We will continue to say it- it is essential that Palestinian women are supported in respect of their right to full, equal and meaningful participation in all aspects of public and political life. That should be guaranteed. We all have a responsibility in seeing that be realised. Mr. President, The arrest and intimidation of human rights defenders and activists for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and association is unacceptable. Denying them the right to peaceful assembly is also completely unacceptable. We call on Israel and the Palestinian Authority to protect and uphold these fundamental rights. Finally Mr. President, After decades of strife and loss of life, we all know that the underlying causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be resolved by ending the illegal occupation, which began in 1967. It can only be realised through a two-State solution, the parameters of which are well known and are agreed. This would see an independent, democratic, viable and contiguous Palestinian State side by side in peace and security with Israel. It is in the interest of both peoples. Notwithstanding the obstacles, that will and must remain our vision and our shared goal, as we have already set out in numerous resolutions here in the work of this Council and in the General Assembly. Thank you Mr. President. Previous Item | Next Item A liquid oxygen tank is transported from the INS Airavat ship to a port in HCMC on August 30, 2021. Photo by India's Press Information Bureau The Indian Navy's INS Airavat has delivered 100 tons of oxygen and 300 oxygen concentrators to help Vietnam's Covid-19 fight. The landing ship docked in Ho Chi Minh City, the epicenter of Vietnam's latest wave, on Monday, an Indian government statement said. "The ship is carrying 100 metric tons of liquid medical oxygen in five containers and 300 oxygen concentrators of 10 LPM (liters per minute) capacity each based on the requirement projected by the government of Vietnam." The Airavat, from the Eastern Naval Command based at Visakhapatnam, is on a deployment to Southeast Asia for shipment of Covid-19 relief aid. It docked in Jakarta, Indonesia, on August 24 to deliver 10 liquid medical oxygen containers. "India and Vietnam enjoy a strong traditional bond of friendship," the statement said. "Symbolizing our commitment to the comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam," INS Airavat arrives in HCMC with relief aid to strengthen Vietnam's efforts against Covid-19, the Indian Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas tweeted. The ship has since left to deliver more medical supplies to other nations in the region. In June it had transported medical supplies including liquid oxygen tanks and ventilators from Vietnam and Singapore to India to tide over a temporary shortage. Vietnam was hit by a fourth wave of Covid four months ago and has yet to bring it under control. By Monday the number of infections had climbed to 445,292, with more than 11,000 fatalities. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attends and addresses the central conference on ethnic affairs in Beijing, capital of China. The conference was held in Beijing on Friday and Saturday. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) BEIJING, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation must be the focus of the Party's work on ethnic affairs in the new era, President Xi Jinping said at a recently-concluded key meeting on ethnic affairs. Acting upon the guiding principle put forth by Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, people of all ethnic groups are working to boost ethnic unity, in the pursuit of a modern socialist country for China. ETHNIC AFFAIRS IN NEW ERA Work related to ethnic affairs has always been a matter of significance for China, a vast and populous country consisting of 56 ethnic groups. The sense of community for the Chinese nation was first put forward by Xi at the second central work conference on Xinjiang in May 2014. At a central conference on ethnic affairs held later in the same year, Xi once again highlighted the importance of laying a solid foundation for the sense of community for the Chinese nation. The idea was enshrined in the Party's Constitution at the 19th CPC National Congress in October 2017. At the central conference on ethnic affairs last week, Xi once again emphasized this point. Liu Xinjian, an official in Hami, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, considered making the sense of community a matter of utmost significance. From his perspective, it helps to motivate all ethnic groups to strive for the further development and progress of the Chinese nation. Ma Guoqing, a professor at Minzu University of China in Beijing, said Xi's latest speech is significant in terms of both ideology and theory. "It represents the latest achievement in adapting Marxist theory on ethnic affairs to the Chinese context," Ma said. UNITY BRINGS PROSPERITY Xi stressed that guiding all ethnic groups to jointly strive for fully building a modern socialist country must be taken as a crucial task of the CPC's ethnic work in the new era. China in February announced that it has eradicated absolute poverty. Continuous efforts are being made to enhance the sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security among people of various ethnic groups. Shi Yongjun, a government official in the Tibet Autonomous Region, learned from his work experience that the focus of forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation could start from further improving people's livelihoods. The case of Tibet is a prime example of how national unity has boosted local development. Home to 45 ethnic groups including Tibetan, Hui and Menba, the region has witnessed huge changes over the past 70 years since its peaceful liberation. The regional GDP ballooned from 129 million yuan (about 19.9 million U.S. dollars) in 1951 to 190 billion yuan in 2020; all registered poor residents and counties had shaken off poverty by the end of 2019, meaning that the region escaped absolute poverty for the first time in history. "Tibet could never have attained such achievements without ethnic unity," Losang Jamcan, director of the Standing Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Regional People's Congress, once said. "Tibet's development over the past 70 years has offered convincing evidence that solidarity and stability bring prosperity." CULTURAL RECOGNITION Identifying with the culture is the foundation for ethnic unity, Xi noted when joining deliberations with lawmakers from north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region during the annual meeting of the National People's Congress in March. "To forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, we need to act in a concerted fashion. And more importantly, we need the people to identify with the Chinese culture," said Kong Qingju, an education official in Menyuan Hui Autonomous County in northwest China's Qinghai Province. Kong suggested that efforts should be made to boost students' recognition of the Chinese nation, Chinese culture, the CPC and socialism with Chinese characteristics. "The fine traditional cultures of all ethnic groups are constituent parts of the Chinese culture," said Fu Jizhen, a resident from the Li ethnic group in south China's Hainan Province. A master of traditional Li spinning, dyeing, weaving and embroidery techniques, Fu said she will carry forward Li culture and boost its communication with others. In enhancing the recognition of the Chinese culture and boosting national cohesion in Xinjiang, local governments are launching education programs and activities for extensive exchanges and communication among ethnic groups, local officials said. Si Qin, an official in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, said promoting educational programs on ethnic unity and progress are underway to boost cultural recognition among all ethnic groups. Herders, students, teachers, company employees will all benefit. RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Flamengo have reached a deal with Chelsea to sign winger Kenedy on a year-long loan, the reigning Brazilian Serie A champions said on Wednesday. The agreement reportedly includes an option for Flamengo to purchase the 25-year-old's economic rights for 12 million U.S. dollars next June. "You asked for the announcement and here it is. Kenedy is Flamengo's new signing," the Rio de Janeiro club said in a tweet to fans. Kenedy is expected to arrive in Rio in the coming days but Flamengo did not say when he might make his debut for the club. The former Fluminense player, who represented Brazil at U-17, U-20 and U-23 level, has made just 27 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions since joining the London club in 2015. He spent last season on loan at Spain's Granada, scoring eight goals and providing six assists in 44 matches. Flamengo are also close to securing a loan agreement for Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira, according to widespread media reports in the South American country. Editor: WXL ICU Investment Group has launched the ICU Trade mobile application, which allows you to buy and sell government domestic loan bonds in real time from all mobile devices. According to the company's press release, this is the first such mobile application on the Ukrainian market. ICU clarified that it is the mobile version of the ICU Trade online platform, which the company launched in October 2020, and is already available on App Store and Google Play. "We are already working on adding all available securities on the local market to ICU Trade," founder of ICU Kostiantyn Stetsenko is quoted as saying. According to the release, ICU Trade allows you to view detailed information about available government bonds, buy/sell them with instant settlements, control the movement of funds and account balances, and withdraw funds to your bank account 24/7. At the same time, ICU analyst Mykhailo Demkiv clarified on Facebook that bonds can only be bought during business hours and on the secondary market. Among the positives moments of the application, he also noted low commissions - from UAH 10 per operation. According to him, one can buy bonds from one unit, but "by all accounts" - from UAH 50,000, while his colleague Taras Kotovych considers it possible to start from UAH 10,000. ICU Group, founded in 2006 by ING specialists, is an independent financial group providing brokerage, asset management and private equity services, specializing in the Central and Eastern European markets. ICU manages assets in the amount of more than $ 500 million; in Ukraine it is among the leaders in terms of the amount of assets under management. The owners and partners of the group are Makar Paseniuk and Kostiantyn Stetsenko. The Ministry of Energy is developing a new national plan for the reduction of emissions from large combustion plants, Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko has said. "We are now analyzing everything. The existing plan does not look logical and reasonable. I, for example, cannot understand the reasons why two combined heat and power plants on gas first of all fell under the closure ... Therefore, we are now revising all this," he said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine. According to him, the ministry, at his request, is conducting an internal investigation to find out why and by whom the decision was made to first close the stations that are in the best technical condition, and those "that are almost falling apart are indicated after 2027." He also noted that the development of the new plan is being carried out by a joint working group, in which, in particular, representatives of the European Commission are involved. "Together with Ukrenergo, we are completely reshuffling this list, proceeding from two key points. The first is that we are synchronizing with the EU. The second is that we are closing generation that does not meet the standards," the minister explained. At the same time, Haluschenko does not support the idea of postponing the implementation of the plan to reduce emissions to 2038. "I also do not like the proposals to postpone the plan to 2038. They show the scale of emissions: here we are going well, but here we are exceeding. Hence the proposal: to postpone to 2038. That is, we did not do anything, now we see problems, so let's postpone," he said. As reported, the total cost of environmental measures at thermal power units under the plan to reduce emissions until the end of 2033 is estimated at UAH 4.3 billion. At the same time, the highest volumes of investments in the ecological modernization of TPPs should be made in 2024-2025 in the amount of EUR544 million and EUR636 million, respectively. In Ukraine, until now, the sources of funding for the plan of emission reduction at TPPs have not been defined. The Regional Gas Company (RGC) has successfully tested the injection of a 20% concentration of hydrogen mixed with natural gas into cabinet-type gas control points at a test site in Chuhuiv, Kharkiv region. "Cabinet-type gas control points are a key component of the entire gas system of the country. In fact, this means that as soon as complex tests are completed, including the tested meters and pipes, gas control points, as the main safety element, will be suitable for operation with a 20% hydrogen mixture. As a result, the safety and continuity of work will be ensured," Ihor Hotsyk, deputy head of the RGC's hydrogen project, said in a commentary to the Green Deal portal. The tests are carried out as part of the company's hydrogen project and at this stage involve testing a 20% gas-hydrogen mixture in cabinet-type gas control points by RGC Production, a plant for gas equipment production. "RGC Production follows quality standards thanks to cooperation with international business partners, with the help of which we complete our products. In particular, now all five types of cabinet-type gas control points installed at the landfill are equipped with Italian Pietro Fiorentini regulators, which are certified to work with a 20% hydrogen mixture from the manufacturer," project manager of RGC Production Oleksandr Volovych said in a commentary to the Green Deal portal. He pointed out that products of RGC Production are unique in their kind, since nowhere in the world has he seen H2-ready analogs in such a complex. "Finally, Ukraine has its own technological products for working with hydrogen. In the future, we hope to sell products outside of Ukraine," Volovych said. According to gas workers, a 20% concentration of hydrogen in a mixture with natural gas is still the most optimal mixture for the current model of the gas distribution system in Ukraine. As the hydrogen concentration rises, there is a drop in pressure and leakage. Earlier, similar tests were successfully completed at a test site in Zhytomyr region. The tests will last a month at test sites in five regions of Ukraine. The RGC Production product testing process is overseen by the world leader in certification and quality control of processes and products Bureau Veritas. As reported, the RGC intends, as a practical experiment, to offer residents of two villages with 50-100 houses to use a gas-hydrogen mixture for heating and domestic purposes from 2023. The experiment is scheduled to be completed by 2025. Before this, the gas-hydrogen mixture in different proportions must be tested on household gas appliances and gas meters in closed networks and at landfills without consumers. To identify all kinds of risks, such experiments will last until mid-2022. Westinghouse will supply nine batches of fuel for Ukrainian NPPs in 2021, President of Westinghouse's Europe, Middle East and Africa Operating Plant Services Business Unit Tarik Choho has said. "In total, in 2021, we will deliver fuel for nine refuelings, and in 2022 it will be seven," he said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine. According to him, for all the years of cooperation with National Nuclear Generating Company Energoatom Westinghouse has supplied 1,626 fuel assemblies for nuclear power plants to Ukraine. Chokho recalled that Westinghouse fuel for VVER-1000 reactors is already in operation at six out of 15 nuclear reactors in Ukraine. "These are units Nos. 1,3,4,5 of Zaporizhia NPP, as well as units Nos. 2 and 3 of Yuzhnoukrinsk NPP. Moreover, five units out of six [units Nos. 1,3,5 of Zaporizhia NPP and No. 3 of Yuzhnoukrinsk NPP] are fully loaded with Westinghouse fuel," he said. In addition, starting in 2022, Westinghouse fuel for VVER-1000 reactors will also be used at unit No. 3 of Rivne NPP, and two years later Westinghouse will supply fuel for VVER-440 to unit No. 2 of this plant. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena arrived on a working visit to Washington (the United States) at the invitation of U.S. leader Joseph Biden. According to the Ukrainian presidential press service, the agenda of the visit includes a one-on-one meeting of the leaders of Ukraine and the United States and in an expanded composition of delegations. A number of important meetings of Zelensky with the U.S. officials will also take place. As scheduled, representatives of Ukraine and the United States will sign a number of documents. The visit program is designed for several days and will cover a number of cities on the East and West coasts of the United States. In turn, Olena Zelenska announced her intention to launch a Ukrainian-language audio guide at the estate of the first U.S. President George Washington Mount Vernon and a meeting with Power women. She also reported on the opening of the "Ukrainian House," a visit to the Holocaust Museum, working meetings at Stanford University and at the San Francisco Department of Education, and a visit to the De Young art gallery. "Each event of these active days is an opportunity, prospects and exchange for the United States and Ukraine. I am sure that due to the 'soft power' of cultural diplomacy, we will become even closer, and our connection will strengthen," Zelenska said. Ukraine plans to continue evacuating Ukrainians from Afghanistan after August 31, however, the return routes of Ukrainian citizens may be adjusted depending on the development of the situation at Kabul airport, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (MFA) Oleh Nikolenko said. "Security risks in the country continue to grow. Over the past few days, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ukrainian Embassy in Tajikistan have observed a new wave of requests for evacuation from Afghanistan. Now the embassy is clarifying the data of people, their number, location and keeps in touch with them," Nikolenko told Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday. He said that on behalf of Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, the diplomats, together with representatives of other departments, are working on further safe exit routes, in particular the possibility of using other airports or ground routes. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that as soon as the first opportunity arises, all Ukrainian citizens who reported themselves to the Ukrainian embassy in Tajikistan will receive instructions on further actions. "An important point: any public whipping up of emotions around the evacuation harms work, creates a risk for both those who want to leave and those who want to help them with this. We work 24/7 and will not leave anyone to their fate," he said. Nikolenko said that Ukraine has already organized six evacuation flights in unprecedentedly difficult conditions, which evacuated more than 650 people. "This is one of the highest rates of successful operations among foreign countries whose citizens need help in Afghanistan," he said. Razumkov urges Danilov to clarify which laws, according to NSDC Secretary, do not comply with Constitution and are corrupt Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Razumkov calls on Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) Oleksiy Danilov to clarify which of the laws adopted by the parliament, in his opinion, do not correspond to the Constitution and may contain corruption components. "Indeed, the position of [NSDC Secretary Danilov] was announced, but I would also like to see which laws are adopted in the Rada and, in the opinion of the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, do not correspond to the Constitution, laws, and are corrupt proposals for certain laws, I hope there is no corruption there," the chairman said at a briefing on Tuesday. At the same time, Razumkov recalled that he suggested Danilov to point from the rostrum of parliament to specific MPs, who, in the opinion of the NSDC secretary, are influenced by the oligarchs. "Even if we hypothetically say that there is some kind of influence, then I have already proposed to show on whom. My proposal regarding the tribune remains in force," he said. Moreover, the Verkhovna Rada chairman expressed confidence that the President of Ukraine would not sign laws containing corruption components. "After the adoption of the law, it is the president who signs it. I am sure, unlike Mr. Danilov, that the president is the guarantor of the Constitution, and as the head of state he would definitely not sign a law that has a corruption component. I hope that he [Danilov] will not argue with me on this matter," the chairman of the parliament said. The European Commission declares its readiness to hold consultations requested by Kyiv due to the further implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project, which threatens the security of Ukraine. The European Commission told Interfax-Ukraine about it on Tuesday. "We are in regular contact with the Ukrainian authorities on many subjects, including energy issues. We look forward to discussing with our Ukrainian counterparts how to best follow-up on their request for consultations. We sent a reply to our Ukrainian counterparts indicating readiness to discuss and pursue ongoing dialogue on energy-related issues," the European Commission said. However, the European Commission said the EU "continues to attach great importance to Ukraine's energy security." "We remain fully available to discussing any issues of concern for Ukraine," the European Commission said. Exclusive interview with President of Westinghouse Electric Company EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) Tarik Choho Theme 1: Nuclear fuel supply Q1: Westinghouse and Energoatom have been cooperating for 21 years out of 30 years of Ukraine's independence. Do you have a data on how many fuel assemblies at Ukrainian NPPs have already been supplied by WEC fuel? A1: First of all, let me start by congratulating Ukraine for its recent 30th independence anniversary. Westinghouse is a partner of Ukraine in its efforts of increasing energy independence. We are very proud of our long-standing and productive strategic partnership with Energoatom and grateful for our customers confidence in our products and services. We are committed to continue supporting Energoatom in every area of its operations. Westinghouse provides different types of fuel to Ukrainian nuclear plants, supporting full diversification in fuel supply to the country. To date we have delivered 1.626 fuel assemblies to Ukraine. Westinghouse VVER-1000 fuel is already in operation in 6 (out of 15) nuclear reactors in Ukraine. These are units 1, 3, 4, and 5 of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and units 2 and 3 of South-Ukraine plant. In addition, 5 units (ZNPP units 1, 3 and 5, and SUNPP units 2 and 3) of out 6 are fully loaded by Westinghouse fuel. Starting in 2022, Westinghouse VVER-1000 fuel will also be used in Rivne nuclear plant unit 3. And two years later, Westinghouse will supply VVER-440 fuel to unit 2 of Rivne nuclear plant. Q2: To understand the increased level of cooperation, how many batches / assemblies does Westinghouse plan to supply to Ukrainian NPPs in 2021 and 2022? In total we are supplying 9 fuel reloads in 2021 and 7 in 2022. I also would like to highlight that Westinghouse history in Ukraine goes well beyond fuel supply, with our investment in Westron and contracts through the EBRD Safety Upgrade Program. Numerous safety upgrade projects implemented at Ukraines power units with Westinghouses help will not only make them safer and more reliable, but also expand their life cycles. Q3: In June 2021, Westinghouse and Energoatom signed a contract for the development and provision of licensing documentation for the supply of fuel for VVER-440 reactors at Rivne NPP. Did the Ukrainian side take part in the development of this fuel? We plan to cooperate with Atomenergomash (subdivision of Energoatom), pending required certification. Once the process is completed, Atomenergomash could start the production of components for fuel assemblies in Ukraine, which could potentially be used locally and also outside of Ukraine. Q4: Loading of the first batch of VVER-440 fuel into Rivne NPP Unit 2 is expected in 2024. You can roughly schedule the process before delivery, in particular: when will the fuel licensing be completed? When will the line for the production of VVER-440 fuel in Sweden be created and launched? The establishment of the VVER-440 fuel production line at Westinghouse facility in Vasteras (Sweden) is underway and will be fully ready for first delivery in 2024. We expect also licensing by then. Q5: Has the qualification/ certification of Atomenergomash plant been conducted? It is progressing. As I mentioned, Westinghouse plans to cooperate with Atomenergomash to localize production of the fuel components in Ukraine. Q6: Where is it planned to manufacture liners and heads of fuel assemblies for VVER-440? Fuel will be manufactured in our Vasteras plant in Sweden, but some components may be manufactured in Ukraine with Atomenergomash, as mentioned. Q7: If it's not a secret, what other countries / companies/ operators is Westinghouse negotiating a possible supply of VVER-440? We have ongoing dialogue with several operators for supply of VVER-440 fuel in Europe, including Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Theme 2: Reactors Q1: In the end of June 2021, Energoatom and Westinghouse discussed cooperation in the construction of new NPP units in Ukraine using AP1000 technology. Has the required working group already been established? This is correct. It was a multistage discussion with different stakeholders involved. We are pleased to say that, as a result of this engagement, a working group was established to proceed further. Q2: Which reactors of Ukrainian NPPs are most suitable for AP1000 in terms of equipment delivery logistics? Wherever we build AP1000s in the world, we work with the government, and the local supply base to develop the best working relationships for a successful plant build. We are fundamentally a technology company. Even though technology is necessary, its not sufficient. We have integrated that technology needs to deliver a value for our customers, for the taxpayers, to the communities, and to our society. Which means there is more to this equation than just technology and science. Weve been successful in building and operating the AP1000 plants in China, which are breaking industry records, while just completing the construction phase of one of two AP1000 plants in Waynesboro, Georgia. All of this while investing in advanced technologies, control systems, and driving future digital innovations. Q3: If the agreement on the construction is reached, where will the key reactor equipment be produced? Is there some kind of localization possible in Ukraine? As I mentioned, when Westinghouse builds AP1000s, we make sure to work closely with key stakeholders, including government and the local supply base, for a successful plant build. As discussed, Westinghouse plans to cooperate with Atomenergomash to localize production of the fuel components used locally and outside of Ukraine. Q4: Is Westinghouse ready to help Energoatom to find funding for the construction of the new rectors? As an example DFC (OPIC) support (bonds) for the Centralized Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel (CSFSF). There are critical cost drivers for nuclear plants. The costs and the risks around new plants are largely driven by their construction time which directly impacts the financing costs and overall LCOE. Which is why the AP1000, our Gen III+ reactor, has not only a stable design, but a highly modular and compact design. All of this in addition to its advanced passive safety features. Its footprint is also radically different: it is about a third of the footprint of any other Gen III plant. Another key lever for reducing nuclear program costs is standardization of technology for fleet deployment and striving to harmonize global licensing standards. We need to continue to push toward having customers and regulators collectively harmonize their requirements. As you know, we have built 4 units in China which are now in operation, and by the way, operate at outstanding levels. These units are very similar configurations. As early as the 3rd unit, we could already see a very substantial double-digit cost reduction for the plants and reduction of construction and start-up schedule. Thats a real learning curve which benefits all new customers. Q5: Is Westinghouse preparing a documentation for participating in the tender for the Czech Dukovany expansion? Westinghouse officials are excited about the potential to bring AP1000 technology to the Czech Republic, and all countries with energy needs and goals. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine included Turboatom, more than 75.22% of which belong to the state, to the list of objects of large privatization, while approving the joining of Electrotyazhmash Plant (both based in Kharkiv) after the corporatization of the state-owned enterprise. According to government resolution No. 1005-r dated August 26, 2021, the State Property Fund (SPF) was instructed to carry out a set of measures and procedures related to the merger of Electrotyazhmash with Turboatom. As reported, the Ukrainian government in January 2019 excluded Turboatom from the list of large privatization objects. In turn, the SPF, in terms of privatization for 2021, planned to sell the single property complex of Electrotyazhmash Plant state enterprise.at an auction. However, on August 26, the shareholders of Turboatom approved the joining of Electrotyazhmash to it on the initiative of the SPF, and on September 28, the shareholders plan to approve the transfer act, as well as the conditions for converting the shares of Electrotyazhmash into the shares of Turboatom and make a decision on the issue of shares for the purpose of such conversion. The enterprises are partners in the production chain. Electrotyazhmash, which has been in a difficult financial condition in recent years, specializes in the production of powerful hydro generators, turbine generators for thermal power plants and nuclear power plants, electric motors for drives of rolling mills, mine hoists, traction electrical equipment for railway and urban transport. Turboatom is the only Ukrainian manufacturer of turbine equipment for hydro, thermal and nuclear power plants. The geography of supplies of the enterprise covers 45 countries of Europe, Asia, America and Africa. Polish PGNiG plans to invest $50 million in gas production in western Ukraine at the first stage as part of a partnership with the Energy Resources of Ukraine (ERU) group of companies, MP Andriy Gerus has said. "At the first stage, it is planned to invest $50 million. And in the future, the volume of investments may reach up to $500 million," he wrote on his Facebook page after attending the 24th Gazterm gas conference in Poland. As reported, early December 2019, the Polish company PGNiG SA and the Ukrainian group of companies ERU signed an agreement on the exploration and production of natural gas in Lviv region. The agreement provides for the drilling of an exploration well up to 2,500 meters deep at the initial stage, and measures to design the location of other wells. In May 2021, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) allowed PGNiG SA to acquire over 50% in Karpatygazvydobuvannia LLC, which belongs to ERU. Energy Resources of Ukraine (ERU) is a group of companies with foreign investments specializing in the implementation of projects in the Ukrainian energy sector. It is one of the largest private importers of natural gas and electricity to the country. ERU Group belongs to Yaroslav Mudry and Dale Perry. PGNiG is the largest oil and gas company in Poland, engaged in the development of gas and oil fields, production, storage and transportation of energy resources, as well as construction and development of oil and gas transport networks, export and import of gas. People walk past the Bank of England during morning rush hour, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in London, Britain (Photo : REUTERS/Henry Nicholls) The following is a summary of some recent studies on COVID-19. They include research that warrants further study to corroborate the findings and that have yet to be certified by peer review. Delta variant makes people sicker The Delta variant of the coronavirus is known to be more easily transmissible https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/delta-coronavirus-variant-believed-have-60-transmission-advantage-uk-2021-06-09 than earlier versions, and now a large UK study suggests it also makes people sicker. Researchers analyzed data on 43,338 patients infected with either the Alpha or the Delta variant. Overall, roughly three quarters were unvaccinated, and half were under age 31. After accounting for patients' underlying risk factors, researchers found that unvaccinated patients were 132% more likely to be hospitalized if they were infected with Delta than with Alpha. Vaccinated patients may also be more likely to require hospitalization with a Delta infection, but data for those patients was less clear, according to a report published on Friday in The Lancet Infectious Diseases https://bit.ly/3mHhsLL. The results "suggest that outbreaks of the Delta variant in unvaccinated populations might lead to a greater burden on healthcare services than the Alpha variant," the researchers concluded. Advertisement Oral drug shows promise against COVID-19 pneumonia Severely ill patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who received the experimental oral drug opaganib developed by RedHill Biopharma required less extra oxygen and were able to leave the hospital sooner than patients receiving a placebo in a small randomized trial, researchers reported on Sunday on medRxiv https://bit.ly/3BstKLV ahead of peer review. Within 14 days after enrolling in the study, 50.0% of patients taking opaganib no longer needed oxygen, compared to 22.2% of patients in the placebo group. In addition, 86.4% of opaganib-treated patients had been discharged, versus 55.6% in the placebo group. On Thursday, RedHill announced that opaganib strongly inhibits the Delta variant of the coronavirus in test tube experiments. The drug is believed to exert its antiviral effect by inhibiting sphingosine kinase-2 (SK2), a key enzyme in cells that may be recruited by the virus to support its replication, the company said. Based on the initial 42-patient trial conducted last year, RedHill Biopharma launched a much larger randomized trial in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. The last of the 475 patients in that late-stage study has now completed treatment and some of the data should be available soon, the company said last week. Seizure in children may signal COVID-19 Seizures may be the only symptom of COVID-19 in some children, a new report cautions. Children tend to get sick from COVID-19 far less often than adults, and their symptoms are usually not severe, mainly consisting of fever and mild respiratory issues, although more have become ill with emergence of the Delta variant. Among 175 children who came to an Israeli emergency room and were diagnosed with COVID-19, 11 were brought to the hospital because of seizures, researchers reported on Saturday in the medical journal Seizure https://bit.ly/3gNI61F. Only seven had previously been diagnosed with a neurological disorder, and only six had fever. All 11 made full recoveries. While seizures have not been a frequently reported problem in adults with COVID-19, they "may be the main manifestation of acute COVID-19 in children," even without fever and without a history of epilepsy, the study authors said. In some hospitals, they point out, only children with flu-like symptoms or close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient get tested for the coronavirus. Medical personnel should be aware that children with seizures should be tested, too, they said. Click for a Reuters graphic https://tmsnrt.rs/3c7R3Bl on vaccines in development. Canada's Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau waves during his election campaign tour in Nobleton, Ontario, Canada (Photo : REUTERS/Carlos Osorio) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plunged back into campaigning on Monday after unusually vocal protesters disrupted his election rallies and forced him to cancel an event. Trudeau, whose ruling Liberals are tied in polls with their Conservative rivals ahead of the Sept. 20 vote, spoke to media in the Quebec town of Granby on Monday but did not refer to the weekend unrest. Advertisement In highly unusual scenes for Canada, demonstrators in the Ontario towns of Bolton on Friday and Cambridge on Sunday shouted death threats and screamed abuse at Trudeau, many referring to his push for COVID-19 vaccinations. The crowd in Cambridge made his announcement on Sunday of climate change policies difficult to hear. Trudeau's team took the rare decision to cancel a rally planned near Bolton on Friday, saying the protests could endanger public safety. A senior Trudeau aide said the Liberal leader did not plan to make changes to avoid similar confrontations. "I know Canadians ... if you threaten them with violence and try to scare them away from what's right, we double down," Trudeau, who has been in power since 2015, said on Sunday after the protest. Trudeau, 49, is the son of former Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, who in the early 1980s was extremely unpopular in western Canada. "I've never seen this intensity of anger on the campaign trail or in Canada, not when I was a kid, even with my dad visiting out West, where we did see anger," he said on Friday. During the 1968 campaign, Trudeau's father stood his ground when Quebec separatists threw rocks and bottles at him. "It defined the man," said University of Toronto history professor emeritus Robert Bothwell. Justin Trudeau's push for inoculations has generated the same rancor among right-wing groups as in the United States. Some demonstrators demanded Trudeau be locked up, prompting a Liberal aide to tweet, "Team Trump is out in force," referring to former U.S. President Donald Trump. The Conservatives denounced the images and behavior although some people at the Bolton protest wore shirts identifying themselves as working for a Conservative legislator. Conservative strategist Dan Robertson suggested the Liberals, who have a minority government, might be seeking to benefit from the protests by appearing to stand firm. "It's not terribly difficult to re-jig a tour to avoid demonstrators (and) confrontations - if you wanted to," he tweeted. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid speaks during a news conference in Kabul, Afghanistan (Photo : REUTERS/Stringer /File Photo) The Taliban government in Afghanistan would accept any Afghan migrants whose applications for asylum were rejected in Europe and they would then face court, an Austrian newspaper quoted a Taliban spokesman as saying on Monday. Austria's conservative-led government has taken a hard line on Afghan asylum seekers and refugees within the European Union, with the interior minister initially saying Austria should keep deporting rejected asylum seekers back to Afghanistan for as long as possible. Advertisement Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer has since conceded that that is no longer possible, but said he wants "deportation centres" set up in neighbouring countries that would take them in. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told the Kronen Zeitung newspaper that his government would be willing to accept such deportees. "Yes. They would be taken to court. The court would then have to decide how to proceed with them," Zabihullah told the newspaper when asked if it would take in Afghan asylum seekers in Germany or Austria whose asylum claims had been rejected or who had committed crimes in those European countries. He did not elaborate on why they should be taken to court or what judgement they might face there. He also repeated his government's pledge to respect the rights of women within the framework of Islamic law, or Sharia. "We will secure all rights that women are entitled to under Sharia," Zabihullah said. "We will grant women Islamic rights, enable education and create conditions for work. We are in the process of putting all that in place." An Afghan man receives aid from the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies after an earthquake, in Behsud district of Jalalabad province, Afghanistan (Photo : REUTERS/Parwiz) Afghanistan's healthcare system is at risk of collapse, two major aid agencies told Reuters, after foreign donors stopped providing aid following the Taliban takeover. After the United States withdraw the bulk of its remaining troops last month, the Taliban accelerated its military campaign, taking control of the capital Kabul on Aug. 15. Advertisement International donors including the World Bank and European Union froze funding to Afghanistan shortly afterwards. "One of the great risks for the health system here is basically to collapse because of lack of support," said Filipe Ribeiro, Afghanistan representative for Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), one of the largest medical aid agencies in the country. "The overall health system in Afghanistan is understaffed, under-equipped and underfunded, for years. And the great risk is that this underfunding will continue over time." Necephor Mghendi, Afghanistan head of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), said the healthcare system, which was already fragile and heavily reliant on foreign aid, had been left under additional strain. "The humanitarian needs on the ground are massive," he said. INCREASED DEMAND Both aid agencies said that while their ground operations were broadly unaffected, they had seen a significant increase in demand as other facilities are unable to fully function. Mghendi said closures of Afghan banks had meant almost all humanitarian agencies have been unable to access funds, leaving vendors and staff unpaid. Compounding the issue, medical supplies will now need to be restocked earlier than expected. "Supplies that were supposed to last for three months will not be able to last three months. We may need to replenish much earlier than that," Mghendi said. Ribeiro said MSF had stockpiled medical supplies before the takeover but that with flights disrupted and land borders in disarray, it was unclear when more might reach the country. During its period in power from 1996-2001, the Islamist militant Taliban had an uneasy relationship with foreign aid agencies, eventually expelling many, including MSF, in 1998. This time, the group has said it welcomes foreign donors, and will protect the rights of foreign and local staff - a commitment that has so far been upheld, Ribeiro said. "They actually ask us to stay, and they asked us to keep running our operations the way we were running them before," he said. "The relations are, so far, pretty reassuring." Egypts government has ratified, with immediate effect, the bylaws of the new law concerning non-government organisations (NGOs), Egyptian Cabinet Spokesperson Nader Saad announced Thursday evening. The House of Representatives passed an amended NGOs law in July 2019, after the existing version of the law was criticized for imposing steep restrictions on the work of tens of thousands of NGOs in the country. The law and its bylaws were the product of a community dialogue discussion that was launched by the government with various stakeholders about the best practices in this field in a number of countries, with the participation of local and foreign NGOs, jurists, and the National Council for Rights, Saad said. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly formed a committee to oversee the amendment of the original NGO law in 2018, after President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi asked for revisions to be made. Ratifying the new bylaws is considered the start of implementing the law in Egypt, said Saad in a statement, adding that both the law and its bylaws are considered a paradigm shift in the history of civil society in the country. The law and its bylaws reflect the faith of the state in the vital role of NGOs in achieving developments in different fields through building a strong and sustainable partnership between the state and civil society in a way that allows them to achieve their goals in a framework of transparency and respect of human rights values, he added. Saad stated the new law reflects the commitment of the state to support society by guaranteeing the right to form NGOs, boost their organisational and financial capabilities, and allow them to work in different fields, in addition to providing them with merits and exemptions. Citizens are granted the right to form NGOs upon notification, while ensuring that they freely exercise their activities, and that administrative bodies are not allowed to interfere in their affairs, dissolve them, or dissolve their boards of directors without a court ruling, the official spokesperson said. The law also reflects how the Egyptian state welcomes the work of foreign NGOs in Egypt, he added. Concerning the work of foreign NGOs in Egypt, the bylaws explained in details the procedural framework that foreign NGOs must follow in order to have a permit to operate in the country, he said. Concerning the finances of NGOs, Saad stated that the new law facilitated the financial transactions of NGOs, allowing them to receive cash and funds from inside and outside of Egypt from persons or legal entities, as well as foreign NGOs unauthorized to work in the country. The spokesman also added that the new law does not include any penalties that involve the incarceration of NGO workers, with fines being imposed in case of violations. According to Saad, in order for NGOs currently in Egypt to continue to operate, including foreign NGOs, without disruption, the new law gives all NGOs an opportunity to resolve their legal situation within a year of implementing the bylaws by going through simple procedures. Short link: Egyptian judge Ali Mokhtar issued a ruling on Saturday lifting asset freezes and travel bans on the staff of 20 NGOs involved in case No.173 for the year 2011, commonly known as "foreign funding of civil society case. Mokhtar is the latest investigating judge succeeding a number of previous judges delegated by the 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. Mokhtar said in a statement on Saturday that he started the investigation to complement the efforts of the previous investigating judges about 10 months ago, and the legal position of a number of the organisations under investigation was determined. So, we had to settle it without delay until the completion of investigations into the remaining facts. The investigations into 20 of the organisations, entities, and societies in the case have been concluded, Mokhtar said, without specifying the total number of NGOs included in the case. According to the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), there are 37 organisations named in the fact-finding committee report. On 9 October 2015, Egypts daily newspaper Al-Youm Al-Sabea published a leaked copy of a request by the investigating judge at the time to the tax authorities enquiring about the tax compliance of 25 Egyptian organisations. Mokhtar added in the statement that due to the different legal positions and the different legal nature and evidences, we decided to issue an order not to pursue a criminal case for six of the organisations. Mokhtar also issued an order not to move forward with a criminal case for 14 of the NGOs due to insufficient evidence. The judge consequently decided to lift the travel bans and asset freezes on the staff of the 20 orgaisations. We believe that civil society is part of the engine of sustainable development and is indispensable in supporting solidarity and social peace, which do not come about without the active and effective role of civil society, as long as this role is played within the correct legal framework and in accordance with the legal controls set by the legislator, Mokhtar said. Earlier on Thursday, Egypts prosecution ordered the release of three EIPR employees on bail after their arrest last month: Head Director of EIPR Gasser Abdel-Razek, Executive Director of EIPR Mohamed Bashir, and the head of the groups criminal justice department, Karim Ennarah. The prosecution released the three after legal documents were provided by EIPR showing that legal procedures have been taken to change the status of EIPR from a regular company to a non-profit organisation in accordance with the NGO law. Short link: Egypts Social Solidarity Minister Nevine El-Qabbaj said on Monday that the ministry's vision for the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) goes beyond granting them licenses and involves dealing with them as partners in the implementation of national projects. Egypt is looking to have an "effective and transparent" channel of communication with civil society via the new NGO law to achieve the desired sustainable development, said Minister El-Qabbaj. The minister's remarks were made during a meeting named Dialogue with International Partners ... New Horizons for Civil Society in Egypt, which was held on Monday to discuss the NGO law. The event was attended by close to 130 international bodies and NGOS, according to a statement by the social solidarity ministry. El-Qabbaj underscored that the articles of the NGO law represent a "leap" for civil society organisations. The new law is also a reflection of the ministrys keenness to build a strong and sustainable partnership with [NGOs] under the principles of transparency and respecting human rights, she added. The minister praised the prompt response of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to the requests by civil society to amend the law, which was first approved in 2016. In November 2018, during the second World Youth Forum in Sharm El-Sheikh, President El-Sisi voiced his support for amending the NGO law. The House of Representatives approved a host of amendments to the law in July 2019. The Egyptian government ratified the articles of the amended NGO law in November 2020. During Monday's meeting, the social solidarity minister vowed to provide all means of support for civil society and contribute to strengthening their organisational and financial capabilities. She added that the recently ratified bylaws allow the NGOs to tap into the country's digital transformation plan by registering the associations and fundraising online. The minister added that according to the new law, the associations cannot be dissolved without a court ruling. The law also includes a number of penalties against entities and organisations that do not comply with the rules and instructions and those involved in crimes. During the event, El-Qabbaj referred to mechanisms by which NGOs can be frozen or suspended as well as means for reconciliation. Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat, who attended the meeting, said that civil society has played a strong role in the ministrys international partnerships with multilateral and bilateral development partners over the past year to support the country's efforts in combating the coronavirus pandemic. Al-Mashat affirmed the international cooperation ministry's keenness to strengthen economic cooperation ties with international partners through the principles of economic diplomacy. Short link: 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 North African 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. Short link: 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. Short link: Egypt denounced on Monday a drone and missile attack on a military base in south Yemen which caused the death of dozens of Yemenis. The deadly attack on Al-Anad Airbase in the Lahj province on Sunday killed at least 30 troops and injured over 65 others, the Spokesman for Yemens southern forces, Mohammed Al-Naqib, said. Missiles and explosive-laden drones reportedly hit a barracks that housed over 50 troops and a ballistic missile hit the bases training area. The Egyptian government and people extend their sincere condolences and sympathy to the Yemeni government, its brotherly people, and the families of the victims of this heinous crime, a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry read. The ministry wished the injured a speedy recovery and reiterated Egypts full solidarity and support to the Yemeni government in this great affliction. Egypt reaffirms the necessity to prioritise the interest of Yemen and its people through reaching a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis, the statement read. The ministry added that this political solution should ensure Yemens unity and territorial integrity and meet the aspirations of the Yemeni people in security, stability, and development. Saudi Arabia has been intercepting hundreds of drones and missiles launched by the Houthis over the past few years since a Saudi-led coalition intervened militarily in Yemen in 2015 to support the internationally recognised government. Egypt has repeatedly expressed its full support of the coalition against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, saying the movements practices further inflame the situation in Yemen. The Iran-backed Houthis have rejected calls for a truce by the United Nations, the United States, and Saudi Arabia this year. The Houthis over the past months have been attempting to take the city of Marib to no avail, bearing significant losses in the process. Thousands of fighters, mostly Houthis, have been since killed in the eastern city. Short link: Egypt inoculated 350,000 citizens that intend to travel abroad soon with various coronavirus vaccines over the past two weeks, Egypts Health Minister Hala Zayed said in a meeting with Kuwaits Ambassador to Cairo Mohamed Saleh Al-Thuwaikh on Tuesday. Egyptian travelers below 18 years of age have been also allowed to receive a vaccine for the purpose of studying or treatment abroad, the health ministry cited Zayed as saying in a statement. Al-Thuwaikh affirmed Kuwaits keenness to facilitate procedures for safe transportation between Egypt and Kuwait in a way that serves the interests of their citizens, according to the statement. He said that the measures taken by the Egyptian health ministry in this regard are in line with Kuwaits health regulations, noting that this contributes to increasing flights between both countries starting September. Al-Thuwaikh hailed the Egyptian governments measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus since the beginning of the crisis and praised Egypts support for many Arab, African, European, and Asian countries in the face of the pandemic. During the meeting, Zayed and Al-Thuwaikh exchanged information regarding the coronavirus situation in both countries, the statement read. Egypt started its vaccination campaign earlier this year and has allocated 657 vaccination centres nationwide, including 145 centres for those traveling abroad, according to data released by the ministry last week, with the numbers regularly increasing. To date, Egypts vaccination campaign has included the use of the imported version of the Sinovac vaccine with the locally produced version going into circulation last week along with the Sputnik V, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and Sinopharm vaccines. Egypt is also expecting 5.2 million doses of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in September along with a second batch of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. This is in addition to the countrys ongoing efforts to produce millions of Sinovac and Sputnik shots annually to cover local and African needs. Egypt received its first shipment of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, comprising 261,600 doses earlier this month. Egypt announced earlier in August that the Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer vaccines will be dedicated for travelers. In a press conference last week, Zayed said in case Egypt ran out of the Johnson & Johnson doses allocated for traveling purpose, it will use the British AstraZeneca vaccine instead. Short link: President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi praised on Tuesday modern and integrated infrastructure in Egypt, which he said provides a strong basis for boosting development cooperation with international partners. During a meeting with South Korean Minister of National Defense Suh Wook, the president voiced Egypt's keenness on promoting relations with South Korea, especially in the military and defense fields, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said. Egypt also looks forward to activating the comprehensive cooperative partnership with South Korea in a way that helps benefit from the huge capabilities of the two countries, Sisi added. Suh Wook, for his part, praised the great national projects being established in Egypt under the leadership of President El-Sisi. He also valued the role played by Egypt to contain tensions between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. According to the spokesman, the meeting also reviewed military and security cooperation between the two countries, especially in the industrial and technological domains. Suh Wook met on Saturday with Egyptian Ambassador to South Korea Hazem Fahmy to discuss the significant progress in relations with Egypt since El-Sisis visit to Seoul in 2016. The minister, during the meeting, revealed that South Korean President Moon Jae-in is keen on visiting Cairo sometime in early 2022. Short link: South Korean Minister of National Defense Minister Suh Wook said on Tuesday that there are important opportunities to enhance military cooperation with Egypt in light of the two countries huge economic capabilities. The South Korean minister, who is on a two-day visit to Egypt, made the remarks in a meeting with Egypt's Minister of State for Military Production Mohamed Ahmed Morsy. Minister Suh will then fly to Oman, according to Korean local reports. Minister Suh expressed aspirations that his meeting with Morsy will open up new horizons of investment and cooperation between Egyptian military production companies and the relevant companies in South Korea, a statement by the Egyptian side read. The Korean minister hailed the diverse and historic relations between the two countries, which have witnessed progress over the past years on all levels. Minister Suh also highlighted the mutual understanding the two countries share regarding the necessity to boost their bilateral relations in different industrial and economic fields. The Egyptian minister of state for military production affirmed his ministrys willingness to benefit from South Korean expertise in different fields as part of the ministrys keenness to cooperate with international companies. Morsy added that this cooperation aims at transferring experience and localising modern technologies in Egypt, which is in line with the states policy to develop industrial and technological capabilities to support sustainable development strategies by relying on local manufacturing capabilities, Morsy explained. South Korean Ambassador to Cairo Hong Jin-wook also attended the meeting. The South Korean ambassador praised the Egyptian states keenness to provide a supportive climate for investment and attracting further investments from international companies, the statement read. Jin-wook also hailed Egypts pivotal role in the Arab region and the Middle East as well as its counterterrorism efforts. During the meeting, the two sides agreed on the importance of exchanging technical visits to learn about the technological and industrial capabilities of each side and suggest fields of cooperation, the statement added. South Koreas defence minister also met on Tuesday morning with Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, according to presidential spokesman Bassam Radi. Short link: Egypt condemned on Tuesday the latest drone attack carried out by Houthi rebels on Abha International Airport in southwest Saudi Arabia, causing the injury of several Saudis. The attack on the airport the second in the same day left eight people wounded and caused damages to a civilian plane, the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen announced. [Egypt] reiterates its firm stance in supporting the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the face of these continuing acts of terrorism that target civilian areas in the south of the country, a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry read. The ministry also voiced its support for Saudi measures taken to maintain the kingdoms security, stability, and the safety of its citizens and residents in the face of these sinful attacks. It added that such attacks constitute a breach of international law and are a threat to the security and safety of civil aviation, air traffic, and stability in the region. Earlier on Tuesday, the coalition announced that it intercepted a drone attack on the airport, saying the shrapnel was scattered in the vicinity of the airport but did not cause any injuries or damages. Saudi Arabia has been intercepting hundreds of drones and missiles launched by the Houthis over the past few years since a Saudi-led coalition intervened militarily in Yemen in 2015 to support the internationally recognised government. The Iran-backed Houthis have rejected multiple calls for a truce by the United Nations, the United States, and Saudi Arabia this year. Egypt has repeatedly expressed its full support of the coalition against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, saying the movements practices further inflame the situation in Yemen. Short link: A follow-up committee formed by Egypt and Qatar to develop the recently-resumed ties between Cairo and Doha convened in Cairo on Tuesday for a new round of bilateral consultations following the Al-Ula declaration. Today's meeting saw a review of a number of issues on the committee's agenda as well as a discussion on enhancing bilateral relations in the coming period, according to a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry. The Egyptian side was presided over by Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab Affairs Yasser Othman, while the Qatari side was headed by Special Envoy of the Qatari Minister of Foreign Affairs for Regional Affairs Ali bin Fahad Al-Hajri, according to the statement. In January, Egypt, along with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, signed an agreement in the Saudi city of Al-Ula that restored ties with Doha and ended a boycott by the Arab quartet that started in mid-2017. The quartet had cut diplomatic, economic, and travel ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing Doha of interfering in their internal affairs and supporting terrorist groups, charges denied by Qatar. In the wake of the Al-Ula declaration, Egypt and Qatar agreed to move beyond their dispute and work towards settling all outstanding issues. Rounds of meetings of joint Egyptian-Qatari committees have been held this year to follow up on the development of bilateral ties following the agreement. In June, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdul-Rahman Al-Thani in Doha. In an official statement both ministers expressed satisfaction with the developments in Egyptian-Qatari relations following the signing of the Al-Ula Declaration and agreed to fully restore diplomatic ties. The previous round of the follow-up committee's consultations had resolved many outstanding issues between Doha and Cairo, Qatars foreign minister said in June. Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Qatars Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani met for the first time in Baghdad on Saturday on the sideline of the Baghdad Conference on Cooperation and Partnership. El-Sisi and Tamim agreed to continuing consultation to boost bilateral relations during the coming period, a statement by the Egyptian presidency said, adding that the two leaders also agreed to proceed with mutual steps to resume the two countries' bilateral cooperation mechanisms. In January, following the signing of the agreement, Qatar Airways and EgyptAir resumed flights between the two countries' capitals. Also, both countries exchanged the appointment of ambassadors in July and August. Short link: Turkey has prevented two Muslim Brotherhood members from departing its lands, sources told the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath channels on Tuesday. The pair, Yehia Mousa and Alaa Al-Samahi, is accused by Egyptian authorities of masterminding the assassination of former Egyptian prosecutor-general Hisham Barakat in 2015. Mousa and Al-Samahi are reportedly in Turkey since the dispersal of the terrorist-designated Muslim Brotherhood sit-ins in Cairo in August 2013. The 45-day-long sit-ins were organised in Rabaa and Al-Nahda squares after the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 30 June 2013. The ban on departure imposed by the Turkish authorities on Mousa and Al-Samahi will be in place until further notice, the sources added. The sources also told both Saudi channels that a number of Brotherhood offices and homes in Turkey have been closed and evacuated over the past two weeks upon an order from the Turkish authorities. Egypt and Turkey are preparing for a second round of what they called "exploratory talks" on 7-8 September in Ankara to address bilateral relations between the two countries and a number of regional issues. Egypts relations with Turkey have been strained since the ouster of Morsi, who was backed by the government of then prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The exploratory talks come as Turkey attempts to end its differences that have been impacting its economy with regional powers over several crises in the region. The second round of talks comes four months after Egyptian and Turkish diplomatic officials concluded two days of political consultations in Cairo on normalizing relations, a round that was described by both sides as "frank and in-depth." The round addressed bilateral issues as well as a number of regional issues, in particular the situation in Syria and Iraq, and the need to achieve peace and security in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Ankara, ahead of the first exploratory talks, reportedly requested the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated channels based in Istanbul to dim their criticism of Egypt's government, as Turkey seeks to repair ties with Cairo. Later, the Turkish authorities prevented Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood hosts from appearing on two of these channels. Short link: Amazon inaugurated on Tuesday a logistics centre in Egypt as the global online shopping platform titan plans to launch Amazon.eg this year. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Egypts Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Telecommunications Minister Amr Talaat, and Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea, a cabinet statement said. The 28,000 square-metre-sized store, located in 10th of Ramadan city in Sharqia governorate, in Lower Egypt, aims to provide a faster shopping and delivery to meet the demands of online shopping customers in Egypt, said Ronaldo Mashhour, vice president of Amazon for the Middle East and North Africa. Amazon has been operating in Egypt since 2017 through Souq.com, an Amazon affiliated company, introducing online shopping services and operating a widespread local logistics and operations network across the country with 15 delivery stations across the country. With investments worth over EGP 1 billion, Amazon has also established corporate and customer services offices and a total local workforce of over 3,000 employees across corporate, customer service, and operations in Egypt. Souq.com has become Amazon.sa and Amazon.ae in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE since Amazon acquired Souq.com in both markets. Amazon's new investment reflects the company's "firm and continued" commitment to supporting and strengthening the economic sector, Mashhour added. Prime Minister Madbouly stressed Egypt's keenness to attract more foreign investments to establish various projects in different sectors, the cabinet statement said. The Egyptian market is promising, and has wide opportunities for investors and businessmen, Madbouly added, noting that Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has urged for strengthening the role of the private sector as an important partner in achieving development. Short link: Minister of Defense and Military Production Mohamed Zaki met with South Korean Defense Minister Suh Wook, who is currently visiting Egypt. An official reception ceremony was held for the South Korean minister and his accompanying delegation here. The meeting touched on the latest regional and international developments in addition to a number of issues of common interest, including military cooperation and exchanging expertise. Zaki asserted Egypts appreciation for its long-established relations with South Korea, expressing his keenness on coordinating efforts and boosting military cooperation between both countries. Meanwhile, the South Korean minister voiced his keenness on furthering cooperation between both countries in the coming stage in a way that achieves common interests. He also expressed his country's desire to promote military cooperation with Egypt in the coming period. Search Keywords: Short link: Official: Death toll from attack on Yemeni base rises to 30 Mohamed al-Naqeeb, the spokesman for the Yemeni southern forces, told The Associated Press that the attack Sunday on the Al-Anad Air Base in the southern province of Lahj has also wounded at least 65 others Rebels in Ethiopia's war-torn Tigray region have been looting aid warehouses, the US aid agency said Tuesday, calling the alleged thefts a "great concern for humanitarians". "We know for a fact... that the TPLF (Tigray People's Liberation Front), every town they've gone into they looted the warehouses, they've looted trucks, they've caused a great deal of destruction in all the villages they visited and it's a great concern for humanitarians," Sean Jones, head of the USAID mission in Ethiopia, told Ethiopian state television EBC. "I do believe that TPLF has been very opportunistic. Maybe they are stealing from citizens, we don't have proof of this. What we do have proof of is that several of our warehouses have been looted and completely emptied in the areas, particularly Amhara, the TPLF soldiers have gone into," he said. The TPLF could not immediately be reached for comment. Northern Ethiopia has been wracked by violence since November, when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops into Tigray to topple the TPLF, the regional ruling party, saying the move came in response to attacks on army camps. The 2019 Nobel Peace Prize winner promised a swift victory, but the war has instead dragged on for months, triggering a humanitarian crisis in Tigray, while the rebels have pushed into the neighbouring Afar and Amhara regions. Abiy rejected early appeals from high-level envoys from the AU for talks with Tigrayan leaders, sticking to his line that the conflict is a limited "law and order" operation. On Thursday, the bloc announced the appointment of Nigerian former president Olusegun Obasanjo as a high representative for the Horn of Africa, saying it was part of a "drive to promote peace, security, stability & political dialogue". But on Sunday, TPLF spokesman Getachew Reda dismissed the initiative, saying: "We are hard pressed to know... how people would reasonably expect a constructive role from an institution that has given partiality a very bad name". Short link: Greece and Turkey will resume exploratory talks over contested maritime claims in the eastern Mediterranean, Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said on Thursday. After a four-year hiatus, Turkey and Greece have agreed to resume the talks following weeks of tensions that culminated in a collision between warships. Greece had said this week that the talks, which broke off in 2016 after 60 rounds that made little progress over 14 years, would resume in the near future in Istanbul. Short link: The divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus braced on Tuesday for an approaching oil slick from a power plant in Syria that threatened a pristine coastal stretch of the breakaway north. Environmental officials in self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) -- internationally recognised only by Ankara -- said that 20,000 tonnes of fuel oil had spilled from the Syrian plant. "It is a complete disaster for the marine ecosystem," the head of the North's chamber of environmental engineers, Cemaliye Ozverel Ekinci, told the local TAK news agency. "This problem is not just a problem that concerns Northern Cyprus," Ekinci said. "We should act together with the south." Syria's electricity minister had told the pro-government Al-Watan newspaper on Monday that the size of the leak ranged from two to four tonnes of fuel. He added that a committee had been formed to investigate the cause. The head of the north's deep diving centre, Erol Adalier, said the oil slick was approaching the island's northeastern Karpaz peninsula -- a wild region of sandy beaches and verdant hills. He added that the oil had reached to within 20 miles (32 kilometres) of the coast on Tuesday morning and was drawing nearer by the hour. Local officials said Turkey had sent teams to assess the situation and prepare a response. "Even if it passes us tangentially, it will affect Turkey," the north's tourism and environment minister Fikri Ataoglu said. Cyprus has been divided since 1974. The Republic of Cyprus -- whose overwhelming majority are Greek Cypriots and which has been a European Union member since 2004 -- has effective control over the southern two-thirds of the island. The government in the south said Tuesday it had not "located" any sign of the oil spill in the areas under its control and that it had conveyed its readiness to help authorities in the north in tackling any pollution. "Unfortunately... we have not received any information or any response from the authorities of the illegal regime, and so we remain alert," Environment Minister Costas Kadis told Cyprus News Agency. The TRNC government relies almost exclusively on financial and other assistance from Ankara. Short link: Iran's new Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has said French President Emmanuel Macron has invited him to Paris, state TV reported on Tuesday. There was no immediate comment from the Elysee Palace. Amir-Abdollahian attended a summit in Baghdad on Saturday alongside regional leaders and Macron, the only leader from outside the region. "The French were very interested to use the opportunity (of the Iraq summit) to get close to Iran," the minister was quoted as saying by state TV's website in a late night report. "Mr Macron ... came to me twice and stressed that 'we are very interested for you to travel to Paris'," he said. "He called his foreign minister over and said: 'I have invited (Amir-Abdollahian) ... and we should review bilateral ties and find solutions to maintain talks'." Iran and France, alongside Britain, China and Germany, are the remaining parties to the troubled 2015 Iranian nuclear deal. The accord promised Tehran international sanctions relief in exchange for limits on its nuclear programme, but it was torpedoed in 2018 when former US president Donald Trump withdrew and reimposed sanctions on Iran. Six rounds of nuclear talks between Iran and the major powers -- with the US indirectly taking part -- were held in Vienna between April and June in an attempt to revive the accord. The last round concluded on June 20, with no date set for another. The Baghdad summit was also attended by the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, with whom Amir-Abdollahian also said he had met. Baghdad has been brokering talks between regional rivals Riyadh and Tehran since April, with the aim of mending ties that were severed in 2016. "The Saudi side ... said that we are awaiting the new (Iranian) government to be established and that we will resume our relations," Amir-Abdollahian said, while stressing that no "formal" talks were held between the two. The ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi won a June 18 election in Iran, succeeding the moderate Hassan Rouhani. He was inaugurated on August 3 by Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and sworn in by parliament two days later. Amir-Abdollahian also addressed accusations on social media that he had breached diplomatic protocol in a group photo at the summit when he stood in the front row next to leaders while other ministers were placed in the second row. The minister said he felt he had stood in "the true place of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its representative". Short link: Israel allowed dozens of truckloads of construction materials into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, easing a tight blockade it has maintained on the Hamas-ruled territory since its 11-day campaign on the coastal enclave last May. The imports came during a tense period in which Hamas activists have launched incendiary balloons into Israel, sparking a number of wildfires across the border, and staged a series of sometimes violent demonstrations along the separation fence with Israel. An Israeli soldier who was shot by a protester on Aug. 21 died of his wounds on Monday. Two Palestinians, including a 12-year-old boy and a Hamas militant, have also been killed from Israeli gunfire. Despite the tensions, Israeli officials this week allowed the entry of the badly needed building materials for Gaza's private sector in a step that may help calm the situation. Bassam Ghabin, director of the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom cargo crossing, said that 30 truckloads of cement, 120 trucks of gravel and 15 trucks of steel entered Gaza on Tuesday. He said the materials began entering on Monday, and that the crossing was operating almost at the same capacity as before the Israeli offensive. An Israeli security official, speaking on condition of anonymity under policy guidelines, confirmed that building materials had entered Gaza. He had no specific details, but said they came under previously announced government decisions. In recent weeks, COGAT, the Israeli defense body responsible for Palestinian civilian issues, said it was planning to allow more goods into Gaza if the security situation stabilized. Last week, it said it would expand the entry of goods and equipment for international civilian projects in the Gaza Strip. Israel has maintained a tight blockade over Gaza since Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007, a year after winning a Palestinian election. Israel says the blockade is needed to keep Hamas, an Islamic militant group sworn to Israel's destruction, from rearming, while critics say the closure amounts to collective punishment. The blockade, which restricts the movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza, has devastated Gaza's economy. Israel launched three military campigns on Gaza since 2008, and Israel has tightened the blockade since the latest fighting in May. Thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed, and construction goods are badly needed. Later on Tuesday, Hamas activists planned another nighttime demonstration along the Israeli border to call for a lifting of the blockade. Egyptian mediators have been trying to broker a longer-term cease-fire. Israel has demanded the return of the remains of two dead Israeli soldiers and freedom of two Israeli civilians in Hamas captivity. Gisha, an Israeli human rights group that has pushed for an end to the closure, called Tuesday's move crucial but insufficient, especially given the scope of the damage in Gaza, as well as Israels legal and moral obligations towards residents of the strip. The situation in Gaza is not simply a humanitarian crisis that can be managed via narrow humanitarian gestures, Gisha said. Any meaningful attempt at resolving this dire situation requires much more expansive opening of the strip, underpinned by a broader political process." *This story was edited by Ahram Online. Short link: Libya's foreign minister Tuesday refused to exclude the possibility that general elections set for December may have to be postponed, if parliament delays ratification of an electoral law. The development comes a day after the UN envoy to Libya warned that time was running short to prepare for the polls, after recent talks in Geneva exposed deep divisions over when to hold elections, what elections to hold, and on what constitutional grounds. "As a government, we have put in place everything required to move towards elections, providing financial, logistical and material support to the elections commission," Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush told a news conference in Algiers, after meeting with Algerian officials. "I cannot answer whether the elections will be postponed or not, but we are trying to ensure they will be held on the scheduled date" of December 24. But "we are still waiting to see if parliament will approve the electoral law... this could block or postpone the election," she added. The minister also said there would be a "consultative meeting" of neighbouring countries and "friendly states" in late September or early October, with the security of the polls high on the agenda. 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. 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 eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar's forces were routed from the country's west last year, the two camps signed a ceasefire in Geneva in October and an interim government was established earlier this year to lead the country towards the planned polls. Short link: 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. Short link: Just over two weeks since the Taliban seized Kabul, the final US soldiers flew out of Afghanistan shortly after midnight Tuesday morning, officially ending a two-decade occupation of the country. Here are the key developments since the Taliban, who were ousted from Kabul in 2001, returned to power. Rapid advance On August 15, after a lightning offensive launched in May as US and NATO troops began withdrawing their final troops, Taliban fighters take over the capital. In the space of 10 days before that, they had seized a string of cities, meeting little or no resistance in a staggering rout. Officials flee. Ex-president Ashraf Ghani escapes to Abu Dhabi, later saying he left to avoid a "flood of bloodshed". He admits the "Taliban have won". Taliban fighters are filmed posing for photographs in the presidential palace. In the following days, tens of thousands of terrified Afghans and foreigners rush to Kabul airport to escape Taliban rule. International fears The UN Security Council says the country must not become a breeding ground for terrorism. Under growing criticism, President Joe Biden insists he has no regrets, and emphasises that US troops cannot defend a nation whose leaders "gave up and fled". China becomes the first country to say it is ready to deepen "friendly and cooperative" relations with the Taliban. It later accuses Washington of "leaving an awful mess". European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says the bloc will have to talk to the Taliban. Russian President Vladimir Putin calls on the global community to prevent the "collapse" of Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover. 'Different' Taliban? The Taliban tell civil servants in Kabul to resume their duties "without any fear". At their first news conference since seizing power, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says they will let "women work in accordance with the principles of Islam". Some girls return to school in Herat. Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar returns to Afghanistan from Doha, and within hours the group says it will be "different" this time. It says it will pardon its enemies, and promises that women will not have to wear the all-enveloping burqa. The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, says reported crimes during the Taliban advance may amount to violations of international law. Airlift chaos US President Joe Biden calls the emergency evacuation from Kabul's airport one of the most "difficult" airlifts ever. Pressure builds on Biden to extend his August 31 deadline to complete the rescue missions. The EU's Borrell says "it's mathematically impossible" for the US and its allies to evacuate their Afghan personnel who, along with their families, number tens of thousands. Conditions deteriorate, with vast crowds crushed together begging to be let inside the airport. The Taliban blames the US, which is control of the airport, for the dramatic scenes. Elsewhere, in the rugged Panjshir Valley north of Kabul, a mixture of anti-Taliban militia fighters and former Afghan security forces form a key holdout pocket. They say they are prepared for a "long-term conflict", but also seek to negotiate with the Taliban about an inclusive government. Airport bombing The Taliban warn any extension to the August 31 deadline would be a "red line", but says Afghans with valid visas will be allowed to leave once the airport reopens for commercial flights. Biden announces on August 24 that he is sticking to the date, after talks with G7 counterparts. On August 26, after a chorus of warnings of a terror threat, a suicide bomb rips through crowds outside the Kabul airport -- killing more than 100 people, including 13 US troops. The Islamic State (IS) group, rivals of the Taliban, claim responsibility. The Taliban announces Sunday that their supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada will make his first public appearance "soon". The same day, the US says it carries out an air strike in Kabul on an IS-prepared car bomb. It later emerges they may have struck a wrong target, killing 10 civilians including six children On Monday, as the US wraps up its withdrawal, several rockets are fired towards the airport, but the Taliban says they are intercepted by a missile defence system. US withdraws Celebratory gunfire rings out in Kabul in the early hours of August 31 as the Taliban and the US confirm that American forces have withdrawn from Afghanistan. "Tonight at 12:00 am Afghan time, the remaining American troops left Kabul airport and our country gained full independence," Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's chief spokesman, said in a tweet. "All praise to Allah." Short link: EU ministers debated Tuesday how to prevent or contain a feared influx of Afghans fleeing the Taliban, with Germany leading a call for migrants to stay in the region. At the meeting, the ministers were expected to approve a declaration that includes support for countries in the region to take in refugees from Afghanistan, which has been in Taliban hands since mid-August. The return of the hardline Islamist group to power has plunged the future of many Afghans into uncertainty and sparked concern that millions may seek refuge in neighbouring countries and Europe. The goal of European refugee policy must be "that people stay close to home," German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said, as he arrived for talks in Brussels. In 2015, Germany took in more than a million migrants fleeing conflict, mainly in Syria, in a decision that angered some of its EU partners, who were caught off guard. On Tuesday, Seehofer urged the European Commission -- the EU executive -- to present an action plan "very quickly", making support for Afghanistan's neighbours, such as Pakistan and Tajikistan, dependent on their willingness to accept and care for refugees. This would be based on the EU-Turkey model in which Ankara inked a deal with Brussels after the 2015 migration crisis to stem the flow of migrants to Europe by hosting arrivals in return for some incentives including financial assistance. "The Turkish-Syrian model has been a good model for refugees ... France will ask to extend this model (to Afghanistan)," French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said. For now, however, he added "there is no massive flow of Afghans at the European borders as was experienced in 2015. But it may happen in the coming weeks or months depending on the situation." 'Washing hands' Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn criticised some member states, including Austria and Slovenia, that "are doing everything they can just to prevent refugees from coming to Europe." "We cannot accept them all, it is true, but at least a certain number," he added. Criticism also came from human rights organisations, with Oxfam accusing EU countries of "washing their hands of their international obligation to offer refuge to those seeking safety and pushing it on to other countries." In the draft statement seen by AFP, member states say they are "determined to act jointly to prevent the return of large-scale illegal and uncontrolled migration movements." Member states are also concerned about the risk of terrorism, promising to "do their utmost to ensure that the situation in Afghanistan does not lead to new security risks for EU citizens." As interior ministers, "our main responsibility is to protect EU citizens from terrorist attacks," said Slovenian Minister Ales Hojs, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency. "You see what is happening all the time in Kabul, we cannot be sure that something like this cannot happen in the future in Europe," he said. Short link: With the Taliban in possession of Kabul's airport after the United States completed its withdrawal on Tuesday, the focus will now shift from the mammoth Western evacuation operation seen in the past two weeks to the group's plans for the transport hub. The symbolism of the airport was underlined Tuesday when the Taliban's top spokesman stood on its runway and declared victory over the United States. But what happens next remains unclear. Here is a look at the future of Hamid Karzai International Airport: Who is going to run security? Attacks in the past week have shown the airport is a target for terrorists, so security is the primary concern. The United States took control of the airport to manage the evacuation of tens of thousands of people with help from other countries, coming under attack from the Islamic State group's Afghanistan-Pakistan chapter. Turkey had offered to run security following the withdrawal of foreign troops, but the Taliban repeatedly said they would not accept any foreign military presence after August 31. "Our fighters and special forces are capable of controlling the airport and we do not need anyone's help for the security and administrative control of the Kabul airport," Taliban spokesman Bilal Karimi told AFP on Monday. However, Michael Kugelman, a South Asia specialist at the Wilson Center think tank in Washington, said a foreign security presence would be necessary if airlines were to return, and that a deal could yet be struck. "You're looking at a very volatile environment security-wise," he told AFP. "There are all kinds of alarm bells that should be sounding for commercial airlines that I imagine would not be comfortable getting into the airport." Qatar's foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, told the Financial Times the Gulf state was urging the Taliban to accept foreign help. "What we are trying to explain to them is that airport safety and security requires a lot more than securing the perimeters of the airport," he said. Who will operate the airport's logistics? As far as the United States is concerned, State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Friday that it was "essentially giving the airport back to the Afghan people". In recent weeks, NATO has played a key role, with civilian personnel taking care of air traffic control, fuel supplies and communications. As with security, there were discussions with Turkey over running logistics. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country was still assessing the Islamist group's offer, but with the Taliban insisting on controlling security, Erdogan appeared to drop the idea. "Let's say you took over the security, but how would we explain to the world if another bloodbath takes place there?" he said. Running and maintaining an airport is complex and requires expertise. With thousands of skilled workers believed to have fled the country -- despite Taliban pleas for them to stay -- questions remain over whether there will be enough trained workers left in the Afghan capital. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said keeping the airport open was of "existential importance", adding Berlin stood ready to provide technical assistance to keep it operational. French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, speaking on France Television, said that a solution must be found, adding that "there are discussions underway today with the Qataris and the Turks". What state is the airport in? US officials have said the airport is in a bad condition, with much of its basic infrastructure degraded or destroyed. A pilot told AFP the terminal building was trashed by passengers during the chaos of the early days of the Taliban takeover. As well as the passenger halls, critical infrastructure has been destroyed, including air traffic control terminals, which will need to be replaced for commercial flights to run again. On the plus side, the two-week mass evacuation campaign has shown that the airport's runways are at least operational, if in poor condition. Will commercial flights restart? The Taliban have insisted they want to keep the civilian airport open, but without guarantees over security, commercial airlines simply won't operate out of Kabul. "You're looking at a perfect storm of risks for airlines," Kugelman said. A key incentive to operate a functional airport would be the boost it would give to the Taliban's international image. "If the Taliban's looking to get recognition and legitimacy from governments around the world, then it has to have a working, safe, trusted airport in place," Kugelman added. But it is likely to take time. Will people even be allowed to leave the country? The Taliban have insisted Afghans will be able to come and go. The group's deputy chief negotiator, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, said those with passports and visas can go abroad "in a dignified manner and with peace of mind" after commercial flights open. However, many are sceptical about the Taliban's claims that they will not seek revenge against those who worked for the collapsed government or foreign forces. And Kugelman said he believed the Afghans who did not manage to be evacuated before August 31 may now be too afraid to travel to the airport. "I think that for many of them who already have reason to fear the Taliban, the prospect of trying to escape the country by going to an airport controlled by the Taliban will be a very unpalatable thought." Short link: France says ``a few dozen'' French nationals remain in Afghanistan, including some who wanted to be evacuated but could not as the last flight left Kabul. Defense Ministry spokesman Herve Grandjean said in a news conference Tuesday that ``all efforts are being done'' to allow those left behind to get ``a safe and orderly evacuation.'' He said ``that is the goal of the talks under way within the United Nations framework with the Taliban power.'' In addition, France was not able to evacuate a ``few dozen'' former Afghan employees of the French army who asked for the protection of the country, he said. France will do ``the maximum'' in the coming days and weeks to help them getting out of Afghanistan, Grandjean said. France's evacuation flights from Aug. 17 to Aug. 27 have evacuated about 2,600 Afghans at risk, including 110 former employees of the French army and their families. France withdrew its troops from Afghanistan at the end of 2014. Short link: United Nations chief Antonio Guterres warned Tuesday of a looming "humanitarian catastrophe" in Afghanistan as he urged countries to provide emergency funding following the departure of US forces. Guterres expressed his "grave concern at the deepening humanitarian and economic crisis in the country," adding that basic services threatened to collapse "completely." "Now more than ever, Afghan children, women and men need the support and solidarity of the international community," he said in a statement, as he pleaded for financial support from nations. "I urge all member states to dig deep for the people of Afghanistan in their darkest hour of need. I urge them to provide timely, flexible and comprehensive funding," the secretary-general said. Guterres announced that the UN would release details of a flash appeal for Afghanistan next week. The information will detail the "most immediate humanitarian needs and funding requirements" needed over the next four months, he said. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths will coordinate "the entire UN system" in preparation of the appeal, Guterres added. He said almost half of the population of Afghanistan -- 18 million people -- need urgent humanitarian assistance to survive. "One in three Afghans do not know where their next meal will come from. More than half of all children under five are expected to become acutely malnourished in the next year. "People are losing access to basic goods and services every day. A humanitarian catastrophe looms," said Guterres. He added that severe drought and coming harsh winter conditions meant extra food, shelter and health supplies "must be urgently fast-tracked" to Afghanistan. "I call on all parties to facilitate safe and unimpeded humanitarian access for life-saving and life-sustaining supplies, as well as for all humanitarian workers -- men and women," he said. Guterres said the commitment of humanitarian agencies to stay in Afghanistan and deliver aid "will not waver." Short link: A defensive President Joe Biden called the U.S. airlift to extract more than 120,000 Americans, Afghans and other allies from Afghanistan to end a 20-year war an ``extraordinary success,`` though more than 100 Americans and thousands of others were left behind. Twenty-four hours after the last American C-17 cargo plane roared off from Kabul, Biden spoke to the nation and vigorously defended his decision to end America's longest war and withdraw all U.S. troops ahead of an Aug. 31 deadline. ``I was not going to extend this forever war,'' Biden declared Tuesday from the White House. ``And I was not going to extend a forever exit.'' Biden has faced tough questions about the way the U.S. went about leaving Afghanistan _ a chaotic evacuation with spasms of violence, including a suicide bombing last week that killed 13 American service members and 169 Afghans. He is under heavy criticism, particularly from Republicans, for his handling of the evacuation. But he said it was inevitable that the final departure from two decades of war, first negotiated with the Taliban for May 1 by former President Donald Trump, would have been difficult, with likely violence, no matter when it was planned and conducted. ``To those asking for a third decade of war in Afghanistan, I ask, `What is the vital national interest?'`` Biden said. He added, ``I simply do not believe that the safety and security of America is enhanced by continuing to deploy thousands of American troops and spending billions of dollars in Afghanistan.'' Asked after the speech about Biden sounding angry at some criticism, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the president had simply offered his ``forceful assessment.'' Biden scoffed at Republicans _ and some Democrats _ who contend the U.S. would have been better served maintaining a small military footprint in Afghanistan. Before Thursday's attack, the U.S. military had not suffered a combat casualty since February 2020 _ around the time the Trump administration brokered its deal with the Taliban to end the war by May of this year. Biden said breaking the Trump deal would have restarted a shooting war. He said those who favor remaining at war also fail to recognize the weight of deployment, with a scourge of PTSD, financial struggles, divorce and other problems for U.S. troops. ``When I hear that we could've, should've continued the so-called low-grade effort in Afghanistan at low risk to our service members, at low cost, I don't think enough people understand how much we've asked of the 1% of this country to put that uniform on,'' Biden said. In addition to all the questions at home, Biden is also adjusting to a new relationship with the Taliban, the Islamist militant group the U.S. toppled after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in America, and that is now once again in power in Afghanistan. Biden has tasked Secretary of State Antony Blinken to coordinate with international partners to hold the Taliban to their promise of safe passage for Americans and others who want to leave in the days ahead. ``We don't take them by their word alone, but by their actions,`` Biden said. ``We have leverage to make sure those commitments are met.'' Biden also pushed back against criticism that he fell short of his pledge to get all Americans out of the country ahead of the U.S. military withdrawal. He said many of the Americans left behind are dual citizens, some with deep family roots that are complicating their ability to leave Afghanistan. ``The bottom line: 90% of Americans in Afghanistan who wanted to leave were able to leave,'' Biden said. ``For those remaining Americans, there is no deadline. We remain committed to get them out, if they want to come out.'' Biden repeated his argument that ending the Afghanistan war was a crucial step for recalibrating American foreign policy toward growing challenges posed by China and Russia _ and counterterrorism concerns that pose a more potent threat to the U.S. ``There's nothing China or Russia would rather have, want more in this competition, than the United States to be bogged down another decade in Afghanistan,'' he said 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. The president lamented an estimated $2 trillion of taxpayer money that was spent fighting the war. ``What have we lost as a consequence in terms of opportunities?'' Biden asked. 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. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., on Tuesday described the Biden administration's handling of the evacuation as ``probably the biggest failure in American government on a military stage in my lifetime`` and promised that Republicans would press the White House for answers. Meanwhile, the Senate met briefly Tuesday, with Vice President Kamala Harris presiding over the chamber, to pass by unanimous consent a bill that increases spending for temporary assistance to U.S. citizens and their dependents returning from another country because of illness, war or other crisis. Biden quickly signed the legislation, which raises funding for the program from $1 million to $10 million. A group of Republican lawmakers gathered on the House floor Tuesday morning and participated in a moment of silence for the 13 service members who were killed in the suicide bomber attack. They also sought a House vote on legislation from Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., which among other things would require the administration to submit a report on how many Americans remain in Afghanistan as well as the number of Afghans who had applied for a category of visas reserved for those employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government. The GOP lawmakers objected as Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., gaveled the House into adjournment. They then gathered for a press conference to denounce the administration. For many U.S. commanders and troops who served in Afghanistan, it was a day of mixed emotions. ``All of us are conflicted with feelings of pain and anger, sorrow and sadness, combined with pride and resilience,'' said Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He commanded troops in Afghanistan earlier in his career. ``But one thing I am certain of, for any soldier, sailor, airman or Marine and their families, your service mattered. It was not in vain.'' Short link: 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. Short link: The sixth edition of the Sharm El-Sheikh International Theatre Festival for Youth (SITFY), scheduled to take place between 6 and 11 November, announced that submissions to its competition for the best play play by an Egyptian or Arab playwright.are open starting 31 August until 30 September. This year, the prize will carry the name of late playwright Lenin El Ramly, who passed away in February 2020. The submissions should be theatrical texts, written either as a monodrama or a play with multiple characters. The writers whose age does not exceed 40 in November 2021 are welcome to submit their works. The texts should have not been published by any online or printed publication. The festival accepts authors who hold Egyptian or any other Arab nationality, regardless of their place of residence. The applicants are requested to attach a high resolution personal photo and a passport copy to the text submitted. In addition, the festival required that the applicant attached a signed statement testifying to the sole ownership of the submitted text. Any deviations from this point will place the applicant under legal consequences. The applications should be sent to the festival's email: [email protected] by 30 September 2021 the latest. For more details regarding the award, applicants can check the festival's website or Facebook page. Earlier this month, the Sharm El-Sheikh International Theatre Festival for Youth (SITFY) also announced that it started receiving submissions for the annual competition for young theatre directors. Details regarding this competition can be found here. Held annually, the SITFY is the first of its kind to be organized in Sinai. It was launched with the aim of providing opportunities to young theatre practitioners while decentralizing the artistic scene and reviving tourism in South Sinai. The SITFY's founder and president is Mazen El-Gharabawy, and the artistic director is Ingy El-Bastawi. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Short link: President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi flew to Baghdad on 28 August to take part in the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership. It was the highest level of Egyptian representation in Iraq for almost three decades. The one-day conference offered regional leaders an opportunity to discuss ways to support Iraq and address the challenges facing, and the future prospects of, the region. President Al-Sisis address reflected the degree to which Egypt looks forward to supporting Iraq in its efforts to regain its status and influence in the Arab region after falling prey to the regional agendas of others. One significant aspect of the Egyptian discourse at the Baghdad summit was Egypts supportive response to the Iraqi desire to reinforce its national sovereignty and end foreign intervention in the country. Egypt understands that Iraq needs to strengthen its ability to counter threats, including terrorism. Egypt wants to help Iraq build its future which, done properly, will strengthen Arab national and regional security. The energetic resumption of Egyptian-Iraqi bilateral relations is far from being unilaterally driven. As President Al-Sisi put it, there is a sincere desire on both sides which reflects a shared political will. Not only was this spirit evident in the level of Egyptian attendance in Baghdad, it could also be seen in the agreements and protocols concluded bilaterally, and within the context of the new tripartite Egyptian-Iraqi-Jordanian mechanism for cooperation. The agreements and protocols also attest to how much Egypts recent development experience can offer friends and allies in the region. Egypts presence and discourse in Baghdad provides an insight into how Egypt views its role vis-a-vis other players. Cairo does not seek to steer others but rather play a leading role in the framework of a multiparty partnership. This reflects Cairos awareness of Iraqi aspirations, especially in terms of its desire to develop a strategic balance in its relations with Arab and non-Arab regional powers in a manner consistent with Iraqi interests and Iraqs historical, cultural and civilisational history. President Al-Sisi underscored this in his speech when he referred to Iraq as a bastion of Arabism and hailed Iraqis as the great people who possess civilisation and history. Battles over Iraqs identity have wreaked enormous attrition on Iraqi society; indeed, they have at times threatened the very integrity of the state, and are an issue that can no longer be shirked. Iraq cannot achieve stability and revive its regional role if it remains alienated from its roots and vulnerable to polarising divisions imposed by others. In his focus on the maintenance of regional security, Al-Sisi underscored what has become a core foreign policy goal. Cairo has worked intensively to reduce conflicts and crises across the region. Some countries, such as Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen and Libya, have been particularly hard hit by foreign interventions. Particularly pernicious are the interventions by non-Arab regional powers which include the deployment of mercenaries, direct occupation of Arab territory, and the building of military bases. The president directed messages to non-Arab regional powers, urging them to honour the principles of good neighbourliness, respect Iraqi sovereignty and the choices made by the Iraqi people, and to refrain from any intervention in Iraqi domestic affairs whether through direct military action, support of terrorist organisations, or by using Iraq as a transit for militias and mercenaries to other countries. Baghdad has already taken action to put an end to such phenomena, energetically promoting conflict resolution efforts. It has acted as a mediator to reduce tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia over Yemen, and distanced itself from Iranian attempts to use Iraq to promote Tehrans agenda in Syria. Observers framed the tripartite mechanism that emerged from the conference what Al-Sisi referred to as a translation of the concept of Arab cooperation in terms of an Arab versus non-Arab regional dialectic. It is possible to see it within another framework: as an Arab advance into the Arab absence in Iraq. The new mechanism includes 15 agreements covering energy, agriculture, and other crucial economic areas. That Egypt fully supports the Iraqi government was conveyed by the high-level Egyptian presence at the conference. President Al-Sisi lauded Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimis political, security and economic reform efforts. Iraq has achieved qualitative progress under Al-Kadhimi, despite many obstacles at home and abroad, a fact that presents Iraq with an opportunity and a challenge. Despite the governments strengthening of state institutions, economic reform, fight against corruption and reordering of foreign policy priorities, it remains an interim government tasked with preparing for elections on 10 October. It is impossible to tell, as yet, what kind of government the elections will produce. Will it continue along the same path or adopt other priorities? Al-Sisi directly addressed the Iraqi people in his speech, urging them to choose the candidates they feel best represent them and their aspirations for a stable, prosperous and influential Iraq. President Al-Sisi offered Iraq support in its counter-terrorism operations. Iraq has, in the past, locked horns with and repelled terrorist organisations such as Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Systematising and institutionalising security coordination was one of the main reasons for President Al-Sisis participation in the conference and, before this, for Iraqi Defence Minister Juma Anads visit to Cairo on 7 August. Al-Sisi also drew attention to a number of other threats, referencing both climate change and water scarcity. These problems are transnational, and multifaceted in their social, economic and environmental repercussions. The conference also proved useful at a general inter-Arab level. President Al-Sisi had the opportunity to meet with other Arab heads-of-state, not least the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Ahmed. The meeting occurred several days after the arrival of the Qatari ambassador to Cairo. *A version of this article appears in print in the 2 September, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: On Monday the last US military aircraft took off from Afghanistan. Terrorist groups exchanged congratulations over social media, hailing the Taliban victory.The collective celebration is evidence of how intertwined terrorist networks are. The jubilation, visually manifested in the flag-waving, horn-honking parades of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) members in Syria, has raised concerns that Afghanistan will once again become a terrorist refuge, as it was during the first period of Taliban rule from 1996 to 2001. Against this backdrop, exaggerated assessments of the rivalry between Al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS), hold little solace.Hundreds of elements affiliated to HTS, which is loyal to Al-Qaeda, took to the streets of Idlib, to celebrate what they term the Talibans victory over the Americans.The US withdrawal may have many implications, but no one should underestimate the boost it has given to Islamists who will now embark on a new phase of fighting against governments they deem apostate.Before the Taliban took over Afghanistan extremist movements, particularly in the Middle East, had been growing weaker as a result of repeated security strikes against them. With the success of counter-terrorism operations in Egypt, Syria and Iraq, large organisations such as Al-Qaeda and IS moved their activities to sub-Saharan Africa, Afghanistan, and South Asia.American analysts and officials fear that Afghanistan under the Taliban will again become a safe haven for terrorism. The Taliban are terrorists who will support terrorists, US National Public Radio quoted former US defence secretary Leon Panetta as saying.According to Vision Humanity, which provides measures of global peacefulness, Afghanistan ranked first in 2019 in terms of terrorist activity, followed by Iraq, Nigeria, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, Pakistan, and India.The Institute for Economics and Peaces Global Terrorism Index 2020 ranked Libya 16 out of 163 countries, a figure that fails to reflect the way events in Libya directly fed the surge in terrorism in Chad, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania, countries that have relied heavily on the French-led Operation Barkhane against Islamist groups in the Sahel region. Worried by recent developments in Afghanistan, all these affected countries have urged Western forces to remain for fear of a repeat of the Afghani scenario.The fall of the Gaddafi regime in Libya in 2011 had a significant impact on security deterioration in the Sahel. The regime possessed one of the largest arsenals in the developing world, much of which found its way into the hands of obscure groups with sinister aims.After the fall of the Gaddafi regime, Islamist groups seized control of many of the weapon and ammunition storehouses in the country, explains Abdel-Rahim Al-Tarhouni, a Libyan political science professor. Some of these groups used the weapons as means to make money. Others passed them along to their colleagues in extremist organisations.Al-Tarhouni cites Chadian president Idriss Deby as one casualty of the way the situation in Libya impacted on its neighbours. Deby died of his injuries following clashes with ethnic Toubou rebels in northern Chad in April. It was not in the interests of any Libyan tribe to assassinate Deby. The fighters who helped Toubou forces kill him came from terrorist groups that use Libya as their base, says Al-Tarhouni.Terrorist groups based in Libya have also targeted Egypt, and some of the most dangerous terrorist operatives from Egypt have fled to Egypts western neighbour. Last year, Libyan authorities handed some of them over to Egypt, including the notorious Hisham Ashmawi. And lets not forget, says Al-Tarhouni, that human trafficking and migrant smuggling gangs have taken advantage of the civil war in Libya to engage in their illegal activities, under the protection of, and in close association with, terrorist groups.According to recent news reports, the Libyan army has clashed with terrorists in southern Libya and along the Libyan-Algerian border, evidence that the situation in Libya is not yet stable despite the efforts of the government of Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbeibah.Algeria is where Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) originated. Now led by Abu Ubaidah Youssef Al-Annabi, who replaced Abdel-Malek Droukdel who was killed during a French special operation in Mali, AQIM continues to pose a threat in Algeria and elsewhere in the region.The situation in Tunisia is also delicate given heightened friction between President Kais Saied and the Ennahda movement, the political facade of the Tunisian Muslim Brotherhood. The tensions offer an opportunity to terrorist groups which have already decimated the Tunisian tourist industry, depriving the country of a vital sources of revenue.Tunisian journalist Ahmed Abdel-Hakim stresses that Tunisia was the largest source of foreign recruits for IS. Western sources estimate that 15,000 to 18,000 Tunisians went to Syria to join IS. These same elements pose a threat to the country in the event that the Muslim Brothers clash with the president, Abdel-Hakim told Al-Ahram Weekly. He argues that Tunisia is at greater risk now as a result of the inspiration terrorist groups will draw from the Talibans success in Afghanistan. Terrorists might move to Tunisia from Libya to escape the Libyan army, and from Algeria where counter-terrorist operations have delivered debilitating strikes, he warns.Somalia has long suffered from the activities of Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen, the oldest sub-Saharan terrorist organisation. Al-Shabab has pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda, the Talibans closest ally, and many observers believe the movement stands to gain from the Taliban victory in Afghanistan.Kenya, which has suffered a wave of bombings and ranked 23 on the Vision Humanity index, fears a similar scenario. To the south, Mozambique, ranked 15, was dealt a deafening blow by Al-Shabab (a distinct organisation, not to be confused with the Somali Al-Shabab), which seized a key northern city where a natural gas extraction project run by French company Total is underway.The deadliest Islamist movement in Africa, Boko Haram, began its attacks in 2010 and has so far claimed the lives of more than 37,000 people and displaced more that two million. While the Nigerian army receives large amounts of aid from the US and NATO, corruption is hindering efforts to counter Boko Haram and Western commentators believe the Nigerian government could itself be in danger.Boko Haram has expanded its attacks in neighbouring countries, carrying out terrorist operations in Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.Terrorism networks are inextricably intertwined. While some observers claim that Al-Qaeda and IS are rivals, and argue that the Taliban is a tribal not an Islamic organisation, the fact is that competition between Al-Qaeda and IS is little more than sibling rivalry. They share the same ideology, creed and view of the world. And the optimistic assertion that the Taliban are tribal, not Islamist, is easily refuted. Simply look at their actions. *A version of this article appears in print in the 2 September, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: Eight years into the war local Yemeni reports indicate that Hans Grundberg, who had replaced Martin Griffiths as UN special envoy earlier this month, has familiarised himself with and reached out to all political factions and social components during his period as EU ambassador to Yemen from 2019 to August this year. Observers however are of the general impression that, in view of the Ansarullah (Houthi) movements relentless campaign to expand its control over northern Yemen from Mareb in the east to Hodeida in the west, his prospects for succeeding where his predecessors had failed are dim. Some new variables have been at work, though it is doubtful whether they will favour Grundbergs mission. One is Washingtons appointment of Timothy Lenderking as US special envoy to Yemen. Lenderking, who assumed his duties in the spring during the final months of Griffiths term, undertook several rounds of talks as part of a renewed US drive to kickstart the stalled negotiating process. As an energetic auxiliary to the UN drive, the US envoy coordinated closely with Griffiths, though he focused primarily on proposing initiatives in partnership with Riyadh. Nevertheless, his efforts ran up against Houthi intransigence, leading Washington and, by extension, the UN to prioritise the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the country. International stakeholders are particularly worried by the aggravating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Yemens humanitarian plight, although the warlords on the battlefronts appear indifferent to this threat. A second variable may be the return of the Taliban to power in Kabul after a 20 year hiatus. As different as the Afghan and Yemeni situations are, especially in terms of the sectarian dimension, it appears that Iran and its Houthi proxy have been inspired by developments in Afghanistan. Iranian new President Ebrahim Raisi hailed the US military defeat and the Ansarullah leader Mohamed Ali Al-Houthi seized the opportunity to suggest that Saudi Arabia should heed the lesson of the US failure in Afghanistan, which is that invading armies are doomed to lose. His comparison gives weight to the thesis that the Houthi movement will continue to seek an agreement with Riyadh, the main backer of the campaign to reinstate the Yemeni government in Sanaa, similar to that between the Taliban and the US, which would recognise Houthi rule in Sanaa and serve as a framework for negotiations with the Houthis over areas of influence, power-sharing formulas with the legitimate government and other arrangements that would increase the movements manoeuvrability. It is believed that this was the general thrust of the Houthi response to Omans mediating bid two months ago. The unprecedented degree of Iranian infiltration in Yemen is a third variable that will affect the work of the new UN envoy and prospects of a negotiated settlement. Last week the Yemeni Minister of Information Muammar Al-Eryani announced that Haidar Sirjan, an Iranian Revolutionary guards officer who had been leading the Houthi offensive on the Mareb front, was killed in an airstrike along with nine others from the Lebanese Hizbullah forces. According to the Yemeni governments account, Sirjan had previously served as a commander on the Hodeida front and was transferred to Mareb after the death of Mustafa Al-Ghazawi, a Hizbullah commander fighting in Yemen. There are also frequent references in the Yemeni media to the growing influence of the Iranian Ambassador to the Houthi regime in Sanaa Hasan Irlu, at the expense of a faction among the Houthis that are keen to reduce the Iranian role in Yemen. To what extent the US can influence Iranian presence there is unclear. The US has made its return to the nuclear agreement with Iran conditional on a halt to Iranian expansionism in the region. The new administration in Tehran rejects such linkage and insists on a return to the agreement in accordance with the provisions as they stood when the Trump administration withdrew in 2015. A fourth variable is also connected with Iranian-Houthi military designs. The Houthi militias have begun to harden borders using landmines; and they have evacuated thousands of civilians from the border zones. The Houthis have frequently used landmines as a means to halt the advance of Yemeni government forces. But the use of these weapons to demarcate borders along the battlefronts is new. Last week, Yemeni sources reported the Houthi decision to evacuate two coastal villages in the Hodeida governorate. The approximately 175 families from Deir Afif and Al-Zoutiya in western Hodeida were given 30 days, as of 1 August, to clear out of the villages. This area, which is situated about halfway between the ports of Hodeida and Al-Salif, marks the divide between the areas of influence of government and Houthi forces. The Houthi action is an open violation of the Stockholm agreement the Houthis signed but never implemented. In addition to the foregoing variables, an array of other problems affect the peace process. It should be borne in mind, in this context, that government forces are more focused on halting the Houthi advance into their areas of influence than they are in gaining territory at present. During the past two months, Houthi militias managed to take control of Al-Bayda, recapturing some of the territory government forces had previously taken in the eastern part of the governorate. The Houthis also successfully put down a tribal-militias revolt against them. But, for members of the Yemeni government and Yemeni political society as a whole, a political development has come to overshadow developments on the battlefield. Reports of an imminent transfer of power have raised alarm over a possible power vacuum and triggered speculation as to who might replace President Abd Rabbu Mansur Hadi. One of the names most frequently mooted so far is former prime minister Ahmed Obeid Bin Daghr. He is seen as a likely alternative to the current second in command, Mohsen Al-Ahmar, who some doubt would be able to win a consensus among rival factions. Some believe that the search for a successor might range to figures who do not hail from Sanaa and, indeed, to figures who hail from the south in the interest of preserving the current political balance within the pro-legitimacy camp. In Yemeni politics, it is less a candidates individual character or qualifications that count than his tribal and regional weight. Hadi himself is a southerner, originally from Abyan. Daghr is also a southerner, from Hadramawt, which is why he might be seen as a compromise candidate. Whatever the case, the fate of the internationally recognised government may soon become an issue of concern that could add to the problems and certainly affect all stakeholders calculations. Yemen is best perceived, not as a country plagued by a crisis in the north but as a crisis-plagued country. A longstanding secessionist movement in the south is another major dilemma and a source of tensions in Aden, the temporary seat of the Yemeni government. The Southern Transitional Council (STC), currently the leading faction of the Southern Movement, appears prepared to enter a transitional phase based on a federal system, although some fear that the STC ultimately aims to use the federal model as a platform for implementing a de facto partition between south and north. So far all UN and other international envoys have dealt with the southern crisis piecemeal, addressing it only when it raises its head in a way that affects their handling of the Houthi question. Perhaps they want to avoid treading on the eggshells of the differences, contradictions and tensions within the Saudi-led Arab Coalition to support the legitimate Yemeni government. It is well-known that the STC, which is the more dominant force in the south, is on better terms with the UAE than with Riyadh because of Abu Dhabis role in the south, especially in the fight to repel the Houthis southern advance. Attitudes within the coalition also vary towards the Yemeni Muslim Brotherhood and its political facade, the Yemeni Congregation for Reform, generally referred to as the Islah Party. Whereas Abu Dhabi sees the Muslim Brotherhood as a direct threat to its national security, one not posed by the Houthis, the reverse is true of Riyadh. *A version of this article appears in print in the 2 September, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: With the new, chaotic developments in Afghanistan and a new administration gaining parliamentary endorsement in Iran, the Gulf took quick measures to achieve reconciliation. Only days before a regional summit in Baghdad, the UAEs National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan paid a surprising visit to Ankara where he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. So far, the Emiratis had not warmed to the rapid rehabilitation of those known for supporting militant groups, from the Muslim Brotherhood to IS. Even though Abu Dhabi was part of a deal struck on 5 January this year to end the Qatar crisis and its ramifications, including tension with Turkey, the UAE was not as keen as Saudi Arabia and Egypt to fully reconcile. A few days later, Sheikh Tahnoun was in Doha meeting the Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. That was the culmination of the Emirati shift of policy towards reconciliation, even though the core reasons for the initial dispute had not been resolved. There were still significant struggles, where militant groups supported by Doha and Ankara posed threats to the Emiratis whose ultimate goal was to fend off terrorism. From Syria to Libya and even in Yemen, militants are still active and threaten Gulf security and stability, as one Emirati source said. The man who was central to the 2017 standoff, Anwar Gergash then minister of State for Foreign Affairs and now adviser to Emirati president on Foreign Affairs was on Twitter again. Earlier he had tweeted that his country did not seek problems with Turkey and that they had the will to normalise relations. Now he tweeted, the visit of Sheikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed to Qatar and his meeting with its Emir stem from the fact that we have a common destiny and our success is shared Building bridges of cooperation and prosperity with brothers and friends is a major pillar of the UAEs policy We turn the page on disagreement and look to the future positively. Some analysts feel that the main catalyst of the recent, rapid reconciliation moves are regional developments. The dramatic American withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Talibans takeover of the country showed that Qatar was a focal point in preparation for that transition in Afghanistan, acting as the main contact point between the Americans and the Taliban. The Americans are negotiating with the Iranians in Vienna to region JCOPA (the nuclear deal of 2015). All parties, regional and international, involved in the region are engaged in dialogue public and private pursuing new approaches to regional relations. A Western commentator who previously worked for years in Dubai agrees that this is mainly a UAE policy shift not influenced by any mediators regional or otherwise. He attributes it to the fact that proactive Emirati foreign policy would not abate. The UAE doesnt want to be sidelined in the defining developments now reshaping the region. In particular, when it comes to political Islam regaining some ground you cant just stand by and observe. You need to engage if youre devoted to the goal of fighting terrorism. Abu Dhabi is really devoted to that cause, and considers all terrorist groups offshoots of the main political Islam movement the Muslim Brotherhood, he told Al-Ahram Weekly. He said that there is a new non-formal axis benefiting from the latest developments in Afghanistan. This is temporarily taking the shine from the traditional Saudi-UAE alliance: The reconciliation effort that started in January at the GCC Summit in the Saudi Al-Ula was a sort of acknowledgement that Qatar survived the boycott, and the new administration in Washington finds Doha a partner to reckon with. It was Saudi Arabia and Egypt that started opening up to Qatar, while the UAE and Bahrain were reluctant to follow. Now the UAE is changing its course and Bahrain will soon follow suit. It is worth noting that Bahraini-Qatari relations have always been sour for reasons other than those leading to the quartet boycott of Qatar in 2017. There are historical border disputes, and the conflict over two islands was internationalised before. During the Qatar crisis, the significance of Qatari aviation space was highlighted. Now, Doha is working on having its own airspace demarcated, separate from Bahrains; it had previously been a shared airspace. Bahrain is also the GCC country that is more vulnerable to Iranian meddling in its internal affairs than the rest of the Gulf. Yet Bahrain would not stray from the general Gulf trajectory that is now heading for rapid reconciliation. The veteran Indian diplomat Navdeep Suri, a Distinguished Fellow and director of the Centre for New Economic Diplomacy (CNED) who served as ambassador to UAE, Egypt, Australia and other capitals, wrote a blog post this week about that change in the region: So thats that? Or is it the tip of the iceberg? The Biden administrations determination to pull out of Afghanistan by August 31 is, perhaps, the elephant in the room. Having provided a base to several Taliban leaders and hosted the talks between the US and Mullah Baradar and his compatriots, the Qataris feel they have a strong hand. Turkey, which also has close ties with Pakistan, believes that it can wield a degree of influence in a Taliban-ruled Afghanistan even though its offer to take charge of security at Kabul Airport was unceremoniously turned down. But the Turkey-Qatar axis, working in tandem with Pakistan, could turn out to be an important point of connection with the new Taliban regime. Of course, it is not only Taliban that is causing a paradigm shift in policy for some in the Gulf. It is actually a number of coalescing factors, as one Gulf pundit described it. Some in the region believe that, regardless of political rhetoric, the basic principles of policy remain the same. This means that the UAE will never back out of fighting terrorism and supporting those who stand against it. *A version of this article appears in print in the 2 September, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: The recent visit by US Vice President Kamala Harris to the two Southeast Asian states of Singapore and Vietnam coincided with the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Many of the regions states were previously exposed to waves of terrorism, and the Talibans takeover of power definitely raises fears of new ones, especially if they develop alliances with fundamentalist armed groups in this part of the world. But experts generally believe that the connection between Harris visit and the withdrawal from Afghanistan is weak. According to Douglas H Paal, a Carnegie expert, the plan for Harris to visit Southeast Asia was made before the crisis in Afghanistan. Paal, who previously worked on Asia in the White House, in National Security Council and the US State Department, it is commendable Harris went ahead with her visit despite the distraction of the crisis, because it is important to intensify the involvement of senior officials in the region, as part of redirecting American attention from wasting efforts in the Middle East to growing challenges in Asia. Yet he thinks it is at best too early to say whether the Taliban will represent a threat to Southeast Asia. I would be more inclined to worry about Taliban weakness eventually permitting a home for IS-K or other radical groups that might seek to propagate support in Southeast Asian Muslim communities. So far, the threat seems more theoretical than real, he pointed out. It is worth mentioning that Harris boss, President Joe Biden, has not yet spoken with any Southeast Asian leader, although many of his top officials did and visited the region. Asia will continue to be an arena in which the Americans and the Chinese compete for hegemony for years to come. These too are factors suggesting that Harris might not be going to Southeast to speak about Afghanistan. However, ironically, she took questions from reporters about it, together with the leaders she met. We hope Afghanistan does not become an epicentre for terrorism again, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien said at a press conference with Harris. Lee added that the US commitment to the region would be determined by what the US does going forward, how it repositions itself in the region, how it engages its broad range of friends and partners and allies. Seeking to avoid bearing her share of the responsibility for the US withdrawal from Afghanistan by saying that she was one of the last advisers that Biden spoke to about the issue, Harris had to say something to persuade the Asians that the United States does not abandon its allies. She stressed that Washington is singularly focused on evacuating Americans and Afghans who have worked with us and are vulnerable, including women and children. Ann Marie Murphy, director of the Center for Foreign Policy Studies at Seton Hall University, told Al-Ahram Weekly that the US withdrawal made Harris objective of ensuring US commitment to the Indo-Pacific region more difficult, since it raised questions about US credibility as a partner. Murphy, who previously briefed the US Congress on Asia, stressed that Southeast Asian countries that have been the victims of terrorist attacks like the Philippines and Indonesia will be watching developments closely. There are numerous terrorist groups in SEA, and after the fall of ISIS in the Middle East, many SEA jihadist groups allied with ISIS heeded the call to stay home. It is unclear how the Talibans restoration of power in Afghanistan will impact terrorist groups in SEA because it is unclear how the relationship between a Taliban government and other groups like ISIS will evolve, Murphy nevertheless argued. The visits gave Harris an opportunity to talk business with Asian leaders. She told the Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc that both countries need to find ways to pressure and raise the pressure, frankly, on Beijing to abide by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and to challenge its bullying and excessive maritime claims in the South China Sea. Harris also announced that the USAID will back Vietnam on a number of challenges, including Covid-19, growing its business sector, digitalising its economy, reforming education and addressing legacy of war issues. The same happened with Singapore, which during Harris visit finalised deals with Washington over financial cooperation, military and cybersecurity affairs. For example, they agreed that the United States will begin rotational deployments of US P-8 aircraft and littoral combat ships to Singapore. They will also work together on smart cities and green building throughout the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states. At least for now, these deals might help reduce the security concerns of the Southeast Asian governments about the implications of the US departure from Afghanistan. According to John A Calabrese, an assistant professor at the Washington-based American University School of International Service, officials in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia remain very concerned with potential blowback and returnees from the conflict in Syria. I would guess that, given the fluid situation in Afghanistan and uncertainty as to whether that country might once again become a hive of jihadi activity their counterterrorism teams, as well as those in Singapore and Philippines -- not to mention India, China, Russia and the Central Asian states -- are already on high alert, moving quickly to enhance their surveillance and taking other measures to detect and disrupt potential terror threats. *A version of this article appears in print in the 2 September, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Crystal clear, translucent waters and gently undulating soft white sand are embraced by stones. The picturesque green mountainous backdrop with perfect blue skies does not suggest Algeria. And few outside the North African country have heard of the ancient district in question, Collo, where forests, mountainous terrain, stunning beaches and Roman relics are only partially captured in the Instagram account, Kheir, hoping to redefine the Middle East and North Africa [MENA] for good. There is a pun there, kheir which is the Arabic word for good being driven by altruistic principles. The curated travel art and culture Instagram endeavours to put an end to the stereotyping of the MENA region, finally. Here, Yemen is just stunning. In one video, a boy in rolled up blue jeans jumps off a white stone cliff into the turquoise water below. The narrow lagoon encased with a limestone precipice displays shades of green, yellow and aquamarine where the water meets the cliff on Yemens Socotra Island, in the northwest Indian Ocean near the Gulf of Aden. From her home in southern Carolina, the United States, the curator, Joy Camel, scours different platforms daily for pictures and videos of architecture and nature she would like to see in MENA. This labour of love is motivated by a deeper sentiment to restore the regions global representation. I know it may sound very grand, Camel, 25, said in a telephone interview. But it works. Launched in the spring of 2020, the striking Instagram account is a thoughtful selection of untired images largely invested in the Arab world, but also includes Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan. In its attention to detail the textures, the motifs, the vistas, even the faces of the region Kheir is a true effort by a young Egyptian-American to decolonise Arab tourism. Here, MENA is not the tired, a historical, monolithic category still presented by Western media. Camel also shies away from the cliched images of willing oriental otherness exported from the region to Western audiences. From northern Sudan: Nubian pyramids in the ancient city of Meroe. Lush landscapes of Wadi Bani Khalid, Oman. A woman leads water buffalos, canoeing through the UNESCO inscribed marshes of Chabaish, Nasiriyah, Iraq. Old Damascus, Syria. The oldest building in Amman, Jordan. The Ushaiger heritage village, Saudi Arabia. Palestinian teens playing on a steep fence above the West Bank. A stylish room in a 200-year-old house turned hotel in Kfour, Lebanon. A window into Ghadames, Libya. The idea of representation was born out of Camels own experience as the daughter of Egyptian immigrant parents. Born and raised in the US, she spent summers in Egypt where she says she had a taste of both worlds and the gap in between. She grew up in circles that didnt know where Egypt was, let alone what language was spoken there, and it was alienating. When visiting Egypt, she saw the awe people associated with those who come from the west, too. I know we have a lot of great things but I want to give them a sense of value. We have something beautiful to offer the world too, through our history, art and culture. Camel started the Instagram account after spending eight months in Egypt for the first time as an independent adult. I got to travel and saw things I hadnt seen before, opening my eyes as to how much beauty, history and culture the region has, which the Western world doesnt get to see. In 2017 she was involved in humanitarian work in Europes then largest refugee camp, Moria, in the Greek island of Lesbos, where she found herself with displaced people seeking safety and better homes. I really saw myself and my own family in that situation. It could have been us. In Moria the open air prison as Human Rights Watch calls it, which was flooded with refugees from 60 nationalities Camel met an Amazigh person for the first time in her life. I didnt know they existed, and when I did I realised there are indigenous groups I didnt even know about. A self-educating journey ensued as she set up Kheir, sharing images that spoke to her, from an awareness influenced by her experience with refugees, among other things. Obviously everyone wants to go to Europe and to experience the cool Western life, when theres so much beauty here. When Im showing these places, its coming from a sense of pride, from a place of wanting to represent who we really are, not just what were known for because of the political headlines. The sentiment also resonates with her experience as a minority US citizen. Growing up in a private school largely among white American kids, Camel says she couldnt fit in no matter how hard she tried. At one point you realise it is just not working, then you start relating more to people of colour who come from similar backgrounds. It was in this community that a sense of pride in where she comes from and who she is developed. This was unlike the generation of her parents who were just trying to survive, have a career and fit in, so that their children could have an opportunity. Camel speculates that the Internet and being connected helped validate this sense of pride among a community of people who share her perspective and to reconcile them with their identities. A recent poll of her audience showed that 60-70 per cent were diaspora Middle Eastern and North African people. While Kheir is primarily aimed at Western eyes, Camel says shes aware of her audience of Arabs located in the region. Its not lost on her that her US passport gives her the freedom of movement to travel in MENA unrestricted, a privilege denied to Arabs themselves. But while postcolonial borders are challenging to cross as inter-travel policies are designed to be suspicious of or discourage intra-Arab tourism, there is little demand for the business anyway. A 2016 list of the ten most popular travel destinations for Arabs published by the World Tourism Organisation included only one Arab city: Dubai. Once a medical student, Camel is now involved with her familys Air B&Bs, and produces photography with a focus on travel, art and architecture. She was due to turn Kheir to a travel guide and culture blog this week, highlighting artists. Travel is hard as it is but I think also when youre a female its a whole different experience, she says. So Id like to also capture some of these experiences through the eyes of a woman too. A female traveller is totally unrepresented and its kind of risky and sometimes scary. *A version of this article appears in print in the 2 September, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: This week President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi took part in the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership. Egypt, he demonstrated, is keen on an Iraq capable of playing an active and balanced role at the regional level, and to this end hopes to secure the countrys security and stability. Besides Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, France, Turkey and Iran all participated. Though seldom reading from the same page and often pursuing conflicting agendas, there is hope that these countries can now coordinate their policies to benefit Iraq and its people. Without constructive dialogue among them, it remains difficult to help Iraq to face its many political and economic challenges. The current Iraqi government has been making a tireless effort to affirm the countrys sovereignty and improve its security and economic conditions. Yet this will remain a difficult job if Iraqs neighbours, namely Iran, does not agree to prioritise the interests of the Iraqi people and maintain Iraqs unity and territorial integrity. After the United States invaded and occupied Iraq in 2003, it was not the American occupiers who had the upper hand, but Iran, the main beneficiary of Washingtons reckless and unjustified military adventure, which cost the Iraqi people very dearly. The cost was not limited to the tragic human loss of more than one million people, but even Iraqs existence as one country became in question. The majority Shiite south fell totally under Irans control; the areas where Sunnis make up the majority lost their former glory and were easily swept by the terrorist IS group, while the Kurdish north remained in practice a near independent country, something that had already been the case since late Saddam Hussein foolishly invaded Kuwait in late 1990. Sectarianism, corruption and chaos became the norm in Iraq, as well as living under constant threat of terrorist bombings and military raids by neighbouring countries, namely Turkey. Al-Sisis speech at the conference carried several important messages, together with a sincere and emotional appeal to Iraqis to preserve their country, maintain its unity and elect representatives in the upcoming elections who will make Iraqi interests their sole priority. The ties between Egypt and Iraq are not just historical, since they are two of the worlds oldest civilisations, but the immigration of millions of Egyptians to Iraq after the oil boom in the late 1970s created many family and personal ties as well. After the US occupation of Iraq and the sharp deterioration in security in 2003, it was Egypts turn to receive more than one million Iraqis who sought refuge in their second home. Feeling that close ties with Egypts Arab circle was a matter of national security, Al-Sisi reached out to Iraq, as well as Jordan to the benefit of all three countries. His visit to Iraq this week was the second in two months. In his speech, he pledged to develop multiple mechanisms, whether on the bilateral or the tripartite levels of Egyptian-Iraqi-Jordanian relations, or within a broader regional framework, to meet the aspirations and interests of the Iraqi and Egyptian peoples. Egypt appreciates improvements by Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi allowing state institutions to deal with the challenges facing the Iraqi people. The army and security agencies were able to defeat terrorism, eliminate the dark project of IS and preserve Iraqs unity, security and national fabric. Besides, the government has made a serious effort to effect economic reform on all levels and in different sectors. As Al-Sisi noted, Egypt continues to back up and support the Iraqi government in its efforts at stability, restoring its historical position, its active Arab and regional role and consolidating its position in the Arab world. Egypt also stands behind and supports the efforts of the Iraqi government to strengthen the state and its institutions so that it can carry out its tasks in maintaining security and stability in Iraq and protecting the capabilities of its people and its territorial integrity. Moreover, Egypt refuses all foreign interference in Iraqi affairs and illegal attacks on its lands. Egypt calls on all powers to respect the sovereignty of this ancient country and the choices of its people. Egypts principles since President Al-Sisi took office in 2014 have been based on mutual respect for the sovereignty of states, unconditionally refraining from interference in their internal affairs, and rejecting the policy of imposing a fait accompli using force, as well as refusing to provide safe havens, freedom of movement or any form of support for terrorist and extremist groups. If those principles were applied by Iraqs neighbours, as well as international partners led by the United States and the European Union, they would help Iraq achieve a better future for its people after decades of war and civil strife. The Iraqi people definitely deserve to live in peace, security and prosperity, considering Iraqs rich resources and capabilities: the people who own this civilisation and this honourable history, Al-Sisi said, undoubtedly have a bright future thanks to their children, their hope and motivation to achieve a better tomorrow. *A version of this article appears in print in the 2 September, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: KYODO NEWS - Aug 31, 2021 - 22:00 | All, World, Japan Japan ordered Tuesday the withdrawal of Self-Defense Forces dispatched to Kabul airport for an evacuation mission but vowed continued efforts to make Japanese nationals and local staff at its agencies leave Afghanistan, now in the hands of the Taliban. Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi ordered the pullout because it became difficult for the SDF to operate in a safe environment following the completion Monday of the U.S. troop exit from Afghanistan, the Defense Ministry said. Tokyo evacuated only one national and transported 14 Afghans out of the country last week, but about 500 evacuation seekers -- a very few number of Japanese and local staff at the Japanese Embassy and Japan International Cooperation Agency as well as their families -- remain in Afghanistan. Security in Kabul remains volatile following last week's deadly explosions near the airport. While assessing security on the ground, the government has been looking into possible alternative methods to evacuate Japanese nationals and local staff such as by using commercial airlines, according to government sources. "The provision of assistance for Japan-related evacuation seekers remains a task of utmost importance," Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said at a press conference. A Foreign Ministry official said he was "very disappointed" that the operation had not created safe passage out for the Afghans. Still, he said it "achieved the important goal of evacuating Japanese, even though only one person" was airlifted. The 14 Afghans were transported aboard an SDF aircraft to Islamabad in neighboring Pakistan last Thursday at the request of the United States. They were not staff members of the Japan-related entities. Two C-130 transporters and one C-2 aircraft, standing by at an airport in Pakistan along with SDF units tasked with the evacuation mission, will return home as soon as coordination is made after Wednesday, the Defense Ministry said. Many evacuees reportedly failed to reach the airport on their own due to strict Taliban checkpoints and deteriorating security following explosions last Thursday that killed more than 100 people. The Japanese government had arranged buses to the airport for Afghans working for Japanese organizations and their families last Thursday, but the evacuation plan was aborted following the blasts, according to government officials. Japan decided on the dispatch of SDF aircraft for an evacuation mission on Aug. 23. Twelve Japanese Embassy staff members had fled to Dubai aboard a British military aircraft on Aug. 17, two days after the seizure of power by the Taliban. When asked if the timing was right for the SDF dispatch, Motegi defended the government's decision, saying it was made "despite the rapidly changing situations" and he does not think it was late. As for the withdrawal of the U.S. forces, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said in a separate news conference Japan "appreciates the efforts made over the years by the United States in Afghanistan" and said Tokyo will "work with the international community for peace and stability" of the conflict-ravaged country. Motegi also said Tuesday Japan is considering transferring the temporary office it has set up in Istanbul as a substitute to the closed embassy in Kabul to Doha, the capital of Qatar. Noting that Qatar hosts a Taliban political office, Motegi said he expects multilateral discussions and negotiations over the situation in Afghanistan will be held in Doha. As of Monday, the United States has suspended its diplomatic presence in Kabul and transferred its operations to Doha. Related coverage: U.S. completes troop withdrawal from Afghanistan to end 20-yr war Japan SDF to pull out of Afghanistan evacuation mission possibly on Sept. 1 KYODO NEWS - Sep 1, 2021 - 21:11 | All, Japan Princess Mako, a niece of Japanese Emperor Naruhito, and her boyfriend Kei Komuro will marry by the year-end and may start a new life in the United States, but in a rare decision will not hold the usual related ritual ceremonies, a government source said Wednesday. Amid public unease about their marriage due to a money dispute between Komuro's mother and her former fiance, the princess will likely decline a lump-sum payment of up to about 150 million yen ($1.36 million) usually given to female royal family members upon their departure from the household, the source said. Under the current rules, female imperial family members lose their royal status upon marrying a commoner. The marriage of the princess and Komuro, both 29, has been postponed for over two years due to the dispute over 4 million yen that the former fiance claims the mother owes him. The sum includes money spent on Komuro's educational expenses. If the princess marries Komuro without traditional ceremonies, she would be the first female imperial family member to skip them in postwar Japan. The rites are an official engagement ceremony called "Nosai no Gi," in which the families of the betrothed exchange gifts, and a "Choken no Gi" ceremony to officially meet with the emperor and empress before marriage. The government will consider whether it is legally possible under current rules not to offer the lump-sum payment, which would be financed by taxpayers' money, in accordance with the princess's unprecedented request, according to an Imperial Household Agency official. The money is intended to maintain the dignity of former royal family members. The agency is also planning to create an opportunity for Princess Mako and Komuro to explain their resolve to the public, the official said. Komuro currently lives in the United States, having graduated from Fordham University's law school in New York State with a Juris Doctor degree in May and taken the state bar examination in July. The result of the exam will be announced by mid-December and he is expected to land a job at a local law firm. People expressed mixed reactions to the news that the marriage between Princess Mako and Komuro will go ahead after a hiatus, suggesting the pair has failed to get as much public support as the princess's father Crown Prince Fumihito wished for. "Princess Mako's feelings should be respected," said Yuko Chiba, 52, who was jogging around the Imperial Palace, a popular spot for joggers. But she added, "I want to hear Mr. Komuro explain (the money dispute) in public." Rena Aoki, a 20-year-old university student, also said near the Imperial Palace, "Even though (Princess Mako) was born as a royal, she is a human being. I think it was suffocating to see much criticism (about her planned marriage with Komuro) online. I hope she will live her own life and be happy." Meanwhile, university student Mayuri Goi, 19, said, "Maybe they should have announced their engagement after having established a basis for their livelihoods." Last year, Crown Prince Fumihito, the emperor's younger brother, said he approves of his eldest daughter's marriage to Komuro but suggested it has to be welcomed by a more skeptical public. "I mean, I approve of them getting married. The Constitution says marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes. If that is what they really want, then I think that is something I need to respect as a parent," the crown prince said last November at a press conference to mark his 55th birthday. In April, Komuro issued a statement seeking to correct what he called misunderstandings among the public about his mother's financial status and said his wish to marry the princess has not changed. Princess Mako, who said last November the marriage is a "necessary choice" for the couple, indicated her hope that the statement to address the monetary dispute would help gain more public understanding of his stance. Shortly after releasing the statement, Komuro offered to make a payment to his mother's former fiance in an effort to settle the money dispute. The former fiance also expressed his desire to enter negotiations, saying the planned marriage and the dispute were separate issues. But there has been no progress in efforts to settle the case since then. The couple's marriage may influence Japan's ongoing debate to address the shrinking number of imperial family members as the government is considering allowing female members to retain their royal status even after marrying commoners. Princess Mako's brother Prince Hisahito, 14, who is second in line to the Japanese imperial throne, is the only heir of his generation as the Imperial House Law states that only males with male lineal descent from emperors can ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne. Of the current 18 imperial family members, including former Emperor Akihito, 87, and former Empress Michiko, 86, who no longer perform official duties, 13 are women. Six of the women, including Princess Mako, are currently unmarried. Komuro and Princess Mako met in 2012 as students at International Christian University in Tokyo. They were unofficially engaged in September 2017. Komuro, who previously worked at a Tokyo law firm as a paralegal, started studying at the New York law school in August 2018 after his planned marriage with the princess was abruptly delayed following reports of the financial dispute. The following is a chronology of major events related to the planned marriage between Princess Mako and her commoner boyfriend Kei Komuro. Sept. 3, 2017 -- Imperial Household Agency announces Princess Mako's planned engagement to Kei Komuro. Feb. 6, 2018 -- Imperial Household Agency announces wedding will be postponed following reports of a money dispute between Komuro's mother and her former fiance. Aug. 7 -- Komuro leaves for the United States to study at Fordham University's law school in New York. November -- Prince Fumihito, father of Princess Mako, says Komuro's family should resolve financial issues for wedding to go ahead. Jan. 22, 2019 -- Komuro says in a statement his family believes financial issues behind dispute have already been resolved. Nov. 13, 2020 -- Princess Mako says in a statement she and Komuro think marriage is a "necessary choice" for them. November -- Crown Prince Fumihito says he "approves" of marriage, but reiterates dispute should be solved. April 8, 2021 -- Komuro releases another statement, expressing his resolve to tie knot with Princess Mako. April 12 -- Komuro expresses his intention to pay money to his mother's former fiance to settle dispute. May -- Komuro graduates from Fordham University's law school in New York with a Juris Doctor degree. July -- Komuro takes the New York state bar examination. Related coverage: Panel mulls imperial status for females but not commoner husbands Japanese Princess Mako's boyfriend mulls working at U.S. law firm FOCUS: Japan princess' boyfriend made issue in imperial succession debate New Delhi: Security officials at Delhi airport had some anxious moments when the pilot of an Ariana Afghan Airlines flight sent a hijack alert on Saturday afternoon. Soon, the flight was stopped from taking off and the plane was cordoned off. Later, it was found that the pilot "mistakenly" pressed the 'hijack button' when it was taxiing for take-off, according to reports. Hindustan Times reported that the Delhi-Kandahar flight carrying 124 passengers and nine crew members was taxiing for take-off at 3.30 pm when the airport authorities got the hijack alert from it. Soon, security men cordoned off the plane. Sources told the newspaper that it was later found that the captain was telling the co-pilot about the procedure for alert when the alarm was accidentally sent to the air traffic control (ATC). News agency PTI reported that the plane took off nearly two hours later after "satisfactory" security checks. While there was no immediate official reaction, the sources said the pressing of hijack button had pushed all agencies concerned, including the anti-terror force National Security Guard (NSG), into action. NSG commandos and officials of other agencies swiftly responded to the situation and surrounded the aircraft, they said. In December 1999, militants of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, a Pakistan-based extremist group, had hijacked Indian Airlines Flight 814, commonly known as IC 814, in Indian airspace and took it to Kandahar in Afghanistan. Then Indian government led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had to surrender before the terrorists and agreed to release three of their members. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has asked the international space community to propose their scientific payloads to be carried along on its mid-2023-planned mission to Venus. India will be sending 12 scientific payloads aboard the satellite for the Venus mission. The final spacecraft is likely to have a payload capacity of close to 100 kg, with 500W of power, according to the ISRO website. ALSO READ | Union Minister Ananth Kumar passes away; lost a valuable colleague, says PM Modi ISRO, on its website, said proposals are solicited from the international scientific community for novel space-based experiments to study specific areas of science interest on Venus. This AO has a specific objective to identify important science experiments that strengthen/complements overall science from the suite of pre-selected proposals from India on ISROs Venus mission. Venus is considered to be Earths twin sister because of similarities in size, mass, density, composition and gravity. The mission will focus on studying the surface and the sub-surface of the planet, atmospheric chemistry, and the interactions with solar radiation or solar winds. ISROs Mission Venus: 12 payloads that scientists are carrying along S-Band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) Advanced radar for topside ionosphere and subsurface sounding Ultraviolet (UV) imaging spectroscopy telescope Thermal camera Cloud monitoring camera Venus atmospheric spectro polarimeter Airglow photometer Radio occultation experiment Ionospheric electron temperature analyser Retarding potential analyser Mass spectrometer Plasma wave detector ALSO READ | Ananth Kumar: Here's a look at the life and times of the staunch RSS ideologue This is the natural progression for ISRO. For years, Indias space missions focussed on its local and economic usability. If the organisation has to progress and compete with other major space programmes, it will have to look at pure exploratory missions like Chandryaan and Mangalyaan, Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, head of the Nuclear and Space Policy Initiative at Observer Research Foundation was quoted by the Hindustan Times as saying. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Paris: Pope Francis says World War I should serve as a severe warning to reject a culture of war. But Francis observed that the wars lessons have been ignored, saying it seems we never learn as he addressed faithful in Vatican Citys St. Peters Square on Sunday. The pope, who often decries the arms industry, added: Lets invest in peace, not war! Francis noted that the bells of St. Peters Basilica and of churches worldwide would toll Sunday to mark the 100th anniversary of the wars end. Also Read | Ponzi Scam: Janardhana Reddy arrested, sent to judicial remand till November 24 He called the 1914-18 war a severe admonition for everyone to reject the culture of war and search for every legitimate means to end the conflicts still bloodying several regions of the world. Francis also quoted the definition of war as useless slaughter provided by Benedict XV, who was pope during World War I. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to visit Maldives to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as the island nations new President on , New Delhi has hinted out categorically that it will reclaim its political, diplomatic and economic influences in the strategically important country where under the Abdulla Yameen regime, China ruled the roost. To the extent that Maldives was facilitated to become part of Chinas complex and impervious Belt and Road Initiative in the Indian Ocean region. In the past five years, while island nations traditional India-first policy was diluted, the pro-China Yameen regime also ensured that Indian companies didnt matter in any infrastructure project nor any individual who had a slightest leaning towards India was allowed to rest in peace. In , the Indian Prime Minister cancelled his visit to Maldives in the last minute as the country had plunged into political turmoil; former President Mohamed Nasheed had been sentenced to 13-year jail term. Maldives relations with India nosedived further when Abdulla Yameen imposed emergency in the country in after the Supreme Court ordered release of a group of opposition leaders from jail. Apex court judges, including Chief Justice who formed part of judgment on political prisoners release, were also put behind the bars. Completely darkened by arrogance, President Abdulla Yameen didnt spare even his step brother and former Maldivian president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom from thrusting into jail in his attempt to suppress dissent in the country. Male rejected visa renewals for Indians who were legally working. Also Read | Rajasthan Assembly Elections: Why odds are stacked against BJP, in favour of Congress This year, it turned down Indias invitation to participate in biennial eight-day Milan naval exercise and asked India to take back two helicopters it had gifted to the island country for its maritime security. The presidential polls, however, took wind out of Yameens sail when electoral outcome went in favour of opposition presidential candidate Mohamed Solih. India was the first country in the world to welcome the polls outcome. China which pumped in huge amount of money in Maldives to deepen its political, economic and strategic footprint, had not realised that the table would turn against Abdulla Yameen in such a manner by the people of the island nation. It grudgingly welcomed Mohamed Solihs election as the new President of Maldives. Former Maldivian president Nasheed whose supporters played a crucial role in creating an atmosphere in favour of opposition candidate Mohamed Solih, has already declared that all infra projects handed over to China during Abdulla Yameens presidency will be reviewed. An estimated $1.3 billion is owed by the island nation to China--more than a quarter of its GDP. Of the total Chinese investment in the Indian Ocean archipelago, $830 million was pumped in to upgrade the Maldives airport and build 2-km bridge to connect the capital Male with the airport island. Several critics have warned that the debt-ridden island nation may see its situation turning like Sri Lanka, which was forced to give away Hambantota port on a 99-year lease to China in in exchange for $1.8 billion loan it had taken to develop the project. China is also engaged in the construction of 25-story hospital and other infra projects in Male. But construction exercise was not only business China was prepared to limit itself, it had its eyes on the countrys islets also. Also Read | Two years after DeMo: Is government using demonetisation as a postdated cheque? According to Nasheed, China has taken on lease not only Feydhoo Finolhu islet but also 15 other islets of 1,192 scattered coral islands which make up the country. In 2017, to the detriment of India, Maldives signed Free Trade Agreement with China. But patience paid dividend. The just concluded presidential polls brought a major relief to India. It had, though, voiced its concern when the presidential election was announced. It feared that a free and fair election in the island nation would not be possible unless democratic institutions, including parliament and judiciary, were allowed to work in a free and transparent manner. Nonetheless when results were out, Maldivian opposition camp found to its dismay the outcome coming beyond its expectations-- Solih had clinched his victory from the jaw of Yameen-dictated imperious regime. Relieved India has now its task cut out: The election has allowed Delhi to wrest control of the strategically significant nation from China and an encore to this will be completed when Modi joins the swearing-in ceremony of Solih as new Maldivian President next week. No Chinese leader has been invited for the ceremony. However, beyond diplomacy and politics, India needs to understand that Maldives expectations from Delhi are very high. It needs money to build infrastructure and security from external aggression. Is India ready for such task? New Delhi: As the two-week deadline to complete preliminary inquiry against Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Alok Kumar Verma ends, the Supreme Court on Monday will hear the version of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), which probed the exiled CBI chief. Vermas deputy, special director Rakesh Asthana had accused the CBI chief of bribery and wrongdoings. The hearing assumes significance as Verma has reportedly refused the allegations during the CVC probe. Also Read | Central Crime Branch arrests mining baron Janardhan Reddy, aide in ponzi scam He had appeared for consecutive days before the three-member CVC headed by KV Chowdary. Verma, who divested of his powers by the Centre, had challenged the decision in the Supreme Court. While hearing Vermas plea, a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had set a weeks time deadline for CVC to complete the inquiry against the CBI chief. The Supreme Court had appointed former SC judge AK Patnaik to supervise the ongoing CVC inquiry against Verma. The Apex court had also barred the interim CBI chief Nageswara Rao from taking any major decision regarding to policy change. The court had also sought the list of decisions, including transfers of investigations, taken by Rao in a sealed cover. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CVC, had said that the CVC has been conducting an inquiry into the allegations made in the August 24 note/letter of the Cabinet Secretary with regard to Verma. Also Read | Chhattisgarh Polls Phase-I: Eight districts, 18 Assembly seats, one lakh security personnel and shadow of Naxals Besides the plea filed by Verma, the court is also seized of the PIL filed by NGO Common Cause, which has sought a probe by special investigation team against CBI officers including Asthana, and had issued notices to the Centre, CBI, CVC, Asthana, Verma and Rao asking them to respond to it by November 12. (With inputs from agency) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Sri Lanka is luring fully vaccinated Indian tourists, including those who got Covaxin. On Colombo return tickets, SriLankan Airlines is offering a buy one, get one free deal for desi leisure travellers. This deal is valid until October 31, 2021. Sri Lanka now allows fully vaccinated Indian tourists to enter the country without having to go through quarantine if they test Covid negative reports upon arrival. All that is required is to be completely vaccinated, with the second injection administered at least 14 days prior to departure. The airline stated that a required RT-PCR test will be done in the hotel, and anyone who tests positive will be transported to health care centers provided by hotels. Sri Lanka is now open for Indian tourists. People need to be fully vaccinated, with the second shot taken at least 14 days before the trip. On arrival, travellers will go to their hotel where the RT-PCR test will be conducted. Those who test negative can travel where they want to go, SriLankan Airlines head of worldwide sales and distribution, Dimuthu Tennakoon, recently told TOI. Also, there is no requirement for quarantine for travellers who test Covid negative on arrival in the Emerald Island. Sidharth's 'Shershaah' gets another big breakthrough, became most watched film CM Shivraj says 'ministry will be formed for denotified, nomadic...' One ticket free with one ticket, airline offer for Indians who got both doses of vaccine New Delhi: A vaccination campaign is being carried out on a war footing in India amid the threat of corona infection. So far 644.8 million doses have been administered across the country. More than 497 million people have received a single dose of the vaccine, while more than 147.7 million people have taken both doses of the vaccine. In view of the pace of vaccination in India, Sri Lanka has opened the doors of its country to Indians who have administered both doses of the vaccine. At the same time, Sri Lankan Airlines has also come up with a very special offer to woo Indians. Sri Lankan Airlines has come up with a "Buy one and get one free" offer for Indian people, under which a ticket will be free with a ticket back to India from Colombo. The offer will remain in force till October 31. Indian nationals who have administered both doses of the vaccine no longer need to be quarantined in Sri Lanka. However, certain conditions have also been laid down for this. Speaking to the media, the airline said that tourists coming to Sri Lanka from India had taken the second dose of the vaccine at least 14 days ago. This will be followed by an RT-PCR test on his arrival in Sri Lanka, which should come negative. If a tourist's test report comes positive, he will be taken to the hospital. While a person found negative will be able to travel anywhere in the country as per his mind. IPO: Ola plans to raise over Rs 7,300 crore via Initial public offer SEBI flags off Go Airlines bringing IPO of Rs 3600 crore Bank reduced interest rates on savings accounts, applicable from September 1 Offences against public tranquillity refer to activities that cause the disturbance in peace of society. Nepali law has prohibited all sorts of activities that create disturbances in the peace of society. Section 60 of the National Penal Code, 2017, prohibits acts of unlawful assembly. Here are basic things to know about the actions against public tranquillity. Act against public tranquillity The following acts are regarded as acts against public tranquillity. Preventing any public servant from exercising the lawful functions or duties Take or obtain possession of anyones property forcefully Deprive any person of their right of way, use of water, public transport or communication or similar other utilities Force any person to do what he or she is not legally bound to do or to omit to do what he or she is legally entitled to do Hinder, resist the execution of any law, or of any legal process Commit any offence punishable by a sentence of imprisonment For the offences listed, any person who, with the knowledge that it is an unlawful assembly, joins the assembly or any person who himself or herself does not join an unlawful assembly but hires or otherwise induces or overawes another to join such assembly will be held liable. Provisions and punishments regarding unlawful assembly Section 61 of the National Penal Code, 2017, states whenever a competent authority renders an order to prevent or disperse an unlawful assembly, no one shall participate in such assembly. A person not obeying such order of competent authority shall be held liable with imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding Rs 10,000 or both. Further, section 62 of the National Penal Code, 2017, elaborately explains that if a member of an unlawful assembly commits an offence in the achievement of the object of such assembly, every member of such assembly who aids and assists knowingly at the time of the commission of an offence shall be considered to have committed the offence. Further, no person shall hold any torch procession or assembly or procession carrying a fire or inflammable substance in any place specified as the sensitive public area with an intent to disturb public peace. More on this, if anyone provides his or her house, land, vehicle or arm to that other person, knowingly or having a reasonable reason to know that another person is going to breach public peace or commit rioting, that shall be considered as committing a crime against the law. Any person found committing any of these two acts shall be held liable for imprisonment not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding Rs 5,000 or both. Additional to this, no person shall knowingly violate a curfew order imposed by a competent authority under law to prevent an unlawful assembly, riot or any other act that breaches tranquillity. Any person committing such act shall be liable for imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding Rs 10,000 rupees or both sentences. Provisions and punishments regarding riot and obstructing public servant work Section 63 of the National Penal Code, 2017, prohibits an offence of riot. No person shall commit or cause to be committed, the offence of rioting. Any unlawful assembly or a member thereof uses force or destroys, damages or causes loss to any public or private property in the course of achievement of the object of such assembly, every member of such assembly shall be considered to have committed the offence of rioting. Every person who commits such offence shall be liable to a sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years and a fine not exceeding Rs 20,000 if he or she is armed with a deadly weapon, and to a sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year and a fine not exceeding Rs 10,000 if he or she is not armed with a deadly weapon. As the last of the U.S. troops leave Afghanistan, one geopolitics expert thinks America's longest war left us with one key lesson. "The one big lesson is that as rightfully angry and scared as Americans were after 9/11, we made Afghanistan into an almost existential threat to the American homeland and it was never that," Eurasia Group Founder Ian Bremmer told Yahoo Finance Live (video above). "It was never a grade A national security priority for the U.S. It never merited a hundred-plus thousand servicemen and women on the ground, fighting a war and rebuilding a nation." The war cost the U.S. more than $2 trillion and lasted for two decades, leading to the deaths of nearly 2,500 American service members, nearly 4,000 U.S. contractors, and hundreds of thousands of Afghans. "Remember why we went to Afghanistan in the first place? Because we were attacked by Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda on September 11, 2001, and they were based in Afghanistan," President Joe Biden said during a press conference on Tuesday. "We delivered justice to bin Laden on May 2nd, 2011, over a decade ago. Al-Qaeda was decimated. ... we succeeded in what we set out to do in Afghanistan over a decade ago, and we stayed for another decade. It was time to end this war." U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the end of the war in Afghanistan in the State Dining Room at the White House on August 31, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Bremmer added that the intense pressure to pull out of Afghanistan also signaled a shift in how the U.S. viewed itself. "We need to reflect on why it is that in an enormously divided United States, one of the very few foreign policies that Democrats, Republicans, and independents can agree on is: Get the hell out of Afghanistan," he said. "Why is it that a mission that the United States historically had a much easier time embracing that of being the world's policeman, that of being the cheerleader of American values and open society and human rights why doesn't that appeal to Americans any more, irrespective of what part of the political spectrum you're on?" Story continues Bremmer also questioned how America's perception of itself would affect its relationship with allies. "How should they think about the United States if we were in their shoes?" he asked. "Something we need to be considering going forward." Aarthi is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. She can be reached at aarthi@yahoofinance.com. Follow her on Twitter @aarthiswami. Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, SmartNews, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit. The Fred B. Noe Distillery, honoring seventh generation Master Distiller Fred Noe, will be the new home to many of the James B. Beam Distilling Co.'s Small Batch Whiskies and future innovations CLERMONT, Ky., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The James B. Beam Distilling Co. (JBBDCo), celebrated and award-winning makers of genuine American whiskey for over 225 years, today proudly unveils the Fred B. Noe Distillery, which is dedicated to Seventh Generation Beam Master Distiller Fred Noe. Celebrating JBBDCo's ethos of Genuine in the Making its tireless and timeless commitment to honoring, elevating and pioneering what American Whiskey should and could be the new distillery will be led by Noe's son, Eighth Generation Beam Distiller Freddie Noe. It will produce several of the James B. Beam Distilling Co.'s well-known and award-winning brands, including Freddie's acclaimed Little Book Whiskey annual series of blends, as well as future innovations. The Fred B. Noe Distillery, honoring seventh generation Master Distiller Fred Noe, will be the new home to many of the James B. Beam Distilling Co.s Small Batch Whiskies and future innovations. "Our new distillery is really the heart and soul of the Beam legacy. Years ago after my dad, Booker Noe, created the original small batch bourbons, he looked to me to welcome more whiskey drinkers into our family of brands. Now as I look ahead, it's with great pride that I hand the reins of this special place over to my son Freddie, and I look forward to working side-by-side as he leads the next chapter in whiskey making for the James B. Beam Distilling Co.," Fred Noe said. "At the new distillery Freddie will continue to experiment with new fermentation, distillation and blending techniques to produce category-defining and boundary-pushing whiskey of the highest quality. I can't wait to see what he does with it, and I know that my dad is smiling down on us today." The Fred B. Noe Distillery joins the Beam family's iconic distillery campus in Clermont, KY that has produced bourbon since 1935, including Jim Beam, the number one-selling bourbon in the world. Some of the James B. Beam Distilling Co.'s most popular super-premium whiskies, including Booker's Bourbon, Baker's Bourbon and Little Book Whiskey, will find a permanent home at the Fred B. Noe Distillery. The new distillery will also offer a space for continued experimentation and exploration of the future American whiskey category. The newly launched exclusive membership program, Barreled & Boxed , will allow consumers to experience the distilling company's most exciting releases straight to their doorsteps in select states, where legal. Story continues "This new distillery represents my family's bourbon legacy both where we've been and where we're headed," said Freddie Noe. "In this new home, I look forward to honoring all of my dad's contributions and continuing to innovate and push the boundaries in American whiskey. Over the last five years, I've been exploring new and interesting blends, ages and flavors on my quest to build upon the legacy my dad and granddad pioneered. I'm eager to show the world what we've been up to, and to offer fans everywhere a taste of the special whiskies we've been cooking up." The Fred B. Noe Distillery, powered by renewable energy through a high-efficiency electric boiler and the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs), will also offer experiential learning through distillation sessions and seminars with Freddie Noe, hands-on activities in the blending lab, and a tasting bar to sample new and yet-to-be released innovations for select members of the trade. Additionally, a state-of-the-art classroom for the University of Kentucky's James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits will be housed at the Fred B. Noe Distillery wherein future leaders in the American Whiskey industry will come together to learn the genuine whiskey making craft firsthand from the James B. Beam Distilling Company's experts. To bring the Fred B. Noe Distillery to life, James B. Beam Distilling Co. brought together a team of world renowned designers and builders. The external inspiration and visitor experience was provided by LOVE, a spatial design, branding, packaging and advertising agency. Architects from Joseph and Joseph designed the base distillery build, and OJB designed the landscape. Buzick Construction, Inc. took the lead on building both of these areas. Additionally, architects from Bergmeyer designed the consumer footprint, which was built by Shawmut Design and Construction . Project management and owner's representation for the visitor experience was led by Stys Hospitality Initiative . For more information about the James B. Beam Distilling Co. and the Fred B. Noe Distillery, please visit https://www.beamdistilling.com/. About Beam Suntory Inc. As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company's brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker's Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden's and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher's, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and On The Rocks Premium Cocktails. Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com. 2021 Beam Suntory Inc. Chicago, IL James B. Beam Distilling Co. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/americas-first-family-of-bourbon-unveils-new-distillery-that-pushes-the-boundaries-of-what-american-whiskey-can-be-301365638.html SOURCE Beam Suntory Inc. BeInCrypto The Australian government says its considering new laws for more regulated digital payment and crypto services from major tech companies like Apple and Google. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the government will carefully consider recommendations stemming from a report on digital wallet services. The report proposes whether the payment systems kept up with technology advances and product demand. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and WeChat Pay are three of the services under the governments watchful eye. These offerings have grown exponentially in recent years, however, they arent actually designated as payment systems. This puts them just outside the scope of existing regulations. This story was seen first on BeInCrypto Join our Telegram Group and get trading signals, a free trading course and more stories like this on BeInCrypto * Biden says era of 'nation-building' is over * Taliban parade coffins draped in U.S., NATO flags * Taliban beat women in street with sticks -witness * U.S. Treasury issues license authorizing aid to Afghanistan Aug 31 (Reuters) - Facing sharp criticism over the tumultuous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, President Joe Biden said on Tuesday it was the best available option to end both the United States' longest war and decades of fruitless efforts to remake other countries through military force. Biden portrayed the chaotic exit as a logistical success that would have been just as messy even if it had been launched weeks earlier, while staying in the country would have required committing more American troops. "I was not going to extend this forever war," he said in a speech from the White House. Earlier in the day, the Taliban, which seized control of Afghanistan in a lightning advance this month, fired guns into the air and paraded coffins https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-supporters-hold-mock-us-funeral-troops-leave-afghanistan-2021-08-31 draped in U.S. and NATO flags as they celebrated their victory. In his first remarks since the final pullout of U.S. forces on Monday, Biden said 5,500 Americans had been evacuated and that the United States had leverage over the Islamist militant group to ensure 100 to 200 others could also depart if they wanted to. He said Washington would continue to target militants who posed a threat to the United States, but would no longer use its military to try to build democratic societies in places that had never had them. "This decision about Afghanistan is not just about Afghanistan. It's about ending an era of major military operations to remake other countries," he said. The Taliban now control more territory than when they last ruled before being ousted in 2001 at the start of America's longest war https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/key-dates-us-involvement-afghanistan-since-911-2021-07-02, which took the lives of nearly 2,500 U.S. troops and an estimated 240,000 Afghans, and cost some $2 trillion. Story continues More than 123,000 people were evacuated from Kabul in a massive but chaotic airlift by the United States and its allies over the past two weeks, but many of those who helped Western nations during the war were left behind. Biden said the only other option would have been to step up the fight and continue a war that "should have ended long ago." Starting the withdrawal in June or July, as some have suggested, would only have hastened the Taliban's victory, he said. But Biden's decision was far from popular and he has faced criticism from Republicans and fellow Democrats, as well as from foreign allies. U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said the departure had abandoned Americans behind enemy lines. "We are less safe as a result of this self-inflicted wound," he said in his home state of Kentucky. ELATION AND FEAR The U.S. invasion in 2001, which followed the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington, stopped Afghanistan from being used by al Qaeda as a base to attack the United States and ended a period of Taliban rule from 1996 in which women were oppressed and opponents crushed. There was a mixture of triumph, elation and fear on the streets of Afghanistan as the Taliban celebrated their victory. "We are proud of these moments, that we liberated our country from a great power," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. While crowds lined the streets of the eastern city of Khost for a mock funeral with coffins draped with Western flags, long lines formed in Kabul outside banks closed since the fall of the capital. "I had to go to the bank with my mother but when I went, the Taliban (were) beating women with sticks, said a 22-year-old woman who spoke on condition of anonymity because she feared for her safety. "Its the first time Ive seen something like that and it really frightened me." The Taliban's previous government brutally enforced a radical interpretation of Islamic law but Biden has said the world would hold them to their recent commitments to uphold human rights and allow safe passage for those wanting to leave Afghanistan. Western donors have said future aid to the war and drought-ravaged country will be contingent on those promises being met. European Union countries proposed to step up assistance to Afghanistan and its neighbours, amid fears that up to half a million Afghans could flee their homeland by the end of the year. The United States last week issued a license authorizing it and its partners to continue to facilitate humanitarian aid in Afghanistan even though the Taliban is blacklisted by Washington, a Treasury Department official told Reuters. The license authorizes the U.S. government and its contractors to support humanitarian assistance to people in Afghanistan, including the delivery of food and medicine, despite U.S. sanctions on the Taliban. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the United States was concerned about the potential for Taliban retribution and mindful of the threat posed by ISIS-K, the Islamic State affiliate that claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing outside Kabul airport on Thursday that killed 13 U.S. service members and scores of Afghan civilians. At least seven Taliban fighters were killed in clashes with anti-Taliban rebels in the Panjshir valley north of the capital on Monday night, two members of the opposition group said. (Reporting by Reuters bureaus; Writing by Andy Sullivan, Philippa Fletcher and Stephen Coates; Editing by Mark Heinrich, Peter Cooney and Lincoln Feast) More than 100 Afghan citizens, the first to be offered refuge by North Macedonia since the fall of Kabul, arrived at Skopje airport late in the evening of August 30. The evacuation was carried out in response to fear of retribution by the Taliban, who took control of Kabul on August 15. The government said it expects to accommodate 780 Afghans in North Macedonia, but Prime Minister Zoran Zaev announced that 1800 could be sheltered if needed. The Taliban, now in full control of Kabul's airport with the final departure of foreign forces, has clashed with resistance fighters in the northeast as the rest of the world watches to see if the militants live up to their promises of a more tolerant and open brand of rule compared with their first stint in power. The last U.S. military aircraft left the airports runway overnight on August 30-31, marking the end of a 20-year presence in Afghanistan and the United States' longest war, following a chaotic final evacuation that left behind thousands of Afghans looking to escape Taliban rule. U.S. President Joe Biden declared in a televised address on August 31 an end to a "forever war" and that faced with "leaving or escalating," U.S. "vital national interests" spoke in favor of withdrawal. The White House later added that the United States "would not rush" to recognize the Taliban regime. The United States and its allies evacuated more than 123,000 foreigners and at-risk Afghans out of Kabul since August 14, the day before the Taliban seized Kabul two decades after being removed from power by the U.S.-led invasion in 2001. The Taliban said Afghanistan had "gained full independence" with the U.S. withdrawal, while also warning that the Taliban's victory was a "lesson for other invaders." Just hours after the last U.S. military plane took off, reports of fighting emerged on August 31 from the one part of Afghanistan not under Taliban control: Panjshir Province, 100 kilometers northeast of the capital, long a pocket of resistance to the militants. At least seven people were killed in the fighting, according to local media reports and sources quoted by international news agencies. The resistance, led by Ahmad Masud, the son of a revered Afghan resistance fighter, has said it would prefer negotiations with the Taliban, though it also has gathered thousands of armed men "ready to fight." The violence is a stark reminder of the precarious situation in the country. Celebratory gunfire could be heard as the militants cheered what a spokesman called the regaining of "full independence." Zabihullah Mujahid also said that the hard-line Islamist group wished to have "good relations with the U.S. and the world." The group has urged foreign diplomatic missions to stay in the country, but most countries have closed their embassies. The foreign minister of Qatar, which hosted nearly a year of stalemated intra-Afghan talks and now hosts the U.S. diplomatic operations related to Afghanistan with the U.S. Embassy in Kabul suspended, on August 31 urged the Taliban to reject terrorism and ensure an inclusive government. "We stressed the importance of cooperation to combat terrorism," Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said after talks in Doha with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, adding, "[A]nd we stressed the importance of the Taliban to cooperate in this field." Maas said there was "no way around" talking with the Taliban. Taliban representatives have meanwhile said they will allow normal travel after assuming control of the Kabul airport. While the United States suspended its diplomatic presence in Kabul, transferring operations to the Qatari capital, Doha, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington would continue its "relentless efforts" to help Americans -- and Afghans with U.S. passports -- to leave Afghanistan if they want to. He said the Taliban needed to earn its legitimacy and would be judged on the extent to which it fulfilled its commitments to not carry out violent reprisals in Afghanistan, respect human and womens rights, and not allow the country to become a base for international terrorism. Since the Western-backed government and Afghan army collapsed under a lightning Taliban offensive, thousands of Afghans have fled their homes fearing a repeat of the Taliban's brutal rule between 1996 and 2001. The Taliban has said it was in talks with "all factions" to reach an agreement on a future government, and repeatedly promised a more tolerant and open brand of rule compared with their first stint in power. However, many reports have said summary executions and house to house searches for those who worked with international groups or the previous government are occurring across the country. Speaking under the condition of anonymity, a member of Afghanistan's tiny Sikh minority in Kabul told RFE/RL that Sikhs and Hindus "haven't left their homes" since the Taliban seized power. "Currently, we feel very uncertain and do not know what will happen after this. We want the international community and the U.S. to not leave us alone." French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that the Taliban was discussing the management of Kabuls international airport with Qatar and Turkey. He insisted that the Islamist group secure the facility quickly so that people who want to leave Afghanistan can do so using commercial flights. Qatar's Sheikh Mohammed said alongside German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on August 31 that there had been "tremendous engagement" on evacuations and counterterrorism that had yielded "positive results." He also said talks on Qatari assistance to run Kabul's airport were continuing. Earlier, in Islamabad, Maas said that Berlin is closely watching whether the Taliban delivers on its pledges to form an inclusive government and to allow people to leave the country if they choose. Maas said Germany was coordinating with Pakistan for the evacuation of its citizens from Afghanistan and also preparing in close cooperation with others to organize charter flights as soon as Kabul airport is operable again. Pakistan's foreign minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, said he expected that a new "consensus government will be formed in the coming days. Qureshi also urged the international community to act to prevent an 'economic collapse" in Afghanistan, which he said would create more instability and a further exodus of Afghans. Amid anxiety about their future and what the new government will look like, Afghans woke up with no international troop presence in their country for the first time in two decades. "The city is quiet," Lotfullah, a central Kabul resident, told the dpa news agency. Most shops in the Shahr-e Nau district were open, but only have a few customers, he said. In the western district of the Dasht-e Barchi, another resident said private and public schools had reopened for the first time since the Taliban takeover. The BBC reported that huge queues have been forming outside shuttered banks, ATMs, and money transfer services in Afghanistan. With reporting by AFP, AP, dpa, the BBC, and Reuters All American diplomats left Kabul and the United States suspended its diplomatic presence in Afghanistan, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on August 30, hours after the U.S. military completed its withdrawal from the country. After 20 years of war, Blinken said Washington had shifted its diplomatic presence from Kabul to Doha, the Qatari capital where the Taliban has a political office. "Our troops have departed Afghanistan," Blinken said in a wide-ranging address on policy toward Afghanistan. "A new chapter of America's engagement with Afghanistan has begun. "It's one in which we will lead with our diplomacy. The military mission is over; a new diplomatic mission has begun." The United States and its allies evacuated more than 122,000 people 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 U.S.-led invasion in 2001. But thousands of Afghans who helped Western countries and might have qualified for evacuation were left behind in the often chaotic, rushed operation from the airport. Blinken said the United States, in cooperation with allies and partners, will continue a relentless effort to help Americans, foreign nationals, and at-risk Afghans depart either overland or by flight once the Kabul airport reopens. He said less than 200 U.S. citizens remain in the country -- likely closer to just 100 -- who want to leave. Blinken said the Taliban would need to live up to its commitments to allow freedom of travel, not carry out violent reprisals in Afghanistan, respect human and womens rights, and not allow the country to become a base for international terrorism. Meanwhile, the United States will continue to provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan through the UN and other aid organizations. Going forward, any engagement with the Taliban-led government in Kabul will be driven by one thing only: our vital national interests, Blinken said. He said the United States would work with a Taliban government if it serves U.S. interests, brings stability to the country and region, and protects fragile gains made during the two decades-long U.S. presence. Every step we take will be based not on what a Taliban-led government says, but what it does to live up to its commitments, Blinken said. Any legitimacy and any support will have to be earned. The Taliban is seeking international recognition and has urged foreign diplomatic missions to stay in the country, including the United States and its allies. Most countries have closed their embassies. In the lawsuit, Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, is also asking the Mesa County District Court to appoint former Secretary of State Wayne Williams, the Republican she unseated three years ago, as the county's designated election official and to name Mesa County Treasurer Sheila Reiner, Peters' Republican predecessor as county clerk, as elections director. DIY redistricting allows public to draw maps in more states At least a dozen states are giving residents access to the software and web tools needed to map out how their government should represent them. After every census, redistricting authorities draw new boundaries for state legislative and congressional districts. Most states hold public hearings, even though half the country lacks laws requiring public input. Now, some states are going even further. So far, Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin have made online map-drawing tools publicly available and begun accepting submissions, according to Stateline research. Several more statesIdaho, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey and New Yorkare obligated by law to accept and consider maps drawn and submitted by the public, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, a nonpartisan group that tracks state legislation. Other states dont have the same legal obligation, but they can use the public-generated maps to critique official maps or proposals and to evaluate state requirements and criteria. Republican state Rep. Paul Ray, co-chair of Utahs Legislative Redistricting Committee, said he was eager to see what residents would come up with this cycle. In 2011, a map drawn by a Utah resident was used to set the states school board boundaries. Lawmakers need all the help they can get, he said. Its not as easy as you think. Drawing a map to encompass 75 House seats, 29 Senate seats is not that easy, Ray told Stateline last month at a redistricting seminar hosted by the National Conference of State Legislatures. Especially when redrawing district boundaries to comply with the Voting Rights Act and the principle of one person, one vote. If a map distributes voters or potential voters in a grossly uneven way, it can be challenged in court for being unconstitutional or violating the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Public Access to Redistricting Officials in 25 states are not required to have public input during the redistricting process, but most states have held hearings and accepted public maps in previous cycles. In the past 30 years, new technology has made it much easier to draw new boundaries that follow the rules while also enabling maps that benefit a party or candidate without flouting the law. Glenn Koepp, former secretary of the Louisiana Senate, worked in the legislature from 1972 to this past July, when he died of a heart attack. His first redistricting cycle was in 1981. In an early July interview with Stateline, he said Senate staff would spend weeks back then drawing lines on paper maps pinned up to walls, then would use a mainframe computer to analyze the demographics of the districts they created. We had one computer that could do this and the software cost thousands of dollars, Koepp said during a reception at the NCSL redistricting seminar. At the time no one had a personal computer or extensive training, so youd spend lots of sleepless nights just waiting for the computer to spit back the data, he added. By 2010, new software allowed mapmakers to generate thousands of possibilities in a fraction of the time. Florida, Idaho and Utah were some of the first states to purchase these online redistricting tools as well as allow the public to use them and submit maps. Idaho Deputy Secretary of State Jason Hancock said the reapportionment commission there in the previous cycle looked at every public map that was submitted. To what extent, I dont know, Hancock said. There may have been nuggets of ideas in some of those different maps that they picked up and incorporated in some of the maps that they ended up approving. Idaho plans to again provide an online version of its redistricting software this year. Florida Republican state Sen. Ray Rodrigues, who chairs his states Senate Reapportionment Committee, said his panel has not decided whether the software lawmakers are using for redistricting will be made available to the public. He said they will be taking map submissions, but it is too early in the process to know how those will be used. While I encourage the public to submit maps, I also encourage them to be cognizant of the Florida Constitution, statutes and federal requirements, he said. The commitment that Im making as chair is that the maps we send to the floor will be compliant with those requirements. In 2013, residents of Minneapolis used DistrictBuilder, a free, open-source redistricting software, to submit maps. Those maps led to the creation of two voting districts and the election of the first Hispanic and Somali American to the city council, according to Michael McDonald, co-creator of DistrictBuilder. This year, Dane County, Wisconsin, which includes the state capital Madison, began using DistrictBuilder as its official tool for public submissions. Dave Bradlee, who released Daves Redistricting App in 2010, said technology has made it easier for official mapmakers to comply with the lawbut also has allowed the creation of more sophisticated maps that benefit one group or another in subtle ways. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy In the fifth demonstration in seven nights since a 17-year-old University of Nebraska-Lincoln student reported being sexual assaulted at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity Aug. 23, organizers Monday lit candles in a visible display of support for sexual assault survivors. Monday night's vigil marked the first time protesters didn't organize within sight of the fraternity house at 1425 R St., instead gathering on the north side of the Nebraska Union, surrounding Broyhill Fountain as familiar voices addressed a crowd of a few hundred people. "As a woman, it hurts to know that I'm surrounded by so many survivors," said Dominique Liu-Sang, a community organizer who has been a vocal leader at each of the protests. "We shouldn't have survivors at all. Because it shouldn't be happening." Batool Ibrahim, UNL's student body president, called on attendees to continue demanding changes in behavior that she said had been allowed to go on at the university's downtown Lincoln campus "for years." As of Friday, there had been 78 rapes or attempted rapes reported at UNL since 2015. In the three days since, campus police have fielded reports of five more. "I think that we've proven that we're not here to go away in a few days," Ibrahim said. "I think this vigil is a mark of that." BRUSSELS (AP) European Union justice and home affairs ministers pledged Tuesday to support Afghanistan's neighbors to help them host people fleeing the new Taliban regime and prevent a new wave of migrants heading to Europe. As a health care worker who has staffed Pennsylvania emergency rooms throughout this horrid COVID-19 epidemic, I must applaud the leaders of Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health for having the wisdom and determination to require vaccinations of their employees. That is brave and proactive. Because health care workers come into contact with immunocompromised people and with patients afflicted by many serious medical problems, such caretakers should not be cavalier in their choices and further harm those seeking care at a medical facility. Come on America, it is not your right to risk the good health and even lives of others. Being selfish is un-American! I have watched COVID-19 kill good people. Misinformation and superstition caused the wrongful deaths of 19 people during the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. But sadly, personal preferences and misinformation have caused over 637,000 deaths in our so-called modern America. The same science that gives you cellphones and Amazons Alexa has rewarded you all with a fighting chance, via the COVID-19 vaccines. If I ever personally need an ambulance, I will ask to go to Lancaster General Hospital, because its administration is wise and cares about all our citizens. And at 98% compliance with their vaccination mandate, I know that staying at their facility likely wont expose me to COVID-19 from any self-centered workers. Good work. And thank you, Lancaster General Health leaders. Clifford Catania Elizabethtown BOISE More than 1,000 protesters gathered Monday in Boise during a visit by President Joe Biden to rail against his plan to bring the coronavirus pandemic under control, last years presidential election and a host of other issues. I wholeheartedly support it. I don't like it, but it's become necessary to fight the coronavirus. I really don't like it, but if I have to get vaccinated to keep my job, I'll do it. I disagree with it and refuse to be vaccinated. Vote View Results A second K-9 handler recalled in court on Monday the alerts her cadaver dog gave while searching Paul Flores' Santa Lucia Hall dorm room on the afternoon of June 29, 1996. Torrey, a boxer, was brought in to the building to independently confirm the search results of three previous dogs that morning, according to Gail LaRoque, who has since retired from handling K-9s. LaRoque recalled entering the building and unleashing Torrey, telling her search bones, which was the dogs command. Torrey ran down the hallway and attempted to stop, sliding past one room before making a U-turn, and alerting on room 128, where Flores stayed during his freshman year of college. +5 Retired police detective: FBI used jail informant to investigate Paul Flores A retired police detective took the witness stand Monday and provided details on the FBIs use of a jail informant to investigate Paul Flores alleged role in the May 1996 disappearance of 19-year-old Cal Poly student Kristin Smart. Flores, 44, of San Pedro is charged with the murder of Kristin Smart, a 19-year-old Cal Poly student who went missing on May 25, 1996. His father, 80-year-old Ruben Flores, is charged with accessory to murder after the fact and accused of hiding her body. Smart was last seen with Paul Flores at the intersection of Perimeter Road and Grand Avenue, just steps away from their dorms, according to an earlier witness, Cheryl Manzer. After that, she was never seen again. She was declared legally dead in 2002 and her body has never been recovered. In April, nearly 25 years after Smart went missing, Paul and Ruben Flores were arrested and charged. Both have pleaded not guilty. On the witness stand, LaRoque recalled the day she drove to San Luis Obispo for the search. She arrived with K-9 handler Adela Morris, who testified earlier in the preliminary hearing and whose two cadaver dogs, Cholla and Cirque, made alerts to the same room. LaRoque testified to knowing that Smart had been missing, but knew no other details about the case. Like Cholla and Cirque, Torrey was certified in human remains detection by the California Rescue Dog Association and had about 200 searches in her career. Please do not tell me anything, LaRoque recalled telling police investigators on the scene, because she needed Torrey to work independently. It was about 1:30 p.m. when Torrey was called to search. After alerting to room 128, she entered the room and sniffed the air, rotated her head and repeatedly searched the left side of the room, where Paul Flores stayed. Torrey methodically searched the left corner of the room, where she picked up a trash can and brought it to her handler, according to LaRoque. When alerting, the dog was trained to grab a bringsel, which is a leather, cigar-shaped object handlers use to train their dogs for alerts. LaRoque said the trash can was as good as an alert. Next, Torrey began sniffing the edge of the bed frame and LaRoque noted her dog began to whine in excitement and frustration, indicating Torrey had a scent but kept searching for the source. Part of being a handler, you learn your dogs behavior and what it means, LaRoque said. Later, police detectives placed the trash can in the hallway, along with two identical cans, and Torrey alerted to the same can, according to LaRoque. Attorney Sarah Sanger, who represents Paul Flores, asked LaRoque if Torreys search could have been skewed by contamination, such as picking up a scent of human decomposition from a separate crime scene. LaRoque said that certainly could occur. Attorney Harold Mesick, who represents Ruben Flores, asked whether Torrey could possibly follow the scent of a corpse from the room. LaRoque did not offer a yes or no answer, although she said it was possible. The preliminary hearing continues Tuesday at 9 a.m. in Department 5 of Superior Court. Jay Turner is quick to laugh at himself, make light of a situation, bring the fun to the party, but his selection as co-grand marshal for the 78th Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade was no joke. Hell serve alongside long-time radio broadcast colleague Tony Chief Gonzales Saturday morning as the parade marches down Broadway. Theyre institutions in this community and have hugely promoted the rodeo and parade for years, said Elks Parade Rodeo Chairman Tim Murphy. Though Turner and Gonzales never worked together on the air, their shared respect is evident. Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade co-grand marshal Tony Gonzales now has the kids looking up to him Tony Gonzales was that little kid who coerced his mom into dressing him like a cowboy throughout Elks Rodeo week. As a teen, he performed on the Elks Rodeo stage. Now, its the kids looking up to Gonzales, who will serve as co-grand marshal of the 78th Annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade. Jays a very good guy for the community who has kept the radio tradition going, Gonzales said. He also emphasized Turners phenomenal work bringing top musical talent to a variety of fundraising events throughout the region over the years. His work for St. Jude (Childrens Research Hospital) has been phenomenal, and hes always there to give organizations the mic when they need it, Gonzales said. While Turner typically controls the board while on air, the tables recently turned at Sunny Country 102.5 where he has served as morning co-host since 2016. What he thought was a simple promotion of the traditional Elks Rodeo and Parade turned into an announcement. Elks Rec President Peter Sterling came on and announced, live on the air, that Id be co-grand marshal with Tony. Its an honor, no doubt, Turner said. Born in Anaheim, Turner was raised in Newport, Rhode Island. In his early 20s, he served as a nightclub DJ until one fateful Memorial Day weekend, he took up the local radio station on an offer to host an overnight show. I was terrible. I was horrible. It was awful. But I went back, did it again and a year and a half later, I left the lucrative nightclubs to work overnights full time for minimum wage, Turner said. It wasnt the overnights alone in the booth that drew him, but the opportunity radio provided to interact with the community by day. There were remote gigs, promotional events that took the young man and a case of pogo sticks to his hometown beach, concert tickets to give away, and what would become countless interactions with the stars of the music industry. Since those Top-40 days, Turner has played just about every format in a variety of different cities including Jacksonville, Florida; Yuma, Arizona; Victorville, San Luis Obispo, and finally Santa Maria. In late 1999, Turner moved from KSLY in San Luis Obispo to Santa Marias Sunny Country KSNI where he served as program director and morning host for 14 years. In 2013, he moved across the hall to become program director and afternoon host for 99.1 KXFM playing classic rock. And in May 2016, Turner returned to his beloved Sunny Country as program director and morning show co-host and program director. Ill support anything and anyone in our listening area that has a valid cause. The airwaves are owned by the people. Were granted the license to use them, and its up to us to use the airwaves for good, Turner said. Its difficult to determine where Turners professional support ends and personal volunteerism begins. Throughout the years, hes served as emcee, DJ or featured participant at fund-raising events supporting Kiwanis, Rotary, Santa Maria Valley YMCA, Knights of Columbus, Elks Rodeo and Parade, and St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. Hes been an outspoken advocate for the Elks Rodeo Queen Contest and its support of the community and for CASA of Santa Barbara County. Hes served on advisory bodies for Child Abuse Listening Mediation (CALM) as well as Boys & Girls Club of Santa Maria Valley. When hes relaxing off air, Turner enjoys cooking, videography and time on the water with his children, 16-year-old Michael and 10-year-old Sophia, who hes invited to join him on the parade route. Ive gone to the parade every year since I moved here. Who doesnt love a parade? Its all-America, baby! We can watch online or on TV now, but I want to be in the arena, part of the energy, Turner said. Please register or log in to keep reading. No credit card required! Stay logged in to skip the surveys. Capital currently has 190 students split between its locations, and under the referendum plan would move into the Hoyt building by August 2022 with a potential expansion up to 300 students over the next decade. The building currently houses Madison School & Community Recreation staff and some programming. As part of the move, the district would build an approximately 1,000-square-foot addition on the north side of the facility to house an elevator, vestibule and bathroom. The parking lot currently allows for 23 cars, with street parking allowed in the immediate vicinity. Neighbors said that the street parking is already often full from staff who park there and walk to nearby UW Hospital, and worried about where students and staff would park. MSCR staff would move to a new location once the renovations are finished. Conditions of its approval from the Plan Commission included a requirement that the district construct bus stop pads and associated sidewalk, crosswalk, terrace, curb and gutter and asphalt to a plan approved by the city engineer. Ald. Regina Vidaver, whose District 5 includes the building, covered some frequently asked questions on the subject in a recent blog update. In it, she wrote that a total of 43 staff and 15 students are expected to need parking, as most students will arrive by bus. Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less. Credit: CC0 Public Domain A rise in heroin and fentanyl in New Jersey between 2014-2019 led to the tripling of medically treated opioid overdoses despite the state's strict limiting of prescription opioids for pain and substantial state initiatives to expand access to treatment for opioid use disorder, according to a Rutgers-led study. Researchers say the increased risk for overdose, primarily caused by heroin and synthetic opioids, was associated with co-occurring alcohol and other drug disorders, depression and hepatitis C. Those suffering with alcoholism, benzodiazepine addiction, major depression, hepatitis C, heart failure and pneumonia had overdose rates at least 1.5 times higher than those without these conditions. "New Jersey was among the earliest states to see a rise in heroin mixed with fentanyl, which has rapidly taken over in our state's illicit drug markets," said Stephen Crystal, director of the Rutgers Center for Health Services Research at the Institute for Health, Distinguished Research Professor at the School of Social Work and lead author of a study appearing in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. "National policies in a changing opioid environment need to consider that along with sharply expanded medication treatment for opioid use disorder, comprehensive care strategies should address the complex mental health, substance use and medical conditions that characterize those who survive overdoses." Researchers used New Jersey Medicaid claims from 2014 to 2019 for enrollees ages 12-64 to examine the demographic and clinical profiles of people who overdosed on opioids. The study found the overdose rate continued to rise even as opioid prescription rates among Medicaid beneficiaries decreased from 23 percent in 2015 to 13 percent in 2019. During this same period, fentanyla manufactured opioid more potent than heroinfound in samples seized by police increased from 2 percent to 80 percent, making it a significant driver of overdose rates. New Jersey saw an increase in other diseases like diabetesfrom 21 percent to 30 percentbetween 2014-2019 among those who had medically treated overdoses in the Medicaid population. The proportion of overdose sufferers who also suffered from depression increased from 29 percent to 51 percent during the same time period. During the five-year period, the rate of overdose increased even faster for Black than white enrollees, a reason the researchers suggest increasing outreach efforts to combat the problem in communities of color. "The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic made meeting the needs of this vulnerable population more complex, with its burden of co-existing conditions that likely increase risk of overdose because of infectious diseases and substance abuse," Crystal said. The researchers called for more integration and coordination of services that not only treat opioid use, but also alcoholism, diabetes, heart failure, HIV, pulmonary disease and mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. If left untreated, Crystal says, the conditions that coincide with opioid use disorder make a person's situation more dire. Explore further Medicaid patients continue high prescription opioid use after overdose More information: Stephen Crystal et al, Medically treated opioid overdoses among New Jersey Medicaid beneficiaries: Rapid growth and complex comorbidity amid growing fentanyl penetration, Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment (2021). Stephen Crystal et al, Medically treated opioid overdoses among New Jersey Medicaid beneficiaries: Rapid growth and complex comorbidity amid growing fentanyl penetration,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108546 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Kosovo on Tuesday postponed the beginning of the school year for students up through high school by two weeks following a surge of infections due to the delta variant, and new precautions were taken in other Western Balkan countries like Albania and Serbia. Perparim Kryeziu, the spokesman for the Kosovo government, told the Associated Press that "we have put up some new restrictive measures," which include postponing classes until Sept. 13, imposing a 10 p.m.-5 a.m. nightly curfew, having restaurants and bars only operate outside and mandatory mask-wearing both indoors and outside. The preventative moves have been welcomed by teachers and parents who fear that the delta variant has created a more dangerous situation for students and families. Mergim Mestani, a teacher and a parent, hailed the government decision. "Peoples' lives are a priority, and then other issues," she said. Principal Shqipe Vllasaliu Mehmedi had worked to get the Naim Frasheri school in Kosovo's capital of Pristina ready for the start of the school year, but she said the school is considering using online teaching if the virus situation does not improve. Kosovo saw more than 2,000 new infections a day in August, 10 times what it was less than a month ago. That is posing a rising danger, for less than 20% of its 1.8 million people are vaccinated. In neighboring Albania, school was postponed until Sept. 27. The Tirana government is urging people to get their vaccine shots, warning that otherwise it may make vaccines compulsory for health workers, teachers, professors and students. About one-third of Albania's 2.8 million people have been vaccinated. In Serbia, teachers protested Tuesday outside the parliament building in Belgrade demanding fewer students in classes and better salaries. Schools in Serbia will start as normal on Wednesday, except in southwestern Serbia, where some classes will be online due to the high numbers of new coronavirus infections. Some 50% of the population has been vaccinated in Serbia, a country of 7 million, and authorities have started administering a third booster dose to people who had received jabs at least six months ago. Explore further Serbia to offer COVID-19 booster shots 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. One of the greatest threats to Internet infrastructure, with the potential for global impact, is a solar superstorm. Nine years ago, Earth experienced a near miss from a coronal mass ejection (CME), the most powerful in 150+ years. If it had hit, we would still be picking up the pieces, said Daniel Baker from the University of Colorado. The ability of a solar storm to damage electrical infrastructure has been known for many years, with three prominent examples since the 1850s. Previously, solar storms in 1921 and 1989 caused damage to electrical infrastructure. However, we were not as reliant on this infrastructure as we are today. During a presentation at SIGCOMM 2021, Sangeetha Abdu Jyothi from the University of California Irvine explained the potential for solar storms to cause mass internet outages. Solar storms are infrequent Solar storms occur when large amounts of energy are ejected in the form of solar flares or coronal mass ejections (CMEs). According to NASA, a large CME can contain a billion tons of matter that can be accelerated to several million kilometres per hour in a spectacular explosion. When the mass of matter strikes the magnetosphere, Earths magnetic field is opened, and energetic solar winds hit the atmosphere. The result is a significant drop in Earths magnetic field strength that lasts about 6 to 12 hours and is slow to return. Three major solar storms have impacted Earth since the 1850s. In September 1859, a powerful geomagnetic storm occurred that was dubbed the Carrington Event. It caused telegraph systems in Europe and North America to fail. Auroras were witnessed worldwide. Those over the Rocky Mountains were so bright that miners woke to prepare breakfast, thinking it was morning. In May 1921 there was a three-day storm where the geomagnetic current ignited fires worldwide and stopped the telegraph system in the US due to damaged fuses. The March 1989 geomagnetic storm caused Hydro-Quebecs electricity transmission system to fail, resulting in a nine-hour outage. While these events had significant impacts, they were before the rise of modern Internet infrastructure. What if it were to happen now? Threat of a solar superstorm Abdu Jyothi, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science, researched the threat that a geomagnetic storm would pose in the modern day. She indicated that even if power were restored within hours, long-lasting internet outages would persist. Local and regional internet infrastructure would be at low risk of damage due to shorter cable connections being grounded regularly and fibre optic cables being essentially immune to geomagnetic currents. The significant risk would be to long submarine cables that connect continents and communicate large quantities of data. These longer cables are at risk because repeaters are included in the construction of these cables. The electronic components of the repeaters are susceptible to geomagnetic currents, and in the event of their failure, connectivity could be partially or entirely interrupted. If geomagnetic currents were to impact these undersea cables, it is likely that widespread loss of connectivity would occur, even if local networks stayed intact. What really got me thinking about this is that with the pandemic we saw how unprepared the world was. There was no protocol to deal with it effectively and its the same with Internet resilience, Abdu Jyothi said. Our infrastructure is not prepared for a large-scale solar event. We have very limited understanding of what the extent of the damage would be. Abdu Jyothi suggested that her study is preliminary to more, multi-disciplinary research that will need to be conducted to understand how to handle the threat that solar storms pose. A powerful solar superstorm has the potential to cause massive disruption of the Internet, Abdu Jyothis paper concluded. Paying attention to this threat and planning defences against it, like our preliminary effort in this paper, is critical for the long-term resilience of the Internet. Apples upcoming 2021 iPhone will be able to make calls and send messages using satellite connectivity in remote places without cellular reception. This is according to reputed Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, whose most recent investor note was picked up by 9to5Mac. Kuo expects the upcoming iPhone 13 models to pack support for connecting to low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites, powered by a customised version of the Qualcomm X60 baseband modem chip. He also expects satellite connectivity will be available in the much-hyped Apple car, Apples AR headset, and other IoT devices. At this point, its not clear whether the connectivity will only work with Apples own services like iMessage and FaceTime or with third-party apps, nor whether this will be a free service or require paying a satellite network provider. Bloomberg previously reported that Apple was looking into adding data transferring satellite technology on iPhones in 2019. Satellite phones have been around since 1998 but are generally reserved for use in emergency operations in remote areas or where the existing cellular infrastructure has been overloaded or damaged due to a natural disaster. In South Africa, consumers can buy satellite messengers (without calling capability) like the Garmin Inreach Mini, which retails for R6,999 and runs on the Iridium network. Due to being much more expensive than cellular connectivity, they are not suited for general, everyday use. However, according to Market Watch, LEO satellite networks are expected to grow substantially over the next few years, from a market value of $3.1 billion in 2020 to $11.3 billion in 2026. Several companies plan to deploy many of these satellites over the next few years. The most notable is SpaceX, which already has thousands of Starlink satellites in orbit that are currently beaming Internet connectivity to around 100,000 users. Apple could use the hype and technological developments from recent years around these services to help sell its flagship devices. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 13 around mid-September. Other upgrades reported to be coming to the new iPhone include a faster chip and an improved camera system. The design is expected to remain largely the same as the iPhone 12, with only a minor rearrangement of the camera modules on the standard iPhone models. Now read: Apple to repair iPhone 12 devices with audio problems 1404 A man was supposed to have court-ordered visitation with his 10-year-old son, but the boy was acting out, using vulgar language, flipping him off and running away. The father said he was having continuous problems with the visitations. 1640 Someone was using a leaf blower past 4 p.m. on Colombard Court. 1641 Report of an intoxicated man down on the ground near Oak/Spring. Police arrested the 34-year-old St. Helena man on suspicion of public intoxication. 1931 A man said his wife wouldnt give him his wallet, phone and keys. 1949 A man on Spring Mountain Road said he needed help getting his stuff back. Police arrested the 53-year-old St. Helena man on suspicion of domestic battery. 2059 Medical aid on Pratt Avenue. Thursday, Aug. 26 0007 Report of a reckless driver on Highway 29 in Rutherford sticking his cell phone out the window and using it to light his way in lieu of headlights. Police checked the area. 0716 A caller requested traffic control at Pratt/Main from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., when 40 people would be leaving the area and turning northbound. Similarly, the art of coopering is just that an art so consistency is key when it comes to providing luxury barrels they can be proud of sending out to consumers. What Douglas does is different from me, and I do it different from him, so we have a guy and he takes both of our knowledge and combines it, said Byars. We advise them, and usually nine times out of 10, people listen. Luckily for Seguin Moreau, though, Byars and Rennie didnt listen when they were both told coopering was a, dying trade, over 40 years ago, and went against the grain to pursue this type of woodworking. They talk about the smells and sounds of a cooperage, the difference between an American and French oak (the answer is the American one smells like bacon. Seriously.) and the rest of the fanfare associated with making a beautiful barrel. People really don't know what we do, it's more of an education for them when they actually see it, said Rennie. Its one of the oldest trades in the world, and we are still here and still doing it. Those of us who love coopering try to keep the little details, because it is really important for us to keep that part of coopering alive in 2021. That acrimony is unlikely to end with Abbotts signature. The Texas Capitol is set to immediately shift into another charged fight over redrawn voting maps that could lock in Republican electoral advantages for the next decade. Texas added more than 4 million new residents since 2010, more than any other state, with people of color accounting for more than nine in every 10 new residents. Democrats criticized the voting bill as an attempt to suppress the turnout of an ascendant and more diverse electorate as Republicans, who are used to racking up commanding electoral victories in Americas biggest red state, begin to lose ground. Texas Republicans defended the bill in the same terms the GOP has used in more than a dozen other states that have also passed restrictive voting laws this year: calling the changes practical safeguards, while denying they are driven by Trumps baseless claims that he lost reelection because of widespread voter fraud. When the bill won final approval Tuesday in the Senate, holding the gavel on the dais was Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Days after the election last year, Patrick offered a $1 million reward in support of Trumps unfounded claims of irregularities at the polls. Yerevan mayor: Not going to resign Dollar still going down in Armenia Karabakh emergency situations service: Remains of 1 Armenian serviceman found in Varanda Armenia Cassation Court has new judge PACE recommends holding debates over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Afghanistan situation National Archives of Armenia and Iran to sign memorandum within scope of cooperation Armenia PM, Gazprom Management Committee chairman discuss Armenian-Russian energy partnership Armenia Deputy PM participates in session of Eurasian Economic Commission's Council Police apprehend Yerevan neighborhood resident on hunger, water strike Armenia Ambassador to Ukraine: Aim of intergovernmental commission is to take steps to unblock communication Deceased serviceman's little brother born at medical center in Armenia's Etchmiadzin Taliban denies war crimes charges against human rights defenders Armenia PM, Slovakia FM discuss Karabakh peace process Criminal case opened into death of Armenia soldier, another one receiving gunshot wounds Biden: You either keep Gavin Newsom as your governor or you'll get Donald Trump Armenia Investigative Committee former chair, ex-Prosecutor Generals arrest appealed 4 of Yerevan neighborhood residents protesting outside city hall apprehended Frances Macron makes social media post in Armenian Iran ambassador tries to discuss, with Azerbaijan presidential aide, demarche against Iranian trucks in Armenia 4 new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh US and EU urge global community to cut methane emissions by 30% Ukraine official: We have always considered Armenia as important partner in South Caucasus US, Japan and South Korea discuss new North Korean missile tests Yerevan neighborhood residents close off street adjacent to city hall Armenia Central Bank raises refinancing rate by 0.25 percentage point Appeal filed against court decision to arrest mayor of Armenias Goris 25,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine sent by France arrives in Yerevan Armenia FM informs visiting Slovakia colleague about Azerbaijan provocations Armenia ruling partys parliamentary faction holding closed meeting Armenia MOD confirms: There is also wounded soldier in tragic incident at the military outpost Slovakia FM: Process of returning Armenian captives from Azerbaijan must continue US intends to invite Russia and China to international summit on COVID-19 fight Armenia legislature elects Corruption Prevention Commission new member 657 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Karen Vardanyan has allocated 105 million AMD to rescue the Yerevan Botanical Garden Armenia MOD: Army representatives will observe Russia-Belarus joint military exercise ArmLur.am: New details become known from tragic incident at Armenia military outpost China to start cooperation with Singapore on drug development Armenia to assume CSTO chairmanship on Thursday Google fines $ 177 million by South Korea's antitrust regulator Yerevan neighborhood resident on hunger strike declares water strike too Slovakia FM visits Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan (PHOTOS) Armenia MOD: Reserve sergeant receives fatal gunshot wound Armenian historical sites in Djulfa, Nakhichevan, elsewhere in Azerbaijan systematically erased Armenia parliament continues regular sessions Newspaper: Armenia authorities ready to offer deal to Investigative Committee former head, ex-Prosecutor General Newspaper: Opposition Armenia bloc itself to not run in upcoming local elections Armenia ombudsman: Azerbaijan police base, barricades, cameras on Vorotan road must be removed immediately Armenia PM receives French Co-Chair of OSCE Minsk Group, paths for Karabakh conflict settlement discussed Armenia Deputy PM introduces newly appointed governor of Gegharkunik Province Traffic jams on Armenia's Goris-Kapan interstate road, Azerbaijanis rudely telling Armenians to drive away About 50 soldiers and police officers killed after attacks in Myanmar 2 dead after explosion near COVID-19 testing site in central Myanmar Armenia pregnant woman with COVID-19 dies Azerbaijan planning another festival in occupied Armenian Shushi Karabakh emergency situations service: Remains of 2 more Armenian servicemen found in Hadrut Russia to resume flights to Spain, Iraq, Kenya and Slovakia Russia Senator: Russian peacekeepers will remain in Karabakh so long as their presence is necessary Armenia FM receives French Co-Chair of OSCE Minsk Group "Armenia" alliance: Armenian authorities have turned detention into punitive mechanism against opposition Armenia appoints new Ambassador to Belarus Armenia has new Ambassador to the State of Qatar Iran MFA responds to situation regarding Iranian truck drivers in Armenia's Syunik Armenian MFA: No negotiations being held for normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations at the moment Digest: Azerbaijan tries to control goods transportation via Armenia, more on COVID-19 Armenia Deputy PM receives Co-Chairs of Armenian-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Commission Armenia appoints new Ambassador to Greece Judge delays granting Armenia ex-President Kocharyan permission to travel to Moscow Armenia Ambassador to Ukraine Vladimir Karapetyan is in parliament Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff chief has new deputy FM: Azerbaijan armys illegal presence in Armenia undermines de-escalation efforts in region Armenia Parliament Speaker: Results of all elections between 1996 and 2018 were falsified Armenia parliament considering election of member of anti-corruption commission Armenia girl, 6, falls from 7th floor of building, in grave condition Tehran to resume nuclear deal talks in Vienna soon First international commercial flight carried out in Kabul after pullout of US troops Armenia PM, EU special representative discuss Karabakh peace process Price of natural gas per 1,000 cubic meters in Europe reaches record-setting $730 Dollar goes down in Armenia Artsakh President introduces new defense minister to top army command staff Taliban intend to remove subjects that contradict Sharia from university programs Armenia Central Electoral Commission chief: Elections have been held in line with requirements of Electoral Code Deputy mayor of Armenia's Goris resigns, to run in local self-government elections Armen Sarkissian sends message to US President on 20th anniversary of terrorist attacks EBRD, ADB to provide loan to fund 2nd phase of Electric Networks of Armenia company investment program Azerbaijan army's General Staff chief, Turkish MOD discuss deepening of military cooperation Head of Tegh village of Armenia's Syunik: Azerbaijanis tie villager's UAZ to a truck and steal it Armenia Security Council Secretary leaving for Tajikistan Analyst: There might be documents signed by Armenia and not revealed Armenia ex-defense minister: There are no legal grounds for demarcation/delimitation of borders with Azerbaijan Armenia Parliament Speaker on opposition MP's statement on transfer of lands Turkey, Azerbaijan army chiefs hold talks in Ankara Azerbaijan hosting joint military exercises with Turkey, Pakistan Le Figaro deputy director draws parallels between Taliban, Azerbaijan actions EU special representative for South Caucasus arrives in Armenia Armenia, Azerbaijan leaders can have more effective discussion today too on possible compromises, says Carey Cavanaugh Azerbaijan ex-FM suggests annoying Russia peacekeepers in Karabakh President receives Germany envoy on occasion of completing his diplomatic mission in Armenia Armenia legislature refuses to set up committee on Artsakh Armenia defense minister to partake in monitoring of Russia-Belarus joint military exercises Story Highlights 48% of parents want all students masked; 41% none; 11% only those unvaccinated 48% want all teachers and staff masked; 38% none; 13% only those unvaccinated 60% of 16- to 18-year-olds, 47% of 12- to 15-year-olds have been vaccinated WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As another school year begins in the age of COVID-19, mask mandates have become a flashpoint across the U.S., with parents on both sides of the issue clashing with each other, school administrators and political leaders. Gallup's latest polling finds that parents of K-12 students tilt more toward requiring masks than not, but the level of support for universal mask mandates for students, teachers and staff is below the majority level. Among K-12 parents, 48% say all students should be required to wear masks at school regardless of their vaccination status, which is the current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics. At the same time, 41% say no students should be required to do so. Another 11% of parents believe masks should only be required for unvaccinated students. Similarly, 48% of K-12 parents think all teachers and staff members should be required to wear masks, while 38% say no teachers or staff should be required to do so. Thirteen percent of parents think only those who are unvaccinated should have to wear masks. K-12 Parents' Support for Mask Mandates in School In terms of school policies regarding COVID-19, who should be required to wear face masks while attending school this fall? K-12 parents % Students All students 48 No students 41 Only unvaccinated students 11 Teachers and staff All teachers and staff 48 No teachers and staff 38 Only unvaccinated teachers and staff 13 Gallup Panel, Aug. 16-22, 2021 These findings are from Gallup's probability-based COVID-19 web panel survey, which was conducted Aug. 16-22 as the highly contagious delta variant continued to surge in the U.S. amid schools reopening or preparing to do so. Even with the surge in COVID-19 cases, the vast majority of K-12 parents, 77%, say they expect their child will return to a pre-pandemic school schedule this year. Vaccinations Among Children Aged 12 and Over Rising The vaccination rate for children aged 12 to 15 lags that for children aged 16 to 18 -- presumably in large part because the vaccine did not receive authorization for the younger group until May, while those aged 16 and older were covered in the first authorization in December 2020. Sixty percent of parents of children aged 16 to 18 report that their child has received a COVID-19 vaccine, marking a nine-percentage-point increase compared with the June/July average. At the same time, 47% of parents of children aged 12 to 15 say their child has received a vaccine. This is up eight points from June/July. Although vaccinations among children aged 12 and older have risen over the past couple of months, the data suggest that the rate for each group may soon hit a wall. Just 7% of parents of 16- to 18-year-olds still plan to have their child inoculated, and 33% say they will not do so. While 33% is still a sizable figure, it has dropped from 41% in June/July, indicating that opposition has softened. Parents of 12- to 15-year-olds express more hesitance about the vaccine, as 42% say their child will not receive it. Still, 11% of them indicate that they intend to have their child vaccinated. Each of these measures has decreased by five points since June/July as more children in this age group have been vaccinated. Vaccination Status of Children Aged 12 and Older, Reported by Parents Which of the following applies to your child? (If you have more than one child in this age range, please think about the youngest child.) Jun/Jul 2021 Aug 2021 Change % % pct. pts. 12 to 15 years old Have received COVID-19 vaccine 39 47 +8 Plan to vaccinate them 16 11 -5 Do not plan to vaccinate them 47 42 -5 16 to 18 years old Have received COVID-19 vaccine 51 60 +9 Plan to vaccinate them 10 7 -3 Do not plan to vaccinate them 41 33 -8 Gallup Panel There is still no vaccine available to children younger than 12, but clinical trials are ongoing and expected to be complete sometime in the fall. Fifty-four percent of parents of children in this age group say they plan to have their child vaccinated once a vaccine is approved, but 46% say they will not do so. These figures have been stable since Gallup first asked the question in May. K-12 Parents Less Concerned Than General Public About Unvaccinated People Even though many school-aged children are not vaccinated and thereby particularly vulnerable to the delta variant, parents of K-12 students have been consistently less worried than the general public about people in their area choosing not to get vaccinated. Since April when Gallup first asked Americans how worried they are about people in their area not getting vaccinated, majorities ranging from 53% to 60% have said they are "very" or "moderately" worried. The latest reading shows 60% are this concerned. Among K-12 parents, 51% are worried about unvaccinated people in their local area. Yet, 48% are not worried, including 37% who are "not worried at all." U.S. Adults More Worried Than K-12 Parents About Unvaccinated People How worried are you about people choosing not to get the COVID-19 vaccine in your local area? K-12 parents U.S. adults % % Very worried 36 42 Moderately worried 15 18 Not too worried 11 12 Not worried at all 37 28 Gallup Panel, Aug. 16-22, 2021 Bottom Line Last year's protests by some parents about their children's school not being open for full-time, in-person instruction have given way to protests about mask policies in school this year. Mask mandates are defended by those who support them as the best way to achieve normalcy this school year, but they are criticized by opponents as ineffective, dangerous and a violation of personal freedoms. K-12 parents are as supportive of requiring universal masking for students as they are for teachers and staff members. However, that support does not reach majority level, and significant proportions of parents take the opposite position. Still, majorities of parents do think that at least unvaccinated students and staff should wear masks at school. Schoolchildren aged 12 and older are increasingly getting vaccinated, and a majority of parents say they will have their younger children inoculated once a vaccine is approved for them. Yet, the delta variant is transmissible by and to those who are vaccinated. In addition to getting vaccinated if eligible, health experts continue to recommend masking indoors, social distancing and handwashing as the best ways to contain the spread of COVID-19. To stay up to date with the latest Gallup News insights and updates, follow us on Twitter. Learn more about how the Gallup Panel works. OSU President Kayse Shrum announces leadership for OSU-Tulsa campus Media Contact: Monica Roberts | Interim Assistant Vice President of Strategic Communications | 405-744-4800 | monica.roberts@okstate.edu Oklahoma State University President Kayse Shrum has selected key members of her leadership team for the OSU-Tulsa campus. As we look to the future and how Oklahoma State University will continue serving as the four-year public research institution in the Tulsa metro area and northeastern Oklahoma, its imperative we have a strong leadership team in place to strategically implement programs and partnerships for degree completion and workforce development, said Dr. Shrum. Dr. Johnny Stephens has been named interim president of the OSU-Tulsa campus. Stephens will continue as the interim president of OSU Center for Health Sciences and senior vice president for health affairs for the OSU System. His long career in higher education includes serving as a faculty member, researcher and assistant dean at the OSU Center for Health Sciences (OSU-CHS). Most recently he served as chief operating officer and senior vice president for OSU-CHS. In these roles, Stephens will oversee the work of OSUs Tulsa entities for increased efficiency and strategic alignment of management and academic offerings. Stephens will succeed Dr. Pamela Fry who announced in July her plans to retire in January. Chris Benge has been named interim senior vice president for the OSU-Tulsa campus. In this role he will oversee the day-to-day operations and execution of strategic priorities for the campus. A first-generation college graduate of OSU-Tulsa, Benge brings a wealth of expertise in both the private and public sector. Benge has served extensively in state government, including as chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee and as speaker of the Oklahoma House. A member of the Cherokee Nation, he also served as secretary of state and Native American affairs under Gov. Mary Fallin. In Tulsa, Benge served as an advisor to Mayor Dewey Bartlett and also as senior vice president of government affairs at the Tulsa Regional Chamber. Most recently he has served as the executive director of Rural and Tribal Health Policy at the OSU Center for Health Sciences Center for Rural Health. Johnny Stephens and Chris Benge are proven leaders who will help advance our land grant mission of research, teaching and service, said Shrum. I look forward to working with them to serve Tulsa and northeastern Oklahoma, growing the population which holds bachelors and advanced degrees, collaborating with our neighbors in north Tulsa and contributing to economic impact throughout the state. In addition to these appointments, Stephens has named Bill Schloss as interim chief operating officer for OSU-CHS. In this role, Schloss will lead multiple administrative initiatives as well as oversee patient care delivery at OSU Medicine academic clinics, direct Project ECHO programs and manage the Health Access Network. Prior to joining CHS, Schloss has enjoyed a long career in health care administration, including multiple roles with Saint Francis Health System and the University of Kansas Health system. Bills breadth of experience and leadership in public and university health care systems makes him uniquely qualified to lead patient care initiatives as well as addressing critical health outcomes in our state, said Stephens. Members of the UK Armed Forces continue to take part in the evacuation of entitled personnel from Kabul airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan August 19-22, 2021. LPhot Ben Shread/UK MOD Crown copyright 2021/Handout via REUTERS An Afghan interpreter, who helped rescue Biden from a snowstorm in 2008, was left behind in Afghanistan. According to The Wall Street Journal, two helicopters carrying three former senators landed in a remote valley. The man reportedly helped US forces drive for hours through snowy mountains to locate the senators. See more stories on Insider's business page. An Afghan interpreter who helped save then-Sen. Joe Biden from a snowstorm in a remote Afghan village in 2008 was left behind in the country as US forces concluded their withdrawal and evacuations from Afghanistan on August 31, according to the Wall Street Journal. Mohammed, whose full name was not shared in the report due to fear of reprisal by the Taliban, helped rescue Biden and two then-Sens. John Kerry and Chuck Hagel, after a snowstorm forced the two Black Hawk helicopters transporting the senators to land in a remote valley in 2008, The Journal reported. According to the report, when the helicopter made an emergency landing, the team sent out an urgent call to nearby US forces and contractors. Mohammed joined a group of soldiers in a Humvee and helped guide them for hours through the mountains in search of the senators, eventually retrieving them. Insider reached out to the White House and the US State Department for comment. "Hello Mr. President: Save me and my family," Mohammed told The Journal."Don't forget me here," he said, telling The Journal that he, his wife, and their four children are currently hiding from the Taliban because of his work as an interpreter. At a press briefing on Tuesday, Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that, "Our message to him is thank you for fighting by our side for the last 20 years. Thank you for the role you played in helping a number of my favorite people out of a snowstorm and for all of the work you did." "We will get you out. We will honor your service. And we're committed to doing exactly just that," Psaki added. Story continues A State Department spokesperson told Insider, "Visa records are confidential under US law. We do not discuss the details of individual visa cases." On Monday, head of US Central Command Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said at a press conference on Monday that 1,000-1,500 Afghans had been flown out of the country in the last 24 hours. Over the last weeks, 123,000 people had been evacuated in total including Afghans and Americans. Those evacuations were conducted with a coalition of countries, he said. "I'm here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan," McKenzie said. "The end of the nearly 20-year mission that began in Afghanistan shortly after September 11, 2001." "We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out, but I think if we stayed another 10 days, we wouldn't have gotten everybody out who we wanted to get out," McKenzie said. The number of American citizens left behind was in the "very low hundreds" McKenzie said. It's unclear how many Afghan allies were left behind. "The military phase of this operation is ended," he said. "The diplomatic sequel to that will now begin." Biden said on Tuesday that the US would help the remaining 100 to 200 Americans left in Afghanistan, and according to the Wall Street Journal, as many as 60,000 Afghan interpreters and allies are still in the country. Read the original article on Business Insider Afghan Paralympians Hossain Rasouli and Zakia Khudadadi feared they would miss the Tokyo Paralympics when the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan initially prevented them from flying to Tokyo. But after a harrowing few weeks filled with uncertainty and doubt, Rasouli finally got his chance to compete in the Games on Tuesday after escaping his homeland last week. Rasouli, whose left hand was amputated as a result of a mine explosion, was still able to represent Afghanistan at the Paralympics despite missing the event he had qualified for. The 26-year-old trained primarily to be a sprinter for the 100-meter dash, but he instead competed in the T47 long jump, where he finished in last place. International Paralympic Committee spokesperson Craig Spence said that Rasouli had been "super excited" to compete and called it a "special occasion" for him. Afghanistan's Hossain Rasouli reacts after being eliminated from the Men's Long Jump T47 Final at Olympic Stadium during day seven of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Japan. / Credit: John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for Rasouli and Khudadadi. Earlier this month, the IPC said that Afghanistan's National Paralympic Committee would not participate in the Tokyo Paralympics because they couldn't grab a flight out of the country. The Paralympics even displayed the Afghan flag in "a show of solidarity" during the opening ceremony despite the team not having a representative present. However, following desperate pleas from Khudadadi, both she and Rasouli were evacuated from Kabul and arrived in Tokyo on Saturday. They had been sequestered in the Paralympic Village for privacy and safety reasons until Tuesday, when Rasouli competed. On Monday, IPC president Andrew Parson told reporters that welcoming the two Afghan athletes was his personal "best moment" of the Games. He promised that the IPC would "provide everything in our capacity" to ensure "the safest" and "calmest" environment for them. A day earlier, Spence said the players' well-being is their priority and would not grant media access to the athletes. Story continues "Human life is the most important thing here... This is about these athletes fulfilling their dream of being able to attend the Paralympic Games," Spence said. Khudadadi, meanwhile, is set to become Afghanistan's first ever female Paralympian when she competes on Thursday. The 23-year-old will compete in the K44 taekwondo category. She had previously told CBS News when it was unclear if she would be able to get to Tokyo that, "We are all under the control of the Taliban and this is a big nightmare for me and my family." Ex-Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes goes on trial in San Jose Children of accused killer Chad Daybell tell "48 Hours" he was framed Hurricane Ida's destruction leaves hundreds of thousands without water, power or fuel Taliban special force fighters arrive inside the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the US militarys withdrawal (AP) The final US troops withdrew from Afghanistan on Monday leaving behind a stockpile of expensive military equipment that has been quickly claimed by a triumphant Taliban. The groups leaders, flanked by their elite Badri unit, walked across the tarmac at Kabuls international airport just hours after the last US Air Force C-17 transport aircraft departed. The commandos came dressed in what appeared to be new camouflage uniforms and proudly posed for photos on the tarmac, while vehicles carrying the Taliban raced along Hamid Karzai International Airport's sole runway on the military side of the airfield. Afghanistan is finally free, Hekmatullah Wasiq, a top Taliban official, said from the airport. Everything is peaceful. Everything is safe. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. But thousands who had worked with Western nations, plus hundreds of US, French and other citizens, remain in the country after the massive airlift ended with the last US soldiers flying out of Kabul international airport just before midnight on Monday. The Taliban has urged people to return to work, with the group having reiterated its offer of amnesty to all Afghans who had fought against them over the last 20 years. People have to be patient, Mr Wasiq said. Slowly we will get everything back to normal. It will take time. On Tuesday, there were few signs of the draconian restrictions the Taliban imposed last time they were in power. Schools had reopened to boys and girls, though they will have to study separately, and women were out on the streets wearing Islamic headscarves rather than the all-encompassing burqa the Taliban required in the past. Rebuilding Afghanistan will require time and vast amounts of money. One local UN humanitarian coordinator said $1.3bn would be needed for aid efforts alone only 39 per cent of which has been received. One part of the new regime which is well-resourced is its military wing. Reports suggest equipment worth billions has been left to the group, including seven CH-46 helicopters at the airport which the US State Department used in its evacuations before rendering them unusable. Story continues Marine General Frank McKenzie, the head of US military's Central Command, said troops had disabled 27 Humvees and 73 aircraft so the Taliban would not be able to use them again. He said troops did not blow up equipment needed for eventually restarting airport operations. But White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan has previously said the US does not have a complete picture of the abandoned defence materials. Many of the vehicles and weapons were fully functioning and are now in the hands of the Taliban. Among the hardware left behind by departing Western troops were special forces military helmets with mounts for night vision goggles, body armour, M4 and M-16 assault rifles and sophisticated radio equipment. Ford pickup trucks, mine-resistant vehicles, attack planes and dozens of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters were also said to have been abandoned during the hasty departure. Taliban special force fighters arrive inside the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the US militarys withdrawal (AP) This is understood to include close to 500,000 assault weapons, more than 22,000 humvees and 42,000 SUVs, according to data from the US Government Accounting Office. The Afghan air force was also said to have been operating 167 usable / in-country aircraft as recently as June, according to the US-based Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction quarterly report. That figure included 33 Black Hawks, three C-130 Hercules aircraft, 23 A-19 light attack planes, 33 AC-208 planes, 43 MD-530 helicopters, and 32 Mi-17 Helicopters. The total inventory is even higher at 211 total aircraft, which included 45 Black Hawk choppers. In addition, Taliban fighters are believed to have obtained biometric devices which would allow the group to collect and store personal data and identify individuals more accurately. Taliban fighters walk in front of a military plane on Tuesday after sweeping the country in a matter of weeks (REUTERS) The US has spent at least $18bn (13bn) since 2005 to help the Afghan military with equipment and transportation, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction report said, while billions more dollars have been spent on maintenance and training. Jim Banks, a US Republican Congressman who served in Afghanistan, claimed last week that the Taliban has more Black Hawk helicopters than 85 per cent of the countries in the world and said the group now has access to $85bn [61bn] worth of military equipment. Taliban forces use an armoured vehicle to patrol along the runway at Kabul airport (REUTERS) Unverified video released on Monday purported to show a US-made Black Hawk helicopter flying over the streets of Kandahar in southeastern Afghanistan. Our Air Force! At this time, the Islamic Emirates air force helicopters are flying over Kandahar city and patrolling the city, Twitter account Talib Times, which claims to be the official news handle of the Islamic Emirate Afghanistan, said. It came just days after another video showed Taliban taxiing a captured Blackhawk helicopter at Kandahar Airport. Those Black Hawks were not given to the Taliban, Mr Sullivan said at a press conference. They were given to the Afghan National Security Forces to be able to defend themselves at the specific request of President [Ashraf] Ghani, who came to the Oval Office and asked for additional air capability, among other things. Additional reporting by AP Read More What is the difference between the Taliban and Isis? Why did US leave Afghanistan and how much did America spend? The Taliban: Who are they, who are the leaders and what do they want? Reuters WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The civil trial of three former Wells Fargo & Co employees over their alleged roles in a scandal involving phony accounts kicked off on Monday, a rare public confrontation between a top U.S. banking regulator and former high-level bank executives. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is squaring off against executives it says are partly culpable for the San Francisco lender's misconduct before an in-house OCC judge in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in a hearing expected to last at least two weeks. The long-running scandal over Wells Fargo's pressurized sales culture that led staff to open millions of unauthorized or fraudulent customer accounts has cost the bank billions of dollars in civil and criminal penalties and has badly damaged its reputation. Reported hate crimes in the US, in particular targeting African Americans and Asian Americans, surged in 2020, according to statistics released Monday by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In a year that saw huge Black Lives Matter protests which helped force a reckoning on racism, reports of hate crimes against Black Americans rose 40 percent, from 1,972 to 2,755, the data showed. Meanwhile, attacks against Americans of Asian heritage surged 70 percent with 274 incidents in 2020 against 161 in 2019, seemingly confirming a trend reported by the community since the start of the Covid pandemic. The statistics spotlight the urgent need for a comprehensive response, Attorney General Merrick Garland said. The FBI though called for hasty conclusions not to be drawn, pointing out that over time, different levels of public participation could be behind the alarming data. More than half of the reported offenses were intimidation. But 18 percent of the attacks were serious assaults and 22 homicides were motivated by hate. The latter figure is lower than the 52 murders recorded in 2019, a year of mourning for the El Paso shooting on the border with Mexico which killed 23 victims, mostly Hispanics. In the United States, "hate-motivated crime" usually refers to an act directed against a person because of certain characteristics of their identity. This aggravating circumstance automatically results in a heavier sentence, but it is difficult to prove in court. chp/mdl/st Aug. 31Six-time Grammy winner Kacey Musgraves will kick off a 15-city tour when she plays her largest Twin Cities concert to date on Jan. 19 at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Sept. 9 through Ticketmaster. Neither the venue nor the promoter announced prices. American Express card holders have access to a presale starting at 10 a.m. Thursday. A Texas native, Musgraves spent years trying to establish herself, self-releasing several albums and competing on the long-forgotten "Nashville Star" in 2007. In 2012, she finally landed a deal with Mercury Nashville and hit the road with Lady Antebellum. Her 2013 major-label debut, "Same Trailer Different Park," earned rave reviews and adoring fans thanks to Musgraves' likable singles, including her breakthrough "Follow Your Arrow," the rare country hit about tolerance. Her second album, 2015's "Pageant Material," covered similar territory, but Musgraves took a bold move toward pop music with 2018's wildly acclaimed "Golden Hour." It went on to win all four of its nominated categories at the Grammy Awards, including album of the year and best country album. Last year, "Golden Hour" was ranked at 270 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. "Star-Crossed," Musgraves' fifth album, is due out Sept. 10 and will be accompanied by a 50-minute film streaming on Paramount+. Musgraves has played the Twin Cities numerous times, opening for Little Big Town and Harry Styles, headlining her own shows at the Palace Theatre and Minnesota Zoo and appearing on the bill at the Basilica Block Party in 2019. The Kansas City Police Department is asking the public for help with finding a missing 12-year-old girl last seen Monday evening near the Manheim Park neighborhood. Elizabeth Ella Paronto is last known to have been near the intersection of 42nd Street and Troost Avenue around 5 p.m., police said in a statement. She was wearing a pink floral skirt, white T-shirt with stripes and purple eyeglasses. and was carrying a black Adidas bag, police said. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Paronto stands about 5 feet tall and weighs approximately 100 pounds, police said. She is believed to have run away from home, according to police. The department is asking anyone who sees Paronto to dial 911 or call the missing person section at 816-234-5136. South Korean MPs on Tuesday passed a law banning Apple and Google from forcing app developers to use the tech giants' payment systems, effectively declaring their lucrative App Store and Play Store monopolies illegal. The bill was approved by 180 votes to nil in the National Assembly, making South Korea the first major economy to pass legislation on the issue, in a move that could set a precedent for other jurisdictions around the world. In the United States three senators this month introduced a bill to loosen the tech firms' grip on their stores, while in Europe lawmakers are debating legislation that could force Apple to bring in alternatives to the App Store. The South Korean measure comes as Apple and Google face global criticism for charging up to 30 percent commission on app sales and requiring their own payment systems be used that collect a share of the transactions. The Korean law -- locally dubbed the "Anti-Google Law" -- will offer users a choice of app payment providers, allowing them to bypass charges set by the store owner. "This law will certainly set a precedent for other countries, as well as app developers and content creators worldwide," Kang Ki-hwan at the Korea Mobile Internet Business Association told AFP. It is expected to come into force in September, according to reports. Later this year Google plans to enforce globally a requirement for developers to use its payment system -- with its 30 percent commission above a certain threshold -- for in-app purchases. In South Korea, it is also planning to charge commission on all content payments from October, ending an exemption where commissions were only payable for online games. - 'Fair compensation' - That announcement prompted an angry response from South Korean artists and creators, with web fiction writers and webtoon artists accusing Google of "power abuse" and campaigning fiercely for the new law. "Without this law, our working environment -- where creators are guaranteed of full rewards for their efforts -- would've been destroyed," Seo Bum-gang, a webtoon artist who heads the Korea Webtoon Industry Association, told AFP. Story continues "We need this law to protect the diversity of our industry, where artists and creators of all economic backgrounds can share their content without having to worry about the commission fees." Apple and Google have maintained that commissions charged are standard in the industry and fair compensation for building safe marketplaces where developers can reach people around the world. Ahead of the debate, Apple told AFP that it would put digital purchasers at risk of fraud, undermine their privacy protection and render parental controls less effective. "We believe user trust in App Store purchases will decrease as a result of this proposal --leading to fewer opportunities for the over 482,000 registered developers in Korea who have earned more than 8.55 trillion won to date with Apple," it said in a statement. Google Korea did not respond to requests for comment from AFP. The two tech giants dominate the online app market in South Korea, the world's 12th largest economy known for its technological prowess. Google's Play Store made revenue of almost 6 trillion won ($5.2 billion) in 2019, accounting for 63 percent of the country's total, according to data from Seoul's science ministry. Apple's App Store had a 24.4 percent share of total app store sales in the country in the same year. cdl-kjk/slb/mtp The Louisiana National Guard has rescued at least 359 civilians following Hurricane Ida. Louisiana National Guard via Twitter The Louisiana National Guard said Tuesday it rescued 359 people and 55 pets in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Rescues were performed by high-water vehicle, boat, and by air, the National Guard said. So far the storm has claimed at least four lives: two in Louisiana and two in Mississippi. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. The Louisiana National Guard said Tuesday it has rescued 359 people and 55 pets by high-water vehicle, boat, and by air in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, which tore through the state Sunday. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said Monday afternoon that officials had rescued 671 people from floodwaters, USA Today reported. So far, the storm has claimed at least four lives: two people in Louisiana and two people in Mississippi, USA Today noted. Power is out for the entire city of New Orleans and in the surrounding parishes, and officials say it could be several weeks before power is restored. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. At a press conference Monday, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell warned residents who fled the city ahead of the storm to remain out of the city until conditions improved and power was restored. She said about 200,000 people stayed in the city during the hurricane, which made landfall Sunday morning as a Category 4 storm. Read the original article on Insider Autoblog Tesla has one simple request, and that is to have cars that have frickin' laser beams attached to their hoods. As Electrek discovered, Tesla successfully obtained the patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office last week. The patent goes on to describe the system as comprising "a beam optics assembly configured to emit a laser beam to irradiate a region on a glass article that is installed in the vehicle," debris detection circuitry, and control circuitry calibrated to limit the laser from going past the thickness of the glass and to "mitigate a risk of damage to different in-vehicle components beneath the region on the glass article." COVID-19 vaccine cards at the Berks Heim Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Bern Township, Pennsylvania on January 29, 2021. Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle/Getty Images Manhattan prosecutors have charged 15 people in connection with a fake COVID-19 vaccine card conspiracy. Prosecutors allege Jasmine Clifford, who ran the Instagram page @AntiVaxMomma, sold 250 fake CDC vaccine cards for $200 each and charged an additional $250 to enter someone's name into a state immunization database. 13 people were charged with purchasing the fake cards, including hospital and nursing home workers. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office announced Tuesday that it has charged 15 people in connection with a fake COVID-19 vaccine card conspiracy, including frontline healthcare workers. Beginning in May, prosecutors said that Jasmine Clifford, a self-described entrepreneur who ran the Instagram page @AntiVaxMomma, advertised forged COVID-19 vaccine cards on that account. Clifford sold 25o faked vaccine cards in total, charged $200 for each card, and accepted payment through CashApp and Zelle, according to prosecutors. For an additional $250 fee, prosecutors allege Clifford would pass the names of people that bought the faked cards to Nadayza Barkley, who worked at a medical clinic in Patchogue, New York. Barkley entered the names of at least 10 people into the state's immunization information system, claiming they were vaccinated, according to prosecutors. Thirteen people who purchased the fake vaccine cards are believed to be "frontline and essential employees" working in places including nursing homes and hospitals, according to the release from the DA's office, which did not identify the workers. Clifford was charged with two felony counts for possessing a forgery instrument and for filing false immunizations and one misdemeanor count for conspiracy. Barkley faces one felony count for filing false immunizations and one misdemeanor for conspiracy. It wasn't immediately clear whether Clifford retained an attorney. Barkley's lawyer did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Story continues The 13 people who purchased fake vaccine cards were each charged with one count of criminal possession of a forged instrument. One person was also charged with offering a false instrument for filing, for paying to have their name entered into the immunization database. Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance called on Facebook to do a better job of keeping fraud from occurring on its website and the other social media platforms it owns, like Instagram. "We need companies like Facebook to take action to prevent the fraud happening on their platforms," Vance said in the release. "Making, selling, and purchasing forged vaccination cards are serious crimes with serious public safety consequences." Facebook did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Insider Access Hollywood Bennifer is going strong and in style! The duo stepped out at the 2021 Met Gala and were photographed outside the event kissing through their face masks! While they didnt make hit up the red carpet together, JLo took the carpet by a storm in her stunning Western-inspired Ralph Lauren ensemble. In this image provided by the U.S. Air Force, 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, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen/U.S. Air Force via AP "It's over. We can't get people out," Matt Zeller, a former CIA analyst and veteran, told Insider on August 25. Zeller spoke to Insider less than a week before the last US military flights left Afghanistan. Gen. McKenzie said that nearly 123,000 had been evacuated, but said, "We did not get everyone out who we wanted to get out." See more stories on Insider's business page. "It's over. We can't get people out," Matt Zeller, a former CIA analyst and war veteran who works as the Board Chair with the Association of Wartime Allies to help refugees and allies, told Insider on Wednesday, August 25. Zeller spoke to Insider less than a week before the US ended the war in Afghanistan. "On August 30 at 3:29 p.m. East Coast time," Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, commander of the United States Central Command, said the last US military flight left the country. In total McKenzie said that, overall, nearly 123,000 had been evacuated from Afghanistan. Still, McKenzie acknowledged, "We did not get everyone out who we wanted to get out." Fewer than 250 American citizens, who wanted to leave, were left behind and an untold number of Afghan allies. "The military phase of this operation is ended," he said. "The diplomatic sequel to that will now begin." In the weeks prior, American veterans, like Zeller, worked tirelessly to help Afghan allies out of the country, but were met with myriad obstacles - even before a blast at the airport killed dozens of Afghans and 13 US troops on Friday. The US military believes ISIS-K, the Islamic State's presence in Afghanistan and a sworn enemy of the Taliban, was responsible for the blast. At a press conference last week, the Taliban said that only foreigners will be allowed to leave the country and they will not be extending the deadline of August 31 to evacuate Americans. Zeller, who has been in contact with people on the ground in Afghanistan, told Insider last week that the Taliban has completely changed how their security operates since the Tuesday press conference. Story continues Others reported similar challenges with getting through the Taliban's security checkpoints, though McKenzie said that between 1,000-1,500 Afghans had been flown out of the country in the 24 hours from when he spoke on Monday afternoon. The August 16 Taliban takeover sent Americans and Afghans into a frenzy as they fear what the collapse of the US-backed Afghan government means. During the Taliban's reign from 1996 to 2001, women were not allowed to work, go to school, or leave the house without a male escort. The Taliban also implemented cruel punishments such as being stoned and public executions. They also prevented people from listening to music. The Biden administration stuck to their August 31 deadline to evacuate all Americans and troops who want to leave Afghanistan. Zeller, who is the co-founder of No One Left Behind, estimated a panel on PBS last week that 175,000 allies would be left behind. On Monday, The Wall Street Journal put that estimate at tens of thousands who were left behind after the last military plane left. "See what happens when you lose a war," Zeller said. "You just capitulate the end." "My heart aches so profoundly for these wonderful people," Zeller told Insider last week. Send tips to this reporter at tmitchell@insider.com. Read the original article on Business Insider ABC News Supreme Court Justices Stephen Breyer and Amy Coney Barrett found common ground Monday over shared concern that the nation's highest court is increasingly viewed in ideological terms. Barrett, in one of her first public speeches as a justice, told an audience Sunday in Kentucky that "this court is not comprised of a bunch of partisan hacks," according to the Louisville Courier-Journal. Breyer, asked about those comments in an interview with the Washington Post on Monday, said that he agrees "with I think the approach is that she's taking there." Reuters MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin received his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad on Monday for the first time since 2018 and criticised foreign forces that are in Syria without permission or a U.N. mandate - a rebuke of the United States and Turkey. Putin is Assad's most powerful ally in the decade-long Syrian conflict; his deployment of Russia's air force in 2015 helped to turn the tide in Assad's favour, allowing him recover most of the territory lost to insurgents. However, Turkish forces are now present in much of the north and northwest, helping to shore up the last major bastion of anti-Assad rebels, and U.S. forces are supporting Kurdish-led militias who control parts of the east and northeast. Doctor Strange doesn't appear in "Shang-Chi." Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" features several cameos, but not Doctor Strange. Director Destin Daniel Cretton said he wished he could have put Strange in his movie. However, there were "clear reasons" he couldn't after a conversation with Kevin Feige. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Cameos are a big part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with various characters jumping in and out of each other's movies in this ever-expanding shared story. One character who seems to be a highly-sought-after cameo-maker is Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange. He was supposed to appear in "WandaVision" until those plans changed, and now "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" director Destin Daniel Cretton has confirmed that he too would have loved to feature Strange in his movie. However, there are apparently "very clear reason[s]" why that didn't happen. In an interview with men's blog BroBible, Cretton explained: "There are clear reasons why Doctor Strange is not there. I wish we could've put Doctor Strange in our movie." "But there are very clear reasons why the characters who showed up could show up very briefly. There's also a very clear reason why they're not physically in the room," he continued. "But all of that is a big conversation with Kevin [Feige] and the producers and directors who are working on other things." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. What these reasons are remains to be seen, but we wouldn't bet against it being something to do with "Spider-Man: No Way Home." That movie will feature Doctor Strange extensively, so maybe that didn't leave room for Strange to appear in "Shang-Chi," particularly if both movies take place around the same time. Strange's companion, Wong, does appear in both "No Way Home" and "Shang-Chi." In the trailer for the former, Wong can be seen exiting the Sanctum Sanctorum via a sling ring - perhaps he's traveling to the fighting ring where he appears in "Shang-Chi." Story continues His cameo in "Shang-Chi" is short but notable, appearing alongside another cameo-maker: Tim Roth's "Abomination," who makes his return to the MCU after his last appearance in 2008's "The Incredible Hulk." There are other cameos in "Shang-Chi" that Cretton seemed to directly refer to, but they will remain unmentioned for now in order to save some surprises for the movie, which comes out September 3. Watch the trailer for "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" below: Read the original article on Insider The U.S. military made sure some of its weapons wouldn't fall into Taliban hands while leaving Afghanistan, according to Gen. Frank McKenzie, U.S. CENTCOM commander. The general, who announced the end of the U.S.'s twenty-year war in Afghanistan on Monday, explained that military forces destroyed dozens of MRAPs, Humvees, and aircraft before they left shortly after midnight Tuesday morning local time, which was President Joe Biden's self-imposed withdrawal deadline. 'HUNDREDS' OF US CITIZENS LEFT BEHIND AS TROOPS LEAVE AFGHANISTAN With the United States's now-completed withdrawal approaching in early August, many Biden administration officials expected the Afghan forces, which they trained for years, to be able to hold off the Taliban at least until after the troops had left. Instead, much of the equipment the U.S. had provided to the Afghan forces fell into the Taliban's hands but not the 70 MRAPs and 27 Humvees, both of which are military vehicles, and 73 aircraft they left inoperable. "Those aircraft will never fly again when we left," McKenzie said of the aircraft. "Theyll never be able to be operated by anyone." The U.S. left the C-RAM defense system, which prevented an attack on Monday, in place until the very end. "Our C-RAMs were very effective in engaging the two rockets that did fall on the airfield," McKenzie explained. "We believe they probably kept them from doing more significant damage. We elected to keep those systems in operation up until the last minute. Its a complex procedure, complex and time-intensive procedure to break down those systems. So we demilitarized those systems so that theyll never be used again. We felt it was more important to protect our forces than bring the systems back." Despite what the U.S. was able to destroy on its way out, there have been various photos and video posted to social media showing Taliban fighters posing with or using the found gear. Story continues CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Last week, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said they "don't have an exact inventory of what equipment that the Afghans had at their disposal that now might be at risk." He explained that the U.S. has a vested interest, obviously, in the matter but declined to share any policy solutions." However, he said that an awful lot of equipment, weapons [and] resources had been removed from Afghanistan ahead of the final drawdown. Rep. Jim Banks, an Indiana Republican and Afghanistan veteran, estimated the price tag of U.S. equipment left behind at $85 billion. The U.S.-backed Afghan military possessed more than 150 aircraft before the Taliban took over, according to the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction's recent report. The U.S. also provided them with 600,000 infantry weapons, 162,000 pieces of communication equipment, and 16,000 night vision goggles since 2003, according to Reuters. During a Tuesday morning interview on CNN, Kirby said that the only thing the military left operable are a couple of fire trucks and some forklifts so that the airport itself can remain more operational going forward. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, Afghanistan, War in Afghanistan, National Security, ISIS, Defense, Military Original Author: Mike Brest Original Location: US military destroyed some of its own weapons on the way out of Afghanistan ST. PETERSBURG Standing in front of roughly 100 family members and officers in The Coliseum, the police officers widow offered a warning at her husbands funeral Tuesday. I promise you, Karen Weiskopf said of the coronavirus, its grueling, dangerous and it will destroy you. Her husband, St. Petersburg police Officer Michael Weiskopf, died Aug. 27 after about a month of battling COVID-19. He was 52. This was not Mikes time, Karen Weiskopf said. He made a risky decision not to vaccinate. For months, she tried to convince her husband to get the vaccine. He gave it serious consideration before he grew ill and wished he had been vaccinated when he got the virus, she said. In the hospital, Michael and Karen Weiskopf cried and prayed. But it was too late. Before the funeral, the Department of Health offered coronavirus vaccines starting at 9 a.m. in a tent outside the Coliseum. Karen Weiskopf wanted to use her husbands death as a way to encourage others to get vaccinated, police said. St. Petersburg resident Tina Burns stopped by the tent before the funeral to get a dose of the Pfizer vaccine. The 61-year-old doesnt work for the St. Petersburg Police Department and she didnt know Weiskopf. But her father was a police officer, she said, and she heard about the vaccine site while watching the news. I had so many concerns, she said of the vaccine. But a family member of hers had tested positive for COVID-19, Burns said, and after gathering information about the vaccine, she decided to get the shot. She said she wanted to be protected so she could make more memories with her family members. St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway addressed the media outside the vaccine tent before the funeral. He said several officers had decided to get vaccinated in the days following Weiskopfs death, though he didnt know exactly how many officers had received the vaccine. Holloway urged his officers to get a coronavirus vaccine just as he had done a few days ago, following a procession in Weiskopfs honor Friday. Story continues If you dont want to do it for yourself, do it for your co-workers, do it for your family but do it for someone, Holloway said. At that point in the morning, seven people had stopped by the vaccine tent for a shot, he said, but that wasnt enough. Until everyone is vaccinated, Holloway said, there will be more deaths. At Weiskopfs funeral, friends offered their memories. Officers saluted his casket during the eulogies, and Rabbi Philip Weintraub offered reflections. Participants read from Psalms and the book of Job. According to his sergeant, Michael Schade, Officer Weiskopf was passionate about his job in traffic enforcement. He liked to joke around and was the first one to get into the office every day, working with the lights off until Schade arrived. Fellow officers teased Weiskopf, calling him a bull in a china shop, Schade recalled, reflecting on a spectacle Weiskopf caused while operating a jet ski. He brought a lot of laughter to the office, Schade said. Beyond his job as a police officer, Weiskopf also had worked as a chiropractor, firefighter and EMT. John Forzano, a friend of Weiskopf, said his friend loved training others and teaching. He never judged, he only offered help, Forzano said. You cant ask for more than that in a friend. The first part of the service concluded with the recitation of the kaddish, a Jewish prayer. Then mourners stepped outside for the traditions of a police funeral, including the presentation of colors, a 21-gun salute, a bugler playing taps, a riderless horse and the presentation of the flag. According to the Fraternal Order of Police, 581 officers have died of COVID-19 as of Aug. 27, including 45 officers in Florida. Weiskopf is one of three law enforcement officers in the Tampa Bay area to have died of the virus recently. Polk County Sheriffs Office deputy Christopher Broadhead died on Aug. 23 and Manatee County Sheriffs Office Deputy Douglas Clark died on Aug. 26. The St. Petersburg Police Department is not tracking coronavirus vaccines within its ranks, and a Tampa Bay Times survey in August found that half of the Tampa Bay areas 12 largest public safety agencies were not tracking vaccination rates. Among agencies that were keeping track of the numbers, vaccination rates ranged from 27 percent to 60 percent. There are 1,255 city employees who have voluntarily reported being vaccinated, said Ben Kirby, spokesperson for Mayor Rick Kriseman. Chief Holloway said a vaccine mandate for officers would be determined by the mayors office. The city of Tampa has mandated vaccines for all of its employees, including municipal police. However, the city of St. Petersburg decided against requiring vaccines for employees earlier this month. The discussion on whether to enforce a mandate is ongoing, Kirby said. During his concluding remarks during Weiskopfs funeral, Rabbi Weintraub warned officers of the effects of COVID-19. It can make you feel as though youre underwater, drowning. Lead to kidney failure. In September 2020, it had killed more law enforcement officers than any other cause that year. Get your vaccine, he said, comparing it to other forms of protective gear that officers use. Thats your vest. Weiskopf was a mensch, Weintraub said a Yiddish word for a kind and compassionate person. He didnt have to die. This is an unnecessary tragedy, he said. This is a preventable tragedy. Tampa Bay Times coronavirus coverage DELTA VARIANT: The contagious variant has changed what we know about staying safe from COVID-19. Heres what you need to know. KIDS AND COVID: Kids are back in school, but COVID-19 is still a problem. Here's what parents and kids need to know. VACCINES Q&A: Have coronavirus vaccine questions? We have answers, Florida. GET THE DAYSTARTER MORNING UPDATE: Sign up to receive the most up-to-date information. A TRIBUTE TO FLORIDIANS TAKEN BY THE CORONAVIRUS: They were parents and retirees, police officer and doctors, imperfect but loved deeply. HAVE A TIP?: Send us confidential news tips Were working hard to bring you the latest news on the coronavirus in Florida. This effort takes a lot of resources to gather and update. If you havent already subscribed, please consider buying a print or digital subscription. President Biden and George W. Bush. Illustrated | Getty Images, iStock After 20 years, the war in Afghanistan is finally over and the foreign-policy debate remains frozen in 2001. To vast swathes of the national security elite and numerous elected officials, a largely Taliban-run Afghanistan is as likely to serve as the homebase for terrorist attacks against the United States and its allies as when we invaded in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks nearly two decades ago. There is as much consternation about an "over the horizon" approach to counterterrorism, as some argue it repeats the past failures of airstrikes and drones to truly defeat threats even as they continue to generate collateral damage that plays an important role in stirring up anti-Western radicalism. In Washington, there still remains no consensus on whether the real problem was interventionism run amuck in the 2000s and 2010s or neglect of terrorism in the 1990s. Even before the last troops left Afghanistan, there was talk that there is no such thing as a forever war or that such wars can never really be ended. Some people essentially said both things. It may yet be that all the king's horses and all the king's men will discover that not even skipping town can put Humpty-Dumpty back together again. From Vietnam to Iraq, we have seen dead-enders argue that more time, money, and bodies could have made the difference, that these wars failed because we lost our will to fight. These debates carry on until this day, even though the Soviet incursion into Afghanistan proved far more costly to their Cold War ambitions than America's messy departure from Vietnam. But the war in Afghanistan was related to an attack on America as direct as any since the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. It is different. And yet the fact that so little else is should give us pause about attempting a nation-building exercise of that scale, in such an underdeveloped country, ever again. You may also like Actor suspected of participating in Capitol attack arrested in California Why I envy California voters Is a COVID-19 booster shot jumping the gun? Moise's assassination plunged the Caribbean nation, already plagued by hunger and gang violence, further into chaos, and triggered a hunt for the masterminds across the Americas. Wearing a black dress and sling following the injuries she suffered during the attack, Martine Moise told Reuters in a room flanked by bodyguards on Monday that while Haitian authorities had made some advances, she feared progress had slowed. "I feel that the process is... stalling a little," she said. "The people that did this are still out there, and I don't know if their name will ever be out. Every country that can help, please help." Nearly two months after the July 7 assassination of her husband, key aspects of the murder remain shrouded in mystery. Haitian police have arrested more than three dozen suspects, including 18 Colombian mercenaries, an obscure Haitian-American doctor they say aspired to be president, and the head of Moise's security team. Have you ever heard of the shot heard round the world that began the American Revolution? Well recently in my own life there was such a shot fired. While it didnt necessarily begin a war, it definitely left an impact on my life. While my years in the outdoors are far from over, they will Frankly after this two day arraignment, I didnt see any evidence that he would get a fair trial," said Christine Funk, the attorney for, Mohammed Farik bin Amin, one of the Malaysian defendants. The defense complained that a Malaysian interpreter's language skills were so poor that at least one defendant couldn't understand what was being said in court; that another Malay interpreter was improperly working for the prosecution because he previously assisted the prisoners when they appeared before a prisoner review board at Guantanamo; and that an Indonesian interpreter had been overheard disparaging the men as terrorists who should be killed. The judge, a Navy commander, allowed the proceeding to go on despite repeated objections. Defense attorney Brian Bouffard, who represents Malaysian defendant Mohammed Nazir bin Lep, said the arraignment was so flawed it should be done again. We have to have a new one because you have to do one and this one wasnt done right, Bouffard said. Nurjaman was a leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, a Southeast Asian militant group with ties to al-Qaida. The government says he recruited bin Lep and bin Amin, among others, for jihadist operations, and that the two Malaysians helped transfer money for their plots. After several months of slowdowns in spot market oil cargo buys, Chinese importers are once again boosting their purchases, Reuters reports, citing traders and analysts. Lockdowns in response to the latest resurgence of Covid-19 were one reason for the slowdown in Chinese spot market oil purchases. Another was a shortage of import quotas as the government clamped down on independent refiners. Now, however, lockdowns are being eased as the spread of the coronavirus appears to be contained. Regarding the government's displeasure with independent refiners, Reuters reports that traders are hoping investigations launched into the operations of teapots will soon be completed as will the crackdown on import quota resales by state-owned energy companies. Beijing set its sights on independent refinersthe so-called teapotsearlier this year amid a growing glut in fuel output that was eating into refiners' margins. The government banned state-owned energy majors from reselling their import quotas to teapots and launched investigations into environmental compliance and tax issues. Independent refiners account for a quarter of China's refining capacity, which in June hit a new high in run rates, at 14.8 million bpd. This, however, was lower than the average daily run rates for the first half of the year, which stood at 15.13 million bpd, according to data from the Chinese customs authority released in July. The offensive against these refiners may be about to end soon. "Chinese majors' crude stocks are very low, and once the government wraps up inspections and finalises punishments, teapots will once again import crude," Energy Aspects said in a note earlier this month, as quoted by Reuters. Another batch of oil import quotas is expected to be issued next month or in October, which would mean a further increase in cargos going into China and, consequently, higher prices bar any bearish event occurring in the meantime. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads from Oilprice.com: The tension among Libyas top oil officials escalated on Sunday when Oun said he had suspended the chairman of NOC, which is the most important revenue asset for OPECs African member Libyan oil minister Mohamed Oun cannot suspend the chairman of Libyas National Oil Corporation, the head of NOC, Mustafa Sanalla, told Bloomberg after Oun said this weekend he had suspended Sanalla and referred him for investigation. The minister of oil cannot legally suspend me from work or refer me to investigation, Sanalla told Bloomberg in an interview on Monday. The cabinet is the decision-maker and has the final word on the NOC, the state oil firms long-standing chairman said. The tension among Libyas top oil officials escalated on Sunday when Oun said he had suspended the chairman of NOC, which is the most important revenue asset for OPECs African member. 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. The tensions 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. Earlier this month, reports emerged that Oun had recommended to the government of national unity that it replace Sanalla in a board reshuffle. Insisting that only the cabinet has the authority to suspend a chairman at NOC, Sanalla also said that an oil ministry is a burden on the national oil corporation. The NOC would be much better off without the presence of the Ministry of Oil, Sanalla told Bloomberg in the interview. The ministry is a heavy burden on the NOC, he added. Still, the dispute between the ministry and NOC will not affect Libyas oil production, Sanalla noted. 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 More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: 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. 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 day care the next morning. Member of Parliament (MP) for the Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, says he will not seek re-election when the current parliamentary tenure elapses in 2024. Mr Agyapong, who served the constituents for 24 years, said he was taking a bow out of Parliament to allow others to explore their political chances to bring more development to the area. Mr Agyapong announced his intention while addressing a gathering of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) faithful at its annual Delegates Conference held in Assin-Fosu over the weekend. Im doing a lot for my people but a whopping 42 per cent of the electorates in the 2020 polls think Im not doing well, so Im leaving but would wait patiently to see if any MP can do what I did. Even if Im given 1,000 cows, I will not go back because I want the people to know that I am fighting for their wellbeing and not myself as an MP, he stated. He expressed gratitude to the founding fathers of the Party and the teeming grassroots supporters who had rendered years of unflinching support to the party. Mr Agyapong was optimistic that the Party leadership will emerge from the challenges associated with internal elections and be more united and focused to steer the affairs of the country for the good of all. He told party supporters not to be swayed by monetary considerations and flirt with other political parties but remain solidly with the NPP as the only political party that had the competence and able leadership to save Ghanaians from years of economic doldrums and despondency. The NPP supporters must stand solidly behind the Party to enable it to win the 2024 general election, he said, and expressed his happiness of seeing many young people joining the party. I entreat you to stand firm and defend the government as measures are being put in place to improve the economy to bring relief to ordinary Ghanaians, he stated. Nevertheless, Mr Agyapong regretted the non-appreciation for his relentless efforts to improve the wellbeing of the people and accelerate the areas development. He said: political detractors had downplayed all my efforts and defamed me in an effort to end my political career due to what they claimed as bad road network and my commitment to the fight against illegal mining. He said his contribution to development could be seen in every corner of the Constituency, saying he had facilitated the employment of over 1,387 youth into various sectors, paid health bills, school fees and granted scholarships to many students, among others. On infrastructure, he mentioned his role in securing the on-going dual carriage N8 road from Assin-Fosu to Assin-Praso, Fosu town roads, and educational support structures at Assin-Akropong, Nyankomasi, Assinman Nursing School and relocation of Obiri Yeboah Senior High School. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ministry of Education has come down heavily on the University of Ghana (UG) lecturer, Dr. Sampson Obed Appiah, for allegedly trying to run down the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy. The lecturer in a television interview had described the double-track system under the FSHS as the most unfortunate policy in the history of the countrys educational system. According to Dr. Appiah, the double-track system has reduced contact hours of teaching, quality of education, besides increasing the financial burden of parents. But the ministry said the lecturers comments amounted to the display of ignorance since they were not borne out of facts. Reacting to the lecturers comment, Felix Baidoo, Press Secretary of the Minister of Education, said in a statement that the FSHS has improved access and quality of education, intimating that until the introduction of the FSHS policy in 2017, thousands of students had to stay home because they could not meet the cutoff point of aggregate 30, the required grade of entry into SHS set by the Ghana Education Service (GES). He said what that meant was a student may have passed the BECE, but he/she could not gain entry to any SHS due to the set entry grade of 30. The set grade was primarily due to limited space in our schools. According to him, it is on account of this that the Akufo-Addo-led government introduced the FSHS policy in 2017 to improve access to SHS for all Ghanaian students. He said the introduction of FSHS brought about the double-track system as a leapfrogging measure, owing to increase in enrolment, to ensure that all students who pass the BECE get access to secondary education. On countless occasions, the government has announced that the double-track system was a leapfrogging approach that would be phased out as soon as most of the ongoing school infrastructure projects are completed, the statement noted. It added that the double-track system would be phased out within five to seven years of its introduction as once stated by President Akufo-Addo. FSHS Benefit The statement said the FSHS policy introduction had given 400,000 more students admission to second cycle institutions across the country, and pointed out that among the beneficiaries are students from poor homes. The Education Ministry acknowledged the infrastructural challenges in schools, but quickly added that this phenomenon had been with the nation since time immemorial and that the introduction of FSHS or the double-track system did not bring it as suggested by Dr. Obed Appiah, saying indeed, the FSHS and the Double Track policies were introduced due to that challenge. The Ministry of Education has constructed over 962 facilities, including dormitories, assembly halls, dining halls and classroom blocks across the country to help create an enabling environment for effective teaching and learning in Senior High Schools, it said, adding although some of these projects have not been completed, every effort is being made to complete them on schedule so that students can start using them. Contact Hours On the issue of reduction in instructional time, the ministry said it had rather increased considerably, intimating it is on record that until the introduction of the FSHS programme, Senior High Schools in the country had a total of 1,080 instructional hours per year. According to the statement, the introduction of the double-track system brought about a review of instructional hours from six hours a day to seven hours, which leads to a cumulative 1,134 hours for every academic year, stating that this is an increase of 54 hours. Outcomes The statement described as fallacy Dr. Appiahs suggestion that the quality of SHS had gone down, noting that the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) proved otherwise. The 2020 WASSCE results showed a tremendous improvement in the average record as compared to the previous years results, it said, and continued that data showed that out of the 465 A1s recorded by WAEC, Ghana alone recorded 411 out of the figure. For the ministry, this is a huge success for the nation, and said the Ministry of Education would like to state emphatically that the assertion by Dr. Obed Appiah that the FSHS programme has led to low academic performance is unfortunate and a display of his ignorance and misunderstanding of the programme. 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 Deputy Communications Director of the NPP, Mame Yaa Aboagye has expressed worry over clashes between two rival groups of the ruling party in Suhum constituency in the Eastern Region. She condemned the shameful act and appealed to the party supporters to commit themselves to promoting the party. He appealed to them to adopt measures to help the party break the 8 and secure power in 2024. According to her, fighting with each other will not help the NPP secure or break the 8 but it will rather tear them apart. Lamenting and fighting will not take us anywhereit is more important for your party to be in power than to be in opposition, so the earlier we realise this the better for all of us. I will plead with our support base to work hard in unison for the NPP to gain political dominance over other political opponents. We have come far to be complacent or allow apathy to tear us apart. Let us focus and break the 8, she said. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The embattled General Secretary of the Peoples National Convention (PNC), Janet Nabila, is threatening to take legal action against members of the party who insist that she has been suspended. She says the reports that she has been suspended are false, and that she remains the General Secretary of the PNC. The Chairman of the party, Moses Dani-Baah told Citi News over the weekend that the decision to suspend Madam Nabila was taken at a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the GNAT Hall in Accra. But speaking on Eyewitness News, Madam Janet Nabila maintained that the National Executive Committee meeting did not form a quorum to be able to take any binding decision, and so she is still at post. They couldnt even form a quorum to sack me. Now, I have a letter circulating of nine of the chairmen supporting me. They say no one should take what [David] Apasera has done seriously. If anyone calls me a suspended General Secretary, I will send the person to court to sue, because a person is supposed to be suspended based on the constitution of the party. Janet Nabila said the false information of her supposed suspension is being propagated by the partys Chairman, Moses Dani Baah, and their 2020 flagbearer, David Apasara who fear that they will be exposed for embezzling the partys funds. She claimed that Mr. Apasara and Mr. Dani-Baah were seeking to frustrate her because she took actions that will expose them for taking funds to the tune of GHS70,000 from the partys coffers without accountability or any justifiable reason. She said the funds were part of an amount the party raised for the construction of its offices. During our 29th anniversary, we solicited funds to build party offices. We got GHS150,000 for the party offices, so we kept it in the account, and we saw that the flagbearer and the leader went to pick as much as GHS70,000 from the account and I didnt know what they were using the money for. So I went to the regional CID office to report them. I then called auditors to audit the account, and we are calling EOCO to audit the account and give us the findings. I was told that a disciplinary committee was being formed to investigate me. Apasara and Dani-Baah went around telling people that I have problems in the party. Because they know that they will be disgraced, they want to do something just to cover up their image, she further stated. Source: citinewsroom Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan , Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency has been appointed a commissioner to serve on a seven (7 ) member Energy Commission Board. The Energy Commission was established with the mission to regulate and manage the development and utilization of energy resources in Ghana to ensure the provision of affordable energy supplies in a reliable, efficient and secured manner in order to promote the social and economic well-being of the people of Ghana, enhance environmental quality and public safety. Hon. Lydia Alhassan holds an EMBA Marketing from the prestigious University of Ghana Business School. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Entrepreneurship from Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). For 25 years, Hon. Alhassan has been running a wholesale pharmaceutical conglomerate in Ghana which was established by her good self. Hon. Lydia Alhassan brings on board a solid wealth of experience from her previous membership on Minerals Commission Board where she worked hand in hand with other board members to spearhead reforms into our mining industry. The Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon also serves as the First Deputy Majority Whip in Parliament and a Member of the Mines and Energy as well as the Health Committee. Hon. Lydia Alhassan is also the Womens Caucus Leader of the 8th Parliament. Hon. Lydia Alhassan has demonstrated enviable footprint in previous leadership and philanthropic roles such as the Vice chairman of Pharmaceutical Importers and Wholesalers Association of Ghana, as an executive member of the Chamber of Pharmacy Ghana, as Treasurer of the Womens fellowship, Accra Ridge Church, Spintex Branch and as the Regional Chairperson (Southern Sector), of Lions Club Ghana from 2014 to 2015 and enviably the President for Accra Premier Lions Club in 2005. Hon Lydia Alhassan has won several awards for her contribution to national development, Most recent of them is the Woman of Excellence award 2017 and Personality of the Year for 2021 all from the Ghana Parma Awards. The Board is Chaired by immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof Ebenezer Oduro with other members as Ing. Oscar Kojo Amonoo-Neizer, Executive Secretary , Dr Kodjo Esseim Mensah Abrampa, Dr Isaac Frimpong Mensah-Bonsu, Mr Moses Aristophanes Kwame Gyasi and Mr Dari Bismark Haruna. The board was sworn into office on 31st August, 2021 by the Honorable Minister of Energy, Hon. Matthew Opoku Prempeh at the Ministrys Conference Room in Accra. 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 Communication Director for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Yaw Buaben Asamoa says the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is making a grave mistake by comparing former President John Dramani Mahama to President Akufo-Addo, on the issue of corruption. According to him, fighting corruption in the country is not about who can shout the loudest in the media, but rather, about implementing measures to make corruption an unattractive venture for people to engage in. Veiled Attack His remarks appear to be a veiled dig at the NDC's press conference held Monday, August 30 where the opposition party took the current administration to the cleaners for instituitionalising the canker. That press conference - by the opposition - was in response to an earlier one organised by the ruling party last week, which was a reaction to some allegations made by the NDC 2020 Presidential candidate, Ex-President John Dramani Mahama on his Thank You tour. Unbridled Corruption & Plain Thievery Under NPP The NDC's Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, was of the opinion that failure to vote against the NPP in 2024 will lead to further dissipation of the public purse. Former President Mahama echoed the sentiments of the vast majority of Ghanaians who feel scandalized by the unbridled corruption and plain thievery that has become the hallmark of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government. The alarming case of corruption under this government is such that Ghanaians cannot wait to exact accountability by voting out the NPP after their eight year tenure in 2024. Anything short if that will spell doom for the public purse which will be subjected to further abuse should their mandates be renewed beyond 2024. International Recognition As Gov't Official 1 But speaking on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show, the former Adenta Member of Parliament touted the government's achievement in the fight against corruption. He maintained that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government led by President Akufo-Addo has put measures in place which are gradually preventing corruption in the country; thus, Ghanaians can attest to the things the Akufo-Addo government is doing openly to put a stop to corruption in the country. "However, when it comes to the person who is mostly tagged with corruption if you put John Mahama and Nana Addo on the scale, John Mahama has international recognition when it comes to corruption. Was it not John Mahama that a court in the UK has tagged him as the government official one in an Airbus scandal which today, the office of the Special Prosecutor is investigating? Has Nana Addo been tagged with such a scandal?, he asked. Was it not John Mahama then Vice President under late former President Mills administration that the issue of Embraer plane scandal hit to the extent that then President Mills set up a committee to investigate him?, he rhetorically asked. Watch video below Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A Member of the Communication Team of the Convention People's Party (CPP), Sylvester Soprano Sarpong has insisted that Agenda 111 is not feasible. Contributing to a panel discussion on Neat FM's Me Man Nti programme, he vowed: I'll shave my beard, mix it with gari & eat; if Akufo-Addo is able to complete agenda 111" Listen to him in the video below Agenda 111 includes 101 district hospitals, six regional hospitals in the newly created regions, two specialized hospitals in the middle and northern belts, as well as a regional hospital in the Western Region and renovation of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital.The objective of the project is to significantly deepen the delivery of quality healthcare at the district level, boost access to healthcare services for all citizens towards ensuring the attainment of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal Three.President Akufo-Addo speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony for the project to commence in the Ashanti Region on Tuesday, August 17 said: ''So far sites have been identified for 88 of the 111 hospitals, and after cutting the sod, work on the other 87 sites will also commence today [Tuesday]. The acquisition of the remaining 13 sites will be completed shortly for work to begin. Each hospital is being constructed at a cost of $16.88 million, i.e. $12.88 million for construction and $4 million for medical equipment, and all the hospitals are to be completed in 18 months and works will begin on the regional and other hospitals in the latter part of the year 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 This mosaic shows the entire sky imaged by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE). Infrared light refers to wavelengths that are longer than those visible to the human eye. Many cosmic objects radiate infrared, including gas and dust clouds where stars form, and brown dwarfs. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA Brown dwarfs aren't quite stars and aren't quite planets, and a new study suggests there might be more of them lurking in our galaxy than scientists previously thought. A new study offers a tantalizing explanation for how a peculiar cosmic object called WISEA J153429.75-104303.3nicknamed "The Accident"came to be. The Accident is a brown dwarf. Though they form like stars, these objects don't have enough mass to kickstart nuclear fusion, the process that causes stars to shine. And while brown dwarfs sometimes defy characterization, astronomers have a good grasp on their general characteristics. Or they did, until they found this one. The Accident got its name after being discovered by sheer luck. It slipped past normal searches because it doesn't resemble any of the just over 2,000 brown dwarfs that have been found in our galaxy so far. As brown dwarfs age, they cool off, and their brightness in different wavelengths of light changes. It's not unlike how some metals, when heated, go from bright white to deep red as they cool. The Accident confused scientists because it was faint in some key wavelengths, suggesting it was very cold (and old), but bright in others, indicating a higher temperature. "This object defied all our expectations," said Davy Kirkpatrick, an astrophysicist at IPAC at Caltech in Pasadena, California. He and his co-authors posit in their new study, appearing in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, that The Accident might be 10 billion to 13 billion years oldat least double the median age of other known brown dwarfs. That means it would have formed when our galaxy was much younger and had a different chemical makeup. If that's the case, there are likely many more of these ancient brown dwarfs lurking in our galactic neighborhood. A peculiar profile Brown dwarfs share certain characteristics with both stars and planets. Generally, they are less massive than stars and more massive than planets. A brown dwarf becomes a star if its core pressure gets high enough to start nuclear fusion, the process that causes stars to shine. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech The Accident was first spotted by NASA's Near-Earth Object Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE), launched in 2009 under the moniker WISE and managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. Because brown dwarfs are relatively cool objects, they radiate mostly infrared light, or wavelengths longer than what the human eye can see. To figure out how The Accident could have such seemingly contradictory propertiessome suggesting it is very cold, others indicating it is much warmerthe scientists needed more information. So they observed it in additional infrared wavelengths with a ground-based telescope at the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii. But the brown dwarf appeared so faint in those wavelengths, they couldn't detect it at all, apparently confirming their suggestion that it was very cold. They next set out to determine if the dimness resulted from The Accident being farther than expected from Earth. But that wasn't the case, according to precise distance measurements by NASA's Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes. Having determined the object's distanceabout 50 light-years from Earththe team realized that it is moving fastabout half a million miles per hour (800,000 kph). That's much faster than all other brown dwarfs known to be at this distance from Earth, which means it has probably been careening around the galaxy for a long time, encountering massive objects that accelerate it with their gravity. With a mound of evidence suggesting The Accident is extremely old, the researchers propose that its strange properties aren't strange at all and that they may be a clue to its age. When the Milky Way formed about 13.6 billion years ago, it was composed almost entirely of hydrogen and helium. Other elements, like carbon, formed inside stars; when the most massive stars exploded as supernovae, they scattered the elements throughout the galaxy. Methane, composed of hydrogen and carbon, is common in most brown dwarfs that have a temperature similar to The Accident. But The Accident's light profile suggests it contains very little methane. Like all molecules, methane absorbs specific wavelengths of light, so a methane-rich brown dwarf would be dim in those wavelengths. The Accident, by contrast, is bright in those wavelengths, which could indicate low levels of methane. Thus, the light profile of The Accident could match that of a very old brown dwarf that formed when the galaxy was still carbon poor; very little carbon at formation means very little methane in its atmosphere today. This artist's illustration shows a dim, cold brown dwarf in space. Brown dwarfs form like stars, but do not have enough mass to ignite nuclear fusion in their coresthe process that causes stars to burn. As a result they share some physical characteristics with massive planets, like Jupiter. Credit: IPAC/Caltech "It's not a surprise to find a brown dwarf this old, but it is a surprise to find one in our backyard," said Federico Marocco, an astrophysicist at IPAC at Caltech who led the new observations using the Keck and Hubble telescopes. "We expected that brown dwarfs this old exist, but we also expected them to be incredibly rare. The chance of finding one so close to the solar system could be a lucky coincidence, or it tells us that they're more common than we thought." A lucky accident To find more ancient brown dwarfs like The Accidentif they're out thereresearchers might have to change how they search for these objects. The Accident was discovered by citizen scientist Dan Caselden, who was using an online program he built to find brown dwarfs in NEOWISE data. The sky is full of objects that radiate infrared light; by and large, these objects appear to remain fixed in the sky, due to their great distance from Earth. But because brown dwarfs are so faint, they are visible only when they're relatively close to Earth, and that means scientists can observe them moving across the sky over months or years. (NEOWISE maps the entire sky about once every six months.) Caselden's program attempted to remove the stationary infrared objects (like distant stars) from the NEOWISE maps and highlight moving objects that had similar characteristics to known brown dwarfs. He was looking at one such brown dwarf candidate when he spotted another, much fainter object moving quickly across the screen. This would turn out to be WISEA J153429.75-104303.3, which hadn't been highlighted because it did not match the program's profile of a brown dwarf. Caselden caught it by accident. "This discovery is telling us that there's more variety in brown dwarf compositions than we've seen so far," said Kirkpatrick. "There are likely more weird ones out there, and we need to think about how to look for them." Launched in 2009, the WISE spacecraft was placed into hibernation in 2011 after completing its primary mission. In September 2013, NASA reactivated the spacecraft with the primary goal of scanning for near-Earth objects, or NEOs, and the mission and spacecraft were renamed NEOWISE. JPL, a division of Caltech, managed and operated WISE for NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD). The mission was selected competitively under NASA's Explorers Program managed by the agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. NEOWISE is a project of JPL, a division of Caltech, and the University of Arizona, supported by NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office. Explore further Unraveling the mystery of brown dwarfs More information: J. Davy Kirkpatrick et al, The Enigmatic Brown Dwarf WISEA J153429.75-104303.3 (a.k.a. "The Accident"), The Astrophysical Journal Letters (2021). Journal information: Astrophysical Journal Letters J. Davy Kirkpatrick et al, The Enigmatic Brown Dwarf WISEA J153429.75-104303.3 (a.k.a. "The Accident"),(2021). DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ac0437 On a remote trail in California's Sierra National Forest called the Devil's Gulch, a family of three and their dog were recently found dead. Authorities were at a loss to explain what happened. "I've worked in different capacities, but I've never seen a death like this," the county sheriff told the press. It turns out the family might have been exposed to a poison deadlier than nerve gas: toxic algae, one of the deadliest toxin on the planet. Unofficially, it is called "very fast death factor." The CIA reportedly uses it in suicide pills for agents likely to be captured by the enemy. It has caused entire towns along the Italian coast to be evacuated. And it may have been the cause of a mass die-off of an African elephant herd. Last month, the Sierra National Forestpart of the U.S. Forest Serviceannounced that "a high concentration of algae bloom" had been found in the Merced River. "The Sierra National Forest (SNF) would like to inform those visitors who like to enjoy this area of the Merced River and SNF, not to swim, wade or allow their pets to enjoy the water," the agency announced. ASU News talked to Taylor Weiss, an Arizona State University assistant professor in environmental and resource management in the Polytechnic School and a member of the Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovationwhere research is being done to harness algae technology to produce renewable energy, food, feed and other valuable products, while performing environmental services to support a more sustainable future for societyabout this deadly substance. Question: My first thought was, I didn't know that algae could kill. Answer: It is among the most deadly toxins on the entire planet. If you made a list of like the top 10, VX gas-synthetic (a nerve agent) would only be one of the top 10. All the rest are held by algae. ... The tidbit of history that people gloss over is that the CIA actually stopped issuing cyanide capsules a long time ago. But we know for a fact that U-2 pilots who flew over Russia were issued fake coins with needles in them laced with saxitoxin to kill themselves in the event of torture. So we know what they do. We know the most highly effective chemical weapons designed mimic their activities. They accomplish the same goal. They are paralytic agents that paralyze your nerves that control your skeletal muscles. They lead to your diaphragm becoming unable to move, which means you suffocate, as almost certainly what seems to have happened to this particular family on this occasion. When (authorities) were concerned about toxic gases from mines and immediately they'd say they were looking for carbon monoxide poisoning, it's just that they died quickly and suffocated. Many of the other toxins that most of the time we pay attention towhich are liver toxin, hepatotoxins, like a poisonous mushroomthose take days or weeks usually to kill. But literally saxitoxin's unofficial name is Very Fast Death Factor. It kills very quickly. So you should have it in the same mindset as a chemical weapon. Q: So this family was out with their dog. Would they be next to a creek or a puddle? A: It's the same reason why pets die from it, especially dogs. The dogs go in the water, they swim in it and they come back with the algae sticking to their fur in particular, and then they lick it off or people wipe their hands on the dog or something like that. We had pet deaths in Arizona earlier this year from the same thing. ... Some of these compounds, they volatilize. They can literally just be off-gas in the air. So you don't need to go into the water to be exposed to it. There were major blooms of some of these toxins off of Italy about five years ago. Entire villages were evacuated because the air was poisoning them enough that everybody was affected. These are no joke. And you don't know that they're there. They're ephemeral, so they come and go. However, blooms are natural. The toxins are natural. But having lots of algae producing lots of the toxin, and there's certainly grades of toxins, it's difficult to keep track of. It's not very common. It's one of these incredibly high-risk but low-probability events that just is very difficult to sort of get and stay on top of. Q: If you were out on a hike, what would be some warning signs that it was nearby? A: I would look to regulations on the books. So the World Health Organization issued regulations about 10 years ago on the standard by which advisories any country anywhere should basically make actions for, recreational and drinking and other uses like that. Basically, if there's a lot of algae in the water, there's a lot of chlorophyll, i.e. the algae are very active, so they'll be able to make lots. And then number three is, are they cyanobacteria? Other types of algae can be toxic, but the cyanobacteria are the most common. (Cyanobacteria is blue-green and smells like freshly cut grass.) So those three standards, basically, you keep track of them. And so in an event where you have lots of cyanobacteria, and they're doing a lot of photosynthesis and they're there in high numbers very rapidly, you should be very concerned. We do not have federal guidelines in the United States. The problem is somewhat unequally spread between states. It means state regulators are really responsible for monitoring and enforcing things ... and so it also varies by state. Obviously in California, they do monitor areas where people come into contact with water on a more routine basis. But if it's in a more rural area, this is where we hear these stories all the time. It's basically, the water's not monitored and people, their pets or animals come into contact with it. Nobody's paying attention, and on rare occasion, these very bad things happen. Q: So a good rule of thumb would be if you see a pool or a pond or a puddle with a lot of algae, stay away from it. A: If a regulator has put up warning signs saying to avoid the area, follow them. ... I would take the warnings more strongly than even (what) the regulators themselves often post. There is always pushback on a recreational side. Cities don't want to declare suddenly you can't go swimming and spend summer dollars and vacation. They don't like that. And because these events can be very ephemeral, right? Maybe it's one day it's harmful, but you're killing the whole rest of the summer. There's always that conflict. So regulators will be very cautious, but they're kind of putting responsibility on you. If there isn't an issued warning and you're out in nature and things like that, the problem is with these very toxic algae, you may not see any problems. It may appear to be free and clear water. There could be a bloom somewhere else, but just carrying the toxins downstream. ... There is no great rule of thumb, except if you don't know the water, don't trust the water. And in particular, what I would say is, in the summertime it is more likely to be cyanobacteria, so to be more cautious. This is why swimming is the bigger problem. People don't tend to swim in the water in the winter, but that's also the safer time. Explore further Can toxic algae kill humans? California health officials are warning of these poisonous blooms Scanning electron microscope image of Vibrio cholerae. Credit: Wikipedia A Bangladeshi scientist who helped develop a cheap oral vaccine against cholera, a Pakistani microfinance pioneer and a Filipino fisherman were among Tuesday's winners of Asia's equivalent to the Nobel Prize. Firdausi Qadri, 70, was one of five recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Awardnamed after a Filipino president killed in a plane crashfor her "life-long devotion to the scientific profession" and "untiring contributions to vaccine development". Working at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka, Qadri had a "key role" in creating more affordable vaccines to combat cholera and typhoid, the Manila-based award foundation said in a statement. Qadri was also cited for her leading role in a mass vaccination effort in Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh's southeastern district of Cox's Bazar in recent years that prevented a cholera outbreak. The disease causes acute diarrhoea and spreads through contaminated food and water. Qadri was also cited for her efforts to build up Bangladesh's scientific research capacity. "I'm overwhelmed, extremely delighted but also humbled," Qadri said in a video message shared by the foundation. The Ramon Magsaysay Award was established in 1957 to honour people and groups tackling development problems. It was held virtually this year after the event was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Pakistani development worker Muhammad Amjad Saqib, 64, was also a winner for his "first-of-its-kind" interest- and collateral-free microfinance programme that has helped millions of poor families. Nearly two decades after its launch, Akhuwat has grown into the nation's largest microfinance institution, distributing the equivalent of $900 million and boasting an almost 100 percent loan repayment rate, the award foundation said. Saqib, who uses places of worship to hand out money, was cited for "his inspiring belief that human goodness and solidarity will find ways to eradicate poverty." Another winner was Filipino fisherman Roberto Ballon, 53, who was recognised for helping "revive a dying fishing industry" on the southern island of Mindanao where abandoned fishponds had destroyed mangrove forests. With government backing, Ballon and other small-scale fishermen replanted 500 hectares (1,235 acres) of mangrove forests by 2015, boosting their fish catch and quality of life. "What was once a desert of abandoned fishponds is now an expanse of healthy mangrove forests rich with marine and terrestrial life," the award foundation noted. American Steven Muncy, founder of the Philippines-based NGO Community and Family Services International, was recognised for helping refugees, assisting victims of natural disasters and getting former child soldiers back to school in Asia. Indonesian documentary maker Watchdoc, which focuses on human rights, social justice and the environment, also won recognition for its "highly principled crusade for an independent media organisation". Explore further Bangladesh kicks off vaccination blitz to eliminate cholera 2021 AFP 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 from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and BirdLife International released on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021 found that 30% of 557 raptor species worldwide are considered near threatened, vulnerable or endangered. Eighteen species are critically endangered, including the Philippine eagle, researchers found. Credit: AP Photo/Bullit Marquez Despite a few high-profile conservation success storieslike the dramatic comeback of bald eagle populations in North Americabirds of prey are in decline worldwide. A new analysis of data from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and BirdLife International found that 30% of 557 raptor species worldwide are considered near threatened, vulnerable or endangered or critically endangered. Eighteen species are critically endangered, including the Philippine eagle, the hooded vulture and the Annobon scops owl, the researchers found. Other species are in danger of becoming locally extinct in specific regions, meaning they may no longer play critical 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 published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "The golden eagle is the national bird of Mexico, but we have very few golden eagles left in Mexico," he said. A 2016 census estimated only about 100 breeding pairs remain in the country. Harpy eagles were once widespread throughout southern Mexico and Central and South America, but tree cutting and burning has dramatically shrunk their range. This undated photo provided by Evan R. Buechley in August 2021 shows a hooded vulture in Ethiopia. An analysis of data from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and BirdLife International released on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021 found that 30% of 557 raptor species worldwide are considered near threatened, vulnerable or endangered. Eighteen species are critically endangered, including the hooded vulture, researchers found. Credit: Evan R. Buechley via AP Of threatened birds of prey that are active mostly during the dayincluding most hawks, eagles and vultures54% were falling in population, the study found. The same was true for 47% of threatened nocturnal raptors, such as owls. That means "the factors causing the decline have not been remedied" and those species need immediate attention, said Jeff Johnson, a biologist at the University of North Texas, who was not involved in the study. Globally, the biggest threats to these birds are habitat loss, climate change and toxic substances, said 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. The insecticide DDT thinned egg shells and decimated bald eagle populations in North America, leading to its ban in the U.S. in 1972. But Buechley said other threats remain, including rodent pesticides and the lead in hunters' bullets and shot pellets. Many raptors feed on rodents and dead animals. This 2018 photo provided by Evan R. Buechley shows a Tawny Eagle in Ethiopia. The tawny eagle is considered vulnerable to extinction by scientists. The destruction of forests and grasslands in Africa and South Asia are shrinking its habitat. Globally the top threats to birds of prey are habitat loss, climate change and toxins in the environment. Credit: Evan R. Buechley via AP 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. This June 2013 photo provided by Carlos Navarro 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. Credit: Carlos Navarro via AP 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. Credit: Evan R. Buechley via AP In this Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021 file photo, scientists and journalists watch as an Andean condor is released into the wild by Bolivian veterinarians, on the outskirts of Choquekhota, Bolivia, as part of a project run by a state conservation program. The Andean condor, the world's heaviest soaring bird, 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. Credit: AP Photo/Juan Karita 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. Explore further What factors put Philippine birds at risk of extinction? 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. With a technique that overcomes cells' innate social behaviors, researchers have taken an important step in directing skin cells to migrate en masse to close wounds"literally making skin crawl," said principal investigator Daniel Cohen. In a new study, the researchers overcame the inertia typical of mature skin tissue by breaking the molecular connections between cells, applying an electrical field to direct their migration and then rebuilding the connections. This novel approach improves the controllability of tissues and may one day help optimize wound healing through electrical stimulation. The German physician Emil du Bois-Reymond first described an electric current flowing from a cut on his finger in 1848. Later research showed that cells in the body can sense and follow an electric field, a process called electrotaxis. Electric fields generated in the body promote healing by directing cells to move toward the wound and are also vital for growth and development. "There are a lot of reasons why people think electrical stimulation might help wound healing," said Gawoon Shim, the study's lead author and a graduate student in Cohen's lab. But despite promising clinical evidence from decades of use in patients, scientists have yet to work out how cells detect and respond to electric fields or how electrical stimulation can best be applied therapeutically. "It's kind of a black box," said Shim. "We discovered this basic phenomenon 175 years ago and we don't yet have commercial electric band aids," said Daniel J. Cohen, an assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and senior author of the study, published online in the July 20 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "No one really knows the rules for how to design these things." In their previous work, Cohen's group used electric fields to program thousands of individual cells to move in circles and around corners. Their new study used a model of more mature skina single layer of mouse skin cells all latched togetherwhich is harder to control. Instead of moving with the speed and precision of a marching band in response to an electric current, the mature skin cells inched along like a crowd of people holding hands with their neighbors. The mature skin also posed another problem: Once the leading edge of cells advanced, it would peel away from the petri dish and die. "If you apply a command that differs from what the cells naturally 'want' to do, you get a tug-of-war," Cohen said. "The result was the tissues ripped themselves apart." Cohen and Shim suspected that the "handshakes" between cells prevented the tissue from fluidly following the electrical commands. These handshakes are proteins called cadherins that anchor neighboring cells together. They make tissues cohesive so they can move together but can also create traffic jams when cells don't have space to move. Princeton researchers used an electrical field to direct the migration of cells. The researchers' new technique improved the controllability of tissues and could someday help heals wounds. Illustration by Neil Adelantar from images by Cohen et al. Credit: Princeton University Princeton researchers used an electrical field to direct the migration of cells. The researchers' new technique improved the controllability of tissues and could someday help heals wounds. Credit: Illustration by Neil Adelantar from images by Cohen et al. Cadherins need calcium ions to complete their connections, so Shim grew the cells with different amounts of calcium and measured their response to electrical stimulation. She saw that the less calcium the cells had, the more fluid they became and the quicker they moved. "It goes really fastI was very surprised," said Shim. Calcium has many effects on living tissues, however, so Shim had to confirm that the handshakes were to blame for the slow movement. She grew cells with an antibody that attaches to cadherins. With blocked handshakes, these cells moved more quickly. After working out the ground rules of cell adhesiveness, the researchers developed a solution to their sticky cell problem. Shim grew a layer of skin cells in a high calcium solution so they made their normal connections. Then she treated the cells with a chemical that grabs up calcium ions to break up the cellular handshakes. When Shim lowered the calcium level and applied the electric field, the cells moved on command. Finally, she restored the high calcium level to reinstate the handshakes, resulting in a healthy and cohesive layer of skin cells. To demonstrate that this approach has the potential to accelerate healing, Shim performed the above experiment using an electrobioreactor developed in the Cohen lab that mimics the closing of a wound. Unlike other models of electrotaxis where the electric field moves cells in one direction, their new system exposes cells to an electric field focused on the center of the injury. Shim showed that the stimulated tissues successfully came together while the unstimulated ones remained largely separate. Cohen's group described their electrobioreactor in a new paper in Biosensors and Bioelectronics. "This concise and exciting study from Cohen's lab results in an intuitive yet previously unknown lesson: collectively migrating cells follow directional cues more readily if their mutual cohesion is weaker," said Alex Mogilner, a Professor of Mathematics and Biology at New York University who studies the biophysics of collective behaviors and was not involved in the research. "This paper is not just basic science but also has far-reaching biomedical implications [Cohen] asks not only how the cells do it, but also how can we manipulate the cells and make them do better." Next, Shim and Cohen plan to move from their two-dimensional model into a 3D one. Human skin, for example, is composed of different tissues, much like a layer cake. Depending on how these techniques work in a 3D skin model, the results could indicate whether the same approach will work on actual wounds. Many tissues use cadherin handshakes to stick cells together, but there are other ways tissues stay connected. This work could be applied not only to help wounds heal faster, but also to fine-tune the healing process to prevent tightness and reduce scarring. "We started out with this nice, warm and fuzzy approach to engineering group behaviors by saying, let's see what the tissue wants to do and harmonize with that. It turns out, that's too simple," said Cohen. "Sometimes, they don't want to listen to you properly. Sometimes you just have to change the rules." Explore further Researchers use electric fields to herd cells like flocks of sheep Part of the process of creating ferroelectric magnesium-substituted zinc oxide thin films includes: (left) Image showing thin film being sputter-deposited from metal sources; (center) ferroelectric hysteresis loops of thin-film capacitors showing two remanent polarization states at zero field; (right) atomic force microscope image showing a smooth surface at the nanometer scale and a very fine-grained and fiber-textured microstructure. Credit: Materials Research Institute, Penn State A new family of materials that could result in improved digital information storage and uses less energy may be possible thanks to a team of Penn State researchers who demonstrated ferroelectricity in magnesium-substituted zinc oxide. Ferroelectric materials are spontaneous electricly polarized bcause negative and positive charges in the material tend toward opposite sides and with the application of an external electric field reorient. They can be affected by physical force, which is why they are useful for push-button ignitors such as those found in gas grills. They can also be used for data storage and memory, because they remain in one polarized state without additional power and so are low-energy digital storage solutions. "We've identified a new family of materials from which we can make tiny capacitors and we can set their polarization orientation so that their surface charge is either plus or minus," said Jon-Paul Maria, Penn State professor of materials science and engineering, and co-author of the paper published in the Journal of Applied Physics. "That setting is nonvolatile, meaning we can set the capacitor to plus, and it stays plus, we can set it to minus, it stays minus. And then we can come back and identify how we set that capacitor, at say, an hour ago." This ability could enable a form of digital storage that does not use as much electricity as other forms. "This type of storage requires no additional energy," Maria said. "And that's important because many of the computer memories that we use today require additional electricity to sustain the information, and we use a substantial amount of the American energy budget on information." The new materials are made with magnesium-substituted zinc oxide thin films. The film was grown via sputter deposition, a process where argon ions are accelerated towards the target materials, impacting it with a high enough energy to break atoms free from the target that contains magnesium and zinc. The freed magnesium and zinc atoms travel in a vapor phase until they react with oxygen and collect on a platinum-coated aluminum oxide substrate and form the thin films. Researchers have studied magnesium-substituted zinc oxide as a method of increasing zinc oxide's band gap, a key material characteristic that is important for creating semiconductors. However, the material was never explored for ferroelectricity. Nonetheless, the researchers believed that the material could be made ferroelectric, based on an idea of "ferroelectrics everywhere" posited by Maria and Susan Trolier-McKinstry, Evan Pugh University Professor, Steward S. Flaschen Professor of Ceramic Science and Engineering, and co-author on the paper. "Generally speaking, ferroelectricity often occurs in minerals that are complicated from a structure and chemistry point of view," Maria said. "And our team proposed the idea about two years ago, that there are other simpler crystals in which this useful phenomenon could be identified, as there were some clues that made us propose this possibility. To say 'ferroelectrics everywhere' is a bit of a play on words, but it captures the idea that there were materials around us that were giving us hints, and we were ignoring those hints for a long time." Trolier-McKinstry's research career has focused on ferroelectrics, including the search for better ferroelectric materials with different properties. She noted that the University of Kiel in Germany had found the very first of this surprising type of ferroelectric materials in 2019 in nitrides, but that she and Maria have demonstrated comparable behavior in an oxide. Part of the process Trolier-McKinstry and Maria's group followed is developing a figure of merit, a quantity used in sciences such as analytical chemistry and materials research that characterizes the performance of a device, material or method relative to alternatives. "As we look at any application for material, we often devise a figure of merit that says what combination of materials properties we would need for any given application to make it as effective as possible," said Trolier-McKinstry. "And this new family of ferroelectrics, it gives us whole new possibilities for those figures of merit. It's very appealing for applications that historically we haven't had great materials sets for, so this kind of new materials development tends to spark new applications." An added benefit of the magnesium-substituted zinc oxide thin films is how they can be deposited at much lower temperatures than other ferroelectric materials. "The overwhelming majority of electronic materials are prepared with the assistance of high temperatures, and high temperatures means anywhere from 300 to 1000 degrees Celsius (572 to 1835 degrees Fahrenheit)," said Maria. "Whenever you make materials at elevated temperatures, it comes with a lot of difficulties. They tend to be engineering difficulties, but nonetheless they make everything more challenging. Consider that every capacitor needs two electrical contactsif I prepare my ferroelectric layer at high temperatures on at least one of these contacts, at some point an unwanted chemical reaction will occur. So, when you can make things at low temperatures, you can integrate them much more easily." The next step for the new materials is making them into capacitators that are approximately 10 nanometers thick and 20 to 30 nanometers in lateral dimensions, which is a difficult engineering challenge. The researchers need to create a way to control the growth of the materials so there are no issues such as imperfections in the materials. Trolier-McKinstry said that solving these issues will be key to whether these materials are usable in new technologiescell phones with chips that use much less energy, allowing sustained operation for a week or more. "When developing new materials, you have to find out how they fail, and then understand how to mitigate those failure mechanisms," Trolier-McKinstry said. "And for every single application, you need to decide what are the essential properties, and how will they evolve over time. And until you've made some measurements on that, you don't know what the big challenges are going to be, and the reliability and manufacturability are huge in terms of whether this material ends up in your cell phone in five years." Explore further First flexible memory device using oxide ferroelectric material More information: Kevin Ferri et al, Ferroelectrics everywhere: Ferroelectricity in magnesium substituted zinc oxide thin films, Journal of Applied Physics (2021). Journal information: Journal of Applied Physics Kevin Ferri et al, Ferroelectrics everywhere: Ferroelectricity in magnesium substituted zinc oxide thin films,(2021). DOI: 10.1063/5.0053755 Dubai residents often leave for cooler climates during the hottest months, while many who stay spend their time scurrying between air-conditioned locationsor rely on delivery drivers for a panoply of services. Gulf cities such as Dubai are known for their scorching summers, but experts warn climate change could soon make parts of the fossil fuel-rich region unlivable for humans. Daily temperatures in the coastal metropolis regularly top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) for several months of the year and are exacerbated by high humidity. "I work from 9 am until 4 pm in this heat," Pakistani scooter driver Sameer said, sweat dripping from his forehead. "Sometimes, the company or people give us water to drink, and we get a break every three hours," added Sameer, who works for a mobile delivery app and declined to provide his surname. A new report this month by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) showed unequivocally that the climate is changing faster than previously feared, and because of human activity. Even now, Dubai residents often leave for cooler climates during the hottest months, while many who stay spend their time scurrying between air-conditioned locationsor rely on delivery drivers for a panoply of services. The UAE is also one of the world's most arid countries, and for the past several years it has used aircraft for cloud seeding to artificially produce rain. One expert has warned of the risks for the region as climate change progresses. "In general, the level of heat stress will increase significantly," said Elfatih Eltahir, a professor of hydrology and climate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. With higher temperatures and humidity towards the end of this century, some parts of the Gulf will experience periods of "heat stress conditions that will be incompatible with human survival", he warned. Daily temperatures in Dubai regularly top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) for several months of the year, and are exacerbated by high humidity. 'Wake-up call' "That will not happen all the time, they will be episodes that would happen once or twice every seven years," he added. The combination of heat and relative humidity has the potential to be deadly if the human body is unable to cool off through sweating. Scientists have calculated that a healthy human adult in the shade with unlimited drinking water will die if so-called "wet-bulb" temperatures (TW) exceed 35C for six hours. It was long assumed this theoretical threshold would never be crossed, but US researchers reported last year on two locationsone in the United Arab Emirates, another in Pakistanwhere the 35C TW barrier was breached more than once, if only fleetingly. Calls to reduce carbon emissions pose major economic challenges for oil and gas-rich Gulf countries, from OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia to Oman and Qatar. UN chief Antonio Guterres has said the IPCC report "must sound a death knell" for coal, oil and gas, and warned that fossil fuels were destroying the planet. But some Gulf states in recent years have taken up greener rhetoric as they try to improve their environmental credentials and diversify their economies away from oil. Tanzeed Alam, managing director of Dubai-based Earth Matters Consulting, said there was increasing interest in the environment and the impact of climate change in the UAE. Mechanics work in Isa Town, south of Bahrain's capital Manama. Average summer temperatures in the country range between 35C and 40C. "But we are yet to see the large, family-owned businesses really taking this issue to the core of their business models," he told AFP. "Businesses don't often understand how they can cope with increased heatwaves, storms, flooding and other physical impacts," Alam said. He expressed hope that the UN report would act as a "wake-up call". 'Clear decisions' The United Arab Emirates aims to increase its reliance on clean energy to 50 percent by 2050 and reduce its carbon footprint for power generation by 70 percent. Abu Dhabi, one of seven emirates along with Dubai that make up the country, says it is building the world's largest single-site solar plant. Once fully operational, the Al Dhafra solar project will have the capacity to power some 160,000 households nationwide, according to the WAM state news agency. It is scheduled to commence operations in 2022. In Bahrain, where average summer temperatures range between 35C and 40C, Mohammed Abdelaal's company Silent Power uses solar technology to cool water tanks. He said demand had increased in several Gulf countries this summer, noting that the region's ample supply of sunlight facilitates the production of "clean, sustainable, low-cost energy". Mohammed Abdelaal's company Silent Power uses solar technology to cool water tanks. Bahrain aims for 10 percent renewable energy by 2035, according to state media, while neighbouring Saudi Arabiawith ambitious plans to diversify its oil-reliant economyin March unveiled a campaign to generate half of its energy from renewables by 2030. In Kuwait, Khaled Jamal al-Falih expressed concern at what runaway climate change could mean for his country. "In Kuwait today, a person who needs to run an errand can't do so until after six o'clock in the evening, and leaving the house means being in an air-conditioned car to go to an air-conditioned place," he told AFP. Almost entirely dependent on fossil fuels, the country has a 15 percent renewable energy target by 2030, according to state media. Falih said his house ran solely on solar power, and urged the government to make "clear decisions" to combat climate change. The idea of being able to escape the reality of global warming has "become impossible", Falih said. 2021 AFP Credit: CC0 Public Domain A Russian space official on Tuesday raised concerns about the deteriorating state of Russia's segment of the International Space Station due to out-of-date hardware, warning it could lead to "irreparable failures". In recent years, the Russian segment of the ISS has experienced a string of problems, including air leaks caused by cracks, raising questions about the safety of the rotating crews onboard. "Around 80 percent of the inflight systems on Russia's segment have reached the end of their service period," Vladimir Solovyov, chief engineer of the Energia rocket and space corporation, told the RIA Novosti news agency. Energiaa manufacturer of spacecraft and space station componentsis the leading developer of Russia's section of the ISS, a joint venture with the United States, Canada, Japan and the European Space Agency. "This means that literally a day after the systems are fully exhausted, irreparable failures may begin," Solovyov added. Citing concerns stemming from ageing hardware, Russia had previously indicated that it plans to leave the ISS after 2025 and launch its own orbital station. On Monday, Solovyov said that small cracks had been discovered on Russia's Zarya cargo module. Launched in 1998, it is one of the oldest modules of the ISS. The Russian Zvezda service module meanwhile has experienced several air leaks, including last month and in 2019. Also in July, the entire ISS tilted out of orbit after the thrusters of a new Russian module reignited several hours after docking. Russia's space programme, which was inherited from the Soviet Union, has also suffered from budget cuts and corruption scandals. Despite these problems, the country's Roscosmos space agency continues to promise ambitious ventures, including a mission to Venus and the creation of a rocket capable of making round trips to space. It is also planning to set up a joint lunar station with China and is scheduled to launch a mission to the moon's surface in May next year. 2021 AFP August 31, 2021 in Utilities (E) [prMac.com] San Francisco, California - Created by former Apple employee Chad Etzel, Sticker Doodle was built with quick and easy communication in mind - all while making it as fun as possible. Sticker Doodle is an app for creating stickers that can then be sent to anyone via iMessage. The app is designed for using a finger first, but also supports Apple Pencil on iPad. People who would like to get more creative can even use an Apple Pencil to draw doodles on their iPad and send them to people via their iPhone thanks to the power of iCloud syncing. What's more, people can send photos as stickers and turn their doodles into Slack emojis and Discord stickers right from the app. Sticker Doodle is designed to be quick and easy to use so people can get in, create their doodle, and get out. It's all about creating fun stickers, not pixel-perfect works of art. Features include: * Support for using a finger to draw anything on-screen and turning it into a sticker * Apple Pencil support for those who want to get serious about their doodles * The ability to turn any photo - or portion of a photo - into a sticker, including colorful borders and backgrounds * Discord support so you can export your doodles as Discord stickers * Slack support for exporting doodles as custom Slack emojis * iCloud syncing support, so people can share stickers between their devices. People can draw a sticker using an Apple Pencil and send it using an iPhone, for example * Full light and dark mode support * Support for sharing sticker files with your friends using AirDrop, Email, Messages, etc. Sticker Doodle is fully localized in seven different languages, including English, Spanish, Italian, German, Arabic, Japanese and Chinese (Simplified). Sticker Doodle is for anyone who wants to send cool, fun, and exciting doodles to their friends via stickers in Messages: * Kids can send their finger drawings to their parents * Adults can send in-jokes to their friends * Parents can send fun pictures to their kids Sticker Doodle is a Free download from the App Store. An optional in-app purchase is available for people who want to create more than five stickers. The Sticker Doodle in-app purchase supports Family Sharing, so families only need to pay once to unlock unlimited sticker creation for all. For more information, please contact Chad Etzel. Chad Etzel is an independent software developer living in San Francisco, California. He has 11 years of experience working on over 20 iOS apps as an independent developer and for various companies. After more than five years working at Apple, he left in May 2021 to return to independent development and pursue other projects. All Material and Software (C) Copyright 2021 Chad Etzel. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, macOS, iPhone, iPod and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other trademarks and registered trademarks may be the property of their respective owners. ### They called him unconditional surrender because he offered no terms to those he defeated. Of course it helped that his initials were U.S. He was a much maligned winner, but a winner, indeed. We have a new phenomenon, a leader who unconditionally surrenders to someone he defeated. He's allowing the loser of the war to dictate all the terms of surrender, including the disposition of forces, the disposition of nationals, the disposition of allies, the disposition of the spoils of war. But, what are the spoils of this war? First, there is the Bagram Airfield, the Acme of military bases. With Bagram, the Taliban have been handed hundreds of Blackhawks, Apaches, Bradleys, aircraft. The physical value estimated at hundreds of billions of dollars. With this unconditional surrender we are abandoning a country with hundreds of US citizens scattered miles from Kabul, the nearest military presence, with an accepted exit date five days away. Already the Taliban is going house to house searching Kabul for those who cooperated with Americans and its allies during the twenty years of occupation. The men will be executed but the women, who accepted the American way, forsaking Sharia Law, may not receive that merciful an end. "It's wonderful to have an exhibit that actually shares with the community the power of nature in our own lives, and the direct connection between nature and the innovations and technologies that we've grown accustomed to in our everyday lives," Mullins said. The exhibit also aligns with educational programming the Putnam has offered recently and is working on, about the role of natural specimens as inspiration and "Mother Nature as an adventurous muse," Mullins said. They found out about the exhibit and reached out, then had the opportunity to be its first stop. Among the Putnam's contributions to the traveling exhibit are a kingfisher, owl and giant clam, Curator of Natural History Christine Chandler said. The kingfisher's bill was used to model a high-speed train, the owl's silent flight aided in aviation innovation and the giant clam's method of helping algae reach sunlight and grow in its slightly open shell all fit perfectly into the exhibit. "The thing about biomimicry is that it's a really cool idea," Chandler said. "Nature has had billions of years to figure out solutions." She noted that not every solution nature has created is the best one, but learning what's worked in nature and if it would or wouldn't work to solve problems humanity faces is extremely helpful. The few weeks of vacation mean they dont have to get up at 6:30 a.m. to do morning chores and they are free at night, instead of feeding the steers again about 8 p.m. Both boys agreed that the ranching experience teaches perseverance and reliability. Sam Dunns light brown steer, Humphrey, weighed in at 1,202 pounds and has been relaxed from the start. This year we got lucky, I could ride my steer the second day I got him, he said. He was super-tame. Last year I had one that was very crazy, but I put in the time and hard work to get him trained. Initially, the goal is to just be next to the animals to get acquainted. We spend time with them when they are tied up, Sam Dunn said. Steers arent worked with as much in the winter as in the spring when we spend at least an hour a day walking them around. In the summer and just before fair, we do as much as we can. Sam Dunns investment this year was $1,200 purchasing price, plus the cost of grain. Ted Hall has spent decades tracing the most likely route of the Lewis and Clark expedition over the Lost Trail Pass. During that time, hes told hundreds of people about Sacajaweas contribution to the success of that perilous journey. But Hall has often been stumped by one of the most often asked questions about the Lemhi Shoshone woman who helped guide the famous explorers from North Dakota to the Pacific Ocean. Whatever happened to Sacajawea? There are lots of myths that abound, Hall said. I would tell them I dont know what happened to Sacajawea. At the fourth annual 1805 Sacajawea Day on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Darbys Sacajawea Rest Park, Hall said a lot of those questions will be answered by Judy Washbon, a special guest speaker from the Sacajawea Interpretive Center in Salmon, Idaho. Washbon has been lecturing professionally on the Lewis and Clark expedition and the history of Sacajawea. Her talk in Darby is entitled The Myths and Legends of Sacajawea. Kieran and his wife Jeanie live the western lifestyle everyday and what a better tie in to their program than the American Cowboypeople all over the country idolize the cowboy image and the western way of life. The cowboy is an iconic figure of strength, conviction and fortitude. The cowboy never backs away from a job or never quits until the task before him is finished. The cowboy understands the fundamental belief that right is right and wrong is wrong. It is the goal of the Man Up Crusade to celebrate this courageous spirit and be an example to people everywhere that we can stand up for what is right and help put an end to domestic violence. The Ravalli County Sheriff's Office has teamed up with the Ravalli County Fair, Northern Rodeo Association and the Rockin' RC Rodeo to raise awareness of domestic violence in Ravalli County since 2018, and thanks to Ravalli County's Rodeo Committee, was the first rodeo in Montana to sponsor a Man Up Crusade event. The Man Up booth is located under the grandstands where stickers, apparel, challenge coins and raffle tickets to some amazing items are available for purchase throughout the entire fair. 100% of the proceeds go to Safe In The Bitterroot (SAFE), the county's local shelter and advocacy center for victims of domestic violence. As a former school teacher, Petra Glover loves inspiring and supporting children. When she was asked to be this years Richmond Christmas Mother, Glover thought her background as an educator gave her a unique perspective into the position. I think thats what drew me to it because I like helping children, Glover said, noting that she is honored and humbled to be selected as the 2021 Richmond Christmas Mother. Its really something special when someone asks you to do this, she said. You feel anything you can do that helps to promote this and make it happen for people in Richmond is just a good feeling. Its heartwarming, especially when you see how everybody in the community comes together and supports it. Everybody just wants to know what they can do to make it better and to help people. Her husband is Gary Glover, owner of Puritan Cleaners and the third generation of his family to be in the dry cleaning business that started in 1937. She also has seen the impact that Puritan Cleaners annual Coats for Kids campaign has had over the past three decades. Her husband has worked with the Salvation Army for more than 30 years to collect donated coats for needy children for the program. " " There are two kinds of plutonium: reactor-grade and weapons-grade. rigsbyphoto/Shutterstock On Aug. 25, 2012, about 11 billion miles (18 billion kilometers) away from the sun, the NASA probe Voyager 1 left the heliosphere, boldly going where no object had gone before. By crossing that boundary, Voyager 1 traveled beyond the solar system and entered interstellar space, a historic first. Look at the bottom row of a (traditional) periodic table and you'll find the element that made this cosmic adventure possible: plutonium. Advertisement What Is Plutonium? First identified in the 1940s, plutonium has been used for both creative and destructive purposes. The late physicist John Goffman once called plutonium "the element of the lord of hell." A linguist might be inclined to agree. But first a bit more about this element. Every atom of plutonium contains 94 protons. By contrast, there are only 92 protons per uranium atom and 93 in each neptunium atom. Since those two elements were both named after the ancient gods and planets Uranus and Neptune, plutonium got the same treatment. "Plutonium was discovered by Glenn Seaborg and co-workers at Berkeley Laboratory (CA) in late 1940," says Peter C. Burns, a chemist at the University of Notre Dame, in an email. Ten years earlier, astronomers had observed a new dwarf planet near Neptune. To honor the Roman god of the underworld, it was dubbed "Pluto." And plutonium derives its name from that heavenly body. Originally, Seaborg and company were able to produce plutonium by using a cyclotron particle accelerator at Berkeley. With this device, particles called "deuterons" were fired at a uranium sample. The experiment created a small amount of neptunium, which then became plutonium through a decaying process. The first weighable plutonium sample was created at the University of Chicago Aug. 20, 1942. By that point, some parties had recognized the element's military potential. Plutonium atoms always come with 94 protons. But the neutron count can vary, and chemists refer to these variations as "isotopes." Uranium has isotopes as well. One of these, called uranium-235 (U-235), was soon identified as a potential fuel source for atomic bombs. Shortly after its discovery, plutonium entered the conversation as another way to power nuclear weapons. The Atomic Age was about to begin. Today, for all practical purposes, there are two kinds of plutonium: reactor-grade and weapons-grade. Plutonium was the key ingredient behind "Fat Man," the nuclear bomb that decimated Nagasaki, Japan, in 1945, killing tens of thousands of people and effectively ending World War II. " " The Trinity explosion, seen here 16 milliseconds after detonation, was the first nuclear explosion on Earth. It had a plutonium core. Los Alamos National Laboratory Advertisement Plutonium and Weapons Plutonium used for military purposes is recovered from uranium fuel that has been irradiated for two to three months in a plutonium production reactor. It takes about 22 pounds (10 kilograms) of nearly pure plutonium-239 isotope (Pu-239) to make a bomb. That type of bomb requires 30 megawatt-years of nuclear reactor operation, with constant fuel changes and reprocessing of the 'hot' fuel, according to the World Nuclear Association. That's why "weapons-grade" plutonium is made in special reactors that increase the concentration of the higher isotopes of plutonium. The first atomic bomb explosion on Earth took place July 16, 1945. It was in New Mexico, and it was strong enough to be felt 100 miles (160 kilometers) away. It was part of the Manhattan Project's top-secret "Trinity Nuclear Test" at the Alamogordo Bombing Range. The device in question had a plutonium core; no uranium-based nukes were deployed for the experiment. Subsequently, the U.S. dropped a U-235 nuclear bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima Aug. 6, 1945. Three days later, the U.S. dropped a second bomb nicknamed "Fat Man" on Nagasaki. Just like the weapon tested in New Mexico that summer, the Nagasaki bomb relied on plutonium. "[It] will never be known for certain how many people died as a result of the atomic attack on Nagasaki," reports the U.S. Department of Energy's official website. According to their best estimate, "40,000 people died initially, with 60,000 more injured." Over the coming months and years, the ultimate death total may have climbed to 140,000 or more. The Nagasaki Peace Park hosts an annual ceremony to honor their memories every August. The biggest issue today with the weapons-grade plutonium stockpile is what to do with it. The U.S. is estimated to currently have 96.6 tons (87.7 metric tons) of plutonium and a storage problem. Much of it is currently stored in a building at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. " " A Malmstrom Air Force Base missile maintenance team removes the upper section of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at a Montana missile site. The section was picked at random for a test launch at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, in August. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman John Parie Advertisement Plutonium and Power Today more than one-third of the energy produced at nuclear power plants comes from plutonium. The United States, however, doesn't have any facilities that rely on plutonium for energy. The most common plutonium isotope formed in a nuclear reactor is Pu-239, which is created by neutron capture from depleted uranium (U-238). When fissioned, Pu-239 can have as much energy as enriched uranium (U-235), which is also used in nuclear weapons. Historically, another plutonium isotope, Pu-238, was used to power the batteries in some commercial pacemakers. Those medical devices went out of style as lithium-powered alternatives hit the market. But in the final frontier, plutonium remains a valuable commodity. Advertisement Plutonium and Deep Space "The most significant, lesser-known use of plutonium is for power generation during space exploration," Burns says. "Plutonium-238 emits a lot of heat when it undergoes radioactive decay, and this heat can be used in a thermoelectric generator to produce electricity." Pu-238 has many qualities that make the isotope very attractive to engineers working for space agencies. For starters, you don't need much of it to generate a whole lot of heat, which can then be converted into electricity. Then there's the half-life, a metric that tells you how long it'll take half of the atoms in a given radioactive isotope to decay and transform into something else. With a respectable half-life of 88 years, Pu-238 can keep rovers and space probes running for decades on end. Far away from the sun, in places where the star's rays are weak and dim, solar-powered satellites aren't going to perform that well. Meanwhile, Mars rovers that depend on sunlight (like the now-defunct Opportunity Rover) have to contend with the dust from passing storms that can smother their panels and impede battery function. For these reasons, Pu-238 is a great fit for both Martian and deep-space exploration. So far, Pu-238 has powered at least 30 U.S. space vehicles. The Perseverance Rover that touched down on the Red Planet in February 2021 has a generator fueled by Pu-238. So do far-flung spacecrafts like Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, which have been touring the solar system ( and beyond) since 1977. " " This illustration shows the position of NASAs Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes, outside of the heliosphere, a protective bubble created by the Sun that extends well past the orbit of Pluto. Both are powered by plutonium. NASA/JPL-Caltech Advertisement Plutonium and Toxicity Plutonium is radioactive, though you'll likely never be exposed to it. Robert M. Hazen at the Carnegie Institution for Science says there "are no natural sources" of plutonium. "It has to be made through breeder reactors, so all plutonium in use on Earth is human made," he explains via email. It can be released into the environment, though, via an industrial plant, or from a container, however the levels of plutonium in air, water, soil and food are extremely low. However, if you are exposed, it would likely be through breathing in radiated aerosols or skin contact. And many factors will determine whether exposure will harm you, including how much, how long and how you came in contact with the plutonium. When you breathe it in, some plutonium will get trapped in your lungs and will move to your bones and liver. If you swallow it via food, a trace amount can also spread to your bones and liver. If you touch plutonium, very little if any will enter your body, but it can burn the skin that came into contact with it. So while it is a radioactive element, plutonium is far from being "the most toxic substance known to man," as activist Ralph Nader once proclaimed. NOW THAT'S INTERESTING Glenn Seaborg became the first person to ever have a newfound element named after him during his lifetime when seaborgium Element 106 on the periodic table was christened in the 1990s. FLORENCE, S.C. A Florence organization working to stop the gun violence plaguing South Carolinas Magic City held its latest event Tuesday morning. Cease Fire USA, an organization affiliated with the Kingdom Living Temple and its community development corporation, held a news conference to encourage people to pray rather than engage in gun violence and by so doing, to reclaim the community from gun violence. Among the speakers at the news conference were S.C. Rep. Robert Williams, Florence Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin and Florence City Councilwoman Lethonia Peaches Barnes. Williams said residents of the Pee Dee have been living in a community where gun violence has been on a rapid rise. For the last three or four months, weve been having a thrash of gun violence, Williams said. Folks are using guns as weapons. When I was in the military, thats what we trained to do, but I dont see the need for folks to resolve their issues on the streets here in Florence or in the surrounding areas. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} He asked the community to work together to stop the gun violence in the communities. Biden has done more to harm American interests and security than perhaps any other U.S. president. He sounds and looks weak because he is weak. This has not gone unnoticed by terrorists, as well as Iran, China, Russia and others who do not wish us well. Perhaps the most discouraging part of Bidens remarks was his continuing obsession with blaming former President Donald Trump for the Afghanistan debacle. True, Trump floated the idea of inviting unreliable Taliban leaders to Washington and even Camp David to reach a deal to end the war, though he never did. Critics apparently forget that Bill Clinton did invite Yassir Arafat to Camp David. The treaty then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo concluded with the Taliban worked. No U.S. soldiers were killed during an 18-month period. There were probably two reasons. First, the Taliban thought they could patiently wait out America, because based on our withdrawal from Vietnam, they believed we would not stay forever, and second, because Trump had specific requirements for the Taliban to meet or the deal would be off. It is hard to imagine, as much as Trump wanted to stop endless wars, that he would abandon Afghanistan altogether without at least a minimal U.S. presence to deter terrorists who wish to again attack America. If this happened to the other side, there would be riots all over America, Trump said, and yet there are far more people represented by Ashli, who truly loved America, than there are on the other side. Well, I love this country, too, so much that I am outraged that some of my fellow Americans would rather see our democratic processes disintegrate into chaos, just because an election doesnt turn out the way they want it to. Babbitt has been mourned as a martyr by members of the far-right and Trump surrogates notably U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, a Republican from Arizona who was condemned by U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, a Republican from Wyoming, and others for defending Babbitt and other rioters. I, too, was saddened by Babbitts death, not because I think she was a martyr but because she was so sadly misled. She wasnt shot because of her beliefs as much as for her actions in service of Trumps big lie that Democrats were stealing the White House from its rightful Republican owners, regardless of dozens of court decisions that have decided otherwise. Dont rename Fort Lee For three generations, my brothers, nephews, other family members and I have served in the military, protecting this country. We have always felt it was our duty, part of the price for living in a free democracy. In the Aug. 21 edition of the Morning News, I read that U.S Rep. Jim Clyburn of S.C. and U.S. Rep. Donald McEachin of Virginia are requesting that Fort Lee in central Virginia be renamed Fort Gregg. Under the name of Fort Lee, it was considered one of the best training facilities in the world. The thousands of troops who were trained there have fought in every war and been involved in every conflict around the world since the fort was instituted. Please, people, think about what is going on and wake up! The reading of the news article was my first knowledge that Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg even existed. His chief position in the military was in logistics. What did he do to deserve this honor? Did he lead his men into battle? Was he wounded? Did he lay in a foxhole, half-frozen, touched with frostbite or burning with a fever? What about Congressmen Clyburn and McEachin? Did either of them fight in Korea, the jungles and hamlets of Vietnam, Kuwait or Afghanistan, or face battle in any military conflict? Bolivian filmmaker Kiro Russo, whose feature debut Dark Skull (2016) was selected for 80 festivals and ultimately was picked to represent Bolivia in the Oscar race, will world premiere a followup film, El Gran Movimiento (The Great Movement), in the Horizons section of the upcoming Venice Film Festival, which will be held from September 1-11. "The film is a unique representation of the workers, the dwellers and the shadows of a city, in short all these people who make up the invisible engine of a city. It is a unique portrayal of La Paz - this urban chaos suspended between heaven and earth at 3600 metres, and it is also a universal urban symphony the like of which we have never seen on film," reveals the French co-producer Alexa Rivero of Altamar Films about El Gran Movimiento. The official synopsis is: Bolivia, today. After walking for a week, Elder and his miner companions arrive in La Paz to demand for the reinstatement of their job. Suddenly, Elder starts to feel sick... With the help of the elderly Mama Pancha, Elder and his friends find work in the market. But Elder's condition worsens, he's choking and struggling for breath... Mama Pancha sends him to Max - a witch doctor, hermit and clown - who may be able to bring the young man back to life The posters are designed by Midnight Marauder . After the world premiere in the Horizons (Orrizonti) competition at the Venice Film Festival, El Gran Movimiento will be competing for the Zabaltegi-Tabakalera award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival followed by the film's North American premiere at the upcoming 59th New York Film Festival. Might any Justices be intrigued by notion that Eighth Amendment originalism makes the Boston Marathon bomber's death sentence suspect? | Main | Might SCOTUS be interested in taking up victim rights issues surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein case? August 31, 2021 "Donald Trumps Theatre of Pardoning: What Did We Learn?" The title of this post is the title of this online panel now scheduled for two week from today and the first in a terrific series of online panels that will explore in depth the federal clemency powers. As I detailed in this prior post, this series is jointly organized by the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, the Collateral Consequences Resource Center, the Federal Sentencing Reporter, and the David F. and Constance B. Girard-diCarlo Center for Ethics, Integrity and Compliance at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. A whole lot of folks are doing great work putting this series together, and Margaret Love merits extra praise for her efforts and for helping to assemble writings on these timely topics in Volume 33, Issue 5 of the Federal Sentencing Reporter (which largely provides the foundation for these panels). Here are more details about this first panel: Donald Trumps Theatre of Pardoning: What Did We Learn? Tuesday, September 14, 2021 | 12:30 2:00 p.m. EDT | Zoom (Register here) This panel will examine the unusual nature of President Donald Trumps pardoning, looking at the grants themselves and the process that produced them. Professors Bernadette Meyler and Frank Bowman, both scholars of the pardon power, will look to history for anything comparable to Trumps use of the pardon power, and comment on its implications for the role that pardon has historically played in the U.S. justice system. Amy Povah will share her experiences as someone who was personally involved in recommending cases to the White House at the end of the Trump Administration. Kenneth Vogel will share his experiences as a journalist covering Trumps pardons for the New York Times. This panel will set the stage for the two subsequent panels about the future of presidential pardoning, by asking basic questions about the role of a regular pardon process and the result of it having been sidelined by Trump. It will also consider whether Trumps pardons were an aberration or the predictable result of trends in pardoning over the past thirty years. Panelists: Frank Bowman, Floyd R. Gibson Missouri Endowed Professor of Law, University of Missouri School of Law Bernadette Meyler, Carl and Sheila Spaeth Professor of Law, Stanford Law School Amy Povah, founder, CAN-DO Justice through Clemency Kenneth Vogel, New York Times Moderator: Margaret Love, executive director, Collateral Consequences Resource Center and former U.S. Pardon Attorney August 31, 2021 at 05:50 PM | Permalink Comments Post a comment Sixth Circuit invents another extra-textual limit on what can permit a sentence reduction under 3582(c)(1)(A), including one in contradiction of USSC guidelines | Main | Might any Justices be intrigued by notion that Eighth Amendment originalism makes the Boston Marathon bomber's death sentence suspect? August 31, 2021 Notable response to notable attack on conservatives role in modern criminal justice reform Lars Trautman and Brett Tolman have this interesting new Washington Examiner commentary headlined, "No, criminal justice reform isnt causing the current crime wave." Here are excerpts (with links from the original): Conservative criminal justice reformers have faced occasional skepticism over our tried-and-true criminal justice solutions, but never something quite so outlandish as a recent suggestion, by an avowed conservative, no less, that conservative reformers somehow bear blame for rising violent crime in liberal bastions such as New York City and Portland. Sean Kennedy, in his recent Washington Examiner article , attacks our organization, Right on Crime, using just such an argument. Kennedy actually acknowledges our record of helping Texas and other conservative states simultaneously reduce their crime rates, prison populations, and criminal justice spending. But he then claims, without evidence and employing a classic logical fallacy , that this activity then caused subsequent increases in crime in Texas. Note that he makes this claim even though crime spiked at exactly the same time he refers to in many states where none of our reforms were enacted.... But those of us who have served in law enforcement, as prosecutors or in corrections, have learned that if you invest properly in police, evidence-based programming, and prison alternatives, you can consequently achieve reductions in crime, recidivism, and ultimately prison construction costs. Further, the evidence is clear that it is the certainty and not the severity of punishment that deters potential criminals. A few more years on a potential sentence doesnt change many minds about crime its the long odds of getting away with it entirely. Too often, people do get away with murder and a host of other crimes. Homicide clearance rates nationally hover around 50%. Whether a killer meets justice is a coin flip . If youre worried about public safety, its more productive to spend your time improving clearance rates, not bemoaning the elimination of ineffective mandatory minimums for nonviolent offenses. This is why we are so adamant about reducing our overreliance on prison beds and other costly, unproductive interventions so that we can redirect this money and focus toward law enforcement and other strategies that actively improve our crime prevention and investigative capabilities. Practically speaking, this means more funding for police departments, especially homicide and other specialized units focusing on serious and violent crime a commonsense solution backed by research. It also means helping shift to others, such as social workers and truant officers, at least a few of the dozen different jobs we currently expect law enforcement to complete, so that police can concentrate on actual police work. August 31, 2021 at 11:57 AM | Permalink Comments A bit more news on on the car accident AG ... https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/hit-and-run-ag-ticketed-for-speeding-while-awaiting-trial-for-fatal-crash "The speeding ticket, the seventh Ravnsborg has received in seven years, was first reported by local news outlet KOTA." etc The latest was for driving over 20 miles over the speed limit, which might be common (IDK) there, but is also not trivial. I still am not sure if he received special treatment (the average person, e.g., would not have the governor trying to get them to resign in such a position), but let's say all the facts does help gain one a fuller picture of the situation. Not that I think we have them all. Posted by: Joe | Aug 31, 2021 2:27:56 PM "special" as in "benefits of his position" Posted by: Joe | Aug 31, 2021 2:28:44 PM Post a comment "A History of Early Drug Sentences in California: Racism, Rightism, Repeat" | Main | Sixth Circuit invents another extra-textual limit on what can permit a sentence reduction under 3582(c)(1)(A), including one in contradiction of USSC guidelines The New York Times has this notable new report, headlined "White House Weighs Clemency to Keep Some Drug Offenders Confined at Home," which suggests a limited subclass of the home confinement cohort may the focal point for clemency efforts by the Biden White House. Here are the details, many of which are not that new, but all of which are important as efforts move slowly forward to help this cohort: 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.... Inmate advocates and some Democratic lawmakers have urged the Biden legal team to rescind the Trump-era memo and assert that the bureau can lawfully keep the prisoners in home confinement even after the pandemic ends. But The New York Times reported last month that the Biden legal team had concluded that the memos interpretation of the law was correct, according to officials briefed on the internal deliberations. Officials have subsequently characterized that scrutiny as a preliminary review and said that a more formal one was underway, but suggested that a reversal of the Trump-era legal interpretation continued to be highly unlikely. Against that backdrop, in a little-noticed comment at a press briefing this month, the White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, let slip that Mr. Biden was taking a closer look at clemency to help the subgroup who are nonviolent drug offenders.... In interviews, officials have subsequently confirmed that focus. As a first step, the Justice Department will soon begin requesting clemency petitions for drug offenders who have less than four years left on their sentence, which will then be reviewed by its pardon office, they said. It is unclear whether the Biden team is leaning toward commuting the sentences of the nonviolent drug offenders to home confinement, reducing the length of their sentences to bring them within the normal window for home confinement or a mix of the two. The officials said focusing on nonviolent drug offenders, as opposed to other types of criminals, dovetailed with Mr. Bidens area of comfort on matters of criminal justice reform. In his campaign platform, Mr. Biden had said he pledged to end prison time for drug use alone and instead divert offenders to drug courts and treatment. Inimai Chettiar, the federal director of the Justice Action Network, called the idea a good start but also questioned the basis for limiting it to some nonviolent drug offenders, saying there was no scientific evidence for restricting the help to that category. She suggested another explanation. Politically, its an easier group to start with, Ms. Chettiar said. In addition, officials said, the Justice Department is studying other options that could help keep different groups from being forced back into prison. Another idea under consideration is to petition the courts to let some individual inmates stay in home confinement under a compassionate release law. While the compassionate release law is normally used to permit terminally ill inmates to rejoin their families shortly before dying, the statute includes a broad standard for what a judge could decide warrants a sentence reduction extraordinary and compelling reasons that is not defined and might be applied to the pandemic-era home confinement population. Kristie Breshears, a spokeswoman for the Bureau of Prisons, said additional options included expanding a pilot program that allows for the early release of older inmates in order to keep some who are over the ago of 60 in home confinement, and placing some inmates in halfway houses for 12 months. Separately, Senators Richard J. Durbin of Illinois and Charles E. Grassley of Iowa the top Democrat and Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee have also been discussing potential bipartisan legislation that would solve the problem in a simpler way by explicitly authorizing the Justice Department to extend home confinement after the pandemic. At a hearing in April, Mr. Grassley joined Democrats in voicing support for allowing inmates in home confinement to stay there. Taylor Foy, a spokesman for Mr. Grassley, said his office had drafted legislation that month that would let inmates moved to home confinement during the pandemic complete their sentences there rather than returning to prison after the pandemic ends. Mr. Durbin had been among those who urged the Biden administration to instead reinterpret existing law as permitting perpetual home confinement for those inmates who were placed there during the emergency period. In a statement, Mr. Durbin embraced the idea of new legislation, but also said he did not think it would be easy or necessary. The prospects for legislation in an evenly divided Senate are uncertain, he said, reiterating his view that the Biden administration has ample executive authority to immediately provide the certainty to the inmates. 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. Greg Maples, the chairman of the Hawaii Restaurant Association, said his organization endorsed the new program because it needs the coronavirus to stop spreading. Dont stop eating in restaurants. We need you. We need the business, said Maples, who suggested unvaccinated people order take-out instead. The program will remain in effect for 60 days. If the city doesnt see an improvement, Blangiardi said it will move on to mandatory vaccinations. Republican state Rep. Val Okimoto, the House minority leader, criticized the program, saying it was doubling down on the idea that government knows best. Common sense tells me that if you implement a policy that segregates the vaccinated with the unvaccinated, were inadvertently incentivizing the unvaccinated community to gather and spread COVID within their own communities," Okimoto said. The mayor said hes concerned about hospitals being overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients, noting the remote island state had limited oxygen supplies, medical staff and beds. In mid-August, they went so far as to release a statement calling on members to get the vaccine, which they described as safe and effective. Among other denominations in the U.S., faith leaders have varied widely in how they address the issues of vaccinations and mask wearing. To a large extent, there has been vocal support for getting vaccinated including from top leadership of conservative bodies such as the Southern Baptist Convention and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. However, some Catholic prelates and evangelical pastors have been sharply critical of the the vaccine campaign and masking mandates, and others have shied away from addressing those issues for fear of angering some congregation members. An August AP-NORC poll found that among white evangelicals, 51% are at least somewhat confident in the vaccines to be effective against variants, compared with 73% of Catholics, 66% of white mainline Protestants such as Presbyterians and Lutherans, 65% of nonwhite Protestants and 67% of the religiously unaffiliated. Some Latter-day Saints have accused those who promote anti-vaccine rhetoric of apostasy, a term that is associated with wickedness and describes when individuals turn away from church principles. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) After more than a year of attending church virtually, Monique Allen has struggled to explain to her asthmatic daughter why people from their congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dont wear masks. Allen said she has taught her daughter that wearing a mask is Christlike, but now she worries her child feels like an outcast. 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. Thunderstorms rumbled across eastern Nebraska on Tuesday morning, leaving heavy rain and some minor flooding in their wake. A flood warning was issued for more than a dozen counties in northeast Nebraska after as much as 6 inches fell in some locations, according to the National Weather Service. Street flooding was reported in Fremont, which had one of the highest official rain totals, with nearly 4 inches as of 8 a.m. Omaha, which was not in a flood warning, received , while Columbus, which also was not included in the warning, had nearly 1.8 inches. Lincoln did not see as much rain, with 0.88 inches recorded at the airport as of 8 a.m., but it was briefly in a severe thunderstorm warning, as were other nearby cities, including Beatrice, Crete, Fairbury and Falls City. The Lincoln-Lancaster County Emergency Management Agency said on Twitter that there were reports of tree debris and even downed trees in roadways. Tuesday's rain gave the city exactly 2 inches over the past three days. That was more than in the previous four weeks combined. The rain that fell Sunday and Tuesday pushed Lincoln's August precipitation total to 3.41 inches, slightly above the average of 3.32 inches. It's the first time Lincoln has seen above-average precipitation in a month since March. Enrolling more students at one of Americas best public universities might be bad for the environment. Thats the conclusion of California Superior Court Judge Brad Seligman, who on Aug. 23 ordered the University of CaliforniaBerkeley to temporarily freeze the number of students it admits every year under the California Environmental Quality Act, putting crowded classrooms in the same category as heavy infrastructure like highways and airports. Further increases in student enrollment above the current enrollment level at UCBerkeley could result in an adverse change or alteration of the physical environment, the judge wrote. Advertisement Its the latest and most explicit example of Californias famously stringent environmental law being used for population control. Instead of governing the construction of dams or smokestacks, CEQA is frequently leveraged by anti-development groups in California to oppose apartment buildings, homeless shelters, and bus lanes, among other things. Now its being employed to micromanage university admissions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Howd we get here? Under California law, universities are periodically required to prepare a long-term development plan that includes enrollment forecasts and an environmental impact study. In 2005, UCBerkeley produced one projecting that its headcount would stabilize at about 33,500 students. Instead, the school ended up enrolling more than 42,000 by 2020, with plans to admit more still in the years to come. Advertisement The university didnt think that welcoming more students to campus required it to perform a whole new environmental review. But a state appeals court in San Francisco disagreed in 2020, ruling that increasing enrollment counted as a project that needed to be evaluated under the CEQA, just like building a stadium or dorm would be. In doing so, the judges sided with a local community group, Save Berkeleys Neighborhoods, which sued UCBerkeley in 2019 and set the stage for last weeks lower court decision officially hitting pause on the schools enrollment ambitions. Californias flagship public university must now assess the ecological cost of its student body at once. (A spokesperson told Inside Higher Ed that school officials were optimistic that we can file documents with the court very soon that will satisfy the judgment.) Advertisement Advertisement Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin isnt happy with the outcome. The city already settled its own lawsuit challenging the universitys expansion plans last year, after UC-Berkeley agreed to more than double what it pays each year for its students use of public services like fire, police, and public transit. The deal was also contingent on the university holding enrollment growth to 1 percent per year. Personally, I do not think the city should stand in the way of UC making progress in addressing our housing crisis and preventing future generations of students from getting a world-class education, Arreguin said in a statement to Berkeleyside. (The lawsuit also halts a classroom-and-apartment complex.) Advertisement But Phillip Bokovoy, the president of Save Berkeleys Neighborhoods, writes off the criticism. He argues the city settled for cheap.* Our mayor is ambitious and wants to move onto higher office and thats what drove the settlement, he told me this week. Advertisement Bokovoys view is that the university ought to have built more housing to keep up with its rising enrollment. Over the course of our conversation, however, it became clear that he didnt actually want Berkeley (the city or the university) to build that housing now. Instead, he wants UC-Berkeley to establish a satellite campus on the industrial waterfront 5 miles to the north, on the other side of the freeway. A Berkeley graduate himself, Bokovoy warned of dire consequences if the university added more students without additional infrastructure. Advertisement Well end up like Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpurdense Asian cities where theres no transportation network, he said. Nobodys talking about that. The real infrastructure thats needed, according to Berkeley graduate and councilmember Rigel Robinson, who represents the neighborhood where many students live, is simply housing. More kids going to Berkeley? Unquestionably a good thing, in his mind. California is growing; our institutions of higher education need to grow too. Nothing grinds my gears like hearing older UCBerkeley alumni who got their degree when it was affordable to do so close the door behind them and pull up the ladder on todays more diverse generation of students. Robinson seemed optimistic that the university and the city were finally on the same page about filling that need, a few squeaky wheels notwithstanding. Advertisement In the meantime, UCDavis law professor Chris Elmendorf told me, the case has raised all sorts of worrisome legal questions. Some will mostly keep college provosts up at night. Is every decision to admit a student something that has to be analyzed under the CEQA if a UC goes over its target? Are new faculty subject to environmental review? Advertisement But then theres a larger idea at work in this case as well, Elmendorf added, which extends way beyond university enrollment and hiring decisions, and thats that so-called gentrification impacts or social impacts of governmental decisions are environmental impacts and so must be analyzed and mitigated. And thats an expansion beyond the text of the statute that a lot of advocates have been pushing for. In other words, CEQA can be invoked to protect human social arrangements like it does those of wild birds. The judge even criticized one of the universitys housing projects for not accounting for indirect displacement impactsmeaning he thought the school should have accounted for how adding dorms might affect local housing costs. Advertisement Advertisement That standard will set a high bar to clear for other universities battling CEQA lawsuits, and even for run-of-the-mill apartment buildings. Researchers barely agree on what effects new housing has in the neighborhood, let alone how to mitigate them. In the long run, moreover, its the lack of new housingnot its creationthat propels the states displacement and homelessness crisis. The fight between UC-Berkeley and its neighbors thus illustrates a broader failing of U.S. environmental regulations, which mistakenly prioritize pesky local troubles (a parking shortage from larger class sizes) over larger, more profound issues (thousands of houses being built in wildfire zones, miles away from job centers). Unlike, say, a highway project, would-be undergraduates whose future offers are foregone as a result of this decision do not cease to exist or impact the environment because they are not in Berkeley. They just stay in Orange County or go to college somewhere else. Advertisement After all, UCBerkeleys expansion should be a boon to the environment in the grand scheme of things. You could hardly draw up a more ecologically friendly place to live than the East Bay city, which combines a temperate climate with a geography thats conducive to a car-free life. Organic food is close at hand. Its all but certain that the 12,000 additional souls who settled in Berkeley between 2010 and 2020 have lowered their carbon footprints just by moving to town. In that sense, the fact that larger classes warrant an evaluation under CEQA is a sign of just how parochial American environmental law has become. The environment protected by a university enrollment freeze isnt the atmosphere, or ecologically sensitive habitats, or the wildlands of urban sprawl. Its the front lawns and quiet nights of Berkeley homeowners. The drone-strike disaster in Afghanistan on Sundaya U.S. missile meant for a terrorist that, in fact, killed 10 civilians, five of them children, all relatives of an interpreter whod worked for Americans during the warshows what often happens when weapons are fired from the air with no intelligence on the ground. President Biden has said that he will keep up the pressure on the Taliban after the departure of U.S. troops through over-the-horizon (OTH) methodsinformation gathered, and weapons fired, from afar. Yet the farther away you are (and the nearest U.S. military base to Afghanistan is 1,000 miles away), the more uncertain the methods are. Or, as Bruce Riedel, a former CIA analyst, now director of the Brookings Intelligence Project, succinctly puts it, OTH is not precise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Usually, in planning air strikes, including remotely controlled drone strikes, myriad sources of intelligence are integrated into as complete a picture as possibleimages from satellites and spy planes, views from the pilot in the plane firing the missile (if its overhead), and communications intercepts. But its best if all this data can be matched by intelligence on the groundsources who can confirm that the target actually is who the commanders think he is, spotters who can specify and track his location, and others who can go see whether the bomb killed the right people (or destroyed the right object) and didnt damage the wrong ones. Before, during, and after Sundays attack, U.S. officers and officials had no intelligence on the ground. As a statement from U.S. Central Command put it, after news reports of civilian casualties were published, It is unclear what may have happened. Advertisement The bomb was said to be aimed at an explosives-filled vehicle that was about to be driven to Kabul International Airport. When the first report of civilian deaths came in, Pentagon spokesmen said they may have been caused by secondary explosionsin other words, the drone blew up the vehicle, which may have triggered all the bombs stored therein to blow up. Advertisement However, eyewitnesses contacted by the New York Times and Wall Street Journal said there were no secondary explosionsthe blast was confined pretty closely to the vehicle. They also said that the people killed were extended family members of Emal Ahmady, who had worked as a translator for an American company from 2011-14 and was seeking a Special Immigrant Visa to move to the U.S. (The Times story is datelined Kabul; the Journal story appears to have been partially reported from there as well.) Advertisement Advertisement Could this be misinformation? Could Ahmady or his brother, who was driving the car into his yard just before the missile landed, have at some point joined, or been forced to serve, the Taliban or ISIS-K? Possibly. But with no intel on the ground, we may never know. Whatever happened, the new Afghan leadersor other forces seeking to rouse mayhemwill claim that it was a massacre, and there is nothing the Biden administration can do or say about it: no strong evidence officials can muster to prove the contrary. This will be true of nearly every OTH air strike that the United States or other Western country launches in the coming weeks and months. Advertisement Air strikes are prone to error, by nature, even under the best of circumstances. According to data gathered by Brown Universitys Costs of War Project, U.S. air strikes killed 1,357 Afghan civilians between 2016-19. (Bombs dropped by the Afghan Air Force, which stepped up its activities in the last few years, killed another 461 civilians.) Advertisement Drones, which tend to fire smaller, more accurate bombs, have inflicted fewer civilian casualties than conventional bombs. Since 2015, according to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, the U.S. has launched 13,072 drone strikes in Afghanistanwhich have killed around 300 civilians and injured at least 658. Even though this collateral damage from drones is relatively modest, compared with the damage from other kinds of bombs, these are staggeringly large numbers, given that one of the U.S. aims in this war was to protect civilians. In some cases, unintended killings are caused by bombs gone astraythough, with modern GPS-guided smart bombs, these cases are thought to be relatively rare. More often, they are caused by poor intelligenceeither a misidentification of a target or by faulty information about the people surrounding the target. In the early years of the war, the U.S. relied on warlords, who often fingered their rivals as Taliban or al-Qaida, in effect sentencing them to death from the sky. (These sorts of killings dropped when U.S. commanders built their own intelligence networks.) Drone strikes spiked dramatically after 2017, when President Donald Trump authorized Secretary of Defense James Mattis to loosen the rules of engagement on drone strikesallowing pilots to fire missiles or drop bombs even when there was some suspicion civilians might be killed. (President Obama had tightened the rules to prohibit air strikes unless pilots were almost certain that no civilians were in the area.) It is not known what combination of mistakes were madeor not madein Sundays strike. It is a fair bet that, if Biden keeps to his OTH strategy, the same mistakes will be madeor reported to be madein the future. 9,000 km journey begins as Operation Exit takes swifts from Spain to Africa for the winter The migratory birds cover thousands of kilometres to overwinter in warmer climes After spending part of the spring and the summer months in Spain, thousands of common swifts (and swallows) will now begin making their way to their winter homes in the heart of Africa, a journey that will take them across a staggering 9,000 kilometres of deserts and oceans. Each year these migratory birds, whose population is sadly in decline, return to their old breeding grounds in the Iberian Peninsula before seeking out milder climes at the end of the summer. The birds usually stay in Spain from April to September, and Operation Exit of the swift occurs once they have raised their young and they are strong enough to make the perilous journey, a trip which can now be tracked thanks to the use of geo-locators. In 2012, the Spanish Ornithological Society (SEO / BirdLife) implanted these tracking devices for the first time on the birds in order to monitor their flight via satellite, after decades of using the much less reliable ring system on their legs. One of the first swifts equipped with a geo-locator was a bird called Goyeneche, who flew more than 9,000 kilometres in just two months to reach its wintering area between Uganda and Tanzania in early October. The little bird then moved more than 800 kilometres at the beginning of December to settle in a shrubby savannah close to the island of Zanzibar. Thanks to the monitoring devices, we now know that swifts exhibit a rare migration pattern, whereby breeding populations from southern Europe migrate to the southernmost wintering areas in Africa while northern populations overwinter in areas further north. As a rule, swifts begin their return journey to Spain in February, crossing Africa, the Gulf of Guinea and the Sahara desert to reach the Peninsula, a trip that can cover more than 11,000 kilometres. According to the SEO / BirdLife program, each year migration dates vary slightly depending on a number of factors including the availability of food and weather conditions. In 2021, the swifts were a little later arriving for their summer season in Spain, but it remains to be seen if they will now delay their departure. Image: SEO / BridLife Facebook Ukraine should be proud that their army could stand up against the Russian Federation. NATO did not help Ukraine as much as it helped Afghanistan, says analyst. Ukraine should not push the image of a victim on foreign audiences, said DAVID STULIK, analyst of the Czech think-tank European Values. In an interview with The Slovak Spectator, he describes the much more positive narratives and successes Ukraine can be proud of. Stulik explains that if Ukraine can become a success story, it will inspire other countries in the region and help battle conspiracy narratives in Slovakia and elsewhere in Central Europe. The Slovak Spectator spoke to Stulik at the Lviv Media Forum in Ukraine. The Slovak Spectator (TSS): Last week, the Crimea platform inaugural summit took place. What is the role of the platform seven years after the annexation of Crimea? David Stulik (DS): The event is important because the problem of Crimea is being forgotten. Ukrainian diplomacy, government and Ukraine as a whole now succeeded in returning the issue to the agenda of negotiations at the international level. All NATO member states participated, 46 delegations, including key countries like the US, Germany, France and the Baltic countries. Who is David Stulik? An analyst of the Czech think tank European Values, Stulik has worked for the last 12 years as the Press and Information Officer at the EU Delegation in Kyiv, Ukraine. Before that, he was shortly employed in the Czech Deputy Prime Minister's Office, where he dealt with preparations for the Czech EU Presidency. Before joining the public sector, Stulik acted as the Head of Unit for Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova and the coordinator of democracy projects in Eastern Europe in one of the largest Central European NGOs, People in Need. He also lectured at the Charles University at the Department of Civil Society Sector. The irritated, nervous, and very critical Russian reactions also indicate that it was a success. If Russia did not care, it would keep silent. Ukrainians took an excellent step in inviting Russia as well. Russia attempted to diminish the importance of the event as much as possible, and organised its own event one week before in Crimea, but it is a diplomatic victory for Ukraine. Slovakia was represented by PM Eduard Heger, while some other countries had lower-level representations. This has shown how important Ukraine is to Slovakia. TSS: PM Heger said on this occasion, among other things, that Slovakia will never recognise the illegal annexation of Crimea. How important is Slovakias attitude and the attitudes of Central European countries towards Ukraine? 31. Aug 2021 at 21:49 | Nina Hrabovska Francelova European Socialists will not move against Smer over alleged collaboration with extremists Eight Slovak MEPs have called for excluding Smer from the socialist faction. Font size: A - | A + The opposition party Smer will most likely not be punished on the European level for its recent union with the far-right parties. Eight MEPs led by Martin Hojsik and Michal Simecka of Progressive Slovakia turned to the Party of European Socialists (PES), asking it to draw consequences for the cooperation of Smer with fascist parties, and exclude it from the faction. They referred to the fact that the party is organising a protest on September 1 in Kosice together with Republika, a movement created by the renegades from the far-right Kotlebovci Peoples Party Our Slovakia (LSNS). Though PES confirmed they received the letter, they do not support claims that Smer is working with the extremists, so they will not take any action, the Aktuality.sk website reported. The situation is a bit different from the year 2006. At the time, Smer formed a government with the nationalist Slovak National Party (SNS), led at the time by Jan Slota, and the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) led by Vladimir Meciar. PES punished it with a two-year suspension of membership. Protest in Kosice 31. Aug 2021 at 11:23 | Compiled by Spectator staff Several protests to be held on national holiday. Another proposal restricting abortions comes to parliament. More in todays digest. Good evening. The Tuesday, August 31, 2021 edition of Today in Slovakia is ready with the main news of the day in less than five minutes. We wish you a pleasant read. Former intelligence service head acquitted of charges Vladimir Pcolinsky (in the centre) leaves custody. (Source: SME - Marko Erd) In an unexpected move, the General Prosecutors Office stepped into two corruption cases on the last day of August, dropping the charges. It applied paragraph 363 of the Penal Code, which allows for the extraordinary intervention of the general prosecutor. As a result, ex-director of the Slovak Information Service (SIS) intelligence agency Vladimir Pcolinsky, detained in March of this year, is no longer facing suspicions of accepting bribes worth thousands of euros, and was even released from custody. The decision was made by First Deputy General Prosecutor Jozef Kandera, after General Prosecutor Maros Zilinka recused himself from the case due to his past links to Pcolinsky. It came as a surprise to some, especially because the investigator proposed pressing charges, and the courts repeatedly rejected Pcolinskys requests to be released from custody. At the same time, Kandera dropped the charges against businessman Zoroslav Kollar. Both Zilinka and Pcolinsky were Sme Rodina nominees for their posts. Several politicians, including cabinet ministers and President Zuzana Caputova, now expect the General Prosecutors Office to explain the decision in detail. On the same day, Zilinka dropped charges against three people, including Penta financial group co-founder Jaroslav Hascak, pertaining to the Gorilla case. Police Corps president resigns from post and police Departing police chief Peter Kovarik (Source: SITA) Later on Tuesday, acting police chief Peter Kovarik announced that he was leaving the top post and the force. He justified the decision by citing the ongoing charges of abusing his powers as a public official and disrupting justice, brought against him by the Bratislava Regional Prosecutors Office last week. They concern Kovarik's order to halt an operation during which some cooperating witnesses accused of perjury were to be detained. I cant imagine my future as a police chief who is being prosecuted, Kovarik told the press. He could not say when exactly he will depart, but proposed the interior minister to let him leave after September 15, i.e. after the visit of Pope Francis. If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription. Thank you. Coronavirus and vaccination news The last Sputnik V vaccines are being administered in Slovakia. (Source: SME) 132 people were newly diagnosed as Covid positive out of 6,779 PCR tests performed on August 30. The number of people in hospitals has increased to 93 people . The vaccination rate is at 43.52 percent; 2,393,402 people have received the first dose of the vaccine. More stats on Covid-19 in Slovakia here. were newly diagnosed as Covid positive out of 6,779 PCR tests performed on August 30. The number of people in hospitals has increased to . The vaccination rate is at 2,393,402 people have received the first dose of the vaccine. More stats on Covid-19 in Slovakia here. Altogether 23 districts will be in the orange tier as of next Monday, September 6, meaning stricter rules will apply (such as stricter limits for events where other than fully vaccinated people are allowed, a limit of one person per 15 square metres in shops and restaurant interiors closed to unvaccinated and untested people). These are namely the districts of Banovce nad Bebravou, Bardejov, Brezno, Bytca, Dolny Kubin, Gelnica, Ilava, Kezmarok, Kosice I.-IV., Kosice-okolie, Kysucke Nove Mesto, Nove Mesto nad Vahom, Nove Zamky, Poprad, Roznava, Trebisov, Trencin, Tvrdosin, Vranov nad Toplou, and Ziar nad Hronom. as of next Monday, September 6, meaning stricter rules will apply (such as stricter limits for events where other than fully vaccinated people are allowed, a limit of one person per 15 square metres in shops and restaurant interiors closed to unvaccinated and untested people). These are namely the districts of Banovce nad Bebravou, Bardejov, Brezno, Bytca, Dolny Kubin, Gelnica, Ilava, Kezmarok, Kosice I.-IV., Kosice-okolie, Kysucke Nove Mesto, Nove Mesto nad Vahom, Nove Zamky, Poprad, Roznava, Trebisov, Trencin, Tvrdosin, Vranov nad Toplou, and Ziar nad Hronom. Slovakia is wrapping up the administration of the unlicensed Russian vaccine Sputnik V . The last people were expected to receive their second shots on Tuesday. . The last people were expected to receive their second shots on Tuesday. The representatives of 21 organisations and associations launched an initiative called Lets Choose Schools and Activities for Children and Youth, proposing to change the pandemic rules for children. For example, they want to shorten the self-isolation of children (currently 14 days or until the receiving of a negative test result).A group of experts and epidemiologists who advise the government will meet on Thursday (September 2) to discuss potential changes to the alert system, known as the Covid automat in Slovak. If approved, the modification can become effective as soon as next week, Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky (OLaNO) admitted. Picture of the day Slovakia has two more medals from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Its representatives dominated the mens C4 time trial, with paracyclist Patrik Kuril taking the gold and Jozef Metelka winning the silver. Patrik Kuril and Jozef Metelka (Source: Slovak Paralympic Committee) Feature story for today Only 7 percent of Slovakias marginalised Roma communities have been vaccinated against Covid-19. The state, self-governing provinces and individual hospitals and clinics do regularly venture into these communities in mobile vaccination units, but they often encounter fear and mistrust. As autumn approaches, there are fears that these communities will become hotbeds for the Delta variant of Covid-19. Besides low vaccination rates, a key reason for this are poor living conditions, bad hygiene, overcrowded habitations and difficulties or inability to remain quarantined. Someone faints, everyone else leaves. Roma are often scared of vaccination Read more In other news Several protest gatherings will take place in Bratislava and Kosice tomorrow , when the country marks a national holiday, Constitution Day. In the capital, events will take place in front of the parliament and later Freedom Square, while in Kosice, protesters are expected to arrive to the Constitutional Court. The latter protest was originally said to be organised by the opposition party Smer and the far-right Republika movement, but recent reports suggest that there will be two separate events. , when the country marks a national holiday, Constitution Day. In the capital, events will take place in front of the parliament and later Freedom Square, while in Kosice, protesters are expected to arrive to the Constitutional Court. The latter protest was originally said to be organised by the opposition party Smer and the far-right Republika movement, but recent reports suggest that there will be two separate events. MPs again failed to open an unscheduled session where the opposition wanted to vote on the departure of Interior Minister Roman Mikulec (OLaNO) from the post. It was postponed to an ordinary parliamentary session that starts on September 16 . where the opposition wanted to vote on the (OLaNO) from the post. It was postponed to an ordinary parliamentary session that starts on . The cabinet approved at its August 31 session an action plan for the implementation of the Strategy of the Adaptation of Slovakia to Climate Change . The document specifies 169 tasks to be completed by 2027 to moderate the effects of climate change. for the implementation of the . The document specifies 169 tasks to be completed by 2027 to moderate the effects of climate change. OLaNO MP Anna Zaborska is ready to submit another proposal to restrict access to abortions , prolonging the time between requesting and performing an abortion to 72 hours and banning any promotion of abortions. At the same time, she proposes some benefits for pregnant women, including cheaper car registration for multi-member families. is ready to submit another proposal to , prolonging the time between requesting and performing an abortion to 72 hours and banning any promotion of abortions. At the same time, she proposes some benefits for pregnant women, including cheaper car registration for multi-member families. Bratislava-based carmaker Volkswagen Slovakia will suspend the production of SUV vehicles in all three shifts on Thursday (September 2) and Friday (September 3) , due to the lack of semiconductor components. The production of small city vehicles should not be affected. the production of SUV vehicles in all three shifts on , due to the lack of semiconductor components. The production of small city vehicles should not be affected. The German company Vaillant will build a new plant for ecological heat pumps worth 120 million in Senica (Trnava Region), while creating jobs for 900 people. will build a new worth 120 million in Senica (Trnava Region), while creating jobs for 900 people. The cabinet approved investment aid for the companies Schaeffler Kysuce and MSK Matec Slovakia. They will receive nearly 6 million in total in the form of tax relief, in return for creating 75 new jobs. for the companies They will receive nearly 6 million in total in the form of tax relief, in return for creating 75 new jobs. BBC Radio 3 will be broadcasting a six-hour all-night programme of Slovak composers and performers on September 1, starting shortly after midnight. The programme will also be available on the BBC Radio 3 website after the live broadcast. One last note: As September 1 is a national holiday in Slovakia, shops in Slovakia (with some exceptions) will be closed tomorrow. Fuel stations, pharmacies or services will be in operation. More on Spectator.sk: Delta will fine the unvaccinated Read more These beloved hills bring Slovakias landscape to life Read more One of the best WWII tanks in the world will undergo full restoration Read more If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk. 31. Aug 2021 at 18:15 | Radka Minarechova Rideau Carleton Raceway's esteemed owner and president George Warren Armstrong passed away on Sunday, Aug. 29 at the age of 95. Along with James Baskin and Robert Fasken, Warren founded and built Rideau Carleton Raceway in 1962. He maintained an enduring passion over the decades for harness racing in Eastern Ontario and the residing community. Regardless of your position, you really felt part of the organization working for Warren; like a family," said Peter Andrusek, Racing Manager at Rideau Carleton. "He always made time for everyone. His energy and drive pursuing the interests of the track inspired us all while ensuring everyone was part of a good time at the end of the day. His incredible legacy will be preserved by so many of us through the memories we shared. Warren was an innovator, from the modern facility he built, his approach to working with horsepeople and the eventual creation of the National Capital Region Harness Horse Association (NCRHHA), his pursuit to bring racing to every corner of Eastern Ontario through an aggressive off track network and unique tactics to marketing and promotions such as town and country nights. From '$9.99 buffet' to 'all you can eat lobster,' nobody could fill a 600-seat dining room like Warren. His annual Frank Ryan Memorial and Des Smith Classic race cards were highlights of every season. Cherishing the community, he always insisted on local vendors first and generously contributed to those who reached out. He was most proud of this involvement with the Gloucester Fair. The management and staff of both Hard Rock Ottawa LP/Rideau Carleton Raceway and the horsepeople of the NCRHHA extend their most sincere condolences to Andrew and Victoria Wright, the family and the friends of Warren Armstrong. He will be forever remembered by all of us. Warren is survived by his five children: Tory (Andrew Wright), Susie (Michael Thompson), Andrew (Stephanie), Hillary (Matthew McGuffin) and Alexandra Bigsy (Mark Monahan). Affectionately known as Gubby, Warren will be missed by his seven grandchildren: Stephanie Wright, Connor Orsava, Jack and Matthew Owen, and James, Johnny and Craig Armstrong. He was predeceased by his wife Lorraine in 1984 and sister Shirley Ollers in 2020. A private family service was held, followed by interment at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of George Warren Armstrong. (With files from Rideau Carleton Raceway) LINCOLN, Neb. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved the authorization of one lottery and one auction permit for the 2022 bighorn sheep season when it met Aug. 27 in Gering. The 2022 bighorn sheep season will be Nov. 29-Dec. 22. Commissioners also drew the winner of the 2021 bighorn sheep lottery permit. The winner is Tait Knutson of Niobrara. The Commission also amended aquatic invasive species regulations to: Add five plant species and recategorize some species on the AIS list; Define that boat drain plugs must be removed when leaving a Game and Parks launch site; Define that aquatic plant material and any lake water cannot be present on vessels or trailers when entering or leaving a Game and Parks launch site; and Address inspection requirements and decontamination procedures when AIS are found Additionally, the commissioners heard a report on water issues, including instream flow appropriations. They heard updates on the progress of the depredation program, the agencys media and social media efforts, and a report on fishing permit sales in 2021 compared to 2020. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 One man has been taken to the hospital following an officer-involved shooting reported Tuesday morning by the Plano Police Department. 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. SpaceX's 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 one's 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. 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. BERLIN (AP) Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday that she would never govern with support from Germany's hard-left opposition Left party, an option that two of her would-be successors have refused to rule out ahead of the country's national election in September. Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Merkel welcomed positive comments by her current vice chancellor Olaf Scholz about their current governing coalition. Scholz, who is also Germany's finance minister, is the center-left Social Democrats' candidate to succeed Merkel in the Sept. 26 vote. Of late, he has tried to portray himself as her natural successor, even though he belongs to a different party. With me as German chancellor, there would never be a coalition in which the Left party would participate," said Merkel, who announced in 2018 that she wouldnt seek a fifth four-year term. Whether this (view) is shared by Olaf Scholz remains open. In that regard it's simply there case that there is a huge difference between him and me when it comes to Germany's future, she added. The Left is partly rooted in East Germanys ruling communist party, dislikes NATO and opposes German military deployments abroad. Critics accuse it of being too close to authoritarian countries such as Russia and Venezuela. Wilson has held two live shows featuring Longview indie artists, and plans to hold more free, all-age shows inside the 1,300 square-foot store. Erik Nordin sings and plays guitar for Rosetan an indie-folk trio formed of Mark Morris and Kelso high school graduates. Nordin said the band struggles to find local venues to perform their original ethereal jams where they arent part of dinner service or expected to play 80s covers. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} At Stash Records, Rosetan played their own songs alongside other Longview artists, met locals interested in similar sounds and scheduled a performance with a visiting Seattle record store owner. Those, he said, are the groundworks to a budding music scene. Its been a long time since live music was around in Longview, Nordin said. Ive never met a business owner that was so down for a cause. Tyler gets its. Record store Wilsons love for vinyl began as a teen during the early 2000s, in an era when he said vinyl was dead. His stepfather passed down his aging record collection of KISS, Rush and jazz fusion artists to the 16-year-old, who quickly took a preference to the discs housed in unique artwork, played on devices capable of hearing raw notes. +2 Talking Business: The Outdoor Pour Co. offers portable bar for events held outside There is no set price for the service. Haase and Joplin said they give clients quotes based on the kind of event, number of people and other factors. Google Maps has started asking users to share their location data. The reason given by Google is to help the company improve its services and provide important features that users rely on a day to day basis. They can use these features if they allow the company to collect their location data, according to a new report. "Notably however if you do not consent by pressing Start your navigation is limited to a static list of directions, similar to mapping apps in 2001," MSPowerUser says. According to Google itself, "All navigation apps can offer turn-by-turn navigation, only if the user shares location. That has always been the case, and thats how all navigation apps work." Google Maps navigation app offers a few very important features that allow drivers to check real-time traffic conditions and look ahead for congestion on their planned routes. These features require users to share their location data in real-time with the company. Now, Google Maps has begun prompting users to opt-in to sharing the data with the company, 9to5Google reports. This crowdsourced data will be used to improve Google Maps app, according to the message that the company is displaying to users on the app. In fact, "One of the things that makes these features possible is crowdsourced information", Google says. Also read: Looking for a smartphone? Check Mobile Finder here. Google Maps message to users: Users have begun seeing a pop-up message on the Google Maps app that is titled How navigation data makes Maps better where Google explains that the data from users is used to improve the navigation service. It also explains that Google records both the route that users take as well as your GPS location. This data may be used to make information, including real-time traffic conditions and disruptions, visible to others and help them find the fastest route, the message states. The Google Way: Google regularly collects data from the device including GPS, barometer and other sensor information to help improve its navigation systems. Interestingly, Google also informs users that the data collected wont be associated with your device or your Google account, but doesnt specify how the data will be anonymous. What Google Maps action means for users: According to the report, refusing to consent to sharing your data with Google will result in your navigation experience being affected. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Researchers have devised a better network 'topology' within distributed multi-agent systems to improve the speed at which their nodes converge on agreement regarding a single data value needed during computation. The technique, devised by researchers with the Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, is described in the September 2021 Issue of the IEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica. Within computer science, research into multi-agent systems has enjoyed a great deal of attention in recent years, with uses as varied as wireless communications, supply-chain management, bitcoin and even use of swarms of drones by the military. A multi-agent system is defined as a decentralized network of software agents that work together to solve problems. For a range of problems, it can be difficult or even impossible for a single actor or centralized system to solve, but solutions can be found by a decentralized system of multiple nodes or agents. One of the major challenges facing the field involves developing strategies for such a distributed network to coordinate agreement amongst the nodes on a single data value that is needed during computation. Such agreement is described as "consensus." Consensus in the realm of computer science is different from consensus in the human world: it involves converging on a single value by the nodes in the network, much like a group of friends agreeing on which restaurant to go to. A key difficulty is developing consensus strategies that can still ensure overall reliability in distributed multi-agent systems in the face of faults or failures in one or more of the nodes of the network. The consensus must be fault-tolerant. However, unlike the friends choosing which restaurant to eat at, the distributed consensus problem amongst nodes is not easy. In a consensus-seeking process, the agents in a given network try to agree on some quantity by communicating what they know to their neighboring agents. But how do they identify a faulty node? Is another node identifying the faulty node actually the one that is faulty? Making matters worse, the greater the number of nodes, the greater the complexity of achieving consensus. To deal with the distributed consensus problem, various algorithmic solutions have been developed such as taking a 2/3rd majority of the nodes as to what they believe to be the correct data value. These various consensus algorithms may still face challenges with respect to their performance. One might be more robust than another in the case of node failure. Another might be weaker at that but respond better to external malicious attacks. The researchers at Sharif University of Technology were focused on improving the speed at which multi-agent system nodes converge on consensus. In general, the stronger the connections between the nodes in a network, the more enhanced the convergence rate. However, promoting such communication between these agents imposes additional costs such as energy consumption. In some real-world multi-agent systems, the batteries powering the agents have very low capacity and cannot conveniently be recharged or replaced. As a result, reducing energy consumption to extend the agents' battery lifetime has emerged as a critical issue in these networks. "But instead of focusing on the battery for a given network, we thought we could design a better network 'topology," or how the network is put together, for a given battery," says Mohammad Saleh Tavazoei, an electrical engineer and corresponding author for the paper. He is currently a Full Professor with the Department of Electrical Engineering at Sharif University of Technology. The main advantage of their framework for an optimized network topology is that reduces the communications needed between the agents in the system while allowing a rate for convergence upon consensus that can be adjusted up and down, depending on requirements. In the future, the researchers hope to extend their work to balancing convergence rate and communication requirements to multi-agent systems that have heterogeneous agents in their architecture. Explore further Training agents to walk with purpose: Improving machine learning and relational data classification More information: Mohammad Saeed Sarafraz et al, A Unified Optimization-Based Framework to Adjust Consensus Convergence Rate and Optimize the Network Topology in Uncertain Multi-Agent Systems, IEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica (2021). Mohammad Saeed Sarafraz et al, A Unified Optimization-Based Framework to Adjust Consensus Convergence Rate and Optimize the Network Topology in Uncertain Multi-Agent Systems,(2021). DOI: 10.1109/JAS.2021.1004111 Provided by Chinese Association of Automation Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain China has used big data to trace and control the outbreak of COVID-19. This has involved a significant endeavor to build new technologies and expand its already extensive surveillance infrastructure across the country. In our recent study, we show how the State Council, the highest administrative government unit in China, plans to retain some of those new capabilities and incorporate them into the broader scheme of mass surveillance at a national level. This is likely to lead to tighter citizen monitoring in the long term. This phenomenon of adopting a system of surveillance for one purpose and using it past the originally intended aims is known as "function creep". In China, this involves the use of big data initially collected to monitor people's COVID status and movements around the country to keep the pandemic under control. The Chinese government has been quite successful at this, despite recent spikes in infections in eastern China. But this big data exercise has also served as an opportunity for authorities to patch gaps in the country's overall surveillance infrastructure and make it more cohesive, using the COVID crisis as cover to avoid citizen backlash. How China's COVID surveillance system worked Two key shifts have occurred to enable more comprehensive surveillance during the pandemic. First, a more robust system was constructed to collect and monitor big data related to pandemic control. Second, these data were then collated at the provincial levels and transferred to a national, unified platform where they were analyzed. This analysis focused on calculated levels of risk for every individual related to possible exposure to COVID. This is how it worked. Every night, Chinese citizens received a QR code to their mobile phone called a "health code". The code required users to upload their personal information to a special app to verify their identity (such as their national ID number and a biometric selfie), along with their body temperature, any COVID symptoms, and their recent travel history. The system then assessed whether they had been in close contact with an infected person. If users received a green code to their phone, they were good to go. But an orange code mandated a seven-day home isolation, and a red code was 14-day isolation. The system was not perfect. Some people suspected their codes remained red because they were from the hotspot province of Hubei, or questioned why their codes unexpectedly turned red for just one day. Others reported the codes incorrectly identified their exposure risk. How Chinese people feel about this data collection Multiple studies suggest that although the system was intrusive, this state-controlled, big data monitoring was supported by the public because of how effective it was in containing the epidemic. A recent study found the public viewed this comprehensive data collection as positive and that it helped strengthen the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party. The Chinese public also viewed the initial criticism from Western countries as unfair and hypocritical, given many subsequently adopted varying forms of big data collection systems themselves. One scholar, Chuncheng Liu, canvassed Chinese social media and observed a notable social backlash against this type of criticism. After the state of South Australia released a new QR code system, for example, one comment read: "China QR code 'invasion of privacy, invasion of human rights." Australian QR Code "Fantastic new tool.'" On the flip side, there has been some public resistance in China over the potential for health codes to be re-engineered and used for other purposes. The city of Hangzhou was the first to implement the health codes in February 2020. However, in May 2020 when the municipal government proposed re-purposing the app for other uses after the pandemic (such as mapping people's lifestyle habits), it was met with strong citizen backlash. The city of Hangzhou in eastern China says it is planning to make a permanent version of the "health code" app it used to track citizens' medical status during the coronavirus pandemic. https://t.co/WRl1rpDSqk CNN International (@cnni) May 26, 2020 Concerns were further exacerbated when health code data was hacked in Beijing in December 2020. The hackers published the selfies that celebrities had used for biometric identity verification, as well as their COVID testing data. How these systems can be used for other purposes When big data systems become as expansive as they are now in China, they can shape, direct and even coerce behaviors en masse. The implications of this in a surveillance state are concerning. In the Guangxi autonomous region in March 2020, for example, one party member suggested using pandemic surveillance to "search for people that couldn't previously be found", effectively turning a health service into a security tool. Another example is how China's notorious "social credit system" was revamped during the pandemic. The system was originally set up before the pandemic to rate myriad "trustworthy" and "untrustworthy" behaviors among individuals and businesses. Good scores came with benefits such as cheaper transportation. The city of Hangzhou in eastern China says it is planning to make a permanent version of the "health code" app it used to track citizens' medical status during the coronavirus pandemic. https://t.co/WRl1rpDSqk CNN International (@cnni) May 26, 2020 During the pandemic, this system was expanded to reward people for "good pandemic behavior" and punish "bad pandemic behavior." Two academics in the Netherlands found punishments were imposed for selling medical supplies at an inflated price or counterfeit supplies, or for violating quarantine. Such behavior could get a person blacklisted, which might deny them the ability to travel or even serve as a civil servant, among other restrictions. As we argue, it is crucial these surveillance systems embed principles of transparency and accountability within their design. If these systems aren't thoroughly tested or their potential future uses questioned, people can become habituated to top-down surveillance and function creep. To what extent these new surveillance systems will direct the behaviors of people in China remains to be seen. A lot depends on how the public reacts to them, especially as they are used for non-health purposes after the pandemic., Explore further Facial recognition tech fights coronavirus in Chinese city This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Details have emerged about a now-patched security vulnerability impacting Microsoft Exchange Server that could be weaponized by an unauthenticated attacker to modify server configurations, thus leading to the disclosure of Personally Identifiable Information (PII). The issue, tracked as CVE-2021-33766 (CVSS score: 7.3) and coined "ProxyToken," was discovered by Le Xuan Tuyen, a researcher at the Information Security Center of Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT-ISC), and reported through the Zero-Day Initiative (ZDI) program in March 2021. "With this vulnerability, an unauthenticated attacker can perform configuration actions on mailboxes belonging to arbitrary users," the ZDI said Monday. "As an illustration of the impact, this can be used to copy all emails addressed to a target and account and forward them to an account controlled by the attacker." Microsoft addressed the issue as part of its Patch Tuesday updates for July 2021. The security shortcoming resides in a feature called Delegated Authentication, which refers to a mechanism whereby the front-end website the Outlook web access (OWA) client passes authentication requests directly to the back-end when it detects the presence of a SecurityToken cookie. However, since Exchange has to be specifically configured to use the feature and have the back-end carry out the checks, it leads to a scenario in which the module handling this delegation ("DelegatedAuthModule") isn't loaded under default configuration, culminating in a bypass as the back-end fails to authenticate incoming requests based on the SecurityToken cookie. "The net result is that requests can sail through, without being subjected to authentication on either the front or back end," ZDI's Simon Zuckerbraun explained. The disclosure adds to a growing list of Exchange Server vulnerabilities that have come to light this year, including ProxyLogon, ProxyOracle, and ProxyShell, which have been actively exploited by threat actors to take over unpatched servers, deploy malicious web shells and file-encrypting ransomware such as LockFile. Troublingly, in-the-wild exploit attempts abusing ProxyToken have already been recorded as early as August 10, according to NCC Group security researcher Rich Warren, making it imperative that customers move quickly to apply the security updates from Microsoft. 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 best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. If the 30% of the employees who are unvaccinated chose to leave their jobs on principle over this mandate, how would the city operate? Wilson said. Instead of threatening [us] It would be prudent to understand that many people are hesitant to trust an experimental drug. Those who are hesitant should be given the opportunity to either exempt out with less restrictive wording in the policy or be given the opportunity for weekly testing if they choose. The council rejected Wilsons suggestion and Councilman Adam Loos said he was spreading misinformation about the vaccine. The failure of people to get vaccinated has prolonged this pandemic. A lot of what we just heard is misinformation, Loos said. People are out of time, you know, there is no more time to either get vaccinated or don't. And if you don't, then there are consequences for that. Loos said because of the number of people who wont get vaccinated, it is harder for the rest of the community to live their lives. He also shared the story of a relative he lost to COVID-19 who refused to get the vaccine. Saline County School placed on lockdown after Snapchat threat A Southern Illinois school district was placed on lockdown this morning after a random Snapchat indicated a threat to the school, according to the school district. In a letter to parents posted early afternoon to the districts Facebook page, the Harrisburg Unit 3 Schools said the school was notified at about 10:45 a.m. of a random Snapchat post indicating a threat to a school. There was no particular school, student, or staff member identified, the statement read. ALL Harrisburg Unit #3 schools were put on lockdown and law enforcement was notified, and are currently assisting in the investigation. Again, there is no credible threat to any Harrisburg school. At this time, there is no need to remove your child from school and all students are safe, the post continued. According Harrisburg police, officers were on scene working with school security staff today. The investigation is ongoing and everyone is safe, and police do not believe this was a credible threat, authorities said. franklin County Infant, two adults injured in Interstate 57 crash A Belleville-area web developer has developed a new way of looking at COVID-19 vaccination rates across Illinois: a map showing immunization rates by zip code. Dick Slackman, owner of Shiloh, Illinois-based Tenby Technologies, told The Southern he built the map to help him better grasp the rates across geography. I saw a webinar about COVID-19 and they showed this big spreadsheet of vaccination rates. It was interesting, but I really couldn't envision one zip code versus another; I didnt understand the geographic relationships, he said. Wanting to discover if there were any geographic relationships or commonalities, Slackman decided to use a data set with vaccination rates available on the Illinois Department of Public Health website and overlaid the data with an Illinois zip code map. I wondered if there were patterns with the areas that had high vaccination rates and the areas that had very low vaccination rates. I wondered why, he said. Slackman said the map, which took him three or four hours to develop, does show some patterns. The map was last updated on Friday. Thats just what Democrats said they attempted to do with the new proposed boundaries introduced Monday, including an effort to put more of the Orthodox Jewish community into a single House and Senate district. The new maps also make a greater effort to keep more communities within single districts, Democrats said. The changes proposed for the legislative boundaries better reflect the data we recently received from the U.S. Census and ensure communities are represented by the people of their choice, Democratic Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez of Cicero, chair of the House Redistricting Committee, said in a statement. These changes reflect input gathered at public hearings across the state and Im incredibly grateful to every person who participated to make sure their voices were heard. But Shlomo Soroka of Agudath Israel of Illinois said the newest map actually further divides the Orthodox Jewish community on the Northwest Side and in the northwest suburbs. I actually refuse to believe this was done intentionally, but if it was a mistake, its not too late to fix, Soroka said during a hearing on redistricting late Monday. Hernandez said the situation would be reviewed. The end of an empire isnt pretty. Or as Neil Sedaka sang, Breaking up is hard to do. The terrible scenes at Kabuls airport attest to that as did those, 46 years earlier, in Saigon. Technically, the United States has never had an empire nor sought one. But we have sent troops far and wide. Like other empires, bringing them home has been difficult, ugly, and made endless by refugees. Empire, or the American equivalent, follows you home. The British, French, and Russians have found the end of empire hard. As did the Romans in their day. Getting out has been a lot harder and uglier than getting in. When the British withdrew from the Indian subcontinent, leaving behind a new nation called Pakistan, and an old one called India, the blood flowed freely. The sectarian slaughter then was to lead to wars and skirmishes which have lasted to this day. Improbably, Pakistan was two separate entities, East and West Pakistan. Later, East Pakistan split off and became Bangladesh. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. called on Facebook, which owns Instagram, and other tech companies to crack down on vaccine card fraudsters, saying in a statement "the stakes are too high to tackle fake vaccination cards with whack-a-mole prosecutions. Facebook said that it prohibits anyone from buying or selling COVID-19 vaccine cards and that it removed Cliffords account in early August for breaking its rules. We will review any other accounts that might be doing the same thing, the company said in a written statement. "We appreciate the DAs work on this matter and will remove this content whenever we find it. According to prosecutors, Clifford, a self-described online entrepreneur, started hawking forged Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccination cards through her AntiVaxMomma Instagram account in May. A New York state police investigator who became aware of the scam a few weeks later tested it by contacting Clifford to order a fake card and to be added to the state vaccine database, prosecutors said. "We dont take them by their word alone, but by their actions," Biden said. We have leverage to make sure those commitments are met. Biden also pushed back against criticism that he fell short of his pledge to get all Americans out of the country ahead of the U.S. military withdrawal. He said many of the Americans left behind are dual citizens, some with deep family roots that are complicating their ability to leave Afghanistan. The bottom line: 90% of Americans in Afghanistan who wanted to leave were able to leave, Biden said. For those remaining Americans, there is no deadline. We remain committed to get them out, if they want to come out. Biden repeated his argument that ending the Afghanistan war was a crucial step for recalibrating American foreign policy toward growing challenges posed by China and Russia and counterterrorism concerns that pose a more potent threat to the U.S. Theres nothing China or Russia would rather have, want more in this competition, than the United States to be bogged down another decade in Afghanistan, he said 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. Republicans blasted Democrats, saying hastily called and sparsely attended public hearings held over the past week were a sham because boundaries were already being drawn in a secret, Democrat-controlled process. Witnesses who testified at those hearings urged Democrats to post proposed maps and give the public as much as 30 days or more to weigh in before a vote is taken. Ami Ghandi, senior counsel for the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, told members of the redistricting committees that it was unreasonable" to expect voters to provide input without maps to react to. The Rev. Robin Hood, representing Black voters in Chicago, said people felt disgust at being left out of the process. Jay Young, executive director of Common Cause Illinois, said the maps the Legislature will vote on Tuesday "will not be crafted of public input, but of pure politics. At each opportunity in this redistricting process, its as if lawmakers went out of their way to ensure the creation of these maps had as little public input as possible," Young said. 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. Robertson said the virus often will have brief plateaus for a week or two before infections rise and ultimately generate more hospital admissions. We dont believe were out of the woods yet, although we do believe that its at least a positive that the number of patients that are being admitted has been stable, Robertson said. Both Dart and Robertson highlighted test positivity as a key metric. Oklahoma has been among the five worst states in the U.S. for that data point since July, when the delta variant began spreading like wildfire across the state. Oklahomas latest test positivity rate 20.8% as of federal data Friday is more than double the national average and in the red zone. Positivity is the percentage of COVID tests conducted that are confirmed positive for the virus. A higher percentage is a reflection of greater community spread that isnt being captured by testing and a potential harbinger of increasing confirmed cases to come. At the end of the day what really matters is the test positivity rate, Robertson said. That obviously has stayed high in our region, and consequently we need to not let our guard down, because were not out of the woods by any means. A federal grand jury has indicted a defrocked American priest on charges of having sex with minors while running a childrens shelter in a remote part of East Timor. Richard Daschbach, 84, faces seven counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct at the Topu Honis shelter that he founded decades ago in the mountains of the predominantly Catholic island country south of Indonesia. A Department of Justice spokesperson said Monday she could not comment on whether there are plans to extradite the former priest who is currently on trial in East Timor for the same allegations. If convicted in the U.S., Daschbach could receive up to 30 years in prison for each count, according to the indictment returned Thursday by a grand jury in Washington, D.C. He also is wanted in the U.S. for three counts of wire fraud linked to one of his California-based donors, which accused him in a court case of violating an agreement to protect those under his care. An Interpol Red Notice has been issued internationally for his arrest. Daschbach, who remains revered by many in East Timor, went on trial there in February to face charges he sexually abused young girls in his care at the shelter for orphans and impoverished children. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. Many app-based delivery workers in Ho Chi Minh City gathered at local medical stations on Tuesday morning for rapid COVID-19 tests as a compulsory procedure before starting their daily job. At a mobile medical station on Le Van Duyet Street in Binh Thanh District, multiple delivery drivers arrived at around 5:00 am, according to the observation of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters. Le Minh Triet, a driver of Fclass Vietnam, was the first to have his samples collected, and his result came back negative after only 10 minutes. Nguyen Van Tu, a driver of Be Group, said he woke up very early to prepare for the mandatory COVID-19 testing. Delivery workers arrive at a mobile medical station in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, August 31, 2021. Photo: Ngoc Hien / Tuoi Tre Tu said he had come to three medical stations, all of which were still closed, before arriving at the station on Le Van Duyet Street. After testing negative for the novel coronavirus, the delivery worker turned on his mobile application and waited for his first trip. I dont mind getting tested every day," Tu said. "It is necessary to ensure safety for myself and my clients. A delivery worker shows his negative test result in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, August 31, 2021. Photo: Ngoc Hien / Tuoi Tre Meanwhile, dozens of delivery workers were still waiting at a medical station on Quang Trung Street in Go Vap District at 7:00 am because the facility was yet to open. A similar situation was also recorded at some other testing sites in Go Vap. I have waited here since 5:00 am but health workers have yet to show up, a deliveryman stated. Many others decided to go home due to the long wait. A delivery worker drinks coffee while waiting for his first trip in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, August 31, 2021. Photo: Ngoc Hien / Tuoi Tre 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. Delivery workers wait in front of a medical station in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City, August 31, 2021. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre 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. In other districts where the risk of transmission is lower, delivery staff are required to be tested once every two days. The obligatory COVID-19 testing is provided free of charge for one week starting Monday and is conducted at 414 mobile medical stations operated by military medics in 21 districts and Thu Duc City. A delivery worker has his sample collected for COVID-19 at a mobile medical station in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City, August 31, 2021. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre Delivery workers wait in front of a medical station in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City, August 31, 2021. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre Delivery workers wait in front of a medical station in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City, August 31, 2021. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre Delivery workers wait in front of a medical station in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City, August 31, 2021. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Indian naval ship Airavat arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday to deliver coronavirus relief aid including 300 oxygen concentrators and 100 metric tons of liquid medical oxygen. The shipment is a gift from the Indian government to help Vietnam combat the COVID-19 pandemic. It symbolizes Indias commitment to the comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam, the Indian Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said on Twitter on Monday. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Anh Duc from the Ho Chi Minh City Border Guard, Colonel Tran Dinh Nui from of the Naval Region 2, representatives of the municipal Port Border Guards and the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City attended the welcome event upon Airavats arrival at Khanh Hoi Port in the southern city the same day. The port call ensured safety and security requirements in accordance with Vietnams regulations for foreign military ships visiting the country and on management of maritime activities, while strictly complying with the rules on COVID-19 prevention and control in Ho Chi Minh City. The official receiving ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Participants of the "Love Our Coast" beach clean-up initiative at Pasir Ris Beach. (PHOTO: BlazonSEA) SINGAPORE A beachside cafe in Pasir Ris Park will give patrons a free breakfast if they help pick up trash along the beach. The "Love Our Coast" initiative by Georges@The Cove - a 22-year-old food-and-beverage outlet at the park - began on Sunday (29 August), with around 20 patrons spent picking up plastic waste and other non-biodegradable litter from the beach and park. They eventually picked up about 17.5 kilograms of rubbish in one hour, and in return, each of them received complimentary breakfast sets, Corona beer, Andersen's ice-cream and Oakley vouchers. They also attended a workshop by Our Singapore Reefs, a community of divers raising awareness for conserving coral reefs. The initiative is the brainchild of David Leong, founder of Georges@The Cove. The 49-year-old told Yahoo News Singapore that he had originally planned it with PR firm Blazon for the event to begin in July, but had to postpone it due to the tightening of COVID-19 safe management measures. In his view, the two biggest challenges facing the world are the pandemic and the long-term impact of humanity on the environment. On our own, we cannot change the world but what we are trying to do here is to show that we can all be part of the solution," said Leong. The monthly clean-up will take place on every last Sunday of the month, and those interested can sign up at Georges' website. They can also join Telegram group @loveourcoast for updates. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore U.S. West Texas Intermediate and international-benchmark Brent crude oil futures closed higher on Friday as oil companies raced to evacuate employees from offshore infrastructure ahead of hurricane Ida, prompting shutdowns at their facilities in the Gulf, Yahoo Finance writes. By Sunday, energy companies had evacuated 288 platforms more than half of those in the Gulf of Mexico and all 11 drilling rigs, according to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). On Friday, October WTI crude oil settled at $68.74, up $1.32 or +1.96% and November Brent crude oil finished at $71.70, up $1.52 or +2.12%. The increase in oil output agreed last month by OPEC+ nations could be reconsidered at its next meeting on September 1, Kuwaits oil minister said on Sunday. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia, collectively known as OPEC+, will meet on Wednesday to discuss the previously agreed increase of 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) for the next several months, Reuters reported. 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, Mohammad Abdulatif al-Fares told Reuters on the sidelines of a government-sponsored event in Kuwait City. Economies of East Asian countries and China remain affected by COVID-19 and caution must be exercised, Fares added. Earlier in the month, the Whitehouse urged OPEC+ to boost oil output to tackle rising gasoline prices that it views as a threat to the global economic recovery. Asked about the U.S. call, Fares said OPEC+ members had different views on the matter. 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, Fares said. Hurricane Ida made landfall on Sunday as a Category 4 storm near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, lashing critical U.S. oil infrastructure with winds up to 150 miles per hour (240 km per hour), Reuters reported. The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP), the largest privately-owned crude terminal in the United States, paused deliveries ahead of the storm after forecasts indicated possible impacts to its operational areas. Prices are expected to initially rise on the news while traders sort through the details. We could see a situation where crude oil goes down because of lower demand, while gasoline rises because of a drop in supply. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has announced that the government has decided not to take the second tranche of an EU loan as 'we are trying to reduce foreign debt'. "We took part of the loan in 2020. The second part of the 75 million euro loan was not a grant and assistance, but a loan. Given that we started reducing our foreign debt this year, it is highly likely that we will no longer need to receive this amount. We are grateful for all the help the EU has given us during the pandemic and in general for everything they are doing for us," Garibashvili noted. In 2020 the EU disbursed a 60 million grant as part of its 75 million Covid-19 Resilience Contract for Georgia to assist in the implementation of the governments Anti-Crisis Economic Plan. The overall aim of EU financial support was to help citizens and businesses of Georgia recover from the impact of the pandemic, Agenda.ge reported. The payment followed the EUs transfer of 100 million in loans for macro-financial assistance on November 25, 2020. Both payments were part of the wider 1.5 billion GEL EU support package for Georgia, which also covered support to the health and social sector and economic recovery. The Taliban movement (outlawed in Russia) spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid held a press conference at the Kabul airport following the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops on Tuesday. "We want to have good relations with the U.S. and the world. We welcome good diplomatic relations with them all," he said from the runway of the airport., noting that the U.S. was defeated. Earlier, Marine General Frank McKenzie, head of US Central Command, announced that the last American troops flew out of Kabul just before midnight local time (19:30 GMT). 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, McKenzie said. It was not a cheap mission, he continued. The cost was at 2,461 U.S. Service members and civilians, and more than 20,000 injured. Sadly, that includes 13 U.S. service members who were killed last week by an ISIS-K (terrorist group outlawed in Russia) suicide bomber. In total, McKenzie said 123,000 civilians were evacuated in the massive airlift operation, including over 6,000 American citizens. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that "a small number of Americans under 200, and likely closer to 100" remain in Afghanistan and want to leave. Blinken promised that the U.S. would continue to attempt to get those Americans out of the country. "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 I've changed my mind, we will help them leave," the secretary said. Blinken also announced that the U.S. diplomatic effort in Afghanistan would now be managed out of Doha, Qatar. U.S. Republican lawmakers leveled fierce criticism at Joe Bidens administration over its withdrawal from Afghanistan, blasting the chaotic exit as an act of shame that left Americans behind to the mercy of terrorists. Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows wrote on Twitter: "Hundreds of Americans now hostage to terrorists. Billions in OUR military equipment handed to the Taliban. 13 soldiers dead." Former U.S. President Donald Trump also earlier criticized his successors handing of the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, saying he would have gotten Americans and equipment out of the country before military personnel and that he had an agreement with the Taliban he was willing to back up with force. Its a great thing that were getting out, but nobody has ever handled a withdrawal worse than Joe Biden, Trump said in an televised interview with Fox News Host Sean Hannity on Tuesday. This is the greatest embarrassment, I believe, in the history of our country. Taliban fighters on Tuesday took charge of Kabuls airport as the last U.S. soldiers flew out of the country. Celebratory gunfire and fireworks lit up the Kabul night sky. Murat Bektanov was appointed Minister of Defense of Kazakhstan upon the order of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Trend reports citing the presidential press service. Thus, Bektanov was dismissed from his post of First Deputy Minister of Defense, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Earlier, the president accepted the resignation of the country's Defense Minister Nurlan Yermekbayev. Yermekbayev was ready to resign after eliminating the consequences of the explosions that occurred in the Zhambyl region of the country. Russias defence ministry said on Tuesday it would hold naval drills in the Caspian Sea with small missile and artillery ships from Iran, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in early September. The ministry announced in a statement on Tuesday that it would hold the drills with small missile and artillery ships from Iran, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in early September. Last week, a high-ranking Russian Navy commander said all naval exercises jointly planned with Iranian forces will take place as scheduled. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the deep diving competitions of the International Army Games 2021 in the southeastern Iranian port of Konarak on August 24, Deputy Commander in Chief of the Russian Navy Vladimir Lvovich Kasatonov pointed to the close coordination and constant contacts between the Russian and Iranian navies. He said Moscow and Tehran will hold all of the joint naval exercises that have been planned. The vice-admiral also said that diving competitions underway in Iran send the message of peace, and are aimed at boosting the capabilities of naval forces in rescue and relief operations in international waters. The International Military Deep Diving Competitions 2021 are being held with the participation of diving teams from Iran, China, Russia, Venezuela, India, and Syria in southeastern Iran, and will continue until September 5, 2021. The tournament reportedly kicked off on August 23. Over 500 troops from Russia and Kazakhstan began joint company-level tactical drills at the Kara-Khaak training ground in the Republic of Tyva in Siberia, the press office of the Central Military District reported on Tuesday. "In the course of the exercise, the military personnel of the two countries will practice assigning the troops to the collective rapid reaction forces and also preparing and conducting reconnaissance and search operations separately from the main forces, employing Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles and Mi-8 AMTSh helicopters," the press office said in a statement. Also, the troops will employ Tigr and Taifun armored vehicles and Nona-SVK self-propelled artillery guns "to accomplish the joint tasks of eliminating notional armed gangs that have intruded into the territory of an allied state," the statement says. As its specific feature, the exercise will engage a pack animal transportation unit as part of a mobile firing group to deliver heavy grenade launchers and mortars to hard-to-access mountain heights. This will be required to provide further fire support to defending collective quick reaction forces and eliminate the notional enemy, the press office said. The joint Russian-Kazakh exercise aims to improve the practical skills of eliminating terrorist gangs and practice troop interoperability and work out a single scenario of combat operations, it specified. The joint maneuvers will last through September 4 and engage over 500 troops and about 150 items of military hardware, the press office said. The Taliban (the movement banned in Russia) has completed talks on the government formation in Afghanistan, according to CNN-News18. Sources indicate that the Taliban has been 'under pressure' to form the government soon. Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the border with Afghanistan was closed and there was no traffic through the checkpoint Termez at the moment. "For security reasons, the Uzbek-Afghan border is now totally closed. There is no traffic through the Termez checkpoint and there are no plans for reopening it," the Foreign Ministry said. It warned that any attempts at crossing the border regardless of reason would be stopped in accordance with Uzbekistan's legislation. The Foreign Ministry recalled that over the past twelve days Uzbekistan had assisted a number of countries in their humanitarian operations to evacuate their citizens from Afghanistan, who were arriving and leaving Uzbekistan exclusively by air. "The Foreign Ministry says once again that the Republic of Uzbekistan will not accommodate Afghan refugees. It provides transit assistance, which envisages strict deadlines for their presence in the country. We stress once again that the Uzbek side is firmly committed to maintaining traditionally friendly and neighborly relations with Afghanistan and the principles of non-intervention in the internal affairs of a neighboring country," the statement runs. A representative of MOET disagrees with the opinion that online teaching is not suited to first graders. The ministry said it will design a section Cung em hoc lop 1 (lets go to first grade). Thai Van Tai, Director of the Primary Education Department of MOET The Ministry of Education and Training has released a document guiding the implementation of tasks for primary education which sets requirements. The teaching has to be designed in a way to suit primary school students and not put pressure on them. The document also mentioned the requirement on building reasonable timetables and training for teachers. For first graders, there must not be more than seven teaching periods a day and one period must not last more than 35 minutes. Schools want to know how teachers will be trained for online teaching, who will compile the training program and what the requirements of the program are. Thai Van Tai, Director of the Primary Education Department of MOET said that after schools assess their facilities, transmission lines, parents opinions and choose software for online teaching, they will join forces with software suppliers to train teachers on this software. Teachers will show parents how to use the software and parents will give instructions to their children. In many cases, schools have not done well in training teachers in using specialized software. As parents and students are not proficient in using software, many problems have arisen during the teaching process. Educators have different opinions about online teaching to first graders. Some believe that first graders cannot concentrate well enough. In in-person classes, teachers can meet students face to face and remind them of work. In online classes, teachers don't know what students are doing However, Tai said that it is suitable if schools implement it methodically, follow the regulations and meet the requirements. He said in normal conditions, one of the tasks of the educational sector is using more information technology (IT) during teaching and learning. Schools need to be ready for all possible scenarios since the end of the pandemic is unknown. When we change the form of teaching organization, we need to be ready and change methods to bring online teaching into play, he said. MOET is joining forces with localities and Vietnam National Television (VTV) to create lesson plans that can be commonly used for all sets of textbooks. As for first grade, 56 sections for Vietnamese language teaching have been completed. Thanh Hung HCM City students allowed to take tests in class or online The HCM City Education and Training Department has decided that periodic tests for summative evaluation will be implemented at school. Online tests will be accepted in cases of force majeure. by Bryan R. Swopes of This Day in Aviation On August 31, 1956, the first production Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker, 55-3118, named City of Renton, made its first flight with company test pilots Alvin Melvin (Tex) Johnston and Richards Llewellyn (Dix) Loesch, Jr., on the flight deck. Built as an aerial refueling tanker to support the U.S. Air Force fleet of B-52 strategic bombers, an initial order for 29 tankers was soon followed by three additional orders, bringing the total to 275 airplanes by the end of Fiscal Year 1958. Eventually 732 KC-135As were built by Boeing and an additional 81 of other versions. With the company internal designation of Model 717, the KC-135 was developed from the Model 367-80 proof-of-concept prototype, the Dash Eighty. The Stratotanker is very similar in appearance to the Model 707 and 720 airliners but is structurally a different aircraft. It is also shorter than the 707 and has a smaller diameter fuselage. The Stratotanker was originally operated by a flight crew of four: pilot, co-pilot, navigator, and refueling boom operator. Upgrades over the decades have simplified operation and the crew has been reduced to two pilots and the boom operator. The tankers maximum transfer fuel load is 200,000 pounds (90,719 kilograms). The KC-135 can carry 83,000 pounds (37,648 kilograms) of cargo and up to 37 passengers. It can also be configured to carry cargo or up to 32 passengers. The KC-135A is 136 feet, 3 inches (41.529 meters) long, with a wingspan of 130 feet, 10 inches (39.878 meters), and overall height of 41 feet, 8 inches (12.700 meters). The Stratotankers maximum takeoff weight is 322,500 pounds (146,284 kilograms). The KC-135A was powered by four Pratt & Whitney J57-P-59W turbojet engines. The J57 was a two-spool, axial-flow engine with a 16-stage compressor section (9 low- and 7-high-pressure stages) and a 3-stage turbine section (1 high- and 2 low-pressure stages). These engines were rated at 13,750 pounds of thrust (61.16 kilonewtons), each. The J57-P-59W was 183.5 inches (4.661 meters) long, 38.9 inches (0.988 meters) long, and weighed 4,320 pounds (1,920 kilograms). The Stratotanker fleet has been re-engined with more efficient CFM International CFM56 turbofan engines which produce 21,634 pounds of thrust (96.23 kilonewtons), each. The upgraded aircraft are designated KC-135R. The tanker has a cruise speed of 530 miles per hour (853 kilometers per hour) at 30,000 feet (9,144 meters). The service ceiling was 50,000 feet (15,240 meters). Its range is 1,500 miles (2,414 kilometers) when carrying 150,000 pounds (68,039 kilograms) of transfer fuel, and the maximum ferry range is 11,015 miles (17,727 kilometers). Of the 803 KC-135 aircraft built, 396 remain in service with the U.S. Air Force (as of 14 May 2018). It is estimated that the fleet is 33% through their design lifetime limits. The first production airplane, 55-3118, was used for flight testing. It was later modified into an EC-135K Head Dancer airborne command post. Today, the first Stratotanker is on display at the front gate of McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. For more aviation anniversaries please visit www.thisdayinaviation.com Back in late September 2019, we reported on the then-recent first flight of a 1970s-vintage Aermacchi MB-326KZ military jet trainer. This was an unusual situation in that this specific airframe had never flown before since the original construction contract (for the Zairean military) ended up getting canceled before Aermacchi could complete its manufacture. With the contracts cancellation, the partially assembled aircraft went into covered storage, with the hopes that another customer would pay for its completion. This never materialized until the advent of the jet warbird movement in Italy, which saw Renzo Catellanis Volafenice flying collection purchase and complete the tandem-seat light attack aircraft, powered by a Rolls-Royce (Armstrong Siddeley) Viper Mk.600 turbojet. The red tape surrounding warbird operation in Italy is complex, as one might expect, and the bureaucratic process required that the aircrafts certification move from experimental (test aircraft) to the standard category. Presently, the airworthiness certificate is not standard but rather a flight permit for a replica airplane since this aircraft never left the original manufacture as a certified, flying aircraft, but rather as a partially completed shell. Obviously, the COVID-19 pandemic complicated the entire flight test and certification process too, but Volafenice finally received the aircrafts flight permit on December 31, 2020. Once the permit was issued, the problem then transitioned to determining who would be allowed to fly the aircraft (youve gotta love Italian bureaucracy!). As it happened, Volafenice did have a test pilot qualified to fly the MB-326, but only with the change of type (from experimental/test airplane to standard category). Therefore Maurizio Lodovisi, MB-326K test pilot, had to produce countless reams of paperwork to obtain permission to fly the airplane under its new registration type. Maurizio Ludovisi is a retired Italian Air Force General with thousands of flight hours on a variety of aircraft types, including the MB-326K, which he flew as a Test Pilot when serving with the Reparto Sperimentale Volo, the Italian Air Forces flight test unit. Ludovisi finally received his civilian type rating in the spring of 2021, but then another bureaucratic hurdle materialized the need for an instructor check pilot to both train and certify other pilots! Therefore, as soon as the Italian aviation authority ENAC (Ente Nazionale Aviazione Civile) certified Ludovisi as a flight instructor in the type, Volafanice started the certification process for the other pilots in their stable: Sergio Comitini, ex-Italian Air Force test pilot (with MB-326K time) and current Alitalia airline captain, Volafenices founder Renzo Catellani, and Francesco Dante. As soon ENAC gave the thumbs up, Volafenices team organized a training program for July 27/28 2021, which successfully culminated in these three additional pilots receiving their MB-326K type ratings. Regarding his impressions on flying the more powerful ground-attack variant of the MB-326, Renzo Catellani said: The MB-326K is a much more powerful airplane compared to the trainer version; the K produces 4,000lbs of thrust vs the 2,400 of the E trainer model. The K model, although very similar in its design to the E trainer, presents a lot of similarities with the Aermacchi MB-339. In fact, the K model has the same vertical and horizontal stabilizers, the same wing design, and hydraulic flight controls. Coming from the dual-seat trainer like the MB-326E, what really produced strong feelings and emotions is the fact of climbing into a single-seat aircraft. The lack of the ECS panel (environmental control system) gives you the first hint that you are alone in the cockpit. Its a strange feeling because I have flown several times the E model alone, but having a back seat, although empty, gave you the false illusion to have a spiritual instructor pilot always with you thus giving you a false feeling of safety. The configuration and location of instruments in the cockpit are different compared to the E model. The first indication that you are not flying a trainer happens during the take-off roll. The K model with its performing weight-thrust ratio gives you a kick after full power is applied. This kick is more so evident when applying power during the different phases of flight and maneuvers, it does require a higher level of fast thinking to avoid the airplane gets away from you. The aerodynamic and stall characteristics are very similar due to the same fuselage and wings of the E model thus giving me a sense of comfort. Event the landing parameters are exactly the same as the E model. I cannot deny that it was an emotional flight, even more, if I think that to date we are pretty sure that I am the first civilian pilot without a military background to fly in a military jet in Italy. As noted in our previous articles, Volafenice also owns and operates a former Italian Air Force trainer variant of this aircraft, MB-326E MM54168, which the museum restored to flight over a six-year period. She took to the skies again in 2012. You can read our online article about this restoration HERE or see Luigino Caliaros article inside Warbird Digest Magazines issue #50 (click HERE). So Renzo Catellani has much to celebrate, as he and his team at Volafenice bring a new shape and sound to civilian flying in Italian skies. We wish them much success in spreading their wings and encouraging the growth of vintage aviation flights in Italy and elsewhere! COMMENTARY Biden's cyber EO moves past the 'castle and moat' strategy How you need to talk to your customers With some deadlines already having arrived and others looming, the May 2021 Executive Order on Improving the Nations Cybersecurity has IT professionals taking a hard look at security measures ranging from Zero Trust to multi-factor authentication. For many agencies, however, the EO is not a call to action. Instead it offers support at the highest levels for agencies to continue creating the systems that will protect the federal infrastructure and its data work that these agencies have been doing all along. It also underscores a change in the federal sector from a castle and moat approach to cybersecurity to one in which cybersecurity is intended to work across agencies. Last month, I was fortunate to take part in a panel discussion with security experts in some of the largest federal agencies. Questions shared with the panelists showed that issues like Zero Trust architecture and multi-factor authentication are nothing new for these experts. When asked his opinion of whether agencies were able to adopt the Zero Trust architectures within the 60 day window provided by the EO, Paul Cunningham, the Veterans Administration Chief Information Security Officer, gave his colleagues the benefit of the doubt. I'm confident that all of the agencies have responded back in a timely manner, Cunningham said. The EO, he noted, provides a joining factor across all federal agencies. The truth about agency performance in the Zero Trust aspect of the order will come out as agencies find ways to share (information) collectively to improve our networks. For Steve Hernandez, chief information security officer at the U.S. Department of Education, the order has served to formalize work already being done across agencies, especially in areas such as multi-factor authentication. There has always been a considerable amount of conversation and push to make sure we're getting through and crossing the finish line with multi-factor, Hernandez said. Noting that his agency reports on multi-factor authentication every year, Hernandez said the EO provides some additional incentive for agencies to continue down the road theyve already taken. If you need that extra push to get over the finish line, Hernandez said, thats where the EO comes in. He added, however, that the orders emphasis on low-impact systems offers benefits that were not necessary considered when multi-factor authentication was focused on systems with high asset value. Having such protections on low-impact systems as well, offers a better user experience, and adds more protection than the single sign-on methods typically employed in such systems, Hernandez said. Asked about the importance of Zero Trust architecture, Hernandez acknowledged that there is in some cases a disconnect between account provisioning, account maintenance, and account termination and who has access to systems. We need to pull back some of the rights, he said. With Zero Trust, we're going to see attribute security come into play, with some roles being taken away and others added. Improving authentication for Internet of Things devices is also increasingly important for federal networks, said Garo Nalbandian, acting CISO for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The convergence of personal and business devices that came about during the pandemic has increased cyber attack footprints. His agency has begun to utilize micro zones to isolate IoT devices from the rest of the network to address this new threat vector, Nalbandian said. We employ next generation firewalls, he said, as well as preventive measures to keep devices from getting access. I think collectively with our broader cyber training program, it helps us to protect us against malicious activity, he explained. The panel members in general agreed that the $1 billion allocated by Congress for the Technology Modernization Fund will be helpful in enabling federal agencies to meet the mandates of the EO. Cunningham noted that the funding puts to rest questions about how to continually implement solutions. Calling the move in Congress absolutely brilliant, he added that it changes the way we discuss priorities. So how should that discussion move forward with agency leadership? I was asked to offer advice regarding cybersecurity protections for IT infrastructure and data security. My main advice is to remember that security is a process, and it needs to be very purposeful. Agencies should not jump to a solution like the cloud because a vendor says it will solve a problem, unless that problem actually exists in the organization. There needs to be an analysis of areas of concern like Zero Day attacks and technologies such as Zero Trust access, and some implementations do need to be proactive. Still, an analysis will provide an understanding of priorities. Which systems are critical to continuity? Which data systems are important, and where are they located? How do users access them? Until that type of analysis is done, its difficult to arrive at a solid solution. Certainly, organizations need to start thinking proactively about Zero Day attacks, and acknowledge that a breach will happen. That means creating a plan on how to mitigate and recover from that type of attack, along with backup strategies and how to quickly reimage a system, should it be compromised. Finally, security needs to be seen as an end-to-end issue. Organizations need to get away from security models that look only at choke points, where firewalls might block ingress and egress. Its time to throw out moat and castle security strategy, because the moat keeps changing. Security perimeters are getting fuzzy, with more people working from home, and data located not only on premise but in the cloud as well. Its becoming nearly impossible to know where to put the moat or even what the moat needs to be when defending the castle from attack. WENN Music Kanye's latest studio installment has become a huge hit on the Apple streaming platform, ruling the charts around the world following its release over the weekend. Aug 31, 2021 AceShowbiz - Kanye West's new album, "Donda", has shot to the top of the Apple Music charts in 130 countries, becoming the platform's biggest debut ever. The much-delayed project dropped to streaming and download sites on Sunday morning (29Aug21), despite Kanye's attempts to stall it yet again - while he waited for permission to feature a new DaBaby collaboration, titled "Jail". Instead Universal bosses released the record with Kanye's version of the track with Jay-Z. The DaBaby verse was later cleared and included on both Apple and Spotify. Despite the drama, the album - West's 10th - is a huge hit. "Donda", named after the rapper's late mother, was initially set for release last month (Jul21), following the first of three listening parties in Atlanta, Georgia. Meanwhile, Kanye's new album will go head to head with fellow rapper Drake's new release "Certified Lover Boy", which is set to drop on Friday (03Sep21). However, reactions among fellow stars were mixed. Chris Brown and Soulja Boy were not happy they were cut from the album. Chris called Kanye a "h*e" while Soulja branded the "Jesus Is King" star a "clown." Evan Rachel Wood was not impressed with Kanye's choice of guests either. The actress slammed the rapper for including her former fiance Marilyn Manson on the album despite multiple sexual assault allegations against the shock rocker. "You get what you give. For my fellow survivors who got slapped in the face this week. I love you. Don't give up," she told fans on stage during a performance at The Bourbon Room in Los Angeles over the weekend. Instagram Celebrity The 33-year-old social media personality was found dead inside a Richmond apartment with a 34-year-old man named Kevin Alexander Accorto, who was also dead. Aug 31, 2021 AceShowbiz - Authorities have released information regarding the death of Miss Mercedes Morr. The 33-year-old Instagram model, whose real name is Janae Gagnier, died in an apparent murder suicide, Richmond police said. In a news release issued by authorities on Monday, August 30, it was revealed that Mercedes was found dead in at her home in the Cortland Apartments in the 5200 block of Pointe West Circle at approximately 4:30 P.M. on Sunday. A man, who is believed to be the suspect in Mercedes' killing, was also found dead inside the apartment. The man has been identified as 34-year-old Kevin Alexander Accorto with an address in Florida. Though the death is currently considered a murder-suicide, police said at this point they do not believe there was a relationship between the suspect and the victim. The cause of death for both individuals is pending autopsy results from the Fort Bend County Medical Examiner. There is an ongoing investigation to determine a motive in the case. The sudden passing of Mercedes was first confirmed by a relative on Sunday. "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." Tributes quickly poured in from her friends and followers, including Canadian rapper Tory Lanez who posted on his Instagram Story, "Rest in peace queen." As the manner of her death was not immediately known, there was a wild speculation that she was killed due to her relation to a pimp who apparently enraged some drug dealers. One person claimed she was "set up, robbed & killed." However, the relative debunked the speculation on Monday. In an updated post, @htownciara set things straight as writing, "Listen Mercedes did not have a sugar daddy or a pimp. Never did. She was not robbed, she did not have HIV, she didn't have COVID, she wasn't in an accident. Yes she was murdered. When the investigation is complete the family will release the details." She went on imploring, "Please be respectful of her and her family. We will keep you all updated. Please stop with the misinformation. Thank you." Instagram Celebrity Will's two daughters Olive and Frankie, whom he shares with 'The Drew Barrymore Show' host, act as flower girls at his and Alexandra Michler's wedding ceremony. Aug 31, 2021 AceShowbiz - Congratulations are in order for Drew Barrymore's ex-husband and his fiancee. Around seven months after getting engaged to Alexandra Michler, Will Kopelman finally married her in Massachusetts. Will broke the news via Instagram on Sunday, August 29. Sharing a photo of him and his now-wife from their wedding with a picturesque lighthouse in the background, he captioned it, "8.28.21." Also posting pictures from Will and Alexandra's big day was his sister, Jill Kargman. In one of the snaps, Will and Drew's two daughters Olive and Frankie were seen acting as flower girls at his nuptials. In the caption, Jill gushed, "As soon as I met @alliemichler I knew I'd like her. What I didn't know is that I would love her and she'd feel like family so naturally, and now she is!" She added, "As her husband, my beloved brother @willkopelman so beautifully said, 'daughter of a cardiothoracic surgeon and all heart'- we love you both so much and this weekend was like a dream." Just days before tying the knot with the Vogue director of fashion development, "The Intern" actor unleashed several snaps of her bonding with his two kids. In the accompanying message, he penned, "After this weekend, two things will happen: I will get to call this woman my wife, and my kids will have another member of our family. Whatever act of valour I did in a past life to end up here, I'll never take it for granted. Daughter of a heart surgeon; all heart, head to toe. We love you @alliemichler." Will announced his engagement to Alexandra in January. At that time, he let out a picture of himself sweetly kissing his fiancee on the cheek. "Love you love you love you love 1/30/2021," he raved at that time. Reacting to her former spouse's engagement, "The Drew Barrymore Show" host told Howard Stern in February, "I'm happy to say he just got engaged to this wonderful woman named Allie who I am probably president of her fan club." She went on to share, "The #NoEvilStepmother is the greatest blessing I could have hoped for. She is just so wonderful. I want him to be happy." Will and Drew got married in 2012 but split in April 2016. "Sadly our family is separating legally, although we do not feel this takes away from us being a family," the pair said in a joint statement at that time. "Our children are our universe, and we look forward to living the rest of our lives with them as the first priority." WENN/Avalon Celebrity The actress portraying Lenore Osgood on 'Ratched' appears to have a joyful day despite having pigeons interrupting her Dolce and Gabbana photo shoot in St. Mark's Square. Aug 31, 2021 AceShowbiz - Sharon Stone had an impromptu photo shoot with animals. When taking pictures for Dolce & Gabbana in Venice, Italy, the actress portraying Lenore Osgood on "Ratched" let one pigeon sit on her head. On Monday, August 30, the 63-year-old star posed in St. Mark's Square along with two handsome male models and a flock of pigeons. One picture obtained by Page Six saw her smiling widely with one black bird on her head and another one on the guy's arm. In another snap, Sharon was seen with her funny scared face while one of the models gently pushed a bird off her hair. A video shared by the outlet, meanwhile, displayed her laughing loudly while walking towards the camera as the pigeons interrupted her photo shoot. For the shoot, Sharon flaunted an elegant look in a long-sleeved black dress with an exposed mesh bra, matching heels, a purse and sunglasses. The male models, on the other hand, donned black tuxedos and shoes. On the same day Sharon did the photo shoot, she unfortunately lost her nephew and godson, River William Stone. The 11-month-old baby boy, who is the son of her brother Patrick Stone and his wife Tasha, passed away from organ failure. In the wake of his passing, the "Basic Instinct" actress shared on Instagram a video of River that features Eric Clapton's song, "Tears in Heaven". Alongside the clip, she simply wrote, "River William Stone Sept. 8, 2020 - Aug. 30, 2021." The heartbreaking news arrived just several days after Sharon posted on Instagram a photo of her nephew intubated with several other tubes and wires around his body. She then asked fans for their prayers. "My nephew and godson River Stone was found in his crib w total organ failure today," the mother of three explained in the Friday, August 27 post. "Please pray for him. We need a miracle." WENN/Instar Music As it is noted that the 'Nah Nah Nah' emcee 'is not afraid of controversy,' a pal warns that he will likely pull 'a lot more press stunts over the next few days.' Aug 31, 2021 AceShowbiz - Kanye West's most recent "Donda" event could have been starrier than it was. Having sparked a debate for bringing out DaBaby and Marilyn Manson, the Atlanta rapper reportedly wanted to have another controversial figure at the show. According to Radar, the "Follow God" spitter asked former president Donald Trump to take the stage with him. "Kanye reached out to Donald Trump's team to get the former President to make an appearance alongside him and join DaBaby, Marilyn Manson, and Kim Kardashian in Chicago," sources tell the website. Noting that the 44-year-old was aware of the repercussion that it would cause, one insider says, "Kanye is not afraid of controversy. Why else would he invite DaBaby after he spewed homophobic remarks and Marilyn Manson who has been accused by several women of sexual assault?" "Getting a former President to help sell his new album would have been huge for Kanye, who was a big supporter of Donald Trump. As far as Kanye is concerned, all press is good press," the so-called insider adds. An alleged pal also weighs in, "This is a man who ran for President after everyone told him not to do it. This is a man who wore a red 'Make America Great Again' hat and visited the Oval Office. Kanye loves to press buttons." Apparently knowing Ye's trait so well, the pal predicts that the controversial third listening party won't be the last time the Yeezy designer pulls a stunt to boost his album sales. "Expect a lot more press stunts over the next few days," the source teases, warning that Ye would go as far as involving Bill Cosby. "I wouldn't put it past him to turn up with Bill Cosby," the pal claims. DaBaby and Marilyn aside, the third "Donda" listening party, which was held at Soldier Field in Chicago on Thursday, August 26, also involved his estranged wife Kim Kardashian. The reality TV star joined Ye at the center field, appearing in a wedding gown, toward the end of the show. Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Bern, 31.08.2021 - Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis invited retiring and newly appointed staff from three different career paths within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) to a ceremony at the Bernerhof. The event focused on sharing experiences and on how staff of different generations complement each others' work. "Farewell and welcome: today, we want to symbolically combine the two. Old hands are leaving us and passing the torch to young talent. This generational handover will only meet with success if we connect the two generations," explained Mr Cassis at the opening of the ceremony in Bern. For the second year in a row, Mr Cassis brought together retiring ambassadors and young staff setting out on one of the FDFA's three career paths Diplomacy, International Cooperation, and Consular Affairs, Management and Finance. From yesterday's Cold War to today's multipolar world "The world has changed since the seniors among you started their careers," he reminded those present, explaining that "we've gone from the Cold War and the upheaval following the fall of the Berlin Wall to a multipolar world with new challenges to security and crises that know no borders." "The FDFA's Foreign Policy Strategy tackles all of these challenges head-on. Each of you, with your differing backgrounds and experiences, helps us implement this strategy in the interests of Switzerland around the globe," he added. The Department pro-actively promotes this diversity of talent and experience to mutually boost the potential of the three FDFA career paths, as illustrated by the new ONE FDFA development programme for staff from each path with leadership potential. Intergenerational complementarity The event allowed all the participants to exchange viewpoints, share experiences and ask questions. The young staff underscored their enthusiasm about starting this new chapter of their lives, while also stressing that they take the new, daunting tasks seriously. "We are well aware that having now been allowed to take on responsibility, we stand on the shoulders of all the preceding generations," said the young diplomat Julia Stricker. Turning to the two retiring ambassadors Peter Burkhard (most recently Ambassador to Hungary) and Olivier Chave (most recently Ambassador to Uzbekistan), she added her hope that when she herself retires, she will also be able to say that she and her generation have "lived up to the high standards that you and we have set for ourselves." The implementation of Switzerland's foreign policy is based on strategic documents that guide Switzerland's actions, following up on the Foreign Policy Strategy 202023, and relies on qualified and highly competent professionals. The FDFA has some 6,000 employees in Bern and at its representations. This year, 29 people joined the Diplomacy, International Cooperation, and Consular Affairs, Management and Finance career paths at the FDFA. Address for enquiries FDFA Communication Federal Palace West Wing CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland Tel. Communication service: +41 58 462 31 53 Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55 E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch Twitter: @SwissMFA Publisher Federal Department of Foreign Affairs https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html Alton, IL (62002) Today Morning sunshine will give way to isolated thunderstorms this afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 91F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 64F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. What Im about to say is highly controversial, but I think its the elephant in the room even for many who support ending the Forever War. With this mess in Afghanistan, things look grim for the U.S. Weve lost our dignity, the respect of our allies, trust in our goodwill, and sensible strategic positioning. And now a deadly terror attack at Kabul has claimed the lives of dozens of American servicemen and Afghanis. Our hearts bleed. Across the planet, people are wondering if America has lost her mojo. A pathetic and belated speech by the president didnt ease those concerns as he threatened to take bold retaliatory action out of one side of his mouth but continue with the withdrawal deadline unabated, out of the otherplacing what we now know is lethal dependence on an alliance with our new partners in the region, the Taliban. As if the ass-backward withdrawal werent confounding enough, this latest strategy articulated by General McKenzie and the president is so patently asinine, forget about Americas lost mojo. America has lost her freaking mind. To make things even worse, this self-inflicted punch to the gut came from the class idiot. Meanwhile, the Taliban is in control and possesses $80 billion worth of proprietary, high-tech weaponry. With our porous borders, the risk for retaliation on American soil is breathtaking. As we abandon the world stage, Russia and China are poised to fill the vacuum. Do we just let it all unfold? Or, take a different approach? Through the fog of our reckless disengagement from Afghanistan, there just might be an opening to make lemonade out of withdrawal lemons. I dont sense support among the people for allowing the withdrawal to proceed as is. After this attack, even less. It would diminish our stature as a world power taking third seat to the Russians and Chinese, give them access to the vast resources and strategic positioning of Afghanistan, while enhancing their hegemony around the globe and reconciling ourselves to the sad fact that we wasted 20 years of treasure, time and troops. Thats an enormous price to pay and could very well sound the death knell for America. What are our alternatives? At a minimum, leave no man behind demands we send whatever troops and resources are needed to bring Americans, allies, and SIVs back. I would include reclaiming whatevers left of our weaponry. An administration with a spine would tell the Taliban tough tiddlywinks: you broke the deal of ensuring a safe and complete withdrawal so were staying until every American, ally, SIV, and bullet has been rescued or recovered. At most, after the rescues, we level an all-out offensive to take back our weaponry, airports, and any other military installations, push the Taliban perimeter back into the hills, and kill as many along the way as possible. Before you call me a warmonger or neo-con, hear me out. The Taliban, Al-Qaeda, ISIS K, and jihadis across the globe are feeling awfully confident. The Taliban emerged like locusts from underground to ravage the Afghani countryside, took Kabul, are calling the shots, and successfully defeated the Great Satan. Yet, they are vulnerable in a way they havent been for decades: fully exposed and in plain sight. We know their numbers, location, and how well armed they are. Its a lot easier to rout an enemy thats out and about and feeling groovy than scattered throughout caves in the hinterlands. This is a unique opportunity. Yet, our leaders stubbornly perseverate on how fast we can extricate ourselves from this disaster when this massacre makes abundantly clear that haphazardly rescuing some of our people at the mercy of the Taliban is not a solution. The focus should be to rescue people and recover munitions while contemplating a fight to retake our holdings and cripple, if not obliterate, the Taliban. Then we talk about drawdowns. The original upside of leaving Afghanistan, is no longer an upside. Whether we turn tail or dive back in, the costs are astronomicalspending what weve spent, losing all weve accomplished, and the horrific geopolitical consequences we now face are about equal to the cost in terms of lives and munitions for re-deployment. Actually, the geopolitical fallout of losing our airports and military installations in Afghanistan puts the cost of continuing the withdrawal as planned, into the higher than column, and any benefits of withdrawal are neutralized by the geopolitical hits sure to befall us. At least there is a huge upside to inflicting serious damage on the Taliban today to prevent an existential crisis for America tomorrow. We not only save lives and recover whatever is left of our weapons, but lessen the potential for confrontation with Russia, China, and/or Iran; have airports and a forward operating base for potential conflicts as well as to aid allies in the region; prevent Afghanistan from becoming a vassal state of China to the detriment of America; and keep fanatical terrorists away from the homeland. Yes, it would be Afghanistan 2.0. Yes, wed be duplicating the last 20 years. Yes, it would be costly and yes, it would be a crying shame to do this. But, wouldnt it be a bigger crying shame if we scurried away and became just another has-been superpower? Did we learn nothing from Viet Nam? We can debate whether we should have invaded Afghanistan and stayed for 20 years in the first place. But the facts on the ground suggest we at least consider the possibility of saving face and maintaining a presence in the region akin to that under Trumps withdrawal plan, rather than Bidens surrender plan. Without repeating the many mistakes including nation-building, a military response might be the only way to save thousands of stranded lives, recover our weaponry, rehabilitate our badly-charred reputation, and re-establish American hegemony in the region. The Taliban might put a smiley face on the face of terror, but underneath that new and improved Taliban look, Sharia Law is the promised path of enslavement, abuse, Jihad, the Caliphate, and death to America. Resurrecting the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is a throwback to the good old days of stadium decapitations, amputations, and stonings. They will not rule with a light touch and the picture of the Badri 313 Battalion wearing American gear and raising the Taliban flag in the same fashion as troops raised Old Glory on Iwo Jima, says it all about their regard for us. They are very much alive, nourished, organized, and armed, have America in their crosshairs, and have millions of friends flocking to their side. After 20 years battling America, their thirst for revenge is likely unquenchable. Why is it a zero-sum choice between extreme nation-building, a Forever War, and a precipitous withdrawal when Trump showed us a way to strike the right balance? We want the Forever War to end but we also know that the Taliban and Al Qaeda can be held off with only 2500 troops. Weve had a permanent presence in Germany and Japan since 1945 for stability and security. If we clean up this debacle and, at some future date, decide a permanent presence in Afghanistan with 2500 troops is needed, would that be such a high price to pay for stability and security both in the region and at home? No one wants to start another warbut shouldnt we at least finish the last one. Photo via Google Earth To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Although August 15, 2021, will forever live in infamy as the date the Taliban reconquered Afghanistan, for over 13 centuries that date was famous for another event -- Constantinoples defeat of the caliphate, August 15, 718. While these two events separated by exactly 1,303 years are vastly different in nature -- not least that in 718 Islam lost, while in 2021 it won -- they both confirm one irresistible point that the confident West should take to heart: the tenacity of Islamic jihad -- this relentless snake of war that always bides its time, even if by remaining coiled for many centuries, before striking. Consider the first event. In 718, the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) repulsed, in dramatic fashion, the Arabs. It was such a spectacular victory, and Muslim losses were so bad, that, for many centuries, the caliphates never dared make another attempt against the walls of Constantinople. Put differently, for many centuries after the year 718, anyone living in Constantinople would have thought -- and would have apparently been justified for thinking -- that the Islamic threat, whatever it was elsewhere, was well behind them. And yet, in the early 1400s -- 700 years after the people of Constantinople had thought theyd seen the last of jihad -- it was back again besieging them, with the city finally falling to Islam on May 29, 1453. More significantly, those who besieged and conquered Constantinople in 1453 had little to do with those who besieged it in the eighth century. The latter were Arabs, under the Umayyad caliphate centered in Damascus. Those who actually conquered Constantinople were Turks, whose capital was Adrianople (now Edirne). On the surface, there is no connection or continuity between those who in the eighth century tried to conquer, and those who in the fifteenth century did conquer, Constantinople -- except, of course, for one thing: both were Muslims, and both articulated their hostility for and need to conquer Constantinople in distinctly jihadist terms: like every other infidel, the Christian kingdom had two choices before it: submit to Islam -- which it rejected -- or fight. Thus, while the jihad was down in the eighth century, it was never out for the final count. It bided its time, even as empires rose and fell, and finally manifested itself again in the guise of the latest newcomers to the stage of world conquest, the Turks (who, even more ironically, were greater devotees and practitioners of jihad than even their Arab predecessors). Seen this way, Constantinoples mortal enemy was never really the Arabs or Turks; it was Islam, which, while experiencing highs and lows in the intervening centuries, still transformed its adherents, first Arabs then Turks, into existential enemies devoted to the slaughter and subjugation of infidels, whenever possible. Now consider how this ancient and distant history applies to recent events. At the height of U.S. victory in Afghanistan in 2005, when both al-Qaeda and the Taliban had been all but rooted out, Ayman al-Zawahiri (current leader of al-Qaeda) was asked about the statuses of those two organizations leaders, who were missing in action. His response, which follows, has, in the aftermath of August 15, 2021, proven true: Jihad in the path of Allah is greater than any individual or organization. It is a struggle between Truth and Falsehood, until Allah Almighty inherits the earth and those who live in it. Mullah Muhammad Omar and Sheikh Osama bin Laden -- may Allah protect them from all evil -- are merely two soldiers of Islam in the journey of jihad, while the struggle between Truth [Islam] and Falsehood [non-Islam] transcends time (Al Qaeda Reader, p.182; emphasis added). Similarly, consider what Muhammad Arif Mustafa, a Taliban commander, said recently: One day mujahedeen will have victory and Islamic law will come not just to Afghanistan, but all over the world. We are not in a hurry. We believe it will come one day. Jihad will not end until the last day [emphasis added]. When one considers the state of the world, the current military and economic dominance of the West, and the general weakness of the Muslim world, surely such claims sound laughable. As seen, however, time has a way of switching the tables, making what once seemed impossible imminent. In short, as long as Islam exists, the jihad may be down but it is never out for the count. It may take years, decades, and centuries; its name and guise may morph and change from eighth-century Arab caliphates to fifteenth-century Turkish sultanates to the twenty-first centurys loose amalgam of ISIS, al-Qaeda, Taliban, Hamas, Hezb'allah, Boko Haram, al-Shabaab, etc. -- but it is always there, often lying dormant, yes, though ever ready to strike at the first opportunity. What will it be called, what guise will it take, and what new inroads will it have made in the decades and centuries to come? Raymond Ibrahim, author of Sword and Scimitar, is a Shillman Fellow at the David Horowitz Freedom Center; a Judith Rosen Friedman Fellow at the Middle East Forum; and a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Gatestone Institute. Image: Dosseman To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. UPDATE: Chase Bank does about-face, apologizes for Gen. Flynn credit card cancellation letter, says it 'made an error' There's a new front in the progressive war to turn our nation into a dystopian society ruled by left-wing autocrats who seek to punish anyone who does not fall in line with their dictatorial rules. Conservatives have seemingly become inured to the cancel culture that silences their voices in classrooms, across social media, and in corporate board rooms, but the campaign against them is intensifying with the aid of some corporate behemoths. Michael Flynn, a retired three-star general who served our country with distinction, notwithstanding the Democrats' attempts to malign and jail him simply because he was a Trump-supporter and appointed to head the National Security Agency, just had his credit cards canceled by Chase Bank. Chase claimed that it was doing so due to "reputational risk." And while Snopes and others concluded they could not confirm the authenticity of the letter from Chase to Flynn, which was posted on social media and has since gone viral, Chase has declined comment on the matter, leading to the conclusion that the cancelation of Flynn's cards did in fact occur. Source. It's bad enough that a former president of the United States was banned from social media platforms as so many conservative voices have been. We have come to expect social media companies to ban conservative voices, just as Obama's IRS attempted to cancel conservative non-profit organizations and conservative voices are shouted down or prohibited on college campuses, in town board meetings, and elsewhere in our formerly civil society that used to respect the Constitution and its freedom protections. Under the control of liberal lunatics, the First Amendment is now permitted for me only if I'm liberal, not for thee if you go off the reservation with conservative viewpoints. Thus, we live in a society resembling Soviet Russia, with our Democrat-controlled "state-run media" looking more and more like Pravda and our major institutions feeling more and more as though the Chinese Communist Party is in control. Americans on the left have no problem that Iranian, Hezb'allah, and other terrorists have free access to social media, university classrooms, and corporate boardrooms, but political conservatives? They must be banned from society, lest their ideas actually be considered, debated, and adopted as valid. The latest shockingly audacious move by Chase Bank, which apparently believes that making money from someone who worked for Donald Trump is not worth the risk to its reputation (as if any American actually considered where Flynn or other conservatives do their banking), should frighten every American. Progressive ideology (which is actually anything but progressive) is forcing nuns to provide abortions to young women, Christians to bake cakes for gay "weddings," and corporate boardrooms to include quotas on minorities and women, lest they be canceled themselves for not abiding by the authoritarian dictates taking hold across America. And if the apparent Chase decision reflects what we can expect from these woke boardrooms and corporations that fulfill quotas rather than hire the most qualified, we're doomed. Ben & Jerry's is run by an anti-Semite who recently announced a complete boycott of Israel, and the left in America cheers. Black Lives Matter rioters destroyed cities and businesses last summer, and the left cheered the so-called "peaceful protests." Businesses scramble to hire more and more "people of color" who are not necessarily qualified for the positions in which they're inserted (including commercial airplane pilots and medical school students), but hey, we're virtual-signaling so what can go wrong? George Floyd, a career criminal drug addict, is now a national hero with streets and schools being named after him while statues of our true national heroes like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are torn down. And Obama's former secretary of education, Arne Duncan, believes that people who do not feel comfortable getting the COVID vaccine are the moral equivalent of the ISIS-K suicide bombers who killed 13 U.S. servicemen and women and 160 Afghan civilians. This is the guy who headed up our Department of Education, so we shouldn't be surprised that when Democrats control education, they cancel achievement exams, math facts, and conservative voices so they can destroy the minds of our youths and future leaders. When our country has to face China on the world stage, let alone the military battlefield (as the Democrats gut the U.S. military in order to fund free stuff for people who haven't earned anything), the kids who are taught that 2+2 actually doesn't equal 4, who can't read or write as they sail through high school graduation, and who will be hired to fly United Airlines airplanes will be the ones leading the country. But Michael Flynn presents a reputational risk to Chase Bank. The insanity is never-ending. And if it's not already there, it's coming to a pre-school and K12 program, college campus, business and corporate boardroom, newsroom, and now bank near you. Without a statement by Chase, we'll never know the reasoning behind the cancelation of General Flynn's credit cards. And without a statement, we can only assume that Flynn was canceled for being on the wrong side of woke ideology that is tearing this country apart and leading to its demise. When the woke determine that you cannot bank with them, speak in their classroom or on social media, or abide by your religious convictions that you basically lose all of your rights for thinking differently you wake up to realize that things may be far worse than Orwell predicted. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. In the interest of full disclosure, I supported leaving a force and air base in Afghanistan. This is not because I believe in "endless wars," but rather because I believe in "endless terrorism." In other words, the terrorists get a vote, and they usually choose to stay in the business of terrorism. We may choose to leave, but they choose to follow us. Today, we learned that Americans want out, but not the Biden way, as we see in a new poll: With fewer than 4 in 10 Americans approving of President Joe Biden's handling of Afghanistan, there is overwhelming bipartisan support for keeping U.S. troops in the country until all Americans and Afghans who aided the United States during the 20-year war have been evacuated, a new ABC News/Ipsos poll finds. Although President Joe Biden has held firm that all U.S. troops must be out of the country by Tuesday, regardless of whether the evacuation mission at hand is complete, Americans broadly disagree, according to the poll. Of course. What American wants to see his country humiliated in this fashion or leave our people behind enemy lines? Once again, we see how wrong the experts turned out to be. Add to this picture the depressing scene of an aging president who won't answer questions. The media are asking about a situation that involves the lives of U.S. citizens, Afghan cooperators who are likely to get punished, and women who will be mistreated. No answer. Where are the feminists? Why aren't they calling on President Biden to support the women of Afghanistan? Total silence. So here we are, and most Americans are not happy with where we are. PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk). Image: USAF. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Much has been written about the need to retake Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, to serve as a base for rescue operations to evacuate any Americans remaining in Afghanistan, and to facilitate strikes against ISIS-K or other extremists as the need arises. The base could also resume its role as a hub for intelligence operations, including its function as a listening post near Iran, China, Russia, and Pakistan. Veterans' Day at Bagram 2008. Public domain photo by Air Force staff sergeant Samuel Morse. There have also been many warnings about China's diplomatic and economic inroads in the region, especially their potential exploitation of the trillions of dollars worth of rare earth minerals in Afghanistan. While the possibility of linking Afghanistan to the "Belt and Road" initiative has also been examined, little has been mentioned of the direct military benefit to Beijing of our withdrawal from Afghanistan. Little discussion is evident, at least in open sources, regarding the possibility of China's leveraging its influence with the new Taliban government and occupying the Bagram base for its own purposes. Chinese control of Bagram would give the Chinese a large facility, ready for use, within striking distance of targets in the Persian Gulf region, including the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. military forces, and the armed forces and territory of our remaining regional allies. To forestall this, the United States should retake Bagram by air assault, fly in reinforcements as soon as a runway is secured, and re-establish Bagram as a hub for U.S. rescue efforts and for such additional purposes as we deem necessary. The Taliban are stretched thin, at least for now. They are attempting to exert control over thousands of towns and villages at the same time, including setting up their own administrative structure. They have come out of their mountain hideouts, and they are trying to put down local resistance where it exists. They are in no position to mount a significant counterattack on Bagram once we are re-established there. The Chinese are unlikely to act before the U.S. is finished with operations inside Afghanistan. We have a narrow window between the departure of the last U.S. forces from Afghanistan and the time when the Taliban are able to mount a significant defense of Bagram. We must act as soon as our forces are extricated from Kabul, and we should stay as long as we believe it necessary. I urge readers to contact senators and representatives and demand that we salvage something from the debacle of Afghanistan by seizing and holding Bagram before Beijing does. Rex Crigger is a retired officer of the Central Intelligence Agency and of the U.S. Army Reserve. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. We have just experienced the greatest political/military defeat in American history. It is a historic watershed moment of presidential ineptitude and piss-poor senior military judgment on a grand scale. Because of the actions of a morally, intellectually, and physically courageous USMC LtCol soon to be a veteran the nation is forced to focus on and debate accountability for one of the weakest political and senior military actions in our history. But the tragedy is also still moving forward. With the announcement of the last plane out, and looking forward beyond August 31, 2021, there are two historic battlefield losses that come readily to mind as perfect examples transcending the day the battle ended, when pure evil took command of the defeated: the aftermath of the fall of Singapore in World War II and the takeover by the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. If ever there were a Devil, real or symbolic, that presents pure inhuman evil, the aftermath of both the fall of Singapore and the Cambodia victory of the Khmer Rouge puts such a nasty figure in play. Before putting a historic spotlight on the documented horrific Imperial Japanese war crimes against British and Commonwealth troops along with innocent civilians, a personal note must be made. Evil can be vanquished. I am named after my uncle, who was killed in action on Iwo Jima, and my family fully recognizes the brilliant leadership of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, who brought Japan away from the vicious code of Bushido that allowed and even justified horrific torture and death for those who surrendered. MacArthur's gifted leadership genius created the modern shining example of the open, decent, and vibrant society that is modern Japan. With the military fall of Singapore, in which 80,000 or so British and Commonwealth troops surrendered to roughly 30,000 Japanese troops, the war crimes against those in captivity were yet to come. It was bad very bad for those held captive. The consequences of what Winston Churchill called the worst defeat in British history were not just the day of surrender, but the following years of WWII, until those left behind were liberated. It is estimated that 50,000 prisoners died in captivity, and many were tortured. The second example of evil grabbing a nation's citizens by the throat was the fall of Cambodia to the Khmer Rouge and then the killing fields to follow. If there were ever a moment in modern history after WWII where, metaphorically, the Devil grabbed an innocent population by the throat, it was the brutal Cambodian genocide of between 1.5 and 2 million deaths. Safe and comfy, writing behind a computer screen, some may try and put in a memory hole the whole disgusting mess leading to the last U.S. aircraft lifting off from Kabul. But accurate, fact-based reporting will bring well earned complete dishonor to the Biden administration. Today, right now, please do not put those left behind in such a memory hole, because simple justice and respect for humanity and the sacrifice of our veterans require ongoing, transparent, worldwide accountably for those abandoned to control by vicious, proven fanatical killers. Soon to be a veteran, LtCol Scheller, USMC and many others who served will still trust and believe in the great dream that is our nation, and they will neither forgive or forget as the Afghan death toll rises. Image: newsonline via Flickr, CC BY 2.0 (cropped). To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. President Biden was originally scheduled to meet with Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky on August 30, but as was the case of his meeting with Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, the meeting with Mr. Zelensky was pushed back. Whereas the meeting with Mr. Bennett was pushed back one day because of the suicide bomb atrocity at Kabul airport, the meeting with Mr. Zelensky was pushed back two days, to September 1, because of the August 31 evacuation deadline out of Afghanistan and also, reportedly, because Biden felt the need to keep informed about Hurricane Ida. This excerpt from a Brookings Institution preview of the Biden-Zelensky meeting is worth noting: August 31 will be Zelensky's first time to the White House, even though Trump offered him such a visit more than two years ago. Sadly, the former president showed no understanding of the import of Ukraine for American national interests and instead sought to extort Kyiv into interfering in U.S. politics. When it comes to Ukraine, Biden gets it. The discussions between the presidents will undoubtedly focus on the two central challenges facing Kyiv. First, the conflict that Russia has inflicted on Ukraine since 2014, which has claimed some 14,000 lives. Zelensky can expect a strong reiteration of American support for Ukraine, including for non-recognition of Moscow's illegal seizure of Crimea and for a settlement in Donbas that restores Ukrainian sovereignty. The second sentence, first paragraph here quoted is certainly a baseless claim, a typical piece of disinformation from a reliably rabid radical leftist source. President Trump thoroughly understood the nature of our relations with Kyiv to the point where he realized that the "it" that Biden got, alluded to in the second paragraph, was a hefty payoff (to son Hunter) to maintain good ties with the Obama administration. As leopards tend not to change their spots, one can only imagine what the "it" will be that Biden will now demand of President Zelensky, who no doubt is prepared for what Biden will demand: Ukraine pays for Biden to agree to play. Let's not forget how Biden positively bragged to the Council on Foreign Relation how he threatened to cut a billion-dollar aid package if Ukraine did not appoint a prosecutor to Biden's liking. According to Reuters, Hurricane Ida, as well as the August 31 Afghanistan evacuation deadline, was responsible for the postponement of the Biden-Zelensky confab. It seems difficult to know what Biden could do about the response to the hurricane; it clearly would be enough for Biden to cite Afghanistan as the reason for postponing the Zelensky meeting. The Zelensky meeting will be part of a first in U.S. history perhaps in recorded history the leader of a great nation (in this instance the U.S.) meeting in succession two Jewish leaders of foreign nations: of Israel and of Ukraine. These young men, still in their 40s, are meeting a U.S. president who, in three months, will reach age 79. Mr. Zelensky was trained as a lawyer and gained success as a comic actor in a Ukraine TV series about a teacher who becomes the president of Ukraine. Indeed, it was his role as the Ukraine president that got him elected. Mr. Bennett ended his statement after the meeting with Biden with a quip, which I took down on August 29. But a curious thing happened. The quip was no longer online when I went, August 30, to post it. The quip I wrote down goes like this. Mr. Bennett to Biden: "I have news for you. There's no election in Israel now." Why would that quip have been removed from the official transcript? It is, after all, a humorous reference to the four elections Israel had to go through to get Prime Minister Bennett. (By the way, Biden said in his closing statement that he would take no questions on Afghanistan now he seems to have many and varied excuses not to take questions on Afghanistan, from where, according to reports, we left a day ahead of the August 31 deadline.) Be that as it may, I look forward to the transcript of Mr. Zelensky's closing statement after his meeting with Biden. It should outdo Prime Minister Bennett in the number of quips, given Mr. Zelensky's comedic background. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. PLEASE NOTE: ALL ONLINE PURCHASES ARE AUTOMATIC RENEWALS UNLESS YOU EMAIL JPAYNE@ANNISTONSTAR.COM OR CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE @ 256-235-9253.... Purchase an online subscription to our website for $7.99 a month with automatic renewal. Each online subscription gives you full access to all of our newspaper websites and mobile applications. To cancel you may contact Customer Service @ 256-235-9253 or email JPAYNE@ANNISTONSTAR.COM For a limited time, for NEW SUBSCRIBERS ONLY a NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION is just $59.99 for the first year. Existing customers do not qualify for the specials! After the first year, well automatically renew your subscription to continue your access at the regular price of $69.99 per year. Please note *Your Subscription will Automatically Renew unless you contact Customer Service To Cancel* VENICE - Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini on Tuesday said No to entry tickets and turnstiles in Venice, two mooted ways of curbing tourist overcrowding in the lagoon city. "We must fight the excessive overcrowding of art cities, but without any entry levy," he said at the presentation of the new rooms at Venice's iconic Accademia Galleries. "We must exploit less invasive technologies to control the flows, which are there, but if I think of turnstiles an airport comes to mind, not a city. "For the rest, everything is in the hands of the mayors, and we are here to give a hand". Venice officials have proposed levying a daily fee to visit the city, as well as putting up turnstiles to regulate tourist flows, amid chronic overcrowding which has been only slightly mitigated by the COVID emergency. Replying to journalists' questions, Franceschini added: "Venice not only has a vocation to host tourists, but must also think of the valorisation of its historical and cultural heritage, which is unique in the world, investing in the present and the future. "For the rest, we can't think that Europe can solve all the problems". MADRID - Spain's maritime rescue service on Monday night rescued a boat of migrants from Africa off the coast of Fuerteventura, one of the Canary Islands, with 31 people aboard and a dead body. However, at least 13 people died in all, based on testimonies from several survivors aboard the boat, reported EFE news agency. The survivors said between 12 and more than 25 people died during the crossing. The Canary Islands emergency service said one of the 31 people rescued alive has been hospitalised with "severe hypothermia". Three people were assisted by the Red Cross for "mild pathologies". EFE reported that two people were declared dead after the migrants were rescued and brought to Fuerteventura, but this news has not yet been confirmed by official sources. Tuesday's tragedy is only the most recent of the many that have taken place in the past months on the migrant route between Africa and the Canary Islands. Last Friday, 27 migrants and four dead bodies were found on a boat, and a pregnant woman who was among the survivors later died. According to survivor testimony taken by the NGO Caminando Fronteras, a total of 24 people were aboard during the crossing. Seven children were also among the victims of that tragedy. YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. The Taliban movement which has seized power in Afghanistan, is through with consultations on the makeup of a new government, TASS reports citing the TV broadcaster Al Jazeera. The negotiations on forming a new government in Afghanistan have come to an end. The results will be announced soon, Al Jazeera quotes the movement's spokesman as saying. YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian sent a congratulatory message to newly-elected President of Estonia Alar Karis. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the President's Office, the message runs as follows, ''I am convinced that your activity as the President of the country will further strengthen the partnership between Armenia and Estonia for the benefit of our countries and peoples. Armenia attaches great importance to the continuous strengthening of friendly relations and constructive dialogue with Estonia, and I hope that due to joint efforts the warm Armenian-Estonian relations will continue to develop and strengthen both bilaterally and multilaterally'. Deo left an official meeting that he was chairing in the middle after receiving a phone call Sources said that Deo was likely to meet several senior Congress leaders in Delhi. (Photo: PTI/File) Raipur: Amid the intensifying power struggle between the state health minister and Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, T.S. Singh Deo on Monday suddenly left for Delhi, creating ripples in the ruling Congress here. The development has left the party leaders on tenterhooks. Deo left an official meeting that he was chairing in the middle after receiving a phone call and caught a flight to Delhi, sources close to the minister told this newspaper. The minister is most likely to return to Raipur from Delhi on Tuesday, one of Deos close confidants said. This is Deos second visit to the national capital in just 36 hours. He had returned to Raipur on Saturday night after camping in Delhi for almost a week. He has been lobbying with the party high command to honour the purported formula agreed during the formation of the Congress government in the state in 2018 to rotate the chief ministers post between him and Baghel for two-and-a-half years each. Sources said that Deo was likely to meet several senior Congress leaders in Delhi to resolve the ongoing crisis in the ruling Congress in the state triggered by his demand to appoint him chief minister as per the purported formula. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has remained busy with his official schedule, giving the impression that all is well in the party. Deo had also started attending his official schedules here on Sunday. Ghoshs move in the middle of the Janmashtami celebrations has left the BJP stunned Kolkata: With lavish praise for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and sharp criticism of his partys vindictive politics on his lips, first-time BJP MLA Tanmoy Ghosh defected to the ruling TMC here on Monday. He had joined the BJP from the TMC ahead of the Assembly polls, got a ticket and won from Bishnupur in Bankura. His defection brings down the total number of BJP MLAs in the state to 73. Ghoshs move in the middle of the Janmashtami celebrations has left the BJP stunned, as he became the second party MLA after Mukul Roy, of Krishnanagar North seat, to return to the TMC in less than three months. The young legislators switch also coincides with a hearing into BJPs disqualification petition against Roy under the anti-defection law that is now going on in the West Bengal Assembly. Picking up a TMC flag from state education minister Bratya Basu, Ghosh said, Banerjee is the most popular and efficient leader in the country. The BJP has unleashed vindictive politics across Bengal. It tried to capture the state forcibly during the recent Assembly election. During my association with the BJP, I found it has no organisation at the booth level. Everyone knew the central leaderships target of achieving 200-plus seats was impossible. So, whoever has won the seats, it was their own charisma and no one elses. On the Central agencies ongoing probe in the state, he added: The BJP is now trying to snatch the democratic rights of Bengalis and destroy their heritage by intimidation through the Central agencies. In protest, I have joined the TMC. I urge all the public representatives, irrespective of their political affiliations, to join our CM and support her famous welfare projects. Giving an indication that more defections from the BJP were likely, Basu said: This proves the discontent among BJP MLAs about their party leaderships ploy to belittle Bengalis through Central powers. Tanmoy made his appeal to all publicly instead of privately. One should keep in mind that they are contacting us on their own to be with us. But we will decide to pick whom and when. Pakistan had understood that they would not make any gains from violations of ceasefire agreements, said Rajnath Singh Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivers address on National Security as part of late Balramji Das Tandon lecture series, via video conferencing, in New Delhi, Monday, August 30, 2021. (PTI Photo) New Delhi: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that the government does not want that anti-India forces take advantage of the evolving situation in Afghanistan to promote cross-border terrorism into the country. Mr Singh said that what is happening in Afghanistan is raising new questions from the security point of view and India is constantly monitoring the situation there. "Along with the security of Indians, our government also wants that anti-India forces do not take advantage of the evolving situation there to encourage cross-border terrorism," Mr Singh said while delivering a lecture on "National Security as part of late Balramji Das Tandon lecture series. "Our government is alert and capable of facing any kind of situation," he said, and added that India is prepared to deal with any danger arising from anywhere sky, water or land. Mr 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. Mr 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 a 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. Blaming the Chinese for the stand-off in Eastern Ladakh, the defence minister said that PLA troops ignored the agreed protocol last year which led to a military tussle. "We cannot allow the Chinese Army to act on the LAC in a unilateral manner under any circumstances. We are not allowing it (currently). Nor we will ever allow it (in future)," said Mr Singh The defence minister pointed out that while there are perceptional differences on the border with China, both armies had been patrolling the area following certain agreements and protocols. "The government has clearly told the armed forces that any unilateral action on the LAC should not be ignored. That's what the Indian Army did on that day in Galwan and bravely confronted the PLA soldiers and forced them to retreat," said Mr Singh. "We will not compromise on India's border, its honour and self-respect. We will never allow the sanctity of borders to be disturbed," he said. Mr Singh said there is now a belief in the armed forces that they can perform their duty with no interference of any kind. There hasnt been a major terrorist incident in the hinterland of India in the last seven years. This shows the increased morale and confidence of our Armed Forces, he said. I believe that the remaining tentacles of terrorism in Kashmir will also end. I have this belief because the strength that the separatist forces used to get there due to Article 370 and 35A is over now, he added. "Today we can say that Pakistan-supported model of terrorism is getting demolished in India, 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 drones at the Jammu air force station earlier this year. "We have to continuously update and upgrade the national security system for new challenges, he said. The individual benefits are in terms of better jobs and increased family earning in the future The availability of timely and reliable data and the use of epidemiological evidence has not been seen as the characteristics of decision making for the response to the Covid-19 pandemic in India. The unavailability of epidemiological data on various aspects of Covid-19 such as the age-wise distribution of Covid-19 cases and the time trend and distribution by states has given way to misinformation such as the belief that children would be among the most severely affected in the third wave in India. This now seems to be impacting the decision to reopen schools in this country. For many months, schools in India have been closed with nearly no or very limited attention and public discourse on their reopening. Finally, when the states are reluctantly taking the decision to reopen the schools, the process seems to be painfully slow and not insufficiently informed by epidemiological evidence. As an example, most of the global evidence is that primary schools should be the first to be opened; however, nearly all states in India are doing exactly the opposite opening the higher classes first, and the primary classes last. Lets understand why primary schools should instead be the first to open. Schools for all age groups need to be opened now because the risk of the SARS CoV-2 infection in children is similar to that of adults; the risk of children developing moderate to severe Covid-19, in comparison to adults, is still extremely low. The scientific reason is that children do not have sufficiently developed ACE-2 receptors, which SARS-CoV-2 needs to enter into the lungs and then cause the serious disease. In addition, the evidence from various studies have found that school opening does not alter or increase the risk of infection in children. The schools are not super-spreading and the benefit of in-person learning in the schools is far greater. Thats why, by the end of July 2021, more than 175 countries had their schools open. In fact, the schools are open despite the fact that children younger than 12 years are not receiving the Covid-19 vaccines in any country of the world. On the contrary, many in India are arguing that children can be sent to schools only when they complete their vaccination. That is not scientifically valid. Global experts have said that vaccination is not a prerequisite to opening schools. The vaccines for even 12-17 years are being given only in a few countries and mainly to the high-risk children in this age group, who have pre-existing illnesses. Children are naturally at low risk from Covid-19. The global data on the age distribution of moderate to severe illness and mortality follows a J shaped curve. In this curve, all children in the 0-18 bracket are at far lower risk than adults. Along with that, at the base of the J are 10-year-old children who are at the lowest risk among all age groups. Thereafter, the risk increases every passing year -- in both directions from nine years downwards till one year, as well as 11 years upwards till 100 years. This makes children around the base of the J, the six-year-olds to 14-year-olds, or the age group in the primary and upper primary schools, at the lowest risk of Covid-19. This is the reason why primary schools must be the first to open. In addition to health, there are educational considerations. All children in primary schools need personalised guidance from their teachers. Those who are in Class 1 or Class 2 have essentially just entered the schooling system, are still learning the alphabets and numbers, and need fast greater personalised guidance. Over and above that, the younger children are allowed limited screen time the time they can spend in front of a mobile or computer screen. While children in the senior classes have reading and learning abilities, and they can do self-study and be allowed more screen time as well. The disruption in education at an early stage may have long-term effects. The loss of learning at this stage means that in the subsequent classes, learning would be sub-optimal, which can result in many of them lagging in their learning, leading to a rise in dropouts from the education system. Due to this initial poor learning, over the years the cumulative learning loss for primary schoolchildren would be extremely high, which is why the return to schools should be prioritised for children in the early classes. If this is not addressed, the learning loss is expected to widen the already existing and widespread learning inequities by gender, socio-economic status and geographies, among other factors. Education has individual and societal benefits. The individual benefits are in terms of better jobs and increased family earning in the future. The societal benefits are in an educated and possibly better skilled workforce, contributing to increased work productivity and the economic growth of the nation. The impact of school closures during the pandemic will only be known in the years ahead, and if not addressed urgently, will adversely impact India's effort to pull people out of poverty and to speed up GDP growth. Putting both health and education perspectives together, the maximum loss in this pandemic is likely to be of those who are the least at risk all children, and more so those in primary schools. India has missed many opportunities to use data, science and epidemiological evidence for Covid-19 related policymaking. It has another opportunity to use the data and epidemiological evidence to decide on school reopening. Lets open the primary schools first. Chandrakant Lahariya is a physician-epidemiologist, a public policy and health systems expert and co-author of Till We Win: Indias Fight Against The COVID-19 Pandemic Graveside services for Teresa May Dickson, 60, of Flint, Texas, were held on Friday, September 10, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Rose Lawn Cemetery in Tyler with Rev. Kim Beckham officiating under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Teresa went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on S When two powerful players in the yachting industry join forces, the result can only be spectacular. In this case, one of them is a well-known European designer, the Slovenian Jure Bukavec from the Unielle design studio, and the other one is the Chinese shipyard HeySea Yachts, ranked the 12th yacht manufacturer in terms of global orders.The result of their latest collaboration is the elegant 115.5 feet (35.2 meters) Asteria 116 yacht, newly-listed on the Burgess Yachts platform, for the small amount of 10.5 million ($12.4 million).Since its delivery is scheduled for the end of 2022, we can only admire the ships renderings, for now. But its enough to make us wish we were billionaires, so that we could enjoy this beauty.With a tri-deck structure, Asteria is versatile enough for weekend getaways, parties with friends or business meetings. Although, were not sure who could think about business when theyre relaxing on a sun deck that displays not only the mandatory sun pads, but also a jacuzzi, a bar and even a bbq. And, if that still doesnt sound fun enough, theres a large beach club with an integrated cabana lounge. Its like enjoying the luxuries of a high-end resort, without the actual beach.Apparently, swim ladders arent in anymore, as hydraulic swim platforms become increasingly popular . Also known as submersible swim platforms, these modern boat accessories make getting into the water much easier, whether you want to go for a swim or try some new water toys. Asteria has one, so its lucky passengers can just slide effortlessly into the water (which comes in handy, after that bbq).The lounge, bar and formal dining table on the main deck aft allow the ones on board to admire the beautiful views, thanks to the large windows. The main saloon also features full-height glass doors, for a heightened sense of freedom and connection with the surroundings.Besides the owners suite on the main deck, eight guests can be accommodated in four cabins. As Asteria cruises peacefully at 20 knots, each of them will be enjoying the high life. When the U.S. customers asked for cupholders, the European and Japanese carmakers looked strangely to those holes in the center consoles and laughed. Then, they stopped laughing and pressed their design departments to make room for at least two of them. It took them quite a while, and they still didnt get it right. So now, British drivers were asked what will they want in their future cars.The world is switching towards electric mobility, which will come sooner than most carmakers predicted a decade ago. The future cars will bring even more technology than before, with automated driving modes. The Level 2 Autonomous systems are already here, while level 5 is not too far away. That will transform most drivers into passengers inside their cars. So, what can they do while going on a commute?British drivers asked by Leasing.com considered cars more as appliances than transportation means. They asked for fingerprint-open systems and solar panels on the roof. The latter technology is already a reality for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 . Moreover, inside the car, they want to check their blood pressure or heartbeat while keeping their hands on the steering wheel, so add that too, Mr. Carmaker!But, if they are concerned about heart rate and blood pressure, why would they ask for an espresso machine inside the car? When Fiat offered them that feature, they didnt buy it. Was it, maybe, because it was too soon? More than 28% of the people now asked for that. But over half of the respondents (60% to be precise) asked for augmented reality screens and dashboards. To do what? Pokemon hunting?By far, the most helpful wish was for increased safety onboard vehicles with more airbags. Also, people asked for car-to-car communication to prevent accidents, and they praised Tesla for that. Well, maybe that was before Tesla cars became an emergency-car crusher. And, by the way, most cars sold in the U.K. dont have proper cupholders. So, the big question is, where are these drivers going to put their coffee cups? In their laps? And for one reason or another, it seems some of the worlds best photographers have joined the ranks of the U.S. Air Force (USAF), where aside from helping to keep the nation safe, they are also allowed to display their talent case in point, the many rare shots of aircraft and personnel weve featured this year in our Photo of the Day section.Thats exactly where this photo is going. It shows one of the rarest and most capable military aircraft, an F-22 Raptor , as it soars toward the mildly cloudy skies over the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam at the beginning of August.This particular plane belongs to the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, and it made the trip over to Guam to take part in the Pacific Air Forces Dynamic Force Employment operation.Although it doesnt seem like it, because of a small portion of a hill that obstructs the runway, the plane is in the process of taking off from the base, showing up at eye level (or camera level, to be accurate) in a manner one doesnt get to see all that often.The photo was made possible, of course, thanks to the geography of the region, and the rapid reaction of the one who took it, Master Sgt. Richard P. Ebensberger.The close up shows the sleek silhouette of a very mighty beast. The Raptor , introduced in 2005 as a potential replacement for the F-15 Eagle, was quick to exit the manufacturing scene (production stopped in 2011), but it still packs one of the mightiest punches in the sky.Powered by two Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines, it can reach speeds of Mach 2 (1,534 mph/2,469 kph), and can fly at altitudes of over 50,000 feet (15 km). The planes range is about 1,841 miles (2,962 km), and it can carry a number of deadly weapons in various configurations. The Milwaukee company introduced the Pan America back in February, presenting it as an explore-it-all machine for riders who see touring as detouring on road and off. Two versions of it were announced back then, the 1250 and 1250 Special, both powered by the fancy liquid-cooled Revolution Max V-Twin engine, 1,250cc in displacement and generating 150 hp of power.As with most things Harley, the bike quickly gained a lot of enthusiastic fans , and it also gained some detractors. But hey, this is the first time Harley really ventured into the adventure touring segment (pun intended), so some enthusiasm is understandable.Understandable for fans, that is, and not Harley itself, which, as the mammoth company it is, should be able to keep its emotions in check. Instead, in the purest Harley style of the past years, the company said on Monday, the Pan America 1250 Special has become the #1 selling adventure touring motorcycle in North America.Now, not only did Harley provide no numbers to back that claim (which may or may not be true, its actually impossible to determine), but it didnt even provide us with info on how it reached that conclusion.Is this a big deal? In the grand scheme of things, probably not (also, were used to Harley pulling stunts like this). But the brand is presently involved in a full-out effort to reinvent itself (again) under the Hardwire Strategy , and we would have expected it to go past the old ways.You can have a look at the full (and short) audacious claim in the press release section below. EV Skoda launched the series production of vehicles with a partially or fully electric powertrain, marked with the iV badge, in September 2019, and succeeded in producing a total of 100,000 of them in less than two years. Currently, the iV series include the plug-in hybrids Skoda Superb and Skoda Octavia, plus the model that the brand calls its e-flagship, the all-electric Skoda Enyaq After the successful launch of these three iV series 35,000 iV vehicles were sold in 2020 Skoda is confident in adding at least three more all-electric models by 2030. This would result in an increase of up to 70% EVs sold in Europe by the brand , as well as a 50% cut in CO2 emissions, for the fleet.The carmaker also has big plans for battery production. Since the Enyaq iV is based on Volkswagens MEB (modular electric drive matrix) platform (same as the ID family ), in order to expand itsproduction, Skoda will also start making MEB battery systems locally, in Mlada Boleslav. This will complement the current production of high-voltage traction batteries for its plug-in hybrids. In addition to this, the carmaker is currently working on developing a reliable supplier structure an obvious key factor for all EV manufacturers.Skoda plans to go even further than this, and contribute to transforming its Czech home country into no less than a European electro-mobility hub, by deepening the collaboration with Volkswagen Group, plus corporate and political partners. The ultimate goal is to become one of the top five bestselling car brands in Europe in the next eight years. Video: first transit of "EVER ACE", the world's largest containership, through the Suez Canal#Suezcanal pic.twitter.com/IXHkIr0399 ???? ???? ?????? Suez Canal Authority (@SuezAuthorityEG) August 30, 2021 On August 28, the Ever Ace container ship made waves and turned heads with its unusual appearance. This monstrous floating box was built by Samsung Heavy Industries for Evergreen Marine Corporation and has a capacity of 23,992 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit), making it the largest such vessel in the world. It is the newest addition to Evergreens fleet and was delivered by the builder this July.The Ever Ace measures 1,312 ft (400 meters) in length and weighs approximately 235,000 tons.Because of its large size, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) followed its protocols and offered navigation support during the transit, ensuring a safe passage of the ship. It also welcomed the captain and the crew of the vessel. The SCA later shared the moment on social media.Earlier this month, the Ever Ace set sail from the Port of Taipei in Taiwan, beginning its maiden voyage. Its destination is the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where the container ship is expected to arrive on September 4.Evergreen Marine Corporation also owns the Ever Given ship , which made the headlines this spring for blocking the Suez Canal and causing a major disruption in global trade. It took six days to refloat it and hundreds of vessels had to wait their turn to pass through the 120-mile (193 km) long canal.Fortunately though, the Ever Ace had no problems in transiting it, even though it is five ft wider than the Ever Given. Both container ships have the same length though. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Why it matters: Companies and nations envision millions of people living and working in space without having to become professional, government-backed astronauts. Those hopes are riding on SpaceX's next crewed mission, called Inspiration4. The launch next month of the first all-civilian mission to orbit is an ambitious test for a burgeoning space industry's futuristic dream of sending many more ordinary people to space in the next few years. Axios' "How it Happened: The Next Astronauts" podcast follows the first all-civilian space crew as they prepare for their historic mission. Axios' "How it Happened: The Next Astronauts" podcast follows the first all-civilian space crew as they prepare for their historic mission. The launch next month of the first all-civilian mission to orbit is an ambitious test for a burgeoning space industry's futuristic dream of sending many more ordinary people to space in the next few years. Why it matters: Companies and nations envision millions of people living and working in space without having to become professional, government-backed astronauts. Those hopes are riding on SpaceX's next crewed mission, called Inspiration4. Previous launches have taken billionaires to suborbital space or sent space tourists to the International Space Station alongside professional astronauts, but this mission is the first with a crew made up entirely of amateur astronauts. What's happening: Inspiration4 is effectively a proof of concept for the idea that an all-civilian mission aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft and ostensibly that all-amateur spaceflight can work. Four crewmembers Jared Isaacman, Sian Proctor, Chris Sembroski and Hayley Arceneaux will launch atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Sept. 15. They will orbit the Earth for about three days, flying higher than the International Space Station and Hubble Space Telescope before coming in for a splashdown off the Florida coast. During their mission, the crew will live in close quarters, stare down at Earth and at the stars, perform science experiments and keep an eye on how their spacecraft is performing while mission controllers monitor it from the ground. The big picture: SpaceX wants space travel one day to be akin to air travel so that anyone who wants to can fly to orbit or far-off parts of space. "We'd like to see aircraft like airline, like operations from a human spaceflight perspective, and so this chance to have our first commercial all-civilian flight is awesome," SpaceX director of human spaceflight Benji Reed told me. Yes, but: Flying to space isn't anything like flying on a commercial airliner, at least not yet. It's taken this crew months of training in locations around the U.S. to get ready for their launch, and it has dominated their lives since the full crew was announced in March. The four crewmembers have effectively gotten a crash course in astronaut training, spending time in simulators, studying reams of notes on their own time and taking quizzes from SpaceX. While they may not be professionals, they will certainly not be like a typical airline passenger when they fly to space in September. Their training has effectively been a test of how much pre-flight instruction ordinary people will need to fly to orbit and how quickly that process can go. How it works: Inspiration4's crew was chosen through means more akin to something on reality TV than professional astronaut selection. Isaacman wanted the mission to be all-civilian from the start and he didn't want to just take a few of his friends along for the ride. Instead, he decided to add a fundraising component raising $100 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on top of Isaacman's $100 million donation and open up seats to complete strangers. Sembroski was chosen via a sweepstakes that anyone could enter. Proctor won her seat through a contest for entrepreneurs. Arceneaux a childhood cancer survivor treated by St. Jude who is now a physician assistant at the hospital was picked by the charity to represent it in space. The bottom line: Inspiration4 is a coming-of-age moment for an adolescent commercial spaceflight industry trying to fly many more people to space in the future. Go deeper: Listen to the first episode of the new season of Axios' How it Happened: The Next Astronauts here. Eduard Aghajanian, the chairman of the Armenian parliament committee on foreign relations, said Yerevan continues to believe that Turkish-Armenian relations must not be linked to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict or the 1915 Armenian genocide issue. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian spoke on Friday of some positive signals sent by the Turkish government of late, saying that his administration is ready to reciprocate them. Commenting on Pashinians remark the following day, Turkish President Recep Tayyip 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 said. In that context, Erdogan was understood to echo Azerbaijans demands for a formal Armenian recognition of Azerbaijani sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh. We certainly welcome positive rhetoric whenever it comes from Azerbaijan and Turkey, Aghajanian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. But unfortunately, Erdogans statement contained points resembling preconditions, which do not help to launch that [normalization] process at all. I cant imagine Azerbaijan being a decisive factor in Turkish-Armenian relations as has been the case in the last 20-30 years, he said. Aghajanian, who is a senior member of Pashinians Civil Contract party, also made clear that Yerevan will not stop seeking a greater international recognition of the Armenian genocide in the Ottoman Empire for the sake of a Turkish-Armenian rapprochement. I think that the Turkish should also be conscious of this, he said. Turkey completely closed its border with Armenia in 1993 and has refused to establish diplomatic relations with Yerevan since then out of solidarity with Azerbaijan. It provided Azerbaijan with decisive military support during last years war in Nagorno-Karabakh. For the tenth year in a row in Phoenix, doctors and staff from Risas Dental and Braces will provide free dental treatment at their annual Labor of Love event. People are experiencing tough times now more than ever, and Risas Dental wants to make it easier for them to put their health first. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. The French Fire continued burning Sunday, and is reported to have burned some 24,920 acres since it started Aug. 18 west of Lake Isabella. Monroe County hit 241 active cases on Monday, according to the state DHHR (Department of Health and Human Resources), after dropping to a low of only one earlier this summer, with 166 new cases during the previous seven days. During a pandemic briefing Monday at a new mass vaccination site in Fairfax County, Gov. Ralph Northam said that since every adult is now eligible for the vaccine and as supplies have now increased, the May timeline should work. Courtesy of US Development Group / Courtesy of US Development Group/ A rail-yard near Motiva Enterprises complex in southwest Port Arthur has spilled at least 1,000 gallons of crude oil. Port Arthur Terminal, owned by Pasadena-based USD Group, first reported the leak from a rail car around 7:30 p.m. Monday, though engineer estimates suggest the leak could have started in the early morning hours. Related: Company plans $150 million terminal for Canadian crude In a report to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality filed Monday night, the company estimated that the event could have lasted around 44 hours, which allowed oil to leak into a wastewater pond. USD Group reported that product recovery operations were still continuing at the time of the report. The Enterprise has reached out to the company for more information. A representative with TCEQ said the Beaumont regional office was informed of the spill Tuesday and conducted an on-site investigation. Compliance documentation will be submitted to the TCEQ for review once the remediation is completed, the representative wrote in an email to the Enterprise. The terminal site started operating earlier this year after the company announced in December that it would move ahead with the 320-acre facility. Related: Shell to refurbish Deer Park rail terminal The terminal was designed to have three units that could hold 120 train cars each and three storage tanks, with capabilities to mix products to pipeline grade for transport. The facility has long been a part of USD Groups plans to bring Canadian crude to the Gulf Coast and was highlighted in its partnership with Gibson Energy to create a facility in Alberta, Canada. When the company announced its Canadian project, it also disclosed an agreement with ConocoPhillips Canada to process 50,000 barrels per day of inlet bitumen blend that will be shipped to the Port Arthur terminal. jacob.dick@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/jd_journalism 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. Nancy Campos back ached as she loaded more than 100 Amazon packages onto her truck. The 59-year-old grandmother, a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, had worked 13 days in a row without a lunch break, and now she was delivering on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday to keep up with a never-ending flow of boxes. At the end of her shift that January day, Campos filled out her time sheet. Then she took a picture of it for proof. I knew what was going to happen, said Campos, who delivers mail in Midland, Texas, because it happens every pay period. Two weeks later, when she checked her paystub in the payroll system, she said she was missing six hours of overtime pay. That added up to about $201 in lost wages a weeks worth of groceries. Postal workers across the country share her frustration. ___ This story was provided to The Associated Press by The Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit news organization based in Washington, D.C. ___ The Postal Service regularly cheats mail carriers out of their pay, according to a Center for Public Integrity investigation. Managers at hundreds of post offices around the country have illegally underpaid hourly workers for years, arbitrators and federal investigators have found. Private arbitration records tell part of the story. From 2010 to 2019, at least 250 managers in 60 post offices were caught changing mail carriers time cards to show them working fewer hours, resulting in unpaid wages, according to a batch of arbitration award summaries obtained by Public Integrity for cases filed by one of the three major postal unions. Supervisors found to be cheating were rarely disciplined often receiving only a warning or more training. In four cities, arbitration documents show, post office managers continued to alter time cards after promising union leaders they would stop. Since 2005, meanwhile, the Postal Service has been cited by the federal government 1,150 times for underpaying letter carriers and other employees, including one case that involved 164 violations, according to Labor Department data obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. The agency determined that those workers lost about $659,000 in pay. But it allowed the Postal Service to pay back less than half after negotiations with the agency a common practice at the Labor Department. About 19% of the cases did not indicate whether the Postal Service paid back employees. These findings point to widespread wage theft at the iconic quasi-governmental institution. Yet they offer only a partial view of the problem. Not captured are any arbitration cases filed by other postal unions or wage theft grievances settled before reaching arbitration. Cases keep cropping up as the Postal Service struggles to pay off $188 billion in debt and unfunded liabilities, accrued largely because federal law requires it to prepay retiree healthcare and pension benefits. The agency has cut nearly 142,000 jobs since 2007, and in March 2020, it needed a $10 billion emergency loan from Congress to help pay its bills. Mail carriers say their supervisors face intense pressure to keep overtime costs down. At the same time, pandemic-fueled spikes in online ordering are overwhelming mail carriers with packages. And they cant count on getting paid for all their work. A spokesperson for the Postal Service, David Partenheimer, said the agency does not condone supervisors making unsupported timecard adjustments and takes such allegations seriously. This position is messaged to the postal workforce directly from postal leaders, including the Vice President, Delivery Operations, who periodically reissues policies regarding appropriate timecard administration for supervisors, Partenheimer wrote in an email to Public Integrity. He declined to comment on specific cases. Campos said the agency still owes her thousands of dollars for two other wage theft grievances they settled before she discovered the missing overtime pay in January. She said her boss promised to pay her back for working the holiday but never did. I just had it. Enough is enough, said Campos, who shared copies of her timesheets and pay stubs with Public Integrity. We are depending on that money. When you get shorted, its the most horrible feeling. A systemic problem Every morning, Campos and thousands of other mail carriers across the United States swipe their badges at a local post office to clock in for work. They sort mail for their routes, check undelivered items and load up their trucks. They swipe their badge a few more times when they begin and end their delivery route and other tasks, and once again when theyre done for the day. All of this is supposed to happen within an eight-hour shift for most carriers. Thats because the Postal Service doesnt want to pay overtime, which is 50% extra per hour under federal law. The inspector general has repeatedly admonished the post office for spending billions of dollars in overtime each year and has urged managers to cut back. But mail carriers say its impossible to get back in time. After all, the Postal Service is notoriously short-staffed at a time when carriers are delivering a record number of packages. In 2019 alone, they delivered 1.5 billion items for Amazon nearly a third of the online retailers packages. That means carriers log a lot of extra hours. And its not uncommon for managers to go into the system and delete some of them. Sometimes their changes show carriers ending their shifts earlier or taking an unpaid lunch break, according to Public Integritys review of private arbitration decisions maintained by the National Association of Letter Carriers, a labor union with nearly 290,000 members about 45% of the agencys total workforce. In most of these cases, managers did not submit the required paperwork to explain the changes or notify the affected employee. Other times, supervisors just told carriers to clock out after eight hours and keep working without pay. That happened regularly to Maverick Tran and some of his colleagues in San Jose, California, according to a 2019 decision by an independent arbitrator. Tran told the arbitrator who acts like a judge in this type of legal dispute that two supervisors often told him to manually clock out at 6 p.m. if he was running late while delivering the mail. I still havent unloaded my truck or empty out anything, but I would be off the clock, he said during a closed-door hearing at the main San Jose post office. A co-worker said managers would regularly clock him out themselves before he returned to the station. Another carrier said they instructed him to punch out before the end of his shift to avoid unauthorized overtime. One of those co-workers, Rafael Zambrano-Lay, said he was so scared about returning to his post office past 6 p.m. that he would skip meals, forego rest breaks and run while carrying mail to customers homes. Zambrano-Lay did not respond to a request for comment and Tran declined to discuss the case. Their union representative told the arbitrator that nearly every supervisor in San Joses 12 post offices had improperly manipulated employee hours each week for at least three years. In an eight-month period in 2017, the union found that these unauthorized changes shorted mail carriers out of 77 regular hours and 1,864 overtime hours, collectively costing them anywhere from $52,000 to $90,000 in lost wages. In the arbitration hearing, a Postal Service representative did not explain why managers changed carriers time cards. He said the behavior was not widespread. Nancy Hutt, the arbitrator, disagreed. After reviewing time cards for 240 mail carriers in San Jose, Hutt said she grew alarmed. The data reflects a widespread practice by management of willfully and repetitively deleting and altering time records of Letter Carriers, she wrote in her decision. Other arbitrators expressed similar shock when reviewing such allegations. Heinous, an arbitrator in Nashville, Tennessee, wrote in 2018 when presented with evidence that a manager deleted carriers work hours. Its an act, in my view, on the same level as theft. In Boston, arbitrator Katherine Morgan called the pattern of wage theft systemic and egregious. In a 2019 decision, she described the time card changes as serious federal offenses which cannot be treated lightly, and which could lead to fines and even imprisonment. In all, arbitrators found that postal managers in at least nine states illegally altered mail carriers time cards in recent years, cheating more than 900 mail carriers out of pay. They ordered the Postal Service to stop falsifying time cards and pay back employees they cheated. Its hard to believe, said Jennifer Williams, a former mail carrier in the Atlanta area. This is a government job. Nobody should go to work and wonder if theyre going to get paid. Williams, 36, said co-workers warned her to keep track of her hours when she was hired as a mail carrier in February 2020. She said she didnt get her first paycheck and had to file a grievance with the union to get paid. When her second paycheck arrived, Williams said, she was missing five hours of overtime. Another supervisor told Williams that her boss had deleted the hours, according to a lawsuit she filed against the Postal Service in federal court. When she brought up the missing overtime to her boss on the phone, she said her boss berated her. A few days later, Williams said the mail truck she was driving broke down and she was fired for not finishing her route. She sued in September 2020, claiming she was illegally fired for complaining about wage theft. I was really upset because I was depending on working at the post office to keep myself afloat, said Williams, who said she had to take a low-paid job at a filter factory after she was fired. Partenheimer, the Postal Service spokesperson, declined to comment on the lawsuit. But in court records, lawyers for the agency denied that a supervisor deleted Williams overtime hours or that she was fired for complaining about missing pay. Both parties settled the case in June, with the Postal Service agreeing to pay Williams $2,356 in damages and $3,143 in attorneys fees. Williams said she misses working for the post office. She once viewed the agency the same way thousands of other Black Americans have before her: as a stable job with good benefits and decent pay. The Postal Service has long been one of the largest employers of African Americans in the United States. During the civil rights era, it was a place where Black workers could advance their careers without as many barriers as the private sector, said Frederick Gooding, an African American studies professor at Texas Christian University. The (Postal Service) was in many ways a beacon of hope and opportunity, said Gooding, author of the book American Dream Deferred: Black Federal Workers in Washington, D.C., 1941-1981. To this day, Black workers are overrepresented in the Postal Service. Though 12% of the overall U.S. workforce, they make up 19% of the agencys mail carriers, 38% of its clerks and 31% of its mail handlers. Asians also represent a larger-than-average share of the postal workforce. Wage theft within the agency might disproportionately harm these workers, but thats unclear. Arbitration documents and Labor Department records dont track each employees race or ethnicity. Yet the repeated paycheck theft tests the notion that the Postal Service is a desirable place to work. I would never have expected this from the post office, said Campos, the Texas mail carrier. This used to be an honorable job. Campos, who has worked as a carrier for three years, says she filed three grievances against her supervisors for unpaid work. They have since settled the complaints, she said, and management agreed to pay her a yet-to-be determined amount, including the extra hours she worked when delivering an overburdened route a long one that regularly takes more time to finish than its supposed to. Several of her co-workers are also waiting to be paid for similar reasons, she said, but she suspects that no one will be punished for ripping them off. The arbitrator in the San Jose case told the Postal Service to pay employees what theyre owed. Tran, Zambrano-Lay and other carriers sued the agency in federal court a few months later. They want cash damages in addition to back pay. As of February, the Postal Service had paid back employees in that case a total of $570,000, attorneys for both sides reported to the court. Accountability is rare About two dozen employees gathered for a tense meeting at a San Antonio post office in February 2019. The station manager, Ruben Vela, was agitated. He told them that union outsiders were arriving to cause trouble. When union steward Steven Ramirez showed up, Vela got in his face and berated him in front of everyone at the meeting, a witness said. Ramirez had discovered that Vela and at least one other supervisor regularly deleted 25 employees work hours over a period of two years, according to an arbitration decision from later that year. In some cases, the arbitrator found, the other supervisor forged an employees initials approving the changes. Employees who were at the 2019 meeting later said that Vela described the time card changes as a simple mistake. Public Integrity was unable to reach Vela for comment. Kirk Fraser, one of the mail carriers at the meeting, said he was devastated, according to the arbitration document. He called the practice an immoral and egregious breach of trust. Clearly, falsifying dozens of (USPS) forms does not equate to a simple mistake, but rather something that was done deliberately, he told the arbitrator, according to the decision. He and some of his co-workers said they didnt understand why Vela wasnt fired. Instead, the Postal Service said in arbitration that Vela was temporarily restricted from accessing the time card system until he could retake training on the proper way to handle time card changes. The agency told the arbitrator that they had paid back the employees. Union representatives Richard Gould and Adam Reyna were incensed with the light rebuke. They asked the arbitrator to order the Postal Service to ban Vela from supervising letter carriers. This kind of thievery would have resulted in the immediate removal if perpetrated by a letter carrier, but inexplicably the Postal Service appears to have taken the position that (its) supervisors should be somehow held to a lower standard than the craft employees they manage, the union representatives stated. The Postal Service representative argued that any further punishment would impact the supervisors career and rob him of due process. The arbitrator decided not to mandate harsher discipline, agreeing with that argument. A similar scene has played out in several closed-door hearings across the country. The Postal Service will acknowledge the unlawful time card changes and agree to pay back workers. A union advocate then asks an arbitrator to sanction the supervisors involved. The arbitrators say they cant under the contract, ordering supervisors to take training instead. That doesnt always make a difference. A union representative begged an arbitrator in Chicago to take action after supervisors were found deleting employee work hours at all 11 offices in the city. Internal mediators had already ordered those supervisors to stop multiple times, but they wouldnt. Cease and desist orders have not been effective in convincing Chicago Management to enforce the prohibition against stealing time, the union advocate argued, according to the December 2020 decision. The arbitrator said she didnt have the authority to mandate monetary penalties, and instead required post office leaders to meet with supervisors and tell them to stop. She also told the Postal Service to let the union do periodic time card reviews. Fredric Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, declined to comment on individual cases and said the union addresses time card fraud through the grievance-arbitration system and in the courts. Meanwhile, we are constantly monitoring these situations to make sure USPS complies with arbitration decisions and grievance settlements, he said in a statement to Public Integrity. In a September 2019 newsletter, Rolando lamented that one of the biggest problems facing the Postal Service is a toxic workplace culture that tolerates abuse and wage/time theft. One rural mail carrier in North Carolina compared the Postal Service to a bank robber. It just seems like the post office is above the law, said the employee, who asked that he not be identified out of fear of retaliation from his supervisors. They pretty much do anything they want. The Postal Service knows it has a problem Postal Service leaders are well aware that many supervisors have been caught cheating employees. The agencys inspector general its independent watchdog has audited time records at dozens of post offices over the years. In a 2009 letter to Rep. Paul Hodes, the inspector generals office confirmed complaints that supervisors at three New Hampshire post offices were changing time cards, underpaying employees by nearly $30,000. A year later, the office found more than 160 suspicious changes during a year-long audit of three post offices in Ohio, North Carolina and New Hampshire. At least 75 of the changes were not properly documented. Auditors said the Postal Service did not have adequate systems in place to make sure supervisors arent shorting employees. As a result, we could not determine with certainty the reasons supervisors altered time and attendance records, the lead auditor wrote. The agency watchdog recommended that the Postal Service train all supervisors periodically, create another layer of approval for each time card change and do its own periodic audits. Dean Granholm, then the Postal Services head of delivery and operations, agreed to follow the recommendations. But the wage theft didnt stop. In 2018, the inspector general alerted postal leaders that more than 100 supervisors in the Boston area had changed time records, deleting hundreds of work hours from 814 postal employees over a period of two years. The auditors reviewed a sampling of 199 changes and found that the majority of them were improperly documented. Granholm no longer works for the agency and did not respond to a request for comment. Finally the inspector general looked at the problem on a national level. During a six-month period in 2019, auditors discovered that managers had deleted more than 46,000 work hours from employees across the country. Investigators then examined records at seven post offices in Illinois, Florida and the Washington, D.C., region, finding that 86% of time card changes shorted employees pay without proper documentation. The inspector general made similar recommendations to those from previous audits: talk to supervisors about the time card rules and establish a process to periodically review such changes. The Postal Service agreed to do it. Mail carriers who spoke to Public Integrity say they believe supervisors keep docking their hours because managers annual pay raises depend on keeping overtime spending down. Union stewards and lawyers made the same claims in legal records. The Postal Service would not say whether it does in fact link pay raises to overtime spending. Mail carriers say the wage theft will continue unless the Postal Service punishes managers doing it. In the meantime, some carriers take pictures of their time sheets or write down their hours in a notebook. One of the unions developed a mobile app to help with that. Campos refuses to quit her job, despite it all. Ive invested so much. I dont want to leave, she said. I am 59 years old. Who do you think is going to hire me? ___ Alexia Fernandez Campbell is a senior reporter at the Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit investigative news organization in Washington, D.C. If Gov. Greg Abbott was trying to prove that he can oppose mandates for masks and vaccines more than anyone, his shift to the Legislature could backfire. He is asking the state House and Senate to pass legislation that would change his restrictive executive orders into state law. Cities, counties and school districts would be prohibited from taking these common-sense steps during the current pandemic, or any other public health emergencies. But what if the Legislature doesnt go along? Republicans have a 16-vote margin in the 150-seat House, and a slightly larger cushion of 18-13 in the Senate. While virtually all of those Republicans are conservative, not every one is so unreasonable on this issue. It is possible that a sufficient number in each chamber could side with Democrats (who mostly favor these mandates) and vote against bills that would prohibit these actions statewide. In itself, that would show that the ban against local control on mandates does not have broad support. In fact, polls have shown that even Republicans in Texas are more supportive of mask and vaccine mandates than the hard-line politicians who make a lot of noise on this issue. Heck, its even possible that the Legislature could then turn around and pass a bill allowing cities, counties or school districts to impose mask or vaccine mandates when they felt it was necessary. Keep in mind that the majority of local governments in Texas would not impose these mandates, even though most doctors support them. So far, only about 75 school districts and eight counties have tried to require masks in violation of Abbotts executive order. The courts are allowing their mandates to remain in effect for now, though their long-term future is another question. More than 100 health care providers have signed a letter urging lawmakers not to limit the ability of local officials to implement local public health interventions. As Dr. John R. Corker, an emergency physician in Dallas put it, I signed on to this letter because, every day, I toil in a preventable disaster zone. Children, young adults and vulnerable elderly, all struggling to breathe. No room or resources to help others suffering from otherwise routinely treatable ailments. We must allow our local communities to make decisions in the best interest of the health and well-being of their citizens. Our elected officials should be empowering, not obstructing, these communities with the freedom and resources they need to make these nuanced decisions. Dr. Corker is right, and we hope that enough members the House and Senate realize that. The virus does not choose between Democrats and Republicans; it infects members of either party if they have not been vaccinated. COVID-19 has killed more than 600,000 Americans, including more than 50,000 Texans. This is a time to listen to the doctors, not the politicians, about how to fight this battle. Masks and vaccines work. If some local governments want to require them for their employees or students, they should have the ability to make the decision thats right for them. The 2022 elections in Texas favor Republican candidates. They havent lost a statewide election for more than a quarter of a century, and theyve been in the majority of the Texas House and Senate for two decades. Republicans quashed Democratic efforts to gain ground in the 2020 elections. All thats left is to fortify their position, a two-step exercise that starts with restrictions on voting laws, an effort nearing completion in the Legislatures ongoing special session, and ends with new political maps based on the 2020 census, which will be the subject of a special session after the current one. The stakes were evident a year ago, when Democrats were pouring money into legislative races and boasting in advance that they would gain enough seats in the Texas House to force bipartisan compromise on redistricting and other issues. There was even some very loopy fantasizing that the two parties could end up with the same numbers in the House if Democrats were able to win eight of the seats they had targeted. It didnt happen. Republicans won the day, the year and the chance to draw the political maps for the next decade. Now theyre just cashing in their winnings. First, theyre going after election practices used in Harris County in 2020 that turned out to be particularly popular with voters of color, like drive-thru voting and 24-hour early voting. The legislation that shot out of the Senate and then remained largely unscratched in the House on Thursday and Friday would outlaw those practices, make it illegal for election officials to send vote-by-mail applications to voters who havent asked for them, and tighten voter ID requirements at the polls. Thats the legislation that prompted House Democrats to decamp to Washington, D.C., for more than a month this summer. The U.S. House passed a voting rights bill and the Texans claimed some credit for that, but they failed to stop the Republican juggernaut, which is now within days of getting the changes in voting law it has been seeking all year. Redistricting was all the talk before the 2020 election, and the population counting that feeds redistricting went the way it was expected to go: Texas grew quickly, and people of color led the way. That counting was delayed by the pandemic, but when the numbers came out this month, some of the trends were even stronger than expected. Texas grew like we all knew it would, especially in cities and suburbs. That growth was almost entirely driven by people of color, who accounted for 95% of the additions. The number of Hispanics in Texas is slightly below the number of non-Hispanic white people in the state, a ratio expected to flip in the next year or two. And those non-Hispanic white Texans are 39.8% of the population now, meaning 3 of every 5 residents of the state are people of color. How those Texans are represented will be a key part of the redistricting debate not a new factor, but because of the major shift in the numbers, one that is even more compelling now to legislators and judges than it was in past debates. Another will be the geographic splits as the states population is increasingly compressed into a triangle of major metros, with Dallas-Fort Worth at the top, Houston at the bottom right and San Antonio-Austin at the bottom left. Fewer than 10% of Texans live in the states 190 least-populated counties. Almost 40% live in the four most-populous counties, and two-thirds live in just 14 counties. When you look at a post-election map of Texas, it looks like the state is overwhelmingly red, with some splotches of blue here and there. But the blue parts generally have more people. In 2020, 10 of the 14 most-populous counties voted for Democrat Joe Biden over Republican Donald Trump, even as Trump was winning statewide. For politicians drawing the maps, that means figuratively going house by house, voter by voter, trying given that its a Republican Legislature to collect enough Republican voters into enough districts to keep the GOPs hold on state government, and its federal representatives, for another 10 years. Election bills come up every year, but in normal times, redistricting only comes up once a decade. The fight over who can vote, and when, and with what proof has made for a nasty and partisan summer. Its just the warmup act. The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans and engages with them about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Papuan activists attend a protest in Surabaya, Indonesia, to mark the anniversary of the Free Papua Organization, Dec. 1, 2020. The start of a Papuan independence activists trial on treason charges was postponed Tuesday for a third time after he fell ill and had to be hospitalized for pulmonary and gastric problems, lawyers said. Victor Yeimo was admitted to the Jayapura General Hospital on Monday after the court and prosecutors agreed to postpone the trial pending his treatment, according to Adrianus Tomana, the public prosecutor. The suspension of detention was granted so that defendant Victor Yeimo can be treated in hospital, Adrianus told BenarNews. The activist will return to his detention cell from the hospital once he has recovered, Adrianus said. Yeimo, the international spokesman for the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), a group seeking a referendum on independence for the Papua region, is facing charges of treason, desecration of state symbols, and weapons smuggling in connection with deadly anti-Jakarta riots that took place in 2019. He could face two years to a maximum of life in prison, if found guilty. The indefinite postponement marked the third time since last week that the trials opening was delayed. It was originally set to begin on Aug. 24 at a courthouse in Jayapura, the capital of Papua province. Yeimos attorney, Gustav Kawer, criticized the prosecutors office, accusing it of delaying approval for his clients medical treatment. Initially, the prosecutor had wanted the trial to proceed as planned and the defendant to remain in detention, Kawer told BenarNews. Maybe they wanted him to die in his detention cell. Last Thursday, the Jayapura District Court ordered Yeimo to receive medical treatment and adjourned the trial after receiving the results of his medical checks. Yeimo had been held at a detention facility run by the crack Mobile Brigade police unit since his arrest on May 9. Kawer said Yeimo had complained of chest pain and coughed up blood, with his chronic pulmonary conditions aggravated because of a poorly ventilated cell. But police and the prosecutors office had initially denied requests for his client to be treated and transferred to another facility, Kawer alleged. On Friday, police finally took Yeimo to a hospital for a series of health examinations, the defense lawyer said. The doctor diagnosed Yeimo with acid reflux disease, chronic bronchitis and possible pulmonary tuberculosis, according to the results of the examinations, a copy of which was seen by BenarNews. In 2019, more than 40 people were killed in Papua and neighboring West Papua province during anti-government demonstrations that turned violent. These were sparked by the perceived harsh and racist treatment of Papuan students by government security personnel in Java that August. Police said Yeimo instigated the demonstrations, during which protestors demanded independence from Jakartas rule for the far-eastern Papua region, which makes up the western side of New Guinea Island. Indonesian government forces have been accused of engaging in racist actions against indigenous people in mainly Melanesian Papua, where violence linked to a separatist insurgency has simmered for decades, and grown in recent months. Last year, at least 13 Papuan activists and students were convicted for raising Morning Star flags the symbol of the Papuan independence movement during pro-referendum rallies in 2019 as part of nationwide protests against racism towards Papuans. They were sentenced to between nine and 11 months in prison on treason charges. Inhumane and cruel Wirya Adiwena, deputy director of the rights group Amnesty International in Indonesia, criticized the delay in treating Yeimo. We are grateful that he was finally hospitalized, but we also regret why the process was so slow. Weve known how his health was and that he needed urgent treatment, Wirya told BenarNews. Any attempt to prevent him from being treated constitutes inhumane and cruel treatment, he said. According to Wirya, Yeimo should not have been detained and prosecuted in the first place. His continued detention is in violation of international human rights laws and Indonesias constitution. It is critical that he be released as soon as possible, Wirya said. Papua police spokesman Ahmad Musthofa Kamal denied that Yeimo was denied treatment. He has been given regular health checks, including the last one, the results of which were submitted to the court, Kamal told BenarNews. On Monday, hundreds of people rallied outside the Papuan prosecutor's office to demand that Yeimo be immediately released, according to Jubi, a Papuan news website. The crowd was disbanded by the police in the afternoon. Yeimos current legal trouble is not his first brush with the law. In 2009, he was arrested and sentenced to a year in prison for leading a rally demanding a referendum on self-determination for Papua. Protester dies In other news from the region, a Papuan man who was wounded on Aug. 16 when police fired shots at protestors in Papuas Yahukimo regency who were demanding Yeimos release has died of his injuries, West Papua National Committee chairman Agus Kossay said. Ferianus Asso, 29, died on Aug. 22 after being treated in a hospital for a bullet wound to his stomach, Kossay said. We are working with his family and lawyers to demand the chief of the police be held accountable and brought to justice, Kossay told BenarNews. Meanwhile, on the day that Asso died, rebels gunned two workers in the same regency who were involved in the construction of the Trans-Papua Highway. The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), the military wing of the Free Papua Movement, claimed responsibility for the killings. They had killed other construction workers in the past, claiming they were government agents. In 1963, Indonesian forces invaded Papua and annexed the region. Papua was formally incorporated into Indonesia after a U.N.-sponsored ballot called the Act of Free Choice in 1969. Locals and activists said the vote was a sham because only about 1,000 people took part. However, the United Nations accepted the result, which essentially endorsed Jakartas rule. The region is rich in natural resources and minerals, including copper and gold, but remains among Indonesias poorest and underdeveloped ones. Girls carry water containers to be filled at an evacuation camp for families displaced by the Marawi siege, in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur province, Philippines, May 14, 2019. An American helping rebuild the lives of thousands of people who were displaced when Islamic State group fighters took over the Philippine city of Marawi is among this years recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Awards, Asias highest honor, which were announced on Tuesday. Other awardees are a Filipino fisherman and community environmentalist, a Bangladeshi doctor who helped develop vaccines, a Pakistani anti-poverty worker and an Indonesian media group, said the Manila-based body that administers the awards. American Steven Muncy, 64, was recognized for a non-profit organization he formed called the Community and Family Service International (CFSI), which has provided relief to thousands of families experiencing disasters, including those affected by the five-month battle in Marawi. He is being recognized for his life-long dedication to humanitarian work, refugee assistance, and peace building; and his unstinting pursuit of dignity, peace, and harmony for people in exceptionally difficult circumstances in Asia, the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation said in a statement. Among other initiatives of the foundation, CFSI is implementing the Marawi Recovery Project, aimed at providing livelihood and other assistance to some 40,000 people, the foundation said. American Steven Muncy, 64, a humanitarian activist who works in the southern Philippines, in an undated photograph. [Photo courtesy The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation] Established in 1958 and named after the 7th Philippine president, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asias most prestigious prize and often has been described as the regions equivalent of the Nobel Prize. Like recipients in earlier years, this years awardees inspire with their vision, leadership and persistence, the foundation said. Like the other Magsaysay laureates before them, they have shown moral courage and impassioned insistence on making the societies that they serve better, kinder, and more equitable for everyone, especially for the marginalized, Susan Afan, president of the foundation, said in a statement. Dr. Firdausi Qadri, a Bangladeshi scientist who works in vaccine development, is seen in an undated photograph. [Photo courtesy The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation] Also awarded this year was Dr. Firdausi Qadri, a Bangladeshi national, who was recognized for her contributions to vaccine development. She is being recognized for her passion and life-long devotion to the scientific profession; her vision of building the human and physical infrastructure that will benefit the coming generation of Bangladeshi scientists, women scientists in particular, and her untiring contributions to vaccine development, the foundation said. One of Qadris most challenging engagements was in the fight against cholera and typhoid, which are major diseases in Bangladesh and Asian and African countries. She played a key role in the development of a more affordable oral cholera vaccine and the typhoid conjugate vaccine for adults, children, and infants as young as nine months, the foundation said. A Filipino environmentalist, Roberto Ka Dodoy Ballon, was also honored for his inspiring determination in leading his fellow fisher folk to revive a dying fish industry by creating a sustainable marine environment for this generation and generations to come. In 1986, he and other farmers created the Association of Small Fishermen in Concepcion in the southern Zamboanga Sibugay province, the foundation said. The group works to conserve natural resources by replanting hectares of coastal areas with mangroves. Filipino Roberto Ka Dodoy Ballon who helped his countrys fisher folk to revive a dying fish industry, is seen in an undated photograph. [Photo courtesy The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation] Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, the foundation recognized an Indonesia-based organization called Watchdoc Media Mandiri, a production house that combines documentary filmmaking and alternative platforms to highlight underreported issues in the country. Watchdoc is being recognized for Emerging Leadership in an Organization for its highly principled crusade for an independent media organization, its energetic use of investigative journalism, documentary filmmaking, and digital technology in its effort to transform Indonesias media landscape, and its commitment, the foundation said. In South Asia, Pakistans Muhammad Amjad Saqib meanwhile was awarded for setting up the largest microfinance institution that offers loans for the poor. Akhuwat, Saqib's institution, has distributed 4.8 million interest-free loans amounting to the equivalent of U.S. $900 million, helping three million families, with a 99.9 percent loan repayment rate, the foundation said. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 75F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low 66F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. 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 The number of new cases of COVID-19 increased by more than 1,500 Tuesday while the number of newly confirmed coronavirus deaths in Massachusetts rose by 17 A civil rights group is calling for reform at a Massachusetts childrens summer camp on the affluent vacation resort of Marthas Vineyard where a white child placed a strap around the neck of a Black camper Taliban fighters have watched the last U.S. planes disappear into the night sky and then fired their guns into the air Children in day care and after-school programs in Massachusetts will be required to wear masks under a policy approved Tuesday by the state Board of Early Education and Care. Investigations editor Larry Parnass joined The Eagle in 2016 from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, where he was editor in chief. His freelance work has appeared in the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant, CommonWealth Magazine and with the Reuters news service. LANESBROUGH Berkshire Village home and business owners are a big step closer to cleaner drinking water. Installation is well underway on a new pipeline to replace a private system that has served the historic hamlet of 35 homes and businesses since the time of the Civil War. Keller and Sons Construction of Castleton, N.Y.. began laying the pipe two months ago and should be done before winter, according to Lori DiLego, president of the Berkshire Village Cooperative Water District. The private water service has managed the current system since 1941. They are making great progress, theyre moving right along, she said. The goal is to finish by Dec. 1 and start connecting homes next spring. Once connected, the new pipeline will be tied into the Lanesborough Water and Fire District, which serves between 600 and 700 customers in the center of town. Customers, who remain under a boil-water advisory, have been dealing with poor water quality for over a decade. Last summer, the district secured $2,376,200 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to pay for the pipeline and installation of fire hydrants in the village and Summer Street. The funding is broken up into a $1.33 million low-interest loan, borne by the village residents and a $1,046,200 grant. In addition, a $125,000 state grant and $160,000 from the town should help cover the cost of Berkshire Co-op customers hooking up to the districts water system, according to DiLego. People are very excited about this especially the fire hydrants as we have no fire protection in the village, she said. And the water pressure will be greater too. Were solving a problem that otherwise wouldnt be fixed, added William Prendergast, chair of the self-governing fire and water district. Berkshire Co-op couldnt do this on their own. Berkshire Villages water troubles date to 2009, because of contamination first discovered at the town-owned source, Berkshire Spring. In addition, the existing water main has been difficult to maintain and upgrade to meet state standards. The water problem escalated two summers ago, when the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection ordered Berkshire Village property owners to boil their water because of E. coli contamination reported at Berkshire Spring. DiLego says the boil order will remain in effect until the new pipeline is activated. The Berkshire Village water system was started in about 1863, by the owner of the Berkshire Glass Works. After the failure of that system, the Berkshire Village Cooperative Water Works was formed in 1941 to provide running water to some of the families in Berkshire Village. DiLego says the town bought the water source, Berkshire Spring, by eminent domain in 1948 to ensure that there was a public drinking water supply available to Berkshire Village residents. Berkshire Village, in the eastern part of town, is adjacent to Route 8, where Berkshire Glass Works, at its peak, employed more than 100 people. The company produced some of the finest glass during the second half of the 19th century, according to the towns website, including colored glass used by the Tiffany Glass Co. PITTSFIELD Residents have until 4 p.m. Wednesday to fill out the citywide survey that will let city officials know how Pittsfield should spend more than $40 million in federal coronavirus relief money. Where are the surveys? The city has created a landing page on its website for information related to the American Rescue Plan Act. The page can be found under the "Hot Topics" column on the left-hand site. Links to the Spanish and English versions of the survey are included at the bottom of the ARPA page and all community forum presentations are linked at the top of the page. The survey, created by the city on Aug. 5, asks residents to weigh in on how to spend money the city received as part of the American Rescue Plan Act the federal program created in March to help soften the economic impact of the pandemic. Pittsfield has received $20.3 million to date and is scheduled to receive the final $20.3 million in aid next summer. City officials said theyve received over 900 responses about 2 percent of the citys population to the survey to date. The more the better, Mayor Linda Tyer said following the community forum on potential tourism and cultural sources for ARPA funds last week. [The survey] really helps us understand community sentiment and helps guide and narrow our focus. The survey, which is available in Spanish and English, asks residents to arrange a list of potential public health, business assistance, household assistance, human services, infrastructure and public facility projects in order of need. The question categories mirror guidance from the Treasury Department over acceptable uses of ARPA funds. Cities can use the federal money in seven general areas: to cover the cost of public health programs that attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus, address the economic impacts of the pandemic, provide assistance to disproportionately affected communities, provide premium pay to low income essential workers, invest in water and sewer infrastructure, offset a loss of city revenue from the pandemic and invest in greater broadband infrastructure. In Pittsfield, city officials identified the Morningside and West Side neighborhoods as the disproportionately impacted neighborhoods eligible for additional support. City forums over the last two weeks have created a long list of potential needs from additional mental health supports, expanded child care options for working families, stronger workforce training opportunities and direct stimulus payments to residents. Tyer committed to continue the discussion around potential projects with the creation of a seven- to nine-person advisory committee. Representatives from the mayors office said Monday that the process for selecting members for the committee is still under discussion and that the committee will be formed in the coming weeks. The city has until Dec. 31, 2024, to decide where the money will go and until Dec. 31, 2026 to have the money spent. The first of several quarterly reports on how the city plans to spend the money is due to the Treasury Department on Tuesday. Community News Editor / Librarian Jeannie Maschino is community news editor and librarian for The Berkshire Eagle. She has worked for the newspaper in various capacities since 1982 and joined the newsroom in 1989. A medical officer assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division speaks with an Afghan woman and helps her with her child during ongoing noncombatant evacuation of U.S. civilian personnel, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and other at-risk individuals, at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday. Gov. Charlie Baker said Monday he has spoken to the federal government about being "as helpful as we can be, when we need to be" to support refugees from Afghanistan. Jacob Blake, a Black man paralyzed from the waist down after being shot by a white police officer in Kenosha, Wis., says he expects to be able to walk soon. He also fears more violence happening to him and his community. CNN reports that the 30-year-old was able to take a few steps during his sons birthday celebration last week, which he says felt like sliding my legs through a woodchipper. Through the pain though, he was so geeked by the moment that followed months of demanding physical rehabilitation. 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. Blakes shooting in August 2020 set off days of protests in Kenosha and was only three months after George Floyd was killed by police in close-by Minnesota. He says he continues to relive not only his own gun-violence incident but others in his community. Last month, during July 4 fireworks in Chicago, Blake says he called 911 over what he later realized was an anxiety attack. RELATED: Jacob Blake Files Lawsuit Against Police Officer Who Shot Him Im hearing these booms (fireworks), and its not scaring me because I got shot, its scaring me because all of those people have gotten shot, so every time a boom went off, Im kind of imagining people dying, he said. On August 23, 2020 Blake was shot by Kenosha police officer Rusten Sheskey after trying to break up a fight. In a viral video, he is seen walking towards the driver's side of his vehicle with his back turned. With police guns drawn on him, officers began shooting as soon as he reached the police vehicle, hitting him multiple times in front of his three sons. He was shot seven times in the back by Sheskey, who said that he was afraid for his safety after seeing a knife. A prosecutor declined to press charges against Sheskey. In October, Blake was released from the hospital where, at one point, he had been handcuffed to his bed and moved to a spinal injury rehabilitation center in Illinois. While the protests broke out after Blakes shooting, an Illinois man allegedly shot and killed two people and wounded another. Kyle Rittenhouse faces two charges of felony murder and one charge of attempted felony murder. The attack, Blake says, left him furious and angry. For the reasons they said they shot me, they had every reason to shoot him (Rittenhouse), but they didnt, he said. Honestly, if his skin color was different, and Im not prejudiced or a racist, he probably would have been labeled a terrorist. Residents of Louisiana, for whom Hurricane Katrina is still a painful recent memory, are now dealing with a new catastrophe as Tropical Storm Ida wreaks havoc in the state, particularly the New Orleans area, and parts of Mississippi and Alabama. This storm, like its deadly predecessor is revealing the impact of economic inequality for many. Never in my life have I encountered something this major, Robert Owens, who lives in Baton Rouge, about 80 miles from New Orleans, told the Associated Press. He said that he and his family had no choice to wait out the hurricane because they could not afford gas and a hotel room to escape it elsewhere. Our bank account is empty we cant afford to leave. Most people in his community, he said, are in the same situation and are prevented by finance from leaving and must brave the storm. There people who have funds to lean on are able to get out of here, but theres a big chunk of people that are lower-income that dont have a savings account to fall on, said Owens. Were left behind. The storm made landfall Sunday (Aug. 29) as a Category 4 Hurricane with 145 mph winds, tearing roofs off buildings, flooding roadways and shutting down power for more than 1 million people, but it was downgraded to a tropical storm overnight, according to the National Hurricane Center. Along with the widespread power outage, which has enveloped the entire city of New Orleans, 911 systems and cell phone towers are not functioning in areas like Orleans, St. Tammany, LaFourche, St. Charles, and Jefferson Parishes. Officials are telling residents to remain in their homes and not venture onto the streets and roadways unless they absolutely have to. However, some residents report being trapped in attics or on rooftops as they wait in the heavy rains and winds for help. A deacon and a church pastor who were handcuffed and detained while trying to return a faulty television to Walmart are suing the retailer for racial discrimination. Dennis Stewart and Terence Richardson were at a Conroe, Tex., store September 10, 2020, when Walmart employees accused the men of stealing the television they had come to return. The men allege in their lawsuit that despite having a receipt for the purchase, Walmart employees called police who detained and handcuffed the pair. The men were kept in the store while employees took an hour to examine the store-issued receipt, and that four white police officers "approached them from behind and instructed them to put their hands on their head, ordered them not to move, searched their bodies and emptied their pockets, and handcuffed them as criminals in plain view of everyone at the vicinity. After the deacon and the pastor were freed of the handcuffs, they claim a female Walmart employee screamed obscenities at them to take the TV and to get the "f--- out of this store, and never come f---ing back." Despite having a receipt, Stewart was not permitted to exchange the faulty television or get a refund for his purchase. The men were eventually released but not before being forced by store managers to sign a paper requiring them never to return to the store or they would be arrested, and the store still refused to honor the agreement to accept the returned television. Walmart provided a statement to NBC, saying in part: "We do not tolerate discrimination and take allegations like this seriously. When the claims were brought to our attention in April of this year, we investigated them. We are not getting into further detail given the litigation and will respond as appropriate with the court." Stewart and Richardson allege in the federal lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Texas that they were wrongfully imprisoned and discriminated against due to their race. Theyve requested a jury trial and compensatory and punitive damages. Call ahead to confirm events. Due to COVID-19, many events have been canceled but hosting organizations might not have updated their entries. Email Blast Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Daily News Headlines & Events Email Blast Would you like to receive a digest of each day's headlines & events from The Daily News by email? Signup today! The Amplifier Headlines & Events Email Blast Would you like to receive a weekly digest of headlines & events from The Amplifier by email? Signup today! Daily News Hosted Events The Daily News is a proud host of community enrichment events. Join our Daily News Events mailing list to learn about the next event we are planning. Sign up now. Manage your lists Most Christians are familiar with the endearing story of Ruth, the Moabite woman who chose to forsake her own people and care for her Mother-In-Law, Naomi. After the death of Naomis husband and sons, Ruths sacrifice of love led to the birth of her son Obed. And through Obeds line, an even greater love would one day be revealed. Who Was Obed in the Bible? Obed was born after a peculiar set of circumstances led to the unlikely union between his parents. The story, which is told in the book of Ruth, begins during a time of famine. A couple from Bethlehem decides to leave their home and travel to Moab, in hopes of finding greater resources to feed themselves and their two sons. The Bible doesnt say whether Naomi, her husband Elimelech, and their two sons Mahlon and Chilion, find relief from the famine in Moab, but shortly after they move there Elimelech dies, leaving Naomi and her sons alone in a foreign land. After 10 years of living in Moab, Naomis sons also die. As their Moabite wives, Ruth and Orpah, grieve the loss of their husbands, Naomi also mourns the fact that their family line has died with her sons. Distraught, Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem, and Ruth insists on going with her. Naomi tries to dissuade Ruth from accompanying her. She knows that her Israelite community back home might not receive a foreigner wellespecially a Moabitess. She encourages the girl to stay in her own homeland with her own people. But Ruths heartfelt love for her mother-in-law is revealed in her response to Naomis arguments, Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me (Ruth 1:16,17). After the long, arduous journey back to Bethlehem, Naomi is welcomed home with open arms. Although Ruth is considered a foreigner, the townspeople come to respect her loving care for Naomi and brand her a woman of noble character (Ruth 3:11). The two women struggle to make a living on their own. Because a nearby farmer is related to Naomis dead husband, he allows Ruth to gather leftover grain from his field. In fact, Boazthe farmer, is so impressed with Ruths faithfulness to her mother-in-law that he drops extra grain for the two women and instructs his field workers to leave Ruth alone while she gathers it. As an interesting side note, another reason for Boazs unusual show of compassion to Ruth may be because Boazs mother, Rahab, was also considered a foreigner among the Jewish people. Rahab the prostitute was granted faith in the Lord and was spared in the destruction of Jericho. With her family, she came in among the people of Israel and ended up marrying Salmon, with whom she had Boaz, explains Barry York, in The Hidden Reason Boaz Was Compassionate to Ruth. When Naomi sees that Boaz is treating Ruth with such favor, she hatches a plan that will cause Boaz to take further notice of her lovely daughter-in-law. Tapping into an ancient Jewish tradition, Naomi instructs Ruth to sneak into Boazs sleeping quarters after dark and lay at his feet. When Boaz awakes, hes shaken to find the young woman on the threshing floor with him. But remembering the tradition, he quickly acknowledges that he is willing to be Ruths kinsman-redeemer and agrees to marry her if Naomis relative, who is first in line for the honor, forfeits his rights. After Boaz settles the legal issues, he takes Ruth for his wife. They soon have a son and name him Obed. The women of the town rejoice over the baby for Naomis sake and proclaim, Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth (Ruth 4:14-15). Obed is raised by Naomi and Ruth and eventually becomes the grandfather of David. What Role Does Obed Play in Jesus' Family Tree? At first glance, the book of Ruth may appear to be nothing more than a quaint romance. When we dig a bit deeper, however, we find an exciting story of God working for the salvation of his people. In creative and exciting ways, God brings about Gods purposes through unlikely circumstances and people, says Rev. Kyle Norman in 7 Things to Know about Ruth and Boaz. Through Obeds son Jesse, God brings a shepherd boy named David into the world. God transforms little David into a man after His own heart and makes him King of Israel. And through this king, God eventually ushers in the King of the worldJesus Christwho is our ultimate kinsman-redeemer (Matthew 1:1-16). Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole. He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit (Galatians 3:13,14). 4 Interesting Facts Surrounding the Birth of Obed The Bible doesnt have much to say about Obed after his birth, other than listing his name in several important Messianic genealogies. However, the events that lead to Obeds existence are a significant part of biblical history. Here are some interesting facts that help us understand this redemptive story from the inside out. Obeds mother left her own identity behindWhen she agreed to follow Naomi to Bethlehem, Ruth knew that she would be entering a community hostile toward her people. The Moabite clan had originated from Lots incestuous encounter with his daughters. They were known for their worship of false gods, and the Moabite women were known for their seductive tendencies. But instead of remaining in the safety and familiarity of her own clan, Ruth vowed to make Naomis God and people her own (Ruth 1:16). She left everything and everyone she knew behind to seek a better life with the mother-in-law she lovedand the God who silently drew her heart to the truth. Obeds grandmother didnt allow bitterness to keep her in bondageThe death of Naomis husband and sons had so embittered the woman, that when she entered Bethlehem, she said, Dont call me Naomi Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me (Ruth 1:20). But in 3 Encouraging Truths from Naomi's Life in the Bible, Hope Bolinger points out that Naomis internal battle with resentment did not overcome her sweet spirit when all was said and done. Throughout the narrative, we actually see Naomi looking out for Ruth, even while in the midst of paralyzing grief. Obeds father was thought to be twice his mothers ageBased on ancient Jewish writings, some religious scholars believe that Boaz was around 80 years old, and Ruth around 40, when the marriage proposal took place. Though not unusual during those times, this age difference would have spoken further to Ruths wise character, and it makes sense in light of the comment Boaz made to Ruth at the threshing floor, when he praised her for not running after younger men (Ruth 3:10). A sandal was involved in bringing Obeds mom and dad together According to the law of that day (Leviticus 25: 25), we learn that when an Israelite fell on hard times and had to sell their land, the responsibility to buy (redeem) that land would fall on the landowners next of kin. Because Boaz was not Naomis closest relative, he had to jump through some legal hoops to make sure that the rightful kinsman-redeemer would be willing to forfeit his rights. After Boaz accomplished that task, he announced to the elders and townspeople, Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlons widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from his hometown. Today you are witnesses! (Ruth 4:10). To seal the deal the man who had forfeited his role as kinsman-redeemer removed his sandal (Ruth 4:8). The removal of the sandal was a symbol that the legal transaction was final. Afterward, Boaz, being the next closest relative, was free to marry Ruth and redeem her husbands property. Photo credit: GettyImages/Vasyl Dolmatov Annette Marie Griffin is an award-winning author and speaker who has managed and directed childrens and youth programs for more than 20 years. Her debut childrens book, What Is A Family? released through Familius Publishing in 2020. Annette has also written curriculum for character growth and development of elementary-age children and has developed parent training seminars to benefit the community. Her passion is to help wanderers find home. She and her husband have five childrenthree who have already flown the coop and two adopted teens still roosting at homeplus two adorable grands who add immeasurable joy and laughter to the whole flock. 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 The contract will be for the next four years to supply life science-related speciality chemical product Surat-based Anupam Rasayan has received and signed a letter of intent (LOI) amounting to 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 the next four years to supply this life science-related speciality chemical product. Speaking about the order, Anand Desai, MD, 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 a long-term basis making Anupam Rasayan, a preferred partner for these MNCs. The speciality chemicals major is manufacturing products for over 66 domestic and international customers, including 24 multinational companies. The company has a long history of high customer retention and have been manufacturing products for select customers for over a decade. The company caters to a diverse base of Indian and global customers. Art Director/Digital Designer Remuneration: cost-to-company Location: Cape Town Education level: Diploma Job level: Mid Job policy: Employment Equity position Type: Permanent Reference: #ArtDirector&Dig Company: Saatchi & Saatchi Interpret client briefs alongside the client service team, conceptualize, present and execute Create artwork from template-based designs Create artwork in line with brand CI and digital content creation Roll-out of campaign collateral Work closely with other creative teams to help roll out artwork across a wide range of collateral, from printed media to digital content Work with the wider studio team to deliver technically accurate artwork solutions To continually develop technical skills appropriate to the role Keep abreast of current trends and industry best practice Relevant tertiary qualification in Art Direction / Graphic Design Proficient in MS Office (i.e. Word / PowerPoint / Keynote etc.) Proficient in InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop At least 2 years working experience in an Advertising Agency as an Art Director or in a similar role (in an Advertising Agency) Knowledge of and experience in Figma will be advantageous Knowledge of and experience in HTML5 web banner creation (Google Web Designer) Knowledge of and experience in producing motion graphics and video edits for social media and digital POS (After Effects) Excellent communication skills Strong time management skills Strong multitasking skills Team player with the ability to work independently Able to remain calm in a highly pressurized environment Assertive Proactive Resilient Approachable Proactive Energetic Creative out of the box strategic thinker Problem solver / solution driven Meticulous with attention to detail Other: Flexible to work beyond normal office hours (overtime if and when required) Comfortable to work on alcohol brands Company Description A creative individual who loves Art Direction and Digital Design, who thinks in pictures and pixels; responsible for campaigns from creative concept through to execution.About Saatchi & SaatchiSaatchi & Saatchi is the Nothing is Impossible agency.We are a creative and strategic hub that develops and implements integrated solutions for our blue-chip clients across multiple markets from offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Were a diverse, dynamic, and collaborative team, led by strategy and fired by creativity.We believe in the power of emotion to break through to people and in the necessity of sharp campaign design to deliver the most effective results an approach we call Heart and Smart.As part of the Saatchi & Saatchi global network, and the Publicis Groupe Africa, we collaborate with partner agencies to deliver a myriad of specialized solutions. Saatchi & Saatchi has a rich history of building brands across Africa. Posted on 31 Aug 09:08 Junior Web Content Writer Location: Cape Town, Tokai Job level: Junior/Mid Job description Making sure that we have all the content we need to list a new product to Yuppiechef's high standards. Assisting in managing and trafficking our inbound product reviews an area of the customer experience we value highly, and from which we learn a great deal. Making existing product pages better, by finding and adding any missing information. Occasionally assisting in proactive category and brand management tasks by researching and developing content and filterable features for them. Accurate Efficient Observant Disciplined Calm and confident Required: At least two years experience writing copy professionally e.g. working for a newspaper, magazine or online publication with high readership Advantageous: At least two years working for another ecommerce retailer in a similar role Required: Relevant work experience writing copy and content research, and having some evidence of this in the form of a portfolio of publicly published work Advantageous: If they happen to have a tertiary qualification in English, communication, copywriting or journalism that would be advantageous Technical skills: Excellent copywriting skills An ability to research and make sense of product content and specs Personal skills: Excellent verbal and written skills (English) An ability to manage your own time and deliverables A Macbook Various online packages, reporting tools and dashboards? A fully-equipped, communal kitchen where you can use all the tools we sell A fully-stocked coffee station where you can hone your barista skills Parking available We pay competitive, market-related salaries based on skills and experience, and profit share based on the company's performance Your salary is based on a Total Cost To Company model and includes: Medical Aid (Discovery) contributions Group Life Cover Retirement Annuity Employee Assistance programme 17 Days Paid Annual Leave increasing to 20 days with length of service Yuppiechef is South Africa's premier kitchen and homeware store. Based in Westlake, Cape Town with retail stores in Cape Town and Johannesburg, we see ourselves as helping people find more moments of joy in their homes through products that make daily life more comfortable, more innovative and more beautiful. And we do it through our omnichannel shopping experience, providing our world-class service to our customers both in our stores and online.High quality product content on our website and digital platforms is a key component of creating a seamless shopping experience for our customers helping them make more informed decisions and inspiring them with well-written product copy, accurate specs and beautiful visuals.Were looking for a full-time Junior Web Content Writer to join our in-house Web Team to help translate our vision into reality. If youre looking for a role where youll have opportunities to learn from an experienced team and work closely with seasoned copywriters and ecommerce content creators, then this may be the role for you.Taking direction from our Web Content Manager, youll spend the bulk of your time writing and editing high-quality product descriptions and specs for product pages.As part of your role, you will also be responsible for:In each of these activities, you will have continuous opportunities to learn about our range of products, how to sell them online and what makes a good online shopping experience. In time, our hope is that through your experience and time in our team you would make meaningful contributions towards improving our processes and helping us shape what good ecommerce product content looks like.You will be working alongside our Web Content Editors and our Photography team. We write all our product copy, and style, photograph and edit everything in-house, by grafting hard, collaborating, communicating openly and constantly, moving on ideas fairly quickly, and hitting deadlines. At times it comes with pressure, but we all love what we do and have a lot of fun while doing it. Were also into things like pets, gin, coffee, series and cake (basically any and all baked goods).Besides having the necessary talent and experience for the role, were looking for someone who is, above all else, eager to learn and inwardly driven. You are a good communicator (both in-person and asynchronously over email or chat), work well both autonomously and collaboratively, and enjoy honing your technical skills. People would also describe you as:Our team has been working remotely for some time now, so for the foreseeable while you will need your own stable, high-speed internet connection for this role. And you will need to spend a few days in the office, when appropriate, to learn from your teammates and when safe, in-person collaboration is more suitable. When you are in our HQ offices in Westlake, youll findPosted on 31 Aug 15:28 Junior Community Manager Remuneration: to be discussed Location: Cape Town Education level: Diploma Job level: Mid Type: Permanent Job description Ability to create your own content Photography skills GoPro skills Ensuring content is posted timeously across social media platforms Response handling timeously Responding to and addressing the communitys queries and complaints efficiently, professionally and timeously at all times Driving engagement and conversations with the community and ultimately establishing brand loyalty Identifying tactical and relevant opportunities to engage with the community Working closely with the Analytics team to drive positive sentiment and optimize on content opportunities Keeping up-to-date with the latest trends within the digital and social media landscape Inputting into campaign ideas and creative brainstorming sessions Executing social media competitions and collating entries 12 years minimum experience fulfilling the community manager role for a business or consumer brands social media platforms Photography experience Higher certificate/diploma/BA degree in marketing, communications, English, media studies) or relevant degree Your full and detailed CV Please send examples/ a portfolio of previous work pertaining to the position Send previous/ current social media platforms that you are managing Send examples of photography/ writing or similar Requirements Effective complaint resolution skills Understanding of the digital and social media landscape both locally and internationally Ability to work within a team of digital specialists and contribute effectively Professional demeanor internally and externally when dealing with clients A thorough understanding of social media platform guidelines Strong administrative skills and superb attention to detail Deadline and results driven Ability to multitask and work under pressure A well- established Tourism Company is looking for a junior community manager and online guest liaison. The successful candidate will create enticing content and drive quality engagements with the community to ensure effective delivery of a brands social media objectives.If you are interested in applying for this position please forward the following to the email address provided:Please note that only suitable candidates will be contacted.Posted on 30 Aug 13:51 Mazda may have been giving its CX-5 compact SUV continuous updates every year be it in the form of new colors , more advanced features , or ... A barge damages a bridge that divides Lafitte, La., and Jean Lafitte, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in La. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 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. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Lt. Corey Carlson with the Atlantic Beach Fire Department stacks water Tuesday that is being collected to take to Hurricane Ida victims in Louisiana. (Cheryl Burke photo) Baubeau de Secondigne Marcela Argentina Baubeau de Secondigne was born in Bahia Blanca, Argentina to an Argentine mother and a father of French origin who was an aviator in the Navy. A member of an art-loving family, her sensitivity pushed her from a very young age to draw and she followed in the footsteps of her ancestor, Procesa Sarmiento, an early Argentinean woman painter. When she was 16 years old, Marcela joined the Manuel Belgrano School of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires and graduated four years later. Her surname became her pseudonym. Her passion for drawing, and the pleasure she derives from it, guide her work as a painter. The artist vacillates freely between abstraction and figuration. Her ultimate goal is summed up in one word: colour. Like her idol, Matisse (French artist of the nineteenth - twentieth century), she seeks to make colour a full-fledged object, the paintings centre of attention. She begins her creation with a preparatory draft in pencil or charcoal, then adds splashes of colour here and there with big brushes or spatulas, before putting the canvas on the floor and letting go by projecting the colour on the canvas, whether in acrylic, oil, pigment or ink. She then constantly corrects, clears and improves the work. Her originality is based in the plurality of her creative process. One day inspired by the state of the society that concerns her, she paints, for example, the fate of prostitutes. The next day, she will choose to paint imaginary landscapes, circus scenes or animals, often horses, which the artist honours with her masterful drawing, accurately transcribing their movements. Nonetheless, her paintings have a common point: they often place the child as a symbol of what their parents (humanity) should do, namely, be respectful, attentive or know how to remain quiet. All of her works are a testimony to the delicate balance of life in which symbols or the recycled materials she uses awaken our civic and environmental awareness. In perpetual motion, Baubeau de Secondignes canvases are like the world, ""a dance in which the man and the elements will never stop spinning."" Depaire Silvia France Originally from Buenos Aires in Argentina, Silvia completed all her school education there before going on a cultural exchange year in California. During her stay in the United States, she began to learn about art, especially urban arts, thanks to the large amount of graffiti that adorns the walls of New York. She also did not miss out on visiting the modern masterpieces preserved in the museums of the capital. When she returned to Argentina, Silvia set her new aspirations to one side in order to satisfy her family and enrolled in a course dedicated to marketing. A few years later, settled in France and encouraged by her husband, Silvia began attending evening classes at the School of Fine Arts in Nice to learn painting and drawing techniques. Today, a painter in her home studio, in Antony, located in the Paris region, she divides her time between the creation of her paintings and the running of thematic workshops. Created from acrylic and mixed media, her works underwent an important development to the discovery, of the informal and choreographic world of American artist Paul Jenkins (1923-2012) in 2016. Since then, the young artist has worked with enthusiasm and passion in the practice of flow painting, combining acrylic with various pigments and textures to compose bold, colourful, vibrant and luminous compositions. Deeply attached to the nature and landscapes of her childhood, Silvia is inspired by the elements, in particular water, to translate the transparency of the seabed and the depth of the celestial vault into painting. Danville - Raymond (Ray) Bernard Leary, age 75, of Danville, NH, passed away on Sunday, August 22. Born and raised in Lynn, MA, he was the son of the late Edwin and Eva (Lucia) Leary. He lived in Atkinson, NH, for twenty years before relocating to Danville. Ray was a graduate of St. Mary's H Carroll, IA (51401) Today Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. High 72F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear. Low near 50F. Winds light and variable. What racial bias? Kim convincingly shows that a bias in favor of white hair and skin exists in the field, as demonstrated by academic papers, Google search results, and documentation for renderers used by cg studios. The people depicted in the papers and documents overwhelmingly have pale skin and straight hair (and these are generally described merely as skin and hair, reinforcing the notion that white features are the norm). Type 4 hair kinky hair common in Black people is especially neglected. One result of this bias in computer graphics: the industrys emphasis on using subsurface scattering in the depiction of skin. This is a mode of light transport that creates a soft glowing effect, but it is more prominent in white skin than black. So this emphasis leads to misrepresentation of black skin. Where did this bias come from? The skew in computer graphics is rooted in similar biases in analog film and photography, says Kim. He mentions leader ladies the models used as benchmarks for colors in film processing and their counterparts in photography, the women who appear on Shirley cards. Again, these models were almost all white (although Kodaks Shirley cards started diversifying in the 1990s). Similarly, standard Hollywood lighting was developed around white skin. So much so that background lighting has come to be known as rim lighting because of the rim of light it produces around the subjects outline an effect thats especially conspicuous with blonde hair. Kim cites a digital lighting manual to show the continuity of lighting conventions from the analog to the digital age. With the rise of digital, Kim argues, the biases of the analog days were unconsciously reproduced in the algorithms. He juxtaposes galleries of leader ladies and of people shown in renderer documentations, which look remarkably similar. What do we do now? After stressing that there are many ways to tackle these issues, Kim proposes one: the creation of diverse benchmarks for computer graphics. Kodaks progress on Shirley cards sets a precedent. Kim addresses the case of Metahuman Creator, an Unreal tool developed by Epic Games to create realistic virtual humans of all ethnicities. He argues that these still leave something to be desired; for instance, the Black metahumans still betray an overemphasis on subsurface scattering. In closing, Kim notes that more research is required to understand exactly what measurements would be needed to create useful, diversified benchmarks. He stresses that any such research will likely prompt pushback, as does anything that challenges the status quo on race. It is crucial, he says, that the industry at large stands up to this kind of criticism. Image at top: metahuman (left) and Delroy Lindo in Clockers (right) Photo: The Canadian Press Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry looks on as Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks about the COVID-19 vaccine card, set to arrive in mid-September, during a press conference at provincial legislature in Victoria, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Workers employed by private contractors that provide housekeeping and food services at acute care facilities in British Columbia are having their employment returned to provincial health authorities. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito Workers employed by private contractors that provide housekeeping and food services at acute health-care facilities in British Columbia will have their employment returned to provincial health authorities. The provincial government says it will serve notice starting this fall under the terms of 21 commercial contracts of its intention to start returning the workers' employment to the health authorities. It says the phased-in approach to its decision will affect about 4,000 workers. The province says it is working with the Hospital Employees' Union, health authorities and contractors on its plan. Premier John Horgan says in a statement the decision to contract out the work almost 20 years ago has led to lower wages and less job security, particularly for women. Health Minister Adrian Dix says the move will benefit workers and help in recruitment. "It treats those who do the essential and life-saving work of keeping our hospitals and facilities clean and ensuring the nutrition of our patients with fairness and dignity," he said in a news release. Horgan says the decision also puts workers who have been employed by private companies on an even footing with public health-care workers. "Nearly 20 years later, we are still living with the aftermath of those choices, with workers paid less to do the same work as their colleagues in the public system," he said. "It's time to put a stop to it." Photo: St. George Coptic Orthodox Church Broadcast/YouTube RCMP in Surrey have charged 35-year-old Kathleen Panek with two counts of arson in connection with a church fire. Police say Panek is responsible for the burning of St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in the Whalley neighbourhood on two separate occasions July 14 and July 19. Surrey RCMP Major Crime Section arrested Panek on August 26 after previously releasing surveillance camera footage of a woman setting the front doors on fire. Panek is of no fixed address, according to police. The loss of the St. George Coptic Orthodox Church has had a significant impact on members of that congregation and the greater community, said Sergeant Elenore Sturko. We hope that this announcement of an arrest and charges will bring some comfort to those who were impacted. In July media reported dozens of Canadian churches were set on fire in an apparent reaction to unmarked graves being discovered at some former residential school sites operated by the Catholic Church. Surrey RCMP did not state a suspected motive in this case. Photo: Glacier Media In its recent Dalton vs. Fraser Valley Fire Protection Ltd., 2021 BCPC 146 decision, the BC Provincial Court awarded three months reasonable notice to an employee who was dismissed from his employment after only three days on the job. Background In March 2018, William Dalton began employment with Fraser Valley Fire Protection (FVFP) as a registered fire protection technician. Almost immediately, employees assigned to work with Dalton reported problems with his behaviour. On Daltons first day, a co-worker complained that he would not take advice, that he was loud and argumentative and that he went off on tangents. FVFP noted these concerns, but did not raise them with Dalton nor give him an opportunity to improve his behaviour. The next day, another employee reported having a personality conflict with Dalton. The employee also complained that Dalton worked too slowly and did not follow direction. Again, FVFP noted these concerns, but did not raise them with Dalton or give him an opportunity to improve his behaviour. Then, on his third day, FVFP terminated Daltons employment without cause. FVFP told Dalton that he was being fired as a result of his lack of productivity, his inability or refusal to follow direction and his argumentative nature. FVFP provided Dalton with a cheque for the work he had done and sent him home. Dalton subsequently launched an action against FVFP for wrongful dismissal. Wrongful dismissal Judge Kenneth Skilnick found that while FVFP had reasons to find fault with Daltons work performance, it also had a duty at law to give him an opportunity to rectify his substandard conduct. Judge Skilnick commented that almost every new employee can be expected to have a period of adjustment to learn his or her new job and understand what is expected, and if performance is initially below what should reasonably be expected, the employee should be warned and given a reasonable period of time to meet the expected standard. In this case, FVFP did not warn Dalton that his conduct was falling short of what was expected of him, nor did it give Dalton an opportunity to remedy the problem. Instead, it summarily dismissed Daltons employment. Judge Skilnick held that if FVFP wanted to fire Dalton after only three days on the job, it was required to provide him with notice or pay in lieu of notice. In this case, FVFP did neither. Probationary employee At trial, FVFP argued that it was entitled to summarily dismiss Daltons employment, without notice or severance, because he was a probationary employee. Generally, employers are entitled to dismiss an employee in the first three months of employment without advance notice or severance, as long as there is a probationary term in the employment agreement. Judge Skilnick held that FVFP never communicated to Dalton that there would be a three-month probationary period. The court held that FVFP could not unilaterally impose this term into the employment contract. For a probationary term to apply, there must be evidence that the employee accepted this term, either expressly or by conduct. Judge Skilnick held there was no such evidence in this case. Accordingly, Dalton was entitled to reasonable notice of termination or pay in lieu thereof. Damages Applying the traditional Bardal factors, which are used to assess reasonable notice of termination at common law, Judge Skilnick held that Dalton was entitled to three months reasonable notice. Factors supporting a longer notice period included Daltons age at the time of dismissal (67) and the availability of similar employment. Dalton was awarded a total of $11,636. Takeaways for employers This case serves as a valuable reminder to employers that an employment agreement must contain a clear probationary term. Probationary periods cannot be assumed. Employers may face significant liability if they summarily dismiss a non-probationary employee without cause and without notice or pay in lieu. If issues arise early on, employers must advise employees about these issues and provide them with an opportunity to correct or improve their behaviour. If an employee asks for help, employers should meet with the employee to provide necessary training or assistance. If a probationary employee is given a reasonable opportunity to remedy the problem, but the problem persists and affects the employers business, the employer may be justified in dismissing the employees employment, without notice or pay in lieu. The article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Natalie Cuthill is an associate at Roper Greyell; Gabrielle Berron-Styan is an articled student at the law firm. Photo: Conservation Officer Service The Conservation Officer Service is reminding the public to avoid Stanley Park, particularly during dawn and dusk hours, due to aggressive coyote activity. Three more park-goers have been bitten since Friday morning. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service (COS) reported Monday (Aug. 30) three new coyote attacks on people walking or running in Stanley Park over the previous handful of days. The most recent reported attack took place early Monday morning, when, at approximately 5:30 a.m., a man was bitten by a coyote along the seawall near Second Beach. The victim suffered minor injuries to his leg, according to the COS. On Friday, a runner in the vicinity of Lost Lagoon was bitten shortly after 6 a.m. That night, the COS says "a man walking along the seawall, near the Lions Gate Bridge, was bitten shortly after 9 p.m." The public is urged to avoid Stanley Park, particularly during dawn or dusk hours, as there continue to be aggressive coyotes in the area. Recently, in the wake of a long string of coyote attacks in the park, the COS published its responses to several frequently asked questions about its approach to managing the aggressive coyote population in Vancouver's iconic Stanley Park. The COS says its strategies "include working with the Vancouver Park Board, area organizations, the municipality and wildlife biologists to consider all options for addressing and reducing coyote conflicts in the park." However, points out the Conservation Officer Service: "Management of the coyote population in the park is the responsibility of the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development." Because access to the park is controlled by the Vancouver Park Board, the COS cannot impose an overnight ban for entry to Stanley Park. The service has "spent hundreds of hours patrolling Stanley Park to address public safety and will continue to do so." But in response to "What are the next steps? Whats the long-term strategy?" the COS repeats previously stated replies about the division of responsibility, its role in ongoing patrolling and reporting, and the continuing caution to the public to avoid the park. The COS explains this level of aggression in coyotes against humans is "not normal" and is "usually the result of the animal becoming comfortable due to being fed, either directly or indirectly, by people." "We cannot stress enough the importance of not feeding dangerous wildlife, as coyotes that have lost their fear of humans are a public safety risk," adds the COS. To date, the COS has killed six coyotes in Stanley Park two in January and four in July. The public is asked to please report any aggressive coyote behaviour to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277. Photo: The Canadian Press A Kansas City Southern locomotive is shown in this undated photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Kansas City Southern MANDATORY CREDIT Canadian National Railway Co.'s takeover bid for Kansas City Southern Railway has been thrown into doubt after a U.S. regulator denied its use of a voting trust structure. The U.S. Surface Transportation Board said the trust would reduce incentives for competition between the two railways whose networks overlap, and is not consistent with the public interest standard under its merger regulations. "Applicants have shown no benefit from the use of a voting trust to stakeholders other than KCS and CN," the regulator said in its decision. The trust would have allowed KCS to remain independent while a full and lengthy review of the proposed takeover goes forward, while also allowing shareholders to be paid without having to wait for a final decision on the deal. The Surface Transportation Board said that while the trust would mean CN wasn't in direct control of KCS operations, it would still be a beneficial owner and share in profits. "Antitrust regulators have long recognized that the sort of financial interest that CN would have in KCS is sufficient to alter a firms incentive to compete vigorously." The regulator noted its decision comes after it was directed by Congress to consider any adverse effects on competition when considering a major rail merger. CN's proposed acquisition would be the first takeover of a major U.S. railway in two decades and the first to test stricter merger criteria. Canadian Pacific Railway, which is also trying to acquire Kansas City Southern, already has approval for a voting trust structure and its bid will be assessed under the older merger regime. CN has proposed a takeover worth US$33.6 billion for the U.S. railway, while Canadian Pacific increased its offer to US$31 billion in early August. Both proposals include the assumption of about US$3.8 billion of KCS debt. CN's bid also includes a $1 billion break fee that it could be on the hook for now that the voting trust has been rejected. Canadian Pacific has maintained that while it is offering less money, its bid faces less regulatory risk. The Surface Transportation Board said that CN could still try to move forward with its takeover, but it would have to wait until the full regulatory review of the proposal is done. Kansas City Southern pushed back a vote on the CN proposal to Sept. 3 so that shareholders could know the outcome of the regulator's decision. Investigation and Findings The camp was held during June 1317, 2021, and included persons aged 1418 years from a church organization with multiple locations across western Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. A total of 294 campers arrived on buses or large passenger vans and were met by 41 staff members. No proof of COVID-19 vaccination or SARS-CoV-2 pretesting or testing on arrival was required, and the list of suggested items to bring to camp did not include masks. Campers were housed in large, shared boarding facilities of approximately 100 campers each, dined in a cafeteria together, participated in indoor and outdoor small group activities in which campers were with the same persons during program events, and participated in activities with all campers during all 5 days. On June 16, the second to last camp day, one camper departed after becoming ill with a fever and respiratory symptoms and subsequently received a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Campers and staff members were notified, encouraged to receive SARS-CoV-2 testing, and instructed to quarantine per CDC guidance and isolate if they received a positive test result.* Six camp staff members who received positive SARS-CoV-2 test results also attended the conference during June 1819 but did not receive their results until after the conference ended; all six staff members had symptom onset during June 1729. The conference was held at a different location from the camp and included 500 attendees and 30 staff members, and, as with the camp, no COVID-19 vaccination, SARS-CoV-2 testing, or masking was required. The first case in a conference attendee was diagnosed on June 21, 2 days after the conference. After conference-associated COVID-19 cases were identified, conference attendees and staff members were notified, encouraged to receiving SARS-CoV-2 testing, and instructed to quarantine per CDC guidance and isolate if they received a positive test result. A confirmed case was defined as receipt of a positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification test result in a camp or conference attendee, and a probable case was defined as receipt of a positive SARS-CoV-2 antigen test result. Cases were identified through case investigation after laboratory notification of a positive test result. Information on symptom onset or specimen collection dates (available for 174 [97%] of 180 persons), COVID-19 vaccination status (from the state immunization registry), county of residence, test results, and viral sequencing data (available for 31 [17%] persons) was collected for persons with camp- and conference-associated cases (primary cases). IDPHs contact tracing system identified close contacts of persons with primary cases; close contacts were defined as unmasked persons who were within 6 ft of a person with a primary case for >15 minutes during a 24-hour period while that person was infectious, which was 2 days before through 10 days after symptom onset (for symptomatic persons) or after specimen collection date (for asymptomatic persons). Secondary cases were defined as COVID-19 cases that occurred in close contacts of persons with a primary case of confirmed or probable COVID-19. Persons who had received 2 doses of Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 mRNA vaccine or 1 dose of Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine 14 days before exposure were considered fully vaccinated. IDPH laboratories performed whole genome sequencing on 25 of 31 available specimens. Descriptive analyses were conducted to determine the distribution of cases by vaccination status, the proportion of SARS-CoV-2 variants, and the secondary transmission rate. This activity was reviewed by CDC and was conducted consistent with applicable federal law and CDC policy.** As of August 13, a total of 180 outbreak-associated cases had been identified, including 122 primary cases, 87 (48%) of which were in camp attendees (among 335 total campers and staff members; attack rate = 26%) and 35 (19%) in conference attendees (among 530 total conference participants and staff members; attack rate = 7%). Among 262 close contacts of camp or conference attendees, 58 (22%) secondary cases were identified, representing 32% of the 180 identified cases (Figure) (Table). Among the 87 persons with camp-associated cases, none reported symptom onset before the camp started on June 13. Among the 35 persons with conference-associated cases, three reported being symptomatic during the conference (not including one camp-associated staff member who attended the conference while symptomatic). Among the 180 total persons with outbreak-associated cases, 13 (7.2%) required medical care in an emergency department, and five (2.8%) were hospitalized; no deaths occurred (Table). None of the vaccinated persons with cases were hospitalized; three sought care at an emergency department. Overall, 29 (16.1%) cases occurred in fully vaccinated persons (camp cases: 9%; conference cases: 29%). Among the 262 close contacts of persons with a primary case, 52 (20%) were fully vaccinated; 11 of these fully vaccinated persons received a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result, representing 19% of the 58 secondary cases among close contacts of camp or conference attendees with primary cases. Among the 122 cases in camp or conference attendees, 18 were in fully vaccinated persons (eight in camp attendees and 10 in conference attendees). These 18 fully vaccinated persons reported a total of 38 close contacts; eight (21%) of these close contacts received positive SARS-CoV-2 test results, four (50%) of whom were fully vaccinated. Among the 224 reported close contacts of unvaccinated and partially vaccinated persons with primary cases, 50 (22%) received positive SARS-CoV-2 test results, including seven fully vaccinated persons. Among 58 persons with secondary cases, 48 (83%) were infected by household members, four by nonhousehold family members, three by friends, and one each by a neighbor, at work, or during a Bible study group. Overall, 1,127 persons from at least four states and 18 counties were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 through attendance at the camp or conference or through close contact with a person who had a camp- or conference-associated case. In the 7 days before the camp (June 612), Adams County, Illinois, reported 31 COVID-19 cases, with an average of 4.4 cases per day. In the 7 days after the last identified secondary case (July 1622), the county reported 232 cases, with an average of 33.1 per day, a 648% increase from the number reported during the week before the camp (2). Among samples sequenced from specimens from 31 infected persons (15 from camp-associated cases, eight from conference-associated cases, and eight from secondary cases), the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant was identified in 27 (87%), including two AY.3 (Delta) sequences; the B.1.1.7 (Alpha) variant was identified in three (10%); and the P.1 (Gamma) variant was identified in one (3%) (Table). Among eight sequenced samples from specimens from vaccinated persons, the Delta variant was identified in seven samples, and Alpha in one. Dear County and District Superintendents and Charter School Administrators: New School Emergency Reporting System As California finds itself in the middle of yet another unpredictable wildfire season, the California Department of Education (CDE) has worked internally to launch a new School Emergency Reporting System (SERS) to allow CDE and local educational agencies (LEA) to communicate and quickly share critical information with each other in the event of a natural disaster or other urgent incidents such as wildfires, earthquakes, drought, levee breaks, civil unrest,and more. How This Helps Your Schools The SERS system is designed to provide real-time reporting between a schoolsite and CDE. The system will facilitate the identification of needs and the rapid response of resource distribution and support for schools when there is an incident. These resources are a direct result of an ongoing partnership and coordination between the CDE and the Governors Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). Whats Next We are counting on your support to make SERS fully-operational. In order to use SERS and log in, the CDE Emergency Services Team will send a unique access code by email to each Superintendent on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, from emergencyservices@cde.ca.gov entitled School Emergency Reporting System Access Code. It is the responsibility of the LEAs to designate a contact within their administration who may use the provided access code to log into SERS. All LEAs are encouraged to attend a short training session. Multiple opportunities will be available. Dates and registration links can be located on the CDEs School Disaster and Emergency Management web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ep/. There has never been a more important time to be connected. Please dont wait until an emergency strikes. By working together, we are stronger and we can do more for all our students. Thank you for your cooperation and attention to this important matter. If you have any questions about this system or our response efforts, please contact Joe Anderson, CDE Emergency Services Team, at joanderson@cde.ca.gov. Your participation will enable CDE to support all of our schools even in the most challenging of times. Sincerely, Tony Thurmond State Superintendent of Public Instruction TT:ja Clay calcination accelerating cements green transition Published 30 August 2021 With the cement industrys goal of working towards saving the planet, FLSmidth proposes a simple switch: replace 30 per cent of clinker with calcined clay for up to a 40 per cent reduction in CO 2 emissions. In this article the company outlines why the move is not only smart and efficient but is something almost every cement manufacturer could do right now. By Steven Miller, FLSmidth, Denmark. With seven per cent of all global carbon emissions coming from cement production, the pressure is rising. Environmental regulations grow progressively more demanding. Financiers shy away from emissions-intensive investments. And around the world, citizens, governments and a broad range of other organisations are calling for action on climate change. For the cement industry, it is the perfect storm and it calls for innovation and ingenuity. Right now, there is no substitution at scale for concrete. However, we all know that we cannot continue our current practices. To meet its sustainability commitments in line with the Paris Agreement, the industry needs to make some radical shifts. This challenge presents a new opportunity for a centuries-old material combined with some 21st century technology. To continue reading this story and get access to all News, Articles and Video sections of the CemNet.com website, please Register for a subscription to International Cement Review or Login This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions Officers responded to a suspicious activity call at Cookout, 5001 Brainerd Road. Police were told a woman was dancing in the parking lot, disrupting the flow of traffic. Police found the woman was still in the parking lot. Police told her that she was no longer welcome on the property and needed to vacate the area. She gathered her belongings and left. * * * A man told police he lost his wallet in the Walmart parking lot, 2020 Gunbarrel Road. He described his wallet to police and said that his card was used inside Walmart for $27.09. Police spoke with Walmart Loss Prevention and were able to view a video showing his card was used by a man with a backpack. Police searched the area for the man, but could not locate him. Police sent the photo for possible identification of the suspect. * * * A clerk at Circle K, 6003 Shallowford Road, told police that a woman entered the store and walked to the beer aisle. He said she selected two cases of Heineken and then walked to the cashier line. He said she then selected a car charger and walked out of the store past the cash register without paying for the merchandise. He said she got into a black Audi A3 and left the area, traveling west on Shallowford Road. The clerk said they did not want to press charges against the woman who stole the items. The total amount of merchandise that was taken from the store was $68. * * * Police noticed a vehicle parked behind an abandoned building at 2011 Gunbarrel Road. A man, later identified, was sleeping on a mattress behind the business. The man said he just moved to Chattanooga from Mississippi and got a job at Volkswagen. He said he did not have any money and said he should be getting his first check from Volkswagen next week. Police informed him he could not stay at the building, He agreed to leave the area. * * * A man on Airport Road told police he was attempting to offload some trash into the dumpsters of a business when a female began to yell and bark orders at him. After the fact, he said he learned that the woman actually worked there, but he was unaware at the time, as she had nothing visible on her person showing that she worked at the facility. Police then spoke with the employee and she said when she asked the man to pull into a certain area, he became aggressive towards her. She said she requested he leave, and he did so without incident. * * * A suspicious person was reported at the Circle K gas station, 5501 Hwy 153. Police spoke with a man, who has a muscle disease and walks like he is drunk. The man said he was fine and just wanted to get his coffee. The officer was able to take him to his residence for safety. * * * Police observed a woman panhandling at North Terrace and South Moore Road. The officer was very familiar with her, due to having a call at her mother's house, where she resides. Police told her she could not panhandle there any more and, if she is caught again, she will be cited. Police asked if she was still staying with her mother and she said that she is not currently living there. * * * Police spoke with a man who said he was having his car worked on at Integrity Chevrolet, 2110 Chapman Road. He said that he got into a verbal argument about the rotors on his new purchase. He said that he did get upset and probably overreacted. He said as he was overreacting one of the employees stepped out of his office and charged towards him telling him to get out of the office. Police went into the business and spoke with the employee. The employee told police the man was getting loud in the showroom and, because he was one of the managers, he stepped out of the office. When he did, he said he told the man to get out of the business and that he did not need to act like that here. He then walked towards the man and continued to tell him to get out of the office. They both said the argument between them was only verbal. * * * A woman told police she left her wallet in a shopping cart at approximately 12:30 p.m. at Walmart, 490 Greenway View Dr. She said she noticed she didn't have it at approximately 1:15 p.m. after she left the store. She said her wallet was grey and contained $500 in Lowes gift cards, various credit cards, her TN driver's license and Social Security card. Loss prevention said they would research the video and get back to police if they were able to locate her wallet on camera. * * * A man called police from 2121 E. 23rd St. The man was at the Waffle House across the street on E. 23rd Street He said that about two minutes before he called police, his orange Chevy was stolen. He said he pulled up to the Waffle House and went inside, leaving his vehicle running and unlocked in the parking lot. He said when he came outside, his vehicle was gone. He said that a woman at the Waffle House said she saw the vehicle last going west on E 23rd Street, but did not see the driver. Police were able to find an orange Chevy was registered to the man, with TN tag. He told police the car had damage on the front left side and scratches on the back right bumper. Police entered the vehicle into NCIC as stolen. Later that day, dispatched notified police that Georgia State Patrol had located the car in Bartow County at 5:17 p.m. on the 289 mile marker on 75 South. The man was notified and the vehicle was removed from NCIC. * * * A woman asked police to meet her at Hi-Tech Transmission, 5100 Brainerd Road, to document her opening her unlocked car at the auto shop to collect paperwork. She wanted police to note the condition of her car. The officer noted the interior appeared to be "discombobulated." * * * A woman on East Avenue told police her soon-to-be ex-husband has been harassing her. She said he keeps calling different departments and companies on her, trying to get her in trouble. Police were dispatched to her residence in reference to a stolen trailer. There was a trailer there and it was not stolen - it belonged to her. She said she only wanted this documented. * * * Police were called to a verbal disagreement between brothers on Wheeler Avenue. One of the brothers agreed to drive the other one to his residence to separate. * * * A man at the Shell station, 2285 Wilcox Blvd., called police saying he had cigarettes and lottery tickets taken from him there. He said he did not see anyone take his belongings. He was unable to give police any suspect information. * * * A woman on St. Paul Street told police that her vehicle had been damaged and she believed her granddaughter was the person that damaged it. She said her granddaughter had left the house between midnight and 2 a.m. and took the car. When the grandmother walked outside later that morning, she noticed a large dent in the front right fender. Police spoke with the granddaughter, who said she did move the car from one spot in the driveway to another, but never left in the car, and caused no damage. The officer inspected the damage, which did appear to be recent, but had no way of determining exactly when the damage occurred or who caused it. Due to the lack of probable cause, no charges were filed against the granddaughter. * * * Suspicious activity was reported at 7725 Lee Hwy. Officers spoke with a woman who was standing in the middle of the road. She said she was waiting for her ride. Officers told her to find a better place to wait. The maverick Marine fired after he released a now-viral video slamming the U.S. military for botching the exit from Kabul issued a clear threat to his aging superiors Saturday. The baby boomers turn is over, Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller told The New York Post in an exclusive interview. I demand accountability, at all levels. If we dont get it, Im bringing it. He also quoted Thomas Jefferson, saying every generation needs a revolution. Here is the Posts account of what has happened: Schellers family and former troops say theyre not surprised the officer sacrificed his career in order to tell his truth. It takes real courage to do what he did and that was Stu all the way, Juan Chavez, 33, of Valparaiso, Ind., who served under Scheller from 2011 to 2014, told The Post Saturday. He was a magnificent leader, a breath of fresh air, who was always going to do whats right, even if it goes against the grain. Schellers father, Stuart Sr., told The Post his son was the real deal, a Marines Marine. People will follow him to the ends of the earth. He has put his life on the line for fellow Marines so putting his career on the line like this does not surprise us. Marine officer Stuart Scheller was relieved of duty for calling out brass over Afghanistan. Scheller, 41, a 17-year Marine veteran three years short of qualifying for a full pension, went viral Thursday after he posted a four-minute, 45-second video to Facebook in which he appeared in uniform and ripped into military leadership following the devastating suicide bombing at Kabul airport, which killed 13 US service members and at least 169 Afghans. He specifically called out Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David H. Berger, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley. People are upset because their senior leaders let them down, and none of them are raising their hands and accepting accountability or saying, We messed this up, he said, according to the Post. Stuart Scheller Sr. said his son idolized his grandfather, a World War II vet who landed on the beach at Normandy, and always wanted to go into the military. Hes still on the battlefield protecting his men and women, Scheller Sr. said. Its interesting that no one (in the military) has answered his call for accountability. Their answer was to fire him I guess. Its a sad day for America. read the story in the Post. His son has said he wont talk to reporters until he finishes his formal exit from the Marines. A married father of three boys who lives in Jacksonville, NC, Scheller seemed to have had a brilliant military career before he did the unthinkable and broke rank with the Marine Corps. He received a Combat V for Valor and a Bronze Star. But now hes a hero to many in the military and among civilians for, as one person commented, coming out with what everyone was thinking but was afraid to say. In his video, Scheller said that the US should never have abandoned its most strategic airbase Bagram early this summer. Milley said on June 23 that Bagram wasnt tactically or operationally necessary for the US militarys final exit from Afghanistan. Scheller said some of his fellow officers, while supportive, urged him to take down the video. Obviously I didnt take it down, Scheller wrote in a later Facebook post. Ill offer this we cant ALL be wrong. If you all agree then step up. They only have the power because we allow it. What if we all demanded accountability? More than 30,000 people, some of whom served under Scheller, have liked and commented on his video. Proud to have served under your command sir, well follow you to the pits of hell and back, wrote Zach Olbrys of Worcester, Mass. Ryan Holland of Lexington, Ky. wrote: I see a seat in Washington in your near future!! It was always an honor serving with you sir! Semper Fi! It took big brass balls to do what you did (knowing) it came at a huge risk to your career personally, wrote Paul Zedalis. An Officer with integrity hard to find at the senior levels these days. My hat is off to you Sir! * * * Scheller is enjoying a groundswell of support and his demand for accountability is popular while the Afghanistan bungle is weighing heavily on President Biden and his administration. This is far from over. royexum@aol.com Senator Bill Hagerty today is announcing the appointment of Adam Telle to serve as chief of staff for his U.S. Senate office after John Raders departure to pursue opportunities in the private sector. I am fortunate to have someone of Adams experience and talent on my staff, and I am confident he will continue to excel as he takes on this new role, said Senator Hagerty. Since I took office, Adam has been an integral part of my team as my legislative director and chief advisor. With his-almost two decades of Capitol Hill experience, including his time in the Executive Branch, Adam has put together an incredibly talented team that has helped me advance the interests of Tennesseans, hold the Biden administration accountable, and pursue an agenda that puts the American worker first. Adams appointment will ensure continuity and a seamless transition as John Rader departs following his exceptional service.Prior to returning to Capitol Hill in January, Mr. Telle led the White House Office of Legislative Affairs Senate team, where he also managed all national security and appropriations matters. Previously, Mr. Telle was the chief staff member on the Senate Appropriations Committees Homeland Security Subcommittee, serving under the chairmanship of U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-MS), Richard Shelby (R-AL), John Boozman (R-AR) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). He also spent 10 years in Cochrans office, where he served as deputy chief of staff, legislative director, and the top national security staffer. Mr. Telle began his Senate career in Shelbys office. He is a native of Northport, Al. and holds degrees in computer science and communication from Mississippi State University. Mr. Telle spent childhood summers in Sevier County, Tennessee, where his parents were married, and Mr. Telle himself was married in Nashville on the campus of Vanderbilt University, his wifes alma mater. His dog, B.B., is from Murfreesboro.Mr. Telle is succeeding Mr. Rader, a longtime Senator Hagerty confidant, colleague and friend.I cannot thank John Rader enough for his counsel and tireless work this year as my chief of staff, and for his decades of friendship. There is no one more committed to advancing conservative policies that ensure we pass on a better, stronger nation to our children and grandchildren. John and I have worked together before, and I am confident we will work together again someday. John loves Tennessee, and on behalf of the citizens of our state, I thank him for his years of government serviceI am forever grateful for Johns selfless service, Senator Hagerty said.In addition to Mr. Telles appointment, Senator Hagerty is also announcing the following staff appointments: Matt Apple, of Winfield, Pa., to serve as legislative correspondent in the Washington, D.C. office. Kay Durham, of Nashville, to serve as assistant to the state director in the Nashville office. Madison Graham, of Atlanta, and a University of Tennessee, Knoxville, alumnus, to serve as staff assistant in the Washington, D.C. office. Nels Nordquist, of Alexandria, Va., to serve as legislative fellow in the Washington, D.C. office. Amy Winstead, of Jackson, Tn., to serve as caseworker in the Jackson office. The Georgia Regional Mustang Club will cruise from around the region to the polo field on Barnhardt Circle Saturday, Sept. 11 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. This is the second year the club has called all mustang enthusiasts to join them to display their car, tour the museum and spend the day in Fort Oglethorpe on the historic Army Post. This years event includes the Tri-State Military Vehicle Club who will display their vehicles and military exhibits for all to see. Vintage Base Ball will be played at 2 p.m. on the polo field. Its Free Museum Saturday and concessions will be available. Museum Executive Director Chris McKeever said, Last year brought so many people out to enjoy the fun-filled day. You cant help but get excited to see classic Mustangs. By adding military vehicles, museum tours and Vintage Base Ball, theres something of interest for everyone in your family, so spend the day here because theres lots to do. All Mustang owners are invited to come to the museum and show off your car. If you want to join in the cruise along I-75, contact Club President Dale Westcott at 678-462-4536. The Georgia Regional Mustang Club is the second oldest chartered Mustang club in the nation, founded in 1979 in the Atlanta area. Dedicated to the restoration, preservation and promotion of the Ford Mustang, the GRMC participates in a number of activities throughout the year, including car shows, cruises, clinics and other events. For more information about the club, visit their website at www.garmc.net or e-mail Georgiaregional@gmail.com. Pictured, left to right, are Holly Holcomb, Cody Harvey and Emily Thibodeau, all of Morning Pointe of Chattanooga at Shallowford As schools across the Southeast begin the fall semester, Morning Pointe Senior Living continues a long-standing tradition of sending students and teachers back to the classroom stocked with much needed supplies. "With all the stressors that come with this time of year, Morning Pointe residents felt compelled to help lift spirits and empower the community partners that have given them so much," officials said. Senior Life Enrichment Director Holly Holcomb assisted residents at Morning Pointe of Chattanooga at Shallowford in collecting items for teachers at East Brainerd Elementary School. They hauled in 10 packages of dry erase markers, 10 packs of highlighters, 20 containers of disinfecting wipes and cases of copy paper, sticky notes, staples, paper clips and binder clips. Ms. Holcomb delivered the supplies to the school on Friday. Not only does this help teachers and students, but it gives our residents something greater than themselves to pour their energy into, said Ms. Holcomb. We have many residents who were teachers at one time, too, so they know how much it means to receive these school supplies. At Morning Pointe of Spring Hill, residents donated both time and money and pulled together several backpacks, lunch boxes, binders, crayons, notebook paper and pencils for the Tennessee Childrens Home of Spring Hill. Families also pitched in on the donation drive. Life enrichment Director McKensie Scott said, The Childrens Home will be getting a large bin of back-to-school items from the residents at Morning Pointe. This is something we look forward to every year because of the excitement and nostalgia it brings to our residents. We are so blessed to be able to give back to our community. Morning Pointe of Hixson Life Enrichment Director Lauren Luckhart and her residents have been working on decorating containers for teachers that residents filled with school supplies and donated to local schools. Even though we arent able to interact as much with many of our volunteers right now, this project helps us stay connected with these community partners. We are excited to give our supplies to teachers at Big Ridge Elementary and Berean Academy, Ms. Luckhart said. Morning Pointe Senior Living campuses have been involved in intergenerational activities for nearly 25 years, working with schools and churches to connect residents with children and students of all ages as part of a purposeful programming culture. The Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate all honorees of the 2021 20 Under 40 and Cleveland State Community Colleges Community First Award. Officails said, "Extending a very special 'congratulations' to CBCC Board Members Steve Hartline, Andrea Boddeker and Brittany Katz, Leadership Cleveland Alumni President Adam Osborne and former Board and Executive Committee Member Trae Cody, CBCC is thankful to know all of these extraordinary community members." Mr. Hartline is the owner of Hartline, LLC, known for their radio stations, such as Mix104.1. He was chosen for the Business category of the Community First Award. He serves as the division vice chair of public affairs for the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Boddeker and Ms. Katz were both chosen for the Philanthropy category of the Community First Award for their recent project, The Small Biz Give, in which Ms. Boddeker and Ms. Katz's businesses give back to local non-profit organizations. Ms. Katz serves as the division vice chair of tourism development for CBCC, while Ms. Bodekker is a director on the CBCC board of directors. In addition to winning a Community First Award, Ms. Boddeker was also honored as a 20 Under 40: People to Watch recipient for 2021. "Ms. Boddeker is just as generous as she is smart and hard working," officials said. "The Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce is proud to have her as a part of our board of directors, a CBCC member and a Cleveland resident." Mr. Osborne is partner at HHM CPAs, an accounting and consulting firm. He is future managing partner of HHM's in-construction Cleveland office, and president of Leadership Cleveland Alumni Association. "Working his way up through HHM, the amount Mr. Osborne has accomplished in the time given is truly remarkable," officials said. "He is a great example of efficiency, kindness and dedication." Mr. Cody, co-owner of Companion Funeral Home, recently served on the CBCC board of directors. CBCC President Mike Griffin said, " We are very proud of Trae and his many accomplishments and contributions he had made to our community. Trae served on the Chamber board and executive committee for several years and was an important part of our organization." This is the sixth annual Community First Awards by CSCC, though it is the first time the awards have been associated with a theme. The 2021 theme centered around putting the community first during the Covid-19 pandemic. Ten individuals were chosen from differing categories and one over-all winner will be announced at the Community first Gala on Sept. 21 in Athens. All proceeds from the event go to the CSCC Annual Foundation Campaign. Members of the Hamilton County Grand Jury said in a final report that it appears that most crimes in Chattanooga can be traced to a small number of individuals. The panel that is headed by Jimmy Anderson also said the amount of crime here is shocking. The panel said, "We were shocked at the extent of crime, particularly gang-related crime, in Chattanooga. Between the judges and presenting officers, we learned that there is extensive gang activity in Chattanooga and that most crimes can be connected back to just a few dozen individuals. "We were also surprised to find the extent of violence over relatively minor disputes." The panel also said there should be higher pay for Grand Jury members. Here is the full report: Introduction Like other Grand Juries, the May to August 2021 Grand Jury represents a wide range of diverse individuals. All of us - even those with past or present ties to the law or law enforcement - learned a great deal. It has been an honor and privilege to serve on this Grand Jury. Mr. Jimmy Anderson was our leader. Assistant District Attorney Jerry Sloan (and the occasional substitute) presented the cases and provided legal guidance when we had questions. We are grateful to Judge Don W. Poole, Judge Barry Steelman, and Judge Greenholtz for taking time out of their busy schedules to talk with the Grand Jury. Their discussions with us were perhaps the highlight of our service. We regretted that due to COVID-19, we were unable to see some of the things prior Grand Jurors have seen, such as the prison. Learnings There were many ins and outs of the legal process that we learned along the way. The first thing that surprised many of us was that the Grand Jury decides what cases go to trial and doesnt make decisions on actual trials. We were shocked at the extent of crime, particularly gang-related crime, in Chattanooga. Between the judges and presenting officers, we learned that there is extensive gang activity in Chattanooga and that most crimes can be connected back to just a few dozen individuals. We were also surprised to find the extent of violence over relatively minor disputes. Some of the non-violent cases could be downright funny, but one whimsical DUI case could easily be followed by a sexual assault case. Someone has to hear these cases, but many of us were perturbed by some of the cases involving children and/or sexual violence. Lastly, we were surprised at how little thought many criminals give to not getting caught. A simple window tint violation could result in a drug bust with a long list of felonies. While this hardly captures everything we learned, we found that generally learning about the process, charges, and methods of law enforcement was fascinating and informative. Particularly regarding the murder cases presented to us, we were impressed with the work of the detectives and TBI. Commendations There was a resounding positive attitude towards Judge Pooles behavioral health program. As one juror put it: I knew nothing about the Mental Health Court but am in support of our incarceration facilities NOT being used for people with mental health problems. I feel these people need access to help, and hopefully a path to dealing with their lives on a positive note. This is a value to our society, along with concerned family members. Judge Pooles program struck another juror on a personal level, and she explained to us that she has a family member with a severe mental health problem that would benefit from such a program. The same juror also noted that Drug Recovery Program under Judge Greenholtz was also of personal relevance: I know for a fact it works because I know someone in the program who has used drugs since she was 14 and she is 45 now. This is the longest she has been clean and is working to get back custody of her toddler. She has hope. The general sentiment towards the judges was positive. Some of the jurors sat in on trials and remarked at the respect and dignity extended by the judges, even to those who pled guilty to a crime. This above almost all else demonstrates the integrity of the judges that preside over our criminal courts. Due to recent events, the public attitude towards police officers is relatively negative. Serving on the Grand Jury not only humanized the officers, but also allowed us to see their degree of professionalism and willingness to serve our community. As one juror put it: The law officers get such a bad rap, but the ones that presented cases to us were nothing but professional and knew the law. We are appreciative of their service and the job they do every day. Recommendations For the drafting of this statement, three prior reports ranging from 2013 to 2019 were reviewed as examples of what we might put in this document. As someone noted, Theyre all pretty much the same. We have many recommendations, but they are not so different from prior recommendations. Perhaps the most significant change that needs to occur is that our voices are heard. 1. It is very difficult to hear how valuable our service is to the judicial process, yet our actual value is clear. Were worth $13 a day. With minimal research, many of the jurors observed that Hamilton Countys pay is a pittance compared to other courts in neighboring counties and states. The pay, said one juror, associated with this service makes it a financial burden for many. Therefore, Pay should be increased to at least a living wage for service on the Grand Jury. If the court would suggest that our service is valuable, we would like more value assigned to our service. 2. We understand that due to COVID-19 and other setbacks, things are just getting started back up for the Grand Jury. However, witnesses were often few and far between, and were sometimes unprepared or their case was so aged that they did not recall the details. We believe a more robust system for having witnesses present to the Grand Jury, or for someone to present on their behalf, would be a better use of our time and valuable service. If it was not for Sergeant Bolton, who would often present several cases from other witnesses, we would have had completely empty afternoons. It is our recommendation that someone like Sgt. Bolton from each department or precinct bring several cases to us at a time. Along those same lines, many witnesses could have been better prepared and/or given more firm direction on what their role was before the Grand Jury. 3. Relatedly, we observed that many cases were years old, and some of them for minor infractions. While we understand there are several factors causing delays, we believe expediency is not only an obligation under due process, but that we would see fewer repeat offenders if they were tried, convicted, and sentenced in a timelier fashion. Additionally, the officers recall was always better with more recent events. We No-Billed at least one charge because the officer simply could not remember why they had charged the individual with a crime. As one juror said regarding #2 and #3: During our session, some of the days there were not enough witnesses; we had lot of idle time due to lack of officers to witnessSome of the officers did not have enough evidence; looks like they come unprepared. And another juror stated, Most of the witnesses solely relied on what they wrote down in their report and were unable to provide amplifying information that would have been helpful for Grand Jurors during deliberation. One juror suggested that one person present all cases as much as possible for each departmentThis would speed up the process and keep the police on the streets or not have them come in as witnesses on their day off. 4. We understand that because of the booming CBD industry, testing marijuana has become more expensive, and therefore small amounts of marijuana are not prosecuted. It is our recommendation that this be more broadly communicated, as most officers did not seem to know this. At times, it seemed like the left hand did not know what the right hand was doing and this stands as a prime example. We also strongly feel that as state governments relax marijuana laws, that additional parameters should be considered as well, such as a per se legal limit similar to the .08 BAC per se for alcohol. It is difficult to True Bill someone for having Delta 9 in their system when the amount is less than the per se amounts in states where marijuana is legal and we are No-Billing the marijuana possession charge. 5. The duration and rhythm to which we are called to Grand Jury is long. We recommend shortening the commitment, but for perhaps a different reason than one might expect. We learned so much from this experience and we think that more people should have exposure to the Grand Jury process as it also gives them other insights into how the system works. We recommend choosing a new grand jury more often in order to give more exposure to this process and our judicial system. Other Considerations There are a few items on which the Grand Jury either was not unanimous or sentiments that werent as broadly discussed. Each of these points may represent more than one Grand Juror but may or may not be the general consensus of the Grand Jury. Some of the other suggestions are as follows: 1. Spend more time discussing each case to give the defendants due diligence. 2. One judge stated that the United States has the highest levels of incarceration and longest prison sentences. The judge also stated that although the U.S. judicial system isnt perfect, its the best in the world. At least one juror begged to differ, citing several Scandinavian countries with more esteemed judicial and prison systems. The juror was cynical about private prisons, unconscious bias towards people of color (particularly black men), and the criminalization of poverty in the U.S. They also were disgruntled with the amount of prison sentences due to drugs they felt should be legalized or have more relaxed sentences. 3. There were mixed feelings about COVID-19 protocols. Most agreed that moving to the Court House where we could see our witnesses in-person was helpful, but some demonstrated concern in light of growing COVID-19 cases. 4. Many jurors were concerned regarding repeat offenders and thought they should be incarcerated until trial. The Grand Jury generally understands this may not be doable under current legislation. Conclusion Although there are many areas for opportunity, the sentiment towards the experience was overwhelmingly positive. One juror was not only enthusiastic about their experience with the officers, judges, and other staff. They were also complimentary of their fellow jurors, which seems to reflect the overall sentiment of the Grand Jury. Lastly, I was most impressed with my fellow jurors. They were all passionate about each case. Though some were young they werent shy about jumping in with their conclusions. I think we seasoned jurors are leaving our county in capable hands with these trailblazers. Youre going to see good things out of these women and men. The Grand Jury would once again like to thank Hamilton County Courts for this privilege and opportunity, even if we feel that the monetary value of our service should reflect our value as described by the judges and other court officials. We are impressed by the integrity of the judges and officers and commend them on the way they appear to treat alleged and convicted criminals. We do wish such treatment came in a timelier manner and hope that the courts will deem it worth their time to create a more robust and efficient process for moving cases through the Grand Jury. We also hope that more civilians will get to experience what we experienced. The Bachelor in Paradise Season 7 cast is about to add a few more contestants, and many fans are already itching to find out more about Chris Conran. Multiple teasers for episodes 4 and 5 suggested that the Bachelor Nation star is coming back soon. So who is Chris from Bachelor in Paradise 2021? Heres everything you need to know about Chris, including the BIP cast members Instagram, job, and spoilers about his future with Jessenia Cruz and Ivan Hall. [Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers about Chris Conran from Bachelor in Paradise Season 7.] Who is Chris Conran from the Bachelor in Paradise Season 7 cast? RELATED: Bachelor in Paradise: Does Joe Amabile End Up With Serena Pitt or Kendall Long Chris didnt get a chance to shine when he first appeared on The Bachelorette Season 16, which featured Clare Crawley and Tayshia Adams. The 28-year-old landscape design salesman from Salt Lake City was briefly highlighted in a deleted intro package, which showcased his love for the outdoors and cooking. But even so, Chris was sent home on night one. Now, many fans are hoping Chris gets the Grocery Store Joe (Joe Amabile) treatment on Bachelor in Paradise Season 7. But will Chris find his forever on the beach in Mexico? Well have to wait and see what happens. What is BIP 2021 star Chris Conrans Instagram? Bachelor Nation star Chris Conran | Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images RELATED: Bachelor in Paradise: Riley Christian and Maurissa Gunns Instagram Posts Have Bachelor Nation Wondering Whether Theyre Still Together While Chris only appeared in one episode of The Bachelorette Season 16, many viewers have seen him connect with other Bachelor Nation stars on social media. Fans can find Chris Instagram under the handle @chrisconran, and his latest post supported his friend, The Bachelorette Season 17 star Katie Thurston, ahead of her premiere. Im so happy for you, Chris captioned an Instagram photo with Katie. And all of you better tune in June 7th to watch Miss Thurston kill it on the show! Thanks for always being a great friend and one of my best hype-women. Chris also maintained friendships with his fellow Bachelorette castmates, including Chasen Nick. The two reality stars also shared a photo together earlier this year. Just Chasen sunsets with my brother, Chris wrote on Instagram. Might have lasted only a single night, but built relationships to last a lifetime. What happened to Chris Conran, Jessenia Cruz, and Ivan Hall in Bachelor in Paradise, according to spoilers RELATED: Bachelor in Paradise Spoilers 2021: Reality Steve Reveals Couples Who Get Engaged and Cast Pairings in Season 7 Now, it seems Chris and Chasens bromance will continue in Bachelor in Paradise Season 7. The previews for episodes 4 and 5 indicate that Chasen and Chris will arrive on the beach and take Deandra Kanu and Jessenia on a double date. So what does this mean for Chris future on the ABC reality series? Bachelor Nation blogger Reality Steve already shared a few BIP spoilers about the love triangle with Chris, Jessenia, and Ivan. Previously, Bachelor in Paradise fans watched Ivan and Jessenia get together and really connect on a deeper level. But according to Reality Steve, Jessenia and Ivan might break up because of Chris. In the beginning, Jessenia Cruz was involved with Ivan Hall. Then Jessenia left Ivan for Chris Conran when he arrived, Reality Steve wrote on June 30. Meanwhile, the franchise blogger claimed that Chris and Jessenia wont end up together because of Alana Milne from The Bachelor Season 25 with Matt James. However, Alana and Chris allegedly split before leaving Bachelor in Paradise Season 7. Chris left Jessenia for Alana, Reality Steve wrote. But people thought [Chris and Alana] were scheming because they hung out pre-show, and both eventually ended up leaving the same episode separately. As always, Bachelor in Paradise fans will have to watch what happens to Chris in season 7. But whether his storyline matches up with the BIP spoilers, we know its going to be a dramatic ride. Stay tuned. Bachelor in Paradise Season 7 airs Mondays and Tuesdays on ABC. Jinger Duggar has company her siblings are paying her a visit out in California, and Jinger is taking them to do all of the best California things. While fans are happy to see the former Counting On stars all together, some were more distracted by Janas outfit in Jingers recent photo. Jessa, Jinger, Jill, and Jana Duggar in 2014 | D Dipasupil/Getty Images for Extra Jinger Duggars siblings are paying her a visit in LA Jinger Duggar moved to Los Angeles, California, more than two years ago with her husband, Jeremy Vuolo. Jeremy was pursuing a graduate degree at the Masters Seminary, which uprooted the couple from Laredo, Texas, where they had been living since they wed back in 2016. Jinger and Jeremy welcomed their second daughter while living out in LA, but with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Jinger and Jeremy havent spent too much time with family. Now, though, Jingers siblings have made their way to California to spend time with Jinger, Jeremy, and their two daughters. Based on social media photos, it appears that Jingers two brothers, Jase and James, and her sister, Jana, are visiting her. Interestingly, the visit comes after rumors that Jana is no longer courting her supposed partner, Stephen Wissman. However, its important to note that there is no proof Jana and Stephen were ever courting. Jeremy Vuolo and Jinger Duggar moved to Los Angeles in 2019 | Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images RELATED:Counting On: Why Some of Jill Duggars Supporters Are Starting to Turn On Her Fans were distracted by Jana Duggars outfit in Jinger Duggars recent photo Though people were thrilled to see Jingers family pay her a visit, it seems that another aspect of Jingers Instagram post caught fans attention: Jana Duggars outfit. Jana was wearing pants, and while she has worn them before, fans seemed more surprised than ever to see her doing so out in California. Good to see them in pants and having fun! Enjoy life!! one user wrote, referring to Jinger and Jana. Jana in pants?? Are we in an apocalypse? Omg this is amazing, another user wrote. Jana?? In pants?? I love, someone else added. Still, others didnt love that fans were focusing so much on what Jana was wearing. Some thought others needed to get over the Duggar daughters wardrobes. I dont understand everyones obsession about what you guys wear, one user commented. Omg people get over the wardrobe shes been doing it since shes grown, another fan wrote. The Duggar daughters have outgrown some of their parents rules Growing up, the Duggar daughters were not allowed to wear pants, which explains why it is such a big deal to see Jana and Jinger dressing the way they do. However, Jinger abandoned her skirts-only rule years ago, not long after marrying Jeremy Vuolo. Jana, on the other hand, waited a bit longer to make the transition. Now, Jana and Jessa both wear pants, having waited until after Jinger and Jill Duggar broke the mold. As the Duggar daughters have grown older, they have abandoned some of their parents rules. In addition to wearing pants, several of them have ditched their long hair. Plus, Jill has a nose ring, and Jinger even wears shorts. Jana and Jessa have remained a bit more traditional, which might explain why people are more surprised to see Jana in pants. Viewers receive twice the terror with this season of American Horror Story. Season 10 is divided into two different stories Red Tide and Death Valley. The first adventure follows a struggling writer on his journey to greatness. Heres what we know about how many episodes are in Part 1 of American Horror Story: Double Feature. Evan Peters as Austin Sommers in American Horror Story Season 10 | Frank Ockenfels/FX American Horror Story returns with its two-part season, Double Feature Hot off of the heels of AHS:1984, this horror series is back with a new season and a new storytelling format. Season 10 of American Horror Story features two adventures for viewers, the first being Red Tide. The second half, debuting in the same season, is titled Death Valley. Together, theyre known as American Horror Story: Double Feature. It means two seasons for the fans airing in one calendar year, Ryan Murphy clarified with an Instagram comment from March 2021. So double the viewing pleasure. One set by the sea (this cast has already been announced). A second by the sand (that casting announcement coming). This season is separate from American Horror Stories, a spinoff that featured contained stories, telling a horror within each episode. This series also debuted in 2021, after the 2020 hiatus due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Red Tide features returning cast members, including Finn Wittrock, Sarah Paulson, Lily Rabe, Billie Lourd, Evan Peters, Adina Porter, Leslie Grossman, Angelica Ross, and Frances Conroy. There are even some new faces, including Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin. How many episodes are in American Horror Story: Red Tide As seen during Red Tide talented people will do anything for their art. When one writer, his musical daughter, and his semi-talent wife travel to Massachusetts for a winter retreat/work opportunity, they didnt expect to find such eclectic clientele living there full time. The first and second episodes of American Horror Storys 10th season debuted on Aug. 25. However, because season 10 is a double feature, Red Tide is one of the shortest stories told via American Horror Story. The first half of American Horror Story: Double Feature, titled Red Tide contains six episodes. The second half of this season, Death Valley, features four episodes. Some fans expect these stories to intertwine. However, nothing has been confirmed by Murphy or the television network FX. When does the finale of American Horror Story: Red Tide premiere? Each week this fall is filled with new horrors. Episodes of American Horror Story premiere weekly on the television network, FX. As a result, some fans expect the final episode of Part 1, Winter Kills, to debut on Sept. 22. Although new episodes debut weekly, once they are released, they are available for streaming exclusively on the subscription service, Hulu, on the following day. Already released seasons of American Horror Story are available for streaming on both Hulu and Netflix. However, new episodes of American Horror Story: Double Feature debut weekly on FX and FX on Hulu. RELATED: American Horror Story: Was Lily Rabe Pregnant During Season 10 Filming? Her Character, Doris, Is Expecting The NBC comedy-drama Good Girls aired its final episode in July 2021. After four seasons, the series abruptly ended and left several unanswered questions about Beth (Christina Hendricks), her sister Annie (Mae Whitman), and their best friend, Ruby (Retta). Fortunately, Hendricks and Retta recently proved that their close friendship transcended the show. The actors were spotted catching up several weeks after the series finale. Good Girls: Christina Hendricks and Retta | Evans Vestal Ward/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Why Good Girls was canceled Good Girls debuted its pilot episode in Feb. 2018. During the first few scenes, Beth, Annie, and Ruby share their money woes. Eventually, they decided to rob a grocery store. However, the women soon realize that they now owe a local crime boss, Rio (Manny Montana), money. Rio then realizes he can use the women, and chaos ensues. RELATED: Good Girls: Why Christina Hendricks Never Believed The Show Would Last After its Pilot Throughout the following seasons, the girls struggle to balance their suburban lives with their criminal obligations. Although the series built a solid fan base, NBC canceled Good Girls. The shows finale, Nevada, premiered on July 22, 2021. While some reports shared that Hendricks and Montanas off-screen relationship affected the show, Good Girls ultimately ended due to low ratings. Several weeks after the series ended, Hendricks and Retta were seen out and about for a summer event. According to Just Jared, the actors attended Jennifer Kleins annual Day of Indulgence party in Aug. 2021. The castmates chatted outside while enjoying Don Julio lemonades and Palomas. Additionally, they rocked patterned masks on their way to the event. How Christina Hendricks and Retta reacted to Good Girls getting canceled RELATED: Good Girls: Christina Hendricks Says the Cast Needed Massages After Filming Intense Scenes Before their meetup, both Hendricks and Retta commented about Good Girls amid its series finale. In May 2021, rumors began to swirl that the show would end after season 4. During this time, Whitman begged fans to continue supporting Good Girls. Nonetheless, the fans support couldnt save the show. Well, we gave it our all, Hendricks wrote on Instagram in June 2021. We really did. Thank you to our amazing fans through the years for all your passion and support. Retta also shared in June how upset she was by Good Girls cancellation. On the Parks and Rec alums Instagram page, she posted a photo of her, Hendricks, and Whitman filming a scene together. The Good Girls in that ubiquitous Mom van, she wrote. #AlreadyMissMyGals. Christina Hendricks enjoyed filming with Retta and Mae Whitman the most During most of Good Girls run, the series focused on Beth, Annie, and Rubys friendship. Although they all led tumultuous lives, the women often came together to support each other through their struggles. While discussing Good Girls with Awards Daily, Hendricks explained that the relationship between the women was what made the show successful for several seasons. She also added that her favorite scenes are the ones that only include her, Retta, and Whitman. I love it, Hendricks said of the scenes. Its always a favorite for us. Thats when the show sparkles the most. The three of us in a car or a hotel. They have a history together. Thats fun because they dont hold anything back. We know every moment, and you get to play that. Good Girls fans can relive the series on Netflix. More than two decades ago, millions of people around the world were stunned when they learned that Princess Diana had died following a car crash in Paris. Her death brought about a number of questions and several conspiracy theories. Because of the chaos that occurred that night, there was an inquiry into the princesss death and the driver of the limousine carrying Diana was found responsible for the crash. Heres more on who Henri Paul was, how he came to be the Princess of Wales driver that evening, and who says hes just a scapegoat. Princess Diana | Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images Moments leading up to the fatal car crash A year after her high-profile divorce from Prince Charles, Princess Diana began dating Dodi Fayed the son of former Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed. The two were in Paris together and had dined at the Imperial Suite inside the Ritz Hotel on Aug. 30, 1997. They left the Ritz just before midnight and were headed to Fayeds apartment. They exited the rear of the hotel to escape the paparazzi. However, the photographers were waiting for them there and gave chase as soon as Diana and Fayed pulled away in a Mercedes S-280 limousine driven by Henri Paul. In an effort to lose the paps following them, Paul was operating the vehicle at a high rate of speed. The car ended up crashing into a pillar inside the Pont de lAlma tunnel, less than two miles from the hotel. Paul and Fayed were killed instantly but Diana was still alive and suffering from multiple injuries. She was transported to the La Pitie Salpetriere Hospital where doctors worked to save her life but she was pronounced dead on Aug. 31, 1997. Bodyguard Trevor Rees (previously Rees-Jones) was traveling in the car with them and is the only person who survived the crash. Henri Pauls job and how he became Princess Dianas driver Photo of Henri Paul, who was the driver in the deadly Princess Diana car crash | COR/AFP via Getty Images Over the years, many people have wondered just who Paul was and how he became Princess Dianas driver on that fateful night. The Sun noted that he was born on July 6, 1956, in Lorient, France. He joined the French Air Force in his 20s and reached the rank of captain. He later got into the field of security and began working for the Ritz Hotel in Paris where he was appointed assistant to the director of security. At the time of his death, he was acting head of security. Paul had picked up Diana from the Le Bourget airport when she arrived in Paris. After his shift had ended, he agreed to return to the Ritz Hotel and drive the pair to Fayeds apartment near the Arc de Triomphe. Those who saw him that day say he was over-excited to be the princesss chauffeur. What Paul did in the three-hour time period between the end of his shift and when he went back to the hotel for the couple is not known and remains a mystery to this day. An inquest found Paul responsible for the princesss death, but his family doesnt buy that Princess Diana, bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones, and driver Henri Paul photographed just before crash | Jacques Langevin/Sygma via Getty Images An inquiry into the death of the Peoples Princess found that Paul was intoxicated that evening and should not have gotten behind the wheel. At the 2008 inquest, the jury foreperson said: The crash was caused or contributed to by the speed and manner of the driving of the Mercedes, the speed and manner of driving of the following vehicles, the impairment of the judgment of the driver of the Mercedes through alcohol, and there are nine of us who agree on those conclusions. In addition, the death of the deceased was caused or contributed to by the fact that the deceased [were] not wearing seatbelt(s), the fact that the Mercedes struck the pillar in the Alma Tunnel rather than colliding with something else, and we are unanimous on that. A Scotland Yards investigation agreed and in its report stated: The concentration of alcohol present in his blood at the time of his death would, unequivocally, have adversely affected his ability to safely control a motor vehicle. However, Pauls family sees things differently. His father, Jean, previously spoke to The Mirror and claimed that Paul was collateral damage in a plot to stop Princess Diana from marrying a Muslim man. Diana was killed and my son was killed. I believe they were both murdered, Jean told the publication. My son was simply collateral damage of a plot to kill Diana and they killed him as well. RELATED: This Is What Princess Dianas Bodyguard Who Survived the Car Accident Kept Repeating After the Crash Fans are currently at their wits end with Kanye West, as he has continuously left his audience at the edge of their seats with the high demand and anticipation of his 10th studio album DONDA. Adding fuel to the raging fire, West apparently exposed Drakes address prior to his final listening party, and the public is even antsier than ever. The question now is two-fold: When is Wests album officially dropping and whose rap album will take the industry by storm? Kanye West, Marilyn Manson, and DaBaby | Brian Prahl/MEGA/GC Images Kanye West allegedly exposes Drakes address Right before Wests apparent final listening party in his hometown, Chicago, he succeeded in another attempt to get the people talking by seemingly dropping (and then deleting) Drakes home address on social media. The conflict resurfaced a week ago when West seemingly responded to a new diss track by Drake via a group chat that West posted on his Instagram page. In a new feature on rapper Trippie Redds latest album, Trip at Knight, Drake seemingly ignited the confrontation with a verse on a song called Betrayal that makes digs at West and Pusha T. The former Degrassi star raps: All these fools Im beefin that I barely know / Forty-five, forty-four (burned out), let it go / Ye aint changin s for me, its set in stone. West then appeared to respond in a now-deleted Instagram post showing screenshots of a text that he sent to an eight-person group chat including Pusha T. In the chat the words: You will never recover. I promise you, were shared by an unknown person, this apparently related to Drake being unable to musically recover from his diss toward West. Drake reacts to his address allegedly being leaked Drake | MEGA/GC Images Following West posting the group chat that night, leading into the next morning he seemingly dropped Drakes address. While some people think that West had malicious intent behind the alleged address exposure, others think its a part of the build-up for his release. Yet, the irony of Wests apparent leak is that Drakes address is already public knowledge, so the same information could be found with a quick google search of the rappers mansion in Calabasas, California. Whats Drake and Kanye Wests real issue? DaBaby, Kanye West, and Marilyn Manson | Brian Prahl/MEGA/GC Images The two rappers have been at odds for a while, and with the heightened suspense of both rappers expectedly dropping albums this year, the buzz surrounding which album will be better has consumed the rap game. In 2011, Drake spoke about his career ambitions and West in an interview with The Source, per Capital Xtra, stating: My goal is to surpass everything hes accomplished. I dont want to be as good as Kanye, I want to be better. It didnt stop there. Later that year Drake persistently aimed his arrow at West on DJ Khaleds track Im On One rapping: Im just feeling like the throne is for the taking / Watch me take it. With a ton of speculation and almost empty hope, fans still await not only Wests but Drakes album, to see who will take the crown. RELATED: DONDA Sales Have Spiked Despite Delayed ReleaseHeres Why Princess Diana died more than 20 years ago. While people all over the world mourned, and in the years that followed, conspiracy theories regarding Dianas cause of death swirled. Did Prince Charles plan an accident that would take her life? Were intelligence agencies somehow involved? According to a report, Diana believed she and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall were going to be put aside. Princess Diana died in a 1997 car accident Princess Diana | | Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images Dianas life ended on Aug. 31, 1997. After getting divorced from Charles a year earlier shed been spending a lot of time with her then-boyfriend Dodi Fayed. They spent 10 days on the French Riviera with paparazzi never too far away. Then they headed to Paris, France, on Aug. 30, 1997. That evening the couple left the Ritz Hotel in a Mercedes driven by the hotels acting head of security Henri Paul. Also in the car was Dianas bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones. The Mercedes drove through Paris before hitting a pillar in the Pont de lAlma tunnel. Paul and Dodi died however Diana was still alive following the crash. She was taken to a nearby hospital but she died in the early morning hours of Aug. 31. Dianas bodyguard survived the crash. Princess Diana believed a conspiracy she and Camilla Parker Bowles were to be put aside Princess Diana and Camilla Parker Bowles | Express Newspapers/Archive Photos RELATED: Princess Dianas Former Body Guard Says the Beginning of the End for Her and Prince Charles Was Confronting Camilla Parker Bowles Its been well-documented that Diana believed a car accident would kill her. In a 2005 investigation called Operation Paget, the U.K.s Metropolitan Police went through all of the details of the crash before publishing a nearly 1000-page report. According to Newsweek, the 2006 report included details on Dianas belief efforts would be made for her to be in a car crash. She said as much in an October 1995 meeting with her lawyer and private secretary. The lawyer took notes during the meeting which were cited in the report. Efforts would be made if not to get rid of her, then at least to see that she was so injured or damaged as to be declared unbalanced, the lawyer wrote, according to the report. But thats not all. The Princess of Wales apparently believed that there was a conspiracy and that both she and Camilla Parker Bowles were to be put aside, they added. Dianas lawyer didnt believe her claim that she and Camilla would be put aside but didnt want to dismiss them completely. Diana ultimately died in a car accident but Camilla didnt meet the same fate. Charles wife since 2005, Camilla is currently a senior working royal. Grossly negligent driving was named as the main contributing factor in Princess Dianas death Princess Diana | David Levenson/Getty Images RELATED: Prince Harrys Memoir Will Focus Heavily on Princess Diana and Who He Blames for Her Death, Royal Expert Says While Diana may have believed the conspiracy she and Camilla were to be put aside a jury handed down an official verdict at an inquest that came to a close in April 2008. A 9-2 majority found that Diana and Fayed were killed as a result of grossly negligent driving. Quentin Tarantino is the image of Hollywood success. Hes written and directed movies that quickly became classics, and hes one of the best-known movie makers of his era. But his path to fame didnt always look quite so impressive. When he was 15 years old, Tarantino was a high school dropout who worked as an usher at an adult movie theater. Fortunately for movie lovers, that was only the beginning for him. The remarkable career of Quentin Tarantino It's 12 years of the cult hit #InglouriousBasterds today!! Some call it the best #QuentinTarantino movie ever! What do you think? pic.twitter.com/5VOdpM8ViF BINGED (@Binged_) August 21, 2021 Fans of violent, complex, beautifully shot movies know Tarantino well. According to Biography, the screenwriter and director was first noticed for his directorial debut in 1992, Reservoir Dogs. His big breakthrough movie, Pulp Fiction, came next and it earned him his first Academy Award for best screenplay. Tarantino was born in Tennessee, but when he was four years old, his family moved to California. There, he soon developed a deep love for movies. One of his earliest memories was of his grandmother taking him to the theater to see a John Wayne film. He loved telling stories, and he devoted his time to writing, watching movies, and reading comic books. In fact, he was so fixated on these things that he had little time left over for school. An educational shortcut Quentin Tarantino | Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for SiriusXM Insider reports that when he was only 15 years old, Quentin Tarantino decided to leave school and pursue his passion. He had also burned a few bridges at his high school. I had ditched school so long at a certain period in the ninth grade that it was like one of those things where youve ditched so long that youre afraid to go back because the minute you go back youre going to get busted. So you just might as well just stay out until they actually just bust you, he explained. His mother, Connie McHugh, fought the idea of him dropping out, but she eventually gave in, assuming that his inevitable failure would teach him a lesson. He wasnt one to give up easily on his dreams, though. He took a job as an usher at a local adult movie theater, and he focused on writing screenplays in his free time. Before long, it became clear that Tarantino wasnt going to be humbled by his decision. Instead, he was there to teach Hollywood a thing or two. Success and stubbornness ROMPE EL SILENCIO! Esto dijo la madre de Quentin Tarantino despues que el director explicara porque no comparte su fortuna con ella https://t.co/B1HXhCbTAG pic.twitter.com/flg35OJ2Gb SuNoticiero (@SuNoticiero) August 18, 2021 According to USA Today, Quentin Tarantinos work has not only made him a respected figure in the movie industry, but its also brought him a healthy income. His net worth is reported to be roughly $120 million. But all that cash hasnt made him generous at least, not as far as his mother is concerned. Back when Tarantino and McHugh fought about his future in school, she made a comment that he found unforgivable. And then, in the middle of her little tirade, she said, Oh, and by the way, this little writing career? with the finger quotes this little writing career that youre doing? That (expletive) is (expletive) over, Tarantino said. When she said that, he made himself a promise that he would never share his movie earnings with her. Other than helping her out once with an IRS bill, hes kept his word. This determination is another example of how unstoppable Tarantino is when he sets his mind to something. High school wasnt going to delay him from working in movies, and his mothers discouraging words wouldnt be forgotten. At least movie lovers everywhere have benefited from his stubborn refusal to give up. RELATED: What Terrified Once Upon a Time In Hollywood Director Quentin Tarantino as a Child Korean dramas have a unique trait compared to American series. It is usual for K-dramas to only last for one season for a total of 16 episodes. This allows for a jam-packed and drama-filled series that ticks off everything fans want. Short seasons allow Korean actors to take part in more than one series a year. Some K-dramas break this trope and have even fewer episodes. Viki recently released The Witchs Diner with only eight episodes and is one of the highest-rated dramas for the streaming platform. There are more K-dramas that follow this trend and ranked high amongst viewers. Actors Chae Jong-Hyeop, Song Ji-Hyo, and Nam Ji-Hyun The Witchs Diner in promo poster for K-drama The Witchs Diner fulfills customers desires Actor Nam Ji-Hyun plays the title character Jung Jin in Vikis The Witchs Diner. Jung Jin had everything until her boyfriend leaves her and she gets fired from her job. Hoping to turn things around, Jung Jin and her mother decided to open a restaurant. The restaurant fails, and they go bankrupt. One day a beautiful woman named Jo Hee-Ra (Song Ji-Hyo) appears. Hee-Ra offers to take over Jung Jins restaurant to open her own business. Jung Jin learns Hee-Ra is a witch and wants to sell food that grants customers wishes in exchange for something she truly desires. The 8-episode K-drama was a hit. Fans applauded its dark fantasy story tied with its CGI elements. CGI supervisor for the K-drama, Lee Yong Seop, explains in an interview, We used CGI to show that her magic concealed her true witchs self under her beautiful face. We focused on the color violet in order to create both an elegant and spine-chilling look. D.P. shows undesirable reality of an army soldier bringing back deserters RELATED: D.P. Review: Netflix K-drama Sheds Light on Mistreatment in the Military The Netflix K-drama D.P. is gaining attention for its gritty and realistic story about South Koreas mandatory military service. Ahn Joon-Ho (Jung Hae-In) just started his mandatory service and experiences firsthand the physical mistreatment that plagues the military. Not soon after, he is recruited to join the Deserter Pursuit team to bring back rogue soldiers. As part of the D.P. team, Joon-Ho gets to return to the luxuries of civilian life while getting inside the head of deserters to figure out their next move. The K-drama depicts the brutal reality that enlistees face as they are mentally, physically, and verbally assaulted by their superiors, often leading to desertion. Joon-Ho faces a moral battle, fully aware of the chilling mistreatment deserters face in a 6-episode drama. Sweet Home K-drama is a monstrous apocalyptic horror series RELATED: The Great Shaman Ga Doo Shim: A Short and Sweet Fantasy K-Drama Worth Watching Based on a popular webtoon, Netflix debuted Sweet Home in December of 2020. The apocalyptic horror K-drama received praise for its dark and innovative storyline and characters. The drama starred Nevertheless actor, Song Kang as Cha Hyun-Soo. One morning, the residential building tenants find themselves locked in as the world outside descends into chaos. Overnight, the population has turned into grotesque monsters caused by their desires. The tenants have to stay safe from the outside monsters and be wary that any one of them can turn. Hyun-Soo is the focal character as he inhabits all of a monsters super abilities but fights to keep his humanity. According to Forbes, director Lee Eung-Bok had to make some changes to the storyline as the webtoon was still not finished at the time. 7 First Kisses tells a whirlwind romance in 8-episode K-drama RELATED: My Roommate Is a Gumiho K-Drama Keeps Fans Invested with its Fantasy-Romance Storyline Not all romance stories need a full-length season. The 2016 K-drama 7 First Kisses will have fans blushing at the constant romance. Min Soo-Jin (Lee Cho-Hee)is a Duty-Free store employee who has never dated or had her first kiss. One day Soo-Jin meets the dating goddess who grants her a wish. She will meet seven gorgeous and irresistible men who she gets to pick as her first kiss. The K-drama is popular as some of Koreas well-known actors and K-Pop idols play the male characters. Many of the actors play themselves in the drama. Lee Joon-Gi is a religious tech billionaire, Park Hae-Jin is a romantic yet stern boss, and Kai plays a young male friend. Ok Taec-Yeon plays a chaebol heir with Lee Jong-Suk as a K-Pop idol and Lee Min-Ho as a travel writer. Ji Chang-Wook plays a handsome secret agent. Tupac Shakur was an icon of hip-hop who was known for being real in his lyrics and shining a light on issues plaguing the world. The rappers consciousness can be credited in part to his parents, both of whom were active in the Black Panther Party in the 1960s and 70s. Tupac Shakur | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images Tupac Shakurs mother, Afeni Shakur, was a Black Panther Afeni Shakur, along with Tupacs stepfather Mutulu, instilled a sense of right and wrong in Tupac. Their political leanings were informed by their real-life experiences: when Afeni was eight months pregnant with Tupac, she was indicted in the infamous Panther 21 criminal trial, where 21 Black Panthers were accused of planning attacks on police stations around New York City. She and everyone else involved was acquitted of over 150 charges. Tupac experienced firsthand his familys political activism. Mutulu Shakur spent four years among the FBIs Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. Tupacs godfather, Elmer Geronimo Pratt, was a high-ranking Black Panther and was convicted of murdering a school teacher during a 1968 robbery, though his sentence was overturned when it was revealed that the prosecution had hidden evidence that he was in a meeting 400 miles away at the time of the murders. Tupac Shakur at Club USA | Steve Eichner/Getty Images Afeni Shakur was sexually abused in jail In her 1987 autobiography Assata, Shakurs godmother, Assata Shakur, spoke candidly about her experiences with the US government throughout the 60s and 70s. In one part of the book, she recounted her conversations with her fellow Black activists after they experienced sexual abuse in jail. Joan Bird and Afeni Shakur [members of the Black Panther Party] had told me about it after they had been bailed out in the Panther 21 trial. When they had told me, I was horrified, she recalled. You mean they really put their hands inside you, to search you? I had asked. Uh-huh, they answered, she continued. Every woman who has ever been on the rock, or in the old house of detention, can tell you about it. The women call it getting the finger or, more vulgarly, getting finger-f-d. What happens if you refuse? I had asked Afeni, she said. They lock you in the hole and they dont let you out until you consent to be searched internally.' Political & social activist and Black Panther member Afeni Shakur holds a camera as she attends a session of the Revolutionary Peoples Constitutional Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, between September 4 and 7, 1970 | David Fenton/Getty Images RELATED: Tupac Shakur Auditioned For an Iconic Movie Role That Went to Tom Hanks Assata Shakur was Tupac Shakurs godmother Throughout the 1970s, Assata Shakur was indicted nearly a dozen times for several violent incidents, including murder. In 1984, she finally sought political asylum in Cuba, and has lived there ever since. A 1987 article in Newsday detailed Shakurs new life in Cuba and her revolutionary politics that infuriated so many in the United States. In the decades since then, the US government has attempted to have her extradited from Cuba to the US, most recently with President Donald Trump calling for her extradition. In reality, armed struggle historically has been used by people to liberate themselves But the question lies in when do people use armed struggle, she said. There were people [in the Black Liberation Army] who absolutely took the position that it was just time to resist, and if Black people didnt start to fight back against police brutality and didnt start to wage armed resistance, we would be annihilated. There are few movies from the 1990s as iconic as Jurassic Park. Dinosaurs have always been a source of intrigue to humans, both the young and old. People cant learn enough from reading what knowledge we have of the extinct reptilians to viewing their bones in museums. Children love dinosaur toys and stories, but no one has ever seen a dinosaur alive due to their extinction. Steven Spielbergs Jurassic Park brought dinosaurs to life in 1993. The special effects were excellent for the time and still hold up today. Viewers feel as though they are there in the park, seeing the giant reptiles for themselves. The characters are equally as memorable as the dinosaurs, as the actors did a fantastic job. Many of the actors are big celebrities who are still actively working today, but child actor, Ariana Richards, has rarely been seen on the big screen since the movies success. Who is Ariana Richards? Ariana Richards walks with Sam Neill and Joseph Mazzello in a scene from the film Jurassic Park | Universal/Getty Images According to IMDb, Richards was born in California in 1979. She was first seen on TV as a ballerina in a hair salon commercial when she was seven years old. Shortly after, Richards began acting in movies. She won the Best Young Actor award consecutively in 1991 and 1992 for two made-for-TV films. Throughout the late 80s and the 90s, Richards acted in a long list of television programs and movies. Her most memorable role, however, was Lex Murphy in Spielbergs Jurassic Park. Richards won yet another Best Young Artist award for her role in Jurassic Park, as well as several other awards worldwide, including a Bambi Award. It seemed Richards had a bright future in acting, yet, according to Best Life, she doesnt act anymore. Why did Ariana Richards quit acting? While filming Jurassic Park, Richards was also quietly pursuing her other passion, painting. She thinks, in part, painting is in her blood. One of her ancestors was the early Italian Renaissance painter Carlo Crivelli. Her grandmother was also a professional painter. Richards told Amblin that it was indeed her grandmother who became her first serious mentor. She recalls at about the age of ten when her grandmother taught her color theory. On the set of Jurassic Park, she completed watercolors that were so impressive that Spielberg has one framed in his house. Since that time, Richards went on to attend Skidmore College, where she earned her BS in Drama and Art. After graduating from college, Richards continued her studies at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Her work is heavily influenced by the Old Masters and Impressionists such as Monet and Degas. Other, more feminine influences like Mary Cassatt are visible in her work. Where is she today? Richards is well regarded in the world of art. She has an art gallery in Portland, Oregon. She also has three studios across the globe. One is in the United States. The other two are in South America and Europe. She spends her time split between these locations with her husband and daughter, Isabelle. Although Richards hasnt acted in quite some time, she has not given up on the industry. In an interview with Ambling, Richards said, Even though Ive been focusing on art for a long time, since I was in college, and made that such a focus and priority, I absolutely adore acting. If the right role came along, the right opportunity, I would totally jump at the chance. When asked what types of roles she was interested in, Richards said it was all about finding a part that is the right fit, whether that is acting or even voice-over work. RELATED: 8 of Steven Spielbergs Most Popular Movies and How to Watch Them When Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker started dating, Scott Disick insisted he was happy for her. But as their relationship continues to heat up, he doesnt seem to be taking it in that well. It looks like hes even complained to Kardashians other ex Younes Bendjima about the burgeoning romance, in an alleged message that has now leaked online. Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker are seen in attendance during the UFC 264 event. | Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images What Scott Disicks alleged DM to Younes Bendjima about Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker said Bendjima posted a screenshot to Instagram on Monday, Aug. 30, of an alleged DM from Disick showing him shading Kardashian and Barker for their PDA. Sending a picture of the couple making out during their current Italian getaway, he reportedly wrote, Yo is this chick ok!???? Brooo like what is this. In the middle of Italy. Doesnt matter to me as long as shes happy, Bendjima replied. PS I aint your bro. The model also told Disick to keep the same energy you had about me publicly, privately. His comments come after Disick implied at the Keeping Up With the Kardashians reunion in June that hed never liked Bendjima, who dated Kardashian off and on from 2016 to 2018. He was her first known boyfriend following her 2015 split from Disick, whom she dated for nine years. HollywoodLife reached out to representatives for Disick for comment on the alleged message to Bendjima, but did not immediately hear back. RELATED: Kourtney Kardashian Isnt Considering Marrying Travis Barker Because of Scott Disick, Report Says Scott Disick has reportedly distanced himself from Kourtney Kardashian amid her romance with Travis Barker Despite their split, Disick and Kardashian remained close, still spending time together and with their three children. But now that her relationship with Barker is so steamy, a source has said that Disick has allegedly pulled back. Scott has really distanced himself from Kourtney recently, a source told E! News. Of course they are still cordial when it comes to the kids, but they arent hanging out as much or doing things as a family. The communication has become strictly about the kids. Its uncomfortable for Scott to see Kourtney in a serious relationship, although he knew this day would come, an insider added. He is glad she is happy, but its definitely been hard on him. He doesnt like to bring it up and its a weird convo for him. At one point, the family was really encouraging Scott and Kourtney to try the relationship again and its a bit of an eye opener for him, that its truly never going to happen. Kardashian discussed the possibility of reconciling with Disick throughout the final season of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, which wrapped in June. Although much of her family supported the idea, Kardashian said there were still things Disick needed to do in order for her to consider it. She did not share what those things were. RELATED: KUWTK: Kourtney Kardashian Reveals That Her Family Is Part of the Reason Why She and Scott Disick Never Got Back Together Shes been with Travis Barker for months now After weeks of speculation, Kardashian went public with her relationship with the Blink-182 drummer in February. The two had been longtime friends and decided to take things to the next level a short time earlier. Months later, they seem really serious and very much in love. Its clear they arent going anywhere any time soon, and people have just gotta get used to that. Dr. Yafang Cheng has been selected as one of the 10 winners of the Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year 2021 in the category Physical Sciences. The award ceremony will take place on 8-9 November 2021. Dr. Yafang Cheng has been selected as one of the 10 winners of the Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year 2021 in the category Physical Sciences for Breaking the Wall to understanding COVID-19 transmission through aerosols. Top-class researchers globally are pushing the boundaries to make some of the most important scientific breakthroughs of our times, explains the Falling Walls Foundation on their web site. The Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs are to honor internationally recognized, established academics and leaders in the observation and understanding of natural phenomena of the earth, atmosphere and space, whose groundbreaking work contributes towards solving the worlds biggest challenges. Dr. Cheng is heading a Minerva research group at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry (MPIC) in Mainz. She and her team develop and apply innovative experimental methods and advanced modeling techniques to elucidate the formation, interactions, and effects of aerosols, which consist of fine liquid droplets or solid particles suspended in air. The outstanding quality and relevance of Yafang Chengs research on the aerosol transmission of COVID-19 impressed the international Falling Walls jury, praised Prof. Dr. Jurgen Mlynek, chairman of the Falling Walls conference board of trustees, in his congratulatory letter. Yafang Cheng is one of ten scientists honored in this category this year. The award ceremony will take place on the Falling Walls Conference on 8- 9 November 2021 in Berlin. A glimpse of Yafang Cheng's award-winning work is provided in a video: Link https://falling-walls.com/breakthroughyear/finalists-2021// Effective reduction of corona virus transmission Dr. Chengs win was for her breakthrough in explaining how masks effectively limit the aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and help mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. She recently published a study that explains how the effectiveness of face masks depends on different environmental conditions and has a population-wide impact on the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. The investigations were conducted in collaboration with colleagues from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, the Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, the Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, and further partners from China and the USA. In this highly challenging, interdisciplinary and international project, the researchers used a variety of observational data and a novel approach to determine the infection risk of SARS-CoV-2 and the efficacy of masks on a population level. For the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2, we find that usually just a minor fraction of exhaled respiratory particles contains viruses. Most environments and contacts are under virus-limited conditions, where face masks, including simple surgical masks, have a high efficacy in preventing the spread of COVID-19, explains Yafang Cheng, the head of a Minerva Research Group at the MPIC. Our study provides a detailed and novel mechanistic understanding of population-average mask efficacy, which explains why regions with a higher percentage of the population wearing masks have better control of the pandemic. The challenge we are facing now is not just if and how we can win the fight against this pandemic, but more importantly how fast we can do it in order to save more lives and reduce the probability of further dangerous mutations. she adds. Because of the higher mask efficacy at lower airborne virus concentrations, we can expect synergistic effects of combining masks with other measures such as ventilation, distancing, and vaccination. This is particularly important for potentially virus-rich environments, such as medical centers and crowded indoor settings, especially with more contagious variants of the virus. Ulrich Poschl, director at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, agrees and confirms that the insights gained in Yafangs investigations constitute a major scientific breakthrough that will help to settle the ongoing debate about the usefulness of masks and promote efficient mitigation of the COVID pandemic. Multiple award-winning research Recently, Yafang Cheng had already been awarded the Ascent Award of the American Geophysical Union, the Schmauss Prize of the Society for Aerosol Research and the Minerva Program of the Max Planck Society. She received these awards for her outstanding contributions to the understanding of atmospheric aerosol interactions and their effects on air quality and climate. In particular, Yafang Cheng and her research team achieved groundbreaking insights into solid-liquid phase transformations, chemical reactions, acidity and optical properties of airborne particulate matter and nanoparticles composed of carbon, organic substances, inorganic salts, and water. The researcher has published over 120 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals, including several articles in interdisciplinary highlight journals (Science, PNAS, etc.) and "hot papers" that are cited particularly frequently (Top 0.1%, Web of Science). In addition, Dr. Cheng has been a steering committee member of the Exploratory Round Table Conferences (ERTC) of the Max Planck Society and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and she collaborates closely with other leading researchers around the world. While 84 percent of worldwide Afghan refugees are actually hosted by neighboring Pakistan and Iran, volunteers in the U.S. are preparing to welcome hundreds, and possibly thousands, of Afghans seeking refuge here. Use these resources if youre one of them. Hear from a Burundian pastor, now living in Minneapolis, who joined the Better Samaritan podcast to explain the best ways to welcome refugees to your congregationalong with mistakes Christians tend to make along the way. (tl;dr: Make yourself available for questions. Dont assume you know what the newly arrived individual or family needs. Ask them.) Chong Bee Vang also resettled to Minneapolis, but in 1980when he was 4 years old. In this Q&A, he told us how organizations like schools and churches struggled to respond to refugee needs, and usually ended up creating dependency. Worst of all, Chong felt clearly that the church only wanted to provide him with help, rather than incorporating him into the body. A must-read for anyone in training to work with refugees. As director of the International Association for Refugees, Tom Albinson has served in the humanitarian space for four decades. He points out, There is a growing global movement of the Holy Spirit among churches to include forcibly displaced people within the scope of their mission. But serving people experiencing humanitarian crisis is not missions as usual. Kent Annan, a director at Wheaton Colleges Humanitarian Disasister Institute and cofounder of Haiti Partners, unpacks the fear and misunderstanding that often direct our actions toward refugees. Instead, Kent invites the reader into a posture of welcome. He says, We wont all agree how, and thats ok. But lets start where we agree, and then ask the right questions: Can we be wise, and welcoming? Can we be generous, and have security?... the good news is yes. Crafted from the book, this free, seven day plan includes scripture, practices for meditation and journaling, and action points and you can invite friends to read through it with you, sharing comments as you go. This Thursday at 4pmET/3pmCT, World Relief, We Welcome Refugees and Women of Welcome will host a virtual Prayer and Action Townhall for Haiti and Afghanistan. As the U.S. prepares for the arrival of hundreds of Afghans seeking refuge, spend some time in focused, communal prayer for your heartand theirs. Recently, Caitlin Flanagan argued in The Atlantic that we really need to quit Twitter. She joins a long line of people whove sworn off the medium (at least for a time). Andrew Sullivan, Chrissy Teigen, Alec Baldwin, and other celebrities have publicly quit social media. Ta-Nehisi Coates famously left Twitter (and his 1.25 million followers) after an online argument with Cornel West in 2017. In her essay, Flanagan examines how Twitter destroyed her ability for private thought and enjoyment of reading. She even admits to being a Twitter addict. I am too. I have committed a thousand times to take a break from social media, just to find myself sneaking a look, consumed by shame, as if I huffed some glue real quick between work and picking up the kids. There are nights when Im up too late, reddened eyes locked onto a screen, finally shaking myself out of my stupor with a cry: Why am I doing this? Weve all heard the studies. Social media decreases our ability to think critically, increases rates of depression, and fuels anxiety and distraction. Facebook and Twitter often make our conversations more combative. And online advocacy often usurps the more enduring (and more boring) work of governance and institutional change. Nevertheless, most public discourse is now online. So even if social media is a cesspool, we still have to ask the question: Do some Christians have a moral responsibility to wade into the mire to voice opposition to bad legislation, promote good work, or amplify the concerns of the marginalized? To cite one particularly disheartening example, sexual abuse victims of a lay leader in my own denomination took to Twitter this summer to highlight the ways leaders and systems allegedly failed to handle their abuse. The only way many of us (even within our institution) heard about any of this was because some brave survivors spoke up online. These institutional concerns were brought to light through social media. I have written about the spiritual and emotional danger of social media consumption, but always with a bit of internal conflict, because I know that people are most likely finding these very essays through platforms like Twitter and Facebook. The pitfalls of social media are real, dangerous, and myriad. But the unavoidable fact is that people today find a public voice, in part, through social media. This goes for Christian writers, artists, and public leaders as well. These online spaces are where peoplethose whom Jesus lovesare talking about important things. This is where people share their work. But this fact, though unavoidable, is also rather destructive. If all our up-and-coming leaders, artists, and thinkers are formed by social media, this very formation will inevitably shape and limit our cultural possibilities, imaginations, and thought. Our implicit requirement of emerging leaders for copious social media engagement is like requiring all of Americas young cardiologists to take up smoking. The means necessary to have a public voice in our culture is precisely that which undoes the kind of deep thinking, nuance, creativity, humility, and compassion we desperately need from leaders of any sort. This dynamic can also undermine our institutions. The last thing we need in the church is for each pastor to be a public brand. As Ive written in CT, the authority that comes from being popular online can subvert institutional health and accountability. Yet, do our institutions themselves have some responsibility to deal with and equip people for the reality of a digital world? Ive had older church leaders praise the idea of opting out of social media altogether. They want to be above the fray, which is not a bad goal. But I wonder if Christians have some responsibility to enter the fray, even if it is fraught with all sorts of temptations, perils, and dangers. Article continues below How then do weas individuals and as a churchresist the malformation of being always online without shirking our public responsibility? Is there any moral imperative to be part of the digital public square? Ive agonized over these questions and still dont know the answer. In their book, Practicing Theology: Beliefs and Practices in Christian Life, Miroslav Volf and Dorothy Bass write that the practice of discernment teaches us our own finitude, our need for prayer, our dependence on the Spirit of God. It shows us how our theology resonates with the beliefs and practices that guide the community of faith on its pilgrimage. We are certainly in new territory on this pilgrimage. The church has faced persecution, famine, and plague, but weve never yet had to decide when or if to tweet. Of course, Christians have always faced temptations to vanity, arrogance, distraction, addiction, and idolatry. But weve never had hundreds of engineers hired by megacorporations to pinpoint how to ensnare more and more of our attention in ways uniquely suited to our individual loves and desires. Still, Christian discernment is not a new practice, and we need to be intentional about discerning the vices and virtuesthe dangers but also the obligations and responsibilitiesthat this new medium brings. I dont mean we need to simply decide this individually. Discernment is a communal activity, which means we must ask these questions as a church. This needs to be a constant topic of Christian discipleship and debate. The church and some individuals within it are called to the public square and, whether we like it or not, social media is an increasingly important part of that. Those digital spaces will inevitably involve us in practices, systems, and formation that are harmful to our souls. But we have a moral obligation not simply to perfect purity and personal health but to a wider worlda misshapen world that will inevitably misshape us as well. We can and should take up practices that limits these harms. But we might not be able to avoid them altogether. Flanagan may be right: I may really need to quit Twitter. I may be self-justifying a damaging addiction. I truly do wish that a Christian ethical engagement with media was as easy as just quitting all the bad things, but theres a kind of fundamentalist reductionism in this desire. Instead, we are faced with a riskier path, a practice of ongoing discernment as we navigate these complicated questions about both the needs of our souls and our responsibility to others. I still believe what I wrote previously, that technological habituation begets our spiritual formation, which begets our devotion and doxology. I do not think that social media shapes our souls, our thinking, or our conversations in excellent ways. But at the end of the day, the church is called both to proper devotion and to the sullied complexities of the public square. US 'didn't get everybody out that we wanted' before Afghanistan withdrawal: CENTCOM commander Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment As the United States military presence in Afghanistan comes to a close, the Biden administration has informed the media that hundreds of Americans who would like to evacuate remain in the country. Appearing at a press briefing Monday, Gen. Frank McKenzie, commander of the United States Central Command, announced 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 press briefing took place the day before the Aug. 31 deadline for withdrawal of American troops that the U.S. negotiated with the Taliban, which has taken control of much of the country. McKenzie explained that while the military evacuation is complete, the diplomatic mission to ensure additional U.S. citizens and eligible Afghans who want to leave continues. Discussing the weekslong effort to evacuate U.S. citizens and others from the country, he indicated that not every American who wanted to leave was evacuated. We have evacuated more than 6,000 U.S. civilians, which we believe represents the vast majority of those who wanted to leave at this time, he said. When asked whether or not there were any American citizens or other civilians who were taken out on the final flights out of Afghanistan, McKenzie said that they were not able to bring any Americans out on the flights. According to the commander, we continued the outreach and would have been prepared to bring them on until the very last minute. But none of them made it to the airport and were able to be accommodated. McKenzie vowed that although the military phase of this operation has ended, the diplomatic sequel to that will now begin. He said that our Department of State is going to work very hard to get Americans remaining in Afghanistan out using diplomatic channels. He estimated that Americans remaining in Afghanistan number in the very low hundreds." Theres a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure, he added. We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out. But I think if we had stayed another 10 days we wouldnt have gotten everybody out that we wanted to get out and there still would have been people ... disappointed with that. Secretary of State Antony Blinken elaborated on the State Departments efforts to evacuate Americans who remain in Afghanistan. Blinken reported that John Bass, the former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, will spearhead our ongoing work across the State Department to help American citizens and permanent residents, citizens of allied nations, special immigrant visa applicants and Afghans at high risk if any of those people wish to depart Afghanistan. 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 stated. We will hold the Taliban to its pledge to let people freely depart Afghanistan. The Taliban has committed to let anyone with proper documents leave the country in a safe and orderly manner. Blinken shared a quote from a senior official in the Taliban, who asserted that any Afghans may leave the country, including those who worked for Americans, if they want and for whatever reason there may be. The secretary pointed to a partnership with more than half the worlds countries, who have insisted that the Taliban let people travel outside Afghanistan freely. Blinken noted that as of today, more than 100 countries have said that they expect the Taliban to honor travel authorizations by our countries. In a joint statement, the countries outlined their commitment 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 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. Signatories of the statement include European countries such as the United Kingdom and France, Latin American countries such as El Salvador and Honduras, African countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone, and the Middle Eastern countries of Israel and Jordan. In his remarks, Blinken highlighted additional steps the international community took to secure freedom of movement in Afghanistan. Just a few short hours ago, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution that enshrines that responsibility, laying the groundwork to hold the Taliban accountable if they renege," he said. "So, the international chorus on this is strong and it will stay strong. We will hold the Taliban to their commitment on freedom of movement for foreign nationals, visa holders, at-risk Afghans. Blinken stressed that while we have expectations of the Taliban, that doesnt mean we will rely on the Taliban. Any engagement with the Taliban-led government in Kabul will be driven by one thing only: our vital national interest," he said. Blinken emphasized that the relationship between the U.S. and the Taliban will not operate on the basis of trust or faith. Recent reports speculate that the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network may have played a role and had something to gain from the suicide bombings in and around the airport in Kabul last week that left 13 U.S. soldiers dead. The withdrawal of the remaining American troops from Afghanistan comes one week before the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks that precipitated U.S. involvement in the country in 2001. During his remarks Monday, McKenzie illustrated that the war came with a cost of 2,461 U.S. service members and civilians killed and more than 20,000 who were injured. Critics say Illinois' new sex ed guidelines promote abortion, sexualize students Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Conservatives are criticizing the new sex education curriculum approved by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, alleging that it will expose children to sexually charged content with an ideological agenda. Pritzker, a Democrat, signed Senate Bill 818 into law on Aug. 20. The legislation, in part, calls for the implementation of comprehensive personal health and safety and comprehensive sexual health education curriculum that aligns with the National Sex Education Standards (NSES). In a statement, Pritzker praised the bill for modernizing our sex education standards. He predicted that the new curriculum will help keep our children safe and ensure important lessons like consent and internet safety are taught in classrooms. Senate Bill 818 passed the Illinois House of Representatives in May by a vote of 60-48, with three Democrats joining all Republicans in opposing the measure. The bill passed the Illinois Senate by a vote of 37-18. Four Democrats abstained from the vote while all remaining Democrats supported it as all Republicans opposed it. State Rep. Tony McCombie, a Republican, blasted the bill as "not age-appropriate," according to NPR. The goal of sex education is to help young people grow into healthier sexual relationships and healthier adults, McCombie was quoted as saying. [The bill] is not age appropriate. It is sexually charged. NPR Illinois reports that a handful of Democrats have voiced concern that the new standards include material that is too explicit for elementary and middle school students. Rep. Fred Crespo, a Democrat who abstained from voting on the bill, reportedly took issue with the fact that schools must either align their curriculums with the NSES guidelines or not teach sex education at all. The thing that bothers me the most is that, I know its permissive, but were telling schools that if you don't use these standards you cannot teach sex ed, Crespo was quoted as saying. That concerns me a bit because I think we do need sex ed at our schools. Molly Malone, the assistant director of legislative affairs for the Illinois Pro-Family Alliance, expressed concern that the bill will promote abortion, the LGBT lifestyle, and will sexualize students. According to Malone, the bill could cause discrimination against students and their parents who believe that homosexual and transgender lifestyles are wrong and that abstinence until marriage occurs is spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally the safest, healthiest choice for sexual activity. She told the Illinois Baptist news journal that those children and parents who choose to believe what Scripture teaches about sexuality will be ostracized and labeled as bigots in their own schools." The National Sex Education Standards call for students in kindergarten through second grade to define gender, gender identity, and gender-role stereotypes and discuss the range of ways people express their gender and how gender-role stereotypes may limit behavior. The curriculum, which is endorsed by LGBT advocacy groups GLSEN and the Human Rights Campaign as well as abortion organizations like Planned Parenthood, also informs young students about different kinds of families, including those with cohabitating and same-gender parents. Students in third through fifth grades will learn about masturbation as well as the role hormones play in the physical, social, cognitive, and emotional changes during adolescence and the potential role of hormone blockers on young people who identify as transgender. Additionally, students will be expected to distinguish between sex assigned at birth and gender identity and explain how they may or may not differ, define and explain differences between cisgender, transgender, gender nonbinary, gender expansive and gender identity. The curriculum teaches students in this age group that gender expression and gender identity exist along a spectrum. While the curriculum for students in grades six through eight continues the discussion about sexual orientation and gender identity, it also introduces them to abortion as one of several pregnancy options alongside parenting and adoption. Students in this age group can also expect lessons on the impacts of racism and intersectionality on sexual health. Students in grades nine and 10 are asked to define reproductive justice and explain its history and how it relates to sexual health. Juniors and seniors in high school will be exposed to a curriculum that seeks to analyze cultural and social factors (e.g. sexism, homophobia, transphobia, racism, classism, ableism, classism) that can influence decisions regarding sexual behaviors. Senate Bill 818 defines a complete sex education curriculum as one that includes information on consent and healthy relationships, anatomy and physiology, puberty and adolescent sexual development, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation and identity, sexual health, and interpersonal violence. It lays out specific criteria that all classes that teach comprehensive personal health and safety and comprehensive sexual health education must satisfy. Course material and instruction shall provide information about local resources where students can obtain additional information and confidential services related to parenting, bullying, interpersonal violence, sexual violence, suicide prevention, sexual and reproductive health, mental health, substance abuse, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and other related issues, the bill states. The bill also suggests that sex education curriculum in Illinois schools will be required to provide information about abortion. Course material and instruction may not deliberately withhold life-saving information about culturally appropriate health care and services, including reproductive health services, hormone therapy, and FDA-approved treatments and options, including, but not limited to, Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PeP). The legislation maintains that No student shall be required to take or participate in any class or course in comprehensive personal health and safety and comprehensive sexual health education." Parents are allowed to opt their children out of the curriculum. In June, a mother made headlines after she spoke out against the sex education guidelines during a school board meeting in District 87. She feared that forcing schools to adopt the NSES standards destroys local control over curriculum." She argued that the NSES guidelines "force" students to learn about masturbation, anal sex and transgender ideology before their teenage years." Illinois is not the only state pushing comprehensive sex education. Last year, Washington voters upheld a law requiring schools to teach comprehensive sex education, defeating a referendum that sought to reverse a law approved by the state legislature mandating such curriculum in schools. The United Nations has also embraced comprehensive sex education, publishing guidance to expose children to the curriculum inside and outside the school setting. Most white regular churchgoers voted for Trump in 2020, religious nones backed Biden: study Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A majority of white Americans, particularly evangelicals who attend worship services regularly, voted for former President Donald Trump in 2020, while President Joe Biden was the overwhelming favorite among religiously unaffiliated voters, especially among those who identify as atheists and agnostics, a recent analysis of 2020 validated voters by the Pew Research Center shows. According to the analysis by Pew Research assistant Justin Nortey, overall, 59% of voters who attend worship services at least monthly voted for Trump, while 40% voted for Biden. The less voters attended church services, however, the more likely their support was for Biden. Some 58% of white voters who attend worship services just a few times a year voted for Biden, while 40% of that crowd voted for Trump. The trend remains consistent with voting patterns in previous years which showed a strong correlation between high religious service attendance and support for the Republican candidate among white voters and low religious service attendance and support for the Democratic candidate. This pattern varied in strength based on religious tradition. Some 85% of white evangelical voters who frequently attend religious services and 81% of those who attend less frequently voted for Trump. White evangelical Protestants tend to be more religious than other Christians by a number of measures, including in their worship habits: Two-thirds of white evangelical voters attend monthly or more often, while one-third attend less frequently, Nortey noted. And while the correlation between religious service attendance and voting patterns among other white Christians is not as strong as it is among evangelical Protestants, the data still reflect a majority of those who frequently attend religious services voted for Trump. Among white non-evangelicals who attend services more frequently, the vote was almost evenly divided, with 51% favoring Trump and 48% favoring Biden. White Protestants who are not evangelical tend to attend church less frequently than their evangelical counterparts: Three-in-ten white non-evangelical Protestant validated voters say they go to church monthly or more, while nearly seven-in-ten go a few times a year or less, Nortey wrote. Some 63% of Catholics who attend mass at least monthly voted for Trump in 2020 while 36% voted for Biden. Among those that attended less frequently, however, the support for Trump was 53% while the support for Biden ticked up to 47%. A similar correlation was not found among black voters who overwhelmingly supported Biden whether or not they frequently attended religious services. Some 90% of black Americans who frequently attend religious services voted for Biden in 2020 while 94% of black voters who attend church services less frequently voted for Trump. According to the analysis, Biden made some gains in support among white Catholics, as he got 11% more support than Hillary Clinton did in 2016. His strongest support among Christians came from black Protestants. He also had a strong showing among the religiously unaffiliated. What Biden lacked in support from white Christians, he made up for with support from black Protestants and the religiously unaffiliated, Nortey noted. Biden received 71% of the votes of people who identified as religiously unaffiliated. Bidens support was particularly strong among voters who identify as atheist or agnostic, with 86% of voters in this category backing him over Trump, Nortey added. US vows to evacuate Americans after Afghanistan withdrawal; 122K people evacuated so far Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment With one day remaining until the deadline to withdraw all remaining U.S. troops from Afghanistan, the Biden administration asserted that the United States would continue to evacuate Americans and fight terrorism as necessary. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby and Gen. William Hank Taylor, the deputy director for regional operations and force management of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addressed media about the situation in Afghanistan Monday. They provided an update about the progress in evacuating Americans and Afghan allies who want to leave the country ahead of the Aug. 31 withdrawal deadline that the U.S. government negotiated with the Taliban and also elaborated on the thwarting of two attempted terrorist attacks. Taylor said that as of Monday, "more than 122,000, including 5,400 Americans, have been evacuated from Afghanistan. Neither Taylor nor Kirby indicated how many Americans seeking to leave Afghanistan remained in the country. The U.S. State Department estimated last week that no more than 1,500 Americans wished to be evacuated and that 4,500 Americans had been evacuated. The State Departments previous estimates, combined with the latest information provided by Taylor, suggest that less than 1,000 Americans remain in Afghanistan. "We continue to have the capability to evacuate and fly out those until the very end, Kirby emphasized, adding that the evacuation efforts will continue even after the military withdraws from Afghanistan. For Americans and other individuals that want to be able to leave Afghanistan after our withdrawal is complete, the State Department is going to continue to work across many different levels to facilitate that transportation. Right now, we do not anticipate a military role in that effort. Kirby stressed that while the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan will end Tuesday, whats not going to end is our commitment, especially here at the Defense Department, to protect the American people from ... threats and particularly from any terrorist threat that could emanate from Afghanistan again. On Sunday, the U.S. and 97 other countries announced a joint agreement with the Taliban to continue evacuating Afghan allies even after Tuesday's deadline. "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 reads. "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." In the press conference Monday, Kirby defended the U.S. governments decision not to begin evacuations sooner. He attributed the unrest that has engulfed Afghanistan in recent weeks to the collapse of the Afghanistan government and the advance of the Taliban. Nobody could have imagined how quickly that government would have literally just dissipated almost overnight," he said. "There was simply no way to predict that. On Sunday, U.S. military forces conducted an unmanned airstrike on a vehicle known to be "an imminent ISIS-K threat," Taylor told the press. 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. Taylor reported that the attack did not come without civilian casualties. Additionally, he noted that as many as five rockets were fired at the Kabul Airport overnight. U.S. military forces successfully employed our force protection measures to thwart that attack, he detailed. Taylor stressed that even as the U.S. militarys presence in Afghanistan is scheduled to conclude Tuesday, U.S. forces retain the inherent right of self-defense and are authorized to meet threats with a swift and forceful response. The interception of the vehicle headed for the Kabul Airport and the rockets fired at the airport came after President Joe Biden issued a warning Saturday that the threat of terrorist attacks on the airport remains high, with an attack highly likely in the next 24-36 hours. Bidens warning followed two explosions in and around the Kabul Airport Thursday that left more than a dozen U.S. soldiers dead. The terrorist group ISIS Khorasan Province, an affiliate of the Islamic State terror network, was determined to be responsible for the attacks. Kirby told the press that following the successful thwarting of two attempted terror attacks, The threat stream is still real. Its still active and in many cases, its still specific. Toward the end of the press conference, Fox News reporter Jennifer Griffin asked about an American held hostage by the Taliban, Mark Frerichs. Has the Taliban agreed to release Mark Frerichs before the U.S. leaves? Does the U.S. have any plans to leave without this American hostage? she asked. Kirby vowed that regardless of what we do over the next day or so all of us will remain focused on returning him safely to his family. There has been a concerted effort over many, many months to get him released, Kirby said. Frerichs, a civil engineer and government contractor who spent a considerable amount of time in the war-torn Middle East, went missing in January 2020. Shortly after Frerichs disappearance, Newsweek reported that U.S. officials believed the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network kidnapped him. The Daily Mail reported that the U.S. government is probing whether the Haqqani Network, which is affiliated with the Taliban, played any role in the attacks. An ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted from Aug. 27 to Aug. 28 found that 59% of Americans disapprove of President Bidens handling of Afghanistan compared to 38% who approve. An overwhelming majority (84%) of Americans believe that the U.S. military should remain in Afghanistan until all Americans have been evacuated, even if that means staying past the Aug. 31 deadline. Two-thirds of Americans indicated that they were worried about a major terrorist attack following the Afghanistan withdrawal. Va. Supreme Court upholds reinstatement of Christian teacher who opposed trans pronoun policy Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The highest court in Virginia has rejected a request by the Loudoun County School Board to allow the suspension of a Christian teacher punished for criticizing a proposed policy requiring teachers to use trans students' preferred names and pronouns to take effect. In an order issued Monday, the Virginia Supreme Court granted an appeal to review the merits of a lower court decision in favor of elementary school teacher Byron Tanner Cross and agreed to keep an injunction reinstating the teacher in place. Cross, a physical education teacher at Leesburg Elementary School for the past eight years, recently sued the Loudoun County School Board for suspending him after speaking out in his personal capacity at a May board meeting against a proposed policy. Policy 8040, which was enacted earlier this month, requires teachers to use the preferred pronouns of trans-identified students. In his speech before the school board, Cross cited his Christian faith and said he could not "lie" to students. Looking to federal precedent as persuasive, it is settled law that the government may not take adverse employment actions against its employees in reprisal for their exercising their right to speak on matters of public concern, reads the order in part. Because the remaining interests the Defendants raise do not override Cross and other teachers interests in exercising their constitutionally protected right to speak on the proposed transgender policy, the circuit court did not abuse its discretion. The Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal nonprofit helping to represent Cross, celebrated the Virginia high court order. The organization also suing on behalf of other teachers to get the policy struck down. Teachers shouldnt be forced to promote ideologies that are harmful to their students and that they believe are false, nor should they be silenced for commenting at a public meeting, ADF Senior Counsel Tyson Langhofer said in a statement released Monday. [B]ecause Loudoun County Public Schools is now requiring all teachers and students to deny truths about what it means to be male and female and compelling them to call students by their chosen pronouns or face punishment, we have moved to amend our lawsuit to challenge that policy on behalf of multiple faculty members. Cross was placed on administrative leave after expressing opposition to Policy 8040 during the May school board meeting, although he did so in his personal capacity. My name is Tanner Cross, and I am speaking out of love for those who suffer with gender dysphoria, he said at the meeting. I love all of my students, but I will never lie to them regardless of the consequences. Im a teacher, but I serve God first and I will not affirm that a biological boy can be a girl and vice versa because its against my religion," he added. The school board claimed that following Cross' comments, parents and students "expressed fear, hurt and disappointment about coming to school." Contending that the suspension was the appropriate response, the school district argued in court that Cross is unlikely to succeed on his free speech claim because his comments created disruption at Leesburg Elementary. In June, Judge James E. Plowman of the 20th Judicial Circuit of Virginia granted Cross' request for a temporary injunction. Plowman wrote that putting Cross on leave was extreme and an unconstitutional action since the teachers words, even if controversial, were nevertheless permissible. The Court agrees with Plaintiffs analysis and concludes that Defendants actions to suspend the Plaintiff, as well as the additional restrictions placed upon him, adversely affected his constitutionally protected speech, wrote Plowman. The school board appealed the decision, arguing in a statement that the words of Cross were harmful to trans-identified students. LCPS respectfully disagrees with the Circuit Courts decision to issue the injunction, and it is appealing this ruling to the Supreme Court of Virginia, stated the school district. Many students and parents at Leesburg Elementary have expressed fear, hurt and disappointment about coming to school. Addressing those concerns is paramount to the school divisions goal to provide a safe, welcoming and affirming learning environment for all students. The Cross legal complaint was later amended when the school district passed the proposed policy in August by a vote of 7-2. Multiple teachers want to have the new policy struck down. Christian groups aid Hurricane Ida victims as many are missing, homes destroyed Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Volunteers with faith-based humanitarian organizations are aiding victims of Hurricane Ida as they recover from the Category 4 storm that struck in Louisiana over the weekend and caused widespread damage and over 1 million people to lose power. Since Saturday, nearly two dozen volunteers and staff from Convoy of Hope, a faith-based natural disaster relief organization, loaded 19 emergency-response tractor-trailers on the ground in Shreveport with supplies to respond in the first hours after Ida made landfall. When the storm subsided, 23 volunteers and staff from the organization began the response by providing food, water, hygiene items, chainsaws, cleaning items, shovels, rakes and other supplies to many residents in need. Ida struck Louisiana with 150 mile-per-hour winds early on Sunday, 16 years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the state and Mississippi. After making landfall, the hurricane weakened into a Category 1 hurricane and then to a tropical storm early Monday. The storm winds destroyed homes, infrastructure and multiple buildings. Many houses have been flooded. Nearly all of southeast Louisiana and areas in New Orleans have lost electricity and will remain without power for days to come. It was a major catastrophic storm and many people are trapped in broken up and damaged infrastructure everywhere, said Ethan Forhetz, the vice president of public engagement for Convoy of Hope, in an interview with The Christian Post. It's heartbreaking. When you are part of Convoy of Hope efforts, oftentimes, you see people on the worst day of their lives, in a helpless and hopeless state. And you realize how important little things are, such as food and water. Dozens of search parties and rescue crews are on the ground. They sifted through scattered debris, rummaged through demolished rubble and used machinery to clear infrastructure in search of residents who've been reported missing. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said Monday that the death toll from Ida could grow considerably. At least four people have been found dead, two in Louisiana and two in Mississippi. In Louisiana, a man died while driving through floodwater in New Orleans and another person died after being struck by a falling tree in Prarieville. Two people were killed and 10 others injured when a highway collapsed in southeast Mississippi due to flooding. Forhetz says its devastating to see how the storm has impacted many lives, but it's rewarding for him to participate in an effort to improve the lives of many in the aftermath of the disaster. In the wake of natural disasters, Convoy of Hope works in partnership with churches where natural disasters occur. Volunteers from churches typically help distribute the items that Convoy of Hope provides. The Lord put us here to help bring comfort and to be the hands and feet of Jesus during a time when so many people are in dire need, Forhetz said. We call on the local Church to help with our efforts, and its a great partnership in these circumstances because they know the area better than we do since their churches are in the communities where the natural disasters happen. Another organization partnering with churches to aid victims of Hurricane Ida is Samaritan's Purse, an international evangelical humanitarian organization based in North Carolina. Through Samaritan's Purse, which is headed by evangelist Franklin Graham, relief centers have been established with the help of local churches and volunteer teams that will work to clear yards, clean out flooded homes and repair damaged roofs. "A lot of the assessments, we won't be able to get accomplished for the next couple of days because authorities are not letting people in right now," Graham told Tony Perkins on "Washington Watch" broadcast Monday. "Power lines are down across highways, trees are down across highways and they are still doing search and rescue." Once Samaritan's Purse volunteers can access communities, Graham said the organization will be working with its church partners to search for people who are not insured and elderly individuals who don't have anyone to help them. "When you have a storm like this, it just hits everybody in the path," Graham said. Often, those who suffer damages to their livelihood due to natural disasters need encouragement, Forhetz explained. People in desperate situations, he said, look for hope and the goal of Convoy of Hope is to give those in need support and to point them to Jesus. Our work doesnt just involve providing supplies, but at times, we also give them a pat on the back, say encouraging words to them and even pray with them, he said. Its a struggle. Imagine losing your home and livelihood and not having the power to get your life back in order. It's traumatic ... [and] devastating. Our goal is to help as many people as we can, for as long as we can and for as long as they need it. Forhetz said one way people can help is by giving financial donations to Convoy of Hope. For every dollar donated to Convoy of Hope, he said, 90 cents goes directly to disaster relief efforts. Many people see on the news the reporting on natural disasters and then they wonder how they can help. Financial donations are the best way because we are truly an organization that wants to help, he added. To donate to Convoy of Hope, click here or text Ida to 68828 to give a donation. Those wishing to donate the Samaritan's Purse's Ida relief efforts can click here. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Harvard University was founded as Harvard College in 1636. Its stated purpose was: To train a literate clergy. Among its mottos were, Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae (truth for Christ and Church) and In Christam Gloriam (to the glory of Christ). Now, Harvard has hired an atheist as its chief chaplain. And no, this is not a poor joke. As reported by the New York Post, This spiritual leader doesnt need a higher power. Harvard Universitys organization of chaplains is getting a new president to coordinate the campus Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and assorted other religious communities. Only the new president, 44-year-old Greg Epstein, does not identify with any of those traditional religions himself. He is an atheist. But how can an atheist be a university chaplain? Epstein explained to The New York Times, There is a rising group of people who no longer identify with any religious tradition but still experience a real need for conversation and support around what it means to be a good human and live an ethical life. We dont look to a god for answers. We are each others answers. The only problem is with Epsteins explanation is, well, everything. He may believe in God or not. He may follow a religion or not. Thats his own business. And he may have some great ideas about living an ethical life. But to be a chaplain, by definition, means to be a religious leader, not simply a department head or an administrator or someone who believes in ethical living. And so, to appoint an atheist to be chief university chaplain is like appointing a Christian evangelist to head up the universitys atheist club. Or a devout Muslim to head up the universitys Judaism club. It is a total contradiction in both purpose and logic. As for Epsteins appointment being controversial, thats not how Harvards leadership felt, voting to elect him unanimously. What a perfect choice! Couldnt think of anyone better! The Merriam Webster website offers these four definitions for chaplain: 1: a clergyman in charge of a chapel; 2: a clergyman officially attached to a branch of the military, to an institution, or to a family or court; 3: a person chosen to conduct religious exercises (as at a meeting of a club or society); 4: a clergyman appointed to assist a bishop (as at a liturgical function). According to Dictionary.com, a chaplain is: 1. an ecclesiastic attached to the chapel of a royal court, college, etc., or to a military unit. 2. a person who says the prayer, invocation, etc., for an organization or at an assembly. And a military website states that: The chaplain's responsibilities include performing religious rites, conducting worship services, providing confidential counseling and advising commanders on religious, spiritual and moral matters. Chaplains are commissioned officers stationed wherever there are military members, including combat environments. But if you dont believe in God, you cannot perform any of these functions. Really now, how can you conduct a worship service if there is no God to worship? How can you perform religious rites, all of which presuppose the existence of a deity, if there is no deity? To whom do you pray? What hope can you offer regarding the world to come? How can you help someone connect to the spiritual, unseen, eternal realm? Who, outside of the human race, forgives your sins or empowers you to change? And if you yourself are convinced that there is no God, doesnt that mean that you view all religious believers as being in serious error, not to mention deeply deceived? Its one thing if Harvard said, Rabbi Epstein does a great job of bringing people of different religions together. Terrific. Then hire him as an administrative coordinator for the chaplains department. But dont hire him as your chief chaplain. To do so only heaps further scorn on Harvards wokeness. As for Epstein being a rabbi, that is just as absurd as being a chaplain, if not more so. (For the record, he received ordination as a Humanist Rabbi from the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism.) Without God, there is no Judaism, since Judaism is the story of God choosing the Jewish people for Himself, rescuing them from bondage in Egypt, and giving them His Torah. Thus, to have Judaism without God would be similar to having Christianity without Christ. It simply cannot be. But why let truth and facts and logic get in the way? Lets just set our own standards and, to cite the title of Epsteins 2009 book, which has suddenly become a bestseller, lets just be good without God. In the end, if someone wants to try and be good without God, that is their choice. Just dont call that person a rabbi or a chaplain. To do so, to say it once more, is a total contradiction in terms. As for the Harvard of old, in order to graduate with the most basic degree in arts (not theology, which came later), the student had to be able logically to explain the Holy Scriptures, both of the Old and New Testamentsandbe blameless in life and character. Among the Rules and Precepts of Harvard to be observed by the students were these: Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life. And: Every one shall so exercise himself in reading the Scriptures twice a day, that he shall be ready to give such an account of his proficiency therein, both in Theoretical observations of Language and Logic, and in practical and spiritual truths ... As for the Harvard of today (in terms of its spiritual condition and worldview), need I say more? A massive success: 47 rescued, 102 arrested in human trafficking investigation across 12 states Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A major human trafficking law enforcement operation has resulted in the rescue of 47 people who were trafficked and the arrest of 102 individuals across 12 states. Two of the victims rescued are minors. Known as Operation United Front, the endeavor was led by the Missouri Attorney Generals Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol and included the participation of law enforcers from the federal government and other states. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said in a statement released last Friday that his offices anti-human trafficking task force is a national leader for our efforts to investigate and eradicate human trafficking in Missouri. Through that task force, we were able to engage law enforcement agencies and attorneys general from across the country to organize and lead Operation United Front, which was a massive success, stated Schmitt. Operation United Front was an unprecedented human trafficking operation that brought together law enforcement agencies from different jurisdictions something that rarely happens. When we all come together, we can affect change and more effectively fight human trafficking, a crime that is often multi-jurisdictional in nature. In addition to Missouri, Operation United Front also involved arrests and rescues in Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. In South Dakota, nine individuals were arrested for alleged involvement in human trafficking while attending the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, according to a statement from the United States Department of Justice earlier this month. Eight of the nine men arrested at Sturgis face charges of attempting to entice a minor using the internet. One is facing charges of attempted commercial sex trafficking of a minor. If found guilty for attempted enticement of a minor via the Internet, the penalty can include 10 years to life in prison. If found guilty of attempted commercial sex trafficking of a minor, the penalty can include 15 years to life in prison and a $250,000 fine. In recent years, there has been a concerted effort among states and the federal government to crackdown on human trafficking in the United States. In March, Texas authorities arrested around 30 people attempting to buy sex and rescued a minor over the course of three days as part of Operation Cupid. Operation Cupid aimed to combat human trafficking in Fort Bend County by identifying and arresting those intending to buy sex, stated Assistant District Attorney Craig Priesmeyer, according to the Fort Bend Herald. Commonly known as johns, they create the demand for human trafficking and contribute to the pervasive problem the community faces from these crimes. We are focused on saving victims by following basic economics; removing the demand will reduce the supply. In Arizona in February, police arrested 37 people charged with child sex crimes and human trafficking as part of the multi-agency Operation Broken Hearts. In January, 33 missing children were rescued as part of Operation Lost Angels in California. The effort was led by the FBI in conjunction with over two dozen law enforcement and non-governmental partners. Last November, the Tallahassee Police Department in Florida announced that over 170 people were charged in a two-year investigation into a sex trafficking network in the state. Leader of Christian CEO group looks at the state of the culture Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment I recently shared an inspiring conversation with Greg Leith, CEO of Convene, a network for Christian business leaders. The first half of our discussion covered Convene's incredible mission and the theology of leading a business. In the second half we discussed the challenges of operating a business in our current culture and the unique position businesses are in to address the issues Christians face today. Here are a few selections from that conversation, lightly edited for length and clarity: What can businesses do in a time of cancel culture? Greg: "Before he died Dr. Billy Graham said, 'I think one of the next moves of God could be in the marketplace.' I think he died before he got to see some of the fruits of that labor. [...] Os Guinness said that America is facing its greatest crisis since the Civil War. And so we look at our culture, we look at cancel culture, we look at all the negative things happening, riots in the streets, etc. I say yes, Os Guinness is right, America is facing a very large crisis. But nobody is canceling loving employees. Nobody is canceling respecting employees. Nobody is canceling valuing employees. Nobody is canceling paying more than the prevailing wage. Nobody is canceling paying for healthcare for employees. There're so many things we can do for employees to love and value and honor and respect them that they would not even think of doing something that was antagonistic towards their employer. But if you treat people poorly, pay them low wages, have high turnover, and have broken chairs in the lunchroom, because, after all, they're just laborers,' of course you're going to be in trouble, and you're actually not acting the way Jesus would." Jerry: "See, this is very interesting. This is a sort of a redemptive approach that you're taking as opposed to a culture war approach, which I think is really refreshing because most media wants to focus on the conflict, and I'm talking about liberal media and conservative media. So yeah, cancel culture is out there, and to some degree we're obsessed with cancel culture, but God in His providence has left us a great deal of good that we can do so that we don't have to be constantly focused on where we are blocked. We can refocus on where we're not blocked and not engage in this constant moat magnification, as though America is over and it's destroyed and it's all done. First of all, Christians have historically done fairly well under persecution. So the idea that if persecution comes it's over, historically, if persecution comes those are take-off points for the church. You're saying, 'What can we do that nobody will object to and will actually bring credit to the gospel?'" Greg: "Right! Here's a great story for you. We can talk principles all day long, but the proof is in the shoe leather of the people who are trying to walk this out. In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, during the midst of the COVID pandemic, Aaron Fisher and David Lapp with Blessings of Hope food bank were saying, 'What do we do about so many people that need food?' I mean, who's going to argue with that? Their mission is to feed the hungry by facilitating partnerships between food suppliers and nonprofits in a way that brings God's blessing to both. They distributed 12 million pounds of food to over 1,100 ministry partners with a street value of $21 million. They serve 65,000 meals a day, they have 15,000 volunteers, and since 2011 they've distributed $200 million dollars worth of food. God smiles and is glorified just on that, but when they were part of a Convene group they thought, 'Maybe we should do even more to shine the light of Christ while we do what we do.' So they printed up a few hundred thousand pocket testaments, which are essentially the gospel of John, and they put them in every box of food. When they ran out, they talked with David Collum, the President of the Pocket Testament League, and they agreed they needed to print a million gospels of John! So what are they giving out now? 12 million pounds of food, 65,000 meals a day, that include a pocket Gospel of John. That is making a difference in the culture. I say, Aaron Fisher and David Lapp at Blessings of Hope, you guys get it!" Jerry: "Bread and the bread of life, which is what Jesus did. That's the Jesus model." What did Jesus think about the culture wars of His time? Jerry: "If you look at the gospel accounts, there were all these hot button culture war issues in Jesus' time: Herod marrying his brother's wife, paying taxes to Caesar, and the fight between the Sadducees and the Pharisees about the resurrection. They had their kind of talk radio issues. You don't see Jesus raising those issues. Jesus goes out, preaches the kingdom, casts out demons, He heals, and He feeds. When someone brings him the hot button issue, he doesn't duck it and say, 'Well, I don't want to talk about LGBTQ issues, I'm afraid.' He'll say to the Samaritan woman, 'Salvation is of the Jews.' That's a position on a hot button issue. And, yes there is a resurrection, and yes you should pay taxes to Caesar, and he'll deal with all of those issues, but then what does he do? Pivots back to the main thing: Announcing the kingdom of God, casting out demons, teaching people how to live, healing the sick, and feeding the hungry. The things you're talking about are not instead of upholding biblical standards on issues, there's just an emphasis point that follows what we see Jesus doing. Jesus was dealing with felt needs and starting over again with the kingdom message, not looking for things to fight about." Greg: "Right. To say it a different way, if I was an employer leading a secular business, I would love it if a gay person came to work in my business or someone else who is living a lifestyle that I might not agree with. I might be the only 'pastor' they see. About 70% of Americans don't go to church, so most people don't have a pastor but almost everybody has a boss. At work, I get to love and value and honor and appreciate them." Jerry: "And you're cutting checks, right? You're blessing them not through charitable giving but through employment, which is a very dignified way to bless people. " How are businesses a blessing to employees? Jerry: "What are your observations as a cultural observer in America?" Greg: "There's a scary book called The Death of Christian Britain about how Britain became a non-Christian nation in less than a generation. We are headed there in the United States. Canada is already there. The number of evangelicals per capita is low, and that means the points of light that can illuminate the culture are low. But here's the deal: Yes, the violence happening on the streets of Portland really matters, but it doesn't matter to the person who comes to work the next morning expecting a paycheck. One of our Convene members cleans buildings in downtown Portland. That service is very valuable to people who need to buy groceries that week, irrespective of the riots in Portland. Doing business Monday through Friday is doing a service to employ people, to love people, to value people, to help people. And when they do that well, they glorify God. Some of our members are doing things like starting an employee fund for emergencies. So you know how it goes. The employee says, 'I'm going to be late to work because my transmission just broke down. I don't have a ride and I have no idea where I'm going to find $1,500 to fix my transmission.' Some of our business owners have an employee fund that they can just loan the employee $1,500 to fix their transmission on a no interest loan. Do you think that employee is going to be changing jobs anytime soon? Probably not." Jerry: "No, because in an atomized society, people need connections. For many people, their work family is their family, because families have disintegrated. The more ties there are like that, the more connected people are. And by the way, it's good for business! One of the things I've learned from my friend George Gilder is if you have employees work with you for a long time, you probably have highly-productive employees. If you can keep them long enough for them to learn a lot, they become super-productive, right? There's a learning curve functioning. So that continuity is, in financial terms, an intangible asset. It's knowledge embedded in the organization." The cross in the center of the marketplace Greg: "Right. There's a poem that I think embodies everything we're talking about by George McLeod, a Scottish clergyman in the 20th century, and it reads in part: "I simply argue that the cross be raised again, at the centre of the marketplace Jesus was not crucified in a cathedral between two candles but on a cross between two thieves; where cynics talk smut, and thieves curse, and soldiers gamble. And that is where Christs own ought to be, And that is what church people ought to be about. " Jerry: "Oh, that's lovely, and powerful. Very moving. And that's what you're doing with Convene, and that's what I'm trying to do in my small way." Greg: "One of the exercises we do at Convene is asking whether God is in your mission statement on the wall. By raising the cross at the center of the marketplace, we put the question of God on the table instead of it being buried in somebody's desk." To listen to the rest of the conversation with Greg Leith on Business in the Kingdom on the Edifi podcast network, click here. Court upholds death sentence for Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A federal appeals court rejected a request to commute the death sentence for Dylann Roof who killed nine members of a South Carolina church after he joined them in a Bible study. In June 2015, Roof opened fire on those gathered at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Charleston during a Wednesday Bible study, killing nine, all African Americans. In various comments made online, Roof had made it clear that his actions were inspired by white supremacist ideology and a hope that a race war would ensue as a result of his actions. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued a per curiam decision on Wednesday upholding the death sentence for Roof, saying that no legal record "can capture the full horror of what Roof did." The panel rejected various claims by Roof in his appeal that errors had been made when the court concluded that he was competent to stand trial for the nine murders. Roof murdered African Americans at their church, during their Bible-study and worship. They had welcomed him. He slaughtered them. He did so with the express intent of terrorizing not just his immediate victims at the historically important Mother Emanuel Church, but as many similar people as would hear of the mass murder, concluded the panel. No cold record or careful parsing of statutes and precedents can capture the full horror of what Roof did. His crimes qualify him for the harshest penalty that a just society can impose. In December 2016, a jury found Roof guilty of 33 charges of federal hate crimes resulting in death, obstruction of religion and firearms violations. "He must be held accountable for each and every action he took inside that church," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan Williams, as reported by Reuters in 2016. "For every life he took." In January 2017, the 22-year-old Roof was sentenced to death, making him the first person in U.S. history to be ordered executed for being found guilty of a federal hate crime. Roof showed no visible remorse for his actions, according to The Associated Press, at one point telling jurors before they deliberated that I still feel like I had to do it. Harvard chaplains elect atheist as new president: We dont look to a god for answers' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Greg Epstein, an atheist and humanist chaplain at Harvard University who says he doesnt look to God but people for answers, has been elected by his colleagues as the newest president of the Harvard Chaplains. Esptein, 44, was elected to the presidency of the universitys organization of chaplains by more than 40 chaplains from some 20 different faith and spiritual traditions. He shared the news in an announcement on Twitter Thursday along with a profile of his election to the position by The New York Times. Margit Hammerstrom, the Christian Science chaplain at Harvard, told the publication that while Epsteins election to such a role may have been problematic at a more conservative institution, the decision was unanimous at Harvard. Maybe in a more conservative university climate, there might be a question like, What the heck are they doing at Harvard, having a humanist be the president of the chaplains? But in this environment, it works. Greg is known for wanting to keep lines of communication open between different faiths, Hammerstrom said. The new leader, who authoredGood Without God: What a Billion Nonreligious People Do Believe, is expected to coordinate activities for the corps of chaplains. He has served as a humanist chaplain at Harvard since 2005. Recent survey data highlighted by the Harvard Crimson shows that a growing number of students enrolled at the Ivy League campus dont identify with any particular faith. In 2017, some 32.4% of incoming freshmen identified as either atheist or agnostic. By 2019, the share of incoming freshmen who identified as either atheist or agnostic increased to 37.9%. There is a rising group of people who no longer identify with any religious tradition but still experience a real need for conversation and support around what it means to be a good human and live an ethical life, Epstein, who was raised in a Jewish household, told The New York Times. We dont look to a god for answers, he said. We are each others answers. A study from the Pew Research Center published in late 2019 showed that only 65% of Americans identify as Christian, showing a 12% decline over a decade earlier. The number of Americans who identify as religiously unaffiliated also increased to 26%. The changes underway in the American religious landscape are broad-based. The Christian share of the population is down and religious nones have grown across multiple demographic groups: white people, black people and Hispanics; men and women; in all regions of the country; and among college graduates and those with lower levels of educational attainment," Pew researchers reported. "Religious nones are growing faster among Democrats than Republicans, though their ranks are swelling in both partisan coalitions, Pew added. And although the religiously unaffiliated are on the rise among younger people and most groups of older adults, their growth is most pronounced among young adults. Nearly 60% of white evangelicals have gotten COVID vaccine: poll Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A new poll suggests that nearly 60% of white evangelicals have received a coronavirus vaccine as the Food and Drug Administration has granted full approval to one of the vaccines. An NBC News poll asking Americans about their vaccination status found that 59% of white evangelicals, a group long portrayed as hesitant to take the vaccine, were fully vaccinated. Just 13% of respondents told the news outlet that they had no plans to get the vaccine at any time. The poll was conducted Aug. 14 through Aug. 17 and 1,000 adults were interviewed. The survey has an error margin of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. While white evangelicals were the only religious demographic highlighted in the NBC News report, other social groups in the report had lower vaccination rates. The group with the lowest vaccination rate was Republicans who support [former President Donald] Trump more than party, with 46% fully vaccinated. Other groups with low vaccination rates include those who voted for Trump in the 2020 general election (50%), Americans who live in rural areas (52%), Republicans (55%) and Americans between the ages of 35 and 49 years old (58%.) Meanwhile, Democrats had the highest vaccination rate of any other demographic subgroup, with 88% reporting that they have received the vaccine. Americans aged 65 and older, who find themselves particularly vulnerable to experiencing serious illnesses due to the pandemic, have a vaccination rate of 86%. Additional groups with high vaccination rates include Biden voters in the 2020 election (91%), Democrats who supported either Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders in their partys 2020 presidential primary (88%), Democrats who supported Biden in the 2020 primary (87%) and white college graduates (80%). The polls release comes as Trump, who won an overwhelming majority of the white evangelical vote in the 2020 presidential election, urged his supporters to get the vaccine at a rally in Alabama last weekend, a remark that elicited boos from the audience. On Monday, the FDA gave its full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, one of several available in the U.S. The other coronavirus vaccines are available under emergency use authorization and still await full FDA approval. White evangelicals views about the vaccine have received much attention over the past year. A poll conducted in March by the Pew Research Center revealed that white evangelicals were the least likely religious group to say that they planned on taking the vaccine. Supposed vaccine hesitancy among white evangelicals prompted Saturday Night Live to portray the religious demographic as one of the biggest obstacles to herd immunity. However, a subsequent survey published in May found that secular Americans were less likely than their religious counterparts to have taken the vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of Friday afternoon, more than 203 million people have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, accounting for 61.1% of the U.S. population. More than 172 million Americans, or 51.9% of the U.S. population, are fully vaccinated. The CDC noted: Some fully vaccinated people will get sick, and some will even be hospitalized or die from COVID-19. The government agency stressed that there is evidence that vaccination may make illness less severe for those who are vaccinated and still get sick. The risk of infection, hospitalization, and death are all much lower in vaccinated compared to unvaccinated people. Following the FDAs full approval of the Pfizer vaccine, vaccine mandates by businesses and government agencies are expected to increase. A poll conducted by the Trafalgar Group, released this week found that the American people are more likely to do business with companies that do not require their employees to take the vaccine. A plurality of Americans (42.7%) said they were more likely to do business with companies that did not have vaccine mandates for their employees. Meanwhile, 34.3% of respondents indicated that they were less likely to do business with companies with no vaccine mandates. Support for vaccine mandates correlated with partisan identification, with a plurality of Democrats (49%) less likely to do business with companies that do not have vaccine mandates and a majority of Republicans (55.5%) more likely to do business with such a company. A study published in Nature Magazine in May found that those infected with coronavirus produce antibodies that will last for several months. Research has shown that the antibodies offer a similar level of protection as the vaccines. However, Ali Ellebedy, an immunologist at Washington University in St. Louis, told the outlet that immunizations may still be needed to restore antibody levels with the emergence of COVID variants. The debate about the effectiveness of the vaccines has resurfaced now that the CDC has announced plans to begin offering COVID-19 booster shots in the fall. The booster shots would be available eight months after a person received the second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Oral Roberts U cancels $500K in debt owed by 646 students through govt aid program Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Through aid funding from the federal government, the Pentecostal Christian Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma has canceled over $500,000 in debt, impacting hundreds of graduate, undergraduate and online students who owed money to the Tusla-based institution. Out of the total 4,303 students who attended the university throughout the fall 2020 and summer 2021 academic year, 646 students owed money to the school, according to ORU Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management-Residential Alison Vujnovic. Last week, all 646 students with outstanding debt received a notice from the university that their student accounts now carry zero balance. The rising cost of higher education is not a mystery and the kind of federal and state aid available has not risen to the cost, Vujnovic told The Christian Post in an interview. Higher education is really out of reach for many and we wanted to help those students reach over these obstacles. The debt elimination was made possible by the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. The fund provides emergency financial aid for schools. Of the 646 students who received the aid, many were in jeopardy of not completing their degree due to owed funds. HEERF was passed by Congress in March 2020 as part of the CARES Act and included about $12.6 billion in COVID-19 relief aid for schools distributed by the Department of Education. Schools that received funds are required to use about half toward emergency student aid. With the upcoming fall semester approaching, students who received the aid will start the semester debt-free in their student accounts. This cancellation of money that they owed will help these students focus on whats important to them and not worry about their balance, she said. Most of them have gone through tough things in this difficult year and now they can focus on their education, family, jobs and just focus on living their lives. Its a great display of our heart towards our students," she added. "Staff and administration care deeply for students, and I pray this is one of the right things for the students, all for Gods glory." For the students who might still struggle financially even with their prior account balances erased, Vujnovic advises them not to give up on pursuing higher education. According to ORU's website, tuition for the fall and spring semesters of 2021-2022 is listed at $30,300. Including the cost of room and board and other fees, the total estimated direct cost to the student is $40,408. To any student who is still struggling financially, dont give up. Pursue every avenue you can, Vujnovic said. We will pursue every path with you, and we desire to see all students succeed. ORU President William M. Wilson said the institution was founded by charismatic televangelist Oral Roberts is "mindful of the cost of a college education." In a statement, Wilson said that ORU also received several millions of dollars from the government in other COVID relief funds in the last year. As a person who has paid for multiple university degrees myself, I realize that student debt is a severe problem for many young people," Wison said. "We are doing everything we can to assist our students financially and we are thrilled to erase this over half a million dollars from student accounts owed to the university. ORU is recognized by US News and World Report as being tied for the No. 5 best value regional college in the west. [W]e are committed to the value of our educational model," Wilson said. "We are grateful that we have this occasion to assist so many students in their journey to becoming Whole Leaders for the Whole World. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment During the George Floyd protests last year, Canadian politicians said they believe black lives matter. Since then, however, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party-led government have introduced vaccine passports for federal workers that marginalize black lives. And now Ontarios Premier, Doug Ford, is considering vaccine passports for Ontario. If Ford mandates vaccine passports, he would also be marginalizing and segregating black people. Do black lives still matter? Trudeau has already affirmed that everything he said about systemic racism last year was a lie. Ford, however, has an opportunity to answer that question differently. Is everything he said about systemic racism last year a lie? Does he really oppose policies that create racial disparities? Is he really an ally to marginalized groups in Ontario? Do black lives still matter to Ford? A survey from earlier this summer reveals that black Canadians are the most unwilling group in Canada to get the vaccine. Particularly, black Ontarians who make up nearly 60% of the black Canadians sampled in the survey. The report from the survey says: At the time of this survey, a 20-point gap existed among those who received at least one vaccine between White Canadians (65%) and Black Canadians (45%). Some of the unvaccinated black Canadians include me, many of my relatives, and many of my friends. We are not anti-vaxxers, were just informed and responsible Ontarians practicing our freedom of conscience. Many of us are immigrants who moved to this great nation because Canada promised to protect our fundamental freedoms. Today, however, were being coerced and pressured into acting against our conscience. Many of us, including me have decided we will not get the vaccine, at all costs. So many black people are prepared to be segregated and marginalized again. The government of Ontarios official website says: Systemic racism consists of organizational culture, policies, directives, practices or procedures that exclude, displace or marginalize some racialized groups or create unfair barriers for them to access valuable benefits and opportunities. This is often the result of institutional biases in organizational culture, policies, directives, practices, and procedures that may appear neutral but have the effect of privileging some groups and disadvantaging others. If the Ontario government mandates vaccine passports, they would not just be betraying our fundamental freedoms they would be betraying their own words about systemic racism. Vaccine passports especially exclude, marginalize and create unfair barriers for black Canadians. But this isnt limited to black Canadians. Though vaccine passports would marginalize all kinds of Ontarians, Hispanic and indigenous Canadians in Ontario would also be especially harmed by Ford mandating vaccine passports. Data from Statistics Canada reveals that black Canadians, Hispanic Canadians and Metis Canadians are the least willing to get the vaccine. Again, the government of Ontarios official website defines anti-indigenous racism as: Ideas and practices that establish, maintain and perpetuate power imbalances, systemic barriers, and inequitable outcomes that stem from the legacy of colonial policies and practices in Canada. Considering the inevitably inequitable outcomes from vaccine passports on Ontarios Metis population, why would the Ontario government want to participate in, by their own definition, anti-indigenous racism? Why would Doug Ford want to repeat history? After the discovery of unmarked graves at residential schools this year, have we not learned any lessons? Shortsighted policies have long term consequences. In the past, politicians mandated residential schools because they believed it was in the best interest of all indigenous people and all Canadians. Mandating vaccine passports for similar reasons would be yet another example of coercion that disproportionately harms some indigenous Canadians. If Doug Ford mandates vaccine passports, hes placing his political interests above the rights of many Ontarians, especially Hispanic, indigenous, and black Ontarians. One of my relatives voted for Doug Ford. Shes lost half of her income as a direct result of Fords COVID-19 policies. She immigrated from Ghana to Canada almost 30 years ago. Shes worked very hard to move herself from a shelter for abused women and government housing. Shes now a proud homeowner. However, like many black Canadiansshe isnt getting the vaccine. Shes adamant about that. Her doctor advised her not to get the vaccine. Why should she violate her conscience and her doctors advice? She knows Doug Ford is considering mandating vaccine passports. She knows she would lose her job over that. She knows that would force her to lose the rest of her income. She knows the person she voted for could destroy everything shes worked so hard for. She knows she could be marginalized by the person she voted for. Her life matters to me. Does she matter to Doug Ford? Do black lives still matter? Originally published at Slow to Write. Glenn Beck, Samaritan's Purse helping Christians 'marked for death' flee Afghanistan Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment UPDATE AUG. 28 at 5 P.M. ET: Army Maj. Gen. William Taylor said at the Defense Department press briefing on Afghanistan Friday that there was only one suicide bombing attack in Kabul Thursday and not two, as previously reported. 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 are not sure how that report was provided incorrectly. But we do know, it's not any surprise, that in the confusion of very dynamic events, like this, can cause information sometimes to become misreported, Taylor said at the Pentagon. Original report: As concerns grow over the Biden administration's ability to evacuate Americans ahead of the planned military withdrawal from Afghanistan, nonprofit organizations are working to assist U.S. citizens and Afghans seeking to flee the nation that's been overrun by the Taliban. With less than a week until the Aug. 31 deadline for withdrawal of remaining U.S. troops from Afghanistan, the federal government is working to evacuate American citizens and Afghans who risk being tortured and executed by the Taliban, a terrorist organization. The State Department reported Wednesday that no more than 1,500 American citizens seeking to leave Afghanistan remain there. Efforts to bring American citizens and Afghans to safety continue after two explosions in Kabul killed 13 Marines and one Navy Corpsman on Thursday. The Department of Defense attributed the attacks to the terrorist group ISIS-K, a local affiliate of the terrorist group ISIS. On Tucker Carlson Tonight Thursday, Fox News opinion host Tucker Carlson profiled The Nazarene Fund, a charity founded by conservative radio host Glenn Beck, as one of a small number of groups that have headed to Afghanistan and the region to help evacuate people who are trapped there because the Biden administration just isnt doing that very effectively. .@glennbeck on @TuckerCarlson says the US State Department is blocking his organization's help every step of the way, and is likely directly responsible for the death of a large group of Afghan Christians. https://t.co/RkIwc1N36xpic.twitter.com/dlRTEIG6X8 ? Your mask is a Prius for your face ???????? ???????????? (@unashamedusa) August 27, 2021 In an interview with Carlson, Beck elaborated on the progress his organization has made in evacuating American citizens and vulnerable Afghans from the country: We have pulled out 5,100 people, Christians, women, children and put them on planes. Beck explained that the Nazarene Fund flies Afghan refugees to three nearby countries that requested to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation and terrorist attacks. According to Beck, The State Department has blocked us every step of the way. The State Department and the White House have been the biggest problem. He also accused the State Department of putting about 500 refugees, primarily women and children, in harms way: We had them inside of the airport today and one military official ordered them to go back on the other side of the gate. I have pictures of them this morning pleading to get back through the gate and then I have pictures of blood and body parts and nothing but death in that same area. We believe that our State Department is directly responsible for what we believe were some of these people. I dont know how many survived. An ambassador was called in Macedonia last night and [was] told not to accept any of these people as we were trying to get them off of the tarmac here to keep the airport flowing and getting these Christians out, he added. Beck shared on his radio show earlier this week and with Carlson Thursday night that Copeland Ministries has let me borrow their jet. Were going someplace else to open up two countries, and I dont even want to say who they are because Im afraid our State Department will call them and threaten them. Beck warned of the dangers Christians face in Afghanistan with the Taliban in control, noting that they are marked not just for death but to be set on fire alive because theyre converted Christians. He characterized the federal governments actions regarding Afghan refugees as out and out evil. As of Tuesday, the Nazarene Fund had raised more than $30 million. In an Instagram post, Beck stressed that I am personally paying for my and my teams' expenses with air travel courtesy of @copelandnetwork - all donated money goes to rescue those in Afghanistan and other persecuted Christians. Samaritans Purse, a charity led by evangelist Franklin Graham, has also joined the evacuation effort, working in partnership with organizations on the ground to help desperate people fleeing Afghanistan. In a statement released Monday, the nonprofit organization announced: We have been able to sponsor flights that have brought hundreds to safety one of our partners made three trips that brought out 700 people in one day! We have also supported the evacuation of 80 missionary families via land routes. In addition, Samaritans Purse has deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team to the region to help evacuees once they flee the country. The organization is seeking hygiene items as well as comfort items and compassionate care for traumatized children and all those who have fled with just the clothes on their backs. Samaritans Purse warned that the Taliban are Islamic extremists who are poised to force Afghanistan back into a dark and brutal state where Christians, anyone who [has] associated with Americans, women, and others face severe persecution and death. The organization added that the leader of the underground church ministering to Christians in Afghanistan provided a first-hand ground report on the situation in the country, detailing how The Taliban has a hit list of known Christians they are targeting to pursue and kill. During a press briefing with Thursday night hours after the terrorist attacks in Kabul, President Joe Biden confirmed that the U.S. has indeed given the Taliban a list of Afghan allies, and U.S. citizens and green card holders they want to be evacuated, a move that some defense experts fear will lead to the torture and execution of many Afghans. As The Christian Post previously reported, Victor Marx, the CEO of the nonprofit organization All Things Possible, is working to bring an Afghan family of eight to the U.S. Marx told CP that the family of converts to Christianity also belongs to an ethnic tribe that is loathed by the Taliban. He was first alerted to the familys plight when the sister of the familys matriarch, an Afghanistan native whose American husband once worked with him, left him a frantic voicemail asserting that they were in danger. Kabul terror attacks: 13 US soldiers among those killed in twin explosions Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Editor's note: Details in this report may change as updated information is released. Two coordinated explosions carried out by suicide bombers near the Kabul airport Thursday killed over 60 people, including U.S. soldiers, and wounded scores of others, reinforcing concerns about the safety of Americans in the country following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan. The attacks came after the U.S. State Department warned Americans to avoid going near the Hamid Karzai International Airport following reports of an imminent attack by the Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) on Afghans and Americans attempting to flee the country. A suicide bomber carried out the first explosion near Abbey Gate, which resulted in numerous Afghan and American casualties. The second was a car bomb near Baron Hotel, which is adjacent to the Abbey Gate and is where British troops process Afghans before they depart on evacuation flights. Baron Hotel is also where 169 U.S. citizens were rescued last week after they were unable to make it past the crowds and Taliban checkpoints. According to officials, 11 Marines and one Navy Corpsman were killed in the first suicide bombing and 15 other soldiers were wounded. Initially, it was believed that four Marines had been killed and three others were wounded after the U.S. Ambassador to Kabul told staff about the death toll from the suicide bombings, according to The Wall Street Journal. Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby first acknowledged the suicide bombing near Abbey Gate in a tweet sent at 9:44 a.m. ET Thursday: We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul Airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can. In a subsequent tweet, sent nearly an hour later, Kirby confirmed that the explosion near the Abbey Gate of the Kabul airport has resulted in an unknown number of casualties. 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, he added. We can also confirm at least one other explosion at or near the Baron Hotel, a short distance from Abbey Gate. Republicans quickly pointed the blame for the terror attacks at President Joe Biden. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., the chair of the House Republican Conference, alleged that Joe Biden has blood on his hands. The buck stops with the President of the United States. This horrific national security and humanitarian disaster is solely the result of Joe Bidens weak and incompetent leadership. He is unfit to be Commander-in-Chief, she wrote in a scathing post on Twitter. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, called on Biden to fix the mess you created. Maintaining that we are still at war, he added: You didnt end the war, you just gave the enemy new advantage. Go on offense, establish superiority, and dont leave until all our citizens and allies are safe. The explosions in Afghanistan come less than a week before the Aug. 31 deadline to withdraw all U.S. troops from the South Asian country. Even before the explosions, Republicans had criticized the Biden administrations handling of the Afghanistan exit. On Wednesday, after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters at a press conference that no more than 1,500 Americans remain in Afghanistan, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., accused the State Department of misleading the public. Just two hours before Tony Blinken told America that there were 1,500 of their fellow citizens stranded in Afghanistan, one of his aides briefed congressional staff and said there were 4,100, Cotton told Fox News Bret Baier on Special Report Wednesday. Something tells me they didnt get 2,600 American citizens out in the span of two hours today, so the State Department still, nearly two weeks on, cannot answer the simple question of how many Americans we have stranded in Afghanistan. Earlier Wednesday, multiple news outlets, including National Review, reported on the 4,100 figure that the administration provided to Congress earlier in the day. They later issued a retraction when the State Department alleged that the official who shared that number with Congress misspoke. Blinken explained at the press conference that the numbers are difficult to pin down in absolute precision at any given moment because U.S. citizens are not required to register at embassies when visiting foreign countries, making the government unsure of exactly how many people are in the country at any given time. Cotton also pushed back on Blinkens vow that the U.S. will continue to provide consular support and facilitate departures for those who wish to leave after Aug. 31. According to Cotton, In a normal country with a normal government, say an American visiting Great Britain, if you lost your passport, youd go to the embassy and consular services would help you get your passport or at least get temporary documents to leave the country. Were not going to have an embassy in Afghanistan. The planned withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan marks the end of the war in Afghanistan, which spanned nearly two decades. In an appearance on Sinclair Broadcast Groups The National Desk Monday, Adam Andrzejewski, the CEO of the nonprofit transparency organization OpentheBooks.com, noted that the war effort has cost American taxpayers $83 billion. Andrzejewski elaborated on how after the U.S. began to exit from Afghanistan, much of its military equipment has fallen into the hands of the Taliban, which has rapidly gained control of the country. He reported that the Taliban now control 75,000 military vehicles, this is about 50,000 tactical vehicles, 20,000 Humvees, each Humvee on average costs about [$100,000] a piece. They control about 1,000 mine-resistant vehicles and even about 150 armored personnel carriers. Theres about 208 airplanes and helicopters; a lot of these aircraft are very sophisticated. Just 20 of the aircraft are the A29s and thats the super attack planes. These planes, again very sophisticated, latest in technology, each one of them costs up to $21.3 million. Then you got the helicopters, like the black hawk helicopter, and each one of those costs up to $21 million." Andrzejewski warned that due to the Taliban gaining control of U.S. military equipment, a terrorist gun show that never ends will likely break out. He detailed how additional U.S. military equipment remains unaccounted for, including about 350,000 M4s and M16 rifles, 60,000 machine guns, 25,000 grenade launchers and 2500 modern cannons. (Bloomberg) -- Hurricane Idas blow to the oil industry is probably making this Labor Day the most expensive for U.S. drivers since 2014. The storm left parts of the countrys Gulf Coast oil-refining hub in the dark and, for a day, it halted flows on the main pipeline that ships the gasoline made there to East Coast markets. The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline should climb to $3.18 a gallon this weekend because of tight supplies, said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for retail tracker GasBuddy. The price was already close to that prediction on Monday, at about $3.15 a gallon, according to Auto club AAA. 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 Jeanette McGee, AAA spokesperson. Ida is just the latest blow to a refining industry that saw demand plunge last year because of the pandemic, with several plants shutting down since, followed by a devastating deep freeze in Texas last winter. For drivers, the hurricane came at a time when gasoline prices would typically start dropping as refineries are looking to replace their stockpiles with winter-specifications fuel. Colonial Pipeline Co., the top U.S. gasoline shipper that was hacked earlier this year, stopped its Line 1 and Line 2 to check for hurricane damage, but planned to resume shipments Monday evening. The lines each carry more than 40 million gallons of fuel a day from the Gulf Coast to distribution points in North Carolina. DeHaan said he was sticking with his prediction even after Colonial announced the return of shipments, because he was still waiting for damage updates from refineries. New York Harbor stockpiles are already low, and the tight supply should attract additional gasoline cargoes from Europe, Zachary Rogers, director of global oil service at Rapidan Energy, said before Colonial announced the pipeline restarts. East Coast gasoline inventory this month has been at a seasonal 8-year low, Energy Information Administration data show. Supply was especially tight within Louisiana as many gas stations in the state were without power, according to the U.S. Energy Department. Exxon Mobil Corp., one of the largest refiners in Louisiana, was arranging with independent distributors and wholesalers to move fuel to the most severely impacted markets. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Cavender Auto Group is taking a big step forward in 2021, partnering with local company Big Sun Solar in order to become the first auto group in San Antonio to install solar carports. The long-established and respected auto company chose Big Sun Solar as its partner to install these solar carports at five different Cavender dealerships in the San Antonio area, as well as at the new and upcoming Cavender Collison Center located at Wetmore Road. The installation process is completed at Cavender Buick GMC West, located at Loop 1604 at Culebra Road, at Cavender Cadillac, located at N Loop 1604 East and Lookout Road, and at Land Rover San Antonio, located at 13660 W Interstate 10 in San Antonio. Installation progress continues for Cavender Buick GMC North, located at 17811 San Pedro Avenue, while other locations remain awaiting installation. By installing the carports, Cavenders expansive vehicle inventory will enjoy protection from harsh South Texas weather conditions while still offering valuable renewable energy savings on electric bills. For years, Cavender has diligently worked to incorporate more sustainability initiatives into its day-to-day operations. The obvious next step was a committed investment in solar energy. By making this decision, the driving experience of Cavender customers will be significantly improved just by enjoying cooling shade and lowering the interior temperature of vehicles throughout the summer months. Besides Cavender Buick GMC West, Cavender Cadillac, Land Rover San Antonio and Cavender Buick GMC North, other Cavender locations will also soon receive the new solar carport upgrade: Cavender Collision Center on Wetmore Road, Cavender Chevrolet, and Cavender Grande Ford, which has just opened early this summer at 4562 IH-10 East. Cavender is looking forward to its exciting partnership with Big Sun Solar formerly known as Go Smart Solar a company which has rapidly expanded since its founding in 2016. Big Sun Solar has, on balance, built more solar carports than any other company in Texas, standing as a strong testament to the increasing demand for clean energy across the state of Texas. Bobby Cavender, Cavender Auto Groups president, expressed his enthusiastic support for the partnership and his companys renewed investment in sustainability. Solar carports make perfect sense for Cavender Auto Group, said Cavender. Their energy lowers our electric bills. They provide shade for our customers and protection from damaging hailstorms. We are thrilled to be the first auto group in San Antonio to embrace solar carports and we are grateful to Big Sun Solar for making it happen. CEO and co-founder of Big Sun Solar, Robert Miggins, was just as excited and grateful to the San Antonio businesses for believing in and investing in a more sustainable community. "The momentum to build a more green city is growing," he noted. "Solar has been available for many years, but with recent innovations, it has become more accessible for more people. Miggins added, Cavender Auto Group is one of the many businesses that are taking another step toward reducing their carbon footprint and improving the customer experience. San Antonio is a top-10 city in the United States for solar energy because its residents and corporate citizens value sound financial investments that also produce clean energy. Cavender is a shining example of this philosophy." Big Sun Solar is trusted by many leading brands, including Cavender, Baywood Hotels, and Rush Enterprises. It remains #1 in customer service for Texas businesses, and every project is designed to achieve the highest financial return for its clients. Their Net Promoter Score of 88 truly sets them apart from the pack and reveals Big Sun Solar as a true industry leader. And, with more than 45 years of combined experience in carport, rooftop, and ground-mount solar systems, coupled with experience partnering directly with CPS Energy to build five megawatts of community-owned solar power, its Cavender partnership is a match made in heaven. To learn more about Big Sun Solar or about solar ownership, visit www.bigsunsolar.com. Click here to read the full article. On the morning of August 13th, Afghan-American actress and filmmaker Fereshta Kazemi was in her production office in Kabul, working on the trailer for her upcoming film, when she saw Kandahar trending on Twitter. The Taliban had just taken Afghanistans second-largest city, she learned; two more cities would fall later that day. Suddenly, the future Kazemi had imagined only moments before planning a screening, planning whos going to come, which embassies began to dissolve, replaced with fear and uncertainty. The news of the Talibans advance was devastating to millions of Afghans, but Kazemi had particular reason for concern. She has been a vocal feminist and advocate for womens rights in a country that has historically had one of the worlds worst records of oppression. From 1996 to 2001, when the Taliban last controlled most of the country, they carried out mass executions and cut women out of public life, forbidding them from having jobs or getting an education. Even as recently as 2018, a Thomas Reuters Foundation survey of 550 experts on womens rights ranked Afghanistan the second most dangerous country for women. Kazemi, who recently directed her first film, has not been afraid to comment on this, both explicitly and with the roles shes taken and movies shes produced. Most of my work to date has a human rights angle, she tells me. Its been a natural outcome of the many stories of violations of Afghan human rights, and [its] the most important subject matter that I believe art and film can address. Kazemi has shown her hair and bare shoulders on film and was the first Afghan actress to perform an onscreen kiss. Playing the lead in 2013s The Icy Sun, a movie about rape in Afghanistan, she raised questions about a culture in which victims have been jailed or forced to marry the men who raped them. For her work, shes been labeled a trailblazer by some and received death threats from others. All this had been risky when Afghanistan was ostensibly a democracy; under Taliban rule, it could prove lethal. As her country crumbled around her over the course of 72 hours, Kazemi plotted a narrow escape. Here is her story, as told to Rolling Stone: I HEARD THAT Kandahar fell, which was shocking because it was a big province. We had heard that districts were falling quickly, but when Kandahar fell, we were really worried. Then Herat fell. And then a third place fell in one day. People were in shock that day, but life was going on. I went out for lunch to this beautiful restaurant that I always go to. Parents were there with their kids, and the kids were running up to little ducks, and people were eating Afghan food, and everyone was chatting a little, like, What are you going to do? Are you going to stay? But life was going on. The very next day, several more provinces fell. So its literally a domino effect happening in real life. I was being told to go to a secure hotel compound near the airport when Kandahar fell, and I said, No, Ill be fine. I dont want to go. I cant. But I booked a ticket. I was up all night you couldnt book tickets. They were running out. Every time wed try to book, it was gone. We finally booked a ticket for the 18th. And then at 1 a.m. on the 15th, I was packing and I got a text from a friend that said Paghman fell. Paghman is an hour from Kabul. And they said, Finish packing. So I just stayed up again all night. I packed clothes and shoes, but I mainly packed my film stuff, my equipment that was mobile. My friends, through their military networks, called the secure hotel compound and booked me a room for three nights under a secret name. I didnt understand, but they said it was for my protection. So thats how I was able to get in. Its not someplace that people can just show up. I was also hearing from my friend from the Agence France-Presse that there would be possible chaos and anarchy in the streets of Kabul. We were already hearing that people were getting robbed. So at noon, I decide to go outside really quickly to go get cash from the ATM. And it was the most bizarre thing. The streets were empty. There were barely any cars in whats always the busiest part of Shahr-e Naw. I couldnt even get a little cab for two blocks to go to the ATM machine. Finally, some random Good Samaritan driver got me to the ATM at the supermarket the supermarket where I always shopped and they had closed the doors and they were looking through the peephole and they were terrified and were like, No, were closed. And they told me there was no money in the ATM; even all bank ATMs were empty. People were running away. Everyone was closing their shops. And it was heartbreaking to see everybody afraid, almost like kids scared in a horror movie. Except its adults, and its the real world. And so I had to walk back, and as I was walking back, this woman said, My sister, come here. She said, Cover this part of your hair, cover that part. You know, I had a head cover on, and I had a jacket on to my thighs. But thats not good enough for the really conservative culture in Afghanistan. She said, Your jackets too low, your hair. And that was jarring. I went back to my condo, and as I was walking in, the management told me, Go inside. The Taliban may be coming into Kabul today at 2:30. I was waiting for an armored car from the hotel compound to pick me up when I was notified the driver was afraid of going outside and wouldnt be coming. I panicked and called my cousin to drive me to the compound. My cousin was stuck: All the traffic police started running away from their jobs from fear of the Taliban arriving in Kabul. Suddenly the whole city started to get backed up in traffic. And then there was utter chaos at the airport, those first waves of thousands of people running [there]. I was calling everyone. I was calling the building manager, saying, I need to give you money for the last months condo rent. I cant get money out. My cousin and I are trying to coordinate, but he was stuck in deadlock traffic. Im telling friends, Maybe I should leave tomorrow? But my friends in the military are saying, No, you have to get to the hotel compound today. And finally definitely [after] some tears, some stress I decided that, OK, Im going to have to make a run for it myself if my cousin or no one can get to me. And at that moment, my cousin arrived. At 5 p.m. we went down with my bags. I wore a black abaya, a traditional black Muslim robe for women to cover up not covering my face, but I had a Covid mask and a black headscarf cover for my hair. And literally when we got downstairs, the Taliban were there. They were in front of our building with guns and kohl liner, very serious. And they had sort of taken over the building security because the building owners were trying to negotiate, saying, Hey, we can be friends. Please. You can be in charge of our building. Well invite you you know, something like that. I was scared. My cousin was terrified for me. He had been raised when the Taliban were in power. He grew up with it, had seen dead women on the streets during that time. He was very angry and told me to be quiet, said, Please, just stay to the side. We got in the car, and we left. And as we left, there were Taliban all over the streets. They were just arriving. I was just getting out as they were literally stepping foot into the city. They were all around the city as we were driving through. The hotel compound where I was taken is one of the compounds where internationals live when they work for certain U.S. government projects or international projects. The compounds have tons of security and move the employees around in armored cars. Over the years, many internationals, including myself, have been able to live in Kabul without armored cars and such, but thats what the compound is like. Marcus Yam/ "Los Angeles Times"/Getty Images Marcus Yam/ Los Angeles Times/Getty Images When I got there, I was so exhausted from having not slept, so mortified at having to face the Taliban at the front door, I was in shock. I got my stuff in and just wanted to sleep. So I messaged my little sister who had been on the phone with me all week, and I said, Im going to sleep. And she calls me, and shes like, Theres a problem at the airport. People are jumping on planes. People are trying to riot. And I said, Oh, its probably because someone sold fake tickets and itll calm down. Its probably just on some small news site. She said, No, its on ABC. I went to sleep, and my mom calls in the morning with my sister, both of them. And my mom is like, Honey, theres something really wrong with the airport. So my family had been up watching the airport collapse while Im sleeping. Theyre witnessing the airport collapsing and watching my ticket collapse. Thats when I went to the front desk and was told that the entire city had been locked down by Taliban checkpoints. So within one night, the whole city had been taken over. I had just made it. That was very jarring again. I asked about taking an armored hotel car to the airport for my flight, and they said, No, you cant because the Taliban is outside the secure hotel compound. They took the armored car made the [driver] and passenger get out and just took it. And theres also thousands of people outside now. Theres two sides to the airport. Theres the commercial side, which you may have seen all over the news. And then theres a military side where evacuation flights [were happening]. I was right next to the military side, and thousands had come. It went from 2,000 people in front of the hotel and the military airport to 20,000. The British, who were evacuating from inside the compound, told me, We dont even know if we can let you out. And then my flight was canceled. Everything was falling apart. I could hear firing, and what I heard was that they were firing in the air to push people back. My little sister, who was born in California, was helping me every step of the way logistically, and I was in touch with friends who were chartering flights to help people theyre Americans who are helping people who worked with Afghans. I want to cry [voice breaks]. These Americans feel a personal responsibility because of what Biden has done and what the world and international community have done, so citizens who have means are stepping up to try to help people, to try to solve the problems that leadership is failing in. Theyre trying to get people out that they worked with because they know theyre going to get killed. Those people are going to get killed. And so they told me, We have a seat for you because we thought you were going to get killed. It was hard to imagine, but the collapse happened so quickly. I cant just hide out and keep a low profile. Suddenly theres no security. Suddenly Im that girl that did this movie, that was wearing these clothes and that was advocating for freedom. And the Taliban had been assassinating people since last August. Since a year ago, there has been progressively more bizarre and violent assassinations of activist government people, human rights activists, anyone speaking out. And I have been involved in speaking out. I began speaking out years ago, and there was a moment that shaped that. In 2015, there had been a Taliban suicide bomber that had killed 56 young Afghan soldiers. We had heard the bomb and were in traffic. When these attacks happen, you get stuck in traffic, and then suddenly you start to pass by the scene after many hours. They had picked up all the bodies, but there was an entire street full of blood. And it wasnt just the blood, it was that there was someone washing it away. That was really one of those things that changes you. And it changed me. It wasnt just the blood. It was the fact that it was being washed so quickly. It was almost like thats how insignificant life was, that they were just being washed away so quickly. And I thought, Why isnt anyone doing something about this? Everybody in the country is so vulnerable and poor. Theyre all poor. It felt literally like a bullying. Like, who are all these innocent people that theyre killing, these poor people with no means who are just trying to survive? I LEFT AFGHANISTAN when I was four, but I have memories of playing in the street, fishing and being really excited about it, waiting for my mom, who was teaching, to come home, seeing her from a distance and then running to her, happy. And I remember going around the city with my mom, talking to people. She told me I was chatty, asking everyone, What do you do? At that time during my childhood, there was a communist regime, and they were also assassinating people. They made lists of people who they thought would be a problem. And they had wanted to kill my father. My grandfather on my mothers side, Abdul Wahed Barekzai, was a general, and her family was deeply embedded in political society in Kabul. On my dads side of the family, my grandfather was a deputy minister of mines. So he was in government. And my dad and my mom and their generation were part of the intellectual and civic voices at that time that had an opinion about how their country should be shaped. Thats why my dad was on those assassination lists. I remember the Afghan and Russian communist soldiers had come into our home, and I had seen them first and yelled. And they had detained all the adults. Carolyn Cole/"Los Angeles Times"/Getty Images Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images My dad wasnt there he was in Asia getting his masters. If my dad had been there, they would have killed him. My mom was able to get us out through political connections. When I was in school in America, I cant tell you the number of Afghan kids I met who would tell me that their dad had been killed. And I remember just being dumbfounded, always thinking, what would have happened to us if I didnt have my dad, and how lucky we were. I came [back] to Kabul for the first time in late 2012 to do a documentary. When I got there, it was one of the milestone experiences of my adult life. My cousin was picking me up from the airport, and I was wearing rubber boots and yoga leggings and a T-shirt, and my cousin was like, Please put this jacket on. I didnt really understand why I had to be covered up because I was so American at the time. But when I got into the car and we drove in the city, I started to hear Dari everywhere. The taxi driver and the traffic cop and everybody was speaking that language, and my ears had this intensely spiritual experience because I had always heard English. So for me to suddenly be in a place where for miles around me was my mother language? That was just incredible. And everything I saw, my heart went out to everyone. All the poverty and the dust and all that stuff that some people saw as negative? I saw courage. I saw it as absolutely beautiful and inspiring, and I felt magical. Thats what it felt like to me. It didnt feel gross, and it didnt feel scary maybe because everybodys faces and expressions reminded me of my family. You know, I felt like there had been something missing. I sound American. I behave American. You become an American as a little kid growing up in America. And then you grow up and there are these existential, metaphysical parts of yourself that you dont understand. And then you go to a country, and you go, Wait a minute, everyones behaving the way I do. Everyones giving me food and was asking me if Im OK. Theres an Afghan way of inviting people as guests and taking care of them and loving them. Im not saying Americans dont know how to love, but its a different way. I moved back to live in Afghanistan in 2015, to continue making film and art about the ongoing killings, the suicide bombs, the truck bombs, all over Afghanistan. I felt an ethical, moral responsibility to try what I could, to share what they were about. Kabul became my home. The killings, that street of blood, body parts of people. Afghanistan citizens witnessing these killings would take pictures, and we started tweeting them, and we kind of formed whats called Afghan Twitter. And we got bigger and bigger, saying, Look what is going on, that this is happening. Theres been a huge mistake thats been made. We, as the civic voices, were asking the United States to sanction Pakistan for sending suicide bombers to the Taliban. And why wouldnt they? Well, I dont know. [Pakistan has] nuclear power. They have a multibillion-dollar lobby in Washington. And so theyre a more important ally than Afghanistan. But if someone is trying to solve the problem of Afghanistan, why wouldnt they sanction them? I think the Taliban claiming that they can control their fighters or followers on the ground is wishful thinking. Now theyre empowered because of their belief in this victory. Theyre empowered to commit violence and to promote violence. Thats how the Taliban govern. Thats how theyre implementing their agenda. They have these rabid young men who only understand violence. From a very young age, theyre being radicalized and theyre not being given a formal education, and they have no options for hope. And I think that Joe Biden has exercised wishful thinking in negotiating with the Taliban as a good faith actor. Theyre authoritarian, and theyre managing their power through chaotic violence, which is why they have been unable to stop their fighters at the airport from shooting at people. Even Americans are trapped in Afghanistan right now. Theres Afghan Americans, theres Afghan interpreters, Afghan journalists, Afghan media, Afghan activists, Afghan women who all these U.S.-funded projects supported in speaking out against the Taliban that are now in danger. Hoshang Hashimi/Courtesy of Fereshta Kazemi Hoshang Hashimi/Courtesy of Fereshta Kazemi Nobody in Afghanistan wanted the Americans to stay forever. They wanted to be independent. But I dont understand why Biden left this way. It doesnt make sense. Why did Biden stop all logistical support enabling the Afghan military to fight? Take away all U.S. contractors who provided maintenance, logistics, supplies, and sustainment that the Afghan military was vitally dependent on, knowing no Afghans had technical readiness yet? Why didnt anyone on Bidens national security team consider this? Why did they evacuate the U.S. embassy? Who is going to find out where U.S. citizens are? If we have to witness these kind of human tragedies, the least we can do is ask for accountability. The staff at the hotel were talking about everything that was happening. They told me, The Taliban are now circling our homes outside of this hotel compound and theyre looking for us and theyre asking neighbors, That staff works with Americans. What are they like? What have they said? A number of the staff were saying, We dont want to go back to our homes. They were sleeping inside the hotel compound because they were scared. One guy came and said, Can I get your number? Can you help me get out? Can you contact someone for me? Can I contact you? And I just said, Of course, give me your number. Let me send it to people who maybe can help you. I SPENT THREE nights at the hotel. I couldnt look at the news anymore because I was just in survival mode. The third night, I had gone to sleep, and then at 1:00 in the morning I heard this loud banging on my door, and it was American military screaming, Are you American? Are you American? And I woke up, and they said, We need to leave right now! And I said, OK. And I got up, and I grabbed all my bags, and they said, We cant take all your bags. And I said, Im waiting for a flight my friends chartered. They said, You dont understand. This airport was overrun last night. There was Taliban attacking it, and people were trying to get through. We dont know how the situation is going to be. You cant take all your stuff. So I picked two bags of film equipment and just left with the shoes on my feet, my jacket and the one outfit I had on. No hairbrush, no nothing. I got in an armored car. They did a check of us until we got into the airport. They put us on a big military plane, one of those military evacuation flights. There was only 25 of us for that flight, so we werent in one of those packed planes. It was so chaotic. I texted my sister I was on a plane, but I couldnt process all of it. I had looked at my home before I left. In my home, I had left my production pictures of all of us on set, on film. You know how you write on a wall, I was here? I left them there to show that we were there and we did this work and whoever comes, maybe Taliban, they will say, Look, this was an actress. Maybe it was a weird little resistance thing. I was thinking of my apartment when the airplane went up. They told us we were going to Doha, but we were sent to Saudi [Arabia] first because the American military were overwhelmed in Qatar. We get to this base, and there was a bunch of American military there to meet us. And I have to say, I would like to compliment the American military for treating all the Afghans so nice. They brought them food and water and toothpaste and anything you could imagine. And I kept telling them, Thank you. Thank you. They were asking [people] about visas, having it or not having it. They asked me to help translate. And then as I was helping, the American military people said, Tell them not to be afraid. Were not asking them because theres anything wrong. We just want to make a list. And that is really amazing. They even quickly constructed a private room for Islamic prayer like, they built it out of wood and brought prayer rugs and clean sheets to lay them on, as well as tasbih and prayer beads for the Afghans. That was a deeply loving act. And at the end, before we left, the Saudis sent all these giant platters and had a dinner party for everybody there at the American military air base. As an Islamic sort of sign of love for the refugees and what they were going through, the Saudis sent all of this it wasnt, like, MRE [rations] it was these amazing meals, big platters of Saudi rice and lamb and then desserts and everything as a sign to show, like, we know you guys have been through a lot. We were in Saudi for over 12 hours, and then they took us from Riyadh to Doha. They separated us [Americans] from the other Afghans who had to await a sort of processing period to see where they can find refuge. It appears that a lot of countries are offering support for these Afghans until they resettle someplace else. Then they took us to Kuwait, and this time the plane was packed. It was a big military plane. The whole floor was full of people, and it was so hot. People were fighting over where to put their feet. It was just panic. It was a situation where any misunderstanding could domino into chaos. I was just breathing through my nose, trying to relax. A woman passed out, and they had to have a medic come through. [After] that flight, we finally got onto a normal plane to Washington. And then from Washington, I took another flight to the West Coast. I was in emotional shock. I couldnt put two sentences together to summarize what had happened. Suddenly everything became fast, and I couldnt keep up with the news. I met one Afghan American guy who had come to the gate [in Kabul] for three days in a row from 7a.m. to 8p.m. trying to fight his way through with just a backpack. He finally called some friends who called the Afghan Special Forces some of them who are still working to make a way for him. There was another Afghan American woman who went back and forth for four days to that gate. She had marks on her hand, her driver had his arm broken by the Taliban. She had video of people trying to push people over the gate. Theres still just a ton of crazy things happening. My friend told me there was a girl who was wearing a jacket that showed her forearms and that the Taliban shot at her arm in Khair Khana, Kabul yesterday and then they picked her up and put her in one of the black armored cars and took her away. Theres two female journalists who were chased down. One of them was caught and the other one ran away. Journalists are censoring themselves now. Anchors on TV have been removed and replaced with Taliban anchors. Theyre silencing everybody. In the negotiations [between the U.S. and the Taliban] in Doha last year, the specific issue of womens education was that women can study maybe up until high school, but they cant go to college. So this is part of the tragedy. An entire generation has come of age with restaurants and coffee shops, booming business, young people expressing themselves, people dating, young women living on their own, working and having careers and independent lives like women anywhere in the world. Now women [are] being turned away from work, turned away from university. Women are not going to be able to date. Women are not going to be able to choose who they want as a partner. The Taliban are grabbing young women and widowed women and forcing them to marry their fighters. Itll now be in a situation where physical violence against women and sexual violence will skyrocket, and there will be no means for justice. In Sharia law, I believe, theres Zina: If a woman has sex outside of marriage, shes committing a crime, and she should be jailed. Even men who are not Taliban could take advantage of that. But mens rights are also being violated. Theres a lot of young men who dont necessarily want to marry the first girl theyre dating. Theres a lot of progressive men who like to dress different and who like to be in the arts or like to do different things. They are in danger too. My mom and I are trying to help family get out. My cousin said that her youngest son, who is eight, was crying in [her] arms. He was crying and saying, I wish I was an older brother so I could at least protect my sisters outside. His sisters are 10, 12 and 13. His mom was physically shaking. My friends in Kabul told me nobodys going outside. Theyre scared. They said that when they go outside, the Taliban are scary. The way they look at them is scary. Theyre afraid they could get killed if they do the wrong thing. They told me there was this weird silence and suffocation, and everyones just moving very quietly and slowly. And all the men are changing their clothes from modern clothes to traditional Afghan clothes. Growing up, I heard in the 90s that the Taliban would kill people and then leave them on the streets and wouldnt allow their relatives to pick them up for funeral rites or burial; dogs will come and eat them. I heard that happened in Kandahar recently, that there were several dozens of bodies on the streets and that nobody was allowed to pick them up. I heard that they stoned a woman. I was like, What? Have they not stopped with the stoning? I just got American about it, like, What is with the fucking stoning? Why are you still doing that? Ive been crying every time I read the news. Like you couldnt watch certain things, you just couldnt. Thank goodness Im here with someone close who said, Come here, and were just going to take great care of you. And I feel very blessed to be taken great care of. Im trying to create a special place in myself of understanding that creation and destruction are a part of life, and death is a part of life, so that Im not overwhelmed and Im not in panic and Im not catatonic. Speaking up and asking for accountability is how Im trying and probably many others are trying to hold one another through this. Im grateful to be here and have some time to heal. Im grateful for the military that I saw treating the Afghans really well. Im grateful to be an American citizen. But Im just mortified and in shock that Im here and not in Kabul right now. I want Kabul. This account was edited for length and clarity. VENICE (AP) Visitors to Venice could be forgiven for not realizing that beyond the majesty of St. Marks Square and the romance of gondola rides lies a city that centuries ago helped provide a baseline of what the world knows today about containing pandemics. It was here that the term quarantine was coined, after merchant ships arriving in the 15th-century Venetian Republic were moored for 40 days (quaranta giorni in Italian) to see if their crews were afflicted with the plague. It was here that the first isolated pestilence hospital was built on a solitary island in the lagoon, a precursor to todays COVID-19 isolation wards. And it was in Venice that 16th-century doctors donned beak-nosed masks filled with aromatic herbs to cleanse the air they breathed when treating the sick an attempt at self-protection that today is the favored choice for Venetian Carnival costumes. Venices central place in the history of battling pandemics provides a relevant backdrop to this years Venice Film Festival, which opens Wednesday with the premiere of Pedro Almodovars in-competition film Parallel Mothers." Almodovar developed the project during Spains 2020 coronavirus lockdown, one of the harshest in the West. In a pre-opening screening Tuesday, Italian director Andre Segre presents a short documentary shot last year showing how Venice organizers coped with COVID-19 to stage the first and only in-person international film festival during the first year of the outbreak. The scenes in Segres film shocking then, normal now feature half-full theaters for Hollywood premieres, masked movie stars, cleaners in hazmat suits and the blink, blink, blink of remote thermometers taking temperatures at festival checkpoints. Festival director Alberto Barbera said Tuesday he hopes the festival's 2021 edition will mark the reopening that was not the case last year." But unlike the film festival in Cannes, which came back to life this year in France after skipping 2020, Venice still has to comply with stringent Italian anti-COVID restrictions. A huge barricade once again is sealing off public access to the red carpet and there are limited chances for fans to catch VIP water taxi arrivals on the Lido. More than 10 testing stations have been set up, and festival-goers must show proof of a negative test, vaccination or having recently recovered from COVID-19 to enter screenings. Masks are required indoors. In other words, the Venice show is going on other premieres at the world's oldest film festival include the debut of Denis Villeneuves Dune and Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana in Spencer" even as Italy copes with new infections driven by the highly contagious delta variant. For Venice, though, its really nothing new. The history of Venice is a history that teaches us how our city, first among European capitals, understood ahead of time how to manage viruses, said Simone Venturini, Venices tourism chief. These recurrences are studied and recalled even more today because the Venetian model is a model that paradoxically is still used. Beginning with the first confirmed plague to strike Venice the 1348 outbreak that killed at least a third of its population the city put in place containment measures even without understanding epidemiologically how it spread, said Fabio Zampieri, a history of medicine professor at the University of Padua Medical School. Based on the belief that bad air was to blame for what became known as the Black Death, Venetian authorities closed churches and restaurants, canceled religious processions and ordered a thorough cleaning of homes and public venues, Zampieri said. During the pestilence that erupted in 1423, Venices senate decided to lock down the whole city, prohibiting entry of people from suspected plague-ridden places and punishing locals who gave sick foreigners shelter with six months in jail, he said. A year later, Venice opened the first lazzaretto, a hospital on an isolated island in the Venetian lagoon dedicated exclusively to plague victims. That concept would transform years later into a proper quarantine, an isolated place for people merely suspected of carrying the plague crews of merchant ships to wait out 40 days of surveillance while their cargo was disinfected, he said. During the 1575-1577 plague, doctors increasingly used the beak-nosed masks filled with aromatic herbs to try to protect themselves from the sick, still not realizing that the plague was carried mostly by bacteria-infected fleas on rats, not bad air. It was still a crucial experience for the history of medicine, the history of health care and the history of managing infectious diseases, Zampieri said. After the 1630 pestilence again wiped out around a third of the population, weary Venetians gave thanks to the Virgin Mary that even more lives werent taken: They built the Santa Maria della Salute (St. Mary of Health) church across the Grand Canal from St. Marks Square, one of the city's most visible and iconic images. The central location of the huge, white octagonal domed basilica at the tip of Venices custom's port was entirely intentional, to show the city's gratitude that it had once again survived and rebounded from the pestilence, said art historian Silvia Marchiori, curator of the Venice Patriarchate's Manfrediniana museum. When you arrived in Venice, you arrived from the sea, not land, so you had to notice this great temple that was built in white Istrian stone to attract attention, she said. To this day, Venetians venerate an icon of the Madonna in the basilica during one of the citys main religious festivals on Nov. 21, a day dedicated to offering prayers for good health, she said. Whether by prayer, public health policy or discipline, Venice as a whole fared relatively well during its latest pandemic. The city took the extraordinary decision in February 2020 when coronavirus was just beginning to be detected in northern Italy to cancel its famous Carnival. It stayed locked down during the worst of the pandemic, watching as neighboring Lombardy and even parts of the surrounding Veneto region got slammed with infections and deaths in one of Europe's worst-hit countries. Venice has been rewarded with a steady return of visitors this spring and summer, just in time for celebrations marking the 1,600th anniversary of the founding of the city, the film festival, sailing regattas and star-studded fashion shows by Valentino and Dolce & Gabbana. Its all part of Venices efforts to attract visitors who stay, spend and appreciate the city's history and artistry, rather than day-trippers who take a gondola ride down the Grand Canal and call it a day, said tourism chief Venturini. These are the pillars on which were building a post-COVID tourism, he said. ___ Follow all AP stories on the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic. 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. LAS VEGAS (AP) City officials in Las Vegas say theyll use a $50,000 grant from the National Park Service to fund research about five decades of segregation, civil rights activism and advocacy in the historic West Las Vegas neighborhood. An announcement on Monday said the project aims to focus on the years 1930 through 1979 in what amounted to the citys segregated Black community. Study finds who may get more severe COVID breakthrough cases 'Vaccines continue to remain highly effective in preventing severe illness due to COVID-19' FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) The full panel of 15 appellate judges in Richmond has narrowly upheld a former northern Virginia high school student's appeal to have her lawsuit against the school system reinstated after an alleged sexual assault on a band trip. The narrow 9-6 decision from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Monday prompted a pair of rare, written dissents from two judges who say the decision vastly expands the liability that school systems face under Title IX, the law that bans sex discrimination in public education. Dissenting judge J. Harvie Wilkinson wrote that reinstating the lawsuit will only further contribute to the dramatic loss of control that states and localities are able to exercise over their own school systems. Judges dissent all the time when they hear cases, but it is rare to dissent on what's called an en banc petition, in which the losing side on a ruling from a normal three-judge panel asks the entire circuit to take up the case. The case stems from a complaint by a female Oakton High School student about how administrators responded to her claims of an assault on a 2017 band trip. At a 2019 trial in federal court in Alexandria, the school systems lawyers argued that no assault took place. They said evidence showed that the girl was ambivalent about her participation in the conduct and really became upset only after learning the male student had a girlfriend. The female student, identified in court only as Jane Doe, testified that she tried to block the male students hands from groping her while they huddled under a blanket and that she at one point pulled her hand away from his genitals only to have him grab it and put it back. She acknowledged that she never told him no and she didnt try to get up and walk away. But she was adamant she didnt consent. Its pretty simple. I never said yes to him doing any of that to me, she testified. The boy who committed the alleged assault was not punished. The jury in Alexandria found that she had been assaulted but ruled in favor of the school district after determining that had received proper notice of the alleged assault. Earlier this year, a divided three-judge panel reinstated the lawsuit. On appeal, the judges focused less on whether she was assaulted and more on whether the school system could be held liable for a single alleged assault when there had been no prior notice of a problem. The dissenting judges said it stretches Title IX beyond its intent to hold the school district liable for an alleged assault under the circumstances described in the lawsuit. Regretfully, we now leave the Supreme Court as the only possible venue for review of this important legal issue that will implicate educational institutions across the country, dissenting judge Paul Niemeyer wrote. Judge James Wynn, writing for the majority, said that a school may be held liable when it makes a student vulnerable to sexual harassment by their peers, such as by failing to respond appropriately after learning of an initial incident of sexual assault. In other words, schools do not get one free rape. In a statement, Fairfax County Public Schools lawyer said John Foster said Monday's ruling is under review, but did not say definitively whether the school system would appeal to the Supreme Court. WASHINGTON (AP) With the final stream of U.S. cargo planes soaring over the peaks of the Hindu Kush, President Joe Biden fulfilled a campaign promise to end Americas longest war, one it could not win. But as the war ended with a chaotic, bloody evacuation that left stranded hundreds of U.S. citizens and thousands of Afghans who had aided the American war effort, the president kept notably out of sight. He left it to a senior military commander and his secretary of state to tell Americans about the final moments of a conflict that ended in resounding American defeat. Biden, for his part, issued a written statement praising U.S. troops who oversaw the airlift of more than 120,000 Afghans, U.S. citizens and allies for their unmatched courage, professionalism, and resolve. He said he would have more to say on Tuesday. Now, our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended, Biden said in his statement. The muted reaction was informed by a tough reality: The war may be over, but Bidens Afghanistan problem is not. The president still faces daunting challenges born of the hasty end of the war, including how to help extract as many as 200 Americans and thousands of Afghans left behind, the resettlement of tens of thousands of refugees who were able to flee, and coming congressional scrutiny over how, despite increasingly fraught warnings, the administration was caught flat-footed by the rapid collapse of the Afghan government. Through the withdrawal, Biden showed himself willing to endure what his advisers hope will be short-term pain for resisting bipartisan and international pressure to extend his Aug. 31 deadline for ending the American military evacuation effort. For more than a decade, Biden has believed in the futility of the conflict and maintained that the routing of Afghanistan's military by the Taliban was a delayed, if unwelcome, vindication. Turning the page on Afghanistan is a crucial foreign policy objective for Biden, who repeatedly has made the case for redirecting American attention toward growing challenges posed by adversaries China and Russia and for shifting America's counterterrorism focus to areas with more potent threats. But in his effort to end the war and reset U.S. priorities, Biden may have also undercut a central premise of his 2020 White House campaign: a promise to usher in an era of greater empathy and collaboration with allies in America's foreign policy after four years of President Donald Trump's America first approach. For someone who made his name as an empathetic leader, hes appeared ... as quite rational, even cold-hearted, in his pursuit of this goal to end the war, said Jason Lyall, an associate professor of government at Dartmouth College. Allies including lawmakers from Britain, France, and Germany chafed at Biden's insistence on holding fast to the Aug. 31 deadline as they struggled to evacuate their citizens and Afghan allies. Armin Laschet, the leading conservative candidate to succeed Angela Merkel as Germany's chancellor, called it the biggest debacle that NATO has suffered since its founding. At home, Republican lawmakers have called for an investigation into the Biden administrations handling of the evacuation, and even Democrats have backed inquiries into what went wrong in the fateful last months of the occupation. And at the same time, the massive suicide bombing in the final days of the evacuation that killed 13 U.S. troops and more than 180 Afghans is raising fresh concern about Afghanistan again becoming a breeding ground for terrorists. Biden blamed his predecessor, Trump, for tying his hands. He repeatedly reminded people that he had inherited an agreement the Republican administration made with the Taliban to withdraw U.S. forces by May of this year. Reneging on the deal, Biden argued, would have put U.S. troops who before Thursday had gone since February 2020 without a combat fatality in the war in the Taliban's crosshairs once again. The Democratic presidents advisers also complained that the now-ousted Afghan government led by Ashraf Ghani was resistant to finding a political compromise with the Taliban and made strategic blunders by spreading largely feckless Afghan security forces too thinly. Republicans and even a few Democratic allies have offered withering criticism of the administrations handling of the evacuation, an issue that the GOP is looking to weaponize against Biden. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said Monday the withdrawal date set by Biden was a political one designed for a photo op. Absent from McCarthys criticism was any mention that it was Trumps White House that had brokered the deal to end the war. There was a moment in time that had this president listened to his military, there would still be terrorist prisoners inside Bagram, we would be getting every single American out, the military would not have left before the Americans," McCarthy said. "Every crisis he has faced so far in this administration he has failed. It remains to be seen if criticism of Biden's handling of Afghanistan will resonate with voters. An Associated Press-NORC poll conducted earlier in August found that about 6 in 10 Americans said the war there was not worth fighting. An ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted Aug. 27-28 found about 6 in 10 Americans disapproving of Bidens handling of the situation in Afghanistan. That poll also found most said the U.S. should remain in Afghanistan until all Americans and Afghans who aided the U.S. had been evacuated. The poll did not ask whether people approved of withdrawal more generally. After backing the 2001 U.S. invasion, Biden became a skeptic of U.S. nation-building efforts and harbored deep doubts about the Afghan governments ability to develop the capacity to sustain itself. His opposition to the 2009 surge of U.S. troop deployed to Afghanistan when he was vice president put him on the losing side of conflicts with the defense establishment and within the Obama administration. Biden, in recent weeks, told aides that he viewed his counsel against expanding the American involvement more than a decade ago to be one of his proudest moments in public life. But his tendency to speak in absolutes didn't help his cause. In July, Biden pushed back at concerns that a Taliban takeover of the country would be inevitable. Weeks later, the group toppled the Afghan government. The president also expressed confidence that Americans would not see images reminiscent of the U.S. evacuation from Vietnam at the end of that war in 1975, when photos of helicopters evacuating people from the roof of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon became gripping symbols of U.S. failure. In fact, they saw images of desperate Afghans swarming the Kabul airport at least one falling to his death after clinging to a departing U.S. aircraft. Biden told ABC News George Stephanopoulos during an Aug. 18 interview that the U.S. military objective in Afghanistan was to get everyone out, including Americans and Afghan allies and their families. He pledged American forces would stay until they accomplished that mission. But Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that there was a small number of Americans, under 200, likely closer to 100, who remain in Afghanistan and still want to leave. The swift military evacuation now yields to a murkier diplomatic operation to press the Taliban to allow Americans and their allies to depart peacefully by other means. Biden believes he has some leverage over the Taliban, former U.S. enemies turned into pragmatic partners, as Afghanistan faces an economic crisis with the freezing of most foreign aid. But U.S. commanders say the situation in Afghanistan could become even more chaotic in the coming weeks and months. ___ EDITOR'S NOTE Aamer Madhani has covered the White House for The Associated Press since 2019. Zeke Miller has covered the White House since 2012. ___ Associated Press writers Calvin Woodward, Kevin Freking and Emily Swanson contributed to this report. FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) Kentucky's governor signaled Monday that he wants to convene a special legislative session to deal with COVID-19 issues once a general consensus is reached on what can be achieved. Gov. Andy Beshear said the special session needs to happen soon in part to maintain the state of emergency he declared at the outset of the pandemic in Kentucky. And there are pressing coronavirus-related issues stemming from school closures due to surging outbreaks, he said. My goal is to call a special session as soon as legislative leaders have reached a general consensus about what they think can be done, the governor said at a news conference. Beshear quickly added: I'm sure I will push for some other things as well. The governor has the authority to call lawmakers into special session and to set the agenda. Beshear, a Democrat, has had discussions with leaders of the Republican-led legislature over what actions could be taken if lawmakers are brought back to the statehouse. Those negotiations come as Kentucky suffers its worst surge of virus cases and hospitalizations since the pandemic began. Various emergency measures previously issued by Beshear are set to expire as a result of a recent landmark court decision. Its up to lawmakers to decide whether to keep them in place. The states Supreme Court recently gave lawmakers the upper hand when it cleared the way for new laws to limit the governors emergency powers, which he used to impose virus-related restrictions previously. The justices said a lower court wrongly blocked the GOP-backed measures. Kentucky had more new cases of COVID-19 last week than any other week in the pandemic, and on Monday reported another record number of virus patients hospitalized in Kentucky. The highly contagious delta variant is spreading fastest among school-age Kentuckians, the governor said. New media outlets reported Monday that at least 18 Kentucky schools districts have closed or returned to virtual learning already this academic year. To prevent lapses in learning, schools forced to close need to switch to nontraditional instructional days with students learning from home, Beshear said Monday. Currently, the state can waive up to 10 so-called NTI days to count toward student attendance days in the school districts calendars. Districts need more flexibility as they cope with COVID-19, the governor said. That should include giving them more NTI days and allowing them to apply those days to individual schools, he said. With this many schools that have had to pause, they need more tools and more options, he said. Throughout the pandemic, the governor imposed COVID-related restrictions to combat the virus's spread, and he credits his actions with saving lives. But he said Monday he's realistic as he negotiates with GOP legislative leaders, given the new dynamics as a result of the court ruling. Im going to seek all the tools that I can," Beshear said. "Im not going to hold off on calling a special session if I dont get all of them. Later, the governor acknowledged: "I know Im not going to get all the tools that I think we need. But Ill do the best I can with the best I get. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) North Carolina health regulators would establish by next year visitation policies for nursing homes and adult care homes for declared emergencies like a pandemic in legislation heading to Gov. Roy Cooper's desk. The bill, which received final legislative approval on Tuesday by the House after a Senate vote last week, tells the state Department of Health and Human Services to create visitation protocols for declared emergencies and implement them by next June. RICHMOND, Va. (AP) 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. Northam announced the pardons after meeting with about a dozen descendants of the men and their advocates. 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. Four of the men were executed in Virginia's electric chair on Feb. 2, 1951. Three days later, the remaining three were also electrocuted. All of them were tried by all-white juries. It was the largest group of people executed for a single-victim crime in Virginia's history. At the time, rape was a capital offense. But Northam said Tuesday that the death penalty for rape was applied almost exclusively to Black people. From 1908 when Virginia began using the electric chair to 1951, state records show that all 45 people executed for rape were Black, he said. The pardons do not address the guilt or innocence of the men, but Northam said the pardons are an acknowledgement that they did not receive due process and received a racially-biased death sentence not similarly applied to white defendants. These men were executed because they were Black, and thats not right, Northam said. Their punishment did not fit the crime. They should not have been executed, he added. All seven men were convicted and sentenced to death within eight days. Northam said some of the defendants were impaired at the time of their arrests or unable to read confessions they signed. He said none of the men had attorneys present while they were interrogated. Before their executions, protesters picketed at the White House, and the governor's office received letters from around the world asking for mercy. James Walter Grayson is the son of Francis DeSales Grayson, who was one of the seven. He sobbed loudly when Northam told the family members he would grant the pardons after meeting with them Tuesday. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Lord, he said, as he wept while being embraced by two other descendants of the men. Grayson said he was 4 years old when his father was executed. It means so much to me, he said of the pardon. I remember the very day the police came to the door. He kissed us and they took him away, he told The Associated Press in an interview after the announcement. Rudolph McCollum Jr., a former Richmond mayor who is the great-nephew of Francis DeSales Grayson and the nephew of another one of the executed men, Booker T. Millner, told Northam the executions represent a wound that continues to mar Virginia's history and the efforts to move beyond its dubious past. He wept when Northam announced he would pardon the men. In December, advocates and descendants of the men asked Northam to issue posthumous pardons. Their petition does not argue that the men were innocent, but says their trials were unfair and the punishment was extreme and unjust. The Martinsville Seven were not given adequate due process simply for being black, they were sentenced to death for a crime that a white person would not have been executed for simply for being black, and they were killed, by the Commonwealth, simply for being black,' " the advocates wrote in their letter to Northam. The seven men, most in their late teens or early 20s, were: Grayson, Millner, Frank Hairston Jr.; Howard Lee Hairston; James Luther Hairston; Joe Henry Hampton; and John Clabon Taylor. Eric W, Rise, an associate professor at the University of Delaware who wrote a 1995 book on the case: The Martinsville Seven: Race, Rape, and Capital Punishment, said Floyd told police she was raped by a large group of Black men and testified at all six trials. Two of the men were tried together. All seven men signed statements admitting they were present during the attack, but they had no access to their parents or attorneys at the time, Rise said. The validity of the confessions were one of the things their defense attorneys brought up at the trials, Rise said. Four of the men testified in their own defense. Rise said two men said they had consensual sex with her, one man denied any involvement, and another man said he was so intoxicated he could not remember what happened. Northam has now granted a total of 604 pardons since taking office in 2018, more than the previous nine governors combined, his administration announced Tuesday. This is about righting wrongs, Northam said. We all deserve a criminal justice system that is fair, equal, and gets it right no matter who you are or what you look like," he said. In March, Northam, a Democrat, signed legislation passed by the Democrat-controlled legislature abolishing the state's death penalty. It was a dramatic shift for Virginia, a state that had the second-highest number of executions in the U.S. The case of the Martinsville Seven was cited during the legislative debate as an example of the disproportionate use of the death penalty against people of color. ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) Civil rights activists say theyll protest along the way to a popular Maryland beach destination on Thursday to bring attention to the violent arrests of Black teenagers in June that stemmed from confrontations over vaping. Carl Snowden from the Caucus of African American Leaders said during a Monday press conference in Annapolis that the demonstrators are aiming to raise the consciousness of people traveling to Ocean City ahead of Labor Day weekend. Theres this belief that if you just keep quiet long enough, people will forget, Snowden said. Its our intention to make sure they do not forget. A Perryville 18-year-old was shot with a stun gun on June 6 when police tried to stop him from vaping on the boardwalk, according to court documents. Four 18- and 19-year-olds from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, were charged in connection with a separate confrontation on June 12 also over vaping. In a video of the second incident, a Black teen gets kneed repeatedly by an officer. One is taken into custody after lifting one of several police bicycles encircling the officers and another is shot with a stun gun as he struggles with officers. While the use of force is never the intended outcome, our police departments first priority is to protect and serve, Ocean City police said in a statement following public concern over the video. They do not target based on race or age. Snowden said activists met with Mayor Rick Meehan to call for the suspension of officers while an investigation was conducted. They also want an independent probe of the incidents, but their demands werent met. The civil rights leader on Monday outlined other actions that his organization plans to take, including meeting with all the states attorneys in Maryland to discuss similar cases, filing a federal complaint for an independent investigation and packing the courthouse for a trial related to the June 12 incident thats scheduled for October. DETROIT (AP) Authorities are dropping a murder conviction against a man who is serving a life sentence for a fire that killed five children in suburban Detroit after critical evidence that cast doubt on the case was never shared with the defense before the 2006 trial, a prosecutor said Tuesday. The evidence includes a video interview with a survivor who told police that Juwan Deering didn't set the fire, Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald said. Deering didn't get a fair trial, said McDonald, adding: This is a dark day for this office. Deering, now 50, was convicted of murder in a 2000 house fire in Royal Oak Township. Authorities at the time said the fire was revenge for drug debts, though Deering repeatedly declared his innocence. No one could identify him as being at the property. Indeed, McDonald said her staff uncovered a video of a police interview with a 13-year-old fire survivor who had looked at a photo lineup of possible suspects in 2000. He identifies a person named Juwan in the lineup, and he says that Juwan didnt do it, said McDonald, a former judge who was elected last fall. We have an ethical obligation to turn over all the evidence ... even if it hurts our case, she said. That didnt happen here. There was critical information that was not turned over to the defense and the jury never heard. McDonald also said jurors and Deerings trial lawyer were never told that jail informants won substantial benefits for their testimony against him and in other cases. The prosecutor announced that development in May. McDonald said she will join a new request by Deerings attorney to have a judge throw out the murder conviction. She declined to say whether the case should be dismissed entirely. The Michigan State Police is investigating this right now. Im not prepared to take a position, McDonald said. But Deering's attorney believes a full dismissal would be the best step. There's not enough evidence to retry Mr. Deering. The simple reason is he didnt commit the crime, said Imran Syed of the Innocence Clinic at University of Michigan law school. He feels a deep vindication. He has known for 15 years that there was a process against him and no one believed him. Syed and law students earlier had been trying to get a new trial for Deering, arguing that the fire analysis was based on junk science, but those requests were unsuccessful in Michigans appellate courts. Greg Townsend was the assistant prosecutor who took Deering to trial in 2006. He subsequently became a Michigan assistant attorney general and was part of the team handling an alleged kidnapping plot against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. He was reassigned last spring when the Deering case made headlines again and retired in July. Lawyers in the warrants branch of the prosecutor's office had declined three times to charge Deering before Townsend acted on his own, McDonald said. She said the parents of the children who died in the fire were told about the new twist in the case. The injustice doesnt just impact Juwan Deering. ... They have lived with this tragedy for two decades, and I cant imagine the pain of having to relive it again and again, McDonald said. ___ Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwritez DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Police in Des Moines are investigating the deaths of two people in separate incidents reported just hours apart. Officers were called around 8:15 p.m. Monday to a shooting on East 17th Street, where they found three shooting victims, police said. Two of the victims were taken to a hospital with injuries. The third victim, later identified as Frederick McCuller II, 40, of Des Moines, was declared dead at the scene, according to police. TALLINN, Estonia (AP) Estonias parliament elected the chief of a major national museum as the Baltic countrys new president Tuesday in a second round of voting after lawmakers rejected the appointment a day earlier. Estonian National Museum director Alar Karis secured support from 72 members of the 101-seat Riigikogu legislature, while eight lawmakers voted blank and the rest abstained or were absent. Karis was the only candidate in both rounds, but he failed to achieve the necessary two-thirds support, or 68 votes, in Monday's secret ballot. I thank all of those who voted for me and also those who didn't. I promise to be a good partner for the Riigikogu," Karis, 63, said in a short speech after the tally was announced. The former state auditor and university leader will succeed President Kersti Kaljulaid, Estonias first female president. She could not seek another five-year term in office because she failed to obtain a minimum of 21 lawmakers to propose her as a candidate. 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 and hold 59 parliament seats, endorsed him earlier this month. The two parties praised Karis solid academic background, including as rector of the University of Tartu, Estonias main academic institution, and his understanding of Estonian society. Earlier Tuesday, two opposition parties, the Social Democrats and the conservative Fatherland, also endorsed Karis, essentially guaranteeing his election. Meanwhile, the right-wing populist EKRE party had decided its lawmakers would abstain from the vote. The opposition party failed to qualify its own presidential candidate. 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 presidents 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 law proposals. Karis is to assume office on Oct. 11, according to initial information from the government. A native of Tartu, Estonias second-largest city after the capital, Tallinn, he is a molecular geneticist and developmental biologist by training. He became a university professor in 1999 and headed the University of Tartu between 2007-2012 as its rector. The withdrawal of the final U.S. troops from Afghanistan on Monday marks the end of the U.S. military's 20-year mission in Afghanistan. But for President Joe Biden, the end of the "forever war" is more of an inflection point than an actual conclusion. The departure of forces kicks off a new phase of the United States's entanglement in Afghanistan that could also prove perilous - and no less challenging for American leadership than the previous two decades. Biden and his team now have to grapple with deep skepticism over whether the Taliban, which now rules Afghanistan, will keep its promises for a peaceful transition. It pledged not to seek revenge on the Afghans who worked with and aided Americans during the conflict, and to respect the rights of women - at least within the framework of the group's interpretation of Islamic law. But many foreign policy experts and even Biden allies remain mistrustful of what, exactly, that means. National security threats remain, such as whether a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan will again become a haven for terrorists eager to attack the United States. And Biden and his team are facing a humanitarian crisis in the form of tens of thousands of Afghan refugees. As of Saturday, more than 117,000 people - the majority Afghan citizens - had been evacuated from Afghanistan, but they now face an uncertain future, including in the United States, where the response to resettlement has ranged from welcoming to wary to hostile. The administration will also face questions about whether the United States did enough to ensure Americans and eligible Afghans were actually able to leave the country in the final days of the drawdown and transition to Taliban rule. In a news conference Monday to announce the official completion of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., the U.S. Central Command chief, told reporters that the number of American citizens left behind in Afghanistan is in the "very low hundreds." But he also acknowledged what he described as "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'd stayed another 10 days we 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. It's a - it's a tough situation." Biden issued a statement Monday thanking troops and officers who oversaw the final withdrawal "with no further loss of American lives." "The Taliban has made commitments on safe passage and the world will hold them to their commitments," Biden said in the statement, noting a U.N. resolution passed earlier in the afternoon to urge the Taliban to follow through on promises to allow Afghans to depart the country. Biden plans to deliver remarks Tuesday regarding the end of the conflict. The challenges his administration now face are both logistical and political. The chaotic withdrawal - including the deaths of 13 U.S. service members in a suicide bombing in Kabul last Thursday - has already threatened to undermine Biden's core message of restoring calm and competency to governing, and Democrats are increasingly fearful of backlash further eroding their midterm election prospects. Some House Democrats have even begun privately discussing whether Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan should be fired over the recent mayhem in Afghanistan. Ben Rhodes, a deputy national security adviser to former president Barack Obama, said the Biden administration is facing two pressing issues - the potential humanitarian crisis for the people of Afghanistan, and the counterterrorism threat in a region that has long been a safe haven for terrorists and where the United States now will have far less on-the-ground intelligence-gathering capabilities. "In Afghanistan, they simultaneously have to make the case that it was right to end the war while demonstrating that they can also manage the aftermath in terms of counterterrorism and humanitarian challenges," Rhodes said. "It's not just enough to have ended the war. You need to show you are managing the aftermath." Danielle Pletka, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank, said the administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan leaves "endless unanswered questions." "What about those left behind? What about the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan? What are we going to do about the resistance to the Taliban? Support?" Pletka wrote, in response to emailed questions. "It will be up to the Taliban to dictate what happens next; they're in the driver seat. The one thing we know is their track record: terrorists will find a welcome home where they recorded a victory against the United States." The Biden administration has regularly stressed how many people have been evacuated from Afghanistan so far, and on Monday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki again highlighted the evacuation numbers, noting that more than 120,000 people already have been evacuated, including 6,000 Americans and their families since mid-August. Psaki also said that despite some setbacks - such as probably leaving some U.S. military equipment behind, where it will fall into Taliban hands - the administration is optimistic that it can still help influence the Taliban's behavior. "We have an enormous amount of leverage, including access to the global marketplace, which is not a small piece of leverage to the Taliban, who are now overseeing large swaths of Afghanistan," Psaki said. Still, the tumultuous weeks leading up to Tuesday's final withdrawal deadline underscore the looming headaches for the Biden administration. Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, fell to the Taliban far more quickly than U.S. intelligence anticipated, providing initial images of chaos and fear from city's airport that were broadcast across the world. On Thursday, a suicide bomber killed at least 170 people, including 13 U.S. service members, in an attack at the Kabul airport's Abbey Gate. And a U.S. military strike Sunday on a vehicle a mile from the Kabul airport that posed an "imminent" Islamic State threat killed civilians, as well, including children, according to officials in Afghanistan. Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group, a global risk consultancy, said next Saturday's 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks also could provide the Taliban with a propaganda opportunity - and the Biden administration with the sort of problematic images they are hoping to avoid. The Taliban are likely, Bremmer suggested, to "be parading equipment that is American through the capital city and flying a Taliban flag on the embassy." "The Taliban have just won everything they could possibly win," Bremmer said. "That's not good for the U.S." There's also the question of whether the Taliban can become an effective government, said retired Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, former U.S. ambassador to NATO. "We don't really have a Taliban government - we have the remains of the Taliban insurgency," he said. "It's one thing to overthrow a government and another thing to govern." Bremmer said withdrawing the final U.S. troops from Afghanistan may ultimately give Biden the ability to move on from the troubled region, especially from an American public that - at least in theory - largely agreed with his decision to bring American service members home. "Not to be too crude about it, but it's kind of the end of when Americans pay serious attention because we no longer have troops on the ground and we will have basically gotten out every American that wants to get out," Bremmer said. Still, Republicans are eager to tie Biden to what they describe as a disastrous exit from the country. Rhodes said he expects Biden's political opponents to take the confluence of crises facing the administration - from the still-raging pandemic to the "scary images in Afghanistan" - and "just kind of paint a narrative over the course of the next year of the scariest version of reality that they try to blame on Biden, even though most of it is out of his control." Pletka offered an even more stark assessment: "If people are right - and I think they are - this is an inflection point for the Biden presidency, the prism through which we judge all of his actions," she wrote. "Ill-considered, ideologically rigid, mindless of the implications for the United States. If Biden is lucky, he will be Jimmy Carter. Unlucky, and he will have invited another 9/11." - - - The Washington Post's Anne Gearan contributed to this report. MADISON, Wis. (AP) Republican Rebecca Kleefisch, who served as lieutenant governor for eight years under former Gov. Scott Walker, took another step toward a run for governor Tuesday, releasing dozens of policy proposals a week after she filed paperwork for a campaign committee. Kleefisch has not formally announced her plans to run for governor. But the creation of a campaign committee, which she filed with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission on Aug. 24, followed by the release Tuesday of her proto-platform for a run were the clearest signals yet that she was in. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is up for reelection next year and has announced plans to seek a second term. Kleefisch spokesman Alec Zimmerman said the filing was just the next step in her consideration of a run. But its clear as shes traveled around Wisconsin that Tony Evers is failing to provide real leadership, Zimmerman said. Evers' campaign spokesman Sam Roecker said Kleefisch left a devastating mark on Wisconsin after her eight years in office. Her record isnt a mystery to anyone and she has only become more radical since leaving office," Roecker said. "Governor Evers has taken bold action to clean up the mess she left behind and hell continue to make sure we move forward and bounce back stronger than ever before. Republican state Rep. John Macco, of Green Bay, has also formed a committee to run for governor, filing the paperwork on Aug. 18. Longtime lobbyist Bill McCoshen, who also served as chief of staff to former Gov. Tommy Thompson, is also considering a run. Kevin Nicholson, who ran for U.S. Senate in 2018, has said he will either run for Senate or governor in 2022. Macco, who was first elected to the Legislature in 2014, said he would make a decision on whether to run within the next month or two. Macco, who started a commercial flooring company and later served as president of a financial advisory firm, said he thinks there would be room for a candidate like him. We don't want to have a Republican version of Tony Evers, Macco said, touting his background creating jobs and working in the Legislature to advance the Republican agenda. In the end, it's going to come down to supporters and dollars. Political newcomers Jonathan Wichmann, Leonard Larson Jr., Adam Fischer and James Kellen have also filed paperwork to run as Republicans. Kleefisch, who was a television news reporter before she entered politics, has been making the rounds ahead of an expected run for governor. A year ago, she formed a conservative policy group called the 1848 Project. On Monday, she used that group to release a list of 56 policy proposals which included hiring 1,000 more police officers, banning the teaching of critical race theory in public schools and toughening penalties for mobs and riots. Other policies include having the Legislature, rather than the Wisconsin Elections Commission, institute guidance for running elections, banning sanctuary cities and not allowing churches to be closed during a pandemic. The Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler decried it as a manifesto, saying it doubles down on the disastrous far-right agenda that deeply hurt Wisconsinites under the Walker-Kleefisch administration. HONOLULU (AP) Seeking to beat back a COVID-19 surge, Honolulu will soon require patrons of restaurants, bars, museums, theaters and other establishments to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test for the disease, the city's mayor said Monday. The move comes after the highly contagious delta variant caused a surge of infections across the state. Before the Fourth of July, Hawaii had a seven-day average of 46 daily cases. On Monday, that figure hit 874. Mayor Rick Blangiardi said the program called Safe Access Oahu takes effect on Sept. 13. Honolulu joins other cities such as New Orleans, New York, San Francisco and the U.S. territory of Guam that have implemented similar requirements. Children under the age of 12 will be exempt. Employees of the establishments will have to show proof of vaccination or undergo weekly testing, Blangiardi said. He said businesses that don't comply could be fined or potentially shut down. The mayor said the program was a way to control the spread of COVID-19 while avoiding a lockdown. This is a common sense, logical approach. Weve been very much in favor of life going on, Blangiardi said. In Honolulu County, 85% of the eligible population 12 and older has had at least one dose of vaccine. Blangiardi said he hopes the remainder of residents will get vaccinated. Greg Maples, the chairman of the Hawaii Restaurant Association, said his organization endorsed the new program because it needs the coronavirus to stop spreading. Dont stop eating in restaurants. We need you. We need the business, said Maples, who suggested unvaccinated people order take-out instead. The program will remain in effect for 60 days. If the city doesnt see an improvement, Blangiardi said it will move on to mandatory vaccinations. Republican state Rep. Val Okimoto, the House minority leader, criticized the program, saying it was doubling down on the idea that government knows best. Common sense tells me that if you implement a policy that segregates the vaccinated with the unvaccinated, were inadvertently incentivizing the unvaccinated community to gather and spread COVID within their own communities," Okimoto said. The mayor said hes concerned about hospitals being overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients, noting the remote island state had limited oxygen supplies, medical staff and beds. This notion of people who choose not to get vaccinated and say: Its my right under these circumstances, but if I get sick, you got to take care of me. I dont understand that logic and thats not whats going to work, Blangiardi said. Earlier Monday, Lt. Gov. Josh Green, who is also an emergency room doctor, said the states hospitals can handle a combined 500 COVID-19 patients and perhaps 710 if they stretch their resources to the limit. But at these levels doctors may have to begin thinking about rationing care, he told the Honolulu Star-Advertisers online Spotlight interview program. There were 418 COVID-19 patients in hospitals statewide on Monday, a number that has remained relatively steady for the last week though is one-third higher than one month ago, Green said. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Nick Shay, University of Miami (THE CONVERSATION) As Hurricane Ida headed into the Gulf of Mexico, a team of scientists was closely watching a giant, slowly swirling pool of warm water directly ahead in its path. That warm pool, an eddy, was a warning sign. It was around 125 miles (200 kilometers) across. And it was about to give Ida the power boost that in the span of less than 24 hours would turn it from a weak hurricane into the dangerous Category 4 storm that slammed into Louisiana just outside New Orleans on Aug. 29, 2021. Nick Shay, an oceanographer at the University of Miamis Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, was one of those scientists. He explains how these eddies, part of whats known as the Loop Current, help storms rapidly intensify into monster hurricanes. How do these eddies form? The Loop Current is a key component of a large gyre, or circular current, rotating clockwise in the North Atlantic Ocean. Its strength is related to the flow of warm water from the tropics and Caribbean Sea into the Gulf of Mexico and out again through the Florida Straits, between Florida and Cuba. From there, it forms the core of the Gulf Stream, which flows northward along the Eastern Seaboard. In the Gulf, this current can start to shed large warm eddies when it gets north of about the latitude of Fort Myers, Florida. At any given time, there can be as many as three warm eddies in the Gulf, slowly moving westward. When these eddies form during hurricane season, their heat can spell disaster for coastal communities around the Gulf. Subtropical water has a different temperature and salinity than Gulf common water, so its eddies are easy to identify. They have warm water at the surface and temperatures of 78 degrees Fahrenheit (26 C) or more in water layers extending about 400 or 500 feet deep (about 120 to 150 meters). Since the strong salinity difference inhibits mixing and cooling of these layers, the warm eddies retain a considerable amount of heat. When heat at the ocean surface is over about 78 F (26 C), hurricanes can form and intensify. The eddy that Ida passed over had surface temperatures over 86 F (30 C). How did you know this eddy was going to be a problem? We monitor ocean heat content from space each day and keep an eye on the ocean dynamics, especially during the summer months. Keep in mind that warm eddies in the wintertime can also energize atmospheric frontal systems, such as the storm of the century that caused snowstorms across the Deep South in 1993. To gauge the risk this heat pool posed for Hurricane Ida, we flew aircraft over the eddy and dropped measuring devices, including what are known as expendables. An expendable parachutes down to the surface and releases a probe that descends about 1,300 to 5,000 feet (400 to 1,500 meters) below the surface. It then sends back data about the temperature and salinity. This eddy had heat down to about 480 feet (around 150 meters) below the surface. Even if the storms wind caused some mixing with cooler water at the surface, that deeper water wasnt going to mix all the way down. The eddy was going to stay warm and continue to provide heat and moisture. That meant Ida was about to get an enormous supply of fuel. When warm water extends deep like that, we start to see the atmospheric pressure drop. The moisture transfers, or latent heat, from the ocean to atmosphere are sustained over the warm eddies since the eddies are not significantly cooling. As this release of latent heat continues, the central pressures continue to decrease. Eventually the surface winds will feel the larger horizontal pressure changes across the storm and begin to speed up. Thats what we saw the day before Hurricane Ida made landfall. The storm was beginning to sense that really warm water in the eddy. As the pressure keeps going down, storms get stronger and more well defined. When I went to bed at midnight that night, the wind speeds were about 105 miles per hour. When I woke up a few hours later and checked the National Hurricane Centers update, it was 145 miles per hour, and Ida had become a major hurricane. Is rapid intensification a new development? Weve known about this effect on hurricanes for years, but its taken quite a while for meteorologists to pay more attention to the upper ocean heat content and its impact on the rapid intensification of hurricanes. In 1995, Hurricane Opal was a minimal tropical storm meandering in the Gulf. Unknown to forecasters at the time, a big warm eddy was in the center of the Gulf, moving about as fast as Miami traffic in rush hour, with warm water down to about 150 meters. All the meteorologists saw in the satellite data was the surface temperature, so when Opal rapidly intensified on its way to eventually hitting the Florida Panhandle, it caught a lot of people by surprise. Today, meteorologists keep a closer eye on where the pools of heat are. Not every storm has all the right conditions. Too much wind shear can tear apart a storm, but when the atmospheric conditions and ocean temperatures are extremely favorable, you can get this big change. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, both in 2005, had pretty much the same signature as Ida. They went over a warm eddy that was just getting ready to be shed form the Loop Current. Hurricane Michael in 2018 didnt go over an eddy, but it went over the eddys filament like a tail as it was separating from the Loop Current. Each of these storms intensified quickly before hitting land. Of course, these warm eddies are most common right during hurricane season. Youll occasionally see this happen along the Atlantic Coast, too, but the Gulf of Mexico and the Northwest Caribbean are more contained, so when a storm intensifies there, someone is going to get hit. When it intensifies close to the coast, like Ida did, it can be disastrous for coastal inhabitants. What does climate change have to do with it? We know global warming is occurring, and we know that surface temperatures are warming in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere. When it comes to rapid intensification, however, my view is that a lot of these thermodynamics are local. How great a role global warming plays remains unclear. This is an area of fertile research. We have been monitoring the Gulfs ocean heat content for more than two decades. By comparing the temperature measurements we took during Ida and other hurricanes with satellite and other atmospheric data, scientists can better understand the role the oceans play in the rapid intensification of storms. Once we have these profiles, scientists can fine-tune the computer model simulations used in forecasts to provide more detailed and accurate warnings in the futures. [Over 100,000 readers rely on The Conversations newsletter. Sign up today.] This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/hurricane-ida-turned-into-a-monster-thanks-to-a-giant-warm-patch-in-the-gulf-of-mexico-heres-what-happened-167029. EDINBURGH, Ind. (AP) The Indiana National Guards Camp Atterbury training base will temporary house Afghan refugees who assisted the U.S. during its 20-year war in Afghanistan, guard officials said Tuesday. Camp Atterbury was one of eight military facilities around the nation approved by the Secretary of Defense to temporarily house up to 50,000 Afghan refugees, the guard said in a news release. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) A whistleblower lawsuit alleges that Indianas state treasurer violated state law in handing out contracts that paid more than $6 million to firms linked to her political supporters. The lawsuit, which was filed by a former top office staffer whom Treasurer Kelly Mitchell fired, claims the Republican bypassed required approvals from other state agencies in awarding contracts for lobbying and financial services without seeking competitive bids. The lawsuit alleges those contracts went to eight banks, a financial services company and the Indianapolis law firm Ice Miller. It says all 10 companies either directly contributed or had business ties with others who contributed to Mitchell's 2014 or 2018 treasurer campaigns, or her unsuccessful 2020 run for Congress. Her current and final term as treasurer runs until the end of 2022. A former managing partner at Ice Miller, Melissa Proffitt, was Mitchells treasurer campaign chairwoman before the law firm received a $3,000-a-month lobbying contract. Officials for Mitchells office and Ice Miller declined to comment Tuesday on the allegations in the lawsuit, which was filed in Marion County court in July and announced Tuesday. The lawsuit claims the treasurers office, which oversees several billion dollars in state investment accounts, began issuing the contracts soon after Mitchell took office in late 2014. It says the contracts didnt undergo reviews by the states Department of Administration, state budget agency and attorney generals office, as required by state law. The fact that Treasurer Mitchell has spent the last six years in office handing out illegal contracts to her political supporters should be troubling to every taxpayer in the state, attorney Chris Wolcott, who represents the whistleblower, said in a statement. State law is very clear that these contracts are void and this money must be repaid immediately. The lawsuit was filed by James Holden, who was the chief deputy treasurer under then-Treasurer Richard Mourdock. Holden was given a new three-year employment contract worth $100,000 a year before Mourdock left office, but Mitchell fired Holden the day she took office in November 2014. He later received a $92,500 settlement in a wrongful termination lawsuit. Holdens whistleblower lawsuit said he obtained the vendor contracts awarded under Mitchell during research for his wrongful termination lawsuit and public records requests he filed. The contracts generally paid monthly fees to the vendors, ranging from the $3,000 a month to Ice Miller to more than $100,000 a month to a Colorado-based financial firm for management of a state investment fund. The total payouts spanned from about $170,000 to Ice Miller to about $2.1 million for the Colorado firm, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges the payments span from 2015 to early 2020 and maintains that several of the contracts are ongoing. A statement from Holdens attorney said the total amount involved now likely exceeds $12 million. A spokesman for Mitchells office didnt immediately respond to questions about whether any of the contracts remained in effect or had since been approved by other state agencies. BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) A young lifeguard was killed and seven other people, including three other lifeguards, were injured when lightning struck a Jersey Shore beach Monday afternoon, authorities said. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy confirmed that a lifeguard in Berkeley Township was killed in the afternoon. It marked the second death of a young lifeguard at the Jersey Shore in a little over a week. Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy said the others were taken to hospitals with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Our hearts are with the family and friends of the young lifeguard killed by todays horrific lightning strike on the beach in Berkeley Township, and we pray for a full recovery for those injured, Murphy, the state's Democratic governor, wrote on Twitter. Ive spoken to Mayor Carmen Amato and offered the full support and assistance of our administration during this difficult time. Amato said his township's beaches will be closed Tuesday through Thursday as crisis counselors are made available to beach staff and lifeguards. Four of those struck were lifeguards and four others were beachgoers. This is a tragic and heartbreaking day for our town and the entire Jersey Shore," Amato said in a statement. This young person was out there every day protecting the lives of others. Our lifeguard teams, like so many along the shore, develop special connections with our community throughout the summer, which makes this loss even greater. On behalf of myself and our entire community, I offer our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of this young man," he said. The identities of the lifeguard who died, as well as the others hurt by the lightning strike were not immediately released. A handwritten note in purple ink was left with flowers Monday night at the base of a lifeguard stand at the beach. We were at the beach today and are grateful for what you've done for us by keeping us safe at the beach," the note read. "We are so sorry for your loss. Police were called at 4:31 p.m. to a beach on 21st Avenue in Berkeley Township, near the entrance to Island Beach State Park, which is just south of Seaside Park. Pete Tortorelli was tending an outdoor bar a block away from the beach when, he said, lightning struck seemingly out of nowhere. It looked a little cloudy in one direction but clear as anything in the other direction, and it was the first lightning of the day, he said. Literally two minutes after I saw the lightning, every cop car in this town was screaming down the street." Thomas Taberoni was at a beachfront house 100 yards (90 meters) away from the lifeguard stand, noticing that it was beginning to get cloudy, when he heard what he described as the loudest noise he had ever heard. Have you ever been to an air show when they break the sound barrier with that boom and you werent prepared for it? he asked. "This was like 100 times louder than that. Lynda McHugh had just left the beach when she saw two large bolts of lightning come straight down. Within moments, people were running up the ramp from the beach and down the wooden stairs to safety. Police said in a Facebook post that they were investigating reports of lightning strikes in the township, and would release further information as it becomes available. A police dispatcher said she could not release any information other than what the department had posted on Facebook. Messages have been left for police commanders. On Aug. 20, 16-year-old lifeguard Norman Inferrera III died a day after an accident in Cape May, on New Jersey's southern tip. A lifeboat he was rowing was struck by a wave and flipped over, knocking him unconscious, authorities said. And on Aug. 12, a 13-year-old boy died after he was struck by lightning at Orchard Beach in the Bronx in New York City. Carlos Ramos was one of a group of people gathered at the beach who were struck by lightning during a fast-moving storm. Six others also were injured in that lightning strike. ___ Follow Wayne Parry at http://twitter.com/WayneParryAC CALIPATRIA, Calif. (AP) Near Southern Californias dying Salton Sea, a canopy next to a geothermal power plant covers large containers of salty water left behind after super-hot liquid is drilled from deep underground to run steam turbines. The containers connect to tubes that spit out what looks like dishwater, but it's lithium, a critical component of rechargeable batteries and the newest hope for economic revival in the depressed region. Demand for electric vehicles has shifted investments into high gear to extract lithium from geothermal brine, salty water that has been overlooked and pumped back underground since the region's first geothermal plant opened in 1982. The mineral-rich byproduct may now be more valuable than the steam used to generate electricity. California's largest but rapidly shrinking lake is at the forefront of efforts to make the U.S. a major global player in the production of lithium. Despite large deposits of the ultralight metal in the U.S., Nevada has the country's only lithium plant, and U.S. production lags far behind Australia, Chile, Argentina and China. Decades of environmental ruin have left some residents on the Salton Sea's receding shores indifferent or wary. They have been disappointed before, most recently by solar plants that failed to be the economic engine many hoped. The Salton Sea formed in 1905 after the Colorado River breached a dike and two years of flooding filled a sizzling basin, earning it the nickname The Accidental Sea. In the 1950s, the lake thrived as a tourist destination, drawing anglers, boaters and celebrity visitors including Frank Sinatra. But storms in the 1970s destroyed marinas and resorts. Flooding wrecked many homes in the tiny, former resort town of Bombay Beach, and after the water dried, left an almost apocalyptic atmosphere that has recently attracted artists. The lake level peaked in 1995 but, with little rain, has since been evaporating faster than Colorado River water seeping downhill through farms can replenish as farmers conserved more water. Since 2003, the 324-square-mile (839-square-kilometer) lake has shrunk 40 square miles (104 square kilometers), exposing vast lakebed with microscopic wind-blown dust that contributes to poor air quality and asthma. The sea has been a key stopover for migrating birds. But as the lake has shrunk, the fish population has declined, chasing away about 25% of the more than 400 bird species that populated it five years ago, said Frank Ruiz, Audubon Californias Salton Sea program director. Carcasses of oxygen-starved tilapia no longer blanket shores periodically with a stench that could reach Los Angeles because there are so few left. In Salton City, a town of about 6,000, roads curve along empty lots, a legacy of its first developer who stopped construction in 1960. Street signs with idyllic names like Harbor Drive and Sea Shore Avenue mark a barren landscape of cracked pavement. Pat Milsop, a 61-year-old retired restaurant owner, hits golf balls across a dry canal. His view is filled with dilapidated docks on bone-dry soil that harbored boats when his mother-in-law bought his house in 2004. He is skeptical that lithium will restore some of the lakes glory. Are they going to do something good for the community or just buy up all the land and kick everybody out? he asks. Nostalgic for livelier days, he plans to move to his farm near Lubbock, Texas. The lake is at the southern tip of the San Andreas Fault, which has shifting tectonic plates that bring molten material closer to Earths surface. The only other part of the U.S. known to have more geothermal brine available is on the fault's other end in Northern California. Rod Colwell, chief executive of Controlled Thermal Resources Ltd., oversees construction of what would be the region's first geothermal power plant in nearly a decade. General Motors Corp. said it invested in the project as it seeks to eliminate tailpipe emissions from light-duty vehicles by 2035. The lake's southern shores are dotted with small, volcano-like pots of bubbling mud caused by geothermal activity. In 2011, Colwell walked about a mile in the Salton Seas knee-deep water all of it now evaporated, with a fine powder below a white, cracked crust. Lakebed is considered an ideal spot for lithium. The company says it plans to drill down 8000 feet (2,438 meters) for super-hot liquid. There is no brine resource like this anywhere on the planet, said Colwell, who relied on years of extensive, publicly available reports analyzing the area's soil. He said the $520 million plant will start producing lithium in 2024. Owners of 11 existing geothermal plants around the lake's southern shores are retooling for lithium and possibly other brine minerals instead of building from scratch. Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co. has state and federal grants for lithium demonstration projects and says it could begin construction for commercial operations in 2024. EnergySource LLC opened its geothermal plant in 2012 and its sister company, EnergySource Minerals, has extracted lithium there on a small scale since 2016, said Derek Benson, chief operating officer. It plans to start building a $500 million addition for mineral extraction by the end of March. An easily overlooked metal structure faces the plant across a two-lane rural road. Bolted down by tons of concrete, it drills more than 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) underground for steam that allows for electricity to be generated and delivered to the Salt River Project, a utility with 2 million customers in central Arizona. Before it's pumped back underground, the brine is borrowed for a few hours to extract lithium under a nearby canopy, Benson said. Extracting lithium from geothermal brine has never been done on a commercial scale. There are two dominant production methods: mining for rocks and using cooler brine that bakes under the sun in large ponds for about two years until the water evaporates. The Nevada plant uses evaporation ponds. San Diego-based EnergySource operates on the former site of Simbol Materials, a heavily hyped company that used geothermal brine and flopped in 2015 after negotiations collapsed over Tesla Inc.'s $325 million offer to buy it. Business decisions caused the companys demise, according to industry experts and executives affiliated with the latest projects. Technology has since improved, they say, and so have market conditions. Demand for lithium has soared as more carmakers shift to electric. California has targeted 2035 to achieve zero emissions from all cars and trucks sold in the state. The Biden administration hopes to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. This is the moment where a number of trends, the confluence of them, have finally come together, Benson said. Detailed environmental impact reviews, required by California law, have not been released. Benson says his companys geothermal brine technology uses much less land and about one-fifth the water of evaporation ponds and emits one-seventh the carbon dioxide of rock-mining. Unique geochemical characteristics bring risk regardless of technology, said Alexander Grant, principal at research firm Jade Cove Partners. Its very easy to fall into this narrative that the technology is not proven, but that is fundamentally not the right way to look at it," said Grant, a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory research affiliate. The fact is that its hard to build lithium projects. Smokestacks shooting steam at geothermal power plants are a towering presence amid flat fields of lettuce, melons and alfalfa. Despite hugely productive land that stocks U.S. supermarkets with winter vegetables, Imperial County has a poverty rate of 22%, among Californias highest. El Centro, the county seat, perennially has one of the highest unemployment rates among 389 U.S. metropolitan areas. Many farmworkers commute daily from Mexicali, Mexico, to pick vegetables in winter and melons in spring. In the summer, snowbirds flee stifling heat and people stay inside, making towns and fields look deserted. Lithium has generated cautious optimism. EnergySource expects to contribute $80 million to $90 million annually to the economy, largely through payroll, taxes and royalties. Controlled Thermal Resources is expected to create 1,400 jobs, according to the Imperial Valley Economic Development Corp. How do we end up with this great opportunity before us but at the same time not get burned? said Luis Olmedo, executive director of Comite Civico del Valle, which advocates for low-income and underserved residents, and a member of the Lithium Valley Commission, a state panel to promote the lake's lithium resources. The lake depends entirely on Colorado River water gravitating through canals across hundreds of thousands of acres of chemical-laden farms. Amid growth, Arizona demanded its full entitlement of river water, forcing California to end its overuse. In 2003, squabbling California agencies settled on shifting large amounts of the state's share to San Diego, meaning less water for Imperial County farms and, by extension, the Salton Sea. Persistent drought tied to climate change raises the prospect of even less Colorado River water seeping downhill into the lake. Longtime residents miss when eared grebes, cormorants and white and brown pelicans were more abundant. The noise was awesome, said Carlene Ness, 74, who bought a western shore house with her late husband in 1999. Thats what everybody bought for, and we have to fight for it. In Calipatria, a city of 8,000 closest to the geothermal investments, lithium may be the biggest boon since two state prisons opened in the early 1990s. On a stifling July day, a gas station on the main street was the only establishment with activity. Ruben Hernandez, 54, has worked for an Imperial Valley landowner since he was 8. He and his wife own a Mexican restaurant in the largely deserted town of Niland. His wife wants to stay, but "theres nothing here, no town, he said. Lithium project backers who come for breakfast tell him he could eventually be feeding 20 to 30 people and delivering lunches to their plant. If they are going to lift this town up, it would be great, Hernandez said. SEATTLE (AP) A man fatally shot a 24-year-old who tried to rob him in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle early Tuesday, police said. The Seattle Police Department said on its website that police were sent to investigate a shooting at 1:12 am Tuesday and found a man on a sidewalk with a gunshot wound. Officers provided medical aid but the man was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to police. Officers interviewed a 39-year-old man who said he shot the man because the man was trying to rob him. Homicide detectives were investigating. Interim Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz said Tuesday that Seattle police had so far responded to 100 more cases of gunfire this year than they had by this time last year, The Seattle Times reported. He also said 135 people have been killed or wounded with 20 more people becoming victims of gun violence compared to last year, he said. Were better than this, Diaz said of what he called the unrelenting pace of violence. Diaz and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan in July announced $10.4 million in one-time funding to 33 community organizations over 18 months for violence-prevention programs. The city also earmarked $2 million to help pay for a pilot program called the King County Regional Peacekeepers Collective. King County has announced $1.47 million for gun-violence prevention strategies, including money for the peacekeepers group. Rex Brown, the director of the new Safe and Thriving Communities Division within the citys Human Services Department, said Tuesday that one group receiving funding, the Community Safety Hotline, has responded to 39 critical incidents and provided support to young people in South Seattle, West Seattle and the Central District. Support from community organizations and family engagement can help disrupt the cycle of gun violence and help young people on a path to health and well-being," Brown said, adding that the county peacekeepers pilot program, now ramping up and training staff, is expected to serve 200 young people over the next two years. Police said later Tuesday that a 58-year-old woman was shot and wounded in a robbery in the Green Lake neighborhood. Robbery detectives are investigating, police said. A Missouri judge on Tuesday refused to reinstate federal unemployment benefits that were cut in June when Gov. Mike Parson pulled out of several programs, saying the court would not substitute its judgment for that of the governor. The ruling by Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem came a day after lawyers representing Missouri residents who lost the jobless benefits asked for reinstatement with back pay that, for some people, could have amounted to $1,500. The enhanced benefits from several federal programs added money to the unemployment checks for out-of-work Americans to help ease the crunch caused by shutdowns for the COVID-19 pandemic. But some Republican governors, including Parson, ended the benefits, saying they wanted to prod people to rejoin the workforce. In his four-page ruling denying a preliminary injunction, Beteem wrote that "the balancing of harms and the public interest strongly favor the Governor's decision to promote economic recovery and encourage workers' re-entry into Missouri's critically understaffed labor force. The Court will not substitute its judgment for that of Missouri's duly elected Governor on such an important policy question, which both Missouri law and the principle of separation of powers confer on Missouri's Executive Branch, Beetem wrote. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said in a statement that the ruling affirmed the legality of Governor Parsons decision to terminate these temporary benefits and will hopefully lead to the hiring of workers for businesses that desperately need the help. Missouri Jobs With Justice, which filed the lawsuit, said it was disappointed in the ruling and still evaluating what to do next. The Governor said this would create job growth, but data shows it hasnt, Missouri Jobs With Justice said in a statement. Instead his policies continue to wreak havoc on the lives of the people who he is supposed to represent and care for. The enhanced benefits expire next week for those still receiving them. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) After more than a year of attending church virtually, Monique Allen has struggled to explain to her asthmatic daughter why people from their congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dont wear masks. Allen said she has taught her daughter that wearing a mask is Christlike, but now she worries her child feels like an outcast. Church leaders recently issued their strongest statement yet urging people to limit the spread by getting COVID-19 vaccines and wearing masks. But Allen said she fears its still not enough to convince the many families in her congregation who refuse to wear masks and have succumbed to anti-vaccine misinformation. Members of the faith widely known as the Mormon church remain deeply divided on vaccines and mask-wearing despite consistent guidance from church leaders as the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus spreads. About 65% of Latter-day Saints who responded to a recent survey said they were vaccine acceptors, meaning they've gotten at least one dose or plan to soon. Another 15% identified as hesitant, and 19% said they would not get the vaccine, according to the survey this summer from the Public Religion Research Institute, a polling organization based in Washington, and Interfaith Youth Core. The survey found 79% of white Catholics and 56% of white Evangelical Protestants identified as vaccine acceptors. Allen, a church member living in Wisconsin, is among a contingent who fear fellow members who refuse to get vaccinated are allowing their political views to supersede their loyalty to a faith that largely prioritizes unity and obedience. The message she has shared with her 8-year-old daughter is that of course Christ would wear a mask, of course he would get vaccinated because hes a loving person," she said. "And thats the only way you can take care of people these days is doing these simple things. Other church members are upset that their leaders arent letting them exercise their own decision-making about vaccines and masks. The Utah-based religion of 16 million members worldwide is one of many faiths grappling with how best to navigate the pandemic's lingering effects. Divisions on masking and vaccinations in the Latter-day Saint faith appear to be tracking along political lines, with conservative members being more hesitant, said Patrick Mason, associate professor of religion at Utah State University. Mason said the churchs divide is indicative of a larger pattern in the United States of political ideologies shaping people's religious commitments. The common perception of Mormons and Mormonism is that when church leaders speak, church members listen and do what theyre told, said Mason. This has revealed sometimes how conditional that loyalty can be. The Latter-day Saint faith was one of the first to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, church leaders suspended all church gatherings and closed temples. The church has also held three consecutive major conferences remotely since the pandemic began. The twice-yearly conference usually brings about 100,000 people to Salt Lake City over two days. Many faith leaders have spoken in support of vaccinations, including Church President Russell M. Nelson, a former heart surgeon who got the vaccine in January and encouraged members to follow his example. Church-owned Brigham Young University in Utah has asked students to report their vaccination status but is not requiring vaccinations. Masks are required in classrooms and any indoor spaces where social distancing isnt possible. Missionaries who are not fully vaccinated are also unable to receive an assignment outside of their home country. Regarding masks at services, top church officials have said it's up to bishops to encourage people to follow local public health guidelines. In mid-August, they went so far as to release a statement calling on members to get the vaccine, which they described as safe and effective. Among other denominations in the U.S., faith leaders have varied widely in how they address the issues of vaccinations and mask wearing. To a large extent, there has been vocal support for getting vaccinated including from top leadership of conservative bodies such as the Southern Baptist Convention and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. However, some Catholic prelates and evangelical pastors have been sharply critical of the the vaccine campaign and masking mandates, and others have shied away from addressing those issues for fear of angering some congregation members. An August AP-NORC poll found that among white evangelicals, 51% are at least somewhat confident in the vaccines to be effective against variants, compared with 73% of Catholics, 66% of white mainline Protestants such as Presbyterians and Lutherans, 65% of nonwhite Protestants and 67% of the religiously unaffiliated. Some Latter-day Saints have accused those who promote anti-vaccine rhetoric of apostasy, a term that is associated with wickedness and describes when individuals turn away from church principles. Kristen Chevrier, co-founder of a Utah-based health freedom group that has advocated against vaccine mandates, said the church should not be involved in health choices, and she worries people are being discriminated against based on their vaccine status. Chevrier, who is a member of the faith, said she rejects the idea that people who are anti-vaccine are apostates. She cited the churchs history of encouraging members to seek their own personal revelations with God. How can we say that theres a blanket statement that applies to everyone regardless of their personal revelation, said Chevrier, whos based in American Fork, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) south of Salt Lake City. Many members have voiced concerns on social media that pro-mask and pro-vaccine sentiments arent shared by all regional church leadership, with some describing their experiences as bishop roulette. Unmasked bishops at an Idaho church read the statement from top church officials to the congregation, but only a few chose to start wearing masks. One member, Marie Johnson, said she has been disappointed that so many in her community have heeded misinformation on social media rather than church leaderships continued calls for vaccination. You can find something on the internet to support any position you want to take, said Johnson. Why would you choose the side that doesnt include your faith leader? But some churches began resuming masking practices even before the leaders' statement. One Salt Lake City church has been encouraging vulnerable people to participate in meetings virtually and sent a message to congregants in early August recommending that everyone wear masks and get the vaccine. Our faith leaders have been so consistent from the very beginning, said Sren Simonsen, of Salt Lake City. And to hear people say, This is a hoax, it doesnt matter, its not affecting us, when millions of people have died, its heartbreaking. ___ Eppolito 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 has been updated to correct that Church President Russell M. Nelson is a former heart surgeon, not a cardiologist, and to clarify the vaccination rules for missionaries. 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. LENOIR, N.C. (AP) Officers shot and wounded a man who investigators believe stole a vehicle from a North Carolina parking lot, police said. A news release from the Lenoir Police Department says two undercover officers and a patrol officer confronted Joshua Alan Kirby, 25, in response to a 911 call regarding an armed man. According to police, officers perceived a threat from Kirby and shot him. The news release didn't say if Kirby fired at officers, but did say one of the officers suffered a graze wound. The gun that Kirby had was recovered on the scene, according to the news release, After the officers gave first aid, Kirby was taken to a local hospital, where police said he was in critical condition. The officer who was grazed was treated at a local hospital and released, police said. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is looking into the shooting. The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, which is the standard procedure whenever officers fire their weapons. LAS VEGAS (AP) A Nevada man who pleaded guilty in state and federal courts to crimes stemming from the abduction and rape of two teenage girls was sentenced Tuesday to about 15 more years in federal prison and lifetime supervision as a top-tier sex offender. I just wish I had more help before this, that's all, Jimmy Carter Kim said as he pleaded for leniency from U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware in Las Vegas. Kim blamed his crimes on the death of his mother, his dark place emotional state and the use of drugs that had him high all the time. I just beg you show me any small amount of mercy, he said. Boulware had said he had trouble accepting the complex plea deal that let Kim combine his federal sentence with the 10-to-25 years plus lifetime supervision he received in state court in July. But the judge finally said he was satisfied Kim would serve approximately 15 years starting from today, after deducting time he has already served behind bars. Kim, 32, has been in state and federal custody since his arrest in December 2015. After prison, he will face a new psychiatric evaluation, federal supervision for 36 more years and a ban on contact with children. The sentencing brought an end to years of court delays and negotiations that Kims deputy federal public defender, Rebecca Levy, and prosecutor Christopher Burton said avoided a trial at which victims would have to testify. Burton called it an effort to help (one) victim avoid retraumatization by having to relive everything that happened to her at the hands of the defendant. Kim was arrested after a 14-year-old Arizona girl escaped to a Las Vegas-area convenience store and told police he abducted her near her home; drove her to his fathers home in North Las Vegas; kept her locked for a month in a bedroom; threatened her with a handgun; raped her repeatedly; photographed her in sex acts; and left her with a bucket for a toilet when he was gone. Kim pleaded guilty in state court to two felony charges of attempted sexual assault with a minor under 16, based on accounts by the Arizona girl and a 15-year-old from Las Vegas who went to Reno before telling police she had also been kept captive for two weeks at a home in North Las Vegas. State prosecutors dropped 81 other criminal charges including kidnapping, sexual assault, lewdness, sexual battery and use of a minor in producing pornography. Convictions on the most serious charges kidnapping and sex assault of a minor could have gotten Kim life in state prison. His guilty plea in federal court was to one count of sexual exploitation of children. He had also been charged in September 2018 with kidnapping and possession of child pornography. Kim complained Tuesday that he was the victim of unspecified violence by other inmates. Boulware agreed to ask prison officials to assign him to a facility that specializes in protecting sex offenders. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Kevin Doxzen, Arizona State University (THE CONVERSATION) Zolgensma which treats spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic disease that damages nerve cells, leading to muscle decay is currently the most expensive drug in the world. A one-time treatment of the life-saving drug for a young child costs US$2.1 million. While Zolgensmas exorbitant price is an outlier today, by the end of the decade therell be dozens of cell and gene therapies, costing hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars for a single dose. The Food and Drug Administration predicts that by 2025 it will be approving 10 to 20 cell and gene therapies every year. Im a biotechnology and policy expert focused on improving access to cell and gene therapies. While these forthcoming treatments have the potential to save many lives and ease much suffering, health care systems around the world arent equipped to handle them. Creative new payment systems will be necessary to ensure everyone has equal access to these therapies. The rise of gene therapies Currently, only 5% of the roughly 7,000 rare diseases have an FDA-approved drug, leaving thousands of conditions without a cure. But over the past few years, genetic engineering technology has made impressive strides toward the ultimate goal of curing disease by changing a cells genetic instructions. The resulting gene therapies will be able to treat many diseases at the DNA level in a single dose. Thousands of diseases are the result of DNA errors, which prevent cells from functioning normally. By directly correcting disease-causing mutations or altering a cells DNA to give the cell new tools to fight disease, gene therapy offers a powerful new approach to medicine. There are 1,745 gene therapies in development around the world. A large fraction of this research focuses on rare genetic diseases, which affect 400 million people worldwide. We may soon see cures for rare diseases like sickle cell disease, muscular dystrophy and progeria, a rare and progressive genetic disorder that causes children to age rapidly. Further into the future, gene therapies may help treat more common conditions, like heart disease and chronic pain. Sky-high price tags The problem is these therapies will carry enormous price tags. Gene therapies are the result of years of research and development totaling hundreds of millions to billions of dollars. Sophisticated manufacturing facilities, highly trained personnel and complex biological materials set gene therapies apart from other drugs. Pharmaceutical companies say recouping costs, especially for drugs with small numbers of potential patients, means higher prices. The toll of high prices on health care systems will not be trivial. Consider a gene therapy cure for sickle cell disease, which is expected to be available in the next few years. The estimated price of this treatment is $1.85 million per patient. As a result, economists predict that it could cost a single state Medicare program almost $30 million per year, even assuming only 7% of the eligible population received the treatment. And thats just one drug. Introducing dozens of similar therapies into the market would strain health care systems and create difficult financial decisions for private insurers. [Over 110,000 readers rely on The Conversations newsletter to understand the world. Sign up today.] Lowering costs, finding new ways to pay One solution for improving patient access to gene therapies would be to simply demand drugmakers charge less money, a tactic recently taken in Germany. But this comes with a lot of challenges and may mean that companies simply refuse to offer the treatment in certain places. I think a more balanced and sustainable approach is two-fold. In the short term, itll be important to develop new payment methods that entice insurance companies to cover high-cost therapies and distribute risks across patients, insurance companies and drugmakers. In the long run, improved gene therapy technology will inevitably help lower costs. For innovative payment models, one tested approach is tying coverage to patient health outcomes. Since these therapies are still experimental and relatively new, there isnt much data to help insurers make the risky decision of whether to cover them. If an insurance company is paying $1 million for a therapy, it had better work. In outcomes-based models, insurers will either pay for some of the therapy upfront and the rest only if the patient improves, or cover the entire cost upfront and receive a reimbursement if the patient doesnt get better. These models help insurers share financial risk with the drug developers. Another model is known as the Netflix model and would act as a subscription-based service. Under this model, a state Medicaid program would pay a pharmaceutical company a flat fee for access to unlimited treatments. This would allow a state to provide the treatment to residents who qualify, helping governments balance their budget books while giving drugmakers money upfront. This model has worked well for improving access to hepatitis C drugs in Louisiana. On the cost front, the key to improving access will be investing in new technologies that simplify medical procedures. For example, the costly sickle cell gene therapies currently in clinical trials require a series of expensive steps, including a stem cell transplant. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the National Institute of Health and Novartis are partnering to develop an alternative approach that would involve a simple injection of gene therapy molecules. The goal of their collaboration is to help bring an affordable sickle cell treatment to patients in Africa and other low-resource settings. Improving access to gene therapies requires collaboration and compromise across governments, nonprofits, pharmaceutical companies and insurers. Taking proactive steps now to develop innovative payment models and invest in new technologies will help ensure that health care systems are ready to deliver on the promise of gene therapies. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has provided funding for The Conversation US and provides funding for The Conversation internationally. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/new-gene-therapies-may-soon-treat-dozens-of-rare-diseases-but-million-dollar-price-tags-will-put-them-out-of-reach-for-many-164990. HELENA, Mont. (AP) Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte announced a rule Tuesday that encourages schools to give parents final say on whether children should wear facial coverings after several large districts imposed mask requirements amid surging COVID-19 infections in the state. It comes a day after the U.S. Department of Education 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. Gianforte, a Republican, stopped short of issuing an outright order. Still, medical experts said the rule would likely weaken public trust in masks as an effective tool to combat COVID-19. The governor said in a statement that masking in schools, which is recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is based on inconclusive research. He also said masking could have adverse effects on children's health, well-being and development. The CDC issued its guidance in light of the rapid spread of the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19. A growing body of evidence suggests masks are highly effective in limiting the spread of the virus in schools. The new rule says schools should consider parental concerns" when adopting mask mandates and should provide parents the ability to opt out of health-related mandates for a wide array of reasons, including physical and mental health, developmental needs, religious beliefs and moral convictions. Adam Meier, director of the state health department, said in a statement that the agency would encourage schools to take into account all of these factors and implement any mitigation strategies in the least restrictive means as possible to maximize learning outcomes for Montana children. Districts that have implemented mask requirements include Missoula and Billings. In Missoula, a group of parents who oppose the mandate has sued. They cite the same research mentioned by Gianforte, including a CDC study from May 2021 that found masking in schools did not have a statistically significant impact on the spread of COVID-19. In a letter to parents and staff Tuesday, Helena Public Schools Superintendent Rex Weltz wrote that the district would continue its mask requirement for students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Students who opt out of wearing a mask can access virtual learning rather than attending school in-person. Weltz said the policy represents the least restrictive guidelines necessary to preserve the health and safety of students and staff." A group of medical associations called a meeting to discuss their response to the rule. Several medical experts cited concern over the possibility that it would reduce masking as COVID-19 infections surge across Montana. I worry that the governor's office is stepping out of its usual role in trying to interpret medical literature in a way that's going to be confusing to parents, said Dr. Lauren Wilson, vice president of the Montana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. In the context of heightened emotions right now, that is a poor choice. Dr. Greg Holzman, Montanas former chief medical officer who served through April, said he did not understand the reasoning for the new rule because it is not binding. I dont think it helps when we are trying to bring our communities together to work together to end this pandemic, he said. Im not sure what this really adds except for challenges. Holzman said data used to back the rule was cherry-picked to fit the administrations views on masks. I just dont understand where theyre pulling this and why they are choosing these few articles and dont have any comments on any of the other stuff coming out, he said. ___ This story has been corrected to show that the new Montana rule encourages schools to give parents the final say on school masking requirements, but it does not require schools to do that. BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) Friends and fellow lifeguards sat on the beach and sobbed Tuesday at the spot where a 19-year-old lifeguard was killed by lightning a day earlier, the second on-duty death of a teenage lifeguard in New Jersey in less than two weeks and a stark reminder of just how dangerous the job can be. They hugged each other, cried, and looked out to sea as flowers piled up at the base of the lifeguard stand where Keith Pinto was killed by a bolt of lightning Monday afternoon. Michael Cordiano of Toms River worked with Pinto as a lifeguard but had a day off on Monday. He recalled his friend and cross-country running teammate as a great kid, really funny. He never failed to bring a smile to the room; he was always the life of the party, Cordiano said. "He was a great partner on the beach. He took it really seriously. He always had the people in the water's safety (in mind). He knew he had to protect them; that was his job and he did a good job at it. It almost feels unreal; I was just with him a couple of days ago. Police say Pinto was one of eight people struck by lightning shortly after 4:30 p.m. Monday; the other seven people have since been released from area hospitals, a township spokesperson said. Three other lifeguards were among those injured by the lightning strike. One temporarily lost hearing in one ear, but later regained it, according to the mother of one of the injured guards. The strike happened at the 21st Avenue beach, near the entrance gates to Island Beach State Park, just south of Seaside Park. Pat Noonan was clamming in Island Beach State Park a few miles away when he and friends noticed a storm gathering, and decided to get out of the water. As we did, you could hear a big crack of thunder, he said. It literally jumped out of the cloud, said Lynda McHugh, who had just left the beach moments earlier. People came running off the beach. On Aug. 20, 16-year-old lifeguard Norman Inferrera III died a day after an accident in Cape May, on New Jerseys southern tip. A lifeboat he was rowing was struck by a wave and flipped over, knocking him unconscious, authorities said. The line-of-duty deaths were extremely unusual for lifeguards, according to Tom Gill, a spokesperson for the U.S. Lifesaving Association. He said the two New Jersey deaths in less than two weeks were just the second and third he can recall in the last 30 to 40 years. This just doesnt happen, Gill said. For two fatalities in such a short time frame in the same general area, this is a tragedy beyond measure. Gabriella Dellolio was a classmate of Pinto at Toms River High School North, where they both ran on the track team. I feel overwhelmed, she said. It's a lot to handle, knowing that I used to be in class with this kid. It doesn't feel real at all. I just remember him being a really happy-go-lucky kid, very athletic, she said. He loved to swim. He was just a really nice kid, never had a bad day, always happy. I know he loved what he did. We just graduated with him last summer. Nothing feels real. Berkeleys beaches are closed to swimming through Thursday as crisis counseling is made available to lifeguards and beach staff. People will be allowed to sit on the beach and sunbathe. ___ Follow Wayne Parry at http://twitter.com/WayneParryAC COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Ohio University and Miami University announced Tuesday they're joining the list of campuses requiring students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as cases rise amid spread of the delta variant. Being fully vaccinated by Nov. 15 will be required for participation in spring semester classes and other in-person activities at OU. At Miami, students must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 22, and those who dont have at least a first dose by Oct. 25 cant register for spring classes. OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) An Oklahoma appeals court on Tuesday reversed four previous rulings that overturned death penalty cases based on a U.S. Supreme Court decision that limited state jurisdiction for crimes committed on tribal reservations. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals ruled earlier in August that the U.S. Supreme Court decision in what is known as the McGirt case does not apply retroactively. The McGirt ruling found that Oklahoma lacks jurisdiction for crimes on tribal reservations in which the defendants or victims are tribal citizens. On Tuesday, the same appeals court vacated its rulings that had cited the McGirt decision in overturning the cases of death row inmates Shaun Bosse, James Ryder, Miles Bench and Benjamin Cole Sr. It was not immediately clear if the ruling reinstates the death penalty in the four cases. Were reviewing (the ruling) right now to determine the next steps, said Alex Gerszewski, spokesperson for state Attorney General John OConnor. The appeals court issued a one-paragraph ruling in each case saying the court will rule later on each inmates request for post-conviction relief. A ruling on post-conviction relief could still overturn, or uphold, either the conviction or the sentence. Attorneys for the four inmates did not immediately return phone calls for comment. Cole, 56, was sentenced to death for killing his 9-month-old daughter in Rogers County in 2002. Ryder, 59, was sentenced to death for the 1999 killing of Daisy Hallum, 70, and to life without parole for killing her son, Sam Hallum, 38, in Pittsburg County. Bosse is on death row for killing his girlfriend and her two children and Bench was condemned for death of a 16-year-old girl who was abducted from a convenience store. Each of the cases fall under the McGirt decision because the crimes all occurred on tribal reservations and the victims in the cases of Bosse, Cole and Ryder were tribal members. Bench was member of the Choctaw Nation. Under McGirt, the cases fall to federal prosecutors and federal charges have been filed against Bench, Bosse and Cole. OConnor, the state attorney general, has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its McGirt ruling. TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) The parents of a former south-central Idaho middle school student have filed a lawsuit against the school district contending a teacher instructed other children to wrap their child tightly in a sheet and push her down concrete stairs while the teacher recorded video on his cellphone. The complaint filed earlier this month by Shane and Barbara Schaeffer against the Twin Falls School District and instructor Froylan Vargas seeks a jury trial to recover medical expenses as well as money for pain and suffering from injuries that included a traumatic brain injury, scalp laceration and right knee injury. The school district denies any wrongdoing, and has asked that the lawsuit be dismissed. It says others not under its control, including the student, may have been guilty of careless misconduct at South Hills Middle School. Brian Hilverda, a Twin Falls-based attorney representing the parents, told the Times-News that the students were participating in a class assignment in November when they reenacted events from literature or history. He said he's not sure what event was being reenacted. Hilverda said the students were reluctant to do the assignment, but did so at Vargas' urging. Hilverda said that afterward, the students mother picker her up from school and took her to receive medical attention. He said the child continues to receive medical treatment for the head injury. Hilverda said the student returned to the school, but left and finished the school year elsewhere. She didnt receive the support that was probably necessary to make her successful at the school again, he said. The school district in its response to the lawsuit acknowledged that the student attended a social studies class taught by Vargas at South Hills Middle School. But the district denied any responsibility. If the student suffered any damages, the district said in court documents, they were caused by the negligence, fault, or comparative responsibility of others, including Plaintiff. Jacksonville Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Samuel E. Stanberry was arrested at 3:27 p.m. Monday on a retail theft charge after being accused of leaving Walmart at 1941 W. Morton Ave. without paying for merchandise. THEFTS, BURGLARIES A bicycle was stolen from a garage in the 200 block of South Kosciusko Street, according to a report filed at 9:30 a.m. Monday. ACCIDENTS Donyesha S. Calhoun, 20, of Chicago was cited on charges of failing to give information after striking an unattended vehicle or other property, improper lane use and operating an uninsured vehicle. Police said she was cited after a car swerved to avoid an animal about 7 p.m. Sunday in the 1500 block of West College Avenue, went off the road, struck a ditch and then went through the campus of the Illinois School for the Deaf and onto Grand Avenue before stopping. Brown County Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS Darrin A. Renfrow, 31, of Beardstown was arrested at 11 a.m. Aug. 24 on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of methamphetamine and on an unspecified Brown County warrant. Pike County Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS Christy Lynn Bass, 43, of Amarillo, Texas, was arrested at 12:44 a.m. Friday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Patricia P. Touchette, 57, of Barry was arrested at 1:49 a.m. Aug. 23 on a charge of possession of methamphetamine. Thomas J. Wallace, 38, of Barry was arrested at 2:41 a.m. Aug. 23 on a charge of possession of methamphetamine. Larry J. Lierly, 39, of Clayton was arrested at 12:03 p.m. Aug. 24 on a petition to revoke probation or modify bail bond. Douglas D. Reese, 59, of Griggsville was arrested at 10:39 p.m. Friday on a charge of possession of methamphetamine. Justin J. Baker, 30, of Griggsville was arrested at 9:05 p.m. Sunday on a charge of possession of methamphetamine. Lisa J. Otten, 56, of Hannibal, Missouri, was arrested at 9:34 a.m. Aug. 24 on a charge of obstructing justice. Rachel B. Zupan, 28, of Hannibal, Missouri, was arrested at 10:44 a.m. Aug. 24 on a charge of attempting to foil or defeat a screening test and on a petition to revoke or modify bail bond. Barry C. Washington, 45, of Hart, Texas, was arrested at 1:13 a.m. Friday on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Isaiah W. Hudnall, 37, of Hull was arrested at 10:49 p.m. Sunday on charges of assault and domestic battery. Phillip D. Ashby, 53, of Jeffersonville, Indiana, was arrested at 9:29 p.m. Thursday on charges of receiving/possessing/selling a stolen vehicle and on a warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court. Robert S. Bricker, 40, of Pearl was arrested at 3:41 p.m. Aug. 24 on a charge of possession of methamphetamine. Dekota L. Matthews, 22, of Roodhouse was arrested at 6 a.m. Friday on a charge of possession of a controlled substance. Pittsfield Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Myles E. Speyrer, 28, of Albany, Louisiana, was arrested at 12:55 a.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of a controlled substance. Samuel T. Wells, 28, of Pittsfield was arrested at 11:48 a.m. Aug,. 24 on a petition to revoke. Compiled by David C.L. Bauer TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Only three of 16 projects financed with STAR bonds are meeting requirements for bringing visitors and spending to Kansas, and it could still take decades for them to return the tax revenue diverted for the bonds, according to a new state audit. Sales Tax and Revenue Bonds allow municipalities to issue bonds for developments, which are then supposed to pay off the bonds through sales tax revenue generated by bringing in tourists from other states to visit. 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 COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) The South Carolina Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in two challenges to a state rule limiting the ability of school districts to require masks for students and educators. South Carolina lawmakers put a requirement in the state budget threatening school districts with withholding state money if they required masks. That provision took effect July 1, when the state was averaging less than 150 COVID-19 cases a day. Now the state is seeing around 4,500 new cases daily, and deaths are spiking as hospitals become strained at a time when children return to school and vaccinations lag. In one case, state Attorney General Alan Wilson has sued the city of Columbia over City Councils decision to pass a state of emergency over the rise in cases and then to require masks for workers and anyone under age 12 in schools. City leaders have said the mask requirement, which carries a $100 violation fine, is meant to protect children too young to be approved for the coronavirus vaccine. In the second challenge, Richland School District 2 is suing the state, asking the Supreme Court justices to suspend the mask ban until it can rule on the previous case. On Tuesday, lawyers supporting the mask mandates said the legislature overstepped constitutional boundaries by putting the mask rule a policy unrelated to state finances in the budget, which aims to raise and spend money. State law requires legislation have a single subject. City and school authorities can also draw from separate pots of money, such as local funds, to enforce mask-wearing, said Chris Kenney, an attorney representing the city of Columbia. All they have said is, do not spend our money on a mask mandate, Kenney said. The citys ordinance complies with that entirely. Attorneys for the state disagreed, pointing out that state funds help pay for the salaries of the teachers and administrators who would have to enforce a mask mandate. Several justices questioned whether it was possible to separate the use of state money and other funds when enforcing the mandate. Deputy Solicitor General Emory Smith said that school districts can't make such distinctions in their accounting, given how closely teachers work with students and how much time they spend in the classroom. It's all intertwined," he said. Some school districts have already implemented mask mandates despite the budget requirement, though most are still waiting to see what the court decides. With most districts entering the third week of school, health officials have already tracked more than 3,000 COVID-19 cases among students and staff, with thousands more quarantined. Chief Justice Don Beatty said the courts ruling will be based purely on law, noting that the court isnt made up of medical health professionals or politicians. The high court ruled earlier this month that a different budget requirement did not prevent the state's public colleges and universities from instituting mask mandates on their campuses. The federal Department of Education has also opened a civil rights probe into South Carolina and four other Republican-led states with similar bans on school mask mandates, saying the policies could amount to discrimination against students with disabilities or health conditions. Disability rights groups and parents of children with disabilities represented by the ACLU have made similar arguments in an attempt to reverse the state ban on mask mandates in federal court. Many others including Republican state Education Superintendent Molly Spearman, the states health agency, pediatrician organizations, House Democrats, teachers groups, an association of school board members and a group of two Democratic and two Republican state senators have all said schools should be able to require masks. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) A bomb-laden drone on Tuesday crashed into an airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia, wounding eight people and damaging a civilian plane, Saudi state television reported, the latest assault on the kingdom amid its grinding war in neighboring Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen blamed the assault on Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, saying it was the second such strike on Abha airport in the last 24 hours. An earlier ballistic missile attack scattered shrapnel across the tarmac but caused no casualties. The Houthis did not claim responsibility for the strikes and its military spokesman did not answer calls seeking comment. Saudi forces said they downed the drone, and that their interception sent fragments flying that punctured small holes in a passenger plane, shattered glass and wounded citizens of Bangladesh, Nepal and India. One Bangladeshi man remained in critical condition, the coalition said, without offering further details about the assault. The attack comes just days after missiles and drones slammed into a key military base in Yemen's south, killing at least 30 Saudi-backed Yemeni troops and marking one of the deadliest attacks in the country's yearslong civil war. No one claimed responsibility for the strike, which bore the hallmarks the Iranian-supported rebels. Since 2015, Yemen's Houthi rebels battling the Saudi-led military coalition have targeted international airports, along with military installations and critical oil infrastructure, within Saudi Arabia. Those attacks, often striking near the southern cities of Abha and Jizan, have rarely caused substantial damage but over the years killed at least one person, wounded dozens and rattled global oil markets. Within Yemen, the Saudi-led bombing campaign has drawn international criticism for killing civilians, hitting non-military targets like hospitals and wedding parties and devastating infrastructure in the Arab world's most impoverished nation. The Yemen war has settled into a bloody stalemate even as international diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting intensify. The Houthis have accelerated their push to wrest control of the oil-rich government stronghold of Marib in recent months, and escalated their cross-border attacks on the kingdom. As the rebels pressed their offensive on Marib, the Yemeni military said it thwarted an attack on the nearby city of Rahbah on Monday. The raging battles around the critical Marib province in recent months have left thousands of fighters dead, mostly Houthis, and killed 12 government troops on Monday, said a military official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to reporters. Yemens war started in 2014, when the rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of the countrys north. The Saudi-led military coalition intervened months later to dislodge the Houthis and restore the internationally recognized government. The war has killed some 130,000 people and spawned the worlds worst humanitarian disaster. ___ Associated Press writer Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report. Southeast Texas residents and aid organizations are rallying to help evacuees and storm victims in the area and in Louisiana as many still wait to see what Hurricane Ida has left of their homes. Some evacuees arrived in parts of Orange and Jefferson counties ahead of Idas Sunday afternoon arrival ashore, and others left without shelter may be arriving in the days to come. The American Red Cross is establishing connections and coordinating efforts at shelters in four different states, including Texas, and opened two shelters in Orange on Tuesday. Those shelters at a local church and Orange County Convention and Expo Center will give evacuees a place to stay until Louisiana officials give the okay to return. Jennifer Sparks, a spokesperson with Red Cross, said the situation was still fluid by Monday afternoon, as the organization relied on shelters in bordering states to provide a place to stay while other options were established. We do have some shelters being activated in Louisiana, but many of those may take time to be fully staffed since the people there may have also had to take shelter before the storm, Sparks said. In the meantime, other churches and organizations in the area, like Destiny Church in Pinehurst, have already called for resources and are exploring ways to make their eastern neighbors more comfortable. Around 30 people were in shelters in Orange by Monday afternoon, and more were expected to arrive on Tuesday. One of those families seeking refuge came upon the shelter in the expo center by chance after leaving their home in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana an area most media reports describe as badly impacted by Idas 150 mph winds. Tonya and Larry Pledger, their 3 children Amillia, Tyson and John her sister, mom and dad and sisters children all made a last minute decision to leave their homes on Saturday morning and spent the next two days in a Nederland hotel. It was a tough decision for the group of 11 to leave, Tony Pledger said, as they didnt have a lot of money to spare and were unsure of what would happen to their homes. We thought about staying, because we really didnt have the money to leave..., Tonya Pledger said. After seeing forecasts of Idas intensification to a Category 4 hurricane, she said she felt like she had no choice but to find a safer place for her children. But, by Sunday night, the family couldnt afford to stay in their single hotel room any longer. While getting gas in Orange County on Monday morning and mulling plans about what to do while they were waiting for an all clear to return home, Tonya asked a cashier where they might get some help. Luckily, the attendant sent them down the road to the Convention Center, where the Red Cross had just recently opened the shelter space. Now, the group is waiting for the next round of news and are ready to return home as soon as possible, but they say they are well aware that they may be facing weeks without power or water. Updates from family members have them expecting the worst, as her parents home suffered a demolished fence and collapsed porch. Its very stressful, Tonya Pledger said. Were hoping were going home to an actual home but we live in a trailer, so probably not. When evacuees return to the Houma, Louisiana, area, there will be Southeast Texans waiting on them with a hot meal. A large trailer was parked at Madisons on Dowlen Road in Beaumont most of Monday, where it was waiting to be driven to Houma the next day at noon. 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. 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 lay the groundwork for the effort with connections in Louisiana, but there is still uncertainty 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 continuous 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 overnight, 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. Key organizations like the Southeast Texas Food Bank are also focusing on the essential work of providing meals for the weeks and months to come, but are still waiting for orders from the large network of regional food banks. Barbara Newhouse, president and CEO of Southeast Texas Food Bank, said most regional partners were still waiting for Louisiana food banks to conduct a thorough assessment so they can tell their partners exactly what they need. She expects that process to last until Wednesday, after which work could go into high gear. We have to make sure all our efforts in Louisiana are based on what they tell us they need, Newhouse said. It would only be harmful and not helpful to just steam in with no direction. Sometimes our reaction as good human beings can be a bit overwhelming to those in the moment in the crisis. Working smarter and conserving resources will also be key for the food bank as it continues to meet demands heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic and provides the essential resources needed to feed and care for evacuees staying in Southeast Texas. There is still work to be done while precise plans are formed, and the food bank has already finished distributions of water and other supplies to Jefferson County in the likelihood that impacts from the storm drifted west before landfall. When things start moving in earnest, organizations like the food bank will need plenty of volunteers, which is why it is currently collecting names and numbers of people that call its line so it can activate its workforce when supplies need to be sent out. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said Tuesday she has activated nine soldiers from the state National Guard to help with COVID-19 testing in the western part of the state amid a surge of infections. This past week, I had conversations with all three South Dakota hospital systems and asked them what they needed as cases start to rise again, she said in a statement. Monument asked for the National Guard to assist them in their testing efforts, and we are happy to help. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) South Koreas National Assembly approved legislation on Tuesday that bans app store operators such as Google and Apple from forcing developers to use their in-app payment systems. South Korea is reportedly the first country in the world to pass such a bill, which becomes law when it is signed by the president, whose party has backed the legislation. The tech giants have faced widespread criticism over their practice of requiring app developers to use in-app purchasing systems, for which the companies receive commissions of up to 30%. They say the commissions help pay for the cost of maintaining the app markets. The legislation prohibits the app market operators from using their monopolies to require such payment systems, which means they must allow alternative ways to pay. It says the ban is aimed at promoting fairer competition. The bill aims to prevent any retaliation against developers by banning the companies from imposing any unreasonable delay in approving apps. Apple criticized the legislation in a statement Tuesday, saying it will 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 make parental controls and other features less effective. We believe user trust in App Store purchases will decrease as a result of this legislation" and lead to fewer opportunities for Korean app developers, the company said. The legislation also allows South Korean authorities to investigate the operations of app markets to uncover disputes and prevent actions that undermine fair competition. Regulators in Europe, China and some other markets worry about the dominance of Apple, Google and other industry leaders in payments, online advertising and other fields. Chinese regulators have fined some companies for antimonopoly violations, while other governments are wrestling with how best to keep markets competitive. The Korea Internet Corporations Association, an industry lobby group that includes South Koreas largest internet companies including search and online shopping giant Naver, welcomed the passage of the bill, which it said would create healthier competition and give users a wider variety of content at cheaper prices. Google said it is considering how to comply with the legislation. Google Play provides far more than payment processing, and our service fee helps keep Android free, giving developers the tools and global platform to access billions of consumers around the world," it said in a statement. "And just as it costs developers money to build an app, it costs us money to build and maintain an operating system and app store. Well reflect on how to comply with this law while maintaining a model that supports a high-quality operating system and app store, and we will share more in the coming weeks, it said. In the U.S., Apple last week announced that it had agreed to let developers of iPhone apps send emails to users about cheaper ways to pay for digital subscriptions and media. The concession was part of a preliminary settlement of a lawsuit filed on behalf of iPhone app developers in the U.S. It also addresses an issue raised by a federal court judge who is expected to rule soon on a separate case brought by Epic Games, maker of the popular video game Fortnite. The judge wondered why Apple couldnt allow developers of apps like Fortnite to display a range of payment options within their apps. Over the past year, both Google and Apple reduced their in-app commissions from 30% to 15% for developers with less than $1 million in annual revenue a move covering most of the apps in their respective stores. But the lower commissions dont help the largest app makers like Epic and Spotify, which have taken their complaints around the world. The European Unions executive Commission has accused Apple of distorting competition by forcing developers to use its payment system as well as forbidding them from letting users know about cheaper ways to pay for subscriptions that dont involve going through an app. Dozens of U.S. states filed a lawsuit in July taking aim at Googles store. Australian regulators, meanwhile, have also said theyre concerned about restrictions on in-app purchases that mean developers have no choice but to use Apple and Googles own payment systems, according to an interim report into the dominance issued in April. BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Workers at three Starbucks coffee shops in the Buffalo area filed petitions Monday with the National Labor Relations Board asking for a vote on union representation, the latest development in a nationwide, pandemic-era reckoning on wages and working conditions. Employees at the stores told The New York Times they were seeking to organize under the Starbucks Workers United banner to address chronic problems such as understaffing, unpredictable scheduling and insufficient training. KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) The Taliban reveled in their victory after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, reiterating their pledge Tuesday to bring peace and security to the country after decades of war. Their anxious citizens, meanwhile, are waiting to see what the new order looks like. Having humbled the worlds most powerful military, the Taliban now face the challenge of governing a nation of 38 million people that relies heavily on international aid, and imposing some form of Islamic rule on a population that is far more educated and cosmopolitan than it was when the group last governed Afghanistan in the late 1990s. Thousands who had worked with the U.S. and its allies, as well as up to 200 Americans, remained in the country after the massive airlift ended with the last U.S. soldiers flying out of Kabul international airport just before midnight Monday. President Joe Biden defended his handling of the withdrawal, saying the U.S. government had reached out 19 times since March to encourage all American citizens in Afghanistan to leave. Turbaned Taliban leaders flanked by fighters from the group's elite Badri unit toured the airport Tuesday and posed for photos. Afghanistan is finally free, Hekmatullah Wasiq, a top Taliban official, told The Associated Press on the tarmac. "Everything is peaceful. Everything is safe. He urged people to return to work and reiterated the Taliban's offer of amnesty to all Afghans who had fought against the group over the last 20 years. People have to be patient, he said. Slowly we will get everything back to normal. It will take time. A long-running economic crisis has worsened since the Taliban's rapid takeover of the country in mid-August, with people crowding banks to maximize their daily withdrawal limit of about $200. Civil servants haven't been paid in months and the local currency is losing value. Most of Afghanistan's foreign reserves are held abroad and currently frozen. We keep coming to work but we are not getting paid, said Abdul Maqsood, a traffic police officer on duty near the airport. He said he hasn't received his salary in four months. A major drought threatens the food supply, and thousands who fled during the Taliban's lightning advance remain in squalid camps. Afghanistan is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe, said Ramiz Alakbarov, the local U.N. humanitarian coordinator. He said $1.3 billion is needed for aid efforts, only 39% of which has been received. The challenges the Taliban face in reviving the economy could give Western nations leverage as they push the group to fulfill a pledge to allow free travel, form an inclusive government and guarantee women's rights. The Taliban say they want to have good relations with other countries, including the United States. There are few signs of the draconian restrictions the Taliban imposed last time they were in power. Schools have reopened to boys and girls, though Taliban officials have said they will study separately. Women are out on the streets wearing Islamic headscarves as they always have rather than the all-encompassing burqa the Taliban required in the past. I am not afraid of the Taliban, said Masooda, a fifth-grader, as she headed to school on Tuesday. When the Taliban last ruled the country, from 1996 to 2001, they banned television, music and even photography, but there's no sign of that yet. TV stations are still operating normally and the Taliban fighters themselves can be seen taking selfies around Kabul. On Tuesday, the sound of dance music trickled out of an upscale wedding hall in Kabul, where a celebration was in full swing inside. Shadab Azimi, the 26-year-old manager, said at least seven wedding parties had been held since the Taliban takeover, with festivities moved to daytime because of security concerns. He said the Taliban have yet to announce any restrictions on music, but that wedding singers have canceled out of caution, forcing him to use tapes. Azimi said a Taliban patrol stops by a couple times a day, but only to ask if he needs help with security. Unlike the now-disbanded police of the toppled, Western-backed government, the Taliban don't ask for bribes, he said. Former officials, including police officers, were always asking us for money and forcing us to host their friends for lunches and dinners, he said. This is one of the positive points of the Taliban. Abdul Waseeq, 25, runs a women's clothing shop in downtown Kabul selling Western-style jeans and jackets. The Taliban have left him alone, but his clientele seems to have vanished and he's concerned about the banking crisis. Most of our customers who were buying these kinds of clothes are gone, evacuated from Kabul," he said. For now, the Taliban appear less interested in imposing restrictions on daily life than in getting the country running again, a task that could prove challenging to fighters who have spent most of their lives waging an insurgency in the countryside. They are expected to focus on the Kabul airport, where scenes of desperation and horror played out for weeks as tens of thousands fled in a massive U.S.-led airlift. Early Tuesday, the airport was littered with artifacts of the withdrawal. Inside the terminal were scattered piles of clothes, luggage and documents. Several CH-46 helicopters used by American forces were parked in a hangar. The U.S. military says it disabled 27 Humvees and 73 aircraft before leaving. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid later said technical teams are repairing and cleaning the airport and advised people to avoid the area for the time being. The Taliban have said they will allow people with legal documents to travel freely, but it remains to be seen whether any commercial airlines will be willing to offer service. The Taliban are expected to hold talks with Qatar and Turkey on resuming airport operations. I hope you will be very cautious in dealing with the nation," Mujahid said in a speech at the airport, addressing the Taliban fighters gathered there. "Our nation has suffered war and invasion, and the people do not have more tolerance. At the end of his remarks, the fighters shouted: God is greatest! Despite billions of dollars in Western aid over the past two decades, more than half of Afghans survive on less than a dollar a day. For the poorest, the change from one ruling system to another hardly matters in their daily struggle to survive. Sal Mohammad, 25, collects scrap metal and sells it to support his wife and 2-year-old daughter. On a good day, he makes about $5. I don't feel that anything has changed in my life since the Taliban took over Kabul," he said. "I dont care about any of them, neither the Taliban, nor the government, nor the U.S. I would like peace in my country, nothing more. - Akhgar reported from Istanbul and Krauss from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Rahim Faiez in Istanbul and Sayed Ziarmal Hashemi in Kabul contributed. BANGKOK (AP) Thai lawmakers on Tuesday began a no-confidence debate targeting Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and five of his Cabinet members, with the opposition focusing on charges the government bungled its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The debate is scheduled to last four days, with voting by the lower house set for Saturday. Organizers of ongoing anti-government street protests have vowed to step up their own separate efforts during the debate to force Prayuth out of office. His coalition government is generally expected to turn back this weeks challenge, even though it has come under intense criticism for failing to secure timely and adequate supplies of COVID-19 vaccines. Sompong Amornvivat, leader of the main opposition Pheu Thai party, kicked off the debate with a fierce attack, charging that Prayuth is a power-crazed arrogant person unsuitable to lead the country. If we let him continue his leadership, it will lead to more people being infected and losing their lives, said Sompong. There wont be enough crematoriums in service and there will be no way to stop the spread of the disease. He drew an objection from a government member of parliament when he said the situation recalled a saying that A stupid leader will lead us all to death, because a stupid person with power is the worst danger. This is the third no-confidence debate faced by Prayuth since he came to power after a 2019 general election. He also served as prime minister in a military government in 2014-2019 after seizing power in a coup as army commander. A third wave of the coronavirus arrived in April and spread rapidly, accounting for 97% of the more than 1.17 million confirmed cases since the pandemic began, and more than 99% of the 11,495 total deaths. Prayuths administration was largely successful at keeping the coronavirus at bay last year, although lockdowns and travel restrictions devastated the economy, particularly the key tourism industry, which virtually collapsed after most foreign visitors were barred entry. The governments handling of the economy also promises to be a hot subject of debate. I think everyone can feel the same hopelessness and doubt about how our economy will recover, Pichai Naripthaphan, deputy leader of the opposition Pheu Thai party, told The Associated Press ahead of the debate. He noted that Thailands economy is forecast to grow the slowest this year of all Southeast Asian nations. We hope that this no-confidence motion will lead to some changes either a Cabinet reshuffle or the coalition parties withdrawal later. Digital Economy Minister Chaiwut told reporters ahead of the debate that he is ready to field the oppositions questions. He said the government is focusing on solving the COVID-19 problems as soon as possible so that people can live their lives normally, and if there is a political change, that effort might falter. It is not the time to focus on politics, he said. If the overall situation improves next year, then we can discuss political changes. Chaiyun Chaiyaporn, a political scientist at Bangkoks Chulalongkorn University, said he does not believe the debate can break up the ruling coalition and bring down the government. He suggested that the targeted ministers will be able to successfully defend their handling of the pandemic. The debate by the opposition parties may reduce Prayuths legitimacy among the public, but not among the coalition parties. I think their relationship remains strong, he said. In addition to Prayuth, the opposition plans to grill government ministers belonging to three main coalition parties. They are Deputy Premier and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob from the Bhumjai Thai Party, Labor Minister Suchat Chomklin and Digital Economy Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn from the ruling Palang Pracharath, and Agriculture Minister Chalermchai Sri-on from the Democrat Party. Prayuth and Anutin will likely bear the brunt of the oppositions attack, since they are the ones most closely associated with COVID-19 policy. DOVER, Del. (AP) A Delaware state trooper who has won recognition for his traffic enforcement efforts is facing criminal charges alleging that he issued phony traffic warnings to motorists. Authorities announced Tuesday that Cpl. Edwin R. Ramirez has been indicted on felony charges of tampering with public records and issuing a false certificate. He also faces misdemeanor charges of falsifying business records and official misconduct. Ramirez faces up to nine years in prison if convicted on all charges. His attorney, Eugene Maurer, said his client denies the charges. Ramirez is expected to turn himself in on Wednesday for arraignment. Authorities allege that, during the month of April, Ramirez issued more than two dozen written warnings to motorists without their knowledge. In many cases, officials say there was no traffic stop. In several others, according to investigators, Ramirez was driving his patrol vehicle, sometimes at speeds exceeding 70 mph (113 kph), when the warnings were issued. In one case, a warning was issued to a female driver, even though video evidence showed that Ramirez had made contact with a male driver. Ramirez also issued warnings to a person who was in Virginia at the time of the alleged stop, and to a person who was at home attending virtual parent-teacher conferences at the time the warning was issued, authorities said. One of the alleged victims works for Delaware State Police communications, and another is a Sussex County police officer, according to the indictment. These victims deserve an apology for getting wrapped up in this ridiculous scheme, Attorney General Kathy Jennings said in a prepared statement. This kind of ham-fisted misconduct undermines the work that good police officers do every day to earn and honor the publics trust. Officials noted that, while warnings dont carry financial penalties, drivers who have received warnings are less likely to be given consideration in future traffic stops, and more likely to be stopped in the first place. Jennings said the full scope of Ramirezs alleged misconduct has yet to be determined. Officials said the scheme came to light after a supervisor at Troop 9 in Odessa was reviewing police reports on April 30 and came across an accident report that was linked to E-Warning in an electronic database. The report, however, did not indicate that a warning had been issued, and a check with the motorist involved found that the person never received the warning, authorities said. The supervisor then began reviewing tickets and warnings issued by Ramirez during the month of April and compared them to police dashcam footage. A subsequent search of Ramirezs patrol vehicle uncovered a sheet he kept with a list of Troop 9 officers and their traffic citation statistics. Investigators also found Ramirezs annual evaluations for 2019 and 2020, both of which included a sergeants commendation for excellent traffic productivity, according to the indictment. In February, Ramirez was recognized as the 2020 Troop 9 Traffic Ace, with a captain noting that he had issued 458 traffic citations and 640 warnings last year. The accolades that this trooper misappropriated are not worth the felony charges hes now facing, Jennings said, adding that traffic stops should be about road safety, not padding performance reviews. Ramirez, who has been with the DSP for six years, has been suspended. UNITED NATIONS (AP) The United Nations chief urged all nations to help the people of Afghanistan in their darkest hour of need, saying Tuesday that almost half the population needs humanitarian assistance to survive and the country faces the threat of basic services collapsing completely. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern at the deepening humanitarian crisis in the country in a statement on the first day of Taliban rule after the withdrawal of the last U.S. forces from Afghanistan. He offered some grim statistics of the looming humanitarian catastrophe: 18 million Afghans need aid to survive, one in three dont know where their next meal will come from, over half of all children under age 5 are expected to become acutely malnourished in the next year, and every day people are losing access to basic goods and services. Amid a severe drought and with harsh winter conditions on the horizon, extra food, shelter and health supplies must be urgently fast-tracked into the country, Guterres said. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the current $1.3 billion U.N. humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan is only 39% funded. Guterres said a new emergency appeal for the next four months is expected next week. For us," Dujarric said, the day after is just another day in Kabul. Weve been present in Afghanistan for over 60 years, and we are remaining and standing shoulder to shoulder with the Afghan people. He said a U.N. assessment team went out in Kabul on Tuesday. While aid operations have not been able to resume in the capital, he said, a World Health Organization plane with supplies was able to land in Mazar-e-Sharif in the north on Monday and the World Food Program has also been able to resume operations in the country. With the Taliban now in control of the country, Dujarric said the secretary-general would like to see, and hopes the international community would like to see, the formation of an inclusive government, full respect for human rights ... especially when it comes to women, and to ensure that the hard won gains of especially the last two decades do not evaporate, and ensuring that Afghanistan is not used as a base for terrorism. As Afghanistan embarks on a new future, Pramila Patten, the acting head of UN Women, urged the Taliban to reaffirm their commitment to comply with Afghanistans 2004 constitution and international treaties that guarantee equality to all citizens, and to guarantee the full and equal participation of women in the political and decision-making processes. Patten said in a statement the hard-won gains that Afghan womens rights activists have fought for cannot be reversed or rolled back. Urgent action is needed now to ensure the full participation of women in the public and political life of Afghanistan, she said, and the Taliban must ensure that women are protected from gender-based threats and attacks, which violate their rights and impede their effective participation. In a joint statement, Virginia Gamba, the U.N. special representative for children and armed conflict, and Najat Maalla Mjid, the special representative on violence against children, said at least 45% of the Afghan population is younger than 15. They called on the Taliban and other parties in Afghanistan to respect the dignity and human rights of all Afghans, including boys and girls. VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) Valparaiso University, citing criticism and the potential loss of federal money, said it will close a program that promotes Chinese music. The Confucius Institute will continue performances before closing March 1, university President Jose Padilla said Monday. We are proud of what the CIVU program has accomplished over the last 14 years, Padilla said. We hosted CIVU as part of a cultural, international and apolitical exchange that many universities and governments, including the state of Indiana, pursue to expose their students and others to an ever-global world and economy. The program was supported by the Confucius Institute headquarters in Beijing and Zhejiang University of Technology. Padilla said federal law prohibits the Pentagon from funding research at universities with a Confucius Institute. Another bill would restrict U.S. Education Department funding, he added, a blow that would be devastating. Padilla said more than 80 universities are closing Confucius Institutes. Valparaiso plans to create a program to continue the exchange of Chinese music and language without money or staff from China. Padilla said the closing is not related to an investigation recently announced by Attorney General Todd Rokita, who suggested the partnership might be promoting communism. LAWRENCE, Mass. (AP) A U.S. Marine who was among 13 killed in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan was honored Tuesday evening in her hometown. Officials in Lawrence, Massachusetts, held a vigil with Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo's family at Veterans Memorial Stadium. 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." MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) A wildfire burning a few miles north of Moscow, Idaho, was threatening buildings and prompting mandatory evacuations, officials said. The fire had burned about 150 acres by Tuesday morning and was not contained. KREM-TV reported that mandatory evacuations were issued for Idlers Rest, West Twin Roads and Moscow Mountain Road. One home had been lost to the fire as of Tuesday morning, officials said. Moscow Rural Fire Department, Moscow Fire Department, Pullman and Whitman County fire crews were on the scene. Emergency responders are asking that people avoid the area and to not fly drones near the fire. A shelter has been set up at the Latah County Fairgrounds. In a Facebook post, the city of Moscow said the fire had burned significant land and multiple structures. MADISON, Wis. (AP) A fawn is back in the Wisconsin woods after two deputies rescued it from a homeowners swimming pool. The Dane County Sheriffs Office said a town of Springfield homeowner reported a buck fawn had fallen into his pool around 1 p.m. on Monday and was barely able to keep its head above water. Even San Antonio Zoos big cats and monkeys are being vaccinated now. But its unclear whether there will be backlash online from anti-vaxxers, who aggressively have criticized other zoos nationwide for giving their animals the shots. The San Antonio Zoo announced Monday it is scheduled to receive its first shipment of a COVID-19 vaccine distributed by the veterinary pharmaceutical company Zoetis. The drug has been authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The first doses will be administered in the coming weeks. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio archdiocese says it will not provide religious exemption for COVID vaccines Our veterinary and animal care teams have worked incredibly hard to protect and prevent our animals from contracting COVID-19 through increased disinfection, personal protective equipment and new guest procedures, said Tim Morrow, the zoos president and CEO. Vaccinating our animals is one more important step. African lions and Sumatran tigers will be among the first to receive the vaccine in San Antonio. Among the first primates to be vaccinated are the white-cheeked gibbons and the Francois langur. More species, including monkeys and ferrets, are due to receive the vaccine as it becomes available, zoo officials said. The vaccine is similar but not identical to the vaccine developed for humans. Animals will require a booster shot three weeks after the first injection, zoo officials said. Several zoos across the United States have reported that animals have contracted the virus. Among the infections were tigers and lions at the Bronx Zoo and a gorilla troop at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Lions and tiger cubs have died from the virus in zoos in India and Pakistan. In February, the San Diego Zoo became the first in the country to receive the vaccine, according to National Geographic. Several zoos followed, including the Detroit Zoological Society on Monday. After the Oakland Zoo announced plans to vaccinate some of its animals in July, it faced intense backlash from anti-vaxxers. On ExpressNews.com: This San Antonio church gave its members $100 and told them to 'pay it forward' Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals later put out a statement in support of the Oakland Zoo and vaccines. These vaccines have been clinically tested and administered to animals only after deep consideration by veterinary professionals. Since growing numbers of big cats, apes, and otters in zoos are contracting SARS-CoV-2the virus that causes COVID-19from asymptomatic humans, the evidence clearly indicates that the benefits of vaccination in susceptible species far outweigh the dire risks of infection for unvaccinated animals. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association have not recommended vaccinating pets, saying the need for a vaccine to lessen clinical signs of COVID-19 in dogs and cats is questionable. In a news release, the San Antonio Zoo did not say whether COVID-19 infections have been found in its animals. The zoo did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Timothy.Fanning@express-news.net No one who knew Cody Norris ever doubted he was destined to become a soldier. Norris drove a 1952 Army truck he had refurbished, hung out at the local military museum and joined the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps in his freshman year at La Porte High School, long before he was old enough to enlist. The 20-year-old finally was living his dream as an Army infantryman when he was killed by enemy fire Nov. 9 during his first deployment to Afghanistan. "He loved what he was doing," said Pastor Jim Bob Benton, who gave the eulogy at Norris' funeral on Monday. "It was like he was made to do what he was doing, and he loved his family, and those two things came together to bring him where he was." More than 400 mourners packed the sanctuary and spilled into an overflow room at First United Methodist Church in La Porte to honor Norris, a private first class assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, at Fort Riley, Kansas. Norris' love of the military was evident in all his activities, from paintball and deer hunting, to video games and ROTC. At age 16 or 17, Benton said, Norris convinced his stepfather to let him buy an old M37 Army truck, which he fixed up and drove to classes. "It wasn't a fast ride," Benton said. "It took an hour, hour and a half, every day, back and forth," but the slow commute didn't bother Norris. His own man "As his dad said, Cody marched to the beat of his own drum," and wasn't afraid to be himself, Benton said, even if that meant driving an antique truck or wearing camouflage outfits and Superman capes. "He didn't follow trends," Benton said. "He was a trend-setter. He knew who he was supposed to be and he lived like that." Norris joined the Army in 2010, not long after graduating from La Porte High. He briefly returned home from Afghanistan on leave last month to celebrate his 20th birthday with family and friends. Norris savored the time with his loved ones, but "he was eager to go back," Benton said. "He knew he needed to go back. He had buddies he wanted to protect and one of the things he told everybody was, 'Look, I'm not afraid to die.'" He quoted Norris' own words on his Facebook page: "I love what I do as my job and my dream in life and no one can take that way from me. I am trained by the best, and I will be the best as I can. Wanna do all I can for the ones I love and my country. To keep all of us free!!! Even if it means death." Benton closed with a prayer of thanks for Norris' service, "and all the things for which he fought. May we never take them for granted." Gift from God To have known Norris was a gift from God, the pastor said. "That's not something that can be taken away," Benton said. "He's with us. He'll be with us always, forever young." Norris is survived by his father, Reese Norris, mother Terri Vegil-Norris, stepfather Kenneth Rogers, grandparents Robert and Patricia Vegil and Geneva Pynes, and older brother Michael Norris, a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point. His flag-draped coffin was escorted to the cemetery at Grand View Memorial Park in Pasadena by an honor guard of police and motorcycle-riding Patriot Guard Riders. lindsay.wise@chron.com 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 The San Antonio Zoo will soon start administering COVID-19 vaccines for its animals. On Tuesday, August 31, the attraction announced in a news release its scheduled to receive its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine and will give its animals the first doses in the coming weeks. Animal health company, Zoetis, donated the vaccine for animals to the zoo. The business is sending more than 11,000 doses of its experimental COVID-19 vaccine to nearly 70 zoos, according to a July 2 news release from Zoetis. According to a Zoetis statement, "at least 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases have an animal origin, including COVID-19. Now more than ever before, we can all see the important connection between animal health and human health." The first San Antonio Zoo animals to receive the vaccine will be the African lions, Sumatran tigers, white-cheeked gibbons, and Francois langur. More species will receive the vaccine as it becomes available, according to the release. Experimental use is being authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Texas state veterinarian, the zoo stated in its release. "We are very excited to be one of the initial zoos in the country to obtain and administer the Zoetis vaccine," Tim Morrow, the San Antonio Zoo CEO and president, stated in the release. "The safety of our animals, guests, and zoo crew is our top priority. Our veterinary and animal care teams have worked incredibly hard to protect and prevent our animals from contracting COVID-19 through increased disinfection, personal protective equipment, and new guest procedures. Vaccinating our animals is one more important step." The zoo's veterinary staff expects delivery soon and is coordinating with animal care staff on specific dates when the vaccines will be given. The vaccine is similar, but not identical, to the same vaccine developed for humans and will require a booster three weeks after the first injection, according to the news release. Zoetis launched the vaccine deployment to dozens of zoos after following a request from the San Diego Zoo, which confirmed COVID-19 cases in its gorillas in January. Terror in Kabul. Thats what CNN branded its coverage of the two powerful suicide bombs that exploded in the sea of U.S. soldiers and Afghani civilians surrounding the Kabul airport. As of late Thursday, U.S. Marines and a Navy medic were dead and other American military were wounded by suicide bombers belonging to the splinter terrorist group ISIS-K, who are rivals and sworn enemies of the Taliban. The explosions outside the airport gates, which everyone knew were inevitable, also killed more than 60 Afghans and wounded at least 140 more. The death toll from those bombs is sure to rise and more bombings are expected. Meanwhile, about 5,200 U.S. soldiers remain inside the airports perimeter as the chaotic and botched Biden Airlift continues to evacuate Americans, other foreigners and terrified Afghans. No one especially President Biden knows what will happen next, or if the humiliating and bungled evacuation will meet next Tuesdays promised deadline. It took Biden about eight hours before he addressed the country about the bombings. Somber, serious and sad, he took responsibility kind of for the fiasco that has unfolded in Kabul in the last two weeks. He said he intended to meet the Aug. 31 deadline for completing the evacuation of all U.S. forces. And he warned the ISIS-K terrorists who carried out the attacks that We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down. Politically, President Biden and his party own the disaster in Kabul and the 13 American deaths. So far he and his friends in the media have not blamed President Trump, but we know they probably will. Eight months after Trump left office, and they still have not been cured of their Trump Derangement Syndrome. Biden likes to claim, as he hinted at today, that he inherited the problem of the Afghanistan pull-out from the deal Trump made with the Taliban early in 2020. But Biden and his generals had eight months to plan how to safely leave Afghanistan without risking American lives and without leaving behind the thousands of Afghans who worked with us. Yet because he hates Trump so much, Biden immediately threw away the Trump administrations logical evacuation plan and instead removed U.S. troops first, Americans and other civilians second and left about $80 billion in military gear behind. No one ever said getting America out of Afghanistan after two decades was going to be easy or bloodless. But the way the Biden administration has bungled everything in Kabul makes the Bay of Pigs look like a smoothly run operation. The president likes to blame his biggest problems on what Trump did, but hes the one whos responsible for Kabul and for wrecking several important parts of our country in just eight months. He inherited a mostly closed southern border with hundreds of miles of new walls and he immediately opened it up to millions of illegal immigrants. He inherited a booming energy sector and he immediately hobbled it by shutting down the Keystone pipeline and issuing anti-fracking regulations on federal lands. Now, as gasoline prices are soaring, hes begging our so-called friends in Saudi Arabia to pump more oil. Biden also inherited an economy that was rebounding nicely from the COVID lockdowns and immediately began wrecking it with higher taxes, gigantic spending policies and higher inflation. The president likes to blame Trump for everything that has gone wrong under his watch even vaccine hesitancy. But when you are pointing a finger at Trump for everything thats wrong, there are three fingers pointing back at you and youre not accepting responsibility. Ultimately, however, whos really at fault for what happened today? Us. Because as were pointing our fingers at Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and his people for the harm theyre doing to the country and for bringing us the catastrophe in Afghanistan, three fingers are pointing back at us, the American people, who elected these fools. Michael Reagan, the son of President Ronald Reagan, is an author, speaker and president of the Reagan Legacy Foundation. To the Editor, Hitler was right on one thing. Whoever has the youth has the future. Republican U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL-15) said that. That is the same Rep. Mary Miller who is now calling for President Biden to be impeached for his handling of the departure from Afghanistan. That airlift saved 123,000 American and Afghan lives and was mandated by terms that then president Donald Trump negotiated with the Taliban. Negotiated with terrorists. In her announcement, Rep. Miller states, incorrectly, that President Biden released Taliban prisoners back to Afghanistan. In fact, Trump negotiated that as part of the withdrawal plan and, among those 5,000 Taliban prisoners, was the new leader of Afghanistan Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. In another lie (which she knows is a lie) Rep. Miller claimed that immigrants at our border with Mexico are coming in unimpeded, when in fact they are being held in Mexico, per Trumps decree. Now I know that the people of the Illinois 15th Congressional District are conservative and they chose Rep. Miller over her Democratic opponent. But I also know that those citizens are not gullible enough to believe the lies of a freshman member of congress. I hope they will let her know in 2022 that they cannot be played as fools. Jim Grandone Edwardsville WASHINGTON (AP) Addressing the nation, a defensive President Joe Biden on Tuesday called the U.S. airlift to extract more than 120,000 Afghans, Americans and other allies to end a 20-year war an extraordinary success, though more than 100 Americans and thousands of Afghans remain behind. Twenty-four hours after the last American C-17 cargo plane roared off from Kabul, Biden vigorously defended his decision to end America's longest war and withdraw all U.S. troops ahead of an Aug. 31 deadline. I was not going to extend this forever war, Biden declared from the White House. "And I was not going to extend a forever exit. Biden has faced tough questions about the way the U.S. went about leaving Afghanistan a chaotic evacuation with spasms of violence including a suicide bombing last week that killed 13 American service members and 169 Afghans. He is under heavy criticism, particularly from Republicans, for his handling of the evacuation. But he said it was inevitable that the final departure from two decades of war, first negotiated with the Taliban for May 1 by former President Donald Trump, would have been difficult with likely violence, no matter when it was planned and conducted. To those asking for a third decade of war in Afghanistan, I ask, What is the vital national interest?" Biden said. He added, "I simply do not believe that the safety and security of America is enhanced by continuing to deploy thousands of American troops and spending billions of dollars in Afghanistan. Asked after the speech about Biden sounding angry at some criticism, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that the president had simply offered his forceful assessment. Biden scoffed at Republicans and some Democrats who contend the U.S. would have been better served maintaining a small military footprint in Afghanistan. Before Thursdays attack, the U.S. military had not suffered a combat casualty since February 2020 around the time the Trump administration brokered its deal with the Taliban to end the war by May of this year. Biden said breaking the Trump deal would have restarted a shooting war. He said those who favor remaining at war also fail to recognize the weight of deployment has come with a scourge of PTSD, financial struggles, divorce and other problems for U.S. troops When I hear that we couldve, shouldve continued the so-called low-grade effort in Afghanistan at low risk to our service members, at low cost, I dont think enough people understand how much weve asked of the 1% of this country to put that uniform on, Biden said. In addition to all the questions at home, Biden is also adjusting to a new relationship with the Taliban, the Islamist militant group the U.S. toppled after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in America, and that is now once again in power in Afghanistan. Biden has tasked Secretary of State Antony Blinken to coordinate with international partners to hold the Taliban to their promise of safe passage for Americans and others who want to leave in the days ahead. "We dont take them by their word alone, but by their actions," Biden said. We have leverage to make sure those commitments are met. Biden also sought to push back against criticism that he fell short of his pledge to get all Americans out of the country ahead of the U.S. military withdrawal. He said that many of the Americans left behind are dual citizens, some with deep family roots that are complicating their ability to leave Afghanistan at the moment. The bottom line: 90% of Americans in Afghanistan who wanted to leave were able to leave, Biden said. For those remaining Americans. There is no deadline. We remain committed to get them out, if they want to come out. Biden repeated his argument that ending the Afghanistan war was a crucial step for recalibrating American foreign policy toward growing challenges posed by China and Russia and counterterrorism concerns that pose a more potent threat to the U.S. Theres nothing China or Russia would rather have, want more in this competition, than the United States to be bogged down another decade in Afghanistan, he said 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. The president lamented an estimated $2 trillion of taxpayer money that was spent fighting the war. What have we lost as a consequence in terms of opportunities? Biden asked. 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. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., on Tuesday described the Biden administration's handling of the evacuation as probably the biggest failure in American government on a military stage in my lifetime" and promised that Republicans would press the White House for answers. Meanwhile, the Senate met briefly on Tuesday with Vice President Kamala Harris presiding over the chamber, to pass by unanimous consent a bill that increases spending for temporary assistance to U.S. citizens and their dependents returning from another country because of illness, war or other crisis. Biden quickly signed the legislation, which raises funding for the program from $1 million to $10 million. A group of Republican lawmakers gathered on the House floor Tuesday morning and participated in a moment of silence for the 13 service members who were killed in the suicide bomber attack. They also sought a House vote on legislation from Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., which among other things, would require the administration to submit a report on how many Americans remain in Afghanistan as well as the number of Afghans who had applied for a category of visas reserved for those employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government. The GOP lawmakers objected as Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., gaveled the House into adjournment. They then gathered for a press conference to denounce the administration. For many U.S. commanders and troops who served in Afghanistan, it was a day of mixed emotions. All of us are conflicted with feelings of pain and anger, sorrow and sadness, combined with pride and resilience, said Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He commanded troops in Afghanistan earlier in his career. But one thing I am certain of, for any soldier, sailor, airman or Marine and their families, your service mattered. It was not in vain. - Associated Press writers Robert Burns and Lolita C. Baldor contributed reporting. Another partisan stalemate has broken out in the final days of the second special session called by Gov. Greg Abbott, again imperiling the jobs of 2,100 legislative staffers along with two key conservative priority bills. On Monday night, Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, abruptly adjourned the House Public Education Committee, which he chairs, without voting on two bills prioritized by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the leader of the Senate: a bill that would limit how educators can teach social studies and talk about race at Texas public schools, referred to as the "critical race theory bill," and another that would require transgender students to participate in sports based on the gender listed on their birth certificate instead of their gender identity. "We have gotten to the point new where the Senate has adopted certain principles and practices that I dont think bode well for this Legislature. I think that whats happened is we have allowed them to do certain things and they disrespect the House in certain fashions," Dutton said. "It has gotten worse to the point where today, what I am told, is that if we dont pass these two bills the [critical race theory] bill and the transgender bill the Senate is not going to consider trying to fix the funding in Article X. So, I want to see if he has his big boy pants on. This meeting is adjourned." Article X refers to the section of the state budget that covers funding for the state Legislature and other independent agencies that support its work. Abbott vetoed legislative funding in June in retaliation for the defeat of his priority election and bail reform bills when Democrats first walked out of the House in May during the final days of the regular legislative session. The Legislature was set to lose its funding this month, as the new fiscal calendar starts Sept. 1, but Abbott and legislative leaders extended its funding through the end of September. Still, the Legislature has not passed a long-term solution for the rest of the next two-year budget cycle, putting in peril the livelihoods of the staffers funded through the Legislature. Lawmakers salaries are constitutionally protected, and therefore not affected by Abbott's veto. House Bill 5, a wide-ranging bill which includes funding for a 13th check for retired school teachers and the restoration of legislative funding, was set to be heard on the chamber floor on Monday but its author Rep. Greg Bonnen, R-Friendswood, suddenly postponed its consideration until Wednesday. Dutton did not say who had told him that the Senate would not pass the legislative funding bill until the House passed the two bills in his committee. His office has not returned a request for comment from The Texas Tribune. Patrick's office did not immediately return a request for comment. The so called critical race theory bill and the transgender athletes legislation are priority items for socially conservative lawmakers and have garnered support from Abbott. Critical race theory is an academic term that studies how race and racism has impacted social and local structures. The bill became a rallying cry for conservatives across the nation last year and several legislatures, including Texas, have already passed bills limiting its teaching in public schools. The bill on transgender athletes received approval from the Senate during the regular legislative session earlier this year but died in the final days of the session in the House. The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans and engages with them about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Texas is poised to enact a wide-ranging elections bill with new voting restrictions that opponents say will make it harder to cast ballots and administer elections in the state. The Texas House on Tuesday passed the final version of the legislation Tuesday, and it could receive approval from the Senate later in the day after a partisan showdown that has lasted three months. If the bill becomes law, Texas will join at least 17 other states that have tightened their voting rules since the 2020 general election. The elections measure is a priority for Gov. Greg Abbott, R, and his Republican allies in the state legislature, who worked to pass it during three separate legislative sessions, starting in the spring. The bill has undergone many changes, some as recently as Monday as the two chambers negotiated the final version. Here's a quick guide to the bill, the debate over its provisions and how it led to a standoff between Republicans and Democrats in the state. - What voting restrictions does the measure impose? The bill targets several methods of voting that were implemented in Texas during the pandemic to help people cast ballots safely. It prohibits drive-through and 24-hour voting - popular in Harris County, home to the Democratic stronghold of Houston - that were disproportionately used by voters of color, local officials said. It also places limits on mail voting, making it a felony for election officials to distribute mail ballot applications unless voters ask for them. "Solicit[ing] the submission of an application to vote by mail" is a felony under the bill. The legislation could make it harder to vote for people who have disabilities or need translation help to vote, advocates for those groups say. Specifically, the measure creates new rules and penalties for people who assist others as they fill out a registration form or cast a ballot. Those people will now have to complete paperwork and swear a lengthy oath on penalty of perjury that they are following the rules. Opponents of the bill have argued this will create a chilling effect on the process and expose people to penalties for unintended missteps. Republicans say the new rules are important for preventing fraud and claim that addressing that risk outweighs any extra burden placed on election officials, voters or the people who assist them. "Senate Bill 1 will make it easier to vote and harder to cheat," said Texas House Republican Caucus Chairman Jim Murphy said in a statement last week, adding that the legislation will "go a long way in ensuring the integrity of our elections." - In what other ways does it tighten election rules? The bill adds additional rules to nearly every aspect of voting and elections. One section that has prompted substantial debate relates to partisan poll watchers. Though they have to receive a copy of a training manual before they can begin their work, the bill gives new powers to such observers, allowing them to "sit or stand near enough to see and hear the election officers conducting the observed activity" and preventing others from denying them "free movement." The poll watchers have to swear an oath that they will not disrupt voting or "harass" voters, but advocates have raised concerns about whether there are enough limits to ensure they abide by that promise. Another contentious section relates to people who register to vote or cast a ballot when they are not eligible to do so. Under the bill, a county registrar has 72 hours to submit an affidavit with the details of the voter's actions to the state attorney general, the secretary of state and the local prosecutor. Critics say this requirement could encourage the criminal prosecutions of people who vote without realizing they are ineligible, citing the case of Crystal Mason, who was sentenced to five years in prison for casting a provisional ballot that was never counted in the 2016 presidential election. Mason was on supervised release for a federal conviction and says she did not realize she was not eligible to vote. State Rep. Briscoe Cain, R, sought to soften the language with an amendment, but it was stripped out during the conference committee with the Senate. The final version of the bill does require courts to tell people who are convicted of a felony how the conviction affects their right to vote. - Does the bill include provisions that would make it easier to vote? Republicans say it is unfair to describe the legislation as mostly restricting voting and tightening election rules. They note that the bill adds an extra hour of voting time during each weekday of early voting and increases the number of counties that must provide at least 12 hours of early voting each weekday in the week before an election. - Why did Republicans fight so hard to pass the bill? The voting process is already harder in Texas than in any other state, according to an academic analysis published last year. But the state legislator who helped shepherd the bill, Rep. Andrew Murr, R, has argued that the rules should be tightened even more to ensure Texans have faith in their elections. "Reforms are needed to the election laws of this state to ensure that fraud does not undermine the public confidence in the electoral process," the bill's text states. State officials have told the legislature there was little evidence of fraud in the 2020 election. But Texas Republicans, like many of their GOP counterparts throughout the country, have pushed this year for stricter rules in their states, echoing former president Donald Trump's baseless claims that voter fraud is a significant problem. - How did Democrats delay the passage of the bill? Texas House Democrats broke quorum three times to stop the new voting restrictions from passing. Their protests blocked the House from conducting business for most of the summer - particularly after they orchestrated a secret exodus of dozens of Democratic legislators from Austin to Washington D.C. in July. Republicans responded by doubling down with lawsuits, arrest warrants for the Democrats and two special legislative sessions aimed at passing the bill. The Democrats said the legislation will be deeply harmful for voters - particularly voters of color, who experts say will be disproportionately affected by its restrictions. "This bill was never about election security or voter integrity," House Democratic Caucus Chair Chris Turner said in a statement last week. "It was always about using the Big Lie to justify restricting access to the ballot box." Some shoreline schools reopened their doors for the 2021-22 academic year on Monday, including Madison Public Schools and East Lyme Public Schools. Daniel Hand High School Principal T.J. Salutari said the first day of school was going smoothly and students and staff were excited to be back together. He added that the custodial staff has been working diligently all summer to prepare the building for the opening. "Fantastic start," he said. "Really, really excited to have the entire student body and faculty and staff all here together. It seems like it's been a long time." Since March 2020, with the beginning of COVID-19 restrictions, there has been some version of remote learning at the school. With some restrictions lifted, Salutari said the start of this year feels different than past years. He called in an obvious energy. "I think people really missed being in school, together, Salutari said. :I think that includes our staff, as well. It's really nice to walk through the halls and see a full building; to be in some classrooms and we were just in the cafeteria - not only is the lunch program, which is outstanding, running full but there are kids being able to sit together, talk with one another, taking advantage of outside seating, still being safe, but it feels like normal school, which we haven't felt in a little while." Masks are required inside the building and Salutari said he was impressed that everyone is abiding by the mandate. Salutari said he knows people do not want to wear them but people are following instructions and nobody had been redirected yet as of mid-morning Monday. Additionally, Salutari said the masks did not take away from the positive energy at the school. At dismissal, students were still wearing their masks as they exited the building, chatting with friends as they walked towards buses or their parents vehicles. In East Lyme, students were welcomed back with smiles and open arms Monday for the districts first day of the 2021-22 academic year. The morning began with the arrival of students at East Lyme High School just after 7 a.m. Teachers were waiting by the curb, donning happy new year crowns, blowing bubbles toward students and offering them mints. Students held hands, smiled, and hugged both each other and teachers as they walked toward the building. If their masks were not already on, they were slipped on by the time they were greeting Superintendent Jeffrey Newton by the entrance. Almost all students were observed wearing masks or face coverings, Newton said just before the morning drop-off at East Lyme Middle School. Newton said only a handful of students forgot their masks, however, once they entered the building, each was given a face covering at the security desk. The day is off to a great start, Newton said outside East Lyme Middle School. The buses were all on time, and I hope the kids were all smiles under their masks. Assistant Superintendent Annaliese Spaziano, who joined the district July 1, was greeting students outside of the middle school alongside Newton. Its a bit of a celebration after last year, Spaziano said when talking about the first day back. I think we were ready to get back. The kids bring life into the building and the school has more life with our students and staff. When asked about what will happen if students have to quarantine or if the pandemic gets worse, Newton said there is no hybrid or remote learning this year. Newton said the administration will figure out a plan if the pandemic worsens. He pointed to mitigation tactics, especially mask use, which allow children to be in-person full time this academic year. Around the corner, parents dropped their little ones off at Lillie B. Haynes Elementary School for their first day. There were some tears and long hugs, but the majority of students were excited to get back into the building, and bounded off the school buses. Chelsea Cushing was dropping her son off for his first day of kindergarten. Both of her sons, including the one in her arms, were wearing masks. She said she felt like the district has done well and is keeping her child safe. I had no hesitation, she said about sending her son to school, citing the districts open communication. When asked about masks and vaccines, Cushing said she will vaccinate her children once it is available to them. christine.derosa@hearstmediact.com Tech companies like Slack, Square and Coinbase have announced their businesses will be remote-first. Others, like Pinterest, Salesforce and Yelp, are shedding office space. Now, according to a new report, more companies have already moved their headquarters outside of California so far in 2021 than in 2020. If the pace keeps up, the number will double what it was last year, according to the report from Stanford's Hoover Institution, a conservative think tank. So far, its data shows that 74 companies have already moved their headquarters to other states in 2021, surpassing the half-year average for 2019 and 2018. It's also more than the number of companies that moved away in all of 2020. Tulane University in New Orleans began evacuating students to Houston early Tuesday after Hurricane Ida left much of southern Louisiana battered and without power. Classes are cancelled through Sept. 12. Once classes resume, they'll be online-only through at least Oct. 6 meaning no students will be allowed on campus until early October. The first buses carrying students left at 10 a.m. Tuesday, according to the university. They'll be expected to make travel plans back home in the coming days. For students unable to make it home, the university said some could be put up with staff who live in the Bayou City. Emergency funds are available for those who need help getting out of Houston. As the storm formed and approached the Gulf Coast, Tulane University asked students to shelter-in-place on campus. Several other universities in New Orleans, including Xavier University of Louisiana and University of New Orleans, also had students ride out the storm. Those campuses remain closed at least through Tuesday, although students are still on campus. Tulane received backlash on Twitter after claiming the storm made a sudden, unpredicted turn toward the Big Easy. Of course, forecast models from the National Hurricane Center predicted the storm's path accurately, even from as far as 72 hours out. It is unclear where exactly the students will wind up, but Tulane officials said they've set up a hub somewhere in the city. The university has a small campus in Uptown. In the years since Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, the 911 system had undergone a major overhaul. The aging telephone system was replaced. Separate centers for medical, police and fire calls were consolidated under one roof. And new call-routing technology to prevent the whole thing from going down during a disaster was scheduled to be installed early next year. Then Hurricane Ida hit, and the 911 call center crashed, failing its first major test. Calls for help didn't go through. The center was offline for 13 hours on Monday. The Orleans Parish Communication District, which runs the dispatch center, was forced to take to Facebook to tell people that if they had an emergency, they should walk to a nearby fire station or flag down a police officer to report it. "Our technology is antiquated," Tyrell Morris, district's executive director, said Monday. Many of the problems that sealed New Orleans' fate 16 years ago didn't arise with Ida. The rehabilitated levee system largely held back the storm surge, and the pumps that drain excess water kept on working, despite the loss of electricity, powered by generators. But emergency communications remained a problem. The dispatch center's new way of receiving 911 calls wasn't ready. The district had signed a contract with AT&T for its ESInet online call-routing system last fall. But work on putting it in place is still months away. AT&T also holds the contract for delivering emergency calls to the 911 center over landlines and through conventional switching stations. That old technology - vulnerable to flooding and power outages - failed. "The calls never got to the building," Morris said. Police and fire officials were still able to talk with dispatchers and each other - their old radio transmissions were not affected. AT&T's basic cell service also came under criticism from average New Orleans residents - and the family and friends trying to reach them, judged by looking at the deluge of complaints on social media. AT&T spokesman Jim Greer responded to questions about whether AT&T fared worse than other carriers after Ida by writing in an email: "I'm not sure that is the case." AT&T said 60% of its wireless network in Louisiana was working normally early Monday - rising to 82% later in the day as crews worked to restore service. Verizon said it was seeing only limited problems. "We are pleased to date with performance of the network," Verizon spokeswoman Karen Schulz said. T-Mobile reported its network was "about 70% operational across Louisiana and Alabama." Greer did not respond to follow-up questions about AT&T's contract with the 911 center. The failure of communications equipment during Ida highlights lessons learned during Hurricane Katrina. That storm knocked out 38 911-call centers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. More than 1,000 cellphone sites went down and an estimated 20 million telephone calls did not go through the day after Katrina hit, according to a later inquiry by the Federal Communications Commission. "The entire communications infrastructure on the Mississippi Gulf Coast was destroyed," said a 2006 report from a special House bipartisan committee that investigated the response to Katrina. "It is at times like these that we are reminded of the importance of being able to communicate," then-FCC chairman Kevin Martin told the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation in 2005. After Katrina, the FCC set up an independent panel to examine the hurricane's effect on local communications networks. It also sought to require cell service providers to keep up to eight hours of backup power at each cell site, but was forced to abandon that plan amid an industry lawsuit, according to the energy trade publication E&E News. Service disruptions are not unusual during a hurricane. Widespread outages occurred following hurricanes Matthew in 2016, Harvey, Irma and Maria in 2017, and Florence and Michael in 2018. Nationwide 911 service outages have happened, too. In August 2014, 50 million T-Mobile subscribers lost access to 911 service for three hours due to a technical error. Another incident in 2017 cut off 911 call access for five hours for 135 million AT&T subscribers. But the loss of cell service in the wake of a hurricane had special resonance in a city still recovering from Katrina. Complaints about people not being able to reach family and friends in the hurricane zone flooded onto Facebook and Twitter - two services that weren't available to the general public when Katrina struck in 2005. "Calls are impossible, for the most part, but texts and some apps appear to work," tweeted one person. A woman trying to check on her family in New Orleans wrote they "managed to get a single text message through to say they're fine - cellphone service is very limited though, so people may not check in for a while." Many complaints seemed to single out AT&T's cell service for criticism. "Do better @ATT!" tweeted one person in Oregon. "I have reached every person in New Orleans who has Verizon. My mother is completely unreachable as well as friends who have @ATT. No one knows if any of them are safe!" A reporter for the Baton Rouge Advocate noted in a tweet that problems with AT&T's cell service reminded her that her newspaper "switched us to Verizon after this happened during 2016 BR [Baton Rouge] floods." Some people posted phone numbers for official parish emergency contacts, while many others directed them to the voice mail line for the Cajun Navy, a volunteer boat brigade that has helped rescue stranded people during major floods and hurricanes. The Cajun Navy's Facebook page Monday morning advised volunteer boat-owners to report to a nearby Days Inn to assist with water rescues and the chain saw teams working on the removal of road debris. They also advised volunteers to chat over the walkie-talkie app Zello, which allows push-to-talk communications for big groups over cell networks and has been used by volunteer rescue teams during other recent natural disasters. Many people turned to the group's Facebook page for help. One woman wrote on Facebook that her mother, who couldn't get home due to a tree blocking roads in her neighborhood, had been at an Exxon station "at 130am with no power. Haven't heard from her since. Her phone provider is out and no wifi without power." Another woman wrote on Facebook Monday morning, "Please dont forget my mom in Folsom. I can't get ahold of her or my sister's . . . thankyou with all my heart." Morris said other parishes also saw their 911 systems go down during Ida thanks to old equipment. AT&T is the provider for all 911 centers in Louisiana, he said. Orleans Parish, home to New Orleans, will be among the first in the state to use the new call-routing technology. As to why it hadn't been installed years ago, Morris said part of the reason was, "It's expensive." A. Officials knew the mandates were coming for years; they should have phased in the increase. B. There's no master plan to justify the millions extra they are collecting. C. It's Save Our Waters Week; this shows officials care about the environment. D. Vote them all out of office. Vote View Results The Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) is a credential for business analysts offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). IIBA is a nonprofit professional association founded in 2003 to promote the field of business analysis. According to the organization, the ECBA covers the foundational knowledge on business analysis ... and showcases that you have the core knowledge and competencies for the in-demand field of business analysis. ECBA is, as its name implies, an entry-level certification, but that doesnt mean you can just jump into it cold. Youll need to complete a certain number of approved training hours before you can apply to take the exam. Youll probably also want to supplement your training with additional resources in preparing for the exam. Here, we dive into the details of the ECBA, and discuss whether an ECBA certification is worthwhile for your career; but first, lets look at where ECBA fits into the landscape of IIBAs credentials, and learn about the body of knowledge ECBA-certified business analysts are expected to master. ECBA vs. CCBA vs. CBAP ECBA is the first step in IIBAs core sequence of credentials for business analysts. Its succeeded by the Certification for Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA) and the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP). Requirements get more extensive as you climb the ladder: CCBA and CBAP require more training, work experience, and expertise than ECBA. Watermark Learning, a company that offers trainings for all of IIBAs certs, breaks down the various requirements, but the important thing to know is that, unlike the other certs, ECBA candidates dont need to document professional experience in the field before they start their certification process. And while you dont need an ECBA certification to pursue one of the higher-level certs, it definitely lays a foundation of knowledge that will be helpful if you choose to go that route. ECBA and BABOK Like the other IIBA certs, the ECBA draws from A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge, also known as the BABOK Guide. The BABOK Guide is a publication from IIBA that aims to serve as a bible for the business analysis industry, collecting best practices from real-world practitioners. It was first published in 2005 and is continuously updated. The BABOK Guide lays out the tasks and knowledge that a business analyst should understand. Its content is divided into six sections, referred to as knowledge areas: Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring Elicitation and Collaboration Requirements Life Cycle Management Strategy Analysis Requirements Analysis and Design Definition Solution Evaluation The BABOK Guide serves as the foundational set of knowledge for the ECBA exam. Even if you have some experience as a business analyst under your belt, youll need to review the BABOK Guide before taking your exam to fully understand its perspectives and terminology. ECBA certification training The only prerequisite for taking the ECBA exam (other than creating an IIBA login and agreeing to the organizations Code of Conduct and Terms of Service) is the completion of 25 hours of IIBA training referred to as Professional Development (PD) hours in the four years leading up to your application. IIBA outlines what kind of training courses qualify toward your PD Hour on its website: They must be moderated or facilitated by an instructor who leads students through the material. There must be measurable learning objectives directly applicable to improving the skills of a business analyst. Students must be able to interact with the material by asking questions or otherwise making the learning meaningful. Students must be allowed to practice the task or objective being presented and be assessed by the facilitator. The subject matter must directly align with the BABOK Guide. IIBA does not offer training courses itself, and in theory, you could make a case for a wide variety of courses that might fit this description. In practice, you will probably want to choose from IIBAs list of endorsed education and training providers; you can see a list of nearby training courses and upcoming exam prep opportunities. These courses all generally hew closely to the exam syllabus and draw directly from the BABOK Guide. ECBA exam Once youve completed your training, you can take the ECBA exam, which consists of 50 multiple-choice questions that you must answer in an hour. Because ECBA is an introductory certification, it doesnt cover the BABOK Guide knowledge areas as in-depth as higher-level IIBA certs do. The current breakdown of questions across the BABOK Guide knowledge areas are as follows: Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring: 5% Elicitation and Collaboration: 20% Requirements Life Cycle Management: 20% Requirements Analysis and Design Definition: 25% The remaining 30% of the exam is on material drawn from across the BABOK lumped together in a category IIBA labels Business Analysis Knowledge. This breaks down as follows: Business analysis and the BA professional: 2.5% Business analysis key concepts: 5% Underlying competencies: 5% Techniques: 17.5% While IIBA does not publicize the passing score for the CBAP exam, consensus from observers is that youll need to answer about 70% of questions correctly. If you fail the exam, you can retake it up to two more times in the year after your initial application. ECBA exam fee, ECBA certification fee, and IIBA membership As with many certifications, there are a number of fees associated with ECBA certification. Applying for certification costs $60, which is nonrefundable. Taking the exam is $235 the first time and $195 if you fail and want to retake it. Youll need to pay for the required PD hours as well, although that can vary widely from course to course. You may also wish to become an IIBA member, which costs $139 in much of North America and Europe, and less in many developing nations. IIBA members get a $125 discount on exam fees, as well as a number of other benefits. ECBA exam locations Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the ECBA exam has shifted to a remote proctored model administered by PSI. This allows you to take the exam from your own home, although youll still be under a proctors watchful eye via your webcam. IIBAs website has details on some of the strict rules for taking the test in this way: For instance, you are only allowed to be off-camera for a single 15-minute break, and can only have a clear water bottle and blank paper on your desk to begin the exam and, once youre finished, must tear up any notes youve taken, to prevent you from passing on too much information about the questions to others. ECBA study guides, sample exam questions, and practice tests As noted, the primary document youll want to use to study for the CBAP exam is the BABOK Guide, which is available from Amazon as well as from IIBA itself. ECBA study guides are a little thinner on the ground than those for other more prominent certifications, but the ECBA Certification Study Guide comes highly rated. Youll probably be exposed to some sample exam questions during the training youll take for your PD hours. But if you want to get a sneak peek as to what the questions will look like, you can check out the sample questions that IIBA makes available on its website. If you want to dive a little deeper, you can check out some practice tests from training companies such as AdaptiveUS, TechCanvass, or ProProfs. ECBA certification salary Possibly the biggest question anyone wants to know about a certification is: Will I make more money if I get this cert? Unfortunately, this is devilishly complex to answer, and anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is trying to sell you something (a certification, probably). Nevertheless, IIBA offers some salary data that suggests a CBAP can boost your pay. According to the IIBA 2020 Business Salary Survey, certified business analysts overall made more than 11% more than their noncertified peers. A particularly interesting stat comes from their 2019 salary survey: ECBA holders in what IIBA labels Region 3, including China, India, and much of the developing world, made 52% more than noncertified respondents. Is ECBA worth it? For those who are just starting out in the industry as an analyst and may not have the advantages of a high-powered college degree or Big 4 consultancy gig, an ECBA can be a good way to show their ambitions and seriousness. The business analyst marketplace can be competitive, says Diane Davidson, owner of Clever Fox Advisory. When hiring a business analyst, my preference is someone from a consulting background versus an industry job. But my second criterion is to look at their certifications and project experiences. Since most certificates are not mandatory in the BA job field, this would show me that someone was dedicated to their career to pursue the certification. Yesterday around 4.30, CNNs Jake Tapper cut short an interview with LaToya Cantrell, the mayor of New Orleans, about the hurricane that just ravaged her city, and threw to the Pentagon, where General Kenneth McKenzie, of US Central Command, announced that American forces had completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan. So, that is some breaking news for you, Tapper said, when he came back on air. The war in Afghanistan is over. Online, national-security correspondents, political reporters, and pundits projected a similar finality; so, too, did banner headlines. (The New York Times: AMERICAS LONGEST WAR ENDS AS LAST TROOPS LEAVE AFGHANISTAN.) Some commentators, however, took issue with that framing. Voices on the right made the case that the war isnt over; America just chose to stop fighting it. Others emphasized the ongoing costs for the Afghans left behind. As Ive written repeatedly in this newsletter, Afghan journalists face a dark future. The Talibans takeover has silenced, threatened, and even killed reporters, with women at particular risk; journalists quit or fled for Kabul; when that city fell, many media workers tried to get out of the country, some successfully, others not. Two weeks ago, Taliban leaders claimed, as part of a broader PR campaign, that they would be gentler than theyd been in the past, and respect press freedoms as long as they dont contradict Islamic values or national unity; a Taliban spokesman sat for an interview with Beheshta Arghand, a female anchor on TOLOnews, Afghanistans biggest private network. But the reality belies the rhetoric. Taliban officials have banned women from working for state TV; there have been reports of physical attacks on both Afghan and foreign reporters, as well as raids on journalists homes. Last week, militants beat up Ziar Khan Yaad, of TOLOnews, while he was reporting in Kabul; they confiscated his phone and asked friends who called it to provide Yaads home address. Fighters also searched the home of Zalmay Latifi, the director of Enikass Radio and TV, and seized cars, weapons, and computers. Latifi wasnt present for the raidhed already gone into hiding. Arghand left Afghanistan just days after her interview. She told CNNs Brian Stelter: Like millions of people, I fear the Taliban. New: CJR looks back at its coverage of race over six decades Saad Mohseni, the CEO of TOLOnewss parent company, said the network is working like crazy to replace reporters fleeing the country; he told Dan Bilefsky, of the Times, that young Afghans, in particular, expect some freedom of information, and that he doesnt think the Taliban will suddenly be able to deprogram people. Still, Mohseni told Bilefksy that he is surprised TOLOnews hasnt been shut down yetan observation that reflects a common fear: once it consolidates its hold on Afghanistan, the Taliban will try to wipe away twenty years of press freedom. Anna K. Nelson, the US executive director of Reporters Without Borders, told Stelter that she worries the country could become a black hole for news. Frud Bezhan, a reporter with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, tweeted after the US withdrawal that Afghan journalists and others who fear Taliban reprisals are already censoring themselves: destroying SIM cards, deleting photos, and deactivating their social media, among other precautions. Broadcasters have been ordered to air Taliban propaganda. A producer at a private network told RSF that, even though the Taliban has not laid down formal rules for the media, in practice, they already control everything we broadcast. If the future of Afghan journalism remains highly uncertain, so, too, does the future of Western news organizations journalism about Afghanistan. There is, of course, no clear boundary between these categories, since foreign outlets have relied on both Afghan media and their own Afghan staffers on the ground. Manythough by no means allof these journalists have now been evacuated; the same is true of foreign correspondents. Overseas outlets now rely heavily on social media and other long-distance reporting tools that are poor substitutes for in-person coverage. Last week, editors at major US outlets told Vanity Fairs Charlotte Klein that their presence in Afghanistan will ultimately depend on the Taliban, and that its too soon to make firm plans. The same outlets promised that, whatever their access, they will continue to prioritize the Afghanistan story even after the US retreat. But theres ample reason to doubt that. The US domestic news cycle is hellishly busy right now, and even in quieter times, the war rarely made headline news. Its taken the withdrawal to tragically, belatedly, refocus attention. Any country that is struggling deserves the medias ongoing engagement, especially where those struggles are a legacy of American intervention. As Ive written before, much US commentary around the withdrawal from Afghanistan has been divorced from the mess that preceded it, presenting a distorted narrative: some pundits who favor continued occupation point to low recent fatality rates among US service members without mentioning the death toll among Afghans, many of them killed by US weapons. Over the weekend, a number of news organizations parroted a US military announcement touting a successful drone strike against terrorists who posed an imminent threat to Kabuls airport; when journalists showed up to the scene, however, they found that the attack seemed to have targeted a civilians car in a residential area, killing ten members of the mans family, seven of them children. The Pentagon continues to claim that it hit its mark, even as its since acknowledged the possibility of civilian casualties. Sign up for CJR 's daily email As several observers have noted, the recent centrality of Afghanistan in the news cycle and the fact that the strike hit Kabul meant that reporters were present to vet the Pentagons claims. But many past US drone strikes have hit remote rural areas, where there have been few, if any, journalists on hand to cover what happened for the international press, and since the Taliban began its advance, independent Afghan news outlets have also faced suppression in provinces far from the capital. Contrary to the view that the war in Afghanistan is over, the Kabul strike, as The Intercepts Murtaza Hussain put it, shows how it may simply enter a new chapter, with the US striking targets with aircraft launched from faraway drone bases. The Biden administration has foreshadowed as much, promising to maintain what it calls over the horizon military capabilities. US news outlets will need to keep an eagle eye on that horizon. Our work isnt done. Below, more on Afghanistan: Some news from the home front: This morning, CJR is out with Beyond Atonement, a package assessing our coverage of race in media over six decades, compiled by our recent class of fellows: Shinhee Kang, Feven Merid, and Ian W. Karbal. CJRs position in journalism is unique; it covers the people who cover the people, acting as a critical voice for colleagues in other newsrooms, Alexandria Neason, our former staff writer, who proposed the project, explains. At the same time, it is very much a part of the structures of oppression pervasive in the industry as a whole. If CJR hopes to be taken seriously as an outlet positioned to read everybody else, it must first read itself. The project revealed an inconsistent, often reactive approach to reporting on racial oppression in the pages of CJR, Neason writes. If reporting is an endeavor in revelation, then its perpetual workas Audre Lorde teachesis to transform silence into language and action. You can read more here. Other notable stories: ICYMI: Counting the costs of an apocalyptic news cycle Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop. NEW YORK A federal appeals court on Monday said Citigroup Inc must face a $343.1 million clawback lawsuit by the trustee liquidating Bernard Madoffs former firm, who accused the bank of turning a blind eye to the late swindlers Ponzi scheme. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan said lower court judges incorrectly required the trustee Irving Picard to prove Citigroup lacked good faith by being willfully blind to red flags suggesting a high probability of fraud. It said the correct standard was whether the New York-based bank knew suspicious facts about Madoff that would have caused a reasonable person to follow up. The $343.1 million represented money that Citigroup received between 2005 and 2008 from a Madoff feeder fund, Rye Select Broad Market Prime Fund LP, that had borrowed from the bank to invest with Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC. Picard said Citigroup accepted that money despite internal suspicions that Madoffs trading activity and investment returns were a sham. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Stuart Bernstein in Manhattan dismissed Picards case after another judge, U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff, imposed the willful blindness standard. But in Mondays 3-0 decision, Circuit Judge Richard Wesley said the plain meaning of good faith in the U.S. Bankruptcy Code required that Citigroup be only on inquiry notice of Madoffs fraud. The appeals court also revived similar clawback lawsuits against Legacy Capital Ltd and Khronos LLC, seeking a combined $219.8 million. Lawyers for Picard had no immediate comment. Citigroup declined to comment. A lawyer for Legacy and Khronos did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Picard has recouped nearly $14.5 billion for Madoff customers, who he has estimated lost $17.5 billion. Madoff died on April 14 at age 82 in prison, where he was serving a 150-year sentence. The cases are Picard v. Citibank NA et al, 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 20-1333; and Picard v. Legacy Capital Ltd et al in the same court, No. 20-1334. MEXICO CITY (AP) Tropical Storm Nora is dropping heavy rains along the Gulf of California after weakening from a hurricane that set off floods and landslides on Mexicos Pacific coast, caused havoc in Puerto Vallarta and left at least one dead and seven missing. Nora weakened from a Category 1 hurricane at midday Sunday after making a brief land passage just inland from the Mazatlan resort area and then moving back over water and entering the narrow gulf. Though it was barely a tropical storm by late Sunday, forecasters warned that its heavy rains still posed a danger for areas along the gulf. Nora had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) late Sunday and was moving to the north-northwest at 12 mph (19 kph). Its center was about 95 miles (155 kilometers) southeast of Los Mochis. Communities in the coastal states of Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco experienced heavy rain and rough surf as the storm moved northward battering itself by staying close to shore. In Jalisco state, officials said a teenager from Spain was killed Saturday night when a hotel partially collapsed in Puerto Vallarta amid severe flooding when Nora passed by the tourist city as a Category 1 hurricane. A woman was also missing there after her car was swept away. Officials said flooding damaged 500 homes and two people were injured in a landslide. Mexicos navy said it was searching for six fishermen from the state of Guerrero who were reported missing at sea. Two rivers overflowed in Puerto Vallarta during the storm Saturday night and flooded part of the center of the town. A torrent of water broke up a bridge and took away part of a small four-story boutique hotel where the dead boy was found Sunday after eight hours of searching. The rest of his family escaped before the collapse, authorities said. Jalisco Gov. Enrique Alfaro said the missing woman in Puerto Vallarta was lost when surging waters dragged her from her car and swept her away The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Nora would keep dragging along the mainland shore of the gulf and was expected to weaken into a tropical depression by Monday night. Moisture from the storm could bring heavy rains by midweek to the U.S. Southwest and central Rockies, the center said. The center said some areas along the west coast of Mexico could see rainfall totals from 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters) with even more in some spots. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Stay up to date on COVID-19 Get Breaking News Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. If you are in sales and trying to bring in new business for your company, I am sure you have heard these words from a customer: Ill get back to you. Beachwood City Council passed incentive packages at its Aug. 30 meeting that will bring GE Current, a Daintree company, to 23550 Commerce Park from its longtime home at Nela Park in East Cleveland. The plan was introduced at an Aug. 25 economic development committee meeting. In exchange for the move to Beachwood, council members unanimously passed a package of three incentives, which includes a job creation incentive grant for 10 years, a $500,000 job creation occupancy grant and a rebate of certain permitting fees in connection with job creation, based on the final plans by Industrial Commercial Properties LLC, which owns the property, and GE Current. About 120 employees will move into ICPs half of the citys former service garage, which totals approximately 120,000 square feet of office and warehouse space facing Commerce Park. Joe Cenin, COO at GE Current, said he is looking forward to making Beachwood its next headquarters. I would like to thank each and every one of you, he said, addressing the council members. Together, we can build something great. Chris Semarjian, owner of ICP, which is based in Solon, spoke to the council and presented renderings for what could be unveiled by April 2022. His son, Austin Semarjian, vice president-leasing and acquisitions of ICP, represents the property. The move would allow GE Current to no longer have to lease space from GE Lighting, a Savant company, which remains headquartered in Nela Park. Following the presentation, council president James Pasch touched on the need to revitalize Commerce Park and how GE Currents move can bring about that needed change. For a long time, weve talked about the need to revitalize Commerce Park and to start to transform it, this marks the beginning of us not just talking about it, he said. This is us doing it. And I could not be more thrilled that were doing it with GE Current. ... I know this is a 12-year lease, but I hope GE Current is here for decades to come. Mayor Martin S. Horwitz shared similar sentiments. We are excited on behalf of the administration for GE Current, which is a Daintree company, to join the many other corporate headquarters established in Beachwood, he said. GE Current carries the legacy as one of the worlds most recognized business names and has an international reputation as a leader in lighting. This is the true spirit of economic development. I urge everyone to support the approval of these ordinances. Ive been around here for a while, and weve talked about all kinds of economic opportunities. This is the kind that doesnt come around often and its only going to lead to more economic development, increased tax revenue and many other benefits. Councilwoman June Taylor said, These ordinances will put our city in a leadership position. It is our hope that what is occurring tonight is the start of a trend in our city that is moving our city forward. We are seeing the product of all of our labors. The city still owns the rest of the space, which is approximately 140,000 square feet fronting Mercantile Road. GE Current is a former start-up subsidiary by GE. Created in October 2015 as Current, powered by GE, it was sold to U.S. private equity company American Industrial Partners. Under the terms of the sale, GE Current maintained the use of the GE brand. The deal closed in April 2019. The meeting was held in place of the city councils regularly scheduled first Monday of the month meeting due to the Labor Day and Rosh Hashanah holidays. 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. Marijo Krogman, 86, Clinton, died Sunday, September 12th. Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Saturday, September 18th at Prince of Peace. Visitation from 9:00 AM until the time of the Mass Saturday. Pape Funeral Home is assisting. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) There's no stopping a "Vice President" Rodrigo Duterte from assuming the highest post in the land for the second time. A hypothetical question was posed to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra in an event hosted by the Rotary Club on Tuesday, if a sitting President dies, can Vice President Duterte succeed him? Guevarra pointed out this is precisely the role of the Vice President, which is to take over. "If the elected president dies in office, becomes permanently incapacitated, or resigns. That is the role of the Vice President, and people are expected to understand that that will happen should they vote for a particular person to the position of Vice President," he explained. There's also nothing in the Constitution that prohibits Duterte from running for Vice President, according to Guevarra. What is barred, he added, is for him to seek reelection. "We have seen this before other former Presidents who ran for other lower positions after they finished their term as President. Former President (Gloria) Macapagal-Arroyo ran for a congressional district position, former President (Joseph) Estrada ran for city mayor. So they may run for other positions, except run again (for) President." President Duterte confirmed he will for run for the second highest seat in the country in the 2022 elections after ruling PDP-Laban party endorsed him. He admitted that he'll go for the vice presidency since the opposition is sure to lose just like what happened in 2019 to Otso Diretso's senatorial slate where none of the candidates made it. But he said last week he will give way if his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, runs for President. Critics slammed the plan which is described as an attempt to evade possible prosecution by the International Criminal Court should the investigation into the Duterte administration's drug war killings proceed. Guevarra, however, reiterated that the Vice President is not immune from suit. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) President Rodrigo Duterte once again slammed the Commission on Audit, this time accusing it of corruption. During his taped public addressed aired Tuesday morning, Duterte challenged the COA to publish the number of criminal cases filed against its General Auditing Office. "Dapat 'yunginyong mga kaso sa Ombudsman, dapat i-publishin (Your cases with the Ombudsman should be published) but there's a law which says that you cannot do that. And we should respect that because that is for everybody," he said. "But on your own, why don't you publish the number of criminal cases filed againstitong (this) GAO, General Auditing Office, involving corruption also? Mas masahol 'yan...eh bribery, tinutulungan pa ninyo mag-falsify, mag-fraud (That's worse, it involves bribery and you are helping them falsify and commit fraud)," he added. This is the latest of the chief executive's tirades against state auditors after they flagged government agencies for mismanagement of public funds. The COA is not exempt from its own auditing efforts. State auditors has questioned their own colleagues at the Commission's central office, noting that over 12.3 million or 99% of their cash advances for foreign and local travel remain unliquidated as of end-2020. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) The Department of Health cannot give COVID-19 special risk allowance at will and without legal basis, as the agency runs the risk of being flagged by the Commission on Audit, President Rodrigo Duterte maintained. "Hindi ka basta basta maggasta, magbayad ka ng walang basis, ma-fa-flag ka na naman," the President said in a taped address that aired on Tuesday. [Translation: You cannot just pay without basis, as you are going to get flagged again.] Duterte's remark came amid complaints from health workers they have yet to receive their SRA and other benefits under the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act or Bayanihan 2,0. The DOH has sought more SRA funds to address delays in payments. COA earlier flagged the release of benefits to health workers not mentioned in the Bayanihan 2, which specified that "those catering to or in contact with COVID-19 patients" shall get the SRA. Duterte said the DOH is now asking Congress if a liberal interpretation can be applied to this SRA provision so all health workers can receive this special allowance. The DOH earlier said it completed the disbursements of SRA funds to nearly 380,000 health workers before the Bayanihan 2 expired on June 30. The agency received additional SRA funds worth around P311 million for 20,000 unpaid health workers and requested more funding for 17,000 more. There are 1.8 million health workers in the country, according to DOH data. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) President Rodrigo Duterte came to the defense of two of his former appointees who are now in the midst of controversy surrounding the government's procurement of medical supplies for its pandemic response. During his taped address that aired on Tuesday, he said no one can question the appointment of his former economic adviser, Chinese businessman Michael Yang, and ex-Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao. Last week, senators harped on the alleged ties between Yang and Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, a small company that has been the government's biggest provider of medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The President described the Davao-based trader as the person who helped the Philippine government close deals. "Lowest bidding kaya ito. Ang nagbili lowest bid. Ano ba reklamo niyo? Kasi si Michael Yang daw. Negosyante ito adre, hindi ito na nagtatapon ito ng pera. May contact ito sa China na malalaking korporasyon at siya ang nag-pagador and made their entry here," he said. Duterte added: "Akala ko ba let us go to China and invite the investors here? Ayun nag-invest nga pero sa panahon ng pandemya. What's wrong with that?" [Translator: This is the lowest bidder. What are you complaining about? Because Michael Yang is linked here? He is a businessman, he knows how to use his money. He has the contact of big companies in China and he helped the businesses enter the country. I thought you wanted investors to come? They entered during the pandemic, what's wrong with that?] Pharmally is now in the spotlight as Congressional hearings reveal it has bagged over P8.68 billion worth of government contracts, including the purchase of allegedly overpriced medical supplies for COVID-19. Based on government documents, it is a small company in Taguig incorporated in September 2019 and with a paid-up capital of only P625,000. Meanwhile, Duterte also defended Lao, who awarded the deal to Pharmally when he was the head of the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management. Duterte added there is nothing wrong with appointing his fraternity brother who has worked with him since he was the mayor of Davao City, but he also told lawmakers not to spare Lao if he is found guilty of lapses in the bidding and procurement process. "Anong masama kung magbayad ako ng utang? Nagtanong kayo saan galing itong tao... Ito fraternity brothers ko. Pero kung sabihin may nakuha o nakita kayo na mali, ipakulong niyo," he said. [Translation: What's wrong with paying a debt of gratitude? You're asking where he came from. He's my fraternity brother. But if you find that he did something wrong, send him to jail.] Senators earlier raised concerned about Lao's failure to cross-check the credentials of Pharmally. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the missteps in procuring from the small company point to a deliberate "plan to plunder" public coffers, with a supposedly mysterious backer whose identity has yet to be revealed. During several rounds of inquiries into the Department of Health's alleged misuse of COVID-19 response funds, lawmakers pointed out that Lao's office bought face masks at 13 and 27 each while the Philippine Red Cross purchased them at only 5. RELATED: Senators seek Ombudsman probe into PS-DBM's 8.6-B deal with firm Lao insisted that face masks and face shields procured in the early days of the pandemic were not overpriced because they were bought when global supply was a problem. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) After the country recorded a new all-time high of new cases, President Rodrigo Duterte said the Philippines' COVID-19 death toll is lower than other countries' fatalities a remark that drew flak. "Hirap ang America ngayon. Ang Europe is suffering from a maraming mas namatay," Duterte said in his taped public address that aired on Tuesday. [Translation: America is facing difficulties. Europe is suffering from more deaths.] "Atin hawa lang, ang patay natin hindi masyado ganun karami," he added. [Translation: In our case it's only the transmission, our deaths are not that many.] Filipinos took to social media to express dismay over Duterte's remark, saying the more than 33,000 deaths are not just numbers, but people who meant the world to their loved ones. The country reported 22,366 new cases on Monday, the highest since the pandemic started last year. Duterte said whether or not the highly infectious Delta variant triggered the latest spike, the country needs to "recalibrate" its response. He also said the Inter-Agency Task Force is studying the shift to localized lockdowns. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) President Rodrigo Duterte dared senators to investigate all government agencies with financial transactions or practices flagged by the independent Commission of Audit (COA), accusing the lawmakers of investigating only the departments of their choice. "Bakit hindi ninyo imbestigahan lahat? Lahat ng na-flag. Marami ang na-flag, hindi lang ang DOH. Kaya lang ang DOH high-profile because of the COVID situation," he said during an address that was recorded late Monday night but aired by the state broadcast network Tuesday morning. [Translation: Why don't you investigate everyone who got flagged? Many (agencies) got flagged, not just DOH. The DOH is just high-profile because of the COVID situation.] The Department of Health is among the departments tagged by the COA over its handling of funds, eventually becoming the subject of probes both in the House of Representatives and the Senate. "Maraming na-flag [Many got flagged]. There are about, almost everybody na-flagnamimili eh [they're being selective]," said Duterte. He also likened senators investigating how the government's pandemic response funds were used to interrogators in Nazi Germany, noting how attendees are being bombarded with questions during hours-long Senate hearings. "I think the last time was about seven hours the longest. Baligtarin mo para kang German interrogators noon sa Nazi. Baligtarin ka nang baligtarin, "Oh 'di ba ganito 'yan?" hanggang 'yung pati si [former Budget Usec. Lloyd Christopher] Lao natulala na," said Duterte. [Translation: You will be flipped like German interrogators did during the Nazi period. You will be flipped and flipped, asked "It's like this, right?" up to the point where even former Budget Usec. Lloyd Christopher Lao is at a loss for words.] The chief executive likewise slammed Senator Richard Gordon, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, for his manner of investigation. "The problem in this inquiry is it reeks with malice. You have already passed judgment on the people you have called, appeared before the committee hearing," said Duterte. "You ask questions and you also answer. You would not even let the person answer kasi ikaw talkative." Gordon, meanwhile, assured he's just following the President's "dictum" of fighting corruption and they are just being open and transparent with their hearings. "Mr. President, I advise you as a friend, if you still consider me as a friendpasagutin niyo sa mga bata ninyo 'yung [let them answer the] issue," said the senator. The senator also addressed the insults Duterte hurled at him regarding his weight during the taped address. "Bakit niyo tatawaging mataba ako? Alam ko pong mataba ako. Hindi naman tayo dito nagpapagandahang lalaki e. Palagay ko mananalo naman ako sa inyo pag nagpagandahang lalaki tayo," said Gordon in an online briefing later. [Translation: Why would you call me fat? I know I'm fat. We're not having a handsome contest here. I think I would win against you if we did.] Gordon also said he forgives Duterte despite the insults, adding he knows a person is "weak" if they resort to personal attacks. Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, who was also attacked by Duterte during his speech, said the president is "in panic mode." Duterte addressed Lacson during his speech, asking him if he's honest and if he says yes, he will be presenting something in the "next program." "[I]t is not difficult to think that he is in panic mode and is attempting as he has already done earlier to discourage the Senate from pursuing our investigation in the highly anomalous procurement of overpriced medical supplies that is starting to knock on the doors of Malacanang," said the lawmaker in a statement. Duterte earlier called on the public not to believe Senate probes, arguing they lead to nothing anyway. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) President Rodrigo Duterte said he is confident of a victory in the 2022 polls, claiming there are no other viable contenders in the upcoming vice presidential race. "Sabi ko magtakbo ako ng Vice President. Bakit? Walang oposisyon eh. Hindi naman manalo ang oposisyon na 'yan. Sigurado ako ang Otso Diretso, ulit na naman iyon," he said in a speech that was taped around midnight Monday but was aired by the state-run network on Tuesday. [Translation: I said I will run for Vice President. Why? There is no opposition. The opposition won't win. I'm sure the Otso Diretso record will happen again.] None of the eight candidates of Liberal Party's Otso Diretso landed a Senate seat in the 2019 midterm polls. So far, only Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III clearly expressed intention to run for vice president in next year's election. Last week, Duterte confirmed he will seek the vice presidency once he relinquishes the highest office next year. He said he will give way if his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, runs for president. The 1987 Constitution does not prohibit a sitting president to run for lower political positions, other than the presidency. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) There is not enough evidence to say healthcare workers inoculated with Sinovac in March would soon need booster shots, Food and Drug Administration Director General Eric Domingo said Tuesday. This is after an infectious disease expert said those injected with the Chinese brand may have to get boosters half a year after their second dose, as a study in Thailand found "waning" efficacy of the vaccine against the Delta coronavirus variant. "So far naman, there's not enough data to show that we actually need boosters," Domingo told CNN Philippines' News Night. "Even the WHO (World Health Organization) is not advocating boosters, because we know that even if the antibody levels go down, it doesn't mean we're not protected," he added. Domingo explained those vaccinated still get an amount of protection "way above" those who haven't gotten any shot at all. According to Domingo, doctors at the Philippine General Hospital are still monitoring the antibody levels of those vaccinated in March to check if there has been a decline in immunity. The PGH is one of the government facilities first to receive the vaccines. "I would say we would get data on that maybe in the next month or couple of months," he said. Still, the FDA chief maintained that vaccine availability remains crucial in even considering giving booster shots. "We have to remember we're not really at a position to give booster shots yet," he said. This is something other officials and health experts have also stressed, saying the priority is to ensure as many people as possible are inoculated first before using supplies as extra doses. Once the country achieves a level of protection "high enough," and when there's sufficient vaccine supply, Domingo said that's when the government can start thinking of redistributing some of the extra doses for those most at-risk. These are frontline healthcare workers as well as senior citizens, especially those with several comorbidities, he added. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) Two groups on Tuesday filed formal requests for the Commission on Elections to extend the voter registration period beyond Sept. 30. The clamor for a longer voter registration period grew stronger, adding to earlier requests of senators and members of the House of Representatives to accommodate more voters who will take part in the May 9, 2022 presidential and local polls. Defend Jobs Philippines asked the poll body to keep accepting applications for new voters, transfer of records, and reactivation of delisted voters until end-October. Meanwhile, Akbayan Youth and members of the First Time Voters Network said registration activities should last until January of next year to make up for lost time due to COVID-19 lockdowns. Voter registration for the May 2022 election is only allowed in areas under general community quarantine and modified GCQ. A separate petition from former poll commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal appealed for registration to resume in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) like Metro Manila and Iloilo. He said there is no legal impediment for Comelec to allow voter registration in MECQ areas. READ: Comelec to weigh contagion risks vs calls to resume voter registration in MECQ areas However, the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections said a "selective" extension may be considered for lockdown areas rather than a nationwide reprieve. "It would be ideal if we could extend the voters registration but it's also very difficult for Comelec to extend it because on Oct. 1 to Oct. 8, this is the period where Comelec and Comelec offices will start receiving the certificates of candidacy (COC) of those who wish to run for the 2022 elections," said Eric Alvia, Namfrel secretary general. Alvia added that more satellite registration desks should be set up to accommodate registration during the COC filing period. There were 61.08 million eligible voters as of last week, according to Comelec data. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) The Lung Center of the Philippines and the National Kidney and Transplant Institute have raised concern over the number of coronavirus-infected health workers amid the surge in cases in Metro Manila. NKTI executive director Rose Marie Rosete-Liquete told CNN Philippines' The Source on Tuesday that they are close to reaching the record-high tally of health workers who caught the virus last year. "This year, 2021, we already have 424 workers who have become positive...If I were to compare this with last year, 478 ang nagpositive last year (478 tested positive last year)," she said. Of this number, around 30 are now undergoing quarantine, she added. Rosete-Liquete said there are currently 115 COVID-19 patients admitted in NKTI, while at least 60 patients are waiting in the emergency room. Meanwhile, more than 70 are currently admitted in the off-site modular hemodialysis facility. LCP spokesperson Norbert Francisco said they are alo currently at their highest number of personnel who caught the virus. "We currently have 48 active cases. Luckily, only two of them are admitted right now and others are in isolation facilities or in other non-hospital occupying areas," Francisco said. "This is relatively low compared to other healthcare facilities or other hospitals. Our best record is 30 days without even a single personnel getting COVID. But these are different times, this is a different variant, and this is so far our highest," he noted. Francisco bared that amid the rise in infections among their staff, ICU beds for COVID-19 patients have already reached 97% occupancy, while their isolation rooms are already 100% occupied. Apart from this, there are 10 patients still waiting in their emergency room, even after the hospital expanded from 12 to 29 beds dedicated for COVID-19 cases, he said. Despite NKTI and LCP nearing full capacity, Rosete-Liquete and Francisco said they have no choice but to tend to patients who need immediate treatment. Francisco, however, said that walk-ins or uncoordinated transfers are strongly discouraged in order to fully respond to the needs of patients, especially if they turn out to be severe to critical cases. The Philippines logged a record-high tally of 22,366 new cases on Monday, beating the country's previous record of 19,441. COVID-19 watchdog OCTA Research said Metro Manila accounts for only 25% of the recorded cases so far. However, the country may breach the 25,000-mark on single-day infections next week, it warned. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) After the country logged its record-high tally of COVID-19 cases on Monday, new infections may even hit as high as 25,000 next week, OCTA Research warned. Speaking to CNN Philippines' New Day on Tuesday, OCTA Research fellow Guido David said COVID-19 cases will still likely continue to increase a little further before going on a downward trend. "We could hit 25,000 possibly by next week. But as for the rest of this week, at least we will have several days when we see fairly low numbers," David said. David said new infections may fall anywhere between 12,000 to 14,000 on Tuesday before the surge hits around 19,000 new cases based on his short-term forecast. He said that his group is not yet seeing daily cases hitting over 30,000 anytime soon. Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire told CNN Philippines' News Night on Monday that new cases in Metro Manila may soon breach the 30,000-mark, with total active cases projected around 83,000. This may further rise to 152,000 active cases in the capital region by the end of September. "Currently, we have 41,000 active cases in NCR and as Ive said, we have projected around 83,000 by the end of August so we are looking at right now an average of 17,000 cases a day, a seven-day moving average in the NCR," she said. "So it's August 30 right now, we are talking about double of this 83,000, maybe we can have per day 30,000+ but we have to remember also that there are factors that can improve this kind of situation." Vergeire cited an improved vaccine coverage, a shorter duration between detection and isolation, and better compliance with safety protocols. Meanwhile, Vergeire and David both noted that the healthcare capacity in Metro Manila has improved compared to the March surge. However, David warned that now the "likelihood of having an ICU case is twice as likely compared to the previous variants" of coronavirus. The Department of Health said that almost 14 million Filipinos have completed their vaccine doses as of Tuesday still far from the government's target of inoculating 70% of the country's 109-million population to achieve herd immunity. Single-day COVID-19 cases reached 22,366 on Monday, beating the country's previous record of 19,441. It was the fourth time this month that the daily count reached an all-time high. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) The country on Tuesday received over three million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from two manufacturers. At past 6 p.m., Philippine Airlines flight PR359 landed at Terminal 2 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport - carrying three million Sinovac doses. The fresh supply of the China-made vaccines procured by the government was welcomed by Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. Galvez said the country has now received over 27 million Sinovac shots so far, and more doses of different brands will be arriving soon. READ: PH to receive 42 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from September-October The country also received 15,000 doses of Gamaleya's COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V, which arrived at the NAIA Terminal 3 at around 10:45 p.m. The latest supply from Russia will be used as second dose. There are now 13.7 million fully vaccinated persons as of Aug. 29 - still far from the government's target of inoculating 70% of the country's 109 million population. This story will be updated. 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.] The Coastal Point is a local newspaper published each Friday and distributed in the Bethany Beach, South Bethany, Fenwick Island, Ocean View, Millville, Dagsboro, Frankford, Selbyville, Millsboro, Long Neck and Georgetown, Delaware areas. A former nurse working at Sussex Correctional Institution has been convicted of providing false information to investigators in the death of an inmate at the facility, whose visitation area is pictured above. Foul play was ruled out in the case, but charges were pursued against the nurse who reported having seen him the night prior to his death when she had not. Downtown State College bars have been gearing up for the first normal in-person fall semester since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, but like most businesses affected by the pandemic, the process hasnt been all sunshine and rainbows. JR Mangan, a co-owner of Cafe 210 West, said while business has easily doubled since last year, there are still existing problems. We have already seen how much a year can do, Mangan said. It's a completely different ballpark in comparison, but it does not take away from the fact that there is still work to be done. At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, statewide legislation introducing restrictions on bar capacity and alcohol sales began to take over business operations at Cafe 210 West, according to Mangan. We were fortunate in that we had prior outdoor seating and that our place was already so spread out by design that we were able to stay steady, Mangan said. It was more a matter of not being packed that left us stuck. According to Mangan, the bar still offers social distancing, masks and hand sanitizer to patrons. The bar also provides accommodations for people who might wish to sit outside. We have also put a priority on vaccination and have made sure all employees are vaccinated, Mangan said. Were just trying to do whats best for customers and employees. Mangan cited almost daily emails and notices from the State College borough and the Downtown State College Improvement District as resources that continue to offer advice, as well as opportune communication lines with other businesses downtown. We take it day by day, Mangan said. One thing the virus did teach us is that we must get better at trusting gut feelings, and thats really the message we have taken to heart when it comes to how we run things. Mangan said Cafe 210 West is looking forward to seeing students, alumni and regulars once the school year gets back into full swing but noted a lack of staff as the biggest obstacle to climb over. We still havent found a solution, Mangan said. It has definitely been a struggle on our current team. Curtis Shulman, director of operations at Hotel State College & Company, said the limited capacity rules affected bars in the area including Bill Pickle's Tap Room financially. MORE NEWS COVERAGE Its like comparing apples to oranges we were so limited by restrictions that we could not operate the way we usually could, Shulman said. Where that really affected us was financially and in finding steady employment as well. According to Shulman, Pickles was operating 60% down in revenue due to coronavirus limitations. Shulman said now, while the revenue stream has increased, the real problem facing businesses downtown like Pickles is consistent employment in the right areas of work. We have enough service team members, [but] our more long-lasting positions though, thats where we can't just hire people off the bat, Shulman said. There is a lot of training and hard work that must be taught and then maintained. Though last fall took motivation for his team to get through, as the pandemic persists, he said he believes a more permanent solution is necessary. We are struggling to find people, Shulman said. Since we are not getting the hiring skill set that we need in prospective employees, its just becoming more difficult. Ellen Braun, general manager of Chumleys, said she has also had to hire more employees after the bar reopened following a year of renovations in 2020. I think a lot of people who worked in the restaurant business had to find other jobs after the pandemic hit, Braun said. Its a really challenging business with very demanding hours and a lot of hard physical work, so those who did leave might not be motivated to switch back. However, Shulman said Hotel State College-owned businesses, like Pickles or Chumleys, are not strangers to the hiring drought. Walk down College Avenue youll see for hire signs everywhere, Shulman. Even as we get back into a normal school year cycle, this is where you see how the pandemic has affected [the restaurant business] the most. According to Braun, Chumleys needed to hire more people due to its now-extended hours, which are 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 4-11 p.m. Sundays. Our core group of employees are definitely long-term employers, Braun said. But because of our busy summer, we had to hire new staff members most of whom were luckily customers who knew our community and were interested in becoming part of our team. Braun said while she is grateful for the vaccine and the precaution many do take by getting vaccinated, she said she has become more conscientious about what she can control. Ive started wearing my mask again because you just never know, Braun said. If I learned one thing, COVID taught us to be nimble. We have strategies in place in case we do need to lower our capacity indoors, or if we do need to modify our mask guidelines, but we also have to be aware of our own comfort level. Braun said most people entering Chumleys are already a pretty mask-friendly clientele. Its been crowded, but we are ready to follow any precautions we need to make sure our first priority is safety, Braun said. Thats always the No. 1 goal. Centre County is classified as a "high" region for community transmission as of Friday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as the area has seen 180 coronavirus cases and 18 new hospital admissions in a weeklong period. Spanning from Aug. 21 through Aug. 27, Centre County had a 7.65% positivity rate and no new deaths, the CDC said. Compared to the week prior, this was a 30.43% increase in cases and a 50% increase in hospitalizations, according to the CDC. While you do still have to worry about the virus, we cant ignore the fact that move-in week and syllabus week are by far the biggest weeks for the bars, Shulman said. To have almost back-to-normal numbers this year is huge, but we need that momentum to keep going. Shulman said he believes due to the reality of a pandemic, all regulations are subject to change. We can do all we can to keep everyone safe, but at the end of day, we cant control everything, Shulman said. If we worry about it too much, we wont be able to do our jobs. We just have to take it day by day. MORE NEWS COVERAGE On Aug. 16, the State College Borough Council unanimously approved an ordinance establishing a Community Oversight Board for the State College Police Department after a year of planning and discussion. But, the process is far from over. In my time as a voting member, this issue is one of, if not the most important vote I have ever been a part of, Council President Jesse Barlow said. But, its been a long journey to reach this point. Though the idea for a COB has been discussed since 2016, according to Barlow, the proposal was granted last summer in the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and more locally, Osaze Osagie in 2019. Floyd was a Black man who was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis on Memorial Day and whose death sparked nationwide protests. Osagie, a 29-year-old Black man, was killed by a State College police officer on March 20, 2019, when three officers arrived at his apartment to serve a mental health warrant. Osagie, who had autism and a history of schizophrenia, allegedly ran at the officers with a knife. After an unsuccessful attempt to deploy a Taser on him, he was allegedly shot by Officer M. Jordan Pieniazek. The three officers involved in the shooting have not been charged. Sylvester Osagie, his father, filed a lawsuit in November 2020 against the borough of State College, and Judge Matthew W. Brann of the U.S. Middle District Court of Pennsylvania set a long-term trial date for 2022. The case may be ready for trial in approximately 729 days, according to Judge Branns case management plan. This puts the suggested date for trial in November 2022, two years after the lawsuit was filed. Even though the pressure to enact change has become more prevalent with the action of groups like the 3/20 Coalition, thats not the only reason we are doing this, Barlow said. This has been necessary long before [Osagie] was killed. Its just that now we have found the political will to do so. Though plans were formalized in December when the Ad Hoc Community Board Study Committee was appointed to present its findings to council, by the beginning of this year, the council began discussing the potential of a COB over the course of eight months, according to council member Deanna Behring. The establishment of the COB, which becomes law on Tuesday, will be only the third of its kind in the state, according to the ad hoc committee. MORE NEWS COVERAGE It is challenging knowing that we are in completely new territory, Behring said. Whats different in this case is that we did the work. We made sure to take all the time needed to get it right. The COB will feature nine council-appointed members from all areas of the community who will follow a monitor model approach, the council said. The approach will allow the COB to receive, process and investigate complaints about the department from members of the community through a Civilian Complaint Process, according to the ordinance. We ultimately felt that the [monitor model] could help improve transparency within our police force but also help rebuild trust within the community, Behring said. We cant keep doing the same things we have always done and expect a better outcome. We needed to try something different. Barlow said he believes the selection of the monitor model was necessary due to the impact the board could have when processing complaints of police misconduct, investigating closed cases and reviewing procedural and recommended changes. What people misunderstand is that we are not trying to prevent the police from doing their job, Behring said. Instead, the COB will be there to monitor the function of police procedure and recommend solutions to problems that they see within. A resolution last summer to commit to creating the COB also approved the establishment of a borough Department of Equity and Inclusion. Recruitment for a director of the new department has begun immediately, according to Behring. Because the COB members will be so involved with the police in this area, there must be some knowledge and understanding of what the police actually do, Barlow said. Members of the COB will undergo numerous training sessions in both policing and community concerns, but it will be the duty of the COB and its board coordinator to select the specified curriculum they choose to study. Council member Theresa Lafer said the council is searching for a wide range of applicants to apply. The membership is intended to reflect the diversity of the community while also selecting individuals who really understand the role of systemic racism in society, Lafer said. Lafer also noted there must be an understanding of the stresses on a police department. We are not looking for people to descend on the police, Lafer said. Board members will serve three-year terms and can be reappointed three times before stepping down. They will be able to serve again after three years, according to Barlow. The Borough Council will have the power to remove members for a multitude of reasons failure to remain impartial or not completing mandatory training, for example. MORE NEWS COVERAGE Other prospective candidates include not only State College residents but also Penn State students who live in the police service area, Lafer said. Tierra Williams, co-leader of State Colleges 3/20 Coalition and candidate for Ferguson Township supervisor, said the 3/20 Coalition is actively recruiting candidates to apply. We are not publicizing the names of our candidates because of what some in this community think of us, Williams said. Our reputation brings talk good and bad and we want these candidates to be selected individually and not through accusations. The full board and coordinator are expected to be announced in October, according to Barlow. Another aspect of the ordinance discussed the use of critical race theory as part of the training COB members would receive. According to the New York Times, critical race theory argues historical patterns of racism are ingrained in law and other modern institutions and that the legacies of slavery, segregation and Jim Crow still create an uneven playing field for Black people and other people of color. Mayor Ron Filippelli chose not to sign the ordinance after it was passed unanimously by all council members due to critical race theory, calling it a contested theory. The mayor felt very strongly about that one small aspect of the eight-page ordinance, however, there were four lawyers on the ad hoc committee that approved of the training, including another historian, Barlow said. Barlow said while he does not want to discredit the mayor who worked as a historian for 40 years, he said he believes the committee needs to understand the historical role of race in this country. This is something the community wanted and that his own council wanted, Williams said. For [Mayor Filippelli] to base his reasoning not to sign on critical race theory doesnt make any sense. It just shows what legacy he actually wants to leave. Critical race theory is mentioned once in the 62-page report from the ad hoc committee. Williams said while significant strides have been made with the COB, just because the council members voted for the establishment of a COB does not mean [the council] will align with the 3/20 Coalition's beliefs. Last summer when we made our list of demands, they put our demands into the resolution, Williams said. We know we have a position in this community, but we also know we cant rely on the council to fulfill all of the goals we want accomplished. Williams said she knows all too well the complications that come with political agendas. People in this community think our sole goal is only to disrupt, Williams said. What we really want is to continue making permanent change, and that means never stepping off the brake. Other training elements required under the ordinance for COB members to participate include the Citizens Police Academy, information on civil rights law, the Fourth Amendment, implicit bias and department training practices. There are a lot of little things that can make people of the community and the [SCPD] less responsible microaggressions being one of them, Lafer said. We want this COB to listen to people who feel that rather than being served by our [SCPD], they have somehow been ignored. Lafer said she believes the problem is within State College as a whole as well. Its our businesses, teachers, schools everyone needs to work to make life better for minorities of any kind in this town, Lafer said. This is the first step, and I think the commitment we have had to this issue over the past year tells the community that we're just getting started. MORE NEWS COVERAGE Penn State reported the latest coronavirus vaccination rates to be more than 86% for students living on campus and 83% for Penn State full-time employees. According to Monday's release, 78% of students living off campus have uploaded proof of vaccination to the university. Students and faculty who have not reported they have received the vaccine are required to get tested for the coronavirus weekly. The university has also received 2,500 vaccination status uploads since Friday, according to Penn State President Eric Barron. Penn State reported 98% of administrators, 91% of academic personnel and 79% of nonunion staff are vaccinated. At University Park, asymptomatic drop-in testing is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pegula Ice Arena and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the White Building, both available Sunday through Friday, the release said. The university said students and employees who are showing symptoms of coronavirus should schedule testing through University Health Services via myUHS or through a local provider. University Health Services will also offer vaccine appointments on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, according to the release. MORE CAMPUS COVERAGE Required weekly coronavirus testing begins this week for university employees, staff Penn State faculty and staff must begin required weekly coronavirus testing this week if the The Court of Appeals had a busy week, from considering the fairness of high-profile murder trials to deciding a multimillion-dollar penalty against a for-profit college must be retried. Plus, one judge called into question the constitutionality of a mental health law in Colorado. Are you a current print subscriber to Columbia Gorge News? If so, you qualify for free access to all content on columbiagorgenews.com. Simply verify with your subscriber id to receive free access. Your subscriber id may be found on your bill or mailing label. This year our dine and drink business locations throughout the Gorge have suffered with closures. You can help support your favorites by purchasing take out and gift cards. Many of these business will offer curb-side delivery and some will deliver to your home. Lets keep the Gorge going strong! The Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014, currently the world's largest steam engine, made a pitstop in Jefferson City on Monday. The locomotive was met by a large crowd of train lovers as it arrived. It's scheduled to get back on track Tuesday, with the next stop only a few miles down the road in California, Mo. The Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 Mary Torres, 5, watches with anticipation Jerome Gwinner, 4, touches the train Conductor of the Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 Cleo Norman Follow this search 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 The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form Any notion that the worst days of Islamist terrorism are long behind us was brutally shattered at Kabul Airport Aug. 26 as twin bombs ripped indiscriminately through Afghan civilians and U.S. and other foreign servicemen trying to complete the desperate evacuation of thousands of people for whom Taliban rule represents the most terrible fate. Gen. H.R. McMaster, a former U.S. national security advisor who served as deputy commander of the international force in Afghanistan, put it succinctly in the hours that followed the bloodshed in Kabul. Maybe this moment is the time that we can stop our self-delusion that these groups are separate from one another and recognize that they are utterly intertwined and interconnected, and what we are seeing is the establishment of a terrorist, jihadist state in Afghanistan, McMaster, a visceral critic of the U.S. withdrawal strategy pursued by both the Trump and Biden administrations, observed in a BBC interview. And all of us will be at much greater risk as a result. His underlying argument is that talking up divisions between the Taliban and fellow Islamist fanatics such as ISIS-K, the Afghan branch of the Daesh terrorist organization in Iraq and Syria that carried out the Kabul Airport bombing elides the point that these groups are united in their fundamental worldview. On the ideological front, the late Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Ladens promise of a war against crusaders and Jews still holds firm, which means terrorism against Western interests and Western targets, most of whom will be defenseless civilians. It also means, for those unfortunate enough to live under the direct rule of the Islamists, that ordinary Muslims will continue to be their principal and most numerous victims. The intertwined connections described by McMaster inside Afghanistan can be seen in the region more broadly. At the same time that the Taliban have conquered Afghanistan, Iran has appointed a new cabinet composed of men with a direct, personal role in terrorism, torture and other systemic violations of human rights, all of whom have extensive connections with Irans regional proxies, like Hezbollah in Lebanon. In the past, many analysts have scorned the contention that there could be a strategic connection between the austere Sunni Islam adhered to by the Taliban and the Shiite millenarian Islam that defines the Tehran regime. It is also true that the Taliban and the Iranians have come to blows in the distant past, as evidenced in the Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif in 1998 following the kidnapping of a group of Iranian diplomats by Taliban fighters. Even so, what unites them is, in the last analysis, more important than what divides them. Taliban delegations have visited Iran on at least two occasions this year, in January and in July, with the outgoing foreign minister Javad Zarif recently praising their noble jihad against the foreign occupiers. In part, the Iranians are simply betting on the right horse, correctly deducing that further conflict with the Taliban is unnecessary given that the Taliban are once more the masters of Afghanistan. But more significantly, they share the common goal of banishing the United States and its allies from the region, including the State of Israel and, one assumes, those conservative Gulf Arab states that have made their peace with the Jewish state. Which brings me back to Irans new cabinet. It is not surprising that the Islamic Republics new president, Ebrahim Raisi a sadist who, as a regime prosecutor in the 1980s, supervised beatings, rapes and mass executions of prisoners would appoint a bunch of thugs to his cabinet. But what is alarming is the silence of Western states on the unmistakable message that this cabinet sends. For this is not an occasion to defer to the principle of not commenting on political appointments in other countries. Irans new defense minister is Ahmad Vahidi, who is returning to the post for the second time in his career, having previously occupied it during the term of the Holocaust-denying former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The vice president for economic development is Mohsen Rezaei, a fierce devotee of the Islamic Republics founder, Ayatollah Khomeini, and the commander for 17 years of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Both Vahidi and Rezaei are fugitives from justice specifically, for their roles in the July 1994 Iranian-sponsored bombing of the AMIA Jewish Center in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires, the bloodiest act of anti-Semitic terrorism in more than half a century, in which 85 people lost their lives and more than 300 were wounded. Both of them were among the subjects of six red notices that were issued in connection with the AMIA atrocity by Interpol, the international law-enforcement agency, in 2007. More than a quarter of a century after the AMIA bombing, Vahidi and Rezaei sit in Tehran, secure and stony-faced, serving a daily reminder that justice has never been delivered to those who died or lost their loved ones on that terrible morning in Buenos Aires. Poking the international community in the eye by placing two terrorists in the cabinet isnt the ultimate goal here, though. Like all authoritarian states, the Iranian regime enjoys political theater, bloodthirsty rhetoric and the grandstanding that goes with it, but these are a means to an end. Vahidi and Rezaei are in the cabinet because there is a job to do, and Raisi and behind him, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has judged that they are the right men to do it. Across the Middle East and the Islamic world, extremist regimes and terrorist groups are rejoicing in the fact that the U.S. presence and reputation in their region is a shadow of what it was just 10 years ago. They are not wrong; the options of America are largely restricted to diplomacy and sanctions. In that light, there is no reason for the Biden administration to continue its talks with the Iranians in Vienna over their nuclear program unless it wants to look even more gullible in the eyes of Americas Islamist adversaries. It also needs to review the existing sanctions on Iran and extend these where necessary. Should Vahidi or Rezaei surface as official guests of a U.S. ally Turkey being the obvious examplethen the U.S. should make its displeasure known. None of these moves can be said to be game-changers. But they speak to the lack of a broader vision for the Middle East on the part of successive U.S. administrations, save for the ambition of getting out of the region as quickly as possible. As McMaster reminded us amid the carnage of Kabul Airport, the region wont let us go so easily. Ben Cohen is a New York City-based journalist and author who writes a weekly column on Jewish and international affairs for JNS. Danville, IL (61832) Today Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to mostly cloudy skies after midnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low near 60F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 319-352-3334 or email legals@waverlynewspapers.com. Pennyauctionwizards.com scored 51 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2.5/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 10 Jan 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 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We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Rather than write about redesignation or any of the more salient features of the exchange, we want to discuss a more obscure feature, which differs in the two types of bond contracts PBA is offering. (Investors dont have a choice; those with old bonds (from 2006) get one set of provisions and those with newer bonds (from 2015) get another.) This post is about the different prescription provisions being offered to the two types of bondholders, old and new. The Province of Buenos Aires (PBA) is about to conclude its much delayed exchange offer . The exchange offer has been revised over and over and has featured many restructuring techniques detested by investors (Pac Man, re-designation, hard-nosed exit consents). But it seems as if the exchange may finally go through. We have been interested in these prescription provisions for a while. Many moons ago, in the context of Venezuelas attempt to engage in some restructuring shenanigans using these provisions, we did a couple of posts about prescription clauses in sovereign bonds (here and here). More on the details in the PBA bonds later, but a prescription clause often says something like claims under the bonds will prescribe, or will become void, unless presented for payment within some period of time. The role these clauses play is uncertain. One explanation for the prescription clause is that it was designed to protect payment intermediaries. Weve heard veteran lawyers call the prescription clause the Belgian dentist clause. The story being that Belgian dentists would invest in bearer bonds (supposedly good for ducking tax authorities), stick them in a drawer, and forget about them. Payments under the bonds might go uncollected for years. And that was a problem for the payment agents (think Deutsche Banks offices in Luxembourg or London), which had money to pay out but no one coming to collect it. The agents didnt want to be on the hook for paying out these funds for time immemorial. So the prescription clause was supposedly the solution to this problem. It said that after X number of years, unclaimed funds would be sent back to the sovereign and creditors would have to go to Buenos Aires or Quito or wherever to collect. But, and this is a key point, the creditor would still have the right to payment. Well, for the most part, we no longer have bearer bonds (the tax authorities in the US and Europe finally clamped down). But, strangely, the prescription clauses have not only remained, but mutated. Instead of something like you have to go to Buenos Aires to collect after two years, in a subset of sovereign bonds, there now appears language stating that an investors claim becomes void or prescribes after a certain period of time. (As an aside, given that funds today just get transferred into bank accounts that are specified at the outset, the prescription clauses seem especially odd, but whatever) In some contracts, the prescription clause has even separated entirely from provisions designed to protect the payment intermediaries. For instance, some Venezuelan bonds have a provision allowing the fiscal agent to return unclaimed money to the issuer after two years , stating that, after this happens, the holder of such Bond may look only to the Republic for payment. This clause is in the underlying fiscal agency agreement and disclosed to investors in the prospectus. Separately, the prospectus tells investors that claims not presented for payment within ten years (principal) or three years (interest) will become void. We cant find this language in any of the underlying contracts; a commenter on a prior post told us it is a provision of Venezuelan law. (We dont know why a provision of Venezuelan law would matter in a New York law bond, but thats another matter.) Anyway, the example shows just how far the prescription clauseor perhaps prescription period would be a better term, to account for possibility that the period could originate in the issuers own lawhas strayed from its supposed Belgian dentist roots. Anyway, if interpreted to make a claim void, the prescription clause is like a super-strength statute of limitations. The statute of limitations makes it hard to sue after the limitations period expires but does not extinguish the claim. Even worse for the unwary creditor, some clauses add even sneakier language to the end of the prescription clause like except as otherwise provided by the law. Those words could be taken to mean that the Republic of Argentina or whatever sovereign debtor we are talking about could change its domestic law to say Claims are extinguished two days after they are due, unless you make your claim within that two day period. To the extent investors are not paying attention to this obscure clause and think that they only need to worry about the statute of limitation, they could be screwed. Then again, if the prescription period originates in the issuers own law and not in the contractas we are told is the case for the Venezuelan bonds abovethen maybe this language simply discloses a risk that is always present? It is all so confusing. Why bring this up now? The PBA in its 2021 exchange offer is offering different creditors bonds with different prescription periods. Those holding older bonds from the Kirchner days get one clause, while those holding newer bonds from the Macri days get another. The clauses are disclosed quite prominently, which is itself interesting. For holders of newer bonds, the prescription period works something like the Venezuelan one noted above. That is, there is a two-year period, after which the trustee or paying agent will (at the issuers request) return the money to the issuer. That lets the trustee off the hook to investors, who must then look to the issuer for payment. The issuer remains on the hook for the rest of the prescription period (which is four years from the date payment is due). For holders of older bonds, it seems to work differently, and also contains some bizarre inconsistencies. The prescription period here seems designed to protect both the trustee and the issuer. Basically, after the period runs, then the trustee (again, on the issuers request) returns the money to the issuer. So far, so Belgian dentist. (See, e.g., p. B-2 of the terms and conditions for the 2006 Indenture New Bonds). However, in a separate provision, the prescription period also cuts off investor claims against the issuer (par. 19, p. b-14). Amusingly, the two prescription periods dont match. We dont just mean that they dont match the prescription clause in the newer bonds (although they dont, as we discuss more below). We mean that the prescription period applicable to the trustee is actually longer, in some cases, than the period applicable to the issuer. The trustee is off the hook after ten years for principal and five for interest. For the issuer its 10 years for principal and four years for interest. Although this is probably a drafting error we prefer to think of it as a meta joke about what nonsense these clauses are in the first place. Oh, yes. The clauses also differ between the securities offered to holders of older and newer bonds. Below are the two clauses. If readers out there have answers to why these are different and why the difference makes sense, wed love to know. The emphasis in the excerpts below is ours. Prescription clause from the 2006 Kirchner Indentures (being reissued to one subset of creditors in 2021): All claims against the Province for payment of principal of or interest on or in respect of the New Bonds shall be prescribed unless made within ten years (in the case of principal) and four years (in the case of interest) from the date on which such payment first became due, or a shorter period if provided by law . Prescription clause from the 2015 Macri Indentures (being reissued to another set of creditors in 2021): To the extent permitted by law, claims against the Province for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest or other amounts due on, the New Bonds (including Additional Amounts) will become void unless made within four years of the date on which that payment first became due. There is so much that is interesting here. Version one (2006 Indenture) says that the claims will be prescribed after a certain number of years (four for interest and ten for principal). But what does prescribed mean? This is a rather old fashioned word; a concept from property law that seems to relate to matters such as easements and adverse possession. The issuer could argue that prescribed means void, but that seems a bit of a stretch. Then there is the bit about [four years] or a shorter period if provided by law. Whose law? The law of the province? The law of Argentina? If either of those, could those legislatures pass a law reducing the four/ten years to two days? Literally speaking, the contract seems to allow that. But thats loony. Yet, there are versions of this prescription clause out there for other sovereigns that are even more explicit in saying this. Now let us take version two (2015 Indenture). This one no longer has the vague language about claims being prescribed after a certain number of years. This version changes that to void. Thats not good for creditors. On the other hand, that terrible language about or a shorter period if provided by law is now gone. The issuer might invoke the language to the extent permitted by law (again, whose law?) to argue that it can shorten the prescription period here too. But this language seems to refer to other legal limits on the prescription period itself, not to the law establishing the prescription period. We remain puzzled about what these clauses are supposed to do or why investors are willing to accept them. There is already a statute of limitations that applies under New York law to contract claims (six years). Why do these bonds even have these prescription clauses anymore? They are just a recipe for mischief. And if you think that sovereigns wont engage in this kind of prescription mischief because of reputational constraints, think again. Both Venezuela and Argentina have already gone down this path. (see Anna Szymanskis Reuters article Rx for Anxiety from earlier this year warning us all to be careful about these clauses). Joyce S. Norrod, 86, of Crossville, passed away on Sept. 8, 2021, at her home in Crossville. Mrs. Norrod was born on May 20, 1935, in White County, daughter of Allen Smith and Anna O'Dell Smith. Joyce was a homemaker and a founding member of the Crossville First Church of the Nazarene. She w What Did King Jehu Do in the Bible? Knowing that King Joram had been retreated to Jezreel to recover from battle, Jehu swiftly ordered his men to surround the city to prevent Joram from learning of his (Jehus) anointing. Ironically, though not coincidentally, Ahaziah, the king of Judah and a descendent of Ahab, was in Jezreel visiting Joram at the time. There, Jehu earned his reputation for decisive action and violence, killing King Joram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah in short order (2 Kings 9:14-29). Jorams body was then thrown into the field of Naboth in Jezreel, fulfilling what Elijah had spoken over Ahab when he murdered Naboth and stole his vineyard (1 Kings 21:22). Ahaziahs body was returned to Jerusalem, where it was buried with the kings of Judah (2 Kings 9:28). And if you thought Jezebel, Ahabs queen, had escaped Gods judgment, think again. Shortly after Jorams death, Jehu had Jezebel thrown from her balcony in the palace in Jezreel. By the time Jehus men went to bury the body, the Bible tells us, they found nothing more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands. (2 Kings 9:35). As prophesied by Elijah, the body of Jezebel had been eaten by the dogs (1 Kings 21:23-24). From here, Jehus campaign against the house of Ahab was both swift and surgical. Seventy sons of Ahab were sought out and destroyed by Jehus forces, all who had allied themselves to Ahab were struck down, and forty-two relatives of Ahaziah were also killed, removing the sin and stain of Ahabs family from Israel forever (2 Kings 10:1-17). Of course, Jehus reform did not stop with the house of Ahab. In a shrewd act of political maneuvering, Jehu assembled the prophets, priests, and worshippers of Baal, promising that as Ahab had served Baal, he (Jehu) would worship Baal even more. Once he had gathered the prophets in the temple of Baal, Jehu proceeded to slaughter the prophets and priests of Baal, leaving none alive (2 Kings 10:18-25). Jehus men then razed the temple of Baal, burning the sacred pillars and idols. Thus, Jehu eradicated Baal out of Israel (2 Kings 10:28). For his faithfulness, four generations of Jehus sons would sit on the throne of Israel (2 Kings 10:30). However, the Bible tells us that, Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart; he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, which he made Israel sin (2 Kings 10:31). Jehu was blessed by God for his obedience, however, his neglect in removing the high places at Bethel proved costly, as the size of Israel gradually decreased and portions of the land God had promised to His people were surrendered to Hazael of Syria and other foreign leaders in the years that followed (2 Kings 10:32-33). Jehu would reign for twenty-eight years in Israel (841-813 B.C.) and be succeeded by his son Jehoahaz (2 Kings 10:35-36). The story of Jehu may seem like an odd, R-rated saga made for cable television, however, there are several important lessons we can learn from Israels kingslayer and zealous reformer. Here are 4 lessons we can learn from Jehu: Photo Credit: GettyImages/Tomertu What is a security engineer? A security engineer is a cybersecurity professional who helps develop and implement strategies and systems to protect their organization's infrastructure from cyberattacks. This is a role in an organization for someone with enough knowledge and experience to understand both the systems they're defending and the attacks they'll face, and they usually spend more time creating secure systems and networks than they do reacting to threats. As companies large and small finally realize that cybersecurity is everybody's problem, security engineers are increasingly in demand, and command salaries to match. While this isn't a job for beginners, if you have the right background and experience, it could make for an exciting job and a solid step up in your career as a security pro. Here, we answer some frequently asked questions about this critical security role. What does a security engineer do? A security engineer designs, builds, and defends scalable, secure, and robust systems for their organization's IT environment, protecting all organization assets, including those located away from headquarters. They'll analyze networks to make sure they are operating securely,and try to anticipate possible cybersecurity issues that might arise. Common responsibilities of security engineers include: Helping to create security standards and practices for their organization Recommending security improvements to management Testing, deploying, and maintaining tools such as firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and data encryption Conducting scans of networks and penetration tests to look for vulnerabilities Monitoring networks for breaches or intrusions Leading incident response activities and investigations into how intrusions occurred Helping plan cybersecurity strategy What is the difference between a security analyst and a security engineer? Understanding the distinction between a security engineer and a security analyst is a good way to grasp the nature of a security engineer job. A security analyst, particularly if they work in a security operations center, spends much of their time tracking down threats moment by moment or reacting to breaches in progress. A security engineer, by contrast, has the more strategic role of building out both technical infrastructure and a set of organizational policies that harden the entire company against attacks. Day to day, this means a security engineer spends less time chasing down attackers and more time designing systems so that security is built in, as well as penetration testing existing systems to test their infrastructure's mettle and working with other staff to improve security awareness. However, it's always important to keep in mind that job descriptions vary from company to company, and in smaller organizations in particular a security engineer might find themselves wearing an analyst hat as well. Sometimes you'll see the security engineer job described specifically as a cybersecurity engineer; cybersecurity is a term used to distinguish the protection of tech infrastructure from the physical security needed to protect buildings and people, but a security engineer is almost always concerned with cybersecurity. At larger organizations with many security engineers on staff, you may see a distinction between a network security engineer and an application security engineer; these are two specializations within the security engineer job, focusing on securing network infrastructure and application code, respectively. How to become a security engineer? The education and certifications you need You'll probably begin your journey to become a security engineer in college. For the most part, people aiming for a security engineer job will have a bachelor's degree in a relevant subject, such as engineering, computer engineering, or computer science. Some schools even offer undergraduate cybersecurity degrees. IT has traditionally been a field that values skills over paper credentialswe all know the stories of tech pioneers who dropped out of high schoolbut that's changed over the years as the industry has become more professionalized. That said, most hiring managers do value experience and demonstrated skills, and if you can put together that sort of resume, that can help make up for a non-technical undergraduate degree. At any rate, nobody would make an immediate leap from college to a security engineer gig; you would need to pass through an introductory phase of your career first, possibly as a security analyst. One way to signal to your employer or potential future employers that you're ready to advance to a security engineer job is by pursuing some relevant formal certifications. Because security engineers have a fairly wide range of duties under their remit, there are a number of industry certs that fit the bill. The following are some of the most widely recommended: What particular skills does a security engineer need? Of course, you can't just rack up the degrees and certifications and expect to waltz into a security engineer job: all those are just proxies for the relevant skills you'll be expected to demonstrate in order to secure a gig. A good security engineer should have the following big-picture skills: An expert-level understanding of information security concepts and their application via relevant technology solutions. The ability to develop, design, test, and deploy security-related systems and subsystems, as well as clean up computer code bases for common coding vulnerabilities, and work with other departments within the organization to secure IT systems. Penetration testing skills, especially if the organization does not have devoted penetration testers. Knowledge of network equipment and architecture, and possibly the ability to install, test, and configure an entire network infrastructure. In addition, anyone coming into a security engineer gig is going to want at least some of these specific tools in their kit: Expertise in antimalware software, intrusion detection, firewalls, and content filtering Knowledge of risk assessment tools, technologies, and methods Expertise in designing secure networks, systems, and application architectures Disaster recovery and computer forensics technologies and methods Planning, researching, and developing security policies, standards, and procedures System administration, supporting multiple platforms and applications Expertise with malicious software Endpoint security solutions, including file integrity monitoring and data loss prevention Cloud security, particularly with AWS and Azure Automating security testing tools Chef a configuration management tool Git a tool that helps track anomalous changes to files What interview questions should a security engineer be prepared to answer? If you're lucky enough to have an interview for a security engineer job lined up, you're probably curious and maybe a little nervous about what sort of questions you might encounter. The Infosec Institute has a really great list that shows the breadth of things you'll be asked in these scenarios. They break the questions down into three levels of difficulty, but to us, perhaps the more interesting distinction is all the different ways the questions will make you think. They include: Questions about basic knowledge ("What is the CIA triangle?") Questions to see if you can explain important techniques ("How would you login to Active Directory from a Linux or Mac box?") Questions about your own personal cyber-life ("How do you protect your home wireless access point?") Questions that give you an opportunity to show off your technical problem-solving skills ("You are remoted in to a headless system in a remote area. You have no physical access to the hardware and you need to perform an OS installation. What do you do?") Questions that give you an opportunity to show off your organizational problem-solving skills ("You are an employee for a tech department in a non-management position. A high-level executive demands that you break protocol and allow him to use his home laptop at work. What do you do?") Questions about your overall tech philosophy ("What do you think of social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn?") Some of these have definite right and wrong answers. But manyand these are the more important ones by farare a chance for you to show an interviewer how you think, how you approach problems, and what knowledge you draw from in the process. What jobs are available for security engineers? You should at this point have a pretty good idea of what a security engineer job entails. One thing to keep in mind is that, while this is a tech job, it's not a job that's limited to the tech industry: just about every company that's larger than a handful of people, in every sector, needs security engineers. Government agencies and financial institutions in particular have a great need for security engineers, but you could also find yourself working in manufacturing or retail as well. One thing's for certain: the demand for security engineers is growing, with no sign of letting up. In 2021, Focal Point listed it as the most in-demand cybersecurity job for the sixth year in a row, and demand was expected to grow another 12% through 2026. What is the average security engineer salary? And as you'd expect for an in-demand job that requires specialized skills and some industry experience, salaries for security engineers are generous. As of this writing, Glassdoor's average for the position is $109,770; the Infosec Institute's 2021 stats for the U.S. range from $91,000 in Atlanta to more than $125,000 in San Francisco. Australian CISOs and system administrators could face jail time unless they help authorities surreptitiously hack the accounts of their network users a possibility that has suddenly emerged with the rapid passage of what the Law Council of Australias president Jacoba Brasch called novel, extraordinary, and intrusive new surveillance legislation that has been flagged by Australian senator Lidia Thorpe, a member of the minority Green party, as contempt of democracy. Passed into law at the end of August 2021 after the government agreed to a series of amendments, the Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Bill 2021 (SLAID) gives the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) a host of powers, including the ability to disrupt data by modifying, adding copying, or deleting data in order to frustrate the commission of serious offences online. The bill also gives authorities powers to access the devices and networks used to facilitate criminal activity and provides for new account takeover warrants that allow investigators to take over a persons online accounts including social media or internet banking accounts for the purposes of gathering evidence to further a criminal investigation. Authorities will be able to use the powers to gather evidence about a persons criminality and their associates activity including on the dark web then-Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton said when the bill was introduced in late 2020. Also new are network activity warrants, which will enable AFP and ACIC officers to build a picture of how criminal networks are operating online and inform future investigations, Dutton said, noting that any information collected must be relevant to the prevention, detection, or frustration of an offence with a maximum penalty of at least three years imprisonment. 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. WASHINGTON (AP) As the final five U.S. military transport aircraft lifted off out of Afghanistan, they left behind up to 200 Americans and thousands of desperate Afghans who couldn't get out and now must rely on the Taliban to allow their departure. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. will continue to try to get Americans and Afghans out of the country, and will work with Afghanistans neighbors to secure their departure either over land or by charter flight once the Kabul airport reopens. We have no illusion that any of this will be easy, or rapid, said Blinken, adding that the total number of Americans who are in Afghanistan and still want to leave may be closer to 100. 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. American diplomats, he said, will be based in Doha, Qatar. We will continue our relentless efforts to help Americans, foreign nationals and Afghans leave Afghanistan if they choose, Blinken said in an address from the State Department. "Our commitment to them holds no deadline. Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, told reporters the U.S. military was able to get as many as 1,500 Afghans out in the final hours of the American evacuation mission. But now it will be up to the State Department working with the Taliban to get any more people out. McKenzie said there were no citizens left stranded at the airport and none were on the final few military flights out. He said the U.S. military maintained the ability to get Americans out right up until just before the end, but none of them made it to the airport. Theres a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure," said McKenzie. "We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out. But I think if wed stayed another 10 days we wouldnt have gotten everybody out that we wanted to get out. McKenzie and other officials painted a vivid picture of the final hours U.S. troops were on the ground, and the preparations they took to ensure that the Taliban and Islamic State group militants did not get functioning U.S. military weapons systems and other equipment. The terror threat remains a major problem in Afghanistan, with at least 2,000 hard core members of the Islamic State group who remain in the country, including many released from prisons as the Taliban swept to control. Underscoring the ongoing security threats, the weapon systems used just hours earlier to counter IS rockets launched toward the airport were kept operational until the very last minute as the final U.S. military aircraft flew out, officials said. One of the last things U.S. troops did was to make the so-called C-RAMS (Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar System) inoperable. McKenzie said they demilitarized the system so it can never be used again. Officials said troops did not blow up equipment in order to ensure they left the airport workable for future flights, once those begin again. In addition, McKenzie said the U.S. also disabled 27 Humvees and 73 aircraft so they can never be used again. Throughout the day, as the final C-17 transport planes prepared to take off, McKenzie said the U.S. kept overwhelming U.S. airpower overhead to deal with potential IS threats. Back at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, watched the final 90 minutes of the military departure in real time from an operations center in the basement. According to a U.S. official, they sat in hushed silence as they watched troops make last-minute runway checks, make the key defense systems inoperable and climb aboard the C-17s. The official said you could hear a pin drop as the last aircraft lifted off, and leaders around the room breathed sighs of relief. Later, Austin phoned Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, who was coordinating the evacuation. Donahue and acting U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan Ross Wilson were the last to board the final plane that left Kabul. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details of military operations. Simply because we have left, that doesnt mean the opportunities for both Americans that are in Afghanistan that want to leave and Afghans who want to leave, they will not be denied that opportunity, said McKenzie. The military left some equipment for the Taliban in order to run the airport, including two firetrucks, some front-end loaders and aircraft staircases. Blinken said the U.S. will work with Turkey and Qatar to help them get the Kabul airport up and running again. This would enable a small number of daily charter flights, which is a key for anyone who wants to depart from Afghanistan moving forward, he said. For Shelly Savoie, time is running out at the Motel 6 in Bossier City, Louisiana. So are diapers and dollars. Savoie and her family of six fled their home in a New Orleans suburb on the West Bank of the Mississippi river as powerful Hurricane Ida hit the region, knocking out power for thousands, destroying homes and flooding streets. But the immediate relief she felt at having been able to escape the storm's destruction has given way to numerous anxieties. Savoie's biggest concern is that she will run out of money. She thought she would only have to stay in a hotel for about three nights. Now she's discovered that widespread power outages across the state including in Jefferson Parish, where she lives might not be resolved for weeks. She also found out that the ceiling of her home partially caved in when Ida passed through and that tree limbs fell on the house and across her yard. Im on edge, definitely, Savoie told The Associated Press on Monday in Facebook messages written during a break from making calls to the Red Cross. Im trying to stay calm, especially around the kids." It's not easy. Savoie is afraid she could lose her job: The phone agent for two major retail stores left her computer at home when she rushed out with her 2-year-old twin daughters; her 11-year-old son; her 17-year-old daughter and the daughter's 18-year-old boyfriend; and the young couple's 6-month-old son. If Im unable to work after so long, they let you go, she said. While displaced, Savoie's 17-year-old, Ressa, is missing school, where she is studying forensic science. Ressa's boyfriend, Timothy, is also missing school, where he is working to get his HVAC license, as well as his job working nights at a supermarket. Thousands of people with the resources to do so fled before Ida one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to strike the U.S. roared ashore in Louisiana on Sunday. But many without the funds for gas or a hotel room were left behind. Savoie, 39, said she tried to plan ahead to get herself, the babies and the three teenagers out of harm's way. She booked a room at Motel 6 three days ahead of time, and they all loaded into her small SUV on Saturday with just a few outfits apiece and some cash, "thinking we would return quickly after. With limited resources, staying at a hotel for much longer is not really an option. Savoie said she's also going to run out of diapers soon. Savoie said she applied for assistance for her family through the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Monday, but had not heard back. She was able to finally get through to the Red Cross after multiple calls and an hour on hold, but was told the agency could only help her if she made it to a shelter. Staying at a shelter is something Savoie is trying desperately to avoid at a time when the delta variant of the coronavirus is raging through Louisiana, a state with one of the highest rates of new virus cases per capita and one of the lowest vaccination rates in the U.S. Shelters are not COVID-safe, she said. Id rather sleep in my car. ___ Leah Willingham is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. 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. 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. PORTLAND Come hell or high water, Paul Veneto says he will have his airline beverage cart at Ground Zero in New York City by Sept. 11. Theres no obstacle that will stop me from getting to Ground Zero, Veneto said while crossing the Arrigoni Bridge on Tuesday as part of his 200-mile journey. Ill carry [the cart]. Ill swim across the Hudson (River) with it. Ill do whatever I have to do. As part of Paulies Push, Veneto, a former airline attendant, is traveling from Boston Logan Airport to New York City to commemorate flight attendants and crew members who died during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He is raising money for a nonprofit that helps people battle addiction, as well as other organizations that aid the families of crew members who died that day. Local reaction Dozens of people met him as he pushed his cart to Main Street in Portland by way of East Hampton. Crowds cheers and passersby honked their horns, as Veneto stopped under an American flag hung on a Portland Fire Department ladder truck. He briefly stopped to take photos and talk with people, and then continued on to the Arrigoni Bridge as he crossed into Middletown. Its been quite a challenge, he said. Connecticut gave it to me. Those hills I couldnt believe it. Deputy Fire Chief Rob Puida said he and his wife, Kimberly, have been following Venetos journey for a few days because they thought it was important for the department to be involved. When someone takes time out of their busy life to come out and support such a good cause for people that passed away on 9/11, its something that should be recognized, he said. Puida said they have been tracking his progress. A lot of Venetos march to New York City so far has been in the woods along the Airline Trail, he said. East Hampton put together a big welcome for him Monday, with approximately 100 people showing up to the intersection of routes 16 and 66, the deputy said. Mary Pont said 9/11 is a day seared into the memories of all Americans alive at the time. Still, on that date, I can remember where I was, what I saw, she said. I was at the high school and they had just tuned in. After that was finished, I went to where my daughter worked at the nursery school because I needed to see her. You dont forget that. Veneto said his journey, which he began last week during Tropical Storm Henri, is going fabulously. He didnt think he would be able to do five miles during the days leg, he said, but he completed 18. The only thing that can fail is my body, but Ive trained for this, he said. Im ready mentally and physically. Veneto said the support he has received from Connecticut residents has been unbelievable and he wishes he could record the stories he has heard from people along the way. Were all together in this Im amazed at how theres not division out here right now. Were all together in this. Everybody believes in what Im doing, he said. For 20 years, Veneto said, flight attendants and crew members were not recognized for their heroics during the terrorist attacks. They were doing hand-to-hand combat, and they werent trained for that, he said. Veneto, who was part of the crew on United Airlines Flight 175, had that day off. He lost colleagues when the plane was hijacked and flown into the South Tower of the World Trade Center, he said. Because of that, he later struggled with a worsening opioid addiction. It almost killed him, Veneto said. I was able to come out of that, and just in time to be able to do this to recognize them, he said. How many miles will I do each day? I dont know. But I guarantee you Ill be there on Sept. 11 Ill tell you that. Suffering in silence Three years after the attacks, Veneto said, he felt he and his fellow flight crew members were suffering in silence. But when he saw an interview with the child of an attendant, he said he realized how it impacted their families as well. The fire grew at that point. I said, Somebodys got to do something, he said. Every year, the anniversary would come up. Nothing was done and nobody did anything. I was in my addiction at this point, so thats all I thought about, but I couldnt do anything in that condition. Veneto was in survival mode, and knew he would do something if he could deal with his addiction, he said. In 2015, he began his slow process of recovery. Its surreal, he said. I knew I was going to do it. I had to do it. How could I not do it? These are friends of mine. I knew theyd do that for me. Thats what we are supposed to do in this country. Awareness was the main goal All proceeds from Paulies Push will support the families of 9/11 crew members who registered with not-for-profit organizations and Power Forward, which assists people dealing with addiction. Two-time Stanley Cup champion Kevin Stevens founded Power Forward, Veneto said, and Stevenss sister Kelly Wilson helped him organize the Push. I didnt want anything to do with money, he said. I just wanted awareness. I want all of us to say, Yeah. They were heroes. But, because she did so much, I agreed with her. More people are being helped just by him pushing a cart, Veneto said. His effort has gotten bigger than he ever imagined. People have been reaching out to me for whatever issues they might have, he said. It doesnt have to be addiction. I can see when people come up to me that theres something going on with them. Obviously, Im bringing them some sense of hope or inspiration to hang out. After crossing the bridge, Veneto walked down Middletowns Main Street, with people waving their signs, shouting words of encouragement, and taking photographs with him. Middletown police officers greeted him in front of the station, Community Relations Officer Jay Bodell said. The next stop was Durham, where he ended his trek for the day at the Town Green. Veneto said he believes in the saying, Dont quit five minutes before the miracle. Im so grateful that theres more people I can inspire, he said. As long as I stay focused on my main mission, everything else falls into place. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to halt the October execution of a man convicted of a triple killing who claimed his intellectual disability made him ineligible for the death penalty. Ernest Lee Johnson, 61, is scheduled to die by injection Oct. 5 at the state prison in Bonne Terre. It would be the first execution in Missouri since convicted killer Walter Barton was put to death in May 2020. Johnson's attorney, Kansas City public defender Jeremy Weis, said he is still weighing options about what to do next. Weis said Johnson meets all statutory and clinical definitions of intellectual disability and has an IQ that in various tests has ranged from 67 to 77. The Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits executing intellectually disabled people. Johnson was convicted of killing 46-year-old Mary Bratcher, 57-year-old Mable Scruggs and 58-year-old Fred Jones during a closing-time robbery of a Caseys General Store in Columbia in February 1994. Johnson wanted money to buy drugs, authorities said. All three workers were beaten to death with a claw hammer. Bratcher also was stabbed at least 10 times with a screwdriver and Jones was shot in the face. The bodies were hid in a cooler. Johnson was arrested after police found a bank bag, stolen money and store receipts at his home. Johnson had previously asked that his execution be carried out by firing squad. His lawyers argued that Missouri's lethal injection drug, pentobarbital, could trigger seizures. In 2008 Johnson had most, but not all, of a benign brain tumor removed, and a later MRI revealed that up to 20% of his brain tissue was also removed. But Missouri law does not authorize execution by firing squad and the U.S. Supreme Court in May refused to consider Johnson's appeal. The Missouri Supreme Court, in its decision on Tuesday, also declined to halt the execution based on concerns about the drug. Johnson has been sentenced to death three times. He was already on death row in 2001 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that executing the mentally ill was unconstitutionally cruel and a new sentencing hearing was ordered. Johnson was again sentenced to death in 2003. The Missouri Supreme Court tossed that sentence, too. In 2006, Johnson was sentenced to death again. BOSTON (AP) The co-owners of a New Hampshire-based asbestos abatement company have been sentenced to two years of probation each for failing to properly pay into their employees pension fund. Richard Quinn, 58, of Sterling, Massachusetts, and Gary McCaffrey, 66, of Salem, New Hampshire, were sentenced in federal court on Monday to spend the first six months of their probation in home confinement, according to the U.S. attorney's office in Boston. GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) Police in south-central Nebraska have arrested a woman they suspect was under the influence of prescription drugs when she fatally hit a pedestrian. Antonio Nicholas Antonio, 45, of Grand Island, was either walking in or crossing a city street around 9:20 p.m. Saturday when he was hit be a vehicle, the Grand Island Independent reported. Antonio was taken to a hospital, where he died of his injuries later that night. FARGO, N.D. (AP) The U.S. State Department announced Tuesday that it is offering up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of a Chinese national suspected of leading an international fentanyl trafficking operation that authorities uncovered after an overdose death in North Dakota. Jian Zhang is one of a handful of Chinese and Canadian nationals among more than 30 people accused of dealing large amounts of the powerful opioid. The reward also applies to information leading to Zhang's location. Zhang, also known as Hong Kong Zaron, and his biotechnical company were sanctioned by the Treasury Department in 2018, a move that was meant to prevent them from doing business with anyone in the U.S. It was the first time the department had sanctioned an alleged fentanyl trafficker. The Justice Department said its narcotics reward programs have led to the capture of more than 75 people since 1986. More than $135 million has been paid out since that time. The investigation known as Operation Denial began when 18-year-old Bailey Henke was found dead inside a Grand Forks, North Dakota, apartment building in January 2015. Deaths from fentanyl supplied by Zhang have also been reported in North Carolina, New Jersey and Oregon. Several others suffered serious injuries, authorities said. Fentanyl is 50 times more powerful than heroin and can be lethal even in small amounts. It's used legally during surgeries and to treat people with chronic, severe pain, such as cancer patients. Illicit fentanyl is often laced with other dangerous drugs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that synthetic opioid-involved death rates increased by over 15% from 2018 to 2019 and accounted for nearly 73% of all opioid-involved deaths in 2019, most of which were driven by fentanyl overdoses. Music superstar Prince died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl in 2016. The majority of illicit fentanyl is manufactured in China, according to federal officials. Another man accused of playing a major role in the ring, Colombian national Daniel Vivas Ceron, sold the drugs while serving time in a medium security prison in Quebec for drug-smuggling charges. He arranged co-conspirators to conduct transactions in Canada and China through money wires, bank wires, bank deposits and the use of virtual currency systems, court documents show. Vivas Ceron pleaded guilty in 2019 to three counts and faces a sentence of life in prison. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) South Dakotas attorney general was ticketed for going 57 in a 35 mph zone last week, just days before he pleaded no contest to traffic charges for a car crash that killed a pedestrian last year. Jason Ravnsborg, the state's top law enforcement officer, received a ticket late Sunday, Aug. 22 in Hughes County, where he lives. He was charged with Speeding on Other Roadways" a second-degree misdemeanor and fined $177.50. Dakota News Now first reported the ticket. Ravnsborg has not paid the fine or admitted guilt. On Thursday, the Republican attorney general pleaded no contest to a pair of second-degree misdemeanors for a crash last year that killed Joseph Boever, who walking on a rural highway. He avoided jail time but had to pay over $4,500 in fees. Circuit Judge John Brown tried to order Ravnsborg to do a significant public service event in each of the next five years near the date of Boever's death. Ravnsborg's attorney, Tim Rensch, objected to that order, arguing that the punishment timeline exceeded the maximum 30-day jail sentence allowed by law. Rensch said he heard from the judge Tuesday that extended public service would not be a part of Ravnsborg's punishment, South Dakota Public Broadcasting reported. Ravnsborg was not charged with speeding in the fatal crash. Prosecutors said he was going two miles over the 65 mph speed limit at the time of impact, but they decided that didn't justify a traffic charge. Instead, they charged him with making an illegal lane change, using a phone while driving and careless driving. Prosecutors dropped the charge of careless driving as part of the plea deal. Before the crash last year, Ravnsborg had accumulated eight traffic tickets over seven years, including six speeding tickets in different counties. However, he was not in danger of losing his drivers license. The attorney general's chief of staff, Tim Bormann, declined to comment on the ticket, saying it was a personal matter for Ravnsborg. Mike Deaver, who has been acting as Ravnsborg's spokesman, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Prosecutors said Ravnsborg was on his phone roughly one minute before last year's crash, but phone records showed it was locked at the moment of impact. Ravnsborg told investigators that the last thing he remembered before the crash was turning off the radio and looking down at his speedometer. Gov. Kristi Noem has renewed pressure to force the attorney general from office, even as he has repeatedly defended his job performance. After the trial concluded last week, she said she would hand over the crash investigation file to the House speaker to consider impeachment charges. Rep. Will Mortensen, a freshman Republican legislator from Hughes County, had introduced impeachment proceedings in February. But impeachment quickly stalled in the House, and lawmakers said they would revisit the matter after the trial concluded. Mortensen said lawmakers were still considering whether to move forward with impeachment. I continue to be hopeful that the attorney general will step down, he said. ___ This story has corrected a quote from Rep. Will Mortensen. He said he was hopeful the attorney general would step down, not helpful. STRATFORD Summer school programs for grades nine through 12 usually draw about 90 students which fell to only 36 last year while classes were virtual. This year, the number doubled to 176 with 173 successfully recovering credits they needed. The uptick typified a broader range of summer school options than whats offered in most years, as more than 1,000 students took part in a range of programs from prekindergarten to high school. Assistant Superintendent Linda Gejda presented an overview of the summer school programs during a recent school board meeting. This summer was a very busy summer for us, she told the board last week, noting that federal grants related to COVID-19 allowed the school district to offer more programs. We had some great attendance. In addition to the nearly 200 high schoolers who recovered credits successfully, Gejda said 39 of 40 seventh- and eighth-graders did so in Stratfords regular summer school program. The school district also offered asummer engagement and enrichment program for students from kindergarten to sixth grade this year. The students received a non-traditional summer experience that focused around hands-on STEM-based activities, art and music with an emphasis on movement and mindfulness to support their social and emotional development, Gejda said. The COVID-19 pandemic was an educational setback in many ways, not the least of which was social and emotional learning, as remote and hybrid programs meant kids spent less time interacting in person with other kids. Many post-pandemic programs put an emphasis on social and emotional aspects in an effort to recoup some of that lost time. The assistant superintendent said the response to Stratfords summer program has been good. The individuals who were involved received some great feedback from parents who are very excited about the program, saying Our children were really happy to be able to participate, Gejda said. A total of 334 students participated in that program, which was broken up into two sessions, Gejda said. The assistant superintendent detailed another new summer offering that she said is normally held after school called the 21st Century Program, which focused on building teamwork, collaboration, adaptability and leadership. Middle and high school students met for four days before applying their skills at an obstacle course in East Windsor. A total of 105 students took part, 55 from middle schools and 50 from high schools. The hope is that these students will return for our school year program and be active in that program as well, so we really saw it even as a recruiting opportunity, Gejda said. In addition to new programs, the school district also tweaked summer programs it offered previously. A program annually offered to special education students, the Extended School Year, returned from fully virtual last summer to in-person this year. A total of 429 students participated. Another program, Kickstart Kindergarten, for students entering kindergarten who did not attend preschool, attracted 20 kids. Funding is in place to offer more programs next summer and in 2023, she said. This year transportation was provided for students (and) students attended tuition-free and funding for future summer programs is planned for 2022 and 2023, Gejda said, noting a number of teachers and other staff members who took part in training and seminars. Board of Education Vice Chair Amy Wiltsie commended the educators and officials. I would just like to thank Dr. Gejda and the entire team for really pulling together quite the summer for so many of our kids who need social (and) emotional (learning) and some gap-filling, Wiltsie said. Superintendent Uyi Osunde also had kudos for Gejda and those involved in Stratfords summer programs after noting participation topped 1,100. Thats a powerful statement and number in the context of what the previous year looked like for educators and students everywhere, he said. Osunde, who began his job July 1 after serving as a high school principal, said its been a rather interesting summer to decide to become a superintendent. He said his focus now is on opening schools. Thursday is the first day of school in Stratford, except for kindergarten, which begins Friday. Its been a good summer, its been a productive summer, its been a summer of growth, Osunde said. WASHINGTON (AP) The United States is promising up to $60 million in military aid to Ukraine in advance of a White House meeting on Wednesday between President Joe Biden and his counterpart in Kyiv, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Biden administration said in a notification to Congress that the aid package for Ukraine was necessary because of a major increase in Russian military activity along its border and because of mortar attacks, cease-fire violations and other provocations. Russias buildup along the Ukrainian border has highlighted capability shortfalls in the Ukrainian militarys ability to defend against a Russian incursion, the notification states. Ukraines significant capability gaps must be urgently addressed to reinforce deterrence in light of the current Russian threat. Zelenskyy is set to meet Biden as part of a White House visit that the administration hopes will demonstrate support for Ukraines sovereignty in the face of Russias seizure of Crimea and backing of armed separatists in the countrys east. The White House has also said that Biden intends to encourage Zelenskyys efforts to tackle corruption in the country. Zelenskyy, meanwhile, is expected to raise with Biden Washingtons decision to not block the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Germany that bypasses Ukraine. The Russia-to-Europe gas pipeline is vehemently opposed by Ukraine and Poland as well as both Republicans and Democrats in Congress, with Zelenskyy describing it as a powerful geopolitical weapon for Russia. The new military aid is meant to demonstrate that the U.S. is committed to Ukraine's security at a time when the former Soviet republic has sought stronger Western backing during Russia's troop buildup and escalating tensions. The new package will include more Javelin anti-tank missiles, which Kyiv sees as critical to defending against the Russia-backed separatists who have rolled through eastern Ukraine. The Pentagon in March announced a $125 million military aid package for Ukraine, including two armed patrol boats to help the country defend its territorial waters. The U.S. says it has committed more than $2.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine since its conflict with Russia began in 2014. Military aid to Ukraine became a politically freighted issue in the Trump administration. Allegations that then-President Donald Trump withheld assistance to Ukraine as part of a scheme to press the Ukrainian government to investigate Biden and his son Hunter formed the basis of the first impeachment case against him. Trump was acquitted by the Senate in February 2020. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Utah Gov. Spencer Cox cast doubt on the efficacy of mask-wearing Tuesday as health leaders made some of their most impassioned pleas yet for state residents to mask up and get vaccinated. Cox, a Republican, said his administration is encouraging people to wear masks but said it is unclear whether they are effective against the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus. Masks are not as effective as most of the pro-mask crowd are arguing, Cox told reporters at a news conference. We know that theyre just not. Cox offered no specific evidence to support his assertion, and his comments contradicted public health experts as well as statements Utahs state epidemiologist Dr. Michelle Hofmann made a few minutes earlier earlier at the same news conference. State hospital leaders made emotional pleas for vaccinations and universal masking to prevent the states ongoing COVID-19 surge. There will be enduring harm to our children and generations to come if we do not stop the divisiveness around the things we know work like masks and vaccines," Hofmann said. We know the path to healing is the end of this pandemic, and it hasnt ended yet even if we want to pretend it has." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in July recommended that even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the delta variant of the coronavirus is fueling infection surges. The CDC also recommended indoor masks for all teachers, staff, students and visitors at schools nationwide, regardless of vaccination status. Hofmann said COVID-19 cases among school-aged children in Utah are 3.5 times higher than they were at the beginning of last school year, when masks were required, and that 39,000 children are projected to test positive for COVID-19 in September. The governor has previously urged state residents to wear masks and has defended his administrations decision to mandate masks in schools last year against parent protests. Under a new state law, school mask mandates this school year are now banned, though students can wear face coverings if they or their parents choose. Local health departments can issue a mask requirement for schools, but only with the support from elected county leaders, but some have been vocal in their opposition. Grand County School District in southeastern Utah started the school year with a 30-day mask mandate for K-6 students, and Summit County has said it will require masks for children in elementary schools if infection rates go above 2%. Vaccines are only available to those 12 and older. Since June 1, hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients has increased by 342% and the number of COVID-19 patients in ICUs has increased by 330%, according to state data. About 61% of Utah residents ages 12 and older were fully vaccinated as of Tuesday, state data shows. Utah reported seven new deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the total since the pandemic began to 2,634. Marc Harrison, president and CEO of Intermountain Healthcare, began his statements by explaining that he was in remission from an incurable blood cancer and immunocompromised, putting himself at risk by being at the governors briefing. I would normally avoid a group like this, but Im here today because what were talking about is so important, Harrison said. By the way I hope that all of you who arent wearing masks arent carrying the delta variant because if you are, you could kill me. About half of the people inside the briefing room remained unmasked following Harrisons comments, including Cox and Lt. Gov Deidre Henderson. ___ Eppolito 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. 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. Like all of you, we are sick and disgusted with COIVD. We all have COVID burnout. However, COVID is not done with us. In the last month alone there were more than 9,000 new COVID infections in Connecticut. On one recent day in the United States there were 155,000 new cases and 1,266 people died. These are avoidable deaths. This doesnt have to happen. These are horrible losses for families. These people are young and old. Our intensive care units are filling up again. Our pediatric intensive care units are filling up. Our children are at risk. Our 14-year-old went to an introductory program for high school on Friday. She was incredibly excited and nervous. She very much wants to be back at school after more than a year of virtual classes. She truly missed the socialization. She wore her mask. Let us share with you the activities (all well-intentioned). She sat next to other students right next to them, in the bleachers in the gym, where there was no distancing, social or otherwise. They had a series of icebreaker activities to encourage the kids to get to know each other. This included high fives, fist bumps, telling each other their stories, group hugs to burst balloons, and giving each other a massage. Masks went up and down. Whenever people spoke, especially the teachers and their assistants, they would take their masks off. About 20 percent to 30 percent of the students were wearing their masks below their chins. This was an indoor event. This was a potential super spreader event. There was no distancing. There was physical contact. Masks were inconsistently used. As physicians and parents we are overwhelmed by the thoughtlessness of our schools at this truly dangerous time. We know people are concerned about their child losing a year developmentally, educationally, socially. We are much more concerned about our daughter losing her life. We can make up a year; we cant make up a life. The delta variant is spread extremely easily by vaccinated and unvaccinated alike. Each potentially exposed child in school can bring that virus home to innumerable family members and friends, many of whom are quite vulnerable to serious complications. It is well past time for us to take this infection seriously again. It is time to offer a virtual option to those who are uncomfortable sending their children to school due to the inability of the school to protect their children from infection. Many may say that the level of distancing is not practical when all of the children are attending classes, walk in the halls, etc. A virtual option means having smaller classes, making it safer for those who attend school in person, and will give comfort to those families that can support in-the-home schooling. Stratford, like many communities, is again in a red zone even before the school year begins. There are children about to be placed at serious risk for long-term and serious illness, as well are their at-risk family members at home. Parents are given assurances, but those assurances are false in the case of COVID and the delta variant, with regard to the reality of distancing, consistency in masking and ventilation/barriers in the classroom. The measures being taken are demonstrably inadequate. Please reach out and mobilize. We need to get our Board of Education to rethink their strategies. We need to reach out to our mayor and representatives. Reach out to the governor. We need to demand a remote option. We need to act before there are more avoidable, preventable deaths. Dr. Barbara Weber-Chess and Dr. David Chess live in Stratford. Cullman, AL (35055) Today Partly to mostly cloudy with widely scattered showers or thunderstorms possible this afternoon. High 82F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Kankakee, IL (60901) Today Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 57F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Ronald Leland Dickison of Ironton, Ohio passed away Saturday, September 11, 2021 at home surrounded by his family. Ronald was born November 11, 1942 in Ashland, Kentucky. He was the son of the late Ben Dickison and Dorothy Gillium. There will be a celebration of life, 1:00 P.M., Saturday, Se For most of the past 18 months, the legislature has asked for my administration to defer to local governments and local organizations when making mitigation decisions, Gov. Tom Wolf wrote in a letter to Republican leaders. It is clear that action is needed to ensure children are safe as they return to the classroom. A class of students walks through the hallway during the first day of school at Mars Area Elementary School, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Mars, Pa. Masks are optional for students and teachers. Like so many emergency measures introduced at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, consultations with GPs over the phone and internet were never meant to be the norm. It has happened by stealth. Alarming figures on the front page of yesterdays Mail revealed that across swathes of the country, more than half of patients are being denied face-to-face appointments with a GP. The inevitable result is tragic. Countless illnesses are going unspotted. Patients are dying because they cannot see a doctor. No case can be more upsetting or more unnecessary than that of a five-year-old girl who died on the floor of her family GPs surgery because her symptoms were misdiagnosed over the phone. Alarming figures on the front page of yesterdays Mail revealed that across swathes of the country, more than half of patients are being denied face-to-face appointments with a GP Tragedy I attended her inquest, as an expert witness. Every detail of her story was heartbreaking. Alarmed when the little girl began vomiting and running a high temperature with abdominal pains, her mother called the 111 medical helpline. She described the illness over the phone, and a doctor suggested her child might have the norovirus, a virulent stomach upset. Next day, with the little girl no better, the mother called again. She spoke to a different doctor who glanced at the notes, and assumed the tentative diagnosis of norovirus was confirmed. This GP advised the same as the previous one: lots of fluids and bed rest. By the third day, the girl was worse, in great pain. A third doctor explained that norovirus often took a few days to pass. By now, no other explanation was even considered. On the fourth day, the mother put her child in a pushchair and wheeled her to the local surgery. By then, it was too late to save her. She died before an ambulance could arrive. What a catastrophic tragedy, and one that could probably have been prevented if a GP had examined the child soon enough. Not only would the symptoms of a ruptured appendix have been more readily identified with a physical examination, but the womans mounting panic would have been visible. During phone consultations, it is too easy to miss the non-verbal signals that doctors are trained to recognise. Thats an essential part of the training, both in medical school and on hospital wards. Scurr: 'I find it baffling that a succession of Health Secretaries, beginning with Jeremy Hunt, have assumed that a call handler with a script can take the place of a trained medical professional.' I find it baffling that a succession of Health Secretaries, beginning with Jeremy Hunt, have assumed that a call handler with a script can take the place of a trained medical professional. And as most 111 callers will know, even speaking to another human being is becoming ever more difficult. Instead, NHS patients are encouraged to log on to a web page and answer a series of questions. This should not need to be said: a flow chart on the internet, based on a series of yes-or-no answers, is not any kind of replacement for a doctors training, experience and wisdom. Yet this is what NHS users are expected to accept. The backlog of appointments caused by the pandemic is now so overwhelming that, in some areas, one in ten people has to wait three weeks for any sort of consultation, even one over the phone. Added to that is the lack of privacy in many homes. How can any parent hope to have a private telephone conversation in a small house or flat at the moment, when the children are not yet back at school in England? A phone call to your GP does have its uses. For more than 40 years, Ive relied on the phone to handle the routine business of prescription renewals and suchlike. Patients like the contact, the feeling that their GP is at the other end of a line. But as often as not, a chat on the phone will lead me to suggest a proper face-to-face appointment. Ive never used a phone consultation as a substitute for an examination. Nor would I suggest a video-call consultation comes anywhere near one in the surgery. It may be helpful if symptoms need to be shown, but it simply isnt the same. Thats partly because it was drummed into me long ago, as a junior doctor, that the most important moment of a consultation comes at the end, when the patient is standing up to go: Oh, by the way, Doc, one other thing that was bothering me . . . Thats when you hear about the mysterious lump, the chest pains or the breathlessness. Thats also when you notice the bruises on the wrist or the scratches on the neck. Many people are unable to say over the phone: Im worried I might have cancer. Scurr: 'A flow chart on the internet, based on a series of yes-or-no answers, is not any kind of replacement for a doctors training, experience and wisdom.' Confidential And an abused woman certainly wont reveal that her husband or boyfriend beats her when hes standing next to her in the hall and listening to her every word. They want their GP to know thats why they come to the surgery. At that point, its up to the doctor to spot whats really wrong. And doing that over the phone is a thousand times harder. Close to my home in Norwich, ladies hairdressers are being taught to recognise the signs of domestic abuse and depression in their clients. Thats an innovative step and I approve of it but a trip to the salon cannot be allowed to replace a confidential chat with a GP. For many abuse victims, living with a controlling spouse or partner, those few minutes in a doctors surgery represent the only opportunity to escape the watchful eye and heavy hand. A GP can insist that a husband stays outside the room, and the husband will obey because a doctor still has real authority. But that authority counts for nothing over the phone. For the elderly and those with dementia, there are other obstacles. My neighbour, who is in her mid-90s, has macular degeneration and cannot see to dial her surgery. If I arrange for the GPs receptionist to give her a call, they will let the phone ring 15 times and then hang up which often doesnt give my neighbour time to get to the phone. She is too old and too frail to be treated over the telephone, so she has effectively been abandoned by her surgery. Ive tried to help, waiting for 20 minutes in a call queue, only to be told that because my neighbour is not actually my patient, I am not authorised to speak on her behalf. Scurr: [My neighbour] is too old and too frail to be treated over the telephone, so she has effectively been abandoned by her surgery Frightening People with dementia are being let down particularly badly. They find it impossible to describe their symptoms over the phone, they often cannot use computers and they find the absence of a GPs personal attention both distressing and frightening. I dont blame doctors. There are not enough of us to cope. Jeremy Hunt promised 5,000 more GPs by 2020 yet now, in 2021, there are fewer GPs than there were in 2015. The crisis will never be solved as long as those in power imagine that medical care is something that can be done at a distance. It is only when a patient is sitting in front of you that the real business of medicine can be done, whether thats casually taking a blood pressure reading while you chat or spotting the symptoms that are otherwise brushed off: What, that mark? Oh, its nothing, Doctor. For nearly 75 years, the face-to-face consultation has been the basis of our first-rate National Health Service. If we let that slip away, we will see primary care become a second-class system. The blame game is intensifying in Westminster over who is responsible for Britains hasty and humiliating retreat from Kabul, which has left many British citizens and Afghans at the mercy of the Taliban. Most of the brickbats are being directed at the Foreign Office in general and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in particular. Unidentified officials at No 10 and in the Ministry of Defence are falling over one another to put the boot in. Tomorrow, Mr Raab appears before a session of the Commons foreign affairs select committee, which has been called even though Parliament is still in recess. To say that he can expect a rough ride from MPs would be an understatement. Tomorrow, Mr Raab appears before a session of the Commons foreign affairs select committee But they should beware. The Foreign Secretary is a thick-skinned fellow adept at batting away searching questions. That the Foreign Secretary and his department have fouled up can hardly be denied. Instead of burnishing the image of Global Britain, they have offered us another version of Carry On Up The Khyber. But this one hasnt been remotely funny. Mr Raabs first faux pas was to linger on holiday in Crete while the Taliban were at the gates of Kabul. Ignoring advice from his own officials, he declined to make a crucial call to the Afghan foreign minister to seek help to evacuate translators who had worked for the British. The call was delegated to a junior minister, who never made it because Kabul collapsed at such speed on Sunday, August 15. Mr Raab finally returned to Heathrow in the very early hours of August 16. According to newspaper reports, he had been asked by No 10 to return the preceding Friday, but pleaded with Boris Johnson to let him stay two more days. In a subsequent radio interview he wouldnt confirm this, though he admitted that with the benefit of hindsight he wouldnt have gone to Crete in the first place. So that is the first question the foreign affairs committee should ask him tomorrow: Why didnt you come back when you were instructed to if you were and why didnt you make that call to the Afghan foreign minister? The second question is whether it is true, as has been widely reported, that Mr Raab didnt make a single telephone call to the Afghan and Pakistani foreign ministers in the six months before Afghanistan was overrun by the Taliban. Please answer the question, Secretary of State. Moreover, are reports accurate this is a third question that Foreign Office diplomats thwarted requests by No 10 to develop overland escape routes out of Afghanistan, for example to neighbouring Pakistan? The sad truth is that the dysfunctionality goes much deeper than the Foreign Secretarys personal failures, serious though they are. For it has emerged that he wasnt the only important person on holiday when he should have been at his desk. Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office and its most senior official, was also reportedly on annual leave. Incredibly, the Home Office Permanent Secretary, Matthew Rycroft, and David Williams, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, are said to have been absent, too, as Afghanistan disintegrated. Make no mistake: this was a failure of planning on a huge scale, and since it was the Foreign Office which was responsible for coming up with a plan for extricating former translators, the main responsibility for this dereliction falls on that department and Dominic Raab With the wonders of modern communications, it is possible for mandarins to keep in touch with their offices. But if you are in holiday mood on a beach, or half-way up a mountain, you are inevitably less effective. Otherwise we might as well all be permanently on holiday. And that introduces a fourth question which MPs should pursue tomorrow. Whitehall insiders suggest that a critical reason for the poor planning to evacuate translators and others was that many important Foreign Office officials were at home because of the Covid pandemic. In other words, it wasnt just that the big chiefs were away on their hols. Because of the reluctance of civil servants to return to work and the refusal of ministers to force them the right officials across departments were unable to meet to make detailed plans. Is there a voice in the back of my mind saying that we should bring back Dominic Cummings, and that all is forgiven? The Prime Ministers former chief adviser famously inveighed against the mediocrity of senior civil servants. Make no mistake: this was a failure of planning on a huge scale, and since it was the Foreign Office which was responsible for coming up with a plan for extricating former translators, the main responsibility for this dereliction falls on that department and Dominic Raab. As soon as President Biden announced in April that America would withdraw its remaining troops by September 11, it was obvious that the Taliban could win back power and might do so as swiftly as they lost it in December 2001. Some people have been warning the authorities for a long time not least this newspaper, over the past six years of the need to protect Afghans who had worked for us. Shamefully little was done. Towards the end of July, 45 retired senior officers wrote to The Times, warning that the Governments relocation scheme was not being conducted with the required spirit of generosity and urgency. So a fifth question to Mr Raab tomorrow should be: why didnt you and the Foreign Office act much sooner? Its no good saying that Kabul fell quicker than anyone had predicted. The advance of the Taliban and the extreme vulnerability of our Afghan friends was foreseeable. If only the Foreign Office had shown one-tenth of the enterprise of former marine Pen Farthing, who managed to get 170 cats and dogs out of Kabul. Its appalling that animals should have escaped when hundreds of humans did not, but you cant fault Mr Farthing for lack of effort and grit. The same could not be said of Dominic Raab and his flawed department. It took the fall of Kabul to galvanise the Government, and our splendid servicemen and women to rise to the occasion. The great majority of Afghans who were rescued have been saved in the past two weeks. Most British diplomats left Kabul as soon as they could find an aircraft to take them Even then, the Foreign Office didnt cover itself in glory. Our embassy staff in Kabul vacated their premises with such haste that they left documents with the contact details of at least seven Afghans whod worked for them scattered on the ground. Most British diplomats left Kabul as soon as they could find an aircraft to take them, though, to their credit, the ambassador, Sir Laurie Bristow, and others agreed to stay on (possibly after pressure was put on them by senior Army officers) to help with the paperwork. Tomorrows meeting isnt, of course, the last word. Mr Raab will face further grilling. Some of the errors are personal ones; others are institutional, and arise from a defective Foreign Office mindset, for which, as Foreign Secretary, he must take ultimate responsibility. Not that I believe its all the fault of Mr Raabs department. Ive no doubt that the Ministry of Defence and No 10 are also to blame, though to a lesser extent. This is not a story of a competent, joined-up, smoothly running Government. In the end, all that counts is that we have abandoned to an uncertain fate hundreds, possibly thousands, of Afghans who served this country. They could, and should, have been saved. Why should anyone ever trust the British again? At a recent live-streamed event in Palo Alto, California, Elon Musk announced that his firm, Tesla, is set to construct a new breed of household robot designed to 'eliminate dangerous, repetitive and boring tasks' such as 'bending over to pick something up' or 'shopping for food'. The robot is to be called 'Optimus' but it might be better named 'Pessimus'. Whenever robots are involved, things tend to go belly-up. At present, Tesla is being investigated by U.S. safety regulators after a series of accidents in which autopiloted cars crashed into police cars and a fire truck. Imagine the same sort of turmoil transferred to your living-room. The Tesla robot is to be called 'Optimus' but it might be better named 'Pessimus'. Despite their reputation for intelligence, robots regularly get the wrong end of the stick. You drop a few items, can't be bothered to retrieve them, and turn to Optimus the Robot. 'Optimus! Pick up what's on the floor!' you bellow. Optimus springs into action. First he starts picking up your carpet, then he picks up your floorboards. Mr Musk doesn't seem to realise that when robots get involved, life becomes more difficult, and every transaction takes longer. Whether you're booking a railway journey or a seat at the cinema, the automated process quadruples the time involved. In the old days, you would just go up to a counter and say: 'Ticket, please!' Nowadays, you are faced with a battery of questions to answer, codes and passwords to enter and buttons to press. At our local M&S, there are no longer any humans manning the checkouts. Instead, it is fully automated. The checkout machines have no small-talk and combine bossiness with incompetence. In recent years, machines have become self-regulating. If a machine does something wrong, you have to complain to a machine, and a machine will investigate it. At our local M&S, there are no longer any humans manning the checkouts. Instead, it is fully automated Recently, I went online to the Great Western Railway website to order two return tickets from London Paddington to Pershore in Worcestershire. After the usual faffing around with the various choices of times, types of cards (off-peak, super-saver, etc, etc) I put in all my credit card details, address, etc, and pressed the confirm button. Nothing seemed to happen, so, after a minute or two, I pressed the button again. Arriving at Paddington, I typed all the necessary details into a ticket machine, and out whirred not two return tickets but a cascade. We wanted to get our money back, so we were advised to go to the ticket hall. After queuing for a while, we spoke to a real-life, human ticket seller. He said that he could do nothing about it: if we wanted to complain, we would have to do so online. The form took 20 minutes to fill in. Two weeks later, we still haven't heard anything. And is the act of picking something up from the floor really so irksome that it's worth getting a robot to do it? Even if you drop two things a day, it takes only a few seconds to pick them up. Perhaps Mr Musk is unusually butter- fingered and drops things all day, every day, here, there and everywhere. Why else would he need to invent a robot to do it for him? Hand him a cheesy nibble and a glass of wine, and whoops! he'll drop them on the floor. I'm glad I don't live in Palo Alto. Calling round on the Musks for a drink must be a nightmare, particularly if Elon is doing the serving. By the end, the Musk living room will be strewn with broken glass, cheesy nibbles, cocktail sticks, wine, chipolatas and paper plates. And will things get any better when we all have an Optimus robot on stand-by? I doubt it. If Optimus is anything like Musk's self-driving cars, it will barge into the TV, knock over a lampstand and flatten the drinks cabinet before it has managed to pick a single peanut off the floor. Perhaps I am wrong. In 20 years' time, there may be an Optimus in every fashionable home, adept at picking up everything that is dropped. But then their proud owners will start to feel nostalgic for those 'repetitive and boring tasks' they farmed out to their robots, and will worry they are not getting enough exercise. So then, at great expense, they will have to hire a personal trainer, who will run them through a series of exercises designed to duplicate the very actions they abandoned. 'And . . . drop! And . . . lean over! And . . . pick up! And . . . stand! And drop!' And there, standing in the corner of the room, will be Optimus, barely suppressing a smirk. Short of a government plan to kidnap and sell into servitude every firstborn child, its hard to imagine a surer way to outrage Britains mothers than by mooting a tax on nappies. Yet, as the Mail reported yesterday, that is now being considered as yet another means of saving the planet, since billions of disposable nappies end up in landfill every year. It isnt actually a new idea I can remember my dear disco-dancing ex mentioning it to me years ago, back when he was at Defra under Theresa May. It seemed absurd then, and it seems absurd now. For as with just about everything from electric cars to heat pumps there is a price to pay for going green. And this nappy tax idea is a classic case. Disposable nappies could be taxed to urge parents to switch to green alternatives (file photo) Its an insane plan because taxing the consumer frazzled, exhausted, cash-strapped parents of newborns is the absolute worst way, both practically and politically, to go about it Its an insane plan, not because dirty nappies arent a huge problem, from an environmental point of view, or because we shouldnt be tackling the scourge of single-use plastic; but because taxing the consumer in this case especially frazzled, exhausted, cash-strapped parents of newborns is the absolute worst way, both practically and politically, to go about it. Its especially bonkers when you set the idea against the Governments levelling-up agenda. Because the kind of people who would really be affected adversely by a punitive nappy tax are precisely the sort of people it has pledged to help the most, that is to say families on low incomes in economically challenged parts of the country. The idea that you would add to their financial burden by making an everyday essential such as nappies more expensive would, Ill wager, not go down as well in Sedgefield as it might in SW1. Hey, everyone, queue here for a tax on parenthood. Please vote for us! The idea of a nappy tax was discussed during Theresa May's tenure as Prime Minister Because its not like ordinary people can just instruct the nanny to deal with the enormous amount of extra work involved in adopting more environmentally-friendly alternatives, or give the cleaning lady a few extra hours a week. Most busy people will just have to stump up the extra cash. They have to work to pay the bills; they dont have help, they have to share childcare with their partners and parents. Disposable nappies along with all the other labour-saving devices that the chattering classes disapprove of so much are not a lazy luxury, theyre part of what makes modern life possible for many people. Besides, even if they could, how many women would want to find themselves in the same position as my own mum (and countless others), spending hours in front of the stove, endlessly boiling soiled smelly squares of terrycloth? I remember so clearly watching her do it for my little brother, the tiredness writ large, the tedium of it all still palpable half a century on. Might as well, while were at it, make women go back to using old-fashioned sanitary belts during their periods. That way we really wont have time for anything else. Michael Gove mentioned it years ago, back when he was at Defra under Theresa May Look, I am perfectly willing to accept that something needs to be done about the amount of nappies in landfill. But the onus should be not on the consumer but on the manufacturers whose profit margins are vast either to contribute towards the cost of disposal or invest in research towards greener alternatives. Ideally, of course, both. That could be done, very simply, through tax incentives which, as we have seen from the sugar tax charged to manufacturers of soft drinks work very well in encouraging big business to behave better. Crucially, it would ensure the cost and inconvenience falls to those who can most afford it big business not ordinary people just trying to make ends meet. Don't shame fat shamers I will always be hugely grateful to my old GP (now retired, sadly) for informing me, in no uncertain terms, that I was fat. Everyone else in my life was busy dancing around the subject, but she gave it to me straight. It was exactly the jolt I needed to make me drop the extra weight I was carrying which, as well as causing high blood pressure, joint pain and a host of other fat-related ailments, was also making me look (and feel) dreadful. So the idea that doctors should somehow refrain from using the f-word when dealing with overweight patients is just nonsense. The idea that doctors should somehow refrain from using the f-word is just nonsense Obesity is a huge problem in Britain, one that gobbles up NHS billions and costs countless individuals their lives. Having been fat myself, I know how easy it is to be in denial about the realities of ones situation and how hard it can be for professionals to broach the subject. The last thing doctors need is to be accused of fat-shaming simply for doing their jobs properly. The world is full of high-flying women who like to pretend they effortlessly juggle the demands of motherhood with success. The reality, of course, is that its an impossible circle to square unless, that is, you have some help. So all credit to Fiona Bruce for admitting what we all secretly know to be true: that in order to combine parenthood with a stellar career, women need what men have always traditionally had, that is to say a wife. Or a wife equivalent. In Bruces case, shes had the same nanny for 20 years. Which, come to think about it, is longer than some marriages last. Homes need hearts The Governments 8.6 billion investment in affordable homes many outside the South East is undoubtedly welcome. I just hope the money goes where it should, and doesnt end up lining the pockets of shareholders. You hear so many stories of substandard homes being thrown up for quick profit, leaving families saddled with crumbling properties and mountains of debt. The Governments 8.6 billion investment in affordable homes is undoubtedly welcome Visiting a friend in Newport, South Wales, we drove past the site of the old steelworks, which is being turned into a vast estate for 1,700 homes. There was row upon row of tiny, soulless boxes, about as joyful and inspiring as a municipal toilet. Homes are about humans, not government targets. Thousands of patients still cant see their GP face to face. And I should know because Im one of them. At my surgery, all routine blood tests have been cancelled until further notice. As someone with a dicky thyroid that requires regular six-month checks, I havent had a blood test for almost two years. Something tells me it will be two more before I do. Designs on Domination Dolce & Gabbana threw a lavish party in Venice for a host of eye-catching celebs, all decked out in items from their Alta Moda collection. This included Leni Klum, eldest child of model Heidi, who seems intent on joining the growing army of daughters-of monopolising the fashion scene. Leni Klum, eldest child of model Heidi (left), was in attendance at the Dolce and Gabbana fashion show in Venice this week along with film star and musician Jennifer Lopez (right) Also on parade was J-Lo, who was so keen to wear her new D&G togs she forgot to remove the price tag on her peacock-blue embroidered coat. Weve all been there, J-Lo. Only perhaps with fewer zeros attached. Its terribly sad about Geronimo the alpaca. But watching the footage of him being taken away by officials, I couldnt help feeling the poor animal would have had a much less stressful time if he hadnt been surrounded by campaigners urging him to run and nut the officials who were only doing their jobs. I understand that his death is a huge tragedy for his owner, and she has a right to be devastated; but given that there was never really any prospect of his sentence being lifted, could he not have been spared the media circus in his final hour? Why Ghosts is so ghoulishly good While my almost ex-husband was throwing some interesting shapes in Aberdeen (WhatsApp from my mother: That video alone is grounds for divorce), I spent the long weekend in Wales with my teenagers and some friends. They have two children, aged nine and 12 (and still therefore adorable), while mine are 16 and 18 (less so). What to watch in the evenings to entertain all? Simple: the brilliant BBC sitcom Ghosts, about a young couple who inherit a stately home teeming with spirits. BBC sitcom Ghosts is about a young couple who inherit a stately home teeming with spirits Its exactly the sort of thing the BBC excels at, the kind of witty, endearing, emotionally intelligent family show that anyone from a too-cool-for-school 18-year-old to a bright-eyed nine-year-old can watch and laugh at and genuinely enjoy. Which is presumably why the BBC are making this the final series. Blimey! Turns out the male head of the nursing union is into bondage and polyamory. Whatever next: Tory Cabinet ministers going to raves? Oh wait . . . Were it not for the unhappy ending, this could have been a 21st Century Keystone Cops moment or, for younger viewers, a remake of another police comedy caper, Hot Fuzz. Here were two dozen officers and a team of Government scientists in chemical warfare kit charging round a paddock trying to lasso a runaway alpaca. There was just one problem: which alpaca? The only person who could actually identify Geronimo from the rest of the herd was the farmer, Helen Macdonald. And she was in no mood to help his would-be assassins. She had deliberately absented herself from her 25-acre Gloucestershire farm in the hope that without the presence of the legal owner, the authorities would be unable to do their stuff. Besides, she couldnt bear to see her healthy, virile specimen being dragged off to meet his maker after a four-year battle to keep him alive. It was all a bit of a shambles. At 11am yesterday, it all came to naught. With a fleet of police vans sealing off surrounding lanes to prevent reinforcements and even a drone to keep an eye from above the men from the ministry (they were mainly men) turned up with a death warrant, cut open a gate and went for the UKs Most Wanted camelid They should have had the Benny Hill theme tune, sighed Save Geronimo campaigner Peter Martin, one of a devoted band of supporters who have spent the last four weeks creating a human shield around Britains best-known farm animal. At 11am yesterday, it all came to naught. With a fleet of police vans sealing off surrounding lanes to prevent reinforcements and even a drone to keep an eye from above the men from the ministry (they were mainly men) turned up with a death warrant, cut open a gate and went for the UKs Most Wanted camelid. After making a prize fool of them in the field, Geronimo and his pals were finally cornered in a barn. The other alpacas (all identical) did their best to maintain the confusion with a final Im Spartacus-style runaround through the straw. But, in the end, it was his microchip which did for him. The Defra hitmen had come armed with their incontrovertible proof: a barcode-reading machine. They still had some trouble locating the microchips beneath these dense, award-winning fleeces (Ms Macdonalds alpacas have won many prizes for their wool over the years). When it finally flashed up that Defra had got their prey, Geronimos number was up. Even then, he didnt go down without a fight. Indeed, it took several officials and a thick rope to haul him into a Defra horsebox as police held back the Geronimo fan club. Go on! Nut him! one of them yelled as the alpaca tried to headbutt a vet in a hazmat suit. Sitting in Ms Macdonalds garage, I found the round-the-clock Save Geronimo team pondering what to do next. Around half a dozen have been camping here since a judge passed a death sentence on Geronimo a month ago Call yourself a vet? screamed another. One protester was arrested for squirting police with a childrens water pistol. She was an NHS nurse from Somerset called Liz. She had sacrificed a fortnights holiday allowance to camp outside Geronimos barn but said shed do it again. The police bundled her into a van and left her there for ten minutes before de-arresting her. Finally, the cops blocked the traffic again and Geronimo was driven off to a secret location. Defras agents had even gone to the trouble of blanking out the number plate on the horsebox. Inside the box, Geronimo was having one last kick. He is or was surely Britains most energetic TB patient, judging by his Herculean efforts yesterday. He looked more like a candidate for an alpaca Olympiad rather than the victim of a hideous respiratory disease. But then the whole basis of the campaign to save Geronimo is that he never had tuberculosis in the first place; that he has become the high-profile victim of a flawed Government policy; that there is ample scientific proof to dispute the two positive tests he received four long years ago. That, at least, is what Ms Macdonald and the 140,000 signatories to a petition on Geronimos behalf have claimed. She returned to the farm yesterday lunchtime and was still awaiting formal confirmation of Geronimos death last night. Within minutes of the animal being carted off, Defra had told the Press that the alpaca had been destroyed. No ones told me a thing, Ms Macdonald said several hours later, emerging from her farmhouse after a long conversation with her lawyers. I just want our vet to be present for the post-mortem because, after what we have been through, I simply dont trust those bullies not to fiddle the results. After making a prize fool of them in the field, Geronimo and his pals were finally cornered in a barn. The other alpacas (all identical) did their best to maintain the confusion with a final Im Spartacus-style runaround through the straw Harsh words, certainly, but they were those of a woman who has spent four years and 30,000 of her lifes savings on fighting officials who have steadfastly refused to allow one more blood test to resolve all this. The Geronimo saga stems from the Governments long-running battle with bovine TB in Britains cattle herds. To fight the disease, the Government embarked on a major cull of badgers eight years ago, a programme which is still ongoing, much to the fury of wildlife groups who point out that the culls have made no major difference to TB statistics. Any other infected animals and they include llamas and alpacas are subject to the same policy. Many of those who have been fighting for Geronimo are veterans of other battles, not least Peter Martin who is a former chairman of the Badger Trust. He could hardly be described as a fanatical animal rights activist. A marketing executive and former deputy mayor of Tetbury, near Highgrove, he used to be Prince Charless local councillor. He has every sympathy with dairy and beef farmers who have seen their herds plagued by TB. His gripe is with the quirks and inaccuracies of the Defra testing system and he reels off statistics about false positives. Mr Martin points out that just before Geronimo was tested for TB, he received two jabs of a priming agent called tuberculin. If you get double jabs for Covid then youll have a positive Covid antibody test. Well, this is the same thing, he said. Finally, the cops blocked the traffic again and Geronimo was driven off to a secret location. Defras agents had even gone to the trouble of blanking out the number plate on the horsebox Sitting in Ms Macdonalds garage, I found the round-the-clock Save Geronimo team pondering what to do next. Around half a dozen have been camping here since a judge passed a death sentence on Geronimo a month ago. Were just a bunch of middle-aged people who wanted to try to save a healthy animal, said Liz, the Somerset nurse who will, today, be back on Covid vaccination duty. I met Bridget Tibbs, another alpaca breeder, who went through exactly the same process a few years ago. She was ordered to destroy a healthy, pregnant alpaca after a false positive. A subsequent test on stored blood samples two years later showed that the animal had been absolutely fine. As with the plight of those dogs and cats in Kabul, this is an issue which has polarised the country, especially rural communities. Some cattle farmers, just like the Government, argue that rules are rules and any potentially infectious animal diagnosed with TB whenever that was must be destroyed. Geronimo fans and others ask why Defra was so obdurate in refusing a conclusive and above-board test for an animal which has been in the rudest of good health for four years. Even then, he didnt go down without a fight. Indeed, it took several officials and a thick rope to haul him into a Defra horsebox as police held back the Geronimo fan club. Go on! Nut him! one of them yelled as the alpaca tried to headbutt a vet in a hazmat suit Last night, Ms Macdonald learned that the Prime Minister had voiced sympathy for her plight. I dont buy your sympathy, Boris Johnson, she said. I just want honest answers. Moments later, she received a message of support from the Prime Ministers father, ex-farmer Stanley Johnson, a longstanding Geronimo supporter. Then up to the door came former Defra minister, Dan Norris, now Labours executive mayor for the West of England. He said he had been astonished to learn that dozens of police and civil servants had been dragooned into chasing and destroying an animal which could have been subjected to a simple blood test. The Governments whole TB policy is wrong and sending this huge police presence seems disproportionate and just against everything British. They should just have done a third test, he said. He had already been to the Macdonald farm a few weeks back, he said, and met Geronimo then. He looked ever so fit to me, recalled Gordon Browns former rural affairs minister. All I can say is that I wouldnt have wanted to try and catch him. Geronimo is dead... but fight for truth goes on By Alex Ward for the Daily Mail Four years after testing positive for bovine tuberculosis, Geronimo the alpaca was finally put down by government vets yesterday despite a campaign to save him. His owner, Helen Macdonald, 50, is adamant that he was not infected with the disease and she has vowed to fight for the truth. She said the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) had made a martyr of Geronimo. It is believed that the animal will now be tested to confirm if it carried the disease. But Miss Macdonald fears officials will try to prove he had bovine tuberculosis (bTB) no matter what. She has now demanded that a post-mortem examination is observed by an independent vet. Miss Macdonald also called on Environment Secretary George Eustice to resign, accusing him of murdering an innocent animal. Four years after testing positive for bovine tuberculosis, Geronimo the alpaca was finally put down by government vets yesterday despite a campaign to save him Geronimos killing was the culmination of a David and Goliath legal fight between Miss Macdonald and Defra that gripped the nation. The eight-year-old alpaca, who was born in New Zealand before being brought to Britain, was consigned for slaughter after he twice tested positive for bTB in 2017. Miss Macdonald has always disputed the results but the legal battle concluded with a High Court ruling in July that he should be destroyed. And yesterday Defra officials and dozens of Avon and Somerset Police officers forced their way on to Miss Macdonalds farm in Wickwar, South Gloucestershire, to take Geronimo away. But the officials were delayed after they initially turned up at the wrong farm. When they arrived, the activists who had been camping at the farm tried to repel them but failed. The Defra vets finally identified Geronimo using his microchip and dragged him away with rope. The alpaca was then bundled into a horse box and driven away. His owner, Helen Macdonald, 50, (pictured) is adamant that he was not infected with the disease and she has vowed to fight for the truth Miss Macdonald last night claimed Avon and Somerset Police had questions to answer for facilitating murder. She added: The bully boy tactics exhibited today by Defra today are frankly unforgivable. The testing regime is dead in the water. If they can kill a healthy one on a whim, then no animal is safe in this country. They made a martyr of Geronimo. Defra refused to disclose where Geronimo was taken but he was believed to be transported to a facility at Aston Down in Gloucestershire a 45-minute drive from Miss Macdonalds farm. Defra officials last night said that he was put down, but did not disclose any further details. Boris Johnsons father Stanley last night offered Miss Macdonald his condolences. His said: Nobody could have fought harder than you did. May he rest in peace. Defra said Geronimos removal was undertaken by trained and experienced Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) veterinarians in accordance with animal welfare guidelines. Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said: No one wants to have to cull infected animals if it can be avoided, but we need to follow the scientific evidence and cull animals that have tested positive for bTB to minimise spread of this insidious disease and eradicate the biggest threat to animal health in this country. Not only is this essential to protect the livelihoods of our farming industry and rural communities, but it is also necessary to avoid more TB cases in humans. Avon and Somerset Police said: Well always support our partner agencies to carry out their lawful duties and our role was to prevent a breach of the peace and to ensure public safety was protected. An 87-year-old man has finally been reunited with his daughter after 58 years apart on tonights Long Lost Family. Roy David - the ITV programme's oldest searcher - has spent decades hoping to find his daughter Cheryl, who he'd last seen as a six-year-old in the Bronx, New York. Born in Guyana, South America, Roy spent his life in the merchant navy. In the 1950s, aged 19, he arrived in New York and met student nurse Sylvia, Cheryls mother. After Sylvia became pregnant, Roy married her and moved in with her mother. However he was soon kicked out of the home due to rising tensions following his long spells at sea. For five years he would visit his daughter, until, one day, his family had 'disappeared into thin air', with Roy eventually settling in England and marrying Itha, who hes been with for over 40 years. Astonishingly, Cherly was discovered in Queens, not far from the Bronx, and in heartwarming scenes, airing at 9pm, the father and daughter are reunited in London. Scroll down for video Roy David - the ITV programme's oldest searcher - has spent decades hoping to find his daughter Cheryl, who he had last seen as a six-year-old in the Bronx, New York. Pictured, Roy and Cheryl reunited Born in Guyana, South America, Roy spent his life in the merchant navy. In the 1950s, aged 19, he arrived in New York and met student nurse Sylvia, Cheryls mother. Pictured, Roy and Cheryl during their first in-person reunion Speaking on the show, Roy, who has a son from a previous relationship and three stepchildren, remembers the joy of becoming a father for the first time. He says: 'She was a lovely child - one of my great experiences of her, my first child, is changing nappies for the first time and taking her out in her pram. I felt very good as a father.' But there were tensions within the family. Roy felt he didnt live up to his mother-in-laws expectations and he was often away at sea. Eventually, Sylvia and her mother asked Roy to leave. He remembers: 'I didnt want to leave but they told me go.' Over the next five years, whenever Roy returned from sea, he went to visit his daughter - until, one day, she was no longer there. After Sylvia became pregnant, Roy wed her and moved in with her mother. However he was soon kicked out of the home due to rising tensions following his long spells at sea. Pictured, Cheryl as a child, left, and as a young woman, right For five years he would visit his daughter, until, one day, his family had 'disappeared into thin air', with Roy (pictuerd) eventually settling in England and marrying Itha, who hes been with for over 40 years Roy recalls: 'I found out they had moved. [It] was like she just disappeared in thin air. They made sure they left no trail to which I could follow.' He admits he has always regretted not trying harder to be part of his daughters life, adding: 'I was a young man who had a lot of pride, I gave up too easily. I should have decided to fight for my rights as a father... and I didnt.' Roy settled in England and married Itha, but has never stopped thinking about his daughter. He says: 'I really and truly would like to say to her how sorry I am I was not there for her, and I should have been. Its eating away at me every day, every day. I dont think I could go to my resting place with that on my conscious. 'Im of an age now where I dont think I may have long. I would really like to see my daughter,' he adds. The Long Lost Family team found Roys daughter, Cheryl David, still living in New York. Astonishingly, Cherly (pictured meeting her half-brother Gerald) was discovered in Queens, not far from the Bronx, and in heartwarming scenes, airing at 9pm, the father and daughter are reunited in London Cheryl, who is married and has children and grandchildren, was shocked to discover her father was looking for her. She says her father was never spoken about when she was growing up so she blocked him out, not believing she would ever get the chance to meet him. When co-presenter Nicky Campbell explains via video call how much Roy has wanted to find her, she says: 'Thats a wonderful feeling to know you were loved, to know I am loved.' Cheryl is also thrilled to hear she has a brother, especially when she discovers he lives just around the corner from her in New York. After decades of searching, Roy is left stunned when told his daughter has been found the US. He reads the heart-felt letter Cheryl has written to him which says: 'Tonight for the first time in a long time, I will allow myself the joy and happiness of knowing I have been loved all the years the hope and dream of having a dad.' Speaking on the show, Roy, who has a son from a previous relationship and three stepchildren, remembers the joy of becoming a father for the first time. Pictured, Cheryl on her wedding day After reading the note, Roy says: 'What these words have done for me, money cant buy. All the tea in China cant buy, you know. The hole in me is slowly filling up.' Whilst she waits for a flight to the UK to be possible, the ITV team organise for Cheryl to meet Roy over zoom on his 87th birthday. Its the first time they have seen each other in nearly 60 years, and when Cheryl tells her father they will stay in contact from now on, Roy reassures her: 'Honey, honey, honey, were going to stay until the day I pass. Oh yeah, I am telling you that right now.' He adds: 'I really want to touch you, hold you, you know,' before Cheryl calls the rest of her family to the screen so they can sing happy birthday to their 'daddy, grandpa, great-grandpa'. After they say their goodbyes, Roy calls his son Gerald, who was also born and raised in New York, to tell him the happy news that Cheryl has been found and that hes just spoken to her. Roy (pictured) says: 'She was a lovely child - one of my great experiences of her, my first child, is changing nappies for the first time and taking her out in her pram. I felt very good as a father.' Meeting outside at a park, Roy (pictured) tells Cheryl that he loves her, while she rests her head on his shoulders Cheryl and Gerald meet at a local hotel in New York, while she waits to be allowed to travel to the UK. Finally, Cheryl and her eldest daughter Derisse, 47, fly to London to meet Roy after quarantining, with the father and daughter collapsing into one another's arms in a moving reunion. Meeting outside at a park, Roy tells Cheryl that he loves her, while she rests her head on his shoulders. Cheryl says: 'I could just stay like that for the whole night, like Im a little girl and I got my daddy. It was just the most amazing moment of my life.' Roy adds: 'I was on cloud nine, and I feel like I was walking in space, the moment was so great. It made me a new man, yes, a real new man that guilt is lifted, my life is completed.' The moment is equally life-changing for Cheryl. She says: 'To have someone call you daughter, its changed something inside of me. Its like you get exposed to the sun and youre like a flower and you just open up and its glorious, thats all, its just glorious.' Since filming, Roy has booked a flight to travel to New York to see his daughter and granddaughter again and meet the rest of the family. Long Lost Family airs Tuesday August 31, ITV, 9pm An American student who has lived in Scotland for three years has pointed out the differences she's noticed between the UK and US, including how British people love sweetcorn on pizza and how they have 'no school spirit'. Scarlett Attari, who is originally from Louisville, Kentucky and now studies history at Edinburgh University has become a viral sensation sharing the differences across the pond, including how people react to the weather, the way electricity works and university living arrangements. In one video, the student who has racked up more than 2.2million likes on TikTok with a 21-part series, discusses how British people use paracetamol and ibuprofen to treat any illness. 'The way people in the UK treat painkillers is different to the US. You could have any injury in the UK and they'd say "take a paracetamol and ibuprofen"'. She explained how British people will take the painkiller for broken bones, a fever and tonsillitis while she's never heard a doctor in the US prescribe paracetamol and that antibiotics are more commonly advised. Scarlett also added that in the US you can buy packets of 500 200mg tablets of ibuprofen and paracetamol, whereas in the UK you can only get packs of 16. The student also said that she decided to study in the UK because the 'education is great' and that Edinburgh is 'beautiful' and that it's easy to travel around the rest of the UK and Europe. Scarlett Attari, who is originally from Louisville, Kentucky and now studies History at Edinburgh University has become a viral sensation sharing the differences across the pond, including how people react to the weather, the way electricity works and university living arrangements. She is pictured describing the differences in heat between the UK and US Her other observations include how British people think 15C (59F) is 'bloody hot' and want to go to the beach, while 26C (78F) is a 'chilly spring day' where she's from, where she'll be wearing a jacket. Her other observations include how British people think 15C (59F) is 'bloody hot' and want to go to the beach, while 26C (78F) is a 'chilly spring day' where she's from, where she'll be wearing a jacket. Scarlett also noted that British plugs having switches is 'annoying' because she plugged her laptop for hours and didn't realise it wasn't charging. She also noted many difference between studying - and that in the US students have to study for four years, with one year taking general education classes before specialising. The student also described how in the US, many people share a room during the first year of university, which is unheard of in the UK. Discussing school and University sport, she went on: 'In the US, school spirit is very big. In the UK it is not. Discussing school and University sport, she went on: 'In the US, school spirit is very big. In the UK it is not. In the US, at University it is very significant which school team you support. People wear the uniforms all the time, there's huge stores dedicated to just selling university merchandise. And people get very into this' She added that even at high school level, there's pep rallies and merchandise for school teams, but that she's 'never heard of school spirit' in the UK 'In the US, at University it is very significant which school team you support. People wear the uniforms all the time, there's huge stores dedicated to just selling university merchandise. And people get very into this. 'In the UK, it's just not an industry to get school spirit'. She added that even at high school level, there's pep rallies and merchandise for school teams, but that she's 'never heard of school spirit' in the UK. The student went on that the 'best thing' about the UK was that there are 'no bugs' and that she 'needed screens' to keep cicadas out at home. Scarlett also described how in Kentucky you 'can't buy alcohol on a Sunday' and that in the US alcohol is sectioned off in separate parts of shops. Perhaps most surprisingly, she noted that British people 'love sweetcorn' and 'always have it on pizza',' adding that she was shocked that Domino's has it as an option. Advertisement A quaint farmhouse in the Queensland countryside has been named one of the most lucrative Airbnbs in Australia, after it raked in a gross income of $127,785 in the last financial year - or $2,457 per week. Tucked away on a secluded plot in semirural Doonan, a 15-minute drive from Noosa, the 'Little Red Barn' was the fourth 'most wish-listed' property on Airbnb for 2021, before it recently hit the market with an eye-watering price tag of $1.8million. Perched on a raised timber platform on a 6,401-square-metre hilltop block and almost completely surrounded by forest, the unique three-bedroom home features a wraparound verandah with a freestanding outdoor bathtub that leads to a heated spa pool sunk into the grass. It also includes several elegant living spaces, as well as a large chef's kitchen and high vaulted ceilings. A quaint farmhouse in the Queensland countryside has been named one of the most lucrative Airbnbs in Australia, after it raked in a gross income of $127,785 in the last financial year - or $2,457 per week (the 'Little Red Barn' pictured) Tucked away on a secluded plot in semirural Doonan, a 15-minute drive from Noosa, the 'Little Red Barn' was the fourth 'most wish-listed' property on Airbnb for 2021 (living area pictured) The owners of the barn, the Luchettis, have recently decided to sell the unique property - and it is currently on the market for $1.8million (free-standing outdoor bathtub pictured) Over the years it has been on Airbnb, the 'Little Red Barn' has become one of the most 'wish-listed' holiday properties in Australia and it has featured in countless housing magazines. Owner Rachel Luchetti said it has been a 'bittersweet' decision to sell it: 'It's a bit heartbreaking,' Rachel told Domain. 'The idea was to have this great dual life between the climate up there, which is like paradise, and still have the Sydney place as well. '[But] the border closure means we don't get to use it. It's become a bit impossible so we thought we should sell and buy something we can get to.' Perched on a raised timber platform and almost completely surrounded by forest, the unique three-bedroom home features a wraparound verandah with a freestanding outdoor bathtub that leads to a heated spa pool sunk into the grass (pictured) The owners, the Luchettis, say this sunken pool feature (pictured) is what makes the property so popular, as people want to experience something different from a holiday or trip Over the years it has been on Airbnb, the 'Little Red Barn' has become one of the most 'wish-listed' holiday properties in Australia and featured in countless housing magazines (dining area pictured) Designer and architect Rachel Luchetti and her husband bought and transformed the barn five and a half years ago. Rachel explained that it was just an off-grid 'shell' when they purchased the barn, but it has since been fully renovated and kitted out with modern features like air conditioning. According to Rachel, one of the reasons why it is so popular on Airbnb is because of the cast-iron bathtub and heated circular concrete swimming pool, which provide something different for guests. 'People are browsing for something different or special. Not just a home away from home, but an elevated experience,' she told Domain. Designer and architect Rachel Luchetti and her husband bought and transformed the barn five and a half years ago, with a full renovation (verandah pictured) The property has several elegant living spaces, as well as a large chef's kitchen and high vaulted ceilings (interior pictured from above) On Airbnb, guests have left hundreds of glowing reviews, giving the property an overall 4.95 out of 5 star rating online (kitchen area pictured) On Airbnb, guests have left hundreds of glowing reviews, giving the property an overall 4.95 out of 5 star rating online. 'Cannot recommend this place enough! Absolutely stunning. The heated pool and outdoor bath were a great way to spend the day,' one woman who stayed at the house in July wrote. A second said: 'This place is a little slice of heaven in the countryside.' Others called the house 'absolutely perfect' and the 'ultimate way' to spend a week in the Noosa Hinterland. Rachel explained that it was just an off-grid 'shell' when they purchased the barn, but it has since been fully renovated and kitted out with modern features like air conditioning (one of the bedrooms pictured) Demand for quirky accommodation has soared since the pandemic began in early 2020, with Australian hosts of unique stays earning a collective $12.5million (AUD) between March 2020 and April 2021 (exterior of the 'Little Red Barn' pictured) Demand for tiny homes increased by 76 percent, the platform reported, while searches for farm stays also skyrocketed by 66 percent (the 'Little Red Barn' pictured from outside) Demand for quirky accommodation has soared since the pandemic began in early 2020, with Australian hosts of unique stays earning a collective $12.5million (AUD) between March 2020 and April 2021. One third of Australia's 100 'most wish-listed' Airbnb properties are classified as unique stays, according to the travel platform, with a tram, a treehouse and a house that floats on the ocean among the most popular. Searches for unique stays have nearly doubled since the Covid crisis broke out, and it seems interest is only increasing. In the first three months of 2021, Australian searches for yurts - portable, round tents covered with skins or felt that are traditionally used as homes by nomadic groups in Central Asia - surged by 80 percent compared to the same period last year. Demand for tiny homes increased by 76 percent, the platform reported, while searches for farm stays also skyrocketed by 66 percent. To find out more about the 'Little Red Barn', you can visit its listing here. A Turkish bellboy has revealed how he has been left a small fortune by a British guest at his hotel. Charles George Courtney, from Hastings, struck up a friendship with bellboy Taskin Dasdan after staying at the Korumar Hotel De Luxe in the Kusadasi district of Aydin every year. After Charles died earlier this year, his family were left stunned to find that in his will the main share of his inheritance was to go to Taskin, with some smaller bequests to other hotel members. Taskin told the Turiz Majansi: 'He treated us as if we were part of his own family. He even contributed to the education of my children...Of course we were emotional.' Taskin Dasdan, from Turkey, has revealed how he has been left a small fortune by Charles George Courtney after the British tourist stayed at his hotel every year Taskin revealed he had been working as a bellboy since 1990 and had known Charles, 87, for many years. He said the British man spent his holidays every year at the hotel where he met Taskin, who had a talent for making his guests feel at home. He said he always tried to make him feel welcome and part of the family, just as he did with all guests. Taskin told the Bayez Gazete: 'At the hotel, we treat everyone equally, we treat them as family, not as tourists.' Charles struck up a friendship with bellboy Taskin after staying at the Korur De Lux Hotel in the Kusadasi district of Aydin every year (pictured, Taskin) A room at the hotel in Kusadasi where Charles always stayed has been named after the late guest He added that he already knew Charles was generous, because the older man had given him some money for his children's education, for which he had been enormously grateful, although he never expected anything else. After Charles passed away in July this year, his relatives were surprised to find that in his will the main share of his inheritance was to go to Taskin with some smaller bequests to other hotel members. The substantial sum of cash is reported to be the lion's share of the inheritance left by Charles. Taskin first heard about the fortune when the hotel was contacted by officials from the UK saying they wanted to speak to some members of staff. After Charles died earlier this year, his family were left stunned to find that in his will the main share of his inheritance was to go to Taskin, with some smaller bequests to other hotel members (pictured, Charles) He admitted he was floored when he was told about it saying: 'We got a phone call from England after Charles passed saying that he had left us a large share of his inheritance.' Speaking to local media, Taskin said that the generous offer also included some smaller amounts to his hotel colleagues, and he admitted he and they had no idea they were in line to get anything. The exact amount of the money that was left by the British man was not revealed, but it was said to be enough that the Turkish man does not need to work again. However Taskin said he loved his job so much he plans to continue working. He also revealed while he feels incredibly grateful for the offer, he loves his job because it gives him the opportunity to meet people from all around the world. Taskin told the Bayez Gazete that Charles always stayed in room 401, which has since become known as 'Charlie's Room' and would always remind staff at the hotel of the Briton who went from being a guest to a member of the family. Advertisement Prince Albert of Monaco is facing growing calls to reveal whether his marriage to Princess Charlene is on the rocks after he attended a ball alongside his former mistress and their love child during his wife's extended stay in South Africa. Images have now emerged online showing Albert's, 63, former mistress Nicole Coste and their love child Alexandre Grimladi-Coste, 18, attending Monaco's the Red Cross Ball alongside the royal in July, which came during Charlene's leave of absence from the country. Mother-of-two Charlene, 43, was last seen in Monaco in January and has been in her home country of South Africa for months after contracting a 'serious sinus infection'. Two weeks ago she underwent a 'four-hour operation under general anaesthesia', although it was not made clear whether this was linked to the sinus infection. The absence of Charlene from Monaco, which has involved missing a string of high-profile events, has led to speculation around the state of her marriage, after news emerged that Albert is facing a paternity suit over a love child born in the early years of their relationship. Charlene and Albert reunited last week for the first time in months after Albert and their children flew to South Africa, but photographs of the pair embracing were branded 'awkward' by a body language expert. In recent weeks, lifestyle magazines across Europe have speculated feverishly that the royal couple could be headed for divorce. French magazine Madame Figaro stating the images 'failed to convince the Monegasques' amid reports Charlene is looking for a house in Johannesburg. Prince Albert of Monaco is facing growing calls to reveal whether his marriage to Princess Charlene is on the rocks after he attended a ball alongside his former mistress Nicole Coste and their love child during his wife's extended stay in South Africa (pictured, left Prince Albert at the Red Cross Ball in July 2021, and right, Nicole Coste at the event) Images have now emerged online showing Albert and Nicole's love child Alexandre (right) attending the ball alongside Prince Albert Nicole previously said that after Albert married his wife Charlene, the royal distanced himself from his son (pictured, Charlene with Albert in South Africa last week) According to The Telegraph, the magazine asked: 'How long can she remain away from her children, her duties?' 'How long will the fight against rhinoceros poaching remain the Princess of Monaco's top priority? 'How long will Albert II of Monaco go on bearing this affront, which is becoming ridiculous?' Historian Philippe Delorme said that 'lots of people got the impression it was an arranged marriage' between Charlene and Albert, adding: 'Albert chose a wife who resembled his mother, and Charlene clearly felt very ill at ease in this Grace Kelly role they wanted her to play' In photographs shared online, Nicole can be seen wearing an elegant purple gown to the event with dangling diamond earrings, while the son she shares with Prince Albert (right) opted for a blue suit In May 2005, just before he was enthroned as Prince of Monaco, Albert confirmed he was the biological father of Alexandre, 18, whose mother was Nicole, a former Air France flight attendant from Togo (pictured together in 2002) Former Olympic swimmer Charlene reportedly tried to flee Monaco for her native South Africa on three separate occasions before the royal wedding after discovering Albert had allegedly fathered a love child - his third - while they were together. She was seen in floods of tears on her wedding day in 2011 (pictured) The couple recently reunited for the first time in months after Albert and their children flew to South Africa, but photographs of the pair embracing were branded 'awkward' by body language expert Judi James 'Why DOES the Prince of Monaco refuse to see our son?' Fashion designer who had a child with Albert claimed it was 'impossible' for Alexandre to see his father after he married Princess Charlene Nicoles relationship with Albert began as a chance encounter on an Air France flight from Nice to Paris in 1997. Speaking in an interview in 2014, Nicole said: I always served in First Class so I was accustomed to dealing with VIPs. When I saw Albert our eyes met and I knew this was different. There was definitely an aura around him and we hit it off immediately. I found him attractive with a twinkle in his eye. He asked for my mobile telephone number. I didnt write it on a napkin but on proper paper from the First Class cabin. I think he knew I wasnt intimidated by him, that I felt comfortable in his presence. I was charmed but no, it wasnt love at first sight. That came later. Albert called me and asked me to come to Monaco for the weekend. It all seemed very natural and I bought my own ticket and stayed with him at his private apartment. I remember thinking, Oh, this is nice. Nicole, whose father was a merchant in Togo, West Africa, admitted she was excited and flattered by the attention. I think he was attracted by my softness, but I was determined not to be a plaything. I needed him to respect me. So when we slept together we cuddled up but didnt have sex. I was determined that we wouldnt make love until we got to know each other better. Albert respected that. I was no gold-digger. If anything, I bought him gifts. Indeed, Nicole had already demonstrated her mettle when she left Africa at just 15. One of five children, she was determined to make a better life for herself and so travelled to Paris to study. She said: I didnt expect to fall for Albert. I recall waking up in the night and realising that I had fallen in love with him. Their liaison became the best-kept secret among Monaco society. Although they both attended red carpet events and mixed with socialites and celebrities, the majority of Alberts subjects knew nothing of the relationship. It is not my fault I fell in love with a Prince, Nicole said. Inevitably, however, their initial passion waned and the relationship petered out. But in its final days, Nicole discovered she was pregnant. When I first broke the news to Albert he was fine about it, she said. He said I should keep the baby and promised to support me. However, months later the Princes enthusiasm waned. I think Palace officials had got to him, possibly pointing out future inheritance problems. When Alexandre was born Albert provided a generous financial allowance for Nicole and her son and moved them into an exquisite villa on the French Riviera. Though Alexandres birth scandalised Monegasque society, initially Albert was a loving father. Nicole has said that she taught the Prince how to change his sons nappies. Albert and his son shared an affectionate, natural father/son relationship with trips and pirate-themed birthday parties, she revealed. The Prince was proud of his son, often cuddling him warmly. Despite the end of our relationship a boy needs his father and I wrote to Albert saying this was not about money. Our son needs a father with whom he can talk, who will pay regular visits not one who appears and disappears. In 2005 Albert announced he was the father but decreed his illegitimate son would not inherit the throne. He did, however, vow that Alexandre would be cared for financially. When Albert met and then became engaged to South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock in 2010, his interest in his son waned. Nicole felt sidelined and snubbed by society friends who feared they would offend the new Princess-to-be if they consorted with her. Many criticised Nicole in public, dubbing her audacious for demanding recognition and rights for her son. She also caused anger by being pictured strolling with her son in the Monaco sunshine on the eve of Albert and Charlenes wedding in 2011. I was fed up being a secret, she said. 'After the wedding I suffered because some socialites stopped inviting me to events if they thought the Prince and Princess would be there. They thought it would cause embarrassment. 'There is so much vicious gossip in Monaco. It is a beautiful place but also a small world. Too many are afraid of appearing disloyal to the Crown. Once I was invited to a yacht party during the Grand Prix and some guests questioned why I was there. The guests said, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene might sail into port and come on board for a drink. It would be awkward if she is here. Nicole previously said that after Albert married Charlene, the royal distanced himself from his son. She said: The truth is that, Im sorry to say, Albert hasnt seen Alexandre since a brief visit last September. It has become impossible since he married that girl. 'I suppose as a new wife, how would one feel? But she should think about my innocent child. 'I dont want to attack her but I think it is just jealousy and I dont know why. I have been through hell in my fight for my sons name and future. Advertisement And according to The Times, French royal commentator Stephane Bern has stated Charlene rarely stayed in the royal palace with Albert while living in Monaco and instead lived in a flat over a luxury chocolate shop. He pointed out that in Charlene's absence, Albert had allowed Nicole, an air hostess with whom he had an affair, to attend the Red Cross ball. The son who was born of that affair, Alexandre, 18, also attended the event in July. In May 2005, just before he was enthroned as Prince of Monaco, Albert confirmed he was the biological father of Alexandre, whose mother is Nicole, a former Air France flight attendant from Togo. Neither Alexandre nor his half sister Jazmin can claim the throne of Monaco, according to negotiated financial agreements. The line of succession instead favours Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, who have just turned six, and who frequently appear in their parents social media posts. Nicole previously said that after Albert married Charlene, the royal distanced himself from his son. She told the Mail On Sunday in 2014: The truth is that, Im sorry to say, Albert hasnt seen Alexandre since a brief visit last September. It has become impossible since he married that girl. 'I suppose as a new wife, how would one feel? But she should think about my innocent child. 'I dont want to attack her but I think it is just jealousy and I dont know why. I have been through hell in my fight for my sons name and future. The mounting speculation about the couple's marriage comes days after Charlene shared professional photographs of her reunion with Prince Albert online, saying she was 'thrilled' to have her family back. Last week, she shared a series of photos cuddled up with her kids in South Africa with the caption: 'I am so thrilled to have my family back with me (Gabriella decided to give herself a haircut!!!) Sorry my Bella I tried my best to fix it,' referring to her daughter's choppy fringe. However a body language expert told FEMAIL Princess Charlene showed 'no emotional bond' towards her husband Prince Albert in the images. Judi James said that rather than being the loved-up reunion photo one would expect of a couple surrounded by split rumours, the royals' poses suggested 'no signs of connection between awkward-looking Albert and Charlene'. Albert and six-year-old twins Jacques and Gabriella will stay with former Olympic swimmer Charlene while she recovers, the palace previously announced, although it is not clear how long their stay will be, but the princess will not return to Monaco until at least the end of October. Charlene has been in South Africa since at least March, with media reports suggesting she is looking for a house there. The prince, who already supports two illegitimate children, is alleged to have been in a relationship with a Brazilian woman which resulted in a daughter in 2005. The claim, which his lawyers dismissed as a 'hoax', is particularly painful as he was dating Charlene at the time, having met in 2000. However, Charlene has publicly supported her husband, and the palace have reiterated she is only in South Africa because she's unable to fly. On August 13, the Monaco palace released a statement saying Charlene was to undergo surgery. It read: 'Princess Charlene will undergo an operation today, Friday, August 13, for four hours under general anaesthesia. On June 3, Charlene shared photograph of her family on safari in South Africa as her twins and husband flew to South Africa to celebrate her niece Avia's fifth birthday. In a snap showing the last time they were seen together, Albert, Jacques and Gabriella, were joined in an open top car by Charlene's brother Sean Wittstock, 37, and his children. She captioned it with a simple heart emoji. In earlier snaps, the family gathered around a birthday cake with Sean, his wife Chantell, 34, their eldest son Raigen, 7, and the birthday girl. 'Happy 5th Birthday, Aiva! Love, Auntie Charlene,' she wrote. 'Prince Albert and their children, Crown Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella will join her during her recovery period.' The princess will not return to Monaco until at least the end of October. Princess Charlene, who has been well enough to conduct interviews from South Africa and has been seen out and about, has used the time to promote her anti-poaching initiative, Chasing Zero Charlene's last formal engagement was on January 27 when she joined Albert for the Sainte Devote Ceremony in Monte Carlo. She has not been seen at home since. Instead she has been keeping followers updated through social media posts and media interviews, in which she has spoken candidly about missing her children and described her husband as 'her rock'. Speaking to South Africa Radio 702's host Mandy Wiener last week, the royal said: '[It's] very frustrating, terribly frustrating. I can't wait to get back to them, I can't wait to see my children.' Charlene revealed: 'It's the longest period I've actually been away from Europe, let alone my children, but I'm FaceTiming them most days and they've been here and will be returning to see me again after my procedure. 'It's an amazing opportunity [to be here] but I'm very sad I can't be with my children this summer in Europe.' She added that she was initially only supposed to be in her native South Africa for ten to 12 days for a conservation trip with her Princess Charlene of Monaco foundation. However, the royal had a problem 'equalising her ears' and was told by a doctor that she was suffering from a serious sinus infection. 'It's taken time to address the problem that I'm having,' explained Charlene. 'I cannot go into full detail, but I cannot force healing so I will be grounded in South Africa until the end of October. 'The reason being I cannot fly above 3,000 metres otherwise I'll have a problem with my ears. 'I feel well, I feel good, it's just obviously a waiting game for me, but I've had a great opportunity to understand a little bit more about South Africa, the environment, the needs and it's been wonderful to be back in South Africa, and I think at this time it's crucial that people are aware of certain things via my foundation.' Charlene joined the video interview from bush country in the KwaZulu-Natal region. She has also shared videos released by the Monaco royal palace to mark her and Albert's 10th wedding anniversary, which took place in July. The couple spent the milestone thousands of miles apart. But royal sources have suggested the princess has 'no plans' to return soon. A palace source told Paris Match: 'The Princess has, for the time being, in reality, no intention of returning.' The separation is also affecting Charlene's relationship with the people of Monaco. Stephane Bearn uses an impeccably sourced piece in the latest Paris Match to discuss the torturous separation. He describes subjects in Monaco becoming increasingly angry about their runaway Princess, as they criticise everything from Charlene's mood swings to her appearance. 'In Monaco, since the departure of Charlene, tongues have loosened,' Mr Bearn writes. 'In the whirlwind of a hard-nosed court, her fine shine is rubbing off. Her sad looks are regarded as haggard. 'Disappointed Monegasques talk about her anger, her whimsical moods, which are as changeable as her hair.' The family flew out to be with Princess Charlene in South Africa as she recovers from a mystery operation Charlene, 43, who was last seen in Monaco in January, shared professional photographs of their reunion on Instagram (pictured). She joked her daughter Gabriella (left) had given herself a haircut Mummy's boy: Princess Charlene poses with her son Jacques, who is heir to the Monaco throne. She said she was delighted to be back with her family. The family were last together at the start of June, when Albert and the children flew out to South Africa to be with Charlene Play time! Twins Jacques and Gabriella climb a tree in one of the photos shared on Instagram. Albert and six-year-old twins Jacques and Gabriella will stay with Charlene while she recovers, the palace previously announced, although it is not clear how long their stay will be Last Monaco outing together: Charlene and Albert were last pictured together at an official event together in January at the Sainte Devote Ceremony in Monaco. Albert has made a few visits to South Africa since Last seen together: Albert and the twins paid a brief visit to South Africa in early June (pictured), the Palace has confirmed, but they otherwise keep in touch via video link. They are pictured with Charlene's brother brother Sean Wittstock, 37, and his son Raigen, seven, and daughter Aiva, five The former Olympian, 43, has not been seen in Monaco since January and has spent the last few months holed up in her native South Africa while she receives treatment for a 'serious sinus infection' she developed while on a solo visit trip to the country (pictured) How Charlene and Albert made solo outings in South Africa and Monaco during seven months apart January 27 - Charlene is pictured with Albert for the Sainte Devote Ceremony in Monaco. March 18 - Charlene is pictured at the memorial for the late Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini at the KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace in Nongoma, South Africa April 2 - Charlene posts an Instagram picture of herself, Albert and their twins Jacques and Gabriella for Easter. It is unknown where the image was taken. May 8 - Albert, Jacques and Gabriella attend a Grand Prix event in Monaco without Charlene May 10 - Albert attends Monaco Gala Awards in Monaco without Charlene May 18 - Charlene shares her first picture from her conservation trip in South Africa June 1 - Prince Albert II, Jacques and Gabriella attend event at Oceanic Museum in Monaco June 3 - New photos emerge of Charlene on her conservation trip June 5- Charlene puts on a united front as she shares a photo with her family to mark her niece's fifth birthday with her brother's family and Albert and the twins in South Africa June 7 - Albert and the twins attend the World Rugby Sevens without Charlene June 17 - Prince Albert attends Red Cross Summer concert in Monte Carlo with his sister Princess Caroline of Hanover June 18 - Prince Albert appears alone Monte Carlo TV Festival June 24 - Charlene's foundation releases a statement saying the royal is unable to travel and is undergoing procedures for an ear, nose and throat infection July 2 - Charlene and Albert mark their 10th anniversary separately. 'This year will be the first time that I'm not with my husband on our anniversary in July, which is difficult, and it saddens me,' Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene said in a statement. July 3 - Albert appears with glamorous niece Charlotte Casiraghi at the 15th international Monte-Carlo Jumping event, which is part of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Monaco, July 27 - Prince Albert attends Olympics alone in Tokyo August 13 - Charlene undergoes a four-hour operation. The reason is not announced August 25 - Charlene shares photos of Prince Albert, Gabriella and Jacques visiting her in South Africa August 31 - Speculation mounts in the media about couple's relationship Advertisement Referring to the couple's twins, who until now have remained in Monaco with their nannies, Mr Bearn writes: 'The Palace had to invoke a suffering Princess so often that the Monegasques today find it hard to believe. 'By crying wolf, the mother of Jacques and Gabriella would have discredited and isolated herself.' During her trip, Charlene also debuted a dramatic new shaved hairstyle. She showcased the 'French crop' hairdo - featuring a longer strip on top of the head and dramatically shaved back and sides - in snaps shared on her charity's Instagram page in late May. The royal first stepped out with a dramatic half-shaved head in December 2020 but has since gone even shorter and bolder with the cut. Charlene and Albert's marriage has been plagued with rumours from the start. The couple met at the Mare Nostrum swimming competition in Monte Carlo in 2000, announced their engagement in 2010. Former Olympic swimmer Charlene reportedly tried to flee Monaco for her native South Africa on three separate occasions before the royal wedding after discovering Albert had allegedly fathered a love child - his third - while they were together. Monaco officials were said to have coaxed her back by brokering a deal between the Prince and his reluctant bride, saying she could leave once she had provided him with a legitimate heir. One source said at the time: 'Charlene will provide an heir, then if things don't go well, she will receive a generous divorce settlement once she's served a decent amount of time.' Charlene was seen in floods of tears on her wedding day in 2011. Just one year after their wedding, it was reported that Charlene was 'depressed' at her failure to provide her husband with a legitimate heir. Her pregnancy was announced in May 2014, and in December that year she gave birth to twins Princess Gabriella and heir to the throne Prince Jacques. In the 10 years since, Charlene has rarely spoken publicly of her experience. In 2017, the Princess made an emotional return to Africa, where she spoke about how much the continent means to her. 'I am African and this is my heritage. It will always be. Its in my heart and in my veins,' she told Eyewitness News. Last year she admitted life was 'very painful', saying: 'I have the privilege of having this life, but I miss my family and my friends in South Africa and I'm often sad because I cannot always be there for them.' It's been a tumultuous start to the year for the royal, after news emerged that her husband is facing a paternity suit over a love child born in the early years of their relationship. The 34-year-old claimant who cannot be named for legal reasons says she had a passionate affair with Albert, leading to the birth of their daughter whose name is also classified on July 4, 2005. Albert received a handwritten letter from the child, who is now 15, in September last year reading: I don't understand why I grew up without a father, and now that I have found you, you don't want to see me. Legal papers were also filed, as lawyers for the claimant called on Albert to undergo a DNA test just as he did before finally being identified as the father of two illegitimate children born in the 1990s and early 2000s. In January, Charlene spoke publicly for the first time since the allegations, telling Point de Vue: 'When my husband has problems, he tells me about it. I often tell him, "No matter what, no matter what, I'm a thousand percent behind you. I'll stand by you whatever you do, in good times or in bad." The mother-of-two went on to say she also often tells her husband she will 'protect him' and will 'always be by his side.' Charlene, who was raised in South Africa and represented the country at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, travelled to Thanda Safari in KwaZulu-Natal in January to learn more about being done by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa to help save rhinos from poachers. The princess took part in conservation operations including rhino monitoring and tracking, deployment with the Anti-Poaching Unit, educational wildlife photography sessions, and a White Rhino dart and dehorning exercise. Products featured in this Mail Best article are independently selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, we may earn an affiliate commission. If you're looking for a pair of super comfy, sweat-wicking, high-waisted leggings that will power you through your workouts, walks or working from home, then it's well worth checking out the Amazon End of Summer Sale. Rated the number one bestseller in Women's Yoga Trousers on Amazon, the OVRUNS Yoga Pants have been compared to brands like Sweaty Betty and Reebok but at a far more enticing price tag. 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Amazon shoppers have been impressed by the affordable compression leggings, praising their 'great fit, fabric and quality' One delighted shopper left a glowing review for the OVRUNS leggings, writing: 'These leggings are fantastic! They fit perfectly with the right amount of flexibility whilst still offering support. Very stylish, comfortable and lovely material, will order more.' Another shopper agreed, adding: 'Love these leggings! I have a similar pair from Sweaty Betty and would not buy from them again. 'The waistband is flattering, covering the tummy, the length is perfect, and they feel is soft. As well as wearing them for a weights programme, they were tested on the stairmaster. And I have already had 3 people ask me where they are from, and I've only worn them once!' A third penned: 'I love these leggings. They're so comfortable to wear. The high rise makes them fit well, and the pockets are invaluable. Large enough to take your phone and some cash or card when out and about. Have bought numerous pairs.' The royal court of Jordan has shared new portraits of Queen Rania to mark the glamourous' Queen's 51 birthday. King Abdullah II's wife of 27 years, glowed in two official portraits released today to mark the event. The mother-of-two looks glamourous and demure in two pictures, smiling directly at the camera. The Queen's Instagram profile was updated with one of the portraits today as she prepared to celebrate. The royal court of Jordan have shared new portraits of Queen Rania to mark the glamourous' Queen's 51 birthday, pictured In the first picture, Rania can be seen wearing a stylish pale grey blouse with embroidery and embelisshed with silver beading. Strands of her silky dark hair where pinned at the back of her head and cascaded down her shoulders in luscious waves. The hairstyle revealed a pair of drop diamond earrings catching the light. She sported glamourous make-up which complimented her healthy glow. In a second picture, the Jordanian queen looked stylish in a purple gown with a cape and matching belt, her hair styled in a ponytail A dash of bronzer on the cheeks, Rania sported a glittery eye-shadow bringing a warm sparkle to her gaze, paired with a generous slash of eyeliner. Her glossy lips were rosy and curved in a composed and serene smile. In the second picture, the Jordanian queen donned a stylish purple gown with a cape resting on her left shoulder. The elegant get up was parted at the waist with a white, black and purple belt. For this picture, Rania's hair was styled in a sleek ponytail, bringing the attention to a pair of studded silver earrings. She also sported glamourous make-up for this portrait, with matte lipstick. Queen Rania and King Abdullah II, who got engaged just six months after they first met at a dinner party hosted by a mutual friend, have been married since June 1993. She went to school in Kuwait and studied a business degree in Cairo, Egypt, before marrying into royalty. On February 1st, Rania shared a touching tribute to her husband on his 59th birthday on Instagram, pictured The couple share four children: Crown Prince Hussein, 26, Princess Iman, 24, Princess Salma, 20, and Prince Hashem, 16 as toddlers. On February first, the Queen paid a rare tribute to her husband on Instagram to mark his 59th birthday. Posting on Instagram, the mother-of-four, 50, shared a stunning photograph alongside King Abdullah II just hours after gushing about their son Prince Hashem who shares the same birthday. Captioning the photo in Arabic, she wrote: 'My prayer on this day is to bring to you every year the same peace that you always strive to spread in the world. Every year, our master will do a thousand good, and God bless you, oh most precious people. 'Adding in English: 'I hope that each year brings you the same peace you radiate to the world. Happy birthday, Your Majesty #Jordan #LoveJO' An unvaccinated emergency room nurse has died due to complications of COVID-19, leaving behind five children including a newborn baby who was born after the mother was intubated. Davy Macias, 37, a nurse with Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, California, contracted COVID-19 while seven months pregnant and never got the chance to hold her youngest daughter. Now her husband Daniel is fighting for his life against the same virus as their family raises funds for their children. Lost: Unvaccinated emergency room nurse Davy Macias has died due to complications of COVID-19, leaving behind five children, one of whom was born while she was in a coma Davy was unconscious when her baby was delivered at 32 weeks, and she succumbed to illness on Thursday before getting to meet the newest addition to the family. Davy, a nurse with Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, California, contracted COVID-19 while seven months pregnant 'My mom and I went to see her one last time on that bed... that's an image that's going to stay with me,' Davy's sister, Vandana Serey, told KABC. 'She touched everybody's life. When she's there, she's an advocate for all of her patients. It's always for the benefit of the patient and the babies. She's a great and an amazing woman.' Her colleagues are also singing her praises, pouring in words of support on Facebook and a GoFundMe page that has raised over $100,000. 'Davy was the best,' wrote one. 'She was such a joy to see at work, always willing to help, always so kind and positive, and she always brought us food. 'She has spoken up and defended me when I needed it. I will miss her greatly. I will be continually praying for her husband and her little ones. Davy, thank you for your kindness and joy. I will always treasure my memories of you.' 'Davy was a GREAT mother who adored her children,' wrote another colleague on Facebook. 'She was an EXCELLENT nurse who cared for others. Her Kaiser, family, and friends have lost a good one. She was an overall good person. I feel blessed to have know and worked beside her.' The mother-of-five was unconscious when her baby was delivered at 32 weeks, and she succumbed to illness on Thursday Hospitalized: Her husband, Daniel, remains in critical condition 'but he is fighting to stay here with his babies' 'Baby Macias is doing fantastic. She has gained a whole pound since last week and she is alert and has even cracked a little smile,' the family said Her husband, Daniel, remains in critical condition 'but he is fighting to stay here with his babies,' according to the GoFundMe page. Vandana said that he managed to send her a text message from the hospital. 'He was trying to breathe and said, if anyone is not vaccinated, I suggest you do now,' she said. Meanwhile, the couple's newborn is thriving. 'Baby Macias is doing fantastic. She has gained a whole lb since last week and she is alert and has even cracked a little smile,' the family said. While Davy was unvaccinated, she did speak out about being 'cautious' in a Facebook post in January, in which she also detailed the stress of being a nurse during the pandemic. 'Ive been an OB RN for 11 years. This month Ive floated almost every shift to a COVID unit. I floated to covid med surge and covid ICU, too many COVID shifts for my liking, but at the end of the day, I am grateful,' she wrote. 'Im grateful for my family that I get to come home to and Im grateful for our health. Although my exposure is at an all time high, I pray every day that God continues to watch over my family. Im grateful for the kick-a** nurses I get to work along side.' Her colleagues are also singing her praises, pouring in words of support on Facebook and a GoFundMe page that has raised over $100,000 Daniel texted his sister-in-law from the hospital: 'If anyone is not vaccinated, I suggest you do now' While Davy was unvaccinated, she did speak out about being 'cautious' in a Facebook post in January She went on to discuss the loss she had seen as people died of the virus. 'COVID does not discriminate and its a scary place in the hospitals right now. Nurses are tired, we have anxiety before going to work, we sit in our cars and we cry after our long shifts,' she wrote. 'We mourn for the patients and the families. We dont sleep for a few nights after our shifts because the cries of the grieving family still linger in our thoughts. 'Please be safe and just a little extra cautious until we get through this pandemic!' she concluded. Three out of four of whom in the US are unvaccinated. The CDC has recommended the vaccine for pregnant women, and pointed out that COVID-19 can be particularly dangerous for them. COVID-19 can cause pregnant women to deliver prematurely, and one doctor told GMA that her hospital has seen more stillbirths among COVID-positive pregnant patients. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are 'making very little progress' in reconciling with the royal family, the author of Finding Freedom has claimed. Omid Scobie - who penned the biography with Carolyn Durand and is releasing an updated version today, the 24th anniversary of Princess Diana's death said Prince Harry, 37, and Meghan Markle, 40, were 'desperate to get their story out there' when they gave their explosive Oprah Winfrey interview earlier this year. Appearing on Good Morning America today, Omid claimed the couple, who are currently living in their $14 million mansion in California, and the royal family both want all involved to take 'accountability and ownership' for their role in the rift. He explained: 'When we speak to sources close to the couple and also sources close to the royal family, there is this feeling that very little progress is being made.' Meanwhile Scobie also suggested allegations of Meghan's bullying behaviour made by a senior Palace aide before the Oprah Winfrey interview were 'revenge' from The Firm for the Duke and Duchess' actions. The Sussexes were accused of leaving behind a 'lot of broken people' with 'young women broken by their behaviour' and a source describing one member of their staff as 'completely destroyed' by the ordeal. Scobie said: 'For me, it's impossible to come to any other conclusion that this is some sort of revenge from the institution that we saw pulled into action just before the Oprah interview came out.' He added: 'One of the sources that we spoke to in the book said it was the classic "Oppo dump" which you see before a presidential election. New details from @scobies book Finding Freedom give an inside look at Harry and Meghans departure from royal life. @ReeveWill speaks one-on-one with the author. https://t.co/LtSgDP4z38 pic.twitter.com/EvZgHA48py Good Morning America (@GMA) August 31, 2021 The Duke, 37, and Duchess of Sussex, 40, are 'making very little progress' in reconciling with the royal family, the author of Finding Freedom has claimed Omid said there had been 'little progress' in mending the rift between the Sussexes and the royal family, but added: 'However, some feelings have subsided because time has done its things, so the door is very much open for those conversations to happen at some point.' Meanwhile he said the couple had no intention of leaving the public eye in search of privacy, revealing: 'It's not that they want to disappear or not be seen. It's simply that they want to choose what they keep private and what they share with the world.' The Finding Freedom author said since stepping back from royal duty, the couple are now 'thriving', adding: 'Fast forward to a life in the US where they are very much in control. 'The Archewell legacy they're building - this is the couple showing the world exactly what is important to them.' Appearing on Good Morning America today, Omid Scobie claimed the couple, who are currently living in their $14 million mansion in California, 'want everyone to take accountability' for their role in the rift (pictured, the Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton at the Commonwealth Service in March 2020) Meanwhile he also suggested the couple could go on to reveal more details about their relationship with members of the royal family like Prince Charles and William. He said: 'Now I think that when and if we hear more of their journey towards healing these family relations and the issues that they've faced, it's going to be from them themselves.' The Queen launched an unprecedented inquiry into allegations that Meghan and Harry bullied their staff earlier this year - leaving royal employees 'shaken' by 'unhappy memories' being brought up about a 'toxic period' before the couple emigrated. Devastating claims that the Duchess of Sussex inflicted 'emotional cruelty' on underlings and 'drove them out' were 'very' concerning, Buckingham Palace said. The whistleblower told The Times: 'We will finally be able to tell the truth. It's not going to be easy, but this is very welcome and long overdue. We don't have to be silent any more'. Lawyers for the Sussexes have vehemently denied they have bullied or mistreated staff. Weeks ago, a source claimed the Duchess of Cornwall is unlikely to ever forgive her stepson Prince Harry and Meghan for hurting Prince Charles after Megxit. Prince Harry has addressed his relationship with his father in several interviews throughout the year - after first opening up about it in a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March where he claimed he has been 'let down' by Prince Charles. Scobie penned the biography Finding Freedom with Carolyn Durand and is releasing an updated version today, the 24th anniversary of Princess Diana's death (pictured, on GMA today) During the TV interview, Scobie suggested the couple could go on to reveal more details about their relationship with members of the royal family like Prince Charles and William Speaking to The Telegraph, royal expert Camilla Tominey reported that a source close to Camilla has said that even though Buckingham Palace is conveying the message that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are still loved by the family, the Duchess of Cornwall will struggle to move on. Another source claimed that Prince Charles was deeply affected by the reported fall out with Prince Harry and that it had been 'really hard for him.' Meanwhile Prince William and Harry are said to have barely spoken and have an 'incredibly strained' relationship after two years of rows over Harry's wife and her alleged treatment of staff, the couple's decision to emigrate to America and the tonnes of 'truth bombs' the Sussexes have dropped in TV interviews watched by tens of millions of people around the world. Harry and Meghan believe they were abandoned by the Royals, even accusing them of racism towards Archie and ignoring their cries for help when the Duchess of Sussex felt lonely and suicidal while pregnant in London. 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. Meanwhile Prince William and Harry are said to have barely spoken and have an 'incredibly strained' relationship after two years of rows (pictured together in July) 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'. Proud parents Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden have celebrated their middle son's fourth birthday today by sharing a sweet photograph of Prince Gabriel with their fans. Taking to their Instagram page, the royal couple marked the occasion with an adorable new portrait of their child. The closeup snap sees Gabriel, dressed in a red and blue striped T-shirt, beaming at the camera, with his bright blue eyes and blonde hair on show. Proud parents Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden have celebrated their middle son's fourth birthday today by sharing a sweet photograph of Prince Gabriel (pictured) with their fans 'Today we celebrate our wonderful Gabriel 4 years,' the sweet pictured was captioned, along with a heart emoji. Fans were quick to send their best wishes, with one person writing: 'Happy birthday to the cutest Prince Gabriel!' It comes after Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia shared a candid snap of their family when celebrating their 'beloved' son Prince Julian's christening earlier this month. The glamorous couple, already parents to Prince Alexander, five, and Prince Gabriel, added third son Prince Julian to their brood on March 26 at Danderyds hospital in Greater Stockholm. It comes after Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia shared a candid snap of their family when celebrating their 'beloved' son Prince Julian's christening earlier this month (pictured) Posting the snap of their family on their official Instagram page, the couple thanked royal fans for their well-wishes Surrounded by his family, including Carl Philip's sisters heir-to-the-throne Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Madeleine, the little one was christened at Drottningholm Palace Chapel, just outside Stockholm in August. Posting on Instagram, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia wrote: 'Yesterday our beloved Julian was baptised. Thank you for all the best wishes!' Prince Julian was dressed in the christening gown worn by his father to his own baptism in 1979, with the family heirloom dating back to Prince Gustaf Adolf's christening in 1906. It's been worn by royal babies ever since, and features elegant lace detailing and ruffled sleeves. Doting mother Princess Sofia, who held her baby during the ceremony, looked the epitome of glamour in a floral V-neck long puff-sleeve maxi dress by Italian fashion house Etro. A Florida man has issued an impassioned plea to unvaccinated people to get the COVID shot after his wife, who is battling stage four cancer, had to spend five hours waiting to be admitted to an ER last week because the hospital was overrun with virus patients. Fort Lauderdale resident Karen Breitbart has stage four colon cancer that has spread to her abdomen, and was so ill after a recent chemotherapy treatment that her doctor told her to visit the emergency room. But when she got there, her husband had to leave her at the door due to pandemic restrictions, according to People and inside, Karen was left alone for five hours before staff were finally able to put her on a gurney in a hallway to await a free bed. Karen Breitbart has stage four colon cancer and and was severely ill after a recent chemotherapy treatment, so her doctor told her to go the ER Florida reported 31,164 new cases of COVID-19 to the CDC on Monday, as well as 902 new deaths, according to the Miami Herald. The state hospitals also reported 15,778 patients, which is 27.5% of all patients in those hospitals. The stats are even more striking for ICU patients: 3,477, or 53.0%, were there due to COVID. According to CNN, that's left Florida hospitals with less than 10% of their ICU bed capacity Those dire numbers have meant many people like Karen Breitbart are waiting hours for medical care for conditions unrelated to COVID. On August 14, while Karen was suffering from severe side effects of chemo, including nausea, her husband called around to local hospitals looking for a place to bring her. Gregg, 59, described 'horror' of phoning different ERs in the area and being told that waits were as long as 12 hours. 'The hospital closest to our home had 82 patients working their way through the ER system there, with projected wait times of 3 to 12 hours,' he wrote on Facebook. Her husband left her at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, which currently has a no visitor policy due to severe COVID risk 'The main hospital about 30 minutes away also stated that they could not guarantee that anyone would see her within 4 to 6 hours, even though they acknowledged that her situation sounded pretty serious. 'In both cases, the hospital staff indicated that this terrible situation was mainly a function of unvaccinated people arriving at the emergency room with COVID symptoms,' he said. He ultimately dropped her off alone at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, which currently has a no visitor policy due to severe COVID risk. There, Karen 'sat in a waiting room chair for almost 5 hours with a sick bag, all alone' before she was moved to a gurney in a hallway. She went on to spent several more hours on that gurney before she was finally moved to a bed in an ER cubicle. According to People, an ER nurse told Gregg that 70 other people were in the same boat as Karen, awaiting care for non-COVID ailments. Though Karen, who has two grown daughters, is now home after 56 hours in the hospital, the experience left the couple shaken. 'The issue of COVID vaccinations has become very personal for my wife and our family,' Gregg wrote on Facebook after his wife was admitted, detailing the ordeal. Karen spent hours alone with a sick bag in the waiting room before getting a gurney in a hallway; hours later, she finally got a bed 'So, my friends, this is where your "personal freedom" to remain unvaccinated is now causing severe, negative impacts for the rest of us, including my wife and my family, in a very direct way,' he said. 'News reports indicate that as many as 97% of the people presenting themselves to ERs around the country with COVID symptoms are unvaccinated. Essentially, they are clogging the system, making it very difficult and in some cases, impossible for those whose illnesses are not preventable to get the treatment and attention they need. 'Listen, the results are in, and they're not disputable. COVID is largely preventable,' he continued. 'The vaccines are safe and effective, and the Pfizer vaccine now has full use authorization. Are they perfect? No. But the scientific evidence establishes that individually and collectively, we all stand a far greater chance of getting through this alive and without subjecting the medical system to these kinds of overloads which in turn, create grave risks for people like Karen if more of us get vaccinated.' He implored those who were 'waiting' to get vaccinated to finally do so, and asked those who 'have more deeply held resistance,': 'What gives?' Gregg has pleaded with Facebook followers to get the jab after the horrifying ordeal He said: 'I know most of you who will read this to be smart, kind, unselfish people; yet, with all due respect, your choice to remain unvaccinated, in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence that the vaccines work and that the unvaccinated are creating tremendous strains on the medical system throughout the country seems selfish and unkind. 'I respect and value the concept of personal freedom. However, every day when we leave our homes, we do so under a social contract that depends on us doing (or not doing) certain things so as to not cause undue harm to those around us,' he said. He pointed out that people wear seatbelts, stop at red lights, refrain from driving drunk, and don't steal. 'Yet, on this one issue, for reasons that are beyond my ability to comprehend, people ignore that social contract in favor of some unsupported, non-existent boogeyman as to why these vaccines are bad,' he said. 'Folks, I hope you never have to drop a loved one in serious distress off at a hospital waiting room, to sit there alone for 5 hours or more, while you wait to hear whether anyone has seen him or her yet, or what's even going on. 'And there's a way you can increase the chances that you'll never have to do that. Get vaccinated. For yourself, for your family, for your friends. And for Karen,' he concluded. Just 52.8% percent of Florida residents are fully vaccinated. The state ranks 21st in vaccinations. It has the fourth-highest number of overall deaths 44,553 behind California, Texas, and New York. However, deaths in those other states are down significantly: While Florida has documented a seven-day average of 262 deaths a day, California has 90, Texas has 209, and New York has just 25. McVities is celebrating the festive season early this year by launching a mince pie flavoured milk chocolate digestives. The UK-based confectionery giant are also launching a gingerbread variety of the much-loved treat, which is available in stores now for 1.59 for a 243g pack. The recipe includes a combination of Digestives biscuit, McVitie's signature silky-smooth milk chocolate, with festive Mince Pie flavour. Reaction to the treat has been mixed online, with some saying it's 'too early for Christmas treats' while others have shared their excitement at the delicious-sounding snack. McVities is celebrating the festive season early this year by launching a mince pie flavoured milk chocolate digestives McVities say they launch the treat especially early as many Brits missed out on proper Christmas celebrations last year as the UK was in lockdown. Earlier this summer, Aldi launched a 'Junemas' range including mince pies, pigs in blankets and turkey burgers. Meanwhile, Asda became the first supermarket to release its full festive range for 2021, three weeks ago. The new Mince Pie Flavour Chocolate Digestives is part of McVitie's 2021 Christmas selection, bringing together cult household favourites and enticing new launches for a festive snacking experience to remember. Shoppers can look forward to the return of popular products such as the renowned McVitie's Jaffa Cakes Christmas Pole and McVitie's Victoria, a Christmas biscuit assortment. Reaction to the treat has been mixed online, with some saying it's 'too early for Christmas treats' while others have shared their excitement at the delicious-sounding snack Jonathan Bull, Marketing Director of Seasonal, Cake & Chocolate at McVitie's told FEMAIL: 'For many people, this Christmas will be extra important as a result of dampened celebrations last December, which is why we're announcing our new Mince Pie Flavour Chocolate Digestives are on shelves from now. 'A mince pie is a quintessentially British Christmas treat so we hope this new biscuit will kick start the festive celebrations and satisfy people's desire for it at whatever time of year they like, without facing the judgement of any September scrooges.' Fans had a mixed reaction to the treat, with some saying it was 'far too early' while another wrote 'Mince Pie Digestives!' followed by heart emojis. The UK-based confectionery giant are also launching a gingerbread variety of the much-loved treat, which is available in stores now for 1.59 for a 243g pack. The recipe includes a combination of Digestives biscuit, McVitie's signature silky-smooth milk chocolate, with festive Mince Pie flavour The launch comes as a survey conducted by McVitie's finds that nearly a quarter of Brits who celebrate Christmas admit that they would eat mince pies all year round if they were available. Despite this keenness for the festive treat, only 12 per cent think it's acceptable to eat festive food at any time of year and over a fifth (23 per cent) admit to judging someone for enjoying Christmas festivities early. Those from the East Midlands appear to dislike celebrating Christmas early the most, with 32 per cent judging someone, compared to Northern Ireland with just 12 per cent. COVID-19 vaccines have lost some of their effectiveness in preventing hospitalizations, data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows. Vaccine effectiveness in preventing hospitalizations has fallen as low as 75 percent, from a high of 95 percent that was first touted when the shots first became available in late 2020. Those same shots are still up to 95 percent effective at preventing serious cases of COVID, but the new data suggests that the chances of a fully-vaccinated person falling sufficiently-ill with the virus to require hospital treatment has started to creep up. People aged 75 and up are in the highest risk group, with vaccines' effectiveness at preventing hospitalization in that age group falling from 90 percent to 80 percent between June and July. It remains unclear whether this is because the protection offered by vaccines declines over time, or if the COVID Delta variant has managed to overcome shots aimed at preventing it. The data was made available as America prepares to roll out booster shots to shore up protection against the Delta variant, and others that may appear in the future. Data from the CDC finds that the COVID-19 vaccines may have their effectiveness in preventing hospitalizations falls to only 75% over time. Pictured: A young girl in Massachusetts receives the COVID-19 vaccine Health officials announced earlier this month that they planned to make booster shots available starting on September 20, though it is pending approval from the CDC and U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met on Monday to review the data and discuss the potential need for booster shots in the future. 'Regardless of the vaccine evaluated, all vaccines remain effective in preventing hospitalization and severe disease,' Sara Oliver, and Epidemic Intelligence Service officer with the CDC's Division of Viral Diseases, told the committee, reported CNN. 'But they may be less effective in preventing infection and mild illness recently. 'These reasons for lower effectiveness likely include both waning over time and the Delta variant.' The Delta variant is a more contagious than other strains of the virus, and health officials also fear that it may have a unique ability to cause 'breakthrough' cases. Previous research, which was cited by the CDC in its decision to roll out boosters, from the Mayo Clinic finds that the current crop of vaccines is less effective against the variant. The Mayo Clinic found that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the most popular in the U.S., is only 42 percent effective against the Delta variant. Moderna's vaccine was found to be 76 percent effective. Effectiveness of the Moderna (yellow) and Pfizer (blue) COVID-19 vaccines began to drop in June and July as the 'Delta' variant became more prevalent. Moderna had an effectiveness of 76%, while Pfizer's vaccine was 42% effective While breakthrough cases became more common in July, the rate of hospitalization remained low, with both being more than 75 percent effective Both started at over 90 percent effectiveness when they first began distribution in December, meaning they either lost effectiveness over time or the variant was evading them in some way. Despite the increase in breakthrough cases, hospitalizations still remained low, and the Mayo Clinic found that both vaccines were more than 75 percent effective at preventing them. The waning effectiveness of the vaccines has pushed health officials across the world to rolling out additional shots. Israel was among the first countries to make boosters available, making the shots available to anyone over 60 who had been fully vaccinated for at least five months. Data from the Middle Eastern nation published last week found that the third dose was effective in preventing illness in its recipients. 'Our analysis shows that the booster dose of the [Pfizer] vaccine is highly effective in reducing the risk of both confirmed infection and severe illness,' Israeli officials wrote. Other countries like Chile, Germany and Hungary have also laid out plans to make third shots of the vaccines available. Not all agree with rolling out boosters, though. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, called for a two-month pause on nations distributing booster shots last week. He said that instead, richer countries should donate doses to poorer countries, as getting more people vaccinated across the world would inhibit the formation of variants. The Delta variant, for example, developed in India before wrecking havoc across the world. Getting people in lower income countries that do not have access to the vaccine jabbed could prevent variants like Delta from forming. The ACIP decided not to give a decision on the booster shots yet, saying they needed more time to review the data. Older adults who sleep six hours or fewer a night may have elevated risk for dementia and other cognitive issues, a new study finds. Researchers at Stanford University measured seniors' (ages 65 to 85) dementia risk and cognitive abilities, finding higher risk in those patients who regularly slept six or fewer hours compared to those who slept seven or eight hours. Those seniors who slept nine or more hours also had lower cognitive functions and other health issues, but the researchers didn't find the same high dementia risk in this group. The findings demonstrate how important it is for adults to maintain a healthy sleep cycle, especially as they get older. Too little or too much sleep may lead to dementia and other brain issues, a new study suggests As adults age, it's common for their sleep patterns to change or become disrupted - leading to longer, shorter, or more irregular sleep. This disruption may be linked to Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, impacting seniors' ability to remember information, problem-solve, and go through everyday behaviors. Sleep disruption can also be caused by - or heighten - depression, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions. New research from Stanford University provides additional evidence for the connection between sleep and brain function. The study was published Monday in JAMA Neurology. The Stanford study included health records from about 4,400 patients, all between the ages of 65 and 85. These patients had undergone brain scans and other cognitive tests, but hadn't been diagnosed with dementia. This data was drawn from a long-term Alzheimer's investigation, conducted at 67 clinics in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Japan. The researchers grouped these patients according to how long they typically slept. Sleep times were self-reported by the patients, not measured by a sleep tracker. A recommended sleep time for seniors is seven to eight hours, the researchers said. Six or fewer hours corresponded to short sleep, while nine or more hours corresponded to long sleep. In past studies, patients getting both under six and over nine hours of sleep have experienced worse health outcomes - though short sleep tends to be riskier. The Stanford researchers measured levels of beta amyloid, a protein in the brain that is typically found in high levels when a patient develops Alzheimer's. In addition, the researchers used several tests for memory, attention, spatial skills, and executive function to identify patients' cognitive abilities. Patients who slept six hours or fewer had higher levels of beta amyloid, a protein in the brain that is typically found in high levels when a patient develops Alzheimer's Those patients sleeping for six hours or fewer a night were more likely to develop dementia, the researchers found. The low-sleep patients had higher levels of beta amyloid. 'Amyloid- is one of the first detectable markers in the progression of Alzheimer's disease,' Joe Winer, postdoctoral researcher at Stanford and the study's lead author, told CNN. 'In Alzheimer's disease, amyloid- proteins start to build up throughout the brain, sticking together in plaques,' he said. The Stanford study's finding aligns with past research showing that shorter sleep may be linked to dementia. Another recent study from the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Institute on Aging suggests that low sleep in middle age - in patients' 50s and 60s - may similarly lead to dementia risk later. 'While we cannot confirm that not sleeping enough actually increases the risk of dementia, there are plenty of reasons why a good night's sleep might be good for brain health,' said Dr Severine Sabia of Inserm and University College London, lead author in the NIH study. The Stanford researchers found that patients with lower sleep also performed worse on memory tests, while those with higher sleep (nine or more hours) performed worse on executive function tests - which measure the brain's ability to switch between different tasks. The patients with higher sleep had normal beta amyloid levels, however, suggesting that their dementia risk is not as severe as those with lower sleep. Both the low and high sleep patients were more likely to nap during the day, the researchers found. Low-sleep patients may have been compensating for a lack of sleep at night, while high-sleep patients may have simply been drowsy throughout the day. In addition, both the low and high sleep patients had higher body mass index and symptoms of depression. 'The main takeaway is that it is important to maintain healthy sleep late in life,' Winer told CNN. Patients who did not maintain healthy sleep levels - seven to eight hours a night - were more likely to have depression symptoms, high BMI, and a tendency for daytime naps The researchers also noted that black, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino study participants all reported lower sleep, on average, than white patients. This finding provides 'further evidence that disparities in sleep may be associated with disparities in other areas, such as cardiovascular and metabolic health,' the researchers wrote in their paper. This study primarily included white participants, however, suggesting that more research is needed in this area. Another limitation of this study was that patients were asked to self-report their own sleep duration, Laura Phipps, head of communications at Alzheimer's Research UK, told CNN. 'The researchers couldn't assess quality of sleep or time spent in different stages of a sleep cycle, each of which may be an important factor in the link between sleep and cognitive health,' she said. Overall, the study indicates that older adults should routinely get seven to nine hours of sleep, as a crucial part of their health and wellbeing. 'The best evidence suggests that between seven and nine hours of sleep is optimal for most adults and anyone who thinks that their sleep patterns may be affecting their long-term health should speak to their doctor,' Phipps told CNN. Some Oregon hospitals are dealing with so many Covid deaths that they have requested refrigerated trucks to help store those bodies. Hospitals in Tillamook County, just 70 miles west of Portland, and Josephine County, 300 miles south of the state's largest city, have both been overwhelmed by patients. Tillamook, a small county of 26,000 people, has been hit so badly that the total deaths it recorded since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 has doubled in just five days. Many of the hospitalizations and deaths are among the unvaccinated, as the state deals with the fall out of a Delta variant-fueled summer Covid surge. Two Oregon counties, Josephine and Tillamook, have requested refrigerated freezers to help store dead bodies as their hospitals are overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients. Pictured: Two Josephine County nurses walk through the emergency department on August 19 Tillamook County had recorded only five COVID-19 deaths from the start of the pandemic in March 2020 to August 2021 - a span of 18 months. From August 18 to August 23, six deaths were recorded, doubling the total from a year and a half in only six days. The Tillamook County Board of Commissioners said Friday the spread of COVID-19 'has reached a critical phase.' County officials fear the situation will only get worse, and are urging residents to get vaccinated. The county was averaging five new COVID-19 cases per day at the start of August, but the total has since increased six-fold to 30 cases per day. 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 county vaccination rate is 70 percent, either in progress or fully vaccinated. In Josephine County, where hospitals are overwhelmed and its morgues are also reaching capacity, the vaccination rate is only 53 percent, according to Oregon Health Authority data. The vast majority of COVID-19 patients clogging the state's hospitals and intensive care units are unvaccinated. Unlike their counterparts in Tillamook County, Josephine County commissioners are not promoting the vaccine. Jefferson Public Radio reported that in a meeting earlier this month with local health officials, Josephine County Commissioner Herman Baertschiger Jr., a former leader of the minority Republicans in the Oregon Senate, said: 'I'm not going to hog-tie anybody and give them a vaccination.' During a public meeting, the commissioners repeatedly questioned the efficacy of the vaccines, suggested the surge was caused by Mexican immigrants, and instead promoted unproven medicines, Jefferson Public Radio reported. The county is over 750 miles from the Mexican border and has a Hispanic population of under seven percent. Josephine County Emergency Manager Emily Ring asked the state on Tuesday for a refrigerated trailer that could hold '20-48 cadavers.' She wrote that the county hospital is daily exceeding its body storage capacity and that the five funeral homes and three crematoriums are 'at the edge of crisis capacity daily.' Oregon does not report daily COVID-19 data, though the weekly case average has increased by 28 percent from 1,820 on August 16 to 2,322 on August 30. Governor Kate Brown has ordered residents to wear mandatory face masks while outdoors in public spaces even if vaccinated, making Oregon the first US state to do so. Hospitals in Oregon's neighbor to the north, Washington, are struggling to deal with Covid as well. The state has nearly 200 patients currently on ventilators and 1,570 patients hospitalized due to the virus, and around 95 percent of patients are unvaccinated. 'It's an enormous stress on a health care system to have this many patients with a single diagnosis,' Cassie Sauer, Washington State Hospital Association CEO told the Seattle Times. 'This doesn't happen. It's very, very alarming.' Washington also does not report COVID-19 cases every day, though the New York Times reports the state's new daily cases have increased by 17 percent. The U.S. is currently averaging around 158,000 new cases every day, the most since the end of January - when the nation was suffering a record case surge. Growth of cases have begun to slow down over the past week, though the inconsistent reporting of cases from many states has made daily counts impossible. More than 100,00 hospitalizations are being recorded every day as well, a sharp growth in recent weeks and the first time the country has reached that point since early February. Deaths have also worryingly increased, from 696 per day to 1,348 per day nationwide, a 93 percent rise. A majority of deaths are still among unvaccinated Americans. Currently in the country, everyone over the age of 12 is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. More than 72 percent of the eligible population has received at least one shot of a vaccine. American parents are split on whether their children should be wearing masks in schools. Two out of every five parents oppose all masks in schools, no matter the child's vaccination status. Under half of U.S. K-12 parents - 48 percent - want all students masked in the classroom, according to new survey from Gallup. A small number - 11 percent - say mandates should only apply to unvaccinated students. Similarly, 48 percent of parents want all teachers and staff masked, while 38 percent want no teachers masked and 13 percent want mandates only for unvaccinated teachers. Mask requirements are part of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for school reopening, along with physical distancing, ventilation, quarantines for sick students, and regular COVID-19 testing. The polling reflects a sharp divide in parent perceptions of safety as schools reopen. According to Gallup, the vast majority of K-12 students are returning to in-person learning - some after over a year of remote school. About half of K-12 parents want all children to wear masks at school, according to Gallup polling. 41 percent want no students wearing masks and 11 percent want only the unvaccinated to mask up As K-12 schools across the country reopen for the fall 2021 semester, mask mandates have become a divisive issue. Tuesday morning, Pennsylvania became the latest state to require masks inside all public K-12 schools - joining states like New York and California. Meanwhile, leaders in Florida, Texas, and other conservative-led states have banned local and school mask requirements. In Florida, the debate over mask mandates has grown particularly heated, as Governor Ron DeSantis' administration strips funding from districts that institute mask requirements. DeSantis stripped funding even though a Florida state judge ruled DeSantis' mandate ban unconstitutional. The governor promised to appeal the ruling, expecting that it will be overturned. Meanwhile, President Biden's administration is investigating five state bans, as Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona says that they may constitute civil rights violations for students with disabilities. New polling from Gallup reinforces the extent to which parents are divided on this safety issue. Gallup found that more K-12 parents support mask mandates than wanting them banned - but mandate supporters constitute just half of the surveyed parents. This poll was conducted during the week of August 16 to 22, amid the Delta variant surge. About 700 parents of K-12 students responded to online surveys about their Covid safety priorities. These parents are part of the Gallup Panel, recruited specifically by the company to represent the national demographics of the U.S. According to Gallup's poll, 48 percent of K-12 parents want all students masked. A slightly smaller number - 41 percent - want no students masked. The remaining parents - 11 percent - say that only unvaccinated students should be required to mask up. These parents have similar views toward mask requirements for teachers and staff - 48 percent say all teachers and staff should be masked, while 38 percent say that no staff should be masked. Finally, 13 percent of parents say that only unvaccinated teachers and staff must face mask requirements. The CDC recommends that all students, teachers, and staff wear masks in school buildings, regardless of vaccination status. Pictured: Masked-up students attend algebra class on the first day of school in Miami Lakes, Florida, August 23, 2021 The CDC recommends mask requirements in schools for all students, teachers, and staff - both vaccinated and unvaccinated. The only exception to the agency's guidance is outdoor activities. The CDC doesn't recommend masking outdoors, as Covid transmission is rare in this environment. In addition to indoor masking, the CDC recommends physical distancing in classrooms (three feet between students), ventilation improvements to school buildings, students staying home when they show symptoms, and regular Covid testing. The CDC also notes that vaccination is the most effective protection against Covid. The agency recommends vaccination for all teachers, staff, and students over age 12. Vaccination rates in the youngest segment of that eligibility group are lower than those in older teens and young adults. Just 47 percent of parents with children ages 12 to 15 say that their child has been vaccinated, compared to 60 percent of parents with children ages 16 to 18, Gallup found. While many school districts are seeking to promote student vaccination this fall, Gallup's data suggest that many families are still hesitant. The agency's late August poll found that 33 percent of parents with kids in the 16 to 18 range say that they don't plan to seek vaccination for those children. For parents with kids in the 12 to 15 age range, that number is 42 percent planning not to seek vaccination. While parents are divided on Covid safety measures, the majority agree that kids should be back in classrooms this fall. Pictured: Parents protest a mask mandate in Las Vegas, Nevada, August 12, 2021 Despite divides over Covid safety measures, the vast majority of parents agree that kids need to be back in classrooms. According to Gallup, 77 percent of K-12 parents say that they expect their children will 'return to a pre-pandemic school schedule' in the 2021-2022 school year. This finding aligns with other polling, such as a July 2021 survey from the RAND Corporation that found 89 percent of parents planned to send their children to in-person school in fall 2021. Experts say that schools can safely provide children with such pre-pandemic schedules if they maintain key safety measures, like those recommended by the CDC. But schools that do not maintain masking, distancing, ventilation, and other measures may be particularly vulnerable to outbreaks - made increasingly dangerous by the Delta variant. In 2020, heart inflammation cases at U.S. hospitals rose 43 percent - with over 40 percent of cases occurring among COVID-19 patients - according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Patients admitted with Covid were also found to be 16 times more likely to experience heart inflammation than those admitted with other conditions. Older men and teenage boys were the most likely to face the condition. Covid patients under age 16 had a 0.13 percent chance of experiencing heart inflammation, compared to a chance under 0.1 percent for adults ages 16 to 39. The CDC's data suggests that heart inflammation is much more common as a repercussion of Covid itself than as a side effect of the vaccine. Covid patients are more likely to experience heart inflammation than patients for other conditions - or recipients of Covid vaccines - according to new CDC data. Pictured: Medics transfer a patient outside Coral Gables Hospital, near Miami, Florida, in August 2021 Heart inflammation cases rose by 43 percent in 2020 compared to 2019, according to the CDC Earlier this year, scientists identified a form of heart inflammation called myocarditis as a potential side effect of the COVID-19 vaccines. A very small number of vaccinated patients - about 1,000 out of over 200 million - have experienced this condition after receiving their second shot of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Younger men have been more likely to experience this side effect, though it's still very rare in this population - about 40 cases for every one million vaccinated among men aged 12 to 29. Scientists say that the benefits of vaccination against Covid outweigh the risks of rare side effects. A severe case of Covid is actually more likely to lead to heart inflammation than a vaccine is, as a new CDC study demonstrates. CDC researchers used a large database of over 36 million anonymous hospital patient records, encompassing over 900 hospitals in the U.S. Within that database, the researchers identified about 5,000 patients who were diagnosed with heart inflammation between March 2020 and January 2021. These heart inflammation cases rose by 43 percent from 2019 to 2020, the researchers found - from about 3,200 cases in 2019 to 4,600 in 2020. The highest numbers of patients were diagnosed with this condition in spring 2020 and November 2020 to January 2021, aligning with major surges of the virus in the U.S. During the study period, about 0.15 percent of all Covid patients admitted to hospitals experienced heart inflammation. For the patients who didn't have Covid, that number was just 0.009 percent. The risk of heart inflammation was 16 times higher for Covid patients than for those hospitalized with other conditions. Indeed, among the 5,000 patients with heart inflammation, over 40 percent had a history of Covid - either they were infected at the time they went to the hospital, or they had an infection prior to their hospital visit. Among the Covid patients in the study, men, children under age 16, and seniors were more likely to experience heart inflammation, the CDC found Among the Covid patients, men had a higher risk of heart inflammation, with 0.19 percent of men developed the condition compared to 0.11 percent of women. Seniors had a higher risk than middle-aged and younger adults. Adults over age 70 had the highest heart inflammation risk (0.24 percent of Covid patients), followed by those between ages 65 and 74 (0.19 percent). Children under age 16 also had a notably high heart inflammation risk compared to other age groups - 0.13 percent. Young adults, ages 16 to 39, had under 0.1 percent risk. The researchers noted, however, that younger adults are less likely to experience severe Covid compared to older adults, so this age group may not have been examined for heart inflammation symptoms in the same way that seniors were. Scientists are still working to understand exactly how Covid causes heart inflammation. Pictured: The cardiovascular recovery room at a hospital in Grants Pass, Oregon, August 2021 Scientists still working to understand exactly how Covid causes heart inflammation, but it seems to be linked to overreaction of the immune system - a common occurrence in severe viral infections. The CDC study is limited in that researchers were looking back at past hospital records, rather than actively examining patient symptoms. However, it aligns with findings from past studies on heart inflammation that show Covid patients are at a higher risk compared to other, non-Covid patients - and compared to those who receive the vaccines. One Israeli study cited by the CDC researchers found that Covid patients had an 18 times higher chance of experiencing heart inflammation. Covid vaccine recipients had only a three times higher chance of the condition. 'These findings underscore the importance of implementing evidence-based COVID-19 prevention strategies, including vaccination, to reduce the public health impact of COVID-19 and its associated complications,' the researchers wrote. As executors and administrators of my late mother-in-laws estate, both myself and my brother-in-law are being pestered with letters from The Church of England Pensions Board. My mother-in-law died in January 2019 and probate was eventually granted in November 2020. Our details were obtained from the Government wills and probate office. The Church claims to have made an overpayment of 1,689.34 as part of her pension for April to July 2019. We are quite certain this is a scam. She didnt work for the last 62 years of her life and was never a member of a pension scheme run by these people. Any bank accounts of hers were closed in February 2019, so how can money have been paid into her bank? One reader says the Church claims to have made an overpayment of 1,689.34 as part of their mother-in-law's pension for April to July 2019. She was in receipt of benefits, state pension and a small widows pension from the National Union of Mineworkers. She was a devout Roman Catholic, so if there was any pension to be paid, it would not have come from the Cof E. We have recently received a third letter demanding payment and threatening court action. C. P., Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside. Tony Hazell replies: These letters are genuine, but the debt is not. It seems someone who shared your mother-in-laws name died around the same time as her. When The Church of England Pensions Board tried to track down its ex-member, the wills and probate office provided details of the wrong people. A Church of England spokesman says it is extremely sorry for any distress caused and has promised that it will look at its procedures to make sure this cannot happen again. Naturally, the letters will now stop. A reader says: My wife arranged to have Virgin Media supply broadband to our new home in Bristol, a Grade II-listed property, in March. One reader had a disaster with their Virgin Media installation The installation was a disaster and the following note was made by the engineer on his paperwork: A bit of a blow out of outside wall (plaster), manager informed and will arrange for a team to repair plastering. This is a listed building so wall must be made good properly. We did not move into the property until May, but when we visited we were confronted by a neighbour, who is a retired solicitor, who informed us that we had broken the law by damaging the plaster at the front of our house. She said we had also damaged her property, as the box fitted by Virgin Media was on her wall. HAVE YOUR SAY Every week, Money Mail receives hundreds of your letters and emails about our stories. Here are some from our report on the judge forced pay more than 2,000 for pension advice he did not want. When I told my financial adviser what I planned to do with my pension, he agreed with everything I said and offered no advice. Unsurprisingly, I was still charged 4pc for his assistance. A. P., Nottingham. How many people would remember that an initial contract, signed decades ago, included a commitment to pay ongoing charges, whether advice was given or not? Its not fair. M. L., Herne Bay, Kent. I dont have a problem with the fees that I pay to get advice on my pension. My adviser takes a percentage from my pot each month, but its a minuscule amount compared to what I will make from the investment. M. Y., Newcastle. I was with Prudential until 2009, when an independent adviser told me my fees were very high and I would do well to move my pot elsewhere. But I still had to pay another fee when I did so. S. D., Bolton. Most people with pension plans receive some kind of annual statement, and fees should be visible on these. Always do your research if you want to make sure you are getting the best deal. K. V., Winchester. I use a company which charges high fees, but as my SIPP (selfinvested personal pension) is a managed fund, I hope these will be justified. I only switched to it this year, so Ill have to wait a few more months to see if it was worth it. O. B., by email. Always read the small print when taking out a financial product. Often, there is no need to pay huge fees, and ongoing advice is rarely essential. J. J., London. She demanded we repair the plasterwork immediately and remove the box from her house. We contacted Virgin Media without success. The firm came to repair the plasterwork in late May, but after pressure from, by this point, three neighbours in the terrace of listed buildings we had already had our builders repair it. The engineer was, however, persuaded to remove the box from the neighbours property. Complaints to Virgin Media during March, April and May got us nowhere. No broadband service was received by us as the cable delivering it had to be removed, however invoices continued to arrive monthly. Debt collectors are now calling. The most recent invoice we received was for 101. R. W., Bristol. Tony Hazell replies: Wow. Welcome to the neighbourhood! A mightily offended retired solicitor next door is the last thing you want when moving into a new community. Mind you, if I went out to find a box had been attached to the front of my house I would be pretty annoyed, too. Virgin has finally taken steps to sort out the issues it created. It offered 350 compensation to cover the damage, has cancelled your contract and bills and called off the debt collectors. In 2015, I opened an online savings account with Barclays, depositing 2,200. I needed the money in January, but the banks website would not accept my login details. I phoned and was told the account had been closed due to inactivity and was now dormant. To reactivate it, I visited my local branch in February with the requested documents. Then, on March 3, I received a closed account balance reclaim letter asking me for proof of ID and details of the account to repay the same information I had given in February. By May 10, I had still heard nothing. I returned to the branch, but this time they were less than helpful. S. W., London. Tony Hazell replies: Banks and building societies can make accounts dormant if you dont use them for some time. The money is still yours, as is any interest earned, but it can be harder to access. Dormancy can be triggered in as little as a year or as much as 15 years, depending on the bank or building society. Barclays says two letters were sent in July 2019 advising that the account would be closed on or shortly after October 14, 2019, due to inactivity. The mistake occurred when you called at the branch in February this year, and staff did not take details of the account you wished funds to be paid into. Those details were taken in April and the money has now been paid. A spokesman apologises, adding: Having reviewed the matter, we can confirm the funds have now been returned to the customer and we have offered an additional payment for the inconvenience caused. The lesson here is to watch out for letters warning of dormancy. They can easily be mistaken for junk mail. STRAIGHT TO THE POINT When I switched energy suppliers to Bulb, it recommended I set up a monthly standing order of 89.71. But seven months later, we were told Bulb wanted 200 a month, which is a quarter of my pension. P. C., London. Tony Hazell replies: Bulb is adamant this amount is correct. It says your usage has increased so you must overpay to clear the debt. You may be entitled to 140 towards your bills as part of Bulbs Energy Fund because you say you are vulnerable. We planned to take a train journey in July, but were unable to travel. I completed a refund claim and sent my tickets back to Great Western Railway (GWR) but it refused the refund, claiming it did not receive the tickets. A. P., by email. Tony Hazell replies: GWR says if you submit a refund claim and do not send the tickets within a couple of weeks, the refund will be cancelled. This is what happened, but GWR has now accepted the tickets and paid the refund. I have discovered a travel insurance policy I bought in 2019 from the Post Office to cover my sons wedding this year does not offer any Covid cover. The Post Office refuses to refund me. P. W., by email. Tony Hazell replies: The Post Office told me you should have been refunded when you called, and it has now contacted you to resolve this. My wife and I are expats and longstanding HSBC customers. I rang to request a secure key as I was locked out of my online account and the clerk told me to go to my branch. I wrote to our old one in the UK, but have not received a reply. M. S., Cyprus. Tony Hazell replies: It sounds as if the HSBC employee didnt realise you were living abroad. The bank has sent you a new secure key and a spokesman apologises for the inconvenience. We love hearing from our loyal readers, so ask that during this challenging time you write to us by email where possible, as we will not pick up letters sent to our postal address as regularly as usual. You can write to: asktony@dailymail.co.uk or, if you prefer, Ask Tony, Money Mail, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT please include your daytime phone number, postal address and a separate note addressed to the offending organisation giving them permission to talk to Tony Hazell. We regret we cannot reply to individual letters. Please do not send original documents as we cannot take responsibility for them. No legal responsibility can be accepted by the Daily Mail for answers given. A 50-word letter was all it took for a Sydney celebrity wedding planner to be gifted her dementia sufferer grandad's property with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. The only catch? The piece of paper was a forgery, according to a damning series of court rulings. A bitter family battle over the fortune of top radiologist Dr Alan Grant was laid bare in an appeals court judgment this month. On one side was Dr Grant's daughter Nerez Grant and granddaughter, Kashaya Williams, who runs wedding business Kashaya & Co, a favourite of well-known Sydneysiders. Kashaya's business has contributed to the events of big name couples such as AFL star Kieran Jack and Charlotte Goodlet, and Bachelor Tim Robards and Anna Heinrich. On the other side of the long-running feud feud were Nerez's younger siblings, acclaimed neuroscientist Professor Seth Grant and sister Tansin. They demanded the mother-and-daughter's transfer of the $900,000 NSW Central Coast property from Dr Grant's estate to Kashaya be set aside. Celebrity wedding planner and florist Kashaya Williams (pictured with husband Evan) has been ordered to hand back a $900,000 home that was transferred from her grandfather's estate Kashaya received the Killcare home (above) after her mother received a letter from Dr Alan Grant, requesting she 'please' give his property to her The Killcare, NSW Central Coast property has sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and is tucked away in bushland This is the letter Kashaya's mother Nerez Grant claimed to have received from her father, radiologist Dr Alan Grant, in 2016. The signature was forged, a court ruled. (Digital mock-up above) The NSW Supreme Court heard that five years ago, Nerez claimed Dr Grant had handed her a letter about the Killcare home. The April 11, 2016 letter purportedly stated: 'Dear Nerez, I want to give the Killcare house to Kashaya. 'I want you to live there for the rest of your life. I give you a lifetime tenancy. I will pay for the transfer. Please transfer the property to Kashaya. 'Thank you for all the care of me.' The letter was typed except for its final word - Dr Grant's name, signed Alan, the court judgment said. Nerez, who had enduring power of attorney over Dr Grant's estate at the time, transferred the property to her daughter and paid the stamp duty. I want to give the Killare house to Kashaya ... I will pay for the transfer. Please transfer the property to Kashaya But Justice John Slattery last year accepted evidence from a handwriting expert that Alan's signature was forged. Dr Grant's son Seth called evidence from analyst Melanie Holt who said the signature appeared to have been copied from another document. 'The handwritten name ... is not natural writing,' Ms Holt found. The signature was identical to a previous autograph of Dr Grant's from years earlier, she said. The judge accepted evidence that the signature had been photocopied from another document and the letter was fabricated. Justice Slattery later ruled that Kashaya had obtained the property in a 'dishonest and fraudulent scheme' involving herself and her mother. 'They must have known that this was a fraud on Dr Grant because they were taking his last asset and putting him in a helpless position,' the judge said in his decision. However, in follow-up ruling, the judge noted while 'one or other of Nerez Grant or Kashaya Williams must have been responsible' for the forged letter, the court has not found which was responsible. In his decision, the judge said Nerez Grant and daughter Kashaya (right) 'must have known that this was a fraud on Dr Grant'. Kashaya and her mother lost an appeal this month Clients: Kashaya was the florist for AFL star Kieren Jack (right) and TV reporter wife Charlotte Goodlet's (left) wedding. They are pictured with fellow TV reporter Julie Snook (far left) and actor partner Hugo Johnstone-Burt (far right) on their special day Kashaya & Co recently put together this gender reveal party for Bachelor couple Anna Heinrich and Tim Robards (above) Dr Grant and his late wife Gwynneth were described as a gifted couple - with him practising medicine and her playing violin with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. They built a multi-million dollar fortune which family members had benefited handsomely from. However, the clan was left 'deeply scarred' by ongoing feuds which lingered on even after Mrs Grant died in 2017 and Dr Grant in 2019. Last year, Justice Slattery ordered that the Killcare property be transferred to Seth Grant, as the administrator of his estate. But Ms Williams and Nerez Grant appealed. They argued the judge had failed to take into account 'expert reports' supporting their case. A panel of judges dismissed that appeal this month, ruling they had failed to identify any expert reports, or refute the handwriting expert's testimony. The appeal was dismissed and Nerez and Kashaya were ordered to pay Professor Grant and Tansin's costs. A further appeal on family provisions grounds was either dealt with by the trial judge or irrelevant, the panel of judges found. Daily Mail Australia approached Kashaya Williams, who did not attend the appeal hearing, for comment on Tuesday. Cracks are emerging in Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews' ivory tower as his dream of zero Covid cases turns into a long, repetitive nightmare that could stretch beyond Christmas. Health Department insiders have warned that Mr Andrews and his Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton's pursuit of a Covid-zero Victoria is 'disconnected from reality'. The state recorded a further 76 cases on Tuesday, pushing the total up to 841 - the highest in 11 months. Insiders within Victoria's own health department told Daily Mail Australia this week that rank-and-file staffers had finally lost faith in the Andrews-Sutton leadership. Premier Dan Andrews' dream of zero Covid cases is forcing Victorians to live in a nightmare lockdown that's disconnected from reality, experts have warned Premier Dan Andrews (pictured) will make a decision this week on extending the Victoria lockdown and in what form Victorian playgrounds remain caged off despite very little evidence anyone has ever caught Covid from one in Australia They told Daily Mail Australia there was a belief among many within the Health Department that those pulling the strings had now 'lost the plot'. 'We're beginning to think he has no idea what to do next, and is just panicking now,' an insider said. One health department worker said: ''I've lost faith in the Covid response'. Daily Mail Australia has been told the decision by Mr Andrews to close playgrounds had infuriated his own Health Department, given outdoor transmission is very rare and time at the playground had provided a much-needed outlet for kids' exercise and a break from being stuck inside all day and night. 'They were just in a blind panic pulling any lever they could,' a government insider said on Tuesday. Mr Andrews had already announced Victoria's lockdown would extend beyond the initial September 2 cut-off, but that some of its measures would soon be eased - including the playground closures. While Mr Andrews has repeatedly derided his NSW counterpart Gladys Berejiklian for not enacting stricter lockdown measures, there was now a tacit admission in Victoria that the 'go hard and go early' approach to lockdowns was not yielding the expected results. An easing of measures is both a belated recognition that the virus cannot be eliminated in the long-term, and a political shift to appease growing discontent both among the public and within government at the huge costs of lockdowns for minimal gains. 'We will get a few carrots later this month to avoid a palace coup,' the insider claimed. Health workers are also frustrated at alarmist messaging being used to pressure the public into complying with lockdown measures. Eight days ago Covid Commander Jeroen Weimar claimed there were examples of 'children collapsing at school and vomiting at school' after contracting Covid-19. The key to success in NSW will be vaccination, which reduces fatalities and the need for ICU treatment to a level closer to seasonal flu, allowing a return of semi-normal life. (Pictured, a man getting a Pfizer vaccine jab in Royal Melbourne Showgrounds) Questions have since been asked whether there was any evidence that was due to Covid, and insiders say it was an example of government messaging that has become increasingly neurotic. 'There has been zero clarity. They just deflect and lie,' the insider claimed. Faith lost: Victorian health department workers are finally beginning to question the decisions being made by those in charge At the heart of the discontent, though, is growing doubts over whether lockdowns can ever succeed or whether Covid can effectively be managed in the hospital system like flu, given the most vulnerable have all had a chance to get vaccinated. Even New Zealand, which went into an immediate level four snap lockdown as soon as they were notified of their first case of the Delta strain, has been unable stop its ubiquitous spread. Less than two weeks after going into the tightest shutdown since April 2020, New Zealand numbers rose to 83 on Sunday and another 53 on Monday, with 562 cases since the current outbreak began. Singapore has also now been hit by the Delta strain after having quashed the Alpha strain, with daily caseloads soaring into three figures every day for the past week. But at the same time, the numbers of hospitalisations, ICU patients and deaths have been falling - because its 5.7 million population is now 80 per cent vaccinated. And in NSW, the initial goal of zero Covid has long since been abandoned, with the state now aiming for suppression and widespread vaccination while beginning to ease lockdown measures next month. While case numbers continue to rise, Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the yardstick for success is simply minimising the number of Covid cases requiring hospitalisation. At the end of July, 7.3 per cent of cases were hospitalized, and at the end of August it was 5.1 per cent. Premier Gladys Berejiklian, pictured, says the yardstick for success now is minimising the number of Covid victims requiring hospital but had a grim reality check on October numbers Premier Dan Andrews vowed on Sunday to fight on and 'throw everything weve got' at Covid Zero. (Pictured, two people exercising in lockdown in Port Melbourne on Monday) And the key to that reduction is vaccination, which reduces fatalities and the need for ICU treatment to a level closer to seasonal flu, allowing a return of semi-normal life. Ms Berejiklian flagged the early weeks of October could see record numbers in hospital and in ICU as well as deaths, but would also represent a turning point as numbers declined sharply thereafter. 'Once we get to October, once we get to 70 per cent double dose, the chances of our citizens ending up in hospital or in intensive care greatly reduces,' Ms Berejiklian said. But in Victoria, Premier Andrews was not going to easily let go of his elimination-via-lockdown strategy. 'We will all have to find a way, find it in ourselves, to push on and continue to throw everything weve got at trying to drive these numbers down,' said the premier on Sunday. For despairing Victorians, who have been locked down for more than 200 days since Covid emerged, who are living under curfew, who are unable to see friends and family, who have lost cherished sporting occasions like the AFL finals, the Spring racing carnival and F1 grand prix, anger is growing. New Zealand went into an immediate level four snap lockdown as soon as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured) was notified of the first case but has been unable stop its spread The anger is not only toward lockdown measures that border on the irrational, but also the costs: to small businesses, to jobs, to children's educations and the growing toll on the public's mental health. Burnt-out Victorian mental health workers say their caseload has doubled since the start of the pandemic, with referrals of teenagers and children reaching record levels. 'It's fairly heartbreaking that so many families and children are experiencing this but it doesn't surprise me unfortunately,' Dr Billy Garvey, developmental paediatrician at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, told Radio National. 'Families are struggling more than they have previously. Part of it is a real fatigue because we've been in this for quite a long time now. 'It must be hard for a lot of families to find hope and see a way out of it.' Deakin University epidemiologist professor Catherine Bennet (pictured left) has warned the current situation is unsustainable against Delta while Grattan Institute health program director Stephen Duckett (right) believes relaxing restrictions would relieve the mental health strain for many Deakin University epidemiologist, Professor Catherine Bennett, has warned the current policies are ineffective against Delta. 'We have to compromise sooner rather than later,' she said. 'If we're going to extend lockdown then we need to consider that in terms of the ask on the community and the explanation for what levels we need. 'If the reality is there is only a very small chance we can get to zero and it's going to take a month of really hard work, then people might say 50 cases a day is something we can cope with. 'If we can get a few safe liberties back in our lives, like playgrounds for kids and so on, then that's a compromise that means you're not losing control over the virus.' Professor Catherine Bennett believes the key element in controlling the Delta strain is pure luck, which she says is how Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured) managed to quickly bring the state's outbreak back under control Singapore has also now been hit by the Delta strain after a long dominant reign over the virus, with daily caseloads soaring into three figures every day for the past week. (Pictured, a normally crowded market is mostly empty during the current Covid outbreak) She believes the key element in controlling the Delta strain is pure luck, which is how Queensland managed to quickly bring its outbreak swiftly back under control. But Prof. Bennet also thinks the current Victorian outbreak is no longer capable of being brought back down to zero. 'We have cases across metro Melbourne - we don't have just one outbreak that we're trying to contain,' she said. 'We've seen levels of transmission across the city that show we haven't found all the cases. Professor Catherine Bennet also thinks the current Victorian outbreak is no longer capable of being brought back down to zero. (Pictured, two walking in The Tan in Melbourne on Sunday) 'We need to be managing the lockdown for the long-term to something that's more sustainable.' She believes the Andrews government needs to relax some of the restrictions to keep the population obeying the more required ones to combat the spread. 'Some of these things would make a fundamental difference to people and help them hang in there until we get vaccination rates up. 'It's such a big ask for people who have young children and so on.' The state government believes the case numbers have now plateaued as the current lockdown restrictions kick in. (Pictured, health workers at a Melbourne drive through vaccination clinic) Opposition leader Michael O'Brien said the rapid imposition of lockdowns and their indefinite length were hurting the public. 'Instead of blindly chasing zero, Daniel Andrews should be offering Victorians hope and a plan out of lockdown,' Mr O'Brien said. 'Instead, we just get more pain and more of the same.' Health expert Stephen Duckket says strict measures could be relaxed for Covid-free regions while remaining in force for targeted hotspots like Shepparton. (Pictured, people exercising at The Tan track in Melbourne on Sunday) The state government believes the case numbers have now plateaued as the current lockdown restrictions kick in, but offered little hope of relaxing the rules which are causing pain and misery for families and business owners across the state. Grattan Institute health program director Stephen Duckett believes reopening cafes and lifting the 5km travel limit for fully-vaccinated residents would immediately relieve the mental health strain for many. And also said strict measures could be removed for the mostly Covid-free regions , while still being used to manage hotspots like Shepparton with its 94 active cases. 'This would not mean abandoning a Covid-control goal,' he said. 'It would simply mean recognising that the principal aim is to protect the public and the hospital system, and that we could still achieve that with a lighter touch.' But Professor Sutton was not about to countenance any relaxation in the zero-Covid pursuit. 'If we drop our guard, it gives Delta that opportunity to break through and cause another outbreak.' Emergency workers and volunteers in rural Tennessee pushed to clean up as much debris as possible from recent deadly flooding Monday as the remnants of Hurricane Ida threatened to interrupt recovery efforts with another dousing expected overnight through Tuesday. The Humphreys County Emergency Management Agency noted the possibility of localized flooding in Waverly and other areas hit hard by the August 21 flooding but said it's 'not expected to be the magnitude of last week's flooding,' citing the National Weather Service. Authorities are encouraging people to pick up tarps so they can cover their damaged homes and other property. They also said they are watching the forecast and preparing in case the situation becomes dangerous. 'Waverly Department of Public Safety is monitoring the weather and will go into affected neighborhoods to announce should evacuations become necessary,' an emergency agency flood recovery report said Monday. Flood damaged areas are shown from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flown by the Tennessee National Guard in Waverly, Tennessee on August 23. At least 22 people were killed after flash floods swept through middle Tennessee Ernest Hollis looks for items at his granddaughter's house which was devastated by floodwaters in Waverly on August 23 Damaged homes and cars are seen on August 25 in Waverly The flooding killed 20 people as it took out houses, roads, cellphone towers and telephone lines, with rain totals that more than tripled forecasts and shattered the state record for one-day rainfall. More than 270 homes were destroyed and 160 took major damage, according to the Humphreys County Emergency Management Agency. Much of that destruction centered on Waverly, a small city about 60 miles west of Nashville. The town of McEwen near Waverly was pummeled with 17 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service. Southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi were hit with heavy downpours and flooding as a result of the hurricane Flood watches and warnings are in effect for wide swaths of the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys as well as Appalachia and the Northeast The hurricane made its way through the Caribbean, making landfall in Cuba before moving onto the Gulf of Mexico and the southeastern United States Tornadoes are possible throughout the Southeast United States, including the Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, eastern Tennessee, and Virginia While the worst of Ida is over, flash flood warnings remain in effect for wide swaths of the southeastern United States The storm is expected to leave rainfall throughout the eastern half of the United States by the end of the week Jeani Rice-Cranford helped shelter about 15 people at her house, which sits on a hill, during the floods and said she has anxiety about the prospect of another significant drenching for her community. She said she is concerned about people potentially getting trapped again and whether she has enough supplies if she needs to help once more. She also worries about how much more people could handle on the heels of a tragedy. 'It's been a week now, so some of the numbness has worn off, and some of the processing is beginning,' she said. 'I think our officials have done a great job with coordinating with mental health experts and getting people in.' The National Weather Service forecast has issued a flash flood watch for central Tennessee from Monday evening through early Wednesday, saying rainfall amounts from what remains of Ida will range from 2 to 5 inches. So far, more than 800 loads of debris have been hauled to a landfill from the floods that centered on Humphreys County, which has a population of about 18,000. A Chicago judge reversed his decision to bar a divorced mother from seeing her 11-year-old son because she isn't vaccinated against COVID-19. Rebecca Firlit, 39, was asked during a child support hearing on August 10 if she was vaccinated, and when she said no Cook County Judge James Shapiro withdrew her rights to see the boy until she gets the jab. But the desk clerk from Chicago said she has had adverse reactions to vaccinations in the past and that her doctor had advised her not to get a Covid-19 shot. A Chicago judge reversed a decision to bar divorced mother Rebecca Firlit, 39, from seeing her 11-year-old son because she isn't vaccinated against COVID-19 On Monday, Shapiro issued an order that vacated the earlier decision, though the filing offered no explanation for the change of heart, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. It is not known if Firlit told the judge about her past problems with vaccinations or if this contributed to the decision. Following the new order, she said: 'I'm extremely happy, I'm going to see my son right now.' The boy's father, Matthew Duiven, is vaccinated. His lawyer, Jeffrey Leving, said Monday the court's order reversing the August 10 decision was a mistake. Cook County Judge James Shapiro withdrew her rights to see the boy until she gets the jab on August 10, but has since reversed his decision 'I am working on an emergency motion right now to fight it,' Leving said. The parents have been divorced for seven years and share custody of the boy. This was called one of the first such rulings of its kind. Firlit said she spoke publicly about what happened because the judge seemed to overstep his authority. 'I was confused because it was just supposed to be about expenses and child support,' she said. '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."' The judge made the decision during a court hearing via Zoom along with her ex-husband who she currently splits custody of her son with. Shapiro issued an order that vacated the earlier decision allowing Firlit to be reunited with her son, who she shares custody of with her ex-husband Firlit told FOX 32 that judge Shapiro asked her about her vaccination status and she told him she had not gotten the vaccine because of previous bad reactions. This led to Shapiro's ruling that Firlit relinquish all of her parenting time with her son until she gets vaccinated. She said the judge did not have the right to take away her parenting rights just because she's not vaccinated and that he is placing his beliefs on to her. Following the ruling, Firlit had not been in physical contact with her son. 'I think that it's wrong. I think that it's dividing families. And I think it's not in my son's best interest to be away from his mother,' Firlit said. Jeffrey Leving, the father's attorney, said he was surprised by the judge's decision at the time, but that the father was supporting the ruling in the interest of keeping his son safe. 'There are children who have died because of COVID. I think every child should be safe. And I agree that the mother should be vaccinated,' Leving told FOX 32. Although children can contract COVID-19 and pass the disease on to others, they tend to not get very ill. Following the new order, Firlit said: 'I'm extremely happy, I'm going to see my son right now' after the August 10 decision was reversed In fact, a recent study found natural immunity from previous COVID-19 infection may offer stronger protection against the Indian 'Delta' variant than immunity from full vaccination. More than 180,000 children tested positive for COVID-19 last week, a 50 percent increase over the previous week, according to data from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Thousands of kids are already in quarantine due to contracting or being exposed to the virus in the school year's opening weeks, and some schools have even had to close. Australians' attitude to lockdowns have shifted with families as concerned about job losses and their mental health as catching Covid-19, a new survey has found. More than 60 per cent of Australians are under in lockdown as NSW, Victoria, and Canberra battle Delta outbreaks. Under the national plan, the federal government promises restrictions will be eased once 70 to 80 per cent of the population are fully vaccinated. But while there is strong support for reaching vaccination targets before reopening the country, the poll showed growing frustrations with lengthy lockdowns and closures of schools - and the mental health toll of those restrictions. A new survey has revealed Australians are more worried about mental health and job losses than catching Covid-19. Pictured: A shopkeeper cleans a cafe window in locked down Melbourne on Saturday Research company YouGov interviewed 3,114 Australians aged over 18 between August 20 to 25 in a survey commissioned by News Corp Australia. Two in three Australians believe vaccination is key to returning to normal life, while 50 per cent want lockdowns to end once 80 per cent of the population is fully inoculated. However, one third of people want lockdowns to end now, with just 22 per cent supporting using lockdowns until everyone who wants a vaccine has one. Just 16 per cent want to wait until there are zero Covid cases before removing 'lockdowns and restrictions'. Concerningly, the findings also showed a sharp decline in Australians' mental and financial wellbeing, particularly in NSW and Victoria. Some 35 per cent said they were worse off financially over the past three months, compared to just 11 per cent who reported they were better off. In NSW and Victoria, 39 per cent reported taking a financial hit, while more than half of respondents (53 per cent and 54 per cent respectively) were emotionally worse off during the past three months. Of Australians from other states, 44 per cent said their mental health eroded during the same timeframe while just seven per cent said they felt better emotionally. The mental health toll was greater among young Australians aged 18 to 35, who were most likely to say they were struggling. And almost 50 per cent of respondents said they knew personally of people whose emotional wellbeing had suffered due to lockdowns. More than 60 per cent of Australians are currently under a form of lockdown as the highly infectious Delta strain wreaks havoc in NSW, VIC, and the ACT The findings also revealed Australians are more afraid of the mental health and financial impacts of lockdowns than a huge Covid outbreak. Asked to rank their fears, respondents listed business closures and jobs first (58 per cent) then mental health (56 per cent), followed by Covid cases and deaths (51 per cent). Parents are also concerned about the education and social impacts of lockdowns, with schools currently closed across NSW, Victoria, and the ACT. The survey showed strong support for kids resuming face-to-face learning in locked-down states, with almost 60 per cent of parents believing schools should stay open if staff are vaccinated. More than half (52 per cent) think home-schooling will have long-term negative impacts on their children's education, while 14 per cent of parents think schools should remain open even if staff have not received the jab. The insights come as the federal government urges premiers to stick to the agreed national plan to lift restrictions once vaccination targets are met. Under the Morrison government's four-phase plan, Covid restrictions will be relaxed once 70 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated, a milestone expected to be hit by November 2. The findings also a strong support for schools to reopen during lockdown amid fears of the long-term effects on children's education Later that month, when the vaccination is forecast to reach 80 per cent, state border restrictions will be eased to allow interstate travel for vaccinated Australians. But Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and WA Premier Mark McGowan oppose easing their tough border restrictions while other states' Covid case numbers remain high. In Victoria, which recorded 73 new cases on Monday despite an extended lockdown, Premier Dan Andrews is seeking a zero-Covid strategy while trying to boost vaccination rates. Meanwhile, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian promotes vaccinations as the gateway to freedom, warning residents they will have to learn to live with Delta as daily infections show no sign of coming under control. Last week, she announced restrictions on social gatherings would ease next month for fully vaccinated residents to ease the mental burden of lockdown, with further freedoms to be issued once 70 per cent of eligible residents are vaccinated. There were 1,375 new local cases across the nation on Monday with 1,290 detected in NSW, where there were also four deaths. That took the national toll to 1,003 since the start of the pandemic. Australia has fully vaccinated 34.41 per cent of its population aged 16 and over, while almost 55 per cent have received one jab. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg wants business leaders to join the government's push to open state borders and reduce lockdowns when vaccination coverage hits targets. He has warned state and territory governments would not receive the same levels of lockdown support when the thresholds were met. The federal government is urging state leaders to stick to the national plan to reopen the country once vaccination targets are met. Pictured: Two women walk in Bondi on Monday as the state recorded 1290 locally acquired Covid cases 'You could have the ridiculous situation where somebody in NSW could travel to Canada before they could go to Cairns,' he told the Seven Network. 'Somebody in Victoria could travel to Singapore and Bali before they could go to Perth.' Mr McGowan, who has signalled he will maintain border restrictions even at higher vaccination rates, described the treasurer's comments as odd. 'NSW is in a catastrophic situation and he's worried about people flying to Bali,' Mr McGowan said. 'Perhaps instead of attacking us they should show a bit of gratitude and appreciation for what Western Australia has done.' Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said state governments needed to change strategy and loosen some restrictions while vaccination rates rise. 'These are desperate, desperate times for business. We're probably at crunch point now,' he told Nine. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said Friday's national cabinet meeting of leaders focused on significant risks associated with opening at 70 per cent vaccine coverage. 'Even the prime minister is now changing his language and tone that 70 per cent is not the magic number, it's a very gentle step forward,' he said. He expects the ACT, which recorded 12 new cases on Monday, to reach the targets well ahead of the rest of Australia based on current trajectories. 'Let's stop talking about 70 because it's not safe at 70, but 80 is the more realistic step,' Mr Barr said. Vaccination of aged care workers across Australia needs to be completed in three weeks time as a deadline looms for the sector to avert a chronic staff shortage. In June the federal government nominated September 17 as the date by which all aged care workers should have had at least one dose of a Covid vaccine. But with three weeks remaining, more than 60,000 workers in residential aged care remained unvaccinated, the Brisbane Times reported. This figure is despite those in the sector having priority access to the Pfizer vaccine, regardless of age, for months. With three weeks remaining until a September 17 vaccination deadline, more than 60,000 workers in residential aged care remained unvaccinated Pictured: Aged care staff leave a facility in Melbourne. The mandatory vaccination deadline of September 17 has sparked fears of understaffing in Australia's aged care facilities Figures show 78 per cent of more than 273,000 residential aged care workers have had a first dose of vaccine, covering nurses, personal care workers, administration staff, cooks, cleaners and other staff. Lower vaccination rates in certain parts of the country and individual facilities, however, have caused fears of staff shortages as the mandatory vaccination deadline is reached. The NSW North Coast and Nerang region on the Gold Coast have only 40 to 40 percent of staff having received one dose, while some residential facilities have fewer than 20 percent of staff vaccinated. Exemptions under public health orders may have to be granted by states and territories to maintain staffing levels, Health Services Union national president Gerard Hayes said. The federal government had also changed the hours aged care workers on student visas can work to help alleviate a potential shortfall of staff. 'The government is ensuring student visa holders working in aged care can take on additional hours and this provides an important extra workforce,' Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said. Aged care workers on student visas will be allowed to work more hours to help cover any shortage of staff due to the vaccination deadline His colleague Aged Care Services Minister Richard Colbeck said the government was working to ensure every worker in the sector had access to a vaccine before September 17. The health department site lists onsite clinics at workplaces, dedicated vaccination hubs and roving in-reach clinics as options for aged care workers. Residential aged care workers can also get priority access at GPs, Commonwealth vaccination clinics, an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service or pharmacy. Find a clinic through the eligibility checker. Mr Colbeck also indicated rapid antigen tests were being used in Greater Sydney facilities to offer additional protection for residents and workers. 'Scott Morrison must outline what it means for aged care workers who are unable to get vaccinated by the 17th of September,' shadow Minister for Aged and Health Care Mark Butler said. More than 100 people in Sydney caught Covid while staying in public hospitals and 12 have died from the virus, drawing attention to infection control procedures. As well as patients, 19 hospital staff who visit multiple patients between wards have also caught the virus across six of Sydney's largest health facilities. The most recent patient, a woman in her 60s, died at Westmead Hospital with the source of her infection at nearby Cumberland Hospital in Parramatta - where there is an outbreak of 11 cases. In the most recent case a woman in her 60s died at Westmead Hospital (pictured) after she caught the infection at Cumberland Hospital where there is an outbreak and was transferred Health Services Union secretary Gerard Hayes said frustrated health staff already exhausted from treating patients also now had to deal with added pressure and anxiety that they could spread the virus to someone in their care. 'It can feel like they are being told they are spreading it, when what they are doing is trying to look after patients under some very tough conditions,' he told the SMH. Royal Melbourne Hospital's chief medical officer Dr Cate Kelly said NSW could learn from Victoria's second wave in 2020 in which 271 healthcare workers caught the virus. She said a number of steps brought in at Royal Melbourne Hospital proved effective at reducing transmission. 'The first step is to try and avoid it getting in, in the first place: put in all of the screening that you possibly can and obviously have PPE,' she wrote in the Medical Journal of Australia on Monday. If there is a case detected, Dr Kelly said immediately addressing the treatment environment was required - for example transferring the patient to a room with high ceilings or a negative pressure room for the most infectious, bringing in air cleaners, and limiting staff numbers. 'If no one in the cohort has become infected by day five, you can have some level of confidence that they're not going to test positive and so then you have to risk grade that against the risk of not having specialist staff there,' she said. 'Because if they go back in, and they're wearing an N95 mask, and they've been double vaccinated, the risk of transmission is low, even in that worst-case situation.' The Health Services Union said frustrated and exhausted staff also had to deal with the risk of transmitting the virus as well as care for patients (pictured: Sydney healthcare workers) There have been multiple outbreaks at public hospitals in Sydney - confined mostly to the city's south and west in 2021. At Liverpool Hospital 19 patients caught Covid-19, along with eight staff and 11 people died from the virus. At Cumberland Hospital, 12 patients were infected and one died. In Penrith, 26 patients and one staff member caught Covid at Nepean Mental Health Centre, while at Nepean Hospital 12 patients caught Covid, along with eight staff and five people died. At Canterbury Hospital 22 patients were infected and five people died. And at St George Hospital two staff caught Covid along with seven patients and two people died. October is expected to be the worst month for hospitalisations in the hardest-hit state of NSW, where 1290 cases were recorded on Monday. Royal Melbourne Hospital's chief medical officer said NSW can learn from Victoria's 2020 outbreak (pictured: Sydney health workers) Doctors have called for mandatory coronavirus vaccines for all health workers including cleaners, receptionists and contractors. Australian Medical Association President Omar Khorshid said there were worrying numbers of infected frontline workers and several clusters linked to hospitals. 'This is about health care worker safety and the safety of patients, and not about vaccines by force,' he said on Tuesday. The AMA wants nationally consistent public health orders to mandate vaccinations for all health workers as soon as possible. 'We've said plans to reopen Australia will be a disaster unless our health sector is ready and that will mean having a fully protected medical workforce,' Dr Khorshid said. Aged care workers will be required to have had at least one vaccine dose on September 17. Mark McGowan claims opening Western Australia's borders once 70 per cent of its population is vaccinated against Covid would cost hundreds of lives. The premier is in a war of words with the federal government and Gladys Berejiklian over his determination to have zero cases in WA at all costs. Mr McGowan's combative language and dire predictions are rejected by these critics, but new modelling both supports and refutes his claims. Data presented to National Cabinet showed the Delta variant would spread through WA three times as fast as NSW due to its low vaccination rate and lack of social distancing. However, other figures show vaccination - even in the low 30s in most Australian states - is already cutting hospitalisation rates by more than 80 per cent. The Delta variant would spread through Western Australia three times faster than it has in NSW, according to new modelling. Pictured are pedestrians lining up for coffee at Cottesloe Beach on April 25 This contrasts wildly with Mr McGowan's horrifying vision of thousands of patients flooding his state's already over-stretched health system. 'We will have our hospitals fill up and if it runs wild, large numbers of people will die,' the WA premier said on Sunday. Mr McGowan doubled down on these claims on Monday, accusing Prime Minister Scott Morrison of not caring if WA residents lived or died. 'As I've said many times we will reopen our borders to Covid-infected States when it is safe to do so but that is not at 70 per cent vaccination,' he said. 'At 70 per cent vaccination to deliberately introduce Covid into WA would cost hundreds of lives and potentially result in the shut down of many businesses, including parts of the mining industry,' he said. 'I'm not prepared to undermine the health of West Australians and cost people their lives and jobs to meet the political demands of a Commonwealth Government that only cares about NSW.' WA Premier Mark McGowan has vowed to keep his state's border shut even when the national Covid-19 vaccination rate hits 70 per cent Data supporting his position predicted the Delta variant would have a reproduction rate of 3.03 if it took hold, meaning each case would spread Coviid to three other people. Only 49 per cent of the state's citizens have had their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, while 65 per cent of NSW is at least partially vaccinated. NSW's reproduction number - or 'Reff' - is 1.03, while health officials say the virus would spread the least in the ACT - which has Australia's highest vaccination rate. The latest modelling - which is accurate as of August 26 - comes amid warning WA's health system is already 'on its knees' despite not having a single Covid case in hospital. AMA state president Mark Duncan-Smith said the drastically underfunded public hospital network will not be able to cope with any surge in coronavirus infections. But NSW's rapid vaccination uptake is already starting to stem its Covid-19 death rate - undermining Mr McGowan's fears that the virus could kill hundreds even when most of his state is vaccinated. Australia's most populated state has now recorded 20,000 cases during its latest outbreak. WA now has 49 per cent of its population at least partially vaccinated against the virus but the figure still lags behind the national average (pictured, a healthcare worker in Perth preparing a rapid Covid test) However, while WA may see more cases, visions of hundreds of deaths at 70 per cent vaccination appear to be overblown. Only 93 people have lost their lives though to the Delta variant in NSW - a far cry from the 800 fatalities during Victoria's second wave last year. NSW has passed 20,000 cases, more than Victoria's 18,610, yet the deaths and hospitalisations are drastically fewer. 'Primarily vaccination of the elderly is what is driving this,' former Australian deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth told the Daily Telegraph. 'That's the power of the oldest-first strategy, and so it follows as the number of vaccinated younger people increases, the small risk of hospitalisation and ICE admission in those groups will become even smaller.' Dr Coatsworth said best practice going forward in Australia was to keep restrictions on to keep a lid on cases, then remove them when vaccine targets were hit. 'The trick is to maintain some level of restrictions as we get to that point to protect the health system, but restrictions with the aim of getting to zero will be of less and less value the higher the vaccination rates get,' he said. While WA has no locally-acquired Covid case it did have a scare on Friday when two truck drivers tested positive to the virus after arriving in Perth from NSW. The men aged 23 and 29 travelled via Victoria and South Australia and visited several sites en-route and in Western Australia. They have since been placed in quarantine and none of their WA contacts have so far returned a positive result. The 28 other infections in the state were acquired overseas and remain in hotel quarantine or onboard cargo ships off Fremantle. A vintage train that has been converted into a liveable house has hit the market for a staggering $1.2million. The unique four-bedroom residence is nestled in bushland in Currowan on the NSW south coast, about a three-hour drive from Sydney. The main area of the house has been built around two large steel train carriages remodelled to provide several eccentric living spaces. Two large steel train carriages (pictured) have been converted into a four-bedroom home in Currowan on the NSW south coast, just a three hour drive from Sydney Remnants of the train's previous use can still be seen throughout the dwelling, including strap handles mounted on the ceiling and the original windows. The 200sqm home sits upon a 16.9 hectare block only 800m from the freshwater Currowan Creek and comes with a herd of resident mountain goats. 'There are pools to kayak on, swim in during the summer or catch the elusive Australian Bass, you may even catch a glimpse of a platypus working the pond for its breakfast,' the property listing reads. 'The sound of the water running over the river boulders gives a pleasant backdrop to the private views offered from the home.' The quirky residence has retained original features from the train's previous use including strap handles on the ceiling (pictured) and original windows LJ Hooker selling agent Rob Routledge said the steel carriages had been bought at a public auction in 2001 and transported to the bushland in a semi-trailer. 'The sellers spent the best part of the next two years building a home out of it. It was an ongoing labour of love for them,' he told Allhomes. The quirky residence features four bedrooms, a workshop, a lounge, a kitchen, a large dining area and three bathrooms. Only a stones throw from the main dwelling stands a large shed and a carport which can also be viewed from the home's large wraparound verandah. Mr Routledge told Daily Mail Australia he expected potential buyers to be those who wanted a more sustainable lifestyle, pointing to the properties on-site waste treatment facilities and plentiful space to grow natural produce. The unique build features four bedrooms, a workshop (pictured), a lounge, a kitchen, a large dining area and three bathrooms He said he had noticed a strong Sydney buyer's group of people aged in their 30s and 40s who were looking to escape city life and the pressures of the pandemic. The agent added he had also received a number of calls from 'train fanatics' who simply wanted more information on the quirky carriage-home. Mr Routledge said there had been no real inspiration for the train home besides the sellers wanting something different. 'They saw it as a cost-effective way to build something on a big block of land, and it actually got bigger as it went along,' he told Allhomes. The agent said the sellers had put the unique build on the market in an effort to downsize and move north to Queensland. While the main residence is not council approved potential buyers can use the property as a farm stay or rent to others on Airbnb. The unique carriage-home is about a 15 minute drive from the centre of the popular coastal community Batemans Bay. This is the moment a young girl is bitten on the face by a snake at a Russian petting zoo. The incident was filmed at the Butterfly Park petting zoo in the city of Yekaterinburg in the Russian region of Sverdlovsk Oblast. The footage was shared on the Russian social network VK on August 30 where it has been viewed over 45,000 times within a matter of hours. Local media said five-year-old Viktoria was taken to hospital after the snake bite while the petting zoo said it was the first time such an incident has ever taken place there. This is the moment a young girl is bitten on the face by a snake at a Russian petting zoo. Five-year-old Viktoria (pictured) was posing with the non-venomous snake before it attacked her The non-venomous snake, believed to be a hook-snouted rufous beaked snake from East Africa, was placed around the five-year-old girl's neck and bit her on the face while she was posing for the camera. The girl's father Vladimir told local media: 'I went to pick up my wife and children and they told me that my youngest daughter was bitten by a snake. 'I asked to see proof that the snake was non-venomous, that it was safe. 'We decided to call an ambulance and we took the girl to the Children's City Clinical Hospital No. 9 to be checked over.' Meanwhile, zoo representatives have reportedly contacted the girl's parents to settle the matter privately. The petting zoo also said that it was the first time such an incident has taken place, confirming that visitors are allowed to handle snakes there in accordance with the law. Viktoria was taken to hospital as a precaution and left with a bandage where the bite mark was However, they added that they will stop snake-handling activities in future to prevent a similar situation from taking place in the future. The girl reportedly ate a chicken meal before handling the snake and also played with chicks at the petting zoo. Suggesting one theory about why the snake may have bitten the child, expert Ekaterina Uvarova said: 'Snakes are very sensitive to smell. 'If it was hungry, and the girl smelled of prey like chicks this might provoke the snake to bite her.' The petting zoo called Butterflies Park did not immediately comment. Broadcast footage shows the moment an angry man interrupted an NBC news report about Hurricane Ida on Monday, lunging at a reporter and shouting at him to 'report accurately.' Journalist Shaquille Brewster was covering the storm from a beach in Gulfport, Mississippi - east of where Ida came ashore the previous night as a Category 4 hurricane. Suddenly the unidentified man pulls up in a white pickup truck behind Brewster, gets out and sprints towards him. NBC reporter Shaquille Brewster was covering the aftermath of Ida, which had come ashore as a Category 4 hurricane the previous night, when a man parked his pickup truck and began sprinting at him and his camera crew The man runs up to the crew shouting, 'Y'all reporting this accurately right?' as Brewster has his crew shift the camera away from the man The man, however, continues to shout and the segment ends just as he lunges towards Brewster, shouting, 'Report accurately!' Brewster was reporting on how life had begun to return to normal that morning in the areas around where the storm made impact just hours prior. Hurricane Ida has now been downgraded to a tropical depression. 'Just a couple of minutes ago people were walking their dogs. They're back on the beach right now. That's the sense you're getting,' he says as the man approaches from behind. 'The rain has stopped, the wind is still going there, and I think we have a random person going around.' The man can be heard shouting at the reporter and his camera crew as he approaches, saying: 'Y'all reporting this accurately right?' Brewster attempts to continue the segment, asking the crew to turn the camera away from the man as he also shifts his position away from him. The man, however, continues shouting, and Brewster is eventually forced to tell anchor Craig Melvin that he will need to cut the broadcast short. 'Craig I'm gonna toss it back to you, because we have a person who needs a little help right now,' he says as the man lunges at him, shouting, 'report accurately!' Brewster tweet shortly after that he and his crew were unharmed in the incident The broadcast cuts away just as Brewster raises his forearm to defend himself. 'Hey, hey, hey,' Melvin says. 'We're going to check in with Shaq Brewster just to make sure all is well. There's a lot of crazy out there, a lot of crazy.' Moments after Brewster tweeted out that he and his crew were alright. 'Appreciate the concern guys. The team and I are all good!' he wrote. MSNBC President Rashida Jones released a statement regarding the incident, calling Brewster a 'consummate professional.' The incident came as fears mounted that the area affected by the storm might see and increase in crime. A group of looters were caught in drone footage trying to loot a destroyed market in neighboring New Orleans on Monday 'Like the consummate professional, he did not let someone intimidate him from doing his job. We're glad he and the team are safe, and we couldn't be more proud and supportive of their work,' she said. The incident came as fears rise that the area could see a spike in crime in the aftermath of the storm, as it did when Hurricane Katrina struck 16 years ago, and as the true damage of the storm is assessed. In neighboring Louisiana, a group of men were caught by a drone camera trying to rob an ATM machine in the scorched remains of a market in the New Orleans neighborhood of St. Claude. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said at a press conference Monday that the city is cracking down on looting and all offenders will be charged with a state felony In another incident, witnesses used their cell phone to record several people looting a store in New Orleans East. However, Mayor LaToya Cantrell said at a press conference Monday that the city is cracking down on looting and all offenders will be charged with a state felony. She said, 'My directive has been very clear: lock 'em up. We will not tolerate and we have not tolerated it.' Police Chief Shaun Ferguson added that the department deployed a group of 'anti-looting' officers and is working with the Louisiana National Guard to protect businesses from looters. The image above shows flooded streets in Kenner, Louisiana on Monday - a day after Hurricane Ida rampaged through the area A truck in Houma, Louisiana drives past a metal sign downed by Hurricane Ida's winds on Monday The city has already made 'several arrests' involving looters, Ferguson said and urged residents to report looting when they see it. It is not clear if the pair from the drone video were apprehended or got away with any cash from the ATM machine they are seen in the footage trying to pry open. The damage from Hurricane Ida is still being assessed and President Joe Biden recently warned that the death toll - which currently stands at two people - will rise as the human cost of the storm that ravaged the state began to emerge. Speaking on a conference call to governors affected by the extreme weather event Monday, the president warned he expected the number of people found killed as a result of Ida to rise considerably Biden also urged Edwards to 'just holler' for help after Hurricane Ida ravaged the state. The massive storm rolled through southeastern Louisiana before gradually weakening while making its way toward Mississippi on Monday 'We're providing any help that you're going to need,' the president told Louisiana and Mississippi mayors and governors during a conference call Monday afternoon as Ida made its way north. He said the federal government has sent 200 generators to the area as one million people remain without power in the wake of the hurricane. The president added that he has asked the Federal Aviation Administration to authorize the use of drones to assess Ida's damage to energy infrastructure. Biden said he has also ordered the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security to make available any satellite imagery that could help assess the extent of the damage. Australians will only be allowed to go overseas once 80 per cent of over-16s are fully vaccinated and will still have to quarantine at home upon return despite being double-jabbed, Scott Morrison said on Tuesday. The Prime Minister also said that ultra-cautious states like Western Australia and Queensland should start allowing home quarantine for domestic travel once 70 per cent are jabbed. Aussies have been banned from leaving the country for holidays since March 2020 and anyone returning must pay up to $2,800 for two weeks of hotel quarantine. Australians will be allowed to go overseas with home quarantine on return once 80 per cent of over 16s are fully vaccinated. Pictured: A passenger arriving at Sydney Airport But Mr Morrison's national re-opening plan allows the international border to finally open for the double vaccinated once 80 per cent are fully jabbed. On current rates, the government expects to reach that target by mid-November, though overseas experience indicates rates of vaccination slow and plateau past 60 per cent when the supply of people eager to get jabbed is gone and all that's left are the reluctant and ambivalent. Arrivals could be allowed to quarantine at home for seven days or enter without any quarantine at all if coming from a highly vaccinated travel bubble country like the US, UK and Singapore. Mr Morrison was asked about quarantine in a 4BC radio interview on Tuesday after Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk - who has banned NSW residents from her state - granted NRL stars and WAGs special privilege to enter. 'I share people's frustration about that but what's the answer? We need to move to home quarantine,' he said. 'Home quarantine means places for all Australians, for all Queenslanders, on that basis. 'Right now in South Australia they're running the trial for home quarantine and that's exactly what we can begin to introduce once we hit 70 per cent. 'That means Queenslanders returning home from elsewhere in the country, if [any form of quarantine] is necessary. At 70 per cent and 80 per cent, it would be hard to understand why that would be needed.' Mr Morrison's national re-opening plan allows the international border to finally open for the double vaccinated once 80 per cent are fully jabbed Mr Morrison said home quarantine for overseas travel would kick in once the 80 per cent jab rate is hit. 'But once you get especially to 80 per cent [you] should be able to return home and quarantine at home,' he said. 'The answer for quarantine going forward is actually home quarantine for Australians and to the extent that we continue to have quarantine going forward then what we need is for that to be for international travellers. 'For workers that are necessary to come in, for backpackers to come back who are vaccinated. 'If there is a need for quarantine once you've passed 80 per cent then that's what that should be for. I want to see home quarantine become the norm.' Mr Morrison said lockdowns are doing 'tremendous harm' and wants the country to open at 80 per cent In early July Mr Morrison said that home quarantine should be safer than hotel quarantine because it requires no interaction with staff, but does carry the risk of people not observing it. 'A vaccinated person doing quarantine for seven days is stronger than an unvaccinated person doing quarantine for 14 days,' he said. Australia could adopt a traffic light system similar to the UK's which rates countries as red, amber or green depending on their Covid-19 infection levels and vaccination rates. In the UK, travellers from 'red' countries must show a negative test and do 10 days of hotel quarantine, while those from 'amber' countries must test negative and home quarantine for 10 days unless fully vaccinated. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she would likely allow home quarantine in NSW for Aussies returning from overseas once the 70 per cent jab rate is hit. 'Once we hit 70 per cent double dose we'll be thinking about, if not before hand, how we treat people in quarantine when they're coming home,' she said. 'If you have fully vaccinated Aussies coming home, do you expect them to be in a hotel for two weeks in quarantine? 'Can we look after them at home as we do all the Covid cases now?' Deep under the waters of the Firth of Clyde, in a stretch known as 'submarine alley,' Commander David Perfect, one of the most senior officers on HMS Trenchant, was confronted with a scene of growing panic in the control room. His boat was on the wrong course and having difficulty maintaining depth as it dramatically changed direction. 'Slow down and sort yourself out,' he barked at the more junior colleague steering the nuclear-powered behemoth. But what had happened? On November 22, 1990, the sonar of HMS Trenchant (pictured) in the Firth of Clyde, off Arran, on the west coast of Scotland, detected an unexpected vessel on the surface The net of the Antares (pictured) had been caught by the submarine and the trawler had been dragged downwards and flipped before the trawl wires snapped Royal Navy submarine HMS Trenchant after breaking through the ice of the North Pole with two US submarines, during polar Ice Exercise 18 The sonar of HMS Trenchant had suddenly detected an unexpected vessel on the surface and was frantically taking evasive action to avoid a collision; a potential code red moment, in other words. The time was shortly after 2.17am on November 22, 1990. As the pressure-cooker atmosphere intensified, loud banging was heard by the crew followed by other unusual noises. After a while, the banging subsided and things calmed down. Shaken, the crew moved the submarine nearer the surface, to a level where they could assess the situation using the periscope. The sonar of HMS Trenchant had suddenly detected an unexpected vessel on the surface and was frantically taking evasive action to avoid a collision; a potential code red moment, in other words All they saw was two fishing trawlers, Heroine and Hercules III. They could not make contact with them by radio and neither appeared to be in any distress, so they assumed all was well. It was only when Trenchant surfaced hours later that the remains of a trawler's net were discovered with its wires and chains entangled and embedded in the hull. That was when the ghastly truth emerged. There had been a third trawler not just the two viewed through the periscope in the Firth of Clyde, off Arran, in the early hours of that fateful November day 31 years ago. The vessel in question was the Antares. Its net had been caught by the submarine during those manoeuvres, and the trawler had been dragged downwards and flipped before the trawl wires snapped. The boat sank in seconds and all crew were lost. Royal Navy submarine HMS Trenchant after breaking through the ice of the North Pole with two US submarines On board were James Russell in his 30s and known as 'Hurricane Jake' because of his bold seamanship and because his was always the last boat home in stormy weather along with Billy Martindale, 24, Dougal Campbell, 20, and Stuart Campbell, 29. It was one of the worst disasters of its kind in living memory and resulted in major changes in the way the Royal Navy submarines operated where civilian vessels were also likely to be present. The events surrounding the sinking of the Antares will doubtless strike a familiar chord with anyone watching the new six-part drama Vigil, starring Suranne Jones and Martin Compston, which began on BBC1 last night. The names of the fictional submarine and trawler (Vigil and Mhairi Finnea) may be different as well as the setting for the drama (Bara Head in the Outer Hebrides not the Firth of Clyde), but the plot echoes the real tragedy. No one on the submarine HMS Trenchant was found dead, unlike radar operator Craig Burke (Martin Compston) in the TV thriller, however. In the aftermath of the Antares catastrophe, the Royal Navy was accused of a whitewash by the relatives of James Russell and the three other young fishermen who lost their lives. Only one officer faced a court-martial and was then allowed to resume thier career. The new BBC serial, say the families, should never have been aired; they believe the plot is 'insensitive' and resembles too closely the sinking of the Antares. The parallels are impossible to ignore. On November 19, 1990, the Antares left its home port of Carradale on the east side of the Kintyre peninsula and began to fish for mackerel and herring around the Firth of Clyde. The boat itself, a small trawler built in Sandhaven, Aberdeenshire, in the 1960s, was around 50 ft in length and was using what is known as a pelagic technique, towing 1,800 ft of netting just above the sea bottom. The bitter irony at the heart of this story is that courageous skipper James Russell spent much of his time trying to sort out the problem of submarines jostling for space with vulnerable fishing boats off Scotland's west coast. He feared a fatal collision between a submarine and a boat. And, like many of his colleagues, he was convinced that submarines had already been responsible for other fishermen's deaths in socalled 'submarine alley', the waters stretching from the southern Irish Sea to the north-west of Scotland. In the early hours of that Thursday three decades ago, his fears were proved tragically correct. HMS Trenchant, a hunter-killer submarine designed to track and sink enemy subs, was in the Firth of Clyde on an exercise where four young officers were being assessed as potential commanders. They were undergoing a standard Naval testing procedure. One of the tasks was playing a cat-and-mouse game with a Navy frigate, letting the submarine be detected and then try to escape as the warship launched mock attacks. One of the young officers being put through their paces was Lieutenant Commander Peter McDonnell, 33, who had taken over as duty captain at 6pm. Keeping a close eye on proceedings was Commander David Perfect, a man with 18 years' experience on submarines. Just after 2am, he declared the exercise over and left to speak to Commander Shaun Turner. Lieutenant Commander McDonnell remained as duty captain throughout the night. Surface activity was being monitored with a 'passive sonar,' an electronic listening device. The sounds it picks up are fed into the onboard computer and broken down into categories like 'engine sound' and 'propeller'. The Trenchant had vessels on its screen, including the two trawlers mentioned earlier and believed them all to be a safe distance away. But one boat can mask another's true distance. For whatever reason and no one can be absolutely sure the submarine failed to spot the third fishing boat: the Antares. There is a detailed, minute-by-minute account, of what we know happened in the 53-page fatal accident inquiry report, the Scottish version of an inquest finding. The events surrounding the sinking of the Antares will doubtless strike a familiar chord with anyone watching the new six-part drama Vigil, starring Suranne Jones and Martin Compston, which began on BBC1 last night Ministry of Defence handout photo dated 11/03/18 of Royal Navy submarine HMS Trenchant breaking through the metre-thick ice of the Arctic Ocean on Ice Exercise 18 At 2.15am, the sonar-contact warning was reported to be getting louder. No one on Trenchant, it transpired, realised the submarine had been on a collision course with the Antares for ten minutes. Earlier, the computer had suggested the distance between Trenchant and the other unidentified vessel was 6,300 yards. But now it was just 400 yards. At 2.17am, Commander David Perfect entered the control room and immediately knew something was badly wrong. It was not a difficult observation to make. The attempts to steer the Trenchant were later described as 'dismal'. 'Slow down and sort yourself out,' he told Lieutenant Commander McDonnell, the young officer who was being assessed as future captain material. A few minutes later the Antares made a sharp right turn and McDonnell, still believing that any potential collision was eight or nine minutes away ordered the sub to steer to port. At 2.19am, Trenchant's senior officers, Commander Turner and Commander Perfect, were in the wardroom (officers' quarters) to discuss the exercise when they heard bumps on the side of the hull. The door burst open and an officer told them: 'Sir, I think we have hit a trawl.' Immediately the engines on the Trenchant were cut. Commander Perfect ran to the control room with Commander Turner and took control and it was not until 2.39am that he considered it safe to come up to periscope level. Still no one realised what had happened. The periscope clearly showed two fishing boats, Heroine and Hercules III, on the near horizon. Commander Perfect alerted Faslane, the Navy's base in Scotland, to the incident, informing them he believed it to be 'safe'. Trenchant submerged from periscope level and only returned to Faslane at noon to learn the terrible truth when the vessel finally surfaced. This meant there was an nine-and-a-half hour delay in mounting a search-and-rescue operation. The wreck of the Antares was found at 2pm lying in 200 metres of water. Why didn't the other trawler boats notice it capsize and sink? It was the middle of the night and each boat was some distance apart. The port window was smashed and two crewmen had managed to get out, only to drown. Two other bodies were discovered onboard. In October 1991, the inquiry concluded the tragedy was 'due to human error' on the submarine. Sheriff Principal Robert Hay criticised virtually every aspect of the operation on the nuclear sub. Royal Navy procedures and drills were not followed and there was an absence of a 'positive and unequivocal command structure'. Trainee submarine Commander Peter McDonnell was court-martialed not long afterwards. At the hearing he spoke of the 'dreadful' night HMS Trenchant sunk the Antares and he also spoke outside afterwards. 'This has been hanging over me like a cloud,' he said. 'I think the families of those tragically lost know how I feel. My thoughts are with them.' McDonnell was found guilty of negligence before the collision but cleared of three other charges. He later went on to command nuclear submarine HMS Victorious between 1999 and 2001. The families of the dead fishermen believe he was made a scapegoat. Speaking from her home in Carradale, Kintyre, at the time, Christine Russell, who lost her husband James, said: 'Others should have been in the dock as well. It's not fair on him.' Many would now say the screening of Vigil by the BBC, bringing back the tragedy of the Antares so vividly, is not fair on those who lost loved ones that terrible night. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a new era of 'diplomacy' in Afghanistan after the pullout of the last U.S. troops Monday but said a 'small number' of Americans remain who want to leave the war-torn country. '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 in a speech at the State Department Monday night with remarks delayed for more than two hours. The number was somewhat lower than estimates in the final hours as the Biden administration's troop withdrawal deadline approached. He said 'about' 6,000 Americans had been flown out of the country or departed in an airlift of 123,000 people. 'A new chapter of engagement with Afghanistan has begun,' the nation's top diplomat proclaimed. 'The military mission is over. A new diplomatic mission has begun,' he proclaimed. Secretary of State Antony Blinken promised a 'new chapter' of diplomacy in Afghanistan, and vowed to continue the evacuation of Americans and allies in the country He thanked members of the military who took on great risks to secure the Kabul airport during the evacuation, while honoring the 13 Americans who died in last week's terror attack. But he vowed to use diplomacy and leverage to bring out any Americans, allies, or Afghanis who assisted the US and want to leave, as critics pounded Biden for allowing the withdrawal before all Americans were out, comparing those who remained to hostages. 'We made extraordinary efforts to give Americans every opportunity to depart the country,' he said. Blinken said some who stayed were dual citizens and US passports who weren't sure they wanted to go and were 'trying to decide whether or not they wanted to leave.' He said the US and allies plan to hold the Taliban to keep the airport open and allow safe passage. 'Any engagement with the Taliban-led government in Kabul will be driven by one thing only our vital national interests,' he said. He also mentioned new ways out - including 'overland routes,' which means driving across Afghanistan's famously inhospitable terrain. 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, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021 ROAD TRIP! Blinken mentioned new ways out now that the US relinquished control of the airport - including 'overland routes,' which means driving across Afghanistan's famously inhospitable terrain Blinken mentioned land routes through Afghanistan's rough terrain. Here Afghan resistance movement and anti-Taliban uprising forces personnel patrol along a road in Rah-e Tang of Panjshir province on August 29, 2021 This could involve driving east toward Pakistan the same areas many Taliban members used to find sanctuary during the 20-year U.S. led war that came to a close a minute before midnight in Kabul. 'We're also working to identify ways to support Americans , legal permanent residents, and Afghans who have worked with us who may choose to depart via overland routes,' he said. 'We have no illusion that any of this will be easy or rapid,' Blinken said, calling it an 'entirely different phase of the evacuation.' 'We will hold the Taliban to their commitment on freedom of movement,' he said on a day when US forces departed the airport in Kabul, leaving it intact, while scuttling aircraft that were left behind. 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. 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 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. 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. 'And the last manned aircraft is now clearing the airspace above Afghanistan,' he added. '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 Taliban declared victory in a string of public statements Taliban fighters took over the airport after the U.S. left 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. '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.' The dangers 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 dangerous 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. 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 Footage emerged on social media of Taliban fighters apparently making their way through Kabul airport, examining Chinook helicopters left behind by U.S. troops. '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.' 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 A terrorism investigation has been launched in Texas after a man gunned down a Lyft driver, stole her car and drove to a police station where he opened fire before being killed by cops. Imran Ali Rasheed, 32, had been investigated for suspected terrorist sympathies from 2010 to 2013, police said on Monday. On Sunday he called a Lyft to an address in Garland, northeast of Dallas, shortly before midday and shot dead the driver, 26-year-old Isabella Lewis. He stole her car and drove 10 miles to Plano where he entered the police station lobby and was described as 'behaving erratically'. He left the lobby, then returned with a semi-automatic pistol in his right hand and opened fire in the direction of a civilian employee. Officers responding to the gunfire shot Rasheed, who died at a local hospital. Imran Ali Rasheed, 32, was shot and killed by police in Plano, Texas on Sunday. On Monday it emerged that he had left a note suggesting a terrorism motive and inspiration from a foreign terror organization Isabella Lewis, a Lyft driver, was called by Rasheed. 'We think he called a Lyft, and she was the person who showed up,' police said. Rasheed then shot and killed her and stole her car On Monday, police said that he had left a note in the stolen Lyft, which led the police to call in the FBI and open a terror investigation. 'Through our search for clues, we found a note in the car that gives us some type of motive for both of these shootings, and also a motive for us to speak to the FBI,' said Jeff Bryan, chief of Garland police. The contents of the note were not disclosed. 'Rasheed may have been inspired by a foreign terrorist organization to commit these acts,' said Matthew DeSarno, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Dallas. 'That's really as much as I can say about that, but bottom line is we believe he may have been inspired.' He added: 'Haven't found any evidence he was directed by or in contact with foreign terrorist actors. 'He was inspired by the rhetoric and or/propaganda. He wasn't directed to do this.' DailyMail.com left a message for Rasheed's family lawyer. Matthew DeSarno, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Dallas, said they now believe Rasheed was inspired by a foreign terror group - but he acted alone DeSarno refused to name the terror group, or say whether it was the same group that he was feared to be connected to in the previous inquiry. 'I don't want to give any organization the opportunity to claim credit for this,' he said. He said they believe Rasheed acted alone, and have no evidence he knew Lewis. 'At this point, we do not believe the suspect was provided assistance by others or that others were involved in the incident,' he said. DeSarno added: 'I can't discuss specifics of the investigation. Isabella Lewis did not know her killer, police believe 'We have looked at the steps that were taken, and I am satisfied that the investigative team did that properly and thoroughly. 'In any investigation there comes a time when we are no longer able to consider investigating a subject. And the case team decided he did not pose a threat. That was eight years ago.' Ed Drain, chief of Plano police, said Rasheed did not live in Plano and they did not know why he traveled to their city to carry out his attack. 'We have no idea why he came to Plano to confront law officers,' Drain said. A GoFundMe was started by Lewis's family to pay for funeral costs. 'Our beloved Bella Ann was taken too soon on the morning of Sunday, August 29th,' the GoFundMe says. 'She was a wonderful daughter, sister and friend who touched the lives of those around her. She leaves behind her mother, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins and a boyfriend. 'We are all devastated by her loss and appreciate the outpouring of support we have received from family, friends and community members.' Three out of four Australian students heading into their last year of high school are concerned Covid lockdowns are causing lasting damage to their education. Of current Year 11 students, 74 per cent said they were nervous about Year 12 because their learning has been disrupted for the past two years, while 76 per cent are concerned about more lockdowns next year. In addition a large majority of students (86 per cent) felt they were disadvantaged compared to previous years, a survey of 416 students across different states found. A survey of Year 11 students found the majority are worried Covid lockdowns have caused lasting damage to their education (pictured: Year 12 students lining up to get the Pfizer vaccine in Sydney on August 9) High school students have dealt with more than 18 months of intermittent lockdowns (pictured: Year 12 students at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney line up for the Pfizer vaccine as defence force trooops assist) '[Lockdowns] have set me back in my learning so much... It's so difficult to be productive with online learning, and I'm incredibly worried that the setbacks from this year are going to negatively impact my HSC year,' one NSW student Georgie said. 'It's been a roller coaster and I'm nervous for the future. Covid has changed the way we learn and has impacted our mental state,' student Jennifer added. The survey by Cluey Learning was conducted from August 4 to August 10 as more than 60 per cent of the country was once again under stifling lockdowns. Greater Sydney and surrounding areas are entering their third month of lockdown to combat an Indian delta outbreak that began in mid-June. While Victoria, a state which endured one of the world's longest and harshest lockdowns in 2020 is also once again under restrictions, likely until vaccine targets are hit. While there have been intermittent snap lockdowns and border closures across Queensland, South Australia, WA, NT and the ACT for the last 18 months. Students have transitioned to online learning for months in Melbourne and Sydney (pictured: Mount Alexander College in Melbourne) Education expert Dr Selina Samuels said that students would have to work harder to catch up after disruptions to their education (pictured: a Sydney vaccination hub) Dr Selina Samuels, Cluey's chief learning officer, said she was concerned there could be lasting effects for a generation of Australians. 'In what is our second year of disrupted schooling, I'm not surprised that Year 11s are anxious and stressed as they progress into their final year,' she said. 'With school closures, it is difficult for them to get the practice and feedback that establish strong foundations for their final year.' Children will return to school in NSW from October 25, while the premier has promised everyone would have 'more freedom' once 70 per cent of the state's population was fully vaccinated. Gladys Berejiklian said the government was working on plans to reopen certain industries in a 'very staged and safe way' at the 70 per cent mark. Victorian Premier Dan Andrews has made the commitment to the plan. But both premiers have also not ruled the possibility of more lockdowns if case numbers get too high. Year 12 HSC students in Sydney wait to get Pfizer vaccines at the Qudos vaccination hub (pictured) People aged 16 to 39 will be eligible for the Pfizer jab from Monday, while the Therapeutic Goods Administration also recently gave the green light to Pfizer for 12 to 15-year-olds, with bookings to start from September 13. Children in that age bracket who have compromised immune systems, are Indigenous or live with underlying health conditions are already eligible. The AZ jab is not yet approved for people under 18. There are also hopes the Moderna vaccine could become available for younger people in the coming weeks. Witnesses said Taliban fighters fired celebratory shots into the air as word spread that the last flight had left Advertisement Britain and America officially ended their military presence in Afghanistan late last night with the final US troops flying out from Kabul's airport - leaving behind hundreds of citizens and Afghan allies desperate to flee the country now in the hands of the Taliban. A night-vision image showed America's Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, boarding a military transport as the last US soldier to leave Afghanistan after 20 years of war. The RAF had made its last evacuation flight on Sunday to give US forces enough time to clear the ground ahead of the deadline set by Joe Biden, bringing to an end a deployment which began in the wake of September 11. The UK government helped fly some 15,000 people to safety, but stories have emerged of interpreters who helped the armed forces over the last 20 years and even people with British passports stranded behind Taliban checkpoints. It is not known precisely how many people who were promised sanctuary in the UK were left behind. Some 200 American passport holders are now thought to be living under Taliban rule, with an unknown number of Afghans promised sanctuary - thought to number in the thousands - also abandoned. 'There's a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure,' General Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, said on Monday night. '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.' Shortly after US troops left the airport, images emerged of Taliban Badri 313 units - known as the group's 'special forces' - securing the airport while dressed in US-made kit and carrying American weapons - seizing more US helicopters, planes and vehicles in the process. Celebratory gunfire followed, along with fireworks. On Tuesday morning, senior Taliban figures including spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid gathered at the airstrip for a celebratory press conference - hailing the end of what they called 'western occupation'. 'Congratulations to Afghanistan... this victory belongs to us all,' Mujahid told reporters, saying the Taliban's victory is a 'lesson for other invaders and for our future generation. It is also a lesson for the world,' he added. Britain and America officially ended their military presence in Afghanistan late last night with the final US troops flying out from Kabul's airport. Pictured: Taliban fighters from the Fateh Zwak unit, wielding American supplied weapons, equipment and uniforms, storm into the Kabul International Airport 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 The US Army then released a nightvision image of Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, the last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan as the Pentagon announced the last American forces left Kabul airport 24 hours ahead of schedule 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 The Taliban held a press conference at Kabul airport on Monday, with spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid (centre) saying the west's retreat should serve as 'a warning' to all future invaders Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid (centre right) speaks to journalists at Kabul airport in front of a line of Badri 313 'special forces' troops armed with US weapons, and in front of a captured American C-130 plane Anas Haqqani (right), one of the leaders of the feared Haqqani network, and Taliban spokesman Asad Afghan (left) pose for an image with Badri 313 troops at Kabul airport on Tuesday Taliban 'special forces' troops - known as Badri 313 units - stand guard at Kabul airport on Tuesday morning after retaking it from American forces overnight Taliban 'special forces' units are seen at Kabul airport on Tuesday morning, after the last American forces withdrew All eyes will now turn to how the Taliban handles its first few days with sole authority over the country, with a sharp focus on whether it will allow other foreigners and Afghans to leave the country. Reports suggest many are already fleeing through Pakistan to the east and Iran to the west. The US and UK are still working on arrangements to allow people to be evacuated from these neighbouring countries. While the international community appears to have accepted the reality of Taliban rule, the UK and US remain willing to take on Islamic State, also known as Daesh. British forces are prepared to launch air strikes to target so-called Islamic State terrorists in Afghanistan, the head of the RAF indicated as the US-led military presence in the country came to an end. The group's Afghan offshoot, Isis-K, carried out the bloody attack on Kabul airport in the final days of the evacuation effort which killed two Britons and the child of a British national, along with 13 US service personnel and scores of Afghans. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the global coalition against the terrorist group was ready 'to combat Daesh networks by all means available, wherever they operate'. Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston indicated the RAF could strike Isis-K targets in Afghanistan. 'Ultimately what this boils down to is that we've got to be able to play a global role in the global coalition to defeat Daesh, whether it's strike, or whether it's moving troops or equipment into a particular country, at scale and at speed,' he told the Daily Telegraph. 'If there's an opportunity for us to contribute I am in no doubt that we will be ready to - that will be anywhere where violent extremism raises its head, and is a direct or indirect threat to the UK and our allies. 'Afghanistan is probably one of the most inaccessible parts of the world, and we're able to operate there.' The attack on Kabul airport on Thursday has led to a transatlantic blame game, with US sources indicating the gate that was attacked was kept open to facilitate the British evacuation. According to leaked Pentagon notes obtained by Politico, Read Admiral Peter Vasely, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan, had wanted to close Abbey Gate but it was kept open to allow UK evacuees into the airport. The Ministry of Defence said that throughout the operation at the airport 'we have worked closely with the US to ensure the safe evacuation of thousands of people'. 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 proclaimed 'full independence' for Afghanistan after the US withdrawal. '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 let off fireworks near Kabul airport as they celebrate America's departure from Afghanistan after 20 years Taliban fighters from the Fateh Zwak unit, wielding American supplied weapons, equipment and uniforms, storm into the Kabul International Airport and inspect equipment that was left behind. Celebratory gunfire can be seen flying overhead 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 Despite the end of ground operations, British forces are prepared to launch air strikes to target so-called Islamic State terrorists in Afghanistan, the head of the RAF indicated as the US-led military presence in the country came to an end. Pictured: A No. 2 Squadron Tornado during operations in southern Afghanistan The Taliban declared victory in a string of public statements Taliban fighters took over the airport after the U.S. left 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. '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.' The dangers 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 dangerous 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. The gates of Hamid Karzai airport remained locked to ordinary Afghans today as the Taliban promised to restart civilian flights 'soon' and that those with visas wanting to leave would be allowed to do so 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 Footage emerged on social media of Taliban fighters apparently making their way through Kabul airport, examining Chinook helicopters left behind by U.S. troops. '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.' 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 The Taliban are pinning chilling night letters to the doors of those they accuse of working for the crusaders. The notes order their victims to attend a Taliban-convened court. Failure to do so will result in the death penalty. One of those to receive a warning was Naz, a 34-year-old father-of-six whose construction company helped the UK military build roads in Helmand and the runway at Camp Bastion. He had applied for sanctuary in Britain under ARAP, the Afghan relocation programme, but had been rejected. Naz said yesterday: The letter was official and stamped by the Taliban. It is a clear message that they want to kill me. If I attend the court, I will be punished with my life. If I dont, they will kill me that is why I am in hiding, trying to find a way to escape. But I need help. Another victim, a former British military translator, was warned he was a spy of the infidel and must give himself up or pay with his life. A third night letter warned the brother of an interpreter that he had been sentenced to death for sheltering him while a fourth was found in the shoe of an ex-British military translator as he left prayers at a mosque. The Taliban are pinning chilling night letters to the doors of those they accuse of working for the crusaders. The notes order their victims to attend a Taliban-convened court. Failure to do so will result in the death penalty The letters are a traditional Afghan method of intimidation. They were used by mujahideen fighters during the Soviet occupation and then by the Taliban as both a propaganda tool and a threat. Often used in rural communities, they are now being widely circulated in cities. Those received by former British translators are designed to both spread fear and compliance with Taliban directives with threats of violence or death if demands are not met. As in Nazs case, that usually involves an interpreter surrendering to a Taliban court. Shir, 47, worked on the front lines in Helmand and qualified for relocation. But he was unable to force his way through the airport to board an evacuation flight. He said: My daughter found the letter on our door with a nail in it. It instructed me to surrender myself for the judgment of the court of the Islamic Emirate (Taliban) or they would act like hunters to find me. They would then kill me. He immediately moved home and is now in hiding. The letters are a traditional Afghan method of intimidation. They were used by mujahideen fighters during the Soviet occupation and then by the Taliban as both a propaganda tool and a threat It is a letter of fear, a warning, a threat to you and your family. You must bow to the Taliban orders or make sure you are not caught. I thought I would escape on a British flight and was called three times to the airport but could not make it through the people. 'Now I am trapped and people have seen the letter on my door. It is a mark of the Taliban on my family. For Naz, the letter was specific. It named his father and their village and was stamped by the Islamic Emirate. The warning said he had been a slave of Nato forces and had ignored warnings to stop working with them. He was ordered to present yourself to the court otherwise it would be forwarded to the Sharia Court of Appeal where the judgment of death penalty will be passed in your absence. This would be the path you have chosen for yourself. Naz said: The message of night letters is clear: you must comply or die. We have moved but we cant keep moving. We must escape. An Aboriginal rapper has described the nightmare unfolding in a remote far west NSW town where a Covid outbreak is wreaking havoc on the indigenous community. Barkindji woman Chloe Quayle, who performs under the name Barkaa, grew up visiting relatives in Wilcannia, fishing, and playing in the Darling river. But the once 'flourishing' community has turned into a disaster zone, where Covid-positive people have been forced to isolate in tents along the river and sleep in the front yard due to overcrowding in homes. There are now 75 cases in the predominantly Aboriginal outback town which is home to 750 people. Barkindji woman Chloe Quayle (pictured), who performs under the name Barkaa, has described the 'nightmare' Covid crisis unfolding in Wilcannia, in remote far west NSW Ms Quayle said young people within the community who have contracted they illness are afraid they could die. 'It's ripping through the community like wildfire at the moment, which is really, really scary,' she told the ABC's The World Today program. 'As a Barkinji woman, this was my worst nightmare for it to ever hit my community, especially when we know the statistics and the early death rates of our mob due to colonial disease. 'It's heartbreaking. I just hope my mob can get through this. It's so scary it feels like a nightmare.' Ms Quayle said her cousin, who is very sick and struggling to breathe after catching the virus, is afraid she could die, leaving her children behind. The musician said she started to feel better in recent days and is feeling more hopeful as she awaits test results to see if she still has the virus. Meanwhile, residents have reported major issues with food supplies as queue for hours outside the town's only supermarket as a staff member assembles each individual order. Local woman Monica Kerwin-Whyman said food hampers being delivered by the government contained out-of-date items, and some had high salt and sugar levels which are unsuitable for many locals with chronic diabetes. She said authorities were also discouraging the distribution of fresh kangaroo meat among residents due to food safety concerns, despite game hunting being a cultural tradition. Ms Quayle said she holds serious concerns for the indigenous community, who are vulnerable to disease Ms Quayle said people who test positive to Covid in the outback town (pictured) are being forced to sleep in tents outside houses or by the river to isolate 'They are treating us like suburban Sydney,' Ms Kerwin-Whyman said in a video shared on Facebook. 'They say "go ring UberEats". In Wilcannia? We are 200km away from the next biggest community in Broken Hill, where they have fast food deliveries. 'In Wilcannia, if you don't cook for yourself, you're going to go hungry because everything is closed by 7pm.' Locals also reported a Covid-positive woman struggling with severe illness was turned away from hospital. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the local emergency management committee for the Central Darling Shire for comment. The majority of Covid cases - 65 per cent - have been diagnosed among people of Aboriginal descent. While there has been a jump in the number of jabs administered to the region's indigenous residents - it's almost doubled in the past three weeks - the rate still lags behind the region's broader population. Just 6.3 per cent of indigenous people in the area are fully vaccinated, compared with 26 per cent of the general population. Federal Labor's Linda Burney said what's unfolding in Indigenous communities in western and far western NSW 'is a disaster' with one in ten people infected with Covid. She said it's almost impossible for people to isolate themselves in those communities because of overcrowding in houses. 'Some three or four-bedroom homes have 16, 17 people living in them, and my understanding is that people who have been diagnosed with the virus are being sent to isolate, but going back into very overcrowded conditions,' she told the ABC on Tuesday. Local Monica Kerwin-Whyman (pictured) shared a Facebook video shedding light on food supply issues in Wilcannia 'People should not have to set up tents in their front yards to comply. 'So, isolation hubs need to be established close to home, and staffed by people that understand the local community.' The federal government was warned in March 2020 'that this was an inevitability and now what was predicted back then is actually happening'. 'My fear is that this will leak out of those communities and reach other vulnerable populations,' Ms Burney said. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the failure of the federal government to vaccinate NSW indigenous communities was 'obviously disappointing'. However, urgent efforts were now underway to provide accommodation to quarantine Covid-positive patients in remote communities. 'I think there's one motel from memory in Wilcannia and finding alternative accommodation has been challenging,' he said. The state government is trying to expedite planning approvals to build portable accommodation in Wilcannia to allow people who are positive to safely isolate themselves. 'It's very challenging and it certainly would have been preferable if the Indigenous community, the Aboriginal people across NSW had been vaccinated earlier,' he said. NSW reported 1,164 new locally-acquired Covid cases and three deaths on Tuesday as the entire state remains locked down. Of the new cases, 54 were recorded in the western NSW district, with 32 in Dubbo, five in Bathurst, eight in Bourke, one in Brewarrina, five in Wellington, one in Mudgee, one in Narromine and one in Parkes. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the failure of the federal government to vaccinate NSW Indigenous communities last year was 'obviously disappointing'. PIctured: A newspaper article about the crisis in Wilcannia The three deaths recorded in the 24 hours to 8pm on Monday include the woman in her 50s from southwest Sydney, a man in his 80s from Sydney and a man in his 90s from southwest Sydney. It takes the toll for the outbreak to 96, and to 152 for the entire pandemic. NSW health authorities have warned October is likely to be the worst month for the state's health system due to an accumulation of infections from the preceding weeks. The number of Covid patients in NSW hospitals stands at 871, with 143 patients in intensive care and 58 ventilated. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the rate of hospitalisations per infection would continue to fall as more NSW residents are vaccinated, but the overall number of hospitalisations was likely to rise as infections increase. '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,' she said. 'The health system is prepared, but will it stretch? Absolutely.' Dozens of retired generals and admirals are demanding that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley resign over the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan. '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 released Monday. They all proposed what they, as former U.S. military decision makers, felt should have happened in the withdrawal, including not rushing the withdrawal and not abandoning the Bagram Air Base. More specifically, they said 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 also said that if Milley and Austin did advise against this, they should have resigned if Biden didn't take their direction to show their disapproval and to not have to carry out the mission that ended up with lives lost of 13 U.S. service members. An open letter signed by 90 retired military generals and admirals calls for the resignation of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley over the botched Afghanistan withdrawal The group said if Austin and Milley did advise Biden against the withdrawal and he still went forward with it they should have resigned in protest '[I]f they did do everything within their ability to persuade the CINC/President to not hastily exit the country without ensuring the safety of our citizens and Afghans loyal to America, then they should have resigned in protest as a matter of conscience and public statement.' In a ISIS-K suicide bombing near the Kabul airport on Thursday, 13 U.S. troops were killed. Biden took responsibility for their deaths, claiming everything that has happened in the withdrawal has been his doing. Maj. Gen. Joe Arbuckle, one of the signatories, served in Vietnam and later commanded the US Army Industrial Operations Command (IOC) at Rock Island, Illinois 'The hasty retreat has left initial estimates at ~15,000 Americans stranded in dangerous areas controlled by a brutal enemy along with ~25,000 Afghan citizens who supported American forces,' the 90 retired generals and admirals wrote. The letter comes as Joe Biden faces his own calls to resign or be impeached as those from all political backgrounds have criticized the president for his handling of the withdrawal. Biden is expected to make remarks Tuesday afternoon lauding the end of the 20-year war in Afghanistan. The Pentagon announced on Monday afternoon that all U.S. forces left Afghanistan a day before the August 31 deadline for a total troop withdrawal. The letter is from the group Flag Officers 4 Freedom - the same organization that released a similar statement in May accusing Biden of stealing the election. The May letter, which was signed by more than 120 retired generals and admirals, also questioned Biden's fitness for the presidency. The letter echoes former President Donald Trump's claims of widespread election fraud which have not been borne out in the courts. 'Without fair and honest elections that accurately reflect the "will of the people" our Constitutional Republic is lost,' the letter from retired officers says. 'The FBI and Supreme Court must act swiftly when election irregularities are surfaced and not ignore them as was done in 2020,' they wrote. Both anti-Biden letters included prominent signatories, including Vice Adm. John Poindexter and current House Rep. Ronny Jackson. Poindexter served as national security adviser to President Ronald Reagan. He was also convicted in the Iran-Contra Affair. Scores of former military officers signed the letter, including Gen. William Boykin (left) and John Poindexter (right). Poindexter served as President Ronald Reagan's national security adviser One of the letter's signatories is House Rep. Ronny Jackson, a Republican from Texas. Before entering politics, Jackson was the top White House physician during the Trump and Obama presidencies. He has been vocal in recent months about his doubts as to Biden's cognitive fitness for the job of president Also signing on was Army Brig. Gen. Don Bolduc, who lost the Republican primary in 2020 to challenge Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, and is planning another Senate run Before entering politics, Jackson was the top White House physician during the Trump and Obama presidencies. He has been vocal in recent months about his doubts as to Biden's cognitive fitness for the job of president. Also signing on was Army Brig. Gen. Don Bolduc, who lost the Republican primary in 2020 to challenge Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, and is planning another Senate run. Another signer, Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin, made headlines for comments criticized as anti-Muslim. In remarks to a Christian congregation, Boykin said of a Somali warlord: 'I knew that my God was bigger than his.' Another signatory, Maj. Gen. Joe Arbuckle, served in Vietnam and later commanded the US Army Industrial Operations Command (IOC) at Rock Island, Illinois. Last week, a Marine battalion commander resigned after he was relieved of his duties for speaking out against decisions made by his superiors in the Afghanistan exit. Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Scheller published a new video online on Sunday addressing his resignation just days after he went viral for another video calling out his superiors for not 'raising their hands and accepting accountability or saying, 'We messed this up.'' Scheller's original video criticized Austin and Milley for leaving the Bagram Air Base before all Americans and their allies had the chance to be evacuated. It came after 11 Marines were killed along with two other U.S. troops and more than 90 Afghans in the suicide bombing at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Thursday. Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller published a new video online on Sunday addressing his resignation just days after he went viral for calling out his superiors Sheller acknowledged in the new 10-minute video titled 'Your Move' that he sacrificed a cushy pension by leaving the Marines for posting his comments against his chain of command. It's virtually unheard of for an active duty Marine commander to publicly rip ranking military leaders. 'I just want to clarify my legal status. I have been relieved of my command but I am still a United States Marine. Currently I am not pending legal action,' Scheller said in the new video, which ended his 17-year military career. Scheller said the Marines want 'to hide me away' for three years until his service ended and not send him to a board of inquiry, which could have separated him on 'other than honorable' conditions. The Marine revealed that he was resigning after he felt challenged to do so when he read a comment on his LinkedIn from retired Marine Colonel Thomas K. Hobbs. 'If Scheller was truly honorable, he would have resigned his commission in protest after stating what he did,' wrote Hobbs, who Scheller said he loved 'like a father.' Scheller said: 'You didn't say 'is' as in challenging me, you said 'was' as if you assumed I wouldn't do it.' A 19-year-old lifeguard was killed and seven other people, including three other lifeguards, were injured when lightning struck a Jersey Shore beach Monday afternoon. The strike took place at 4.35pm at the 21st Avenue beach in South Seaside Park, the Berkeley Township Police Department reported. The male lifeguard who was killed has been named as Keith Pinto, a student at Ocean County College. At the time of lightning strike he was seated in an elevated aluminum chair. It is unknown at this time whether the lifeguard stand was grounded and otherwise in compliance with lightning safety guidelines. Among the injured were three other lifeguards and four beachgoers, ranging in age from 15 to 51, who have not been named as of Tuesday morning. Lifeguard Keith Pinto, 19, was struck by lightning and killed on a beach on Berkley Township, New Jersey on Monday. The lightning strike also injured seven other people A lifeguard chair sits overturned on the sand at the beach in Berkeley Township, in New Jersey, where a young lifeguard was killed and seven others injured by a lightning strike Monday afternoon Friends and fellow lifeguards cry at the foot of a lifeguard stand where Pinto was killed by a lightning strike on Monday People who knew Pinto embrace on the beach where the 19-year-old tragically lost his life They included a 50-year-old woman, a 51-year-old man and a 19-year-old man, police told NBC10. Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy said the seven were taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. They were treated for headaches, dizziness and hearing issues. Vince Ruffolo told NBC10 that he was close to the aluminum life guard stand when he felt a jolt and was then thrown off his feet. He said: 'Picture an explosion and an explosion happens all of a sudden, without giving you any warning. Next thing you know you're on the ground and then you have an odor like burning hair. So it was very, very dramatic for us.' News 12 New Jersey reported that as the sudden summer storm rolled in, other Jersey Shore beaches had been evacuated, but not the beach in South Seaside Park. New Jersey 101.5 Chief Meteorologist Dan Zarrow said Pinto was struck by lightning because he was sitting in an elevated chair. 'The electricity travels through him, through the chair into the ground,' Zarrow explained. 'Thats why a second lifeguard may have gotten struck. Thats why if anyone was nearby they also may have gotten zapped. Its also really loud and really scary.' It marked the second death of a young lifeguard at the Jersey Shore in a little over a week, after 16-year-old Norman Inferrera III died in a boating accident on August 20 Flowers sit at the edge of an overturned lifeguard stand on the sand where the lifeguard was killed A friend places flowers at a memorial at the foot of a lifeguard stand in Berkeley Township, Gov Phil Murphy, of New Jersey, tweeted a message paying his respects to the lifeguard Monday's incident marks the ninth lightning death in the US this year, according to the National Lightning Safety Council. The last was in Wisconsin on August, 24, the agency reported. 'Our hearts are with the family and friends of the young lifeguard killed by todays horrific lightning strike on the beach in Berkeley Township, and we pray for a full recovery for those injured,' New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy wrote on Twitter. 'Ive spoken to Mayor Carmen Amato and offered the full support and assistance of our administration during this difficult time.' Amato said his township's beaches will be closed to swimming Tuesday through Thursday as crisis counselors are made available to beach staff and lifeguards. 'This is a tragic and heartbreaking day for our town and the entire Jersey Shore,' Amato said in a statement. 'This young person was out there every day protecting the lives of others. Our lifeguard teams, like so many along the shore, develop special connections with our community throughout the summer, which makes this loss even greater. A note left with flowers was seen placed by the lifeguard stand A handwritten note is displayed from two young girls who go to the beach where Pinto died A sign advises beachgoers in Berkeley Township that no lifeguards are on duty on Tuesday 'On behalf of myself and our entire community, I offer our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of this young man,' he said. DailyMail.com on Tuesday reached out to the mayor seeking comment on lifeguard safety and was awaiting a reply. A handwritten note in purple ink was left with flowers Monday night at the base of a lifeguard stand at the beach. 'We were at the beach today and are grateful for what you've done for us by keeping us safe at the beach,' the note read. 'We are so sorry for your loss.' Pete Tortorelli was tending an outdoor bar a block away from the beach Monday when, he said, lightning struck seemingly out of nowhere. 'It looked a little cloudy in one direction but clear as anything in the other direction, and it was the first lightning of the day,' he said. 'Literally two minutes after I saw the lightning, every cop car in this town was screaming down the street.' Thomas Taberoni was at a beachfront house 100 yards away from the lifeguard stand, noticing that it was beginning to get cloudy, when he heard what he described as the loudest noise he had ever heard. Empty beach chairs sat near where the lifeguard, along with seven others were struck. Beaches in the Berkeley Township will remain closed until Thursday due to the incident Beachgoers at the beaches along the coast of Jersey's Berkeley Township. Police say the strike occurred at 4.35pm at the 21st Avenue beach 'Have you ever been to an air show when they break the sound barrier with that boom and you werent prepared for it?' he asked. 'This was like 100 times louder than that.' Lynda McHugh had just left the beach when she saw two large bolts of lightning come straight down. Within moments, people were running up the ramp from the beach and down the wooden stairs to safety. DailyMail.com can now reveal that Pinto is survived by his twin brother, Kevin, who mourned his sibling on Facebook. Keith Pinto is survived by his twin brother. He was a runner in high school 'Unfortunately many of you have probably heard but I just want to say how lost I am with words. Ill love you forever twin bro,' Kevin Pinto wrote in a post early Tuesday. 'Please watch over our family for years to come.' Friends who stopped by the beach to pay their respects on Monday said Keith Pinto was an athlete who ran track at Toms River High School North. 'He made everyone so happy. It doesnt feel real. He was just an awesome person all around. Its just Im speechless,' Abby Spurling told CBS New York. Former schoolmate Giana Verlangieri said: 'Its heartbreaking because someone from our graduating class is gone and he cant experience life with the rest of us.' A friend has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help Pinto's family with his funeral expenses. A friend has launched a fundraiser to help Pinto's family with his funeral expenses 'It would be impossible to get it all into words how much our friend meant to us but we all know how amazing he was,' Chase Vander Vlient wrote in the description. 'Keith has left behind an overwhelming amount of amazing memories that will live in our hearts forever.' The other New Jersey lifeguard to be killed in recent days was 16-year-old Norman Inferrera III, who died on August 20, a day after an accident in Cape May, on New Jersey's southern tip. A lifeboat he was rowing was struck by a wave and flipped over, knocking him unconscious, authorities said. The Marine battalion commander who was relieved of his duties for blasting his superiors over the Afghanistan exit strategy says his commanding officer ordered him to go to the hospital for a mental health screening. Lt. Colonel Stuart Scheller had announced he was resigning from the Marines just days after he was punished for his viral video where he called out his superiors for not 'raising their hands and accepting accountability or saying, "We messed this up".' But he blasted top brass again in an update Monday, saying that when he returned to work on Monday he was ordered to go to a hospital to be 'evaluated by the mental health specialists'. Scheller said that 'excusing the action of service members because of "PTSD" does more damage to service members than any trauma in combat' and that he is stronger because of his involvement in 'very traumatic situations.' Scheller's original video criticized Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley for leaving the Bagram Air Base before all Americans and their allies had the chance to be evacuated. It came after 13 U.S. service members, including 11 Marines, were killed along with more than 90 Afghans after at least one suicide bomber attacked the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. PICTURED: Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller wrote a lengthy post on Facebook, doubling down on accountability and tying the trait to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. He also criticized Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin for saying COVID, not a high suicide rate is the Department of Defense's biggest threat Scheller's Facebook post on Monday said that he understood why his commanding officer sent him for a mental health evaluation. But said it 'brings up a couple of important issues' because it suggested officials were trying to excuse his actions because of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Scheller said: 'If youre worried about someone you should reach out and check on them. But never excuse a service members actions with a wave of the hand to PTSD. You are crippling them by failing to hold them accountable.' He added that 'accountability from senior leaders would alleviate feelings of guilt or shame in service members more than individual counseling.' Further on, Scheller criticized Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin once more for saying that 'the most immediate threat [to the DoD] is COVID,' after condemning him in his resignation video on Sunday. He claimed that 'from a statistical perspective, it's pretty easy to argue that COVID isn't the biggest threat,' as he goes on to point out that 'well over' 6,000 Veterans committed suicide in 2018, according to the 2020 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. Scheller insisted that he was going to follow through with his resignation from the Marines. Ending his post in a defiant tone, Scheller insisted that he is 'not going anywhere,' after his followers were worried about him, and that he is 'scared' for what the future holds for him. However, 'the system' can't beat him if he stands 'with accountability and integrity.' The post comes just a day after Scheller published a 10-minute video on Sunday, titled 'Your Move,' acknowledging he had sacrificed a cushy pension by leaving the Marines after making his comments. It's unheard of for an active duty Marine commander to publicly rip ranking military leaders. Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller published a new video online on Sunday addressing his resignation just days after he went viral for calling out his superiors The new 10-minute video, titled 'Your Move,' acknowledges Scheller has sacrificed a cushy pension by leaving the Marines after making his comments 'I just want to clarify my legal status. I have been relieved of my command but I am still a United States Marine. Currently I am not pending legal action,' Scheller said in the new video which ended his 17-year military career. Scheller said the Marines want 'to hide me away' for three years until his service ended and not send him to a board of inquiry, which could have separated him on 'other than honorable' conditions. The Marine revealed that he was resigning after he felt challenged to after a comment to his post on LinkedIn from retired Marine Col. Thomas K. Hobbs. 'If Scheller was truly honorable, he would have resigned his commission in protest after stating what he did,' wrote Hobbs, who Scheller said he loved 'like a father.' Scheller said: 'You didn't say 'is' as in challenging me, you said 'was' as if you assumed I wouldn't do it.' 'I want to make the announcement today, after 17 years, I'm currently not pending legal action and I could stay in the Marine Corps for another three years but I don't think that's the path I'm on.' Scheller said in the video that his resignation would be effective 'now' though acknowledged that there's administrative paperwork that needs to be filed for him to properly resign. 'But I am forfeiting my retirement, all entitlements. I don't want a single dollar. I don't want any money from the VA, I don't want any VA benefits,' Scheller said, claiming that he was forgoing more than $2 million in pension benefits by leaving the service. In the video, Scheller also appeared to direct a vague threat toward senior military leaders - who he said should be given the money from his pension. 'I think that money should go back to all the senior general officers because I think they need it more than I do - because when I am done with what I'm about to do, you all are going to need the jobs and the security,' he said. The Marine said that he 'would have gone back into the rank-and-file' if his superiors had just said 'Yes, mistakes were made.' He said that he was trying to get senior leaders to 'accept accountability.' 'I think them accepting accountability would do more for service members and PTSD and struggling with purpose than any other transparent piece of paper or message,' Scheller said in the video. He added: 'If Stuart Scheller was honorable, he would resign. You have no idea what I'm capable of doing.' Marine Corp Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller said in a widely shared video that military leaders need to take accountability for botched, fatal evacuation out of Afghanistan Follow up post to the video where Scheller said he was relived of his duty 'To all the congressmen, senators, every media station across the globe, yo all the rich philanthropists, I appreciate the support and I'm going to need your support.' In comments to the New York Post on Saturday, Scheller had evoked former President Thomas Jefferson's saying: 'Every generation needs a revolution.' The New York Post also spoke with Scheller's family and Marines he has served with, who praised his 'courage' for speaking out. Juan Chavez, 33, served under Scheller from 2011 to 2014 and called him a 'magnificent leader' and 'a breath of fresh air' in comments to the New York Post. He claimed in another Facebook post that some of his fellow officers have urged him to take down the video despite agreeing with him. 'It takes real courage to do what he did and that was Stu all the way,' Chavez said. Stuart Scheller Sr., his father, called him 'the real deal' and 'a Marine's Marine' who idolized his grandfather, a World War II vet who landed on the beach at Normandy. 'He has put his life on the line for fellow Marines so putting his career on the line like this does not surprise us,' the proud father said. He added: 'He's still on the battlefield protecting his men and women. It's interesting that no one (in the military) has answered his call for accountability. Their answer was to fire him I guess. It's a sad day for America.' Scheller was relieved of his duties as a battalion commander after a stellar 17-year career. 'I have been fighting for 17 years. I am willing to throw it all away to say to my senior leaders, 'I demand accountability,'' he said Scheller claimed in a Facebook post on Saturday that some of his fellow officers have urged him to take down the video despite agreeing with him. 'Obviously I didn't take it down,' Scheller wrote. 'I'll offer this: we can't ALL be wrong. If you all agree then step up. They only have the power because we allow it. What if we all demanded accountability?' Scheller, whose career included tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, had posted the controversial five-minute video on Facebook and LinkedIn. In a follow up post later in the day Friday, he said was relieved of his duties. 'The reason people are so upset on social media right now is not because the Marine on the battlefield let someone down,' Scheller said in the original video. 'I have been fighting for 17 years. I am willing to throw it all away to say to my senior leaders, 'I demand accountability.'' Lt. Col. Scheller said he had a personal relationship with one of the Marines who died in Thursday's ISIS-K bombing and 'potentially, all those people did die in vain' if the leaders don't take ownership of the debacle. He said a major strategic error was not securing Bagram air base before evacuating people. Instead, the US relied on the Kabul airport as the only way to fly out of the country. Maj. Jim Stenger, a Marine Corps spokesperson, told DailyMail.com in a statement that Scheller was relieved of command by Col. David Emmel '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 it's not social media,' Maj. Stenger said. In a Facebook post, Scheller said: 'My chain of command is doing exactly what I would do if I were in their shoes.' Pentagon officials said on Friday that 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.' The fiance of New Zealand's prime minister has showed off the bizarre life-like doll a fan sent to their young daughter. Clarke Gayford, 44, revealed the creepy replica of his fiance Jacinda Ardern to his 52,000 Instagram followers on Monday. 'We get given all sorts of wonderful hand-made arts and crafts and when I say we, I mean Neve,' he says while nonchalantly brushing the doll's hair. 'There's some real talent in this country, some incredible talent, and she's a very lucky three-year-old. Clarke Gayford, 44, (pictured) revealed the creepy replica of his fiance Jacinda Ardern to his 52,000 Instagram followers on Monday 'Some of the things that make their way into our home and into our three-year-old's heart, include this wonderful dolly, which Neve has even given a name.' Mr Gayford then turns the toy around to reveal the doll's face has been painted eerily similar to that of New Zealand's much-loved leader. 'She calls this dolly "Creepy Mummy,"' he announced. 'Creepy Mummy would just like to say "hang in there, you got this, even though it's Monday."' Instagram users were quick to share their thoughts on the doll in the comments. Mr Gayford then turns the toy around to reveal the doll's face has been painted eerily similar to that of New Zealand's much-loved leader Jacinda Ardern 'Sweet baby Jesus that is insane...ly gorgeous. All kinds of wrong but I love it and want it!' One woman joked. 'So great, she gets propped up with mini cups of tea and books on a special chair,' Mr Gayford replied to her comment. 'Gold. Everyone needs a creepy doll in childhood. Hang in there New Zealand,' another said. 'Doing a great job creepy mummy,' another fan wrote. The light relief came as New Zealanders were released from a snap two-week lockdown and the country recorded 53 new cases of Covid-19 on Monday. The light relief came as New Zealanders were released from a snap two-week lockdown and the country recorded 53 new cases of Covid-19 on Monday Nearly two million Kiwis in Auckland will remain under level four lockdown for another two weeks. The rest of New Zealand south of Auckland will move to level three lockdown restrictions from 11.59pm Tuesday and those conditions will remain in place for at least a week. Northland will remain in level four but will move to level three later this week if wastewater tests come back Covid-free. New Zealand had been largely virus-free for months, barring a small number of cases in February, until an outbreak of the Indian delta variant imported from Australia prompted Ardern to order a snap nationwide lockdown on August 17. For the rest of New Zealand, cafes, restaurants and takeaways can reopen but only for contactless pick-up, delivery or drive through. Mr Gayford - a radio and television presenter - first met Ms Ardern in 2012 after being introduced by their mutual friend and television host Colin Mathura-Jeffree 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. 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,' Ms 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. 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. The couple went on to have their daughter Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford in 2018 and were engaged at Easter the following year Mr Gayford - a radio and television presenter - first met Ms Ardern in 2012 after being introduced by their mutual friend and television host Colin Mathura-Jeffree. They started to spend time together after Clarke contacted Ms Ardern about a controversial Government Communications Security Bureau bill. The couple went on to have their now three-year-old daughter Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford in 2018 and were engaged the following year. Ms Ardern announced in March she would finally start planning their big day more than two years after her fiance popped the question. 'We will get there. A lot has been going on. It's fair to say the pandemic really got in the way of not just our plans, but a lot of people's plans,' she said. Australia's first woman of Asian decent to lead a major company has revealed she struggled with being self-conscious addressing a room full of white men. Ming Long, the chairwoman of AMP Capital Funds Management, said she had been mindful during her corporate career of how she came across, arguing the system was biased against leaders who weren't white and male. She gave her insights after ABC 7.30 host Leigh Sales asked her about 'being often the only woman in a room and the only woman of colour'. Ms Long, the first Asian woman to lead an ASX200 company in Australia, said there was a bias against minorities in the corporate world. 'Over time you have a level of expectation that bias is always there against you,' she said. Australia's first Asian woman to lead a major company has revealed she struggled with being self-conscious addressing a room full of men. Ming Long, the chairwoman of AMP Capital Funds Management, said she had been mindful during her corporate career of how she came across, arguing the system was biased against leaders who weren't white and male 'I'm always thinking about when I should talk, how I should say it, how I should amplify - sometimes there's another woman in the room - amplify what they've said so that people will respond to a recommendation.' Ms Long, who also chairs Diversity Council Australia, said corporate boards were often reluctant to hire a chief executive who wasn't a white male. 'There are so many assumptions about what leadership and what CEOs look like,' she said. 'So, the further you are away from what you imagine when I say "think of a CEO of an ASX 200 company," the more risky you are seen. 'The further you are away from "I think in my mind is a six foot, white Caucasian male," then you are seen as more risky, so why would they put you in that position?' Ms Long took over as chair of AMP Capital Funds Management in 2018, shortly before Shemara Wikramanayake, who is of Sri Lankan ethnicity, became the chief executive of Macquarie Group after three decades with the company. She gave her insights after ABC 7.30 host Leigh Sales asked her about 'being often the only woman in a room and the only woman of colour sometimes in a room' Australian female leaders in government Rosemary Follett, Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Terrritory: May 1989 to December 1989; and June 1991 to March 1995 Carmen Lawrence, Premier of Western Australia: February 1990 to February 1993 Joan Kirner, Premier of Victoria: August 1990 to October 1992 Kate Carnell, Chief Minister of the ACT: March 1995 to October 2000 Clare Martin, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory: August 2001 to November 2007 Anna Bligh, Premier of Queensland: September 2007 to March 2012 Kristina Keneally, Premier of New South Wales: December 2009 to March 2011 Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia: June 2010 to June 2013 Lara Giddings, Premier of Tasmania: January 2011 to March 2014 Katy Gallagher, Chief Minister of the ACT: May 2011 to December 2014 Annastacia Palaszczuk, Premier of Queensland: February 2015 to present Gladys Berejiklian, Premier of NSW: January 2017 to present Advertisement In 2019, Ms Wikramanayake was Australia's highest paid corporate leader with an $18million remuneration package. In 2021, for the first time ever, there were no all-male boards running Australia's top 200 companies, the Australian Institute of Company Directors revealed. As recently as 2015, there were 28 all-male boards. In May 2021, women comprised 48 per cent of appointments to boards of ASX200 companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Australia is one of few countries to achieve 30 per cent women on the boards of its top companies without mandated quotas or government intervention, as a report by the University of Queensland Business School found. Nicola Wakefield Evans, who chairs 30% Club Australia, said the fact women made up almost a third of board positions showed there were plenty of females of calibre. 'When the push for gender diversity on the ASX 200 began, there was a view that Australia did not offer the talent pool of qualified women to achieve the targets we set,' she said. But in 2020, just 5 per cent of ASX200 companies had a female CEO with only ten women in that position, a survey by Chief Executive Women found. In politics, New South Wales and Queensland have female premiers from minority backgrounds. Gladys Berejiklian, the daughter of Armenian migrants, in March 2019 became the first female Liberal leader to win a state election by securing a third consecutive term for the Coalition in NSW. Annastacia Palaszczuk, who is of Polish ancestry, in January 2015 became the first woman to win a state election from Opposition and has now triumphed at three elections in a row for Labor in Queensland, making her Australia's most successful female political leader. In November 2020 Elizabeth Lee, who emigrated to Australia from South Korea as a girl, became the first Asian woman to head a major political party in Australia when she took over as leader of the Liberal Party in the Australian Capital Territory. Its makers clearly aren't expecting an indifferent response from drinkers. And with the famously divisive flavour of Marmite a key element, it's little wonder that they're calling their new beer Love Hate. The limited-edition 4.8 per cent ale from Camden Town Brewery in London will be available at stores nationwide from September 13. The yeast extract spread is a by-product of the beer brewing process. Marmite brand manager Sophie Allan said the product 'originates from brewer's yeast so we've simply gone full circle and put it back into beer'. She added: 'Marmite fans love it when we surprise them and put their favourite yeasty spread into new products, and this will be no exception. The brewers used smoked Rauch malt and Perle hops as well as Marmite to give the beer a smoky flavour (Pictured: Marmite beer from Camden) 'Strictly for our over-18 fans only, with the help of our friends at Camden Town Brewery they'll be able to enjoy the distinctive taste of Marmite in an ale.' Ashleigh Amos of Camden Town Brewery said: 'Marmite is such an iconic brand that's been dividing the nation for over 100 years, so we couldn't think of anyone more iconic to launch a collaboration beer with. 'Combining Marmite's distinctive flavours with our never pasteurised beer might seem like an unlikely pairing at first - but trust us, you're going to love it.' The brewers used smoked Rauch malt and Perle hops as well as Marmite to give the beer a smoky flavour. A four-pack will cost 8 when it is released next month. A former soldier who served with the British Armed Forces has plotted an escape route over Taliban controlled borders in a bid to get himself and 400 Afghans to safety. Ben Slater, 37, used to serve in the Royal Military Police but now runs a business in Kabul called Nomad Concepts Group. The ex-soldier, who worked as a bodyguard to British ambassadors abroad, claims the Foreign Office failed to secure visas for the evacuation of himself and his 50 staff, mostly Afghan women. Mr Slater said he was left with no choice but to flee by land and has shared his plans with the UK Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence in the hope they will receive assistance as soon as possible. It comes amid concerns that leaving Afghanistan by land will be near impossible due to closed borders, abandoned foreign embassies and Taliban checkpoints. According to the Telegraph, Mr Slater has already helped dozens of Afghans flee the country but was unable to secure help are at risk of retribution from the Taliban for his staff - are at risk of retribution from the Taliban. Ben Slater (pictured), an ex-soldier who served with the British Armed Forces, has plotted an escape route over Taliban controlled borders in a bid to get himself and 400 Afghans to safety Mr Slater told the Telegraph: 'It's going to be a long trip, and I am hoping on the other end that the FCDO [Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office] have got our visas sorted, or at least have spoken to the foreign affairs ministry in our destination country to allow access for our vulnerable staff.' The newspaper reports that Mr Slater described himself as being 'massively let down' by the UK Government. Mr Slater told The Telegraph: 'I was given one hour's notice to send in my people's names, the vehicles and stuff like that. 'And that seemed a little bit like that was set up for me to miss the deadline. But we did it, and then it went sort of quiet, and then there was a little bit of "oh, you can't come because you can't get through the Taliban checkpoint".' Mr Slater eventually 'lost his marbles' after he was apparently transferred to an automated call centre on Friday and was put 'back at zero'. He says he has launched his own operation to save 400 Afghan nationals includes the 50 staff and himself. Last week, the UK anyone who is still trying to get out of Afghanistan to head for the border rather than attempt to get into Kabul airport where US and British forces were winding down their operations. But there are concerns that leaving Afghanistan is impossible because borders are closed, foreign embassies have been abandoned and the Taliban have put up hundreds of checkpoints. Mr Slater (pictured), who runs Nomad Concept Group in Kabul, said he and his staff are at risk of retribution from the Taliban and that they had all been let down by the UK Government Although the Taliban has made assurances that they will allow those fleeing their rule to leave the country unharmed, Mr Slater is concerned this will not be the case. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) refused to comment on Mr Slater's case, saying it does not comment on individual cases. But it said in a statement: 'Our staff are working tirelessly to facilitate the swift evacuation of British nationals, Afghan staff and others at risk. 'The scale of the evacuation effort is huge and we have helped nearly 15,000 people leave Afghanistan since the evacuation began. We continue to put pressure on the Taliban to allow safe passage out of Afghanistan for those who want to leave.' It comes after the UN pressured the militant group to uphold their promise as the security council passed a resolution in New York yesterday. The Security Council also made clear that Afghanistan must never again become a 'safe haven' for international terrorists. The UK's ambassador Dame Barbara Woodward 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. No way out: Interpreters fear that fleeing from Afghanistan by land is almost impossible as borders close, Taliban put up checkpoints and last US evacuation flight leaves Kabul Limited options to escape Afghanistan laid bare in military briefing document Examines all the rescue options through Afghanistan's surrounding neighbours Popular Torkham crossing is 'now impassable' and 'blocked by Taliban', it adds By Marc Nicol and Daniel Martin for the Daily Mail 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 Afghanistan's neighbours but spells out that few are currently realistic or viable. The most obvious route is through Pakistan but the document warns that this 'is looking very problematic'. Examining Pakistan's 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 cost of the asylum system rocketed to nearly 1.4billion last year, the latest figures reveal. Home Office data shows the overall cost of processing and supporting asylum seekers soared from 956million in 2019-20 to 1.359billion last year up 42 per cent. The leap means the taxpayer is footing a bill of 3.7million a day for the system, which Home Secretary Priti Patel has called 'fundamentally broken'. A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, by members of the Border Force The figures show 62,817 asylum seekers were getting taxpayer-funded support at the end of June. The majority are given free accommodation and thousands have had their claims rejected but cannot be deported. The overall cost is increasing dramatically as the Home Office struggles with a backlog. There are now just under 115,000 asylum applications which have yet to be resolved by Miss Patel's department. The total includes 72,000 awaiting an initial decision on their refugee claim, up from 40,000 two years earlier. Others are awaiting the outcome of an appeal or have exhausted their appeal options and are awaiting removal. The pandemic has made it more difficult to remove failed asylum seekers. The taxpayer is footing a bill of 3.7million a day for the system, which Home Secretary Priti Patel has called 'fundamentally broken' In the year to March, there were just 2,420 'enforced returns', which included failed asylum seekers and immigration offenders. However, the number of enforced returns had begun to plummet even before Covid from a peak of more than 21,000 in 2004. The total number of asylum claims lodged in the year to June was just over 31,000, down 4 per cent on the previous 12 months. Alp Mehmet, chairman of Migration Watch UK which campaigns for tougher border controls, said: 'As illegal crossings of the Channel shoot up, so will the cost of the asylum system and burden on the taxpayer already at staggering levels. 'The only way to check this uncontrolled trend is to return substantial numbers of irregular arrivals and failed asylum seekers. Alas, this appears to be beyond the Government's competence.' Since last year a greater proportion of asylum seekers have been coming to Britain in small boats across the Channel. So far this year, more than 12,400 have made the perilous journey across the busy shipping lane compared to 8,410 in the whole of 2020. Miss Patel has published new measures designed to cut the number of asylum claims by using a twin-track system. Migrants arriving by irregular routes, such as in small boats across the Channel, will receive a less generous package even if their claim is accepted, while those who come via authorised routes will be rewarded. Afghan nationals who arrive under schemes set up by the Home Office will be treated as 'resettled refugees' with the immediate right to work here. This month ministers said at least 20,000 Afghans would be able to come to the UK under a new programme prioritising women, girls and minorities who may be at risk under the Taliban regime. A homeless man crawled under a security fence at Los Angeles International Airport and boarded an empty American Airlines plane before being restrained by a cleaning crew, police say. Matthew Maine, 31, was arrested and charged with trespassing early Sunday morning, Los Angeles Airport Police say, Cops claim that at around 4.45am he used a pipe to pry up a portion of the fence surrounding the airfield, and gained access to the tarmac. Maine then allegedly boarded an American Airlines Boeing 787-9 which was parked on the field, but was caught by a cleaning crew. Airport Police Sgt. Rob Pedregon told DailyMail.com that the crew detained Maine and called in the cops. Los Angeles Airport Police say Matthew Maine, 31, pried open the fence surrounding the tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport (pictured) early Sunday, and boarded an empty American Airlines plane Police say Maine was stopped by a cleaning crew before gaining access to the plane Pedregon said Maine was then arrested and taken for a psychiatric evaluation and remains in police custody. Police said Maine is homeless. American Airlines confirmed the incident, saying that the plane has since been inspected by security. 'Early yesterday morning, cleaning crews alerted local law enforcement after noticing a suspicious individual attempting to gain access to a parked aircraft,' the airline told DailyMail.com. 'The individual was taken into custody and the aircraft has since been re-inspected by security teams. We appreciate our cleaning partners quick reaction.' Police said Maine was arrested for trespassing and taken for psychiatric evaluation (file image) Airport visitors were surprised Maine was so easily able to gain access to the facility. 'For someone to just walk down there so easily is definitely concerning, Lindsey Weiker told CBSLA. 'Thats insane,' Taylor Prater said. It was not the first time in the past week security at a US airport had been breached. Last Friday, Johnny Hecker, 51, of San Diego allegedly breached terminal security at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, and stole a vehicle on the tarmac before abandoning it and running away on foot, the station reported. It was not the first time airport security in the US had been breached over the past week. Last Friday Johnny Hecker, 51, (pictured) allegedly breached terminal security at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana. He was able to avoid police by hiding out in the terminal ceiling, but was eventually discovered The incident had snarled airplane traffic at the airport, and police were initially unable to find Hecker before discovering he had climbed up and was hiding in the terminal ceiling above its ticketing area. Jeff Price, a former assistant director of security at Denver International Airport told CBSLA that despite the breaches, airport security was still effective. 'The system the way it is now, people will be able to access the airfield illegally but as long as we can catch them, as long as they dont get to an airplane then the system has functionally worked, one layer might have failed but other layers succeeded,' he said. Thousands of people flying into the UK for the Cop26 climate summit will be allowed to dodge travel testing requirements. Unlike Britons returning from holidays abroad, delegates travelling to the conference in Glasgow this November will not need to pay for a PCR swab two days after they arrive. They will not even have to fill in the passenger locator forms millions of travellers have had to show at passport controls when returning from overseas. The new loopholes, quietly introduced over the Bank Holiday, also mean that attendees who have been officially invited from red list countries will not need to quarantine It means that if there is a coronavirus outbreak linked to the major environment conference due to be attended by as many as 25,000 people from around the world authorities may struggle to track its spread. Lib Dem health spokesman Baroness Brinton said: Cop26 is the most important conference of our times... [But] the Government should urgently rethink the rules so we can have a Covid-safe conference. The new loopholes, quietly introduced over the Bank Holiday, also mean that attendees who have been officially invited from red list countries will not need to quarantine. However all delegates will have to show evidence of a negative Covid test before they set off for the UK. And the Government insists they will also have to take regular tests during the conference. Lib Dem health spokesman Baroness Brinton, pictured, said: The Government should urgently rethink the rules so we can have a Covid-safe conference. A Government spokesman said the arrangements will allow the critical climate talks to go ahead while maintaining public health measures. Yesterday another 26,476 coronavirus cases and 48 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were recorded in the UK. A former priest has been charged with seven counts of child sex crimes at a children's shelter he founded in the mountains of East Timor. Richard Daschbach, 84, is accused by the federal grand jury of sexually abusing young girls in his care at the Topu Honis shelter for orphaned and poor children he built decades ago in the predominantly Catholic island country south of Indonesia. A Department of Justice spokesperson said she could not comment on whether there are plans to extradite the former priest who is currently on trial in East Timor for the same allegations. Former priest Richard Daschbach (pictured in 2013) has been charged with seven counts of child sex crimes at a children's shelter he founded in the mountains of East Timor The 84-year-old (pictured in February) is accused by the federal grand jury of sexually abusing young girls in his care at the Topu Honis shelter If convicted in the U.S., Daschbach could receive up to 30 years in prison for each count, according to the indictment returned Thursday by a grand jury in Washington D.C. He also is wanted in the U.S. for three counts of wire fraud linked to one of his California-based donors, which accused him in a court case of violating an agreement to protect those under his care. An Interpol Red Notice has been issued internationally for his arrest. Daschbach, who remains revered by many in East Timor, went on trial there in February to face charges he sexually abused young girls in his care at the shelter for orphans and impoverished children. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. Daschbach, the son of a Pittsburgh steelworker, started Topu Honis (pictured) in 1992 in the remote enclave of Oecusse The trial, which is closed to the public, was delayed several times until resuming in July. It marks the first clergy sex abuse case in the place with the highest percentage of Catholics outside the Vatican. Daschbach's lawyers in East Timor have not made their legal strategy public, and court proceedings are closed. But documents seen by The Associated Press indicated they would argue he was the victim of a conspiracy. He and his lawyer have in the past declined to be interviewed by The AP. The church defrocked Daschbach in 2018, saying he had confessed to sexually abusing children, but he maintains strong alliances The church defrocked Daschbach in 2018, saying he had confessed to sexually abusing children, but he maintains strong alliances. Former President Xanana Gusmao, revered as a freedom fighter, has openly supported Daschbach by going to court with him. Daschbach, himself, is hailed for his role in saving lives during the tiny nation's bloody struggle for independence from Indonesia. Daschbach, the son of a Pittsburgh steelworker, started Topu Honis in 1992 in the remote enclave of Oecusse. Foreign donors, tourists and others often visited and helped support the shelter. A man who stockpiled a huge stash of illegal fireworks in his South Los Angeles home now faces a decade in federal prison. The fireworks were found in the backyard of Arturo Ceja III's home ahead of the Fourth of July. The 26-year-old pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of transportation of explosives without a license. The explosives were later improperly detonated by police, likely causing a massive blast in late June that rocked a neighborhood and injured 17 people. Five Los Angeles police bomb technicians overloaded a containment chamber with the illegal fireworks above the equipment's safety rating on June 30 after authorities were called to a South LA home. Los Angeles police said that an 'apparent miscalcalculation' by its bomb squad is what caused a June 30 fireworks explosion (pictured) that left 17 injured. The man who stockpiled the fireworks in his backyard is now facing a decade behind bars The blast, caught by news crews, knocked a nearby car on its side, smashed the windows of several others and blew out windows in a neighboring home The explosion - considered highly unusual because such containment chambers are designed to withhold blasts - damaged dozens of homes, businesses and vehicles. It prompted the Los Angeles Police Department to review its detonation procedures, while five bomb techs have been taken off their field duties and could face discipline. His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled for the 26-year-old man, who also goes by 'Autron.' Officer Mike Lopez, an LAPD spokesperson, said he did not have any update Monday on the agency's investigation or potential disciplinary actions taken against the members of the bomb squad. Ceja admitted to making several trips to Nevada in late June to buy fireworks - including homemade ones that were made out of cardboard and packed with explosive flash powder, federal prosecutors said. Fireworks can be sold in California for up to four times the purchase price in Nevada, officials said. Police discovered about 32,000 pounds (16 tons) of commercial-grade fireworks on Ceja's property on June 30 after following up on a tip. Law enforcement also found 140 homemade fireworks and explosives-making components. Pictured: Police officers walk past the remains of an armored Los Angeles Police Department tractor-trailer, after illegal fireworks seized at a home exploded, in South Los Angeles He described the illegal fireworks as 40 home-made devices the size of Coca-Cola cans with simple fuses and 200 smaller but similar devices The bomb squad decided to detonate the homemade in the neighborhood - believing they were too unstable to transport elsewhere. They examined them by X-ray and robotics and loaded them into the detonation chamber, officially called a total containment vessel, without weighing them with a scale. The technicians grossly miscalculated how much explosive material they were loading into the chamber and the entire vessel exploded. Residents in the neighborhood have called for accountability and asked why some people were still in their homes, despite a door-to-door evacuation order. Some victims have filed legal claims - the precursor to a lawsuit - against the city. Fireworks are illegal to sell or possess in Los Angeles and in unincorporated areas of the county. ATF investigators stand next to the remains of an armored Los Angeles Police Department tractor-trailer after illegal fireworks seized at a home exploded in the containment chamber, in South Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said at the time officers overloaded a 'total containment vehicle' designed to safely detonate illegal fireworks, causing the device to burst open The resultant catastrophic failure of the armored chamber sent a plume of fire into the air, injured 17 people and shattered the windows of nearby buildings Police Chief Michel Moore, who last month gave an update the investigation at the LAPD Headquarters, and said an 'apparent miscalculation' and 'human error' led police to overload the containment truck. After the initial raid, three box trucks and a 53-foot trailer were brought in to load up the majority of the seized fireworks and move them to a safe location. However, 'improvised explosives' also were found that were too dangerous to move. At the time, Moore described them as 40 home-made devices the size of Coca-Cola cans with simple fuses and 200 smaller but similar devices. The material was taken to the containment vehicle, a multi-ton semi-tractor trailer rig with a spherical iron chamber in which the explosives are loaded. 'Based on information gathered at this point, it is believed that the net explosive weight placed into the [vessel] exceeded its rated capacity,' he said. He added that officers didn't use a scale to weigh the explosives because LAPD protocols allows a physical and visual estimation to suffice. Nine police officers were injured, along with one ATF officer, the Los Angeles Fire Department said in a statement Six civilians, ranging from 51 to 85 years old, were taken to a hospital, three with moderate and three with minor injuries The investigation has not yet been closed, however, and Michael Hoffman, assistant special agent with the Los Angeles Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, theorized that the blast could have occurred because of issues with the device itself. The specific device involved has been used 42 times by the department over the course of a decade. The blast, caught by news crews, happened in the 700 block of East 27th Street. It knocked a nearby car on its side, smashed the windows of several others and blew out windows in a neighboring home. Nine police officers were injured, along with one ATF officer, the Los Angeles Fire Department said in a statement. Six civilians, ranging from 51 to 85 years old, were taken to a hospital, three with moderate and three with minor injuries, it said. One other person was treated at the scene but declined to be taken to hospital. None of the injuries were life threatening. The number of antidepressants prescribed to children has soared to a rate equivalent to 600 pill packets a day. NHS figures show prescriptions for the drugs given to children aged five to 16 have risen by 22 per cent in five years. There were a record 231,791 last year compared with 189,457 in 2016. The pills can help young people but experts have warned they are often used as an alternative to talking therapies amid a shortage of psychologists. Not all the prescriptions will be for psychological issues as the medication can also be given for conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and headaches. NHS figures show prescriptions for antidepressants given to children aged five to 16 have risen by 22 per cent in five years Child psychotherapist Catherine Knibbs said: 'Antidepressants are becoming more commonplace in child clients. 'Often these are handed out for mild pathological versions of anxiety or depression.' She said children faced family issues, school worries and pressures over body image and gender identity, some of which could be fuelled by time spent online. She added they should be offered pills 'as a last rather than first resort'. Tom Madders, of mental health charity YoungMinds, said the pandemic has left many young people facing 'isolation, loneliness and worries about the future'. He said: 'The reasons why a young person might struggle with their mental health are often complex but we know that traumatic experiences at a young age - like bereavement, bullying, abuse or facing discrimination - can have a huge impact on mental health. 'School pressure, concerns about how you look and difficult relationships with family or friends can also have a significant effect. Not all the prescriptions will be for psychological issues as the medication can also be given for conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and headaches 'The pandemic has exacerbated these pressures, with many young people experiencing isolation, loneliness and worries about the future. 'While antidepressants can play a role in supporting some young people's mental health, it's crucial that they are never seen as a substitute for fast access to talking therapies, especially for younger children.' The mental health charity is calling for extra investment in specialist mental health services, and early support for young people, so that they have somewhere to turn when problems first emerge. Chris Martin, chief executive of The Mix, a charity for under 25s, said: 'The increase of young people being prescribed antidepressants is consistent with the trends we have seen at The Mix. 'Anxiety, low mood or depression are among the leading reasons young people contact our helpline. 'The causes of this are complex but we know that unhealthy social media use can contribute to poor mental health, especially when combined with peer pressures and the isolating effect of the pandemic. 'We must empower young people to have a more balanced approach to social media - this means spending time away from screens, focusing on positive content and seeking support early when they need it.' The dream of owning a home will become reality for thousands as ministers today set out their 8.6billion affordable homes plan. As many as 119,000 properties will be built in the first tranche of the Government's Affordable Homes Programme. Half will be sold, helping young people get their first foot on the housing ladder, while tens of thousands more will be rented out at discounted rates. And the lion's share of the funding, some 5.2billion, is being spent outside London to support Boris Johnson's pledge to 'level up' the country. The programme was announced in the 2020 Budget and is expected to deliver up to 180,000 new properties by 2026 costing 11.5billion and is the biggest such investment in a decade. Last night, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said: 'This huge funding package will make the ambition of owning a home a reality for families by making it realistic and affordable.' Last night, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick (left) said: 'This huge funding package will make the ambition of owning a home a reality for families by making it realistic and affordable.' He added: 'Creating more opportunities for home ownership is central to this Government. 'This 9 billion funding is a landmark moment for our affordable homes programme and will ensure good quality housing for all as we build back better after the pandemic. 'We are also ensuring tens of thousands of new homes for rent are built in the years ahead, including social rent, so those on the lowest incomes can enjoy good quality, secure, rented homes, built and managed by reputable providers.' The 8.6 billion allocation will deliver properties including 57,000 homes for ownership, 29,600 for social rent, typically around 50% to 60% of market rates, and 6,250 affordable rural homes. The remaining homes will be available for 'affordable' rent, officials said. Nearly 90 partnerships across England, including councils, housing associations and private providers, successfully bid for a share of the cash. A 71-year-old man was reportedly killed in an alligator attack after the animal bit off his arm as he waded through flood waters caused by Hurricane Ida on Monday. The attack took place in the town of Slidell in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, according to WWL-TV. The victim's body has not been found. The man's wife called police and told investigators that an alligator attacked her husband while he was in his shed, which had been inundated with several feet of water. The woman pulled her husband onto the stairs and then left to get help. The man's body was never recovered. At least 15 people in Slidell were rescued from rooftops on Monday by first responders. Earlier on Monday, the president of Jefferson Parish warned that alligators could be lurking in flood waters while search and rescue teams go door-to-door in search of survivors. Jefferson Parish president Cynthia Lee Sheng said: 'Unfortunately the worst-case scenario seems to have happened. A man was reportedly killed in an alligator attack after the animal bit off his arm while swimming in flood waters caused by Hurricane Ida on Monday. The image above is a file photo from April Hurricane Ida ripped through southeastern Louisiana on Sunday, causing catastrophic flooding. The image above shows the aftermath of the storm in Lafitte, Louisiana on Monday News of the alligator attack was first reported by WWL-TV in Louisiana A woman called police saying that her husband was the victim of an attack by an alligator on Monday It was later reported by WWL-TV that the attack took place as the man was in his shed, which was inundated with several feet of water 'This is an area that has a lot of swampland, alligators, very dangerous conditions. '[Search and rescue crews] had to wait for the sun to come up this morning. They had a strategy.' Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said the state's 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. Rescue crews in St. John the Baptist Parish reported that 800 people were rescued as internet and communications services began to come back online, though officials said that 18,000 residents in the parish remained without power as of late Monday. 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. At least 15 people in Slidell were rescued from rooftops on Monday by first responders, according to local officials. The image above shows flooding in Slidell on Monday '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.' 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 coroner's 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. A partially vaccinated student paramedic has shared a harrowing tale of two Covid experiences after contracting the virus from a friend who had not yet received the jab. Tully Stanton, 20, was unwell for just two days after catching Covid on August 10, and is now back at work and out of isolation. Meanwhile, the person who she believes passed the virus on to her was admitted to an intensive care unit after spending two weeks at home in 'agony' and worrying they were 'going to die'. 'I feel helpless knowing we shared the exact same virus yet our experiences battling it are on opposite sides of the spectrum, separated by one dose of a vaccine,' Ms Stanton said. Ms Stanton, who works on the frontline, jumped at the opportunity to get vaccinated and received her second jab on Wednesday, August 11, not yet aware that she'd contracted Covid one day earlier. Tully Stanton, 20, was unwell for just two days after catching Covid on August 10, and is now back at work and out of isolation She told Daily Mail Australia she felt nauseous after the vaccine but had no further symptoms, and returned to work on Thursday performing Covid tests in Sydney. On Friday, she was notified that she'd been in contact with a person who had since tested positive for the virus and immediately got her own test. Later that night, Ms Stanton developed symptoms of her own, including a fever, headaches and congestion. Within hours, she was suffering hot sweats and chills. 'I still genuinely thought it was from my second vaccine,' she said, opting against pain relief and content to ride out her body's immune response to the jab. It wasn't until she woke up on Saturday, still feeling unwell, that she realised she'd caught Covid. 'There were a bunch of notifications and missed calls. All I could see [on my phone screen] was POSITIVE,' she recalled. Ms Stanton developed symptoms of her own, including a fever, headaches and congestion. Within hours, she was suffering hot sweats and chills. Her symptoms had eased within two days, which the 20-year-old is a result of her first dose of the vaccine Eventually she got onto the doctor and was overcome by relief that she at least had one dose of the vaccine to somewhat protect her. For the rest of the day, Ms Stanton was on the phone to a team of 'amazing contact tracers' who helped her recall her exact movements for seven days prior to her diagnosis. All of Ms Stanton's symptoms eased aside from a burning sensation in her nose and the loss of her sense of taste and smell - both of which lasted a full seven days. She has no doubt in her mind that the jab kept the worst of her symptoms at bay. The person who likely passed on the virus was unvaccinated and their symptoms increasingly worsened over a 14 day period at home before they finally agreed to go to hospital. Ms Stanton said she encouraged them to seek treatment after the person admitted feeling like they 'were going to die' and medication offered no relief. The 20-year-old (pictured with a friend who did not have Covid) 'truly believes' that if she'd become infected two weeks after receiving her second dose of the vaccine, she would have been entirely asymptomatic 'They experienced sleepless nights from the severe pain, extreme shortness of breath, tachycardia (a fast heart rate), chest pain and massive headaches,' she recalled. Ms Stanton felt obligated to direct them to the hospital and was concerned they would rapidly deteriorate at home, but the person was reluctant to receive treatment out of fear they'd be placed on a ventilator. '[It's] all Covid patient's fears transporting to hospital... [they're] petrified they will never return home.' Fourteen days after presenting with symptoms, the patient relented and sought medical treatment. They received oxygen, which offered them little relief, and were transferred to a hospital better equipped to monitor in them in an intensive care unit. The patient has since been released from intensive care. Paramedics must wear full PPE equipment when responding to emergencies in Sydney's hotspots. Pictured: Paramedics and emergency services treating a patient in Sydney's west The story is a stark contrast to Ms Stanton's own experience fighting Covid. She was released from home quarantine on August 24, exactly 14 days after contracting the virus and 100 per cent recovered. The 20-year-old 'truly believes' that if she'd become infected two weeks after receiving her second dose of the vaccine, she would have been entirely asymptomatic. She's relieved that her experience has helped so many people in her inner circle to get vaccinated, but is concerned about the ease in which false facts are spreading online. 'It is simple for young individuals to believe they are invincible, however this Delta strain does not discriminate,' she said. At least 66.8 per cent of the state's population has had one Covid jab, while 36.1 per cent are fully vaccinated. Pictured: Bankstown residents queueing for a vaccine Currently, 840 people are in New South Wales hospitals infected with Covid, including 137 in intensive care. Health officials have repeatedly warned that young people are increasingly requiring intensive care with the Delta strain. At least 66.8 per cent of the state's population has had one Covid jab, while 36.1 per cent are fully vaccinated. There are no fully vaccinated Covid patients in ICU. 'Please do not wait to see how strong and effective your immune system is, this exact mindset may cost you, or someone else's life.' Electronics retail giant Harvey Norman has bowed to public pressure and repaid $6milllion in JobKeeper subsidies after revealing record profits. The company has come under intense criticism after its head office and franchisees were given more than $20million in wage subsidies last year despite surging sales. Billionaire chairman Gerry Harvey had previously refused to give any of the cash back, insisting it was just a 'tiny amount of money'. But on Tuesday the company revealed turnover had hit almost $10billion for the last financial year, with profits up by a staggering 78.8 per cent to $1.18billion. Electronics retail giant Harvey Norman has bowed to public pressure and repaid $6milllion in JobKeeper subsidies after revealing record profits. (Pictured, chairman Gerry Harvey and his CEO wife Katie Page) Harvey Norman said it would return the $6million that was paid in JobKeeper to its central company-controlled business. Another $14million was also paid in JobKeeper to its franchise-run stores. The surprise move came after Mr Harvey said six months ago that it had no intention of giving back the cash, which was only supposed to go to companies expecting a 30 per cent downturn in income. 'From our point of view, it's a tiny amount of money and our thoughts are all about our business going forward,' he said in February. Harvey Norman revealed turnover hit almost $10billion for the last financial year, with profits up by a staggering 78.8 per cent to $1.18billion (Pictured, a Harvey Norman store in Malaysia) 'Ninety-nine per cent of the JobKeeper money will not be repaid anyway. JobKeeper was put in by the government for the health of the economy. 'The economy responded and JobKeeper did its job. Some people think it's a great idea to repay it, that's their opinion. 'At this stage, we're not going to repay it.' On Tuesday though, the company said they had had a change of heart and did a U-turn, repaying $6.02million to the tax office. No reason was given for the turnaround. The amount was equal to all the JobKeeper subsidies Harvey Norman's core business was given in 2020 and 2021, separate from the independently-run franchisee stores. Harvey Norman had come under intense criticism after its head office and franchisees were given more than $20million in wage subsidies last year despite surging sales. (Pictured, a queue outside of a Melbourne Centrelink office during the national lockdown in April 2020) Harvey Norman revenue for 2020-21 increased by 15.3 per cent to $9.72billion, sparking a $436million dividend to shareholders, including a bumper $140million payday for Mr Harvey who is the majority shareholder. 'The results achieved this year demonstrates that customers continue to engage strongly with our brands,' said Mr Harvey. 'The solid results is a testament to the strength and resilience of the integrated retail, franchise, property and digital strategy and its ability to adapt to the challenging retail landscape and continue to navigate the uncertainties presented by COVID-19.' The final U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan after 20 years at war 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. Major General Christopher Donahue, 52, was the last soldier to leave Kabul. He boarded the final U.S. Air Force flight out of Afghanistan, at one minute before midnight on Monday A U.S military aircraft takes off from the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Monday A two-star general, Donahue has deployed 17 times in support of operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Eastern Europe, according to the Army. He spent a large amount of his career with the special forces. Donahue is currently the commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division, based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina 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. Gen. Frank McKenzie, Commander of the U.S. Central Command, speaks from MacDill Air Force Base, in Tampa during a virtual briefing moderated by Pentagon spokesman John Kirby on Monday Donahue (center) is pictured with his men on the tarmac in Afghanistan Donahue said that commanding the 82nd Airborne Division is the 'coolest' job of his storied career 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. A battalion of about 1,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division immediately deployed to Kabul over the weekend. The Fort Bragg brigade combat team headed to Kuwait. John Kirby, the Pentagon spokesman, said the 82nd Airborne Division is in Afghanistan because of its abilities as the Global Response Force. Donahue is seen at the change of command ceremony in Fort Bragg in July 2020 Donahue is pictured (far right) in Afghanistan - one of his 17 deployments in 30 years A CH-47 Chinook from the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division is loaded onto a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III on Saturday as the troops prepared to depart 'Their job is to be ready to assist in a very expeditious manner, and the task of securing and operating an airfield is actually a unique task that the 82nd can do and Gen. Donahue has experience in that,' Kirby said. 'Elements of the 82nd Airborne Division have already been flowing in to do the actual mission of security of (the airport).' On August 17 Kirby said that Donahue's focus was the security mission at the airport. 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 August 26 killed 13 American service members and some 169 Afghans. By the evacuation's conclusion, well over 100,000 people, mostly Afghans, had been flown to safety. President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken look on as as a carry team moves a transfer case with the remains of Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Ind., during a casualty return at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Sunday 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 Donahue. 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.' 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. Biden will make remarks on the historic occasion on Tuesday afternoon. Witnesses in Kabul said the Taliban let off celebratory gunfire as news circulated that the final U.S. flight had left. It means 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. Queensland state parliament is locked down due to a protest occurring outside, Speaker Curtis Pitt has informed the house. At least one protester had tried to enter the chamber. The protest followed a fiery start to question time in which Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was forced to defend the decision to allow NRL WAGS and officials to fly into Queensland yesterday afternoon. The Queensland state parliament in Brisbane was locked down due to a protest occurring outside the building People protesting mandatory vaccinations outside the Queensland state parliament on Tuesday Mr Pitt said the protest related to voluntary assisted dying legislation, due to be debated by the Queensland Parliament this week. It's believed a small, peaceful protest by those opposed to the euthanasia bill were joined by people protesting against 'vaccination passports', including Queensland's recent introduction of a rule requiring essential workers coming into Queensland from NSW to have had one shot of a Covid vaccine. A range of protest groups have called August 31 'Shut Down Australia' day, with protests arranged at government buildings around the country. Police advised the Speaker there had been 'an attempted intrusion of the precinct'. Members were not allowed in or out of the parliamentary chamber. No arrests have yet been made. Protesters gathered outside the Queensland state parliament building in Brisbane were met with a heavy police presence Gold Coast residents are seen today with their backs turned to the Gold Coast City Council building in a silent protest against mandatory vaccinations for essential workers in the border zone between Queensland and NSW Protesters opposing the voluntary assisted dying bill previously gathered outside Parliament House in Brisbane in May. A number of people online, however, said the protest appeared to be small and peaceful. 'I just drove past 10 minutes ago,' wrote one. 'The crowd are totally peaceful and the police presence is overwhelming and intimidating'. Many also assumed the protest was in relation to Queensland's border restrictions and its two-week pause to hotel quarantine for interstate arrivals from NSW, Victoria and the ACT. 'No wonder... letting sports teams and their families in while others can't come in to the state to visit dying family members,' one person commented. Meanwhile, a silent protest took place outside Gold Coast City Council chambers on Tuesday morning, again in support of 'choice' in relation to mandatory vaccination rules. Advertisement 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. 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 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. 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. 'And the last manned aircraft is now clearing the airspace above Afghanistan,' he added. '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 wed stayed another 10 days, we wouldnt have gotten everybody out that we wanted to get out and there still wouldve been people who wouldve been disappointed with that. Its 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 Footage emerged of the Taliban scouring the airport for useful hardware left behind 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. '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. Footage emerged on social media of Taliban fighters apparently making their way through Kabul airport, examining Chinook helicopters left behind by U.S. troops. '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.' 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 A recording-breaking 44 container ships are idling off the coast of Los Angeles and Long Beach as maritime trade is held up by labor shortages and Covid-19-related disruptions. The number of ships anchored outside the ports exceeds the previous record of 40 set in February, and which had been matched twice last week according to the Marine Exchange of Southern California, which tracks ship traffic in the area. The average wait time for ships to enter the port now sits at 7.6 days, according to Port of Los Angeles data, up from 6.2 earlier in the month. Normally, the number of container ships at anchor outside the twin ports is between zero and one, Kip Loutitt, executive director of the Marine Exchange told Business Insider. A record number of 44 cargo ships are idling off the California coast as a combination of holiday anticipation, labor shortages and Covid-19-related disruptions snarl maritime trade There are a total of 44 cargo container ships anchored outside of the Los Angeles and Long Beach, which are the primary entryways for US imports from China Cargo container ships anchored outside the port of Long Beach in mid August, when the number of ships anchored there was 40, the previous record The ports serve as the entry point for a third of imports to the US, and are the main import point for goods coming from China, the outlet reported. The traffic jam comes as companies stock up throughout the months of August and September to prepare for the holidays. 'Part of the problem is the ships are double or triple the size of the ships we were seeing 10 or 15 years ago,' Louttit said. 'They take longer to unload. You need more trucks, more trains, more warehouses to put the cargo.' The record topped a previous one set in February, as the pandemic continues to disrupt the trade and shipping industry Amid labor shortages for inland commerce, offloading of the containers to warehouses have slowed as record numbers of ships arrive. Pictured: the container terminal at the Port of Long Beach on August 20 But the additional traffic comes as labor shortages are affecting inland transportation, such as trucking and railroads, meaning shipping containers are not being moved to distribution centers and warehouses quickly enough, Bloomberg reported. Additionally, pandemic-related disruptions are causing long delays to shipping. Michael Witnynksi, CEO of Dollar Tree, which relies heavily on imports from China, said one vessel had to be turned back due to a crewmember testing positive for Covid-19. 'To give you a real-life example of the kinds of challenges we're seeing, one of our dedicated charters was recently denied entry into China because a crew member tested positive for COVID, forcing the vessel to return to Indonesia and change the entire crew before continuing,' told investors on Thursday. 'Overall, the voyage was delayed by two months.' Witnyinksi also said that he had been told by a freight forwarder in San Francisco that voyage times from Shangai to Chicago had jumped from 35 days to 73. Additionally, another carrier had told him that transit times were 30 days longer than they had been in previous years, due to 'port congestion, container handling delays and other factors,' Business Insider reported. Additionally, imports to the Long Beach and Los Angeles ports are predicted to rise, with a 37 percent increase in volume predicted for Long Beach in the second week of September, and a 49 percent increased to Los Angeles, Freightwaves reported. The Marine Exchange of Southern California says in normal years the typical number of ships anchored outside the ports was between one and zero The issue isn't isolated to the west coast. More than a dozen cargo ships were anchored off the coast of Georgia, for example, trying to make berth at the Port of Savannah, Bloomberg reported. 'Industry experts expect the ocean shipping capacity will normalize no later than 2023, when many new ships come online,' Witynski said. Despite the idle time, the Marine Exchange said the anchored ships did not pose a safety hazard. 'The Marine Transportation System in LA and LB remains safe, secure, reliable, and environmentally sound, while not being as efficient as it should be due to COVID protocols in these uncertain and unsettled times, and record levels of cargo,' the agency said in a statement. 'Each ship at anchor and in a drift area is carefully placed and monitored by our vessel traffic service, working with each ship's captain, following "standards of care."' Gladys Berejiklian told a journalist 'don't scream at me' during her Covid-19 press conference on Tuesday. The tense moment came after the NSW premier was asked if the state expects widespread international travel once 80 per cent of the country is jabbed even if other states such as Western Australia keep domestic borders closed. Ms Berejiklian said it would be 'disappointing if New South Wales and Victorian residents were able to go overseas before they can go interstate' and insisted that NSW would do 'more than its fair share' to repatriate stranded Australians. Pictured: Residents in Chatswood on Sydney's Lower North Shore on Tuesday When the premier's answer was finished several journalists shouted 'premier, premier' to get her attention to ask the next question. The same journalist who asked about travel loudly said: 'Can I just follow up because...' The premier interrupted her and said: 'Don't scream at me, though.' The journalist looked offended and paused before saying: 'Can I please follow up, Premier' and asking her second question. It came after Ms Berejiklian announced the state had recorded 1,164 Covid-19 cases and three deaths from the virus overnight. Gladys Berejiklian (pictured) told a journalist 'don't scream at me' during her Covid-19 press conference on Tuesday Sydney's lockdown will last until at least October. Pictured: Residents in Camperdown, inner-west Sydney on Tuesday A woman in her 50s and two men in their 80s and 90s from south-western Sydney have died in the past 24 hours after catching the virus. Authorities said the virus was still spreading the fastest in the city's west - with Guildford, Merrylands, Auburn, Greenacre, Bankstown, Blacktown and the surrounding suburbs listed as the areas of most concern. Ms Berejiklian said NSW was on track to hit seven million jabs in arms by the end of the week - meaning 70 per cent of the state's population had received at least one Covid-19 jab. She raised hopes NSW could reach an 80 per cent double-dose rate by December, allowing Australians to be reunited with their families in time for Christmas. But Health Minister Brad Hazzard was lost for words on Tuesday when asked why parents trying to book their teenage children in for a Pfizer jab at the Qudos Bank Arena mass vaccination hub couldn't find an appointment until October. 'We keep hearing that vaccinations are available at Qudos Bank Arena - but I've heard from someone they can't book a 16-year-old in,' a reporter told him. 'The website is showing no vaccinations until October. Is that accurate?' Mr Hazzard appeared stumped by the question, only confirming the jab shortage after consulting with one of his aides. He said health officials in NSW were urgently asking for more Pfizer doses from the federal government, but urged anyone over the age of 18 to consider getting the more readily-available AstraZeneca vaccine. Pictured is a woman outside Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown in Sydney's inner-west on Tuesday. NSW has record 1,164 Covid-19 cases and three deaths from the virus overnight 'I've got personal friends and family members who have had AstraZeneca. Go and have it. It's a very good vaccine,' he said. 'It has saved vast numbers of people right across the world from what is an extremely dangerous virus.' The figures come after it emerged more than 100 people in Sydney caught Covid-19 while staying in public hospitals and 12 have died from the virus - exposing the city's infection control procedures. As well as patients, 19 hospital staff who visit multiple patients between wards have also caught the virus across six of Sydney's largest health facilities. The most recent patient, a woman in her 60s, died at Westmead Hospital with the source of her infection at nearby Cumberland Hospital in Parramatta - where there is an outbreak of 11 cases. Health Services Union secretary Gerard Hayes said frustrated health staff already exhausted from treating patients also now had to deal with added pressure and anxiety that they could spread the virus to someone in their care. 'It can feel like they are being told they are spreading it, when what they are doing is trying to look after patients under some very tough conditions,' he told the SMH. Royal Melbourne Hospital's chief medical officer Dr Cate Kelly said NSW could learn from Victoria's second wave in 2020 in which 271 healthcare workers caught the virus. She said a number of steps brought in at Royal Melbourne Hospital proved effective at reducing transmission. 'The first step is to try and avoid it getting in, in the first place: put in all of the screening that you possibly can and obviously have PPE,' she wrote in the Medical Journal of Australia on Monday. If there is a case detected, Dr Kelly said immediately addressing the treatment environment was required - for example transferring the patient to a room with high ceilings or a negative pressure room for the most infectious, bringing in air cleaners, and limiting staff numbers. 'If no one in the cohort has become infected by day five, you can have some level of confidence that they're not going to test positive and so then you have to risk grade that against the risk of not having specialist staff there,' she said. 'Because if they go back in, and they're wearing an N95 mask, and they've been double vaccinated, the risk of transmission is low, even in that worst-case situation.' The Health Services Union said frustrated and exhausted staff also had to deal with the risk of transmitting the virus as well as care for patients (pictured: Sydney healthcare workers) There have been multiple outbreaks at public hospitals in Sydney - confined mostly to the city's south and west in 2021. At Liverpool Hospital 19 patients caught Covid-19, along with eight staff and 11 people died from the virus. At Cumberland Hospital, 12 patients were infected and one died. In Penrith, 26 patients and one staff member caught Covid at Nepean Mental Health Centre, while at Nepean Hospital 12 patients caught Covid, along with eight staff and five people died. At Canterbury Hospital 22 patients were infected and five people died. And at St George Hospital two staff caught Covid along with seven patients and two people died. October is expected to be the worst month for hospitalisations in the hardest-hit state of NSW, where 1290 cases were recorded on Monday. Royal Melbourne Hospital's chief medical officer said NSW can learn from Victoria's 2020 outbreak (pictured: Sydney health workers) Doctors have called for mandatory coronavirus vaccines for all health workers including cleaners, receptionists and contractors. Australian Medical Association President Omar Khorshid said there were worrying numbers of infected frontline workers and several clusters linked to hospitals. 'This is about health care worker safety and the safety of patients, and not about vaccines by force,' he said on Tuesday. The AMA wants nationally consistent public health orders to mandate vaccinations for all health workers as soon as possible. 'We've said plans to reopen Australia will be a disaster unless our health sector is ready and that will mean having a fully protected medical workforce,' Dr Khorshid said. Aged care workers will be required to have had at least one vaccine dose on September 17. Gladys Berejiklian has revealed her Christmas dream for NSW residents is for them to be able to visit loved ones both interstate and overseas. The NSW premier then launched a blistering attack on other state leaders who have said they will keep their borders closed to her state for months to come. She reiterated high vaccination rates were the key to greater freedoms across locked-down NSW after the state recorded 1,164 new Covid cases on Tuesday. Ms Berejiklian hopes international and domestic travel restrictions will be eased in December if 80 per cent of Australia's eligible population had been vaccinated by then. 'My absolute goal and dream is to have every Australian home for Christmas, whether it's Aussies within Australia visiting loved ones, or Aussies overseas coming back home,' she told reporters on Tuesday. Gladys Berejiklian (pictured) has revealed she hopes travel restrictions, both domestically and abroad, will be lifted by Christmas In a dig at other premiers, Ms Berejiklian said she will seek to boost the international arrival cap, which the federal government halved to 3,035 in July at the request of some state leaders. 'Once we hit 80 per cent double-dose vaccination, NSW will continue what we've done during the entire pandemic,' she said. '[We will] do more than our fair share of reuniting families, of having a compassionate approach, accepting we're all Australians and that's our absolute goal.' Under the national Covid-exit plan, some freedoms will be restored to the fully vaccinated at 70 per cent double-dose coverage, a milestone expected to be hit nationally by November 2. NSW expected to hit this mark at least two weeks earlier. Later that month, when the vaccination is forecast to reach 80 per cent if the jab rate continues on its current trajectory, state border restrictions will be eased to allow interstate travel for vaccinated Australians. But Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and WA Premier Mark McGowan oppose easing their tough border restrictions even once the targets are reached if other states' Covid case numbers remain high. Asked whether NSW will open up internationally even if the rest of the country is not ready, Ms Berejiklian said she remained committed to granting freedoms. Ms Berejiklian her dream is to have every Aussie home by Christmas, with 80 per cent of the vaccination predicted to have double doses of the jab by December. Pictured: Women swim at Bondi beach on Christmas day 2020 'We will follow what is in the national plan, that every single premier has signed up to,' she said. 'I hope premiers don't back away from that plan but National Cabinet signed off on what 80 per cent double-dose vaccination would look like and that involves consideration of international travel, of welcoming more Aussies home.' Once targets are reached, Ms Berejiklian said she will consult with the National Cabinet about opening NSW up for international travel even if domestic borders are closed. There were three deaths recorded in the 24 hours to 8pm on Monday, including a woman in her 50s from southwest Sydney, a man in his 80s from Sydney and a man in his 90s from southwest Sydney. It takes the toll for the current outbreak to 96, and to 152 for the entire pandemic. There are 871 patients in hospital NSW, with 143 in intensive care and 58 ventilated. Police are cracking down on lockdown compliance as authorities battle to contain the spread of the virulent Delta strain. The government has vowed to restore freedoms to fully-vaccinated Australians once 70 per cent of the population has received both doses. Pictured: Sydneysiders queue outside a vaccination centre in Bankstown on Sunday It comes as NSW surpasses two-thirds first-dose vaccination coverage for eligible residents. 'Being the last day of winter, I can safely say that we're looking forward to a better spring,' Ms Berejiklian told reporters. 'We want to get to the magic 70 and 80 per cent as quickly as possible.' Meanwhile, five Covid-positive men have each been fined $5,000 after NSW Police found them unmasked and mingling outside in Sydney's southwest. A Dubbo man on Monday became the first Aboriginal person in Australia to die while infected with Covid-19, prompting an urgent plea for Indigenous communities in western NSW to get vaccinated. While there has been a jump in the number of vaccines administered to the region's Indigenous residents - it has almost doubled in the past three weeks - the rate still lags behind the region's broader population. Just 6.3 per cent of Indigenous people western NSW are fully vaccinated, compared with 26 per cent of the general population. Two thirds of eligible NSW residents have received on dose of a Covid vaccine. Pictured: A man and woman venture out in Chatswood, in Sydney's Lower North Shore The majority of cases - 65 per cent - have been diagnosed among people of Aboriginal descent. Federal Labor's Linda Burney says what is unfolding in Indigenous communities in western and far western NSW is a 'disaster' with 70 people already infected in the Wilcannia community of 750. NSW health authorities have warned October is likely to be the worst month for the state's health system due to an accumulation of infections from the preceding weeks. While NSW has a surge capacity of about 2000 intensive care beds and an equivalent number of ventilators, health unions are concerned the quality of patient care in such a scenario would be greatly diluted. A businesswoman who lost her job during Covid was left emotional after a conversation with a stranger outside a supermarket led to a heartwarming gesture. Belinda Lombard, the owner of Lemongrass Catering, was standing outside her local PaknSave on August 26 at Cameron Road in Tauranga, New Zealand, when she began to talk to a man in front of her in the queue. When asked what she did for a living, Ms Lombard told the man named Fred she worked in hospitality and had lost all her business due to the current lockdown restrictions in the country. The man managed to track down Ms Lombard in the supermarket's meat department and handed the struggling businesswoman $100 to help during these challenging times. Belinda Lombard was standing outside her local supermarket in Tauranga, New Zealand, when she began a conversation with the man in front of her in the line Ms Lombard, who owns Lemongrass Catering (pictured), told the man she worked in hospitality and had lost everything due to the current lockdown restrictions The man tracked Ms Lombard down inside the store while grocery shopping and offered her around $100 to help during these challenging times Ms Lombard became emotional and teared up over the samaritan's act, but said she couldnt take the money. Ms Lombard told the NZ Herald: This man doesnt know me from scratch, but he wanted to give me money to make sure I was going to be ok. I welled up with tears in the middle of the meat department. This was a local guy who just stepped up when he didnt have to. Things are not good for people and theres this fella going out of his way to help out. I just couldnt believe it. Ms Lombard was blown away by the mans thoughtful act and wanted to spread the story to commend the samaritan and as a reminder for people to ask for help if they are going through a rough time. New Zealand recorded 49 locally acquired Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, with Tauranga set to move down to a level-three lockdown for a week along with the rest of the country south of Auckland from 11:59pm tonight. Prime Minster Scott Morrison made an abrupt exit from a radio interview and hung up on the host after he was grilled over his relationship with US President Joe Biden. The PM put down the phone when he was pressed on why the US had refused to share their Pfizer vaccine with Australia. Brisbane's 4BC radio presenter Neil Breen was left talking to himself after he suggested Australia was 'on the nose' with America. Prime Minster Scott Morrison (pictured) made an abrupt exit from a radio interview and hung up on the host after he was grilled over his relationship with US President Joe Biden 'No, not at all. I mean, I just don't agree with that,' said Mr Morrison. 'I've been dealing with the United States on many issues and we continue to do that. 'I'm not precious about these things. I just focus on getting the job done.' But before Mr Breen could reply, the PM's phone could be heard being put down and the line going dead. 'There he is. I don't think he liked the questions on Joe Biden,' said Mr Breen after the PM's awkward exit. Before hanging up on the host, the PM admitted he had yet to speak to President Biden about the US retreat from Kabul. 'No, I haven't as yet. I anticipate doing that not too far away,' said Mr Morrison. The PM put down the phone when he was pressed on why US President Joe Biden (pictured) had refused to share an excess of Pfizer vaccine with Australia He said Australia remained a close ally of the US despite the snub. 'Well, we are. And that's not affected by it. I mean, we've been in constant contact with those who have been running these operations,' he added. But he bristled when Mr Breen pushed him over the US president's refusal to boost Australia's flagging stock of the Pfizer vaccine. Australia contacted the US for access to expiring doses of excess Pfizer vaccine in early August. Since December, approximately one million vaccines has gone to waste in the US, according to the New York Times. Australia has since done a deal with Poland to access one millions doses from them and on Tuesday announced a new deal for another 500,000 doses from Singapore. But President Biden ignored Australia's plea despite encouragement from American Republicans. Since December, approximately one million vaccines has gone to waste in the US, according to the New York Times. (Pictured, vials of Pfizer vaccine 'The United States has vaccine doses set to expire at the same time our Australian mates need extra doses,' said Mike Gallagher, Republican co-chairman of the Friends of Australia congressional caucus. 'The Biden administration should be doing everything in its power to get these doses to Australia.' Mr Breen told the PM: 'He contacted Spain and Italy and France and all these other mobs. 'And I don't know, he didn't give us Pfizer vaccine. I think we're on the nose with him.' As the phoneline went dead, Mr Breen added: 'OK, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, thanks so much for your time on 4BC Breakfast.' Police have charged a 15-year-old student with attempted first-degree murder after he allegedly shot his classmate during an argument at a North Carolina high school. Chance Deablo was arrested Monday after the shooting at New Hanover High School in Wilmington, according to the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office. The school was locked down after the shooting at 11am. The student Deablo allegedly shot was taken to New Hanover Regional Medical Center to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries, County Sheriff Ed McMahon said at a news briefing. A cellphone video which appears to show the fight was published by local media, showing multiple students brawling in the school hallway. At the end of the footage, two gunshots sounds can be heard and students nearby can be heard screaming. A cellphone video which appears to show the fight was published by local media, showing multiple students brawling in the school hallway. At the end of the footage, two gunshots sounds can be heard and students nearby can be heard screaming A student was wounded in the shooting during a brawl in a hallway at New Hanover High School in Wilmington Local news station WECT said the video appeared to be filmed at North Hanover High but couldn't officially confirm its authenticity. Deablo now faces a string of charges over the alleged shooting. s well as being charged for attempting first-degree murder, he faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury; possession of a weapon on school grounds; and discharging a firearm on school grounds. 'This is something that we are not going to tolerate,' Sheriff McMahon said at a news conference. 'Our schools need to be the safest place for our children to be.' Deablo is currently charged as a juvenile, but the case could be moved to an adult court due to the severity of the crime, New Hanover County District Attorney Ben David told WRAL-TV. Both Jennifer and Aiden Wright said it was the first time they had heard and seen a gun inside New Hanover High Junior Aiden Wright told WRAL-TV he thought an active shooter was targeting the school and that he ran to hide. His mother, a teacher at the school had her students shelter in place. 'I saw so many people getting thrown around,' Wright said. 'There was a lot of kids screaming [and] throwing things. There were some people crying.' 'It was very traumatic for a lot of these kids and for us, too,' teacher Jennifer Wright told WRAL-TV. 'We are just trying to get back to normal, and it is kind of a shock that we went through something like this at the start of a school year.' New Hanover County Schools held a news conference after Monday's shooting New Hanover County Schools Superintendent Charles Foust called the shooting 'a sad day' for the district. 'Nothing matters to us more than student safety,' Foust said. 'If we don't get that right, then everything else we're working toward as educators falls short.' He added that district officials will intend to review the shooting in the coming weeks to determine if any changes are needed, he said. Both Jennifer and Aiden Wright said it was the first time they had heard and seen a gun inside New Hanover High before Monday Classes are reportedly cancelled at New Hanover High on Tuesday, and a crisis team will be available on the school's campus for students and faculty. A man found inside a western Sydney brothel operating in breach of lockdown closures claimed he was only there to provide a quote for a paint job, as the establishment and its customers were fined a total of $12,500 by NSW Police. The brothel at Rydalmere is located in the Parramatta LGA, a designated area of concern in the greater Sydney region, meaning it was not permitted to be open. Police responded to a CrimeStoppers call about a possible breach on Monday night to find the brothel's 57-year-old female owner, three female employees aged 31, 36 and 56, and two male clients, aged 56 and 57, inside. Police responded to a Crime Stoppers call on Monday night to find employees and clients at a Rydalmere brothel in Sydney's west, in breach of lockdown rules in the Parramatta LGA None of those found at the premises were wearing masks, police said. All denied that the business was currently operating. One man told police he was there to quote on a paint job, while the other said he was visiting his girlfriend. Police established the brothel was in operation and fined the owner $5,000 for failure to comply with the health direction regarding businesses. One man found at the premises told police he was there to quote on a paint job, while the other said he was visiting his girlfriend Five $1000 fines were also handed out for breaching the curfew in an LGA of concern, while five $500 fines were issued for not wearing a face mask. The 36-year-old woman escaped the $1000 fine after it was established she lives at the premises. Despite police breaking up the gathering, the 31-year-old woman allegedly tried to return to the brothel a short time later. Stay-at home orders remain in place for 11 Sydney LGAs and some suburbs of Penrith. A curfew is currently in place for these LGAs, meaning you cannot leave your home between 9pm and 5am unless you have a reasonable excuse. New South Wales health minister Brad Hazzard has unloaded on anti-vaxxers still refusing to get a Covid jab, branding them 'self-entitled and indulgent'. Mr Hazzard lashed out after the state recorded another 1164 Covid cases and three deaths, as medics warned some hospitals and healthcare workers were at breaking point. But Mr Hazzard blamed anyone who was delaying getting vaccinated for making the situation worse. 'Not getting vaccinated is actually self-entitled and indulgent in the extreme in the middle of a pandemic,' he said at Tuesday morning's daily Covid briefing. New South Wales health minister Brad Hazzard (pictured) has unloaded on anti-vaxxers still refusing to get a Covid jab, branding them 'self-entitled and indulgent' 'Go and get vaccinated and be fair to the rest of your community.' Liverpool, Westmead and Nepean hospitals in Sydney's covid-riddled west and south-west are said to be close to capacity with almost 350 coronavirus patients. But the health minister dismissed reports of nurses quitting the profession over the stress of dealing with disease on a daily basis. And he insisted: 'This pandemic has been a clarion call to nurses - nurses in the profession, but also nurses who have left the profession to come back and fight this virus. 'If there are some that haven't decided to respond to that, well, it's a matter for them.' He added: 'It doesn't matter whether you're the cleaners, nurses, doctors or the administrative staff - they're all working their backsides off, putting it bluntly. 'That's why we keep saying, give them a fair go, folks - go and get vaccinated.' NSW recorded another 1164 Covid cases and three deaths, as medics warned some hospitals and healthcare workers were at breaking point. (Pictured, Westmead Hospital in Sydney's west) Liverpool Hospital intensive care nursing manager Michelle Dowd (pictured) admitted the workload of dealing with Covid patients in ICU was intensely difficult Liverpool (pictured), Westmead and Nepean hospitals in Sydney's covid-riddled west and south-west are said to be close to capacity with almost 350 coronavirus patients New South Wales has now delivered 6.8million jabs, with 36.1 per cent of the adult population now fully vaccinated. Liverpool Hospital intensive care nursing manager Michelle Dowd admitted the workload of dealing with Covid patients in ICU was intensely difficult. 'Looking after COVID patients is not just emotionally hard for intensive care nurses,' she said on Tuesday. 'It's physically really hard work as well. 'These patients are some of the sickest we've ever seen. They require so much support and monitoring, and physical care. 'We're in layers of PPE, sometimes for hours at a time. This is really physically hard work' Michelle Dowd admitted ICU was stretched by the sheer numbers of patients, even if it was being shared across the NSW health system. (Pictured, Nepean Hospital in Sydney's west) She admitted ICU was stretched by the sheer numbers of patients, even if it was being shared across the NSW health system. But she begged everyone to get vaccinated to curb the spread of the disease and bring relief to the healthcare system, and healthcare workers. 'We really need your help to stop the spread and keep people out of hospital and out of intensive care,' she said. 'This virus is literally ripping families apart. Many of our patients with COVID are young, they're normally fit and healthy. Michelle Down begged everyone to get vaccinated to curb the spread of the disease and bring relief to the healthcare system, and healthcare workers. (Pictured, a Sydneysider being vaccinated at the city's Qudos Arena vaccination hub) 'They come from a variety of backgrounds, but the one thing that they have in common is that they are mostly all unvaccinated. 'We'll be with you right through this event. We need you to be with us now. If you haven't booked your vaccine, please go out today and book that vaccination.' With her voice trembling with emotion, she added: 'You don't just protect yourself, you protect your family, your friends, strangers - you will save lives. 'You'll help us to save lives.' Canberra's lockdown will be extended until midnight on September 17 to deal with a Covid-19 outbreak. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the lockdown had proven to be effective but it was essential to keep it going to reduce the outbreak. 'It is a slow process and it will take more time,' Mr Barr told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday. 'We still have unlinked cases in the community.' ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr (pictured) announced Canberra's lockdown would be extended to September 17 as the territory recorded 13 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday A number of changes will be made to lockdown settings from this Thursday. Another 13 cases were reported on Tuesday, with seven linked to current exposure sites and six are under investigation. It takes the total number of active cases in the ACT to 242. Four of the cases were in quarantine for their entire infectious period. At least eight people were infectious in the community, with the remaining case still under investigation. Thirteen people are in hospital with three in intensive care. Australia will take 500,00 vaccines from Singapore this week in a jab swap deal brokered by the countries' prime ministers. The doses will be shared between the states and territories on a per capita basis and distributed next week. In return, Australia will give Singapore the same amount of Pfizer doses in December. Scott Morrison (left) and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (right) shake hands at the Istana Presidential Palace in Singapore on June 7, 2021 500,000 doses handed to states Per capita distribution: New South Wales 159,236 Victoria 131,149 Queensland 99,745 Western Australia 51,294 South Australia 34,934 Tasmania 10,675 Australian Capital Territory 8,344 Northern Territory 4,622 Advertisement Singapore was happy to hand over its doses because 77.6 per cent of its citizens are fully vaccinated already. It could then use Australia's doses as booster shots in December. 'I want to particularly thank Prime Minister Lee, whom I directly discussed and pursued this matter with,' Scott Morrison said as he announced the deal. The Prime Minister has been scrambling to secure more Pfizer jabs from friendly countries as Australia's rollout ramps up with 34.41 per cent of over 16s fully vaccinated. Two weeks ago the Federal Government bought 1million Pfizer doses from Poland, giving half to Covid-ravaged NSW and splitting the rest between the other states and territories. Victoria complained that NSW was given preferential treatment and demanded a fair share of any more extra supplies. '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. Mr Morrison said he had 'more irons in the fire' in terms of securing more Pfizer from allies. 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. Australia will take 500,00 vaccines from Singapore this week in a jab swap deal. Pictured: Pfizer doses arrive at Sydney Airport in February '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. 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. 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 One of the most popular stationary companies in the world has collapsed amid Australia's tough lockdowns, only a year after it first went into administration. Kristina Karlsson and Paul Lacy, the founders of cult stationary brand kikki.K, were forced to break the news of the collapse to staff this week. The much-loved brand that sells Swedish-style calendars, pens, diaries, notebooks and cards previously went into voluntary administration last March. The founders have blamed the most recent collapse on tough lockdown restrictions that forced the closure of at least 18 stores, the AFR reported. Kristina Karlsson (pictured) and Paul Lacy, the founders of cult stationary brand kikki.K were forced to break the news of the brands collapse to staff this week The much-loved brand that sells Swedish-style calendars, pens, diaries, notebooks and cards previously went into voluntary administration in March of 2020 'Today is a sad day. Writing this note together is a sad task, and we still cant quite believe its happening - again,' a joint statement from the founders read. Kikki.K have also been forced to sack a large portion of its 300 employees who work in Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT. The brand relies heavily on in-store sales in franchises in Australia and New Zealand, with online purchases proving not enough to keep the company afloat. After collapsing for the first time 17 months ago, the business was sold to lifestyle brand Erin Condren Designs in June, who took over the reins in August. The company - which was founded in 2001 - owed $20million to creditors and was subsequently placed into administration under Cor Cordis, following a 'perfect storm' of conditions that led to the shutdown. As the never-ending cycle of lockdowns continues to cripple Australian businesses, Erin Condren decided it was too risky to continue funding the brand. The founders have blamed the most recent collapse on tough lockdown restrictions that forced the closure of at least 18 stores and a large majority of 300 employees stood down 'Due to the prolonged challenges from the pandemic, kikki.K will proceed into voluntary administration in order to determine the best path forward for the brand,' EC Designs spokeswoman Tonia Misvaer said. Citing the 'unprecedented and extraordinary circumstances' presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, kikki.K founders admitted the decision to close up shop would 'profoundly' impact on their partners, suppliers and stakeholders. 'The loss of revenue from the forced and extended closure of so many of our stores due to the Covid pandemic as part of the government ordered lockdowns has taken a direct, massive and insurmountable toll,' the founders wrote to staff. The administrators, Liam Healey and Quentin Olde of global restructuring firm Ankura, will now be tasked with the tough gig of finding a buyer for the brand. Mr Lacy and Ms Karlsson have vowed to work closely with the administrators to explore all possible options for their 'beloved' brand and to support employees. The brand relies heavily on in-store sales in franchises in Australia and New Zealand, with online purchases proving not enough to keep the company afloat They remain optimistic the business will find its feet with a willing buyer but say the collapse was a 'tough moment' in their 20-year journey. The company, which boasts 359,000 followers on Instagram, is believed to have sparked the interest of a Chinese company before the deal with EC Designs. Mr Lacy has assured customers the business would continue to operate while Ankura decided on the best way forward and corresponded with key players. Ms Karlsson previously revealed to MamaMia that 20 years ago she had woken her husband Paul up in the middle of the night to ask what she should do career-wise. Before the recent collapse the company had 102 global stores with its stationary stocked in an additional 250 and sold online to 147 countries (pictured, co-founder Kristina Karlsson) The Melbourne-based mother-of-two had been living pay cheque to pay cheque at the time and lacked experience as well as a university education. The woman behind kikki.K said that she felt stuck, and so her husband told her to grab a pen and notepad. He said: 'Let's write down on paper what's important to you. Let's see if we can help you get some direction.' She said neither of them knew what that list would mean, but it was the catalyst that would eventually help her begin kikki.K. Before the recent collapse, Ms Karlsson's company had 102 global stores with its stationary stocked in an additional 250 and sold online to 147 countries. The fathers of two of the U.S. Marines killed in Afghanistan last week have blasted President Joe Biden for repeatedly checking his watch at a ceremony marking the return of the 13 US servicemembers killed. Mark Schmitz - the father of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz - and Darin Hoover - the father of Staff Sgt Darin Taylor Hoover Jr. - spoke to Fox News host Sean Hannity on Monday night. Both claimed the commander in chief did not just check his watch once, but after every casket was removed from the plane. Hoover also told how he refused to meet with the president at the event. Schmitz said his own meeting 'didn't go well', and Biden spent more time talking about his own son Beau than Jared Schmitz. Jared Schmitz (left) and Taylor Hoover were among 13 members of the U.S. military to be killed by an ISIS-K suicide bomber on August 26 at Kabul airport Mark Schmitz (left) and Darin Hoover (center) appeared on Sean Hannity's show on Monday President Joe Biden is under fire for appearing to look at his watch during Sunday's 'dignified transfer' onto American soil of the 13 American troops killed in Thursday's Kabul suicide bomb attack The president appeared to repeatedly check his watch during the ceremony on Sunday Schmitz said Biden spoke of losing his son Beau Biden, an Iraq veteran, to cancer six years ago. But Schmitz said that he wanted to talk about Jared instead and that he and his wife took out a photo of their son to show the president. "I said: 'Don't you ever forget that name. Don't you ever forget that face. Don't you ever forget the names of the other 12,'" Schmitz told The Post. "'And take some time to learn their stories.'" But according to Schmitz, the president didn't like that and bristled, replying: 'I do know their stories.' Both fathers said they were particularly upset when Biden repeatedly checked his watch during Sunday's ceremony, as their sons' bodies arrived back in the US. 'The checking of his watch, that didn't happen just once,' said Hoover. 'That happened on every single one that came out of that airplane. It happened on every single one of them. 'They would release the salute, and he would look down at his watch on every last one, all 13, he looked down at his watch. 'As a father, you know, seeing that and the disrespect...' Schmitz added: 'I leaned into my son's mother's ear and I said, I swear to God, if he checks his watch one more time - and that was probably only four times in. 'I couldn't look at him anymore after that. 'Considering especially the time and why we were there, I found it to be the most disrespectful thing I've ever seen.' 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 The president stood with his hand over his heart as remains were carried in a flag-draped casket by service members at the Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware on Sunday President Joe Biden attended on Sunday the dignified transfer of the remains of service members killed in the Kabul airport attack 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 The president saluted at the top of the stairs before boarding Air Force One on Sunday morning The president made the unannounced trip to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Sunday morning as the caskets of the 13 service members killed in the attack were brought back to the United States. He stood in silence, his right hand to his chest, as a succession of flag draped transfer coffins were carried past him from a C-17 Globemaster plane. But during the ceremony, Biden appears to jerk his left arm up and look down at his watch. The 13 killed on Thursday were Navy corpsman Max Soviak, Army Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss, and Marines Hunter Lopez, Rylee McCollum, David Lee Espinoza, Kareem Nikoui, Jared Schmitz, Daegan Page, Taylor Hoover, Humberto Sanchez, Johanny Rosario, Dylan Merola and Nicole Gee. Their remains arrived at Dover Air Force Base, at 8am for a 'dignified transfer,' the solemn moment when fallen troops return to American soil. Mark Schmitz, from Missouri, said he was also left disappointed by his meeting with Biden. 'Initially, I wasn't going to meet with him, but then I felt I owed it to my son to at least have some words with him about how I felt,' said Schmitz. 'And it didn't go well. 'He talked a bit more about his own son than we did my own son in that didn't sit well with me.' Biden's own son Beau served in Iraq, and died in 2015 from a brain tumor, aged 46. The president has frequently referenced Beau and his service, explaining that he feels kinship with military families and understands the feeling of loss. Hoover, from Utah, said their family decided to turn down the chance to meet Biden. Darin Hoover (pictured) told Hannity his family rejected Biden's offer of speaking to them 'We said absolutely not,' he told Hannity. 'We didn't want to deal with them, we didn't want to we didn't want him anywhere near us. 'We as a family decided that that was the way it was going to be.' Both fathers paid tribute to their sons, with Hoover - whose son was due home on September 15, to retire and marry his fiancee Nicole - describing them all as heroes. 'Every one of them is a hero. There's no doubt,' he said. 'Every last one of them. 'They died with their brothers and their sisters right next to them. 'Doing exactly what they all wanted to do. And that is defending this country.' A solider killed when an army truck rolled down an embankment has been remembered as loving and hardworking by his family. Private Brendon Payne, 29, and another soldier, 40, who is yet to be identified, both died when the army vehicle they were travelling in veered from a public road at Dotswood, west of Townsville, and rolled down an embankment on Monday afternoon. The soldiers were from 7th Combat Brigade, a unit based at Gallipoli Barracks at Enoggera in Brisbane. The two men had travelled from their Brisbane base for a training exercise in the Townsville area. Private Brendon Payne, 29, was part of the 7th Combat Brigade, a unit based at Gallipoli Barracks at Enoggera in Brisbane Tributes online for Mr Payne, a private, have come from friends and family. 'Words cannot express the heartache my family and my brother and his family [at] losing his first born,' Brendon's aunt Leanne wrote. 'Our beautiful Aimee, Brendon's wife and best friend, know that we love you so very much and thank you for coming into our lives but mostly for making our Brendon the happiest man ever.' A close friend posted: 'My brother, I can't even speak it's like [a] dagger gone into my heart. You are honestly one of my best friends, my brother in arms.' 'Always a good dude. Quiet yet friendly. Fly high brother!' Wrote another friend who used to work with Mr Payne on the Gold Coast. 'This is a tragic accident and our deepest sympathies go to the families and loved ones of our soldiers,' Chief of the Army Lieutenant General Rick Burr said. 'My brother, I can't even speak it's like [a] dagger gone into my heart. You are honestly one of my best friends, my brother in arms,' a friend posted online in a tribute to Mr Payne Defence Minister Peter Dutton also called Mr Payne's death 'tragic', while Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk offered her condolences to the family during a speech to the state parliament. 'ADF set up a major incident room at Lavarack Barracks and QPS Forensic Unit is investigating the incident,' she said. Mr Payne's Facebook indicated he had been married since April 2019 after becoming engaged in 2017. State Trooper #1 Cuomo is accused of sexually harassed a state trooper, referred to in the report as Trooper #1, who he hired onto his protective detail in 2017 - bending the three-year experience requirement. Although she had only completed two years on the force, the governor reportedly wanted the unnamed trooper in his inner circle. He is said to have asked a senior member of his security detail to add her to the team even though she did not meet the standard requirement. 'Ha ha, they changed the minimum from 3 years to 2 just for you,' the senior security member told the trooper in an email, which was included in the AG's report. Once she was on his team, he allegedly harassed her on a number of occasions, including one where he ran his hand across her stomach from her belly button to her right hip while she was holding the door open for him at an event. 'I felt...completely violated because to me...that's between my chest and my privates,' the trooper said, according to Business Insider. 'But, you know, I'm here to do a job.' He also ran is accused 'running his finger down her back' while they were in an elevator together and saying 'hey you', and kissing her on the cheek in front of another trooper. 'I remember just freezing, being - in the back of my head, I'm like, oh, how do I say no politely because in my head if I said no, he's going to take it out on the detail. And now I'm on the bad list,' the trooper said. Cuomo also allegedly asked her to help him find a girlfriend and said he wanted someone who 'liked pain', and asked her why she wanted to get married, saying 'your sex drive goes down'. 'Trooper #1 found these interactions with the Governor not only offensive and uncomfortable, but markedly different from the way the Governor interacted with members of the PSU who were men, and she conveyed these incidents contemporaneously to colleagues,' the report reads. The trooper said she was afraid of being retaliated against if she were to speak out against the behavior. The State Troopers Police Benevolent Association said in a statement on Tuesday that it was 'dismayed and disturbed' by the findings. Tom Mungeer, president of the association, said: 'I'm outraged and disgusted that one of my members, who was tasked with guarding the governor and ensuring his safety, could not enjoy the same sense of security in her work environment that he was provided.' State Entity Employee #2 A doctor says she was sexually harassed while administering a televised COVID-19 test to Cuomo. The doctor who administered a COVID-19 test to Cuomo she was sexually harassed during the incident. On May 17, 2020 Cuomo told the medic, in front of cameras 'nice to see you doctor, you make that gown look good'. The doctor, who appeared in full PPE gear, did not respond to his comment. Cuomo is accused of sexually harassing the medic while she administered him a COVID-19 test in front of cameras Cuomo allegedly made comments towards the medic that were sexual in nature. He said: 'Nice to see you doctor, you make that gown look good' The report also claims that before the test, Cuomo asked her not to swab him so hard that it 'hit his brain'. She replied that she'd be 'gentle but accurate' and he said 'I've heard that before,' which the doctor said was 'implied in a sexual nature'. The medic considered the interaction to be sexual harassment and investigators agreed. Another unnamed 'state entity employee' The unidentified employee, identified in the report as 'State Entity Employee #1,' said she attended an event with Cuomo in September 2019. After giving a speech, Cuomo is said to have posed for pictures with her. While the picture was being taken, he 'grabbed her butt'. 'The employee was shocked and discussed it with a number of friends, family and co-workers,' the report says. She also 'memorialized the Governor's inappropriate touching' contemporaneously, but the report doesn't say how. 'Executive Assistant One' Cuomo is accused of groping an executive assistant, whose identity remains anonymous, at an event last November after routinely engaging in a pattern of impropriate conduct that began in late 2019. The report includes photos of Cuomo with a woman described as 'executive assistant one' The report says Cuomo repeatedly sexually harassed 'Executive Assistant One' when she worked for him by subjecting her to 'close and intimate hugs', 'kisses on the cheeks and forehead', 'at least one kiss on the lips' and 'touching her butt'. He allegedly referred to her and one other assistant as 'mingle mamas' and asked her repeatedly if she would ever cheat on her husband. On December 31, 2019, Cuomo asked her to take a selfies of them as they worked together inside his office at the Executive Mansion. As she held up the camera, Cuomo 'moved his hand to grab her butt cheek and began to rub it' for at least five seconds, the report alleges. The assistant 'was shaking so much during this interaction' that the photos came out blurry and Cuomo suggested the two sit down to take one more, the document says. That photo, showing Cuomo smirking while he sits back on a couch with the aide, is included in the report. The governor then allegedly told her to send the snap to another aide, Alyssa McGrath - who has also accused Cuomo of sexual harassment - and said 'not to share the photograph with anyone else.' The woman said she didn't report what happened because she was terrified. '[T]he way he was so firm with [me] that I couldn't show anyone else that photo, I was just terrified that if I shared what was going on that it would somehow get around,' she told investigators. Cuomo admitted that he and the staffer took a photo together, but said it was her idea, because 'he does not like to take selfies.' In November 2020, he allegedly groped her breast at the Executive Mansion in Albany. 'For over three months, Executive Assistant #1 kept this groping incident to herself and planned to take it 'to the grave,' but found herself becoming emotional (in a way that was visible to her colleagues in the Executive Chamber) while watching the Governor state, at a press conference on March 3, 2021, that he had never 'touched anyone inappropriately.' She then confided in certain of her colleagues, who in turn reported her allegations to senior staff in the Executive Chamber, the report says. Cuomo, in a defiant address after the report was published, presented a montage of photos of him being tactile with people such as Bill Clinton, his mother and Robert De Niro. He used the photo show to claim he was never abusive, but merely someone who frequently hugged and touched people Cuomo, who served as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Clinton administration, is seen above planting a kiss on the cheek of former Vice President Al Gore Cuomo's montage included another image of him planting a kiss on his mother's forehead Cuomo included a photo above showing the governor grabbing a young boy's face The assistant was summoned to the mansion under the pretext of having to assist Cuomo with a technical issue involving his phone, the Times Union reported in March. The two were alone together on the second floor of the residence when Cuomo allegedly closed the door, reached under the woman's blouse and began to fondle her. 'You're going to get us in trouble,' the woman said she told Cuomo, who replied, 'I don't care,' according to the report. His demeanor 'wasn't like 'ha ha,' it was like, 'I don't care.' . . . It was like in this - at that moment he was sexually driven. I could tell and the way he said it, I could tell,' the woman testified. The governor then 'slid his hand up her blouse, and grabbed her breast, cupping her breast over her bra,' the report alleges. A source familiar with the incident told the newspaper that the victim had asked Cuomo to stop. This was allegedly the only time he touched her; all other instances involved flirtatious behavior. Lindsey Boylan Boylan, who was the first accuser to speak out publicly, said that Cuomo made inappropriate remarks to her when she worked as chief of staff to the CEO of the Empire State Development Corporation. Boylan is seen in Washington Square Park in Manhattan on March 20 at a rally demanding Cuomo resign Cuomo said that he found her attractive and that he wanted to play strip poker. She also said that he physically touched her on various parts of her body, including her waist, legs, and back. She claimed that once she reported her allegations, she was victimized by his team who ran a smear campaign against her while she ran for office. The alleged harassment took place between 2015 and 2018. Reports released earlier this year revealed that Cuomo's top aide tried to discredit Boylan and allegedly called at least six former employees looking for dirt on her. Lindsey Boylan was the first accuser to speak out publicly against Cuomo. She says he made inappropriate comments towards her and physically touched her on various parts of her body Charlotte Bennett Bennett worked briefly for Cuomo as an aide. She was a health policy adviser in the New York governor's administration, hired in the spring of 2019 and swiftly promoted to senior briefer and executive assistant only a few months later. AG Letitia James says her allegations that Cuomo harassed her with a series of comments are corroborated. Among his alleged remarks are questions about if she'd date older men, asking her help to find a girlfriend, and apparently quizzing her on a sexual assault she had endured. Charlotte Bennett, who worked for Cuomo last year, told CBS News she felt 'vindicated' by the report EXCLUSIVE: I feel vindicated, former Gov. Cuomo aide Charlotte Bennett tells @NorahODonnell after New Yorks attorney general said she believed the women who came forward saying they had been sexually harassed by the governor. pic.twitter.com/O6Iwjndwo8 CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) August 3, 2021 Charlotte Bennett worked briefly as a an aide for Cuomo. He allegedly asked her questions about if she'd date older men, asking her help to find a girlfriend, and apparently quizzing her on a sexual assault she had endured One of the other comments that he made was that he wanted to ride into the mountains with women. Bennett had a friendly relationship with Cuomo due to their mutual ties to Westchester County, and saw him as a mentor. Charlotte Bennett made notes about her experience working with Cuomo which she gave to investigators In an interview earlier this year, Bennett said her first awkward conversation with Cuomo occurred on May 15, 2020. The report included text messages between Charlotte Bennett and another aide, and conversations she had with her parents where she had she had a 'great conversation' with the 'Governor', and others where she says he made her feel uncomfortable. 'The governor invited me to lift weights with him,' she wrote in one message. 'He challenged me to a push-up competition'. She had told her parents how he was surprised to learn that she lifted weights and boxed, and that he had asked her to do push-ups in the office. In another text chain she said Cuomo 'talked about age difference in relationships,' calling his comments 'explicit'. Charlotte Bennett saw Cuomo as a mentor, but she says he was clear he wanted more The report also included messages in which Bennett tells a confidant that she was incredibly uncomfortable following an interaction in the office. Bennett said she was 'shaking' and 'so upset and so confused'. In texts to another aide, Bennett said Cuomo repeated to her 'over and over' that she had been 'raped'. Cuomo was also recorded singing the popular 1960s love song Do You Love Me?, by the Contours, to Bennett during a phone call in 2019. According to the New York Post, Bennett initiated the phone call saying, 'Hi, governor. This is Charlotte'. Cuomo allegedly answered the call with 'Are you ready? Doo, doo, doo,' and proceeded to ask her if she was familiar with the song. Bennett told him the song was 'before her time'. Cuomo allegedly continued singing, 'Do you love me? Do you really love me? Do you love me? Do you care?' Virginia Limmiatis Virginia Limmiatis worked for National Grid and was wearing a t-shirt with the company's name written across her chest when she says she met Cuomo. Virginia Limmiatis worked for the National Grid when Cuomo allegedly groped her He ran his 'two fingers across her chest, pressing down on each of the letters as he did so and reading out the name of the company as he went'. The report says he then 'leaned in, with his face close to her cheek, and said 'I'm going to say I see a spider on your shoulder' before brushing the area between her shoulder and her breasts'. 'Ms. Limmiatis came forward in this investigation after she heard the governor state, during the March 3, 2021 press conference, that he had never touched anyone inappropriately. 'As Ms. Limmiatis testified to us, 'He is lying again. He touched me inappropriately. I am compelled to come forward to tell the truth... I didn't know how to report what he did to me at the time and was burdened by shame, but not coming forward now would make me complicit in his lie, and I won't do it.'' Alyssa McGrath McGrath, 35, was the first current employee to accuse Cuomo, and works as an executive assistant. 'In his interactions with another executive assistant, Alyssa McGrath, the Governor made inappropriate comments and engaged in harassing conduct, including: regularly asking about her personal life, including her marital status and divorce; asking whether Ms. McGrath would tell on Executive Assistant #1 if she were to cheat on her husband - and whether Ms. McGrath herself planned to 'mingle' with men'. She also claimed he looked down her shirt to compliment her on her necklace, told her that she's beautiful in Italian and kissed her on the forehead during an office Christmas party in 2019. Alyssa McGrath was quizzed by Cuomo about her marital status and divorce and kissed on the forehead by Cuomo at an office Christmas party Her attorney, Mariann Wang, said on Tuesday that McGrath and another accuser she represents, Virginia Limmiatis, were relieved. The two women 'feel profoundly grateful to the AG's team for taking this seriously and examining their reports thoroughly and carefully.' Wang continued: 'Cuomo's misogyny and abuse cannot be denied. He has been doing this for years, without any repercussions. 'He should not be in charge of our government and should not be in any position of power over anyone else.' 'Kaitlin' Kaitlin - whose second name is not public - met the governor in 2016 at a fundraising event where they were photographed together in a dance pose. Afterwards, she was hired by him in a junior position but given a salary of $120,000 - a figure so high she says it was laughed at in her interview. Ana Liss Liss, 35, worked in the Executive Chamber between 2013 and 2015, during which time she says the governor subjected her to sexual harassment that included being called 'sweetheart' and 'darling', and placing his hand around her lower waist. Ana Liss (pictured) worked in the Executive Chamber between 2013 and 2015, during which time she says the governor subjected her to sexual harassment that included being called 'sweetheart' and 'darling', and placing his hand around her lower waist He also kissed her hands and cheek, she said. Despite feeling uncomfortable, she says she did not report them because 'for whatever reason, in his office the rules were different.' She added: 'It was just, you should view it as a compliment if the Governor finds you aesthetically pleasing enough, if he finds you interesting enough to ask questions like that. 'And so even though it was strange and uncomfortable and technically not permissible in a typical workplace environment, I was in this mindset that it was the twilight zone and...the typical rules did not apply.' Anna Ruch Ruch was a guest at a wedding, as was the governor, in 2019 when she says he put his hands on a section of her back that was exposed by a cut-out in her dress. She grabbed his wrist to move it away and he responded by saying 'wow, you're aggressive,' according to the report. Cuomo then grabbed her face with both of his hands and said 'can I kiss you?' He was pictured kissing her cheek. Anna Ruch was a guest at a wedding, as was Cuomo, in 2019. She says he put his hands on a section of her back that was exposed by a cut-out in her dress Karen Hinton Karen Hinton, 62, spoke to the Washington Post about an incident in which Cuomo summoned her to his 'dimly lit' hotel room and embraced her after a work event in 2000. She was not among the 11 women on who the attorney general based her report. Hinton said that she tried to pull away from Cuomo, but that he pulled her back and held her before she backed away and escaped the room. Peter Ajemian, Cuomo's director of communications, told the Post that Hinton is a 'known antagonist of the Governor's who is attempting to take advantage of this moment to score cheap points with made up allegations from 21 years ago'. 'All women have the right to come forward and tell their story however, it's also the responsibility of the press to consider self-motivation. This is reckless,' he added. Karen Hinton, 62, (pictured above) claims the governor summoned her to his 'dimly lit' hotel room and embraced her after a work event in 2000 before she managed to escape In response, Hinton told the Post that 'attacking the accuser is the classic playbook of powerful men trying to protect themselves' as she said that watching Cuomo's apologetic press conference 'drove me crazy'. 'I really thought the flirt wasn't about having sex,' Hinton said. 'It was about controlling the relationship.' At the time of the alleged encounter in the hotel room, Cuomo would have been leading the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Hinton was a consultant after moving to California. The Post reports that Hinton and Cuomo have a contentious past and that they had a major blow up before she left the agency in 1999, remaining on as a consultant. She had joined Cuomo in Los Angeles to promote a HUD program and later had dinner in his hotel before allegedly receiving a phone call from him stating: 'Why don't you come to my room and let's catch up?' Hinton said that she began to think it was unusual when Cuomo asked her to avoid being seen by Clarence Day, his longtime head of security, but that she continued to his room anyway. 'I paused for a second,' she told the Post about noticing the low lights in the room. 'Why are the lights so low? He never keeps the lights this low.' Hinton said they sat on opposite couches and talked about their work at HUD and that Cuomo asked her personal questions about her life and marriage - including if she would leave her husband. She claims that she grew self-conscious after speaking so much about herself and went to leave. 'I stand up and say, 'It's getting late, I need to go,' ' she said, describing the embrace Cuomo gave her as 'very long, too long, too tight, too intimate'. 'He pulls me back for another intimate embrace,' she said. 'I thought at that moment it could lead to a kiss, it could lead to other things, so I just pull away again, and I leave.' Hinton told the Post that she viewed the move as a 'power play' for 'manipulation and control' and that the pair never discussed the incident again, although they have remained in touch. She has both publicly praised Cuomo and been critical of him, especially when working as press secretary in 2015 and 2016 for New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, with whom the governor has an intense rivalry. The Post spoke to two people who confirmed that Hinton had told them about the hotel incident after it happened. A popular Instagram model and social media influencer has been found dead in her apartment in what police believe to be a murder-suicide. Janae Gagnier - known as Miss Mercedes Morr to her 2.6million Instagram followers - was found dead in the Cortland Sugar Land apartments in Richmond, Texas, by police who were asked to carry out a wellness check. The Fort Bend County Medical Examiner found she had been strangled to death, according to KHOU 11. Police also found the body of 34-year-old Kevin Alexander Accorto, of Florida. The medical examiner said he had killed himself with 'multiple sharp force trauma'. 'It is not believed that there was a relationship between the suspect and the victim', Richmond police said in a statement. Authorities said there was no sign of forced entry at the apartment, and they are treating the deaths as a murder-suicide. Sister London Gagnier claimed that Janae was being stalked before her death. London posted on Instagram, 'She wasn't robbed. It was just a stalker from outta state who'd BEEN stalking her.' Police have not commented on a possible motive, and said investigations are continuing. Janae Gagnier - known as Miss Mercedes Morr on social media - was found dead in the Cortland Sugar Land apartments in Richmond, Texas Social media star 'Miss Mercedes Morr' was found dead in an apparent murder-suicide at her home in Cortland Sugar Land Apartments (pictured) Police also found the body of 34-year-old Kevin Alexander Accorto, of Florida Gagnier had more than 2.6million followers and was followed by many celebrities on Instagram including rappers Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, Snoop Dogg, Meek Mill and more. She was also a popular content creator on OnlyFans. The rapper Bow Wow wrote on her Instagram, 'Stop playing we just spoke on thurs don't do me like this yo! Naaa.' Torey Lanez wrote on his Instagram story, 'Rest in Peace Queen.' In a second Instagram post, Janae's sister London mourned her death, writing: 'Yesterday was the worst day of my life .. my heart is gone. My soul is gone.' London also revealed that her and her mom checked on Janae, who is also survived by her brother, last Thursday. She said that she was having 'an amazing time.' Gagnier's friend, who goes by HTownCiara on Instagram, said that 'Mercedes did not have a sugar daddy or a pimp. Never did. She was not robbed. She did not have HIV. She didn't have COVID, she wasn't in an accident. Yes she was murdered.' 'When the investigation is complete the family will release more details.' HTownCiara added, 'It's crazy that we have to even post this but y'all getting outta line with these crazy disrespectful ass stories.' 'It is not believed that there was a relationship between the suspect and the victim', Richmond police said in a statement Gagnier's neighbors responded on Monday to KPRC-TV about the murder. 'What I thought was safe it seems is not. We have so many rules and so many guidelines I would never expect someone to breach our security and someone be murdered on this property,' said Roderick Shaw. 'It's safe over here, we have the gates the fence, you got to have a code to get in a code to get out, I'm just in shock,' said Edna Swist. Australia won't be able to rely on China to keep buying so much iron ore to keep the money flowing in as the border remains closed, experts fear. Iron ore prices climbed above $US200 a metric tonne in May for the first time ever, with adversarial China buying more of the material used to make steel. As a result, Australia had a record $20.5billion current account surplus in the June quarter, where exports were worth considerably more than imports. Metal ores and minerals were by far Australia's most lucrative export, rising by 9 per cent to $53.3billion. Australia won't be able to rely on China to keep buying so much iron ore to keep the money flowing in as the border remains closed, experts fear (pictured is Chinese President Xi Jinping) Andrew Tomadini, the head of international data at the Australian Bureau of Statistics, said the strong export earnings 'came off the back of strong bulk commodity prices'. But since the figures were taken, iron ore prices have plunged, being worth $US159 as of August 31. BIS Oxford Economics analyst Thomas Rudgley said Australia could not keep on relying on China to have exports worth significantly more than imports. 'Looking ahead the current account balance is set to fall back, as the recent normalisation of commodity prices weigh on export revenues,' he said. With Australia's border closed to foreigners since March 2020, Mr Rudgley said Australia would be deprived of being able to make money from tourism and related businesses. 'Services flows will remain very subdued until the international border re-opens,' he said. Westpac senior economist Andrew Hanlan said Covid shipping disruptions were a challenge for Australian exporters. 'The bad news - Australian export volumes have gone backwards, led lower by the resource sector,' he said. Iron ore prices climbed above $US200 a metric tonne in July for the first time ever, with adversarial China buying more of the material used to make steel. As a result, Australia had a record $20.5billion current account surplus in the June quarter, where exports were worth considerably more than imports 'Shipments have been impacted by disruptions - be it Covid, weather or maintenance work.' Australia's current account surplus in the June quarter was the ninth consecutive trade balance in the black since the June quarter of 2019. This occurred after the Vale tailings dam collapse in Brazil gave China little choice but to buy iron ore from Western Australia's Pilbara region. The latest good news on trade has outdone the seven consecutive quarters from June 1972 to December 1975. A man has been charged by police after successfully skipping across two borders from NSW to Western Australia in the midst of serious lockdowns. The West Australian Police Force charged the 31-year-old with two counts of failure to comply with a direction after he attempted to enter Western Australia through the Eucla border on August 28. The man was arrested on August 30 after he declared that he had been in South Australia for 14 days on his G2G Pass application form. Western Australia Police Force have arrested a 31-year-old man after he jumped two borders into Western Australia after giving misleading evidence of time in South Australia He did not declare that he had been in NSW on August 27, with NSW being declared an extreme risk state by the West Australian government. The 31-year-old was denied entry to the state after he failed to provide evidence of his alleged time in South Australia. It it further alleged that he returned to the same border the following day and was granted entry to Western Australia after he provided misleading evidence of his time spent in South Australia. The man has been charged with two counts of failure to comply to a direction and was refused bail The Breach Investigation Team looked over the investigation and located the man on Monday in Carrabin on the Great Eastern Highway driving towards Perth. The man has been refused bail. He is set to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court via video link on August 31. Interstate travellers from NSW, Victoria and ACT are not permitted to enter Western Australia. He is set to appear in front of Perth Magistrates Court via video link on August 31 Travellers from Queensland must complete the G2G Pass and quarantine for 14 days. WA residents returning from QLD may gain approval on compassionate grounds. Those from Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory must complete the G2G Pass registration and declaration but are not required to quarantine. All must complete a health screening upon arrival. New Zealand Police has revealed its brand new feline division in hilarious footage that stars a clever cat named Arnold. The department provided locked-down residents with some much-needed comic relief in a video posted to Facebook on Thursday. The three-minute clip stars the 'Specialist Search Cat' and his dedicated trainer who shows off the feline's impressive range of tricks. New Zealand Police have revealed its brand new feline division in hilarious footage that stars a clever cat named Arnold (pictured) 'He will only come when I call him. He's that well trained. This is the secret cat division,' his trainer explains to viewers. The clever cat is seen 'standing up', 'sitting', 'staying', 'rolling over' and jumping through a hoop before donning a tiny police vest and taking to the streets. As the officer walks the talented police cat through a local park the pair practice 'investigating' in the surrounding bushes. 'I see something suspicious. Investigate,' the trainer says while encouraging Arnold to check-out the scene. 'We found a sunglass case here or a glasses case. Could mean someone's nearby. It could be a body,' the officer jokes. The clever cat is seen 'standing up', 'sitting', 'staying', 'rolling over' and jumping through a hoop before donning a tiny police vest and taking to the streets As the officer walks Arnold through a local park the pair practice 'investigating' in the surrounding bushes 'It could be anything suspicious. So we'll get Arnold to have a sniff around here. Who knows what we could uncover here today.' The hilarious video ends on a cliffhanger, with the department asking viewers to guess what they think the specialist search cat found in the comments. 'We hope his training video helps spread a bit of cheer and leaves you and your family feline a little better this lockdown,' the caption reads. The force introduced viewers to the rest of the 'four-legged crime fighters' and said the station cats don't always make the same headlines as the canine unit does. The video - which has already received over 80,000 views - was quickly flooded with positive comments from locked-down residents. 'It could be anything suspicious. So we'll get Arnold to have a sniff around here. Who knows what we could uncover here today,' his owner jokes as Arnold investigates (pictured) The hilarious video was quickly flooded with positive comments from locked-down residents who thanked the force for the much-needed comic relief 'I can't even train my kids that well, yes even with treats. Good cat Arnold,' one woman commented. 'Can this man put out a training video for cats please. I'd love to have my cats this well-trained,' another agreed. 'Arnold is amazing! Maybe he busted a catnip ring?' a third joked. 'That trainer has incredible skills and patience. Love it! Thank you for sharing this gem to us all,' a fourth wrote. New Zealand recorded 49 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, down from 53 announced on Monday and 83 on Sunday. The Queensland Labor government has been accused of undermining the national Covid-19 re-opening plan after a state minister posted a critical cartoon on Facebook. State Transport Minister Mark Bailey shared a satirical artwork under a post by Federal Liberal-National MP Warren Entsch thanking north Queensland residents for getting vaccinated. The cartoon by left-leaning artist Mark David suggests it's not safe to begin re-opening the country once 70 per cent of Australians are vaccinated. State Transport Minister Mark Bailey shared the satirical artwork under a post by Federal Liberal-National MP Warren Entsch (above) Mr Bailey (pictured) is one of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's most senior ministers It shows Australians in a swimming pool separated by a divider from sharks, which represent Covid-19. The divider is controlled by a pool manager, which represents the Federal Government, who says: 'When 70 per cent have shark-proof suits on, I'm opening up the entire pool.' The implication is that a 70 per cent vaccination rate is not an adequate defence against Covid-19. The national plan - agreed three times by all state and territory leaders - removes Covid-19 restrictions in stages when 70 and 80 per cent of Australians are fully vaccinated. But governments of Covid-free states such and Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia are worried about re-opening and have vowed to keep state borders in place in attempt to shut the virus out. The cartoon (above) by left-wing artist Mark David suggests it's not safe to begin re-opening the country once 70 per cent of Australians are vaccinated Such a move would contradict Professor Sharon Lewin, the head of the Doherty Institute which came up with the 70 and 80 per cent thresholds, who declared that once 70 per cent are jabbed 'we no longer have zero Covid as a goal'. Mr Entsch, the MP for Leichhardt which runs from Cairns to the northern tip of Australia, accused Queensland of undermining Prime Minster Scott Morrison's plan to live alongside Covid-19. 'It is disappointing to see the Queensland Government undermining the National Plan,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'The Queensland Premier and her Ministers need to spend less time doing Anthony Albanese's political bidding and more time encouraging Queenslanders to get vaccinated.' Residents in Cairns have been keen to jabbed because the region is heavily dependent on tourism and has been starved of revenue by domestic and international border closures. 'Cairns has a better rate of vaccination than the rest of the State and that's because people in my local community know that the National Plan is integral to our region's economic recovery,' Mr Entsch said. 'This is not a political game - this is about lives and livelihoods - the people of Queensland deserve better than pure politicking from the State Government.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Bailey for comment. Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured sitting in Parliament) wants the nation to being re-opening when 70 per cent are vaccinated A former CIA officer who became infamous for his embrace of conspiracy theories had died of COVID-19 - while on an anti-vax tour of Florida. Robert David Steele had bragged that he was the first person to declare the COVID-19 pandemic a hoax, and refused to believe in the virus until the end. Steele was in the midst of his Arise USA! tour across the country to 'awaken the nation in truth', promoting his anti-vaccine message and his conspiracy theories. But he was hospitalized earlier this month after testing positive for the virus, and his death was confirmed by a friend on Sunday. In his final blog post on August 17, he wrote: 'I will not take the vaccination, though I did test positive for whatever they're calling 'COVID' today, but the bottom line is that my lungs are not functioning. 'The good news is that I will survive with a few days off. I should be back up and at least functional soon. 'This is been a near death experience, very much like a new death experience the whole country is going through right now. 'We will never be the same because now we know that we've all been lied to about everything.' Robert David Steele, who called himself the first person to describe COVID-19 as a hoax, has died in Florida from the virus. In his final blog post, he said his lungs had failed Steele's final blog post was published on August 17. His friend announced his death on Sunday On Sunday his friend Mark Tassi, a fellow conspiracy theorist, confirmed his death. Tassi alleged without evidence that Steele's illness may have been linked to the attention his speaking tour had received On Sunday his friend Mark Tassi, a fellow conspiracy theorist, confirmed his death. 'Robert has died, and the whole thing is very suspicious,' Tassi said in an Instagram post. Tassi alleged without evidence that Steele's illness may have been linked to the attention his speaking tour had received. In a 14-minute video Tassi speculated that Steele was the victim of an 'attack' by a 'vile faction that will go to any length to stop that movement'. He went on to claim that Steele had got sick in Florida as part of a plot to undermine Republican governor Ron DeSantis. He said: 'They are trying to make Florida look bad. Why? Because DeSantis is not going along with agenda so they are targeting Florida. Open your eyes.' Steele was a former CIA analyst, but had in recent years become a prominent supporter of QAnon and other conspiracy theories. He began issuing warnings that child slaves were being sent to Mars - prompting NASA to issue a denial - and claimed that 5G technology was a weapons system designed to kill humans. He had a history of antisemitism, and once called for all Jews who are not sufficiently 'loyal to the Republic' to be jailed, Vice reports. Steele was also a frequent guest on Alex Jones' Infowars show. Steele had enthusiastically embraced conspiracy theories in recent years 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 cant 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 were left behind.' Taliban fighters wielding American supplied weapons, equipment and uniforms, storm into the Kabul International Airport to secure the airport and inspect the equipment that was left behind after the US military completed their withdrawal on Monday Secretary of State Antony Blinken promised a 'new chapter' of diplomacy in Afghanistan, and vowed to continue the evacuation of Americans and allies in the country 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 didnt 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. '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 If America could not help me when they were on the ground, how can they help me when they're gone? she said. Is anyone going to rescue me? 'I went to so many different missions with [the US] military, so many different missions in different provinces,' she said. 'I never had that heartbeat like I have it today, this morning, when they told me the Americans left. They left us to whom? To those people who were always wanting to kill us? 'And now I am by myself here with 37 people.' She added: 'This is my fear, that if Americans could not help me when they were on the ground, how will they help me now when no one is here? 'That's my question.' Earlier on Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said a 'small number' of Americans remain who want to leave the war-torn country. '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 in a speech at the State Department on Monday night with remarks delayed for more than two hours. The number was somewhat lower than estimates in the final hours as the Biden administration's troop withdrawal deadline approached. He said 'about' 6,000 Americans had been flown out of the country or departed in an airlift of 123,000 people. 'A new chapter of engagement with Afghanistan has begun,' the nation's top diplomat proclaimed. 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, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021 ROAD TRIP! Blinken mentioned new ways out now that the US relinquished control of the airport - including 'overland routes,' which means driving across Afghanistan's famously inhospitable terrain Blinken mentioned land routes through Afghanistan's rough terrain. Here Afghan resistance movement and anti-Taliban uprising forces personnel patrol along a road in Rah-e Tang of Panjshir province on August 29, 2021 'The military mission is over. A new diplomatic mission has begun,' he proclaimed. He thanked members of the military who took on great risks to secure the Kabul airport during the evacuation, while honoring the 13 Americans who died in last week's terror attack. But he vowed to use diplomacy and leverage to bring out any Americans, allies, or Afghanis who assisted the US and want to leave, as critics pounded Biden for allowing the withdrawal before all Americans were out, comparing those who remained to hostages. 'We made extraordinary efforts to give Americans every opportunity to depart the country,' he said. President Joe Biden attended on Sunday the dignified transfer of the remains of service members killed in the Kabul airport attack last week 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 Blinken said some who stayed were dual citizens and US passport holders who weren't sure they wanted to go and were 'trying to decide whether or not they wanted to leave.' He said the US and allies plan to hold the Taliban to keep the airport open and allow safe passage. 'Any engagement with the Taliban-led government in Kabul will be driven by one thing only our vital national interests,' he said. He also mentioned new ways out - including 'overland routes,' which means driving across Afghanistan's famously inhospitable terrain. This could involve driving east toward Pakistan the same areas many Taliban members used to find sanctuary during the 20-year US-led war that came to a close a minute before midnight in Kabul. 'We're also working to identify ways to support Americans , legal permanent residents, and Afghans who have worked with us who may choose to depart via overland routes,' he said. 'We have no illusion that any of this will be easy or rapid,' Blinken said, calling it an 'entirely different phase of the evacuation.' 'We will hold the Taliban to their commitment on freedom of movement,' he said on a day when US forces departed the airport in Kabul, leaving it intact, while scuttling aircraft that were left behind. 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. '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. '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.' The dangers 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 dangerous 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. Footage emerged on social media of Taliban fighters apparently making their way through Kabul airport, examining Chinook helicopters left behind by U.S. troops. '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.' 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. Sadiq Khan's Transport for London today stepped in to remove Channel 4's 'creepy' bus advert that says the person sat above a section of the ad 'loves being naked'. The broadcaster's attempt at humour to promote Naked Attraction has backfired amid criticism it is inappropriate given how many sexual assaults happen on public transport. Others have also expressed concerns that children and young people could find themselves sat in a seat with the wording directed at them, claiming that it puts 'women at risk'. Transport for London declared last night that it was 'urgently reassessing whether these adverts should continue to run'. And today the public body, run by the Mayor of London, axed them. A spokesman said this afternoon: 'We have reviewed the ad campaign and decided that it should not continue to run on our bus network. It will be removed as soon as practicable.' This bus ad for Channel 4's dating show naked attraction has caused fury with TfL now considering whether to have them removed Under the heading Altogether Different, the advertising panel which runs nearly the length of the bus, has three descriptions of people written out with an arrow pointing up to the person who is sat above it, inside the vehicle. One is captioned 'Loves Naked Attraction', another 'Hates Naked Attraction' and the final one reads 'Loves Being Naked'. Naked Attraction is Channel 4's dating show, hosted by Anna Richardson, where a contestant chooses a partner based on what they look like without any clothes on. Writer Tracy King put a picture of the advert on social media along with her criticism of it. Her post received thousands of responses. She wrote: 'What the hell is this creepy bus ad? You can't just label non-consenting passengers like that. 'Does Channel 4 not know how many sexual assaults take place on buses?' She added that people should be 'very careful' with adverts that include the public 'without their consent'. The popular show, hosted by Anna Richardson, allows people to choose a partner based on what they look like without any clothes on She said that if you were going to make the public the subject of the joke then the joke 'absolutely' should not be a 'sexualised one'. Others joined the criticism describing the advert as 'totally inappropriate' and 'disgraceful' as one said they had been 'totally disgusted' by it. Concerns were expressed about the fact children and young people would sit in the seats and also that it could lead to people being targeted. Lothian Buses in a tweet said it had passed on concerns expressed by one of its customers. Channel 4 has apologised. A spokesman said: 'It was not our intention to cause offence and we apologise if it has done so'. Three Victorian jockeys banned from the Spring Carnival for attending an illegal Airbnb party, have lodged appeals against the penalties imposed by racing stewards. Mark Zahra, Ben Melham and Ethan Brown stayed at the Mornington Peninsula property last Wednesday with top rider Jamie Kah and apprentice jockey Celine Gaudray. All five pleaded guilty to 'failure or refusal to comply with an order, direction, or requirement of the stewards or an official'. Jockey Ben Melham (pictured) has lodged appeals against penalties imposed by racing stewards alongside Mark Zahra and Ethan Brown Jamie Kah (pictured) has apologised for her actions but has so far not joined the appeal bid Stewards last week suspended their racing licences for three months, meaning none of them can ride in the 2021 Spring Racing carnival. Zahra, Melham and Brown have each lodged appeals against the riding bans and fines imposed, while Kah has apologised for her behaviour and so far has not joined the appeal bid. 'I am deeply embarrassed and disappointed with myself,' she said on Friday in a statement on Twitter. Several cleaning crew, steam cleaners and a mobile pool cleaner were required to scour an Airbnb property (pictured) that held illegal party attended by star jockey Jamie Kah Meanwhile, it's also emerged that further charges have been laid against the jockeys for allegedly lying about the party. Stewards say when they questioned Mark Zahra on August 28, he claimed he wasn't at the Airbnb, but then changed his story later that day and admitted being present. 'The evidence tendered by Mark Zahra to RV Stewards during the interview on the morning of 28 August 2021 is alleged to be false and/or misleading,' the steward's report states. Brown, Kah, Melham and Gaudray are also accused of covering up for Zahra, by failing to tell stewards he was at the house. All five riders will again face the tribunal on the false evidence charges, while Melham, Zahra and Brown will also have an appeal directions hearing. All five pleaded guilty to 'failure or refusal to comply with an order, direction, or requirement of the stewards or an official' when they breached Covid rules in the Mornington Peninsula (pictured) residence The racing industry has been allowed to keep operating under Covid restrictions, and Racing Victoria says more than 750 race meetings have been held safely since the pandemic began. Leading hoop Jamie Kah, 25, who is engaged to fellow rider Clayton Douglas, was charged with breaking curfew rules in Victoria and fined $5,452. It will prove to be an expensive mistake, with the nation's best female rider, who rode over 100 winners this season, banned from the lucrative Spring Carnival, where she could have earned up to $300,000. Gun jockey Jamie Kah (pictured) let her hair down this week with fellow jockeys in breach of Covid rules following relationship dramas with fiance Clayton Douglas ( the couple, pictured above) Ms Kah and Mr Douglas have reportedly been living apart recently as the couple work through 'relationship difficulties,' the Herald Sun reported. A cleaner at the Airbnb Ms Kah was living in has claimed the luxury holiday house was trashed after the illegal party. The cleaner found what she believed to be blood stains and wine marks smeared on the floors and even the couch at the lavish short-stay rental in Mornington, south of Melbourne, when she arrived on Friday afternoon. Several other workers and steam cleaners were required to scrub the three-level property, which sold for $1,225,000 last year. Jockey Jamie Kah issued an apology via Twitter on Friday writing, 'I am deeply embarrassed and disappointed with myself' The Mornington Airbnb owners were reportedly under the impression the booking was made by essential workers according to an apology letter penned to neighbours 'The place was totally trashed, an absolute mess,' the cleaner told the Herald Sun earlier this week. 'There was blood everywhere, on the couch. The red wine looked like it had been walked through the house.' A neighbour, who wished not be named, told the publication she knew the owners of the house, saying they were 'extremely apologetic and angry about what happened'. She also heard the police bang on the door of the rental home just after midnight, saying: 'It got really noisy. You could literally hear everything.' Police were called to the Tallis Drive property due to a noise complaint just before midnight, reportedly after a tip-off from an estranged partner of one of the jockeys. 'Upon arrival officers located six people inside, all allegedly outside their 5km radius and in breach of curfew,' Victoria Police said in a statement. All six were fined $5,452 each for breaching the directions of the chief health officer. The four riders also pleaded guilty to charges laid by racing stewards, of 'failure or refusal to comply with an order, direction, or requirement of the stewards or an official'. Champion jockey Jamie Kah (left) and three other riders including apprentice Celine Gaudray (right) have been fined for breaking Melbourne's lockdown for an Airbnb party Kah has apologised for her behaviour. 'I am deeply embarrassed and disappointed with myself,' she said in a statement on Twitter. 'There is no excuse for what I have done and I have let myself down, my family and friends, the racing industry and all Victorians who are doing the right thing in this lockdown. 'I deserve the penalty handed down by the stewards and will take the time to reflect on my actions and its impact on so many people.' Cleaners described the rental as 'totally trashed' witnessing blood and wine stains on the carpet and couch A two-day racing tribunal inquiry into the incident concluded on Friday. The suspension expires at midnight on November 25. The stewards said they took into account the riders' guilty pleas and expressions of remorse, but the penalties had to be sufficient to deter others from Covid breaches. Ethan Brown was one of four jockeys stood down for 14 days after alleged Covid breach Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said he was 'bitterly disappointed' with the jockeys. 'We are always disappointed when people do not follow the rules and we understand Racing Victoria are taking immediate measures and ... will send a strong message,' he told reporters on Friday. Racing Victoria chief executive Giles Thompson condemned the riders' actions. 'These individuals could have put at risk the very continuance of our sport and also blatantly disregarded the broader community implications through their selfish and thoughtless actions,' he said in a statement on Thursday. He also warned of the 'critical need' for the industry to follow Covid-19 directives ahead of the Spring Racing carnival. The racing industry has been allowed to keep operating under Covid restrictions and Racing Victoria says more than 750 race meetings have been held safely since the pandemic began. Last year's Melbourne Cup carnival was held without spectators at the usually packed Flemington Racecourse. Advertisement A mug shot of convicted double murderer Christopher Halliwell Notorious double killer Christopher Halliwell could be responsible for 27 more murders, a new book sensationally claims. The former taxi driver, 53, is serving a whole life sentence for killing Becky Godden-Edwards, 20, and Sian O'Callaghan, 22, who he abducted while they were leaving nightclubs in Swindon, Wiltshire, in 2011. The police investigation into the murders was made into a 2019 ITV drama called A Confession, starring Martin Freeman as lead investigator Detective Superintendent Steve Fulcher. Now the authors of a new book suggest he targeted dozens of women over 20 years before dumping their often mutilated bodies after taking their clothes as a trophy. This could make Halliwell - who trained as a butcher - one of Britains worst ever serial killers. The 53-year-old has long been linked to other murders, including that of Claudia Lawrence, a chef from York. Police are currently searching lakes and woodland in their hunt for the missing 35-year-old, who vanished 12 years ago. The claims Halliwell had 27 more victims are made in The New Millennium Serial Killer a book by former police intelligence officer Chris Clark and crime writer Bethan Trueman. Halliwell's other victims? Shelley Morgan, 33, (left) was last seen alive near her Bristol home on June 11, 1984. Linda Donaldson, 31, was abducted in Liverpool in 1988 and later found dead with multiple stab wounds In 1990, Ann Heron , 44, was murdered in Darlington; while shop owner Trevaline Evans, 52, vanished from Llangollen, in North Wales. Both have been named as Halliwell's possible victims 1991: Maria Christina Requena, 26, was abducted in Manchester. Janine Downes , 22, vanished from Wolverhampton Details of the book - produced by Crime Publishing Network - were revealed in an exclusive extract obtained by The Mirror. Halliwell kept a secret store of 60 items of women's clothing, unearthed by police in 2011, some 15 miles from where Sian O'Callaghan's body was found. Out of the 60 items, only two have ever been identified - a cardigan worn by Becky Godden and one of Ms O'Callaghan's high-heeled boots. DS Fulcher - who has always insisted Halliwell has more victims - believes the stash could be a sick memento of his undiscovered crimes, reflecting a roll call of the women he has targeted. He wrote in a foreword to the new book: 'There is overwhelming evidence pointing to the notion that Halliwell is responsible for many further victims beyond the two murders for which he's been convicted.' Mr Clark and Ms Trueman believe Halliwell could be behind three killings by the East Lancashire Ripper, who brutally murdered and sexually mutilated three women but was never caught. Halliwell has long been linked to other murders, including that of Claudia Lawrence, a missing chef from York (seen on the right with her father, Peter) Police are currently searching lakes and woodland in Yorkshire as part of their hunt for the missing 35-year-old, who vanished 12 years ago Did Halliwell also kill these women? The body of young mother Dawn Shields , 19, (left) was found buried in High Peaks, Derbyshire in 1994. The remains of Sharon Harper , 21, (right) were found in a Grantham car park in July Julie Finley, 23, was abducted in Liverpool in 1994 and her body discovered in a carrot field. Lindsay Jo Rimer , 13, (right) was found lying dead by the Rochdale Canal Melanie Hall , 26, went missing from Bath in 1995 and her body was found in 2009. The body of Caroline Glachan , 14, was found dumped in a river near Glasgow in 1995 Roll call of horror: Are these Halliwell's other victims? Elia Karjalainen , 23 Here are the other women whom the authors of The New Millennium Serial Killer have named as possible victims of Christopher Halliwell: 1983: The remains of nurse Elia Karjalainen, 23, were found at Barnham Woods on the 2,100-acre Blenheim estate in Woodstock on November 25, 1983. She was believed to have been abducted and murdered while out hitch hiking. 1985: The body of 34-year-old Shelley Morgan was recovered from a shallow grave near Bristol. Prostitute Linda Guest, 35, was found lying half-naked in a pool of blood on a footpath in the city. 1988: Linda Donaldson, 31, was abducted in Liverpool and later found dead with multiple stab wounds. 1980s: The body of a woman, called the Angel of the Meadow, was uncovered in Manchester in 2010. She was believed to have died in the 1980s. The body of Carol Clark , 32, was found dumped on a Bristol canal bank in 1993 1990: Ann Heron, 44, was murdered in Darlington. Shop owner Trevaline Evans, 52, vanished in June, from Llangollen, North Wales. 1991: Maria Christina Requena, 26, was abducted in Manchester. Janine Downes, 22, vanished from Wolverhampton. 1993: The body of Carol Clark, 32, was found dumped on a Bristol canal bank. 1994: Sandra Brewin, 21, disappeared in Swindon. The body of young mother Dawn Shields, 19, was excavated from a shallow grave in High Peaks, Derbyshire. The remains of Sharon Harper, 21, were found in a Grantham car park in July. Julie Finley, 23, was abducted in Liverpool and her body dumped in a carrot field. The body of Lindsay Jo Rimer, 13, was left by the Rochdale Canal. Julie Jones 1995: Sally Ann John, 23, vanished from Swindon. Melanie Hall, 26, went missing from Bath and her body was found in 2009. Police do not believe Halliwell murdered her but former detective Steve Fulcher, who helped to jail Halliwell, believes they should keep an open-mind. Also in 1995, Caroline Glachan, 14, was dumped in a river near Glasgow. 1998: The body of Hannah Deterville, 15, was found near a canal in Greenford, north-west London. The remains of Julie Jones, 32, were discovered in Manchester. Police believed she had been hit by a vehicle or fallen from a high building. Donna Keogh, 17, disappeared after a party in Middlesbrough. Her body never found. 2001: Bristol University cleaner Tina Pryer, 39, disappeared. The body of Vicky Glass, 17, was found on the North York Moors. Michaela Hague, a 25-year-old prostitute, was murdered in Sheffield. 2002: Linda Razzell, 41, was killed on March 19. Her husband Glyn has spent 13 years in jail for her murder but maintains his innocence. Thi Hai Nguyen, 21, went missing from her home in Marlborough. 2009: Claudia Lawrence, a 35-year-old chef, from Heworth, York, vanished and was feared murdered. Advertisement The authors also examine the disappearance of three women in Wiltshire, Halliwell's home county, as well as the murder of Halliwells neighbour Sally Ann John. The fiend was said to have been 'obsessed' with the 23-year-old, who vanished in September 1995. The police investigation into Halliwell was turned into an ITV drama titled A Confession, starring Martin Freeman as Mr Fulcher. Police began investigating Halliwell when Ms O'Callaghan was abducted on her way home from a nightclub in Swindon in 2011. CCTV taken near the Suju nightclub showed her getting into a taxi which the father-of-three owned. Police then kept watch on Halliwell for two days - hoping he would inadvertently lead them to Ms O'Callaghan's body - but arrested him on suspicion of kidnap five days later when they feared he would kill himself. Aware of his suicidal tendencies, DS Fulcher arranged an interview team to conduct a 'Safety Interview', under caution, at the scene of his arrest. But when Halliwell kept answering 'no comment', DC Fulcher authorised officers to bring Halliwell to the nearby Iron Age fort of Barbary Castle - where they believed Ms O'Callaghan was buried - for an 'urgent interview'. Halliwell eventually led DS Fulcher and his team to an isolated lane, where he said Ms O'Callaghan's body was lying in the open. Then, as he was having a cigarette at the scene, Halliwell confessed to 'another one', telling DS Fulcher: 'I need help, I'm a sick f*****.' The father-of-three then led the detective to the spot in rural Gloucestershire where he had buried Miss Godden in a shallow grave after strangling her in 2003. At that time, police had no idea she was missing. DS Fulcher was later nominated for a Queen's Police Medal, the highest honour in policing, for his work in extracting the brutal killer's confession. But, in a cruel twist, he found himself fighting for his job after breaking police guidelines by taking Halliwell to the site, rather than the police station. Mr Fulcher was disciplined for misconduct and later resigned, losing his 500,000 police pension and selling his house. Haliwell was jailed for life in 2012 for beating and stabbing Ms O'Callaghan - who he believed resembled his mother - to death, before pushing her body into the 12ft ravine. But a judge ruled his confession about Ms Godden inadmissible because DS Fulcher had repeatedly failed to correctly caution the killer and questioned him without a lawyer. It took four more years of campaigning for it to be allowed. Other officers then had to find more evidence and, thanks to unearthing the stash and other circumstantial and forensic evidence, Halliwell was convicted of killing Ms Godden and given a whole-life jail tariff. During the trial, Halliwell gloated about how he had ruined DS Fulcher's career, telling him: 'By the way, it was a pleasure ruining your career, you corrupt b*****d.' As he passed sentence on Halliwell, Sir John Griffiths Williams told the killer: 'But for your confession, I have no doubt Becky's remains would never have been found.' The New Millennium Serial Killer by Chris Clark & Bethan Trueman, published by Crime Publishing Network. Hannah Deterville, a 15-year-old schoolgirl, disappeared from her home in Queen's Park, west London, in 1998. Donna Keogh , 17, vanished after leaving a party in Middlesbrough Mother-of-three Tina Pryer, 39, who was last seen in 2001; and Vicky Glass , 17, whose body was found on the North York Moors that same year An intensive care nurse working in one of NSW's worst COVID-19 hotspots says the virus is 'ripping families apart' and taking an enormous physical and emotional toll on healthcare workers. More than 870 COVID-19 patients are in hospital in NSW, with 143 in intensive care. Liverpool Hospital nurse manager Michelle Dowd is one of the frontline workers trying to keep them alive. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, when another 1164 cases were reported, Ms Dowd said COVID-19 patients coming into her ICU are 'some of the sickest we've ever seen'. Among them are entire family groups facing tragic circumstances, she said. Liverpool Hospital nurse manager Michelle Dowd spoke to reporters on Tuesday about the scenes she has seen in her Covid ward and how the virus has taken a toll on frontline workers 'We've had parents - both parents - of young children so sick that they need to be ventilated in our intensive care unit and separated from their children. 'Sometimes they don't have extended family to look after these children, or the extended family is also so sick that we need to make alternative care arrangements. 'This virus is literally ripping families apart.' Ms Dowd's hospital is located within one of the areas hardest hit by the current outbreak. More than 1700 people in the Liverpool local government area, in Sydney's southwest, have been diagnosed with the virus. Liverpool Hospital is located in one of the areas hardest hit by the virus, with more than 1700 people diagnosed with Covid in the local government area But on top of managing a higher caseload and some of the sickest patients they've ever seen, ICU nurses have been left to provide emotional support for dying patients in the absence of visitors. 'In the worst cases, at the end of life, we'll connect a call with the family and hold the patient's hands and provide as much care and comfort and support as we possibly can,' she said. 'We know this is really hard for families. This is really hard for us as well.' The emotional toll is huge, but looking after COVID patients is physically very hard work too, she said. Ms Dowd said healthcare workers are doing their best to help those affected by the virus and urged the community to get vaccinated to assist the frontline staff 'They require so much support and monitoring and physical care. We're in layers of PPE, sometimes for hours at a time.' Healthcare workers are doing their best to help those who contract the virus, but the community must help them by getting vaccinated, Ms Dowd said. 'Help us as your frontline healthcare workers to keep patients out of hospital,' she pleaded. 'By getting vaccinated you don't just protect yourself, you protect your family, your friends, strangers ... you will help us to save lives.' Playwright Sir Tom Stoppard has revealed how he resented Left-wing luvvies who 'p***ed on' Britain after the country had given his family sanctuary at the end of the Second World War. Sir Tom, whose semi-autobiographical play Leopoldstadt reopened in London's West End this month, recalled how during the 1960s and 1970s he grew annoyed with actors and writers who denigrated Britain. The 84-year-old said he even received opprobrium for supporting Margaret Thatcher, whom he regarded as an ally against the repression of intellectuals in the Soviet Union and eastern Europe. Playwright Sir Tom Stoppard has revealed how he resented Left-wing luvvies who 'p***ed on' Britain after the country had given his family sanctuary at the end of the Second World War Sir Tom, whose semi-autobiographical play Leopoldstadt reopened in London's West End this month, recalled how during the 1960s and 1970s he grew annoyed with actors and writers who denigrated Britain Sir Tom told Radio Times: 'There was a very strong, lively, Left-wing side to English life and particularly English theatre. I began to resent my sanctuary being p***ed on by everybody I knew. Thanks a bunch. You know, [without the UK] I would have been in Communist Czechoslovakia now!' The playwright, born Tomas Straussler, was one when Germany invaded his native Czechoslovakia and his family fled to Singapore. As Japanese forces prepared to annex Singapore, he was evacuated to Darjeeling in British India with his mother and brother and changed his name to Tom. His widowed mother married a British Army officer, Kenneth Stoppard, who moved the family to Britain in 1946. The 84-year-old said he even received opprobrium for supporting Margaret Thatcher, whom he regarded as an ally against the repression of intellectuals in the Soviet Union and eastern Europe Sir Tom also spoke of his feelings when his cousin Sarka told him that his mother was Jewish and that most of her family had been murdered in the Holocaust - the inspiration for his play. However, the playwright is not the only British author whose defence of writers and journalists under threat by totalitarian regimes did little to endear him to some parts of the theatre establishment. Lord Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey, said in February that 'the Left-of-centre metropolitan elite have had quite a good run'. Woman can be heard screaming inside shop as police arrived and made arrests This is the bizarre moment a suspected landlord smashed shop windows with a hammer in West London after an alleged row over rent. Video posted on social media shows two men armed with hammers destroying the windows of a shop in Edgware Road on Monday afternoon in front of a crowd of shocked passersby. A woman can be heard screaming inside the shop as police arrived and made arrests. Two men were later seen handcuffed and escorted out before being put in the back of a police van. This is the shocking moment a suspected landlord smashed the windows of a shop in West London with a hammer after an alleged row over rent Video posted online shows two men armed with hammers destroying the windows of a shop in Edgware Road on Monday afternoon in front of a crowd of shocked passersby A Metropolitan Police spokesman told MailOnline: 'Police were called to a premises in Edgware Road, W2, shortly before 17:45hrs on Monday, 30 August to reports of criminal damage' Three men were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage at the scene of the incident, which is thought to have occurred after a dispute over rent escalated into violence. Following the arrests, a woman was seen shouting to a crowd of people about the scenes in front of the shopfront and claiming that the owners of the Edgware Road store were behind the incident. A Metropolitan Police spokesman told MailOnline: 'Police were called to a premises in Edgware Road, W2, shortly before 17:45hrs on Monday, 30 August to reports of criminal damage. 'Officers attended. Three men were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. They have been taken into custody.' Three men were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage at the scene of the incident, which is thought to have occurred after a dispute over rent escalated into violence Pentagon sources said they begged to shut down Abbey Gate at Hamid Karzai International Airport Dominic Raab said it was 'just not true' to suggest the UK called for the airport's Abbey Gate to be left open But DOD internal documents claim Britain wanted to keep it open so they could process evacuees The warning came just hours before the ISIS-K suicide attack at Abbey Gate which killed 13 US Marines The Pentagon was also preparing for a 'mass casualty event' 24 hours before the blast because of threats Survivors in the blast have also claimed US troops opened fire on the crowds in the aftermath of the attack The Pentagon condemned the leak of classified information on Monday morning Dominic Raab today hit back at the Pentagon after they tried to shift the blame for the high death toll from last week's suicide attack in Kabul on to the UK. With the 'special relationship' under further strain, Britain's Foreign Secretary insisted it is 'simply not true' to suggest UK pushed to keep Kabul airport gate open against the wishes of their US allies. ADVERTISEMENT And he revealed that Britain had already moved its own staff from a nearby hotel because of the growing threat of a terror attack. Mr Raab told Sky News: 'We co-ordinated very closely with the US, in particular around the Isis-K threat which we anticipated, although tragically were not able to prevent, but it is certainly right to say we got our civilians out of the processing centre by Abbey Gate, but it is just not true to suggest that other than securing our civilians inside the airport that we were pushing to leave the gate open. 'In fact, and let me just be clear about this, we were issuing changes of travel advice before the bomb attack took place and saying to people in the crowd, about which I was particularly concerned, that certainly UK nationals and anyone else should leave because of the risk.' Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith also questioned the American account, telling LBC today: 'If the American military were serious about shutting the gates they would have shut the gates'. Last night a senior British diplomatic source hit back at the US's accusations, pointing out that a number of foreign ministers at a G7 meeting yesterday 'heaped praise' on the UK's actions at the airport during the evacuation. One source told The Times: 'We understood the severity of the situation; we changed the travel advice. If they had closed Abbey Gate we would have been totally supportive.' Defence select committee chairman Tobias Ellwood told the Telegraph: 'It does not add up. If the U.S. was anticipating a mass casualty event why did they still continue processing themselves? There is an underlying current of blame which is unhelpful. It's a distraction from the main effort of what is happening on the ground'. ADVERTISEMENT Colonel Richard Kemp, a former commander of British forces in Afghanistan, said: 'No blame should be put on the British here and I do not believe the evidence as presented goes anywhere near any level of UK culpability. The US had very good intelligence on this attack. One could ask why they did not conduct a pre-emptive strike to neutralise the threat? If the suicide bomber had not detonated his device at Abbey Gate it would have been somewhere else close by.' The row between the US and the UK over their chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years came as: Britain and America officially ended their military presence in Afghanistan with the final US troops flying out from Kabul's airport - leaving behind hundreds of citizens and Afghan allies desperate to flee the country now in the hands of the Taliban; The Taliban are pinning chilling night letters to the doors of those they accuse of working for the crusaders. The notes order their victims to attend a Taliban-convened court. Failure to do so will result in the death penalty; Republicans call for Biden to RESIGN or be impeached after breaking his promise to bring home every American citizen from Afghanistan; Former President Trump said that the US should demand billions in US weapons and equipment back - or 'bomb the hell' out of the country or invade again to get it all back; 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 Click here to resize this module 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. It comes as the last US flights left Kabul just after midnight local time last night 23 hours inside the deadline for international troops to leave. The Taliban said they were now in control of the airport. ADVERTISEMENT Leaked transcripts from top-secret US calls show that military chiefs were desperate to close a gate at Kabul airport hours before it was hit by an Isis-K suicide bomber last Thursday. But they say British forces wanted it kept open so they could continue evacuating Afghans. US 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. 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. 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. 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. 'We're going to investigate, we're going to get to the bottom of what happened last Thursday. Thirteen precious lives are lost. We're going to take that seriously ... And we're 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. Lord David Richards, former chief of the defence staff, criticised the UK and US response to the situation in Afghanistan. He told BBC Breakfast: 'A lot of lives have been lost, not just British service lives, also many Afghans, and hundreds of thousands of Afghan lives are now facing ruin when they had some hope. 'Low hundreds of Brits left in Afghanistan', says Foreign Secretary Raab Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said the number of UK nationals left behind in Afghanistan is in the "low hundreds" after the western military presence came to an end in the country. The Cabinet minister said on Tuesday he was unable to give a "definitive" figure on how many Afghans the UK failed to airlift to safety after the Taliban seized power. Mr Raab was also forced to deny a Pentagon leak suggesting the US wanted to close a gate to Kabul airport ahead of the deadly bombing, but kept it open to assist the British evacuation. And he did not rule out the RAF taking part in air strikes to target the so-called Islamic State terror group in Afghanistan. The US ended a deployment which began in the wake of the September 11 attacks two decades ago when it withdrew its remaining forces from Afghanistan on Monday. Mr Raab did not rule out the possibility that thousands of Afghans and UK nationals could have been left behind following the departure of British troops ahead of their American counterparts. Instead, he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's very difficult to give you a firm figure. I can tell you that for UK nationals we've secured since April over 5,000, and we're in the low hundreds (remaining)." 'I'm afraid our political leadership, and in particular President Biden over the last six months, have let those people down, us and the Afghans.' He added that anybody who believes the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan was a success, 'should start writing novels, because, quite clearly, it is not what we all intended'. However, Lord Richards added that the agreed date for all evacuations from the country should not have been extended. He said: 'The fact is, we've been defeated by the Taliban and the Taliban had agreed August 31 with the Americans, and, while I don't for one moment take sides with the Taliban, I can see why they said enough is enough.' 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. 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 Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin President Joe Biden 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 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) 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...' ADVERTISEMENT 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. Advertisement Dominic Raab today hit back at the Pentagon after they tried to shift the blame for the high death toll from last week's suicide attack in Kabul on to the UK. With the 'special relationship' under further strain, Britain's Foreign Secretary insisted it is 'simply not true' to suggest UK pushed to keep Kabul airport gate open against the wishes of their US allies. And he revealed that Britain had already moved its own staff from a nearby hotel because of the growing threat of a terror attack. Mr Raab told Sky News: 'We co-ordinated very closely with the US, in particular around the Isis-K threat which we anticipated, although tragically were not able to prevent, but it is certainly right to say we got our civilians out of the processing centre by Abbey Gate, but it is just not true to suggest that other than securing our civilians inside the airport that we were pushing to leave the gate open. 'In fact, and let me just be clear about this, we were issuing changes of travel advice before the bomb attack took place and saying to people in the crowd, about which I was particularly concerned, that certainly UK nationals and anyone else should leave because of the risk.' Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith also questioned the American account, telling LBC today: 'If the American military were serious about shutting the gates they would have shut the gates'. Last night a senior British diplomatic source hit back at the US's accusations, pointing out that a number of foreign ministers at a G7 meeting yesterday 'heaped praise' on the UK's actions at the airport during the evacuation. One source told The Times: 'We understood the severity of the situation; we changed the travel advice. If they had closed Abbey Gate we would have been totally supportive.' Defence select committee chairman Tobias Ellwood told the Telegraph: 'It does not add up. If the U.S. was anticipating a mass casualty event why did they still continue processing themselves? There is an underlying current of blame which is unhelpful. It's a distraction from the main effort of what is happening on the ground'. Colonel Richard Kemp, a former commander of British forces in Afghanistan, said: 'No blame should be put on the British here and I do not believe the evidence as presented goes anywhere near any level of UK culpability. The US had very good intelligence on this attack. One could ask why they did not conduct a pre-emptive strike to neutralise the threat? If the suicide bomber had not detonated his device at Abbey Gate it would have been somewhere else close by.' The row between the US and the UK over their chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years came as: Britain and America officially ended their military presence in Afghanistan with the final US troops flying out from Kabul's airport - leaving behind hundreds of citizens and Afghan allies desperate to flee the country now in the hands of the Taliban; The Taliban are pinning chilling night letters to the doors of those they accuse of working for the crusaders. The notes order their victims to attend a Taliban-convened court. Failure to do so will result in the death penalty; Republicans call for Biden to RESIGN or be impeached after breaking his promise to bring home every American citizen from Afghanistan; Former President Trump said that the US should demand billions in US weapons and equipment back - or 'bomb the hell' out of the country or invade again to get it all back; 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 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 It comes as the last US flights left Kabul just after midnight local time last night 23 hours inside the deadline for international troops to leave. The Taliban said they were now in control of the airport. Leaked transcripts from top-secret US calls show that military chiefs were desperate to close a gate at Kabul airport hours before it was hit by an Isis-K suicide bomber last Thursday. But they say British forces wanted it kept open so they could continue evacuating Afghans. US 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. 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. 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. 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. 'We're going to investigate, we're going to get to the bottom of what happened last Thursday. Thirteen precious lives are lost. We're going to take that seriously ... And we're 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. Lord David Richards, former chief of the defence staff, criticised the UK and US response to the situation in Afghanistan. He told BBC Breakfast: 'A lot of lives have been lost, not just British service lives, also many Afghans, and hundreds of thousands of Afghan lives are now facing ruin when they had some hope. 'Low hundreds of Brits left in Afghanistan', says Foreign Secretary Raab Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said the number of UK nationals left behind in Afghanistan is in the "low hundreds" after the western military presence came to an end in the country. The Cabinet minister said on Tuesday he was unable to give a "definitive" figure on how many Afghans the UK failed to airlift to safety after the Taliban seized power. Mr Raab was also forced to deny a Pentagon leak suggesting the US wanted to close a gate to Kabul airport ahead of the deadly bombing, but kept it open to assist the British evacuation. And he did not rule out the RAF taking part in air strikes to target the so-called Islamic State terror group in Afghanistan. The US ended a deployment which began in the wake of the September 11 attacks two decades ago when it withdrew its remaining forces from Afghanistan on Monday. Mr Raab did not rule out the possibility that thousands of Afghans and UK nationals could have been left behind following the departure of British troops ahead of their American counterparts. Instead, he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's very difficult to give you a firm figure. I can tell you that for UK nationals we've secured since April over 5,000, and we're in the low hundreds (remaining)." Advertisement 'I'm afraid our political leadership, and in particular President Biden over the last six months, have let those people down, us and the Afghans.' He added that anybody who believes the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan was a success, 'should start writing novels, because, quite clearly, it is not what we all intended'. However, Lord Richards added that the agreed date for all evacuations from the country should not have been extended. He said: 'The fact is, we've been defeated by the Taliban and the Taliban had agreed August 31 with the Americans, and, while I don't for one moment take sides with the Taliban, I can see why they said enough is enough.' 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. 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 '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 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. A British minor who tested positive for Covid-19 has been forced to quarantine in a Tenerife hotel after escaping from a test centre and attempting to return to the UK. The tourist, who has not been named, was intercepted by police at the island's airport as he tried to return home with his dad and grandfather. Police were told the youngster, whose age has not been made public, had climbed through the window to flee a health centre after being told his fit-to-fly test had returned a positive result for coronavirus. He then purchased a new ticket to return to the UK earlier than planned and was caught attempting to board a plane at Tenerife SouthReina Sofia Airport. The boy is now under 10-day quarantine in a Tenerife hotel. Police say they are certain he made a deliberate attempt to avoid self-quarantine. Local health chiefs and a judge have been made aware of the incident. A spokesman for Spain's National Police in the island capital Santa Cruz said a surveillance operation was launched to pick up the boy once authorities were aware he had fled the health centre. A British minor who tested positive for Covid-19 has been forced to quarantine in a Tenerife hotel after escaping from a test centre and attempting to return to the UK [Stock image] 'National Police officers detected a British minor who was with his dad and grandfather as he tried to return to the UK after testing positive in a Covid antigen test. 'He was on holiday in the south of Tenerife and went to a health centre to do the test. When he was told he had tested positive, he fled the centre by jumping through a window preventing health officials from adopting the standard protocol in these cases,' the spokesman said. 'The local airport authority was informed and surveillance established in an operation which involved the closure and monitoring of the airport entrances. 'Once the youngster had been picked up outside the airport, he was made to quarantine and told he would have to stay in a room at the hotel he had been checked into for 10 days. 'Health and court officials and prosecutors have been informed of the situation.' The tourist, who has not been named, was intercepted by police at Tenerife's airport as he tried to return home with his dad and grandfather [Stock image] It was not immediately clear as of Tuesday morning if the Brit would face a fine over his actions. Nor was it known whether the boy's relatives remain in Tenerife or if they have flown home following the airport stop on August 24. Health chiefs in Tenerife on Monday revealed that five people with Covid had died in the previous 24 hours, during which time 141 news cases were reported. Tenerife had the most with 84, followed by Gran Canaria with 38 and Lanzarote with 11. As of yesterday, the number of people with Covid in the archipelago stood at 13,406. Do YOU know the minor mentioned in this story? Contact charlotte.mitchell@mailonline.co.uk Kim Jong Un looked thinner than ever this week with excess skin sagging around his neck and his jacket hanging loosely over his shoulders in a new propaganda broadcast. The North Korean tyrant appeared on state TV walking in front of a stand filled with hundreds of seemingly adoring school children, the girls crying and the boys clapping enthusiastically as he waved and smiled during Youth Day celebrations in Pyongyang. Kim's facial features were notably prominent, particularly around his chin which used to disappear in folds of fat just six months ago. The 37-year-old also wore a white jacket which provided a generous space between his neck and the collar, as well as flaps and creases down the midriff where once the fabric would have been pulled tight around his belly. Speculation about Kim's health has forced the government to ban gossip about his weight as a 'reactionary act' after photos emerged earlier this year showing a dramatic change thought to represent a roughly 44-pound drop. The North Korean tyrant appeared on state TV walking in front of a stand filled with hundreds of seemingly adoring school children, the girls crying and the boys clapping enthusiastically as he waved and smiled Kim Jong Un is pictured in 2018. It is believed the dicator has lost around 44 pounds Kim Jong Un posing with youngsters this week. The photo opportunity was part of Youth Day celebrations in Pyongyang Kim Jong Un wearing the same white jacket on April 12, 2020. The fabric appears to be pulled tighter around his waist and there is no clear gap between his neck and chin appear larger In a bid to stifle the rumours, the apparatchik have told state media that Kim is eating less 'for the sake of the country' as it grapples with famine, saying that the despot is healthy. However, there have been reports that Kim may have had a gastric band fitted to reduce his cheese-fuelled weight problem. Others have claimed that the Covid-19 pandemic brought into sharp focus the need for the leader to shed some pounds. State TV even spoke to someone who said his 'emaciated' condition was 'breaking our people's hearts' in a highly unusual broadcast around two months ago. Experts believe this was a cynical attempt to garner sympathy for Kim, whose country is in the throes of an economic crisis precipitated by the Covid-19 pandemic and a poor harvest. The impoverished, nuclear-armed country is more isolated than ever behind its self-imposed coronavirus barricade, and this month admitted it was tackling a food crisis, sounding the alarm in a nation with a moribund agricultural sector that has long struggled to feed itself. At the same time Kim's health has long been closely watched internationally as his sudden death would raise questions over succession and stability. Known as a heavy drinker and smoker, the leader has long been obese, with his weight appearing to increase steadily in recent years. But he looked noticeably less overweight in around June in pictures published by Pyongyang's official KCNA news agency and on state television. Kim's personal life is normally taboo for North Korea's state media and Pyongyang has never even confirmed how many children he has. Pictured: Kim Jong Un's watch strap shown in North Korean state propaganda this week appeared to give away his weight loss, compared with photos from December 2020 and March 2021 show his watch strap was done up looser to accommodate his thicker wrists. Photos from this week showed more of the watch strap showing after the buckle, and did not look as tight Kim looking much bigger in his white jacket at a meeting in June, 2020 But KCTV in July aired a clip of an unnamed resident of the capital claiming everyone in the country was 'heartbroken' by his 'emaciated' condition. 'Seeing our respected general secretary looking emaciated breaks our people's hearts the most,' he said. 'Everyone is talking about how their tears welled up immediately.' Last year it was estimated he had put on another 20 pounds, taking him to around 305 pounds. But Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, pointed out it was unlikely his recent weight loss was a symptom of acute ill health, as he had attended several public events this month. 'No one can really know why he lost weight,' he told AFP. 'What's clear -- from the KCTV footage -- is the regime wants the world to think that its people love care for their leader, to a point where they'd cry over his thinner appearance.' Kim has acknowledged a 'tense' food situation that could worsen if this year's crops fail, exacerbating economic problems amid strict self-imposed border and movement restrictions that have slowed trade to a trickle. 'The most likely reason they would mention his declining weight in this way would, in my opinion, be related to ongoing COVID-19-related border measures,' said Chad O'Carroll, CEO of the Seoul-based Korea Risk Group. 'Regardless of the motivation for Kim's rapid weight loss, it seems there is propaganda value in showing that even the leader of North Korea is enduring the same food shortages that are hitting the country at the current time.' The regime may have intended from the beginning to emphasise the fact that Kim is working hard for the people at a time of widespread hardship, or its messaging may have been an unintended consequence of Kim's inevitable appearance, Green said. 'What matters is that the North Korean regime will have received word from its many, many, many informants that Kim's condition was a talking point among ordinary people,' he said. 'From there it is a simple matter to respond by designing a propaganda strategy to use the existing public discussion to the regime's advantage.' Advertisement A top Afghan female cop is on the run after suffering a 'brutal beating' from the Taliban in the latest evidence that the Islamists' harsh rule has returned. Gulafroz Ebtekar, believed to be 34, was a deputy head of criminal investigations in Afghanistan's Interior Ministry and is seen as a role model for Afghan women with a notable media presence. She was singled out by the Taliban as a target at the gates outside Hamid Karzai international airport in Kabul, where she spent five nights attempting to secure a place on an evacuation flight. She said: I sent messages to the embassies of many countries to save myself and my family, but all to no avail.' It comes as Taliban soldiers held mock funerals for Western forces on Tuesday to celebrate the final withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan after 20 years of war. Gulafroz Ebtekar, believed to be 34, became deputy head of criminal investigations in Afghanistan and is seen as a high-profile role model for Afghan women Gulafroz is the first woman in Afghanistan to graduate from a police academy with a master's degree, 'I had dreamed of changing life in Afghanistan. First, when it comes to women in the police. And I did it. Gulafroz, the first woman in Afghanistan to graduate from a police academy with a master's degree, told how in the Kabul chaos she found US soldiers and believed they were helping her to fly abroad with her boyfriend and family members. 'We got to the refugee camp where the Americans were stationed,' she said. 'When the American soldiers were already near, I exhaled, I thought we were finally safe. 'I speak a little English. I explained that it was not safe for us to remain in Kabul. They checked our documents. I had my ID, passport, and police certificates with me. 'We were asked: 'Where do you want to go?' I replied: 'It doesn't matter, to a safe country where there is a chance we may survive'. 'They looked at me and answered quite impudently: 'Okay'. And they asked one soldier to show us the way. I thought they would escort us to a plane or provide security.' They first escorted her to a crowded street where there was a terrorist attack, she said. 'We did not want to leave, then the soldier raised his weapon: 'Get out of here'. So we went out onto the road. At that moment, I didn't want to live anymore.' Gulafroz had studied for a masters degree at a top police academy in Russia, but the Moscow embassy also declined to help, because she didn't have a Russian passport or residency. She told the newspaper: 'I had dreamed of changing life in Afghanistan. First, when it comes to women in the police. And I did it. 'When I returned to my homeland, I got a job in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and soon got a rather high position. 'I became Deputy Chief for Criminal Investigations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Afghanistan.' Gulafroz had studied for a masters degree at a top police academy in Russia (pictured), but the Moscow embassy also declined to help She spoke on television, adding that she 'fought against extremism, terrorism, advocated for the rights of women and children and believed in the best for our country' After being turned away from the airport, she went home to be told by her mother that the Taliban had come for her while she was out. She moved to the first of three flats she has used to try and stay out of the hands of the militants. When she tried to escape to Kabul airport again, the Taliban guards beat her with 'weapons and stones'. Her former female colleagues in the police have asked her 'what's going to happen to us' but she has no answers. She said: 'I spoke on television, spoke out on social networks, fought against extremism, terrorism, advocated for the rights of women and children and believed in the best for our country. She said that her 'former life' was gone, and that six months ago, she'd been 'warned' by the Taliban about her job. She said: 'The Taliban wrote me letters in which they said that I should not work in the police, that I had no right to declare about women's rights. After being turned away from the airport, she went home to be told by her mother that the Taliban had come for her while she was out ''What are women's rights? Why do you publish your photos on Facebook and Instagram?', these are the comments I received from them a year or six months ago. And now they are in power.' She warned: 'I think the Taliban will never change. They will not agree for a woman to work, participate in public life, and be free. 'When the Taliban came to Kabul 20 years ago, they made the same promises as now for two months. 'And then they created their own state, their own courts, beat and killed people. For me, this is the most dangerous group of terrorists.' She said: 'I was the first woman in Afghanistan to graduate from a police academy with a master's degree and hold such a high position. 'After me, about 4,000 Afghan women entered police universities. I'm not afraid to speak openly, because I have nothing left. 'The state of Afghanistan no longer exists, there is no freedom. All the time I fought to maintain a normal life in the country.' 'The state of Afghanistan no longer exists, there is no freedom. All the time I fought to maintain a normal life in the country,' she said. The Taliban held mock funerals for American, British, French and NATO forces on Tuesday as thousands turned out on the streets of major cities to celebrate the end of the west's 20-year war. Coffins draped with the US, UK and French flag as well as NATO's insignia were paraded through the streets of Khost by crowds flying the Taliban's emblem - just two weeks after anti-Taliban protests in the same city. In Kandahar - a traditional stronghold of the Islamists - thousands also turned out waving white Taliban flags to celebrate what the group is referring to as its 'independence day', hours after the final American troops boarded an evacuation flight out of the country. It comes after celebratory scenes in Kabul overnight, where fireworks exploded and gunfire rattled through the air moments after the final US jet departed. Speaking from the runway at Kabul airport this morning - and surrounded by Taliban special forces units dressed head to toe in American gear - spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid hailed the 'victory' over western forces. 'It is an historical day and an historical moment.... we liberated our country from a great power,' he added, saying the last 20 years should serve as a 'big lesson for other invaders [and] a lesson for the world.' Fake coffins draped with the British, American, French and NATO flags were paraded through the streets of Khost in Afghanistan today as the Taliban celebrated the end of western 'occupation' But as the Taliban and Afghans celebrated, recriminations began in the UK - with critics rounding on Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and calling for his resignation over the shambolic withdrawal which began while he was on holiday in Crete. But Mr Raab hit back, accusing his detractors of 'buck passing' and giving 'deeply irresponsible' briefings to the press while the Kabul evacuation was still underway, while denying reports that the ISIS-K suicide bombing which struck the airstrip was made more deadly because of British evacuation plans. He was forced to admit, however, that Britain had left 'hundreds' of UK nations stranded in the country and fearing for their lives, and was unable to give a 'definitive' figure on the number of Afghans who were abandoned having been promised sanctuary in Britain. 'It's very difficult to give you a firm figure,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'I can tell you that for UK nationals we've secured since April over 5,000, and we're in the low hundreds (remaining).' He spoke as Sir John Sawers, a former head of MI6, warned that Taliban victory in Afghanistan will 'inspire' other terrorist groups to launch attacks on the west while at the same time hurting the west's ability to stop them. The Taliban were certainly keen to present their take-over of the country as a military victory today, parading special forces soldiers dressed head to toe in western gear at Kabul airport while senior leaders posed in front of captured aircraft. Thousands of people turned out to watch the fake procession, some holding white Taliban flags (right), as the Islamists celebrate 'victory' over western forces Hundreds of people also took to the streets of Kandahar, a traditional stronghold for the Taliban, waving the white Islamist flag as they celebrated the western withdrawal from Afghanistan Crowds gather in Kandahar, in southern Afghanistan, to celebrate after the last US evacuation flight left their country Badri 313 units post for the cameras at Kabul airport today, carrying American-made rifles and wearing US military gear Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid (centre right) speaks to journalists at Kabul airport in front of a line of Badri 313 'special forces' troops armed with US weapons, and in front of a captured American C-130 plane Taliban 'special forces' soldiers display their newly-captured weapons and gear during a press conference at Kabul airport Taliban 'special forces' troops - known as Badri 313 units - stand guard at Kabul airport on Tuesday morning after retaking it from American forces overnight A Taliban fighter poses in the cockpit of a C-130 Hercules transport plane that was left behind during the evacuation An A-29 attack plane is surrounded by kit left behind by western forces as they retreated from Kabul airport A-29 attack planes which appear largely intact are seen alongside a huge amount of western body armour and tactical helmets left behind by retreating troops A Taliban fighter walks past an aircraft and an assortment of other military and civilian vehicles at the airport in Kabul Satellite images of Kabul airport show the mostly-disabled aircraft that western forces left behind scattered outside hangars at Hamid Karzai airport today The C-130 military transport plane that the Taliban held their press conference in front of can be seen (bottom right) on the tarmac at Hamid Karzai airport today, after western forces departed Afghan women can study at university but not in the same room as men, Taliban declare Afghan women will be allowed to study at university, but not in the same room as men, the Taliban has declared. The group's acting higher education minister also said that male teachers will not be permitted to teach female students under new rules. The announcement comes amid concerns that Afghanistan's return to Taliban rule will curb progress made towards women's rights. The Taliban is in the process of hammering out a framework for its government, having captured all but one of the country's 34 provinces, but has indicated that it intends to rule based on its interpretation of Sharia law. The group has been at pains to attempt to reassure Afghan citizens and the international community that it will not return to severely restricting the rights of women, as it did during its previous rule, but many doubt the militants' sincerity. 'The people of Afghanistan will continue their higher education in the light of Sharia law in safety without being in a mixed male and female environment,' Abul Baqi Haqqani, the Taliban's acting minister for higher education, said in a meeting on Sunday, adding: 'men will not be allowed to teach girls.' Haqqani also explained that changes would be made to the curriculum to 'create a reasonable and Islamic curriculum that is in line with our Islamic, national and historical values, and, on the other hand, be able to compete with other countries'. Advertisement Zabihullah Mujahid, the group's chief spokesman, addressed the media from the tarmac, bidding 'congratulations to Afghanistan' while adding: 'This victory belongs to us all.' Calling the day a 'big lesson for other invaders and for our future generation,' he then told gathered journalists: 'It is an historical day and an historical moment. We are proud of these moments, that we liberated our country from a great power'. Hundreds of American and British citizens were left behind when the last US evacuation plane took off late Monday, along with thousands of Afghans who helped western troops on a promise of sanctuary that was ultimately broken. Many now fear for their lives. Mujahid insisted today that Taliban security forces will be 'pleasant and nice' to those left behind, despite reports already emerging of summary executions and persecution against women reminiscent of the Taliban of old. Meanwhile at Bagram air base, the former stronghold of western forces, its new Taliban commander was boasting of having 'beaten' America using little more than Kalashnikov rifles while saying the airfield will now be 'a base for jihad for all Muslims'. Speaking to The Times, 35-year-old Maulawi Hafiz Mohibullah Muktaz said: 'Never in our wildest dreams could we have believed we could beat a superpower like America with just our Kalashnikovs. 'When you do jihad all doors open, we defeated America with our faith and our guns and we hope now that Bagram can be a base for jihad for all Muslims 'For any foreign power considering attacking Afghanistan then look at Bagram now and learn your lesson well before embarking on foolish endeavour. See the West's mighty technology humbled here by mujahidin. 'In 15 years as a mujahid fighting the Americans I wondered often if I may fail or die. Yet here is proof of the power of faith and God and jihad. On the back of victory I hope we can use Bagram as a place to spread jihad further into the region and Muslim world.' Reflecting on America's withdrawal from the other side of the conflict, head of U.S. Central Command General Frank McKenzie said on Monday night: '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,' he insisted. At the same time the US released a night-vision image of Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, who was the last soldier to board a plane out of the country. All eyes will now turn to how the Taliban handles its first few days with sole authority over the country, with a sharp focus on whether it will allow other foreigners and Afghans to leave. Reports suggest many are already fleeing through Pakistan to the east and Iran to the west. The US and UK are still working on arrangements to allow people to be evacuated from these neighbouring countries. More than 123,000 people were evacuated from Kabul in a massive but chaotic airlift by the United States and its allies over the past two weeks, but tens of thousands who helped Western nations during the war were left behind. A contingent of Americans, estimated by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken as fewer than 200, and possibly closer to 100, wanted to leave but were unable to get on the last flights. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab put the number of UK nationals in Afghanistan in the low hundreds, following the evacuation of some 5,000. Hekmatullah Wasiq, a top Taliban official, said today that 'Afghanistan is finally free.' 'The military and civilian side (of Kabulairport) are with us and in control,' he said. 'Hopefully, we will be announcing our Cabinet. Everything is peaceful. Everything is safe. Wasiq also urged people to return to work and reiterated the Taliban pledge offering a general amnesty. 'People have to be patient,' he said. 'Slowly we will get everything back to normal. It will take time.' Taliban spokesman Mujahid also addressed the gathered members of the Badri unit. 'I hope you be very cautious in dealing with the nation,' he said. 'Our nation has suffered war and invasion and the people do not have more tolerance.' At the end of his remarks, the Badri fighters shouted: 'Allahu Akbar' or 'God is greatest!' In an interview with Afghan state television, Mujahid also discussed restarting operations at the airport, which remains a key way out for those wanting to leave the country. 'Our technical team will be checking the technical and logistical needs of the airport,' he said. 'If we are able to fix everything on our own, then we won't need any help. Gay man is 'raped and beaten by the Taliban' A gay man has been raped and beaten by the Taliban in just the latest example of the new life facing Afghans as their country returns to Islamist rule. The man, who has not been identified, was lured out of hiding in the capital Kabul by two Taliban fighters who posed as a friend offering safe passage out of the country. Instead, they beat and raped the man when he arrived to meet them - leaving him alive but terrified and suffering psychological torment. It comes after the Taliban was accused of forcibly marrying girls as young as 12 to its fighters as sex slaves, and of carrying out summary executions against anyone suspected of helping western forces during the 20-year war. The man's fate was revealed by Artemis Akbary, an Afghan rights activist now living in Turkey, who told ITV News that he had been in touch with the man. He said the attack is just an early example of what life will be like for gay people under Taliban rule, as the final US troops left the country. 'They are trying to tell the world 'we are changed and we don't have problems with women's rights or human rights',' Akbary said. 'They are lying. The Taliban hasn't changed, because their ideology hasn't changed.' Advertisement 'If there is need for technical or logistics help to repair the destruction, then we might ask help from Qatar or Turkey.' He didn't elaborate on what was destroyed. While the international community appears to have accepted the reality of Taliban rule, the UK and US remain willing to take on Islamic State, also known as Daesh. British forces are prepared to launch air strikes to target so-called Islamic State terrorists in Afghanistan, the head of the RAF indicated as the US-led military presence in the country came to an end. The group's Afghan offshoot, Isis-K, carried out the bloody attack on Kabul airport in the final days of the evacuation effort which killed two Britons and the child of a British national, along with 13 US service personnel and scores of Afghans. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the global coalition against the terrorist group was ready 'to combat Daesh networks by all means available, wherever they operate'. Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston indicated the RAF could strike Isis-K targets in Afghanistan. 'Ultimately what this boils down to is that we've got to be able to play a global role in the global coalition to defeat Daesh, whether it's strike, or whether it's moving troops or equipment into a particular country, at scale and at speed,' he told the Daily Telegraph. 'If there's an opportunity for us to contribute I am in no doubt that we will be ready to - that will be anywhere where violent extremism raises its head, and is a direct or indirect threat to the UK and our allies. 'Afghanistan is probably one of the most inaccessible parts of the world, and we're able to operate there.' The attack on Kabul airport on Thursday has led to a transatlantic blame game, with US sources indicating the gate that was attacked was kept open to facilitate the British evacuation. According to leaked Pentagon notes obtained by Politico, Read Admiral Peter Vasely, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan, had wanted to close Abbey Gate but it was kept open to allow UK evacuees into the airport. A Taliban fighter takes a picture of a damaged MD 530 helicopter that was abandoned at Kabul airport by retreating troops An American MRAP vehicle is pictured at Kabul airport alongside other armoured vehicles after falling into Taliban hands A Russian Mi-17 helicopter is pictured alongside Taliban fighters after it was seized from retreating western troops American-made ammunition left behind by retreating forces has now been picked up by the Taliban A transport plane with the propeller removed is examined by Islamist fighters at Kabul airport this morning Badri special force fighters climb up on a vehicle at the airport in Kabul after the US pulled all its troops out of the country Planes, helicopters and vehicles left behind by western forces have now fallen into the hands of the Taliban Taliban forces flying their flag drive down the runway at Kabul airport in an American Humvee after troops withdrew Taliban fighters inspect a US Humvee at the airport in Kabul, after seizing a huge number of vehicles from western forces Britain and America officially ended their military presence in Afghanistan late last night with the final US troops flying out from Kabul's airport. Pictured: Taliban fighters from the Fateh Zwak unit, wielding American supplied weapons, equipment and uniforms, storm into the Kabul International Airport The US Army then released a nightvision image of Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, the last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan as the Pentagon announced the last American forces left Kabul airport 24 hours ahead of schedule Taliban Badri special force fighters arrive at the airport in Kabul after the US pulled all its troops out of the country Taliban forces cross the tarmac at Kabul airport, carrying the group's white flag in front of press cameras Members of the Taliban Badri 313 military unit walk past a torn down banner featuring a picture of late Afghan Mujahideen leader Ahmed Shah Massoud at Kabul airport 'There was just a leg and a hand remaining': Neighbours describe horrific scene where US drone killed seven kids Neighbours and relatives have described the horrific scene where a US drone strike killed seven children and say that the Pentagon's claims about ISIS explosives inside the car made no sense from the blast. Washington said its drone strike on Sunday was aimed at a vehicle transporting 'a substantial amount of explosive material' towards Kabul airport. Ezmarai Ahmadi, 40, was killed alongside his sons Zamir, Faisal and Farzad - aged 20, 16 and 12 respectively. He lost six nieces and nephews in the blast, including a boy and a girl both aged two, two girls aged seven and five, a six-year-old boy and 28-year-old Naser Heydari. Ezmarai had worked with international organisations for 17 years, while Naser had worked for an Afghan National Army commander based in Kandahar under the US-backed government. They had both applied for P2 visas under the US scheme to help eligible Afghans to emigrate with their families. Matin Aziz, 20, a neighbour, said he saw Ezmarai and the children burning after the missile struck the car. 'We were sitting in the street just around the corner and then we heard this almighty blast. When we got here there was a big fire and bodies everywhere,' he told The Times. 'I saw Ezmarai on fire. I could see two children inside the burning car. We tried to put the fire out and help them but it was too late. We tried to get some of them to hospital but they all died on the way. There was just one leg and one hand remaining of Farzad [Ezmarai's 10-year-old son].' Aziz also claimed Washington's statement about there being explosives in the car didn't add up. 'If there were explosives in the car there would have been a much bigger explosion and the surrounding area would have been destroyed,' he said. All three of Romal Ahmadi's young children were killed in the blast. 'I was inside the house with my wife when it happened,' Romal says. 'My 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.' Advertisement The Ministry of Defence said that throughout the operation at the airport 'we have worked closely with the US to ensure the safe evacuation of thousands of people'. 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 proclaimed 'full independence' for Afghanistan after the US withdrawal. The leaving U.S. troops destroyed more than 70 aircraft, dozens of armoured vehicles and disabled air defences that had thwarted an attempted Islamic State rocket attack on the eve of their departure. But as the Taliban watched U.S. troops leave Kabul on Monday night, eight of their fighters were killed in clashes in the Panjshir valley north of the capital, said Fahim Dashti, a spokesman for the recently formed National Resistance Forces. Several thousand anti-Taliban fighters, from local militias, remnants of army and special forces units, have gathered in the valley under the command of regional leader Ahmad Massoud. In a statement, President Joe Biden defended his decision to stick to Tuesday's withdrawal deadline. He said the world would hold the Taliban to their commitment to allow safe passage for those wanting to leave Afghanistan. 'Now, our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended,' said Biden, who thanked the U.S. military for carrying out the dangerous evacuation. He plans to address the American people on Tuesday afternoon. Biden has said the United States long ago achieved its objectives set in ousting the Taliban in 2001 for harbouring al Qaeda militants who masterminded the Sept. 11 attacks. He has drawn heavy criticism from Republicans and some fellow Democrats for his handling of Afghanistan since the Taliban took over Kabul this month after a lightning advance and the collapse of the U.S.-backed government. Blinken said the United States was prepared to work with the new Taliban government if it did not carry out reprisals against opponents in the country. 'The Taliban seeks international legitimacy and support,' he said. 'Our position is any legitimacy and support will have to be earned.' Mujahid said the Taliban wanted to establish diplomatic relations with the United States despite two decades of hostility. 'The Islamic Emirate wants to have good diplomatic relations with the whole world,' he said. Neighbouring Pakistan's foreign minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, told a news conference in Islamabad that he expected a new 'consensus government will be formed in the coming days in Afghanistan'. The Taliban must revive a war-shattered economy without the foreign aid running into billions of dollars that had flowed to the previous ruling elite and fed systemic corruption. People living outside Afghan cities face what U.N. officials have called a catastrophic humanitarian situation worsened by a severe drought. 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. '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 let off fireworks near Kabul airport as they celebrate America's departure from Afghanistan after 20 years Taliban fighters from the Fateh Zwak unit, wielding American supplied weapons, equipment and uniforms, storm into the Kabul International Airport and inspect equipment that was left behind. Celebratory gunfire can be seen flying overhead 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 Despite the end of ground operations, British forces are prepared to launch air strikes to target so-called Islamic State terrorists in Afghanistan, the head of the RAF indicated as the US-led military presence in the country came to an end. Pictured: A No. 2 Squadron Tornado during operations in southern Afghanistan Retired generals and admirals call for US defence chiefs to resign over Afghan withdrawal Dozens of retired generals and admirals are demanding that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley resign over the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan. '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 released Monday. They all proposed what they, as former U.S. military decision makers, felt should have happened in the withdrawal, including not rushing the withdrawal and not abandoning the Bagram Air Base. More specifically, they said 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 also said that if Milley and Austin did advise against this, they should have resigned if Biden didn't take their direction to show their disapproval and to not have to carry out the mission that ended up with lives lost of 13 U.S. service members. Advertisement '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. The gates of Hamid Karzai airport remained locked to ordinary Afghans today as the Taliban promised to restart civilian flights 'soon' and that those with visas wanting to leave would be allowed to do so Afghans queue up outside a bank in Kabul as they try to withdraw cash, with reserves running desperately low amid warnings that the country is on the brink of economic collapse Afghanistan is suffering a cash shortage that means business owners cannot pay staff and workers are struggling to buy basic necessities, as the UN says food could start running out within a month Taliban fighters sit on the back of a pick-up truck at the airport in Kabul Taliban fighters stand guard inside the airport in Kabul after the last US forces withdrew from the country Taliban fighters patrol along a street in Kabul after the Islamist group seized control of Afghanistan 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. Afghan evacuees disembark from US Air Force plane at Rota Naval Base in Spain, after catching one of the last flights out of Afghanistan before the withdrawal of all American troops U.S navy sailors and Afghan citizens, who have been evacuated from Kabul, are seen at a camp for evacuees in Rota, Spain Britain is prepared to launch air strikes against Isis terrorists in Afghanistan, the head of the Royal Air Force has signalled. Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, the Chief of the Air Staff, said the UK must be able to 'play a global role in the global coalition to defeat Daesh' and that could include strikes. Meanwhile, Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, has said the UK will work with other nations to defeat Isis 'by all means available'. Mr Raab said Britain 'retains the right to exercise self-defence and that must include in relation to terrorist groups operating from abroad'. The comments came after the UK ended its 20 year deployment in Afghanistan at the weekend. There are now growing fears the chaos in the country caused by Joe Biden's decision to withdraw US forces and the Taliban takeover could lead to a heightened terror threat. Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, the Chief of the Air Staff, said the UK must be able to 'play a global role in the global coalition to defeat Daesh' and that could include strikes Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, has said the UK will work with other nations to defeat Isis 'by all means available' The US-led coalition to defeat Isis issued a statement yesterday in which it vowed to continue to work to 'effectively counter' the 'dangerous threat' posed by the group. The coalition said: 'In that effort, we will draw on all elements of national powermilitary, intelligence, diplomatic, economic, law enforcementto ensure the defeat of this brutal terrorist organization. 'We will continue to apply robust counterterrorism pressure against Daesh/ISIS wherever it operates.' Sir Mike suggested in an interview with The Telegragh that the UK will be willing to conduct airstrikes against the group. He said: 'Ultimately what this boils down to is that we've got to be able to play a global role in the global coalition to defeat Daesh, whether it's strike, or whether it's moving troops or equipment into a particular country, at scale and at speed.' He added: 'If there's an opportunity for us to contribute I am in no doubt that we will be ready to - that will be anywhere where violent extremism raises its head, and is a direct or indirect threat to the UK and our allies. 'Afghanistan is probably one of the most inaccessible parts of the world, and we're able to operate there.' Mr Raab responded to the coalition statement by saying the UK would continue, along with its partners, to show 'unwavering collective resolve to combat Daesh networks by all means available, wherever they operate'. The Foreign Secretary was asked to elaborate on Sir Mike's comments this morning but he declined, telling Sky News: 'Well, I am not going to comment any more on the operational details that the admiral referred to. 'But of course, in extremis, the UK retains the right to exercise self-defence and that must include in relation to terrorist groups operating from abroad.' Mr Raab today insisted that there had been 'real tangible gains' made as a result of the conflict in Afghanistan. He said: You have got to look at the gains that were made because of the sacrifice of so many British forces, US forces and allied forces. We hadnt seen in that 20 years Afghanistan used as a base for terrorist attacks abroad. Thee UK ended its 20 year deployment in Afghanistan at the weekend as British military personnel left Kabul airport We had, with our aid money and our wider development policy, got 10 million more children into education. I think by the time we have left, four in 10 of those were girls. If you look at the maternal mortality rate, so mums dying in pregnancy or in childbirth, that was down by close to 50 per cent. So there were real tangible gains for all that sacrifice. Of course now the focus is to recognise the new reality, learn the lessons of course from it but also focus on what we can do going forward. An ex-Afghan English language teacher stranded in Afghanistan has described how he 'regrets' working with the British mission there and says the Taliban are hunting him for helping Western forces. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the unnamed man said: 'I regret working with the English. I regret helping people learn English. Why did I work for people who left me and fled and left me alone here? My background is hurting me nowadays.' Britain and the US officially ended their military presence in Afghanistan late last night with the final US troops flying out from Kabul's airport - leaving behind hundreds of citizens and Afghan allies desperate to flee the country now in the hands of the Taliban. The RAF had made its last evacuation flight on Sunday to give US forces enough time to clear the ground ahead of the deadline set by Joe Biden, bringing to an end the deployment which began after 9/11. London helped fly some 15,000 people to safety, but stories have emerged of interpreters who helped the armed forces and even people with British passports stranded behind Taliban checkpoints. It is not known precisely how many people who were promised sanctuary in the UK were left behind. Some 200 American passport holders are now thought to be living under Taliban rule, with an unknown number of Afghans promised sanctuary also abandoned. The Afghan English teacher said: 'They are looking for me because I've got pictures in billboards advertised for classes. Also, I worked for the British Council. I worked for the UK for the past eight or nine years.' He tried to flee Afghanistan shortly after the Taliban took over, but found there was no way for him to escape. He applied for the evacuation scheme but had 'no reply'. 'Last night was the worst,' he said. 'It was, the whole night, guns while you're sleeping. It damages your mind. My fate will be the same, like others.' Handout photo issued by the Ministry of Defence of UK military personnel onboard a A400M aircraft departing Kabul US soldiers board an US Air Force aircraft at the airport in Kabul on August 30, 2021 Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid (C) speaks to the media at the airport in Kabul Dominic Raab DENIES US claims that Britain 'made Kabul airport suicide attack death toll worse' by pushing to keep gate at centre of blast open for UK evacuees despite terror threat Dominic Raab today hit back at the Pentagon after they tried to shift the blame for the high death toll from last week's suicide attack in Kabul on to the UK. With the 'special relationship' under further strain, Britain's Foreign Secretary insisted it is 'simply not true' to suggest UK pushed to keep Kabul airport gate open against the wishes of their US allies. And he revealed that Britain had already moved its own staff from a nearby hotel because of the growing threat of a terror attack. Mr Raab told Sky News: 'We co-ordinated very closely with the US, in particular around the Isis-K threat which we anticipated, although tragically were not able to prevent, but it is certainly right to say we got our civilians out of the processing centre by Abbey Gate, but it is just not true to suggest that other than securing our civilians inside the airport that we were pushing to leave the gate open. 'In fact, and let me just be clear about this, we were issuing changes of travel advice before the bomb attack took place and saying to people in the crowd, about which I was particularly concerned, that certainly UK nationals and anyone else should leave because of the risk.' Advertisement Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the number of UK nationals left behind in Afghanistan is in the 'low hundreds' after the western military presence came to an end in the country. The Cabinet Minister said on Tuesday he was unable to give a 'definitive' figure on how many Afghans the UK failed to airlift to safety after the Taliban seized power. Mr Raab did not rule out the possibility that thousands of Afghans and UK nationals could have been left behind following the departure of British troops ahead of their American counterparts. Instead, he told the Today programme: 'It's very difficult to give you a firm figure. I can tell you that for UK nationals we've secured since April over 5,000, and we're in the low hundreds (remaining).' The Taliban are pinning chilling 'night letters' to the doors of those they accuse of 'working for the crusaders'. The notes order their victims to attend a Taliban-convened court. Failure to do so will result in the death penalty. One of those to receive a warning was Naz, a 34-year-old father-of-six whose construction company helped the UK military build roads in Helmand and the runway at Camp Bastion. He had applied for sanctuary in Britain under ARAP, the Afghan relocation programme, but had been rejected. Naz said yesterday: 'The letter was official and stamped by the Taliban. It is a clear message that they want to kill me. If I attend the court, I will be punished with my life. If I don't, they will kill me - that is why I am in hiding, trying to find a way to escape. But I need help.' Another victim, a former British military translator, was warned he was a 'spy of the infidel' and must give himself up or pay with his life. A third night letter warned the brother of an interpreter that he had been sentenced to death for sheltering him while a fourth was found in the shoe of an ex-British military translator as he left prayers at a mosque. The letters are a traditional Afghan method of intimidation. They were used by mujahideen fighters during the Soviet occupation and then by the Taliban as both a propaganda tool and a threat. Often used in rural communities, they are now being widely circulated in cities. Those received by former British translators are designed to both spread fear and compliance with Taliban directives with threats of violence or death if 'demands are not met'. As in Naz's case, that usually involves an interpreter surrendering to a Taliban court. Shir, 47, worked on the front lines in Helmand and qualified for relocation. But he was unable to force his way through the airport to board an evacuation flight. He said: 'My daughter found the letter on our door with a nail in it. It instructed me to surrender myself for the judgment of the court of the Islamic Emirate (Taliban) or they would act like hunters to find me. They would then kill me.' He immediately moved home and is now in hiding. 'It is a letter of fear, a warning, a threat to you and your family. You must bow to the Taliban orders or make sure you are not caught. I thought I would escape on a British flight and was called three times to the airport but could not make it through the people. 'Now I am trapped and people have seen the letter on my door. It is a mark of the Taliban on my family.' For Naz, the letter was specific. It named his father and their village and was stamped by the Islamic Emirate. The warning said he had been a 'slave' of NATO forces and had ignored warnings to stop working with them. He was ordered to 'present yourself' to the court otherwise it would be 'forwarded to the Sharia Court of Appeal where the judgment of death penalty will be passed in your absence. This would be the path you have chosen for yourself'. The Taliban are pinning chilling 'night letters' to the doors of those they accuse of 'working for the crusaders'. The notes order their victims to attend a Taliban-convened court. Failure to do so will result in the death penalty The letters are a traditional Afghan method of intimidation. They were used by mujahideen fighters during the Soviet occupation and then by the Taliban as both a propaganda tool and a threat British citizens and Afghan friendlies are left behind as last US flights slip out of Afghanistan 24 hours early: Taliban celebrate West's final retreat from 20-year war with wild gunfire in sky above Kabul Britain and America officially ended their military presence in Afghanistan late last night with the final US troops flying out from Kabul's airport - leaving behind hundreds of citizens and Afghan allies desperate to flee the country now in the hands of the Taliban. A night-vision image showed America's Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, boarding a military transport as the last US soldier to leave Afghanistan after 20 years of war. The RAF had made its last evacuation flight on Sunday to give US forces enough time to clear the ground ahead of the deadline set by Joe Biden, bringing to an end a deployment which began in the wake of September 11. The UK government helped fly some 15,000 people to safety, but stories have emerged of interpreters who helped the armed forces over the last 20 years and even people with British passports stranded behind Taliban checkpoints. It is not known precisely how many people who were promised sanctuary in the UK were left behind. Some 200 American passport holders are now thought to be living under Taliban rule, with an unknown number of Afghans promised sanctuary - thought to number in the thousands - also abandoned. 'There's a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure,' General Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, said on Monday night. '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.' Advertisement Naz said: 'The message of night letters is clear: you must comply or die. We have moved but we can't keep moving. We must escape.' The Taliban bragged on the runway of Kabul airport today that the West's retreat from Afghanistan should serve as 'a lesson for the world'. Zabihullah Mujahid, the group's chief spokesman, addressed the media from Hamid Karzai Airport - posing in front of Taliban 'special forces' units who had seized control of the airstrip just hours earlier along with a captured American C-130 military transport. 'Congratulations to Afghanistan... this victory belongs to us all,' Mujahid said, calling the day a 'big lesson for other invaders and for our future generation' while vowing to establish 'good relations with the US and the world.' Overnight, fireworks and celebratory gunfire had lit up the night sky over the Afghan capital after it emerged the last US evacuation flight had departed, putting an end to America's longest war. Mujahid insisted today that Taliban security forces will be 'pleasant and nice', despite reports already emerging of summary executions and persecution against women reminiscent of the Taliban of old. Afghanistan is also facing economic collapse as aid organisations cut off funding and foreign banks withhold reserves, while UN agencies warn that food could start running out within a month. It comes as Mr Raab today hit back at the Pentagon after they tried to shift the blame for the high death toll from last week's suicide attack in Kabul on to the UK. With the so-called 'special relationship' under further strain, Britain's Foreign Secretary insisted it is 'simply not true' to suggest UK pushed to keep Kabul airport gate open against the wishes of their US allies. And he revealed that Britain had already moved its own staff from a nearby hotel because of the growing threat of a terror attack. The attack on Kabul airport on Thursday has led to a transatlantic blame game, with US sources indicating the gate that was attacked was kept open to facilitate the British evacuation. According to leaked Pentagon notes obtained by Politico, Rear Admiral Peter Vasely, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan, had wanted to close Abbey Gate but it was kept open to allow UK evacuees into the airport. The Ministry of Defence said that throughout the operation at the airport 'we have worked closely with the US to ensure the safe evacuation of thousands of people'. Mr Raab told Sky News: 'We co-ordinated very closely with the US, in particular around the Isis-K threat which we anticipated, although tragically were not able to prevent, but it is certainly right to say we got our civilians out of the processing centre by Abbey Gate, but it is just not true to suggest that other than securing our civilians inside the airport that we were pushing to leave the gate open. 'In fact, and let me just be clear about this, we were issuing changes of travel advice before the bomb attack took place and saying to people in the crowd, about which I was particularly concerned, that certainly UK nationals and anyone else should leave because of the risk.' Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith also questioned the American account, telling LBC today: 'If the American military were serious about shutting the gates they would have shut the gates'. Last night a senior British diplomatic source hit back at the US's accusations, pointing out that a number of foreign ministers at a G7 meeting yesterday 'heaped praise' on the UK's actions at the airport during the evacuation. One source told The Times: 'We understood the severity of the situation; we changed the travel advice. If they had closed Abbey Gate we would have been totally supportive.' Defence select committee chairman Tobias Ellwood told the Telegraph: 'It does not add up. If the US was anticipating a mass casualty event why did they still continue processing themselves? 'There is an underlying current of blame which is unhelpful. It's a distraction from the main effort of what is happening on the ground'. Colonel Richard Kemp, a former commander of British forces in Afghanistan, said: 'No blame should be put on the British here and I do not believe the evidence as presented goes anywhere near any level of UK culpability. The US had very good intelligence on this attack. 'One could ask why they did not conduct a pre-emptive strike to neutralise the threat? If the suicide bomber had not detonated his device at Abbey Gate it would have been somewhere else close by.' A number of Australia's most infamous prisoners - including Daniel Morcombe's killer Brett Cowan and wife slayer Gerard Baden-Clay - are poised to receive Pfizer jabs before many law-abiding citizens. While there are abundant AstraZeneca vaccines in Australia, there is limited supply of Pfizer, with appointments scarce for both young and old who want that particular jab. But for Queensland prisoners, the Pfizer vaccine is being widely administered to inmates by the state's health vaccination clinic as well as prison health services staff. Queensland Health refused to confirm how many inmates had been vaccinated, but a spokesman later said that 'vaccinations for prisoners and Queensland Corrective Services staff has been under way for several months - and will continue to be implemented progressively.' The news is likely to raise questions about why criminals can't be given the AstraZeneca jab, which Australia has millions of spare doses of and is perfectly effective. Baden Clay murdered his wife Allison in 2012, while Cowan killed 13-year-old Daniel Morcombe in 2003. Both men are serving life sentences. Notorious Australian prisoner Brett Cowan, who murdered Daniel Morcombe on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, could receive a Pfizer vaccine before law abiding citizens in the Sunshine State Fellow Queensland inmate Gerard Baden-Clay, who murdered his wife Allison, could also get the jab before Queensland residents In NSW, where Covid case numbers to continue to surge, precise vaccination rates behind bars also remain a mystery. It comes after Parklea Prison, in Sydney's north-west, and Cessnock Correctional Centre in the Hunter Valley were both placed in urgent lockdown recently after 12 Covid-positive inmates were detected at Parklea. Some prisoners had been in contact with other prisoners now housed at Cessnock, placing both centres at risk. Other prisoners at Lithgow Correctional Centre, in the NSW Central Tablelands, are reportedly resisting vaccination requests due to religious beliefs. The stand-off has left some NSW correctional staff on edge, given they have no powers to mandate vaccination jabs to inmates. 'Prison officers understand the risks of Covid-19 and want to be vaccinated,' Nicole Jess, president of the Public Service Association of NSW, said. 'The challenge is supply. 'The PSA has asked NSW Health for further on-site vaccinations for prison officers.' In one recent instance, an officer from Parklea Prison confirmed inmates were given priority when there was a shortage of vaccinations for prisoners and staff. Australia's current full vaccination rate sits at just under 28 per cent. Once the nation achieves a rate of 80 per cent - which could be the end of 2021 based on current numbers - life will then slowly 'return to normal' according to many state leaders. Afghan women will be allowed to study at university, but not in the same room as men, the Taliban has declared. The group's acting higher education minister also said that male teachers will not be permitted to teach female students under new rules. The announcement comes amid concerns that Afghanistan's return to Taliban rule will curb progress made towards women's rights. The Taliban is in the process of hammering out a framework for its government, having captured all but one of the country's 34 provinces, but has indicated that it intends to rule based on its interpretation of Sharia law. The group has been at pains to attempt to reassure Afghan citizens and the international community that it will not return to severely restricting the rights of women, as it did during its previous rule, but many doubt the militants' sincerity on this issue. Afghan women will be allowed to study at university, but not in the same room as men, the Taliban has declared. The group's acting higher education minister also said that male teachers will not be permitted to teach female students under new rules. Pictured: A male teacher addresses a co-educational journalism class at the Mashal Institute of Higher Education in Kabul The education announcement comes amid concerns that Afghanistan's return to Taliban rule will curb progress made towards women's rights. Pictured: Students attend Kabul University in 2010 'The people of Afghanistan will continue their higher education in the light of Sharia law in safety without being in a mixed male and female environment,' Abul Baqi Haqqani, the Taliban's acting minister for higher education, said in a meeting on Sunday, adding: 'men will not be allowed to teach girls.' Haqqani also explained that changes would be made to the curriculum to 'create a reasonable and Islamic curriculum that is in line with our Islamic, national and historical values, and, on the other hand, be able to compete with other countries'. Under former president Ashraf Ghani, whose government was toppled when the Taliban seized Kabul on August 15, the rights of women and girls were extended, allowing many to study and work. However, co-education was not widespread in the deeply conservative country. The owners of private universities have objected to the separation of male and female students and said that there are not enough female teachers to facilitate segregated learning, according to Taliban Watch, an independent group of human rights researchers. Others, including journalist Bashir Ahmad Gwakh, have pointed out that the move will 'effectively deprive girls from higher education because universities cannot afford it nor there are[sic] enough human resources'. Under former president Ashraf Ghani, whose government was toppled when the Taliban seized Kabul on August 15, the rights of women and girls were extended, allowing many to study and work. Pictured: Graduates celebrate receiving their diplomas at the American University of Afghanistan in 2019 There is widespread suspicion among Afghans over the new Taliban regime's assertions that it is different from the previous one. The last time the group was in power from 1996 to 2001, it imposed a harsh interpretation of Islamic law. It banned women from education and public spaces, brutally executed political opponents and massacred religious and ethnic minorities such as the Hazaras. The Taliban has promised a softer system this time around, including rights for women. It has also pledged an inclusive government, holding talks with a variety of influential Afghan political figures - including former US-backed president Hamid Karzai. It has even sent representatives to the Shiite Hazara minority, which suffered brutal violence at the hands of the Taliban in the 1990s. While there has been relief in some parts of rural Afghanistan where people wanted an end to the violence, many Afghans say that actions, not words, matter. Women, particularly in cities, remain fearful of stepping outside, and there is at least one pocket of armed resistance in the Panjshir valley, a traditional anti-Taliban bastion. There is widespread suspicion among Afghans over the new Taliban regime's assertions that it is different from the previous one. Pictured: Students walk through Kabul University campus on their way to register for classes in 2001 A hairdresser from Coventry who moved to Dubai for a better life has died following complications after going to Iran for cosmetic surgery. Popular Louise Smith, 37, was pursuing her career in the United Arab Emirates when the tragedy happened. Her family say they are 'in the dark' over the circumstances of her death on July 28. One friend Danni Chauhan hit out, suggesting pressures of social media had prompted her to have the operation. She was also said to have become obsessed with her weight during lockdown. Her devastated father Neil posted online: 'We are still in the dark, just coming up again a brick wall about getting her home. Louise Smith, 37, was pursuing her career in the United Arab Emirates as a hairdresser Friends said she was influenced by social media to get cosmetic surgery and went to Iran Fun loving Louise loved to travel and snaps of her adventure were posted online for people 'We have emailed local MP Will Quince to no avail doing everything possible please, please British embassy we need this help get the ball rolling.' Friend Danni Chauhan told The Sun: 'I still can't comprehend that this has happened. 'What a young life lost all because we want to look a certain way that social media portrays us to look like. I'm so sorry you had to go through this alone.' Louise's social media presence showed her adventurous spirit and lust for life Grieving family of the hairdresser are now trying to repatriate her body back to the UK So far a total of 14,000 has been raised to try and return Louise's body back to her family Iran's surgery boom The Iranian Association of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeons say just 40,000 operations take place in Iran each year - but the reality is probably three times that amount., There is a large number of undocumented specialist surgeons willing to perform procedures others may not accept. Plastic surgeon Ali Asghar Shirazi said: 'I dont think the statistics are particularly surprising. 'Iran is one of the most populated countries in Middle East and it is a relatively rich country. 'Here in Iran, we have many patients from neighbours like Iraq, Bahrain, UAE, Azerbaijan and Armenia.' Advertisement 'We are all in shock at the moment.' Louise, a veteran Toni & Guy stylist of 19 years, moved from the UK after splitting from her partner. Her grieving family are still struggling to repatriate her body and a crowdfunder to try and help has not reached 14,000. Young women in Iran, some as young as 14, are having cosmetic surgery in the hope of attaining the Hollywood 'doll face'. Iran has been named the nose job capital of the world - with seven times more operations carried out there than in America - despite the high cost of the surgery. Cosmetic procedures cost five to six times the average monthly wage in Iran. But according to a report in their conservative Etemad newspaper, as many as 200,000 Iranians are undergoing rhinoplasty operations every year. The reasons behind the surgery include self-esteem and marriageability, as well as medical issues. Another reason is that there are some women in the country find the Islamic practice of the hijab so limiting when it comes to beauty. Dominic Raab went on the attack today as he was backed by Boris Johnson amid a fierce Westminster blame war over the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal. The under-pressure Foreign Secretary blasted 'irresponsible' leaks against him as No 10 denied reports that he is facing a humiliating demotion at the next Cabinet reshuffle. Mr Raab has been the subject of numerous anonymous briefings in recent weeks as his opponents claimed he was slow to respond to the deteriorating situation because he was on holiday. But he lashed out at 'buck passing' today - as he sought to blame the Ministry of Defence and Home Office for delays in rescuing UK nationals and former allies trapped in Kabul. His comments came as he prepares for a grilling in front of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee tomorrow, with even his own allies hearing a 'fast and brutal' fall from grace if he is sacked. Mr Raab told Sky News: 'Anyone that is toddling off to the Sunday Times or any other newspaper at a time of crisis, including the evacuation which has been two weeks running, giving buck-passing briefings either at me or the FCDO is, frankly, not credible and it is deeply irresponsible.' He also insisted the response to the crisis had been a 'team effort' across Whitehall after critics had singled out the Foreign Office for failings. 'Again, I come back to this thing, those giving anonymous briefings to newspapers during the evacuation I'm afraid have very little credibility and it is pretty obvious, transparent buck passing,' he added. The Prime Minister's official spokesman today told reporters: 'There are no plans for any reshuffle. The Prime Minister has full confidence in his Foreign Secretary.' Dominic Raab today launched a furious fight back against his critics as he accused them of 'buck passing' during the Afghanistan crisis The Foreign Secretary has been widely tipped for the sack at Boris Johnson's next Cabinet reshuffle over his handling of the UK's withdrawal from Kabul Ex-MI6 boss: Taliban victory in Afghanistan will 'inspire' terrorists to attack the West A former head of MI6 today warned the Taliban's victory in Afghanistan could 'inspire' terrorists to launch attacks on the West amid a growing backlash at Joe Biden's handling of the US withdrawal from the country. Sir John Sawers said there is 'no doubt' the Taliban's success is being 'celebrated' by extreme Islamist groups and 'that raises the risk of them being inspired to more violence in Western countries'. Sir John said the chaos in Afghanistan means terror groups are likely to move there because they will have 'some operating space', with the US and UK now in a 'much weaker position' to combat the threat they pose. His comments came as the former professional head of Britain's armed forces launched a direct attack on Mr Biden over the West's Afghanistan 'defeat', as the transatlantic alliance was placed under further strain. Lord David Richards, an ex-chief of the defence staff, accused the US President and other politicians of letting down Britain and their Afghan allies in their rush to escape Kabul. The peer, who served in Afghanistan, said 'we've been defeated by the Taliban' as he attacked America and the UK Government over their handling of the pull out. Advertisement The Foreign Office has been accused of leaving hundreds of emails from people stuck in Afghanistan unopened during the evacuation operation. But Mr Raab suggested many of the emails were actually the responsibility of the MoD and the Home Office. He said: 'The FCDO was set up, up and running, before the Arap scheme (Afghan relocations and assistance policy) had an MoD online portal. 'When the Home Secretary announced the resettlement scheme, again we got a lot of emails, a surge of emails, when they set up a bespoke hotline, that eased some of the burden. 'So we were getting a lot of cases coming through that needed to be sifted and triaged on, we did that as best we could. 'But most of those, the two email accounts people are talking about are the Arap cases which were led by the MOD, not by the FCDO, and also the special cases which ultimately was a Home Office responsibility. But it was a team effort.' A reshuffle is not thought to be imminent but reports have suggested that Michael Gove, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, is being lined up to replace Mr Raab. One of Mr Raab's allies suggested to The Times that the Foreign Secretary had failed to build support among colleagues. 'I think when a fall from grace happens, it's fast and it's brutal,' they said. 'People forget what politics is about. It's about getting people to help you do the heavy lifting. You saw this with Theresa May. The people who are really successful are the ones who can motivate a team. 'There's a whole load of people in politics who think that spending time talking to colleagues in the tea room is below them. It's not regarded as important work.' A senior Government source had told the newspaper yesterday that they believed Mr Raab will be 'toast' in the next shake up of Mr Johnson's top team. Mr Raab has been accused of being slow to engage with the Afghanistan crisis and was criticised for failing to return early from a family holiday in Crete in the days leading up to the fall of Kabul. A senior official in the Pakistani government claimed to the Sunday Times that Mr Raab did not make a single phone call to his Afghan or Pakistani counterparts in the six months before the crisis. The official said Mr Raab 'just didn't care' because he 'thought Afghanistan was yesterday's war'. Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith described criticism of Mr Raab as 'childish and pathetic'. Speaking on LBC Radio, Sir Iain said: 'A lot of the briefing against Dominic Raab is rather childish and pathetic, during the course of a crisis where you want this thing settled. 'You don't want to have a debate about whether somebody should be there or not there, as long as they're doing their job and you want them to get on with that job.' Kirstie Allsopp has said dogs never 'come close to being as valuable as a human life' as she hit out at the evacuation of 150 animals from Afghanistan. The TV property broadcaster, who has a border terrier named Dandy, said it was a 'betrayal' that men, women and children had been left behind after the evacuation. She spoke out after former Royal Marine Paul 'Pen' Farthing succeeded in evacuating dogs and cats to Britain from an animal shelter in Kabul over the weekend. Allsopp claimed the UK had effectively told Afghans that 'animals matter more' and said she was 'concerned many Brits feel more empathy for animals than humans'. Mr Farthing's campaign to get his animals to safety has become hugely topical over the past fortnight, with Defence Secretary Ben Wallace complaining it was distracting from the focus on evacuating the most vulnerable out of Afghanistan. Pen Farthing, pictured with his wife Kaisa Markhus after they were reunited in Oslo, Norway Mr Farthing and his wife Kaisa were allowed to meet but not to touch due to quarantine rules Kirstie Allsopp, who was a border terrier named Dandy, is pictured on ITV's Daybreak in 2013 Allowed to meet, but not touch, due to quarantine rules after Mr Farthing's return from Kabul In a series of tweets yesterday, Allsopp said Mr Farthing was 'a symptom of the British obsession with pets over people and the betrayal those left behind will feel'. She told how her mother, the late interior decorator Fiona Hindlip, used to say the UK was the 'only country where you can admit to preferring your dogs to your children'. Pen Farthing says he's 'not worried about what some politician is saying about me' A former Royal Marine who was criticised after leaving an expletive-laden message for a Government aide amid the evacuation of 150 dogs and cats from Afghanistan has said he is 'not worried about what some politician is saying about me'. Paul 'Pen' Farthing had apologised after a recording, obtained by The Times, captured him berating Peter Quentin, a special adviser to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, and accusing the staffer of 'blocking' efforts to arrange the evacuation flight. Following the privately funded charter flight's arrival at London's Heathrow Airport Mr Farthing, who was speaking from Oslo, told ITV's Good Morning Britain on Monday he was 'incredibly embarrassed about my language' in the voicemail. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he repeated his apology but appeared to shift the focus back to the Government and its allies' withdrawal from Afghanistan. He told the paper: '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.' Advertisement Allsopp, 50, who is a mother-of-four, added: 'If I were left in Afghanistan, or were trying to get a member of my family out, I simply could not conceive how we could get dogs and cats on a plane to the UK but not humans. 'We have betrayed and let down so many people and then told them straight up that animals matter more.' She continued: 'Imagine how you would feel seeing those animals gain access to the airport while you still waited in a sewage ditch with your exhausted and terrified children.' Allsopp also tweeted: 'I adore my dog. I do not, for one single second, think my dog comes close to being as valuable as a human life. I would swap my dog for a human life, and I mean any human life, not just my family and friends.' It comes as Mr Farthing was criticised after leaving an expletive-laden message for a Government aide amid the evacuation of the dogs and cats from Afghanistan. He said he was 'not worried about what some politician is saying about me'. Mr Farthing had apologised after a recording, obtained by The Times, captured him berating Peter Quentin, a special adviser to Mr Wallace, and accusing the staffer of 'blocking' efforts to arrange the evacuation flight. Following the privately funded charter flight's arrival at London's Heathrow Airport Mr Farthing, who was speaking from Oslo, told ITV's Good Morning Britain on Monday he was 'incredibly embarrassed about my language' in the voicemail. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he repeated his apology but appeared to shift the focus back to the Government and its allies' withdrawal from Afghanistan. He said: '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.' Mr Farthing had said he was still working to help evacuate 68 Nowzad animal shelter staff and family members, including 25 children and one new-born baby, from Afghanistan as part of his Operation Ark campaign. The campaign became a hot topic on social media, with Mr Wallace saying some of Mr Farthing's more militant supporters had 'taken up too much time' of senior commanders. It comes as Dominic Raab denied claims that he did not speak to ministers in Afghanistan and Pakistan for months ahead of the evacuation crisis, describing them as 'not credible and deeply irresponsible'. The Sunday Times reported that the Foreign Secretary had 'shown no interest' in taking calls from either country's government in the six months before the evacuation. The newspaper cited an unnamed Pakistani official, who said Mr Raab had thought of Afghanistan as 'yesterday's war'. Today, Mr Raab hit back at the claims, and said there had been a 'team effort' across the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to communicate with the two countries. Mr Raab told Sky News: 'Anyone that is toddling off to the Sunday Times or any other newspaper at a time of crisis, including the evacuation which has been two weeks running, giving buck-passing briefings either at me or the FCDO is, frankly, not credible and it is deeply irresponsible.' The Cabinet minister added that he had spoken to Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi 'more intensively given the evacuation' and defended the Foreign Office's record in Afghanistan, because it has supported the evacuation of 17,000 people since April. However, he was unable to name any time before the last few weeks in which he had spoken to ministers from either Pakistan or Afghanistan. He told LBC: 'I can't tell you my precise call sheet for the last six months.' But he said he was part of a 'team of ministers' and delegated phone calls to colleagues, including Foreign Office minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, who had led the UK's relationship with the Afghan government. Mr Raab added: 'It is right that you have delegation, a division of labour, if you are going to operate effectively as a team. Anyone who tells you otherwise has not done a job like this.' The Foreign Office told the Sunday Times that Mr Raab had spoken to Pakistani minister Mr Qureshi on August 22 and August 27, but could not cite any earlier conversations between the two men in the last six months. It instead said that Lord Ahmad was responsible for communicating with Pakistan and Afghanistan as the minister for South Asia. Former Royal Marine Pen Farthing's campaign has become hugely topical on social media British citizens and dual nationals boarding a military plane at Kabul Airport on August 16 Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith described criticism of Mr Raab's handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan as 'childish and pathetic'. Speaking on LBC, Sir Iain said: 'A lot of the briefing against Dominic Raab is rather childish and pathetic, during the course of a crisis where you want this thing settled. 'You don't want to have a debate about whether somebody should be there or not there, as long as they're doing their job and you want them to get on with that job.' Mr Raab faced criticism for not returning early from his holiday in Crete earlier this month, as Kabul was seized by the Taliban. The Foreign Secretary has said that 'with hindsight' he would have abandoned his holiday sooner. The Taliban's elite forces were seen falling off the back of a truck at Kabul airport today as they celebrated with a victory parade around the runway in looted US military gear. The jubilant fighters packed into the back of the pick-up, with a few sitting and standing precariously on the open tailgate at the rear of the vehicle. Moments later two 'elite' Badri 313 fighters, along with a journalist, tumbled off the back of the truck, landing flat on their backsides in a cloud of black exhaust smoke. Despite the comical scene, it's the Taliban who appear to have had the last laugh as they jaunt around with US-made guns, in US-made armoured cars after vanquishing the most well-funded army in the world after a 20-year war. The jubilant fighters packed into the back of the pick-up, with a few sitting and standing precariously on the open tailgate at the rear of the vehicle Moments later two of 'elite' Badri 313 fighters, along with a journalist, tumbled off the back of the truck, landing flat on their backsides in a cloud of black exhaust smoke Badri 313 units post for the cameras at Kabul airport today, carrying American-made rifles and wearing US military gear Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid addressed the media from the tarmac this morning - posing in front of Taliban special forces units who had seized control of the airstrip just hours earlier. Elsewhere, Taliban fighters posed with captured aircraft, helicopters, and vehicles. 'Congratulations to Afghanistan... this victory belongs to us all,' Mujahid said, calling the day a 'big lesson for other invaders and for our future generation.' 'It is an historical day and an historical moment. We are proud of these moments, that we liberated our country from a great power,' he added. Overnight, fireworks and celebratory gunfire had lit up the night sky over the Afghan capital after it emerged the last US evacuation flight had departed, putting an end to America's longest war. But hundreds of American and British citizens were left behind, along with thousands of Afghans who provided assistance to their troops on the promise of sanctuary that was ultimately broken. Many now fear for their lives. Mujahid insisted today that Taliban security forces will be 'pleasant and nice', despite reports already emerging of summary executions and persecution against women reminiscent of the Taliban of old. Afghanistan is also facing economic collapse as aid organisations cut off funding and foreign banks withhold reserves, while UN agencies warn that food could start running out within a month. 'There's a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure,' General Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, said on Monday night as a night-vision image of Major General Chris Donahue - the last American troop to leave the country - was released. '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,' he insisted. All eyes will now turn to how the Taliban handles its first few days with sole authority over the country, with a sharp focus on whether it will allow other foreigners and Afghans to leave. Taliban Badri special force fighters pose with American-made weapons under their white flag at Kabul airport today Taliban Badri special force fighters take a position at the airport in Kabul after taking over security from US forces Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid (centre right) speaks to journalists at Kabul airport in front of a line of Badri 313 'special forces' troops armed with US weapons, and in front of a captured American C-130 plane Taliban 'special forces' soldiers display their newly-captured weapons and gear during a press conference at Kabul airport Reports suggest many are already fleeing through Pakistan to the east and Iran to the west. The US and UK are still working on arrangements to allow people to be evacuated from these neighbouring countries. While the international community appears to have accepted the reality of Taliban rule, the UK and US remain willing to take on Islamic State, also known as Daesh. British forces are prepared to launch air strikes to target so-called Islamic State terrorists in Afghanistan, the head of the RAF indicated as the US-led military presence in the country came to an end. The group's Afghan offshoot, Isis-K, carried out the bloody attack on Kabul airport in the final days of the evacuation effort which killed two Britons and the child of a British national, along with 13 US service personnel and scores of Afghans. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the global coalition against the terrorist group was ready 'to combat Daesh networks by all means available, wherever they operate'. Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston indicated the RAF could strike Isis-K targets in Afghanistan. 'Ultimately what this boils down to is that we've got to be able to play a global role in the global coalition to defeat Daesh, whether it's strike, or whether it's moving troops or equipment into a particular country, at scale and at speed,' he told the Daily Telegraph. 'If there's an opportunity for us to contribute I am in no doubt that we will be ready to - that will be anywhere where violent extremism raises its head, and is a direct or indirect threat to the UK and our allies. 'Afghanistan is probably one of the most inaccessible parts of the world, and we're able to operate there.' The attack on Kabul airport on Thursday has led to a transatlantic blame game, with US sources indicating the gate that was attacked was kept open to facilitate the British evacuation. According to leaked Pentagon notes obtained by Politico, Read Admiral Peter Vasely, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan, had wanted to close Abbey Gate but it was kept open to allow UK evacuees into the airport. Taliban 'special forces' troops - known as Badri 313 units - stand guard at Kabul airport on Tuesday morning after retaking it from American forces overnight A Taliban fighter poses in the cockpit of a C-130 Hercules transport plane that was left behind during the evacuation Taliban fighters are pictured in the cargo bay of an American transport plane abandoned at Kabul airport A Taliban fighter takes a picture of a damaged MD 530 helicopter that was abandoned at Kabul airport by retreating troops A Russian Mi-17 helicopter is pictured alongside Taliban fighters after it was seized from retreating western troops The Ministry of Defence said that throughout the operation at the airport 'we have worked closely with the US to ensure the safe evacuation of thousands of people'. 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 proclaimed 'full independence' for Afghanistan after the US withdrawal. 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. '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. Planes, helicopters and vehicles left behind by western forces have now fallen into the hands of the Taliban A transport plane with the propeller removed is examined by Islamist fighters at Kabul airport this morning An A-29 attack plane is surrounded by trash left behind by western forces as they retreated from Kabul airport 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.' The dangers 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 dangerous 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. A former head of MI6 today warned the Taliban's victory in Afghanistan could 'inspire' terrorists to launch attacks on the West amid a growing backlash at Joe Biden's handling of the US withdrawal from the country. Sir John Sawers said there is 'no doubt' the Taliban's success is being 'celebrated' by extreme Islamist groups and 'that raises the risk of them being inspired to more violence in Western countries'. Sir John said the chaos in Afghanistan means terror groups are likely to move there because they will have 'some operating space', with the US and UK now in a 'much weaker position' to combat the threat they pose. His comments came as the former professional head of Britain's armed forces launched a direct attack on Mr Biden over the West's Afghanistan 'defeat', as the transatlantic alliance was placed under further strain. Lord David Richards, an ex-chief of the defence staff, accused the US President and other politicians of letting down Britain and their Afghan allies in their rush to escape Kabul. The peer, who served in Afghanistan, said 'we've been defeated by the Taliban' as he attacked America and the UK Government over their handling of the pull out. The UK completed its withdrawal at the weekend, having evacuated thousands of people from the country but ministers admitted some citizens who are eligible to come to Britain were left behind. There are now growing fears that the number of people left in the country is much higher than previously thought, with Labour MPs telling The Guardian there are more than 7,000 of their constituents and family members in need of rescue. The Government has urged people to head for land borders with surrounding countries to make it out but Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab today admitted such journeys will be a 'challenge'. It came amid an extraordinary slanging match over responsibility for US deaths from a suicide blast at Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport. Pentagon officials blamed British requests to keep an entrance to the hub open for casualties in Thursday's blast, which killed 182 people including 13 US Marines. The claim was attacked as 'reprehensible' by former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, who also took aim at Mr Biden, who is expected to speak publicly about the withdrawal in Washington later today. Sir John Sawers, the former head of MI6, said there is 'no doubt' the Taliban's success is being 'celebrated' by extreme Islamist groups It came amid an extraordinary slanging match over responsibility for US deaths from a suicide blast at Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport. Mr Biden is expected to speak publicly about the withdrawal in Washington later today Lord David Richards, an ex-chief of the defence staff, accused the US president and other politicians of letting down Britain and their Afghan allies in their rush to escape Kabul RAF prepared to launch air strikes hitting ISIS in Afghanistan Britain is prepared to launch air strikes against Isis terrorists in Afghanistan, the head of the Royal Air Force has signalled. Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, the Chief of the Air Staff, said the UK must be able to 'play a global role in the global coalition to defeat Daesh' and that could include strikes. Meanwhile, Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, has said the UK will work with other nations to defeat Isis 'by all means available'. Mr Raab said Britain 'retains the right to exercise self-defence and that must include in relation to terrorist groups operating from abroad'. The comments came after the UK ended its 20 year deployment in Afghanistan and amid fears the chaos in the country caused by the withdrawal of Western forces and the Taliban takeover could lead to a heightened terror threat. The US-led coalition to defeat Isis issued a statement yesterday in which it vowed to continue to work to 'effectively counter' the 'dangerous threat' posed by the group. The coalition said: 'In that effort, we will draw on all elements of national powermilitary, intelligence, diplomatic, economic, law enforcementto ensure the defeat of this brutal terrorist organization. 'We will continue to apply robust counterterrorism pressure against Daesh/ISIS wherever it operates.' Advertisement Sir John, who served as head of MI6 between 2009 and 2014, said the chaos in Afghanistan raises the risk of an increased terror threat. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: There is no doubt that the Talibans success in Afghanistan is being celebrated by extreme Islamist groups, violent groups, across the Islamic world and that raises the risk of them being inspired to more violence in Western countries as well as in the Islamic world to further their aims. He added: There is no doubt that the terrorist groups will now feel that they can move to Afghanistan and have some operating space there so the picture could change. Sir John said that without forces on the ground the UK and US are now in a 'much weaker position' to combat terror groups in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Lord Richards told BBC Breakfast: 'A lot of lives have been lost, not just British service lives, also many Afghans, and hundreds of thousands of Afghan lives are now facing ruin when they had some hope. 'I'm afraid our political leadership, and in particular President Biden over the last six months, have let those people down, us and the Afghans.' He added that anybody who believes the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan was a success, 'should start writing novels, because, quite clearly, it is not what we all intended'. However, Lord Richards added that the agreed date for all evacuations from the country should not have been extended. He said: 'The fact is, we've been defeated by the Taliban and the Taliban had agreed August 31 with the Americans, and, while I don't for one moment take sides with the Taliban, I can see why they said enough is enough.' It came as Taliban fighters paraded at Kabul airport after the last American troops departed on Monday night, saying the West's retreat should serve as 'a lesson for the world'. Zabihullah Mujahid, the group's chief spokesman, addressed the media from the tarmac this morning - posing in front of Taliban 'special forces' units wielding American-made rifles and US military gear, who had seized control of the airstrip just hours earlier. 'Congratulations to Afghanistan... this victory belongs to us all,' Mujahid said, calling the day a 'big lesson for other invaders and for our future generation.' 'It is an historical day and an historical moment. We are proud of these moments, that we liberated our country from a great power,' he added. Overnight, fireworks and celebratory gunfire had lit up the night sky over the Afghan capital after it emerged the last US evacuation flight had departed, putting an end to America's longest war. But hundreds of American and British citizens were left behind, along with thousands of Afghans who provided assistance to their troops on the promise of sanctuary that was ultimately broken. Many now fear for their lives. Earlier, Mr Raab hit back at the Pentagon after it tried to shift the blame for the high death toll from last week's suicide attack in Kabul on to the UK. With the 'special relationship' under further strain, Britain's Foreign Secretary insisted it is 'simply not true' to suggest UK pushed to keep an airport gate open to allow more refugees to escape, against the wishes of their US allies. And he revealed that Britain had already moved its own staff from a nearby hotel because of the growing threat of a terror attack. Mr Raab told Sky News: 'We co-ordinated very closely with the US, in particular around the Isis-K threat which we anticipated, although tragically were not able to prevent, but it is certainly right to say we got our civilians out of the processing centre by Abbey Gate, but it is just not true to suggest that other than securing our civilians inside the airport that we were pushing to leave the gate open. 'In fact, and let me just be clear about this, we were issuing changes of travel advice before the bomb attack took place and saying to people in the crowd, about which I was particularly concerned, that certainly UK nationals and anyone else should leave because of the risk.' Sir Iain blamed the US and president Biden for the terror attack at Kabul airport on August 26. Speaking to LBC, he said: 'President Biden was responsible for those decisions which, I believe, were critical in the course of the events that we've seen unfolding. 'I do think now to attempt to try and brief against the UK on the suicide bombing is reprehensible really, because, you know, if the American government or the American military were very serious about shutting the gates, they would have shut the gates. 'I think this idea that it was down to the idea that the British were begging them to keep them open, I think is a little bit mean-spirited on them and probably wrong.' Meanwhile a former vice chief of staff of the United States Army has described the country's withdrawal from Afghanistan as 'one of the most serious foreign security blunders the US has made in the past 30 or 40 years'. Former US general Jack Keane (left) described the country's withdrawal from Afghanistan as 'one of the most serious foreign security blunders the US has made in the past 30 or 40 years'. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, General Jack Keane said: 'The reality that al Qaida is in 15 provinces in Afghanistan. Isis-K has aspirations outside of Afghanistan. 'The US abandoning the mission even though there are threats to American citizens is one the most serious foreign security blunders US has made in the past 30 or 40 years.' Gen Keane, who served in conflicts from Vietnam to Bosnia and Kosovo, added that he believes the deadline to leave should have been pushed back in order to evacuate more people, and that a 'modest force' presence could have been retained. He said: 'I understand nobody expected the regime in Afghanistan to collapse this quickly but why wouldn't we change the date we get out? I can't identify with what we have just done. I'm ashamed of it. It's a fundamental betrayal.' President Joe Biden has been slammed for breaking his promise to evacuate all stranded US citizens from Afghanistan after 200 were left under Taliban rule following the troop withdrawal. The last of the US forces stationed in Kabul departed Monday 24 hours ahead of schedule as the Taliban claimed 'victory' and stormed the airport moments later. Biden had pledged to stay in Afghanistan until all US citizens were airlifted to safety, but Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. admitted: 'We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out.' President Joe Biden has been slammed for breaking his promise to evacuate all stranded US citizens from Afghanistan Taliban Badri special force fighters climb up on a vehcile at the airport in Kabul today after the US pulled out all its troops On August 18, Biden said in an interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos his objective was to get 'everyone' out, including Americans and Afghan allies. He said: 'That's what we're doing now, that's the path we're on. And I think we'll get there. If there's American citizens left, we're gonna stay to get them all out.' Thiel Capital COO and Arizona Senate candidate Blake Masters criticized the withdrawal, saying: 'I guess Biden changed his mind.' Meanwhile National Review editor Rich Lowry said: 'Biden kept his promise to the Taliban to get out of Afghanistan by August 31; he broke his promise to Americans to get them all out before he left.' Oklahoma Rep. Markwayne Mullin said: 'America needed leadership and all Biden gave us was lies. Biden had pledged to stay in Afghanistan until all US citizens were airlifted to safety 'He turned his back on Americans and our allies still stranded in Afghanistan. What happened to no man left behind? 'This Administration should be held accountable for this complete and utter failure.' After the withdrawal, the Army released an image of the last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan. 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. A Taliban fighter sits in the cockpit of an Afghan Air Force aircraft at the airport in Kabul 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 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. 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 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'. Advertisement Joint National Education Union secretary Mary Bousted said masks will be needed in schools 'very shortly' Schools in England could be forced into re-adopting tougher Covid measures 'very shortly', teaching unions say. Millions of youngsters will go back to classrooms this week and next, sparking fears of an inevitable spike in cases. As part of the Government's strategy of learning to live alongside the virus, ministers dropped the remaining infection-controlling restrictions in English schools. It means that children no longer have to wear masks in class, nor do they have self-isolate if another pupil in their 'bubble' tests positive. Twice-weekly lateral flow tests is the only measure being kept from last term. But in Scotland which has seen cases spiral to record highs since children went back in mid-August masks are still required for the next few weeks, and staff must keep a one-metre gap between each other and pupils. Experts yesterday warned that England faces an even 'worse' uptick following the return of schools because of the lack of protective restrictions. The country also has a higher Covid infection rate than Scotland did when classes reopened north of the border. Mary Bousted, the joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: 'We have much higher prevalence now in the community than it was. 'We're going in with much higher rates of prevalence into schools where we are relying on one mitigation, which is lateral flow testing. In Scotland they have not abandoned the safety precautions. 'My prediction is very shortly we are going to see schools all over the country in their hundreds having to operate contingency framework.' 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 an even worse situation when its schools return 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 Teaching unions have today predicted that schools would need to reimpose face masks 'very shortly' after reopening. Schools in parts of the South West have already brought back the measures (stock) Parents back longer school days to help the Covid generation 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 school's 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 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. Advertisement It comes as: NHS hospitals could soon be equipped with airline-style pods and remote lighting controls to make A&E trips 'less frightening', the Health Secretary Sajid Javid said; An anti-vaccine mob ambushed a BBC journalist in Scarborough and told him the 'nooses are ready'; A British minor escaped from a Tenerife test centre after discovering he was infected with Covid but was then apprehended after trying to board a flight to the UK and told to quarantine; The bank holiday recording lag and tailing off of cases in England saw the UK's daily Covid infections fall by 17 per cent in a week to 26,476 infections. Ms Bousted told the Daily Telegraph: 'But what you're doing there is shutting the stable door after the Covid horse has bolted.' Scotland was recording around 2,000 cases a day on August 16 when its schools started to return. This equated to an infection rate of 250 positive tests for 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. Scotland posted more than 7,000 new infections on Sunday more than three times above the levels seen during the darkest days of the second wave. Its infection rate is now 580 per 100,000. In England there are already more than 20,000 cases a day, with an infection rate of around 320 positive tests per 100,000 people. The country's outbreak has tailed off over the past week but experts have always warned the return of schools would trigger an uptick. When 8.9million children in England went back 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 Deepti Gurdasani, an epidemiologist at Queen Mary University of London and member of Independent SAGE, said yesterday: '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. '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. This is a recipe for disaster.' 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).' Schools could improve children's behaviour by keeping them in lunch 'bubbles', Gavin Williamson claims Schools should consider keeping children in lunch 'bubbles' this term to improve their behaviour, Gavin Williamson has suggested. The Education Secretary is encouraging headteachers to extend the Covid measure because it has other benefits beyond restricting the virus. The bubble system, which saw pupils eat with the same group every day to stop the virus spreading, has been scrapped for the new term this week. However, Mr Williamson said headteachers found it a great opportunity to teach 'family dining' including table manners and social skills. He told the Mail: 'It brings so many benefits not just to children but to the whole ethos of the school... 'Not all children will have that regular experience of being sat around a family dinner table. I think it's an important part of their personal development and it supports... their educational development as well.' Schools have autonomy over their behaviour policies and do not have to adopt Mr Williamson's suggestion. But even before the bubble system, family dining was adopted by a number of top schools to tackle poor behaviour. Advertisement Schools in parts of the South West will still ask pupils to wear masks in corridors, playgrounds and 'communal areas' when they return. Meanwhile, one school in Rotherham has pledged to defy Government guidance. Wales High School in the South Yorkshire town will maintain masks and support bubbles when pupils return to the classroom this week. Headteacher Pepe Di'Iasio told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'We're maintaining masks in crowded corridors, and in social areas because we feel that that will help keep the infection rates down. 'But we're also maintaining some of the pre-Covid rules of our one-way systems, and our separation of year groups that were formerly known as bubbles and they're now just going to be kept in new groups again to try and just keep crowds down and keep the numbers apart.' There is no national guidance on wearing masks in schools, with all the remaining restrictions dropped in May. The bubble system, which saw pupils eat with the same group every day to stop the virus spreading, was also scrapped. No10's Education Secretary has, however, said schools should consider keeping children in lunch 'bubbles' this term to improve behaviour. Gavin Williamson is encouraging headteachers to extend the Covid measures because it has other benefits beyond restricting the virus. But Mr Williamson said schools found it a great opportunity to teach 'family dining' including table manners and social skills. Writing for the Mail, he also urged parents to encourage their children to get regularly tested and to ensure they don't get 'carried away'. Pupils will have to get tested twice at school on the first week of their return, under the Department of Education's guidance. They should carry out two lateral flow tests a week at home thereafter. 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. Mr Williamson said: 'The last thing we want is for schools to partially close again, or for whole classes of pupils to be at home self-isolating.' During the previous academic year schools were launched into Covid chaos with some sending whole year-groups home after just one positive test. Official figures show that at the end of the last academic year 750,000 children had been sent home to self-isolate, despite there being only 40,000 positive tests. Lobby groups have blamed over-cautious teachers and staff for sending so many children home, and welcomed the Government's decision to relax most Covid restrictions this year. But teaching unions have already warned that school are set to be plunged into 'chaos' again in the weeks ahead should cases spiral rapidly. It comes after a survey last night showed the majority of parents want longer school days to help their children recover from Covid disruption. Fifty-one per cent of parents support pupils spending extra time each day on activities such as sport and drama. Only a fifth were opposed to the proposal championed by the Centre for Social Justice think-tank, according to the YouGov poll. The mother of child actor Matthew Mindler has said he struggled with severe anxiety for years, but seemed to be settled in during his first week at university. Mindler was declared dead on Saturday, and the cause ruled as suicide by authorities in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. His mother Monica has now spoken out about her son's death, saying that Matthew suffered from 'crippling anxiety', according to TMZ on Tuesday. 'We appreciate the support, concern and outpouring of prayers from Millersville University, the students and the community,' Monica Mindler added. 'My heart is crushed and my mind cannot yet fathom this reality.' Sources with the Lancaster County Coroner's 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. Authorities in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania ruled the death of one-time child actor Matthew Mindler a suicide. His mother has spoken of how he suffered from severe anxiety Monica Mindler (pictured), Matthew's mother, has now spoken out about her son's death, saying that Matthew suffered from 'crippling anxiety', according to TMZ on Tuesday 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. His mother told the news outlet that he had kept in constant contact with him during his first days at the college, but that she lost contact with him on Tuesday night. She said he had been busy during his first days on campus, saying that he had med with an adiser about starting a campus computer programming club. He also had an upcoming job interview with the IT department, Monica told TMZ, and said he was making friends. The pair last exchanged text messages on Thursday, she said, and she told him that she would pick him up on Friday so he he could be at home to relax for a few days. But when she texted him on Wednesday morning, the messages went through as texts instead of iMessages, suggesting his phone was off or unreachable. When she became worried about her son, Monica told the news outlet that she contacted the university for a wellness check, and spoke to his roomate on Wednesday. She was told no one had seen her son and that people were worried. By Thursday, she drove to the campus and got the police involved in the search. On Saturday, he was found dead near the campus. '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. A gay man has been raped and beaten by the Taliban in just the latest example of the new life facing Afghans as their country returns to Islamist rule. The man, who has not been identified, was lured out of hiding in the capital Kabul by two Taliban fighters who posed as a friend offering safe passage out of the country. Instead, they beat and raped the man when he arrived to meet them - then took his father's number so they could tell him that his son is gay. It comes after the Taliban was accused of forcibly marrying girls as young as 12 to its fighters as sex slaves, and of carrying out summary executions against anyone suspected of helping western forces during the 20-year war. Taliban fighters who tricked a gay man into coming out of hiding then beat and raped him, according to activists (file image) The man's fate was revealed by Artemis Akbary, an Afghan rights activist now living in Turkey, who told ITV News that he had been in touch with the man. He said the attack is just an early example of what life will be like for gay people under Taliban rule, as the final US troops left the country. 'They are trying to tell the world "we are changed and we don't have problems with women's rights or human rights",' Akbary said. 'They are lying. The Taliban hasn't changed, because their ideology hasn't changed.' 'My friends in Afghanistan are scared, they don't know what will happen to them in the future so they're just trying to hide.' With the American withdrawal from Afghanistan now complete, there are fears the Taliban will quickly reimpose their brutal interpretation of Islam on the country. Zabihullah Mujahid, the group's spokesman, insisted today that security forces will be 'gentle and nice' to those under their rule. But his words contrast sharply with warnings from the UN of widespread human rights abuses and suppression of women's rights. And a little over a week ago, Najla Ayoubi - a former Afghan judge who now lives in the US - said that Taliban fighters had set a woman alight because they didn't like the food they forced her to cook for them. Other women are being packed into coffins and shipped abroad so they can be used as sex slaves, she claimed. Afghans who assisted western forces during the 20-year conflict said today that the Taliban have pinned terrifying 'night letters' to their front doors - warning them to report to court or else face execution. It is just the latest example of life under Taliban rule, which has also seen women return to wearing modest coverings (pictured) while their rights are eroded One of those to receive a warning was Naz, a 34-year-old father-of-six whose construction company helped the UK military build roads in Helmand and the runway at Camp Bastion. He had applied for sanctuary in Britain under ARAP, the Afghan relocation programme, but had been rejected. Naz said yesterday: The letter was official and stamped by the Taliban. It is a clear message that they want to kill me. 'If I attend the court, I will be punished with my life. If I dont, they will kill me that is why I am in hiding, trying to find a way to escape. But I need help. Another victim, a former British military translator, was warned he was a spy of the infidel and must give himself up or pay with his life. A third night letter warned the brother of an interpreter that he had been sentenced to death for sheltering him while a fourth was found in the shoe of an ex-British military translator as he left prayers at a mosque. The Taliban is now in almost-complete control of Afghanistan following the withdrawal of the last American troops from Kabul, which was completed overnight. Just one pocket of resistance remains in the Panjshir Valley - some 100 miles north of Kabul - where resistance forces are holed up. The Taliban may struggle to take the valley, but resistance forces have almost no hope of reconquering the country from their current position - leaving the Islamists in charge. Taliban leaders have already reached out to China, Russia and other regional neighbours in the hopes of getting the country back on its feet after their quicker-than-expected conquest. Among the many challenges facing Afghanistan is a lack of cash which is threatening economic collapse, amid warnings that food could start running out within weeks. Advertisement A series of timelapse maps lay bare how the Delta Covid variant has rapidly engulfed every corner of the UK since exploding onto the scene in spring with Northern Ireland and Scotland being hit hardest. Data from the Government's coronavirus dashboard shows that even areas which were virtually coronavirus-free just four months ago are now recording some of the highest infection rates in the country. The UK is averaging more than 33,000 new infections every day, which is the highest since the second wave was still raging in January, excluding a blip during Euro 2020 when cases briefly rose above that number. And while hospital admissions and deaths are still at a fraction of the level in winter, there are concerns that high levels of Covid in the community and waning vaccine immunity could spill into more casualties. The maps show that, despite the ultra-infectious Delta strain being seeded in England in late April, it is actually Scotland and Northern Ireland that now appear to be bearing the brunt of the third wave. All 10 of the highest Covid infection rates in the past week were in local authorities in Northern Ireland and the Scottish central belt. Fermanagh and Omagh, which covers most of the Southwest of Northern Ireland, had a rate of 1,056 cases per 100,000 in the seven days to August 25 three times the UK average. It was followed by Derry City and Strabane (986). Rounding out the top 10 worst-hit areas were all places in Scotland, with West Dunbartonshire (983), East Dunbartonshire (975) and North Lanarkshire (913) seeing the highest prevalence. The rise in Scotland has been attributed to increased mixing in schools after the summer holidays finished in mid-August, and there are fears England and Wales could be next when classes go back this week and next. It is not clear exactly why Northern Ireland is being hit so hard this time around because schools are not due to restart there until this week, either. But the country has the lowest vaccine uptake in the UK with about 82 per cent of adults having received at least one jab. Slide me A series of maps today laid bare how the Delta Covid variant has rapidly engulfed every corner of the UK since exploding onto the scene in spring. Even areas which were virtually coronavirus-free just four months ago are now recording some of the highest infection rates in the country There were still flashes of green in some parts of the UK on August 4 - representing fewer than 50 per 100,000 weekly cases. But by August 25 the map was awash with blue and purple, with no area recording fewer than 100. Dark purple shows rates above 800 Thanks to the Covid vaccine rollout, the UK is recording, on average, 115 Covid deaths per day and around 900 daily hospital admissions. That is 10 times fewer fatalities than in late January when infections were last this high and around a quarter of the number of hospitalisations. But both metrics have been rising steadily over summer. Nicola Sturgeon last week said she would not hesitate to put Scotland in another lockdown if admissions start to follow the sharp rise in cases in the past fortnight since schools went back. The infection rate in Scotland more than doubled in the week after the restart which has left even rural parts of the country with worryingly high levels of transmission. In Argyll and Bute, for example, on the west coast, there were just one case per 100,000 people in the week up to May 5 when the Delta variant was starting to spread. The area was recording 708 per 100,000 by the most recent count on August 25. Rural parts of England have also been hit hard this time around, believed to be due to the rise in staycations and lower immunity in the less populated countryside. SCOTLAND: Infection rates had been low in most of Scotland, with some exceptions in the central belt, in June after months of lockdown and a successful vaccine rollout (shown on June 2, left) but the Delta variant quickly raced through the population by July 7 (right) SCOTLAND: The maps show the situation north of the border on August 4 (left) when schools were off for summer versus August 25, a week after they'd been back NORTHERN IRELAND: Relatively low vaccine uptake in Northern Ireland is believed to be playing a role in the rapid rise in cases there (June 2 vs July 7) NORTHERN IRELAND: By August 4 (left) the nation's six counties were already recording more than 200 cases per 100,000. By August 25 virtually all areas had a rate of more than 400 UK's daily Covid infections fall by 17% in a week to 26,476 as deaths rise by a fifth to 48 Britain's daily Covid cases fell by 17 per cent in a week to 26,476 yesterday but deaths continued to rise. 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. Advertisement Cornwall, which was the country's Covid hotspot earlier this month, is recording nearly 670 cases per 100,000 now compared to just 5 per 100,000 back in May. Nationally, there are also concerns about how long vaccines protect people for after a major study by King's College London last week found two doses of both Pfizer and AstraZeneca's jabs started to wane within six months. The NHS is also expected to be stretched thin this winter when Covid finds it easier to spread and the health service faces normal pressures. And a bad flu season has also been predicted, due to the lack of natural immunity gained over the past year amid repeated lockdowns. Teaching unions today warned England could be forced into re-adopting tougher Covid measures 'very shortly' when millions of youngsters will go back to classrooms this week and next. As part of the Government's strategy of learning to live alongside the virus, ministers dropped the remaining infection-controlling restrictions in English schools. It means that children no longer have to wear masks in class, nor do they have self-isolate if another pupil in their 'bubble' tests positive. Twice-weekly lateral flow tests is the only measure being kept from last term. But in Scotland which has seen cases spiral to record highs since children went back in mid-August masks are still required for the next few weeks, and staff must keep a one-metre gap between each other and pupils. Experts yesterday warned that England faces an even 'worse' uptick following the return of schools because of the lack of protective restrictions. The country also has a higher Covid infection rate than Scotland did when classes reopened north of the border. Mary Bousted, the joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: 'We have much higher prevalence now in the community than it was. 'We're going in with much higher rates of prevalence into schools where we are relying on one mitigation, which is lateral flow testing. In Scotland they have not abandoned the safety precautions. 'My prediction is very shortly we are going to see schools all over the country in their hundreds having to operate contingency framework.' Ms Bousted told the Daily Telegraph: 'But what you're doing there is shutting the stable door after the Covid horse has bolted.' Scotland was recording around 2,000 cases a day on August 16 when its schools started to return. This equated to an infection rate of 250 positive tests for 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. Scotland posted more than 7,000 new infections on Sunday more than three times above the levels seen during the darkest days of the second wave. Its infection rate is now 580 per 100,000. In England there are already more than 20,000 cases a day, with an infection rate of around 320 positive tests per 100,000 people. The country's outbreak has tailed off over the past week but experts have always warned the return of schools would trigger an uptick. When 8.9million children in England went back 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 Deepti Gurdasani, an epidemiologist at Queen Mary University of London and member of Independent SAGE, said yesterday: '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. '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. This is a recipe for disaster.' WALES: How infection rates in Wales have changed from June 2 to July 7. There are fears of a 'big bang' in cases when schools restart this week and next WALES: How infection rates in Wales changed between August 4 and August 25 ENGLAND: The mutant Delta variant was first seeded in England in late April and May, which saw parts of London and Manchester to see spikes by June 2 (left). The highly infectious strain then swept the country rapidly by July 7 (right) ENGLAND: How infection rates in England have changed since August 4 (shown left) England will suffer a WORSE Covid outbreak than Scotland following the return of children to schools, experts fear England faces an even worse spike in Covid cases than Scotland when children return to schools, top scientists warned. Infections have already spiralled to record highs north of the border, with the uptick 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 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. 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. Advertisement 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).' Schools in parts of the South West will still ask pupils to wear masks in corridors, playgrounds and 'communal areas' when they return. Meanwhile, one school in Rotherham has pledged to defy Government guidance. Wales High School in the South Yorkshire town will maintain masks and support bubbles when pupils return to the classroom this week. Headteacher Pepe Di'Iasio told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'We're maintaining masks in crowded corridors, and in social areas because we feel that that will help keep the infection rates down. 'But we're also maintaining some of the pre-Covid rules of our one-way systems, and our separation of year groups that were formerly known as bubbles and they're now just going to be kept in new groups again to try and just keep crowds down and keep the numbers apart.' There is no national guidance on wearing masks in schools, with all the remaining restrictions dropped in May. The bubble system, which saw pupils eat with the same group every day to stop the virus spreading, was also scrapped. No10's Education Secretary has, however, said schools should consider keeping children in lunch 'bubbles' this term to improve behaviour. Gavin Williamson is encouraging headteachers to extend the Covid measures because it has other benefits beyond restricting the virus. But Mr Williamson said schools found it a great opportunity to teach 'family dining' including table manners and social skills. Writing for the Mail, he also urged parents to encourage their children to get regularly tested and to ensure they don't get 'carried away'. Pupils will have to get tested twice at school on the first week of their return, under the Department of Education's guidance. They should carry out two lateral flow tests a week at home thereafter. 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. Mr Williamson said: 'The last thing we want is for schools to partially close again, or for whole classes of pupils to be at home self-isolating.' During the previous academic year schools were launched into Covid chaos with some sending whole year-groups home after just one positive test. Official figures show that at the end of the last academic year 750,000 children had been sent home to self-isolate, despite there being only 40,000 positive tests. Lobby groups have blamed over-cautious teachers and staff for sending so many children home, and welcomed the Government's decision to relax most Covid restrictions this year. But teaching unions have already warned that school are set to be plunged into 'chaos' again in the weeks ahead should cases spiral rapidly. It comes after a survey last night showed the majority of parents want longer school days to help their children recover from Covid disruption. Fifty-one per cent of parents support pupils spending extra time each day on activities such as sport and drama. Only a fifth were opposed to the proposal championed by the Centre for Social Justice think-tank, according to the YouGov poll. A devastated family have said they are still seeking answers after their teenage son plunged to his death from a fifth-floor hotel balcony during a college trip to Barcelona a decade ago. Engineering student Glyn Summers, who was of Hengoed in Mid Glamorgan, South Wales, was just 17 when college staff allowed him to go out drinking with other students on the visit to Spain in 2011. But following his death after falling from a hotel balcony ten years ago, his family say they are getting no answers from the college and suspect a cover-up. The Summers are yet to receive a copy of a report made by bosses at Ystrad Mynach College, and even the family's insurance company have refused to help them out because one tutor told investigators Glyn had jumped - despite a police report saying no tutors were present at the time. Glyn's brother Sion, 32, said the college, which has since merged with another institution to form Coleg y Cymoedd, has refused to fully share its report of Glyn's death due to 'confidentiality reasons'. 'How can they hide behind that? My parents have a right to know what the outcome of the investigation is. So far, all my parents have been given is the chance to spend an hour in the college's solicitors' office reading the report,' Sion said. 'But one hour to read and digest the report into their son's death? They refused that because that is not acceptable. 'Nothing is going to bring Glyn back, unfortunately he is gone. But as a family, we deserve to know what the report said, and we deserve an apology.' Engineering student Glyn Summers, who was of Hengoed in Mid Glamorgan, South Wales, was just 17 when college staff allowed him to go out drinking with other students on the visit to Spain in 2011 But following his death after falling from a hotel balcony ten years ago, his devastated family say they are getting no answers and suspect a cover-up Sion said: 'My parents have been trying to get access to this report for almost ten years. 'The college conducted an internal investigation after admitting in a letter to my parents that one of the tutors on the trip gave permission for my brother, who was 17 at the time, and some of his friends to go to an over-21 bar on the first night they were there. 'The group went to the bar and my brother's friends took him back to the hotel and he was a bit worse for wear and wasn't feeling well. 'He went out onto the balcony - we think to be unwell - and fell over the balcony. He tried to pull himself back up but fell and a week later he died in hospital. 'My parents flew out there and while they were supposed to be by my brother's side, they were having to battle the insurance company because they were facing these medical bills and the company wouldn't pay out. 'My parents were told by the company that the tutor had called them and said that he had jumped - and they don't pay out on self-inflicted injuries. They even sent my parents the report confirming this and a recording of the call. 'How can someone who was not there say that he jumped? This was contradicted by the police report, which we had translated from Spanish a year after. It had eyewitnesses state that he fell and was clinging on to try and save himself.' The Summers are yet to receive a copy of a report made by bosses at Ystrad Mynach College, and even the family's insurance company have refused to help them out because one tutor told investigators Glyn had jumped - despite a police report saying no tutors were present at the time Karen Phillips, principal of Coleg y Cymoedd said: 'The death of Glyn Summers, during an overseas trip in 2011 organised by the former College Ystrad Mynach, was a tragic accident that was deeply distressing for family and friends as well as staff and fellow students who continue to feel his loss. 'The safety and wellbeing of the students in our care is, and always will be, the over-riding priority for Coleg y Cymoedd. Our safeguarding policies, procedures and practices are constantly monitored to ensure the safety of all staff and students participating in College trips and other activities. 'Since assuming responsibility for the former College Ystrad Mynach, we have sought to co-operate as fully as possible with Glyn's parents, Welsh Government, and others during these difficult times. 'As the successor college we have responsibility for keeping documents related to the former College Ystrad Mynach. While legal constraints prevent us offering unrestricted access to the documents in this case, we have endeavoured to do as much as we are permitted to give Glyn's parents the information which they have requested. We have taken a similar approach in liaising with Welsh Government. 'Our thoughts and sympathies continue to be with Glyn's family and loved ones.' Glyn's family want the Welsh Government to hold an investigation into his death to see if future trips need regulating. Sion said: 'If my brother was with a school on the trip, the local authority would have stepped in sooner to do an investigation, but with further education colleges it doesn't work that way. 'We're calling for the Welsh Government to launch an independent investigation into my brother's death and to tighten the rules of what is allowed when college students are taken on trips. 'I'm a teacher myself and I would never dream of giving permission for a student to drink alcohol, especially if underage. 'Nothing can bring Glyn back but for me, I can't rest knowing that this could happen to someone else and I want to stop that.' Squad member Rashida Tlaib has been blasted after paying tribute to Palestinian PhD student who died after ramming her car at Israeli checkpoint then running at soldiers with a knife. The US Representative for Michigan sparked backlash after writing a Tweet claiming Israel is dehumanizing Palestinians by withholding the body of Mai Afana, who was reportedly killed after attacking Israeli Defense Force soldiers. On Saturday, Tlaib shared a picture of Ph.D. student Afana's mother Khuloud, according to Fox News, and said the Israeli government 'killed' Afana and would not return her body to her family. Squad member Rashida Tlaib has been blasted after paying tribute to Palestinian PhD student who died after ramming her car at Israeli checkpoint then running at soldiers with a knife The Tweet read: 'Meet Mai Afana's mother, Khuloud, who is fighting to be able to bury her daughter & begin her healing. 'Mai was a mother, loving daughter & successful PhD student. She was killed by the Israeli government last June. Israel won't release her body to her family.' Tlaib said the Israeli government was making claims 'without proof' in an effort to 'continue to dehumanize Palestinians even after they have died.' In the thread, she continued: 'I am sharing Mai's story because I began to only learn last year of this inhumane practice by the Israeli govt. The US Representative for Michigan sparked backlash after writing a series of Tweets claiming Israel is dehumanizing Palestinians by withholding the body of Mai Afana 'Without proof, they make claims, and all to just continue to dehumanize Palestinians even after they have died. We must stand against this form of collective violence.' Afana was reportedly killed in June after ramming her car into an Israeli checkpoint along the West Bank. She then got out of her car and ran towards IDF soldiers with a knife, injuring one of the soldiers. According to reports, Israel withholds bodies to negotiate the return of Israeli bodies or captives that are being held by Hamas. Tlaib said Palestinians 'deserved the same dignity' as other people and that Anafa's body is one of 'hundreds being held' which denies loved ones closure. She wrote: The Palestinian people deserve the same dignity as any other human being. The Michigan congresswoman was blasted over the post, with journalist Jerry Dunleavy pointing out that Tlaib left out key information about Afana's death 'To deny the right to see their loved ones for a modicum of closure is another form of painful violence from the U.S. sponsored, Israeli arsenal. Mai's dead body is one of hundreds being held.' The Michigan congresswoman was blasted over the post, with journalist Jerry Dunleavy pointing out that Tlaib left out key information about Afana's death. He wrote: 'Somehow unmentioned in this tweet from Rashida Tlaib is why Mai Afana was killed. Many others were quick to condemn Tlaib's Tweet, with Boris Epshteyn, Trump's special assistant, deeming it 'anti-semitic' 'For instance, the Israel Defense Forces said at the time: The assailant attempted to ram into a number of IDF soldiers, exited her vehicle with a knife drawn, and was neutralized in response.' Many others were quick to condemn Tlaib's Tweet, with Boris Epshteyn, Trump's special assistant, deeming it 'anti-semitic'. He wrote: '@RashidaTlaib continues demonizing the Jewish people. Afana tried to ram her car into Israeli soldiers and attacked them with a knife. Thats called a terrorist attack. 'How can @SpeakerPelosi and @LeaderHoyer continue to tolerate this kind of anti - Semitism in their caucus?' Dramatic footage of a violent arrest in western Sydney shows several police officers tackling a woman to the ground as she repeatedly screams: 'I do not consent'. The video, which was shared in encrypted anti-vaxxer chat rooms on apps including Telegram, shows a woman being crash tackled to the ground at Bankstown train station. 'I have a disability, I do not consent, I do not consent,' the woman repeatedly shouts as a man films the confronting incident, yelling at officers to 'be gentle'. A woman hysterically screamed 'I do not consent' as she was arrested at Bankstown train station on Tuesday The footage, which was posted to a series of anti-vaxxer chats on Tuesday, shows a woman being arrested and tripped to the ground as officers attempt to handcuff her. The woman, in blue jeans and a black shirt, repeatedly screams she has a disability and doesn't 'consent' to being arrested, which is believed to be a phrase encouraged among rulebreakers. According to messages on encrypted Telegram anti-vaxxer chats, viewed by Daily Mail Australia, some conspiracy theorists hold the ill-informed belief that saying 'I do not consent' can give them legal power when being arrested. The term has been harnessed by anti-lockdown protesters and spread online as a way to stop police, despite holding no legal grounding. The footage shows the woman repeatedly screaming the phrase as she is arrested, with several shocked onlookers visible in the background. 'Be careful, she's not resisting, c'mon,' the man filming says as the woman yells in the background. The footage, which was posted to a series of anti-vaxxer chats on Tuesday, shows a woman being arrested and tripped to the ground as officers attempt to handcuff her There are about 12 officers at the scene by the end of the clip as the woman continues to repeat the same sentences about consent and leaving her alone as they take her away The policeman arresting the woman tells the man filming to put on his mask, before he replies: 'I have, you need to show respect.' The officer attempts to restrain the woman who continues to hysterically scream that she 'does not consent', that she 'has a disability' and to 'leave me alone'. As the woman becomes more hysterical another four officers run in to attempt to handcuff her. There are about 12 officers at the scene by the end of the clip as the woman continues to repeat the same sentences about consent and leaving her alone as they take her away. 'They're clearly concerned about stopping the spread,' the video is captioned as the man scans the dozen police in attendance. It's not known why the woman was being arrested. Daily Mail Australia has contacted NSW Police for comment. The confronting scene comes as tensions between locked down communities and authorities are reaching breaking point, with Sydney enduring its 10th week in lockdown. Thousands attended 69 coordinated 'silent protests' to rally against the never-ending lockdowns and 'compulsory' Covid-19 vaccination on Tuesday. A horse-riding Hollywood stuntman went on a bizarre tirade at a Covid lockdown protest in northern New South Wales, slamming 'childless' female leaders and comparing the plight of Australia's Aboriginal population to the 'unvaccinated'. Michael Corrigan, 52, who was recently fined $7,000 for riding his horse through border blockades at a coronavirus demonstration in Coolangatta on August 22, once again appeared on horse back at another anti-lockdown rally at Murwillumbah on Tuesday. The fired-up crowd cheered him on as he spouted anti-vaccination conspiracy theories and took aim at Gladys Berejiklian and Annastacia Palazczuk. 'Where are the strong men in Australia?' he shouted from atop his white horse. Michael Corrigan, 52, (pictured) has appeared in Hollywood blockbusters like Thor: Ragnarok Across the rest of Australia on Tuesday thousands of protesters unleashed on state governments holding dozens of coordinated 'silent protests' against never-ending lockdowns and compulsory Covid-19 vaccination 'Isn't it disappointing that the five women including the two premiers, the two chief health officers and the Queensland state commissioner, are all women? 'As they roll out the vaccination for our children, do you know how many children those women have? None. And they roll out experimental vaccinations for our children. 'They don't know what it's like to hold your child when it's born, to rear your child and to love it.' With double-dosed Australians set to receive more freedoms in the coming weeks when national vaccination targets of 70 and 80 per cent are reached, those refusing to get the jab are growing increasingly outraged. Mr Corrigan even compared the supposed plight of anti-vaxxers to that of Australia's Aboriginal population. 'I feel sorry for the Indigenous people who fought and lost against the English and then they fought in the second world war alongside the rest of us, came home and were treated like second-rate citizens,' he said during his protest speech. 'They couldn't get into pubs. They couldn't get into cafes. They couldn't get into theatres. Does that sound familiar? 'The unvaccinated are being segregated from society and our freedom of speech is getting killed.' The stuntman was filmed riding a white horse through the streets of Coolangatta chanting - 'Cross the border. Everyone cross the border, they can't hold all of us' (pictured on August 22) A man is detained by members of Victoria Police during a protest near Government House on Tuesday in Melbourne There were a total of 79 separate demonstrations across NSW alone on Tuesday, with police arresting more than 150 people for breaking health orders banning gatherings to stop the spread of Covid-19. Just after 5pm on Tuesday, NSW Police confirmed officers had arrested 153 people and issued almost 600 fines across various pockets of NSW. Others were charged with a variety of offences including various breaches of the public health order, assault police, resist arrest, refusing to comply with police direction, and failing to move on. A total of 573 fines were issued to members of the public, for offences including not wear fitted masked covering in prescribed outdoor gathering ($500), not comply with noticed direction COVID-19 ($1000), and unlawfully participate in outdoor public gathering stay at home order ($3000). Scammers claiming to be Australian Tax Office officials have swindled an elderly woman out of $10,000, forcing her to withdraw her life savings at an ATM before running away with the cash after turning up at her house. Roni, a 73-year-old retired Victorian university lecturer, received a call from someone posing as an ATO officer named Dustin Brown. She was informed she was accused of being involved in a $2million sting, and a warrant for her arrest had been issued. The gutless thieves told her to drive to her nearest bank and withdraw cash, before entering the post office with the scammers still on the phone. They also demanded she message them on WhatsApp throughout the harrowing experience, where she shared a picture of her license and a selfie as she feared for her safety. '(He said) a large amount of money has been laundered overseas in your account number and you are going to be responsible for this,' Roni said to 9news. 'This person on the line was very intimidating. I was feeling really quite vulnerable.' After being held on the line for five hours, she was robbed of the cash on her doorstep. Roni, a 73-year-old retired university lecturer was scammed by thieves posing as ATO officers on the phone 'Dustin Brown', an ATO official told Roni (pictured) to withdraw $10,000 cash and give it to a courier that arrived on her doorstep A fake courier arrived at her home to collect the cash, wearing his most convincing uniform, tracksuit pants. Roni said the man who arrived at her home was in his early 20s, of Indian or Asian appearance and spoke with an Australian accent. She saw the man run across a field, and that was when she realised that something wasn't right as she swiftly drove to the local police station to make a statement. 'He said "don't hang up, don't hang up", I said: "don't give me this sh*t".' she recalled saying as the man ran away. The harrowing ordeal lasted about five hours, and when the courier ran away through a field Roni knew something was wrong It comes as scammers are spamming Aussie's phones with infuriating Flubot text messages. Thousands of Australians have been inundated with the annoying, badly spelt text messages claiming you have a missed call or voicemail message. The messages, usually full of typing errors, tell users to click on an included link to retrieve the voicemail. But the link actually takes callers to an illicit app which installs malicious malware that can capture all your passwords and logins - as well as contact details of all your friends. Dr David Lacey (pictured) from ID Care says his organisation has been receiving one complaint every hour from all across Australia by worried users hit by the scam 'It's particularly focused on harvesting your identity credentials and capturing your username and login for online banking,' Dr David Lacey of ID Care, a not-for-profit cyber support service, told Nine's A Current Affair. 'Get onto your bank straight away and change your passwords and look at other online accounts.' The malware uses rootkit level coding to install surveillance software which can log every keystroke, such as passwords and logins, and send them back to fraudsters. It will also go through all your contacts and pass their details back too so they can be targeted next by the Flubot scam. Advertisement The owner of Geronimo the alpaca has called on the Environment Secretary to resign, accusing him of 'murdering an innocent animal' days before a warrant for the animal's destruction was due to expire. Police officers and staff from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) arrived at Helen Macdonald's farm near Wickwar, south Gloucestershire, at 10.45am on Tuesday. Campaigners, who had been camped out at the property for weeks, loudly protested as the Defra staff, wearing overalls, masks and goggles, rounded up the alpaca in his enclosure. Geronimo, who had twice tested positive for bovine tuberculosis, was tied with white rope before being scanned for a microchip then pulled through a field to a waiting trailer. The trailer and police escort left the farm at 11.20am and by 12.40pm, Defra confirmed that the animal had been euthanised by staff from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha). In a statement, Defra said that a court warrant, which was due to expire on September 4, had been used to seize Geronimo from the farm and euthanise him. Ms Macdonald insists that bovine tuberculosis tests previously carried out on the alpaca returned false positives and has been campaigning for his destruction to be halted. She had applied in writing for an independent witness to be present when a post-mortem examination was carried out on Geronimo, who came to the UK from New Zealand in 2017. Helen Macdonald, owner of Geronimo (pictured with a number of police officers and Defra handler) demanded Environment Secretary George Eustice resigns after the alpaca was tied with white rope and led off by Defra staff for destruction Helen Macdonald, the owner of Geronimo the alpaca, at Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire, after the animal was taken away on a trailer to an undisclosed location Uniformed officers wearing facemasks could be seen speaking to three people dressed in blue overalls and goggles outside the farm in Wickwar at 10.45am and tying a rope around Geronimo However, on Tuesday evening she posted a letter to her Twitter account that appeared to be from the Government Legal Department. This stated that Apha 'was not in a position to accommodate' her request for her vet to observe the post-mortem examination 'for health and safety, Covid-19 and site security reasons'. It added: 'The examination proceeded in accordance with standard operating procedures for suspected TB clinical cases and TB test-positive animals, which do not allow for the obtaining of samples for private testing'. Ms Macdonald tweeted: 'Citing Covid and security reasons are appallingly weak excuses to block an independent observer to the post-mortem of Geronimo. 'This is an immensely arrogant and blatant continuation of their mission to conceal their processes and act without transparency and fairness'. The veterinary nurse also called on environment secretary George Eustice to resign. She said: 'I am calling for George Eustice's resignation. 'The Secretary of State has acted in bad faith, refusing to engage with us to discuss a research solution that would further the Government's very own objectives. Geronimo the alpaca has been executed after Defra officials today seized the animal and drove him away from his Gloucestershire farm just days before the destruction warrant expired The alpaca has been on a 'death sentence' for months after the High Court ruled it must be destroyed for testing positive twice for bovine tuberculosis Video shows Geronimo attempting to escape Government officials wearing boiler suits and facemasks as they tried to tie a rope around him. He could be seen running into a field with four similar-looking alpacas in an adjacent field before he was identified, chased around the meadow, then dragged onto a horsebox and driven away under police escort 'Instead he has resorted to bullying and cowardly tactics, hiding behind Government lawyers and refusing to listen to us. 'He has murdered an innocent animal rather than doing something productive and good for this country and small farmers like me. 'He is unfit to hold office.' Ms Macdonald previously described herself as 'shocked and disgusted' at how the Government had acted and called for Mr Eustice to come to her farm and explain himself. 'They have murdered a perfectly healthy animal from New Zealand,' Ms Macdonald said. I wasn't even here, they just stormed the place. 'They took him from here alive, they shouldn't have done that - it was cruel. My understanding was that they had the right to come and destroy Geronimo however they felt appropriate. 'They did not have the right to drag him into a horsebox and drive him away, on his own, without his companions. 'They rounded up the rest of them and stressed them all out, then they dragged and took him away. That's not animal welfare, that's animal cruelty.' Scroll down for videos. Police clashed with animal rights protesters defending Geronimo the alpaca this morning Geronimo was then lead back into his barn before he was taken into a horsebox and driven away under police escort Today, several officials followed the alpaca carrying rope and chased the pack around the meadow. Geronimo was then lead back into his barn before he was taken into a horsebox and driven away under police escort Timeline: Geronimo the alpaca's four-year struggle to survive 2017 - Geronimo is brought to England from New Zealand in August 2017 by his owner, veterinary nurse Helen Macdonald. - He tests positive for bovine tuberculosis twice in August and November, and is put into isolation away from the rest of the herd at the farm in Wickwar. 2018 - The Government applies for a court order in July to have Geronimo destroyed. The alpaca is given a stay of execution, with a deadline of the end of August for his slaughter. - Miss Macdonald seeks a judicial review claiming new evidence shows the animal is healthy - marking the start of a series of lengthy legal battles. - In November, Miss Macdonald wins the right to a review at the High Court. 2019 - In March, a hearing gets underway and Miss Macdonald claims Government experts relied on 'flawed science'. The case dismissed in July. 2021 - In May, a district court judge orders an execution warrant. - Miss Macdonald starts an appeal and an order is made preventing Geronimo's destruction pending the application. - She takes out an emergency injunction to delay a warrant to cull the animal before an an appeal hearing on July 29. - The case is again dismissed. A judge agrees to delay the start of a second execution warrant until August 5, later extended to September 4. Advertisement Downing Street had expressed sympathy for Ms Macdonald, with the Prime Minister's official spokesman saying it was 'highly distressing' for people to lose animals to tuberculosis. In response, Ms Macdonald said: 'Boris apparently is sympathetic, well, I don't need his sympathy. 'I needed him to stop this in its tracks when he had the opportunity and look what's happened. 'They've decided to take death at all costs instead of learning and science. They all should be out of a job.' Ms Macdonald accused the Government of 'stringing us along' in recent weeks as she and her team tried to engage with them about alternative options to putting down the alpaca. 'In fact, all the time, they were simply planning to murder Geronimo,' she added. Dr Iain McGill, veterinary scientific adviser to Ms Macdonald, accused Defra of 'mentally torturing' her and 'trying to kill their way out of trouble'. 'I am absolutely disgusted that while I focus on Nowzad Op Ark to help get vulnerable vets, vet nurses, children and 150 animals out of Kabul, with which Defra have helped, that they should go behind my back and execute Geronimo, for whom I am a key protector,' he said. 'Against a background of death, destruction and chaos in Kabul, Defra decide to kill the most famous animal in the world based on fake science and fake testing.' Dominic Dyer, of the Born Free Foundation, said the death of Geronimo would be 'hugely damaging' to the Government and was an 'insult' to Ms Macdonald's efforts to save her alpaca. 'The killing of Geronimo was a desperate move by Defra to hide decades of negligence, incompetence and deceit surrounding bovine TB policy and is a national disgrace,' Mr Dyer said. In a statement, Defra confirmed that a court warrant had been used to enter the farm to remove Geronimo, who was then euthanised. It said bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is one of the 'most significant animal health challenges that England faces today' and costs taxpayers more than 100 million each year. More than 27,000 cattle were slaughtered last year to curb the spread of the infectious disease, it added. Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said: 'This is a terribly sad situation and our sympathies remain with all those affected by this devastating disease. 'No-one wants to have to cull infected animals if it can be avoided, but we need to follow the scientific evidence and cull animals that have tested positive for bTB to minimise spread of this insidious disease and ultimately eradicate the biggest threat to animal health in this country. Geronimo can be seen fighting against Defra officials as they attempt to take him away to be destroyed Today, several officials followed the alpaca carrying rope and chased the pack around the meadow. Geronimo was then lead back into his barn before he was taken into a horsebox and driven away under police escort Three people dressed in blue overalls, masks and goggles and who arrived with a police escort, look to identify Geronimo 'Not only is this essential to protect the livelihoods of our farming industry and rural communities, but it is also necessary to avoid more TB cases in humans.' A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that officers had attended the farm to support the execution of the court warrant. One supporter was briefly arrested after spraying attending officers with a water pistol, but was quickly de-arrested. Ms Macdonald had called on Defra to allow Geronimo to be tested for a third time or let him live to aid research into the disease. She has argued that the Enferplex test is fundamentally flawed and says Geronimo tested positive because he had repeatedly been primed with tuberculin - a purified protein derivative of bovine TB bacteria. The veterinary nurse has received support from around the world, with more than 140,000 people signing a petition against Geronimo's destruction. Earlier this month, a High Court judge refused her lawyer's application for a temporary injunction to stop the destruction order and reopen the case. Uniformed officers wearing facemasks could be seen speaking to three people dressed in blue overalls and goggles outside the farm in Wickwar this morning, and tying rope around the animal Web cam footage showed Geronimo make a break for freedom from his 'captors' and run into a field with other alpacas Helen Macdonald, 50, called on the Government to allow Geronimo the alpaca to be tested for TB for a third time or let him live to aid research into the disease Miss Macdonald, who previously vowed to stand in front of a marksman to protect him, was nowhere to be seen as the alpaca was taken away. She claimed she had been 'duped' by the Government and had expected Defra vets to give Geronimo a stay of execution. But when police arrived, Miss Macdonald said she had no choice but to leave as she 'would have been arrested for obstruction'. She also claimed that Defra 'will try and fudge the post-mortem', calling it a 'complete set-up'. Miss Macdonald has received support from around the world, with more than 140,000 people signing a petition against Geronimo's destruction. Pen Farthing's friend Dominic Dyer, an animal rights campaigner, tweeted: 'My thoughts are with Helen Macdonald one of the most bravest & courageous people I know that fought a David & Goliath battle with Defra to save the life of her precious Geronimo'. Downing Street has expressed sympathy for Miss Macdonald, with the Prime Minister's official spokesman saying: 'It's obviously highly distressing for someone to lose animals to TB and that's a situation that farmers sadly have to face. 'Our sympathies are with Ms Macdonald and any others that are affected by this terrible disease.' In a statement, Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: 'This is a terribly sad situation and our sympathies remain with all those affected by this devastating disease. 'No one wants to have to cull infected animals if it can be avoided, but we need to follow the scientific evidence and cull animals that have tested positive for bTB to minimise spread of this insidious disease and ultimately eradicate the biggest threat to animal health in this country. 'Not only is this essential to protect the livelihoods of our farming industry and rural communities, but it is also necessary to avoid more TB cases in humans.' Pen Farthing's friend Dominic Dyer, an animal rights campaigner, tweeted: 'My thoughts are with Helen Macdonald one of the most bravest & courageous people I know that fought a David & Goliath battle with Defra to save the life of her precious Geronimo' Helen Macdonald, the owner of Geronimo the alpaca, at Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire, talks to the media after the animal was taken away on a trailer to an undisclosed location Officers screen workers who arrived with a police escort, as they identify Geronimo The destruction warrant was valid until Saturday, September 4 and Miss Macdonald had previously called on Environment Secretary George Eustice to allow Geronimo to be tested for a third time or let him live to aid research into the disease. One supporter named Ray Puttock said despite the tragic news, the Geronimo saga has brought many supporters together. He said: 'We've all become very good friends here. People here weren't my friends when they turned up, now they'll always be my friends.' On the heavy police presence, he said: 'I tried coming in two different ways and got stopped at both. I saw five cars and three police motorbikes. That's without the vehicles that were here. 'It would be very interesting to ask the Avon and Somerset control room today 'how grade one many grade one blue shouts were you unable to attend because of all the officers that were at the alpacas?' 'They are assisting the state, they are not assisting the people, the community they're supposed to serve. Just disgraceful.' An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: 'We can confirm officers are in attendance at a farm in the Wickwar area of South Gloucestershire this morning to support the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), who are executing a court warrant. 'We'll always support our partner agencies to carry out their lawful duties and our role is to prevent a breach of the peace and to ensure public safety is protected.' A Defra spokesman refused to comment on 'operational matters' when approached by MailOnline, but said in a statement: 'We are sympathetic to Ms Macdonald's situation - just as we are with everyone with animals affected by this terrible disease. Protestors were in tears after Geronimo was rounded up and driven away. They accused Defra of breaking the law by transporting the black alpaca away from the Gloucestershire farm Uniformed officers wearing facemasks could be seen speaking to three people dressed in blue overalls and goggles outside the farm in Wickwar at 10.45am Three people, who arrived with a police escort, surround Geronimo the Alpaca at Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire, before the animal was taken away on a trailer to an undisclosed location Police have turned up to the Gloucestershire farm which is home to Geronimo the alpaca just days before the destruction warrant ends after the animal tested positive twice for bovine tuberculosis 'It is for this reason that the testing results and options for Geronimo have been very carefully considered by Defra, the Animal and Plant Health Agency and its veterinary experts, as well as passing several stages of thorough legal scrutiny. 'Bovine tuberculosis is one of the greatest animal health threats we face today and causes devastation and distress for farming families and rural communities across the country while costing the taxpayer around 100million every year. 'Therefore, while nobody wants to cull animals, we need to do everything we can to tackle this disease, stop it spreading and to protect the livelihoods of those affected.' Miss Macdonald said: 'I fled, if I had stayed there they would have arrested me for obstruction. That would have played into their hands because I wouldn't have been able to keep fighting for him. They took him alive - we've been totally duped. It's an outrage.' 'We don't know where they've taken him but there are still a few hours to try to save his life. We have got to get this stopped.' She sent a text message to reporters at the farm which said: 'They took him alive, get after Defra'. Her Twitter account @alpacapower posted: 'DEFRA have arrived! We are asking once again for an urgent meeting with George Eustice. Please don't execute Geronimo.' Campaigner Graham Edwards, 54, said: 'They have broken their own laws and protocols - if the animal has TB they are not allowed to move it. It should have been slaughtered here but they wouldn't do it because there are cameras here to record everything that happened.' Mr Edwards, from Reading, has spent two weeks camping at the farm, said: 'They came mob-handed - there were more than 30 police here. They pushed through a fence, they came to do a job and there was no stopping them. I was told the vets were Spanish - not even English. 'It was supposed to have been put down here, not taken away. We didn't expect them to take it away. They are a bunch of hypocrites - I'm gutted, we all are.' More than a dozen leading vets called on the Government to halt the culling of Geronimo after questioning his tuberculosis diagnosis, and instead urged the animal to be studied for science. The 13 vets - who include a former senior official at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - said they had 'grave reservations' about the two positive tests the animal returned in 2017 and they 'may well represent a false positive'. A number of policemen arrive at the farm of Helen Macdonald, whose alpaca Geronimo is expected to be destroyed Workers, who arrived with a police escort, surround Geronimo the Alpaca at Shepherds Close Farm in Wotton-under-Edge Geronimo has been on a 'death sentence' for months after the High Court ruled it must be destroyed for testing positive for TB - tests which owner Helen Macdonald insists are false positives The veterinary nurse believes the two tests for bovine tuberculosis in 2017 returned false positives because he had repeatedly been primed with tuberculin - a purified protein derivative of bovine TB bacteria Among the signatories to the letter are Professor Ranald Munroe, former head of pathology for Defra's Veterinary Laboratories Agency and Dr Iain McGill, veterinary scientific adviser to Ms Macdonald. In the letter, they write: 'It is our professional opinion that the diagnosis in Geronimo's case is unsafe, and may well represent a false positive, due to the fact that Geronimo had been repeatedly 'antibody boosted' or primed - five times in his lifetime with four injections of bovine tuberculin and one of avian tuberculin in the run up to the final Enferplex blood test which confirmed the 'positive' diagnosis of 'suspicion of disease'.' They said Mr Eustice had the power to overturn Geronimo's destruction warrant and order he be observed for scientific research. 'We could learn a great deal from Geronimo were he to be compassionately studied, but very little from his death,' they said. 'We believe Geronimo's case shines a light on the shortcomings of the current bTB testing policy, and gives an opportunity for a comprehensive review of the bovine TB testing and control policy, based on science and for the health and wellbeing of farmers, cattle, alpacas, badgers, the environment and the public. 'Given the mental anguish that Helen MacDonald has had to endure these past four years, and the publicity surrounding the case, we would urge Secretary of State for Defra, George Eustice and his team to discuss matters with us and Ms MacDonald to find a way out of this impasse.' Miss Macdonald had called for an urgent meeting with the Government, pleading: 'We are requesting an urgent meeting with Environment Secretary George Eustice, and really hope to hear back from Defra. 'It is naturally a terribly traumatic time for Geronimo and myself, and everyone else who has been supporting us over the last few weeks. But we remain confident that there are ways forward to save Geronimo, and that Defra will find a way to do the right thing.' Last week, more than a dozen vets said they have 'grave reservations' about the two positive tests the eight-year-old animal returned in 2017 and that they 'may well represent a false positive'. Earlier this month, a High Court judge refused her lawyer's application for a temporary injunction to stop the destruction order and reopen the case. Miss Macdonald said that when Defra officials do attend her farm to euthanise Geronimo, she would not break the law. Supporters have also been camping out at her farm in case officials arrive to destroy him. They have been receiving regular deliveries of supplies from well-wishers, including tea bags, coffee, sugar, and vegan food. As well as alpacas, badgers have been a victim of the fight against bovine TB, with mass culling employed to stop the spread since 2013, sparking a huge public backlash. The Government insists that all the evidence on the animal's condition has been 'looked at very carefully'. Gruesome evidence of how the Nazis massacred women and tiny children has emerged from a Hitler 'death quarry' in Russia. Some 3,500 people were executed in a genocide mass grave at Salsk brickworks but diggers have been especially appalled at the discovery of the remains of dozens of slaughtered boys and girls, including babies. The macabre remains are now being unearthed after the declassification of documents from KGB secret service archives relating to the Soviet era. Excavations are underway at multiple sites in Russia, but this location in Rostov region has left diggers utterly horrified at the barbarity of the killings. 'Our expedition continues to work in the death quarry of the city of Salsk,' said volunteer search squad Mius-Front which is working closely with the country's Investigative Committee, in charge of probing serious crimes. Skeletons discovered at the Salsk 'death quarry' (left) and a crushed skull lies beside a pair of spectacles Fragments of bones discovered by the search teams. It's estimated that more than 3,000 innocent Russians were massacred by the Nazis at Salsk A map showing the town of Salsk, east of Rostov, during the German advance to Stalingrad in 1942. They were forced to retreat in the winter of 1942 as the Russians counterattacked and recaptured towns and cities 'Here, the Nazis killed 3,500 civilians in 1942-43. There were many children among them. 'Today, 15 children from one to ten years old were found and taken out. It is scary.' Later they added: 'There is nothing more terrifying in war than seeing children die. 'Any war veteran will tell you that We have already found 20 children in just one execution pit.' Unusually, not all the victims were shot. 'For the majority, death came from blows to the head with a boot or fist,' said the archaeologists. 'Perhaps the children's heads were smashed against the dried clay of the quarry. 'We have not encountered this before.' A few Red Army prisoners of war were among the dead but most were the old, the young, and a hugely disproportionate number of women. Among 60 sets of human remains where DNA analysis has been conducted, 16 are women, and 19 children between the ages of two and late teens. Salsk was a key Russian railway site serving Stalingrad, which the Germans severed in 1942 before descending on the city, now named Volgograd, in one of the bloodiest battles of the war. The group's head Andrey Kudryakov is heard on video saying: 'This is a child's boot, here is a very small collarbone. Here a tiny skull - broken. Nearby is probably his mum. 'A little four or five year old human. Together with mum in this dreadful execution pit.' Head of the squad Mius-Front Andrey Kudryakov at the excavation site Excavators clear the bones of dirt and rocks The crew have been combing through land outside the town of Salsk Skeletons discovered in the 'death quarry' Salsk was a key Russian railway site serving Stalingrad, which the Germans severed in 1942 before descending on the city, now named Volgograd, in one of the bloodiest battles of the war The excavations in the execution pits is 'psychologically hard', but he said: 'This is not ordinary archeology or search work. 'This is the establishment of historical justice.' This area - not well investigated previously - 'is now revealing its terrible secrets'. 'We see how many kids died here. The aim is to highlight the horror and seek a legal finding for the Nazi crimes "without a statute of limitations"'. Kudryakov told of a young pregnant woman with a Cossack cross around her neck. 'She clasped her head in her hands in horror so as not to see how she was being killed,' he said. 'Next to her lie the torn children, they tried to hide from death, but Hitler's executioners finished them off with bayonets. 'They didn't waste bullets, or maybe they ran out of cartridges. 'The punishers had much work in the clay quarry of Salsk, 'it took a lot of ammunition to shoot hundreds of people, so they saved their bullets, and beat them with rifle butts, kicked with boots, and stabbed with bayonets.' The dead are believed to include Russians, Jews and gypsies. The KGB had hidden the scale of the Nazi atrocity from its own people but the release of secret files from Soviet-era vaults is enabling searches for human remains to go ahead. The hope is to match some victims by DNA to their modern-day relatives. Half of British women say they still feel unsafe on the streets - six months from the murder of Sarah Everard, according to a new study. This week marks six months since marketing executive Sarah Everard, 33, was abducted while walking home from an evening out with friends. She was snatched off the street as she walked home from a friend's house in Clapham, south London on March 3 by Met Police firearms officer Wayne Couzens. Her body was found a week later in woodland near Ashford, Kent, just yards from land owned by Couzens, 48. She had been raped and strangled. Now a nationwide survey suggests as many as 48 per cent of women do not feel safe, despite 77 per cent of both men and women agreeing the tragedy was a defining moment in terms of the conversation around women and safety. And 37 per cent of the men surveyed said, since the tragedy, they have thought about or researched ways to make women feel safer on the streets. But in the last six months, 48 per cent of women have felt nervous about someone walking behind them, 29 per cent have been worried about someone driving slowly past them, and more than a quarter (26 per cent) have received unwanted male attention from a stranger. As many as 23 per cent have felt frightened while at home alone and 21 per cent have felt threatened while walking outside at night. Sarah was snatched off the street as she walked home from a friend's house in March Met Police firearms officer Wayne Couzens took her before raping and murdering her The nationwide survey of 2,000 men and women also revealed as many as one in five women (22 per cent) have been wolf whistled at during the last six months, while 21 per cent have been cat called. Meanwhile, 21 per cent have found themselves being approached by someone in the street, despite giving no indication that they wished to have a conversation. And shockingly, 17 per cent have felt threatened on the street in broad daylight, while one in ten women (12 percent) have received sexist abuse from a stranger. The research by Grazia Magazine has been carried out in partnership with GoFundMe who have created a centralised hub for those who want to take action and help charities working to end male violence. Grazia editor Hattie Brett said: 'Six months on, while it's positive to see men actively wanting to be part of this conversation and considering ways to make women feel safer, the statistics around women's actual experiences are still shocking. 'No one should feel unsafe walking home. Whilst conversation continues to be crucial, we now call on the authorities to listen to the groundswell of support for systemic change that will make women safer. 'Earlier this year we united with other platforms across our parent company Bauer Media to launch the #IWalkWithWomen initiative, hosting a panel discussion focused on women's safety. 'It felt vital to ignite a conversation on how to tackle violence against women, given the outpouring of emotion and anger from women across the UK following Sarah Everard's tragic death.' Sarah's death prompted an outpouring of grief and debate on women's safety on the streets The study also found that during the last six months following Sarah's death, three quarters of UK women have felt more aware of potential danger during the evenings. This means that half have chosen to stick to walking along main roads only, 38 per cent deliberately put their phone away so they're not distracted, and a third (34 per cent) always walk home with a friend. More than a third (37 per cent) of the men surveyed claimed they had made a conscious effort to try to make women feel safer, with 54 per cent offering to walk female friends home and 47 percent crossing the road to try and give a woman walking on her own more space. And more than a quarter (26 per cent) have called out other men who have made women feel unsafe or harassed. While more than half (56 per cent) of the men polled challenged their male counterparts for using derogatory or sexist language when discussing women. But although a third of men (32 per cent) don't mind taking on the notion of 'all men' as a collective responsibility to make women feel safer, 65 per cent complained that people should stop insinuating that all men pose a threat. 16 per cent of men surveyed confessed that the last six months has made them reconsider the way they behave around women, while seven in ten men (71 per cent) agree that women should be made to feel safe when out at night alone. Couzens, 48, of Deal, Kent is due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on September 29 after pleading guilty to Sarah's rape and murder. He is currently being held at Belmarsh Prison in Thamesmead, south east London. Furious travel firms today suggested ministers had little interest in sorting out nightmare queues at Heathrow because they wanted to 'put people off flying overseas' - as others complained the chaotic scenes were damaging Britain's image. Elderly people and exhausted families with young children could be seen sitting on the floor in the queues at Terminals 2 and 5 on Sunday, with travellers waiting as long as five hours. Similar scenes have been repeated numerous times this summer, with the government blaming the issue on a lack of Border Force staff. Noel Josephides, Director of AITO, the Specialist Travel Association, suggested there were broader considerations at play, telling MailOnline: 'Very unfortunately, we believe that allowing such unnecessarily bad experiences to occur is part of the Government's strategy simply to put people off travelling overseas.' Parents complained on Sunday about being corralled to the limited number of counters operated by Border Force staff because facial recognition on e-gates does not work with babies and toddlers Clive Wratten CEO of the Business Travel Association (BTA), described the scenes as 'very worrying'. He said: 'As the world continues to open up safely, it is essential that there is enough staff and support at all points of a journey. 'The travel experience needs to be as frictionless and consistent as possible to give all travellers the confidence they need to return in large numbers.' Jacqueline Dobson, President of Barrhead Travel, which describes itself as the UK's leading independent British travel agents, said: 'From a visitor perspective, arriving into Heathrow is the first impression many will get of the UK and first impressions matter.' Heathrow's summer of queuing chaos: So when WILL the government get a grip? May 17 - Passengers flying into the UK faced 'bedlam' at the border with some facing a three hour wait at the Heathrow passport gates. Travellers told MailOnline how they were 'terrified of catching Covid' while being crammed into the airport's border hall this morning. July 12 - Passengers said they had 'never seen anything like' the queues at Heathrow Terminal 5 as officials blamed the scenes on staff having to self-isolate. A passenger said: 'Total chaos at security at Heathrow airport T5 this morning. Never seen anything like it.' July 20 - 90-minute queues were seen at arrivals after the government failed to update Passenger Locator Forms ahead of its 'Freedom Day' rule changes - resulting in double-jabbed Britons being rejected at e-gates. August 2 - Queues of passengers stretched the entire length of Terminal 5. Officials again blamed staff having to self-isolate. A spokesman quoted figures showing that one in four Border Force guards were reported to be off sick with Covid or self-isolating. August 29 - Three-hour waits were reported at passport control. A day later the Home Office risked fury as it said passengers 'need to accept' the risk of delays at peak times. Advertisement The Home Office has risked fury after it said travellers 'need to accept' they could face lengthy delays during peak travel times due to the need to process people's Covid documents. But today a senior Tory MP insisted the issues should have been addressed 'a long time ago'. 'This has been a constant problem throughout the pandemic and I appreciate the Home Office may have had difficulties recruiting to the Border Force but that is not a new problem,' the MP told MailOnline. 'They should have addressed this a long time ago. It adds to travel uncertainty and it is not good for the travel industry or the travelling public. The Border Force needs to be better organised.' Mark Fuller, CEO of Sanctum Hotel Group, which runs a string of luxury hotels including the Karma Sanctum Soho, said the queues would put off future visitors to the UK. 'It's worrying enough for visitors to come into the UK with the high levels of Covid, but if it's going to take them four hours to get through arrivals that's not going to help,' he said. 'Particularly if it continues to be like that, people are going to think, why bother? That will lead to more debt, more empty hotels and restaurants. We need the tourism industry back and the government to help us.' Karen Dee, CEO of the Airport Operators Association, argued that only more Border Force staff would solve the problem. 'Important steps have been taken to digitise Covid-19 checks, and combined with the checks airlines undertake, these ensure public health is safeguarded while allowing border processing to be quicker and simpler,' she said. 'However, a smooth border experience still requires Border Force to fully staff the border halls at peak times, such as a bank holiday weekend. 'With many other pressures on the UK border, Border Force need to ensure they have the full staff complement necessary to fulfil all their duties, both at airports and elsewhere.' Hundreds of holidaymakers were seen standing in close proximity to each other as they waited pass through checks at Border Control yesterday AITO director Noel Josephides said Sunday's issues had been exacerbated by a combination of peak numbers of returning tourists and the need to manage evacuees from Afghanistan, both issues he said 'could have been mitigated'. He also noted the issue of facial recognition systems on e-gates not working with children under-12. 'The lack of a facility for families to use E-gates meant that those with children were forced to queue twice and to be hand checked,' he said. 'This is down to a lack of automation of the considerable amount of paperwork currently involved in travelling overseas, and this could and should have been resolved long since.' Criticising ministers, he added: 'They have given no sector-specific support whatsoever to tour operators and travel agents such as AITO members, despite the billions of pounds that we have previously paid, annually, into the Government's coffers. 'They have, however, supported aviation to the tune of 7billion during the pandemic, while ignoring the plight of operators and agents.' Steve Witt, co-founder of Not Just Travel said: 'We want to always ensure our customers have a great experience and we'd hate to think that their lasting memory of their holiday was being in a queue for 4 hours when they got home. Of course we fully appreciate the logistical issues being faced by Heathrow, but the customer experience is our top priority.' Under fire: Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary On Sunday, parents complained about being corralled to the limited number of counters operated by Border Force staff because facial recognition technology on e-gates does not work with babies and toddlers. Disgruntled passengers took to social media to share their frustration, with one claiming 'only 5-6 counters out of 32 were operational'. Entrepreneur James Reed tweeted: 'Perverse arrangements at Heathrow T5 arrivals this weekend; adults are checked digitally, but families with small children (under 12) have to queue for hours. Huge Q last night at 11 pm with many very tired small children. Surely there's a better way.' And Camilla Kerr added: 'Yesterday I arrived at London Heathrow to chaotic queues. Families with kids can't go through the e-passport checks so we had to queue for the border guards. Problem is there was only two employed to deal with hundreds of families. Why wouldn't you employ extra guards?' Entrepreneur James Reed and traveller Camilla Ker were among those stuck in the nightmare queues this weekend But the Home Office said its 'utmost priority is protecting the safety and health of the public'. A spokesman said: 'Our utmost priority is protecting the safety and health of the public and we will never compromise on security, and on ensuring passengers are compliant with the current health measures, which means passengers will need to accept an increase in the time taken to cross the border. 'The rollout of upgrades to our eGates to automate checks for health requirements is ongoing, with many eGates already in operation and more to be added over the coming months to increase automated checks on passengers at airports. 'However, for safeguarding reasons, families with children under the age of 12 are not permitted to use the eGates. Where there are high volumes of families with young children, such as over the summer holidays, Border Force may dynamically deploy resources to frontline desks instead and we continue to flexibly deploy our staff to make the process as smooth as possible.' Last month, Border Force officers were reportedly told they no longer needed to make Covid checks on all arrivals in a bid to reduce airport queues. Officials were told they no longer have to 'routinely' check passengers arriving from green and amber list countries, according to a leaked report obtained by the Guardian. Arrivals currently have to provide a negative Covid test taken before departure and must complete a Passenger Locator Form within 48 hours of departure to the UK. Advertisement Dozens of dogs have been abandoned by the US in Afghanistan, along with up to 200 civilians and military equipment, according to an animal welfare charity. American Humane condemned the 'death sentence' for the animals allegedly left behind who now face 'torture' at the hands of the Taliban, who took control of the city earlier this month. The group has called on Congress to rescue the dogs, who according to the Pentagon's Press Secretary John Kirby, belong to the Kabul Small Animal Rescue charity, founded by American Charlotte Maxwell-Jones. 'To correct erroneous reports, the U.S. Military did not leave any dogs in cages at Hamid Karzai International Airport, including the reported military working dogs,' Kirby tweeted on Tuesday. 'Photos circulating online were animals under the care of the Kabul Small Animal Rescue, not dogs under our care.' According to a recent update from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Maxwell-Jones has been campaigning to get 46 working dogs, along with a number of dogs that were pets of fleeing Americans, evacuated from Kabul. However, according to the statement released by Kirby, the military was unable to evacuate the animals from Kabul before the final plane left the airport on Monday. While working dogs are not considered U.S. military dogs, some were still used by the military in activities in Afghanistan. Dozens of working dogs were abandoned by the US in Afghanistan after the troop withdrawal. According to Pentago Press Secretary John Kirby, these dogs were in the care of the Kabul Small Animal Rescue charity, whose founder had petitioned the military to evacuate the animals from the country Pentagon press secretary said on Tuesday that the dogs pictures at the airport belonged to the Kabul Small Animal Rescue charity, founded by American Charlotte Maxwell-Jones, who has been petitioning to get the dogs out of the country Afghan Air Force's A-29 attack aircraft and armoured vests are left on the ground inside a hangar at the airport in Kabul Kabul Small Animal Rescue charity, founded by American Charlotte Maxwell-Jones (pictured) , has been campaigning to get 46 working dogs, along with a number of dogs that were pets of fleeing Americans, evacuated from Kabul American Humane's CEO Robin R. Ganzert said in a statement: 'I am devastated by reports that the American government is pulling out of Kabul and leaving behind brave US 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 US soil but also to provide for their lifetime medical care.' Ganzert added that her organization 'has worked hand in hand with the military for more than 100 years to rescue military animals,' adding that the group 'brings home retired military working dogs and pairs veterans with life-saving service dogs.' American Humane has worked with the military for more than a century to rescue stranded military animals, having previously worked in World War One. Working dogs are normally owned by private contractors to work alongside military dogs who are owned by the Department of Defense, often performing similar duties. Ganzert added: '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.' Sharing photos of dogs in cages stranded in Kabul, one person commented: 'Not a great day for America's service dogs that are still in the airport.' The news that U.S. service dogs were left behind contrasts with the UK's evacuation efforts, which saw almost 200 rescue dogs and cats saved from Kabul, along with a former Royal Marine Paul 'Pen' Farthing, who founded an animal rescue charity while in Afghanistan. Mr Farthing's campaign to get his animals to safety became hugely topical in Britain over the past fortnight, with some arguing that the choice to rescue the animals resulted in resources that could have been used to evacuate more people being occupied. Yesterday, he revealed the Taliban had stabbed one of his dogs to death. The veteran has said he is still working to help evacuate 68 Nowzad animal shelter staff and family members, including 25 children and one newborn baby, from Afghanistan as part of his Operation Ark campaign. The US has also abandoned as much as 70 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, 27 Humvees and 73 aircraft in Afghanistan Taliban fighters sit in the cockpit of an Afghan Air Force aircraft at the airport in Kabul in the hours following the US departure Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid (centre) spaks to the media in the shadow of a plane which the terror group have seized Badri 313 units post for the cameras at Kabul airport today, carrying American-made rifles and wearing US military gear Along with the dogs, there are up to 200 US citizens still in Afghanistan after the US withdrew its final troops, bringing an end to the 20-year campaign. Critics slammed Biden for breaking his promise to stay until all citizens were airlifted to safety after he pulled out the last forces 24 hours before the August 31 deadline. The US has also 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. General Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, said the 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. Taliban fighters stand guard at the Hamid Karzai International Airport after US troops departed following a 20-year campaign in Afghanistan 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 Amid the celebratory scenes in Afghanistan - and surrounded by Taliban special forces units dressed head to toe in American gear - spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid hailed the 'victory' over western forces. 'It is an historical day and an historical moment.... we liberated our country from a great power,' he added, saying the last 20 years should serve as a 'big lesson for other invaders [and] a lesson for the world.' Calling the day a 'big lesson for other invaders and for our future generation,' he then told gathered journalists: 'It is an historical day and an historical moment. We are proud of these moments, that we liberated our country from a great power'. Hundreds of American and British citizens were left behind when the last US evacuation plane took off late Monday, along with thousands of Afghans who helped western troops on a promise of sanctuary that was ultimately broken. Many now fear for their lives. Mujahid insisted today that Taliban security forces will be 'pleasant and nice' to those left behind, despite reports already emerging of summary executions and persecution against women reminiscent of the Taliban of old. A Taliban fighter takes a picture of a damaged MD 530 helicopter that was abandoned at Kabul airport by retreating troops An American MRAP vehicle is pictured at Kabul airport alongside other armoured vehicles after falling into Taliban hands A Russian Mi-17 helicopter is pictured alongside Taliban fighters after it was seized from retreating western troops Taliban fighters inspect a US Humvee at the airport in Kabul, after seizing a huge number of vehicles from western forces Meanwhile at Bagram air base, the former stronghold of western forces, its new Taliban commander was boasting of having 'beaten' America using little more than Kalashnikov rifles while saying the airfield will now be 'a base for jihad for all Muslims'. Speaking to The Times, 35-year-old Maulawi Hafiz Mohibullah Muktaz said: 'Never in our wildest dreams could we have believed we could beat a superpower like America with just our Kalashnikovs. 'When you do jihad all doors open, we defeated America with our faith and our guns and we hope now that Bagram can be a base for jihad for all Muslims 'For any foreign power considering attacking Afghanistan then look at Bagram now and learn your lesson well before embarking on foolish endeavour. See the West's mighty technology humbled here by mujahidin. 'In 15 years as a mujahid fighting the Americans I wondered often if I may fail or die. Yet here is proof of the power of faith and God and jihad. On the back of victory I hope we can use Bagram as a place to spread jihad further into the region and Muslim world.' Reflecting on America's withdrawal from the other side of the conflict, General McKenzie said on Monday night: '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,' he insisted. A radicalised ISIS member had plans to target Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral and the American embassy for terror attacks and 'to conquer' a rural town like Orange, a court has been told. Isaac El Matari also spoke of travelling to Afghanistan to fight on the frontline with the aim of supporting ISIS. The 22-year-old, who was arrested in July 2019, faced a sentence hearing in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday. He has pleaded guilty to doing an act in preparation and planning for a terrorist act in Australia on behalf of IS between July 2018 and September 2019. An Islamic State extremist (pictured right) has had evidence presented to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, including phone calls explaining his planned 'guerilla attacks' He also admitted preparing to enter Afghanistan via Pakistan with the intention of engaging in hostile activities. And he admitted being a member of IS between January and September 2019. Prosecutor Sophie Callan SC said El Matari left Australia when he was 18 but was arrested in 2017 and incarcerated in Lebanon for seeking to join Islamic State in Syria. But this did not deter him and after his return to Sydney in June 2018, the depth and extent of his radicalisation continued up until his arrest. He was involved in a number of communications and other activities, including 'rehearsing speeches and instructions', which reflected planning to conduct attacks in Australia on behalf of IS. Isaac el Matari (pictured) said in phone recordings to an associate they would 'kill every state politician in the middle of the city' Citing the agreed statement of facts, she said he discussed with others his plans such as insurgency in rural Australia, referring to the landscape and population. He mentioned specific targets including the American embassy, St Mary's Cathedral and referred to 'conquering a small town or village', naming Orange. He also referred to 'places of political significance, business, consulates, police stations, courts, the NSW library'. They were places open to the public and 'no security protecting them' he was recorded as saying. 'Going and taking and causing casualties in Holsworthy barracks in Campbelltown will make international news,' he said. Mr el Matari tried to join IS soldiers but ended up serving nine months in a Lebanon prison in 2017 (pictured, ISIS supporters) 'I know what targets will make people scared .... and targets will convey our message.' For months he did acts in preparation for a terror attack in Australia, including referring to obtaining firearms, explosive devices and tactical clothing. His barrister Matt Johnstone submitted the so-called plan for insurgency in Australia was abandoned at an early stage. But Ms Callan said conversations showed this was due to a lack of commitment by others, not him. El Matari also spoke of travelling to Afghanistan's Khorasan province via Pakistan to engage with ISIS in its armed hostile activities. Upon his arrival in Australia police began surveillance of the man who planned to attack from a potential base in the Blue Mountains (pictured) Mr Johnstone acknowledged the group in that area, known as ISIS-KP, had an extreme ideology, while Ms Callan noted they had claimed responsibility over the fatal bomb at the Kabul airport days ago. Mr Johnstone said his client's view about what he would do in Afghanistan was little more than 'fight' and there was no evidence he was imagining doing this against the coalition forces. His intent to travel there had also involved 'his broader commitment to his faith', as distinguished from someone who went overseas to kill as a mercenary, he said. Referring to a defence submission about El Matari having made grandiose or delusional statements, Ms Callan said this did not undermine the genuineness of his intentions. Mr Johnstone referred to his onerous conditions in jail and the effect of COVID-19 lockdowns on prisoners. 'There is contrition and a desire to change,' he said. He also referred to El Matari suffering from PTSD as a result of being tortured in the notorious Roumieh prison in Lebanon. Justice Peter Garling will sentence him at a later date. Cecily Myart-Cruz is the head of the United Teachers for Los Angeles A left-wing L.A. teacher's union boss who wanted to keep schools closed due to COVID but limit Zoom classes to just four hours a day now says it doesn't matter if kids missed out on traditional education like learning times tables, because they learned about BLM riots instead. Cecily Myart-Cruz - who in the past claimed reopening schools was racist and who insists education is 'political - made the comments in an interview with Los Angeles Magazine. The ultra-woke teacher is the head of The United Teachers Los Angeles which represents 33,000 teachers from the L.A. Unified School District. Instead of focusing just on issues that affect parents, teachers and students in L.A. schools, she has gone to bat on issues like the Israel Palestine conflict, Medicare for all and protesting California's eviction laws. Most notably, she has fought Gavin Newsom on his plan to reopen schools last April. She said that it was racist towards communities where COVID-19 was more rampant and those were typically minority or lower income communities. She also said her teachers wouldn't teach remotely for more than four hours a day and claimed it was because it wasn't good for kids to be in front of screens for any logner. Asked about how lockdowns had negatively impacted kids, she told LA Magazine: 'There is no such thing as learning loss. Our kids didnt lose anything. Its OK that our babies may not have learned all their times tables. 'They learned resilience. They learned survival. They learned critical-thinking skills. They know the difference between a riot and a protest. 'They know the words insurrection and coup.' She also snapped at the reporter for suggesting that some of her approaches are 'radical', saying: 'It is not radical to ask for ethnic studies. 'It is not radical to ask for childcare. Its not radical to ask for police-free schools so that students dont feel criminalized. That is not radical; thats just fact.' Her other remarks included 'reopening schools without a broader improvement of schools will be unsafe and will deepen racial and class inequalities' and 'You can recall the Governor, you can recall the school board. But how are you going to recall me?' Most notably, Myart-Cruz has fought Gavin Newsom on his plan to reopen schools last April. She said that it was racist towards communities where COVID-19 was more rampant and those were typically minority or lower income communities Myart-Cruz at a protest last November after Biden won the election to demand Trump accept defeat. She only became President of the UTLA in February 2020 - a month before schools shut down around the country and the world Before becoming the head of the teacher's union, Cecily Myart Cruz attended Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, then Mount Saint Mary's, a Catholic women's college in Brentwood. She graduated in 1995, and on to Pepperdine to gain her teaching certificate - where fees now stand at $80,000-a-year. She started her teaching career in Compton then went to an elementary school Westwood where kids first thought she was too strict but ended up 'loving her', according to a teacher who taught next door. She is now divorced from her husband of 16 years and the pair share a ten-year-old son. Now, she is dating VanCedric Williams, an elected member of the Oakland Unified School Board, according to the Los Angeles Magazine article. She then went to teach at Mesa Elementary in Crenwshaw, where students and their families were less affluent. She didn't last long there, according to former colleagues. In 2020, the former head of the union - Alex Caputo Pearl - reached his term limit, he endorsed her to take over. She stopped teaching 2014 to devote herself to the union full time and was part of the leadership team when dues were increased from $689-a-year to $917 in 2016. She took over in February 2020 - a month before the pandemic closed schools all over America and the world. There are 33,000 teachers in the union but only 5,000 voted in the election where she became president with 69 percent of the vote - about 3,500 votes. Earlier this year, she blamed 'white wealthy parents' for wanting to get kids back into classrooms, saying: 'Unfortunately, the plan reverts to deeply flawed ideas in Gavin Newsom's proposal in December to offer school districts more money if they open faster. 'If you condition funding on the reopening of schools, that money will only go to white and wealthier schools that do not have the transmission rates that low income black and brown communities do.' A convicted rapist who was deported from the US in 2017 has been arrested at Washington's Dulles International Airport after catching Ethiopian Airlines evacuation flight out of Kabul. Ghader Heydari, 47, boarded a flight for evacuees but was flagged by border officials upon arrival into Washington. He was being held at the Caroline Detention Facility in Bowling Green, Virginia, according to DailyWire, after border officials spotted his criminal and immigration history. A convicted rapist, who was deported from the US in 2017, is arrested at Washington's Dulles International Airport after catching an evacuation flight out of Kabul (file image) It's not clear how he got on the flight because it was 'unlikely' that he had a Special Immigrant Visa or that he was a refugee. Evacuees are supposed to be undergoing security screening at transit hubs outside the U.S. before being allowed to enter the country, and Heydari may have slipped through. A senior administration also said that his rape conviction was not enough to keep him off the flight due to the extreme nature of the humanitarian crisis. According to The Washington Times, Heydari came to the US as a refugee and was granted a green card in 2000. A man whose name and age match Heydaris pleaded guilty to rape in Ada County, Idaho, in 2010, and he served more than five years in prison. He was released in December 2015, according to state records, and was deported from the country in 2017. When Heydari arrived in the US on the evacuation flight, officials tried to persuade him to cancel his request to enter but he appears to have refused. The U.S. evacuated 13,400 people from Kabul last Thursday, taking the evacuees to bases in Qatar, Bahrain or Germany before they return to the states. They flew 5,100 people out of Kabul on US military planes. Another 8,300 were saved by coalition flights. The total - 13,400 - was drastically less than the 19,000 rescued the previous day. Ghader Heydari, 47, boarded a flight for evacuees but was flagged by border officials upon arrival into Washington (file image) Those who are cleared to travel are then flown to Dulles airport, located in the greater Washington DC area, processed and transported to military bases in New Jersey, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin, AXIOS reported. Additional bases are expected to be added and the tarmac at Dulles is filling up with flights transporting refugees. As of Thursday morning, people on seven different aircrafts waited at the airport as more flights were expected to come in, the Wall Street Journal reported. Evacuees who boarded flights with minimal belongings are waiting for up to ten hours to be processed by government officials before they can be transferred from the airport to temporary housing. A Department of Homeland Security told the newspaper that processing delays are stemming from a backup in the vetting of Afghans. 'Over the last several days, we have worked with urgency and with care to enhance screening and vetting operations such that we make these operations more efficient without compromising national security,' the official said. Once they are cleared from the planes, evacuees are either reunited with their loved ones or boarding busses that while take them to military bases. A 15-year-old girl confronted her rapist on Monday after he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Stephan William Thompson, 33, from Hindsville, Arkansas, raped his then-girlfriend's daughter when she was 12 years old. The girl read her victim impact statement to the court and told Thompson: 'There are more like you out in the world but as of right now I have helped get one less off of the streets.' Stephan William Thompson, 33, raped a girl when she was 12 years old and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. The victim, now 15, confronted him at court on Monday and said: 'There are more like you out in the world but as of right now I have helped get one less off of the streets' 'While your fate awaits you, mine awaits me full of love, hope, financial success and the power of knowing that I helped to put you where you belong,' she added. The sex offender had been abusing the young girl since November 2017. He raped the 12-year-old four times between then and February 2018 before his arrest months later on June 26. He attended court via Zoom on Monday where he was sentenced to spend 25 years at the Arkansas Department of Corrections by Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green. Before that he was being held at Benton County Jail on a $50,000 bond. According to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette the victim told Thompson his actions wounded her but she has recovered and is stronger. 'So today I sit here proudly reading this to you, letting you know that I am capable of all the things you once made me feel I wasn't,' she said. According to the affidavit filed by the Rogers Police Department, the girl's mother was dating Thompson at the time and the rapes took place in her mother's bedroom. Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green (pictured) sentenced Thompson during a hearing that took place over Zoom on Monday Thompson 'had bought (the victim) underwear from Victoria's Secret' but she was told not to tell her mother about it, the court documents revealed. She tried to tell her mother about Thompson touching her in April of 2018 but she didn't believe her. The girl told police that her mother called Thompson and asked him about it but he said she was lying and probably dreamt about it. The last time Thompson raped the victim her mother was laying in bed with her boyfriend. Her mother had fallen asleep when Thompson 'told her to come lay by him'. According to court documents the victim started dozing off 'and when she woke up (Thompson) was touching her'. In an interview conducted at the Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) the girl circled the breasts and vagina on an anatomical diagram after being asked by forensic interviewer Early Mallow where her mother's boyfriend touched her. She told Mallow he touched her 'chest, underwear area and buttocks'. Thompson would also 'tell her how gorgeous she is and how good her body is'. When asked why the girl waited four months after the last assault to tell her mother about what happened, the mother told the police it was because she had recently told her daughter she was very serious about her relationship with Thompson 'and wanted it to be long term'. Thompson dated the victim's mother and raped the 12-year-old in her mother's bed four times over the course of four months. He was sentenced to spend 25 years at the Arkansas Department of Corrections (pictured) Police believed this may have triggered the young girl to reveal what was happening. 'She was afraid to tell her mother and did not want to be at home,' the court documents said. As a Level Three sex offender Thompson is considered 'high risk' as offenders in this category usually have a history of repeat sexual offenses, according to the Arkansas Crime Information Center. Thompson was convicted in 2009 for raping a 13-year-old girl in Missouri. He spent five years in prison for the crime. The war over mask mandates is intensifying in Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis' administration is stripping funds from school districts that require face coverings for students, and parents are lining up to get pre-signed exemption forms from a chiropractor. On Monday the Florida Department of Education said it had withheld an amount equal to monthly school board member salaries in Alachua and Broward counties, as directed by the State Board of Education. Funds will continue to be withheld until the districts comply, Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran said. The astonishing move came even after a Florida state judge ruled on Friday that the state had no authority to enforce DeSantis' order banning mask mandates in classrooms, and barring his administration from withholding funds over the issue. DeSantis has vowed to appeal the ruling and predicted that it would be overturned. Governor Ron DeSantis' administration is stripping funds from school districts that require face coverings for students in defiance of a court order A protester holds a placard outside an emergency mask mandate meeting of the Brevard County, Florida School Board in Viera on Monday A masked student raises his hand in class at iPrep Academy on the first day of school in Miami last week. A judge has ruled that Florida school districts may impose mask mandates Meanwhile, in Sarasota County, where another school mask mandate went into effect on Monday, hundreds of parents were seen lining up at a chiropractor to collect medical exemption forms for their children. 'We were in and out, came in, signed a clipboard and handed a sheet,' parent Paulina Testerman told WJBF-TV of the scene at Twin Palms Chiropractic. 'Nobody asked to see our children. The forms were pre-signed, there was a stack behind the counter and they were just passed out.' Chiropractor Dan Busch spoke with the ABC affiliate outside his attorney's office, saying that he had only provided exemptions to students and parents he met with personally. 'This is not a political thing. I am not an anti-mask person or an anti-vax person, but I am a pro-freedom, pro-choice person,' said Busch. Busch said that any 'licensed health care physician' is qualified to provide medical exemptions, including chiropractors. Your dentist could do this, your psychiatrist could do this, your psychologist can do this,' he said. 'You were looking at things like respiratory distress, hypoxia, asthma, anxiety, depression there are a lot of qualifying conditions.' In Sarasota County, where another school mask mandate went into effect on Monday, hundreds of parents were seen lining up to collect medical exemption forms for their kids An anti-mask protester in Florida is seen at a Brevard county school board meeting on Monday Florida is one of several states where Republican governors have sought to prevent local governments and school districts from mandating masks. These governors have said that such rules infringe on personal liberty. Proponents of mask mandates argue the rules are necessary to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic, as cases rise particularly in areas with lower vaccination rates, driven by the highly infectious coronavirus Delta variant. The U.S. Department of Education on Monday opened civil rights investigations into mask mandate bans in Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah. The Education Department left mask mandate bans in Florida, Texas, Arkansas and Arizona out of its inquiry because court orders or other actions have paused their enforcement. But despite the court order in Florida, DeSantis is pushing forward with his threat to strip funding from Alachua and Broward counties. Broward County Interim Superintendent Vickie Cartwright said in a statement that Broward County School Board believes they are in compliance with the law. 'The health and safety of our students, teachers and staff continue to be our main priorities,' Cartwright said. 'As such, BCPS (Broward County Public Schools) will continue to mandate masks, knowing the data shows they help minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our schools.' Alachua County Superintendent Carlee Simon said in a statement: 'I'm very troubled by the state's action.' 'Our School Board members made a courageous decision to protect the health and lives of students, staff and the people of this community, and a court has already ruled they had the legal right to do so,' she said. Florida is one of several states where Republican governors have sought to prevent local governments and school districts from mandating masks DeSantis' order has sparked heated debate and a rebellion from some school districts that argue the rules are necessary to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic Simon said the district was working with other jurisdictions to legally challenge DeSantis. DeSantis, a Republican who is eyeing a possible presidential run in 2024, had been threatening to impose financial penalties on school boards for weeks. Democratic President Joe Biden has said if that happened, federal money would be used to cover any costs. Corcoran (above) said districts are violating parental rights by not allowing a parent or legal guardian to opt-out their child School districts in Alachua and Broward counties were the first of 10 to require all students to wear masks unless they had a medical exemption in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Those districts, which include cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville and West Palm Beach, represent slightly more than half of the 2.8 million Florida public school students enrolled this year. Corcoran said those districts are violating parental rights by not allowing a parent or legal guardian to opt-out their child, as required by a Florida Department of Health emergency rule. 'Were going to fight to protect parents rights to make health care decisions for their children,' Corcoran said in a statement. 'They know what is best for their children.' Corcoran said elected officials, like the school board members, cannot pick and choose what laws they want to follow. He said the board members pledged to uphold the Constitution but were not doing so. A boy rides a bicycle past a sign at Pershing School in Orlando advising that face masks are required for students through October 30, 2021 Meanwhile, a Tallahassee circuit judge on Friday agreed with a group of parents who argued in a lawsuit that DeSantis ban on mask mandates is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced. Leon County Circuit Judge John C. Cooper said an executive order issued by DeSantis that served as the basis for the health department's emergency rule is without legal authority. Cooper said his ruling wouldn't go into effect until it is put into writing, which he asked the parents lawyers to complete by Monday. Craig Whisenhunt, one of the attorneys representing the parents, said they complied and expect the ruling to take effect this week. The governor's office has said that Coopers decision wasnt based on the law, and the state will appeal it. The highly contagious Delta variant led to an acceleration in cases around Florida and record-high hospitalizations just as schools prepared to reopen classrooms. By mid-August, more than 21,000 new cases were being added per day, compared with about 8,500 a month earlier. Over the past week, new cases and hospitalizations have leveled off. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services tallied 15,488 patients with COVID-19 in Florida hospitals, an 8 percent decrease over the past week. Fox News aired a photo of the pregnant American citizen, who was trying to escape Kabul with her father and husband but is now in hiding A pregnant American woman is still trapped in Afghanistan after she was forced into hiding when the Taliban blocked her at a checkpoint and kicked her in the stomach as she tried to flee with her husband. The California couple are among the hundreds of Americans left stranded in Kabul after the final US forces left, despite Biden's promise to evacuate every citizen before the withdrawal deadline. California GOP Rep. Darrell Issa is working on trying to get the woman, who he called 'Nasria,' out and described her harrowing experiences that forced her to go into hiding in an interview on Fox & Friends Tuesday. 'She was kicked in the stomach, but she was kicked in the stomach well after - as she got through the first checkpoint for hours, waiting for those people at the south point to supposedly come and get her,' the Republican lawmaker said. 'It wasn't until it was clear they had closed, they weren't taking anyone else for quite a while that finally, she accepted that she was going to have to go back and hide in her apartment.' She never made it onto a US military evacuation flight. The last C-17 jet left Hamid Karzai International Airport at 3:29 p.m. ET on August 30. It carried the remainder of troops on the ground, embassy staff including Ambassador Ross Wilson, and Major General Christopher Donahue. No American civilians were on the last five flights to leave. Before US forces left, Issa said the woman made 'multiple trips' to the airport. 'We've agreed that she's going to stay sheltered in place, hiding her identity and hoping that her friends will continue to bring her food and keep her secret until frankly we can come up with something new,' he said. Rep. Darrell Issa is trying to help her out of the Taliban-controlled country, along with an elderly couple in their 80s who 'did not get in' the airport despite showing their American passports Watch the latest video at foxnews.com Fox News Privacy Policy As recently as three hours ago Issa's team had been working with the trapped American on a 'possible alternative' involving a third party group but was deemed to be 'too dangerous.' An elderly couple in their 80s are also in contact with the congressman after being trapped in Kabul. Issa said they 'repeatedly went to the gate, waited at the gate with their blue passports, and did not get in.' Those accounts stand in stark contrast to President Joe Biden's promise to get every American out of Afghanistan before the military ends its 20 year occupation. 'If there's American citizens left, we're gonna stay to get them all out,' he told ABC's George Stephanopoulos on August 18. Issa said: 'Anyone that says that they didn't break a promise to the American people and leave people behind is wrong. Anyone who says that there aren't people stranded is wrong.' Taliban fighters gather along a street during a rally in Kabul on August 31 as they celebrate after the US pulled all its troops out of the country 'These people were stranded, they did everything they were supposed to do and they simply were not a priority at the end.' Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that a 'small number' of Americans remain who want to leave the war-torn country. '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 in a speech at the State Department Monday night with remarks delayed for more than two hours. The number was somewhat lower than estimates in the final hours as the Biden administration's troop withdrawal deadline approached. He said 'about' 6,000 Americans had been flown out of the country or departed in an airlift of 123,000 people. Blinken vowed to use diplomacy and leverage to bring out any Americans, allies, or Afghanis who assisted the US and want to leave, as critics pounded Biden for allowing the withdrawal before all Americans were out, comparing those who remained to hostages. Blinken mentioned land routes through Afghanistan's rough terrain. Here Afghan resistance movement and anti-Taliban uprising forces personnel patrol along a road in Rah-e Tang of Panjshir province on August 29, 2021 'We made extraordinary efforts to give Americans every opportunity to depart the country,' he said. He said the US and allies plan to hold the Taliban to keep the airport open and allow safe passage. 'Any engagement with the Taliban-led government in Kabul will be driven by one thing only our vital national interests,' he said. He also mentioned new ways out - including 'overland routes,' which means driving across Afghanistan's famously inhospitable terrain. 'We have no illusion that any of this will be easy or rapid,' Blinken said, calling it an 'entirely different phase of the evacuation.' 'We will hold the Taliban to their commitment on freedom of movement,' he said on a day when US forces departed the airport in Kabul, leaving it intact, while scuttling aircraft that were left behind. That commitment will likely be tested in the coming days. Since the US pullout accounts of Americans and Afghan interpreters who were left behind by Biden's withdrawal have been trickling in through US media outlets. An American citizen who worked as an interpreter for the US military during the war in Afghanistan told CNN's Chris Cuomo on Monday night that she is now stranded. The woman spoke under the pseudonym 'Sara' to protect her identity. 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 She described 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 cant believe no one told me this was the last flight'. 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 were 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.' Taliban gunmen lit up the night sky over Kabul with tracer fire after the final U.S. military transport plane left the airport 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 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 didnt 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. If America could not help me when they were on the ground, how can they help me when they're gone? she said. Is anyone going to rescue me? 'I went to so many different missions with [the US] military, so many different missions in different provinces,' she said. 'I never had that heartbeat like I have it today, this morning, when they told me the Americans left. They left us to whom? To those people who were always wanting to kill us? 'And now I am by myself here with 37 people.' Meanwhile Taliban gunfire and fireworks lit up the night sky over Kabul to celebrate the American withdrawal, with celebrations continuing into Tuesday. Fake coffins draped with the British, American, French and NATO flags were paraded through the streets of Khost in Afghanistan today as the Taliban celebrated the end of western 'occupation' The Taliban held mock funerals for American, British, French and NATO forces Tuesday as thousands turned out on the streets of major cities to celebrate the end of the west's 20-year war. Coffins draped with the US, UK and French flags as well as NATO's insignia were paraded through the streets of Khost by crowds flying the Taliban's emblem - just two weeks after anti-Taliban protests in the same city. In Kandahar - a traditional stronghold of the Islamists - thousands also turned out waving white Taliban flags to celebrate what the group is referring to as its 'independence day', hours after the final American troops boarded an evacuation flight out of the country. Speaking from the runway at Kabul airport this morning - and surrounded by Taliban special forces units dressed head to toe in American gear - spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid hailed the 'victory' over western forces. 'It is an historical day and an historical moment.... we liberated our country from a great power,' he added, saying the last 20 years should serve as a 'big lesson for other invaders [and] a lesson for the world.' A Muslim preacher and natural healer who bullishly claimed Covid-19 doesn't exist is now fighting for his life in hospital after contracting the Delta strain of the virus. In recent weeks, Sydney based Mohammed Shaar also preached to his followers that vaccine jabs were ineffective - despite just one of the 143 people in ICU with the virus having been double-jabbed. Last week Mr Shaar closed his healing centre in Sydney's west after falling ill and was quick to tell his followers on social media he had the common cold - and not Covid-19. But days later the Covid-sceptic was taken to hospital in an ambulance after displaying a number of worrying symptoms. Muslim preacher and natural healer Mohammed Shaar (pictured) who declared Covid-19 doesn't exist is now fighting for his life in hospital after contracting the Delta strain of the virus Before he was hospitalised, Mr Shaar also told his scores of followers that vaccination jabs were ineffective (pictured being taken to hospital this week) Those close to Mr Shaar have confirmed he is currently 'in a bad way' and have asked for thoughts and prayers as he fights the virus. One of his followers even suggested he drink hot lemon water to 'speed up his recovery'. NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon stressed medical expertise from qualified professionals should never be ignored. 'The science is very clear, Covid does exist. Unfortunately, we are seeing too many people get sick in society,' he said. 'Please listen to the medical profession, they are the ones who know the answer.' The Australian Muslim Health Professionals Network also strongly encouraged scores of Covid-deniers to alter their misinformed views on the virus. 'On behalf of all Muslim health practitioners, please take Covid seriously,' Dr Ziad Basyouny said. On Tuesday, NSW recorded 1,164 new cases of Covid-19. Three deaths were also recorded: a woman in her 50s and two men in their 80s and 90s in south-west Sydney and St Vincent's Hospital in the inner-city passed away after catching the virus. Authorities said the Delta strain was still spreading fastest in the city's west and south-west - with Guildford, Merrylands, Auburn, Greenacre, Bankstown, Blacktown and the surrounding suburbs listed as the areas of most concern in NSW. Those close to preacher Mohammed Shaar (pictured) have confirmed he is currently 'in a bad way' with the Delta strain of Covid-19 which has seen him hospitalised Third Covid vaccine doses should be rolled out to vulnerable Britons urgently, according to Professor Paul Hunter Third Covid vaccine doses should be rolled out to vulnerable Britons urgently, a top expert said today as pressure builds for a decision from No10's advisers. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is still yet to sign off on a booster rollout despite the NHS due to start administering the doses next Monday. Professor Paul Hunter, an expert in medicine at the University of East Anglia, today called for over-80s and immunocompromised people to get their shots 'pretty soon'. He said he saw no reason 'whatsoever' why it had taken the JCVI so long to sign off on doses for those groups but admitted a mass booster rollout wasn't necessary. There are fears that a 'big bang' in cases when English schools go back this week could spark a rise in hospital admissions and deaths, particularly among the most vulnerable. The NHS has been told to gear up to start the autumn immunisation programme, which will operate alongside a mass flu jab campaign, by September 6. But the JCVI is still dithering over exactly who should be eligible for the third injections. The group is expected to recommend them for people with severely weakened immune systems, which may only include several hundred thousand Britons. Professor Hunter said that people who had had the vaccine but did not respond as well 'need to be boosted soon'. 'Within that category are: people with severe underlying disease; people with severe cancers that are on chemotherapy; people on high-dose steroids for autoimmune diseases; people who have had solid organ transplants; people who are actually morbidly obese,' he said. 'I would also add over-80s to that category.' There are more than 3.7million extremely clinically vulnerable people in England, according to the Office for National Statistics. Of these, around 500,000 are immunosuppressed. These people are expected to get boosters first In a study published last week, scientists at King's College London found protection against infection wanes within six months of a second dose. For the Pfizer jab (blue line) it dropped from 88 per cent protection against infection to 74 per cent up to six months after the second dose. And for the AstraZeneca jab (pink line) it dropped from 77 per cent to 67 per cent five months after the second dose. Experts suggested the effectiveness could drop to 50 per cent by the winter A study by the Universities of Glasgow and Birmingham measured antibody levels in 600 immunosuppressed people and compared them to healthy volunteers. About one in 10 in the vulnerable group failed to generate any detectable Covid antibodies four weeks after their second dose of Pfizer or AstraZeneca. A further 30 per cent generated a significantly lower antibody response than healthy people, according to the study published as a pre-print in The Lancet Professor Hunter added: 'The evidence is that these people won't have responded that well to vaccine. 'As far as I'm concerned there is no debate whatsoever about that group, they should be boosted and they should be boosted pretty soon. 'And it's not because the vaccine has waned, is because chances are they did not respond that well the first time around.' He said: 'When you look at the rest of the population, what we're seeing is that protection against infection is declining. 'But protection against severe disease is not at the moment, although ultimately it will though hopefully not for a number of years. WHO calls for pause on boosters because poor countries are still struggling to get first doses The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday called for a two-month moratorium on administering booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, told reporters in Budapest, Hungary, that the pause is necessary to reduce global vaccine inequality. He also said he was 'really disappointed' with the scope of vaccine donations worldwide. As many countries struggle to provide first and second doses to more than small fractions of their populations, some wealthier countries like the U.S., Hungary and Israel have rolled out plans to distribute additional vaccine doses. Tedros called on countries offering third vaccine doses 'to share what can be used for boosters with other countries so [they] can increase their first and second vaccination coverage.' In early August, Hungary became the first country in the 27-member European Union to allow residents to sign up for a third dose, and more than 187,000 people have received a booster so far, according to government statistics. Germany and France have both also announced plans to do the same in the near future. Last week, U.S. health officials announced plans to dispense COVID-19 booster shots to all Americans in an effort to shore up protection against a surge in cases attributed to the delta variant and signs that the vaccines effectiveness is slipping. Vaccine booster doses will be available in the U.S. starting on September 20, and Americans will be eligible for them eight months after they received their second shot. Yet the U.N. health agency has repeatedly called for rich nations to do more to help improve access to vaccines in the developing world. On Monday, Tedros said that of the 4.8 billion vaccine doses delivered to date globally, 75 percent have gone to only 10 countries while vaccine coverage in Africa is at less than 2 percent. 'Vaccine injustice and vaccine nationalism' increase the risk of more contagious variants emerging, Tedros said. 'The virus will get the chance to circulate in countries with low vaccination coverage, and the delta variant could evolve to become more virulent, a nd at the same time more potent variants could also emerge,' he added. Advertisement 'And so that the value of boosting people who aren't going to get severely ill is debatable.' He also suggested that he was not in favour of vaccinating healthy under-16s, but said he would follow whatever advice the JCVI gives. It comes after a major UK study of Pfizer and AstraZeneca's jabs last week found two doses become noticeably less effective at stopping infections within months. Protection after two shots of Pfizer decreased from 88 per cent at one month to 74 per cent at six months and for AstraZeneca, effectiveness dropped from 77 per cent to 67 per cent. But protection against severe illness and death is thought to last much longer, which is why the hospital and fatality numbers have remained low as cases have soared. A separate study last week found that two doses of either AZ of Pfizer's vaccine do not work as well in up to 40 per cent of those who are immunosuppressed, Experts are yet to confirm the details of the autumn booster rollout, but a source close to the discussions told MailOnline last week: 'We're only talking about a few hundred thousand people in the first phase.' There are 3.7million people across England who are classified as 'clinically extremely vulnerable', with diseases such as cancer, vasculitis and organ transplant patients. Half a million are thought to be immunosuppressed. Meanwhile, Professor Hunter said that the UK will learn to live with around 45,000 infections a day from Covid in the coming years, he expects it to be reduced to a mild illness for the vast majority. He said: 'We're getting close to what's called the endemic equilibrium, which is the sort of number of infections we can expect on average per day forever. 'Looking at the other coronaviruses it's about 45,000 infections a day. 'If you work it out, based on what we know about duration of immunity and the principles for Covid, it works out about 45,000 infections a day (across the UK). So that's what we've got to look forward to. 'But the vast majority of those infections for the other coronaviruses asymptomatic, they don't cause any harm. And when they do with some mild dose of the common cold. 'And that's the way that this is going to go, absolutely no doubt about it. 'We won't see Covid 'the disease' any more after a few years. Typically pandemics tend to last for about three years, give or take. 'And the last big coronavirus pandemic lasted three years that was in 1890, with the Russian flu. The virus that caused the Russian flu is still with us, and it's still not that different probably from the virus that circulated 130 years ago, but we don't see it causing the disease. 'Covid-19 the disease will almost certainly consigned to history except in very few occasional cases.' He said that at present the 'attack rate' of the virus is highest in areas that fared better in previous waves. 'At the moment, most of the action is in areas that haven't fared so badly in the past,' he said. 'If you look at the interactive map of cases, the highest attack rates are Devon, Cornwall, south-west Wales, the border areas of Scotland all of them are areas that have actually not had much disease in the past. 'So possibly that's a sign that's where there's more people who are still susceptible. And that's why it's picking off those areas.' Washington DC cops are hunting for a gang of kidnappers who they say abducted five people within just four days, forcing them to hand over their bank cards and details and visiting multiple ATMs to drain their accounts before finally letting them go. The city's Metropolitan Police Department said they are seeking out three to four suspects, two of which were captured on CCTV footage from ATMs that was shared on the department's social media pages. Crime Solvers of Washington DC is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for any information that leads police to their suspects, whose identities have evaded police for three days since the most recent armed kidnapping. Police said the gang abducted four people over five days from the locations pictured above, bringing them to nearby ATMs and forcing them to withdraw cash This gang are wanted for multiple kidnappings in the Washington DC area, abducting five people in just four days Timeline of abductions August 24, 10.30pm: First victim was forced into the group's car at 1300 block of Corcoran Street Northwest and then driven to an ATM where he was forced to withdraw his money. August 25, 11pm: Second victim abducted on the 5200 block of 14th Street and forced to reveal his bank account information which they then used to withdraw money from, before they let him out of the car. August 26, 1.14am: Third victim was assaulted and forced into vehicle at gunpoint at intersection of 14th and Allison Streets. They stole his property and banking information and drove him to ATMs before finally letting him go. August 28, 2.20am: Fourth victim taken from 1200 block of 10th Street Northwest, got their banking info, took their money from multiple ATMs. August 28, 3.45am: Fifth victim abducted from 500 block of 13th Street, Northeast, driven to ATMs before being let go. Advertisement Police said the suspects are four black men between 20 and 29 years of age. One, they said, wore a curly high-top fade hairstyle. The first incident took place on Tuesday around 10.30 pm when a suspect menaced a victim with a handgun in the 1300 block of Corcoran Street Northwest, while several others forced the victim inside a vehicle. According to a police report shared with MailOnline by the MPD, one of the suspects told the victim to 'shut up and do what I say!' A protective mask was put over the victim's face. Police said the suspects then drove to different ATMs, where they took the victim's four bank cards and withdrew a total of $1,400. The victim's iPhone and driver's license were also stolen, police said. The next day, on August 25, another victim was frightened with a handgun and forced into a car by the group around 11pm as he was biking in the 5200 block of 14th Street Northwest. 'Get in the car or f***ing get smoked here,' the suspect allegedly said to the victim. Three men went through his pockets at once, the victim told police. Simultaneously, one man said 'I will kill you' while another demanded his PIN numbers. After ten minutes, the suspects shoved the victim out of their car and told him not to look at their license plate. He looked anyway, and shared the plate number with police, which they have used in their attempts to locate the gang. Around 1.14 am on Thursday, the group brandished multiple handguns and approached a third victim at the intersection of 14th and Allison Street, Northwest. The victim told police that the men kicked him in the leg, causing him to fall to the ground, then began punching his face and body. He reported that $600 in cash was stolen from his person, as well as his Samsung Galaxy phone and his debit card The perpetrators put a white tee shirt over the man's head and demanded his property and banking information - then, they hit multiple ATMs, using his information to withdraw a total of $500. Only then did they release their victim at an area children's hospital. After taking a day off from their kidnapping binge, the group of men doubled down and kidnapped two people on Saturday, police said. ABDUCTION 1, August 24: CCTV footage shows two of the gang members as they withdrew money from an ATM using their kidnapping victim's card ABDUCTION 1, August 24: One of the gang members is seen fanning out the cash after withdrawing it from the victim's bank account Around 2.20 am, police said, the men flashed firearms in the 1200 block of 10th Street, Northwest. They forced a bag over a victim's head, zip-tied his hands behind his back and forced him into their car. After getting banking info, the men took their money from multiple ATMs and left the victim at another location. Later that morning around 3.45 am, another victim was forced at gunpoint into the group's car at the 500 block of 13th Street, Northeast. The victim told police that five men kidnapped him as he walked home from a friend's house. The men came out of an alley, he said, and put a bag over his head and bound his wrists with zip-ties. The suspects told the victim, according to police reports, that they would shoot him if he didn't hand over his PIN numbers. Once again, they drove to an ATM, withdrew money from their victim's accounts and released him at another site. They laid the victim on the ground in another alley, face down, and told him to count to 30 as they fled the scene. From the last victim, the group stole $50 in cash, a driver's license, two credit cards, a debit card, a metro card, a number of store rewards cards, apartment keys, a key FOB and an iPhone 12. Anyone who recognizes the pictured suspects or who has any information regarding the abductions is implored to contact the Metropolitan Police Department or Crime Stoppers of Washington DC. A surveillance camera captures one of the suspects going to use a victim's card at the ATM during an abduction. Police have not released the date for this image CCTV captures of two of the four armed robbers, captured during one of four abductions they allegedly carried out between August 24 and August 28. Police have not released the date for these images An anti-vaxxer and principal lawyer for 17 Capitol riot defendants is reportedly ill with COVID-19 and currently in the hospital, according to court documents from The Department of Justice. John Pierce, a civil attorney with Pierce Bainbridge, has not appeared in court hearings since August 23, and is 'on a ventilator' and 'unresponsive,' in the hospital, court documents state. Pierce was scheduled to appear in court on August 24 to represent Nathaniel Degrave, who was captured on video shoving U.S. Capitol Police officers in the hallway of the Senate Gallery, but did not show up, court records indicate. Instead, Ryan Marshall, an unlicensed attorney from Pierce's law firm, acted on Pierce's behalf throughout the court proceedings. Mr. Pierce is in the hospital, we believe, with COVID-19, on a ventilator, non-responsive, Marshall told a judge last Wednesday, according to court records. Marshall also said his colleague couldn't be reached because of a 'conflict,' later telling prosecutors Pierce was headed to the hospital after an accident. Court documents state that John Pierce, (pictured) a civil attorney with Pierce Bainbridge, has not appeared in court hearings since August 23, and is 'on a ventilator' and 'unresponsive,' in the hospital Pierce has tweeted that anyone 'who trusts the government to shoot some vague, unknown 'vaccine' in their arm,' is taking a 'very big risk' Trump supporters gather outside the U.S Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Pierce's absence creates an issue in the hearing because his clients do not have a secondary attorney to defend them, the DOJ stated in a court document filed Monday After that information was released, an individual close to the case reached out to an NPR correspondent explaining that Pierce did not, in fact, have COVID, but instead was 'hospitalized on Monday due to symptoms that he believed might be related to Covid-19.' That same individual added that Pierce appeared to have been suffering from 'dehydration and exhaustion'; and 'remains under the care of his doctors.' The L.A-based attorney has been tasked with representing numerous most high-profile alleged Capitol rioters, including some accused of conspiring with the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys. Supporters of former President Donald Trump scale the west wall of the the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C on January 6, 2021 Pierce was scheduled to appear in court on August 24 to represent Nathaniel Degrave (pictured) who was captured on video shoving U.S. Capitol Police officers in the hallway of the Senate Gallery on January 6, 2021 Illinois teen Kyle Rittenhouse, 18, was charged with fatally shooting two protestors and injuring another after opening fire during a Kenosha protest on August 25, 2020 Pierce has linked himself to far-right supporters of former President Donald Trump, including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, whom he formally represented His absence creates an issue in the hearing because his clients do not have a secondary attorney to defend them, the DOJ says. Although Pierce's vaccination status is unclear, and his law firm has not officially confirmed his illness, the attorney has been extremely vocal in the argument surrounding vaccines. In March, Pierce tweeted that anyone 'who trusts the government to shoot some vague, unknown 'vaccine' in their arm,' is taking a 'very big risk.' He has linked himself to far-right supporters of former President Donald Trump, including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Carter Page and George Papadopoulos, in addition to representing alleged Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse. The limo driver at the centre of Australia's biggest coronavirus outbreak has been slapped with a $500 fine for not wearing a face mask. Michael Podgoetsky was hit with the PIN on Tuesday at about 3pm while sitting on a bus stop bench near his home in Sydney's eastern suburbs. The 63-year-old is thought to be patient zero for the disastrous Bondi cluster which has now spread throughout the state claiming the lives of 96 people and infecting 21,208. Now entering its 10th week, the outbreak sparked the brutal lockdown which has since spread all across New South Wales, leaving millions confined to their homes and kids shut out of school. The limo driver at the centre of Australia's biggest coronavirus outbreak has been slapped with a $500 fine for not wearing a face mask. Pictured: St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney Mr Podgoetsky tested positive for the Delta strain on June 15 and maintains he did nothing wrong, insisting he became infected at a local Bondi cafe. However health officials consider him the 'index case' and suggest he caught the virus ferrying international Fed Ex air staff to hotel quarantine on June 11 before unknowingly spreading it to his wife and several others. At the time of the ill-fated trip he was not legally required to be vaccinated or wear a mask, despite his high-risk job. The Gladys Berejiklian government was reportedly warned the potential biosecurity risks associated with transport workers but did not act until it was too late. The NSW Government has since enacted a policy in response to him triggering the outbreak which requires anyone working with quarantined or international arrivals to be vaccinated and wear face coverings. Mr Podgoetsky stated that he was wearing a face mask at all times while driving. Michael Podgoetsky was hit with the Penalty Infringement Notice on Tuesday at about 3pm while sitting on a bus stop bench near his home in Sydney's eastern suburbs (pictured, police patrol the eastern suburbs of Sydney) 'Around 3pm today (Tuesday 31 August 2021) officers from Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command received information relating to a breach of the COVID-19 public health orders by a 63-year-old Bondi man,' Police said in a statement. 'The man has now been issued with a $500 PIN for not wear fitted face covering at public transport waiting area.' Mr Podgoetsky told the Daily Telegraph he's tired of being connected to the devastating outbreak. 'I don't want to be associated with this. I got this stupid disease from somewhere, I don't know where,' he said. Health officials consider Mr Podgoetsky the 'index case' of the Delta outbreak and suggest he caught the virus ferrying international Fed Ex air staff to hotel quarantine on June 11 before unknowingly spreading it to his wife and several others (pictured, travellers at Sydney Airport) 'It's terrible what's happening to the country I followed all the rules,' he said. He has since returned to work and has been vaccinated against the virus receiving both Pfizer jabs after initially refusing the AstraZeneca dose due to a family history of blood clots. 'It's unfair that people have blamed me for Delta. I got it from somebody. 'I've got a drug addict... living (near) me who's threatening me. It's terrible what's happening in the country.' The sister of one of the 11 Marines killed in the Kabul suicide bombing told President Joe Biden to 'burn in hell' as she left the dignified transfer of remains ceremony on Sunday, according to a Tuesday report. Some parents and families further detailed their observations and interactions with Biden during the dignified transfer of service members's remains arriving back on U.S. soil from Afghanistan. Mark Schmitz, the father of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, told The Washington Post that he showed a picture of his son to Biden and told the president: 'Don't you ever forget that name. Don't you ever forget that face. Don't you ever forget the names of the other 12. And take some time to learn their stories.' He recalled that Biden didn't seem to like those comments. 'I do know their stories,' Schmitz detailed that the president shot back. Schmitz said that a sister of a fallen troop yelled at the president after receiving the remains on Sunday: 'I hope you burn in hell! That was my brother!' 'I can't fault her for it,' Schmitz told the Post without identifying the relative who screamed at the president. 'We all lost somebody.' The families gathered in Dover, Delaware on Sunday where the remains of the 13 troops who died in a suicide bombing near the Kabul airport on Thursday arrived. Biden was at the base for the dignified transfer of the fallen. Marine Lance Corporal Rylee McCollum's family was also at Dover Air Force Base on Sunday as his remains returned to the U.S. and they were given a chance to meet with the president. Only McCollum's widow, Jiennah, accepted the meeting. The family told the Post that Jiennah was left disappointed by her talk with Biden. Families of the fallen U.S. service members were left disappointed by Joe Biden at the dignified transfer on Sunday. One sister of a fallen Marine yelled at the president: 'I hope you burn in hell! That was my brother!' Rylee McCollum's family (L-R: sister Cheyenne, sister Roice and father Jim) said they felt Biden was 'fake' in his sympathy on Sunday. Roice and Jim refused to meet with he president at Dover President Joe Biden is under fire for looking at his watch during Sunday's 'dignified transfer' onto American soil of the 13 American troops killed in Thursday's Kabul suicide bomb attack Fallen Marine Lance Corporal Rylee McCollum's widow Jiennah (right) thought her talk with Biden felt scripted. The two married six months ago and Jiennah is due to give birth to their child next month McCollum's sister Roice said she didn't want to meet with Biden because 'you cannot kneel on our flag and pretend you care about our troops. You can't f**k up as bad as he did and say you're sorry. This did not need to happen, and every life is on his hands' One of McCollum's sisters, Roice, said her brother's widow thought Biden sounded scripted in their few-minute conversation. Roice said that during the meeting with Jiennah, Biden showed a 'total disregard to the loss of our Marine our brother, son, husband and father.' 'He cannot possibly understand,' Roice said. 'My dad and I did not want to speak to him.' 'You cannot kneel on our flag and pretend you care about our troops,' she said. 'You can't f**k up as bad as he did and say you're sorry. This did not need to happen, and every life is on his hands. The thousands of Afghans who will suffer and be tortured is a direct result of his incompetence.' During an interview with Fox News on Tuesday morning, Rylee's other sister Cheyenne detailed that she stayed with Jiennah at the start of her conversation with Biden, but walked away when she felt he was being 'fake.' 'Roice and my dad chose to leave the room. I chose to stay with my brother's wife,' Cheyenne said. 'She wanted the chance to look him in the eye and see if it was going to be a sincere conversation or apology. 'I was able to stand about 15 seconds of his fake, scripted apology and I had to walk away,' she continued. She detailed that Biden 'would not look us in the eye' and felt 'there was not an ounce of sympathy' coming from him. 'He tapped her on the knee and said, 'I know what you're going through, I lost my son,' Cheyenne detailed, tapping her sister on the shoulder. Jim McCollum, Rylee's father, told Fox & Friends: 'It was more about his son. My son wasn't mentioned.' 'It was his son and about him and nothing to do with the 13,' he said. Jiennah married Rylee just six months ago and is due to give birth to his child next month. The US Marine Corps posted a photo to Twitter Sunday evening, of 11 flag flag-draped caskets of their fallen brethren killed in Thursday's suicide bomb attack in Kabul The president continues to get flak for his handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan and for repeatedly checking his watch during the dignified transfer of 11 of the service members on Sunday Representative Brian Mast also lashed out on Tuesday at Biden's behavior during the dignified transfer. Congressman Brian Mast called out President Biden's 'heartbreaking' behavior during the dignified transfer for the 13 U.S. service members who were killed in Kabul. The president was photographed checking his watch during the ceremony. 'There's no shame for anybody that has tears,' the Florida Republican representative said of the grieving families. 'President Biden is the one that deserves the shame,' Mast, who lost both of his legs while serving as an Army explosive ordnance disposal technician in Afghanistan in 2010, said in an interview with Fox & Friends. 'He's more concerned about his watch than about giving those families every single minute to talk about how they feel,' Mast said of the president. Mark Schmitz and Darin Hoover the father of Staff Sergeant Darin Taylor Hoover Jr. spoke to Fox News host Sean Hannity on Monday night where they blasted Biden for repeatedly checking his watch during the return of the service members who were killed. Both fathers claimed Biden checked his watch after every casket was removed from the plane on Sunday. 'The checking of his watch, that didn't happen just once,' said Hoover regarding a picture emerging of the president glancing down at the clock on his wrist. 'That happened on every single one that came out of that airplane. It happened on every single one of them,' he said in awe. 'They would release the salute, and he would look down at his watch on every last one, all 13, he looked down at his watch.' 'As a father, you know, seeing that and the disrespect...' Schmitz added: 'I leaned into my son's mother's ear and I said, I swear to God, if he checks his watch one more time - and that was probably only four times in. 'I couldn't look at him anymore after that. 'Considering especially the time and why we were there, I found it to be the most disrespectful thing I've ever seen.' Hoover said he refused to meet with the president at the event. Schmitz said his own meeting 'didn't go well', and Biden spent more time talking about his own son Beau than Jared Schmitz and the other fallen. The fathers of fallen Marines Jared Schmitz (left) and Taylor Hoover (right) spoke out against Biden Mark Schmitz (left) and Darin Hoover (center) told Sean Hannity on Monday that Biden repeatedly checking his watch during the dignified transfer on Sunday The president stood with his hand over his heart as remains were carried in a flag-draped casket by service members at the Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware on Sunday President Joe Biden attended on Sunday the dignified transfer of the remains of service members killed in the Kabul airport attack The president made the unannounced trip to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Sunday morning as the caskets of the 13 service members killed in the attack were brought back to the United States. He stood in silence, his right hand to his chest, as a succession of flag draped transfer coffins were carried past him from a C-17 Globemaster plane. But during the ceremony, Biden appears to jerk his left arm up and look down at his watch. The 13 killed on Thursday were Navy corpsman Max Soviak, Army Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss, and Marines Hunter Lopez, Rylee McCollum, David Lee Espinoza, Kareem Nikoui, Jared Schmitz, Daegan Page, Taylor Hoover, Humberto Sanchez, Johanny Rosario, Dylan Merola and Nicole Gee. Their remains arrived at Dover Air Force Base, at 8am for a 'dignified transfer,' the solemn moment when fallen troops return to American soil. Mark Schmitz, from Missouri, said he was also left disappointed by his meeting with Biden. 'Initially, I wasn't going to meet with him, but then I felt I owed it to my son to at least have some words with him about how I felt,' said Schmitz. 'And it didn't go well. 'He talked a bit more about his own son than we did my own son in that didn't sit well with me.' Biden's own son Beau served in Iraq, and died in 2015 from a brain tumor, aged 46. The president has frequently referenced Beau and his service, explaining that he feels kinship with military families and understands the feeling of loss. Hoover, from Utah, said their family decided to turn down the chance to meet Biden. Darin Hoover (pictured) told Hannity his family rejected Biden's offer of speaking to them 'We said absolutely not,' he told Hannity. 'We didn't want to deal with them, we didn't want to we didn't want him anywhere near us. 'We as a family decided that that was the way it was going to be.' Both fathers paid tribute to their sons, with Hoover - whose son was due home on September 15, to retire and marry his fiancee Nicole - describing them all as heroes. 'Every one of them is a hero. There's no doubt,' he said. 'Every last one of them. 'They died with their brothers and their sisters right next to them. 'Doing exactly what they all wanted to do. And that is defending this country.' Two hoarder brothers who confessed to burying their mother and sister in their Illinois backyard have been released from jail. Michael Lelko, 45, and John Lelko, 41, both of Lyons, Illinois, were arrested on Saturday when two bodies were found in the backyard of their filth-ridden, hoarded home, after police conducted a wellness check. The brothers reportedly confessed to police that the bodies belonged to their mother, Jean, and sister, Jennifer, 44. They claim they did not kill their relatives but said that Jean died in 2015 after their mentally ill sister pushed her down the stairs. Their sister Jennifer died of COVD-19 in 2019, they added. The brothers, who are allegedly mentally ill, were living at their mother's home alongside bags of garbage, debris, and containers of urine and feces. At some point, they had buried the bodies of their mom and sister Two days after their arrest, Michael and John were released from custody and are being assisted by a social services agency. They may still face felony charges for illegally disposing of a body as police continue their investigation, but so far, no charges have been filed. Brothers Michael, left, and John Lelko were released from police custody as the Lyons Police Department continues to investigate the two bodies found in their backyard on Saturday. The brothers, who allegedly suffer from mental health issues are being assisted by social services The two hoarder brothers were arrested following the discovery of the bodies Officials investigate the Lelko home where the bodies of two people were found. The brothers claim the bodies belonged to their mother and sister, who died in 2015 and 2019, respectively 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 Lyons Police Chief Tom Herion said in a statement Monday that while the brothers were released, they 'continue to be the subject of the death investigation.' 'We continue to look into this case with the help of the Cook County Medical Examiner, who is doing a forensic evaluation of the remains that were removed from the backyard on Saturday,' Herion said. He added that Lyons police were 'looking at every aspect of the brothers and the deceased, including examining financial records,' and determining the cause of death of the two people whose bodies were excavated by crews. Police are working to confirm the bodies belong to Jennifer and Jean Lelko with DNA testing. Police were alerted to check on the home when a public works official noticed that the home had not had any running water in more than a year The brothers told police their mentally-ill sister pushed their mother, who was in her late 70s, down the stairs of the home in 2015, causing 'some type of head contusion' that caused her death, WGN reported. The brothers said that they had buried their mother in the backyard afterwards, along with the bodies of several animals that had died at the home. They also told police their sister then died in 2019 of COVID-19, despite the fact that the virus had not hit the U.S. until January 2020. No records exist of their deaths, Herion said last week. He said one brother who led police to where the bodies could be found told investigators they were buried in the yard for financial reasons. Investigators were still collecting any possible evidence from their home, 12 miles southwest of Chicago. The home came to the attention of authorities when public works officials noticed that water had not been used at the home for more than a year. Police conducting a well-being check at the home last Thursday found it filled with clutter, and with no running water or working toilets. Human feces and large containers filled with urine littered the home, Herion said. Several cats and dogs were found running around the property 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 Police also found that the brothers had also removed the gas meter to avoid paying for it The brothers claimed they buried the bodies for financial reasons 'It was multiple liters of urine,' Lyons Police Chief Thomas Herion told ABC 7 Chicago. 'Every room, the front door, the backdoor were completely barricaded with debris, boxes.' Several cats and dogs were also found inside the home. The brothers also removed the gas meter because they didn't want to pay for it. The brothers had to exit their home through a window because of the clutter inside blocking the doors. Neighbor Martha Aranda Castaneda told Fox 32 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. The home has since been boarded up. Herion added 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. An anti-lockdown mum has filmed herself hysterically sobbing after turning up to a non-existent truckie protest. The woman, who posted the video to social media, wails into her phone saying she was unable to pick up her unwell son from school because she was going to attend a rumoured demonstration on a freeway. 'We can't even friggin' blockade any more. Our strongest Australians, these guys, can't even make a stand,' she said, pointing her camera at trucks driving past. 'What happened to us? "She'll be right mate", no we f*cking won't.' Truckies have been staging protests against Covid lockdowns and mandatory vaccines, after several haulage companies told drivers to get the jab. The mother wails into her camera for several minutes saying the Australian spirit is gone after a rumoured truck blockade failed to materialise on Tuesday The mother, dressed in a shirt with the Australian flag emblazoned on it, claims she left her child unwell at school just so she could be in attendance, despite no protest being carried out. 'My son's in sick bay at school and I can't be there to pick him up because I'm here doing this,' she sobs into the camera. 'I've failed as a mother because I'm trying to protect him in 10 years time.' She repeatedly references a 10-year period as crucial, saying Australians need to 'wake up'. 'Do you not see where this is going in 10 years time?' the woman cries. 'I f*cking turned up and I had hope and I don't. This Australian spirit we all talk about - "let's help each other out, let's be a community, let's do the right thing by each other". 'P*ss off, just p*ss off with that.' The woman references other attempted blockades in Victoria and Queensland, suggesting she may have been at the rumoured protest on the M1 motorway near Wyong heading southbound to Sydney. Traffic was backed up for several kilometres on the M1 south of Brisbane after Tony Fulton (left) led a protest blocking off the highway to rally against Covid-19 lockdowns and mandatory vaccinations An anti-lockdown protester is seen speaking to police and media in Martin Place on Tuesday (pictured), with a total of 573 fines issued to members of the public during the day of action 'I am so let down, I don't know what's going on in Victoria, I don't know what's going on the M1 but I had hope, I really did. 'She's not alright, mate.' A truck blockade in Queensland earlier this week stopping food distribution throughout the country sparked rumours of a similar demonstration on the outskirts of Greater Sydney. The demonstration was held on the M1 in Reedy Creek, south of Brisbane, by furious truckies who promised to bring the major highway to a standstill on Monday. Pictured: Traffic backed up on the M1 at Reddy Creek, south of Brisbane. The protest was announced only an hour earlier to thwart police A single truck is seen blocking the road during a failed protest in New Zealand (pictured) on Tuesday after the secretly planned day of action against lockdowns Traffic was backed up for several kilometres after the protest began at 6am on Monday, having been announced just an hour earlier to thwart police. The truckies broke the blockage at 7am after One Nation leader Pauline Hanson - who was supporting the rally - told them it was time to move on. Tony Fulton, a popular Australian truck driver who has legions of fans on his Tones Truckin Stories social media page, said he was prepared to be arrested to stand up for 'Australian rights'. 'We want to end these lockdowns - we don't want forced vaccinations and we want to open up the country and learn to live with the virus,' he told 7News while standing in front of the blockade. He earlier posted a video vowing to take part in the protest and telling his followers he's 'more scared' of the life-saving vaccine than the virus - which has so far claimed the lives of 4.5 million people across the globe. 'I'm someone that does a bit of research,' Mr Fulton claimed. 'From what I've seen from my research with credible scientists and doctors and stuff, I do not want to get this vaccine. 'I am more scared of the vaccine than the virus. Honestly it scares the living hell out of me.' Michael Corrigan, 52, (pictured) has appeared in Hollywood blockbusters like Thor: Ragnarok It comes amid growing discontent across the country about the endless Covid lockdowns and border closures, which have seen families separated and thousands out of work. Scores of protesters attended 69 coordinated 'silent protests' to rally against the never-ending lockdowns and 'compulsory' Covid-19 vaccination on Tuesday. A horse-riding Hollywood stuntman went on a bizarre tirade at one of the protests in northern New South Wales, slamming 'childless' female leaders and comparing the plight of Australia's Aboriginal population to the 'unvaccinated'. Michael Corrigan, 52, who was recently fined $7,000 for riding his horse through border blockades at a coronavirus demonstration in Coolangatta on August 22, once again appeared on horse back at another anti-lockdown rally at Murwillumbah on Tuesday. The fired-up crowd cheered him on as he spouted anti-vaccination conspiracy theories and took aim at Gladys Berejiklian and Annastacia Palazczuk. 'Where are the strong men in Australia?' he shouted from atop his white horse. Across the rest of Australia on Tuesday thousands of protesters unleashed on state governments holding dozens of coordinated 'silent protests' against never-ending lockdowns and compulsory Covid-19 vaccination (pictured on the Gold Coast) The stuntman was previously filmed riding a white horse through the streets of Coolangatta chanting 'cross the border. Everyone cross the border, they can't hold all of us' (pictured on August 22) 'Isn't it disappointing that the five women including the two premiers, the two chief health officers and the Queensland state commissioner, are all women? 'As they roll out the vaccination for our children, do you know how many children those women have? None. And they roll out experimental vaccinations for our children. 'They don't know what it's like to hold your child when it's born, to rear your child and to love it.' With double-dosed Australians set to receive more freedoms in the coming weeks when national vaccination targets of 70 and 80 per cent are reached, those refusing to get the jab are growing increasingly outraged. Mr Corrigan even compared the supposed plight of anti-vaxxers to that of Australia's Aboriginal population. A man is detained by members of Victoria Police during a protest near Government House on Tuesday in Melbourne 'I feel sorry for the Indigenous people who fought and lost against the English and then they fought in the second world war alongside the rest of us, came home and were treated like second-rate citizens,' he said during his protest speech. 'They couldn't get into pubs. They couldn't get into cafes. They couldn't get into theatres. Does that sound familiar? 'The unvaccinated are being segregated from society and our freedom of speech is getting killed.' There were a total of 79 separate demonstrations across NSW alone on Tuesday, with police arresting more than 150 people for breaking health orders banning gatherings to stop the spread of Covid-19. Just after 5pm on Tuesday, NSW Police confirmed officers had arrested 153 people and issued almost 600 fines across various pockets of NSW. Others were charged with a variety of offences including various breaches of the public health order, assault police, resist arrest, refusing to comply with police direction, and failing to move on. A total of 573 fines were issued to members of the public, for offences including not wear fitted masked covering in prescribed outdoor gathering ($500), not comply with noticed direction COVID-19 ($1000), and unlawfully participate in outdoor public gathering stay at home order ($3000). Advertisement The Biden administration is considering sending economic aid to the Taliban, even as the militants hold mock funerals for American troops and NATO allies to celebrate the end of the 20-year US military intervention in Afghanistan. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told ABC's Good Morning America that the US intends to continue sending health, food and other forms of humanitarian aid to the Afghan people. He also said that other forms of cash aid, including economic and developmental assistance, would depend on whether the Taliban 'follow through on their commitments' including to allow safe passage for Americans still in Afghanistan. 'It's going to be up to them and we will wait and see by their actions how we end up responding in terms of the economic and developmental assistance,' he said. Sullivan insisted that any aid would flow through 'international institutions' and not directly to the Taliban, however the militant group is now in full control of the country's government and banking system. Sullivan has faced intense criticism and even calls for his resignation from critics who blame him for downplaying concerns from military and intelligence officials ahead of the disastrous US withdrawal. Meanwhile, coffins draped with the US, UK and French flags as well as NATO's insignia were paraded through the streets of Khost on Tuesday by crowds waving the Taliban's flag, hours after the final US plane departed. The taunting ceremony followed the deaths of 13 US troops in an ISIS-K suicide bombing last week at the Kabul airport, where fireworks lit up the sky and celebratory gunfire rattled as the final American troops left on Monday night. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan (right) told ABC's Good Morning America that the US could send economic and developmental aid to Afghanistan if the Taliban 'follow through on their commitments' A crowd carries makeshift coffins draped in NATO's, U.S. and a Union Jack flags during a mock funeral on a street in Khost, Afghanistan on Tuesday taunting Western forces after their withdrawal Coffins draped with NATO flags were paraded through the streets of Khost by crowds waving the Taliban's flag on Tuesday Thousands of people turned out to watch the fake procession, some holding white Taliban flags (right), as the Islamists celebrate 'victory' over western forces Crowds gather in Kandahar, in southern Afghanistan, to celebrate after the last US evacuation flight left their country Biden abandons Afghan interpreter who RESCUED him in 2008 Then-Senators Joe Biden, John Kerry, and Chuck Hagel in Kunar Province in eastern Afghanistan, February 20, 2008 The Afghan interpreter who helped rescue President Biden from a remote Afghan valley in 2008 has been left behind after the last US evacuation flight took off on Monday, according to a report. 'Hello Mr. President: Save me and my family,' Mohammed said, according to the Wall Street Journal. 'Don't forget me here.' Mohammed, going only by his first name for safety reasons, is hiding from the Taliban with his wife and four children after trying for years to get out of Afghanistan to no avail. Mohammed, while working for the US Army, had a key role in a story often repeated - and embellished - by the president during his 2008 run for vice president. As senator, Biden was on board one of two Blackhawk helicopters that made an emergency landing in a blinding snowstorm, alongside then-Sens. John Kerry D-Mass., and Chuck Hagel, R-Neb. Mohammed was part of a rescue mission from Bagram Air Base riding in a Humvee along with a force from the 82nd Airborne Division that drove hours into the mountains to rescue them. Advertisement In Kandahar - a traditional Taliban stronghold - thousands also turned out waving white Taliban flags to celebrate what the group is referring to as its 'independence day', hours after the final American troops boarded an evacuation flight out of the country. Speaking from the runway at Kabul airport this morning - and surrounded by Taliban 'special forces' units dressed head to toe in American gear - spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid hailed the Islamist group's 'victory' over western forces. 'It is an historical day and an historical moment.... we liberated our country from a great power,' he added, saying the last 20 years should serve as a 'big lesson for other invaders [and] a lesson for the world.' Following 2,356 US military deaths, many thousands wounded and an estimated $2.3 trillion spent on a 20-year endeavor that ended with the Taliban sweeping back to power, many Americans are frustrated with President Joe Biden's handling of the withdrawal. A new Rasmussen poll found that more than half of likely voters rated Biden's handling of the situation as poor, while only 32 percent called it good or excellent. Biden defended his decisions in a lengthy speech on Tuesday, claiming the evacuation from Kabul was an 'extraordinary success.' He earlier said in a statement: '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,' the president said. Meanwhile, a remarkable report in the Wall Street Journal revealed that the Afghan interpreter who helped the US Army rescue Biden in Afghanistan in 2008 had been left behind in the country. 'Hello Mr. President: Save me and my family,' Mohammed said, according to the Journal. 'Don't forget me here.' Mohammed, going only by his first name for safety reasons, is hiding from the Taliban with his wife and four children after trying for years to get out of Afghanistan to no avail. Mohammed, while working for the US Army, had a key role in a story often repeated - and embellished - by the president during his 2008 run for vice president. As senator, Biden was on board one of two Blackhawk helicopters that made an emergency landing in a blinding snowstorm, alongside then-Sens. John Kerry D-Mass., and Chuck Hagel, R-Neb. Mohammed was part of a rescue mission from Bagram Air Base riding in a Humvee along with a force from the 82nd Airborne Division that drove hours into the mountains to rescue them. The US Army then released a nightvision image of Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division and the ground commander of the Kabul evacuation, boarding a plane as the last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan Taliban fighters from the Fateh Zwak unit celebrate before storming into the Kabul International Airport, wielding American supplied weapons, equipment and uniforms early on Tuesday Taliban 'offered to let US secure all of Kabul but Biden refused' The Biden administration refused an offer by the Taliban's co-founder to take control of the security across all of Kabul before the chaotic evacuation because the president was determined to keep his promise to pull US troops out, according to a report. Senior US military officials including Gen. Kenneth McKenzie hastily met face-to-face with Abdul Ghani Baradar, head of the Taliban's military wing, who made the US a weighty offer, as reported by the Washington Post. 'We have a problem,' Baradar said, according to a US official. 'We have two options to deal with it: You [the United States military] take responsibility for securing Kabul or you have to allow us to do it.' But Biden was determined to keep his promise of a full withdrawal, even with the collapse of the Afghan government. So, McKenzie and other military officials said the US only needed control of the airport until Aug. 31 and the Taliban could secure the city. The fleeing of President Ashraf Ghani left both the US and the Taliban in shock, as they had reportedly been in talks for an orderly transition of power from Ghani to the Islamist group. Advertisement Biden, who prides himself on loyalty to those in his inner circle, is reportedly committed to not firing anyone on his national security council over the Afghanistan debacle. But Sullivan's proposal to extend economic aid to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan swiftly drew a strong reaction from Republican critics. 'First, we armed the Taliban with over $80 billion in U.S. equipment, and now were considering giving them more aid?' tweeted Senator Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican. The true value of US equipment captured by the Taliban is unknown, though it likely is less than the $83 billion figure cited by Republicans, which represents the total cost of training and equipping the Afghan National Army since 2001. Afghanistan has long been one of the top recipients of foreign aid in the world, and the Taliban will likely rely on the continued flow of aid to maintain basic services. The White House says that since 2002 the US has poured $36 billion in civilian assistance, including $787 million specifically intended to support Afghan women and girls, and nearly $3.9 billion in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. Between the years 2013 and 2018, nearly $300 billion in U.S. taxpayer money flowed as aid to other countries, according to watchdog group OpenThe Books.com. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby shrugged off concerns about the US citizens and the billions of dollars in military technology left in Afghanistan on Tuesday. He also blamed stranded Americans for waiting until the last minute after the last US jets left the country, despite President Biden promising to stay until all Americans were evacuated. In an MSNBC interview, Kirby said the military would no longer play a role in helping them get out but was confident diplomatic efforts would be enough - and said the desperate situation was 'not completely unlike' others around the world. 'We have Americans that get stranded in countries all the time,' he said bluntly. Taliban take control of Hamid Karzai International Airport after the completion of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan Taliban supporter burn an American flag in Khost province Tuesday as the militant group celebrated the US withdrawal Trump demands Biden apologize for 'humiliating' Afghanistan withdrawal Donald Trump said Tuesday that President Joe Biden should 'apologize to the whole world' for the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which he called a 'disaster' and a 'humiliation' for the nation. Trump made the comments in a call in with Fox Business Network with host Stuart Varney with his appearance airing on cable just hours before Biden plans to speak to the nation following the final pullout of U.S. troops after the 20-year war. Trump who negotiated a May withdrawal date with the Taliban and brought U.S. troop levels down to 2,500 before Biden took office ripped Biden's execution of the withdrawal, which included a chaotic exit and a terror attack that resulted in the lives of 13 U.S. troops. 'The withdrawal was a disaster,' Trump told Varney. 'They told us to get out they gave us a date and that was it,' said Trump. Advertisement The United States says its mission to get Americans out of Afghanistan will continue after Monday's final withdrawal. Sullivan, the U.S. national security advisor, said the evacuation effort 'has shifted from a military mission to a diplomatic mission.' He cited 'considerable leverage' the U.S. has over the Taliban to get out any remaining Americans - a number that U.S. official have said is under 200. American forces helped evacuate over 120,000 U.S. citizens, foreigners and Afghans after the Taliban regained control of the country, according to the White House. Coalition forces also evacuated their citizens and Afghans. But foreign nations and the U.S. government acknowledged they didnt evacuate all who wanted to go. The Taliban were certainly keen to present their take-over of the country as a military victory today, parading special forces soldiers dressed head to toe in western gear at Kabul airport while senior leaders posed in front of captured aircraft. Zabihullah Mujahid, the group's chief spokesman, addressed the media from the tarmac, bidding 'congratulations to Afghanistan' while adding: 'This victory belongs to us all.' Calling the day a 'big lesson for other invaders and for our future generation,' he then told gathered journalists: 'It is an historical day and an historical moment. We are proud of these moments, that we liberated our country from a great power'. 'Allah Akbar,' Mujahid later wrote on Twitter. 'Congratulations to all Afghans on the liberation and independence of Afghanistan from the American occupation.' Badri 313 units post for the cameras at Kabul airport today, carrying American-made rifles and wearing US military gear Taliban Badri special force fighters pose with American-made weapons under their white flag at Kabul airport today Taliban Badri special force fighters take a position at the airport in Kabul after taking over security from US forces Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid (centre right) speaks to journalists at Kabul airport in front of a line of Badri 313 'special forces' troops armed with US weapons, and in front of a captured American C-130 plane Taliban 'special forces' soldiers display their newly-captured weapons and gear during a press conference at Kabul airport Taliban 'special forces' troops - known as Badri 313 units - stand guard at Kabul airport on Tuesday morning after retaking it from American forces overnight Hundreds of American and British citizens were left behind when the last US evacuation plane took off late Monday, along with thousands of Afghans who helped western troops on a promise of sanctuary that was ultimately broken. Many now fear for their lives. Afghan female cop says she suffered a 'brutal beating' by the Taliban Gulafroz Ebtekar, believed to be 34, became deputy head of criminal investigations in Afghanistan and is seen as a high-profile role model for Afghan women A top Afghan female cop is on the run after suffering a 'brutal beating' from the Taliban in the latest evidence that the Islamists' harsh rule has returned. Gulafroz Ebtekar, believed to be 34, was a deputy head of criminal investigations in Afghanistan's Interior Ministry and is seen as a role model for Afghan women with a notable media presence. She was singled out by the Taliban as a target at the gates outside Hamid Karzai international airport in Kabul, where she spent five nights attempting to secure a place on an evacuation flight. She said: 'I sent messages to the embassies of many countries to save myself and my family, but all to no avail.' Gulafroz, the first woman in Afghanistan to graduate from a police academy with a master's degree, told how in the Kabul chaos she found US soldiers and believed they were helping her to fly abroad with her boyfriend and family members. Advertisement Mujahid insisted today that Taliban security forces will be 'pleasant and nice' to those left behind, despite reports already emerging of summary executions and persecution against women reminiscent of the Taliban of old. Meanwhile at Bagram air base, the former stronghold of western forces, its new Taliban commander was boasting of having 'beaten' America using little more than Kalashnikov rifles while saying the airfield will now be 'a base for jihad for all Muslims'. Speaking to The Times, 35-year-old Maulawi Hafiz Mohibullah Muktaz said: 'Never in our wildest dreams could we have believed we could beat a superpower like America with just our Kalashnikovs. 'When you do jihad all doors open, we defeated America with our faith and our guns and we hope now that Bagram can be a base for jihad for all Muslims 'For any foreign power considering attacking Afghanistan then look at Bagram now and learn your lesson well before embarking on foolish endeavour. See the West's mighty technology humbled here by mujahidin. 'In 15 years as a mujahid fighting the Americans I wondered often if I may fail or die. Yet here is proof of the power of faith and God and jihad. On the back of victory I hope we can use Bagram as a place to spread jihad further into the region and Muslim world.' Reflecting on America's withdrawal from the other side of the conflict, head of U.S. Central Command General Frank McKenzie said on Monday night: '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,' he insisted. At the same time the US released a night-vision image of Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, who was the last soldier to board a plane out of the country. All eyes will now turn to how the Taliban handles its first few days with sole authority over the country, with a sharp focus on whether it will allow other foreigners and Afghans to leave. Reports suggest many are already fleeing through Pakistan to the east and Iran to the west. The US and UK are still working on arrangements to allow people to be evacuated from these neighbouring countries. More than 123,000 people were evacuated from Kabul in a massive but chaotic airlift by the United States and its allies over the past two weeks, but tens of thousands who helped Western nations during the war were left behind. A contingent of Americans, estimated by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken as fewer than 200, and possibly closer to 100, wanted to leave but were unable to get on the last flights. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab put the number of UK nationals in Afghanistan in the low hundreds, following the evacuation of some 5,000. A Taliban fighter poses in the cockpit of a C-130 Hercules transport plane that was left behind during the evacuation An A-29 attack plane is surrounded by kit left behind by western forces as they retreated from Kabul airport A-29 attack planes which appear largely intact are seen alongside a huge amount of western body armour and tactical helmets left behind by retreating troops A Taliban fighter walks past an aircraft and an assortment of other military and civilian vehicles at the airport in Kabul Hekmatullah Wasiq, a top Taliban official, said today that 'Afghanistan is finally free.' 'The military and civilian side (of Kabulairport) are with us and in control,' he said. 'Hopefully, we will be announcing our Cabinet. Everything is peaceful. Everything is safe. Wasiq also urged people to return to work and reiterated the Taliban pledge offering a general amnesty. 'People have to be patient,' he said. 'Slowly we will get everything back to normal. It will take time.' Taliban spokesman Mujahid also addressed the gathered members of the Badri unit. 'I hope you be very cautious in dealing with the nation,' he said. Pregnant American is kicked in stomach by Taliban Fox News aired a photo of the pregnant American citizen, who was trying to escape Kabul with her father and husband but is now in hiding A pregnant American woman is still trapped in Afghanistan after she was forced into hiding when the Taliban blocked her at a checkpoint and kicked in the stomach as she tried to flee with her husband. The California couple are among the hundreds of Americans left stranded in Kabul after the final US forces left, despite Biden's promise to evacuate every citizen before the withdrawal deadline. California GOP Rep. Darrell Issa is working on trying to get the woman, who he called 'Nasria,' out and described her harrowing experiences that forced her to go into hiding in an interview on Fox & Friends Tuesday. 'She was kicked in the stomach, but she was kicked in the stomach well after - as she got through the first checkpoint for hours, waiting for those people at the south point to supposedly come and get her,' the Republican lawmaker said. 'It wasn't until it was clear they had closed, they weren't taking anyone else for quite a while that finally, she accepted that she was going to have to go back and hide in her apartment.' She never made it onto a US military evacuation flight. The last C-17 jet left Hamid Karzai International Airport at 3:29 p.m. ET on August 30. It carried the remainder of troops on the ground, embassy staff including Ambassador Ross Wilson, and Major General Christopher Donahue. Advertisement 'Our nation has suffered war and invasion and the people do not have more tolerance.' At the end of his remarks, the Badri fighters shouted: 'Allahu Akbar' or 'God is greatest!' In an interview with Afghan state television, Mujahid also discussed restarting operations at the airport, which remains a key way out for those wanting to leave the country. 'Our technical team will be checking the technical and logistical needs of the airport,' he said. 'If we are able to fix everything on our own, then we won't need any help. 'If there is need for technical or logistics help to repair the destruction, then we might ask help from Qatar or Turkey.' He didn't elaborate on what was destroyed. While the international community appears to have accepted the reality of Taliban rule, the US and UK remain willing to take on Islamic State's Afghan cell, ISIS-K. British forces are prepared to launch air strikes to target so-called Islamic State terrorists in Afghanistan, the head of the RAF indicated as the US-led military presence in the country came to an end. The group's Afghan offshoot, Isis-K, carried out the bloody attack on Kabul airport in the final days of the evacuation effort which killed two Britons and the child of a British national, along with 13 US service personnel and scores of Afghans. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the global coalition against the terrorist group was ready 'to combat Daesh networks by all means available, wherever they operate'. Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston indicated the RAF could strike Isis-K targets in Afghanistan. 'Ultimately what this boils down to is that we've got to be able to play a global role in the global coalition to defeat Daesh, whether it's strike, or whether it's moving troops or equipment into a particular country, at scale and at speed,' he told the Daily Telegraph. 'If there's an opportunity for us to contribute I am in no doubt that we will be ready to - that will be anywhere where violent extremism raises its head, and is a direct or indirect threat to the UK and our allies. 'Afghanistan is probably one of the most inaccessible parts of the world, and we're able to operate there.' The attack on Kabul airport on Thursday has led to a transatlantic blame game, with US sources indicating the gate that was attacked was kept open to facilitate the British evacuation. According to leaked Pentagon notes obtained by Politico, Read Admiral Peter Vasely, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan, had wanted to close Abbey Gate but it was kept open to allow UK evacuees into the airport. UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab insisted on Tuesday it was 'just not true' to suggest the UK called for the gate to be held open in order to continue British evacuations. A Taliban fighter takes a picture of a damaged MD 530 helicopter that was abandoned at Kabul airport by retreating troops An American MRAP vehicle is pictured at Kabul airport alongside other armoured vehicles after falling into Taliban hands A Russian Mi-17 helicopter is pictured alongside Taliban fighters after it was seized from retreating western troops American-made ammunition left behind by retreating forces has now been picked up by the Taliban A transport plane with the propeller removed is examined by Islamist fighters at Kabul airport this morning Badri special force fighters climb up on a vehicle at the airport in Kabul after the US pulled all its troops out of the country Planes, helicopters and vehicles left behind by western forces have now fallen into the hands of the Taliban Taliban forces flying their flag drive down the runway at Kabul airport in an American Humvee after troops withdrew Taliban fighters inspect a US Humvee at the airport in Kabul, after seizing a huge number of vehicles from western forces Britain and America officially ended their military presence in Afghanistan late last night with the final US troops flying out from Kabul's airport. Pictured: Taliban fighters from the Fateh Zwak unit, wielding American supplied weapons, equipment and uniforms, storm into the Kabul International Airport Taliban Badri special force fighters arrive at the airport in Kabul after the US pulled all its troops out of the country Taliban forces cross the tarmac at Kabul airport, carrying the group's white flag in front of press cameras Members of the Taliban Badri 313 military unit walk past a torn down banner featuring a picture of late Afghan Mujahideen leader Ahmed Shah Massoud at Kabul airport 'There was just a leg and a hand remaining': Neighbours describe horrific scene where US drone killed seven kids Neighbours and relatives have described the horrific scene where a US drone strike killed seven children and say that the Pentagon's claims about ISIS explosives inside the car made no sense from the blast. Washington said its drone strike on Sunday was aimed at a vehicle transporting 'a substantial amount of explosive material' towards Kabul airport. Ezmarai Ahmadi, 40, was killed alongside his sons Zamir, Faisal and Farzad - aged 20, 16 and 12 respectively. He lost six nieces and nephews in the blast, including a boy and a girl both aged two, two girls aged seven and five, a six-year-old boy and 28-year-old Naser Heydari. Ezmarai had worked with international organisations for 17 years, while Naser had worked for an Afghan National Army commander based in Kandahar under the US-backed government. They had both applied for P2 visas under the US scheme to help eligible Afghans to emigrate with their families. Matin Aziz, 20, a neighbour, said he saw Ezmarai and the children burning after the missile struck the car. 'We were sitting in the street just around the corner and then we heard this almighty blast. When we got here there was a big fire and bodies everywhere,' he told The Times. 'I saw Ezmarai on fire. I could see two children inside the burning car. We tried to put the fire out and help them but it was too late. We tried to get some of them to hospital but they all died on the way. There was just one leg and one hand remaining of Farzad [Ezmarai's 10-year-old son].' Aziz also claimed Washington's statement about there being explosives in the car didn't add up. 'If there were explosives in the car there would have been a much bigger explosion and the surrounding area would have been destroyed,' he said. All three of Romal Ahmadi's young children were killed in the blast. 'I was inside the house with my wife when it happened,' Romal says. 'My 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.' Advertisement 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 proclaimed 'full independence' for Afghanistan after the US withdrawal. The leaving U.S. troops destroyed more than 70 aircraft, dozens of armoured vehicles and disabled air defences that had thwarted an attempted Islamic State rocket attack on the eve of their departure. But as the Taliban watched U.S. troops leave Kabul on Monday night, eight of their fighters were killed in clashes in the Panjshir valley north of the capital, said Fahim Dashti, a spokesman for the recently formed National Resistance Forces. Several thousand anti-Taliban fighters, from local militias, remnants of army and special forces units, have gathered in the valley under the command of regional leader Ahmad Massoud. In a statement, President Joe Biden defended his decision to stick to Tuesday's withdrawal deadline. He said the world would hold the Taliban to their commitment to allow safe passage for those wanting to leave Afghanistan. 'Now, our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended,' said Biden, who thanked the U.S. military for carrying out the dangerous evacuation. He plans to address the American people on Tuesday afternoon. Biden has said the United States long ago achieved its objectives set in ousting the Taliban in 2001 for harbouring al Qaeda militants who masterminded the Sept. 11 attacks. He has drawn heavy criticism from Republicans and some fellow Democrats for his handling of Afghanistan since the Taliban took over Kabul this month after a lightning advance and the collapse of the U.S.-backed government. Blinken said the United States was prepared to work with the new Taliban government if it did not carry out reprisals against opponents in the country. 'The Taliban seeks international legitimacy and support,' he said. 'Our position is any legitimacy and support will have to be earned.' Mujahid said the Taliban wanted to establish diplomatic relations with the United States despite two decades of hostility. 'The Islamic Emirate wants to have good diplomatic relations with the whole world,' he said. Neighbouring Pakistan's foreign minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, told a news conference in Islamabad that he expected a new 'consensus government will be formed in the coming days in Afghanistan'. The Taliban must revive a war-shattered economy without the foreign aid running into billions of dollars that had flowed to the previous ruling elite and fed systemic corruption. People living outside Afghan cities face what U.N. officials have called a catastrophic humanitarian situation worsened by a severe drought. 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. '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 let off fireworks near Kabul airport as they celebrate America's departure from Afghanistan after 20 years Taliban fighters from the Fateh Zwak unit, wielding American supplied weapons, equipment and uniforms, storm into the Kabul International Airport and inspect equipment that was left behind. Celebratory gunfire can be seen flying overhead 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 Despite the end of ground operations, British forces are prepared to launch air strikes to target so-called Islamic State terrorists in Afghanistan, the head of the RAF indicated as the US-led military presence in the country came to an end. Pictured: A No. 2 Squadron Tornado during operations in southern Afghanistan Retired generals and admirals call for US defense chiefs to resign over Afghan withdrawal Dozens of retired generals and admirals are demanding that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley resign over the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan. '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 released Monday. They all proposed what they, as former U.S. military decision makers, felt should have happened in the withdrawal, including not rushing the withdrawal and not abandoning the Bagram Air Base. More specifically, they said 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 also said that if Milley and Austin did advise against this, they should have resigned if Biden didn't take their direction to show their disapproval and to not have to carry out the mission that ended up with lives lost of 13 U.S. service members. Advertisement '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 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. US 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 Sunday after 13 members of the US military were killed in Afghanistan last week The gates of Hamid Karzai airport remained locked to ordinary Afghans today as the Taliban promised to restart civilian flights 'soon' and that those with visas wanting to leave would be allowed to do so Afghans queue up outside a bank in Kabul as they try to withdraw cash, with reserves running desperately low amid warnings that the country is on the brink of economic collapse Afghanistan is suffering a cash shortage that means business owners cannot pay staff and workers are struggling to buy basic necessities, as the UN says food could start running out within a month Taliban fighters sit on the back of a pick-up truck at the airport in Kabul Taliban fighters patrol along a street in Kabul after the Islamist group seized control of Afghanistan 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 the 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. Afghan evacuees disembark from US Air Force plane at Rota Naval Base in Spain, after catching one of the last flights out of Afghanistan before the withdrawal of all American troops U.S navy sailors and Afghan citizens, who have been evacuated from Kabul, are seen at a camp for evacuees in Rota, Spain Former Government minister James Brokenshire today confirmed that his lung cancer had 'progressed' and he was starting a new line of treatment. The politician resigned as security minister on July 7 after telling Boris Johnson that his recovery from lung cancer surgery in February was taking 'longer than expected'. The 53-year-old Conservative MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup said he was 'keeping upbeat' over his condition but 'needs space to focus on treatment'. Mr Brokenshire, who lives in Bexley, South East London, with his wife Cathy and three children, is being treated by Guys' and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. James Brokenshire tweeted a picture of him with his wife Cathy today as he confirmed that his lung cancer had 'progressed' and he was starting a new line of treatment He told his 30,000 followers on Twitter today: 'Regrettably my cancer has progressed. Am starting a new line of treatment this week and receiving great care from the team at @GSTTnhs (Guys' and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust). 'Unwelcome news but keeping upbeat. Cathy and the kids have been amazing and appreciate all the kind messages. Now need space to focus on treatment.' Fellow MPs sent messages of support to Mr Brokenshire, including the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who wrote: 'So sorry to hear James. Our thoughts are with you and your family, and we hope you recover soon.' Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: 'Sending you and Cathy all best wishes.' And vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said: 'Stay strong my friend.' Labour leader Keir Starmer said: 'This is very sad news James but glad to hear you're in good hands. Wishing you a speedy recovery and my thoughts with you and your family.' And ITV's Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid said: 'Sorry to hear this James. Very best wishes to you and your family.' In July, Mr Brokenshire sent a letter to the Prime Minister announcing he was standing down from the Government to 'focus on restoring my health', having been diagnosed with the condition two years ago. The MP was discharged from Guy's Hospital in February after a 'frustrating resurgence' in the disease required surgery to remove his right lung. In the letter, Mr Brokenshire thanked the Prime Minister for his support during the treatment and praised the 'truly amazing' medics who had been working with him. 'My recovery from treatment and return to full duties is, however, taking longer than anticipated,' he wrote. Mr Brokenshire is pictured at home with his wife Cathy in Bexley, South East London, in 2018 'Given my responsibilities to the public, the Government and to Parliament, I have therefore concluded that it is best that I stand down from my ministerial role and focus on restoring my health.' The MP said he hopes to be able to 'serve again in some way in the future'. Former security minister Mr Brokenshire was replaced in the role by Damian Hinds, who was appointed on August 13. At the time, it appeared Mr Brokenshire would not be replaced in the role, with the Home Office saying Home Secretary Priti Patel would expand her brief to take on the responsibilities of the security minister. But Mr Hinds was announced as the new security minister only hours later, following criticism of the move. Advertisement Half a million festival goers are expected to descend on Black Rock Desert in Nevada this week for the annual Burning Man festival as they have done for the past 35 years - but this time, they will be doing so virtually. Burning Man organizers announced in April they would be canceling the live event for the second year in a row over COVID concerns, but instead festival-goers could participate in a free Virtual Burn Week using virtual reality headsets or their computer screens. The virtual experience is free with a requested donation - while the real life annual festival cost $500 per person in the past. An extended experience pass, though, would allow the half a million expected guests to visit the broadcast over and over again for up to 30 days after the virtual festival ends. It is designed to replicate as much of the annual festival known for its music, art, nudity and sex as possible, complete with the hours-long traffic jam to get in, according to the Wall Street Journal. In fact, cyber RVS began lining up at the gate of the virtual Black Rock City last week for the festival - which runs from August 29 through September 7 - and concert-goers were disappointed when it started to rain on the first day of the annual event on Sunday. But some have insisted on having an in-person festival, and descended onto the desert themselves. The users would create their own avatars who could fly and teleport throughout the virtual world and experience the sites the annual festival is known for A scene of the playa as night descends on the city, with lights lighting up the sculptures The virtual festival will run from August 29 through September 7 and is free with a requested donation, as compared to the in-person festival which costs $500 per person The virtual playa includes many different features, like a virtual Ferris Wheel Participants can create their own avatars to peruse the virtual festival grounds and dress them up as they want While the annual in-person Burning Man festival was canceled this year over COVID concerns, those who would like to experience the festival could participate in a free Virtual Burn Week using virtual reality headsets or their computer screens In previous years, the Journal reports, thousands of camps, pop-up bars and fancy art displays would emerge form the red-dust desert - surrounded by jagged mountains 100 miles northeast of Reno, in Black Rock City - for one week at the end of August. Virtual reality developers from six different companies have spent a year trying to replicate that scene as they also took advantage of the new technology to give festival-goers, known as Burners, an experience they only would have had in past years if they were high on hallucinogens - with flying and teleporting avatars and Porta Potties that lead into a world of art. They aimed to build a city out of thin air where participants can live in a utopian society that follows the principles of 'decommodification' (not needing money to obtain goods and services) and 'radical inclusion.' Virtual camps would allow longtime Burners to revisit their old haunts as DJs play virtual sets, IndieWire reports. And, as in years past, the climax of the week-long festival will be the burning of an effigy on September 4. The site will take place both digitally and in real life at an undisclosed location from where it will be livestreamed to the virtual world. The virtual experience cannot, however, replicate the free-flowing drinks the festival is known for or the constant hugs participants get at the live experience that draws tens of thousands of people each year. And 'though there is no official Orgy Dome' this year, one of the development companies writes, 'responsible community members can create adult-only events.' Using their avatars, participants can walk around and take in the sights of this year's Burning Man Slide me REAL AND VIRTUAL: Developers tried to recreate the scene at Black Rock City every August - where thousands of camps, pop-up bars and fancy art displays would emerge form the red-dust desert Burning Man is known for its sculptures - which will be on display in the virtual world One of the worlds users can explore at the virtual Burning Man is the Infinite Playa Organizers said there will be no Orgy Dome this year, but participants can create their own adults-only events The virtual desert is created to be three-dimensional, though a two-dimensional version is also available The festival ends with the burning of an effigy - which will be streamed live from an undisclosed location The festival began on Sunday, as thousands of people encountered a glitch trying to get into the system - not knowing that the developers programmed a rain storm to replicate one a few years prior. The idea, according to Andrew Barrett, a creator of some of the virtual worlds, was to get the Burners to 'hang around and rely on each other to figure it out,' calling the approach 'radical self-reliance.' Half a million people are expected to show up virtually for the event over the next few days, as they did for the first Virtual Burn last year - which was pulled together in a month, with several participants experiencing glitches as they could not figure out how to enter its multiple digital worlds. This year, though, developers said the experience will be better. 'We've improved on the technology because we've had a year and a half,' Colette Crespin, director of Virtual Experiences for Burning Man Project, a nonprofit that organizes the event, told the Journal. The first Virtual Burn was built on Microsoft's social platform, Altspace, and included over 200 worlds to explore, with more than 1,500 hours of live events. It drew an estimated half million attendees, the Journal reports, more than five times the 80,000 who were there physically in 2019. After winning the PGA Innovation Award last year, and further publicizing Altspace, Microsoft threw more resources behind the Virtual Burn this year and fast-tracked a 2D version compatible with Macs and PCs so anyone with a computer can create an Altspace account and teleport to the festival, according to IndieWire. 'We brought his whole community with us, and now Microsoft is pouring money into Altspace to turn it into a premiere events platform,' said BRCvr co-founder Athena Demos, adding for her 'it's a labor of love.' 'We've learned a lot about taking a culture and bringing it into a virtual space,' BRCvr designer Doug Jacobson also told IndieWire, demonstrating how personalized avatars can fly through sculptures, try on Daft Punk helmets at a laser show and take in the sights. The roots of BRCvr go back to 2014 when VR developer Greg Edwards imported photos of the playa to recreate it to scale in 3D. That recreation became the foundation of today's virtual Black Rock City, where visitors can peruse the Museum of 20 Temples and the Museum of the Man showing previous iterations of the festival. Designers are taking advantage of Microsoft mixed-reality technologies to shoot live performers on green screens at a Los Angeles studio and beam them into virtual space The experience includes virtual dance parties where people can dance with others from the comfort of their own home Avatars stopped along their trek through the desert to look at one of the sculptures Half a million people are expected to show up for the virtual event over the next few days One of the structures users can climb on in the virtual world is a steel dragon burning fire - something that may not have been allowed if the event had taken place in person BRCvr has also partnered with Los Angeles arcade Two Bit Circus to host a physical room with Burning Man art and headsets for Burners in LA who might want to experiment with merging virtual and physical experiences. Designers are also taking advantage of Microsoft mixed-reality technologies to shoot live performers on green screens at a Los Angeles studio and beam them into virtual space. Daisy Shaw, a horse trainer from Manchester, England, told the Journal she plans to stay up all night to watch the burning of the effigy on a VR headset while her fedora-wearing avatar stands on a virtual stretch of desert known as the playa. 'You really do feel a sense of presence,' she said. 'I once kind of bumped the chair in my room and I turned to the person next to me in VR and said "Excuse me."' Sara Pugh also donned her VR headset from her home in Indianapolis as the event began on Sunday. She said she loved going to the real-life burns in 2018 and 2019, but finds this one just as stimulating with its virtual dance parties. 'If I am standing in my living room with a box on my face and making weird body movements, I know I look ridiculous,' she said, as her husband, Josh Cook, tried to understand the appeal. 'I see her friends in California and around the world come up and approach her - these cartoonish characters with no legs, arms hanging loose and hear human voices coming out of these characters' mouths,' he said. BRCvr is now planning to host a blended live and virtual event in 2022, with Jacobson saying: 'Hybrid events really are the future. 'I think we can make that transition. People will come in here, feel that they're there and everyone will feel connected.' The event in 2019 drew 80,000 participants who watched performances, listened to music and saw some art The yearly event is officially described as 'awe-inspiring and joyful ways that lift the human spirit, address social problems and inspire a sense of culture, community and civic engagement' Some die-hard fans though insisted on having a real-life experience, with thousands descending on the desert this year for an unsanctioned Burn There are 500 unofficial Burning Man camps at the desert this week But some die-hard fans have insisted on having a real life experience, with several thousand descending to the desert this year for an unsanctioned Burn. 'These [virtual] people have their conclaves and groups and that's cool,' said Larry DeVincenzi, a bar owner in Reno is camping out at the real-life playa. 'But it's not the same thing. Here I can go up to a bar and get a free shot. The unofficial burn, Forbes reports, could attract up to 20,000 people over Labor Day weekend with 500 unofficial Burning Man camps. It was organized by groups like Black Rock, Plan B, Playa Poop Protocol, Unity 2021 Free Burn, Renegade Burn, Renegade Man and Rogue Burn, and includes hundreds of camps offering options like alternative energy zones, burlesque Vikings and naked Segway lessons. A famed art car exhibit is expected to make a big showing this year to counter the lack of large art sculptures. Some attendees hailed the unofficial event as a return to Burning Man's roots as a counter-culture movement in which money is shunned and 'radical inclusion' is extolled, rather than what it has become - drawing celebrities including billionaires from the worlds of finance and technology, according to the New York Post. The yearly event is officially described as 'awe-inspiring and joyful ways that lift the human spirit, address social problems and inspire a sense of culture, community and civic engagement.' Scott London told Forbes that at last year's unofficial Burning Man 'there were theme camps, art installations and mutant vehicles, with gorgeous, creatively-costumed people everywhere.' Yet, he said, 'it was all unplanned, self-organized and free.' 'Unlike Burning Man, there were no trash fences, no speed limits, no restrictions beyond those we set for ourselves,' he said. 'You could camp anywhere, kick up as much dust as you liked, go for a dip in the nearby hot springs, even make late-night beer runs to Gerlich. 'Gone were the turkey camps, the celebrity artists, the mayors tours, the VIP lounges, the staffers with badges and walkie-talkies.' This year, though, the Bureau of Land Management added new restrictions on those camping at Black Rock Desert, including that they were not allowed to build any structures, could not have any fires other than campfires and could not burn structures - even a giant effigy. 'We're not dissuading people from going,' said Marian Goodell, CEO of Burning Man. 'But I don't think you should try to go if you're not an experienced Burner. 'And if you last went in 1996, when we respected the dangers of the desert and communal effort was key, this is your year.' Former President Donald Trump said Tuesday that President Joe Biden should 'apologize to the whole world' for the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which he called a 'disaster' and a 'humiliation' for the nation. Trump made the comments in a call in with Fox Business Network with host Stuart Varney with his appearance airing on cable just hours before Biden plans to speak to the nation following the final pullout of U.S. troops after the 20-year war. Trump who negotiated a May withdrawal date with the Taliban and brought U.S. troop levels down to 2,500 before Biden took office ripped Biden's execution of the withdrawal, which included a chaotic exit and a terror attack that resulted in the lives of 13 U.S. troops. 'The withdrawal was a disaster,' Trump told Varney. 'They told us to get out they gave us a date and that was it,' said Trump. President Donald Trump called the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan a 'humiliation' and demanded President Biden apologize to the country 'That withdrawal was an absolute humiliation of the United States of America and the admirals and the generals are right, and more than that [he] should resign,' he said in reference to a letter from senior officials who criticized the withdrawal and said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley should resign. Asked what Biden should tell the nation, Trump replied: 'He should say I'm sorry because he owes an apology. I think the best thing he can do is apologize to the American people and apologize to the world ... The whole world deserves an apology.' Trump also claimed the U.S. had been poised to achieve 'victory' at the tail end of the war, which began under the George W. Bush administration weeks after the Sept. 11th attacks and continued through his own presidency and Biden's. 'The platter was set, we were set to have a victory in terms of getting out and getting out with dignity and you could even say with victory and it was all lined up. Trump said the Taliban was 'petrified of us. They were staying away and all he had to do was take what we didn't finish it up and take all the equipment out,' he said. The Taliban had not killed a U.S. soldier in more than a year, under the terms of a withdrawal agreement, but had been rolling up gains against the Afghan government forces. Biden has said if the U.S. shirked the withdrawal date it would have required a surge of more troops in a civil war. Trump also pounded Biden for having appeared to look at his watch during a dignified transfer ceremony for U.S. troops killed in the terror attack, which the military assessed was carried out by ISIS-K. Trump claimed it signaled Biden didn't want to be there. 'He kept looking at his watch yesterday,' Trump said of Biden's Sunday visit. 'When he kept looking at his watch at Dover with the parents and spouses of people who were killed, Marines and the Navy, ... looking at his watch like get me out of here, I want to go home, get me out. How many times did he look at his watch when he did that yesterday? It was a disgrace,' said Trump. Trump repeated his call for the U.S. to have blown up military equipment. The Taliban are believed to possess billions in U.S. gear after the collapse of U.S. backed Afghan government forces Trump himself called for pulling out of Afghanistan, and negotiated a May withdrawal date with the Taliban 'He kept looking at his watch yesterday,' Trump said, in reference to Biden appearing to look at his watch during a dignified transfer ceremony. Trump said it meant 'like get me out of here' Trump also resumed his argument that the U.S. should 'blow up' military equipment and keep the Bagram air base, after a series of photo images of what was left behind. 'This is a $10 billion base they built over years and it is there and built and it is in perfect territory for us to have as an outpost and what they've done, many people are there, many left behind,' he said. 'I actually said every nail, every screw, I want everything out. And the people out, obviously. You start with the people and then the equipment. And then you blow up what you want to blow up and you keep maybe Bagram, because we were planning on keeping Bagram because of its relationship, its location to China,' he said. If Trump was planning on maintaining a presence in Bagram, it wasn't mentioned in the Taliban peace deal. But his comments on equipment follow reports on the trove of equipment left behind from helicopters to fixed-wing aircraft, night vision goggles, helmets, body armor and weapons. According to the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), the U.S. spent $24 billion over two decades for equipment provide to the Afghan military. Although not all of it is operable, much has fallen into the hands of the Taliban, with a Black Hawk helicopter apparently captured on on 'patrol' in Kandahar. At the same time, Trump defended his own decision to position the U.S. toward a pullout, something he called for even into his last weeks in office. 'There is no bigger person to getting out of the Middle East than me. I've spoken to you many times about it. It is quicksand,' he said. Trump also fumed about military equipment left behind. Although the Pentagon says the military disabled helicopters and weapons at the airport in Kabul, there are indications that billions worth of helicopters, vehicles, weapons, and ammunition is now in the hands of the Taliban, members of whom are now brandishing U.S. provided uniforms and weaponry. 'When I heard they left the equipment I am a person that wanted to get out, but I am also a person' that would have 'bombed the hell out of' the equipment, he said. He said it was the 'the finest equipment made.' A pregnant woman who was unable to get a Pfizer vaccine is fighting for her life in hospital after catching Covid-19. The woman, who is 24 weeks pregnant, is in the intensive care unit at Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital, amid reports she had tried but failed to book a vaccine appointment before being struck with the virus. Hunter Medical Research Institute co-director Roger Smith said that this was a serious problem for the woman and her baby, and called for priority vaccines to be given to pregnant women. A 24 week pregnant woman is fighting for her life in John Hunter Hospital after sh reportedly was unable to access a vaccine 'The most distressing part is that she tried to get access to Pfizer but couldn't there was no availability of Pfizer to her,' Professor Smith said to the Daily Telegraph. 'I am concerned that pregnant women are not given priority for Pfizer, and instead young people are given priority even though their risk of serious illness is not as high.' He said Pfizer was the preferred vaccine for pregnant women, referencing a US study that showed the risks didn't vary much from people were aren't pregnant. The Commonwealth Health Department, advised by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, has also used the study to advise pregnant women to receive mRNA vaccines, such as Pfizer. Pregnant women are advised to receive mRNA vaccines, including Pfizer, but experts say that supply is the issue (stock) The University of Newcastle's chair in obstetrics and gynaecology and professor in maternal fetal medicine, Craig Pennell, said that Covid can significantly increase the risk of a pre-term birth and stillbirth. 'The primary concern for women in intensive care is that the load of being pregnant makes ventilation much more difficult,' Professor Pennell said to the ABC. He said that data shows that having Covid while pregnant increased the risk of pre-term birth by 50 per cent, doubled the risk of stillbirth and increased the risk of death by 60 per cent. The woman is in the intensive care unit in the Newcastle Hospital (pictured), as the risk of having a pre-term birth is increased by 50 per cent after contracting Covid-19 While Professor Pennel said that it is clear pregnant women are being recommended to get the Pfizer vaccine, the problem was accessing it. Caroline McCarthy, a pregnant woman from Merewether, confirmed that booking a Pfizer appointment in Newcastle was a nightmare. She claimed she was in tears while trying to scramble to get a dose of the Covid vaccine, making daily calls to enquire about availabilities. Even at Newcastle's mass vaccination centre in Belmont, Ms McCarthy said it didn't matter if you were pregnant or not, you could not get an appointment. Downing Street defended Boris Johnson today after revealing he has been in the Westcountry with his family since Sunday. No10 said the Prime Minister was 'continuing to work' on issues including the fallout from the withdrawal from Afghanistan while away with pregnant wife Carrie and their son Wilfred. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said Mr Johnson was due back at his desk in London on Thursday, but declined to describe the trip as a holiday. Pressed whether Mr Johnson is working full time, he responded: 'The Prime Minister is continuing to work.' The timing prompted criticism from politicians attempting to help constituents with loved ones still in Afghanistan. Leeds North West Labour MP Alex Sobel said: 'If its not a holiday what is it? 'MPs haven't had a briefing call since Thursday and I am now on over 200 family members stuck in Afghanistan and not a single response on a single case.' No 10 said the Prime Minister was 'continuing to work' on issues including the fallout from the withdrawal from Afghanistan Mr Johnson was due back at his desk in London on Thursday, but declined to describe the trip with Carrie and Wilfred (left) as a holiday. Leeds North West Labour MP Alex Sobel (right) said: 'If its not a holiday what is it?' Hundreds of people also took to the streets of Kandahar, a traditional stronghold for the Taliban, waving the white Islamist flag as they celebrated the western withdrawal from Afghanistan The UK completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan at the weekend, with the US due to complete its exit by August 31 Mr Johnson has already faced criticism for going on holiday as the Taliban was marching its way back to power in Afghanistan, while Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was on holiday to Crete. HGis spokesman told reporters today: 'The Prime Minister is away for the next two days in the west of England but is continuing to work and will be back in the office in Downing Street on Thursday. The spokesman was unable to say what time he departed, but said it was at some point on Sunday, around a day after the final British troops left Kabul. Mr Raab said today the number of UK nationals left behind was in the 'low hundreds', and could not say how many Afghans the RAF was unable to airlift to safety. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace had previously estimated that up to 1,100 eligible Afghans who had aided the British mission would not be evacuated in time. Asked what he would say to critics who say Mr Johnson should not go on holiday during such a crucial period, his spokesman said: 'I would say the Prime Minister is continuing to work.' Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's jailed wife Emma Coronel could avoid spending the rest of her life in prison if she decides to tell on his sons, who reportedly share control of the Sinaloa Cartel with his old associate, the fugitive Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada. Mexican news magazine Proceso reported that it obtained information from sources with U.S. Department of Justice who claim that the 31-year-old Coronel will provide prosecutors valuable details. That information is said to link the transnational organization and 64-year-old El Chapo's sons - Joaquin Guzman Lopez, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, otherwise know as 'Los Chapitos.' In a story published by the outlet last Friday, Department of Justice indicated it 'would expect information from her on the modus operandi of her husband's children, now in charge of the fraction of the cartel that their father led.' As part of her cooperation, the California-born Coronel could be sentenced to five years in prison, regain custody of the couple's twin daughters and be placed in the United States Federal Witness Protection Program. Emma Coronel, the jailed wife of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, is reportedly collaborating with federal prosecutors to avoid a life sentence and possibly serve only five years behind bars by giving up information connecting her husband's sons to the transnational Sinaloa Cartel, according to Mexican news magazine Proceso Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman is serving a life sentence at ADX Florence, a super maximum security prison in Florence, Colorado. His wife, Emma Coronel, the mother of his twin daughters, was arrested at Dulles International Airport in February. In June, she pleaded to three counts that include drug trafficking, conspiracy to launder money and engaging in transactions with a foreign drug trafficker The former beauty queen has been in U.S. federal custody since February when she was arrested at Dulles International Airport in Virginia. On June 10, Coronel pleaded guilty to helping operate El Chapo's multibillion-dollar drug trafficking empire, forgoing her right to a trial. She admitted to conspiring to distribute heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana for several years; and also pleased guilty to a money laundering conspiracy charge and engaging in transactions with a foreign drug trafficker. During the guilty plea hearing, prosecutor Anthony Nardozzi, said Coronel played a role in the trafficking of more than 450,000 kilos of cocaine, 90,000 kilos of heroin, 45,000 kilos of methamphetamine and close to 90,000 kilos of marijuana. El Chapo's son, Ovidio Guzman Lopez was sanctioned in May 2012 by the Department of Treasury under the Kingpin Act. On February 21, 2019, he and his brother Joaquin Guzman Lopez were charged by the Department of Justice for conspiring to distribute heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana to the United States Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar is wanted by the Drug Enforcement Administration Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and three other siblings have taken over the Sinaloa Cartel's operations now that their father, El Chapo, is in prison Emma Coronel leaves from the U.S. Federal Courthouse after a verdict was announced at the trial for Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman on February 12, 2019 Nardozzi also said that she also 'served as a go-between' to relay messages from El Chapo to cartel members following his arrest, and also conspired with the drug lord's son to spring him out of jail on several occasions. As Mexico's most powerful drug lord, El Chapo ran a cartel responsible for smuggling cocaine and other drugs into the United States during his 25-year reign, prosecutors said. They also said his 'army of sicarios,' - hit men - was under orders to kidnap, torture and kill anyone who got in his way. Coronel was scheduled to be sentenced September 15, but the hearing was postponed to October 15 due to objections that had been presented last Friday by the prosecution and Coronel and her team of lawyers to Judge Rudolph Contreras of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Emma Coronel Aispuro, the wife of Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, pleaded guilty Thursday to charges in the U.S. and admitted that she helped her husband run his multibillion-dollar criminal empire El Chapo is serving a life sentence at ADX Florence, a super maximum penitentiary in Florence, Colorado. His 35-year-old son, Jesus, was indicted on federal drug trafficking charges by the U.S. District Court of Northern Illinois in 2009. He is on the Drug Enforcement Administration's most wanted list. Ovidio, 31, was sanctioned in May 2012 by the Department of Treasury under the Kingpin Act. On February 21, 2019, he and his brother Joaquin Guzman Lopez were charged by the Department of Justice for conspiring to distribute heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana to the United States. Mexico's National Guard served an arrest warrant and captured Ovidio at his home in Culiacan, Mexico, on October 17, 2019, but President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador ordered his immediate release several hours later following a war-like battle between cartel operatives and security forces that left at least 14 people dead. The Biden administration refused an offer by the Taliban's co-founder to take control of the security across all of Kabul before the chaotic evacuation because the president was determined to keep his promise to pull US troops out, according to a report. Senior US military officials including Gen. Kenneth McKenzie hastily met face-to-face with Abdul Ghani Baradar, head of the Taliban's military wing, who made the US a weighty offer, as reported by the Washington Post. 'We have a problem,' Baradar said, according to a US official. 'We have two options to deal with it: You [the United States military] take responsibility for securing Kabul or you have to allow us to do it.' But Biden was determined to keep his promise of a full withdrawal, even with the collapse of the Afghan government. So, McKenzie and other military officials said the US only needed control of the airport until Aug. 31 and the Taliban could secure the city. If the Biden administration had taken control of the whole city, they could have evacuated thousands more Afghan allies and avoided Taliban roadblocks that stopped people getting to the airport. The fleeing of President Ashraf Ghani left both the US and the Taliban in shock, as they had reportedly been in talks for an orderly transition of power from Ghani to the Islamist group. Ghani had reportedly received faulty intelligence that Taliban fighters were going room to room in the presidential palace looking for him. In reality, the Taliban had said it was encroaching on Kabul but would honor the peaceful transfer agreement. With Ghani's departure, chaos broke out in the streets of Kabul. The Taliban had never planned to take control of Kabul on Aug. 15, according to the report, but did so to establish order. The Taliban offered President Biden a chance for the situation in Afghanistan to play out entirely differently, telling the US it could either take control of security in Kabul or allow them to do so 'The government has left all of their ministries; you have to enter the city to prevent further disorder and protect public property and services from chaos,' read a message to Taliban commander Muhammad Nasir Haqqani. 'We couldn't control our emotions, we were so happy. Most of our fighters were crying,' Haqqani said of when his soldiers overtook the streets. 'We never thought we would take Kabul so quickly.' At the same time, the Taliban freed between 5,000 and 7,000 of its most hardened fighters imprisoned at Bagram Air Base on Aug. 15. The prison, Pul-e-Charkhi, contained a maximum security cell block for al-Qaeda and Taliban prisoners. Afghan government troops surrendered control of the base without a fight after the US handed it over to them in July. Asked at a briefing Monday if it was true that the Taliban had offered US control of Kabul, White House press secretary Jen Psaki replied: 'I have not seen this reporting.' DailyMail.com has reached out to the White House for comment on the report. But White House chief of staff Ron Klain seemed to hint at its accuracy. He like a tweet along with an opinion piece from Talking Points Memo founder Josh Marshall arguing: 'No. We were right not to take over security in Kabul when the Taliban asked if we wanted to.' 'The idea that a few thousand US Marines or soldiers could take over security for a city of 5 million during a process of state collapse is frankly insane,' the editorial argues. Taliban fighters sit at the table inside the presidential office at the palace in Kabul on Sunday after claiming victory The Taliban were in full control of Kabul's airport on Tuesday, after the last U.S. plane left its runway, marking the end of America's longest war Taliban forces flying their flag drive down the runway at Kabul airport in an American Humvee after troops withdrew Planes, helicopters and vehicles left behind by western forces have now fallen into the hands of the Taliban The US sent in roughly 5,000 troops to help Americans and American allies escape Taliban rule, before pulling out on Monday almost 24 hours ahead of the deadline, worried of the prospects of yet another terrorist attack. A suicide bombing outside Kabul airport last week left 170 dead, including 13 American troops. Islamic State Khorasan, known as ISIS-K, took credit for the attack and the US responded with airstrikes allegedly killing two associated with ISIS-K and reportedly an entire family, including children, according to relatives of the dead. Since the Taliban took over Kabul, the US has been scrambling to evacuate as many as possible, though some Americans and many Afghan allies remain. The US has approximately 116,700 people since Aug. 14, including 5,500 American citizens. Meet the next leader of Afghanistan: Abdul Ghani Baradar is veteran resistance fighter who saw off the Russians and was FREED from a Pakistani jail by Donald Trump as part of deal with Taliban Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, one of the co-founders of the Taliban, was freed from jail in Pakistan three years ago at the request of the U.S. government. Just nine months ago, he posed for pictures with Donald Trump's Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to sign a peace deal in Doha which today lies in tatters. His forces seized Kabul and he is now tipped to become Afghanistan's next leader in a reversal of fortune which humiliates Washington. While Haibatullah Akhundzada is the Taliban's overall leader, Baradar is head of its political office and one of the most recognisable faces of the chiefs who have been involved in peace talks in Qatar. The 53-year-old was deputy leader under ex-chief Mullah Mohammed Omar, whose support for Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden led to the US-led invasion of Afghanistan after 9/11. Baradar is reported to have flown immediately from Doha to Kabul as the militants were storming the presidential palace. Born in Uruzgan province in 1968, Baradar was raised in Kandahar, the birthplace of the Taliban movement. He fought with the mujahideen against the Soviets in the 1980s until they were driven out in 1989. Afterwards, Afghanistan was gripped by a blood civil war between rival warlords and Baradar set up an Islamic school in Kandahar with his former commander Mohammed Omar. The two mullahs helped to found the Taliban movement, an ideology which embraced hardline orthodoxy and strived for the creation of an Islamic Emirate. Fuelled by zealotry, hatred of greedy warlords and with financial backing from Pakistan's secret services, the Taliban seized power in 1996 after conquering provincial capitals before marching on Kabul, just as they have in recent months. Baradar had a number of different roles during the Taliban's five-year reign and was the deputy defence minister when the US invaded in 2001. He went into hiding but remained active in the Taliban's leadership in exile. In 2010, the CIA tracked him down to the Pakistani city of Karachi and in February of that year the Pakistani intelligence service (ISI) arrested him. But in 2018, he was released at the request of the Trump administration as part of their ongoing negotiations with the Taliban in Qatar, on the understanding that he could help broker peace. In February 2020, Baradar signed the Doha Agreement in which the U.S. pledged to leave Afghanistan on the basis that the Taliban would enter into a power-sharing arrangement with President Ashraf Ghani's government in Kabul. He was pictured in September with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who 'urged the Taliban to seize this opportunity to forge a political settlement and reach a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire,' the US said in a statement. Pompeo 'welcomed Afghan leadership and ownership of the effort to end 40 years of war and ensure that Afghanistan is not a threat to the United States or its allies.' The Doha deal was heralded as a momentous peace declaration but has been proved to be nothing but a ploy by the Taliban. The jihadists waited until thousands of American troops had left before launching a major offensive to recapture the country, undoing two decades of work by the US-led coalition. Advertisement Marc Thiessen, speechwriter under President George W. Bush, tore into the president for reportedly turning down the Taliban's offer in a Washington Post op-ed. 'The Biden administration had the chance to control Kabul while we evacuated, but chose to cede it to the Taliban. That is a dereliction of duty unlike any we have seen in modern times,' Thiessen wrote. 'Our leaders made a conscious choice to put the safety of American civilians, service members and Afghan allies in the hands of terrorists rather than the U.S. armed forces a decision that led directly to the deaths of 13 Americans in an Islamic State attack on the Kabul airport last Thursday at the hands of a suicide bomber. It is a national disgrace.' 'If the reports are true, and the Biden administration willfully gave control of Kabul to the Taliban, they have yet again shown their complicity for a terrorist takeover,' Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., wrote on Twitter. 'They PASSED and instead opted to willingly surrender the city to the Taliban and control only the airport till 8/31! HOW MANY MORE COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED?!?' wrote Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga. South Lake Tahoe residents took to social media to show the unusually large chunks of ash that have pelted their homes as the Caldor Fire continues to burn and approach the city Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort manager John Rice utilized all the equipment at his disposal, including a snow making machine, to spare the resort from damages from the fast-spreading Caldor Fire Advertisement A ski resort near South Lake Tahoe rolled out its snow-making machines to help stave off the fast-spreading Caldor Firefight as large chunks of ash rained down on the mostly desolate tourist destination. Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort manager John Rice, who has managed the 2,000-acre resort in Twin Bridges for nearly three decades, told the San Francisco Chronicle that for the past two weeks he watched the wildfire slowly approach the property until it finally reached the resort on Sunday as he watched from the roof of his office. 'It came in from the west side, almost a bulls-eye right towards us, this big wall of fire,' he said. But Rice and his co-manager were not caught unprepared and did what they could in the days leading up to Sunday, including taping up air ducts to block embers, moving heavy equipment into the resort's parking lots to spare them from damage. They also made smart use of cannon-shaped water hydrants that are usually used for snowmaking and turned them towards the resort's structures, dousing them with water to keep them from catching on fire, the Chronicle reported. That coupled with help from a 12-man contract crew made up of retired Cal Fire firefighters who helped Rice scrape the landscape of dry materials, chainsaw away branches and drench building exteriors with fire-retardant gel, allowed the resort to survive the passing wildfire intact. 'If I didn't get that crew, it'd be a different story,' Rice told the Chronicle. Snow making machines are used to spray water on the slopes of Heavenly Mountain Resort located on the California Nevada border in South Lake Tahoe Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort manager John Rice utilized all the equipment at his disposal, including a snow making machine, to spare the resort from damages from the fast-spreading Caldor Fire Rice used cannon-shaped water hydrants that are usually used for snowmaking and turned them towards the resort's structures, dousing them with water to keep them from catching on fire Ash nearly the size of a quarter from Caldor Fire has pelted the homes of South Lake Tahoe residents Dawn Svymbersky stands in the middle of Highway 50 as evacuee traffic stands still 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 Fire burns along eastern side of Christmas Valley during the Caldor Fire on Tuesday as firefighters continue to try to quell the fast-spreading Caldor Fire El Dorado county firefighters work stop the spread of Caldor Fire flames on Snowflake Drive at Christmas Valley on Tuesday South Lake Tahoe resident Jeff Hodge stands by his car outside of a Red Cross evacuation site in Truckee, California on Tuesday after being evacuated from his home the day before Fire crews arrive to South Lake Tahoe as emergency officials continue to battle the quickly approaching Caldor Fire WILDFIRE UPDATE: The raging #CaldorFire continues to threaten communities near #LakeTahoe, seen here last evening from @NOAA's #GOES17. At last report, the #wildfire had grown to 186,500+ acres and the governors of Calif. and Nev. have declared states of emergency. #CAwx #NVwx pic.twitter.com/K6qqs5KB8b NOAA Satellites - Public Affairs (@NOAASatellitePA) August 31, 2021 Rice's valiant battle comes as large chunks of ash continue to rain down on South Lake Tahoe on Tuesday after most of the city's 22,000 residents packed up their cars and fled for their lives ahead of the fast-spreading Caldor Fire. After burning for two weeks through the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the wildfire raged toward the now-deserted summer destination, blanketing the area with smoke and chunks of ash the size of a quarter. South Lake Tahoe residents took to social media to show the unusually large chunks that have fallen on their homes and filled the usually pristine skies with noxious smoke. The wildfire crisis in California has been so intense the U.S. Forest Service announced that as of Tuesday nearly all national forests in the state will be closed through September 17 for public safety reasons. 'We do not take this decision lightly but this is the best choice for public safety,' Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlien said in a statement. 'It is especially hard with the approaching Labor Day weekend, when so many people enjoy our national forests.' On Monday afternoon, the ferocious wildfire crossed state highways 50 and 89 and burned mountain cabins as it churned down slopes toward the Tahoe Basin. Jarring images show multiple cabins near Echo Summit consumed by flames. Christian Stevens, who lives in a lean-to he fixed up, waits for a ride out of South Lake Tahoe on Tuesday ss the Caldor Fire approaches the resort city A woman walks her dog pas the checkpoint in South Lake Tahoe which is under a mandatory evacuation order as the Caldor Fire approaches National Guardsmen staff a checkpoint in South Lake Tahoe, which is mostly evacuated, on Tuesday as the massive Caldor Fire approaches The chimney stands in the burnt remains of a home that was destroyed by the Caldor Fire on Tuesday in Twin Bridges, Californiatwin A burnt tree lays on the remains of a home that was destroyed by the Caldor Fire in Twin Bridges, California Flames totally consume a home as the Caldor fire pushes into the popular California resort town of South Lake Tahoe Flames rip across a hillside behind a building donning an American flag as the Caldor fire pushes into South Lake Tahoe High winds push California wildfire within 20 miles of smoke-drenched Lake Tahoe: Hospital evacuated and tourists and residents flee ahead of Labor Day weekend Smoke from the Caldor Fire fills the sky above Lake Tahoe's Zephyr Cove in Douglas County, Nevada on Friday Flames consume multiple homes as the Caldor fire pushes its way towards South Lake Tahoe, California 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 new evacuation order was issued for Tahoe Keys, Tahoe Island, Al Tahoe, Sierra Tract, Bijou, Tahoma, Fallen Leaf, Pioneer, Gardner Mountain and Trimmer The Sacramento Bee reported that at least four cabins were on fire Sunday afternoon on the north side of Highway 50 near where Aspen Creek Road intersects with the highway as the wildfire inched closer to South Lake Tahoe. As the fire nears the resort area, many multi-million dollar homes are in the path of the dangerous flames. According to realtor.com there are currently 300 homes for sale in South Lake Tahoe ranging in price from $35,000 all the way up to $41 million with the median listing price at $726,000. Over the course of two weeks the massive Caldor Fire has burned through 191,607 acres as of Tuesday morning and remains 16 percent contained after it began on August 14 four miles south of Grizzly Flats and two miles east of Omo Ranch in the Eldorado National Forest, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported. The popular vacation haven, normally filled with tens of thousands of summer tourists at this time of year, is now clogged with fleeing cars loaded with camping gear and furniture. 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. On Monday a new evacuation order was issued for Tahoe Keys, Tahoe Island, Al Tahoe, Sierra Tract, Bijou, Tahoma, Fallen Leaf, Pioneer, Gardner Mountain and Trimmer. 'There is fire activity happening in California that we have never seen before. The critical thing for the public to know is evacuate early,' Cal Fire director Chief Thom Porter said. 'For the rest of you in California: Every acre can and will burn someday in this state.' Cal Fire Chief Chris Anthony said that destructive wildfires, which art one point were an 'anomaly', have unfortunately become the norm because of extremely dry conditions in the state caused by climate change. 'As many of you are aware, we are seeing larger and more destructive fires burn throughout California on a much more frequent basis,' Anthony said. '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 last 20 years. These terms are no longer appropriate given the clear trends associated with drought, changing climate.' 'Unfortunately, these factors contribute to the resistance to control that we're seeing with the Caldor Fire,' he added. 'Many people, including myself, consider the Tahoe Basin a unique treasure and a natural wonder of the world whether you live here full time, own a second home here, visit the basin during family vacations, or simply recreate here, there are simply hundreds of thousands of people who hold Tahoe dear to their heart.' As residents flee the fast-approaching fire, remarkable images show flames burn through cabins and overwhelmed firefighters attempt to quell the fast-spreading flames. The evacuation order was issued for El Dorado and Alpine County, according to a news release from Cal Fire According to Cal Fire, the Caldor Fire now ranks 17th place in top 20 largest wildfires in California history as it currently remains only 16 percent contained 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 Caldor Fire until September 13th. The cause of the blaze remains unknown. According to Cal Fire, the Caldor Fire now ranks 17th place in top 20 largest wildfires in California history. 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 damaged 40 structures and destroyed 669, while leaving 33,000 structures 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 and is expected to remain in effect until Wednesday evening. Firefighters remain on high alert as embers from the fire have been traveling far distances, passing containment lines and creating spot fires in areas three quarters of a mile to one mile away, WSJ reported. 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 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 South Lake Tahoe. A continuous stream of people leaving the city. @KQED @KQEDnews pic.twitter.com/ALe65Fx09x Ezra David Romero (@ezraromero) August 30, 2021 '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. 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 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. A 'very mild mannered' Connecticut doctor concerned about a witness putting him in prison for running a four-year prescription scam tried to recruit the Hell's Angels to 'take care of' the witness, federal officials charged. It's unclear how much Anatoly Braylovsky made off the scheme, but Medicare said in a July 2021 lawsuit that it paid more than $4.34million in prescriptions prescribed by Braylovsky over the four years. He said the five days that he spent in a New Haven jail before his pretrial release last July was 'the worst five days of his life,' according to a federal indictment. He was specifically worried about a 'guy who was mic'd up' testifying at his upcoming trial, according to court documents. Determined not to go back to jail, he contacted an unnamed person who Braylovsky believed was the brother of a Hell's Angels president and allegedly said 'this guy's gotta go.' A Connecticut doctor is accused of trying to recruit the Hell's Angels to 'take care of' a witness in a federal prescription scheme An excerpt of the federal indictment against Braylovsky Instead of calling his brother, the unnamed person - identified in court documents as 'CC1' - called the FBI. The FBI slipped in an undercover officer, who confirmed Braylovsky's plan in a recorded conversation on August 24. The conversation was outlined in the indictment against Braylovsky and showed he was nervous, skeptical and wanted to talk to 'CC1's' brother. But the undercover agent concluded that Braylovsky planned to arrange a hit on the witness. Three days after the conversation - August 27 - Braylovsky was arrested and charged with in federal court with endeavoring to obstruct the due administration of justice. The Wallingford, Connecticut physician - in the New Haven area - was already facing federal charges of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute a controlled substance, health care fraud and making false statements relating to health care matters. Braylovsky was accused of running a prescription scheme between January 2016 and April 2020 where he allegedly 'prescribed unusually large quantities of oxycodone, Adderall and Xanax to many patients.' In a July 2021 civil lawsuit to recover proceeds, Medicare/Medicaid said it paid more than $4.34million in prescriptions prescribed by Braylovsky over that time and another $386,975 for office visits. 'Patients were using their Medicaid or Medicare insurance to pay for the medically unnecessary prescriptions that were in turn being sold for profit,' Medicare said in the civil action. Braylovsky was accused of running a prescription scheme between January 2016 and April 2020 where he allegedly 'prescribed unusually large quantities of oxycodone, Adderall and Xanax to many patients' In a civil lawsuit, Medicare said it paid more than $4.34 million in medications for Braylovsky over the alleged four-year scheme There appeared to be genuine surprise from colleagues and patients about the Connecticut doctor's June 2020 arrest, according to court documents. According to court documents, he's been an internal medicine physician who has operated the Family Practice of Greater New Haven for about 20 years. He was described in pretrial release documents in 2020 - before the allegations of arranging to silence a witness came to light - by people who knew him as a 'gentle soul,' 'trustworthy,' 'respected in the community' and 'very mild mannered,' among other flattering traits. The indictment doesn't specifically say how much Braylovsky made off the alleged scam, but court documents include a federal undercover agent's recorded interactions with Braylovksy. Those recorded conversations allegedly that proved the doctor sold him oxycodone prescriptions for $1,600 without performing a medical exam, court documents say. It's unclear if the undercover agent was the 'mic'd up' witness that Braylovsky was concerned about. The Met Police were accused of being 'heavy-handed' after finally clearing an Extinction Rebellion protest that saw demonstrators glue themselves to a bus that was blocking London Bridge. In video footage shared online, officers can be seen grappling with protesters before forcibly moving them from an open-top vintage bus with a wooden structure attached to the rear. The southern end of the London Bridge was taken over by XR activists, who blocked the road with a bus on Tuesday. This followed a similar demonstration on Tower Bridge and sat on top of a parked caravan on Monday as the environmental activists continue their fortnight of action. The Metropolitan Police said that as of 6.45pm on Tuesday, 43 further arrests had been made in connection with the protests, taking the total number to 469. The force said the arrests were made for a variety of offences. Police remove a demonstrator from a bus parked on London Bridge in central London A demonstrator is arrested as Extinction Rebellion protesters use a bus to block London Bridge Officers surrounded the bus on London Bridge and were seen using batons and dragging protesters off the vehicle. Other demonstrators were handcuffed and police blocked several nearby streets to stop people entering the area. Footage showed scores of Met officers pushing back activists, who continued to advance, banging drums and clapping, while others glued themselves to pavements. Earlier, more arrived at London Bridge station waving banners and placards, with slogans including 'stop the harm' and 'please don't arrest me, I'm on call tomorrow'. Pedestrians coming from the station were diverted away from the protest by approximately 20 officers and police vans on one road alone. An officer confirmed some people taking part in the protest were being arrested, and the road closures would be in place 'for hours'. A demonstrator is removed by officers from a bus during an Extinction Rebellion protest Police remove a man from a bus on London Bridge during a protest by Extinction Rebellion The Met later defended the use of force by its officers saying the use of force was 'reasonable and proportionate'. The force tweeted: 'There have been some questions today on our use of force while attempting to disrupt the protest involving Extinction Rebellion's bus. 'It is very clear that the demo near London Bridge was an attempt to cause a major disruption to one of London's busiest bridges. 'Seeing this, officers nearby took immediate action to prevent any unreasonable disruption to the highway, and to detain those attempting to cause disruption or who were obstructing officers in the lawful execution of their duty. 'We believe this swift action prevented some protesters from setting up further complex lock-on devices which were inside the bus. 'Given the circumstances and likely disruption to the community, our initial assessment is that their use of force was reasonable and proportionate.' Among those taking part in the protest was Olympic medallist Etienne Stott, who was filmed sitting in the middle of the road speaking to police. The slalom canoer, who took gold at the 2012 London games, refused to move and was eventually picked up and carried off by officers, shouting 'this is important'. Extinction Rebellion London tweeted: 'We will leave the streets when the Government starts treating the climate emergency like an emergency. 'Covid showed what the Government can do in a crisis, it's the level of response required for the climate but sustained over years. ExtinctionRebellion'. Eleven demonstrators were arrested during the Tower Bridge protest on Monday. A demonstrator is arrested as Extinction Rebellion protesters use a bus to block London Bridge Met Police officers first surround, then grapple with demonstrators inside the bus Officers were accused of 'heavy-handed tactics' as they stormed the XR bus on Tuesday XR activists used a vintage open-top bus, with the sign 'Extinction' to block London Bridge It comes after the eco-activists were today accused of jumping the shark - after targeting the headquarters of beloved wildlife preservation and environment cause the WWF. They hit the HQ in Woking at 9.30am under the explanation of it being in solidarity with indigenous groups in Tanzania, Cameroon and Kenya. An XR spokesman claimed the groups were being evicted and persecuted by WWF's conservation activities. But the stunt was greeted by utter bemusement by most members of the public. And MP Alexander Stafford said: 'They've completely jumped the shark. 'By attacking those that work to protect the environment, halt our natural decline, & stop climate change, they have revealed their own nihilistic hand. 'Groups like WWF have done far more and will do more for our planet than these extremists.' The phrase 'jumping the shark' refers to when someone does something far-fetched to try and maintain interest. Extinction Rebellion activists hit the WWF HQ in Woking (pictured) this morning under the explanation of it being in solidarity with indigenous groups in Tanzania, Cameroon and Kenya Disbelief as XR targeted wildlife and environment preservation cause the WWF this moring Claimed the occupation was in solidarity with indigenous groups in Tanzania and Cameroon The stunt was condemned and slated as 'jumping the shark' due to the choice of target Earlier protesters, from offshoot Animal Rebellion, wanted dairy company Arla to transition to plant-based production by 2025 and claim they will not leave the firm's site in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, until it agrees to do so. It claims Arla emitted more greenhouse gases in 2017 than BHP, a mining company, and ConocoPhillips, an oil producer. James Ozden, a spokesperson for Animal Rebellion, said: 'The dairy industry abuses animals, the planet and workers, who are increasingly squeezed by big business. 'Arla say they're pro-worker but lobby for supermarket contracts that sell milk for less than water. 'We're not just demanding that Arla go plant-based by 2025, we're demanding that the Government supports companies like Arla by funding a just transition for workers in meat and dairy industries to just and sustainable alternatives.' The group said a climate crisis could lead to unstable crop supplies to feed dairy cows and also potentially expose them to heat stress for two months longer than usual, which could lead to a milk shortage. Bamboo-zled: The bamboo structure has thwarted efforts to go in or out of the site The protesters arrived under the cover of darkness to set up their dairy demonstration At London Bridge, Metropolitan Police officers eventually surrounded the vehicle atop the bridge and several streets to stop people entering the area. The force tweeted: 'Officers are responding to a demonstration in #LondonBridge where protesters have assembled and are blocking the road. 'We are currently assessing the situation working to keep disruption in the area to a minimum.' Pedestrians coming from London Bridge Underground station were diverted away from the protest by approximately 20 officers and police vans on one road alone. An officer confirmed some people taking part in the protest were being arrested, and the road closures would be in place 'for hours'. Extinction Rebellion London tweeted: 'We will leave the streets when the Government starts treating the climate emergency like an emergency. Police officers surround a vehicle, parked across the road as climate activists strike London A protester shows a glued palm against a window, as police officers surround a vehicle Police and demonstrators with a bus parked on London Bridge in central London today 'Covid showed what the Government can do in a crisis, it's the level of response required for the climate but sustained over years. #ExtinctionRebellion'. Eleven demonstrators were arrested on Monday, when protesters occupied Tower Bridge. More than 300 arrests have been made during the first week of Extinction Rebellion's fifth wave of mass protests in London. Some 11 activists were arrested during action on Bank Holiday Monday, which saw protesters block Tower Bridge with a van and caravan. It follows 34 arrests on Sunday when demonstrators occupied the Science Museum in protest against its partnership with oil giant Shell. The Metropolitan Police said there had been a total of 367 arrests in the capital since the environmentalist group began its latest round of action, dubbed the Impossible Rebellion, on August 23. The group is demanding the Government stops investment in fossil fuels. As part of the protests, activists have blocked a road in central London with a large pink table containing built-in lock-ons, spray painted the floor outside the HM Revenue & Customs headquarters and daubed the famous Guildhall in the City of London in red paint. Animal Rebellion, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, dyed the Buckingham Palace fountains red in protest at animal hunting. Activists were lying on the ground, while others wore aprons emblazoned with Tell The Truth Protesters display a banner message as climate activists from the Extinction Rebellion group Today's central London protest featured a bus, which protesters had glued themselves to On Monday, activists were seen lying on the ground near Tower Bridge, while others wore aprons emblazoned with Tell The Truth and with teapots with Deniabilitea written on them. Protesters were seen to be removed by officers prior to the blocking of the bridge. The Metropolitan Police said demonstrators had used 'complex' lock-ons 'to frustrate our removal efforts', and specialist removal teams were drafted in. The force said on Twitter: 'We see many comments and questions asking why this work can't be quicker and use more direct tactics. 'While we understand the public's frustration, we must consider the safety of everyone involved including our officers. 'This work is painstaking but we work as quick as we can.' Extinction Rebellion is due to continue its action for a second week. A Memphis father allegedly checking his house for an intruder fatally shot his eight-year old daughter in the chest when he saw her silhouette in a closet and mistook her for a burglar, he told police. William Oliver, 31, who lives on Timothy Drive in Memphis's Whitehaven neighborhood, claimed he was using a gun to check his home after the child's mother said she heard a noise around 2am on August 27, according to an affidavit obtained by the Daily Mail. Oliver slid back a bedroom closet door and opened fire when he saw a silhouette moving inside. He said that he didn't realize until moments later that he just shot his daughter, A'layla Bassett. The victim was rushed to Methodist South Hospital with a bullet in her chest, but died shortly after arriving, according to the Memphis Police Department. The affidavit adds that Bassett's mother, Ciera Martin, drove her to the hospital while Oliver followed in a separate car with their four other children, who were also in the home at the time of the shooting. It does not clarify what Oliver's relationship is to Martin. Cops apparently did not believe Oliver's story and the dad was charged with reckless homicide. William Oliver, 31, allegedly shot and killed his eight-year old daughter, A'layla Bassett, when he mistook her for an intruder The Memphis father told police that he was checking a bedroom closet when he saw a silhouette move and opened fire Moments later, he realized that he just shot his eight-year old daughter A'layla Bassett Bassett was rushed to Methodist South Hospital with a bullet in her chest, but succumbed to her injuries shortly after arriving, according to the Memphis Police Department The Memphis Police Department tweeted on August 27, 'At 2.27am, officers responded to a female juvenile shooting victim at Methodist South. The victim did not survive her injuries. Prelim info indicated that she was shot in a home in the 1300 block of Timothy. One male has been detained. The investigation is ongoing.' A follow up tweet later that day read, 'William Oliver, 31, was charged with Reckless Homicide in this case.' Memphis police said the shooting is still under investigation. A Shelby County inmate search says that Oliver's bond is set at $112,500. It also reveals that he was previously charged with aggravated assault in August 2019, but further information on that charge is not publicly available. Bassett's killing happened the day before the Memphis community rallied against gun violence during its fifth annual Unity Walk. At a press conference ahead of the march on August 26, Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich stated that 16 children were killed in Memphis, excluding Bassett. Of the deaths, 13 were declared murders and three were ruled as negligent homicides. Bassett's killing happened the day before the Memphis community rallied against gun violence during its fifth annual Unity Walk 'The gun violence is a plague on our community,' Weirich said, noting that the oldest child victim was 17 and the youngest was just one-year old. Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis echoed Weirich's concern. 'We are tired of gun violence, not just here in Memphis, but around the country,' she said. 'We are sick of gun violence. What that does to our community is devastating. We should all be tired of it.' The night after Bassett was killed, another child fell victim to gun violence about five miles west in Memphis's White Chapel neighborhood. A 6-year old girl, whose name was not released, was shot and killed after a sibling found a gun and accidentally fired it, a source close to the investigation told local news station WREG. The source added that the adult owner of the gun will most likely face charges for leaving the weapon unsecured. However, no charges have been filed as of now and police are still investigating how the child accessed the gun. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby shrugged off concerns about the US citizens and the billions of dollars in military technology left in Afghanistan on Tuesday. He also blamed stranded Americans for waiting until the last minute after the last US jets left the country, despite President Biden promising to stay until all Americans were evacuated. In an MSNBC interview, Kirby said the military would no longer play a role in helping them get out but was confident diplomatic efforts would be enough - and said the desperate situation was 'not completely unlike' others around the world. 'We have Americans that get stranded in countries all the time,' he said bluntly. His comment sharply contrasts with White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, who last week got in a heated exchange with a reporter over using the word 'stranded' to describe the US citizens still in Afghanistan. 'I think it's irresponsible to say Americans are stranded. They are not,' she told Fox's Peter Doocy. Her defense was widely criticized, prompting her to further elaborate on Twitter. Psaki wrote: 'We are not leaving Americans who want to return home. We are going to bring them home. And I think that's important for the American public to hear and understand.' Kirby said the Taliban is clear on what the US intends to do and if the militant group wants to govern as it says, 'we're going to hold them to their deeds not just words.' Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there was a 'small number of Americans' between 100 and 200 Americans left in Afghanistan trying to flee as of Monday. In an MSNBC interview, Kirby said the military would no longer play a role in helping Americans get out but was confident diplomatic efforts would be enough In a separate interview on Fox News Tuesday, Kirby said the government wouldn't 'turn a blind eye' to those Americans but there were 'a lot of reasons why' they didn't leave. He blamed US citizens for not deciding to leave earlier, despite reports of stampeding crowds and violent treatment by Taliban fighters guarding the airport gates over the last two weeks. Some people reported being turned away even with proper paperwork and American passports. 'There was some - a lot of efforts trying to contact them, trying to get in touch with them and marshal them in. Some people didn't want to make decisions until the endgame,' Kirby said. 'I don't know the case with each and every one of these 100 or so that are left, but what I can tell you is that as a government, we're going to continue to make every effort we can to help them find safe passage.' On Monday Blinken declared 'a new diplomatic mission has begun' in Afghanistan to try and get those remaining Americans out. He vowed to use diplomacy and leverage to bring out any Americans, allies, or Afghanis who assisted the US and want to leave, as critics pounded Biden for allowing the withdrawal before all Americans were out, comparing those who remained to hostages. 'We made extraordinary efforts to give Americans every opportunity to depart the country,' he said. Blinken said some who stayed were dual citizens and US passports who weren't sure they wanted to go and were 'trying to decide whether or not they wanted to leave.' He said the US and allies plan to hold the Taliban to keep the airport open and allow safe passage. 'Any engagement with the Taliban-led government in Kabul will be driven by one thing only our vital national interests,' he said. He also mentioned new ways out - including 'overland routes,' which means driving across Afghanistan's famously inhospitable terrain. But last week, when the State Department warned Americans to leave the airport over imminent terrorist threats, Blinken also blamed Americans still on the ground for not leaving fast enough after first being warned earlier this year to leave Afghanistan as soon as possible. Rep. Mike Waltz, a Green Beret combat veteran, blamed Blinken and other Biden officials by name for the Americans and Afghan interpreters left behind in a House GOP press conference on Tuesday. 'This administration making these decisions - Blinken, Sullivan, Finer, Psaki, we can go down the list - do not have a speck of Middle East dirt under their finger nails,' he said. Rep. Darrell Issa told Fox News on Tuesday that he's in contact with a pregnant American trapped in Kabul Waltz said there were 'buses' full of US citizens, Afghan interpreters and green card holders who were ready to leave but are stuck 'because they can't get through the bureaucracy at the State Department.' 'This government is about to enter a ransom situation,' the lawmaker predicted. 'We do not let terrorists dictate the time and place and method which we get our people out, but that's what this administration is doing.' From Monday into Tuesday reports of Americans trapped in Kabul begging for help have also emerged. A pregnant woman who tried to get to the airport 'multiple times' with her husband and father is in contact with California Rep. Darrell Issa, who talked about trying to help her escape on Fox News this morning. She was kicked in the stomach by Taliban fighters and is now forced to hide in an apartment, relying only on her friends to bring her food and keep her whereabouts secret. The lawmaker referred to her as 'Nasria.' Issa is also trying to help an elderly couple in their 80s who were turned away at the airport despite having their US passports. An American citizen who worked as an interpreter for the US military told CNN's Chris Cuomo last night that she's still stranded in Afghanistan Going by the pseudonym 'Sara,' she said 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 31 deadline. 'I just found out that they left, and I was just silent for a while,' Sara said. 'I just cant believe no one told me this was the last flight.' 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 After the final departure Monday, US Central Command chief General McKenzie revealed troops left behind 73 aircraft and 27 tactical Humvees at Hamid Karzai International Airport. He claimed they were demilitarized and would never be used again. 'They can take pictures and walk around and look at them, but they can't fly them or drive them or use any of the systems that we have at the airport,' Kirby said. However it's clear some US aircraft left in the country are still operable - a video circulating last week showed Taliban fighters flying a Black Hawk helicopter gloatingly across the sky. Just one could cost as much as $20 million. As for weapons the US handed over to Afghan government forces over the years - the US spent $83 billion training and arming troops - Kirby admitted there was 'quite a bit of material in that batch that the Afghans had that the Taliban now have access to.' But he was unconcerned about the impact those gadgets would have on the Taliban's fighting capability - despite acknowledging they can be deadly. Roughly $28 billion alone was spent on Afghan weapons from 2002 - 2017, Reuters reports. Taliban fighters took control of Hamid Karzai International Airport after the US withdrew The Pentagon said the US aircraft and vehicles left behind have been demilitarized and no longer pose a threat if in the wrong hands The Taliban now controls all of Kabul after taking the airport when western forces departed 'The kinds of equipment we're talking about while certainly there is a lethality component to it, it doesn't pose a threat to the United States. It doesn't pose a threat to neighboring nations. These are not the kinds of things that the Taliban can make great strategic use out of them,' Kirby said. He didn't elaborate on what the 'lethality component' was or whether it would pose a threat to the thousands of vulnerable Afghans left behind. Before evacuating some US equipment and ammunition was destroyed by the military. But that didn't stop the Taliban from claiming victory. On Tuesday the Taliban held mock funerals for American troops and NATO allies as thousands turned out on the streets of major cities to celebrate the end of the 20-year US military intervention in Afghanistan. Coffins draped with the US, UK and French flags as well as NATO's insignia were paraded through the streets of Khost by crowds waving the Taliban's flag, hours after the final US plane departed. The taunting ceremony followed the deaths of 13 US troops in an ISIS-K suicide bombing on August 26 at the Kabul airport. In Kandahar - a traditional Taliban stronghold - thousands also turned out waving white Taliban flags to celebrate what the group is referring to as its 'independence day', hours after the final American troops boarded an evacuation flight out of the country. Fake coffins draped with the British, American, French and NATO flags were paraded through the streets of Khost in Afghanistan today as the Taliban celebrated the end of western 'occupation' It comes after celebratory scenes in Kabul overnight, where fireworks exploded and gunfire rattled through the air moments after the final US jet departed. Speaking from the runway at Kabul airport this morning - and surrounded by Taliban special forces units dressed head to toe in American gear - spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid hailed the 'victory' over western forces. 'It is an historical day and an historical moment.... we liberated our country from a great power,' he added, saying the last 20 years should serve as a 'big lesson for other invaders [and] a lesson for the world.' Following 2,356 US military deaths, many thousands wounded and an estimated $2.3 trillion spent on a 20-year endeavor that ended with the Taliban sweeping back to power, many Americans are frustrated with President Joe Biden's handling of the withdrawal. Chad Daybell's five adult children say they were told by law enforcement officials that their mother, Chad's first wife, died by asphyxiation, but they argue that does not prove that he had smothered her. After Tammy Daybell suddenly stopped breathing at the family's Idaho home on October 19, 2019, aged 49, her children said it was their decision, and not their father's, to forgo an autopsy because they knew their mother was in declining health, and a coroner initially told them the woman had died of natural causes. Daybell's sons and daughters, 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 on murder charges stemming from the death of his first wife and the killings of his second wife's two children, Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 17, whose bodies were found buried in shallow graves on his property. 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. Daybell was arrested in June 2020 and pleaded not guilty to murder charges. Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty against Daybell if he is convicted of any of the three killings. Chad's new wife, 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. Scroll down for video Chad Daybell's five grown children broke their silence for the first time since their father's arrest last June on murder charges Daybell also faces a murder charge related to the death of his first wife, Tammy (right). The couple's children say they were told by cops that she had died by asphyxiation 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 Garth Daybell told 48 Hours that he was in his room on October 19, 2019, when he heard a thump from his parents' bedroom down the hall. 'And [I] heard my dad yell, "Garth, Garth, come quick," with the most panic I'd ever heard in his voice,' the son recounted. By the time first responders were summoned, Garth said his mother had died. 'My dad was just pacing back and forth,' Garth said. 'Just saying, "Why? How could this happen?" Pointing at pictures on the wall, "She can't be dead. Like, how could this be? What do we do?"' The Daybell children said a coroner who arrived at the home later that same day told them it appeared Tammy, a seemingly fit 49-year-old librarian, had died of natural causes. Daybell's daughter Emma Murray said that contrary to previous reporting, Chad was not the one who declined to have an autopsy performed on Tammy. 'The narrative is that he was going, 'No, no, no autopsy.' But he was standing there in complete shock, traumatized, letting us make the decision,' said Murray. 'If he was trying to hide something... I wouldn't leave something like that up to my kids if I was trying to hide something.' Two weeks later, Chad married Lori Vallow while police were frantically searching for her missing children. In December, the Fremont County Sheriff's Office reclassified Tammy's death as suspicious. Her body was exhumed and an autopsy was performed. The results of the autopsy have not been made public, but Garth said he was told by the authorities that they believe his mother had died by asphyxiation. 'Asphyxiation doesn't necessarily mean smothered,' son Mark Daybell argued. 'According to my understanding, it just means the breath was interrupted. And in the end, she wasn't able to breathe. And according to that, there's more facts we need. We don't just say, "Oh, well, bye, Chad." No there's still love, there's still connection.' In a promotional clip released by CBS earlier, 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 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, 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 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. A white Chicago cop has been placed on administrative duty after footage of him tackling a black dog walker, without provocation, went viral. Chicago's police oversight agency have launched an investigation into the actions of the officer, who has not been identified by the department, and will not be allowed to return to active duty until the probe is complete. The move comes after Nikkita Brown complained she was attacked by the cop while walking her small dog in Chicago's Lincoln Park early Saturday. In a two-minute video, Brown and her dog are seen walking away from the officer who is following her closely, gesturing for her to move back. After Brown turns around with her phone in her hand, the officer tries to grab it, before tackling her - knocking her out of her shoes - and putting her in a body lock. 'Let go!' she screams as she struggles to break free from the officer. She was reportedly approached by the cop because she was in the park after closing but Brown was not arrested or charged, and says she was leaving the area when the officer confronted her. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) opened an investigation on Sunday and said Monday, after reviewing the officer's body camera video. It recommended he either be placed on administrative duty or be relieved of his police power while investigation continues. 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 Interim chief Andrea Kersten said: 'If violations did occur COPA will hold the officer accountable.' 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. Saulter Law PC, the law office representing 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. 'Ms Brown requested that this officer provide her with six feet of distance as he was unmasked. He ignored this request and mocked it, even as the deadly Covid-19 Delta variant rages through our community,' the Facebook post read. 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. 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 When the officer released Brown at the end of the video, she and the cop then pick up their belongings and walk in opposite directions. '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. Brown is reportedly 'suffering from emotional trauma as a result of this brutal, unprovoked and unlawful attack by this Chicago Police Department Officer'. The police oversight agency, COPA, says it's in contact with Brown's attorneys The Saulter Law firm said their client was 'knocked out of her shoes' by the incident 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. Additionally, they say the officer was unmasked and violated social distancing rules after Brown asked him to stay six feet away from her. 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. '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,' the police superintendent 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'. A vintage gun dealer shot his corporate lawyer wife dead after becoming psychotic over tissues she left round the house during lockdown, a court heard today. Ipswich Crown Court was told that Peter Hartshorne-Jones had earlier locked himself in a bedroom to avoid catching Covid-19 and at one stage thought he was infected. Judge Martyn Levett demanded to know why Hartshorne-Jones had been a firearms licence, despite having a long history of depression, and asked whether police had made any checks on him. But the court heard how he had lied on application and renewal forms by claiming that he had never suffered any mental health issues. Prosecutors have accepted that Hartshorne-Jones, 51, had 'an abnormality of mental functioning' when he killed his wife Silke, 41, in the early hours of May 3 last year. He blasted German-born Silke twice with a 12 bore shotgun in her bedroom at their 17th century Grade II listed home Chestnut Farm in Barham near Ipswich, Suffolk. Hartshorne-Jones had denied her murder, and the charge was earlier dropped after prosecutors accepted his plea of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. He was due to be sentenced today, but the hearing was adjourned after he failed to arrive from the mental health clinic where he is being held under an interim hospital order. Corporate lawyer Silke Hartshorne-Jones who died after being shot at her home in Barham Chestnut Farm, Barham, where corporate lawyer Silke Hartshorn-Jones was shot last year An earlier hearing was told that Hartshorne-Jones had made multiple calls to health professionals in the 42 days from March 16 to April 27 last year, resulting in 29 'call outs' to his home by paramedics and other medical staff. Judge Levett said that none of the three psychiatrists who had assessed Hartshorne-Jones appeared to have asked him: 'Why did you shoot your wife?'. He said: 'The only thing I can find in this case was that he was affected by the assertion he makes that she left tissues around the house when he was labouring under the belief that he was suffering from coronavirus.' Jonathan Goodman, defending, said: 'He was asked questions on the lead up to the events of the day and gave what can only be described as vague answers. 'He recalls certain things and was asked about whether he and his wife had been arguing, and made some unsolicited comments, saying, 'She appears to have changed'.' Mr Goodman said one psychiatrist had come to the clinical view that the coronavirus pandemic had created a 'severe aggravation' of Hartshorne-Jones' mental health. Police at the scene after gun dealer Peter Hartshorne-Jones shot dead his wife Peter Hartshorne-Jones, 51, had been worried about catching Covid last year in lockdown He added: 'He previously locked himself in a bedroom to avoid catching Covid when he thought he had it.' Judge Levett said he had seen from medical notes that Hartshorne-Jones had been diagnosed with depression in 1996 and was prescribed anti-depressants in 2009. He was asked on application forms and renewal forms for his firearm certificate, whether he suffered from any medical condition, and answered 'No'. The judge said Hartshorne-Jones had also answered 'No' to questions asking whether he had ever received treatment for depression, or attended a GP for 'any kind of mental or nervous disorder'. He said: 'I will need to know why these answers were given and whether any checks have been made, and whether there was any need to make those checks. 'It is a matter of fairness to family members and from the public interest point of view, that I ought to have this information available as it seems to be an important feature of the case.' Mr Hartshorne-Jones became psychotic and shot her twice in their bedroom at Chestnut Farm Hartshorne-Jones is said to have dialling 999 at 4.45am on May 3 last year to report that he had shot his wife. He allegedly told police: 'I am sorry, I don't know what came over me'. He was said to have stated later: 'I didn't mean to kill her'. Mrs Hartshorne-Jones was found in a critical condition and taken by ambulance to Ipswich Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 6.40am the same day.. A post mortem found she died of a shotgun wound to the chest. At the time of her death, her husband sold vintage shotguns for game shooting and ran a recruitment agency hiring staff for the catering industry. His website called Hartshorne Fine English Shotguns said he sold 'the finest sporting English and Scottish shotguns.' Mrs Hartshorne-Jones worked as a lawyer for technology company K2 Partnering Solutions. Her Linked In profile described her job as being in charge of the company's 'legal and compliance function' across Europe. Neighbours said that she used to commute to work, leaving her 600,000 home at 5.30am every weekday and not returning until the evening, but she had been at home since lockdown started. A report by a consultant psychiatrist recognised Hartshorne-Jones' 'abnormality of mental functioning' with 'psychotic symptoms' at the time of the killing. The prosecution stated at an earlier hearing that his defence to murder 'would be proved more likely than not at trial'. The case has been adjourned until October 13. A Suffolk Police spokesman said: 'Currently there are 21,295 firearms and shotgun certificate holders in Suffolk. We are continuing to follow and comply with national procedures and guidelines for the issuing of firearms licences. 'We have a team of specialist Firearms Enquiry Officers who conduct home visits and interviews with all certificate applicants at the time of the initial grant and subject to risk assessment, at the point of renewal. 'We also visit certificate holders at any time where information is received that may bring in question their suitability to possess firearms.' A farm worker was taken to hospital this afternoon after falling into a huge empty silo, prompting a major rescue mission by firefighters. A rope rescue team from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service managed to get the man out of the structure in the village of Milton Ernest after being called at noon. The worker was trapped for more than an hour before being pulled out, and he was taken to hospital by paramedics from the East of England Ambulance Service. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service tweeted this screenshot of its GoodSam footage from the silo rescue in the village of Milton Ernest this afternoon The man was trapped for more than an hour before being rescued in Milton Ernest (file picture) Fire crews said they used breathing apparatus, an aerial platform and a drone during their response, which involved the rope team from Dunstable. The ambulance service sent its hazardous area response team, one ambulance and two officers to the scene which is about five miles north of Bedford. The height of the silo is not known but the structures often measure between 30ft and 50ft. It has not yet been established how the man fell in. The fire service said it used the GoodSAM platform which feeds live drone footage to emergency workers to keep them updated on a situation. An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said: 'We were called at 11.58am with reports of a person who had fallen into a silo in Milton Ernest. 'We sent the hazardous area response team, one ambulance and two ambulance officers. One person is being taken to hospital for further care.' Earlier today, a Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: 'We were called to an incident at Milton Ernest at 12.04pm to support in a rescue of a farm worker who had fallen into a silo. 'We are working with EEAST to rescue the individual. We have sent a number of appliances including our rope rescue team from Dunstable.' A silo is a tall tower or pit which is normally used to store grain on a farm. More than 300,000 people in England have been left waiting more than a year for treatment on the NHS, analysis revealed today. NHS England figures showed the biggest waits were for trauma and bone and muscle deformities, with 57,488 people waiting longer than 52 weeks. A further 250,000 across all branches of medicine were left waiting beyond 18 weeks, the time by which the NHS aims to have seen every patient. There are more than 83 trusts across the country where patients normally wait for longer than the target. Four of the top ten are in the South West. The Labour party which carried out the analysis said the situation in England's hospitals was 'beyond urgent'. It called on ministers to commit to a quarterly plan to bring down waiting lists. Health workers unions warned the NHS is facing a crippling recruitment crisis with 75,000 doctors and nurses jobs already vacant. Some 5.45million people were waiting to start routine hospital treatment at the end of June, according to the latest figures from NHS England the highest number since records began in August 2007. Waiting lists have spiralled during the pandemic because millions of treatments were cancelled as wards were turned over to Covid patients. These are the 12 NHS hospitals with the longest waiting times in the country at one particular service. In the Labour party analysis, they split hospitals by waiting times for each of their services. This meant some hospitals were only considered once, as they only offered one service such as trauma, but others were looked at multiple times because they offered plastic surgery, trauma treatment and other services Labour's analysis split hospital waiting times by units such as trauma services, plastic surgery units and general surgery. The longest waiting times were for oral surgery at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, with patients waiting 68.8 weeks to be seen on average. Oxford University Hospitals Trust's ear, nose and throat service had the second longest waiting time in England at 65.3 weeks. And in Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, its ear, nose and throat service had the third longest waiting time at 63.9 weeks. For comparison, only three units hit the NHS' own target of seeing patients within 18 weeks. They were in Nottingham, Manchester and Birmingham. England's record-high NHS waiting list will only continue to rise, Sajid Javid has said England's record-high NHS waiting list will only continue to rise in the wake of the Covid crisis, the Health Secretary warned on August 12. Sajid Javid said at least 7million people who 'ordinarily would have come forward' for medical treatment stayed away during the pandemic. Health chiefs want those patients to 'come back' but accept it will cause a huge increase in demand that will cause waiting lists to rise. Data released by NHS England on August 12 revealed 5.45million patients were waiting for routine treatment in June. It was the highest-ever figure since official records began in 2007. Doctors also warned the backlog, exacerbated by the pandemic, could double in the next year. This is despite the health service getting close to returning to pre-pandemic levels of activity, while juggling coronavirus pressures. Analysts say the mixture has left some hospitals are 'busier than ever'. Medics claim the NHS is 'running on empty' after 20 months of 'unrelenting pressure' and now faces 'unprecedented' demand for this time of year. Advertisement Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: 'Patients in every town and city are forced to endure lengthening waits for treatment in debilitating pain and facing anxiety at the risk of permanent disability. 'Increasing numbers are forced to take out loans to go private while others have no option but to suffer ongoing agony and discomfort for months. 'Ultimately, patients are paying the price for Tory failure to support the NHS and staff over the past decade leaving the service understaffed, with beds cut and lacking the diagnostic equipment needed.' He added: 'The NHS is on its knees and will not cope unless ministers listen to staff and patients. 'A credible long term NHS rescue plan to deliver quality care is now beyond urgent. 'Patients in pain will be asking whether Boris Johnson's promises on the NHS are meaningless. 'Ministers must now take the action needed to prevent people becoming seriously ill, to deliver care on time, and return the NHS to the world class service it should be.' Rachel Harrison, national officer at GMB, one of the country's biggest trade unions, said: 'After ten years of pay cuts and underfunding, morale among NHS staff is at rock bottom. 'The health service faces a crippling recruitment and retention crisis, leading to 75,000 vacancies and huge waits for routine surgery. 'GMB is calling for a restorative 15 per cent increase to make up for a decade of slashed pay under the Conservatives. 'We have no hesitation in recommending members vote to reject the 3 per cent and no hesitation in supporting members if they want to take action.' The next waiting list figures for England are due to be published on September 9. Health Secretary Sajid Javid has warned the numbers will keep rising as people who stayed away during the worst of the pandemic return for treatment. The number having to wait more than a year to start treatment was 304,803 in June down from 336,733 the previous month but around six times the number from a year earlier. NHS England already facing 'winter-like' pressures The health service in England is experiencing 'winter-like pressures', the Society of Acute Medicine has warned. Medics from the organisation, which represents doctors working in the field of acute medicine, said that doctors were treating 'vast numbers' of people with non-Covid illnesses as well as many attending hospital with severe coronavirus symptoms. Dr Nick Scriven, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine (SAM), said many patients were suffering from illnesses typically seen in winter such as respiratory infections particularly in children, but also large numbers of patients who have seen their health deteriorate over the past 18 months. The NHS is facing a huge backlog of care which has been exacerbated by the pandemic. A record 5.45 million people are waiting for care in England alone. 'I think it is fair to say we are currently facing an unprecedented summer workload that feels more like the worst winter pressures most of us can recall,' said Dr Scriven. 'We are seeing vast numbers of patients with non-Covid illness alongside the steady admission rates of those still very poorly with Covid. 'The types of illnesses we are seeing are typical of winter weather as in a lot of respiratory infections, especially in paediatrics, but also a lot of people where the lack of access to primary and secondary care during the last 18 months could now be contributing to them needing hospital admission. 'We are also noticing frailer people who have deconditioned over lockdowns so that any illness that previously might have been fairly minor now needs an extended stay in hospital with periods of rehabilitation.' Dr Susan Crossland, president of SAM, said: 'This is a deeply concerning time as we are in uncharted territory here with a summer crisis consisting of so many different problems with no end in sight and the daunting prospect of an extremely busy and difficult winter. 'We know many hospitals are at bed occupancy levels well over the safe limit of 85%, with some at more than 95%, at this point of the year and we know we have worse to come with a system that just isn't currently fit for purpose.' Acute medicine deals with the immediate and early treatment of adult patients with a variety of medical conditions who present to hospital as emergencies Advertisement Modelling from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) earlier in August warned the NHS waiting list in England could rise to 14 million by autumn next year. The Department of Health said: 'Our NHS has overcome significant challenges throughout this global pandemic and wew will continue to support them to deliver the appointments, operations and treatment people need as quickly as possible. 'We are already providing a record amount of funding to the NHS, with an extra 29billion this year alone to support health and care services, including 1billion to help tackle the backlog that has built up during the pandemic.' It came as Scotland's A&E waiting time performance has hit a record low for a third week running. Performance against the four-hour waiting time target for A&E fell to 75.1 per cent for the week ending August 22. In the previous week, 76 per cent of patients were admitted, transferred or discharged within the target time. The figure also stood at 76 per cent in the week ending August 8. The Scottish Government target is for 95 per cent of all A&E patients to wait no longer than four hours from arrival to admission, discharge or transfer. This target has not been met since July 2020. There were a total of 26,635 attendances in A&E units for the week ending August 22. A total of 1,164 patients spent more than eight hours in an A&E department, while 268 spent more than 12 hours there. Other statistics released by Public Health Scotland on Tuesday showed an increase in the number of patients waiting for key diagnostic tests such as endoscopy, a CT scan or an MRI scan. This rose by 9.1 per cent between the end of March to the end of June to a total of 115,253 patients. It means the total number of patients waiting for the key tests is 16.9% higher than the same time last year. Responding to the diagnostic figures, David Ferguson, of Cancer Research UK, said: 'It's unacceptable that this target hasn't been met for 11 years now and it's clear action is long overdue. 'Last week's news that there's to be new investment in diagnostic services is welcome. 'A commitment to creating new radiographer training places will, in time, also be helpful. 'But this is little comfort to patients who are on the waiting list now. They need reassurances that their symptoms will be investigated as a priority. 'Those who are experiencing symptoms that could be cancer also need to have confidence that after visiting a GP their health concerns will be investigated in a timely manner.' Health Secretary Huma Yousaf said the coronavirus pandemic has inevitably hit A&E departments, while the Scottish Government has recently offered 12 million to health boards for emergency care. He said: 'Scotland's core A&E departments have outperformed those in the rest of the UK for more than six years. 'Our NHS staff have faced unprecedented pressures over recent weeks. 'They work tirelessly and consistently to respond to the pandemic whilst continuing to provide vital treatment and optimal patient care. 'We are in daily contact with every board and are monitoring the situation closely. 'Hospitals are reporting increased levels of people attending A&E who are much sicker and require higher levels of care. 'Weekly performance is impacted due to a range of challenges including high attendances, staffing pressures due to isolation and annual leave and the continued requirement for infection control precautions that is affecting the time people need to spend in A&E.' The 'Martinsville Seven' - seven black men who were executed for a 1949 rape of a white woman in Virginia - were posthumously pardoned by the governor on Tuesday after being deprived of their due process rights. The men were convicted in 1951 after a speedy trial by all-white juries and given 'a racially-biased death sentence,' Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam said. The 'Martinsville Seven' were all convicted of raping Ruby Stroud Floyd, 32, a white woman who had gone to a predominantly black neighborhood in Martinsville, Virginia, on January 8, 1949, to collect money for clothes she had sold. Northam issued 'simple pardons' on Tuesday for Frank Hairston Jr., 18; Booker T. Millner, 19; Francis DeSales Grayson, 37; Howard Lee Hairston, 18; James Luther Hairston, 20; Joe Henry Hampton, 19; and John Claybon Taylor, 21. They were accused and found guilty of gang raping Floyd for 90 minutes. She said she had been raped at least 13 times. A simple pardon doesn't exonerate the men. It's meant to highlight the racial inequality of the cases and the lack of due process, Northam said. Joe Henry Hampton, 19, (left) and Booker T. Millner, 19, (right) were two of the Martinsville Seven who were granted simple pardons by the Virginia governor Howard Lee Hairston, 18, (left) and John Clabon Taylor, 21, (right) were denied their due process rights after their arrest for the 1949 alleged rape of a white woman in Virginia James L. Hairston, 20, and Frank Hairston Jr., 18, were among the Martinsville Seven who were executed after all-white juries found them guilty of raping a white woman Family members of Francis Grayson, 37, (pictured) were in attendance when the Virginia governor issued simple pardons 'We all deserve a criminal justice system that is fair, equal and gets it right - no matter who you are or what you look like,' Democratic Gov. Northam said in a statement. 'While we cant change the past, I hope todays action brings them some small measure of peace.' Floyd was known to many as the Watchtower Woman because she frequently distributed the magazine door-to-door for the Jehovahs Witnesses, according to published reports. Floyd was known to many as the 'Watchtower Woman' because she distributed the magazine door-to-door for the Jehovahs Witnesses, according to published reports, before the brutal sexual assault on January 8, 1949. During the 11-day trials, prosecutors presented medical evidence of Floyds physical injuries and accounts from black witnesses, whom Floyd appealed to for help after the assault. The defense argued that Floyd consented to the sex by failing to forcibly resist the men. In total, their were six trials (two of the men were tried in the same trial) that consisted of 72 white jurors. Each trial lasted one day. Some of the defendants were drunk at the time of their arrests, were illiterate and couldn't read the confessions that they signed, didn't have an attorney present during interrogation and were convicted by all-white juries. Four of the men were executed in Virginia's electric chair on Feb. 2, 1951. The remaining three suffered the same fate three days later. At the time, the case attracted pleas for mercy from around the world and became a lightning rod for racial justice. Crowds of people picketed in front of the White House, marched on the Virginia state Capitol in Richmond and held nearly daily prayer vigils before their executions. Rose Grayson, niece of Francis DeSales Grayson, comforts James Grayson, son of Francis DeSales Grayson (left) and Rudy McCollum, great nephew of Francis DeSales Grayson, one of the Martinsville Seven, after Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam issued posthumous pardons for Grayson and the other six members on August 31 - 70 years after their execution Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam talks to the families of the descendants of the Martinsville Seven The cries for mercy echoed through the years and gained steamed late last year as the United States underwent a racial awakening following murder of George Floyd. The push for pardons gained steam in December when advocates and descendants of the men - spearheaded by the Martinsville 7 Project - asked Northam to issue posthumous pardons. After meeting with about a dozen descendants of the men and their advocates, Northam announced the simple pardons on Tuesday during a presentation where the cries and sobs could be heard from some of the Martinsville Seven's decedents. Walter Grayson, who is the son of Francis DeSales Grayson, sobbed loudly when the pardons were announced Tuesday and said. 'Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Lord.' In this Jan. 30, 1951 file photo, demonstrators march in front of the White House in Washington in what they said was an effort to persuade President Harry Truman to halt execution of seven black men sentenced to death in Virginia on charges of raping a white woman. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam granted posthumous pardons 70 years Northam, right, signs posthumous pardons for the Martinsville Seven as family members watch during a ceremony inside the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, Virginia on Tuesday Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam's tweet following the official pardons of the Martinsville Seven At the time, rape was a capital offense, but Northam said during Tuesday's announcement that the death penalty for rape was almost entirely applied to black people. From 1908 - when Virginia began using the electric chair - to 1951, state records show that all 45 people executed for rape were black, he said. 'These men were executed because they were black and that's not right,' Northam said. The Martinsville 7 Project's push for pardons was joined by a host of other civic leaders and groups, including the NAACP. The Martinsville 7 Project's petition does not argue that the men were innocent, but says their trials were unfair and the punishment was extreme and unjust. 'The Martinsville Seven executions remain a raw wound for many Virginians. Justice is long overdue,' a December letter to the governor said. 'If a posthumous pardon is not a viable option, we urge you to propose legislation to the General Assembly to make it available for future governors in resolving this kind of miscarriage of justice.' The Martinsville Seven was cited in the state's abolishment of the death penalty, a dramatic shift for Virginia that had the second-highest number of executions in the country. The legislation was passed by the state's Democrat-controlled legislature and signed by the governor in March. British officials have opened talks with the Taliban about getting UK citizens and allies out of Afghanistan, it emerged last night. Special envoy Sir Simon Gass, the chair or the Joint Intelligence Committee, met senior representatives of the group in Qatar to try to secure safe passage for those left behind following the chaotic military withdrawal. Officers from MI6 also met the militia group, while the head of MI6 Richard Moore flew to Islamabad for talks with the head of the Pakistani army. Downing Street confirmed 'broad discussions' with the Taliban had got under way. A government source said: 'The Prime Minister's special representative for Afghan transition, Simon Gass, has travelled to Doha and is meeting with senior Taliban representatives to underline the importance of safe passage out of Afghanistan for British nationals, and those Afghans who have worked with us over the past 20 years.' Sources declined to comment further on the talks. But ministers have made clear that future aid payments and the unfreezing of assets will depend on the Taliban's willingness to facilitate safe passage and respect human rights. Talks with the group are likely to be controversial however, given the radical group's record and the threats to many Afghan translators who worked with British forces. It comes as the Home Office said around 10,000 refugees from Afghanistan who risked their lives to help British forces would be allowed to live and work indefinitely in the UK. Boris Johnson's special representative for Afghan transition, Simon Gass (pictured), entered talks with senior Taliban leaders Dominic Raab said the number of Brits still in Afghanistan is 'now down at a very low level' after 5,000 were brought home since April this year The chief of MI6, Richard Moore, also flew to Islamabad for talks with the leader of Pakistan's army The talks, which marks a significant moment for the UK, come after Dominic Raab said the number of British nationals left behind in Afghanistan is in the 'low hundreds'. The dramatic developments came as: Taliban militants celebrated 'independence day' following the final withdrawal of US forces on Sunday night; Astonishing pictures showed their fighters holding American-made weapons and posing for jubilant selfies in abandoned military aircraft; Defence Secretary Ben Wallace pledged that all those left behind would be offered individual help to escape; Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab tried to spread the blame for the Afghan crisis to other departments as he prepared for a grilling by MPs today; The Foreign Office risked further criticism after announcing that just 15 extra staff would be deployed to neighbouring countries to help refugees; Ministers suggested Britain could lead bombing raids in Afghanistan against Isis-K terrorists under plans being drawn up by the RAF; The US-UK 'special relationship' came under renewed strain as recriminations flew between Washington and London over the Kabul airport terror attack. Last night it emerged discussions had also taken place between senior British intelligence officers and Taliban leaders in both Kabul and Doha amid increasing fears that Afghanistan could become a base for terrorists plotting attacks against the West. The talks saw officers from the British embassy in Kabul speak with members of the militia group before the embassy was evacuated. It is understood the discussions, which have taken place in the past two weeks, saw Britain stress how future foreign aid would be reliant upon the new rulers of Kabul ending any connections with terrorist groups. A source told The Telegraph: 'It's what we've always been most worried about. That's a red line for dealing with them: any sign of attack planning.' The chief of MI6, Richard Moore, also flew to Islamabad for talks with the leader of Pakistan's army General Qamar Javed Bajwa regarding the collaboration between both nations. With talks under way, Sir William Patey, former British ambassador to Afghanistan, told the BBC: '[The Taliban] know they can't run this country without help. 'If the Taliban are going to run a government and hold onto power as they want to do, they're going to have to engage as well. So we have some cards.' The talks come as Mr Raab said the number of Brits still in the country is 'now down at a very low level' after 5,000 were brought home since April this year. However, it remains unclear how many Afghan citizens who worked for the British Government are stranded after the withdrawal of Western forces was completed. Ministers had suggested last week that approximately 1,000 Afghans who were eligible to come to the UK may not make it out. But Whitehall sources told The Guardian that the figure could actually be about 9,000. The Government has not given a concrete figure, with Foreign Office Minister James Cleverly saying yesterday that it was 'impossible' to put a number on how many people have been left behind. The Foreign Office said it hopes to find 'practical solutions' to help those in in Afghanistan attempting to enter neighbouring countries. Asked how many eligible people had been left in the country by the UK, Mr Raab told Sky News: 'Look, of course, we lament the fact that anyone will be left behind. 'I would just say that since April when we have been planning and instituting this, over 17,000 British nationals, Afghan workers, vulnerable special cases are out. 'I know that the number of UK nationals, the particular responsibility of the Foreign Office, is now down at a very low level.' Asked if he could be more specific on how many British nationals were still in the country, he said: 'Well, low hundreds given that we have taken in total 5,000 out, and most of those are difficult cases where it is not clear around eligibility because they are undocumented. 'We have now put in place the arrangements with third countries, or we are putting them in place. 'I have spoken to some of the key third countries, so have other ministers, to make sure that we can make sure that we can have a workable route through for those outstanding cases. He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: 'It's very difficult to give you a firm figure. I can tell you that for UK nationals we've secured since April over 5,000, and we're in the low hundreds (remaining).' It is unclear how many of those British nationals who are still in the country have decided to stay of their own volition. Former Afghan government official, Ahmad, said he sent emails to British officials asking for help after he was left behind. It remains unclear how many Afghan citizens who worked for the British Government are stranded after the withdrawal of Western forces was completed Thousands of Afghans have been evacuated to the US from Kabul airport after the Taliban took over the country Families evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan, wait to board a bus after they arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport Families evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan, walk through the terminal before boarding a bus after they arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport, in Chantilly 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 Ex-MI6 boss: Taliban victory in Afghanistan will 'inspire' terrorists to attack the West A former head of MI6 today warned the Taliban's victory in Afghanistan could 'inspire' terrorists to launch attacks on the West amid a growing backlash at Joe Biden's handling of the US withdrawal from the country. Sir John Sawers said there is 'no doubt' the Taliban's success is being 'celebrated' by extreme Islamist groups and 'that raises the risk of them being inspired to more violence in Western countries'. Sir John said the chaos in Afghanistan means terror groups are likely to move there because they will have 'some operating space', with the US and UK now in a 'much weaker position' to combat the threat they pose. His comments came as the former professional head of Britain's armed forces launched a direct attack on Mr Biden over the West's Afghanistan 'defeat', as the transatlantic alliance was placed under further strain. Lord David Richards, an ex-chief of the defence staff, accused the US President and other politicians of letting down Britain and their Afghan allies in their rush to escape Kabul. The peer, who served in Afghanistan, said 'we've been defeated by the Taliban' as he attacked America and the UK Government over their handling of the pull out. Advertisement He told The Times: 'When I tried to pass through the Taliban checkpoints to get inside the airport the Taliban guards said they had instructions from the US not to allow anyone through who did not have a visa stamp in their passport or a foreign passport. I didn't have those things.' He added: 'I want the UK government to clearly state it will honour its promise to those with evacuation notices that those people who get to an embassy will be offered safe passage to the UK. 'Getting there will be incredibly dangerous.' The Government has suggested that eligible people could cross into a third country next to Afghanistan in order to get to Britain now the airlift operation out of Kabul has ended. But Mr Raab conceded that such journeys could be a 'challenge', telling Sky News: 'Well, that is a challenge which is why we are holding very squarely the Taliban to their explicit assurances, they have made them bilaterally to us, they have made them to other countries that they must allow safe passage, not just for our nationals but other Afghans, particularly vulnerable ones, who wish to leave.' Joe Biden meanwhile delivered a defiant defence of the US pullout, claiming the evacuation had been 'an extraordinary success'. In an address to the nation last night, the US President denied the withdrawal could have been achieved in a more orderly fashion and insisted he could not have extended 'the forever war'. It also emerged yesterday that Britain will send just 15 extra staff to help process the claims of Afghans fleeing the clutches of the Taliban. Downing Street yesterday said an unspecified number of 'surge staff' would be sent to neighbouring countries to process the claims of those Afghans who manage to make it to the border. But the Foreign Office last night said this would amount to just 15 extra officials who will be sent to Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Mr Raab said the further staff would 'reinforce our embassy teams on the ground to help those in need'. Sources said the officials had all been highly trained in 'crisis response'. However, the modest scale of the deployment is likely to raise eyebrows among those critical of the Government's actions so far. Mr Raab has faced questions about why he has failed to follow the lead of German counterpart Heiko Maas who has visited five of Afghanistan's neighbours in recent days. The EU is drawing up a 500million aid package for Afghan's neighbours to help them deal with refugees arriving from the war-torn country, in the hope of preventing a new wave of asylum seekers heading to Europe. A welcome to make us proud: Relief as 10,000 Afghan heroes who risked their lives helping UK troops are given permission to live here indefinitely Thousands of Afghans who risked their lives to help British forces will be allowed to live and work indefinitely in the UK. The Home Office last night said the coveted status would be granted immediately and automatically to around 10,000 refugees. It will allow them to work and enrol their children in school as they try to build a new life here. The decision fast-tracks a process that can take years and with only a limited right to remain. Boris Johnson said the policy reflected the 'immense debt' owed to translators and others who had helped the UK military during the 20-year engagement. Thousands of Afghans who risked their lives to help British forces will be allowed to live and work indefinitely in the UK. Pictured: Afghan refugees arrive at Heathrow Airport, London The Home Office said the coveted status would be granted immediately and automatically to around 10,000 refugees. Pictured: Afghan refugees arriving into Heathrow last week A Whitehall source said that the package, codenamed Operation Warm Welcome, was 'the least we could do' following the chaotic and bloody withdrawal from Afghanistan. Ministers are still however under pressure to do more to help hundreds, and possibly thousands, of Afghans now in hiding from Taliban reprisals for helping British troops. Its leaders have claimed they will not seek revenge but militants yesterday raided the homes of former translators in Kabul. Former interpreters told the Mail they were living in fear for their lives after failing to secure a place among the 10,000 flown to Britain. A 35-year-old who has qualified for relocation to the UK said: 'No one believes the Taliban's words of forgiveness. We helped the British kill and capture their men. 'We provided the intelligence to fight against them. We questioned their captured and injured so it is simple that they will want revenge.' Refugees from Afghanistan arrive on a evacuation flight at Heathrow Airport on August 26 Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab yesterday denied reports that more than 7,000 Afghans with links to UK forces had been left behind, but was unable to provide another figure. He said the number of British citizens left in Afghanistan was in 'the low hundreds', following the evacuation of more than 15,000 people in the second half of August. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said around 300 Afghans granted refuge in the UK had been left behind, along with 700 relatives. Normally, asylum seekers are banned from working while their claims are assessed. They are entitled to minimal financial support if they would 'otherwise be destitute'. Permission to work may be granted only if their claim has not been processed within a year through no fault of their own. If they are eventually granted leave to remain it is typically capped at five years. By contrast, those who have served British forces will immediately be granted indefinite leave to remain, which brings with it the right to work and the option to apply for British citizenship. Those eligible under the Afghanistan Relocations and Assistance Policy will also be eligible for immediate access to NHS services. Councils have been offered a modest 5million to help with housing. Officials said they were working with more than 100 town halls and had so far found accommodation for more than 2,000 people. Councils will be given an extra 12million to provide additional school places for Afghan children and further funding will be provided to create 300 university places. Arrivals from Afghanistan will also be offered the Covid vaccine and given access to a portal where members of the public will be able to share offers of work and housing and make donations. A Whitehall source last night told the Mail the package was 'likely' to be extended to 20,000 Afghans expected to come under a wider resettlement scheme but this has not been decided. Six Long Island residents died from cocaine overdoses that were laced with fentanyl, the latest casualties of the the synthetic opioid similar to morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. The victims, who ranged in age from 25 to 40, died between August 11 and August 13 and were from towns on the North Fork in Suffolk County. They were: Fausto Rafael Herrera Campos, 25, and Navid Ahmadzadeh, 30, of Southold; Seth Tramontana, 27, and Nicole Elizabeth Eckardt, 34, of Greenport Village; and Matthew Lapiana, 32, and Swainson Brown, 40. Police arrested Lavain Creighton, 51, and Justin Smith, 46, a few days after the overdoses. Creighton was charged with several counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, while Smith was charged with possessing drugs and drug paraphernalia. Nicole Elizabeth Eckardt, 34, of Greenport Village, was among six Long Island residents who died from a cocaine overdoes that was laced with fentanyl Seth Tramontana (left), 27, and Swainson Brown, 40, were two of six individuals to die from fentanyl-related overdoses Southold locals, Fausto Rafael Herrera Campos (left) and Navid Ahmadzadeh (right) also died from a fentanyl-related overdose in Suffolk County Anthony Scheller, Smith's lawyer, told The New York Times his client did not sell the drugs. 'He feels terrible for those people,' Scheller said. 'But he had no involvement.' That was little solace to one of the victim's parents. 'They poisoned them to make money,' said Seth Tramontana's father, whose name is also Seth.' 'You can say he made his choice and did what he was doing to have fun but this is not what he asked for,' his father said. Police said the deceased were not heavy drug users, but recreational users instead. Ahmadzadeh worked in jewelrymaking and sales in the diamond district of Manhattan, Brown was a chef, and Lapiana was a landscaper who always answered the phone with a joke. The Southold Police said in addition to the six deceased, several other individuals also overdosed on fentanyl-laced cocaine between August 11 and August 13. Those individuals were resuscitated with naloxone, or Narcan, a medication designed to immediately reverse an opioid. The way naloxone works is it blocks the brains opioid receptors and restores normal breathing in individuals who overdosed on fentanyl, heroin or prescription painkillers. Police and prosecutors believe the recent overdoses highlight a threatening shift in the street-drug marketplace, created by the same pandemic-linked issues affecting global supply chains and hiking up prices. 'The same market forces that are causing shortages in everyday products are also putting pressures on the drug markets,' said Timothy D. Sini, the Suffolk County district attorney. 'All the while we have seen demand skyrocketing from users because of the impact the pandemic has had on them.' Like morphine, fentanyl is an opioid often used to treat severe pain after surgery, and is one of the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths throughout the United States. It is typically mixed with heroin and/or cocaine - with or without the users consentto increase its euphoric effects. Timothy Sini, district attorney for Suffolk County (pictured) said: 'The same market forces that are causing shortages in everyday products are also putting pressures on the drug markets' According to the latest city data, 1,446 people died of drug overdoses in the first nine months of last year - more than those who died in all of 2019. Fentanyl is believed to be a major driver of most fatal overdoses An officer from the US Customs and Border Protection, Trade and Cargo Division finds Oxycodon pills in a parcel at John F. Kennedy Airport's US Postal Service facility on June 24, 2019 in New York According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 83,000 people lost their lives to drug-related overdoses in the 12-month period ending in July 2020, a significant increase from 2019, when more than 70,000 people died of overdoses. The preliminary data also indicated there was a 26 percent increase in the number of cocaine-related overdose deaths, with fentanyl being the most likely driver of these fatalities. Death counts through May 2020 suggest an acceleration of overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, New York State, received more than $1 billion dollars from three of the largest distributors of opioids, in part of a $26 billion deal to resolve numerous lawsuits involved in the opioid crisis. Attorneys general from 15 states were involved in negotiating the deal and they announced the historic settlement following two years of legal wrangling. Under the proposal, distributors McKesson Corp, Cardinal Health Inc and AmerisourceBergen Corp are expected to pay a combined $21 billion, while Johnson & Johnson would pay $5 billion. 'There's not enough money in the world frankly to address the pain and suffering,' Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said in a statement after the news was announced. Paul Harkin, director of harm reduction at GLIDE speaks with people on a popular alley way with drug users in the Tenderloin neighborhood. Nearly 40% of deaths in the city occurred in the Tenderloin or South of Market districts The number of deaths from fentanyl overdose were almost triple that of COVID-related deaths in San Francisco last year In the beginning of Summer, cocaine laced with fentanyl was reportedly wrecking havoc on New York City's club scene, as young revelers returned to nightlife venues forced shut during the pandemic. In spring, reports online indicated that at least two people suffered fatal overdoses from the tainted drug supply found in the Bushwick and Williamsburg sections of Brooklyn, as well as in the Ridgewood neighborhood of Queens. The most recent statistics released by the NYPD in April indicate that eight percent of the city's cocaine supply is laced with fentanyl, according to WNYC/Gothamist. That amounts to almost one out of every 10 bags of cocaine sold on the street. Five years ago, just two percent of the cocaine seized by the NYPD had traces of the dangerous opioid. Cocaine overdoses tied to fentanyl aren't solely constricted to the East Coast. According to San Francisco's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the Bay Area suffered nearly three times as many deaths from fentanyl overdoses than COVID-19 in 2020. Statistics show 708 people were killed by fentanyl in 2020, a 173 per cent increase since 2018. That figure also dwarfs the 254 COVID-19-related deaths recorded in the city for the whole of 2020. San Francisco's death rate from fentanyl is rising in 2021: 135 died by overdose in January and February in San Francisco, on pace for more than 800 deaths by the end of the year. In August, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department in Nebraska also issued their own warning, after 26 overdoses linked to fentanyl-laced cocaine occurred within three weeks. 'LPD investigations have uncovered that narcotics such as cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and counterfeit oxycodone pills have been found to contain the prescription pain killer fentanyl. When mixed with an illegal drug, an amount of fentanyl as small as a grain of salt can cause an overdose,' the warning stated. Advertisement All eight of Britain's military working dogs in Afghanistan have been returned to the UK by the armed forces during the evacuation from Kabul with none left behind, MailOnline can reveal today. The animals will all now continue as military service dogs in the UK - and none were left behind, a source said. The UK's approach is in contrast to that of America, which has abandoned dozens of contracted working dogs in Afghanistan along with up to 200 civilians and military equipment, according to an animal charity. American Humane condemned the 'death sentence' for the animals who now face 'torture' at the hands of the Taliban, who took control of the city earlier this month. The animal welfare group called on Congress to rescue the purpose-trained dogs who perform a wide range of duties and work alongside military dogs. It comes as British former Royal Marine Paul 'Pen' Farthing succeeded in controversially evacuating 150 dogs and cats to the UK from an animal shelter in Kabul over the weekend. His campaign to get his animals to safety has become hugely topical, with Defence Secretary Ben Wallace complaining it was distracting from the focus on evacuating the most vulnerable out of Afghanistan. The news of the abandoned animals comes as the Taliban celebrated the full withdrawal of U.S. and western forces from Afghanistan after almost 20 years of occupation in the country. Tuesday saw coffins draped with the US, UK and French flag as well as NATO's insignia were paraded through the streets of Khost by crowds flying the Taliban's emblem. It comes after celebratory scenes in Kabul overnight, where fireworks exploded and gunfire rattled through the air moments after the final US jet departed. Dozens of contracted working dogs have been abandoned by the US in Afghanistan after the troop withdrawal Afghan Air Force's A-29 attack aircraft and armoured vests are left on the ground inside a hangar at the airport in Kabul American Humane's CEO Robin R. Ganzert said in a statement: 'I am devastated by reports that the American government is pulling out of Kabul and leaving behind brave US 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 US soil but also to provide for their lifetime medical care.' American Humane has worked with the military for more than a century to rescue stranded military animals, having previously worked in World War One. Contract working dogs are normally owned by private contractors to work alongside military dogs who are owned by the Department of Defense, often performing similar duties. Ganzert added: '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. Mr Farthing and his wife Kaisa were allowed to meet but not to touch due to quarantine rules Pen Farthing, pictured with his wife Kaisa Markhus after they were reunited in Oslo, Norway '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.' Pen Farthing says he's 'not worried about what some politician is saying about me' A former Royal Marine who was criticised after leaving an expletive-laden message for a Government aide amid the evacuation of 150 dogs and cats from Afghanistan has said he is 'not worried about what some politician is saying about me'. Paul 'Pen' Farthing had apologised after a recording, obtained by The Times, captured him berating Peter Quentin, a special adviser to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, and accusing the staffer of 'blocking' efforts to arrange the evacuation flight. Following the privately funded charter flight's arrival at London's Heathrow Airport Mr Farthing, who was speaking from Oslo, told ITV's Good Morning Britain on Monday he was 'incredibly embarrassed about my language' in the voicemail. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he repeated his apology but appeared to shift the focus back to the Government and its allies' withdrawal from Afghanistan. He told the paper: '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.' Advertisement Sharing photos of dogs in cages stranded in Kabul, one person commented: 'Not a great day for America's service dogs that are still in the airport.' The news that U.S. service dogs were left behind contrasts with the UK's evacuation efforts, which saw almost 200 rescue dogs and cats saved from Kabul, along with Mr Farthing, who founded an animal rescue charity while in Afghanistan. Mr Farthing's campaign to get his animals to safety became hugely topical in Britain over the past fortnight, with some arguing that the choice to rescue the animals resulted in resources that could have been used to evacuate more people being occupied. The veteran has said he is still working to help evacuate 68 Nowzad animal shelter staff and family members, including 25 children and one new-born baby, from Afghanistan as part of his Operation Ark campaign. Along with the dogs, there are up to 200 US citizens still in Afghanistan after the US withdrew its final troops, bringing an end to the 20-year campaign. Critics slammed Biden for breaking his promise to stay until all citizens were airlifted to safety after he pulled out the last forces 24 hours before the August 31 deadline. The US has also 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. General Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, said the 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 has also abandoned as much as 70 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, 27 Humvees and 73 aircraft in Afghanistan Taliban fighters sit in the cockpit of an Afghan Air Force aircraft at the airport in Kabul in the hours following the US departure Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid (centre) spaks to the media in the shadow of a plane which the terror group have seized Badri 313 units post for the cameras at Kabul airport today, carrying American-made rifles and wearing US military gear 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. Amid the celebratory scenes in Afghanistan - and surrounded by Taliban special forces units dressed head to toe in American gear - spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid hailed the 'victory' over western forces. 'It is an historical day and an historical moment.... we liberated our country from a great power,' he added, saying the last 20 years should serve as a 'big lesson for other invaders [and] a lesson for the world.' Calling the day a 'big lesson for other invaders and for our future generation,' he then told gathered journalists: 'It is an historical day and an historical moment. We are proud of these moments, that we liberated our country from a great power'. Taliban fighters stand guard at the Hamid Karzai International Airport after US troops departed following a 20-year campaign in Afghanistan 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 Hundreds of American and British citizens were left behind when the last US evacuation plane took off late Monday, along with thousands of Afghans who helped western troops on a promise of sanctuary that was ultimately broken. Many now fear for their lives. Mujahid insisted today that Taliban security forces will be 'pleasant and nice' to those left behind, despite reports already emerging of summary executions and persecution against women reminiscent of the Taliban of old. Meanwhile at Bagram air base, the former stronghold of western forces, its new Taliban commander was boasting of having 'beaten' America using little more than Kalashnikov rifles while saying the airfield will now be 'a base for jihad for all Muslims'. Speaking to The Times, 35-year-old Maulawi Hafiz Mohibullah Muktaz said: 'Never in our wildest dreams could we have believed we could beat a superpower like America with just our Kalashnikovs. A Taliban fighter takes a picture of a damaged MD 530 helicopter that was abandoned at Kabul airport by retreating troops An American MRAP vehicle is pictured at Kabul airport alongside other armoured vehicles after falling into Taliban hands A Russian Mi-17 helicopter is pictured alongside Taliban fighters after it was seized from retreating western troops Taliban fighters inspect a US Humvee at the airport in Kabul, after seizing a huge number of vehicles from western forces 'When you do jihad all doors open, we defeated America with our faith and our guns and we hope now that Bagram can be a base for jihad for all Muslims 'For any foreign power considering attacking Afghanistan then look at Bagram now and learn your lesson well before embarking on foolish endeavour. See the West's mighty technology humbled here by mujahidin. 'In 15 years as a mujahid fighting the Americans I wondered often if I may fail or die. Yet here is proof of the power of faith and God and jihad. On the back of victory I hope we can use Bagram as a place to spread jihad further into the region and Muslim world.' Reflecting on America's withdrawal from the other side of the conflict, General McKenzie said on Monday night: '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,' he insisted. An Italian stewardess has been found dead on a British sailboat after it caught fire while she was sleeping in Naples. Giulia Maccaroni, 29, was working as a stewardess on the 70ft boat 'Morgane' in Castellammare di Stabia when it went up in flames in the early hours of Monday morning. When the boat arrived at the marina on Sunday evening, Giulia told other crew members that she was feeling tired after a journey on rough seas and wanted to sleep on 'her' boat. The Port Authority has launched an investigation into the blaze, and the victim's body was taken to a forensics facility to undergo an autopsy. It is believed she died from asphyxiation. Italian stewardess Giulia Maccaroni has been found dead on a British sailboat after it caught fire while she was sleeping in Naples Authorities are continuing to recover the damaged vessel named Morgane (pictured) that sails under the flag of the UK The Morgane is moored in Naples year round, where it is operated by local yacht management company Y Charter and is available for chartered cruises around Italy, Sicily and the Mediterranean. Giulia and her crew had just returned from a two-month cruise around the Aeolian islands Giulia, a native of San Vito Romano 24 miles from Rome, had returned to the Castellammare di Stabia marina on Morgane from a journey made difficult by rough seas. The crew had just returned to port in Castellammare di Stabia after completing a two-month cruise around the Aeolian Islands in Sicily. Upon arrival, Giulia's crewmates disembarked and headed into the city, but Giulia told them she would instead stay on the boat to get some sleep as she was fatigued from the difficult sailing conditions. The fire, the cause of which is currently unknown, started in the early hours of Monday morning as Giulia slept below deck. Noxious fumes from the burning plastic, wood and resins that filled the living quarters were likely the cause of her death as no signs of burns were found on her body. The 29-year-old was working as a hostess on the 70ft boat in Castellammare di Stabia when it went up in flames in the early hours of Monday Commander of the Stabia Harbor Master's Office, Achille Selleri, said checks were ongoing to discover the cause of the fire. 'At the moment we have no evidence that suggests the fire was caused by arson. The wreck has been seized and will be subjected to technical checks to understand the causes of the fire,' he reported. The Morgane was built in 1991 and refitted in 2016. It is moored in Naples year round, where it is operated by local yacht management company Y Charter and is available for chartered cruises around Italy, Sicily and the Mediterranean. Giovan Battista La Mura, president of the Port Marina di Stabia, said marina staff had been affected badly by Giulia's death and had tried to tackle the fire before emergency services arrived. 'The moorers who knew her were particularly afflicted. They worked all night and the fire brigade praised them because, even before their arrival, they had begun to extinguish the fire'. Giulia was a crew member and it is believed she was unaware of the fire and suffocated in her sleep Eleonora Mattia, President of the Regional Council of Lazio, said: 'The news of Giulia Maccaroni's death leaves us saddened. She had a smile full of energy and a passion for the sea and adventures. 'My thoughts are with her family and the community who have lost a young life, a woman, and a daughter taken too soon.' The fire mainly damaged the outside of the sailboat and firefighters found her dead body below deck without any visible injuries according to the news site La Stampa. After being informed of the young woman's death, family members are travelling down from Rome to identify the body and assist the authorities with any questions. The cause of the fire is still unknown and the investigation is ongoing. Vice President Kamala Harris made a quick trip to Capitol Hill on Tuesday to preside over a short Senate session to approve more aid for Americans returning from Afghanistan. But Harris did not answer questions, including on the fate of Americans still in Afghanistan, when she left the Capitol building. The House already passed the Emergency Repatriation Assistance for Returning Americans Act, which means it goes to President Joe Biden's desk for signature. The bill raised the funding from $1 million to $10 million. Tuesday's Senate session lasted about two minutes and was attended only by Harris and Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland. It's rare for a vice president to preside over a pro forma session, which is what the Senate is in right now. Those sessions are usually presided over by a single, local senator and last only a few minutes. But, in order for the legislation pass, two senators were needed - a senator had to make the motion and a presiding officer had to approve it. As vice president, Harris is president of the Senate and so can step in as presiding officer. Harris volunteered to preside when a second senator was unavailable to join Cardin, who was scheduled to be the presiding officer on Tuesday. 'My understanding is we couldnt find another senator so she volunteered,' Cardin told reporters on Capitol Hill. 'They needed two senators on the floor and I'm not sure there's another senator close by, so she said she would take care of it,' he noted. The bill passed by unanimous consent, meaning no senator objected to it. Vice President Kamala Harris made a quick trip to Capitol Hill on Tuesday to preside over a short Senate session Celebrations in Kabul after the U.S. withdraw from Afghanistan Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Monday evening 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 Pentagon said Monday that more than 122,000 people, including 5,400 Americans, have been evacuated since July. The United States ended its presence in Afghanistan on Monday, marking the end of a nearly 20 years in the country. The final C-17, with the call sign MOOSE 88, lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport at 3:29 pm East Coast time, after the clock in Kabul clicked past midnight, making it August 31st there. The sister of an OnlyFans and Instagram model and influencer found strangled to death next to a man in her Texas apartment in an apparent murder suicide says he was stalking her online. Jenae Gagnier, 33,- who went by the name Miss Mercedes Morr online - was found strangled to death in her apartment in Richmond - a suburb southwest of Houston - on Sunday. Also in the home was Kevin Alexander Accorto, 34, a man from Florida who had stabbed himself to death. Police have not yet been able to make a connection between the pair but they say there were no signs of a break-in at her apartment. The medical examiner told ABC on Tuesday that she'd also suffered a traumatic concussion. It was also revealed that her father Mark was in the apartment when police arrived after being told by another family member to perform a wellness check. Jenae Gagnier, 33,- who went by the name Miss Mercedes Morr online - was found strangled to death in her apartment in Richmond - a suburb southwest of Houston - on Sunday. Her sister has claimed he was stalking her Morr's body was found inside her apartment in Richmond, Texas, on Sunday at 4.30pm. Her killer was also found dead inside and had stabbed himself A spokesman for Richmond Police Department told DailyMail.com on Tuesday that Morr had 'hundreds' of social media accounts that detectives were now pouring through to find a connection between the pair. She had numerous accounts on Facebook plus pages on Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram and OnlyFans, where she charged subscribers $10-a-month of X-rated content. They are also combing through surveillance footage from Morr's gated apartment complex and neighbors' Ring doorbell cameras to try to find out when Accorto entered Texas. A neighbor told ABC that they would be surprised to learn the man had been able to break in because it is so heavily guarded. 'It would be kind of surprising to know that this was an intruder, someone that broke into the house because I wouldn't think that would happen here,' Field Ledford said. In an Instagram post on Monday, Morr's sister London claimed that Accorto had been stalking her. She angrily shot down rumors that she'd been 'robbed' and said: 'It was just a stalker from outta [sic] state whod BEEN stalking her.' Morr's sister London, shown with her left, said she was being stalked by her killer, but she would not share any more details Morr's sister London said that Accorto had 'been stalking' her sister but she didn't say for how long Her father, Mark, also tweeted that he was upset with social media gossip surrounding his daughter's death. 'The false statements put out by social media and several news outlets is alarming. The death of my daughter is still under investigation. 'Until we have all the facts no statement will be made please respect the family.' The family has not shared any further details and police would not comment on the stalker claims on Tuesday morning. Morr had a following of more than 2million people on Instagram. Followers included Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. Police still have not yet been able to determine which social media accounts Accorto followed her on and there are no publicly visible accounts registered to his name. There was no sign of forced entry at Jenae's apartment. One bedroom apartments in the complex where she lived rent for $1,500-a-month. It's unclear how long she'd been there or how the killer may have obtained her address. She lived alone. Nicola Sturgeon insisted she has an 'undeniable' mandate for a second Scottish independence referendum today after striking a power-sharing deal with the separatist Greens. The First Minister addressed the Scottish Parliament today after completing a deal that will see the environmentalist party join the Government - a first for it anywhere in the UK. While the smaller party's two co-leaders have been given eco-friendly portfolios, Ms Sturgeon told Holyrood the 'key strand' of the co-operation agreement would be fulfilling what she described as the 'democratic mandate to let the Scottish people choose our own future'. 'The mandate for that is undeniable - between us, the SNP and the Greens hold 72 of the 129 seats in this parliament and each one of us was elected on a commitment to an independence referendum,' she told MSPs returning from the summer recess. She added: 'The decisions that will shape our society and economy and our place in the world must be determined, democratically, here in Scotland and not imposed upon us, so often against our will, by government at Westminster.' However she faced fury from Tory opposition leader Douglas Ross, who branded the deal a 'coalition of chaos'. 'This is a nationalist coalition with one overriding goal separating Scotland from the UK,' he said. 'Yet again a divisive referendum has come first, as it always does for this government.' The First Minister addressed the Scottish Parliament today after completing a deal that will see the environmentalist party join the Government - a first for it anywhere in the UK. Tory opposition leader Douglas Ross branded the deal a 'coalition of chaos' Scottish Green party co-leader Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater have joined the SNP government The First Minister stressed the agreement that has been reached between the two parties was not a full coalition, insisting that the SNP and the Scottish Greens would 'retain distinct voices and independent identities'. Despite this she hailed the agreement as 'genuinely ground-breaking', adding: 'For the first time in UK politics, it will see Greens enter national government as ministers, working in a spirit of common endeavour, mutual challenge and collective responsibility to deliver for the people we serve.' Scottish Green party co-leader Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater officially joined the SNP government after Holyrood formally approved their appointment this afternoon, with 69 MSPs voting in favour and 56 against. Mr Harvie, an MSP for the Glasgow region, will become minister for zero carbon buildings, active travel and tenants' rights. Ms Slater, a Lothian MSP, will take on the role of minister for green skills, the circular economy and biodiversity. Mr Ross said the deal had taken priority over the programme for government - the statement setting out the Scottish Government's plans for the next 12 months, which is normally announced when MSPs return after the summer recess. 'This is not a deal that works for Scotland. This is a deal that works for Nicola Sturgeon. She failed to get a majority and this deal is a consequence of that.' Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: 'This coalition agreement - for that is what is is - is just formalising the agreement from the last parliament where Nicola Sturgeon and the NSP hammer our public services with cuts and the Greens simply nod it through.' He added: 'This is no new government, this is not a clean start, this is a deal that more about the constitution, not the climate. 'It's about greater control for Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP, not co-operation.' He argued ministers should instead be focused on tackling issues such as unemployment, child poverty, the drugs deaths crisis and tackling the backlog that has built up within the NHS. The United States will 'inevitably' have to return to Afghanistan as terrorist groups flourish under a Taliban-ruled narco-state, a retired three-star general has told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview. The former senior military leader, who briefed multiple presidents in his role and spoke anonymously to DailyMail.com, said the Taliban regime will create a new threat to America that will eventually require us to invade - again. The general slammed President Joe Biden and top brass for an 'immature, unsophisticated, ad-hoc' plan and said the 'insane debacle', including the deaths of 13 officers from a suicide bomb on Thursday, was 'preventable and totally avoidable'. The general said that both top current military officers and the CIA advised Biden against the bungled Afghan evacuation from a civilian airport in the center of the Taliban-occupied capital, but claimed the president ignored them. A retired US general says America's return to Afghanistan is 'inevitable' now that terrorist groups will flourish under Taliban rule. Pictured: US troops help passengers board an evacuation flight on August 24 Following 2,356 US military deaths, thousands wounded, and an estimated $2.3trillion spent, the 20-year endeavor ended with the Taliban sweeping back to power Taliban Badri special force fighters posed with American-made weapons under their white flag at Kabul airport Tuesday after taking control He said he is 'very skeptical' that the now-completed US airlift was thorough enough and believes there are many American citizens left behind who wanted to get out of the country. 'I think it's inevitable that we'll be back in Afghanistan before long,' the former senior commander said. 'You'll have a narco state run by Islamic terrorists. This is not a good development to peace and stability in the world. 'How in the world can we stand back, with a nuclear-capable Pakistan, and Iran working towards a nuclear weapon, and Afghanistan in the middle wedged between the two? The borders are quite blurred there as well as far as populations moving. 'This is unbelievable to me that the US and NATO are going to have no on-the-ground bases in that region. That region is bordered on the West by Iran, bordered on the East by Pakistan, bordered on the North by China and Russia, and we will have nothing on the ground. 'No eyes, no ears, no logistics and intelligence bases. 'The next time we go there, if we need to go there, the 82nd Airborne will probably be the guys that need to take it by force. And then there will be a big expense in dollars and blood to make it happen.' Taliban Badri special force fighters take a position at the airport in Kabul after taking over security from US forces Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid (centre right) speaks to journalists at Kabul airport in front of a line of Badri 313 'special forces' troops armed with US weapons, and in front of a captured American C-130 plane Taliban 'special forces' troops - known as Badri 313 units - stand guard at Kabul airport on Tuesday morning after retaking it from American forces overnight The ex-general was excoriating in his criticism of the evacuation conducted in the past two weeks, saying that America is now a 'laughing stock' to foreign governments. 'It is unconscionable to me that they have such an immature, unsophisticated, ad-hoc addressing of such an issue when it was very clear that this was going to need to be done at some point by some president or some US ambassador or secretary of state and military commander,' he said. 'It absolutely is unconscionable to me that we are improvising at the last minute on such a complex issue.' The top former serviceman said he speaks regularly with currently serving senior military officers, and that many agree with his dissatisfaction with the evacuation and believe Afghanistan is more of a liability to American security than ever. 'I can tell you what happened in the Biden administration, in the Trump, Obama and Bush administrations. It happens, there is always friction between the NSC, the White House and the Pentagon, always,' he said. 'I've served several presidents. I've watched how they handle it. Most of them listen to it and then make an adjustment to the political plan, based on the best military advice from their joint chiefs or secretary of defense through the joint chiefs. 'In this case there were no adjustments made. That doesn't mean no dissent happened. That's telling.' Pointing out flaws in the last-minute evacuation strategy, the ex-general said it would be easy for Taliban or ISIS fighters to destroy the runway at Kabul International Airport. 'Any military plan that has a single point of failure is deemed unacceptable, taking on unacceptable risk. And that's what we're dealing with right now. 'The numbers that they moved out are impressive. And doing this with one runway, one airport, that's roughly the size of a county airport this is not like JFK or Dulles. The former military leader, who spoke to DailyMail.com anonymously, warned terrorist groups will flourish under Taliban rule and pose another threat to the US. Pictured: Taliban fighters gather for a rally in Kabul on Tuesday Taliban fighters are seen taking control of Hamid Karzai International Airport after the completion of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan The retired general said it's 'unbelievable' that the US and NATO no longer have on-the-ground bases in the region. Pictured: Bagram Air Base after it was abandoned in July 'But what if they were to damage the runway to make it impossible to land, then what? Or an aircraft landed that was unauthorized and blew itself up on the runway? In other words, it's a single point of failure. That's a fundamental flaw.' He also railed against the use of Taliban soldiers to help control crowds while American troops tried to get citizens and Afghan allies into the airport and away to safety. 'When you're trying to deal with the safety of American citizens, you never delegate that to anyone other than your own forces,' he said. 'Here we have a 20-year enemy that we have been fighting which is responsible for the security of our outer perimeter. It is insane. 'I can't believe that I'm actually seeing this happening. 'If any other country did an operation like this, they would be a laughing stock. And we are now.' The former commander's Pentagon job involved briefing previous presidents and he was involved in planning for evacuations like the US's retreat from Afghanistan. He warned that the bungled execution of the Afghan exit could encourage other hostile powers to underestimate the strength of America's military and so be more likely to make aggressive military moves. 'Others that really don't know our capability and our capacity, when we have the political will to do it, will miscalculate such as North Korea, Iran, Pakistan, China, Russia,' he said. The chaotic evacuation from Afghanistan has left many Americans frustrated with President Joe Biden's handling of the end of the 20-year war 'This is a very dangerous condition right now and I'm not talking about for Afghanistan, I'm talking about stability of the world in the region. 'It's going to take many years and several significant events to occur to reestablish the trust, confidence, reputation and status that the United States held prior to this event. It's quite unfortunate.' The general even cast doubt on Biden's capability to serve as commander in chief. 'I don't think the man making the decisions has all the tools in the box he needs right now. I don't think he's competent. I don't think he's up to the task.' But he had harsh words too for current top generals and intelligence officers who he believes failed to stand up to a bad plan. 'Do I think he may have been ill-served by the advice he was given by some key leaders? Perhaps. Particularly in his national security apparatus. 'I know the Pentagon clearly provided a differing view at times, but they were overridden. And in our government it's civilian control of the military all of the time, under all conditions. 'Once a decision is made they salute smartly and carry out the decision. What could have happened but did not, there could have been the threat of a resignation. Someone could have publicly dissented. But none of that occurred.' The former general said the embarrassing and costly exit arose because of a failure to anticipate the weakness of the Afghan government in the face of the advancing Taliban. Afghan evacuees disembark from US Air Force plane at Rota Naval Base in Spain on Tuesday, after catching one of the last flights out of Afghanistan before the withdrawal of all American troops The US Army released a nightvision image of Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division and the ground commander of the Kabul evacuation, boarding a plane as the last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan 'I think they did not expect the Afghan government to evacuate so precipitously and I think there was a failure to accept the reality on the ground,' he said. 'They thought they could hold the hole of the donut. The Taliban had basically the whole country except for the core around Kabul very quickly between May, June and July. 'Once we lifted the air cover and took away the bases it turned into a stampede. It's like a brushfire getting a 70 mph wind. It's a conflagration that moves so quickly you can't do anything about it. 'It caught them by surprise. The CIA and the intelligence community says 'it shouldn't have, we told them that. We warned them of that, we pulled our assets out.' 'When the CIA is pulling their assets out of a country because of what's going on, that's a pretty good indication that good things are not happening. 'It was a debacle and a failure to recognize and adjust the political plan to on-the-ground reality. 'Hope is not a course of action. Wishing something to be so doesn't make it happen. If it doesn't fit the political narrative, they failed to accept it. We are seeing the consequences of that today.' Advertisement More than 1,000 Covid patients were admitted to hospital in a single day in the UK last week for the first time since February, official data shows as the country's daily cases grew again and deaths fell. In its usual daily update, the Department of Health and Social Care revealed that 1,019 people were hospitalised with the virus across the UK on August 25. It marks the first time there have been four-figure Covid admissions since February 24 when the second wave was being brought under control and the jab rollout was just gaining momentum. The DOH update which often includes backlogged hospital data due to the way it's recorded showed there were a further 943 Covid admissions on August 26 and 901 on August 27, which were both week-on-week rises. Meanwhile, there was a mixed picture as UK-wide infections increased by 4 per cent in a week to 32,181 but England's case numbers fell again, this time by 10 per cent. Infection spikes in Scotland attributed to schools going back in mid-August and Northern Ireland, where vaccine uptake has been slightly lower than the rest of the UK, will be playing a role. But there are fears England and Wales could see cases trend upwards again when classes go back this week and next, which has reignited the debate about jabbing children. The Government's Covid dashboard also shows that there were 50 deaths registered in the past 24 hours, a drop of more than 70 per cent. The unusually low toll is believed to be due to a recording lag over the bank holiday weekend. It comes as a series of timelapse maps lay bare how the Delta Covid variant has rapidly engulfed every corner of the UK since exploding onto the scene in spring. Data from the Government's coronavirus dashboard shows that even areas which were virtually coronavirus-free just four months ago are now recording some of the highest infection rates in the country. The UK is averaging more than 33,000 new infections every day, which is the highest since the second wave was still raging in January, excluding a blip during Euro 2020 when cases briefly rose above that number. And while hospital admissions and deaths are still at a fraction of the level in winter, there are concerns that high levels of Covid in the community and waning vaccine immunity could spill into more casualties. The maps show that, despite the ultra-infectious Delta strain being seeded in England in late April, it is actually Scotland and Northern Ireland that now appear to be bearing the brunt of the third wave. All 10 of the highest Covid infection rates in the past week were in local authorities in Northern Ireland and the Scottish central belt. Fermanagh and Omagh, which covers most of the Southwest of Northern Ireland, had a rate of 1,056 cases per 100,000 in the seven days to August 25 three times the UK average. It was followed by Derry City and Strabane (986). Rounding out the top 10 worst-hit areas were all places in Scotland, with West Dunbartonshire (983), East Dunbartonshire (975) and North Lanarkshire (913) seeing the highest prevalence. The rise in Scotland has been attributed to increased mixing in schools after the summer holidays finished in mid-August, and there are fears England and Wales could be next when classes go back this week and next. Slide me A series of maps today laid bare how the Delta Covid variant has rapidly engulfed every corner of the UK since exploding onto the scene in spring. Even areas which were virtually coronavirus-free just four months ago are now recording some of the highest infection rates in the country SCOTLAND: Infection rates had been low in most of Scotland, with some exceptions in the central belt, in June after months of lockdown and a successful vaccine rollout (shown on June 2, left) but the Delta variant quickly raced through the population by July 7 (right) SCOTLAND: The maps show the situation north of the border on August 4 (left) when schools were off for summer versus August 25, a week after they'd been back NORTHERN IRELAND: Relatively low vaccine uptake in Northern Ireland is believed to be playing a role in the rapid rise in cases there (June 2 vs July 7) NORTHERN IRELAND: By August 4 (left) the nation's six counties were already recording more than 200 cases per 100,000. By August 25 virtually all areas had a rate of more than 400 Boosters needed for elderly and vulnerable NOW, says expert A coronavirus vaccine booster campaign should begin quickly for those over 80s and certain groups of clinically vulnerable people, an expert has said. Professor Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia said that a wider booster campaign may not be needed as vaccines are still effective at warding off serious disease. His comments come as experts from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) prepare to make a final decision about the booster campaign, with the NHS in England poised to start the campaign from September 6. Health officials have plans in place to offer a third jab to 30 million over-50s and clinically vulnerable people but are yet to get a green light from Government advisers. Experts will also issue guidance as to whether the UK will follow other countries and offer the vaccine to 12 to 15-year-olds. Prof Hunter told the PA news agency that certain groups of people should be offered a booster jab 'pretty soon'. He said that the UK will learn to live with around 45,000 infections a day of the virus which causes Covid-19 also known as Sars-CoV-2 once it reaches 'epidemic equilibrium'. Covid-19 'the disease' will be consigned to history in around three years time, he predicted. Prof Hunter said that people who had had the vaccine but did not respond as well 'need to be boosted soon'. 'Within that category are: people with severe underlying disease; people with severe cancers that are on chemotherapy; people on high-dose steroids for autoimmune diseases; people who have had solid organ transplants; people who are actually morbidly obese,' he said. 'I would also add over-80s to that category.' Prof Hunter added: 'The evidence is that these people won't have responded that well to vaccine. 'As far as I'm concerned there is no debate whatsoever about that group, they should be boosted and they should be boosted pretty soon. 'And it's not because the vaccine has waned, is because chances are they did not respond that well the first time around.' He said: 'When you look at the rest of the population, what we're seeing is that protection against infection is declining. 'But protection against severe disease is not at the moment, although ultimately it will though hopefully not for a number of years. 'And so that the value of boosting people who aren't going to get severely ill is debatable.' He also suggested that he was not in favour of vaccinating healthy under-16s, but said he would follow whatever advice the JCVI gives. Cases in England are going down at the moment, but when schools return he said that 'it could get worse', although he did not want to speculate further. The professor in medicine said that the nation will continue to see Covid infections in society, 'but the issue is whether actually that's going to cause ill health'. He said: 'We're getting close to what's called the endemic equilibrium, which is the sort of number of infections we can expect on average per day forever. 'Looking at the other coronaviruses it's about 45,000 infections a day. 'If you work it out, based on what we know about duration of immunity and the principles for Covid, it works out about 45,000 infections a day (across the UK). So that's what we've got to look forward to. 'But the vast majority of those infections for the other coronaviruses asymptomatic, they don't cause any harm. And when they do with some mild dose of the common cold. 'And that's the way that this is going to go, absolutely no doubt about it. 'We won't see Covid 'the disease' any more after a few years. Typically pandemics tend to last for about three years, give or take. 'And the last big coronavirus pandemic lasted three years that was in 1890, with the Russian flu. The virus that caused the Russian flu is still with us, and it's still not that different probably from the virus that circulated 130 years ago, but we don't see it causing the disease.' Advertisement It is not clear exactly why Northern Ireland is being hit so hard this time around because schools are not due to restart there until this week, either. But the country has the lowest vaccine uptake in the UK with about 82 per cent of adults having received at least one jab. Thanks to the Covid vaccine rollout, the UK is recording, on average, 115 Covid deaths per day and around 900 daily hospital admissions. That is 10 times fewer fatalities than in late January when infections were last this high and around a quarter of the number of hospitalisations. But both metrics have been rising steadily over summer. Nicola Sturgeon last week said she would not hesitate to put Scotland in another lockdown if admissions start to follow the sharp rise in cases in the past fortnight since schools went back. The infection rate in Scotland more than doubled in the week after the restart which has left even rural parts of the country with worryingly high levels of transmission. In Argyll and Bute, for example, on the west coast, there were just one case per 100,000 people in the week up to May 5 when the Delta variant was starting to spread. The area was recording 708 per 100,000 by the most recent count on August 25. Rural parts of England have also been hit hard this time around, believed to be due to the rise in staycations and lower immunity in the less populated countryside. Cornwall, which was the country's Covid hotspot earlier this month, is recording nearly 670 cases per 100,000 now compared to just 5 per 100,000 back in May. Nationally, there are also concerns about how long vaccines protect people for after a major study by King's College London last week found two doses of both Pfizer and AstraZeneca's jabs started to wane within six months. The NHS is also expected to be stretched thin this winter when Covid finds it easier to spread and the health service faces normal pressures. And a bad flu season has also been predicted, due to the lack of natural immunity gained over the past year amid repeated lockdowns. Teaching unions today warned England could be forced into re-adopting tougher Covid measures 'very shortly' when millions of youngsters will go back to classrooms this week and next. As part of the Government's strategy of learning to live alongside the virus, ministers dropped the remaining infection-controlling restrictions in English schools. It means that children no longer have to wear masks in class, nor do they have self-isolate if another pupil in their 'bubble' tests positive. Twice-weekly lateral flow tests is the only measure being kept from last term. But in Scotland which has seen cases spiral to record highs since children went back in mid-August masks are still required for the next few weeks, and staff must keep a one-metre gap between each other and pupils. Experts yesterday warned that England faces an even 'worse' uptick following the return of schools because of the lack of protective restrictions. The country also has a higher Covid infection rate than Scotland did when classes reopened north of the border. Mary Bousted, the joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: 'We have much higher prevalence now in the community than it was. 'We're going in with much higher rates of prevalence into schools where we are relying on one mitigation, which is lateral flow testing. In Scotland they have not abandoned the safety precautions. 'My prediction is very shortly we are going to see schools all over the country in their hundreds having to operate contingency framework.' Ms Bousted told the Daily Telegraph: 'But what you're doing there is shutting the stable door after the Covid horse has bolted.' Scotland was recording around 2,000 cases a day on August 16 when its schools started to return. This equated to an infection rate of 250 positive tests for 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. Scotland posted more than 7,000 new infections on Sunday more than three times above the levels seen during the darkest days of the second wave. Its infection rate is now 580 per 100,000. In England there are already more than 20,000 cases a day, with an infection rate of around 320 positive tests per 100,000 people. The country's outbreak has tailed off over the past week but experts have always warned the return of schools would trigger an uptick. When 8.9million children in England went back 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 Deepti Gurdasani, an epidemiologist at Queen Mary University of London and member of Independent SAGE, said yesterday: '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. '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. This is a recipe for disaster.' South Dakota's attorney general was slapped with a speeding ticket for going 57mph in a 35mph zone just days before he pleaded no contest to traffic charges for running over and killing a pedestrian he said he thought was a deer last year. Jason Ravnsborg, the state's top law enforcement officer, received a ticket late Sunday in Hughes County, where he lives. He was charged with 'Speeding on Other Roadways' - a second-degree misdemeanor - and fined $177.50. Dakota News Now first reported the ticket. Ravnsborg has not paid the fine or admitted guilt. On Thursday, the Republican attorney general pleaded no contest to a pair of second-degree misdemeanors for a crash last September that killed 55-year-old Joseph Boever walking on a rural highway. He avoided jail time but had to pay over $4,500 in fees. Scroll down for video South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg got a speeding ticket for going 57mph in a 35mph zone just days before he pleaded no contest to traffic charges for running over and killing a pedestrian On August 22, Ravnsborg was charged with 'Speeding on Other Roadways' - a second-degree misdemeanor - and fined $177.50 The victim's sister, Jane Boever, called Ravnsborg 'cowardly' after he failed to show up in court in person. Ravnsborg was not charged with speeding in the fatal crash. Prosecutors said he was going two miles over the 65mph speed limit at the time of impact, but they decided that didn't justify a traffic charge. Instead, they charged him with making an illegal lane change, using a phone while driving and careless driving. Prosecutors dropped the charge of careless driving as part of the plea deal. Before the crash last year, Ravnsborg had accumulated eight traffic tickets over seven years, including six speeding tickets in five different counties. However, he was not in danger of losing his driver's license. The attorney general's chief of staff, Tim Bormann, declined to comment on the ticket, saying it was a personal matter for Ravnsborg. Prosecutors said Ravnsborg was on his phone roughly one minute before last year's crash, but phone records showed it was locked at the moment of impact. Ravnsborg told investigators that the last thing he remembered before the crash was turning off the radio and looking down at his speedometer. Joseph Boever, 55 (left), was killed after Ravnsborg crashed into him in September 2020, but South Dakota's top law enforcement officer claimed he thought he had hit a deer Ravnsborg initially told authorities that he thought he had struck a deer or another large animal while returning from a GOP fundraiser. He said he did not realize he had killed a man until the next day when he returned to the scene on U.S. 14, near Highmore. He maintained this account even though investigators said the victims glasses flew into his car after the impact. After calling 911 to report the crash, Hyde County Sheriff Mike Volek personally responded to the scene to assess the damage and help search for what he hit. He said they searched the area around the vehicle with flashlights but neither of them spotted Boever lying in a ditch, according to previous report written by the attorney general. Since Ravnsborgs car was too damaged to drive and a tow truck would take more than an hour to arrive, Voltek offered to let the politician take his personal car back to Pierre. A toxicology report taken roughly 15 hours after the crash showed no alcohol in Ravnsborgs system, and people attending the fundraiser said he was not seen drinking alcohol. Hyde County Sheriff Mike Volek personally responded to Ravnsborg's 911 call following the crash and told him car (pictured) was too damaged to drive home Ravnsborgs attorneys filed a motion last month alleging that Boever's alcoholism and prescription drug abuse led at least one family member, a cousin, to believe that a depressed Boever killed himself by jumping in front of Ravnsborgs car. Attorneys for Jenny Boever, the victim's widow, have said she plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Jane Boever, Joseph's sister, said after Thursday's verdict that although her family waited a long time for justice, they never got it. 'As you can imagine this ordeal has been deeply upsetting for us,' she said in a statement released to DailyMail.com. '349 days ago, our brother and son Joe was struck and killed by Ravnsborg. We waited 349 days to face his killer. But Ravnsborg didnt have the courage to appear in court today. We waited 349 days for this nightmare to be over, to find closure. 'But Ravnsborg is walking away with a slap on the wrist, minimal fines, no jail time.' Gov. Kristi Noem has renewed pressure to force the attorney general from office, even as he has repeatedly defended his job performance. After the trial concluded last week, she said she would hand over the crash investigation file to the House speaker to consider impeachment charges. Rep. Will Mortensen, a freshman Republican legislator from Hughes County, had introduced impeachment proceedings in February. But impeachment quickly stalled in the House, and lawmakers said they would revisit the matter after the trial concluded. Mortensen said lawmakers were still considering whether to move forward with impeachment. 'I continue to be hopeful that the attorney general will step down,' he said. A reckless drug driver who killed a high-flying businesswoman only weeks before she was due to get married has been jailed for 16 months. Ella Cooper was driving her Volkswagen Up on a rural road when Daniel Samways smashed into her car in his D-Max pick-up truck. A black Audi carrying a family of four was also involved in the crash after it was unable to avoid the pile-up while travelling behind Miss Cooper in Dorset, on February 1 last year. Emergency services rushed to the scene and managed to extract 37-year-old Ella who was in the car with her fiance and driving to her father's grave so they could lay flowers. She was rushed to Southampton General Hospital but despite the best efforts of medics, Ms Cooper died days later on the morning of February 7. It was believed her fiance David Oliver, whom she was due to marry only weeks later, was also seriously injured in the crash. Businesswoman Ella Cooper, 37, (pictured) was killed by drug driver Daniel Samways, also 37, after he crashed his pick-up truck into her Volkswagen Up in Dorset in February last year The court heard when he came to he removed himself from the wreckage of their Volkswagen Up before his legs gave way. He asked the emergency services if he could see his fiancee as he was afraid that would be the last time he would get to, a court heard. A spokesman for Dorset Police said: 'Samways, also aged 37 years, who was the driver of the Isuzu, was taken to Salisbury Hospital for the treatment to injuries sustained in the collision. While he was in hospital, a specimen of his blood was taken for analysis. 'It was found to contain benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, at a presence of 52 micrograms per litre of blood. The legal limit is 50mg.' Samways, 37, was found to be over the drug-drive limit at the time of the crash having earlier taken cocaine. He had also drunk two pints of lager but was under the limit. A court heard that he had done a full day's work at a lumber mill and was driving home at 6pm when he nodded off. Pictured: Ella Cooper's fiance David Oliver (centre) and family at Bournemouth Crown Court At an earlier hearing in Bournemouth Crown Court, Samways, of Sixpenny Handley, admitted drug driving and causing death by careless driving. On Friday, a judge jailed him for 16 months and disqualified him from driving for two years. His ban was due to start immediately once he was released from prison. Sergeant Nikki Burt, of the traffic unit, said: 'This case is another sad demonstration of the truly awful consequences of someone getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs. 'Our thoughts remain with Ella's family, who have lost their loved one as a result of Daniel Samways' actions on February 1, 2020. 'We are committed to doing all we can to take action against people who put lives at risk by driving on Dorset's roads while under the influence of drink or drugs.' Paying a touching tribute, Ms Cooper's family said: 'Words can not describe the pain and loss we all feel. Samways admitted causing death by driving without due care and attention and while over the legal limit of benzoylecgonine. He was jailed for 16 months at Bournemouth Crown Court 'A giant void has been left in our hearts and in our lives, never to be filled until we meet again. 'Ella, we're so proud of everything you achieved in your life - a life which was cut too short. Your many travels and adventures showed us all how to enjoy life. 'Completing your MBA whilst working full time as head of Vitality Care reminded us all how tough and hard working you always were. 'We'll miss your generosity. Generous with your time, with your smile and with everything you had. 'All who knew you were swept up in the abundant love of family and life you radiated. 'You were more than just a sister, a friend, a daughter, a fiance, an aunt, you were the very best to all of us. 'We love you Ella and the world is a little bit dimmer without you to brighten it.' President Joe Biden will thank military commanders and service members for their work in the dangerous evacuation from Afghanistan in his speech on Tuesday, the White House announced. In his remarks, the first since the United States withdrew from the country, Biden will explain his decision to end the U.S. presence there and pay tribute to U.S. veterans of the conflict. Biden's speech, originally scheduled for 1:30 p.m., was pushed back to 2:45 p.m. 'In his remarks this afternoon, the President will express his thanks to the commanders and service members who executed a dangerous mission in Kabul and airlifted more than 124,000 people to safety; he will also offer thanks to the veterans and volunteers who supported this effort,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. 'He will lay out his decision to end the war in Afghanistan after 20 years, including the tough decisions he made over the last seven months since he took office to bring the war to a close. He will make clear that as President, he will approach our foreign policy through the prism of what is in our national interests, including how best to continue to keep the American people safe,' she added. Biden addressed the American withdrawal in a 500-word statement on Monday, after the Pentagon formally announced the U.S. had left Afghanistan after nearly 20 years in country. President Joe Biden will thank military commanders and service members in his speech first remarks since the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden would explain his decision to withdraw the United States from Afghanistan 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 president's approval rating has taken a nose dive in the wake of the Afghanistan evacuation and withdrawal. Only 38% of Americans approved of his handling of the situation, according to a ABC News/Ipsos survey released Sunday. The situation also has hurt Biden's campaign argument that he should be elected for his competence and experience. Some Democrats, many Republicans and foreign allies had pleaded with him to extend the August 31st deadline but the administration argued it would not make a significant difference on the ground there. Biden stuck to the deadline but paid a heavy price: 13 U.S. service members died in a suicide attack last week at the Kabul airport along with more than 100 Afghan allies trying to escape the country. On Monday, the United States withdrew from Afghanistan, marking the end of a 20-year occupation that cost over $2 trillion and claimed the lives of more than 170,000, including 2,356 US military deaths. 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. Afghanistan is now fully under the control of the Taliban. 'This victory belongs to us all,' said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid from the tarmac of the Hamid Karzai International Airport, where the last American plane departed. Taliban special forces fighters arrive inside the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the U.S. military's withdrawal Afghanistan is now fully under the control of the Taliban - above Taliban soldiers in Kabul The Taliban take control of Hamid Karzai International Airport after the completion of the U.S. withdrawal The Harmid Karzai International airport in Kabul after the Taliban take over Afghan refugees arrive at Dulles International Airport in Virginia Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Monday evening 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 Pentagon said Monday that more than 122,000 people, including 5,400 Americans, have been evacuated since July. There are no American diplomats left in Afghanistan and the State Department has moved its diplomatic mission in the country to Doha, Qatar. The United States ended its presence in Afghanistan on Monday, marking the end of a nearly 20 years in the country. The final C-17, with the call sign MOOSE 88, lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport at 3:29 pm East Coast time, after the clock in Kabul clicked past midnight, making it August 31st there. A new photo shows the final remaining American diplomats in Afghanistan crowded together with Ambassador Ross Wilson carrying the folded American flag before they boarded the US last flight out of Kabul. Some smiled softly and others looked worn down by the events of the last two weeks. All were dressed in military-style bullet proof vests. 'My deepest thanks to @USAmbKabul Wilson, Amb. Bass, and the team for their exceptional and courageous service bringing so many to safety. I'm confident their skills and dedication will continue to advance our consular work and diplomacy as a new chapter begins,' Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote on Twitter, along with the photo. The photo was taken at Hamid Karzai International Airport on Monday. The diplomats above, including Amb. Ross Wilson, were some of the last to leave Kabul as the embassy closed out of Afghanistan and transferred its mission to Qatar The US' last 20 years of occupation in Afghanistan came to an abrupt end on Monday as the last evacuation flight departed Kabul. The US has now fully shut down its embassy in Kabul and will relocate operations to Doha, Qatar. Just two weeks ago on Aug. 15, Wilson, along with other embassy personnel, was seen fleeing the embassy in Kabul clutching the American flag that had once flown above it. 'As of today, we have suspended our diplomatic presence in Kabul, and transferred our operations to Doha, Qatar, which will soon be formally notified to Congress. Given the uncertain security environment and political situation in Afghanistan, it was the prudent step to take,' Blinken said in an address Monday. Blinken thanked Wilson for his 'exceptional job' and announced that Ian McCary, who has served as our deputy chief of mission in Afghanistan, would lead the operation in Qatar. 'For the time being, we will use this post in Doha to manage our diplomacy with Afghanistan, including consular affairs, administering humanitarian assistance, and working with allies, partners, and regional and international stakeholders to coordinate our engagement and messaging to the Taliban,' he said. 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. One of the last US Air Force aircraft takes off from the airport in Kabul on August 30 Taliban forces flying their flag drive down the runway at Kabul airport in an American Humvee after troops withdrew Taliban take control of Hamid Karzai International Airport after the completion of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, in Kabul, Afghanistan on August 31 Biden is set to address the public at 2:45 PM EST on Tuesday, almost 24 hours after the chaotic conclusion of America's longest war. He said in a statement Monday: '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,' the president said. The US has evacuated over 120,000 since Aug. 14, including 5,500 Americans. But 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, and Blinken said the State Department would keep working to get them out. 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. 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 Taliban let off celebratory gunfire as news circulated that the final U.S. flight had left. Coffins draped with the US, UK and French flags as well as NATO's insignia were paraded through the streets of Khost on Tuesday by crowds waving the Taliban's flag, hours after the final US plane departed. The taunting ceremony followed the deaths of 13 US troops and 170 people in total in an ISIS-K suicide bombing last week at the Kabul airport. Florida Republican Rep. Michael Waltz is joining the Biden administration in pushing back against referring to Americans still in Afghanistan as 'stranded' - because he believes the government created a hostage situation instead. 'We need to stop calling referring to Americans still in Afghanistan as stranded, and call them what they are, which is Taliban hostages,' Waltz said in a statement to DailyMail.com The retired Green Beret said the US 'handed the Taliban a mountain of leverage on a silver platter' by evacuating with American citizens still on the ground - predicting the Taliban will use them as pawns in negotiations with Biden officials. As many as 100 to 200 Americans are still trying to flee Afghanistan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in remarks on Monday after the last US military flight departed Kabul. Blinken called it a 'small number' of citizens. 'They will seek to extort ransoms through billions of dollars in aid and assets,' Waltz warned. He echoed the point in a House GOP press conference on Tuesday and called the idea of ransoms 'un-American.' Rep. Mike Waltz called the possibility of paying ransoms to the Taliban in exchange for stranded US citizens is 'un-American' on Tuesday Taliban fighters have been parading through the streets celebrating the US's withdrawal as a defeat of western forces 'We do not let terrorists dictate the time, place and method which we get our people out, but that's what this administration is doing.' Waltz added in his statement: 'Additionally, U.S. Navy Veteran Mark Frerichs has remained a hostage of the Taliban since last year and we have not been able to secure his release.' Frerichs is a 58-year-old Navy veteran who was kidnapped from Kabul in January 2020 while on construction contract work. Before the US withdrawal he was believed to be the last American hostage held by the Taliban. US officials have said he was kidnapped by the Haqqani network, a group closesly aligned with the militants who now control Afghanistan. The Navy veteran's advocates previously expressed concern that the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan could make it harder to get him home, leaving the US without leverage to demand his release or without the intelligence needed to pinpoint his whereabouts in the country for a rescue operation. Navy veteran Mark Frerichs is one of the Americans still held by the Taliban after he was kidnapped in January 2020 Waltz mentioned his concern for Frerichs again in the late morning press conference. 'We have our government now engaging the Taliban, trusting them to let these people go,' he said. 'We have a Navy veteran, Mark Frerichs, that the Taliban and Haqqanis have held over the last year - is he free to go? Is this who we're going to trust?' 'People are dying, and you all need to do your jobs for accountability,' Waltz told the present media. The Green Beret warned that US troops would have to return to Afghanistan - but would be in a worse position than when they left. 'Now they have no bases - we gave them away, they have no local allies - they're being hunted down, and we have a terrorist army armed to the teeth that they're going to have to fight through,' he said. 'That blood is on this administration's hands.' Waltz said President Biden's Afghanistan advisers are the same people who advised former President Obama during the Benghazi disaster Waltz pointed out that President Joe Biden's team of advisers include the same top figures former President Barack Obama did - under whose watch the crisis in Benghazi unfolded. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby shrugged off concerns about the US citizens - and the billions of dollars in military technology - left in Afghanistan on Tuesday. He also blamed stranded Americans for waiting until the last minute after the last US jets left the country, despite President Biden promising to stay until all Americans were evacuated. In an MSNBC interview, Kirby said the military would no longer play a role in helping them get out but was confident diplomatic efforts would be enough - and said the desperate situation was 'not completely unlike' others around the world. 'We have Americans that get stranded in countries all the time,' he said bluntly. His comment sharply contrasts with White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, who last week got in a heated exchange with a reporter over using the word 'stranded' to describe the US citizens still in Afghanistan. In an MSNBC interview, Kirby said the military would no longer play a role in helping Americans get out but was confident diplomatic efforts would be enough 'I think it's irresponsible to say Americans are stranded. They are not,' she told Fox's Peter Doocy. Her defense was widely criticized, prompting her to further elaborate on Twitter. Psaki wrote: 'We are not leaving Americans who want to return home. We are going to bring them home. And I think that's important for the American public to hear and understand.' Kirby said the Taliban is clear on what the US intends to do and if the militant group wants to govern as it says, 'we're going to hold them to their deeds not just words.' In a separate interview on Fox News Tuesday, Kirby said the government wouldn't 'turn a blind eye' to those Americans but there were 'a lot of reasons why' they didn't leave. He blamed US citizens for not deciding to leave earlier, despite reports of stampeding crowds and violent treatment by Taliban fighters guarding the airport gates over the last two weeks. Some people reported being turned away even with proper paperwork and American passports. 'There was some - a lot of efforts trying to contact them, trying to get in touch with them and marshal them in. Some people didn't want to make decisions until the endgame,' Kirby said. 'I don't know the case with each and every one of these 100 or so that are left, but what I can tell you is that as a government, we're going to continue to make every effort we can to help them find safe passage.' On Monday Blinken declared 'a new diplomatic mission has begun' in Afghanistan to try and get those remaining Americans out. He vowed to use diplomacy and leverage to bring out any Americans, allies, or Afghanis who assisted the US and want to leave, as critics pounded Biden for allowing the withdrawal before all Americans were out, comparing those who remained to hostages. 'We made extraordinary efforts to give Americans every opportunity to depart the country,' he said. Blinken said some who stayed were dual citizens and US passports who weren't sure they wanted to go and were 'trying to decide whether or not they wanted to leave.' He said the US and allies plan to hold the Taliban to keep the airport open and allow safe passage. 'Any engagement with the Taliban-led government in Kabul will be driven by one thing only our vital national interests,' he said. He also mentioned new ways out - including 'overland routes,' which means driving across Afghanistan's famously inhospitable terrain. But last week, when the State Department warned Americans to leave the airport over imminent terrorist threats, Blinken also blamed Americans still on the ground for not leaving fast enough after first being warned earlier this year to leave Afghanistan as soon as possible. Rep. Darrell Issa told Fox News on Tuesday that he's in contact with a pregnant American trapped in Kabul From Monday into Tuesday reports of Americans trapped in Kabul begging for help have also emerged. A pregnant woman who tried to get to the airport 'multiple times' with her husband and father is in contact with California Rep. Darrell Issa, who talked about trying to help her escape on Fox News this morning. She was kicked in the stomach by Taliban fighters and is now forced to hide in an apartment, relying only on her friends to bring her food and keep her whereabouts secret. The lawmaker referred to her as 'Nasria.' Issa is also trying to help an elderly couple in their 80s who were turned away at the airport despite having their US passports. An American citizen who worked as an interpreter for the US military told CNN's Chris Cuomo last night that she's still stranded in Afghanistan Going by the pseudonym 'Sara,' she said 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 31 deadline. 'I just found out that they left, and I was just silent for a while,' Sara said. 'I just cant believe no one told me this was the last flight.' 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 After the final departure Monday, US Central Command chief General McKenzie revealed troops left behind 73 aircraft and 27 tactical Humvees at Hamid Karzai International Airport. He claimed they were demilitarized and would never be used again. 'They can take pictures and walk around and look at them, but they can't fly them or drive them or use any of the systems that we have at the airport,' Kirby said. However it's clear some US aircraft left in the country are still operable - a video circulating last week showed Taliban fighters flying a Black Hawk helicopter gloatingly across the sky. Just one could cost as much as $20 million. As for weapons the US handed over to Afghan government forces over the years - the US spent $83 billion training and arming troops - Kirby admitted there was 'quite a bit of material in that batch that the Afghans had that the Taliban now have access to.' But he was unconcerned about the impact those gadgets would have on the Taliban's fighting capability - despite acknowledging they can be deadly. Roughly $28 billion alone was spent on Afghan weapons from 2002 - 2017, Reuters reports. Taliban fighters took control of Hamid Karzai International Airport after the US withdrew The Pentagon said the US aircraft and vehicles left behind have been demilitarized and no longer pose a threat if in the wrong hands The Taliban now controls all of Kabul after taking the airport when western forces departed 'The kinds of equipment we're talking about while certainly there is a lethality component to it, it doesn't pose a threat to the United States. It doesn't pose a threat to neighboring nations. These are not the kinds of things that the Taliban can make great strategic use out of them,' Kirby said. He didn't elaborate on what the 'lethality component' was or whether it would pose a threat to the thousands of vulnerable Afghans left behind. Before evacuating some US equipment and ammunition was destroyed by the military. But that didn't stop the Taliban from claiming victory. On Tuesday the Taliban held mock funerals for American troops and NATO allies as thousands turned out on the streets of major cities to celebrate the end of the 20-year US military intervention in Afghanistan. Coffins draped with the US, UK and French flags as well as NATO's insignia were paraded through the streets of Khost by crowds waving the Taliban's flag, hours after the final US plane departed. The taunting ceremony followed the deaths of 13 US troops in an ISIS-K suicide bombing on August 26 at the Kabul airport. In Kandahar - a traditional Taliban stronghold - thousands also turned out waving white Taliban flags to celebrate what the group is referring to as its 'independence day', hours after the final American troops boarded an evacuation flight out of the country. Fake coffins draped with the British, American, French and NATO flags were paraded through the streets of Khost in Afghanistan today as the Taliban celebrated the end of western 'occupation' It comes after celebratory scenes in Kabul overnight, where fireworks exploded and gunfire rattled through the air moments after the final US jet departed. Speaking from the runway at Kabul airport this morning - and surrounded by Taliban special forces units dressed head to toe in American gear - spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid hailed the 'victory' over western forces. 'It is an historical day and an historical moment.... we liberated our country from a great power,' he added, saying the last 20 years should serve as a 'big lesson for other invaders [and] a lesson for the world.' Following 2,356 US military deaths, many thousands wounded and an estimated $2.3 trillion spent on a 20-year endeavor that ended with the Taliban sweeping back to power, many Americans are frustrated with President Joe Biden's handling of the withdrawal. A university student who downloaded nearly 70,000 white supremacist and neo-Nazi documents and bomb-making instructions has been instructed to read classic novels including Pride and Prejudice to avoid prison time. Judge Timothy Spencer QC told Ben John, 21, he could stay out of prison as long as he steered clear of white-supremacy literature and and read books and plays by Jane Austen, William Shakespeare, Thomas Hardy and Charles Dickens. John will have to return to court every four months to be tested on his reading by the judge after avoiding jail 'by the skin of his teeth'. He had first been identified as a terror risk days after his 18th birthday and was referred to the Prevent programme but carried on downloading 'repellant' right-wing documents as well as a copy of The Anarchist Cookbook, which included diagrams and instructions on how to build explosives. Judge Timothy Spencer QC told Ben John, 21, (pictured) he could stay out of prison as long as he steered clear of white-supremacy literature and and read books and plays by Jane Austen, William Shakespeare, Thomas Hardy and Charles Dickens On August 11 this year he was found guilty by a jury at Leicester Crown Court of possessing information likely to be useful for preparing an act of terror and the court heard the conviction had a maximum jail sentence of 15 years. But Judge Spencer concluded his crime was likely to be 'an act of teenage folly' and an isolated incident. He told John at the sentencing hearing today: 'You are a lonely individual with few if any true friends.' He added John was 'highly susceptible' to recruitment by others more prone to action but said: 'I am not of the view that harm was likely to have been caused.' He made John promise him not to research any more right-wing materials. The judge then asked him: 'Have you read Dickens? Austen? Start with Pride and Prejudice and Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities. Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. 'Think about Hardy. Think about Trollope. 'On January 4 you will tell me what you have read and I will test you on it.' A Leicester Crown Court jury voted unanimously to find John guilty of having in his possession a record of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism (stock image) He added: 'I will be watching you, Ben John, every step of the way. If you let me down you know what will happen.' He then told John's barrister, Harry Bentley: 'He has by the skin of his teeth avoided imprisonment.' John was convicted of terrorism after a jury voted unanimously to find John guilty of having in his possession a record of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism. He was given a two-year jail sentence suspended for two years plus a further year on licence, monitored by the probation service. He was also given a five-year Serious Crime Prevention Order requiring him to stay in touch with the police and let them monitor his online activity and up to 30 days on a Healthy Identity Intervention programme. Earlier in the sentencing hearing Ben Lloyd, prosecuting, told the court John had failed to respond to warnings in the past. In January 2018 he had come to the attention of the authorities for his extreme views and had meetings with Prevent officers, which aims to de-radicalise young people at risk of extremism. But in May 2018 John wrote a letter to his school claiming to be part of 'The Lincoln Fascist Underground', with a tirade against gay people and immigrants, which led to more intensive intervention by Prevent and psychiatric evaluation. That did not stop him and in April 2019 he copied more than 9,000 right-wing and terror-related documents onto the hard drive of his computer, adding another 2,600 a few months later in August 2019. Those documents were only discovered in January 2020 after John's student accommodation was raided by police. They included seven documents that the judge described as being 'many, many viable instructions on how to make devastating explosions'. Lincolnshire Police had to carry out a forensic examination of his hard drives because they had been wiped by John, of Addison Drive, Lincoln, a month before the raid. The documents included 'a worrying amount of right-wing literature and imagery'. In the UK, it is illegal to knowingly possess material that could assist in terrorist-related activities under Section 58 of the Terrorism Act. John had amassed 67,788 documents in bulk downloads, which contained a wealth of white supremist and anti-Semitic material and police also found material related to a Satanist organisation. John (pictured) had amassed 67,788 documents in bulk downloads, which contained a wealth of white supremist and anti-Semitic material and police also found material related to a Satanist organisation Judge Spencer said: 'It is repellent, this content, to any right-thinking person. 'This material is largely relating to Nazi, fascist and Adolf Hitler-inspired ideology. 'But there was also a substantial quantity of more contemporary material espousing extreme right-wing, white-supremacist material. 'You suggested at trial it was mere academic fascination - I reject that. My view is that to a significant degree you have aligned with these ideologies and to a significant degree have adopted the views expressed as your own.' The bomb-making literature was examined by British military experts at Porton Down near Salisbury and seven of the documents had accurate guides to making firearms, ammunition and explosive devices. But Mr Bentley, representing John, argued that his client was 'very young' and 'not likely to cause harm'. He said that despite still having the documents on his computer throughout 2019 he had been 'engaging well' with Prevent team officers at that time. Mr Bentley said the whole case again John was 'really about not deleting items on a computer', which the judge described as an 'over-simplification' of the case. Forensic computer investigators found a radical publication from the 70s, The Anarchist Cookbook (pictured), which included diagrams and instructions on how to build explosives in his hard drive Mr Bentley said: 'Violence is the necessary ingredient of terrorism. It is not the prosecution case he was planning a terrorist attack. 'He was fascinated by extreme right-wing views and shared those views himself. 'He was a young man who struggled with emotions, however he is plainly an intelligent young man and now has a greater insight. 'He is by no means a lost cause and is capable of living a normal, pro-social life.' At the end of the hearing, the judge commended all the officers who worked on the case. Commenting on the sentence, Counter Terrorism Policing East Midlands Detective Inspector James Manning, who led the investigation, said: 'This was a young man who could be anyone's son, studying at university, and living one life in public, while conducting another in private. 'He possessed a wealth of National Socialist and anti-Semitic material which indicated a fascination and belief in a white supremacist ideology along with support for an extreme satanic group which is increasingly of concern for law enforcement agencies. 'The terrorist material he was found in possession of is extremely dangerous, and he acquired this to further his ideology. 'It indicates the threat that he and other followers of this hateful ideology pose to national security. 'It was not light reading, or material most would concern themselves with for legitimate reasons. This has been a long and complex investigation over the course of 11 months.' House Republicans demanded a vote on legislation on Tuesday that would keep U.S. troops in Afghanistan until all Americans were rescued, a day after the Pentagon announced that the last soldier had flown out of Kabul airport. About 20, including veterans of the Afghan war, attended a brief House session during the chamber's summer recess in an unsuccessful effort to pass a bill that would delay the withdrawal. Afterwards, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said the bill would ensure that a Taliban government was not recognized and that there was a plan to rescue as many as 200 Americans that the State Department believes were left behind. 'Never in my lifetime would I ever believe America would have an administration, knowingly, make a decision to leave Americans behind,' he said. 'Speaker Pelosi now was not the time to act like you could not see us on the floor. Now was not the time to hide. 'We were a co-equal branch. Now is the time for leadership in Congress, and we will lead.' House Republicans, led by Kevin McCarthy, demand that U.S. troops stay in Afghanistan until all remaining Americans have been rescued U.S. Army Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, steps on board a C-17 transport plane as the last U.S. service member to leave Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, shortly after midnight local time President Joe Biden will thank military commanders and service members in his first remarks since the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan on Tuesday afternoon but he is under pressure to explain how the withdrawal was handled At the same time he is under pressure from the Freedom Caucus and the right of his own party to demand the impeachment of President Joe Biden. In a sign of the risks faced by people left behind in Afghanistan, Taliban soldiers held mock funerals for Western forces to celebrate the final withdrawal of foreign troops. The five-minute pro forma House session include a moment's silence for the 13 service members who died in the Kabul suicide attack last Thursday. The House was then adjourned much to the anger of Republicans who wanted to vote on rep. Mike Gallagher's bill to delay the Afghanistan withdrawal. It would have prohibited troop reductions until all Americans and green card holders were evacuated unless they faced 'imminent hostilities.' A day earlier, Secretary of State Antony Blinken admitted that U.S. nationals remained in Afghanistan. '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. Negotiations are under way with other nations to develop a pathway out of Afghanistan, said President Biden in a statement. '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,' he said. The president is expected to return to the theme when he delivers remarks on Tuesday afternoon. But Republicans have kept up a steady stream of angry criticism at the decision to stick to an arbitrary timeline when Americans remain in harm's way. 'It is time for Congress to step up because of the administration bungling this withdrawal,' Gallagher said. 'This is a matter of life and death. We don't leave our people behind.' Taliban special forces fighters arrive inside the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the U.S. military's withdrawal The House is not scheduled to sit until September 20 and Pelosi's office said the bill would be akin to be 'tying the hands of the commander-in-chief.' 'President Biden ended the longest war in American history while Minority Leader McCarthy spent the week putting self-promotion over the safety of American soldiers risking their lives to evacuate more than 120,000 from a war zone,' Pelosis office said in a statement, according to The Hill. Members of the House Freedom Caucus held their own press conference to demand Biden's impeachment. 'Blame starts at the top with Biden and his hand picked vice president, who bragged that she was right there, making the same bad decisions,' said Rep Lauren Boebert. 'If not for her own dereliction of duty she should be impeached for not demanding we invoke the 25th amendment. 'It is time for actions: Impeach Biden, impeach Kamala Harris' The caucus strategized over whether to call for impeachment last week, according to Politico. With Republicans in the minority in the House and with Vice President Kamala Harris next in line to the White House some had reservations. But one source said: 'Doing nothing is not an option at this point.' A war hero who won the Military Cross after taking on around 20 enemy Iraqi gunmen is selling his gallantry medal this month in a bid to raise money for a house deposit. Corporal Tony Currie, 47, of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, earned the medal for his 'selfless courage and inspirational leadership' after he came under heavy fire near the Al Uzayr security base, in Southern Iraq, on the night of August 8, 2003. The Glasgow based soldier directed his team forward in a prolonged firefight before leading them in a frontal assault on the Iraqis who were armed with, machine guns, AK47 rifles and rocket propelled grenade launchers. Mr Currie, who served for 13 years and also won six other medals, will now sell his Military Cross at an auction later this month in an effort to raise money for a deposit on a house. Corporal Tony Currie, 47, of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, was awarded the Military Cross after taking on around 20 enemy Iraqi gunmen in 2003 The auction, which is due to take place at Dix Noonan Webb in London, could see the medal fetch between 15,000 and 20,000. Mr Currie was awarded the Military Cross after he and his fire team came under attack near the Al Uzayr security base in the Maysan Province in 2003. During the assault, around 20 Iraqi insurgents fired their machine guns and RPG7 rocket-propelled grenade launchers at the soldiers,. Cpl Currie shot dead one enemy soldier and wounded two others before clearing two buildings and recovering weapons and ammo. The soldier, who was presented with his Military Cross by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace the following year, later returned home to Scotland where he is now looking to buy a home. Head of client liaison at Dix Noonan Webb, Christopher Mellor-Hill, told The Scotsman: 'This is a unique set of awards, including the only Military Cross to the King's Own Scottish Borderers for Iraq.' The Glasgow based soldier will now sell his Military Cross at an auction later this month in an effort to raise money for a deposit on a house He added: 'Following the sale of Corporal Jardine's C.G.C in July, we are extremely pleased to be offering Corporal Currie's Military Cross as the other part of that story that does credit to all the soldiers of the King's Own Scottish Borderers at that time.' Last month, Mr Currie's colleague, Shaun Jardine, sold his Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) at auction for 14,000 to raise money for a family home. The soldier, from Dumfries, who also served as a corporal in the King's Own Scottish Borderers, received the award after he led his team move forward and forced the enemy to withdraw during an attack in the Maysan Province during the Iraq War in 2003. The head of an historic Cambridge University college has stepped down following accusations that he failed to adequately investigate a sexual abuse case. An independent inquiry had recommended that Trinity Hall consider taking disciplinary action against its master, Dr Jeremy Morris, in relation to his handling of one allegation. Dr Morris disputed this recommendation but thought it 'in the best interests of the College' to offer his resignation. In a statement released today, the College confirmed his departure after seven years and thanked him for his near decade of service at Cambridge. He had already stepped back from his duties last year while the college considered its response to issues raised in a report published by an online news website. Revd Dr Jeremy Morris has sensationally quit his post as Master of Trinity Hall following accusations that he failed to adequately investigate a sexual abuse case Trinity Hall said, in a statement published on its website on Tuesday: 'The college has accepted the resignation of the Master, Revd Canon Dr Jeremy Morris. 'Following allegations made in an online news site in early 2020, Trinity Hall's Governing Body agreed in March that year to commission an independent, external inquiry, led by Gemma White QC, into the college's handling of all the allegations raised. 'The inquiry report recommends that the college consider initiating disciplinary action against the Master in relation to his handling of one allegation made against a third party. 'The governing body has determined that there is a prima facie case for disciplinary action. 'The Master disputes this recommendation, noting in particular the inquiry's recognition that a number of contributors had praised his personal support for those who have raised issues of sexual abuse in specific situations. 'However, he considers that it is in the best interests of the college for him to offer his resignation, given the difficulties of the last 18 months, to enable the search for a new Master to begin. 'The college thanks Revd Canon Dr Jeremy Morris for his seven years of service to the college as its Master and for his nine years as Dean of Chapel, and wishes him well for the future.' A revealing online news article published by Tortoise in February 2020 reported on a number of allegations being made against students and staff working within Trinity Hall (pictured) A revealing online news article published by Tortoise in February 2020 reported on a number of allegations being made against students and staff working within Trinity Hall. More than 500 Cambridge students, staff and alumni signed an open letter calling for Dr Morris to resign that month. He temporarily stepped aside from duties while an internal probe, led by barrister Gemma White QC, took place, before resigning 18 months later. In May of this year, Trinity Hall released an update on their report which revealed their Inquiry Report will include recommendations for the creation of a 'Sexual Misconduct Working Group' - including both current and former students. Bus passengers pleaded with a speeding driver to slow down moments before he crashed it into a 656-foot Peruvian valley, killing at least 29 and injuring 24. Police general Cesar Cervantes said one of the victims was a six-year-old child. Three children were diagnosed with injuries. '29 bodies have been recovered so far,' San Mateo police mayor Freddy Loarte told reporters. 'We are waiting for the arrival of a crane.' The accident took place in the town of Matucana, along Peru's Central Highway, a corridor that connects the capital Lima to much of the central Andes. The bus, carrying 63 passengers, departed from Huanuco on Monday at 8:30 pm local time and was headed toward Lima. The crash reportedly took place around 4:00am. The injured were rushed to Matucana Hospital and Chosica Hospital. A bus crashed on Peru's Central Highway near the town of Matucana on Tuesday, killing at least 29 passengers and injuring 24. Authorities said the driver was speeding and hit a rock on before he lost control as the bus tumbled into the abyss and landed near a river basin Peruvian authorities tend to some of the 24 injured bus passengers following Tuesday morning's crash that claimed the lives of 29 people First responders carry an injured bus passenger during Tuesday morning's recovery efforts after a vehicle carrying 63 passengers crashed and landed 656 feet below the road surface near the Rimac River basin Cervantes said the deadly crash was caused by the speeding driver, who collided with a rock before losing control of the bus, landing 656 feet below the road surface near the Rimac River basin. One of the passengers, 24-year-old Clinton Bacilio, was traveling with his wife, Luz Tineo, who had to be hospitalized due to an injury, and recalled that the passengers begged the driver to slow down moments following the crash, according to Peruvian newspaper El Comercio. 'I remember that the bus crashed and kept moving. My wife and I decided to hold on to the seat in case it suddenly overturned, around because something happens,' Bacilio said. 'At that moment the bus leans down. We got away from the seat, we walked around and the bus came sliding.' Members of rescue teams recover the bodies of the deceased, at the location of a bus accident in Matucana, Peru, on Tuesday Members of rescue teams help at the location of a bus accident in Peru early Tuesday. Authorities confirmed 29 passengers were killed and 24 were injured The limit for passenger buses on Peru highways is 55 miles per hour. The transportation department issued 77,511 speeding infractions between January 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021. Tuesday's accident is the second involving a bus plunging from a road in Peru in a matter of days, after a bus carrying mining workers in a different part of the Andes also fell here off a cliff and killed 16 on Friday. The two incidents are unrelated, although bus plunges are not uncommon in Peru, especially in the Andes. The mountain range traverses the length of the country and its highways are often dangerous, overlooking tall cliffs. The Afghan interpreter who helped rescue President Biden from a remote Afghan valley in 2008 has been left behind after the last US evacuation flight took off on Monday, according to a report. Mohammed, going only by his first name for safety reasons, is hiding from the Taliban with his wife and four children after trying for years to get out of Afghanistan to no avail. Mohammed, while working for the US Army, had a key role in a story often repeated - and embellished - by Biden during his 2008 run for vice president. As senator, Biden was on board one of two Blackhawk helicopters that made an emergency landing in a blinding snowstorm, alongside then-Sens. John Kerry D-Mass., and Chuck Hagel, R-Neb. Mohammed is one of the thousands of SIV applicants left behind. There were 88,000 SIV applicants and as of last week only 6,000 had gotten out. Then-Senators Joe Biden, John Kerry, and Chuck Hagel in Kunar Province in eastern Afghanistan, February 20, 2008 Kerry, left, is seen with Biden, right, during their visiting to the governor's office in Asad Abad, the provincial capital of Kunar province east of Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008 Badri 313 units post for the cameras at Kabul airport today, carrying American-made rifles and wearing US military gear A private security team with the former firm Blackwater and US Army soldiers stood watch for Taliban fighters as the crew called Bagram Air Base for help, where Mohammed jumped in a Humvee along with a force from the 82nd Airborne Division and drove hours into the mountains to rescue them. The three senators were driven back to the base with the convoy. 'Hello Mr. President: Save me and my family,' Mohammed said, according to the Wall Street Journal. 'Don't forget me here.' 'I can't leave my house,' he said on Tuesday. 'I'm very scared.' Mohammed's visa application reportedly stalled when the defense contractor he worked for lost records needed for his visa application. As the Taliban seized control on Aug. 15, Mohammed tried his luck at the Kabul airport gates but was turned away by US forces. They told him he could go but he'd have to leave behind his wife and children. US soldiers say Mohammed was there alongside them for over 100 firefights. The area of the rescue was not under Taliban control, but just one day before the three then-senators' choppers went down, Taliban had killed nearly two dozen Taliban insurgents just 10 miles away. 'We were going to send Biden out to fight the Taliban with snowballs, but we didn't have to do it,' Kerry joked after the senators' rescue. The trip was one of many that Biden, then chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, took overseas with Kerry and Hagel, who went on to become secretaries of state and defense respectively under President Obama. In a speech on the campaign trail, Biden said in 2008: 'If you want to know where Al Qaeda lives, you want to know where (Usama) bin Laden is, come back to Afghanistan with me. Come back to the area where my helicopter was forced down with a three-star general and three senators at 10,500 feet in the middle of those mountains. I can tell you where they are.' 'It's in the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan,' he said, 'where my helicopter was recently forced down.' Army veterans have stepped in on Mohammed's behalf to call for help. 'If you can only help one Afghan, choose [Mohammed],' wrote Shawn O'Brien, an Army combat veteran who worked with him in Afghanistan in 2008. 'He earned it.' The US has evacuated over 120,000 from Taliban rule since Aug. 14, including 5,500 Americans, but left behind somewhere between 100 and 200 Americans and thousands of Afghan interpreters who worked with the US military in its hasty exit. The State Department has promised to use all diplomatic channels to continue evacuations without a troop or embassy presence. A White House official declined to comment on Mohammed's case for confidentiality reasons. Illinois Democrats are preparing to approve on Tuesday a new congressional map that nixes the 16th district, which Trump-critic Republican Adam Kinzinger represents. The redo comes after lawsuits claimed the redistricted maps were based on the American Community Survey, which produced population estimates, rather than the 2020 census outcome released last month. Democrats in the state, however, said this week that the redistricted map was updated to better reflect the official results from the 2020 census. Illinois State House leaders said the legislature would return to Springifled on Tuesday for another vote on the new map in an effort to ensure Democrats maintain control over the map-making process. The vote is a redo for the map already approved by Democrats in the state earlier this summer but challenged through lawsuits from Illinois Republicans and Latino civil rights group Mexican Americans Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Democrats in Illinois are looking to approve a redistricted congressional map on Tuesday based on the 2020 census results that could get rid of the current 16th district Representative Adam Kinzinger, a Republican and Trump critic, could lose his House seat from redistricting in Illinois If allowed to go through the courts rather than decided at the legislature level, Democrats, who control the Illinois House, Senate and governorship, fear a judge could throw out the maps or allow a bipartisan commission to take over. House and Senate Democrats in Illinois posted online for the first time Monday afternoon new versions of the maps that will be used in elections for the next 10 years. State Representative Elizabeth Hernandez, a Democrat who leads the House Redistricting Committee, said Monday, according to NBC News, that the new district lines better reflect the data we recently received from the U.S. Census and ensure communities are represented by the people of their choice. Most importantly, Illinois Democrats want to make sure they maintain control of the legislative and executive branches in the state by posing themselves best for the 2022 midterm elections. Kinzinger, a moderate Republican, could lose his House seat as the latest map would have the 16th district swallowed up by two surrounding districts with Democratic U.S. House members. He told Politico last week he isn't 'losing sleep' over the new map, of which he has no control over. 'If I lose my district, we'll take a look then,' he said. 'But I'm not too freaked out.' Although no official map has been released yet, draft copies of the new Illinois districts have emerged based on preliminary population counts not the official Census Bureau numbers from the decennial survey. Illinois' declining population is leading to the state losing one of its 18 congressional districts. Democrats are fully in charge of the redistricting process in Illinois as the party controls the General Assembly's House and Senate and the governor, J. B. Pritzker, who holds veto power over the new map, is also a Democrat. The party will, of course, attempt to organize the new map to maximize gains for upcoming elections. Kinzinger, although a staunch critic of former President Donald Trump, is still a Republican serving in a blue-leaning area in the southwest outskirts of Chicago. The representative is also one of the two Republicans House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tapped to serve on her select committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack after Republicans refused to cooperate with the probe by nominating their own panel members. The other Republican on the committee is fellow Trump-critic Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming. By getting rid of Illinois' 16th district, the land would get lumped into Democratic Representatives Lauren Underwood's and Cheri Bustos' districts. Bustos is retiring, so Democrats want to do all they can to make sure they hang onto the seat in next month's midterm elections. Illinois Democrats need to back 12 incumbents running for reelection in 2022 while maintaining control of Bustos' district and try to flip Republican Representative Rodney Davis' red 13th district seat blue. Democrats view getting rid of Kinzinger's seat as the easiest way to achieve all of those goals. Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert has found a way to out-do fellow House Republican members demanding Joe Biden's impeachment demanding not only Biden's ouster but the next three people behind him in the line of succession. Boebert, who in the past said she hopes the QAnon conspiracy theory is 'real,' issued the demands at a press conference at the Capitol along with members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, a day after the last US troops left Kabul following a chaotic evactuation. 'The blame starts at the top with Biden and his hand-picked vice president, who bragged that she was right there, making the same bad decisions,' she said, pointing to VP Kamala Harris' statement that she was the last person in the room when Biden decided to pull all US forces out of Afghanistan. 'And if not for her own dereliction of duty, she should be impeached for not demanding we invoke the 25th amendment,' the Colorado Republican continued. 'It is time for action impeach Biden impeach Kamala Harris, and throw in the Secretary of State, if you could get him back from vacation, take a vote to vacate the chair to get Nancy Pelosi, the heck out of here,' she said. Rep. Lauren Boebert is calling to impeach Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Antony Blinken over Afghanistan and also wants to use a procedure to oust Speaker Nancy Pelosi She was referencing the 25th Amendment to the constitution, which allows the vice president and members of the cabinet to vote to remove a president who is unable to fulfill their duties. Biden selected Harris as his running made, but the choice was affirmed by the Democratic National Convention and her name appeared on the ballot across the country. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who on Monday told the nation fewer than 200 Americans remain in Afghanistan and wanted to leave, was in vacation in the Hamptons shortly before the fall of Kabul, the Washington Post reported. Boebert said VP Kamala Harris should be impeached for failing to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Biden for being unfit She also wants to impeach Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was reportedly on vacation when Kabul fell Efforts to impeach Biden won't go anywhere while Democrats control the House, but will gain steam if the GOP takes over House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) faces pressure from within his own party to go harder on Biden amid mounting calls for the president to impeached The Freedom Caucus, of which Boebert is a member, has already written House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy calling on him to make a motion to 'vacate the chair,' which could trigger a vote that would result in Pelosi's removal. They called to use the procedure to end Pelosi's 'authoritarian' rule in July, after she bumped two Republican selections from a select committee on the Jan. 6th Capitol riot. But for the move to get 'privileged' consideration, the GOP conference would need to back it. The larger obstacle is Democratic control of the House, which presumably would thwart a GOP move to remove the speaker. That is what makes any push to impeach Biden largely symbolic for now although all that could change if Republicans were to gain control after the 2022 elections. If Boebert's moves were to succeed in the 50-50 Senate, next in the line of succession would be Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, 81, the Senate president pro tempore. Afghan Air Force's A-29 attack aircrafts are pictured as armoured vests are lying on the ground inside a hangar at the airport in Kabul on August 31, 2021, after the US has pulled all its troops out of the country to end a brutal 20-year war Boebert wants to remove House Speaker Nancy Pelosi House Republicans demanded a vote on legislation on Tuesday that would keep U.S. troops in Afghanistan until all Americans were rescued, a day after the Pentagon announced that the last soldier had flown out of Kabul airport. About 20, including veterans of the Afghan war, attended a brief House session during the chamber's summer recess in an unsuccessful effort to pass a bill that would delay the withdrawal. Afterwards, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said the bill would ensure that a Taliban government was not recognized and that there was a plan to rescue as many as 200 Americans that the State Department believes were left behind. 'Never in my lifetime would I ever believe America would have an administration, knowingly, make a decision to leave Americans behind,' he said. 'Speaker Pelosi now was not the time to act like you could not see us on the floor. Now was not the time to hide. 'We were a co-equal branch. Now is the time for leadership in Congress, and we will lead.' The five-minute pro forma session include a moment's silence for the 13 service members who died in the Kabul suicide attack last Thursday. The House was then adjourned much to the anger of Republicans who wanted to vote on rep. Mike Gallagher's bill to delay the Afghanistan withdrawal. It would have prohibited troop reductions until all Americans and green card holders were evacuated unless they faced 'imminent hostilities.' A day earlier, Secretary of State Antony Blinken admitted that U.S. nationals remained in Afghanistan. '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. Negotiations are under way with other nations to develop a pathway out of Afghanistan, said President Biden in a statement. '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,' he said. The president is expected to return to the theme when he delivers remarks on Tuesday afternoon. But Republicans have kept up a steady stream of angry criticism at the decision to stick to an arbitrary timeline when Americans remain in harm's way. 'It is time for Congress to step up because of the administration bungling this withdrawal,' Gallagher said. 'This is a matter of life and death. We don't leave our people behind.' The House is not scheduled to sit until September 20 and Pelosi's office said the bill would be akin to be 'tying the hands of the commander-in-chief.' 'President Biden ended the longest war in American history while Minority Leader McCarthy spent the week putting self-promotion over the safety of American soldiers risking their lives to evacuate more than 120,000 from a war zone,' Pelosis office said in a statement, according to The Hill. At the same time, McCarthy faces pressure from within his own party to go harder on Biden amid mounting calls for the president to impeached. Members of the House Freedom Caucus discussed whether to endorse calling for Biden to be impeached during a meeting last week, according to Politico. But with Republicans in the minority in the House and with Vice President Kamala Harris next in line to the White House some have reservations. One source said: 'Doing nothing is not an option at this point.' The Taliban has cut off the communications network to the Panjshir Province north of the capital where resistance fighters have gathered. Several thousand anti-Taliban fighters, from local militias as well as remnants of army and special forces units, have gathered in the valley under the command of regional leader Ahmad Massoud. But Panjshir residents say communication has now been cut and that the lack of phone and internet networks is causing serious challenges, TOLO News reported. It comes a week after it the Taliban said they were preparing to send hundreds of fighters to the region which is known as the anti-Taliban bastion. The Taliban has reportedly cut off the communications network to the Panjshir Province. Pictured: Members of resistance movement gather in Khenj District in Panjshir province today Resistance fighters train with rifles as they prepare for the possible arrival of Taliban forces THE PANJSHIR VALLEY: The valley lies around 100 miles north of the capital Kabul, overlooked by the Hindu Kush mountains and with narrow approaches ideally suited for ambushes Gul Haidar, a resident there, told TOLO News: 'They have cut off telecommunication services in Panjshir for the last two days. 'Panjshir people are facing challenges in this regard and cannot get in touch with their relatives living in other parts of the country.' Others living in Kabul who had friends and family in the region said that they had not been able to get in touch. Reports suggest the Taliban have closed roads and cut off food supply to the area causing prices to skyrocket. The two sides are said to want to resolve the situation peacefully but the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that talks were not going well. It is not known if the cutting of communication is a sign that the Taliban intends to lay siege to the area. Ahmad Massoud (left), son of 'the Lion of the Panjshir' (right), is the leader of Northern Alliance 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 Ahmad Massoud, son of late military commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, leads the resistance against the Taliban in Panjshir. Yesterday, it was revealed the resistance forces vowed to continue in their fight against the Taliban as they were pictured training in the Panjshir Valley. 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. The Republican-controlled Texas legislature passed a sweeping overhaul of voting laws on Tuesday, after weeks of delay as Democratic lawmakers fled the state to avoid voting on the measure. It means the legislation must now go to Governor Greg Abbott, who said he will sign the bill - the latest part of a national GOP push to tighten voting restrictions. This summer Texas Democrats turned it into the most protracted fight in the US over new voting legislation. Democrats twice walked out of the state Capitol to temporarily bock the bill, including a 38-day holdout in one of the longest quorum breaks in Texas history. More than 50 Texas House lawmakers fled the state in July for Washington DC on private jets. Enough have since returned to fill Texas's 100-person mandate for a quorum, but those continuing to hold out have said they felt betrayed by their colleagues. The bill's most recent passage through the two chambers of the state legislature is a victory for Abbott and Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, who drew up 52 arrest warrants for missing Democrats on August 10. Speaker of the House Dade Phelan listens as the Texas House debates SB 1, a Republican-led measure that would tighten voting procedures in Texas The bill's passage through the state House is a huge win for Governor Greg Abbott, who has vowed to sign the measure when it gets to his desk The measure would limit how and when voters can cast a ballot in booming and fast-changing Texas, where decades of commanding Republican victories on Election Day are starting to shrink. Many of the most hotly contested changes would eliminate expanded voting access that Texas' largest county, Harris County, put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Harris County, which includes Houston and is a major source of Democratic votes, offered 24-hour polling places, drive-thru voting and tried sending mail-ballot applications to 2 million registered voters last year. All of that would now be outlawed under the bill heading to Abbott. Texas State Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Kerrville, answers questions of fellow lawmakers as they debate voting bill SB1 in the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Republicans say criticism of the bill's impacts are exaggerated and emphasize it would add an extra hour of early voting daily, as well as expand the number of counties that must offer 12 hours of early voting on weekdays. The House approved the package after removing a bipartisan provision to avoid prosecuting voters with felony convictions who were unaware they couldnt cast a ballot. The rebuffed proposal followed backlash to the illegal voting arrests of two Texans who said they did not realize the law prohibits people on parole, probation or supervised released from voting. Both voters are black, which intensified criticism amid a broader fight over voting restrictions that opponents say disproportionately impact people of color. New rules would have required judges to clearly explain voting prohibitions upon sentencing. No other last-minute changes were made to the sweeping GOP elections bill. FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2020, file photo, voters deliver their ballots to a polling station in Tempe, Ariz. An Associated Press investigation has found county election officials throughout Arizona have identified fewer than 200 cases of potential voter fraud from last year's presidential election that require review by local prosecutors. The findings undermine claims by former President Donald Trump and his allies that widespread fraud is to blame for his loss in Arizona. (AP Photo/Matt York, File) Crystal Mason was sentenced to five years in prison for voting in the 2016 presidential election when she was on probation. In July, Hervis Rogers was arrested on charges of illegal voting because he cast a ballot while still on parole after waiting more than six hours in line during the 2020 presidential primary. The cases drew national attention and angered critics who saw both as overzealous attempts by Republicans to look tough on rare cases of improper voting. The Brennan Center for Justice in 2017 ranked the risk of ballot fraud at 0.00004% to 0.0009%, based on studies of past elections. Republican state Rep. Briscoe Cain, who had carried the sweeping voting bill in the House earlier this year, said he supported the amendment to clarify the voting rules for those with felony convictions to ensure that 'people that do innocent things' are not harmed for past mistakes. The all-Republican Texas Supreme Court decided two weeks ago that the Democratic lawmakers who fled in order to delay passage of election security legislation can be arrested and brought to the state House of Representatives. Abbott and Phelan acted as plaintiffs in the case. The unanimous ruling overturns a county judge's restraining order blocking their arrest, the third attempt by a lower court to shield the state representatives. In his opinion, Justice Jimmy Blacklock insisted the ruling doesn't have to do with whether arresting the absent members is a 'good idea' or if the voting legislation they're avoiding is 'desirable.' More than 50 Texas House Democrats fled the state for Washington, DC on July 12 to avoid voting on the election security bill Numerous members still remained in DC as of August. In this file photo taken on August 6th, Texas State Democratic Representative Trey Martinez Fischer speaks outside the US Capitol The Texas Supreme Court's decision means that state lawmakers who are arrested can be compelled to return to the State House floor 'Those are political questions far outside the scope of the judicial function. The legal question before this Court concerns only whether the Texas Constitution gives the House of Representatives the authority to physically compel the attendance of absent members. We conclude that it does,' Blacklock wrote. In deciding that Texas's constitution grants the House the power to 'compel the attendance of absent members,' the opinion points out that the phrase literally means 'a physical state of being.' 'Although arrest of absent members may seem an extreme step to some observers, the fact remains that if the absent members are sufficiently motivated to resist, the quorum-forcing authority given by the constitution to the present members can only be effectuated by physical compulsion,' the justice concluded. The Texas attorney general's office posted on Twitter in support of the decision and ripped the missing Democrats. 'As predicted, the law is on our side. House Democrats were elected to do a job - and it is time for them to come home and do just that, regardless if the outcome doesnt lean in their favor,' the post read. 'Childish antics will not be tolerated.' The decision was approved after the Texas House voted 80-12 to move forward with the arrests for absent members, which enabled Phelan to issue the warrants. It's the second time that such a vote has been taking during the quorum-bust. Advertisement President Joe Biden on Tuesday said the troop withdrawal from Kabul that left 13 US service members dead was an 'extraordinary success' and blamed Donald Trump and local soldiers for the mess in Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover. A defiant Biden said the operation couldn't have been done in a 'more orderly manner' and 'respectfully disagreed' with critics who said he should have started the evacuation sooner to avoid the chaos. The president also hailed the 120,000 people they have gotten to safety in 'one of the biggest airlifts in history', vowed to keep working to get Afghan allies out and said the State Department had reached out to stranded Americans 19 times since March asking if they wanted to leave. Biden spoke passionately as he defended his actions, at times waving his arms and gripping the podium, amid intense criticism from Democrats, many Republicans and fellow world leaders about his handling of the U.S. drawdown. Eleven Marines, a Special Forces member and a Navy Corpsman were all killed in the ISIS-K suicide attack last Thursday as US forces frantically tried to get people on evacuation flights before the August 31 deadline. Thousands of local allies and at least 100 U.S. citizens are still stuck and facing threats from the Taliban. Afghans desperate to leave ran after US planes on the tarmac and two fell out of the skies to their deaths in a bid to escape the rule of the insurgents. The Taliban have also tightened their grip on Afghanistan and are holding mock funerals for Western troops, reportedly beating female cops and a retired three-star general has warned America's return is 'inevitable'. In the lengthy remarks, where he refused to take shouted questions from reporters, Biden argued the world was changing and brought up his late son Beau, an Iraq War veteran who died of brain cancer. He cited cyber threats from Russia and China as among the modern concerns America must face. 'Let me be clear. Leaving August 31 is not due to an arbitrary deadline. It was designed to save American lives,' Biden said in his first public remarks since the final US soldier left Hamid Karzai International Airport on Monday night. After, the president took to Twitter to continue his defense of the withdrawal, saying that the US presence in Afghanistan ran counter to US national security interests, and vowed to continue supporting the Afghan people through diplomacy, international influence and aid. 'This decision about Afghanistan is not just about Afghanistan. It is about ending an era of major military operations to remake other countries,' he wrote in a series of tweets. 'The fundamental obligation of a President is to defend America. Not against the threats of 2001, but against the threats of 2021 and tomorrow,' he continued. 'I do not believe the safety and security of America is enhanced by continuing to deploy thousands of American troops in Afghanistan.' The Taliban celebrated the American withdraw by hosting mock funerals with coffins draped with the US, UK and French flags as well as NATO's insignia. They launched fireworks into the Kabul skyline and flaunted the American weapons and equipment they obtained that U.S. military personnel left behind. August 31 was the deadline Biden set earlier this year and stuck to despite pleas from some Democratic lawmakers who were veterans and his fellow world leaders, who used a G7 virtual meeting to plead with him to keep boots on the ground longer. But Biden argued Trump, his predecessor in the Oval Office, tied his hands on the matter. He noted Trump signed a deal with the Taliban to leave by May 1 and that shackled his options. President Joe Biden on Tuesday said the US troop withdrawal from Kabul was an 'extraordinary success' and blamed Donald Trump and local soldiers for the chaos in Afghanistan Thirteen members of the US military were killed in an ISIS-K suicide attack last Thursday as US forces frantically tried to get people on evacuation flights. Afghans desperate to leave ran after US planes on the tarmac and two fell out of the skies to their deaths in a bid to escape the rule of the insurgents 'My predecessor, the former president, signed an agreement with the Taliban to remove U.S. troops by May 1, just months after I was inaugurated,' he said. He said that agreement allowed the release of 5,000 prisoners last year. 'including some of the Taliban's top war commanders among those that just took control of Afghanistan.' 'By the time I came to office, the Taliban was in its strongest military position since 2001,' Biden said. He painted the decision to leave as a 'simple' one: 'Either follow-through on the commitment made by the last administration and leave Afghanistan or say we weren't leaving and commit another tens of thousands more troops going back to war. That was the choice, the real choice.' 'I was not going to extend the war,' Biden said, his voice rising as he spoke. He defended specific criticism he faced, including questions about the remaining Americans - estimated between 100 to 200 - still in Afghanistan. He vowed to bring them home. 'For those remaining Americans, there is no deadline. We remain committed to get them out if they want to come out,' he said. Biden told ABC News earlier this month he wouldn't remove U.S. troops until all Americans were home. He also defended the evacuation after last week's suicide bombing killed 13 U.S. service members and hundreds of Afghan allies. 'We completed one of the biggest airlifts in history with more than 120,000 people evacuated to safety.' He also blamed the Afghan leaders for not doing their part. After his spoken remarks, Biden took to Twitter Tuesday evening to continue his defense of the withdrawal, and vowed to continue to support the Afghan people through aid and diplomacy He conceded that he under estimated how long the Afghan government would hang on. The Taliban essentially took control of the country on August 15. 'The assumption was that more than 300,000 Afghan national security forces that we had trained over the past two decades and equipped would be a strong adversary in their civil wars with the Taliban. That assumption that the Afghan government would hold on for a period of time beyond military draw down turned out not to be accurate,' he admitted. There are reports the Taliban harsh rule has returned. A top Afghan female cop is on the run after suffering a 'brutal beating' from them. She was singled out by the Taliban as a target at the gates outside Hamid Karzai international airport in Kabul, where she spent five nights attempting to secure a place on an evacuation flight. The president pushed back against critics who said the evacuation should have started sooner. He said it would have been chaos no matter when it started. 'I respectfully disagree. Imagine if we begun an evacuation in June or July, bringing thousands of American troops and evacuating more than 120,000 people in the middle of a civil war. There still would have been a rush to the airport. A breakdown of confidence and control of the government and still would have been very difficult and dangerous mission. The bottom line is, there's no evacuation from the end of a war that you can run without the kinds of complexities and challenges and threats we faced, none,' he said. He paid tribute to the 'selfless courage' displayed by U.S. service members and diplomatic staff for evacuating Americans and Afghan allies from Kabul. They 'did their job and did it well,' Biden said. The president mentioned his trip to Dover over the weekend to witness the return of the service member remains and meet with families. But the White House has refused to discuss the conversations. And there are reports some family members were angry with the president. Mark Schmitz, the father of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, told The Washington Post that he showed a picture of his son to Biden and told the president: 'Don't you ever forget that name. Don't you ever forget that face. Don't you ever forget the names of the other 12. And take some time to learn their stories. He recalled that Biden didn't seem to like those comments. 'I do know their stories,' Schmitz detailed that the president shot back. Schmitz also said that a sister of a fallen troop yelled at the president after receiving the remains on Sunday: 'I hope you burn in hell! That was my brother!' Families of the fallen U.S. service members were left disappointed by Joe Biden at the dignified transfer on Sunday. One sister of a fallen Marine yelled at the president: 'I hope you burn in hell! That was my brother!' Biden will now have to rely on cooperation with the Taliban (pictured in Kabul on Tuesday) to try and get the remaining Afghan allies and American citizens out Biden also argued the world was different since the U.S. invaded Afghanistan nearly 20 years ago, shortly after the September 11th attacks. He said there are new threats America has to deal with. 'We succeeded in what we set out to do in Afghanistan over a decade ago. We stayed for another decade. It was time to end this war. This is a new world,' he said. 'The world is changing. We're engaged in a serious competition with China. We're dealing with the challenges on multiple fronts with Russia. We're confronted with cyber attacks and nuclear proliferation,' he said. 'We can do both, fight terrorism and take on new threats that are here now and we'll continue to be here in the future. There's nothing China or Russia rather that, would want more in this competition that on the United States to be bogged down another decade in Afghanistan,' he added. Biden's speech, originally scheduled for 1:30 p.m., was pushed back to 2:45 p.m. and then began shortly before 3:30 p.m. And Tuesday's speech doesn't mark the end of the Afghan conundrum for the president. He has to deal with the Taliban take over of the country and relocation of thousands of Afghan refugees in the months to come. Additionally, Republicans are expected to make it a political issue in the 2022 midterms. And the president's approval rating has taken a nose dive in the wake of the Afghanistan evacuation and withdrawal. Only 38% of Americans approved of his handling of the situation, according to a ABC News/Ipsos survey released Sunday. The situation also has hurt Biden's campaign argument that he should be elected for his competence and experience. Some Democrats, many Republicans and foreign allies had pleaded with him to extend the August 31st deadline but the administration argued it would not make a significant difference on the ground there. Meanwhile, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told ABC's Good Morning America that the U.S. intends to continue sending health, food and other forms of humanitarian aid to the Afghan people. He also said that other forms of cash aid, including economic and developmental assistance, would depend on whether the Taliban 'follow through on their commitments' including to allow safe passage for Americans still in Afghanistan. 'It's going to be up to them and we will wait and see by their actions how we end up responding in terms of the economic and developmental assistance,' he said. Sullivan insisted that any aid would flow through 'international institutions' and not directly to the Taliban, however the militant group is now in full control of the country's government and banking system. Biden invokes late son Beau again amid criticism over the 13 US service members killed in Kabul In his first address since the US' historic and chaotic final withdrawal from Afghanistan, President Biden defended his withdrawal - even as he laid blame on President Trump and the Afghan security forces - and again brought up his late son, Beau, who died in 2015 at the age of 46 from brain cancer. 'I don't think enough people understand how much we have asked of the 1% of this country who put that uniform on, willing to put their lives on the line in defense of our nation. Maybe it's because my deceased son Beau served in Iraq for a full year.' 'Let me be clear. Leaving August 31 is not due to an arbitrary deadline. It was designed to save American lives,' Biden said in his first public remarks since the final US soldier left Hamid Karzai International Airport on Monday night. Biden has of late been thinking often of the tragic loss of his son, as is evidenced by the frequent references in his remarks. Beau wasn't killed in combat, though the president has at times questioned whether his exposure to burn pits had a hand in causing his cancer. Last week, 13 US service members were killed, and some of the Gold Star families said that they were a bit disappointed the president kept bringing up his late son, as he tried to relate to their fresh sense of loss and devastation. Here are the times the president has called to mind his deceased son as he's dealt with the Afghanistan chaos: Aug. 31- Remarks after troop withdrawal 'I don't think enough people understand how much we have asked of the 1% of this country who put that uniform on, willing to put their lives on the line in defense of our nation. Maybe it's because my deceased son Beau served in Iraq for a full year.' Biden was speaking after the drawdown of troop presence in Afghanistan, as Americans and allies were still stuck on the ground. He defended his decision to pull out, even as he laid blame on a peace deal struck by President Trump. Aug. 29- Conversations with families of slain troops Mark Schmitz, father of 20-year-old Jared who died in the suicide bombing in Kabul, told the Washington Post that when he met with Biden he spent much time talking about Beau. 'When he just kept talking about his son so much it was just my interest was lost in that. I was more focused on my own son than what happened with him and his son,' Schmitz said. 'I'm not trying to insult the president, but it just didn't seem that appropriate to spend that much time on his own son.' 'I think it was all him trying to say he understands grief,' Schmitz added. 'But when you're the one responsible for ultimately the way things went down, you kind of feel like that person should own it a little bit more. Our son is now gone. Because of a direct decision or game plan or lack thereof that he put in place.' Biden, right, talks with his son, US Army Capt. Beau Biden, left, at Camp Victory on the outskirts of Baghdad on July 4, 2009 Aug. 29- Biden checks his wrist at dignified transfer ceremony As the bodies of slain US troops were delivered home in Dover, Delaware Sunday, the president was said to have 'checked his watch' each time a flag-draped casket was removed from the Air Force C-17. 'They would release the salute and he looked down at his watch on every last one,' Hoover said. 'All 13, he looked down at his watch.' Biden wear's his late son Beau's rosary on his wrist just above his watch, and the president's supporters have said he was looking at the rosary rather than checking the time. Aug. 26- Remarks after terror attack 'Being the father of an Army major who served for a year in Iraq and, before that, was in Kosovo as a U.S. attorney for the better part of six months in the middle of a war when he came home after a year in Iraq, he was diagnosed, like many, many coming home, with an aggressive and lethal cancer of the brain who we lost. We have some sense, like many of you do, what the families of these brave heroes are feeling today. You get this feeling like you're being sucked into a black hole in the middle of your chest; there's no way out. My heart aches for you. Biden was speaking after a terrorist attack in Kabul killed 170, including 13 US troops who were trying to help Americans and allies escape from Taliban rule. Aug. 20- Remarks on the evacuation 'Whenever I deploy our troops into harm's way, I take that responsibility seriously. I carry that burden every day, just as I did when I was Vice President and my son was deployed to Iraq for a year,' Biden said, explaining his decision to leave. Later, he pointed to the Trump-era peace deal that promised US troops would be out by May 1. 'The idea that if I had said on May the 2nd or 3rd, 'We are not leaving; we are staying' does anybody truly believe that I would not have had to put in significantly more American forces send your sons, your daughters like my son was sent to Iraq to maybe die? And for what? For what?' Aug. 19- Interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos In Biden's first interview as chaos unfolded and the Taliban took over with lightning-fast speed, Stephanopoulos asked what the president would say to those who took issue with his strategy for withdrawal. 'I think a lot of Americans, and even a lot of veterans who served in Afghanistan agree with you on the big, strategic picture. They believe we had to get out. But I wonder how you respond to an Army Special Forces officer, Javier McKay (PH). He did seven tours. He was shot twice. He agrees with you. He says, 'We have to cut our losses in Afghanistan.' But he adds, 'I just wish we could've left with honor.'' Stephanopoulos said. 'Look, that's like askin' my deceased son Beau, who spent six months in Kosovo and a year in Iraq as a Navy captain and then major-- I mean, as an Army major. And, you know, I'm sure h-- he had regrets comin' out of Afganista-- I mean, out of Iraq. He had regrets to what's-- how-- how it's going. But the idea-- what's the alternative? The alternative is why are we staying in Afghanistan? Why are we there? Don't you think that the one-- you know who's most disappointed in us getting out? Russia and China,' Biden replied. July 4- Independence Day celebration remarks On the July 4 holiday Biden was sure to reference his son as he thanked US troops for their service. 'Like so many military families, thinking of loved ones who served, we think of our son Beau today,' Biden said. 'You're all part of a long chain of patriots who pledged their lives and their sacred honor in defense of this nation and democracy around the world. For freedom and fair play, for peace and security and opportunity. For the cause of justice, for the soul of America itself.' Advertisement The US Army then released a nightvision image of Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division and the ground commander of the Kabul evacuation, boarding a plane as the last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan The diplomats above, including Amb. Ross Wilson, were some of the last to leave Kabul as the embassy closed out of Afghanistan and transferred its mission to Qatar One of the last US Air Force aircraft takes off from the airport in Kabul on August 30 A crowd carries makeshift coffins draped in NATO's, U.S. and a Union Jack flags during a mock funeral on a street in Khost, Afghanistan on Tuesday taunting Western forces after their withdrawal Biden abandons Afghan interpreter who RESCUED him when his Blackhawk was forced to land in a snowstorm in 2008: Translator asked president to save him from the Taliban The Afghan interpreter who helped rescue President Biden from a remote Afghan valley in 2008 has been left behind after the last US evacuation flight took off on Monday, according to a report. Mohammed, going only by his first name for safety reasons, is hiding from the Taliban with his wife and four children after trying for years to get out of Afghanistan to no avail. Mohammed, while working for the US Army, had a key role in a story often repeated - and embellished - by Biden during his 2008 run for vice president. As senator, Biden was on board one of two Blackhawk helicopters that made an emergency landing in a blinding snowstorm, alongside then-Sens. John Kerry D-Mass., and Chuck Hagel, R-Neb. Mohammed is one of the thousands of SIV applicants left behind. There were 88,000 SIV applicants and as of last week only 6,000 had gotten out. Then-Senators Joe Biden, John Kerry, and Chuck Hagel in Kunar Province in eastern Afghanistan, February 20, 2008 Kerry, left, is seen with Biden, right, during their visiting to the governor's office in Asad Abad, the provincial capital of Kunar province east of Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008 A private security team with the former firm Blackwater and US Army soldiers stood watch for Taliban fighters as the crew called Bagram Air Base for help, where Mohammed jumped in a Humvee along with a force from the 82nd Airborne Division and drove hours into the mountains to rescue them. The three senators were driven back to the base with the convoy. 'Hello Mr. President: Save me and my family,' Mohammed said, according to the Wall Street Journal. 'Don't forget me here.' 'I can't leave my house,' he said on Tuesday. 'I'm very scared.' Mohammed's visa application reportedly stalled when the defense contractor he worked for lost records needed for his visa application. As the Taliban seized control on Aug. 15, Mohammed tried his luck at the Kabul airport gates but was turned away by US forces. They told him he could go but he'd have to leave behind his wife and children. US soldiers say Mohammed was there alongside them for over 100 firefights. The area of the rescue was not under Taliban control, but just one day before the three then-senators' choppers went down, Taliban had killed nearly two dozen Taliban insurgents just 10 miles away. 'We were going to send Biden out to fight the Taliban with snowballs, but we didn't have to do it,' Kerry joked after the senators' rescue. The trip was one of many that Biden, then chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, took overseas with Kerry and Hagel, who went on to become secretaries of state and defense respectively under President Obama. In a speech on the campaign trail, Biden said in 2008: 'If you want to know where Al Qaeda lives, you want to know where (Usama) bin Laden is, come back to Afghanistan with me. Come back to the area where my helicopter was forced down with a three-star general and three senators at 10,500 feet in the middle of those mountains. I can tell you where they are.' 'It's in the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan,' he said, 'where my helicopter was recently forced down.' Army veterans have stepped in on Mohammed's behalf to call for help. 'If you can only help one Afghan, choose [Mohammed],' wrote Shawn O'Brien, an Army combat veteran who worked with him in Afghanistan in 2008. 'He earned it.' The US has evacuated over 120,000 from Taliban rule since Aug. 14, including 5,500 Americans, but left behind somewhere between 100 and 200 Americans and thousands of Afghan interpreters who worked with the US military in its hasty exit. The State Department has promised to use all diplomatic channels to continue evacuations without a troop or embassy presence. A White House official declined to comment on Mohammed's case for confidentiality reasons. Advertisement On the first day in Afghanistan without the Americans, coffins draped with the US, UK and French flags as well as NATO's insignia were paraded through the streets of Khost on Tuesday by crowds waving the Taliban's flag. Fireworks lit up the sky and celebratory gunfire rattled as the final American troops left on Monday night. In Kandahar - a traditional Taliban stronghold - thousands also turned out waving white Taliban flags to celebrate what the group is referring to as its 'independence day', hours after the final American troops boarded an evacuation flight out of the country. On Monday, the United States withdrew from Afghanistan, marking the end of a 20-year occupation that cost over $2 trillion and claimed the lives of more than 170,000, including 2,356 US military deaths. The White House says that since 2002 the US has poured $36 billion in civilian assistance, including $787 million specifically intended to support Afghan women and girls, and nearly $3.9 billion in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. Between the years 2013 and 2018, nearly $300 billion in U.S. taxpayer money flowed as aid to other countries, according to watchdog group OpenThe Books.com. Afghanistan is now fully under the control of the Taliban. 'This victory belongs to us all,' said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid from the tarmac of the Hamid Karzai International Airport, where the last American plane departed. Taliban special forces fighters arrive inside the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the U.S. military's withdrawal Afghanistan is now fully under the control of the Taliban - above Taliban soldiers in Kabul The Taliban take control of Hamid Karzai International Airport after the completion of the U.S. withdrawal The Harmid Karzai International airport in Kabul after the Taliban take over Afghan refugees arrive at Dulles International Airport in Virginia Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Monday evening 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 Pentagon said Monday that more than 122,000 people, including 5,400 Americans, have been evacuated since July. There are no American diplomats left in Afghanistan and the State Department has moved its diplomatic mission in the country to Doha, Qatar. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby shrugged off concerns about the US citizens and the billions of dollars in military technology left in Afghanistan on Tuesday. He also blamed stranded Americans for waiting until the last minute after the last US jets left the country, despite President Biden promising to stay until all Americans were evacuated. In an MSNBC interview, Kirby said the military would no longer play a role in helping them get out but was confident diplomatic efforts would be enough - and said the desperate situation was 'not completely unlike' others around the world. 'We have Americans that get stranded in countries all the time,' he said bluntly. The United States ended its presence in Afghanistan on Monday, marking the end of a nearly 20 years in the country. The final C-17, with the call sign MOOSE 88, lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport at 3:29 pm East Coast time, after the clock in Kabul clicked past midnight, making it August 31st there. Chase bank last week sent a letter to General Michael Flynn's wife informing her they were canceling her credit card because she posed a 'reputational risk' to the company, only to backtrack days later and claim it was an 'error'. Dated August 20, it was on a letterhead, with the suffix of the Flynn it was addressed to starred out, but said: 'After careful consideration, we decided to close you credit cards on September 18, 2021, because continuing the relationship creates possible reputational risk to our company.' Flynn shared it on Telegram, the chosen app now of conservatives and others who are suspicious of Silicon Valley, and said 'Chase Bank has gone full blown woke! 'They need to deal with their own reputation instead of persecuting my family and I. I guess my America First political views don't align withy ours. Your loss.' The bank said on Tuesday that it was his wife, Lori, who had the account and that the letter was sent in error. Chase sent this letter to General Michael Flynn's wife Lori on August 20, telling her the bank was closing her credit cards General Flynn with his wife Lori in December 2018 before he was sentenced for lying to the FBI. He was later pardoned by Trump. The bank now says it was a mistake but they won't say how it came about A Chase spokesman would not comment on what caused the 'mistake', but said: 'Weve contacted our customer to let her know that we made an error and we apologized for any inconvenience this caused.' Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI as part of its Russia investigation but Trump pardoned him on his way out of office. He was banned from Twitter in January this year after promoting QAnon conspiracy theories. He is not banned from Facebook, but he has not posted anything there since April. Trump remains banned from Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Before 2020, it was largely unheard of for a bank or financial organization to deny someone an account because they did not like their political beliefs. One of the only possible explanations, aside from disagreeing with beliefs, was that they suspected the person's account was being used in an unsavory or possibly criminal way. Deutsche Bank, for example, ended its decades-long relationship with Trump when his finances were called into question after he became President. Flynn said the bank had gone 'full blown woke' in a message to fans on Telegram The bank now says it was a mistake but they won't say how it came about. Flynn says he and his family are being persecute for being conservative Flynn stoked controversy in June by claiming that a military coup was needed in America like in Myanmar But the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein was able to use his accounts with the same bank after he was convicted of soliciting child prostitutes. Deutsche Bank was fined for it after his death. Since 2018, banks have been limiting the ways people can buy guns, with PayPal and Apple Pay not allowing purchases of firearms. Restricting or canceling people's personal credit cards is unheard of. In January this year, Trump was canceled by a handful of banks for the Capitol riot but most of them were to do with business accounts. Signature Bank, where he held personal accounts, took a stand against him when he challenged the election results. Flynn stoked controversy in June by claiming that a military coup was needed in America. He was speaking at the For God & Country Patriot Roundup rally in Dallas when someone asked: 'I want to know why what happened in Myanmar cant happen here?' He said: 'No reason. It should happen here.' Advertisement Remarkable footage shows the truly epic scale of the exodus of Afghans fleeing their country to head west. The almost-biblical scenes of the mass migration across the desert where the borders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran all meet shows an endless river of people flowing between the mountains. And for British politicians concerned about an influx of migrants to Europe, these images will confirm their worst fears. The mass migration across the desert where the borders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran all meet shows an endless river of people flowing between the mountains In the footage, with the human caravan stretching back as far as the eye can see, few words are spoken For these men, women and children, their initial destination is likely to be Turkey, still more than 1,000 miles away across Iran For these men, women and children, their initial destination is likely to be Turkey, still more than 1,000 miles away across Iran, and from there many of them will hope to come to Europe and Britain. A migrant who recently made the same journey said the stretch shown is at the end of a four-hour trek through rough terrain, where the Afghan refugees, having travelled briefly through Pakistan, continue their journey with Iranian people smugglers. He said: 'These are the poorest people, because there are other ways which involve less walking, but those routes cost more.' The Afghans journey began in desolate Nimruz, Afghanistan's most sparsely populated province, largely covered by deserts and mountains. In the footage, with the human caravan stretching back as far as the eye can see, few words are spoken, and only the sound of goats being herded in the other direction can be made out. The recent migrant described his journey along the same route: 'After more than four hours of walking, we arrived in a valley and waited for darkness. Migrants who have survived the journey speak of the chaos they have seen with thousands of vulnerable and elderly people now making the perilous trip, desperate to escape the clutches of the Taliban The Afghans journey began in desolate Nimruz, Afghanistan's most sparsely populated province, largely covered by deserts and mountains 'At around 10pm Iranians came and they asked everyone for a code, or a keyword. 'Then after everyone found his smuggler, we were divided into groups, each group with its own smuggler. Then we moved towards Iran, group after group. 'I went through this way several times in the past. Previously there were maybe 200 or so, people but this time it was chaos. 'Thousands were there. I saw women heavily pregnant, babies, old men. I remember the sound of crying babies echoing across the mountains.' Yesterday, Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, forecast that the evacuations from Kabul airport were just the beginning of 'a far greater humanitarian crisis'. His agency has estimated that up to 500,000 Afghans could flee their country, and appealed for continued support from Afghanistan's neighbours and the world community. He said: '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.' Afghans line up outside a bank to take out cash after Taliban's takeover in Kabul today amid soaring prices under the new reimge Long queues outside banks and soaring prices in the bazaars underlined the everyday worries now facing its population Meanwhile, long queues outside banks and soaring prices in the bazaars underlined the everyday worries now facing its population after the spectacular seizure of the city two weeks ago. For the Taliban, growing economic hardship is emerging as their biggest challenge, with a sinking currency and rising inflation adding misery to a country where more than a third of the population lives on less than $2 a day. Even for the relatively well-off, with many offices and shops still shut and salaries unpaid for weeks the daily struggle to put food on the table has become an overwhelming preoccupation. 'Everything is expensive now, prices are going up every day,' said Kabul resident Zelgai, who said tomatoes which cost 50 afghani the day before were now selling for 80. In an effort to get the economy moving again, banks which closed as soon as the Taliban took Kabul have been ordered to re-open. But strict weekly limits on cash withdrawals have been imposed and many people still faced hours of queuing to get at their cash. For the Taliban, growing economic hardship is emerging as their biggest challenge, with a sinking currency and rising inflation A Qatari aircraft has landed in Kabul carrying a technical team to discuss the resumption of airport operations after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, according to a source with knowledge of the matter. 'A Qatari jet carrying a technical team has landed in Kabul earlier today to discuss the resumption of operations in the airport,' the source told AFP. The Taliban has also called on fighters in the holdout bastion of the Panjshir Valley to lay down their arms, as the resistance movement said it had repulsed heavy attacks. The rugged mountain valley with towering snow-capped peaks - which begins around 50 miles north of the capital Kabul - is the centre of Afghanistan's most important pocket of armed anti-Taliban forces. Afghan resistance movement and anti-Taliban uprising forces gather in Khenj District in Panjshir province The National Resistance Front (NRF), comprising anti-Taliban militia fighters and former Afghan security forces, have vowed to defend the enclave as the Islamist group sends fighters to encircle the area. 'My brothers, we tried our best to solve the Panjshir problem with talks and negotiations... but unfortunately all in vain,' senior Taliban official Amir Khan Muttaqi said, in an audio message to the people of the Panjshir posted on Twitter. 'Now that the talks have failed and Mujahiddin (Taliban) have surrounded Panjshir, there are still people inside that don't want the problems to be solved peacefully,' he added. 'Now it is up to you to talk to them,' the Taliban message to the Panjshir people said. 'Those who want to fight, tell them it is enough.' The Taliban has called on fighters in the holdout bastion of the Panjshir Valley to lay down their arms, as the resistance movement said it had repulsed heavy attacks Bismillah Mohammadi, Afghanistan's defence minister before the government fell last month, said the Taliban had launched a renewed assault on Panjshir on Tuesday night. 'Last night the Taliban terrorists attacked Panjshir, but were defeated,' Mohammadi tweeted Wednesday, claiming 34 Taliban were killed and 65 wounded. 'Our people should not worry. They retreated with heavy casualties.' Residents and fighters in Panjshir, many of whom fought the Taliban when they were last in power from 1996 to 2001, offered a defiant message. 'We are ready to defend it till the last drop of our blood,' said one resident. 'Everyone has a weapon on their shoulder and ready to fire,' another said. 'From the youngest to the oldest, they all talk about resistance.' Sharon Stone's sister-in-law said 'her heart is shattered into a million pieces' by the sudden death of her 11-month-old son in a moving tribute to little River. 'God needed River in heaven,' Tasha Stone wrote on Facebook. 'My days will never be the same, and I have no idea how I am supposed to live my life without the sweetest boy in the universe. The tribute Monday was accompanied by a 55-second, tear-jerking video of a laughing and smiling River set to Eric Clapton's Tears In Heaven. 'I cant say more than I needed him here on Earth because my heart is shattered into a million pieces,' she wrote. 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 River was the youngest child of Stone's younger brother Patrick and his wife, Tasha, who live in Ohio with their three children. Tasha Stone's full Facebook tribute to River after his death. 'I cant say more than I needed him here on Earth because my heart is shattered into a million pieces,' she said River was found unconscious in his crib late last week and died on August 30 after suffering total organ failure. 'I am crushed. River William Stone you were loved beyond measure. Leaving your hospital room today was the hardest thing Ive ever had to do. I will ALWAYS love you my sweet baby boy,' wrote the anguished mom, who's married to the actress' brother. The Stone family hasn't shared 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. 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 '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,' the Basic Instinct star wrote at the time, while posting an image of River lying in a hospital bed and hooked up to numerous medical devices. 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. '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.' 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 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 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' 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.' The Biden administration is promising $60 million in military aid to Ukraine ahead of President Joe Biden's meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart on Wednesday in an effort to combat Russian aggression. The package includes Javelin anti-armor missile systems, first-aid kits, and small arms and ammunition. Details emerged a day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is due at the White House in a show of support for Kyiv's sovereignty. In a notification to Congress, the administration said the aid was needed because of a 'major increase in Russian military activity along its border,' mortar attacks, cease-fire violations and other provocations. 'Russia's buildup along the Ukrainian border has highlighted capability shortfalls in the Ukrainian military's ability to defend against a Russian incursion,' it said. 'Ukraine's significant capability gaps must be urgently addressed to reinforce deterrence in light of the current Russian threat.' President Biden will welcome his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House on Wednesday as they discuss a united front against Russian aggression This handout photo released on Thursday, April 22, 2021 by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service shows, Russian military vehicles move during drills in Crimea. A surge in Russian activity along the Ukrainian border is the reason for the injection of aid Russia staged huge military drills with 10,000 troops and 40 warships in Crimea amid soaring tensions with Ukraine in April The aid is designed to help Ukraine counter a build up of Russian power on its border Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 after the ouster of the former Kremlin-friendly president and has thrown its weight behind a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine. While demonstrating support for Ukraine, the White House has also said that Biden intends to encourage Zelensky's efforts to tackle corruption in the country. For his part, Zelensky is expected to raise with Biden Washington's decision not to try to block the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Germany that bypasses Ukraine. Ukraine fears the pipeline will be used as a powerful geopolitical weapon by Russia. Military aid to Ukraine was a politically fraught matter for the Trump administration. Before his White House meeting, Zelensky announced a new defense agreement with the U.S. signed during a visit to the Pentagon In 2019, Trump was accused of withholding aid and a White House visit as he sought a quid pro quo in the form of political dirt on Biden, who was then emerging as his likely election challenger. Trump was impeached and acquitted by a partisan vote in the Senate, where only one Republican, Mitt Romney of Utah, voted to convict. The latest round of aid is meant to demonstrate that the U.S. is committed to Ukraine's security when the former Soviet republic has sought stronger Western backing during Russia's troop buildup and escalating tensions. The new package will include more Javelin anti-tank missiles, which Kyiv sees as critical to defending against the Russia-backed separatists who have rolled through eastern Ukraine. The Pentagon in March announced a $125 million military aid package for Ukraine, including two armed patrol boats to help the country defend its territorial waters. The U.S. says it has committed more than $2.5 billion in aid to Ukraine since its conflict with Russia began. The father of Sergeant Nicole Gee, one of the 13 US troops slain in a suicide bombing in Kabul, has spoken out for the first time since her death to pay tribute to his heroic daughter. 'She's my hero,' Robert Herrera said of his daughter Gee, to Today. 'She's a warrior.' 'It broke me for a while, and it's like a wave now,' he said. 'The emotions are up and down. It's hit me hard'. Herrera, speaking from his Roseville California home, he described the now iconic photo of his daughter cradling an Afghan baby, captioned 'I love my job', which has gone viral since the August 26 ISIS bomb attack at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. He described how he'd been filled with pride and shown the photo to his friends and family after Gee posted it to Instagram just two days before her death. Now he looks at it and just sees 'my baby,' said the heartbroken dad. Scroll down for video 'She's my hero,' Sergeant Nicole Gee's father, Robert Herrera, told the TODAY from his Roseville California home. 'She's a warrior.' 'It broke me for a while, and it's like a wave now,' said Herrera of his daughter's death. 'The emotions are up and down. It's hit me hard'. Just days before she was killed in the suicide blast, St. Nicole Gee was photographed holding an Afghan baby In an exclusive interview with MailOnline on Sunday, Gee's older sister Misty Fuoco said that she would text the family regularly from Kabul to tell them how 'amazing' her job was, and described Gee as 'fearless.' Her words were, "I love it. Im so amazed by everything here.' Fuoco said. 'She couldnt wait to tell me more about it. There was so much happiness and passion in what she was doing. The parents of fellow Marine Hunter Lopez, 22, from Indio, California, also paid tribute to their fallen son on Monday. After an outpouring of condolences, flowers and donations sent to the Riverside County Deputy Sheriff Relief Foundation in their slain son's name, Herman and Alicia Lopez issued a public statement. 'Our family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and condolences we've received in the wake of Hunter's sudden passing,' the Lopez family said in public comment issued on Monday afternoon. 'Please know that Hunter wore the United States Marine uniform with love and pride, and it is very apparent that the community will never forget his sacrifice and our family,' said Lopez's parents Both of Lopez's parents work for the Riverside County Sheriff's Department - his father, Herman, is a captain; his mother, Alicia, serves as a deputy sheriff. The Lopez family shared a public statement on Monday afternoon, thanking the community and the country for their 'outpouring of love and condolences' 'We want to send out a huge thank you to everyone who has donated to the Riverside County Deputy Sheriff Relief Foundation in the name of Hunter and the family, prayed, or reached out to us during one of the most challenging times in our lives. 'Please know that Hunter wore the United States Marine uniform with love and pride, and it is very apparent that the community will never forget his sacrifice and our family.' Both of Lopez's parents work for the Riverside County Sheriff's Department - his father, Herman, is a captain; his mother, Alicia, serves as a deputy sheriff. The family thanked everyone who paid their son tribute in 'celebration[s] of his short but incredible life,' and said they would thank each person individually if it weren't 'impossible' due to the sheer volume of support they've received. The family thanked everyone who paid their son Hunter Lopez tribute in 'celebration[s] of his short but incredible life,' and said they would thank each person individually if it weren't 'impossible' due to the sheer volume of support they've received 'I am unbelievably saddened and heartbroken for the Lopez family as they grieve over the loss of their American Hero,' wrote Sheriff Chad Bianco on August 27. 'Hunter Lopez, son of our own Captain Herman Lopez and Deputy Alicia Lopez, tragically lost his life while serving our country.' The Riverside Sheriff's Association said in a statement that they were 'heartbroken to hear the news about Hunter, who chose to follow a life of service, selflessness, courage and sacrifice, like his parents.' 'So many people told us that they couldn't find the right words to express their sympathy. We, likewise, realized that there were no words to express our deep level of appreciation adequately. We have only two words for everyone: Thank You.' A fundraising effort by the department for Lopez's family has raised nearly $30,000 of a $40,000 goal. Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco took to Facebook on August 27 to pay tribute to Lopez, who said their entire department is mourning his death. 'I am unbelievably saddened and heartbroken for the Lopez family as they grieve over the loss of their American Hero,' he wrote. 'Hunter Lopez, son of our own Captain Herman Lopez and Deputy Alicia Lopez, tragically lost his life while serving our country.' The Riverside Sheriff's Association said in a statement that they were 'heartbroken to hear the news about Hunter, who chose to follow a life of service, selflessness, courage and sacrifice, like his parents.' Bianco wrote that, before enlisting in the Marine Corps, Lopez served in the department's Sheriff Explorer Program. The city of Indio paid tribute to Lopez on Monday, according to local outlet Desert Sun, by displaying a photo memorial and yellow roses in the shade of an Afghan pine tree on the west side of City Hall. The public were invited to pay respects until the display is removed on September 11. A three-year old American boy and his family are stranded in Afghanistan after they were met with physical beatings by the Taliban when trying to pass a checkpoint to flee the country before President Bidens August 31 evacuation deadline. The boy and his family are among the 100 to 200 Americans who were left in the country after the last flight carrying US forces departed Hamid Karzai International Airport at 3:29 p.m. ET on August 30. According to a passport for the boy, which was obtained by ABC 7, he was born near Sacramento and is a US citizen. So is his father, a social worker, and the rest of his family, whose identities the news outlet is concealing to keep them safe from the Taliban. "I received a call Sunday morning at about 6am from a friend of mine who's an active duty Marine Corps officer stationed overseas, and he basically felt like his hands were tied and he needed some help getting this family out, James Brown, a veterans advocate, told ABC 7. A three-year old boy and his family were blocked by the Taliban when trying to evacuate Afghanistan. Above is a passport for the boy, which was obtained by ABC 7 Brown reached out to Democratic California Representative Jackie Speier who he said made numerous phone calls to the White House, to the Secretary of Defense's Office, and to the Secretary of State's office escalating this family's case all the way to the top for us." Speier wrote a letter on the familys behalf to present at the Kabul airport, which read, "I believe it is of particular and urgent concern that these individuals be allowed to pass through the gate and be given safe refuge at Hamid Karzai International Airport ... so that they might be available for departure." But when the family presented the letter at airport, they were violently attacked by the Taliban. Brown said, They were stopped by a Taliban checkpoint, and they received physical beatings at the gate and they were pushed back where they had to flee and return to a safe house." As of late Monday night, ABC 7 learned that the family has joined with a number of other Americans striving to escape Afghanistan. The final push to get Americans out of the country left many unable to make it to the airport in Kabul without being physically blocked by the Taliban. Samiullah Sammy Naderi, a 23-year old American from Philadelphia, waited for a week outside the airport with his wife and son as they attempted to get on a flight. Its 50 feet away, Naderi, told the New York Times in a phone interview over the sound of gunfire crackling in the background. Maybe the Taliban will let me inside maybe. But after the final flight on Monday, Naderi was left with no way out. All flights are closed, he said. I am scared. Two families with students from the Cajon Valley Union School District are still trying to evacuate Six other families were flown safely out of the terrorist-controlled country last week and started school on Aug. 17, but another two are unaccounted for Six families from El Cajon, a suburb in San Diego, were flown safely out of the terrorist-controlled country last week, but another two are unaccounted for, according to the Cajon Valley Union School District. The district has been working with Republican California Representative Darrell Issa to coordinate the return of its students and their families. The district found out on Aug. 16 that eight families with children enrolled in the district were striving to evacuate Afghanistan after a relative of one of the families alerted school officials that their children would miss the first day of the school year on Aug. 17. The families went to Afghanistan on separate occasions between May and early June, but became trapped once the crisis unfolded. One family consisting of two adults and five children returned back to the US on August 26 and two other families were confirmed safely out of Afghanistan the following day, according to a press release from the Cajon Valley Union School District. The district wrote in a press release that administration remains in collaboration with Congressman Issa's team. They are working diligently to help our families to return home. Counseling support has and will be available at the school sites and district for all students in need. The Cajon Valley Family And Community Engagement Department is ready and able to support Cajon Valley families and connect them to needed resources. Cajon Valley Union School District Community and Staff wait with open arms for the safe return of all of our families. In an interview with San Diego news station KUSI, Issa said, My office is working on three specific groups of Americans who went to the gate and were not able to get through. Its much more personal to those of us in this office that we left 22 hours early with people who stood at the gate and were not allowed to get in. Fox News aired a photo of the pregnant American citizen, who was trying to escape Kabul with her father and husband but is now in hiding He referenced the El Cajon families and added, A lot of Americans did exactly what they were told to do, they went to where they were told, sometimes multiple times, and they didnt get out. Im not gonna quite, my office isnt gonna quit, until we have every single person that we are in contact with and there may be more as we go through this out by some means. Meanwhile, a pregnant American woman is also trapped in Afghanistan after she was forced into hiding when the Taliban blocked her at a checkpoint and kicked her in the stomach as she tried to flee with her husband. Rep. Issa is also working on trying to get the woman, who he called 'Nasria,' out and described her harrowing experiences that forced her to go into hiding in an interview on Fox & Friends Tuesday. 'She was kicked in the stomach, but she was kicked in the stomach well after - as she got through the first checkpoint for hours, waiting for those people at the south point to supposedly come and get her,' the lawmaker said. 'It wasn't until it was clear they had closed, they weren't taking anyone else for quite a while that finally, she accepted that she was going to have to go back and hide in her apartment.' She never made it onto a US military evacuation flight. The last C-17 jet carried the remainder of troops on the ground, embassy staff including Ambassador Ross Wilson, and Major General Christopher Donahue. No American civilians were on the last five flights to leave. Before US forces left, Issa said the woman made 'multiple trips' to the airport. 'We've agreed that she's going to stay sheltered in place, hiding her identity and hoping that her friends will continue to bring her food and keep her secret until frankly we can come up with something new,' he said. California Rep. Darrell Issa is working to help Americans still trapped in Kabul Watch the latest video at foxnews.com Fox News Privacy Policy As recently as three hours ago, Issa's team had been working with the trapped American on a 'possible alternative' involving a third party group, but was deemed to be 'too dangerous.' An elderly couple in their 80s are also in contact with the congressman after being trapped in Kabul. Issa said they 'repeatedly went to the gate, waited at the gate with their blue passports, and did not get in.' Those accounts stand in stark contrast to President Joe Biden's promise to get every American out of Afghanistan before the military ends its 20-year occupation. 'If there's American citizens left, we're gonna stay to get them all out,' he told ABC's George Stephanopoulos on August 18. Issa said: 'Anyone that says that they didn't break a promise to the American people and leave people behind is wrong. Anyone who says that there aren't people stranded is wrong.' Taliban fighters celebrated at Hamid Karzai International Airport after the completion of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan Taliban fighters gather along a street during a rally in Kabul on August 31 as they celebrate after the US pulled all its troops out of the country 'These people were stranded, they did everything they were supposed to do and they simply were not a priority at the end.' Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that a 'small number' of Americans remain who want to leave the war-torn country. '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 in a speech at the State Department Monday night with remarks delayed for more than two hours. The number was somewhat lower than estimates in the final hours as the Biden administration's troop withdrawal deadline approached. He said 'about' 6,000 Americans had been flown out of the country or departed in an airlift of 123,000 people. Blinken vowed to use diplomacy and leverage to bring out any Americans, allies, or Afghanis who assisted the US and want to leave, as critics pounded Biden for allowing the withdrawal before all Americans were out, comparing those who remained to hostages. Blinken mentioned land routes through Afghanistan's rough terrain. Here Afghan resistance movement and anti-Taliban uprising forces personnel patrol along a road in Rah-e Tang of Panjshir province on August 29, 2021 'We made extraordinary efforts to give Americans every opportunity to depart the country,' he said. He said the US and allies plan to hold the Taliban to keep the airport open and allow safe passage. 'Any engagement with the Taliban-led government in Kabul will be driven by one thing only our vital national interests,' he said. He also mentioned new ways out - including 'overland routes,' which means driving across Afghanistan's famously inhospitable terrain. 'We have no illusion that any of this will be easy or rapid,' Blinken said, calling it an 'entirely different phase of the evacuation.' 'We will hold the Taliban to their commitment on freedom of movement,' he said on a day when US forces departed the airport in Kabul, leaving it intact, while scuttling aircraft that were left behind. That commitment will likely be tested in the coming days. Since the US pullout accounts of Americans and Afghan interpreters who were left behind by Biden's withdrawal have been trickling in through US media outlets. An American citizen who worked as an interpreter for the US military during the war in Afghanistan told CNN's Chris Cuomo on Monday night that she is now stranded. The woman spoke under the pseudonym 'Sara' to protect her identity. 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 She described 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 cant believe no one told me this was the last flight'. 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 were 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.' Taliban gunmen lit up the night sky over Kabul with tracer fire after the final US military transport plane left the airport Fireworks, gunfire and explosions erupted in Kabul's night sky as the Taliban celebrated victory over the US and declared 'full independence' after the final flight left the city's airport carrying troops and diplomats just after midnight 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 didnt 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. If America could not help me when they were on the ground, how can they help me when they're gone? she said. Is anyone going to rescue me? 'I went to so many different missions with [the US] military, so many different missions in different provinces,' she said. 'I never had that heartbeat like I have it today, this morning, when they told me the Americans left. They left us to whom? To those people who were always wanting to kill us? 'And now I am by myself here with 37 people.' Meanwhile Taliban gunfire and fireworks lit up the night sky over Kabul to celebrate the American withdrawal, with celebrations continuing into Tuesday. Fake coffins draped with the British, American, French and NATO flags were paraded through the streets of Khost in Afghanistan today as the Taliban celebrated the end of western 'occupation' The Taliban held mock funerals for American, British, French and NATO forces Tuesday as thousands turned out on the streets of major cities to celebrate the end of the west's 20-year war. Coffins draped with the US, UK and French flags as well as NATO's insignia were paraded through the streets of Khost by crowds flying the Taliban's emblem - just two weeks after anti-Taliban protests in the same city. In Kandahar - a traditional stronghold of the Islamists - thousands also turned out waving white Taliban flags to celebrate what the group is referring to as its 'independence day', hours after the final American troops boarded an evacuation flight out of the country. Speaking from the runway at Kabul airport this morning - and surrounded by Taliban special forces units dressed head to toe in American gear - spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid hailed the 'victory' over western forces. 'It is an historical day and an historical moment.... we liberated our country from a great power,' he added, saying the last 20 years should serve as a 'big lesson for other invaders [and] a lesson for the world.' The Marine battalion commander who was relieved of his duties for blasting his superiors over the Afghanistan exit strategy has submitted his resignation, effective September 11, 2021. Lt. Colonel Stuart Scheller publicly shared his resignation letter on Tuesday, addressing it to Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Torro and citing 'a lack of trust and confidence in your ability to lead.' 'We the people seek change. We the people seek leadership. We the people seek accountability. We the people WILL take it,' wrote Scheller in a LinkedIn post along with the letter. 'Every generation needs a revolution.' Scheller's original viral video last week criticized Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley for leaving Bagram Air Base before all Americans and their allies had the chance to be evacuated from Afghanistan. Lt. Colonel Stuart Scheller has submitted his resignation, effective September 11, 2021 Scheller publicly shared his resignation letter on Tuesday, addressing it to Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Torro and citing 'a lack of trust and confidence in your ability to lead' Scheller also posted on social media saying 'Every generation needs a revolution' He called out his superiors for not 'raising their hands and accepting accountability or saying, "We messed this up".' It came after 13 U.S. service members, including 11 Marines, were killed along with more than 160 Afghans after at least one suicide bomber attacked the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. The wording of Scheller's resignation letter echoed a statement given by Maj. Jim Stenger, a Marine Corps spokesperson, to DailyMail.com, saying that Scheller was relieved of command after criticizing leadership '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 it's not social media,' Maj. Stenger said. Scheller blasted top brass again in an update Monday, saying that when he returned to work on Monday he was ordered to go to a hospital to be 'evaluated by the mental health specialists'. Scheller said that 'excusing the action of service members because of "PTSD" does more damage to service members than any trauma in combat' and that he is stronger because of his involvement in 'very traumatic situations.' PICTURED: Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller wrote a lengthy post on Facebook, doubling down on accountability and tying the trait to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. He also criticized Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin for saying COVID, not a high suicide rate is the Department of Defense's biggest threat Scheller's Facebook post on Monday said that he understood why his commanding officer sent him for a mental health evaluation. But said it 'brings up a couple of important issues' because it suggested officials were trying to excuse his actions because of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Scheller said: 'If youre worried about someone you should reach out and check on them. But never excuse a service members actions with a wave of the hand to PTSD. You are crippling them by failing to hold them accountable.' He added that 'accountability from senior leaders would alleviate feelings of guilt or shame in service members more than individual counseling.' Further on, Scheller criticized Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin once more for saying that 'the most immediate threat [to the DoD] is COVID,' after condemning him in his resignation video on Sunday. He claimed that 'from a statistical perspective, it's pretty easy to argue that COVID isn't the biggest threat,' as he goes on to point out that 'well over' 6,000 Veterans committed suicide in 2018, according to the 2020 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. Scheller insisted that he was going to follow through with his resignation from the Marines. Ending his post in a defiant tone, Scheller insisted that he is 'not going anywhere,' after his followers were worried about him, and that he is 'scared' for what the future holds for him. However, 'the system' can't beat him if he stands 'with accountability and integrity.' The post comes just a day after Scheller published a 10-minute video on Sunday, titled 'Your Move,' acknowledging he had sacrificed a cushy pension by leaving the Marines after making his comments. It's unheard of for an active duty Marine commander to publicly rip ranking military leaders. Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller published a new video online on Sunday addressing his resignation just days after he went viral for calling out his superiors The new 10-minute video, titled 'Your Move,' acknowledges Scheller has sacrificed a cushy pension by leaving the Marines after making his comments 'I just want to clarify my legal status. I have been relieved of my command but I am still a United States Marine. Currently I am not pending legal action,' Scheller said in a video announcing his intent to retire after a 17-year military career. Scheller said the Marines wanted 'to hide me away' for three years until his service ended and not send him to a board of inquiry, which could have separated him on 'other than honorable' conditions. The Marine revealed that he was resigning after he felt challenged to after a comment to his post on LinkedIn from retired Marine Col. Thomas K. Hobbs. 'If Scheller was truly honorable, he would have resigned his commission in protest after stating what he did,' wrote Hobbs, who Scheller said he loved 'like a father.' Scheller said: 'You didn't say 'is' as in challenging me, you said 'was' as if you assumed I wouldn't do it.' 'I want to make the announcement today, after 17 years, I'm currently not pending legal action and I could stay in the Marine Corps for another three years but I don't think that's the path I'm on.' Scheller said in the video that his resignation would be effective 'now' though acknowledged that there's administrative paperwork that needs to be filed for him to properly resign. 'But I am forfeiting my retirement, all entitlements. I don't want a single dollar. I don't want any money from the VA, I don't want any VA benefits,' Scheller said, claiming that he was forgoing more than $2 million in pension benefits by leaving the service. In the video, Scheller also appeared to direct a vague threat toward senior military leaders - who he said should be given the money from his pension. Follow up post to the video where Scheller said he was relived of his duty He claimed in another Facebook post that some of his fellow officers have urged him to take down the video despite agreeing with him. 'I think that money should go back to all the senior general officers because I think they need it more than I do - because when I am done with what I'm about to do, you all are going to need the jobs and the security,' he said. The Marine said that he 'would have gone back into the rank-and-file' if his superiors had just said 'Yes, mistakes were made.' He said that he was trying to get senior leaders to 'accept accountability.' 'I think them accepting accountability would do more for service members and PTSD and struggling with purpose than any other transparent piece of paper or message,' Scheller said in the video. He added: 'If Stuart Scheller was honorable, he would resign. You have no idea what I'm capable of doing.' 'To all the congressmen, senators, every media station across the globe, yo all the rich philanthropists, I appreciate the support and I'm going to need your support.' In comments to the New York Post on Saturday, Scheller had evoked former President Thomas Jefferson's saying: 'Every generation needs a revolution.' The New York Post also spoke with Scheller's family and Marines he has served with, who praised his 'courage' for speaking out. Juan Chavez, 33, served under Scheller from 2011 to 2014 and called him a 'magnificent leader' and 'a breath of fresh air' in comments to the New York Post. 'It takes real courage to do what he did and that was Stu all the way,' Chavez said. Stuart Scheller Sr., his father, called him 'the real deal' and 'a Marine's Marine' who idolized his grandfather, a World War II vet who landed on the beach at Normandy. 'He has put his life on the line for fellow Marines so putting his career on the line like this does not surprise us,' the proud father said. He added: 'He's still on the battlefield protecting his men and women. It's interesting that no one (in the military) has answered his call for accountability. Their answer was to fire him I guess. It's a sad day for America.' Scheller was relieved of his duties as a battalion commander after a stellar 17-year career. 'I have been fighting for 17 years. I am willing to throw it all away to say to my senior leaders, 'I demand accountability,'' he said Scheller claimed in a Facebook post on Saturday that some of his fellow officers have urged him to take down the video despite agreeing with him. 'Obviously I didn't take it down,' Scheller wrote. 'I'll offer this: we can't ALL be wrong. If you all agree then step up. They only have the power because we allow it. What if we all demanded accountability?' Scheller, whose career included tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, had posted the controversial five-minute video on Facebook and LinkedIn. In a follow up post later in the day Friday, he said was relieved of his duties. 'The reason people are so upset on social media right now is not because the Marine on the battlefield let someone down,' Scheller said in the original video. 'I have been fighting for 17 years. I am willing to throw it all away to say to my senior leaders, 'I demand accountability.'' Lt. Col. Scheller said he had a personal relationship with one of the Marines who died in Thursday's ISIS-K bombing and 'potentially, all those people did die in vain' if the leaders don't take ownership of the debacle. He said a major strategic error was not securing Bagram air base before evacuating people. Instead, the US relied on the Kabul airport as the only way to fly out of the country. Shocking footage captured the moment a man relieved himself on the counter of a Dairy Queen in British Columbia after he refused to wear a mask in the store. The offender argued with staff, twice claiming he was exempt from the mask mandate rules at the store in Port Alberni, about 100 miles west of Vancouver. He then pulled down his pants and urinated in front of the staff as they shrieked in horror, the video shows. A man at a Dairy Queen in Port Alberni, British Columbia was filmed urinating on the counter after he refused to wear a mask in the store The footage began with the man coming back a second time into the fast-food store after he previously fought with the workers about having to wear his mask. 'You don't have a brain!' the man shouted at the female staff. 'We can't sell to you without a mask,' one of them responded. The pair continued to feud with the man as he asked why a mask was needed since it was not the province's policy. British Columbia reinstated the mask mandate for indoor public spaces on August 25. 'It's not a BC policy. BC policy says you have to observe exemptions,' the man said. 'We have customers standing behind you. We want to the serve them,' they responded. Customer Graham Hughes captured the event on August 28 as the irate anti-masker argued with staff The mask 'exemptions' in indoor public spaces only apply to children under 12, those who cannot remove a mask on their own, those who need to communicate to someone with a hearing impairment, and those who have physical, cognitive or mental impairments. In a fit of anger, the man then pulled down his pants and urinated on the counter as the workers screamed obscenities. 'You can leave my store right away!' one of the female workers said. The man then called them 'f***ing psychopaths' before leaving the store once again. In a fit of anger, the man pulled down his pants and urinated in front of the workers as he called them 'f***ing psychopaths' The workers screamed in horror and then kicked him out of the store No arrests have been made but police are requesting copies of the video. 'This is the first incident of this nature,' Sgt. Chris Manseau of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police told CTV. 'I haven't heard of anything else, especially not like this. I think people should wear their mask and be polite.' Customer Graham Hughes recorded the event on his phone on Saturday and shared it to Facebook. Hughes commented on the events of the video, saying that 'it highlights how people can't forget about human decency due to a difference in opinion.' 'We keep talking about when we get back to normal, but we never had to give up being decent to each other,' Hughes said in an interview with CTV. 'The amount of disrespect that's taking place, we never had to give up respect. We never had to give that up with the mask mandates or a vaccine mandate.' A mask mandate was put into effect for indoor public spaces in British Columbia on August 25 Viewers of Hughes' video were not shy in commenting their disgust on his Facebook page. 'Wow Port Alberni's finest right there. Rub his face in it and maybe he won't do it again', one said. 'And they wonder why the anti maskers are view as infantile whining babies - this one needs a diaper', added another. Others sympathized with the workers who had to deal with the unfortunate situation. 'Those poor workers are NOT paid enough for this..', a user said. The mask mandate for public indoor spaces in B.C. are expected to last till October when the distribution of vaccine cards are more accessible. In British Columbia, 75% of the population has been fully vaccinated and 68% has received at least one dose, according to B.C.'s government website. New details emerged Tuesday on the extent of cooperation between US Military members and Taliban officials during the push to get Americans to the Kabul airport before an evacuation deadline. Those efforts involved coordination with the Taliban both in advance and throughout efforts to gather groups of Americans to get them through guarded checkpoints. The efforts took place during a period where where White House and military officials acknowledged channels of communication with the Taliban and offered measured statements vouching for the assistance provided by the Taliban in getting Americans out. Americans jointed at 'muster points' where members of the Taliban would check their credentials and escort them to a gate manned by U.S. forces to allow them into the packed airport, CNN reported Tuesday. Separately, U.S. Special Operations forces were able to guide people into a 'secret gate' at the airport in order to speed access, amid throngs of Afghans who surrounded the facility in an effort to try to gain passage out of the country. They established special 'call centers' to oversee the high-risk operations, officials told the network. In this handout image courtesy of the US Marine Corps, Families begin to board a US Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, August 23, 2021. Members of the military coordinated with the Taliban to get Americans through Taliban checkpoints The special operators guided Americans, telling them precisely where to walk to get where they needed to be presumably relying on technology that was not revealed in the report. Although the precise details of the efforts were not revealed, the special forces set up call centers to coordinate with Americans. The efforts to bring in Americans took place several times a day, with groups sometimes gathering at an Interior Ministry building near the airport. The extent of coordination between the military and its longtime adversaries came to light as the administration fielded questions on 100-200 Americans left behind who want to leave the country. A defiant President Joe Biden explained his decision to withdraw troops, after a chaotic evacuation that left up to 200 Americans behind who want to leave Afghanistan Members of Taliban forces keep watch at a check point in Kabul, Afghanistan August 17, 2021. Americans gathered at specific 'muster points' Kabul, Afghanistan. 21st Aug, 2021. A U.S. Navy Corpsman with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Central Command, hands out water to children during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 20, 2021 The White House on Tuesday said the US still maintained significant leverage over the Taliban, with billions in frozen assets, aid programs, and access to the world economy. 'They understand the extent to which their ability to deliver anything for their citizens in the way of a functioning economy rests on the international community,' said White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Gen. Frank McKenzie, who heads US Central Command, said Monday in a briefing where he described the end of the US troop commitment that special operations forces helped guide 1,000 US citizens and 2,000 Afghans. He said they did so 'via phone calls, vectors, and escorting.' The administration did not hide the coordination with the longtime enemy in the last days of the war, after the Taliban seized control of Kabul. 'We are engaging with the Taliban, consulting with the Taliban, on every aspect of whats happening in Kabul right now, Sullivan told last Monday, which turns out to be about a week before the last US troops left. 'On whats happening at the airport, on how we need to ensure that there is facilitated passage to the airport for American citizens, [special immigrant visa applicants] and third-country nationals. And well continue those conversations with them,' he said. Various administration and military officials described the contacts as productive, even after the terror attack that resulted in the deaths of 13 troops, with the Pentagon stressing how the Taliban had a self interest in the US departure. The evacuation took out many Afghans who assisted the coalition side in the two decade war, and handed the Taliban a functioning airport along with a trove of military equipment worth billions. Pentagon officials have previously described a few missions outside the airport gates to bring in Americans amid the turmoil, including a helicopter mission under the cover of darkness in Kabul. Police are hunting for a man who posed as a custodian to sneak through Los Angeles International Airport security and walk onto the airfield before he was spotted and fled the scene. Cops shared images of the man on Monday in the hopes of tracking down the infiltrator who sneaked past security in May. News of the security breach emerged just days after a homeless man sneaked into an empty American Airlines plane on Sunday. While in June, an unidentified driver crashed his speeding car through a gate and onto the runway. In May's breach, the suspect had slipped on a custodian's high-vis jacket to pass through security. The man was spotted entering the Los Angeles International Airport on May 18, right, before changing into a custodial uniform to sneak past security 'The suspect posed as a custodial worker to pass through security, then changed clothes before entering the airfield,' according to an LAPD statement. 'When confronted, the suspect fled on foot by climbing an airfield fence to escape.' Investigators described the man to around 25 years old, light-skinned, 6ft. tall, 165lbs., with brown hair and eyes, CBS reported. He was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket with gray stripes on the arms and the number 84 on the front left chest area. He also wore a yellow work vest, blue jeans, and black shoes with a white stripe. Police did not say what the suspect did while in the airport's restricted area, and they have yet to publicly identify a suspected motive. An American Airlines cleaning crew apprehended the Michael Maine inside the plane On Sunday, Matthew Maine, 31, was arrested and charged with trespassing after he crawled under a security fence at the airport and boarded an empty American Airlines plane before being restrained by a cleaning crew. Cops claim that at around 4:45am, the homeless man used a pipe to pry up a portion of the fence surrounding the airfield, and gained access to the tarmac. And in June, a driver crashed his speeding car through a gate and led police on a chase over two runways while planes were landing and taking off at LAX. The driver had the words SOS, written on the hood of the car. The driver was spotted crashing past a gate onto the airfield Police chased the suspect over two lanes, Runway 25R and Runway 25L where planes were landing and taking off Police were able to stop the vehicle, which had SOS written on the hood The incident was the second one to occur at LAX this year 'A determined person is going to not be deterred and test those measures,' said Bryan Del Monte, president of The Aviation Agency told CBS. 'That's where counter-measures become critical.' Del Monte said he believed the different layers of security at the airport performed as expected. 'The fact that these guys were caught, and the one guy was chased off, and now he's on the lam while the cops are looking for him, that proves the system is working,' LAX is not the only California airport to experience recent breaches. Last Friday, Johnny Hecker, 51, of San Diego allegedly breached terminal security at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, and stole a vehicle on the tarmac before abandoning it and running away on foot, the CBSLA reported. The incident had snarled airplane traffic at the airport, and police were initially unable to find Hecker before discovering he had climbed up and was hiding in the terminal ceiling above its ticketing area. Jeff Price, a former assistant director of security at Denver International Airport told CBSLA that despite the breaches, airport security was still effective. 'The system the way it is now, people will be able to access the airfield illegally but as long as we can catch them, as long as they dont get to an airplane then the system has functionally worked, one layer might have failed but other layers succeeded,' he said. An Illinois judge has ruled against a woman who sought to force doctors at a hospital to treat her unvaccinated husband with an anti-parasite drug after the hospital warned that administering the so-called 'horse paste' would turn her husband into a 'guinea pig.' Sangamon County Circuit Judge Adam Giganti denied Anita Clouse's request for an injunction against Memorial Medical Center on Monday, as her 61-year-old husband, Randy Clouse, is facing his sixth week in the hospital with COVID. Four of those weeks have been spent on a ventilator, the State Journal-Register reports. Ralph Lorigo, an attorney for Anita, said Clouse's condition is now dire and ivermectin could be a last-ditch effort to save him. 'She should have a right to try to save her husband,' Lorigo said of Anita. Lawyers representing the Springfield hospital administrators, however, wrote on Friday that Clouse is 'presently improving.' 'His treating physicians believe administration of ivermectin will likely result in kidney and lung damage, which can lead to organ failure and death,' they wrote. 'Mr. Clouse already has weakened liver and kidney function [and] ivermectin is more likely to push these organs over the edge.' Randy Clouse, 61, has been on a ventilator for the past four weeks, and his wife, Anita, says he is fighting for his life Anita, right, filed an injunction against the hospital her husband is at in an effort to force doctors to provide him with ivermectin, a deworming medicine Attorneys for Memorial Medical Center in Springfield (pictured), however, argued the drug would do more harm than good and would turn Clouse into a 'guinea pig' The attorneys for Memorial called the drug 'unproven and potentially unsafe,' and slammed Dr. Alan Bain, a Chicago-based telemedicine practitioner who prescribed the drug for Clouse. They said he 'chose to ignore widespread medical advice on the use of ivermectin in COVID-19 patients,' and 'wants to make Mr. Clouse a guinea pig.' Bain had never examined Clouse before prescribing the drug, the lawyers said, and is not his primary care doctor. In response, Bain testified that he saw a video of Clouse suffering at the hospital, and noted he has not personally seen 30 of the 40 patients across the state whom he has treated with the drug. But, he said, he has seen 'patients either get better because of ivermectin, or the drug has given "signals" that it is causing some benefit,' the State Journal-Register reports. Giganti then replied he was surprised the doctor was recommending the drug, even after it was revealed that the doctors found a cyst on his liver. Family members and friends have set up two online fundraisers for the family, as Clouse remains in the ICU. His medical bills are being paid by Medicaid Clouse tested positive for the virus on July 21 and was admitted to the hospital the next day. By July 24, he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit and on August 3 he was put on a ventilator. He started receiving dialysis for the cyst on his liver on August 10. Anita has argued that his chances of surviving are less than 30 percent, court documents obtained by the State Journal-Register said, alleging Memorial refused to administer ivermectin 'despite the minimal downside and side effects,' and even after she offered to release Memorial and any of its doctors from liability. Dr. Alan Bain prescribed ivermectin to Clouse although he had never examined Clouse personally She said they decided not to get vaccinated because they were concerned they would become sicker from the vaccine than from COVID, and she is still unconvinced about the positives of the COVID vaccine. Instead, Anita said, her husband told her before he became sick that if he were ever to contract the virus, he would want the human version of ivermectin - which they had used on German Shepherds they breed - as a treatment. 'There's a lot of people dying, and it doesn't need to happen,' Anita said, according to the State Journal-Register. 'They're using ivermectin all over the world.' She said her husband is now unable to speak, uncomfortable and may be on a ventilator for the rest of his life if he survives. She said Tuesday she was 'crushed' by the ruling, but was not surprised 'given Springfield and how politically connected it is,' claiming the hospital's political clout influenced Giganti's decision. She does not plan to appeal, however, as she cannot afford it. Her friends and family have started GoFundMe accounts to help with household expenses, as her husband's medical expenses are covered by Medicaid. The GoFundMe fundraisers have raised more than $10,000 as of Tuesday. is normally used to treat people and livestock for parasitic worms, but in recent weeks anti-vaxxers have pushed the drug as a potential COVID-19 treatment 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 Ivermectin is normally used to treat people and livestock for parasitic worms, but in recent weeks anti-vaxxers have pushed the drug as a potential COVID-19 treatment. 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. Some Americans have now turned to farm supply stores to obtain the drug, resulting in overdoses, and prompting the Food and Drug Administration to issue a warning against using the drug on August 21, when they tweeted: 'You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously y'all. Stop it.' Some initial research on ivermectin is underway, with six active clinical trials studying the affects of the drug on the COVID-19 virus being conducted in the United States, according to a search of U.S. National Library of Medicine's website. Most of the studies have called for it to be used with other drugs. More information is still needed but the National Institutes of Health said there is 'insufficient evidence to recommend either for or against the use of ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19.' 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. Advertisement Dramatic footage has been released of the daring rescue of a stranded teenage girl trapped in a tree in a flood-swollen river at the foot of Sydney's Blue Mountains. The 15-year old had been out for a kayak adventure with her father when she fell out the canoe into the cold dark waters of the Nepean River on Saturday afternoon. She was swept away by the current but managed to grab onto a tree in the middle of the river - swollen by last week's torrential rain - where she was became stuck with no escape. Dramatic footage has been released of the daring rescue of a stranded teenage girl trapped in a tree in a flood-swollen river at the foot of Sydney's Blue Mountains Her frantic father desperately tried to rescue her with his kayak but called in emergency services when the fast-flowing water and hazards in the water meant he was unable to get close enough to reach her. NSW Police scrambled their rescue helicopter crew around 5pm and on Wednesday released the amazing video of the incident. It shows the police chopper team racing to the scene near Emu Plains in a desperate bid to reach the girl before sunset and darkness hamper the search for her. The police rescue helicopter raced to the scene near Emu Plains in a desperate bid to reach the girl before sunset and darkness hamper the search for her Incredibly they managed to spot her through the thick foliage and branches, clinging to the branches of a fallen tree, and begin the rescue mission Incredibly they manage to spot her through the thick foliage and branches, clinging to the branches of a fallen tree, and begin the rescue mission as dusk fell. An officer in frogman gear is winched down several hundred feet, dizzily spinning in the wind as he drops, before splashing into the water and swimming against the current to the shivering, terrified girl. An officer in frogman gear is seen here being winched down several hundred feet to the river below where the girl was trapped The specially trained rescue specialist can be seen spinning dizzily in the wind and backdraft fro the heicopter rotor blades as he drops down He managed to strap the girl into the rescue harness before the pair are winched back up high into the air to the safety of the helicopter. She can be seen clinging to the police officer in fear as he gently manoeuvres her through the helicopter hatch and inside to the sanctuary of the aircraft. The rescue operative swam through the flood-swollen river to reach the girl and managed to strap her into the rescue harness The pair are seen here being winched back up high into the air to the safety of the helicopter The chopper then immediately flies to a nearby landing zone where the girl's distraught father was waiting for the pair to be reunited before she was assessed by paramedics at the scene. A NSW Police spokesman added: ' The girl was flown to a waiting NSW Ambulance a short distance away and assessed by paramedics. She was uninjured.' The teenager can be seen clinging to the police officer in fear as he gently manoeuvres her through the helicopter hatch and inside to the sanctuary of the aircraft Advertisement For almost a quarter of a century, August 31 has been a date of quiet reflection for the family and friends of Princess Diana but not this year. Yesterday, on the 24th anniversary of the princesss tragic death in a Paris car crash, came the sound of a noisy intrusion from far away California. It was the arrival in the bookshops of an updated version of the Harry and Meghan biography Finding Freedom. With it came a jarring reminder of how no issue in their supremely cossetted, opulent lives, however petty, can be allowed to rest, nor any criticism go unchallenged. And while the couple themselves surely had no part in choosing this significant royal anniversary for its publication, the book will do nothing to erase the notion that they possess an outsize sense of victimhood. The new chapter of the Harry and Meghan biography Finding Freedom arrived on 24th anniversary of Princess Dianas death. Pictured: Prince Harry and Meghan in March 2020 Only one new chapter to the book styled here as an epilogue has been added, but its 25 pages are loaded with self-serving reflections on the controversies that have surrounded the couple in the year since the first version of the book hit the shelves. Unauthorised it may be, but the biography does provide one valuable service: come what may the Duke and Duchess of Sussex must always have the last word. Nowhere is this more clear-cut than in passages relating to the reaction from the Palace to the couples explosive TV interview with Oprah Winfrey in which they alleged a racist comment was made about the colour of their son Archies skin. At the time, in a thoughtful and positive response which also expressed concern for the couple, the Queen added the masterful qualification that some recollections may vary. Even though almost six months have elapsed since the fall-out from the interview and both sides are said to be attempting to build bridges this is not allowed to go unopposed. Authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand write: Those three words, recollections may vary, did not go unnoticed by the couple, who a close source said were not surprised that full ownership was not taken. Only one new chapter to the book - styled here as an 'epilogue' - has been added, but its 25 pages are loaded with self-serving reflections on the controversies that have surrounded the couple in the year since the first version of the book hit the shelves In another thinly veiled aside at the Queen, the writers claim that the unaddressed allegations have continued to threaten the Royal Familys image around the world and could no doubt bring down the monarchy. As if to emphasise the point, Scobie and Durand claimed the couple considered naming the royal racist but ultimately chose not to. Intriguingly, broadcaster and columnist Jeremy Clarkson has offered an alternative view. If my sources are correct, he wrote this weekend, the real reason they didnt name the person might have something to do with the fact that they are not actually a member of the Royal Family. Of the fact that Harry and Meghan, with their own self-indulgent whinging and attacks on the monarchy, might themselves be endangering the long-term well-being of the institution, there is not so much as a peep. Through their lawyers, the couple have distanced themselves from Finding Freedom, insisting the writers do not speak for our clients. But every page of the epilogue drips with warmth for the Duke and Duchess, while rounding on their critics in and outside the Palace. It included passages that gave Harry and Meghan's reaction to the Palace's response to the couples explosive TV interview with Oprah Winfrey (pictured) in which they alleged a racist comment was made about the colour of their son Archies skin Take the storm that flared up in the wake of claims that Meghan had faced an allegation that she had bullied staff, forcing out two palace assistants and undermining the confidence of a third. Rather than deal with the allegations of the highly detailed complaint, the book dismisses it as a smear and quotes a figure in the couples circle saying that it served as a reminder to the Sussexes that they had made the right decision to leave Britain. Then there is the toxic matter of the family rift. The book describes how Harry and Prince Charles were only on light speaking terms in the run-up to Prince Philips funeral at Windsor Castle in April. Hardly surprising when you consider how, only a month earlier, he had suggested to Oprah that his father had cut him off financially. Leafing through this new chapter and the preceding 300-plus syrupy pages, what emerges is how Harry has utterly changed from being the fun-loving Prince who dazzled the world with his charm an ambassador who, with Meghan at his side, could have done so much for post-Brexit global Britain. It is easy to imagine him and the Duchess now sitting in their Montecito mansion congratulating themselves on their status-defining interventions, from celebrating diversity to ending global poverty and saving the planet. Publication of this new book may turn out to be timely, because it comes as those mission-statement pronouncements no longer receive the universal acclaim they once did. Many in Britain have tired of this feather-bedded couples griping, especially when it appears to include criticism of a much-loved 95-year-old monarch. But elsewhere there is a growing sense of their dislocation from the real world. Nothing illustrated that more than the statement about Afghanistan in which they said they had been left speechless over developments, and proceeded to post a long-winded peroration about proving our humanity while noting that the world is exceptionally fragile right now. Worthy it may be, but even the most fanatically devoted of Harrys fans must be longing for a glimpse of the old Harry, the one who exchanged good-natured banter with the Olympic runner Usain Bolt. Then there is the toxic matter of the family rift. The book describes how Harry and Prince Charles were only on light speaking terms in the run-up to Prince Philips funeral at Windsor Castle in April. Pictured: Prince Charles and Prince Harry in April 2019 Perhaps, more than ever, the world would long to see the Harry who had such a natural, uncomplicated and empathetic relationship with servicemen and women helping those Afghan veterans who have been traumatised by the events of the past two weeks. How much more impressive that would be than some empty statement about feeling speechless. And then there was that decision to take a private jet 750 miles in order to take part in a game of polo, albeit for charity. Only three months ago Harry was telling a TV interviewer about climate change and his fears for the planet. Kids growing up in todays world, pretty depressing, right, depending on where you live; your home country is either on fire, its either underwater, houses or forests are being flattened, he said. But noble words require noble action. And even in America, where many of his actions have been applauded, he was accused of being an eco-hypocrite. Once upon a time Harry was one of the royals who understood that, when it came to royalty, perception was crucial. Now it seems to matter less. It was hardly the first time claims of hypocrisy had been levelled at the couple. Remember those blood money earrings Meghan wore on a royal tour to Fiji in 2018. It was disclosed that they had been a gift from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who had been accused of ordering the brutal killing of reporter Jamal Khashoggi. Finding Freedom draws attention to the fact that the Queen, Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Diana had all received jewels from the Saudi royal family. It neglects to say that at the time no Saudi royal had been accused by the CIA of being behind the death and dismemberment of a prominent journalist. Wisely, the Palace have decided not to respond publicly to the books claims. They may find that position much harder to maintain next year when Harrys own memoirs penned with a ghostwriter are set to appear. But by then the public appetite for this couples increasingly vacuous do-gooding deeds may have diminished even further. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are 'making very little progress' in reconciling with the royal family, Finding Freedom author claims The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are 'making very little progress' in reconciling with the royal family, the author of Finding Freedom has claimed. Omid Scobie - who penned the biography with Carolyn Durand and is releasing an updated version today, the 24th anniversary of Princess Diana's death said Prince Harry, 37, and Meghan Markle, 40, were 'desperate to get their story out there' when they gave their explosive Oprah Winfrey interview earlier this year. Appearing on Good Morning America today, Omid claimed the couple, who are currently living in their $14 million mansion in California, and the royal family both want all involved to take 'accountability and ownership' for their role in the rift. He explained: 'When we speak to sources close to the couple and also sources close to the royal family, there is this feeling that very little progress is being made.' Meanwhile Scobie also suggested allegations of Meghan's bullying behaviour made by a senior Palace aide before the Oprah Winfrey interview were 'revenge' from The Firm for the Duke and Duchess' actions. The Sussexes were accused of leaving behind a 'lot of broken people' with 'young women broken by their behaviour' and a source describing one member of their staff as 'completely destroyed' by the ordeal. Scobie said: 'For me, it's impossible to come to any other conclusion that this is some sort of revenge from the institution that we saw pulled into action just before the Oprah interview came out.' He added: 'One of the sources that we spoke to in the book said it was the classic "Oppo dump" which you see before a presidential election. New details from @scobies book Finding Freedom give an inside look at Harry and Meghans departure from royal life. @ReeveWill speaks one-on-one with the author. https://t.co/LtSgDP4z38 pic.twitter.com/EvZgHA48py Good Morning America (@GMA) August 31, 2021 The Duke, 37, and Duchess of Sussex, 40, are 'making very little progress' in reconciling with the royal family, the author of Finding Freedom has claimed Omid said there had been 'little progress' in mending the rift between the Sussexes and the royal family, but added: 'However, some feelings have subsided because time has done its things, so the door is very much open for those conversations to happen at some point.' Meanwhile he said the couple had no intention of leaving the public eye in search of privacy, revealing: 'It's not that they want to disappear or not be seen. It's simply that they want to choose what they keep private and what they share with the world.' The Finding Freedom author said since stepping back from royal duty, the couple are now 'thriving', adding: 'Fast forward to a life in the US where they are very much in control. 'The Archewell legacy they're building - this is the couple showing the world exactly what is important to them.' Appearing on Good Morning America today, Omid Scobie claimed the couple, who are currently living in their $14 million mansion in California, 'want everyone to take accountability' for their role in the rift (pictured, the Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton at the Commonwealth Service in March 2020) Meanwhile he also suggested the couple could go on to reveal more details about their relationship with members of the royal family like Prince Charles and William. He said: 'Now I think that when and if we hear more of their journey towards healing these family relations and the issues that they've faced, it's going to be from them themselves.' The Queen launched an unprecedented inquiry into allegations that Meghan and Harry bullied their staff earlier this year - leaving royal employees 'shaken' by 'unhappy memories' being brought up about a 'toxic period' before the couple emigrated. Devastating claims that the Duchess of Sussex inflicted 'emotional cruelty' on underlings and 'drove them out' were 'very' concerning, Buckingham Palace said. The whistleblower told The Times: 'We will finally be able to tell the truth. It's not going to be easy, but this is very welcome and long overdue. We don't have to be silent any more'. Lawyers for the Sussexes have vehemently denied they have bullied or mistreated staff. Weeks ago, a source claimed the Duchess of Cornwall is unlikely to ever forgive her stepson Prince Harry and Meghan for hurting Prince Charles after Megxit. Prince Harry has addressed his relationship with his father in several interviews throughout the year - after first opening up about it in a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March where he claimed he has been 'let down' by Prince Charles. Scobie penned the biography Finding Freedom with Carolyn Durand and is releasing an updated version today, the 24th anniversary of Princess Diana's death (pictured, on GMA today) During the TV interview, Scobie suggested the couple could go on to reveal more details about their relationship with members of the royal family like Prince Charles and William Speaking to The Telegraph, royal expert Camilla Tominey reported that a source close to Camilla has said that even though Buckingham Palace is conveying the message that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are still loved by the family, the Duchess of Cornwall will struggle to move on. Another source claimed that Prince Charles was deeply affected by the reported fall out with Prince Harry and that it had been 'really hard for him.' Meanwhile Prince William and Harry are said to have barely spoken and have an 'incredibly strained' relationship after two years of rows over Harry's wife and her alleged treatment of staff, the couple's decision to emigrate to America and the tonnes of 'truth bombs' the Sussexes have dropped in TV interviews watched by tens of millions of people around the world. Harry and Meghan believe they were abandoned by the Royals, even accusing them of racism towards Archie and ignoring their cries for help when the Duchess of Sussex felt lonely and suicidal while pregnant in London. 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. Meanwhile Prince William and Harry are said to have barely spoken and have an 'incredibly strained' relationship after two years of rows (pictured together in July) 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'. EXCLUSIVE: Diana planned to move to Malibu with William and Harry as romance with Dodi Fayed blossomed and wanted to break into Hollywood, voice coach reveals on 24th anniversary of her death By James Desborough for DailyMail.com Princess Diana wanted to move to California and make movies behind the camera a striking similarity to her daughter-in-law Meghan, her voice coach and confidante told DailyMail.com. Stewart Pearce, who is breaking his silence on the princess's plans for the first time on the 24th anniversary of her death, said Diana planned to take sons William and Harry to the US as her romance blossomed with Dodi Fayed. The voice coach who befriended the princess in the years before her death says Diana was developing a Hollywood career but was not interested in becoming an actress. While Kevin Costner courted her for a potential sequel to his 1992 blockbuster The Bodyguard, her ambitions lay behind the cameras. Pearce said the Princess of Wales, who died in a fatal car accident on Sunday August 31, 1997, saw a move to Malibu, California, as key to working on her screen career. But he dismissed speculation that his close friend was either pregnant or planning to marry film executive Fayed. Princess Diana's voice coach Stewart Pearce tells DailyMail.com Diana planned to take sons William and Harry to the US to pursue a career in Hollywood Pearce says the plans to move to California came at a time when her romance blossomed with Dodi Fayed. They couple are pictured vacationing in Saint Tropez the year of their death This is the Dodi Fayed's Malibu beach home where Princess Diana planned to live but her plans were tragically cut short when she was killed in a car crash in 1997 Pearce writes about his time with the princess in his book, Diana The Voice of Change Pearce, 68, learned of Diana's production plans during his years as her private voice and presence coach, beginning in 1995. The coach, who spent time with the mother-of-two just days before her death, aged 36, in a high speed car crash in a Parisian tunnel, revealed: 'There were a number of major projects brewing in her consciousness through offers that had been offered to her.' 'But one of the major opportunities that she wanted to create, was to start developing documentaries about three charitable interests that would then be assimilated into major movie pictures,' he said. 'She was planning on spending a lot of time in Hollywood. 'The point was that Diana was really beginning to explore her creative power.' Pearce added that Diana was consulting with top Hollywood executives and agents about her movie-making ambitions. 'Everything she did was signed with the autograph of excellence, meaning she consulted the right people,' he said. 'It was all about the highest echelon of opinions that could be maintained for the greatest project management. 'So I know whomever she employed or worked in liaison with it would have been an excellent standard moving towards the possibility of an award winning status. There is no doubt. She was all full of the action of co-creativity.' It was not just Diana's Royal fame, which made her a natural fit for the arts world and Hollywood. 'The creative industries are based on overt communication,' Pearce said. 'And she was an ace communicator. 'One of the things she was able to do was be immediately accessible by something she would say. Obviously her reputation preceded her. She made the first move always. It would be a gentle touch about the way the person looked or dressed; "I love your shoes. Where did you get those?" for example. 'These immediate touches, which she applied, are so beautifully beguiling and enchanting being expressed through the innocence and fun with her sparkling blue eyes. People felt immediately endeared to her. 'Communication was always completely overt. She found it very easy to establish contact with major artists.' Pearce added that Diana had forged a close friendship with Oscar-winning respected British film producer Lord David Puttnam, whose films include The Killing Fields, Midnight Express and Memphis Belle. Puttnam helped her make top Hollywood contacts. But the princess's life was tragically cut short before she could meet them, Pearce said. 'David was advising her about a number of people she was going to be in contact with in the fall of 1997, but unfortunately did not make those meetings,' he told DailyMail.com. In the mid 90s, Oscar-winner Costner courted Diana, through her sister-in-law Sarah Ferguson, to star in the follow up to The Bodyguard with Whitney Houston. Costner revealed he had a phone call with Diana about the project, during which she asked if there would be a 'kissing scene'. Actor Kevin Costner courted Diana for a potential sequel to his 1992 blockbuster The Bodyguard, but her ambitions were behind the camera Pearce was adamant that Diana wanted to be a movie maker, not a movie star. 'One of the major opportunities that she wanted to create, was to start developing documentaries about three charitable interests,' Pearce said However Pearce is adamant that becoming a leading lady was never in her mind. 'No, no. no. That is something that Diana was not interested in, not at all,' he told DailyMail.com. 'You can see how emphatic I am. 'Although she was an aficionado and keen enthusiast about the performing arts, particularly dance, [acting] was not something she saw as being her new creative trajectory. 'I do remember her talking about the whimsy of the wonderful idea of Kevin stepping forward saying we would love to make a movie about you,' he added. The revelations about Diana's Hollywood ambitions come on the 24th anniversary of her death from a car crash in Paris. Double child killer Colin Pitchfork will be released from prison this week and will live in a probation hostel next to unsuspecting families, it emerged last night. The notorious murderer will taste freedom after the Parole Board rejected the Governments legal challenge to his release. But in a clear indication of the threat he still poses, Pitchfork, 61, will be subject to some of the strictest licence conditions ever set. For example, he will wear an electronic tag so he can be monitored at all times, banned from going near the relatives of his victims and face restrictions on using the internet by himself. Pitchfork, jailed for life in 1988 for the rape and murder of two 15-year-old girls, will also be placed on the sex offenders register when he is freed from Leyhill prison in Gloucestershire. Last night Barbara Ashworth, the mother of Pitchforks second victim Dawn, said: Its a day I knew was coming and Ive had to resign myself to, but I just hope that no other girl meets the same fate Last night Barbara Ashworth, the mother of Pitchforks second victim Dawn, said: Its a day I knew was coming and Ive had to resign myself to, but I just hope that no other girl meets the same fate. A Ministry of Justice spokesman said public safety is our top priority and that Pitchfork will immediately be jailed again if he breaches any of his release conditions. Mrs Ashworths brother, Philip Musson, 68, from Newark, Nottinghamshire, added: Im not an advocate for the death penalty but there are some crimes so great that that punishment should be carried out, and Pitchforks fit that category. I consider the decision to release him an experiment, and I only pray that the people living in the area where he is resettled do not pay the price. The families of both victims have previously accused the Parole Board of putting children at risk by ignoring a series of red flags - including experts concerns about Pitchforks ability to manipulate and deceive, especially over his future sexual interests. Pitchfork strangled Lynda Mann in November 1983 after leaving his baby son sleeping in the back of his car in Narborough, south Leicestershire. In July 1986 the sex fiend struck again, raping and killing Dawn Ashworth in the neighbouring village of Enderby. He became the first person to be convicted using DNA evidence after it emerged that he had attempted to evade capture by persuading a work colleague to take a blood test for him during the murder hunt He became the first person to be convicted using DNA evidence after it emerged that he had attempted to evade capture by persuading a work colleague to take a blood test for him during the murder hunt. Pitchforks 30-year minimum term was cut by two years in 2009 and he was moved to Leyhill open prison three years ago. Following a hearing in March, the Parole Board ruled he was suitable for release, despite this being denied in 2016 and 2018. Last month the Justice Secretary launched a challenge to the decision saying he was frustrated the sadistic killer could soon be out on the streets. Robert Buckland challenged the decision on the basis that Pitchfork had the capacity to manipulate and deceive the professionals he had worked with. Google is once again postponing a return to the office for most workers until mid-January, in addition to requiring all employees to be vaccinated once its sprawling campuses are fully reopened. CEO Sundar Pichai said in a blog post Tuesday that Google is delaying its global return to offices until at least January 10, after pushing the planned September return back to October. Pichai said that starting in January the company will let countries and locations determine when to end voluntary work-from-home policies 'based on local conditions, which vary greatly across our offices.' He also promised a 30-day heads up before workers are expected back in the office. CEO Sundar Pichai said in a blog post Tuesday that Google is delaying its global return to offices until at least January 10, the second pushback in recent weeks Google also promised a 30-day heads up before workers are expected back in the office The highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus is driving a dramatic spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, leading companies to delay or scrap return-to-office plans after nearly two years of people working from home. This is the second time in little over a month that Google has delayed return plans - the last time was in late July, when it also announced its vaccine mandate. Google, which is headquartered in Mountain View, California, has more than 130,000 employees worldwide. In the last few weeks, companies including Facebook, Amazon and Lyft delayed their return-to-office timelines to 2022 for U.S. workers due to the pandemic. Google was one of the first companies to ask its employees to work from home due to the health crisis, but has been among the most eager to force them back into the office. Over the summer, Apple and Google announced 'hybrid' work plans that would force all employees to return to the office for at least part of the work week, drawing ire from their employees. 'Over the last year we often felt not just unheard, but at times actively ignored,' the Apple employees wrote in a letter to CEO Tim Cook. Google backtracked from the plan and said that up to 20 percent of workers will be allowed to work from home permanently. Apple still plans to have employees come to the office three days a week, but the original return date of September has been delayed until 2022. The iPhone maker also told staff it would confirm the re-opening timeline one month before employees are required to return to the office. Twitter, on the other hand, has announced that remote working will continue forever for essentially any employee who prefers it. A popular performer who took his own life after losing his job during Covid lockdowns has been remembered by loved ones as 'a bright star'. Jamie Wood, 31, from Brisbane, died in the early hours of Sunday at his Bowen Hills apartment after a long battle with mental health. The passionate dancer, who performed alongside the likes of Ricki-Lee Coulter and on a Michael Jackson tribute tour, was remembered as being kind and generous to the thousands he left a mark on. His sister Samantha Wood said he 'truly seemed like the happiest guy' who would motivate and uplift those around him, and his resilience despite so many blows in life was 'inspiring'. Jamie Wood (pictured) tragically died on Sunday after a long battle with mental health Mr Wood, who lost his job performing on cruise ships during the Covid-19 pandemic, had recently started a barbering apprenticeship while working at Fluffy nightclub on Sundays. 'The exact same night that he ended his life, he called my mum and was so excited about his new life and moving into his new apartment,' Ms Wood told The Courier-Mail. 'He had the whole place made up how he wanted it - very Zen - and he was just so excited to go on a new journey with his barbering. 'Thats why it has come at such a shock that this has happened within hours of him having those conversations with my mum.' Mr Wood had been open with his family about his mental health struggles for more than a decade and had contacted crisis helplines on several occasions but his phone calls were not returned. He was finally diagnosed with borderline personality disorder six months ago, after previously being admitted to hospital for mental-health related issues. Ms Wood said she doesn't think there was one traumatic experience that caused his mental illness and she believes her brother felt 'very alone'. The 31-year-old performer lost his job dancing on cruise ships during the Covid-19 pandemic Samantha and Nicholas Wood have remembered their brother (pictured all together) as a kind and generous person who was always their for those around him Nicholas Wood said his brother was always there for everyone else, and despite having support, he had battles that he could not overcome. He believes more could have been done to help his sibling, who was the 'greatest brother you could ask for'. A GoFundMe page to give Jamie the 'farewell he deserves' has so far raised more than $17,000. Tributes have begun pouring in for the talented performer, who has been remembered as a 'bright star'. 'I'll miss your smile and the way you made me feel special and worthy of love even when I didn't believe it myself,' close friend Ben Rhodes wrote. 'I'm sure I'll see you again one day, and until then I'll live my life as authentically and unapologetically as you did. Rest easy, nothing can hurt you anymore. I love you.' 'Until we meet again my beautiful friend,' Michelle Berka wrote. 'If only you could have seen just how bright your star shone for the rest of us... the world is a little darker today without you here. 'Save some Tim Tams and milk for when I get there to share them with you. You will be truly missed by so many people... fly high spunkrat and mind our seats.' To the victor, the spoils and they dont come more glittering than those left behind by the Americans in Afghanistan. As the last US soldier, Major General Chris Donahue, was photographed walking up the ramp of a US transport plane on Monday night, the Taliban wasted no time in highlighting the scale of Americas downfall by flaunting their acquisitions. Journalists were given tours of airports, prisons and military bases by Taliban guides who obligingly mugged up for photo opportunities. Within minutes of the US leaving, Taliban troops were filmed entering a Kabul airport hangar containing four large Boeing Sea Knight cargo helicopters. They clambered around the cockpit of a huge C-130 Hercules transport plane and tried out the controls of other military choppers, some fitted with missile launchers in hangars strewn with discarded US flak jackets, helmets, ammunition and grenades. Indeed, for a time it looked as if not all US troops had yet departed as a group of men lined up on the runway in full combat gear, M16 assault rifles at the ready. They were in fact the Talibans Badri 313 special forces, fully kitted out in captured equipment. Allah Akhbar! God is Great! they chanted defiantly for the cameras under the watchful eye of officials as they paraded under the dangerously deceptive Taliban white flag. To the victor, the spoils and they dont come more glittering than those left behind by the Americans in Afghanistan. Pictured: A Taliban fighter sits inside the cockpit of an Afghan Air Force aircraft at the airport in Kabul The speed of Americas chaotic and bloody retreat from its 20-year, $2trillion war has allowed its enemy to swap their sandals, turbans and battered Kalashnikov guns for state-of-the-art weaponry and protective gear that will allow them to continue their jihad with far greater effectiveness. Just when America thought it could not get any worse, here in these astonishing images was the visceral, swaggering proof of the extent to which the Taliban has humbled the US. From senior leaders to rank and file Taliban members, their incredulity at overwhelming a superpower with just our Kalashnikovs was expressed over and over. And yet the military parade on the runway was just one of many humiliations for America as it ended its longest war with the contempt of their ragtag opponents ringing in their ears not to mention the fury of Britain and other allies. Last night, President Biden addressed the US nation and, incredibly, insisted the Kabul airlift was an extraordinary success. He maintained everything apart from the Afghan armys collapse had gone to plan. This is the way the mission was designed. It was designed to operate under severe stress and attack, and thats what it did, he said. Will his voters swallow that? Americans may have told pollsters they wanted to end the conflict, but few can have imagined it was going to be as ignominious as this chased out in the dark by the Taliban, leaving not only citizens and support workers behind but also their military and their moral reputation, as some of the horrors of the detention centre at the US Bagram Air Base started to be revealed. It is the Talibans haul of cutting-edge military equipment that underlines the depth of their victory, a haul that goes well beyond beyond combat boots, helmets and rifles. Pictured: US air force on operations in a similar aircraft Congratulations to Afghanistan... this victory belongs to us all, Zabihullah Mujahid, the groups chief spokesman announced, calling the day a big lesson for other invaders and for our future generation. He said his group wanted good relations with the US and the world, words that sat unconvincingly against a grim Taliban procession of three coffins draped in the flags of the US, Britain and France accompanied by fireworks and tracer fire through streets in the south eastern city of Khost. However, it is the Talibans haul of cutting-edge military equipment that underlines the depth of their victory, a haul that goes well beyond beyond combat boots, helmets and rifles. In Kandahar, a 4million Black Hawk helicopter was filmed circling the city with a Taliban pilot at the controls and an unidentified man, probably a Taliban soldier, suspended beneath it. The US had obligingly delivered seven more of the helicopters, long an enduring symbol of American military might, into Taliban hands as recently as July. As Kabul fell and the evacuation got underway, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken insisted the US departure was nothing like its ignominious withdrawal from Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. He was right. Back then, choppers were ditched in the sea to avoid them falling into the hands of North Vietnam. And despite claims that all remaining military vehicles had been demobilised, the Taliban found several, including a special forces dune buggy, that they drove jubilantly around the runway yesterday. Now dozens of abandoned helicopters, armoured vehicles and ground attack planes have fallen into the hands of Taliban forces. Pictured: An American soldier stands guard as a Sea Knight cargo chopper takes off The US estimates it has provided 60billion worth of equipment and training to Afghan security forces since 2001. Now dozens of abandoned helicopters, armoured vehicles and ground attack planes many with their controls smashed and insides ripped out by US troops and looters are testament to that investment in what now seems a pointless conflict in which 170,000 people including 2,400 American troops and 457 British military personnel died. The US insists its forces had disabled 150 American and Afghan military vehicles, including armoured cars such as Humvees and MRAPs (Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected) and 73 aircraft, to ensure they were never used again. Last night a Pentagon spokesman insisted he wasnt overly concerned about these images of the Taliban in cockpits, saying: They can inspect all they want they cant operate them. But he conceded there is a lethality component to some of what has been left. While the humiliation of this surrender for that is what it feels like has largely fallen on the Americans, the presence of a British bobbys helmet alongside a US state troopers hat on a desk surrounded by grim-faced Taliban fighters at the former regimes police training base was a stark reminder of the UKs role in trying to prop up Afghanistan against the insurgents. The headgear had been left behind as gifts by former trainers to Afghan police who, like their military comrades, capitulated rapidly to the Taliban. Within minutes of the US leaving, Taliban troops were filmed entering a Kabul airport hangar containing four large Boeing Sea Knight cargo helicopters. Pictured: Taliban special forces in a Kabul hangar yesterday The terror group was even happier to show off a far more disturbing and damning reminder of the US presence out at Bagram Air Base 40 miles north of Kabul. The US abandoned its main Afghan operational base, turning off water and electricity, and slipping out so quietly on the night of July 1 that it didnt even warn Afghan forces left to defend it, substantially fuelling the collapse of their morale. That decision now stands as one of the Biden administrations worst errors in its calamitous withdrawal. Bagram, which is vast, offered far more capacity and security for an evacuation than the Hamid Khazi International Airport in Kabul where last week IS-affiliated suicide bombers broke through the Taliban security cordon and killed 13 US troops and 170 Afghans. Biden has claimed he abandoned Bagram on advice from his generals although they counter that, given his insistence they prioritise protecting the US embassy in Kabul, they had no alternative. The US lavished billions on Bagram, spending 50million alone on its 3,600-metre double runway. Lounging in the airfield control tower and picking up phones to give imaginary launch orders to its 100 holding bays for fighter jets, Taliban troops said theyd been there ten days. Never in our wildest dreams could we have believed we could beat a superpower like America with just our Kalashnikovs, their leader, Maulawi Hafiz Mohibullah Muktaz, told The Times. Ominously, he added: On the back of victory, I hope we can use use Bagram as a place to spread jihad further into the region and Muslim world. That jihad has been given not only a physical boost from the US hardware left behind but also a huge morale advantage courtesy of the notoriously grim detention centre at Bagram. It is proving a propaganda goldmine for the Taliban who freed hundreds of prisoners including scores of members of Isis-K, Islamic States ultra-vicious Afghan offshoot from the prison after the Afghan army abandoned the base two weeks ago. For the moment, the Taliban will no doubt be happy to keep the detention centre, built in 2009 and holding as many as 3,000 prisoners, as a bleak monument to the brutality and ruthlessness of their opponents (without, of course, mentioning why its even more ruthless inmates were kept there). The Afghan government took over the prison in 2012 and Americas General Stanley McChrystal, former commander of US and NATO forces in the country, had condemned the detention centre as a breeding ground for terror by mixing petty criminals with Islamist extremists for long periods without charge because of a lack of personnel to interrogate them. Former inmates were on hand yesterday to expound on the inhumanity of the detention centre and point out the cages where they were kept under overhead spotlights to stop them sleeping, and interrogation rooms still littered with handcuffs, riot gear and leather limb and finger restraints. Taliban were able to brandish large strings of handcuffs and piles of watches and other personal effects taken from the prisoners. In some cells, the walls were covered in finger marks in ash, in an apparent attempt by inmates to keep track of how many days theyd been there. Taliban commander Maulawi Ahmed Shah claimed he was tortured hosed naked with cold water and hanged in chains and beaten. Meanwhile, the Biden administrations desperate attempts to gloss over the biggest US foreign policy catastrophe for decades continues. Antony Blinken confirmed that the US Embassy will remain closed. And yet, he insisted, the military departure had opened a new chapter of Americas engagement with Afghanistan in which we will lead with our diplomacy. The administration that had prided itself on its humanitarian values will be driven by one thing only: our vital national interests in its future dealings with the Taliban, said Blinken. It was yet another retreat for Biden, given he insisted four weeks ago that the US intended to keep the embassy open and gushed that our partnership with the people of Afghanistan will endure long after our service members have departed. Even more shaming is the fact that with 200 US citizens and tens of thousands of Afghans who worked with coalition forces left behind, yet another Biden pledge to get every American out appears to have bitten the Central Asian dust. The number of foreign criminals released from prison on to the streets has reached a record high of almost 11,000. Official figures show that at the end of June there were 10,882 foreign national offenders who had been released from jail but not deported. All are subject to deportation because they were handed prison sentences of at least 12 months. The staggering total was up by nearly 1,500 in a year. It means four foreign criminals a day, on average, were freed to live in the community in the past 12 months. The latest total has rocketed by 176 per cent since 2012, when the number stood at less than 4,000. More than 3,000 foreign criminals have been living in the community for more than five years after completing their jail terms, Home Office data showed, while a further 4,000 have been on the streets for between one and five years. The numbers have surged during the pandemic. Hundreds are thought to have won their freedom after applying for bail under laws which say they can only be kept in immigration detention if there is a realistic prospect of imminent removal. Because international flights were grounded in the early stages of the pandemic, and international travel remains problematic, the criminals successfully argued that they should be freed. Instead of staying locked up until they are thrown out of the country, they are released to be managed in the community. Many abscond, potentially putting the public in danger. Reading terror attacker Khairi Saadallah, 26, was released from prison just 16 days before killing three men in a knife rampage Deportation is also usually blocked by human rights issues, such as the criminals claiming their lives will be at risk in home countries such as Syria. Last month a Home Office charter flight to Jamaica saw 43 offenders pulled off the plane at the last moment, with some claiming they would be in danger from criminal gangs in their home nation. Meanwhile, the Home Office is deporting far smaller numbers of foreign nationals who have no right to remain in the UK, including convicted criminals, failed asylum seekers and immigration offenders. The Daily Mail reported yesterday how in the year to March there were just 2,420 enforced returns, down from a peak of more than 21,000 in 2004. David Spencer, of the Centre for Crime Prevention think-tank, said of the latest figures: These numbers are staggering and deeply disconcerting for law-abiding British citizens. We were told that Brexit would make it easier for us to control our borders and remove foreign criminals but these numbers show this clearly isnt the case yet. 'It is time for concerted action from the Home Office to ensure that the laws are in place to ensure that the overwhelming majority of foreign criminals are deported from the UK at the end of the sentence. The Home Office has recently announced efforts to increase the number of deportations. In July, Home Secretary Priti Patel announced a new deal to speed up the way Albanian criminals and failed asylum seekers are returned to their home country. In July, Home Secretary Priti Patel announced a new deal to speed up the way Albanian criminals and failed asylum seekers are returned to their home country Albanians currently make up the largest group of foreign nationals in jail in England and Wales with more than 1,500 inmates, according to latest figures, with many linked to organised crime. The landmark deal finalised by Miss Patel during a visit to Tirana will make the process of transferring Albanian criminals and immigration offenders easier and quicker, Home Office sources said at the time. Each prison place costs around 30,000 a year and the new plan could save the UK taxpayer millions of pounds a year. The bilateral agreement with Tirana was only made possible by Britains Brexit vote. One in eight prisoners in jail in England and Wales are now non-UK citizens, or 9,850 of the 78,000 behind bars. They call themselves the lucky ones: four among hundreds of former British military interpreters whisked to safety in Britain as the Taliban returned. Scores more are left behind. They risked their lives for Britain, and were initially denied sanctuary in the UK. But the Daily Mails award-winning Betrayal of the Brave campaign took up cudgels. One by one, they were eventually told they could come to Britain. Yesterday all four families were safe in quarantine hotels in London and Manchester. They could only watch the horrors back home unfold. All are thankful to the Government, singling out Defence Secretary Ben Wallace for making a difference, and praising the support of our brothers... the magnificent British soldiers who helped us at the airport. They are especially grateful to the Mails campaign for being our voice, never forgetting us, fighting for translators and sharing our suffering. From their hotels, they told their stories. Bahawar Mayar, 60, and his family wife Sheerina and children Husna, Samina, Adeena, Ghulam and Mustafa made it past Taliban checkpoints to get on an RAF plane, but he is haunted by the thoughts of colleagues left behind. I know I am lucky, I have escaped with my family, he said. There are many still in Afghanistan who have not been so lucky. I pray for them. Escape from airport just hours before blast horror Only 24 hours before a suicide bomb ripped through the crowds clamouring to make it into Kabuls besieged airport last week, Waheed Sabawoon, his wife and two children were standing near the same spot. Waheed, 29, said: It is terrifying to think that could have been us trapped there. We had been in the same crush of people, the open sewage channel, and we had the fear of not knowing if we would ever make it through. Instead, we watched the scenes on television from our hotel rooms, hardly able to believe it. We were very lucky to have escaped. Only 24 hours before a suicide bomb ripped through the crowds clamouring to make it into Kabuls besieged airport last week, Waheed Sabawoon, his wife and two children were standing near the same spot It is such an emotional experience to feel safe for the first time in year, not to worry if the knock on the door is going to be the Taliban. This is the gift that Britain has given us and we will always be thankful because we did not believe it would happen. For years Waheed, who worked for the sensitive Electronic Warfare Unit and Brigade Reconnaissance Forces in Helmand province between 2010 and 2013, thought he would be among those left behind after a Kindle e-reader was found among his belongings in camp. For years Waheed thought he would be among those left behind after a Kindle e-reader was found among his belongings in camp He said it was given to him by an officer, but it was a rule that no electronic devices could be taken on to base areas without permission. Waheed was dismissed, preventing him from being relocated to Britain. This ban was only overturned when the UKs policy became more generous, allowing those terminated for minor offences to qualify. In his hotel room with wife Mashita, 29, son Naveed, four, and two-year-old daughter Muska, he said: It was a nightmare fearing we would not escape but I never gave up hope knowing that you [the Mail] were on my side and pressing my case. We are looking forward to making Britain proud, and giving back to it. Were so happy... this is our home now Two days ago, Farid Rahmani asked his four-year-old daughter Tahura whether she missed Afghanistan. The answer was emphatic: No. I want to stay here. We are happy now. This is home. The 37-year-old former senior translator at the British Embassy in Kabul said the words made him and his wife Fatima, 32, feel tearful. Farid, shot three months ago in a Taliban ambush as he drove home, said: The whole family are so happy to be here and to have left behind the Taliban bullets. Everything about the old Afghanistan which we liked is what the Taliban hates and will kill. They wanted me dead. We know we are lucky. My brother who worked ten years with the British is stuck with three colleagues. Two days ago, Farid Rahmani asked his four-year-old daughter Tahura whether she missed Afghanistan. The answer was emphatic: No. I want to stay here. We are happy now. This is home Farid served Britain for 17 years. But he was one of 21 translators at the embassy told they did not qualify to come to the UK. Incredibly, he was rejected days after being shot. After the Mail campaign highlighted his case, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is said to have personally intervened. All 21 were granted sanctuary. Farid and his wife have six children Ahmad, 13, Mohammad, 12, Beseshta, ten, Sumaya, six, Tahura and Hasenat, two. Its a dream to fall asleep without fear Latif Hottak, 37, and his family wife Ruqia, 35, and children Zaki, 13, Sana, 11, Sama, ten, and seven-year-old Sudies had been denied the right to come to the UK because the Ministry of Defence said he was dismissed from his job as an interpreter in January 2011 Latif Hottak looked out over the Thames from the window of his quarantine hotel and summed up the difference in his familys life in the last few days as unbelievable... from hell to heaven. Latif is an ex-interpreter, who spent six years with UK forces, three on the frontline The ex-interpreter, who spent six years with UK forces, three on the frontline, said: This is a dream. We are finally relearning the meaning of being able to relax, to fall asleep without fear and nerves, to wake with excitement and purpose. The 37-year-old and his family wife Ruqia, 35, and children Zaki, 13, Sana, 11, Sama, ten, and seven-year-old Sudies had been denied the right to come to the UK because the Ministry of Defence said he was dismissed from his job as an interpreter in January 2011. But salary records, handed to the MoD by the Mail, suggested Latif was still working more than a year later. Within days, he received the wonderful news that the decision had been reversed. Latif added: This is possible because of the Daily Mail and my brother Rafi [a former interpreter blown up on the frontlines who has relocated to the UK]. Everyone else gave up on us. Within hours of Western troops leaving, triumphant Taliban fighters began raiding the homes of interpreters left behind in Kabul yesterday. The terrified former translators hid as armed jihadis bent on revenge went knocking door-to-door. Despite a promise of amnesty from the Taliban leadership, the insurgents wasted no time in hunting down the traitors who helped the British. One search party was said to have been led by an imam who is now a local Taliban commander. He knew ex-translator Kaleem, a veteran of five years on the front lines with British forces. Taliban fighters (pictured) began raiding the homes of interpreters left behind in Kabul yesterday, within hours of Western troops leaving Kaleem told the Mail: The mullah knew me from the mosque. Everyone knew that he was Taliban and he had been arrested by the Afghan government. But when all the prisoners were released, he was among them and he is leading the hunt for those who were the eyes of Western forces. Kaleem, 35, qualified for relocation to the UK but was among hundreds unable to board an evacuation flight because of chaos surrounding Kabul airport. He said: He knocked on the door. He was with bodyguards carrying AK-47s asking where I was but my family said I was not in. They were very scared. They thought they would be taken away. I was in hiding and did not move. We thought they would search the house, but they didnt and warned they would return. We are all terrified they will find me or punish the family if they dont. I will die if they find me. Kaleem added: No one believes the Talibans words of forgiveness. We helped the British kill and capture their men. We provided the intelligence to fight against them. We questioned their captured and injured so it is simple that they will want revenge. Former interpreters many strangers to the capital are moving hiding places regularly. They are purging phones of photos and numbers linking them to Britain. They fear their biometric details are now with the Taliban after they seized records of thousands of Afghans who worked with foreign forces and the government. When Taliban fighters took control of Kabul some immediately went to the headquarters of the National Directorate of Security and the Ministry of Communications with the apparent aim of securing files of Afghan intelligence officers and their informers. For Faiz, 31, the knock on the door of the Kabul house where he was staying with his wife and five children sparked panic. His wife answered the door while he escaped through a window at the back, hiding among rubbish. Faiz, who worked for UK forces over three years, said it is the third house they have moved to since the Taliban arrived in Kabul. He was rejected for relocation as he had been dismissed. Threat: Fardin, 40, (pictured) who worked with UK forces for more than 15 years and came to Britain in July with his wife and six children, says his family in Afghanistan has been targeted Faiz said: I think that informers among our neighbours gave us up. Every house we go to, I have to look for an escape route. This is what has happened to me because I worked for the British and have been left behind. The cases of Faiz and Kaleem have been highlighted by the Mails award-winning Betrayal of the Brave campaign. Dozens who risked their lives beside British soldiers have been brought to the UK. But they have told how their families have become targets. Fardin, 40, worked with UK forces for more than 15 years and came to Britain in July with his wife and six children. He said: The Taliban came to our home asking for me. When my brother said I had gone away, they called him a liar, slapping and shouting at him, loading their AK-47s and pointing it at him. They were intimidating the family none knew if they would open fire. They searched the house and said the issue of my location was open and they would return for me. He added: Everyone is very frightened because I was well-known so they want to make an example of my family. We feel helpless and do not know what to do. My family is their target because of me. In his first address since the US' historic and chaotic final withdrawal from Afghanistan, President Biden defended his withdrawal - even as he laid blame on President Trump and the Afghan security forces - and again brought up his late son, Beau, who died in 2015 at the age of 46 from brain cancer. 'I don't think enough people understand how much we have asked of the 1% of this country who put that uniform on, willing to put their lives on the line in defense of our nation. Maybe it's because my deceased son Beau served in Iraq for a full year.' 'Let me be clear. Leaving August 31 is not due to an arbitrary deadline. It was designed to save American lives,' Biden said in his first public remarks since the final US soldier left Hamid Karzai International Airport on Monday night. Biden has of late been thinking often of the tragic loss of his son, as is evidenced by the frequent references in his remarks. Beau wasn't killed in combat, though the president has at times questioned whether his exposure to burn pits in Iraq had a hand in causing his cancer. Last week, 13 US service members were killed, and some of the Gold Star families said that they were disappointed the president kept bringing up his late son, as he tried to relate to their fresh sense of loss and devastation. Biden, right, talks with his son, US Army Capt. Beau Biden, left, at Camp Victory on the outskirts of Baghdad on July 4, 2009 Here are the times the president has called to mind his deceased son as he's dealt with the Afghanistan chaos: Aug. 31- Remarks after troop withdrawal 'I don't think enough people understand how much we have asked of the 1% of this country who put that uniform on, willing to put their lives on the line in defense of our nation. Maybe it's because my deceased son Beau served in Iraq for a full year.' Biden was speaking after the drawdown of troop presence in Afghanistan, as Americans and allies were still stuck on the ground. He defended his decision to pull out, even as he laid blame on a peace deal struck by President Trump. Aug. 29- Conversations with families of slain troops Mark Schmitz, father of 20-year-old Jared who died in the suicide bombing in Kabul, told the Washington Post that when he met with Biden he spent much time talking about Beau. 'When he just kept talking about his son so much it was just my interest was lost in that. I was more focused on my own son than what happened with him and his son,' Schmitz said. 'I'm not trying to insult the president, but it just didn't seem that appropriate to spend that much time on his own son.' 'I think it was all him trying to say he understands grief,' Schmitz added. 'But when you're the one responsible for ultimately the way things went down, you kind of feel like that person should own it a little bit more. Our son is now gone. Because of a direct decision or game plan or lack thereof that he put in place.' Beau Biden, above, at Vice-President Joe Biden's second swearing-in ceremony during the 57th Presidential Inauguration ceremonial swearing-in at the US Capitol on January 21, 2013 Flag-draped coffins of service members killed in action are loaded onto a transport aircraft during a ramp ceremony at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan August 27 Families of the fallen U.S. service members were left disappointed by Joe Biden at the dignified transfer on Sunday. One sister of a fallen Marine yelled at the president: 'I hope you burn in hell! That was my brother!' Aug. 29- Biden checks his wrist at dignified transfer ceremony As the bodies of slain US troops were delivered home in Dover, Delaware Sunday, the president was said to have 'checked his watch' each time a flag-draped casket was removed from the Air Force C-17. 'They would release the salute and he looked down at his watch on every last one,' Hoover said. 'All 13, he looked down at his watch.' Biden wear's his late son Beau's rosary on his wrist just above his watch, and the president's supporters have said he was looking at the rosary rather than checking the time. President Joe Biden is under fire for looking at his watch during Sunday's 'dignified transfer' onto American soil of the 13 American troops killed in Thursday's Kabul suicide bomb attack Aug. 26- Remarks after terror attack 'Being the father of an Army major who served for a year in Iraq and, before that, was in Kosovo as a U.S. attorney for the better part of six months in the middle of a war when he came home after a year in Iraq, he was diagnosed, like many, many coming home, with an aggressive and lethal cancer of the brain who we lost. We have some sense, like many of you do, what the families of these brave heroes are feeling today. You get this feeling like you're being sucked into a black hole in the middle of your chest; there's no way out. My heart aches for you. Biden was speaking after a terrorist attack in Kabul killed 170, including 13 US troops who were trying to help Americans and allies escape from Taliban rule. Aug. 20- Remarks on the evacuation 'Whenever I deploy our troops into harm's way, I take that responsibility seriously. I carry that burden every day, just as I did when I was Vice President and my son was deployed to Iraq for a year,' Biden said, explaining his decision to leave. Later, he pointed to the Trump-era peace deal that promised US troops would be out by May 1. 'The idea that if I had said on May the 2nd or 3rd, 'We are not leaving; we are staying' does anybody truly believe that I would not have had to put in significantly more American forces send your sons, your daughters like my son was sent to Iraq to maybe die? And for what? For what?' Aug. 19- Interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos In Biden's first interview as chaos unfolded and the Taliban took over with lightning-fast speed, Stephanopoulos asked what the president would say to those who took issue with his strategy for withdrawal. 'I think a lot of Americans, and even a lot of veterans who served in Afghanistan agree with you on the big, strategic picture. They believe we had to get out. But I wonder how you respond to an Army Special Forces officer, Javier McKay (PH). He did seven tours. He was shot twice. He agrees with you. He says, 'We have to cut our losses in Afghanistan.' But he adds, 'I just wish we could've left with honor.'' Stephanopoulos said. 'Look, that's like askin' my deceased son Beau, who spent six months in Kosovo and a year in Iraq as a Navy captain and then major-- I mean, as an Army major. And, you know, I'm sure h-- he had regrets comin' out of Afganista-- I mean, out of Iraq. He had regrets to what's-- how-- how it's going. But the idea-- what's the alternative? The alternative is why are we staying in Afghanistan? Why are we there? Don't you think that the one-- you know who's most disappointed in us getting out? Russia and China,' Biden replied. July 4- Independence Day celebration remarks On the July 4 holiday Biden was sure to reference his son as he thanked US troops for their service. 'Like so many military families, thinking of loved ones who served, we think of our son Beau today,' Biden said. 'You're all part of a long chain of patriots who pledged their lives and their sacred honor in defense of this nation and democracy around the world. For freedom and fair play, for peace and security and opportunity. For the cause of justice, for the soul of America itself.' A collector was duped into paying 244,000 for a fake Banksy artwork advertised through his official website, it was revealed yesterday. A link to an online auction for a non-fungible token (NFT) a digital form of art was posted on a now-deleted part of the graffiti artist's site. The bidding ended early after the British buyer offered 90 per cent more than his rivals as he believed he was buying Banksy's first ever NFT. But the man, who is in his thirties and wishes to remain anonymous, now believes he was part of an elaborate scam. However, in a surprising twist, he says the hacker has now returned the money apart from the 5,000 transaction fee, reported the Elliptic blog. A British collector spent 244,000 on a fake Banksy NFT advertised through the artist's official website. The image is taken from the Elliptic blog Banksy's team said he has never created any NFTs, which are unique computer files linked to photos, songs, works of art and other media. Pictured: Print of Banksy artwork entitled 'festival' Banksy's team said he has never created any NFTs, which are unique computer files linked to photos, songs, works of art and other media. They are seen by some as the digital answer to collectables. They have taken the art world by storm and major auction houses are selling NFTs, with the most expensive piece by digital artist Beeple selling for 50million. But experts have warned that the rapidly expanding marketplace is being increasingly exploited by scammers. The latest bidder to be duped claimed Banksy's website was hacked. It had a page called NFT, which contained a link to a site selling a digital piece called Great Redistribution of the Climate Change Disaster. The picture listed on OpenSea, an eBay-like marketplace for NFTs shows a person wearing a cap and sunglasses while smoking a cigarette in front of four factory chimneys. The artwork was unsigned and was not authenticated by Banksy's team. Experts have warned that the rapidly expanding NFT marketplace is being increasingly exploited by scammers. Pictured: Banksy artwork at Hoxton Square, London An artwork painted by Banksy on the side of a property at Rothesay Avenue and Ilkeston Road in Nottingham The buyer, who describes himself as a professional NFT collector, was alerted to the artwork by an anonymous person on the social networking site Discord. The auction swiftly ended after he bid 244,000 with cryptocurrency, which was sent to the scammer. He told the BBC: 'I only made the bid because it was hosted on his site. When the bid was accepted, I immediately thought it was probably fake.' But, speaking about the 'unexpected' refund, he added: 'I think the press coverage of the hack plus the fact that I had found the hacker and followed him on Twitter may have pushed him into [it]. I feel very lucky.' Banksy's team did not comment on the site being compromised but said the artist had 'not created any NFT artworks'. Thousands of Afghans who risked their lives to help British forces will be allowed to live and work indefinitely in the UK. The Home Office last night said the coveted status would be granted immediately and automatically to around 10,000 refugees. It will allow them to work and enrol their children in school as they try to build a new life here. The decision fast-tracks a process that can take years and with only a limited right to remain. Boris Johnson said the policy reflected the immense debt owed to translators and others who had helped the UK military during the 20-year engagement. Thousands of Afghans who risked their lives to help British forces will be allowed to live and work indefinitely in the UK. Pictured: Afghan refugees arrive at Heathrow Airport, London The Home Office said the coveted status would be granted immediately and automatically to around 10,000 refugees. Pictured: Afghan refugees arriving into Heathrow last week A Whitehall source said that the package, codenamed Operation Warm Welcome, was the least we could do following the chaotic and bloody withdrawal from Afghanistan. Ministers are still however under pressure to do more to help hundreds, and possibly thousands, of Afghans now in hiding from Taliban reprisals for helping British troops. Its leaders have claimed they will not seek revenge but militants yesterday raided the homes of former translators in Kabul. Former interpreters told the Mail they were living in fear for their lives after failing to secure a place among the 10,000 flown to Britain. A 35-year-old who has qualified for relocation to the UK said: No one believes the Talibans words of forgiveness. We helped the British kill and capture their men. We provided the intelligence to fight against them. We questioned their captured and injured so it is simple that they will want revenge. Refugees from Afghanistan arrive on a evacuation flight at Heathrow Airport on August 26 Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab yesterday denied reports that more than 7,000 Afghans with links to UK forces had been left behind, but was unable to provide another figure. He said the number of British citizens left in Afghanistan was in the low hundreds, following the evacuation of more than 15,000 people in the second half of August. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said around 300 Afghans granted refuge in the UK had been left behind, along with 700 relatives. Normally, asylum seekers are banned from working while their claims are assessed. They are entitled to minimal financial support if they would otherwise be destitute. Permission to work may be granted only if their claim has not been processed within a year through no fault of their own. If they are eventually granted leave to remain it is typically capped at five years. Dominic Raab (pictured with Borish Johnson) denied reports that more than 7,000 Afghans with links to UK forces had been left behind but was unable to provide another figure By contrast, those who have served British forces will immediately be granted indefinite leave to remain, which brings with it the right to work and the option to apply for British citizenship. Those eligible under the Afghanistan Relocations and Assistance Policy will also be eligible for immediate access to NHS services. Councils have been offered a modest 5million to help with housing. Officials said they were working with more than 100 town halls and had so far found accommodation for more than 2,000 people. Councils will be given an extra 12million to provide additional school places for Afghan children and further funding will be provided to create 300 university places. Arrivals from Afghanistan will also be offered the Covid vaccine and given access to a portal where members of the public will be able to share offers of work and housing and make donations. A Whitehall source last night told the Mail the package was likely to be extended to 20,000 Afghans expected to come under a wider resettlement scheme but this has not been decided. Gladys Berejiklian has revealed a raft of freedoms locked-down Sydneysiders can enjoy once NSW hits a 70 per cent double-dose vaccination target The premier said fully-vaccinated residents across the state will soon be able to go out for a drink, attend public events and 'anything else they've missed'. 'Whether it is attending a public event, having a drink, if you are fully vaccinated and the state has hit its 70 per cent double dose target, please expect to do all of those things we have been missing for too long,' she told Sunrise on Wednesday. 'I'm looking forward to that and I want to thank everybody for coming forward to getting vaccinated.' NSW is set to reach a major milestone of administering 70 per cent of first doses to eligible residents today. Gladys Berejiklian has announced a raft of freedoms NSW residents will be able to enjoy once the state hits its 70 per cent vaccination target Ms Berejiklian has previously said hitting that target would ensure the state can expect to see that percentage of the population fully-vaccinated - a goal expected to be reached in mid to late October. However, the premier warned case numbers and hospitalisations will 'get worse' before they get better, but promised 'things are going to look much brighter' for the vast majority of the population once vaccination rates rise. She said residents can look forward to international travel once 80 per cent of eligible residents in the state have received both doses of a Covid jab. 'I am really committed to making sure New South Wales residents have access to international travel once we get that 80 per cent double dose,' she said. 'Most importantly, I want every Aussie who wants to come home back to Australia to get back home for Christmas and if that means coming through Sydney airport, you are more than welcome.' Ms Berejiklian said the NSW government's priority is to ensure members of vulnerable communities are vaccinated and everyone who wants to get the jab does so before restrictions are eased. Under the national Covid-exit strategy, domestic travel is set to resume at 80 per cent double dose coverage. But WA Premier Mark McGowan and QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk want to maintain tough border restrictions while Covid cases remain high in other states. Ms Berejiklian said fully-vaccinated residents will be able to go out for a drink once 70 per cent of the sate's eligible residents have received both doses. Pictured: A group of friends drink in Sydney in March last year The government has vowed to restore freedoms to the fully vaccinated at 70 per cent double-dose coverage Asked whether the commonwealth will intervene to ensure the plan is followed, Ms Berejiklian said 'I don't want it to come to that'. 'We should be working together as leaders for the betterment of our citizens and our nation and I believe in the Federation,' she said. 'The only difference is they have not been confronted with Delta. They still think you can live in a fantasy, zero Covid land, which you can't. 'And what is best for our citizens is to accept that reality, deal with it and get us through this difficult time.' Ms Berejiklian said the strategy to live with the virus is to keep hospitalisations at a 'relatively low rate' while keeping vaccination rates high. She said the fact NSW has avoided 'hundreds and hundreds of deaths' compared to Victoria's deadly second wave last year, which featured a weaker strain of the virus, proved the efficacy of the vaccine. Asked why pubs will be able to reopen from October but schools will remain closed until November, Ms Berejiklian said it was because children were just added to the vaccination rollout. 'The reason we've done that is vaccine won't be available for 12 to 15-year-olds until a bit later in the piece,' she told the Today show on Wednesday. NSW recorded 1116 locally-acquired Covid cases on Wednesday and four deaths. Pictured: Two women walk in Bondi on August 30 Ms Berejiklian said she wants NSW residents to focus on vaccination numbers over Covid infections. Pictured: Two women wearing masks stroll along Bondi beach on Monday 'We wanted to pick a date by which we felt comfortably we'd get to 70 per cent double dose.' Ms Berejiklian is urging businesses and families to use spring to prepare as the state inches closer to the 70 per cent vaccination rate needed to begin reopening. 'My message strongly during September will be to get ready,' she said on Tuesday. 'If you're a business, make sure your employees are vaccinated. 'If you're a citizen make sure yourself, your families, loved ones and friends are vaccinated. 'That's our ticket to freedom.' The state recorded 1116 new local COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday, as well as four deaths taking the death toll for the NSW outbreak to 100. The four women who died were in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, were not vaccinated and had underlying health conditions. NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet is reportedly working on an economic recovery plan with the private sector to boost economic activity when vaccination targets are reached. Meanwhile, Local Government NSW President Linda Scott and Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour will hold a media conference on Wednesday. They say the premier rejected a request on behalf of mayors in 12 COVID-19-impacted local government COVID hotspots to meet and discuss the impacts of lockdown. A parenting advocacy group is urging the federal government to prioritise vaccination for early educators with nearly 1000 children aged under nine testing positive for COVID in NSW in the past week while 1700 children under five have COVID nationally. Pictured is a woman outside Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown in Sydney's inner-west on Tuesday. NSW record 1,164 Covid-19 cases and three deaths from the virus on Tuesday The Parenthood Executive Director Georgie Dent says there are now 176 early learning services closed nationally. 'Early childhood educators are essential frontline workers. They do not have the luxury of working from home,' she said. Meanwhile, the number of returning Australians allowed to fly in to Sydney Airport each week will be halved to 750 to allow health staff to be diverted back to the state's hospital system. More than 870 people are hospitalised with COVID-19 across the state, with 143 in intensive care and almost 60 ventilated. But the toll on the state's health care system is not due to peak until October. 'At the moment we have thousands of staff looking after our international arrivals, returning Aussies, even though there's only four cases overnight in hotel quarantine,' Ms Berejiklian said. 'That obviously needs readjustment ... we'd rather have our staff working in our ICUs or giving people vaccines.' Once the state reaches 70 per cent double-dose vaccination - expected around mid-October - the premier hopes to rapidly scale up international arrivals and consider home quarantine options. The number of infections in the state's west also continues to grow, with a record 54 new cases reported on Tuesday, and another four detected in Wilcannia in the far west. Children's learning must not be disrupted this term by disastrous Covid measures, experts have warned. As pupils return to schools this week, it is feared further interruptions would inflict life-long damage on a whole generation, with the poor suffering most. Teaching unions have warned individual schools could re-impose rules such as masks and the bubble system if there are local coronavirus flare-ups. Teaching unions warned individual schools could re-impose rules such as masks and 'bubble' system but experts warn further loss of learning would be a disaster for millions (file image) Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at Exeter University, said: Continued school disruption will be a disaster for the life prospects of pupils, particularly those from poorer backgrounds, who have already suffered unprecedented learning losses during the pandemic. Missing out on so much classroom learning threatens to inflict life-long damage for millions of children. Our research has shown that pupils missed half of their classroom days during the first year of the pandemic. Further learning loss for our most disadvantaged pupils will worsen the social mobility prospects for a whole generation of children. Meanwhile, Professor John Jerrim, of the UCL Institute of Education, accepted that lower level restrictions might have to be re-imposed. But he added: We all agree we cant keep on opening and shutting schools, it is not great for anyone. The scientific community has always told us we are going to have to learn to live with Covid. Ministers are pressing ahead with plans to introduce vaccine passports for nightclubs at the end of this month. Downing Street has confirmed that Boris Johnson remains committed to the policy, despite a backlash from his own MPs. The Government said in July that proof of double-vaccination will be a condition of entry to clubs and busy venues from this month. Advertisement That includes how to educate children with Covid as an endemic disease. Masks are no longer compulsory this autumn, and the bubble system which saw whole year groups sent home for one positive case has been scrapped. Instead, pupils aged 11 and over in Year 7 and over will test twice weekly at home. However, the National Education Union has said hundreds of schools will probably have to operate contingency frameworks if there are local outbreaks, including reimposing measures. Molly Kingsley from parent group UsForThem said yesterday this would be unconscionable. She added: Given that all adults who want to be vaccinated have now been vaccinated it is not clear on what basis further restrictions on children can be justified. Children have suffered disproportionately during the pandemic and must now be able to get on with their education and lives without fear of ongoing disruption. Russell Hobby, chief executive of Teach First, said: We trust school leaders to be informed by the science and decide the right measures for their schools. He added the Government should work to ensure disadvantaged pupils have computer equipment to keep learning if restrictions return. Yesterday another 32,181 cases of Covid were recorded and 50 deaths within 28 days of a positive test. A Department for Education spokesman said: Education remains a national priority, and the success of the vaccine programme means schools and colleges will deliver high-quality, face-to-face education to their pupils, with minimal disruption. The measures in place strike a balance between making schools safe and reducing disruption by removing bubbles and face coverings. Cambridge University is launching a STEM SMART scheme to tutor 750 state school sixth form pupils in maths and science to make up for disruption from the pandemic and encourage them to apply to a top university. A wireless charging room has been developed by scientists that can deliver power through the air to any laptop, tablet or phone without the need for plugs or cables. The new technology involves generating magnetic fields over longer distances without also producing electrical fields that would prove harmful to any people or animals within the room, according to the team from the University of Tokyo. The system, which has been tested in a single room but is still in its infancy, can deliver up to 50 watts of power without exceeding current guidelines for human exposure to magnetic fields, the study authors explained. It could be used to charge any device with a wire coil fitted inside, similar to the system used with wireless charging pads currently in use - but without the pad. As well as removing bundles of charging cables from desks, the team say it could allow for more devices to be fully automated without the need for ports, plugs or cables. The current system includes a pole at the centre of the room to allow the magnetic fields to 'reach every corner,' but it will work without, the compromise is 'dead spots' where wireless charging isn't possible, the team said. Researchers didn't say what the technology might cost because it is still very early in development and 'years away' from being made available to the public. But when it is it could be retrofit to an existing building or integrated into a brand new build, with or without the central conductive pole. The technology would allow any electrical devices - such as phones, fans and even lamps - to be charged without the need for cables, as seen in this room created by the University of Tokyo to prove it works. Unseen is the central pole that acts to boost the reach of the magnetic field The system includes a pole at the centre of the room to 'fill in gaps' not covered by the wall mounted capacitors, but the authors say it does still work without the pole, seen in this graphic, but will result in dead spots, where charging won't be possible HOW IT WORKS: ROOM SCALE WIRELESS CHARGING Lumped capacitors, designed to compartmentalise thermal systems, are placed within wall cavities in every wall around the room. These capacitors each generate a magnetic field sent out to the room. The same capacitors trap harmful electric fields inside themselves to prevent them from spreading. This reduces the risk to humans and animals in the space, as electrical fields can heat biological flesh. A central conductive pole is installed in the room that will act to generate a circular magnetic field. As magnetic fields are circular by default this fills in any gaps in the room not covered by the wall capacitors. Devices like phones and laptops have wire coils inside that can tap into the magnetic field to charge. The system can deliver 50 watts of electricity without posing any risk to people or animals in the room. Advertisement Other uses include a smaller version to power tools within a toolbox, or a larger version that could allow an entire factory to operate without cables. 'This really ups the power of the ubiquitous computing world - you could put a computer in anything without ever having to worry about charging or plugging in,' said study co-author Alanson Sample from the University of Michigan. There are also clinical applications, according to Sample, who said heart implants currently require a wire from the pump to run through the body and into a socket. 'This could eliminate that,' the author said, adding it would act to reduce the risk of infection by eliminating the wire completely, 'reducing the risk of infection and improving patients' quality of life.' Wireless charging has proved controversial, with a recent study finding the type of magnets and coils used in some Apple products could turn pacemakers and similar devices off. Alanson told MailOnline their new technology was unlikely have an impact in the same way. 'Our research on quasi-static cavity resonance does not use permanent magnets and thus does not pose the same health and safety concerns,' he said. 'Instead, we use low frequency oscillating magnetic fields to transfer power wirelessly and the shape and construction of the cavity resonator allows us to control and direct those magnetic fields. 'It is still early days in our research on room-scale wireless power delivery. 'We are encouraged that our initial safety analysis shows that it is possible to transfer useful amounts of power safely and efficiently. We will continue to explore and evolve this technology to meet or exceed all regulatory safety standards.' To demonstrate the new system, they installed the unique wireless charging infrastructure in a purpose-built aluminium 'test room' that was 10ft by 10ft. They then used it to power lamps, fans and mobile phones that drew current from anywhere in the room, regardless of where furniture or people had been placed. The system is a major improvement over previous attempts at wireless charging, which used potentially harmful microwave radiation or required devices to be placed on dedicated charging pads, the researchers said. Instead, it uses a conductive surface on room walls and a conductive pole to generate magnetic fields, that devices can tap into when they need power. Devices harness the magnetic field with wire coils, which can be integrated into electronics like mobile phones. The researchers say the system could easily be scaled up to larger structures such as factories or warehouses while still meeting existing safety guidelines for exposure to electromagnetic fields set by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC). '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.' The system can deliver up to 50 watts of power without exceeding FCC guidelines for human exposure to magnetic fields, the study authors explained The system can deliver up to 50 watts of power without exceeding FCC guidelines for human exposure to magnetic fields, the study authors explained WHAT IS A MAGNETIC FIELD AND HOW IS IT CREATED? A magnetic field describes the way magnetic force is distributed in the area around something magnetic. It includes the magnetic influence on moving electric charges, electric currents and magnetic materials. Magnetised materials are generated by electric currents, including those used in electromagnets. Both strength and direction of a magnetic field can vary with location. It is described mathematically by assigning a vector to each point of space - a vector field. Magnetic fields and electric fields are interrelated and both part of the electromagnetic force. They are used throughout modern technology - from electric motors and generators to MRI machines. The Earth produces its own magnetic field, and this helps protect the surface from harmful solar radiation. Advertisement 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, that work on the lumped capacitance model - where thermal systems are reduced to discrete lumps. The temperature difference inside each lump is negligible, and is already widely used in climate control systems for buildings. Placed in wall cavities, the capacitors 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 tiny distance of a few millimetres, or very small amounts of power over long distances which is harmful to humans. The team also had to design a way to make sure their magnetic fields reached every corner of a room, eliminating any 'dead spots' where charging might not work. Magnetic fields tend to travel in circular patterns, creating dead spots in a square room, and making it difficult to align precisely with the wire coils in a device. 'Drawing power over the air with a coil is a lot like catching butterflies with a net,' Sample said, adding the trick is 'to have as many butterflies as possible swirling around the room in as many directions as possible. By having multiple butterflies, or in this case multiple magnetic fields interacting, it doesn't matter where the net is, or which way it is pointed - you'll hit the target. To make that happen, the system generates two separate, 3D magnetic fields. One travels in a circle around the rooms central pole, while the other swirls in the corners, travelling between adjacent walls. It could be used to charge any device with a wire coil fitted inside, similar to the system used with wireless charging pads currently in use - but without the pad Researchers didn't say what the technology might cost as it is still very early in development, but that it was 'years away' and when available could be retrofit to an existing building or integrated into a brand new build This approach eliminates dead spots, enabling devices to draw power from anywhere in the space, according to Sample. 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 its 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. Theyre currently working to test the system in a building on the University of Michigan campus to see if it could be retrofit to an existing building. The findings have been published in the journal Nature Electronics. Advertisement Poised menacingly over North America, these terrifying images of Hurricane Ida from space were captured just hours before the storm ripped up power lines, tore roofs from buildings and left at least five people dead as it unleashed its ferocity across Louisiana. They were taken by astronauts onboard the International Space Station (ISS) prior to the Category 4 hurricane's impact on Sunday. Ida's wind speeds of 150 miles per hour (230 kph) make it the fifth-strongest hurricane to ever hit the US mainland, behind the 1935 Labor Day storm, 1969's Camille, 1992's Andrew and 2018's Michael. Around one 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 reversing the flow of the Mississippi River. Hurricane Ida is seen in this image taken aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The dangerous hurricane made landfall in Louisiana on Sunday (August 29) with maximum sustained winds of 150 miles per hour, or 241 kph. The image was shared on European Space Agency astronaut and Expedition 65 crew member Thomas Pesquet's Twitter account, as the storm churned in the Gulf of Mexico ahead of its landfall Hurricane Ida, a Category 4 storm, blasted ashore Sunday as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the US, knocking out power to all of New Orleans Hurricane Ida, the fifth-strongest hurricane to ever hit the mainland US, appears as a massive rapidly rotating storm system churning over the Gulf of Mexico ISS astronaut Megan McArthur posted the astonishing images to her Twitter account with the caption: '#HurricaneIda from @Space_Station just before noon CDT today [Saturday]. 'If you are/have been in its path, Im thinking of you and hoping you stay safe.' France's Thomas Pesquet, also aboard the ISS, also tweeted shots showing the eye of the hurricane from their unique astronaut's-eye view. 'Its worrying to see these weather phenomena becoming stronger & more frequent from our vantage point,' he said. 'I hope anyone in the path of this storm will be prepared & stay safe.' The hurricane can be seen amid the International Space Station's (ISS) solar arrays. The storm also flattened utility poles, toppled trees onto power lines and caused transformers to explode The storm lingered over southern Louisiana for most of August 29, dropping flood-provoking rainfall before moving north and east into Mississippi and Alabama on August 30 The slow pace of the storm may have amplified the serious damage to electric power and drinking water infrastructure, while delaying the start of cleanup More than one million customers (businesses, households) in Louisiana had reportedly lost power by midday on August 30. Another 100,000 customers lost electricity in Mississippi and 12,000 in Alabama Hurricane Ida blasted is one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the US, knocking out power to all of New Orleans, blowing roofs off buildings and reversing the flow of the Mississippi River NASA said that Earth-observing satellites like the ISS have a unique view of storms, and that images like this will help the space agency better understand hurricanes and support preparation and disaster response. More than one million homes and businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi were left without power as Ida pushed through on Sunday with winds that reached 150 mph (240 kph). The wind speed makes it the fifth-strongest hurricane ever to hit the mainland, following the likes of the Florida Keys Labor Day hurricane in 1935. The hurricane pushed a wall of water a storm surge onto the coast of Louisiana and Mississippi. Weather stations and media reports noted surges ranging from 3 to 9 feet (1 to 3 meters) in places like Grande Isle, Shell Beach, Lafitte, Barataria, Port Fourchon, and Bay Waveland. The storm also flattened utility poles, toppled trees onto power lines and caused electrical transformers to explode. By late Monday, the storm had been downgraded to a tropical depression with winds of up to 35 mph (56 kph), though forecasters still warned of heavy rain and a flood threat for parts of the Tennessee and Ohio valleys. 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. The death toll from Hurricane Ida is expected to rise Tuesday, with rescue crews setting out in boats and high-water trucks to search submerged areas for any remaining survivors. Pictured: Aerial view of damage left by the passage of Hurricane Ida along the Gulf Coast region of Louisiana, 30 August 2021 Flooded streets and homes are shown in the Spring Meadow subdivision in LaPlace, La., after Hurricane Ida moved through People react as a sudden rain shower soaks them with water while riding out of a flooded neighborhood in a volunteer high water truck assisting people evacuating from homes after neighborhoods flooded in LaPlace, Louisiana Among the victims is a Louisiana man whose wife told WWL-TV that he was eaten by an alligator while wading through waist-deep floodwater in a shed outside their home. The distraught woman told local officers that she went to check on her husband after 'hearing a splash' in the shed and discovered that the reptile had him 'locked in a death roll'. When it hit Louisiana on Sunday as a Category 4 storm with 150 mph winds, Ida was in fifth place behind 'with a whole bunch of other notorious storms' for highest wind speed when making landfall in the US, said Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach. Wind speeds sometimes get changed later after damage is reviewed. Both 1992's Andrew and 2018's Michael were upgraded to a Category 5 storm long after landfall. In addition to wind speed, meteorologists rank hurricanes by central pressure by millibars (mb), with the lower the barometric pressure indicating a stronger storm. By this measurement, Ida's landfall pressure of 930 millibars didn't quite rank as high. It was tied for the ninth strongest storm on landfall, far behind the 1935 Labor Day storm's 892 mb and even 2005's Katrina, which had lower wind speeds but a pressure of 920 mb. Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and caused 1,800 deaths when it hit exactly 16 years ago. Hurricane Ida makes its impact exactly 16 years on from Hurricane Katrina, which caused over 1,800 deaths and $125 billion in damage In Mississippis 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 China is planning to build miles-wide 'megastructures' in orbit, including solar power plants, tourism complexes, gas stations and even asteroid mining facilities. The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) announced a new five-year plan, directing researchers to develop technologies and techniques. The structures will require lightweight materials to allow larger objects to get into orbit with existing rockets. Researchers will also need to adopt technology to allow for in-orbit assembly and control. The Chinese government said there is an 'urgent need' for megaprojects in space that would require ultra-large spacecraft to keep them in orbit. The first project of this type will be a solar power station in high orbit, that will be about a mile wide and 'beam' electricity back to a base station in China to feed into the grid by 2035. Increasing to a megawatt of electricity by 2050. Other projects could include new massive orbital platforms covering miles of space, dwarfing the International Space Station which is just 350ft across. China is planning to build miles-wide 'megastructures' in orbit, including solar power plants, tourism complexes, gas stations and even asteroid mining facilities China is planning to build mile-wide 'megastructures' in orbit, including solar power plants, tourism complexes, gas stations and even asteroid mining facilities. It could also include space stations like the International Space Station, constructed over decades from new modules China sent its first crew to the Tiangong space station earlier this year. A modular platform that will be built up over the coming years with new additions built on Earth and sent to space CHINESE SPACE PROJECTS UNDER DEVELOPMENT Space-based solar power The Chinese government recently opened a research facility to study space-based solar power. They plan to build a mile wide solar plant and use microwaves to beam signals back down to the Earth. They hope to have a megawatt facility in orbit and operational by 2050. Space-based 32ft aperture telescope Various departments of the Chinese government are working on a new 'in-orbit' telescope project. It would have a massive 32ft aperture, which is over twice the size of the NASA James Webb space telescope. Tiangong space station China launched the first module of its Tiangong space station earlier this year with plans for future expansion. It is similar, but significantly smaller than the ISS with new modules added gradually over time. Advertisement These megastructures could include space stations like the ISS, which was built up in parts in orbit, with the most recent module added earlier this year. China already has its own space station travelling above the planet, named Tiangong - first occupied this year. It plans to gradually expand its size over the coming years, with new research modules and even a telescope. It is unclear if this will form the basis of a wider base of operations, or if a new facility will be launched in the future. No specific details have been revealed by the NSFC over the megastructures. Some, like the space based power plant and giant 32ft aperture telescope, are already in the works, but the new details are about research directions. It came in the form of a document published revealing guidelines for researchers on how to access funding. It directs researchers to focus on making these large-scale projects possible. Specifically it orders them to focus on developing 'major strategic aerospace equipment for the future use of space resources'. It also wants experts to focus on the 'exploration of the mysteries of the universe, and long-term habitation in orbit'. The new project isn't designed to actually put these structures in orbit, but rather spend the next half decade minimising the weight of spacecraft and materials. It will require multiple rocket launches to build something like a mining facility around an asteroid. However, finding new, lighter weight but durable materials, could reduce the number of trips and make it more cost effective. A 2020 study published by the Chinese Academy of Sciences found that space-based construct was essential to drive space-based technology forward. 'With the rapid development of space technology and the increasing demand for space missions, the traditional spacecraft manufacturing, deployment and launch methods have been unable to meet existing needs,' the report found. 'In-space assembly (ISA) technologies can effectively adapt to the assembly of large space structures, improve spacecraft performance, and reduce operating costs.' The Chinese government plans to put a megawatt scale solar power station in orbit and beam the electricity back to Earth for use in the Chinese power grid by 2050 This allows for the creation of 'fixed structures such as space infrastructure, gas stations, space manufacturing facilities, space tourism complexes, and asteroid mining stations spacecraft,' the report added. But to reach this stage, a number of new technologies need to be developed - not just new materials, but advances in robotics and artificial intelligence. The proposals for research funding include modelling for orbital dynamics, and simulations for controlling a space-based assembly process. The Chinese government is expected to release about $2.3 million for five research projects exploring large structures in orbit and how to make them feasible. The Chinese government have directed researchers to create lighter weight materials that would require fewer launches to build structures in Earth orbit in the future Other work being developed by China includes a huge telescope project that will be built in space from parts shipped up from the ground, in partnership with the University of Surrey in the UK, rather than on the Earth and sent to orbit whole. Known as the Ultra-Large Aperture On-Orbit Assembly Project, the current focus is on how to automate intelligent on-orbit assembly. It will have a 10 metre aperture, more than double the size of the NASA and ESA James Webb Space Telescope's aperture, scheduled to launch later this year. The China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) is currently building a test facility in Chongqing, that will eventually receive power beamed down from solar power stations in orbit - with small scale tests starting next year. Developed by the Orbital Assembly Corporation (OAC), the Voyager Station could be operational as early as 2027, with the infrastructure built in orbit around the Earth 'As human exploration of space continues to surpass Earth's orbit, the in-space manufacturing and assembly of large space structures are essential for human sustainable exploration,' said Zhihui Xue, a roboticist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It isn't just China exploring these concepts, a recent report for the UK government suggested the country invest in its own space-based solar plant, and a number of private developers are working on space station concepts. Among them is one being developed by the Orbital Assembly Corporation (OAC). The Voyager Station could be operational as early as 2027, with the infrastructure built in orbit around the Earth rather than on the ground and shipped up. It will feature a series of pods attached to the outside of the rotating ring and some of these pods could be sold to the likes of NASA and ESA for space research. A Bronze Age hillfort in France may represent a lost Celtic capital city, archaeologists said after finding treasures there including jewellery, weapons and chariot parts. The priceless trove was unearthed near Gannat in France's Allier department, some 80 miles northwest of Lyon, by experts from the University of ToulouseJean Jaures. Excavations revealed a large 30 hectares in total fortified settlement which would have sported a double row of ramparts and 20-feet-high stone walls. The site has yielded hundreds of items thought to have been buried in around 800 BC as part of a religious ritual. Such abundance is rare from French hillforts. Indeed, it represents one of the richest metal deposits sites from the Bronze Age ever discovered in Europe, experts have said. The excavations also represent something of a victory for posterity over looters who had begun to plunder some of the treasures from the site back in 2017. During the time of the Gannat Hill Fort, the Allier region had significant economic value due to the navigable Sioule river and local tin deposits for making bronze. A Bronze Age hillfort in France may represent a lost Celtic capital city, archaeologists said after finding treasures there (pictured) including jewellery, weapons and chariot parts The site (pictured) has yielded hundreds of items thought to have been buried in around 800 BC as part of a religious ritual. Such abundance is rare from French hillforts The priceless trove of artefacts was unearthed near Gannat, in the Allier department of central France, by researchers from the University of ToulouseJean Jaures The treasure found at the Gannat site was spread across five different deposits one of which was already being targeted by scavengers, explained team leader and archaeologist Pierre-Yves Milcent of the University of ToulouseJean Jaures. 'We intervened on this site because there was looting by people equipped with metal detectors who then resell their loot on the internet, where there is a whole parallel market,' he explained. 'The excavations are not complete, but we already have around 800 objects, the majority intact. 'This is also the first time that we have found four intact hoards that we can excavate in the laboratory under the best conditions. 'Usually it is the illegal detectors who find the deposits and they do not pay attention to the arrangement of the objects, which is catastrophic.' The archaeologists believe that the deposits three of which were arranged in vases may have been buried to form a divine offering. 'The decorations and symbols of the bronze objects refer to a cult of the sun, which was a very important deity at the time, as in Egypt,' said Dr Milcent. 'The choice of objects and arrangement are repeated from one deposit to another: bracelets, neck rings and pendants are placed at the bottom of the vase, axe blades at the top. These repetitions presuppose precise rules, undoubtedly linked to rituals.' In the middle of each deposit was a layer of sharp objects weapons like knives, spears and swords in one and gouges and sickles in the other. Based on their dimensions, the researchers believe that the jewellery items which also included anklets were most likely worn by women and children. A unique element to these deposits came in the form of river pebbles, which appear to have been chosen for inclusion based on their colour white in one hoard, while red in another. 'Several of these deposits those we have found and others that had recently been looted form a line that extends for 350 metres [1,148 feet], corresponding to one of the limits of the site,' Dr Milcent added. 'So the deposits undoubtedly have a close link with rituals for the foundation or abandonment of a habitat,' Dr Milcent concluded. Similar deposits have been found in Greece dating back to the same time period. The excavations also represent something of a victory for posterity over looters who had already begun to plunder some of the treasures from the site. Pictured: one of the artefact-bearing vases unearthed from site near Gannat, in central France The treasure found at the Gannat site (pictured) was spread across five different deposits one of which was already being targeted by scavengers, explained team leader and archaeologist Pierre-Yves Milcent of the University of ToulouseJean Jaures 'We intervened on this site because there was looting by people equipped with metal detectors who then resell their loot on the internet, where there is a whole parallel market,' Dr Milcent explained. Pictured: some of the artefacts recovered from the Gannat site The artefacts are also helping the researchers to paint a picture of what life might have been like for people living in this Celtic society some 2,800 years ago. Among the objects unearthed are items linked to farming, tools for manufacturing textiles and ceramics, equipment for wood and metalworking as well as swords and spear points for warriors. There are clear signs of wealth too including parts from chariots, harnesses that would have been worn by horses and extravagant jewellery. The team have also found evidence of long-distance trade in the form of two axe blades identified as having been made in southwest England, glass beads from Italy and amber beads from the Baltic. 'All these elements are proof of the existence of a complex, hierarchical society comparable to the Celtic societies of the Iron Age,' Dr Milcent explained. The artefacts (some of which are pictured) are helping the researchers to paint a picture of what life might have been like for people living in this Celtic society some 2,800 years ago Among the objects unearthed are items linked to farming, tools for manufacturing textiles and ceramics, equipment for wood and metalworking as well as swords and spear points Of the 327 Bronze Age hillforts known in France, this one near Gannat is thought to have contained the richest assortment of deposits 20 in total, Dr Milcent explained once finds from past excavations and lootings are factored in. Only a handful of the other forts from the era have yielded any metal artefacts at all. 'The site is a large built-up area located on a hill, fortified by two parallel ramparts, 300 metres [984 feet] long,' the archaeologist added. 'The surface is about 30 hectares, which is very large for the time because fortified bronze age sites are four hectares on average in France.' 'This inhabited site was probably the capital of a large territory.' The artefacts will now be added to the collection of the Musee Anne-de-Beaujeu in Moulins, central France, where they will feature in an upcoming exhibition. Four ancient bronze battering rams each weighing a colossal 450lbs have been recovered from Roman wrecks that sunk off the coast of Sicily in 241 BC. Originally attached to the bows of warships, the rams were used against the Carthaginian fleet during the Battle of the Aegates that ended the First Punic War. Fought in the waters around Sicily and North Africa, this conflict between the Phoenicians and the Romans lasted 23 years the longest naval war of antiquity. Each once-gleaming ram boasts three blades on each side which would have been used to try to splinter the wooden hulls of enemy vessels. Damage seen on some of the rams suggest that ships went head-to-head in collisions the team said must have been 'very violent'. Accounts suggest that the Romans succeeded in sinking 50 Carthaginian ships. The rams have not been the only underwater finds from the area this summer with the wrecks of three merchant vessels, all loaded with ceramic jars, also found. The archaeological efforts have been led by the Sicilian Marine Archaeology Unit, in tandem with the US non-profit the RPM Nautical Foundation. Four ancient bronze battering rams each weighing a colossal 450lbs have been recovered from Roman wrecks that sunk off the coast of Sicily in 241 BC. Pictured: one of the battering rams, which would once have adorned the bow of a Roman warship Originally attached to the bows of warships called triremes (pictured in this artist's impression), the rams were used against the Carthaginian fleet during the Battle of the Aegates that ended the First Punic War 'Carthaginian rams we have found have inscriptions to the god Baal on them and are less well made than the Roman rams,' Sicily's Marine Archaeology Unit's Valeria Livigni told the Times THE FIRST PUNIC WAR The First Punic War was the first of three wars fought between the Phoenicians of Carthage and Rome in the early third century BC. The longest naval war of antiquity, the conflict raged from 264241 BC in the waters around Sicily and North Africa. It began when Roman forces gained a foothold on Sicily and, allied with the people of Syracuse, laid siege to the Carthaginian's main base on the island, that of Akragas. Following this, Rome built a navy to rival that of the Phoenicians' and, after a series of minor victories, launched an invasion of North Africa which was intercercepted at the Battle of Cape Ecnomus in what many consider, by the number of combatants, to be the largest naval battle of all time. Beaten, Carthage sued for peace, but fought on after rejecting the Roman's harsh terms for such. After several years of effective stalemate, the Roman forces deployed a successful blockade of the garrisons at Drepana and Lilybaeum. Carthage dispatched a fleet in 241 BC to relieve their outposts, but this was intercepted and bested at the Battle of the Aegates in which the nimble Roman vessels deployed battering rams against their opponents to devastating effect. In the wake of the battle, Carthage sued for peace, ultimately surrendering Sicily to Roman control. Advertisement According to the Greek Historians Polybius and Diodorus of Sicily, the Battle of the Aegates was held in the waters around the Aegadian Islands on March 10, 241 BC. The Carthaginian fleet was led by Hanno, son of Hannibal, who had previously provided support to the military commander Hannibal Gisco during the Roman siege of Agrigentum, on the southern Sicilian coastline, in 262 BC. Whether Hanno was the son of Hannibal Gisco is unclear the Punic [Western Phoenician] nobles used a remarkably limited repertoire of around 10 first names. In fact, accounts list at least three Hannibals and five Hannos in the Punic wars. The Roman forces, meanwhile, were commanded by the Praetor Quintus Valerius Falto stepping in for his superior, Gaius Lutatius Catulus, who had been injured in the siege of Drepana (known today as Trapani), which from from 249241 BC. Following Catulus' intensification of the siege, the Carthaginians were forced to send a fleet to support the town and it was this that the recently-bolstered Roman navy intercepted and defeated at the Battle of the Aegates. The site of the battle was identified back in 2010 by the Italian archaeologist Sebastiano Tusa, after a local fisherman recovered a battering ram from the conflict and presented it to a Sicilian dentist. Since then, 25 more rams have been recovered. Accounts suggest that the Romans sunk 50 Carthaginian vessels and captured 70 more, although at the cost of 30 of their own ships and damage to 50 more. It is thought that the fleets of both sides originally numbered some 200 vessels. Victory in the battle is credit to the greater manoeuvrability of the Roman ships, which enabled them to ram their opponent's vessels. 'We believed that ships tried to ram each other broadside,' RPM Nautical Foundation's David Ruff told the Times. 'But many of the rams we have discovered are damaged, suggesting they went head to head. Either way, these were very violent collisions.' It is believed that the Romans jettisoned their masts and anchors in order to make their ships which could be rowed with oars lighter before engaging the Carthaginian fleet. Certainly, Professor Tusa recovered anchors from the seabed. In contrast, the Carthaginian vessels were laden down with supplies that they had intended to offload at the sieged ports of Drepana and Lilybaeum (today known as Marsala) prior to engaging the Roman fleet. They were also poorly manned, having similarly been unable to pick up the complement of marines from Sicily as had also been planned. Evidence also suggests that the Romans might have been a little more disciplined when it came to the construction of their maritime weaponry. 'Carthaginian rams we have found have inscriptions to the god Baal on them and are less well made than the Roman rams,' the head of Sicily's Marine Archaeology Unit, Valeria Livigni, told the Times. The Roman weapons, she explained, 'have an inscription by a judge to verify that they had been made according to the rules and met standards.' Each once-gleaming ram boast three blades on each side which would have been used to try to splinter the wooden hulls of enemy vessels. Pictured: a ram is hauled up from the sea floor Fought in the waters around Sicily and North Africa, the First Punic War between the Phoenicians and the Romans lasted 23 years the longest naval war of antiquity. Pictured: a model of a Roman trireme as seen on display in the naval museum of Chania on Crete During the Battle of the Aegates, the Romans reportedly sunk 50 Carthaginian vessels and captured 70 more, although at the cost of 30 of their own ships and damage to 50 more. Pictured: the Roman victory is alluded to in this coin dated from 109 BC it depicts a Roman vessel surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves 'We believed that ships tried to ram each other broadside,' RPM Nautical Foundation's David Ruff told the Times. Pictured: one of the rams recovered from the sea floor The remainder of the Carthaginian fleet succeeded in fleeing thanks to a change in wind one the Romans, having left behind their masts, sails and rigging, were unable to similarly exploit. On arrival at Carthage, Hanno was crucified for his failure. In the wake of the battle, Carthage sued for peace, as part of which it surrendered Sicily to Roman control alongside paying substantial reparations as was agreed under the so-called Treaty of Lutatius. According to Dr Livigni, the three merchant vessels that their expedition has brought to light were found among the Aegadian Islands, near the island of Ustica and off the coast of Isola delle Femmine. 'They were loaded with amphoras [storage jars],' she added. 'One off the [Aegadian Islands] had more than 200 on board, still piled up including some that contained traces of wine.' 'Many of the rams we have discovered are damaged, suggesting they went head to head. Either way, these were very violent collisions,' Mr Ruff added According to Dr Livigni, the three merchant vessels that the expedition brought to light alongside the battering rams were found among the Aegadian Islands (also the site of the Battle of the Aegates), near the island of Ustica and off the coast of Isola delle Femmine Chile's Atacama Desert was a hotbed of extreme violence 3,000 years ago - with an estimated one in ten of its historic inhabitants being beaten to death. A research team, led by experts at University of Tarapaca in Chile, have analyzed the remains of nearly 200 individuals and found that horticulturalists were routinely beaten during a time of societal and ecological upheaval. Of the 194 skeletons studied, 40 of them 'exhibited trauma compatible with interpersonal violence, regardless of the degree of completeness of the bodies.' Twenty-six percent of the males (27 out of 105) had evidence of trauma, while 15 percent of females (13 out of) had evidence of trauma. Ten percent of the skeletons had perimortem (at or near the time of death) trauma, which can show different fracture patterns than postmortem trauma. Some of the attacks on the horticulturalists - which are believed to have been carried out using maces - were so violent that their brain matter was forcibly removed from their bodies. 3,000 years ago, the Atacama Desert 3,000 years ago was a brutal place, as the first horticulturalists were brutally murdered, a new stud says 'Some individuals exhibited severe high impact fractures of the cranium that caused massive destruction of the face and neurocranium, with cranio-facial disjunction and outflow of brain mass,' the researchers added. 'These individuals also exhibited multiple blows to the postcrania, including upper extremities, thorax, pelvis, and legs.' It's unclear why the violence occurred, but it may have stemmed from limited resources and living spaces in the Atacama Desert, the researchers suggest. Atacama is also home to ancient geoglyphs depicting llamas, lizards and fish, which are located in the northeast of the desert and thought to be around 2,500 years old. Crops, including corn, fish, potatoes, copper, turquoise and cotton were moved throughout the desert, heading from the coastal lowlands to the mountains, near the aforementioned geoglyphs Atacama is famous for. It's unclear, however, if the geoglyphs have any link to the well-preserved human remains. DailyMail.com has reached out to the researchers for more information. Due to the heat and dryness of the desert, the skeletons are well preserved, with some containing 'preserved soft tissue,' the authors said. The Atacama Desert is the driest non-polar desert on Earth, with hardly any organisms living there. 'The findings suggested that violence was between local groups and that social and ecological constraints likely triggered violence within local communities,' the authors wrote in the study's abstract. The study has been published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology. Experts examined the remains of 194 individuals and found they were routinely beaten during a time of societal and ecological upheaval It's likely that the attackers used a mace to reign blows down on the horticulturalists' skulls, though evidence of the weapon has yet to be discovered at any of the sites. Three years ago, researchers found the remains of an ancient ceremonial site in the Atacama Desert. The site, called Tulan-52, is estimated to have thrived in the deserts largest salt flat from around 1110-900BC until 550-360 BC. Of the 194 skeletons studies, 40 of them 'exhibited trauma compatible with interpersonal violence, regardless of the degree of completeness of the bodies' The researchers say that life in the Atacama Desert villages was likely influenced by various social groups competing for resources, land and water. With farming 'dramatically restricted' and confined to valley terraces, ravines and oases, which were separated by extensive arid regions, it was likely an area that was ripe for tension between different groups. 'This new socio-cultural framework and land use could have triggered social tensions, conflict, and violence among groups investing in a horticultural lifestyle,' the researchers, led by first author Vivien Standen, wrote. The Atacama Desert is the driest non-polar desert on Earth, with hardly any organisms living there currently. Due to the heat and dryness of the Atacama desert (above), the skeletons are well preserved, with some containing 'preserved soft tissue' Some of the attacks on the horticulturalists were so violent that their brain matter was forcibly removed from their bodies Several individuals with ass trauma in a mass grave. Twenty-six percent of the males (27 out of 105) had evidence of trauma, while 15 percent of females (13 out of) had evidence of trauma 'These factors could have triggered competition, tensions, and violent conflicts between competing neighboring social groups in the Azapa Valley during the Formative Period as seen during the Neolithic elsewhere. 'Moreover, in this new economic mode based on land use and horticultural production, emergent leaders may have tried to hold greater scope of power and prestige by trying to control productive spaces, creating social inequalities within stressful conditions.' South Korea's National Assembly approved legislation on Tuesday that will ban app store operators, including Google and Apple, from forcing developers to use their in-app payment systems. This is the first country to pass a bill like this and it is expected to become law when it is signed by South Korea's president, Moon Jae-in, whose party has backed the legislation. Both companies have come under wide criticism from developers and lawmakers alike for requiring companies and developers to use their in-app purchasing systems, for which both receive commissions of up to 30 percent. Apple and Google have said the costs are to help pay for the cost of maintaining the app markets. South Korea approved legislation on Tuesday that will ban app store operators, like Google and Apple, from forcing developers to use in-app payment systems The legislation prohibits the app market operators from using their monopolies to require such payment systems, which means they must allow alternative ways to pay. It says the ban is aimed at promoting fairer competition. The bill aims to prevent any retaliation against developers by banning the companies from imposing any unreasonable delay in approving apps. An Apple spokesperson criticized the legislation in a statement obtained by DailyMail.com. 'The Telecommunications Business Act will 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 spokesperson said via email. 'We believe user trust in App Store purchases will decrease as a result of this legislation leading to fewer opportunities for the over 482,000 registered developers in Korea who have earned more than KRW8.55 trillion to date with Apple.' South Korea's National Assembly approved legislation on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, that bans app store operators such as Google and Apple from forcing developers to use their in-app payment systems A Google spokesperson told DailyMail.com that it is thinking about how to comply with the law. 'Google Play provides far more than payment processing, and our service fee helps keep Android free, giving developers the tools and global platform to access billions of consumers around the world,' the spokesperson said via email. 'Its a model that keeps device costs low for consumers and enables both platforms and developers to succeed financially. And just as it costs developers money to build an app, it costs us money to build and maintain an operating system and app store. We'll reflect on how to comply with this law while maintaining a model that supports a high-quality operating system and app store, and we will share more in the coming weeks.' South Korea's National Assembly approved legislation on Tuesday that bans app store operators such as Google and Apple from forcing developers to use their in-app payment systems The South Korean legislation will also let authorities investigate the operations of app markets to uncover disputes and prevent actions that undermine fair competition. The legislation comes just days after Apple agreed to settle a class action lawsuit in the US aimed at its alleged 'monopolistic practices.' As part of the proposed settlement, which still has to go before a judge, Apple set up a $100 million fund for small US developers. Developers will also be allowed to offer customers an alternative payment options outside their apps for the first time, as part of the deal, a behavior Apple had previously prohibited. Inside their iOS apps, developers are still required to use Apple's payment system. The law touches on a point raised by a US judge who proceeded over a case between Apple and Epic Games, which makes Fortnite. The judge wondered why Apple could not allow developers to have a range of payment options within their apps. Judgement on that case is expected sometime later this year. In June, the House Committee approved the first two of six bills aimed to curb the dominance of Facebook, Apple, Amazon and Google, much to the chagrin of their respective leadership, including Apple CEO Tim Cook. The measures were passed after it was revealed Apple CEO Tim Cook called House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to warn over the 'rushed' antitrust bills. Cook called Pelosi and other members of Congress to 'deliver a warning' that the antitrust bills were 'rushed,' would hurt innovation and hurt consumers by disrupting Apple's services, according to The New York Times, which first reported the news. Two sources familiar with the call told the Times that Cook asked Pelosi to delay the process of considering the bills. Pelosi reportedly pushed back against Cook's concerns, asking him to identify a specific policy objection. Over the past year, both Google and Apple reduced their in-app commissions from 30 percent to 15 percent for developers with less than $1 million in annual revenue - a move covering most of the apps in their respective stores. Companies such as Epic, Spotify and other high-grossing apps, like Match, have complained that the lower commissions don't help them. The European Union's executive Commission has accused Apple of distorting competition by forcing developers to use its payment system as well as forbidding them from letting users know about cheaper ways to pay for subscriptions that don't involve going through an app. Dozens of U.S. states filed a lawsuit in July taking aim at Googles store. Australian regulators, meanwhile, have also said theyre concerned about restrictions on in-app purchases that mean developers 'have no choice' but to use Apple and Googles own payment systems, according to an interim report into the dominance issued in April. Advertisement Archaeologists digging up the remains of an ancient Roman tower on the Channel Island of Alderney have discovered that a World War Two was built by Nazis inside the tower. The bunker is located at the Alderney Nunnery, a 320 square foot building with rounded corners and towers that was built around 350 A.D. It is considered one of the most well preserved Roman forts in the British Isles and is located on the same island as the Lager Sylt Concentration Camp, which was uncovered in detail last year for the first time since World War Two. Archaeologists digging up the remains of an ancient Roman tower on the English island of Alderney have discovered that a World War II German bunker was built inside the tower The bunker was put 'exactly inside' the Roman tower's 10ft thick walls, archaeologist Dr Jason Monaghan said One fact that surprised the researchers is that the 'Germans built their bunker right up against the Roman stonework,' Dig Alderney, a charity focused on the archaeology of the island, wrote in a Facebook post. They also found evidence that the Germans took precautions with the Roman tower wall, 'for whom all that Roman concrete is just extra protection,' the charity wrote on Facebook. The archaeologists also found evidence of a German observation post at the outer face of the tower. Archaeologist Dr Jason Monaghan, who is leading the dig, told the BBC that the experts found that the bunker was placed 'exactly inside' the Roman tower's 10ft thick walls. 'We have seen the way the Germans have inserted a personnel bunker exactly inside the old Roman tower,' Monaghan told the news outlet. According to Alderney's travel website, the Nunnery was once occupied by the Tudors, British soldiers and the aforementioned Germans. There are also remnants of structures from both the Medieval and Napoleonic eras. In 2011, the ruins of the tower were confirmed to be from the Roman era. Monaghan added that the researchers are looking are how the different occupants intersected with each other, as they look through a 'whole succession of buildings, drains and mystery walls intersecting each other.' 'We've just come across three floors all on top of each other and we're just trying to disentangle what eras they come from,' he told the BBC. Digging at the site has been completed for 2021, and will resume again in 2022, according to an August 29 Facebook post. DailyMail.com has reached out to the archaeologists with a request for more information on this story. The island was controlled by Nazi soldiers (pictured) between 1940 and 1945 during WWII The Lager Sylt concentration camp (pictured), one of the most infamous of WWII, was located on Alderney The remains of what was the entrance to the former German concentration camp S S Lager Sylt Alderney was home a number of Nazi bunkers, gun emplacements, tunnels, air-raid shelters and other buildings during their occupation from 1940-1945 The island was controlled by the Nazis between 1940 and 1945 during the war. The entire population of Alderney, about 1,500 residents, were evacuated in June 1940, with most winding up in Britain. It was the only part of the British Isles that was occupied by Nazi Germany during the war and was considered a stronghold, containing the aforementioned Lager Sylt concentration camp and another, Lager Norderney. Much of Lager Sylt is now privately-owned and very little remains above ground, after the Nazis destroyed and burned almost all evidence of the camp and its unspeakable monstrosities in 1944. Alderney was also home to two work camps: Lager Helgoland and Lager Borkum. It was also home to a number of bunkers, gun emplacements, tunnels, air-raid shelters and other buildings. NASA astronaut Megan McArthur celebrated her 50th birthday with ice cream delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) on a SpaceX Dragon cargo ship. SpaceX's latest cargo delivery, the 23rd made by Elon Musk's firm in less than a decade, completed an automated docking at 10:30 EDT (15:30 BST) on Monday. The arrival was overseen by McArthur on her 50th birthday, prompting her to say 'no one's ever sent me a spaceship for my birthday before.' As well as a range of experiments, including an ant farm project overseen by the Girl Scouts, the shipment including ice cream, cake and candles for McArthur. 'What a great birthday dinner with my Expedition 65 crew mates,' the astronaut said. 'My #SpaceBrothers went all out: quesadillas and tortilla-pizzas with real cheese! Cookie decorating! Cake with chocolate candles! We havent unpacked the ice cream yet, so I guess that means a 2nd party? 'I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of good wishes from family, friends, and space fans around the world. I might be 50 but I still feel like one lucky girl.' NASA astronaut Megan McArthur celebrated her 50th birthday with ice cream delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) on a SpaceX Dragon cargo ship SpaceX's latest cargo delivery, the 23rd made by Elon Musk's firm in less than a decade, completed an automated docking at 10:30 EDT (15:30 BST) on Monday (McArthur is pictured with fellow crew members on board the ISS) NASA ASTRONAUT MEGAN MCARTHUR: VETERAN OF THE US SPACE PROGRAM Megan McArthur as born on August 30, 1971 in Honolulu Hawaii, US. She is a veteran of the space program, both as a Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) and as an astronaut. She served as CAPCOM for the Space Shuttle and the space station. McArthur first went to space on the STS-125 space shuttle mission, including a fix of the Hubble telescope. Her second space mission as on the SpaceX Crew-2 mission, travelling on the Crew Dragon Endeavour in April. The astronaut has a BSc in aerospace engineering and a PhD in oceanography, awarded in 2002. She started her NASA training in August 2000 and first went to space in 2009 on the Space Shuttle Atlantis, spending 12 days in orbit. She is currently on the space station, where she will remain until October. Advertisement McArthur is one of seven astronauts currently living on the laboratory orbiting 260 miles above the Earth, arriving at the Station in April as part of Expedition 65. She launched for the ISS on the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour, with fellow NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough, ESA's Tomas Pesquet and JAXA's Akihiko Hoshide. A veteran of space travel, she is known as the last person to be hands on with the Hubble Space Telescope via the Canadarm connected to the Space Shuttle. Launched Sunday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the SpaceX capsule also contained ants, lemons, cherry tomatoes, avocados and a human-scale robotic arm. 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. The arrival was overseen by McArthur on her 50th birthday, prompting her to say 'no one's ever sent me a spaceship for my birthday before' McArthur is one of seven astronauts currently living on the laboratory orbiting 260 miles above the Earth, arriving at the Station in April as part of Expedition 65 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 '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. This is called the REducing Arthritis Dependent Inflammation First Phase (READI FP) experiment. It 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. The ISS has been used as an orbital laboratory for more than 20 years, with regular shipments going between the Earth and the station. In recent years NASA has turned to the likes of SpaceX, Northrup Grumman and Boeing to provide cargo deliveries. As well as treats for the crew and experiments, shipments include upgrades to the station itself. These upgrades include entirely new modules, as well as solar panels and smaller structural upgrades. On September 3, Russian astronauts will venture into the vacuum of space to outfit a new laboratory module that arrived in July. Then a Japanese-French spacewalking duo of Tomas Pesquet and Akihiko Hoshide will step out to install a bracket for a new solar panel - due to arrive in 2022. That NASA-directed spacewalk should have occurred last week, but was postponed after US spacewalker, Mark Vande Hei, suffered a pinched nerve in his neck. Station managers opted to replace him with French astronaut Thomas Pesquet. Scientists have discovered evidence of beer drinking 9,000 years ago in southern China that was likely part of a ritual to honor the recently deceased, akin to a modern-day funeral repast. Experts from Dartmouth University in New Hampshire found 20 ancient pots in a platform mound that was surrounded by a human-made ditch - between 10 and 15 meters (32 and 49ft) wide and at least 1.5-2m (5-6.5ft) deep - at a burial site at Qiaotou in the Zhejiang province. Scientists have found evidence of beer drinking 9,000 years ago in southern China that was likely part of a ritual to honor the deceased. Two human skeletons (b) were also found along with 20 pottery vessels, some of which were decorated It's likely the pottery was used to celebrate the dead in rituals. Some of the pottery was decorated with abstract designs The researchers also found two human skeletons at the site, along with the pottery vessels, some of which were decorated with abstract designs. It's likely that since the pottery was found near burials in a 'non-residential area,' the researchers believe they were used to celebrate the dead in rituals. 'The discard contexts suggest that beer drinking was critical for funerary rituals,' the authors wrote in the study. The discovery was made on a platform mound surrounded by a human-made ditch at a burial site at Qiaotou in the Zhejiang province of China They continued: 'The beer at Qiaotou was likely served in rituals to commemorate the burial of the dead. Ritualized drinking probably played an integrative role in maintaining social relationships, paving the way for the rise of complex farming societies four millennia later.' It's believed the pottery are examples of 'the earliest known painted pottery in the world,' according to the study. The pottery that was found was all different shapes and sizes - some could be held in one hand, similar to a cup, while others were significantly larger. Seven of the 20 pots that were found look like long-necked Hu pots. Seven of the 20 pots that were found look like long-necked Hu pots, which have narrow necks and globular bodies (a, b and d) 'The long-necked hu pots [used to drink alcohol years later] are distinctive by their narrow necks, globular bodies, and slightly flaring and folded rims,' the authors wrote in the study. The beer that was held in the pottery was made from rice, a grain known as Job's tear and unidentified tubers - the same family the study's co-author, Dartmouth assistant professor Jiajing Wang said in a statement. 'This ancient beer though would not have been like the IPA that we have today. Instead, it was likely a slightly fermented and sweet beverage, which was probably cloudy in color.' The researchers looked at the microfossil residue - locating certain microbotanical and microbial bacteria - on the ancient pottery and compared them from soil in the surrounding area to confirm that they were used for drinking alcohol. The residue also showed evidence of phytoliths of rice husks and other plants that may have been used to ferment the beer. 'We don't know how people made the mold 9,000 years ago, as fermentation can happen naturally,' says Wang. 'If people had some leftover rice and the grains became moldy, they may have noticed that the grains became sweeter and alcoholic with age. While people may not have known the biochemistry associated with grains that became moldy, they probably observed the fermentation process and leveraged it through trial and error.' There were also traces of mold found on the pots, though Wang said it's unclear how they made it 9,000 years ago. 'We don't know how people made the mold 9,000 years ago, as fermentation can happen naturally,' Wang added. There were also traces of mold found on the pots, though one of the study's authors said it's unclear how they made it 9,000 years ago 'If people had some leftover rice and the grains became moldy, they may have noticed that the grains became sweeter and alcoholic with age. While people may not have known the biochemistry associated with grains that became moldy, they probably observed the fermentation process and leveraged it through trial and error.' Since 'rice harvesting and processing may have been a labor-intensive task' 9,000 years ago, it's likely that the beer was of significant importance during the burial rituals Since 'rice harvesting and processing may have been a labor-intensive task' 9,000 years ago, it's likely that the beer was of significant importance during the burial rituals. The study has been published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE. Advertisement In Japan - as with many other places - the public toilet has an image problem. It's seen as dark, dirty, smelly, and scary. But now, in Tokyo, architects and creative directors have set about designing public loos that people actually want to use as part of 'The Tokyo Toilet Project' - and they've gone all out to lure people in, creating toilets with beautiful exteriors and hi-tech features. One bathroom is entirely voice-activated - and looks like a spaceship - while another is shaped like a cartoonish cluster of mushrooms. Two designs, meanwhile, have been fashioned from colourful see-through windows, which turn opaque when the facilities are in use. 'The Tokyo Toilet Project' is an ongoing collaboration that began in July 2020 between The Nippon Foundation and the Shibuya City government, with the aim of building 17 bathrooms in the Shibuya area of the Japanese capital. They aspired to create public bathrooms 'like you've never seen before', as the project statement explains: 'Toilets are a symbol of Japan's world-renowned hospitality culture.' Scroll down to see 12 of the 17 stunning designs already opened to the public. HI TOILET, NANAGO DORI PARK: The functions in this loo are all voice-activated, with its creator, Kazoo Sato, coming up with the concept after researching behaviour in public toilets in Europe and the US and realising people went to great lengths to avoid touching the surfaces inside the bathrooms. The timing of its opening - in the midst of a pandemic - was a coincidence. Sato says: This idea has been in place long before the arrival of Covid-19, but Covid accelerated the acceptance of this unique user experience in terms of toilets being contactless THREE MUSHROOMS, YOYOGI-HACHIMAN: These toilets have been constructed in the wooded area around the Yoyogi-Hachiman shrine. The designer, Toyo Ito, hoped to create the impression that they had sprouted from the ground. They are at the foot of a flight of stairs leading up to the shrine, to create the impression of mushrooms that are in harmony with the forest in the background, Ito explains HARU-NO-OGAWA COMMUNITY PARK: A see-through public toilet might seem like a dire prospect to some, but designer Shigeru Ban had good reason to create transparent walls. The Japanese architect points out the glass allows users to check the cleanliness and whether anyone is using the toilet from the outside. And, the sheer exterior changes once the public toilet is in use. Ban explains: Using the latest technology, the exterior glass turns opaque when locked' WHITE, EBISU STATION, WEST EXIT: Designer Kashiwa Sato hoped to lift the publics spirits with his toilet design, creating a clean and safe white box outside Tokyos Ebisu station. He says: The facility should be easy to enter, easy to use, and have a clean appearance that inspires the passersby to feel a little bit brighter and fresher THE HOUSE, JINGUMAE: This public toilet is bound to make its users feel at home. Known as The House, fashion designer Nigo modelled the design on traditional homes in the city, creating a sense of cosiness. He says: In contrast to the ever-changing city of Tokyo with its sky-high buildings, I envisioned a toilet that feels like a good old home that stands quietly on a corner of Harajuku. The toilet may feel nostalgic to some and new to others, depending on their age and generation YOYOGI FUKAMACHI MINI PARK: Shigeru Ban created two bathrooms for The Tokyo Toilet Project, recreating his striking see-through design in Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park but with differing hues for the glass. At night, the facility lights up the park like a beautiful lantern, the designer explains MODERN KAWAYA, EBISU PARK: Masamichi Katayama and interior design firm Wonderwall looked to the history books when it came to designing the Modern Kawaya bathroom. In Neolithic times, Japanese 'kawaya toilets were huts of primitive and simple designs, often made of hardened soil or pieces of wood bound together. Katayama explains: Trying to envision the appearance and atmosphere of the primitive kawaya of the past, we built an ambiguous space that is simultaneously an object and a toilet by randomly combining 15 concrete walls ANDON TOILET, NISHIHARA ITCHOME PARK: By night, the Andon Toilet is aglow in Nishihara Itchome Park, much like an andon Japanese paper lantern. The former restroom in Nishihara 1-chome were uninviting and rarely used,' designer Takenosuke Sakakura observes. He adds: We hope that the restroom will illuminate the park like andon, or lanterns, creating an inviting public space for the visitors A WALK IN THE WOODS, NABESHIMA SHOTO PARK: The greenery of the surrounding park informed the design when it came to the Walk in the Woods toilet. Superstar architect Kengo Kuma, who designed Japan's National Stadium and the V&A Dundee, imagined a cedar-wood public toilet village, the huts grouped together on a path through the forest. He reveals: By dividing each section into separate buildings, we created a public toilet village that is open, breezy, and easy to pass through, a design appropriate for the post-pandemic times A WALK IN THE WOODS, INTERIOR: The interior design takes its cue from the trees and greenery of Shoto Park. Even in our toilet design, we are entering the age of diversity and a time to go back to the forest, says designer Kuma HIGASHI SANCHOME: Safety, privacy and urgency were the three buzzwords behind this sleek red design, created by Nao Tamura. Each cubicle is spacious and secure. This design represents my hope for a society where people from all walks of life feel safe and are able to thrive, the designer says. The silhouette and colour palette stemmed from Origata, a traditional Japanese method of decorative wrapping AMAYADORI, JINGU-DORI PARK: I sought for this small architecture to exceed the boundaries of a public toilet to become a place in the urban landscape that provides immense public value, architect Tadao Ando explains. The slats of the circular walls allow wind and light to pass into the space, and the design is capped by a spanning silver roof. He adds: It was vital for me to make a space that was comfortable and safe She's currently living it luxe after jetting to sunny Venice for day two of the star-studded Dolce & Gabbana fashion event. And Emma Weymouth, 35, looked ever-sensational as she stepped off an opulent boat on Monday donning a waist-hugging black frock. Arriving in style, the Marchioness of Bath, who is married to Ceawlin Thynn, 8th Marquess of Bath, sported a sweet pair of rose-shaped earrings, which she co-ordinated to the colour of her gleaming lips. Beauty: Beaming Emma Weymouth oozed glamour in a waist-hugging black frock as she made a stylish arrival at the Dolce & Gabbana show in Venice on Monday Having painted her eyelids a shimmering shade of neon green, the socialite completed her glamorous make-up look with a sweeping cat-eye. The brunette beauty had separated her luscious locks into a middle-parting for the exclusive event, before tying them up into a smart bun. Making her presence known, Emma flashed a beaming smile to a flurry of onlookers before waving her hand in excitement. Incredible: Arriving in style, the Marchioness of Bath sported a sweet pair of rose-shaped earrings, which she co-ordinated to the colour of her gleaming lips Centre of attention: The brunette beauty had separated her luscious locks into a middle-parting for the exclusive event, before tying them up into a smart bun She firmly placed her raspberry-painted fingernails upon her hips as she posed for photographers, while sporting a studded onyx leather handbag strap over her shoulder. The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant will mingle with the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Heidi Klum and Kourtney Kardashian as the high-end fashion house unveils its Alta Moda collection. It is taking place in the City of Water's St Marks Square, with the beautiful architecture acting as the perfect backdrop for the runway. It's me! Making her presence known, Emma flashed a beaming smile to a flurry of onlookers before waving her hand in excitement Explaining the choice of venue, D&G said: 'Palazzo Ducale is the epitome of Venetian art and cultural life. 'It represents one of the highest symbols of "La Serenissimas" rich history, which for centuries has enchanted the imagination of visitors wherever they look. 'This shrine to Italian excellence and cherished symbol of craftsmanship is today the setting for the presentation of the #DGAltaGioielleria creations.' Some actors maintain their characters' accents in-between takes, while others conduct research via the internet as ways of approaching their roles. However, Colin Farrell, 44, has claimed he 'couldn't step away' from his part as whale harpooner Henry Drax while shooting BBC 2's upcoming Arctic drama The North Water. The upcoming coverstar of Radio Times told the magazine, 'Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, I was inhabiting this very different physical space. 'I couldn't step away': Colin Farrell had claimed he became a 24/7 version of his 19th century whale harpooner character while shooting his upcoming drama The North Water Suave: The get-up is a far cry from Colin's usual red carpet look (pictured in 2019) 'It was about as hard as film work can be, waking in the dark and shooting till way past last light.' The Golden Globe winner's unusual approach took a considerable toll on his psychological state. Colin continued: 'I'd like to think it's as great a departure from myself as I've ever approached. 'So it felt important to keep my own counsel and give myself the space to feel lonely and be engaged in a singular self-interest that Drax would understand.' Unrecognisable: The upcoming coverstar of Radio Times told the magazine, 'Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, I was inhabiting this very different physical space' Ever-dedicated, the actor said he ate and weightlifted his way to the perfect 'bulk and brute strength' of his 19th century character. The Fantastic Beasts star analysed photographs of Victorian prizefighters and dockers in order to decide the fate of his frame. Stills from the BBC drama prove that the veteran performer's Hollywood glam has well-and-truly vanished. The Irishman is seen in the gritty series sporting a thick beard, with his lock dark locks looking grimy. The get-up is a far cry from Colin's usual red carpet look. In scenes on the boat, he's seen puffing a cigar, his face smeared with coal, his hand wrapped in a grimy bandage. Worlds apart: The Irish actor is seen in the gritty series - which is set to air in the autumn - sporting a thick beard, his lock dark locks looking grimy. The get-up is a far cry from Colin's usual red carpet look (pictured left in-character and right in 2018) Cold as ice: In scenes on the boat, he's seen puffing a cigar, his face smeared with coal, his hand wrapped in a grimy bandage Those working on the Arctic drama sailed 81 degrees north, filming on the pack ice. This is said to be the furthest point north a drama series has ever shot before. The series is also set in Hull and takes place in the late 1850s. It is an adaptation of Ian McGuire's novel of the same name. It features five episodes, and follows Patrick Sumner, an ex-army surgeon who signs up as ship's doctor on a whaling expedition, after being kicked out of the forces. Jack O'Connell plays Patrick, who finds himself embroiled in tension with Drax. Line Of Duty's Stephen Graham also stars, fresh from his latest role opposite Sean Bean in Time. Cast: The North Water stars Jack O'Connell as Patrick, who finds himself embroiled in tension with Drax while Line Of Duty's Stephen Graham also stars, fresh from his latest role opposite Sean Bean in Time Things get tense between the men on the expedition as they find themselves further and further from dry land, and civilisation. Tom Courtenay, Peter Mullan, Sam Spruell and Roland Mller also star. Colin completed filming The North Water last year. The show began production in October 2019 through March 2020, when the pandemic halted shooting despite nearly wrapping. The rest of the series was picked up later and shot on a sound stage in the UK. The North Water will premiere on BBC Two on Friday September 10 at 9.30pm Rebecca Romijn took to Instagram on Monday with a shot of her twin daughters with Jerry O'Connell, Dolly Rebecca Rose and Charlie Tamara Tulip, as they returned back to school Monday. 'Slight dress code violation but 1st day of 7th grade went without a hitch,' the actress, 48, captioned the shot of the 12-year-old kids. Both of the girls wore shorts and face masks as they smiled at the start the new school year. The latest: Rebecca Romijn, 48, took to Instagram on Monday with a shot of her twin daughters with Jerry O'Connell, 47, Dolly Rebecca Rose and Charlie Tamara Tulip, 12, as they returned back to school Monday Romijn and O'Connell have been wed since 2007 and welcomed the twins December 28, 2009. O'Connell, 47, told People last year that he made the most of the pandemic shutdown in spending time with the girls, as he figured he would 'never get this time with them ever again. 'This is it. Very soon, when this is all over and everything's back to normal and kids are back in school all the time, I have a feeling parents are gonna be like, "Oh, it was kind of nice having my kids at home,"' he said. 'I almost feel like, just because the age that they are, I'm getting a free extra year with them.' He opened up about raising the pre-teens: 'Normally, this is the age - I know, because I'm sort of experiencing it - where they want me to drop them off at school two blocks away so their friends don't see me. Happy pair: Romijn and O'Connell posed during entrances at an NYC event in 2019 Beauty: Romjin was snapped at an event in LA in January of 2020 'They want to be dropped off at the mall and hang out there for four hours, but they don't want their friends to see me when I pick them up.' O'Connell said that it's 'interesting being the father of girls,' as he 'never had sisters so it is a little different.' Romijn was previously wed to actor John Stamos from 1998 - 2005. Stamos, 58, who is father to son Billy, three, with wife Caitlin McHugh, 35, last month appeared on the podcast Life is Short with Justin Long, with O'Connell's pal Long telling Stamos, 'I just love teasing him about how handsome you are.' Stamos said that he and McHugh have moved to an area near where Romijn and O'Connell live. 'Well, we sort of moved near them, but I haven't seen or talk to [Rebecca],' he said. 'But [Jerry] is funny about. I've seen some stuff - he said his kids watched Full House and said I was their dad or something. But he's a funny guy - that's a guy who works hard.' He added: 'I'm happy for them. That's it. Just letting go, and - "God bless you guys, good for you. I'm here, you're there." But it took me a long time to get to any of that.' In a podcast after-show featuring O'Connell, the Stand By Me actor said that Stamos 'seems like a great guy.' 'He recently moved really close to my family and I. So my kids have a joke when we're driving - my kids are always like, "There he is, there he is" - my kids are dying to meet him. My kids are infatuated with him because of the Full House thing ... they're in love him, everyone is.' Gossip journalists don't always get it right, but one reporter's bold prediction about Zac Efron was so spectacularly wrong you can't help but laugh. Richard Richard, a Sydney-based American TV personality, revealed this week he once suspected the Hollywood actor was transitioning to a woman. He came to this conclusion after meeting Efron, 33, in person at the height of his High School Musical fame when he was in his early twenties. Fake news! A gossip reporter suspected Zac Efron was transitioning to a woman after seeing him wearing 'so much makeup' at the height of his High School Musical fame. Pictured: Efron in High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008) with co-star Vanessa Hudgens Reid noticed that Efron was wearing makeup, which isn't unusual for actors doing public appearances that involve them being under bright lights. He said on KIIS FM's Will and Woody: 'The first time I met Zac Efron he was still doing High School Musical, and I will say, I'm not saying he's not pretty... '[But] when I got up close he was wearing so much makeup, so much foundation, I really thought he might be transitioning.' Off the mark: Richard Reid (pictured on April 30), a Sydney-based American journalist, noticed that Efron was wearing makeup, and concluded: 'I really thought he might be transitioning' Unfortunately for Reid, Efron has stubbornly remained a heterosexual, cisgender man over the years, meaning his prediction was way off. It follows reports Efron made a 'quiet return' to Australia earlier this month, after spending almost an entire year in the country to escape Covid-ravaged America. He is believed to have completed his two weeks of hotel quarantine in Sydney. Efron had reportedly left Australia months ago to shoot the film adaptation of the Stephen King novel Firestarter in Canada. All man: Unfortunately for Reid, Efron (pictured last year) has stubbornly remained a heterosexual, cisgender man over the years, meaning his prediction was way off He went on to spend time in the U.S. with his family. While in America, Efron and his brother Dylan recorded a viral video in which they 'broke into' their grandfather's nursing home to help him watch the Euro 2020 final. During his previous year-long visit to Australia, Efron was mostly based in Byron Bay, where Thor actor Chris Hemsworth owns a $30million mansion. He also filmed Stan Original movie Gold in South Australia, and shot scenes for his Netflix docuseries Down to Earth. Jet setter: It follows reports Efron made a 'quiet return' to Australia earlier this month, after spending almost an entire year in the country to escape Covid-ravaged America Efron found love in Australia with Byron Bay waitress Vanessa Valladares, 26, but they broke up in April before he left for North America. They are believed to have first met in June last year, when Vanessa was waiting tables at the Byron Bay General Store cafe. It remains to be seen if they will reconnect now he is back on Australian shores. Watch the Stan Original film Gold exclusively on Stan later this year. His wife Zoe Foster Blake just enjoyed an $89million pay day after selling her controlling stake in her Go-To skincare company. And on Sunday, TV and radio star Hamish Blake had a hilarious response to the exciting news. Hamish, 39, shared a picture of himself building a stick fort at home, joking that they're both 'at the top of our game'. 'We're both at the top of our game': Hamish Blake had a hilarious response to wife Zoe Foster Blake's $89m sale of her skincare company this week. He built a stick fort and posted about it on Instagram 'My wiz of a wife did a huge business deal and I am, of course, as always, super impressed by her and massively proud,' his caption began. 'ALSO, I happened to just make probably the trickiest stick fort I've ever made, so I guess we BOTH know what it's like to be married to someone at the top of their game,' he finished, adding a thumbs up emoji. Fans loved the post, with one writing underneath: 'She is a lucky woman...' Ca-ching! According to a report by news.com.au on Friday, the 41-year-old beauty mogul sold a 50.1 per cent share to BWX According to a report by news.com.au on Friday, the 41-year-old beauty mogul sold a 50.1 per cent share to BWX. The ASX-listed company is also behind Aussie skincare brand Sukin, and has a lucrative five-year supplier deal with Chemist Warehouse. BWX praised Go-To for providing consumers with 'simple, trusted and effective skincare products for the masstige market'. Masstige refers to mass-produced and inexpensive goods that are marketed as luxurious. She's done well: The skincare company was established by the former magazine journalist in 2014, and generated $36.8million in revenue last year alone The skincare company was established by the former magazine journalist in 2014, and generated $36.8million in revenue last year alone. Despite the new deal, BWX said Go-To 'will remain an independently operated, stand-alone, founder-led brand'. Zoe will also continue to act as the company's strategic investor, chief creative officer and board director. According to a report by the Financial Review in November, Zoe's net worth was estimated to be at $36million at the time. Million Dollar Listing star Fredrik Eklund is instilling a love of travel into son Fredrik Jr. aka 'Freddy' at a young age. The 44-year-old luxury real estate broker took his three-year-old to Mykonos, Greece and shared some adorable snaps of the blonde haired tot living his best life overseas. In a lengthy caption accompanying some of their precious moments together, Fredrik gushed that his son said 'this is the best trip of his life,' as he spoke of all the 'little things' they'd enjoyed together. Summer vacation: Million Dollar Listing's Fredrik Eklund took his three-year-old son Fredrik Jr. to Mykonos, Greece and shared some of their precious moments together on Instagram Fredrik shares twins Freddy and Milla with husband Derek Kaplan, 46, but only he and Freddy made the trip to Greece. He shared snaps of the pair in their finest vacation wardrobe taking in various sunsets and touring the local sights, as well as some cute solo shots of Freddy with a grin plastered on his face. 'It's the little things we've done together,' his caption began as he ran through a list of moments they'd shared which included: 'waking up in the same bed, blueberry pancakes by the pool, holding hands through town, taking long bubble baths together, and ordering gelato three times a day.' Quality time: The pair opted to travel to Greece without husband Derek or their daughter Milla Making memories: 'It's the little things we've done together,' his caption began as he ran through a list of moments they'd shared which included: 'waking up in the same bed, blueberry pancakes by the pool, holding hands through town, taking long bubble baths together, and ordering gelato three times a day' Learning to swim: Fredrik also shared that he had taught Freddy how to swim without floaters and he learned to tie his shoes while in Greece The reality star also shared that they had watched 'every Spider-Man,' his son had learned to 'swim without floaters' and they had taken in the local cuisine - 'incredible pasta and white fish ('with ketchup Dada'), he added of his son's palette preferences. The pair also shopped for dresses for sister Milla, had dance parties on the terrace, and also more philosophical discussions like 'how the sun dips behind the ocean and why the stars come out,' as well as 'what happens when we go to heaven.' But naturally any international travel can cause some level of jet lag especially for a toddler as Fredrik posted a shot of them at dinner their first night with Freddy asleep. 'Arrived and he is...OUT.' Though he confessed the pair missed daddy Derek, Fredrik said that their son had 'told him over and over again that this is the best trip of his almost 4-year long life.' Classic backdrop: Though the father-son dup only arrived to Mykonos this week they've already covered a lot of ground as shared in his social media His way: The Swedish born realtor confessed that they had watched every spider-man movie, and Freddy had been dipping his toes into more advanced cuisine like white fish, but with ketchup Greece holds a special place in the family's heart as Fredrik and husband Derek first met there in 2010. In 2015 the couple decided to hire a surrogate who became pregnant with twins, but suffered a miscarriage during her first trimester. In 2017 the pair went on to have their twins Freddy and Milla. Milla is biologically Frederik's and Freddy is biologically Derek's. The Zimbabwe-born painter, also has a son Kai who lives in London. He had donated his sperm to a lesbian couple in 2009 and Fredrik treats the son like his own. Jet lag: During one dinner snap the Bravo star cradled his son as he slept Fredrik has been sober for close to a year and he has said it makes him a better dad. 'I feel I'm much more present. I feel much calmer. I feel much more in control,' he told Us Weekly in May at which point he had hit 200 days of sobriety. 'With fatherhood, [I'm] just not missing one beat. They have a lot of energy, the twins, the twin-sanity...I can really be there with them. I feel really, really proud of myself,' he continued to say. Last summer the bi-coastal Douglas Elliman broker who heads up the luxury Eklund Gomes team started a YouTube show with his kids called Freddy and Milla's Adventures. Each episode focuses on a new lesson for kids ranging from ABCs to learning emotions. 'I just thought, there aren't any series that show a parent interacting with their child in the show, and no one is doing the real estate perspective,' he explained of its origin to PEOPLE. It was the home of Sydney's rock scene in the '80s and '90s, hosting acts such as Nirvana, Cold Chisel, Hoodoo Gurus and INXS, but now Coogee Bay Hotel's historic music venue Selina's could be torn down. The building is set to be demolished to make way for a $112million development including a five-storey residential building with 60 apartments, pending council approval. If the council approves the plans, it'll a sombre moment for fans of the popular 2500-capacity venue that showcased some of the best live music and pub rock in Australia. End of an era: Coogee Bay Hotel's famous music venue Selina's - which played host to Nirvana, Cold Chisel and INXS - could soon be demolished to make way for a $112million development 'It was a golden, wonderful time for both rock and roll bands, and rock and roll fans. And Selina's came to epitomise the pub rock era in Australia,' recalled former band manager and producer Stuart Coupe in an interview with Nine. 'Jam packed against 2000 of your nearest and dearest best friends watching your favourite rock and roll bands; it was a special time,' he continued. Playing Selina's was a precursor to rock stardom for many Aussie bands, and was an unforgettable venue for music lovers from surrounding suburbs. 'It was a golden, wonderful time for both rock and roll bands, and rock and roll fans': The venue was the home of Sydney's rock scene in the '80s and '90s Big headliners: Playing Selina's was a precursor to rock stardom for many Aussie bands, and was an unforgettable venue for music lovers from surrounding suburbs 'It had a big stage, the sight lines were really good,' Coupe said. 'If you were headlining at Selina's, you were doing very, very well.' Selina's hosted gigs for both local and international groups, with seminal grunge band Nirvana playing there in 1992 during their only Australian tour. Selina's closed in 2009, with Midnight Oil delivering the final on-stage performance. The best in rock and roll: Selina's hosted gigs for both local and international groups All good things: Selina's closed in 2009, with Midnight Oil delivering the final performance The site is currently receiving final council approvals before the high-cost developments begin. The locale will see 60 residential units above the commercial premises and a supermarket, hotel accommodation with 29 rooms, levels of underground car parks and a laneway filled with an array of new restaurants. It might appear different to those who remembered the site, but Selina's will always have a place in the hearts of Sydneysiders who got to see some of the world's best bands play in their own backyard. She broke down in a flood of tears on Monday's episode of The Block as the show's infamous 'whiteboard cheating scandal' played out. But Georgia Caceres was also left a little flustered when she suffered a wardrobe malfunction during the show. The 35-year-old accidentally flashed her bra while furiously talking about the 'biggest cheating scandal in the show's history' to producers on the couch next to her husband Ronnie. Forget the cheating scandal! The Block's Georgia was left a little flustered when she suffered a wardrobe malfunction on The Block on Monday night, flashing her while furiously talking about the 'biggest cheating scandal in the show's history' to producers on the couch next to her husband Ronnie The brunette beauty was wearing one of her typically chic ensembles, a billowing patterned blouse paired with jeans. As she spoke about which team had the photo of the show's schedule on Scotty's whiteboard, her shirt slipped to the side to reveal her black bra underneath. After the slip, Georgia quickly pulled the garment across to cover her underwear up as she continued her tirade. Meanwhile, tension was evident during The Block's winners and grinners dinner, following the fallout from incident. Whoops: After the slip, Georgia quickly pulled the garment across to cover her underwear up as she continued her tirade 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. 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. '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. Whoops! As she spoke about which team had the photo of the show's schedule on Scotty's whiteboard, her shirt slipped to the side to reveal her black bra underneath Casual chic: The brunette beauty was wearing one of her typically chic ensembles, a billowing patterned blouse paired with jeans 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. 'Are you part of it? Later in the episode, Georgia (pictured) broke down in tears and suspected TANYA was involved in the 'cheating 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'. It's no secret that Bachelor contestants must sign strict contracts before appearing on the Channel 10 dating show. And Daily Mail Australia can now reveal that Stephanie Lynch is set to lose $5,000 after she breached her contract earlier this month. A source at production company Warner Bros. said Steph was advised last week she wouldn't be getting her 'one-off performance bonus' after breaking her agreement. Whoops! The Bachelor's Stephanie Lynch (left) is set to lose $5,000 after she breached her contract earlier this month by hosting a viewing party celebrating her departure from the show The gaming live-streamer, 27, announced her departure from The Bachelor hours before it was televised on August 18. 'I'll be surprised if her Instagram even gets verified to be honest,' the source said. 'They want to send a message to stop future contestants from breaking the rules.' Meanwhile, a friend of Steph's said she was 'bummed' about losing the $5,000 because she'd fulfilled her other contractual duties such as doing media interviews. Sorry! A source at production company Warner Bros. said Steph was advised last week she wouldn't be getting her 'one-off performance bonus' after breaking her agreement Steph bizarrely tried to blame her dog when she was caught out hosting a viewing party celebrating her departure from the show. This was because she'd used the private Instagram page for her pet to document the event, during which she stuck her middle finger up at a cardboard cut-out of Jimmy. 'I was doing so well! I hadn't posted anything and then I went, "Okay, I'm off now,"' she told Pedestrian TV. 'Um, oopsie. It was my dog! I don't know what you're talking about!' she laughed. Tough luck: A friend of Steph's said she was 'bummed' about losing the $5,000 because she'd fulfilled her other contractual duties such as doing media interviews It comes after Daily Mail Australia revealed the business development manager had been sharing photos and videos to a private Instagram account. 'Ssgl out tonight. Thanks for all ur love & support over the last month!' she wrote alongside a mirror selfie shared at about 12pm on the day of her last episode. Steph's post was made almost nine hours before she was sent packing by Jimmy. She also shared several videos from a viewing party at her home, which was attended by several friends, including Clare Lange from Locky Gilbert's season. Hmm! Steph revealed her exit from The Bachelor almost nine hours before she was sent packing by Jimmy on August 18. She also shared an image of herself and her friends posing with their middle fingers up at a cardboard cut-out of Jimmy (right) In one video, Stephanie could be seen laughing and screaming as she filmed her friends cheering as her dramatic exit played out on TV. In another image, she and her pals proudly posed with their middle fingers up at a cardboard cut-out of Jimmy. Stephanie was abruptly sent home after the 31-year-old pilot pulled her aside to get to the bottom of rumours she still had feelings for her ex-fiance. It's over! Stephanie was abruptly sent home after the 31-year-old pilot pulled her aside to get to the bottom of rumours she still had feelings for her ex-fiance 'I guess when I saw you on the red carpet, I was like, 'Wow'. From all the girls, you were someone that really, really stood out to me,' Jimmy said. 'I was like, 'Ok, this is awesome. There's something there'. And then mum came in and met you all and mentioned the fact that you spoke about your ex,' he told her. A surprised Steph denied ever speaking about her ex, to which Jimmy replied: 'I don't wanna sit here and have an argument with you.' 'Do you genuinely see something here with me? 'Cause if not, I think we should just call it a day.' Bye bye! 'I'm very happy to leave,' a smug Steph said as she marched out of the mansion 'I'm very happy to leave,' a smug Steph replied, before she got up and marched out of the mansion. 'Cool. See you, dude,' she told the cameras. 'Am I okay? Yeah, dude. I'm f**king ecstatic. I would marry my ex a thousand times before I would get with Jimmy.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel 10 for comment in relation to this story. They always look sensational in their stylish ensembles. And the 22-year-old Love Island twins Jess and Eve Gale once again looked amazing as they donned their gladrags for a night out at London's Libertine nightclub on Monday. Eve oozed glamour as she opted for a tiny tied up crop top which barely contained her ample assets paired with high waisted white flared trousers. Wow: The 22-year-old Love Island twins Jess and Eve Gale once again looked amazing as they donned their gladrags for a night out at London's Libertine nightclub on Monday She tied her blonde tresses up into a ponytail, and left her fringe flowing to frame her glamorously made up face. Clutched in her hand was a monogrammed Louis Vuitton bag, and the only other accessory she had was a glowing tan. Jess meanwhile commanded attention in a knitted blue thigh skimming mini dress and slung a Gucci hand bag over her shoulder. Her dark blonde locks were poker straight down her back as she smiled while making her way into the swanky venue. Amazing: Eve oozed glamour as she opted for a tiny tied up crop top which barely contained her ample assets paired with high waisted white flares Looking good: She tied her blonde tresses up into a ponytail, and left her fringe flowing to frame her glamorously made up face The stunning sisters, who rose to fame on the 2020 winter series of the ITV2 show, matched their footwear in clear perspex heels as they strutted down the streets of the capital city. Their outing comes after Jess showcased her jaw-dropping curves on Instagram last week. She wore a blue bikini and posed against a background of a whitewashed building after touching down on a recent trip to Santorini in Greece. Bronzed: Clutched in her hand was a monogrammed Louis Vuitton bag, and the only other accessory she had was a glowing tan Stunner: Jess meanwhile commanded attention in a knitted blue thigh skimming mini dress and slung a Gucci hand bag over her shoulder Gorgeous: Her dark blonde locks were poker straight down her back as she smiled while making her way into the swanky venue Eve also posted a similarly revealing snap on her page while on the island. She could be seen in a multi-coloured co ord with a zigzag pattern across it, with the sheer material showing off her underwear and pert derriere. The star captioned the snap simply with the word: 'Living,' along with a palm tree emoji. Ray of sunshine: Jess looked stunning in a blue bikini and posed against a background of a whitewashed building after touching down on a recent trip to Santorini in Greece The new trailer for Love Island Australia dropped this week, with host Sophie Monk transforming into a mermaid wearing an Australian flag bikini. And fans of the hit show have had mixed reaction to the cheeky new teaser, which reveals the upcoming series was actually filmed Down Under. Many have branded the promo as 'cringe' while others compared the trailer to a 'tourism ad'. 'Why is it so cringe?' The new trailer for Love Island Australia dropped this week, with host Sophie Monk transforming into a mermaid wearing an Australian flag bikini 'Why is Australia so cringe?' one fan commented on the show's official Instagram page. 'Like a tourism ad,' another remarked. Mixed reaction: fans of the hit show have had mixed reaction to the cheeky new teaser, which reveals the upcoming series was actually filmed Down Under But many viewers are excited by the upcoming season, with one fan exclaiming 'This is so chaotic but I love it'. Meanwhile, fans from the UK asked when the Australian version would air on their screens. The trailer also prompted some local Aussie celebs chime in, with Mel Greig remarking: 'Such a great promo'. 'Epic,' Bachelor star Elora Tahiti commented. So good! The trailer also prompted some local Aussie celebs chime in, with Mel Greig remarking: 'Such a great promo' Channel Nine dropped its first teaser for Love Island Australia on Sunday evening. The clip begins with host 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. Racy! Channel Nine dropped its first teaser for Love Island Australia on Sunday evening Cliches: Also seen in the ad are Aussie staples, including lamingtons on a BBQ and koalas '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. Also seen in the ad are Aussie staples, including lamingtons on a BBQ and koalas. According to TV Tonight, the reality dating program has shifted production from the Sunshine State's Port Douglas to Northern NSW due to the Queensland government's strict border rules. He's one of the most outspoken stars from Married at First Sight. And now Dean Wells has demanded compensation after the trailer for the new UK version of the hit series was released. 'Where's my royalties!' the 43-year-old creative director wrote on Instagram on Monday, under a slideshow of clips of the British program. 'Where's my royalties!' Married at First Sight star Dean Wells has demanded compensation after the new MAFS UK trailer dropped online It's assumed Dean's remark was written sarcastically in reference to news the UK version of the series would be 'copying the format' of the Australian edition. The trailer showcases the brides and grooms and the drama in store for the upcoming sixth season of the show. The announcement that the series would use the format of the Australian version came as MAFS was moved from the UK's Channel 4 to its sister channel E4 this year. The comment: The 43-year-old creative director wrote on Monday under the video published by The Wash - an Instagram fan page dedicated to Australian reality TV New format, same show: It's assumed Dean's remark was written sarcastically in reference to news the UK version of the series would be 'copying the format' of the Australian edition 'The revamped versioned of Married At First Sight UK (aka copying the format and drama of our Aussie edition) is about to kick off over there,' gossip website The Wash wrote on Instagram. 'And it looks pretty good and like theyve really managed to emulate our formula?' Mel Schilling, the relationship expert for the previous seven seasons of the Australian Married At First Sight, has joined the expert panel for the UK version. Upcoming: The trailer for the sixth season of the E4 program showcases the brides and grooms and the drama in store There has not yet been a premiere date announced for the sixth season of the show, or if it will be screening in Australia. Dean's forthright comment was a characteristic moment for the outspoken reality TV alum. The 43-year-old became renowned on the fifth season of the Nine series in 2018 when he cheated on 'wife' Tracey Jewel with another bride. He also briefly appeared on Channel 10's Dancing with the Stars reboot last year He'll be dusting off his best dancing shoes when he takes to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom next month. But Dan Walker, 44, has assured fans he won't take criticism from judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke to heart due to his faith. Devout Christian Dan said he has 'developed the skin of a rhino' and doesn't care what anybody says about him, which he credits to the religion. 'I've developed the skin of a rhino': Devout Christian Dan Walker has predicted he won't take dancing criticism from the Strictly judges to heart due to his faith in an interview with The Profile podcast (pictured in 2019) The presenter, who wakes the nation on BBC Breakfast, made the claim during an interview on Premier Christian Radio's The Profile podcast. 'I never mind what people write or say about me,' the TV personality began. 'That's because, as a Christian, I don't take my value from what people think about me. 'I know I can't control all those things, hurtful or hateful, whatever they might be, that people say about me or my family, or about my faith. Exciting: He'll be dusting off his best dancing shoes when he takes to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom next month Preparing: The experienced journalist will be joining 14 other contestants when the series debuts on BBC One in September 'And I'm thankful that I've developed the skin of a rhino,' he concluded. The experienced journalist will be joining 14 other contestants when the series debuts on BBC One in September, including AJ Adudu, John Whaite, Katie McGlynn, Rhys Stephenson, Robert Webb, Sara Davies and Tom Fletcher. Dan appeared via video on his very own show to make the big announcement earlier in the month as he was on holiday following a presenting gig at the Tokyo Olympics. Surprise! Dan appeared via video on his very own show to make the big announcement earlier in the month as he was on holiday following a presenting gig at the Tokyo Olympics He revealed: 'I only told my kids last weekend so they're not very happy with me either, hardly anyone has been in the circle. 'I'm very sorry I was told it would make great telly if I didn't tell you Louise! [Minchin, his co-presenter] Dan continued: 'My 20 years of contemporary dance training are helpful! I'm one of those people I've danced at three weddings and two school discos. 'I'm enjoying the experience when it starts of actually learning to dance. I'll be honest I'm not making room on any shelves in my house for the Glitterball.' And turning his attention to his mystery pro-partner and getting on the dancefloor, Dan said: 'I will accept anyone if they will accept me! 'I'm 6ft 6 so the question often asked is can anyone that tall look half decent on the television when trying to dance, just anyone who is tall enough, and doesn't mind the odd stray elbow in the back,' he quipped. The third season of the Netflix psychological thriller You will debut October 15, the streaming service announced on Monday. The thriller will pick up from the second season, in which Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) and Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti) are living in a northern California suburb, with Joe gaining interest in a new neighbor while the couple has welcomed their new baby boy, Henry. In a preview posted Monday, Goldberg is heard in an ominous voice over while a white cake with red highlights is made from scratch. The latest: The third season of the Netflix psychological thriller You will debut October 15, the streaming service announced on Monday 'People these days will name their kids anything to get attention,' Joe narrates the clip. 'And despite your mothers background and your glammas determination to refer to you as Forty reincarnated - I know better. 'A boy is not what we expected, and I would be lying if I said the thought of a mini-me was purely exciting and not without uh, challenges. Lets just say, Im hoping youll do as I say, not as I do.' Goldberg vowed to change his ways with fatherhood in becoming a role model for his son. 'But for you, I can change, Ill be a man you look up to,' he said. 'A man you will be proud to call dad. So, what to call you? A name thats strong, but not intimidating. Classic, but not basic. Literary, of course, because you will grow up in a house full of books. Henry. He's back: Netflix has teased that news on the third series of psychological thriller You with a chilling new teaser (above Penn Badgley as Joe Goldberg in series two) In a preview posted Monday, Goldberg is heard in an ominous voice over while a white cake with red highlights is made from scratch Goldberg vowed to change his ways with fatherhood in becoming a role model for his son The thriller, entering its third season, debuted in 2018 'Choosing your name is the first of a lifetime of decisions Ill make to give you the best life possible, to protect you, to shape who you will become. Who are you going to be, Henry?' The show, based on material from the Caroline Kepnes' books You and Hidden Bodies, features as cast including Saffron Burrows, Tati Gabrielle, Dylan Arnold, Shalita Grant, Travis Van Winkle and Scott Speedman. The show's second season followed Goldberg's trek from New York to Los Angeles in an effort to reinvent himself. The show's Twitter account Sunday night shared several teasers that left fans speculating about what's next for the murderous Joe Goldberg. Amid a detailed visual sequence in which the cake is made, it is inscribed Welcome Baby Henry in honor of their new child The first of three hints was penned: 'We've got a bun in the oven...', showing leading star Penn, 34, tying an apron from behind, before the words 'prepare yourselves' were etched onscreen. In the second mystifying post, captioned 'set your timers', Penn cracks an egg into a pan before You enthusiasts were left with the description 'something's cooking'. And in the arguably most teasing tweet, which read 'come hungry tomorrow', fans could watch a bloodied knife being smeared against a tea towel followed by the words 'ready to serve.' All three of the teasers captured the briefest shot of a timer, which fans were desperately trying to interpret. Teasing: The first of three hints was penned: 'We've got a bun in the oven...', showing leading star Penn, 34, tying an apron from behind, before the words 'prepare yourselves' were etched onscreen Suspense: In the second mystifying post, captioned 'set your timers', Penn cracks an egg into a pan before You enthusiasts were left with the description 'something's cooking' Previews: In the arguably most teasing tweet, which read 'come hungry tomorrow', fans could watch a bloodied knife being smeared against a tea towel followed by the words 'ready to serve' Fans were quick to respond to the slew of tweets, with some followers of the show desperate for a release date, whilst others expected a trailer of the upcoming series. An observant enthusiast believed they had worked out the release date based on the timer readings, although nothing has been formally confirmed. The acclaimed series is based on novels by Caroline Kepnes, with Penn playing a troubled serial killer, Joe Goldberg, who is desperate for love as a method of control. Wanting more: Fans were quick to respond to the slew of tweets, with some followers of the show desperate for a release date, whilst others expected a trailer of the upcoming series Big role: The acclaimed series is based on novels by Caroline Kepnes, with Penn playing a troubled serial killer desperate for love as a method of control His love interest was played by Elizabeth Lail in the first season before Victoria Pedretti, who takes on the role of Love Quinn, became the object of his affection as the plot thickened in season two. Both Penn and Victoria will return for the third instalment of the successful show as Joe and Love. Show runner Sera Gamble revealed that they wrapped filming on April 23, as she teased 'f***ing bonkers' episodes. Taking to Twitter to share the news back in April, she wrote: 'Today is our last day of shooting season 3 of #YouNetflix. Can I brag to you for a hot second?' 'I feel privileged to have gotten to witness everyone's creativity, resilience and kindness. I mean, I knew our team was tough and good at their jobs, but holy s**t did everyone show up for each other. All the way up the Warner's/Netflix ladder and in every production department. She added: '(Also, the episodes are f***ing bonkers and the performances are insanely good. That's all I'll say about that till we are ready to talk about the new season.)' Actress Sydney Sweeney looked leggy in a blue mini-dress adorned with floral detailing as she arrived at Dolce & Gabbana's latest event in Venice by boat on Monday evening. Sydney, 23, was looking sensational on the boat, posing for snaps before stepping onto the jetty. She wore her blonde locks loosely in waves around her shoulders and added height to the number with sparkling silver heels. Floral chic: Actress Sydney Sweeney looked leggy in a blue mini-dress adorned with floral detailing as she arrived at Dolce & Gabbana's latest event in Venice by boat on Monday evening The Handmaid's Tale star posed on the dock in the leggy ensemble. She clutched a sparkling bejeweled purse to complete the look, her figure accentuated by the physique-hugging garment. She was attending the Alta Moda show, which sees D&G's Collezione Genesi (Genesis Collection) debut on the luxury marketplace UNXD next 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. Golden gal: She wore her blonde locks loosely in waves around her shoulders Actress: The Handmaid's Tale star posed on the dock in the leggy ensemble 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. Give us a twirl! She added height to the number with sparkling silver heels Finishing touch: She clutched a sparkling bejeweled purse to complete the look Kourtney Kardashian and beau Travis Barker were also in attendance. They were joined by Kourtney's mum Kris Jenner and her own boyfriend Corey Gamble. They lead the glamour at the latest in a string of shows in the Italian city fronted by the luxury brand, with the likes of January Jones, Vin Diesel and Helen Mirren also in attendance. An anti-vaxxer Instagram model has been called out after she applauded Denmark for lifting Covid lockdowns, without realising the country opened up because of its high vaccination rate. Kate Szepanowski, a Gold Coast influencer, praised the nation in an Instagram Stories post Friday after re-sharing a post about Denmark's triumph over the deadly virus. The post, originally uploaded by a Swedish journalist, read: 'HUGE NEWS: Denmark has announced they will be REMOVING all Covid restrictions including the Covid passport.' Embarrassing: Anti-vaxxer Instagram model Kate Szepanowski (pictured) has been called out after she applauded Denmark for lifting Covid lockdowns without realising the country opened up because of its high vaccination rate Kate, who is known to oppose vaccines and the rollout of vaccine passports in Australia, wrote beneath the image: 'Smart country'. However, If she had simply done a simple Google search, Kate would know that Denmark's decision to lift restrictions was announced after the health ministry declared Covid was 'no longer a critical threat' because of the country's high vaccination rate. Denmark is the European Union's third-most vaccinated country, with 71% of the population having received two jabs. 'Smart country' indeed! Kate Szepanowski, a Gold Coast influencer, praised the nordic nation in an Instagram Stories post Friday after re-sharing a post about Denmark's triumph over the deadly virus Kate's embarrassing blunder was called out by Aussie Influencer Opinions, Australia's biggest influencer watchdog, who re-shared the post to its 50.3K Instagram followers. However, this didn't discourage the blonde from sharing more opinions about the Covid jab on Tuesday. Returning to Instagram Stories, the mother-of-one reposted a video which attempted to 'expose' the extremely rare side-effects of vaccines. Whoops! However If she had simply done a simple Google search, Kate would know that Denmark's decision to lift restrictions was announced after the health ministry declared Covid was 'no longer a critical threat' because of the country's high vaccination rate Here we go again: However, this didn't discourage the blonde from sharing more opinions about the Covid jab on Monday 'And this is why I would rather die than get that poison injected into me. If you feel triggered don't even @ me,' she wrote. The coronavirus vaccine is a safe and vital measure being taken to protect the community from the spread of the virus. While any life-threatening effects of the vaccine are extremely rare, it is extremely common for Covid-19 to serious illness, ongoing health problems and even death. 'I would rather die than get that poison injected into me': Returning to Instagram Stories on Monday, the mother-of-one reposted a video which attempted to 'expose' the extremely rare side-effects of vaccines Essential: Covid-19 can cause ongoing health problems and even death. The vaccines being rolled out in Australia ensure that even if you do contract Covid, you won't get seriously ill The vaccines being rolled out in Australia are designed to ensure that even if you do contract Covid, you won't get seriously ill. Kate, whose sister is fellow anti-vaxxer influencer Chloe Szepanowski, last made headlines back in 2019 when she was forced to hand over $2,500 in cash to police even after claiming she had received the money from her 'sugar daddy'. In December 2018, Kate was pulled over in Bondi Junction in Sydney, by police who initially believed she had been driving under the influence. Remember me? Kate, whose sister is fellow anti-vaxxer influencer Chloe Szepanowski , last made headlines back in 2019 when she was forced to hand over $2,500 in cash to police even after claiming she had received the money from her 'sugar daddy' When she was asked to provide identification, they spotted the large wad of money in her purse - leading them to suspect she had been involved in a drug deal, court documents claim. Upon searching her car, they allegedly found white powder residue in a clear plastic bag as well as a Xanax tablet without a prescription. Police administered both drug and alcohol tests, which came back negative. Cash: When she was asked to provide identification, they spotted the large wad of money in her purse - leading them to suspect she had been involved in a drug deal, court documents claim Chloe claimed she had multiple 'clients' across NSW and Victoria and had been travelling between the two states, according to the statement. Szepanowski's cash was seized and she was ordered to appear at Downing Centre Court but failed to show up. She was fined $350 for possession of Xanax and other unlawfully obtained goods. Married At First Sight star Rebecca Zemek is mourning the death of her beloved dog Oscar. The pooch, whose illness was the catalyst for Zemek's cheating scandal during this year's season of MAF, notified her followers about Oscar's death in a series of Instagram Stories. In one heartbreaking post, the reality TV star revealed that Oscar was 'taken so unexpectedly'. RIP: Rebecca Zemek is mourning the passing of her beloved dog Oscar Posting several images of Oscar, the 27-year-old addressed the dog in her heartfelt captions. 'It breaks my heart that you were taken so unexpectedly,' began Zemek. 'Oscar, you were my world. You came into my life when I needed you most and were there for me in my darkest days.' 'To think I now have to continue life without you by my side, hurts more than I ever imagined.' Her 'world': In one heartbreaking post, the reality TV star revealed that Oscar was 'taken so unexpectedly' Memories: Sharing a series of images with Oscar, the 27-year-old addressed the dog in her heartfelt captions In a subsequent post, Rebecca went on to explain Oscar's condition, writing, 'When I left the show to see Oscar, I found out he had heart disease and a murmur. He had been on heart medication ever since.' She continued, 'With how happy and energetic he has been lately, I honestly started to think we were out of the woods.' 'This morning I woke to find we just didn't make it,' the beauty concluded. Explanation: In a subsequent post, Rebecca went on to explain Oscar's condition, writing, 'When I left the show to see Oscar, I found out he had heart disease and a murmur' Controversy: Zemek famously left the Married At First Sight shoot to take an ailing Oscar to a vet in Perth, during which time she cheated on 'husband' Jake Edwards (pictured, left) Zemek famously left the Married At First Sight shoot to take an ailing Oscar to a vet in Perth. While there she admittedly hooked up with a former flame whom she had enlisted to help with the canine's medical issue. Their kiss was captured on camera, with her 'husband' Jake Edwards confronting her over the images at the MAFS reunion in April. Footage: Oscar's illness was the catalyst for Zemek's cheating scandal during this year's season of Married At First Sight. Pictured: footage from the tape that captured Beck's illicit kiss 'An old burn': In Perth, admittedly hooked up with a former flame (pictured) whom she had enlisted to help with the canine's medical issue Edwards was left hurt and physically ill after Zemek was busted kissing an old flame on camera. Former AFL star Jake was visibly shaken while viewing the video and demanded to see it again, after Beck initially claimed it was her brother she was kissing in the clip. Upon re-watching the video, it was evident to all that the kiss was more than a peck between siblings. Happier times: Edwards was left hurt and physically ill after Zemek was busted kissing an old flame on camera Giving in, Rebecca then admitted it was in fact a man she was seeing - she still had feelings for him, and had stayed in contact with. 'My dog needed transporting, and I reached out to an old burn, who actually took Oscar to the clinic for me,' she said at the time. 'And when I seen him, emotion kind of sparked with us. And we did... We shared a kiss,' she finally confessed. Putting it all together: Jake exploded, saying: 'See, the whole time, the whole experiment, there's been no affection. Nothing. We've never had sex. And clearly this is why.' Pictured: Jake (left) is consoled by fellow groom Sam Carraro Jake exploded, saying: 'See, the whole time, the whole experiment, there's been no affection. Nothing. We've never had sex. And clearly this is why. It's all adding up to me now. 'You should've dumped me at the vows. I can handle that. Because right up until now, this moment, you and I were fine.' After repeatedly denying that her actions constituted cheating, Zemek finally conceded she had been unfaithful in a May interview with Yahoo!Lifestyle. The houses on The Block are expected to sell for close to $4million this year - a far cry from the $700,000 Bondi homes sold during the show's first season in 2003. But producers of the Nine reality series insist the program is still about the 'Great Australian Dream' of home ownership and not luxuriously overpriced properties. Executive producer Julian Cress told TV Tonight the sale prices have crept up over the years because of real estate trends, not because of any deliberate effort to make the show more upmarket. 'We always wanted it to be about people dreaming, "If I could live there, that would be my dream!" The median price when we started was probably about $400,000 and now it's over a million,' Mr Cress said. Rising house prices: The houses on The Block are expected to sell for close to $4million this year - a far cry from the $700,000 Bondi homes sold during the show's first season in 2003. Pictured: a stock photo of a young couple inspecting a home 'So prices have come up a lot. I think a house of $3million plus is as aspirational now as it was aspirational to want to live beside Bondi Beach [in 2003],' he added. The latest season of The Block is set in Hampton, Melbourne, and Mr Cress believes the featured houses aren't guaranteed to reach the $4million mark, even though several homes from last year did. The 2020 season, which was filmed in the nearby coastal suburb of Brighton, saw three of the five renovated homes sell for at least $4million. Trends: Executive producer Julian Cress told TV Tonight the sale prices have crept up over the years because of real estate trends, not because of any deliberate effort to make the show more upmarket. Pictured: The Block host Scott Cam (centre) and this year's teams 'Although these houses are bigger, the prices that well be quoting for them will be lower than last years. The Blocks always been aspirational. It was designed to be that, even when we picked the very first building on Bondi Beach,' said Mr Cress. The TV executive joked that he doesn't expect to ever see a Block home sell for $10million unless they do the series for 'another 17 years'. He also stressed The Block will not be taking cues from 'property porn' shows like Luxe Listings Sydney, which focus exclusively on the high-end market. Location: The latest season of The Block is set in Hampton, Melbourne, and Mr Cress believes the featured houses aren't guaranteed to reach the $4million mark, even though three out of five homes from last year did Renovated houses in the first season in Bondi topped out at $750,000. The Sydney suburb now has a median house price of $3.5million to $4million. The houses on The Block climbed to $1million by the third season, $2million by the eighth season in 2014, and reached $4million last year. Mr Cress said that the series will continue renovating suburban houses typical of the 'Australian Dream', featuring 'three to four bedrooms, two garages in a cul-de-sac'. Kumail Nanjiani makes his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as Kingo in the highly-anticipated Eternals movie, debuting in theaters November 5. The 43-year-old actor opened up about his character and his journey to the MCU in a new interview with the Los Angeles Times. The actor revealed he wanted use this character to break down the typical stereotypes of Middle Eastern characters on the big screen. MCU debut: Kumail Nanjiani makes his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as Kingo in the highly-anticipated Eternals movie, debuting in theaters November 5 No stereotypes: The actor revealed he wanted use this character to break down the typical stereotypes of Middle Eastern characters on the big screen Nanjiani revealed his character Kingo has been on Earth for 'thousands of years' and he's become a rich Bollywood movie star, which isn't something you see every day in your typical movie. 'Ive been in this industry for about a decade and I looked at the usual opportunities that the brown dudes get. We get to be nerdy. I wanted him to be the opposite of that I wanted him to be cool,' Nanjiani said. 'With nerdy goes "weakling," and I wanted him to be the opposite of that and to be strong physically. Or we get to be terrorists, and I wanted him to be the opposite of that. I wanted him to be this character full of joy,' he continued. Kingo: Nanjiani revealed his character Kingo has been on Earth for 'thousands of years' and he's become a rich Bollywood movie star, which isn't something you see every day in your typical movie He also talked about working with Nomadland director Chloe Zhao, adding, 'we were like, lets take every single thing that I havent gotten to do and make a character whos the exact opposite of the way a lot of American pop culture see people from Pakistan or the Middle East.' Nanjiani added that he was, 'very lucky Chloe was on board with that,' because he knew with the ensemble cast, 'youre not going to get a ton of real estate.' Nanjiani's casting comes as the studio is trying to improve diversity and inclusion on both sides of the camera, after coming under fire for lacking in those departments over the firsts decade-plus of the MCU. Lucky: Nanjiani added that he was, 'very lucky Chloe was on board with that,' because he knew with the ensemble cast, 'youre not going to get a ton of real estate' When asked if he could imagine him being a Marvel superhero, Nanjiani said, 'I could not imagine that at all, even though it was a few years ago that I thought, "I want to play a Marvel superhero."' 'I mean, I didnt know how to go about doing it. I dont know if you do this, but I sort of pick big goals in my head where Im like, all right thats something I want to do. Its not achievable right now, but thats the finish line,' he said. Nanjiani added that, 'getting to be the first group of people who get to represent can come with a lot of pressure.' Superhero: When asked if he could imagine him being a Marvel superhero, Nanjiani said, 'I could not imagine that at all, even though it was a few years ago that I thought, "I want to play a Marvel superhero"' 'If you carry that it can be really tough. Its two things that you have to hold together: I know Im representing a thing that people havent seen and it might mean a lot to people [who were] like kids like me,' he said. 'On the other hand, you cant really think of it because then you get flattened under the pressure. So you have to think of yourself as an individual while still understanding that its a massive responsibility,' the actor continued. Nanjiani stars alongside Angelina Jolie, Gemma Chan, Salma Hayek, Richard Madden, Kit Harrington in Eternals, arriving in theaters November 5. Representing: 'If you carry that it can be really tough. Its two things that you have to hold together: I know Im representing a thing that people havent seen and it might mean a lot to people [who were] like kids like me,' he said It's one of the most iconic paparazzi photos of all time: a jubilant Nicole Kidman throws her arms in the air outside her attorney's office in Los Angeles after finalising her divorce from Tom Cruise in 2001. And Californian writer and producer Liz Maupin decided to recreate the famous image over the weekend as she celebrated her own divorce. Ms Maupin, 34, surprised 30 friends at her 'divorce party' by dressing in the same outfit the Aussie actress wore for her meeting with her lawyers 20 years ago. She had married comedian Danny Maupin in 2013, but said their relationship 'dissolved' causing them to separate in 2018. Inspired: Californian writer Liz Maupin (left) recreated Nicole Kidman's iconic 'divorce photo' from 2001 (right) as she celebrated her own divorce with friends in LA over the weekend She had married comedian Danny Maupin in 2013, but said their relationship 'dissolved' causing them to separate in 2018 Ms Maupin told TMRW: 'I honestly think I only saw the photo for the first time a few years ago and I just loved it. You can feel how relieved, how happy Nicole is to have it all over with.' She said she spent weeks trying to find something similar to Kidman's chiffon floral top for the event, eventually having one custom made. Ms Maupin, who said she hopes Kidman 'sees it and is proud', separated from her spouse in 2018, but the divorce wasn't finalised until last week. The now-iconic party was thrown to celebrate the 'finality' of her divorce, and to welcome a 'new chapter' of her life. Ms Maupin, who said she hopes Kidman 'sees it and is proud', separated from her spouse (right) in 2018, but the divorce wasn't finalised until last week Epic: The image of Nicole celebrating the end of her marriage to Cruise has become iconic 'It was absolutely empowering and so fun,' Ms Maupin added to Buzzfeed. 'I chose to make the party no-boys-allowed. I highly recommend having a divorce party if you find yourself divorced someday. 'I think there's still stigma around divorce, which is so unnecessary, and I wanted to really have a positive experience at the end of it all and just celebrate being me again, without a tether to another person, and starting over.' Ms Maupin was keen to stress that she did not throw the party to spite her ex, but instead to celebrate herself, according to Mashable. She said: 'Our relationship just unfortunately dissolved over time and we grew in different directions. 'It was of course super difficult to make the decision to leave but I ultimately knew it was the best choice I could make.' Surprise! 'I honestly think I only saw the photo for the first time a few years ago and I just loved it,' Ms Maupin told TMRW. 'You can feel how relieved, how happy Nicole is to have it over with' Friendship: 'At a divorce party for Liz Maupin who had the outfit from Nicole Kidman's iconic divorce photo custom made,' one of her 30 guests wrote on Twitter Kidman, 54, was married to Cruise from 1990 to 2001. The former couple are parents to adopted children Isabella, 28, and Connor, 26. While she never spoke of the true reasons of their split, she has spoken in the past about their romance and her youth when they tied the knot. Of their romance, she told Vanity Fair in 2002: 'He basically swept me off my feet. I fell madly, passionately in love'. She later said: 'I was so young when I got married. I look back now and I'm like, 'What?' 'I had two kids by the time I was 27 and I'd been married for four years [but] that's what I wanted'. She did later poke fun at the split - and their height difference - as she told David Letterman: 'I can wear heels now. Let's move on!' Marriage: Kidman, 54, was married to Tom Cruise from 1990 to 2001. Pictured in March 1991 Nicole also spoke about the power of being married to Tom, writing in a New York Magazine essay: 'I got married very young, but it definitely wasnt power for me it was protection... 'I married for love, but being married to an extremely powerful man kept me from being sexually harassed. I would work, but I was still very much cocooned. When I came out of it at 32, 33, its almost like I had to grow up'. The Oscar-winning actress went on to remarry country music star Keith Urban. The pair tied the knot in 2009, and share daughters Faith, 10, and Sunday, 13. She is her own best advertisement when it comes to promoting her activewear label, Jaggad. And Bec Judd looked sensation as she spruiked the latest range of her brand on Instagram on Tuesday. The 38-year-old showed off her never-ending tanned and toned pins in a pair of tiny running shorts teamed with a matching long sleeve top. Think pink! Bec Judd showed off her never-ending toned pins in a pair of tiny blush shorts as she promoted a new range of her Jaggad activewear on Tuesday She completed the all-pink ensemble with a pair of blush Reebok sneakers. The mother-of-four looked flawless in snap, flaunting her youthful visage in barely any makeup and her brown locks up in a ponytail. Jaggad was co-founded in 2013 by Bec and her husband, retired AFL star Chris Judd, and fellow ex-footy player Steven Greene and his wife, Michelle. Meanwhile, Bec recently spoke out against Melbourne's lockdowns. On Friday, she shared a post to her Instagram Stories in reply to Ninja Warior host Rebecca Maddern's Tweet. That Tweet read: 'Okay it's time to find some balance. Victorians can't be locked down longer or harder. Open: Meanwhile, Bec recently spoke out against Melbourne 's lockdowns. On Friday, she shared a post to her Instagram Stories in reply to Ninja Warior host Rebecca Maddern's Tweet 'Cases are going up, Delta is different. We need to look after our kids. The amount of suicides and self harm is rising - THIS is unacceptable. Get [vaccinated] ASAP but also find balance'. Maddern also tagged Victorian premier Dan Andrews in the Tweet. Bec reposted it on Sunday, and added her own comment, which read: '342 Victorian children are presenting to hospital EACH WEEK with mental health emergencies.' The Tweet read: 'Okay it's time to find some balance. Victorians can't be locked down longer or harder. Cases are going up, Delta is different. We need to look after our kids. The amount of suicides and self harm is rising - THIS is unacceptable. Get [vaccinated] ASAP but also find balance'. Rebecca also tagged Victorian premier Dan Andrews in the Tweet Bec reposted it on Sunday, and added her own comment, which read: '342 Victorian children are presenting to hospital EACH WEEK with mental health emergencies. Kids need to be back in the classroom (I'm not saying a blanket return. I'm saying let's come up with a safe plan ASAP)' Bec appears to be referring to The Victorian Agency for Health Information report, which revealed this week that 342 children, aged up to 17, have been presented to emergency departments each week suffering mental health emergencies. The data was recorded in the six week period leading up to May 30 and represented a shocking 57 per cent increase over the same timeframe last year. Bec added: 'Kids need to be back in the classroom (I'm not saying a blanket return. I'm saying let's come up with a safe plan ASAP).' Family: The WAG and her husband Chris Judd share son Oscar, 10, daughter Billie, seven, and twin boys Darcy and Tom, four. All pictured The WAG and her husband Chris Judd share son Oscar, 10, daughter Billie, seven, and twin boys Darcy and Tom, four. Students in Melbourne have spent 150 days learning from home since March 2020 - while those in wider Victoria have been banned from the classroom for four months. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has yet to announce when children can return to school in his state. New Zealand rapper Scribe is preparing to step back into the spotlight with a new docu-series based on his life and career. The 42-year-old musician, (real name Malo Ioane Luafutu) has already commenced filming the 12 episode series, which is set to air on Kiwi network TVNZ later this year. Titled Scribe - The Return of the Crusader, the series will document the highs and lows faced by the Stand Up hitmaker throughout his decade-long career. He's back! New Zealand rapper Scribe is preparing to step back into the spotlight with a new docu-series based on his life and career 'Fame, money, drugs, domestic abuse, mental illness, prison, rehab,' an official promo for the series reads. 'Scribe has been through it all. Now he's clean, working on a comeback album and ready to stand up.' Meanwhile, producers are currently on the hunt for a child actor to portray a younger version of the musician. Coming soon: The 42-year-old musician, (real name Malo Ioane Luafutu) has already commenced filming the 12 episode series, which is set to air on Kiwi network TVNZ later this year 'Looking for a young Scribe (6-10 years but looks 6/7) & his big brother Tenare (10-13 years but looks 11,' a recent post shared to Scribe's Instagram read. 'Must be confident & able to lip-sync Scribe's new lyrics, for our TVNZ doco on his life.' Scribe made history with his debut single Stand Up in 2003, becoming the first Kiwi musician to simultaneously have a single and an album at number one on the charts. Rise, fall and rise again: Titled Scribe - The Return of the Crusader, the series will document the highs and lows faced by the Stand Up hitmaker throughout his decade-long career Behind-the-scenes: Scribe posted a gallery of photos taken on the set of his new series earlier this month. He captioned the post: 'Making of a monster. #scribedoco #scribeisdead #comingsoon' Speaking to RNZ's Hip Hop Stand Up web series about his overnight success, the Not Many rapper confessed: 'The thing with my fame was, it was instant. It was actually quite scary. I didn't like it. I still don't like it.' 'One day I'm f**king put gas in the car, and the next day I go to do the same and I'm getting swamped, I'm getting f**king screamed at, people surrounding the car, banging on the windows kind of mobbed.' In 2005, his life spiralled out of control when he became addicted to drugs, alcohol and gambling following poor sales of his second album Rhyme Book. Candid: Speaking to RNZ's Hip Hop Stand Up web series about his overnight success, the Not Many rapper confessed: 'The thing with my fame was, it was instant. It was actually quite scary. I didn't like it. I still don't like it' He was arrested in Wellington, New Zealand, in 2011 for disorder offences but released after receiving a formal warning. Scribe fell back into hard times in 2017, announcing online that he'd checked into rehab. 'Addiction is a symptom, not a choice for me . . . I've overcome many trials and tribulations by embracing the truth, no matter how humiliating or shameful it may be,' he wrote at the time. Personal demons: In 2005, his life spiralled out of control when he became addicted to drugs, alcohol and gambling following poor sales of his second album Rhyme Book 'I'm now embarking on the greatest and most hardest crusade ever. I will be back a better and stronger me to take this world by storm.' A year later, Scribe was found guilty of methamphetamine possession at Christchurch District Court. He also spent two months in jail for breaching is curfew conditions while trying to perform a show. Isla Fisher has said she would take a McDonald's birthday party with a Happy Meal in Australia over any star-studded Hollywood party. The 45-year-old Aussie actress, who is currently in Western Australia with husband Sacha Baron Cohen, made the admission to Perth 96FM host Dean Clairs on the red carpet of Cinefest Oz. 'For me, someone from Perth, to come home it feels really good,' she said, before revealing her simple tastes, which include jelly snakes and a Happy Meal. Forget the Oscars! Isla Fisher has claimed that her favourite party was at a local McDonald's in Perth, Australia 'I usually like to swim at Cottesloe Beach and eat a bag of Killer Pythons, but nothing will beat when I was a kid having my birthday in the plane at McDonalds.' She then added the best Macca's party she has attended was in Midland - an inner suburb of Perth. Isla was a guest of honour at the Cinefest Oz in Busselton, where she received a Screen Legends award. Simple taste: 'I usually like to swim at Cottesloe Beach and eat a bag of Killer Pythons, but nothing will beat when I was a kid having my birthday in the plane at McDonalds' she said during a radio interview in Perth The star has been in Western Australia for the previous few days with her husband and Borat star, Sacha Baron Cohen, 49. The couple are set to take a small trip across the state after arriving from Sydney. On Saturday, Sacha delighted West Australians during a visit to Busselton Jetty. He ventured on the tourist attraction and the Underwater Observatory before leaving a special gift behind - a postcard that he signed from his most famous character, Borat. Star power: Isla's husband Sacha Baron Cohen (left) delighted West Australian locals during a trip to Busselton Jetty over the weekend. The couple have been in the state for the last few days and attended the Cinefest Oz in Busselton where the actress received a Screen Legends award 'Busselton Jetty is very niiice (sic), Borat,' the postcard humorously read, almost straight from the lips of the iconic character. Sacha then signed off the end of the card with 'Thanks, it's amazing, Sacha BC.' Sacha and Isla moved from Los Angeles to Sydney with their three children last year. Scott Disick appeared to blast his ex Kourtney Kardashian in snide messages sent to her former love Younes Bendjima - who was less than pleased at the exchange. The Flip It Like Disick star, who begrudgingly gave Kourtney and Travis Barker his 'blessing' on their relationship months ago, hit out at steamy snaps of the mother of his kids and the Blink 182 star, in messages leaked by Younes on Instagram. Younes put the Talentless designer on blast as he shared a screengrab of the alleged direct message he received, which read: 'Yo is this chick ok!????', accompanied by a DailyMail.com photo of Kourtney and Travis making out in Italy. Travis appeared to respond to the DM leak on Tuesday by sharing a Goodfellas meme that shows Ray Liotta laughing hysterically. Woah! Scott Disick appeared to blast his ex Kourtney Kardashian in snide messages sent to her former love Younes Bendjima - who was less than pleased at the exchange DMs don't lie! A screengrab of their alleged conversation was shared by Younes on his Instagram story The image in question: Scott had apparently sent Younes this image of the POOSH founder straddling the drummer during their very loved up vacation in Italy; pictured August 29 Scott, 38, seemed to have messaged the 28-year-old model whom Kourtney dated from 2016 to 2018 to question the POOSH founder's behavior with regards to her recent over the top PDA in Italy. 'Yo is this chick ok!??? Broo like what is this. In the middle of Italy,' he wrote as he sent a photo of Kourtney kissing and straddling the Blink-182 drummer on an inflatable boat. Younes despite being 10 years younger than Scott exuded more maturity about his ex's happiness in the alleged private conversation as he responded back: 'Doesn't matter to me as long as she's happy PS: I ain't your bro.' And as the duo do not follow each other on Instagram (per the screenshot) Scott would have had to go out of his way to message Younes about their shared ex's relationship. Character defamation: He later continued to stew over the very bold message while defaming Scott's character in another Instastory Ex factor: Younes with Kourtney in 2018 (left) and Scott with the reality TV star and mother of his three children in 2015 (right) Making it very clear that he and Scott were never on good terms, Younes continued to write: 'Keep the same energy you had about me publicly, privately.' The statement seemed to be in reference to Scott stating on the Keeping Up With The Kardashians reunion that he wanted to 'kill' anyone linked to Kourtney as he specified: 'Well, the last guy. Let's all be honest here.' He later continued to stew over the very bold message while defaming Scott's character in another Instastory. Travis responds: Kourtney's boyfriend Barker appeared to react to the DM leak on Tuesday by sharing a Goodfellas meme that shows Ray Liotta laughing hysterically 'Couldn't miss this one. He been playing around for too long, tried to stay quiet and be the nice guy.' Younes and Kourtney dated from 2016 to 2018 after her on-off relationship with Scott, the father of her three children: Mason, 11, Penelope, nine, and Reign, six, became too tumultuous to handle any more. PEOPLE reported that her relationship with the Algerian model who was 23 when they began dating started to develop cracks which were exacerbated once photos of him kissing a woman in Mexico emerged. 'It didn't end well,' a source told the publication at the time. And a second source said: ' As soon as their long European vacation was over, they started having problems. Younes was in L.A. recently, and things were not great. He and Kourtney didn't get along. 'They decided to take a break, but were not officially over. Now with the pictures of Younes in Mexico, they are definitely not getting back together,' the insider said adding that Younes was 'always supposed to be a rebound.' New man: The longtime friends turned lovers began dating in the latter part of 2020 and their relationship has been full of PDA that many deemed uncharacteristic of the usually reserved reality star; pictured August 29 Loved up: The couple are getting very serious and numerous reports have spoken on the possibility of marriage; pictured August 30 Kourtney and Scott first began dating in 2006 and were in a very on-off relationship for nearly decade that was wrought with cheating. They finally called it quits in 2015. After they split they maintained a decent co-parenting relationship with regards to their kids and Scott eventually moved on to date Sofia Richie in 2018 before they split in the summer of 2020. At that time Kourtney was rumored to be single but she was linked to everyone from Justin Bieber to Luka Sabbat. As the aftermath of his split from Richie who was 19 when they first began dating was chronicled on Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Scott confessed that Kourtney would 'always be a priority' and that Sofia gave him an ultimatum. Even younger: Amelia and Scott have been linked since October 2020 And Kourtney spoke about her deal breaker with Scott on the show's reunion as she said: 'I think the substance abuse was the deal-breaker.' He had gone to rehab twice in 2015 after struggling with alcohol and checked himself in again for emotional trauma in 2020. During the reunion which was filmed in early 2021 both Kourtney and Scott gave each other their blessings to date whomever would make them 'happy.' Scott began dating 20-year-old model Amelia Hamlin since October 2020 and in the latter part of last year her relationship with longtime friend turned lover, Barker, became romantic. Moving on: Both parties had given their blessing to date whomever would make them 'happy' on the KUWTK reunion 'I think if you really love somebody, you want them to be happy no matter what,' he shared. 'So I do give her a blessing to be happy.' And Kourtney seconded the notion :'Whoever would make him happy, I would give my blessing.' Kourtney and Travis known lovingly as 'Kravis' have gotten serious to the point where marriage has been spoken about as well as the possibility of moving in together. The pair splashed out on a Palm Springs house for their blended families and a source told The Sun this week that they are trying to navigate combining their families in LA. 'Kourtney and Travis are loved up but what's causing a headache is the plans to combine the two families. 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.' It was also added that 'Kourt wants Travis to be step-dad to her kids,' and she has already stepped up as a support system for his kids with ex Shanna Moakler: Landon, 17, Alabama, 15, and Atiana De La Hoya, 22. The pair took their love overseas this week, in what marks the drummer's second flight and first to Europe after a harrowing 2008 plane crash killed four people and left him with burns on 65% of his body. He credited his girlfriend with giving him the strength to tackle his fears which first began with a trip to Mexico as he gushed 'With you anything is possible.' She often shares racy photos on her Instagram page. But on Tuesday, former NRL WAG Arabella Del Busso left nothing to the imagination as she posed topless in a bedside photo. 'Heres to chasing your dreams in the cutest pair of shoes you own,' she captioned the seductive mirror selfie. No one is looking at the footwear! Former NRL WAG Arabella Del Busso left nothing to the imagination as she posed topless in a bedside photo on Tuesday The 31-year-old wore nothing in the photo except for a pair of $1225 leopard print heels by French shoe designer Christian Louboutin and fishnet stockings. Despite showing off her luxury accessories, one cheeky fan commented: 'Didn't even realise you had shoes on.' Meanwhile, another recommended she join content platform OnlyFans. 'You might as well start an OnlyFans and get paid lol,' they commented. Hotter than her heels: The 31-year-old wore nothing in the photo except for a pair of $1225 leopard print heels by French shoe designer Christian Louboutin and fishnet stockings Arabella recently shared a saucy post to Instagram wearing a very revealing black dress and high heels. 'Sunshine mixed with a little hurricane,' she wrote on Friday. The busty brunette donned a fresh tan and has put on heavy makeup for the photo. Would you wear this? Arabella recently shared a saucy post to Instagram wearing a very revealing black dress and high heels Arabella, who is currently in lockdown at home, has not let the tough times get her down, sharing positive thoughts with her fans and regularly exercising. Arabella starred on the last season of SAS Australia and was the first contestant to walk after a tense interrogation over her pregnancy scandal. The scandal was in connection to her controversial relationship with Wests Tigers player Josh Reynolds in which she falsely claimed she was pregnant with twins and showed fake pregnancy scans. They've shared euphoric highs and tragic lows over the past year. And Ruby Tuesday Matthews has paid tribute to her fiance Shannan Dodd in a heartfelt Instagram post on Sunday. Calling him 'my better half,' Matthews also shared a photo of Dodd puckering up for a kiss with the influencer. Her ride or die: Ruby Tuesday Matthews has paid tribute to her fiance Shannan Dodd in a heartfelt Instagram post on Sunday That same day, Matthews hinted the pair may have already married in secret, as she shared a picture of the couple 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. '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. Marriage tease: On Sunday, influencer Ruby Tuesday Matthews hinted she has secretly married Dodd, as she shared a picture of her and her partner appearing to wear wedding bands on Instagram 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. She is famed for showing off her stunning figure on social media. And Elizabeth Hurley, 56, didn't disappoint on Monday as she shared a glimpse of her toned stomach during a beach stroll in Wales with her new Cocker Spaniel, Millie. The actress looked nothing short of sensational in her Instagram snaps as she displayed her age-defying beauty in front of the secluded coastline. Wow! Elizabeth Hurley, 56, didn't disappoint on Monday as she shared a glimpse of her toned stomach in Instagram snaps during a beach stroll in Wales with her new Cocker Spaniel, Millie Elizabeth tied her camouflage tee at her midriff, exposing her tummy, as she rested one hand on her cargo trousers. The star enhanced her glowing complexion with a light palette of make-up while her caramel tresses danced in the wind. She completed the look with red tinted shades and penned online: 'Bank Holiday in Wales with my new puppy, Minnie'. Elizabeth set pulses racing once more as she donned a tiny blue bikini and posed up a storm in her pool for additional Instagram snaps earlier this month. Bonding time: The actress looked nothing short of sensational as she displayed her age-defying beauty while cuddling her adorable puppy in front of the secluded coastline The star flaunted her incredible figure as she stretched out her arms and rocked the patterned two-piece which barely covered her ample assets. Elizabeth smouldered for the camera, showcasing her toned pins and svelte arms for the camera. The star put her taut midriff on full display as she spread out her arms across a white butterfly-shaped float. Never one to forget her accessories, the brunette beauty added a pair of sunglasses to complete her laid-back poolside look. Sexy swimwear: Elizabeth set pulses racing once more as she donned a tiny blue bikini and posed up a storm in her pool for additional Instagram snaps earlier this month Sharing the stunning picture on social media, the mother-of-one penned: 'Happy place', along with the hashtag 'UK summer'. Elizabeth is reportedly being supported by pals amid her fury over her son Damian, 19, being cut from his dad Steve's family fortune. American businessman Steve died by suicide last June aged 55. According to The Mirror, Elizabeth's famous pals have rallied around her, with her ex and Damian's godfather Hugh Grant, showing support, while Naomi Campbell and Tamara Mellon have sent kind messages to the pair. A source told the publication: 'It is devastating what has happened to Damian but he and Liz have a lot of support.' Former flame: Elizabeth is reportedly being supported by pals amid her fury over her son Damian, 19, being cut from his dad Steve's family fortune, after he died from suicide in 2020 (pictured together in a throwback snap from the Noughties) Elizabeth's turmoil comes a year on from Steve's tragic suicide, with the star gently trying to guide her only son through the conflicting emotions of losing the father he was just beginning to get to know. Damian and Steve's relationship had almost been non-existent for most of the teen's life, but in the weeks before his death, the multi-millionaire businessman had made tentative steps towards establishing a father-son bond, calling him for the first time on his 18th birthday. Steve died thinking that his two children Damian and older half-sister Kira would be financially secure. He had recently won a court battle, overturning his own father's attempt to exclude them both from family trust funds believed to be worth up to a billion dollars (725 million). Yet Damian won't receive a penny, after his grandfather succeeded in appealing the decision. Instead, the fortune will be split between the two children of Steve's sister Mary, who crucially, unlike their cousins, were born in wedlock. Martha Kalifatidis' relationship with Michael Brunelli has continued to go from strength to strength after the pair found love on Married At First Sight in 2019. And on Tuesday, the 33-year-old reality star revealed plans to welcome a child with her boyfriend. Martha told KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O show she's set to undergo explant surgery and won't be getting new breast implants because she would like to have a baby in the future. Baby plans: Married At First Sight star Martha Kalifatidis (pictured) has revealed plans to welcome a child with boyfriend Michael Brunelli 'Are you going to get different implants or leave it as it is?' radio host Kyle Sandilands asked. Martha said: 'I don't think I want to put anymore in especially if we are going to have a baby.' A stunned Kyle asked: 'When are you having the baby?' Future plans: Martha told KIIS FM's The Kyle and Jackie O show she's set to undergo explant surgery and won't be getting new breast implants because she would like to have a baby in the future. Pictured Martha and boyfriend Michael Brunelli 'We will eventually. I'm not pregnant but I'm 33 so we have to get a wiggle on. It's going to happen sooner or later,' Martha explained. Martha and Michael fell in love and remained together ever since filming wrapped on the 2019 season. In a recent unfiltered interview with Stellar, they admitted they weren't each other's type when they first met at the altar two years ago. 'I'm not pregnant but I'm 33 so we have to get a wiggle on. It's going to happen sooner or later,' Martha said During the interview, Michael also professed his love for his girlfriend, adding: 'She's the person I go to whenever there's a problem. I can trust her opinion with every decision I make. Things couldn't be better.' The couple are also currently house-hunting in Sydney's eastern suburbs. The reality TV couple, who are currently renting an apartment near Bondi Beach, are looking to stay in the area when they upgrade to their first house. The Morning Crew has taken a hit in the latest radio ratings released on Tuesday. The 2DayFM breakfast show featuring hosts Dave Hughes, Ed Kavalee and Erin Molan tumbled to an all-new low, slipping down 0.9 points to a 2.4 per cent market share. It's a dramatic decline for the trio who began broadcasting together in January. The only way is up: 2DayFM's The Morning Crew reached an all-new low on Tuesday in the highly competitive radio ratings. Pictured, Ed Kavalee, Dave Hughes and Erin Molan It's not the first time the network has been suffered a blow in the breakfast ratings. Two years ago 2Day's breakfast offering of Grant Denyer, Ed Kavalee and Ash London also recorded the same low numbers, according Radio Today. However, despite the poor numbers, The Morning Crew weren't the biggest losers in the Sydney radio ratings battle. Breakfast radio titans Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson were dethroned from the top spot by AM station 2GB's Ben Fordham. The numbers are in: It's a dramatic decline for the trio who began broadcasting together in January. Pictured, Dave Hughes Repeat performance? It's not the first time the network has been suffered a blow in the breakfast ratings. Two years ago 2Day's breakfast offering of Grant Denyer (left), Ash London (middle) and Ed Kavalee (right) also recorded the same low numbers, according Radio Today The KIIS FM duo had been named the most popular show across both AM and FM bandwidths in June, but the latest figures show Fordham has reclaimed his crown. Fordham, 44, now has the leading share in Sydney's breakfast market with 16.8 per cent, having grown his audience by an impressive 3.5 points since the last survey. Coming in second was ABC Radio's Wendy Harmer and Robbie Buck with a 14 per cent market share. Sliding down: Despite the poor numbers, The Morning Crew weren't the biggest losers in Tuesday's radio ratings results. Breakfast radio royalty Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson were dethroned from the top spot by AM station 2GB's Ben Fordham Kyle and Jackie O placed third with 12.1 per cent after tumbling by 3.4 points. Despite the outcome, The Kyle and Jackie O Show still has plenty to celebrate. The program continues to dominate the FM airwaves, beating their closest rival, WSFM's Jonesy and Amanda, by 3.3 per cent in the latest survey. The outcome also marks Kyle and Jackie O's twentieth consecutive No. 1 spot on the FM bandwidth. She keeps her 4.9million social media followers entertained with her quirky updates. And Kate Beckinsale was at it again as she shared a hilarious clip of her cat Clive on Monday. The actress, 48, shared a video of herself getting her hair done while her furious-looking feline sat in her lap. Hilarious: Kate Beckinsale was keeping her 4.9million Instagram followers entertained as she shared a hilarious clip of her cat Clive on Monday Kate then shared a clip of Clive staring at the camera as she balanced several stuffed toys on his head, including a Finding Nemo Toy. The Underworld star then whispered 'Jenga' in her pet's eat before he knocked the toys off. Alongside the post, she wrote: 'Colour by @lightaaron Homie of homies by Clive'. The star is a doting animal lover and regularly posts with Clive, her other Persian cat Willow and dog Myf. Clip: Kate shared a clip of Clive staring at the camera as she balanced several stuffed toys on his head, including a Finding Nemo Toy Pet: The actress shared a video of herself getting her hair done while her furious-looking feline sat in her lap Looking good: Kate showed off her natural beauty in the clip Family: The star is a doting animal lover and regularly posts with Clive, her other Persian cat Willow and dog Myf Earlier this month, Clive accompanied the Hollywood actress to the dentist's office for a check up. And to make even more of a statement, Clive was dressed as Baby Yoda. Kate was seen reclining in the chair as Dr. Jon Marashi - once branded the 'Tom Ford of cosmetic dentistry' by Cher - worked on his patient's pearly whites. Clive seemed perfectly content, laying back, legs akimbo. The Star Wars costume was apparently a gift from the dental pro, and Clive looked more than relaxed in the bizarre scenario. Another day, another outrageous escapade! Kate recently shared a clip of Clive accompanying her to the dentist Open wide: Kate was seen reclining in the chair as Dr. Jon Marashi - once branded the 'Tom Ford of cosmetic dentistry' by Cher - worked on his patient's pearly whites It comes after Kate's Brentwood home has found a buyer less than a month after hitting the market, according to the New York Post. The secluded, tasteful Mandeville Canyon home in the upscale Brentwood area of Los Angeles, California was listed for just shy of $4million on August 2nd. Kate won't be making much of a profit on the property, which she listed for just a bit higher than the $3.6M she paid for it way back in 2006, according to Dirt.com. It is unclear how much was offered for the home at this time. The four-bedroom, five-bathroom abode is nestled on a ridge above the canyon, a popular spot for hikers, hidden by a thicket of trees. Isla Fisher dressed to impress as she attended the CinefestOZ Film Festival with her husband Sacha Baron Cohen in Western Australia on Saturday. The Australian actress, 45, looked every inch the beauty queen as she arrived to the event in a semi-sheer black and blue beaded gown. The Wedding Crashers star looked sensational in the frock, which also featured tulle detailing around the shoulders. Dressed to impress: Isla Fisher stunned in a semi-sheer gown as she attended the CinefestOZ Film Festival with husband Sacha Baron Cohen on Saturday Isla tied her trademark locks back and wore a full face of makeup, including a matte lipstick and blush. Meanwhile, Sacha looked dapper in a navy suit and matching pants as he arrived to the event. The 49-year-old comedian teamed the ensemble with a pair of white sneakers and was all smiles as he walked behind his wife. Style statement: The Wedding Crashers star looked sensational in the frock, which featured tulle detailing around the shoulders The couple have lived in the US for years but relocated to Sydney with their children several months ago. Isla spoke to Marie Claire Australia in May about their decision to relocate Down Under. Isla, who grew up in Perth, rubbished reports she and Sacha had wanted to escape 'Trump's America', saying their relocation from LA to Sydney was a personal rather than a political decision. Relocating: Isla and her husband Sacha lived in the US for years but relocated to Sydney with their children several months ago She added that it 'feels very magical' to be back home after spending so long in the U.S. and that she can 'be herself' in Australia. She also told Stellar magazine of their move across the Pacific: 'I just feel so safe, I suppose the word is cosy, when I'm in Australia. It's where I grew up.' Isla was born in Oman but grew up in Perth, before moving back to Australia with her family. Dani Dyer made more than 250,000 last year, as her now-jailed ex boyfriend Sammy Kimmence prepared to face trial over swindling 34,000 out of two pensioners. The Love Island 2018 star, 25, split from her disgraced ex shortly after he was jailed for three-and-a-half years after he scammed Peter Martin, 91, and Peter Haynes, 81, out of 34,000. New accounts for Dani's firm I Want It, I Got It Ltd show the star had a cash reserve of 318,630 for 2020, a near 70,000 increase from 251,318 in 12 months, reports The Sun. Businesswoman: Dani Dyer made more than 250,000 last year, as her now-jailed ex boyfriend Sammy Kimmence prepared to face trial over swindling 34,000 out of two pensioners(above with the pair's son Santiago) The company's Corporation Tax bill (which is 19 per cent of a company's earnings) was 52,677, so the firm made more than 250,000 in 2020 before other expenses were taken off. Dani's tax bill in 2019 was 50,115. The star is listed as the company's only director. MailOnline has contacted Dani's representatives for comment. Dani has racked up an estimated 2.2million fortune since winning Love Island alongside now-ex Jack Fincham in 2018. Ex: The Love Island 2018 star, 25, split from her disgraced ex (pictured) shortly after he was jailed for three-and-a-half years after he scammed Peter Martin, 91, and Peter Haynes, 81, out of 34,000 She has written a book, gained more than 3million Instagram followers and released lucrative clothing collections with In The Style. She welcomed son Santiago in January with Sammy. This comes after Dani deleted all photos of Santi's father from her Instagram last week - following his conviction last month. Dani decided against going to the courthouse to see the sentencing of her baby's father where he was jailed and received a 42-month-sentence at Portsmouth Crown Court. Not only did he con the two pensioners, he convinced Dani the crimes were not serious so the reality star would stand by him. But the reality star stopped sharing anything from their relationship when the truth of his crimes came to light, and immediately broke things off with him when she found out. Since making the decision to embark on the journey of parenthood alone with Santiago, Dani has been surrounded by her family for support, with her actor father Danny joining her on holiday to celebrate her birthday. Meanwhile, Sammy will now have to pay Mr Martin 3,926 - which will go to his estate because he has passed away - and Mr Hayne 1,173 within the next three months. The rest will be paid as soon as he earns money once he is released from prison. Working mum: New accounts for Dani's firm I Want It, I Got It Ltd show the star had a cash reserve of 318,630 for 2020, a near 70,000 increase from 251,318 in 12 months, reports The Sun Reality royalty: Dani has racked up an estimated 2.2million fortune since winning Love Island alongside now-ex Jack Fincham in 2018 Earlier this month Kimmence was ordered to pay almost 55,000 by handing over clothes, Louis Vuitton bags and designer trainers after he scammed the two elderly men. Kimmence will start paying the debt by handing over 5,099-worth of valuables including various fashion items, jewellery and a 699 personal number plate. Three pairs of valuable trainers made up the 'vast bulk' of the sum, a court was told. Portsmouth Crown Court heard the total figure, 54,859.22, amounted to how much Kimmence had made from conning the two men. Out of her life: It comes after Dani deleted all her Instagram posts with her disgraced ex Sammy Kimmence, after he was jailed and ordered to pay back 55,000 to his victims The sum was split into three parts - 35,896.46 for the five charges, 13,863.26 of cash deposited in his Lloyds and Santander account and 5,099 of assets in his house. Kimmence was ordered to hand over three pairs of designer trainers - a pair of Dior B22 sneakers, costing 825; a pair of Louis Vuitton Monogram runners costing 725; and Nike Jordan 'Black Cat' shoes costing 600 - and his number plate, which cost 699, read 'KM11SAM'. He also had to hand over his Louis Vuitton monogram hoodie which cost 1,250 and a 1,000 Cartier love ring. Prosecutor Mike Mason told the hearing: 'It is made up of a personalised number plate, worth 699, and jewellery and clothing, making it up to 5,099. Judge Timothy Mousley QC added: 'It is some shoes the vast bulk are three pairs of trainers.' Rochelle Humes confessed she is 'conflicted' in her thoughts on giving children the coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday's episode of This Morning. The Saturdays star, 32, who has daughters Alaia-Mai, eight, and Valentina Raine, four, and 10-month-old son Blake with husband Marvin, was caught in the crossfire of a debate between Dr Nighat Arif and Beverley Turner over vaccinating under 12s. The debate resulted in fireworks from both sides as the anti-vaxxer pundit, whose appearances on the show in recent months have caused fury among viewers, lashed out at the Dr Arif's insistence that under-12s should have the jab. When drawn into the debate, Rochelle said: 'She said: 'I don't know. They are younger than 12, they are younger than the age range. They are my most precious thing in the world... I do not know the answer. I'm conflicted.' Concerns: Rochelle Humes confessed she is 'conflicted' in her thoughts on giving children the coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday's episode of This Morning Her words were met with a mixed response from viewers, with some lauding her candour and others slamming the star for her uncertainty. One Twitter user accused Rochelle of being 'swayed by the presenter rather than the Dr with kids', yet another praise the star, writing: 'Bev got Rochelle worried good girl... good on her for being honest with her doubts'. Rochelle and Eamonn Holmes are standing in this week for Vernon Kay and Alison Hammond, who have both fallen ill - with Vernon testing positive for Covid. Sparks began to fly when Dr Arif made her strong recommendation for children to have the jab and protect against the deadly virus. Fear: The Saturdays star, 32, who has daughters Alaia-Mai, eight, and Valentina Raine, four, and 10-month-old son Blake with husband Marvin, was caught in the crossfire of a debate between Dr Nighat Arif and Beverley Turner over vaccinating under 12s Hitting back: Her words were met with a mixed response from viewers, with some lauding her candour and others slamming the star for her uncertainty Beverly hit back: 'I'm hearing daily from parents who are saying, 'I'm not sending my children back to school in September because I'm so frightened that they're going to give them a drug that I don't want them to have... 'At the moment these schools can't give our kids Calpol without our consent. Have we truly lost our minds that we're talking about giving them an injection that they do not need?' Dr Nighat replied: 'We need to look at the vaccine programme that's being rolled out in other countries. We already have America that's been vaccinated 12 year-olds and above. We have Germany, Italy, Spain that have been vaccinating [kids]... 'In China, they've been vaccinating 12 year-olds and above and their finishing their programme in that age group in October this year. The vaccine is far safer than infection from Covid-19 and that is what we need to focus on... 'We need to focus on getting numbers low as well and keeping children in school.' Rage: The debate resulted in fireworks from both sides as the anti-vaxxer pundit, whose appearances on the show in recent months have caused fury among viewers, lashed out at the Dr Arif's insistence that under-12s should have the jab After Rochelle weighed in, Eamonn then summed up the argument saying: 'Dr Nighat Arif who believes children are safe to have the vaccine and mass vaccination is the best way to combat Covid and keep our children in school. 'And Beverly Turner there, commentator, who doesn't want her children to have the vaccine.' Back in June, Beverley returned to This Morning, 10 days after it was reported she was banned from appearing on the show. She had previously come under fire earlier this month when she had a furious on-screen with Dermot O'Leary, after she said young people should reject having the coronavirus vaccine. Ouch: Rochelle and Eamonn Holmes are standing in this week for Vernon Kay and Alison Hammond, who have both fallen ill - with Vernon testing positive for Covid But Beverley was back on TV screens and even discussed the pandemic during a talk about the latest headlines with radio host Nick Ferrari. During the talk, Beverley said she doesn't agree with proposals that jabs should be mandatory for care home workers. The presenter told Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield: 'We know that care homes, it's an industry that appeals to younger workers, they aren't often graduates. Shock: During the talk, Beverley said she doesn't agree with proposals that jabs should be mandatory for care home workers 'They might be seen as some of the quieter voices in society who may not feel they can stand up for their rights. We still have a human right in this country which is for personal autonomy and informed bodily consent, so it's a very sad day for those young people who might just want to wait a little while, who just might want to say 'Without any long-term data for these vaccinations, can I please just wait? 'Because I'm 21, and long-term data at 21 is very important. It's more important than if you are 81, perhaps. 'I think this will have huge reverberations for the care home industry and for young people in general.' She revealed she'd split from her husband of eight years, Michael Polish, earlier this month. And Kate Bosworth, 38, had her mother Patricia on hand to lend her some support as they headed out for a stroll on Monday. The actress cut a casual figure in a blue and white striped shirt as she stepped out with her parent in Venice, Italy ahead of the city's annual Film Festival. Family affair: Kate Bosworth, 38, cut a casual figure in a blue and white striped shirt and jeans as she stepped out with her mother Patricia in Venice, Italy on Tuesday The American star had the shirt unbuttoned at the collar in a bid to keep herself cool, leaving a gold necklace on show. The star carried her essentials in a yellow and red patterned bag as she enjoyed the stroll with her mother. Kate teamed her shirt with a pair of comfortable blue denim jeans which finished just above her ankle while she wore a pair of white trainers on her feet. Loving bond: The mother-daughter duo walked hand-in-hand as they went out for a stroll in the European city with Patricia looked lovingly at her daughter as they walked along The mother-daughter duo were spotted walking hand-in-hand as they went out for a stroll in the European city. Patricia looked lovingly at her daughter as they walked along, and she wore a black blazer over a white top. She opted for a pair of skinny black jeans and a pair of white trainers to complete her monochrome look. Mother knows best: Patricia wore a black blazer and white top and opted for a pair of skinny black jeans and a pair of white trainers to complete her monochrome look Kate revealed the end of her marriage earlier this month in an Instagram post. After several paragraphs reflecting on romance, she wrote: 'Our hearts are full, as we have never been so enamored and deeply grateful for one another as we do in this decision to separate.' The couple married in 2013 and Kate is step-mother to Polish's daughter from a previous marriage. Kate's rather poetic post began with two quotes, which she attributed to 'Big Sur, 2011,' the title of the film where they met. 'Do you want to split a burger? Yes.' 'How bout a shot of whiskey? Hell yes.' Exes: Kate announced her split from husband of nearly eight years Michael Polish via a gushing Instagram tribute earlier this month Kate went on: 'The beginning is often the best part of love. Fireworks, magnets, rebellion the attraction. The onset signals a wide open expanse of possibility. Split a burger with someone when you are falling in love, and you can die happily knowing this is your last meal. 'Buy a bottle of whiskey and share shots, pour me a waterfall. Play that perfect song on the jukebox and dance with someone you have known your whole life, though you met minutes ago.' 'Inherently we fear an ending. To lose what you have because you got what you wanted. To be attached to the expectation of the outcome. The great Unknown.' 'What if we chose not to fear but instead, to love. If that most delicate and vulnerable last flicker to the flame became another type of furnace entirely. 'Perhaps this will sound strange to some, romantic to others. To us: this is truth. Still 'enamored': After several paragraphs reflecting on romance, Kate wrote: 'Our hearts are full' (pictured above during the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party) Getting to the core of her message, the LA-born actress wrote: 'Our hearts are full, as we have never been so enamored and deeply grateful for one another as we do in this decision to separate. 'Together, over the last ten years, Michael and I have chosen love, every time. We hold hands as tightly today as we entangled fingers on our wedding day. 'Our eyes look more deeply into one another, with more courage now. In the process of letting go, we have come to acknowledge that our love will never end. The connection does not simply disappear. The love deepens, the heart expands. 'We know the 4 am calls are coming. Songs will be exchanged to communicate only what songs can do. Kate added that the pair were still planning on working together, writing: 'We laugh as we plan for our next movie together and are excited to share our latest collaboration.' 'We believe the most epic love stories are those which transcend expectation. Our greatest honor has been to experience love like this, and to continue to marvel at the beauty of loves evolution. What happens when we reach the end of something and realize we are just at the beginning. 'This is love,' she wrote, finishing: 'And we will drink that down.' Kate and Michael, 50, were last photographed together in January of this year, ahead of his 38th birthday. The couple met in 2011 during the making of the adventure drama Big Sur, which she starred in and he directed. Kate and Michael announced their engagement in August 2012 and married on August 31, 2013 at The Ranch at Rock Creek in Philipsburg, Montana. Peter Helliar made a shocking prediction about New South Wales and Victoria's lockdowns during Tuesday night's episode of The Project. The 46-year-old forecasts that both states will most likely still be in lockdown all the way through to Christmas. During the show, guess panelist Georgie Tunny asked hosts Waleed Aly, Carrie Bickmore and Pete, 'Do you think we'll be in a different spot by Christmas than we are now?' Bah humbug! On Tuesday, Peter Helliar revealed his VERY grim Christmas prediction on The Project as he discussed lockdown in New South Wales and Victoria 'I can't imagine,' Waleed, 43, replied. 'Not before Christmas, no,' Pete added. 'I'm really fascinated - if Victoria can suppress these numbers down low, do they open the border to NSW if it stays where it is now before Christmas?' 'Do you think Victorians will be happy to open the border? I think that they will eventually,' he continued. Penny for your thoughts: During the show, guess panelist Georgie Tunny asked hosts Waleed Aly, Carrie Bickmore and Pete, 'Do you think we'll be in a different spot by Christmas than we are now?' Pete's prediction comes after he delivered an off-colour joke about New Zealand MP Carmel Sepuloni during Monday night's episode of The Project. The comedian played a clip where the Minister for Social Development and Employment's Zoom call was interrupted by her son entering the room. In the footage, the young boy is seen holding an unusual carrot, which he was desperate to show his flustered mother, in the shape of a penis. Amused: It comes after Peter delivered an off-colour joke about New Zealand MP Carmel Sepuloni during Monday night's episode of The Project As the boy tried to show his ministerial mother his find, she desperately swatted his hand away. After the clip ended, The Project cast - including hosts Carrie Bickmore and Waleed Aly - were seen in fits of giggles. Peter then quipped that Sepuloni had insisted that her son return the carrot to the fridge. Oh dear: The comedian played a clip where the Minister for Social Development and Employment's Zoom call was interrupted by her son. In the footage, the young boy is seen holding an unusual carrot, which he was desperate to show his flustered mother, in the shape of a penis 'Or the bedside drawer, whichever,' he added, before sniggering. Peter's comment implied that the shape of the carrot could make it a useful marital aide. The Project airs Sunday to Friday at 6.30pm on Channel 10 She is set to marry her fiance William Lee Kemp in Mallorca later this month. And Jess Wright has said that she 'can't wait' for the lavish nuptials and that her excitement for the big day is 'so real now' after it was delayed due to the pandemic. The former TOWIE star, 35, admitted that the 'overwhelming and emotional' day will be made more 'poignant' after the tough time people have had during the Covid crisis. Bride-to-be: Jess Wright has said that she 'can't wait' for her lavish wedding to William Lee Kemp in Mallorca later this month and that her excitement for the big day is 'so real now' She told Hello! magazine: 'The excitement is so real now that it's actually going ahead. For so long, we've not known whether it will or not. 'I just can't wait now. It will be such an overwhelming and emotional day, and it will be all the more poignant after everyone has been through such a tough time.' She added that she couldn't decide who to make her bridesmaids and so has ended up asking 13 women to take on the role for her wedding including sister-in-law Michelle Keegan. Love: The former TOWIE star, 35, admitted that the 'overwhelming and emotional' day will be made more 'poignant' after the tough time people have had during the Covid crisis (pictured with Will) Joining her for the interview was her model sister Natalya, 21, who said of the upcoming celebrations: 'It feels like it's been a long time coming. It's been really exciting to be with Jess for all the dress fittings, we've made a day out of every single fitting so that's been fun.' Jess added that her and businessman William will have a short honeymoon in Mallorca after the wedding before she goes on tour with the stage musical comedy Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, and then the couple will enjoy a proper honeymoon. It was recently announced that Jess has inked a deal with ITVBe and ITV Hub for a 90-minute special titled Jess Wright: The Wedding, which will chronicle the build-up to her big day with fiance William, 34. Siblings: Joining her for the interview was her model sister Natalya, 21, who said of the upcoming celebrations: 'It feels like it's been a long time coming!' (pictured together at the hen do) Filming is well underway, but the date the show will air is yet to be confirmed with ITV telling MailOnline it will likely be late autumn. The show will follow Jess' journey to the altar as she and William set about staging their dream wedding, a star-studded event on the paradise island of Mallorca. Having already delayed their nuptials once already, and with travel restrictions constantly changing due to Covid-19, there is much for the pair to navigate. Jess Wright: The Wedding is made by Potato, part of ITV Studios, the producers behind Ferne McCann: First Time Mum, Sam and Billie: The Mummy Diaries and the forthcoming Billie and Greg: The Family Diaries. The Wedding! It was recently announced that Jess has inked a deal with ITVBe and ITV Hub for a 90-minute special titled Jess Wright: The Wedding (pictured on her hen do) In a recent interview, Jess admitted she and William had considered scrapping plans to exchange nuptials in Mallorca and have a smaller ceremony in England, as pandemic regulations affect travel. Noting that she's far from alone in her dilemma, Jess said: 'I really feel for all brides out there. Every day, we have been back and forth trying to decide what to do I've been driving myself insane with it.' 'I have definitely relaxed since setting the new date. I can't wait to wear my dress I just want to do it now.' William popped the question on the snow capped peaks of Courchevel, France, in February 2020 after 13 months of dating. Jess previously told Hello! that sister-in-law Michelle, who was absent from the hen do, would be one of the bridal party, as well as her sister Natalya. Brother and former TOWIE star Mark Wright, 34, has been drafted in to serve as the master of ceremonies on his sister's big day. Priyanka Chopra has graced the cover of Vogue India for the eleventh time. The 39-year-old actress - who looked stunning in a red mesh gown - shared the image to her Instagram account on Tuesday. Priyanka revealed in a caption that the cover feature coincides with her new role as Global Ambassador for Italian luxury brand Bvlgari. Cover girl: Priyanka Chopra graces her ELEVENTH Vogue India cover as she celebrates becoming Bvlgari's new Global Ambassador 'My first Vogue India cover was 15 years ago I was one of their first cover stars,' Chopra wrote. 'Now with my 11th @vogueindia cover, and with my new relationship as Bvlgari's Global Ambassador, this collab seems so perfect.' In another inside shot, Chopra went bra-less as she wowed wearing a tight-fitting orange pencil skirt with a red top. The busy star currently has a long list of movies in production, including The Matrix Resurrections. Stunning: In another inside shot, Chopra went bra-less as she wowed wearing a tight-fitting orange pencil skirt with a red top She is also filming a new TV mini series, Citadel, with Richard Madden and Stanley Tucci. Chopra has been married to husband Nick Jonas since December 2018, after he reportedly slid into the star's DMs on Twitter. Jonas then proposed to his wife-to-be in Crete with a $200,000 Tiffany cushion-cut diamond ring. Their wedding was an opulent three-day event, and the couple would go on to host a total of five wedding receptions. Beauty: Priyanka revealed how she first graced the cover of Vogue India 15 years ago In an interview with L'Officiel in April Jonas gushed that he was 'fortunate' to have Chopra as his muse. 'I feel really fortunate to have that muse and that support propels me to continue to write; it's omnipresent for me. We're together as much as we can be to bank as much time for those moments when we know that we inevitably have to be apart.' During the pandemic the two had incurred some distance as she spent a lot of time in London while he was back in the US. He recently joined her overseas as she shot the upcoming Amazon Prime series Citadel, but the duo appeared to be back relaxing back at their home in Los Angeles on Sunday. They celebrated their three-year anniversary of their engagement on July 18 as she wrote 'My everything.. 3 years today. Seems like a blink and a lifetime at the same time. I love you.' Wedded bliss: The pair got married in 2018 and he recently gushed over the Quantico star as he referred to her as his 'muse' Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender were seen pushing a baby in a stroller during a stroll in Paris on Saturday. The actress, 32, looked relaxed and happy while actor Michael, 44, walked along with the infant. The Danish Girl star Alicia wore a white sweater and denim jeans paired with a designer handbag as she chatted with her husband. Casual stroll: Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender were seen pushing a baby in a stroller during a stroll in Paris on Saturday Her brunette tresses were pulled into a sleek updo and she sported a radiant palette of make-up. Michael wore a grey hoodie and black jeans for the walk, before changing into an all-cream ensemble while Alicia donned black sweats. Michael and Alicia tied the knot in October 2017 - three years after they began dating, following meeting on set of The Light Between Oceans. Their trip to Paris comes after the couple were first pictured with a baby at an airport in August. Michael was seen pushing a pram, while wife Alicia was spotted holding the baby in her arms. Later on: Michael wore a grey hoodie and black jeans on another walk, before changing into an all-cream ensemble while Alicia donned black sweats The couple, who currently live together in Lisbon, Portugal, are known for being notoriously private and haven't previously spoken about whether they would have children together. Prior to their airport appearance, Michael and Swedish actress Alicia were last pictured together in October 2020 in Sweden. The pair have recently been in Paris while Alicia films for limited series Irma Vep - loosely based on the 1996 film of the same name. In the series, Alicia plays an American movie star, Mira, who is disillusioned by her career and a recent break up. She travels to France to star in a remake of French silent film Irma Vep but struggles to differentiate between herself and the role. Previously Alicia has starred alongside husband Michael on the big screen, with the couple appearing in 2016 romantic drama The Light Between Oceans - the movie set where they first met. In an interview for the October edition of Elle Magazine, Alicia recently revealed that she would love to work with her husband in a film again. She said: 'I would love to work with him one day, but we're very much individuals, which I love and I think is good in any relationship. 'We both take on parts because it's a film that is right for us, so it would have to be the same if we were ever to work together again.' Sofia Vergara and Renata Black's lingerie brand, EBY, has landed $6million in funding. The 49-year-old Colombian-American actress and her business partner's firm, which stands for Empowered by You, has been given a huge boost from the series A round investment. Launched in 2018, the company 'repositions underwear as a tool for empowerment rather than one of seduction'. Cash coming her way: Sofia Vergara and Renata Black's lingerie brand, EBY, has landed $6million in funding. Seen August 10 Mogul in the making: The 49-year-old Colombian-American actress and her business partner's firm, which stands for Empowered by You, has been given a huge boost from the series A round investment And their bras and panties are unlike anything else on the market, as they are made with 'no-slip-grip' technology, patented by the brand. What's more, 10 per cent of profits from the sale of their pieces go to the Seven Bar Foundation, a non-profit that provides women living in poverty with loans to start their own businesses. Modern Family star Vergara, previously said she knew she wanted their range to be size-inclusive and fit every person's 'need' and she hopes it will 'empower women all over the world'. A look at the brand: Launched in 2018, the company 'repositions underwear as a tool for empowerment rather than one of seduction' Sofia added of their shapewear: 'Women want to be included. There were bigger sizes, there were smaller sizes that couldn't find the right underwear. So it's important to know what women need. 'When I found [Renata] and the company, it was perfect because it was not just for me to make money, but it was also to be part of a beautiful cause.' The Fading Gigolo star added: 'We're trying to empower women all over the world. [The women we've helped] each have a very interesting and very heartbreaking story, and it's great that we've been able to give them a little push in their time of need.' She used to be a model in the 90s: Modern Family star Vergara, previously said she knew she wanted their range to be size-inclusive and fit every person's 'need' and she hopes it will 'empower women all over the world' Sofia also has a partnership with Foster Grant sunglasses and makes denim jeans for Walmart. CEO Black told WWD: 'The goal for EBY is that every single woman who is wearing leggings should be wearing EBY underwear. Hard stop, period. 'Why? Because I don't care what product you put next to our product, we are the authority when it comes to seamless because of our technology. Her hit show: She works on America's Got Talent with (l-r) Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Simon Cowell 'It's a technology that solves the one problem that women have, which is riding, bunching or picking a wedgie where you don't want to. So it's really a performance-based product.' EBY also prides itself on being size-inclusive. Black continued: 'How many brands are size-inclusive? It's a given [at this point]. There's representation, of course. That shouldn't be a novelty. 'But being able to enable women to make an impact with the one decision she makes, that's 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 they're supporting. Most of our demographic wants to have an impact.' Advertisement Sharon Stone appeared in a stunning photoshoot for Dolce & Gabbana in Venice, Italy that took place just days before she confirmed her 11-month-old nephew River tragically died this week after suffering severe organ failure. The actress, 63, looked incredible in the shoot where she was joined by two male models while posing in outdoor locations in the Italian city. The Basic Instinct star donned a black midi dress with a deep v-neckline which also featured long sleeves and a daring leg split. Beauty: Sharon Stone took part in a stunning photoshoot for Dolce & Gabbana in Venice, Italy that took place just days before she confirmed her 11-month-old nephew River tragically died after suffering severe organ failure The actress added height to her frame with a pair of black heels while she also carried a matching clutch bag while striking a pose for the camera. Sharon added to her look by styling her platinum blonde locks into a quiff while she complimented her outfit with a gold cross necklace and matching earrings. In another look, the film star displayed her physique in a figure hugging black leather dress with a cut out embellishment on the sides. Sharon appeared in good spirits as she posed among a flock of pigeons and even had a bird placed on her head during some of the shoot. Stunning: The actress, 63, looked incredible in the shoot where she posed in outdoor locations in the Italian city Romantic: Sharon was also joined by two male models and at one point put on a steamy display with one of them Tragedy: Sharon revealed that her 11-month-old nephew River tragically died just days after he was found in his crib with 'total organ failure' The A-list actress clearly drew attention during the photoshoot as crowds could be seen gathering nearby to take snaps of the star. Sharon was also joined by two male models for the day who were both dressed in matching black Dolce & Gabbana suits. The Total Recall star put on a romantic display with one of the models as they wrapped their arms around each other and leaned in for a kiss. It comes after Sharon confirmed her 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. Fun in the sun: Sharon laughed and joked with the other models who were dressed in Dolce & Gabbana suits Elegant: The Basic Instinct star donned a black midi dress with a deep v-neckline which also featured long sleeves and a daring leg split Smooch: The actress smiled for the camera as the two male models gave her a kiss Sharon 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 Sharon'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. Camera: The models balanced several birds on their arms as they walked towards the camera Flawless: The Golden Globe winner added to her look by styling her platinum blonde locks into a quiff Glamour: The actress sported a large pair of sunglasses while she also wore a light pallet of makeup Steamy: Sharon put on a steamy display with one of the models as he wrapped his arm around her waist Good time: Sharon appeared in good spirits as she posed among a flock of pigeons and even had a bird placed on her head during some of the shoot 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.' 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.' Careful: One of the model's helped to bat away a pigeon from Sharon's hair Model: Sharon also posed for several solo stills during the shoot where she laughed for the camera Crowd: The A-list actress clearly drew attention during the photoshoot as crowds could be seen gathering nearby to take snaps of the star 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. Designer: The famous D&G logo could be seen on the side of Sharon's sunglasses Shimmering: The star's gold necklace also featured a colourful bejeweled embellishment Sensational: Sharon looked like she was having the time of her life during the fun shoot 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. Sharon 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.' Beginnings: Sharon started off her career as a model and previously lived in Milan and Paris Change of heart: She later ended up quitting modelling in favour of acting and returned to New York City Limelight: Her career was given a major boost when she starred opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in Total Recall in 1990 Sharon 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 the 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. 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. Fame: Two years later, the actress appeared in the thriller Basic Instinct which has remained one of her most famous roles Success: Basic Instinct became one of the most financially successful films of the 1990s Award: Sharon took home the Golden Globe for Best Actress for her performance in Martin Scorsese's Casino in 1995 Achievement: That same year, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Body of work: Some of her more recent films include The Disaster Artist in 2017 and The Laundromat in 2019 While speaking about her sister's battle with the illness in an Instagram video shared in August 2020, Sharon 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.' Advertisement Dolce & Gabbana's star-studded Venice show was thrown into chaos on Monday as the heavens opened in a torrential storm at St Marks Square. The superstar guests were left scarpering beneath the torrential rain as videos emerged across many fashionistas' social media pages showing the chaos. The likes of Kourtney Kardashian (who was caught on film huddled beneath an umbrella by Emma Weymouth) and actress Kate Bosworth were caught up in the pelting weather. Twitter was flooded with varied reactions, including alarm, concern and outright hilarity as many found the videos of scrambling stars humorous, as the Italian designers showcased their Alta Sartoria collection. Famous faces in attendance included Kourtney with her boyfriend Travis Barker along with Lady Kitty Spencer, January Jones and Helen Mirren, who took cover underneath a yellow raincoat with Vin Diesel. Agh! Dolce & Gabbana's star-studded Venice show was thrown into chaos on Monday as the heavens opened in a torrential storm at St Marks Square Yikes: Kourtney Kardashian was caught on film huddled beneath an umbrella with Emma Weymouth, while Dame Helen Mirren took cover underneath Vin Diesel's coat after the actor gallantly used it to shield her from the driving rain According to Vogue, the fashion house had anticipated the bad weather: 'The show was supposed to kick off at 7pm but was moved forward by an hour in an attempt to avoid disruption.' Social media was swiftly aware of the dramas, as Twitter users penned: 'Some of my favourite internet content right now is watching the videos of celebs getting pelted by hail at the Dolce & Gabbana menswear show in Venice.... 'This video is from celebrity stylist Brad Goreski... God sending hail down on the Dolce & Gabbana show will forever be funny, they really said "stop this nonsense!"...but those poor models, i hope they are all ok... 'Me? The Hail at the Dolce & Gabbana Show... Scandal at the Dolce Gabbana show yesterday in Venice Italy, a few of my friends where walking and watching the runway and the models where screaming OW!... Actress Kate wrote: 'This hailstorm had us all running for cover' Brolly: Taking cover beneath a brolly, Kate couldn't stop giggling as she was escorted away Help! The show was thwarted by the hailstones, with models forced to run off the runway Crikey! The likes of Alexander Fury, Sara Foster and Brad Goreski also shared footage of the moment they were pelted with hail on Instagram Help! Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were seen legging down the runway with their hands over their heads while the storm commenced After the storm: Emptying hail stones out of her chic black shoes, Emma wrote: 'After the hail storm' Taking cover: Brad Goreski shared footage of fashionistas running away Agh! Social media was swiftly aware of the dramas, as Twitter users penned: 'Some of my favourite internet content right now is watching the videos of celebs getting pelted by hail at the Dolce & Gabbana menswear show in Venice' 'Huge hail snow balls hitting ALL in attendance The @dolcegabbana show. Having the model and guest get railed by hail and not stop the show and have guest laugh at the models when getting pelted....how much more trash can you be. While she wasn't present for the show, Lily Allen saw the funny side from across the seas as she shared a video from the show on her Instagram stories. Over the top, she penned: 'Cannot stop watching and laughing at this... and nope, I'm not there. Just watching from afar.' The collection is called Collezione Genesi (Genesis Collection), and will debut on the luxury marketplace UNXD later this month. Woo! The models reacted sportingly to the rain with many pulling silly faces Agh! The rain cast a grey cloud over the sensational show 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. Danielle Lloyd has told how she believes her close friend Katie Price will 'need therapy' after she was allegedly attacked in a 1.30am assault last week. The TV personality, 37, has said that her former glamour model pal, 43, will be 'traumatised' after the incident which left her with facial injuries. Police were called to a property where Katie was staying at around 1.30am last Monday, where a man was arrested on suspicion of assault, theft and coercive and controlling behaviour. Support: Danielle Lloyd (pictured) has told how she believes her close friend Katie Price will 'need therapy' after she was allegedly attacked in a 1.30am assault last week Danielle told Closer: 'It was totally heartbreaking to hear about Katie's ordeal. I texted her as soon as I heard, but I don't think she has her phone. 'It really struck me, because I love Katie, if it's true that she was assaulted I expect she'll be totally traumatised and would need therapy.' An insider also told the publication that Katie is 'emotionally vulnerable' and that her family are worried for her. Upsetting: The TV personality, 37, has said that her former glamour model pal, 43, will be 'traumatised' after the incident which left her with facial injuries (pictured) They said: 'Katie has been through the mill over the last few years, and she is just drained from it all, she has suffered from PTSD recently and there's the fear that she could be triggered again.' Following the assault, a man, 32, was released on bail after he was arrested for assault and coercive control over the attack. Despite the support of her loved ones, Katie still 'doesn't feel safe', and has been beefing up the security at her home in the wake of her attack. Scary: Police were called at around 1.30am last Monday, when a man was arrested on suspicion of assault, theft and coercive and controlling behaviour It was previously reported that Katie 'cannot face' the prospect of a court appearance, yet a source close to the star said friends and family have rallied around her to ensure she has the strength to pursue a conviction. An insider told MailOnline on Thursday: 'It's not true that she is dropping the case, but she is very scared and and is feeling emotionally vulnerable. 'All her friends and family are behind her and will make sure she has the strength to pursue the case, so she is going full steam ahead.' On Tuesday, the day after the assault, Katie was pictured with bruises to her face and told The Sun: 'I'm still all dazed. I'm devastated. I ran away after being punched I ran to Harvey's house nearby and have now done damage to my feet, which I previously injured.' Katie said she was attacked as she watched TV - forcing her to flee in terror to her eldest son's nearby home. She said the alleged assault was 'unprovoked', adding: 'I was just sitting there watching telly when the assault happened.' An Essex Police spokesman said on Tuesday: 'A 32-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assault, theft and coercive and controlling behaviour has been released on bail until September 20.' Maggie Gyllenhaal showed off her chic but casual style as she arrived at the 78th Venice International Film Festival with husband Peter Sarsgaard on Tuesday. The actress, 43, smiled as she stepped off a water taxi after traversing the city's famous canals with Peter, 50, ahead of the premiere of her directorial debut The Lost Daughter on Friday. She could be seen wearing a wide-rimmed black sunhat which matched her comfortable cotton trousers and large black bag. Star quality: Maggie Gyllenhaal, 43, showed off her chic but casual style in a black sunhat as she arrived at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on Tuesday The star had on a white T-shirt with the letters NYC emblazoned across the front, representing her birth city of New York. The Academy Award-nominated actress hid behind a pair of dark sunglasses as she stood close to actor Peter on the boat. Maggie's star-studded directorial debut The Lost Daughter is set to premiere at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on Friday. Happy couple: The actress smiled as she traversed the city's famous canals with her actor husband Peter Sarsgaard, 50 The upcoming film, based on the 2006 novel of the same name by by Elena Ferrante, will have its world premiere at the event. The cast is led by Olivia Colman and Dakota Johnson and the movie tells the gripping story of Olivia's character Leda. A college professor on a summer holiday at the seaside, she becomes obsessed with Nina (Dakota) and her young daughter as she watches them play on the beach. Never far from home: The star had on a white T-shirt with the letters 'NYC' emblazoned across the front, representing her birth city of New York New beginnings: Maggie's star-studded directorial debut The Lost Daughter is set to premiere at the Venice International Film Festival on Friday Leda is reminded of the terror and confusion she felt in early motherhood as she watches the mother-daughter duo, as well as their extended family. Reminded of the unconventional choices she made for her own daughter, Leda begins to unravel and becomes a prisoner of her own mind, unable to explain what's happened. It was announced earlier this month that Netflix had acquired the rights to air The Lost Daughter. Movie magic: The upcoming film, based on the 2006 novel of the same name by by Elena Ferrante, will have its world premiere at the event On the news, Maggie said: 'Im thrilled to be working with Netflix again. They have supported so much of the work I am most proud of, and this is no exception. 'Netflix has consistently championed filmmakers that excite and inspire me and Im delighted to be included in that company.' The film is scheduled for release on the streaming platform in December. She's enjoying time away from the hustle and bustle of LA life with some rest and relaxation in her adopted 'home' of Canada. And Amelia Hamlin caught her famous folks, Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin, skinny dipping in the hot tub by their lake house in Muskoka, Ontario. The 20-year-old model admitted she wasn't sure how to feel about the naked display while her boyfriend, Scott Disick, 38, got in his own hot water after a leaked text surfaced where he was criticizing ex-girlfriend and mother of his three children, Kourtney Kardashian. Whoops! Amelia Hamlin caught her famous folks, Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin, skinny dipping in the hot tub by their lake house in Muskoka, Ontario Harry and Lisa have regularly whisked away to their cottage in the northern Ontario lake town near the Georgian Bay, roughly two hours north of Toronto. Amelia appeared to be boating by when she caught the pair in their most natural form outside of their lakehouse. 'I just found my parents skinny dipping in the hot tub and IDK if I'm traumatized or like if its cute,' she captioned the snap. She shared a series of snaps with a friend and wrote: 'So grateful for the time i got to spend home two years never felt so long. i never realized how much i needed this place to be me. canada you have my heart forever.' The 20-year-old model is enjoying time away from the hustle and bustle of LA life with some rest and relaxation in her adopted 'home' of Canada 'So grateful for the time i got to spend home two years never felt so long,' she wrote. 'I never realized how much i needed this place to be me. canada you have my heart forever' Bikini babes: Hamlin rocked a lime green swimsuit while her pal, Heather Blair, sported a brown two-piece Things were not going well back at home, though, as Kourtney's ex-boyfriend, Younes Bendjima revealed Scott tried to slide into his DMs with some hate. 'Yo this chick ok!???? Broooo like what is this. In the middle of Italy,' Scott appeared to send via direct message to Younes with a picture of Kourtney embracing her new beau, Travis Barker. Bendjima, 28, 'Doesn't matter to me as long as shes happy. PS: i aint your bro.' He added across the screenshot in bold red lettering: 'Keep the same energy you had about me publicly, privately. Seemingly adding more fuel to the fire, Younes wrote: 'Couldn't miss this one. He been playing for too long, tired to stay quiet and be the nice guy. Back to work now 10km.' Yikes! Things were not going well back at home, though, as Kourtney's ex-boyfriend, Younes Bendjima revealed Scott tried to slide into his DMs with some hate Lucky in love! Kravis has flaunted their hot-and-heavy romance since making things official earlier this year, and were most recently spotted in a passionate embrace on a dinghy in Italy Eek: Seemingly adding more fuel to the fire, Younes wrote: 'Couldn't miss this one. He been playing for too long, tired to stay quiet and be the nice guy. Back to work now 10km' Younes and Kourtney dated from 2016 to 2018 after her on-off relationship with Scott, the father of her three children: Mason, 11, Penelope, nine, and Reign, six, became too tumultuous to handle any more. PEOPLE reported that her relationship with the Algerian model who was 23 when they began dating started to develop cracks which were exacerbated once photos of him kissing a woman in Mexico emerged. Kourtney and Scott also endured a turbulent 10-year relationship before finally ending things for good in 2015, which Kourtney later claimed his substance abuse was the final nail in the coffin that was their romance. Kourtney spoke about her deal breaker with Scott on the show's reunion as she said: 'I think the substance abuse was the deal-breaker.' He had gone to rehab twice in 2015 after struggling with alcohol and checked himself in again for emotional trauma in 2020. Scott went on to date Sofia Richie in 2018 before breaking up in 2020 and pursuing a romance with Amelia in October. She's reprising her role as beloved uptown girl Charlotte York Goldenblatt. And Kristin Davis easily jumped into her Sex and the City character while filming And Just Like That... in New York City on Tuesday morning. The 56-year-old actress looked lovely wearing a bright yellow skirt as she carried a few coffees during a scene with SATC newcomer Nicole Ari Parker. Bold and beautiful: Kristin Davis easily jumped into her Sex and the City character while filming And Just Like That... in New York City on Tuesday morning Kristin looked every-inch the Park Avenue Pollyanna wearing a gorgeous mustard toned skirt with a matching belt wrapped around her waist. She proved to be just as sophisticated in a white button-down top with a thick collar as she pounded the pavement in yellow pumps. Her bold brunette tresses were expertly blown out with curled tendrils cascading down her back. Kristin kept her accessories to a minimum and carried a white leather purse across her shoulder in addition to two cups of coffee. Chic in the city: The 56-year-old actress looked lovely wearing a bright yellow skirt as she carried a few coffees during a scene with SATC newcomer Nicole Ari Parker Uptown girl: Kristin looked every-inch the Park Avenue Pollyanna wearing a gorgeous mustard toned skirt with a matching belt wrapped around her waist Effortless: She proved to be just as sophisticated in a white button-down top with a thick collar as she pounded the pavement in yellow pumps Excited to be here: Kristin kept her accessories to a minimum and carried a white leather purse across her shoulder in addition to two cups of coffee Charlotte appeared to be meeting up with Nicole Ari's character outside of a museum in Manhattan. Parker, 50, rocked a vibrant ensemble complete with a bright pink blazer and yellow culotte shorts. She hid her light green eyes behind a pair of thick tortoise shell frames and accessorized with massive shiny gold hoops. Nicole, along with Sarita Choudhury and Karen Pittman, signed on to the project earlier this summer after show writer Michael Patrick King and Parker vowed to create greater inclusivity. Stand out: Parker, 50, rocked a vibrant ensemble complete with a bright pink blazer and yellow culotte shorts Friends: Charlotte appeared to be meeting up with Nicole Ari's character outside of a museum in Manhattan Working on their lines: The ladies dressed far more casually to run through their scene together before filming Star power: Nicole, along with Sarita Choudhury and Karen Pittman, signed on to the project earlier this summer after show writer Michael Patrick King and Parker vowed to create greater inclusivity Quick break: Kristin switched into jeans and a T-shirt while Nicole stayed cozy in leggings and a long cardigan between scenes SATC has long-sparked criticism due to the lack of diversity in its largely-white cast as well as shocking storylines, including Kim Cattrall's character Samantha who will not be returning for the reboot dating a black man and fighting with his sister over her race. While the premise of the new series has yet to be revealed, Mr. Big and Bradshaw are in the depths of marital woes in the new film as a script leak revealed Carrie wasn't so sure about her role in her marriage, according to Page Six. In the scene, Carrie is dining out with a few of her best friends, including Stanford Blatch (Willie Garson), Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon) and Charlotte York Goldenblatt (Kristin Davis). Bradshaw, who's now in her 50's and hosts a podcast, seems to say she isn't in a good place: 'I was taping the podcast, I was washing my hair. 'Yes, I wasn't eating or sleeping, but at least I felt good about my marriage. Now I'm just one of the wives he was taking care of?' Noth admitted he was 'hesitant' to reprise his Mr. Big role for the revival and felt as though he gave the character his all, but was swayed to come back after a little pep talk from producers. 'It was a little bit of a sort of creative negotiation because I didn't really feel I had anything to offer in that role again,' he told Yahoo! Finance Live. 'It kind of felt like I had done it. 'But [executive producer] Michael Patrick King is just an incredible writer and has incredible creative ideas. And once we got together and talked about the potential of what we could do with the character, I was all in.' Katie Holmes was spotted walking through New York City Monday by herself. The 42-year-old movie star was seen dressed casually in faded acid washed boyfriend jeans with a crisp white men's collared shirt that she tucked in without a belt. The mother to Suri Cruise had her dark hair pulled back and wore a camouflage face mask. Out and about: Katie Holmes was spotted walking through New York City Monday all by herself The brunette beauty held on to a quilted, burgundy Chanel cross body bag with gold accents. Her white manicure could be seen as she clutched it. The Secret: Dare To Dream actress carried a blue and white striped tote bag over her shoulder as well. And the ex-wife of Tom Cruise also wore a pair of shiny black jazz shoes with laces. Style savvy: The 42-year-old movie star was seen dressed casually in a pair of light-wash denim and a button-down white collared shirt that she tucked in The Dawson's Creek alum kept her jewelry minimal she wore a single gold bracelet and multiple stud earrings. Also on Monday, the actress appeared on social media to share two separate posts with her 2.3 million Instagram followers. The first was a photo she snapped of an NYC sidewalk that had been spray painted with multicolor hearts. Subtle detail: The Ohio native had the sleeves rolled up and also wore a camouflage face mask Her left food could be seen in the image wearing a tan, square-toed shoe. She added a fitting caption of various heart emoji. Later she shared again, this time with a focus on The Sundance Institute. The former fashion designer posted a carousel of outtakes from a past film she worked on. Giving context, she wrote underneath the photo slide, 'We went to Sundance with Pieces of April in 2003. It was such an incredible experience to be a part of this wonderful festival that really nurtures and inspires artists and creates such a beautiful community of creative souls.' Spreading love: Also on Monday, the actress appeared on social media to share two separate posts with her 2.3 million Instagram followers The Met Gala favorite continued, 'This summer, [The Sundance Institute] is celebrating 40 years of supporting independent artists.' In honor of the institute's anniversary, she asked fans to donate to the cause. 'If you are able, please consider donating now to help the next generation of independent storytellers via sundance.org/40th,' she finished, before tagging the nonprofit organization. Post with a cause: Later she shared again, this time with a focus on The Sundance Institute Celebratory: In honor of the institute's anniversary, she asked fans to donate to the nonprofit Holmes wrapped filming on her second directorial effort earlier this year. The forthcoming romance feature, which was filmed in Connecticut, is centered around a pair of strangers who find themselves sequestered in the same Airbnb in the early stages of the pandemic. The individuals then strike up an unlikely romance while attempting to deal with the lasting effects of the global pandemic. Elizabeth Chambers is dating again, over a year after her split from Armie Hammer and his subsequent sex scandals. The 39-year-old TV personality/bakery owner is reportedly ready to meet someone new, according to People insiders. And she is trying to put her decade-long relationship with the actor/oil heir, 35, behind her, as sources say she 'doesn't mention her ex to her circle of friends.' Armie was the center of controversy earlier this year when accounts of his violent sexual fantasies were leaked online and later followed by rape allegations, which he has categorically denied. Seeing people: Elizabeth Chambers is dating once more, over a year after her split from troubled actor Armie Hammer. She's seen in February 2020 above Back in June it was reported that the Call Me By Your Name actor had checked himself into a Florida treatment program for his 'drug, alcohol, and sex issues.' Hammer allegedly reached out to his estranged wife Elizabeth Chambers in 'late May,' telling the TV personality that he 'was ready to seek treatment - and pledging to stay at the facility as long as it takes to get healthy,' according to Vanity Fair. He was reportedly seen arriving at Grand Cayman airport on Saturday, May 29, with Chambers and their two children by his side, for what sources described as an 'emotional' sendoff between the exes. 'Elizabeth and kids dropped him off [at the airport] and walked in as far as allowed,' an eye witness claimed on social media. 'A lot of hugs and seemed emotional.' A family friend told Vanity Fair the actor is 'committed to getting healthy and having custody of his kids', adding 'This is a clear sign that he is taking back control [of] his life and knows that this [is] a step towards his overall well being.' Armie's woes began in January 2021 when he was rocked by accusations of abuse by several ex-girlfriends along with a series of leaked messages online, purported to be from the star, discussing cannibalism fetishes and rape fantasies. Scandal: Armie was the center of controversy last year when accounts of his violent sexual fantasies were leaked online and later followed by rape allegations, which he has categorically denied Supportive: Back in June it was reported that the Call Me By Your Name actor had checked himself into a Florida treatment program for his 'drug, alcohol, and sex issues' and got an 'emotional' send off from his ex and their kids The now infamous direct messages, which were never confirmed to have been sent by the actor, were originally published by an Instagram account named House of Effie. After the DM leaks, several of Hammer's former partners including Paige Lorenze and Courtney Vucekovich accused him of being controlling and physically abusive during the span of their relationships. Elizabeth broke her silence on the matter in February 2021, when she said she was 'shocked, heartbroken, and devastated' and insisted she will always 'support any victim of assault or abuse'. Following the scandal, Hammer left several projects including upcoming film Shotgun Wedding opposite Jennifer Lopez. He was replaced by Josh Duhamel. Things took an even darker turn in March when a woman named Effie came forward to accuse the Call Me By Your Name star of violently raping her in hotel room during their four-year relationship. Speaking out: Elizabeth broke her silence on the matter in February 2021, when she said she was 'shocked, heartbroken, and devastated' and insisted she will always 'support any victim of assault or abuse' Hammer has denied the allegations made against him, and his lawyer has provided screenshots of alleged text conversations between him and Effie which seemingly suggest he told her they couldn't pursue a relationship, though these are not verified. In May, it was revealed that Hammer was feeling 'happier and healthier' than ever thanks to his new dental hygienist girlfriend in the Cayman Islands. A source with close ties to the actor told DailyMail.com that he and new Canadian girlfriend Lisa Perejma had been dating for three months and says she has 'really helped turn Armie's life around.' 'Armie's happier and healthier than I've seen him in a long time,' they said. 'He's even introduced her to his father and stepmother - it won't be long until she meets his kids.' A source added to People magazine: 'They seem happy and comfortable with each other. They seem to have lots of friends and she introduces him to any friends who haven't met him before when they are out.' DaBaby has met with nine HIV- awareness organizations to educate himself after making homophobic comments at Miami's Rolling Loud festival. After backlash led to the cancellation of many of his concert appearances this month, the 29-year-old rapper listened to personal stories of those 'living and thriving with HIV,' according to a press release shared on Tuesday. The musician also discussed facts about the sexually transmitted disease from the groups, which sought to 'to call him in instead of calling him out.' Making amends: DaBaby has met with nine HIV- awareness organizations to educate himself after making homophobic comments at Miami's Rolling Loud festival last month; seen in June Earlier this month, 11 prominent HIV/AIDS organizations reached out to DaBaby, hoping to talk to him after his controversial remarks. In a statement, obtained on Tuesday by Variety, the organizations wrote: 'The open letter to DaBaby was our way to extend him the same grace each of us would hope for. 'During our meeting, DaBaby was genuinely engaged, apologized for the inaccurate and hurtful comments he made about people living with HIV, and received our personal stories and the truth about HIV and its impact on Black and LGBTQ communities with deep respect,' the groups continued. The letter went on to say: 'We appreciate that he openly and eagerly participated in this forum of Black people living with HIV, which provided him an opportunity to learn and to receive accurate information.' Nearly a dozen groups came together to send an open letter to the Suge rapper urging DaBaby to use his 'platform and celebrity to heal not harm.' The Cleveland native sparked outrage after making homophobic and factually inaccurate remarks about gay men and HIV on stage in Miami on July 23. Since, he has been dropped from prominent festivals, including Lollapolooza, New York's Governors Ball, Austin City Limits, and iHeartRadio music fest. Learning from his mistakes: After backlash led to the cancellation of many of his concert appearances this month, the 29-year-old rapper listened to 'personal stories of living and thriving with HIV,' according to a press release on Tuesday (pictured this month) During his set at Rolling Loud, the rapper told audiences: 'If you didn't show up today with HIV, AIDS, or any of them deadly sexually-transmitted diseases, that'll make you die in two to three weeks, then put your cell phone lighter up 'Fellas, if you ain't sucking d*** in the parking lot, put your cell phone lighter up.' The backlash was swift, with celebrities like Levitating collaborator Dua Lipa and prominent AIDS activists Elton John and Madonna all expressing their dismay. Important discussions: Earlier this month, nearly a dozen prominent HIV/AIDS organizations reached out to DaBaby, hoping to educate him after his controversial comments at Rolling Loud festival The organizations Arianna's Center, Black AIDS Institute, GLAAD, the Normal Anomaly Initiative, Prevention Access Campaign, Relationship Unleashed, and the 6:52 Project Foundation joined leaders from the Gilead COMPASS Initiative including Southern AIDS Coalition, Emory University, the University of Houston and Wake Forest University crafted the open letter. In the detailed letter, they touched on the danger 'fear and stigma' over HIV/AIDS causes while providing information and statistics about the virus. They also pointed to the music industry historical support for their cause, writing: 'Music artists have historically led the way to lift up understanding of HIV and accelerate LGBTQ acceptance.' On August 2 DaBaby - real name Jonathan Lyndale Kirk - shared a second apology, in which he said sorry for the 'hurtful and triggering comments' and claimed he used the backlash as a way the 'educate' himself about the LGBTQ community and HIV/AIDS. Taking to social media with a black and white text post, he struck a more conciliatory tone than his first mea culpa, but still criticized the public for 'trying to demolish' his reputation. Second try: On August 2, DaBaby - real name Jonathan Lyndale Kirk - shared a second apology, in which he said sorry for the 'hurtful and triggering comments' and claimed he used the backlash as a way the 'educate' himself about the LGBTQ community and HIV/AIDS 'Social media moves so fast that people want to demolish you before you even have the opportunity to grow, educate, and learn from your mistakes,' he began. 'As a man who has had to make his own way from very difficult circumstances, having people I know publicly working against me--- knowing that what I needed was education on these topics and guidance--- has been challenging. 'I appreciate the many people who came to me with kindness, who reached out to me privately to offer wisdom, education, and resources. That's what I needed and it was received,' he continued. Adding: 'I want to apologize to the LGBTQ+ community for the hurtful and triggering comments I made. Again, I apologize for my misinformed comments about HIV/AIDS and I know education on this is important. Love to all. God bless.' Half-hearted: Last week, the Ball If I Want To rapper issued lackluster apology, tweeting that he had 'no intentions on offending anybody' and acknowledging what he said was 'insensitive' Sorry, not sorry: After an underwhelming initial apology, DaBaby doubled down in his self-directed music video for Giving What It's Supposed to Give depicting him holding an AIDS sign and oral sex from a redhead DaBaby's second sorry was a sharp turnaround from his previous response to the backlash. Two weeks ago, the Ball If I Want To rapper issued lackluster apology, tweeting that he had 'no intentions on offending anybody' and acknowledging what he said was 'insensitive.' Then the very next day, DaBaby doubled down in his self-directed music video for Giving What It's Supposed to Give depicting him holding an AIDS sign and oral sex from a redhead. The hip-hop star concluded his suspiciously-timed video with a rainbow-shaded message reading: 'Don't fight hate with hate. My apologies for being me the same way you want the freedom to be you.' Amelia Hamlin urged a message of kindness via Instagram just hours after her boyfriend Scott Disick allegedly sent a very snide DM about his ex Kourtney Kardashian. The 20-year-old model shared an image with a cardboard sign that read 'Let's be nicer to each other we're all trying our best.' Amelia's post comes amid some petty drama with her much older boyfriend, 38, who sent an alleged message to Kourtney's ex Younes Bendjima to talk trash on her relationship with Travis Barker. Putting on a brave face: Amid the drama with her boyfriend Scott Disick who sent a very snide DM about his ex Kourtney Kardashian, Amelia Hamlin urged a message of kindness and said 'we're all trying our best' Play nice! The model shared an image of a cardboard sign that read 'Let's be nicer to each other we're all trying our best' And though she has yet to address the drama with the Talentless designer, who she has been dating since October, Amelia did seem to also make a subtle dig about the situation by way of a caption on Tuesday. On what could only be assumed to be a tough morning for the daughter of Real Housewife Lisa Rinna who is currently in Canada with her family she shared some professional photos of herself with the caption 'now back 2 work.' Though it may have seemed innocent enough, the text very closely mirrors a message penned by Bendjima after he put Disick on blast and wrote 'back to work now.' On Monday Scott allegedly sent Younes a message which read: 'Yo is this chick ok!???? Broooo like what is this. In the middle of Italy,' accompanied by a DailyMail.com photo of Kourtney packing on the PDA with the Blink-182 drummer. Trouble in paradise? Amelia and Scott have been romantically linked since October 2020 but per the message he reportedly sent to Younes it seemed the Talentless designer is not over the mother of his three children The message: Scott allegedly sent Younes a message which read: 'Yo is this chick ok!???? Broooo like what is this. In the middle of Italy,' accompanied by a DailyMail.com photo of Kourtney packing on the PDA with the Blink-182 drummer Jealousy: Disick had given Kourtney and Travis his 'blessing' just months ago but based on the purported message he is not taking the pair's rampant PDA well Disick seemed to try and harness support from the 28-year-old French-Algerian model who the POOSH founder dated from 2016 to 2018 though they never got along and do not follow each other on Instagram. 'Doesn't matter to me as long as shes happy PS i aint your bro,' Younes responded, adding: 'keep the same energy you had about me publicly, privately.' And he continued to pen an Instagram story afterwards which read: 'couldn't miss this one. He been playing around for too long, tried to stay quiet and be the nice guy. back to work now.' On the Keeping Up With The Kardashians reunion Scott had said he wanted to 'kill' anyone linked to the mother of his three children, explicitly stating 'Well, the last guy. Let's all be honest here,' in reference to Younes. Got her back: Younes and Kourtney dated from 2016 to 2018 His thoughts: The French-Algerian model continued to pen an Instagram story afterwards which read: 'couldn't miss this one. He been playing around for too long, tried to stay quiet and be the nice guy. back to work now' On-off relationship: Kourtney and Scott share three children: Mason, 11, Penelope, nine, and Reign, six, and dated on and off from 2006 to 2015; pictured 2013 And during the reunion he had also given Kourtney his 'blessing' to be with whoever would make her happy. 'I think if you really love somebody, right, you want them to be happy no matter what. So I do give her a blessing to be happy,' said Scott who had already been dating Amelia for several months. Despite putting on a mature front on the show, based on the nature of the snide DM, he is seemingly not okay with Kourtney and Travis. The pair who have been on a PDA packed vacation in Italy this week began dating in the latter part of 2020. Their romance has been filled with over the top displays of affection, very sexually charged social media exchanges and talks of marriage. But amid the drama with Disick, Barker seemed to have the last laugh as he seemed to respond to the situation with a Goodfellas meme. In love: The pair whose friendship turned romantic in the latter part of 2020 jetted to Italy this week and have continued to pack on the PDA; pictured August 31 The sequel to Netflix action movie Extraction, starring Chris Hemsworth, will now be filmed in Europe after plans to shoot in Australia were scrapped. The project was originally planned for New South Wales, but Variety reports production has moved to Prague, in the Czech Republic. Sources told the publication the crew only learned of the relocation on Friday, and had already started prepping for the shoot. Relocation: The sequel to Netflix action movie Extraction, starring Chris Hemsworth (pictured in July 2019), will now be filmed in Europe after plans to shoot in Australia were scrapped Producers reportedly made the decision to relocate to Prague over fears a single Covid case could lead to a total shutdown - which is what happened to the Russell Crowe-directed thriller Poker Face in Sydney this week. 'Other sources put the move into a wider context, explaining that Hemsworth's tight schedule and the growing uncertainties associated with shooting in Australia make relocation a safe choice,' the website added. Last July, Extraction was named Netflix's most-watched original film of all time. Reports: The project was originally planned for New South Wales, but Variety reports production has moved to Prague, in the Czech Republic. Pictured: a scene from Extraction The 2020 mercenary-gone-rogue movie beat out Sandra Bullock's 2018 post-apocalyptic thriller Birdbox on the popular streaming service. Extraction was viewed by 99 million Netflix accounts within the first month of its release, according to CNet. It also beat out the critically acclaimed fantasy series The Witcher, which is based on the popular book series and video game. However, Netflix's numbers are to be taken with a grain of salt, as a 'view' is counted after only two minutes of play time. For Extraction, this means the film could be considered watched by Netflix's algorithm even before the viewer heard a single line of spoken dialogue. Smash hit: Last July, Extraction was named Netflix's most-watched original film of all time Action-packed: Extraction follows Tyler Rake (Hemsworth), a former SASR operator-turned-mercenary who is hired by India's biggest drug lord to rescue his son who was kidnapped by Bangladesh's biggest drug lord At the time, Hemsworth, 38, said a 'massive thank you to everyone that checked out Extraction' and 'made it the number 1 film' on the streaming platform. '[That] is absolutely mind-blowing and we are blown away by the response and the support,' he said. He continued: 'So, on behalf of myself, the Russo brothers, Netflix, and director Sam Hargrave, thank you so so much. We love you guys.' Extraction follows Tyler Rake (Hemsworth), a former SASR operator-turned-mercenary who is hired by India's biggest drug lord to rescue his son who was kidnapped by Bangladesh's biggest drug lord. The film is based on the graphic novel Ciudad by Ande Parks, Fernando Leon Gonzalez, Eric Skillman, and the Russo brothers. Hemsworth will begin filming the Mad Max prequel Furiosa in Australia later this year. Television personality Melissa Doyle has admitted it's been 'pretty tough' watching her daughter, Talia, go through her last year of high school during Covid lockdown. Talia, 17, along with a generation of Aussie teenagers, hasn't been able to spend time with friends or attend her school formal due to the pandemic. Melissa told The Daily Telegraph she felt sad watching her daughter 'miss out' on these rites of passage during endless days of home confinement. Challenges: TV personality Melissa Doyle (right) has admitted it's been 'pretty tough' watching her daughter, Talia (left), go through her last year of high school during Covid lockdown The mother of two said it was also unfortunate her son, Nicholas, had to spend his break from college in America living under lockdown in Sydney. 'I'm sad for the things they're not able to do and are missing out on,' she said. 'Nick's come home for his holidays and hasn't been able to catch up with any of his friends or do anything and watching Talia go through year 12 is pretty tough.' Rites of passage: Talia, 17, along with a generation of Aussie teenagers, hasn't been able to spend time with friends or attend her school formal due to the pandemic. Here in December It comes after the long-serving Seven presenter quietly signed with rival network Nine, just 12 months after losing her job during the Covid-19 recession. The former Sunrise and Sunday Night host was let go by Seven last August but is set to make her TV comeback in Nine docuseries Australia Behind Bars. She will present and narrate the ITV-produced show, about life in three NSW prisons, when it airs 'in the next few months', reports The Australian. Personal life: Family: Mel shares two children, daughter Talia and son Nicholas, with her husband of 25 years, sports marketing executive John Dunlop (right) Australia Behind Bars was filmed pre-lockdown at Dillwynia and Silverwater jails in Western Sydney, and Wellington Correctional Centre near Dubbo. Nine executives were reportedly keen to hire Melissa to 'rub Seven's nose in it'. Other talent considered for the role included 60 Minutes reporter Sarah Abo and former Prisoner actress Val Lehman. Winter of confinement: Melissa said it was also unfortunate her son, Nicholas (right), had to spend his break from college in America living under lockdown in Sydney Mel was one of Seven's top presenters for 25 years, hosting breakfast show Sunrise from 2002 to 2013 and current affairs program Sunday Night from 2015 to 2019. She was dropped by the network in August 2020. Her departure was believed to be the result of the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which hit Seven particularly hard. She said in a statement at the time: 'For 25 years, I have called Channel Seven home. Drew Barrymore and Gayle King joined forces to try out the newest attraction in the Big Apple - the Times Square Wheel. The women couldn't have looked any happier as they posed for photos beside the massive new ride on Tuesday. Drew, 46, looked lovely in a chic pinstripe skirt, grey top, suede boots with head full of wavy hair, while Gayle, 66, was a vision of summer in her colorful belted dress. Let's do this! Drew Barrymore and Gayle King joined forces to try out the newest attraction in the Big Apple, the Times Square Wheel, on Tuesday The CBS This Morning anchor looked incredible with her stylish white platform sneakers and beautifully styled hair. There was no hiding their excitement as they giddily posed with one another. The women looked as happy as can be enjoying a break from the office to catch a ride on the new installation. Their in-ferris wheel reactions were all caught on video, as a camera crew joined the women for their adventure. Strike a pose: There was no hiding their excitement as they giddily posed with one another New York, New York: The ride is meant to promote the city's 'cultural comeback' from the pandemic, and will be up and running until September 12, according to AMNY The Times Square Wheel is a temporary attraction located in New York City's bustling Times Square district. The ride is meant to promote the city's 'cultural comeback' from the pandemic, and will be up and running until September 12, according to AMNY. The fun-filled day comes just days after Drew's ex-husband Will Kopemen tied the knot with Vogue director Alexandra Michler. Wheel-y fun! The women enjoyed prime views of Times Square Lights, camera, action: Their in-ride reactions were all caught on camera, as a camera crew joined the women for their adventure The couple said 'I do' in a beautiful Massachusetts ceremony, with Will and Drew's daughters Olive, 8, and Frankie, 6, acting as flower girls. 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. Earning her fashion stripes! Barrymore looked stunning in a black pinstripe skirt with chic blue suede heels Speaking on Sunday Today with Willie Geist, the doting mother confessed: 'I really did not take divorce well. I took it really hard. '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.' Treading lightly on Tanna We go on a new ecotourism adventure tour in North Tanna VSP Yanhambath and Acting DG of the Ministry of Trades, Jimmy Rantes, shaking hands after the recent signing ceremony 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. 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 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. Daytona Beach, FL (32114) Today Widely scattered showers and thunderstorms this morning. Clouds lingering later. High 86F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 76F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. remaining of SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription and are still unable to access our content, please link your digital account to your print subscription If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Wednesday said the state government could not compel either schools or students to attend physical classes from September 1 as the Covid-19 pandemic was still prevailing. The government had decided to reopen all private and government educational institutions for physical classes from Wednesday. Terming the Government Order (GO) issued in this regard as cryptic and perplexing, the court made it clear that offline instruction for students of up to Class 10 was only optional not mandatory. No school shall be forced to commence physical classes and managements shall not be subjected to penalisation if they are not inclined to follow the government order to conduct physical classes, the court said. Parents have the liberty to send their children to physical classes, but students shall not be subjected to any coercive step if they do not attend offline classes. Online classes must be made available to the students, who don't wish to attend offline classes, the court said. Government residential schools, social and tribal welfare hostels will remain closed. The High Court asked the government to submit a report within four weeks of time, elaborating all measures being taken for reopening of educational institutions. The government would have to make sure that there was no spread of Covid-9, it added. This order shall apply not only to pre-primary or primary school-going children but to all students in any school, government or private, of any class and to all school managements where the children are admitted in this state other than government residential schools, social welfare and tribal welfare schools with hostel facility, the court said. The state government, authorities and respondents shall lay down SOPs to be followed by all school managements who wish to conduct classes offline within one week and give them wide publicity in print and electronic media. The school managements who wish to have offline classes shall follow the SOPs scrupulously. But starting of offline classes in government and social welfare schools and residential schools, pursuant to the impugned memo. is stayed until further orders, the court said. The government was asked to file a counter affidavit in four weeks with the details of the number of government and social welfare schools and how many of them had hostels. The High Court also wanted to know what measures had been taken in government-run schools and hostels to ensure the safety of students. A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice Tadakamalla Vinod Kumar issued these directions while hearing a PIL filed by Balakrishna Mandapati, challenging the memo issued to reopen all private and public schools from Wednesday in physical mode despite the pandemic. However, the petitioner confined his concern only to pre-primary and primary school children. But, with regard to the admitted facts that vaccination was not yet completed for adults and no vaccine was invented for the children to get immunity to the Coronavirus, the court extended the scope of the case to cover all school going children of private and government schools. L. Ravichander, senior counsel, representing the petitioner, brought to the notice of the court that without providing paediatric infrastructure to deal effectively if the children were infected the pandemic and not providing SOPs and safety measures in schools, the governments decision to reopen schools from pre-primary to all would be horrendous if any untoward instances happened. He said the government did not consult the disaster management committee nor held discussions with school management and teachers before it took such a big decision to re-open all schools. Advocate General B.S. Prasad said the Unicef (United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund) suggested opening schools as students education may get affected due to the pandemic situation. He also explained that the government took the decision by taking all the aspects into consideration. However, the court faulted the decision in making physical classes mandatory. When the Advocate General tried to convince the bench on the issue, the court observed, Do you feel there is no Covid case and no mortalities happening in the State? Unicef, WHO or any other organisation may say anything, but the government should consider the ground realities. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday informed the Tamil Nadu Assembly that the law would be amended to take stern action against drug dealers. "Strict action is being taken against drug dealers and traffickers. 10,670 cases have been registered. 11,247 people have been arrested. 149.43 tonnes of Gutka has been seized from them. 15 people have been arrested under the Thugs Act," Stalin stated. "I would like to inform you that strict action will be taken against drug traffickers and smugglers and the sale will be stopped completely. I would like to inform you that the law will be amended to take stern action against drug dealers near schools and colleges," he added. This statement by the Chief Minister was in reply to the question posed by MLA GK Mani of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), regarding drug sales and action taken by the government. relying on FCI's earlier decision, the civil supplies corporation had procured 92 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from farmers for rabi season and transported stocks to rice mills for processing. Represemtational Image/DC Hyderabad: The Telangana state government has raised objection over the sudden change of stand by Food Corporation of India (FCI) on rice procurement and this is causing huge losses to the state government. State civil supplies corporation chairman Mareddy Srinivas Reddy said on Monday FCI had written to the civil supplies corporation, saying that it will purchase 40 per cent boiled rice and 60 per cent raw rice from Telangana for the recently concluded rabi season against its earlier decision to procure 90 per cent of boiled rice and 10 per cent raw rice. Addressing a press conference here, Reddy said relying on FCI's earlier decision, the civil supplies corporation had procured 92 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from farmers for rabi season and transported stocks to rice mills for processing. Of this, the FCI has to purchase 63 lakh metric tonnes of boiled rice for the PDS (public distribution system). The state government has already handed over 15.35 lakh metric tonnes of boiled rice to FCI, he said. Reddy said, in a change of stand, the FCI has now written to the corporation saying that it will procure only another 9 lakh metric tonnes of boiled rice. "How can FCI do this after the state government procured paddy from farmers? It has been a tradition for decades even in Undivided AP that we give 90 per cent boiled rice to FCI as raw rice is not suitable for production during rabi in summer. We have taken up this issue with Chief Minister KCR and the civil supplies minister. What we should do with the leftover 60 lakh tonnes of boiled rice at this stage if the FCI refuses to do the purchase," he asked. Reddy said the TS government took loans of over Rs 25,000 crore to procure paddy from farmers for MSP in rabi and we have to repay the loans after FCI purchases our stocks. 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. In February 2020, during US President Donald Trumps visit to India and just some weeks before the Ladakh crisis began, Mr Modi committed India to this agreement, essentially ranged against China. (Representational image: PTI) Is India in a military and strategic alliance with the United States or is it not? No one seems to be able to give a clear answer to this question. In January this year, the United States declassified a 2018 document that says its national security challenge is to maintain US strategic primacy while preventing China from establishing new, illiberal spheres of influence. It lays out the case of how Chinas rise will radically change the region and challenge American influence globally, and concludes that a strong India, in cooperation with like-minded countries, would act as a counter-balance to China. To this end, the desired end state the US sought was to be Indias preferred partner on security issues, and that the two cooperate to preserve maritime security and counter Chinas influence. As part of this, the Americans would also have as an objective the creation of a Quadrilateral (Quad) framework that would pull in the navies of India, Japan, Australia and the US as the principal hubs ranged against Chinese influence. Over a couple of pages, the US lays out the plan of how it will make India a major defence partner and how a strong Indian military (would) effectively collaborate with the United States. The document lays out also what is intended to be done with China: prevent it from harming US competitiveness and prevent Chinas acquisition of military and strategic capabilities. The zone of the Quads operations, the so-called Indo-Pacific, is centred around the Strait of Malacca, a narrow passage linking the Indian Ocean with the Pacific, between Malaysia and Indonesia through which the bulk of Chinas imports and exports flow. The dependence of China on this passage has led China to consider the Malacca Dilemma and is behind the Belt and Road Initiative, opening up alternative routes. So why was India signing up for this alliance to thwart China? That is not clear. With no discussion in Parliament, with no interviews to the media and no press conferences, with no reference to this in his manifestos, Prime Minister Narendra Modi began drifting India into a strategic partnership and military alliance with the United States. In February 2020, during US President Donald Trumps visit to India and just some weeks before the Ladakh crisis began, Mr Modi committed India to this agreement, essentially ranged against China. On October 27, 2020, during the visit of then US secretary of state Mike Pompeo, India signed the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA). It would help India access American intelligence to improve the accuracy of the Indian Armys missiles and armed drones. This heralded Air Force-to-Air Force cooperation. The second agreement signed was the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA). It allows the two nations militaries to replenish from each others bases, and access supplies, spare parts and services from each others land facilities, airbases and ports, which could then be reimbursed. LEMOA is for India-US Navy-to-Navy cooperation. Inking the BECA pact in New Delhi, Mr Pompeo attacked China directly: I am glad to say that the United States and India are taking steps to strengthen cooperation against all manner of threats and not just those posed by the Chinese Communist Party. Then US defence secretary Mark Esper, who was in New Delhi with Mr Pompeo, said: We stand shoulder to shoulder, in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific for all, particularly in light of increasing aggression and destabilising activities by China. Indias defence and external affairs ministers, Rajnath Singh and S. Jaishankar, who were standing next to Mr Pompeo and Mr Esper, did not name China. Rajnath Singhs prepared remarks (which were later changed) had a reference to this line, which was later deleted: Excellencies, in the area of defence, we are challenged by reckless aggression on our northern borders. This change was not given to the Indian translator in English, who read out the original text and the Americans released it, much to Indias discomfort. When that paper on Americas strategy was declassified, China said that its content only serves to expose the malign intention of the United States to use its Indo-Pacific strategy to suppress and contain China and undermine regional peace and stability. And that the US side is obsessed with ganging up, forming small cliques and resorting to despicable means such as wedge-driving, which fully exposed its true face as a troublemaker undermining regional peace, stability, solidarity and cooperation. India did not react to the release of the document. The third pact, signed earlier, was the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA). It allows India access to encrypted communications equipment and systems so that Indian and US military commanders, and the aircraft and ships of the two countries, can communicate through secure networks. BECA, LEMOA and COMCASA completed a troika of foundational pacts for deep military cooperation between the two countries. COMCASA was signed in September 2018, five months after Mr Modi travelled to Wuhan to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Wuhan spirit agreement between Mr Modi and Nr Xi, signed on April 28, 2018, says that India and China would not be rivals but would cooperate with each other. They would push forward bilateral trade and investment. The rest of the statement is anodyne, in keeping with Mr Modis fondness for informal summits with no particular agenda, but the spirit referred to is that of cooperation and not rivalry. The problem, whether he has fully understood it or not, is that Mr Modi was hunting with the hounds and running with the hares. At the same time as Mr Modi was holding hands with Mr Xi, India was also winking at President Trumps Indo-Pacific strategy aimed at China. In May this year, Indias Army Chief Gen. M.M. Naravane told PTI in an interview that the Quad was not a military alliance: The Quad neither intends nor attempts to be a military alliance. It is meant to be a plurilateral grouping which focuses on issues specific to the Indo-Pacific. Some countries have portrayed the Quad as a military alliance to raise unsubstantiated fears despite no concrete evidence to show the same. So, is India in a military alliance with the US against China, or is it not? We do not know, because there has been no discussion, no transparency and most likely no real thinking on this matter at our end. In this image provided by the Department of Defense, two paratroopers assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division conduct security while a C-130 Hercules takes off during a evacuation operation in Kabul, Aug. 25, 2021. (Department of Defense via AP) Kabul: As desperate Afghans crowd Kabul airport trying to get on any evacuation flights to flee the Taliban, officials have warned of another jihadist threat: the Islamic State group. President Joe Biden said there is "an acute and growing risk" of an attack at the airport by the group's regional chapter, called Islamic State-Khorasan or ISIS-K. The United States, Britain and Australia have told people to leave the area for safer locations. When asked directly about the threat, a Taliban spokesman acknowledged a risk of "nuisances" causing trouble in a chaotic situation they blamed entirely on the US-led evacuation. What is Islamic State-Khorasan? Months after the Islamic State declared a caliphate in Iraq and Syria in 2014, breakaway fighters from the Pakistani Taliban joined militants in Afghanistan to form a regional chapter, pledging allegiance to IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The group was formally acknowledged by the central Islamic State leadership the next year as it sunk roots in northeastern Afghanistan, particularly Kunar, Nangarhar and Nuristan provinces. It also managed to set up sleeper cells in other parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan, including Kabul, according to United Nations monitors. Latest estimates of its strength vary from several thousand active fighters to as low as 500, according to a UN Security Council report released last month. "Khorasan" is a historical name for the region, taking in parts of what is today Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia. What kind of attacks has it carried out? The Islamic State's Afghanistan-Pakistan chapter has been responsible for some of the deadliest attacks of recent years. It has massacred civilians in both countries, at mosques, shrines, public squares and even hospitals. The group has especially targeted Muslims from sects it considers heretical, including Shiites. Last year, it was blamed for an attack that shocked the world -- gunmen went on a bloody rampage at a maternity ward in a predominantly Shiite neighbourhood of Kabul, killing 16 mothers and mothers-to-be. Beyond bombings and massacres, IS-Khorasan has failed to hold any territory in the region, suffering huge losses because of Taliban and US-led military operations. According to UN and US military assessments, after the phase of heavy defeats IS-Khorasan now operates largely through covert cells based in or near cities to carry out high-profile attacks. What is IS-Khorasan's relationship with the Taliban? While both groups are hardline Sunni Islamist militants, there is no love lost between them. They have differed on the minutiae of religion and strategy, while claiming to be the true flag-bearers of jihad. That tussle has led to bloody fighting between the two, with the Taliban emerging largely victorious after 2019 when IS-Khorasan failed to secure territory as its parent group did in the Middle East. In a sign of the enmity between the two jihadist groups, IS statements have referred to the Taliban as apostates. How has IS reacted to the Taliban victory in Afghanistan? Not well. Islamic State had been highly critical of the deal last year between Washington and the Taliban that led to the agreement for withdrawing foreign troops, accusing the latter of abandoning the jihadist cause. Following the Taliban's lightning takeover of Afghanistan, a number of jihadist groups around the world congratulated them -- but not Islamic State. One IS commentary published after the fall of Kabul accused the Taliban of betraying jihadists with the US withdrawal deal and vowed to continue its fight, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors militant communications. What is the threat at Kabul airport? US officials say Kabul airport, with thousands of US-led foreign troops surrounded by huge crowds of desperate Afghans, is under high threat from IS-Khorasan. A flurry of near-identical travel warnings from London, Canberra and Washington late Wednesday urged people gathered in the area to move to safer locations. They have not provided any specific details about the threat. "ISIS-K is a sworn enemy of the Taliban, and they have a history of fighting one another," Biden said Sunday. "But every day we have troops on the ground, these troops and innocent civilians at the airport face the risk of attack from ISIS-K." Some military transports taking off from Kabul airport in recent days have been seen launching flares, which are normally used to attract heat-seeking missiles. The growth in all-India House Price Index (HPI) slowed to 2 per cent in the first quarter this fiscal against 2.8 per cent in the year-ago period, according to RBI data released on Tuesday. The Reserve Bank releases a quarterly house price index (HPI) based on transaction-level data received from housing registration authorities in ten major cities. The cities are Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Mumbai. "All-India HPI recorded 2.0 per cent annual growth (y-o-y) in Q1:2021-22 as compared with 2.7 per cent growth in the previous quarter and 2.8 per cent a year ago," the central bank said in a release. The HPI growth varied widely across the cities. It ranged from an expansion of 8.8 per cent (Ahmedabad) to a contraction of (-) 5.1 per cent (Chennai). On a sequential or quarter-on-quarter basis, the all-India HPI registered a 0.5 per cent growth in the April-June period of 2021-22. Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kanpur and Lucknow recorded a sequential decline in HPI, whereas it increased in the other five cities. Seven youths, including three women and the son of a Tamil Nadu MLA, were killed in a car crash in Koramangala area in the wee hours of Tuesday. According to police, the overspeeding Audi Q3 lost balance, rammed into a pavement and crashed into a bank building near Mangala convention hall on the 80-feet road near Koramangala Police Station. Karunaa Sagar (28), son of DMK MLA Y Prakash from Hosur, was behind the wheel. The other victims are: Bindu C (25), a relative of Sagar and an employee with a private firm; Dhanusha M (29), a dentist; Akshay Goel (25), a sales associate at a car showroom; Rohit Ladwa (23), business development executive at Byjus; Ishita Biswas (21), working at an MNC; and Utsav Kumar (25), an accountant. B R Ravikanthe Gowda, joint commissioner of police (Traffic), said the incident happened only because of the violation of all traffic rules. Six persons died at the spot while one died on the way to the hospital. None of them was wearing seat belts, and airbags failed to open up, he said. The police said the group was driving around the city in the SUV with a fancy registration number (KA-03 MY-6666). Though it was registered in the name of Sanjeevini Blue Metal as per RTO records, police revealed that the firm was owned by the MLAs relatives. The incident may have happened between 1.45 am and 2 am. Karunaa Sagar may have lost control and rammed the vehicle into the newly built TenderSURE pavement, bulldozing the iron bollards and crashing into the building wall, police said. The intensity of the crash was such that the iron bollards were uprooted and a small Ganesha temple built adjacent to the wall was completely damaged. The youngsters were heading towards the Forum mall from the National Games Village junction. Check out DH's latest videos: Japanese health minister Norihisa Tamura told reporters on Tuesday it was highly likely that foreign matter found in Covid-19 vaccines in Okinawa were caused when needles where stuck into the vials. Moderna Inc vaccines used in the southern prefecture of Okinawa were temporarily halted on Sunday after foreign materials were discovered in vials and syringes. The health ministry later said the cases may have been due to needles being incorrectly inserted into vials, breaking off bits of the rubber stopper. Carrying his rifle down by his side, Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the storied 82nd Airborne Division, became the last US soldier to board the final flight out of Afghanistan a minute before midnight on Monday. Taken with a night vision device from a side window of the C-17 transport plane, the ghostly green and black image of the general striding toward the aircraft waiting on the tarmac at Kabul's Hamid Karzai Airport was released by the Pentagon hours after the United States ended its 20-year military presence in Afghanistan. Also Read The ignoble end to America's longest war As a moment in history, the image of Donahue's departure could be cast alongside that of a Soviet general, who led an armoured column across the Friendship Bridge to Uzbekistan, when the Red Army made its final exit from Afghanistan in 1989. Completing a military operation that with the help of allies succeeded in evacuating 1.23 lakh civilians from Afghanistan, the last plane load of US troops left under cover of the night. Though it is a still image, Donahue appears to be moving briskly, his face expressionless. He is wearing full combat gear, with night vision goggles atop his helmet, and rifle by his side. He had yet to leave Afghanistan behind, and reach safety. In contrast, the images of General Boris Gromov, commander of Soviet Union's 40th Army in Afghanistan, show him walking arm-in-arm with his son on the bridge across the Amu Darya river carrying a bouquet of red and white flowers. The US and Soviet withdrawals from a country that has become known as a graveyard for empires were conducted in very different ways, but at least they avoided the calamitous defeat suffered by Britain in the First Anglo-Afghan war in 1842. Also Read What happens now that US troops have left Afghanistan? The abiding image from that conflict is Elizabeth Thompson's oil painting "Remnants of an Army" depicting a solitary exhausted rider, military assistant surgeon William Brydon, swaying back in the saddle of an even more exhausted horse in the retreat from Kabul. When Russia's Red Army left, a pro-Moscow communist government was still in power and its army would fight on for three more years, whereas US-backed Afghan government had already capitulated and Kabul had fallen to the Taliban a little over two weeks before the August 31 deadline for US troops to depart. Making an orderly exit, the last of Gromov's 50,000 troops still suffered isolated attacks as they drove northwards to the Uzbek border, though they had paid Mujahideen groups to secure safe passage along the way. Gromov's column crossed the Friendship Bridge on February 15, 1989, ending the Soviet Union's 10-year war in Afghanistan, during which more than 14,450 Soviet military personnel were killed. Also Read Many Americans, Afghans left behind as US military leave Kabul Asked how he felt about returning to Soviet soil, Gromov is reported to have answered: "Joy, that we carried out our duty and came home. I did not look back." The final US evacuation of Kabul will be judged by how many people were brought out, and how many were left behind. But Donahue and his comrades will carry harrowing images from their chaotic last days in Kabul; parents passing babies to them across the razor wire, two young Afghans falling from a plane climbing high in the sky, and worst of all, the aftermath of an Islamic State suicide bomb attack outside the airport on Aug. 26 that killed scores of Afghans and 13 of their own. With the final stream of US cargo planes soaring over the peaks of the Hindu Kush, President Joe Biden fulfilled a campaign promise to end America's longest war, one it could not win. But as the war ended with a chaotic, bloody evacuation that left stranded hundreds of US citizens and thousands of Afghans who had aided the American war effort, the president kept notably out of sight. He left it to a senior military commander and his secretary of state to tell Americans about the final moments of a conflict that ended in resounding American defeat. Biden, for his part, issued a written statement praising US troops who oversaw the airlift of more than 120,000 Afghans, US citizens and allies for their unmatched courage, professionalism, and resolve. He said he would have more to say on Tuesday. Now, our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended, Biden said in his statement. The muted reaction was informed by a tough reality: The war may be over, but Biden's Afghanistan problem is not. Read | UNSC resolution against terrorism in Afghanistan applies to JeM, LeT: Shringla The president still faces daunting challenges born of the hasty end of the war, including how to help extract as many as 200 Americans and thousands of Afghans left behind, the resettlement of tens of thousands of refugees who were able to flee, and coming congressional scrutiny over how, despite increasingly fraught warnings, the administration was caught flat-footed by the rapid collapse of the Afghan government. Through the withdrawal, Biden showed himself willing to endure what his advisers hope will be short-term pain for resisting bipartisan and international pressure to extend his Aug. 31 deadline for ending the American military evacuation effort. For more than a decade, Biden has believed in the futility of the conflict and maintained that the routing of Afghanistan's military by the Taliban was a delayed, if unwelcome, vindication. Turning the page on Afghanistan is a crucial foreign policy objective for Biden, who repeatedly has made the case for redirecting American attention toward growing challenges posed by adversaries China and Russia and for shifting America's counterterrorism focus to areas with more potent threats. Read | Afghanistan's Taliban: In power and celebrating US withdrawal But in his effort to end the war and reset US priorities, Biden may have also undercut a central premise of his 2020 White House campaign: a promise to usher in an era of greater empathy and collaboration with allies in America's foreign policy after four years of Trump's America first approach. For someone who made his name as an empathetic leader, he's appeared ... as quite rational, even cold-hearted, in his pursuit of this goal to end the war, said Jason Lyall, an associate professor of government at Dartmouth College. Allies including lawmakers from Britain, France, and Germany chafed at Biden's insistence on holding fast to the Aug. 31 deadline as they struggled to evacuate their citizens and Afghan allies. Armin Laschet, the leading conservative candidate to succeed Angela Merkel as Germany's chancellor, called it the biggest debacle that NATO has suffered since its founding. At home, Republican lawmakers have called for an investigation into the Biden administration's handling of the evacuation, and even Democrats have backed inquiries into what went wrong in the fateful last months of the occupation. Read | War-torn Afghanistan poses hidden challenge to Taliban acute food crisis amid droughts And at the same time, the massive suicide bombing in the final days of the evacuation that killed 13 US troops and more than 180 Afghans is raising fresh concern about Afghanistan again becoming a breeding ground for terrorists. Biden blamed his predecessor, Donald Trump, for tying his hands. He repeatedly reminded people that he had inherited an agreement the Republican administration made with the Taliban to withdraw US forces by May of this year. Reneging on the deal, Biden argued, would have put US troops who before Thursday had gone since February 2020 without a combat fatality in the war in the Taliban's crosshairs once again. The president's advisers also complained that the now-ousted Afghan government led by Ashraf Ghani was resistant to finding a political compromise with the Taliban and made strategic blunders by spreading largely feckless Afghan security forces too thinly. Republicans and even a few Democratic allies have offered withering criticism of the administration's handling of the evacuation, an issue that the GOP is looking to weaponize against Biden. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said Monday the withdrawal date set by Biden was a political one designed for a photo op. Absent from McCarthy's criticism was any mention that it was Trump's White House that had brokered the deal to end the war. Read | The ignoble end to America's longest war There was a moment in time that had this president listened to his military, there would still be terrorist prisoners inside Bagram, we would be getting every single American out, the military would not have left before the Americans," McCarthy said. "Every crisis he has faced so far in this administration he has failed. It remains to be seen if criticism of Biden's handling of Afghanistan will resonate with voters. An Associated Press-NORC poll conducted earlier in August found that about 6 in 10 Americans said the war there was not worth fighting. An ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted Aug. 27-28 found about 6 in 10 Americans disapproving of Biden's handling of the situation in Afghanistan. That poll also found most said the US should remain in Afghanistan until all Americans and Afghans who aided the U.S. had been evacuated. The poll did not ask whether people approved of withdrawal more generally. After backing the 2001 US invasion, Biden became a skeptic of US nation-building efforts and harbored deep doubts about the Afghan government's ability to develop the capacity to sustain itself. His opposition to the 2009 surge of US troop deployed to Afghanistan when he was vice president put him on the losing side of conflicts with the defense establishment and within the Obama administration. Biden, in recent weeks, told aides that he viewed his counsel against expanding the American involvement more than a decade ago to be one of his proudest moments in public life. But his tendency to speak in absolutes didn't help his cause. Read | Last US forces leave Afghanistan after almost 20 years In July, Biden pushed back at concerns that a Taliban takeover of the country would be inevitable. Weeks later, the group toppled the Afghan government. The president also expressed confidence that Americans would not see images reminiscent of the US evacuation from Vietnam at the end of that war in 1975, when photos of helicopters evacuating people from the roof of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon became gripping symbols of US failure. In fact, they saw images of desperate Afghans swarming the Kabul airport at least one falling to his death after clinging to a departing US aircraft. Biden told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos during an Aug. 18 interview that the US military objective in Afghanistan was to get everyone out, including Americans and Afghan allies and their families. He pledged American forces would stay until they accomplished that mission. But Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that there was a small number of Americans, under 200, likely closer to 100, who remain in Afghanistan and still want to leave. The swift military evacuation now yields to a murkier diplomatic operation to press the Taliban to allow Americans and their allies to depart peacefully by other means. Biden believes he has some leverage over the Taliban, former US enemies turned into pragmatic partners, as Afghanistan faces an economic crisis with the freezing of most foreign aid. But US commanders say the situation in Afghanistan could become even more chaotic in the coming weeks and months. The Taliban have proclaimed full independence for Afghanistan after the last US soldiers flew out following 20 years of war. The US confirmed its last forces withdrew ahead of a Tuesday deadline, ending America's longest war and a frantic two-week evacuation effort. The Taliban seized most of the country in a matter of days earlier this month. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plunged back into campaigning on Monday after groups of unusually vocal and abusive protesters disrupted his weekend election rallies, at one point forcing him to cancel an event. Trudeau, whose ruling Liberals are in a neck-and-neck race with their Conservative rivals ahead of the Sept. 20 vote, spoke to media in the Quebec town of Granby on Monday but did not refer to the unrest over the weekend. In scenes rarely seen in Canada during federal campaigns, demonstrators in the Ontario towns of Bolton and Cambridge shouted death threats and screamed profane abuse at Trudeau, many referring to the government's push for people to get vaccinated against Covid-19. Trudeau's team took the unusual decision to cancel an evening rally planned for near Bolton on Friday, saying the protests could endanger public safety. His announcement on Sunday of policies to combat climate change was in part drowned out by the crowd in Cambridge. Trudeau, 49, is the son of former Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, who in the early 1980s was extremely unpopular in Western Canada over policies opposed by the energy industry, some provincial governments and many Western Canadians. Also read: Canada polls show Justin Trudeau's rival gaining ahead of vote "I've never seen this intensity of anger on the campaign trail or in Canada, not when I was a kid, even with my dad visiting out West, where we did see anger, certainly not in my last 12 years as a politician," he told reporters on Friday. Trudeau's insistence that all Canadians get Covid-19 vaccinations has generated the same kind of anger among right-wing groups as in the United States. "I'm not going to back down on a message that Canadians know is the right path forward," Trudeau, who has been in power since 2015, said on Sunday. The Conservatives denounced the images and behavior on the campaign trail as disgusting and demanded they stop. That said, some of the people at the Bolton protest wore shirts identifying themselves as working for a Conservative legislator. Dan Robertson, chief of strategy for Conservative leader Erin O'Toole, suggested the Liberals, who have a minority government that depends on opposition parties to pass legislation, might be seeking to benefit from the protests. "It's not terribly difficult to re-jig a tour to avoid demonstrators (and) confrontations if you wanted to," he tweeted on Monday. The Taliban have won the war -- now they have to govern Afghanistan. The transition presents an enormous test for the Islamists in a desperately poor, diplomatically isolated country where deep-seated political and social problems have been compounded by more than four decades of war. Here are five challenges facing the Taliban: Read more: Leaving Afghanistan, US general's ghostly image books place in history There is widespread suspicion about the Taliban among Afghans, and for good reason. The last time the group was in power from 1996 to 2001, it imposed a harsh interpretation of Islamic law. They banned women from education and public spaces, brutally executed political opponents and massacred religious and ethnic minorities such as the Hazaras. The Taliban have promised a softer system this time around, including rights for women. They have also pledged an inclusive government, holding talks with a variety of movers and shakers in Afghan politics -- including former US-backed president Hamid Karzai. They have even sent representatives to the Shiite Hazara minority, which suffered brutal violence at the hands of the Taliban in the 1990s. While there has been relief in some parts of rural Afghanistan where people wanted an end to the violence, many Afghans say that actions, not words, matter. Women, particularly in cities, remain fearful of stepping outside, and there is at least one pocket of armed resistance in the Panjshir valley, a traditional anti-Taliban bastion. Afghanistan is one of the poorest nations in the world. After the Taliban were toppled in 2001, huge amounts of foreign aid flowed into the country. International assistance was more than 40 per cent of GDP in 2020. Most of it is now suspended, with no guarantees about the rest. The Taliban also do not have access to Afghan central bank funds held in the United States. This crunch could spell disaster, as the Taliban need to figure out how to pay government employees and keep running critical infrastructure such as water, power and communications. The United Nations has also warned of a humanitarian catastrophe, with food stocks running low because of disruptions caused by conflict as well as a severe drought. As insurgents, the Taliban had large revenues -- hundreds of millions of dollars according to estimates by UN monitors. But that is a tiny amount compared with Afghanistan's national requirements, experts have said. The Taliban have gained some sources of income after taking over Afghanistan, such as customs revenue from border crossings, but that too is a fraction of national needs. Beyond the cash crunch, the Taliban face another critical shortage: skilled Afghans. As US-led forces began to withdraw and the previous government started to lose control, Afghans with skills, experience and resources headed for the exits. They included bureaucrats, bankers, doctors, engineers, professors and university graduates, all terrified of life under the Islamists. The Taliban appear aware of the impact such a brain drain could have on the Afghan economy. Their spokesman has urged skilled Afghans not to leave, saying the country needed "experts" such as doctors and engineers. Read more: The ignoble end to America's longest war The Taliban's first regime was largely a pariah on the global stage. This time, they appear keen on wide international recognition, even as most nations have suspended or closed their diplomatic missions in Kabul. The group has contacts with regional powers such as Pakistan, Iran, Russia and China, as well as Qatar -- which hosted the Taliban's political office for years. But none have recognised them yet, and the United States has said any legitimacy "will have to be earned". In an apparent sign of the divide on how to handle the Taliban, China and Russia abstained from a UN Security Council resolution requiring the group to let Afghans leave. Moscow and Beijing did not use their veto after language related to the Taliban was softened, experts said. The Taliban may have taken control of Afghanistan but the threat of terror attacks in the country has not ended with their insurgency. Their jihadist rival, the regional chapter of the Islamic State group, has already carried out a deadly suicide attack in Kabul, killing more than 100 people at the airport during the evacuation operation. The Taliban and IS are both hardline Sunni extremists, but the latter has an even harsher and brutal interpretation of Islamic law. IS has said it will continue to fight in Afghanistan, and its statements have described the Taliban as apostates. The Taliban now face a sharp role reversal: they have to defend the Afghan people from the kind of attacks their own fighters carried out for years. 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. Also read: Celebratory gunfire in Kabul as US military withdraws 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. Before the US withdrawal was confirmed, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution requiring the Taliban to honour 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. 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. 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. Afghanistan News Live updates on DH 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." Also read: Taliban have more Black Hawk choppers than 85% countries 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. 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. Oxygen supplies are running critically low in hospitals across Louisiana with some only having one or two days of supply left and any interruption brought by Hurricane Idas destruction could be serious, according to Premier Inc., one of the largest hospital supply purchasing groups in the country. Ida pummeled much of the state Sunday evening, leaving hundreds of thousands without power at a moment when hospitals across the Southeast had already been struggling with oxygen shortages for weeks. Driven by a surge in Covid-19 cases, some hospitals are relying on reserve tanks with no other backup options. This is a rapidly evolving situation with access and roads it remains to be seen what might happen in the days ahead, said Premiers chief customer officer, Andy Brailo. What we all want to avoid, obviously, is hospitals not being able to have the adequate oxygen supply for their patients or putting their patients at risk. Read | Hurricane Ida traps Louisianans, shatters power grid He said delivery trucks have been giving hospitals partial refills because demand had been so high. Supply is further limited because oxygen needs to be delivered within hours, meaning that supplies must come from within a 250-mile radius of a hospital, he added. Premier is coordinating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency about the scarcity of oxygen in the region. The shortage goes beyond hospital supply. Brailo said individual canisters and tanks used by discharged Covid patients and those with disabilities were also in high demand. CrowdSource Rescue, a volunteer emergency response group, performed about a dozen oxygen-related rescues Monday, including one of a woman who was dependent on oxygen after a Covid-19 infection, said Loren Dykes, the groups director of operations. In the days ahead, Dykes said she expected to receive more oxygen-related distress calls, especially for Covid patients, who she said were not going to be as prepared as people with disabilities, who have more experience and tend to stockpile supplies. Read | Biden declares major disaster after Hurricane Ida lashes Louisiana New Orleans has opened oxygen exchange sites for residents to get a full free tank of oxygen. Mike Hulefeld, chief operating officer for Ochsner Health, one of the largest hospital systems in Louisiana, said Monday that thanks to generators, hospitals were faring well. The hospital network had 10 days worth of supplies for the hospitals it anticipated would be hardest hit, and each of its locations had backup power and fuel. But those who rely on ventilators or oxygen concentrators to help them breathe, including recently discharged Covid-19 patients, are also going to be at increased risk because of the power outages. According to the US Department of Health & Human Services data on Medicare beneficiaries, there are 3,706 Medicare beneficiaries in Jefferson Parish who are dependent on power for their medical devices; in Orleans Parish, 2,215 Medicare beneficiaries are medically dependent on power. As the final five US military transport aircraft lifted off out of Afghanistan, they left behind up to 200 Americans and thousands of desperate Afghans who couldn't get out and now must rely on the Taliban to allow their departure. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US will continue to try to get Americans and Afghans out of the country, and will work with Afghanistan's neighbors to secure their departure either over land or by charter flight once the Kabul airport reopens. We have no illusion that any of this will be easy, or rapid, said Blinken, adding that the total number of Americans who are in Afghanistan and still want to leave may be closer to 100. Read more: What happens now that US troops have left Afghanistan? Speaking shortly after the Pentagon announced the completion of the US military pullout Monday, Blinken said the US Embassy in Kabul will remain shuttered and vacant for the foreseeable future. American diplomats, he said, will be based in Doha, Qatar. We will continue our relentless efforts to help Americans, foreign nationals and Afghans leave Afghanistan if they choose, Blinken said in an address from the State Department. "Our commitment to them holds no deadline. Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of US Central Command, told reporters the US military was able to get as many as 1,500 Afghans out in the final hours of the American evacuation mission. But now it will be up to the State Department working with the Taliban to get any more people out. McKenzie said there were no citizens left stranded at the airport and none were on the final few military flights out. He said the US military maintained the ability to get Americans out right up until just before the end, but none of them made it to the airport. There's a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure," said McKenzie. "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. McKenzie and other officials painted a vivid picture of the final hours US troops were on the ground, and the preparations they took to ensure that the Taliban and Islamic State group militants did not get functioning US military weapons systems and other equipment. The terror threat remains a major problem in Afghanistan, with at least 2,000 hard core members of the Islamic State group who remain in the country, including many released from prisons as the Taliban swept to control. Underscoring the ongoing security threats, the weapon systems used just hours earlier to counter IS rockets launched toward the airport were kept operational until the very last minute as the final US military aircraft flew out, officials said. One of the last things US troops did was to make the so-called C-RAMS (Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar System) inoperable. Read more: The ignoble end to America's longest war McKenzie said they demilitarized the system so it can never be used again. Officials said troops did not blow up equipment in order to ensure they left the airport workable for future flights, once those begin again. In addition, McKenzie said the US also disabled 27 Humvees and 73 aircraft so they can never be used again. Throughout the day, as the final C-17 transport planes prepared to take off, McKenzie said the US kept overwhelming US airpower overhead to deal with potential IS threats. Back at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, watched the final 90 minutes of the military departure in real time from an operations center in the basement. According to a US official, they sat in hushed silence as they watched troops make last-minute runway checks, make the key defense systems inoperable and climb aboard the C-17s. The official said you could hear a pin drop as the last aircraft lifted off, and leaders around the room breathed sighs of relief. Later, Austin phoned Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, who was coordinating the evacuation. Donahue and acting US ambassador to Afghanistan Ross Wilson were the last to board the final plane that left Kabul. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details of military operations. Simply because we have left, that doesn't mean the opportunities for both Americans that are in Afghanistan that want to leave and Afghans who want to leave, they will not be denied that opportunity, said McKenzie. The military left some equipment for the Taliban in order to run the airport, including two firetrucks, some front-end loaders and aircraft staircases. Blinken said the US will work with Turkey and Qatar to help them get the Kabul airport up and running again. This would enable a small number of daily charter flights, which is a key for anyone who wants to depart from Afghanistan moving forward, he said. With the Taliban in possession of Kabul's airport after the United States completed its withdrawal on Tuesday, the focus will now shift from the mammoth Western evacuation operation seen in the past two weeks to the group's plans for the transport hub. The symbolism of the airport was underlined Tuesday when the Taliban's top spokesman stood on its runway and declared victory over the United States. But what happens next remains unclear. Here is a look at the future of Hamid Karzai International Airport: Attacks in the past week have shown the airport is a target for terrorists, so security is the primary concern. The United States took control of the airport to manage the evacuation of tens of thousands of people with help from other countries, coming under attack by the Islamic State group's Afghanistan-Pakistan chapter. Turkey had offered to run security following the withdrawal of foreign troops, but the Taliban repeatedly said they would not accept any foreign military presence after August 31. "Our fighters and special forces are capable of controlling the airport and we do not need anyone's help for the security and administrative control of the Kabul airport," Taliban spokesman Bilal Karimi told AFP on Monday. However, Michael Kugelman, a South Asia specialist at the Wilson Center think tank in Washington, said a foreign security presence would be necessary if airlines were to return, and that a deal could yet be struck. "You're looking at a very volatile environment security-wise," he told AFP. "There are all kinds of alarm bells that should be sounding for commercial airlines that I imagine would not be comfortable getting into the airport." Qatar's foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, told the Financial Times the Gulf state was urging the Taliban to accept foreign help. "What we are trying to explain to them is that airport safety and security requires a lot more than securing the perimeters of the airport," he said. Also Read | Many Americans, Afghans left behind as US military leave Kabul As far as the United States is concerned, State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Friday that it was "essentially giving the airport back to the Afghan people." In recent weeks NATO has played a key role, with civilian personnel taking care of air traffic control, fuel supplies and communications. Like with security, there were discussions with Turkey over running logistics. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country was still assessing the Islamist group's offer, but with the Taliban insisting on controlling security, Erdogan appeared to drop the idea. "Let's say you took over the security but how would we explain to the world if another bloodbath takes place there?" he said. Running and maintaining an airport is complex and requires expertise. With thousands of skilled workers believed to have fled the country -- despite Taliban pleas for them to stay -- questions remain over whether there will be enough trained workers left in the Afghan capital. US officials have said the airport is in a bad condition, with much of its basic infrastructure degraded or destroyed. A pilot told AFP the terminal building was trashed by passengers during the chaos of the early days of the Taliban takeover. As well as the passenger halls, critical infrastructure has been destroyed, including air traffic control terminals, which will need to be replaced for commercial flights to run again. On the plus side, the two-week mass evacuation campaign has shown that the airport's runways are at least operational, if in poor condition. The Taliban have insisted they want to keep the civilian airport open, but without guarantees over security, commercial airlines simply won't operate out of Kabul. "You're looking at a perfect storm of risks for airlines," Kugelman said. A key incentive to operate a functional airport would be the boost it would give to the Taliban's international image. "If the Taliban's looking to get recognition and legitimacy from governments around the world, then it has to have a working, safe, trusted airport in place," Kugelman added. But it is likely to take time. Read more: What happens now that US troops have left Afghanistan? The Taliban have insisted Afghans will be able to come and go. The group's deputy chief negotiator, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, said those with passports and visas can go abroad "in a dignified manner and with peace of mind" after commercial flights open. However, many are sceptical about the Taliban's claims that they will not seek revenge against those who worked for the collapsed government or foreign forces. And Kugelman said he believed the Afghans who did not manage to be evacuated before August 31 may now be too afraid to travel to the airport. "I think that for many of them who already have reason to fear the Taliban, the prospect of trying to escape the country by going to an airport controlled by the Taliban will be a very unpalatable thought." Celebratory gunfire echoed across Kabul as Taliban fighters took control of the airport before dawn on Tuesday following the withdrawal of the last US troops, ending 20 years of war that left the Islamic militia stronger than it was in 2001. Shaky video footage distributed by the Taliban showed fighters entering the airport after the last US troops took off a minute before midnight, marking the end of a hasty and humiliating exit for Washington and its NATO allies. "The last US soldier has left Kabul airport and our country gained complete independence," Taliban spokesman Qari Yusuf said, according to Al Jazeera TV. The US Army shared an image taken with night-vision optics of the last US soldier to step aboard the final evacuation flight out of Kabul - Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division. Read | Celebratory gunfire in Kabul as US military withdraws America's longest war took the lives of nearly 2,500 US troops and an estimated 240,000 Afghans, and cost some $2 trillion. Although it succeeded in driving the Taliban from power and stopped Afghanistan being used as a base by al Qaeda to attack the United States, it ended with the hardline Islamic militants controlling more of the country than they ever did during their previous rule from 1996 to 2001. Those years were marked by the brutal enforcement of the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic law, and the world is now watching to see whether it forms a more moderate and inclusive government in the months ahead. Thousands of Afghans have already fled fearing Taliban reprisals. A massive but chaotic airlift by the United States and its allies over the past two weeks succeeded in evacuating more than 123,000 people from Kabul, but tens of thousands who helped Western countries during the war were left behind. A contingent of Americans, estimated by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as under 200 and possibly closer to 100, wanted to leave but were unable to get on the last flights. General Frank McKenzie, commander of the US Central Command, told a Pentagon briefing that the chief US diplomat in Afghanistan, Ross Wilson, was on the last C-17 flight out. Read | Threat to Kabul airport remains 'real' and 'specific', says Pentagon "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. As the US troops departed, they destroyed more than 70 aircraft, dozens of armored vehicles and disabled air defenses that had thwarted an attempted Islamic State rocket attack on the eve of the US departure. "National Disgrace" President Joe Biden, in a statement, defended his decision to stick to a Tuesday deadline for withdrawing US forces. He said the world would hold the Taliban to their commitment to allow safe passage for those who want to leave Afghanistan. "Now, our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended," said Biden, who thanked the US military for carrying out the dangerous evacuation. He plans to address the American people on Tuesday afternoon. Biden has said the United States long ago achieved the objectives it set in ousting the Taliban in 2001 for harboring al Qaeda militants who masterminded the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States. The president has drawn heavy criticism from Republicans and some of his fellow Democrats for his handling of Afghanistan since the Taliban took over Kabul earlier this month after a lightning advance and the collapse of the US-backed government. Read | US exit will stop IS attacks in Afghanistan, says Taliban Senator Ben Sasse, a Republican member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called the US withdrawal a national disgrace that was the direct result of President Bidens cowardice and incompetence. But Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse tweeted: "Bravo to our diplomats, military, and intelligence agencies. An airlift of 120,000 people in that dangerous and tumultuous situation is something no one else could do." Blinken said the United States was prepared to work with the new Taliban government if it does not carry out reprisals against opponents in the country. "The Taliban seeks international legitimacy and support. Our position is any legitimacy and support will have to be earned," he said. The Taliban must revive a war-shattered economy without being able to count on the billions of dollars in foreign aid that flowed to the previous ruling elite and fed systemic corruption. The population outside the cities is facing what UN officials have called a catastrophic humanitarian situation worsened by a severe drought. A Taliban official in Kabul said the group wants people to lead an Islamic way of life and get rid of all foreign influences. "Our culture has become toxic, we see Russian and American influence everywhere, even in the food we eat. That is something people should realise and make necessary changes. This will take time but will happen, he said. America's longest war ended ignobly, in the dead of night in Afghanistan. A giant C-17 transport laden with troops and the US ambassador flew out of Kabul airport a minute before midnight local time on August 31, the deadline set by President Joe Biden. That brought to an end a helter-skelter airlift that evacuated more than 120,000 people fleeing the harsh rule of the Islamist Taliban, who seized power a fortnight earlier -- two decades after US-led forces drove them from power. The land that had brutally rebuffed the British empire and the Soviet Union delivered the same result to the modern world's superpower. The distant war had plodded along in the background for most Americans. But they were jolted back to it in the final days with the massive evacuation and the death of 13 US troops from an Islamic State suicide bomber who blew himself up at an airport gate. Also Read | Last US forces leave Afghanistan after almost 20 years The image of President Joe Biden attending a ceremony for their flag-draped caskets Sunday at the air force base in Dover, Delaware, could well be the lasting one of America's war. Five of the 13 were just 20 years old, meaning they were infants when Al-Qaeda, based in Afghanistan and protected by the Taliban, launched the September 11, 2001 attacks that sparked the conflict. With great irony, the US exit depended heavily on trusting the Taliban to provide security around the airport against the Islamic State threat. "The Taliban have been very pragmatic and very businesslike," said General Kenneth McKenzie, head of the US Central command. The primary front of the "War on Terror" declared after the 9/11 attacks, Afghanistan became almost an afterthought as the administration of George W. Bush decided in 2003 to invade Iraq as well to oust then-leader Saddam Hussein. Rather than exit either after victory, the US took on nation-building tasks which it had not prepared for. Meanwhile the US-backed government in Kabul proved corrupt and ineffective at consolidating its power and the Taliban persisted as a potent insurgency. Afghan civilians and security forces have long taken the brunt of the failures, with tens of thousands killed and many more wounded. But the costs to Washington were immense: 2,356 US military deaths, and an overall financial cost of $2.3 trillion, according to Brown University's Watson Institute. The end began under president Donald Trump, who came to office in 2016 promising to end the "Forever Wars." Also read: Celebratory gunfire in Kabul as US military withdraws After initially increasing troops to 16,000, with no lasting impact on the Taliban, he entered negotiations with the insurgents. In a February 2020 agreement Washington committed to withdrawing by May 1 this year. The Taliban agreed to enter peace negotiations with Kabul, and to not attack American troops in the meantime. But they then stepped up their campaign against Afghan government forces, who were immensely dependent on the United States. By the time Biden replaced Trump on January 20, the official US troop presence was down to a bare-bones 2,500. He conducted a review and opted to proceed with the drawdown, though buying four months extra, to August 31, for what he hoped would be an orderly pullout. Behind the scenes, he and his advisors concluded that the Afghans could not or would not wage the fight themselves. "We went to Afghanistan because of a horrific attack that happened 20 years ago. That cannot explain why we should remain there in 2021," Biden said. "It's time to end the forever war." The end came faster than Washington expected. They had planned an orderly evacuation, aiming to avoid the debacle of the US withdrawal from Vietnam, famously captured in a photo of scores of Vietnamese trying to climb aboard a helicopter atop the US embassy in Saigon. "There's going to be no circumstance where you see people being lifted off the roof of a embassy of the United States from Afghanistan," Biden said on July 8. Five weeks later, when the Taliban marched into Kabul with no resistance, a surge of Chinook helicopters landed on the grounds of the US embassy to whisk American diplomats to safety. Meanwhile an arguably more harrowing scene erupted at the airport: tens of thousands of Afghans rushing there in a desperate bid to flee, a few even clinging to US planes as they took off -- only to fall from the sky. The war began before smartphones and social media existed and ended with the viral video posted last week by a Marine lieutenant colonel, Stuart Scheller, calling for honesty over the war itself. "People are upset because their senior leaders let them down. And none of them are raising their hands and accepting accountability or saying, 'We messed this up.'" Scheller was removed from his duty, and no one offered to take the blame. Check out DH's latest videos: For the war-torn Afghanistan, acute food shortage is the next key challenge. The land-locked country, which is now in control of the Taliban, is in the grip of a severe drought. Not just that. It has been hit by the crises right after the Covid pandemic. According to the UN World Food Programme, 14 million people in Afghanistan - 35 per cent of the total population -- are food insecure. The worst impacted are the children. "Millions of Afghans are struggling to put food on the table as prolonged drought disrupts supplies in a country reeling from a surge in violence as US-led foreign troops complete their withdrawal," a Reuters report said. After the 2018 drought that caused serious damages in Afghanistan, the agriculture sector was gradually coming to life. An analyst told India Narrative that the Taliban would have to ensure that food supply is maintained. "The Taliban would need to build acceptability among the locals and for that providing food will be the topmost priority," he said. Also Read | The ignoble end to America's longest war Though wheat, one of the primary crops grown there, takes up about 2.7 million hectares annually, a lot is imported too. The main wheat growing provinces include Badghis, Takhar, Heart, Balkh, Kunduz, Helmand, and Kandahar. Besides, the country has also been cultivating high quality fruits, nuts and saffron. However, less than 20 per cent of overall Afghanistan's land is arable. According to Climate Home News, the country's climate change is expected to bring more frequent and intense extreme events, such as droughts and flash flooding. This may lead to boosting the drug economy "as opium poppies flourish in warm, dry climates." While the US and other doner countries have built irrigation facilities in the country, many of them have not been maintained. India has also been the forefront in rebuilding the country. But take the example of the New Delhi assisted Afghan-India Friendship Dam or the Salma Dam built in east Herat. The dam, commissioned in 2016, has been damaged after the Taliban firing. Besides, reports suggested that most of staff at the site, which is one of the key sources of irrigation and electricity generation in the Herat province, have not been coming to work. "Now with this situation, the threat over food availability is ever more worrisome," a person engaged with an NGO who has been living in the country told India Narrative. Also Read | Last US forces leave Afghanistan after almost 20 years While some of the best quality fruits and nuts were being grown in Afghanistan, the political turmoil along with droughts and water shortage have led to unprecedented uncertainties. Janani Vivekananda, a senior advisor on climate change and peacebuilding at thinktank Adelphi said that ensuring water access and protecting people from severe climate impacts is critical to the governance of Afghanistan, the Climate Home News said. "If the Taliban care about the Afghan people, they are going to have to care about water," the news organisation quoted Oli Brown, associate fellow at Chatham House, as saying. Check out DH's latest videos: For the first since 2001, there are no American troops in Afghanistan after the United States completed the evacuation of most of its citizens and thousands of at-risk Afghans. More than 114,000 people have been airlifted from Kabul airport in the past two weeks as part of the US effort. But the end of the US military involvement in Afghanistan raises a new set of questions for Biden and his administration. What happens to Americans and at-risk Afghans left behind? The United States has evacuated more than 5,500 US citizens since evacuation flights began on August 14. A small number of American citizens have chosen to continue to stay in Afghanistan, many of them so they can be with family members. The Biden administration has said it expects the Taliban to continue allowing safe passage for Americans and others to leave Afghanistan after the US military withdrawal is completed. But there are concerns about how those citizens will be able to leave if there is no functioning airport. Also read: Celebratory gunfire in Kabul as US military withdraws Tens of thousands of at-risk Afghans, such as interpreters who worked with the US military, journalists and women's rights advocates, have also been left behind. It is unclear what their fate will be but officials are concerned that the Taliban may retaliate against them. The Taliban have pledged to allow all foreign nationals and Afghan citizens with travel authorization from another country to leave Afghanistan, according to a joint statement issued by Britain, the United States and other countries on Sunday. What happens to Kabul airport after US forces leave? For the past two weeks, the US military has been securing and operating Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport with nearly 6,000 troops. The Taliban are in talks with governments like Qatar and Turkey to seek assistance to continue civilian flight operations from there, the only way for many people to leave Afghanistan. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Sunday that repairs need to be made at Kabul airport before it can be reopened to civilian flights. Turkey, which is part of the NATO mission, has been responsible for security at the airport for the past six years. Keeping the airport open after foreign forces hand over control is vital not just for Afghanistan to stay connected to the world but also to maintain aid supplies and operations. What does the future US-Taliban relationship look like? The United States has said it does not plan to leave diplomats behind in Afghanistan and will decide on what to do in the future based on the Taliban's actions. But the Biden administration will have to determine how it is able to ensure a humanitarian and economic crisis does not break out in the country. Afghanistan News Live updates on DH The United Nations says more than 18 million people - over half Afghanistan's population - require aid and half of all Afghan children under 5 already suffer from acute malnutrition amid the second drought in four years. Some countries including Britain have said that no nation should bilaterally recognize the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan. What kind of threat is posed by Islamic State? The one area of cooperation between the United States and Taliban could be on the threat posed by Islamic State militants. There are questions about how Washington and the Taliban can coordinate and potentially even share information to counter the group. Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), named after a historic term for the region, first appeared in eastern Afghanistan in late 2014 and quickly established a reputation for extreme brutality. The group claimed responsibility for an Aug. 26 suicide bombing outside the airport that killed 13 US troops and scores of Afghan civilians. The United States has carried out at least two drone strikes against the group since then and Biden has said his administration will continue to retaliate for the attack. ISIS-K is a sworn enemy of the Taliban. But US intelligence officials believe the movement used the instability that led to the collapse of Afghanistan's Western-backed government this month to strengthen its position and step up recruitment of disenfranchised Taliban members. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned Monday that 236,000 more people could die from Covid in Europe by December, sounding the alarm over rising infections and stagnating vaccine rates across the continent. The warning came as the world passed the grim milestone of 4.5 million deaths from Covid since the start of the pandemic, according to an AFP tally Monday. Infections rates are ticking up globally again, as the highly transmissible Delta variant takes hold -- especially among the unvaccinated -- preying on populations where anti-virus measures have been relaxed. In South Africa, scientists are monitoring a new coronavirus variant with an unusually high mutation rate. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases said Monday that C.1.2. can mutate almost twice as fast as other global variants Its frequency remains relatively low, however, and it has so far been found in under three per cent of genomes sequenced since it was first picked up in May -- although this has increased from 0.2 to two per cent last month. But it has been detected in all South Africa's provinces, as well as in China, Britain, New Zealand and Mauritius. In another sign of renewed concern, the European Union on Monday recommended that member states reimpose travel restrictions on US tourists over rising covid infections in the country. "Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro, the Republic of North Macedonia and the United States of America were removed from the list," said a statement from the European Council, which represents the bloc's 27 governments. Case numbers in the United States have surged as the more infectious Delta variant has spread and large swathes of the population have refused to get vaccinated. The head of WHO Europe said Monday that infections and deaths were on the rise again in Europe, particularly in poorer nations in the Balkans, the Caucasus and Central Asia. "Last week, there was an 11 per cent 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 said. Europe has already registered around 1.3 million Covid deaths to date. Also read: Coronavirus booster shots 'not a luxury', WHO Europe head says Of WHO Europe's 53 member states, 33 have registered an incidence rate greater than 10 per cent in the past two weeks, Kluge said, mostly in poorer countries. High transmission rates across the continent were "deeply worrying, particularly in the light of low vaccination uptake in priority populations in a number of countries." Kluge said the Delta variant was partly to blame, along with an "exaggerated easing" of restrictions and measures and a surge in summer travel While around half of people in the WHO's Europe region are fully vaccinated, uptake in the region has slowed. "In the past six weeks, it has fallen by 14 per cent, influenced by a lack of access to vaccines in some countries and a lack of vaccine acceptance in others." Only six per cent of people in lower and lower-middle income countries in Europe are fully vaccinated, and some countries have only managed to vaccinate one in 10 health professionals. Kluge stressed that since anti-Covid measures were being relaxed in many places, "the public's vaccination acceptance is crucial". "Vaccine scepticism and science denial is holding us back from stabilising this crisis. It serves no purpose, and is good for no one." The WHO and UNICEF urged European countries to make teachers a priority group for vaccinations so schools can stay open. As the summer holidays end, the agencies said it was "vital that classroom-based learning continue uninterrupted". "The pandemic has caused the most catastrophic disruption to education in history," Kluge said. The agencies urged countries to vaccinate children over the age of 12 who have underlying medical conditions that put them at greater risk of severe Covid-19. Outside Europe, hundreds of schools in the Indonesian capital Jakarta threw their doors open to students Monday. But some parents resisted the return to in-person learning, just weeks after Indonesia overtook India and Brazil as the pandemic's global epicentre. "My daughter has not been vaccinated and the Delta variant is spreading like crazy," Asmara Wreksono, mother of a third-grader, told AFP. "I feel bad because my daughter misses her friends but my priority is to keep my child alive and healthy," she added. Indonesia reported its worst coronavirus surge in July, prompting lockdowns. Infections have since tapered, but in the past week an average of over 13,000 new cases have been registered daily. CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL COVERAGE ONLY ON DH In the US, meanwhile, a woman has won a court order for a hospital in Ohio to treat her husband, who is on a ventilator with Covid-19, with the antiparasitic medicine ivermectin, as demand surges for the unproven coronavirus treatment. The case is one of several nationwide where courts have sided with litigants seeking to use the drug, despite scant evidence of its effectiveness against Covid and a rise in calls to poison centres as a result of misuse, including ingesting livestock-strength formulations. Some 10,000 Covid deaths are now reported every day around the world, still a lower figure than the highs of January when an average of 14,800 people were dying daily. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested four more persons, including two Nigerian drug peddlers, in connection with the alleged drugs case involving Bollywood actor Armaan Kohli, an official said on Tuesday. Following Kohli's arrest on Sunday, the NCB's Mumbai zonal unit conducted a series of raids in various parts of the city, he said. The raids began on late Sunday night at Juhu Gully in western suburbs during which the NCB team seized mephedrone and apprehended Mohammed Ajaz Sayyed alias Chiya Bhai, he said. Based on the information provided by him, one Imran Ansari was arrested on Monday for alleged role in purchasing drugs, the official said. Subsequently, Nigerian national Uba Chinoso Wizdom was held with mephedrone in Nallasopara in neighbouring Palghar district late Monday night. Wizdom was suspected to be the main supplier of mephedrone in this case, the official said. Nwachiyaso Israel Nwachukwu alias Sam, another Nigerian, was arrested from the Arey Colony area here on early Tuesday morning and mephedrone and cocaine were seized from his possession, the official added. Sam attacked NCB sleuths, injuring one of the officials, he claimed. Sam had been living in Mumbai for the last five years and is suspected to have links with international cartels as the cocaine seized in the case apparently originated in South America, the official said. The Central agency has thus arrested six persons including Kohli in the case so far. Kohli, who had featured in several Bollywood films and also a TV reality show, was arrested on Sunday after cocaine was allegedly seized from his house in suburban Andheri. In a separate operation, the NCB seized mephedrone and ecstasy from another Nigerian national, Sunday Okeki alias Sunny, in Nallasopara, on Tuesday, the official said. Jawaharlal Nehru University Professor Arvind Kumar who has designed a course on counter-terrorism, which has come under criticism from a section of teachers and students, said it does not target any community and is a purely academic exercise. A section of JNU teachers and students has objected to the introduction of the course, alleging it states that ''jihadi terrorism'' is the only form of ''fundamentalist-religious terrorism''. The course, titled ''Counter Terrorism, Asymmetric Conflicts and Strategies for Cooperation among Major Powers'', also asserts that Communist regimes in the Soviet Union and China were the state-sponsors of terrorism that influenced radical Islamic states, according to them. The course, an optional one, is for the students pursuing Master of Science dual-degree who choose to study international relations at the School of Engineering. The course was approved in the Academic Council meeting on August 17 and will come up for approval in the Executive Council meeting on September 2. Kumar, the Chairperson of the Centre for Canadian, US and Latin American Studies, said that the curriculum is designed keeping India's perspective in mind. He stated that it is based on India's and global experience in dealing with the issue of terrorism. "How science and technology can help in countering terrorism is also a main part of the curriculum... This course has not at all targeted any community and has nothing to do with any political party," he said. Calling the course an "absolute academic exercise", he said a "wrong narrative" is being set which is "not good for India" and will not serve any purpose. "How India's experience has been all these decades as a victim of terrorism. The rest of the world has accepted India's predicament. Jihadi Terrorism is a manifestation of the Taliban. This has to be understood. An in-depth study on both global and regional terrorist organisations is needed from academics keeping all the biases away," he said. While stressing that it is high time all the major powers come together and take the terrorism issue seriously, he said that how India can intensify all its efforts and evolve constructive counter-terrorism cooperation among major powers forms a major part of the curriculum. "China and Russia abstaining from voting for the UNSC resolution on Taliban yesterday is a great pointer to understand how they have dealt in the past in promoting their interest. China has always vetoed in recognising Masood Azhar as a global terrorist not one time but on a number of occasions at the UNSC," he said. JNU Teachers' Association secretary Moushumi Basu on Monday had said that the course should be withdrawn. "A few years back, they (the university administration) had tried to do the same and the Delhi Minorities Commission had objected to it and it was withdrawn.... Such a course should not be taught and should be withdrawn. It's problematic." The government is learnt to have returned to the Supreme Court collegium names of 14 advocates it had recommended for elevation as high court judges. Sources in the government said all the names were returned with a request to reconsider within a span of one week sometime in end of July and early August. But the recommendations by the apex court collegium were made nearly a year ago. In some cases the recommendations were made over a year ago. The names for elevation were made for the high courts of Delhi, Calcutta, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka and Kerala, the sources said without elaborating. Also read: Nine new Supreme Court judges to be sworn in on August 31 In written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon session of Parliament, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju had said during the last one year, the Supreme Court collegium recommended 80 names for appointment as judges of various high courts, out of which 45 judges were appointed and the remaining proposals are under various stages of processing. He had said that between July 1, 2020, and July 15, 2021, the Supreme Court collegium made 80 recommendations for appointment of judges in various high courts. In Pics: Meet 9 new Supreme Court judges Out of these, 45 "recommendees" were appointed by the government as high court judges and the "remaining proposals are under various stages of processing with the government and the SC Collegium", Rijiju had said. India has 25 high courts with a sanctioned strength of 1,098 judges. The working strength as on August 1 stands at 643 -- a shortfall of 455 judges. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has constituted a high-level group comprising his National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the senior officials to monitor the evolving situation in Afghanistan. Sources said the group had been asked to focus on New Delhis immediate priorities of repatriating Indias citizens from Afghanistan as well as evacuating the citizens of Afghanistan, especially the minority Sikhs and Hindus. New Delhi is also keen to ensure that the territory of Afghanistan is not used in any manner for terrorism directed against India. The high-level group constituted by the PM has been monitoring the ground situation in Afghanistan and international reactions, including the resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council on Monday, sources said. Read more: Many Americans, Afghans left behind as US military leave Kabul The US on Tuesday completed the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan, ending a two-decade war and leaving the country in the hands of the Taliban. There is still no clarity on the formation of a government in Kabul, over two weeks after the Taliban seized control of the Afghan capital city. The UN Security Council, under India's presidency, on Monday adopted a resolution demanding that territory of Afghanistan not be used to threaten any country or shelter terrorists. Prime Minister Narendra Modis government on Tuesday for the first time publicly acknowledged its engagement with the Taliban as New Delhis envoy to Doha had a meeting with a top leader of the militant organisation that recently took back control over almost the entire Afghanistan. New Delhis envoy to Doha, Deepak Mittal, had a meeting with Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the head of the Talibans political office in the capital of Qatar. The meeting took place at the Embassy of India in Doha on Tuesday just hours after the United States flew out its last remaining soldiers from the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul and, thus, formally ended its two-decade-long military presence in Afghanistan. The last public engagement between the Government of India and the Taliban had taken place in December 1999. The then External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh had a meeting with the Taliban Governments Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil at the airport in Kandahar in southern Afghanistan and handed over to him Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar and two other terrorists, whom Prime Minister A B Vajpayees government had set free from prison to secure the release of the crew and the passengers of the hijacked Indian Airlines flight IC-814. The Taliban had later facilitated the safe return of the hijackers and the freed terrorists from Afghanistan to Pakistan. Also Read Longest Afghanistan war's cost: Thousands of lives, trillions of dollars Mittals meeting with Stanekzai on Tuesday was the first publicly acknowledged engagement between the Government of India and the Taliban in almost 22 years. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a press-release in New Delhi, stating that the meeting at the Embassy of India in Doha had taken place at the request of the Taliban. (The) discussions focused on safety, security and early return of Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan. The travel of Afghan nationals, especially, minorities, who wish to visit India, also came up, Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson of the MEA, said in New Delhi. New Delhi has been over the past few months having informal back-channel talks with a section of the Taliban, because it anticipated that the militant organisation might return to power after the US and its NATO allies would complete withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and that Pakistan might exploit the situation to gain a strategic edge against India. The Modi Government in New Delhi has been maintaining that India has been in touch with all stakeholders in Afghanistan, but never specifically acknowledged its engagements with the Taliban. Mittal conveyed to Stanekzai concerns of New Delhi over the possibility of Pakistan using the territory of Afghanistan against India or to export terror to India. The head of the Talibans political office in Doha assured New Delhis envoy to Qatar that Indias concerns would be positively addressed, according to the MEA press-release issued in New Delhi. In Pics | US withdraws all its troops out of Afghanistan; Taliban celebrate with gunfire Stanekzai was trained in the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun in Uttarakhand and was among the foreign cadets who passed out of the institution in 1982. He was among the ones who opened the Talibans political office in Doha in January 2012 and was appointed as its head in November 2015. With the Talibans return to power in Kabul now imminent, speculation is rife about Stanekzai being appointed as the Foreign Minister of the new Government of Afghanistan. He told a TV channel recently that the Taliban wanted to continue Afghanistans cultural, economic, political and trade ties with India. New Delhi evacuated its envoy and diplomats from Kabul on August 17, less than 48 hours after the Taliban militants entered the capital city culminating its swift military blitz across Afghanistan as President Ashraf Ghani escaped from the country marking the collapse of his Government. But it did not formally shut down the Embassy of India in Kabul, as it would have meant severance of its diplomatic relations with Afghanistan. India had shut down the embassy and snapped diplomatic relations with Afghanistan immediately after the Taliban had come to power in Afghanistan in September 1996. The embassy had been reopened in 2001, after the US had launched the military offensives against the Al Qaeda in Afghanistan in response to the 9/11 attacks and the Taliban Government led by Mullah Omar in Kabul had collapsed. India is walking a thin line on Afghanistan, navigating a path which can allow continuation of projects and people-to-people contacts, without recognising a Taliban-led government, at least for now. Authoritative sources told India Narrative that India is in no mood to recognise the Taliban rule in Afghanistan in a hurry, even as the top leadership of the outfit reached out to New Delhi, describing it as an important country in the region. For now, as the Taliban are set to assume formal control of the country, following withdrawal of the US troops, India has adopted a wait and watch policy before taking any decision. "There are too many balls in the air right now. A rebellion against Taliban, led by the Tajik community is raging in the Panjshir valley. Without accommodating the minorities, the Pashtun dominated Taliban cannot hope to rule the entire country. The Taliban-run economy will be tested, and the group has a terrible image of medieval theocracy," an analyst said. Sources, however, said that New Delhi could look at ways to continue its association with the common people of Afghanistan, who have been the worst sufferers. Read | India holds talks with Taliban; raises concern that Afghan soil should not be used against India India has invested over $3 billion in the country in building dams, roads, electricity transmission lines besides schools and hospitals in the war-torn country. Even the country's Parliament building has been built by India. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015. Leading energy and geopolitical expert Narendra Taneja said that India's connect with the people of Afghanistan dates back to thousands of years ago. "We need to distinguish between the people and the group in power there. We shouldn't look at the developments in Afghanistan in an emotional manner, we will need to be pragmatic. We should strive to restart our stalled developmental projects provided Kabul is willing to extend the guarantee in terms of safety of our workers and technicians," Taneja told India Narrative. "Our strategy should be to stay connected with the people of Afghanistan first and foremost," he added. Last year External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar speaking at the Afghanistan Conference in Geneva said "no part of Afghanistan today is untouched by the 400-plus projects that India has undertaken in all 34 of Afghanistan's provinces". Earlier this month, chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that New Delhi will provide all possible assistance to "Afghan brothers and sisters who are looking towards India for assistance". Follow live Afghanistan news updates here Separately, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that India's approach to Afghanistan will be guided by the will of the Afghan people. "For us, it (Indian investment in Afghanistan) reflected our historical relationship with Afghan people. That relation with Afghan people obviously continues. That will guide our approach to Afghanistan in the coming days,"Jaishankar said in New York after attending the UN Security Council meeting. Indian people-oriented investments in Afghanistan include the construction of the Parliament building, the Salama dam, the development of the Chabahar route that links landlocked Afghanistan to the Indian Ocean and hundreds of other humanitarian projects across the country, which now need to be protected. With the inflow of foreign aid coming to a halt and the Taliban being barred from accessing the $9.5 billion international reserves, the real battle for Afghanistan will begin only now. Thousands of Afghan people feel betrayed at the rapid withdrawal of foreign forces from their land. The International Rescue Committee said that if the crisis in Afghanistan is left unaddressed, 2021 is on track to be the deadliest year for Afghan civilians in over a decade. Civilian deaths and injuries reached record levels in the first half of the year. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) National Conference president Farooq Abdullah Tuesday asserted his party will win the next assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, indicating for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 that his party would participate in the polls. "We will win and I am telling you this with authority that if they conduct polls in a free and fair manner, then the National Conference will be the biggest party here," he told reporters on the sidelines of an event titled 'Parliamentary outreach programme for the empowerment Panchayati Raj institutions in Jammu and Kashmir'. The National Conference (NC) chief, who represents the Srinagar parliamentary constituency, however, regretted his party's non-participation in the 2018 panchayat polls and the 2019 Block Development Council elections. Read more: Nothing to worry about fallout of Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in Kashmir: Army "Our party did not contest the polls and I regret it. We should have (contested) and we will in the future God willing," the veteran politician said. Advising sarpanches and panches, with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Lt Governor Manoj Sinha also present on the dais, Abdullah asked them to remain in touch with people and listen to their problems, and not behave like bureaucrats who, he said, do not come to the rescue of people. Expressing anguish over government officials of the Jammu and Kashmir administration not responding to phone calls of people, Abdullah requested Sinha to instruct them to answer calls. "I have this complaint with the government officials that they do not pick up their phones as if some ghost is hanging upon them," he said. Abdullah said he picks up anybody's call because as a doctor he feels that the caller may be in some kind of distress. "I do not ask him which religion or party he belongs to. I think of him as a human in whose heart God resides," he said. Abdullah added soon a government will be formed in J&K which will make the officers accountable. Later on, talking to the reporters, he said the bureaucrats would be held accountable. "They will be accountable tomorrow for what they have done. Today, they think of themselves as kings, but they are not kings, they are the servants of people who have to work for the people," he said. The function was also attended by union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Prahlad Patel and Minister of State for Education Annapurna Devi. 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. Laying emphasis on providing enough security to panchayat leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said militancy still exists and the government should not live in "cuckoo world and think everything is hunky-dory". Abdullah, a former chief minister, made these remarks in the presence of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at an official event here, organised as part of the parliamentary outreach programme for strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions. Abdullah requested the Lt governor to strengthen security of panchayat leaders who continue to face threat to their lives and said militancy still exists in the Kashmir Valley. Read | National Conference will win next assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir: Farooq Abdullah "These panchayat members are the targets of militants and they need to be protected. Don't live in a cuckoo world and think everything is hunky-dory. We still face militancy and God knows what will happen in future," he said in an apparent suggestion to the government. Laying emphasis on the need to protect the country's diversity, Abdullah said there is nothing similar between those who live in Srinagar and Chennai. "The binding factor is only the resolve that we come together to create this country. India is a diverse nation and it cannot prosper if we don't protect its diversity." He further said if the authorities don't protect the diversity, then one cannot protect the nation. Also Read | J&K cops cracking down on 'white-collar jihadis', term them 'worst terrorists' "India cannot be run on the basis of one religion. And there is more threat from the enemy within. We know about the enemy which is outside," Abdullah said. He further said there is nothing wrong with any religion and that no religion teaches us to hate people from different faiths. Abdullah mentioned that panchayat elections were held under the governments led by him and his son Omar Abdullah. Reacting to Abdullah, the Lt Governor said, "I want to assure (you) that appropriate arrangements have been made for the security of panchayat leaders. The administration is committed to provide them security and will extend them all possible help to fulfil their duty." Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday urged investors to open new businesses in Jammu & Kashmir and assured added incentives for investments made in the least developed areas of the Union Territory. Inaugurating an online portal for registration under the new central sector scheme for industrial development in J&K, Shah said the reading down of Article 370 and 35A had opened up new business opportunities in the region. Fresh investments in J&K have the potential to generate 78,000 direct jobs in sectors such as agriculture, inland fisheries, horticulture, sericulture, dairy, Shah said. In February, the Centre had unveiled the Central Sector Scheme for Industrial Development of Jammu & Kashmir in February with a financial outlay of Rs 28,400 crore. It envisages extending four types of incentives capital investment incentive, capital interest subvention, GST-linked incentive and working capital interest subvention. The Scheme is attractive for both MSME, by the Capital Incentive component, as well as larger units, by a liberal Capital Interest Subvention component, Shah said. The Scheme was aimed at giving fresh thrust to industry and services-led development of J&K with emphasis on job creation, skill development and sustainable development by attracting new investment and nurturing the existing ones, Shah said. The Home Minister said investments in less developed areas of the Union Territory would get more incentive under the initiative. He said the online portal launched on Tuesday has been designed and developed for effective implementation of the scheme in a transparent manner and with the objective of ease of doing business. The entire process under the scheme i.e. applying for registration, submitting claims and their processing within the Department, is through the portal deliberately done to avoid human interface, Shah said. The Home Minister urged investors to invest in the union territory and assured them of a quick response to their concerns. Shah said J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha had a hands-on approach and monitored the implementation of the central sector scheme. In a significant decision which was cheered by the Hindu seers, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a complete ban on the sale of meat and liquor in Mathura, the land of Lord Krishna, and suggested that those engaged in their trade should instead sell milk keeping in view the glorious tradition of the religious town. According to the sources, the state government is mulling a similar ban in all the religious towns, including Ayodhya, Chitrakoot and some others. Speaking at a function after paying obeisance at the famous Banke Bihari Temple at Mathura on the occasion of 'Krishna Janmashthami' on Monday, Adityanath asked the district officials to draw up a plan to 'rehabilitate' the meat and liquor sellers in other traders. ''It is essential to ban the sale of liquor and meat to preserve the cultural and spiritual glory of Mathura....those engaged in the trades can start selling milk, which has been the tradition of this place,'' Adityanath said. Sources here said that a similar ban could be imposed on the sale of meat and liquor in Ayodhya, Chitrakoot and some other religious towns as well. Hindu seers and saints in Ayodhya hailed the decision and said that it would go a long way in preserving the age-old traditions of Hinduism. ''It is a welcome step...we have been demanding the same for the past many years,'' said Raju Das, the Mahant (religious head) of the famous Hanumangarhi temple in Ayodhya on Tuesday. Political analysts said that the decision was intended to 'please' the saint community in the state, which always favoured a complete ban on the sale of meat and alcohol in all religious towns. Top BJP leaders, including union home minister Amit Shah, have been focussing on the UP government's efforts to revive the glory of the Hindu religious places at their meetings in the state. Only recently Shah had said at a public meeting in Mirzapur that no other government had paid attention to the Hindu religious places. 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 here. He suggested that those engaged in liquor and meat trade may take up selling milk in order to revive the glory of Mathura, that was known for producing huge quantity of animal milk. Also Read | UP polls: Yogi renames towns to win Lucknow and has eyes on Delhi Adityanath also prayed to Lord Krishna to eliminate Covid-19 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 neglected since long are being revived now. Cabinet ministers Laxmi Narain Chaudhary and Shrikant Sharma were also present on the occasion. Check out DH's latest videos: With India crossing the 65-crore mark for Covid-19 vaccine doses administered so far, official sources said on Tuesday these include over 60 crore Covishield doses supplied by the Serum Institute. Over 60 crore doses have been supplied by the Pune-based firm to Government of India, state governments and private hospitals so far. The daily Covid-19 vaccinations crossed the 1 crore mark on Tuesday for the second time in five days, taking the total number of doses administered in the country to over 65 crore. Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs at SII, Prakash Kumar Singh, in a communication to NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr V K Paul and Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that when the government had set a target in December, 2020 to administer 60 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine by August, 2021, some sections of national and international media had expressed serious doubts on whether it would be able to achieve it. Read | Centre considering reduction of gap between two doses of Covishield "You would recall that at that time some sections of national and international media had expressed serious doubts on achieving this target..." "Today, on the last day of August, 2021, it is indeed a proud moment for the entire nation that under the visionary leadership of our prime minister...untiring efforts of the government machinery, our country has not only achieved but also surpassed the target of administering 60 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine by August, 2021," a source quoted Singh as having communicated. Singh mentioned that the SII alone has supplied more than 60 crore doses of Covishield, with 2.1 crore doses being provided in January, 2.5 crore in February, over 4.73 crore in March, over 6.25 crore in April, more than 5.96 crore in May, more than 9.68 crore in June, over 12.37 crore in July and over 16.92 crore in August. Also Read | SII tells Centre it will supply around 20 crore Covishield doses in September "We at Serum Institute of India (SII), under the able leadership of our CEO, Adar C Poonawalla, feel proud to be part of this world's largest Covid-19 vaccination drive and pleased to share that till date the SII alone has supplied more than 60 crore doses of Covishield to Government of India, state governments and private hospitals. "This has only been possible because of visionary leadership of our prime minister, continuous guidance provided by your kind self from time to time, valuable support of Team GoI and farsighted vision of our CEO," Singh is learnt to have stated. The SII is trying to further increase production capacity to supply 20 crore of Covishield doses per month from September 2021 onwards, Singh is learnt to have stated. The Hindu Munnani on Tuesday condemned the decision of the Tamil Nadu government to impose restrictions on the public celebrations of Vinayaka Chaturthi citing Covid-19. Terming it as a conspiracy against the Hindu community by the DMK-led dispensation, he said Chaturthi was celebrated last year amid more restrictions, without spreading the disease. Despite a drop in infections and majority of the population getting vaccinated, the government is banning Hindu festivals only, Munnani president, Kadeshwara Subramanian alleged at a press conference here. Noting that there were no restrictions to celebrate Bakrid recently, by erecting large pandals on road side, he claimed that even the 10-day Church festival was allowed in Turicorin recently by declaring a local holiday. However, when it comes to Hindu festivals, particularly during last month, being Holy Aadi month, the government was taking the issue of spreading the infection, he alleged. The government had announced a ban on the public celebration of Vinayaka Chaturthi and banned installation of idols at public places, processions and immersion of the idols in beaches and water bodies. Protesting the anti-Hindu stance of the DMK government, the people will visit and pray in front of all temples in the state on Thursday, he said. Munnani also wanted the government to withdraw its order and allow the Hindu population to celebrate the 'People's Festival' adhering to all the restrictions, like social distancing, Subramanian said. The Telangana High Court has directed the state government and the school managements not to compel the students to resume offline classes. It has also prohibited the reopening of state-run residential schools. The state's decision last week to reopen the educational institutions for the students of all the standards including pre-primary sections from 1 September has caused anxiety among the parents, especially when studies indicated the possibility of a Covid-19 third wave over the next few months. On Tuesday, a day before the schools' scheduled reopening for physical mode classes, the court reviewed a petition questioning the government's decision. In its 24 August orders, following CM Rao's decision a day earlier, the Telangana education department directed all the educational institutions across the state to open in physical mode, duly following the Covid-19 norms. The notice did not offer the option of continuing online classes, as preferred by many parents and more so in towns and cities. In such a scenario, some of the schools in Hyderabad had even asked for an undertaking from the parents to absolve the management of any liability if their child gets infected by the virus. Following the court's interim orders effectively allowing both offline and online education modes, education minister Sabitha Indra Reddy held consultations with senior officials and a revised memo was issued on Tuesday evening. According to the clarifications in the memo, all schools other than government residential, social welfare and tribal welfare schools with hostel facilities are permitted to open from 1 September. However, no child shall be compelled by any school management to physically attend offline classes, if his/her parents are disinclined to send the child to school. It is left open to school managements to have either only offline or only online or both offline and online classes, said Sandeep Kumar Sultania, secretary, education department. The government also submitted that the Standard Operating Procedures to be followed by the school managements conducting offline classes would be laid down within a week. Education department officials also stated that the undertakings from parents absolving the management in case of Covid-19 infections while in school, shall not have any legal effect. The end of the United States longest war was unceremonious trash blowing across the single airstrip of Kabuls international airport, Afghans lingering outside the gates, still hoping in vain for evacuation, Taliban firing victoriously into the night sky. In its final days, it was two US Marines shaking hands with Taliban fighters in the dim glow of the domestic terminal. It was lines of starved and dehydrated evacuees boarding gray planes that took them to uncertain futures. It was the Talibans leadership dictating their terms, as a generation of Afghans pondered the end of 20 years of some kind of expanded hope. It was highway overpasses and park benches stretched across the United States, named in honor of the wars dead. The end, at least for the Americans and their Western allies, came on a Monday after the thousands of US troops defending Hamid Karzai International Airport flew out in waves, one lumbering transport plane after another until none were left, in the final hours of the lost war. Also Read | The ignoble end to America's longest war Unlike the Soviets defeated before them, the Americans legacy was not a landscape littered with the destroyed hulks of armored vehicles. Instead, they left all the arms and equipment needed to supply the Taliban, the victors, for years to come, the product of two decades and $83 billion training and equipping an Afghan military and police forces that collapsed in the face of poor leadership and dwindling US support. Afghanistan has once more completed a cycle that has repeatedly defined the past 40 years of violence and upheaval: For the fifth time since the Soviet invasion in 1979, one order has collapsed and another has risen. What has followed each of those times has been a descent into vengeance, score-settling and, eventually, another cycle of disorder and war. It is up to the Taliban, now, to decide whether they will perpetuate the cycle of vengeance, as they did upon seizing power from a group of feuding warlords in 1996, or will truly embrace the new path that their leaders have promised in recent days: one of acceptance and reconciliation. Nearly 20 years have passed since Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida executed the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, and President George W. Bush announced that the United States would invade Afghanistan as the first act in a global war against terrorism. Now, the United States is contending with how to define its relationship with the same Islamist rulers it toppled in 2001 again a question of vengeance or acceptance and how to try to head off the resurgence of any international terrorist threat rising from Afghanistan. Now, there are smaller prospects of airstrikes in the Afghan countryside that leave the unnamed and faceless dead as data points in a colored bar graph of a barely read United Nations report. No roadside bombs buried in haste, in the dead of night, that might strike a government vehicle or a minibus packed with families. Instead, there is a widespread anxiety about what the true shape of Taliban rule will be with the Americans truly gone. And there is fear that the chaotic rush of the governments collapse during the Taliban advance could leave an unfixable economy, ruin and hunger. Also Read | Last US forces leave Afghanistan after almost 20 years The United States conflict in Afghanistan was a long war with a quick end, or so it seemed. But the withdrawals fate was set more than 18 months ago, when the Trump administration signed an agreement with the Taliban to withdraw from the country by May 1, 2021. In exchange, the Taliban agreed to stop attacking Americans, end mass-casualty attacks on Afghans in cities, and prevent al-Qaida and other terrorist groups from finding refuge in the country. The Talibans leverage, earned after years of fighting the worlds most advanced military, multiplied as they captured more remote outposts and checkpoints, then rural villages and districts, then the roads in between them. By the beginning of this year, the Taliban had positioned themselves near several key cities, as the newly inaugurated Biden administration weighed whether to honor the agreement made under President Donald Trump to depart. By the time President Joe Biden and NATO announced in April the withdrawal of US and coalition forces by Sept. 11, the Taliban were already taking district after district. The Afghan security forces were surrendering or being cut down in droves. Soon, provincial capitals too were under siege, despite US air power and an Afghan military that Biden and other senior officials said was nearly 300,000 strong. But in the final days, the Afghan security forces totaled around just one-sixth of that, according to US officials. Afghan troops fled more than fought, but those who were killed with their chests facing their enemy died for a cause that not even their leaders seemed to believe in. Even before Bidens announcement and Trumps deal with the Taliban, the United States had been in stages of withdrawal since December 2009, when President Barack Obama announced both a surge of tens of thousands of troops and their departure by 2014. Since then, Afghans and Americas allies have been in varying stages of alarm and second-guessing, clambering to secure their future and business interests. This uncertainty reinforced the endemic corruption that the West decried, but continued to feed it with billions of dollars in the hope it might somehow change. Now, at the end, the Afghan politicians and entrepreneurs and elite who fed off the wars coffers have largely fled. The final US military planes departed, leaving behind at least 100,000 Afghans eligible for resettlement in the United States for their work with the Americans. The evacuation, which began in July as an orderly and modest relocation of a few thousand Afghans, devolved into an apocalyptic exodus as Kabul collapsed on Aug. 15. Hundreds, then thousands, amassed at the gates; people abandoned their cars; and US forces watched on infrared cameras as people overran their defenses, not with tanks or explosives but with sheer mass. The Americans and the Taliban then worked together to clear the airport and establish a perimeter after frantic Afghans fell from the underbelly of transport planes and the thud-thud-thud of helicopters evacuated the US Embassy, one of the largest diplomatic missions in the world. The evacuation became plagued by scenes that evoked those of another generational American war, when Saigon fell and helicopters were pushed from ships to sea. We have a mutually beneficial relationship with the Taliban, one soldier said unironically earlier this month, standing near the sea of people holding signs and documents and passports in the dead of night, illuminated by the flashlights attached to rifles held by US soldiers who yelled at them to stop pushing and get back. One person was caught in the string of barbed wire and ripped free by panicked family members as more steel barrier coils were laid in place. Also read: Celebratory gunfire in Kabul as US military withdraws A year ago, or 10 years ago, or 15 years ago, the Taliban were shadows in an adjacent tree line, the unseen specters who turned the ground in front of US, NATO and Afghan troops into a mine-laden hell. Each step posed the question of what to do if a friend in front was suddenly blown in half the tourniquet goes here, the blood type is O positive. Yet in the final hours of Americas war, the Taliban fully materialized, just down the road or on the other side of the gate in the countrys capital. They were suddenly everywhere, their white-and-black flags orbiting the American positions, controlling the crowd, letting the Americans end the war but not on American terms. For the US forces on the ground the final weeks of the war, the task at hand wasnt a presence patrol, or counterinsurgency operations or clear-hold-build or nation-building. There were no raids on Taliban weapons caches or bomb-makers because the bomb-makers and their commanders now controlled the city. The young soldiers and Marines instead found ways to help those who were lucky enough to make it near the airport gates at all. They pulled people through the threshold to what Afghans believed would be a better life. Sometimes those Afghans didnt have the right documents, so they were turned away. Beyond the trauma of having to give that rejection, and face that desperation, the Americans would once more face the loss of comrades in Afghanistan in those final hours 13 US service members, killed by an Islamic State group terrorist attack on Thursday as they tried to sort a crowd of Afghans holding their documents out for consideration. Almost 200 Afghans were killed in the same attack, in a devastating coda of carnage. In Qatar, Kuwait, Germany and the United States, tens of thousands of Afghans sit in processing centers, out of the shadow of the Talibans new-old government, but uncertain of when or how they might make it to America. In the United States, historians and analysts will look back on the failed solutions and the misguided strategies and general officers who assured victory even though in off-the-record briefings and closed-door sessions they acknowledged that the United States was losing. Perhaps the American people will demand accountability for the thousands of lives and trillions of dollars spent, only for the Taliban to end up back in control, more powerful than they were 20 years ago. Or perhaps they wont care, and will move on in an America that will continue to be profoundly shaped politically, economically and personally by the war, noticed or not. As for those left behind in Afghanistan, a country of 38 million minus the thousands who have fled or died in recent weeks, all they can do is look forward, asking themselves and anyone who will listen: What comes next? Check out DH's latest videos: In a democratic country, people elect their representatives to work for a quality life and inclusive growth opportunities for them. The quality of the public representatives, in turn, depends on the quality of the people who vote for them. So, the root cause of problems as well as solutions lies with the voters. They must be properly educated to choose their leaders. The New Education Policy points out that nearly five crore children in elementary schools do not have foundational literacy and numeracy skills. As per ASER 2017, a large portion of students surveyed had trouble with the foundational skills of reading and doing arithmetic, fared poorly in abilities of calculating and telling time. Only a little over 50% of children enrolled in schools make it to Class 12; less than half of them enter higher education. Millions of children in India do not follow NCERT syllabus, which includes study of literature, history, social science, geography, English and fine arts, etc., along with math and science; children are supposed to study those subjects to become rounded, responsible citizens. The government should ensure quality education up to Class 12 through a uniform NCERT syllabus for at least 70% of the population; it will have a positive impact on democracy, governance and self-employment. Retired government servants, senior teachers, educated youth and media should contribute to achieve this objective. Like poor education, poverty also allows democracy to malfunction. The poor feel that casting votes responsibly wont change their lives. They have only one immediate worry -- how to survive with the bare minimum facilities they can access, forget about quality food, health and education. So, they fall victim to vote-bank politics for free food and freebies. The pandemic has intensified poverty and unemployment. According to a study conducted by Azim Premji University, the daily earnings of 230 million people slipped below the national minimum wage threshold of Rs 320. The Global Hunger Index (2020) which is calculated on the basis of total undernourishment of the population, child stunting, wasting and child mortality ranks India 94 among 107 countries. The central government says it has spent Rs 1,15,570 crore in 2020-21 to provide subsidised food to 80 crore people, and disputes Indias low ranking in the Global Hunger Index. The government, instead of giving food subsidies, should create the right environment for people to earn income with self-respect. In the age of automation and artificial intelligence, it may be impossible to find quality jobs for 142 crore people in industry and IT and services sectors in cities. A mostly mono-sector-based economy will push millions of unskilled villagers into the urban slums. Tapping employment opportunities in agriculture, tourism, handicrafts, weaving, fishery, pilgrimage tourism, horticulture and animal husbandry, etc., will help achieve inclusive growth. When a large number of young people leave villages for menial work in cities, it creates poverty and unrest in both urban and rural areas; old people in the families become helpless. Many economic sectors that are woven around nature look deserted. Big financial poachers take advantage of this situation and grab fertile agricultural lands and other natural resources. Villagers should be properly guided to earn incomes from the natural sector economy. When their incomes rise, quality education comes to their doorsteps; with education, people become capable of exercising adult franchise and choosing their leaders responsibly. The intelligentsia, instead of lamenting over economic, social, political and cultural decadence, should spend time to educate children so that they grow into socially and politically conscious citizens. After 75 years of Independence, caste, language and religious divides continue to be hurdles for our democracy. They do not allow people to cast their votes with free and independent minds. The caste leaders often manipulate their voting choices; national parties accommodate caste leaders only to remain in power. In recent years, the leaders of dominant castes such as Patidars, Marathas, Kapus, Jats and Brahmins have been demanding quotas. This does not augur well for democracy. Besides, the growth of minority and majority community vote-banks blurs the capacity of voters to choose good leaders. Genuine nationalist parties must work to cement the divisions in society, not tear them apart further. The non-participation of honest and educated people in politics has also made democracy sick. Most such people know they cant beat politicians who have money and muscle power. But, despite these adverse circumstances, well-educated people must contest elections; even their defeat will create awareness among voters and strengthen democracy. Voter awareness will contribute to inclusive democracy, which will help elect good politicians. As per the 2011 census, about 8.15% of people in India are graduates; this is too small a number to support the worlds largest democracy. The nation should have at least 30% of its population as graduates. Quality education, economic diversity and participation of honest and educated people in the election process will make India a performing democracy. The ongoing jostling for strategic influence between New Delhi and Beijing in the Indian Ocean archipelago of Maldives has just seen India surge ahead after it bagged the contract to build the $500 million Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) last week. Billed as the "largest-ever infrastructure project" in the Maldives, India has reason to be pleased now that the contract has been signed. The gargantuan project envisages linking capital Male with the islands of Villingli, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi with a 6.74-km-long bridge and causeway link. Once constructed, this mega project will overshadow the Chinese-built 1.4-km-long Sinmale bridge. Referred to as the China-Maldives Friendship bridge, it links capital Male to the islands of Hulhule and Hulhumale. The Chinese-constructed bridge is an important element of China's Maritime Silk Road Initiative, which the Maldives signed onto in 2014. Another close Indian neighbour, Sri Lanka, is also part of this initiative, adding to New Delhi's worries as China increases its footprint in the region. The Sinmale bridge was inaugurated on August 30, 2018, days ahead of the presidential polls in the archipelago in September that year. The then-president, the China-leaning Abdulla Yameen, was possibly hoping to reap the benefits by winning another five-year term. To Yameen's dismay and undoubtedly to India's great relief, he lost. Instead, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was back in the saddle, winning an overwhelming majority and party co-founder Ibrahim 'Ibu' Solih becoming the president. Ever since, New Delhi has stepped on the throttle, making the most of an India-friendly government in place in Male to deliver swiftly on infrastructure projects and regain its strategic space from China. Indeed, the 'battle of the bridges' can be seen as a metaphor for the tussle between the two Asian giants to extend their sphere of influence not just in the Maldives but the wider Indian Ocean Region. With China lurking in its periphery, India's security concerns have been heightened in recent years. Additionally, Islamist elements continue to thrive in the Maldives and remain a threat not just to its stability but also to the region. With its abundant resources and money, China has been wooing countries in India's neighbourhood through huge infrastructure projects. Even the distinct possibility of falling into a 'debt trap' has not held them back from availing of Chinese loans. In the Maldives, China held sway during President Yameen's presidency between 2013 and 2018. But India has been able to claw back onto the centrestage since the 2018 electoral defeat of Yameen, working to deliver small and large-scale projects in the archipelago through development assistance. The funding for the GMCP has two elements -- a $400-million Line of Credit (LoC) and a $100-million grant. India's attempts to keep China at bay have seen it providing to the Maldives a financial assistance package of $1.4 billion apart from LoCs worth $1.2 billion to build infrastructure. Lending a sense of urgency to India's work in the Maldives is the knowledge that the country is still a fledgling democracy where systems and institutions are still evolving. Besides, New Delhi is well aware that a change in government in the archipelago could mean that the pendulum could once again swing in China's favour. That anti-India sentiments within certain quarters in the Maldives come to the fore from time to time also need to be part of New Delhi's calculus. There has already been an "India Out" campaign, which saw Yameen's supporters leading it last year and questioning their country's dependence on New Delhi for executing projects. Yameen himself is under house arrest after spending some time behind bars on being sentenced to a five-year prison term following conviction in a money laundering case. More recently, a website launched an 'India Out' campaign, which gathered steam on social media forcing the Indian High Commission in Male to register its protest with the Maldivian foreign ministry, describing the attacks as "motivated" and "malicious". While such shrill campaigns are not unexpected, particularly with presidential elections in the Maldives just two years away, another development threatens the archipelago's political stability. And this is the manner in which former president and now speaker of the Maldivian Majlis (Parliament) Mohamed Nasheed appears to be consistently undermining and embarrassing his own party's government. From charging his own party's ministers with corruption to calling for the imposition of emergency in the Maldives following the terror attack targeting him in June, Nasheed has been busy rocking the Solih government's boat. These pronouncements by Nasheed are widely perceived as the over-stepping of his role as Speaker of the Majlis. It has led to a rift between Solih and Nasheed, both co-founders of the MDP. Recently, in an even more disconcerting move for his party and the government, Nasheed announced that he was willing to align with political foe Yameen, the very man who had sent him to prison on terror charges and his party, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). While the PPM has rejected this proposal for now, the political cauldron in a nation with a nascent democracy continues to simmer. Early last month, Nasheed declared his intention to run for the presidency of the Maldives in the 2023 elections. The split within the MDP is wide open. And if the party is unable to gather its act together in the next two years, the consolidation of democracy in this strategically located nation may well be the casualty. (The writer is a senior New Delhi-based journalist) Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the authors own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH. We need to make certain assumptions regarding Afghanistan since during these early days the situation remains confused. Whether it will settle in a couple of weeks or a couple of months remains to be seen, but Indian reactions are needed now rather than later. The first assumption is that the Taliban will establish their rule, if not over the whole country, at least over enough of it to be considered the governing authority. The second assumption is that at least in the early stages, they will need wide international recognition and legitimacy, and they will not try to proceed alone, as they did 25 years ago when they were recognised only by the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The third assumption is that due to this, they will conduct themselves with reasonable propriety, within the framework of Sharia law, and distance themselves from the fanatics who ran Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. The major problem is the presence of the Islamic State (IS), al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Taiba and other Islamist militants. The malign Haqqani Network is very much part of the Taliban leadership. Reference to the Taliban of 25 to 20 years ago is relevant because the Indian experience when, too, the BJP was in power was highly negative. The Taliban were considered an adjunct of the Pakistani army, suspected of terror activities in Kashmir, and they were involved in the Pakistani hijacking of an Indian plane which ended in Kandahar. Old memories lead to deep suspicions and aversion of the Taliban. Also read: Taliban have more Black Hawk choppers than 85% countries India faces an adverse geopolitical situation. It was comfortable with the US and NATO attacks on the Taliban after 2001 and the US/NATO presence in Afghanistan thereafter, but the Americans have now departed. India has spent about $3 billion on civil infrastructure in Afghanistan for the benefit of the Afghan people, which is at risk of destruction or misuse. The Taliban leadership has been touring world capitals such as Doha, Moscow, Istanbul, Tehran, Beijing and Islamabad recently, but was based in Pakistan, which was instrumental in bringing them to the Doha talks with the US, at which we were not present. The Taliban practice orthodox Sunni Islam which, with the support of Pakistan to it, might have implications for India, especially in Muslim-majority Kashmir. There are hints that India has been in touch with the Taliban, but the Talibs were never invited to Delhi whereas they have been to all other regional capitals. We withdrew our embassy totally within hours of the Taliban takeover although all the other regional players and Russia remained in Kabul and held discussions with the Taliban. This places us at a serious disadvantage. Given the three assumptions, what are our options? The US presumed over the past two years that the Taliban would form the Afghan government. The Doha talks were predicated on that assumption, but we remained unprepared for the Taliban takeover. The supposed resistance in Afghanistan is wishful thinking and it will get nowhere without external support, which is doubtful. The Afghans only want peace after the endless war since 1980. Will the US invest again in the same merry-go-round? The threat to the Taliban will be from even more extreme militants, and countries may back the Taliban against the IS, al-Qaeda and other terrorists. For this, the Taliban will need foreign intelligence and material help. The second assumption concerned legitimacy. Diplomatic practice is that a group that controls the major part of any country is recognised, and the Taliban emirate will qualify. No one has recognised the Taliban so far, but there are hints that recognition from China, Pakistan, Qatar, Turkey and Russia may be forthcoming. Paradoxically, the Taliban may be helped by the IS terror bombing in garnering support. Western countries and the UN will wait until assurances by the Taliban of peace, inclusivity and human rights are implemented. From Indias viewpoint, there is no urgency, and we can wait; probably, the Taliban will not expect early Indian recognition. The third assumption was that the Taliban would present a civilised front provided it is able to control its foot-soldiers, because it knows that legitimacy depends on this, and so do aid flows. China, Qatar and Pakistan alone cannot attend to the hunger, health and social problems of Afghanistans abject poverty. Also read: Threat to Kabul airport remains 'real' and 'specific', says Pentagon The past is never a good guide to the future. We have to forget what happened when the Taliban was last in power and judge whether engagement with them serves our interests. We do not need to trust the Taliban, but to observe their behaviour. We have relations with countries that have deplorable records, and we are not angels ourselves. It was a mistake to close our embassy. We need to be there in Kabul as the richest, strongest SAARC country, and Afghanistan is a SAARC member. Indians are the most popular foreigners for Afghan people because we never tried to dominate or oppress them. We should open a discussion with the Taliban on our interests and expectations, and their intentions. Pakistan is the most influential country now, but this will not last forever. There is no reason to abdicate our space to the Pakistanis or the Chinese. Indias opinion is important, its decisions are important. We cannot influence events by watching events from afar. We need to be in Kabul, have discussions with the Taliban and observe events on the spot. We have embassies in many other dangerous places, and Kabul was probably our best-protected embassy. We need to return to bilateral business as soon as possible. Our flag must fly in Afghanistan. This is not possible without having dealings with the Taliban. (The writer is a former foreign secretary) New data presented to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention committee provided more evidence that the Covid-19 vaccines provided robust protection against severe disease through July, after the delta variant of the coronavirus had spread widely through the United States. Scientists also confirmed that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots confer a small risk of heart problems in younger men, but that the benefits still outweighed the risks. At the committees meeting Monday, Dr Sara Oliver, a CDC scientist, presented unpublished data from Covid-Net, a hospital surveillance system. All three vaccines used in the United States remained highly effective at preventing hospitalizations from April through July, when delta became dominant, the data suggested. For adults under the age of 75, the shots were at least 94% effective at preventing hospitalizations, a rate that has remained steady for months, Oliver said. Protection against hospitalization did decline in July for adults 75 or older, but still remained above 80%. Covid vaccines continue to maintain high protection against severe disease, hospitalization and death, Oliver said. Protection against infection or mild disease does appear to have declined somewhat in recent months, however. These reasons for lower effectiveness likely include both waning over time and the delta variant, she said. The data comes in the midst of an ongoing debate about the necessity and timing of booster doses. On Aug. 18, health officials recommended that adults who received either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine get a third shot eight months after their second dose. If the Food and Drug Administration clears the booster shots, they will be available beginning Sept. 20, top federal health officials have said. CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL COVERAGE ONLY ON DH The recommendation was based on data suggesting that the vaccines may become less effective at protecting against infection and mild disease over time. But the shots still work well against severe disease and death, and many scientists have criticized the plan for booster shots, saying that its not yet clear that theyre needed. The CDC advisory committee will review additional data on the safety, effectiveness and potential need for booster doses at a meeting in September. However, getting shots to unvaccinated people should continue to be the top priority, Oliver said: Planning for delivery of booster doses to vaccinated individuals should not deter outreach for delivery of primary series to unvaccinated individuals. The committee unanimously voted to recommend the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which was approved by the FDA last week, for Americans 16 or older. Scientists also presented to the committee new data on the risks of two heart conditions following vaccination: myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, and pericarditis, an inflammation of the membrane that surrounds the heart. The side effects tend to be mild, temporary, and uncommon, the data confirmed. For every million doses of the second shot given to 12- to 39-year-olds, there were 14 to 20 extra cases of the heart problems, according to the new data presented Monday. The data suggest an association of myocarditis with mRNA vaccination in adolescents and young adults, Dr Grace Lee, a paediatrician at Stanford and chair of the committee, said at Monday's meeting. Further data are being compiled to understand potential risk factors, optimal management strategies and long-term outcomes. But the benefits of the vaccines are substantial, even for those in the highest risk groups. According to an analysis presented Monday by a CDC scientist, every million doses of the Pfizer vaccine administered to 16- and 17-year-old boys would be expected to cause 73 cases of the heart problems, while preventing more than 56,000 Covid-19 cases and 500 related hospitalizations. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine last week reported that the risk of myocarditis was substantially higher after infection with the virus than after vaccination. Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep, battling back from injury, advanced to the second round of the US Open on Monday as the hardcourts showdown began before full-capacity crowds. The 29-year-old Romanian 12th seed defeated Italy's Camila Giorgi 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) to book a second-round match against Slovakian lucky loser Kristina Kucova, who ousted American Ann Li 7-5, 6-1. Halep, the 2018 French Open and 2019 Wimbledon champion, tore a left calf muscle at the Italian Open, missed the French Open and Wimbledon, then suffered a right thigh injury at Cincinnati, but made a solid New York start. Halep fired six aces and won 83% of her first serve points, hitting 14 winners against 16 unforced errors while taking advantage of 31 unforced errors by Giorgi. Defending champion Naomi Osaka, seeking her third US Open crown in four years, was set for the feature night match at Arthur Ashe Stadium against 87th-ranked Czech Marie Bouzkova. Also read: After year away, excited fans return to US Open but confront long lines Osaka won their only prior meeting in the first round of this year's Australian Open on the way to her fourth Grand Slam title. The 23-year-old Japanese star could become the first back-to-back US Open women's champion since Serena Williams won her third in a row in 2014. Osaka enters on a 15-match Grand Slam win streak, having skipped the French Open last year and Wimbledon this year and withdrawn after a first-round win at this year's French Open over mental health issues. Also on the night schedule is second seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus against Serbia's Nina Stojanovic. Americans Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys meet in a first-round rematch of the 2017 US Open final won by Stephens. On the men's side, while top-ranked Novak Djokovic waits until Tuesday to begin his quest for a US Open crown to complete a calendar-year Grand Slam, his top-seeded rivals take the court. Greek third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas will face three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray of Britain at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Murray, ranked 112th, won the 2012 US Open and 2013 and 2016 Wimbledon crowns. He would be the lowest-ranked player to ever beat a top-three foe at the US Open since the rankings began in 1973. Two-time Olympic champion Murray is 14-0 in prior US Open first-round matches and the 34-year-old Scotsman seeks his biggest win since downing then-world number two Novak Djokovic in the 2016 ATP Finals. Tsitsipas, the French Open runner-up, is Murray's highest-ranked foe since he lost to third-ranked Stan Wawrinka in a 2017 French Open semi-final Russian second seed Daniil Medvedev opens in the Ashe night finale against Frenchman Richard Gasquet. Medvedev, the 2019 US Open and 2021 Australian Open runner-up, seeks his 200th career match win and his 160th on hardcourts. Gasquet is 1-35 against top-two rivals, having dropped 35 in a row since beating then-number one Federer in 2005 at Monte Carlo. Croatia's 221st-ranked Ivo Karlovic, at 42 the oldest US Open qualifier in the Open Era (since 1968), would become the oldest player to defeat a top-10 foe if he can upset Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev. BJP national general secretary C T Ravi said on Tuesday that the Constitution of India and women will remain safe as long as Hindus remain the majority in the country. Speaking at a press meet, he stated that if Hindus become the minority, the culture of Gandhara will be back. "Those who want to protect the Constitution should not forget this reality." "Because of appeasement politics, Taliban are being created in the Madrasas of the country and there is a possibility of creating more Pakistans in the nation. As long as Hindutva-based politics remain in the land, Parsis and Yahudis too will get protection," Ravi said. "When the people with a mindset for equality remain as the majority, equality and independence of women will exist. Otherwise, the country will meet the same fate as Afghanistan," he added. "The Congress is doing politics by forgetting the principle that the nation comes first and it is comparing patriotic outfits with Taliban. The grand-old party will join hands with anybody to form the government," he alleged. Siddaramaiah's message "If Opposition Leader in Legislative Party Siddaramaiah is going for rest or treatment, one should understand that he will send a message to the party workers and his followers that no election should be won under the leadership of KPCC president D K Shivakumar. It is evident that Siddaramaiah ensured the defeat of former Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara and Mallikarjun Kharge," he accused. "The party is in a position that it is not finding an able national president for the past 20 years. So, this is its state in Karnataka. The KPCC president has been finding it difficult to have his own working team for the past 18 months. Unfortunately, he is daydreaming to become the chief minister," Ravi quipped. Reacting to a query on India's relationship with Afghanistan, he said foreign policies will be drafted for the welfare of the country. "Both policies and strategies are different," he added. The Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry has appealed to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to reduce the VAT, Sales Tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) from 28 per cent to 1 per cent In a representation to the CM, KCCI President Isaac Vas said that Mangaluru International Airport has been serving the people of Coastal Karnataka and Malnad region and also the State of Kerala up to Kanhangad. Reports indicate an uptick in the passenger movement at the airport this month, after the long standing Covid-induced restrictions. This augurs well for the local economy. With the opening of airports nearby, a lot of concessions have been given to different airlines in their respective states to start operating from those airports, thus ensuring more airline operations and maximum passenger traffic. As far as the tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) is concerned, it is subsidised to as low as 1 per cent in Kerala while it is as high as 28 per cent in Mangaluru making it unattractive for new airlines to come and start their operations to various destination, he said. Also Read | Scindia writes to Bommai seeking help to speed up aviation infrastructure projects in Karnataka The KCCI has been advocating to rationalise/reduce VAT on ATF in Karnataka for a long time. In fact, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya Scindia, in his letter to the CM recently urged him to rationalise/reduce the VAT/Sales Tax on ATF to bring it on par with neighbouring states. In his letter, Scindia said Presently, there is a huge disparity between States, and even within States, in terms of VAT being levied on ATF. He had emphasised on the need to reduce the existing VAT/Sales Tax on ATF to 1 per cent-4 per cent at all airports with immediate effect. Besides, it is worth noting that the revenue collected by the State on account of VAT on ATF is an insignificant proportion of the overall State finances. In any case, this will be more than offset by the positive impact of air connectivity to the State through the flow of economic activities, the letter said quoting Scindia. Further, the KCCI President also urged the government to expedite the work on the acquisition of 36 acres of land for enhancing the runway for Mangaluru International Airport which is still pending. The extension of the runway will help in the overall development of the airport. In a dramatic development, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Karnataka Legislature decided to reject the responses provided by the Health & Family Welfare department on procurement of equipment and supplies to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic. Members of the PAC, under its chairman Ramalinga Reddy, objected to the "incorrect information" provided by department officials during the PAC hearing on Tuesday, according to sources. The PAC also decided to submit a report to the Legislative Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri and Legislative Council chairperson Basavaraj Horatti based on complaints received. It also observed massive differences in responses provided by the government on procurement when compared with the documents it had. Also Read | Discrepancies in RAT Covid kits procurement: PAC The PAC has been doggedly chasing the government over alleged irregularities in the money spent to fight the Covid-19 pandemic since the outbreak of the virus last year. During the meeting, remarks made by the Comptroller & Auditor-General (CAG) over setting up ICUs in five public hospitals Bangarpete, Channarayapatna, Mulbagal, Nanjangud and Dharwad district hospital were also highlighted. The PAC noted that since ICUs at the facilities were not functional, the CAG had classified the expenses incurred as 'unfruitful expenditure'. PAC also pulled by the department for allowing several crucial equipment required to fight Covid-19 lie idle at various facilities. Karnataka Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah on Tuesday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modis beard, suggesting that facial hair was his alternative to providing jobs. He was speaking at an event where new NSUI Karnataka office-bearers were appointed. Student leader Kirthi Ganesh NG took charge as the NSUI state president. In seven years, Modi should have created 14 crore jobs at two crore a year. Has he given at least 14,000? He couldn't provide jobs and grew a beard, Siddaramaiah, a former chief minister, said. Accusing Modi of lying all the time, Siddaramaiah said the youth were misled. When asked for jobs, he asked people to make pakodas. Even that can't be done because the cost of cooking oil has touched Rs 200 a litre, he said. Modi speaks only lies. What else does he speak? Even today, he lies on Mann Ki Baat...it's full of lies. Also Read | Bommai govt can collapse anytime, says Siddaramaiah The Congress leader also noted that Modis popularity was declining. Its slowly declining, but not fully, he pointed out. Speaking at the event, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar urged student leaders to send photocopies of their degree certificates to Modi. Let them give jobs or keep the certificates, he said, making the new NSUI office-bearers vow to enroll 75,000 students as members this year. Shivakumar also targeted the BJP government over crimes against women. Rapes have increased under the BJP government. There have been four this month - Belagavi, Chitradurga, Tumakuru and Mysuru, he said. A rally will be held in Derry tonight in support of the Afghan refugees.. Organisers, the Derry Anti War Coalition, say the 20-year war in Afghanistan has cost over two trillion dollars and 'achieved nothing but misery and suffering' for the Afghan people. Spokesperson Davy McAuley said: Twenty years ago we campaigned against this war and time has proven us and the millions around the world who raised their voices to be correct. We offer our solidarity to all refugees and call for an end to all foreign wars. The victims of the 'War on Terror' cannot be blamed for the foreign policy disasters of the British and American governments... These people cannot be abandoned. The borders must be opened and safe passage granted. We want to send a clear message of solidarity from Derry. We want this city to be a city of sanctuary. We must make this place a welcoming refuge for those who flee war. Refugees are welcome here. Civil rights are refugee rights. We shall overcome. Tonight's rally will take place in Guildhall Square. 6.00pm. The SDLP have selected Patsy McGlone as their Mid Ulster candidate for the 2022 Assembly election. Mr McGlone has been an MLA in the constituency for over 17 years since being elected for the first time in 2003. The Ballinderry native is currently also Chair of the Assembly's All-Party Group on Construction and Chair of the APG on Country Sports. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the sitting MLA was a key part of the partys plans. Patsy McGlone has been an outstanding public representative for the SDLP for nearly 30 years and Im delighted he has once again been selected to run for the party in Mid Ulster, he said. Since becoming an MLA in 2003 he has been a tireless advocate for the people of Mid Ulster, bringing the views of the local community right into the heart of the Assembly. He has been an outspoken champion of environmental issues, trade and investment and justice. He has also, as a fluent Irish speaker, been one of the main voices in the campaign for language rights. Heading into next years election the SDLP has big and bold plans for this place, Patsy is a key part of the SDLP team driving those plans and his experience will be crucial if we are to see them reach their full potential. Mr McGlone said bringing local concerns to the heart of government was key to his role. It has been an honour to represent the people of Mid Ulster in the Assembly for nearly 20 years, he said. During that time I have strived to listen to the local community and take their concerns to the top level of government. While things have not been easy, politics here rarely are, I believe that things work best when we have local politicians fighting on behalf of local people. While this has not been helped by the collapse of the Assembly and the constant infighting between Sinn Fein and the DUP I still believe we have much to be proud of. When I talk to people in Mid Ulster and across the North they accept there are problems here, but they still have hope for the future. People want change they can believe in, they dont want politics built on fear that has so often failed to deliver. The SDLP are offering real and ambitious change, we are working on a manifesto that will bring our people together and deliver for everyone, while working towards a New Ireland that we can all proudly call home. Im very excited about the future of this party and if elected I will continue to work for the people of Mid Ulster alongside achieving these wider aims to the betterment of everyone in the North. The GLink 2.0 IP using TSMC 5nm Process and 2.5D Advanced Packaging Technology passed full silicon qualification. Hsinchu, Taiwan Aug 31, 2021 Global Unichip Corp. (GUC), the Advanced ASIC Leader, disclosed today that its 2nd generation GLink 2.0 (GUC multi-die interLink) interface, using TSMC 5nm process and TSMC advanced packaging technology for multi-die integration in AI, HPC and Networking applications, has passed full silicon qualification. Like its predecessor GLink 1.0, GLink 2.0 supports InFO_oS and all CoWoS types (both silicon and organic interposers). GLink 2.0 is fully backward compatible with GLink 1.0, with similar power consumption while doubling speed per lane, beachfront and area efficiency. Die edge is the scarcest resource and GLink-2.0 allows the most efficient use of it by transferring 1.3 Tbps of full duplex traffic per every mm of beachfront. Lead AI & Networking customers adopted GLink 2.0 for their next-generation products and expect mass productions in 2023 and thereafter. GLink 1.0 GLink 2.0 Speed per Lane 8 Gbps 16 Gbps Beachfront efficiency (Full duplex) 0.7 Tbps/mm 1.3 Tbps/mm Area efficiency (Full duplex) 0.8 Tbps/mm2 1.6 Tbps/mm2 GLink 2.0s power consumption is more than 2 times lower than alternative solutions using ultra-short reach SerDes-based communication through package substrate. For every 10 Tbps of full duplex traffic, it consumes 10 to 15 W less power than alternative SerDes-based interfaces, and it occupies more than 2 times less area of silicon and beachfront. Serial interfaces (SerDes) consume constant power according to the worst-case data pattern. It always consumes the same power even when traffic is reduced or idle, burning maximal power according to the absolute worst-case traffic scenario. The GLink parallel bus doesnt randomize data; it consumes power proportional to the actual data toggle rate, and even further reduces the toggle rate using Data Bus Inversion (DBI). This allows our customers to burn 10 to 20 times less power in practical workloads vs. SerDes-based links. GLink IP delivery includes all analog and digital parts; its parallel interface is connected directly to user interfaces or common buses like AXI. Integrated TX and RX Clock Domain Crossing (CDC) FIFOs allow any ratio between transmitter and receiver clock frequencies, increasing system flexibility. GLink includes a Link Training hardware state machine and automatic voltage-temperature changes tracking during normal operation, so that the user software is not involved in interface control. GLink has redundant lanes to replace faulty ones during production tests or in the field. The proteanTecs Universal Chip Telemetry (UCT) is integrated in the PHY. It can be used to monitor the signal quality of every physical lane during normal operation, to observe lane degradation due to CoWoS or InFO_oS physical effects, and to support a decision to replace a marginal quality lane with a redundant one in order to prevent system failure and extend the products life cycle. The next GLink versions using TSMC 5nm and 3nm technologies will support 2.5 Tbps/mm, error-free full duplex traffic with similar power consumption, and will be available in Q4, 2021 and Q1, 2022, respectively. 5G and AI are paving the way for Digital Transformation, i.e., smart connectivity, data center and edge computing/AIoT. The key enablers for Digital Transformation are HPC platform, 2.5D/3D Advanced Packaging and ASIC & Scalable Processors. GUC just recently announced our HBM3 and GLink-3D solutions. By fully qualifying 2nd generation GLink 2.0 silicon, GUC is showing long-term commitment to providing the most competitive Advanced Package Technology total solution for enabling Digital Transformation, including a full set of best-in-class and silicon proven HBM2E/3 PHY & Controller, GLink 2.5D and 3D die to die interfaces, CoWoS and InFO_oS expertise, electrical and thermal simulations, package design and manufacturing, DFT and production test, explains Dr. Ken Chen, president of GUC. We are developing our IPs for integration in a harsh environment of >1000W, many-reticle size ASICs. We tested GLink 2.0 for robust and stable operation in a full spectrum of operating conditions as we learned from our products, and we observed error-free operation in the toughest system operation scenarios. We leverage deep knowledge of TSMCs 2.5D and 3D technology in order to develop the highest bandwidth and the lowest power die-to-die interfaces. We are committed to double bandwidth density every year while keeping power low and reducing latency, enabling CPU, GPU, DPU, AI, and Networking Processors of the future, said Igor Elkanovich, CTO of GUC. Key GLink 2.0 16 Gbps N5 highlights: Full duplex 1.3 Tbps traffic per 1 mm of beachfront traffic per 1 mm of beachfront 0.3 pJ/bit (i.e., 0.3W per 1 Tbps of full duplex traffic) (i.e., 0.3W per 1 Tbps of full duplex traffic) Error-free operation in all PVT corners, changing voltage and temperature, and high voltage noise PPA advantage over SerDes links using package substrate More than 2 times lower power consumption More than 2 times smaller silicon area and beachfront Error-free, no BER, no FEC, no Link and Transaction Layers 2-3 times lower end-to-end latency Supports InFO_oS and all CoWoS types (both silicon and organic interposers) Low area/power overhead for high throughput interconnect enables efficient multi-die CoWoS and InFO_oS solutions up to 2500 mm2 Learn More about GUCs GLink IP with InFO/CoWoS Total Solution For more information, please contact your GUC sales representative directly or email guc_sales@guc-asic.com About GUC GLOBAL UNICHIP CORP. (GUC) is the Advanced ASIC Leader, who provides the semiconductor industry with leading IC implementation and SoC manufacturing services, using advanced process and packaging technology. Based in Hsin-chu Taiwan, GUC has developed a global reputation with a presence in China, Europe, Japan, Korea, and North America. GUC is publicly traded on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under the symbol 3443. For more information, visit www.guc-asic.com 6 things about Rajkummar Rao's road to fame that you need to know about, from his Boogie woogie audition to meeting his idol Rajkummar Rao is an actor par excellence and has a versatile track record to prove it. The actor who is busy writing new rules to stardom in Bollywood, prefers to keep his private life private but has time and again spoke about his life outside the movies and his humble beginnings. From being trained in martial arts to his attempt at cracking the Boogie Woogie audition once, here are a few things about Rajkummar Raos life before becoming a star you might be unaware about as he turns 37. Background in theatre The Badhaai Do actor hails from Gurgaon where he completed his school and went on to study at the University of Delhi where he joined a theatre group. Rajkummar Rao always wanted to be an actor and later went onto join a film course in FTII (Film and Television Institute of India) in Pune. He came to Mumbai in 2008 to start out his journey as an actor and finally kicked off his career with the 2010 film Love, Sex Aur Dhokha. View this post on Instagram A post shared by RajKummar Rao (@rajkummar_rao) Inspiration Rajkummar Rao is a bonafide Shah Rukh Khan fan like many actors of the new generation and had once revealed he was inspired by the superstar in his years growing up to take up acting. He had told Humans of Bombay once, It wasnt rosy thoughI didnt get a lot of work after I came to Mumbai. I only managed small ads here and there. Things you wont even recollectId be like the 10th person standing in some ad! I made about Rs. 10,000 a monthbut still, there were days where I didnt have money, and Id call my friends asking to share their meal. Deepika Padukone joins forces with STXfilms for a cross-cultural rom com; deets inside Actor Deepika Padukone is set to star in an upcoming cross-cultural romantic comedy to be developed by STXfilms, a division of Eros STX Global Corporation, the studio announced on Tuesday. Padukone will also produce this upcoming film through her banner Ka Productions. The announcement of the project was made by Adam Fogelson, chairman, STXfilms Motion Picture Group, in a statement. The studio is also in negotiations with Temple Hill Productions Wyck Godfrey and producer Marty Bowen, known for films such as the Twilight franchise, The Fault in Our Stars, Love, Simon, to develop the project. The project will be a "sweeping cross-cultural romantic comedy" revolving around Padukone's character. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) Fogelson called Padulkone "one of the biggest global stars to come from India" and said the actor, who made her Hollywood debut with XXX: Return of Xander Cage in 2017, has only grown as an international superstar. "While she has been a phenomenal success in many Eros International films, we are thrilled to be building a romantic comedy with her and our friends at Temple Hill. We believe this project gives us the opportunity to tap into the spirit, voice, characters and vibrant settings of India and New York in ways that made 'Crazy Rich Asians' feel so authentic and fresh," Fogelson said. Padukone said the aim of her production house is to back meaningful stories with global appeal and the upcoming project aligned with that thought. "Ka Productions was founded with the aim to develop and produce purposeful content with global appeal," the 35-year-old actor said. "I'm thrilled to be partnering with STXfilms and Temple Hill Productions, that share Ka's ambition and creative vision and look forward to bringing impactful and dynamic cross-cultural stories to the world," she added. Last year's acclaimed drama Chhapaak marked the first film of Ka Productions, which has also backed films like the upcoming Kabir Khan directorial 83 and the forthcoming Hindi adaptation of the Hollywood movie The Intern. Padukone will also be seen in Shakun Batra's untitled film for Dharma Productions and Siddharth Anand's actioner Pathan, co-starring Shah Rukh Khan. Pearl V Puri to host a special ceremony on his late fathers 10 month death anniversary Actor Pearl V Puri has flown to his hometown to have a special ceremony for his late father on his 10th month death anniversary. Pearl, who was extremely close to him, lost him in the year 2020. Due to the pandemic condition, many were not able to attend the funeral ceremony and hence the actor decided to host this function in remembrance of his hero, Late Shree Vipin Puri. Vipin Puri has been a man who has been recognized by many for his relationship amongst people and his goodwill. His loss had impacted many of his friends and family. Pearl went into a state of distress hearing this news. After almost a year now, Pearl being a doting son, organized this ceremony where he booked an entire Gurudwara for a day and invited his fans and everyone else who could make it for the langer and prayers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pearl V Puri (@pearlvpuri) The function will be held at Guru Ka Taal, Gurudwara, Agra. Attendees can meet and pay their condolences to Pearl post the lunch. Fans have always been a pillar of support to him on every rise and fall. This function will see them all come together once again to support the actor. We wish more strength and power to Pearl and his family and condolences to his dear father. Sunny Singh begins second schedule of Adipurush with Prabhas and Kriti Sanon; actors busy with dance rehearsals Sunny Singh will be seen in a mythological role in his upcoming film, Adipurush. Having completed one schedule of the film successfully, the actor moves on to the next along with others in the cast. A source close to the actor shared, "Sunny has begun shooting for the next schedule of Adipurush along with Prabhas & Kriti in Mumbai, its a two-month-long schedule. Sunny along with others in the cast is also doing dance rehearsals for the songs in this film." View this post on Instagram A post shared by sunnysingh (@mesunnysingh) Onsets shooting for his upcoming project alongside Prabhas and Kriti, fans of Sunny are excited to get a glimpse of his role in the mythological film based on the Hindu epic of Ramayana. The actor is all set to essay the lead role of 'Laxman' in this Pan-India film. The actor has taken up workouts, fitness regimes to prep for his character and to look true to the part he is essaying. It is going to be a treat to watch Sunny Singh in a mythological setting. The actor has come a long way and fans are really excited to see him explore different genres. Minister Brophy announces a further 1m funding for COVAX Press release Minister for International Development and Diaspora Colm Brophy T.D. has announced a further 1m in funding for COVAX, the international facility for supporting equitable access to COVID-19 vaccinations globally. The announcement brings to 6m Irelands funding for global COVID-19 vaccine distribution programmes so far this year as part of a 100m spend on Global Health in 2021. Minister Brophy said: The number of vaccines being distributed by COVAX is ramping up. To date, 218 million vaccines have been distributed 138 countries through COVAX. While the pace of the programme is increasing, clearly there needs to be a major international effort to support access to vaccines globally. Earlier this year, the Government provided 4 million in funding to the COVAX facility, with an additional 1 million allocated to the World Health Organisation to support the process of vaccine procurement and distribution. The additional 1m which I am announcing today is a further sign of Irelands commitment to supporting the distribution of vaccines in low and middle income countries. We have heard many times throughout this pandemic that nobody is safe until everyone is safe. The Government is convinced of the ethical obligation to support people in low and middle income countries to access COVID-19 vaccines. Doing so will protect vulnerable people in those countries, as well as helping to counter the risk of further variants emerging. The vaccination programme in Ireland has made great progress and allows us all to be confident that better days are ahead. The Government is actively investigating the potential for sharing vaccines with low income countries to further complement our support for COVAX. ENDS Press Office 31 August 2021 Notes for Editors As of August 30th, COVAX has distributed 218 million vaccines to 138 countries. However, at the current pace, a significant percentage of the global population will not be vaccinated before mid-2022. Not only will this prolong the public health emergency in many countries, it will continue to put the world at risk of further mutations. The Government has allocated at least 100 million in 2021 to global health, which includes the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in developing countries. Todays announcement brings to 6m Irelands funding for global COVID-19 vaccine distribution programmes (5m to COVAX and 1m to the World Health Organisation). The EU is the worlds largest exporter of vaccine doses (300 million) as well as substantially financially contributing to COVAX (more than 3.2bn) and has now started to share vaccine doses with third countries with direct donations and through COVAX (potentially more than 116 million doses). Previous Item | Next Item Minister Byrne takes part in the European Forum Alpbach 2021 Press release The Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne T.D., will travel to Austria this week where he will take part in the political programme of the European Forum Alpbach 2021 from 1-3 September. During the Forum, Minister Byrne will participate in a panel on European cohesion on 2 September. The other panellists will include European Commission Vice President Dubravka Suica, Spains State Secretary for the European Union, Juan Gonzalez-Barba Pera, and French academic Alberto Alemanno, Professor of European Union Law, HEC, Paris. This panel will discuss how the EU can best achieve its cohesion objectives in infrastructure, development and technology, as well as advancing the EUs green and digital transitions. Commenting on his participation in the event, the Minister said: I am pleased to have the opportunity to take part in the European Forum Alpbach 2021. Ireland enjoys deep historical and cultural connections with Austria and attendance at this event is a valuable chance to solidify this important bilateral relationship. As the EU emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Forum is also an important opportunity to reflect upon how the Union can chart its next phase and address the challenges we face. I look forward to speaking on European cohesion and hearing the perspectives my fellow panellists have to offer on this important subject. Additionally, Minister Byrne will engage with a number of his EU ministerial counterparts and officials from the EU institutions also in attendance at the Forum. ENDS Press Office 31 August 2021 Notes for Editors The European Forum Alpbach (EFA) is a platform that drives ideas for an empowered and democratic Europe. It brings together young people, leading scholars, thinkers, scientists, policy makers, business people and civil society actors from Europe and from all over the world to engage and contribute to its mission of shaping a stronger Europe. By focusing on questions like: How to secure Europes future?;How can we finance Europe?; Can the climate crisis be an opportunity to rethink Europe?, the European Forum Alpbach intends, not only to dream the future of Europe, but also to shape Europe's future and to initiate action for the European continent. EU Cohesion Policy contributes to strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion in the European Union. It aims to correct imbalances between countries and regions. It delivers on the Union's political priorities, especially the green and digital transition. The key framework is the 2021-2027 policy < Cohesion Policy 2021-2027 - Regional Policy - European Commission (europa.eu) > Previous Item | Ireland-France Joint Plan of Action 2021-2025 Publication 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. 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. Ireland-France Joint Plan of Action 2021-2025 [PDF, 411KB] Plean Comhphairteach Gniomhaiochta idir Eire agus an Fhrainc 2021-2025 [PDF, 501KB] Previous Item | Governor Tony Evers has proclaimed August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day in Wisconsin, and the Department of Health Services (DHS) is urging residents to reflect on the impact overdoses have had on families and friends of people who use drugs in every corner of the state, and to renew our commitment to end overdoses in Wisconsin. There isnt a community in our state that hasnt been impacted by the opioid epidemic, and Wisconsinites who are struggling with substance use disorders deserve our kindness, compassion, and respect as they work toward recovery, said Gov. Evers. Im glad to be declaring today Overdose Awareness Day in Wisconsin to remind us all of the work we have left to do to increase prevention and provide folks with the resources and support they need. Between the years 2014-2020, the most recent data available, Wisconsin had 6,845 drug overdose deaths. While most were opioid overdoses (5,338), multi-drug overdoses were the second most common cause of deaths in that time period (3,101), followed by heroin, cocaine, and meth. Although Wisconsin continues to make progress in our response to the opioid overdose epidemic, other drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine also account for many of the overdoses in our state each year, said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. We want anyone struggling with a substance use disorder and their loved ones to know that this is a disease that can be treated, that recovery is possible, and that overdose is not inevitable. Multi-drug overdoses are especially concerning because they show that many different drugs are available and the combinations can be deadly, said DHS Director of Opioid Initiatives Paul Krupski. We also know that drugs can be laced with potent substances like fentanyl, which increase the risk for an overdose since the user is likely unaware that the substance theyre using has been laced. At the same time DHS is working to stop drug overdoses, its also addressing health inequities as they relate to substance use and treatment. Similar to other health conditions like heart disease and diabetes, data available through the data dashboards identified Black and Native American populations as being disproportionately impacted and facing higher rates of overdose deaths. Racial health inequities are driven by underlying factors known as social determinants of health. Vulnerability to addiction and the higher rates of overdose deaths experienced by communities of color can be the result of systemic marginalization, structural racism, generational trauma, and inequitable access to resources like safe housing, employment opportunities, and recovery or support programs. Policies to improve health outcomes among marginalized populations have been found repeatedly to improve the health of the population at large, Krupski added. DHS is committed to supporting all Wisconsinites, no matter who or where they are, to prevent drug-related harms as we continue to look at any issue through a health equity lens. DHS has also increased funding for work that supports people who have experienced trauma or adverse childhood experiencesboth of which can increase someones chance of developing substance use disorder. We know that addiction is a disease. We want to change the conversation from whats wrong with you? to what happened to you? Krupski continued. Not only do we want to prevent substance use, but we want to help people get the care and treatment that addresses the cause of their substance abuse, People looking for substance use treatment and recovery services are encouraged to use the Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline, which is free and available 24/7. Samsung Galaxy A21 Simple is rumoured to be launched in October 2021 & is expected to run on Android 11 OS. The Smartphone is expected to be made available only in one color i.e. Black & will have a built in fingerprint sensor as the primary security feature, along with the host of connectivity options in terms of 3G, 4G, GPS, Wifi, NFC Bluetooth capabilities. The phone will come with 64 GB of internal storage. As far as the specifications are concerned, the Smartphone is tipped to be powered by Octa core Samsung Exynos 7884B Processor. A 3 GB of RAM will help phone run smoothly even the most memory intensive applications without showing any signs of lag. The phone in all probability will come with a large 3600 mAh battery to support it's 5.80 inch screen, having a resolution of 720 x 1560. Samsung Galaxy A21 Simple is speculated to boast of a 13 megapixel rear and 5 megapixel front Camera. Subscriber content preview PORTLAND (AP) Record low numbers of steelhead are returning to the Columbia River this year, prompting conservationists and anglers alike to call for a halt to recreational fishing for the sea-run fish. As of this week, just 29,000 steelhead passed the Bonneville Dam since July 1 the fewest ever recorded, less than half the average of the past five years, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported. . . . Subscriber content preview SEATTLE A commercial property at 4744 University Way N.E. sold for $3 million, according to King County records. The seller was 4744 Uway LLC, which acquired the property in 2014 for $7.9 million. . . . Print-features Hurricane Ida traps Louisianans, shatters the power grid Adam Robison | DAILY JOURNAL An area resident checks her phone as she walks down Spring Street in downtown Tupelo, Monday morning, as the rain from Hurricane Ida moves into Northeast Mississippi. As of late Monday afternoon, Northeast Mississippi had still been spared much of the heavy rainfall and moderately strong winds initially predicted to accompany the tropical storm's journey northward across the state. Steve Helber I AP Flooded streets and homes are shown in the Spring Meadow subdivision in LaPlace, La., after Hurricane Ida moved through Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. Hard-hit LaPlace is squeezed between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain. NEW ORLEANS Rescuers set out in hundreds of boats and helicopters to reach people trapped by floodwaters Monday, and utility repair crews rushed in, after a furious Hurricane Ida 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 customers 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 and early Monday before weakening into a tropical storm. The damage was so extensive that officials warned it could be weeks before the power grid was repaired. As the storm continued to make its way inland with torrential rain and shrieking winds, 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 knocked 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, "We're going to have many more confirmed fatalities." The governor's office said damage to the power grid appeared "catastrophic" dispiriting news for those left without refrigeration or air conditioning during the dog days of summer, with highs forecast in the mid-80s to close to 90 by midweek. 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 her son rode out the storm in LaPlace with Greco's parents. Water reached the first-floor windows, then knocked down the back door and filled the brick home with 4 feet of water. They retreated to the second floor, but then screaming winds collapsed the roof. 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 I'm out of here. I'm 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.l 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. And the governor said Louisiana's levees, heavily overhauled since Katrina, "performed extremely well." But he said the storm still inflicted "tremendous damage" to homes and businesses. Stephanie Blaise returned to her home with her father in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward after evacuating. It only lost some shingles. But with no idea when electricity would be restored, she didn't plan to stay long. "We don't need to go through that. I'm going to have to convince him to leave. We got to go somewhere. Can't stay in this heat," she said. New Orleans police reported receiving numerous reports of theft and said they made several arrests. The city urged people who evacuated to stay away for at least a couple of days because of the lack of power and fuel. "There's 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 as of Monday morning, a number expected to rise as people were rescued or escaped from flooded homes. The governor's spokesperson said the state will work to move people to hotels as soon as possible so that 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." Interstate 10 between New Orleans and Baton Rouge the main east-west route along the Gulf Coast was closed because of flooding, with the water reported to be 4 feet deep at one spot, officials said. 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. Emergency officials had not heard from Grand Isle since Sunday afternoon. About 40 people stayed on the barrier island, which took the brunt of the hurricane and was swamped by seawater, Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng 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, brought trees down onto power lines and caused transformers to explode with flashes that lit up the night sky. The governor said on Sunday that 30,000 utility workers were in the state to help restore electricity. AT&T said its wireless network in Louisiana was reduced to 60% of normal. 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 that 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 had 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. Ida's 150 mph winds tied it for the fifth-strongest hurricane ever to hit the mainland. Its winds were down to 40 mph around midday Monday. In Mississippi's southwestern corner, entire neighborhoods were surrounded by floodwaters, and many roads were impassable. 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 nation's capital on Thursday. As of late Monday afternoon, Northeast Mississippi had been spared most of the moderately heavy winds and rainfall originally predicted to hit the area as Ida moves northward. Forecasters said flash flooding and mudslides are possible along Ida's path before it blows out to sea over New England on Friday. ADA [ndash] Graveside Services for Delbert Gene Wallis, 96, of Byng, was 10 a.m. Monday, Sep. 13, 2021, at Rosedale Cemetery, David Gray officiated. Mr. Wallis passed away Friday, Sep. 10, 2021, at his home. He was born March 13, 1925. He retired from Ideal Cement. Survivors are his three so A large number of teenagers will not be starting the new academic year travelling into Dundalk secondary schools on the bus after many were refused concessionary tickets. The issue has affected at least 20 families in Annagassan and a smaller number in Ballapousta, according to Deputy Ruairi O Murchu who was in touch with distressed families over the last number of days. The Sinn Fein TD, along with his constituency colleague, Deputy Imelda Munster, says the transport nightmare added hugely to the stress of going back to school and came about after a number of factors created a perfect storm. He said: Families in Annagassan and Ballapousta are extremely stressed about what is happening. They booked and paid for concessionary tickets for their children earlier in the summer. But it was only at the start of last week that it became clear that many of these families didnt get concessionary tickets, effectively leaving them stranded without a way of getting their children to schools, days before they re-opened. A number of factors have gone into the mix to create a nightmare of a perfect storm for these families. Firstly, the decision, before tickets were issued, that there would only be 50% capacity on school transport buses because of public health advice meant the numbers were immediately restricted. In addition, there was a change in eligibility criteria earlier this summer where it was added that tickets would be given to students attending not only the nearest, but also the next nearest school. In a town like Dundalk, where many of the secondary schools are packed closely together, it has created huge anomalies. There is also the fact that along the route of the Annagassan school buses, there are a number of new housing estates, like Dundoogan, where extra students would be eligible. I have written to Education Minister Norma Foley and Transport Minister Eamaon Ryan, and I have spoken a number of times to Bus Eireann school transport management last week in order to highlight the issue. But the reality is that schools are back this week and these students have been left stranded. The government needs to urgently deal with the situation in Louth, and around the State, to ensure that families, who have already endured incredible stress around schooling because of Covid 19, are accommodated. Minister Eamon Ryan has indicated the capacity on regular public transport will return to 100% to accommodate workers and those returning to education. The school transport system needs to be looked at in the same light, because an even greater number of second level students are stranded this year. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during a town hall at Tippecanoe County Amphitheater, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in West Lafayette, Ind. The Vermont senator is in Trump country this weekend, promoting a budget plan packed with progressive initiatives and financed by higher taxes on top earners. Where are the best places to shop? Who gives the best haircut? Who cooks the best burger? Vote today for "Best of the Eagle-Tribune." Vote! New interconnector will enhance cross-border exchanges in electricity network Improved and affordable energy supply to residents and businesses in North Macedonia Installation of smart grid system completed Work has started on the construction of a new power substation in Ohrid, a key component of the first electricity interconnector between Albania and North Macedonia, which will range from Bitola in North Macedonia to the Albanian border. The project, financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU), is part of the EUs initiative to establish an east-west electricity transmission corridor between Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Italy. The start of construction work was marked today in Ohrid in the presence of the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, Albania's Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Ilir Bejta, as well as representatives of the EBRD and EU (Andi Aranitasi, EBRD Head of North Macedonia, and Julian Vassalo, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to North Macedonia). Andi Aranitasi, EBRD Head of North Macedonia, said: Supporting crucial, regional cross-border infrastructure is key to creating larger integrated energy markets and increasing energy security in the region. The construction of this new line will help scale up renewable energy capacity in North Macedonia, allowing the country to achieve a faster decarbonisation of its electricity sector and also improve the balancing of electricity systems by connecting the electricity market of North Macedonia, which is dominated by thermal power, to the Albanian electricity market, where hydropower prevails. Julian Vassallo, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union, said: "This project, supported by the EU with a grant of 12 million, allows the two countries to create a sustainable regional energy market, move towards the decarbonisation targets of the Green Agenda and replace ageing infrastructure that is prone to technical losses. Ultimately this will result in more reliable and less expensive supply of energy for residents and companies in the region." The project completes the 400 kV electricity ring between Albania, North Macedonia and Greece, enhancing cross-border exchanges in electricity and contributing to the development of the regional market. A further section between Bulgaria and North Macedonia that has also been financed by the EBRD has already been completed. A new 400 kV line between Albania and Montenegro as well as a submarine cable between Italy and Montenegro are also complete and operational. The new transmission line will provide improved and affordable energy supply to residents and businesses in North Macedonia by normalising voltage levels, stabilising load flow and frequency fluctuations and decreasing technical losses in the overall transmission system. The EBRD provided a 37 million to the Electricity Transmission System Operator of North Macedonia (MEPSO) to support the construction of the interconnector and for the introduction of smart grid components, which improve energy forecasting and facilitate the integration of renewables into the power system. The EU co-financed the investment with a 12 million grant under the Western Balkans Investment Framework. In addition, Luxembourg extended funds for technical assistance to MEPSO. The EBRD is a major institutional investor in North Macedonia. To date, it has invested more than 2.1 billion in 146 projects in the country. Supporting green energy is a priority for the Bank as it addresses one of the countrys most pressing challenges. EBRD US$ 2.5 million loan to Turkmen agribusiness company Parahat Greater operational efficiency, improved range of products EU IFCA grant will helped comply with the ISO Food Safety Management System standard The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting privately owned businesses in Turkmenistan affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The latest transaction will help the countrys leading juice and dairy products producer Parahat replenish necessary working capital, improve efficiency, widen its product range and increase exports to neighbouring markets. A US$ 2.5 million loan will allow Parahat to acquire specialised equipment for reconditioning and refilling glass bottles, packaging fruit, vegetable purees and concentrates, as well as a new PET packaging line to bottle soft drinks. Once installed, the equipment will help Parahat achieve cost savings through the reuse of glass containers for its soft drinks production. New packaging equipment will increase the shelf life of its products sent as samples to potential buyers, improve their transportability and stimulate exports of its vegetable and fruit concentrates. The European Unions Investment Facility for Central Asia (IFCA) has supported Parahat with grant funding, allowing it to fully comply with the ISO 22000:2005 Food Safety Management System. Since the start of its operations in Turkmenistan, the EBRD has invested 293 million through 80 projects in a wide range of sectors. EBRD lends US$ 50 million to Air Astana Kazakhstans flag carrier to improve sustainability and flight safety Inclusive training programmes The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is facilitating better connectivity in the Central Asia region and beyond as well as promoting international flight safety standards by providing new funds to Kazakhstan s flag carrier Air Astana for its investment and working capital needs. An EBRD multicurrency loan equivalent to US$ 50 million will help Air Astana develop its infrastructure and operations of its maintenance and training centre in Nur-Sultan with a full flight simulator for pilots. Air Astana will make its maintenance and pilot training facilities available to other regional airlines and provide training programmes to external parties, focusing on greater involvement of female specialists. Air Astana, which is jointly owned by the national welfare fund Samruk-Kazyna and British aerospace, defence and security company BAE Systems, has been the Banks client since 2015. To date, the EBRD has invested more than US$ 8.4 billion in the economy of Kazakhstan through 288 projects. In the week ending 27 August 2021 the net position of the Eurosystem in foreign currency (asset items 2 and 3 minus liability items 7, 8 and 9) increased by EUR 0.2 billion to EUR 312.1 billion on account of customer and portfolio transactions. The recent allocation of special drawing rights (SDRs) by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to the Eurosystem central banks, as recorded in receivables from the IMF (asset item 2.1), is largely reflected in the counterpart of special drawing rights allocated by the IMF (liability item 9), which increased by EUR 118.9 billion. This allocation is part of the general SDR allocation, equivalent to USD 650 billion, to all IMF member countries, which was approved by the IMFs Board of Governors on 2 August 2021 and came into effect on 23 August 2021. The allocation is designed to provide liquidity to the global economic system by supplementing the foreign reserves of the IMF member countries. The IMF members participating in the SDR Department received the general SDR allocation in proportion to their existing quotas. As a result of the Eurosystems open market operations and standing facilities, net lending to credit institutions (asset item 5 minus liability items 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 and 4) rose by EUR 13.3 billion to EUR 1,420.9 billion, mainly owing to the change in the level of the deposit facility (liability item 2.2). Base money (liability items 1, 2.1 and 2.2) decreased by EUR 17.3 billion to EUR 5,952.3 billion. The table below provides the detailed breakdown of securities held for monetary policy purposes (asset item 7.1) into the different portfolios. All portfolios are accounted for at amortised cost. Effingham, IL (62401) Today Sunny early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 89F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Elkhart, IN (46516) Today Partly cloudy early, then windy with periods of thunderstorms this afternoon. High 89F. Winds SW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 61F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Washington, MO (63090) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Storms more numerous this evening. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. Emily Grace Bradford, 16, of Athens passed away Monday September 6, 2021, at Madison Hospital. Services will be Monday, September 13, 2021, at The Most Merciful Jesus Catholic Church at 3 p.m. with Father Joy Chalissery officiating. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time at the ch A group of current and former Apple workers recently banded together and called for colleagues to share stories of discrimination, harassment and retaliation they'd experienced within the company. As of August 27th, the group called #AppleToo said it has collected 500 such stories now, it has started publishing them on its official Medium page. Cher Scarlett, an Apple security engineer and the face of the movement, wrote on Medium that she will share five stories at a time "as the emotional toll in reading these is heavy." Two of the first five are about sexual harassment, one of which involved a male boss using his position of power over a female employee. Later, that employee was kicked out of an interview after the hiring team realized who she was. Another story was from a Black retail worker in the UK who tried to get their bosses to do something about racism and micro aggressions in the workplace to no avail. A female employee talked about how she was targeted by a person in her team and how management didn't do anything about it. And the last one is about an employee who was assaulted in her store by a customer and didn't get support from management. If Scarlett publishes all the submissions she got, these are just five of the many we'll get to read. The #AppleToo movement said on Twitter, however, that 75 percent share a common theme: They involve some form of discrimination. Nearly half of them involve sexism, retaliation and HR reports that were ultimately dismissed. A fourth of them involved racism and ableism, and most of the harassment and assault stories were sexual in nature. 75% of the stories we've received involved some form of discrimination, and nearly half involved reports of sexism, retaliation, and HR reports that were dismissed. 1/4 involved racism or ableism. More than a third involved harassment or assault, the majority of which was sexual. Apple Workers #AppleToo (@AppleLaborers) August 30, 2021 In an interview with Protocol, Scarlett said she feels "like the company needs to be held accountable because they're not holding themselves accountable. People want to feel heard. And they don't feel heard by Apple." She added that some employees who've been with the tech giant for decades felt like leadership used to listened to them, but that's no longer the case. When the news about the #AppleToo movement first broke, Apple said in a statement: "We take all concerns seriously and we thoroughly investigate whenever a concern is raised and, out of respect for the privacy of any individuals involved, we do not discuss specific employee matters." In a blow to both Apple and Google, South Korea has today passed a law requiring major app stores to allow alternative payment methods. The Wall Street Journal reports that the bill, due to be rubber-stamped by president Moon Jae-in, forces platform holders to open up their stores. In addition, the new rules will prevent unreasonable delays for app approvals, which has been described as a way to prevent retaliation against developers. Companies which fail to comply with the ruling are at risk of being fined up to three percent of their domestic revenue. The bill could have global ramifications given the battles that Google and Apple have fought concerning their app platform dominance. Both companies have come under fire for how they run the App and Play stores, respectively, with regulators and developers scrutinizing their business practices. In July, 36 US states launched an antitrust suit against Google over concerns that it is violating antitrust law, while Apple has been engaged in well-documented skirmishes with both Epic Games and Spotify. Officials in both the US and Europe, both of which are wrestling with concerns over the future of digital payments, are likely to look at both South Koreas law, and how both companies respond to it. Private express and package service provider DPD Switzerland, e-truck brand Futuricum and tire manufacturer Continental have secured a new world record for the longest distance run by an electric truck without a charging stop: 1,099km. This record was set by a Futuricum truck that DPD Switzerland had been using for six months in regional traffic. For DPD Switzerland, we have converted a Volvo FH to an electric drive. The 19-ton truck now has over 680bhp and, with a capacity of 680kWh, the largest truck battery in Europe on board, explained Adrian Melliger, CEO of Designwerk Products, the company behind the Futuricum brand. ') } // --> ') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // --> ') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write(' ') } // --> ') } else if (width >= 425) { console.log ('largescreen'); document.write('') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // --> The record was set on the high-speed oval at the Contidrom, Continentals in-house test center near Hannover. In total, two drivers completed 392 laps in shifts of 4.5 hours each at an average speed of 50km/h, which is a realistic average value for everyday use. Initially, the weather conditions were not ideal, with 14C outside temperature and a ground temperature of 23C. In addition, the wind blew at an average of 18km/h with gusts of up to 40km/h throughout the run. Nevertheless, after just under 23 hours, the partners were able to claim the record for the longest distance covered by an electric truck. We decided to invest in electric mobility at an early stage. The Futuricum truck has been traveling between the depot in Mohlin near Basel to the distribution center in Buchs/Zurich for about six months now, said Marc Frank, strategy and innovation director at DPD Switzerland. The e-truck can master the roughly 300km every day without any problems. We are proud that we have now been able to officially document our performance level. Silicon has ten times higher capacity than the anode materials used in todays lithium-ion batteries, but it cannot cycle many times. A team from the University of Oslo is trying to understand why on ID15A. Arriving at the ESRF has been an epic journey, explains David Wragg, scientist at the University of Oslo. He and his colleague, Anders Brennhagen, have travelled more than 2000 kilometers by sea and land to get their precious samples to the ESRF: lithium-ion batteries that use silicon to increase capacity. Lithium-ion batteries are the power source of choice for portable devices and electric vehicles because of their high energy densities, long cycle life and affordable cost. Battery producers are striving to increase the driving range of electric vehicles. Alloying anodes are one of the most promising new technologies, and may enable major improvements to lithium-ion batteries. By alloying multiple Lithium ions with each atom in the anode, very high capacities are reached. Silicon anodes have up to 10 times more capacity than graphite- giving two to three times greater capacity in the battery overall. Unfortunately, the material doesnt cycle very well. So youd be able to drive your electric car much further than with graphite, but youd only be able to do that two or three times until the battery would stop working, says Wragg. Silicon lithium-ion batteries anodes are being commercialised, but their fundamental mechanism of activity is not fully understood despite several studies. Now the team from the University of Oslo are on ID15A to explore the structural and electrochemical behaviour of silicon anodes for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. On the beamline, we use operando X-ray diffraction and PDF computed tomography techniques to compare the structural changes while charging and discharging the battery, with the aim of fully revealing the mechanism of activity, explains Wragg. EBS has been a game changer for the team: With EBS we can get much more detailed information about the fast processes of charging and discharging a battery. We can also get better information about what is going on in different parts of the battery, because we can focus the beam to smaller sizes. The samples studied come from the Norwegian Research Center on Zero Emission Energy Systems for Transport (MoZEES), a collaboration between Norwegian academia and industry. Text by Montserrat Capellas Espuny. Video by Montserrat Capellas Espuny and Mark McGee 2021-08-30 Maeci Thanks to the extraordinary joint efforts of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministries, and the Intelligence Department, Italy has completed evacuation operations by air transport of over 5,000 Afghan citizens, including those who have collaborated with Italy, in various capacities, over the years. This means that Italy tops the list of EU countries in terms of the number of people evacuated from Afghanistan. The second phase will now begin, when possible solutions have to be looked at for providing safe passage for those Afghans who wish to leave the Country after 31 August. For this to be possible, a strategy shall be adopted at a multilateral level, involving all the main international players, beginning with the countries that share borders with Afghanistan. 2021-08-31 Maeci On 7 September, the Italian Cultural Institute in Belgrade will inaugurate the exhibition entitled Nikola Tesla, l'uomo che defini il future [Nikola Testa, the man who defined the future], curated by Italian architect and illustrator, Daniele Meucci. This event is to be run jointly by the Italian Cultural Institute in Belgrade and the publishing company, Komshe d.o.o. Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) hailed from Serbia and was an inventor, physicist, and electrical engineer. He studied electromagnetism and was a pioneer in the field at the end of the 1800s and the beginning of the 1900s. The exhibition, which can be visited up to 28 September 2021, includes about fifty watercolours and is dedicated to this great genus and his unusual life. The works on display come from the first graphic novel about Nikola Tesla, to be published in December 2021 by the publishing company, Komshe d.o.o. The exhibition will be open to the public on Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 2021-08-30 Maeci The Italian Cultural Institute in Prague supported the running of an exhibition at the Berlinskej Model Gallery organised in the capital of the Czech Republic, in collaboration with the Like a Little Disaster Italian contemporary art gallery based in Polignano a Mare. The main theme of this artistic event is femininity, dealing principally with maternity and collaboration between sisters. This exhibition is part of the second edition of the SUMO international art exchange project, set to run in Prague from 3 September to 1 October 2021, with the sub-title of The Odd Year II. SUMO Prague 2021 is a project that involves international exchanges between art galleries, organised by the Prague Alliance of Contemporary Art Galleries. The areas in the Berlinskej Model Gallery will be used by the exhibitions curator, Giuseppe Pinto, to display the works of four artists from various parts of the world: Romana Drdova, Lucia Leuci, Jaana-Kristiina Alakoski, and Katy McCarthy. The artists will fill the exhibition with paintings, sculptures, photographs, and videos, harmoniously working together, with works, forms, and ideas coexisting in an empathic setting. For information: https://berlinskejmodel.cz/cs/vystavy/2021/sumo/ European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that 70% of the European Union's adult population had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, hitting a target it had set at the beginning of the year. 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 In general, readers should not expect to find famous figures of the past popping up in San Antonio writer David Liss historical fiction. I always try to avoid it, said Liss, whose novels include the Edgar Award-winning A Conspiracy of Paper and its sequel, A Spectacle of Corruption. I kind of hate the historical novel where youre in ancient Greece and somebody says, Oh, this is a problem, let me ask my good friend Aristotle, where you just go on a guided tour of everything you already know. He found he had to make an exception in his latest page-turner, The Peculiarities (Tachyon, $17.95). The book, which will be released Sept. 7, is set in a Victorian London where all sorts of bizarre things are happening. Women give birth to rabbits, violent fogs drift into buildings and some people are mutating, taking on characteristics of wolves, birds, fish and trees that gradually obliterate most of their human traits. The main character, a young man named Thomas Thresher who has started spouting worrisome leaves all over his body, seeks answers at the secretive Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The real-life society, which was active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was steeped in the occult and the paranormal. One of its best-known members was occultist and writer Aleister Crowley. Not including Crowley would have made no sense, Liss said, because he loomed so large in that world. Book talk What: Nowhere Bookshop will host a virtual discussion of "The Peculiarities" between David Liss and Robert Rivard, editor of the San Antonio Report, over Zoom. When: 6 p.m. Sept. 9. Tickets: $5; attendees will receive a $5 coupon good toward the purchase of the book at nowherebookshop.com. Register at Facebook: @NowhereBookshop. See More Collapse So I knew I had to include him, he said. I wasnt really enthusiastic about it, but it was one of those things where he was such a fun character to write that he ended up playing a bigger role than I originally intended. On ExpressNews.com: SA writer William Jack Sibleys new book is set in small-town Texas Another big name also briefly appears in the book. (Those who want to avoid spoilers should skip ahead to the paragraph after next.) On his first visit to the Golden Dawn, Thomas encounters Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes. The famous writer meets a shocking end shortly thereafter. That was really there just to signal to the reader that the novel basically takes place in our world as it really existed until about 10 years before the novel starts, Liss said. And so, that was just a way of signaling to the reader that we are off the rails now, weve diverged in timeline from what really happened. Theres an Easter egg aspect to Doyles appearance, as well. It was also sort of an inside joke for about 11 people in the world, because Arthur Conan Doyle is one of those figures often cited as a member of the Golden Dawn who actually never was, Liss said. There are definitely a few famous writers who are often said to have been members, who as near as we can tell historically, never actually were. So I thought it would be fun to use him in that way. The Peculiarities also allowed Liss to write about a couple of things that have long intrigued him. Ive always been interested in historical magic, by which I mean, magic as it was practiced by real people who lived and who believed that what they were doing was working in some way, he said. So to that end, for as long as Ive been a writer, Id always had somewhere in the back of my mind writing something about the Golden Dawn, which Id been reading about and interested in generally for decades. That kind of stuff has always fascinated me. He also had wanted to write about some other real-life weirdness. My background is as an 18th centuryist, and there was a famous hoax in early 18th century England of this woman named Mary Toft who claimed to be giving birth to rabbits, and medical science was at such a state at that point that lot of doctors said, Yeah, sure, its possible. Who knows how these things work?, he said. And that was something Id always wanted to play around with. Liss has sometimes moved outside of historical fiction he has written comic books, his middle school trilogy Randoms is set in space, and his 2006 novel The Ethical Assassin is a contemporary thriller. But he has always returned to the past. On ExpressNews.com: S.A. writer Jenny Lawsons Broken deals with anxiety, dog condoms I like the limitations that historical fiction imposes, he said. I like working within a structured world thats not the same as the world I live in, and historical fiction definitely allows me to do that. I like the process of doing research and learning what this world is that I can play with and building a world around it. I guess I like guardrails, in some ways. Liss already has finished the manuscript for his next book, which his agent is going to shop around soon. And he is working on the one after that: I dont like to not be writing. He could talk about what the book slated to follow The Peculiarities is about, he said, but he wont. Theres no value in me talking about a project that hasnt been sold and, if it is, is a year and a half away from anyone being able to get their hands on it, he said. I dont want anybody saying, Oh, this other book sounds even better, Ill wait for that. dlmartin@express-news.net | Twitter: @DeborahMartinEN Classic Theatre of San Antonio announced in an email to supporters that it has launched an outside investigation into issues raised about previous leadership. In the Friday email, interim Executive Director Ruben Jauregui Jr. wrote, In recent days, a member of the San Antonio theater community has raised concerns and allegations about previous leadership at our theater. In an Aug. 24 post on Facebook, a woman alleged that she was sexually assaulted when she was 16 by an actor employed by Classic Theatre, and that she later told the artistic director. It is Express-News policy not to identify victims of sexual assault. It is not known when the assault was alleged to have taken place, nor whom the artistic director was at the time. The most recent Executive and Artistic Director was Kelly Hillard Roush, who stepped down from that role in May. She had worked under various titles at the theater for six years and left to relocate to Minnesota with her family. A search for her replacement is ongoing. Courtesy photo Jaureguis email went on to say, Our current leadership and board of directors are taking these allegations seriously and have hired an outside counsel to launch a full investigation. It is important for you and our theater community to know that the safety and well-being of all of our staff, artists and others involved with The Classic Theatre is of utmost importance to us. Jauregui declined to comment further on the situation. Roush could not be reached for comment. dlmartin@express-news.net | Twitter: @DeborahMartinEN 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. Well before lawmakers in Austin agreed this week to enable school districts to offer more virtual learning, some San Antonio-area districts had developed plans to pay for it themselves as the only way to reach the students who need it most. If Senate Bill 15 is signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott, it would provide funding to expand virtual learning through 2023, but it has strings attached. Several school districts in Bexar County said they were unsure if the bill could significantly help them make online learning available to those students they are trying to prioritize for it: those with underlying medical conditions that make catching COVID-19 more dangerous. Besides three local districts that had already committed to teaching some students remotely without state funding, only Harlandale Independent School District said it now plans to ask if parents are interested and to vet students for possible participation. Without the new law, San Antonio Independent School District was expecting to lose $4.5 million in per-student state funding on its virtual program. It has been finalizing paperwork for about 450 students in grades kindergarten through six who are in families with medical conditions either children or adults that put them at higher risk of COVID-19. But SB 15 wont cover all these students, and SAISD officials are now reviewing the bill to see how many it might help. The bill limits the funding to those who passed the states standardized test and are attending schools that are rated C or better in the states grading system. SAISD officials also have said they might not have enough teachers to meet the bills requirements. The district expects to spend nearly $1 million in outlays to private contractors for its virtual learning program and more if the district identifies other students who qualify. SAISD Deputy Superintendent Patti Salzmann had warned the districts board in mid-August about the uncertainty of state funding but added, We feel strongly that this is necessary, because, again, we dont want to put any families in jeopardy. North East ISD has allocated about $2 million to cover virtual learning for about 250 medically fragile students in grades kindergarten through six. And at Southwest ISD, officials set aside about $3 million to also keep 270 of these students learning at home. For students in the local programs who cant get state funding even if SB 15 becomes law, districts might use federal ESSER funds Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, a part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act that Congress passed in March 2020. Last year, school districts were required to make classroom learning available to families that wanted it, but for everyone else, online learning continued with state funding allowed under an emergency order by Gov. Greg Abbott. This year, the governor dropped the emergency funding in a push to have all students return to in-person learning. And since Abbott also banned masking and vaccination requirements at public schools, students have returned to classes amid a legal tug of war over safety protocols. A renewed surge in COVID-19 cases across the state, fueled by the more contagious delta variant of the coronavirus, caused some districts to require masks under the cover of local lawsuits filed against Abbott. All this has worried families with medically fragile children or adults, and some have kept their kids out of school. On ExpressNews.com: Pandemic damage - especially in math - makes summer school in San Antonio busier than ever SB 15 would fund virtual learning at up to 10 percent of a school districts enrollment but only for students who passed their State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness exams and met other academic benchmarks. Many dont qualify, more so in poorer school districts. If the bill becomes law, San Antonio-area districts that had identified medically at-risk students will have to sort through their list to see who can get state funding and who cant. School districts that already have provided virtual learning programs on their own dime can receive state funding retroactively. The bill also says teachers of virtual classes must volunteer for it and cant be forced to teach both in person and online courses. SAISD Superintendent Pedro Martinez has said his district doesnt have enough teachers to split them between those who teach only virtually and those teaching in classrooms. The same concern was raised by Northside ISD, which has no virtual learning program. It expects the bill to have little immediate impact, district spokesman Barry Perez said in a statement. It is clear that in-person learning remains the best option for the vast majority of students, Perez said. In addition, with many districts struggling to staff teachers for in-person learning, the additional staffing burden as a result of a virtual learning model would make it difficult, if not impossible, to provide large-scale virtual instruction. The issue of staffing also resonated at Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD, where Superintendent Clark C. Ealy issued a statement saying it had to wait for the Texas Education Agency to issue guidelines before it could know if the bill would help it start a virtual program. Due to some of the requirements and restrictions in the bill itself, I anticipate that most districts will not provide virtual learning for 2021-2022, Ealy said. Of particular concern is how the rules will be written by the Texas Education Agency and how this option would impact current staff. If SCUC is to move forward with this limited option, I anticipate that it would take us up to midyear to be able to start this program, he said. Harlandale ISD had not offered any virtual options this year but now plans to move forward with a full-time virtual kindergarten through eighth-grade program for the currently enrolled students, its spokeswoman. Mariana Veraza, said in a statement. If signed by the governor, we will be publishing more information on when the program will begin, she said. With or without state funding, SAISD plans to extend online learning not only to medically compromised students, but to their siblings and those who are going through trauma because of the pandemic, such as the experience of a death in their household. We are trying to be very understanding of all of the unique circumstances that exist in a school district this large and working with the families to find good solutions, but also stay in line with the guidance that weve received from the Texas Education Agency, Salzmann said. The district will have 700 students learning virtually this year, as of now, with 250 of them qualifying for state funding under previously allowable homebound services not linked to the pandemic. We are not going to have families compromise their children, especially when they have medical conditions, Martinez told district trustees last month. And then we decided to expand this to household members in the family. Because, I get it, our children are not going to put somebody in their household at risk, either. North East ISD and Southwest ISD used similar parameters for their virtual learning programs, focusing on the youngest students who are not eligible for vaccinations. North East received applications for about 280 students, and about 250 of them qualified, not including homebound services. Right now, this would be the plan for the 21-22 school year, as COVID is still very much a factor in our schools and in our community, said Aubrey Chancellor, North Easts executive director of communications. The district expects to keep the priority on families that have already qualified because of medical conditions. Expanding beyond what we are already doing will create some serious challenges considering the timing of this decision. Nonetheless, we will continue to evaluate and explore options, Anthony Jarrett, the districts chief instructional officer, said in a statement. Staff writer Edward McKinley contributed to this report from Austin. danya.perez@express-news.net | @DanyaPH The Texas House sent to the governors desk a bill that places restrictions on the use of certain abortion-inducing drugs and makes it a state felony-level offense to provide such drugs to someone knowing they intend to use it for an abortion without an in-person examination. The bill was debated for hours Monday afternoon into the evening, with Democrats offering 17 amendments to try to change it, all of which failed. Rep. Stephanie Klick, a Fort Worth Republican, presented the bill on the House floor Monday and Tuesday. When drugs were initially approved for use by the FDA, they were authorized only for use within the first seven weeks, Klick said, then, in 2016, the FDA under then-President Barack Obama expanded it to 10 weeks, and the FDA also temporarily removed the existing requirement that doctors must consult with patients in-person before prescribing the drug. It is important to know that the risk of complications increases every week after the seventh week, Klick said, and the in-person requirement is an important safety measure that could be permanently abandoned by the FDA. By directly adding these protocols into state statute rather than simply linking to federal protocols, we add certainty to what the state will enforce, Klick said. By making it a state jail felony to intentionally, knowingly or recklessly violate were able to address out-of-state bad actors that are flagrantly violating state law. She added that since its a state-level felony, Texas could extradite doctors from other states if they break the law. Critics said the bill is yet another infringement from Republicans on the bodily autonomy of women, that it could be used criminally against nondoctors who might provide their prescription medication to a pregnant person and that its not the role of the state to preempt the federal Food and Drug Administration or require doctors to follow guidelines that are not consistent with what they believe to be medical practice. The medication is currently allowed by the FDA to be used by women who are up to 10 weeks pregnant. The bill, however, would ban it after seven weeks. Thats before many women know they are pregnant. I'm really tired of every single session, having to come here and debate one more obstacle to a woman having a right to choose what happens to her own body and her own destiny, said Rep. Donna Howard, an Austin Democrat, during the debate. She recalled her time at the University of Texas decades ago, and she said Roe v Wade has allowed women more autonomy over their careers and personal lives than they once had. She said the Legislature is trying to take the state back to that time. The Legislature earlier this year passed a different abortion bill that allows individuals to sue abortion providers that perform the procedure after a fetal heartbeat is detected, at about six weeks. It is among the toughest restrictions on abortion in the country. The medication bill passed the House, 82 to 41. edward.mckinley@chron.com A former Marine who had been investigated for his connection to extremist groups was sentenced Tuesday to two years in prison for a federal gun charge. Tyler Joseph Light came on the radar of the FBI in San Antonio last year amid reports that he was part of, or supported, the Boogaloo Bois. He met some of its members through his involvement in another group, This is Texas Freedom Force, according to court documents and testimony. The FBI and others who study extremist movements say the Boogaloo Bois espouse anti-government views and are preparing for, or seeking to incite, a second Civil War or second American Revolution which they call the boogaloo. In the wake of civil unrest in the past two years, the FBI has prosecuted several of the Boogaloo Bois, whose adherents often wear Hawaiian shirts or military fatigues and tote guns at rallies protesting lock-downs related to COVID-19, and at protests of people claiming racial, social and police injustices. The FBI has described This is Texas Freedom Force as another extremist militia, although the organization has replied on its website that it is not a militia, we are not anti-governmental, we support law enforcement as long as they are upholding their oath and we call out the bad apples that break their oath. Its members last year attended City Hall meetings in San Antonio to protest moving the Alamo Cenotaph Monument and organized Hold the Line armed rallies during social injustice protests after the killing of George Floyd. Light, 25, admitted in June that he made threats to kill Elmendorf police and his ex-wife, who later obtained a family violence protective order against him that also barred him from having firearms. He pleaded guilty to illegally possessing guns that law officers found in separate incidents in November and December. One of the weapons was an AK-47. During his sentencing Thursday, it was revealed that Light has issues with drugs, anger and his mental well-being. What concerns me is statements you made about wanting to kill police officers and having connections to these groups that would like to tear down our country, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery told Light. Have you had time to think about that, and dont you think that you need to be a patriotic Marine and American as apposed to being part of these anti-government groups? Light said he had, and seeking permission to speak freely, downplayed the allegations and law enforcements portrayal of This is Texas Freedom Force. That is a nonprofit organization that stands for nothing exceptthe preservation of Texas monuments, Light told the judge. We were just at George Floyd protests to protect monuments. We are the last thing from anti-government. Its a patriotic group. The other things, I wasnt in the right state of mind. I had lost my job and my family. guillermo.contreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland When an intensive care nurse at San Marcos only hospital said on Facebook that health care workers had been left behind during the pandemic, her daughter had an idea for a tasteful show of gratitude. But what Cari Schacherl didnt expect was that sending nurses lunch would become a trend well beyond Hays County, raising tens of thousands of dollars in the process. Wendy Brown has been a nurse at Christus Santa Rosa Hospital-San Marcos for 35 years. For most of that time, she was an emergency room nurse, but at the start of the pandemic, she transitioned to COVID-19 duty in the ICU. Brown said health care workers had a lot of community support during the first few months of the pandemic, with people recognizing how hard nurses had to work to care for patients. But now, people just dont realize that the pandemic is worse this time around, Brown told the Express-News. The patients are sicker; the community support isnt there; people arent protecting themselves. The hospital is critically short-staffed, the ICU is full, and nurses are working overtime with little to no respite. Its taken a toll on us, Brown said. And because of a shortage of food workers, the hospitals cafeteria is open part-time. In a casual Facebook comment on a friends post a couple of weeks ago, Brown said she and other nurses would appreciate having a hot meal delivered to them once in a while. Browns daughter, Schacherl, a third-grade teacher in Cedar Park, saw her moms comments and thought, I wonder if I post my Venmo on my Instagram ... I can raise some money and send them Jasons Deli one day. I thought Id raise a couple hundred bucks at most, Schacherl said. Within a few hours, Schacherl had raised over $1,000. In a few days, she had raised $3,000. After sending Jasons Deli to her mom and the other nurses, she had thousands of dollars left over, and money was still coming in. So she started sending hot meals from restaurants like Chick-fil-a, Double Daves, Bill Millers, Jimmy Johns and Chipotle to nurses in COVID units from San Antonio to Austin. So far, Schacherl has raised more than $5,000 and had hot meals delivered to five hospitals. Brown said she was overwhelmed by her daughters efforts, and her fellow nurses were, too. I know the other facilities feel the same way, Brown said. Theyre reaching out to me and saying, Your daughter is amazing. And Schacherls efforts dont stop at the Texas border. She inspired one of her best friends, an Instagram influencer from Kansas City, Mo, to follow suit. She posted her Venmo QR code on her own Instagram, which has a much larger following than Schacherls. In just a few days, she raised more than $20,000 for nurses in the Kansas City area. This started as: Maybe I can send them 15 boxes from Jasons Deli, Schacherl said. And its turned into tons of people all over the country who are really chipping in and doing their part. Its been a wakeup, she said. People I dont think have realized how bad things are in hospitals right now. Schacherl continues to raise money to feed local health care workers, and hopes her actions will inspire others as does her mother. I hope other people take the example and keep sharing, Brown said. Health care workers need that help; we need that attention; we need that love. 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 One woman's crusade to protect her children from COVID-19 while they are in school helped launch a Facebook group of mothers upset over Gov. Greg Abbott's polices and it all started with her poster. After Abbott signed an executive order banning face masks in schools, Nancy Thompson showed up at the Texas State Capitol on Aug. 6 with her "Mother Against Greg Abbott" sign. The 51-year-old Austin native then uploaded photos to various Facebook groups and got a positive response from moms in San Antonio and other major Texas cities, leading her to start the "Mothers Against Greg Abbott" Facebook group. On ExpressNews.com: Medina ISD closes its school due to COVID concerns It is one of many Facebook groups that have popped up in recent weeks during a state and national debate on whether schools should mandate masks. The groups have been used to inform parents on how to reach out to politicians and school board members and to organize local protests. "I'm a mother against Greg Abbott, and sometimes you have to fight like a mother," she said. "I just wanted somebody to know I was mad. COVID has been exhausting, and I'm just tired." Thompson said she worries most about her 8-year-old, who is the only member in her family who has not been vaccinated. Children under the age of 12 have not yet been authorized for the vaccine. On ExpressNews.com: Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD votes to keep masks optional The group's name was inspired by "Mothers Against Drunk Driving," and the acronym MAGA which is also the acronym for president Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan is a coincidence, Thompson said. The social media group now has over 7,000 members and consists of fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and any others who are worried about the safety of children in schools. A similar Facebook group, San Antonio Mama Bexars, is urging members to provide public comment on two bills that are currently up for debate during the special legislative session. House Bill 164 would give school boards the authority to make masking decisions, while House Bill 141 would prohibit mask mandates in schools. Angi Aramburu is a San Antonio mother of three children, two of whom are too young to be vaccinated, including one with a heart condition. After North East ISD stopped enforcing masks in schools, the 45-year-old joined the Mamas Bexars Facebook group. "I wanted to be part of a community that sees what a detriment Abbott is to our state, and particularly our children," she said. "I was very frustrated and concerned about my kids and wanted to join a group that was doing something about it and not just complain." On ExpressNews.com: Video: Train crashes into 18-wheeler with wind turbine blade Liana Benavides, 44, has two children attending North East ISD's Johnson High School and has sent letters and emails urging officials to mandate masks. She said she joined both Facebook groups in hopes of having a bigger voice. "I have not cried when sending my daughters to school since they were in first grade until this year, because after a year of keeping them safe and free from COVID, I didn't know what I was sending them into," Benavides said. Benavides' daughters are both vaccinated. North East ISD encourages students to wear a mask but is not enforcing it after the Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked Bexar County's mask mandates. Benavides is worried her children will eventually get COVID-19. Between Aug. 16 and Aug. 22, NEISD reported 291 cases among students. My life revolves around my children, and I do not appreciate governor Abbott making them political pawns in his sick game; they're human beings," she said. Malak.Silmi@express-news.net One of the findings of a new report about Brackenridge Park jumps off the page. Its the kind of blunt assessment that might give any San Antonian pause given the wealth of memories attached to the beloved 349-acre green space in the citys core. The park, states this new report, is in decline. Commissioned by the Brackenridge Park Conservancy, the nearly 500-page report cautions us that like any institution more than a century old, the park demands looking after if its to survive and thrive for another century. Brackenridge Park is, after all, 122 years old. It can tell a story of 12,000 years of human history from the indigenous people who lived there to the slaves who worked in a Confederate tannery on the grounds, using river water to run the mill wheels, producing saddles and other leather goods during the Civil War. Then there are the Mexican American families who made the park theirs for the holidays, especially over Easter weekends. You dont have to search hard in San Antonio to evoke memories from those who boarded paddle boats to see the park from a river view or from above, riding inside a gondola on the parks Sky Ride. So, wrapped into the calculus in this report, Cultural Landscape Report & Ecological Site Assessment: An Interdisciplinary Time-Layered Approach to Preservation, are memories and histories like these. Everett Fly, a native San Antonian who serves on its advisory board, says the report recommends a path forward for the parks future and suggests an array of improvements that restore its ecological life, preserves its spaces and structures and rehabilitates its deteriorating riverbanks. Its not just one thing in decline, he said. Alma E. Hernandez, For the San Antonio Express News / Alma E. Hernandez / For the San Antonio Express News Over 18 months, experts from Reed Hilderbrand Landscape Architects in Cambridge, Mass., Suzanne Turner Associates in Baton Rouge, La., and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin assessed and documented the ecological health of the parks landscape and that of the San Antonio River. Together, their expertise calls for work thats equal parts preservation, rehabilitation, eco-restoration and reconstruction. The report notes damage to acequias, dams and retaining walls and the no-longer-healthy or accessible upper course of the San Antonio River and Riparian Corridor. The report also calls for healing eco-systems, protecting the parks prehistoric and historic archaeological assets, and elevating its standing, locally and nationally. The latter means working on getting Brackenridge Park a congressional designation as a national heritage area. Over the coming months, the Brackenridge Park Conservancy will host public meetings to share the reports findings and get public input. The first meeting will be held Sept. 29. The report emphasizes that it seeks a shift in Brackenridge Parks identity, and Fly takes that to mean all people, especially those whove been excluded throughout its history. Fly noted the exclusions of the past. He said public records show how Black San Antonians had to ask permission to use the park on specified days. Fly says its a necessary shift, so it really is OURS, in cap letters. The report calls this new identity justified. We dont have to reach too far into history for examples of exclusion. In 2017, City Council unanimously approved a new master plan for Brackenridge Park that at one time included a proposal to close some park roads and create a tram. In addition to a huge inconvenience for all users, it would have all but eliminated and dis-invited the largely Mexican American park users who for decades have camped out at Brackenridge during Easter weekends. The public felt blindsided by such a move. It was ultimately dropped. Outreach and public input is vital to the next phase of the conservancys work to move the report forward. Fly said public input will help refine the priorities outlined in the report. That will require those who use the park and those who represents those users, officially and unofficially to take part. For those wholl make decisions for the parks future, including city government, its parks and recreation department and the conservancy, it will require allowing the public to speak and for them to listen. Sometimes, its hard for San Antonio to appreciate what it has in such a park. In Brackenridge, San Antonio has so many assets cultural, archaeological, historic, architectural and ecological all along a famed river. Over all of those, we must keep a watchful eye. eayala@express-news.net During the Aug. 23 meeting of the NEISD board, one speaker after another took to the microphone and issued a warning to trustees. They vowed to dedicate themselves to unseating every member of the board, who had voted four days earlier, during a special emergency meeting, to institute a six-week mask mandate at district schools to slow the spread of COVID-19. At one point, a resident named Dick Rasmussen castigated the trustees for adhering to what he regarded as bogus scientific assumptions. He said the board should be trusting in God to know that hes going to keep us safe instead of a stupid mask. Rasmussen backed up the warnings of previous speakers, with a key amendment. He promised to make an exception for Steve Hilliard, the retired Air Force officer and first-term trustee, who cast the lone dissenting vote on the mask mandate. Dont get rid of Mr. Hilliard, Rasmussen said. Hilliard made it clear during the vitriolic NEISD debate over masks that his sympathies rest with the mandate opponents. He was the trustee who did not wear a mask at the six-hour Aug. 19 emergency meeting. (He did, however, bring one to the Aug. 23 meeting.) Nonetheless, there was a sense that Hilliard was trying to provide some kind of bridge between the two warring sides. He didnt condone the kind of angry rhetoric heard from many speakers (including at least one who propagated the false narrative that Donald Trump was cheated out of a 2020 presidential election victory). Hilliard made reasonable requests for clear metrics that could ascertain the severity of COVID-19 transmission in the district. He talked about the need for unifying the deeply divided NEISD community and for the school district to be as transparent as possible. But one of his biggest crowd-pleasing lines completely missed the meaning of the moment. A mask to me is a defensive (strategy), Hilliard said. But the proactive and natural immunity, we know obesity is one of the main contributing factors. He added, A lot of the kids are having a problem with childhood obesity, which is an uncomfortable conversation. Hilliard went on to ask if the district has focused on nutrition, Vitamin D and how people build up their immune system so they have the best response when they get any sort of illness. Without question, nutrition and physical fitness are crucially important issues for schoolchildren in this society. They are, however, long-term challenges. Were dealing with COVID-19s extremely transmissible delta variant, which has created a huge spike in hospitalizations and deaths in recent weeks. Its exponentially more infectious than previous strains of the virus and its effects are more severe. And its targeting kids in numbers that we havent seen before. The very day that the NEISD board held its emergency meeting, there were 235 pediatric COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals, the highest figure yet reported by the Texas Department of State Health Services. For Dr. Sean Maika, NEISDs superintendent, the calculus is pretty simple. He wants to keep schools open. Hes dealing with a situation in which the delta variant could not only spread among students, but sideline so many staff members that district schools wont be able to function. Under anything approaching normal circumstances, none of us would want to send our kids to school in a face mask. But as Maika pointed out, we havent encountered anything like the delta variant before. When you have a fire raging at your house, is the most prudent response to spend an hour discussing the materials that were used in the construction of the house? Of course not. You put out the fire immediately. Many NEISD parents argued before the board that masks dont work against the virus. Its important to remember that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initially opposed the use of masks against COVID-19 for two reasons: They were worried about people snapping up N95 masks and creating a shortage for health-care workers; and they didnt yet understand that asymptomatic people with COVID-19 could spread the virus. As more evidence rolled in, it became clear that masks could be particularly effective at source control, catching infectious respiratory droplets exhaled by a mask wearer. (They are somewhat less effective at protecting an uninfected mask wearer from receiving infectious droplets.) The bottom line is that you wear a mask, first and foremost, to protect other people. And you hope that other people will do the same for you. It means approaching the virus with a collective spirit, the same kind of spirit that has carried us through major crises in the past. It doesnt mean the rejection of personal liberty. It just means a willingness to sacrifice comfort for the sake of a greater cause. Its not a bad lesson to impart to our kids. But first we have to learn it ourselves. ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470 The killing of 13 U.S. troops by an Islamic State suicide attack at the Kabul airport added to our astonishment and rage as we witnessed the debacle in which the U.S. campaign in Afghanistan has come to an end. It was repulsive enough to watch images of victorious Taliban rebel forces parading joyfully in rapid succession, city after city, in full possession of U.S. equipment and weaponry abandoned by the Afghan security forces as they capitulated in disgrace. These deadly attacks add salt to injury. I can only imagine how disgusting and demoralizing these scenes must be for the thousands of U.S. military men and women, as well as civilians, who put forth their most valiant efforts through endless tours of duty to accomplish the mission of defeating terrorism at its center of gravity to prevent another 9/11 terrorist attack. Nearly 2,500 of their comrades have paid the ultimate sacrifice pursuing that objective. We pray their heroism in time will prove to have been for the betterment of human kind. Today, in the fog of war still hovering over that foreign land, such optimism remains just that, foggy. So what may have gone wrong here? At the time the U.S. invaded Afghanistan in 2001 following al-Qaidas terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York that year, the American public, and the free world, fully supported President George W. Bushs bold decision to lead a global dragnet to help bring terrorists to justice and hold their enabling countries accountable, thus declaring a war on terrorism. Its major component became the military operation known as Enduring Freedom, aimed at toppling the Taliban government that had provided a safe haven for terrorists training camps in Afghanistan. The terms war and enduring presaged a long-suffering experience 20 years, no less. Gen. Colin Powell, one of the architects of the anti-terrorism campaign as secretary of state for Bush, had distinguished himself as the mastermind behind the successful 100 days military operation to oust the invading Iraqi forces from Kuwait in 1991. As chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for President George H.W. Bush, Powell championed what later became known as the Powell Doctrine, a set of principles drawn from the Vietnam experience. Key among his principles was the need to have an exit strategy to avoid endless entanglement. He advocated the use of overwhelming force to accomplish the military objective and, once achieved, pull out. Something is probably fundamentally wrong when a country spends 20 years at war on foreign soil, as Roman legions did centuries ago. Such prolonged engagement would indicate that another one of his principles was not being followed: Did we really have a clear attainable objective? Was it to defeat terrorism? Or was it, as Mikhail Gorbachev, former Soviet Union president and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, recently described as unrealistic attempts to democratize a society made up of many tribes? We could conclude from the numerous attempts by every president since George W. Bush to redefine the purpose and level of military forces in Afghanistan that, as a country, we may had lost a sense of finality. Powell, among many, argued that the role of the military is not to build roads or craft/execute political structures and doctrines. Our men and women in uniform are exceedingly great at soldiering. Historically, they have always done that with distinction and at a hefty price of lost lives, and lingering physical, mental and emotional trauma, particularly in Afghanistan. What they are not good at is playing politics. In Afghanistan, our military was at the mercy of contradictory policies, plus ill-defined objectives fueled by pervasive political acrimony at the highest levels of decision-making. Afghanistan became the punching bag politicians would use to make a name for themselves at the expense of our military professionals. Some also blame the undue influence of our military-industrial complex, the one President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned the nation about in 1961 and for whom war is its livelihood. Eisenhower was leery of giving it too much say into the conduct of war. Its lobbying assets in Washington are indeed formidably effective. What went wrong? Its a foggy puzzle. We didnt learn from the French in Vietnam, nor from the Soviets in Afghanistan. Hopefully well learn from ourselves this time. Jaime Vazquez is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and president emeritus of the Airman Heritage Foundation. They call it the Remain in Mexico policy, but it might as well be Remain in Purgatory (or worse). The U.S. Supreme Court recently reinstated the draconian Trump-era immigration program, which President Joe Biden rightfully ended in the opening days of his administration. Of all the draconian measures instituted by former President Donald Trump, this was among the worst right up there with separating kids from their parents. The program forced asylum-seekers to return to Mexico, where they lived in tents along the border, until their court dates in the United States. The upshot was both cruel and inexplicable, consigning the immigrants who chose to remain in Mexico to the same fate they had sought to escape poverty, violence, kidnappings. Now, the immigrants are back where they were in 2019, when the program was instituted, trapped in a bureaucratic limbo that may take months, if not years, to resolve. Forcing vulnerable families and children to wait in provisional camps in Mexico puts their lives at risk, while also making it nearly impossible for them to access the asylum process, Kate Melloy Goettel, legal director of litigation for the American Immigration Council, said in a statement. In its 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled the Biden administration may have violated federal law by dismantling the program, officially known as the Migrant Protection Protocols, although it did not specify what made the suspension illegal. When Biden halted the policy following his inauguration, Texas sued the federal government, claiming the suspension placed a burden on local governments to provide services for immigrants waiting to be processed in the U.S. A federal judge in Texas later ordered the program reinstated, and after the high court ruling, indicted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton tweeted that the policy must be reinstated now! In its ruling, the high court denied a stay of that order requested by the Biden administration. We have a president who looked at federal law and said, I dont have to follow federal law. Im the president. I do what I want, Paxton told Fox News. This is a curious argument, considering Trump did much the same thing when he rescinded DACA in 2017; the high court restored the law three years later. Immigration advocates are urging the administration to appeal the ruling, but since the high court deemed the suspension of the policy capricious, the Department of Homeland Security may be able to solve the problem by fashioning a clearer statement about its intentions. The Biden administration may appeal, but in the meantime, the Department of Homeland Security said it would take steps to comply with the decision. But how? The court ruling was confusing, and federal officials are not sure how to proceed. The only thing beyond dispute is that the lives of the immigrants remain in as much flux and danger as ever. In a report released last week, Human Rights First said it had tracked more than 800 reports of murder, torture, rape, kidnapping and other violent attacks against asylum-seekers and migrants returned to Mexico under the policy. The fear you cant be out here freely in the streets, an asylum-seeker who fled El Salvador told NBC News. As disheartening as the violence is the lack of support the immigrants receive. Of the almost 60,000 migrants under the program, only 2,765 have legal representation, according to data released by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University. Only 20 percent of asylum-seekers receive approval. Such a shameful program should be left to the ash bin of history. Its now incumbent on the Biden administration to reword its request for a stay of the order. Asylum-seekers deserve fair hearings and assurances of safety that honor their humanity, not subjugation to indefinite danger in a third country. Puro Politics is a weekly podcast hosted by columnist Gilbert Garcia, covering the drama and nuance of local government issues. When Nico LaHood served as Bexar County district attorney, he was the rare elected Democrat embraced by Republicans. Local Republicans derived satisfaction from the way LaHood defied his own party with socially conservative stances on various issues, most notably his opposition to mass vaccinations and criticisms of the tenets of Islam. These days, state Rep. Lyle Larson is a Republican more often praised by Democrats than by rank-and-file voters in his own party. Larson has dared to admonish Texas GOP leaders for devoting time and energy to voting-restriction legislation, bans on mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to force public schools to adhere to a so-called patriotic interpretation of history. The political worlds of LaHood and Larson could be colliding soon. On ExpressNews.com: Garcia: Former DA LaHood seriously considering a run for Texas House LaHood, who switched parties three years ago, is considering running in the Republican primary for Larsons District 122 seat. The possibility of a LaHood/Larson showdown came up for discussion on this weeks episode of the Express-Newss Puro Politics podcast. Im not surprised that (LaHood) wants to reintroduce himself to the limelight because I always felt that Nico was motivated by eyes on him, to a certain extent, Express-News reporter Brian Chasnoff said. He relishes being in the public eye. But I think its interesting that Nico always seemed to me like a Democrat who behaved more like a Republican. Whereas, Lyle Larson seems like a Republican who sometimes behaves more like a Democrat, with his public clashes with Gov. (Greg) Abbott and people in his own party. Hear about this and other issues on the latest edition of Puro Politics. ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470 FAIRFIELD -- A government and politics professor at Sacred Heart University who recently published his 10th book has been named 2011 Connecticut Professor of the Year. Gary Rose received the honor from The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. He was among 27 people picked to represent their states among nearly 300 nominees nationwide. Rose joined Sacred Heart's faculty in 1982 after receiving his doctorate from Miami University of Ohio. He's now chairman of Sacred Heart's Department of Government and Politics. He recently published his 10th book, "Connecticut's Fourth Congressional District: History, Politics and the Maverick Tradition." ATHENS, Greece (AP) Greeces center-right government replaced top public security officials following the country's multiple devastating wildfires this month, but it also suffered an embarrassing political setback Tuesday when the retired admiral appointed to oversee firefighting withdrew hours before he was due to be sworn in. The government had named Evangelos Apostolakis, a former chief of the Greek armed forces and the defense minister under a previous government, as the head of a newly created Civil Protection Ministry. Apostolakis pulled out after the political opposition accused him of being disloyal. Viktoria Sundqvist / Hearst Connecticut Media HARTFORD A former Hartford resident sentenced Friday for a gun offense was banned from entering the city without permission after he serves a 24-month federal prison sentence on illegal gun possession charges, prosecutors said. Tyshawn Turner, 36, was sentenced on Friday by Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to two years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Prosecutors said that as a condition of Turners supervised release, he is prohibited from entering Hartford without permission from the U.S. Probation Office. Tom Davies/AP INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indianas governor has extended the states COVID-19 public health emergency while he is in discussions with health care providers about a new statewide executive order amid the state's surge in coronavirus cases. Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb on Monday signed his 18th extension of the public health emergency he first issued in March 2020. The new emergency continues until Sept. 30 and keeps the state eligible for several federal emergency relief programs. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Ukraine's leader is visiting the United States this week in hopes of bolstering security ties with Washington and persuading the Biden administration to ramp up sanctions against a new Russian natural gas pipeline that bypasses his country. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called Washington's failure to block the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Germany a grave political error, and he is expected to again raise the issue during his talks Wednesday with U.S. President Joe Biden. Zelenskyy has described the new pipeline as a powerful geopolitical weapon for Russia, which annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 after the ouster of the former Kremlin-friendly president and has thrown its weight behind a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine. Washington has strongly opposed the construction of Nord Stream 2, but the Biden administration has opted not to punish the German company overseeing the project while announcing new sanctions against Russian companies and ships. Zelenskyy has warned that Nord Stream 2 would mark a major victory for Moscow and a personal loss for Biden. The undiplomatic comments reflect Ukrainian fears that the new pipeline will deprive it of $3 billion in annual transit fees for pumping Russian gas to Europe, erode its strategic importance and make it more vulnerable to Kremlin pressure. Yuriy Vitrenko, the head of Ukraine's state-controlled Naftogaz oil and gas company, told The Associated Press that Ukraine would urge the U.S. to slap Nord Stream 2 with tougher sanctions. Well be very, very loud, because its a matter of national security for Ukraine, for the region, and we believe for the U.S. as well," Vitrenko said. Ukraine has urged the U.S. and Germany to help pressure Moscow to prolong the current contract for transit of Russian gas via Ukraine that expires in 2024. Russian President Vladimir Putin has held the door open for an extension, but noted that it would hinge on the European demand for Russian gas. Ukrainian officials have argued that a U.S.-German agreement that offers some compensation for Ukraine isnt enough. We continue underlining that Nord Stream 2 is not a matter of some kind of compensation program, Vitrenko said. Its a security threat for Ukraine, because if there is no physical transit of gas through Ukraine, it increases the chance of a full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine and its not in the interests of Ukraine, and its not in the interests of Europe, not in the interest of the U.S." A meeting between Zelenskyy and Biden initially set for Tuesday was pushed back a day due to developments in Afghanistan. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba voiced hope that the talks will help bring the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States to the next level. He told The Associated Press that Ukraine's push for a stronger U.S. security assistance "will be absolutely crucial and absolutely central to all discussions. Ahead of the Biden-Zelenskyy meeting, the Biden administration promised up to $60 million in military aid that it said was necessary because of a major increase in Russian military activity along Ukraine's border. The new package will include more Javelin anti-tank missiles, which Kyiv sees as critical to defending against the Russia-backed separatists. A 2015 peace deal brokered by France and Germany helped end large-scale battles in eastern Ukraine, but regular skirmishes have continued and political settlement efforts have stalled. More than 14,000 people have been killed in the fighting since 2014. Earlier this year, increasing cease-fire violations in eastern Ukraine and a major Russian troop buildup near the border fueled fears by Kyiv and Western powers of renewed hostilities. Next month's massive Russia-Belarus war games in western Russia, which are to involve 200,000 troops, will likely trigger new concerns. Amid the tug-of-war with Moscow, Ukraine has pushed strongly to be allowed to join NATO. Ukraine has a very clear strategic goal of becoming a member of NATO, Kuleba told the AP. Observers are skeptical, however, about Ukraine's ability to secure a road map for NATO membership amid the spiraling conflict in the east and its continuing tensions with Russia. The U.S. understands that its European partners are against granting Ukraine a membership action plan because they fear a conflict with Russia, said Volodymyr Fesenko, head of the Penta Center think tank. The U.S. wants to strengthen its partnership with Europe, and Germany in particular, so it has to take the position of its European partners into account. The U.S. and its Western allies have warned Ukraine that the pace of its integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures will hinge on its efforts to combat endemic corruption and conduct reforms. When Biden visited Ukraine as vice president in 2015, he urged Ukrainian authorities to step up the fight against graft. The demand to fight corruption has become a familiar issue in Ukraine-U.S. talks during the past decades, said Vadim Karasev, an independent Kyiv-based political analyst. Many in Kyiv accuse the U.S. of turning the fight against corruption into a screen to hide its reluctance to intensify relations with Ukraine. Before Biden's election, Zelenskyy became an involuntary actor on the U.S. political scene amid the inquiry against U.S. President Donald Trump that led to his impeachment in 2019. The motion was triggered by a phone call in which Trump pushed Zelenskyy to investigate Biden and his son, Hunter, who at the time was on the board of a Ukrainian energy company. Karasev noted that after Zelenskyy and two of his predecessors all figured in U.S. political scandals, the toxic nature of the Ukrainian issue makes any U.S. leader act with extreme caution. Fesenko said Zelenskyy's visit to Washington is part of Ukraine's long-term strategic diplomacy. There will be no sensations or breakthroughs, but putting our military-technical cooperation with the U.S. on a systemic legal basis would undoubtedly be a significant result, Fesenko said. The U.S. is a major geopolitical partner and ally for Ukraine and a very important factor in confronting Russia. ___ Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow and Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report. Michael Landsbaum hit bottom after his father lost his job and couldnt pay rent, leaving the teenager homeless in Dallas. He slept on friends couches for months until he was rescued by an unlikely source: his high school. But Pathways in Technology Early College High School did much more than provide him with a place to stay at a counselors home. Its accelerated program, including college courses, gave Landsbaum the drive to get through the tough times and the hope for better days. My goal was to get my associates degree, and when I got that, things got a whole lot easier, he says. Landsbaum, 20, is finishing his bachelors in computer science at the University of North Texas a turnaround thats typical of the school, part of a growing movement better known by its acronym P-TECH. Founded in 2011 by IBM and the Bloomberg administration in New York City, P-TECH has spread to 10 states with 127 schools as of last year, achieving remarkable results for the low-income, black and Latino students they serve. In Dallas, for example, 72% of students graduated with a high school diploma and an associates degree in about four years. Thats about eight times the national average for on-time community college graduation by students of color. After decades of struggle in America to lift the fortunes of low-income students, an answer has emerged in P-TECH, which operates within public school systems, typically taking over all or part of existing schools. Its one of the most transformative programs Ive seen in my four decades in education, says Don Haddad, the superintendent of Colorados St. Vrain Valley School District, which has three P-TECH schools. Every major school district across the country should adopt the model. It really opens doors for disadvantaged students. Whats the secret sauce? It starts with an accelerated curriculum and frequent testing to keep students on trackthe very things that progressive educators are trying to stamp out today. Students complete a two-year community college associates degree in addition to the typical high school program as early as 12th grade, a notable achievement. In another break from standard fare, schools bring on corporate partners who inspire students with the opportunity for jobs in hot fields like computer programming and health care technologya boon for companies that cant find qualified candidates to fill such positions. P-TECH's success offers a counterpoint to critical race theory, a controversial academic movement increasingly adopted in schools that casts systemic racism and white supremacy as pervasive problems that students can counteract through racial awareness. P-TECH is showing that underperforming students from poor communities can master a race-neutral mainstream STEM curriculum, especially when they see a brighter future, in the form of a well-paying job, within their grasp. The battle-tested program, which marks its first decade in September, has been hailed by Republican and Democratic governors, corporate chiefs and superintendents across the country. It has enjoyed an early growth spurt, reaching tens of thousands of students in the states with the help of hundreds of U.S. corporate partners, from Microsoft to American Airlines. But PTECHs expansion plans face pushback from the left and right in the heated politics of school reform. Among other objections, progressives oppose corporate partnerships as a corrupting influence on education. Republican politicians dont want taxpayer dollars to pay for college that's free to students and their families. Its very difficult to innovate in the current toxic education environment, says Stan Litow, the mastermind behind P-TECH. Even if a school has amazing results, you run into resistance. The P-TECH Road Show Nevertheless, Litow saw an opening to address the disconnect between what schools teach today and the advanced skills companies need. He had spent his career in education policy, rising to deputy chancellor of schools in New York City and then serving as the president of the IBM foundation. With a foot in both the public and private sectors, he was well-positioned to design a model that reimagined traditional high schools. But Litow had seen plenty of promising ideas in education amount to nothing, as he describes in a new book. He found a cautionary tale in the failure of Common Core standards, an attempt like P-TECH to raise the academic bar that was advanced by the Bush and Obama administrations. For P-TECH to spread, he had to get early buy-in from the many stakeholders in education. Undaunted, Litow and his IBM team began a years-long road show in 2011. Governors were his first line of attack, since they control education policy. He met with a dozen, including Gina Raimondo, then Rhode Islands Democratic governor and now U.S. secretary of commerce, and Republican Larry Hogan of Maryland. They endorsed P-TECH as a win-win for corporations in need of skilled employees and inner-city students in need of a career. When governors balked, it was usually about money. Gary Herbert toured a P-TECH school when he was governor of Utah and was impressed. But aides in the governors office told Litow that the states Republican lawmakers wouldnt want to pay for a community college degree for high schoolers. That can cost $10,000 per student. Litow won over powerful principals and teachers unions by assuring them P-TECH schools would be public rather than nonunion charters. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, signed on. Civil rights leaders also endorsed P-TECH as a big departure from the old and discredited vocational education that tracked kids of color through woodshop classes and into dead-end jobs. His most ambitious move was raising the academic standards. P-TECH would have no admission requirements to weed out weaker students who had fallen behind. They would have to quickly catch up in high school to enroll in rigorous engineering and scientific college courses and finish in no more than six years. It was a wager that underperformers can become high achievers with the proper motivation. Corporate partners would provide that carrot. During paid internships students would see, often for the first time, a clear path from their bad neighborhood to a good job at a competitive salary of $50,000 or more. But selling the idea of corporate partnerships wasnt always easy. Progressive academics call career and technical education (CTE) like P-TECH aimed at poor students unfair and even racist. Researchers at the National Education Policy Center say low-income students, who are disproportionately black or Latino, deserve the same broad general education that white teens get in suburbia. They shouldnt be funneled into technical specialties that benefit private companies. Today corporations have a more direct role inside schools and are taking control of the curriculum through CTE, says Professor Ken Saltman at the University of Illinois at Chicago, who focuses on the privatization of public education. So is this in the interest of everyone or those businesses? Thats a really big issue. States Jump Onboard IBMs home state of New York started the rollout of P-TECH schools a decade ago. Illinois was an early adopter after then Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel got the P-TECH endorsement from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. President Obamas shout-out to P-TECH in his 2013 State of the Union We need to give every American student opportunities like this was a game changer. Governors started calling Litow to get the ball rolling. Connecticut, Maryland, Colorado, Texas, Rhode Island, Louisiana, and New Jersey jumped onboard. California, the big prize, joined in 2018 at the urging of IBM. Minnesota will open its first school at the end of August as part of a small expansion to other states. IBMs goal: 300 schools in 17 states by 2025. P-TECH is also expanding internationally, with schools in more than 20 countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America. They are signing up because of P-TECHs off-the-charts performance. At the first school, which opened in Brooklyn in 2011, about half of its debut class earned an associates degree on time within two years of getting a high school diploma. Many finished by 12th grade or one year later. Across the country and a decade later, Colorados St. Vrain district saw 58% of its eligible students take home a degree. These results clobber the national average of about 9% for on-time graduation by students from similar backgrounds. All innovations produce surprises. Litow never expected that most of the graduates, emboldened by the taste of academic success, would go on to get a bachelors degree. At least a dozen have earned graduate degrees too. One alum from New York is in a Ph.D. program and another is applying to medical school outcomes that seem unimaginable without P-TECH. For the corporate partners, this is not just philanthropy. More than 300 U.S. companies large and small have jumped in because they are short on skilled employees. As part of the deal, companies typically pick the types of associates degrees, from biotech to marketing, that each P-TECH school offers. Companies also design and teach new classes in soft skills, covering dress codes, teamwork and presentation-making, that students need to succeed at work. But some businesses are not buying the P-TECH magic, posing another challenge to expansion. Its a big commitment of time for companies obliged to provide mentors and paid internships with the hope of getting skilled employees six years later. Companies are uncertain that struggling public schools will do their part. The health care company Ascension Texas is trying to instill a sense of urgency in the Austin school district to meet its P-TECH curriculum expectations, creating a healthy tension, says Geronimo Rodriguez, Ascensions chief advocacy officer. IBM, for one, is doubling down on P-TECH. This summer it brought on 1,000 paid interns, a big number. In the past, most graduates of schools sponsored by the technology goliath who wanted a job got one in areas like cybersecurity and data analysis. They are first in line to interview for jobs, says Justina Nixon-Saintil, global head of corporate social responsibility at IBM. If there is a job thats good for them, absolutely, we make that offer. Inside P-TECHs Flagship School When entering the nations first P-TECH school in Brooklyn, students cant miss the large posters of smiling faces lining the hallways. These are the students who have passed state tests to qualify to take college classes in either computer systems or electromechanical engineering, the two specialties of the school. The posters send a message to students, 97% of whom are black or Latino. In a lot of urban communities, the perception is that you're acting white if youre excelling academically, says Principal Rashid Davis. So I want the students to see themselves on posters and realize there is nothing wrong with being smart and find motivation by their success in getting into college. More than half of the students entering the school are behind their grade level. So they have to work harder than their peers. The school day is two periods longer than normal. Summer break lasts only two weeks. The school designed its ninth-grade curricula to be an intensive year of catch-up. The time devoted to studying math and English is doubled, providing a foundation for the rigors of college ahead. The mostly black male students generally start on action novels before making their way to James Baldwin and Shakespeare. Whip-smart teenagers like Nathan Alleyne excel from the get-go, taking courses at New York City College of Technology by 10th grade. By grade 12 he finished his associates degree in computer systems, learning Python, Java and CSS. This fall he starts pursuing a bachelors in the same field. I learned a lot about taking charge of my life and managing my time to make sure everything gets done, he says. Im very grateful. What keeps students going is the awareness that Davis is expecting them to succeed a new experience for many. He walks the halls, asking students why they didnt do better on a recent test. You got a 90. Why not a 95? says Davis, laughing about such chats with students. They need to know that they matter. Aaliyah Charles needed that push. Raised by her mother who struggled to pay the bills after Aaliyahs father left the family, she came to P-TECH without much confidence at the urging of her mom because the college classes were free. But it was a challenge. She pulled all-nighters. Failing college algebra was a low point. Then she reached out to an unusual source of support: her mentor at IBM the schools corporate partner. I could talk to her about my problems, Charles says. She said its okay, but next time I take the class, I have to dedicate myself and everything will be fine. Charles aced the rest of her math classes, including calculus, and graduated in June with a degree in electromechanical engineering. Her internship at IBM also set her on a career path. She worked in a program to encourage inner-city girls to pursue a career in a STEM field. Now a more self-assured leader, Charles aims to start a nonprofit to continue that work after finishing her bachelors degree in psychology at Stony Brook University in New York. New York Citys Cold Shoulder New York City, the biggest school district in the U.S., has about eight P-TECHs and could fill dozens more. The Brooklyn school gets more than 1,000 applicants each year for about 125 seats. Mayor Bill de Blasio, a progressive who succeeded Michael Bloomberg, started a few schools, including one this year. But he backed away from a pledge to aggressively expand P-TECH in his two terms. Instead, he joined progressive advocates in rejecting Bloombergs policy of accountability that replaced large failing schools with smaller ones like P-TECH. The Department of Education shifted its focus to address systemic racism as the root of the problem for students of color. Accelerated classes and schools the DNA of P-TECH are dismissed as discriminatory. Principal Davis calls the de Blasio years a political nightmare for P-TECH. He says the department evaluates his P-TECH like a traditional high school and ignores its successful corporate partnership and college degrees earned after 12th grade. The department didnt respond to RealClearInvestigations questions. We were created to disrupt the system so they should evaluate us through a different lens, Davis says. I do things that are against their philosophical belief. We have proven that we can improve outcomes for brown children. And they hate me for showing this. Transforming Dallas Schools As P-TECH hit a snag in liberal New York, it took off in business-friendly Dallas. Dallas public school district, the 16th largest in the country and made up almost entirely of disadvantaged Latino and black students, turned to P-TECH to solve a problem. Charter schools were poaching students. So we decided to come up with some competition to beat them at their own game, says Superintendent Michael Hinojosa. The district, which had already brought college into a few high schools, was inspired by the Brooklyn partnership with IBM. So Hinojosa went all-in, spending $25 million to build the infrastructure, including placing an assistant principal and workplace coordinator devoted to P-TECH at every school. This helped assure businesses, which had concerns about the job-readiness of the graduates, that the district was serious about making the partnerships work. I had to visit American Airline three times because they were so skeptical, Hinojosa says. As more than 80 partners (including American Airlines) signed on, the district installed P-TECH in 18 of its 21 comprehensive high schools the most in any U.S. city. The superintendent is thrilled with the results three-quarters of its inaugural class got an associates degree, the school retention rate is up and behavior problems are down. P-TECH has been transformational for the entire district, he says. Ive been a superintendent for 27 years and I have never before seen anything else that can be such a catalyst for change. Initially some corporate partners tip-toed into the program. Accenture offered one internship in its first summer with P-TECH. Last summer it jumped to 30. Thomson Reuters completely bought in. The information-services company was so pleased with its first batch of 30 paid interns that it hired 23 of them to assist Fortune 500 clients with software issues. They are thriving in their roles, says Gabrielle Madison, the director of community relations. This summer the firm almost doubled the number of interns in hopes of hiring them too. Thomson Reuters offices in Minneapolis, Michigan and perhaps overseas also plan to tap the P-TECH pipeline for talent. What are the long-term prospects for P-TECH grads? Radcliffe Saddler, who was part of the Brooklyn flagships first class, immediately took an entry-level job at IBM as a marketing data analyst after graduation. Radcliffe says he experienced the highs and lows of being a black teenager from a poor neighborhood trying to fit into a buttoned-up white workplace. But he persevered, got his bachelors paid for by IBM, and won his first promotion this summer into a more creative role. He uses his coding and design chops to build client interfaces for virtual assistants in the Watson artificial intelligence brand. He has also doubled his salary and now makes six-figures. P-TECH was a game changer considering the community I came from, he says. Its the reason Im working on the Watson platform today. Growers are being urged to complete NFU Scotland's annual harvest survey, as early signs are pointing to an overall positive picture. The union is looking to hear from farmers across the country as 2021's harvest continues to progress. NFU Scotland explained that this years harvest had been a 'good one' so far, following last year's which saw unpredictable and variable weather. The union's combinable crops committee chair Willie Thomson, who farms in East Lothian, urged farmers to complete the survey. We need to know what is going on across Scotland, otherwise we rely on data from the major cereal growing areas of the UK, which doesnt always best represent our members businesses. Figures provided will also be used to add weight to NFU and AHDBs harvest forecasts and are shared with Scottish and UK governments to provide accurate harvest forecasts. The more information that farmers provide the better, according to David Michie, NFU Scotlands crops policy manager. This information helps us identify regional issues that could bubble up further down the line," he said. "The hot, dry summer in the west has forced some farm businesses to start feeding this years silage, which could make grain availability very regionally important this winter. "The information provided by the survey will be incredibly valuable to our regional and wider policy team. The survey only asks for crop yields and areas, takes about 5 minutes to complete, and should be carried out when harvest is finished or nearly finished. The deadline to complete this years survey is 26 September. On Saturday, about 50 people including government officials, nonprofit representatives and interested residents gathered on the banks of the Rappahannock River at Remington to celebrate the opening of a canoe/kayak launch on the county-owned Rector Tract. Another boat launch was completed this summer about 20 miles upriver near Waterloo, at the county-owned Riverside Preserve. I committed to getting this launch built and with the help of many, many hands, we got it done, said Lee District Supervisor Chris Butler, who has advocated for more public access points to the river. He implored residents and visitors to respect the Rector Tract, which has been for years the site of illegal dumping of trash. Please use this, but for Gods sake, please respect it, he told the assembled crowd. Treat it like you all paid for it. Because in essence you did pay for it. The new boat launches mean that floating the river no longer requires fighting a maze of mud, brush and rocks to get a canoe or kayak to the water. Residents have been accessing the river for decades via less-than-legal means, usually at bridges. The opening of Riverside Preserve and the Rector Tract, both now maintained by the Fauquier parks department, marked the first time in recent memory that residents could access the river via county parks. (The state game departments access point at Kellys Ford is on the Culpeper County side of the river.) The county provided funding for the design of the canoe/kayak launches, but other private organizations made major contributions. The Rector Tract parcel was donated to the county by the American Battlefield Trust. (The river crossings at Remington were the sites of numerous engagements during the Civil War.) The Riverside Preserve property was donated by a private citizen. Friends of the Rappahannock, the Piedmont Environmental Council, the PATH Foundation and the Virginia Environmental Endowment provided funding and volunteers for the development the river access points. Fauquier parks department staffers built the canoe/kayak launches with the help of volunteers. According to Donald Johnson, chair of the Fauquier County Parks and Recreation Board, the county is in talks with Fauquier Springs Country Club about possibly establishing another public river access point there. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. 2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning -- 4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS. We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover. We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come. The Fort Bend County Fair and Rodeo will return this fall, but with fewer attractions and events, organizers said. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Nushrratt Bharuccha made a name for herself with Luv Ranjans Pyaar Ka Punchnama (2011) and thanks to its success she landed grey-shaded roles in films like Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 (2015) and Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2018). The actress changed tracks with Dream Girl (2019) and Chhalaang (2019), where she played positive characters. With Ajeeb Daastaans (2021), she was back to playing a twisted character. Her role as a maid in the Raj Mehta directed segment got much appreciated. She says she had much fun on the sets even though it was a dark film. And adds the director and his entire team had a wacky sense of humour. My co-star, Abhishek Banerjee, is a prankster as well. There were times the shooting got delayed because I couldnt get into my character as I was laughing so much. We all used to dine out together after pack-up.It was amazing.She mentions she has no qualms about playing dark or difficult characters because theyre much more fun. And they provide her the leeway to do more as an actor. I like dwelling in those spaces where you dont know why a character did a certain thing. You want to ask why. You want to understand their motives. My characters in Dream Girl or Chhalaang were plain vanilla characters compared to what Ive done earlier or even what I did in Ajeeb Daastaans. Why just settle for vanilla when there are so many other flavours, she asserts.She loved Minal, her character from Ajeeb Daastaans because it was full of ambiguities. Minal stole money or lingerie but she wasnt a thief. Or rather, in her eyes she wasnt a thief but someone from the margins trying to get by through whatever means possible. Nushrratt says when you play such characters, you begin by not judging them. Shes about to join a new house as a maid. She knows that the man who owns the house has designs on her. Kya kar lega, 3-4 ghanta dekh lega na aur uski biwi hain ghar pe aur karr bhi kya sakta hai (Whatll he do. He can only stare at me for 3-4 hours. His wife is at home, what else can he do?) This one line shows both her strength and vulnerability. And its all too real because thats the kind of society we live in. She loved Inayat Verma, the little chipmunk who played her sassy younger sister in the film and says she hasnt met a more sorted person. The child never used to get bothered by anything and coped with delays and night shifts with the calm of a zen master. Inayat even used to cue in Nushrratts lines if she misstepped. Ive never seen a person like her. Conversing with her felt like ones talking to a person closer to ones age than a much younger person. I spent much time with her and her parents and it was an enriching experience. I hope she doesnt change. If she continues on her journey she might become one of our top stars one day.ushrratt is excited about her forthcoming horror film Chhorii directed by Vishal Furia, who is redeveloping his own Marathi hit Lapachhapi (2017) into Hindi. Theyve got Crypt TV on board as producer so one can be sure its going to see international distribution. Its a horror film with a message and contains plenty of humour as well. A major portion of the film was shot during the pandemic. We were shooting from November to December last year in Bhopal. Nobody was allowed without PPE kits, masks or gloves. There was a constant rapid check every day. We were all in one quarantine hotel. We took every precaution and shot for 28 days with zero COVID-19 cases. Nushrratt plays an eight months pregnant woman in the film. It was a new experience for her as she had no parallels to draw upon and was constantly asking her pregnant friends about the experience to get into the mindscape of her character. She got so involved with her character that like an actual pregnant woman started getting emotional fluctuations. Once, she broke down in the middle of a scene and started crying. I wasnt required to cry in the scene so the ADs came to me and told me the director had said cut and I should stop acting. The cameraman noticed something was amiss and he called the director, who was reviewing the scene on the monitor. My director came running and seeing my condition he ordered everyone off the set and just let me cry privately. He understood that I needed to let it all out at that time.The talk veers to Ram Setu. The big budget film has Akshay Kumar and Jacqueline Fernandez as her co-stars. Its the biggest film she has signed as yet and hence shes obviously over the moon about it. Akshay is said to be a stickler for timelines and also a fitness freak. Hes also said to be quite a jovial person on the sets and Nushrratt agrees hes all that and more. Theres never a dull moment when Akshay sir is on the sets. Hes always cracking jokes and making sure everyone around him is relaxed. He takes care of everyone on the sets. His team carries enough food to feed everyone so we were always munching on something. I was apprehensive initially about working with him but the relaxed atmosphere on the sets helped me deliver my best, she adds. She had met Jacqueline during an awards function and the two girls had immediately bonded. Nushrratt remembers using different Instagram filters with Jacqueline and clicking all sorts of crazy selfies with her. So there was a connection with her from before. Shes one of those absolute rare, genuine, open hearted, loving souls who made me feel so comfortable. I was so welcomed and so loved while shooting with her. Hands down she is my favourite person. Definitely a major crush, I love her, gushes Nushrratt. Its not as if she needs to be welcomed on every set. While Nushrratt agrees that a fun atmosphere leads to better takes, she says she can emote next to a cardboard cutout if need be. Im an actor. I can romance a mannequin if my director asks me to. Basically what we do comes from within. I need to tap into my own space to deliver. Thats what being a professional is all about.Akshay Kumar tested positive for COVID-19 and everyone associated with him had to self-quarantine. Nushrratt wasnt on the sets when that happened but felt bad for the producers as they had to shut everything down. Then, the second phase of lockdown happened and the shooting was stalled again. It remains stalled as we speak. Shes glad that Akshay made it back home safe and is waiting for the curbs to be lifted so that the shooting can start again. The unit had taken so many precautions. Everybody had to take the COVID-19 test before coming to the shoot. Everybody was wearing masks and face shields. And only actors were allowed to take them off, that too when the camera was rolling. So I dont know how it happened, she muses. I trust the makers completely and will report on the sets whenever they need me, she comments.To minimise their losses, filmmakers have taken to releasing their films on OTT. Nushrratt isnt bothered by this fact at all. Her stance is that the film should get to reach the audience. It doesnt matter if its in the traditional way through theatres or through OTT platforms. We wouldnt have been able to release our films at all if these platforms werent in existence. Id rather put my stuff out there rather than have it gathering dust somewhere. Its a new lease of life, she reflects. A decade in the industry and she still gets nervous when her film is nearing its release. She starts hyperventilating majorly. And she also doesnt like to go to preview screenings. Ive never seen a film of mine before its release. I only watch my own portions even while dubbing. I catch it after three-four days of release. I dont know how others can be so cool about it all, she wonders.And she isnt comfortable doing publicity interviews either. Because Im a nervous wreck during those days. So its hard to meet the press and answer all those questions. Id rather dig a hole somewhere and hide. I joke with my producers that Id rather do the publicity interviews after a films release and not before, she adds with a grin. My last question is about her relationship status. Shes been linked by the press to director Luv Ranjan, though both of them have denied any romantic angle. Nusrratt says shes very much single and ready to mingle. Ive a legit question -- where are the men? Ive been ready to be in a relationship for a long time but it doesnt seem to happen. Id love someone to sweep me off my feet.Amen to that! Ajay Devgn is not just a dedicated actor but also a great director. Post U Me Aur Hum and Shivaay, the actor goes back to direction and this time it's an aviation thriller Mayday. Now according to reports in E Times we hear that Ajay Devgn will move to Russia to start his next schedule. Ajay Devgn had started shooting for Mayday earlier this year, however with the lockdown and pandemic the film shoot had to be stalled. Now that the lockdown rules have eased out and also international travelling is open, the actor is moving to Russia to shoot his next schedule. According to the reports Ajay Devgn and his team have flied down to Moscow and will stay there for a week. The actor will pick the best locations and do a thorough recce before shooting the schedule. Rakul Preet Singh and Boman Irani will join the team and shoot for crucial scenes. Mayday also stars Amitabh Bachchan in a lead role and after several years Ajay Devgn and Amitabh Bachchan will be seen together. The actors have worked together in the past in films like Khakee, Major Saab and Satyagraha. Ajay Devgn has shot for Mayday extensively in Mumbai and Hyderabad and now with the International schedule being planned, the actor is gung-ho to complete this one. Mayday as of now is slated to release on April 29, 2022. Apart from Mayday, Ajay Devgn will also be seen in Maidaan and then in Indra Kumars Thank God. MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2021 / Veronica's Insurance, the leading insurance broker for Hispanics and Latinos, is now serving the Miami and N. Lauderdale communities after opening its first two locations in Florida. The company plans to open several more locations across the state in the coming months as part of its expansion plan. "Our franchise model is making it affordable for entrepreneurs to run a stable and thriving business," said Veronica Gallardo, CEO and founder of Veronica's Insurance. "There are 50.5 million Hispanics in the U.S., and their purchasing power has quadrupled in the last 20 years which ensures the industry will continue to grow." Veronica's Insurance now has 16 franchises in three states, becoming the fastest-growing Hispanic insurance franchise in the U.S. "We are very happy and grateful to Veronica's Insurance for all their support and for guiding us step by step to fulfill one of our biggest dreams," said Annerys and Frank Camacho, the Miami Lakes franchise owners. "If you want to have your own business, you can. The sky is the limit!" The company recently announced its been named as the No. 1 franchise in the insurance category in Entrepreneur Magazine's 2021 Top 500 New Franchises for its financial strength and stability, and brand power. "We take pride in helping people to achieve their dream of running their own business," said Gallardo. "It fills our hearts to see how our franchisees are succeeding by getting what they have always wanted." The company also serves clients in their language to keep the roots of the Latino and Hispanic culture. Veronica's Insurance has 24/7 customer service agents that are fluent in English, Spanish, and in an effort to be more inclusive, some service agents are now versed in sign language. "If you are a person looking for a business that grows by leaps and bounds, do not hesitate to contact us," said Raul Dominguez, COO of Veronica's Insurance. "It's time to run your own business." To learn more about Veronica's Insurance franchising opportunities, please visit veronicasfranchise.com. To learn more about prices on auto, renter, business, life and health insurance, visit veronicasinsurance.com. About Veronica's Insurance Founded 25 years ago by Mexican businesswoman, Veronica Gallardo, Veronica's Insurance specializes in the Hispanic and Latin market, offering auto, life, and health insurance. Gallardo's vision has created employment for more than 400 families. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and makes up over 400 people. Veronica's Insurance has more than 90 locations in California, Colorado, Texas, and Florida. Press Contacts Veronica's Insurance Raul Dominguez raul@veronicas.com 1-800-639-39-39 SOURCE: Veronica's Insurance View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/662106/Veronicas-Insurance-Expands-Into-the-Florida-Insurance-Market SHANGHAI, China, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Junshi Biosciences (HKEX: 1877; SSE: 688180), a leading innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapies, announced its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and provided corporate updates. First Half 2021 Financial Highlights Total revenue reached RMB 2,114 million in the first half of 2021, representing an increase of 268% compared to the corresponding period of 2020. The increase was mainly due to the growth of revenue from out-licensing income. Total research and development ("R&D") expenses were RMB 947 million in the first half of 2021, representing an increase of 34% compared to the corresponding period of 2020. The increase in R&D expenses was mainly due to increased investment in in-house R&D projects, expansion of innovative R&D fields, and a greater number of R&D collaborations and license-in activities. Profits in the first half of 2021 were RMB 11 million compared to a loss of RMB 598 million in the corresponding period of 2020. The turnaround in profit was mainly due to significant increase in revenue. Net cash from operating activities was RMB 48 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. Net cash from financing activities was RMB2,028 million during the period, which was mainly due to the successful placing of new H shares with net proceeds of approximately RMB 2,106 million in June 2021. As of June 30, 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents of RMB 4,269 million as compared to the RMB 3,385 million as of December 31, 2020. The increase was mainly due to funds raised from the aforementioned stock offering and cash inflow from operations. Business Highlights During the six months ended June 30, 2021, we have achieved significant progress with respect to our product commercialization, clinical trials and pipeline expansion. Our innovative R&D field has expanded from monoclonal antibodies to the development of more drug modalities, including small molecules, polypeptides, antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), bi-specific or multi-specific antibodies and nucleic acid drugs, as well as the exploration of next-generation innovative therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Our drug candidates cover 5 major therapeutic categories including malignant tumors, autoimmune diseases, chronic metabolic diseases, neurologic diseases, and infectious diseases. Currently, we have 2 commercialized products (toripalimab and etesevimab), one filed NDA (adalimumab), 16 drug candidates under clinical trials (among which senaparib, ongericimab and bevacizumab were in Phase III trials) and 25 drug candidates in pre-clinical drug development. In January 2021, toripalimab for the first-line treatment of mucosal melanoma was granted the Fast Track Designation by the United States Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA"). Meanwhile, the FDA also approved the Investigational New Drug ("IND") application for a global Phase III clinical trial of toripalimab in combination with axitinib for the first-line treatment of mucosal melanoma. In March 2021, the indication was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation ("BTD") by the National Medical Products Administration (the "NMPA") of China. In February 2021, we entered into an exclusive license and commercialization agreement with Coherus BioSciences, Inc. ("Coherus"). Pursuant to the agreement, we granted Coherus an exclusive license for toripalimab and two option programs in the United States and Canada (the "Coherus Territory"), as well as the rights of first negotiation for 2 early-stage checkpoint inhibitor antibodies, and may receive an aggregate of up to US$1.11 billion in upfront payments, exercise fees and milestone payments. Coherus paid us an upfront payment of US$150 million. In February 2021, the supplemental new drug application ("sNDA") for toripalimab in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine as the first-line treatment for patients with locally recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma ("NPC") was accepted by the NMPA. In February 2021, the sNDA for toripalimab for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic NPC after failure of at least two lines of prior systemic therapy was granted conditional approval by the NMPA. In January and February 2021, TAB006/JS006 (specific anti-TIGIT monoclonal antibody) received IND approval from the NMPA and the FDA, respectively. In February 2021, the FDA granted Eli Lilly and Company ("Lilly"), our partner, an Emergency Use Authorization ("EUA") for etesevimab (JS016/LY-CoV016) 1,400 mg and bamlanivimab (LY-CoV555) 700 mg together. In February 2021, the IND applications for JS110 (XPO1 inhibitor) and JS111 (EGFR exon20 insertion and other uncommon mutation inhibitor) jointly developed by Wigen Biomedicine Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. and us were accepted by the NMPA. They were subsequently approved in April 2021. In February 2021, the IND application for our drug candidate JS201 (anti-PD-1/TGF- bifunctional fusion protein) was accepted by the NMPA and was later approved in May 2021. In July 2021, the dosing of the first patient was completed in a Phase I clinical trial (NCT04956926). In February 2021, we entered into an exclusive promotion agreement with AstraZeneca Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("AstraZeneca"), pursuant to which we granted AstraZeneca the exclusive promotion right of toripalimab for the urinary cancer indications to be approved subsequently in mainland China and the exclusive promotion right for all indications approved and to be approved in non-core urban areas. We will continue to be responsible for the promotion of other indications approved and to be approved, excluding urinary cancer indications in core urban areas. In March 2021, we initiated the rolling submission of a Biologics License Application ("BLA") for toripalimab to the FDA for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic NPC, and obtained a rolling review. In March 2021, the IND application for our drug candidate JS103 (pegylated uricase derivative) was accepted by the NMPA. It was later approved in May 2021. In March 2021, the IND application for our drug candidate JS007 (anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody) was accepted by the NMPA. It was later approved in June 2021. In April 2021, the sNDA for toripalimab for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma ("UC") who failed platinum-containing chemotherapy or progressed within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant platinum-containing chemotherapy was granted conditional approval by the NMPA. In April 2021, the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) determined that toripalimab in combination with paclitaxel/cisplatin as the first-line treatment for patients with advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ("ESCC") had reached its pre-specified primary endpoints of Progression Free Survival ("PFS") and Overall Survival ("OS") at the interim analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center, Phase III clinical study "JUPITER-06 study" (NCT03829969). In July 2021, the sNDA for toripalimab in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy as the first-line treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic ESCC was accepted by the NMPA. In June 2021, the IND application for our drug candidate JS014 (recombinant IL-21 - a nanobody fusion protein of anti-human serum albumin (HSA)) was accepted by the NMPA. In August 2021, the IND application for our drug candidate UBP1213sc (recombinant humanized anti-B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) monoclonal antibody) was accepted by the NMPA. We expanded our product pipeline through forming joint ventures with our partners and other means. Apart from developing drug candidates on our own technology platforms, we also actively collaborated with outstanding domestic and overseas biotechnology companies to further expand our product pipeline, deploy next-generation innovative drug technology platforms and augment drug combination therapies. In July 2021, we entered into an agreement with Immorna (Hangzhou) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. ("Immorna") to jointly create a new company. The newly created company will mainly engage in R&D and commercialization of products in the fields of tumors, infectious diseases, rare diseases and other diseases on the mRNA technology platform globally. Upon its formation, 50% of the new company will be owned by Junshi Biosciences and 50% by Immorna. In June 2021, we issued an aggregate of 36,549,200 new H shares at the placing price of HK$70.18 per H share to no less than six placees (the "Placing"). The net proceeds from the Placing are approximately RMB 2,106 million. The proceeds from the Placing are intended for increased R&D, expansion of the commercialization team, domestic and overseas investments, mergers and acquisitions, business development, and general corporate purposes. About Junshi Biosciences Founded in December 2012, Junshi Biosciences is an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapeutics. The Company has established a diversified R & D pipeline comprising 44 drug candidates, with five therapeutic focus areas covering cancer, autoimmune, metabolic, neurological, and infectious diseases. Junshi Biosciences was the first Chinese pharmaceutical company that obtained marketing approval for an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody in China. Its first-in-human anti-BTLA antibody for solid tumors was the first in the world to be approved for clinical trials by the FDA and NMPA and its anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody was the first in China to be approved for clinical trials by the NMPA. In early 2020, Junshi Biosciences joined forces with the Institute of Microbiology of Chinese Academy of Science and Eli Lilly to co-develop JS016. Contact Information IR Team: Junshi Biosciences info@junshipharma.com +86 021-2250 0300 Solebury Trout Bob Ai bai@soleburytrout.com +1 646-389-6658 TORONTO, ON, Aug 31, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - 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. TheCryptoHawk 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 sawCryptoHawk 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 DigiMaxDigiMax 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 KangasInvestor Communications647-521-9261mkangas@digimax-global.comChris CarlPresident & CEO416-312-9698ccarl@digimax-global.comCautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking StatementsThis 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 SolutionsSource: DigiMax Global IncCopyright 2021 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2021) - Fathom Nickel Inc. (CSE: FNI) (FSE: 6Q5) (OTC: FNICF) (the "Company" or "Fathom") is pleased to announce that it has filed its unaudited interim financial statements for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2021 ("Q2-21 interim statements") together with the accompanying Management Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A"). Highlights from Q2-21 include: The Company obtained the Final Receipt on its non-offering prospectus from the Alberta Securities Commission on May 13, triggering the conversion of all Special Warrants into common shares and common share purchase warrants. FNI's common shares were approved for trading on the CSE shortly thereafter and its shares began trading on May 25 under the ticker symbol FNI. The Company's shares began trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on June 3 under the ticker symbol 6Q5. Between April and June the Company completed a 9,000 line-kilometer heliborne MAG survey and initiated its field exploration program focussed on geological mapping, prospecting and soil geochemistry (1,475 soil samples were collected during Q2-21). E&E additions in the quarter totaled approximately $750,000. FNI ended the quarter with an unrestricted cash position of approximately $8.1 million and is fully financed to execute on both its fall 2021 and winter 2022 exploration programs which, together, include up to 6,000 meters of diamond drilling. The Company expects to resume drilling activities on September 7th, 2021. Subsequent to the quarter end, on July 21, 2021, FNI's common shares were approved for trading on the OTC and began trading on that date under the ticker symbol FNICF. In early August FNI filed its application to become DTC eligible, a process that is estimated to take up to eight weeks. The Company therefore expects to receive DTC eligibility authorization during the 4th quarter of 2021. Brad Van Den Bussche, Fathom's President & CEO also provided a brief statement on the timing of Fathom's fall 2021 exploration program, "We are very pleased to confirm that the 2,084 line-kilometer airborne Air-TEM survey will commence this week and is expected to be completed within 10 days. We expect the results of this survey will further narrow the locations of our intended drill targets in the fall 2021 and winter 2022 drill programs. We can also confirm that the contracted drill rig is currently mobilizing to the Albert Lake Project with drilling expected to begin on September 7." "The balance of 2021 will be very busy and exciting for Fathom and its shareholders as we work to identify additional mineralized occurrences at Albert Lake", he added. On August 26, 2021, Fathom entered into a 3-month contract with Gilcrest Advisory Inc. to provide market making services for the Company in exchange for a monthly fee of $7,000. At its sole option, the Company can extend the contract on a month-to-month basis at a flat monthly rate of $7,000 until December 31, 2022, at which time the terms may be renegotiated. Qualified Person and Data Verification Ian Fraser, PGeo., VP Exploration and a Director of the Company and the "qualified person" as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101, has verified the data disclosed in this news release, and has otherwise reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release on behalf of the Company. About Fathom Nickel Inc. Fathom Nickel is a resource exploration and development company that is targeting high-grade nickel sulfide discoveries for use in the rapidly growing global electric vehicle market. The Company is accelerating exploration on its flagship Albert Lake Project, host to the historic Rottenstone mine, which is recognized as one of the highest-grade (Nickel, Copper, Platinum group metals) deposits of its type ever mined in Canada. The Albert Lake Project consists of over 90,000 ha of mineral claims located in the Trans-Hudson Corridor of Saskatchewan, which is home to numerous world-class mining camps. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Brad Van Den Bussche" President and CEO, Director For Further Information Please Contact: Brad Van Den Bussche, President and CEO or Manish Grigo, Director of Corporate Development +1-416-569-3292 Email: ir@fathomnickel.com Forward Looking Statements: This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "seek", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and include, without limitation, statements regarding the enhancement of the Company's geologic model and extending the areas of known mineralization and the Company's work towards defining a resource base. Such 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 be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to, the results of exploration activities; the ability of the Company to complete further exploration activities; timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94990 Provides Independent Hoteliers Inviting, Informative, and Intuitive Websites to Attract Guests and Increase Revenues by up to 20% with Direct Bookings SAN DIEGO, Aug. 31, 2021offering independent hoteliers a full-service website solution to enhance their brand and avoid costly OTA commissions. Cloudbeds Websites is a robust website design and development solution that includes all the tools required to create unique and highly functional websites. The websites integrate with Cloudbeds' award-winning hospitality management suite to provide a seamless booking and reservations management experience for guests and owners. Unlike DIY web design providers, each hotelier partners with a Cloudbeds website designer who works closely with the hotelier to design and build their website. A Cloudbeds Website is typically up and running within 30 days or less from initial kick-off to fully published on the web. Highlights include: Unique templates: Choose from professionally made, modern templates designed for the hotel industry. Safe and secure: SSL certificates and adhere to all current internet laws per region. Integrated with Cloudbeds: Customizable Cloudbeds booking engine widgets for a seamless direct booking experience. Fully Responsive: Delivers an excellent customer experience on every device - mobile, tablet, and desktop. SEO friendly: Adheres to SEO best practices to ensure the hoteliers' property ranks in Google search. Analytics: Make data-driven decisions to improve marketing strategies with our built-in analytics dashboard. Social Media widgets and the ability to connect third-party applications and widgets. 24/7/365 Support: Included support makes it easy for hoteliers to obtain in-country support. "I would recommend working with Cloudbeds Websites to any independent hotelier. Our web designer went the extra mile to find the best design and functionality for our property," says Maria Martinkova, Owner, Soller Plaza , Spain. "We're happy to say that we now have a website that we're proud to share that showcases our unique property in Mallorca. Plus, it's seamlessly integrated with our Cloudbeds booking engine and channel manager, making reservation management a breeze." "I never thought creating a beautiful website for my property could be so easy," says James Schuler, Owner, from Amber Hotel , Switzerland. "My web designer from Cloudbeds was quick and made the process very easy - I had an excellent experience getting my site up and running." "Cloudbeds Websites underscores our commitment to providing high-value tools for independent hotels to enhance their business and make their lives easier," says France Mendoza, Professional Services Manager, Cloudbeds. "Websites will help them attract more guests, increase revenues, and better promote their brand in a highly competitive industry." According to a 2017 Iowa State University dissertation, "Hotel websites have become a critical marketing tool as they present the hotel directly to consumers. A hotel-branded website is reported to have the lowest cost a hotel pays to acquire a new customer among all the online booking channels. Direct booking saves intermediaries' fees including commissions (5% - 10%) levied by travel agencies and $3 to $5 per transaction fees charged by a global distribution system (GDS)." About Cloudbeds Founded in 2012, Cloudbeds is the fastest-growing hospitality management platform in the world. Its SaaS platform provides tools to manage better properties of all types and sizes, allowing property managers and owners more time to focus on their guests while building revenue, driving bookings and increasing operational efficiencies. Trusted by more than 20,000 hotels, hostels, inns, and alternative accommodations in more than 157 countries, the Cloudbeds suite is a fully integrated platform of capabilities designed to help properties unify their management, reservations, and booking systems, grow revenue, and automate workflows with confidence and ease. For more information, visit www.cloudbeds.com . Media Contact: Austin Edgington Austin.edgington@cloudbeds.com Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. (TSXV: SOIL) (FSE: SMK) ("Saturn" or the "Company") is pleased to report its financial and operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. John Jeffrey, Chief Executive of Saturn, commented: "We are proud to a report a historic quarter in the development of the Company. The acquisition of the Oxbow Asset provides a substantial platform for Saturn's future growth by contributing numerous new drilling opportunities and production optimization projects, as well as a stable long-term cash flow stream to fund these initiatives." Second Quarter 2021 Highlights: Successfully closed a transformational acquisition of assets in the Oxbow area of Southeast Saskatchewan (the "Oxbow Asset") for cash consideration of $76.8 million, after closing adjustments; At closing, the Oxbow Asset contributed 6,400 boe/d, 43 million boe of proved and probable reserves, 290,109 net acres of land (137,186 undeveloped net acres) and over 350 drilling locations (260 booked locations with certified reserves); Completed $119.2 million of debt and equity financing, including a $87.0 million senior secured term loan, an upsized and oversubscribed brokered private placement and a non-brokered private placement (collectively the "Private Placements") which raised total gross proceeds of $32.2 million; Generated second quarter petroleum and natural gas sales of $12.6 million and Adjusted Funds Flow ( 1 ) of $2.9 million; of $2.9 million; Achieved strong operating netbacks for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 of $29.58 per boe and $30.87 per boe; and Exited the second quarter with net debt of $74.5 million. Three months ended Three months ended Six months ended Six months ended (CAD $000s, except per share amounts) June 30, 2021 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2021 June 30, 2020 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Petroleum and natural gas sales 12,589 426 13,911 3,591 Cashflow used in operating activities (30,265 ) (954 ) (30,478 ) (961 ) per share - Basic (0.10 ) (0.00 ) (0.11 ) (0.00 ) - Diluted (0.10 ) (0.00 ) (0.11 ) (0.00 ) Adjusted funds flow (1) 2,884 (529 ) 2,342 1,132 per share - Basic 0.01 (0.00 ) 0.01 0.00 - Diluted 0.01 (0.00 ) 0.01 0.00 Net loss (29,597 ) (3,023 ) (31,128 ) (2,365 ) per share - Basic (0.10 ) (0.01 ) (0.13 ) (0.01 ) - Diluted (0.10 ) (0.01 ) (0.13 ) (0.01 ) Property acquisition 76,820 - 76,820 - Net Debt(1), end of period 74,504 29,907 74,504 29,907 (1) See non-GAAP measures Three months ended Three months ended Six months ended Six months ended (CAD $000s, except per share amounts) June 30, 2021 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2021 June 30, 2020 OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS Average Production Volumes Crude oil (bbl/d) 1,741 136 991 410 Natural gas (mcf/d) 408 - 205 - NGLs (bbl/d) 66 - 33 - Total boe/d 1,875 136 1,058 410 % Oil and NGLs 96% 100% 97% 100% Average realized prices Crude oil ($/bbl) 77.50 34.31 75.81 48.12 Natural gas ($/mcf) 2.89 - 2.89 - NGLs ($/bbl) 33.67 - 33.67 - Combined ($/boe) 73.79 34.31 72.61 48.12 Operating netbacks Oil and gas sales 73.79 34.31 72.61 48.12 Royalties (9.61 ) (0.53 ) (8.86 ) (1.69 ) Operating expenses (24.46 ) (16.76 ) (23.85 ) (11.72 ) Transportation expenses (1.92 ) - (1.71 ) - Operating netbacks(1) 37.80 17.02 38.19 34.71 Realized gain (loss) on financial derivatives (8.22 ) 79.15 (7.32 ) 17.02 Operating netbacks(1) after realized gain (loss) on financial derivatives 29.58 96.17 30.87 51.73 Common shares outstanding 502,907 233,246 502,907 233,246 Weighted average common shares outstanding Basic 305,343 233,246 276,569 233,246 Diluted 379,656 233,246 351,473 233,246 (1) See non-GAAP measures Message to Shareholders Saturn has made a transformational acquisition by adding the Oxbow Asset to our existing Saskatchewan operations. The Company now has a long-term steady cash flow source that we are re-deploying to increase shareholder value. We are immediately focused on the repayment of debt and concurrently directing a portion of free cash flow to fund our deep inventory of production growth projects. "Maintaining a strong balance sheet is a priority for Saturn," commented Scott Sanborn, Chief Financial Officer. "The accelerated repayment of debt increases the Company's financial capacity for future acquisitions." The Company has re-established its drilling program that was suspended with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and expects to be actively drilling going forward, starting in Q3 2021. Saturn now has two growth vehicles, the Viking Asset and the Oxbow Asset that collectively hold over 550 identified drilling locations which represents over two decades of inventory. Also impactful is the great number of existing but non-producing wells that we see potential to optimize with workovers, recompletions and repairs, to enhance current production levels. Saturn believes that there are over 400 non-producing candidate wells that the Company can return to economic production over the coming years. A primary management focus has been the integration of the people and systems required to operate the substantial increase in operated production. To date, the integration program has been on track and very successful. At the field level, the operations team located in Carlyle Saskatchewan, led by Brad Caldwell, Operations Manager, comprises an outstanding group of industry veterans that have many years of experience operating in the area, directly on the Oxbow assets and have now been transitioned to Saturn. The further additions of Scott Sanborn, Chief Financial Officer and Kevin Smith, Vice President Corporate Development, along with a number of other talented industry professionals, have recently joined the Saturn Team and have been crucial to making the transition program as efficient as possible. The second quarter financial statements incorporate the 23-days of operations from the Oxbow Asset from the June 7, 2021 closing date to quarter end date of June 30, 2021. Average daily revenue for this 23-day period was approximately $520,000 and has generated average daily free cash flow of approximately $265,000 using second quarter operating netbacks, net of hedging adjustments. The Company's average daily production for July 2021 was 6,700 boe/d (95% oil and NGLs), based on field estimates. Saturn anticipates new production from the drilling and workover programs, planned for the second half of 2021, will offset the natural declines incurred to date for the Company's pro forma base production. Management forecasts the exit rate production for year end 2021 to be approximately 7,000 boe/d. Saturn continues to prioritize balance sheet strength, along with a disciplined approach to production growth focused capital expenditures. Management looks forward to updating shareholders with a full quarter of consolidated operational results for the third quarter of 2021 on or about November 29, 2021. Oxbow Update On June 7, 2021 Saturn closed on the acquisition of the Oxbow Asset for total cash considerations of $76.8 million, after closing adjustments. The Oxbow Asset is performing in line with our expectations with natural declines of approximately 1% per month. In July 2021, the Company participated in the drilling of 2 gross (0.54 net) non-operated wells in Queensdale, Southeast Saskatchewan, which were brought onto production in August of 2021, with initial net production rates exceeding the average type curves of wells in this area. Saturn anticipates completing an operated drilling program at Oxbow in Q4 2021. Further details will be provided to investors as the capital budgets are finalized. The Company commissioned a NI 51-101 third party evaluation of the Oxbow Asset, which was completed by Ryder Scott Canada in August 2021, effective date April 1, 2021. The new report confirms management's internal evaluation, certifying 43 million barrels of proved plus probable reserves and 260 booked drilling locations. A summary of the new report will be filed on www.sedar.com in early September 2021. Viking Update Saturn is reinitiating its drilling program at the Viking Asset in Q3 2021 with the expected drilling of three Extended Reach Horizontal (ERH) wells and workovers of existing wells for total expected capital expenditures of $4.5 million. The locations for the three wells have been surveyed and the Company expects to spud in September 2021. Investor Webcast Saturn will host a webcast at 10:00 AM MT (12:00 PM Noon ET) on August 30, 2021, to discuss the second quarter financial report and provide investors an update. Participants can access the live webcast via this link, by phoning 1-855-703-8985 (Toll Free, Meeting ID: 944 2187 6014 #) or through the Company's website www.saturnoil.com. A recorded archive of the webcast will be available afterwards on the Company's website. About Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. is a growing Canadian energy company focused on generating positive shareholder returns through the continued responsible development of high-quality, light oil weighted assets, supported by an acquisition strategy that targets highly accretive, complementary opportunities. Saturn has assembled an attractive portfolio of free-cash flowing, low-decline operated assets in Southeastern Saskatchewan and West Central Saskatchewan that provide a deep inventory of long-term economic drilling opportunities across multiple zones. With an unwavering commitment to building an ESG-focused culture, Saturn's goal is to increase reserves, production and cash flows at an attractive return on invested capital. Saturn's shares are listed for trading on the TSX.V under ticker 'SOIL' and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under symbol 'SMK'. The Company's unaudited interim financial statements and corresponding Management's Discussion and Analysis for the six month period ended June 30, 2021 are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on Saturn's website at www.saturnoil.com. Copies of the materials can also be obtained upon request without charge by contacting the Company directly. Please note, currency figures presented herein are reflected in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted. Further information and a corporate presentation is available on Saturn's website at www.saturnoil.com . Saturn Oil & Gas Investor & Media Contacts: John Jeffrey, MBA - Chief Executive Officer Tel: +1 (587) 392-7902 www.saturnoil.com Kevin Smith, MBA - VP Corporate Development Tel: +1 (587) 392-7900 info@saturnoil.com Reader Advisory NON-GAAP MEASURES This news release includes non-GAAP measures as further described herein. These non-GAAP measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and, therefore, may not be comparable with the calculation of similar measures by other companies. Management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP measures provides useful information to investors and shareholders as the measures provide increased transparency and the ability to better analyze performance against prior periods on a comparable basis. "Adjusted funds flow" adjusts funds flow for items outside the scope of operations such as transactions costs and decommissioning expenditures. "Operating netbacks" are determined by deducting realized derivative commodity contract losses or adding realized derivative commodity contract gains and deducting, royalties, operating expenses and transportation expenses from petroleum and natural gas sales. Operating netbacks are per boe measures used in operational and capital allocation decisions. Presenting operating netbacks on a per boe basis allows management to better analyze performance against prior periods on a comparable basis. "Net debt" represents cash, accounts receivable, deposits and prepaid expenses, deposits, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, Senior Term Loan, Term Notes, Promissory Notes, Convertible Notes and the Revolving Loan. BOE PRESENTATION Boe means barrel of oil equivalent. All boe conversions in this news release are derived by converting gas to oil at the ratio of six thousand cubic feet ("Mcf") of natural gas to one barrel ("Bbl") of oil. Boe may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A Boe conversion rate of 1 Bbl: 6 Mcf is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Given that the value ratio of oil compared to natural gas based on currently prevailing prices is significantly different than the energy equivalency ratio of 1 Bbl: 6 Mcf, utilizing a conversion ratio of 1 Bbl: 6 Mcf may be misleading as an indication of value. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND STATEMENTS. Certain information included in this press release constitutes forward-looking information under applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "propose", "project", "scheduled", "will" or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking information in this press release may include, but is not limited to, the drilling of development wells, workover program and the maintenance of bas production and the business plan, cost model and strategy of the Company. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Saturn, including expectations and assumptions concerning: the timing of and success of future drilling, development and completion activities, the performance of existing wells, the performance of new wells, the availability and performance of facilities and pipelines, the geological characteristics of Saturn's properties, the application of regulatory and licensing requirements, the availability of capital, labour and services, the creditworthiness of industry partners and the ability to source and complete asset acquisitions. Although Saturn believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Saturn can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks), constraint in the availability of services, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, the current COVID-19 pandemic, actions of OPEC and OPEC+ members, changes in legislation impacting the oil and gas industry, adverse weather or break-up conditions and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures. These and other risks are set out in more detail in Saturn's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2020. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such information but which may prove to be incorrect. Although Saturn believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information because Saturn can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. In addition to other factors and assumptions which may be identified in this press release, assumptions have been made regarding and are implicit in, among other things, the timely receipt of any required regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of all conditions to the completion of the share consolidation. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which have been used. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof and Saturn undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. All dollar figures included herein are presented in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94995 Oslo (Norway), 31 August 2021 - PCI Biotech (OSE: PCIB), a cancer focused biopharmaceutical company, today announces its interim first half-year 2021 results. Please find enclosed the report and presentation. Highlights fimaChem *The implementation of the amended protocol and the opening of Asian sites provided increased screening and enrolment to RELEASE in Q1, but the activity declined significantly in Q2 with only three patients included. The expected timeline for the interim analysis for potential accelerated approval is revised to 2H 2023 *Recruitment in Q3 started stronger with four patients included in July and the company continues to focus on enrolment of patients into the RELEASE study, with the emphasis on regular trial management, including overall performance evaluation and site replacement *First US patient enrolled in the RELEASE study *Orphan drug designation granted in South Korea fimaVacc *Successful Phase I vaccination proof of concept study published in the high impact immunology journal, Frontiers in Immunology, demonstrating that fimaVacc enhances the immune response to peptide- and protein-based vaccines in healthy volunteers *US patent granted for the use of fimaVacc in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors fimaNAc *Encouraging data on enhanced delivery of mRNA for various medical applications was presented at the UK based 12th Annual RNA Therapeutics Virtual Conference *Established extensive research collaboration with the South Korean company OliX Pharmaceuticals, a leading developer of RNAi therapeutics Corporate *Significantly strengthening the organisation with three highly skilled individuals; an experienced operational leader for RELEASE, and two key employees within clinical science and business development focusing on fimaVacc and fimaNAc Per Walday, CEO of PCI Biotech, comments: "The organisation has been focused on the implementation of all the initiatives to recoup delays to the RELEASE study inflicted by the Covid-19 pandemic. On the positive side, South Korea has contributed strongly to the recruitment in 2021.Asia is a region with higher prevalence of bile duct cancer and South Korea is a key market in this region. The granting of orphan drug designation for fimaporfin in South Korea was an important step in the development of fimaChemfor bile duct cancer and a recognition of the therapeutic benefits we seek to bring to the patients.The pandemic situation is however still fluid in 2021 and we have seen fluctuating recruitment this year, which unfortunately means that we need to revise our estimated timelines. The situation is expected to improve as the vaccination rates increase going forward. We are fully focused on optimal study performance and progress, with attention to site performance and proactive management of study specific risks.The focusedefforts needed forRELEASE during the pandemic has unfortunately reduced available resources for fimaVaccand fimaNAc.We have strong confidence in the commercial potential of all our programmes and have therefore strengthened the organisation significantly, with three highly skilled employees that will play key roles indrivingthe progress of all programmes. For fimaVacc, the US patent granted for the use in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI's)providesimportant intellectual property for the further development of this programme. Increasing the response rates to ICI's is a main priority in the pharma industry and therapeutic cancer vaccination is a rational approachto this aim, withwell-suited characteristics of the fimaVacctechnology.For fimaNAc, we were pleased to announce a broad and exciting collaboration with OliX Pharmaceuticals in South Korea, and we continue to pursue new and value-adding collaborative opportunities." *** An online presentation in English will be held today, Tuesday 31 August 2021, at 08.30am CESTor the company's website under "Investors - Reports and presentations - Webcasts". Q&A session There will be a Q&A session at the end of the presentation and it will be possible to post written questions through the webcast console. The presentation will also be presented through a teleconference, mainly facilitated for investors intending to ask questions verbally during the Q&A session. Dial - in details for teleconference, mainly facilitated for verbal questions during Q&A session : If you plan to use this facility, please join the event 5-10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time using the dial-in numbers below. A line mediator will provide information on how to ask questions. Norway +47 2195 6342 / Sweden +46 4 0682 0620 / Denmark +45 7876 8490 / United Kingdom +44 20 3769 6819 / United States +1 646 787 0157. If your country is not listed, we recommend that you use the dial-in details for UK. When prompted, provide the confirmation code or event title. Confirmation Code: 436187 Event title: PCI Biotech Holding conference call Q2 The interim report and the presentation will also be available on www.newsweb.no and on the company's webpage, www.pcibiotech.com from 07:00am (CEST) on 31 August 2021. For further information, please contact: Ronny Skuggedal, CFO Email: rs@pcibiotech.no Mobile: +47 9400 5757 About PCI Biotech PCI Biotech is a biopharmaceutical late stage clinical development company focusing on development and commercialisation of novel therapies for the treatment of cancer through its innovative photochemical internalisation (PCI) technology platform. PCI is applied to three distinct anticancer paradigms: fimaChem (enhancement of chemotherapeutics for localised treatment of cancer), fimaVacc (T-cell induction technology for therapeutic vaccination), and fimaNAc (nucleic acid therapeutics delivery). Photochemical internalisation induces triggered endosomal release that is used to unlock the true potential of a wide array of therapeutic modalities. The company's lead programme fimaChem consists of a pivotal study in bile duct cancer, an orphan indication with a high unmet need and without approved products. fimaVacc applies a unique mode of action to enhance the essential cytotoxic effect of therapeutic cancer vaccines, which works in synergy with several other state-of-the-art vaccination technologies. fimaNAc utilises the endosomal release to provide intracellular delivery of nucleic acids, such as mRNA and RNAi therapeutics, thereby addressing one of the major bottlenecks facing this emerging and promising field. For further information, please visit: www.pcibiotech.com Contact information: PCI Biotech Holding ASA, Ullernchausseen 64, N-0379 Oslo Forward-looking statements This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, which as such are not historical facts, but are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions. These assumptions are inherently subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors. Such risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other important factors could cause actual events to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in this announcement by such forward-looking statements. PCI Biotech disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange announcement was published by Ronny Skuggedal, CFO, PCI Biotech Holding ASA, on 31 August 2021. Attachments 31 August 2021 BISICHI PLC Interim Results for the period ended 30 June 2021 For the six months ending 30thJune 2021: EBITDA [1]: 1.03million (2020: 0.35million loss) Adjusted EBITDA [2]: 0.74million (2020: 0.1million) Loss before tax 0.7million (2020: 2.0million) EPS (basic): 2.78 p loss (2020: 12.66 p loss) Total production: 553,000 tonnes (2020: 580,000 tonnes) Improved international coal markets help offset difficult mining conditions at the Group's South African Mining operations in the first half of 2021. The Group's management continue to focus on opportunities to extend the life of mining operations in South Africa, as well as developing new opportunities at the Group's coal processing plant, Sisonke Coal Processing. Invoiced income from the Group's directly owned UK retail property portfolio was 0.59million (2020: 0.50million) with rental revenue collections improving during the period. END For further information, please call: Andrew Heller/Garrett Casey Bisichi PLC 020 7415 5030 [1] Earnings before Interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation. [2] Operating profit before depreciation, fair value adjustments and exchange movements. Bisichi PLC Half year review - 30 June 2021 In the wake of the challenges of 2020 arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, we are pleased to report that your management has continued to ensure the Group's key priorities are addressed. These are the health and safety of our employees and stakeholders, ensuring our operations continued in an efficient manner, and maintaining balance sheet flexibility. As we reflect back on the last eighteen months, one of the most challenging priorities for your Company has been the continuity of our South African mining and coal processing operations. At the beginning of the crisis, when global coal demand fell, the average weekly price of Free on Board (FOB) Coal from Richard Bay Coal Terminal (API4 price) fell from a high of US$92 in January 2020 to $44 in mid-April 2020. Thereafter, coal prices remained largely supressed until the end of the year. Under these very difficult circumstances, your management has worked tirelessly, along with our key stakeholders, to ensure that our South African operations continued operating in an efficient manner until global economic activity and coal markets improved going into 2021. During the first half of 2021, we are pleased to report that the improvement in global economic activity had a significant impact on demand for coal in the international market. In the first six months of 2021, the API4 price averaged US$97, compared to $67 in the first six months of 2020 when, as outlined above, demand for coal was particularly impacted by the outbreak of Covid-19. This has had a positive impact on the Group's operations, particularly our South African coal mining and processing operations. As a result, in the six months ended 30 June 2021, Bisichi PLC made a profit before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of 1.03 million (2020: loss of 0.35 million). Results would have been even better if we had not encountered difficult mining conditions at Black Wattle, our South African mining operation, which impacted adversely our coal production during the period. Nonetheless, the mine achieved production of 553,000 metric tonnes compared to 580,000 metric tonnes in the first half of 2020. Black Wattle's operating costs during the period were also impacted by the difficult mining conditions, as well as the higher overall cost of mining of the remaining reserves at Black Wattle's current mining area. Despite lower output from Black Wattle, at Sisonke Coal Processing, our South African coal processing operation, we were able to take advantage of the improved coal price by increasing overall coal processed and reducing our stockpiles of coal that had built up during the economic downturn of 2020. The overall increase in Group revenue, operating costs and earnings during the first half of the year can mainly be attributable to our coal processing operations. Looking forward, the Group's overall mining production in the second half of 2021 is expected to remain at similar levels to the first half of the year. However, plans are in place to move into a new mining area at Black Wattle by the end of 2021, where mining conditions and production are expected to improve. In the interim, the Group will look to keep costs as low as possible while developing new opportunities for Sisonke Coal Processing, to take advantage of the improved coal market conditions seen in 2021 to date. In addition, we continue to work closely with our BEE partner in South Africa, to seek further opportunities to extend the life of mine of our existing mining operations or to develop new independent mining operations in South Africa. In the UK, although the final impact of the pandemic on the UK property portfolio remains uncertain, in 2021 to date we have seen rental revenue collections improve as tenants begin to resume operating. Overall, the Group billed revenue from our directly owned property portfolio of 0.59million (2020: 0.50million) during the period. The Group continues to hold its joint venture investment, with London & Associated Properties PLC and Metroprop Real Estate Ltd, in the freehold of a retail and residential redevelopment in West Ealing, London. As previously announced, planning permission for an expanded residential redevelopment of 56 flats on the site has been received. Planning approval documents for the planning consent are currently being finalised and we look forward to updating shareholders further on the situation in due course. Finally, during these times, your management continue to do their utmost to ensure the Group's key priorities as outlined above are delivered. Therefore, until such time as the impact of Covid-19 can be fully assessed, the Board has decided that it will not be proposing an interim dividend. We will review this when there is greater visibility of the ongoing impact of Covid-19. After what has been an incredibly challenging eighteen months we would like to thank all our employees and stakeholders for their hard work and support during this period. . Sir Michael HellerAndrew Heller Chairman Managing Director 31 August 2021 Bisichi PLC Consolidated income statement For the six months ended 30 June 2021 Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months ended 6 months ended Year ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2021 2020 2020 Notes 000 000 000 Group revenue 1 23,639 14,250 29,805 Operating costs (24,238) (15,731) (33,070) Operating profit on trading activities (599) (1,481) (3,265) Decrease in value of investment properties - - (1,295) Gain/(Loss) on investments held at fair value 376 (261) 67 Operating profit 1 (223) (1,742) (4,493) Share of profit/(loss) in joint ventures (80) 13 (87) Profit before interest and taxation (303) (1,729) (4,580) Interest receivable 9 19 25 Interest payable (392) (309) (641) Profit before taxation 1 (686) (2,019) (5,196) Income tax 2 272 481 1,402 Profit for the period (414) (1,538) (3,794) Attributable to: Equity holders of the company (297) (1,352) (3,354) Non-controlling interest (117) (186) (440) Profit for the period (414) (1,538) (3,794) Earnings per share - basic 3 (2.78p) (12.66p) (31.42p) Earnings per share - diluted 3 (2.78p) (12.66p) (31.42p) Bisichi PLC Consolidated statement of comprehensive income For the six months ended 30 June 2021 Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months ended 6 months ended Year ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2021 2020 2020 000 000 000 Profit for the period (414) (1,538) (3,794) Other comprehensive income: Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 6 (467) (467) Taxation - - - Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax 6 (467) (467) Total comprehensive income for the period (408) (2,005) (4,261) Attributable to: Equity shareholders (292) (1,752) (3,752) Non-controlling interest (116) (253) (509) Total comprehensive income for the period (408) (2,005) (4,261) Bisichi PLC Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2021 Unaudited Unaudited Audited 30 June 2021 30 June 2020 31 December 2020 Assets 000 000 000 Non-current-assets Value of investment properties 10,270 11,566 10,270 Fair value of head leases 201 184 201 Investment property 10,471 11,750 10,471 Reserves, plant and equipment 9,674 8,786 10,174 Investments in joint ventures 1,174 1,355 1,255 Other investments at fair value through profit and loss ("FVPL") 2,721 449 1,746 Total non-current assets 24,040 22,340 23,646 Current assets Inventories 2,593 4,552 3,445 Trade and other receivables 7,659 6,385 6,958 Corporation tax recoverable - - - Investments in listed securities held at FVPL 923 926 833 Cash and cash equivalents 3,543 4,977 3,768 Total current assets 14,718 16,840 15,004 Total assets 38,758 39,180 38,650 Liabilities Current liabilities Borrowings (3,995) (4,835) (5,110) Trade and other payables (12,807) (8,409) (10,856) Current tax liabilities (1) (317) (209) Total current liabilities (16,803) (13,561) (16,175) Non-current liabilities Borrowings (4,076) (4,180) (3,943) Provision for rehabilitation (1,461) (1,359) (1,442) Finance lease liabilities (437) (231) (427) Deferred tax liabilities (200) (1,404) (474) Total non-current liabilities (6,174) (7,174) (6,286) Total liabilities (22,977) (20,735) (22,461) Net assets 15,781 18,445 16,189 Equity Share capital 1,068 1,068 1,068 Share premium 258 258 258 Translation reserve (2,483) (2,490) (2,488) Other reserves 707 707 707 Retained earnings 16,231 18,530 16,528 Total equity attributable to equity shareholders 15,781 18,073 16,073 Non-controlling interest - 372 116 Total equity 15,781 18,445 16,189 Bisichi PLC Consolidated Cash Flow Statement For the six months ended 30 June 2021 Unaudited Unaudited Audited 30 June 30 June 31 December 2021 2020 2020 000 000 000 Cash flows from operating activities Operating profit (223) (1,743) (4,493) Depreciation 1,338 1,379 2,193 Unrealised (gain)/loss on investments (376) 261 (67) Unrealised loss on investment properties - - 1,295 Exchange adjustments 9 206 (39) Movement in working capital 2,075 (633) 2,374 Net interest paid (383) (289) (616) Income tax (paid)/received (211) (72) (198) Cash flow from operating activities 2,229 (891) 449 Cash flows from investing activities (1,395) (2,079) (4,292) Cash flows from financing activities (142) (125) (285) Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 692 (3,095) (4,128) Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January (1,078) 2,878 2,878 Exchange adjustment (40) 481 172 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period (426) 264 (1,078) Cash and cash equivalents For the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents comprise the following balance sheet amounts: Cash and cash equivalents 3,543 4,977 3,768 Bank overdrafts (3,969) (4,713) (4,846) Cash and cash equivalents at end of period (426) 264 (1,078) Bisichi PLC Consolidated statement of changes in shareholders' equity For the six months ended 30 June 2021 Share Share Translation Available for sale Other Retained Non- controlling Total capital premium reserve reserves reserves earnings Total Interest Equity '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 Balance at 31 December 2019 1,068 258 (2,090) - 707 19,989 19,932 625 20,557 Profit for the period - - - - - (1,352) (1,352) (186) (1,538) Other comprehensive income and expense - - (400) - - - (400) (67) (467) Total comprehensive income for the period - - (400) - - (1,352) (1,752) (253) (2,005) Dividend - - - - - (107) (107) - (107) Balance at 30 June 2020 1,068 258 (2,490) - 707 18,530 18,073 372 18,445 Balance at 31 December 2019 1,068 258 (2,090) - 707 19,989 19,932 625 20,557 Profit for the year - - - - - (3,354) (3,354) (440) (3,794) Other comprehensive income and expense - - (398) - - - (398) (69) (467) Total comprehensive income for the year - - (398) - - (3,354) (3,752) (509) (4,261) Dividend - - - - - (107) (107) - (107) Balance at 31 December 2020 1,068 258 (2,488) - 707 16,528 16,073 116 16,189 Profit for the year - - - - - (297) (297) (117) (414) Other comprehensive income and expense - - 5 - - - 5 1 6 Total comprehensive income for the period - - 5 - - (297) (292) (116) (408) Dividend - - - - - - - - - Balance at 30 June 2021 1,068 258 (2,483) - 707 16,231 15,781 - 15,781 ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS: The results for the six months ended 30 June 2021 have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The principal accounting policies applied are the same as those set out in the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2020, and which will form the basis of the 2021 Annual report. 1. Segmental analysis For management purposes, the Group is organised into two operating Divisions, Mining and Property. These Divisions are the primary basis on which the Group reports its segment information. This is consistent with the way the Group is managed and with the format of the Group's internal financial reporting. Unaudited Unaudited Audited 30 June 30 June 31 December 2021 2020 2020 000 000 000 Revenue Mining 23,016 13,716 28,567 Property 594 503 1,181 Other 29 31 57 23,639 14,250 29,805 Operating profit/(loss) Mining (900) (1,920) (3,975) Property 275 409 (637) Other 402 (231) 119 (223) (1,742) (4,493) Share of profit in joint ventures (80) 13 (87) Interest receivable 9 19 25 Interest payable (392) (309) (641) Profit/(Loss) before taxation (686) (2,019) (5,196) 2. Taxation Unaudited Unaudited Audited 30 June 30 June 31 December 2021 2020 2020 000 000 000 Based on the results for the period: Corporation tax at 27.00% (2020: 27%) 5 6 12 Prior year adjustment - UK - - 2 5 6 14 Deferred taxation (276) (487) (1,416) (271) (481) (1,402) 3. Earnings/ (loss) per share Both the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations are based on a loss of 297,000 (2020: loss of 1,352,000). The basic earnings per share has been calculated on a weighted average of 10,676,839 (2020: 10,676,839) ordinary shares being in issue during the year. The diluted earnings per share has been calculated on the weighted average number of shares in issue of 10,676,839 (2020: 10,676,839) plus the dilutive potential ordinary shares arising from share options of nil (2020: nil) totalling 10,676,839 (2020: 10,676,839). 4. Investment properties Investment properties are held a fair value at each reporting period. Management evaluate on an ongoing basis the impact of Covid-19 and the current economic performance of the UK Retail market on the future performance of the group's existing UK property portfolio. The Board considers the final impact of Covid-19 on the investment properties to remain uncertain. However the Directors have placed a valuation on the properties which is not materially different to the value as at 31 December 2020. Therefore no change in fair value of investment properties has been made during the period. Investment properties are therefore included at a Director's valuation which is considered to be the fair value as at 30 June 2021. Please refer to page 71 to 73 of the 2020 Annual report and Accounts for details on the valuation of investment and development properties as at 31 December 2020. 5. Related Parties The related parties and the nature of costs recharged are as disclosed in the Group's annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020. The Group paid management fees of 100,000 (30 June 2020: 100,000 December 2020: 200,000) to London & Associated Properties PLC, an associated company. 6. Financial information The above financial information does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The figures for the year ended 31st December 2020 are based upon the latest statutory accounts, which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies; the report of the auditors on those accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. As required by the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the UK's Financial Conduct Authority, the interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and in accordance with both IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union and the disclosure requirements of the Listing Rules. The half year results have not been audited or subject to review by the company's auditors. The annual financial statements of Bisichi PLC are prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by European Union. The same accounting policies are used for the six months ended 30 June 2021 as were used for the year ended 31 December 2020. The assessment of new standards, amendments and interpretations issued but not effective, are not anticipated to have a material impact on the financial statements. The largest areas of estimation and uncertainty in the interim financial statements are in respect of: - The valuation of investment and development properties; - Life of mine and reserves; - Depreciation; - Provision for rehabilitation (relating to environmental rehabilitation of mining areas); and - Impairment Property, plant and equipment representing the group's mining assets in South Africa are reviewed for impairment where there is evidence of a material impairment. The impairment test indicated significant headroom as at 31 December 2020 and no impairment was considered appropriate. Although the final impact of Covid-19 remains uncertain, the directors have assessed the expected range of impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on its impairment model using similar key assumptions and estimates as outlined on page 60 of the 2020 Annual report and Accounts, and no impairment was considered appropriate as at 30 June 2021. Other areas of estimation and uncertainly are referred to in the Group's annual financial statements. There have been no significant changes to the basis of accounting of key estimates and judgements as disclosed in the annual report as at 31 December 2020. The interim financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis. Although the final impact of Covid-19 on both our UK and South African operations remains uncertain and an estimate of the overall financial effect cannot be made, the Directors have assessed the range of expected impact of the pandemic on its cashflow forecasts. The forecasts demonstrate that the group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and is well placed to manage its business risks. 7. Dividend No final dividend in respect of 2020 was proposed by the Board. No interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2021 has been proposed by the Board. 8. Principal risks and uncertainties The Group has an established risk management process which works within the corporate governance framework as set out in the 2020 Annual Report and Accounts. Risks and uncertainties identified by the Group are set out on page 11 of the 2020 Annual Report & Accounts and are reviewed on an ongoing basis. There have been no significant changes in the first half of 2021 to the principle risks and uncertainties as set out in the 2020 Annual Report & Accounts. Covid-19 risk: The Group is proactively assessing and managing the potential risks brought about by the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic. Overall the Group is exposed to impacts on the health and safety of its employees and stakeholders and risks related to business continuity. In the UK, the Group expects there to be an impact on retail property revenue and potentially values. In South Africa, the Group is expected to be impacted by additional health and safety measures related to its workforce and coal price risk. Risks faced by the business are assessed by the Board on an ongoing basis. Strategies for mitigating the risks have been defined and specific measures for achieving these are already underway. These include the measures outlined in the Chairman's Statement, Mining Review and Financial Review & Performance sections of the 2020 Annual report and Accounts. The final impact of the Covid-19 pandemic remains uncertain and the Group will adapt plans accordingly as more information becomes available or government advice changes. The other principal risks as stated in the 2020 Annual Report & Accounts reflect the challenging environment in which the business operates and are considered under the following broad headings: Mining: - Coal price risk - Mining risk - Currency risk - New reserves and mining permissions - Power supply risk - Flooding risk - Environmental risk - Health & safety risk - Labour risk - Cashflow Property: - Property valuation - Economic performance of United Kingdom - Covid-19 - Brexit 9.Board approval These interim results were approved by the Board of Bisichi PLC on 31 August 2021. DIRECTORS RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT AND REPORT ON PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINITIES Responsibility Statement We confirm to the best of our knowledge: (a) the condensed set of financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU; (b) the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by: (1) DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and (2) DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during the period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so. This report contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current estimates and projections of management and currently available information. Future statements are not guarantees of the future developments and results outlined therein. Rather, future developments and results are dependent on a number of factors; they involve various risks and uncertainties and are based upon assumptions that may not prove to be accurate. Risks and uncertainties identified by the Group are set out on page 11 of the 2020 Annual Report & Accounts. We do not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this report. Michael Heller Andrew Heller Chairman Managing Director 31 August 2021 DIRECTORS AND ADVISERS Directors Sir Michael A Heller MA, FCA (Chairman) Andrew R Heller MA, ACA (Managing Director) Robert Grobler PR Cert Eng (Mining Director) Garrett Casey CA (SA) (Finance Director) Christopher A Joll MA (Non-executive) John A Sibbald BL (Non-executive) John Wong ACA, CFA (Non-executive) Secretary & Registered office Garrett Casey CA (SA) 24 Bruton Place London W1J 6NE Black Wattle Colliery - DirectorsAndrew Heller (Managing Director) Garrett Casey (Finance Director) Ethan Dube (Commercial Director) Robert Grobler (Mining Director) Millicent Zvarayi Registrars and transfer office Link Group Shareholder Services 10th Floor Central Square 29 Wellington Street Leeds LS14DL UK Telephone: 0371 664 0300 International Telephone: +44 (0) 371 664 0300 (Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. We are open between 09:00 - 17:30, Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales) Website: www.linkgroup.com E-mail: shareholderenquiries@linkgroup.co.uk Company registration number 112155 (Incorporated in England and Wales) Web site www.bisichi.co.uk E-mail admin@bisichi.co.uk Corporate and Operational Update TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 31, 2021 / Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd. (AIM:ECO)(TSX-V:EOG), the oil and gas exploration company with licences in the proven oil province of Guyana and the highly prospective basins of Namibia, is pleased to announce its results for the three months ended 30 June 2021, alongside a corporate and operational update. Results Highlights: Financials: Cash and cash equivalents of US$4.85 million (including restricted deposits) and no debt as of 30 June 2021. Raised US$4.9m in the form of a private placement in July 2021. Total assets of US$17.9 million, total liabilities of $2.7 million and total equity of US$15.2 million as of 30 June 2021. Operations: Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas Orinduik Block offshore Guyana - all seismic data reprocessing completed and multiple light sweet oil drilling prospects are being reviewed by Eco and its licence partners (the "JV Partners"), with high-graded candidates being considered for the 2022 drilling programme. The intention is to provide further definition to the upper and lower Cretaceous interpretation and target selection for drilling. Target selection is expected in Q3 2021. Continuing to evaluate additional asset opportunities in both West Africa and South America with its strategic partner and substantial shareholder Africa Oil Corp - focus on near-term high-impact exploration opportunities. Closed transaction (28 June 2021) with JHI Associates Inc. ("JHI"), a private company and holder of 17.5% working interest ("WI") in the Canje Block offshore Guyana, to acquire up to a 10% interest in JHI on a fully diluted basis (the "JHI Transaction") and appointment of Keith Hill, a non-executive Director of the Company, to the board of directors of JHI. The JHI Transaction increases Eco Atlantic's presence in the Guyana-Suriname basin, increasing its Guyana acreage exposure from 1,800 km 2 to 6,600 km 2 and providing exposure to near-term drilling, with one well drilled subsequent to the JHI Transaction on the Canje Block, Jabillo-1, and further well, Sapote-1, now drilling, and at least one planned on the Orinduik Block in 2022, subject to partner approval. Received a detailed update from JHI regarding the Jabillo-1 well in the Canje Block, offshore Guyana on 5 July 2021, which reached its planned target depth and was evaluated, but did not show evidence of commercial hydrocarbons. ExxonMobil spud the Sapote-1 well on the Canje block, offshore Guyana, on 29 August 2021, which is expected to reach target depth within 60 days. The Sapote-1 well is the second well in the drilling programme, following the Jabillo-1 well. Outlook: Guyana Guyana continues to be one of the most prolific exploration regions in the world, with over nine billion barrels of oil discovered in the last five years. Eco and the JV Partners* have already delivered two substantial oil discoveries on the Orinduik Block and the Block continues to offer significant upside potential. With the recent increase in oil prices, the JV Partners will revisit the Jethro discovery commercialisation potential. As previously reported, Eco is fully funded for further planned / near term drilling on the Orinduik Block and, with its JV Partners, is assessing all opportunities available to drill at least one exploration well into the light oil cretaceous stacked targets as soon as practical. The Company is fully aligned with its JV Partners on careful target selection for the next drilling campaign, based on the reprocessed 3D seismic data on the block and nearby oil discoveries. Eco expects to be able to update the market on further drilling plans later in Q3 2021. Posted by the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") Guyana on 8 August 2021, ExxonMobil applied for environmental authorisation for a 12-well Exploration and Appraisal Drilling Programme in the Canje Block, offshore Guyana in 2022. The JHI Transaction provides the Company with immediate exposure to an active drilling programme in the Canje Block offshore Guyana. JHI updated Eco on 29 August 2021 that the Block Operator ExxonMobil confirmed the spud of a second exploration well, Sapote-1. The well operations is planned to take up to 60 days. The Orinduik Block JV partners are Eco Atlantic (15% working interest ("WI")), Tullow Guyana B.V. ("Tullow") (Operator, 60% WI) and TOQAP Guyana B.V. ("TOQAP") (25% WI) a company jointly owned by TotalEnergies E&P Guyana B.V. (60%) and Qatar Petroleum (40%). Namibia The Company's licences in Namibia cover approximately 28,593 km 2 , with over 2.362 BBOE of prospective P50 resources. , with over 2.362 BBOE of prospective P50 resources. Eco has a strategically significant acreage position in-country and is progressing its various work programmes across its four blocks offshore Namibia. The Company has witnessed considerable interest from multiple international oil companies in Namibia. The Company continues to monitor upcoming drilling activity in the region, two high impact deepwater wells in southern Namibia, operated by TotalEnergies and Shell respectively have been confirmed to commence in Q4 2021. TotalEnergies Venus-1 well using the Maersk Venturer was pushed back in 2020 and now expected to spud in Q4 2021. It was reported on 17 August 2021, Shell Namibia have awarded the Valaris DS-10 the contract to drill Graff-1 well, expected to start in Q4 2021 with an estimated duration of 60 days. Solear Ltd. Solear, a majority owned subsidiary of Eco, is an independent renewable energy company focused on grid-scale solar development projects in southern Europe. Solear's near-term objective is to develop its pipeline of solar assets with competitive rates of return through acquisition, development, and construction of solar assets, led by an experienced renewable energy team. Corporate: Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Eco has prioritised the welfare of its employees and partners. The Company continues to keep a strict control over costs throughout the business, which continues to generate material savings, ensuring that Eco remains well capitalised with a strong balance sheet. Gil Holzman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Eco Atlantic, commented: "It has been a busy period for Eco as we endeavour to realise significant value for shareholders from our world-class asset base. The JHI transaction ensured we have a near-term catalyst for potential drilling success and demonstrated our commitment to expanding our presence in Guyana, a proven and prolific hydrocarbon basin. We look forward to updating the market in due course on results from the Sapote-1 well and on timing of further drilling on the Orinduik Block, as we increase our presence and collaboration in the Guyana-Suriname Basin. "With regard to the rest of our portfolio, we are excited about the outlook for the Company's significant acreage in Namibia, as we continue to make progress across our four licences and await the two high-impact wells to be drilled by TotalEnergies and Shell in Q4 this year. We remain committed to delivering exploration success in Namibia and will update stakeholders in due course. "We are upbeat about the Company's prospects for the rest of 2021 and are well placed to deliver long-term success into next year. We look forward to updating all stakeholders as we move forward." The Company's unaudited financial results for three months ended 30 June 2021, together with Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three months to 30 June 2021, are available to download on the Company's website at www.ecooilandgas.com and on Sedar at www.sedar.com . The following are the Company's Balance Sheet, Income Statements, Cash Flow Statement, and selected notes from the annual Financial Statements. All amounts are in US Dollars, unless otherwise stated. Balance Sheet June 30, March 31, 2021 2021 Unaudited Audited Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 4,354,980 11,807,309 Short-term investments 52,618 1,552,640 Government receivable 2,083 22,697 Amounts owing by license partners, net 127,226 193,655 Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses 59,632 46,480 4,596,539 13,622,781 Renewable energy licenses 1,395,739 1,411,186 Investment in associate 10,000,000 - Right of use assets 328,773 332,495 Security deposit 495,391 490,455 Petroleum and natural gas licenses 1,072,260 1,072,260 Total Assets 17,888,702 16,929,177 Liabilities Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 384,241 501,022 Advances from and amounts owing to license partners, net 36,587 97,153 Receipt on account of shares 1,940,021 - Short-term portion of lease liability 22,987 22,987 Total current liabilities 2,383,836 621,162 Lease liability 329,321 325,917 Total liabilities 2,713,157 947,079 Equity Share capital 59,099,725 59,099,725 Restricted Share Units reserve 267,669 267,669 Stock options 2,681,546 2,675,724 Foreign currency translation reserve (1,184,848) (1,198,097) Non-controlling interest (69,681) (48,674) Accumulated deficit (45,618,866) (44,814,249) Total Equity 15,175,545 15,982,098 Total Liabilities and Equity 17,888,702 16,929,177 Income Statement Three months ended June 30, 2021 2020 Unaudited Revenue Interest income 4,524 28,409 4,524 28,409 Operating expenses: Compensation costs 246,178 172,304 Professional fees 70,681 32,615 Operating costs (Note 18) 441,597 519,677 General and administrative costs (Note 19) 108,397 87,003 Share-based compensation (Note 14(i)) 5,822 12,643 Interest expense (Note 11) 3,404 - Foreign exchange gain (loss) (45,931) 9,033 Total expenses 830,148 833,275 Net loss for the period (825,624) (804,866) Foreign currency translation adjustment 13,249 36,859 Comprehensive loss for the period (812,375) (768,007) Net loss for the period attributed to: Equity holders of the parent (804,617) (804,866) Non-controlling interests (21,007) - (825,624) (804,866) Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to equity holders of the parent (0.00) (0.00) Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share 184,697,723 184,697,723 Cash Flow Statement Three months ended June 30, 2021 2020 Unaudited Cash flow from operating activities Net loss from operations (825,624) (804,866) Items not affecting cash: Share-based compensation 5,822 12,643 Depreciation and amortization 19,169 - Accrued interest 3,404 - Changes in non-cash working capital: Government receivable 20,614 4,728 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (116,781) 33,469 Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses (13,152) - Receipt on account of shares 1,940,021 - Advance from and amounts owing to license partners 5,863 (13,280) 1,039,336 (767,306) Cash flow from investing activities Investment in associate (10,000,000) - Short-term investments 1,500,022 - (8,499,978) - Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (7,460,642) (767,306) Foreign exchange differences 8,313 18,422 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 11,807,309 18,667,016 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 4,354,980 17,918,132 Notes to the Financial Statements Basis of Preparation The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared on a historical cost basis with the exception of certain financial instruments that are measured at fair value. Historical cost is generally based on the fair value of the consideration given in exchange for assets. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Critical accounting estimates Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized prospectively from the period in which the estimates are revised. The following are the key estimate and assumption uncertainties considered by management. Events After the Reporting Period a) Private Placement On July 19, 2021, the Company closed a private placement financing with Africa Oil Corp. and Charlestown Energy Partners LLC issuing a total of 14,945,913 common shares and 14,945,913 share purchase warrants exercisable for 2 years at CAD$0.47. As a result of the financing, Africa Oil Corp.'s interest in the Company is 19.99%. **ENDS** For more information, please visit www.ecooilandgas.com or contact the following: Eco Atlantic Oil and Gas c/o Celicourt +44 (0) 20 8434 2754 Gil Holzman, CEO Colin Kinley, COO Alice Carroll, Head of Marketing and IR +44(0)781 729 5070 | +1 (416) 318 8272 Strand Hanson Limited (Financial & Nominated Adviser) +44 (0) 20 7409 3494 James Harris Rory Murphy James Bellman Berenberg (Broker) +44 (0) 20 3207 7800 Matthew Armitt Emily Morris Detlir Elezi Celicourt (PR) +44 (0) 20 8434 2754 Mark Antelme Jimmy Lea Ollie Mills Hannam & Partners (Research Advisor) Neil Passmore +44 (0) 20 7905 8500 The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Notes to editors: About Eco Atlantic: Eco Atlantic is a TSX-V and AIM quoted Oil & Gas exploration and production Company with interests in Guyana and Namibia, where significant oil discoveries have been made. The Group aims to deliver material value for its stakeholders through oil exploration, appraisal and development activities in stable emerging markets, in partnership with major oil companies. In Guyana, Eco Guyana holds a 15% Working Interest alongside TOQAP Guyana B.V. ("TOQAP") a company jointly owned by TotalEnergies E&P Guyana B.V. (60%) and Qatar Petroleum (40%) and Operator Tullow Oil (60%) in the 1,800 km2 Orinduik Block in the shallow water of the prospective Suriname-Guyana basin. The Orinduik Block is adjacent and updip to ExxonMobil Operated Stabroek Block, on which twenty discoveries have been announced and over 9 billion BOE recoverable resources are estimated. On 28 June 2021, Eco acquired a 6.4% interest, with the option to increase its stake to 10%, in JHI Associates Inc. a private company which holds a 17.5% WI in the 4,800km2 Canje Block. The Canje Block is operated by ExxonMobil and is held by Working Interests partners Esso Exploration & Production Guyana Limited (35%), with TotalEnergies E&P Guyana B.V. (35%), JHI Associates (BVI) Inc. (17.5%) and Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas Inc. (12.5%). Jethro-1 was the first major oil discovery on Orinduik Block. The Jethro-1 encountered 180.5 feet (55 meters) of net heavy oil pay in excellent Lower Tertiary sandstone reservoirs. Joe-1 was the second discovery on the Orinduik Block and comprised of high quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoir, with a high porosity of Upper Tertiary age. The Joe-1 well encountered 52 feet (16 meters) of continuous thick sandstone. In Namibia, the Company holds interests in four offshore petroleum licences totalling approximately 28,593km2 with over 2.362bboe of prospective P50 resources in the Walvis Basin. These four licences, Cooper, Guy, Sharon, and Tamar are being explored with industry partners with Eco Operating and maintaining an average 60% Working Interest. Eco has been granted a drilling permit on its Cooper Block (Operator). Eco Atlantic is a 70% shareholder in Solear Ltd., Solear is an independent private clean energy investment company focused on low cost, high yield solar development projects in southern Europe. Solear offers investors exposure to a portfolio of pre-construction opportunities across the renewable energy value chain, from Ready-to-Build to early-stage development. This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. SOURCE: Eco (Atlantic) Oil and Gas Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/662140/Eco-Atlantic-Oil-and-Gas-Ltd-Announces-Results-for-the-Three-Months-Ended-30-June-2021 DGAP-News: Dialog Semiconductor Plc. / Key word(s): Takeover Dialog Semiconductor Plc.: Suspension and Termination of Trading and Cancellation of Listing of Dialog Shares 31.08.2021 / 08:30 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF THAT JURISDICTION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 31 August 2021 Recommended Cash Offer for Dialog Semiconductor Plc ("Dialog") by Renesas Electronics Corporation ("Renesas") Suspension and Termination of Trading and Cancellation of Listing of Dialog Shares On 8 February 2021, the boards of Dialog and Renesas announced that they had reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash acquisition by Renesas of the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Dialog (the "Acquisition"). The Acquisition was to be effected by means of a scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006 (the "Scheme"), which was contained in a document published on 8 March 2021 (the "Scheme Document"). Further to the announcement made by Dialog and Renesas on 30 August 2021 regarding the Scheme having become effective, Dialog announces that the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (the "FSE") has suspended the trading of Dialog Shares in the regulated market of the FSE prior to the commencement of trading hours of the FSE on 31 August 2021. It is expected that the FSE will terminate the trading of Dialog Shares after the end of trading hours of the FSE on 31 August 2021 and cancel the listing of Dialog Shares in due course thereafter. Full details of the Acquisition are set out in the Scheme Document. Except as otherwise defined herein, capitalised terms used but not defined in this announcement have the meanings set out in the Scheme Document. Enquiries: Renesas Investor Relations: Masayuki Nagayama Public Relations: Kyoko Okamoto +81 (3) 6773 3002 +81 (3) 6773 3001 Nomura (Financial adviser to Renesas) Guy Hayward-Cole, Henry Phillips +44 (0) 207 102 1000 Dialog Mark Tyndall Jose Cano +49 (0) 1727 226 409 +44 (0) 1793 756 961 J.P. Morgan Cazenove (Financial adviser and corporate broker to Dialog) Bill Hutchings, James Robinson +44 (0) 207 742 4000 Qatalyst Partners (Financial adviser to Dialog) Jason DiLullo, Peter Spofforth +44 (0) 203 700 8820 FTI Consulting (PR adviser to Dialog) Matt Dixon, Rob Mindell + 44 (0) 203 727 1000 Important Notices J.P. Morgan Securities plc, which conducts its UK investment banking business as J.P. Morgan Cazenove, ("J.P. Morgan Cazenove") and which is authorised in the United Kingdom by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting exclusively as financial adviser to Dialog and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the Acquisition and shall not be responsible to anyone other than Dialog for providing the protections afforded to clients of J.P. Morgan Cazenove nor for providing advice in connection with the Acquisition or any matter referred to herein. Qatalyst Partners Limited ("Qatalyst Partners"), which is authorised in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting exclusively as financial adviser to Dialog and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the Acquisition and shall not be responsible to anyone other than Dialog for providing the protections afforded to clients of Qatalyst Partners or for providing advice in connection with the Acquisition or any matter referred to herein. Nomura International plc ("Nomura"), which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting as financial adviser exclusively to Renesas and no one else in connection with the Acquisition and this announcement and Nomura, its affiliates and its respective officers, employees, agents, representatives and/or associates will not regard any other person as their client, nor will they be responsible to anyone other than Renesas for providing the protections afforded to clients of Nomura nor for providing advice in relation to the matters in the Acquisition, this announcement or any matter referred to herein. Neither Nomura nor any of its subsidiaries, branches or affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Nomura in connection with the Acquisition, this announcement or any matter referred to herein. The contents of this announcement are not to be construed as legal, business, financial or tax advice. If you are in any doubt about the contents of this announcement, you should consult your own legal adviser, financial adviser or tax adviser for legal, business, financial or tax advice. The statements contained in this announcement are made as at the date of this announcement, unless some other time is specified in relation to them, and service of this announcement will not give rise to any implication that there has been no change in the facts set out in this announcement since such date. No person has been authorised to make any representations on behalf of Dialog or Renesas concerning the Acquisition which are inconsistent with the statements contained in this announcement and any such representations, if made, may not be relied upon as having been so authorised. Overseas Shareholders THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITY, NOR WILL THERE BE ANY SALE, ISSUANCE OR TRANSFER OF THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ANY JURISDICTION IN CONTRAVENTION OF APPLICABLE LAW. Restricted Jurisdictions The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom, Germany or Japan may be restricted by the laws and regulations of those jurisdictions and therefore any persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom, Germany or Japan should inform themselves about, and observe, any such restrictions. Any failure to comply with such restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. In particular, the ability of persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom, Germany or Japan to participate in the Acquisition may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies and other persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for any violation of such restrictions by any person. This announcement has been prepared for the purposes of complying with applicable English law and will be subject to the applicable requirements of the Takeover Code and the Takeover Panel. The information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside England and Wales. Unless otherwise determined by Renesas or required by the Takeover Code, and permitted by applicable law and regulation, the Acquisition will not be made available, directly or indirectly, in, into or from a Restricted Jurisdiction, if to do so would constitute a violation of that jurisdiction. Accordingly, copies of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed, transmitted or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from a Restricted Jurisdiction, where to do so would violate the laws in that jurisdiction, and persons receiving this announcement and all documents relating to the Acquisition (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise distribute or send them in, into or from Restricted Jurisdictions, where to do so would violate the laws and regulations in that jurisdiction. Further details in relation to Dialog Shareholders who are resident in, ordinarily resident in, or citizens of, jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom, Germany or Japan are contained in the Scheme Document. Additional information for US investors in Dialog The Acquisition relates to shares of a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales and is being made by means of a scheme of arrangement provided for under Part 26 of the Companies Act. A transaction effected by means of a scheme of arrangement is not subject to the tender offer rules or the proxy solicitation rules under the US Exchange Act. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. The receipt of consideration by a US holder for the transfer of its Dialog Shares pursuant to the Scheme may be a taxable transaction for US federal income tax purposes and under applicable US state and local, as well as foreign and other, tax laws. Each Dialog Shareholder is urged to consult his or her independent professional adviser immediately regarding the tax consequences of the Acquisition applicable to him or her. It may be difficult for US holders of Dialog Shares to enforce their rights and any claim arising out of the US federal laws, since Renesas and Dialog are located primarily in a non-US jurisdiction, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents of a non-US jurisdiction. US holders of Dialog Shares may not be able to sue a non-US company or its officers or directors in a non-US court for violations of the US securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-US company and its affiliates to subject themselves to the jurisdiction and judgment of a US court. Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any securities commission of any state of the United States has reviewed, approved or disapproved this announcement or Acquisition, nor have such authorities passed upon or determined the fairness of the Acquisition or the adequacy or accuracy of the information contained in this announcement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States. Publication on websites A copy of this announcement will be made available, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, on Dialog's and Renesas' websites at www.dialog-semiconductor.com/acquisition and https://www.renesas.com/us/en/about/investor-relations/offer-for-dialog respectively by no later than 12 noon (London time) on the Business Day following the publication of this announcement. For the avoidance of doubt, the contents of those websites are not incorporated and do not form part of this announcement. Contact:Jose CanoDirector, Investor Relationsjose.cano@diasemi.com+44(0)1793756961 NEW DELHI (dpa-AFX) - The Indian rupee firmed against the U.S. dollar in late morning deals on Tuesday, as the latter fell across the board following Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's remarks about a slowdown in the pace of asset purchases. Powell said last week that the central bank is likely to start scaling back bond purchase program this year, but didn't provide timing for withdrawal. Investors await India's GDP data for the April-June quarter due around noon for clues to economic recovery. The Indian rupee rose to a 2-1/2-month high of 73.12 against the greenback from Monday's close of 73.29. Immediate resistance for the rupee is found near the 70 level. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - Lynx Global Digital Finance Corporation (CSE: LYNX) (OTC Pink: CNONF) (FSE: 3CT0) ("Lynx" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed its aggressive acquisition slate of a bank and fintech companies, Binangonan Rural Bank (BRB), Arkin, and DA5. In addition, the Company wishes to provide an update on key milestones achieved over the past three months that will secure a strong foundation for its business operations and growth. "Completing acquisitions of Arkin, DA5 and BRB, and integrating their operations aligns with our goal to have a complete suite of services across card issuing, card acquiring, remittances and crypto to bring a digitized economy to underbanked and underserved in Southeast Asia and Oceania," commented Michael Penner, chief executive officer, Lynx Global Finance. "The recent addition of a bank to our portfolio is icing on the cake. The type of banking license we have has enabled us to leapfrog a main barrier to entry encountered by other players wishing to enter the SE Asian marketplace. We have now positioned ourselves to be a potential 'preferred provider of choice' that many other fintech's will seek to partner with rather than going to the vast amount of time, cost and effort required in attempting to obtain their own license - case in point - we are receiving many inquiries for collaboration towards offering new and unique financial products and services that can be facilitated by our BRB banking license," he concluded. Key milestones achieved May through July 2021: Completed acquisitions and streamlined operations into a unified global payment network: Direct Agent 5, Inc. (DA5) - a Philippines-based central bank licensed and regulated global remittance and forex provider with over 2,300 physical locations and over 15 years experience servicing the worldwide flow of funds; DA5 Australia ( formerly Arkin Technologies Pty. Ltd.) - DA5 Australia is an Australian fintech pioneer and registered owner/operator of an Australian Digital Currency Exchange and Remittance License; Binangonan Rural Bank Inc. (BRB) - Founded in 1961 with a mission to extend credit to small farmers and merchants, BRB has now evolved into a progressive and innovative Rural Bank with an Electronic Money Issuer (EMI) license. Building payment ecosystems and strengthening operations: DA5 and DA5 Australia expanded and integrated direct operational payment distribution channels with FinFan Vietnam ( FinFan is Vietnam's largest provider of global remittance services ); ); DA5 has integrated with Globe Telecom GCash ewallet - GCash is the Philippines number one finance app with over 33 Million users; DA5 formed a strategic global technology partnership with Pipit Global, a provider of international cash payments, with over 320,000 cash-in/cash-out locations globally. With these milestones completed and operations integrated, Lynx is aggressively pursuing to serve the Southeast Asia market, which represents a huge opportunity in the global expansion of digital payments and financial services. According to a recent study completed by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company, "The Future of Southeast Asia Digital Financial Services", which highlighted, "With a population of 570 million and a booming GDP expected to reach $4.7 trillion by 2025, the six largest countries in Southeast Asia represent one of the world's largest and fastest-growing regions. Within the region, the financial services industry holds tremendous potential that could be unleashed if fundamental underlying challenges are addressed. For example, cash is still the primary means of transaction. More than 70% of the adult population is either "underbanked" or "unbanked," with limited access to financial services. In addition, millions of Southeast Asia's small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) face large funding gaps." Lynx Global is creating the financial infrastructure that will bring together all forms of cash-in/cash-out, online e-commerce, cryptocurrency, and digital payment solutions into one single unified financial network. The Company looks forward to providing additional updates to investors as appropriate. ABOUT LYNX DIGITAL GLOBAL FINANCE: Lynx seeks to become a leader in financial technology, solutions, and services for large-scale merchants, financial institutions and other B2B industry partners by way of integration to the Lynx digital payment platform. The Company's payment solutions are powered by a broad suite of payment technologies and services. The Company has targeted banking and fintech relationships in ASEAN and Oceania, a region with a population approaching 700 million, that can provide Lynx a financial network hub location to service and operate a global traditional and digital financial infrastructure. By working with selected banking and/or licensed EMI partners, the Company will be able to offer a digital payment platform with a full suite of payment solutions, which may include merchant acquiring solutions; card issuing; remittance and forex; and custodial digital asset services, including digital wallet services. The Company seeks organic growth while investigating potential strategic acquisitions that may contribute critical technology applications, additional services and revenue streams, and that can complement or enhance existing offerings and potentially increase or expedite the path to future profitability. While Lynx believes that significant near-term opportunities exist for the Company's strategic initiatives, there can be no assurance that goals and objectives will be reached or that any such underlying efforts or agreements will provide successful or positive outcomes should they be implemented. For more information, please contact: Michael Penner, CEO +1 (604) 396-9974 mpenner@lynxglobal.io www.lynxglobal.io NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDERS HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation, including the described initiatives of DA5, DA5 Australia and/or BRB and the goals and objectives of Lynx. The economic materiality of the acquisition of a controlling interest in DA5, DA5 Australia, and/or BRB are unknown due to the contingent nature of results that may be generated. At this point in time, although Lynx does not consider these acquisitions are likely to yield a substantial short-term economic benefit for Lynx, Lynx does consider however, that each of these referenced business acquisitions supports the organization's strategic growth plans. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Lynx to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including capital expenditures, other costs, or implied future forecasts. The Company further again cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's limited operating history and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. Lynx will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94998 PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Hedge-fund billionaire William Ackman's Pershing Square has committed to buy an additional 2.9% of Universal Music Group capital from Vivendi (VIV.L, VIVEF.PK) for $1.149 billion, the French media conglomerate said in a statement. Vivendi noted that the purchase price is based on an enterprise value of 35 billion euros for 100% of UMG's share capital. The closing related to the 2.9% additional stake will take place by September 9, 2021. Pershing Square will now own 10% of the UMG share capital, following an acquisition of 7.1% UMG stake in earlier this month. Pershing Square in June agreed to acquire 10 percent of UMG from Vivendi for about $4 billion. Vivendi said in late June that its shareholders approved its proposal to distribute 60% of UMG's share capital to Vivendi shareholders and list UMG on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange towards the end of September. The listing is now scheduled on September 21, 2021. In January 2021, a Tencent Holdings-led consortium acquired additional 10 percent equity stake in UMG, lifting its ownership to 20 percent. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (ASH) announced the sale of performance adhesives business to Arkema for $1.65 billion. The sale will result in Ashland becoming a focused additive and ingredients company. The company's unit, Ashland LLC, has entered a definitive agreement with Arkema for the all-cash deal. The divestment is anticipated to close by the end of calendar year. Ashland projects net proceeds from the sale to total approximately $1.2 to $1.3 billion. The company plans to hold an Investor Day later in the current year. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. LONDON and COLOGNE, Germany, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Balance Re, the life reinsurance start-up specialised in quantitative asset-liability management, today announced it has raised $10m in Series A funding from leading financial services investor Anthemis Group, with participation from Global Brain and the company's existing investors, Roland Berger Industries GmbH and Talabot Finance. Balance Re offers comprehensive reinsurance solutions to life insurance companies and pension funds to support capital management related to their retirement and saving products. The Series A investment will be used to further develop Balance Re's proprietary asset-liability management technology and to support its fully licensed German reinsurance company based in Cologne. In Balance Re's launch market, Germany, Solvency II's transitional measures represent on average ca. 150 percentage points of life insurers' solvency capital ratios[1]. Balance Re's technology-first and data-driven approach to reinsurance instead enables its clients to release capital to fund growth, support product repositioning and improve (or regain) a competitive advantage. Thanks to real-time risk management capabilities, Balance Re is the first reinsurer able to offer to its clients easy-to-implement and cost-efficient reinsurance solutions which transfer the challenging interactions of financial and insurance risks. Balance Re's new shareholders, Anthemis and Global Brain, bring in-depth knowledge of the insurance sector and expertise in technologies dedicated to the financial industry, ideally complementing the experience of Balance Re's initial investors rooted in investment management and corporate strategy. Lucian Rautu and Michel Gauer, the founders of Balance Re, commented: "We are delighted to welcome Anthemis and Global Brain in the capital of Balance Re and at the Board. Their deep industry knowledge and capacity to take an "outside-of-the-box" approach to venture investments in the insurance space make them the perfect partners to disrupt the life reinsurance market". Matthew Jones, Managing Director at Anthemis, said "Balance Re's team and their technology reflect the complex interactions between actuarial, financial, accounting and regulatory matters. Balance Re's coverage is designed to help clients reach their strategic goals whilst also keeping the interests of their policyholders in mind - we're excited to see them drive much-needed change in the life reinsurance sector." Naoki Kamimaeda, Partner at Global Brain, said "We believe that the technology developed by the Balance Re team has far reaching applications beyond life reinsurance and Europe. We are enthusiastic to join them at this important stage of the journey and look forward to helping them realise their vision to improve the management of long-term insurance and pension liabilities globally." About Balance Re Balance Re tackles one of the most fascinating problems of life insurance: managing the complex interactions between insurance and financial risks. These problems exist in a multifaceted environment spanning actuarial, financial, accounting, and regulatory matters. To operate at the crossroad of so many fields, Balance Re takes down the cultural silos between insurance, investment, and technology to blend the expertise required to solve its clients' needs for truly comprehensive risk transfer. Learn more at www.balance.re. About Anthemis Anthemis cultivates change in financial services by investing in, growing, and sustaining businesses committed to improving the world. We are founded on three guiding principles - authentic collaboration, virtuous cycle outcomes, and diversity and inclusivity - and our deep understanding of markets and models, passion for emerging technology and values inspire everything we do. By creating fertile ground for a diverse group of start-ups, investors, entrepreneurs, institutions, academics, and visionaries to converge, we believe we can solve the financial services world's most pressing challenges faster, better and for the benefit of all. Learn more at www.anthemis.com . About Global Brain Global Brain is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Tokyo. It supports start-ups that tackle pressing problems, create innovation, and contribute to the stimulation of the Japanese economy and beyond. Its high-achieving, experienced professionals identify excellent start-ups through multiple global locations in Europe, US and APAC, and provide hands-on growth support. Global Brain's total asset under management is over US$1 billion, making it the largest domestic independent venture capital firm. To learn more visit www.globalbrains.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1602734/Balance_RE_Logo.jpg For any questions or enquiries, please contact: Michel Gauer Co-Founder Phone: +44 (0)777 625 3600 Email: michel@balance.re [1] Source Assekurata LONDON, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Colt Data Centre Services (Colt DCS), a leading provider of global hyperscale data centre solutions, has commenced construction of its next hyperscale data centre with a ground-breaking ceremony in Japan. This 42,000m2, 45MW facility will be located in Keihanna Science City, in the Kansai area. The site will be ready to service Colt DCS customers in early 2023. This carrier neutral and diversely connected facility will be purpose-designed to meet the scalable capacity demands of hyperscale and enterprise customers looking for large scale facilities to meet growing requirements. Following the 2011 earthquake in Japan, many companies realised the benefit of geographically dispersed sites and so there is a large demand for data centres near Osaka as an integral part of disaster recovery plans. The facility will employ state-of-the-art cooling technologies to ensure high efficiency, while supporting Colt DCS and its clients' sustainability targets. The ground-breaking for this site swiftly followed the Colt DCS announcement of Fidelity's joint venture with Mitsui to provide advanced hyperscale data centres in Japan, with potential further growth in APAC. "Mitsui is very pleased to celebrate the ground-breaking for the first data centre project in Keihanna. Starting with this exciting project, Mitsui hopes to further strengthen our partnership with Fidelity and Colt for our JV," commented by Shinsuke Waka, GM of Financial Business Division, from Mitsui & Co. "There has been a surge in cloud service demand throughout Japan, all of which requires carrier-neutral network access in the region, as well as disaster recovery sites," commented Quy Nguyen, Vice President, Global Accounts and Solutions. "Combined with the fact that the Kansai region of Japan has a population of around 22.4 million, generating enough GDP to position itself at the same level as the Top 20 countries, we expect this facility to be a key site for Colt DCS." "The acquisition of this site is another stake in the ground for us, demonstrating the momentum of our hyperscale strategy and cementing our foothold in APAC," added Padraig MacColgain, Vice President, Head of APAC at Colt DCS. "This land was not originally available for purchase by a data centre operator due to Keihanna Science City being an area designated for research and development activities. However, we received immense support from the Kyoto Prefectural authorities to help make our acquisition possible and want to thank them greatly for their support." About Colt DCS Colt Data Centre Services provide true service and operational excellence in the design, build, delivery and operational management of hyperscale data centres and hybrid cloud solutions to our customers across Europe and Asia pacific. We have over 25 years of experience in operating 26 state-of-the-art carrier neutral data centres across 18 cities, offering 24/7 security and local language support. Our connectivity and colocation solutions allow our customers freedom to plan effectively for the growth of their business, knowing that their data centre strategy is ready for the demands of tomorrow. https://www.coltdatacentres.net/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1603341/CGI_of_Colt_DCS_Data_Centre.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1603342/CGI_of_Colt_DCS_Data_Centre.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1603343/Colt_DCS_Logo.jpg SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Korea Energy Agency (KEA), an implementing organization under Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Korea (MOTIE), will hold the "Global Renewable Energy Online Business Meeting 2021" on Sep. 1 - 2, 2021. KEA holds the "Renewable energy business meetings" in 3 - 4 countries every year, to support Korean renewable energy companies' overseas business since 2011. This year, the meeting will be arranged via online to secure more safe and in-depth discussion between the buyers and Korean renewable energy companies under the Covid-19 pandemic. The event is planned by KEA and hosted by Korea New and Renewable Energy Association (KNREA). The attendees consist of 30 global buyers from 9 countries, including Australia, Middle East, India, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, and 12 prominent Korean renewable energy companies. Korea Energy Agency has provided various services for Korean renewable energy companies to expand abroad. The upcoming Global Renewable Energy Online Business Meetings is in line with KEA's goals aiming to support promising Korean renewable energy companies having difficulties in increasing the export volume during the Covid-19 pandemic. Korea Energy Agency Global Project Division Director General Woo, Young Man said, "We hope this online business meeting provide practical assistance to overseas business of prominent Korean renewable energy companies faced with obstacles to run overseas business caused by the Covid-19." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1604140/Korea_Energy_Agency.jpg HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC) is a leading Hong Kong and international telecom operator and ICT solution provider. The company owns an extensive network and infrastructure in Hong Kong and overseas and provides various kinds of services. HGC has 23 overseas offices, with business over 5 continents. It provides telecom infrastructure service to other operators and serves as a service provider to corporate and households. The company provides full-fledged telecom, data centre services, ICT solutions and broadband services for local, overseas, corporate and mass markets. HGC owns and operates an extensive fibre-optic network, five cross-border telecom routes integrated into tier-one telecom operators in mainland China and connects with hundreds of world-class international telecom operators. HGC is one of Hong Kong's largest Wi-Fi service providers, running over 29,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in Hong Kong. The company is committed to further investing and enriching its current infrastructure and, in parallel, adding on top the latest technologies and developing its infrastructure services and solutions. HGC is a portfolio company of I Squared Capital, an independent global infrastructure investment manager focusing on energy, utilities and transport in North America, Europe and selected fast-growing economies. 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. Flying anti-epidemic vest kites, Kuai Kuai kite, stunt kites, and luminous kites to salute epidemic preventers; watch the event via online streaming for the first time Hsinchu, Taiwan--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - With the pandemic slowing down, the mayor of Hsinchu City Lin Chih-chien has announced that the 2021 Hsinchu City International Kite Festival will kick off and be held on September 4-5. This kite event will use the "Slight Unlockdown" as a theme to salute the epidemic preventers. At the event, there will be a Hsinchu team flying anti-epidemic vest kites and a giant Kuai Kuai green kite, which is blown up 15 times from an actual size to signify the pandemic hitting zero cases in a "Kuai Kuai" way. In Chinese, "kuai kuai" means "well-behaved" and is also a packaged snack name. Supplied from the US, the UK, Germany, France, Singapore, and New Zealand are other giant kites, which will make their first appearance, such as a 15-meter long whale shark and a 15-meter long train. To prevent the pandemic, this year's event can be watched via online streaming as well. Video cameras will be tied up onto the flying kites for closer look. Five shows of kite-flying performance will be arranged for the audience. Those who are interested to attend need to make an online reservation, which is open from August 28. Each show is limited to 300 attendees. Mayor Lin has extolled the success of pandemic prevention achieved by the Hsinchu anti-epidemic team which is comprised of volunteers, police, and medical personnel. Due to their effort, the city government can continue to hold this international kite festival. To thank them, kites shaped in anti-epidemic vests, policemen and heroes are designed to hover together in the air. The team also created a giant kite by using the green Kuai Kuai - the good-luck charm of the Hsinchu Science Park. Other daily-life kites related to slight unlockdown are kites shaped in guitars, schoolbags, railway landscape. This kite festival will certainly make people feel different. Mayor Lin Chih-Chien said that during the pandemic, we were all bored at home. Now you are cordially invited to attend this festival through an online reservation. To prevent the pandemic, we have people around to maintain crowd control. While enjoying the festival, you may take this opportunity to come to see the Fish Scale Ladder, and the Wave Market at the Nanliao Fishing Port the City Government has invested US$50 million to retrofit. This festival will be streamed online for the first time. We have hired a professional team to film the site from all angles, which will give the viewers a virtual feeling of visiting the site in person. Join the fan group on Mayor Lin's Facebook for online streaming! According to Cheng Kai-yuan, chairman of the Asian International Kite Federation, to design and produce the unique giant Kuai Kuai kite, they needed to obtain a copyright first, and then to overcome the problem of a soft kite's flat air inlet. Many experiments were conducted in order to deal with the problem. The kite is enlarged proportionately, and is now super realistic. The team's anti-epidemic vest kites, a skeleton type, also had a hurdle to clear. Hsinchu is well-known for its unique September draft. After countless precise calculations, they finally cracked it by finding a right kite size. Cheng added that having worried about the strong draft in Hsinchu, we arranged stunt kite performances, which will not be affected by the draft. These stunt kites can fly like fighters, making formations, turns and overturns. Besides, we have landscape kites such as trains, goslings, doves to allow viewers to take closer photographs. There will be five shows of kite performance at the site, and crowd control will be performed. An online reservation is open on the website of https://hsinchucity.kktix.cc/. To enter the site, only one single entrance is allowed, and those who enter need to wear a mask at all times, have a temperature check, and hand sanitization. Food is not allowed, and one-meter social distancing must be kept outdoors. For more information, please visit: http://www.hc-kite.com/ The mayor of Hsinchu City Lin Chih-chien To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7987/95005_4aefe21bb491694e_001full.jpg The Nanliao Fishing Port, the international site for flying kites in Hsinchu, has been greatly praised by many international kite flyers as the best site for flying kites in Asia. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7987/95005_4aefe21bb491694e_002full.jpg Hsinchu anti-epidemic team is safeguarding citizens. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7987/95005_4aefe21bb491694e_003full.jpg Kuai Kuai kite, the good-luck charm of the Hsinchu Science Park, is introduced by BBC News. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7987/95005_4aefe21bb491694e_004full.jpg Boguang Market To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7987/95005_4aefe21bb491694e_005full.jpg Cannot view this video? Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUWj_uc-x8o Media Contact Company Name: Asian Kite Forum(Taiwan) Person: Cheng Kai-Yuan Email: Kevin_113012@yahoo.com.tw Website: http://www.asian-kite.com/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/95005 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN / ACCESSWIRE / August 31, 2021 / ROK Resources Inc. ("ROK" or the "Company") (TSXV:ROK) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an Exploration Management Agreement with Hub City Minerals Corp. ("Hub City Minerals") dated July 23, 2021 (the "Agreement") wherein ROK has been issued, for nil consideration, a twenty-five (25%) percent carried interest (the "Carried Interest") in a private entity, Hub City Lithium Corp. ("Hub City Lithium"). The remaining seventy-five (75%) percent of Hub City is owned by Hub City Minerals. Hub City Lithium currently holds 119,739 acres (48,457 hectares) of Subsurface Crown Mineral Dispositions in Saskatchewan (the "Property"), and wishes to explore potential lithium resource prospects with the Property. Under the terms of the Agreement, Hub City Lithium's operations will be managed by a management committee consisting of four members, three of whom will be appointed by Hub City Minerals and one of whom will be appointed by the Company. Subject to direction from the management committee, the Company will manage and administer the following objectives in relation to the Property ("Objectives"): Identify & acquire additional strategic lithium land prospects; Complete multi-layer perforation and flow testing of a wellbore; Obtain samples and conduct test for lithium concentrations; Identify a location for a pilot project; Identify a strategic partner to negotiate a lithium extraction technology pilot project; Obtain a third party NI 43-101 resource report; and Facilitate the completion of a preliminary economic assessment. The Objectives will be wholly funded by Hub City Minerals, up to a total amount of $1,500,000 (the "Capital Allocation"). Any costs that exceed the Capital Allocation will then be proportionally financed by each of ROK and Hub City Minerals based on their proportionate ownership of Hub City Lithium. Alternatively, either ROK or Hub City Minerals may elect to proportionally reduce or increase their ownership in Hub City Lithium for any portion of additional costs above the Capital Allocation. The Agreement has an indefinite term, but may be terminated by ROK on three months' notice to Hub City Minerals, and ROK may be removed as Manager, without affecting its ownership interest in Hub City Lithium, in certain circumstances including if ROK fails to meet its obligations under the Agreement. Jared Lukomski, Senior Vice President Land and Business Development, stated, "ROK recognizes and values the evolving energy landscape and is excited about its partnership with Hub City Lithium. By capturing a vast amount of prospective lithium lands, Hub City is well positioned to benefit from the emerging lithium extraction industry in Saskatchewan. ROK looks forward to sharing the results of Hub City's operations with its shareholders." About ROK ROK is primarily engaged in exploring for petroleum and natural gas development activities in Saskatchewan. Its head office is located in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and ROK's common shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol "ROK." For further information, please contact: Cameron Taylor, Chairman and CEO Lynn Chapman, CFO Phone: (306) 522-0011 Email: info@rokresources.ca Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Company's objectives, goals or future plans with respect to pursuing the Objectives and the expectations regarding the expected results thereof. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic and social uncertainties; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; those additional risks set out in ROK's public documents filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com; and other matters discussed in this news release. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility of the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: ROK Resources Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/662128/ROK-Resources-Announces-Interest-in-Hub-City-Lithium-Corp HIGHLIGHTS C$10 million raised with the issue of 9,090,909 shares Proceeds will be used to fund exploration at the Eastmain Project, Quebec Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - Benz Mining Corp. (TSXV: BZ) (ASX: BNZ) (the Company or Benz) is pleased to advise that has raised C$10 million (before costs) from the placement of 9,090,909 shares at a price of C$1.10 per share (Placement) which represents an 80% premium to the last closing price of Benz shares on the TSXV on 27 August 2021 of C$0.61. The Company was able to issue the Placement shares at a premium as they were issued as Canadian charity flow-through shares, which provides tax incentives to those investors for expenditures that qualify as flow-through mining expenditures under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (Act). The term "flow-through share" is a defined term in the Act and is not a special type of share under corporate law. In this case, flow-through share refers to an ordinary share that will be issued by the Company to the investor under a written agreement with the investor whereby the Company agrees to incur flow-through mining expenditure, and to renounce tax losses associated with that expenditure to the investor. If the Company and the investor comply with the rules of the Act, the investor will be entitled to deduct the amount renounced in computing the investor's income for Canadian income tax purposes and, as a result, the flow-through shares are issued at a higher price. The issue of 9,090,909 shares under the Placement will utilise the Company's issuance capacity under ASX Listing Rule 7.1. The shares issued under the Placement will be subject to a four month hold period in Canada. The gross proceeds received by the Company will be used to fund exploration on the Company's Eastmain Project in Quebec by 31 December 2022 and renounce such expenditures to the investors effective 31 December 2021. The Placement was facilitated by Canadian flow-through share dealer, Peartree Securities Inc, and Peloton Capital Pty Ltd. The Company agreed to pay finders fees of 6% cash and 909,090 broker warrants under the Placement, with each broker warrant exercisable for one share at a price of C$0.65 for a period of two years from the date of issuance. About Benz Mining Corp. Benz Mining Corp. brings together an experienced team of geoscientists and finance professionals with a focused strategy to acquire and develop mineral projects with an emphasis on safe, low risk jurisdictions favourable to mining development. Benz is earning a 100% interest in the former producing high grade Eastmain gold mine, Ruby Hill West and Ruby Hill East projects in Quebec. The Eastmain Gold Project is situated within the Upper Eastmain Greenstone Belt in Quebec, Canada and currently hosts a NI 43-101 and JORC (2012) compliant resource of 376,000oz at 7.9gpt gold. The existing gold mineralization is associated with 15-20% semi-massive to massive pyrrhotite, pyrite and chalcopyrite making it amenable to detection by electromagnetics. Several gold mineralization occurrences have been identified by previous explorers over a 10km long zone along strike from the Eastmain Mine with very limited testing outside the existing resource area. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Benz Mining Corp. Xavier Braud, CEO For more information please contact: Paul Fowler Head of Corporate Development (Canada) Benz Mining Corp. Telephone: +1 416 356 8165 Email: info@benzmining.com Xavier Braud CEO, Head of Corporate Development (Aus) Benz Mining Corp. Telephone +61 8 6143 6702 Email: info@benzmining.com Forward-Looking Information: Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions, including, that the Company's financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events and that the Company obtains regulatory approval. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause the forward-looking information in this news release to change or to be inaccurate include, but are not limited to, the risk that any of the assumptions referred to prove not to be valid or reliable, that occurrences such as those referred to above are realized and result in delays, or cessation in planned work, that the Company's financial condition and development plans change, and delays in regulatory approval, as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law. 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 ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE. Competent Person's Statements: The information in this report that relates to Exploration Results is based on and fairly represents information and supporting information compiled by Mr Xavier Braud, who is a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG membership ID:6963). Mr Braud is a consultant to the Company and has sufficient experience in the style of mineralization and type of deposits under consideration and qualifies as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves". Mr Braud holds securities in Benz Mining Corp and consents to the inclusion of all technical statements based on his information in the form and context in which they appear. The information in this announcement that relates to the Inferred Mineral Resource was first reported under the JORC Code by the Company in its prospectus released to the ASX on 21 December 2020. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original market announcement and confirms that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimate continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Person's findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcement. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/95012 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - Pancontinental Resources Corporation (TSXV: PUC) (OTCQB: PUCCF) ("Pancon" or the "Company") reports gold and multielement geochemistry results for two more diamond drill holes in Phase 2 of the Company's fully funded 10,000-meter (m) maiden drill program at its flagship Brewer Gold & Copper Project (see Table 1). Holes 11 and 12 are vertical holes located to the north and northwest of discovery Holes 4 and 5 and collared outside the northern pit wall of the former mine (see Figure 1). In addition, Pancon reports that preliminary logging of step-out Hole 16, located 350 m north-northwest of the former mine, identified intergrown chalcopyrite-bornite mineralization at about 225 m below surface (see Photo 1). Highlights: Hole 11 intersected 25.2 m of 0.96 g/t Au, 0.21% Cu and 1.31 g/t AuEq; including: 5.6 m of 1.73 g/t Au, 0.42% Cu and 2.41 g/t AuEq Hole 12 intersected 15.5 m of 0.9 g/t Au and 4.57 m of 2.32 g/t Au Pancon President and CEO Layton Croft stated: "Holes 11 and 12 extend, to the north and west, the gold-copper mineralized zone below the former Brewer mine. This zone now spans 275 m on a north-south axis, with a mineralized hole 50 m to the east and another mineralized hole 50 m to the west (see Figure 2). The bigger picture is getting clearer. Our next phase of drilling will include a grid of holes to expand our understanding of this gold-copper mineralized zone below the former mine, with the objective of defining a maiden resource in 2022." Croft continued: "Mineral zonation is a useful tool for vectoring in exploration, and recent discoveries make this a possibility at Brewer. Previously identified copper minerals associated with gold-copper mineralization at Brewer are from much shallower epithermal mineralization dominated by chalcocite group minerals and enargite within hydrothermal breccias, but without a chalcopyrite-bornite assemblage. Our identification of intergrown chalcopyrite-bornite mineralization 350 m north-northwest of the former mine suggests that an originally deeper, higher temperature zone of the Brewer mineralizing system was transported to shallower levels during post-mineralization deformation and mountain building. This zonation would suggest an opportunity for vectoring porphyry copper style mineralization at shallow depths, possibly north of the former mine." Table 1: Gold Assays and Multielement Geochemistry Results for Diamond Holes 11 and 12 (see here for Certificates of Analysis and complete results) Hole ID Hole Size From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Cu (%) AuEq* (g/t) B21C-011 HQ/NQ 72.49 207.48 134.99 0.41 <0.10 - incl. 166.86 192.10 25.24 0.96 0.21 1.31 incl. 167.93 173.52 5.59 1.73 0.42 2.41 B21C-012 HQ 23.93 28.50 4.57 2.32 <0.10 - 58.50 74.00 15.50 0.90 <0.10 - 208.29 256.00 47.71 0.35 <0.10 - incl. 251.00 256.00 5.00 0.81 <0.10 - *AuEq calculated using spot price of Au: $1,790.50/oz and Cu: $4.25/lb See Quality Assurance and Quality Control Statement below regarding assaying techniques. Intervals are core lengths and are not presumed to be true thicknesses. Figure 1: Select Phase 1 Hole Locations and Results, All Phase 2 Hole Locations and Select Gold-Copper Results for Holes 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5156/94914_6ffc0b2c645cdbd6_003full.jpg Figure 2 shows an updated North-South cross section, looking west, of the former Brewer Gold Mine main pit, with gold-copper results for vertical diamond holes 11, 5, 4, 8 and 9, which span 275 m on a north-south axis. Hole 12 is located 50 m west-northwest of hole 11, and thus is not shown in this cross section. Figure 2: North-South Cross Section with Gold-Copper Results for Holes 4, 5, 8, 9 and 11 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5156/94914_6ffc0b2c645cdbd6_004full.jpg Photo 1: Hole 16 Core With Chalcopyrite & Bornite Copper Mineralization ~225 M Below Surface To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5156/94914_6ffc0b2c645cdbd6_005full.jpg Phase 2 Drilling Update Pancon's Phase 2 diamond drill program follows the success of Phase 1 drilling, as reported in the Company's April 27, 2021 news release, with Hole 5 intersecting 181.6 meters of 1.24 g/t Au and 0.27% Cu (1.67 g/t AuEq) and Hole 4 intersecting 115.6 meters of 0.91 g/t Au and 0.17% Cu (1.18 AuEq). To date, Pancon has completed 17 diamond drill holes at the Brewer Gold & Copper Project over two phases. Phase 3 will commence in September. In September and October the Company expects results for Holes 13-17 as well as results for the 104 rotary air blast (RAB) holes drilled in June (see news release of June 8, 2021). Quality Assurance and Quality Control Statement, Notes and Assumptions Phase 2 exploration diamond core drilling was HQ and NQ size. The core was logged and marked for sampling and assaying by geologists contracted by Pancon. Samples, typically 1.5 meters in length, were sawn in half using a diamond core saw and one-half of the core was placed in sample bags and tagged with unique sample numbers, while the remaining half was kept in the core box for storage. Each bagged core sample was shipped to SGS Labs in Ontario, Canada, where it was dried, crushed and pulverized to >80% passing -200 mesh. Gold was analyzed by fire assay (30 g) with an AAS (atomic absorption) finish, with a lower detection limit of 0.005 g/t gold. Samples containing greater than 10.0 g/t gold were analyzed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Multielement analyses, including base metals and rare earth elements, were analyzed with ICP-MS/ICP-AES (inductively coupled argon plasma mass spectrometry/atomic emission spectroscopy). Strict sampling and QA/QC protocols are followed, and assay integrity is monitored internally with a quality control program including the insertion of standards, blanks, and duplicates in the sample stream on a regular basis. Gold equivalent values reported in this release were calculated using the following prices: a gold spot price of US$1,790.50/oz and a copper spot price of US$4.25/lb. Gold equivalent values can be calculated using the following formula: AuEq (g/t) = Au (g/t) + k*Cu (g/t); where k = price_Cu(US$/kg)/price_Au(US$/kg). Recoveries of individual elements can not generally be determined based on equivalent values and fluctuating metal prices will change the value of 'k' and therefore the gold equivalent values. Qualified Person The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in NI 43-101 and reviewed and approved by Richard "Criss" Capps, PhD, RPG, SME REG GEO, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. About Pancon Pancon is a Canadian junior mining company focused on exploring the prolific and underexplored Carolina Slate Belt in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA. In January 2020, Pancon won the exclusive right to explore the former Brewer Gold Mine property. The Brewer Gold & Copper Project, on the gold-rich Carolina Slate Belt in South Carolina, is where the former shallow Brewer Gold Mine produced 178,000 ounces of oxide gold between 1987-1995 from open pits that extended to 65-meter depths, where copper and gold-rich sulphides were exposed but could not be processed by the oxide heap leach processing facility (Zwaschka, M. and Scheetz J.W., 1995, Detailed Mine Geology of the Brewer Gold Mine, Jefferson, South Carolina, Society of Economic Geologists). Until Pancon, Brewer hadn't been explored since 1997, and most of the tools used previously to explore the property have since been updated with more advanced technologies. Brewer is a high sulphidation system driven by a sub-volcanic intrusive and possibly connected to a large copper-gold porphyry system at depth, as indicated by: widely known prospective geology, including diatreme breccias; associated high sulphidation alteration; gold and copper mineralization; and geophysics (Schmidt, R.G., 1978, The Potential for Porphyry Copper-Molybdenum Deposits in the Eastern United States, U.S. Geological Survey). Pancon's 100%-owned, 1,960-acre Jefferson Gold Project nearly completely surrounds the 1,000-acre former Brewer Gold Mine property, and both Jefferson and Brewer are located 12 kilometers northeast along trend from the producing Haile Gold Mine, which produced 137,413 ounces of gold in 2020 (https://oceanagold.com/operation/haile/). For further information, please contact: Layton Croft, President & CEO or Jeanny So, Manager, External Relations E: info@panconresources.com T: +1.647.202.0994 For additional information please visit our new website at http://www.panconresources.com/ and our Twitter feed: @PanconResources. 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 is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information is 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. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, including those risks set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis as filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all necessary governmental and regulatory approvals will be received as and when expected. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94914 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - Purepoint Uranium Group Inc. (TSXV: PTU) (OTCQB: PTUUF) ("Purepoint" or the "Company") today provided the final assay results from its 2021 drill programs at the 100%-owned Red Willow and Umfreville projects, both located within the eastern uranium mine district of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada. The 2021 Red Willow drill program conducted follow-up testing of the Osprey Zone and Geneva Shear while the 2021 Umfreville drill program tested a strong gravity low response coincident with a uranium-in-soil anomaly. "Our Spring drill season tested three independent targets across our Red Willow and Umfreville projects and we're pleased to report that uranium intercepts returned from both these projects necessitate follow-up drilling," said Scott Frostad, VP Exploration at Purepoint. "The most surprising results came from Purepoint's inaugural drilling of a gravity low response at Umfreville where 0.04% U 3 O 8 was returned over 0.8 metres from granitic gneiss and pelitic gneiss basement rocks," said Frostad. "The precipitation of secondary uranium in the basement rocks appears to explain the source of the uranium-in-soil anomalies and suggests a significant mineralization event in the vicinity. Our next obvious drill targets at Umfreville are towards the east where strong north-south trending structures, interpreted from the airborne magnetics, crosscut our gravity low response." Highlights: Umfreville diamond drill hole UMF21-01 returned 3.1 metres of anomalous uranium (0.013% U 3 O 8 ) including 0.8 metres at 0.04% U 3 O 8 O ) including 0.8 metres at 0.04% U O Red Willow's Geneva shear returned 0.012% U 3 O 8 over 5.5 metres and an additional 0.06% U 3 O 8 over 0.4 metres from drill hole GEN21-05 O over 5.5 metres and an additional 0.06% U O over 0.4 metres from drill hole GEN21-05 Next step targets are now being developed and prioritized for follow up Initial drilling at Purepoint's Henday Lake Project is scheduled for early Fall Umfreville - 2021 Drill Results The initial hole by Purepoint at the Umfreville project, UMF21-01, tested an east-west trending gravity low response that is coincident with both a magnetic low response and a uranium-in-soil anomaly. The unconformity was intersected 223 metres downhole and the basement rocks consisted of granitic gneiss and pelitic gneiss. Elevated radioactivity was intersected near the base of the paleoweathering returning 36 ppm U over 17.4 metres between 239.1 and 256.5 metres. A second radioactive intercept, starting at 273 metres downhole, returned 107 ppm U over 3.1 metres and included 304 ppm U over 0.8 metres. Based on the results, a follow-up hole has been proposed east of UMF21-01 where interpreted north-south trending structures appear to be cross-cutting our strong elongate gravity/magnetic low response. Red Willow - Geneva Zone 2021 Drill Results Three drill holes tested the Geneva Shear from the same drill pad and were between 190 and 300 metres in total length. The initial 2021 hole, GEN21-03, intersected the Geneva Shear at a downhole depth of 135.5 metres and returned 31 ppm U over 3.4 metres. The follow-up hole, GEN21-04, intersected the shear much deeper at 274 metres and returned 29 ppm U over 4.6 metres. The third hole, GEN21-05, intersected the Geneva shear further northeast and just below the basement paleoweathering zone starting at a depth of 157 metres. The graphitic/pyritic shear zone was within Pelitic Gneiss that displayed strong hydrothermal alteration, including hematite and local silicification. The zone returned 98 ppm U over 5.5 metres and an additional 527 ppm U over 0.4 metres. The radioactive Geneva Shear is now determined as having a strike of 155 degrees and a dip towards the northwest at -70 degrees. The projection of the shear towards the northeast now suggests that previous vertical drillholes completed by Eldorado in 1984, searching for Unconformity-style mineralization, would not have drilled deep enough to test this basement-hosted structure. Based on the 2021 drill results, follow-up drilling of the Geneva shear is now recommended along strike towards the northeast at a depth just below the paleoweathering. Red Willow - Osprey Zone 2021 Drill Results Three drill holes, drilled from the same drill pad and each averaging 200 metres in length, targeted the Hinge fault north of previous drilling. Two initial drill holes were completed on the same section, OSP21-01 and 02, and both successfully intersected the fault at 70 and 140 metres below surface, respectively. The structure was determined to have a strike of 5 degrees NE and was still associated with strong alteration; however, the radioactivity was weaker (10 ppm U over 15.3 m) than previous drilling. Hole OSP21-03 targeted the projection of the Hinge Fault where it meets the east-west trending electromagnetic (EM) conductor that hosts the known Osprey uranium mineralization. The fault was intersected from 60 to 75 metres downhole with the host rock comprised of weakly chlorite and hematite altered pyritic graphitic pelitic gneiss. The fault at this location included intervals of strong silicification and again returned weak radioactivity (23 ppm U over 1.7m). The next exploration priority within the Osprey Zone is considered to be the Osprey Conductor North. The EM conductor continues for an additional 2 kilometres north of previous Purepoint drilling and has only been tested by two historic (1993) drill holes. Spring 2021 Results from Umfreville and Red Willow Drill Programs: Project Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) U (ppm) U3O8 (%) Umfreville UMF21-01 239.1 256.5 17.4 36 0.004 273.4 276.5 3.1 107 0.013 Including 273.8 274.6 0.8 304 0.036 299.0 300.9 1.9 20 0.002 Red Willow GEN21-03 135.5 138.9 3.4 31 0.004 148.0 154.3 6.3 15 0.002 GEN21-04 273.5 282.1 4.6 29 0.003 GEN21-05 157.0 162.5 5.5 98 0.012 Including 160.7 162.5 1.8 127 0.015 177.4 177.8 0.4 527 0.062 OSP21-01 114.0 114.3 0.3 42 0.005 OSP21-02 73.5 88.8 15.3 10 0.001 121.9 126.0 3.4 14 0.002 OSP21-03 66.0 67.7 1.7 23 0.003 The next planned drill program will be at the 100%-owned Henday Lake Project, located 9 km northwest of Orano's Midwest Lake deposit (41mm lbs U3O8) and 10km west of Rio Tinto's Roughrider deposit (57mm lbs U3O8). The project is fully permitted, drilling crew has been secured to start drilling in early Fall 2021. About Purepoint Purepoint Uranium Group Inc. (TSXV: PTU) (OTCQB: PTUUF) actively operates an exploration pipeline of 12 advanced projects in Canada's Athabasca Basin, the world's richest uranium region. Purepoint's flagship project is the Hook Lake Project, a joint venture with two of the largest uranium suppliers in the world, Cameco Corporation and Orano Canada Inc. The Hook Lake JV Project is on trend with recent high-grade uranium discoveries including Fission Uranium's Triple R Deposit and NexGen's Arrow Deposit and encompasses its own Spitfire discovery (53.3% U3O8 over 1.3m including 10m interval of 10.3% U3O8). Together with its flagship project, the Company's projects stretch across approximately 185,000 hectares of claims throughout the Athabasca Basin. These claims host over 20 distinct and well-defined drill target areas with advanced geophysical surveys completed, and in some cases, have had first pass drilling performed. Scott Frostad BSc, MASc, PGeo, Purepoint's Vice President, Exploration, is the Qualified Person responsible for technical content of this release. For more information, please contact: Chris Frostad, President & CEO Phone: (416) 603-8368 Email: cfrostad@purepoint.ca For additional information please visit our new website at https://purepoint.ca, our Twitter feed: @PurepointU3O8 or our LinkedIn page @Purepoint-Uranium. Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Press release. Disclosure regarding forward-looking statements This press release contains projections and forward-looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties regarding future events. Such forward-looking information can include without limitation statements based on current expectations involving a number of risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance of the Company. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results and the Company's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94959 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - Cabral Gold Inc. (TSXV: CBR) (OTC Pink: CBGZF) ("Cabral" or the "Company") is pleased to provide assay results from seven more reconnaissance RC holes at the MG gold-in-oxide blanket, and a drilling update at the Cuiu Cuiu gold district in northern Brazil. Highlights are as follows: Results have been received from seven additional follow-up RC drill holes testing the MG gold-in-oxide blanket target, which directly overlies the primary MG gold deposit. Drilling continues to return remarkably consistent gold grades over an area of at least 400 x 500m Significant results on two N-S sections through the middle portion of the blanket include 13m @ 0.6 g/t gold, 7m @ 0.5 g/t gold and 34m @ 0.7 g/t gold in RC-132 and 46m @ 0.5 g/t gold in RC-135. These recent drill results suggest that the blanket remains open to both the north and south in several areas Following the recent arrival of two more diamond drill rigs, the total number of rigs on site and currently operating at Cuiu Cuiu increased to five, including three diamond drill rigs and two RC drill rigs which are testing multiple targets Alan Carter, Cabral's President and CEO commented, "Following the identification of the initial gold-in-oxide blanket in unconsolidated material above the MG gold deposit at Cuiu Cuiu, we have moved swiftly to define the limits to this new mineralized zone and drilled a total of 52 holes to date from the planned 74-hole program. The results reported here continue to confirm the presence of an extensive gold-in-oxide blanket in unconsolidated material over an area of at least 400 x 500m, which is still open in several areas and is up to 50m in thickness, with excellent gold grades. The recent arrival of two additional diamond drill rigs will allow us to simultaneously test several high-grade and gold-in-oxide blanket targets at Cuiu Cuiu which is expected to generate significant news flow over the next few months." MG Gold-in-Oxide Blanket RC Drilling Following the discovery of an extensive gold-in-oxide blanket in near surface unconsolidated material directly above the MG gold deposit in April of this year (see press release dated April 15, 2021 and Figure 1), Cabral has moved swiftly to define the limits to the mineralization and thus far defined a blanket up to 50m in thickness over an area of approximately 400 x 500m (Figure 2). Figure 1: Map showing the location of the MG deposit and overlying MG gold-in-oxide target, as well as the Central gold deposit, the Pau de Merenda (PDM) gold-in-oxide blanket and other key targets within the Cuiu Cuiu district To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3900/95006_image1.jpg A total of 52 holes of a planned 74-hole RC program designed to define this blanket have been completed thus far and the assay results are reported here for seven additional RC holes. Assay results are pending on 31 of the 52 completed RC holes drilled to date. Assay results have been returned on holes RC-130 to RC-136 which were drilled within the middle portion of the blanket as currently interpreted. Holes RC-131 to RC-133 were drilled on section 553430 while holes RC-134 to RC-136 were drilled 75m to the east on section 553505 (Figure 2). All of the holes returned significant intervals of gold-in oxide mineralization within the overlying unconsolidated soils and sediments. On section 553430 (Figure 3), RC-132 returned 13m @ 0.6 g/t gold from surface, 7m @ 0.5 g/t gold from 25m depth and 34m @ 0.7 g/t gold from 40m depth, all in oxide material. RC-133 returned 17m @ 0.4 g/t gold from surface also in oxide material. RC-133 was the most southerly hole drilled on this section indicating that the blanket remains open to the south. Figure 2: Map showing the MG deposit (in yellow) together with the overlying MG gold-in-oxide blanket (in beige) and RC holes To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3900/95006_image2.jpg Figure 3: Cross section (section 553430) through the MG deposit and overlying MG gold-in-oxide target, showing assay results from RC-131, RC-132 and RC-133 To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3900/95006_image3.jpg On section 553505 (Figure 4), RC-135, which is the most northerly hole drilled on section, intersected 46m @ 0.5 g/t gold from surface, indicating that the blanket on this section remains open to the north. Similarly, hole RC-136, which is the most southerly hole drilled on section, intersected 17m @ 0.4 g/t gold from surface indicating that the blanket on this section is open to the south. Figure 4: Cross section (section 553505) through the MG deposit and overlying MG gold-in-oxide target, showing assay results from RC-134, RC-135 and RC-136 To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3900/95006_image4.jpg Drill Hole Weathering Mineralized Zone From to Width Grade # m m m g/t gold RC130 Oxide/Saprolite Blanket 0.0 3.0 3.0 0.1 EOH 34.0 RC131 Oxide/Saprolite Blanket 0.0 15.0 15.0 0.3 EOH 34.0 RC132 Oxide/Saprolite Blanket 0.0 13.0 13.0 0.6 25.0 32.0 7.0 0.5 40.0 74.0 34.0 0.7 incl. 52.0 54.0 2.0 3.0 incl. 62.0 63.0 1.0 5.4 Fresh rock 104.0 108.0 4.0 0.4 EOH 114.0 RC133 Oxide/Saprolite Blanket 0.0 17.0 17.0 0.4 48.0 49.0 1.0 1.7 60.0 61.0 1.0 1.3 EOH 67.0 RC134 Oxide/Saprolite Blanket 0.0 26.0 26.0 0.5 55.0 81.0 26.0 0.6 EOH 112.0 RC135 Oxide/Saprolite Blanket 0.0 46.0 46.0 0.5 119.0 127.0 8.0 1.0 EOH 190.0 RC136 Oxide/Saprolite Blanket 0.0 17.0 17.0 0.4 EOH 76.0 Table 1: Table of drill assay results for reconnaissance RC drill holes at the MG gold-in-oxide target, RC-130 to RC-136 Drilling Update MG Diamond Drilling Diamond drilling aimed at defining the high-grade zones within the primary MG gold deposit continues with assay results currently pending on eight holes. Machichie SW Follow-up RC Drilling Results are pending on six follow-up RC holes which were recently completed in the Machichie SW vein array where six NE trending high-grade veins have been identified 300m north of the MG gold deposit. Limited previous drilling from this area has returned high-grade drill results including 3.4m @ 36.9 g/t gold and 3m @ 13.2 g/t gold. Pau de Merenda Follow-up Diamond Drilling One of the new diamond drill rigs is currently in the process of drilling six follow-up holes at Pau de Merenda where an extensive gold-in-oxide blanket was recently identified which is still open in several directions. This blanket is approximately 300 x 800m in size and still open in several directions. The presence of such an extensive blanket begs the question as to where this gold is being eroded from. Several historic drill holes suggest the presence of an underlying mineralized zone in intrusive rocks with historic holes returning values of 30m @ 1.1 g/t, 47m @ 1.8 g/t and 9m @ 5.1 g/t gold. Alonso Reconnaissance Diamond Drilling Diamond drilling is also in progress at the Alonso target which is located 3km SE of the MG gold deposit. Twenty-three samples of this boulder float material previously returned gold values of 11.6 to 200.3 g/t gold (see press release dated February 11, 2020). Shallow follow-up RC drilling conducted during late 2020 however failed to determine the source of the boulders due to high water in-flows. The current program of diamond drilling is designed to rectify those technical issues. The Alonso target is located in low lying ground which is marshy during the wet season hence restricting access and the current program of six holes is being conducted during the dry season with a more suitable diamond drill rig. Issuance of stock options Cabral's Board of Directors has approved the granting of stock options to various employees, directors, officers and consultants pursuant to the Company's stock option plan. The stock options entitle the holders to purchase a total of 4,050,000 common shares in the capital stock of the Company at a price of $0.51 per common share. The stock options are exercisable for five years and are subject to vesting over 24 months. About Cabral Gold Inc. The Company is a junior resource company engaged in the identification, exploration and development of mineral properties, with a primary focus on gold properties located in Brazil. The Company has a 100% interest in the Cuiu Cuiu gold district located in the Tapajos Region, within the state of Para in northern Brazil. Two gold deposits have so far been defined at Cuiu Cuiu and contain 43-101 compliant Indicated resources of 5.9Mt @ 0.90g/t (200,000 oz) and Inferred resources of 19.5Mt @ 1.24g/t (800,000 oz). The Tapajos Gold Province is the site of the largest gold rush in Brazil's history producing an estimated 30 to 50 million ounces of placer gold between 1978 and 1995. Cuiu Cuiu was the largest area of placer workings in the Tapajos and produced an estimated 2Moz of placer gold historically. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: "Alan Carter" President and Chief Executive Officer Cabral Gold Inc. Tel: 604.676.5660 Guillermo Hughes, MAusIMM and FAIG., a consultant to the Company as well as a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, supervised the preparation of the technical information in this news release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). The use of the words "will", "expected" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. This news release contains forward-looking statements and assumptions pertaining to the following: strategic plans and future operations, and results of exploration. Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. The Company believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. Notes Gold analysis has been conducted by SGS method FAA505 (fire assay of 50g charge), with higher grade samples checked by FAA525. Analytical quality is monitored by certified references and blanks. Until dispatch, samples are stored under the supervision the Company's exploration office. The samples are couriered to the assay laboratory using a commercial contractor. Pulps are returned to the Company and archived. Drill holes results are quoted as down-hole length weighted intersections. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/95006 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 31, 2021 / Talisker Resources Ltd. ("Talisker" or the "Company") (TSX:TSK)(OTCQX:TSKFF) is pleased to announce results from drill hole SB-2021-20 at its 100% owned flagship Bralorne Gold Project. Five diamond drill rigs are currently drilling at Bralorne as part of a staged increase to eight drill rigs. A total of 53,200 metres consisting of 90 holes of a planned and fully funded 100,000 metres has been drilled at the project this year with a total of 75,000m since Talisker initiated drilling at the project in February 2020. There are currently 29 holes consisting of 12,086 samples at the assay laboratory and are expected to be received by the Company shortly. Key Points: Hole SB-2021-20 intersected the 101 Vein producing 72.42 g/t gold over 0.55m within 36.41 g/t gold over 1.1m. This hole increases the number of high-grade intercepts from the 101 Vein to 14, with five targets yet to be drilled this year to complete the resource drill out for this vein. In addition, the hole intersected the 55 Hanging wall vein returning 14.66g/t Au over 1.50m within 3.88g/t over 6 metres. The 55 Hanging wall vein now has 15 high-grade intercepts, with eight remaining targets to be drilled this year to complete the resource drill out for this vein. "We are very pleased with the ongoing development of the Bralorne high-grade resource, highlighted by the results produced here with hole 20," commented Terry Harbort, Chief Executive Officer of Talisker who added, "With the recent discovery of bulk-tonnage mineralization at Pioneer we are anticipating a bright future for the Bralorne Gold District." SB-2021-020 Hole Summary Located within the Bralorne West Block. Complete preliminary results have been received for this hole. The 101 Vein was intersected at 413.40 m depth and produced 36.41 g/t Au over 1.10 m in the Bralorne Diorite, including 72.42 g/t Au over 0.55 m. At 469.00 m depth the 55 Hanging Wall Vein was intersected and produced 3.88 g.t Au over 6.00 m, including 14.66 g/t Au over 1.50 m. This hole drilled to a final depth of 692.00 m on March 27, 2021. Table 1: Bralorne Gold Project - Drill Hole SB-2021-020 Diamond Drill Hole Name From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Zone Method Reported SB-2021-020 413.40 413.95 0.55 0.41 Vein Halo GO_FAA50V14 SB-2021-020 413.95 414.50 0.55 72.42 101 Vein GO_FAA50V15 SB-2021-020 469.00 470.50 1.50 0.33 Vein Halo GO_FAA50V22 SB-2021-020 470.50 472.00 1.50 14.66 55HW Vein GO_FAA50V23 SB-2021-020 472.00 473.50 1.50 0.04 Vein Halo GO_FAA50V24 SB-2021-020 473.50 475.00 1.50 0.49 Vein Halo GO_FAA50V25 Notes: Diamond drill hole SB-2021-020 has collar orientation of Azimuth 186; Dip -62. About Talisker Resources Ltd. Talisker (taliskerresources.com ) is a junior resource company involved in the exploration of gold projects in British Columbia, Canada. Talisker's projects include the Bralorne Gold Complex, an advanced stage project with significant exploration potential from a historical high-grade producing gold mine as well as its Spences Bridge Project where the Company holds ~85% of the emerging Spences Bridge Gold Belt and several other early-stage Greenfields projects. With its properties comprising 282,403 hectares over 258 claims, three leases and 198 crown grant claims, Talisker is a dominant exploration player in the south-central British Columbia. The Company is well funded to advance its aggressive systematic exploration program at its projects. For further information, please contact: Terry Harbort President & CEO Terry.harbort@talliskerresources.com +1 416 361 2808 Qualified Person The technical information contained in this news release relating to the drill results at the Bralorne Gold Project has been approved by Leonardo de Souza (BSc, AusIMM (CP) Membership 224827), Talisker's Vice President, Exploration and Resource Development, who is a "qualified person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Sample Preparation and QAQC Drill core at the Bralorne project is drilled in HQ to NQ size ranges (63.5mm and 47.6mm respectively). Drill core samples are minimum 50 cm and maximum 160 cm long along the core axis. Samples are focused on an interval of interest such as a vein or zone of mineralization. Shoulder samples bracket the interval of interest such that a total sampled core length of not less than 3m both above and below the interval of interest must be assigned. Sample QAQC measures of unmarked certified reference materials (CRMs), blanks, and duplicates are inserted into the sample sequence and make up 9% of the samples submitted to the lab for holes reported in this release. Sample preparation and analyses is carried out by ALS Global in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and SGS Canada in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. Drill core sample preparation includes drying in an oven at a maximum temperature of 60C, fine crushing of the sample to at least 70% passing less than 2 mm, sample splitting using a riffle splitter, and pulverizing a 250 g split to at least 85% passing 75 microns (ALS code PREP-31 / SGS code PRP89). Gold in diamond drill core is analysed by fire assay and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) of a 50g sample (ALS code Au-AA26 / SGS code GO_FAA50V10), while multi-element chemistry is analysed by 4-Acid digestion of a 0.25 g sample split with detection by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) for 48 elements (Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, Hf, In, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Re, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Ta, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W, Y, Zn, Zr). Gold assay technique (ALS code Au-AA26 / SGS code FAA50V10) has an upper detection limit of 100 ppm. Any sample that produces an over-limit gold value via the gold assay technique is sent for gravimetric finish (ALS method Au-GRA22 / SGS method GO_FAG50V) which has an upper detection limit of 1,000 ppm Au. Samples where visible gold was observed are sent directly to screen metallics analysis and all samples that fire assay above 1 ppm Au are re-analysed with method (ALS code Au-SCR24 / SGS code GO_FAS50M) which employs a 1kg pulp screened to 100 microns with assay of the entire oversize fraction and duplicate 50g assays on the undersize fraction. Where possible all samples initially sent to screen metallics processing will also be re-run through the fire assay with gravimetric finish provided there is enough material left for further processing. Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Talisker's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the operations of the Company and the timing which could be affected by the current global COVID-19 pandemic. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to Talisker. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of Talisker's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate. While Talisker considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, and regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and Talisker is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Figure 1: Cross section showing Hole SB-2021-020 with mineralized vein intercepts. Figure 2: Overview map showing drill hole trace of SB-2021-020, vein strike projections and previously released drill traces. Figure 2: Overview map showing drill hole trace of SB-2021-020, vein strike projections and previously released drill traces. SOURCE: Talisker Resources Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/662073/Talisker-Intersects-7242-GT-Over-055m-Within-3641-GT-Over-11m-at-Bralorne First and only botulinum neurotoxin approved for this indication in Europe Today, Merz Therapeutics, a business of the Merz Group and a leader in the field of neurotoxins, has been granted the use of XEOMIN for the symptomatic treatment in children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 years and weighing 12 kg of chronic sialorrhea due to neurological neurodevelopmental disorders on EU level.1 The national approvals of the country authorities involved will follow in the next weeks. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted approval in December 2020, and the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare in spring 2021. Stefan Brinkmann, CEO Merz Therapeutics: "At Merz Therapeutics, we do everything to bring better outcomes to more patients. As XEOMIN is already approved for the treatment of adult sialorrhea, we can now offer life-long treatment with our botulinum toxin A, staying a trusted partner for sialorrhea patients as well as their relatives and physicians for a lifetime." Dr. Marcus Gollub, President, Head of Region Europe complements: "Pediatric sialorrhea is a serious condition that can significantly impact not only the medical condition but also the quality of life of the children and their families. I am happy that with this new indication we are able to take care of the needs of those children suffering from drooling and contribute to a better life for them and their families." Sialorrhea, also known as drooling, is a symptom that occurs when excessive saliva accumulates in the mouth. It is a chronic impairment often seen in children with neurological disorders (e.g. cerebral palsy or traumatic brain injury) and/or intellectual disability or neurodegenerative diseases. The approval by European authorities for the use of XEOMIN for pediatric patients suffering from chronic sialorrhea, was achieved due to the convincing results of the SIPEXI study (Sialorrhea Pediatric Xeomin Investigation). It was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter phase III study with an extension phase evaluating the safety and efficacy of XEOMIN in 255 children and adolescents aged 2 17 years up to 64 weeks. The study recently got published in Neurology, the premier peer-reviewed journal for clinical neurology research.2 XEOMIN is being distributed by Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH in more than 70 countries to treat patients with upper and lower limb spasticity, cervical dystonia, blepharospasm or hypersalivation. Merz uses state-of-the-art technology in its dedicated facility in Dessau, Germany, meeting the highest international standards for biologic manufacturing. The highly purified 150kDa neurotoxin is the only active ingredient in XEOMIN. It is produced by removing complexing proteins from botulinum toxin type A, using XTRACT purification technology developed by Merz Pharma GmbH Co. KGaA. XEOMIN is the registered trademark of Merz Pharma GmbH Co. KGaA. 1 European SmPC (Summary of product characteristics), 2021-08-31 2Berweck et al. Neurology. 2021 Aug 2:10.1212/WNL.0000000000012573. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000012573. About Merz Therapeutics Merz Therapeutics, a business of Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, is dedicated to improving the lives of patients around the world. With its relentless research, development, and culture of innovation, Merz Therapeutics strives to serve unmet patient needs and realize better outcomes. Merz Therapeutics seeks to address the unique needs of people who suffer from movement disorders, neurological conditions, liver disease, and other health conditions that severely impact patients' quality of life. Merz Therapeutics is headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany and is represented in more than 90 countries, with a North America affiliate based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH is part of the Merz Group, a privately held, family-owned company that has dedicated more than 110 years to developing innovations that meet patient and customer needs. Please visit www.merz.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005540/en/ Contacts: Press Contact Agnes Tesch Merz Therapeutics, a business of Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH Global Communications +49 69 1503 2129 Agnes.tesch@merz.de Victoria, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - Plurilock Security Inc. (TSXV: PLUR) (OTCQB: PLCKF) and related subsidiaries ("Plurilock" or the "Company"), an identity-centric cybersecurity solutions provider for workforces, has secured a contract renewal with a leading U.S. financial services firm for its cutting-edge, high-margin continuous authentication DEFEND product via its Technology Division. The financial services firm previously signed an annual recurring US$42,000 contract for DEFEND last year, as reported on September 29, 2020. The firm purchased the technology following a stringent evaluation process. All contracts and orders signed by Plurilock since April 2021, including the latest contract renewal, represent a combined total of US$10.23 million in sales. Plurilock's proprietary DEFEND solution uses micro-patterns, based on a user's keyboard and mouse movements, to create a unique behavioral biometric user signature that continuously authenticates identity throughout the workday. Plurilock's technology offered the financial firm a low-friction authentication solution with strong identity confirmation capability, as well as flexible integrations. The need for innovative cybersecurity solutions for financial services organizations is strong, with a report detailing that financial services firms are 300 times more likely than other companies to be targeted by a cyber attack.1 The ongoing business relationship between Plurilock and the financial services company aligns with the Company's work to expand within the government and regulated verticals. "Plurilock continues to hit milestones with our high margin products in the financial sector," said Ian L. Paterson, CEO of Plurilock. "With the recent announcement of a purchase order with a leading overseas financial institution earlier this month, investors and potential customers of Plurilock continue to see traction in the execution of our business plan and validation of the efficacy of our software products in the cybersecurity space. We are looking forward to accelerating this trend in the weeks and months to come." About Plurilock Plurilock provides identity-centric cybersecurity for today's workforces. The Plurilock family of companies enables organizations to operate safely and securely while reducing cybersecurity friction. Plurilock offers world-class IT and cybersecurity solutions through its Solutions Division, paired with proprietary, AI-driven and cloud-friendly security through its Technology Division. Together, the Plurilock family of companies delivers persistent identity assurance with unmatched ease of use. For more information, visit https://www.plurilock.com or contact: Ian L. Paterson Chief Executive Officer ian@plurilock.com 416.800.1566 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") related 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, the impact of general economic conditions, the success of the Company in obtaining new or extended contracts or orders; the Company's ability to maintain existing customers or develop new customers; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquisitions of other businesses and/or companies or to realize on the anticipated benefits thereof; and unforeseen events, developments, or factors causing any of the aforesaid expectations, assumptions, and other factors ultimately being inaccurate or irrelevant. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. 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. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in its most recent Annual Information Form. They are otherwise disclosed in its filings with securities regulatory authorities available on SEDAR at www.sedar.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. https://bricata.com/blog/financial-services-cybersecurity-statistics/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94999 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - Emerald Health Therapeutics, Inc. (CSE: EMH) (OTCQX: EMHTF) ("Emerald") has released its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. Full versions of Emerald's unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and management discussion and analysis can be found on www.sedar.com. "In the second quarter we started to see incremental progress in executing on our renewed business strategy, resulting in a 42% sequential quarterly increase in gross revenue to $3.8M, with a concurrent significant improvement to just a small negative gross margin. Our net operating loss and cash flow utilization have improved and we ended the quarter with over $32M in working capital, providing us with significant runway," said Riaz Bandali, President & CEO of Emerald. "As per our objectives, we kept our general and administrative costs flat (excluding non-cash items) while increasing our investment in sales and marketing by 33% and in R&D by more than double. We also made key additions to our team with the appointment of Moe Jiwan as Chief Operating Officer and, recently, Nick Mosgrove as VP Sales & Marketing, both experienced leaders. "With our commitment to science-based innovation and our Defined Dose focus to offer health, wellness and medical consumers more precise and predictable dosing and a more consistent cannabis consumption experience, our R&D efforts resulted in the launch of our new SYNCTM Tabs and, in July, FUSE Nano Shots. Our SYNC medical product sales are robust and our Quebec Souvenir brand, which now includes a Souvenir-branded strain-specific oil, has started to establish additional sales momentum in Quebec. We have also seen modest but increasing product demand in Europe via our Danish partner, Stenocare. "We announced a small strategic investment in the brand-focused total body wellness company, Prima, and our US licensee, FlowerPod, continues to work on new products based on the intellectual property they licensed from Emerald. And we expect the initiation of our first clinical trial in early Q4, with a second one planned to initiate in the next 4-6 months. Overall, we are active and excited about the multiple paths we are opening for business growth." Emerald 2Q21 Financials (compared to 2Q20 and 1Q21) Net sales of $3.04M increased 23% compared to net sales of $2.48M in 2Q20 and increased 35% from net sales of $2.26M in 1Q21. Sales in the adult-use channel represented 78% of total revenue, and volumes sold in the channel were 33% higher in 2Q21 compared to 1Q21, while average selling price per gram decreased from $3.65 in 1Q21 to $3.28 in 2Q21. Total SG&A expense of $4.11M, which includes $0.64M of non-cash expenses, increased $0.63M from $3.47M in 2Q20 and increased $0.58M from $3.52M in 1Q21. Net loss of $13.97M in 2Q21 includes a $10.67M non-cash impairment of an asset held-for-sale. EBITDA of negative $2.69M in 2Q21 decreased $1.52M from negative $1.18M EBITDA in 2Q20 and improved $0.15M from negative $2.84M in 1Q21. Net cash flow used by operating and investing activities of $4.01M in 2Q21 improved by $0.56M from $4.57M cash used in operating and investing activities in 2Q20. Emerald Quarter-end Financials Selected Financial Information The following table summarizes selected quarterly financial information for Emerald, which was derived from the audited annual financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS or the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS applicable to the preparation of interim financial statements, IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting: 2Q21 Key Financial and Operational Metrics (Thousands of Canadian dollars) Q2 2021 Q1 2021 Financial Results Gross revenue $ 3,777 $ 2,653 Net revenue (net of excise duty) 3,044 2,255 Cannabis gross revenue Dry cannabis 2,656 1,629 Cannabis oils 1,116 1,024 Other 5 - Total SG&A (net of non-cash expenses and R&D expenses) 2,823 2,654 Total R&D expenses 640 272 Impairment of assets 10,668 - Net income (Loss) (13,956) (2,900) EBITDA* (2,693) (2,838) Balance Sheet Cash and cash equivalents 26,886 31,297 Net working capital 32,266 46,259 Operational Results Average selling price (net of excise duty) Recreational $ 3.28 $ 3.65 Medical $ 7.51 $ 7.88 Kilograms sold of dried flower and kilogram equivalents Recreational 739 555 Medical 25 29 * EBITDA is a Non-GAAP measure and has been calculated by subtracting realized and unrealized changes in fair value of biological assets, and adding back depreciation, share-based payments, impairment of assets, and inventories written down to Loss from operations. Key Corporate Initiatives and Accomplishments New Product Development and Launches In April, Emerald launched its new sublingual tablet product line, SYNC Tabs, under the SYNC Wellness brand. This naturally-flavoured ingestible offers a controlled 10 mg THC dose with predictable onset and offset. The tablets are available to consumers at licensed cannabis retailers and online in seven Canadian provinces including Ontario and BC. They are also available to patients with prescriptions via Emerald's Direct to Health medical e-commerce site. Subsequent to the quarter-end, Emerald introduced its new Fuse lifestyle brand and latest product line, the Nano Shot, a 30 ml flavoured cannabis-infused beverage formulated with 10 mg of THC and a nanoemulsion formulation offering consumers a more predictable, rapid onset and shorter controlled duration of effects. The plant-derived Nano Shots are gluten-free and vegan, and come in multiple flavours. In July, the beverage became available to Emerald's patients via prescription and consumers at licensed cannabis retailers and online in British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba, with subsequent orders from two additional provinces. Corporate Development In April, Emerald began trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE"), after delisting its shares from the TSX Venture Exchange on April 26, 2021. Listing its common shares on the CSE provides Emerald with increased flexibility to conduct business in the United States and is expected to result in lower filing, compliance, legal and other fees. In May, Emerald entered into a license agreement with FlowerPod LLC ("FP"), agreeing to exclusively license certain patented technology to FlowerPod for the development and sale of cannabis-related products for use in all US states and other key geographical areas where adult use and/or medical cannabis is locally legal. Emerald also provided FlowerPod with a loan of US$350,000 that is repayable within two years and bears interest at 5% per annum. Emerald received a 19% equity ownership position in FlowerPod and is entitled to monthly license and research and development payments from FlowerPod. Full details of the product and intellectual property will be disclosed when FlowerPod commercially launches this new product, which it anticipates in late 2021 or early 2022. Also in May, Emerald made a capital investment in The Uplifters' Prima, PBC ("Prima"), based in Santa Monica, California. Prima is focused on serving wellness-oriented consumers with science-driven CBD products formulated with plant-derived therapeutics and broad-spectrum hemp extract. The companies also established a letter of intent contemplating joint initiatives to co-develop new cannabinoid-based wellness products for sale in the United States, Canada, and internationally. Mr. Moe Jiwan was hired as Chief Operating Officer in May. Subsequent to the quarter, Emerald added Nick Mosgrove as Vice President, Sales and Marketing. Avtar Dhillon, MD, resigned from his roles as director and Executive Chairman of Emerald's board of directors in August. Jim Heppell was appointed Chairman of the board of directors. In July, Emerald retained a listing agent to assist in the sale of its licensed greenhouse cannabis production facility in Greater Vancouver, BC. As previously announced, Emerald ceased operations at this facility on March 31, 2021, and continues to operate its defined-scale production facility for premium cannabis in St. Eustache, Quebec, and its two separate new product development and processing facilities in British Columbia. About Emerald Health Therapeutics, Inc. Emerald is committed to creating new consumer experiences with distinct recreational, medical and wellness-oriented cannabis products, with an emphasis on science-based innovation and product excellence. Please visit www.emeraldhealth.ca for more information or contact: Jenn Hepburn, Chief Financial Officer 1(800) 757 3536 Ext. #5 Emerald Investor Relations (800) 757 3536 Ext. #5 invest@emeraldhealth.ca Non-GAAP Financial Measures Emerald reports non-GAAP measures which include EBITDA and working capital. These measures are widely used in the cannabis industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and the methods used by Emerald to calculate such measures may differ from methods used by other companies with similar descriptions. EBITDA is defined as income (loss) before interest expenses, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Refer to the table above for further information on the calculation of EBITDA used in this press release. Emerald uses these non-GAAP measures because they provide additional information regarding performance of Emerald's overall business that are not otherwise reflected under IFRS. See "Non-GAAP Measures" on page 32 of Emerald's MD&A for further details. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the 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 statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements and are subject to important risks, uncertainties and assumptions, both general and specific, which give rise to the possibility that actual results or events could differ materially from our expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include: Emerald's business plan and the execution of such plan; the impact of business deals entered into by Emerald; initiation of clinical trials; efficacy of the Company's products; the future success of Emerald; Emerald and its business partners obtaining the required regulatory approvals; business opportunities available to Emerald and its business partners; repayment of amounts owed to Emerald; the development and launch of new products by Emerald and its licensees; receipt of payments from licensees; and benefits of listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent management beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature are inherently uncertain and beyond management control. We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among others: market price of cannabis; the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis including any continued impact on production or operations; changes of law and regulations; changes of government; failure to obtain regulatory approvals; regulatory changes; receipt of amounts owing to Emerald; strategic development of Emerald; production and processing capacity of various facilities; failure to obtain necessary financing; results of scientific research; market and consumer demand and other patterns related to existing, new and planned product forms; timing for launch and shipment of new and existing product forms; performance of products; impacts of recalls of any of the Company's products; ability of new product forms to capture sales and market share; results of production and sale activities; sales volumes; incremental sales and more generally actions of customers, suppliers, partners, distributors, competitors or regulatory authorities; changes in prices and costs of inputs; demand for labour; demand for products; failure of counter-parties to perform contractual obligations; as well as the risk factors described in Emerald's annual information form and other regulatory filings. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent our expectations as of the date hereof. Forward-looking statements are presented for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to obtain a better understanding of our anticipated operating environment. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Emerald undertakes no obligations to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur, unless required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/95004 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. (TSXV: SCZ) (the "Company" or "Santacruz") reports on its financial and operating results for the second quarter ("Q2") of 2021. The full version of the financial statements and accompanying management discussion and analysis can be viewed on the Company's website at www.santacruzsilver.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. All financial information is prepared in accordance with IFRS and all dollar amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars, except per unit amounts, unless otherwise indicated. Revenues increased by 131 per cent to $13.7 million during Q2 2021 ($5.9 million in Q2 2020); Gross profit improved by $3.0 million to $3.8 million during Q2 2021 (Q2 2020 - $0.8 million); Subsequent to Q2 2021 the Company completed a shares-for-debt settlement in the amount of $3.1 million. Carlos Silva, CEO of Santacruz, stated, "The second quarter of 2021 has confirmed our positive trend towards strong cash flow generation at Zimapan where, as expected, increased production tonnage arising from the continued development of the Lomo del Toro zone has resulted not only in an increased total amount of material processed through the mill but importantly has also resulted in a higher average silver head grade." Mr. Silva continued, "Development work at Lomo del Toro continues to yield positive results and management anticipates an increase in production from the current rate of 15,000 tonnes/month to 20,000 tonnes/month by the end of Q3 with a concurrent increase of 5,000 tonnes/month in overall production tonnage aiming to reach 70,000 tonnes/month by the end of Q4 suggesting a continued positive trend of cash flows through the rest of the year." Financial Results Selected financial information for the three-month periods ended June 30 and March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020 is presented below: Q2 Q1 Q2 Q2 2021 % Change vs 2021 2021 2020 Q1 2021 Q2 2020 Revenue - Mining Operations 13,744 11,168 5,939 23% 131% Gross Profit (Loss) (1) 3,840 2,181 796 76% 382% Net Income (Loss) (3784) 6,518 (636) -158% 497% Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Basic ($/share) (0.01) 0.02 (0.00) -150% -100% Adjusted EBITDA (1) 1,184 1,006 88 18% 1,245% Working Capital Deficiency (at period end) (11,665) (16,478) (30,801) -29% -62% (1) The Company reports additional non-IFRS measures which include Gross Profit (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA. These additional financial disclosure measures are intended to provide additional information. See the Company's MD&A filed on SEDAR or its website for a reconciliation of these amounts to the unaudited interim financial statements for the respective periods. Selected financial information for each of the Zimapan Mine and Rosario Project for the three-month periods ended June 30 and March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020 is presented below: Q2 Q1 Q2 Q2 2021 % Change vs 2021 2021 2020 Q1 2021 Q2 2020 Revenue - Zimapan Mine 13,022 10,442 5,096 25% 156% - Rosario Project 410 1,011 344 -59% 19% Gross Profit (Loss) - Zimapan Mine 4,401 2,581 539 71% 717% - Rosario Project (873) (115) (137) 659% 537% With respect to the working capital deficiency of $11,665 at June 30, 2021, subsequent to period end the Company completed a shares-for-debt settlement in the amount of $3,701 with respect to vendor amounts included in current liabilities at June 30, 2021. Operating Results Selected operating results for each of the Zimapan Mine and Rosario Project for the three-month periods ended June 30 and March 31, 2021 and December 31, September 30 and June 30, 2020 are presented below: 2021 2020 Q2 2021 % Change vs Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 2021 Q2 2020 Material Processed (tonnes milled) (4) Zimapan Mine 155,407 156,433 180,003 164,846 106,725 -1% 46% Rosario Project 16,917 19,806 21,582 11,794 10,074 -15% 68% Consolidated 172,324 176,239 201,585 176,640 116,799 -2% 48% Silver Equivalent Produced (ounces) (1) (3) (4) Zimapan Mine 757,937 646,085 909,379 920,985 639,021 17% 19% Rosario Project 41,120 60,893 90,863 56,693 70,744 -32% -42% Consolidated 799,057 706,978 1,000,242 977,678 709,765 13% 13% Silver Equivalent Sold (payable ounces) (4) Zimapan Mine 658,590 553,450 545,580 625,036 500,486 19% 32% Rosario Project 20,328 52,520 74,511 36,628 30,018 -61% -32% Consolidated 678,918 605,970 620,091 661,664 530,504 12% 28% Cash Cost of Production per Tonne (2) (4) Zimapan Mine 53.92 49.04 48.90 39.91 38.79 10% 39% Rosario Project 69.81 57.86 59.68 87.08 69.49 21% 0% Consolidated 55.48 50.03 50.06 43.06 41.44 11% 34% Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent Ounce (2) (4) Zimapan Mine 18.37 19.91 23.21 17.45 14.47 -8% 27% Rosario Project 68.58 27.19 21.82 34.13 28.15 152% 144% Consolidated 19.87 20.54 23.04 18.38 15.25 -3% 30% All-in Sustaining Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent Oz (2) (4) Zimapan Mine 21.35 21.03 24.95 18.54 15.60 -13% 18% Rosario Project 101.19 52.57 47.63 42.07 38.61 92% 162% Consolidated 23.74 23.76 27.67 19.85 16.90 0% 61% Average Realized Silver Price per Ounce (2) (4) Zimapan Mine 25.67 23.98 21.01 16.47 16.38 2% 56% Rosario Project 25.63 24.56 24.08 16.89 16.38 3% 52% Consolidated 25.67 24.05 21.18 16.49 16.66 2% 56% (1) Silver equivalent ounces produced in 2021 have been calculated using prices of $25.00/oz., $1,925/oz., $0.85/lb, $1.05/lb and $3.00/lb. for silver, gold, lead, zinc and copper respectively applied to the metal content of the concentrates produced by the Rosario Project and the Zimapan Mine. Silver equivalent ounces produced in 2020 have been calculated using prices of $17.85/oz., $1,480/oz., $0.92/lb, $1.09/lb and $2.80/lb. for silver, gold, lead, zinc and copper respectively applied to the metal content of the concentrates produced by the Rosario Project and the Zimapan Mine. (2) Silver equivalent sold ounces have been calculated using the realized silver prices stated in the table above, applied to the payable metal content of the concentrates sold from the Zimapan Mine and Rosario Project in 2021 and 2020. (3) The Company reports non-IFRS measures which include Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent, All-in Sustaining Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent, Cash Cost of Production per Tonne, and Average Realized Silver Price per Ounce. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and may differ from methods used by other companies with similar descriptions. See the Company's MD&A filed on SEDAR or its website for a discussion of these amounts. (4) The Company is not including production and unit cost results from the Veta Grande Project in this MD&A as operations at Veta Grande were suspended during Q1 2020 and to date have not recommenced. Discussion of Financial Results The Company recorded net loss $3,784 for Q2 2021 (2020 - $636) and a gross operating profit of $3,840 (2020 - $796). The gross profit increase reflects a 717% increase in gross profit at the Zimapan Mine driven by a 156% increase in revenue that arose as a result of improved metal prices and significant increases in production of silver, zinc and copper as compared to 2020. It is important to note that the Q2 2020 operations at the Zimapan Mine were suspended for approximately one month due to COVID-19 precautions while the Rosario Project operated at significantly lower staffing levels for the same reason. The increase in net loss arose from a $3.1 million increase in operating expenses and $2.3 million increase in interest and other finance expenses net of interest earned and other finance income. The increase to operating expenses includes an increased share-based compensation expense arising from an option grant in Q2 2021 and increased professional fees and administrative fees arising from costs associated with the Zimapan Mine acquisition and non-recurring fees associated with value-added tax filings in Mexico, The increase in net interest and other finance expenses arose largely from an increase in foreign exchange loss of $1.1 million, a one-time debt restructuring fee of $0.6 million and unrealized loss on marketable securities of $0.5 million. Discussion of Operational Results and Costs Zimapan Mine On April 21, 2020, in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Company temporarily suspended its mine, mill and exploration activities at the Zimapan Mine in Zimapan, Hidalgo, Mexico. The suspension of operations was strictly proactive as no cases of COVID-19 had been documented at the Zimapan mine. On May 19, 2020, the Mexican government authorized the resumption of non-essential activities in municipalities that present low or no known cases of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, subject to criteria defined by the Secretariat of Health. The municipality of Zimapan, Hidalgo State, Mexico was classified as a low risk municipality. As a consequence of the impact of the suspension of operations at Zimapan and reduced operations at the Rosario Project occurring during Q2 2020 in connection with COVID-19 protocols as referenced above, management has determined that a comparison of the Q2 2021 operations to Q2 2020 operations is not useful to investors and other parties and as such is not providing comments relating to such a comparison. As compared to Q1 2021, the Q2 2021 silver equivalent production increased 19% increase in silver equivalent production reflects improved zinc and copper head grades and improved metal recoveries for silver, zinc and copper realized during Q2 2021. Operations during both Q1 and Q2 2021 reflect reduced milling availability for varying reasons. During Q1 2021 operations were negatively affected due to an unstable power supply from Mexico's Comision Federal de Electricidad that caused damage to the electric motors for the ball mills at the milling facility materially reducing operations for eight days. During Q2 2021 operations were negatively impacted by the challenges with the dewatering circuit. This was remedied in early Q3 as a result of replacing the original drum filters with a filter press. The impact of this change in equipment has been immediate as production for July 2021 improved to over 60,000 tonnes of material processed at the milling facility with estimated silver equivalent production in excess of 305,000 ounces as calculated using the 2021 price deck disclosed above. Preliminary operating results for August 2021 indicate a continuation of this positive trend. As compared to Q1 2021, the cash cost of production per tonne of mineralized material processed increased by 10% to $53.92 in Q2 2021. This result reflects a 9% increase in the cash cost of production and a 1% decrease in the tonnes of mineralized material processed during Q2 2021. The increase in the cash cost of production reflects expenditures incurred in accelerated mine development at the Monte mine as well as the Lomo Del Toro zone. As compared to Q1 2021, the cash cost of production per silver equivalent ounce sold in Q2 2021 decreased by 8%. This resulted from a 10% increase in the cash cost of sales of silver equivalent ounces while the silver equivalent payable ounces produced increased by 19%. The increase in silver equivalent production reflects improved zinc and copper head grades and improved metal recoveries for silver, zinc and copper realized during Q2 2021. As compared to Q1 2021, the AISC in Q2 2021 increased by 2%. This resulted from a 21% increase in the cash cost of sales of silver equivalent ounces while the silver equivalent payable ounces sold increased by 19%. This change occurred largely for the same reasons as referenced above in the discussion regarding cash cost of silver equivalent ounces sold. Production at the Zimapan Mine is not supported by a feasibility study on mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability or any other independent economic study under NI 43-101. Accordingly, there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks of failure associated with production operations at the Zimapan Mine. Production and economic variables may vary considerably due to the absence of a complete and detailed site analysis in accordance with NI 43-101. Rosario Project As compared to Q1 2021, the Q2 2021 silver equivalent production decreased by 32%. This decrease occurred in part as the result of a 15% decrease in mineralized material processed at the milling facility and in part from processing lower grade material. Management is considering its options with respect to continuing with operations at the Rosario Project. As compared to Q1 2021, the Q2 2021 the cash cost per tonne increased by 21%. This change reflects an 3% increase in cash cost of production and an 15% decrease in tonnes milled on a quarter over quarter basis. The reduced tonnes mined and milled reflects efforts to try and improve mining dilution. As compared to Q1 2021, the Q2 2021 cash cost per silver equivalent ounce sold increased 152%. This change in unit costs reflects a 61% decrease in silver equivalent payable ounces sold combined with a 2% decrease in cash cost of sales. The decrease in silver equivalent payable ounces sold reflects the reduced tonnes milled together with lower head grades that continued to arise from higher than planned mining dilution. As compared to Q1 2021, the Q2 2021 AISC increased 92%. The cash cost of sales decreased 25% while the amount of silver equivalent payable ounces sold decreased by 61%. These negative changes occurred for the same reasons as described above with respect to cash cost per silver equivalent ounce. The decision to commence production at the Rosario Mine and Membrillo Prospect were not based on a feasibility study with mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Accordingly, there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks of failure associated with this decision. Production and economic variables may vary considerably due to the absence of a complete and detailed site analysis according to and in accordance with NI 43-101. About Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. Santacruz is a Mexican focused silver company with two producing silver projects (Zimapan and Rosario) and two exploration properties, the La Pechuga property and Santa Gorgonia prospect. The Company is managed by a technical team of professionals with proven track records in developing, operating and discovering silver mines in Mexico. Our corporate objective is to become a mid-tier silver producer. 'signed' Arturo Prestamo Elizondo, Executive Chairman For further information please contact: Mars Investor Relations Telephone: (778) 999 4653 scz@marsinvestorrelations.com Arturo Prestamo Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. Email: info@santacruzsilver.com Telephone: (528) 183 785707 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. Forward-looking information Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements relating to production at the Zimapan Mine and Rosario Project and the Company's plans to grow it. Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions. In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including that the Company's financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events and that future metal prices and the demand and market outlook for metals will remain stable or improve. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause the forward-looking information in this news release to change or to be inaccurate include, but are not limited to, the risk that any of the assumptions referred to above prove not to be valid or reliable; market conditions and volatility and global economic conditions, including increased volatility and potentially negative capital raising conditions resulting from the continued COVID-19 pandemic and risks relating to the extent and duration of such pandemic and its impact on global markets; risk of delay and/or cessation in planned work or changes in the Company's financial condition and development plans; risks associated with the interpretation of data (including in respect of third party mineralized material) regarding the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the uncertainty of the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits and the risk of unexpected variations in mineral resources, grade and/or recovery rates; risks related to gold, silver, base metal and other commodity price fluctuations; risks relating to environmental regulation and liability; the possibility that results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to mineral exploration and development activities and to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information or statements, other than as required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94993 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - Zonetail Inc. (TSXV: ZONE) (OTCQB: ZTLLF) ("Zonetail" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Geoffrey Gelb Co-Founder and President of FitechGelb, a Property Management Consulting Firm specializing in Yardi System's suite of products, Smart Tech, Infrastructure, IT, Security and more, has accepted a position on Zonetail's Board of Directors. Geoffrey is responsible for development, management and oversight of consultants offering customized services in all aspects of Yardi applications and real estate management and development, including implementation, training, report writing, real estate technology advisory services, and process review. Clients consist of owners/managers, advisors, funds and syndications which span the industrial, commercial, office and residential markets with assets from $10 million to $30 billion. Prior to launching FitechGelb in 1996, Geoffrey worked within his family's property management and development company, directing all aspects of business expansion including lease development, tenant improvements and new construction, as well as developing and managing axillary income potentials for over thirty properties. Additionally, he was responsible for maintaining the entire company's technology stack, which included overseeing and implementing Yardi Systems software. Growing up in a close-knit family in the real estate industry has afforded Geoffrey an innate understanding of the specific needs, potential opportunities and challenges of property owners, managers and renters. As an owner of several commercial and residential properties, Geoffrey continues to expand his knowledge and experience of the daily realities and trends of the real estate industry. Geoffrey earned a BS in Business Economics from UCLA in 1993. "It was essential that Zonetail added to our board someone with deep experience and knowledge of the residential side of our business," said Paul Scott, Zonetail's Chairman of the Board. "Geoffrey came highly recommended from folks within and close to Yardi who refer to him as "The Gatekeeper of Yardi's PMCs (property management corporations)," said Mark Holmes CEO and President of Zonetail. "Geoffrey's added knowledge in residential tech space makes him the perfect addition to our board." "When I first heard about Zonetail and its unique residential platform, I must say I was intrigued," said Gelb. "No one in the industry is doing what they are doing. When Paul approached me with the opportunity to serve on the board, I could see the value I could bring, and I'm very excited about where this company is going. Naturally, I had to accept." The Company believes that Gelb will prove to be invaluable to the speed and success of the Yardi integrated, Zonetail Home rollout, not just for his knowledge and experience in the field, but also for his vast network that stretches back over 25 years. About Zonetail Zonetail Inc. (TSXV: ZONE), (OTCQB: ZTLLF) is a mobile platform for hotels and high-rise residential buildings providing guests and residents access and interaction with building amenities and services, as well as neighbouring restaurants, stores, services, and other businesses. Zonetail has a partnership with AAHOA, the largest association of hoteliers in the world, representing over 25,000 hotels and 50% of the US market. Zonetail is also partnered with Shiftsuite, one of the largest property management system software providers to the condo industry in Canada. The residential platform is now live in over 80,000 condominium households. Zonetail recently has signed an integration agreement with Yardi, the largest property management software company in North America. Please visit https://www.zonetail.com. For more information, please contact: Mark Holmes, President and CEO Zonetail Inc. Telephone: (416) 994-5399 mark@zonetail.com Legal Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that relate to Zonetail's current expectations and views of future events. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "aim", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "seek", "believe", "potential", "continue", "is/are likely to" or the negative of these terms, or other similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. Certain matters discussed in this announcement contain statements, estimates and projections about the growth of Zonetail's business, potential distribution partnerships and/or clients, and related business strategy. Such statements, estimates and projections may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time-to-time. Zonetail undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The recipient of this information is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analysis made by Zonetail in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors Zonetail believes are appropriate, and, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Although Zonetail believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, prospective purchasers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94895 Travel Safety Protocols Implemented in Local Destinations in the Philippines MANILA, Philippines, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In preparation to ensure safe travels for future visitors of the country, under the direction of the Philippine Secretary of Tourism, Berna Romulo-Puyat, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has actively implemented new public health and safety guidelines and protocols for the future influx of tourists. These safety guidelines and protocols include: Requiring travelers to be fully vaccinated and to present a legitimate vaccination card If not fully vaccinated, requiring negative COVID-19 tests Contactless payments and interactions in tourist establishments Staff and guests wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times Screening to determine where guests have been before arriving Mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival The Philippines is known by travelers worldwide as one of the top tropical destinations in the world with its beautiful beaches and natural wonders. Listed by Forbes as one of seven countries with the potential to become major travel destinations once COVID-19 is contained, all over the country, the Philippines offers unique experiences for all kinds of tourists looking for a relaxed and laid-back getaway from the hustle and bustle of their everyday lives. From sandy shores to dreamy mountainscapes to awe-inspiring cities steeped in cultural heritage, here are some of the places worth seeing the next time travelers are in the Philippines: Boracay A visit to the Philippines would not be complete without a trip to the beach. The island of Boracay, of course, is one of the most famous and most awarded in the world, and a definite must-see when in the country. Powder-fine white sand, sparkling blue waters, and the warm and welcoming sun are waiting for you when you set foot in this island paradise. After intensive rehabilitation projects in the island which began in 2018 and continued throughout 2020, a good number of hotels, restaurants, and other tourism establishments are now ready to serve guests looking to enjoy the slow and breezy island life. The travels here will also go a long way in helping sustain the local communities on the island, which heavily relies on the homegrown tourism industry. On top of its activities and amenities, Boracay has also been awarded the SafeTravels Stamp by the The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) in recognition of its adoption of "health and hygiene global standardized protocols" that will ensure safe travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. SafeTravels is the stamp of approval given by the international organization to certify compliance with its global health standards to allow for safe travels. Bacolod For folks looking to experience a taste of "the sweet life", come to Bacolod, the capital city of the province of Negros Occidental - fondly referred to as the sugar capital of The Philippines. In Bacolod, cosmopolitan tastes come together with rustic living, perfect for those looking to enjoy a slow and relaxed pace. Stay in at Casa Gamboa, enjoy taking pictures of The Ruins, and take in visual art exhibits at the BacolodArt District, before settling down to enjoy some classic Visayan cooking from Emma Lacson's House, Ann Co Cakes, and El IdealBakery. Negros Occidental is known as the Philippines' organic farm capital, with its various haciendas serving as sustainable agri-tourism destinations, such as FreshStart Organic Farm, the Penalosa Farms, and the Rapha Valley Place of Wellness, among others. Baguio and Benguet Popularly referred to as the "The City of Pines", Baguio is a chartered city, accessible by a 4 to 6-hour drive from Manila. Known for its pine trees and cool weather, Baguio has always been a welcome respite for Filipinos looking for a break from the heat. The Mirador Jesuit Villa in Baguio City offers an enriching eco, historical and spiritual journey with attractions like the Mirador retreat house, bamboo groove, weather station, labyrinth, torii gate, and outdoor cafe overlooking the city with breathtaking sunset. Also, one of Baguio's most popular go-to spots is the Bencab Museum, which oozes with creative inspiration from some of the masterpieces of National Artist for Visual Arts Ben Cabrera. Meanwhile, the Winaca Eco Cutural Village in the province of Benguet is also a reputed sustainable tourism destination that gives tourists a visual 101 on the history and culture of the indigenous Igorot tribe while supporting their livelihood. Also new in surrounding Benguet are eco- and agri-tourism destinations like Armando's Lemon Farm and Polig Berry Farm. With activities like lemon and strawberry picking activities, guests can reconnect with nature by enjoying its fruitful bounty first-hand. These eco-tourism destinations help preserve the environmental and agricultural wonders of the beautiful mountain city. Baguio is also a recipient of the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp, guaranteeing safety and minimal risk to travelers visiting the city once tourism reopens. Batangas Lastly, famous for its lush marine life, the diving spots of Anilao in Mabini, Batangas are a hit with tourists who need a breather from their usual stay-at-home set-up. As the ideal diving season happens from November to May, there is a big window for adventure seekers from all over the world to dive into an unforgettable under-the-sea adventure. The dive sites in Anilao are also well-documented marine conservation areas, with numerous efforts being done to protect the reefs and ecosystem, as well as to shore up the livelihood of the local communities. By the time the world opens up again, new and previously celebrated attractions across the nation will be ready for people across the globe to come and experience just what makes the Philippines a fun and memorable travel destination. For the latest updates and travel advisories about the Philippines, please visit http://www.philippines.travel/safetrip or download the Travel Philippines app at the Google Play and Apple Store. For more photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1QPmaCZkppjQvAT8-ZRepYJAIXjczLrwJ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1605226/Puka_Beach_in_Boracay_Photo_by_Erwin_Lim.jpg $82.3 million contract will deliver essential communications to secure and protect naval missions and personnel Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI) has been selected by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) to provide secure digital radio communications for 16 naval vessels and training platforms for the German Navy. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005120/en/ Motorola Solutions has been selected to provide secure digital radio communications for 16 naval vessels and training platforms for the German Navy. (Photo: Business Wire) The contract, valued at $82.3 million (69.9 million), will deliver mission-critical communications to support onboard security teams who are responsible for the safety of crews at sea and the operational readiness of naval vessels. Motorola Solutions will roll out digital TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) networks on each of the 16 vessels and integrate the systems into the navy's existing IT infrastructure. The new solution will provide onboard security personnel with visibility of the real-time operational status of each of the naval platforms, and portable TETRA radios enabling instant workgroup communications between teams. "Successful naval operations depend on planning, precision and trusted communications that are purposefully designed and proven to perform in these kinds of mission-critical operations", said Mark Schmidl, senior vice president international sales and services at Motorola Solutions. "We're proud to extend our ongoing partnership with the German Armed Forces and we look forward to supporting the security, safety and success of the German Navy's missions." The navy's new TETRA digital radio system will be interoperable with the communications networks of the German Armed Forces and all other German public safety organizations. This enables successful collaboration during crisis situations where interagency communication is essential. About Motorola Solutions Motorola Solutions is a global leader in public safety and enterprise security. Our solutions in land mobile radio mission-critical communications, video security access control and command center software, bolstered by managed support services, create the most integrated technology ecosystem to make communities safer and help businesses stay productive and secure. At Motorola Solutions, we're ushering in a new era in public safety and security. Learn more at www.motorolasolutions.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005120/en/ Contacts: Motorola Solutions Susanne Stier Motorola Solutions Mobile: +49 (0)172 6161773 Susanne.Stier@motorolasolutions.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - PreveCeutical Medical Inc. (CSE: PREV) (OTCQB: PRVCF) (FSE: 18H) (the "Company" or "PreveCeutical"), is pleased to announce that it has received a AU$315,338 cash rebate from the Australian Federal Government's Research and Development ("R&D") Incentive Program. The cash refund is related to expenditure on eligible Australian R&D activities conducted during the financial year ended December 31, 2020. The R&D activities were across PreveCeutival's portfolio, including the Sol-gel nose-to-brain drug delivery system and the non-addictive analgesics programs, conducted at the University of Queensland, Australia. This funding will support and reinforce the Company's continued investments in its R&D program, protecting the intellectual property derived from the programs, and developing marketable products. The R&D tax incentive encourages companies to engage in R&D programs that have the potential to improve global health outcomes while generating economic benefits locally. PreveCeutical's Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Stephen Van Deventer, stated, "We appreciate the tax credit we have received. This continues to fund our research and development without dilution of the Company's capital. This funding will add to our Company's working capital and will go towards the patent, licenses and R&D costs." About PreveCeutical PreveCeutical is a health sciences company that develops innovative options for preventive and curative therapies utilizing organic and nature identical products. PreveCeutical aims to be a leader in preventive health sciences. The Company's current research and development programs include dual gene curative and preventive therapies for diabetes and obesity; the Cannabidiols Sol-gel Program aiming to provide relief across a range of indications from pain, inflammation, seizures, and neurological disorders;. Nature Identical peptides for the treatment of various ailments; non-addictive analgesic peptides as a replacement to the highly addictive analgesics such as morphine, fentanyl and oxycodone; and a therapeutic product for treating athletes who suffer from concussions (mild traumatic brain injury). For more information about PreveCeutical, please visit our website www.PreveCeutical.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook. On behalf of the Board of Directors Stephen Van Deventer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact: Stephen Van Deventer: +1 604 306 9669 Or, Investor Relations ir@preveceutical.com Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations and orientations regarding the future, including the Company's anticipated business plans, and the prospect of its ability and success in executing its proposed plans. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "may", "should", "budget", "schedules", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential", "will" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including risks and uncertainties relating to the inability of the Company, to, among other things, obtain any required governmental, regulatory or stock exchange approvals, permits, consents or authorizations required, including Canadian Securities Exchange acceptance of any planned future activities, commercialize therapeutic and diagnostic technologies, pursue business partnerships, complete its research programs as planned, and obtain the financing required to carry out its planned future activities. Other factors such as general economic, market or business conditions or changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, may also adversely affect the future results or performance of the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the statements, beliefs, plans, expectations, and intentions contained in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that those statements, beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions will prove to be accurate. Readers should consider all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to other periodic reports provided by the Company from time-to-time. These reports and the Company's filings are available at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly, are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94991 - Accedian to become an official member of the Cisco DevNet SolutionsPlus Program MONTREAL, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Accedian, a leader in performance analytics, cybersecurity threat detection, and end user experience solutions, today announced a strategic collaboration with Cisco to deliver unrivaled business insights through a cloud-native, single pane-of-glass view of network and service performance. Cisco will offer Accedian's Skylight for near real-time network performance monitoring, analytics and assurance within its Cisco Crosswork Network Automation platform to offer Accedian Skylight for Cisco Network Automation, a complete solution for orchestrated service assurance. In today's digitally dependent world, service providers must deliver guaranteed service and application performance to unleash customer innovation and business success. Cisco's Crosswork Network Automation platform gives service providers the scalable and dynamic automation tools required to be proactive in meeting the needs of their customers. Together with Skylight, Cisco can offer simple and expedient deployments of new services from day 1 at service turn-up. In addition, Skylight delivers continuous performance monitoring for fully automated in-lifecycle management of the network and applications. "Accedian solutions enable Colt to deliver high-quality services, providing insights and analytics for our customers to enhance the telemetry to meet their business transformation needs," said Robin Farnan, EVP Operations & Engineering at Colt. "The power of Cisco's converged SDN transport infrastructure together with Accedian's deep insights into our network performance will allow us to deliver dynamic, best-in-class services for our customers while reducing our operating expenses." "Digital businesses will succeed or fail by the quality of their customer experiences, and our collaboration with Cisco supports our clients and their end-users by creating a best-in-class dynamic service assurance solution," said Dion Joannou, CEO, Accedian. "With tools such as Skylight and Cisco Crosswork Network Automation, organizations can efficiently monitor and troubleshoot their network performance, all without impacting the customer experience." Accedian provides comprehensive service assurance capabilities achieved through a combination of active and synthetic monitoring and testing, real transaction (real user) monitoring and insightful business outcomes, all of which are visible via a single pane of glass. With these capabilities at their disposal, Cisco is given increased visibility and observability across all network types, as well as greater performance visibility, data granularity, and the ability to detect performance issues that other solutions typically miss. "Service providers are always looking for ways to securely and cost-effectively improve customer experience, differentiate services, and enhance operational efficiency," said Kevin Wollenweber, Vice President of Networking, Mass-Scale Infrastructure Group, Cisco. "With Accedian Skylight for Cisco Network Automation, we are helping them to achieve dynamic service assurance, driven by powerful analytics and automation, while providing a better experience for subscribers." For more information on Accedian Skylight and its partners, visit accedian.com. Supporting Resources: Video: Accedian Skylight for Cisco Network Automation Accedian Skylight for Cisco Network Automation Joint Solution Overview: Accedian Skylight for Cisco Network Automation Whitepaper: Improving SOC Insight into Customer Experience with Accedian Skylight Improving SOC Insight into Customer Experience with Accedian Skylight Website: Cisco Crosswork Network Automation Webinar: Deliver exceptional customer experience with real-time orchestrated assurance Register for Cisco Knowledge Network Webinar "Deliver exceptional customer experience with real-time orchestrated assurance" Learn how Accedian Skylight with Cisco Crosswork Automation provides unrivaled business insights through a cloud-native, view of network and service performance enabling you to deliver digital business outcome assurance for your customers. CONTACT: Pragya Goel SourceCode Communications accedian@sourcecodecomms.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/accedian/r/accedian-and-cisco-collaborate-to-elevate-dynamic-service-assurance-and-improve-customer-experiences,c3404795 MOUNTAIN VIEW (dpa-AFX) - Google said it will invest about 1 billion euros in digital infrastructure and clean energy in Germany between 2021 and 2030. The search giant announced a new cloud region in Berlin-Brandenburg and the expansion of its existing cloud region in Frankfurt. In addition, Engie (ENGQF.PK, ENGIY.PK) and Google signed an around the clock carbon-free energy supply agreement in Germany. The 3-year agreement will contribute to Google's 2030 Carbon-Free Energy target for its data centers, cloud regions and offices worldwide. As per the terms of the deal, the French natural gas and electricity supplier will assemble and negotiate an energy portfolio to supply Google with renewable power (solar and wind) to ensure that all its German operations are nearly 80% carbon-free by 2022. Google aims to use 100% renewable energy by 2030. Engie will supply Google with 140 MW of renewable electricity. It will also provide comprehensive energy management services including sourcing of residual supply, balancing pool management, grid management, and more. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. OM Holdings International, Inc. invites individual and institutional investors as well as advisors and analysts, to attend its real-time, interactive presentation at the Emerging Growth Conference. MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / August 31, 2021 / OM Holdings International, Inc. (OTC PINK:OMHI), an operator of superstores in the Caribbean, is pleased to announce it has been invited to present at the Emerging Growth Conference on September 1, 2021. The next Emerging Growth Conference is presenting on September 1, 2021. This live, interactive online event will give existing shareholders and the investment community the opportunity to interact with the Company's executive management, in real time. Since completing its reverse merger in May 2021, OMHI has announced five new stores, all under construction, with planned openings beginning October of this year. Additionally, in July 2021, OMHI completed its first acquisition, Rydeum Caribbean, its new technology subsidiary, and completed its first contract, with Jamaica's largest taxi union. Rydeum Caribbean has developed a platform to connect local, established businesses with consumers through an on-demand mobile app. Mr. Vanterpool will give a live presentation and will answer questions from investors. OM Holdings International, Inc. will be presenting at 11:30 AM Eastern time. Please register here to ensure you are able to attend the conference and receive any updates that are released. https://goto.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1487773&tp_key=d157852920&sti=omhi If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available on EmergingGrowth.com and we will also release a link to that after the event. About the Emerging Growth Conference The Emerging Growth conference is an effective way for public companies to present and communicate their new products, services and other major announcements to the investment community from the convenience of their office, in a time efficient manner. The Conference focus and coverage includes companies in a wide range of growth sectors, with strong management teams, innovative products & services, focused strategy, execution, and the overall potential for long term growth. Its audience includes potentially tens of thousands of Individual and Institutional investors, as well as Investment advisors and analysts. All sessions will be conducted through video webcasts and will take place in the Eastern time zone. About OM Holdings International, Inc. OM Holdings International, Inc. (OTC: OMHI), founded in 1986 in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) by Mark Vanterpool, operates delivery services and grocery stores in the Caribbean, with a mobile application delivery platform that provides an expedient, contactless option for the transportation of people and essential goods. The company's storefront, OneMart, is the second-largest grocery store in the BVI. OHMI's delivery subsidiary, Rydeum, founded by Mark Hannah in 2019, has partnered with Jamacia's largest taxicab union to provide an Uber Eats delivery service model to Jamaican consumers. The company also provides lumber and other construction supplies to contractors throughout the Caribbean. For more information please visit https://omholdingsinc.com/. Forward-Looking Statements With the exception of the historical information contained in this news release, the matters described herein, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "projects," "estimates," "plans" and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "should," "would," "may" and "could" are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts, although not all forward-looking statements include the foregoing. These statements, involve unknown risks and uncertainties that may individually or materially impact the matters discussed herein for a variety of reasons that are outside the control of the company, including, but not limited to, the company's ability to raise sufficient financing to implement its business plan, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company's business, operations and the economy in general, and the Company's ability to successfully develop and commercialize its proprietary products and technologies. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward- looking statements, as actual results could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements contained herein. Readers are urged to read the risk factors set forth in the company's filings with the SEC, which are available at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov). The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investor Relations Michael J. Porter, President Porter, LeVay & Rose, Inc. T: (973) 865-9357 E: mike@plrinvest.com LinkedIn@PlRinvest SOURCE: OM Holdings International, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/662169/OMHI--OM-Holdings-International-Inc-to-Present-at-the-Emerging-Growth-Conference-on-September-1-2021 Will future generations consider Banksy the most important artist of the early 21st century? In any case, that's what the $123 million hammered in the first half of 2021 suggests, giving Banksy 5th position in Artprice's general ranking (all periods combined) just behind the giants Picasso, Basquiat, Warhol and Monet. Whether we like it or not, a page in Art History is being written and it can no longer be seen as 'just a fad'. After 25 years tackling universal issues (that are far from being resolved) by taking them into the streets and inviting them into our daily lives, Banksy's highly topical works are today driving the growth of his market more than ever before. Evolution of Banksy's auction sales - Turnover vs. Lots sold [ https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2021/08/image1-artmarket-artprice-banksy-auction-sales-turnover-vs-lots.jpg ] Left: Turnover from Banksy's work by year of creation (2003 - S1 2021) Right: Banksy thierry Ehrmann - Courtesy of The Abode of Chaos [ https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2021/08/image2-artmarket-artprice-banksy-turnover-by-year-of-creation.jpg ] thierry Ehrmann, CEO and Founder of Artmarket.com and its Artprice department: "D emand for Banksy's works has been growing exponentially for five years . I t is already too late for museums to hope to acquire original works at reasonable prices. But who could predict that this anonymous street artist, turning his back on the system, would become the most successful living artist on the Art Market? A few years ago, the Tate Modern apparently refused a donation from the artist ... Since then, Banksy has become a genuine symbol, made stronger by each crisis (financial, health, etc.) that our world encounters . " Game Changer Banksy's work has pursued a tradition that began with Ernest Pignon-Ernest and Blek le Rat, but he brought the art of stenciling into the 21st century. Each new work discovered in the streets of Bristol or the ruins of Gaza or on the back door of the Bataclan in Paris or in the New York subway has been photographed, publicized, liked, shared, even appropriated ... before being removed, as is still too often the case, by the city's cleaning service, or, in some cases stolen. A brilliant drawer and very clever with his locational choices and the diffusion of his works, Banksy has brought to life an oeuvre that is spectacular and rhizomatous in nature. Each new piece carries a message for everyone, regardless of our age, language or knowledge of art history. Taken together, Banksy's works have, for a quarter of a century, formed a gigantic fresco that depicts the sorrows and challenges of our society, both present and future: climate change, war, inequality, terrorism, etc. His work increasingly stands out as a political weapon via projects with an audacity unprecedented in art history: his 'bemusement' park Dismaland (2015), the Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem (2017) and his migrant boat Rescue (2020), to name but a few. While Banksy remains first and foremost a committed street artist who seeks a sort of perfect equilibrium in both space and time, his work has subsequently been made available practically ad infinitum. By reusing his stencils for several years on canvas or cardboard, by printing limited editions, by uploading photos to his Instagram account and by having his works reproduced on cups, magnets and key rings, Banksy has made his work omnipresent in our daily lives. John Russo, Group CEO of Maddox Gallery: "When you consider the widespread and global acclaim that Banksy has achieved as an anonymous living artist, whose practice is an art form that for centuries has been considered vandalism, he's single-handedly changed the face of contemporary art as we know it. This, combined with his engagement with current affairs and witty immortalization of public opinion has not only allowed him to capture the zeitgeist of our time, but also to open the gates of the contemporary art world to a new era of creatives." Compared with Beeple, whose digital works are followed daily by 2.2 million followers on Instagram and whose NFT Everdays fetched $69.3 million in March 2021, Banksy's work actually responds to an extremely pressing demand for art that looks straight into the eyes of our present and sounds alarm bells for the future. Paradoxically, his work criticizes the very society that acclaims him. Highly cynical (Laugh now), his work nevertheless gives a preponderant place to tenderness (Flower thrower), humour (Che Guevara on Skates), hope (Girl with balloon) and it always seeks to surprise. Happy Shopper Banksy's pieces are rarely sold on the primary market, except as a happening (in New York, Venice or on shop.grossdomesticproduct.com), but they circulate abundantly on the secondary market, whether in galleries, on the internet or in public auctions. More than 1,200 of his works were offered in auctions during the first semester of 2021, three-quarters of which found buyers (only 23% unsold). Entire sessions are devoted to him at Sotheby's, Christie's, or Forum Auctions, covering all price ranges from original works at several million dollars and highly sought-after artist's proofs to prints and sculptures in more or less limited editions, signed or unsigned. This intense transaction level is overseen by an authentication system set up by the artist himself, the 'Pest Control Office'. John Russo, Group CEO of Maddox Gallery:"The magic behind the story of Banksy is that he has achieved what every artist wants to achieve: success on the secondary market. With Banksy last releasing an edition in 2010, purchasing a Banksy on the primary market has been impossible for most collectors. With Pest Control at hand, however, to authenticate works in circulation on the secondary marketplace, Banksy has engaged his followers in a simple game of economics. By drastically limiting the supply of his work, he's driven up the value of the pieces in circulation, allowing his early followers the opportunity to realize an incredible return on their purchase. For those that have purchased from a reputable gallery with a close working relationship with Pest Control, as we are proud to say that we have at Maddox, Banksy investors will have achieved a considerable profit in the past decade, with our own clients realizing an average profit of 42.6% in 2020 alone." I Can't Believe You Morons Actually Buy This Shit When Banksy has tried to undermine the very market that has elevated him to stardom (albeit anonymous), it has had the opposite effect: when his Girl with balloon (2006) partially self-destructed just after being hammered down for $1.4 million in 2018, its value is said to have risen substantially. This spectacular turn of events was so well orchestrated that some suspected collaboration between the artist and Sotheby's: how could the shredder have escaped the prestigious auction house's attention? Clearly Banksy doesn't suffer too much from bad luck. And yet he is also capable of playing the market's game when it is for 'a good cause'. Earlier this year, he sold his canvas Game Changer (2020) in order to refinance Southampton hospital in the midst of the health crisis. The work fetched a record $21.9 million, i.e. 17% of his total auction turnover in the first semester of 2021. In H1 2021, Banksy's market was mainly split between the United Kingdom (64% of his auction turnover), the United States (15%) and Hong Kong (13%). This triangular market, more and more evenly distributed between the three major capitals of the global art market, fully contributes to the rise in the value of his works. This is perfectly illustrated by the three auctions of his small canvas Laugh Now But One Day We'll Be in Charge (2000): - on 15 October 2007 at Sotheby's London for $342,000 - on 29 June 2017 at Bonhams London for $380,000 - on 18 June 2021 at Sotheby's Hong Kong for $2,283,000 At 47 (his assumed age) Banksy is an international superstar, adored by the street art community and art market professionals alike, with 11 million followers on Instagram. But unlike many influencers, Banksy cares less about his personal image than about his art, which questions the future of our planet and Humanity as we know it. Images: [ https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2021/08/image1-artmarket-artprice-banksy-auction-sales-turnover-vs-lots.jpg ] [ https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2021/08/image2-artmarket-artprice-banksy-turnover-by-year-of-creation.jpg ] Copyright 1987-2021 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.com - www.artmarket.com Don't hesitate to c ontact our E conometrics D epartment for your requirements regarding statistics and personalized studies: econometrics@artprice.com Try our services (free demo): https://www.artprice.com/demo Subscribe to our services: https://www.artprice.com/subscription About Artmarket: Artmarket.com is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris, SRD long only and Euroclear: 7478 - Bloomberg: PRC - Reuters: ARTF. Discover Artmarket and its Artprice department on video: www.artprice.com/video Artmarket and its Artprice department was founded in 1997 by its CEO, thierry Ehrmann. Artmarket and its Artprice department is controlled by Groupe Serveur, created in 1987. See certified biography in Who's who : https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2021/06/Biographie_nov2020_WhosWho_thierryEhrmann.pdf Artmarket is a global player in the Art Market with, among other structures, its Artprice department, world leader in the accumulation, management and exploitation of historical and current art market information in databanks containing over 30 million indices and auction results, covering more than 770,000 artists. Artprice Images allows unlimited access to the largest Art Market image bank in the world: no less than 180 million digital images of photographs or engraved reproductions of artworks from 1700 to the present day, commented by our art historians. Artmarket with its Artprice department accumulates data on a permanent basis from 6300 Auction Houses and produces key Art Market information for the main press and media agencies (7,200 publications). Its 4.5 million 'members log in' users have access to ads posted by other members, a network that today represents the leading Global Standardized Marketplace to buy and sell artworks at a fixed or bid price (auctions regulated by paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article L 321.3 of France's Commercial Code). Artmarket with its Artprice department, has been awarded the State label "Innovative Company" by the Public Investment Bank (BPI) (for the second time in November 2018 for a new period of 3 years) which is supporting the company in its project to consolidate its position as a global player in the market art. Artprice by Artmarket's 2020 Global Art Market Report published in March 2021: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-art-market-in-2020 Index of press releases posted by Artmarket with its Artprice department: serveur.serveur.com/press_release/pressreleaseen.htm Follow all the Art Market news in real time with Artmarket and its Artprice department on Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom/ (over 5 million followers) twitter.com/artmarketdotcom twitter.com/artpricedotcom Discover the alchemy and universe of Artmarket and its artprice department https://www.artprice.com/video headquartered at the famous Organe Contemporary Art Museum "The Abode of Chaos" (dixit The New York Times): https://issuu.com/demeureduchaos/docs/demeureduchaos-abodeofchaos-opus-ix-1999-2013 L'Obs - The Museum of the Future: https://youtu.be/29LXBPJrs-o www.facebook.com/la.demeure.du.chaos.theabodeofchaos999 (4.4 million followers) https://vimeo.com/124643720 Contact Artmarket.com and its Artprice department - Contact: ir@artmarket.com ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: xmpyYsVrYpzJl2yal51ubJVsbpqTkpSXaZeYx2aclZfGam+VlGmSa5eeZnBhnG1o - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-70782-artmarket-banksy-top-living-artist-artprice-ranking-h1-2021.pdf NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / August 31, 2021 / Thermic Science International Corporation, formerly known as Omnicanna Health Solutions, Inc. aka ENDOCAN CORP. (WKN:A1W61J)(ISIN:US29271J1097, (OTC:ENDO), is pleased to announce the company has successfully completed its prototype designs and component specifications for the Thermic Science Infrared Portable Heater product line and completing its first North American Manufacturing Contracts in the USA and Canada. CEO Ray Dabney stated, "We are very proud to begin building our Thermic Infrared Heating products in North America both in the USA and Canada. Our initial prototype designs are a couple of very nice hi-tech designs Sleek, Hi-Tech, WIFI App Access, Remote Control Thermostat, for North American retail consumer use. The initial retail Thermic Infrared Portable Heaters will be released with two versions, an adjustable floor model and a unique wall mounted multi-function unit. We are now completing contracts with different manufacturers in the USA and Canada for product manufacturing and product assembly. We already have our material data safety sheet completed from Europe which puts us way ahead of the curve, includes all the material specifications for the Thermic Infrared heating paint including the industry enhancing high-capacity low voltage heating ratios and fire-retardant properties." North American Retail Consumer Manufacturing This is the main Goal, Thermic Science Infrared Portable Heaters, Modern, Inexpensive for Consumer Cost Savings. Environmentally and ecologically enhancing groundbreaking Hi-Tech Infrared Heating Appliance. Price friendly, user friendly, and Consumer friendly! Sleek, lightweight, and durable. WI-FI App THERMOSTAT This is an online application with your Thermic heating panel on your smartphone, it manages your heating wherever you are thanks to the Internet, of course. The module can also be controlled by Google, Alexa, and other popular home automation systems. Remote-Controlled THERMOSTAT Traditional and much simpler to operate, remote control thermostat the gives you the ambient temperature and you set the desired temperature at the push of a button. Much more familiar heating controls for the traditional handheld remote-control retail consumer. MATERIAL SAFETY DATA Sheet Section: Identification of substance: Product name: Heating master batch. Synonyms: Water-based mixture of carbon allotrope materials. Identified uses: For heating. Section: Hazards Identification: Classification of the substance or mixture: Not a hazardous substance or mixture according to regulation (EC) No.1272/2008. Not a hazardous substance or mixture according to EC directives 67/548/EEC or 1999/45/EC. Labelling according to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 Pictogram, Signal word, Hazard statements, Precautionary statements: None Section: Firefighting measures: Suitable extinguishing media: Water spray, alcohol resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture: Carbon oxides. In case of a fire, wear protective clothing and approved self-contained breathing apparatus with full-face piece operated in the pressure demand or other pressure mode. Section: Stability and reactivity: Hazardous polymerization: will not occur. Materials to be avoided: contact with acids. Dangerous reactions: No dangerous reactions known. Hazardous decomposition products: will not occur. Section: Transport Information: UN proper shipping name: ADR/RID, IMDG, IATA: Not dangerous goods. Addendum: Definitions and abbreviations: CAS: Chemical abstracts service registry number. EPA: Environmental protection agency. TSCA: Toxic substance control act. EC No: European Community number, or EC number. Hazchem: Hazchem is a warning plate system used in Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. ADR/RID: ADR and RID stand for the European Agreements Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID) and by Road (ADR). IMDG: International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG). IATA: International Air Transport Association. PBT and vPvB: very persistent very bio accumulative. ARC: International Agency for Research on Cancer. List of the Top Key Players of Portable Heaters Market: Honeywell International De'Longhi Appliances Jarden Consumer Solutions Lasko Products Vornado Air Dyson Crane-USA Sunheat International Sunpentown International Optimus Enterprise Heat Storm Thermic Science International Product Category Ceramic Heater Infrared Heater Quartz Heater Oil-filled Heater Gas Heater Industry Application Home Use Commercial Use Industrial Use About Thermic Science International (TSi) Thermic Science International Corporation, formerly known as Omnicanna Health Solutions, Inc., Aka, ENDOCAN Corp (OTC: ENDO) has recently acquired Cannabis Science Inc., (CSi-EDP), Thermic Coating Systems Ltd. (UK), and now, Litcoat Electroluminescent Paint Systems. The Company has voted to change its name to Thermic Science International Corporation. Targeting the creation of a very strong corporate conglomerate themed after the CSi-EDP "Bringing it All Together" initiative just as laid-out and much more in the Raymond C. Dabney Harvard 2018 Award winning Cannabis Science CSi-EDP Initiative, as presented for four years in a row at the Harvard GHC Summit. A Conglomerate Group designed to bring affordable and free education, traditional and entrepreneurial job creation, and cannabinoid drug development Worldwide. Former Omnicanna Health Solutions, Inc. Omnicanna Health Solutions, Inc. has developed several new natural hemp-based nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals products Branded The Hempery and Hemp Tasty Foods based on innovative formulations to utilize the unique and potent benefits of the hemp plant. Medicinal properties of hemp have been known and applied for thousands of years. With the aid of scientific research, Omnicanna Health Solutions is translating such knowledge into development of effective hemp formulation-based health and wellness solutions as well as cosmeceutical, nutraceutical, and food brands throughout the world. The Company's health and wellness, nutritional, and cosmetics lines will address personal needs and will evolve with the introduction of new formulations and products, advancing the Company within the expanding multibillion-dollar global market. Thermic Heating Paint and Portable Thermic Heating Units Paint any wall, ceiling or floor into an infrared heating panel! Large seized Infrared heaters on low temperature on walls and ceilings are the future'! Thermic Paint highest infrared heat radiation lowest energy consumption! Portable Thermic heating units coming soon! Get ready for the revolutionary potable heating unit that can change your life, the environment and your pocketbook! Actually, Thermic paint holds a world record: It's the Infrared heating system with the lowest consumption needed to heat with a constant temperature. Large sized Infrared heaters on low temperature on walls and ceilings are the future' More than 50% of the required heat load can be saved with an efficient layout and intelligent control of the infrared heating system. Portable Thermic Self-Generating Electrical Power Units Right on time for the changing living environments and sporadic and emergency energy consumption. The Thermic self-generating electrical power units can power up and generate power for a wide variety of applications and uses, cars, houses, streetlights, retail stores, agriculture grow operations, backup and primary power for computer networks, portable thermic heating units, lighting, TV's, Stereos and the profound list goes on. The Company is excited to release the first generation of self-generating electrical power units to the public. Renewable Thermic Solid State Ceramic Cu2+ Battery Power Units Renewable Thermic Solid-State Batteries is a thing of the Future, and it is here now! Imagine electric cars, houses, campsites, buildings, electric bikes, portable battery-operated toys, radios, flashlights, the list goes on and on. The Future is here with Thermic renewable batteries, this game changing technology will revolutionize your power consumption and usage. Thermic Graphene Concrete Concrete Thermic Mix for any type of concrete 96% Compressive strength increase, 56% Heat capacity increase and 150% Water permeability reduction. Electroluminescent coating system www.litcoat.com Asia goes wild over electroluminescent paint, Japan being the biggest buyer as evidenced by the wide variety of uses and media coverage! The LitCoat Airbrush Paint System, ideal for use on cars, motorcycles, or bicycles, allows users to airbrush on LitCoat electroluminescent paint for an even application and coverage on almost any coverage or material. This airbrush paint system works similarly to many other systems for airbrushing paint; however, it is specialized for the application of LitCoat's electroluminescent varieties. Lighting surfaces to been seen improves visibility and can be lifesaving, especially on clothing, motorcycles, bicycles, cars and helmets. It provides also functional lighting, and aesthetic lighting. Automotive interior & exterior parts Motorcycles Aerospace Helmets Signage Technical textile Buildings Houses Bicycles Clothing Cannabis Science Inc. Acquisition: (formerly Cannabis Science (OTC:CBIS) WKN: A0RM6Z / ISIN: US1376481016) Thermic Science International has begun updating the financials and accounting, reporting and filings to complete the process to complete the acquisition and share exchange transaction with Cannabis Science. The name change process has begun, company structure changes are underway, company management changes are underway, and the Cannabis Science shareholder first rights are underway. Somewhat similar to the Cannabis Science structure before it went private, all Cannabis Science shareholders are on track to receive what Cannabis Science had been planning all along. All shareholders notices on track to send out in the first quarter of 2021. All shareholder certificates will be confirmed through the transfer agent. All proposed share changes will be reclassified under the following structure changes: Preferred Shares (Voting Shares) Common Shares (Current Trading Shares) Common Class A (Cannabis Science New Shares) About Thermic Coating Systems Thermic Heating Paint Construction Applications (Current European market) Thermic Heating Paint Portable Units (First Goal; USA targeted distribution) Thermic Heating Fog Free Mirror and Basic Glass (USA & International release) Thermic Portable Self-Generating Electrical Power Units (USA & International release) Thermic Cu2+ Solid-State Ceramic Super Charge Renewable High-Performance Battery Units (USA & International release) Thermic Agriculture (USA & International Agriculture Applications) Concrete Thermic Mix for any type of concrete 96% Compressive strength increase, 56% Heat capacity increase and 150% Water permeability reduction. Revolutionary heating with the advanced Thermic technology, infrared thermic paint systems and so much more!!! North American expansions through manufacturing and job opportunities pushes the CSi-EDP to continue to flourish! Creating jobs, educating the public on new Thermic heating advanced technologies and the implementation of such advanced technology worldwide. Not only a revolutionary key to the environment and heating industry, the profound affects in the agriculture industry, home heating and appliance applications are overwhelming. The Thermic business & medical applications are immense and with some infrastructure integration for large- and small-scale construction you are changing the environment to the favor of many. The individual Thermic unit applications target so many different industry applications; only your lack imagination will stop the flow of viable applications. Please visit: https://thermicpaint.com/ https://thermicpaint.com/shop Paint any wall, ceiling or floor into an infrared heating panel! Large seized Infrared heaters on low temperature on walls and ceilings are the future'! Thermic Paint highest infrared heat radiation lowest energy consumption! Forward Looking Statements This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. A statement containing words such as "anticipate," "seek," intend," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "project," or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based drugs and products. The Company does not undertake any duty, nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements. Contact Information: Thermic Coating Systems Ltd. www.thermicpaint.com Anthony Spring tony@thermicpaint.com Cannabis Science Inc. www.cannabisscience.com www.icannabinoid.com http://edp.cannabisscience.com/ Raymond C. Dabney President & CEO raymond.dabney@cannabisscience.com Omnicanna Health Solutions, Inc. www.Omnicanna.com www.ihemp.omnicanna.com Robert Kane, CFO 910.515.2917 info@Omnicanna.com robert.kane@omnicanna.com SOURCE: Thermic Science International Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/662170/Thermic-Science-Completes-Prototype-Designs-and-Component-Specifications-for-its-Retail-Thermic-Infrared-Portable-Heaters-Moves-Forward-North-American-Manufacturing-Contracts-Hi-Tech-WIFI-App-Remote-Control-Thermostat-for-the-North-American-Retail Highlights: Sanatana and ArcWest have confirmed the presence of at least two Cu-Au porphyry targets in the 31,077 hectare Oweegee Dome project in the initial exploration that started in August 2021. Geological mapping and sampling and geophysical surveys are focused on defining the Cu-Au porphyry drill targets for the planned 2022 field season. 3-D IP/RES ground geophysical survey commenced and field work completed over primary target on August 25. Mapping and sampling confirm Cu-Au porphyry potential of untested Malloy zone of the large 2km by 2km Delta prospect. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - Sanatana Resources. (TSXV: STA) ("Sanatana" or the "Company") has initiated exploration at the Oweegee Dome copper-gold project located within the famous "Golden Triangle" of northwest British Columbia (see news release of July 21, 2021 for further details on the Oweegee project). The Oweegee Dome project is under option from ArcWest Exploration and is situated approximately 45 km east of the giant KSM-Iron Cap porphyry Cu-Au deposits (Seabridge Gold) and Tudor Gold's Treaty Creek project, for which a measured and indicated resource estimate of 17 million oz Au and 93 million oz Ag was recently reported. Peter Miles CEO states, "Sanatana is both excited to initiate exploration at the Oweegee Dome project and to be working with Tyler Ruks and Jeff Kyba and their team at ArcWest Exploration. Oweegee is an underexplored copper gold porphyry system lying within a region that is a proven host for exceptional copper-gold deposits. These include Newcrest Mining-Imperial Metals' jointly owned Red Chris mine and Newmont Corporation's Saddle North project, which was recently acquired from GT Gold in a $393 million transaction." In mid-August Sanatana mobilized a field crew to the Bell 2 camp, approximately 25 km north of the Oweegee Dome project. The property hosts multiple Cu/Au occurrences some associated with porphyry dykes and intrusives that occur over a 20km2 area and have received limited previous exploration. The 2021 Oweegee Dome exploration is focused on the highly gossanous Delta prospect and peripheral areas, as it is the most developed. The Delta prospect comprises three zones separated mainly by geography, named Delta, Snowpatch and Malloy. Alteration is noted throughout the Delta prospect and is dominated by QSP (quartz, sericite pyrite), clay-pyrite alteration and phyllic-style alteration. Historical shallow drilling of the Delta prospect focused on a copper-in-soil anomaly at an easily accessible ridge with an Eskay Creek target in mind. Multiple drill holes intersected intensely altered QSP/clay-pyrite, altered diorite and porphyritic intrusions and intrusive breccias. Breccia fragments of porphyry-style veins with quartz-pyrite+/-chalcopyrite centrelines are locally present. The most SE holes show increased epidote and zinc mineralization which matches characteristic zoning in a copper porphyry system and indicated an exploration vector pointing to the NW as the centre. The alteration style in the drill holes is consistent to that found zoned above or beside other known copper porphyry deposits. Mapping in 2021 progressed from the east to the west of the Delta prospect and revealed numerous outcrops of previously unrecognized diorite and diorite breccias. The mapping, previous drilling, and the alteration are consistent with a typical Cu-Au system buried or partly buried beneath its own alteration cap. This work has mapped strong copper bearing stockwork 'B' veins at the Malloy zone and copper-bearing potassic alteration (biotite) northwest of the Delta zone at Snowpatch Creek. Eleven historical chip/panel rock samples collected near the Malloy zone averaged 0.53% Cu, 1.09 g/t Au and 4.8 g/t Ag. Downslope of this area intrusions with quartz-chalcopyrite veining have been located, sampled and sent for assay. They occur below a prominent gossan and above a large Cu-Au soil anomaly which assayed up to 0.1% Cu and 0.9 g/t Au (Figure 1). This highly prospective area has been named the Malloy zone. The Malloy zone is the top-priority first drill target to test the true width of the zone and the interpreted blind Cu-Au system. The Delta prospect is capped by post-mineral volcanic rocks that possibly obscure a much larger system that plunges to the north beneath this cap. Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2534/95001_e79dfa6714cb7840_001full.jpg Sanatana has also commissioned an IP survey of the Delta prospect by Dias Geophysics and is conducting ground mapping and sampling in order to best locate drill collar locations Reconnaissance mapping and sampling of additional porphyry Cu-Au targets throughout the 31,077 hectare Oweegee Dome project is ongoing. A presentation on Oweegee Dome project will be posted to Sanatana's website shortly. The technical information in this news release was prepared under the supervision of Buddy Doyle P.Geo. Mr. Doyle is a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has reviewed and approved the technical information disclosed in this news release. About the Company Sanatana Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration and development company focused on high-impact properties in Canada and the Western Pacific. With an award-winning technical team and experienced management and board of directors, Sanatana is based in Vancouver and is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: STA). SANATANA RESOURCES INC. (signed) "Peter Miles " Peter Miles Chief Executive Officer For additional information on the Company, please contact Mr. Peter Miles, Chief Executive Officer at (604) 408-6680 or email investor@sanatanaresources.com. To be added to the email distribution list, please email ir@sanatanaresources.com with "Sanatana" in the subject line. Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information Some of the statements contained in this news release are forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "intends", "is expected", "potential", "suggests" or variations of such words or phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties beyond Sanatana's control. Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/95001 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - China Education Resources, Inc. (TSXV: CHN) (OTCQB: CHNUF) ("CER") is an ed-tech company with leading technology of intelligent system and contents. It provides online/offline learning, training courses and social media for teachers, students and education professionals. CER today announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2021. All figures are expressed in U.S. dollars. CER generated gross revenue of $3,994,757 in the second quarter of 2021 as compared with gross revenue of $3,734,501 for the same period in 2020. There was an increase in revenue from book sales and distribution service and a decrease in revenue from online products for the current quarter as compared to the same period in 2020. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, CER generated revenue of $5,223,250 as compared with $4,333,775 for the same period in 2020. The Q2 of 2021 financial highlights are as summarized as follows: 2021 2020 Percentage (USD) (USD) change Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Three months ended June 30 Book sales and distribution services 3,011,675 2,647,668 13.7% Online products 983,082 1,086,833 -9.5% Total revenue 3,994,757 3,734,501 7.0% Net income attributable to shareholders of the Company for the three months 382,803 795,883 -51.9% Six months ended June 30 Total revenue 5,223,250 4,333,775 20.5% Net income attributable to shareholders of the Company for the six months 77,915 466,332 -83.3% For the six months ended June 30, 2021, CER reported aggregate sales revenue of $5,223,250 (2020: $4,333,775). The revenue from book sales and distribution service was $3,921,296 and revenue from online products was $1,301,954. There was an increase in revenue from both book sales and distribution service and online products for the six months as compared to the same period in 2020. The decreased net income was mainly due to the increase in the selling and marketing expenses as compared with the same period in 2020. "We are pleased that our business is in the right direction to address the speed up of changes in life styles and habits of people due to the COVID-19 pandemic," said Chengfeng Zhou, CEO, China Education Resources. "We expect the sales revenue will continue to improve following the Chinese economy's recovery. Our online education platform and services provide a vertically blended learning, teaching, research and management system for a student-teacher-school-parent community. We believe it will provide CER with great long-term revenue potential." CER has created educational tools and curriculum for China's entire kindergarten through twelfth grade system. CER is helping to convert the existing educational system from a memory-based learning system to a creative thinking and interactive approach. Presently, CER has over 1 million kindergarten through twelfth grade teachers registered through its Web portal. Safe Harbor Statement Certain statements made herein, and other statements relating to matters that are not historical facts and statements of our beliefs, intentions and expectations about developments, results and events which will or may occur in the future, constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information and statements are typically identified by words such as "anticipate", "could", "should", "expect", "seek", "may", "intend", "likely", "plan", "estimate", "will", "believe" and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. All such forward-looking information and statements are based on certain assumptions and analysis made by China Education Resources, Inc.'s management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. These statements, however, are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information or statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements include those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" elsewhere in the Company's MD&A filed at www.SEDAR.com. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. Except as required by law the Company does not assume the obligation to revise or update these forward looking statements after the date of this document or to revise them to reflect the occurrence of future, unanticipated events. The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed, and does not accept, responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this press release. Contact China Education Resources at: (604) 331-2388 Email: admin@chinaeducationresources.com Website: http://www.chinaeducationresources.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94976 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. CHEYENNE, WY / ACCESSWIRE / August 31, 2021 / Asia Properties Inc. (OTC PINK:ASPZ) today confirmed that it has bought The Bering Sea Clinker. The Bering Sea Clinker is a 154 gram gold nugget, the largest such gold nugget ever discovered in the Bering Sea. The Company acquired the record nugget for $30,000 paid via the issuance of 120,000 ASPZ restricted shares ($0.25 per share) and will use it as its mascot. The Company has entered into a joint-venture with MS Token, LLC a non-fungible token studio to produce a NFT based on the Bering Sea Clinker and plans to auction the NFT along with the nugget. CEO Debra Childers commented, "we are thrilled to acquire this treasure and are excited to produce this NFT and auction it to fund our 43-101 geological report on our impending mining claim acquisition. ASPZ continues to innovate and trailblaze utilizing the blockchain in the gold mining space." The Company is currently conducting due diligence to acquire gold mining claims in Nevada and in Alaska. What is a Non-Fungible Token? A NFT is a digital asset that represents real-world objects or media such as art, music, in-game items and videos. They are bought and sold online, frequently using cryptocurrency, and they are often encoded using the same type of block-chain software/cryptographic algorithms such as ERC-721. Developed in 2014, NFTs are becoming an increasingly popular way to buy and sell digital artwork. A staggering US$2 billion+ was spent on NFTs in Q1 2021. Similarly unique to artistic and musical compositions, NFTs are also generally one of a kind, or produced in very limited runs, and have unique identifying codes. "Essentially, NFTs create digital scarcity," says Arry Yu, chair of the Washington Technology Industry Association Cascadia Blockchain Council and managing director of Yellow Umbrella Ventures. This stands in stark contrast to most digital creations, which are potentially infinite in supply. Limited production and encryption of these distinctive digital creations confers increased value of an NFT asset that is in demand. Unlike early NFTs that were frequently digital creations that already existed in some form elsewhere (eg. iconic video clips from professional sports, securitized versions of digital art already floating around on Instagram), NFTs like those produced by MS Token are original compositions with their own intrinsic artistic merit. One well-known example of such an original NFT is "EVERYDAYS: The First 5000 Days," a composite of 5,000 daily drawings created by famous digital artist Mike Winklemann, better known as "Beeple" - sold at Christie's for a record-breaking $69.3 million. - Forbes Advisor About MS Token LLC With a treasure trove of exclusive content to draw upon, MS Token, the owner of the Millennium Sapphire has put together a team of industry leaders to create a powerful NFT production studio leveraging off of content carved on the Sapphire. 134 scenes, representing the high points in human civilization over the past 5,000 years are carved on the Millennium Sapphire. These carvings form the inspiration of MS Token's NFT productions. The Millennium Sapphire is widely considered an icon in world of art and gems. It was designated the World's Largest Carved Sapphire by Guinness World Records in 2001 and is one of the most documented gemstones of modern times. Since its discovery in Madagascar in 1995, this remarkable blue gem has appeared on CNN, BBC, NBC, FOX and numerous other television networks around the world. It has been written about in virtually every major newspaper and has been the subject of articles published in dozens of magazines, such as Forbes, WSJ and others. The MS was showcased at an Academy Awards event in 2002, also in Seattle in 2004 as part of the festivities surrounding the launch of Princess Cruises' newest ship, The Sapphire Princess. www.millenniumsapphire.com MS Token pursues a strategy of partnering with leading digital artists and studios to develop unique NFTs. This strategy allows us to have an ongoing flow of fresh content based on the original carvings on the Sapphire. From carvings of some of history's most famous people to landmarks such as the Pyramids and the historic Sputnik launch on the Millennium Sapphire will all be developed into NFTs over time. Our studio photographer has just completed an elaborate photo shoot in the depths of a bank vault, in a secret location. The content produced, will form the basis of the collaborations with world famous digital artists and their interpretations via NFT animations to bring these pieces to life. www.mstoken.art Please visit our new website: www.aspzgold.com About the Company Asia Properties Inc, is a Wyoming, USA domiciled junior mining company, intent on acquiring gold claims and mines and then securitizing them on the blockchain via ICOs and STOs, The Company will then list the tokens on highly liquid exchanges such as Uniswap and Binance. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, particularly as related to, among other things, the business plans of the Company, statements relating to goals, plans and projections regarding the Company's financial position and business strategy. The words or phrases "plans," "would be," "will allow," "intends to," "may result," "are expected to," "will continue," "anticipates," "expects," "estimate," "project," "indicate," "could," "potentially," "should," "believe," "think," "considers" or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements fall within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934 and are subject to the safe harbor created by these sections. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, involve known and unknown risks, a reliance on third parties for information, transactions or orders that may be cancelled, and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in our industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results include risks and uncertainties related to the fluctuation of local, regional, and global economic conditions, the performance of management and our employees, our ability to obtain financing, competition, general economic conditions and other factors that are detailed in our periodic reports and on documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements made herein are as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as of any subsequent date, and the Company specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences, developments, unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statement. ASPZ has 77.84 million shares issued and outstanding with 26.60 million shares at DTC. Contact: Aric Recker Investor Relations Tel(248) 291-7494 arecker@iroverflow.com For more information on Asia Properties Inc please visit: www.aszpgold.com SOURCE: Asia Properties, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/662165/ASPZ-Buys-Bering-Sea-Clinker-To-Produce-NFT Invesco Select Trust plc LEI: 549300JZQ39WJPD7U596 Result of General Meeting The resolution put to shareholders at a General Meeting of Invesco Select Trust plc held on 31 August 2021 was passed on a poll. The results of the poll are as follows: Votes For: 47,220,070 (94.3%) Votes Against: 2,843,185 (5.7%) No Votes were withheld Total Voting Rights were 228,024,237. . The full text of the resolution passed was as follows: Special Resolution: THAT: the Company be generally and subject as hereinafter appears unconditionally authorised in accordance with section 701 of the Companies Act 2006 as amended from time to time prior to the date of passing this resolution ('2006 Act') to make market purchases (within the meaning of section 693(4) of the 2006 Act) of its issued Shares in each of the following Share classes: Managed Liquidity; Balanced Risk Allocation; UK Equity; and Global Equity Income. PROVIDED ALWAYS THAT (i) the maximum number of Shares hereby authorised to be purchased shall be 14.99% of each of the Managed Liquidity, Balanced Risk Allocation, UK Equity and Global Equity Income classes of the Company's Share capital at 31 August 2021, being the date of the General Meeting convened for the purpose of seeking this authority (being 215,062 Managed Liquidity Shares, 626,584 Balanced Risk Allocation, 12,142,395 UK Equity Shares and 3,688,477 Global Equity Income Shares); (ii) the minimum price which may be paid for a Share shall be 1p; (iii) the maximum price which may be paid for a Share in each Share class must not be more than the higher of: (a) 5% above the average of the mid-market values of the Shares for the five business days before the purchase is made; and (b) the higher of the price of the last independent trade in the Shares and the highest then current independent bid for the Shares on the London Stock Exchange; (iv) any purchase of Shares will be made in the market for cash at prices below the prevailing net asset value per Share (as determined by the Directors); (v) the authority hereby conferred shall expire at the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company or, if earlier, on the expiry of 15 months from the passing of this resolution unless the authority is renewed at any other general meeting prior to such time; and (vi) the Company may make a contract to purchase Shares under the authority hereby conferred prior to the expiry of such authority which will be executed wholly or partly after the expiration of such authority and may make a purchase of Shares pursuant to any such contract. Company Secretary Invesco Asset Management Limited Contact: Angus Pottinger 02037530714 31 August 2021 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - Stakeholder Gold Corporation (TSXV: SRC) ("Stakeholder" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Q2 of 2021 was another quarter with increasing profitability. The Company has reported sales in Q2 of $834,440 CAD vs. sales for Q1 of $506,342 CAD, and gross margin in Q2 of $689,636 CAD vs. gross margin for Q1 of $352,282 CAD. Net profit margin for Q2 was calculated at 83% for the quarter. The Company anticipates increasing production and profitability throughout the remainder of 2021. About Stakeholder Stakeholder Gold Corp. is a junior resource company developing cash flow from the production and sale of exotic Blue Quartzite at its wholly owned Blue Quartzite quarry in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Stakeholder Gold Corp. also has 100% ownership of the Ballarat Gold Project which holds 7,442 hectares of claims located in the heart of the White Gold District of the Yukon Territory, Canada. The Company's Ballarat Project claim group includes an area extending over 10 km of the road construction route for the Northern Gateway Road which is being built to service the White Gold District. The Ballarat claim group also includes title to 10 claims located within the nearby Coffee Project which is being developed by Newmont Corp. south of the Yukon River. For further information please contact: Stakeholder Gold Corporation Telephone: (416) 525 - 6869 cberlet@stakeholdergold.com Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information. All information, other than information of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" and includes any information that addresses activities, events, or developments that the Corporation believes, expects, or anticipates will or may occur in the future including the Corporation's strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance. When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe", "hope", "may" and similar expressions, as well as "will", "shall" and other indications of future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is based on current expectations and applies only as of the date on which they were made. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Corporation to fund the exploration expenditures required under the Agreement. Other factors such as uncertainties regarding government regulations could also affect the results. Other risks may be set out in the Corporation's annual financial statements, MD&A and other publicly filed documents. The Corporation cautions that there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required by law, the Corporation does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94937 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - Royal Road Minerals Limited (TSXV: RYR) ("Royal Road" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received the rights to a newly-granted mining Concession Contract, at its Margaritas gold project in the department of Antioquia, Colombia. The Margaritas gold project is located in the Anza mining district, approximately 50 Km west of Medellin. Margaritas was initially acquired as an application for title through the Company's purchase of Northern Colombia Holdings Limited, an affiliate of AngloGold Ashanti Limited ("AGA"; see Press Release May 31, 2019). The Margaritas project, together with the neighboring Guintar and Niverengo project areas, are subject to a Strategic Alliance Agreement between the Company and Mineros S.A. ("Mineros"; see Press Release March 2, 2020). Under the terms of the Agreement, Mineros currently own a 25% interest in the Guintar-Niverengo and Margaritas project areas and may acquire a further 25% (up to a total 50%) interest by providing a further USD $1.5M of exploration funding. Royal Road Minerals are operators of the Strategic Alliance. The process of acquiring a mining Concession Contract in Colombia requires amongst other things, the Company to present a Social Management Plan and the Secretaria de Minas de Antioquia to complete a Concertation seeking the approval of local authorities, followed by a Public Hearing with local communities. The Public Hearing for the Margaritas Concession Contract (SGL-09001), was conducted on May 27, 2021 and the Concession Contract was granted on August 27, 2021. Mining Concession Contracts have an initial term of 30-years which is extendable for a further 30 years. During the period 2012-2017, AGA completed geological mapping, reconnaissance rock-chip sampling, ridge and spur soil sampling and an airborne magnetic and radiometric survey over the Margaritas area. Royal Road has conducted grid-based surface geochemical sampling and further geological mapping at Margaritas (see Figure 1). The Company now considers the project "drill-ready", subject to the fulfilment of the Social Management Plan, environmental baseline studies and the receipt of all necessary permissions. Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4008/95010_figure1enhanced.jpg 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. The information in this news release was compiled, reviewed and verified by Dr. Tim Coughlin, BSc (Geology), MSc (Exploration and Mining), PhD (Structural Geology), FAusIMM, President and CEO of Royal Road Minerals Ltd and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Royal Road Minerals employees are instructed to follow standard operating and quality assurance procedures intended to ensure that all sampling techniques and sample results meet international reporting standards. More information can be found on Royal Road Minerals web site at www.royalroadminerals.com. Quality Assurance and Quality Control: Sample preparation and analyses are conducted according to standard industry procedures. Soil samples are taken dry, sieved to -180 micron (80 mesh) and analyzed for Gold by fire assay and ICP-AES and multi-elements by ICP-MS after aqua regia digestion. Analytical performance is monitored by means of certified reference materials (CRMs), fine blanks, and laboratory duplicate samples. Soil samples have been prepared in ALS Chemex preparation lab in Colombia and analyses have been completed in ALS Chemex Lima, using the PREP-41, Au-ICP 21 and ME-MS61 package. Cautionary statement: This news release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements") describing the Company's future plans and the expectations of its management that a stated result or condition will occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or developments in the Company's business or in the mineral resources industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance, achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include all disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that is based on assumptions about, among other things, future economic conditions and courses of action, and assumptions related to government approvals, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The words "plans", "prospective", "expect", "intend", "intends to" and similar expressions identify forward looking statements, which may also include, without limitation, any statement relating to future events, conditions or circumstances. Forward-looking statements of the Company contained in this news release, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to the Company's exploration plans. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. There is no guarantee that the anticipated benefits of the Company's business plans or operations will be achieved. The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among others: economic market conditions, anticipated costs and expenditures, government approvals, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with Canadian provincial securities regulators or other applicable regulatory authorities. Forward-looking statements included herein are based on the current plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions of the Company management and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change. For further information please contact: Dr. Timothy Coughlin President and Chief Executive Officer +44 (0)1534 887166 info@royalroadminerals.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/95010 Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - The Stock Day Podcast welcomed Foothills Exploration, Inc. (OTC Pink: FTXP) ("the Company"), an oil and gas exploration and development company focused on delivering the energy needs of today and tomorrow. Executive Vice President of Finance, Chris Jarvis, joined Stock Day host Everett Jolly. Jolly began the interview by asking about the Company's background and current projects. "Foothills Exploration Inc. is a growth-stage oil and gas company focused on natural gas exploration and development," said Jarvis. "Our company's principal asset is in the Wind River Basin of Wyoming, which consists of approximately 16,000 acres of highly prospective development acreage," he shared. "Our key initiative is to generate high impact exploration projects focused on oil and natural gas." "How do you see the price of oil and gas over the next twelve months?" asked Jolly. "With the Delta Variant traveling around the globe, the outlook has become a bit murkier," said Jarvis. "If you take the Delta Variant out of the equation, and just discuss the first half of 2021, it paints a bullish picture," he explained. "The recent catalyst behind the steady rise for oil prices in 2021 has been the global rebound in demand." "In regards to natural gas prices, fundamentals have been very bullish," continued Jarvis. "In addition, which is a big caveat, the forecasters are calling for a mild winter. If this year's winter heating system is normal or colder than expected, it would just be a catalyst for higher prices." The conversation then turned to the challenges facing the EV market, especially in regards to lithium shortages. "Even if they can find enough lithium and the battery capacity, the supply is not going to be there so the price is going to go through the roof," said Jarvis. "I do not see it replacing gasoline powered cars anytime soon." "Are you currently exploring any new properties?" asked Jolly. "Our big home run, if you will, is our Wind River Basin property," said Jarvis. "We're looking to secure industry partners to develop this property," he added. "We're also looking to capture and acquire 3D seismic to develop a four well drilling program to prove up our acreage," said Jarvis. "The company is very excited about our Wind River Basin asset's ability to unlock significant value." "We had a recent third-party engineering study on the Wind River Basin asset that indicated 18 million in barrels of oil and 32 million cubic feet of natural gas," shared Jarvis. "The biggest takeaway from this study is that the estimated PV10 value is $372 million. So, we believe this is a significant number for a company of our size and we are actively looking to develop the asset." "What is your time frame in terms of exploration for that property?" asked Jolly. "It is our core focus for this year," said Jarvis. "We're looking for a joint venture or industry partners to come in and do this four well program," he said. "We're excited and it is definitely a focus over the near term." The conversation then turned to SEC compliance. "We are up-to-date on our filings," said Jarvis. "We just filed our Q2 2021 report and we put an application in there and are waiting to hear back," he shared. "For the second half of the year we're going to get all of those reports audited as well." "How has Foothills Exploration positioned itself to move forward with the landscape of energy going green?" asked Jolly. "We announced the formation of a new subsidiary named New Energy Ventures LLC," said Jarvis. "We're aiming to participate in the transformation of the energy sector," he added. "The key is to protect our national security and provide a reliable and efficient source of energy." To close the interview, Jarvis encouraged listeners and shareholders to keep up-to-date on the Company's upcoming announcements as they continue to advance their Wind River Basin project and New Energy Ventures subsidiary. To hear Foothills Exploration's entire interview, follow the link to the podcast here: https://audioboom.com/posts/7933280-foothills-exploration-inc-discusses-potential-of-wind-river-basin-project-and-new-energy-ventur. Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of "Stock Day," and Stock Day Media encourages listeners to visit the company's message board at https://investorshangout.com/ About the Company Foothills Exploration, Inc. (OTC Pink: FTXP), is an oil and gas exploration and development company focused on delivering the energy needs of today and tomorrow. The Company's strategy is to build a balanced portfolio of assets through two core initiatives. The first initiative is to generate high-impact oil and gas exploration projects. The second is to invest in hydrogen and geothermal projects for a low carbon future through its New Energy Ventures division, with a mandate to identify where the Company can contribute to a viable, realistic, and balanced future energy mix. For additional information please visit the Company's website at www.foothillspetro.com. Forward-Looking Statements All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions we made based on management's experience, perception of historical trends and technical analyses, current conditions, capital plans, drilling plans, production expectations, our ability to raise adequate additional capital, or enter into other financing arrangements to support our acquisition, development and drilling activities, anticipated future developments, and other factors believed to be appropriate and reasonable by management. When used in this release, words such as "will," "possible," "potential," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "expect," "may," "should," "anticipate," "could," "plan," "predict," "project," "profile," "model," "strategy," "future" or their negatives or the statements that include these words or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. In particular, statements, express or implied, concerning our future operating results and returns or our ability to acquire or develop proven or probable reserves, our ability to replace or increase reserves, increase production, or generate income or cash flows are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. While forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by us that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, whether actual results and developments will meet our expectations and predictions depend on a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results, performance, and financial condition to differ materially from our expectations. As a result, no assurance can be given that these assumptions are accurate or that any of these expectations will be achieved (in full or at all) or will prove to have been correct. We have had sporadic and limited revenue and our securities are subject to considerable risk. Investors are cautioned to review FTXP's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and OTC Markets for a discussion of risk and other factors that affect our business. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this news release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future development or otherwise, except as may be required by law. The Company intends that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investor Contact Christopher Jarvis EVP of Finance (800) 204-5510 ir@foothillspetro.com About The "Stock Day" Podcast Founded in 2013, Stock Day is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and OTC companies, providing transparency and clarification of under-valued, under-sold Micro-Cap stocks of the market. Stock Day provides companies with customized solutions to their news distribution in both national and international media outlets. The Stock Day Podcast is the number one radio show of its kind in America. SOURCE: Stock Day Media (602) 821-1102 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/95015. Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - The Stock Day Podcast welcomed Resgreen Group International Inc. (OTC Pink: RGGI) ("the Company"), a leading developer of Artificial Intelligence Robotics (AIRs), Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), and Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs). CEO of the Company, Parsh Patel, joined Stock Day host Everett Jolly. Jolly began the interview by asking about the Company's background and current projects. "Resgreen Group specializes in material handling systems," explained Patel. "Basically, this involves building Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs); our specialty is in moving smaller payloads," he continued. "Guidance is core to what we do, and payload is what exactly defines the domain in which we operate." "RGGI is already testing something called WandaSA, which is a 250 lb payload," said Patel, adding that the Company also recently completed working on a 1,000 kilogram payload system and is currently working on a 2,000 kilogram payload system. "How are the sales efforts coming along with the WandaSD?," asked Jolly. "WandaSD sales have started," said Patel, noting that school systems have had a high demand for this system, however the sales process is taking longer than expected. "We are talking to literally hundreds of people per week," he shared. "WandaSA, which is the jewel of these vehicles, is on the floor right now being tested," said Patel. "Pull Buddy, our 1,000 kilogram vehicle, is ready for pilot. We have two to three candidates we are talking to, which include Fortune 10 and Fortune 15 companies." "With Atlas, we've had a breakthrough with navigating with that infrastructure," continued Patel. "We are now actually in beta testing," he added. "It is coming together and will be announced probably by the first quarter of next year." "Could you give us an update on the new facility and the production rate?," asked Jolly. "It is now designed in such a way for the work to percolate in a streamlined manner," said Patel. "The more innovative idea there is that we actually let Wanda do the transports of our parts. So, we utilize our own vehicle to make the other vehicles." Jolly then asked about the Company's upcoming catalysts over the next two to three quarters. "Once we start announcing sales, I expect it to be reflected in the price per share," said Patel. "As we sign on with other larger companies to pilot some of the vehicles we have on hand, that will add a tremendous amount of credibility," he continued. "There is already one company, which we are working very closely with, and we will have to make an announcement here soon." "I think that all of this is going to come to a convergence before the first quarter is over, meaning we will have sales for WandaSA in full bore, Pull Buddy will already be out of pilot hopefully by then, and Atlas should be going into pilot, and there is a facility that will show these vehicles very well," closed Patel. To hear Parsh Patel's entire interview, follow the link to the podcast here: https://audioboom.com/posts/7933296-resgreen-group-international-inc-discusses-progress-and-upcoming-commercialization-of-amrs-with Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of "Stock Day," and Stock Day Media encourages listeners to visit the company's message board at https://investorshangout.com/ About Resgreen Group International Inc. RGGI is a leading developer of Artificial Intelligence Robotics (AIRs), Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), and Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs). RGGI's highly skilled engineers have years of experience in the material handling and robotics industries, which has led to significant intellectual property for the company. RGGI also provides consulting services including backend operational oversight, material handling assessment, work-flow analysis, and steady state yield management using artificial intelligence, technology, and management systems. For more information visit http://resgreengroup.com. Contact: Sarah Carlson Resgreen Group International, Inc. scarlson@companystorytellers.com Parsh Patel, President and CEO 248.755.7680 Mobile Phone: 586.265.2376 Email: info@resgreengroup.com About The "Stock Day" Podcast Founded in 2013, Stock Day is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and OTC companies, providing transparency and clarification of under-valued, under-sold Micro-Cap stocks of the market. Stock Day provides companies with customized solutions to their news distribution in both national and international media outlets. The Stock Day Podcast is the number one radio show of its kind in America. SOURCE: Stock Day Media (602) 821-1102 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/95016 GOTEBORG, Sweden, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Concordia Maritime strengthens its liquidity by selling the two IMOIIMAX vessels Stena Image and Stena Important. The buyer is a Chinese leasing company. The net liquidity surplus from the transactions amounts to approximately SEK 45 million. The two vessels were sold to a large Japanese financial services company in 2016 and 2017 under sale-leaseback agreements. The agreements also included annual purchase options, which have now been exercised. The net liquidity surplus from the transactions amounts to approximately SEK 45 million and will be added to Concordia Maritime in connection with the delivery of the vessels to the buyer. "The sale of the vessels is in line with the continuing ambition to strengthen the Company's financial position and liquidity", says Kim Ullman, CEO of Concordia Maritime. Delivery of the vessels to the buyer is expected to take place during September 2021. Following the divestments, Concordia Maritime's fleet consists of ten wholly-owned P-MAX vessels (product tankers), one suezmax tanker (sale-leaseback with purchase option) chartered in on a long-term contract and shares in a further three chartered suezmax vessels. This information is information that Concordia Maritime Aktiebolag (publ) is obliged to publish in accordance with the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was provided by the contact person below for publication on 31 August 2021 at 15.00 CEST. CONTACT: For more information, please contact: Kim Ullman CEO, Concordia Maritime AB Tel: +46 31 85 50 03 Mob: +46 704 85 50 03 Email: kim.ullman@concordiamaritime.com Martin Nerfeldt CFO, Concordia Maritime AB Tel: +45 88 938 661 Mob: +46 704 85 50 07 Email: martin.nerfeldt@concordiamaritime.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/concordia-maritime/r/concordia-maritime-exercises-purchase-options-and-sells-imoiimax-vessels,c3406987 The following files are available for download: 31 August 2021 ANANDA DEVELOPMENTS PLC ("Ananda" or the "Company") TOTAL VOTING RIGHTS In accordance with the Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules, Ananda announces that the Company has 794,665,248 Ordinary Shares in issue, each share carrying the right to one vote. This figure of 794,665,248 Ordinary Shares may be used by shareholders in the Company as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the FCA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules. -Ends- The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement. ANANDA DEVELOPMENTS PLC Chief Executive Officer Melissa Sturgess Investor Relations Jeremy Sturgess-Smith +44 (0)7463 686 497 ir@anandadevelopments.com PETERHOUSE CAPITAL LIMITED Corporate Finance Mark Anwyl Corporate Broking Lucy Williams Duncan Vasey +44 (0)20 7469 0930 Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information. Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - Bluesky Digital Assets Corp., (CSE: BTC), (CSE: BTC.PR.A), (OTCQB: BTCWF), ("Bluesky" or the "Corporation") released today a summary of its Unaudited Q2, 2021 Interim Financial Statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. Key highlights include: - Total Gross Revenues from the Corporation's Digital Assets Mining operations increased to $851,813 CDN in Q2, 2021 from $182,500 CDN in Q1, 2020 representing a significant increase of 366% over Q2, 2020's total. - Total Gross Revenues from the Corporation's Digital Assets Mining operations increased to $851,813 CDN in Q2, 2021 from $710,312 CDN in Q1, 2020 representing an increase of 20% over Q1, 2021's total. - Total Gross Revenues from the Corporation's Digital Assets Mining operations increased to $1,562,125 CDN for the six months ended June 30, 2021 from $284,111 CDN for the six months ended June 30, 2020 representing a significant increase of 450% over Q2, 2020's total. - Total Gross Revenue from the Corporation's Digital Assets Mining operations amounted to $665,533 CDN for all of fiscal 2020 representing a previous 2020 monthly average of $55,369 CDN per month in Gross Revenue being generated from the Corporation's Digital Assets Mining operations. The current monthly Gross Revenue generated from the Corporation's Digital Assets Mining operations average was $260,354 CDN per month for the first six months of 2021, representing a significant monthly average increase of 370%. - Total available cash increased to $1,734,215 CDN in Q2, 2021 from $455,610 CDN in Q2, 2020 representing an increase of 280%. - As of June 30, 2021 the Corporation held $309,659 CDN in unsold digital currencies vs. $Nil at the same point in fiscal 2020. - The Corporation's Digital Mining operations had a profit of $267,881 CDN for the quarter after subtracting $583,932 CDN in Digital Asset Mining operating costs. The Digital Asset Mining operating costs include depreciation on equipment, electrical & bandwidth costs. To view the Corporation's Q2, 2021 Interim Financial Statements and the accompanying Management Discussion and Analysis please visits the Corporation's SEDAR profile page by visiting www.sedar.com Ben Gelfand, CEO stated: "In Q2 the Corporation achieved a 20% increase in Gross Revenue over Q1 totals despite the volatility and decrease in the valuation of crypto currencies that occurred in May and in June of this year. With the stabilization and increases in the values of both Ether and Bitcoin and steady deployment of new mining assets Management, reasonably based on the current trend, expects that the Gross Revenues in Q3 will supersede Q2's totals. For the second half of fiscal 2021, the Management team will continue expansion efforts for the Corporation's Digital Assets Mining operations as well as continuing business diversification efforts with our ongoing research and development." About Bluesky Digital Assets Corp. Bluesky Digital Assets Corp, is building a high value digital currency enterprise. Bluesky mines digital currencies, such as Bitcoin and Ether, and is developing value-added technology services for the digital currency market, such as proprietary technology solutions. Offering a complete ecosystem of value-creation, Bluesky is targeting reinvesting appropriate portions of its digital currency mining profits back into its operations. A percentage of the profit will be invested in the development of a proprietary Artificial Intelligence ("AI") based technology. Overall, Bluesky takes an approach that enables the Corporation to scale, and respond to changing conditions, within the still-emerging Blockchain industry. The Corporation is poised to capture value in successive phases as this industry continues to scale. For more information please visit Bluesky at: https://www.blueskydigitalassets.com For further information please contact: Mr. Ben Gelfand CEO & Director Bluesky Digital Assets Corp. T: (416) 363-3833 E: ben.gelfand@blueskydigitalassets.com Mr. Frank Kordy Secretary & Director Bluesky Digital Assets Corp. T: (647) 466-4037 E: frank.kordy@blueskydigitalassets.com Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. The forward- looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made as of the date of this document and the Corporation 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 expressly required by applicable securities legislation. Although management believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such. Neither 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. We seek safe harbor. - 30 - To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/95024 GOLDEN, CO / ACCESSWIRE / August 31, 2021 / Vitro Biopharma, Inc. ("Vitro') announced the acquisition of Fitore Nutrition ("Fitore") and Infinivive MD ("Infinivive"). Fitore, a private company headquartered in Denver, Colorado creates clinically validated supplements and sells them direct to consumers (D2C) via their unique digital marketing platform and SEO expertise. Infinivive, located in Cherry Creek, Colorado developed the world's first topical cosmetic stem cell serum and is a nationally recognized company led by one of the top industry pioneers in the area of cosmetic surgery, Dr. Jack Zamora M.D. These two acquisitions will drive significant new revenues to Vitro, funding its therapeutic pipeline and expanding Vitro's overall stem cell regenerative capabilities. Vitro acquired Fitore Nutrition for $2,300,000 in a combination of notes and stock and Infinivive MD for $5,750,000 in an all-stock deal. "The acquisition of Fitore & Infinivive gives us the opportunity to leverage the revenues of both companies, increase market awareness for Vitro, and cross sell the regenerative therapies of AlloRx Stem Cells" said Jack Zamora C.E.O. of Vitro Biopharma. Vitro's acquisition of Fitore and Infinivive brands makes strategic sense for Vitro as it helps to (1) leverage synergies across therapeutic outcomes and bio-supplements, (2) is consistent with management's M&A growth strategy of high growth and high margin acquisitions with a focus on ecommerce capabilities, (3) provides Vitro with a significant online presence thereby expanding Vitro's branding footprint. "The integration of Fitore's direct to consumer (D2C) technology platform will accelerate Vitro's product penetration and brand recognition into the marketplace for all its products. To date we have had an incredibly successful partnership with Vitro with the joint development of Stemulife formerly known as STEMulize, and Spectrum +. Partnering with Vitro Biopharma only accelerates our mission as we continue to develop more life-changing products based on Vitro's scientific capabilities and the expanding market demands for natural health products." said Tanner Haas C.E.O. of Fitore Inc. "Fitore and Infinivive will allow Vitro deeper access into the direct-to-consumer market channels and complement Vitro's existing revenue drivers. The consolidated results of all operations are expected to drive $3-$5M in revenue over the next 12 to 18 months, a 300% plus increase in our pre-pandemic revenues." said John Evans C.F.O. and Chairman of the Board of Vitro Biopharma. ABOUT VITRO BIOPHARMA Vitro Biopharma is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel and proprietary best-in-class natural regenerative products. Vitro develops and commercializes adult stem cell technology for applications in stem cell research and drug development for the treatment of a vast variety of diseases and conditions. The company's innovative and proprietary technology platform manufactures umbilical cord derived stem cells, AlloRx Stem Cells, used in regenerative clinics to treat a variety of disease indications. https://www.dvcstem.com/ The companies partnered clinics continue to expand and these wellness clinics utilize our cosmetic and nutraceutical products in conjunction with their regenerative therapies. A patient enjoys a beautiful foreign destination experiencing a regenerative treatment with AlloRx Stem Cells along with a spa backdrop featuring a topical cosmetic facial and supporting long term nutraceutical stem cell activator. The offshore revenues support our clinical work in the US market. Authorization of our recent IND for COVID-19 now positions the company to move forward with Phase I and Phase II clinical trials for disease indications that have shown safety and efficacy in our offshore trials.https://www.vitrobiopharma.com/pages/pipeline ABOUT FITORE NUTRITION Fitore Nutrition is a direct to consumer (D2C) and SEO technology platform that creates clinically validated supplements that are formulated by world-leading doctors and stem cell scientists from Vitro Biopharma. Each Fitore nutrition ingredient is all-natural, sustainably-sourced, and of the highest-quality, manufactured in a GMP and FDA Registered facility in Commak New York. In 2021, Fitore sells its products direct to consumers through its unique digital marketing platform. Fitore Nutrition's novel formulations include: Stemulife, Thought Calmer, Easy Sleep, and Spectrum +. ABOUT INFINIVIVE MD InfiniVive MD has created the highest quality cGMP-grade cosmetic stem cell and exosomes product line. InfiniVive MD cosmetic stem cell products contain ultra-pure mesenchymal stem cells and exosomes to be used topically by plastic surgeons, cosmetic surgeons, and aestheticians throughout the United States and internationally. Infinivive is looking to disrupt the cosmetic industry through next level skin quality results. Forward-Looking Statements Statements herein regarding financial performance have not yet been reported to the SEC nor reviewed by the Company's auditors. Certain statements contained herein, and subsequent statements made by and on behalf of the Company, whether oral or written may contain "forward-looking statements". Such forward-looking statements are identified by words such as "intends," "anticipates," "believes," "expects" and "hopes" and include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's plan of business operations, product research and development activities, potential contractual arrangements, receipt of working capital, anticipated revenues, and related expenditures. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, acceptability of the Company's products in the marketplace, general economic conditions, receipt of additional working capital, the overall state of the biotechnology industry and other factors set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulations, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. CONTACT: Dr. Jack Zamora, MD Chief Executive Officer Vitro Biopharma, Inc. (303) 999-2130 x1 www.vitrobiopharma SOURCE: Vitro Biopharma, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/662181/Vitro-Biopharma-Acquires-Fitore-Nutrition-and-Infinivive-MD-Adding-Revenues-from-Innovative-Stem-Cell-Activation-Products-and-Topical-Cosmetic-Stem-Cell-Serums Company taps former Salesforce North America President to rapidly scale global GTM functions as enterprises expand their adoption of Databricks' Lakehouse Platform SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Databricks, the Data and AI company, today announced the appointment of Andy Kofoid as President of Global Field Operations. With more than three decades of experience building, scaling and transforming high-growth software and cloud businesses, Andy's track record of category creation and operational excellence will prove invaluable as Databricks' Lakehouse Platform becomes the data architecture of choice for data-driven organizations. Andy's first day will be September 7, 2021. "Andy brings an incredible wealth of knowledge and global leadership experience to the Databricks team and I am thrilled to introduce him as the new President of Global Field Operations," said Ali Ghodsi, CEO and Co-Founder of Databricks. "Andy's background leading and scaling high growth, customer-focused GTM organizations and his commitment to operational excellence will take Databricks to new heights. As we work to create the lakehouse category and accelerate adoption of the data architecture of the future, Andy's experience in category creation and building a platform ecosystem will prove invaluable." Andy brings more than twenty years of executive experience to the company. He joins Databricks from Salesforce where he spent eight years, most recently in the role of President of North America managing a $12B+ business unit with 8,000+ employees. He also held executive positions as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Salesforce leading their B2C and global Marketing Cloud businesses. Prior to that, he served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at ExactTarget, leading the global field operations. During his tenure, ExactTarget went public in 2012 on the NYSE and was acquired by Salesforce in 2013 for $2.6B. Before joining ExactTarget, Andy served as Vice President of EMEA at Dassault Systemes, living in both London and Paris. He also held other executive positions within the U.S. at Dassault Systemes. Prior to that, Andy served in sales and sales management positions at Oracle Corporation and IBM. "Databricks' trajectory is incredible and I'm excited to join this outstanding organization and be part of the next chapter," said Andy. "I've seen first hand the critical role that data and AI play in fueling digital transformation and I look forward to helping customers around the world maximize the value of their data with this best-in-class lakehouse platform that is redefining the next era in cloud." About Databricks Databricks is the data and AI company. More than 5,000 organizations worldwide - including Comcast, Conde Nast, H&M, and over 40% of the Fortune 500 - rely on the Databricks Lakehouse Platform to unify their data, analytics and AI. Databricks is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices around the globe. Founded by the original creators of Apache Spark, Delta Lake and MLflow, Databricks is on a mission to help data teams solve the world's toughest problems. To learn more, follow Databricks on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Press Contact: Press@databricks.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1160675/Databricks_Logo.jpg Strong valuation increase reflects adoption of lakehouse as the data and AI architecture of the future SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Databricks, the Data and AI company, today announced a $1.6 Billion round of funding to accelerate innovation and adoption of the data lakehouse, as the data architecture's popularity across data-driven organizations continues to grow at a rapid pace. The Series H funding, led by Counterpoint Global (Morgan Stanley), puts Databricks at a $38 billion post-money valuation. Counterpoint Global is joined by other new investors including Baillie Gifford, ClearBridge Investments and UC Investments (Office of the Chief Investment Officer of the Regents of the University of California). Existing investors participating in the round include Andreessen Horowitz, funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments), Coatue Management, Fidelity Management & Research, Franklin Templeton, GIC, Greenoaks, Octahedron Capital, funds and accounts managed by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., Tiger Global Management and Whale Rock Capital Management. As further commitment to accelerate lakehouse adoption globally, Databricks also announced the appointment of former Salesforce executive, Andy Kofoid, as President of Global Field Operations. As the world's first lakehouse platform in the cloud, Databricks has pioneered an open and unified architecture for data and AI, which brings the reliability, governance and performance of a data warehouse directly to the data lakes that most organizations already store all of their data in. Rather than being forced to move data out of the data lake, and between various disconnected and legacy systems for different use cases, Databricks customers are building lakehouses on AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud to support every data and analytics workload on a single platform. As a result, they're able to avoid architectural complexity, significantly reduce infrastructure costs, increase data team productivity, and innovate faster. Today, hundreds of leading organizations around the world are using the Databricks Lakehouse Platform. "AT&T has been changing the way people live, work and play for the past 144 years. As part of our goal to create new and exciting customer experiences that connect people with who and what they love, AT&T is modernizing our data ecosystem and migrating it to the cloud. This involves moving petabytes of data to the cloud. We leverage Data Lakehouse in Databricks for our most granular data as well as real-time data pipelines supporting key AI/ML applications." - Andy Markus, Chief Data Officer, AT&T This new round brings Databricks' total funding to almost $3.6B, and will be used to accelerate the company's lead in the massive and rapidly growing data lakehouse market. Driven by open standards, cloud adoption and the continued rise of machine learning applications, the company intends to build on its lead by investing in innovations that further simplify AI, preserve choice and flexibility across all major public clouds, and establish the lakehouse as a modern replacement to the legacy data warehouse. In addition, under Kofoid's leadership, the company will invest to accelerate adoption of the Databricks Lakehouse Platform globally, by entering new markets, enabling and growing its partner ecosystem, and building a broad catalog of industry solutions. "This new investment is a reflection of the rapid adoption and incredible customer demand we're seeing for the Databricks Lakehouse Platform and underscores the industry and investor confidence in our vision - that lakehouse is the data architecture of the future," said Ali Ghodsi, Co-Founder and CEO of Databricks. "This marks a thrilling new chapter that will allow us to accelerate our pace of innovation and further invest in the success of data-driven organizations on their journey to the lakehouse." "We're incredibly excited to partner with the world class team at Databricks whose lakehouse platform is reinventing analytics with the speed and scale customers require today. We believe the company is well positioned to become a platform of choice among forward thinking enterprises that want to transform valuable data into strategic business insights." - Dennis Lynch, Head of Counterpoint Global "Databricks is an outstanding example of the innovation and pioneering spirit that flourishes throughout the University of California system and we are excited to support the next phase of a meteoric journey that first sparked at Berkeley," said Jagdeep Singh Bachher, Chief Investment Officer of the UC Regents for UC Investments. "This investment is a testament to the extraordinary opportunity we see for Databricks to shape the future of data and AI with the creation of the data lakehouse category. We look forward to partnering with the Databricks team to enable tens of thousands of future UC students to be the next generation of innovators." Other existing and new Investors that participated in this funding round include: Alta Park Capital, a suite of BNY Mellon funds, Discovery Capital, Dragoneer Investment Group, Flucas Ventures, Gaingels, Geodesic, Green Bay Ventures, the House Fund, Insight Partners, and New Enterprise Associates. About Databricks Databricks is the data and AI company. More than 5,000 organizations worldwide - including Comcast, Conde Nast, H&M, and over 40% of the Fortune 500 - rely on the Databricks Lakehouse Platform to unify their data, analytics and AI. Databricks is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices around the globe. Founded by the original creators of Apache Spark, Delta Lake and MLflow, Databricks is on a mission to help data teams solve the world's toughest problems. To learn more, follow Databricks on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Press Contact: Keyana Corliss, Head of Global Communications Keyana.Corliss@databricks.com IR Contact: IR@databricks.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1160675/Databricks_Logo.jpg Curve customers will be able to use cashback offers from top lifestyle and travel brands Curve partners with mobile commerce platform Button , to distribute a new type of Rewards offer to the UK, Spain, Italy and France , to distribute a new type of Rewards offer to the and Customers can redeem as many offers as they want, multiple times and spend the cashback automatically or save their money to spend on something else Curve, the fast-growing financial super app that consolidates your cards into one smart card, is announcing the initial launch of its Rewards programme across France, Italy and Spain in addition to expanding its current offering across the UK Customers in these countries will be able to utilise cashback rewards when they spend on services like booking a holiday through Expedia and Hotels.com, ordering food or finding a summer activity deal at home with Groupon Curve's aim is to provide customers with a suite of features that make it easier for them to start embracing the 'new normal' and enjoying life. A successful vaccination programme across the EU and UK means citizens are finally able to travel again and can book much-deserved vacations. Curve's latest partnership with Button, the mobile commerce platform offers a highly anticipated range of cashback rewards to Curve customers in France, Italy, Spain and the UK when making online purchases. Customers not only have the ability to redeem as many offers as they wish but these offers can also be used multiple times. Booking two or even three holidays? Curve has made sure the customer will be rewarded every time. In a time when people are desperate to travel post covid but are more conscious of their spending, customers have the ability to earn cashback on every card they spend on through Curve, earning while they spend, even while on holiday. In addition, Curve guarantees customers will have access to the interbank exchange rate for currency conversion when using their Curve card overseas, plus there's fee-free international spending and ATM withdrawals on weekdays** exclusions apply. Curve's founder and CEO, Shachar Bialick said: "Curve represents the next generation of money management, and we love being able to offer solutions that help our European consumers' transform the way they bank. Traditionally European consumers are hesitant to switch banks, Curve enables customers to turbocharge their existing bank accounts with a multitude of cashback and rewards features when they spend online at top retailers and services." Curve customers are given full control of their spending power, with reminders of activated offers before they expire and the freedom to save Curve Cash or opt to spend it automatically. In addition to other product features including 'Anti-embarrassment Mode' and 'Go Back in Time'. 'Anti-embarrassment Mode' ensures that If a customer's payment card is declined, Curve will automatically charge their pre-selected backup card avoiding embarrassment and panic at the checkout. Curve's GBiT feature gives customers the ability to switch a payment made on one card to another after the original payment is made allowing customers to free up cash in a time of need. The Curve Rewards programme will expand across further European countries within the next few months. About Curve Curve is a financial super app. Its mission is to be a one-stop shop for all the financial needs of a consumer; a single point of access to a wide range of financial products and services, bundling together all your money into one smart card and an even smarter app. Unlike other services available in the market today, Curve allows customers to connect and supercharge their legacy banks to the 21st century, without leaving their bank or signing up to a new bank. Curve is live in 31 markets across the UK and European Economic Area (EEA). Curve supports Mastercard, Visa and Diners Club networks. The Curve Card and e-money, related to cards issued in the UK, is issued by Curve OS Limited, authorised in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority to issue electronic money (firm reference number 900926). The Curve Card and e-money, related to cards issued in the EEA, is issued by Curve Europe UAB, authorised in Lithuania by the Bank of Lithuania (electronic money institution license No. 73 issued on 22 of October, 2020). For more information go to www.curve.com, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter @imaginecurve and Instagram @imaginecurve, or like our Facebook page. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005708/en/ Contacts: For media enquiries Email: bella.benson@imaginecurve.com Industry experts, Austin Roofing and Construction, weighs in on what homeowners need to look for when choosing a roofing company. AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / August 31, 2021 / Finding a good roofing professional in the state of Texas can be difficult for homeowners who don't know what to look for. The quality of roofing experts that homeowners choose to work with can determine the future of a home following an appointment. For this reason, the team at Austin Roofing and Construction offer a comprehensive breakdown of what to look for when seeking out a new roofing company. Confirm Insurance When seeking out a team of roofing experts, it is important to confirm a high level of company insurance. Even the most talented roofers know that accidents do happen. Insurance protects roofing companies and their clients if something does go wrong. Austin Roofing and Construction maintains $2,000,000 in general liability insurance. Check the Reviews Customers that feel very strongly about the experience that they have with a company tend to vocalize it. While not every customer walks away happy with every experience, it is important to make sure that none of the reviews on a company page are alarming. It is always safer to work with companies that the public has a high opinion of, and Austin Roofing and Construction's customer reviews are outstanding. Explore Licensing and Certifications Texas does not have any laws for licensing, which leads to a higher-than-average amount of what Austin Roofing and Construction's CVO, Christine Bowen, refers to as "passing through roofing companies." These companies can provide lackluster service and might not have the skills to do a job in a way that meets regulatory standards. For reference, the team at Austin Roofing and Construction has certifications from GAF, Owens Corning, Duralast, and more. This team is also licensed by the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas. Credentials like this can verify that a roofing company can handle the tasks that homeowners are looking for. Experience New talents join the roofing industry every single year, but that doesn't mean that every new team can provide the same level of service as some of the others. The experts at Austin Roofing and Construction offer over 25 years of experience in a wide range of roofing specialties and bring all of this talent to every job site. Look for Community Initiatives Supporting local businesses is important, but it is also important for local companies to give back to their communities. Austin Roofing and Construction has partnered with Austin Gives to donate 1% of total gross income. To meet this need, they offer time, money, and-in some cases-free roofing to those who need the assistance. Additionally, this team offers funding for parties at the Children's Home and the Helping Hand Home to help those in need enjoy the holidays. Working with a company that gives back can help homeowners to contribute to a worthy cause with their investment. Customer-Focused Customer-focused companies are more likely to yield a satisfactory experience for the families and business owners that they work with. A good roofing company will have a long list of satisfied customers and affordable prices that make their services accessible. Seeking a company that goes the extra mile can come with quite a few perks and lead to a more positive outcome every time. About Austin Roofing and Construction: Austin Roofing and Construction are continuously rated the best roofers in Austin Texas providing their customers with a full scope of services for all their roofing, remodeling, and construction needs. Providing Tesla Solar Roofs, Shingles, Metal, TPO, PVC, and Coatings they offer all types of residential and commercial roofing. The team at Austin Roofing and Construction is composed of three generations of Texas natives who seek to change the construction industry for the better. By relying on input from the entire team, they are able to bring together traditional and modern methods to provide exceptional service for residents in the area. They have a reputation for always completing their roofing and restoration projects on time and on budget while providing a full-service experience, superior customer interaction, and unparalleled workmanship. Business name: Austin Roofing and Construction Contact: Daisy Martinez Phone: (512) 629-4949 URL- https://www.austinroofingandconstruction.com Email: daisy@austinroofingandconstruction.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AustinRoofingAndConstruction/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinroofingandconstruction/ Address: 1301 W Ben White Blvd #200A, Austin, TX 78704 SOURCE: Austin Roofing and Construction View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/662188/Best-Roofer-Austin-Texas-Austin-Roofing-and-Construction-Shares-How-to-Choose-the-Best-Local-Roofing-Company DGAP-News: Atriva Therapeutics GmbH / Key word(s): Conference Atriva Therapeutics: Participation in upcoming scientific and industry conferences 31.08.2021 / 17:00 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Atriva Therapeutics to take part in upcoming scientific and industry conferences Tubingen and Frankfurt (Germany), August 31, 2021 - Atriva Therapeutics GmbH, a biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of host-targeting antiviral therapies, announced today its participation in the following upcoming scientific and industry conferences: Swiss Biotech Day September 7th, 2021, Congress Center Basel, Switzerland Dr. Bjorn Cochlovius, SVP Business Development at Atriva Therapeutics, will be available for networking and one-on-one meetings. https://swissbiotechday.ch/ Deutsche Biotechnologietage September 20th - 21st, 2021, hybrid event, ICS Internationales Congresscenter, Stuttgart, Germany Dr. Rainer Lichtenberger, CEO of Atriva Therapeutics, will be available on site for networking and one-on-one discussions on the first day of the event (September 20th). https://www.biotechnologietage.de/de/ BIO-Europe(R) Digital October 25th - 28th, 2021, delivered digitally Atriva Therapeutics will be available for partnering via the partneringONE platform. https://informaconnect.com/bioeurope/ 6th LSX's Inv$tival ShowcaseTM November 8th - 15th, 2021, hybrid event, Hilton Waldorf, London, UK Atriva Therapeutics will be available for networking and one-on-one discussions. https://www.lsxleaders.com/investival-showcase About Atriva Therapeutics GmbH Atriva Therapeutics, founded in 2015, is a biopharmaceutical company that is pioneering the development of host-targeting antiviral therapies. It was set up by a team of leading scientists in viral research as well as proven industry experts. The company aims to develop a therapy platform to treat severe respiratory diseases induced by RNA viruses with a high unmet medical need, such as influenza and COVID-19. The Atriva lead product zapnometinib (pINN, currently known as ATR-002) is a first-in-class, host-targeting agent that aims to inhibit viral replication and to favorably modulate the body's immune response in such RNA viruses. Zapnometinib is under clinical development and has successfully completed a Phase I trial to demonstrate safety and tolerability in healthy subjects. The Company is actively enrolling patient in a Phase II study to evaluate efficacy in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.[1] A Phase II study in influenza is currently planned, as are further Phase II and III studies in COVID-19. The Company owns 11 patent families with broad international coverage related to the use of MEK inhibitors and other kinase inhibitors for antiviral therapies. The patent life runs through 2041. Atriva Therapeutics is based in Tubingen and Frankfurt, Germany. Atriva is a founding member of the BEAT-COV initiative. www.beat-cov.de For further information, please visit www.atriva-therapeutics.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Contact: Atriva Therapeutics GmbH Dr. Rainer Lichtenberger, CEO phone: +49 6196 56 11 698 mobile: +49 151 7443 3175 lichtenberger@atriva-therapeutics.com Media and Investor Relations: MC Services AG Eva Bauer / Raimund Gabriel phone: +49 89 210 228 80 atriva-therapeutics@mc-services.eu [1]RESPIRE - A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multi-Centre Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of ATR-002 in Adult Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19. 31.08.2021 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de Regulatory News: Pursuant to implementing Directive of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 596/2014 of 16 April 2014 on the abuses of market and in accordance with Article 241-4 of the AMF General Regulation, Sopra Steria Group (Paris:SOP) hereby discloses the transactions in its own shares carried out on 17 August 2021 Trading day Type of transaction Number of shares Weighted average price (EUR) Total amount (EUR) 17/08/2021 Transfer 49 N/A N/A Transfer carried out under the "Share Incentive Plan SIP" employee share ownership plan implemented by Sopra Steria Group in the United Kingdom, the aim of which is to award free Sopra Steria shares to UK employees participating in the SIP in a ratio of one free share per share subscribed for. Disclaimer This document is a free translation into English of the original French press release. It is not a binding document. In the event of a conflict in interpretation, reference should be made to the French version, which is the authentic text. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005086/en/ Contacts: Investor Relations Sopra Steria Group Olivier Psaume investors@soprasteria.com +33 (0)1 40 67 68 16 Press Relations Image Sept Caroline Simon-Phelip caroline.simon@image7.fr +33 (0)1 53 70 74 65 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - Cairo Resources Inc. (TSXV: QAI.H) ("Cairo" or the "Company"), a capital pool company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"), is pleased to announce that, further to its news releases dated January 26, 2021 and June 21, 2021, it has filed its Filing Statement dated as of August 30, 2021 and a technical report for the Koonenberry North Project located in New South Wales, Australia (the "Technical Report"). The Filing Statement describes the Company's proposed qualifying transaction (the "Qualifying Transaction") with Bangles Gold Pty. Ltd. ("Bangles"). The Company has received conditional approval from the Exchange to complete the Qualifying Transaction, subject to closing of the Qualifying Transaction by no later than November 14, 2021 and completion of certain other filings. Completion of the Qualifying Transaction remains subject to a number of conditions, including final approval of the Exchange. The Technical Report, entitled "Independent Technical Report, Koonenberry North Project, NSW, Bangles Gold Pty Ltd" and dated effective May 3, 2021, was prepared by Geos Mining Mineral Consultants and authored by Murray Hutton, BA (Hons) Geology, MAIG, a "qualified person" (as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101")) and independent of both Cairo and Bangles for the purposes of NI 43-101. Copies of the Filing Statement and the Technical Report are available under Cairo's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The common shares of the Company were halted from trading effective January 26, 2021 and will remain halted until the completion of the Qualifying Transaction. On closing of the Qualifying Transaction, the Company will change its name to "Gladiator Metals Corp." and is expected to commence trading on the Exchange as a Tier 2 mining issuer, at which time the Company will no longer be considered a capital pool company. Additional information concerning the Qualifying Transaction, the Company, and Bangles is provided in the Company's Filing Statement. For further information please contact Darryl Cardey, President and Chief Executive Officer, at (604) 638-8063. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Darryl Cardey" Darryl Cardey President and Chief Executive Officer 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. Completion of the Qualifying Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance and if applicable pursuant to Exchange Requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Qualifying Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Qualifying Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the filing statement prepared in connection with the Qualifying Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Qualifying Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative. The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the Qualifying Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. All information contained in this news release with respect to Cairo and Bangles was supplied by the parties, respectively, for inclusion herein, and Cairo and its respective directors and officers have relied on Bangles for any information concerning such party. 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. The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-Looking statements, including statements relating to the completion of the Qualifying Transaction. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance of each of Cairo and Bangles may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although each of Cairo and Bangles believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, they can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, each of Cairo and Bangles disclaims any intention and assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release, publication, distribution or dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/95040 EIG completes acquisition of 1332 MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power station and 49 MW battery in Nottinghamshire, England West Burton Energy, a newly created company, is well-positioned to support the energy transition West Burton Energy has been created today as a leading supplier of electricity in the United Kingdom after EIG, an institutional investor to the global energy sector and one of the world's leading infrastructure investors, acquired a portfolio of power generation assets from EDF Energy. The transaction, which closed on August 31, 2021, includes West Burton B, a 1332 MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine ("CCGT") power station, and a 49 MW battery in Nottinghamshire, England. R. Blair Thomas, EIG's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "This transaction is consistent with our strategy to invest in high-quality assets, best-in-class teams and critical energy infrastructure. Gas-fired power stations have demonstrated their strategic importance in the U.K.'s electricity supply system, and our investment in West Burton Energy underscores our confidence in the continued role that gas will play in facilitating the energy transition." West Burton B is a highly flexible and efficient CCGT Plant with three combined cycle units, which can generate enough electricity to power approximately 1.5 million homes, and is linked to one of Europe's largest battery storage assets. Together, these technologies provide essential on-demand energy products, critical in supporting the UK's changing grid landscape and transition to a low carbon economy. "The station's high efficiency means less fossil fuel is consumed and lower levels of emissions are produced for every unit of electricity generated," explained Mike Nason, West Burton Energy's Station Manager. "Considering this, along with the fact that our newly independent station is one of the most recent builds in the country, West Burton Energy is well-positioned at the forefront of the U.K.'s evolving energy market." Walid Mouawad, Managing Director at EIG, added, "This is a fantastic opportunity for our investors as West Burton Energy embarks on a path forward to deliver solutions capable of supporting a net-zero future. With the strong growth of renewable generation, we believe that battery storage technology will continue to support the stability of the U.K.'s national grid network. EIG is delighted to partner with this incredible team and to be a part of West Burton Energy's exciting next chapter." Cantor Fitzgerald acted as financial advisor to EIG in connection with the transaction, and White Case served as legal advisor. About West Burton Energy West Burton Energy is a newly formed independent power producer and a leading supplier of electricity in the United Kingdom. The Company operates a 1332 MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power station, a 49MW battery and has a permitted site for a planned Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) project, located in Nottinghamshire, England. For additional information, please visit West Burton Energy's website at www.westburtonenergy.com. About EIG EIG is a leading institutional investor to the global energy sector with $22.5 billion under management as of June 30, 2021. EIG specializes in private investments in energy and energy-related infrastructure on a global basis. During its 39-year history, EIG has committed over $38.0 billion to the energy sector through more than 373 projects or companies in 38 countries on six continents. EIG's clients include many of the leading pension plans, insurance companies, endowments, foundations and sovereign wealth funds in the U.S., Asia and Europe. EIG is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Houston, London, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong and Seoul. For additional information, please visit EIG's website at www.eigpartners.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005838/en/ Contacts: Media West Burton Energy FTI Consulting Stephanie Randall +1 212-850-5603 WestBurtonEnergy@fticonsulting.com EIG Sard Verbinnen Co. Kelly Kimberly Brandon Messina +1 212-687-8080 EIG-SVC@sardverb.com Partnership Provides Long Term Financing to POULAINE LTD., as Ethos Asset Management Inc., Commits to Investing in UK Businesses ETHOS ASSET MANAGEMENT INC USA announced a new long-term financing partnership with Poulaine Ltd., a United Kingdom-based Property Development and Events Company. Ethos, a private project financing provider based in San Diego, California, with global operations, has committed to providing Poulaine with a significant capital infusion of 10 million GBP, that will continue for several years. Carlos Santos, CEO of Ethos Asset Management, stated, "We are extremely pleased to be able to support Poulaine through our Crisis Financing Facility (CFF). The relevance of this deal confirms our commitment to the penetration of the UK and European markets. We whole-heartedly support Poulaine's ambitions to deliver their project in the events sector including weddings and business conferencing across two prestigious locations in the UK. The acquisition of two significant estates and listed buildings and their refurbishment will enable Poulaine to commence operations which have been delayed due to the Covid19 pandemic." Liam Robertson, Director of Poulaine Ltd., UK, stated, "Poulaine Ltd are excited to work with Ethos Asset Management. We look forward to our upcoming projects in two impressive properties within the events sector." Poulaine Ltd., is a UK-based dynamic alternative asset management company. Ethos Asset Management (Ethos) is an independent, US-based company with a global reach in resource mobilization and project financing. Providing financing to government and privately promoted projects in every continent and every sector, Ethos has developed a unique risk modulation model which allows them to provide financing in terms not available anywhere in traditional financial markets. Additionally, Ethos provides advice to structure projects and restructure debt. Ethos supports and develops their clients to achieve their long-term goals with confidence. Carlos Santos, CEO of Ethos Asset Management, is actively involved in acquiring and structuring three investment funds. He is directly involved in four business areas of the companies: resource mobilization, project financing, wealth management, and commodities trading. Mr. Santos holds a bachelor's degree in Economics, three Master's degrees in Finance, Banking Accounting and International Taxation, and a Ph.D. developer in Financial Instruments. Craig Freeman, Ethos' UK Associate, also said, "I am delighted to continue my relationship with Ethos, and to secure funding to enable Poulaine to purchase two more properties to expand its foothold in the events business." You can hear from Carlos Santos, Ethos CEO, in Dubai where he is Guest Speaker and Panellist at The Leaders Without Borders Leadership Summit and International Honours, the #1 gathering of high-achieving level professionals from all across the World, at the Habtoor Palace, Dubai, on 29th 30th September 2021. For more information about Ethos, please visit https://www.ethosasset.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005879/en/ Contacts: Ethos UK Contact: Mr. Craig Freeman, Ethos Associate; craig@freemansaccountancy.com Ethos USA Contact: Attributed Holdings International, Ethos Associate; info@attributedholdings.com BEIJING, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a news report from Science and Technology Daily: On August 30, 2021, the forum of the World 5G Convention themed on 5G Accelerating and Empowering the New Development of Media Convergence was held in Yizhuang, Beijing. This forum is co-sponsored by Science and Technology Daily and China International Publishing Group. Guests from media, academia and industry at home and abroad gathered together to discuss how 5G technology accelerates the new development of media convergence by showing new cases and predicting new trends. Du Zhanyuan, president of China International Publishing Group, said 5G technology should be used to improve the ability of international communication, and proposed four suggestions. Firstly, the sharing of 5G technology should be actively promoted to improve the common well-being of mankind. Secondly, the application of multi-scene technology should be accelerated. Thirdly, the mechanisms compatible with the media convergence development should be built. Fourthly, the sci-tech achievements should be fully used to enhance the ability of international communication. Li Ping, a member of CPC of Ministry of Science and Technology and president of Science and Technology Daily, stressed that media convergence is essentially an inevitable result of sci-tech development. The mainstream media are expected to deeply integrate traditional media and new media, build a community of media convergence, and provide industry standards for the future development. Li Ping said that Science and Technology Daily has been paying close attention to the development of 5G technology, and voicing the Chinese opinions in the global stage. At present, the international opinions on the issues such as virus-tracing and digital security are complicated. In the face of intertwined situations between the known and unknown, the new mainstream media empowered by new technologies are required to maintain a correct stance and a clear mind in international communication. This will become a topic of the times that everyone need to think deeply and actively answer. During the keynote speech, guests discussed a series of topics concerning the future scientific research. For example, where will the combination of media and new technology lead the media industry? How does the media play an important role in promoting the implementation of emerging strategic technologies? Zheng Bo, the deputy editor-in-chief of Economic Daily, said that in the 5G era, the mainstream media should voice correct public opinion by using new technology and never lose themselves. It is very important to stick to the correct political stance and value orientation for the media. Great efforts in in-depth reporting should be made to reflect different news perspectives and amplify mainstream tone in public communication. Gao Jie, chief reporter of Centre of New Media, Xinhua News Agency, introduced the practice of 5G technology in the field of media convergence,demonstrating the perfect combination of virtual space and the real world by using media content to inspire people's enthusiasm for the public affairs. How to make the news intelligent, lower the threshold of live editing, and achieve the fast and efficient production of video content? Zhang Shenyuan, product director of New Media Center of People's Daily, illustrated that over-arching plan must be made well in order to make advanced technology support media convergence through the example of livestreaming editing tools. Zhang Shilei, managing director and senior editor of CGTN Digital, said that the impact of 5G and AI on the traditional journalism should not be ignored, and the press should take the initiative to embrace new technologies and accelerate the media convergence. As to the promotion of media convergence by 5G, Zhang Baoan, the party committee member and technical director of the Great Wall New Media Group, said that the technical staff and relevant platforms should take the lead in developing media convergence, namely the internal convergence within a journalism institute, the in-depth convergence between the journalism and public affairs, and the internal convergence between the press industries. Cui Baoguo, a professor at the School of Journalism and Communication of Tsinghua University, focused on the relationship between the media convergence and the development of digital economy. "The development of digital economy can offer the solid technical support and industrial guarantee required by the construction of an all-media communication system. Media convergence can expand the space for developing the digital economy. They promote and complement each other. The leading role of digital economy should be fully played to promote the transformation of traditional media," he said. Ding Gangyi, the secretary of party committee of the School of Computer Science, and the leader of the discipline of advanced digital performance, Beijing Institute of Technology, revealed the new changes brought by digital simulation technology through an art performance in the centennial celebration of the founding of the Communist Party of China Liu Xiaolin, head of Audience Development and Distribution Services, PR Newswire APAC, introduced the multimedia content dissemination under the influence of 5G technology. He believes that video content has occupied most of the users' time in a day and 5G technology is reconstructing the way that people interact with the world. Vasily Pushkov, director of the International Cooperation, Sputnik News Agency and Radio, conveyed an international voice that the development of immersive diversified content will be accelerated in the 5G era. Guests from the industry also discussed their views on the impact of 5G technology on the development of media convergence. Mr. Gao Peng, senior director of Audio and Video Industry Development of Strategy Department of Huawei, said that the number of online video users in China increased by 126 million in March, 2020, compared with the figure in late 2018, accounting for 94.1 percent of all Internet users. It can be learned that the video market is full of potential. Chen Lei, senior marketing director of Qualcomm, believes that 5G has not only changed the media ecosystem, but also speeded up the media convergence. Tu Jiashun, principal scientist of NFV/SDN and technology spokesman of ZTE Corporation, pointed out the difficulties faced by the traditional media and gave a solution of converging the technology and media. Wang Qiong, general manager of E-government and Livelihood Industry of WeCom Team in WeChat Group of Tencent, shared the cases of digital products in the 5G era and her reference for the media development in the future. Xu Zhilong, editor-in-chief of Science and Technology Daily, who presided over the forum, shared his views on the relationship between 5G technology and media development. Firstly, 5G has changed the development of media from theory to practice, and more fundamental changes will occur in the future. Secondly, 5G technology has huge development potential. Its current application is only the tip of the iceberg, and there are more areas to be explored. Thirdly, 5G's empowerment to the development of media convergence is both direct and indirect. More attention should be paid to the indirect empowerment. In the future, the issue about how 5G empowers the development of media convergence is not only a very important subject, but also a topic worthy of in-depth discussion. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1605473/Image1.jpg BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The Switzerland stock market closed lower on Tuesday, in line with most of the markets across Europe, as worries about growth and rising coronavirus cases outweighed somewhat fading concerns about Fed taper and rendered the mood cautious. The benchmark SMI ended down by 25.47 points or 0.2% at 12,411.11, after moving between 12,398.34 and 12,494.65. ABB, Swatch Group, Swiss Life Holding, Richemont and Nestle lost 1 to 1.3%, while Sika and Givaudan shed nearly 1% and 0.88%, respectively. Holcim, Swiss Re and Geberit lost 0.6 to 0.72%, while Swisscom and UBS closed modestly lower. Novartis gained 0.86% and Roche Holding climbed 0.53%. SGS and Alcom edged up marginally. Among the stocks in the Swiss Mid Price Group, Tecan Group and Logitech both ended lower by 3.1%. Cembra Money Bank shed about 2.5%. VAT Group, PSP Swiss Property, Sonova, Barry Callebaut, Adecco, Ems Chemie Holding, Schindler Ps and Swiss Prime Site ended lower by 1.4 to 2.1%. Lindt & Spruengli surged up 1.1%. Temenos Group gained about 0.85%, while Straumann Holding and SIG Combibloc edged up marginally. In economic news, The KOF Economic Barometer in Switzerland declined to 113.5 in August of 2021 from an upwardly revised 130.9 in July and below market expectations of 125. In virus news, the US has reintroduced health warnings for Americans travelling to Switzerland, while the Swiss government is considering quarantines. According to reports, the U.S. has raised its travel advisory levels for Switzerland because of rising Covid-19 infections rates. The US state department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned people who have been fully vaccinated of a risk of catching the virus in Switzerland due to the health situation. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. TOKYO, JAPAN / ACCESSWIRE / August 31, 2021 / Digital Garage is a leading technology conglomerate based in Tokyo and San Francisco, focusing on Fintech/Adtech and investing globally. Digital Garage celebrates its 25th anniversary at the annual event, THE NEW CONTEXT CONFERENCE, on the theme "Earthshot Whole Earth 2021@Tokyo", an homage to Stewart Brand, who is known for his "Whole Earth Catalog". Now in its 21st year, the latest edition of the conference took place on August 11 and featured talks on the subject of "Half Century Since Whole Earth Catalog: Shaping the Future with Technology". It was broadcast simultaneously to worldwide audiences and was hosted by Kaoru Hayashi (Representative Director, President Executive Officer and Group CEO, Digital Garage) and Joichi Ito (Board of Directors member and Co-Founder, Digital Garage), with speakers including Stewart Brand, Taro Kono (Minister in charge of Administrative Reform), Takuya Hirai (Minister for Digital Transformation), Mitsuhiro Takemura (Founder, Takemura Juku), Mr. Shinjiro Koizumi (Minister in charge of Climate Change, Minister of the Environment), and Ms. Audrey Tan (Digital Minister of Taiwan) participated online. THE NEW CONTEXT CONFERENCE 2021 Miwa Komatsu also attended as a speaker at the event, talking about her work "NEXT MANDALA - Home of Soul", which she painted at Sambo-in Temple in Koyasan.* She live painted the "eyes", which represent the soul of the work. A video of Komatsu painting the triangles that flank the Mandala at the Digital Garage headquarters conference hall "Dragon Gate" two days prior to the event was featured, as well as showing the process of making the Mandala painting in Koyasan. In the session that followed, Zenryu Hidaka (Head Priest of Toji Temple) took the stage as a guest and talked with Kaoru Hayashi and Joichi Ito about the anecdotes that led to the commissioning of the work. Hidaka said that "NEXT MANDALA - Home of Soul", beautifully depicts all living things and resonates with the teachings of Kukai, the founder of Shingon Buddhism. * Komatsu's concept of "Yamato Power (Great Harmonization)" is the ancient Japanese way of harmonizing various elements (culture, nature, humanity, and all living things). For Komatsu, live painting is not a performance but a ritual. At her live paintings, she wears a white Hakama and meditates. Meditation channels the energy of her whereabouts, the people who live there, its nature, guardian gods, and divine spirits are all incorporated into her work. "NEXT MANDALA - Home of Soul" is a painting of a mandala and two pairs of dragons watching the earth from the heavens, created using the energy of the universe that Komatsu channeled through meditation. It conveys that we are shifting from "Great Acceleration" to "Great Harmonization." About the event More information about Miwa Komatsu Video of Miwa Komatsu, Password: earthshot0811 Contact: Mana Motoi m.motoi@communion.co.jp Related Images SOURCE: Digital Garage View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/662145/Miwa-Komatsu-Addresses-the-NEW-CONTEXT-CONFERENCE-2021-by-Digital-Garage Atlas Mara provides audited results for the 14-month period ended 28 February 2021 TORTOLA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS / ACCESSWIRE / August 31, 2021 / Atlas Mara Limited ("Atlas Mara" or the "Company," and including its subsidiaries, the "Group"), the sub-Saharan African financial services group, releases its summary financial highlights for the 14-month period ended 28 February 2021. This represents an extract from the audited financial statements. The full audited financial statements will be released shortly and published on our website. Principal highlights: On 29 June 2021, the Group announced that it had changed its accounting reference date and financial year end from 31 December to 28 February, effective for the 2020 financial year. As a result of this change, the results and prior year information presented herein on an IFRS basis are not comparable. Adjusted net profit of $1.5 million (2019: $5.8 million) which excludes the impact of IFRS 5 remeasurement of subsidiaries held-for-sale and other transaction and restructuring related expenses. Union Bank of Nigeria ("UBN") contributed associate income of $25.5 million for the 14-month period (2019: $31.2 million). The associate income reported reflects the impact of the currency devaluation in 2020, being translated at an average US dollar FX rate of NGN384.4 compared to NGN306.4 in 2019. This represents a 14-month pro-rated 30% decrease in US dollar terms (12.1% on a constant currency basis) Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related macro-economic challenges as well as government policy responses, UBN's underlying performance for the 14-month period remained strong, with the NPL ratio decreasing to 4% compared to 5.8% in December 2019. Capital adequacy remains strong with total CAR above 17% at period-end. BVPS increased by NGN 0.41 to 9.05 as at December 2020. On 14 July 2021 the Group announced that it had successfully executed a binding and comprehensive debt restructuring agreement (the "Support and Override Agreement" or "restructuring agreement") with the majority of the Company's and its subsidiary ABC Holdings Limited's ("ABCH's") creditors. This followed the initial announcement on 29 December 2020 that the Group had entered into a new secured facility agreement and a standstill agreement with certain creditors in respect of the Company's and ABCH's financing arrangements (the "Standstill"). Additional information related to the terms of this agreement are set out in the Company's previous announcement. Successful execution of the restructuring agreement enables the Company to continue its focus on its previously announced strategic priorities. In the period from September 2020 to date, the company has announced divestments in Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania and Botswana. The Group continues its efforts to streamline the holding company and centralised cost structures. Additionally, the Company continues to evaluate all options that could include a take-private or delisting of the Company and will keep the market apprised as appropriate. Reported net loss to equity holders of $58.7 million (2019: loss of $143.2 million) or $0.35 per share (2019: loss of $0.84 per share).This result includes a loss from continuing operations of $46.6 million (2019: loss of $8.5 million) and a loss from discontinued operations of $12.0 million (2019: loss of $134.7 million). The loss from continuing operations includes a loss on the monetary position in Zimbabwe of $16.9 million and reflects the impact of the currency devaluation of >100% in Zimbabwe and 20% in Nigeria. The Group's operating businesses evolved in response to the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the ever- increasing customer expectations, new technologies and a rapidly changing competitive environment. Key changes were implemented in health and safety of clients and employees, Information Technology systems and cyber security, capital and liquidity buffers, internal controls, and robust loan management systems. All operating banks maintained adequate capital adequacy ratios, reflecting stable balance sheets. Continued focus on deposit growth, loan book quality, and growth business lines. Commenting on these results, Chairman Michael Wilkerson said, "The past financial year was the most challenging in the Company's history. Nonetheless, I am pleased to report that the Group was successful in working with its creditors to complete its debt restructuring. The Company also achieved several milestones in the strategic review aimed at maximizing creditor and shareholder value in the context of extraordinary market disruptions and highly regulated banking environments. Despite the challenging macroeconomic environment in Africa, most of our banks generated positive recurring operating profit during the period." Events subsequent to year end Debt Restructuring On 14 July 2021 the Group announced the successful execution of the restructuring agreement. Creditors representing 88% of the aggregate amount of debt outstanding under the Company's direct and contingent financial liabilities agreed to enter the Restructuring Agreement. This agreement provides for a high level of support from the creditors to enable a long-term stable platform to allow the Company to complete its strategic review and divestiture program. Update on strategic transactions On 25 August 2021, the Group announced that after successfully securing the necessary regulatory approvals and consents, and fulfilling all other agreed closing conditions, the transaction for the sale of 62.06% shareholding in Banque Populaire du Rwanda Plc ("BPR") had been completed. On 19 May 2021, the Group announced the completion of the sale of its subsidiary African Banking Corporation Mozambique ("BancABC Mozambique"). The transaction was initially announced on 29 September 2020. On 19 April 2021, the Group announced that it had entered into definitive agreements for the sale of ABCH's holdings in African Banking Corporation Botswana ("BancABC Botswana"). This transaction has received all requisite regulatory approvals and is expected to close by the end of 2021. Classification of BancABC Botswana as a non-current asset held for sale o Following the announcement of the planned divestiture of BancABC Botswana, effective 31 August 2021, the Group will be required to classify its investment in BancABC Botswana as a non-current asset held for sale. As required by IFRS 5, this will result in the investment being deconsolidated and remeasured to the lower of its carrying value or fair value less cost to sell. The transaction is expected to result in a loss primarily due to the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets associated with BancABC Botswana of c$25 - 28 million. At completion, this transaction will result in release of translation losses to P&L of c. $13.2 million. Additional operational highlights during the period: BancABC Botswana Implemented a new Retail Digital Banking platform (SARUMoney) in 2020 before the introduction of mandatory COVID-19 related country-wide lockdowns. Digital subscriptions increased by 60% during the year and monthly engagement levels exceed 80% on the platform. The Bank also introduced cardless cash withdrawal on its digital platform. These innovations contributed to the Retail deposit book's increase by over 16% by end of February 2021 compared to December 2019. Aligned to the ambition to become a transactional bank for corporate clients, additional functionality was added to the Corporate Banking Online platform, which resulted in significant volume and subscription growth during the year. Global Markets profit after tax recorded over 40% year on year increase, supported by a 176% increase in trading income driven by increased client relationships. Extended repayment and interest moratoriums were offered to select impacted clients in both the retail and corporate business - mostly small exposures in the tourism sector. Tools were provided to staff to enable them to work from home. Allowances were granted to employees to purchase office equipment and internet facilities to improve productivity. This ensured that employees were fully equipped to work during the pandemic. BancABC Zimbabwe Digital income contributed 9% to core revenue, a substantial increase from 2019. A 348% increase in Visa card holders from 7.5 thousand as at February 2020 to 33.8 thousand as at February 2021. 11% increase between December 2020 (30.5k) and February 2021 (33.8 thousand). A 33% increase in mobile banking subscribers from 107 thousand in February 2020 to 164 thousand in February 2021. A 63% and 424% increase in mobile transaction volumes and values ($3.7 million vs. $2.3 million) respectively. The Bank NPL ratio improved to 1.35% as at February 2021 from 3.10% in February 2020. Entered into partnership to open total of 28 kiosks which are a low-cost substitute to branches. Launched the local remittance service in September 2020, $2 million sent through the service between September 2020 and February 2021. Launched the A360 mobile app in July, 33 thousand registrations by December 2020 and 45 thousand registrations by February 2021. Added QR code payment functionality on the A360 mobile app. Optimized KYC account opening through the website launched in October 2020. As part of the annual #777 CSR Campaign, the Bank donated over 200 litres of sanitiser and detergent, 500 face masks and other PPE to 7 different medical and vulnerable health organisations including an Old Peoples Home, Antenatal Clinic, Children's Hospital and Infectious Diseases Hospital. UBN Non-interest income increased by 4% for the 12 months ended 31 December 2020 compared to December 2019, with this trend continuing into Q1 and H1 2021 with UBN reporting a 9.5% and 22.3% increase respectively compared to the comparable period. The NPL ratio decreased to 4% at 31 December 2020 compared to 5.8% reported in December 2019. As at 30 June 2021, the NPL ratio has stabilized at 4.3%. Active users on digital platforms grew 1.3x and new features were added such as end-to-end account opening and enhanced card services including home delivery of cards, boosting revenues from digital channels by 1.5x. UnionDirect network was increased to over 18,000 agents, representing a 6x increase. Transaction volume and value grew 10x and 12x respectively delivering 14x revenue growth. Relaunched UnionVibe, UnionLegend and UnionInfinity, a suite of products targeting the key youth and teen demographic; and disbursed over NGN9.4 billion loans with new credit propositions. Core systems were upgraded to strengthen the performance, reliability, security and processing capacity of various platforms. Measures to prioritize the health and safety of employees, customers and other stakeholders to help weather the challenges of the pandemic. One of the first in the Nigerian banking industry to adopt the remote working model, with over 70% of workforce operating remotely at the height of the lockdowns, made possible due to pre-pandemic strategic investments made in digital technologies. Investments as part of business continuity measures taken in the face of this crisis including additional tools, measures and investments to facilitate work from home and avoid reduced productivity. Contact Details: Investors Kojo Dufu, +1 212 883 4330 Media Apella Advisors, +44(0) 7818 036 579 Anthony Silverman About Atlas Mara Atlas Mara Limited (LON: ATMA) is a financial services institution listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.atlasmara.com. Summary of audited results Table 1: Adjusted operating profit and reconciliation to IFRS profit for 14-months ended 28 February 2021 $'million 14-months ended 28 February 2021 Year ended 31 December 2019 CCY*Var % Adjusted profit after tax 1.5 5.8 2.0% Transaction and M & A related items (12.6) (109.5) 88.5% Reorganisations and restructuring costs (4.3) (13.1) 67.4% Impact of hyperinflation accounting (16.9) (11.1) (45.7%) Tax and NCI (26.4) (15.3) 45.5% Reported net profit (58.7) (143.2) 61.0% Reported cost to income ratio 114.4% 115.7% Adjusted cost to income ratio 106.1% 106.6% Reported return on equity (20.5%) (28.5%) Adjusted return on equity 0.9% 1.2% Reported return on assets (2.3%) (5.5%) Adjusted return on assets 0.1% 0.2% Reported EPS ($) (0.35) (0.84) Operational EPS ($) 0.01 0.03 Book value per share ($) 1.99 2.97 Tangible book value per share ($) 2.01 2.87 Total Shares in issue ('000) 144,002 169,191 * Unaudited To review the full announcement, please refer the associated link. http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/2965K_1-2021-8-31.pdf This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. SOURCE: Atlas Mara View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/662260/Atlas-Mara-Limited-Announces-2020-Year-End-Results Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - Ocumetics Technology Corp. (formerly Quantum Blockchain Technologies Ltd.) (TSXV: OTC) (the "Corporation") announces that it has completed its transaction (the "Transaction") with Ocumetics Technology Inc. (formerly Ocumetics Technology Corp.) ("Ocumetics"). The Transaction comprised a three-cornered amalgamation among the Corporation, Ocumetics and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (the "Amalgamation") and a private placement described below. The Transaction was an arm's length transaction. The Transaction constitutes the Corporation's Qualifying Transaction and a Reverse Takeover under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). Pursuant to the Amalgamation, each of the issued and outstanding shares of Ocumetics was exchanged for three common shares of the Corporation, and each of the issued and outstanding warrants of Ocumetics were exchanged for three warrants of the Corporation having the same or similar terms. Pursuant to the Amalgamation, 80,918,502 common shares of Corporation, at a deemed price of $0.125 per share, and 2,134,251 warrants, at a deemed price of $nil, were issued pursuant to the Amalgamation, for a total deemed purchase price of $10,114,813. Of these shares, 73,650,000 common shares were subject to escrow and trading restrictions whereby 10% of such shares would be released upon the issuance by the Exchange of a final exchange bulletin with respect to the Transaction and additional tranches of 15% will be released every six months thereafter. The Corporation issued 200,000 common shares to Haywood Securities Inc. in exchange for its services as the sponsor for the Amalgamation (the "Sponsor Shares"). In connection with the Amalgamation, the Corporation completed a non-brokered private placement whereby an aggregate of 21,604,800 common shares were issued at a price of $0.125 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $2,700,600.00 (the "Private Placement"). The Corporation paid finders fees to Leede Jones Gable Inc. consisting of cash commissions of $36,750.00 and warrants to purchase up to 294,000 common shares of the Corporation at a price of $0.125 per share for 24 months. Proceeds of the Private Placement will be used to fund the research and development and upcoming clinical trials for the Bionic Lens as well as for general administrative and working capital purposes. The Sponsor Shares and all securities issued under the Private Placement are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. Shares issued under the Amalgamation were not subject to any statutory hold periods. Immediately upon completion of the Transaction, the Corporation completed a vertical amalgamation whereby it amalgamated with the corporation formed by the Amalgamation, which was then its wholly-owned subsidiary. In connection with the Transaction, Keith Erickson resigned as a director and officer of the Corporation, and Dr. Garth Webb and Dayton Marks were appointed directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors of the Corporation now consists of Dr. Garth Webb, Dayton Marks, Roger Jewett, Johannes Kingma and Robert Quinn. Dr. Mark Lee was appointed the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, Xin Hui (Sandey) Wang was appointed the Chief Financial Officer and Dr. Garth Webb was appointed the Corporation's Chief Scientific Officer. Please see the Corporation's press release dated March 1, 2021 for a description of the qualifications and backgrounds of the directors and officers. Following the completion of the Transaction, the Corporation issued an aggregate of 8,870,800 incentive stock options to the following directors, officers and consultants pursuant to the terms of the Stock Option Plan of the Corporation: Optionee Position with Corporation Number of Options Mark Lee President and Chief Executive Officer 1,623,950 Garth Webb Director and Chief Scientific Officer 1,623,950 Xin Hui (Sandey) Chief Financial Officer 250,000 Roger Jewett Director and Consultant 1,623,950 Dayton Marks Director 2,000,000 Johannes Kingma Director 125,000 Robert Quinn Director 541,317 Doyle Stulting Consultant 1,082,633 TOTAL: 8,870,800 Each option entitles the holder thereof to purchase one common share in the capital of the Corporation, at an exercise price per common share of $0.125 for a period of five years. The options of Mark Lee, Garth Webb, Roger Jewett, Dayton Marks, Robert Quinn and Doyle Stulting will vest over a period of three years, with 15% of the options vesting six months after the date of issuance, another 15% vesting after 12 months, another 35% after 24 months and the remaining 35% after 36 months. 50% of the options of Sandey Wang will vest six months after the date of issuance and the remaining six months will vest 12 months after the date of issuance. The options of Johannes Kingma will vest immediately. The stock options are not transferrable. The common shares issued upon exercise of the stock options will be subject to a four-month resale restriction from the date of grant. Manning Elliott LLP, the auditor of Ocumetics, will be the auditor of the Corporation. Alliance Trust Company will continue as the transfer agent and registrar of the Corporation's common shares. Early Warning As a result of the Transaction, Dr. Garth Webb, through his holding company, Ventura Holdings Ltd., now holds an aggregate of 43,200,000 Common Shares of the Corporation, or 39.90% of the Common Shares currently issued and outstanding in the share capital of the Corporation (36.11% fully diluted). Dr. Webb also holds options to purchase up to 1,623,950 Common Shares of the Corporation at a price of $0.125 per share for a period of five years. Prior to the Transaction, neither Ventura nor Dr. Webb held any shares of the Corporation. In the future, depending on economic or market conditions or matters relating to the Corporation Dr. Webb may choose to either acquire additional securities or dispose of securities of the Corporation. Dr. Webb has no present intention to acquire additional securities of the Corporation. About the Corporation The Corporation is a Canadian research and product development company that specializes in adaptive lens designs, based in British Columbia. It is now in the pre-clinical stage of a game-changing technology for the ophthalmic industry - the Bionic Lens. The Bionic Lens is an expandable intraocular lens that fits within the natural lens compartment of the eye to completely eliminate the need for corrective lenses. It re-establishes the natural kinetics of the eye muscles to facilitate the eye's ability to shift focus effortlessly from distance to near and very near range. Resumption of Trading Pursuant to the policies of the Exchange, trading of the shares of the Corporation has been halted. Trading of the shares of the Corporation will resume under the trading symbol, "OTC", on September 10, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Dr. Mark Lee President and CEO (604) 832-6052 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/95066. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The United States has completed the longest war it waged abroad as the last US military flight has left Kabul airport Tuesday. Keeping the August 31 deadline, the U.S. military evacuation of civilians and the removal of all U.S. forces from Afghanistan were completed on Tuesday, marking the end of a 20-year presence of US forces in Afghanistan. The last military planes have left Kabul and the evacuation operation is over, Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie, the commander of U.S. Central Command told Pentagon reporters. '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,' McKenzie said via teleconference from his headquarters in Tampa. 'The last C-17 lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 30, this afternoon, at 3:29 p.m., East Coast time, and the last manned aircraft is now clearing the airspace above Afghanistan,' he added. The last C-17 departed with Army Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue, the commander of troops in Kabul, and U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ross Wilson aboard. The two-decades long US military mission in the war-ravaged country began shortly after the 9/11 attack, with a C-17 aircraft dropping humanitarian rations to starving Afghans, and American military might went after al-Qaida and the Taliban leaders that were sheltering Osama bin Laden and his cadres. It was a mission that brought Osama bin Laden to an end, along with many of his al-Qaida co-conspirators. More than 800,000 American service members and 25,000 civilians served in Afghanistan over the almost 20-year mission. A total of 2,461 U.S. service members and civilians were killed and more than 20,000 were injured. That includes 13 U.S. service members who were killed last week by an Islamic State suicide bomber. While two ISIS-K members were killed and one was injured in U.S. counterattack, the security situation in Afghanistan is still dangerous, said Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby. The U.S. military has said since the departure from Afghanistan was announced that it has the ability to conduct 'over-the-horizon' operations as part of its ongoing counter-terrorism mission. That means it would continue to be able to conduct an operation such as the drone strike in Nangarhar Province, without having to actually launch it from within Afghanistan. While the military evacuation is complete, the diplomatic mission to ensure additional U.S. citizens and eligible Afghans who want to leave continues. This was the largest non-combatant evacuation operation ever conducted by the U.S. military. President Joe Biden ordered the start of the NEO operation on August 14. Since then, U.S. military aircraft have evacuated more than 79,000 civilians from Hamid Karzai International Airport, which includes 6,000 Americans and more than 73,500 third country nationals and Afghan civilians. 'In total, U.S. and coalition aircraft combined to evacuate more than 123,000 civilians, which were all enabled by U.S. military service members who were securing and operating the airfield,' McKenzie said. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / August 31, 2021 / The above-noted Aberdeen Standard Investments U.S. Closed-End Funds (the "Funds" or individually the "Fund"), today announced that the Funds paid the distributions noted in the table below on August 31, 2021, on a per share basis to all shareholders of record as of August 20, 2021 (ex-dividend date August 19, 2021). Ticker Exchange Fund Amount ASGI NYSE Aberdeen Standard Global Infrastructure Income Fund $ 0.1083 FAX NYSE American Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. $ 0.0275 Each Fund has adopted a distribution policy to provide investors with a stable distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital. Under applicable U.S. tax rules, the amount and character of distributable income for each Fund's fiscal year can be finally determined only as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year. However, under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and related rules, the Funds may be required to indicate to shareholders the estimated source of certain distributions to shareholders. The following tables set forth the estimated amounts of the sources of the distributions for purposes of Section 19 of the 1940 Act and the rules adopted thereunder. The tables have been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles. The tables include estimated amounts and percentages for the current distributions paid this month as well as for the cumulative distributions paid relating to fiscal year to date, from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short-term capital gains; net realized long-term capital gains; and return of capital. The estimated compositions of the distributions may vary because the estimated composition may be impacted by future income, expenses and realized gains and losses on securities and currencies. Each Fund's estimated sources of the current distribution paid this month and for its current fiscal year to date are as follows: Estimated Amounts of Current Distribution per Share Fund Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains ** Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $0.1083 $0.0271 25% $0.0812 75% - - - - FAX $0.0275 $0.0143 52% - - - - $0.0132 48% Estimated Amounts of Fiscal Year to Date Cumulative Distributions per Share Fund Fiscal Year* to Date Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains ** Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $1.1913 $0.2979 25% $0.8934 75% - - - - FAX $0.2750 $0.1430 52% - - - - $0.1320 48% * ASGI has a 9/30 fiscal year end; FAX has a 10/31 fiscal year end. **includes currency gains. Where the estimated amounts above show a portion of the distribution to be a "Return of Capital," it means that Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in a Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income." The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The final determination of the source of all distributions for the current year will only be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. After the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders for the prior calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. The following table provides the Funds' total return performance based on net asset value (NAV) over various time periods compared to the Funds' annualized and cumulative distribution rates. Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information Fund Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ending 07/31/2021 Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV Cumulative Total Return on NAV Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV ASGI 21.11%3 5.66% 24.86% 4.72% FAX 3.68% 7.21% 4.26% 5.40% 1 Return data is net of all Fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan. 2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of July 31, 2021. 3 The Fund launched within the past 5 years; the performance and distribution rate information presented reflects data from inception (July 29, 2020) through July 31, 2021. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about a Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's current distributions or from the terms of the distribution policy (the "Distribution Policy"). While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market. Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Funds may distribute any long-term capital gains more frequently than the limits provided in Section 19(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder. Therefore, distributions paid by the Funds during the year may include net income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains and/or a return of capital. Net income dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, while generally taxable at ordinary income rates, may be eligible, to the extent of qualified dividend income earned by the Funds, to be taxed at a lower rate not to exceed the maximum rate applicable to your long-term capital gains. Distributions made in any calendar year in excess of investment company taxable income and net capital gain are treated as taxable ordinary dividends to the extent of undistributed earnings and profits, and then as a return of capital that reduces the adjusted basis in the shares held. To the extent return of capital distributions exceed the adjusted basis in the shares held, capital gain is recognized with a holding period based on the period the shares have been held at the date such amount is received. The payment of distributions in accordance with the Distribution Policy may result in a decrease in the Fund's net assets. A decrease in the Fund's net assets may cause an increase in the Fund's annual operating expense ratio and a decrease in the Fund's market price per share to the extent the market price correlates closely to the Fund's net asset value per share. The Distribution Policy may also negatively affect the Fund's investment activities to the extent that the Fund is required to hold larger cash positions than it typically would hold or to the extent that the Fund must liquidate securities that it would not have sold, for the purpose of paying the distribution. Each Fund's Board has the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Distribution Policy at any time. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Distribution Policy may affect the Fund's market price per share. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding federal, state and local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances. Circular 230 disclosure : To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. In the United States, Aberdeen Standard Investments is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: Aberdeen Standard Investments Inc., Aberdeen Asset Managers Ltd., Aberdeen Standard Investments Australia Ltd., Aberdeen Standard Investments (Asia) Ltd., Aberdeen Capital Management, LLC, Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Advisors LLC and Aberdeen Standard Alternative Funds Limited. Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. A Fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results. If you If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact Investor.Relations@aberdeenstandard.com https://www.aberdeenstandard.com/en-us/cefinvestorcenter/fund-centre/closed-end-funds ### For More Information Contact: Aberdeen Standard Investments Inc. Investor Relations 1-800-522-5465 Investor.Relations@aberdeenstandard.com SOURCE: Aberdeen Standard Investments Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/662231/Aberdeen-Standard-Investments-US-Closed-End-Funds-Announce-Distribution-Payment-Details MIM deepens support of the social housing sector in the U.K. to address affordable housing shortage MetLife Investment Management (MIM), the institutional asset management business of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), today announced that it has arranged GBP 122.5 million in loan notes for Triple Point Social Housing REIT plc (Triple Point) (LSE: SOHO) to refinance existing debt and support the future growth of the company. The financing is part of Triple Point's GBP 195 million private placement program that is linked to sustainability targets. Triple Point seeks to address the ongoing housing crisis by investing in the U.K. social housing sector, providing sustainable high-quality homes which have been adapted for vulnerable adults with long-term care and support needs including mental health issues, learning disabilities, or physical and sensory impairment. Annette Bannister, head of European Infrastructure and Project Finance at MetLife Investment Management, said: "We are delighted to have entered into our second debt funding with Triple Point. We value their continued effort to invest in social housing in the U.K., with a particular focus on specialized housing for vulnerable people with care and support needs. This financing shows how we at MetLife Investment Management live our purpose and commit to sustainability in communities all over the world." Ralph Weichelt, head of Debt Capital Markets at Triple Point Investment Management, commented: "We are very pleased to have secured a second debt funding with MetLife Investment Management for the Triple Point Social Housing REIT plc. This demonstrates the continued support of MetLife Investment Management to the Triple Point Social Housing REIT plc and is reflective of the operational and financial resilience of the portfolio." MIM's Private Capital group has been an active participant in the social housing sector for six years, reinforcing MIM's focus on responsible investing. The group comprises private placements, infrastructure and structured credit investment management, and is active across a wide range of industry sectors, including social housing, general industrial, healthcare, professional services, retail, utilities, electric transmission and renewable power, among others. As of June 30, 2021, MIM had $131.9 billion in private capital assets under management1 and $666.7 billion in total assets under management. 2 About MetLife Investment Management MetLife Investment Management, the institutional asset management business of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), is a global public fixed income, private capital and real estate investment manager providing tailored investment solutions to institutional investors worldwide. MetLife Investment Management provides public and private pension plans, insurance companies, endowments, funds and other institutional clients with a range of bespoke investment and financing solutions that seek to meet a range of long-term investment objectives and risk-adjusted returns over time. MetLife Investment Management has over 150 years of investment experience and as of June 30, 2021 had $666.7 billion in total assets under management.2 About MetLife MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (MetLife), is one of the world's leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and holds leading positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com. Forward-Looking Statements The forward-looking statements in this news release, such as "growth," "ongoing," "sustainable," "continued," and "commit" are based on assumptions and expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, including the "Risk Factors" MetLife, Inc. describes in its U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings. MetLife's future results could differ, and it has no obligation to correct or update any of these statements. Endnotes 1 At estimated fair value. Private capital assets under management is comprised of private corporates, private infrastructure, residential mortgage loans, alternatives, middle market private capital and private structured credit. 2 Total assets under management is comprised of all MetLife general account and separate account assets and unaffiliated/third party assets, at estimated fair value, managed by MIM. L0821016361[exp0823] View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005991/en/ Contacts: For Media: James Murphy +1 917-225-6303 james.p.murphy@metlife.com WASHINGTON COUNTY (dpa-AFX) - Nike Inc. (NKE) said on Tuesday that it had given employees at its corporate offices a week off in August, giving priority to their mental wellbeing. The company said that it is giving its employees the free week so that they could 'destress' in the backdrop of the fear and uncertainty brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. In a social media post, Matt Marrazzo, a senior manager of global marketing science at Nike, said that the company's Nike's headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon were 'powering down' for the week from last Monday. He said, 'Our senior leaders are all sending a clear message: Take the time to unwind, destress and spend time with your loved ones. Do not work.' Marrazzo said that he believed taking the time to rest and recover was the 'key to performing well and staying sane.' Nike is not the first company to offer its employees a free week off by laying emphasis on their mental health. In June, the dating app Bumble gave more than 700 people a free week off so that they do not face work fatigue. LinkedIn also gave most of its employees a week's paid vacation in April so that they could recharge and rejuvenate. Teuila Hanson, chief people officer at the company said that it was 'inspiring to see how our employees returned to work rejuvenated and recharged.' 'It reminds me just how critical company culture and the wellness and mental health of employees are to any business,' Hanson added. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. FORT LAUDERDALE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / August 31, 2021 / Swisher Hygiene Inc. (the "Company") today reported liquidation basis accounting for the seven months ended July 31, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020. As previously announced, on August 12, 2016, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") granted the Company's request for no-action relief from filing future periodic reports under Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 beginning with its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016. In accordance with the terms of the requested relief, the Company will disclose material developments relating to its (i) liquidation, including the amounts of any liquidation distributions, payments and expenses, (ii) dissolution, (iii) financial condition, and (iv) other material developments, including material developments relating to Honeycrest Holdings, Ltd. v. Integrated Brands, Inc. litigation, on Current Reports on Form 8-K. As a result of the SEC's granting of relief, the Company was relieved of its obligation to file periodic reports for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 or any quarterly or annual period thereafter. However, the Company did provide its initial post-adoption consolidated financial statements for the period from April 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016 prepared on the liquidation basis of accounting on a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 19, 2016. Additionally, the Company has also provided its audited consolidated financial statements for the period from April 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016, and the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 in Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 12, 2017, April 27, 2018, April 2, 2019, March 20, 2020 and March 30, 2021, respectively. Although not required to do so as a result of obtaining no action relief mentioned above from the SEC, the Company is providing its audited consolidated financial statements for the seven months ended July 31, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020 in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the SEC today. This is the final set of audited financial statements to be published by the Company and filed in a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC. Further, the Company today announced that it filed a motion with the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Court") seeking approval to make a second and final liquidating distribution of approximately $2.1 million to its stockholders (the "Second and Final Distribution"). As previously announced, on August 3, 2021, the Company and Honeycrest Holdings, Ltd. ("Honeycrest") entered into a final settlement agreement (the "Settlement Agreement") that removed the final obstacle to the completion of Swisher's dissolution. The Settlement Agreement was approved by the Delaware Court on August 6, 2021. The Company expects to announce the timing and terms of the Second and Final Distribution through a public release and the filing of a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws and the Securities Act (Ontario) and are based on the expectations, estimates and projections of management as of the date of this press release unless otherwise stated. All statements other than historical facts are, or may be, deemed to be forward looking statements. The words "plans," "expects," "is expected," "scheduled," "estimates," or "believes," or similar words or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might," or "will be taken," "occur," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. All of these assumptions have been derived from information currently available to the Company including information obtained by the Company from third-party sources. These assumptions may prove to be incorrect in whole or in part. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by the above cautionary statements. The forward-looking information set forth in this press release is subject to various assumptions, risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events and circumstances, except to the extent required by applicable law. About Swisher Hygiene Inc. Swisher Hygiene Inc. closed on the sale of its U.S. operations to Ecolab Inc. on November 2, 2015 and as a result has no remaining operating assets. On Friday, May 27, 2016 (the "Final Record Date"), the Company filed a Certificate of Dissolution. Pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution, and under Delaware law, the dissolution of the Company was effective as of 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the Final Record Date. Under Delaware law, the dissolved corporation is continued for three (3) years from the date on which the Certificate of Dissolution was filed, unless extended by direction of the Court of Chancery, to enable the Company's directors to wind up the affairs of the corporation, including the discharge of the Company's liabilities and to distribute to the stockholders any remaining assets. The Court of Chancery has extended the Company's corporate existence, most recently through December 31, 2021, however, the Company expects its existence to end prior to that date. After making its Second and Final Distribution and obtaining Delaware Court approval, the Company expects to file a final Current Report on Form 8-K and a Form 15 to deregister its common stock when the dissolution is complete. For more information, please visit www.swshinvestors.com. For Further Information, Please Contact: Swisher Hygiene Inc. Investor Contact : Garrett Edson, ICR Phone: (203) 682-8331 SOURCE: Swisher Hygiene Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/662290/Swisher-Hygiene-Inc-To-File-Current-Report-On-Form-8-K-Reporting-Liquidation-Basis-Accounting-For-The-Seven-Months-Ended-July-31-2021-And-The-Year-Ended-December-31-2020-And-The-Filing-Of-A-Motion-For-Approval-To-Make-A-Second-And-Final-Distribution Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2021) - American Aires Inc. (CSE: WIFI) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of a tranche of a non-brokered private placement through the issuance of 3,950,000 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.10 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $395,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit consists of one common share (each a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of CDN$0.15 per Common Share for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the closing of the Offering (the "Warrant Term"), provided, however, should the closing price at which the Common Shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (or any such other stock exchange in Canada as the Common Shares may trade at the applicable time) exceed CDN$0.30 for 10 consecutive trading days at any time following the date of issuance, the Company may accelerate the Warrant Term (the "Reduced Warrant Term") such that the Warrants shall expire on the date which is 30 business days following the date a press release is issued by the Company announcing the Reduced Warrant Term. In connection with the Offering, the Company paid a certain eligible person (the "Finder") a cash commission of $35,550 and issued 355,500 broker warrants ("Broker Warrants"). Each Broker Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Unit at an exercise price of $0.10 for a period of (24) months from the closing of the Offering and subject to the acceleration provision noted above. All securities issued under the Offering are subject to a four-month hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws. About American Aires Inc. American Aires Inc. is Canadian-based nanotechnology company which has developed proprietary silicon-based microprocessors that reduce the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). The technology was developed by a team of highly credited scientists and confirmed by independent third-party validation including peer reviewed studies and publications in scientific journals. Aires' Lifetune products specifically target EMR emitted by consumer electronic devices such as cellphones, computers, baby monitors, Wi-Fi radiation, including the rapidly expanding next-generation high-speed 5G networks. Aires is listed on the CSE under ticker 'WIFI'. Learn more at www.airestech.com. On behalf of the board of directors Company Contact: Dimitry Serov, CEO Email: dimitry@airestech.com Telephone: (905) 482-4667 Website: www.airestech.com For further information please contact: 5 Quarters Investor Relations, Inc. Cindy Gray, CEO & Managing Director Email: wifi@airestech.com Telephone: (403) 705.5076 Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements may be discussed in this news release and the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis filed at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The Shares have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of any person in the United States, absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any common shares in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. We seek safe harbour. 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 news release. Not intended for distribution to United States Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of United States Securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/95079 DGAP-News: CPI PROPERTY GROUP / Key word(s): Half Year Results CPI PROPERTY GROUP publishes half-year financial results for 2021 31.08.2021 / 23:45 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. CPI Property Group (societe anonyme) 40, rue de la Vallee L-2661 Luxembourg R.C.S. Luxembourg: B 102 254 Press Release - Corporate News Luxembourg, 31 August 2021 CPI PROPERTY GROUP publishes half-year financial results for 2021 CPI PROPERTY GROUP (hereinafter "CPIPG", the "Company" or together with its subsidiaries the "Group"), a leading owner of income-generating European real estate, hereby publishes unaudited financial results for the six-month period ended 30 June 2021. "CPIPG's property portfolio clearly passed the ultimate stress test of COVID-19," said Martin Nemecek, CEO. "Once again, the Group proved the resilience of our diversified portfolio and reported record levels of income, a strong capital structure and several important investments for the future." Highlights for the first half of 2021 include: - CPIPG's property portfolio increased to 11.2 billion (up 9% versus 2020) as the Group completed 580 million of acquisitions and benefited from a 317 million increase in the fair value of residential, landbank and office assets along with FX movements. - Total assets reached 12.6 billion (up 7% versus 2020), driven by increases to the property portfolio, offset by a slight reduction in cash and cash equivalents. - The Group collected 95% of contracted rent in H1 2021 before the impact of one-time COVID-19 discounts, which amounted to about 4% of gross rental income. Office and residential collections were close to 100%. - Net rental income increased to 175 million (up 7% versus H1 2020) and consolidated adjusted EBITDA rose to 172 million (up 5% versus H1 2020) due to the contribution from recent acquisitions and developments, broadly stable occupancy at 92.6%, limited COVID-19 rent discounts and 1.9% like-for-like growth in gross rental income. - Because of effective cost control, the hotel segment reported only a small net loss (-4 million) despite hotels being closed for much of the period. As the COVID-19 situation improved across our portfolio from April/May 2021, the Group has seen a strong increase in hotel bookings. - Net business income (up 6% versus H1 2020 to 178 million) and FFO (up 10% versus H1 2020 to 127 million) show the benefits of CPIPG's stable business performance, diversified sources of income, and contribution from recent acquisitions. - EPRA NRV (NAV) increased 3% to 5.3 billion. - Net Loan-to-Value (LTV) at 41.9% (+1.2 p.p. versus 2020, -0.6 p.p. versus H1 2020) remained in line with the Group's financial policy guidelines. In support of our commitment to financial policy and credit ratings, the Group will take actions to reduce leverage and create headroom for further selective acquisitions. - Unencumbered assets remain high at 69% (-1 p.p. versus 2020) and net ICR stood at 4.8x (-0.6x versus 2020), well above financial policy guidelines. - CPIPG's total liquidity stood at more than 1.1 billion at the end of H1 2021. - During the first half of 2021, CPIPG repaid more than 750 million of senior unsecured bonds, Schuldschein and hybrid bonds callable or maturing in 2022, 2023 and 2024. CPIPG's weighted average debt maturity stood at 5.3 years as at H1 2021, versus 4.8 years at the end of 2020. "CPIPG's H1 results reflect some temporary effects of COVID-19, but our business continues to grow," said David Greenbaum, CFO. "We are excited to move on from COVID-19 and see a bright future ahead." Notable events occurring after 30 June 2021 include: Globalworth joint venture with Aroundtown On 14 April 2021, CPIPG formed a consortium with Aroundtown SA ("Aroundtown") and announced a cash offer through Zakiono Enterprises Limited ("Zakiono") for the entire issued share capital of Globalworth Real Estate Investments Limited ("Globalworth"). CPIPG and Aroundtown together held more than 51% of Globalworth's issued share capital prior to the launch of the tender offer. The offer closed on 23 July 2021, at which point Zakiono had received valid acceptances in respect of approximately 9.24% of Globalworth. Therefore, upon conclusion of the offer, the consortium owned 60.63% of Globalworth shares. Strategic partnership with DeA Capital in Italy On 5 August 2021, a framework agreement was signed between CPIPG, certain companies of the DeA Capital Group ("DeA Capital") and Nova RE SIIQ S.p.A. ("Nova RE"). CPIPG is the majority owner of Nova RE, which is an Italian SIIQ (REIT) listed on the Milan Stock Exchange. DeA Capital is the leading independent platform for alternative asset management in Italy, with combined AUM of nearly 25 billion including more than 10 billion invested in real estate. The framework agreement includes a plan to transform Nova RE into Italy's leading SIIQ and prepare Nova RE for a near-term primary offering of up to 1 billion. DeA Capital Real Estate SGR S.p.A. is Nova RE's exclusive external asset management advisor and will provide a broad range of services to enhance the investment, financial and operational capabilities of Nova RE. In connection with the framework agreement, DeA Capital also agreed to purchase approximately 1.1 million shares (about 5%) of Nova RE from CPIPG. Actions to support our financial policy CPIPG intends to take actions immediately and in the future to preserve and recharge our financial strength after periods of acquisition activity. Near-term actions include: - Radovan Vitek, the Group's majority shareholder, has agreed to participate in an intended issuance of new ordinary shares by CPIPG for up to 500 million, with the first 100 million expected in September - The Group has received offers well above book value for certain high-quality properties. Considering CPIPG's strategic vision and long-term priorities, the board of directors recently approved an intention by CPIPG to complete up to 1 billion of disposals in the next 6 to 12 months, subject to pricing. Sale proceeds would be redeployed via new strategic acquisitions and debt repayment. - In Q4 2021 or early 2022, CPIPG intends to complete the aforementioned primary offering of 1 billion by Nova RE, our listed Italian subsidiary, in partnership with DeA Capital, a leading Italian asset manager. CPIPG recognises that improving our "BBB" credit ratings will require the Group to follow through on these actions while continuing to deliver strong business performance. At the appropriate times, CPIPG will also continue to support our capital structure and debt maturity profile through selective debt refinancing and utilisation of hybrid capital. Disposal of a property in Ettlingen, Germany On 31 August 2021, CPIPG's subsidiary GSG Berlin successfully completed the sale of a non-core asset in Ettlingen, Germany for nearly 32 million. The property is an industrial production unit in the wider Stuttgart area, and the sale price was almost 10% above book value. Half-year results webcast CPIPG will host a webcast in relation to its financial results for the six-month period ended 30 June 2021. The webcast will be held on Tuesday 7 September 2021 at 11:00am CET / 10:00am UK. Please register for the webcast in advance via the link below: https://webcasting.brrmedia.co.uk/broadcast/611ba148c97de6636c2d9725 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Performance 30-Jun-2021 30-Jun-2020 Change Gross rental income million 188 173 8.8% Net rental income million 175 164 6.9% Net hotel income million (4) (5) 17.5% Total revenues million 300 291 3.2% Net business income million 178 168 5.8% Consolidated adjusted EBITDA million 172 164 4.8% Funds from operations (FFO) million 127 115 10.5% Net profit for the period million 253 2 11,381% Assets 30-Jun-2021 31-Dec-2020 Change Total assets million 12,586 11,801 6.7% Property portfolio million 11,246 10,316 9.0% Gross leasable area sqm 3,725,000 3,636,000 2.4% Occupancy % 92.6 93.7 (1.1 p.p.) Like-for-like gross rental growth* % 1.9 0.8 1.1 p.p. Total number of properties** No. 352 343 2.6% Total number of residential units No. 11,930 11,929 0.0% Total number of hotel rooms*** No. 6,850 6,753 1.4% * Based on headline rent, excluding one-time discounts ** Excluding residential properties in the Czech Republic *** Including hotels operated, but not owned by the Group Financing structure 30-Jun-2021 31-Dec-2020 Change Total equity million 6,044 5,787 4.4% EPRA NRV (NAV) million 5,265 5,118 2.9% Net debt million 4,716 4,194 12.4% Net Loan-to-value ratio (Net LTV) % 41.9 40.7 1.2 p.p. Net debt/EBITDA 13.7x 12.4x 1.3x Secured consolidated leverage ratio % 12.3 12.0 0.3 p.p. Secured debt to total debt % 28.9 29.0 (0.1 p.p.) Unencumbered assets to total assets % 69.0 70.0 (1.0 p.p.) Net ICR 4.8x 5.4x (0.6x) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM INCOME STATEMENT* Six-month period ended ( million) 30 June 2021 30 June 2020 Gross rental income 188.1 172.8 Service charge and other income 62.4 60.5 Cost of service and other charges (48.8) (44.1) Property operating expenses (26.5) (25.2) Net rental income 175.2 164.0 Development sales 12.0 8.8 Development operating expenses (9.8) (8.1) Net development income 2.2 0.7 Hotel revenue 15.7 19.8 Hotel operating expenses (19.6) (24.6) Net hotel income Revenues from other business operations (3.9) (4.8) Other business revenue 22.2 29.3 Other business operating expenses (17.9) (21.1) Net other business income 4.3 8.2 Total revenues 300.4 291.2 Total direct business operating expenses (122.6) (123.1) Net business income 177.8 168.1 Net valuation gain (loss) 222.0 (11.0) Net gain on disposal of investment property and subsidiaries 0.5 0.6 Amortization, depreciation and impairment (10.6) (54.9) Administrative expenses (24.5) (24.9) Other operating income 2.9 3.9 Other operating expenses (3.1) (2.3) Operating result 365.0 79.5 Interest income 11.3 8.9 Interest expense (47.3) (38.8) Other net financial result (22.1) (6.0) Net finance costs (58.1) (35.9) Share of gain (loss) of equity-accounted investees (net of tax) 3.3 (14.9) Profit before income tax 310.2 28.7 Income tax expense (56.8) (26.5) Net profit from continuing operations 253.4 2.2 * The presented financial statements do not represent a full set of interim financial statements as if prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Gross rental income Gross rental income increased by 15.3 million (8.9%) to 188.1 million in H1 2021 primarily due to growth of rental income generated by the office portfolios in Berlin (4.3 million) and Warsaw (3.5 million) and acquisitions in Italy (3.8 million). Net hotel income In H1 2021, hotel revenues decreased by 4.1 million (20.7%) to 15.7 million due to COVID-19 affecting hospitality for much of the period. On the other hand, because the Group operates nearly all its hotels, hotel operating expenses were reduced by 5.0 million (19.9%) to 19.6 million in H1 2021. Net valuation gain In H1 2021, the valuation gain reflected primarily an increase of the fair value of newly acquired assets in Rome, Italy (135.1 million), and the residential portfolio in the Czech Republic (71.5 million). Amortization, depreciation and impairment Amortization, depreciation and impairment decreased by 44.3 million to 10.6 million in H1 2021 due to positive revaluations of the hotel portfolio (8.5 million). In H1 2020 there was an impairment loss from the revaluation of the hotel portfolio (34.4 million). Interest expense Interest expense increased by 8.5 million to 47.3 million in H1 2021 due to the increase in total bonds issued. Other net financial result The negative other net financial result in H1 2021 relates primarily to transaction costs of 18.1 million attributed to refinancing of bonds including payments of premiums above par. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION* ( million) 30 June 2021 31 December 2020 NON-CURRENT ASSETS Intangible assets and goodwill 108.5 107.1 Investment property 9,714.8 8,792.6 Property, plant and equipment 826.4 779.4 Deferred tax assets 153.4 155.6 Equity accounted investees 656.9 658.1 Other non-current assets 215.1 330.9 Total non-current assets 11,675.1 10,823.7 CURRENT ASSETS Inventories 29.4 38.8 Trade receivables 115.1 85.4 Cash and cash equivalents 241.7 632.3 Cash escrow deposit 338.6 - Assets linked to assets held for sale 34.4 37.7 Other current assets 152.1 183.5 Total current assets 911.3 977.7 TOTAL ASSETS 12,586.4 11,801.4 EQUITY Equity attributable to owners of the Company 4,416.4 4,320.8 Perpetual notes 1,553.8 1,369.6 Non-controlling interests 73.9 96.1 Total equity 6,044.1 5,786.5 NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Bonds issued 3,430.5 3,195.2 Financial debts 1,413.9 1,269.6 Deferred tax liabilities 903.1 842.2 Other non-current liabilities 102.8 116.9 Total non-current liabilities 5,850.3 5,423.9 CURRENT LIABILITIES Bonds issued 84.2 108.8 Financial debts 367.9 253.0 Trade payables 70.2 70.6 Other current liabilities 169.7 158.6 Total current liabilities 692.0 591.0 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 12,586.4 11,801.4 * The presented financial statements do not represent a full set of interim financial statements as if prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Total assets Total assets increased by 785 million (6.7%) to 12,586.4 million at 30 June 2021 compared to 31 December 2020. The increase was driven primarily by acquisitions, offset by a slight decrease of loans provided. Cash escrow deposit Cash escrow deposit of 338.6 million as at 30 June 2021 represents the Company's cash deposit held by Barclays in connection with the mandatory tender offer for Globalworth shares. The transaction completed following the end of the period, at which point excess funds of 321.1 million were returned to the Company on 26 July 2021. Total liabilities Total liabilities increased by 527.4 million (8.8%) to 6,542.3 million at 30 June 2021 compared to 31 December 2020, largely due to incremental debt issuance. The Group issued senior unsecured bonds of 673.1 million and additionally drawn secured debts of 245.0 million, while 464.0 million of bonds and 115.0 million of secured debts were repaid in H1 2021. As at 30 June 2021, the Group had drawn 200 million of the 700 million revolving credit facility in connection with the amounts placed in escrow for the Globalworth mandatory tender offer. Once excess funds were returned to the Company on 26 July 2021, the amount drawn under the revolving credit facility was fully repaid. EQUITY AND EPRA NRV Total equity increased by 257.6 million from 5,786.5 million as at 31 December 2020 to 6,044.1 million as at 30 June 2021. The movements of equity components were as follows: - Increase due to the profit for the period of 253.4 million (profit to the owners of 212.0 million); - Decrease due to share buy-back of 239.9 million; - Increase in translation reserve of 83.3 million; - Increase from derecognition of financial liability in respect of mandatory public offer for Nova RE shares of 3.9 million; - Increase due to sale of NCI and acquisition of subsidiaries with NCI (3.2 million and 3.2 million, respectively). - Increase due to issuance and repayment of perpetual notes net of 149.1 million. EPRA NRV was 5,265 million as at 30 June 2021, representing increase of 2.9% compared to 31 December 2020. The increase of EPRA NRV was driven by the above changes in the Group's equity attributable to the owners (increase of retained earnings and other reserves). 30 June 2021 31 December 2020 Equity attributable to the owners (NAV) 4,416 4,321 Effect of exercise of options, convertibles and other equity interests - - Diluted NAV 4,416 4,321 Revaluation of trading property and PPE 2 3 Deferred tax on revaluations 889 837 Goodwill as a result of deferred tax (43) (43) EPRA NRV ( million) 5,265 5,118 For disclosures regarding Alternative Performance Measures used in this press release please refer to our Half-year Management Report 2021, chapters Glossary, Key Ratio Reconciliations and EPRA Performance; accessible at http://cpipg.com/reports-presentations-en. Unaudited documents will be available tonight at the following link: http://www.cpipg.com/reports-presentations-en Half-year 2021 unaudited financial report Half-year 2021 unaudited management report For further information please contact: Investor Relations David Greenbaum Chief Financial Officer d.greenbaum@cpipg.com Joe Weaver Director of Capital Markets j.weaver@cpipg.com For more on CPI Property Group, visit our website: www.cpipg.com ZUG, Switzerland, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Eviosys (the "Company"), a leader in the metal packaging industry with innovation and sustainability at its core, launches today as a newly formed, independent company. The business is Europe's largest manufacturer of steel and aluminium food packaging, with hundreds of global and regional food and consumer product customers. Eviosys will focus on unique, smart packaging solutions by combining a rich heritage with an enhanced, market-leading focus on innovation, research and development. Sustainability is at the heart of Eviosys, which has a product portfolio centred on 100% recyclable metal substrates. The Company will champion the evolution of truly sustainable packaging, developing solutions for its customers that help them meet their sustainability goals while also protecting the planet, people and communities. Eviosys, with seven design studios and three laboratories across Europe, will continue its leadership role in smart packaging solutions by offering exciting, innovative ways to help customers differentiate from the competition and harness opportunities for growth. Eviosys has the largest manufacturing footprint in the region, with 6,300 employees in 44 manufacturing facilities across 17 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). With its strategically located manufacturing facilities, Eviosys will continue its commitment to uncompromising product quality, preserving products and promoting the reputation of local and international brands in over 100 countries worldwide. Tomas Lopez, an industry executive with decades of experience leading packaging businesses, will lead Eviosys as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Lopez previously served as CEO of Mivisa prior to its acquisition by Crown Holdings in 2014. Tomas Lopez, CEO, said: "This is an incredibly exciting moment for the packaging industry. Eviosys combines 200 years of experience in preserving products and promoting brands, with a future focus on innovating to protect the planet.With the business's extensive footprint across EMEA, the launch of Eviosys means a true step-change for the entire industry that will lead to smart, sustainable packaging for all." Laetitia Durafour, Director of Marketing, added: "With our focus on smart sustainable packaging, Eviosys will take a confident step towards making products fit for our customers, end consumers and the planet. That means clever design solutions and uncompromising quality, with sustainability at the very heart." About Eviosys Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Eviosys is a leading global supplier of metal packaging, producing food cans and ends, aerosol cans, metal closures and promotional packaging to preserve the products of hundreds of consumer brands. Eviosys has the largest manufacturing footprint in the region, with 6,300 employees in 44 manufacturing facilities across 17 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). In 2020, it generated 1.9 billion in revenue. Eviosys is a portfolio company of KPS Capital Partners, LP. For more information, visit www.eviosys.com. About KPS Capital Partners KPS, through its affiliated management entities, is the manager of the KPS Special Situations Funds, a family of investment funds with over $12.8 billion of assets under management (as of March 31, 2021). For nearly three decades, the Partners of KPS have worked exclusively to realize significant capital appreciation by making controlling equity investments in manufacturing and industrial companies across a diverse array of industries, including basic materials, branded consumer healthcare and luxury products, automotive parts, capital equipment and general manufacturing. KPS creates value for its investors by working constructively with talented management teams to make businesses better, and generates investment returns by structurally improving the strategic position, competitiveness and profitability of its portfolio companies, rather than primarily relying on financial leverage. The KPS Funds' portfolio companies have aggregate annual revenues of approximately $13.5 billion, operate 156 manufacturing facilities in 23 countries, and have approximately 40,000 employees, directly and through joint ventures worldwide (as of March 31, 2021, pro forma for recent acquisitions). The KPS investment strategy and portfolio companies are described in detail at www.kpsfund.com. CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Australia will on Wednesday release Q2 figures for gross domestic product, highlighting a busy day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. GDP is expected to rise 0.5 percent on quarter and 9.2 percent on year after gaining 1.8 percent on quarter and 1.1 percent on year in the previous three months. Australia also will see August results for the Performance of Manufacturing Index from AiG; in July, the index score was 60.8. Japan will provide Q2 data for capital spending; in the three months prior, capex was down 7.8 percent on year. South Korea will release August numbers for imports, exports and trade balance. In July, imports were up 38.2 percent on year and exports climbed 29.6 percent for a trade surplus of $1.76 billion. Indonesia will provide August figures for consumer prices, with forecasts suggesting an increase of 0.03 percent on month and 1.6 percent on year following the 0.08 percent monthly increase and the 1.52 percent annual gain in July. Core CPI is tipped to rise 1.3 percent on year, slowing from 1.4 percent a month earlier. Thailand will see August results for its business confidence index; in July, the index score was 41.4. A number of regional countries will see August manufacturing PMI results from Markit Economics, including Indonesia (40.1 previously), Japan (Jibun, 53.0), the Philippines (50.4), South Korea (53.0), Australia (56.9), Taiwan (59.7), Thailand (48.7) and China (Caixin, 50.3). Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Paying for things that we buy is something that we do almost every day. However, payment methods have changed dramatically over the history of human life. Starting from the barter system since the beginning of recorded history to cryptocurrencies today, the way we pay for goods and services is considerably different from the way we used to pay even a few decades back. Lets have a look at how our payment methods have changed over the years. 1) The barter system The barter system has probably been around since the Neolithic era, perhaps around 7000 BC or even earlier. Barter is nothing but the exchange of goods and services for other goods and services. Examples could be a farmer paying a butcher a sack of potatoes for a side of beef. 2) Coins The first appearance of coins came about in the mid 500s BC, in Asia Minor, around the region now known as Turkey. The use of coins became popular since barter often proved to be difficult for transactions. Furthermore, in the barter system, certain forms of payment were perishable and couldnt be accumulated. As a result, coins made out of precious metals that had an intrinsic value slowly grew in popularity. 3) Paper money Paper money or banknotes came into existence to replace coins since it was not convenient to carry large quantities of coins from one location to another. Banknotes were first recorded as being used in the 7th Century in China, during the Tang (618-907 AD) dynasty. However, actual paper money was introduced in Szechuan during the Song (960-1279) dynasty. It became popular across China and eventually spread westward when the Mongols printed Chinese-style banknotes in Iran in the 13th Century. Records show that the earliest paper money was printed in Europe in Sweden in the early 17th Century. 4) Bills of exchange and checks The use of bills of exchange came into use in Italy in the 12h century. A bill of exchange guaranteed that a debtor would pay a creditor or another individual who was authorized to receive the money. On the other hand, checks started being used around the 15th Century in Europe and became popular in the 16th Century. The first printed version of a check was introduced by Lawrence Childs, a British Banker, in 1762. Even today checks are widely used in many countries despite growing debit/mobile payment use. Your bank may not be the best place to order checks as more convenient options are available nowadays. 5) Cards The first credit cards came about in 1914 when Western Union created a loyalty card for its exclusive customers. These loyalty cards gave those customers access to a line of credit without any surcharges. However, it was only from 1958 that banks began to offer cards as a de facto payment solution. 6) Digital payments In 1990, the internet and the World Wide Web came into existence, and soon goods and services started being sold online. As a result, online payment solutions started to come into existence. One of the first online payment pioneers was a company called Peapod, which let its users buy groceries from home using a computer. Online payment options have exploded in the last 20 odd years due to digital disruption. Nowadays, you can even pay using your mobile phone or even a digital watch. 7) Cryptocurrencies The first cryptocurrency came into existence in 2009, with the birth of bitcoin. Initially, there were many skeptical people around the globe about the viability of cryptocurrencies. But, today, there are thousands of cryptocurrencies available that you can buy, hold, and trade. When it comes to cryptocurrency for business, well-known businesses such as PayPal, Microsoft, and Dell accept cryptocurrencies, with more companies likely to join them in the near future. Susa Ventures , a San Francisco, CA-based early-stage venture capital firm, closed a total of $375m for two new funds. These are: Susa Ventures IV, a $125m seed-stage fund making $1-2m investments at the seed stage, and Susa Ventures Opportunities II, a $250m opportunity fund making $10-15m investments at the Series B and C, primarily into existing portfolio companies. The venture capital firm will continue investing in a variety of industries, but focus primarily on fintech, health care, supply chain and software-as-a-service. The new funds will be used to make key hires and continue to find creative ways to build a strong community. Out of the firms 41 initial investments from the first $25m fund, five are valued over $1 billion from seed, and seven have already had exits, valued at more than $323m. Led by Leo Polovets and Chad Byers, co-founders and general partners, Susa Ventures is an early stage technology fund investing in entrepreneurs building defensible products, technologies and tools that create, capture, distribute and leverage proprietary and unique data. FinSMEs 31/08/2021 Tampa, FL (33646) Today Scattered showers and thunderstorms. High 89F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy with scattered thunderstorms mainly during the evening. Low 74F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. All smartphone brands are eying to bring 5G smartphones under the Rs. 30,000 price segment. One of the brands is realme, and it launched the realme X7 Max to compete against rivals in this category from OnePlus, Xiaomi and more. Notably, the realme X7 Max is a rebranded variant of the realme GT Neo from China. Heres a review of the smartphone to know how well it performs. Box Contents realme X7 Max smartphone 50W Dart charger Quick Start Guide SIM ejector tool Charging cable TPU case Design and Display At the first glance, the realme X7 Max looks impressive with three color options including Mercury Silver, Asteroid Black, and Milky Way. It flaunts a two-tone design with a glossy camera strip while the rest of the rear panel appears to have a matte finish. Instead of the bold and big Dare to Leap branding at its rear, there is a small box on the glossy strips bottom, which looks good. Besides this, the smartphone is lightweight as it weighs in at 179 grams. Though the realme X7 Max looks good, the in-hand feel isnt great, especially the matte finish part. The notable addition is to the return of the 3.5mm headphone jack. At the right, we have the power button, while the left edge has the volume keys alongside the SIM card tray that can house two Nano SIM cards and no option for storage expansion. Moving on to the display, the realme X7 Max bestows a 6.43-inch Samsungs Super AMOLED display with a FHD+ resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels and a fast 120Hz refresh rate. Other display features include a 360Hz touch sampling rate and 91.7% screen to body ratio along with Always-on capability. Talking about its playback performance, the realme X7 Max supports HDR10, HLG, and comes with Widevine L1 certification for HD playback on OTT platforms like Prime Video, Netflix. However, it misses out on the ability to play HDR content on Netflix. The high refresh rate translates into a smooth playback experience. The display is bright and delivers punchy colors with accuracy. There is a good contrast for reading and watching content. Even under direct sunlight, the realme X7 Max display gets bright enough to be viewed. Though it is not the best display in its class, it is an acceptable one given the price of the smartphone. Camera At the rear, the realme X7 Max houses a triple-camera setup with a 64MP primary Sony IMX682 sensor along with f/1.8 aperture, an 8MP ultra-wide angle secondary lens and a 2MP tertiary macro lens. There is a 16MP front-facing selfie camera sensor within the punch-hole cutout. The rear camera comes with a new Pure RAM mode that uses a night scene algorithm for minimized noise. It can process images with 64MP and bring them down as well. The other aspects include super nightscape, AI passport photo, portrait, slow-mo videos at 960fps and 4K videos at 60fps among others. Detailing on performance, the images captured with the primary camera are at 16MP by default, which isnt disappointing. You will get well-detailed images along with good dynamic range and color saturation. Even the white balance is good in the output. Sometimes, the images are processed to a great extent, resulting in an oversaturated and unnatural feel. The portrait shots are good with amazing depth effect and sharpness. During the nighttimes, the dedicated night mode comes to play as it reduces noise. The 8MP secondary sensor gives a wider view, but it loses the color to some extent as compared to the primary sensor. Also, it fails to give a good dynamic range, and we get to notice pixels on zooming in. The tertiary 2MP macro camera captures good close up shots, but we need to get the focus right. Talking about the selfie camera performance, it delivers natural-looking selfies, but it is important to turn off the beauty mode. Even the portrait selfie shots look great. Lastly, the realme X7 Max can shoot videos up to 4K 60fps, but there is no OIS and the selfie videos are capped at Full HD at 30fps. Check out some camera samples below Software, UI, Apps The realme X7 Max runs on ralme UI 2.0 based on Android 11 that brings a slew of new features and customization options. realme also adds a few apps including FinShell, Theme, HeyTap, Community, Phone Manager, and Theme store. The bloatware includes Amazon, Netflix, YT Music, Snapchat, and Flipkart among others. realme UI 2.0 brings neat additions to the software including new icon customization, accent colors that can be customized, Always on Display, dark mode, mini windows and more. The UI feels smooth and snappy for the most part, and there arent any major bugs. However, the software has bugs and there are occasional restarts with this smartphone. On the whole, you will get a lag-free experience that should be enjoyable for all. Music player, FM Radio and Multimedia The realme X7 Max uses the default Music Player with the usual audio effects and equalizer presets. The FM Radio has recording capability and the dual stereo speakers are quite loud. Also, the device supports Hi-Res audio and Dolby Atmos audio. Dual SIM and Connectivity It supports 5G in both the SIMs with support for 5G NR N1/N28A/N40/N41/N77/N78/N79, Dual 4G VoLTE with carrier aggregation and other connectivity aspects such as dual-band Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.1, and Dual Frequency GPS, GLONSS, BEIDOU, GALILEO, QZSS. There is NFC and USB OTG support as well. Performance The realme X7 Max is a pioneer as it is the first smartphone to use the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 processor in India. The octa-core chipset is said to be 22% faster in CPU performance and 25% more power-efficient as compared to the last generation. Moreover, it offers support for 5G bands in the country. It is paired with ARM Mali-G77 MC9 GPU and its HyperEngine 3.0 gaming suite to offer better gaming and graphics performance. There is stainless steel vapour cooling that reduces the temperature by up to 15C. In terms of everyday performance, the realme X7 Max has performed well even during intense usage and gaming sessions. The phone handled all tasks pretty well without overheating. It comes in two storage variants 8GB RAM + 128GB storage and 12GB RAM + 256GB storage space. On the whole, the performance was excellent and better than its competitors, but still the Snapdragon 870 is slightly better when it comes to gaming. The capable chipset handled things efficiently. Check out the synthetic benchmark scores below. Battery The realme X7 Max gets the power from a 4500mAh battery accompanied by 50W fast charging support. In terms of battery life, the device fared about average and handled extensive social media usage and gaming. Few minutes of gaming and calls. It lasted an entire day with up to six hours of intense usage, which should be ideal for a majority of users. It achieved One Charge Rating of 17 hours and 35 minutes in our battery test, which is decent. We tested it in 120Hz which is adaptive, so in some cases it switches to 60Hz. Battery life is based on different factors such as software optimization and the processing power that requires to power the phone, so if the phone lasts for a day with heavy use, it is good. Conclusion To conclude, you should buy the realme X7 Max if you want a phone with a 120Hz refresh rate that is suitable for gaming and multimedia usage. The hardware of the smartphone is also capable enough to deliver the intended performance across a wide range of tasks. However, the realme X7 Max misses out on some notable aspects including expandable storage space, exceptional camera performance and long-lasting battery life. It is available from Flipkart and realme.com online as well as offline stores starting Rs. 26,999 for the 8GB RAM with 128GB storage version. Quote: GMH Originally Posted by Well I went to my buddys bodyshop and he checked into used ones and said none are available locally. He said not to go to the dealer, as he could get me a better price from the dealer or maybe an aftermarket one. I told him I would wait till after my next camping trip then pull it apart myself to see if it can be fixed. Out of curiosity I went to the dealer where I bought the truck to see what parts are available and do they keep them in stock? The parts guy told me that no service parts are available .and the entire unit is $2200.00 + taxes. HOLY F*#K! Paxton, IL (60957) Today Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Low 58F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) The former owners of a Chinese restaurant on Airport Boulevard conspired to harbor illegal immigrants working at the business, putting them up at two houses in the city, and lied on CARES Act loan applications, federal prosecutors allege. One of the defendants, Yan Jiao Zhuo, made an initial appearance Monday in U.S. District Court. A magistrate judge allowed her to be released from jail pending trial. An indictment issued this month in U.S. District Court alleges that the criminal conspiracy went on as least January 2014 to this June. A criminal complaint indicates that law enforcement authorities received tips about unauthorized workers as early as 2009. The defendants are affiliated with China Super Buffet. According to the indictment, they put the Hispanic illegal immigrants in a house on Newport Drive West and another home on San Juan Drive. The remaining defendants all are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, as well as conspiracy to commit wire fraud: Zheng Kong Zheng, who owned the property where the restaurant was located. He also owned the house on Newport Drive West, along with his wife, De Yun Wang, who also has been charged. Zhengs sister, Kong Mei Zheng, who is listed as the restaurants president. She also owned the house on San Juan Drive. Zheng Guo Zheng, who owned the restaurant and was listed as its chief executive officer. They are scheduled to be arraigned next week. An attorney for the four did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment. Prosecutors allege that the defendants used a white 2011 GMC van to transport the illegal immigrant workers between the houses and the restaurant. Court records indicate that law enforcement officers stopped the van on several occasions but that the defendants continued harboring illegal immigrants. At various times, according to the indictment, they conducted financial transactions to disguise the unlawful enterprise paying them in cash under the table to conceal the employment of unauthorized workers. The indictment lists four such transactions: A $110,008 withdrawal in January 2015 by defendant Kong Mei Zheng from a Regions Bank account held by Asia Super Buffet to a cashiers check made payable to herself. A $110,000 wire transfer in March 2016 from the Regions Bank Asia Super Buffet account to defendant Zheng Kong Zhens personal account at PNC Bank. A $11,718.90 wire transfer in August 2016 from defendant De Yun Wangs persona BBVA Compass Bank account to an Iberia Bank account held by Gasdick Stanton Early. A $10,000 wire transfer in October 2019 from the Asia Super Buffet account to a Regions account held by Zheng China Super Buffet. Beginning in April of last year, the defendants applied for government assistance under three different programs created by the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help businesses hurt by the pandemic. On each of those applications, the indictment alleges, the defendants falsely stated that the business had not engaged in illegal activity. The criminal complaint alleges that the four defendants also did not work at the restaurant in 2019 and 2020, and therefore were not eligible for payroll checks. They left the Mobile area in 2018, the document states. The government in June 2020 approved Zheng Guo Zhens application for $9,100 from the Paycheck Protection Act and an additional $23,551 from the program in March of this year. But the indictment alleges that instead of using those funds for payroll expenses, the defendants used them to pay utilities and insurance for the restaurant, as well as two houses where the illegal immigrant employees were living. In May, the according to the indictment, the restaurant received $412,656 from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Prosecutors also allege that the defendants in April and June applied for assistance under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. The status was changed to not interested after the applicant failed to respond to correspondence from the Small Business Administration. Each count carries a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison, although the actual prison like likely would be less under advisory sentencing guidelines. In addition to the criminal counts, prosecutors are seeking a court order to seize a large amount of property, including nine bank accounts, four safe deposit boxes, the houses on Newport Drive West and San Juan Drive, and 10 other properties spread across Florida, Michigan and New York. The night before a deadly attack at the Kabul airport, several people with ties to Las Vegas got out of the country on a flight to Kuwait. Monday, they arrived in the U.S., flown to Washington Dulles airport and are now in Virginia. But within the next few days, they should be in Las Vegas w AIKEN, SC (AP) At least two children in South Carolina have died of COVID-19 this month as schools have reported thousands of cases among students and staff. More Information A public visitation for Rockinberg will take place on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Stauffers Funeral Home in Mount Airy: 8 E. Ridgeville Blvd. Mount Airys elections board will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to declare a special election for town mayor, set dates and times for nomination meetings and set a date for the special election. The meeting will be held at Mount Airys Town Hall, 110 S. Main Street. Until a new mayor is elected, Jason Poirier president of the Town Council will serve in the position on an interim basis, Mount Airy Town Clerk Holly McClery said. We welcome your letters and columns! Use the button below to send us your thoughts. Remember: Letters must include your real name, town of residence and daytime phone number, which we use for verification. We do not accept anonymous letters or letters written under a pseudonym. Letters should be no more than about 400 words. Those of no more than 200 to 300 words are more likely to be published. Submit Talking with other Saab drivers was the best part of the trip, Kopczynski said. He received the Long Distance Award for his journey, and his rig won the People's Choice award for the 95-96 category. All during the convention, he shared tales of his travels with others at the convention, handing out flyers about his car and making deals for spare parts, such as a window-winder he suddenly found he needed. When it was time to head back west, he figured by now, anything that was going to go wrong had already gone wrong. He was 20 miles west of Three Forks, Montana, when the patched-up muffler began to lose hold. When it went, it went with a bang. Even the headphones were no match for noise power of that magnitude. "That made it so my car had no muffling at all. And that is teeth-rattling, brain-bending noise. That'll wake the dead," Kopczynski said. Why is the challenge over the airport in Kabul such an issue TORONTO, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avid Apparel, now a division of The Avid Group (Avid) is pleased to announce that it has secured an investment from Alignvest Management Corporation (Alignvest), in partnership with EGADS Group (EGADS). Avid, headquartered in Toronto, was founded in 2008 by Jesse Guth in his Dalhousie University college dorm room to fill the creative void in the collegiate apparel industry. Since then, the company has evolved into a leading vertically integrated provider of apparel-related services, including design, branding, printing, embroidery, fulfilment, marketing, and e-commerce. Today, Avid serves a wide number of customers across the collegiate, corporate, brand, and influencer market segments. Alignvests team and its investment partners have extensive relationships and unique business-building expertise, both of which will undoubtedly help scale Avid to the next level, said Jesse Guth, founder of Avid. I am thrilled at this new partnership and look forward to working closely with Alignvests team as Avid embarks on this exciting new chapter. Alignvest completed this investment in partnership with EGADS, led by Gilbert Palter, who will be the Chair of Avids Board of Directors during this next phase of growth. Mr. Palter was previously co-founder of Edgestone Capital Partners, one of Canadas leading mid-market private equity firms. Alignvest also invited a select group of value-added investment partners to participate in the transaction. This group includes corporate CEOs, tenured private equity investors, and other experienced businesspersons all with extensive experience in the media and technology sectors and all of whom have committed to help Avid realize its full potential. After working extensively with Jesse, it became clear to us that an investment in Avid fit perfectly with Alignvests broader mandate, said Reza Satchu, Managing Partner of Alignvest. We are partnering with an ambitious entrepreneur who can leverage our relationships and our expertise in building businesses to substantially accelerate Avids growth. The company benefits from a highly attractive business model, has long-standing relationships with a diverse customer base to which it delivers tremendous value, and is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the rapidly growing social media influencer market. We are incredibly excited to partner with Jesse and his team and look forward to helping him build Avid into a world-class business. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. About The Avid Group Avid Apparel was founded over a decade ago in a dorm room at Dalhousie University with an idea: to make better quality custom clothing. Several years and millions of prints later, Avids growing team still maintains the same mantra great people making great clothing. Today the Toronto-headquartered company is a leading vertically integrated provider of apparel-related services, including design, branding, printing, embroidery, fulfilment, marketing, and e-commerce and serves a wide number of customers across the collegiate, corporate, brand, and influencer market segments. For more information, please visit: www.avidapparel.ca. About Alignvest Management Corporation Alignvest is a Toronto-based private investment company focused on long term value creation. Alignvest seeks to invest in businesses that possess sustainable competitive advantages, are led by highly capable management teams that have track records of value creation, have demonstrated resiliency through economic cycles, and have highly scalable business models that generate attractive returns on invested capital. Since its founding, Alignvest has invested in numerous businesses across industries that include telecom, real estate, manufacturing, insurance, healthcare, and asset management. For more information, please visit: www.alignvest.com. About EGADS Group EGADS Group is a family office investing in private and public companies and taking an active board role adding value in such areas as culture, strategy, operational excellence, acquisitions and financings, and compensation. Gurugram, India, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Great Place to Work India has recognized Manish Mittal, Managing Director & Country Head, Axtria, as one of India's Best Leaders in Times of Crisis 2021. In a study conducted by Great Place to Work India, 75 leaders have been recognized for their exemplary leadership during this very challenging year. 25 of these leaders are spearheading mid-size organizations (with 100-500 employees), while 50 are leaders of large organizations (with more than 500 employees). "I am truly honored to receive this recognition by Great Place to Work India," said Mittal. "Great organizations make great leaders, and this recognition reinforces my belief in this statement. This is just another milestone in our journey of pursuing continued excellence and is indeed a testimony that we are on the right path! The pandemic has been challenging for everyone. Overall, the well-being and mental health of our associates is a top priority for us. Throughout the pandemic, we have remained true to our values and have come together as "one family" to support each other." This unique study by Great Place to Work India was conducted to gain insight into the various ways in which organizations dealt with the environment of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) intensified by the pandemic. Great Place to Work India then validated the study findings through a detailed survey of employees from the recognized leaders' companies. "A thriving workplace culture, which is adaptive and has its people as its central focus, is the key. Our actions and behavior define culture. We thank all of our "Axtrians" for trusting us in tough times. I cannot be more grateful to each and every one of our employees for helping us achieve this honor," added Mittal. Throughout the pandemic, the emotional well-being of Axtria's employees was of utmost importance. Therefore, the company established a "Blue Skies" program to support employees dealing with the psychological impact of the crisis. Additionally, Axtria set up vaccination camps to ensure employees and family members had access to the vaccine. The company also established a 24/7 helpline to verify information on medical supplies available and extended additional paid leaves to employees who needed time to recover or needed to be with their loved ones. Beyond helping its employees, Axtria also extended its aid to the India community by organizing and championing a fundraiser to help organizations providing relief on the ground. Axtria matched all donations made by its employees. From emotional wellness programs to extending economic support through medical equipment and supplies, Axtria helped its employees, their families, and the citizens of India cope with the COVID-19 crisis. For additional information on those honored, the list of India's Best Leaders in Times of Crisis 2021 is published here: https://www.greatplacetowork.in/leadership-in-times-of-crisis. ### About the Study The COVID-19 pandemic challenged old paradigms of working and thrust the new normal on businesses and the work force. While organizations have found ways to cope with the VUCA world, current times placed tremendous pressure on the leadership team to be agile, decisive, and adaptable. There have been many examples of exemplary behavior on the part of senior leadership, be it redefining business models, redesigning workplaces to suit the current needs or ensuring the well-being of the workforce. The 'India's Best Leaders in time of Crisis 2021' Study was a Great Place to Work India initiative to identify leaders who have demonstrated exceptional ability in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. The study captured history as it happened by enabling organizations to update actions and initiatives regularly, while a short impact survey was conducted on cross-sections of employees to understand their experience during these challenging times. About Axtria Axtria is a global provider of cloud software and data analytics to the life sciences industry. Axtria helps life sciences companies transform the product commercialization journey to drive sales growth and improve healthcare outcomes for patients. Axtria has a strong focus on sales and marketing operations in the life sciences industry. With customers in over 75 countries, Axtria is one of the biggest global commercial solutions providers in the life sciences industry. Axtria helps customers improve operational effectiveness with solutions that leverage Big Data, cloud software, predictive analytics, and machine learning. Axtria DataMAx, Axtria InsightsMAx, Axtria SalesIQ, and Axtria CustomerIQ are cloud-based software platforms that enable customers to efficiently manage data, leverage data science to deliver insights for sales and marketing planning, and manage end-to-end commercial operations. For more information, go to www.axtria.com. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/axtria/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AxtriaInc Twitter: https://twitter.com/Axtria Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeataxtria/ Trademarks Axtria, Axtria SalesIQ, Axtria CustomerIQ, Axtria InsightsMAx, and Axtria DataMAx are trademarks or registered trademarks of Axtria. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners. About Great Place to Work Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Their employee survey platform empowers leaders with the feedback, real-time reporting, and insights they need to make strategic people decisions. The Institute serves businesses, non-profits and government agencies in more than 60 countries and has conducted pioneering research on the characteristics of great workplaces for over three decades. Everything they do is driven by the mission to build a better world by helping every organization become a great place to work FOR ALLTM. In India, the institute partners with more than 1100 organizations annually across over 22 industries to help them build High-Trust, High-Performance cultures designed to deliver sustained business results. Hundreds of CEOs and CXOs from India Inc. are part of the great place community that is committed to the vision of making India a great place to work FOR ALLTM. The Institute's research shows that great workplaces are characterized by great leadership, consistent employee experience, and sustainable financial performance. These organizations are able to deliver a consistent experience to all their employees irrespective of their role, gender, tenure or level in the organization. Their leaders believe in the vision of creating and sustaining a Great Place to Work FOR ALL and role model being 'FOR ALL' Leaders. Learn more at https://www.greatplacetowork.in/ and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Attachment New York, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Europe Power-to-X Market, By Application, By End User, By Type, By Country, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2026" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06131106/?utm_source=GNW Europe Power-to-X market is expected to grow at an impressive rate during the forecast period, 2022-2026.The rise in awareness among consumers regarding the adverse effects of conventional sources of energy and their harmful contribution to the environment is leading the way for the need to generate and store renewable sources of energy. The renewable source of energy is eco-friendly energy and is considered a reliable source of energy.The Paris Agreement goals emphasizing the increased share of renewable sources in the future energy generation is expected to fuel the demand for the energy storage systems in the forecast period. Growing demand for energy from prominent industries for heat, transport, and energy generation purpose requires the transformation of energy from one phase to another usable form is accelerating the demand for the Power-to-X technology.There is high demand for hydrogen and hydrogen-based products in mobility applications and re-electrification in the combined heat and power plants. The growing demand for hydrogen in industries such as in refineries or for steel production is expected to boost the Power-to-X market growth in the next five years. Europe Power-to-X market can be segmented into application, end user, type, regional distribution, and company.Based on the end user, the market is divided into transportation, agriculture, manufacturing, industry, residential, and others. The transportation segment is expected to account for major market share in the forecast period, 2022-2026 owing to the rise in the demand for eco-friendly vehicles with lower carbon emissions into the environment.The rise in the production and sales of electric vehicles in the region which uses rechargeable batteries is the driving factor for the growth of this segment. Also, heavy duty trucking, long-haul shipping, and intercontinental aviation cannot directly convert the electricity are accelerating the demand for the Power-to-X market in the next five years. The major players operating in the Europe Power-to-X market include Carbon2Chem, FH2R, HPEM2GAS, Heat Smart Orkney, Jupiter 1000, Power-to-Flex, REFHYNE, Underground Sun Conversion, among others.Major companies are developing advanced technologies to stay competitive in the market. Other competitive strategies include mergers & acquisitions. Years considered for this report: Historical Years: 2016-2019 Base Year: 2020 Estimated Year: 2021 Forecast Period: 2022-2026 Objective of the Study: To analyze the historical growth in the market size of Europe Power-to-X market from 2016 to 2020. To estimate and forecast the market of Europe Power-to-X Market from 2021 to 2026 and growth rate until 2026. To classify and forecast Europe Power-to-X market based on application, end user, type, regional distribution, and company. To identify drivers and challenges for Europe Power-to-X market. To examine competitive developments such as expansions, new product launches, mergers & acquisitions, etc., in Europe Power-to-X market. To identify and analyze the profile of leading players operating in the Europe Power-to-X market. The analyst performed both primary as well as exhaustive secondary research for this study.Initially, the analyst sourced a list of service providers across the globe. Subsequently, the analyst conducted primary research surveys with the identified companies.While interviewing, the respondents were also enquired about their competitors. Through this technique, the analyst could include the service providers which could not be identified due to the limitations of secondary research. The analyst examined the service providers, distribution channels and presence of all major service providers across the globe. The analyst calculated the market size of Europe Power-to-X market by using a bottom-up approach, where data for various end-user segments was recorded and forecast for the future years. The analyst sourced these values from the industry experts and company representatives and externally validated through analyzing historical data of these services and applications for getting an appropriate, overall market size. Various secondary sources such as company websites, news articles, press releases, company annual reports, investor presentations and financial reports were also studied by the analyst. Key Target Audience: Power-to-X service providers, suppliers, distributors, and other stakeholders. Research organizations and consulting companies Trade associations, organizations, forums, and alliances related to Power-to-X. Government bodies such as regulating authorities and policy makers Industry associations The study is useful in providing answers to several critical questions that are important for the industry stakeholders such as service providers and partners, end users, etc., besides allowing them in strategizing investments and capitalizing on market opportunities. Report Scope: In this report, Europe Power-to-X market has been segmented into following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below: Europe Power-to-X Market, By Application: o Decentralized Production o Seasonal Energy Storage o Decarbonization o Grid Stability Europe Power-to-X Market, By End User: o Transportation o Agriculture o Manufacturing o Industry o Residential o Others Europe Power-to-X Market, By Type: o Power-to-gas o Power-to-heat o Power-to-Ammonia o Energy Storage o Others Europe Power-to-X Market, By Country: o Germany o France o Netherlands o Belgium o Denmark o Spain o United Kingdom o Switzerland o Poland Competitive Landscape Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in Europe Power-to-X market. Available Customizations: With the given market data, we offers customizations according to a companys specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report: Company Information Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five). Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06131106/?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. __________________________ New York, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Advanced Analytics Market By Type, By Deployment Type, By Enterprise Size, By End User, By Regional Outlook, COVID-19 Impact Analysis Report and Forecast, 2021 - 2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06131620/?utm_source=GNW Techniques such as data simulation, optimization, and mining are used for descriptive, predictive, and statistics data to provide knowledge to deal with business intelligence (BI). It provides broad and in-depth analytics that are anticipated to deliver organizations a better understanding of their information. Nowadays, there is a trend of social media platforms, which is providing internet vendors abundant data and information. Conventional analytics techniques and tools fail to identify hidden patterns in data whereas advanced analytics market tools support extracting the hidden information, that is later used by organizations to give prominent understanding to their customers behavior. Advanced analytics also support companies to customize their offerings to customers by utilizing the extracted hidden information. The key factor contributing to the high growth of the advanced analytics market is the increasing amount of business data across the world. Therefore, this industry is rapidly growing with the pace of time. Advanced analytics is a wide area of inspection, which is used to do modifications and improve business operations. It involves the use of mathematical operations to gain insights into the data. It supports the creation of suggestions, finding hidden insights, and forecast predictions. COVID-19 Impact With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, everything is disrupted, from the customer behavior to supply chains and eventually creating an economic slowdown, which is causing further changes. The imposition of several restrictions around the world forced the population to stay locked inside their houses. The pandemic has augmented the use of analytics and AI in many companies. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an increase in the deployment of advanced analytics in businesses to secure business continuity and process optimization. Advanced analytics is gaining popularity due to its deployment in the businesses along with the improvements in the latest technologies like data mining, neural networks, machine learning, multivariate statistics, semantic analysis, and the growing data volumes generated by organizations. Type Outlook Based on Type, the market is segmented into Big Data Analytics, Business Analytics, Customer Analytics, Risk Analytics, Statistical Analysis and Others. The big data analytics segment dominated the market in 2020, with the largest share in the market. The factors responsible for the massive growth of this segment are the rising popularity of social media and the growing number of digital or virtual offices that generate large volumes of data. Information management is arising as a section where big data analytics have a positive impact on business productivity and processes. Deployment Type Outlook Based on Deployment Type, the market is segmented into On-premise and Cloud. The on-premise segment acquired the largest share in revenue in 2020. Companies are adopting on-premise analytics to get the authority and more flexibility to personalize their IT infrastructure. It also provides the facility to the organizations to secure their data from any illegal activities & failures, and decrease the dependency on the internet infrastructure. Enterprise Size Outlook Based on Enterprise Size, the market is segmented into Large Enterprises and Small & Medium Enterprises. With the growing number of small and medium enterprises in nations like Japan, Singapore, Australia, and China, there is an increase in the adoption of cutting-edge analytics. Several governments of the nations are taking initiatives to offer funds to small and medium enterprises for implementing cloud-based solutions that will contribute to the growth of the small and medium enterprises segment. End User Outlook Based on End User, the market is segmented into BFSI, IT & Telecom, Military & Defense, Healthcare, Government and Others. The IT & Telecommunications segment is rising the demand for collaboration tools like web conferencing and video conferencing, thereby propelling the growth of the advanced analytics market during the forecast period. Companies are deploying analytical tools and techniques to avoid illegal transactions like cloning, unauthorized access, and illegitimate authorization. Telecom operators having a large subscriber base are deploying big data analytics to make micro-segmentation and customize the needs of the individual customer. Regional Outlook Based on Regions, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, Middle East & Africa. The Asia Pacific regional market would witness a promising growth rate during the forecast period. Companies in the region are highly deploying big data analytics tools and solutions to cope up with the growing cases of digital fraud. The rise in the e-commerce industry in nations like Malaysia, China, Singapore, India, and Japan, has contributed to the rising demand for predictive analytics over the forecast period. The major strategies followed by the market participants are Partnerships. Based on the Analysis presented in the Cardinal matrix; Microsoft Corporation is the major forerunner in the Advanced Analytics Market. Companies such as Oracle Corporation, IBM Corporation and SAP SE are some of the key innovators in the market. The market research report covers the analysis of key stake holders of the market. Key companies profiled in the report include SAS Institute, Inc., SAP SE, IBM Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Dell Technologies, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, RapidMiner, Inc., Altair Engineering, Inc., Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), and KNIME AG Recent Strategies Deployed in Advanced Analytics Market: Partnership, Collaborations, and Agreements: May-2021: SAP extended its partnership with Team Liquid, a leading worldwide professional esports organization. By using the power of SAP HANA, predictive & machine learning functionalities, and the SAP Business Technology Platform, Team Liquid would more rapidly and efficiently evaluate opponents approaches. Mar-2021: Oracle came into partnership with Red Bull Racing Honda. Under this partnership, Red Bull would leverage the ML and data analytics offerings of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) to optimize how data is utilized over its business; from on-track tasks to putting more data in the hands of the Teams global fan base. In addition, the OCI-powered offerings would assist the team to sharpen its already formidable competitive edge. Mar-2021: Oracle entered into a partnership with Saama Technologies, an AI-powered clinical analytics cloud platform. The capability of Saamas purpose-built clinical applications to boost validation of clinical trial data is technology-agnostic and enables biopharma to get the power of AI further with Intelligent Clinical Cloud architecture. Mar-2021: FICO came into a partnership with Intermatica, one of the main Italian players in the TLC field. This partnership aims to deliver a variety of FICOs solutions for AI-powered decision optimization to Italian companies. In this partnership, FICO and Intermatica will provide the market solutions for data-driven business transformation utilizing robust mathematical models. FICOs predictive analytic and optimization tools help companies to take better decisions within a small timeframe, control business performance, and know their customers to deliver what they want. Feb-2021: IBM entered into a partnership with Palantir Technologies, a public American software company. This partnership includes IBMs hybrid cloud data platform developed to provide AI for business, with Palantirs next-generation operations platform for developing applications. The product is estimated to streamline the way companies build and implement AI-infused applications with IBM Watson and assist customers access, evaluate, and take action on the huge volume of data, which is scattered over hybrid cloud environments. Jan-2021: SAS extended its 40-year partnership with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Under this expansion, SAS aimed to expand its capabilities in natural language processing, AI, and ML capabilities via the SAS Viya platform with the support of the FDAs mission as an important public health agency. This partnership would help FDA to advance CDERs initiative to modernize drug regulatory programs, better meet the centers mission, offer analytically driven drug manufacturing facility surveillance via other core initiatives. Jan-2021: SAP SE extended its partnership with Microsoft, an American multinational technology company. This partnership aimed to combine Microsoft Teams with SAPs intelligent portfolio of solutions and boost the adoption of SAP S/4HANA on Microsoft Azure. In addition, the companies also focus on simplifying and streamlining users journeys to the cloud. Nov-2020: FICO formed a partnership with Linktera, a consultancy and digital solutions provider specializing in risk management. This partnership aimed to improve the usage of AI-powered credit risk technology in Turkey and the Middle East. In addition, Linktera would sell and deploy FICOs decision management solutions that assist banks and other credit grantors control risk and boost lending growth. Nov-2020: IBM came into partnership with Tech Data, a leader in VADs and end-to-end technology distributors, and Microsoft Azure. This partnership would enable customers to more rapidly develop a strong information architecture by allowing faster & easier access to IBM Cloud Pak for Data, a united data & AI platform, which offers cost-effective and containerized services for boosting the journey to AI. Oct-2020: KNIME came into partnership with H2O.ai, a leading AI technology software company. This partnership aimed to integrate Driverless AI for AutoML and KNIME Server for workflow management over the complete data science life cycle from data access to optimization & deployment. Through this partnership, the companies provide a comprehensive no-code enterprise data science solution to boost value in every industry for an end to end data science automation. Sep-2020: SAS came into partnership with RTI International, an independent, nonprofit institute. In this partnership, RTI and SAS would further strengthen and enhance service to customers by integrating subject matter expertise, improved analytics, scientific rigor, and technical & software products into comprehensive solutions. By integrating experts with powerful software, companies can generate more & better data insights to fulfill customers greatest requirements. Jul-2020: SAS partnered with the National Health Authority (NHA). This partnership aimed to enable data analytics for the latters National Anti-Fraud Unit (NAFU) to assist in monitoring fraud and abuse in the deployment structure of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) scheme. Jul-2020: KNIME entered into a partnership with BOLD, a Dutch management consulting firm. Under this partnership, BOLD joined the partner ecosystem of KNIME and the companies aimed to offer the customers the best data-science tools. Jun-2020: Oracle Health Sciences joined hands with the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM). Both the entities teamed up as part of the Innovation Quarters iQ Healthtech Labs to make a consortium of industry, government, and academic members, which would study novel approaches to setting up the security of new drugs that are approaching clinical investigation in humans & FDA approval. Jun-2020: SAP SE collaborated with Honeywell, an American publicly traded, multinational conglomerate. This collaboration aimed to develop a joint cloud-based solution based on Honeywell Forge, an enterprise performance management offering, and SAP Cloud Platform, which would streamline and integrate operational & business data to improve decision-making and efficiencies. Jun-2020: SAS entered into a partnership with Microsoft, an American multinational technology company. Under this partnership, Microsofts Azure became SASs preferred cloud and deep integrations of SASs several products into Microsofts cloud portfolio that varies from Azure to Dynamics 365 and PowerBI. In addition, both the companies also intended to introduce collaborative solutions for their customers. Mergers and Acquisitions: Jan-2021: SAS acquired Boemska, a privately held technology company. This acquisition aimed to improve SAS Viya, a cloud-native, advanced analytics platform, with enriching capabilities that accelerate SAS objective of supporting the whole analytics life cycle and facilitating customer transformation to the cloud. Sep-2020: Altair acquired Ellexus an input/output (I/O) analysis tool. This acquisition aimed to combine Ellexus into the storage-aware scheduling functionality of Altair PBS Works, which is appropriate in these domains as storage-aware scheduling for big data applications is crucial. Jul-2020: IBM acquired WDG Automation, a software provider of RPA. The acquisition aimed to improve IBMs comprehensive AI-infused automation capabilities, ranging from business processes to IT operations. Jun-2020: Microsoft took over ADRM Software, the leader in large-scale, industry-specific data models. The integration of comprehensive industry models from ADRM with limitless storage & compute from Azure enables the creation of the intelligent data hub where data from various places of business can be synchronized together more rapidly. Along with Microsoft Azure, such capabilities would be provided at scale, helping the customers to boost digital progress, and minimize the risk in various major initiatives. Product launches and Product Expansions: Jun-2021: Altair unveiled Altair SmartWorks, its next-generation, cloud-native platform. This platform aims to empower increased data-driven decision making, along with that, SmartWorks utilizes the full power of AI, the Internet of Things (IoT) and analytics, to assist companies to enhance and ensure better production quality, optimize maintenance schedules, develop connected product lines, and deploy recurring revenue models. In addition, this platform also enables organizations to personalize automate financial systems, marketing analytics, and more. Jun-2021: Dell Technologies launched new solutions to assists clients in better manage the convergence of high-performance computing (HPC), data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI). To assist companies to manage data-intensive workloads like genome sequencing to product development simulations. In addition, Dell also expands HPC on-demand services & Dell EMC PowerEdge server accelerator support. Dec-2020: Oracle launched Oracle MySQL Database Service with integrated MySQL Analytics Engine. This service is optimized for and exclusively accessible in Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). Dec-2020: Microsoft unveiled a new data governance solution on its cloud platform called Azure Purview. This latest service helps in automating the discovery of data and cataloging along with decreasing the compliance threats and assists users map all their data, regardless of its locations, to offer an end-to-end view of their data estate. Oct-2020: SAP SE unveiled the SAP Customer Data Platform. This platform enables companies to develop individual but anonymized 360-degree customer profiles utilizing data from various sources in and outside of a company that includes online sources and social channels. Jul-2020: IBM launched Watson Advertising Social Targeting with Influential, a new solution that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help brands identify influencers that best align with their brand values. The new solution within the Watson Advertising suite of targeting products is the result of IBMs expanded collaboration with Influential, a leader in advanced social media technology. The social targeting tool helps brands communicate with an audience. The solution uses IBM Watson Natural Language Understanding on the IBM public cloud to process and analyze social media data to help expedite influencer identification. Jun-2020: RapidMiner introduced a new release of its platform, RapidMiner 9.7. This new update computes the team element for improved & successful data science initiatives, which continue to put people at the center of the companys AI journey by emancipating customers of different backgrounds and abilities. Scope of the Study Market Segments covered in the Report: By Type Big Data Analytics Business Analytics Customer Analytics Risk Analytics Statistical Analysis Others By Deployment Type On-premise Cloud By Enterprise Size Large Enterprises Small & Medium Enterprises By End User BFSI IT & Telecom Military & Defense Healthcare Government Others By Geography North America o US o Canada o Mexico o Rest of North America Europe o Germany o UK o France o Russia o Spain o Italy o Rest of Europe Asia Pacific o China o Japan o India o South Korea o Singapore o Malaysia o Rest of Asia Pacific LAMEA o Brazil o Argentina o UAE o Saudi Arabia o South Africa o Nigeria o Rest of LAMEA Companies Profiled SAS Institute, Inc. SAP SE IBM Corporation Oracle Corporation Dell Technologies, Inc. Microsoft Corporation RapidMiner, Inc. Altair Engineering, Inc. Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) KNIME AG Unique Offerings Exhaustive coverage Highest number of market tables and figures Subscription based model available Guaranteed best price Assured post sales research support with 10% customization free Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06131620/?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. __________________________ New York, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Contraband Detector Market By Deployment Type, By Application, By Screening Type, By Technology, By Regional Outlook, Industry Analysis Report and Forecast, 2021 - 2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06131310/?utm_source=GNW A contraband detector is a gadget, which helps in detecting hidden illegal items like drugs, weapons, and explosives. There are two kinds of contraband detectors available in the market fixed and portable. These types of detectors are majorly utilized in government and military areas to ensure the security & safety of the borders and at airports & metro stations to check the entire luggage and safeguard the areas that are prone to contraband materials. Whenever any contraband detector comes in contact with illegal materials, it produces a sound to alert the guards for further investigation of the luggage. Contraband detectors determine the mass density of the object during the inspection process and show the variation among the densities of any kind of illegal contraband materials and the items in which the unauthorized materials are hidden. In addition, contraband detectors are utilized at various places like transportation, government facilities, and homeland security. The growing demand for security X-ray machines that help in detecting the metallic and non-metallic objects hidden in clothes or cavities with very little dose penetrating radiation is fueling the growth of the contraband detector market. The demand for X-ray imaging technology is high due to the rising adoption of new security measures, which would surge the demand for contraband detectors in the market. COVID-19 Impact The global COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every domain of society. The imposition of various restrictions across the globe like nationwide lockdown travel ban across nations, and the temporary shutdown of the manufacturing unit have impacted almost every sector of the business domain and the contraband detector market is one of them. Governments of many major nations have imposed lockdowns to curb the spread of coronavirus. Due to this travel ban, the need for contraband at various places like metro stations, airports has decreased, and thus, the growth of the contraband detector would witness a slowdown. In addition, the absence of labors in the manufacturing sector is estimated to hamper the production of contrabands. However, at the recovering stage, the growth of contraband will get back on track with a significant growth rate. Technology Outlook Based on Technology, the market is segmented into X-ray Imaging, Metal Detection, Spectroscopy/Spectrometry, and Others. There is a broad variety of hidden materials like metallic & non-metallic threat objects, detected by utilizing x-ray screening systems. There are huge investments made in the development of X-ray scanning systems to detect possible threats by people & their luggage. Moreover, several improvements in x-ray systems including Computed Tomography and backscatter are among the major factors surging the market growth, which has further bolster the market for x-ray technology. Deployment Type Outlook Based on Deployment Type, the market is segmented into Fixed and Portable. The Fixed market dominated the Global Contraband Detector Market by Deployment Type 2020. The Portable market is expected to witness a CAGR of 9.6% during (2021 - 2027). Application Outlook Based on Application, the market is segmented into Transportation, Government, Commercial, Retail & eCommerce, Industrial, Education, Hospitality & Events and Others. The retail application market segment is estimated to emerge as the fastest-growing segment over the forecast period. The growing demand for improved contraband detector systems like screening devices & metal detectors in the segment of retail applications is among the major factors bolstering the growth of the contraband detector market. Screening Type Outlook Based on Screening Type, the market is segmented into Baggage & Cargo Screening, People Screening and Vehicle Screening. The Baggage & Cargo Screening market dominated the Global Contraband Detector Market by Screening Type 2020, and would continue to be a dominant market till 2027. The People Screening market is showcasing a CAGR of 8.1% during (2021 - 2027). Additionally, The Vehicle Screening market is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR of 8.8% during (2021 - 2027). Regional Outlook Based on Regions, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, Middle East & Africa. North America includes various developed nations that have high technological adoption rates. The increasing concerns of security & safety of many different critical areas present in countries like Canada and the US would bolster the growth of the contraband detector market in this region. In addition, the aviation industry in this region is highly adopting the latest technology of these contraband detectors for improving their security services and eliminate any foul activities. The major strategies followed by the market participants are Partnerships. Based on the Analysis presented in the Cardinal matrix; Smiths Group PLC and Leidos Holdings, Inc. are the forerunners in the Contraband Detector Market. Companies such as ADANI Systems, Inc., Metrasens Ltd. are some of the key innovators in the market. The market research report covers the analysis of key stake holders of the market. Key companies profiled in the report include Smiths Group PLC, Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. (Godrej Security Solutions), OSI Systems, Inc., Leidos Holdings, Inc., Nuctech Company, Ltd. (Tsinghua Tongfang Co., Ltd.), Metrasens Ltd., ADANI Systems, Inc. (LINEV Group), Berkeley Varitronics Systems, Inc., CEIA S.p.A. (Costruzioni Elettroniche Industriali Automatismi), and Campbell/Harris Security Equipment Company. Strategies deployed in Contraband Detector Market Apr-2021: Smiths Detection unveiled a new lithium battery algorithm for the HI-SCAN 10080 EDX-2is, a dual-view air cargo, and a checked-baggage screening system. The launch would offer automatic detection of lithium batteries in all freight & baggage screened for explosives by the HI-SCAN 10080 EDX-2is, minimizing the burden on image analysts with minimum false alarm rates. Apr-2021: OSI Systems signed an agreement with Rapiscan Systems for operation & maintenance services of crucial infrastructure facilities. The company would be accountable for the operating and continuing service of the Rapiscan Systems and AS&E cargo, parcel, vehicle, and personnel explosive & contraband detection systems. Apr-2021: Metrasens released its next-generation detection system, Cellsense Ultra with Xact ID intelligent detection technology. It is a reimagined detection system that features expert-designed software algorithms & machine learning to accelerate the overall detection performance and also introduce data collection, reporting, and systems integration. Mar-2021: Smiths Detection came into an agreement with Hellenic Police. This agreement aimed to supply two HCVMe High-Energy Mobile X-ray systems for the screening of cargo to the Hellenic Police. It will help in uncovering the illegal immigrants, contraband, threats, and fraud, these two systems can also assist in securing the EUs Southern Border. Mar-2021: OSI Systems entered into an agreement to upgrade a prime international airport. Under this agreement, the company would offer RTT110 hold baggage screening systems with a variety of checkpoint security systems, Itemiser 5x traces detection units, Rapiscan 920CT & Orion baggage scanners, and Metor walk-through metal detectors. Aug-2020: Smiths Detection acquired PathSensors, a leading biotechnology solutions and environmental-testing company. This acquisition aimed to strengthen Smiths Detections biological-detection offerings to identify pathogens for wide end-market applications that include food & agriculture safety. Jul-2020: Smiths Detection introduced iCMORE detection algorithms for lithium batteries & dangerous goods for usage by its HI-SCAN 10080 XCT scanner. These algorithms improve the scanners detection offerings by assisting them to identify flammable liquids & solids, lithium batteries, and compressed & liquefied gasses that have a risk of igniting or explode. Jul-2020: Leidos came into an agreement with the U.S. Customs and Border Protections (CBP) Office of Field Operations and Cargo Conveyance Security. This agreement aimed to offer a non-intrusive inspection (NII) system for high-energy rail infrastructure. May-2020: Leidos took over L3Harris Technologys Security Detection and Automation Segment. This acquisition is segmented under the Civil Operating segment of Leidos and would offer numerous security detection products like trace detectors & others for airports & crucial infrastructure screening. Jan-2020: ADANI Systems formed a partnership with ChemImage, a leader in standoff threat detection technology. This partnership aimed to offer complete screening technology to correctional facilities. Aug-2019: Smiths Detection expanded its global footprints by setting up its state-of-the-art Service, Training and Experience Centre in Gurugram, India. The facility provides technical training on Smiths Detections Computed Tomography X-ray (CTX) systems, Explosives Trace Detection (ETD), Conventional X-ray Screening systems (CXS), metal detectors and networking solutions. In addition, it also ensures the best level of training to Smiths Detections field service technicians, engineers, and distributors around this region, with future plans to inculcate operator training for users. Oct-2018: ADANI entered into an agreement with Omega Risk Solutions. Under this agreement, ADANI has chosen as a supplier of the X-ray body screening solutions for its usage by Angolan law enforcement agency. Both the entities would supply and install CONPASS XSC Full Body Security Screening Systems to help the authorities in screening & identifying potential drug smugglers, trying to transport illicit substances in and out of Angola. May-2018: ADANI unveiled the latest advanced mobile x-ray screening system for inspection of trucks and containerised cargo. The DTP 6000LVM solution is developed under the strategic plan of ADANI to broaden and improve its DTP vehicle & cargo screening product portfolio. Jul-2017: Metrasens came into an agreement with the Maryland Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services (DPSCS). Under this agreement, DPSCS selected the Cellsense Plus contraband detection system to fulfil the continuing contraband interdiction efforts of correctional facilities around the state. Both the entities would work together to help improved ferromagnetic detection technology to enhance contraband screening results. Scope of the Study Market Segments covered in the Report: By Deployment Type Fixed Portable By Application Transportation Government Commercial Retail & eCommerce Industrial Education Hospitality & Events Others By Screening Type Baggage & Cargo Screening People Screening Vehicle Screening By Technology X-ray Imaging Metal Detection Spectroscopy/Spectrometry Others By Geography North America o US o Canada o Mexico o Rest of North America Europe o Germany o UK o France o Russia o Spain o Italy o Rest of Europe Asia Pacific o China o Japan o India o South Korea o Singapore o Malaysia o Rest of Asia Pacific LAMEA o Brazil o Argentina o UAE o Saudi Arabia o South Africa o Nigeria o Rest of LAMEA Companies Profiled Smiths Group PLC Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. (Godrej Security Solutions) OSI Systems, Inc. Leidos Holdings, Inc. Nuctech Company, Ltd. (Tsinghua Tongfang Co., Ltd.) Metrasens Ltd. ADANI Systems, Inc. (LINEV Group) Berkeley Varitronics Systems, Inc. CEIA S.p.A. (Costruzioni Elettroniche Industriali Automatismi) Campbell/Harris Security Equipment Company Unique Offerings Exhaustive coverage Highest number of market tables and figures Subscription based model available Guaranteed best price Assured post sales research support with 10% customization free Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06131310/?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. __________________________ Dublin, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Hermetic Packaging Market Research Report by Industry, by Application, by Configuration, by Region - Global Forecast to 2026 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Hermetic Packaging Market size was estimated at USD 3,353.34 Million in 2020 and expected to reach USD 3,544.01 Million in 2021, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) 6.02% to reach USD 4,763.33 Million by 2026. Market Statistics: The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR GBP, JPY, and AUD. It helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available. In this report, the years 2018 and 2019 are considered historical years, 2020 as the base year, 2021 as the estimated year, and years from 2022 to 2026 are considered the forecast period. Market Segmentation & Coverage: This research report categorizes the Hermetic Packaging to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: Based on Industry, the Hermetic Packaging Market was examined across Aeronautics & Space, Automotive, Energy & Nuclear Safety, Medical, and Military & Defense. The Automotive was further studied across Airbag Initiation, Battery Protection, and Radio Frequency Identification Transponder Operation. The Energy & Nuclear Safety was further studied across Electrical Penetration Control, Fuel Cell Manufacturing, and Oil & Gas Applications. The Medical was further studied across Dental Applications, Rising Aging Population Driving the Market for the Medical Industry, and Veterinary Applications. Based on Type, the Hermetic Packaging Market was examined across Ceramic-Metal Sealing, Glass-Metal Sealing, Passivation Glass, Reed Glass, and Transponder Glass. Based on Application, the Hermetic Packaging Market was examined across Airbag Ignitors, Lasers, Mems Switches, Oscillating Crystals, Photodiodes, Sensors, and Transistors. Based on Configuration, the Hermetic Packaging Market was examined across Metal Can Packages, Multilayer Ceramic Packages, and Pressed Ceramic Packages. Based on Geography, the Hermetic Packaging Market was examined across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas was further studied across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific was further studied across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa was further studied across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom. Competitive Strategic Window: The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies to help the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. It describes the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth during a forecast period. FPNV Positioning Matrix: The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Hermetic Packaging Market based on Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape. Market Share Analysis: The Market Share Analysis offers the analysis of vendors considering their contribution to the overall market. It provides the idea of its revenue generation into the overall market compared to other vendors in the space. It provides insights into how vendors are performing in terms of revenue generation and customer base compared to others. Knowing market share offers an idea of the size and competitiveness of the vendors for the base year. It reveals the market characteristics in terms of accumulation, fragmentation, dominance, and amalgamation traits. Company Usability Profiles: The report profoundly explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Hermetic Packaging Market, including Ametek, Inc., Amkor Technology, Inc., Aptiv PLC, Bel Fuse Inc., CeramTec GmbH, Coat-X SA, Complete Hermetics, Egide, Hermetic Solutions Group, Itt, Inc., Kyocera Corporation, Legacy Technologies Inc., Mackin Technologies, Materion Corporation, Micross Components Inc., Palomar Technologies Inc., Renesas Electronics Corporation Rosenberger, Schott AG, SGA Technologies Ltd., Special Hermetic Products Inc., StratEdge Corporation, Teledyne Technologies Inc., Texas Instruments Inc., and Willow Technologies Limited. The report provides insights on the following pointers: 1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players 2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyze penetration across mature segments of the markets 3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments 4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, certification, regulatory approvals, patent landscape, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players 5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and breakthrough product developments The report answers questions such as: 1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Hermetic Packaging Market? 2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Hermetic Packaging Market during the forecast period? 3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Hermetic Packaging Market? 4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Hermetic Packaging Market? 5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Hermetic Packaging Market? 6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Hermetic Packaging Market? 7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Hermetic Packaging Market? Key Topics Covered: 1. Preface 2. Research Methodology 3. Executive Summary 4. Market Overview 4.1. Introduction 4.2. Cumulative Impact of COVID-19 5. Market Insights 5.1. Market Dynamics 5.1.1. Drivers 5.1.1.1. Rising demand for hermetic packaging from the electronics sector 5.1.1.2. Increasing demand in automotive and telecommunication industry 5.1.2. Restraints 5.1.2.1. Availability of low-cost alternative packaging methods 5.1.3. Opportunities 5.1.3.1. Increasing demand for consumer electronic devices worldwide 5.1.3.2. Adoption of hermetic packaging for the protection of implantable medical devices 5.1.3.3. Growing industrial applications globally 5.1.4. Challenges 5.1.4.1. High infrastructure cost due to the controlled and regulated packaging environment 5.2. Porters Five Forces Analysis 5.2.1. Threat of New Entrants 5.2.2. Threat of Substitutes 5.2.3. Bargaining Power of Customers 5.2.4. Bargaining Power of Suppliers 5.2.5. Industry Rivalry 6. Hermetic Packaging Market, by Industry 6.1. Introduction 6.2. Aeronautics & Space 6.3. Automotive 6.3.1. Airbag Initiation 6.3.2. Battery Protection 6.3.3. Radio Frequency Identification Transponder Operation 6.4. Energy & Nuclear Safety 6.4.1. Electrical Penetration Control 6.4.2. Fuel Cell Manufacturing 6.4.3. Oil & Gas Applications 6.5. Medical 6.5.1. Dental Applications 6.5.2. Rising Aging Population Driving the Market for the Medical Industry 6.5.3. Veterinary Applications 6.6. Military & Defense 7. Hermetic Packaging Market, by Type 7.1. Introduction 7.2. Ceramic-Metal Sealing 7.3. Glass-Metal Sealing 7.4. Passivation Glass 7.5. Reed Glass 7.6. Transponder Glass 8. Hermetic Packaging Market, by Application 8.1. Introduction 8.2. Airbag Ignitors 8.3. Lasers 8.4. Mems Switches 8.5. Oscillating Crystals 8.6. Photodiodes 8.7. Sensors 8.8. Transistors 9. Hermetic Packaging Market, by Configuration 9.1. Introduction 9.2. Metal Can Packages 9.3. Multilayer Ceramic Packages 9.4. Pressed Ceramic Packages 10. Americas Hermetic Packaging Market 10.1. Introduction 10.2. Argentina 10.3. Brazil 10.4. Canada 10.5. Mexico 10.6. United States 11. Asia-Pacific Hermetic Packaging Market 11.1. Introduction 11.2. Australia 11.3. China 11.4. India 11.5. Indonesia 11.6. Japan 11.7. Malaysia 11.8. Philippines 11.9. Singapore 11.10. South Korea 11.11. Thailand 12. Europe, Middle East & Africa Hermetic Packaging Market 12.1. Introduction 12.2. France 12.3. Germany 12.4. Italy 12.5. Netherlands 12.6. Qatar 12.7. Russia 12.8. Saudi Arabia 12.9. South Africa 12.10. Spain 12.11. United Arab Emirates 12.12. United Kingdom 13. Competitive Landscape 13.1. FPNV Positioning Matrix 13.1.1. Quadrants 13.1.2. Business Strategy 13.1.3. Product Satisfaction 13.2. Market Ranking Analysis 13.3. Market Share Analysis, By Key Player 13.4. Competitive Scenario 13.4.1. Merger & Acquisition 13.4.2. Agreement, Collaboration, & Partnership 13.4.3. New Product Launch & Enhancement 13.4.4. Investment & Funding 13.4.5. Award, Recognition, & Expansion 14. Company Usability Profiles 14.1. Ametek, Inc. 14.2. Amkor Technology, Inc. 14.3. Aptiv PLC 14.4. Bel Fuse Inc. 14.5. CeramTec GmbH 14.6. Coat-X SA 14.7. Complete Hermetics 14.8. Egide 14.9. Hermetic Solutions Group 14.10. Itt, Inc. 14.11. Kyocera Corporation 14.12. Legacy Technologies Inc. 14.13. Mackin Technologies 14.14. Materion Corporation 14.15. Micross Components Inc. 14.16. Palomar Technologies Inc. 14.17. Renesas Electronics Corporation Rosenberger 14.18. Schott AG 14.19. SGA Technologies Ltd. 14.20. Special Hermetic Products Inc. 14.21. StratEdge Corporation 14.22. Teledyne Technologies Inc. 14.23. Texas Instruments Inc. 14.24. Willow Technologies Limited 15. Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/5y0e5u MADISON, CONN., Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With ads for a blockbuster 2 pairs from $9.95 sale on kids shoes, online footwear and clothing retailer FabKids knows how to lure in parents scrambling to outfit their children before school starts. But what many of these harried parents may not realize is that the offer is only available by joining its VIP membership program, a subscription-based plan committing them to charges of $39.95 a month. Now, a truthinadvertising.org (TINA.org) investigation has found that by failing to clearly and conspicuously disclose the terms of its members-only pricing, among other things, FabKids is violating a 2014 court order as well as the Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act (ROSCA). On Monday, the ad watchdog filed a complaint with California regulators and the Federal Trade Commission urging them to take appropriate enforcement action. TINA.orgs investigation catalogued more than 80 examples of deceptive FabKids marketing materials that fail to clearly and conspicuously disclose the conditions of its tempting sale prices. The vast majority of social media ads promote the 2 pairs from $9.95 shoe offer in large colorful print with an ambiguous reference to a New VIP Offer in much smaller print with no mention of the subscription plan fees. In addition to running ads on Facebook and Instagram, FabKids also uses influencers to market the brand on their personal accounts, many of whom dont properly reveal their relationship to the company. TINA.org also found that FabKids is misleading consumers by failing to clearly and conspicuously disclose the terms of its negative-option offer throughout the shopping process on the FabKids website and by making it difficult for members to cancel. Techstyle, the parent company of FabKids, may boast five million VIP members across its numerous brands but it is no stranger to scrutiny over its business practices. In 2014, when the company was known as Just Fabulous, it paid $1.8 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that its shopping websites, including FabKids.com, tricked consumers into signing up for subscriptions they didnt want. And in February 2020, TINA.org called out another Techstyle brand, Rihannas Savage X Fenty for similar violations related to the deceptive advertising of a VIP membership. Techstyles portfolio also includes ShoeDazzle, JustFab and Kate Hudsons Fabletics, which is reportedly preparing for an initial public offering with a targeted valuation of more than $5 billion. According to Bonnie Patten, TINA.orgs Executive Director, Techstyle continues to brazenly break the law and violate court orders. Its time that regulators take action against this company so ensure that more consumers are not deceptively duped into unwanted monthly payments that are difficult to stop. To read more about TINA.orgs investigation of FabKids, visit: https://www.truthinadvertising.org/fabkids-backto-school-ads-mislead-parents/ TORONTO, ON, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the new school year fast approaching, Days Inns Canada is marking the occasion with a Back to Campus contest. From now through September 6, 2021, social media fans and followers can enter for the chance to win one of three prizes. Each prize consists of a FREE one-night stay at any Days Inn location in Canada. Entering the contest is simple - follow @DaysInnCanada on Instagram or Facebook and post one comment and one like on any of the contest posts throughout the week. The best part, enter once per day. Prize draws will take place on September 7, 2021, and winners will be announced starting September 8, 2021. The Back to Campus Contest is open to legal residents of Canada who are of the age of majority in their province or territory at the time of entry. No purchase necessary to enter. Full rules and regulations are provided on Days Inns Canada Facebook page and Instagram highlight icon. The contest is running in conjunction with the New School Year. Same Great Savings from Days Inn brand promotion. Days Inns Canada is pleased to offer students and their families, along with affiliates at universities and colleges across Canada, a preferred plan discount of 15% off the Best Available Rate at over 110 locations countrywide. For complete details, contact kelly.heer@realstarhospitality.com . From the University of British Columbia to the University of New Brunswick, there are over 90 hotels located in major university or college cities across Canada and over 110 locations countrywide . Visit daysinn.ca for great deals and discounts. Days Inn by Wyndham hotels in Canada offer free Wi-Fi, either an on-site restaurant or a free breakfast, a pool at many locations and kids stay free. Plus, earn valuable Wyndham Rewards points while you travel, then redeem for stays at thousands of Wyndham hotels, vacation club resorts & vacation rentals worldwide. Members can also redeem Wyndham Rewards points for flights, car rentals, gift cards, online merchandise, and so much more. -30- About Days Inns Canada Part of Realstar Hospitality, Days Inns Canada is one of the country's leading hotel chains with over 110 independently owned and operated properties and over 8,945 rooms. Its franchises cover a wide range of urban, airport and resort properties in primary and secondary markets across Canada. Every Days Inn by Wyndham in Canada participates in the Wyndham Rewards guest reward program. Part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH), Days Inn by Wyndham is a globally recognized hotel brand with over 1,600 properties across 23 countries. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is the worlds largest hotel franchising company by number of properties, with approximately 8,900 hotels across nearly 95 countries on six continents. For more information about Days Inns Canada, to make an online hotel reservation, to become a Wyndham Rewards member or to learn more about the elevated health and safety protocols with the Count on Us program, visit daysinn.ca or call the bilingual reservations hotline at 1 800 DAYS INN (1-800-329-7466). Like us on Facebook, facebook.com/daysinncanada, follow us on Twitter, twitter.com/daysinncanada and follow us on Instagram, instagram.com/daysinncanada Attachments DENVER, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Red Canary today announced major updates to its SaaS-based Security Operations Platform, including capabilities for identity-based threat detection, alert management, automation, and managed response. The Red Canary platform is used by companies of any size and around the world to detect threats, respond to incidents, and improve security operations. The company offers Managed Detection and Response (MDR) via its platform, runs on top of leading XDR platforms such as Microsoft 365 Defender , and was named a Leader in Forrester Researchs 2021 MDR Wave. Unlike other MDR providers, which simply collect third-party security alerts and send them to customer security operations teams for handling, Red Canarys Platform includes Security Engineering as a Service, embedding raw telemetry collection, custom detection engineering, alert suppression, continuous detection sharing across all customers, and threat intelligence curated from thousands of incident response engagements. The latest version of Red Canarys Security Operations Platform includes: Vendor-neutral MDR for endpoints - Red Canary provides managed detection and response across all leading EDR products, including Microsoft Defender for Endpoint , and recently announced support for SentinelOne Singularity . Red Canary has industry-leading experience handling the high data volumes of EDR products and ensuring successful EDR deployments. - Red Canary provides managed detection and response across all leading EDR products, including , and recently announced support for . Red Canary has industry-leading experience handling the high data volumes of EDR products and ensuring successful EDR deployments. EDR Migration tools - As the EDR industry has matured, customers are increasingly migrating from early products to new leaders. The Red Canary platform includes tools to ensure successful migration, without downtime or impact to security operations. Migration support is included in the standard customer license fee, so that organizations can select and move to the solutions that best meet their needs, without incurring additional MDR costs. - As the EDR industry has matured, customers are increasingly migrating from early products to new leaders. The Red Canary platform includes tools to ensure successful migration, without downtime or impact to security operations. Migration support is included in the standard customer license fee, so that organizations can select and move to the solutions that best meet their needs, without incurring additional MDR costs. Platform-neutral MDR for infrastructure - As companies modernize their legacy apps, using Linux-based containers and virtual machines, and move to the cloud, they face new threats to these applications. Red Canary has developed a threat detection service optimized for Linux production systems, regardless of where they are deployed. Customers who cannot deploy third-party EDR Linux agents, because of performance impact, can use Red Canarys MDR service for Linux systems without issue. - As companies modernize their legacy apps, using Linux-based containers and virtual machines, and move to the cloud, they face new threats to these applications. Red Canary has developed a threat detection service optimized for Linux production systems, regardless of where they are deployed. Customers who cannot deploy third-party EDR Linux agents, because of performance impact, can use Red Canarys MDR service for Linux systems without issue. Account compromise detection - Red Canary offers new capabilities for account compromise detection, via support for Microsoft Defender for Identity and Azure Defender for Identity. Using data from a customers Defender for Identity instance, the Red Canary platform can apply behavioral analytics to detect unusual patterns in account access - Red Canary offers new capabilities for account compromise detection, via support for Microsoft Defender for Identity and Azure Defender for Identity. Using data from a customers Defender for Identity instance, the Red Canary platform can apply behavioral analytics to detect unusual patterns in account access Integrated alert management and triage - In addition to endpoint and cloud systems, most organizations also manage dozens of third-party security products, each generating significant alert traffic. The Red Canary platform now includes, at no extra charge, self-service tools for alert triage and management. These tools reduce customer alert noise and time to respond to potential threats, and are included in Red Canarys standard license fee. - In addition to endpoint and cloud systems, most organizations also manage dozens of third-party security products, each generating significant alert traffic. The Red Canary platform now includes, at no extra charge, self-service tools for alert triage and management. These tools reduce customer alert noise and time to respond to potential threats, and are included in Red Canarys standard license fee. Integrated automation and orchestration - When real issues are discovered, customers use Red Canarys built-in workflow automation playbooks to respond in a consistent and efficient manner. Red Canarys response engineers can guide the creation of new playbooks, at no additional cost beyond the standard annual license fee. - When real issues are discovered, customers use Red Canarys built-in workflow automation playbooks to respond in a consistent and efficient manner. Red Canarys response engineers can guide the creation of new playbooks, at no additional cost beyond the standard annual license fee. Continuous detection sharing across customers - Red Canary customers automatically gain protection from threats discovered in other customers networks, resulting in a form of herd immunity against common threats without loss of privacy. - Red Canary customers automatically gain protection from threats discovered in other customers networks, resulting in a form of herd immunity against common threats without loss of privacy. Risk reporting and benchmarking - The platform includes regular analysis and reporting of customer risk, relative to earlier periods, other companies in the same industry, organizations of similar size, as well as the entire Red Canary customer base. This enables security leaders to report to their executive teams and boards on the effectiveness of their security controls and their impact on business risk. The reporting, benchmarking, and guidance are all included in the standard license fee. - The platform includes regular analysis and reporting of customer risk, relative to earlier periods, other companies in the same industry, organizations of similar size, as well as the entire Red Canary customer base. This enables security leaders to report to their executive teams and boards on the effectiveness of their security controls and their impact on business risk. The reporting, benchmarking, and guidance are all included in the standard license fee. Managed remediation of incidents - All Red Canary customers receive managed response to incidents, at no extra charge beyond the standard license fee. Red Canarys trained response engineers can provide guidance, set up workflows, and perform response tasks to contain threats. Red Canary also announced new packages for consulting firms and service providers. Incident response consulting firms often struggle to support a growing number of clients following a breach. Red Canary for Consultants is a solution designed for easy application of the Red Canary platform by consulting firms during incident response. In addition, Red Canary now also offers a solution for Microsoft Managed Service Providers (MSPs) that wish to provide managed security operations services around the Microsoft ecosystem. While organizations are increasingly under attack from ransomware and other threats, we are proud to say that our platform protected our customers from the biggest attacks in recent months, said Chris Rothe, CPO and co-founder. Our people have extracted and curated new behavior and attack patterns from thousands of engagements, and weve embedded those in the expanded platform to better protect our customers from harm. We believe that Red Canary's platform, providing MDR for endpoints and infrastructure, aligns to Microsoft's security strategy, said Mandana Javaheri, global head of security, compliance, and identity business development at Microsoft. Customers who are investing in Microsoft 365 Defender and XDR platform can benefit from Red Canary's MDR platform to increase effectiveness of their security operations. About Red Canary Red Canary is the leading security ally enabling every organization to make its greatest impact without fear of cyber-attack. The company provides outcome-focused solutions for security operations teams, who rely on Red Canary to analyze and respond to enterprise telemetry, manage alerts across the network, and provide cloud environment runtime threat detection. With Red Canary, security teams can make a measurable improvement to security operations within minutes. To learn more, visit RedCanary.com. Des Moines, Iowa, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Premier natural meat brand Niman Ranch generates more than 50% more economic value for the local economy than the conventional hog industry, per 100,000 hogs sold, a new economic impact analysis revealed. The analysis, conducted by respected regional economist Dave Swenson, also showed that Niman Ranch creates over 150% more jobs than conventional hog production and in 2019, the year studied, generated more than $20 million in added value for the local Iowa economy (the equivalent measurement of gross domestic product). Local economies would prosper if more adopted Niman Ranchs approach instead of conventional production, said Swenson of his findings. This is the Main Street effect. The small farmers in Nimans network hire more people, spend more regionally and their employees also spend their money closer to home. Swenson analyzed 2019 data on the overall Iowa hog industry contributions and compared it to Niman Ranch-specific inputs and outputs of their 195 Iowa-based farmers. The analysis utilized the IMPLAN, Inc., modeling system, the most widely used input-output modeling system in the U.S. The full methodology and findings can be viewed in the full analysis. Additional analysis findings include: Niman Ranchs 195 Iowa-based farms created 339 jobs in the state in 2019. For every $1 million in direct sales, Niman Ranch farms produce 14 jobs and generate an additional $2.03 million in other economic inputs, including labor income and value-added spending. Iowas 195 Niman Ranch farms created nearly $50 million in total output (value of hogs) and over $20 million in added economic value for the local community. Niman Ranch was founded by farmers and ranchers and its business model was developed to ensure producers are treated fairly and can make a living. Niman Ranch pays farmers a premium that is based on inputs, like feed, rather than commodity markets, providing a stable premium they can count on. The premium pay and security Niman Ranch offers allows farmers to reinvest in their businesses and local communities, creating an economic multiplier effect. This study proves that there is significant value in these smaller, diversified farms, said Chris Oliviero, Niman Ranch General Manager. Were never going to feed the world, but the Niman Ranch business model brings real resources and opportunities into rural communities. Were a small part of the food chain, but our farmers have an outsized positive impact. Dave Swenson presented the analysis findings on Saturday August 28, 2021 at Niman Ranchs 23rd Annual Hog Farmer Appreciation Celebration. The annual event recognizes the contributions and hard work Niman Ranch hog farmers put into raising their livestock with care and their contributions to local communities. At the event, Niman Ranch awarded over $170,000 in scholarships to support the next generation of young farmers and rural leaders and also distributed numerous farmer awards recognizing sustainable farming practices, meat quality and anniversaries working with the brand. 19-year Niman Ranch farmer Ron Mardesen of Elliott, IA described the positive role small farms like his have in their communities. Regional economies are built on local economies. Local economies are built around needs and people. Smaller independent family farmers need a place to buy gas, need a place to buy groceries, we need a place to buy feed, we need a veterinarian, we need a school for our children, we need a place to worship, shared Mardesen. The premium Niman Ranch pays me allows me to manage my farm in a positive productive way. Niman Ranch gives me the chance to plan for the future of the farm, instead of worrying about there being a future for the farm. # # # About Niman Ranch Niman Ranch is a community of more than 750 independent family farmers and ranchers who raise pork, beef and lamb traditionally, humanely and sustainably to deliver the Finest-Tasting Meat in the World. Niman Ranch is the largest farmer and rancher network in North America to be Certified Humane. The protein of choice for Americas most celebrated chefs, Niman Ranch is also the premier option for discerning home cooks looking for meats Raised with Care, with no antibiotics or added hormonesever. Follow Niman Ranch on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About Dave Swenson Dave Swenson is research scientist, Department of Economics, for Iowa State University and lecturer, School of Urban and Regional Planning and Public Policy, for The University of Iowa. This analysis is a private consulting project and not a product of his affiliation with either university. Attachments St. Paul, Minn, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ergodyne announced a major partnership with Mips to integrate the highly innovative Mips Elevate safety system into Skullerz Safety Helmets. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, over 18,000 workers suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) such as concussions in 2019. A significant cause of TBIs is brain sheara tearing of nerve fibers that occurs when the brain shifts and rotates inside the skull. Mips Elevate is a low-friction layer that slides multi-directionally with the intention to help redirect the rotational energy transferred to the head upon falling or impact. Traditionally, hard hats and safety helmets have been focused on protection from direct, linear impacts. Though incredibly important, these designs are not as effective at protecting workers from equally common and potentially more dangerous off-center angled impacts, said Tim Gallant, Ergodyne Product Director. By adding Mips Elevate to our best-selling Skullerz Safety Helmets, we can hopefully help reduce the energies that create some of the brain jarring and tearing that can ultimately lead to lifelong brain damage. The development of Mips (multi-directional impact protection system) safety systems results from years of research and development by Swedish neurosurgeon Hans von Holst and engineer Peter Halldin. To date, the technology has primarily been integrated into recreational helmets for leading global brands such as Fox Racing, Bell and Specialized. Its alarming that with more than 6 million hard hats and safety helmets sold each year, were still seeing an incredibly high number of workers develop traumatic brain injuries, said Tom Votel, Ergodyne President & CEO. Were honored to have the opportunity to work alongside some of the worlds leading helmet-based safety experts on a solution to this incredibly urgent safety problem. Ergodynes new Skullerz Safety Helmets with Mips Elevate are expected to launch by the end of 2021. For more on the science behind Mips and the evolution of Skullerz, check out Ergodyne's Head Protection Technology Page. ABOUT ERGODYNE Since 1983, Ergodyne has pioneered the development of products that Make The Workplace A Betterplace. What started with just one product has grown into a line of top flight, battle-tested, Tenacious Work Gear; all precision crafted to provide protection, promote prevention and manage the elements for workers on jobsites the world over. The current lineup is extensive and constantly growing: ProFlex Hand Protection, ProFlex Knee Pads, ProFlex Supports, Skullerz Head Protection, Skullerz Eye Protection, Trex Footwear Accessories, KREW'D Skin Protection, Chill-Its Cooling Products, N-Ferno Warming Products, GloWear Hi-Vis Apparel, Squids Lanyards, Arsenal Gear and Tool Storage, and SHAX Portable Work Shelters. Originally posted on: www.ergodyne.com Attachments LONDON, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to The Business Research Companys research report on the military helicopters market, the size of the global military helicopter market is expected to grow from $50.75 billion in 2020 to $52.27 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3%. The growth is mainly due to the companies rearranging their operations and recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges. The military helicopter market forecast is expected to reach $67.5 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 6.6%. Asia Pacific is the largest region in the military helicopters market, accounting for 30.8% of the total in 2020. It was followed by North America, and then the other regions. Going forward, the fastest-growing regions in the military helicopters market will be Eastern Europe and Asia-Pacific where growth will be at CAGRs of 7.4% and 6.1% respectively. These will be followed by Western Europe, and Middle East, where the markets are expected to grow at CAGRs of 5.1% and 4.7% respectively. The military helicopters market is segmented by type into light military helicopters, medium military helicopters, and heavy military helicopters. The heavy military helicopters market was the largest segment of the military helicopters market segmented by type, accounting for 39.1% of the total in 2020. Going forward, the light military helicopters market is expected to be the fastest growing segment in the military helicopters market segmented by type, at a CAGR of 5.7% during 2020-2025. The Business Research Companys report titled Military Helicopters Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery to 2030 covers major military helicopters companies, military helicopters market share by company, military helicopters manufacturers, military helicopters market size, and military helicopters market forecasts. The report also covers the global military helicopters market and its segments. Request For A Sample Of The Global Military Helicopters Market Report: https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/sample.aspx?id=3636&type=smp The top opportunities in the military helicopters market segmented by type will arise in the light military helicopters segment, which will gain $3,978.3 million of global annual sales by 2025. The top opportunities in segment by application will arise in the attack/assault military helicopters segment, which will gain $2,681.0 million of global annual sales by 2025, by number of engines will arise in the twin engine segment, which will gain $5,267.8 million of global annual sales by 2025, by component & system will arise in the electrical systems segment, which will gain $5,747.5 million of global annual sales by 2025. The military helicopters market size will gain the most in the USA at $2,070.2 million. The global military helicopters market is concentrated, with a small number of large players. The top ten competitors in the market made up to 72.15% of the total market in 2020. The logistics of military helicopters creation, high technical abilities, and regulatory approvals makes it a market with high entry barriers and has been dominated by major players for many years. The Boeing Company was the largest competitor with a 14.76% share of the market, followed by Airbus with 12.45%, Russian Helicopters with 10.13%, Lockheed Martin with 8.99%, Leonardo SpA with 6.20%, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation with 5.34%, Textron Inc. with 4.35%, Raytheon Technologies with 4.12%, BAE Systems with 3.94%, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited with 1.88%. Player-adopted strategies in the military helicopters market include delivering military helicopters through partnerships, strengthening maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities through acquisition of companies with same business, including new and advanced military helicopters in product portfolios, enhancing business by forming long term contracts, and adding new helicopters with better features. Military Helicopters Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery to 2030 is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provide military helicopters market overviews, analyze and forecast market size and growth for the whole market, military helicopters market segments and geographies, military helicopters market trends, military helicopters market drivers, military helicopters market restraints, military helicopters market leading competitors revenues, profiles and market shares in over 1,000 industry reports, covering over 2,500 market segments and 60 geographies. The report also gives in-depth analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on the market. The reports draw on 150,000 datasets, extensive secondary research, and exclusive insights from interviews with industry leaders. A highly experienced and expert team of analysts and modelers provides market analysis and forecasts. The reports identify top countries and segments for opportunities and strategies based on market trends and leading competitors approaches. Here Is A List Of Similar Reports By The Business Research Company: Military Gliders and Drones Global Market Report 2021: COVID 19 Impact and Recovery to 2030 Commercial Helicopters Global Market Report 2021: COVID 19 Impact and Recovery to 2030 Aircraft Engines Global Market Report 2021: COVID 19 Impact and Recovery to 2030 Interested to know more about The Business Research Company? The Business Research Company is a market intelligence firm that excels in company, market, and consumer research. Located globally it has specialist consultants in a wide range of industries including manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, chemicals, and technology. Get a quick glimpse of our services here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC24_fI0rV8cR5DxlCpgmyFQ The Worlds Most Comprehensive Database The Business Research Companys flagship product, Global Market Model, is a market intelligence platform covering various macroeconomic indicators and metrics across 60 geographies and 27 industries. The Global Market Model covers multi-layered datasets which help its users assess supply-demand gaps. Dallas, Texas, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dickeys Barbecue Pit is making it easier than ever to host one last backyard summer cookout this Labor Day with its iconic Big Yellow Box. Dickeys Big Yellow Box is a convenient, self-contained way to serve a gathering of any size, slow-smoked Texas barbecue and award-winning catering offerings. The Big Yellow Box feeds up to 12 people and the options include: Pulled Pork Party Pack ($85) Four pounds of pulled pork, large cabbage slaw, large barbecue beans, large potato salad, 12 buttery rolls, pickles, onions and Dickeys Barbecue Sauce. Four pounds of pulled pork, large cabbage slaw, large barbecue beans, large potato salad, 12 buttery rolls, pickles, onions and Dickeys Barbecue Sauce. Classic Sandwich Party Pack ($99) 12 Classic Sandwiches, large Caesar salad, large potato salad, pickles, onions and Dickeys Barbecue Sauce. 12 Classic Sandwiches, large Caesar salad, large potato salad, pickles, onions and Dickeys Barbecue Sauce. Original Party Pack ($110) Two pounds of brisket, two pounds of pulled pork, large cabbage slaw, large potato salad, large barbecue beans, pickles, onions and Dickeys Barbecue Sauce. Two pounds of brisket, two pounds of pulled pork, large cabbage slaw, large potato salad, large barbecue beans, pickles, onions and Dickeys Barbecue Sauce. Wings and Ribs Party Pack ($115) 18 ribs, 24 wings with choice of sauce, large mac and cheese, large cabbage slaw, 12 buttery rolls, Dickeys Barbecue Sauce and ranch dressing. 18 ribs, 24 wings with choice of sauce, large mac and cheese, large cabbage slaw, 12 buttery rolls, Dickeys Barbecue Sauce and ranch dressing. Texas Brisket Party Pack ($155) Four pounds of brisket, choice of three large sides, 12 buttery rolls, pickles, onions and Dickeys Barbecue Sauce. Dickeys is all about celebrating special moments with family and friends, especially around holidays, said Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickeys Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. Our Big Yellow Box takes the pressure off trying to cook for everyone, and lets you focus on enjoying time with your loved ones. All you have to do is order your box, and you are ready to dig into hickory-wood smoked meats and iconic sides and sauces! Its a safe and wallet-friendly option for gatherings of all sizes. To learn more, follow Dickeys Barbecue Pit on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Download the Dickeys Barbecue Pit app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. About Dickeys Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., the worlds largest barbecue concept, was founded in 1941 by Travis Dickey. For the past 80 years, Dickeys Barbecue Pit has served millions of guests Legit. Texas. Barbecue. At Dickeys, all our barbecued meats are smoked onsite in a hickory wood burning pit. Dickeys proudly believes theres no shortcut to true barbecue and its why they never say bbq. The Dallas-based, family-run barbecue franchise offers several slow-smoked meats and wholesome sides with 'No B.S. (Bad Stuff)' included. The fast-casual concept has expanded worldwide with international locations in the UAE and Japan. Dickey Restaurant brands have over 550 locations nationwide. In 2016, Dickeys won first place on Fast Casuals Top 100 Movers and Shakers list, was named a Top 500 Franchise by Entrepreneur in 2018 and was named to Hospitality Technology Industry Heroes in 2021. Led by CEO Laura Rea Dickey, who was named among the countrys 50 most influential women in foodservice in 2020 by Nations Restaurant News and was recognized as one of the top 25 industry leaders on Fast Casuals 2020 Top 100 Movers and Shakers list, Dickey's Barbecue Pit has also been recognized by Fox News, Forbes Magazine, Franchise Times, The Wall Street Journal and QSR Magazine. For more information, visit www.dickeys.com. # # # Attachment English French TORONTO, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Royalton Luxury Resorts newest all inclusive property, Royalton Grenada Resort and Spa, has announced that it will be reopening its door on the exotic island of Grenada on October 1, 2021. Overlooking Tamarind Bay with direct access to two of the islands most beautiful white-sand beaches, the newest All-in Luxury resort brings an elevated level of hospitality to this stunning locale. Offering both exploration and relaxation, Grenada is an emerging travel destination rich with culture, history, and adventure, providing some of the best diving spots in the world and an incredible culinary scene. Dubbed Spice Isle due to its large export of spices, notably nutmeg, Grenada also boasts a unique variety of wildlife, including 184 bird species and one native to the island, the Grenada dove. We are thrilled to welcome back our discerning guests to experience a five-star luxury vacation on the renowned Spice Isle, says Jordi Pelfort, President of Hotels and Resort at Sunwing Travel Group. Blue Diamond Resorts expansion into the Eastern Caribbean presents travelers with more opportunities to enjoy Royalton's bespoke offerings in the exotic destination of Grenada. Along with its enviable beachfront location and only five minutes from Maurice Bishop International Airport, the resort offers 269 well-appointed accommodations with rain showers, soaker tubs, and handcrafted DreamBed mattresses, 24-hour room service, complimentary non-motorized water sports, All-in Connectivity offering free high-speed Wi-Fi resort-wide, a world-class spa and more. With unlimited reservation-free dining at the resorts a la carte restaurants, guests can choose from a range of cuisine including the French bistro-style eatery Ma Maison. A first for the Royalton Luxury Resorts portfolio, this new dining concept offers authentic cuisine in a beautiful waterfront setting. Whats more, guests can upgrade to Royaltons signature Diamond Club and enjoy premium service, dedicated pool and beach areas, preferential room locations, and access to the Diamond Club lounge. Recently named the Worlds Culinary Capital, Grenada is worthy of being on your bucket list, adds Jordi Pelfort. If not for its culture and lush surroundings, come for the people who make this incredible destination home. About Blue Diamond Resorts Since its inception in 2011, Blue Diamond Resorts has curated an impressive portfolio encompassing 45 properties, exceeding 15,000 rooms in ten countries. Taking a proactive approach to differentiating brands under each markets demands, the resort management company caters to a range of budgets and interests from adult-only elegant getaways to fun-filled family vacations. Award-winning, All-In Luxury Royalton Luxury Resorts offers signature amenities including All-In Connectivity, modern Sports Event Guarantee and in-suite wellness elements. Royalton Luxury Resorts adults-only sub-brands include Hideaway at Royalton, an adults-only experience with exclusive dining and preferred accommodations, plus the stylish lifestyle resorts, Royalton CHIC, located in the Caribbeans best beachfront locales. In Jamaica, Grand Lido Negril provides those over 21 with an upscale and luxurious naturist vacation along with a secluded shore for the utmost privacy. Memories Resorts & Spa offers a vacation designed to impress the entire family, featuring a popular kids club with famous themed characters, Toopy & Binoo, while Starfish Resorts provides amazing value for customers in convenient locations. Planet Hollywood Hotels and Resorts invites guests to Vacation Like A Star with an engaging and interactive experience, plus famous pop culture items from iconic movies, music and sports. Mystique by Royalton, a boutique-style resort collection, offers personalized vacations in strikingly beautiful locals full of endless adventures. To learn more about Blue Diamond Resorts, please visit www.bluediamondresorts.com. About Royalton Luxury Resorts Epitomizing modern elegance, award-winning Royalton Luxury Resorts offer All-In Luxury vacations in some of the world's most popular tropical destinations including Antigua, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Saint Lucia, Mexico, Cuba, and Grenada. Boasting an array of world-class all-inclusive features including the premium, handcrafted DreamBed, unlimited reservation-free luxury dining, a Sports Event Guarantee and more. Many of the resorts cater equally to families and couples alike, with industry-leading supervised kids and teen activities offered at no additional cost combined with family-friendly accommodation and dining options. To learn more about Royalton Luxury Resorts, please visit www.royaltonresorts.com/royalton. For additional information, please contact: Blue Diamond Media media@bluediamondresorts.com https://www.facebook.com/SunwingVacations https://twitter.com/SunwingVacay https://www.instagram.com/sunwingvacations https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzjZ-lcuaqBQH7Sq0u3ru7A A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e4028420-857f-40fa-8ee1-16fb032d06d8 Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Starkey is leading the hearing industry into a new era with bold technology that will transform a patients relationship with their hearing aids. Evolv AI, Starkeys newest full line of hearing aids, is setting the stage for an entirely new hearing ecosystem that not only emphasizes hearings impact on overall health and wellness but creates an effortless user experience. In 2018, we reinvented the hearing aid with Livio AI, said Starkey Chief Technology Officer Achin Bhowmik, Ph.D. Today, the smartest hearing aid just got smarter. For example, every single hour, an Evolv AI hearing device will make 55 million adjustments - automatically. And we arent done yet. The next 18 months from Starkey will redefine hearing healthcare for the decade ahead. Evolv AI is built on Starkey Sound, a ground-breaking technology created by years of refining Starkeys research and science-based algorithms to power high-fidelity audio, which is modeled after the human auditory system. Like the brain, Starkey Sound is designed to automatically suppress background noise and designed to increase speech audibility and intelligibility with machine learning technology. As the world leader in custom manufacturing, Starkey is also proud to introduce the industrys smallest 2.4 GHz CIC, as part of the Evolv AI line of hearing aids. Craftsmanship is something of a lost art, said Chief Audiology Officer Sara Burdak, Au.D. At Starkey, Chairman Bill Austin pioneered the concept that designing and manufacturing hearing aids requires excellence. Our researchers, engineers and manufacturing teams have continued that long-standing tradition of handcrafted excellence by dedicating themselves to create smaller, more powerful and longer-lasting devices every single day. Additional features of the Evolv AI product family include: 40% reduction in noise energy compared to our previous technology Additional refinement of Edge Mode Fall Alert and Voice Reminders at all technology tiers Thrive usability enhancements TeleHear first and follow-up fit additions The combination of these features creates an effortless hearing experience for users. Evolv AIs always-on and always automatic approach delivers realistic and genuine sound quality in every environment, without the need to do anything extra. The connection between better hearing and improved overall health outcomes is indisputable, said Starkey Chief Health Officer Archelle Georgiou, M.D. However, we know that if the technology inside a device isnt easy to use, patients wont reap the benefits. Evolv AI certainly leads the way in sound quality, but its ease of use is truly game changing. We know better hearing is best served through you, the hearing professional, said Starkey President and CEO Brandon Sawalich. At Starkey, Hear Better, Live Better is much more than a tagline. Its our commitment to you to help your patients live better through better hearing. We cant wait for you to see how Evolv AI does that, in a way that is effortless out in the real world. Starkey is also pleased to announce dates for the hearing industrys largest, most impactful event, Starkey Expo 2022. The hearing industrys blockbuster biennial event will be held May 11 15, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada, where even more ground-breaking innovation will be unveiled. Stay tuned! For more information about Starkey, click here. ### About Starkey Starkey is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Owned by Bill Austin since 1967, Starkey is known for its innovative design, development and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Led today by President and CEO Brandon Sawalich, Starkey has more than 5,000 employees, operates 28 facilities and does business in more than 100 markets worldwide. Learn more at starkey.com. Attachments Marion, North Carolina, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greene Concepts, Inc. (OTC Pink: INKW) is honored to announce it has delivered 15,000 bottles of Be Water to California residents in need, who are persevering through a regional water shortage and the second largest single wildfire in Californias 171-year history. Greene Concepts has connected with the Californias Business Operations Center, the California Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster group (VOAD) , and Worldwide Express to provide this critical resource to California residents. California is experiencing both a severe water shortage and the large scale Dixie Fire , which has prompted Californias governor Gavin Newsom to proclaim a state of emergency as the fire has consumed trees, brush, grasslands, homes and vehicles across the state covering more than 750,000 acres . Amy McNally, VP of Marketing and Regulatory, shares, I want to express my deepest sympathy to the families who have suffered unimaginable loss from the devastating California wildfires. Greene Concepts is thankful for the opportunity to assist survivors as they are being permitted to return to their homes. Many of them reside in rural towns that do not have access to public water, relying solely on well water that has run dry. We hope that by providing for their most basic need, it gives them the opportunity to focus on healing. Lenny Greene, CEO of Greene Concepts, states, Having lived in Fresno, California for years, I am well acquainted with droughts and wildfires, but I have not experienced anything like this. Greene Concepts is a company that is dedicated to helping people, and we are proud to lend our support with a donation of our BE WATER bottled water to survivors that do not have access to potable water. To deliver such a vital resource to my fellow Californians is an endeavor that is very important to me. About Greene Concepts, Inc. Greene Concepts, Inc. ( http://www.greeneconcepts.com ) is a publicly traded company with the companys main plant operations in Marion, North Carolina. The Company owns and operates a bottling and beverage facility. The bottling facility has as its water sources a combination of seven spring and artesian wells that are fed from a natural aquifer that is located deep below the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Company specializes in its premium artesian bottled water brand, BE WATER ( www.bewaterbeyou.com ), to support total body health and wellness. Safe Harbor: This Press Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a few uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and OTC Markets, Inc. OTC Disclosure and News Service. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, because of new information, future events or otherwise. Greene Concepts, Inc. Investor Relations IR@greeneconcepts.com Attachments New York , Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Proactive, provider of real-time news and video interviews on growth companies listed in the US and Canada, has covered the following companies: About Proactive With six offices on three continents and a team of experienced business journalists and broadcasters, Proactive works with innovative growth companies quoted on the worlds major stock exchanges, helping executives engage intelligently with investors. Proactives platform delivers the right message to the right audience, digitally and in real time, leveraging a range of media, investment research, digital investor targeting and website development services to support over 1,000 fast-growing companies globally. Proactives network reaches over 12 million engaged private, professional and institutional investors looking for opportunities. Our written and video content is published on Proactive sites that collectively attract up to 10 million views per month. We syndicate our content to hundreds of mainstream and specialist news sites that expand our reach into networks that can be difficult for press releases to penetrate. We custom build corporate websites from the ground up, empowering clients and their brands with a modern online presence and the latest insight on effective SEO strategy Our news coverage ranks high on the worlds most popular search platforms, and we can further amplify online presence and outreach with sophisticated digital investor targeting. We help the world understand what makes companies stand out from the crowd with in-depth investment research from a team of experienced analysts. For more information on how Proactive can help you make a difference, email us at action@proactiveinvestors.com New York, Sept. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Backshell Market: Key Insights According to our new research study on Backshell Market Forecast to 2028 COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis by Type, Material, Military Standard, Application, and Geography, the Backshell Market is projected to reach US$ 752.59 million by 2028 from US$ 536.84 million in 2021; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2021 to 2028. Backshell Market: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments Amphenol Corporation; Arrow Electronics, Inc.; Collins Aerospace.; Curtiss Wright Corporation; Glenair, Inc.; Isodyne Inc.; Pei-Genesis; Souriau Sunbank (Eaton); TE Connectivity; and Techniran Ltd are a few key players that are profiled during this market study. In addition to these players, several other essential market players were studied and analyzed to get a holistic view of the global backshell market and its ecosystem. Get Exclusive Sample Pages of Backshell Market - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis with Strategic Insights at https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00024272/ In 2021, TE Connectivity (TE), a global leader in connectivity and sensors, created Tinel ring swept elbow backshells (TXR) for screened cables in military and aerospace applications. Customers are looking for more efficiency as content in military and aerospace systems grows. The company claimed that its TXR swept elbow backshells offer designers the potential for up to 20% weight savings over traditional backshells. In the manufacturing of military aircraft, vehicles, and naval vessels, manufacturers are giving significant importance to lightweight components. The lightweight of aircraft, vehicles, and naval vessels helps enhance maneuverability capabilities, which plays a vital role in the compact battlefield. Moreover, the use of lightweight components increases fuel efficiency. Currently, aluminum is getting widely used in various components to reduce the overall weight of military-grade aircraft, vehicles, and vessels. Steel is 2.5 times heavier than aluminum. Also, aluminum has a higher anticorrosion capability, and it does not require any specialized coating compared to that of steel. Further, aluminum is more malleable and elastic than steel; thus, it is considered more desirable. Further, aluminums performance in terms of reliability, strength, durability, mil-standards, EMI shielding, environmental protection, and strain relief that of metal and composite backshell. Thus, the increasing emphasis on the use of lightweight components along with the growing demand for military aircraft, vehicles, and vessels drives the growth of the backshell market. Download Sample PDF Brochure of Backshell Market Growth Research Report at https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00024272/ Amid COVID-19 outbreak, the aerospace & defense industry witnessed tremor with minimal resources to foresee the future. Several production units in the US, France, Russia, and China were temporarily closed in order to adhere to the government rules regarding lockdown and physical distancing. The aircraft manufacturers witnessed 3050% reduction in demand for most of the aircraft models, especially, commercial aircraft models. The restrictions on the production and assembly of aircraft and military ground vehicles have hindered the demand for backshell, resulting in lower revenue generation. This factor negatively impacted the backshell market. As global warfare continues to emerge in different ways, various nations plan and undertake measures to improve and recapitalize their defense status. Threats are continually evolving, i.e., from the conventional land-based force on force to hybrid warfare. To address security threats and tackle terrorism, governments of several nations have already started to increase their defense budgets. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the global military expenditure rose to US$ 1,981 billion in 2020, which represents a 2.6% increase from 2019. The US, China, India, Russia, and Saudi Arabia are among the leading countries that are increasing their defense budget year on year. A substantial amount of military budget is getting allocated for the procurement of advanced military carrier and combat aircraft, vehicles, and naval vessels. To safeguard the connectors, several backshells with a similar military grade to the above-mentioned connectors are being produced by various manufacturers. This is catalyzing the growth of the backshell market in the current scenario. From the production perspective of military aircraft, military ground vehicles, and naval ships, the production volume is surging at a decent rate, which is supporting the growth of the backshell market. Order a Copy of Backshell Market Shares, Strategies and Forecasts 2021-2028 Research Report at https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPRE00024272/ Backshell market: Type Overview Based on type, the backshell market is bifurcated into circular and rectangular. The circular backshell segment led the market in 2020. Circular backshells are offered by market players in various military and commercial standards. These backshells are round or circular in design and available in different shapes, such as 90 degrees, 45 degree, spin coupling, straight, and direct coupling. They are manufactured using aluminum, steel, nickel aluminum bronze, and other composites. The circular backshell has application in military vehicles, missiles, naval vessels, UAVs, military & commercial aircraft, and others. For instance, TE Connectivity is among the leading players who offer a wide range of circular backshell under various series, such as BT Series, 88 Series, AP Series, DS Series, 91 Series, 70 Series, 95 Series, 64 Series, 308 Series, 77 Series, 76 Series, PG Series, DC Series, and HexaShield Series for military and commercial application. A few of the circular backshell market players are Amphenol Corporation, A.E.Petsche (Arrow Electronics), and Glenair Inc., Souriau Sunbank (Eaton), and Carlisle Interconnect Technologies. Browse Related Reports: MIL-DTL-81714 Series II Connectors Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Application (Aircraft Lighting, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Unmanned Ground Vehicle, and Combat Systems & Weaponry) and End Users (Aircraft Manufacturers, UAV Manufacturers, UGV Manufacturers, Aircraft MRO Service Providers, Weaponry Manufacturers, and Combat System Integrators) - https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/mil-dtl-81714-series-ii-connectors-market Armored Vehicle Fire Suppression Systems Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Vehicle Type (Combat Vehicles, Troop Transport Vehicles, Others); Track Type (Wheeled Vehicles, Chained Vehicles) and Geography - https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/armored-vehicle-fire-suppression-systems-market Military Ground Vehicle Actuators Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Type (Hydraulic, Electric, Others); Vehicle Type (Combat Vehicles, Main Battle tanks, Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Others) and Geography - https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/military-ground-vehicle-actuators-market Military Vehicles Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Platform (Combat Vehicles, Combat Support Vehicles, Unmanned Ground Vehicles); Mobility (Tracked, Wheeled) and Geography - https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/military-vehicles-market Mine Protected Vehicle Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Platform (Combat Vehicles, Combat Support Vehicles, Unmanned Armored Ground Vehicles); End User (Homeland Security, Defense) and Geography - https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/mine-protected-vehicle-market Armored Vehicles Automatic Fire Extinguishing Systems Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Platform (Combat Vehicles, Combat Support Vehicles, Unmanned Armored Ground Vehicles); System (Active, Passive) and Geography - https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/armored-vehicles-automatic-fire-extinguishing-systems-market Military Vehicle Electrification Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Technology (Hybrid, Fully Electric); Platform (Combat Vehicles, Support Vehicles, Unmanned Armored Vehicles); System (Power Generation, Cooling Systems, Energy Storage, Traction Drive Systems, Power Conversion); Operation (Manned, Autonomous/semi-autonomous) and Geography - https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/military-vehicle-electrification-market Armored Vehicles Market Forecast to 2028 - Covid-19 Impact and Global Analysis - by Type (Combat Vehicles, Combat Support Vehicles, Unmanned Armored Ground Vehicles); Mobility (Wheeled, Tracked); Component (Navigation Systems, Armaments, Drive Systems, Engines, Power Systems, Others) and Geography - https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/armored-vehicles-market Military Vehicle & Aircraft Protection Systems Market to 2025 - Global Analysis and Forecasts by Vehicle Armour Type (RPG Nets and Reactive Armour); Aircraft Type (Transport Aircraft and Helicopters); Aircraft Armour Type (Pilot Seat Protection, Cockpit Protection, Floor Protection, and Exterior Protection) - https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/military-vehicle-and-aircraft-protection-systems-market About Us: The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We specialize in industries such as Semiconductor and Electronics, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Manufacturing and Construction, Medical Device, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Chemicals and Materials. Contact Us: If you have any queries about this report or if you would like further information, please contact us: Contact Person: Sameer Joshi E-mail: sales@theinsightpartners.com Phone: +1-646-491-9876 Press Release - https://www.theinsightpartners.com/pr/backshell-market Connect With Us on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/7591674/admin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/tipmarkettrends Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinsightpartners/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheInsightPartners RSS/Feeds: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/feed/ NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- W. R. Grace Holdings LLC (formerly known as Gibraltar Acquisition Holdings LLC) (Holdings) and W. R. Grace & Co. (NYSE: GRA) (Grace) today announced the extension of the Expiration Date (as defined below) of the previously announced offers to eligible holders to exchange (each, an Exchange Offer and collectively, the Exchange Offers) any and all outstanding notes issued by W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. (the Grace Issuer) as set forth in the table below (the Existing Grace Notes) for (1) up to $1,050,000,000 aggregate principal amount of new notes issued by Holdings (the New Secured Notes) and (2) cash, and related consent solicitations (each, a Consent Solicitation and, collectively, the Consent Solicitations) to adopt certain proposed amendments to each of the indentures governing the Existing Grace Notes to eliminate certain of the covenants, restrictive provisions, events of default and guarantee provisions from such indentures (the Indenture Amendments). Holdings and Grace hereby extend the Expiration Date from 12:01 a.m., New York City time, on August 31, 2021, to 12:01 a.m., New York City time on September 20, 2021 (as the same may be further extended, the Expiration Date). The settlement date for the Exchange Offers (the Settlement Date) will be promptly after the Expiration Date and is expected to be within three business days after the Expiration Date. The Settlement Date is expected to occur concurrently with the consummation of the Merger (as defined in the Offering Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement (as defined below)), which is a condition for the consummation of the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations. As such, the Expiration Date is expected to be extended to correspond to the timing of the consummation of the Merger. As of 5:00 p.m. New York City time, on August 30, 2021, the following principal amounts of each series of Existing Grace Notes have been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn (and consents thereby validly given and not validly revoked): Title of Series/ CUSIP Number of Existing Grace Notes Aggregate Principal Amount Outstanding Existing Grace Notes Tendered at 5:00 p.m. on August 30, 2021 Principal Amount Percentage 5.625% Notes due 2024 / 383909AF5 and U38246AB7 $300,000,000 $298,750,000 99.58% 4.875% Notes due 2027 / 383909AG3 and U38246AC5 $750,000,000 $727,655,000 97.02% Withdrawal rights for the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations expired as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 16, 2021 (the Early Tender Deadline). Tenders of any particular series of Existing Notes made at any time at or before the Early Tender Deadline may not be withdrawn, except in certain limited circumstances where additional withdrawal rights may be required by law. The Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are being made pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the offering memorandum and consent solicitation statement dated August 3, 2021 (the Offering Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement). Each Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation is conditioned upon the completion of the other Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations, although Holdings may waive such condition at any time with respect to an Exchange Offer. Any waiver of a condition by Holdings with respect to an Exchange Offer will automatically waive such condition with respect to the corresponding Consent Solicitation, as applicable. In addition, the Exchange Offers and Indenture Amendments effected by the Consent Solicitations are conditioned upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 26, 2021 (as it may be amended from time to time, the Merger Agreement), by and among Holdings, Grace and Gibraltar Merger Sub Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings (Merger Sub), pursuant to which Merger Sub will be merged with and into Grace with Grace surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings (the Merger). Holdings, in its sole discretion, may modify or terminate the Exchange Offers and may extend the Expiration Date (as defined herein) or any payment date with respect to the Exchange Offers, subject to applicable law. Any such modification, termination or extension by Holdings will automatically modify, terminate or extend the corresponding Consent Solicitation, as applicable. J.P. Morgan and Citigroup are acting as the Dealer Managers in connection with the Exchange Offers and as the Solicitation Agents in connection with the Consent Solicitations. Questions regarding terms and conditions of the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations should be directed to J.P. Morgan at Collect: (212) 834-4045 and Toll-Free: (866) 834-4666. Documents relating to the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are being distributed only to eligible holders of Existing Grace Notes who certify that they are either (a) a Qualified Institutional Buyer as that term is defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities Act), or (b) a person that is outside the United States and that is not a U.S. person, as those terms are defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act. The complete terms and conditions of the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are described in the Offering Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement, a copy of which may be obtained by contacting D.F. King & Co., Inc., the exchange agent and information agent in connection with the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations, at (800) 967-4607 (U.S. toll-free) or (212) 269-5550 (banks and brokers) or grace@dfking.com. The eligibility form is available electronically at: https://www.dfking.com/grace. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to sell or purchase, or the solicitation of tenders or consents with respect to, any security. No offer, solicitation, purchase or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. The Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are being made solely pursuant to the Offering Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement and only to such persons and in such jurisdictions as is permitted under applicable law. The New Secured Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws. Therefore, the New Secured Notes may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. About W. R. Grace Holdings LLC Holdings is a Delaware limited liability company and was formed on April 22, 2021 solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and has not engaged in any business activities other than in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and arranging of the equity and debt financing in connection with the Merger. Holdings is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Standard Industries Holdings Inc. (Standard Industries Holdings), the parent company of Standard Industries Inc. (Standard Industries), a privately held global industrial company operating in over 80 countries with over 15,000 employees. The Standard Industries ecosystem spans a broad array of holdings, technologies and investmentsincluding both public and private companies from early to late-stageas well as building materials assets and solar solutions. Standard Industries operating companies include GAF, BMI, Siplast, GAF Energy, Schiedel and SGI, as well as related businesses 40 North Management LLC, a multi-billion-dollar investment platform, 40 North Ventures, and Winter Properties. Standard Industries Holdings related investment platform 40 North Latitude Master Fund Ltd. is a long-standing stockholder of Grace. About W. R. Grace & Co. Built on talent, technology, and trust, Grace, a Delaware corporation, is a leading global supplier of catalysts and engineered materials. Graces two industry-leading business segmentsCatalysts Technologies and Materials Technologiesprovide innovative products, technologies, and services that enhance the products and processes of our customers around the world. With approximately 4,300 employees, Grace operates and/or sells to customers in over 60 countries. Forward-Looking Statements All statements other than historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Such statements generally include the words believes, plans, intends, targets, will, expects, suggests, anticipates, outlook, continues, or similar expressions. Among the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements are the following: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement; uncertainties related to the timing of the receipt of required regulatory approvals for the Merger and the possibility that Holdings and Grace may be required to accept conditions that could reduce or eliminate the anticipated benefits of the Merger as a condition to obtaining regulatory approvals or that the required regulatory approvals may not be obtained at all; the failure to obtain Grace stockholder approval of the Merger or the failure to satisfy any of the other conditions to the completion of the Merger; delays in closing, or the failure to close, the Merger for any reason could negatively impact Holdings, Grace or the general market perception of the Merger; risks relating to the financing required to complete the Merger; the effect of the announcement of the Merger on the ability of Grace to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with its customers, vendors and others with whom it does business, or on its operating results and businesses generally; the effects of the Merger on the integration of the Fine Chemistry Services business acquired by Grace from Albemarle Corporation for approximately $570 million, which was announced by Grace on February 26, 2021 and consummated on June 1, 2021; risks associated with the disruption of managements attention from ongoing business operations due to the Merger; the ability to meet expectations regarding the timing and completion of the Merger; significant Merger transaction costs, fees, expenses and charges; the risk of litigation and/or regulatory actions related to the Merger; and other business effects, including the effects of industry, market, economic, political, regulatory or world health conditions (including new or ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic), and other factors detailed in Graces Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and Graces other filings with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov and on Graces website at www.grace.com. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication or as of the date they were made, and neither Grace nor Holdings undertakes any obligation to update forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of these factors, also see the information under the captions Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in W. R. Grace & Co.s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and any material updates to these factors contained in any of Holdings and Graces subsequent and future filings. As for the forward-looking statements that relate to future financial results and other projections, such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in, or implied or projected by, such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this communication or as of the day they were made. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Media Relations Caitlin Leopold T +1 410.531.8870 caitlin.leopold@grace.com Investor Relations Jason Hershiser T +1 410.531.8835 jason.hershiser@grace.com TORONTO and DURHAM, Ontario, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orchard Villa long-term care home in Pickering Ontario gained widespread notoriety for its record during the COVID-19 pandemic. At least 206 of Orchard Villas 233 residents contracted COVID-19, along with more than 100 staff. At least 70 residents died. Reports from families of residents , the local hospital , the Canadian Forces and repeated inspections before and since the first wave of the pandemic provide hair-raising accounts of failures to provide sound infection control; dire understaffing; inadequate hydration and feeding; uncleanliness; flies and cockroaches; lack of vital supplies and egregious lack of care. According to a CBC analysis , for-profit LTC chain Southbridge, which owns Orchard Villa, had the worst record among the for-profits during the pandemic with 9 deaths per 100 residents in homes with outbreaks. Orchard Villa had at least 30 deaths per 100 residents. Not only did the Ford government fail to fine Southbridge for its record prior to and during the pandemic (and since), it instead passed legislation shielding Southbridge and other LTC corporations (predominantly for-profits) from liability claims arising from their negligence. Now, the Ford government is proposing to give Southbridge a new 30-year license and an 87-bed expansion as part of its plans to rebuild and build thousands of new long-term care beds, a significant portion of which they are proposing to hand to the same for-profit chain companies with the worst records. Families and advocates are outraged and have vowed to fight these plans. The Ontario Health Coalition sent an Open Letter to the Minister regarding its concerns about Orchard Villa. Almost 200 people protested outside the home last month. Having received no response, the Coalition and the Families of Orchard Villa asked for a legal opinion regarding the lawfulness of the Ford governments proposed new license and expansion which will be released tomorrow. What: Press Conference by Zoom. Please register in advance: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrcuyvqj0qE9KMVWXKNdSUKRZ5OO3_yUu0 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. When: Wednesday, September 1 at noon. Who: Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition; Catherine Parkes, Families of Orchard Villa; Steven Shrybman, lawyer Goldblatt Partners LLP. For more information: Natalie Mehra, OHC executive director (416) 230-6402; Cathy Parkes, spokesperson, The Families of Orchard Villa 416-523-1733; Steven Shrybman, lawyer, Goldblatt Partners (613) 858-6842. The Ontario Health Coalition represents more than half a million Ontarians including patients, advocates, families & family councils, health professionals, doctors, unions, seniors organizations, student & community groups committed to protecting & improving public health care. The Coalition has worked for decades to advocate for improved care levels & public accountability, public & patients access to information, public non-profit health care, to stop cuts & closures of local health care services, to uphold the Canada Health Act, and to improve public health care under the principles of compassion & equity that underlie our system of Public Medicare for all. TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As employers continue to impose COVID-19 vaccine mandates, with the support of more than 50 healthcare-related organizations, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) posted an open letter asking for the mandates to be rescinded and for vaccines to be available with fully informed and voluntary consent. According to the AAPS statement, The only product 'approved' by the FDA is labeled Comirnaty. It is It is said to have the same formulation as the Pfizer version, but the products are legally distinct. Comirnaty is not generally available at present, and the Pfizer product is available only under an extended Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Employers are apparently not, however, offering free screening for myocarditis with blood tests, ultrasound, or MRI; free treatment and paid leave if it occurs; or long-term disability insurance. Employees who incur this or other adverse events seem to be on their own. Medical exemptions are said to be available, but reportedly rarely granted. Severe adverse events including death are being reported in healthy young persons without a warning condition that might lead to an exemption, AAPS notes. Many healthcare workers, especially those who heroically worked through the pandemic, and COVID survivors, already have demonstrated natural immunity. FDA refuses to acknowledge post-infectious immunity by providing either testing or definitions of adequate immunity based on individual antibody levels and recommends the shots regardless of immunity status, states AAPS. Because the shots do not prevent transmission, especially of emerging variants, there is no evidence that patients will be safer. However, shortages of personnel, already acute in many places, may be worsened as experienced, dedicated staff members are fired, the letter notes. The disruption of medical careers will likely have a disparate impact on minorities, as explained by molecular biologist Dr. Christina Parks. Medical organizations should withdraw their support for coerced vaccination and demand expanded research into contagion control. They should support prophylactic or early treatment for COVID-19, based on the patient-physician relationship, free and open discussion, and informed consent. They should demand full transparency about adverse events and autopsies of persons dying in association with vaccination, the letter concludes. The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons has represented physicians in all specialties since 1943. Its motto is omnia pro aegroto, everything for the patient. Goshen, IN (46526) Today Partly cloudy early, then windy with periods of thunderstorms this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 88F. Winds SW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low near 60F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. In this photo taken on Nov. 6, 2018, Republican Kelly Mitchell speaks during an election night party, Tuesday, in Indianapolis. A whistleblower lawsuit alleges that Indiana's state treasurer violated state law in handing out contracts that paid more than $6 million to firms linked to her political supporters. The Governors Official Program is comprised of a wide range of constitutional and legal duties and ceremonial and community engagements. Each year, the Governor hosts thousands of visitors to Government House to take part in investiture and award ceremonies, Open Days, receptions and meetings, and travels widely throughout Queensland to support the activities of Patron groups. View a chronological record of the Governors daily program below. On Monday, in the morning, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC CVO departed Government House for Regional Government House operations in Charters Towers. In the afternoon, at Charters Towers Women of the Outback Shed, Mosman Park, His Excellency toured the facilities, met with members from the Charters Towers Women of the Outback Shed and the Charters Towers Mens Shed, planted a tree, and addressed guests. Following, at Commercial Hotel, Lissner, His Excellency hosted a reception in support of the Charters Towers community, and addressed guests. In the evening, at the Charters Towers Scout Den, Millchester, His Excellency attended the Charters Towers Scouts meeting, met with Scouts and Girl Guides, and addressed guests. Max Verstappen will drive the Dutch Formula 1 Grand Prix for the first time this weekend. For the first time in 36 years the race in Zandvoort is back on the calendar, and is talk to De Telegraaf Verstappen about this exceptional situation. After a victory in Belgium that was achieved after a few laps behind the safety car, Verstappen is preparing for a second home race. This time he will compete in the Netherlands, where a lot of effort has gone into the return of the Dutch GP. Max has played an important role in this with his performance. Verstappen wants to win in the Netherlands ''I'm really looking forward to it and I hope we can make it a great weekend. Of course, I hope the track turns completely orange. It hasn't happened in Zandvoort for such a long time. I never expected this myself until a few years ago'', says Verstappen. ''It would be fantastic to win on a home circuit, but it has to be a bit of a challenge. With so many fans in the stands you always want to do well as a driver. But it would be crazy for me to say that I am more eager for a result now. That would not be right. I try to get the most out of every weekend''. All the orange is obviously very conspicuous on television, but those who think Verstappen does not notice how much support there is for him on various circuits are wrong. The Dutchman does notice that the stands are packed with people wearing orange shirts. Madness in Zandvoort ''I certainly get what happens around me. There are enough straights on circuits to take a look around. And in slow laps during practice and qualifying as well. I hope to see a lot of orange on the grandstands and in the dunes. And a lot of smoke bombs, like we saw in Austria.'' Yet Verstappen's approach to this weekend will not be very different to any other weekend. ''I'm not going to do much more than during other weekends. The most important thing is that I perform well in the car. What happens around it, is secondary. Certain things have to happen because of sponsor obligations, but for the rest I won't do anything crazy.'' The time has finally come. After 36 years of waiting the Dutch Grand Prix is back on the Formula 1 calendar. This weekend 20 F1 cars will race over Zandvoort. Will Max Verstappen cause an earthquake in the dunes with a victory, or will Lewis Hamilton succeed his good friend Niki Lauda as the last winner in the Netherlands? This is the preview of the Dutch GP 2021. Zandvoort Circuit In 1985 Bernie Ecclestone was clear about the Zandvoort Circuit. Formula 1 cars stopped visiting the circuit. The circuit was too small, the paddock too small and the road to Zandvoort always caused problems. Besides that, the Netherlands hardly had the money to compete with the bigger countries. The Netherlands disappeared from the calendar. For years the Dutch Grand Prix was also not an option at all because of these problems until Prince Bernhard bought the circuit in 2016. The son of Pieter van Vollenhoven wanted to make something of the illustrious circuit. With Max Verstappen at the top of Formula 1 at Red Bull Racing, an ambitious project began in Zandvoort at the same time. In November 2018, it became clear that Formula 1 and Zandvoort were actually talking to each other. Charlie Whiting had visited the circuit and saw possibilities. In March 2019, a provisional deal was reached, provided that adjustments would be made to the circuit. Zandvoort got the funding for that, and on May 14, 2019, the return of the Dutch Grand Prix was confirmed. With the four million euros that the circuit got to spend, a lot of changes have been made to the circuit. The Hugenholtzbocht and the Arie Luyendijkbocht were banking. They were turned into corners. Also the paddock and the pitlane were updated and of course, the safety had to be improved as well. In essence, the characteristics of Zandvoort have remained intact, but modern F1 cars should be able to race here again. It is a circuit for drivers with guts, and a fast lap on Saturday will be very important for Sunday. The Dutch Grand Prix The plans for a Dutch Grand Prix already started before the Second World War. In 1939 the first street race was organised on the 3rd of June. But the war spoiled the plans and the construction of a permanent circuit had to wait. The first version of the Zandvoort circuit was opened in 1948. In the dunes of Zandvoort, the circuit was, despite few corners, immediately a challenge for drivers. With well-known corners like Bos uit, the Hugenholtzbocht and Scheivlak the Netherlands could distinguish itself. The first race was organised in 1948 and until 1951 the Dutch GP remained an unofficial race. In 1952 the race was added to the F1 calendar for the first time. The first race at the Zandvoort circuit was won by Prince Bira from Thailand, where the first official GP was won by Alberto Ascari. He would win the first two editions of the Dutch GP. In 1954, 1956 and 1957 the Dutch GP was not held, after which it was on the F1 calendar every year from 1958 to 1985 (with the exception of 1972). Through the years you see very few 'small names' winning the Dutch GP. Jim Clark has won four times in the Netherlands and holds the record, with Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda behind him. The Austrian was the last person to win the race in the Netherlands. Ascari, Jack Brabham, James Hunt and Alain Prost also won this Grand Prix twice. Ferrari won the most as a team. A Ferrari driver stood on the highest step of the podium 9 times. Formula 1 in 2021 Since the last Dutch Grand Prix, a lot has changed in Formula 1. Bernie Ecclestone is no longer at the helm of the sport, now there are 22 races on the calendar instead of 16 and with Max Verstappen, the Netherlands has a strong driver of their own. Verstappen is fighting for the world title with Hamilton in 2021, and that might just cause some fireworks at Zandvoort. Verstappen will be supported in his fight with Hamilton at Zandvoort, where Hamilton will be opposed. Roles reversed from Silverstone. The most important thing in F1 however is the car, so it will be a matter of finding out which team has things in the best order. Weather forecast After the fiasco at the Belgian Grand Prix people are anxiously looking at the weather forecast. According to Weather.com it is going to rain on Sunday in Zandvoort. Where it rained all weekend in Belgium this does not seem to be the case in the Netherlands. For Sunday a chance of 39 percent rain is indicated, but for the rest of the weekend, that number is below 20 percent. This weekend will also be a lot warmer than during the Belgian GP. Where the temperature didn't rise above twenty degrees Celsius, it will be twenty degrees Celsius on Friday and Saturday in Zandvoort, and despite the rain 23 degrees Celsius is expected for Sunday. The chance of a similar scenario as in Spa, therefore, seems small. Prediction for the GP Normally it is difficult to make a prediction for a Grand Prix, but with a circuit as good as new it is even more of a gamble who will come out on top. Normally you would put Red Bull Racing ahead of the pack here due to the short and twisty nature of the circuit, but that was also expected in Hungary. In Hungary, however, it was Mercedes that beat the clock in qualifying, after which we never saw the real pace of the Red Bull in the race. Red Bull should normally win on such a track, which then makes Verstappen the instant favourite, but Budapest also taught us that we can't write down a winner too early in 2021. Schedule for the 2021 Dutch Grand Prix Friday First free practice: 10:30 - 11:30 Second free practice: 14:00 - 15:00 Saturday Third free practice: 11:00 - 12:00 Qualifying: 14:00 - 15:00 Sunday Race: 14:00 - 16:00 Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Collins Bus, a leading manufacturer of Type A School Buses and a subsidiary of REV Group, and Lightning eMotors announced a strategic partnership to manufacture and deploy all-electric Type A school buses. Lightning will provide all-electric powertrains including installation, and charging infrastructure products and services; the agreement includes an initial firm order commitment worth approximately $11 million over the next two years Collins Bus has deployed more than 70,000 buses over the last 50 years across the United States and Canada. The all-electric Type A school buses each will have a gross vehicle weight of 14,500 pounds and will feature NMC batteries using industry-leading battery thermal management and safety systems. The buses will support both Level 2 AC charging and Level 3 DC fast charging, with integrated vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities. Other features will include a modern digital-dash display, hill-hold functionality for safety, advanced telematics, analytics, and a mobile app for drivers and fleet managers. The US Senate recently voted for a $1-trillion infrastructure bill. The bill includes $7.5 billion dedicated to building additional charging stations for electric vehicles, while another $7.5 billion would help fund swapping out current school buses. The bill is now in the house, pending major negotiations, with an expected vote date before 27 September. According to the Clean Energy Leadership Institute, there are roughly 480,000 school buses being used for school transportation in the US. These buses travel a total of nearly 3.5 billion miles each year, and nearly 95% of them run on diesel or gasoline fuel. These buses are parked during peak electric grid hours in the afternoon and all summer, with available energy to put back on the grid through Lightnings V2G solution. The first batch of all-electric Collins school buses leveraging Lightnings EV technology is already in production, with buses expected to be delivered to dealerships and school districts this fall. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) The California Legislature on Monday voted to guarantee people can call out their bosses publicly in most harassment and discrimination cases. When companies settle complaints filed by their employees, the agreements often include a provision barring the employee from disparaging the company or talking publicly about what happened. These agreements came under fire during the #MeToo movement, criticized as shielding public figures and companies from responsibility in sexual harassment cases. California passed a law in 2018 that bans these nondisclosure agreements in cases involving sexual harassment, discrimination or assault. Monday, California's Democratic-dominated Legislature voted to expand that law to include other types of harassment and discrimination, including claims based on race, religion, gender identity and sexual orientation. The bill now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who must decide whether to sign it into law. No worker should ever be silenced from speaking out about their own experience of harassment or discrimination in the workplace, said Sen. Connie Leyva, a Democrat from Chino and author of the bill. For far too long, these secret settlements and agreements have reinforced a culture of secrecy that prevents accountability, respect and justice. A handful of other states have laws banning nondisclosure agreements in sexual harassment cases, including Arizona, New Jersey, New Mexico and Tennessee. But Leyva's office said this bill, if it is signed into law, would make California the first state to ban businesses from including nondisclosure agreements about unlawful practices as part of severance packages when a worker leaves the company. California's bill would not ban nondisclosure agreements in all cases. They would still be allowed to keep employees' names secret and prevent the release of any details that could identify them but only if the employee requests them. Companies could not require employees to stay quiet. The bill was partly in response to a case involving two Black former employees of Pinterest, the California-based social media company. The women, Ifeoma Ozoma and Aerica Shimizu Banks, filed complaints over wage discrimination and retaliation. After settling complaints with the company, they decided to speak publicly about their experience. But Ozoma's lawyer told her she could only talk about the gender discrimination portion of her complaint because that's all that was protected under California law. Because she signed a nondisclosure agreement, she could not discuss her racial discrimination claims. That will change if Leyva's bill becomes law. Im really, really excited about it, Ozoma said. This kind of progress for workers is something that happens rarely, so Im really proud of the role I played in it. Ben Silbermann, Pinterest's co-founder and CEO, said the company supports the bill, known as the Silenced No More Act. We want every employee to feel safe, championed and empowered to raise any concerns about their work experience, he said. ___ The legislation is SB 331. SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (AP) A day after an explosive wildfire emptied a resort city at the southern tip of Lake Tahoe, a huge firefighting force braced for strong winds Tuesday as some residents in neighboring Nevada were ordered to evacuate. The city of South Lake Tahoe, usually bustling with summer tourists, was eerily empty and the air thick and hazy with smoke from the Caldor Fire, one of two major fires burning in the same area. On Monday, roughly 22,000 residents jammed the city's main artery for hours after they were ordered to leave as the fire advanced, chewing up drought-stricken vegetation. The National Weather Service warned that weather conditions through Wednesday would include low humidity, dry fuel and wind gusts up to 30 mph (48 kph). "Thats definitely not going to help the firefighting efforts, said Courtney Coats, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service. The fire was 3 miles (5 kilometers) outside of South Lake Tahoe, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Battalion Chief Henry Herrera told KGO-TV. South Lake Tahoe city officials said only a handful of residents defied Monday's evacuation order. But nearly everyone worried Tuesday about what the fire would do next. It just kind of sucks waiting. I mean, I know its close down that way, said Russ Crupi, gesturing south from his home in the Heavenly Valley Estates mobile home park, which he and his wife manage for a living. He had arranged sprinklers and tractors around the neighborhood. Im worried about whatll be here when people come back. People want to come back to their houses and thats what Im going to try to do, he said. Pushed by strong winds, the Caldor Fire crossed two major highways and burned mountain cabins as it swept down slopes into the Tahoe Basin. Thick smoke prevented air firefighting operations periodically last week. But since then, nearly two dozen helicopters and three air tankers dumped thousands of gallons of water and retardant on the fire, fire spokesman Dominic Polito said Tuesday. The Lake Tahoe area is usually a year-round recreational paradise offering beaches, water sports, hiking, ski resorts and golfing. South Lake Tahoe bustles with outdoor activities while just across the state border in Stateline, Nevada tourists can gamble at major casinos. But on Tuesday, only a few dozen tourists remained on the casino floor of the Montbleu Resort, Casino and Spa. The state board that controls gaming said that casino regulators were monitoring operations at the four largest gambling properties in the city. Hotels are housing evacuees, fire crews and other emergency personnel. In all, Harrahs, Harveys Lake Tahoe Casino, the Hard Rock and Montbleu Resort have more than 2,200 hotel rooms. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak urged residents to be prepared, saying there was no timeline for when evacuations might be ordered. At a news conference in Carson City, he noted that ash was falling on him even though the fire was about 20 miles (32 kilometers) away. Im standing here and Im getting all ash particulates on my jacket, even, the governor said. This is serious, folks. Hours later, residents in parts of Douglas County under an evacuation warning were ordered to leave, although casinos were excluded. At the Douglas County Community & Senior Center in Gardnerville, people had their temperature checked before entering a gymnasium of cots set up by the Red Cross. Outside, evacuees who had stayed in tents sorted through ramen noodles and plastic bags of clothes and keepsakes. South Lake Tahoe resident Lorie Major was at the grocery store when she got the alert on her phone. I had to tell myself: OK, Lorie: Get it together. Its time to go, she said. She put on headphones, turned on the Grateful Deads Fire on the Mountain and walked home to an empty apartment complex already vacated by neighbors. She and her mini Australian shepherd, Koda, took a 20-mile (32-kilometer) taxi ride from her South Lake Tahoe apartment to a hotel in Minden, Nevada. A firefighter injured while battling the Caldor Fire last weekend was expected to be hospitalized for a month after undergoing skin grafting surgery. Richard Gerety III of Patterson, California suffered third-degree burns over 20% of his body, the Modesto Bee reported. Despite the very active fire year, there have not been many injuries or deaths among firefighters or residents. More than 15,000 firefighters were battling dozens of California blazes, with help from out of state crews. 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. 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. Crews are battling the Dixie, the second-largest wildfire in state history at 1,260 square miles (3,267 square kilometers). The weeks-old fire was burning about 65 miles (105 kilometers) north of the Lake Tahoe-area blaze and prompting new evacuation orders and warnings this week. The Caldor Fire has scorched nearly 312 square miles (808 square kilometers) since breaking out Aug. 14. It was 18% contained. More than 600 structures have been destroyed, and at least 33,000 more were threatened. 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. At the evacuation center in Gardnerville, Joe Gillespie said he, his girlfriend and her son left their home in Meyers south of South Lake Tahoe on Sunday, bringing clothes, picture frames and collectibles like Hot Wheels toys from the 1960s that Gillespies mother gave him. Gillespie, a mechanic at Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, said that unlike the northern shore of Lake Tahoe, which is dotted with mansions and second homes, the area currently under threat houses blue-collar workers who make their living at the casinos and ski resorts that make the area so popular. The Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort is beloved for its unpretentious and comparatively affordable winter prices. It turns 75 this year, he said. It sounds like we wont be opening because of the fire," he said. ___ Har reported from San Francisco. Associated Press writers Jocelyn Gecker in San Francisco; Christopher Weber and John Antczak in Los Angeles; and Ken Ritter and Michelle Price in Las Vegas contributed to this report. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California election officials are spending $16 million in a four-week ad blitz to educate people about voting in the recall that could remove Gov. Gavin Newsom, a campaign that's officially nonpartisan but could benefit the first-term Democrat as he pushes for high turnout. Through billboards, radio and digital ads, television spots and more, the campaign is designed to make sure voters know about the recall and understand how to cast a ballot. Every registered voter received a ballot in the mail, but many people might be confused or unaware of the race because it's happening in late summer in an off-election year. Secretary of State Shirley Weber has said her goal is to increase voter participation across all political affiliations. My goal is 100% voting, and why? Because I think everyone has a voice that needs to be heard," Weber said on a recent call with reporters. California has almost twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans. That makes it hard to untangle the public policy goal of urging people to exercise their right to vote from the reality that Democrats are likely to benefit, said Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School with a focus on government ethics. Its probably just difficult to structure any big get-out-the-vote effort in California without it looking like you are also supporting Democrats, she said. Weber, who was joined on the call by Attorney General Rob Bonta, also a Newsom appointee, said promoting voter turnout was not in service of a partisan aim. I would always ask the question: What is the alternative to it? To suppress the voting because you think there may be more Democrats registered in California than others? she said. California lawmakers approved $35 million for the secretary of state to spend on voter education in a party-line vote in June. It was part of a bill that allowed for an earlier recall, which Democrats hoped would help Newsom defeat it. Weber's office set aside half for the statewide education campaign and chose The Sax Agency of Los Angeles from among four applicants. The agency has won other government contracts, including on census efforts and a public awareness campaign about masking during the coronavirus. Sax worked on behalf of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2020 on a project aimed at motivating Black voters, according to its bid. All other listed work was nonpartisan. The California Republican Party claimed the agency is pro-Democrat. It pointed to Saxs work with the DCCC and an Instagram post after the 2020 presidential election featuring President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris with the caption, No words, just a big sigh of relief. It is right to take action to encourage all voters to cast a ballot but hiring a Democrat firm at taxpayer expense only reinforces that Gavin Newsoms partisan priorities come first, Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson said in a statement. Stacey Legay, the account manager for Sax, said the campaign will target voters across demographics, locations and political ideologies. As an example of the campaigns cross-party appeal, she said it put up billboards in a heavily Vietnamese area of Orange County, noting those voters tend to lean Republican. Frankly, we dont care what happens, other than that we want everyone to come out and vote, she said. A 30-second ad shared by the campaign explains that every registered California voter will get a ballot and details how people can track theirs through the secretary of state website. The campaign plans to target specific populations, including Black, Asian and Latino voters, veterans and members of the military and formerly incarcerated people, as well as voters across age groups and all 58 counties. It's part of an effort called Vote Safe California, adopted during the pandemic when the state started sending mail-in ballots to all California voters. Previously only some counties mailed everyone a ballot. A similar campaign ahead of the 2020 presidential election was mired in controversy after the state partnered with SKDK, a Washington-based firm whose managing partner, Anita Dunn, was a senior adviser to then-candidate Joe Biden, a Democrat. That prompted outcry from Republicans and even some Democrats. Though the Legislature approved the money in June, the secretary of state did not award the contract until mid-August, just as recall ballots were hitting mailboxes. That's left the group with a short window of time to get out their messaging ahead of Election Day on Sept. 14. Reminding people to go out and vote in September is like asking someone to have a new behavior," Legay said. We're trying to drive a behavior change campaign in four weeks. I don't think there's a precedent of that." Ballots have two questions: Should Newsom be recalled, and if so, who should replace him? Voters have 46 possible replacements to choose from. If a majority of voters want Newsom gone, the replacement with the most votes will become the governor. Newsom's campaign and the state Democratic Party are urging voters to vote no on the recall and ignore the second question. The idea is to diminish interest in an alternative to Newsom but that's drawn criticism even within the Democratic Party from those who say it disenfranchises voters. WASHINGTON (AP) The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol is asking social media and telecommunications companies to preserve phone or computer records for hundreds of people who were potentially involved with efforts to challenge, delay or interfere with the certification that day of President Joe Bidens victory or otherwise try to overturn the results of the 2020 election. In a letter Monday to 35 companies, the committees Democratic chairman asks for the preservation of records relating to certain individuals who hold or have held accounts with your company from April 2020 through Jan. 31, 2021. The committee did not release the list of individuals targeted, but it includes former President Donald Trump, members of his family and several of his Republican allies in Congress, according to a person familiar with the confidential request who requested anonymity to discuss it. The Select Committee seeks the preservation of these records as part of its examination of the violent attack on the Capitol and the broader context of efforts to delay or interfere with the peaceful transfer of power following the 2020 election, Chairman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi wrote in the letters to the companies, which range from cell phone giants AT&T and Verizon to social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter and TikTok to conservative and far-right platforms Parler, 4chan and theDonald.win. Thompson said last week that the committee would be requesting the records preservation for several hundred people as the committee begins its probe into the insurrection, in which hundreds of Trumps supporters seeking to overturn the election stormed the Capitol, brutally beat police, broke through windows and doors and sent lawmakers running for their lives. The letters do not ask the companies to turn over the records, though the committee could do so in the future. The letters are the third such request as the committee gathers information on the origins of the riot and the details of what happened that day. The probe could take months or even years, as the Democrat-led panel conducts interviews, holds public hearings and prepares a comprehensive report on how the mob was able to infiltrate the Capitol and interrupt the certification of Bidens presidential victory. It was the most serious assault on Congress in two centuries. Among the hundreds of names are Trump's and those of several family members, including his children Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric, according to the person familiar with the request. Also on the list are several of Trump's most ardent Republican allies in Congress, including GOP Reps. Mo Brooks of Alabama, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Matt Gaetz of Florida, Jody Hice of Georgia, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Louie Gohmert of Texas, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina. Several of those House members spoke to Trump as the rioting was unfolding. Their names were first reported by CNN as on the committee's list. Thompson wrote in the letter that the individuals listed may have relevant information to aid the factfinding of the Select Committee, but notes that inclusion on the list should not be viewed as indicative of any wrongdoing by that person or others. The panel also asks the companies to preserve information about individuals who have been charged with crimes associated with the Jan. 6 attack and those who were listed on permit applications for Trumps rally immediately preceding the siege or were otherwise involved in organizing, funding or speaking at rallies of Trump supporters on Jan. 5 and Jan. 6. The request comes after the panel demanded a trove of records from federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies last week. The committee also asked 15 social media companies to provide copies of any reviews, studies, reports or analysis about misinformation related to the 2020 election, foreign influence in the election, efforts to stop the election certification and domestic violent extremists associated with efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including the attack on the Capitol. Republicans in the House have objected to most all of the committees work as partisan, and GOP leader Kevin McCarthy pulled five of his members off the panel after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected two of them. Republican Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, both of whom have repeatedly criticized Trump and his lies about election fraud, still joined the committee despite McCarthys disapproval. The panel has so far held one hearing with police officers who fought the insurrectionists at the Capitol on Jan. 6. In emotional testimony, those officers spoke of the brutal assault and how frustrated they were by Republicans who have attempted to downplay the seriousness of the attack. At least nine people who were at the Capitol that day died during or after the rioting, including a woman who was shot and killed by police as she tried to break into the House chamber and three other Trump supporters who suffered medical emergencies. Two police officers died by suicide in the days that immediately followed, and a third officer, Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, collapsed and died after engaging with the protesters. A medical examiner later determined that Sicknick died of natural causes. Earlier this summer, the Metropolitan Police announced that two more of their officers who had responded to the insurrection had died by suicide. Officer Kyle DeFreytag was found dead on July 10 and Officer Gunther Hashida was found dead in his home weeks later. The circumstances that led to their deaths are unknown. OMAHA, Neb. (AP) The number of COVID-19 cases in Nebraska has increased in each of the past ten weeks, and the total nearly doubled over the past two weeks as the highly contagious delta variant of the virus continues to spread. Nebraska reported 5,006 new cases for the week ending Friday, according to an Omaha World-Herald analysis of data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's up from 3,755 the previous week and nearly double the 2,668 cases recorded the week before. ATLANTA (AP) Georgia state lawmakers will use the same the guidelines as in 2010 to redraw congressional, legislative and other electoral districts, meaning lawmakers are not required to give members of the public an advance look at the plans and are not required to consider whether districts give candidates from different political parties a meaningful chance to win. Identical guidelines were presented to both House and Senate redistricting committees Monday. The House voted to adopt the guidelines, while senators gave preliminary agreement, with a final vote likely on the first day of a special session expected in October or November. Asked about whether maps would be released in advance, Senate Majority Leader John Kennedy emphasized the shortened time period because of delays in U.S. Census data stemming from COVID-19. In 2010, state legislative maps were unveiled the Friday before the redistricting special session began. We're obviously operating under a very short period of time compared to what they had to this previously, said Kennedy, a Macon Republican. Advance notice of maps is one of the key objectives that outside groups have been lobbying for. Georgians need to have access to the maps and know how and when the maps will be presented, said Jerry Gonzalez, CEO of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials. Monday's guidelines also mean lawmakers are ignoring calls by some advocates to make partisan competitiveness one of the principles for drawing districts. We believe that there absolutely can be a significant increase in competitiveness in Georgia, Janet Grant of Fair Districts Georgia told lawmakers Monday. Georgia is one of the least competitive states in the country in terms of our elections, so theres a lot of room for improvement. But that is a balancing act with these other factors. The guidelines say lawmakers have to consider whether they are splitting counties or precincts, although not cities. Lawmakers must also consider whether a district is compact and whether communities of interest are kept whole. But there are no standards the guidelines say lawmakers should meet. The guidelines also say map drawers should avoid drawing incumbents together into the same district when it's unnecessary. For majority Republicans, the process is a chance to shore up their majorities in the 180-member state House and 56-member state Senate, as well as to possibly pry back one or more U.S. House seats in a 14-member delegation now split 8-6 in favor of the GOP. Several Republicans argued that Democrats would do just the same if they were in control, pointing to Democratic efforts after the 2000 Census to hold on to what were then shrinking majorities in the General Assembly. Those efforts foundered amid a rising tide of GOP sentiment among voters. There was no transparency. There were no premeetings across the state, state Sen. Jeff Mullis, a Chickamauga Republican, said of the post-2000 redistricting. The adoption of guidelines came after a series of public meetings across the state to collect input of drawing districts. A parade of liberal-leaning groups told majority Republicans they were going about redistricting all wrong. Lawmakers also heard particular desires about how people wanted lines to be drawn. But most of the hearings were held before detailed Census data was released, making it harder for people to make detailed proposals about line drawing. State and local governments must redraw lines for congressional, legislative and other electoral districts once every 10 years following the U.S. Census to balance population. The process helps determine which party will hold power for the following decade. The states overall population rose nearly 10% to 10.7 million people over the decade, but Census results showed uneven growth, with most new residents concentrated in the Atlanta area and around Savannah. Most rural areas lost population. ___ Follow Jeff Amy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jeffamy. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) A major California-based medical provider has agreed to pay a total of $90 million to settle allegations of Medicare fraud, officials said Monday. Sacramento-based Sutter Health, northern California's largest hospital system, got inflated payments because it said people in its Medicare Advantage plans were sicker than they actually were, officials said. U.S. Justice Department officials said the federal program makes larger payments for patients with more severe diagnoses. Health care providers who flout the law need to know that my office will hold accountable those who pad their bottom line at taxpayer expense, Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie Hinds for the Northern District of California said in a statement. Moreover, Sutter didnt do enough to correct the problem once it became aware that it had been submitting unsupported diagnosis codes, the officials said. That "diverts funds from this vital health care program, which is a disservice to patients needing care, Steven Ryan, special agent in charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' inspector general said in a statement. Sutter said it paid $30 million to partly resolve the claims in 2019 and will now pay the additional $60 million to fully resolve the lawsuit without admitting liability. The total includes $60 million in restitution for the amount alleged to have been defrauded and a $30 million penalty. Sutter also agreed to a five-year corporate integrity agreement that requires an outside group to review patients' medical records and diagnoses. The settlement brings closure to a long-running dispute, allowing Sutter to avoid the uncertainty and further expense of protracted litigation, and enabling a constructive relationship with the government as we work together under the monitoring agreement, Sutter said in a statement. Sutter has 24 hospitals, 36 outpatient surgery centers, and 16 cardiac and cancer centers. The civil settlement resulted from a 2015 False Claims Act whistleblower complaint by former Sutter employee Kathleen Ormsby. Attorneys representing Ormsby said the problem took place from 2010 to 2016. Ormsby and her attorneys will get between 15% and 30% of the settlement amount, with the amount still to be determined. After Sutter hired Ormsby in 2013, she began comparing benefit codes with patients records. What she found was just really, really high error rates on both sides, suggesting that ... Sutter was getting wildly overpaid, said Kathleen Scanlan, Ormsby's attorney. Instead of making corrections, Sutter shut down Ormsby's audit program, Scanlan said. Ormsby then determined that other affiliated medical practices were also engaged in a program that was a campaign to increase their ... compensation from the government," Scanlan said. Four of every 10 Medicare beneficiaries are now enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, double the number of a decade ago, and it has now grown to a $350 billion market annually. Under the program, also known as Medicare Part C, beneficiaries enroll in privately-run managed care plans that are paid by the government monthly based on the diagnosed health of the patient. That's a recipe for participants in the program to do what we allege Sutter did, which is to inflate these risk scores and make the patients seem sicker than they really are, so they get higher monthly payments," said Gordon Schnell, another of Ormsbys attorneys. The announcement comes days after a judge on Friday gave final approval to an unrelated 2019 settlement that required Sutter to pay $575 million. That settled allegations by the state attorney general and others that Sutter's anticompetitive practices led to higher costs for patients consumers in Northern California compared to elsewhere in the state. Google has already pre-announced (or semi-announced?) its upcoming Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro flagship smartphone duo, promising all of the details (as well as an actual release) for "later this fall". Just when would that be, though? Well, earlier a rumor started spreading like wildfire saying that Google would announce the duo on September 13, the week of Apple's big iPhone launch. That seemed like a pretty bad idea on Google's part, and now a new rumor comes to refute that report... sort of. See, while the September 13 date was meant to be for the announcement, the new info says the Pixels will be released on October 28. As in, that's when they will become available. Pre-orders are allegedly set to start on October 19. Now this doesn't fully discount the possibility of a September 13 event - after all, Sony is known to wait many months after announcing a new device before it starts pre-orders. So one month wouldn't be that much, but this isn't how Google has done things in the past. Which means that if the October 28 release date pans out, the most likely time for an announcement would be on October 18 or 19 (a Monday and Tuesday, respectively). This is all speculation, however. It's important to note, however, that the source of the new information is very adamant that the dates are accurate - for whatever that's worth. As a quick recap, the two new Pixels should be powered by Google's custom-designed Tensor SoC (although how custom that actually is remains up for debate). The phones will have in-display fingerprint readers, and a 50 MP main camera. Source These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. One UI 4 beta (based on Android 12) will start testing on the Galaxy S21 series in September Samsung announced the One UI 4 beta program at the end of July and it is almost ready to open up the software to public testing. A community manager in the Samsung forums posted that the beta testing will start in September. Unfortunately, the company hasnt committed to a specific date and the beta will be available in South Korea first (but it should expand to other regions soon after). If you want to join, you will need to tap the Join One UI Beta Program banner in the Samsung Members app. One UI 4 beta is coming to the Galaxy S21 series in September Machine translation The first phones to take part in testing the One UI 4 beta update (which will move to an Android 12 base) will be the Galaxy S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra. The Galaxy Note20 and S20 should be next in line, but theres no time frame for those yet. Source (in Korean) | Via Samsung's new smartwatches can be used for two-way voice communication with Samsung's WalkieTalkie app. This app is exclusive to Samsung's new Galaxy Watch4 and Watch4 Classic and can only be used to communicate between these wearables. Samsung's Tizen-based smartwatches will not be able to use this app. You can use the WalkieTalkie app to instantly voice chat with your contacts. You can also create channels that multiple contacts can simultaneously participate in. The WalkieTalkie app is an official Samsung app, and it requires a Samsung account to use. The app is on version 1.0.00.26 and weighs in at 23MB. The app can be downloaded now on Samsung's Galaxy Watch4 and Watch4 Classic right from the Play Store. Stay tuned as we prepare to release our review of the Samsung Galaxy Watch4. In the meantime, you can check out our hands-on article. Source Via All of Samsungs older foldables are ready to join their 2021 counterparts in running One UI 3.1.1. The update for the Galaxy Z Fold2 5G, Z Flip 5G and the original Z Flip starts rolling out today. The original Galaxy Fold will get its update about a week later. Whats new in 3.1.1? Samsung worked to figure out new ways to use the large screen of the foldables. Note that some of these features are available only on select models. Drag & Split is an alternative to tabs you can drag a link or item from select apps to the side of the screen and open a new window side by side. The list of supported apps currently includes the Samsung Internet browser, Samsung Notes, My Files, Messages, MS Office, OneNote, OneDrive and others. Available on: Demo: Multi-active window can keep up to three apps running simultaneously on the screen on the Folds and you can adjust their size and layout as you see fit. Natural window switching uses a better animation when re-arranging windows. Heres a side-by-side comparison of how 3.1.0 and 3.1.1 works. Available on: Demo: Samsung also enabled rotation for all apps, even the ones that dont support it themselves. This allows you to fit them better to how you are using your foldable phone. Available on: Demo: Some older apps are also locked to certain aspect ratios that don't fit the foldables well. The update lets you set the aspect ratio per app. You can enable this in Labs and set the app to one of four modes: Full screen, 16:9, 4:3 and App default. Available on: Demo: Select apps support split view, which is a desktop/tablet-like interface that puts some UI elements on the side (e.g. the list of received emails) and more content on the other side (e.g. the content of the email). This can also be enabled in Labs for apps that dont natively support split view. Available on: Demo: With the 3.1.1 update you can also enable Flex mode panel for apps that dont already support it. This puts additional controls on half of the screen, leaving the other half for multimedia. Available on: Demo: The larger screen on the Galaxy Z Folds can also accommodate a taskbar for quickly launching your most-frequently used apps. And not only launching, but also quickly switching between them with a single tap. Available on: Demo: Also for the folds is the Cover screen mirroring option, which saves you the trouble of managing and organizing two separate homescreens. Instead, the cover screen shortcuts and widgets are mirrored on the internal screen. Available on: Demo: The vivo X70 series will arrive on September 9. The mightiest phone of the family will be the vivo X70 Pro+ which was already teased yesterday, and today a leakster revealed the full camera setup. The shooters, developed alongside Zeiss, will include a 50MP 1/1.31" main snapper and a periscope lens. The main camera will have a Samsung ISOCELL GN1 sensor. The ultra-wide-angle snapper will come with Sony IMX598 48MP sensor behind, while the third cam will be a dedicated shooter for portraits. Its sensor will be 12MP Sony IMX663 and will offer 2x magnification. The periscope cam will have an 8MP sensor and will support 5x zoom. Three of the four shooters will also support OIS for video stabilization, with only the ultra-wide-angle shooter missing it. The new flagship is expected to run on Snapdragon 888+ chipset, and its appearance on Geekbench suggests the same. It was tested with its V2145A model name on the benchmarking platform and scored 1156 with a single core and 3460 with multiple cores. The vivo X70 Pro+ will arrive in Leather Orange and Leather Blue colors, but customers will also be able to purchase the device in Black color. It will be the only device in the lineup with leather back panels, the vivo X70 and vivo X70 Pro will have up to four paint jobs, all of them with a glass back. Source 1 Source 2 (both in Chinese) | Via Two unvaccinated men became the 146th and 147th COVID-19 related deaths reported on Guam, according to the Joint Information Center. Both men were pronounced dead at Guam Memorial Hospital Aug. 28. The first patient was an 84-year-old man who tested positive for COVID-19 and had underlying health conditions. The second patient was a 56-year-old man who also tested positive for COVID-19 and had underlying health conditions. Let us continue to fight against COVID-19 to prevent further pain and tragedy. We can all play a part in making this community stronger. Please get vaccinated and protect the ones you love, said Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero. Additional deaths Dr. Felix Cabrera, Department of Public Health and Social Services chief medical officer and territorial epidemiologist Dr. Ann Pobutsky, in coordination with the acting chief medical examiner, Dr. Philip Dauterman, conducted a review of all possible COVID-19-related deaths, according to the Joint Information Center. The review resulted in the classification of two additional deaths from last year as COVID-19-related. One case involved a 67-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities, who died Oct. 13, 2020, at Guam Memorial Hospital. The other cased involved a 55-year-old unvaccinated woman who died Dec. 31, 2020, at Guam Memorial Hospital, according to the Joint Information Center. Guams current COVID-19 death toll is now at 149. Cases There were 206 new cases of COVID-19 out of 1,714 tests performed Aug. 30 by the Department of Public Health and Social Services. Of those, 55 were identified through contact tracing, according to the Joint Information Center. Guam has had 10,559 officially reported cases of COVID-19. There have been 149 deaths. There are 1,415 cases in active isolation. The CAR Score climbed to 43.8. Hospitalizations There are 45 people hospitalized for COVID-19 at Guam Memorial Hospital, Guam Regional Medical City and Naval Hospital Guam, with 26 of them unvaccinated. Eight people are in the ICU with two on ventilators, according to the Joint Information Center. Catholic schools Five additional Catholic school students tested positive recently, according to a news release from the Archdiocese of Agana. Bishop Baumgartner Memorial School was notified of three positive cases late Monday. Saint Anthony Catholic School and Mercy Heights Catholic Nursery & Kindergarten each learned of one positive case on Tuesday. The number of Catholic school students that have tested for the virus is now 35. All three schools suspended in-person learning for its students in accordance with a recent executive order and are implementing remote learning this week. School administrators have implemented COVID-19 protocols and are working closely with the Department of Public Health and Social Services, according to the Archdiocese of Aganas COVID-19 liaison on contact tracing, the release said. They have notified the parents of students who may have had exposure and are receiving guidance regarding testing by Public Health. Archbishop Michael Byrnes and school administrators are praying for the affected individuals and their families and all who have contracted the virus locally and abroad, the release said. Guam Del. Mike San Nicolas said he is trying to get Congress to provide as much as $345 million in infrastructure funding to help build a new Guam Memorial Hospital so the governor can use Guams federal pandemic relief money for relief. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, who has authority to spend about $604 million in American Rescue Plan funding to help Guam recover from the pandemic, said she plans to set aside $300 million of that money toward the cost of building a new GMH. The hospital would be part of a planned government medical campus, possibly to be built near Eagles Field, in Mangilao. Leon Guerrero last month said she is waiting for federal officials to confirm she can spend American Rescue Plan money for that purpose. She also said she is seeking as much federal funding as possible, from various sources, including the military, to pay for the project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommended building a new hospital to replace the aging GMH, at a cost of about $743 million. According to San Nicolas, funding for a new hospital has been included during deliberations over the federal governments Fiscal 2022 budget. He said the House Natural Resources Committee is working on budget reconciliation this week, including $993 million to fund hospitals in the territories. Guam would receive $345 million of that amount. I cant guarantee it, but I can say that were definitely in a much better place this year than we were last year, he said about the chances of that funding being approved. San Nicolas and CNMI Del. Gregorio Sablan are members of that committee. Leon Guerrero on Tuesday thanked Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raul Grijalva for working to include funding for GMH in the reconciliation package. Leon Guerrero said she met with Grijalva during her trip to the mainland last month, seeking hospital funding. She said Grijalva assured her funding for the hospital would be included in the bill. I thank him for his commitment and passion to help the people of Guam, Leon Guerrero said of Grijalva, a Democrat representing southern Arizona. Chairman Grijalva has been a longstanding advocate and ally. San Nicolas said if Congress provides funding for a hospital, the governor can instead spend the $300 million in American Rescue Plan money on other relief purposes. He said one option would be for Guam to continue to fund pandemic unemployment assistance, which is scheduled to expire this week. San Nicolas said it will take longer than expected for the islands tourism industry to recover. As much as everybody wants to move forward a hospital project, and as much as I support that, the purpose of the relief funds, first and foremost, was for relief, San Nicolas said. Were gonna come in and try to provide a solution, to build a hospital, he said. Hopefully, were able to secure federal dollars for that purpose. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claimants lined up outside the Dededo Library and filled out forms, despite moments of pouring rain Tuesday, to make sure they got their claims filed. On the last day the building will be used as a PUA assistance center by the Guam Department of Labor, cars moved in and out of the parking lot. Some came to the closed doors of the library during the scheduled lunch break to see if they could meet with an employee. Starting Wednesday, all PUA claimants from across the island will need to go to the PUA processing center in Anigua for face-to-face appointments on the second floor of the Bell Tower Building. The change comes before the last work week that will count towards a PUA claim ends Saturday. Claims for past eligible weeks can still be filed until Oct. 4. A date for the online system to be completely shut down hasnt been announced by the U.S. Department of Labor. Hannah Cho, Guam Department of Labor public information officer, said the agency is prepared to move all operations to Anigua and doesnt think there will be problems with an increase in the number of claimants coming to the center. Our staff has been with us for a while and they know what they are doing, so I dont foresee any traffic jams or any issues, said Cho. PUA has provided $645 a week to thousands on Guam who lost their jobs or worked reduced hours as a result of COVID-19 shutting down much of the islands economy, especially for those in the tourism and hospitality industry. David DellIsola, Guam Department of Labor director, said he is aware unemployment on Guam remains in the double digits and that PUA was a help to many. A requirement of three work searches each week was added to qualify for a claim at the beginning of August in the hope that those on PUA would find employment. With the introduction of the delta variant and many industries still closed or at limited capacity, the need for a PUA extension or replacement program is being discussed between the Biden administration and Congress. The decision to close the Dededo location was made to streamline services due to a decrease in staff and as a safety measure against COVID-19 for clients, said Cho. The Dededo Library center was closed Monday after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. The library was deep cleaned and sanitized before reopening Tuesday. Staff has decreased because some were employees from other agencies who have to report back to their agencies, while others were on dislocated worker grant programs, which temporarily employed people who lost jobs due to COVID-19 in local government positions. Five additional Catholic school students tested positive recently, according to a news release from the Archdiocese of Agana. Bishop Baumgartner Memorial School was notified of three positive cases late Monday. Saint Anthony Catholic School and Mercy Heights Catholic Nursery & Kindergarten each learned of one positive case on Tuesday. The number of Catholic school students that have tested for the virus is now 35. All three schools suspended in-person learning for its students in accordance with a recent executive order and are implementing remote learning this week. School administrators have implemented COVID-19 protocols and are working closely with the Department of Public Health and Social Services, according to the Archdiocese of Aganas COVID-19 liaison on contact tracing, the release said. They have notified the parents of students who may have had exposure and are receiving guidance regarding testing by Public Health. Archbishop Michael Byrnes and school administrators are praying for the affected individuals and their families and all who have contracted the virus locally and abroad, the release said. The Department of Public Health and Social Services is trying to determine if the federal government will further compensate Guam students who A Puerto Rico resident whose federal lawsuit could help territorial residents become eligible for more federal programs has filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, which is hearing his case. Justices in March granted a petition for writ of certiorari in United States v. Vaello-Madero, which involves Jose Luis Vaello-Madero, a person with a disability, who lost his federal Supplemental Security Income payments when he relocated from New York to Puerto Rico. Eligible citizens with disabilities can receive $800 per month under the program. Congress excluded residents of Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands from the SSI program. Residents of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible for SSI payments, however, because the benefit is included in the CNMI covenant with the United States. According to the Justice Department, Congress has the authority to decide how funds are spent on federal programs, including denying program funding and eligibility to U.S. citizens in the territories. A federal appeals court in April 2020 ruled that Vaello-Madero cant be denied SSI payments simply because he now lives in Puerto Rico and not elsewhere in the United States. The federal government appealed. A similar lawsuit on Guam, filed by resident Katrina Schaller, who also lost her SSI payments after relocating here, currently is on hold, pending a Supreme Court ruling in the Puerto Rico case. Attorneys involved in the case have speculated thousands of Guam residents could be eligible for payments under the SSI program if it is applied here. Valleo-Maderos brief, filed this week, describes residents of Puerto Rico as a powerless minority that has experienced a history of racial and ethnic discrimination, who are treated less favorably than the rest of the country because of their mixed race and Hispanic ancestry. When Congress enacts a national welfare law and excludes only residents of so-called unincorporated territories, that exclusion is suspect, the brief states. The brief notes that, while U.S. citizens in the CNMI can receive SSI benefits, the circumstances are different because the program didnt exist when the United States annexed Puerto Rico, so Puerto Rico could not ask to be included. Also, Puerto Rico did not become a territory by consent, but by conquest, the brief states. According to the brief, Puerto Ricans expect that their U.S. citizenship entitles them to the same benefits in Puerto Rico that they would receive in the U.S. mainland. That reliance is frustrated when those benefits are denied to them unless they abandon their homes and their families and move to the mainland, or when national benefits they lawfully received while residing on the U.S. mainland are stripped from them simply for returning to Puerto Ricotheir home on U.S. soil, it states. Former Guam resident Neil Weare, an attorney who pursues equal rights for U.S. citizens in the territories, said justices could hear oral arguments in the Puerto Rico case in December or January. Weare said his organization, Equally American, and other national civil rights organizations are expected to file briefs with the Supreme Court next week, supporting Valleo-Madero. If executive orders and federal law were a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors, federal law wins every time. And you know whats a federal law? Reli Haiti - Politic : More expulsions of Haitians under Joe Biden On Monday, August 30, 2021, a coalition of 344 organizations, in a letter to President Biden, said they are "alarmed" over deportation flights to Haiti even after the political crises and natural disasters that hit the Caribbean nation. According to the signatories of the letter, with at least 130 Haitians have been deported to the country since the assassination of Moise, including several infants. "Since February 1, 2021, the Administration sent at least 37 deportation flights to Haiti, even as your officials acknowledged internally that those being deported 'may face harm' on return and the COVID-19 pandemic raged," wrote the coalition Adding "By March, the Biden-Harris Administration had removed more Haitians since taking office than during all of fiscal year 2020 [under Trump] " https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33352-haiti-flash-joe-biden-expels-more-haitians-than-donald-trump.html Although the Biden administration has taken some steps to protect Haitian migrants, including expanding the country's Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation on May 22, 2021 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34363-haiti-flash-tps-registrations-for-haitians.html the coalition calls on the US administration to allow Haitians stranded in Mexico to enter the United States and to grant protection to migrants who do not meet the conditions required for the TPS. Finally, the signatories recall that the United States has previously halted deportations to countries deemed too dangerous or unstable, including Haiti. Under the Obama administration, while Biden was Vice President, temporary deportations to Haiti were halted twice : once in 2010 after the earthquake that killed more than 200,000 people and again in October 2016 after Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18905-haiti-flash-usa-temporary-suspension-of-deportations-of-haitians.html See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34363-haiti-flash-tps-registrations-for-haitians.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33352-haiti-flash-joe-biden-expels-more-haitians-than-donald-trump.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33062-haiti-usa-congresswoman-clarke-urges-ice-to-immediately-stop-deportations-of-haitians.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33039-haiti-usa-500-haitians-repatriated-to-haiti-trump-or-biden-nothing-changes.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33011-haiti-usa-congresswoman-wilson-urges-biden-to-suspend-deportations-to-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32984-haiti-usa-ice-defies-jo-biden-and-deports-72-haitians-to-haiti-including-22-children.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32961-haiti-flash-the-united-states-suspends-deportation-flights-of-haitians.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18905-haiti-flash-usa-temporary-suspension-of-deportations-of-haitians.html SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : The Ambassador of Haiti in DR regrets the paralysis of the agreements of January 2021 Smith Augustin, Ambassador of Haiti in the Dominican Republic, regrets that after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, the agreements of January 2021 are paralyzed declaring "[...] the President is no longer there, it is no longer the same dynamism but we think that we are moving forward because this declaration defines priorities that are not just paper and declarations and the diplomatic missions have taken it as a roadmap that defines the future of relations between the two Nations of the island," wishing the resumption of the dialogue as soon as possible. Recall that on January 12, President Jovenel Moise and President Luis Abinader signed an agreement in 9 points on the documentation of Haitian citizens, health, trade, delimitation of borders, security, energy and the environment. 2021 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32758-haiti-flash-9-joint-commitments-between-haiti-and-the-dominican-republic.html Augustine is optimistic about relations between the two countries because he considers that the authorities understand that the future is that of cooperation in island development, trade, interdependence of borders and other aspects "People think more about shaking hands and moving forward together instead of ignoring or hating each other, we've done a lot and we need to keep moving forward overcoming these prejudices with even more dialogue." Regarding the post-earthquake situation of August 14 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34600-haiti-flash-post-earthquake-situation-report-partial-assessment.html , Augustin underlines that the precarious situation continues, even if it is not comparable to that of the earthquake of January 2010 when the administrative power had collapsed after the destruction of a large part of Port-au-Prince. For the Ambassador, the Haitian State has three fundamental priorities : helping the affected populations, thinking about reconstruction and the presidential elections in November to get the country out of the transitional state of the Government. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34600-haiti-flash-post-earthquake-situation-report-partial-assessment.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32758-haiti-flash-9-joint-commitments-between-haiti-and-the-dominican-republic.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32741-haiti-flash-luis-abinader-met-jovenel-moise-in-the-border-area.html SL/ HaitiLibre Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news Login Sign Up Email Password Password Username Your E-mail will only be used to retrieve a lost password. Stay logged in Help We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit Editor: We need to be focused on the deepest meaning of the reason for creation. O From MSU News Service BOZEMAN Twenty-three rural Montana communities including Chester-Joplin-Inverness and Hays are set to participate in a Montana State University Extension program that focuses on providing Montanas small towns with opportunities to shape their future. The Reimagining Rural virtual gathering is a series of three evening events where people come together in their communities to listen to virtual speakers discuss positive examples of successful rural communities. Following the speakers, local groups will discuss how those ideas might work in their community. The program is intended to bring residents together to brainstorm ideas for enhancing local communities and to build excitement and pride. Other participating communities are Arlee, Carter County, Columbus, Cut Bank, Daniels County, Forsyth, Glendive, Hysham, Malta, Manhattan, Miles City, Plevna, Powder River County, Powell County, Roundup-Winnett, Sidney, St. Regis, Toole County, Valier, White Sulphur Springs and Worden-Ballantine. Sessions are set for Sept. 13, Sept. 27 and Oct. 3. Each session will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. As part of the series, featured speaker Ben Winchester of the University of Minnesota Extension will share research on the rural brain gain, including new research by MSU Extension about who is moving to rural Montana communities and why. Other speakers include community leaders from around Montana that have launched successful local projects, including a summer concert series, a communitywide tourism and branding strategy, and a nonprofit child care center using an abandoned school. Members of the Winnett community will discuss success in revitalizing their community, which included a beef to schools program, a new community center and a housing project. Organizers of local events in communities from Cut Bank to Plevna said they applied to Reimagining Rural because they see the program as a way to engage local volunteers, learn new ideas and enhance their communities. Reimagining Rural is made possible through support from MSU Extension, the Burton K. Wheeler Center, Montana Community Foundation, First Interstate Bank Foundation, The O.P. and W.E. Edwards Foundation, and local hosts in each community. Community members interested in joining the discussions can participate by contacting their local MSU Extension office for information on their local host. For more information, visit msuextension.org/communitydevelopment/reimagine-rural.html or contact Tara Mastel with MSU Extension at [email protected] Boxes of pizzas are delivered every other Thursday to the staff and residents of Juniper Village, thanks to the generosity of the Cailloux Foundation. STROUPE GETS LIFE IN PRISON FOR BRYSON MURDER District Attorney Andrew Murray announces the plea agreement that resulted in a life in prison sentence for Phillip Michael Stroupe II for the murder of Tommy Bryson in July 2017. Phillip Michael Stroupe II was sentenced to life in prison today after he pleaded guilty to the July 2017 murder of Thomas A. "Tommy" Bryson, avoiding a trial that could have resulted in the death penalty had he been convicted. The agreement was announced Tuesday by District Attorney Andrew Murray, who was appointed chief prosecutor for Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties when Greg Newman was removed in April. This defendant robbed our community of a salt of the earth, Godly man who was cherished by his family, friends and neighbors, Murray said in a news release. We agree with the family that this sentence, which ensures the defendant will never walk our streets again, hopefully brings some closure not only to the family but the entire community grieving the loss of Tommy Bryson. In Henderson County Superior Court, Stroupe pleaded guilty today to first-degree murder, two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, and first-degree kidnapping. Judge Joseph Crosswhite imposed a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Stroupe also received additional consecutive sentences totaling another 304-402 months, which is 25-33 years in prison. On July 22, 2017, Stroupe fled from deputies at a traffic stop in Transylvania County. He ran into Pisgah National Forest, where he stole a mans bicycle at gunpoint. The incident sparked a days-long manhunt for Stroupe as authorities from multiple agencies began a widespread search. Stroupe eventually made his way through the Pisgah National Forest to the Mills River area, where he encountered Bryson, 68, who was on his way to pick up a family member for a medical appointment on July 26. Taking advantage of the opportunity to steal Brysons truck while Bryson was most likely following his routine of checking his mailbox at the end of the driveway, Stroupe kidnapped him. Eventually, he took Mr. Bryson to a cornfield, where he coldheartedly shot Mr. Bryson and left him to die. Brysons family soon reported him missing. Meanwhile, Stroupe drove Brysons truck to Tennessee and eventually back into Western North Carolina. He spray-painted the base of the truck in an attempt to change its appearance and had plans to dispose of the truck in a lake when a Blue Ridge Parkway Ranger spotted the truck on July 27 and identified Stroupe as the driver. That began a chase that led authorities into McDowell County, where Stroupe abandoned the truck and ran through a field, dropping the handgun as he fled. Officers apprehended Stroupe in the field and took him into custody. Brysons body was not discovered until days later despite the familys pleas for Stroupe to disclose their loved ones whereabouts. Forensic analysis later determined that the gun Stroupe dropped in the field as he ran matched the bullet that killed Bryson. "Shortly after this heinous crime was committed, the District Attorneys Office, in consultation with the family, declared this a capital case and until a very recent change of heart by the Bryson family, intended to pursue the death penalty at trial," Murray's office said. "Stroupes plea today allows him to avoid the death penalty while assuring he will never again have the opportunity to harm someone outside the confines of his lifelong prison walls. With the support of Brysons family, the District Attorneys Office believes this is the best outcome for the family and the entire community. "A plea prevents the family from reliving horrific details of their loved ones murder, Murray said. A death penalty trial can take months to try in court, and with delays already caused by the pandemic and worsening COVID-19 conditions, it is unclear when the court could complete such a long trial without the threat of mistrial due to COVID-19 exposure in the courtroom. And if a defendant is sentenced to death, surviving loved ones must endure the uncertainty of years, and most likely decades, of legal appeals that follow. The plea strictly limits Stroupes ability to appeal. "Considering all these factors, Mr. Brysons family reached out to the District Attorneys Office after concluding that they would prefer to extend unmerited grace to the defendant and ensure finality and closure for their family. The District Attorneys Office understands and honors their request, acknowledging that a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole is one that will protect communities across Western North Carolina. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Mr. Brysons family." The announcement ended four years of twists and turns of a criminal case that started with a massive four-day manhunt for Stroupe in the Pisgah National Forest and surrounding areas and included numerous instances of Stroupe's conflict with his court-appointed attorneys. In a hearing in March in Henderson County Superior Court, Stroupe advised Superior Court Judge W. Robert Bell of Mecklenburg County that he wanted to fire his two lawyers and represent himself. Bell, who has presided over the case from the start, ruled that he can, introducing another twist in an almost four-year long saga of the highly anticipated murder trial. In addition to murder, Stroupe, a convicted felon who had recently been released from prison when he killed Bryson, was also charged with kidnapping and robbery in connection with the abduction and murder of Bryson. Judge Bell asked Stroupe several questions related to his request and determined that the defendant is competent to make this decision, Newman said. The judge also found that the defendant understands the nature and potential consequences of the criminal charges he is facing. The defense attorneys, though relieved of their duties of representation, will remain available to the defendant throughout the trial to assist him with any questions he may have. The defendant represented to the court that he will be ready to proceed to trial in July. Barring further delays due to the current COVID pandemic, Newman intends to call the case for trial on July 12. The trial had been postponed three times already, once when Stroupe's defense team changed and a year ago, when the Covid-19 shut down most trials. A May 2019 trial date blew up when Superior Court Judge W. Robert Bell removed then-Public Defender Paul Welch from the case, for reasons that have never been made public. Stroupes new attorney, Mark Melrose of Waynesville, was assisted by co-counsel Sarah Ziomek of Forest City, a carryover from Stroupes original defense team. Although Newman had planned to start the case on July 12, that date had been delayed until later this month. A BUSINESS owner from Henley wants to bring more attention to the south side of the town. Eva Rickett and her husband Graham run Henley Scan, restoring images and footage from old media, such as photographs, slides, negatives, videos, camcorder tapes and 8mm cine films. They have run the business from their home in Kings Road for more than three years and have now opened a shop in Reading Road, which started trading on Friday. Mrs Rickett said that when she explained to friends and family where the shop was, she realised there wasnt a name for that side of town. She said: When people asked where the shop was going to be, I found myself trying to explain it in relation to the station or the river or other shops nearby but it was confusing. We should have a name for it, so I came up with Southside Henley. People dont often think about the shops on this side of town and I spoke to other people who have businesses nearby and they said, Lets go for it. It would be nice if, in a couple of years, people know exactly where Southside Henley is. The opening was attended by about 60 people, including customers and friends. Henley Mayor Sarah Miller cut the ribbon after giving a short speech. Councillor Miller, who lives in Reading Road, said: I want to congratulate Eva and Graham on their move to the new premises. For the past three years Ive watched their business grow and help people get their memories back. I am sure that the business will continue to grow and as a resident of this part of town, I am pleased to see them based here, in an area that is now known as Southside Henley. I think the name is giving this side of town an identity we have had many new shops opening, which is great to see, and its becoming a place in its own right, which is fabulous. Everyone has had a particularly rough 18 months and it is great to see new businesses opening and doing so well. The Mayor was gifted a print of a photo of her with her 10-year-old daughters, Vivien and Ruby. The Henley Scan shop has a lounge area with sofas, an operational room where the magic happens and a post-scanning area. Mrs Rickett said: Since we ran a home business for so long, we wanted to recreate that homely feeling in the shop. What we do is very personal and we felt like we didnt need a proper counter. Its important that people feel they can sit down and talk to us because some of the projects we take on are quite big and more personal and we value the fact that we can talk about it with them. One of the shop walls is decorated with a wallpaper made of 105 black and white pictures of Mr and Mrs Rickett and members of five generations of their family. She added: Ive always wanted a wallpaper like this and when we got the shop, I thought it would be perfect for it. Everyone who attended the opening has helped us in some way and they are all part of the Henley Scan story. Being an entrepreneur is not always easy but when you have people that help you like we had, it makes it less daunting. The support by the business community has been incredible and we are so grateful they have shown us what it means to have a tribe. Mrs Rickett, who is originally from Sweden and has a degree in computer science, met her husband in 1985 in Linkoping, where he was working as a software consultant. They moved to the UK in 1987 and were married in the Swedish Church in London. They moved to Henley in 2015 and have three children. Other businesses in Reading Road and Station Road were divided on Mrs Ricketts idea. Monica Alazraki, who manages the Daisy Love coffee shop, which opened on Tuesday, said: I think its an amazing idea. It would be great if people could call the area Southside Henley. But Alessio Baldassarre, hairdressers La Medusa in Station Road, said: I dont think we need a name as this side of the town already has an identity. Jean Oliver, who works at the chartered accountants Kench & Co in Station Road, said: Every business has an addess which says exactly where they are, so I dont think we would need it to be known as Southside Henley. What do you think? Write to: Letters, Henley Standard, Caxton House, 1 Station Road, Henley or email letters@henleystandard.co.uk Free access for current print subscribers As a home delivery subscriber, you get free unlimited digital access to premium content on HenryHerald.com, including local news, local sports, obituaries, legal notices, local features, and the e-edition. All you need is your print subscription account number and your last name. Don't know your subscription number? Email access@henryherald.com with your delivery address. Activate your account now. FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 file photo, migrants are seated, after crossing the border from Belarus into Poland in the village of Usnarz Gorny, Poland. Polands government has asked the president to declare a state of emergency along the border with Belarus as it tries to stop migrants from entering from the neighboring country. The government citied the potential risk from foreign actors and the actions of protesters in Poland as rationales for the declaration. Following President Bidens lead in declaring an emergency for the states of Louisiana and Mississippi due to Hurricane Ida, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra today declared public health emergencies for both states. The declarations, along with waivers Secretary Becerra authorized under the Social Security Act, give the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) beneficiaries and their healthcare providers and suppliers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs in disasters. Hurricane Ida made landfall as an extremely dangerous storm and is carving a path of destruction that poses a significant threat to health and safety, Secretary Becerra said. These declarations and waivers help ensure that some of the most vulnerable residents of Louisiana and Mississippi beneficiaries of Medicare and Medicaid have continuous access to the care they need in the aftermath this storm. We stand ready to provide additional public health and medical support to help impacted communities respond and recover. In declaring the public health emergency and authorizing flexibilities for CMS beneficiaries, Secretary Becerra acted within his authority under the Public Health Service Act and Social Security Act. These actions and flexibilities are retroactive to August 26, 2021, for the state of Louisiana and retroactive to August 28, 2021, for the state of Mississippi. HHS also staged an incident management team in Dallas to provide post-storm coordination of federal health and medical support. Teams from the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and the National Disaster Medical System who were responding to the COVID-19 surge in Louisiana and other Gulf states stand ready to pivot support the Hurricane Ida response. These medical professionals will be available quickly to help health authorities and healthcare facilities respond to medical needs. To help meet the needs of vulnerable populations, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and CMS are collaborating with state health authorities to provide data that the health departments can use to assist Medicare beneficiaries who rely on electrically powered medical equipment, such as oxygen concentrators or wheelchairs, and home health services. CMS also activated the Kidney Community Emergency Response Program to monitor dialysis access and needs of these facilities in the aftermath of the hurricane. This program provides technical assistance to End Stage Renal Disease Networks, kidney organizations, and other groups to ensure timely and efficient disaster preparedness, response and recovery for the kidney community. To assist residents in the impacted area in coping with the stress of the disasters, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a Disaster Distress Helpline available. The helpline provides immediate 24/7, 365-days-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster. Residents in affected areas can call or text 1-800-985-5990 (for Spanish, press 2) to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Callers can connect in more than 100 other languages via third-party interpretation services by indicating their preferred language to the responding counselor. A videophone option for deaf or hard-of-hearing American Sign Language users is also available by dialing the helpline from a videophone-enabled device or accessing the "ASL Now" link at DisasterDistress.samhsa.gov. During a public health emergency, the HHS Secretary may waive sanctions and penalties against a covered hospital that does not comply with certain provisions of the HIPAA Privacy Rule in the emergency area and for the emergency period identified in the public health emergency declaration; to hospitals that have instituted a disaster protocol; and for up to 72 hours from the time the hospital implements its disaster protocol. The HHS Office for Civil Rights offers more information on HIPAA during emergency response. Recent natural disasters have demonstrated the importance of ensuring accessibility to health and human services for everyone living in the United States, including individuals in need of interpretation and translation services. To help first responders provide on-the-ground language assistance and communicate effectively during disasters and in accordance with federal civil rights laws, the HHS Office for Civil Rights offers a plain language checklist, including recommendations, specific action steps, resources, and tips such as to how to identify language needs in a disaster-impacted community to effectively utilizing interpreters. Additional information is available on the HHS OCR website. Each HHS division will be working with state counterparts to determine the hurricanes effects on public health, medical, and human services. For example, the Food and Drug Administration will be working with pharmaceutical firms in the path of the storm to determine the scope of the impact, and the National Institutes of Health will assist grantee institutions affected by the hurricane. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is providing technical assistance on protecting shelter residents from COVID-19. CDC and other HHS divisions are making detailed, practical information available to help the public protect themselves from threats before, during, and after the storm. This information includes preventing carbon monoxide poisoning and other power outage safety risks; avoiding driving or walking through flood water; ensuring safe food, water and medications; and addressing mold and other health risks. Public health and safety information for Hurricane Ida can be found on the HHS emergency website, phe.gov. NOTE TO EDITORS AND PRODUCERS: Public service announcements in multiple formats and languages are available for download for broadcast or website use and provide tips on protecting health and safety before, during and immediately after hurricanes. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. (SUN POST STAFF PHOTO BY KEVIN MILLER) The Brooklyn Center Police Station sign, framed between the bars of the fence that has lined the perimeter of the grounds since the unrest that followed the officer-involved killing of Daunte Wright. Brooklyn Center is hiring a project coordinator to move forward with plans to develop an unarmed public safety division that will respond to minor traffic offenses and mental health calls. Anchor/Multimedia Journalist Hello! I am the weekend anchor as well as a reporter for Your News Now! You can reach me with news tips (or just to say hello!) at khonigford@wlio.com. Thank you! You've reported this item as a violation of our terms of use. This content was contributed by a user of the site. If you believe this content may be in violation of the terms of use, you may report it. Groundbreaking 31 August 2021 Construction has begun on Adelaide's South Australia's newest upscale lifestyle hotel, Vibe Hotel Adelaide, which is set to become the flagship landmark hotel for the 'Paris end' of Adelaide in the Flinders East precinct. The 19-storey upscale hotel - the first Vibe in South Australia - will feature 123 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, a pool deck, spa, sauna, and plaza designed by multi-award winning Loucas Zahos Architects. Vibe Adelaide will also be the first in Australia with a suspended bridge pool that allows guests to "swim" between the hotel and the neighboring ONE Apartments. Principal Architect and Director, Con Zahos, said the hotel would be the anchor of Flinders East, completing GuavaLime's 20-year development of the precinct. TFE Hotels' Group Chief Operating Officer, Chris Sedgwick, said TFE Hotels was looking forward to expanding their footprint in South Australia and to opening their very first Vibe Hotel in Adelaide next November. The $45 million project is set to create 80 full-time jobs during peak construction, and 108 full-time jobs during hotel operation, providing a substantial boost to local tourism. Vibe will be the sister hotel to TFE Adina the historic Adina Apartment Hotel Adelaide Treasury and is expected to begin trading in November 2022. Appointment 31 August 2021 CWT, the Business-to-Business-for-Employees (B2B4E) travel management platform, today announces the appointment of Bill Courtney as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Based in North Carolina, Bill will report to Michelle McKinney Frymire, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CWT and serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team. Acting CFO, Courtney Mattson, will return to her former role as Global Treasurer and Deputy CFO. Both appointments are effective 1 September 2021. Prior to his appointment, Bill held the position of CFO at Starkey Hearing Technologies. Before joining Starkey, he held senior global finance roles with Medtronic, Bank of America, Barclay's Bank, Best Buy Co. Inc., and Delta Airlines. Bill is a graduate of Elon University and holds an MBA from Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh. Industry Update Appointment 31 August 2021 Lukas Pesek Appointed Director of Food & Beverage At Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas - NV, USA With a vast knowledge of the hospitality industry and experience within the Las Vegas hotel and restaurant sectors, Lukas Pesek will contribute to the ongoing success and development of Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas' food and beverage destinations. Following a 10-year career with world renown Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck, Pesek served as Vice President of Food and Beverage at Excalibur Hotel & Casino and had the opportunity to work at Clayton Hotel, Denver and Aria Resort & Casino, Las Vegas as Director of Food and Beverage. Hilton Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 17 world-class brands comprising nearly 6,000 properties with more than 954,000 rooms, in 117 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the worlds most hospitable company, Hilton earned a spot on the 2019 Worlds Best Workplaces list, and has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its 100-year history. more information Recent Appointments at Hilton Lisa Gohlke - Assistant HR Manager 14 September 2021 Lisa Gohlke has joined Conrad Dubai as its assistant human resources director. In this capacity, she will play a pivotal role in the smooth operations of the HR department. Gohlke is relatively new to the UAE's hospitality industry, graduating with a BA in tourism management in 2017. read more Steve Withall - Culinary Team Lead 9 September 2021 Overseeing the renovation of Sandcastles Restaurant's open-air concept kitchen is new culinary team lead Steve Withall. During his 18-year career, Withall has held many impressive culinary titles, including private beach club chef, restaurant head chef, executive chef and chef de cuisine. read more Appointment 31 August 2021 Four Seasons Hotel Doha announces the appointment of Shadi Suleman as the new General Manager. A familiar face in the Qatari capital, Suleman was previously the Hotel Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Doha, before moving to Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria in 2017 to elevate his career as General Manager. After achieving tremendous success on the Mediterranean, he's decided to return to the Arabian Gulf. A long-serving Four Seasons veteran, Suleman first joined the organisation in August 2002 at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre. In 2005, he returned home to Syria to be part of the pre-opening team at Four Seasons Hotel Damascus (formerly a Four Seasons hotel). In 2007, he joined another pre-opening mission for Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus. In 2008, he made the move to Four Seasons Hotel Doha as Director of Rooms, and advanced to Hotel Manager in 2013. He was promoted to General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano in 2017. Suleman's commitment to perfection is built on his experience from these various Four Seasons operations in the GCC and Middle East. His extensive background contributes significantly to the expertise he's bringing back to Qatar. Supplier News 31 August 2021 Dallas, TX OpenKey, the industry standard for universal Digital Key in hotels, is thrilled to attend and participate in this years Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition & Conference (HITEC), produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP). HITEC is the worlds largest and longest-running hospitality technology event. For nearly 50 years, this conference and exhibition has delivered world-class education and connection opportunities with the brightest minds and most advanced technologies in the hospitality industry. As hospitality technology advances, contactless platforms will be front and center for hoteliers and guests, in 2021 and beyond. OpenKey is committed to aiding hotels around the globe to deliver seamless guest experiences through innovative keyless technology, OpenKey CEO Ron Owens said, I am personally thrilled to attend HITEC this year and share our insights with other hospitality tech leaders. This is a monumental opportunity to connect with our customers and the hospitality industrys most innovative players to drive even more advances in enhancing guest services and guest experiences. The 2021 exhibition comes at a crucial time for the hospitality industry. The world is emerging from the clutches of COVID-19, and people are travelling for business and leisure again. In a post-pandemic world, guests are keenly aware of their health and safety, and the risks that they may be taking throughout any given trip, Owens remarked, More than ever before, guests expect a streamlined, convenient experience from check-in to check-out, and one that includes the latest measures to protect their health and safety. OpenKey delivers the technology hotels need to create that experience. Attending HITEC this year? Stop by the OpenKey booth #1707 to experience the latest in Digital Key technology and discover new features to help hotels thrive in a post-COVID world. Plus, tune in for a special panel, Door Locks and Contactless Platforms Giving the Guest What They Want, featuring Ron Owens and other hospitality industry leaders. In the panel, theyll discuss key strategies and technologies to bring more streamlined experiences to guests while enhancing hoteliers revenue and reputation. HITEC attendees can catch this panel live or online throughout the conference, via HITEC TV, September 28-30. It will also be accessible throughout the conference via HITECs daily newsletter and HITEC Bytes. Supplier News 31 August 2021 Alpharetta, GA - Zoox Smart Data (Zoox), an international provider of technological solutions that harnesses big data to build customer profiles from existing Wi-Fi networks, is pleased to announce the impressive revenue-increasing results that its Zoox Media solution has achieved for hotel businesses around the world. A state-of-the-art ad publishing platform that cuts out the need for hoteliers to contract costly third-party ad publishers, Zoox Media is credited with increasing overall revenue for its customers by 550 percent during the period between Q3 and Q4 in 2020 alone. Key to Zoox Medias success in driving up hotel revenues is the platforms unique ability to push targeted ad content to guest personal devices based on individual preferences, needs and expectations. This includes the ability to automatically determine a guests geographic location, allowing hotel businesses to share more relevant ad content such as recommendations for local tourist attractions or restaurants. Local advertising capabilities empowered by Zoox Media not only represent increased sales conversions for hotels with every click, but by more closely mirroring immediate guest needs, can also result in a more personalized experience and higher satisfaction rates. Additional analytics that further point to Zoox Medias ability to maximize alternate revenue source income include: Triple digit growth from September 2020 to March 2021 425 percent revenue increase during the first two quarters of 2021 Over 100 percent consistent revenue growth quarter-over-quarter since Q3, 2020 With hoteliers around the world needing to rely on alternate sources of income just to keep businesses afloat, we are certainly very proud of the impressive results that Zoox Media continues to achieve, said David Tyre, Vice President of Business Development- North America at Zoox Smart Data. The fact that the platform continues to generate new records in revenue growth despite the slowdown in other service areas is further proof that the future of hospitality lies with ensuring complete and total experience personalization. For more information on the range of guest experience-enhancing and revenue-generating solutions by Zoox Smart Data, please visit www.zooxsmart.com. Press Release 31 August 2021 CHICAGO Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced a collaboration between the Hyatt Place brand and Gopuff, a go-to platform for consumers immediate everyday needs, such as drinks, snacks, over-the-counter medications, home and baby products and more, including alcohol in select markets. Advertisements Starting today at more than a dozen Hyatt Place hotels, this pilot program will create an added layer of convenience and comfort for travelers, providing guests at participating properties with fast, free delivery of thousands of everyday items. Guests at participating hotels can receive items in just 30 minutes delivered from Gopuffs local micro-fulfillment centers. The collaboration will expand the Hyatt Place brands Necessities program, which offers guests a wide range of essentials to keep, borrow or buy, such as toothpaste, cellphone chargers or headphones. In a recent survey, Hyatt learned that 60% of travelers have forgotten to pack an item (e.g., toiletries and first aid) for a business or leisure trip*. Leveraging data from the same survey, Hyatt and Gopuff identified the most-often-forgotten and most-likely-to-purchase items and collaborated to create in-app categories such as Travel Essentials, Spa Retreat, Movie Night, Office on the Go, and more, to ensure guests have easy, quick access to the items they need most while traveling. As both business and leisure travelers adjust their travel routines and seek new ways to travel safely, its important for us to keep the needs and wellbeing of our guests at the forefront of everything we do, said Emily Wright, Global Brand Leader, Hyatt. Every detail of the Hyatt Place experience is designed around innovation and intuitive design to make guest stays as seamless and comfortable as possible. Our collaboration with Gopuff is just another way the brand is helping guests get the most out of their stay, regardless of their reason for travel. Through this collaboration, Hyatt Place guests at participating hotels may enjoy the following benefits: Free delivery on every Gopuff order for all Hyatt Place guests at participating properties. Access to quick and free delivery of thousands of products, including drinks, snacks, over-the-counter medications, home cleaning and baby products, alcohol in select markets, and pet products for those guests traveling with their furry friends. Guests who are using Gopuff for the first time will also receive $10 credit for their first two orders ($20 total) Guests staying at participating Hyatt Place pilot hotels in Nashville and Phoenix specifically may also take advantage of fresh meals, such as pizza, breakfast sandwiches, cafe style coffee and matcha drinks, and more. As a customer-first business, were excited to work with Hyatt to bring a one-of-a-kind, convenient experience to their guests, said Marshall Osborne, Gopuffs Head of Business Development. As we continue our mission to become the worlds go-to solution for immediate everyday needs, we're excited to leverage our unique model to innovate yet another industry travel. We look forward to collaborating with Hyatt to improve the way we travel and to enable Gopuff to deliver to more customers in new ways." Through February 2022, Hyatt Place guests at the following pilot locations can simply scan the QR code placed in their rooms and common areas to take advantage of the offer during their stay or visit Gopuff.com/r/gohyattplace for more information. Once registered as a new Gopuff user, guests can shop across various product categories and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout. Participating hotels include: Chicago: Hyatt Place Chicago/River North Hyatt Place Chicago/Downtown-The Loop Hyatt Place Chicago / Wicker Park Phoenix, Arizona: Hyatt Place Phoenix/ Chandler-Fashion Center Hyatt Place Tempe/Phoenix Airport Hyatt Place Phoenix/Mesa Hyatt Place Scottsdale/Old Town Denver, Colorado: Hyatt Place Denver-South/Park Meadows Hyatt Place Denver Tech Center Hyatt Place Denver Airport Nashville, Tennessee: Hyatt Place Nashville/Downtown Hyatt Place Nashville/Brentwood Hyatt Place Nashville/Opryland The term Hyatt is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates. About Gopuff Gopuff is the go-to solution for immediate everyday needs, fulfilling customer orders of cleaning and home products, over-the-counter medications, baby and pet products, food and drinks, and in some markets, alcohol and fresh prepared food - in just minutes. With micro-fulfillment centers in every market it serves, the company delivers thousands of products quickly for a flat $1.95 delivery charge. Gopuff is open 24/7 in many markets and late night everywhere else to bring customers what they need, when they need it most. Founded in 2013 by co-founders and co-CEOs Rafael Ilishayev and Yakir Gola, Gopuff currently operates more than 500 micro-fulfillment centers, BevMo! and Liquor Barn stores across North America and Europe. To learn more, visit www.Gopuff.com or follow Gopuff on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Download the Gopuff app on iOS and Android. **Source: Hyatt Travel Pulse (N=2,007, July 2021). Press Release 31 August 2021 MCLEAN, Va. - Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts, two of Hiltons (NYSE: HLT) luxury brands, announced today a partnership with Frette, supplier of the finest linens and decorative accessories, to debut a new luxurious top-of bed linen program across both brand portfolios. Advertisements The launch of this new partnership is an exciting moment for our luxury brand portfolio and represents our commitment to offering guests exclusive and exceptional experiences and amenities, said Dino Michael, senior vice president and global category head, Hilton luxury brands. The Frette brand aligns perfectly with our Hilton luxury brands and allows us an opportunity to give guests more of what they are looking for across our Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties, to create authentic moments and keep guests inspired. With this new partnership with Frette, Waldorf Astoria will feature top-of bed 100% cotton sateen 400 thread count linens in crisp white with a sleek line of piping as well as Waldorf Astorias logo meticulously woven on the front pillowcases, while Conrad will feature top-of bed 100% cotton sateen 300 thread count linens in crisp white with a single line of sleek white piping. Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is Hiltons luxury brand of iconic hotels committed to personal service and culinary excellence in landmark locations around the world. Each property delivers unforgettable experiences and guests can expect True Waldorf Service from the moment they book their stay to the moment they check out, and this Frette partnership further delivers that. Conrad Hotels & Resorts creates a seamless connection between contemporary design, leading innovation, and curated art to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit of the globally connected traveler. The new Frette top-of bed linen will be a part of the expansive growth of both brands and will be found in each brands new locations including Dana Point, Las Vegas, Tulum as well as Sardinia in 2022, and the Seychelles in 2023, to name a few. For 160 years, Frette has brought comfort to homes of the world with masterfully crafted linens and decorative home accessories of unparalleled quality. From its bases in Monza and Milan, Frette uses the finest fibers and collaborates with the most skilled Italian artisans to craft products that embody luxury, comfort, and creativity. Historically, Frette linens have been featured everywhere from the altar of St. Peter's Basilica to the dining car of the Orient Express, and more than 500 European royal families have slept beneath its sheets. As with any memorable hotel experience, a restful and comfortable nights sleep is essential, said Filippo Arnaboldi, CEO of Frette. Through our partnership with Hilton, we set out to design two linen collections that meet the needs of todays modern traveler while honoring the high quality and artisanal craftsmanship for which Frette has been known for decades. We are excited to welcome guests of Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties with the ultimate sleep environment of luxury and comfort. For more information about Hilton, please visit newsroom.hilton.com. About Frette For 160 years, Frette has brought comfort to homes of the world with masterfully crafted linens and decorative home accessories of unparalleled quality. From its bases in Monza and Milan, Frette uses the finest natural fibres and collaborates with the most skilled Italian artisans to craft products that embody luxury, comfort and creativity. Known for chic, original designs and inimitable finish and feel, Frette linens can be found in the worlds most illustrious hotels as well as in the most discerning private homes, yachts and aircrafts. Historically, Frette linens have been featured everywhere from the altar of St. Peters Basilica to the dining car of the Orient Express, and more than 500 European royal families have slept beneath its sheets. Today, Frette can be discovered at celebrated retailers and more than 1,500 luxury hotels around the world. With a heritage defined by craftsmanship and an outlook rooted in innovation, Frette will continue to outfit the worlds most exceptional spaces for generations to come. Learn more at Frette.com and connect with Frette on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. Opinion Article 31 August 2021 Why should hoteliers change the way they manage room inventory? The simple answer is because they can make more revenue and increase customer satisfaction when guests are able to self-select room features that are relevant to them. By moving away from traditional room categories and taking a granular inventory approach, hoteliers can cover several new revenue-generating opportunities, including New revenue management tactics due to higher number of price points Upselling solutions of room features and services Automatic room assignment and avoidance of free upgrades Clear differentiation of own sales channels compared to third-party channels All of these elements can strengthen your brand value through positive guest recommendations and increase the chances of returning guests. Historically there were many good reasons to display and sell room inventory in a simplified way. However, technology has improved significantly over the years and now allows hoteliers to reinvent their sales strategy by digitized their inventory with all its uniqueness and selling directly through their own channels. With a granular inventory, hoteliers can create real differentiation from third-party sellers and are able to sell something that no one else offers. This could previously only be sold by email or phone, assuming the seller knew the rooms well. It depended on guest participation prior to check-in. A differentiated offer of the inventory via the company's own sales channels increases the chances to a channel change during booking and offers real advantages for loyal guests! Product sales approach in other industries Other industries have already learned from past crises and optimized their online sales process years ago to meet the needs of the "connected consumer". In the airline industry, there was a lack of upselling opportunities to increase sales due to a non-differentiable product. The retail sector was increasingly forced to provide an appealing online sales experience due to advancing digitalization and pioneers such as Amazon. Clothing can now be tried on virtually and many products can be personalized according to customer needs. Airlines Photo: GauVendi Additional price points due to different booking conditions Differentiation through additional services - sales attributes More than quadruple in ancillary revenues & baggage fees alone Online - Retail Photo: GauVendi Configurator & filter functions to individualize the shopping experience Extra revenue through product personalization options Double-digit growth compared to traditional retailers Comparison of two new sales approaches Attribute Based Selling - using a basic room category and selling individual room attributes on it (ABS approach): The hotel industry has been discussing the adaptation of this approach to upsellingfor quite some time. In this approach, the price is based on a room category with the lowest common denominator of the entire inventory (basic/standard room). The booker can add any other attributes that are relevant to them. The principle is to first select the basic room at an entry price and then add attributes such as bed type, balcony, air-conditioning, connecting door, high floor or even services not related to the category, such as early or late check-out. The price point of each attribute is transparent to the booker in the selection option. The number and type of attributes selected will increase the room rate accordingly. For further explanation of the ABS approach, see the following article by Hospitality Technology. Some of the large hotel chains are already piloting beta versions of this approach to further improve their return-on-investment opportunities. Individual hotels or smaller owner-managed chains are denied access to these systems. Feature-based room sales - a guest-centric experience approach: This is a new approach that is not based on room categories, but where rooms are clustered by feature combinations and additional experience dimensions are digitized and codified. In this way, rooms can be sold with their unique features as well as with a reduced number of features and can also be labelled differently. The guest can select preferences and is shown corresponding room options as a percentage match. This allows the booker to select the best room combination for them, with the bundled price points of the different room attributes displayed in aggregate (i.e. excluding the price of the individual features). This approach not only allows the sale of all room attributes including connecting rooms, but also any inventory combinations that a hotel can and wants to offer, such as "rooms next to each other", "three rooms bundled together to create a new unit", etc. More price points are naturally created by repackaging rooms in different ways and marketing them through different labelling. Again, the upselling takes place during the booking process. The booker can select feature preferences, but without already making a decision about how much they are actually worth to them. This approach, which uses artificial intelligence, makes the booking experience more experience-oriented and customer-centric. The result: the guests' needs are better aligned with the hotel's sales strategy. The same features can have a different value for different guests! By identifying the different values of each characteristic, new technologies using artificial intelligence enable the right offer to be served to the right guest at the right time. Supporting statistics or studies on user preferences in terms of attributes or room characteristics are almost non-existent for the hotel industry. Since the approach of moving away from room categories is still very new and attributes can vary greatly from property to property, collecting data points to understand which attributes are preferred by which user profiles is a critical first step to understanding price elasticity and demand patterns. The departure from room categories Moving away from selling by room category brings with it a high number of additional price points at the point of sale. The value of each room feature can be assessed differently depending on the reason for travel and personal needs. For example, traveling with companions such as a spouse or family, the purpose of the trip, or personal preferences can significantly change the value perception and price elasticity of each room feature. The more price points and options that can be intelligently offered and presented to each booker, the higher the booking conversion and value will be. Photo: GauVendi In addition to additional price points, a new feature-based inventory management also offers the opportunity to enhance one's own brand and pursue a new sales strategy. Only granular inventory management can also enable a differentiated inventory offering according to target groups, individual pricing, and differentiated marketing activities. First steps for feature-based inventory management It is recommended to check your inventory to make sure it is up to date. In the end, the room turnover is the one with the highest margin. Take the time to review your inventory, identify the differences, and record any previously undocumented features! Download a template here to get started and customize it according to your needs. Update your inventory in your relevant systems (PMS, IBE, CRS, etc.). Define the way you want to sell through your direct channels and implement the approach starting with email and phone reservation requests. The next step is to review your current technology landscape to identify which solutions are already in place for this approach and which may still be needed. It may also be possible to replace several existing solutions with a single new approach. Do these comments sound familiar? With a feature-based inventory approach, such reviews are a thing of the past. Eli Hartman/AP Moderna Inc.s Covid vaccine generated more than double the antibodies of a similar shot made by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE in research directly comparing immune responses to the inoculations. A study of almost 2,500 workers at a major Belgium hospital system found antibody levels among individuals who hadnt been infected with the coronavirus before getting two doses of the Moderna vaccine averaged 2,881 units per milliliter, compared with 1,108 units/mL in an equivalent group who got two jabs of the Pfizer shot. Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Former Texas customers of wholesale electricity retail provider Griddy will not have to pay any outstanding balances to the company as a result of the February winter storm, according to a settlement reached Monday. Attorney Gen. Ken Paxton said his office had reached a deal with Griddy, which charged customers thousands of dollars during the February freeze and subsequent power shortages that sent wholesale prices of power to the state maximum of $9,000 a megawatt hour. Customers who already paid Griddy for the charges after the February storm can try to get their money back through separate lawsuits, according to the settlement. Royal Dutch Shell on Tuesday said its Norco refinery and chemical plant in St. Charles Parish, La., was burning off more natural gas than usual after Hurricane Ida slammed the region Sunday. Shells Norco manufacturing complex is without power, and photos on social media show flooding at the site. The Hague-based oil major said it is assessing the condition of its Louisiana facilities that were shut down in advance of the Category 4 hurricane, and doesn't know when they will resume full operations. The Norco facility can refine 230,600 barrels per day. While (Shells Norco manufacturing site) remains safe and secure, we are experiencing elevated flaring, a Shell spokeswoman said. We expect this to continue until power is restored. GULF COAST OIL: Power outages may be worst effect of Hurricane Ida on oil and gas sites Oil companies are continuing to assess the conditions of offshore platforms, refineries, petrochemical plants and pipelines after Ida. The storm isn't expected to disrupt the nations oil and gasoline supplies, but it is likely to keep some Louisiana offshore production and refining out of commission for a while, analysts say. The storm likely also caused the release of an unusually large amount of emissions as refineries and petrochemical plants were forced to flare, or burn off, excess chemicals before shutting down. Nearly 94 percent of U.S. offshore oil production and 75 percent of Louisianas refining capacity remained offline Tuesday. The disruption of 1.7 million barrels per day of crude production and 2.3 million barrels per day of refining capacity represent 17 percent and 13 percent, respectively, of the nations total crude production and refining capacity, according to the U.S. Energy and Interior departments. Although Gulf oil facilities were built to withstand hurricane-force winds, prolonged power outages and lack of other utilities such as water could delay restarting operations, according to S&P Global Platts analysts. More than 1 million people in Louisiana and Mississippi are without power. The Phillips 66 Alliance Refinery in Belle Chasse, La., remains shut down with some water in the refinery. The timeline for reopening the refinery will depend on the extent of damage as well as access to electricity and other utilities, the company said Tuesday. Phillips 66's Gulf Coast lubricants plant in nearby Sulphur, La., will reopen Tuesday. Marathon Petroleum on Tuesday said its refinery in Garyville, La., has minor damage and, due to a power outage in the area, is running off generators as it conducts repairs. The company continues to assess the steps needed tosafely restart the plant. Exxon Mobil on Monday said it is restarting its Baton Rouge refinery and chemical complex Tuesday after finding it did not sustain any significant damage during Ida. The refinery is Louisiana's second largest with a refining capacity of 520,000 barrels per day. The Texas oil major said it shut down some units at its Baton Rouge facility to stabilize and maintain operations at reduced rates, as well as to minimize emissions during the storm. Once Exxon confirms it has access to feedstocks and stable power, the company plans to return to normal operations. Exxons refinery and chemical facilities at Baytown and Beaumont in Texas were not affected by Ida. Kinder Morgan said its Baton Rouge pipeline terminal appears to have experienced minimal damage, but remains without power. The companys pipeline system mainlines from Collins, Miss., to Greensboro, N.C., are currently in operation and moving product. Colonial Pipeline, which shut down part of its fuel network on Sunday as a precautionary measure, restarted full operations Monday night. The pipeline, which connects Houstons refineries to the East Coast, carries nearly 3 million barrels of fuel a day between Texas and New York. It was the target of a cyberattack in May, which caused major fuel disruptions and gasoline shortages in the Southeast. Shell said it conducted a flyover on Monday of its offshore platforms, and confirmed that its Mars, Olympus and Ursa facilities are all intact and on location. The companys floating production storage and offloading vessel, the Turritella, resumed production, and its Perdido deepwater oil project in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico remained online throughout Hurricane Ida. Other Shell Gulf oil projects remain shut in and fully evacuated at this time. Even if offshore platforms survived Ida relatively unscathed, analysts are concerned about damage to onshore facilities that receive offshore crude and export petroleum products. BP said it is checking whether its onshore oil transportation and receiving systems are working. Ida made landfall near Port Fouchon, a key oil and gas transportation hub for the Gulf of Mexico. It is home to the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, or LOOP, the largest privately owned crude terminal in the U.S. and the only U.S. deepwater port capable of loading very large crude carrier ships, according to Platts. About 10 to 15 percent of the nation's domestic oil and an equal amount of imported oil flows through LOOP, and it's connected to about half of the U.S. refining capacity, according to the Ports website. LOOP suspended deliveries ahead of Ida and remained closed Tuesday. Other major ports in Louisiana and Mississippi were still closed Tuesday. Gulf Coast refineries export approximately a fifth of U.S. production to foreign countries. Outgoing LyondellBasell CEO Bob Patel will become the chief executive of W.R. Grace in January after industrial company Standard Industries Holdings completes the acquisition of the Maryland chemical company. Patel is set to retire at the end of the year from the chemical company LyondellBasell after leading it for 15 years. At W.R. Grace, he will succeed Hudson La Force, who has been CEO since 2018. LYONDELLBASELL: CEO Bob Patel to retire at end of year Were thrilled to welcome Bob to the Standard family as CEO of W.R. Grace, said David Winter and David Millstone, co-CEOs of Standard Industries. Bob has for decades been a visionary leader in the industry, with a record of transforming businesses to achieve robust, sustainable growth. He has proven himself to be the right person to lead Graces exceptional team and help architect Standards investment in the advanced materials space. He will be instrumental in taking Grace into its next chapter as we ensure a seamless transition post-close and embark on an ambitious growth strategy. Patel said its a privilege to join Standard Industries and to be asked to lead W.R. Grace through its next chapter. Patel joined LyondellBasell, which has headquarters in the Netherlands and Houston, in March 2010 after 20 years at Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. As senior vice president of olefins and polyolefins Americas and then executive vice president of that same segment for Europe, Asia and International, Patel helped consolidate and reorganize operations in the United States and Europe as the company worked to boost the capacity of its plants along the Gulf Coast. The company said it is considering internal and external candidates, but industry analysts say the new CEO will likely be an external hire. Our CEO Bob Patel made the choice to retire from LyondellBasell, which was fully supported by our board of directors, a spokesperson for Lyondell said in an email. We are grateful for his exceptional contributions and extremely proud of his commitment to driving sustainability at LyondellBasell. We are in a strong operational and financial position, with a very capable leadership team in place. We are focusing on ensuring a smooth transition and on identifying and naming a successor. The best recipes are from scratch, the ones the cook has poured not only flour or cream into but also time and caring. For one determined Houston mother, cooking up a place in the world for her developmentally delayed daughter took equal parts vision, patience, salesmanship and a healthy sprinkling of others belief in her mission. Those ingredients have gelled into Belong Kitchen, a nonprofit begun by Kim Brown to give young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including her daughter, a rare chance at dignified, paid employment and some independence. From a space near her alma mater, Memorial High School, 20-year-old Ellie Brown and two dozen co-workers make and sell quick dine-in or grab-and-go meals, coffee and baked goods. Volunteers help make it happen. Belong Kitchen shares a strip of the new mixed-use development Village Towers with other dining spots Masraffs, Treebeards, Texadelphia and Milk & Cookies. Aug. 30 begins a final week of training ahead of an early September opening. In all of us, theres an innate need to contribute and feel valuable, Brown said. But societys low expectations of people like her middle daughter mean they get few job opportunities. Im not some huge IDD activist. I just know that my daughter is capable. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Prep work Belong Kitchen Village Towers Plaza 9655 Interstate 10 W., Suite 3105 (entrance on Gaylord) belongkitchenhtx.org See More Collapse Today Ellie, whom Brown described as super social, likes bowling and the Astros. Back when she was 6 months old, her mother, a retired attorney, and father, Jay Brown, CFO for an oil field services company, noticed she wasnt rolling over or reaching the other developmental milestones her older sister had. Childhood was filled with physical, occupational and speech therapy. Eventually, Ellie was mainstreamed into general education reading and math classes with an aide. Ellie still reads at a first or second grade level, according to her mother. High school brought a focus on employability. But as graduation neared, the odds were stacked against her. In Texas, 94 percent of adults with IDD are unemployed, according to The Case for Inclusion 2021, a policy report produced by United Cerebral Palsy and the American Network of Community Options and Resources Foundation. Nationally, the average is 80 percent. After an internship at a hospital didnt lead to a job for Ellie, it dawned on me (in a planning meeting with school officials), Ive got to make something happen, Brown recalled. Before graduating in May 2020, Ellie had shown interest in cooking. Brown clicked with Jennifer Cardenas, who had taught special education cooking classes and run a high school culinary arts program training future chefs. Brown created the 501(c)(3) nonprofit that would become Belong Kitchen. Cardenas signed on as program director. On HoustonChronicle.com: First Rhodes Scholar with autism shares spectrum of the human mind The pandemic presented an unexpected opportunity. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Ellie and a half dozen other young adults with IDD gathered in the Browns home kitchen, prayed together, turned on music and got down to the business at hand: learning how to make party pan meals, such as King Ranch casserole and chicken enchiladas, along with simple desserts. With restaurants closed, people placed orders for each weeks featured dish via Instagram link, and they sold out fast. I like to make cookies, and now Im making this noodles thing, Ellie said one Tuesday last fall while the group worked on cannelloni, pasta tubes stuffed with spinach and ricotta and covered with a creamy tomato sauce. They were placing eight in each tray to be baked. With songs by Luke Bryan, Michael Jackson and Queen on shuffle, Cardenas oversaw the crew gathered around the kitchen island. Make sure theyre fully stuffed, she told John Pitner. How many do you have there? Seven, he replied. How many more do you need? she prompted. One. Yes! Cardenas said she delights in helping discern who most enjoys and shows skill at cooking or washing dishes, which Ellie likes. Im not grading them, just guiding them. They always know they can ask for help. Its a relaxed atmosphere. We celebrate successes. It doesnt matter what their skill level is, everybody has a job. But they blow my mind. In addition to providing training and transferable job skills, Belong is ensuring staffers earn food-handler certification. And their parents are grateful for that and more. Kims got the magic touch, said Pitners father, Matt Pitner, who helped with initial fundraising. People will want to come to support the cause. But put the cause aside: The food is delicious. Gary Fountain, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Assembling the ingredients Meanwhile, Brown was hunting for a landlord. But no one wanted to take a chance on an upstart nonprofit with no sales track record. At the end of 2020, she finally got a yes. Brett Moody, founder of real estate developer Moody National Companies, agreed Belong Kitchen would be a good fit for his new Village Towers Plaza, the garage/dining side of Village Towers. Besides Belongs social value, he wanted walkability for lunch options in the mixed office/retail development just off the Katy Freeway feeder road. Workers in the tower offices, which include Moodys headquarters, Veritex Community Bank and Spur Energy Partners, and neighborhood residents patronize the family, casual and fine-dining options on the six-story developments ground floor. I was contacted by a half-dozen politicians, pastors and community leaders on Kims behalf. She was persistent, Moody said, noting he was swayed by her heart behind the business. We were excited to make a contribution to the community with a focus on special-needs associates. Its not a charity; she does pay rent. We were very selective in our retail lineup. Supporters braved the frigid air to attend a prayer dedication of the spot just after Februarys winter storm cleared. On HoustonChronicle.com: Is it time to move from autism awareness to acceptance? Next, Brown faced a steep learning curve what does it take to run a commercial kitchen? Vent hoods. Tilt skillets. Prep tables. Walk-in coolers. Hiring a general manager. It was all new. An acquaintance knew Chris Pappas, the CEO of Pappas Restaurants, whose Houston institutions include Pappasitos Cantina, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen and more. Mr. Pappasitos, as Brown jokingly calls him, donated equipment or helped her buy it for less at auction, and made sure Belong was set up efficiently. When I heard the Belong story and Kims vision to grow beyond her home and into a restaurant-style kitchen, I knew the challenges she would face and that Pappas Restaurants could help, Pappas said. We look forward to many delicious meals prepared by Belongs talented team. Brown almost cant name all the other helpers those who raised money, donated a countertop or now volunteer with the staffers. I continue to be overwhelmed with generosity, Brown said. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Plating and serving It was important to establish Belong Kitchen in her familys neighborhood so the community can be a part of it, Brown said. If wed rented a warehouse, I felt like we wouldve been hiding somewhere. This says that we do belong here. That sounds so cheesy. This spring, Cardenas hired more than 25 young adults with IDD. Unlike some other programs, This isnt pay to play, Brown noted. There is no tuition or fee required to work for a paycheck (though the hours of staffers who collect federal Supplemental Security Income are capped so they retain their benefits). I want parents coming through after me to have options, Brown said. Everyone knows somebody who has a child who struggles. Somebody needs to save the whales. Someone needs to save the forests. But this is something concrete, its human, and its something we need to do. A World of Abilities shares experiences by and for the disabled community in Greater Houston. suzanne.garofalo@chron.com The new Marie Flanigan Interiors office in the building at 3201 Allen Parkway is an example of how much more functionality you can get when you start with an empty shell. For the past several years, the award-winning designer and her crew worked from a charming space above Paulies restaurant in Montrose. Theyd outgrown the site, though, and were lured to the newly redeveloped creative and culinary spaces in Radom Capitals building just west of downtown. Built in 1930 in Spanish Mediterranean style, the white stucco building began its life as the home of Star Engraving Co., which made and sold high school class rings and graduation products such as diplomas. In 1992, the city of Houston bought it to save it from being demolished, and it housed creative nonprofits such as the Cultural Arts Council of Houston (now Houston Arts Alliance) and Stages theater. It was listed on the National Register of Historic places in 1995 and has city protected landmark status. The building is full, and in addition to Flanigan, other clients include the BlendIn Coffee Club, which expanded from its Sugar Land location, a University of Texas admissions office and Andiron, a modern steakhouse expected to open in early 2022. Flanigan and her staff moved in over the summer, gaining 600 to 900 square feet more than they had before. Their office in Montrose consisted of several smallish rooms that dictated how they could be used. Their new space 2,000 square feet is configured differently, with a spacious conference room, a sample room and library for storing samples used in client projects and a large, open area where draperies and desks allow designers to work more collaboratively. Flanigans second collection with Visual Comfort lighting launches in October, and it includes a number of sconces, pendants and a chandelier in nickel, brass and matte black. It includes the beautiful Menil chandelier, perfect for a living or dining room, and sconces ranging from updated traditional (the Abigail sconce) to more angular contemporary styles (Brock and Reve sconces). The aesthetics behind the collection are about organic, authentic materials. I like to design light fixtures based on what I like to use and what clients are asking for, Flanigan said. And in our next collection, we get to own the woven collection for Visual Comfort, with pieces made out of wood and brass. The staff kitchen has cabinets painted Sherwin-Williams Tricorn, unlacquered brass hardware and dramatic black and white Calacatta Viola marble from Aria Stone Gallery. Refrigerated drawers hold lunches and snacks. Flanigan loved the building from the start, embracing its history and materials especially its steel windows. The redevelopment of the building included refurbishing the original windows. Its industrial shell meets the warmth, texture and layering of a home. We wanted to give it a residential vibe, Flanigan said from her conference room. I could not find this character very many places in Houston. We really wanted to make it work, because in our old office, we didnt have much space and didnt have much natural light. That room features a pair of French doors that carpenters re-created from some favorite antique ones Flanigan has used before. Staffers used to face each other in closer quarters, which could be a distraction, and now theyre spaced out a little more and face away from each other. Collaboration tables, though, encourage them to come together when needed. Draperies all around help deaden the sound, and white oak floors give them a neutral foundation. diane.cowen@chron.com The Katy ISD music scene is now even more culturally inclusive. Morton Ranch High School announced Aug. 26 that it would be forming the districts first mariachi band. Orchestra director Gabriel Katz will be leading the band, which will be an after school activity open to all students, not just those in band or orchestra. Were bringing Mexican culture and heritage to our campus by using mariachi as a tool to help celebrate diversity for students, Katz explained. Were giving all students an opportunity to become part of the fine arts and make a difference through diversity within that mariachi style of music. More by Claire Goodman: Terrell Davis teams up with former Navy SEAL and female executive with new wellness company benefiting charity Thus far the program has 30 students enrolled to participate. The program is especially exciting, Katz said, because its a UIL event, meaning the students can compete against other schools across Texas in mariachi competitions. Morton Ranch principal Julie Hinson said that students began expressing interest in a mariachi band last year, but due to the pandemic, the school wasnt able to get the program off the ground. They were determined, however, to integrate it into the 2021-22 school year. The mariachi band, Hinson said, will provide an opportunity for students to embrace Latin culture. When our orchestra director approached me with the idea, I was 1,000 percent in. I knew it would absolutely be so great for our community, Hinson said. We're over 60 percent Hispanic, and there's not another mariachi in any of Katy ISD. Hinson was determined to make the mariachi band a reality, and she spared no effort outfitting the group. The band members will perform in authentic mariachi costumes. I said, If were going to do this, were going to do it right, Hinson recalled. This is such an exciting opportunity for our students and our community, and we wanted to make sure they had everything they needed. Katz said that the band will perform for the community at cultural events as well as Katy ISD events, much like regular orchestras in the district. Brittney Vela, a 17-year-old student at Morton Ranch, will be joining the band as a vocalist. Ive always wanted to be in a mariachi band, and now that I have a chance to do this, it's like a dream come true, Vela said. I love the culture and everything because I grew up around it. Students dont have to be Hispanic to join, Hinson noted, which promotes even more inclusivity in the program. Looking around at the students who have joined, its all different cultural backgrounds, Hinson said. Honestly, just looking around and seeing how great the costumes look and how excited the students are- it makes me tear up to see this dream come true for them. Katz believes the band will help students find a creative outlet following a year of stymied artist expression due to the pandemic. On HoustonChronicle.com: Last troops exit Afghanistan, ending America's longest war During the pandemic, a lot of students weren't able to express themselves, Katz said. We're hoping that this will allow them to get out there and branch out and experience things. Morton Ranch High School is the first school with a mariachi band, Hinson noted, but the band has caught the attention of other district schools, and she believes many more will soon follow suit. It brings a sense of pride to be the only one that has (a mariachi band), Hinson said. We are Mavericks, and I tell my staff and my students all the time, We don't run with the herd. We always put ourselves out there and blaze our own path. And this is a prime example of doing that. claire.goodman@chron.com WASHINGTON (AP) A defensive President Joe Biden on Tuesday called the U.S. airlift to extract more than 120,000 Americans, Afghans and other allies from Afghanistan to end a 20-year war an extraordinary success," though more than 100 Americans and thousands of others were left behind. Twenty-four hours after the last American C-17 cargo plane roared off from Kabul, Biden spoke to the nation and vigorously defended his decision to end America's longest war and withdraw all U.S. troops ahead of an Aug. 31 deadline. I was not going to extend this forever war, Biden declared from the White House. "And I was not going to extend a forever exit. Biden has faced tough questions about the way the U.S. went about leaving Afghanistan a chaotic evacuation with spasms of violence, including a suicide bombing last week that killed 13 American service members and 169 Afghans. He is under heavy criticism, particularly from Republicans, for his handling of the evacuation. But he said it was inevitable that the final departure from two decades of war, first negotiated with the Taliban for May 1 by former President Donald Trump, would have been difficult, with likely violence, no matter when it was planned and conducted. To those asking for a third decade of war in Afghanistan, I ask, What is the vital national interest?" Biden said. He added, "I simply do not believe that the safety and security of America is enhanced by continuing to deploy thousands of American troops and spending billions of dollars in Afghanistan. Asked after the speech about Biden sounding angry at some criticism, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the president had simply offered his forceful assessment. Biden scoffed at Republicans and some Democrats who contend the U.S. would have been better served maintaining a small military footprint in Afghanistan. Before Thursdays attack, the U.S. military had not suffered a combat casualty since February 2020 around the time the Trump administration brokered its deal with the Taliban to end the war by May of this year. Biden said breaking the Trump deal would have restarted a shooting war. He said those who favor remaining at war also fail to recognize the weight of deployment, with a scourge of PTSD, financial struggles, divorce and other problems for U.S. troops. When I hear that we couldve, shouldve continued the so-called low-grade effort in Afghanistan at low risk to our service members, at low cost, I dont think enough people understand how much weve asked of the 1% of this country to put that uniform on, Biden said. In addition to all the questions at home, Biden is also adjusting to a new relationship with the Taliban, the Islamist militant group the U.S. toppled after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in America, and that is now once again in power in Afghanistan. Biden has tasked Secretary of State Antony Blinken to coordinate with international partners to hold the Taliban to their promise of safe passage for Americans and others who want to leave in the days ahead. "We dont take them by their word alone, but by their actions," Biden said. We have leverage to make sure those commitments are met. Biden also pushed back against criticism that he fell short of his pledge to get all Americans out of the country ahead of the U.S. military withdrawal. He said many of the Americans left behind are dual citizens, some with deep family roots that are complicating their ability to leave Afghanistan. The bottom line: 90% of Americans in Afghanistan who wanted to leave were able to leave, Biden said. For those remaining Americans, there is no deadline. We remain committed to get them out, if they want to come out. Biden repeated his argument that ending the Afghanistan war was a crucial step for recalibrating American foreign policy toward growing challenges posed by China and Russia and counterterrorism concerns that pose a more potent threat to the U.S. Theres nothing China or Russia would rather have, want more in this competition, than the United States to be bogged down another decade in Afghanistan, he said 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. The president lamented an estimated $2 trillion of taxpayer money that was spent fighting the war. What have we lost as a consequence in terms of opportunities? Biden asked. 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. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., on Tuesday described the Biden administration's handling of the evacuation as probably the biggest failure in American government on a military stage in my lifetime" and promised that Republicans would press the White House for answers. Meanwhile, the Senate met briefly Tuesday, with Vice President Kamala Harris presiding over the chamber, to pass by unanimous consent a bill that increases spending for temporary assistance to U.S. citizens and their dependents returning from another country because of illness, war or other crisis. Biden quickly signed the legislation, which raises funding for the program from $1 million to $10 million. A group of Republican lawmakers gathered on the House floor Tuesday morning and participated in a moment of silence for the 13 service members who were killed in the suicide bomber attack. They also sought a House vote on legislation from Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., which among other things would require the administration to submit a report on how many Americans remain in Afghanistan as well as the number of Afghans who had applied for a category of visas reserved for those employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government. The GOP lawmakers objected as Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., gaveled the House into adjournment. They then gathered for a press conference to denounce the administration. For many U.S. commanders and troops who served in Afghanistan, it was a day of mixed emotions. All of us are conflicted with feelings of pain and anger, sorrow and sadness, combined with pride and resilience, said Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He commanded troops in Afghanistan earlier in his career. But one thing I am certain of, for any soldier, sailor, airman or Marine and their families, your service mattered. It was not in vain. - Associated Press writers Robert Burns and Lolita C. Baldor contributed reporting. CONCORD, N.H. (AP) New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu and state and health care officials met with their counterparts in Kentucky on Monday to hear about the states most recent surge of COVID-19 cases and how they are handling it. Like New Hampshire, Kentucky is a rural state with small cities, Sununu said in a news release. Today, I joined New Hampshire state officials in visiting Kentucky to help inform our decision making in the weeks and months ahead to see how they are handling their COVID surge, how hospitals are managing through this crisis, and to hear what tools they have found to be effective in battling this most recent wave virus. Sununu and staff were visiting Frankfort Regional Medical Center and the University of Louisville Hospital. Sununu also met with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and staff. In answer to a question asked by the New Hampshire Democratic Party, a spokesperson for Sununu said the trip was scheduled last week. On Friday, Beshear said more than half of his state's hospitals are struggling with critical staffing shortages" as medical teams treat record numbers of COVID-19 patients. He noted that 90% of virus-related hospitalizations and ICU admissions are among the unvaccinated. As of Friday, there were 2,129 virus patients in hospitals, 592 in intensive care and 349 on ventilators. The escalation has been precipitous since July 14, when Kentucky had 239 COVID patients hospitalized, including 60 in intensive care and 25 patients on ventilators. The state reported 4,815 new COVID-19 cases Friday. Kentucky had 56% of its population fully vaccinated as of Sunday; New Hampshire had 54%. In other coronavirus-related news: ___ DARTMOUTH COLLEGE EMPLOYEES Dartmouth College is asking employees who have not yet returned to campus to keep working remotely until Oct. 4. The previous plan was for workers to return at the start of September, but the college is adjusting its plans as COVID-19 cases increase regionally and nationally, said Scott Bemis, chief human resources officer. Many of those who have already returned "can continue to work on-site," Bemis said in an email to the community on Friday. He said the date is being pushed back a month to help slow the increase in the density of people on campus, with the goal of interrupting COVID-19 transmission wherever possible. Bemis also said that weekly surveillance testing will be conducted for vaccinated employees, instead of every 30 days. Unvaccinated employees who are coming to campus are still required to test twice a week. ___ THE NUMBERS More than 106,000 people have tested positive for the virus in New Hampshire, including nearly 360 new confirmed cases announced Friday. Five new deaths were announced, bringing the total to 1,415. The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in New Hampshire has risen over the past two weeks from 177 new cases per day on Aug. 14 to 279 new cases per day on Saturday. A Galveston County grand jury on Tuesday declined to indict a La Marque police officer who fatally shot a 22-year-old man as he ran away, a case that sparked an outcry from local community members. The Galveston County Criminal District Attorney's Office on Tuesday presented the findings of its investigation into the Dec. 9, 2020, fatal shooting of Joshua Feast to a grand jury, according to the agency. After hearing the evidence, the jurors deliberated in private and decided to take no action against Officer Jose Santos. Feast was holding a loaded gun that was pointing toward Santos at the time of the shooting, officials said. The officer remains employed by the department, according to a city spokesperson. Santos was on administrative leave during the course of the investigation and will now be assigned to administrative duty. Jack Roady, the county's district attorney, said he believes the shooting was justified. "I know there will be strong emotions throughout our county following the grand jury decision today," Roady said. "Even so, I'm confident that the investigation was exhaustive, unbiased and fundamentally fair." The grand jury had the opportunity to hear from a number of witnesses, Roady said, though he declined to disclose details about the proceedings, which are confidential. In a news conference that followed the announcement, authorities released enhanced and slowed-down clips of body-camera footage from the shooting. The police department had previously released the raw video from the camera Santos was wearing. The encounter happened shortly after 11 p.m. on the 1000 block of Pirtle Street, according to police. The officer went to the area that night in an attempt to apprehend Feast. He was wanted on two felony warrants, one for unlawful weapon carry and the other for evading authorities, according to the sheriff's office. Santos knew Feast from previous encounters. When he pulled up in his police vehicle, Santos called Feast by his name, the sheriff's office said. Officials did not disclose what else was said, if anything. Feast was standing by the open passenger door of a sedan and talking to the driver. When the officer stepped out of his car, authorities said Feast turned toward Santos, pulled a handgun from his waistband and ran away from the officer with his back turned. While fleeing, the gun in Feast's hand was pointed back toward Santos, according to authorities. From behind his open driver's side door, Santos shot Feast in the back a single time. Feast continued running across the street where he collapsed in a driveway, the video shows. He was pronounced dead at a hospital. Investigators recovered the handgun in the street where Feast dropped it after he was shot. They recovered a second firearm in the ambulance as paramedics cut off Feast's clothing. Both guns were loaded, Roady said. The Galveston County Sheriff's Office and District Attorney's Office completed investigations. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents the family, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. The attorney previously released an independent autopsy that confirmed Feast, who is Black, was shot in the back. A defenseless man was shot in the back when he had not disobeyed a single lawful command and posed no threat to the officer, Crump has said. Days after the shooting, more than 150 people marched through La Marque, stopping at the police station and city hall to call for transparency, the officer's firing and a commitment to more modern and inclusive policing. The shooting came roughly six months after former Houston resident George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer, his death sparking global protests and demand for police reform. Santos, who is Hispanic, had previously been named in use-of-force incidents and was hired by the La Marque Police Department after resigning from another. In 2017, his third year at the La Marque Police Department, Santos fatally shot a man who wielded a sword at him during a home invasion call. The grand jury declined to take action in that case as well. In 2013, he resigned from the Galveston Police Department after a man accused him of excessive force in a federal lawsuit that the plaintiff later dismissed. A male was found shot to death Tuesday in the north Houston area, authorities said. The Harris County Sheriff's Office sent investigators to the 14300 block of Ella Boulevard, the department said in a tweet. The person was shot in the chest at the Venti Apartments, according to a tweet from an account for Mark Herman, Harris County Constable Precinct 4. Officials are seeking two males who were wearing dark hoodies. No further information was immediately available. Jay Jordan A popular social media influencer was found dead Sunday afternoon along with an unidentified male at an apartment complex in Richmond, according to a news release from the Richmond Police Department. A department spokesman said 33-year-old Jenae Gagnier better known by her Instagram name Miss Mercedes Morr was found dead at around 4:30 p.m. at in the Cortland Apartments at the 5200 block of West Pointe Circle. A man was also found dead. Richmond police are investigating the incident as a murder-suicide, but declined to provide further details about the deaths. A motive has yet to be determined, they said. COVID-19 is again spreading in Texas nursing homes. Active cases among residents have tripled within a month, from 389 on July 30 to 1,213 on Aug. 30, according to Texas Health and Human Services.The 10-county region that includes Harris County makes up the second-largest share with 241 active cases. The Houston Health Department tallied only two active nursing home cases as of July 7 but reported 46 cases by Aug. 11, the latest day for which the data is available. MORE COVID NEWS: As vaccination rates climb, Texas Medical Center sees first decline in hospitalizations since July Those numbers are a fraction of those reported in previous surges when nursing home residents made up roughly a quarter of all COVID deaths but remain worrisome for advocates of residents and healthcare providers. Infections among staff members appear to be outpacing those of residents, according to state data. Only 59 percent of staff members are vaccinated, compared to 79 percent of residents. Its disheartening, said Patty Ducayet, the states long-term care ombudsman, a specially trained and certified volunteer who advocates for nursing home residents.. It concerns me that we dont have enough staff in the facilities that are vaccinated. And yet, to some degree, I hear a lot of reports of residents affected by COVID-19 who, if they are vaccinated, are really often having a very mild case if not almost asymptomatic. Health and Human Services tracks regional and facility-specific data reported by nursing homes. There is a two-week lag in the facility data, which includes active cases among staff, to allow time for a review of the data so that clerical and reporting errors can be corrected, according to HHSC spokesperson Helena Wright-Jones. On Aug. 13, Texas recorded 870 active cases among residents accounting for about 1 percent of the states nursing home residents more than doubling the case count from the 389 reported two weeks earlier, on July 30. During that same time period, the number of active cases for nursing home staff grew by 121 percent, from 426 cases to 946. Earlier this month, President Joe Biden announced that his administration will require nursing home staff be vaccinated as a condition to receive federal Medicare and Medicaid funding. It could take effect as soon as next month, according to the Associated Press. Right now, Texas does not require vaccines for nursing home staff. COVID HELP DESK: Is the vaccine booster shot the same as the first doses? Kevin Warren, president and CEO of the Texas Healthcare Association, said his organization supports providers who require the vaccine but said Bidens message could exacerbate existing staffing shortages across the industry. That causes us a lot of concern when you isolate one sector of the healthcare continuum, given the staffing shortages that youre seeing already, Warren said. Those staff who choose not to (receive the vaccine) will just go work in another part of the health sector. Its not clear whether visitors have contributed to the uptick. All Texas nursing homes now allow two essential caregivers, including family members, to visit each resident after a COVID health screening. Anecdotally, Ducayet said staff members appear to have played a larger role in the spread. The information I have access to does not indicate that visitors have been a main source of bringing COVID into the building, she said. Visitation is necessary for the residents overall well-being, said Mary Nichols, who focuses on visitation issues through her Facebook page, Texas Caregivers for Compromise. People are also more likely to seek out the vaccine if their family members are in the more vulnerable nursing home population, she said. Nobody has a more vested interested in the (people) in that facility than family members, she said. Douglas Loveday, a spokesman for the Texas Department of State Health Services, said a dip in vaccine efficacy may explain part of the uptick in cases.. Nursing home residents were among the first to become eligible for the vaccine in December 2020. Some studies suggest waning immunity over time a finding that persuaded federal health officials to recommend booster shots starting the week of Sept. 20. The highly infectious nature of the delta variant is likely driving the numbers up as well, Loveday said. Any increase in COVID-19 cases at long-term care facilities and assisted-living facilities is most likely a combination of a much more contagious variant and some level of waning immunity, he said. And cases in any setting reflect whats going in the communities around them. julian.gill@chron.com A group of community activists Monday called for a federal investigation after local prosecutors began probing whether the Brazoria County District Clerks Office improperly assembled jury trial panels. Quanell X, leader of the New Black Panther Nation in Houston, said at a news conference that he believes the clerks office discriminated against people of color while selecting jurors for criminal, civil and family court cases. Local authorities have not said that this is the focus of their investigation. I dont have any information right now that would substantiate that or not substantiate it, District Attorney Tom Selleck said Monday when asked about the activists allegation. Were just too early on in our investigation. District Clerk Rhonda Barchak retired last week after prosecutors launched an investigation into reported misconduct in her office. Barchak, a Republican, could not be reached for comment Monday. The community activists stood outside the Brazoria County Courthouse on Monday morning beside members of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats and roughly two dozen people who say family members have been affected by the alleged misconduct. The group called for an investigation by the FBI or the Justice Department into what they described as years of deep, systemic corruption. We cannot trust them to investigate themselves, Quanell X said. Its shameful. Selleck said last week that his office and the Texas Rangers were investigating claims that the district clerks office mishandled jury assembly. The right to a fair and impartial jury is guaranteed in the Constitution, Selleck said Friday. This is a very serious matter. And were treating it as such. At an emergency meeting Friday, Brazoria County commissioners approved replacing Barchak with Donna Starkey, according to a news release from the county judge. I welcome Ms. Starkey as Brazoria Countys new district clerk, and I wholly support her efforts to do what is necessary to restore integrity to the office, County Judge L.M. Matt Sebesta Jr. said in a written statement. Had Ms. Barchak not retired, I was prepared to petition the courts today to have her removed from office. Candice Matthews of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats and Rainbow PUSH Coalition said she supports an FBI investigation to hold Barchak and others accountable for any wrongdoing. Matthews also called for cases to be reopened. Multiple families showed up at the courthouse to join in calling for an independent investigation and accountability in the countys justice system. Some brought photos of incarcerated loved ones. Ricardo Martinez said he believes his brother, who remains incarcerated, was subject to an unfair trial in Brazoria County. Whats done in the dark will come to light, said Ashley Martinez, Ricardo Martinezs wife. Now we know were not the only ones that were affected. anna.bauman@chron.com A fire at an apartment complex in Pasadena sent at least two people to the hospital Tuesday, authorities said. Houston Fire Department assisted the Pasadena Fire Department with the blaze, which broke out at 3635 Shaver Street. HFD was dispatched around 5:19 a.m. One person was rescued and then taken by helicopter ambulance to the hospital, Houston Fire Department said in a tweet. Another person, whose condition isnt known, was sent in an ambulance to a hospital. Houston Fire Department spokesperson Martee Boose said one unit had been fully engulfed with flames as of early Tuesday morning. Other units were also damaged. Boose didnt have information on whether that fully-involved unit was where the fire started. The fires origin is being investigated. Josh Vogel vividly recalls Katrinas refugees streaming into the Astrodome 16 years ago, exhausted and looking for a place to rest. At the time, if felt like All we could do was give them a bottle water and direct them left or right, said Vogel, a senior captain with the Houston Fire Department. On Monday, he and 13 other Houston firefighters working through federal and state mutual aid agreements were headed toward or working in Louisiana. They were among hundreds of Houstonians and Texans descending on storm-battered areas of Louisiana digging out from the onslaught of yet another hurricane. Hopefully, we can help a lot of people in dire need, Vogel said. Years of floods and hurricanes have seasoned Vogel, his fellow firefighters and thousands of Texans and Louisianans responding to Hurricane Ida, which made landfall Sunday as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the United States and knocked out power to the entire city of New Orleans. By late Monday, it had worked its way inland to about Jackson, Miss, and weakened to a tropical depression with 35-mph winds. Initial estimates from some experts put the storms damage above $70 billion. As Louisianans buckled down, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced he was deploying emergency resources to help the states recovery efforts. Abbott said he was sending a Chinook Helicopter, 14 crew members, 30 fire engines and 132 firefighters through the states Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System. The State of Texas is proud to support our neighbors in Louisiana by sending emergency resources and personnel to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, the governor said in a news release. We will never forget the kindness, generosity, and support offered by the people of Louisiana during Hurricane Harvey four years ago, and we are eager to support them in their own time of need. Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service spokeswoman Merribeth Kahlich said about 75 to 80 members of the task force were responding to the disaster, but poor cell service had hampered communication. Weve had no contact with the team, she said. Theres not much cell service in that affected area. In Houston, animal shelters took in pets evacuated from facilities in Louisiana, as other area organizations announced fundraisers or collection drives to assist the displaced. Lakewood Church, which was criticized during Harvey for not hosting flood victims, posted a tweet saying the megachurch was open and prepared to accommodate as many as we can safely, and said they would be collecting donations for Louisianans. Gallery Furniture opened its doors Aug. 29 so Louisianans could have a place to sleep. Bars announced special charity cocktails, restaurants said they would be holding Ida relief drives. Hundreds of CenterPoint linemen and utility workers from Houston and Evansville, Ind., also were headed to Louisiana Monday as part of electric utility mutual assistance programs. Company officials said CenterPoint Energy crews would work 16-hour shifts to help get power restored across Louisiana, where more than a million people were without electricity Monday evening. We are ready to lend a helping hand to our neighbor utilities and are fully committed to restoring power to affected customers as safely and quickly as possible, Kenny Mercado, CenterPoint Energys Executive Vice President, Electric Utility said in a news release. Our linemen are skilled to perform in any type of conditions, just like they do for our customers at home. As in years past, scores of volunteers also have made their way to Louisiana to help out, including about 150 members of the non-profit CrowdSource Rescue. We activated when it was predicted Ida would go above a Category 3 hurricane, said Matthew Marchetti, one of the groups founders. On Sunday night a hell of a night CrowdSource Rescue began receiving requests for high-water rescues in LaPlace and Lafayette, he said. Strong winds prevented rescues for hours and at one point flipped a boat that volunteers had been using. By Monday afternoon, however, CrowdSource Rescues volunteers had helped bring approximately 450 people to safety, he estimated. Marchetti said he could not help thinking back to Hurricane Harvey four years ago, when members of Louisianas Cajun Navy rallied to help Houstonians in need. After Hurricane Laura struck the state last year, Crowd Source Rescue traveled to Louisiana to repay the favor. A year later, they are back. Somethings not working, he said. They keep getting stronger and bigger and more frequent. Its a climate emergency. Four members of a team from the Houston nonprofit Disaster Response Rescue Specialists rode out the storm in the loading dock of a shopping mall in Slidell. We staged close, said Christopher Fontaine, one of the nonprofits founders. They met up with eight other rescuers some from organizations in San Antonio and Virginia who they had worked with in past storms. As the storms eyewall passed, they helped rescue a woman in a stranded car surrounded by rising water; a man dealing with a motorboat with a busted engine, and helped extricate a family with a newborn from a home in a flooded neighborhood, he said. Later, they helped clear roads strewn with fallen trees. Fontaine had been through powerful storms like Harvey and Imelda. This one, also, left its mark. When you can see what mother nature is capable of, he said, its jaw dropping. Its humbling. st.john.smith@chron.com Deborah Chen knew every person in her Asiatown neighborhood mattered. But for a few months last fall, whether they counted depended on how fast the community activist could stick labels on 100,000 flyers promoting the 2020 census. As Korean pop songs played at Shabu House, Chens restaurant-turned-census outreach hub, waitstaff and volunteers with a local nonprofit sat at tables correcting dates on flyers and calendars the small organization couldnt afford to print again. Board members took home boxes of flyers to help. Days before, the Census Bureau abruptly moved up the surveys deadline from Oct. 31 to Sept. 30. The change in early August threatened to throw off the canvassing operation of nonprofit OCA-Greater Houston. The operation left materials on 221,000 doorsteps in Alief, Sharpstown, Asiatown and Gulfton. The southwest Houston neighborhoods are home to many immigrants, refugees, young children and others the census has struggled to count accurately. A complete count is critical for policymakers and researchers, said Jie Wu, research operations director at Rice Universitys Kinder Institute. Its recent Houston housing report relied on census data to show where local officials should fund affordable housing, homeownership help and rent relief. Recounts are expensive, and a widespread undercount is very difficult to compensate for, Wu said. Ethnic minority groups are especially vulnerable, she said, because of language barriers and confusion over former President Donald Trumps highly public but unsuccessful campaign to add a citizenship question, a move advocates feared would depress the response rate of Houstons large immigrant population. FALLOUT: Trump, COVID to blame for low Census response rates in Houston, community leaders say The pandemic meant that only OCA-GH was willing to canvass the area, said Chen, director of civic engagement programs. With the new deadline, the stickers on flyers could keep thousands of families from responding too late and their communities from losing the legislative seats and thousands of tax dollars per person allocated according to the census, she said. Chen felt the pandemic slam into southwest Houston. A false rumor of COVID spread emptied Chinese restaurants like hers and drove residents behind closed doors weeks before the city locked down. The census was the last thing on the minds of southwest Houston residents who spoke limited English and were unfamiliar with the process, she said. But as Chen worked her third census, she said she faced a bigger obstacle to getting her neighbors counted: the Census Bureau itself. Under Trump, the agency moved the deadline multiple times, extending it in April to Oct. 31 and later pulling back to Sept. 30 before the Supreme Court permitted the bureau to stop Oct. 15. We wasted money printing thousands of labels and sheets because we had to keep changing the dates, Chen said. Some were donated to local census workers because they initially lacked an adequate budget, she said. Its really sad when you have government employees having to go to nonprofit organizations or small businesses to try and raise money to print government-funded translated materials, said Chen, who believes Congress and Trump officials underfunded the bureau while throwing off independent outreach efforts. (The bureaus regional office) really did their best to work with us and for the community, Chen said. They were being handicapped by the upper levels of their administration. There was a deliberate effort to undercount people and intimidate people with the citizenship lawsuit and changing the dates multiple times. NEWSLETTERS Join the conversation with HouWeAre We want to foster conversation and highlight the intersection of race, identity and culture in one of America's most diverse cities. Sign up for the HouWeAre newsletter here. In a statement emailed Thursday, the bureau would not confirm whether workers had used handouts from community groups and said it provided enough materials to impact local communities. Still, bureau data shows Houstons self-response rate dropped 10 percentage points when compared with 2010, potentially depriving schools, hospitals and other public services of hundreds of millions in federal funding. Almost 59 percent of city residents responded directly to the survey, below the states 63 percent and the national average of 67 percent. Chen said response rates in areas OCA-GH canvassed rose between 2 and 20 percent based on bureau data prior to the campaign. The nonprofit saved money over three years for the census and spent creatively, making its own materials and sourcing personal protective equipment from restaurant supply stores, Chen said. We just worked really hard, she said. We knew if we didnt do it, no one else would. From August through October, Chen and Shabu House waitstaff sat among coronavirus barrier curtains, forming an assembly line for thousands of census calendar sheets, hand fans and other giveaways. A dozen flyers in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Urdu and Spanish told families about voter registration, the pandemic eviction moratorium and how to apply for rent relief. Canvassing teams of college students, out-of-work restaurant staff and retirees stopped by to grab bags before dispersing to several of the 430 apartment complexes covered. Two to three shifts reached about 5,000 doors daily, said lead organizer Laura Floyd. As October neared, Floyd said, she and Chen sometimes slept in hallways surrounded by bags that had to be redone after deadline changes. We would get updates to changes to the census literally as we were outside, in the sun, at apartment complexes dropping bags, Floyd said. At some point I thought, OK, well, at least everyone is going to know about their voting rights, whether or not they get counted. For Chen, who said the 2030 census is likely her last, OCA-GHs once-a-decade effort was justified by more accurate political representation, key to civic engagement. Census data forms the basis for redistricting, the decennial redrawing of state and federal electoral districts. An undercount would shrink the overwhelmingly minority neighborhoods political clout for years, Chen said. ANALYSIS: Census figures reflect gentrification of Houston's historic Black, brown neighborhoods Its the most effective form of voter suppression, she said as she sat in OCA-GHs Asiatown office, piled high with leftover census items and materials for upcoming elections. She typed away at a document to send to a national network of similar advocates: 2030 census best practices and to-dos. The reporter was a high school intern at OCA-Greater Houston. charlie.zong@chron.com The 45 state-licensed shelters providing care for migrant kids have opted to stay open without state oversight three months after Gov. Greg Abbott ordered that facilities close. Shelters were asked to wind down operations by Monday after the governors May 31 disaster proclamation, but an emergency rule issued by the state in July provides exemptions that have kept shelters open for now. Under the exemptions, these shelters will stay open without state health and safety oversight, while they care for toddlers, children and teens who arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border without parents. Thousands of children should not be detained in unlicensed facilities, said Elizabeth Sanchez Kennedy, executive director of the Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project, which provides legal services to unaccompanied migrant youth. She said at shelters kids have no autonomy since their communication and movement is restricted. Theyre vulnerable in the sense that they dont have the ability to make any changes to their care in custody or to make any real sorts of complaints, Sanchez Kennedy said. State standards are being stripped despite the fact that a recent report by the Childrens Equity Project found that Texas had some of the most robust regulations and oversight in place. No state met all of the different indicators that we looked at, said the reports author, Shantel Meek, an Arizona State University professor. That being said, Texas met more than any other state. Texas ranked especially high in health care, behavior management and oversight standards. But without those state standards in place, which created an extra set of requirements for shelters housing migrant kids, as of Tuesday it will be up to the federal government to deal with violations and non-compliance issues, according to Meek. One example: There will likely be fewer comprehensive shelter visits. The federal government requires just one visit from federal field staff every two years, while under Texas standards shelters were subject to an additional unannounced compliance inspection by state authorities each year, according to Meek. State monitors provide that extra set of eyes, that extra check beyond the feds, especially when the feds are backlogged, Meek said. Last week, a group of 70 medical, religious and immigrant advocacy groups signed a letter sent to Abbott, requesting he reinstate state oversight of the shelters. State regulation and oversight of residential care facilities are critical elements for child safety and proper care, the letter stated. When children are in unlicensed facilities, the lack of licensing safeguards may result in threats to their health and safety, such as insufficient staffing levels, inappropriate staff, inadequate services, harmful disciplinary actions, and risks of physical/sexual abuse and trafficking. A recent report by Texas Impact, a faith-based advocacy group, found nearly 1,000 state-reported health and safety deficiencies at Texas-licensed migrant kids shelters from 2015 to 2020 a third were designated as high-risk violations. The report highlighted serious incidents, including an account where a male staff member at Southwest Key Casa Antigua in the Rio Grande Valley inappropriately touched four teenage girls. And at Shiloh Treatment Center, in Southeast Texas, a staff member obstructed a childs airway by putting their arms around the childs neck. Incidents like those are less likely to become public without state licensure because the data was made available through the states compliance history reports online. Accessing similar data federally would require a Freedom of Information Act request and could take months to procure. Experts such as Mark Greenberg, who led the U.S. Health and Human Services Departments Administration for Families and Children under the Obama administration, say its unlikely that the shelters would immediately lower their quality of care, but that the lack of state standards and oversight could have a long-term impact. Over time the standards that they were required to meet will be further and further in the past unless the government develops its own standards and its own capacity to monitor for compliance with those standards, Greenberg said. He is now a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute. Advocates that work with migrant kids have said they are still waiting to hear whether or not the federal government will create specific requirements of its own for the Texas facilities, in addition to existing federal standards. Emergency migrant shelters in Pecos and Fort Bliss, Texas which are also not subject to state licensing have been criticized in the past for poor conditions and treatment and could be an indicator of what children in the newly unlicensed Texas shelters will face. As of Aug. 18, Texas Health and Human services reported that 5,542 unaccompanied migrant kids were living in Texas state-licensed facilities, or foster care. Thats around a third of the 14,944 total children and teens in federal custody, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Federal authorities apprehended an average of 500 kids each day over the last month. About two dozen members of the Texas Poor Peoples Campaign gathered at the Texas Capitol on Monday, kicking off the first in a series of weekly protests. The first focused on health care, as speakers lamented both the states high rate of uninsured residents and, more recently, Republican leaders efforts to stop school districts and local officials from instituting mask mandates. Gov. Greg Abbott has barred local governments and public schools from requiring face coverings, though some have openly defied his order. WASHINGTON U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro on Tuesday accused U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of refusing to help Texas families stuck in Afghanistan. I got several calls to my office from Texas families saying your office wouldnt help them get families out of Afghanistan so they were calling a Texas congressman instead, the San Antonio Democrat wrote in a tweet responding to Cruz. Cruz had posted a CNN report of a Texas family stranded in Afghanistan, calling it horrifying and wrong. A spokeswoman for Cruz called it unfounded and said the senators staffers respond to all casework and inquiries. We do not disclose the details regarding individuals or their casework issues due to the privacy of constituents, she said. We certainly do not make unfounded and politically motivated statements regarding people who need help from their representatives. Sen. Cruz is proud of the work he does for the 29 million people of Texas. Earlier Tuesday, Castro tweeted that his office worked countless hours to help San Antonians, our allies, and vulnerable Afghans in need of evacuation. A spokesman for Castro said his office received more than 500 calls and emails from individuals desperate for help in evacuating family members, including American citizens, from Afghanistan over the past two weeks. Several callers indicated that they had reached out to Senator Cruzs office without a response or what they felt to be an earnest effort to help, he said. We have received similar calls on other issues over the years, as well. The congressmans staff worked many hours logging information, reaching out to the administration, coordinating with persons on the ground in Afghanistan and working with families to get their loved ones out of Afghanistan and to safety. We were able to help many families but have not been able to get everyone out. So our work continues. Republicans have hammered the Biden administration for leaving Americans behind as U.S. forces withdrew. The White House has said between 100 and 200 Americans who have said they want to leave Afghanistan remain there after the U.S. completed its withdrawal on Monday. President Biden prioritized political considerations over American lives and national security, Cruz said in a statement Tuesday. He imposed an artificial deadline untethered from conditions on the ground, and refused to adjust or adapt even as the Taliban swept across Afghanistan and catastrophes mounted. He met his artificial deadline but broke all the promises he made to the American people. TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a Houston Republican, tweeted at Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the State Department that he is in contact right now with US citizens in Afghanistan who tried to leave but couldn't. Now they have what they need to leave except clearance from State. DM me please. President Joe Biden said Tuesday that the U.S. reached out 19 times to Americans there since March. He said most of those who remain are dual citizens or long-term residents who had previously said they wanted to stay. Biden said the U.S. evacuated some 120,000 people and got 90 percent of the Americans who said they wanted to leave out. For those remaining Americans, there is no deadline, he said. We remained committed to get them out if they want to come out. ben.wermund@chron.com This article is an opinion piece that was originally published by The New York Times. You can read editorials from the Houston Chronicle's opinion staff here. Bret Stephens: Hello, Gail. I hope these last two weeks of vacation have been nicer for you than theyve been for Joe Biden. Gail Collins: Bret, I always feel sympathy for a president when theres a national disaster on his watch. Well, presuming hes a person who has the capacity to imagine other peoples pain. But this does seem more terrible with Biden, given his long history of personal family tragedy. As you know, I dont converse much about foreign affairs I decided long ago to leave that area to folks who have way more knowledge than me. But feel free to share your thoughts. Bret: I always opposed the withdrawal. Two years ago, I wrote a column calling on Mike Pompeo, when he was secretary of state, to resign for fathering the catastrophe that may soon befall Afghanistan. I thought we could have maintained a small and secure garrison that would have provided the Afghans with the air power, surveillance and logistics they needed to keep the Taliban from sweeping the country. Gail: I am not conceding my no-foreign-affairs policy, but lets just say I am feeling a tad skeptical. Bret: Reasonable people can debate the point. Whats beyond debate is that Bidens execution of his own policy has been a fiasco. He assured Americans in early July that there would be no Fall-of-Saigon scenes in Kabul. He abandoned the Bagram Airfield that would have provided a much more secure way of getting people out. He set an unnecessary deadline that the Taliban could hold him to. He reportedly gave the Taliban a list of American names, many of them Afghan Americans, presumably to expedite their departures but putting them at risk of being targeted or taken hostage. He has left stranded countless Afghans who depended on Americas protection and are now terrifyingly vulnerable to reprisal. He made the United States look humiliated, incompetent and weak. Id call it Bidens Bay of Pigs, but that would be unfair to Jack Kennedy, who came into office with much less foreign policy experience than Biden. And now the president cant even seem to acknowledge his own mistakes. Gail: That last one, I suspect, is temporary. You dont generally get presidents coming before the public in the middle of a terrible crisis saying: God, I screwed this up. I predict hell be more reflective as time passes. Bret: I hope so. If we had a parliamentary system, Biden would probably lose power in a no-confidence vote. As it is, I think he may have wrecked his own presidency when its barely begun. How does he recover? Gail: Well, he obviously needs to pass his domestic agenda. If the Democrats can get their act together before the congressional elections, hell have a huge infrastructure program that will have the whole country driving across rickety bridges and crumbling overpasses with a new optimism. Bret: Every time I drive through the intersection of I-678, I-295, I-278 and I-95 in the Bronx, which seems to have been under construction since the Ptolemaic Era, I have my doubts. Gail: Plus, although I am already prepared for your protest, most of the country would be happy to see a future with quality early childhood education for all, a sane system of higher education that doesnt bankrupt the younger generation before it starts off in the world, and a serious, major-league program to fight climate change. That last one used to be a rallying cry for the left and concerned college students, but I really think the horrors of this summers weather have made climate change an issue that most Americans are concerned about. Bret: Not to make you spill your coffee or anything, but Im with you on the goals if maybe not the methods. Id love to see the U.S. revive our nuclear power industry for energy-dense, low-carbon electricity production. Too many people associate nuclear power with the Chernobyl disaster, but the technology has made huge strides and its the only realistic path to move forward from coal-fired plants. All those Tesla owners tend to forget that their cars are still dirty so long as the electricity source is coming from a carbon-based source. Gail: I think I told you my fathers career was in nuclear power plants, so I never could get too excited about attacking them. Bret: Admittedly, my personal exposure to the industry has come mainly through episodes of the Simpsons. Of course I identify with Mr. Burns. Gail: Its crazy to pin all our hopes on an energy source that creates a waste product that can be radioactive for thousands of years. Especially when there are alternatives like solar and wind that have proved safe and practical to nearly everybody but Donald Trump. His concern for the safety of birds near windmills was possibly his only expression of interest in the welfare of animals since back when he didnt like the family poodle. Bret: Every conceivable energy source has big environmental downsides, particularly biofuels that were all the rage a few years ago. In the case of wind and solar, they cant deliver power reliably and consistently without the need for a backup energy source so that you can still turn on the lights when the wind doesnt blow or the sun doesnt shine. If people are going to be serious about cutting carbon, they also need to recognize that the pros of nuclear energy outweigh the cons. Gail: When you said you were with me on the Biden goals, did that include quality early childhood education for all? Bret: To Hell With the Children, I say. In fact, Im thinking of adding that to my list of dubious future column titles, along with Polar Bear Meat Is Delicious, The Only Gulf Stream I Care About Is My Private Jet and Mike Pence: A Reconsideration. OK, Im kidding. Im all for early childhood education, so long as the federal government doesnt get further involved. Do we really need a huge new entitlement when Washingtons endless interventions havent even solved our nations literacy problems? Gail: I know youre just trying to pick a fight to perk up an otherwise bleak week. However, the idea here is quality early childhood education. Weve seen tons of for-profit enterprises, and even some well-meaning nonprofits, open up what are basically big day care rooms with minimally trained staff and a bunch of games. Pretty sure Americans want their tax dollars to be underwriting something more ambitious. And which, studies show, is particularly important and helpful for students from low-income families. Bret: I think the data about Head Start shows some pretty mixed results over time. The really crucial years are in middle school, where public schools of my experience did a pretty lousy job. Gail: Do you really think our literacy problems are based on Washington intervention in local schools? Really really? Bret: Totally totally. And on a both-sides-are-guilty basis. George W. Bushs No Child Left Behind was a gigantic bureaucratic nightmare that burdened local school districts with enormous compliance requirements but did very little to improve the quality of education. Presidents of different parties think they can improve the system with more demands and more money, but the truth is that what ails our schools isnt the lack of funding. Its the lack of flexibility. Thats something best solved through greater local control, not more federal intervention. Now youre going to tell me Im wrong. Gail: Local control is great when the local is, um, great. And obviously you dont want to stick the schools with more bureaucracy than necessary. Bret: Good luck getting that to happen. Bureaucracy is like kudzu. Gail: But heres the thing: There have to be basic standards. I dont want to live in a country where kids in upper-middle-class suburbs get terrific school experiences while the ones who most need it often get something a lot worse. Bret: Basic standards are fine. But right now the single biggest impediment to more equal educational outcomes comes in the form of teacher union resistance to innovative and independent charter schools. Instead of imposing uniformity, we should be encouraging competition. Gail: We need a well-educated population, and the federal government has to play a role. Its a bit like a vaccine program. Obviously you want to give people as much control over their own bodies as possible. But we cant be living in a country where everybody has the right to infect the rest of the population with the coronavirus. So weve got a middle road, with a lot of government intervention on masks, rules, etc. OK, maybe the vaccine analogy is going overboard have to admit I spend too much time thinking about the pandemic. Its like a cloud over almost everything else. How are you feeling? Bret: Exhausted. COVID-19 is turning out to be a lot like Bartok doing opera: more sinister than you think, worse than it sounds, with lots of doors leading to awful places. When can we finally get back to some Mozart? Gail: This is why I love conversing with you. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Bartok makes an appearance. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Regarding Tomlinson: Prison slave labor isnt just a problem in China. It happens in Texas, too, (Aug. 27): The article mentions that, in November, Houston City Council members Abbie Kamin and Carolyn Evans-Shabazz objected to a $4.2 million contract for unpaid prisoners to replace tire treading on the citys commercial trucks and tractor-trailers. I am reading the book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America by Colin Woodard and it is opening my eyes and mind to the horrible moral history of the United States starting at the end of the third quarter of the 1600s. Kamin and Evans-Shabazz have my admiration and support for their action. It is embarrassing for the city of Houston that only two members of City Council expressed disapproval. The moral bankrupcy of this country is reaching unimaginable levels. Adalberto Larrinaga, Houston If the point of Chris Tomlinsons commentary is to elicit sympathy for the individuals who have chosen to break societys rules and are imprisoned, it will fall on deaf ears. These individuals are being required many for the first time to do something productive with their lives. Rather than being a potential burden on our society, they are helping to defray the costs of their incarceration, much like the rest of us who are productive members of our society must do. They may also learn a skill or trade along the way. At the least, it may be enough incentive to not want to go back to prison. The old adage still holds true, Dont do the crime if you cant do the time. Jeff Kesler, Sugar Land Ed Asner and gay rights Regarding, Actor Ed Asner, TVs blustery Lou Grant, dies at 91, (Aug. 29): Houstons LGBTQIA community owes Ed Asner a debt of gratitude for standing with us in the perilous early days. In 1977, when Houston gays summoned their courage to march against Anita Bryant in one of the first public demonstrations by the Bayou Citys queer community, Asner sent a telegram of support that was read at the step-off for the march. Any threat to diminish the civil rights of one human being is a threat to everyone, God made us all, Asner wrote. With that in mind, none of his children must be excluded from Americas freedom. Andrew Edmonson, Houston An editorial published Sunday, Harvey recovery remains uneven, (Page A18) mischaracterized a statistic from a Kinder Institute report on housing. The report found that about 2,000 Harris County homes were built on floodplains in 2019, not in floodways. We regret the error. After more than 15 years of planning and deliberation, Houston remains at an impasse on whether, and how, to proceed with the I-45 expansion, or North Houston Highway Improvement Project. Hoping to finally put the issue to rest before the Texas Transportation Commissions deadline of Aug. 31, TxDOT published an open survey soliciting the publics feedback on whether the project should move forward. However, instead of bringing closure to the issue, the survey, delivered at the 11th hour, has further polarized an already controversial project and process. The controversy comes down to the stark divide between two divergent perspectives about how Houstonians should get around in the future. One is an antiquated point of view which expects the state to continue the trend of expanding roads at the expense of public health and our neighborhoods while the other one shared by the majority of Houstonians understands that never-ending highway expansion will not improve quality of life for people in Houston. And then theres the process. TxDOT asked Texans to support the I-45 expansion project without changes or to reject it entirely and lose the funding. This all-or-nothing approach isnt just deeply flawed SurveyMonkey surveys arent a best practice for public engagement its also disingenuous. TxDOT cannot simply take their ball and go home (or, more accurately, take their ball and spend it in Dallas or another part of Texas). Some TxDOT funding categories Category 2 (metropolitan and urban corridors) projects, Category 3 (non-traditional), and Category 4 (connectivity corridors), which together represent about one-third of the NHHIPs tagged funding source are allocated to metropolitan planning organizations and TxDOT regions based on clear formulas that give the greatest weight to criteria such as population and total vehicle miles traveled. So how do we convince TxDOT to invest $1.5 billion in projects that align with what Houstonians actually want? According to the Kinder Houston Area Survey, in 2020, a total of 89 percent of Houston-area residents say an improved mass transit system is at least somewhat important for our future, and, in 2015, 52 percent said they wish they could ride a bike more often. Based on an analysis conducted by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) in 2019, this vision could be well within reach: H-GACs Active Transportation Plan determined that building bike lanes for the entirety of Harris County, or 2,035 miles of proposed bikeways, would cost $919 million. Even though TxDOT funding in categories 2, 3 and 4 have been spent on highway expansions, there is latitude in how these funds can be used. For example, Galveston and TxDOT are investing $11 million to improve walking, biking and transit connections downtown and near the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston campus. If these funds can be spent on improving bicycle and pedestrian access in Galveston, why cant they be invested toward achieving similar outcomes in Houston? As the region decides what our transportation future ought to look like, we should take stock of what the billions already spent on expanding roads in our region has accomplished. We have one of the nations most intense urban heat islands, and were consistently ranked among the most deadly metro areas in terms of traffic fatalities. But if the I-45 expansion comes off the table, TxDOT would have an incredible opportunity to be part of the solution, rather than the problem. Instead of inviting a deluge of traffic into the city and bulldozing communities, TxDOT could invest in projects that would help Houston achieve local goals, like the Vision Zero Action Plan, the Climate Action Plan and the Houston Bike Plan and not work against them. If youre like most Houstonians and you believe theres a brighter transportation future on the horizon, tell TxDOT to invest in a future that helps solve our regions challenges, because expanding highways isnt what Houston wants, and it certainly isnt what Houston needs. Cutrufo is the executive director of BikeHouston. The fight for the future of abortion care in the countrys second-biggest state veered toward a chaotic climax Tuesday, with an eleventh-hour plea over Texas sweeping new ban hanging before the U.S. Supreme Court and abortion providers scrambling to respond to patients, many of whom could be left without ways to safely access the procedure by the morning. It was a scene almost certain to delight the laws most ardent backers, who have spent years searching for a way to sidestep the legal hurdles that have stalled other Texas laws restricting abortion access. With Senate Bill 8 set to take effect on Wednesday, they may have found their answer. The law, signed this spring by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, empowers private citizens to sue doctors and others who help women obtain abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, or after a fetal heartbeat is first detected. Proponents hope the unusual enforcement approach will help the ban succeed where others have failed, making it hard to legally challenge the law. As the liberal media outlet Slate put it on Monday, SB 8 was designed as an Escher staircase for litigators. And so far it has worked. Over the weekend, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals canceled a trial judges hearing on Senate Bill 8s constitutionality, effectively running down the clock for legal maneuvers to block the rollout. Planned Parenthood and other providers have asked the high court to intervene, leaving the fate of the law up to a panel of mostly conservative judges who have already shown openness to rolling back federal abortion protections. WE HAVE TO COMPLY: Texas abortion clinics brace for near shutdown as new law is enacted This is the most restrictive abortion law that would go into effect that Ive ever seen, said Amy Hagstrom Miller, who heads Whole Womans Health and has a long history of challenging past Texas abortion laws. The outcome could radically alter abortion access in Texas and throughout much of the South and Midwest, where it is already limited. If the ban goes through, it would almost certainly spur other conservative-led states to pass their own versions, and would likely limit services even for women who are early in their pregnancies. Some abortion providers in Texas say they will be forced to go beyond the guidelines and shut down nearly all of their services to avoid costly and potentially endless citizen-led litigation. Under the new law, they are not allowed to recoup their legal fees even if they successfully fend off a lawsuit. Groups that study and support abortion access say the ban will most directly impact low-income women and women of color, many of whom lack private insurance or the money or time to travel to a state where the procedure is still legal. There are 7 million women of reproductive age in the state. Last year, about 54,000 abortions were performed. Between 85 and 90 percent of people who obtain abortions in Texas are at least six weeks into their pregnancies, according to abortion advocates. The ban would make no exceptions for victims of rape and incest. Abortion rights proponents have also sued to stop the law in state courts, and won a narrow victory Tuesday when a district judge issued a temporary restraining order against anti-abortion activists. But the order, issued by Judge Amy Clark Meachum, only applies to a limited set of lawyers in Dallas who said their free speech and other rights were being infringed by ban. A hearing on more permanent relief in that case is scheduled for Sept. 13. Legislators in Texas are not stopping with SB 8. On Monday, Republicans in the House gave preliminary approval to another measure that would bar the use of medication abortions after seven weeks of pregnancy and punish doctors who help procure the pills with up to two years in prison. Miller said all four of her clinics in Texas would be open Wednesday, regardless of the ban. She said some employees and doctors have left the business recently because of the legal uncertainty around the law. Even if the ban is delayed, a provision in it allows for lawsuits to be brought retroactively if it is eventually upheld. The only way I could protect everyone on my team is by not providing abortions, Miller said. Because even with complying, people will accuse us of not complying. She added, It is far too much for our culture and our country to ask clinic workers to take on this kind of burden. Edward McKinley contributed reporting. jeremy.blackman@chron.com The Republican priority elections bill to further stiffen Texas voting rules already among the nations toughest is headed to the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott, who said he will sign it into law. Both the House and Senate on Tuesday afternoon approved the final version of the bill, known as Senate Bill 1, which has outraged Democrats since the spring and led to a months-long standoff as the members fled the Capitol twice to avoid a vote on it. Protecting the integrity of our elections is critical in the state of Texas, which is why I made election integrity an emergency item during the 87th Legislative Session, Abbott said in a statement Tuesday. I look forward to signing Senate Bill 1 into law. Democrats have been ringing alarms for months over the legislation, saying it will suppress votes by taking away voting methods used disproportionately by communities of color. They point to new criminal penalties that could discourage voter assistance for Texans with special needs, and to provisions they say will allow partisan poll watchers to intimidate voters with fewer repercussions. One day, the people of Texas will grow impatient with the systematic chipping away of their democracy and they will respond in time at the ballot box, said Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, who denounced the bill for 15 straight hours in a filibuster earlier this month. TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox What does SB 1 do? What does SB 1 do? Bans 24-hour and drive-thru voting Sets new limits on early voting hours Prohibits counties from sending out unsolicited ballot applications Implements new ID requirements for voting by mail Creates a process for voters to correct mistakes on their mail-in ballots and applications Increases poll watcher access Requires the secretary of state to conduct monthly citizenship checks of the voter rolls Institutes new rules for voter assistance Already in Texas law: Must have excuse to be able to vote by mail (one of 16 states) Must register to vote 30 days before election (one of 15 states with deadline 28-30 days before) Strict voter ID law (one of 11 states) See More Collapse Republicans say those concerns are overblown and that the legislation is meant to prevent voter fraud, despite a lack of evidence of that fraud is a widespread problem. This is a bill we can be proud of, said Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, author of the legislation, just before it passed. How much fraud is OK? None. How much suppression is OK? None. Thats why Senate Bill 1 makes it easy to vote and hard to cheat. Republicans have removed some of the provisions most hard-fought by Democrats, such as one that would have made it easier to overturn elections and another that would have limited early voting hours on Sundays, when many black churches hold get-out-the-vote events. Still, Democrats say the bill will set back voting rights across the state. The provisions in the sweeping legislation include a ban on voting methods pioneered in 2020 by Harris County, such as drive-thru and 24-hour voting. It also places limits on early voting hours and enacts new requirements for mail voting. The new law will also create a process to allow voters to correct mistakes on their mail ballots and applications, something the Democrats agree will be an improvement. The bill passed in both chambers on party line votes with the exception of Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio. The three Democrats on the conference committee had refused to sign off on the final version of the bill. Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, was among them. The idea that barriers were put up for people to cast their ballot has become a part of this America that we all know, Coleman said. We think weve made progress, then all of the sudden, theres new law that brings us back in time. This is a part of new law that moves us back in time. Texas voting laws remain among strictest The elections bill put Texas in the national spotlight this spring along with other Republican-led states that passed similar restrictions in the wake of the 2020 election, which former President Donald Trump falsely claimed was stolen from him. But Texas has for years been among those states that make it the most difficult for people to vote. Election law experts said Tuesday that SB 1 does little to change that. The places where Texas was bad, this bill makes it worse, said Sean Morales-Doyle, acting director of voting rights and elections at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU. The places where at least some parts of Texas were making it more voter friendly, this bill is putting an end to that. While there has been a rush of red states enacting bills tightening rules around voting this year, Morales-Doyle said Texas laws were already so stringent, those states are more or less playing catch-up. For example, Texas is among just 16 states that require a voter to have an excuse to qualify to vote by mail unlike Florida and Georgia, which passed voting restriction bills this spring, but already allowed anyone to vote absentee. Texas is also known for a tough voter ID law and for its refusal to expand voting registration options. Unfortunately, in many ways Texas is sort of the leading example of restricting access to the right to vote, he said. Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, and others emphasized that the bills passage should put even more pressure on Congress to pass legislation that would give federal oversight to jurisdictions with a history of discrimination. We knew we wouldnt be able to hold off this day forever, Turner said in a statement. Now that it has come, we need the U.S. Senate to act immediately to pass federal legislation to protect Texas voters from Republicans assault on our democracy. Path to the final bill The House on Tuesday also passed a resolution by Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, addressing a bipartisan amendment that was removed from the final version of the bill. The resolution states that the Texas House strongly believes Texans who accidentally vote without knowing they are ineligible should not be prosecuted for doing so. Unlike a bill, a resolution is a statement of opinion that does not have the force of law. It was inspired by Crystal Mason, a Fort Worth Black woman who faces a five-year state prison sentence for voting while she was on supervised release from federal prison. Texans on supervised release or parole are not eligible to cast ballots under state law. Hughes had instructed the Republican-majority committee to remove the provision, saying that it would give unwarranted leeway to noncitizens who try to vote. Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, on Tuesday noted the case of Hervis Rogers, a 62-year-old Black man from Houston who was recently arrested for illegally voting after making headlines for waiting in line for six hours. He asked Hughes if the Senate could pass a similar resolution as the House. When we think about what happened in Fort Worth, what happened in Houston, and probably some other instances, shouldnt we take that on as a challenge in terms of coming up with policy that defines what a geniune mistake is? West said. Hughes said he was not prepared to do that right away but was willing to work with West on it in the future. taylor.goldenstein@chron.com As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. UMG has copyrighted the moon (or was it Facebook?) Citizens of the earth have historically enjoyed unfettered access to the moon, albeit from afar, but a new copyright claim by Universal Music Group of a video (notably devoid of audio) of everyones favorite lunar entity calls this into question Op-ed by Timothy Geigner of Techdirt [Hypebot Editors Note: Others are placing blame on Facebook. See an update at the end.] We have seen and covered a great many ridiculous copyright issues here at Techdirt. It is, after all, sort of our thing. Still, some attempts at enforcing copyrights are so ludicrous that they take your breath away. Now, granted, often times the most egregious of these stories arise out of the use of automated bot systems that troll all the places for copyright infringement and often times get it completely wrong. But that isnt so much an excuse for those situations as it is a spotlight on how brutally terrible the current iteration of copyright enforcement has become and how despicable it is that the wider copyright industries just shrug their shoulders at all the collateral damage they cause. And then theres the moon. I know, I know, youre thinking, The moon? Is Timothy having another stroke while writing a post? First off, my personal health is none of your concern. And secondly, nope, because a video recording of the moon as seen from Greece, which included no audio, was blocked all over the place due to a copyright claim made by Universal Music Group. British filmmaker Philip Bloom recently filmed the Moon during sunset Skiathos in Greece. After sharing it on social media, he was surprised when the video was blocked due to a claim by Universal Music Group, which claimed copyright to the generic shots of the Moon. Heres the audio-less video that Bloom shared to his personal Facebook account while on his holiday: Yup, thats it. So, how did this get flagged for copyright by UMG? Well, according to the block notification, UMG says the video contains 30 seconds of video owned by UMG. How? Well, who the hell knows. If I had to guess, I would speculate that there is some music video out there or something that also contains footage of the moon and that somehow has resulted in an automated system flagging this video of the moon as copyrighted content. But, just so everyone is clear, UMG does not actually own footage of our nearest celestial neighbor. The person who filmed the footage, filmmaker Philip Bloom, is understandably not pleased. I uploaded some shots of the moon to Facebook late last year shot with the Canon R5 but it was a 2/3rds moon, Bloom tells PetaPixel. It looks like their AI is looking for full moon shots. Bloom then filed a dispute against the copyright infringement block, explaining to Facebook: Its a shot of the moon I personally filmed tonight!!! UMG doesnt own the moon! But because, again, the way copyrights are enforced currently is a goddamned nightmare, the footage is still offline for those social media channels in all those countries while Bloom is going through the appeals process. And its very much worth considering that this isnt an isolated case, either. Bloom says that after he shared about what happened on social media, one of his followers shared that the exact same thing happened to them. And so here we are. During the appeals process for Facebook at least, it appears that the assumed state of things is such that UMG owns the copyright on footage of the moon. If the fact that the setup of the DMCA and our enforcement of it allows this result makes any sense at all to you, then perhaps youd be better off living on UMGs moon. Update Context: UMG is not at fault. It is Facebooks sloppy algorithms causing this. I recently had 6 IG videos claimed by FB on behalf of WMG, UMG, and Sony, all auto-triggered by the same piece of content the grooves of a spinning vinyl record. Simon Fraser, Keyword (@SimonFraser4) August 27, 2021 Share on: For decades, cyber attacks were widely thought to be the preserve of tech-savvy individuals or gangs seeking to steal or extort money. In recent years, its become clear that nations are using cybercrime as a standard part of their armoury. Ransomware, phishing and distributed denial-of-service attacks are just a few of the many weapons that states are using in geopolitical conflicts that are increasingly playing out in cyberspace rather than on the battlefield. Mikko Hypponen, chief research officer at IT security company F-Secure, has been helping authorities in North America, Europe and Asia to fight cybercrime for more than 30 years. In the 1990s, I wouldnt have believed that national governments, intelligence agencies and the armed forces were developing and deploying malware against other countries. The notion would have sounded like science fiction to me, he admits. But its obvious in hindsight. It makes perfect sense. Cybertools are excellent weapons. Theyre efficient, affordable and deniable. Hypponen notes that all technically advanced nations are developing both defensive and offensive applications for these weapons as the battle for cyber supremacy escalates around the world. A technological and social tipping point Although state-backed cyber warfare is no longer novel, a tipping point has been reached as the offensive capabilities of the weaponry have become more sophisticated and the use of digital tech has become more ingrained in society. So says Dr Tim Stevens, senior lecturer in global security at Kings College London and head of its Cyber Security Research Group. A lot of what were seeing isnt entirely new, but the scope and scale of it are increasing all the time, he says Whats readily apparent is that this is now an issue of public and global policy. It affects you and me every day. His point is backed by the most recent figures from the UK National Cyber Security Centre, which is a part of GCHQ. Last November it reported that it had protected the country from 723 cyber incidents in the 12 months to 31 August 2020. That was a 20% increase on the annual average total over the preceding three years. There are two main reasons for this intensification, according to Stevens. First, there has been a significant increase in the size of the attack surface provided by the worlds most developed economies. Their digital transformation has advanced to the point where theyre offering a much bigger choice of potential entry points to target. This is unequivocally the risk management problem of the 21st century, he says, adding that the second, related reason has been the rise of low-cost digital tech lacking in effective security features. Were producing increasing amounts of data and were linking up devices that are demonstrably insecure, Stevens says. When you turn things over to the market, its a case of pile em high and sell em cheap. Billions of low-cost devices being sold dont have good security. Alex Rice is the founder and CTO of HackerOne, a company that uses hackers to help organisations detect vulnerabilities in their own systems. He cites another factor behind the upsurge in state-sponsored cyber warfare. The amount of tech being developed thats unique to particular governments is declining rapidly. Today, it is shared more or less across the board. This means that there are very few pieces of state technology that cant be attacked, he says. How do we improve their defences? By focusing on private-sector and open-source technology. For example, there are two major mobile platforms Apple and Android in use. We secure government infrastructure by securing all private infrastructure and networks. A multi-pronged response to the cyber threat Given the complexities of cyber warfare, Stevens believes that no single solution can ever be an effective defence. A multi-pronged set of processes and initiatives is needed, he says. These will range from security standards to education and diplomacy. Although diplomacy has a key role in developing standards of behaviour, Stevens acknowledges that it would be hard to develop a framework thats acceptable to all and, even then, some states could sign up to it and then renege on the treaty. Russia, for instance, allows cybercriminals in the country to act as long as they dont interfere with the states activities, he notes. But this is something that Biden and Putin could agree to prevent. Dr Vasileios Vasilakis, a lecturer in network security at the University of York, agrees with Stevens that advanced persistent threats hacking groups affiliated with national governments could be prevented through diplomacy. It would be much more difficult for them to operate if Russia were to crack down on them, he says. Hypponen suggests that another response to the cyber threat at the political level would be the establishment of a dedicated ministerial portfolio. This issue needs to be taken seriously and have the proper levels of leadership behind it, he says. Eventually, all countries will have minister- or cabinet-level representation for cyberspace. Its going to become the norm. Rice believes that a more effective political response that could help to protect critical infrastructure would be the creation of a cyber warfare equivalent of the Geneva convention. Its in our mutual interest to not attack each others power grids, he says. So we need to establish whats allowed and whats not, so that governments can be held accountable. Many analysts believe governments should also regulate any technology being sold in a country to ensure that it meets necessary security standards. For Hypponen, an international certification scheme for security akin to the CE certification system for manufacturers selling products in the European Economic Area should be created. We need to verify that the devices we are using are as safe as possible, he says. Others point to the support that governments could be offering SMEs in a capacity such as that of the UK Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure. While large corporations can hire their own teams to defend their networks, it is harder for small businesses to do Vasilakis notes. Role of individuals and private sector The problem is not up to governments alone to tackle, says Jake Moore, a cybersecurity specialist at firewall provider ESET. The onus, he argues, is also on individuals and enterprises to support the effort by protecting themselves with encryption, firewalls and other defence mechanisms. There are serious players involved in this: Russia, China, North Korea, Moore says. They are throwing huge amounts of money behind it. Thats why a collaborative approach is desperately needed. We need the public to get involved and play their role, because governments arent always the quickest at seeing this issue. Nonetheless, experts are keen to stress that most cyber attacks are still committed by criminals rather than governments, which tend to use hacking as a tool for espionage and sabotage rather than theft. This means that any defensive measures should account for these varying contexts. Who is your enemy what threat will you have to defend against? Hypponen says. The answer could be so different depending on your enterprise. Pizza restaurant owners, unlike state agencies, dont need to worry about foreign governments but they do need to worry about ransomware attacks designed to gain access to payment systems. The 5G-enabled, highly connected smart city has been heralded by some as a utopia, offering seamless functionality between infrastructure systems ranging from power distribution grids to public transport networks and providing the ultimate in digital convenience for its citizens. Yet security experts are concerned that, while such developments could drastically improve peoples quality of life, the smart city is vulnerable to being disrupted like never before. Theres a lot of talk about smart cities, but not so much talk about secure cities, says Tim Stevens of Kings College London. Critical infrastructure must be made absolutely secure. But were not quite there, especially in sectors such as energy criminals are still working their way in. He cites the ransomware attack in May that successfully took control of the computer systems of Colonial Pipeline, a major US oil distribution network, forcing the company to spend $4.4m (3.2m) to pay off the hackers. That was a wake-up call for a lot of people, Stevens says. Energy is one sector that really concerns the public because without it everything grinds to a halt. I find it remarkable that we havent yet seen many infrastructure disasters on this scale. The University of Yorks Vasileios Vasilakis agrees, citing the first known successful cyber attack on an electrical grid in December 2015. Hackers believed to be linked to Russia delivered malware via a phishing email, which cut power to more than 230,000 people in Ukraine, fortunately for no more than six hours. Events such as this one could become more and more common, he predicts. Security professionals warn that, as a consequence, there may need to be a trade-off between a modern urban environment, made smarter by data, and a city where everyones privacy is protected. The explosion of the internet of things has made peoples lives easier, but few IoT devices have been designed with security in mind, says Jake Moore of ESET. We have far more IP addresses in our homes than ever. These can be exploited by all sorts of criminals. We need to think carefully about the implications. This threat is likely to become even more complex as systems become ever more reliant on the internet. Experts fear that, if the appropriate measures arent taken to agree stricter security protocols, hackers could take control of critical urban infrastructure. Its like what we see in the movies, but some of it could actually be done for real, says Mikko Hypponen of F-Secure. Were becoming more and more efficient, but more and more vulnerable. Just imagine how much more reliant we will be in 10 or 20 years. Source: https://nationalcybersecuritynews.today/why-cyber-attacks-will-define-21st-century-warfare-cybersecurity-cyberattack/ Martin McEvoy is the new principal at Gabriel Abbott Memorial School. He has held a number of administrative positions at schools in the Berkshires. Abbott Memorial School Welcomes New Principal FLORIDA, Mass. New Principal Martin McEvoy is happy to be part of the Abbott Memorial School and Florida community. "It is a great place, and I am really happy to be here," McEvoy said. "... I am excited to be part of this community, and I hope to be here for a long time." McEvoy was most recently superintendent in Hatfield for a year and had been principal of Lanesborough Elementary School and of Herberg Middle School in Pittsfield, and vice principal at Hoosac Valley High School in Cheshire. McEvoy said he was drawn to Abbott Memorial because he wanted to get back to his roots. "I really wanted to get back in a setting where I could be part of the fabric of a school and in the building, working with the teachers and the kids," he said. "I think that is something my career was starting to move away from, and I am glad I was able to remind myself why I got into education and what is important to me." McEvoy said Abbott Memorial was the perfect size school it serves about 80 students in Grades K-8 and it would allow him to interact with every student and every teacher. He said he is happy that the tight-knit community has accepted him. "It is a small family atmosphere, and I feel like that they are accepting me into the family," he said. School started with a half-day last Wednesday and McEvoy said it was good to see kids back in the building. "What was really striking was how happy the kids seemed to be and how happy the teachers were," McEvoy said. "It was a really great atmosphere and really great environment. The students are happy to be back." He said the day was made even more special with the annual first day of school ice cream truck visit sponsored by the PTG. "That put a smile on their faces," he said. McEvoy said he is impressed by the school and doesn't see much he would change. He said any improvements he would make would be done holistically by working with teachers and other stakeholders. "I think things are running on all cylinders and, of course, there are always places where you can look at things and see how you can make them even better," he said. "But I am not going to come in and make sweeping changes. I like to look, listen, and learn, and things that are working we will leave alone. Things that we can make better, I want to work collaboratively." McEvoy also commented on Florida itself and the important space the school fills in the community. "I really appreciate how much this town really cares about the school. It is very important to them, and they are always willing to support it," he said. "They always want to know how they can help, and I want to be able to do the same." He said he wants to continue the community outreach Dugal supported throughout her tenure. He added he wanted the school to continue to be the hub of the town and community. "I want to be helpful in any way we can and be a value to the town even if you do not have kids in the school," he said. McEvoy acknowledged the challenges COVID-19 is sure to impose on this school year but noted last year Abbott Memorial School kept in-person learning ticking along, except for a five-day spell. "They were open every possible day they could be. So I am looking forward to working with a staff with that kind of commitment," he said. "To the community who entrust us with their children know that safety is first, but we know the importance of in-person schooling." MCLA Welcomes Three New Vice Presidents Richard Glejzer, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Joseph DaSilva, Vice President of Administration and Finance and Jeannette Smith, Vice President of Student Affairs will join MCLA. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. This academic year, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts welcomed three new vice presidents to its executive team: Joseph DaSilva, Vice President of Administration and Finance; Richard Glejzer, Vice President of Academic Affairs; and Jeannette Richards, Vice President of Student Affairs. The three new vice presidents were hired after a search process that included multiple interviews and open meetings for campus community members including students, faculty, and staff. "I'm excited to have three highly experienced vice presidents join our campus community at this pivotal moment in higher education," said MCLA President James F. Birge. "They're already offering new perspective and thinking about ways to continue to carry out our mission of providing an affordable, high-quality education to our students." Joseph DaSilva, Vice President of Administration and Finance Joseph DaSilva joined MCLA in June 2021. He has worked in public higher education for over 28 years of which the last 21 years were at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) in Springfield, MA. During his tenure as Vice President of Administration/CFO, DaSilva provided executive-level vision, leadership, planning, direction, and managed/oversaw all aspects of fiscal operations, facilities management, Campus Police, Information Technology, Student Financial Services, and Human Resources/Employee Benefits and Operations Center. DaSilva holds a Bachelor's of Art from Western New England University, Springfield and a Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration from Bay Path University, Longmeadow. DaSilva represented the STCC in numerous community-based activities, on various organization boards and in many community-based efforts. Richard Glejzer, Ph.D, Vice President of Academic Affairs Richard Glejzer joined MCLA in July 2021. He was most recently the Interim Dean of Graduate Studies at Muhlenberg College, and previously served as Provost and Dean of Faculty at Marlboro College for 10 years. Prior to joining Marlboro, Glejzer served as professor and chair of English at North Central College, and as chair of the college's academic programs and policy committee. Among his other institutional duties, Glejzer served on the college's steering committee and the Dean's Academic Advisory Committee. He was a faculty liaison to the Board of Trustees. Earlier in his career at North Central, Glejzer revised the composition program as the Director of Writing. Glejzer received his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in English from the University of New Hampshire and his Ph.D. from University of Missouri-Columbia. Jeannette Smith, Ph. D., Vice President of Student Affairs Jeannette Smith joined MCLA in June 2021. She is a scholar-practitioner with 16 years of work experience in higher education having worked most recently as the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and engagement at Evergreen State College. Smith was employed prior at Truckee Meadows Community College, University of Nevada, Reno, and Elmhurst College. Her practice areas of experience include student unions, residence life and dining, academic advising, financial aid, shared governance, and student employment. Her scholarship areas of interests include policy, equity, financial aid, and student development. Smith earned her BA in Journalism/Marketing, and her MA and Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration/Educational Leadership from the University of Nevada, Reno. FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2011 file photo, an auto dealership in Anchorage, Alaska, advertises PFD, or Permanent Fund Dividend, sales. Alaska's unique program of giving residents a check from its oil wealth every year is in jeopardy as the energy-dependent state faces low oil prices and an economy battered by the coronavirus. The Alaska Legislature is set to open another special session Monday, Aug. 16, 2021, with the state's dividend program a focus. The Port of Shelton continues to grow and expand and Executive Director Wendy Smith and Port Commissioner Dick Taylor talk about the progress with Jeff Slakey. They are working on new CERB funding and the company that makes Squirrel Suits is coming to the Port. Afghanistan: The end of the US mission, but what now for Afghanistans media? As the last US military forces departed Afghanistan and Taliban leaders celebrated complete independence with rifle rounds in the air on August 30, thousands of Afghanistans media workers face the prospect of a new battle for their press freedom and survival. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) expresses its extreme concern for the thousands of media workers in the country displaced by the Taliban and for their ongoing safety in the coming days, weeks and months. A massive and chaotic airlift by the United States and its international allies over the past two weeks evacuated an estimated 123,000 people from Kabul, yet tens of thousands who helped Western countries, as well as media workers who reported critically on the Taliban during the 20-year war remain behind. Hundreds were thwarted in their efforts to flee amid the mayhem at Kabuls international airport or road blocks set up by the Taliban. The situation for media workers on the ground is reported as extremely challenged, with hundreds of journalists and their families desperate, but without passports or visas or funds to survive, according to IFJ sources. The IFJ is informed that at least 150 Afghan media workers fled their provinces due to fears for their safety and arrived in Kabul before the Taliban took control of the city. Some are said to be looking to return to their provinces out of desperation and lack of support facilities or safe houses, but many are under financial stress and cannot afford the transport cost as their media outlets have shut down. The IFJ and its affiliates alone have logged more than 2,000 requests for assistance from media workers trying to flee the country, seek refuge or seek financial support in the wake of the closure of more than 90 media outlets. Others have fled to interim countries but lack visas or onward passage. Despite the moderate public front of the Taliban stating they will respect womens rights and a free media, media workers experiences on the ground tell another story. News outlets and radio channels are reporting how Taliban is asking them not to broadcast music or programs featuring women. Female news anchors have also been forced off the air. In recent days, Taliban gunmen are reported to have gone door-to-door in some neighbourhoods of Kabul, searching for those who had supported the government or the American effort. One journalist who fled the country said: They announced safety and forgiveness from all high to low level people, in front of the media, but they doing targeted killings, not giving journalists rights the way they promised. Journalists are in a more difficult situation then what some people know outside Afghanistan, but this is hard to talk openly. Three journalists were among the 170 fatalities in the Kabul airport bombing on August 26. These were Najma Sadeqi, a 20-year-old Afghan YouTuber who worked with the channel, Afghan Insider, Ali Reza Ahmadi and Juhad Hamidi. On August 26, the Taliban had arrested Pakistani journalist Abdul Mateen Achakzai and his cameraperson Muhammad Ali, of Khyber News TV, in Kandahar for covering without permission. Another Pakistani journalist Iqbal Mengal was also reported missing but was later traced in Kabul after being arrested. The Afghan population outside the cities is facing what UN officials are calling a catastrophic humanitarian situation worsened by a severe drought. A Taliban official in Kabul said the group wants people to lead an Islamic way of life and get rid of all foreign influences. It is understood that the Taliban is eager to return the country to some normalcy and bringing with it the possibility that some commercial flights will re-commence in the coming days and weeks. One journalist said to the IFJ: We are fighting the tough and difficult war of press freedom with Taliban for past 20 years, and we are in the top of threats list and still struggling in Kabul to help journalists in a very difficult situation. Security specialists are advising journalists concerned about their safety to clear their social media platforms of their work, but this in itself might be erasing the only evidence that might secure them safe passage out of the country. Women journalists are facing an atmosphere that will deprive them of many of their freedoms fought and won over two decades particularly the freedom to work in the media. The IFJ said: Despite massive international efforts and donor funds pouring into the country over two decades, journalists on the ground right now are feeling bereft and abandoned. They need the worlds support and solidarity to not just escape, but to survive. Safe houses and financial support is desperately needed to help hundreds of media workers whose livelihoods disappeared overnight. The IFJ has established a special Afghanistan Solidarity Fund within the IFJ Safety Fund to channel further support and is urging those who can to make a donation. The IFJ said: The IFJ calls on foreign governments, civil society organisations and media organisations operating in Afghanistan to coordinate their support with local Afghan journalists and establish systems to protect Afghan media workers through building safe houses and networks of support. In recent days, several Maltese journalists and media outlets have been victims of online spoofing in what appears to be a major campaign to spread misinformation and discredit those who are targeted. The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ/EFJ) have joined their affiliate, the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM), in denouncing these shameful intimidation attempts and call on the authorities to investigate those responsible for them. For the past week, numerous false articles and emails purporting to be written by journalists, organisations or public figures and containing false information have been spread in the country. On 26 June, blogger and activist Manuel Delia warned that emails were being sent to journalists and news outlets on his behalf, and that a fraudulent website had been created in his name. Some of the fake emails are supporting conspiracy theories around the murder of anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in 2017. Others are denouncing alleged hate campaigns by some journalists. Jason Azzopardi, Daphne Caruana Galizias familys lawyer and Opposition MP, also appeared to be targeted as fake emails between him and Manuel Delia were sent to daily The Malta Independent. In these emails, a recurring topic is the alleged insanity of Delia and Azzopardi. Both had published articles questioning the independence of the judge in businessman Yorgen Fenechs trial in the Daphne Caruana murder case. Last weekend, several media outlets were also attacked, with fake websites created in their names and carrying spoof articles. To date, websites Newsbook, NET News, TVM, Lovin Malta and StradaRjali have been affected. The fraudulent websites now seem to be inaccessible. However, the campaign continues. On 30 August, Prime Minister Robert Abela said that he himself had been a victim of fake emails. Opposition leader Bernard Grech was also targeted. IFJ's affiliate IGM is particularly concerned about the case. Matthew Xuereb, IGMs President and Times of Malta journalist, is himself the target of false stories claiming that he has created fake Facebook accounts to insult people. IGMs President Matthew Xuereb said: The IGM is deeply concerned with the systematic attacks on journalists and civil society activists through the use of spoof versions of several Maltese media portals, clearly designed to dupe people into believing that the stories are true. The IGM is closely following the developments and has formally written to the Prime Minister and Police Commissioner to take such attacks seriously and investigate where they are originating from. Attacks on journalists are despicable and a threat to the fourth pillar of democracy. The IGM has urged its members to stand united against this new form of intimidation. EFJ General Secretary Ricardo Gutierrez said: "These methods are cowardly. They are pure manipulation of public opinion for the benefit of particular interests. But they also show how indispensable the work of journalists is when it comes to serving the public interest." IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: "We condemn this campaign of misinformation , which is seriously interfering with press freedom and the public's right to know. It must be taken very seriously by the authorities, who must ensure the safety of those targeted. We call on citizens to be careful with what they read, and send our affiliate our full support. We will not let this campaign discredit journalists who are only trying to tell the truth. On 31 August, the civil rights NGO Repubblika will hold a protest in Valletta in solidarity with journalists and activists targeted by what seems to be a massive disinformation campaign. Almost every professional recognizes the value of strategic thinking. But in a frenetic world, how can you hone that skill when you're often pulled in a million directions? As a business owner, I face the challenge every day of choosing between putting out fires (e.g., an overflowing inbox, a client situation that needs finessing) and pursuing important long-term goals (e.g., planning for the next six months, helping to develop an employee's skills). Recently, I set a goal of reading one book a month on strategic thinking. I wanted to get others' wisdom on thinking differently about the way our company tackles challenges. Here are eight books I've read that sparked my entrepreneurial thinking. 1. The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker In a Short-Term World by Dorie Clark Newly released from Harvard Business Review Press, The Long Game helps you apply the principles of strategic thinking to your life and career. Few people understand strategic thinking as well as Dorie Clark, who teaches at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and whose LinkedIn Learning course on strategic thinking has been taken by more than 1.2 million learners. She shares intriguing strategies such as how to "optimize for interesting" in your career, how to get better at creating white space, and how to master the art of "strategic patience." 2. Renegade Marketing: 12 Steps to Building Unbeatable B2B Brands by Drew Neisser Renegade Marketing explores the commonalities of successful business leaders. By conducting interviews with marketing leaders and observing corporate giants like IBM, Drew Neisser discovered their success secrets. Through ample research and observation, he created a plan to make brands unstoppable. He provides the tools needed to really take your brand full-throttle through a series of assessments. 3. The Purpose Advantage: How to Unlock New Ways of Doing Business by Jeff Fromm Every brand has a purpose. But how do you actually measure whether your brand's purpose gives you an advantage over your competitors? The Purpose Advantage aims to transform your brand's purpose into a competitive advantage. The book offers insightful tips from some well-established CEOs, a workshop section to get your brand where you want it, and so much more. 4. Seeing Around Corners: How to Spot Inflection Points in Business Before They Happen by Rita McGrath Wouldn't it be great if you could predict change before it happens? Columbia University Business School professor Rita McGrath says that if you observe carefully, it's possible. In Seeing Around Corners, she helps you identify early signs of change so you can successfully capture opportunity by taking action before it's too late. 5. Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life by Nir Eyal The first step in becoming more strategic is focusing your attention on the right things. (Hint: It's not your smartphone.) In Indistractable, Nir Eyal provides a framework that will help you identify what matters most to you and use that knowledge to align your intentions and actions. 6. Lies, Damned Lies, and Marketing: Separate Fact from Fiction and Drive Growth by Atul Minocha You were told social media marketing would skyrocket your sales with minimal investment. Influencers were supposed to have Gen Zers beating a path to your door. They didn't. In Lies, Damned Lies, and Marketing, Atul Minocha, a partner at Chief Outsiders, explains the difference between "Big-M" and "Small-M" marketing. Where mere marketing tactics fail to deliver, Minocha's strategy-based approach provides the insight you need to get real results from your marketing dollars. 7. Good Strategy, Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It Matters by Richard Rumelt It isn't that hard to develop good strategy, asserts UCLA Anderson School of Management professor Richard Rumelt. But what's incredibly hard is strategy execution, which is often subject to inertia, bureaucracy, second-guessing, political pressure, and more. In this lively guide, Rumelt lays out principles that will help readers get better at both coming up with and delivering on good strategy. 8. Cyber War...and Peace: Building Digital Trust Today with History as Our Guide by Nicholas Shevelyov There's no surer path to big-picture thinking than the lessons of history. When Nick Shevelyov was a child living in Russia, his father was detained by the KGB. The experience taught him that information can be used against you, and it steered him toward his career in digital risk management. In Cyber War...and Peace, Shevelyov explores history, strategy, and the digital world to help business leaders get their arms around cybersecurity and stay one step ahead of calamity. The final trailer for No Time To Die has been unveiled. Daniel Craig features prominently as 007 in the clip, which was published on Tuesday. Lea Seydouxs Madeleine Swann also takes centre stage, alongside Rami Maleks villain Safin. James Bond, Safin narrates pensively at one point. Licensed to kill. In love with Madeleine Swann. I could be speaking to my own reflection, only your skills die with your body, and life is all about leaving something behind, isnt it? The trailer also includes plenty of action shots, including a car chase and a vertiginous plane sequence. No Time To Die, which is expected to be Craigs final outing as 007, will be released on 30 September 2021 in the UK after being delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. In the US, the film is scheduled for release on 8 October 2021. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, No Time To Die begins with Bond having left active service and enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help, the movies logline adds. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology. Thandiwe Newton has revealed why she turned down a role in a superhero film. The actor told LADBible in a recent interview that she was once offered to play someone's mum who just dies. I was like, Meh, no, she added. It was more the role, you know what I mean? Newton did not specify what the film was or which studio was producing it. She did express interest in superhero movies in general, telling the publication she loves whats happening with the genre as a whole. The perfect example is Taika Waititi, what he did with [the 2017Thor: Ragnarok, she said. I love that the actors in it really want to push it too of course they do, it's boring otherwise, Jesus. Newton elaborated: As a genre they bore me, these big franchises, and I'm quite cynical about it too, because it's just about money; it's this behemoth of money that's just like rolling forward gathering more money, right? But now I feel like there is a demand from both the audience, I think people who are involved in the movies but certainly the world that there is better substance around these superhero things. Newton stars in Reminiscence, a science fiction thriller released on 20 August in the US and in the UK. Paula Jones, a former Arkansas state employee, is portrayed in Impeachment: American Crime Story by Annaleigh Ashford. Jones filed a civil lawsuit against then-President Bill Clinton on 17 January 1994. She alleged that Clinton had sexually harassed her during his time as governor of Arkansas, then defamed her when denying the claims. The case led to a landmark ruling by the US Supreme Court. On 27 May 1997, the court found that the Constitution does not grant a sitting President immunity from civil litigation except under highly unusual circumstances. It thus allowed Jones case to proceed. Clinton settled the lawsuit in November 1998, agreeing to pay Jones $850,000 in exchange for her dropping the charges. The deal included no apology. Paula Jones on 6 January 1998 in Long Beach, California (Vince Bucci/AFP via Getty Images) While being questioned in Joness case, Clinton denied having had sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky, a former White House intern. Independent counsel Kenneth Starr later alleged that Clinton had lied under oath and obstructed justice. The House of Representatives on 19 December 1998 impeached Clinton on the grounds of perjury to a grand jury and obstruction of justice. A Senate trial ensued, and senators voted to acquit Clinton on both charges. He remained in office until January 2001, when his second term as president ended. Impeachment: American Crime Story is a dramatisation of Clintons impeachment and of the events that led to it. The 10-episode season will start airing on 7 September on FX in the US. An air date has yet to be confirmed in the UK, but seasons one and two of the anthology series aired on BBC Two shortly after being broadcast in the US. The first episode of the ITV drama Stephen included a harrowing scene in which police officers investigating the murder of Stephen Lawrence re-enacted his killing. The 18-year-old was murdered by racist thugs at a London bus stop in 1993. His killing, and the bungled police investigation that followed, were dramatised in the 1999 film The Murder of Stephen Lawrence. ITVs series is a sequel to that film, which portrays events from 2006, following his parents extraordinary campaign for justice that led to a public inquiry, which in turn declared the Metropolitan Police institutionally racist. It also brought about sweeping changes in the law and police practices, and transformed thinking and understanding of racial inequality in the UK. The technical reconstruction (which happened in real life), is shown in episode one of Stephen. It sees Black police officer Theo Bannister (Jude Cudjoe) play Lawrence and DI Shaun Keep (Jonjo ONeill) play one of the men who attacked him, in order to gauge how long the incident would have taken, and therefore how much forensic evidence could be found on the suspects clothing. Speaking about how difficult the scene was to film, Coogan, whose character DCI Clive Driscoll oversaw the investigation and the reconstruction, said: It affects you deeply. In some ways the understatement of it, the mechanical, dispassionate way its enacted and recreated, somehow accentuates the horror of it and the inhumanity of the violence because of the clinical way it is displayed. The shows executive producer, Mark Redhead, added: Even though it is just people doing a reconstruction without any weapons in a well lit room, it is really very disturbing. An extraordinary scene and really upsetting. The resconstruction of the killing in Stephen (ITV) Producer Madonna Baptiste, meanwhile, described watching the rushes as heartbreaking because they were a reconstruction of the teenagers last moments. Stephen continues on Mondays at 9pm on ITV. Read more about the case, and the Bafta-winning film that was made about it in 1999, here. Season 41 of hit reality show Survivor is almost here. After not airing in 2020 due to the ongoing pandemic, the new season is scheduled to premiere on 22 September 2021. Travel restrictions initially prevented the cast and crew from going to Fiji to film, but it is now returning to its longstanding home for the upcoming season. Season 41 started filming back in April, longtime host, Jeff Probst, announced on social media. He said: Hey, Survivor fans, I have some exciting news to share. Survivor is going back into production. Fiji has invited us back to their beautiful country to shoot Season 41. Probst also detailed how the series would shoot in the pandemic: We have all of our Covid protocols in place so that everybody in Fiji will remain safe, all of our crew will be safe, and of course our players will be safe. I cant remember a time Ive been this pumped to shoot Survivor and Ill tell you why. The past year has reminded me, and I hope its reminded you, that you gotta live your life like its one big, great adventure, and Survivor fulfills that. Survivor first started in 2000 and during its over two decades on air, has been one of the most popular shows in the US. The winner of each series receives $1m (730,000). There will be 18 new contestants for the new season: Brad Reese, Danny McCray, David Voce, Deshawn Radden, Eric Abraham, Erika Casupanan, Evvie Jagoda, Genie Chen, Heather Aldret, Jairus Robinson, Liana Wallace, Naseer, Muttalif, Ricard Foye, Sara Wilson, Shantel Smith, Sydney Segal, Tiffany Seely and Xander Hastings. Season 41 of Survivor will start on 22 September on CBS at 8pm EST. Its 22-and-a-half years since ITV aired the two-hour drama The Murder of Stephen Lawrence, about the quest for justice for the south-London teenager. Lawrence was killed in a gang attack, aged 18, by racist thugs as he waited for a bus home on 22 April 1993. The film was an indictment of the original police investigation, written and directed by Paul Greengrass, and would go on to win the 2000 Bafta for Best Single Drama. Yet its inescapable coda, white text on a black background, read: The five suspects continue to deny involvement in the murder of Stephen Lawrence. They remain free. The films three-part sequel, Stephen, picks up the story in 2006 with Stephens parents Doreen and Neville Lawrence now separated still fighting for justice for their son, after the double jeopardy law has been changed to allow persons accused of murder to stand trial again. The Mets DCI Clive Driscoll volunteers to take over the investigation. Ive been through the files Maam, he tells the then deputy assistant commissioner Cressida Dick. Its a straightforward crime that I think we should be able to solve with a bit of common-sense coppering. She repeats the words back to him, marvelling perhaps at their apparent naivety. The producers have taken a similar back-to-basics approach to the new drama. Out has gone Greengrasss heavyweight arthouse style, with its emphasis on hand-held verite. In come all the things that have been straightforwardly key to successful television detective dramas over the intervening years: painstaking procedural crime solving, emotional connection with all the principals (especially Hugh Quarshies Neville and Sharlene Whytes Doreen Lawrence), and star casting Steve Coogan rolls his Manc vowels into something that resembles a south London accent as Driscoll. The result is less an attention-grabbing Bafta bid, more unputdownable telly. Coogan's down-to-earth everyman copper stands between the viewer and anything that sounds even vaguely like Jed Mercurio-style jargon. Half of what youre doing will be lost on me, but I want you to do it anyway, Driscoll tells the privately contracted forensic scientists he hopes will crack the case back open for him.Its risky in one sense, in that it potentially places Driscoll in the role of unlikely white cop hero (the drama is based on his book In Pursuit of the Truth). Yet Quarshie and Whyte embody the utter loss of faith in British policing, which saw the Force labelled incompetent and institutionally racist by the Macpherson report in 1999. Both are immune to reassurance and to any sense that the Met might have got its house in order. As Doreen Lawrence puts it: My fear for a long time is that this has been an anti-investigation designed to cover up the truth. Her uncompromising determination sets the tone. Joe Cottrell Boyce's script is carefully constructed, emotionally involving, and the choices pay off. ITV clearly wants as big an audience as possible for Stephen, and it deserves one. A former English language teacher abandoned in Afghanistan says he now "regrets" working with UK because of the danger he faces with the Taliban in full control of the country. Last night the last US evacuation plane left Kabul airport, bringing to an end the western presence in Afghanistan, some 20 years on from the 9/11 terror attacks. Taliban militants claimed victory as the aircraft took off and celebrated by firing guns into the air. The final UK flight departed on Sunday. The teacher, who did not want to give his name for fear of reprisal, said he has been targeted by the new regime because his face is on billboards in Afghanistan advertising English classes. "I regret working with the English," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. "I regret helping people learn English. Why did I work for people who left me and fled and left me alone here? My background is hurting me nowadays." He added: "They are looking for me because I've got pictures in billboards advertised for classes. Also, I worked for the British Council. I worked for the UK for the past eight or nine years." The teacher is among thousands of at-risk Afghans who are eligible to leave but have been left behind following the withdrawal of UK and US troops. Hundreds of British and American citizens are also stranded. Dominic Raab, the UK foreign secretary, said he was unable to give a "definitive" figure on how many Afghans the UK failed to airlift to safety. He told BBC: "It's very difficult to give you a firm figure. I can tell you that for UK nationals we've secured since April over 5,000, and we're in the low hundreds (remaining)." The teacher said he tried to flee Afghanistan shortly after the Taliban took over, but found there was no way to escape. He said he applied for the evacuation scheme but had "no reply", adding he was able to obtain a Pakistan visa but has been unable to leave safely. "Last night was the worst," he said. "It was, the whole night, guns while you're sleeping. It damages your mind. My fate will be the same, like others." Additional reporting by Press Association Four men, including a Hindu priest have been charged with the rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl in India. The young girl, who belonged to the Dalit community, the most oppressed group in Hinduisms caste-based social hierarchy, was allegedly attacked on 1 August in the Nangal area of Delhi. Ingit Pratap Singh, a senior police official told CNN that he believes the victim was attacked by the priest and other crematorium workers when she went to fetch water from the crematorium near her home. He said that the girls mother was called to the crematorium by the priest, who showed her the body of her dead daughter. Allegedly, the priest told the woman that her child had been accidentally electrocuted near the water tap. In her statement to the police, the woman said that the priest and crematorium employees told her that if she reported her daughters death to the police, doctors conducting the autopsy would remove her daughters organs and sell them. Eventually, she told the police, that the priest convinced her to cremate her daughters body at the crematorium. Around 200 villagers heard the mothers cries and came to the crematorium. Upon hearing her say that she suspected her daughter had been raped, they intervened, began to extinguish the funeral pyre, and pulled the childs charred remains from it. But doctors who conducted a post-mortem exam on the remains were unable to determine the cause of death because of the damage caused by the fire. Outraged, the villagers gathered and demanded justice, and were joined by hundreds of protesters across New Delhi, calling for accountability for the girls death. On 2 August, the four men from the crematorium were arrested. They remain in police custody and following the filing of a 400-page charge sheet citing scientific and technical evidence they were formally charged with rape, murder and the destruction of evidence on Saturday. The case is set to be heard by a district court on Tuesday and will then be sent to a fast-track court. If found guilty, the men could face the death penalty. While the speed at which the judicial system is pursuing charges against the men, rape remains an urgent problem in India, particularly among lower caste groups. According to Indias National Crime Records Bureau, in 2019 more than 32,000 rapes were reported across the country, but activists believe the true figure to be much higher, due to limited reporting out of fear and stigma. And data released by the countrys Ministry of Home Affairs showed that in 2018, on average, a rape was reported every 15 minutes. The situation is even more bleak for disadvantaged groups, like the countrys Dalit community. Although India officially abolished the caste system in 1950, the roots of the social hierarchical system run deep in the predominantly Hindu nation. The system organises Hindus at birth, defining their social trajectory who they can marry, what jobs they can do, and their overall place in society. The Dalit community comprise 201 million people in India and have previously been referred to as untouchables. They continue to experience significant discrimination, violence, and high rates of sexual assault. A 2020 report from non-governmental organisation Equality Now found that sexual violence is used by dominant societal groups to oppress Dalit women and girls. The organisation has called on the government to enhance accountability and effective law enforcement practices in order to protect caste-based minorities from ongoing harm. A former British solder is set to flee Afghanistan with hundreds of Afghans including his own staff by travelling through Taliban-controlled land. Ben Slater is reportedly planning to make his own way out of the country as he did not receive the necessary visas for air evacuation from the UK government. The 37-year-old, who used to work as a bodyguard to British ambassadors abroad, toldThe Telegraph he felt massively let down by the government. Thousands of British nationals and Afghan allies have been evacuated from Afghanistan since its fall to the Taliban earlier this month. The final members of UK military and diplomatic personnel left Kabul airport on Saturday night, ending the largest evacuation mission since the Second World War. Mr Slater, who used worked for the Royal Military Police, reportedly supported dozens of evacuations in the UKs airlift programme. He asked officials to organise the evacuation of himself and Nomad Concepts Group staff but did not receive visas,The Telegraph reported. Mr Slater has now launched his own operation to leave Afghanistan by land, attempting to flee the country with 400 Afghan nationals including his 50 staff members, which are mainly women, according to the newspaper. He told The Telegraph it is set to be a long trip. I am hoping on the other end that the FCDO [Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office] have got our visas sorted, or at least have spoken to the foreign affairs ministry in our destination country to allow access for our vulnerable staff, he added. Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, said the number of UK nationals still in the country was in the low hundreds. He was unable to give a definitive figure on how many Afghans the UK failed to airlift to safety after the Taliban seized power. The foreign secretary also said it would be a challenge for people trying to escape Afghanistan by fleeing to a border. Mr Raab told Sky News: We are holding very squarely the Taliban to their explicit assurances - they have made them bilaterally to us, they have made them to other countries and we have now firmed this up with a UN security council resolution - that they must allow safe passage, not just for our nationals but for Afghans, particularly vulnerable ones, who wish to leave. The FCDO has been approached for comment. Sri Lanka has declared a state of emergency after basic food supplies began running low as a foreign exchange crisis in the country sees private banks struggling to pay for imports. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the south Asian nations president, announced the measure in order to prevent the hoarding of essential items including rice and sugar. The new ruling gives authorities the power to seize stocks of food and detain those found to be hoarding supplies. It follows a steep rise in prices for staples such as potatoes, onions and rice and shortages of items like milk powder and cooking gas. Import businesses have complained that there are not enough dollars to pay for foreign-made foods as the countrys foreign reserves have fallen by two-thirds over the last 18 months, to $2.8bn (2bn) in July. People queue outside a supermarket in Colombo. Private banks have run out of foreign exchange to finance imports (AFP via Getty Images) Sri Lanka has been suffering from a devastating economic crisis only worsened by the pandemic, which struck the tourism industry that usually provides jobs for more than 3 million people and accounts for about 12 per cent of GDP. Its foreign exchange reserves have dwindled, hindering the countrys ability to repay large debt and forcing it to cut back on imports of farm chemicals, cars and even its staple spice, turmeric. Toothbrush handles, strawberries, vinegar, wet wipes and sugar are also among the hundreds of foreign goods that have been banned or made subject to special licensing requirements a move that is pushing prices up and triggering protests. Sri Lankas foreign exchange reserves have fallen to barely enough to pay for three months of imports. The petroleum minister, Udaya Gammapila, recently said the country did not have enough cash to pay for oil imports either. To conserve precious foreign exchange, the government has limited US dollar transactions but despite this, imports still outpace the country's exports of tea, rubber, seafood and garments. Additional reporting by AP Taliban members beat and raped a gay man after they tricked him into meeting them. Two militants had pretended to be a friend that could help the man, who was in hiding, escape Afghanistan. The victim, whose name has not been revealed to protect his identity, met them in Kabul after three weeks of talking online. The Taliban members assaulted and raped him, the mans friend and LGBT activist Artemis Akbary has told ITV. They also forced the man to give them his fathers phone number, so that they could tell him his son is gay. Mr Akbary, who now lives in Turkey, has said: [The Taliban] are trying to tell the world we are changed and we dont have problems with womens rights or human rights. They are lying. The Taliban hasnt changed, because their ideology hasnt changed. My friends in Afghanistan are scared, they dont know what will happen to them in the future so theyre just trying to hide. Mr Akbary has said that the threat to LGBT people in Afghanistan is greater than when the Taliban were in power from 1996 to 2001, as the Taliban now have social media as a way of gleaning information and setting traps for people. LGBT organisations Rainbow Railroad and Stonewall have called on PM Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to urgently help people who are at risk of torture and death in the hands of the Taliban. Mr Johnson and US President Joe Biden have spoken of contingency plans to help get more people out of Afghanistan now that their civilian evacuation efforts have come to an end. Women have also been prime targets of the Taliban, despite the groups spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid insisting that security forces will be gentle and nice to people under their rule. The Taliban has reportedly gone door-to-door to force girls as young as 12 into marriage with militants as sex slaves, and has threatened anyone suspected of helping western forces during the 20-year war with summary executions. Najla Ayoubi, a former Afghan judge and an activist who lives in the US, said earlier this month that Taliban fighters had set a woman on fire because the food she was forced to cook for them was not to their liking. A number of women have been put into coffins and shipped to neighbouring countries so they can be used as sex slaves, she said. Ms Ayoubi, now the chief of the coalition and global programmes at Every Woman Treaty, has lived in the US since 2015 after extremists in Afghanistan had targeted her and her family for decades. Minutes after US military forces completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan, armed Taliban fighters were seen entering a hangar at the Hamid Karzai International airport in Kabul where four heavy-duty Chinook helicopters are stationed. The video captured by LA Times journalist Nabih Bulos shows members of the Taliban donning US military gear, including ballistic vests and helmets, entering a formerly Washington-controlled hanger to examine the helicopters left behind by the US. As the last US soldier departed on a Boeing C-17 Globemaster before dawn on Tuesday, celebratory gunfire echoed across Kabul after the Taliban took complete control of the airport. The hasty withdrawal ended 20 years of Americas war in Afghanistan. US central command chief Kenneth McKenzie assured on Monday that Washington had demilitarised some of the military equipment in Afghanistan, which they were unable to bring back. The last US soldier has left Kabul airport and our country gained complete independence, Taliban spokesman Qari Yusuf was quoted as saying. Several Afghan nationals are trying to flee their country fearing for their lives over the collapse of law and order since the Taliban takeover of capital Kabul on 15 August. The Taliban now has access to $85 billion worth US weapons, according to Republican congressman Jim Banks, who had earlier served in Afghanistan. The fighters have access to 75,000 vehicles, over 200 airplanes and helicopters, and over 600,000 small arms and light weapons. They have more Black Hawk helicopters than 85 per cent of the countries in the world, Mr Banks warned. According to the latest quarterly report from the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), since 2005 the US has provided at least $18 billion to the Afghan military for equipment and transportation. Since the beginning of the evacuation on 14 August, at least 123,000 people have been airlifted out of Afghanistan by the US and its allied forces. On Monday, during the last leg of evacuation, five rockets fired towards the airport were intercepted by the US missile defence. The fresh attack comes after the Isis-K, the eastern wing of terror organisation the Islamic State, on 26 August killed over 180 people, including 13 US marines, outside the Kabul airport in a suicide mission. President Joe Biden has vowed to keep up airstrikes against the terror outfit. We will continue to hunt down any person involved in that heinous attack and make them pay, he said. However, the US drone strike last week targeting members of Isis-K reportedly killed 10 members of a family, including six children. The swift Taliban military onslaught that saw the militant group take over the whole of Afghanistan in a matter of weeks revealed how wealthy it has become since the ousting of its regime in 2001. In the past two decades, the insurgents have run a state-like economy in the areas they controlled. They relied on various fundraising sources, such as drug trafficking and other criminal activities, extortion and taxes, charitable donations and foreign assistance. Follow Afghanistan news live: Latest updates The Taliban operates a classic territory controlling financial model; in other words, it earns the bulk of its funds from the people and businesses in areas that it controls, Tom Keatinge, Director of the Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies at the Royal United Services Institute in London, told The Independent. It remains almost impossible to project precisely how much the Taliban raise every year. However, according to a recent UN report, the group manage to collect from 220 million to 1.17 billion every year. The most well-documented source of income for the Taliban is the trade of opium hashish, methamphetamines and other narcotics. The Taliban have a very diverse portfolio in criminal enterprise and front companies. The primary source is narcotics, both heroin and synthetic drugs, said Sajjan Gohel, international security director at the Asia-Pacific Foundation and a visiting teacher at the London School of Economics in London. The Taliban earns the bulk of its funds from the people and businesses in areas that it controls Tom Keatinge, Director of the Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies at RUSI For years, Afghanistan provided around 84 per cent of the global opium production, according to the UN World Drug Report 2020. Taliban commanders have imposed a tax over every stage of opiums production, transportation and selling. The Taliban designed a tax system in the areas under its control, including companies, shopkeepers, trucks using motorways and international aid projects. They also collect a 10 per cent Ushur Islamic tax and a 2.5 per cent Zakat the Islamic annual tax on wealth. Last year, a classified Nato report published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty cited a senior Taliban figure, Mullah Yaqoob, as estimating the group took around 117 million in taxes. We use the term taxation here, but what we really mean is extortion This is not a normal taxation system - it is much more like racketeering enterprise, Laurel Miller, director of the Asia programme at the International Crisis Group, told BBC Radio 4s The Briefing Room. Asked about the sources of the Taliban massive amounts of arms, she said: Afghanistan is a place, after decades of war, awash in weapons. It is not difficult to get weapons. But the highest Taliban income comes from moving legal goods, such as fuel, food, medicine and essentials, through border crossings and customs. Last month, the Afghan Finance Ministry spokesman Rafiullah Tabeh said that the previous government generated an estimated 66.5 million worth of revenue through customs until May. But as the Taliban rampage went on, more key border crossings have fallen. The government revenues in June, therefore, plummeted to 41.5 million. A Taliban spokesperson said that the routine work of the US-built Sher Khan Bandar border crossing, a crucial gateway to Tajikistan in Kunduz Province, will continue as before: the reason is that we dont want to create problems for businessmen, for traders, for common people. Official figures showed that more than 1.46 billion in trade passed through the three Afghan border crossings with Iran last year. However, a study by the Overseas Development Institute said that informal trade would make this figure twice as high. Drug trafficking and border crossings will continue to be the main income source for the Taliban, but as they are taking control of most of Afghanistan, the Taliban will want to exploit and cultivate the nations natural mineral resources, Gohel noted. How the Taliban will run the Afghan economy? (EPA) It will be looking for partners to help in this, and China and Pakistan are the most likely suitors to support them in this, he said. Mining has also been a prime source of income for the group. The UN report, and NATO, estimate that the Taliban generated nearly 340 million from the mining sector every year. But other countries wouldnt help the Taliban through trade or boosting the mining sector only, but their support includes direct funding as well. The US and its allies have long accused specific countries, such as Pakistan, Iran and Russia, of funding and arming the radical group and providing a safe haven for Taliban leaders. These countries vehemently deny these accusations. Nonetheless, experts have repeated that individuals from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries can be considered a lucrative source of funds for the Taliban. The BBC has estimated that charitable contributions by these individuals could be as much as 365m a year. The Taliban will continue to rely on their networks in Pakistan as that is their primary route and source of incoming revenue, Gohel told The Independent. But after their stunning takeover of Kabul last weekend, the Taliban now face the precarious situation of dealing with the crumbling Afghan economy, which was kept on life support by foreign aid. The World Bank has confirmed that foreign powers cover almost 75 per cent of the Afghan government spending by sending nearly 3 billion to Kabul every year. Despite the shambolic economic situation, the Talibans control over the whole country would likely boost their coffers and provide greater financial autonomy from their foreign patrons. Any organisation like the Taliban will want to limit its financial vulnerability, so it will maximise the extent to which it can fund its activities from resources within its control, Keatinge said. However, it will be worth watching which foreign governments are sympathetic towards them, recognise their legitimacy and, potentially, develop trade or other economic ties with the new regime. International legitimacy seems to have become the ultimate goal for any future Taliban government. In addition to allowing Taliban officials to participate in international meetings with world leaders, it would guarantee the flow of international aid, which is essential to prop up their rule. The groups commanders have been out of government for 20 years and many of them may have lost touch with governing the daily life of a nation in despair. The new reality will require additional funds as the group seeks to win the hearts and minds of the highly sceptical Afghans. There is a potential risk for the Taliban, however, which is that they are no longer opposing the national government; they are in effect the national government, and thus this requires them to fund and maintain many of the services the previous government provided, Keatinge said. The Taliban will continue to rely on their networks in Pakistan as that is their primary route and source of incoming revenue Sajjan Gohel, international security director at the Asia-Pacific Foundation This is the ultimate test facing the western powers who have taken part in ousting the previous Taliban regime. In the US, for example, about $7 billion of the Afghan central banks $9 billion in foreign reserves are still being held by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, according to the former acting governor of the Afghan central bank. The Biden administration has already vowed to block access to these funds. The International Monetary Fund also said it would withhold more than $400 million, previously scheduled to be sent to Afghanistan. I fear that in all of this, those that will suffer will be those that have relied on international humanitarian funds this could be the lasting legacy of the collapse of the Afghan government in the past week, Keatinge said. The international community is now in a bind. They must not recognise or legitimise the Taliban militia and continue to find ways to cut off their clandestine funding streams as that can contribute to funding terrorism, Gohel told The independent. There is also a need to continue to enable UN organisations and NGOs to work at a grassroots level to ensure humanitarian support is sustained in Afghanistan, he added The people of Afghanistan must not fall victim to the mercy of the Taliban. The United States embassy in Kabul announced the suspension of operations on Tuesday after the complete withdrawal of military troops from Afghanistan. While the US government has withdrawn its personnel from Kabul, we will continue to assist US citizens and their families in Afghanistan from Doha, Qatar, the embassys website said. The US completed the pullout of its forces from Kabul before dawn on Tuesday, ending its 20-year war in the country. According to the Pentagon, over 1,23,000 people, including 6,000 American citizens, have been airlifted out of Afghanistan since 14 August. However, in a hasty departure from Kabul, the US has left behind 100-200 of its own citizens and thousands of Afghans waiting to flee the country. The last US soldier has left Kabul airport and our country gained complete independence, Taliban spokesman Qari Yusuf was quoted as saying. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday said that the US has shut down its diplomatic mission in Kabul and will operate from Doha. Addressing the nation, Mr Blinken said: 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. He informed that the transfer of operations to Doha will be soon formally notified to Congress. Given the uncertain security environment and political situation in Afghanistan, it was the prudent step to take, Mr Blinken added. Washington will use the post in Doha to manage diplomacy with Afghanistan, including consular affairs, administering humanitarian assistance, and working with allies, partners, and regional and international stakeholders. The top diplomat said that the US will stay focused on counterterrorism. The Taliban has made a commitment to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghanistan as a base for external operations that could threaten the United States or our allies, including Al-Qaeda and the Talibans sworn enemy, Isis-K. Here too, we will hold them accountable to that commitment, he added. During the last leg of the evacuation process, over 180 people, including 13 US marines were killed in multiple bombings outside the Kabul airport on 26 August. The Islamic states eastern wing called Isis-K, which considers both the US and the Taliban as its enemy, claimed responsibility for the attack. Environmental activists have blocked the entrance and exit to the UKs largest dairy factory, preventing the delivery of thousands of pints of milk. Protesters from Animal Rebellion, an off-shoot group of Extinction Rebellion, arrived at 5am on Tuesday morning and erected two wooden tower structures at the entrance and exit of Arlas factory in Aylesbury. Around 50 activists are now camped out at the site, with some locked-on to a van and lying in the middle of the roads in and out of the dairy plant. Police are at the scene and have started using a specialist removal team to remove protesters from the wooden teepee and make arrests. Thames Valley officers are urging people to avoid the area and have put a road closure in place on the A41 to manage traffic. Dairy giant, Arla Foods UK, which supplies milk to most major supermarkets, confirmed in a statement that it could not get any large vehicles in and out of its factory. At capacity, an average of 20 lorries usually access the site each hour. The factory processes up to 420,000 pints of milk an hour and makes around 400 deliveries from the site each day. Activist James Ozden, who is at the protest, said: We arrived quite close to 5am this morning and parked our van and put up our structure and equipment. The police came pretty soon after we got here and have been around for about four hours now. I think they are waiting for the process removal team to come because they are not equipped to remove us yet. Theres a pretty huge queue of backlog lorries on both sides. Its definitely quite inconvenient and there are a lot of workers out here milling around because they dont have anything to do. There are no HGVs or milk product lorries coming in and out of Arla today. Mr Ozden predicted the activists could be there for two to three days, saying: weve got relatively strong kit and committed people. Around 20 people are locked on to various structures and other activists have set up tents and gazebos around the area. Mr Ozden added: If we are going to address the climate crisis then we need to have a major shift from animal-based food products to plant-based. We are calling for an urgent transition. A spokesperson for Arla said: As a cooperative owned by farmers we are committed to producing dairy for the UK in the most sustainable way possible. We already make raw milk with around half the average emissions of dairy globally and intend to be carbon net zero by 2050. We are working with the police to limit the impact of this demonstration to both our customers and those living locally to the site. We have managed to complete our morning shift change over and all colleagues are safe, however, access to the site for our larger vehicles is being blocked. We are working to manage the impact of this. A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: Thames Valley Police officers are at the site of a protest outside the Arla dairy in Aylesbury. At 5.17am this morning reports were received that a number of protestors had gathered and blocked the entrance to the dairy. Officers attended the scene within minutes. A road closure has been put in place on the A41 to manage traffic and minimise disruption to the local community and businesses. We would advise people to avoid the area and find alternative routes. The road closure may be in place for some time. Officers are on scene and are liaising with the landowner, and those who have gathered to protest, and will be working to return normality to the site as soon as possible. They added that while the police force strives to facilitate the rights of the public to protest and demonstrate peacefully, they would look to remove and if necessary arrest anyone believed to be engaged in direct action to disrupt lawful activity. Last month the dairy giant was forced to cut back on deliveries because of the impacts of the country-wide lorry driver shortage. Arlas UK managing director Ash Amirahmadi said that the producer was struggling to supply some supermarkets with milk due to the crisis. The Independent also revealed last week that Arla had been asked to stop sending milkshake mix to McDonalds after supply chain issues, blamed on Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, left the fast-food chain unable to sell any milkshakes. The governors of California and Nevada have declared a state of emergency over the Caldor Fire as reports emerged of fire crews using chair lifts in Lake Tahoes ski resort to survey the raging blaze. The fire has consumed 270 square miles since it ignited two weeks ago near Omo Ranch in El Dorado County, east of Sacramento, and is just 15 per cent contained. The Caldor Fire is one of 13 active wildfires in California, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. So far this year, 6,913 fires have burned through 1.76 million acres of land in the state. The state, and others in the US West, are suffering an unprecedented fire season driven by high-temperatures and historic drought linked to the climate crisis. The counties of Alpine, Amador, and Placer surrounding Lake Tahoe, a popular tourist destination, were placed under the emergency declaration on Monday. The declaration frees up resources from local, state, and federal levels to help with needs during the fire. According to the San Francisco Gate, fire crews are using chair lifts meant for skiers to help in fighting fires in the resort town of South Lake Tahoe. Some 53,000 residents in South Lake and surrounding El Dorado county were placed under a mandatory evacuation order on Monday. It is imperative that residents in the impacted areas stay safe and prepare to evacuate immediately if called for by local authorities, Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement. Along with residents, inmates of the South Lake Tahoe Jail were evacuated from the area and Barton Memorial Hospital patients. In neighboring Nevada, Governor Steve Sisolak made the declaration in anticipation that the wildfire will jump the state line. The Caldor Fire has destroyed 664 structures and left five people have been injured, the state fire agency Cal Fire reported. Around 65 miles away, the Dixie fire has burned through 777,741 acres in the past month to become the second-largest wildfire in California history. Due to the major fires dotted across the state, the US Forest Service has closed national forests in California to prevent tourists from visiting ahead of the Labor Day weekend. We do not take this decision lightly but this is the best choice for public safety, Jennifer Eberlien, regional forester, said in a statement. The climate crisis is driving hotter temperatures and a mega-drought in California, making fire seasons longer and more severe. On top of the drought, 30mph winds are expected in the Lake Tahoe area Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Restoring power to thousands of homes in New Orleans and surrounding parishes could take days or even weeks, after Hurricane Ida slammed into southeast Louisiana and knocked out all eight electricity transmission lines powering the region, including a critical tower that collapsed near the Mississippi River. More than 1.1 million homes and businesses are without power in Louisiana and Mississippi, according to governor John Bel Edwards, after the storms catastrophic damage broke down more than 2,000 miles of power lines and 216 substations, according to Entergy, the company that powers much of the state. Entergy New Orleans, which provides the city with electrical and gas power, announced that it would likely take days to determine the extent of damage to our power grid and far longer to restore electrical transmission to the region. More than 20,000 lineman from 22 states have been dispatched across the state, although it remains unclear how long it will take to restore service, potentially leaving thousands of homes in the dark and in the late-summer heat and humidity. Gas stations are unable to pump fuel, cellular service is limited, and the citys sewage-pumping stations have limited capacity to pull wastewater. New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell urged residents who evacuated to stay where they are, stressing that now is not the time for re-entry. Roughly 200,000 New Orleans residents remained in their homes, she said. Again, if you evacuated, stay where you are, she said during a briefing on Monday. We will notify you when it is safe to go home. Jefferson Parish president Cynthia Lee Sheng, whose suburban parish wraps around New Orleans and extends to the coast, told Joe Biden on Monday that residents have no electricity, no communication. Our water systems are down. Were losing pressure, she said. Its going to be a difficult life for quite some time. 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 Grecos parents. Water reached a foot up the first-floor windows, then filled the first floor to 1.2m (4ft) 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 Grecos father, 85-year-old Fred Carmouche, a lifelong resident. At least 18 water system outages across the state have impacted more than 300,000 homes, with 329,000 people under advisories to boil their water, according to the governors office. The states health department reports more 440,000 homes without any water service. Jefferson Parish is weighing whether to evacuate residents in buses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has sent 200 generators to Louisiana, and more are coming, the president said. As power returns, the state will prioritise hospitals, dialysis centers and other critical medical centres, the governor said. Four hospitals have been evacuated, and other health systems in southeast Louisiana have relied on generator power, though that may diminish. Early post-storm assessments of damage to New Orleans neighbourhoods reported downed trees, scattered debris and some roof damage, along with some collapsed structures, though the city was spared from the mass flooding that followed Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when federal levees failed and inundated the city as the storm passed. A $14.5bn flood protection system constructed in the years after Katrina held against Idas brute force. If theres a silver lining, and today its kind of hard to see one, our levee systems performed extremely well, Mr Edwards said on Monday. But widespread power outages exposed lingering Entergy issues that residents and regulators have criticised in the aftermath of other storms, including lack of upgrades to strengthen its power grid and lines for more severe storms. Members of the New Orleans City Council, which regulates Entergy New Orleans, have vowed to investigate power failures following Idas aftermath. Entergys controversial gas-fired power plant in New Orleans East built in the face of opposition from members of the community, environmental concerns and the objection of some members of city government had pledged that the facility would be vital for circumstances exactly like the destruction seen during Ida, when the transmission system that feeds the region with power generated from outside the city is offline. That didnt happen. The New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board, which also relies on Entergy power as well as its own power-generating turbines, is using generators to keep critical stormwater pumps operational. I cant tell you when power is going to be restored, Mr Edwards said on Monday. But I can tell you were going to work hard every single day to provide as much assistance as we can and push Entergy and other electric companies to restore power as fast as they can. Over the weekend, Ida gathered deadly strength across a warm Gulf of Mexico, rapidly strengthening to a category 4 hurricane with wind speeds reaching 150mph, and barreling into a Louisiana coastline decimated by eroding wetlands that once provided the state with a natural storm barrier. As floods receded and daylight returned on Monday, emergency crews performed search-and-rescue operations in low-lying areas in Jefferson and St John the Baptist parishes, where officials reported dozens of rescue calls, including families trapped in their attics as the storms eyewall lashed vulnerable areas outside New Orleans and its storm protection system. Local, state and federal rescuers combined to save at least 671 people by Monday afternoon, Mr Edwards said, and roughly 2,000 people were moved into 36 emergency shelters. It may not seem like it, but every single day will be another step forward, the governor said. Gunfire filled the air last night as the Taliban celebrated the last US plane leaving Afghanistan. Some two decades after being ousted from power, the militants seized Kabul airport and are now back in total control. Joe Biden will later today explain why the evacuation deadline was not extended. Elsewhere, Boris Johnson faces disgruntlement from Tory councillors over planning and cuts and Robert Jenrick has announced the bulk of the governments new 8.6bn affordable homes programme will be directed at helping homebuyers rather than renters. Inside the bubble Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, is on the broadcast round this morning and faces questions about the UKs handling of the Afghanistan crisis. Later, President Joe Biden holds a press conference where he will explain why the US did not extend the evacuation deadline. Pakistans counter-terrorism units raided a hideout of the Islamic State group in the restive southwestern Baluchistan province before dawn on Tuesday, setting off a shootout that killed 11 militants, the police said. The units, acting on intelligence, carried out the raid in the district of Mastung, where IS militants had recently killed two police officers. The police said suicide belts, hand grenades and assault rifles were confiscated in the raid. The counter-terrorism department provided no further details and the nationality of the slain militants was not immediately known. The counter-terrorism police is a special branch of the police that fights militant groups. Quetta is the capital of Baluchistan province where IS group has claimed several attacks in recent years. IS has regional affiliates in both Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan. Baluchistan is also the scene of a low-level insurgency by Baluch separatist groups, which have also targeted non-Baluch laborers. However, unlike IS, they have no history of attacks on the minority Shiite community. The UK government is facing legal action over its failure to respond to requests for help from a progressive female Afghan MP and a leading woman judge who are both in hiding in Afghanistan and fearing for their lives. British lawyers have sent a warning letter to ministers stating that if they do not issue visas for the two women by 2pm on Wednesday they will launch an emergency legal challenge to compel them to do so. The women, who cannot be named to protect their identities, have been trying to seek help from the government for more than two weeks but to no avail. Conservative MP Nusrat Ghani who has been supporting the two women told The Independent they had been let down by the British government, describing the situation as shameful. The Afghan MP, who has criticised the Taliban publicly, told The Independent that the day after she and her family fled from their home in mid-August, their neighbours informed them that the Taliban had been to their house and, on finding her absent, hung their dog. Im afraid of what they would do to me and my family. I feel betrayed and let down. Hundreds of thousands left but most of the high-profile women I know are still here. We couldnt rush to the airport because we would be recognised. Im not sleeping, Im losing weight, she said. The second woman, a judge who was working on the protection of womens rights in the country, said that a number of the Taliban whom she helped to imprison for using violence against their wives, threatened to destroy her on their release. I am hiding with my family in terrible conditions. I have heard of judges already being executed by the Taliban and we are very frightened. Already, one of my brothers has gone missing and we are very worried about him, she added. I therefore call on the British government to work together to issue the visas to save me and my family. Please save us. Lawyers say there is little doubt that the women and their families are entitled to a UK visa under both the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap), designed to evacuate those who have supported British efforts, and the Afghanistan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), aimed at helping those most at risk, such as women and girls. However, they were not relocated during Britains evacuation operations, which ended on 30 August. The women feared going to Kabul airport due to the fact that they would be recognisable to Taliban members. The warning letter, sent to the Home Office, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury solicitor on Tuesday morning, calls on ministers to issue the women with the necessary visas to enable them to cross the Afghan border to Pakistan or Uzbekistan, warning that their lives are at stake. Should the visas not be issued now, the opportunity to safely bring our clients to the UK is likely to be lost forever for two overlapping reasons: first, the ability to safely extract them may be lost, it read. Secondly, the Taliban may succeed in tracking them down, in which case the result will almost inevitably be their deaths [...] We urge you to act speedily. Daniel Berke, director of 3D Solicitors, who is helping to represent the female MP, said: It is lamentable that it comes down to a group of lawyers to have to get together to try to persuade the government to do what it should be obliged to do. No one seems to be taking responsibility. These are the brightest and the best and the very sort of people who tried their best to rebuild Afghanistan, but theyre in hiding, God knows where, and theyre struggling to go out for food. Michael Polak, barrister for both women, said: These are women who have spent their careers fighting for womens rights and against corruption. There is no time to spare, and we ask that those with the ability to do so issue visas for these incredibly brave women immediately. It comes the Taliban has celebrated the end of two decades of American military involvement in Afghanistan by posing for photos at Kabul airport and by firing gunshots into the air throughout the city. Ms Ghani said: These women have spent all of their lives either being brutalised by the Taliban or fighting the Taliban. They would be a great asset to our country. They would do everything they can to help rebuild their country too. We need to keep them alive. Its that simple, she said. But now these women are surviving hour by hour. Why would any woman have confidence in working with us and putting their neck on the line again? Its shameful. Meanwhile, chair of the Home Affairs Committee, Yvette Cooper, called on the Home Office to confirm that the UK was still trying help families to whom it has an obligation to evacuate from Afghanistan. There are still many people who helped the UKs work in Afghanistan who remain at serious risk from the Taliban [...] We must ensure that those who worked with or for the UK government have a route to safety, she said. A Home Office spokesperson said it did not comment on individual cases or ongoing legal challenges. They added: We have evacuated over 16,000 people from Afghanistan. However, we know that more needs to be done to support those who are at risk, which is why we are urgently working to establish our new, bespoke scheme to provide protection for Afghan citizens identified most at risk, and are insisting that safe passage continues for those who want to leave. We will continue to do all we can to deliver on our obligation to British nationals and eligible Afghans. The RAF is prepared to launch air strikes against Islamic State fighters in Afghanistan if the situation presents itself, according to a senior officer. It comes after the terror networks Afghan offshoot, Isis-K, claimed responsibility for the attack on Kabul airport, which was carried out on Thursday and killed two Britons, the child of a British national, as well as 13 US service personnel and hundreds of Afghan civilians. While the international community appears to have accepted the reality of Taliban rule, the UK and US remain willing to take on Islamic State, also known as Daesh. Sir Mike Wigston, an air chief marshal, suggested the RAF could strike Isis-K targets in Afghanistan as a result. Ultimately what this boils down to is that weve got to be able to play a global role in the global coalition to defeat Daesh, whether its strike, or whether its moving troops or equipment into a particular country, at scale and at speed, he told The Daily Telegraph. If theres an opportunity for us to contribute I am in no doubt that we will be ready to that will be anywhere where violent extremism raises its head, and is a direct or indirect threat to the UK and our allies. Afghanistan is probably one of the most inaccessible parts of the world, and were able to operate there. US forces officially withdrew from Afghanistan on Monday, a day ahead of the deadline set by president Joe Biden, bringing to an end a deployment which began in the wake of the 9/11 attacks 20 years ago. The UK finished evacuating British nationals and eligible Afghans from the country on Saturday. Prior to Sir Mikes comments, foreign secretary Dominic Raab said the global coalition against Isis was ready to combat Daesh networks by all means available, wherever they operate. The attack on Kabul airport last week has led to a transatlantic blame game, with US sources indicating the gate that was attacked was kept open to facilitate the British evacuation. According to leaked Pentagon notes obtained by Politico, rear admiral Peter Vasely, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan, had wanted to close Abbey Gate but it was kept open to allow UK evacuees into the airport. Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials said that throughout the operation at the airport we have worked closely with the US to ensure the safe evacuation of thousands of people. The final US troops left Kabul on a flight shortly before midnight local time on Monday, meeting Mr Biden's commitment to withdraw ahead of the deadline. Moments later, the Taliban proclaimed full independence for Afghanistan. The new regime faces pressure to respect human rights and provide safe passage for those who wish to escape its rule 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. But the resolution effectively acknowledges that it is now up to the Taliban to decide whether people can leave Afghanistan. Boris Johnson said of the move: Tonights UN Security Council resolution, led by the UK with our allies, makes clear that the international community stands with Afghans. There can be no return to repression or terror. We will push as one voice for safe passage, humanitarian access and respect for human rights. The prime minister is said to be hopeful that Moscow and Beijing can wield some influence over the new Afghan government on issues including counter-terrorism and the trade in narcotics, preventing a refugee crisis and further economic collapse. Additional reporting by PA Everyones worried about the cost of cutting carbon dioxide emissions to reach net zero. A host of bets are being placed on innovation rather than determining who, exactly, will foot the bill. Ofgem, the energy regulator, is the latest body to throw funds at trying to innovate some of the way to the UKs climate goals. One Tuesday it announced it was offering 450m to help fund big, bold and ambitious ideas that could help the UKs carbon cutting aims become a reality. Ofgem will target the money at solutions to four major challenges: heat, transport, data and digitalisation, and whole system integration. System integration is the effort to better tackle monitoring and wastage of energy as it travels through the energy network to homes and businesses. The fund will be available for the next five years, but could be extended in the right circumstances, Ofgem said. Jonathan Brearley, chief executive of Ofgem, said: What we need, more than ever, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reach net zero is innovation. The Strategic Innovation Fund means cutting-edge ideas and new technologies become a reality, helping us find greener ways to travel, and to heat and power Britain at low cost. Yet while innovation remains a key part of building an effective net zero strategy, to cut emissions entirely by 2050, there are other difficult choices for the energy industry to make within the bounds of existing technology. These include basic steps such as better insulation. Poorly insulated homes account for some 14 per cent of the UKs carbon emissions, according to figures from the Committee on Climate Change produced in 2019. Greater levels of home working, because of pandemic restrictions has added the amount of carbon created by using energy at home. A new Heat and Building Strategy is due to be published next month, with the Telegraph reporting last week that it will likely demand that boiler manufacturers to speed up production of electric heat pumps. Even if Kwasi Kwarteng, business and energy minister admitted in an interview with the same paper that the pumps were less good than traditional boilers at present. Ofgems innovation fund, and the new strategy are set to land amid enhanced scrutiny of the UKs energy saving efforts ahead of the COP26 climate conference. It also follows a series of failed government-linked efforts to encourage households to install energy saving home improvements to upgrade the climate profile of British housing stock. The most recent example is the scrapping of the governments flagship Green Home Grants Scheme, at 1.5bn programme, which was meant to offer households grants of 5,000 or 10,000 to install insulation or low-carbon heating after just six months. Cutting the scheme again leaves households, other than the very poorest, with little or no government support for installing energy saving home improvements. This kind of installations can have significant upfront costs, even if they save money over time with lower energy bills. The CCC said in its June assessment of government efforts that heat pumps were installed in 5 per cent of new homes in 2020, far behind the 20 per cent level required by this year according to its calculations. Meanwhile installations of loft and solid wall insulation are only a third of the rate needed by 2021 it said. It also hit out at suggestions by the government that technology, rather than behaviour change and investment, could fix the problem of cutting the UKs carbon emissions. MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee also criticised the governments approach to the colossal task of improving homes energy efficiency in March this year: There is a chronic shortage of skills in the home retrofit sector. The industry has been bruised by stop-start policy and spending decisions and the Government must set longterm targets, with appropriate support mechanisms of multi-year duration, to give businesses certainty and not change the goalposts along the way. So, while Ofgems fund shows lofty ambitions, like a range of efforts that rely on innovation, it risks masking the problem of who will pay for energy efficiency overall. According to energy minister, Lord Callanan, the announcement of Ofgems fund is a sign of how innovation can help keep energy affordable: The UK is leading the world in decarbonising our energy system, with our innovators playing a vital role in going further while ensuring consumers receive clean and affordable energy. He added: The Strategic Innovation Fund will ensure the best projects and most talented minds have the grants available to reduce carbon emissions and enable bill payers to see the benefits of building back greener. Still, while the fund could stimulate bright ideas, and upgrading energy infrastructure from plant to plug is critical, someone will also need to pay for fresh technology to become a reality at scale. A clever idea on how to make it easier to install heat pumps in homes will still require the heat pump to be installed. It is hard to see how that avoids some greater expense for either the taxpayer, via the Treasury, or the consumer, via their energy bill. There are also existing technologies that can be implemented now, were the question of whos paying for going green to be answered immediately. UK officials did not push to their US counterparts to keep a gate open at Kabul airport before the deadly bomb attack in the area, foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said. American forces decided to keep the gate open longer than they wanted to allow British officials to continue evacuating personnel, according to leaked claims from the Pentagon. But Mr Raab said it was just not true to suggest the UK called for the airports Abbey Gate to be left open for part of its exit operation, which then contributed to the suicide bombing attack by an offshoot of the so-called Islamic State. The foreign secretary told Sky News: It is certainly right to say we got our civilians out of the processing centre by Abbey Gate, but it is just not true to suggest that other than securing our civilians inside the airport that we were pushing to leave the gate open. He added: In fact, and let me just be clear about this, we were issuing changes of travel advice before the bomb attack took place and saying to people in the crowd that certainly UK nationals and anyone else should leave because of the risk. The so-called Islamic States Afghan offshoot, Isis-K, carried out the attack on Kabul airport on Thursday which killed two Britons and the child of a British national, along with 13 US service personnel and scores of Afghans. The terrorist attack in Afghanistan has led to a transatlantic blame game, with US sources indicating the gate that was attacked was kept open to facilitate the British evacuation. According to leaked Pentagon notes obtained by Politico, Rear Admiral Peter Vasely, commander of US forces in Afghanistan, had wanted to close Abbey Gate but said it was kept open to allow UK evacuees inside. Asked if he thought the US briefing from the Pentagon was correct, Mr Raab told LBC: I dont recognise it as accurate, adding that the British operation wouldnt have required leaving any gates open. No 10 also moved to reject the allegations surfacing in the US. Boris Johnsons official spokesman said: Its simply not true to suggest that we pushed to keep the gate open. Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith blamed Joe Bidens administration for the terror attack at Kabul airport. President Biden was responsible for those decisions which, I believe, were critical in the course of the events that weve seen unfolding, he told LBC. The influential MP added: I do think now to attempt to try and brief against the UK on the suicide bombing is reprehensible really, because if the American government or the American military were very serious about shutting the gates, they would have shut the gates. The final US troops left Kabul on a flight shortly before midnight local time on Monday, meeting US president Joe Bidens commitment to withdraw ahead of the deadline. Mr Raab added he had an excellent working relationship with the US secretary of state Antony Blinken pointing to last nights UN Security Council resolution, which calls on the Taliban to offer safe passage, humanitarian access and respect for human rights. The foreign secretary also defended the US after a weekend drone strike targeted at a vehicle carrying Isis fighters reportedly killed 10 civilians. Mr Raab said the moral responsibility for civilian casualties caused by drone strikes lies with the terrorists . The minister told Times Radio: The right of self-defence is ultimately for every country to decide, but we do support exercising it and of course it has got to be targeted in accordance with international law, and the aim of the Americans was to hit a terrorist. He added: And we know history shows recent history in particular that terrorists will try to hide in cover where civilians are at risk. I think the moral responsibility of that lies with the terrorists. Mr Raab also said the UK will reserve the right to take part in air strikes in Afghanistan in the future in the interests of self-defence. It comes as the head of the Royal Air Force (RAF) indicated that British forces are still prepared to launch air strikes to target so-called Islamic State terrorists in Afghanistan. If theres an opportunity for us to contribute I am in no doubt that we will be ready to, said Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston. Meanwhile, Mr Raab denied claims in The Sunday Times he did not take regular calls from Afghan and Pakistani ministers during the evacuation from Kabul airport, allegedly because he thought Afghanistan was yesterdays war. The cabinet minister said that anyone toddling off to give buck-passing briefings either at me or the FCDO is frankly not credible and it is deeply irresponsible. However, he was unable to name any time before the last few weeks in which he had spoken to ministers from either Pakistan or Afghanistan. He told LBC: I cant tell you my precise call sheet for the last six months. But he said he was part of a team of ministers and delegated phone calls to colleagues, including Foreign Office minister Lord Ahmad, who had led the UKs relationship with the Afghan government. The foreign secretary also insisted that there were real, tangible gains from the UKs military action in Afghanistan over the last 20 years. We have got to look at the gains that we made because of the sacrifice of so many. Boris Johnsons government has been accused of allowing the UK to outsource animal cruelty as more than 100 MPs and peers demand a ban on fur sales. The cross-party group of 102 parliamentarians has written to environment secretary George Eustace to call on the government to ban the import and sale of animal fur in the UK. The letter comes 20 years after animal fur farming was banned across Britain, although the government still allows it to be imported and sold. Carrie Johnson, the prime ministers wife, previously responded to a report in The Independent on conditions at a Polish fur farm by saying that anyone who buys fur is sick. In their letter, the group of MPs and peers said: Despite banning fur farming in 2000, the UK currently allows imports of tens of millions of pounds of animal fur each year. The group added: By continuing to allow the sale of fur, we are exercising a double standard, and effectively outsourcing animal cruelty. Labour MP Maria Eagle said banning the sale of fur could also help prevent future pandemics by reducing the demand for fur farms which are believed by some experts to act as reservoirs for new viruses. She said: The coronavirus pandemic should force governments the world over to reconsider the way we farm, keep and interact with animals. Exploiting fur-bearing wild species in unsanitary, overcrowded and inhumane factory farms is not only cruel, but also imposes potentially devastating public health risks. Conservative MP Christian Wakeford, one of the backbenchers who helped coordinate the letter, claimed Brexit offered the UK the chance to set a global example on animal welfare. Previously, the government had claimed that a sales ban in the UK would be incompatible with EU rules on animal welfare and imports. In May, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced a call for evidence on post-Brexit animal welfare standards and is understood to be considering a ban on fur sales. Mr Wakeford said: The UK has entered a new chapter in its trading relationship with the rest of the world. Banning fur sales will send a strong message that we intend to use this new beginning to set ourselves apart as world leaders in animal welfare. The Tory MP added: There has never been a better time to end our association with this cruel, outdated and unnecessary practice and I hope the strength of cross-party feeling on this issue encourages the government to introduce a ban at the earliest opportunity. In June, a group of 60 vets and virologists also wrote to Mr Eustace warning of the dangers posed to public health by fur farms. A recent opinion poll by Yonder showed 72 per cent of the British public supported a ban on fur sales. SNP MP Lisa Cameron said the government should take heed of public sentiment and pursue a fur sales ban without delay. The call comes as Defra announced that Geronimo the alpaca was killed after a court-ordered destruction warrant, after the animal twice tested positive for bovine tuberculosis. Downing Street has expressed sympathy for Geronimos owner Helen Macdonald, while chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said it was a terribly sad situation. The chief executive of high street retail giant Next has blamed the governments insane immigration policy for the huge shortage of lorry drivers causing chaos in Britains supply chain. Lord Wolfson a Conservative peer and Brexit supporter called on the Home Office to change the rules to allow more heavy-goods vehicle (HGV) drivers to work in the UK amid ongoing shortages and disruption. It strikes me as being insane that despite the fact that everyone knows that we desperately need drivers, the Home Office are still preventing people coming to this country to work as drivers, he told LBC. Reluctant to blame Brexit for the crisis, Lord Wolfson said: I personally dont think thats the problem with Brexit, I think its the problem with the way in which our immigration system is being run. The Next boss added: I think theres an enormous difference between having control over your immigration system, which I think we should have, and running that system well, which Im not sure that we are. Dire stock shortages have left many supermarkets shelves empty in recent weeks, while Nandos has been forced to close dozens of outlets and McDonalds ran out of milkshakes. The head of Icelands boss warned that supply disruption could see Christmas cancelled for some families this year, while retailer The Entertainer has said it would cause a reduced choice of toys this Christmas. The Road Haulage Association (RHA) estimates that up to 20,000 HGV drivers from the EU left during the Brexit process adding to a crisis which has left the country short of at least 90,000 drivers in all. I think also we need to look at the policies that we have going forward to make sure that people who want to come and work in Britain, have the skills that we need, can get here, said Lord Wolfson. Asked if he would welcome the return of drivers from the EU, the Next boss said: Well not necessarily just European countries. I think we should be welcoming all people who want to work, who want to contribute to our economy and who have skills that we desperately need. The RHA has pleaded with the government to put haulage driving on the shortage occupation list so overseas drivers can apply for visas on a temporary basis. Logistics UK and the British Retail Consortium (BRC) have also called on ministers to offer temporary visas to EU drivers. But business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng wrote back to industry leaders on Friday telling them foreign workers offered only a short-term, temporary solution to the shortage. I am sure you would agree on the importance of utilising the strength of our domestic workforce, said Mr Kwarteng in his reply. Labour has also called on shortage occupation list. The opposition blamed the governments chaotic approach to a Brexit trade deal and the failure to engage with the logistics industry for the current crisis. We need a clear-sighted strategy from the government as to how it intends to fill whats estimated to be a 90,000 shortfall in HGV drivers, shadow transport secretary Jim McMahon told The Independent. He called on ministers to work with the Migration Advisory Committee to identify how a shortage of drivers could be recognised in the new immigration points system. This crisis isnt going to go away, no matter how much ministers bury their heads in the sand, said the Labour MP. The Liberal Democrats have called on the government to rethink its immigration policy entirely and scrap its arbitrary threshold on salaries for skilled worker visas. Meanwhile, former Labour MP and Leave campaigner Kate Hoey has attracted criticism after she admitted Northern Ireland was sacrificed in the trade deal with the EU. Recommended Final UK troops pulled out of Kabul She suggested on GB News that the province had been abandoned because otherwise we werent going to get Brexit at all. Baroness Hoey, recently given a role as a post-Brexit trade envoy, has been a fierce critic of the Northern Ireland Protocol which has introduced new customs checks on NI-GB trade. The governments expert advisers on vaccination are resisting intense political pressure to give the go-ahead for Covid jabs for all Britains teenagers because of fears it could disrupt the programme of boosters for vulnerable older people, The Independent has learnt. The development came amid ever louder demands to protect those aged 12 to 15, with headteachers representatives calling for a decision sooner rather than later as schools return across England and Wales after the summer holidays. The MHRA medicines regulator has already cleared the Pfizer and Moderna jabs for those aged 12 and over on safety grounds, but the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has the responsibility to consider the wider question of how the rollout of vaccines will have the greatest positive impact across society as a whole. A person close to the JCVI told The Independent that there is a need to consider how to prioritise boosters for vulnerable groups and a campaign for that, along with getting people to have their second doses before trying to launch a schools programme. There is likely to be an increase in cases from the close contact of children within schools, but given that the vaccines are effective at stopping hospitalisation, but less so at stopping transmission, it was a complex decision to decide to vaccinate younger children who were less likely to become severely ill from Covid-19, they added. Health secretary Sajid Javid said on Saturday that it was clear that offering all teenagers the jab would solidify our wall of protection and said the NHS and public health teams were ready to start rolling out jabs to the 12-15 age group as soon as the JCVI gave its long-awaited green light. Downing Street said on Tuesday that it was not too late for children to be given the jab in gyms and assembly halls as they return to school over the coming days, though Boris Johnsons official spokesperson stressed that this would happen only with JCVI approval. No 10 said last week it was hoping that this approval would come as soon as possible but there is still no date for the committee to announce its decision. A health source insisted that there was no shortage of vaccine supplies of the kind that would make it impossible to operate a booster programme at the same time as protecting 12 to 15-year-olds. Mr Javid has asked the NHS to be ready to roll out jabs to both groups, said a Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson. Downing Street said that it expected over-50s who have already received two doses of Covid vaccine to start getting their third booster shot during the course of September, though this too is dependent on JCVI approval. There are concerns that the effectiveness of the first two doses, given to the oldest patients as early as December last year, may now be wearing off. But Mr Javid has said that the main consideration for any decision on vaccinating our young people will always be the risks and the benefits to children themselves, rather than any knock-on impact on other age groups. Concern over childrens vulnerability to coronavirus has been heightened by a new study using brain scans to show that teenagers with long Covid display similar neurodegenerative damage to that seen in adults, which is linked to memory loss, difficulty concentrating and disruption to sleep. Epidemiologist Dr Deepti Gurdasani, of Queen Mary University London, told The Independent that in the light of the evidence from the French research, it was disturbing that children were being sent unvaccinated into classrooms at a time when infection rates are 26 times higher than this time last year. Dr Gurdasani said that, with one in 40 secondary-age children and one in 50 of primary age thought to be carrying the virus in England, there was little doubt that infections will rise higher than they have ever been in schools once term-time gets underway. We are sending children who are plainly susceptible and unvaccinated into environments where previous mitigations like school bubbles have been removed, where masks are no longer mandatory and where they are not going to contact trace, she said. We are going into September with infections 26 times higher than last year, when we were only dealing with the less infectious original variant and cases nonetheless quadrupled after schools returned. This will almost certainly lead to a massive surge in infections. Dr Gurdasani pointed to the study published last week by Covid researchers at a Marseille hospital which for the first time showed evidence of hypometabolism in childrens brains as that seen in adult long Covid sufferers even in cases where the initial coronavirus symptoms were mild. Evidence from brain scans pointed to long Covid in children with functional brain metabolism patterns similar to those found in adult patients, regardless of age and initial severity of the infection, found the study, published in the European Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Dr Gurdasani said that 12 million children have now been vaccinated safely and effectively in countries around the world, including the US, with only extremely low incidence of harmful side effects. To me it is worrying that we are exposing children to a virus which has long-term neurological effects while their brains are developing, she said. Im not sure what they are waiting for. It is not a cautious approach to be waiting for more data when every week we are seeing 24,000 adolescents being infected and some of them will end up with long Covid. It is very, very disturbing. There are 3.9 million 12 to 15-year-olds. The Pfizer vaccine was approved by the MHRA as long ago as June. They could all have been vaccinated by now. Virologist Dr Stephen Griffin told The Independent that vaccination of 12 to 15-year-olds was definitely necessary. And the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said that jabs for teens would help avert the danger of further school closures following two academic years in which pupils have suffered from massive disruption to classes. ASCL general secretary Geoff Barton said: There is a good argument for making coronavirus vaccinations available to 12 to 15-year-olds on the grounds of reducing the risk of educational disruption during the autumn term and beyond, as well as providing additional public health protections. We understand the importance of balancing these benefits against evidence of any potential risk from vaccinations and the JCVI is best placed to make that judgement, but we really do need a decision sooner rather than later. The DHSC spokesperson said: There are no supply issues and the health secretary has asked the NHS to be ready to roll out Covid-19 vaccines to 12 to 15-year-olds and deliver an autumn booster campaign, subject to final advice from the JCVI. Our phenomenal vaccine programme is building a wall of defence across the country, with more than 105,000 lives saved and over 82,100 hospitalisations prevented. Meanwhile, Downing Street confirmed that there was no change to plans to require proof of full vaccination for anyone visiting a nightclub in England from the end of September. It is not too late for children aged under 16 to be vaccinated for Covid-19 as they return to school this autumn if the governments expert advisers give the green light, Downing Street has said. Medical watchdog the MHRA cleared the Pfizer vaccine as safe for 12-15 year olds in June and this month gave the thumbs-up to the Moderna jab, but the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is yet to give its approval to a rollout for under-16s. NHS England last week wrote to health trusts to ask them to confirm plans to roll out the vaccine to this group by November if the jabs are approved. Downing Street said then that it was hoping for a JCVI decision as soon as possible. Once clearance is received, schools are expected to set up on-site vaccination venues in gyms and assembly halls or make arrangements for children to take time out of lessons to travel to medical sites where they can get their inoculation. Schools in most parts of England are reopening for the autumn term over the next few days, though lessons began last week in Leicestershire. Recommended Final UK troops pulled out of Kabul But asked if this meant that it was too late to arrange a vaccination drive to coincide with the return to school, Boris Johnsons official spokesperson said: No, it doesnt mean that. It means that the JCVI as an independent body are still considering what they believe is the right advice and the right recommendation. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 31 August 2021 Gold Medallist Sarah Storey of Britain celebrates on the podium Reuters UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was her 15th Paralympic gold Reuters UK news in pictures 24 August 2021 A demonstrator dressed as bee during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion on Whitehall, in central London PA UK news in pictures 23 August 2021 Former interpreters for the British forces in Afghanistan demonstrate outside the Home Office in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 August 2021 Police officers form a line in front of the entrance to the Guildhall, London, where protesters have climbed onto a ledge above the entrance during an Extinction Rebellion stage a protest PA UK news in pictures 21 August 2021 People take part in a demonstration in solidarity with people of Afghanistan, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 20 August 2021 People zip wire across the sea from Bournemouth pier towards the beach. PA UK news in pictures 19 August 2021 Supporters of Geronimo the alpaca gather outside Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire PA UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters UK news in pictures 16 August 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer takes part in a minute's silence at Wolverhampton police station for the victims of the Plymouth mass shooting last week PA 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. PA UK news in pictures 26 July 2021 A woman is helped by Border Force officers as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel PA UK news in pictures 25 July 2021 Vehicles drive through deep water on a flooded road in Nine Elms, London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 24 July 2021 Utilities workers inspect a 15x20ft sinkhole on Green Lane, Liverpool, which is suspected to have been caused by ruptured water main PA UK news in pictures 23 July 2021 Children interact with Mega Please Draw Freely by artist Ei Arakawa inside the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern in London, part of UNIQLO Tate Play the gallery's new free programme of art-inspired activities for families PA UK news in pictures 22 July 2021 Festivalgoers in the campsite at the Latitude festival in Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk PA UK news in pictures 21 July 2021 A man walks past an artwork by Will Blood on the end of a property in Bedminster, Bristol, as the 75 murals project reaches the halfway point and various graffiti pieces are sprayed onto walls and buildings across the city over the Summer PA UK news in pictures 20 July 2021 People during morning prayer during Eid ul-Adha, or Festival of Sacrifice, in Southall Park, Uxbridge, London PA UK news in pictures 19 July 2021 Commuters, some not wearing facemasks, at Westminster Underground station, at 08:38 in London after the final legal Coronavirus restrictions were lifted in England PA UK news in pictures 18 July 2021 A view of spectators by the 2nd green during day four of The Open at The Royal St George's Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent PA UK news in pictures 17 July 2021 Cyclists ride over the Hammersmith Bridge in London. The bridge was closed last year after cracks in it worsened during a heatwave Getty UK news in pictures 16 July 2021 The sun rises behind the Sefton Park Palm House, in Sefton Park, Liverpool PA UK news in pictures 15 July 2021 Sir Nicholas Serota watches a short film about sea monsters as he opens a 7.6 million, 360 immersive dome at Devonport's Market Hall in Plymouth, which is the first of its type to be built in Europe PA UK news in pictures 14 July 2021 Heidi Street, playing a gothic character, looks at a brain suspended in glass at the worlds first attraction dedicated to the author of Frankenstein inside the Mary Shelleys House of Frankenstein experience, located in a Georgian terraced house in Bath, as it prepares to open to the public on 19 July PA UK news in pictures 13 July 2021 Rehearsals are held in a car park in Glasgow for a parade scene ahead of filming for what is thought to be the new Indiana Jones 5 movie starring Harrison Ford PA We will, as we have throughout, act on the clinical advice. The spokesperson indicated that preparations have already been made with schools and health authorities to get vaccinations going quickly as soon as the JCVI approval is received. What we have sought to do is ensure that, should the JCVI make a decision that is suitable to vaccinate younger children, then the NHS and schools are in a position to move as soon as possible. The rate of vaccination of 12-15 year-olds will depend on arrangements in different areas, but the government wants to ensure that there are no barriers to that happening should we receive that clinical advice, said the spokesperson. Schools have been told that there is no need for bubbles of pupils to be sent home if one tests for coronavirus this term and the government is not requiring the use of masks in lessons. But there has been controversy over the decision to ask parents to ensure their children test regularly for Covid at home, after receiving initial school-based tests at the start of term. WELLINGTON, New Zealand New Zealand has reported its first coronavirus vaccine death. A health board that monitors vaccine safety said Monday a woman died from myocarditis after taking the Pfizer vaccine. The board said the woman likely developed the condition because of the vaccine, although she had other medical issues which may have contributed. Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said myocarditis was a very rare side effect and there was clear evidence that taking the vaccine was much safer than being infected with COVID-19. Health authorities have so far administered vaccines to more than 2 million New Zealanders. The board declined to answer questions from The Associated Press, including the womans age and the date of her death, citing protocol because a medical examiner, known as a coroner, is investigating the case further. Also Monday, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Auckland would remain in strict lockdown for at least two more weeks and the rest of the country for at least one more week, but with slightly fewer restrictions, as the nation battles an outbreak of the delta variant. ___ 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 ___ Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: SINGAPORE Singapore has fully vaccinated 80% of its population, reaching a milestone that would make the country more resilient to COVID-19, according to a top government official. Singapores 80% vaccination rate among its 5.7 million population ranks it among the most vaccinated countries in the world. It is the result of the collective effort of many people working behind the scenes, and the people of Singapore coming forward to take care of themselves and the people around them, said Singapores health minister Ong Ye Kung in a Facebook post Sunday. Singapore already began easing coronavirus restrictions earlier this month, allowing those who are fully vaccinated to dine at restaurants. It will also open travel lanes with Germany and Brunei that would allow vaccinated travelers from these countries to visit Singapore without having to serve a mandatory quarantine period. Singapore has reported 67,304 coronavirus infections so far, with 55 deaths. ___ SYDNEY Australias success in protecting its Indigenous peoples from the pandemic has ended with the death of a man in his 50s. The man, who was not vaccinated against COVID-19, died in Dubbo Base Hospital west of Sydney in New South Wales state on Sunday, state government official Scott McLachlan said Monday. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said earlier this month that among the most significant achievements of Australias pandemic response were the fact that COVID-19 had been kept out of Outback Indigenous communities and no Indigenous Australian had died from the virus. The Australian government last year restricted travel to Outback Indigenous communities because their people are considered particularly vulnerable to disease. Indigenous Australians account for 3% of the population and have poorer health, lower education levels and shorter life expectancies than other ethnic groups. Indigenous adults account for 2% of the Australian population and 27% of the prison population. Australia has been relatively successful in stamping out COVID-19 clusters in the past. But a delta variant outbreak that started in Sydney in June and has locked down New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory is proving more stubborn. Four people died of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing Australias death toll from the pandemic to more than 1,000. Just 6.3% of Indigenous people in the Dubbo area are fully vaccinated, compared with 26% of the general population. ___ 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. Officials hope it is an indication that a strict nationwide lockdown might be working to halt the viruss spread. Health authorities on Monday reported 53 new community cases, down from 83 a day earlier. Some of that decrease may have been attributable to fewer tests being completed. New Zealands government is pursuing an elimination strategy in which it tries to stamp out the virus entirely whenever it appears. The government put the country into the toughest form of lockdown after the first case of the current delta-variant outbreak was detected Aug. 17. ___ HONOLULU -- Hawaii has reported nearly 1,700 new COVID-19 cases, which is the states highest level for the pandemic, although officials note that the count includes a backlog from one lab. The Hawaii Department of Health reported 1,678 cases Sunday, while noting that it included a partial catch-up of reporting after one lab experienced system errors from Aug. 15 to Aug. 25. The state saw 10,817 new confirmed coronavirus infections documented in the last 14 days. The state health director Dr. Elizabeth Char says that 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. Hawaii also reported two deaths from COVID-19, both women older than 60 with underlying health conditions. That brings the states totals since the pandemic began to 62,229 coronavirus cases and 589 deaths. ___ ATHENS, Greece Clashes erupted in Athens on Sunday evening between the police and some participants in a protest rally against COVID-19 vaccinations. Police estimate the participants in the rally in central Syntagma Square at between 7,000 and 8,000. As the last of the speeches denouncing government plans to make vaccinations for health workers and students mandatory were finishing, some youths attacked police standing before the tomb of the Unknown Soldier next to the Greek Parliament with bottles, firecrackers and some firebombs. Police used tear gas, stun grenades and a water cannon to disperse protesters, who shouted obscenities at the police and against Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. While over 5.7 million people in Greeces population of 10.7 million have been fully vaccinated, there has been a recent resurgence of cases and hospitalizations, almost entirely fueled by the delta variant and mainly affecting the unvaccinated. Her step-grandmother could remove a mans head with a curved blade. She could scale a wall of thorns. She devoted her life to defending the king. These details all true, the elderly woman says landed in the notes of foreign explorers. But they failed to capture the whole story. Nanlehounde Houedanou wants people to know more about the Amazons of Dahomey, the only documented female army in modern history. Researchers have spent decades combing through European and west African archives to craft a portrait from the jottings of French officers, British traders and Italian missionaries. Yet a crucial piece of the Amazon legacy has been lost to the eraser of time and colonial rule: their humanity. My Amazon was gentle, says Houedanou, who, at 85, is one of the last people on Earth to have grown up with one. She was known for protecting children. History is often told through the lens of conquerors. Generations of American schoolchildren learned more about the 15th-century discoveries of Christopher Columbus than his record of enslaving indigenous people. Britain framed its 1897 takeover of a storied west African kingdom as a punitive mission, glossing over the mass theft of priceless bronzes. After France seized what is now southern Benin in 1894, colonial officers disbanded the territory's unique force of women warriors, opened new classrooms and made no mention in the curriculum of the Amazons. Even today, many in the country of 12 million know little about their foremothers. The French made sure this history wasn't known, says the Beninese economist Leonard Wantchekon, a professor of international affairs at Princeton University. They said we were backward, that they needed to civilize us, but they destroyed opportunities for women that existed nowhere else in the world. The Amazons were powerful. They had influence. But everyone stopped talking about them after the colonial conquest Now a team of Beninese researchers is working to reshape the narrative. For the past three years, historians at the African School of Economics, a private university that Wantchekon founded near Cotonou, the capital, have been tracking down descendants of Amazons across the nation. They aim to glean local memories for a book that can be taught in schools, to present a three-dimensional view of the real Amazons. Only 50 of the women are thought to have survived the two-year war with France. The last of them died in the 1970s. Finding their grandchildren has proved increasingly difficult as time slips away. Unlike the letter-writing Europeans of yesteryear, West Africans preferred the oral tradition, passing down stories from generation to generation. These stories are dying with people, says Serge Ouitona, a researcher on the project. The Amazons were powerful. They had influence. But everyone stopped talking about them after the colonial conquest. For at least three centuries, the Kingdom of Dahomey was a West African power that drew comparisons to Sparta. European visitors gushed about its women fighters: She-soldiers. Medusas. Spinster warriors. The name that stuck in modern Benin: Amazons. Whatever might have been the prowess of the Amazons among the ancients, this is a novelty in modern history, Archibald Dalzel, a British administrator in the region, wrote in 1793. Nanlehounde Houedanou, 85, speaks at village meetings about her Amazon step-grandmother, Nafivovo (The Washington Post) A French official later called Dahomey assuredly the only country in the world that offers the singular spectacle of an organisation of women as soldiers, according to the American journalist Stanley Alpern. The French publishing house Larousse declared the women the only historical Amazons known. Their origin is murky, but historians say the Amazons probably rooted under Queen Hangbe, who reigned alongside her twin brother in the early 1700s and kept an entourage of female bodyguards. By the mid-1800s, Dahomey boasted thousands of female troops as it sought to out-muscle rival kingdoms. When clashes erupted, the victors forced their enemies into labour or sold them as slaves. Amazons began training in girlhood: swinging blades, loading flintlock muskets, climbing thorny barricades. They drank imported brandy and belted out war songs. The tradition ended when France invaded. In the face of defeat, a French general wrote, the women gave proof of very great bravery, Alpern found. Historians estimate that nearly 2,000 Amazons died in the battle, and the 50 survivors faded into a nation transformed. Little trace of them is left in Abomey, the kingdom's former capital. A pair of artisans at the reconstructed palace of King Glele each of Dahomeys 12 kings built their own palace stitch banners of Amazons toting rifles, brawling with men and clutching severed heads. Across town, a rusty sign informs onlookers that a Catholic church now occupies the grounds of a former Amazon camp. Paint is chipping off the statue of a female warrior in a neighbouring village. Visitors must wade through chest-high brush to reach her. Dah Djika Degbo, 73, with the tobacco crop first brought to his village by his Amazon step-grandmother, Yaketou (The Washington Post) At community meetings, Houedanou speaks of her step-grandmother Nafivovo, the warrior who fixed okra soup for hungry children. Tall and wiry, she landed in the village of Nangahoue after the war and harvested palm oil for money before marrying Houedanou's grandfather. The couple shared a clay-brick house, where her relatives live today. It's my job to keep her alive, says Houedanou, sitting in the doorway of that home. Im one of the oldest people in this village, so its up to me to teach the young people their history. Seniority gives her the floor when people gather to discuss big issues elections, drought, the pandemic and she shares stories about Nafivovo. Its hard to get the teenagers to care, she says, so she tries to keep it entertaining. With war songs, Houedanou adds. She breaks into a tune: We are proud children of the kingdom. We will defend it. Houedanou was a teenager when the last Amazon died. Memories surge when she smells a certain mustard spice that Navifovo used to cook for the neighbourhood kids. They ran to her house when they were in trouble. Their parents couldnt beat them here, Houedanou says, grinning. Even before we started talking about human rights, Navifovo wouldnt allow it. She laughs. Everyone knew the old lady would win the fight. Adana yearned for the battlefield. Housework was not for her, she told her grandchildren. She'd rather be ambushing an enemy. Tussling with her bare hands, her preferred weapons. The musket took too long to load. She told me how she used to strangle people, says her granddaughter, 72-year-old Ayebeleyi Dahoui. She used her long nails. She curls her fingers into claws. Like this. Ayebeleyi Dahoui, 72, says her Amazon grandmother, Adana, preferred fighting with her hands (The Washington Post) Dahoui was about 12 when she first heard the war stories. Her grandmother urged her to join the military someday if she could. Adana thought battle imparted life lessons: Be patient. Stay calm. Act deliberately. The Amazon taught her grandchildren self-defence as they hit puberty. Dahoui never used the choke move, but she internalised a sense of readiness. One day after shed had children of her own, she took them to a market and got into an argument with a woman over who would buy the last ears of corn. The woman attacked Dahoui. Her babies were screaming. So she bashed her foe with a ceramic bowl. I might have run away, Dahoui says, but Grandma taught me to stand up for myself. The village of Detohou had no tobacco before the Amazon showed up. After surviving the battle with France, Yaketou rejected gender roles, spurning domestic chores that women normally shouldered in order to build a crop empire. Yaketou knew where to find the plant for smoking Dahomey had sacked her town years earlier and then made her into a warrior. Her old neighbours had it. So off she walked. Yaketou struggled to get pregnant, so the family built her a concrete fertility temple on the outskirts of town She was very enterprising, says her step-grandson, 73-year-old Dah Djika Degbo. Degbo was young when she died perhaps five so his memories of Yaketou are fuzzy. But he recalls growing up with pride: His grandfather had married an Amazon. Her sack of tobacco seeds turned into a business that employed other women. Degbos granddaughter-in-law works in the trade. This is her legacy, he says. Yaketou struggled to get pregnant, so the family built her a concrete fertility temple on the outskirts of town. When this offering to the gods did not produce a baby, Yakouto shifted her focus to mentoring girls. These days, the younger women in Degbos orbit have left the village for the capital, seeking better work. He credits the Amazons influence. The Washington Post It was Nov. 13 , 2001. The sun had just begun to rise over the Hindu Kush Mountains when the Taliban disappeared from Kabul the battered capital of Afghanistan. The bodies of foreign Arabs who had stayed behind were mutilated and bloodied. They had been found and killed by advancing Afghans of another faction who were brought to the city by a blistering U.S.-led campaign that drove the Taliban from power. America was still reeling from the horrific terrorist attacks of two months earlier, when planes flown by al-Qaida terrorists crashed into three iconic buildings and a Pennsylvania field, killing nearly 3,000 people. The perpetrators and their leader, Osama bin Laden, were somewhere in Afghanistan, sheltered by the Taliban. The mission: Find him. Bring him to justice. Right then, Afghanistan two decades of disorder behind it, two decades more just ahead was suspended in an in-between moment. Nothing was certain, but much seemed possible. Against that backdrop, Afghans understood the mission against bin Laden to mean a chance to secure their future a future as murky on that day as it is today. In those post-2001 months and years, they believed in the power of "the foreigners. From hundreds of years ago right up to the jumbled chaos of recent weeks as the United States pulled out of its air base and then the capital, the word foreigner has meant many things in the Afghan context, from invaders to would-be colonizers. But in November 2001, it meant hope. I found the people relieved fresh and full on energy to start anew," says Torek Farhadi, who joined scores of educated and trained Afghan expatriates who returned to their homeland in 2002 after the Taliban were gone. He spoke from Geneva as he watched the Taliban's return to power last month. The arrival of the U.S.-led coalition weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks ended a repressive, religiously radical regime that had more in common with the sixth century than the 21st. Mullah Mohammad Omar, the reclusive one-eyed leader of the Taliban, had brought the village to the city. The strict edicts he taught at his one-room mud madrassa, or religious school, became law. Girls were denied education. Women were confined to their homes or, when in public, inside the all-encompassing burqa. Men were told to wear beards. Television was banned, as was all music but religious chants. When the Taliban fled and the new, post 9/11 leader, Hamid Karzai, entered the sprawling presidential palace, he discovered the Taliban had left their mark. Wall-to-wall hand-painted miniature murals had been defaced; Taliban who believed images of living things were a crime against Islam went to every tiny bird and blotted out its face with a black marker. The running of the country was handed to Washington's Afghan allies, many of whom had destroyed Kabul with their bitter feuding when they last ruled. Under their corruption, the country devolved into a collection of fiefdoms that enriched local warlords and led to the Taliban's rise. The Afghan military that would collapse in the wake of Taliban advances in 2021 began existence with its recruits often more loyal to a warlord than the army itself. Training was barely eight weeks for new, generally uneducated men. Building the Afghan army was often likened to repairing an aircraft midflight. So across Afghanistan, quickly and understandably, it started: The defeated Taliban began to re-emerge. And it kept getting worse. By 2012, just two years before the U.S. and NATO handed over the operational end of the war to Afghanistan's government, the Afghan army was barely competent and filled with fighters angry at what they considered poor treatment by their foreign trainers. The return last month of the Taliban has created widespread fear among young people in Afghanistan's cities places where urban girls wearing headscarves have felt free to mingle in coffee shops and on the street. Young men wearing Western dress who dream of even greater freedoms have been part of the airport chaos that greeted the start of evacuation flights. A country of 36 million, Afghanistan is filled with conservative people, many of whom live in the countryside. But even they do not adhere to the strict interpretation of Islam that the Taliban imposed when last they ruled. The Taliban leaders, many of whom are linked to the previous regime, including the movement's co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, promise a different Taliban this time. Once camera shy and reclusive, many have made regular appearances on the diplomatic stage. And while the Taliban's original rule was marked by relentless repression that denied women a public space, they now say women can work, attend school and participate in public life. Yet even as the world watched in shock at the quick demise of the Afghan army and government over the past weeks, the signs of Afghanistan's post-9/11 decay had long been evident. Twenty years and billions of dollars in investment after 9/11, Afghanistan was considered one of the worst places in the world to be a woman in 2020 and in 2019, according to the Georgetown Institute for Women Peace and Security. In 2018, in a Gallup poll offered a scale of one to 10 to determine how respondents judged their chances for a better future five years down the road, Afghans averaged 2.3. Gallup called it a new low for any country in any year. In the first years after 9/11, U.S. money arrived in Kabul in suitcases. There were no working banks at the time and no oversight of the billions pouring into the country. Most of it passed through the hands of U.S.-allied warlords whose corruption had led to the Taliban's rise in the 1990s. American generals were often used by their Afghan allies to exact revenge. Mohabullah, an Afghan who had left the Taliban to return home to the central province of Ghazni, once laughed as he recounted how easily fooled the Americans were by their Afghan partners. He recalled how a gas station owner was turned in to U.S. forces as a Taliban to settle a feud. American forces often unwittingly found themselves enmeshed in such local rivalries during those early months and years when they were utterly dependent on their warlord allies. In 2002, one U.S. general had to rely entirely on former warlords for information about prominent al-Qaida figures who were on the move. For those who have watched Afghanistan for years, the scenes of throngs of mostly young men hanging from departing aircraft at Kabul's airport in recent days seemed an indictment of the two decades of efforts and the billions of dollars spent. For many of those men, the desperation to depart was less about fear for their life and more about finding a new one. And, say some Afghans, no wonder. ___ Kathy Gannon, AP's news director for Pakistan and Afghanistan, has been covering the country for three decades, including the runup to and immediate aftermath of 9/11. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/KathyGannon Joe Biden has insisted that the Afghan withdrawal was the best way to avoid the loss of more American lives. The president thanked the military for its role in completing the dangerous retrograde from Afghanistan as scheduled, without the loss of any more American lives, in a statement following the last US flight out of Kabul. Mr Biden noted that the evacuation of 120,000 people was the largest US airlift in history to end the 20-year campaign in the country, which started after the 9/11 terror attacks. 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, said Mr Biden on Monday. They have done it with unmatched courage, professionalism and resolve. Now, our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended. The president announced that he will address the nation on Tuesday to explain his decision not to extend the US presence in Afghanistan beyond 31 August. And he said that his decision had been 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 stated. Mr Biden added that he had asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken, to lead the continued coordination with out international partners to ensure safe passage for any Americans, Afghan partners, and foreign nationals who want to leave Afghanistan. And he insisted that the White House would hold the Taliban accountable for commitments given to the US about remaining Americans who still want to leave the country, even after the US departure. 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, said Mr Biden. And finally he asked all Americans to join him in prayer as the evacuation was finally complete. First, for our troops and diplomats who carried out this mission of mercy in Kanul and at tremendous risk with such unparalleled results: an airlift that evacuated tens of thousands more people than any imagined possible, he said. Second, to the network of volunteers 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 home around the world, and in the United States. Hospitalisations in Colorado caused by Covid-19 are at levels that have not seen since earlier this year in January, according to public health data. Data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment says that there are 874 people in hospital with a confirmed or suspected case of Covid. The state has not seen hospitalisation levels that high since 17 January, the end of the winter peak and before vaccinations were available to much of the adult population. It is unclear whether rates of hospitalisation in the state will reach 2020 levels, but the numbers are on the rise. Current hospitalisation numbers are roughly 66 per cent of the levels seen in spring 2020 and 40 per cent of the worst day of the pandemic so far back in December 2020 The Delta variant is believed to be more contagious than previous strains of Covid, prompting fears that some cases are not caught by official numbers. Over the last week, the rate of positive tests was 7.46 per cent. More than 68 per cent of Colorados counties have positivity rates above the statewide goal of five per cent. During the week ending 8 August, 35 people died after becoming infected with Covid, while 50 people died the week ending 15 August. Over the week ending 15 August, 57 people died, indicating that deaths in the state are ticking up as well. According to additional health data, just over 67 per cent of Colorado residents are fully vaccinated against covid. According to modelling from the University of Washington, Covid-19 could contribute to 100,000 additional deaths nationally if nothing is done as the US enters a fourth wave. Experts have strongly urged people to adopt changes to everyday behaviour, such as wearing face masks, social distancing and vaccinations. We can save 50,000 lives simply by wearing masks. Thats how important behaviours are, Ali Mokdad, a health metrics professor at the university, told The Associated Press. Judge James Shapiro is allegedly the first jurist to use non-vaccination as a punitive measure. However, Judge Shapiro has now reversed his decision that banned an Illinois mother from seeing her 11-year-old son, after she claimed he had made the decision due to her not being vaccinated. Rebecca Firlit, 39, said she was perplexed as a recent hearing was just supposed to be about expenses and child support, she told the Chicago Sun-Times. One of the first things he asked me when I got on the Zoom call was whether or not I was vaccinated, which threw me off because I asked him what it had to do with the hearing. He said, I am the judge, and I make the decisions for your case, explained Ms Firlit. The Cook County judges one-paragraph order did not go into detail on why he had blocked Ms Firlits visitation rights, stating this court hereby VACATES paragraph 3 of its August 11, 2021 order based on the absence of a pleading or hearing on serious endangerment. Recommended Final UK troops pulled out of Kabul Ms Firlits legal council, Annette Fernholz, filed a legal challenge against the ruling. The trial court clearly exceeded its authority in suspending the mothers parenting time when the issue before the court was child support, Ms Fernholz said in a statement. Ms Firlit explained that her decision not to take the vaccine was for medical reasons: Ive had adverse reactions to vaccines in the past and was advised not to get vaccinated by my doctor. She explained how her son was emotionally affected by the lack of personal contact when the visitation ban was in place and cried on the phone, stating that rulings like this were dividing families. After the reversal, Ms Firlit explained that she was extremely happy, Im going to see my son right now. She added: I know that they are going to say that Im an endangerment to my son. This isnt over for me. This isnt the first time Judge James Shapiro has been accused of bringing vaccination statuses into an unrelated case. In another child support hearing, Edward Hambrick, 48, of Joliet, Texas, had a virtual court hearing with the judge. After learning about Ms Firlits case he shared clips of his hearing on TikTok. The voice of Judge Shapiro is supposedly heard asking Mr Hambrick if he had been vaccinated. That is a personal question, Mr Hambrick says in the footage. For me to answer that would be in violation of HIPAA, says Mr Hambrick, referring to the US federal law prevents healthcare providers from sharing medical information concerning their patients. Mr Hambrick then tells the judge that he had consulted with nurses and doctors in his family before he came to his decision. I would be very surprised if you consulted with a doctor who advised you not to get vaccinated, Judge Shapiro is allegedly heard saying. I would not be as surprised if you consulted with a nurse who did not get vaccinated because nurses apparently in Houston and elsewhere are refusing to get vaccinated. That speaks a lot to their intelligence level and I would not want to be treated by a nurse who refused to get vaccinated. Its not a choice, Mr Hambrick, its an obligation. The Independent has contacted Judge James Shapiro at Cook County Court for a statement. A popular Instagram model was strangled to death in an apparent murder-sucide, according to police in Texas. Janae Gagnier, who had 2.6m Instagram followers and was known online as Miss Mercedes Morr, was found dead in her apartment in the Houston suburb of Richmond. Police say they found her body when they were called to the home to carry out a wellness check, but did not see any sign of forced entry. Authorities say that a man suspected of killing the 33-year-old was also found dead inside the apartment. Kevin Alexander Accorto, 34, of Florida, died from multiple sharp force trauma, and his death was ruled a suicide by the Fort Bend County medical examiner. Gagniers family told investigators there was no relationship between her and Accorto, and they suspected she had been stalked on the social media app, according to KHOU. At this point in the investigation, it is not believed that there was a relationship between the suspect and the victim, said Richmond police spokesman Lieutenant Lowell Neinast. At this point, this is being considered a murder-suicide and it is an ongoing investigation to determine motive in the case. Ms Gagniers Instagram followers included rappers Meek Mill, Snoop Dogg, Cardi B, and Megan Thee Stallion. Gagnier was killed in the sickest way by an out-of-state stalker who had been following the model, her sister, London, claimed on Instagram. And she added: My heart is gone My soul is gone. Neighbours were also shocked to learn of the killing, which took place in a gated complex. This lady did pass away, she was killed and thats really all we know, neighbor Field Ledford told the TV station. Certainly going to be praying for her family Its a tragedy for the whole community. And Roderick Shaw added: What I thought was safe it seems is not. We have so many rules and so many guidelines I would never expect someone to breach our security and someone be murdered on this property. We have the gates, the fence. You got to have a code to get in a code to get out. Im just in shock, said Edna Swist. A farm worker in Iowa has been sentenced to life in prison with no opportunity for parole for the murder of college student Mollie Tibbetts. Cristhian Bahena Rivera, 27, was found guilty of murder in the first degree, abduction and the fatal stabbing the 20-year-old psychology major at the American University of Iowa in 2018. According to an affidavit and testimony in court, Rivera said he followed Tibbetts while she was out on a run and in an angry rage he blacked out in July 2018. Rivera said that later he recalled what had happened a month later and took police to the cornfield Tibbetts body was buried in. The Iowa State Medical Examiner ruled Tibbetts death as a "homicide resulting from multiple sharp force injuries," implying that she had been stabbed to death. "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. In addition to the custodial sentence, Rivera was ordered to pay Tibbetts family $150,000 in restitution and denied him bond during his appeal process. Riveras conviction was based on surveillance footage of his vehicle, traces of her DNA being found in it and his confession to law enforcement in 2018. According to law enforcement during the trial, in an August 2018 interview with them, Rivera admitted to seeing Tibbetts on a run, finding her attractive and following her both in his car and while walking. Rivera told authorities that she had threatened to call the police. After getting angry with her, he fought with her. He said that he blacked out and did not remember if he had killed Tibbetts. However, when Rivera testified in court, he had a different account of events. He said that two men with a knife had forced him to drive to Brooklyn, the town that Tibbetts was from. He went to say that due to his immigration status, he tends to avoid law enforcement and during the interview, he thought he was telling them what they wanted to hear. Rivera, a father of a 4 year-old, stressed that he was exhausted after working a 12 hour shift at the farm he worked at. He is believed to have sent his family back in Mexico at least $700 a month to support them after moving to to the US when he was 17. Tibbetts family have spoken out against about using her death as anti-immigration talking point, as Rivera is an undocumented immigrant. Her father, Rob Tibbetts, said that his daughter would have found it profoundly racist after former President Donald Trump cited the case at a rally. This sentiment was shared by veteran Fox News reporter Geraldo Rivera, who told the network in 2018: This is a murder story, not an immigration story. A customer angered by being told to wear a mask at a Dairy Queen in British Columbia, responded by relieving himself at the fast food counter as staff shrieked in horror. The incident, which was captured on camera, occurred after the man became argumentative and aggressive when told to put a mask on. You do not have a brain shouted the man, who has not been identified, at servers behind the counter. A staff member asked him to follow the rules, telling him he had to wear a mask otherwise they couldnt serve him. What are the rules? the man responded, before arguing: BC policy says you have to observe exemptions. The staff member then said: Sorry, I dont want to argue with you, we have customers standing behind you, we want to serve them. The man then swore and unzipped his trousers before proceeding to urinate at the counter. Staff screamed in shock and one member told him him to leave as he walked out of the store. The video was recorded by a customer and shown on CTV News. This is the first incident of this nature, said RCMP Sgt Chris Manseau. He added: I think people should just wear their masks and be safe and be polite. So far, no arrests have been made, bu police have asked anyone with video of the incident to share it with them. As of last Wednesday, a BC mandate said masks must be worn in all indoor public spaces throughout the state. United States Army Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Peters called Fox News guests freaks in a special tell-all programme about working for the network. On the show titled Fox and the Big Lie: Trump returns to campaign trail amid stolen election lawsuits, for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Peters said: When I left, the guests got more and more bizarre, more distasteful. Mr Peters worked at Fox News for years as a military analyst, until 2018 when he accused the network of assaulting our constitutional order and the rule of law. In the room where talking heads would wait to speak to pundits on the show, it became like the bar scene in the first Star Wars film, said the colonel. These people are freaks. Ah, and then you realise, youre one of the freaks! A reporter behind the scenes asked what he means by freaks? Mr Peters replied: People with no qualifications who could not even speak cogently, who could only speak the lines theyd memorised praising Trump, as though he were a heathen God that had to be appeased with slavish rhetoric, Peters explained. Fox isnt immoral, its amoral, he later said in the interview before referring to his ex-colleagues on the network as prostitutes and accusing President Trump of being enthralled to a foreign power, a hostile foreign power. In 2018, after he quit the network he told CNN: I am convinced that Vladimir Putin has a grip on President Trump, adding, I hope Im wrong. Hes also criticised the network for doing it for ratings and profit and doing a great grave disservice to our country. Mr Peters was initially glad to be associated with the brand, and thought it a necessary conservative and libertarian source, but, he said with the rise of Donald Trump, Fox did become a destructive propaganda machine, and I dont do propaganda for anyone. A Fox New representative responded with the following statement regarding Mr Peters claims in Fox and the Big Lie The episode clearly violates the basic tenets of the Australian Broadcasting Corporations published standards by exhibiting bias and a failure to maintain any level of impartiality in the presentation of news and information. The use of five former deeply disgruntled employees, only one of whom was part of the company during our coverage of the 2020 US presidential election and its aftermath, single-handedly discredits all credibility of the programme. As for the events of 6 January, implicating Fox News in any way is false and malicious. Congressional hearings this past February and the Biden Justice Department not only did not implicate Fox, but other media companies were cited as platforms for inciting and coordinating the Capitol riots. We stand by our coverage with our millions of viewers who have made us the most-watched cable news network in the US for nearly two decades. Close New Orleans historic jazz shop collapses during Hurricane Ida Hurricane Ida, which hit the American gulf coast on Sunday, has left two people dead and a million others without power. Another person is feared to have died in Louisiana after he was attacked by an alligator swimming in floodwater near his home. Two more people died after a highway collapsed in the state of Mississippi as a result of the storm. Widespread flooding has seen homes evacuated, businesses shut down, and almost all buildings in Louisiana left without power. Hurricane Ida was the fifth-strongest storm to ever hit mainland United States. It was downgraded to a tropical storm on Monday after 16 hours. However, the National Hurricane Centre also warned that dangerous storm surges, damaging winds, and flash flooding would continue over portions of southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi. President Joe Biden declared the storm which is heading towards Tennessee and Ohio a major disaster. Louisianas governor John Bel Edwards said that, 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. He warned that the death toll is expected to rise considerably and said recovery from the storm could take months. The storm also came on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the region in 2005. Two people are dead and 10 are injured after a highway in George County, Mississippi, was washed away by heavy rainfall from Hurricane Ida. Seven vehicles were involved in an ensuing wreck as the highway washed away, and a crane was needed to fish them from the resulting chasm. One of the victims of the crash has been identified as Jerry Lee, 42. The second victims name has not yet been released. Three of the injured survivors were found in critical condition and required hospitalisation. One of those victims is a high school senior, Layla Jamison. George County High School, where she attended class, issued a call for prayer for the girl. At least four people in all have died as a result of the powerful storm, though authorities expect that figure to rise over the next few days as more dead are discovered. One of the individuals who died drowned in his car while trying to drive through floodwaters, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. Another individual was discovered on Sunday after local deputies responded to a call about an individual who had been injured from a toppled tree. Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards said he expected the death count to rise considerably in coming days. According to reports from WLOXs Bill Snyder, there were still pieces of vehicle debris in the chasm as of Tuesday morning after the highway was swept away. His photos showed mangled metal, doors and tires strewn about the pit. George County emergency management director, John Glass, warned motorists to avoid driving as washout conditions are still present due to now-Tropical Storm Idas continued effects. The Gulf Coast region, particularly in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, is still being beaten by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. The hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm on Monday evening as it moved across Mississippi. Idas sustained winds on Monday evening were 35 mph (56 kph), still high, but lower than the storms landfall winds, which reached as high as 150 mph (241 kph). The storm caused massive power outages throughout New Orleans as well as its surrounding suburbs. Millions across the region are without power, and it may take more than a month before power is fully restored to the region. Thanks to investments in infrastructure since Hurricane Katrina, the city of New Orleans, though still severely battered, fared much better than it did in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. As Ida breaks up over the Gulf Coast states, the millions of residents without power now face clean-up efforts and the prospects of an extremely hot stretch of summer without air conditioning or non-battery powered fans. Hospitals, police and fire stations and assisted living facilities are being prioritised for power restoration by Entergy, the states power supplier. Pro-Trump Republican representative Madison Cawthorn has repeated false claims about election security and voter fraud on Sunday, and warned of bloodshed. At the event at the Macon County Republican Party headquarters in Franklin, Cawthorn said the US election was "rigged" and "stolen," and raised the prospect that Americans would have to pick up arms. There is no evidence of mass voter fraud during the 2020 election. As much as I am willing to defend our liberty at all costs, there's nothing that I would dread doing more than having to pick up arms against a fellow American, he said. The way that we can have recourse against that is if we all passionately demand that we have election security in all 50 states. Intelligence agencies stated in a report titled Domestic Violent Extremism Poses Heightened Threat in 2021, published in March, that "narratives of fraud around the 2020 election and "the emboldening impact of the violent breach of the US Capitol" will "almost certainly" spur acts of domestic terrorism. While the North Carolina representative appears to endorse forceful political opposition, a spokesman has come to the defence of the congressman, explaining that he was condemning violence, not condoning it. Congressman Cawthorn is clearly advocating for violence not to occur over election integrity questions, Luke Ball told CNN. "He fears others would erroneously choose that route and strongly states that election integrity issues should be resolved peacefully and never through violence," said Ball. Earlier in the day, Cawthorn held a shotgun that was being raffled off at the Republican event. Rep. Cawthorn has repeated false allegations claims a number of times, including at the 6 January rally before Donald Trump and the insurrection at the US Capitol. Although he has been contradictory in his views. In January, he told CNN there was no election fraud. "Yes, I think I would say that the election was not fraudulent, he said. At the GOP event on Sunday, Cawthorn also called for President Biden and Vice President Harris to be removed from office. we will take them down, one at a time, he said. Mr Ball later explained that Cawthorn was referring to the 25th Amendment process. In 2014, in the middle of a severe drought that would test California's complex water storage system like never before, voters told the state to borrow $7.5 billion and use part of it to build projects to stockpile more water. Seven years later, that drought has come and gone, replaced by an even hotter and drier one that is draining the state's reservoirs at an alarming rate. But none of the more than half-dozen water storage projects scheduled to receive that money have been built. The largest project by far is a proposed lake in Northern California which would be the state's first new reservoir of significant size in more than 40 years. People have talked about building the Sites Reservoir since the 1950s. But the cost, plus shifting political priorities, stopped it from happening. Now, a major drought gripping the western United States has put the project back in the spotlight. It's slated to get $836 million in taxpayer money to help cover it's $3.9 billion price tag if project officials can meet a deadline by year's end. The Biden administration recently committed $80 million to the reservoir, the largest appropriation of any water storage scheduled to receive funding next year. And the project could get some of the $1.15 billion included in an infrastructure bill that has passed the U.S. Senate. Still, the delay has frustrated some lawmakers, who view it as a wasted opportunity now that the state is preparing to cut of water to thousands of farmers in the Central Valley because of a shortage. The longer you dont build, the more expensive it gets, said Republican state Sen. Brian Dahle, whose rural Northern California district includes farmers. Storage was once the centerpiece of California's water management strategy, highlighted by a building bonanza in the mid-20th century of a number of dams and reservoirs. But in the more than 40 years since California last opened a major new reservoir, the politics and policy have shifted toward a more environmental focus that has caused tension between urban and rural legislators and the communities they represent. The voter-approved bond in 2014 was supposed to jump-start a number of long-delayed storage projects. But some experts say the delays aren't surprising, given the complexities and environmental hazards that come with building new water projects. We have about 1,500 reservoirs in California. If you assume people are smart which they kind of are most of the time they will have built reservoirs at the 1,500 best reservoir sites already," said Jay Lund, co-director of the Center for Watershed Sciences at the University of California-Davis. What you have left over is more expensive sites that give you less water. California's Mediterranean climate means it gets most of its rain and snow in the winter and spring, followed by hot, dry summers and falls that see rivers and streams dry up. The largest of California's reservoirs are operated by the state and federal governments, although neither has built a new one since the 1979 New Melones Lake near Sonora, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of Yosemite National Park. That could change with the Sites Reservoir project, which would flood what's left of the town of Sites, located in a valley amid California's coast range mountains. The town's roots go back to the 1850s, when John Sites, a German immigrant, settled there. At its peak in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was known for a sandstone quarry that provided building materials throughout the state, including the iconic Ferry Building in San Francisco. But when the quarry closed shortly after World War I, the town slowly dwindled. Fire destroyed many of the buildings, leaving behind about 10 houses on unirrigated land that can only be used for agriculture during the rainy season. Officials would have to eventually buy those properties from residents to build the reservoir. With only two ways in and out of the valley, it's an ideal spot to flood and turn into a massive lake to store water. But unlike most California reservoirs, Sites would not be connected to a river or stream. Instead, operators would have to pump water from the Sacramento River whenever it has extra to give. The idea is to take advantage of wet years like 2018, when California got so much rain and snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains that reservoirs were filled beyond capacity. Were really redefining how water is developed in California, said Jerry Brown executive director of the Sites Project Authority, who has no relation to the former governor of the same name. Pumping the water is expensive, which, along with concern from environmental groups, is one reason the reservoir has been talked about for more than 60 years but never built. Many environmental groups argue the reservoir would do more harm than good because they say operators would have to pull way more water than is environmentally safe from the Sacramento River to make the project feasible. Fundamentally, it is a deadbeat dam, a pretty marginal project, or else it would have been built years ago, said Ron Stork, a senior policy advocate for Friends of the River, an environmental advocacy group. Gov. Gavin Newsom s administration, which included the Sites Reservoir in its water plan, sees the reservoir as a way to prepare for a future impacted by climate change. California's reservoir system is designed to capture water from melted snow in the mountains. But climate change could mean less snow and more rain, which the state is not as equipped to capture. We are going to start swinging to more extremes, (a) dry, deep drought or big flood, said Karla Nemeth, director of the California Department of Water Resources. I do think there is some value to those kinds of projects. It will cost $3.9 billion to build the Sites Reservoir, and that's after project leaders made it smaller to shave about $1 billion off the price tag. Most of the money will come from customers who will buy the water, the federal government and bank loans. California taxpayers have pledged about $836 million to the project from a bond voters approved in 2014. But to use that money, project leaders have to meet a deadline by the end of the year to show the idea is feasible. I'm absolutely confident, Brown said. Its going to be close, but its going to make it. ___ Follow APs complete drought coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/droughts. A lawsuit may force an Ohio hospital to give one of its Covid patients Ivermectin, a livestock deworming drug that has been embraced by right-wing circles as a coronavirus treatment, even though health authorities warn it is dangerous and ineffective to use as a pandemic cure. Last week, a county judge ruled that a Cincinnati-area hospital has to prescribe the drug, according to the wishes of the wife of a man who has been battling Covid and related health effects since July. Jeffrey Smith, 51, tested positive for Covid on 9 July, and the order mandates that the West Chester Hospital provide him the dangerous drug, on the orders of his personal doctor. The Independent has reached out the hospital for comment. The lawsuit doesnt specify whether Mr Smith is vaccinated against Covid-19, but state data suggests it is likely he hasnt had the jab, since 20,500 of the 21,000 Ohioans in the hospital since January with Covid were unvaccinated. Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic, rather than anti-viral, drug, and is most commonly used in livestock, with limited human uses approved. The Food and Drug Administration has warned Americans not to take Ivermectin for Covid, cautioning it could cause serious health effects. Theres a lot of misinformation around, and you may have heard that its okay to take large doses of ivermectin. That is wrong, the agency writes on its website. Even the levels of ivermectin for approved uses can interact with other medications, like blood-thinners. 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. Despite these warnings, the patients family doctor, Ohio physician Dr Fred Waghsul, has said federal health authorities and the media are engaged in a conspiracy to cover up the effectiveness of the drug, an effort he compares to genocide. If we were a country looking at another country allowing those [COVID-19] deaths daily we would have been screaming, Genocide! he told Ohio Capitol Journal . Though Ivermectin has been approved for limited uses in humans, such as a topical form to treat head lice, the CDC has said its clinical trials with the drug havent turned up sufficient evidence to merit using the treatment for Covid. Conservative figures, including Kentucky senator Rand Paul as well as numerous online conspiracists, have pushed to investigate or use the drug as a Covid treatment. Lawsuits in Chicago and Buffalo, New York, have sought similar results to force hospitals to use Ivermectin. Joe Biden was told to burn in hell following a supposedly scripted and shallow meeting in which families were agitated by a president who they say checked his watch and spoke more about his own dead son than the 13 troops killed last week in Afghanistan. As Mr Biden left Dover Air Force Base after meeting families who had just received the bodies of their loved ones from Kabul airport, one woman screamed: I hope you burn in hell! That was my brother! The raw and emotional scene was described by Mark Schmitz, father of 20-year-old Jared Schmitz, in The Washington Post. Mr Schmitz said he grew agitated as Mr Biden appeared to check his watch and responded bluntly when asked to remember the men and women killed in Kabul. I said, Dont you ever forget that name. Dont you ever forget that face. Dont you ever forget the names of the other 12... and take some time to learn their stories, Mr Schmitz told the president. Mr Biden responded curtly and didnt like the comment, Mr Schmitz told the Post, and reportedly said: I do know their stories. Its unclear from video of Mr Biden at the dignified transfer whether the president actually checked his watch during the solemn moment; he could be seen glancing down as he lowered his arms. Some of the family members of the fallen service members have criticised him for appearing to check his watch. Former president Donald Trump also joined the fray. When he just kept talking about his son so much it was just my interest was lost in that. I was more focused on my own son than what happened with him and his son, Mr Schmitz said. Im not trying to insult the president, but it just didnt seem that appropriate to spend that much time on his own son. Beau Biden, a military veteran who was deployed to Iraq, died of brain cancer in 2015, and the president has used his death in an attempt to connect with families that have suffered similar grief. Jiennah McCollum, the pregnant wife of Marine Lance Corporal Rylee McCollum, was left disappointed by Mr Bidens conversation, her sister Roice McCollum told Post of what she described as a scripted and shallow exchange. You cannot kneel on our flag and pretend you care about our troops. You cant f*** up as bad as he did and say youre sorry. This did not need to happen, and every life is on his hands, Ms McCollum said. The thousands of Afghans who will suffer and be tortured is a direct result of his incompetence. White House press secretary Jen Psaki defended the president when asked about the meeting. While his son did not lose his life directly in combat as they did or directly at the hands of a terrorist, as these families did that theyre mourning he knows, as I just said, firsthand that theres nothing you can say, nothing you can convey, to ease the pain and to ease what all of these families are going through, Ms Psaki told reporters. It is certainly the right of any individual who met with the president yesterday to speak publicly about their experience, she added. Other families, meanwhile, refused to speak to the president. Darin Hoover, the father of Taylor Hoover, told Fox News his family didnt want him anywhere near us while saying Mr Biden checked his watch every time a coffin was taken off the plane. They would release the salute, and he would look down at his watch on every last one, all 13, he looked down at his watch, Mr Hoover told Fox. As a father, seeing that and the disrespect, and hearing from his former leaders, one of [Taylors] master sergeants said that this was avoidable that they left them over there: They had them over there and let them down, and we cant have that. It cant happen ever again, he added. Before the meeting, Kathy McCollum told SiriusXM Patriot radio on Saturday that she was woken up at 4am by two Marines telling her that her son had died. I never thought in a million years [my son] would die for nothing, for nothing, because that feckless, dementia-ridden piece of crap who decided he wanted a photo-op on September 11. Thats what kills me, she said. The emotion from families has become so heated that one woman, Shana Chappell, mother of 20-year-old Lance Corporal Kareem M Nikoui, said her Instagram account was deleted and a Facebook post removed for criticizing Mr Biden. It seems Instagram took it upon themselves to delete my account because i [sic] am assuming it was because i gained so many followers over my sons death due to Bidens negligence, ignorance and him being a traitor! Ms Chappell posted on Facebook. Im gonna assume that Facebook is gonna delete me next. Funny how these leftist one sided pieces of crap dont want the truth to come out! Keep in mind i only posted about my heart break over my son. A Facebook spokesperson said in a statement to The Independent that her account was deleted by accident and that it had since been reinstated. We express our deepest condolences to Ms Chappell and her family. Her tribute to her heroic son does not violate any of our policies. While the post was not removed, her account was incorrectly deleted and we have since restored it, the statement said. The US Department of Education has cancelled more than $9bn in student loan debt since Joe Biden took office. The cancellations affect more than 563,000 borrowers. The numbers were included in an announcement by the department detailing its forgiveness of $1.1bn for 115,000 borrowers who attended the now defunct ITT Technical Institute. The borrowers were given reprieve because they attended the school at a time when it misrepresented its financial state and misled students into believing that hefty private loans were actually grants. ITT's malfeasance drove its financial resources away from educating students in order to keep the school in business for years longer than it likely would otherwise have, resulting in debts that are being discharged starting today, the agency said. Earlier this month, the Biden administration announced it planned to forgive $5.8bn in federal student loans for 323,000 borrowers that were identified by the Social Security Administration as totally and permanently disabled. Mr Biden has faced pressure from progressive groups to enact widespread student loan forgiveness. Almost 43 million Americans have student loan debt, totalling $1.57 trillion. The push for Mr Biden to cancel student loan debts is rooted in the idea that hefty debts are preventing tens of millions of Americans from buying homes, cars and starting families. The inability of tens of millions of Americans to make major financial investments, as advocates argue, is stunting the US economy. During his presidential campaign, Mr Biden promised to "forgive a minimum of $10,000 per person of federal student loans, an act that would erase all the debt for 15 million Americans. However, Mr Biden has yet to act on that promise. Student loan forgiveness was not included in Mr Biden's 2021 annual budget. Since his election, Mr Biden has shifted in his position slightly, suggesting that it should be Congress and not his executive power that cancels student loan debt. Due to the need for Senate Republicans to sign onto such a bill for passage, it is extremely unlikely that Congress would cancel the loans. The US Department of Education has reportedly been preparing a legal analysis concerning Mr Biden's ability to cancel loans using executive power, but that assessment has not been made public. Despite the lack of forward momentum for wide scale student loan relief, Mr Biden has taken some steps to take the burden off of borrowers during the coronavirus pandemic. He has twice extended the loan relief introduced in the Cares Act, and he has said he is committed to simplifying the income-based repayment plans that many borrowers currently utilise. Mr Biden has also expressed a willingness to adjust the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program so that more borrowers qualify for the program. Midway through President Joe Bidens speech announcing the end of the US military mission in Afghanistan, he appeared to outline a unitary Biden doctrine for US foreign policy as America ends its longest war. First, we must set missions with clear, achievable goals, not ones well never reach, he said. We must stay clearly focused on the fundamental national security interests of the United States of America. Throughout Mr Bidens speech, wherein he outlined the failures of the Afghan government before it fell to the Taliban and the shortcomings of his predecessor Donald Trump, the president continuously emphasised why longterm military commitments like the one in Afghanistan were not in Americas best interests. This decision about Afghanistan is not just about Afghanistan, Mr Biden said. Its about ending an era of major military operations to remake other countries. We saw a mission of counter-terrorism in Afghanistan, getting the terrorists and stopping attacks morph into a counter-insurgency, nation-building, trying to create, cohesive and united Afghanistan, something that has never been done over many centuries of Afghans history. Biden defends ending 'forever war' in Afghanistan The move was clearly a swipe toward many of the people who had decried Mr Bidens decision, such as former Gen David Petraeus, one of the biggest proponents of counterinsurgency who has become one of Mr Bidens most vocal critics on the Afghanistan exit. This is the end of an era of trying to remake other nations. Moving on from that mindset will make us stronger and more effective and safer at home, Mr Biden said. But the president added that he would not shy away from confronting terrorist threats to the United States, echoing his words from last week after 13 service members were killed in a Kabul suicide bombing. To those who wish America harm, to those who engage in terrorism against us or our allies, know this, he said. The United States will never rest. We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down to the ends of the earth and you will pay the ultimate price. Similarly, Mr Biden did not say the United States was retreating from the threat of terrorism, noting that the country is engaged in serious competition with China and multiple challenges with Russia. In this image made through a night vision scope and provided by U.S. Central Command, Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue, commander of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps, boards a C-17 cargo plane at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, as the final American service member to depart Afghanistan. (U.S. Central Command via AP) (AP) At the same time, it is not clear that most Americans have an issue with those particular aspects of Mr Bidens approach to Afghanistan. A new survey from the Pew Research Center released on Tuesday found that 54 percent of US adults think that the decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan was the right one and 69 percent said the United States had mostly failed to achieve its goals in Afghanistan, showing fatigue among the American public for the nation-building projects like the one he described in Afghanistan. But the issue seems to be more in the way the United States exited. Only 29 per cent of US adults said Mr Biden had done either an excellent or good job but 42 per cent said he had done a poor job. Only 43 per cent of Democrats thought Mr Biden had done an excellent or good job leaving Afghanistan and only seven percent of Independents and Republicans said the same. Mr Biden also said his administration would continue to speak out on human rights for women and girls as we speak out for women and girls all around the globe, he said. Ive been clear that human rights will be the center of our foreign policy, he said. But the way to do that is not through endless military deployments but through diplomacy, economic tools and rallying the rest of the world for support. The president, as is often the case, invoked his late son Beau, who served in Iraq before dying of brain cancer, when discussing the costs beyond just battlefield casualties. He noted the costs of traumatic brain injury and other types of injuries, adding that an average of 18 veterans die from suicide per day. Theres nothing low-grade or low-cost or low-risk about any war, he said. Close Biden defends ending 'forever war' in Afghanistan In an address to the nation, President Joe Biden recognised the end of a forever war in Afghanistan after the last American troops departed from Kabul on Monday night, marking the beginning of the end of the nations longest war. He defended the evacuation effort, in which thousands of people were lifted out of Kabul in recent weeks, as an extraordinary success due to the incredible skill, bravery, and selfless courage of the United States military and our diplomats and intelligence professionals. The end of the nations longest war in which nearly 50,000 Afghan civilians, 2,500 US service members, and thousands of Afghan military, police and Taliban fighters were killed included the deaths of at least 13 US service members and an estimated 170 Afghan civilians after a terror attack claimed by Isis-K. The president said he does not believe mass evacuations from Kabul should have started sooner, arguing that any announcement prior to an approaching withdrawal date could have sparked a rush to the airport. I take responsibility for the decision, he said. He added: Imagine if we began evacuations in June or July, bringing in thousands of American troops and evacuating more than 120,000 people in the middle of a civil war. There still would have been a rush to the airport, a break down in confidence and control of the government and still would have been very difficult and dangerous mission. The bottom line is there is no evacuation from the end of a war that you can run without the kinds of complexities, challenges, threats we faced, he said. None. He also stressed that for Americans who remained beyond the 31 August withdrawal deadline, there is no deadline. We remain committed to get them out, if they want to come out, he said. At home, the president has approved federal disaster aid and dispatched emergency response in the wake of Hurricane Idas devastation across southeast Louisiana, where thousands of homes were damaged by the now-dissipated storm, leaving more than 1 million homes without power. The president pledged the federal government to stand with you and the people of the Gulf as long as it takes for you to recover, he said on Monday. Follow for updates Donald Trump has claimed it was a disgrace for Joe Biden to seemingly glance at his watch while paying respects to the 13 US service members who were killed in Afghanistan. The one-term president has joined the right-wing criticism of his successor, who glanced at his wrist during the ceremony in Dover, Delaware, as the remains of the dead arrived back in the US. When he did that yesterday, it was, it was a disgrace. I think the best thing he could do is apologise to the American people and apologise to the world, Mr Trump said during an interview on Fox Businesss Varney & Co. And Mr Trump, who was repeatedly criticised over his often controversial interactions with the military, added: When he kept looking at his watch yesterday at Dover with the parents and spouses of people that were killed, the Marines and the Navy sailor that was killed, and hes looking at his watch, like, Get me the hell out of here. I want to go home, get me out. I want to go home. I mean how many times did he look at his watch? (AFP via Getty Images) Brett Baier of Fox News has pointed out that Mr Biden wears his late son Beaus rosary on his left wrist above his watch, and supporters have suggested that is what the president was looking at. Baier addressed the issue when he was attacked on social media for bringing it up. As I said it wasnt cover it was what several Biden supporters pointed out to me but I also said clearly the image whether it was looking at Beaus rosary or the watch was extremely painful & disrespectful to the families there in that moment. Sorry you missed that Thanks, he tweeted. Mr Trump joined other conservative politicians in attacking Mr Biden in the wake of the chaotic evacuation of Afghanistan, which saw a bomb attack by Isis-K kill 13 US service personnel along with dozens of Afghans as they handled security Kabuls international airport. Many of us remember Pres Bush 41 checking his watch during a debate and how awful it looked (even though we all felt same way about that debate.) But this is shocking and will be remembered, tweeted former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. And the former White House doctor, Representative Ronny Jackson, added: Apparently our Commander-in-Chief has better things to do than honor the 13 service members who died on his watch? Im DISGUSTED! God bless these heroes and their loved ones. They deserved better. Estonias Parliament has elected the chief of a major national museum as the Baltic countrys new president in a second round of voting after he was rejected by lawmakers in Monday's first voting round. Lawmakers at the 101-seat Riigikogu legislature on Tuesday elected Alar Karis, director of the Estonian National Museum with 72 lawmakers supporting him, 8 voting blank and the rest absent or abstaining. He was the only candidate in both rounds, but failed to achieve the necessary two-thirds support, or 68 votes, in Monday's first secret ballot. The 63-year-old Karis, a former state auditor and university head, will succeed President Kersti Kaljulaid, Estonias first female president. She could not seek another five-year term in office because she failed to obtain a minimum of 21 lawmakers to propose her as a candidate. 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 presidents 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 law proposals. Karis is to assume the post on Oct. 11 according to initial information. Several Capitol rioters are now without legal counsel as their lawyer appears to have vanished. The New York Times reports that attorney John Pierce missed a hearing last Tuesday, where he was scheduled to defend one of the 6 January suspects. According to an associate who took his place, Mr Pierce had a "conflict" and could not make the hearing. Mr Pierce's missed hearing did not cause immediate concern. But he reportedly kept missing hearings, and other lawyers covering for him began offering varied and sometimes conflicting explanations for his whereabouts. On Wednesday, a colleague told a judge that Mr Pierce had fallen ill with Covid-19 and had been put on a ventilator at an area hospital. However, that same colleague told a prosecutor in another case that Mr Pierce had been in a car accident. Later that night, another associate of Mr Pierce told a reporter that the attorney was in the hospital, but was being treated for "dehydration and exhaustion." On Monday, the federal government moved to inform defendants in 17 Capitol riot cases that their lawyer had gone missing. Without Mr Pierce, his attorney's cases cannot move forward, and at some point he will have to be replaced to ensure the Capitol riot suspects have representation in court. The attorney a known supporter of Donald Trump who once claimed he was going to subpoena House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took on members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers right wing extremist gangs as clients. Mr Pierce would have eventually come up against federal prosecutors hoping to tie conspiracy charges to the gangs. Im like Gerard Butler in 300, Mr Pierce said before disappearing, comparing himself to Leonidas, the legendary king of Sparta. Im in the hot gates at Thermopylae, holding the pass against the million-man Persian army. Now, federal prosecutors are dealing with his stand-in, an associate named Ryan Joseph Marshall, who is reportedly not a licensed lawyer. Prosecutors are unsure when Mr Marshall could get his licence, as he is under indictment in his own criminal cases which accuse him of corruption, theft and fraud in Pennsylvania. In the meantime, all prosecutors can do is wait and see if Mr Pierce surfaces. Unfortunately, it seems that Mr Pierce may be hospitalised and unable to communicate, prosecutors wrote on Monday, and it is unclear when Mr Pierce will recover. Twitter users are having a field day over a bizarre interview with former Trump campaign lawyer Sidney Powell , during which she briefly stormed off set, asked the reporter if she worked for a voting machine company, and at one point uttered the words Ive been in me a long time. Ms Powell is perhaps best known as one of Donald Trump s most zealous lawyers in the aftermath of the 2020 election, which the former president falsely said had been stolen. At press conferences and in court, Ms Powell pushed numerous debunked conspiracy theories about the vote, at one point publicly pledging to release the Kraken of new fraud evidence. In an interview for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, reporter Sarah Ferguson grilled Ms Powell about her claims. In particular, Ms Ferguson zeroed in on two voting machine companies Smartmatic and Dominion Voting Systems that are currently suing Ms Powell for defamation. What research or fact-checking did you do at the time to find out what Smartmatics actual involvement in the election was? the journalist asked . Do you work for Smartmatic? Ms Powell shot back. I mean, Im confused right now about why youre here. Because youve made a series of very strong allegations against Smartmatic and against Dominion, containing many errors of fact, Ms Ferguson patiently explained. The interview went even further downhill from there. You said that Smartmatic owns Dominion. How do you justify such a basic factual error? Ms Ferguson asked. (Smartmatic does not own Dominion.) Im gonna stop this interview, Ms Powell responded. Its wholly inappropriate in the litigation that were in. Were not even in the area of great dispute, the Australian journalist protested. These are the simple facts of who owns what. No, were done, Ms Powell replied, getting up to leave. On Twitter, where video clips of the interview quickly went viral, viewers praised Ms Fergusons tough line of questioning, and wondered aloud about how Ms Powells lawsuits will go. Wow! Thats just brilliant! one user wrote . If Sidney cant handle a journalist asking her factual questions then how the hell is she going to behave on the witness stand? The Kraken retreated to her emotional support dog when asked very fundamental questions by a journalist, another commented , apparently referring to the small shih tzu Ms Powell kept petting during the interview. She is not going to fare well when she is put under oath, in court, with no emotional support pet, and grilled by seasoned federal prosecutors with receipts. After some coaxing off-set, Ms Powell later returned for more questions. These didnt go much better for her. It was essentially a bloodless coup where they took over the presidency of the United States without a single shot being fired, Ms Powell said at one point. Whos they in that sentence? Ms Ferguson asked. I dont know who all the they are, the former Trump lawyer replied. I would really like to know the answer to that. But its a significant number of they, and they knew exactly what they were doing. Ms Ferguson then moved in for the kill. Do you ever hear yourself and think that it sounds ridiculous? she asked. No, Ms Powell replied. I know myself very well. Ive been in me a long time. On Twitter, viewers marveled at the strangeness of this answer. Ive been in me a long time is a phrase I was not prepared to ever hear from any person suspected of possessing sanity, one person wrote . Ive been in me a long time is the most space alien body snatcher thing Ive ever heard anyone say, another commented . Another user suggested a follow-up from Ms Ferguson. That begs the question, how long have you been out of you? Texas lawmakers have passed a final version of Republican-backed legislation to restrict voting access across the state, despite protests from the states Democrats to obstruct its passage in the midst of the GOPs nationwide campaign to curb ballot access. Governor Greg Abbott who called lawmakers to the statehouse for two special sessions to get the measure passed will sign the bill into law, which is expected to draw legal challenges from the states voting rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers. Only one Republican member of the state House joined Democrats to oppose the legislation; the Senate passed the bill on a party-line vote. Its passage marks the latest GOP victory in a campaign to roll back ballot access and consolidate electoral oversight into the hands of Republican-dominated state legislatures, emboldened by Donald Trumps baseless stolen election narrative echoed in statehouses across the US, under the guise of protecting voter confidence and election integrity despite unprecedented voter turnout in 2020 elections and no evidence of widespread fraud. Within the first few months of 2021, Republican state lawmakers filed nearly 400 bills in nearly every state to roll back voting by mail, impose strict voter ID requirements, cut back on early voting hours and criminalise handing out food and water in long lines at polling places, among other measures. By mid-July, at least 18 states enacted 30 new laws that restrict access to the ballot, according to the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law. A parallel effort from GOP lawmakers has seen more than 200 bills in 41 states that would give themselves more authority over the electoral process, according to the States United Democracy Center. The persistent stolen election lie has turned into a cancer in our politics and poses an existential threat to our democracy, state Sen Sarah Eckhardt told lawmakers ahead of her chambers vote. By endorsing the bill, she said Republican lawmakers have propelled a narrative that is leading us toward authoritarianism, violence and the kind of insurrectionist actions that we saw in Washington DC. The Texas legislation would embolden partisan poll watchers to harass election workers and voters, the bills critics have argued. Measures banning 24-hour and drive-though early voting which proved popular during the coronavirus pandemic largely single out Harris County, one of the largest counties in the country, and where voters of colour disproportionately relied on expanded access. Despite the bills disparate racial impact, Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan told lawmakers not to use the word racism while debating the bill. The bill also criminalises election workers who make unintended errors or send out unsolicited applications for mail-in ballots, and bans local jurisdictions from implementing their own policies to expand voter access, among other measures. In a statement, the governor said Senate Bill 1 will solidify trust and confidence in the outcome of our elections by making it easier to vote and harder to cheat. I look forward to signing Senate Bill 1 into law, ensuring election integrity in Texas. Texas Democrats have cast the bill as a racist, anti-democracy bill that will cement Texass ranking as the hardest state in the country to vote in. Last month, a group of Texas Democratic lawmakers travelled to Washington DC in a last-ditch effort to block passage of the legislation during a special legislative session called by the governor to pass several items on his agenda. While at the Capitol, lawmakers lobbied the White House and members of Congress to push for sweeping federal voting rights protections while stressing that their time is running out, and that Governor Abbotts signature was likely imminent once they were forced to return. We knew we wouldnt be able to hold off this day forever, Texas House Democratic Caucus chair Chris Turner said in a statement. Now that it has come, we need the US Senate to act immediately to pass federal legislation to protect Texas voters from Republicans assault on our democracy. Texas Democratic Party chair Gilberto Hinojosa said Texas Republicans are committed to staying in power at any cost even at the expense of our democracy. This bill has always been about Republicans silencing the voices of millions of Texans because they cannot win any other way, he said in a statement. He urged Congress to pass the For The People Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, a pair of federal elections bills passed by the Democratically controlled House of Representatives that face GOP blockades in an evenly divided Senate. Nothing less is on the line, he said. A federal judge has thrown out a Trump-era rule that ended federal protections for hundreds of thousands of small streams, wetlands and other waterways and left them vulnerable to pollution from nearby development. The Biden administration had already said it plans to repeal the Trump-era rule and issue new regulations defining which waterways are federally protected under the Clean Water Act. But the Trump rule remained in place in the meantime, and environmental groups, Native American tribes and others said it could lead to the loss of wetlands, damage wildlife habitat and allow businesses and farmers to pollute waterways. U.S. District Court Judge Rosemary Marquez in Arizona, an Obama appointee, sided with those groups on Monday, determining that the Trump administration's rule last year improperly limited the scope of clean water protections. Marquez said the Environmental Protection Agency had ignored its own findings that small waterways can affect the well-being of the larger waterways they flow into. The EPA, now headed by Biden appointee Michael Regan, said it is reviewing the decision and declined to comment. In June, Regan said the agency planned to issue a new rule that protects water quality while not overly burdening small farmers. The water rule sometimes called waters of the United States or WOTUS has long been a point of contention. In 2015, the Obama administration expanded federal protection to nearly 60% of the nations waterways. Because the Obama rule also faced several legal challenges, Monday's decision puts back in place a 1986 standard which is broader in scope than the Trump rule but narrower than Obamas until new regulations are issued. According to an earlier review by the Biden administration, the Trump rule allowed more than 300 projects to proceed without the federal permits required under the Obama-era rule. The review also found the Trump rule significantly curtailed clean water protections in states such as New Mexico and Arizona. Those changes were challenged in court by six Native American tribes that said the Trump rule defied the law's environmental focus. Until it was revoked, the rule was causing irreparable damage to our nations waters," said Janette Brimmer, a lawyer for Earthjustice, an environmental group that represented the tribes. Gunnar Peters, chair of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, one of the tribes that sued, said federal water regulation protects our history, our culture, and our peoples way of life." Mondays' ruling takes effect nationwide and could have an immediate impact. In Georgia, a proposed titanium mine a few miles from the edge of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge could require federal approval after all. Last year, the Army Corps of Engineering determined that it no longer had jurisdiction over the project. On Tuesday, an Army Corps spokesman said it is too early to determine how the ruling will affect its involvement with the project. Also affected are developers and other businesses that stood to benefit from regulatory and financial relief under the Trump rule. Advocates for less restrictive federal regulation say protection of waterways should be left to states. Chuck Fowke, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, said the group was disappointed by Mondays ruling. He said the decision will lead to confusion about where home builders could develop and result in longer delays and higher housing costs. ____ Phillis reported from St. Louis. Associated Press writer Kate Brumback in Atlanta contributed. _____ The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/environment As the last US military plane took off from Kabul just after midnight on Tuesday, it left behind an estimated 60,000 Afghan allies and hundreds of American citizens who had been unable to escape in time - for many, a dismal and dishonourable finish to the 20-year conflict. For retired LTC Scott Mann, who served multiple tours in Afghanistan, it was not something he was prepared to live with. We know instinctively, you know, in our gut, in our solar plexus, that we dont leave our friends. We dont leave anybody behind and we keep our promises he said. Mr Mann, along with other Afghan veterans, is launching Operation Recovery, a major mission to continue the evacuation and resettlement of the Afghan partners and their families that were left behind. In an interview with The Independent: he said: We are about to embark on a private recovery operation of western citizens as well as Afghan allies who we made a promise to. If youre a citizen and youre in duress, you know, we will eventually find you. Stay low, stay safe, be smart and do everything that you can to survive. Same with our Afghan partners. Were doing everything that we can to find you, to reach you and to help you reach safety. Mr Mann explained that the US made a promise to its partners: If it got too hot or too dangerous based on their sacrifice for their country and us, then the State Department would provide them a special immigration visa to get their family to safety. But as the August 31 withdrawal deadline drew nearer, hands were wrung from Washington to London when it became increasingly clear that in thousands of cases, that promise was not going to be kept. Meanwhile Mr Mann, along with an ad-hoc group of retired Green Berets, SEALs, Marines and other volunteers, were busy leading a monumental effort to get as many as possible of those at risk out, in an operation dubbed Pineapple Express. The group, working remotely, used an encrypted app on their mobile phones to leverage on-the-ground networks and trusted relationships that, as Mr Mann described, run 20 years deep. Members of the group coordinated the passage of those they were helping through the city, which was peppered with Taliban checkpoints, to Kabul airport. Mr Mann estimates as many as 700 were brought to safety in three days, often through utterly harrowing journeys. There were secret passages between the Taliban checkpoint and the actual airfield itself. There were holes in the fence. You had to move through sewage canals and things like that. Families endured beatings and other horrors during their dangerous journeys, and many were lost along the way. Mr Mann, a veteran who spent 23 years in the U.S. Army, 18 of that as a Green Beret, said: It was the most horrific and and challenging thing that Ive ever had to see. Today, Mr Mann is calling on President Biden to direct embassies to be ready to receive American and UK citizens as well as those Afghan allies who were granted visas. You gave them the applications, you approved and now they are coming and so have your embassy staff ready to process them. Thats the right thing to do and to do otherwise is a moral travesty. he said. He added: We need a presidential finding to Congress that clandestine activities need to continue in Afghanistan with the Department of Defence and other agencies, with us, with the Pineapple Express and other volunteer organisations, so we can responsibly hand off the recovery effort that were doing. It would really go a long way to addressing all of the strategic and policy wrongs that have been done here. As a former combatant, his motivation for the mission is clear. To abandon our American citizens and our Afghan allies behind Taliban lines thats going off the cliff into the moral injury of this, not just individually, but as a collective nation. That is a complete loss of our narrative. And our soldiers and veterans get that. In fact, I think most Americans get that. Mr Mann added that he had a direct message for President Biden. We are going to move these people, they are coming out of this country, were not asking permission. Were honouring our promise as combat veterans. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has vowed Tuesday to offer German residence to up to 40,000 local Afghan staff working for development organisations if they feel their lives will be in danger. The German Chancellor said those workers have the right to be evacuated, and they have become the main focus of her government. She also confirmed most of the German police and armed forces members have already left Afghanistan. On Monday evening, the last US troops left Hamid Karzai international airport shortly before a midnight deadline for a full withdrawal of all foreign troops, marking the end of the 20-years long war. A massive evacuation operation by western troops preceded the departure of the last flight that saw tens of thousands of foreigners and Afghans leave the country after the Taliban had taken over the capital city of Kabul. But while the military and police work came to an end after the 31 August deadline, humanitarian and development aid in Afghanistan has never stopped. 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. Thousands of aid workers remain in the country, and many of them now feel endangered under the Taliban rule. Speaking at a Berlin news conference with her Austrian counterpart, Mrs Merkel said: For us, the focus at the moment is local staff, and thats not 300 people, thats probably more like 10-40,000 people, and we will have to see how many of them want to leave the country and how many not. As weve seen, nobody takes the decision to leave their home lightly, she added. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told journalists on Monday his government secured Uzbekistans agreement to open its borders to people on a German list of those at-risk in the country and who need to be evacuated. Mr Maas is on a trip to Turkey, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan and Qatar, among others, 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. Additional reporting by agencies She was the driving force of a female triumvirate that unnerved Alexander Lukashenko in elections last year cutting through decades of dictatorship with a trademark heart hand sign that shed draw to supporters at rallies. On Tuesday, Mr Lukashenko returned Maria Kolesnikova a sign of his own by ordering harsh 12-year jail terms for her and her colleague Maxim Znak. There seems little prospect of the court doing anything other than obliging the requests. The trial, which is being held behind closed doors in Minsk, is going ahead with unprecedented haste. A sentence is expected barely four weeks after the process began. No one can say anything about the charges or the evidence; they are both classified. The Independent understands Ms Kolesnikova and Mr Znak gave final speeches to court on Tuesday. But there is no public record about what they said that, too, is classified. Ms Kolesnikova was the only one in the female trio to remain in Belarus following the enforced exit of opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya in August 2020. The regime tried to send the former musician the same way, arresting her in a September raid and then attempting to forcibly deport her. But Ms Kolesnikova confounded her masked assailants by tearing up her passport on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border. That move afforded Ms Kolesnkikova heroic status among the Belarusian opposition and concentrated minds in the regime against her. It also caused those closest to her to worry about what might be coming her way. Speaking to The Independent, her father, Alexander Kolesnikov, recalls strong conflicting emotions of rapture and anxiety following news of her unsuccessful exfiltration. The two had discussed various scenarios before, he said. He knew his daughter was independently minded shed always done her own thing and he knew she was determined to stay in Belarus. But nobody, least of all him, expected such a radical move. Maria has always been governed by a sense of responsibility to people around her, he said. "I understood it wasnt a spontaneous decision, but it still came as a shock. Although Mr Kolesnikov has not been allowed to watch the trial, authorities last week granted him the briefest of exchanges with his daughter. The meeting was the first time the two had seen each other for nearly a year. Separated by several metres and a glass cage, Maria greeted him with her trademark heart sign he responded in kind. The meeting helped cushion the blow of Tuesdays unexpectedly harsh sentence request, Mr Kolesnikov said. I could see how strong she was in mind and body and soul," he said. "She might have been in a cage that day, but she was freer than anyone in the room. On Monday, the human rights monitor, Viasna, reported that there are 653 political prisoners in Mr Lukashenkos jails. Sentencing for Ms Kolesnikova and Mr Znak, which may or may not be public, is expected at noon next Monday. The EU has fully vaccinated 70 per cent of its adult population against Covid-19, the 27-member blocs president Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday. The EU had set the target to vaccinate 70 per cent of its population by the end of the summer, first implied to be at the end of September. Although the EUs vaccination drive began at a slower pace due to lack of supply, the bloc said in July that 70 per cent of its citizens had received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine. In a video message shared on social media, Ms Von der Leyen said that today we reached an important milestone in our vaccination campaign. Seventy per cent of adults in the EU are now fully vaccinated and that means 250 million people are fully immunised. This is a great achievement, she said. But we must go further! We need more Europeans to vaccinate rapidly to stop the spread of infections and stop more variants from emerging. And we need to help the rest of the world vaccinate, too. Well continue supporting our partners, she added. Countries in the EU have been struggling to contain the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, which has led to a spike in positive cases. Daily average hospital admissions across the bloc have risen over 100,000 for the first time since last winter, the BBC reported. One concern is the contrast in vaccination rates between the various member states of the EU. While Malta has fully vaccinated over 90 per cent of its adult population and Ireland and Portugal have administered jabs to over 80 per cent, data from the European Centre for Disease prevention and Control showed Bulgaria vaccinated just a fifth of its population and Romania only 30 per cent of its adults. The World Health Organisation on Monday warned of an additional 236,000 deaths in Europe by 1 December because of stagnating vaccination rates. WHO Europe director Hans Kluge told news agency AFP that the Delta variant was partly to blame, along with an exaggerated easing of restrictions and surge in summer travel. In the past six weeks, (the rate of vaccination) has fallen by 14 per cent, influenced by a lack of access to vaccines in some countries and a lack of vaccine acceptance in others, he said. The bloc recently recommended that citizens of the US and five other countries should be banned from non-essential travel to its member states. The guidance also applied to Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro and the Republic of North Macedonia. The European Council, the EUs decision-making body, had in June recommended that the bloc lift restrictions on non-essential travellers from 14 countries, including the US. Europe has so far reported 64,991,125 confirmed Covid cases and around 1.3 million related deaths. Cristiano Ronaldos return to Manchester United will headline transfer deadline day and could pave the way for a number of other moves in the Premier League. United are expected to confirm the arrival of Ronaldo from Juventus in the coming hours after putting the finishing touches to a deal agreed on Friday. But with the Portuguese back in the fold at Old Trafford, others are expected to be heading for the exit to make space in Ole Gunnar Solskjaers squad. West Ham remain keen on Jesse Lingard after his star turn on loan in the second half of last season helped them qualify for the Europa League, but they continue to pursue CSKA Moscows Croatia international Nikola Vlasic as an alternative. Wales winger Daniel James has started two of Uniteds opening three Premier League fixtures but has also been strongly linked with a move away, most likely on loan, with Everton, Brighton, Leeds and Crystal Palace all eyeing up the 23-year-old. One other young attacking United player, Amad Diallo was set to join Feyenoord on loan but a thigh injury for the 19-year-old has scuppered the deal. Things are quieter on the other side of Manchester, with any chance of a new striker arriving at City this summer apparently over after the failure in their pursuit of Harry Kane before the brief dalliance with Ronaldo. Bernardo Silva is still being linked with a move away, but no suitors have put forward an offer as yet. West Ham have already been busy over the Bank Holiday weekend, bringing in Kurt Zouma from Chelsea. That move theoretically frees up space for the Blues to pursue France defender Jules Kounde, but Sevilla are reportedly not budging from their 68.5million valuation of the 22-year-old. Callum Hudson-Odoi could follow Zouma through the Stamford Bridge exit, with Borussia Dortmund thought to be keen on a loan deal for the 20-year-old. Tottenham are hoping to add Barcelona right-back Emerson Royal on deadline day, and have reportedly tabled an offer of 25.7m for the 22-year-old. James is just one of several players being linked with Everton as Rafa Benitez looks to further reshape his squad in the final hours of the window. (Ainsley Maitland-Niles/Instagram) After Ainsley Maitland-Niles was linked with a move to Goodison Park, the 24-year-old used social media to say he wanted to go where I will play. Meanwhile, Benitez could turn to his old charge Salomon Rondon, now of Chinese club Dalian Pro, as cover for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, as Moise Kean appears set for a return to Juventus to replace Ronaldo. But one of the big storylines at Goodison Park over the final hours will be over James Rodriguezs future as the Toffees look to get the Colombian off their wage bill. Maitland-Niles could be one of several players to leave Arsenal in the coming hours, with Hector Bellerin, Eddie Nketiah, Sead Kolasinac and Reiss Nelson also linked with moves as Mikel Arteta looks to streamline his squad. Willians move to Corinthians was confirmed on Monday. If several players are moved on, the Gunners may hope there is still time to reinforce Artetas group after a dismal start to the season. Gazing from the window of a BA Airbus taking off from Heathrows southern runway last week, I did a double-take when I saw a Qantas Boeing 787 parked in its previously usual spot at Heathrow airports Terminal 3. But the jet was not about to fly to Perth in Western Australia, the revolutionary 9,000-mile-plus nonstop route pioneered in 2018. Instead, it was due to depart to Darwin in the Northern Territory (NT) the last of six repatriation flights the Australian carrier operated in August. The NT capital has become the sole Qantas destination from Heathrow because it serves the Howard Springs mining camp, just 10 miles southwest of Darwin airport. This is a quarantine facility, holding 850 people, and recently renamed the Centre of National Resilience. The Darwin flights are not for the likes of you or me. Before you can book one, you need a DFAT approval code supplied sparingly by the government in Canberra to Australian citizens and permanent residents who are currently overseas and have been trying to return home but havent been able to. The 16-hour long haul may be different from your last Qantas experience. Limited onboard food and bottles of water, the airline warns inviting passengers to bring their own food and drink on board, but no alcohol. Youll also be required to change your mask every two hours throughout the flight, Qantas adds cheerfully. Four months from now, though, the carrier plans to offer regular scheduled flights from London to Australia. Qantas has announced a gradual restart of international flights from December. The airlines optimism is based on the Australian governments stated aim to ease the borders policy once vaccination reaches 80 per cent. The announcement comes as Australias zero Covid campaign is in disarray. On the last day of August, active cases topped 18,000 and deaths from coronavirus passed the grim 1,000 milestone. That could mean the federal government cracks down still further on international travel. But Qantas insists that December 2021 remains in reach, based on pace of vaccine rollout. It says long lead times for international readiness mean the airline has to make some reasonable assumptions to make sure it can offer flights to customers as soon as they become feasible. The UK, along with the US, Canada, Japan and Hong Kong, is described as Covid-safe in Qantass statement about the restart. The first British route will be London-Singapore-Sydney, operated by a Boeing 787. But from mid-2022, the Airbus A380 will be back on the London-Sydney route (as well as to Los Angeles). All but two of the dozen SuperJumbo jets in the Qantas fleet will return to service, complete with upgraded cabins. Meanwhile, demand for UK-Australia nonstops is expected to be in even higher demand post-Covid, Qantas believes. But not necessarily to Perth. The airline says conservative border policies in Western Australia may mean the long-haul Boeing is directed to Darwin, rather than Perth. The state government in Western Australia, where Covid case numbers have been very low, has imposed strict rules against travel from other Australian states with a general ban on arrivals from New South Wales and mandatory quarantine for the few who are allowed in. The London Heathrow-Darwin distance is 8,620 miles, almost 400 miles shorter than to Perth, saving more than 40 minutes on the trip and several tonnes of fuel. Aircraft can also fly more direct (wind considerations aside) because the shortest route is mainly overflying Russia, Kazakhstan and China rather than Black Sea and Middle East hotspots. The London-Perth nonstop continued to Melbourne, but a link via Darwin is more direct adding only 50 miles to the shortest distance between Heathrow and Melbourne. Qantas is still working on Project Sunrise: the prospect of ultra-long-haul flights connecting London with Sydney. But in the meantime, the sultry tropical city of Darwin may mark landfall for many in Australia just as it did in the early days of the Kangaroo route with instant access to the wilderness and wonders of the Outback. Joe Biden often gets emotional when he speaks. When he speaks about the military, or about his son Beau, or about other things that matter to him dearly, he gets particularly animated. On Tuesday, a day after Biden oversaw the final evacuation of US troops and civilians from Afghanistan and in doing so turned the page of two decades of history, he defended his actions. His speech from the White House, that nudged past 25 minutes, was his most impassioned defence yet, not only of the decision to bring those troops home, but of the manner in which he did so. I was not going to extend this forever war, he said, wearing a dark navy suit and a pale blue tie. And I was not going to extend a forever exit. White House defends Biden meeting with fallen service members' families Speaking from the White House State Dining Room, he took responsibility for the decision. Now some say, We should have started mass evacuations sooner, and Couldnt this have been done in a more orderly manner?. I respectfully disagree, he said. The bottom line is, there is no evacuation from the end of a war that you can run without the kinds of complexities, challenges, threats we faced. None. If you watched along, there was both an emotional and intellectual consistency to his words. And there was a logic to them as well. Since at least 2009, when he was Barack Obamas vice president, Biden has been pushing for the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, arguing that it is simply not in Americas interests to keep them there. He repeated that point on Tuesday, in many ways a starkly honest admission that Americas priorities in that country were never about girls education or spreading democracy. I simply do not believe the safety and security of America is enhanced by continuing to deploy thousands of American troops and spending billions of dollars a year in Afghanistan, he said. Supporters of Biden will have been pleased by this full-throated defence of his actions, even if he sought to heap blame on lots of other individuals - Donald Trump, for signing the deal with the Taliban, and then Afghan President Ashraf Ghani who fled the country. But these things are not just about logic, or even honesty. (AFP via Getty Images) While Bidens Operation Allied Rescue managed to evacuate as many as 120,000 people, including 6,000 Americans, they were unable to bring back up to 200 US citizens who had wanted to be on those planes that lifted out of Kabul, shortly before midnight local time on Monday. People can quibble as to the precise number, and he can point out that officials sent 19 messages to those individuals since the spring, advising people on how they could leave. He can also vow efforts to retrieve those stranded Americans will continue, albeit relying on the cooperation of the Taliban. (We may come to learn, that US officials were told the Taliban would help as long as the Americans were out by Aug 31.) But its safe to say the American public does not like the idea of American citizens, or those Afghans who helped the US military, being left behind. Polls show a strong majority wanted troops to stay until every American was able to step inside the huge belly of a C-17 transport plane. Republicans see an opening here to attack Biden and the Democrats ahead of the 2022 midterms, and some are already calling for his impeachment. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy described his handling of the evacuation as probably the biggest failure in American government on a military stage in my lifetime. We can never make this mistake again, McCarthy said. Congressman Michael McCaul said of the gunfire set off by the Taliban once the final plane left: Now theyre celebrating their victory over the United States of America. Its embarrassing, its shameful. Its wrong to our veterans so well. Senator Ted Cruz, never one to give up an opportunity to attack Democrats, tweeted: This is horrifying. And wrong. America doesnt leave Americans behind. There is another, more sinister element to the attacks of conservatives. Having blasted Biden for failing to more speedily fly people out of Afghanistan, the likes Fox News Tucker Carlson and others, are stirring up bigotted, anti-refugee rhetoric in relation to those he has brought here. If history is any guide, and its always a guide, we will see many refugees from Afghanistan resettle in our country in the coming months, probably in your neighborhood, Carlson said this week. And over the next decade, that number may swell to the millions. So first we invade, and then we are invaded. It is always the same. Groups that work with new refugees, fleeing some of the most dangerous places in the world, are already worried about the abuse, and worse, people may face because of words such as Carlsons. And if the most racist rump of the Republican Party seeks to use this as election tool, that is likely to get worse. As Biden said, none of this was going to end well, or be achieved easily. But just as the American military left behind a stash of such as Black Hawk helicopters now being giddily flown around Kabul by their new Taliban owners, by failing to ensure American got out - something he promised to do, including on a recent ABC News interview - Biden he has handed to Republicans some heavy political ordinance with which to attack him. Republicans in California may be able to achieve something their national counterparts have dreamed of since the day Bill Clinton was sworn into office in 1992 reversing the results of an election their candidate overwhelmingly lost. In 2018, then Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom won the Golden States top job by garnering votes from 7,721,410 Californians 61.9 percent of ballots cast with his Republican opponent unable to earn support from as much as 40 percent of the electorate. It was a predictable result for California Republicans, who have not won a statewide election since then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was re-elected in 2008. Their record at the legislative level has been even worse, with Democrats having control of the state assembly and state senate almost continuously since 1970. Newsom was sworn in as governor on January 7, 2019, and rather than put their efforts into winning back the governors mansion in the next regular election, Republican activists have circulated multiple petitions seeking to invoke the states recall process to remove him. The progressive-era law allows voters to trigger an election by collecting signatures from just 12 percent of registered voters not even one-third of the number who voted for Newsoms opponent in 2018. There have been seven such efforts over the last three years, but only this latest one found success after conservative media made hay of Newsoms decision to attend a dinner at an upscale French restaurant in Napa Valley at the same time he was encouraging Californians to wear masks and avoid large gatherings to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Californias recall law was put on the books in 1911 as a good-government measure meant to give the public a way to remove corrupt or incompetent officials. The last time it was successfully invoked was 2003, when voters elected Schwarzenegger to replace Democrat Gray Davis after 55 percent of them chose to oust him. He was perceived to have mismanaged the electricity crisis the state suffered during the early 2000s, as well as the economic fallout from the end of the dot-com bubble. But veterans of California politics say this recall effort is a far cry from the one that put the governator in the governors mansion, and has far more in common with the Trump-era partys unsuccessful push to overturn the 2020 election. Steve Schmidt, the former Republican political strategist who managed Schwarzeneggers 2008 reelection campaign, said the California GOPs years-long push to remove Newsom reflects a commitment to chaos as a means to take power and a party of kooks and cranks with no capacity to govern. Taking power through ordinary means is being abandoned, said Schmidt, who noted that unlike the rioters who stormed the Capitol on January 6, this attempt to reverse an election is being pursued by lawful means. Schmidt who also ran John McCains 2008 presidential campaign and helped found the anti-Trump Lincoln Project super PAC stressed that just because the recall effort is legal, it does not make it a morally correct undertaking. This process exists, and the lawful conditions of this process have been met The process could in fact yield a result where a talk-radio wackjob who is profoundly unfit to be in charge of anything could take power in the state of California, the sixth-largest economy in the world, with 6 percent of the vote, he explained. Thats a very bad thing even beyond the life-and-death issues around the pandemic, when you look at the magnitude of the fire catastrophe that exists in California. He added that the unpreparedness of the candidates, including what he called the masturbatory qualities of [reality TV star] Caitlyn Jenners involvement make the effort against Newsom an Olympics of unfitness that is immoral in the sense that its a time where life-and-death decisions are being made, and stupidity abounds. According to the California Secretary of States office, only 11 of the 179 attempts to recall a state elected official have successfully triggered a recall election. And of those, only six have been successful. But another Golden State political veteran, GOP strategist Mike Madrid, predicts that the continued polarization of American politics and the prevalence of negative partisanship as a motivating factor for voters will make recalls more commonplace. I believe we are entering an era where recalls in the state are likely to become more common than not, because even though the Republican base is shrinking rapidly, its becoming more animated, and its easier to mobilize on anything that is against the Democratic Party, said Madrid, who also worked on the Lincoln Projects anti-Trump efforts with Schmidt during the 2020 election. Twenty years ago, people would have been a little bit more hesitant and said: Well, is that good for the state or not? but today theyll say: Not only will I sign it, but Ill get my family to sign and contribute 100 bucks to the cause. Madrid took care to stress that the amount of negative partisanship in the American political environment means that Democrats would also be equally likely to try recalling a Republican governor if their state had a mechanism for it. But when asked whether those behind the push to remove Newsom were animated by a similar sentiment to the insurrectionists who breached the Capitol on January 6, he replied: I think theres some truth to that. This is about a segment of our population that is no longer of the opinion that democracy works for their aims, he said. Theyre becoming more monolithic, more intense, more excited more extreme and more violent, and they will utilize those resources to make the changes that they seek because the fight to them is bigger than democracy. Its about their own worldview, and if that means authoritarianism, or using the instruments of democracy to overturn elections or overturn them without the tools they will use them. Both Madrid and Schmidt were bearish on the possibility that the recall will be successful, with Madrid predicting that a Newsom loss would require an epic collapse of support because of what he described as an overwhelming Democratic advantage in voter registration. But Michael Steele, the former Maryland lieutenant governor who led the GOP during the 2010 Tea Party wave, cautioned Democrats to take the far rights efforts to break into power however they can extremely seriously. It is just stunning to me how ill-prepared the Democrats are for a GOP base that has never let down its desire for the fight, he observed. Steele, who is currently mulling a run for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in Marylands 2022 election, said the push to overturn Newsoms 61 percent victory by way of a recall election that will have far lower turnout is just one of several group blueprints that are being played out across the country for this year and next years elections as a foundation for Armageddon in 2024. The California recall effort, Steele said, is just the latest iteration of the movement Donald Trump began in the spring and summer of 2020 when he claimed that he could only lose the 2020 election by way of Democratic fraud. He further warned Democrats that letting Newsom lose the recall could give the GOP a platform for more anti-democratic meddling. I dont understand why people didnt take him seriously when he said this, because hes nothing if not serious about what he says. And that is, If I lose the selection, it will only be because the Democrats cheated, he said. You can draw the line all the way back to that. And so henceforth and forevermore [for Trump supporters] if any Republican loses an election, it will only be because Democrats cheated. Not because their candidates suck, not because they have no message, not because of anything else other than Democrats cheated. If [talk show host] Larry [Elder] does win this and hes the incumbent Republican governor, every means will be brought to bear to hold that seat, he continued. Anything like losing because the Democratic candidate got more votes, all of that wont apply It will be because Democrats cheated, and well do the recall cycle all over again. People need to understand what the strategy is here. This is not about a clean and fair process, this is about gumming up the process, this is about making it more difficult to vote and to create obstacles and the barriers that disincentivize peoples participation. In 1845, my great-great-great-grandmother Elvira Pamela Mills Cox fearlessly stood her ground between an angry mob and an ornate wooden cabinet handcrafted by her father. Targeting members of a small but growing Christian religion called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the mob threatened to burn her house down and chase all church members out of the state. But Elvira bravely insisted they help her remove the cherished hutch before they destroyed the home both of which they did. That violent encounter, the murder of church leaders including Joseph Smith and scores of other persecutions endorsed by Missouri governor Lilburn Boggs set my ancestors and hundreds of other so-called Mormons on a journey westward to find a place where they could practice their faith uninterrupted. Many of those forced to leave their homes including my great-great-great-grandparents settled in the Salt Lake Valley, then a territory of Mexico. Utahs unique origin story helps explain in part why, as a state, we unreservedly welcome refugees and immigrants with open arms and hearts. Many descendants of the states early settlers have heard harrowing family stories of fear and pain, of persecution and displacement, of the hardships that result from resettling in an unknown land. Utahns are sensitive to the anguish caused by forced migration and want to help those who find themselves in similarly precarious situations today. As reports of the escalating crisis in Afghanistan began to surface last week, I wrote to President Biden offering Utah as a safe haven for refugees fleeing the war-torn nation. Utah was one of the first states in the nation to do so. Within minutes of my writing to the president, letters, calls and notes from mayors, business leaders and fellow Utahns from all walks of life began flooding in, expressing support and offering to help. To date, 60,000 refugees have resettled in Utah, from Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to Syria, Vietnam, the former Soviet Union and more. The diversity of traditions, foods and perspectives refugees have brought with them has only enriched our community. While our states ranking as the fastest-growing in the nation presents its own challenges, we remain committed to creating space for those who find themselves in desperate circumstances. As global citizens, we stand ready to do our part to serve the vulnerable and do the right thing. Im proud of our states heritage, which has shaped our willingness to embrace those in need. As a Republican governor, I have little influence on the foreign policy decisions of a Democratic administration. But what I can do is provide safe haven for those caught in the crossfire. Spencer J Cox is the governor of Utah Send to Email Address Your Name Your Email Address Post was not sent - check your email addresses! 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No worries for refund as the money remains in investor's account." www.indiainfoline.com is part of the IIFL Group, a leading financial services player and a diversified NBFC. The site provides comprehensive and real time information on Indian corporates, sectors, financial markets and economy. On the site we feature industry and political leaders, entrepreneurs, and trend setters. The research, personal finance and market tutorial sections are widely followed by students, academia, corporates and investors among others. Here is a top thing to know about AMI Organics Limited IPO:1. The Issue: The Initial Public Offering comprises of fresh issue aggregating up to Rs. 200 crores (Fresh Issue) and offer for sale of up to 6,059,600 equity shares by the Selling Shareholders. The face value of equity is Rs. 10 each.o Company, in consultation with the BRLMs, has undertaken a Pre-IPO Placement of Equity Shares aggregating to Rs. 100 crores. The size of the Fresh Issue has been reduced by Rs. 100 crores pursuant to the Pre-IPO Placement. Accordingly, the fresh issue size is up to Rs. 200 crores (The Pre-IPO)o The bid/ offer will be open for subscription on Wednesday, September 01, 2021 and will get close on Friday, September 03, 2021.o Company proposes to utilise the net proceeds of the Fresh Issue and the proceeds from the Pre-IPO Placement towards- Repayment/prepayment of certain financial facilities availed by the Company; Funding working capital requirements of the Company; and General corporate purposes.2. About Company: As per the F&S Report, the company is one of the major manufacturers of Pharma Intermediates for certain key APIs, including Dolutegravir, Trazodone, Entacapone, Nintedanib and Rivaroxaban.o The Company has developed and commercialised over 450 Pharma Intermediates for APIs and NCEs across 17 high growth therapeutic areas since inception3. Manufacturing Facilities: The Company has three manufacturing units having total annual installed capacity of 6,060.00 MTPA.o GIDC, Sachin, Gujarat, spread over an aggregate land area of 8,250 sq. mtrs. with an installed capacity of 2,460.00 MTPA (Sachin Facility),o GIDC, Ankleshwar Industrial Estate, Gujarat, spread over an aggregate land area of 10,644 sq. mtrs. with an installed capacity of 1,200.00 MTPA (Ankleshwar Facility), ando GIDC Industrial Estate, Jhagadia, Gujarat, spread over an aggregate land area of 56,998.35 sq. mtrs with an installed capacity of 2,400.00 MTPA (Jhagadia Facility and together with Sachin Facility and Ankleshwar Facility, the Manufacturing Facilities).o Capacity utilisation as percentage of total capacity was 63%, 46% and 36% for the FY 2021, 2020 and 2019 respectively4. Research & Development: With the objective of early identification and attaining early development, company constantly seek to introduce new product verticals and develop our R&D capabilities to distinguish itself from competitors. It intends - To develop test and manufacture new products meeting regulatory standards subsequent to receipt of requisite regulatory approvals from the relevant authorities in India and overseas Make investments on an ongoing basis in new product launches and research and development for future products. To invest in development of products which are used in manufacture of APIs being used in formulations whose patents are expiring, which would lead to increase in demand for the Pharma Intermediates for such APIs. To foray further into the specialty chemicals sector enabling company to significantly diversify its existing product portfolio, with an objective of attaining inorganic expansion of business.5. Extensive Geographical Presence: The Company caters to domestic and certain multi-national pharmaceutical companies which cater to the large and fast growing markets of Europe, China, Japan, Israel, UK, Latin America and the USA.o The Company supply its products to 25 countries and have long standing relationships with numerous domestic and global pharmaceutical companies. It cater extensively to the large geographies of Italy, Finland, France and China,6. Diversified Clientele: The Company supply its products to more than 150 customers (including international customers) directly in India and in 25 countries overseas, using a distributorship network in certain cases. Some of our domestic customers include Laurus Labs Limited, Cadila Healthcare Limited and Cipla Limited and some of our key our export customers include Organike s.r.l.a Socio Unico, Fermion Oy, Fabbrica Italiana Sintetici S.p.A, Chori Co. Ltd., Medichem S.A. and Midas Pharma GmbH.o The Company has established long standing relationships with some of our key customers. Thirteen of our customers have been customers since the past 10 years and fifty of its customers have been customers since the past five years.7. Gujarat Organics Limited Acquisition: The company has recently completed acquisition of two additional manufacturing facilities operated by GOL which has added preservatives (parabens and parabens formulations which have end usage in cosmetics, animal food and personal care industries) and other specialty chemicals (with end usage in inter alia the cosmetics, dyes polymers and agrochemicals industries) in our existing product portfolio, which command significant market share globally in the supply of certain paraben derivatives, as per the F&S Report).8. Industry Outlook: Speciality Chemicals sector is expected to be the key driver for growth in the chemicals sector, out-pacing petrochemicals and other bulk chemicals in the next 2-3 years.o The emerging market and developing economies are expected to lead the overall growth rebound, with the chemicals sector driving the growth storyo Several global players are opting for a China + 1 offshore strategy, with capacities shifting to cost efficient markets with strong technology capabilities like Indiao Factors such as Chinas stringent environmental regulations and increased cost of labor, Japan's announcement to offer incentives to industry from companies shifting base from China to India contribute in increasing market share for India.o Market size and growth rates The global chemicals market is valued at around USD 4,738 Bn in 2019, expected to grow at 6.2% CAGR; reaching USD 6,785 Bn by 2025 China accounts for 40% market share followed by European Union at 14% and United States at 13%, India accounts for ~3.5% market share Indian chemicals market is valued at USD 166 billion (~4% share in the global chemical industry) in 2019, expected to reach ~USD 326 billion by 2025, with an anticipated growth of ~12% CAGR Specialty chemical industry forms ~47% of the domestic chemical market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 11-12%. The market for Pharmaceutical intermediates in India for the year 2020 was estimated to be around USD 4.8 Bn, growing at a CAGR of 9.8% over 2015-20.o Key Growth Drivers for Industry Growing demand for generic drugs globally Rising Healthcare Expenditure Rise in construction projects across emerging markets and increased adoption of construction chemicals for improvement in quality of projects Demand for agricultural products for industrial applications such as in fuel blending and polymer manufacturing, opening up new avenues of applications for agrochemicalso Companys focus has been to develop cost effective processes for manufacturing its products The Company has filed eight process patent applications in relation to the same and three additional pending process patent applications for which applications were made recently, in March 2021 and The Company has developed significant expertise in chemistry and series of molecules.9. Growth Strategy o Augmenting scale through organic and inorganic routes in the current geographic markets and expanding into new geographic markets The Company may consider acquisition/ investment opportunities to selectively expand in other verticals. Such acquisitions will support our long-term strategy, strengthen its competitive position, particularly in acquiring technical expertise and provide greater scale to grow our earnings and increase shareholder value.o Continue to focus on cost efficiency and improving productivity while employing environmentally friendly The Company strongly believes in conducting its business operations in an environmentally responsible manner. It has set up a Zero Liquid Discharge based in-house effluent plant at our Sachin Unit. The Company intend to position itself as a leading market player in product verticals, both domestically and internationally by Adopting the latest technological changes and be responsive to the constant technological upgradations and Emerging standards to ensure cost efficiency and environmentally friendly processes in its business operations.o Diversification of business by focussing on organic and inorganic growth opportunities The Company is in the process of building its synergies through inorganic acquisition and may in the future, use some of the land area available to us (which currently stands at 15,830.00 sq mtr, in our Jhagadia facility to explore brownfield expansion opportunities. The Company intends To pursue strategic acquisitions and partnerships to complement our organic growth and internal expertise. To develop our internal capacities and production abilities to achieve intended levels of organic growth10. Consistent Financial Performance: The Company has reported sustained growth in various financial indicators including revenue and PAT, as well as a consistent improvement in balance sheet position in the last three fiscals o Revenue: Total revenue in fiscal 2021 increased by 41.03% amounting to Rs. 341.99 crores from Rs. 242.49 crores in fiscal 2020 Companys revenue from operations increased by 42.13% in fiscal 2021 amounting Rs. 340.61 crores from Rs. 239.64 crores in fiscal 2020. The increase was primarily due to Increased sales of its products resulting from a robust growth of domestic and export demand Pursuant to US FDA inspection of our Sachin facility in fiscal 2020, Company recorded growth in sale of intermediates used in manufacture of API in speciality chemical space that contributed to the revenue Pharma intermediary, Speciality Chemicals and others contributed 88.41%, 4.87% and 6.72% to the total revenue from operations in fiscal 2021 Revenue from export in the total revenue of Pharma intermediary segment was 53.47% in fiscal 2021 compared to 46.52% in fiscal 2020o Earnings before Interest Depreciation Tax & Amortisation: EBIDTA for fiscal 2021 amounted to Rs. 80.15 crores compared to Rs. 41.02 crores in fiscal 2020. EBIDTA margin for fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 was 23.53% and 17.12% respectively.o Profit after Tax: PAT in fiscal 2021 increased 96.57% to Rs. 53.99 crores from Rs. 25.47 crores in fiscal 2020. PAT margin was 15.70% in fiscal 2021 compared to 11.33% in fiscal 2020o Earnings per share EPS for fiscal 2021 was 17.14% compared to 8.72% in fiscal 2020o Return on Capital employed- ROCE for fiscal 2021 was 25.25% compared to 22.40% in fiscal 2020o Return on Equity ROE for fiscal 2021 was 32.35% compared to 24.57% in fiscal 2020. Advertisements The global broker of choice now offers clients that reside in specific countries a 50% Welcome Bonus on their first deposit of at least $50 into a new MT4 Micro Account PORT LOUIS, Mauritius, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- HotForex, the award-winning forex and commodities broker on CFDs, now offers new and existing traders the chance to kickstart their trading journey with a 50% Welcome Bonus on their first deposit of at least $50 into a new MT4 Micro Account. 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Paul had already invented the 1st universal ink cartridge refill and was working on a sealed cartridge with pressurized nitrogen at the top pushing a tiny piston against the ink. But the pressure caused the pens to leak.Paul knew this pressurized ink cartridge could be just the thing -- if he could solve the leaks. With NASAs interest spurring him on, he finally succeeded when he added resin to the ink to make it thixotropic almost solid until friction with the ball at the point of the pen liquefied it. He called the result the AG7, for anti-gravity, and sent several to NASA.Paul and his son, Cary Fisher, continued perfecting the technology and designing new models and now the Space Pen line comprises about 80 models. Fisher Pen Company has distributors in 52 countries but still makes all its pens in Boulder City, where more than 60 employees turn out over a million pens a year. South Koreas parliament approved a bill that bans major app store operators like Google and Apple from forcing app developers to use their payment systems, thus no longer forcing devs to pay commission to these app stores. Reuters Reported first by Reuters, this curb is first of its kind by a major economy on major app stores managed by Google and of course, Apple, who has constantly faced scrutiny for charging 30 percent of commission from app purchases. The final vote for the bill was 180 in favour of the 188 attending to pass the amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act that has also gained the moniker of Anti-Google law. Google spokesperson said in a statement to Reuters about the approval of the bill stating, "We'll reflect on how to comply with this law while maintaining a model that supports a high-quality operating system and app store, and we will share more in the coming weeks. The spokesperson further added, It's a model that keeps device costs low for consumers and enables both platforms and developers to succeed financially. And just as it costs developers money to build an app, it costs us money to build and maintain an operating system and app store. Apple also responded in a statement We believe user trust in App Store purchases will decrease as a result of this proposal - leading to fewer opportunities for the over 482,000 registered developers in Korea who have earned more than KRW 8.55 trillion to date with Apple. According to South Korean parliamentary records, the amendment intends to ban app store operators who have a dominant market position to force payment systems on content providers and inappropriately delay the review or deleting app content from the app stores. Last week, Apple also announced that it would loosen App Store restrictions on small developers and let them promote payment gateways other than Apples payment system. What about India? India too experienced the power of Google Play Store and its fee when last year it decided to force Indian startups to route all the payments made on the app through Google Play and pay 30 percent commission for payments made on the app. Reuters A coalition of 56 Indian startups raised their voice and brought MeitYs attention to this and soon after, Google deferred its decision. Later, in March this year, Google announced that it would charge a fixed commission rate of 15 percent for users with less than $1 million of revenue. Apple, right after Googles kerfuffle last year, quietly announced that it would be charging only 15 percent commission for devs who generate up to $1 million in revenue per calendar year. However, companies with more revenue continue paying the 30 percent cut. As of now, there is no legislation in place for the Indian government to roll out a bill similar to that of South Korea, however, going forward with the advancement the Indian tech scene is experiencing, we might need it soon. What do you think about this new law that restricts Apple and Google's app store monetization muscle? Let us know in the comments section below, and keep reading Indiatimes.com for the latest tech news and insights. Ford is very popular when it comes to sturdy vehicles. However, when the car company released the F-150 Raptor, someone on social media didn't quite like it described the vehicle's original colour of Performance Blue as 'very gay'. In a video posted to social media, they showed homophobic comments. While some didn't like blue, others demanded Ford paint the car black and gold. Ford clapped back by showing what a really gay car would look like and showed an animation of the car being painted gold and rainbow colours and wished viewers a Happy Pride. The video was released to chastise people who used the word gay as an insult. The automobile manufacturer didn't just stop at a video, it legit introduced a car that looked like the one in the video. A Ford distributor in Germany launched a truck that is adorned with rainbows and a big heart and covered in a sparkly gold wrap. The company also wrapped a 1998 Ford KA in rainbow colours to commemorate the first year they participated in the LGBTQ Pride parade. It is called the 'Custom Very Gay Ford Ranger Raptor.' Ford Builds 'Very Gay' Ranger Raptor In Response To Homophobic Comment. https://t.co/msAPz3jKap pic.twitter.com/Zu25RgpngA Weird News (@weirdnews) August 30, 2021 It took 60 hours and 30 square metres of film and glitter to put the colourful statement on the vehicle. Ford wanted to make this car not only to hit back against homophobia from people on the internet but also to show their support for Cologne's Christopher Street Day. Social media obviously lit up with folks tweeting when they saw the truck out and about around town for days before the festival. So a while back we were introduced to a fantastic video of the #VeryGayRaptor by @FordEu - well they've only gone and made us a real one! Currently in Cologne for Pride #LGBTQ #ally https://t.co/Mu2IPDTWQG pic.twitter.com/kBGdOCXlMP Ed Rogers (@EdRogers89) August 28, 2021 Can we talk about the #verygayraptor and #verygayka? #Ford wrapped them for the Cologne Germany pride parade. That Ka is like the smallest el camino ever. pic.twitter.com/yp04PDW9VP James Newman, Esq (@jdjnewman) August 28, 2021 The German city is where the company has its national headquarters and Ford has been a contributing member for the celebration of the LGBT+ community for years. This special Raptor isn't Ford's first vehicular statement in support of the LGBTQ+ community. 23 years ago, the automaker created a special truck-converted Ka with a rainbow finish for Cologne's CSD celebration in 1998. Additionally, Ford's GLOBE (Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual Employees) network celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, supporting LGBTQ+ employees and diversity in the workplace. A power move, indeed. The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted an 'Elephant Walk' to commemorate the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav'. The event was held to celebrate the 75 years of India's Independence. The IAF conducted an 'Elephant Walk' with 'Gusts of Rafales,' 'Prowl of Jaguars.' IAF What is Elephant Walk? An elephant walk is a United States Air Force (USAF) term for the taxiing of military aircraft right before takeoff when they are in close formation. Usually, it takes place right before a minimum interval takeoff. The benefits of an elephant walk include being able to demonstrate the potential of the units as well as teamwork. It is usually performed to prepare squadrons for wartime operations and to prepare pilots for the launching of fully armed aircraft in one mass event. The celebration was marked with Swift and Lethal #75@75 as the nation completed 75 years of Independence on August 15. IAF Prime Minister Narendra Modi had initiated the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations for 75 years of independence from the British rule. In a tweet, the Indian Air Force wrote, 'Gusts of Rafales, Prowl of Jaguars IAF commemorated #AzadiKaAmritMahotsav with a 75 aircraft #ElephantWalk.' Gusts of Rafales, Prowl of Jaguars IAF commemorated #AzadiKaAmritMahotsav with a 75 aircraft #ElephantWalk. Swift and Lethal #75@75 Stay tuned for more... pic.twitter.com/wJ3MTk4Akt Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 31, 2021 They shared initial visuals of the 75 aircraft set to mark the celebrations of 75 years of Independence with 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'. Earlier on August 15, the Indian Air Force celebrated India's 75th Independence day with a tri-services skydiving demonstration with 75 skydivers. Tesla is not a typical automaker. Known for its world-class technology and safety measures, in most ways it closely resembles a Silicon Valley technology startup. The company's cars are also renowned for their advanced autopilot or remote driving features that lets people control the vehicles without being behind the wheel. In recent months, there have been various occasions involving Tesla cars that have put the focus on the autopilot feature. Tesla Now, an issue has put focus back on what the company says is a reliable feature in their cars. A Tesla that had been on partial autopilot smashed into a police car in Florida. The police car had pulled over to help a third vehicle just before 5am local time on Saturday, on an interstate close to Orlando, Sky News reported. The officer, who had activated his vehicles emergency lights, was reportedly nearly struck by the Tesla as it collided into his car as well as the car he was attending to. Twitter/@FHPOrlando The report said the 27-year-old man in the Tesla and the driver of the disabled vehicle suffered minor injuries and the trooper was unhurt. It comes as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigates Tesla's Autopilot driving system following a number of similar collisions. Happening now: Orange County. Trooper stopped to help a disabled motorist on I-4. When Tesla driving on auto mode struck the patrol car. Trooper was outside of car and extremely lucky to have not been struck. #moveover. WB lanes of I-4 remain block as scene is being cleared. pic.twitter.com/w9N7cE4bAR FHP Orlando (@FHPOrlando) August 28, 2021 Since 2018, there have been at least 11 crashes blamed on Tesla's Autopilot or cruise control, where a car has hit emergency services vehicles, as per Sky News. Seventeen people have been injured in the accidents and one was killed. The investigation, which is still underway, could lead to cars being recalled. Real-time social media posts from local businesses and organizations across Northern Virginia, powered by Friends2Follow. To add your business to the stream, email cfields@insidenova.com or click on the green button below. Buckle Appoints Sinclair to Newly Created Position of Chief People Officer Buckle, a tech-enabled financial services company, appointed Cheryl Sinclair to the companys newly created position of chief people officer. She is responsible for developing Buckles human resources strategy, including talent and performance management as Buckles team continues to support the new emerging middle class and providers to the gig economy. Sinclair spent nearly 20 years in various human resources roles at Farmers Insurance, most recently as assistant vice president of human resources. She also previously served as head of talent management for Holland America Group, serving Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn and P & O Australia. Source: Buckle Plymouth Rock Assurance Names Schoenbach as Chief of Agency Marketing in New York Plymouth Rock Assurance named Brad Schoenbach as chief of agency marketing in New York, responsible for leading all agency marketing in the state. Schoenbach brings a combination of industry knowledge and a regional understanding of the New York market, where he has spent the majority of his career. He joins Plymouth Rock from Foremost Insurance, where he held multiple senior level positions over more than 10 years, most recently as the Northeast regional sales director. Prior to that, he managed personal and commercial lines agency business for Central and Eastern New York as senior territory manager. Before joining Foremost, Schoenbach spent four years at Gainsco Auto Insurance as a territory marketing manager supporting independent agents in the companys largest territory in Florida. He began his career at Progressive Insurance, working in the claims group. Source: Plymouth Rock Assurance Private equity and venture capital firms have been pouring capital into insurance companies despite the uncertainties about claims and losses from the pandemic, according to a new analysis from S&P Global Market Intelligence. PE-backed M&A in the sector globally reached $19.28 billion in disclosed value in the year to Aug. 20, already exceeding the full year 2020 total of $12.88 billion, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence data. This years disclosed deal value is nearly double that of the $10.61 billion in 2019 and is the highest amount on record for at least a decade. Global Insurance M&A Drops 3% in 1st Half of 2021: Clyde & Co. Report According to the report, the five big public PE firms Apollo, Blackstone, The Carlyle Group Inc., KKR & Co. Inc. and Ares Management Corp. have all bought into insurance companies over the past two years. On the venture capital front, insurance businesses attracted nearly $8.82 billion in global funding rounds in the year up to Aug. 6. Of that total, roughly $8.35 billion was raised during the first half and about $466.0 million has been secured since the beginning of the third quarter. The largest deal has been Apollo Global Management Inc.s planned merger with retirement services company Athene Holding Ltd. in deal suggesting a total equity value of roughly $11 billion for Athene. Also among the largest was Blackstones agreement to buy Allstate Life Insurance Co. and other subsidiaries of Allstate Corp. for $3.05 billion. One of the larger funding rounds completed to date has been Grand Rapids, Mich.-based insurance broker Acrisure LLCs $3.45 billion capital raise from two transactions. Another large round was German insurtech company wefox Germany GmbH, which raised $650 million in funding led by venture capital firm EDB Investments Pte. Ltd. Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence Report Topics COVID-19 HAMILTON, BERMUDA Ascot announced the launch of Ascot Reinsurance, a global platform dedicated to reinsurance underwriting and ceded risk and providing a single point of entry for all Ascots reinsurance products and capabilities, regardless of geography. Ascot Re will house all existing reinsurance products across Ascots global markets system, with the existing Ascot operating companies continuing to provide the products.. These are: Syndicate 1414 at Lloyds, Ascot Bermuda Limited, and various U.S. statutory companies. Ascot Re will be led by Mark Pepper, Group chief underwriting officer with executive oversight from Andrew Brooks, Group chief executive officer, and Jonathan Zaffino, Group president. Under Peppers stewardship is Rory Cline, president of Ascot Re U.S., which provides facultative products throughout the U.S. This unit comprises Property, led by Libby Ismail; Casualty, under Tony Kashuba and Professional Liability, under Steve Robinson. Through Lloyds, Ascot Re will provide property/casualty treaty underwriting led by Amanda Jeffrey and John Pilkington . In Bermuda, Ian Thompson, Bermuda CEO, oversees the treaty operations spanning the property/casualty and specialty lines led by Simon Kimberley and Justin Keith. This new alignment of our global reinsurance capabilities is in direct response to requests from our clients in seeking broader reinsurance solutions from the Ascot Group, commented Zaffino. Ascot Re will continue to be supported by the Ascot Groups A-rated balance sheet. Ascot Reinsurance Company Limited was previously the legal and brand name for Ascots operations in Bermuda, which were rebranded to Ascot Bermuda Limited in 2019. The new Ascot Re has no connections to this previous name, the company said. Topics Reinsurance A dispute over whether a unit of insurance giant Chubb Ltd. must contribute to a trust fund for sexually abused Boy Scouts is complicating talks to end the youth groups bankruptcy case. Lawyers for more than 80,000 people who say they were abused as Boy Scouts are negotiating how much, if anything, Century Indemnity can contribute to the trust fund. Century is no longer actively selling policies and is using all of its assets to pay claims. Victims lawyers, concerned that Century may claim it cant pay abuse victims, argue that a related Chubb subsidiary, Insurance Company of North America, known as INA, is also on the hook because it insured the Boy Scouts until about 1996. Chubb argues that INA turned over those policies to Century during a restructuring that year. What the INA insurance rights are worth is important, victim lawyer Eric Goodman said in court Monday afternoon. Should Century and the victims fail to strike a deal, there will be a fight over how much Century can contribute and whether INA and Chubb must also pay out under the policies, Goodman said. Centurys policies could cover billions of dollars worth of claims filed by about 16,000 abuse victims, Kirk Pasich, an attorney for the main victims committee said in court Monday. Those claims are covered by policies from the 1950s through the 1970s, Pasich told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Laurie Silverstein. If creditors, including abuse victims, vote to reject the Boy Scoutss payout plan, Silverstein would be forced to decide whether to approve the reorganization anyway under so-called cram-down rules, Goodman said. I hope that were not in the cram-down world, but we could be, Goodman said. The Boy Scouts are scheduled to be in court next month to seek approval of a disclosure statement that would be used by creditors, including abuse victims, to decide whether to vote in favor of the payout proposal. That statement will include how much money each group of creditors may recover should the plan be approved. A committee representing abuse victims has agreed to an $850 million settlement with the Boy Scouts that includes a to-be-determined amount of money from Century. Silverstein declined to force Century or Chubb to turn over additional financial settlement details demanded by victim lawyers, siding with the insurance companies. She said the request appeared to be an effort by the victims to get an edge in mediation. Instead, she urged the two sides to continue negotiating. I understand youre in mediation. Keep mediating, she said. The case is In re Boy Scouts of America, 20-10343 U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware (Wilmington). Photo: A Boy Scout listens to instruction at camp Maple Dell. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Chubb An Oklahoma court has approved Sentry Insurance Co.s (Sentry) Insurance Business Transfer (IBT) Plan, insurance regulators say. This is the second IBT completed in the United States, according to the Oklahoma Insurance Department. The first was approved and authorized in Oklahoma in October 2020. With the approval by the court, the new IBT would transfer a block of reinsurance business underwritten by Sentry to National Legacy Insurance Co. (NLIC), an insurance company domiciled in Oklahoma and a subsidiary of Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings Ltd. The transfer will include the liabilities associated with the reinsurance as well as $2.9 million from Sentry to NLIC as consideration for assuming those liabilities. Oklahomas IBT law became effective in November 2018 and is the most expansive such law in the country. The Oklahoma process closely mirrors Part VII of the Financial Services & Markets Act of 2000 in the United Kingdom, which has resulted in over 300 successful transfers. This cutting-edge mechanism focuses on the protection of consumers while allowing insurance companies to strategically deploy assets to their areas of focus. Source: Oklahoma Insurance Department Topics USA Oklahoma South Carolinas highest court will hear two challenges to the states refusal to let school districts require masks for students and teachers this week. The state Supreme Court has set aside two hours to hear the cases Tuesday. South Carolina lawmakers passed an item in the state budget in June threatening school districts with losing state money if they required masks. Back then, South Carolina was averaging 150 new COVID-19 cases a day. Now the state is averaging around 4,500 new cases a day, and deaths are increasing as hospitals become strained at a time when children return to school and vaccinations lag. In the first case, the city of Columbia is being sued by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson over City Councils decision to pass a state of emergency because of the rise in cases and then to require masks for workers and anyone under 12 in schools. Vaccines have not been approved for younger children. In the second case, Richland School District 2 is suing the state, asking the Supreme Court justices to suspend the mask ban until it can rule on the previous case. The lawyers supporting mask mandates are expected to argue that requiring or banning masks has no place in the state budget, a bill whose purpose is to raise and spend money. The state plans to argue that the salaries of teachers and administrators who would enforce a mask rule are paid with state money, so lawmakers have wide latitude to determine how they want that money spent. A separate lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union that banning masks discriminates against disabled and other medically fragile students by keeping them out of school is currently in federal court. The states most visible opponent to mask mandates is Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who has repeatedly said that parents should decide whether children wear masks. The governor has suggested that face coverings dont stop COVID-19s spread and harm children from learning and socializing. Top state health officials have refuted those beliefs. Republican state Education Superintendent Molly Spearman said schools should be able to require masks. She has been joined this month by the states health agency, pediatrician organizations, House Democrats, teachers groups, an association of school board members and a group of two Democratic and two Republican state senators, among others. Some school districts in the state have already defied the Legislature and required masks. But most districts have decided to wait for the court ruling even as students enter their third week of school and children up to age 20 now account for nearly a third of all new COVID-19 cases in South Carolina. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits South Carolina Tropical Depression Ida is expected to cause considerable rainfall across the southeastern states Tuesday with flood and flash flood watches in effect from the Gulf Coast Region through the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys into the central and southern Appalachians. The National Hurricane Center reported Ida was 80 miles north northeast of Jackson, Miss. as of 11:00 p.m. ET Monday August 30. The depression was moving northeast near to 10 mph and the motion was expected to continue overnight. Portions of southern Mississippi could see two to four inches of rainfall Tuesday with total rainfall accumulations of 10 to 18 inches and isolated maximum amounts of 24 inches. Coastal Alabama and the far western Florida panhandle are projected to receive three to six additional inches of rain Tuesday, resulting in rainfall accumulations of 6 to 12 inches with isolated amounts of 15 inches. Northern Mississippi, Middle Tennessee Valley, Ohio Valley and Central/Southern Appalachians could see three to six inches of rainfall Tuesday into Wednesday with isolated higher amounts. The NHC said considerable flash flooding is possible from the lower Mississippi through the Middle Tennessee Valley, Ohio Valley, Central/Southern Appalachians, and into the Mid-Atlantic.The Mississippi Gulf Coast appeared to miss the worst of Idas hurricane conditions. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said at a Monday press conference, So far, damage estimates are very light, and very light considering the magnitude of the storm. Reeves said the state reported one storm-related fatality of an individual who had gone to pick up sandbags before Ida made landfall. Reeves said the traffic fatality occurred in Harrison County on I-10. Nearly 90,000 customers in Mississippi were without power Monday. In Alabama, Ida spawned multiple tornadoes causing property damage. The Plantation Motel in Saraland reportedly suffered extensive damage according to WVTM 13. Alabama Power reported approximately 9,000 customers without power along the Alabama Gulf Coast on Monday afternoon. Ida made landfall Sunday as a high-end Category 4 storm. Idas wind speed peaked at 172 mph near Port Fourchon, La. North Carolina environmental regulators announced this week that a plant that for years discharged so-called forever chemicals into the air and water is not currently in compliance with its air permit. In its letter to Chemours, the Department of Environmental Quality warned that it is preparing an enforcement action against the companys Fayetteville Works plant in Bladen County, which has been exceeding its GenX air pollution limits for much of 2021, The StarNews reported. Officials said the company could be facing up to a $25,000 fine per day. In a statement to the newspaper, Chemours said the site experienced a temporary increase in air emissions this year from one of its carbon adsorption units. The issue was quickly resolved when the carbon was replaced in this unit, and emissions returned to their usual low levels, the statement said. However, the data results from that one emissions sampling caused an exceedance of the sites calculated 12-month rolling air emission allowance. The company plans to take corrective action to fix the issue in the long term, according to its statement. The newspapers reporting previously showed how Chemours, a spinoff of DuPont Co., polluted the air, groundwater and Cape Fear River with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of man-made chemicals linked to adverse health effects. GenX, a type of PFAS, has been found in drinking water wells near the plant and also the municipal utility serving the city of Wilmington, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) downstream. The company has faced lawsuits and a state investigation. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics North Carolina The families of children who were injured on the Tilt-A-Whirl at the Kitsap County Fair in Washington in 2018 are suing the owner of the amusement company that operated the ride at the fairs carnival and its manufacturer. The lawsuit filed in Kitsap County Superior Court names the owner of the Tilt-A-Whirl ride, Davis Amusement Cascadia Inc., and the manufacturer of the equipment, J&S Rides Inc., dba Larson International, the Kitsap Sun reported. At about 1 p.m. on Aug. 28, 2018, a Tilt-A-Whirl car derailed and six children were injured, the lawsuit said. One car detached and slammed into a railing. It flipped over, landed on its back and collided with other cars, the lawsuit said. Parents of children from three families seek compensation for injuries, infliction of emotional distress and damages, according to the suit. One child hit his head twice and was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome, the lawsuit said. Another hit her pelvis and back, and the third child hit her head, according to the lawsuit. The derailed car hit another car and caused three children in that car to sustain injuries. A representative of J&S Rides, headquartered in Texas, said the company had not yet been served with the lawsuit and could not comment to the Kitsap Sun. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Washington A couple whose young dog was shot by a police officer in a northern Colorado city has filed a lawsuit accusing the officers supervisors of covering up what happened and claiming that the city has fostered a culture that encourages the use of force. In body camera footage released Wednesday in support of the lawsuit, two dogs run toward Officer Matthew Grashorn as he gets out of his patrol car while responding to a trespassing report in an empty parking lot in June 2019. Grashorn raises his gun. One of the dogs stops and begins to turn back, in response to calls from owners Wendy Love and Jay Hamm, according to the lawsuit. The younger one, a 14-month-old Staffordshire terrier-boxer mix named Herkimer continues toward the officer and is shot, falling to the ground. After asking for permission from Grashorn, Love rushes to the wounded dog but Grashorn warns her he could bite her because hes hurt as she cries. She also asks for permission to take him to a veterinarian but that is not allowed to until about eight minutes later, after Grashorns supervisors arrive. The dog was euthanized after spending four days in intensive care, the lawsuit said. The dog needed expensive spinal surgery and faced a poor quality of life afterward, the couples lawyer, Sarah Schielke said. According to the lawsuit, veterinarians encouraged the dog to be put down because he also faced euthanization after the surgery after being accused of being a dangerous dog by police. The lawsuit claims that police accused Herkimer of attacking Grashorn and charged Hamm with having a dangerous dog to justify the shooting after Hamm said he would talk to the media about what happened. The charge was later dropped, it said. There is no audio for the first 30 seconds of the body camera footage, which is standard after a camera is activated. According to the lawsuit, Grashorn did not announce himself because he wanted to surprise the couple. The lawsuit faults him for not retreating back into his car to avoid the dogs. Love and Hamm initially filed a lawsuit against Grashorn in June but on Tuesday they expanded that lawsuit to also include allegations against his supervisors and the city. According to the lawsuit, a use-of-force report showed that Grashorns supervisors found his actions were reasonable and in compliance with department policy. A spokesperson for Loveland police said it does not comment on litigation. A telephone message and an email to the city attorneys office was not returned. The citys police department has recently come under scrutiny in an arrest of a 73-year-old woman with dementia that led the arresting officer to be charged with assault and another one with failing to stop him or report his actions. According to the lawsuit, the shooting happened after Love and Hamm parked their pickup truck in the parking lot of what appeared to be a vacant building to let their three dogs out and do some repair work on a container they were using for their wood delivery business. The owner of the building was inside and, after watching the couple on surveillance footage, asked police to respond to the property, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit claims that the city puts a priority on responding to calls from businesses and has a pattern of using violence to show owners that their interests are important to them. The lawsuit noted that the woman with dementia who was arrested, Karen Garner, was contacted by police because she was accused of leaving a store without paying for about $14 worth of items. The City believes that behaving in this callous, unlawful way will attract more business development to the City, the lawsuit said. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Colorado C3 Risk & Insurance Services in San Diego, Calif. hired four insurance industry veterans to establish new construction and surety divisions. The new team members to the construction and surety divisions are: Paul Heidemann, managing director. Heidemann has more than 25 years of experience in the insurance brokerage industry, including experience in risk management and brokerage services for medium to large construction companies, environmental and remediation contractors, homebuilders and residential development. Rich Hallett, director of surety. Hallett has more than 25 years of experience obtaining surety credit for national and international contractors and developers, Hallett is responsible for the management of C3s contract and commercial surety practice. Teri Porlas, client consultant executive. Porlas has more than 35 years of experience working as an insurance professional providing creative and comprehensive coverage programs. Doug Shea, construction practice leader. Shea is a commercial property/casualty insurance broker specializing in construction and real estate. He began his insurance career more than a decade ago, and his experience includes providing risk management and brokerage services to medium to large construction companies, environmental and remediation contractors; and homebuilders and residential developers. C3 offers several lines of insurance, including workers compensation, professional liability, general liability, privacy liability, inland marine, commercial property, business auto, garage liability, accident participant, along with specialty divisions including trucking, life science and construction and surety. Topics California Construction Insurance companies have settled another sexual abuse lawsuit brought against Kiwanis International, this time for $9 million in a case involving seven men who were sexually abused at a Centralia, Washington, group home for boys decades ago. The state placed 11- to 17-year-old boys who had trouble adjusting to their foster families at the Kiwanis Vocational Home, which operated from 1979 to 1994. Boys said they were molested by other boys, by staff and by directors, including Charles McCarthy, the head of the facility, who died last December. In some cases, they were sent to do odd jobs at homes in the community where they were further abused. Reports of the abuse date to the early 1980s, when one boy called police for help only to have McCarthy interrupt the call to downplay the report, court records show. In recent years, the state and insurance companies have paid out about $40 million in cases involving more than 60 former residents. The state similarly paid out tens of millions of dollars to former residents of the O.K. Boys Ranch operated by the Olympia Kiwanis Club after allegations there prompted news stories and legislative hearings in the 1990s. Kiwanis is a nonprofit organization devoted to helping children around the world. The defendants have argued that the areas Kiwanis clubs had no role in the day-to-day operation of the boys home, which was established by an entity called Lewis County Youth Enterprises. That entitys board members were required to be Kiwanis members, and Kiwanis granted the home permission to use its name. Darrell Cochran, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said the Kiwanis knew of allegations of abuse as well as mismanagement that included embezzlement but allowed the facility to remain open. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Carriers Abuse Molestation Washington EL DORADO HILLS, Calif., August 17, 2021 Inc. magazine today revealed that Patra, a leading technology-enabled services provider for the insurance industry, has made Inc. 5000 list of the nations fastest-growing private companies for the fifth consecutive year. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent, small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000. Making the 2021 Inc. 5000 is a testament to our organizations focus and resilience to bring the best insurance services to the market year after year, even when facing incredible headwinds. Our team treats each of our 220 customers across over 490 offices nationwide as family, and we care deeply about their ongoing success, says John Simpson, CEO and Founder of Patra. This last year has been incredibly challenging, and I couldnt be prouder of every employee at Patra in achieving this honor. Not only have the companies on the 2021 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but this years list also proved exceptionally 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 www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc., which will be available on newsstands on August 20. 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 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 www.inc.com. About Patra Patra is a leading provider of technology-enabled services to the insurance industry. Patras global experts team allows brokers, MGAs, wholesalers, and carriers to capture the Patra Advantage profitable growth and organizational value. Patra powers insurance processes by optimizing the application of people and technology, supporting insurance organizations as they sell, deliver, and manage policies and customers. Patra is also a founding member of the InsurConneXtions Alliance, representing leaders across insurance technology, brokerage, wholesale, and specialty insurance, representing over $50 Billion in Insurance premiums. For more information, visit patracorp.com or follow us @Patracorp on Twitter and LinkedIn. Media Contact: William Wagner Patra Corporation 650-279-0325 wwagner@patracorp.com Opinion Policies Editorials are longer opinion pieces that are written by a group of community members recruited across campus who address relevant issues on a local, national and international level. Editorials are research-based. The purpose of the Editorial Board is to promote discussion concerning relevant issues in the community while advising on possible solutions. Topics are chosen via relevancy and interests of the members, which are then discussed by the Editorial Board in order to reach a general consensus concerning the topic or issue. Feedback policy If you have a grievance concerning the content or argument of the Editorial Board, please contact either Opinion Editor Peyton Hamel (peyton.hamel@iowastatedaily.com) or the Editorial Board as a whole (editorialboard@iowastatedaily.com). Those wanting to respond to editorials can also submit a letter to the editor through the Iowa State Daily website or by emailing the letter to Opinion Editor Peyton Hamel (peyton.hamel@iowastatedaily.com) or Editor-in-Chief Sage Smith (sage.smith@iowastatedaily.com). Column Policy Columns are hyper-specific to opinion and are written by only columnists employed by the Iowa State Daily. Columnists are unique because they have a specific writing day and only publish on those writing days. Each column undergoes a thorough editing process ensuring the integrity of the writer, and their claim is maintained while remaining research-based and respectful. Columns may be submitted from community members. These are labelled as Guest Columns. These contain similar research-based content and need to be at least 400 words in length. The following requirements should be met: first and last name, email and relation or position to Iowa State. Emails must be tied to the submitted guest column or it will not be accepted or published. Pseudonyms are prohibited and the writer will be banned from submissions. Read our full Opinion Policies here. Updated on 10/7/2020 The General Secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) said the union would welcome a review of mask-wearing for primary school children. His comments follow a suggestion by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) that the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) look at the latest evidence on the minimum age for wearing face coverings. Speaking to Newstalk this morning, John Boyle said the union was certainly behind a further review." The last time the review was done was in August of 2020 and at that time the people of Ireland were not even being encouraged to wear masks." There was a change at that particular time and whatever the public health advice review will say we are happy to go along with it. Mr Boyle also pointed to inconsistencies under the current guidelines. In Ireland a child aged 12 in a post-primary school must wear a mask while a child of the same age in a primary or special school does not. Teachers were looking forward to the new school year, he said, but he warned that there remained a sense of trepidation, particularly for colleagues in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy whom he said had been let down badly by the Government which had forced them back to work without the protection of the vaccine. It is an absolute disgrace that women in their first 14 weeks of pregnancy couldnt have been left working remotely for a few more weeks until they got the same protection and equality of the rest of the staff," he said. Some 1,600 unvaccinated teachers and special needs assistants that are in the early weeks of pregnancy are being asked to return to school he said. When the Taliban swept into Afghanistans capital, Kabul, the militant group faced almost no resistance. The countrys now former president, Ashraf Ghani, fled to the United Arab Emirates, accused by one of his own ambassadors of stealing $169m (143m) on his way out and the Afghan military melted away without a fight. US president Joe Biden blamed the Afghan people for the Talibans conquest. We gave them every chance, he said. We couldnt provide them the will to fight for their future. But blaming Afghan citizens, some of whom may be tortured or killed in the near future, for their countrys collapse is wrong and immoral. The Taliban victory is the product of the corruption and cronyism of elites especially senior US military personnel and Afghan politicians. Corruption in Afghanistan has long been an open secret among international observers and its own citizens. In 2020, Transparency International ranked Afghanistan among the top 20 most corrupt countries in the world. Reports of US government funds flowing into the pockets of warlords and criminal syndicates were common, while nepotism marred public trust in successive administrations. If the Afghan people and its military refused to fight for the state, it was, in part, because they had no faith in it. One reason the Afghan military collapsed so quickly was because, in part, it did not actually exist. In July, Joe Biden claimed that the Afghan army had 300,000 troops, but the Pentagon knew those numbers were inflated. Afghan military commanders had been pocketing extra money allocated for fake soldiers. The number of ghost personnel may go into the tens of thousands, said John Sopko, the special inspector general for Afghan reconstruction, in a 2017 speech. A West Point report, released in January, estimated the Afghan government had a real fighting force of only 96,000. And by the time Kabul fell, these soldiers were reportedly no longer receiving a salary, or even food. Not only did the Afghan military exist largely on paper, but through US military contractors, the Pentagon was inadvertently financing the Taliban. A 2009 report in The Nation cited US military officials who estimated that between 10% and 20% of the money from Pentagon logistics contracts in Afghanistan hundreds of millions of dollars went to the Taliban. Afghanistans intelligence service, the National Directorate of Security, had alerted the American military to the problem, reported The Nation. But 10 years later, the payments were allegedly still happening. In 2019, a group of families who had lost loved ones to the Taliban sued a different set of military contractors for allegedly paying off the Taliban. (The case is ongoing.) Another stream of Taliban financing, facilitated by the Pentagon and Afghan elites, was the exploitation of Afghanistans mineral wealth. In April, I co-authored an investigation for the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) that implicated the Afghan president and his family in mining corruption, along with well-connected US military contractors. An estimated $1tn (848bn) worth of minerals lies buried under the countrys surface. Before the Taliban takeover, Afghan law prohibited companies from buying minerals from small unregistered mines. One reason for this is because many of these mines were controlled by the Taliban, other terrorist groups, or local warlords. Buying from these mines meant financing the enemy. But our reporting found that there was one company that managed to get an exception to this rule, apparently with the approval of the office of president Ghani. His office signed off on extralegal rights for the Afghan subsidiary of a US military contractor, SOS International (SOSi), to acquire chromite, a valuable component in stainless steel, from unlicensed mines in six Afghan provinces. The company built a factory outside Kabul and planned to crush and export the chromite. Former Afghan president Ashraf Ghani fled to the United Arab Emirates, accused by one of his own ambassadors of stealing $169m (143m) on his way out. Picture: Mariam Zuhaib/AP SOSi is deeply tied to the American military and intelligence services. The company recruited heavily from the office of the former CIA director and top American commander in Afghanistan, general David Petraeus, securing significant political heft in the process. Its an open secret that SOSi is essentially a front for the [US Department of Defense], one high-ranking Afghan official told us. But SOSi had an even more important connection. Our OCCRP investigation revealed that the presidents brother, Hashmat Ghani, owned 20% of SOSis subsidiary, according to confidential documents leaked from an Emirati secrecy haven. Beyond any mineral money flowing to the Taliban, this deal reflects the broader reasons Afghanistan collapsed. Corruption hollowed out state institutions and left Afghan citizens unwilling to fight for a government that, just like the Taliban, abused its own people, although in this case through theft, extortion, and nepotism rather than outright violence and repression. But the SOSi deal does not just implicate the highest levels of the countrys government, but powerful Americans and US companies too. The Afghan state and army was in large part a facade, held up only by the American occupation, and its no surprise that Afghans were unwilling to fight and die for it any longer. But its failure isnt on them. Afghanistan fell because after looting all they could from the country, American and Afghan elites gave up and fled, leaving the Afghan people behind. Who would fight for a broken system? Burma About 5,000 of Those Held by Myanmar Junta Are in Unknown Locations: Advocacy Group Junta soldiers and police arrest two men after launching a raid in Thida Street in Yangons Tamwe Township during a crackdown on anti-regime protesters on March 6. / The Irrawaddy The Myanmar junta has forcibly disappeared around 5,000 people without letting even family members know their whereabouts in its terror campaign against the entire population of the country since the coup, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), an advocacy group, said on Monday. Since the Feb. 1 coup, the junta has arrested a total of 7,627 people, of whom at least 6,033 are still under detention, the AAPP stated. Those detained include elected leaders, lawmakers, politicians, student activists, protesters, journalists and striking civil servants. According to AAPPs most recent database, among those on the detained list, a large majority, or 82 percent, are being held in unknown locations, the group stated, posing a serious threat to public security and violating basic international law. AAPP joint secretary U Bo Kyi said in the groups report to mark International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances that the juntas withholding of information on the whereabouts and condition of detainees is aimed at creating a climate of fear across the country, ending anti-coup protests and instituting dictatorial rule, adding that it not only bullies the detainees but also forces their families and friends to suffer. Not knowing the fate or whereabouts of a loved one, this is a kind of physiological torture as well as physical abuse of ones human rights. For this reason, it is one of the worst kinds of crime against humanity, U Bo Kyi said in the report. Even the whereabouts of detained elected leaders President U Win Myint and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi have not been disclosed and their access to lawyers is restricted. In her first face-to-face meeting with her legal team in late May, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi told her lawyers she doesnt know where she is being detained and that she was isolated from the outside world. Both leaders have been subject to an information blackout. Even children are being subjected to enforced disappearance by the junta, which is using them as hostages, the AAPP said in the report. Everyone is at risk of being detained in secret locations by the junta. If one is taken to an interrogation center or military barracks, one could be tortured to death in Myanmar without anyone knowing where one was, the group said, calling on the international community to push the junta to reveal the location to civil society of all those arbitrarily detained. Dozens of detainees including members of Daw Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy (NLD) have been tortured to death during interrogation. A number of people have also died in prison due to a lack of proper medical treatment. The AAPP added that recognition of the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) by the UN General Assembly would strengthen international accountability mechanisms, including those that could help to end the Myanmar juntas use of enforced disappearances with impunity. The NUG recently released a statement accepting jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) with respect to crimes committed in the country since July 1, 2002. As enforced disappearance falls within the jurisdiction of the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, accountability for these crimes against humanity must be ensured, the AAPP said. You may also like these stories: Gunmen Steal More Than $60,000 From Bank in Myanmars Yangon China Opens Rail Line With Access to Indian Ocean via Myanmar Myanmars Commercial Capital Yangon and Mandalay Rocked by Bomb Blasts Burma Junta Raids Resistance Base in Southern Myanmar Resistance fighters at the conclusion of their PDF military training in southern Myanmar on July 24. Myanmars junta troops have raided a base of resistance fighters in Dawei, the capital of Tanintharyi Region. Resistance fighters escaped the raid but food and boats worth around 100 million kyats were destroyed, according to the Dawei Peoples Defense Force (DPDF) formed by resistance fighters. Our base was exposed by an informant. Around 700 junta troops came. As they didnt find us they set fire to huts and motor vessels. They torched all the huts along the coast, said a DPDF member. Junta forces on Friday started searching the DPDF base, which was hidden under nipa palm trees opposite Dawei. The regime set our base on fire and we lost motorboats, food, guns and other materials worth around 100 million kyats, said the DPDF member. The volunteers managed to escape the raid, but more than 20 villagers at the base were detained. PDF members were not arrested. Those who were detained were villagers and fishermen, including four women, said the DPDF member. DPDF members have arrived in a safe place and have established a coalition with nine other PDF groups in the area. You may also like these stories: Over 100 Myanmar Regime Troops Killed in August: KNLA About 5,000 of Those Held by Myanmar Junta Are in Unknown Locations: Advocacy Group Gunmen Steal More Than $60,000 From Bank in Myanmars Yangon Burma Myanmar Army Truck Blasted in Yangon; Soldier Injured The attacked military vehicle in Hlegu Township, Yangon, on Tuesday morning. / CJ A truck carrying Myanmar junta soldiers was bombed by unidentified attackers in Hlegu Township in Yangon Region on Tuesday morning, according to residents. The attack came after about eight blasts rocked the city, including several traffic police booths, on Monday. At 11am on Tuesday, the military vehicle was parked near a bus stop when someone threw a bomb inside, according to Hlegu Luumhu, a social media page for the township. The vehicle was damaged and one out of five junta soldiers inside was injured, according to the page. Following the blast, junta forces stopped vehicles in the township. On Sunday afternoon, a junta soldier was killed by a bomb attack on a bunker in the township by the Hlegu People Defense Force (HPDF), according to the group. An alleged junta informant and a soldier were also seriously injured, the HPDF said on Monday. Armed resistance against the junta started in late March following lethal crackdowns on peaceful protesters. You may also like these stories: 15 Myanmar Junta Soldiers Reported Killed in Shan State Junta Raids Resistance Base in Southern Myanmar Over 100 Myanmar Regime Troops Killed in August: KNLA Burma Over 100 Myanmar Regime Troops Killed in August: KNLA A Karen National Liberation Army soldier displays ammunition. / KNLA-Brigade 5 More than 100 Myanmar military troops died in August during fighting with the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) in its Brigade 5 area in Papun district, Karen State, according to the ethnic armed group. The KNLA is the military wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), which has been fighting against Myanmar governments and previous military regimes for autonomy and equality for more than seven decades. The KNUs Mutraw (Papun) district information department said on Tuesday that 118 junta soldiers were killed and 68 were injured in more than 130 clashes between the junta and KNLA troops in their district. One of those injured was a battalion commander, it said. The KNLA said five of its soldiers were injured but it sustained no fatalities. The military launched 120 artillery attacks on civilians farms and cultivations, destroying a total of six houses, and three civilians were beaten, it said. The KNU said the military conducted aerial reconnaissance above Brigade 5 areas five times within the month. Outside Papun district, military tensions remained in other areas controlled by the KNU/KNLA in Mon States Thaton, Karen States Paan, Kawkareik and Kyarinseikgyi, and Bago Regions Nyaunglebin and Taungoo in August, with at least 20 clashes reported. Since the Feb. 1 coup, some KNLA brigades, including Brigade 5, have been sheltering striking civil servants and providing combat training to civilians volunteering to fight the junta. KNLA troops inflicted heavy casualties on the military, in addition to seizing at least five military camps near the Salween River along the Thai border between March and May. You may also like these stories: About 5,000 of Those Held by Myanmar Junta Are in Unknown Locations: Advocacy Group Gunmen Steal More Than $60,000 From Bank in Myanmars Yangon China Opens Rail Line With Access to Indian Ocean via Myanmar Commentary Chinas Embrace of the Taliban Has a Painful Resonance in Myanmar Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Taliban Political Committee leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in Tianjin, China in July. / FMPRC After nearly 20 years, the last US troops have left Afghanistan, concluding Americas longest war and the largest non-combatant evacuation operation in US military history. The footage and images of Western forces and diplomats hastily pulling out amid the chaos and deadly bombings at Kabuls Hamid Karzai International Airport will supply anti-American propagandists with enough material to keep them busy for years. In Myanmar, hardliners associated with the military and its leaders, who staged an illegitimate coup against the countrys elected government in February, have been unable to hide their glee. They mock the Americans failure and revel in the sight of the most vocal cheerleader for the Western human rights and democracy agenda extracting itself from yet another quagmire. The message seems clear: foreign intervention aimed at imposing democracy from abroad is doomed to fail. It is music to Beijings ears, too. China, which shares an 80-km border with Afghanistan at the eastern end of the Wakhan Corridor, all but congratulated the incoming Taliban government within days of Kabuls fall to the Islamist group. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying expressed Beijings apparent endorsement of the Talibans victory, stating, We respect the will and choice of the Afghan people. In late July, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the head of the Afghan Taliban political committee, met Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councilor Wang Yi in Tianjin. At the meeting, the Taliban stressed its willingness to grow sound relations with China while promising not to pose any threat to its powerful neighbor. Beijing expressed its explicit support for the Taliban, describing it as an important military and political force in Afghanistan, one that it is expected to play an important role in the countrys peace, reconciliation and reconstruction process. Throughout the conflict in Afghanistan, Beijing played a waiting game, basically prepared to support whoever emerged in control of the country. China now essentially recognizes that power lies with the Taliban, which Wang described as an important military and political force in Afghanistan. In Myanmar, the sight of Beijing extending a neighborly welcome to the Taliban has made for painful viewing for all those who oppose the Feb. 1 coup and the military regime it installed. In August, China began using the word government in reference to the Myanmar junta, to which it provides aid and assistance and whose illegal power seizure and atrocities against civilians it has yet to condemn. During the first week of June, Chinese Ambassador Chen Hai met coup maker Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw, Myanmars capital, becoming the first foreign envoy to do so. In a statement released soon after the meeting, the Chinese Embassy in Yangon referred to the junta chief as the leader of Myanmar. In the eyes of Myanmar citizens and analysts, China is the only country that has publicly made explicit its support for the junta. But it should come as no surprise; China has long interfered in Myanmars affairs, betting on those who appear to be in the ascendancy in terms of power. This time China recognizes a regime despised by a majority of Myanmar people. The fact is, if Beijing decides to lend full official recognition to the military regime, it will do longstanding damage to the image of China among Myanmar citizens, and it will only face negative consequences. The Taliban and the juntas ruling organ, the State Administration Council (SAC), share a desire for legitimacy. In the eyes of their respective citizens, both are terrorist organizations. As in Myanmar, Chinas self-interest in Afghanistan is obvious. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Chinese President Xi Jinpings vast planned infrastructure network spanning much of Asia and beyond, was launched in Kazakhstan in 2013 and it seems Afghanistan is a key missing link. China covets Afghanistans mineral resources; a Chinese state-owned company has a US$2.83-billion contract signed in 2007 to operate a copper mine at Mes Aynak southeast of Kabul. Of course, the Taliban is likely to approve Chinas infrastructure projects and investment in mineral extraction in the country. In exchange, the Taliban will have to acknowledge Chinas security concerns, in particular by denying sanctuary to Uyghur separatists in Xinjiang. In this regard, Beijing would do well to learn from the US and its 20 years of experience in Afghanistan: any expectations, however modest, must be tempered. In Myanmar, China has made a similar calculation and seeks to protect its interests, but the stakes are even higher. China needs a stable border with Myanmar to advance its strategic economic corridor linking its southern provinces to the Indian Ocean, to ward off Western influence in its backyard and to prevent the internationalization of Myanmars conflicts. These strategic interests were underscored on Aug. 25 by the opening on the Chinese side of the border of a new rail line that will eventually provide China with access to the Indian Ocean via Myanmar. The railway stretches from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, to Lincang, a prefecture-level city in Chinas Yunnan Province opposite Chin Shwe Haw, a border trade town in Myanmars northeastern Shan State. Meanwhile, China continues to provide arms to ethnic insurgents from Myanmar based along the border while exploiting its neighbors natural resources. In fact, the Myanmar militarys coup dealt a significant setback to Chinas plans in the country. Following the coup, thousands of Myanmar citizens held protests outside the Chinese Embassy in Yangon, demanding that it withdraw support from the junta. Subsequently, dozens of Chinese textile factories around Yangon suffered serious damage in coordinated attacks that caused losses of about $37 million, for which no one has claimed responsibility. On social media, China has become a favorite target of Myanmar netizens, who mock it and make threats against its projects in the country, including its oil and gas pipelines. Witnessing the chaos in Afghanistan, Americas humiliation and the outrage of its allies, the ill-concealed satisfaction of China and the Myanmar junta is understandable. Naypyitaw and Beijing no doubt see eye-to-eye on the departure of Western forces there. Ironies abound, however. In Myanmar, China claims to exercise the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity; mutual non-aggression; non-interference in each others internal affairs; equality and mutual benefit; and, peaceful coexistence. But no country has interfered in Myanmars politics and internal conflicts to the degree that China has. In the past, China heavily supported Communist Party of Burma insurgents in Myanmar, allowing them to base themselves on Chinese soil and use it to stage attacks against Myanmar forces. Today, arms and supplies from China continue to flow to ethnic insurgents along the northern border; they are known to be Chinas proxies. In recent years, military leaders in Naypyitaw have displayed for Chinese officials visiting from Beijing arms seized from insurgentsall made in China. Now, China staunchly supports the regime at the UN. China may well decide to interfere in the upcoming credentials challenge at the UN, which is set to decide on who will represent Myanmar at the world body: the militarys representative or the representative of the ousted democratically elected government. It has been learned that Beijing is quietly lobbying to sideline U Kyaw Moe Tun, Myanmars ambassador to the UN, since he is associated with the ousted government and continues to use his global stage to challenge the regime and the coup. We will see how the Taliban leverages Chinas support to legitimize its status in Afghanistan and beyond. At the same time, we will be looking to see how Beijing manages the Taliban; just as Gen Z and all Myanmar citizens who oppose the attempted coup continue to observe Chinas management of the boys in uniform in Naypyitaw. You may also like these stories: Rohingya Without Myanmar ID Not Being Given COVID-19 Jab: Junta How Many Mass Killings Are Enough Before the World Helps Myanmar? Thai Arms Manufacturer Denies Involvement in Murder Plot Against UN Myanmar Envoy Huntsville, TX (77320) Today Cloudy early, then off and on rain showers for the afternoon. High 76F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low near 70F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Ithaca, NY (14850) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 69F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. The second in our series of articles featuring IT executives and the great advice their father gave them in life, as well as lessons they've learned from fatherhood (and have applied to their IT careers) is here, and this may yet grow to into a three-part series, but here's the next set of top tech commentary! Earlier this year, iTWire ran articles celebrating International Women's Day and female leaders and entrepreneurs in tech and IT execs sharing great advice their mums gave them, and yesterday, we did the same for IT execs celebrating their fathers, fatherhood, great advice they had received, and more, in a Part 1 article, with Part 3 now here and a new Part 4 too. This year, Father's Day is on Sunday, September 5, and as we did with International Women's Day, we'll also have content celebrating International Men's Day on Friday, November 19, in mid-November. As noted yesterday, we put out a call stating it would be great to hear from fathers, along with men and women in the world of tech, and we asked the questions below. Note - Fathers Day is still several days away, so if youre in IT and would like to make a contribution, you still can - send it to editor (at) iTWire dot com, and we can have a part three to this series. Here are the questions: Q1. What lessons did you learn from your father, or the fathers of others in your life, that have helped you get to where you are today? Q2. If you are a father, what lessons has fatherhood taught you that you've been able to apply to the world of IT and business? Q3. How has the COVID crisis and modern technology shaped how you've had to juggle fatherhood, work and family? Q4. What advice do you have for other fathers on how tech has helped you to be a better father? Q5. What do you wish technology could do, but isn't yet doing, that could help you to be a better father? Q6. Do you have some good questions you think should be asked of fathers that I can ask others also contributing to this article? Question 2 was asked if you are a father because I was leaving the option open, in the spirit of inclusivity, for women, and men who arent fathers, or fathers yet, to reflect on lessons their fathers had taught them, or lessons they had learned from other fathers, but only fathers responded, which seems to be the most appropriate thing for Fathers Day anyway - but I didnt want to leave anyone out if they wanted to make a contribution. With Question 6, I didn't get a chance to ask this question of the other respondents, however, the questions offered up are good for our own reflection, and we can answer all of these questions for ourselves. I also asked the respondents to feel free to answer as many or as few of the questions as they wanted, and as noted, this article has been split into two parts because of the volume and quality of responses. So, in part two, we are hearing from the following IT executives and fathers, in first name alphabetic order. 1. Benjamin Balk, founder and CEO of KindiCare 2. Dean Mao, CTO and co-founder of Beforepay 3. Jeremy Smart, Vice President of Sales, Asia Pacific & Japan, Acoustic 4. Mathew Baba, Art Director, Lightspeed 5. Stuart Hislop, Managing Director, AMR Hair & Beauty So, let's get started! 1. Benjamin Balk, founder and CEO of KindiCare Featuring Benjamin, Julini Halim-Balk (Benjamin's wife), and their two daughters, Amelia and Annelise I have always been very independent, driven and career focussed. I never expected I might have children but am now the very proud dad of two lovely daughters. When I started my fatherhood journey, I never could have anticipated how much influence fatherhood and COVID were going to have in reshaping me, my life and my career for the better. There are two key things fatherhood has taught me: One, time is short. Whilst I still work hard as the founder and CEO of a start-up, there is a big difference since leaving corporate life. I am very fortunate that I now have the flexibility in my life to do daddy drop off, to take a bush walk in the middle of the day or to play hide and seek after school. These are moments you cant get back they are so important for my girls and so rewarding for me as a father. Two, the importance of early learning. It takes a village to raise a child. Having never experienced early learning prior to having children, Ive been able to watch my girls learn, grow and develop on a daily basis through their experiences at home, and their experiences with their educators and friends. My wife and daughters are the reason that my business, KindiCare, now exists. Before finding childcare for my children, I did not realise the challenges parents have while navigating childcare in Australia. Fatherhood has enabled me to improve this experience for all parents. 2. Dean Mao, CTO and co-founder of Beforepay 2nd photo - Dean and son I grew up in a Chinese village and my father was a businessman who was a jack of all trades - from being a construction engineer to running a cotton factory. He would always encourage me to try new things, and made sure I stay focused on the task at-hand and to never be afraid of failure. His agility and grit inspires me every day to push further and work harder. Today, I am the proud father of an 8 year old boy and it has taught me a few things. Problem solving: Like with business, children change every day and so do the problems they face. I am helping my son learn how to problem solve for himself. This is carried throughout my own work, and through my team. Attention to detail: Kids pick up on everything so its important to be aware of what theyre learning. In business, it helps you produce high quality work and to ensure your team can roll out releases safely. A small bug can impact thousands of users and result in the loss of millions of dollars. Enjoy what you do: Try and be as present as possible and make sure you celebrate the wins as an entrepreneur and as a father. Were lucky to have access to technology through the COVID crisis. Our team gets to operate as usual because technology has allowed us to do so. In the same vein, it has also allowed my son and I to stay connected and spend more time together - we play lots of online games including Minecraft and Feed and Grow: Fish and hes already started building games from scratch. Theres still some way to go for technology and I do wish it could provide richer virtual reality services to fathers so they can have more fun with their children - Think experiencing different lifestyles, exploring planets, going under the ocean for example. 3. Jeremy Smart, Vice President of Sales, Asia Pacific & Japan, Acoustic Over the years, I've learned that my fathers significance didn't stop after he passed away at only 48 years of age. The phrase "actions speak louder than words" ring true with the influence he played in supporting and listening to me. As a highly skilled carpenter his expertise was completely foreign to my career, but he did teach me that, "If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to treat everything as if it were a nail". This advice has guided me throughout my career as a leader, ensuring I continue to listen, learn, and remain adaptive to people and environments. Happily, I can share that my tool kit has graduated from a single hammer. Patience, calmness, and perspective are three-character traits Dad embodied. He never raised his voice and was an incredible diplomat with how he engaged and connected to people from all walks of life. The corporate world labels this "strong EQ", or "excellent soft skills". I suspect tradies have their own labels but I focus on continued development of such skills professionally in the workplace with my team, and personally at home with my three kids, wife and friends. Navigating the last 18 months with Covid has been incredibly challenging for the world. The lines of work and home have never been more blurred. Juggling home schooling, relationships and our professional careers has placed stress and strain unforeseen since the second world war. The importance of listening to your team and observing for signs of stress and anxiety are mirrored like that of a father (or parent) watching over his children. The best is yet to come was a mantra my father echoed through life and remains a guiding principle within my domain. Lets hope this remains true as we come out the other side of Covid. 4. Mathew Baba, Art Director, Lightspeed My mum and dad arrived in Australia in the early 80s, fleeing the uncertain future they had in Iran. It was hard for them, not knowing the language, no family, no friends and very little money. But together, they created a new life - one that Im forever grateful for. The journey, the sacrifice, the challenges and the freedom. Growing up, I was always a little shocked at the difference between my dad and many other immigrant fathers that I knew. He would never push the cliche idea on me of becoming a doctor, surgeon, lawyer or engineer. All that ever mattered to him was that I was happy. We have always shared a special bond over art, creativity and craftsmanship. Its also what has inspired me to pursue a career in design, and after many long conversations, he finally understood what being a Graphic Designer was. Since then, he knew that I had found something that brings me joy and fulfilment, and that was all that mattered. When I think about the influence these experiences had on me, I remember the patience and space he provided to help me find what brought purpose to my life. In the fast-paced and forever evolving tech industry that Im part of, I look to these values to provide me with clarity, confidence and inspiration 5. Stuart Hislop, Managing Director, AMR Hair & Beauty Becoming a father of two changed my whole outlook on life. Before having children, I was almost entirely self-reliant. I executed my personal and professional tasks as I felt best in the moment, without considering potential long-term consequences. Many things changed once my two little ones came into the world - the main one being how I saw my day-to-day tasks. Both in my personal and professional life, I now approach all things with an understanding that Im simply part of a larger picture - and this is such a humbling realisation! This shift in my psyche has made such a positive impact on my life as a whole and Ive experienced more harmonious and fulfilling results. COVID-19 has of course added a level of complexity to raising children while working full-time. Like so many other parents in this country, the onset of lockdown and restrictions actually increased my workload at home. Homeschooling two children while working full time is no easy feat! However, thanks to technology, this period has been much smoother than it may have been even a few short years ago. Certain platforms and tools have allowed me to manage my professional time more effectively, and, as a result, spend much more valuable time with my children. Fatherhood is an incredibly challenging yet rewarding experience. The pandemic has thrown many curve balls into this journey, but has also cemented just how important it is to enjoy the simple things in life, spend as much time with your family as possible, and embrace the things your children can teach YOU throughout it all. You can see Part 1 of this Father's Day 2021 series, here, part 3 is here and here's the new Part 4. Veteran support organisation Soldier On has been shortlisted for the Australian Defence Industry Awards 2021 which recognise excellence from defence professionals, organisations and businesses across the country. Soldier On has been recognised as a finalist in the awards in the categories of Veteran Support Program of the Year, and Training and Mentorship Program of the Year. The Veteran Support Program of the Year award recognises the veteran support program, association or organisation that has most effectively supported ADF veterans transitioning out of service and/or into new career opportunities post-service. Soldier On has previously been awarded Veteran Support Program of the Year in 2019, and again in 2020. Soldier On is Australias only national, fully integrated and holistic support services provider, offering assistance to serving Defence personnel, contemporary veterans and their families. Currently reaching more than one 5,000 members of the Defence community, Soldier On offers support services including a range of mental health and wellbeing services, employment and transition support and education programs, as well as activities focused on connections with family, friends, and the broader community. The Training and Mentorship Program of the Year award recognises the defence business that has most effectively capitalised on market opportunities and driven demonstrable growth through developing and delivering the most effective training and mentorship program for new industry participants or those defence professionals transitioning into new roles. Soldier On CEO, Ivan Slavich, said the organisation is thrilled to be recognised as part of the awards alongside esteemed members of the Defence community. Soldier On is incredibly proud of the programs that our team delivers to the veteran community, enabling them to thrive in all areas of their life post-service. The Soldier On team is committed to providing our veteran community with the recourses that will see them utilising their exceptional skills and experiences to excel in civilian life. Recognition as finalists in these categories is a wonderful compliment to the fantastic work of Soldier Ons dedicated and hardworking team members across the country, Slavich said. The sheer number of submissions, plus the ongoing and continued support of our of partners and judges, provides a great level of confidence for Australias defence industry and is representative of the depth of talent we have in our sector I would like to thank all of those who nominated and each entrant for their submissions, and I wish everyone the best of luck on the night, Defence Connect Director, William Magee, said. MarTech SaaS provider Netcore Cloud has hired Chantal Capablanca to be its first country head for Australia and New Zealand. "Following our recent expansion in the US and EU markets we feel confident that our platform is uniquely positioned to cater to brands from emerging markets as well as developed markets. We are certain that Chantal's wealth of experience coupled with her enthusiasm and dedication will help us expand on our dominance in Australia and New Zealand," said Netcore Solutions group CEO Kalpit Jain. Netcore Cloud CEO for international business Abithab Bhaskar said "In Australia and New Zealand, we foresee a great opportunity for us to partner with brands to leverage the power of AI to enhance consumer experiences. Chantal brings with her the perfect blend of experience and local expertise which will play a significant role in our growth story. We look forward to unlocking possibilities with our technology-led efficiency in the Australian and New Zealand market." Capablanca previously served as acquisition and engagement director at Ovato (formerly Traction Digital), and has also held sales and sales management roles at Netexo, Emarsys and LivingSocial. Earlier in her career she worked in advertising sales at companies including News Corp and Express Media. "The pandemic has opened up a world where digitalisation is key to survival across numerous industries but particularly those in customer relations such as retail. Netcore Cloud has a rich history of success in MarTech and modern full-stack integrated platforms which uniquely position it to provide an all-inclusive solution to support organisations with their shift to digital," said Capablanca, "I feel excited to be part of this thriving organisation and I look forward to taking our best-in-class offerings to the leading enterprises in the market." Netcore Cloud has more than 5000 clients including Standard Chartered, Canon, Puma, Pizza Hut, and McDonalds in India, USA, Germany, Nigeria, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, and UAE, among other countries. It delivers more than 12 billion emails a month. FILE - In this May 31, 2020, file photo, protesters surround a truck shortly before it drove through the group injuring several on Interstate 244 in Tulsa, Okla. An Oklahoma civil rights group filed a federal lawsuit Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, claiming a new anti-protest bill approved by lawmakers this year is unconstitutional. U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez, left, receives Cyprus' highest honor - the Grand Collar of the Order of Makarios III - from President Nicos Anastasiades during a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in the capital Nicosia, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. Menendez, the Democratic senator from New Jersey said that the "retrograde vision" of Turkey's president to cement Cyprus' ethnic divide by striving for a two-state deal "is wrong" for all Cypriots. This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. I've updated my resume in the last week. I've updated my resume in the last month. I've updated my resume in the last 3 months. I've updated my resume in the last 6 months. I've updated my resume in the last 12 months. It's been more than one year since I updated my resume. I have never updated my resume. I don't have a resume. Vote View Results Ray Ploof, 61, passed away in his home in Jacksonville, TX, Wednesday, August 25, 2021. He was born in Burlington Vermont August 20, 1960. Ray was a member of Central Baptist Church. He was a talented machinist who worked in maintenance. He was well loved by everyone he met. Left to cherish Teton County Reporter Billy Arnold has covered government and policy since January 2020, sitting through hours of Teton County meetings so readers don't have to. He moonlights as a ski reporter, helps with pandemic coverage and sneaks away to climb when he can. You are the owner of this article. Alexander has reported on courts and crime since June 2021. A fan of all things outdoors, he came to Teton County after studying journalism at Northwestern University. The forum-style event will allow community members to ask questions of Wyomings highest ranking state official. Joplin, MO (64801) Today Mostly sunny. High near 90F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with thunderstorms becoming likely overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Joe Hadsall is the digital editor for The Joplin Globe. He has been the editor of the former Nixa News-Enterprise and has worked for the Christian County Headliner News and 417 Magazine. Follow Joe Hadsall 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 ESPOSITO TIMELINE Named Manchester Community College CEO July 6, 2020. Placed on leave Aug. 25. The Connecticut State Colleges and University System gave no reason, and the Board of Regents did not hold a vote. Esposito filed a federal lawsuit Friday against CSCU and several officials, alleging gender discrimination and retailiation. Available July 16, 2021 - The annual Journal Inquirer Discovery edition features an in-depth summary of all 18 towns' services, schools, contacts, clubs, and important locations - plus articles and art! What are the Benin Bronzes and why are they so important? The Benin Bronzes or rather Benin objects, because not all of them are made of metal; some are ivory or wood are objects originating from the Kingdom of Benin, in todays Nigeria. When the British Empire invaded the kingdom in 1897, thousands of the objects were looted, partially to pay for the costs of the military expedition. They were later auctioned off in London and elsewhere and soon became central pieces in the collection of many museums in the Global North. Due to their artistic brilliance, they changed the way Europeans saw African art, as they could no longer pretend that there was no art in Africa but only craftsmanship, as the old racist colonial stereotype had it. Nevertheless the Europeans, and later the US, had no problem keeping the loot. Why are they in the news now? Almost since their looting, demands for their restitution have been made by Nigeria and other African states. So they were never entirely absent, but perhaps not in the global media. Now, with the intense interest in the question of colonial loot, the focus has also turned to them. Central for this shift in interest was the announcement by French president Emmanuel Macron in 2017 in Ouagadougou, to return colonial loot from French colonial museums and to commission the ground-breaking report by Senegalese academic and writer Felwine Sarr and the French art historian Benedicte Savoy that ultimately supported his decision. So was the approaching opening of the Humboldt Forum in Berlin (which eventually opened on 20 July 2021), one of the largest museums in the world. It houses the collections of the former Berlin ethnological museums and more than 200 Benin Bronzes were meant to go on display there. However, activists and scholars, who had pointed to the problem of colonial loot, have stopped the plans for the moment, not least because of the international media interest. In Germany, this parallels the attempt to come to terms with the first genocide of the 20th century, committed against the indigenous Herero and Nama people in what was then German South West Africa, today Namibia, which also drew attention to the question of colonialism and its legacies. How has Germany handled the return? Poorly, very poorly, to be honest. Those in charge of (cultural) policy and many of the museums were initially unaware of the problem of colonial loot at all. When pressure mounted, they downplayed the critique, ridiculed the critics, then attacked and defamed them. The low point, so far, has been one of the initial founding directors of the Humboldt Forum, the art historian Horst Bredekamp, accusing postcolonial critics of being anti-Semitic. All this in order to protect both the collections and the traditions of Western scholarship connected to them against the allegation justified in my opinion of having ignored the racist traits in their histories. Protests against the Humboldt Forum displaying the artefacts. Only after pressure both by German civil society and (international) media did government and museums concede that some the official communique spoke of a substantial number of the Benin Bronzes should be returned. Where are the rest of the bronzes? They are distributed all over the global North. Even if Germany were to return all of the Benin objects in Berlin, this would not amount to much more than 10% of what was looted. To be sure, other museums will follow, or even play at leading the returns, such as museums in the German cities of Stuttgart or Cologne. However, other big museums outside Germany are slow to follow. Colonialism was a European project and so was the looting of art. So all of Europe, all of the Global North are implicated and need to address this issue. Many Benin Bronzes are for example in the US. The most important collection however, with up to 800 of the artefacts, is in the British Museum in London, which, apparently with the support of the government, has categorically denied the need for restitution. This ties in with a larger debate about taking responsibility for colonialism as a crime against humanity. In the Global North we are now prepared to concede that there were acts of violence within colonialism, however we have to understand that colonialism in itself was (and is) violence. We have to decolonise and must advance to a position of global social justice, especially if humankind wants to stand a chance of surviving the climate crisis. What is expected to happen after they arrive in Nigeria? There is currently an Edo Museum of West African Art being built in Benin City in Edo State in southern Nigeria, which should be hosting Benin Bronzes. How exactly returned artwork is distributed between Nigeria as a nation state, Edo state as federal entity and the Oba King as heir of the former kingdom and representative of the Edo people is still a matter of discussion. Frankly, however, this is not the Europeans concern. What the rightful owners do with their art is their decision, and this must not delay restitution. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. It has been slightly modified by Justice Info with the authors permission. Read the original article. Artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency technology provider DigiMax announced today that it has signed a cooperation agreement with Bitget. Encrypted exchange Headquartered in Singapore. Following the launch of USDT futures, one-click copy trading and quantum swap futures, in April this year, Bitget further announced the full acquisition of the decentralized encrypted wallet Bitkeep. protocol The cooperation agreement will provide DigiMax and Bitget with opportunities to cooperate on mutually beneficial business arrangements, including allowing Bitget users to first understand DigiMaxs trading signal product CryptoHawk, and ultimately provide direct access to CryptoHawk within Bitgets platform. In addition, the two companies intend to develop an API system that allows Bitget users to access CryptoHawk signals and allow direct one-click trading based on the released new CryptoHawk indicators. By becoming a partner of Bitget, CryptoHawk users will not only have the opportunity to improve transaction efficiency and security, but in the near future, they will also be able to conduct automated transactions through CryptoHawk signals. We are very happy to cooperate with Bitget for our present and future User base provides ever-increasing value. CEO of DigiMax, Chris Carl Encryption Eagle As an artificial intelligence-driven price trend forecasting tool, any investor can use CryptoHawk to maximize their digital trading profits. It provides hourly price trend forecast indicators to help subscribers interested in trading Bitcoin or Ethereum, and now provides overall trend guidance for a broader cryptocurrency portfolio. The CryptoHawk tool is unique because it uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to obtain profits from the volatility of cryptocurrencies, instead of taking the risk of buying and holding investments. Please note that between June and July of 2021, CryptoHawk trading signals brought a +44.9% return and +22.1% return for Bitcoin and Ethereum before trading commissions. During the same period, Bitcoins net change was +5.1%, while Ethereum fell -3.6% during this period. The expansive rules mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly. Workers at health facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid also will have to be fully vaccinated. Ahn Hyo Seop and Kim Yoo Jung's new K-drama "Lovers of the Red Sky" premieres with a solid viewership rating. According to Nielsen Korea, SBS' new Monday and Tuesday series is off to a good start with 9.4 percent. Apart from the viewership rating, the fantasy historical drama is making waves on social media as netizens praise the drama's striking visuals and cinematography. In addition, the viewers also lauded the child actors who have done a great job portraying the young Ha Ram and Hong Cheon Gi. 'Lovers of the Red Sky' Episode 1 Highlights: Sealing the Demon The premiere depicts how Hong Cheon Gi, played by Kim Yoo Jung and Ha Ram, portrayed by Ahn Hyo Seop, as their lives intertwined since they were born. "Lovers of the Red Sky" episode 1 began with a tumultuous ceremony in hopes of sealing the demon through the king's painting. Although the masters were able to fend off the evil spirit, the whole dynasty was cursed for extreme famine and drought. Apart from this, the evil vowed to have their offspring endlessly wander in the darkness. During the ceremony, the powerful Sam Shin (Moon Sook) intervenes and successfully secures the evil inside the painting. On the other hand, Sam Shin saved a newborn from the hungry wolves but was stricken by the evil's curse. He made the infant, who happens to be Hong Cheon Gi, go blind. Although the powerful goddess could not lift the curse, she ensured that someone would help her from the devastating fate. "I will match you with someone who will protect you from the curse." At the same time, a baby boy named Ha Ram was born. The eldest son of the noble Ha family. Ha Ram Meets Hong Cheon Gi for the First Time Nine years later, the whole dynasty lived in peace; however, famine and drought is still the main problem. At this time, Hong Cheon Gi grew up to be a beautiful young lady who is passionate about painting despite being blind, while Ha Ram discovered his unique ability with water. "Lovers of the Red Sky" episode 1 also featured the unexpected meeting of the two. After being introduced by their fathers, they were able to build a friendship even for a short time. Ha Ram became Cheon Gi's eyes while he was comforted by her warm words. In one scene, he promised to meet her again after the event was over. Unfortunately, he was not able to keep his promise due to an accident. During the ceremony, Ha Ram's father realized that Shaman Mi Su (Chae Gook Hee) offered a human sacrifice through the child. Coincidentally, the demon king was realized by the greedy grand prince, who wants to steal the crown prince's position. At this time, they believed that the gods heard their prayer and made it rain. Little did they know that this was caused by the evil spirit lurking and finding its next target. Soon after, the demon king found Ha Ram who was at the center of the ceremony that prompted him to plunge into the lake. At the same time, Cheon Gi also encountered the same accident and was helplessly drowning in the water. As the two called their fathers, SamShin arrived and helped the two. However, since the evil spirit is in Ha Ram's body, the goddess opted to take away his power, which is his eyes; this made Ha Ram lose his sight. "You won't be able to use your power until you retrieve your sight," she told the spirit. Fortunately for Cheon Gi, SamShin gave the sight to her. "I will leave these eyes for you for a moment. Make the pottery of fate." Due to the incident, the king ordered the arrest of the Shaman. On the other hand, "Lovers of the Red Sky" episode 1 wrapped up, illustrating the opposite fate of Ha Ram and Cheon Gi. KDramastars owns this article. Written by Geca Wills As the premiere date draws near, "Yumi's Cells" continue to pique viewers' interest with striking teasers featuring Kim Go Eun and Ahn Bo Hyun. In the latest still cuts released by tvN, the two lead stars' character posters were released illustrating their budding romance alongside their special friends. 'Yumi's Cells' Kim Go Eun and Ahn Bo Hyun Strike a Pose with their Cells Kim Yumi, played by the "Goblin" star, poses with a beaming smile together with her nine trusty companions, who happen to be her emotional, fashion, curiosity, anxiety cells, and more. Her special friends wore bright blue suits except for her primary cell, the Love Cell, who dons a heart-themed pink and white suit. As for Goo Woong, portrayed by the 33-year-old actor, he displays a playful smile as he rests his finger on his chin. Unlike Yumi, his cells possess various personalities, traits, and even figures, illustrating his creativity and open-mindedness. Get to Know the Characters in 'Yumi's Cells' In the drama, Goo Woong is a skilled game developer whose personality is based on a "yes or no" method. In terms of his emotions, he has zero capabilities to express his feelings; however, despite his shortcomings, he is a warm-hearted soul with a straightforward and honest persona. His connection with Yumi stimulates curiosity on how their romance will flourish. On the other hand, Kim Go Eun's character, Kim Yumi, is an ordinary office employee who has an extraordinary life. After suffering from a coma brought on by her failed relationship, Yumi managed to survive but left a peculiar effect on her brain. Yumi struggled to process her thoughts, emotions, and feelings, but with the help of her adorable cells, she managed to cope with this. In addition, Goo Woong is set to play a big part in her life and is responsible for waking up her love cells. Joining the "Yumi's Cells" cast are Park Ji Hyun, Lee Yoo Bi, and GOT7's Jinyoung. The "Do You Like Brahms?" star took the role of Seo Sae Yi, Goo Woong's co-worker who dreams of becoming the best game art director. She will also spark the love triangle due to her closeness with Goo Wong. Lee Yoo Bi will portray the celebrity wannabe Ruby while the GOT7 member is set to play Yoo Babi, who works for the marketing team. Apart from the main cast, "Yumi's cells" previously introduced SHINee's Minho's character as Chae Woo Gi, a talented and handsome junior colleague of Yumi. Interestingly, he is also the longtime crush of Kim Go Eun's role. "Yumi's Cells" release date is slated on September 17, airing every Friday and Saturday. Lee Sang Yi Set a Have a Special Appearance in 'Yumi's Cells' Fans would get to see the "Youth of May" star in tvN's upcoming rom-com drama. According to Spot TV News, Lee Sang Yi will briefly appear in "Yumi's Cells." One fun fact about the actor is that he and Kim Go Eun are previous classmates in drama at the Korea National University of Arts. Meanwhile, the 29-year-old actor is currently starring in "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" with Shin Min Ah and Kim Seon Ho. KDramastars owns this article. Written by Geca Wills MEDFORD, Ore. A former South Medford High School gym teacher who pleaded guilty to sex abuse charges may not spend time in prison after he was handed a suspended sentence on Tuesday. Police arrested Noah Berman in May of 2020 after receiving an anonymous report from the organization SafeOregon indicating that the physical education teacher had an inappropriate relationship with a student. In July, Berman pleaded guilty to two counts of Sex Abuse in the Second Degree and one count of Tampering with a Witness. On Tuesday, Berman was sentenced to a total of 90 days in jail with a two-year suspended prison sentence. He'll be on supervised probation for five years. "If he is revoked from probation or if he fails to complete any required conditions of his probation, he will be required to serve the suspended twenty-four-month sentence in the Oregon Department of Corrections," the Jackson County District Attorney's office said. The Medford Police investigation last year determined that Berman, while teaching at South Medford High School, had conducted an "ongoing and inappropriate sexual relationship" with an underage student, the DA's office said. For several months, Berman sent inappropriate messages back and forth with the student, eventually leading to meet-ups out of school. Ultimately, this turned into sexual contact. After the report from SafeOregon which is an anonymous online platform for students, parents, and staff to report safety threats seen at school the Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force seized and searched Berman's computers and cell phones, finding corroborating evidence. When Berman was placed on administrative leave, he told the victim to lie about their relationship to law enforcement, the DA's office said. In its statement on Tuesday, the DA's office said that Oregon's sentencing guidelines limited Berman's possible sentence: "When recommending a sentence in any given case, the District Attorney's office is bound by the sentencing guidelines and considers the severity of the crime, the defendant's criminal history, the victim's input, and other relevant factors to the case at issue. Here, Mr. Berman had no criminal history and was an 'I' on the sentencing grid. His maximum exposure in this case is 24 months in prison with the balance of 5 years of post-prison supervision." KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. Officials at Klamath County Public Health announced Monday that they have detected the first known case of West Nile virus in the county for 2021. The agency said that a horse in Klamath Falls tested positive for the disease. Horses become infected with West Nile from mosquitoes that previously fed on infected birds, KCPH said. The virus can infect the central nervous system of horses and cause symptoms of encephalitis, which includes weakness or paralysis of hind limbs, hyper-excitability and convulsions. It is critical that all horses be vaccinated, said Emilio DeBess, DVM, public health veterinarian at the Oregon Health Authoritys Public Health Division. If your horse has not been vaccinated, you are encouraged to vaccinate now. If your horse is displaying signs of illness, call your veterinarian immediately. People are also at potential risk from West Nile. Those at risk of serious illness include people 50 and older and those with chronic disease. West Nile symptoms may include fever above 100 degrees and severe headache, stiff neck, mental confusion, muscle weakness, shaking, paralysis or rash. People should contact their health care provider if experiencing any of these symptoms. Like humans, horses are considered "dead-end" hosts of the virus, which means they don't develop enough virus in the bloodstream to infect mosquitoes and further spread the disease. Only birds are known to pass the virus through mosquitoes to other birds, animals, or humans. West Nile is not uncommon among Oregon mosquito populations, and emerges every few years depending on the locale. Jackson County officials announced earlier this month that West Nile had been detected within mosquitoes collected west of White City, though there were no positive cases among humans or animals. In 2019, there were seven cases of West Nile in horses and nine cases among humans throughout Oregon. A number of mosquito pools around the state this year have revealed samples of West Nile, but none were in Klamath County. KCPH officials offered the following tips to prevent mosquito bites: By Joe Sutton and Hollie Silverman, CNN (CNN) -- The raging Caldor Fire in Northern California prompted evacuation orders and warnings in the Lake Tahoe Basin Sunday night 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 grew to 177,260 acres and is 14% contained, Cal Fire said Monday, as the fire continued to "actively burn" overnight due to low humidity as it threatened South Lake Tahoe. Officials Sunday evening listed the fire at 168,387 acres and 13% contained. "Low humidity remained poor overnight and allowed the fire to continue to actively burn," according to an incident update. "Fire weakened trees continue to present a risk for crews." 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. MEDFORD, Ore. Public health staff in Jackson County are still working to track down the source of an E. coli outbreak that has hospitalized a dozen people since early this month, according to an update on Monday. Jackson County Public Health revealed on August 25 that it was investigating an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) affecting 15 people, including 10 who were in the hospital. Several of them were children, according to Dr. Jim Shames, Jackson County health officer. As of Monday, the outbreak included 16 confirmed cases and 12 hospitalizations, with the first case reported back on August 8. JCPH said that it is working with the Oregon Health Authority to pinpoint the cause. Right now, we do not have a definitive hypothesis on what the source of infection may be. The genome sequencing, performed at the state public health lab, has not matched any other cases in the state or nationally, states Dr. Jim Shames, Health Officer for Jackson County Public Health. Therefore, we continue to do in-depth interviews with those that have tested positive to help us identify a possible source of exposure. Now public health officials are asking medical providers to be aware of the increase in E. coli cases, urging them to collect and test stool specimens on patients suspected of having bacterial gastroenteritis. Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria normally live in the intestines of people and animals. While most E. coli are harmless and actually form an important part of a healthy human intestinal tract, some E. coli (like STEC) are pathogenic, meaning they can cause illness either diarrhea or illness outside of the intestinal tract. The types of E. coli that can cause diarrhea can be transmitted through contaminated water or food, or through contact with animals or persons. Most people with a STEC infection start feeling sick within three or four days of eating or drinking something that contains the bacteria. That said, illness can appear anywhere from one to 10 days after exposure. "Contact your healthcare provider if you have diarrhea that lasts for more than 3 days or diarrhea that is accompanied by a fever higher than 102F, bloody diarrhea, or so much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down and you pass very little urine," JCPH said. Public health officials gave these everyday steps that can help prevent E. coli infections: By Nicole Gaouette, Jennifer Hansler, Barbara Starr and Oren Liebermann, CNN (CNN) -- The last US military planes have 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. "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," McKenzie told reporters. "The last C-17 lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 30th, this afternoon, at 3:29 p.m. East Coast time, and the last manned aircraft is now clearing the airspace above Afghanistan." 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. With no US diplomats remaining in the country a senior State Department 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 is breaking and will be updated. New Democratic leader Jagmeet Singh coughs into his elbow as he stands at the microphone during a campaign stop, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 in Coquitlam, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Whitney Cabal said she was impressed by the number of people who showed up to protest the mask mandate. What a beautiful world we would live in if the same crowd in numbers would show up for social justice and human rights issues, she said. ... Someone is just standing peacefully protesting in a crowd of 100 people, and all of the sudden they get tear-gassed ... or hit with a rubber-like projectile, it escalates the situation. Now, youve got an angry person who wasnt angry before. Devynn Johnson, who coordinated street medics assisting protesters who had been fired upon with rubber bullets on the second night of protests, described how a 22-year-old woman had been shot in the eye. This rubber bullet had bounced off the ground and hit her not the target in her eye, and I held this womans eyeball in my hand as someone else bandaged it to her skull, Johnson said. There is no reason that our (expletive) children should be subjected to this. As Johnson began to raise her voice, Ald. Rocco LaMacchia, who chairs the committee, told her he did not want swearing. Maybe be a little more sensitive, Johnson said, to which a member of the audience laughed. The complaint states that Dukes children, an 8-year-old girl and a 10-month-old baby, were in the vehicle. The 8-year-old had a large bump on her forehead and was bleeding from abrasions on her face. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Duke, who told deputies she was 7-months pregnant, and the two children were taken to a local hospital. According to the complaint, doctors described the 8-year-olds injuries as minor and said the baby was uninjured. Duke had a shoulder injury and was admitted to the hospital for observation due to her pregnancy. The children were released from the hospital to their grandmother. According to the complaint, Duke told a deputy that she fled because she had a panic attack and because she knew she had a misdemeanor warrant from Milwaukee. The 8-year-old told law enforcement, according to the complaint, that her mother drove away because she did not want to have her kids taken away from her. The complaint states that Duke said she was not resisting and was thrown to the ground during her arrest. That police officer threw me to the ground and I am 7 months pregnant, he said I was resisting and I was not, she stated, according to the complaint. Hopkinsville, KY (42240) Today Considerable clouds this morning. Some decrease in clouds later in the day. High 86F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy with late night showers or thunderstorms. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Ketchikan, AK (99901) Today Overcast with rain showers at times. High near 55F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Cloudy with occasional rain showers. Low 48F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. 26 Shares Share Youre superficial, the dean of the curriculum explained to me as we sat in an empty lecture hall. I had just finished a lecture when he pulled me aside to share his assessment of my progress as a student. By this point in my second year of medical school, I had become more focused on the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer [LGBTQ] persons and communities, and to be told I was superficial for trying to address significant disparities experienced by LGBTQ people was a punch to the gut. I had not planned on being focused on LGBTQ health as part of my training. But, as LGBTQ issues were glaringly absent from my training, I became a student advocate. And despite becoming the go-to person on LGBTQ issues for some faculty, focusing on population health and social determinants of health was not of value to some in my schools administration. As I concluded my exchange with the dean of our curriculum, I realized charting a career in LGBTQ health was going to be a turbulent journey. It comes as no surprise that as an out gay man crafting a career that addresses the health of LGBTQ communities is motivated by personal experiences. Having had a physician walk out on me when I came out to her, I know firsthand some of the discrimination LGBTQ people face in even accessing health care. Before returning to school to become a physician, I worked at a federally qualified health center providing care for our overlooked and marginalized communities. Seeing compassionate physicians addressing the varied needs of LGBTQ folks, such as gender-affirming care for transgender patients or cancer screening for bisexual women, I wanted to join their ranks. But nearly every step of my medical training provided unique challenges to have a career in LGBTQ health. I still recall the classmate who said, the admissions committee admitted too many gays. These experiences are not unique to me, and we are beginning to understand how pervasive they are. Even beyond the stigma faced by society, LGBTQ medical students face higher rates of harassment and subsequent burnout within our profession. And with physician job dissatisfaction predicting departure from medicine, discrimination and harassment from supervisors, colleagues, and patients are likely important factors discouraging LGBTQ physicians careers in medicine, let alone ones focused on LGBTQ health. In addition to experiencing discrimination, LGBTQ people in medicine are discouraged from pursuing careers that are connected to their identity. The absence of LGBTQ content and/or presence of anti-LGBTQ sentiment in the pre-clerkship, clerkship, and hidden curriculum of clinical training in particular sets the tone for how LGBTQ health is viewed in our profession. Further, the effects of the hidden curriculum are pervasive and insidious. For as long as we have been surveying on the topics of the treatment of LGBTQ patients, medical students, residents, and physician educators report witnessing colleagues making derogatory remarks about LGBTQ patients or treating them poorly. These interactions throughout training influence career choice and lay the groundwork for how physicians wed their identity to their profession. It is why some specialties are considered friendly or unfriendly towards LGBTQ applicants. It is not surprising that most LGBTQ students applying for medical school do not disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity for fear of discrimination, and nearly half do not disclose when applying for a residency. While some may judge this behavior to be overly cautious, studies suggest that fears of disclosure are valid. Perhaps most importantly is that beyond the personal risk of being out as LGBTQ, there are a dearth of out mentors, fearful of any professional harm for being out. Despite discouragement from administration, I was fortunate to complete a residency that valued my identity and my desire for a career in LGBTQ health that spanned education, research, and advocacy. While some in my residency program were uncertain of my trajectory, none discouraged me. As my career path brought me further into population health and disparities research, I found myself faced with finding fellowship training to gain essential skills. Unfortunately, after the supportive environment of residency, the fellowship search felt dismal. Beyond facing faculty who actively tried to redirect me away from LGBTQ health as a research topic, I encountered out LGBTQ faculty who stated they did not understand how LGBTQ health is a relevant career or noted that you wont receive any funding or grants. These encounters were both disappointing and informative. Disappointing because there were so few mentors in LGBTQ health to offer training or even serve as examples of success, and informative because I knew which programs to avoid; if they could not even imagine such a career how would they advise me? I could only wonder what barriers these LGBTQ faculty had faced to internalize such dispassionate assessments of my interests to discourage my career trajectory. Research and training opportunities supporting careers in LGBTQ health are rapidly emerging. In 2016, the National Institutes of Health designated LGBTQ as a health disparity population for research purposes. In addition to explicitly seeking research proposals addressing LGBTQ health, the NIH has committed resources to LGBTQ health through the creation of the SGM Research Office. In addition to research careers, numerous fellowship opportunities, including those funded by the American Medical Association Foundation, have emerged to train anyone interested in pursuing a career in LGBTQ health. After much searching, I was fortunate to find a fellowship that though inexperienced in LGBTQ health recognized an opportunity. Faculty and mentors worked from a growth mindset rooted in finding what I needed to succeed rather than what they knew they had to offer at that moment. With their and others support, despite the discouragement and fears of being superficial, I now try to serve as an example to other students and trainees who wish to pursue a career that weaves their personal and professional interests in LGBTQ health. I would like to thank Jessica Halem, MBA for her years of mentorship and editorial guidance on this article. I would also like to thank my husband, Chad Rubalcaba, JDg for over a decade of support as I navigated this relatively uncharted career path. Carl Streed, Jr. is an internal medicine physician. Image credit: Shutterstock.com EUGENE, Ore. -- The surge in COVID-19 cases is straining hospitals all over the state, including in our area. But now there's a new type of patient that's showing up in larger and larger numbers: children. According to the Oregon Health Authority, nearly 500 children in Oregon 5 years old and younger tested positive for COVID-19 during the week of Aug. 15. And more than 200,000 kids were infected across the United States just a few days before school. Dr. Serena Black, a PeaceHealth pediatrician, told KEZI two to three children are coming to RiverBend Hospital with COVID-19 each week. "We are seeing very high fevers that can last for many days. We are seeing kids with coughs, runny noses, and sometimes kids that need oxygen to help them breathe comfortably," Black said. "We are seeing kids that are fatigued and not eating or drinking well, so sometimes they get dehydration associated with that." She said up until recently, it was rare to see children who are COVID-positive in the hospital. In fact, between March 2020 and June 2021, fewer than 10 COVID-positive children were admitted to RiverBend Hospital. "It's not surprising given that we know that this variant is much more contagious. It's impacting people of all ages. Certainly those who are not vaccinated are in a greater risk population," Black said. Dr. Patrick Luedtke with Lane County Public Health also said this isn't a surprise because kids are returning to school, but we need to be more careful. "I think it's also important to note that there is not a vaccine available for this age group yet. We hope it's going to come, maybe in the second half in October," Luedtke said. "If all the timelines hold up, Pfizer will submit for their vaccine for age five and above." That doesn't mean that the children's vaccine will be the same as adults' because children have unique immune systems and metabolisms. Black said researchers must be very careful and deliberate with how they treat kids. "To have something approved that hasn't really yet been well tested in a pediatric population is not something we are comfortable with, and the federal government isn't comfortable with," Black said. "So, it has required real trials of kids out there in decent numbers receiving the vaccine potentially in lower doses than the adults." But health officials said the good news right now is that pediatric patients are recovering quickly from this virus. In the last year we've lost thousands of family members, friends and co-workers to COVID-19. We'd like to give you a chance to honor their memory. Share a Memory Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, at Navos Mental Health and Wellness Center in Burien, Wash., about his budget and policy plans for fixing the state's struggling mental health system. 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 Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) Primary school pupils in Kilkenny and around Ireland are being challenged to get creative in how they learn and think about Europe through the Blue Star Programme, coordinated by European Movement Ireland. Since the beginning of the programme in 2011, 36 schools in Kilkenny have participated of almost 1,100 overall across the country. The Blue Star Programme teaches primary school children about Europe through creative activities and projects that complement the national primary curriculum. Each participating class carries out projects on history, geography, the institutions of the EU, culture and creativity with a European twist. Teachers and their classes can be creative and tailor their projects to their own individual needs and interests. Conscious of the ongoing challenges posed by Covid-19 that face schools, teachers and pupils returning this September, the Blue Star Programme team will offer participating schools continued support and a fully-flexible, curriculum-friendly programme with additional online resources and activities. Teachers, parents, guardians, carers and the whole school community are encouraged to get involved in Blue Star Programme projects, creating an awareness of the EU and European cultures that reaches far beyond the school walls and out into the wider community. Speaking about the opening of registration for the Programme, Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD said, Blue Star is an exciting project that allows our primary school children to learn about, and get creative on, our European identity and culture. As Minister for European Affairs, I am honoured to support the Blue Star Programme and have seen at first hand the enthusiasm that our young people are bringing to the programme. I am really hoping to visit some participating schools in person as soon as it is safe to do so, and I encourage as many primary schools as possible to register and get involved. Noelle O Connell, CEO of European Movement Ireland, also commented, While the last school year saw schools around Ireland face another understandably unusual and challenging year, we were particularly encouraged to see the enthusiasm and creativity of participating pupils and teachers, including their great work from home when schools were closed. We were delighted to see a great number of participating schools complete the programme, finding new and innovative ways of completing project work. We look forward to another year of the Blue Star Programme as we are constantly greatly impressed by the imagination and innovation of both the participating teachers and their pupils. Since 2011, we have seen almost 1,100 school registrations in the Programme, and we would love to see these great levels of engagement continue for 2021 - 2022. The programme offers a great opportunity for pupils to recognise the solidarity among European citizens and to celebrate the diversity in the Irish classroom today. Solidarity with our neighbours across Europe has been key as we have faced the outbreak of Covid-19 together and it is vital that this solidarity continues and that our young people recognise the importance of co-operation and solidarity across Europe in challenging times. We strongly encourage teachers to consider partaking in the Blue Star Programme this year. Primary schools interested in taking part in the Blue Star Programme 2021-2022 can register here anytime until 5 October 2021. To complete the programme, schools are asked to take part in online quizzes and/or submit a Blue Star Programme Report outlining how each of the key elements were explored, at the end of the year. Schools are also encouraged to host an event for Europe Day on May 9, in school or online. Further information about the programme can be found at www.bluestarprogramme.ie . Oxfam Kilkenny is gearing up for their third annual Second Hand September campaign. By asking people to say yes to second hand clothes for 30 days, the aid agency wants to raise awareness about the harm and impact throwaway fashion has on both our planet and its people, and the role their shops and trading activities play in offering a solution. Oxfam started #SecondHandSeptember i n 2019, amid growing demand from shoppers wanting more sustainable and ethical clothing options. A demand that continues to grow, with ThredUps ninth annual report revealing that 33 million people in the US alone bought second hand clothes for the very first time in 2020. Trevor Anderson, Director of Trading with Oxfam Ireland said: People are starting to see just how much pressure throwaway fashion is putting on our planet and people, and how unsustainable it is. Our retail teams have noted an increase in younger people shopping Oxfam and we believe this reflects a growing movement of more conscientious and ethically driven consumers in Ireland and thrifting, or shopping second hand, offers people an alternative, more sustainable option.We have seen through the Fridays for Future climate strikes, both here at home and globally, that its young people driving home the urgent need for climate action. That is why we are calling on them to be Second Hand September champions - to join us in our campaign and help spread the word about the impact fast fashion is having on our environment, as well as its impact on the women and men who make our clothes a majority of whom dont earn a living wage for their work.Amid a world in parts burning, in parts flooding and in parts starving, people using their own political power and behaviours to push big corporations and governments in the right direction is about as powerful a tool as we could wish for in bringing about positive change. By shifting our habits and consumer choices to more sustainable ones, we can all play a role and be changemakers for our collective future.Oxfam Kilkenny accept and sell pre-loved clothes, shoes, accessories, handbags and more, diverting them from landfill, with even more items up for grabs on Fashion Relief TV (www.fashionrelief.ie), an interactive (always on!) shopping channel brought to you by Broadcaster Lorraine Keane and Oxfam. Oxfam's staff and volunteers are ready and waiting to support the people of Kilkenny on their journey to more sustainable clothing choices.Anderson concluded: Climate change is happening now and is already one of the most harmful drivers of increasing hunger and starvation, migration, poverty and inequality all over the world. We need to start recognising the links between our choices and policies in relatively wealthy countries like Ireland, and their impact in many of the places Oxfam works from garment workers in Dhaka, to Pacific Island communities bearing the brunt of our climate emergency.By joining Oxfams Second Hand September movement, collectively we can send a message to our political leaders and the fashion industry, asking them to change their policies and practices to better protect the people who make our clothes and the planet we all share, and together we can inspire others to join us in saying yes to second hand.To learn more about Oxfams Second Hand September campaign, visit: www.oxfamireland.org/shs Ireland took a huge blow when it was ravaged by The Great Famine for five years between 1845 and 1850. However, Ireland's status quo as a nation with a dwindling population seems to have been broken, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The CSO has revealed that the population of the Emerald Isle is actually now at its highest since 1851, with an estimated 5,011,500 people living here. Other notable findings from the agency include: 1,426,000 people live in Dublin, roughly 28.5 per cent of the total population. 645,500 foreign nationals currently reside in Ireland, making up just under 13 per cent of the population. A Total Net Migration of 11,200 30,200 returning nationals and 22,800 nationals leaving the country to start a new life abroad. Another notable finding was that the elderly population (742,300 people) has experienced an increase of just under 18 per cent since 2016. The CSO also reported that there were 55,500 births and 32,700 deaths in the year to April, giving a natural increase in the population of 22,800. "This is the lowest level of natural increase recorded since the 2000 population estimates", the group explained. Previously in 2019, Ireland's population was reported to be 4.904 million. Statistician James Hegarty told RTE News about the CSO's latest figures: "Ireland's population was estimated to be 5.01 million in April 2021, which is the first time the population has risen above five million since the 1851 census, when the comparable population was 5.11 million." He added that the total population on the island of Ireland in 1851 was 6.6 million, and that the results were also indicative of demographic and social impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the nation. The Central Statistics Office is the statistical organisation responsible for the gathering of "information relating to economic, social and general activities and conditions" in Ireland. It uses the National Census, which is held every five years, to guide their findings and predictions. The CSO also made headlines recently when it was nominated by the Cork Digital Marketing Awards in 2 categories: Best Use of Twitter (Employees 50+) and Best Social Media Campaign. With Schools due to re-open late in August, Junior Cycle and Leaving Cert Students will no doubt be thinking of what lies ahead for them over the next 10 months or so in terms of exams and how they can be best prepared. One of the questions we commonly get asked at ExamCast.ie is How do you create an effective study plan. So, what is a Study Plan and Why do You Need One? A study plan is and organized schedule outlining your study times and learning goals. Having an effective study plan in place is a great way to map out your revision plans week by week and hold yourself accountable for your own learning outcomes. ExamCast.ies Expertise ExamCast.ie offer past-paper video solutions for exam questions across a range of subjects with some courses available in Irish also. ExamCast.ie content is written by experienced teachers, authors, and publishing consultants. This level of expertise puts them in the perfect position to advise students on how to plan their study effectively in advance of the exams. Tips on How to Create an Effective Study Plan Use a Weekly Study Template Using a weekly study plan template is a great place to help with your exam revision. There are plenty of templates available online. Visit ExamCast.ie/Resources to download our Free Weekly Study Planner. Write Down All Your Activities Each week make a note in your planner of all activities you must do e.g., attend training, music class etc. Once you have this done, plan your study sessions around your activities. This way when you attend these activities you will not be stressed-out worrying that you have missed valuable study time. Study Blasts Research suggests that 25 mins is the optimum time to study so one stays focused and maintains concentration This may vary slightly from person to person. Studying in short sessions such as this and giving yourself a break between each one is highly recommended. Focus on Tasks Instead of just writing down subject name such as Maths give yourself a specific task to do. This will give you more direction. For example, you may focus on Geometry and Trigonometry. Order When deciding the order of what you plan on studying it is a good idea to put the more difficult tasks first, so you work on these when you are more focused and energetic. Do Not Get Stressed Like any plan it has got to have some flexibility in it. No doubt, there will be weeks when you are busier with other chores, for example you may have extra homework to attend to or you may have more after-school activities on than normal. If you do not get everything done, do not stress out. You can catch up on what you missed out on later that week or spread it out over the next few weeks. Practice Past Exam Papers Practicing past exam papers allows you to get used to the structure of the paper and enables you to work on your time management skills. It will also help you understand the allocation of marks and the marking scheme. ExamCast.ie offer a comprehensive amount of video solutions to past exam papers. Check out The ExamCast.ie Blog Page for further information and sample videos. These Exam Tips are brought to you by ExamCast.ie. ROCHESTER, Minn. - America's longest war is officially over. All U.S. troops are out of Afghanistan, but there's still a lot of concern weighing on a lot of people. The last U.S. military plane departed Kabul's airport Monday evening, which was August 31st in Afghanistan, the deadline set by the Biden Administration. In the final hours of the withdrawal, at least five rockets were launched at the airport. They were unsuccessful, but Defense officials say the threat level remains high. Frank Miosi served in the Army for five years. His daughter followed in his footsteps and served as an Arabic linguist. His son-in-law experienced the Afghan war firsthand. Miosi explained he understands why the U.S. wanted to pull all of its troops. But he feels the Biden Administration could have made a smoother transition and did a better job at making sure no Afghan allies were left behind. Miosi said he's nervous for the women of Afghanistan as they just gained their freedom. And here in the states, he's hoping we're ready for anything. "We're so blessed, people don't get it. You look at Afghanistan, you look at Iraq, you look at countries all over the world, things that have transpired," he explained. "People don't even realize what's out there and I'm grateful for that. But there is an umbrella provided and sometimes I feel it is a bit taken for granted. But with 9/11, it is a statement time for some groups but hopefully, we're on top of our game." Miosi said America has the tools in the toolbox to keep this country safe. "For all our troops, obviously I want safety. One life lost is too many," he explained. "The call, the mission to finds what's going to transpire - I understand that. But if lives have to be lost, it is not needlessly." Defense officials say the State Department will now take the lead. More than 6,000 Americans have been evacuated and officials estimate that a few hundred are still there. Ahead of the withdrawal deadline, the Biden Administration said more than 122,000 people have been evacuated from Afghanistan. CHICKASAW COUNTY, Iowa - The scene of a train derailment in Chickasaw County has been downgraded from an emergency scene to an industrial worksite. Authorities said Tuesday that that crews removed 4,900 gallons of aqueous ammonia from a damaged tank car. The ammonia does not pose a threat to public health. Four remaining tank cars of anhydrous ammonia are intact and being staged for their contents removal. The New Hampton Fire Department has turned the location over to Canadian Pacific. The train derailed this weekend after significant flooding in the area closed roadways and flooded fields. AUSTIN, Minn. - An Austin man is facing felony first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges for alleged abuse of a child that began when she was eight. Peter Mee, 30, is facing five counts of criminal sexual conduct. Court documents state Mee began sexually abusing a girl when she was eight and it continued until law enforcement was contacted Aug. 26. Once placed under arrest, Mee immediately asked for a lawyer and did not make a statement. GARNER, Iowa Sexually abusing a child is sending a Corwith man to prison. Keith Michael Moss, 34 of Corwith, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after being found guilty on two counts of second-degree sexual abuse. Authorities say Moss has sexual contact with a victim under the age of 12 in March 2019. He received two 25 year sentences, which will be served at the same time, and Moss must spend at least 16 and years behind bars before becoming eligible for parole or work release. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Police in Des Moines are investigating the deaths of two people in separate incidents reported just hours apart. Police say officers were called around 8:15 p.m. Monday to a shooting on East 17th Street, where they found three shooting victims. Police say two of the victims were taken to a hospital with injuries, while the third was declared dead at the scene. About two hours earlier, police were called to an area along the Des Moines River by someone who reported an unresponsive man lying on the ground. Police say officers found the 43-year-old man dead and say his death was the result of a homicide. Police have not released the names of the victims. ROCHESTER, Minn.- The alarm clocks are going off, the binders and folders are looking brand new, and all of Rochester's high schoolers headed back to school for the first day of classes. To kick off the school year the seniors held a little pep rally to welcome the freshmen. "We feel really good about being back. The kids are really excited about being here," says principal Troy Prigge. This will be the first school year with full in-person learning since the start of the pandemic. Cecelia Backus is glad to be back in the building again. "I'm looking forward to seeing all my friends who I haven't seen in a couple of years and meeting new friends, meeting everyone since I haven't been in the building yet." Today was Backus's first time inside Mayo High School in over a year. Her father is happy to see his daughter return to a full school year of in-person learning. He took a break from work to drop her off. "It's been a while. She did online school all of last year so this is her first day back in a while. It's exciting and I think we're ready for a new challenge." Assistant principal Carrie Ekert Haakenson isn't just glad to be back herself. She's also thrilled her children will be receiving an in-person education again. "I do have a ninth-grader and a junior here at Mayo High School. They were ready to be back in person with their classmates. We set up lots of mitigation strategies to keep people safe and together. We really believe we're stronger together and want to make a great year for every student." All students and staff will be required to mask up. Tomorrow will be the first day for all RPS middle schoolers. From now until September 1, student conference days will be the drill for the elementary schools. WASHINGTON (AP) As the final five U.S. military transport aircraft lifted off out of Afghanistan Monday, they left behind up to 200 Americans and thousands of desperate Afghans who couldn't get out and now must rely on the Taliban to allow their departure. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the U.S. will continue to try to get Americans and Afghans out of the country, and will work with Afghanistans neighbors to secure their departure either over land or by charter flight once the Kabul airport reopens. We have no illusion that any of this will be easy, or rapid, said Blinken, adding that the total number of Americans who are in Afghanistan and still want to leave may be closer to 100. 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. American diplomats, he said, will be based in Doha, Qatar. We will continue our relentless efforts to help Americans, foreign nationals and Afghans leave Afghanistan if they choose, Blinken said in an address from the State Department. "Our commitment to them holds no deadline. Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, told reporters the U.S. military was able to get as many as 1,500 Afghans out in the final hours of the American evacuation mission. But now it will be up to the State Department working with the Taliban to get any more people out. McKenzie said there were no citizens left stranded at the airport and none were on the final few military flights out. He said the U.S. military maintained the ability to get Americans out right up until just before the end, but none of them made it to the airport. Theres a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure," said McKenzie. "We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out. But I think if wed stayed another 10 days we wouldnt have gotten everybody out that we wanted to get out. McKenzie and other officials painted a vivid picture of the final hours U.S. troops were on the ground, and the preparations they took to ensure that the Taliban and Islamic State group militants did not get functioning U.S. military weapons systems and other equipment. U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)the first female combat veteran to serve in the U.S. Senate released the following statement after President Biden ended the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. What a surreal and gut-wrenching reality: America left our own behind. The president broke our promise to American citizens and to those who bravely served alongside us. The Taliban is celebrating. Theres no doubt the very threats and terrorist organizations that brought us to the region some twenty years ago are more emboldened now. It is incumbent upon the president and this administration to be clear-eyed about what could result from this poorly planned and executed exit. The safety and security of the American people depend on it. The terror threat remains a major problem in Afghanistan, with at least 2,000 hard core members of the Islamic State group who remain in the country, including many released from prisons as the Taliban swept to control. Underscoring the ongoing security threats, the weapon systems used just hours earlier to counter IS rockets launched toward the airport were kept operational until the very last minute as the final U.S. military aircraft flew out, officials said. One of the last things U.S. troops did was to make the so-called C-RAMS (Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar System) inoperable. McKenzie said they demilitarized the system so it can never be used again. Officials said troops did not blow up equipment in order to ensure they left the airport workable for future flights, once those begin again. In addition, McKenzie said the U.S. also disabled 27 Humvees and 73 aircraft so they can never be used again. Throughout the day, as the final C-17 transport planes prepared to take off, McKenzie said the U.S. kept overwhelming U.S. airpower overhead to deal with potential IS threats. Back at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, watched the final 90 minutes of the military departure in real time from an operations center in the basement. According to a U.S. official, they sat in hushed silence as they watched troops make last-minute runway checks, make the key defense systems inoperable and climb aboard the C-17s. The official said you could hear a pin drop as the last aircraft lifted off, and leaders around the room breathed sighs of relief. Later, Austin phoned Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, who was coordinating the evacuation. Donahue and acting U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan Ross Wilson were the last to board the final plane that left Kabul. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details of military operations. Simply because we have left, that doesnt mean the opportunities for both Americans that are in Afghanistan that want to leave and Afghans who want to leave, they will not be denied that opportunity, said McKenzie. The military left some equipment for the Taliban in order to run the airport, including two firetrucks, some front-end loaders and aircraft staircases. Blinken said the U.S. will work with Turkey and Qatar to help them get the Kabul airport up and running again. This would enable a small number of daily charter flights, which is a key for anyone who wants to depart from Afghanistan moving forward, he said. ALBERT LEA, Minn. Albert Lea High School was locked down Tuesday morning after an adult male entered the school and refused to leave. Superintendent Dr. Mike Funk says the man entered the school around 8:30 am, when the doors were open for kids arriving for class. Dr. Funk says the man was stopped by a hall monitor and said he wanted to talk to school staff. The man was taken to the high school principal's office and Dr. Funk says when the man refused to leave, police were called and officers escorted the man out of the building. Dr. Funk says the whole situation lasted only five to seven minutes. The Albert Lea Police Department says the man, who is described as 26 years old and from Rochester, was taken to Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Albert Lea for a mental health evaluation. No further information on him is being released at this time. Police say no students were in danger at any point. The Freeborn County Sheriff's Office assisted with this incident. ROCHESTER, Minn. A man accused of fighting with police officers has been ruled incompetent to stand trial. Spencer Thomas Tlougan, 25 of Rochester, was arrested on April 18 after allegedly getting into a struggle with Rochester police. Officers were called to Valhalla Apartments on a report of someone yelling at a couple in the parking lot. The couple said they thought the man, Tlougan, had a gun. Police say when they located Tlougan in the 1900 block of Viking Drive a short time later, he kicked and spit on officers and had to be wrestling to the ground. Police say Tlougan was wearing a police-style belt with a collapsible baton and a can of mace. He was charged with three counts of fourth-degree assault. A judge then found Tlougan not competent to stand trial after a mental evaluation. CHARLES CITY, Iowa A Mason City woman accused of repeatedly burglarizing a rural Floyd County home is pleading not guilty. Sarah Sue Schilling, 40, is charged with three counts of third-degree burglary and one count of second-degree criminal mischief. Law enforcement says Schilling targeted the same home in the 1200 block of 215th Street several times between June 9 and June 15. Shes accused of forcing her way inside, damaging two safes, and stealing items. Damage caused during the burglaries was estimated to be over $1,500. Schilling is now scheduled to stand trial beginning September 16 in Floyd County District Court. ROCHESTER, Minn. - Riverside Central Elementary School welcomed back its students on Monday for the first day of school. While many of the Riverside Otters were excited to be back in class, the day came with some hesitancies as well. "I'm not ready yet," incoming third-grader Jada Jeter told KIMT News 3 as her mother Rita Flick dropped her off in the morning. Flick insisted that the return to school was a positive thing. "I think she's still adjusting. Coming back from quarantine and COVID over the year. It's just been a lot of changes for us. New school schedules, with the kids and everything. We're excited," she explains. "We function very much like a family here, so it's almost like a reunion the first day of school. It's exciting," says Principal Matt Ruzek. He spent the morning greeting families and students as they gathered around the school. He tells KIMT some parents he spoke with are ecstatic to return, and others are more apprehensive. "This has always been a safe place that I think there's trust built and there are lasting relationships that are here so I think that helps alleviate some of that, but it's still there," he explains. "We love your kids. We love them unconditionally. Our first and every obligation is to keep them safe and keep them happy and give them a chance to experience school like we want them to experience school; like they deserve to experience school." Other RPS elementary schools have their official first day on Wednesday. Today and tomorrow, they're participating in Step Into Learning, where students spend one-on-one time with teachers and staff. Longfellow Elementary, which operates on a 45-15 schedule, began the school year in July. ROCHESTER, Minn. - Tonight, the Rochester City Council held its regular meeting to discuss affordable housing and the potential of Rochester Mexican restaurant Los Jarritos to be put on probation - a meeting City Council President Brooke Carlson called "atypical." A proposal entitled Technology Park Phase 2 outlined the construction of 141 affordable multi-family units. The preliminary plan of this proposal was approved in January and tonight the City Council was asked to approve the site plan of the apartment units. The main topic of contention for the Council was the lack of parks and green space once the units were built. Council Member Nick Campion expressed his concern that families with children would have to cross busy roadways to access parks and that he, in good nature, could not support this proposal. Council Member Molly Dennis shares Campion's concern over the lack of green space but expressed Rochester's immediate need for more affordable housing options. "I also know from experience of families, mothers, and kids sleeping in their cars here in Rochester because they can't find any place to live," said Dennis. "Homelessness and people not finding affordable housing is a real thing." Technology Phase 2 was passed with a 4-3 Council vote. The other hot topic of the Council meeting addresses the proposal to place a probation on Rochester's Los Jarritos' liquor license. Since last November, nine incidents of underage drinking and assault have been reported at the establishment. The owner of the Mexican restaurant addressed the council and asked for the public hearing to be postponed until September 20, due to his lawyer being out of town and unable to attend the meeting. He then requested to put himself on probation until the September 20 meeting in hopes to keep the restaurant open. The request was denied by the Council. Council Member Kelly Kirkpatrick expressed that she both wanted to ensure they showed compassion to the Los Jarritos owner and the safety of the community. "This is a succession type of a business coming out of La Ploblana and we've got an additional business," said Kirkpatrick. "We are in a pandemic. These folks are trying to make a living with the business that they have. I understand we don't want anything more dangerous. I understand we need to keep the public safe." The Council also expressed thoughts on community safety, fair representation for all parties, and support of local businesses - especially during a pandemic. The City Council motioned to continue the discussion of placing the restaurant on probation until their September 20 meeting. MASON CITY, Iowa - U.S. Senator Marco Rubio made a stop in the River City Monday, as the Iowa GOP hosted a reception with the one-time presidential candidate at the Mason City Municipal Airport. Taking the stage alongside U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, the republican leaders lambasted President Biden's handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan. While acknowledging the decision to leave Afghanistan was made during the Trump Administration, Senator Rubio described the current approach from the Oval Office as 'incompetent and 'arrogant.' "This is not about leaving, it's about how you leave," Senator Rubio said. "Why the date certain? Because they wanted a press conference on 9/11, just like they wanted a press conference right before July 4th to be able to tell everybody the pandemic was over, the new freedom independence day. That was about, what, ten days before they told everybody you had to wear three masks?" Rubio continued, "This is so damaging to our country, so humiliating, so embarrassing on the world stage, and so immoral. But there's a lesson embedded in this... The next time someone tells you 'things in this country are so terrible, this country's so bad, our history's so bad' - there were people literally clinging to airplanes; Not necessarily to come here, but to leave there. We are so blessed, and I wish that had not happened to remind us how blessed we are to live in this nation. But it is one of the biggest, catastrophic occurrences of any presidency." While the next Iowa Caucuses are still years away, Rubio's appearance in Mason City raised questions about whether the senator is weighing a bid for the White House in 2024. Rubio, however, maintains he is focused on his work in the Senate, and winning re-election in the Sunshine State. "I'm here to be supportive, and ultimately, I don't know what the future will hold, what my life will look like in two years, not to mention four years from now. If I had described the world five years ago to any of you, you wouldn't believe half the things that have happened in the last five years," Rubio said. Jasper, TX (75951) Today Windy at times with rain likely. Potential for heavy rainfall. High 74F. Winds E at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Rain likely. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 68F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall may reach one inch. A healthcare worker treats a patient inside a negative pressure room in the Covid-19 intensive care unit (ICU) at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, Missouri, U.S., on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Hospitals in states where Covid-19 cases are once again surging are beginning to feel the strain in their emergency departments and intensive care units. Photographer: Angus Mordant/Bloomberg via Getty Images FILE - In this Dec. 10, 2020, file photo, Cooper Hanson, a substitute teacher at the Greenfield Intermediate School in Greenfield, Ind., is photographed in a classroom. Indiana schools reported more new COVID-19 cases during the last full week of August 2021 than at any previous time during the pandemic as the state continues to grapple with a surge in infections and hospitalizations. Biden gives a defiant defense of the withdrawal from Afghanistan: 'I was not extending a forever exit' COLE COUNTY Cole County Circuit Court Judge Jon Beetem upheld Governor Mike Parson's decision to end federal unemployment benefits on Tuesday. In May, Gov. Mike Parson announced the state would end federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits, effective June 13. Parson said the decision came as the state had hundreds of thousands of job openings and said it was an effort to encourage Missourians to return to the workforce. The announcement applied to six programs: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance; Emergency Unemployment Relief for Government Entities and Nonprofit Organizations; Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation; Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation; 100 Percent Reimbursement of Short-Time Compensation Benefit Costs Paid Under State Law; and Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation. Judge Beetem rejected the preliminary injunction request to reinstate the benefits, ruling that the plaintiffs "failed to show a probability of success on the merits." It also said the state does have obligations to enact traditional federal unemployment programs, but it does not have the same obligation when it comes to temporary benefits funded by the CARES Act. Federal unemployment benefits are set to end on Sept. 6. Missouri Jobs with Justice filed the lawsuit. The group sought retroactive payments for families whose situations have grown desperate since the assistance was blocked, according to its website. This was never about getting people back to work, Caitlyn Adams, executive director of Missouri Jobs with Justice, said on its website. This was about giving corporations more power and to force workers to work for low wages. The Governor hoped that by making Missourians desperate, they would return to low wage and unsafe working conditions. This unconscionable decision has caused irreparable harm for thousands of families harm we seek to mitigate today. Attorney General Eric Schmitt's office argued on behalf of Gov. Parson. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. As Missouris economy continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses are still struggling to hire workers for a large number of open, available jobs. Too often, businesses cant compete with the steady stream of federal benefits, Schmitt said in a news release. Todays ruling affirmed the legality of Governor Parsons decision to terminate these temporary benefits and will hopefully lead to the hiring of workers for businesses that desperately need the help. Gov. Parson responded in a tweet saying restarting extended federal unemployment benefits would have been detrimental efforts in returning Missourians to the workforce. "While businesses across Missouri are still facing workforce shortages, they have expressed how our move to end these benefits that were intended to be temporary has helped employ and retain new workers," Parson said. We applaud todays court ruling upholding our decision to end extended federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits in the state of Missouri.1/5 Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) August 31, 2021 The cancellations meant the end of the additional $300 per week federal supplement on unemployment assistance. Thats in addition to a $320 per week cap on state unemployment benefits. Missouri reported a 4.2% unemployment rate for July, with more than 32,746 initial unemployment claims filed for the month. One military veteran said he was laid off twice during the pandemic and now he is struggling to find a job that is compliant with his medical needs. "In interviews, I have to explain that I have a claim for disability with the VA, which means I have exams I have to go to. I can't miss them because I've been waiting on them for a year," the veteran said. He said he had applied for multiple jobs within the past month, but he believes his medical needs have caused a roadblock for potential employers. "It's hard to go to all of these appointments when you have a job. I had to get a spinal x-ray, and they said they could get me in tomorrow or the next appointment is 2 months down the road," the veteran said. "I can't come to my boss and say, hey I can't come in tomorrow." For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, The Kansas City Star. By Vitaliy Fen Vitaliy Fen, ambassador of Uzbekistan to Korea / Courtesy of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Korea It is a high privilege for me to address today the esteemed readers of The Korea Times on the occasions of the 30th anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence and the 29th anniversary of its establishment of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea. After gaining independence, Uzbekistan took a worthy place in the world community. Over the years, a great creative work has been carried out. Human honor and dignity have been raised, the people's well-being has been improved and the appearance of our cities and villages has been radically changed. Today, Uzbekistan is demonstrating a steady pace of development in all spheres, under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Effective multilateral foreign policy serves as an important factor for increasing the export potential and for expanding the economic opportunities of Uzbekistan. The foundation of bilateral relations between our states was laid on Dec. 30, 1991, when the Republic of Korea was one of the first countries to recognize Uzbekistan's independence. Subsequently, diplomatic relations were established on Jan. 29, 1992. The Republic of Korea is one of Uzbekistan's most reliable and time-tested strategic partners, as well as one of the largest investors in our republic. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, 16 meetings have been held at the level of heads of state. I especially want to note the historic state visit of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mirziyoyev to the Republic of Korea, which was held on Nov. 22-24, 2017, and determined new prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation. Within the framework of the visit, more than 60 documents worth more than $10 billion were signed in trade and economic, investment, financial, technical and other spheres. Of these, $4.5 billion are direct Korean investments. At the invitation of President of Uzbekistan Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in paid a state visit to our country on April 18-21, 2019. The fruitful negotiations of the heads of state were followed by a signing ceremony of bilateral documents. Presidents Mirziyoyev and Moon signed a Joint Declaration to form a Special Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea. Issues of climate agenda center of attention for Uzbekistan Regional course by Uzbekistan is symbol of renewal of whole of Central Asia System of political parties in Uzbekistan Documents have since been signed between the two governments and their ministries regarding the promotion and mutual protection of investments; the exploration of space for peaceful purposes; cooperation in science, technology and innovation; and the creation of the Uzbek-Korean center for cooperation in the health sector, among others. President Moon Jae-in walks during his state visit to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in this April 2019 photo. / Courtesy of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Korea On Jan. 28, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mirziyoyev held a meeting with the President of the Republic of Korea Moon via videoconferencing. Opening up the event and warmly greeting one another, the heads of states underscored that this meeting was the first summit for both sides in the new year. This fact once again testifies to the highest level of bilateral cooperation. As was emphasized, despite the consequences of the pandemic, the multifaceted relationship between Uzbekistan and Korea has continued to develop dynamically. Last year, the leaders of the two countries held two telephone conversations and jointly participated in the International Forum for Northern Economic Cooperation. Amidst the pandemic's complex conditions, the sides have ensured the implementation of large investments and trade projects. They have also launched new fields of cooperation. Among them, there is a unique project in the region: the modern children's multidisciplinary medical center, established in Tashkent, with the support and participation of South Korean partners. The President of Uzbekistan highly appreciates the tangible contribution of the Korean side to the international efforts in combatting the coronavirus and expressed deep gratitude for the profound practical support rendered to Uzbekistan in the prevention, effective treatment and rehabilitation of peoples so as to overcome the dangerous disease. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev takes part in the 2021 P4G Summit via videoconferencing. Courtesy of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Korea On May 30, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mirziyoyev, at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Korea Moon, took part in the second International Summit, "Partnership for Green Growth and Global Goals 2030" (P4G), in Seoul, via videoconferencing. The agenda of the two-day forum included issues such as: overcoming the consequences of climate change, recovering the environment, and ensuring carbon neutrality, as well as achieving the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals and implementing the provisions of the Paris Climate Agreement. The President of Uzbekistan outlined the key directions of the reforms being carried out in our country and shared his vision of the prospects for international cooperation in terms of environmentally sustainable development. President Mirziyoyev emphasized that it is necessary to unite the efforts of the entire international community to make effective decisions on green and sustainable development. Further strengthening of the cooperation between the two countries is being facilitated by consistently developing cultural and humanitarian ties, especially in the areas of education, medicine, tourism and sports. All in all, over the past 29 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Tashkent and Seoul have forged a genuine, strategic partnership and currently are closely cooperating with each other in terms of further advancing multifaceted cooperation in various fields and strengthening mutually beneficial bilateral relations that serve the interests of both countries and their people. In conclusion, taking this opportunity, I would like to wish to the esteemed readers of this reputed newspaper every success in all their endeavors, longevity and well-being. South Korean Defense Minister Suh Wook has met with Egypt's Military Production Minister Mohamed Ahmed Morsi during a visit to the country and agreed to expand defense industry cooperation between the two sides, his office said Tuesday. The meeting took place Monday after Suh arrived in Egypt for a two-day visit at the invitation of the country's defense chief Mohamed Ahmed Zaki Mohamed. He is South Korea's first defense minister to visit the Middle Eastern nation. During the talks, Suh said South Korea's defense industry could contribute to Egypt's push to modernize its military, according to the ministry. "The two ministers ... agreed to further strengthen their cooperation down the road to achieve tangible outcomes in the defense industry," the ministry said in a release, adding they decided to expand senior-level communications. On Tuesday, Suh will have talks with Zaki and pay a courtesy call on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi before flying to Oman for a two-day visit. (Yonhap) By Doyle McManus 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: He'd 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 Biden's 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 Afghanistan's terrified women. The administration's 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 president's 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 Islamic State in Afghanistan in retaliation for the group's bombing of Kabul's 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 isn't. What has moved down the list? Despite his rhetorical commitment to human rights, Biden has made clear that he won't 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. Bush's costly overreach in Iraq. The other central element of Biden's foreign policy is the degree to which it stems from domestic policy and the president's conviction that the United States can only be effective overseas if its economy and political system are strong at home. "We're 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. "We've got to prove that democracy works." Those are domestic goals as much as diplomatic ones. Biden often says he's 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, he'll deserve credit once the memory of last week's tragedies in Kabul begins to fade. But it's 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, we'll know it. ) is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times. This editorial was distributed by Tribune Content Agency. Doyle McManus ( doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com By John J. Metzler The warning flags were clearly there but Team Biden chose not to heed them. A top secret State Department memo in mid-July, cited by the Wall Street Journal, signaled swift advances of the Taliban and the impending collapse of the Afghan military. Nobody seemed to notice? Let's offer a sobering assessment of a deteriorating situation. Bagram Airbase: The disastrous pullout from Bagram in early July was a catastrophic mistake by the U.S. Why would we withdraw from our most secure and versatile air and supply hub just north of Kabul the capital? Why would we leave in the dead of night, only to tell the Afghans it was theirs to run? First came looters, then the Afghan army and now the Taliban! Billions of dollars in military supplies and munitions fell into the hands of the Taliban. Blackhawk helicopters, armored Humvees, drones now all waiting for buyers in the international arms market. So who signed off on Bagram? The Bagram Airbase pullout created an inflection point from where the threads of the entire fragile mission unraveled quickly. The Afghan military plainly saw the writing on the wall. What little morale there was evaporated into a pathetic cut-and-run mission cascading like dominos throughout provinces across the country. This is not a U.S. military failure nor largely an intelligence failure, but a clear and unmitigated political failure by an administration that misread the signals and blundered into an impasse at the Kabul airport where thousands of Americans and Afghan allies are marooned. More than 6,000 exceptionally trained and tough American troops are bottled up inside while we sort out chaotic departures with the Taliban. And this is OK? What are our NATO allies saying? European countries were a vital part of the military and reconstruction mission. Countries like France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands along with Canada provided troops and economic assistance. Yet, according to President Joe Biden, "I have seen no question of our credibility from our allies around the world." Significantly Armin Laschet, the likely candidate to succeed outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel, stated, "This is the greatest debacle that North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has seen since its foundation." Britain's Financial Times, long enchanted with the current administration, had the lead story, "Biden's Foreign Policy Fiasco." An opinion column by Simon Tisdall in the left-wing Guardian gushed, "After Afghanistan, the pax-American is over; as is NATO. About time too." "Afghanistan is the biggest foreign policy failure since Suez (1956)" tweeted Tom Tugendhat, a military veteran and chair of the U.K. parliament foreign affairs committee. In Prague, Czech President Milos Zeman said that, "by withdrawing from Afghanistan, the Americans have lost their status of global leader." The list continues. So who profits? Obviously the jihadi international who now have their capture of Afghanistan as a crown jewel and just in time for the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks! The timing and the nuance of this U.S. policy debacle remains stunningly serious. It's unmistakable that Terror LLC has had its best year since 2001. China which borders Afghanistan wishes to get in the Taliban's good graces and Afghanistan's resources. Beijing's Foreign Minister Wang Yi met the Taliban in China just weeks ago. But can an atheistic regime like China really embrace the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban? Maybe a transactional marriage of connivance but communist China's mistreatment of its own Uighur Muslim population hardly makes a strong case for the Belt and Road stopping in Kabul. Pakistan is a real winner here. Traditionally having supported the Taliban, Pakistan shares a long border, religious ties of Islam and a common ethnicity along the border, thus is well-poised here. Pakistan's shadowy ISI, a parallel military security apparatus, has supported the Taliban after first taking handfuls of cash from Washington; recall Osama Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan. Pakistan's press has largely been gleeful over the Taliban takeover but warns the group to play nice and gain international support and is quietly nervous over its spillover effect into Pakistan. Refugees Redux. Here we go again. After the calamitous refugee movement on Western Europe in 2015, where Germany and Sweden accepted over 1 million Syrians and others, the Afghan surge is about to begin. Watch Turkey here. Strongman Erdogan, not wanting to expand the more than 4 million refugees already inside Turkey, will shake down the Europeans for a deal lest he open the floodgates. Turkey won't become Europe's "refugee warehouse," he warned. Former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair however offered a stunning rebuke saying that Joe Biden's decision to pull out of Afghanistan was "Imbecilic dangerous and unnecessary." Clearly it's not the planned withdrawal but how it's being done. John J. Metzler (jjmcolumn@earthlink.net) is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of "Divided Dynamism The Diplomacy of Separated Nations: Germany, Korea, China." Angola, IN (46703) Today Mostly sunny skies this morning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. High around 85F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 59F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Auburn, IN (46706) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Heavy thunderstorms during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 59F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) The Oregon Health Authority reported on Tuesday that there are 43 available adult ICU beds out of 674 total (6% availability) and 298 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,288 (7% availability). The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 1,162, which is 42 more than Monday. There are 322 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit beds, which is six more than the previous day. OHA reported 43 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the states death toll to 3,198. Oregon Health Authority reported 2,414 new cases bringing the state total to 276,287. The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported are in the following counties: Baker (12) Benton (47) Clackamas (149) Clatsop (8) Columbia (22) Coos (87) Crook (45) Curry (14) Deschutes (137) Douglas (178) Gilliam (1) Grant (7) Harney (21) Hood River (3) Jackson (118) Jefferson (27) Josephine (112) Klamath (87) Lake (18) Lane (170) Lincoln (8) Linn (169) Malheur (73) Marion (188) Morrow (6) Multnomah (210) Polk (94) Tillamook (22) Umatilla (86) Union (12) Wallowa (7) Wasco (30) Washington (148) Yamhill (98) Emergency room doctors in Oregon are asking people to be safe this Labor Day weekend amid rising COVID-19 cases and hospitals inching closer to capacity. FOX 12 spoke with Dr. John Moorhead, who works in the emergency department at Oregon Health & Science University and at Doernbecher Children's Hospital. He says they, like other hospitals in the state, are stretched thin and they're asking Oregonians for help. "This is my 44th year doing emergency medicine in Oregon and I've never seen our hospitals and our emergency departments so overwhelmed as we've seen in the last few months," Moorhead said. MORE: FOX 12's continuing local coronavirus coverage SALEM, OR (KPTV) - Starting Friday people in Oregon will have to wear a mask in most public outdoor settings. This new rule applies when you cant maintain physical distance from others, who are outside of your household. One big event going on right now that requires a mask is the Oregon State Fair. It was canceled last year because of the pandemic, but now officials say the fun is making a comeback. FOX 12 spoke with Dave Thompson from the fair who says its been exciting watching the place fill up. He says pre-pandemic theyd typically see between 300,000 to 350,000 people over the course of 11 days. They wont know what attendance will be like this year until they see what happens this weekend. They are encouraging people to get vaccinated before coming to the fair but do have the option to roll up your sleeve and get the vaccine there. Outdoor mask mandate takes effect in Oregon Masks are now required in most outdoor settings in Oregon effective Friday. The fair has partnered with Salem Health and the Oregon Health Authority. All three vaccines Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson are available at Cascade Hall. Thompson says to stay with your group and socially distance from others as much as possible. Bottom line he says they want everyone to be safe and have fun. The level of excitement for just being able to open the gates I cant even tell you how cool that is in 160 years this fair has only closed three or four times and two of them were for World Wars so last year was a real, it was a sad time and were so excited and thats why the slogan is Fun Makes a Comeback, Thompson, said. He says they will talk to people if they are not wearing a mask and take that on a case-by-case basis. Thompson says is someone refuses to wear a mask, worst case scenario that person will be asked to leave and they will be backed by Oregon State Police who are on site. The fair has four new rides this year, 48 total. They have an illusionist and magician walking around. Fried smores are new this year too. It runs through September 6 so there is still plenty of time to get out here and enjoy it all. Here is a collection of articles of Hurricane Ida's approach, impact, and aftermath. These are two of the campers evacuees have parked at Cypress Black Bayou Park. (Photo by Gerry May, KTBS TV) Elderly man killed by alligator in Slidell as his wife tried unsuccessfully to save him THE PUNISHING PATH OF IDA: Map shows Hurricane Idas track through southeast Louisiana and some of the devastation left in its wake (By Dan Swenson, Graphics Editor, The New Orleans Advocate) BILLINGS - Some school officials and county health departments are dropping quarantine orders altogether because of a new Montana law. However, the law is confusing because it differs from CDC guidance for people exposed to COVID-19. House Bill 702 is a law that prohibits discrimination based on a person's vaccination status or possession of an immunity passport. Doctor Anthony Johnstone at the University of Montana explains the language. "It's a first of its kind human rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis on one's vaccination status," Dr. Johnstone said. But it's causing some confusion on how to approach COVID-19 quarantine rules, specifically in schools. It's pretty straight forward when it comes to jobs: Employers can't discriminate if employees, such as teachers, aren't vaccinated. "So, employees of schools are still covered by house bill 702," Dr. Johnstone said. But it's a little different for students. "With respect to pupils, the law, in subsection two of its first section says that it doesn't apply to those vaccination requirements," Dr. Johnstone said. Here's the conundrum some officials around the state are wrestling with: Some state and county officials say the law means unvaccinated people cant be required to quarantine after a COVID exposure, unless vaccinated people are too. Right now, the CDC says only people that don't have the vaccine should quarantine if they're exposed to the coronavirus. Many schools were planning on just following the CDC guidance. On the Billings Public School's website, it says if you're a close contact with someone who has COVID, you do not have to quarantine if you are fully vaccinated and don't have symptoms. If you're not vaccinated, you must self-quarantine. According to Dr. Johnstone, the rules are different for schools. "The exceptions to 702 for schools apply only to requiring vaccination as a condition of attendance and would not apply to differential treatment of students or employees based on their vaccination status," Dr. Johnstone said. A political science professor at MSU Billings thinks there could be serious fallout in schools because of this law, especially if teachers are not vaccinated. "If the teachers are all sick, who's going to teach the children? If the other staff are all sick, who's going to assist the teachers?" Professor Paul Pope said. He's confident court battles are looming. "They're probably going to have to make decisions to save lives, and politicians are going to try to keep schools going because they're trying to keep parents at work and they're trying to keep the economy rolling without any assistance from the government," Pope said. BILLINGS - Anyone renting a home in the Magic City over the past couple years may have felt the stress of their rent steadily increasing. We met with a local non-profit to see how the rising cost to live in Billings is affecting families on the brink of homelessness. "You can't pay 60, 70, 80% of your income on rent and still have money for gas and food and clothing," Felicia Burg, the Development Director for Family Promise of Yellowstone Valley, said. "Historically, the number one cause of homelessness in our community is affordable housing" Family Promise of Yellowstone Valley is a non-profit that combats community homelessness by working with families to sustain their independence. According to Burg, 45% of their clients using emergency shelters in 2020 were full time employees. "When families are down to where every dollar counts, especially when they are in a crisis situation like homelessness, 50 dollars is huge, 50 dollars could be their monthly budget for gas," she said. In the past year, $50 was the average increase for renting a two bedroom in Billings, according to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Burg says those residents need to make at least $22 an hour to afford their living expenses. "In our community, there's not a whole lot of jobs that are paying 22 dollars an hour, and then when you look at families that are larger, you have three, four children in your custody... a two bedroom just might not cut it and then your looking at 12... 1,500 dollars a month, and you're still making that nine dollars an hour which does not cut it," Burg said. For those who need some support, Burg says their organization helps clients with financial planning to help their families thrive. She also asks the community to help break down the stigma of what it mean to be homeless, and show compassion for those struggling in the community. "The families that we bring in and the families that we're talking to, they're working hard, they're working a full time job and taking care of their children and often doing it without a stable place to call home," she said. You can learn more about Family Promise by visiting their website at https://www.familypromiseyv.org/. SAN FRANCISCO & DOHA, Qatar--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 31, 2021-- Eat Just, Inc., a company that applies cutting-edge science and technology to create healthier, more sustainable foods, announced today that it has partnered with Doha Venture Capital (DVC) and Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA), to build the first-ever cultivated meat facility in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) region. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005602/en/ GOOD Meat cultivated chicken (Photo: Business Wire) The regional hub will be located in the Umm Alhoul Free Zone, one of two free zones overseen and regulated by QFZA, with direct access to Hamad Port. The hub will initially comprise a large-scale facility for Eat Justs GOOD Meat division, which created the worlds first-to-market meat made from animal cells instead of slaughtered livestock. There are plans to add a protein processing facility for JUST Egg, the companys plant-based egg division. The hub will be staffed with research and development, engineering and business development professionals. This is DVCs first investment in the protein innovation space and the forthcoming meat facility will be a first for QFZA, which is focused on bringing together leading global companies using innovative technologies to build a more sustainable future. ABG, LLC and Alvarium Investments Ltd. advised on the transaction. The Qatar Free Zones Authority and the Ministry of Public Health have indicated their intention to grant regulatory approval for GOOD Meat cultivated chicken very soon and have formally granted an export license for the pioneering product. The GOOD Meat team is currently identifying restaurants in Qatar that would be ideal launch partners for this historic moment in the Middle East. Our team is grateful to take the next step in our global expansion in the Qatar Free Zones. Their commitment to accelerating our work in building a more sustainable food system was apparent from day one of our dialogue and we're expecting to look back decades from now on this partnership with them as key to how we made that vision a reality," said Josh Tetrick, co-founder and CEO of Eat Just. Eat Just is a highly innovative company with a bright future, and were pleased to be one of the investors in the company and welcome them to Qatar Free Zones. This partnership is a prime example of our commitment to supporting high-growth disruptors as they develop technologies that will change the world, while helping them take advantage of the many opportunities here in Qatar and across the region, said DVC CEO Mohammed Al Abdulla. At QFZA, we help companies cut through the noise to rapidly establish and grow efficient operations, using Qatars unparalleled connectivity and access to expand worldwide. Were particularly focused on companies shaping the future of their industries, and Eat Justs team is doing just that. Our free zones are characterized by innovation, technology, accelerated growth and environmental awareness, and Eat Just is a natural partner across all four of these areas. Our food, agritech and biomedical sectors continue to grow rapidly, supported by the world-leading cold chain storage capabilities of our airport and port, and we look forward to working with Eat Just as they establish and scale in the region and worldwide, said Lim Meng Hui, CEO of QFZA. Eat Justs attention to the Middle East comes as the company seeks to bring its award-winning JUST Egg products to retailers, restaurants and other foodservice destinations around the globe. In the United States, JUST Egg is the fastest growing egg brand and 1.2 million American households have made it No. 1 in loyalty within branded eggs. The company has sold the plant-based equivalent of 160 million eggs to date, and in the first half of 2021, celebrated record-breaking grocery sales. Todays announcement follows Eat Justs successful commercialization of GOOD Meat in Singapore, as well as its commitment to build a large-scale protein facility in Singapore. Since securing the first-in-the-world regulatory approval for cultivated meat and making it available on restaurant menus and via home delivery in Singapore, top industry executives, world-renowned scientists and academics and leading media organizations have lauded GOOD Meats milestones as the beginning of a transformative new phase for the global food system. The company enthusiastically welcomes Qatar as a partner in this fast-moving and critically important sector as the country continues its rapid transition from depending on food imports to achieving self-sufficiency across many food sectors, and strengthens its position as a leading global hub for technological innovation. About Eat Just, Inc. Eat Just is a food technology company with a mission to build a healthier, safer and more sustainable food system in our lifetimes. The company's expertise, from functionalizing plant proteins to culturing animal cells, is powered by a world-class team of scientists and chefs spanning more than a dozen research disciplines. Eat Just created Americas fastest-growing egg brand, which is made entirely of plants, and the worlds first-to-market meat made from animal cells instead of slaughtered livestock. The company has been recognized as one of Fast Companys Most Innovative Companies, Entrepreneurs 100 Brilliant Companies, CNBCs Disruptor 50 and a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer. JUST Egg has been named among Popular Sciences 100 Greatest Innovations and Fast Companys World Changing Ideas and the history-making debut of GOOD Meat was heralded as one of 2020's top scientific breakthroughs by The Guardian, Vox and WIRED. For more information on JUST Egg, visit https://ju.st. For more information on GOOD Meat, visit http://goodmeat.co. About Doha Venture Capital (DVC) Doha Venture Capital (DVC) focuses on investing in and attracting SMEs in strategic sectors, particularly companies developing advanced technologies, to take advantage of the growth opportunities in Qatar, the MENA region and the world. DVC partners with high-growth disruptive companies, providing them capital and access to Qatars domestic and global network, while targeting sustainable financial returns. For more information on DVC, please visit https://dvc.qa/ About Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) started its operations in 2019 and it oversees and regulates world-class free zones in Qatar. QFZA offers outstanding opportunities and benefits for businesses seeking to establish operations and expand regionally and globally, providing quality infrastructure, a skilled workforce, 100% foreign ownership, tax exemptions and partnership opportunities with Qatari entities. For more information on QFZA, visit https://qfz.gov.qa/ View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005602/en/ CONTACT: Andrew Noyes press@ju.st KEYWORD: NORTH AMERICA UNITED STATES QATAR MIDDLE EAST AFRICA CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: RETAIL AGRICULTURE NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH SCIENCE FOOD/BEVERAGE SOURCE: Eat Just, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2021. PUB: 08/31/2021 09:00 AM/DISC: 08/31/2021 09:02 AM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005602/en U.S. SENATE - On Monday, Senator Steve Daines met with Montana veterans, including several who served in Afghanistan. He also released a statement regarding President Joe Biden's withdrawal of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Today, I had the honor to sit down with several Montana veterans, including many who fought in Afghanistan, to hear their thoughts on President Bidens failed withdrawal from Afghanistanthey are outraged and ashamed, Sen. Daines said. At the same time our meeting wrapped, Americas last flight left Afghanistan, even though we still dont know the total number of Americans trapped behind enemy linesits unforgivable. The American people, our troops and all of our veterans, especially those who fought in Afghanistan to defend our homeland and make the world a safer place, deserve better. I will do everything I can to hold President Biden accountable. Sen. Daines heard from veterans who shared stories from their time serving in Afghanistan. As stated in a release, Sen. Daines made clear that bad policy decisions of the Biden administration do not diminish the years of service and sacrifice these Montana heroes spent defending America. Following the housing and eviction crisis in the United States, Attorney General Merrick Garland sent out a call to action to the legal community, asking them to help those in need of assistance. "The legal profession is well positioned to provide support for tenants, landlords and courts during this crisis," AG Garland said. "Ensuring that our justice system delivers outcomes that are fair and accessible to all without regard to wealth or status is one of the highest ideals of our profession." Garland went on to ask for volunteers to help local legal aid providers or for people to join a law school clinical program. Garland says you can also volunteer through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website to help those in need. DILLON, Mont. - The Montana National Guard State active duty personnel and Northern Rockies Incident Management Team #5 are helping fight Alder Creek, Trail Creek, and Christensen Fires. As of Sunday, over 64,000 acres of land has burned throughout the Big Hole Valley. Incident Commander Northern Rockies Team #5, Joe Sampson said, "Trail Creek, Christianson and Alder Creek Fires are running west to east from basically the Continental Divide and our border with Idaho over to Wise River so it Wisdom and Wise River are the main communities closet to the fire. The first fire started July 8 and right now the largest fire which has burned over 39,000 acres is the Trail Creek fire. Sampson said all three fires were started by lightning. Last week, a new group of Montana National Guards did their red card training and joined the crews at the base camp and fire lines. National Guard Officer, Captain Lloyd Tangen said, Right now we are doing camp support which includes a lot of supplies more logistics support, and any other support that is needed to help assist with the fire operations. Currently, there is over 400 personnel working on the fire lines. On Sunday, crews at the Trail Creek fire spent their day working on the line doing suppression repair and searching for remaining hot spots from the fire. ROME, AUG 31 - Workplace accidents in Italy rose 8.3% to 312,762 between January and July of this year, accident insurance agency INAIL said Tuesday. Some 677 of them were fatal, a fall of 5.4%, the agency said. Professional pathologies were up 34.4% to 33,865. The monthly data are provisional and strongly affected by the COVID emergency, said INAIL. Italy is in the middle of a spate of fatal workplace accidents which has spurred calls to raise workplace safety. An Italian lorry driver was crushed by own truck while he was unloading goods near Turin on Monday. 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. 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 continued this month. 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). ROME, AUG 31 - Italian anti-vaxxers posted death threats against Foreign Minister and 5-Star Movement (M5S) bigwig Luigi Di Maio in Telegram chat rooms on Tuesday. "Another rat to be executed", "we need lead", and "you must die", were some of the messages. Di Maio is among those who have become the target of anti-vax hate after statements in favour of Italy's vaccine rollout. He said this week "the whole political spectrum, and more, must condemn the violence we are seeing on the part of the so-called No Vax, who are protesting in unacceptable forms. "I appeal to all political forces too: you must not fuel the flames". Rightwing leaders like the League's Matteo Salvini have said that while they condemn violence, they understand the anti-vaxxers' anger and no one should be forced to get the COVID jab. There have been a number of violent protests and other incidents involving anti-vaxxers in Italy recently. On Sunday night a top virologist, Matteo Bassetti, 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". Bassetti, an expert in infectious diseases at Genoa's San Martino Hospital, appears regularly on Italian TV and urges people to get the COVID jab. 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 will become obligatory for domestic air and long-distance rail travel, as well as schools, on Wednesday. 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". The interior ministry said the right to protest was guaranteed in Italy, but not that to make threats. Trade unions came out against the anti-Green Pass protest movement Tuesday by saying they were firmly against trains being blocked by anti-vax passengers who did not have the passport on them. "The risks inherent in such a protest are evident and measures must be taken to protect users and staff," said the unions, Filt-Cgil, Fit-Cisl and Uiltrasporti. "Freedom of transport is a Constitutional right and those blocking it in the name of the supposed right not to be vaccinated should be punished by the law". They said "we hope there will be a rethink about these protests". There are set to be a rash of demonstrations against the Green Pass in 54 Italian cities Wednesday. Social media have been inundated with the slogan "Enough dictatorships". Another popular post was "if they don't let us leave without the slavery passport the no one is leaving". The Green Pass is already compulsory for gyms, swimming pools, cinemas, restaurants and other indoor venues. (ANSA). ROME, AUG 31 - Calls for mandatory electronic-scooter helmets are rising in Italy after 13-year-old boy died in an accident near Milan on Monday, the latest in a string of such fatal accidents across the cuntry. Fabio Mosca lost his life when he lost his balance while speeding along in Sesto San Giovanni on the outskirts of the Lombard capital. Italy's association of driving schools said training courses, licenses and helmets should be made compulsory for electronic scooters and segways, just as they are for other two-wheeled vehicles. Politicians from across the spectrum called for helmets to be made obligatory. (ANSA). ROME, AUG 31 - Italy is to step up the fight against Italian sounding food fakes, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio told the AGM of food federation Federalimentare in a videolink with the Cibus fair on Tuesday. The government's plan for the extraordinary promotion of Italian products this year "envisages action to defend brands and quality and origin certifications , and to fight Italian sounding products" like Parmesan, he said. Di Maio said that "damaging practices, like Italian sounding (products), have reached worrying proportions, especially in the agri-food sector". The Italian foreign ministry, he said, was engaged in "an intense action of combating the counterfeiting of Italian goods on a global scale". In 2008 The European Court of Justice (ECJ) said Germany broke European Union rules by allowing the name 'Parmesan' to be used for a German cheese that mimicked Italy's glory Parmigiano Reggiano. Parmigiano Reggiano has the EU's Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status. The Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium has had to become increasingly assertive in defending its product's name from improper use. It first scored a key legal victory several years ago when it managed to stop an American cheesemaker from using the Parmigiano tag on its grated cheese. This was the fourth time in ten years that a US company had been forced to remove the label from its product. In 2003, Italy lobbied to have cloned American parmesan denied permission to export worldwide. The US product later failed in its bid to be admitted to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Codex Alimentarius. Parmigiano Reggiano continues to be sold in cloned versions in South America, Japan and Britain, while in France 'parmesan' refers exclusively to the Italian cheese. In Brazil a pirated version is marketed as Parmesao, while Argentina calls its fake parmesan Regianito. Online sales of classic Italian food and wine produce are booming but buyers should be careful of scams, a recent study warned. The sale of fake goods usually divides into two broad categories, the study noted. Firstly, there are goods that bear fake quality labels implying they have been manufactured to certain standards. This is apparently a particular problem for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, which has been plagued by those inferior clones over the years. The second category covers items labelled as coming from one geographical area but which actually come from another place entirely, such as a Pompeian olive oil made in California. The imitation of Italy's prime food products is on the rise despite efforts to ban inferior clones, the Foreign Trade Institute (ICE) said recently. 'Italian-sounding' products now rake in some six billion dollars in sales while the genuine articles only make about two billion dollars, said ICE, presenting the results of a survey of North American specialty food stores carried out with the Parma Chamber of Commerce. Some 97% of 'Italian' pasta sauces and 76% of canned tomatoes on the North American market are bogus, ICE said. The USA is now churning out 1.7 million tonnes of imitation cheese including 1.3 million tonnes of mock mozzarella, 120 million tonnes of pretend provolone, 111,000 tonnes of phony ricotta and 60,000 tonnes of pirated parmesan. Gorgonzola is sold as Cambozola in Germany, Austria, Belgium and Britain, where it is a favourite with foodies. Australia tries even harder to camouflage the name with its Tinboonzola. Two other cheeses, Asiago from the far north and Robiola from Emilia, are respectively cloned in Wisconsin and Canada. 'Danish Grana' can be found on US shelves alongside American versions of Parma ham and San Daniele ham. Other fakes include Californian-grown San Marzano tomatoes and pirated Chianti produced in Australia and the US. In Europe, food authenticity standards are more rigorously observed. Last year saw a threefold increase in European Union customs seizures of fake Italian products bearing quality labels. Italy has the highest number of EU seals of approval on its food and drink. (ANSA). ROME, AUG 31 - Italian anti-vaxxers posted death threats against Foreign Minister and 5-Star Movement (M5S) bigwig Luigi Di Maio in Telegram chat rooms on Tuesday. "Another rat to be executed", "we need lead", and "you must die", were some of the messages. Di Maio is among those who have become the target of anti-vax hate after statements in favour of Italy's vaccine rollout. He said this week "the whole political spectrum, and more, must condemn the violence we are seeing on the part of the so-called No Vax, who are protesting in unacceptable forms. "I appeal to all political forces too: you must not fuel the flames". Rightwing leaders like the League's Matteo Salvini have said that while they condemn violence, they understand the anti-vaxxers' anger and no one should be forced to get the COVID jab. There have been a number of violent protests and other incidents involving anti-vaxxers in Italy recently. On Sunday night a top virologist, Matteo Bassetti, 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". Bassetti, an expert in infectious diseases at Genoa's San Martino Hospital, appears regularly on Italian TV and urges people to get the COVID jab. Police said Tuesday that eight people had been cited for social-media threats against Bassetti over the last few months. 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 will become obligatory for domestic air and long-distance rail travel, as well as schools, on Wednesday. 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". The interior ministry said the right to protest was guaranteed in Italy, but not that to make threats. Trade unions came out against the anti-Green Pass protest movement Tuesday by saying they were firmly against trains being blocked by anti-vax passengers who did not have the passport on them. "The risks inherent in such a protest are evident and measures must be taken to protect users and staff," said the unions, Filt-Cgil, Fit-Cisl and Uiltrasporti. "Freedom of transport is a Constitutional right and those blocking it in the name of the supposed right not to be vaccinated should be punished by the law". They said "we hope there will be a rethink about these protests". Interior Undersecretary Carlo Sibilia said anyone blocking rail circulation Wednesday would be committing a crime and "we will have to be intransigent on this". There are set to be a rash of demonstrations against the Green Pass in 54 Italian cities Wednesday. Social media have been inundated with the slogan "Enough dictatorships". Another popular post was "if they don't let us leave without the slavery passport the no one is leaving". The Green Pass is already compulsory for gyms, swimming pools, cinemas, restaurants and other indoor venues. Ahead of the introduction of the mandatory Green Pass in schools, officials said Tuesday that schools can hire people to inspect the vaccine passport and use more than one access point to the buildings. (ANSA). PARMA, AUG 31 - A 15-year-old Italian boy stabbed a 42-year-old Bangladeshi grocer in the neck in a scuffle after he stole the day's takings in the shop near Parma Sunday night, police said after arresting the boy Monday night. The incident happened in the centre of the historic spa town of Salsomaggiore Terme. The boy entered the shop, picked up a knife from the counter and held it at the man's throat, forcing him to hand over the cash in the till, police said. Then, as the boy was making his getaway, the Bangladeshi man grabbed him by the hoodie and pulled him back, at which he lashed out and cut the man's throat. The man was taken to hospital in a serious condition but discharged on Tuesday morning after doctors gave him a few stitches. Doctors said the knife wound would have been fatal if it had been a couple of centimetres deeper. Police identified the boy from CCTV footage and arrested him in his home on Monday night. (ANSA). The Community Christian Church in Camdenton has donated two carloads of food to the Camdenton Buddy Pack Program. The Buddy Pack Program gives kids a backpack of food each Friday to help students struggling with food insecurity.The Buddy Packs go home with students each Friday in the Camdenton School Districts Dogwood, Hawthorn, Hurricane Deck, Osage Beach Elementary, and Oak Ridge Intermediate schools, as well as schools in Macks Creek and Climax Springs. The Camdenton R-III School District now has a Buddy Pack Food Pantry to serve the Middle School, High School, and LCTC students in need. A donation of $270 dollars can feed one kid, once a week for the whole school year. If youd be interested in participating, more information on the Buddy Pack Program can be found at www.sharefoodbringhope.com. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} But eventually, he plans to retire from his day job to concentrate fully on the balloon business. His hope is that, one day, he can turn the company over to the next generation. This is partly why he is always looking for crew members. Some crew members are like Trione quick converts to the sport of turning adults into children. Others have seen his balloon and simply want to be part of the fun. Three of his crew members were admirers when they were younger. He used to land in a field in the Lyons area and three little girls would run out every time he landed there and help him and his crew roll up the balloon and put it away after the flight. One day they ran out and sadly told him they were moving to Waterford and wouldnt be there to help him anymore. He told them when they got old enough, they could join him and be part of his crew. Even with over a thousand flights under his belt, Trione still acts like a kid. When he's not giving another balloon a kiss, he can be seen playing leap frog with other balloons in the air or he will radio another pilot asking if they want any Grey Poupon, a reference to the 1980s commercials for fancy mustard. ELKHORN Jennifer Hinkel, the 2021 American Honey Queen, will visit the area Saturday, Sept. 4, as part of her National Honey Month tour. She will participate in the Walworth County Fair with the Walworth County Beekeepers during her stay. Hinkel will give product demonstrations and educational presentations, speaking about the importance of honeybees to Wisconsin agriculture and how honeybee pollination is essential to the bee and society. She is expected to make appearances throughout the fair, including the honey spread contest judging. Queen Jennifer is the 24-year-old daughter of Bill Hinkel of Franklin. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she earned a bachelors degree in marketing with a certificate in entrepreneurship. Hinkel currently works for the Wisconsin State Fair and on her familys pumpkin and Christmas tree farm. As the 2021 American Honey Queen, Hinkel serves as a national spokesperson on behalf of the American Beekeeping Federation, a trade organization representing beekeepers and honey producers throughout the United States. One weekend, they reportedly asked to travel to Chicago to see the city. But they were told they couldnt leave because they had to work. They sat waiting in their trailer all weekend, but they were never asked to work, the affidavit stated. This was just one of the occurrences where they didnt believe they were free to leave. One of the workers said one day he was ill, but he was told if he didnt work he could return to Honduras. According to the reports, the workers were often threatened with deportation, including when one worker had to leave his post to go to the bathroom one day. Also, when the workers arrived they received their COVID vaccine and had side effects the day after, but they were told they had to still work. The workers direct supervisor was Rodriguez Oyuela, who had come over to the U.S. from Honduras on a work visa the year before, according to the report. A 48-year-old Lake Geneva man is facing several drug-related charges as a result of a traffic stop that occurred Aug. 24 in the Village of Fontana. Steven L. Rowe of Lake Geneva has been charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia after his vehicle was stopped for speeding. A police officer reported that during the traffic stop, he could smell the odor of marijuana coming from Rowe's vehicle. The officer reportedly asked Rowe if there was any marijuana, drugs or paraphernalia in his vehicle, and Rowe allegedly said "no." Police said a K9 dog from the Walworth County Sheriff's Office sniffed the vehicle and gave a positive indication that there was the presence of drugs. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Police said several drug-related items were found in Rowe's vehicle during a search including a: 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. 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. He admitted to being "very frustrated" this week with shipping container companies such as Maersk, who he and other toy industry insiders accused of taking advantage of the global shortage on freight containers by dramatically raising their prices. "The container that cost $3,200 last year is now $22,000," Larian said. "The installation of raw material and labor has gone up exponentially. We've seen a 23% increase in cost of product in China without the logistics. That is going to translate to higher prices with retail." Even after paying more to get his products to US shores, Larian said a trucker shortage is preventing him from getting his toys into warehouses and ultimately onto store shelves. "We've had hundreds of containers on 46 ships sitting in the ocean at the port of LA and Long Beach for the past 30 days," he said. "There are people to unload it, but there are not enough trucks to pick it up." The IDFA reports that dairy supports over 3 million jobs nationwide and generates over $41 billion in direct wages. Dairys overall impact on the U.S. economy is about $753 billion annually. Where do dairy exports fit into all of this? The last plane carrying Americans departed from Afghanistan on Monday, August 30, ending the longest war in U.S. history. Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, the head of U.S. Central Command, announced the completion of the U.S. withdrawal through a virtual briefing. McKenzie told reporters that the last U.S. plane, a "C-17," carrying "every single U.S. service member," left Afghanistan at around 3:29 p.m. (ET). The departure of the last plane and removal of the U.S. troops in Afghanistan met the August 31 deadline agreed by the United States and Taliban. In a statement on Monday, President Joe Biden expressed his gratitude to the service members who helped in evacuating Americans and Afghan allies out of Afghanistan. The president noted that the service members served with "unmatched courage, professionalism, and resolve." Joe Biden said he would address the nation on Tuesday about his decision to not extend U.S. presence in Afghanistan past August 31. But he noted that "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. Joe Biden said ending the mission was the best way to protect the lives of the U.S. troops and secure the civilian departures for those who want to leave the country in the weeks ahead. In an August 18 interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, Joe Biden said the U.S. military objective was to get "everyone" out, including Americans and Afghan allies and their families in Afghanistan. He noted that "if there's American citizens left, we're gonna stay to get them all out." READ NEXT: Another U.S. Military Drone Strike Kills Suicide Bombers in Afghanistan, Official Says Some Americans Remain in Afghanistan as U.S. Withdrawal Comes to a Close Although the last plane that departed Afghanistan marked the end of the U.S. withdrawal, some Americans remain in the South Asian country. "We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out," said McKenzie, adding that there's a lot of heartbreak associated with the departure. Although McKenzie did not provide details of how many Americans are still in Afghanistan, a senior State Department official said the number of Americans left in the country was under "250," adding that some Americans departed the South Asian country in recent years hours. McKenzie underscored that if the U.S. troops extended their stay for another 10 days in the country, they will still not be able to evacuate all Americans. "There still would have been people who would have been disappointed. It's a tough situation," he said. Although there were Americans left in Afghanistan, McKenzie assured that the U.S. will still evacuate them, as well as eligible Afghans, beyond the August 31 deadline. However, he noted that the administration would shift to a diplomatic operation headed by the State Department. McKenzie also emphasized that the U.S. also left equipment used to shoot down rockets, armored Humvees, and some aircraft. However, the general noted that the said equipment was disabled and essentially rendered inoperable. Taliban Celebrates as Last Plane Carrying Americans Leave Afghanistan Meanwhile, the Taliban celebrated the departure of the U.S. in Afghanistan. They fire their guns in the air to commemorate their victory against the U.S. "American soldiers left the Kabul airport and our nation got its full independence," Taliban Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said early Tuesday. As the Americans withdraw from the South Asian country, the Taliban now has full control over Afghanistan except for the mountainous Panjshir province, where a few thousand local fighters and remnants of Afghanistan's security forces act as a resistance. Although feared by most locals, The Taliban promised that they would allow women to attend school and work and rejected attacks on Afghans who worked for the former government, the U.S., or its allies. 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: Last Plane Carrying Americans Leave Afghanistan - From WKYC Channel 3 Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has blasted President Joe Biden, saying the administration should stop sending "unvetted" illegal immigrants to the state. In a five-page letter he sent Thursday to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, DeSantis suggested that the Biden administration send the illegal immigrants to other states that support the "reckless" immigration laws of the president, Daily Wire reported. The Florida governor said the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appears to be working hard at resettling illegal immigrants who have no lawful status. DeSantis said Florida continues to ensure that "criminal aliens" are not in their communities. The governor added that the Floridians accept responsible immigration, which serves the interest of the state and the American people. Ron DeSantis also said in his letter that Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have refused to fulfill their responsibility to impose immigration laws enacted by Congress. READ NEXT: Pres. Joe Biden's Administration to Speed up Asylum Processing for Migrants Amid Border Crisis Illegal Immigrants in Florida Florida Politics reported that Ron DeSantis wanted to know how many illegal immigrants have settled in Florida since the start of the Biden administration. The governor also wanted their contact information and their COVID status at the time of their arrival. Ron DeSantis blamed the peak of migrants coming to the U.S. on Biden's reversal of enacted immigration policies by former President Donald Trump. DeSantis said the Biden administration is releasing huge amounts of people into the country. A DHS spokesperson said in a statement that single adults and families are being extracted under Title 42. The spokesperson noted that Border Patrol agents gather biometric and biographic information, such as fingerprints, photos, and contact information, as part of the process. The Border Patrol then runs a background check to identify criminals or those who pose a threat to public safety, Fox News reported. The spokesperson added that many immigrants are voluntarily reaching out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to start their official processing. Border Crisis Immigration experts said that Mayorkas called the border crisis "unsustainable." However, they added that he was not taking immediate actions to respond to the crisis, Washington Examiner reported. Monica Weisberg-Stewart, the chairwoman of the Texas Border Coalition's (TBC) Committee on Border Security and Immigration, said there's a lot of frustration and with reason. TBC has asked the Biden administration to halt all immigration at the southern border. Weisberg-Stewart characterized it as a drastic move for the organization. She also indicated how troubled border communities are due to the daily releases of migrants onto the community. Weisberg-Stewart added that Mayorkas had vowed to hire 2,000 asylum officers. A White House official also said that the administration continues to return those who cross illegally to Mexican under Title 42. However, the administration is not returning most families as Mexico's unwilling to take back migrants who are not their citizens. The Supreme Court earlier rejected the Biden administration's request to put a hold on a lower court decision ordering to revive the "Remain in Mexico" immigration policy, formally called the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). READ MORE: Immigrant Children at Border Have High Chance of Staying in the U.S. This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Gov. DeSantis: Removing CRIMINAL Illegal Immigrants "Should be a Layup" - From The Hill Dubbed as the "Star Wars robot," the U.S. forces C-RAM shut down missiles fired by jihadist terrorists at Kabul airport while the U.S. troops were preparing for the last American planes to leave Afghanistan. Also called "R2 D2" by U.S. troops after the iconic Star Wars character, the C-RAM has a powerful machine gun that could fire up to 4,500 rounds in just a minute. CRAM: Centurion Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar Defense System Originally known as the Centurion Counter-Rocket, the Artillery and Mortar defense system or CRAM uses radar to detect, evaluate and take out approaching missiles. Aside from its power, another advantage of the "R2 D2" is that it could be controlled remotely. It could be operated and rotated up to 300 degrees at 115 degrees per second. According to Daily Mail, the CRAM was put into action Monday to take down five rockets launched at Hamid Karzai International Airport by terror group ISIS-K. ISIS-K has claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing attacks outside Kabul airport on Thursday, which claimed 170 lives, including 13 U.S. army service members. Based on the report of the Pentagon, Army General Major Hank Taylor said the C-RAM "successfully" took out one of the five rockets launched at the airport Monday, while the other three did not even make it to the airfield. However, the U.S. later admitted that one of the rockets launched by the terrorist group did manage to enter the airport that houses thousands of individuals each day. Luckily, it did not detonate. Taylor noted that they have assessed that the five rockets were in the air, but when CRAM countered the attack, three landed off the airfield with no effect. He also mentioned that the C-RAM was able to affect and thwart the attack. The one or the other rocket landed with no effect on the mission or any danger to our personnel. "The force protection C-RAM did work, it did engage and had an effect on the one, and then one did land in an area ... and it was not effective," Taylor noted. READ NEXT: Pres. Joe Biden Shoots Down Reporter's Question on Kabul Airport Security After Emotional Day Paying Respects to U.S. Troops Killed in Afghanistan 'Star Wars Robot': U.S. Army's Counter Attack Artillery The C-RAM was developed in 2004 to counter the attacks of the terrorists during the insurgency in Iraq. It is based on the Navy's Phalanx CIWS system. It has a far shorter range than the Iron Dome, the system that Israel has used in the past to shoot down rockets fired by Hamas in Gaza. The "Star Wars robot" was less effective, but it made successful missile takedowns and made itself known with a piercing drill sound. The Pentagon said the C-RAM was successful in neutralizing the attack from terrorists on Monday, who had fired the missiles at the airport's airstrip from the back of a vehicle. Burned-out rocket launchers were later found in the back of a car in the nearby location that apparently burst into flames after firing the missiles. READ MORE: Another U.S. Military Drone Strike Kills Suicide Bombers in Afghanistan, Official Says This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Jess Smith WATCH: Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar - CRAM Gun Test Fire - From AiirSource Military Actress and producer Sharon Stone posted a video tribute in honor of her 11-month-old nephew, River, on Monday, as she mourned his death after suffering a "total organ failure." Stone confirmed the death of her nephew on the same day. The baby died just days before his first birthday, The U.S. Sun reported. Stone's 11-month-old nephew was the youngest child of the actress' younger brother Patrick, who resides in Ohio with his three other children. READ NEXT: Ed Asner Dies at 91; 'Cobra Kai' Series Creators and Cast Pay Tribute to the Legendary Actor Sharon Stone Posts Video of Nephew on Instagram The model-turned-actress took to Instagram to pay tribute to their family's little angel. Stone's video featured her nephew having fun, smiling, and laughing while having a wonderful time. The actress used Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" as background music to the heartfelt video in her Instagram post. "River William Stone Sept. 8, 2020 - Aug. 30, 2021," Stone captioned the video. Without providing other details, the 63-year-old actress said her nephew was found in his crib with total organ failure. Several stars reached out to Stone offering their condolences and prayers for the soul of her nephew. "So sorry for your loss. Sending you all the love and peace that's possible," commented actor Billy Porter on the video. Actress Holly Peete also joined in and offered flower emojis and broken hearts. Television and theater actress Kristin Chenoweth also offered her thoughts, saying that the 11-month-old baby is now in the arms of God. The death of Stone's nephew came days after the actress used her Instagram account to ask for prayers. The actress shared a photo of her nephew lying in a hospital bed with many medical devices attached to the boy's body. Stone said they "need a miracle" for her nephew. River's mother, Tasha, also asked for prayers on her Facebook page in the previous week. The mother also did not disclose the cause of her son's condition, but she noted that the 11-month-old would not be the same when he wakes up from his coma. Stone's nephew is the latest member to leave their family. Last year, the actress revealed that his "adopted" grandmother and her godmother died from complications associated with coronavirus. Other family members also seem to experience health complications as she shared that her husband and her sister Kelly had lupus but eventually recovered. What Causes Total Organ Failure? The condition that took the life of Stone's nephew, a total organ failure, has no single cause. However, Kindred Hospital said that organ failure could be triggered by sepsis, an extreme response to an infection that prompts inflammatory chemicals to be released into the bloodstream. Apart from sepsis, birth defects and undiagnosed illness can also lead to pediatric organ failure. The said condition can also affect the six organ systems, namely the cardiovascular, respiratory, hepatic, renal, hematologic, and neurologic. The hospital noted that patients with signs of failure in any of the systems need "immediate clinical intervention" for them to recover. READ MORE: TK Trinidad's Top-Rated Show, 'Women's Wrestling Talk,' Now on FITE This article is owned by Latin Post Written By: Joshua Summers WATCH: Sharon Stone Asks For Prayers As 11-Month-Old Nephew Faces Organ Failure: 'We Need a Miracle' - From Access A new study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday showed that cases of heart inflammation among Pfizer and Moderna vaccine takers remained "exceedingly rare." The said data revealing the rare case of heart inflammation was released as the CDC further investigates the additional evidence on the safety of the vaccines since the rollout started in December. New CDC Study Reveals Heart Inflammation Remains Rare After Pfizer and Moderna Vaccine Shots According to reports, the CDC recorded at least 2,574 cases of heart inflammation following hundreds of millions of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. The data also showed that most of the affected were males under the age of 30, about a week after the vaccination. According to CDC, for every one million Pfizer vaccines administered among males aging 16 to 17 years, there would be 73 cases of heart inflammation. Furthermore, the CDC tracking revealed that the majority of the demographics affected by the heart inflammation recovered without persistent symptoms. "The risks that we're talking about the following vaccination is generally within seven days, but the benefits last for far longer than seven days," said Stanford University professor and Chair to the Advisory Committee, Dr. Grace Lee, adding that it is important for the country to look ahead. The data about the heart inflammation came as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fully approved the Pfizer vaccine on August 23, the same day President Joe Biden urged private companies to issue vaccine mandates. Apart from its full approval, the FDA also authorized the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use in 12 to 15 years old Americans. As of August 23, the CDC noted that around 70 percent of eligible Americans received at least one shot of the Pfizer vaccine. Meanwhile, 60 percent were fully vaccinated. READ NEXT: Pfizer, Moderna Booster Shots Will Be Available to the Public Starting Next Month, Biden Administration Says Vaccine Effectiveness Against Hospitalization Falls for Older Patients Over Time, CDC Analysis Reveals Although heart inflammation remained rare, a separate analysis from the CDC revealed on Monday that the effectiveness of vaccines against hospitalization wanes for older patients over time. The analysis revealed that adults over 75 years old showed waning protection against hospitalization, although it remained above 80 percent. Reports also showed that hospitalization among fully vaccinated people is rampant among American adults who are residents of nursing homes and those who have underlying conditions. Although the protection against hospitalization waned for people over 75, the CDC analysis revealed that the vaccine continues to present the same amount of protection from people up to the age of 75. Key CDC Vaccine Official Dr. Sara Oliver said that the effectiveness of the vaccines in preventing hospitalization remained at 94 percent or higher for adults aging 18 to 49 years old. The CDC said on Monday that they plan to have another advisory committee meeting that will take place in mid-September to discuss the additional shots ahead of September 20, when the Biden administration plans to roll out booster shots for eligible Americans. READ MORE: White House Weighing Vaccine Mandates for Domestic Air Travelers, Nursing-Home Workers as COVID Delta Variant Spreads This article is owned by Latin Post Written By: Joshua Summers WATCH: FDA to add Warning About Heart Inflammation to COVID Vaccines - From WION Authorities in Lancaster County in Pennsylvania have ruled the death of former child actor Matthew Mindler, who starred opposite Paul Rudd in the movie "Our Idiot Brother," a suicide. Sources with the Lancaster County Coroner's Office confirmed to TMZ on Monday that the manner of death of the 19-year-old former child actor has been ruled suicide. However, the sources noted that the cause of death is still pending toxicology results, Daily Mail reported. Ex-Child Actor Matthew Mindler Dies at 19 Matthew Mindler, who was remembered for his appearance in the 2011 "Our Idiot Brother," was a student at Millersville University in Pennsylvania. The university officials confirmed Mindler's passing on Saturday. The officials said the former child actor was found dead in nearby Manor Township. Mindler was last seen Tuesday and reported missing the following day. In a statement obtained by TMZ, the university said: "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." RELATED ARTICLE: Ex-Child Actor Matthew Mindler, Who Starred With Paul Rudd in 'Our Idiot Brother,' Vanishes After Walking Out of Pennsylvania College Dormitory Matthew Mindler's Last Appearance on University Security Camera After he was reported missing, a search had been underway for the former child actor since Thursday. The university said that Matthew Mindler was found deceased on Saturday morning, August 28, in Manor Township near campus. The former child actor was reported missing the next day after he didn't return to his dormitory room, failed to return the phone calls from his family, and skipped his classes. In a post on social media, the Millersville University Police said the former child actor was last spotted walking from the West Villages residence hall toward the Centennial Driver parking lot at around 8:11 p.m. on Tuesday. The security footage screenshot showed that Matthew Mindler was wearing a white Millersville University hooded sweatshirt with black stripes on the arm. The 19-year-old freshman was also wearing a black face mask, dark-colored jeans, and sneakers while carrying his black backpack. The university police have notified local police departments about Mindler's disappearance. Matthew Mindler In Front of the Camera According to the former child actor's IMDB page, Matthew Mindler had at least eight acting credits in films and television shows listed under his name. It included the 2013 short "Frequency" directed by his older brother and cinematographer, Derek Mindler. So far, his biggest role was in the comedy-drama "Our Idiot Brother." The movie follows Paul Rudd's character, an idealistic farmer who upends the lives of his three sisters, played by Elizabeth Banks, Emily Mortimer, and Zooey Deschanel. Matthew Mindler portrayed the son of Emily Mortimer and Steve Coogan named River. The last acting stint of Mindler was in 2016 when he last appeared in the TV movie "Chad: An American Boy." His acting credits also include "As the World Turns, Last Week Tonight" with John Oliver. READ MORE: Ed Asner Dies at 91; 'Cobra Kai' Series Creators and Cast Pay Tribute to the Legendary Actor This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Jess Smith WATCH: Former Child Star Matthew Mindler, 19, Found Dead After Missing - From Nicki Swift A 71-year-old man in Louisiana died in an alligator attack after the animal bit off his arm as he waded through the floodwaters brought by Hurricane Ida on Monday. The victim's body has not yet been found. Daily Mail reported that the alligator attack occurred in St. Tammany Parish in Louisiana. The man's wife called authorities and said that an alligator had attacked her husband. The man was staying in his shed, which was flooded with several feet of water, when the alligator attacked him. The wife said she pulled her husband from the water and left him by the stairs to call for help. However, the man's body was never recovered. His body was gone when his wife came back. Earlier in the day, the president of Jefferson Parish issued a warning about alligators lurking in Hurricane Ida's floodwaters. Jefferson Parish president Cynthia Lee Sheng said it seemed that the worst-case scenario has already happened. Two storm-related deaths have been confirmed due to Hurricane Ida, with officials saying that one man drowned after his vehicle appeared to have attempted to go through floodwater, according to a WDSU report. The sheriff's office in Ascension Parish reported that the other person also died after a tree fell on a home in Prairieville. READ NEXT: Hurricane Ida Makes Landfall in Cuba; Forecast to Hit Louisiana Next as Category 4 Hurricane Hurricane Ida Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards on Monday said the state focuses on search and rescue operations, ensuring that all the hardest-hit areas have been checked several times. Edwards noted that saving lives is the number one priority. He added that search and rescue efforts would continue as long as necessary. More than 5,000 National Guard members are working on the disaster response. Edwards said that Louisiana would be conducting a grid search of the hardest-hit areas, and to make sure that they do not miss anything, they will go back and do a secondary search. Extending Help to Louisiana Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Monday that he would deploy emergency resources to Louisiana, Texas Tribune reported. The state will send the hurricane-beaten Louisiana Chinook helicopter to help with the disaster efforts. Texas will also be sending 14 crew members, 30 fire engines with 132 firefighters. Abbott said Texas would never forget the kindness, generosity, and support offered by the people of Louisiana when Texas faced Hurricane Harvey four years ago. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden declared a major disaster in Louisiana and ordered federal aid for the state, tribal and local recovery efforts. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, KSLA reported. The assistance can also cover uninsured property losses. Individuals and business owners can also use it to recover from the effects of Hurricane Ida. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures nationwide. The state government has also asked for Individual Assistance and Critical Needs Assistance, particularly in areas severely affected by the storm. The Louisiana governor also requested Public Assistance Category A, Debris Removal, and Categories C through G for infrastructure damage in the state. READ MORE: Tornado Warning Issued in Chicago, With the Tornado Reportedly Touching Down in Dekalb County This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Louisiana Prepares for Hurricane Ida - From ABC News Mexico commemorates the International Day of the Disappeared on August 30, with thousands of people vanishing every year. Relatives and human rights activists accused the state of failing to act on the case of people who have disappeared, DW reported. Some of the disappeared victims were allegedly abducted to work for the Mexican drug cartels or smuggle drugs, while security forces arrested others with their trail not being found. Relatives of Missing People in Mexico Demand Answers Ten Yaqui indigenous ethnic group members had disappeared in Sonora state while driving cattle to an auction in July. Family members suspected that the disappearance of their loved ones was related to Yaqui's resistance to mining projects. A forensic team from the regional prosecutor's office is now looking for their bodies after receiving a tip revealing that some of the victims were buried in the desert outside Monterrey. In an event in Mexico City marking International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, a banner brought by families read "90,000+. Where are they?" Maria Teresa Valadez, one of the relatives who attend the protest, said this day cannot go unnoticed. Valadez's brother, Fernando, went missing in 2015 in the state of Sonora, AFP News reported. She asked why the government worry about other things and not forced disappearances. Finding the 90,000 people who disappeared in the last 15 years have not yet been solved. Relatives are the ones who often find the crime scenes. During President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's term, 4,960 disappearances were added to the list in 2020 alone. The Mexican president promised to help victims of the drug war and stop the bloodshed in 2018. However, he has yet to make good on his promise. Prosecutors registered only one out of three as crime victims of the 23,000 people who disappeared in Mexico since 2018. Washington Office on Latin America's Stephanie Brewer said that families have the right to be involved in the investigation and search. Brewer, however, noted that it does not mean the state should be putting the burden of the investigation on the families since it will put them at high risk. READ NEXT: Guadalajara Cartel Founder Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo Finally Speaks About Murdered DEA Agent 'Kiki' Camarena Mexico Government's Response on Forced Disappearances The Mexican government on Monday revealed a coordinating group for the launching of the Extraordinary Forensic Identification Mechanism. It also announced that the United Nations' Committee on Enforced Disappearances would visit Mexico for the first time when the pandemic allows. Head of the National Search Commission, Karla Quintana, said one of the biggest problems comes from the practices of the prosecutors' office themselves. Quintana noted that if there's no coordinated effort to search for people, it will be very difficult to fight this crisis. Quintana said there is more than 94 percent impunity for the crime of disappearing someone. She added that no sentences exist for human rights violations, together with the fact that there's a serious forensic crisis with thousands of bodies that have yet to be identified. Some of the incidents that attracted huge media traction include the disappearance of the 43 Ayotzinapa students, who remain missing since 2014. The Lopez Obrador administration reopened its investigation. The National Search Commission has a limited budget and functions, with the attorney general's offices must allow it to conduct geolocation operations and site inspections. The International Committee of the Red Cross's Director General, Robert Mardini, released a statement to commemorate the International Day of the Disappeared. Mardini addressed the loved ones of the victims of forced disappearances, saying they want them to know that they are not alone and their loved ones are not forgotten. Mardini said they would continue to do everything in their power to provide answers to the families of missing persons in Mexico. READ MORE: A Four-Part Docuseries About Enrique "Kiki" Camarena's Short Life This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: World: International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances - From TeleSUR English An Ohio judge has ordered a Cincinnati-area hospital to give one of its COVID patients a prescribed dose of Ivermectin, a drug commonly used to treat parasites in animals like a horse. While her husband has been on a ventilator at West Chester Hospital with COVID, a suburban Cincinnati woman won the court order. The said order was only one of a handful nationwide where courts have sided with the family members and forced medical practitioners into using Ivermectin, which is unproven to treat COVID-19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a warning not to take Ivermectin for COVID, saying it could cause serious health effects. According to Cincinnati Enquirer, Jeffrey Smith was brought to the West Chester Hospital in early July due to COVID. For weeks, the 51-year-old man was placed in the intensive care unit at the medical facility in Butler County. Wife Appeals for Emergency Use of Ivermectin Smith's wife sued the hospital after he was placed on a ventilator for 19 days. During that time, Julie Smith asked a doctor about using Ivermectin, and the doctor supported it. His doctor Dr. Fred Wagshul prescribed a 30 milligrams dose for 21 days, but hospital staff refused to administer it. On August 20, Julie Smith pleaded with the Butler County Common Pleas Court to allow the emergency use of Ivermectin for her husband due to his condition. After three days, Butler County Judge Gregory Howard ordered doctors at the hospital to "immediately administer Ivermectin" to Jeffrey Smith. It would be administered to Jeffrey Smith daily for three weeks based on the request of his wife, who acted as the guardian for her husband, court documents showed. According to Julie, her "husband is on death's doorstep and he has no other options." adding athat her husband's chances of survival had "dropped to less than 30 percent." Wagshul is a Dayton, Ohio-area pulmonologist and one of the founders of the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (FCCCA). This nonprofit group touts Ivermectin as both a preventative and treatment for COVID. The group also promoted "How To Get Ivermectin" that includes prices and locations of pharmacies that will supply the medicine, from Afghanistan to Fort Lauderdale to Pennsylvania to Sao Paulo, Brazil. READ NEXT: CDC Updates List of Places With Very High COVID-19 Travel Risks; 6 More Places Added, Including Tourist Destinations Bahamas and Morocco No Update Yet on the Condition of Ohio COVID Patient Neither the office of Wagshul nor the UC Health-run medical facility would give an update regarding the current condition of Jeffrey Smith as of Monday. They cited a federal privacy in health care law. Meanwhile, poison control centers have reported a five times uptick in calls related to the usage of Ivermectin, according to the CDC. Callers have reported significant symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and blurred vision. Originally developed to deworm livestock animals, Ivermectin, was a drug that was later used by doctors against parasitic diseases among humans. Some researchers even won a Nobel Prize in 2015 for establishing its efficacy in humans. According to a CDC report, in some cases, people have ingested Ivermectin-containing products that were purchased without prescription, including topical formulations and veterinary products. "Veterinary formulations intended for use in large animals such as horses, sheep, and cattle can be highly concentrated and result in overdoses when used by human, the CDC report stated. READ MORE: Fake COVID-19 Vaccine Cards Spread Online for College Students Attending in-Person Classes; Suppliers Believe it Could Save People From Poisonous Vaccine This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Jess Smith WATCH: "You Are Not a Cow:" FDA Pleads With Americans to Stop Using Ivermectin Against COVID-19 - From Global News Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider subscribing to our ePaper and/or free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. The determined persistence of a garda detective stationed in Portlaoise has played a key role in the seizure of more than 2.1 million worth of cannabis herb in Laois. The garda went to the scene of the discovery at a location parallel to the M7 motorway near the former Montague hotel. Gardai had received an alert about the suspicious nature of a delivery of a large amount of fresh vegetables to a premises which was not refrigerated and in an unusual location. On arrival at the scene the Garda set about investigating the contents of several pallets of vegetables. During the search the drugs were found carefully concealed in boxes of courgettes and peppers. The man subsequently detained had been living in Dublin but was of European origin. He continues to be questioned at Portlaoise garda station. There is also understood to be a European element to the drug smuggling operation but gardai are at the very early stages of the what looks set to be a complex investigation likely to have an international policing involvement. The premises had been rented out to by a local property under who gardai believe was not involved or had no knowledge of what the storage facility was being used for. There does not appear to have been any involvement either by those delivering the vegetables. Kildare Fianna Fail TD James Lawless has expressed his disdain for the British Government's proposed prosecution amnesty. His comments follow after the UK government last month announced plans to end all prosecutions in Northern Ireland for incidents up to April 1998, at the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. Deputy Lawless, who is also the Chair of the Oireachtas Justice Committee, took to his official Twitter account to criticise the proposed amnesty. Various politicians from around the country, including those allied with the DUP, the SDLP, the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland and Sinn Fein. He said: "I joined reps from across the island at Belfast City Hall today to express our unified opposition to British Government proposals to close down historic inquires and grant general amnesty." He doubled down on his views by adding: "Families of victims deserve the truth and to know what happened to their loved ones." I joined reps from across the island at Belfast City Hall today to express our unified opposition to British Government proposals to close down historic inquires and grant general amnesty. Families of victims deserve the truth and to know what happened to their loved ones. pic.twitter.com/AtUXKWXcXc James Lawless (@lawlessj) August 30, 2021 Deputy Lawless' comments have received a mix of both praise and criticism online. Deputy Lawless previously joined Clem Ryan of KFM on Tuesday's edition of the Kildare Today programme, where they also spoke about the recent meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence. There are plans to reopen a long-shut Monasterevin pub after the building was sold at auction recently. Matt Dunne, the Portarlington-based auctioneer, handled the sale of Bolands Pub, the imposing Victorian premises on the corner of Drogheda Street and Drogheda Row. According to the selling agent, the pub has been closed for the past 15 years but it has been very well maintained in the interim. A hub of activity in bygone years, as it was also the centre of a farming enterprise. The seller was the eminent New York-based physician Dr Paddy Boland. The building was bought by Kevin Hynes and his wife. Mr Hynes is the son of well-known publican Dessie Hynes, who once owned ODonoghues of Merrion Row in Dublin. According to Mr Dunne, it is Mr Hynes intention to reopen the building as a licenced premises. The asking price for the property was 325,000, and while the auctioneer did not confirm the amount it was sold for, he said his client Dr Boland was very happy with the price achieved. A man accused of robbing clothing and alcohol, including bottles of expensive brandy, was described as a man of discerning taste, by Judge Miriam Walsh. Before Naas District Court on August 26 was Vasile Robert Ion, 26, whose address was given as 59 Fernwood Avenue, Dublin 24. He faces allegations of stealing alcohol to the value of 527 and 377 from the Super Valu outlet at Athgarvan Road, Newbridge, on February 14 and February 18 2016. Read more Kildare news He faces a further allegation of stealing goods to the value of 783 from the TK Maxx store in Newbridge on February 16, 2016. All of this property was recovered. On hearing the brand names and value of some of the individual bottles of brandy, the judge commented that he was a man of discerning taste. Sgt Brian Jacob said the defendant took security items off the clothing and was stopped by security staff. Sgt Jacob added that the defendant has 14 convictions all but one of these occurred after these. All of the clothing was recovered. The court also heard that the defendant came here in 2015 and was put under pressure to pay rent and other bills. The theft was described as an act of desperation. The defendant, who has a partner and two children aged two and four, had previously worked in construction in Romania and intends to work in that sector here. Judge Miriam Walsh imposed consecutive custody terms of four months each. STAFF at Nenagh Hospital have welcomed the first patients through its new Heart Failure Support Unit after it was officially opened by the UL Hospitals Group. Among the first patients was local resident Timothy Ryan, who formally cut the ribbon at the refurbished facility. Timothy was one of the very first people to avail of the service when it first opened in the hospital back in 2012. Since then, the team behind the service has been providing specialist care and a chronic disease management programme to people with a diagnosis of heart failure. A large number of people from East County Limerick have attended the unit over the years. Thanks to significant financial support from the Friends of Nenagh Hospital and the HSE, the service now has a designated space in the outpatients department following a refurbishment and equipping project. There are over 90,000 people in Ireland who suffer from heart failure. Heart failure accounts for more than 7% of all hospital admissions; affects about 20% of those over 80 years of age and causes very debilitating symptoms, such as breathlessness, fatigue and fluid retention. The Heart Failure Support Unit in Nenagh Hospital currently sees approximately 230 patients from North Tipperary, East Limerick and East Clare. The service is led by Consultant Cardiologist Dr Syed F Abbas, and two specialist heart failure nurses, Jacinta Glasgow and Kathryn OBrien. It is very important to retain and develop cardiology services locally in Nenagh and while we have been developing the service since its setup in 2012, we did not have a permanent base from where to operate. Our clinic location until now had moved from day-to-day, and week-to-week, reducing efficient use of resources and impacting the growth of the service. In addition elderly frail patients with multiple health issues, or limited mobility and those with worsening heart failure symptoms often need unscheduled visits which we can now better accommodate with the new space, said Ms Glasgow. Our new designated space has two consulting rooms, a reception area, an office, a bathroom and is all fully wheelchair accessible. The team are delighted to be welcoming our first patients through our new unit this week. It provides patients with greater comfort, a more pleasant and safer environment, and additional physical space, which is more important in the current climate. From a staffing perspective it will allow us to be more efficient and to continue to develop the service all under one roof, she added. Commenting on the opening of the new unit, Cathrina Ryan, Operational Director of Nursing at Nenagh Hospital, said: We are very grateful to the Friends of Nenagh Hospital for their continued support in developing services and improving patient experience in Nenagh. We are also grateful for the support of the HSE nationally and this is a vote of confidence in the service and the dedicated staff providing it. Dr Abbas, consultant cardiologist, said: I am very grateful to my dedicated team, all those in clinical and management roles, in addition to the Friends of Nenagh Hospital who supported this project. This designated space will allow us to provide an invaluable service for people with heart failure in North Tipperary and surrounding areas into the future in line with National and International evidenced based standards. I am looking forward to developing and expanding this service with my specialist team working towards integrated patient care pathways. Aside from the dedicated Heart Failure Support Clinic, a range of cardiology services are provided in Nenagh. These include cardiology outpatient clinics, cardiology diagnostic services and cardiac rehabilitation services. Cardiology outpatient clinics are held weekly by Dr Abbas and his team. A range of cardiac diagnostic investigations are conducted including, exercise stress tests, echocardiograms, 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and 24-48 hour holter monitor testing. The chair of the Joint Governing Body of the AIT-LIT Consortium, Professor Tom Collins, has welcomed the announcement that Professor Vincent Cunnane is to be the first President of the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest. The appointment was announced by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris following an international recruitment process. The term of the appointment is eight years and Professor Cunnane will take up his post from the commencement of the new Technological University on October 1. Minister @SimonHarrisTD has announced Prof Vincent Cunnane as President of Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest. Minister Harris said the university will drive "development and investment across the Midlands and Midwest regions.https://t.co/0g0jvmA7Fe pic.twitter.com/rFGf8I33L9 Department of Further and Higher Education (@DeptofFHed) August 31, 2021 Confirming the appointment, Minister Harris said: "The new technological university will be the third established in the State, and will be a new powerhouse university, driving development and investment across the Midlands and Midwest regions. I want to congratulate Professor Cunnane on his appointment. Professor Cunnane has vast experience and will be perfectly positioned to lead the new institution in realising the benefits that technological universities have to offer - education for all, from apprenticeship to doctoral degrees, research-informed teaching and learning, and, crucially, regional development," he stated. Commenting on the appointment of Professor Cunnane, Professor Collins said: "All in the consortium are very pleased that Vincent Cunnane is to be the inaugural President. He has a distinguished record of achievement in the academic, research and development spheres. He is eminently qualified to lead the development of the TU and its contribution to the economic, social and cultural life of the Midlands, Midwest and beyond. In that task he will be greatly assisted by the quality and commitment of the leadership team and staff of the TU. Prof Cunnane said: "I feel honoured and privileged to become the founding president of Ireland's newest Technological University. I have seen the evolution of the technological sector over the last number of years. To lead this exciting, dynamic and visionary new organisation will be a challenge but one that I very much look forward to with the support of a really talented, enthusiastic and motivated cohort of staff." Tony Brazil, outgoing Chair of Limerick Institute of Technology has paid tribute to Prof Cunnane. "I have worked closely with Vincent over the past three years since I became Chair and I have been hugely impressed by his vision, energy and leadership. He will be an outstanding first President for the new TU." Liam Rattigan, outgoing Chair of AIT Governing Body also welcomed the appointment. "I want to wish Vincent and all in the new TU every success as it embarks on this new phase of higher education in the Midlands and the Midwest," he stated. "I also want to pay tribute to the legacy of Prof Ciaran O Cathain who has led AIT for the past two decades and under whose leadership the Institute achieved university status", he added. The Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest will commence on October 1, next, with campuses in Limerick, Athlone, Clonmel, Ennis and Thurles. GREEN Party TD Brian Leddin has rejected calls for his resignation following his involvement in a WhatsApp group in which derogatory messages were exchanged. The Limerick city deputy apologised for the comments he made in the group set up in 2017 where he described councillor Elisa ODonovan as unhinged and stated that she craves fame. Other members of the policy-focused group also exchanged disparaging remarks about the Independent member, and a number of other high-profile city women. The publication of the messages has led to a number of womens groups including Rosa to call for the first time TD to step down, with Limerick-based activist Steph Lacey describing the groups language as sexist, misogynistic, threatening, vicious, and violent. But Mr Leddin said: I made one comment which can be considered derogatory. It was about somebody I had a personal relationship with. My thinking wasnt divorced from the fact I had a personal relationship with that person which ended quite badly. Ive apologised to Ms ODonovan. I dont believe that what Ive done should require me to stand down from politics. Cllr ODonovan told the Irish Mail on Sunday, which broke the story and published the messages in question, that Mr Leddin's weak apology meant nothing to me. Speaking to the Leader this Tuesday, she described the comments in the WhatsApp group as upsetting and frightening to read. We have a very serious problem in Ireland with women in politics. They either don't run, or they leave and the result is the same - we simply don't have enough women in positions of political power or leadership in Limerick, said the City West councillor. One member of the WhatsApp group suggested that Cllr ODonovan needed to be ended, while in another chat, two other women were described as wicked witches who should be incinerated. In another exchange, a female participant in the group also suggested the throwing of a grenade at one of these women. Mr Leddin has described the comments as unsavoury and inappropriate. It was a mixed group, and the comments made by people, they had very strong grievances against the people they made comments about, he explained. One of the women referred to as a wicked witch in the group who asked not to be identified said unlike Cllr ODonovan, she had not received an apology from Mr Leddin. Responding to this, the Green Party TD said he did not make any comment about her. I cannot apologise for the comments of others, he added. But the woman in question said: At no point did he say stop." The Green Party has been contacted for a response. On Monday, party leader Eamon Ryan said he had spoken to Mr Leddin at length. He has issued an apology, which is correct. There is no space, whether its private, online or a messaging system, theres no space for any commentary which is demeaning to a person, added the Transport Minister. The latest tranche of sovereign gold bonds (SGB) opened for subscription on August 30. The issue price for Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2021-22 Series-6 has been fixed at 4,732 per gram. The country's top lender State Bank of India (SBI) provides the option of buying SGBs online. In a tweet, SBI said, Planning to invest in Gold? Here are 6 golden reasons to invest in Sovereign Gold Bonds. SBI customers can invest in these bonds on http://onlinesbi.com under e-services." Planning to invest in Gold? Here are 6 golden reasons to invest in Sovereign Gold Bonds. SBI customers can invest in these bonds on https://t.co/YMhpMwjHKp under e-services. Know more: https://t.co/H4BpchASeA#Gold #GoldBond #SGBWithSBI #SovereignGoldBonds pic.twitter.com/ufld5egzep State Bank of India (@TheOfficialSBI) August 28, 2021 The minimum permissible investment is 1 gram of gold. The maximum limit of subscription is 4 kg for individuals, 4 kg for HUFs and 20 kg for trusts and similar entities per fiscal (April-March). Here are the steps to invest in SGB via SBI: Log in to your SBI net banking account Click on eServices and go to Sovereign Gold Bond Select terms and conditions and click on proceed Fill the registration form. This is a one-time registration Click on submit Enter the subscription quantity and nominee details in the purchase form Now, click on submit Investors can also buy gold bonds from commercial banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), post offices designated by RBI and recognised stock exchanges. The issue will close on September 3. The Government of India in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India has decided to allow a discount of 50 per gram from the issue price to those investors who apply online and the payment is made through digital mode. For such investors, the issue price of Gold Bond will be 4,682 per gram of gold. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics New Delhi: A high-level group comprising External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval and a number of other senior officials is focusing on India's immediate priorities in Afghanistan following the drawdown of American forces from the country after 20 years of presence. Official sources said on Tuesday that the group has been meeting regularly over the last few days following a direction from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India's immediate priorities have been the safe return of the Indians still in Afghanistan, bringing back the Afghan nationals who stood by New Delhi, and ensuring that Afghan soil is not used for terrorism directed at India "In view of the evolving situation in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently directed that a high-level group comprising of External Affairs Minister, the National Security Adviser and senior officials focus on the immediate priorities of India," said a source. "It is seized of issues pertaining to the safe return of stranded Indians, the travel of Afghan nationals (especially minorities) to India, and assuring that the territory of Afghanistan is not used in any manner for terrorism directed against India," it said The sources also said that the group has also been monitoring the ground situation in Afghanistan and international reactions, including the resolution passed this morning by the UN Security Council. The US on Tuesday completed the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan, ending a two-decade war and leaving the country in the hands of the Taliban. The Taliban has taken control of the Hamid Karzai international airport in Kabul on Tuesday after the last US aircraft took off in the morning, marking an end to the 20-year presence of the US in Afghanistan. Supporters of the outfit celebrated across Kabul after the US completed the troops' withdrawal. There is still no clarity on the formation of a government in Kabul, over two weeks after the Taliban seized control of the Afghan capital city. India is adopting a wait and watch approach to see whether the new dispensation in Afghanistan 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 it has invested nearly USD 3 billion in carrying out nearly 500 projects across Afghanistan. India has been in touch with all major regional players including those in the Gulf region on the developments in Afghanistan. The UN Security Council, under India's presidency, on Monday adopted a resolution demanding that the territory of Afghanistan not be used to threaten any country or shelter terrorists. There have been mounting concerns in India over the possibility of rise in activities of various terror groups including Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The Islamic State group claimed a rocket attack on Kabul airport on Monday, as US troops raced to complete their withdrawal from Afghanistan and evacuate allies under the threat of further violence. President Joe Biden has set a deadline of Tuesday to withdraw all US forces from Afghanistan, drawing to a close his nation's longest military conflict, which began in retaliation for the September 11 attacks. The return of the hardline Islamist Taliban movement, which was toppled in 2001 but took back power a fortnight ago, triggered an exodus of terrified people aboard US-led evacuation flights. Those flights, which have taken more than 122,000 people out of Kabul airport, will officially end on Tuesday when the last of the thousands of American troops pull out. US forces are now focused chiefly on flying themselves and American diplomats out safely. The regional Islamic State-Khorasan group, rivals of the Taliban, pose the biggest threat to the withdrawal, after carrying out a suicide bombing outside the airport late last week that claimed more than 100 lives, including those of 13 US troops. Then 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. The United States meanwhile said it had carried out an air strike on Sunday night in Kabul on an IS-prepared car bomb. 'We can't sleep' The White House confirmed there had been a rocket attack directed at the airport, but said airlift operations there were "uninterrupted". "The President... has reconfirmed his order that commanders redouble their efforts to prioritise doing whatever is necessary to protect our forces on the ground," the White House statement said. An AFP photographer on Monday took images of a destroyed car with a launcher system still visible in the back seat. A Taliban official at the scene said he believed five rockets had been fired. A suspected US drone strike had hit the car, about two kilometres (1.2 miles) from the airport. While there were no reports of fatalities or airport damage from the rocket attacks, 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 gun firing, 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." - 'Potential loss of innocent life' - The United States said the air strike on Sunday night had eliminated another threat from the Islamic State jihadists. However, it may have also have killed civilians. "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 IS and the Taliban are hardline Sunni Islamists, they are bitter foes -- with each claiming to be the true flag-bearers of jihad. Last week's suicide bombing at the airport 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 co-operate in ensuring security at the airport in a way unthinkable just weeks ago. The Taliban have already started taking over areas vacated by US forces. 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. Western allies have warned many thousands of at-risk Afghans have not been able to get on the evacuation flights. 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. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Zach Van Meter, a private-equity investor from Naples, Fla., phoned the government of Somaliland last week, asking if it would host thousands of Afghan refugees. He just called me out of the blue," said Bashir Goth, the Washington representative for a region of Somalia seeking independence. Two days later, on Aug. 25, Somalilands acting foreign minister signed a tentative accord with charities working with Mr. Van Meter, agreeing to temporarily house as many as 10,000 Afghan evacuees in Berbera, a port on the Gulf of Aden. It was part of an on-the-fly effort that Mr. Van Meter said has helped about 5,000 Afghans escape their country in the past two weeks, in one of the most successful known private efforts to extract Afghans. From the Peacock Lounge, a conference room at the Willard InterContinental hotel in Washington, Mr. Van Meter and an ad hoc collection of war veterans, Afghan diplomats, wealthy donors, defense contractors, nonprofit workers and off-duty U.S. officials conducted a global military-style rescue operation. The self-named Commercial Task Force dispatched former commandos to Kabul to retrieve evacuees, said Mr. Van Meter, president of New Standard Holdings, a private-equity company, and others affiliated with the group. It made a deal with the United Arab Emirates that allowed an airlift to carry Afghans from Kabuls Hamid Karzai International Airport to temporary shelter in Abu Dhabi where many of the 5,000 evacuees await permission to travel to countries willing to give them permanent refuge. The group is talking with officials from Albania, Ukraine and other countries, hoping to find them places to settle. With the U.S. withdrawal facing a deadline Tuesday after 20 years of war, private citizens said they volunteered time and money in the ambitious effort to help patch up an American evacuation they see as inadequate. Jim Linder, a retired major general, former commander of special-operations units in Afghanistan and part of Mr. Van Meters group, said former Afghan comrades who felt abandoned by the U.S. government appealed to him for help. This is not who we are as a people," he said. He is president of Tenax Aerospace, a Madison, Miss., company that provides governments with special-mission reconnaissance and other aircraft, and his connections helped the group charter planes for rescue flights. On a white board in the Washington hotels Peacock Lounge, the group listed airport entry points. Toward the end of last week, someone wrote CLOSED" next to all but one. An Islamic State suicide attack killed 13 U.S. troops Thursday, as well as nearly 200 Afghans crowding around the airport. Early Sunday, the group focused on evacuating people via land routes or helicopter, and finding places to resettle the Afghans already out of the country, Mr. Van Meter said. The Defense Department declined to comment on the Commercial Task Force and other private rescue operations. The U.S. government said that since Aug. 14 it has airlifted or helped in evacuating some 114,400 people from Afghanistan. That includes American citizens, green cardholders and Afghans whose service to the fallen Kabul government or the U.S.-led war effort leaves them vulnerable to Taliban retribution. Against the clock Mr. Van Meter was in Washington staying at the Willard Hotel for business and decided on Aug. 22 to rent the hotels Peacock Lounge, a small carpeted conference room with a few tables and TVs. I put it on my American Express and told my wife its what we needed to do," he said. He said he was spurred to action by a business associate, who was a former U.S. Army commando. Sean, the commando, contacted Mr. Van Meter two weeks ago and said he knew of 3,500 children, many of them orphans, stranded in Kabul. He needed help getting them out. Mr. Van Meter knew next to nothing about military operations, he said, but he had business and personal ties to the United Arab Emirates. He reached a senior Emirati diplomat and introduced him to Sean. Time is absolutely of the essence," Sean wrote the diplomat in an Aug. 14 email viewed by The Wall Street Journal. We are working against the clock and a closing window of opportunity." The diplomat passed on his governments tentative approval to begin accepting some of the evacuees" and referred Sean to an Emirati general, according to email communications between the men. Sean flew to Abu Dhabi to meet with the general. The general agreed to provide a C-17 military transport plane, an aircrew and a platoon of soldiers for a trial run into Kabul. The Emirati general couldn't be reached for comment. The U.A.E. agreed to give the evacuees temporary shelter, but they had to first reach the Kabul airport and board the transport plane. Sean was banking on a small network of former commandos in Kabul to help the operation run smoothlyincluding picking up evacuees and escorting them to the airport. On Aug. 20, Sean changed out of a blue blazer into military-style gear for the flight to Kabul. He and another special operations veteran carried body armor, bottles of Excedrin and a sack of 5-Hour Energy drinks. They went for a briefing at the Emirati Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel, a military-only facility near the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. A sign in the room read Fars al-Sham," which translates to Knights of the Levant," the U.A.E.s code name for the rescue operation. Emirati officers told Sean and his companion that the promised C-17, which could hold around 180 people, had been fitted with separate toilets and medical teams for men and women returning on the three-hour flight from Kabul. We want to use minimum force, no bullets." one of the Emirati officers said. Once the plane arrived in Kabul, Sean and his colleague had 45 minutes to find and board the evacuees, a group of Afghans they had previously identified as being in danger from the Taliban. Sean had contacted the evacuees about the plan through Afghan sources outside the airport and U.S. military contacts inside. When the plane landed, the Afghans were waiting at the airport. The plane lifted off with nearly two dozen evacuees, far short of the planes capacity. But the trip proved the system worked. The Emirati general authorized more rescue flights, said Sean, who remained in Kabul for about a week to coordinate operations. He said the U.S. military gave him access to a hanger and a ramp that became known as the Commercial Task Force ramp. He was given a call sign to use for arriving flights so military air-traffic controllers could distinguish the groups planes. The group has since pulled its team from Kabul. The U.A.E. government wouldnt comment on the operation. It said that as of Thursday, the country had played a role in evacuating 36,500 people from Afghanistan. By Friday, it said it was hosting 8,500 evacuees but didnt specify if the tally included those from Mr. Van Meters group. Escape route Last week, volunteers took shifts at the hotels Peacock Lounge, fielding requests for help and working their contacts to get Afghans and Americans into the Kabul airport and out of Afghanistan. One volunteer, Barakat Rahmati, was the No. 2 official at the Afghan embassy in Qatar. He was on a trip to Washington when Kabul fell and his government ceased to exist. Mr. Rahmati was trying to help 322 Afghan commandos, elite troops trained by U.S. Special Forces, who had managed to escape to Abu Dhabi, he said. The soldiers had tossed their identification papers to elude Taliban militants. The former official was trying to issue them new documents so they could travel to countries that would let them settle. Alex Cornell du Houx, who served in the Marine Corps in Iraq, was trying to maneuver a convoy of female judges past the Taliban checkpoints surrounding the airport. As of Sunday morning in Kabul, he hadnt gotten any word. After Thursdays suicide bombing, the volunteers watched the grisly videos, while trying to figure out how to get their last evacuees out of the country. Do we know where the orphans are yet?" Mr. Van Meter shouted to the volunteers. They didnt. The children and their chaperonessome 300 in totalhad managed to get onto the grounds of the Kabul airport earlier in the week but were turned back. As far as Mr. Van Meter knew, they had last been seen 400 yards from the gate where the suicide attacks later took place. The volunteers later learned the children were back at a safe house. As of Saturday, they still hadnt made it back into the airport, Mr. Van Meter said. Brian Kinsella, a former Army captain who worked in relief operations after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, was in charge of condensing hundreds of pleas and referrals into lists topped by U.S. citizens, green cardholders and high-risk Afghans. His phone filled with photos of families and passports and Google maps showing where people were hiding. On Friday, Mr. Kinsella talked to an American citizen who was booked on a plane with her 11-year-old, but she decided not to go without other family members who didnt have U.S. paperwork. During one call with the woman this week, Mr. Kinsella could hear gunfire. Were trying to help," he said. We cant in some cases." With the last routes out of Afghanistan closing, the volunteers are looking at land routes and possible airlifts from smaller cities, as well as countries willing to host those Afghans who have already escaped. One group is working on the plan to set up and manage a shelter for the Afghans in Somaliland. Were not giving up," said Emily King, a former Pentagon adviser who has been using her Albanian contacts to secure a haven. Well keep pivoting to find a way." At 3 a.m. Sunday, the last of the group left the Peacock Lounge for good and moved their work elsewhere. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The Caldor wildfire ignited near the Sierra town of Pollock Pines, California on Aug. 14, then exploded in size thanks to high winds just a few days later. As of Aug. 31, the fire had burned through 191,000 acres (77,200 hectares) and was less than 20% contained. In the last three weeks it has grown explosively, thanks to hot, parched conditions, and has destroyed several rural mountain towns. It is now advancing towards the iconic vacation spot of South Lake Tahoe. On Aug. 30, tens of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate from the South Lake Tahoe region. California burns (Image credit: NASA / Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE, GIBS/Worldview, and the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership.) Landsat satellites captured dramatic images of California's wildfires from space, revealing the extent of the devastation. This image, captured on Aug. 19, shows huge plumes of smoke spreading across much of California, including the newly formed Caldor fire, which "exploded in size on August 16 as winds picked up," according to NASA. Tearing through homes (Image credit: Justin Sullivan / Staff via Getty Images) The Caldor fire burns homes along a ridge on Aug. 30, near South Lake Tahoe. The fire advanced toward South Lake Tahoe and a red flag warning was issued as high winds began to kick up. The fire has already destroyed hundreds of homes, and is threatening about 20,000 in the region, according to The New York Times. Fire encircles iconic resort (Image credit: JOSH EDELSON / Contributor via Getty Images) Flames surround a chair lift at the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort, during the Caldor fire in Twin Bridges on Aug. 30. The ski resort was surrounded by a "wall of fire" but escaped destruction for now, and its chair lifts are now being used by firefighters to reach remote and otherwise inaccessible areas of the fire, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. South Lake Tahoe is usually bustling with tourists, but mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for areas on the southern and western sides of the lake. Strawberry ablaze (Image credit: Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) In this image, firefighters work to protect the Strawberry Station General Store, near a spot fire that started on a ridge behind the business on Aug. 28. Firefighters are battling the Caldor fire as it creeps closer to South Lake Tahoe. As of Aug. 31 at 10:45 a.m. local time, the fire was 16% contained, according to CalFire. Fiddle while Caldor burns (Image credit: JOSH EDELSON / AFP via Getty Images) Mandatory evacuation orders were issued on Aug. 30 and the one highway out of the region was clogged with traffic. This image shows a man named Mel Smothers playing the violin while stuck in traffic with evacuees, as residents fled the Caldor fire in South Lake Tahoe that day. Filling up (Image credit: Ty O'Neil/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Two helicopters draw water from a drought-affected reservoir. Helicopters are a key tool to tackle wildfires from the air and target less-accessible areas. The Caldor fire has grown quickly due to parched conditions and hot, gusty winds. Emergency response (Image credit: Eric Thayer/Bloomberg via Getty Images) A fire truck heading to the Caldor fire in Riverton on Thursday, Aug. 19. Dry winds raking Northern California helped the Caldor fire east of Sacramento explode from 6,500 acres Tuesday (Aug. 17) to more than 65,000 acres by Thursday morning (Aug. 19), all but destroying the town of Grizzly Flats and hospitalizing two people with serious injuries. Fighting the fires (Image credit: Ty O'Neil/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Firefighters stand by flames at the Caldor fire after starting a backfire. A backfire is "a fire set along the inner edge of a fireline to consume the fuel in the path of a wildfire or change the direction of force of the fire's convection column," according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. Left in ruin (Image credit: Allison Dinner / Stringer via Getty Images) Chairs from the Grizzly Flats Community Church are still standing after the church was completely destroyed on Aug. 18. Charred vehicles (Image credit: Neal Waters/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) The wildfire ripped through Grizzly Flats, leaving very little standing in the small mountain community in the El Dorado National Forest in California on Aug. 20. Here, the burned-out husks of cars are left behind as the fire continues its destructive march. The smoke spreads (Image credit: Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Smoke from the Caldor fire blankets the Lake Tahoe Basin and spreads across the state line into Nevada. Air quality has rapidly deteriorated and at one point, air in the South Lake Tahoe region was the most hazardous in the country, SF Gate reported. Firefighters tackling the Caldor Fire have priority over available resources, as the blaze has become "the number one fire in the country right now in terms of priorities for values at risk," according to El Dorado National Forest supervisor Jeff Marsolais. Originally published on Live Science. A 23-year-old student in Germany can shrink and enlarge his pupils on demand, according to a new case report a feat that was previously thought to be impossible. Two tiny opposing muscles in the eye act as puppeteers of each pupil (the dark center of the eye), dilating or enlarging them in a dark environment to let in more light and constricting them in a bright environment to limit the amount of light that flows in. This process was thought to be completely automatic; when you step into a dark room, you don't have to consciously tell your pupils to change size. Pupils can also change size in response to other factors, such as increases in arousal. It was previously known that some people can change their pupil size at will, but by using indirect methods. For example, researchers already knew that just thinking about the sun could constrict the pupils and that thinking of a dark room or mentally calculating something could dilate them, said Christoph Strauch, senior author of the new case report and an assistant professor in the experimental psychology department at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Related: 5 experts answer: What's the best way to preserve my eyesight? But no one thought it was possible to change pupil size by directly controlling it like a muscle that is, until a student of psychology at Ulm University in Germany contacted Strauch after taking one of his courses. (Strauch was previously a doctoral student at Ulm University). When he was about 15 or 16 years old, the young man identified in the case report by his initials, D.W. realized that he could change the size of his pupils. "I showed a friend that I can 'tremble' with my eyeballs, and he noticed that my pupils became small," D.W. told Strauch and his colleagues at Ulm University. But D.W. didn't notice that he had this ability until he played computer games for long periods of time. "Constricting the pupil feels like gripping, tensing something; making it larger feels like fully releasing, relaxing the eye," D.W. told the researchers. At first, he would change his pupil size by focusing in front of or behind an object, but with practice, he learned how to do it without focusing on objects. He told the researchers that, to change his pupil size, all he has to do is concentrate on the eye; he doesn't have to imagine a bright or dark environment. That makes D.W. different from other people who have demonstrated the ability to change their pupil size, Strauch told Live Science. What's more, that he can feel the muscles in the pupils directly "is astonishing, as it was thought to be impossible." How rare is this? Through a series of tests, the researchers confirmed that D.W. indeed had this ability and they found no indication that he was changing the size of his pupils indirectly. In one test, the researchers measured the electrical properties of the skin by applying voltage to test whether he was aroused by increased mental effort, which also might have increased his pupil size indirectly. (He wasn't.) Without using any indirect method, D.W. could dilate his pupils up to 0.09 inches (2.4 millimeters) in diameter and constrict them to 0.03 inches (0.88 mm) in diameter. What's more, even at the closest point an object can be for the eye to still see it in focus, in which the pupil is already "maximally" constricted (imagine holding up a pencil in front of the eyes and moving it closer to the face and stopping at the point before it becomes blurry), D.W. could voluntarily constrict his pupil even more. By doing this, D.W. improved his focus and could see objects clearly nearly two times closer to his face than he could if he wasn't controlling his pupil size. Using a type of brain scan known as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the researchers found increased activation of certain parts of the brain involved in volition, or the ability to decide and do something out of free will. The researchers can't say for sure that D.W. was directly controlling his pupils, but from their many tests, they did not find any evidence that he was using indirect strategies. Can other people learn to do this? Possibly, Strauch said. Finding and researching more people who have this ability might help the team understand whether there's a strategy for training people to control their pupil size at will. Studies of more people who might have this ability may help researchers describe and understand the phenomenon, such as where it came from, Strauch added. "Quite some people have reached out who believe that they might be able to do the same thing this is really cool," he said. The findings were published online Aug. 12 in the International Journal of Psychophysiology . Originally published on Live Science. SpaceX's latest Dragon cargo ship arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) Monday (Aug. 30) to deliver an experimental robotic arm and a wealth of other research equipment and supplies just in time for one astronaut's birthday. "Congratulations to NASA and SpaceX teams and many thanks. No one's ever sent me a spaceship for my birthday before," NASA astronaut Megan McArthur radioed Mission Control just after docking. It's her 50th birthday today. "That's a most excellent birthday present," NASA's Mission Control in Houston replied. The gumdrop-shaped Dragon docked with the station's Harmony module at 10:30 a.m. EDT (1430 GMT) today, ending a 32-hour-orbital chase. The station and Dragon were sailing 264 miles (425 kilometers) above western Australia at the time. Related: How SpaceX's Dragon space capsule works (infographic) Image 1 of 3 SpaceX's Dragon CRS-23 cargo ship is seen with a bright blue Earth as a backdrop by a camera on the International Space Station during its docking approach on Aug. 30, 2021. (Image credit: NASA) Image 2 of 3 SpaceX's Dragon CRS-23 cargo ship is seen with a bright blue Earth as a backdrop by a camera on the International Space Station during its docking approach on Aug. 30, 2021. (Image credit: NASA) Image 3 of 3 SpaceX's Dragon CRS-23 cargo ship is seen with a bright blue Earth as a backdrop by a camera on the International Space Station during its docking approach on Aug. 30, 2021. (Image credit: NASA) Dragon launched atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket early Sunday morning (Aug. 29), kicking off the company's 23rd robotic resupply mission to the orbiting lab for NASA. The uncrewed Dragon is packed with more than 4,800 lbs. (2,200 kilograms) of supplies and scientific experiments, including a super-dexterous new robotic arm that will get a microgravity test on the orbiting lab. "This investigation supports development of robots to support crew intravehicular activities and, eventually, extravehicular activities," team members wrote in a description of the experiment , which is called the GITAI S1 Robotic Arm Tech Demo. "Space robotics also could support on-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing tasks, lowering the costs of such tasks and contributing to increased commercial activity in space." In photos: The Expedition 65 astronauts on the International Space Station Another experiment will test how a tiny drug-delivering implant performs in microgravity , and yet another will gauge the responses of various materials to the space environment. There are now two Dragons parked at the ISS: the newly arrived cargo capsule and a crewed variant, which brought NASA astronauts McArthur and Shane Kimbrough, Japanese spaceflyer Akihiko Hoshide and the European Space Agency's Thomas Pesquet to the orbiting lab in April . Those four astronauts are scheduled to return to Earth in November while their crewmates (NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei and Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Oleg Novitskiy) remain aboard to continue their mission. The cargo Dragon will come down sooner; it's scheduled to spend about a month at the ISS, NASA officials have said. Both versions of Dragon survive re-entry, making ocean splashdowns under parachutes. This capability separates the resupply Dragon from other currently operational cargo craft, which burn up in Earth's atmosphere when their missions are done. Click here to read the full article. It may feel odd to think of the Beach Boys recordings that went down as the odometer on the 60s was turning over into the 70s as mid-period, given that the group was just then entering the second decade of what still hasnt come to an end after six decades. But the albums that coincided with the counterculture era mark a still-fascinating transitional era, when they were still soldiering on, largely forgotten by Top 40 radio and hepsters alike, making some of the best records of their career while awaiting a rediscovery shortly to come. Two of the best albums from that period, Sunflower and Surfs Up, are anthologized in a new 50th anniversary boxed set, Feel Flows The Sunflower and Surfs Up Sessions 1969-1971, which includes 108 previously unreleased tracks alongside remastered versions of the original releases. The Beatles Let It Be package may be the years marquee boxed set, but for rock n roll fans, Feel Flows merits that same kind of attention, even if these records werent quite the same cultural signifiers at the time. Variety spoke with the two archivists largely responsible for the set, Mark Linett and Alan Boyd, whose work with the Beach Boys catalog includes one of the great, most essential boxed sets of all time, 2013s Smile Sessions, and in Linetts case, goes back to 1993s still definitive full-career overview, Good Vibrations: Thirty Years of The Beach Boys. In this Q&A (edited for length and clarity), they discuss why this period was a particularly unique and fertile one for the group, what the future holds for archival releases, and why Til I Die to borrow a great Brian Wilson song title from the period is the answer to how long theyll still love being immersed in these tracks. Alan Boyd: Something Ive noticed over the years is that the Beach Boys did so many kinds of music so well that theyve managed to create multiple divergent and at times completely incompatible fan bases. And I think it just speaks to kind of what a rich and diverse catalog they have. Speaking of Sunflower and Surfs Up, Ive given copies of those albums to a lot of friends, from the 70s going up to the present day. And these are folks who have no idea that the Beach Boys were anything other than Fun, Fun, Fun and Barbara Ann, and they all find themselves falling in love with this music. Ive done lectures at colleges and universities about the Boys over the years. And I always like to quiz the students first about what they know. And usually, 95%, its Full House, Uncle Jesse, Kokomo and Surf City, and maybe half of them saw a Beach Boys show at the county fair with their aunt and uncle. So if I play something like Surfin Safari and follow it up with Til I Die or Feel Flows, theyre blown away. Ive heard from students much later that it inspired them to check out the whole catalog, and it kind of blows their minds. So thats what Im hoping is going to happen with Feel Flows, that a lot of people who are kind of vaguely aware of the Beach Boys might have an opportunity to dig in and the group will develop an even newer and bigger fan base. VARIETY: What was your personal experience of these records and the Beach Boys image around this period? Mark Linett: Its always been such a rich period in the groups canon and obviously important in that they overcame their striped-shirt image and became extremely relevant again. I know this personally, because I was of that generation that bought all the Beach Boys records when they came out. But I didnt really pay much attention to them after 1967, because by then, Im not buying singles. Im buying albums, and their albums didnt fit with the Hendrix and Jefferson Airplane records I was buying. In retrospect, I was a snob. Maybe because I knew the band from before so well, I associated them with Jan and Dean and the Rivieras and things like that. I wasnt enough of a musicologist to see the difference. But Alan has a different view, because hes 10 years younger and had the advantage of coming to it without all that baggage. Boyd: Well, I was a fanatical Beach Boys obsessive nerd fan by the time I was 6. I had an older brother, just about Marks age, and exactly what he describes happened with my brother and his friends: The Beach Boys werent cool anymore. But there was a great advantage to it in that they all gave me all their old Beach Boys records. So by the time Sunflower came out, which I bought the weekend it came out in 1970, Im sure I was the only 8-year-old kid on my block who got it. Linett: You were the only kid that got it, period. Boyd: Then when Surfs Up came out in 1971, theyd had a major change in their image and presentation, just in that year between Sunflower and Surfs Up. A lot of my brothers friends came up to me and said, You know, I got that Surfs Up album and I saw them in concert, and yeah, theyre pretty cool. But I held out. I wouldnt give them back their old Beach Boy records. Linett: We like to say, this is not your grandpas Beach Boys. Even in todays context, these two records seem much more contemporary than the older stuff. But no one was paying attention at the end of the 60s. Boyd: The problem with Sunflower, and I noticed this when I was a kid, it was absolutely brilliant, but nobody knew it. I mean, it hit 151 on the Billboard charts in 1970, which was probably the lowest charting album theyd had up to that point, apart from maybe Stack-o-Tracks (a 1968 compilation of instrumental tracks) or something like that. Rolling Stone did a review back in 1970 in which they basically raved about the album and said, This is a wonderful album. Its brilliant. But does that even matter? Because their image seemed so antiquated. [The actual Rolling Stone review from the time, written by critic Jim Miller and available online, reads in part: I mean, good Christ, its 1970 and here we have a new, excellent Beach Boys epic, and isnt that irrelevant? As a whole, Sunflower is without doubt the best Beach Boys album in recent memory, a stylistically coherent tour de force. It makes one wonder though whether anyone still listens to their music, or could give a shit about it. This album will probably have the fate of being taken as a decadent piece of fluff at a time when we could use more Liberation Music Orchestras. It is decadent fluff but brilliant fluff.] And then they became somewhat cool again with the Surfs Up album. Boyd: There was this wonderful quote by Van Dyke Parks, I think in a Rolling Stone article on the band back in 1971 which was kind of another big part of their resurgence, to be featured on the cover and he said something to the effect of, I told Warner Bros. if they titled the album Surfs Up, theyd pre-sell 250,000 copies. And he was probably right. And especially because it takes on an ironic cast with that title, paired with that very dark End of the Trail (painting) on the cover of the Surfs Up album. When I was 9, my folks took me to see the Beach Boys at Winterland in San Francisco, when they were touring in support of Surfs Up. The show was brilliant, and they were doing all this great stuff from the album and great songs from that album and Sunflower too. But its funny when they dusted off Surfin USA and Fun Fun Fun and a bunch of (oldies) for the encore, the place went utterly nuts. Were sitting in the front row of the balcony and my mom was scared to death that it was gonna collapse, because the Beach Boys were playing these songs hard and fast and it just tapped into something, and all of the hippies in the crowd just went bonkers. Ive never seen anything like it before or since, in terms of just balls-out, bonkers audience response. Whats happening with the dynamics of the group creatively at this point? After the Smile project fell apart, there were four subsequent albums before getting to Sunflower in which things are becoming more equal and Brian is still involved but no longer acting as the maestro. Linett: I think you could see the development or the full flowering of what starts with Wild Honey, where it is more of a group effort. That record, some people would say, is sort of like their Music From Big Pink, where theyre really woodshedding, just the band, with a more basic sound. Then as you get into Friends and 20/20, it seems very much like Sunflower, where everybody is starting to get quite good at producing or co-producing and writing, with input from everybody else. Its less and less Brian-centric, although Brian is still participating, and particularly with Friends, is participating to a huge degree. Boyd: Friends has always seemed to us kind of like its sort of the last real Brian Wilson-produced album. Hes really calling the shots on that. But in that period of time between Friends and 20/20, for whatever reason, Brian really stepped back. And to complete 20/20, the rest of the Beach Boys really needed to get much more involved in the creation of the tracks. Thats probably the most democratic album up to that point, and Sunflower has always seemed to be a refined step, continuing where 20/20 leaves off. Brians all over the record, but the other guys and particularly Carl when it comes to production and mixing and all that kind of stuff are really stepping up to the plate, and in a lot of cases finishing music that Brian started. For whatever reason Brian seemed to be happiest working very spontaneously, and I think thats one of the reasons why he did so well back in the early 60s when you didnt have a lot of choices, as far as tracks and so forth. You kind of had to get it all in the moment. The amount of overdubbing is minuscule on records like Summer Days and Pet Sounds and Smile besides the vocals, of course. And I dont think he was inspired by the more layered, step-at-a-time approach to recording that you start to get with the advent of the 8- and 16-track. And so in particular Carl would come in and make sure that everything got finished, while Brian would have this burst of inspiration, lay down all the chords for something like Our Sweet Love, and then hes gone. Then Carl and Alan (Jardine) and Bruce (Johnston) pretty much came in and added everything to get those songs over the goal line. Linett: When Brian became more reclusive, they tried putting him with the old gang (the Wrecking Crew) in the old studio, thinking that that would encourage him to create. And it was kind of backwards, because Brian needed to want to do that first and then you could have assembled the mob. But its not like Brian had anything to prove, whether he did produce a record or not. And the new way of making records suited Carl in a way that the earlier form didnt. I think all the rest of the guys, Dennis especially, were much more comfortable making records the way theyre basically made to this day, where you do it in pieces, as opposed to trying to assemble the mob and figure it all out once and for all and you cant go back. Boyd: It really helped too that they installed a fully functional studio in Brians house right below the bedroom. There was a quote from Bruce or Al years ago saying, Well, Brian stopped coming to the studio, so we kind of moved the mountain to Muhammad. There are these wonderful stories about theyll be in the middle of working on something, and Brian, whos obviously been listening from upstairs, comes flying down in his bathrobe, suddenly hit with inspiration, and dishes out a bunch of parts. They lay something down really quickly. Okay. Carl, you sing this. Mike, you sing that. Lets play this. And almost as quickly as he came up with the idea, its done and hes gone. Carl Wilson very much embraced that new mode. I think on Long Promised Road and Feel Flows, hes playing almost all the parts by himself. He brought in a percussionist and Charles Lloyd for sax and flute. But everything else on there is very methodically one part at a time, getting it all down. And he seemed to really thrive and very much enjoy that kind of sort of methodical process that was just about the complete opposite of what Brian had been doing for so long. When you listen to the backing vocals, you can also hear Marilyn Wilson very prominently on that one, because she came in and sang some parts on it. She called me up out of the blue yesterday because she was so happy to hear the isolated-vocals (mix), and it brought back very happy memories for her of the session. Was the song Feel Flows always a fan favorite or did it get a turbo charge from being over the end credits of Almost Famous? Boyd: Oh, it definitely got a turbo charge from Cameron Crowe putting in the movie. Definitely. But it was a fan favorite for a long time. I remember seeing the Boys playing in late 1977 and it was part of the set list. Its interesting, because thats a favorite of all the members of the group. Mike and Bruce are out touring with the Beach Boys now, and its being billed as the Feel Flows Tour, and theyre doing Feel Flows live, along with Its about time and some other tracks from the album. Its really kind of cool. Mike Love told me once that he really loves that song, and he also said its one of his daughters all-time favorite Beach Boy tracks. Lets talk about a few of the songs in this box, starting with an outtake. A lot of the material from that period is pretty straightforward, but then there are surprises. In the middle of disc 5, we suddenly come across a Brian track, My Solution, and its like, here is some of the loopier Brian that we know and love, too. Linett: Its just having the studio in the house, and deciding, Lets do a Halloween-inspired, clubhouse kind of event. I dont know that it was ever intended to be released. Boyd: There are photos of the session. It was a session they held at the house on Halloween, and some of the guys were in costume, and Brians got this green sort of Frankenstein makeup all over. And that ones been floating around in wretched bootleg quality for years, and we were finally able to put it out, pristine and clear. Looking at some of the fan boards, a lot of people were actually blown away by the backing track, which is a really interesting, cool Brian Wilson production. Im just glad we finally got that out there. This Whole World is one of their masterpieces in under two minutes, it covers what seems more like this complex 10-minute suite, and still ends up feeling like a pop song barely. It fades out on record, leaving you wanting so much more. but on this box, you have a version that has an ending to it not a great ending, but an ending. Boyd: Well, the alternate ending was actually something that they constructed because the song was featured in a major commercial for Eastern Airlines. The Beach Boys even appeared briefly in the commercial. Bruce Johnston says something about we like the feeling of being free; otherwise the song plays underneath Orson Welles narration. They constructed a new tag for the song because they could give it a clean finish for the end of the commercial. We years ago acquired from somebody the 16-track master of that version. We also found an alternate lead vocal from Brian for the bridge, and another vocal pass from Carl, so we were able to construct this alternate version. But God, I love that song, too. I believe its Dennis Dragon playing the drums on that; thats Daryls brother (of the Captain and Tennille fame). He was quite an extreme character who later had this great band called the Surf Punks. The song is so exuberant and joyous. Less exuberant and joyous: the one-two punch of Til I Die and Surfs Up that ends the Surfs Up album. Its hard to think of another album that has that powerful a set of closing songs by anybody. With Surfs Up, thered been some leftover Smile tracks that made it onto other albums, so how did the ultimate one get saved for this? Boyd: That track was already legendary; Im sure millions of people heard it when it was featured in that fairly highly rated CBS News documentary called Inside Pop back in early 1967. I think there may have even been a request from the record company, from Mo Ostin of Warners, to do it. It was primarily Steve and Carl, who help from Alan and Bruce, who went through and found all the parts. They made an attempt at recording a new backing track that would sync with Brians original piano demo vocal. And we have that bit on the box [labeled as combining a 1967 vocal with a 1971 band track]. But yeah, a beautiful, beautiful record. Linett: Obviously they had dabbled in leftover Smile tracks before on previous records. This one took a lot of effort, because while Brian had recorded a track for part one, they had never done any (group) vocals, and the entire song only existed as a piano/vocal version, which fortunately Brian did seriously, so there was something to work with. Trying to construct a track around Brians vocal we have that on the box, and its not bad, but its not as good Somewhere along the line, it was decided that Carl will sing the lead on part one and to use his piano vocal version for most of part two and then add parts at the end, which apparently Brian had something to do with it, at the very last moment. Its the perfect closer for the album, and ties in with the new image and their old image. With Til I Die, I remember first working on that heavily on maybe the 93 box or something like that. Only Brian could come up with something like that. I dont know what impressed me more, Brians deep, soulful writings like that, or his slice-of-life writings like Im Busy Doing Nothing and I Went to Sleep. But I think Brian was writing an awful lot about what he felt. Itd be interesting to (fully understand) how that juxtaposition worked, that the guy who would come up with Fun Fun Fun also wrote Warmth of the Sun or Till I Die and those darker things. Boyd: I made a film about the Beach Boys many years ago and interviewed them extensively for it, and talking about that song, Brian just said, You know, its all about being humble, about feeling sort of small and insignificant in the world. I was kind of feeling that maybe a lot of people could relate to that. Im paraphrasing, but its very true. He was in a dark space at that point in 1969 when he wrote the song, and he just expressed it beautifully. Im just so glad that we finally had an opportunity to do an a cappella mix on that one, because the way the group comes together on that one is just gorgeous. What are your favorites of the rare or previously unreleased stuff? Boyd: One of my absolute favorite things on this whole box set is a remix of Cool, Cool Water (from Surfs Up) that Mark did where its the exact same multi-track masters that they used, but putting an emphasis on different vocal parts than were used in the version on the original album. I mean, nothing can touch the original for me thats still one of my favorite sonic treats of all time. But hearing the different emphasis in some of the other vocal parts that are kind of buried on the original mix get put upfront is really cool. Its like a favorite scene from a great movie thats taken from a different angle. As far as the unreleased songs, Denniss All of My Love and Ecology. I was blown away the first time I heard Its Natural, which we only obtained because the guy who collaborated on Sweet and Bitter with Brian still had the original 16-track tape from that session, and that song happened to be on it. Beautiful chord progression. You know, its an embarrassment of riches. I love the new mix of Susie Cincinnati it made me reevaluate that song all over again. Whats been the recent history of Beach Boys 50th anniversary repackages? There was a two-CD set in 2017 of material from the 1967 Wild Honey period, then in 2018 there were two digital-only releases representing 1968. The opportunities for boxed sets seemed to be shrinking. Now, suddenly, were back to an expansive box format for 1969-71, which is great. Linett: That pair of 1968 albums was only released digitally in 2018, primarily, I think, to some extent because everybody was concentrating on the World Philharmonic album, and they never want to have too much going on at the same time talking about the record label. This one (happening) took a lot of input from management and from us. Basically it was just listening to it enough and appreciating of the music and realizing how important is was. Some hardcore fans who love their CDs want to know if that 1968 stuff will ever come out in box form or in any kind of physical form at all. Mark: We have proposed that a number of times in a number of ways. Write your Congressman! Alan: Weve lobbied for it so much that they probably get annoyed with us about it. But were going to keep trying. It had to come out in 2018, but we didnt really get the green light on it until the early fall of 2018, so no matter what, they wouldnt have been able to get a physical release for it for that year. Linett: As much as Im a fan of fan of these two records (in the new boxed set), Id love to do that even more with the Friends album. That and Sunflower are probably my favorite Beach Boy albums these days. I totally agree with Brian that Friends was music to cool out by its such a beautiful album. Id love to really explore that one and do something physical with all the attendant artwork and a book. But in some ways, its because other things keep coming first. So there are still tapes that pop up unexpectedly, and its not that everything you put out in these collections is something youve been waiting to dole out since you started working with the archives? Boyd: Well, a lot of this stuff we did find 15, 16 years ago and have been waiting to dole it out, so there is a certain amount of that, yeah particularly a lot of that Dennis Wilson material. But weve still got tapes to go through, and things to go back and listen to more closely. Weve got multi-tracks from later albums that we havent really gone through yet. Im really looking forward to doing something on the 76-77 Love You era. And, geez, we go through a song called Lets Put Our Hearts Together and discover this gorgeous a cappella vocal tag that, for whatever reason, they opted not to put on the final release. So hopefully well have some more cool (discoveries). You get that inexplicable Why didnt they use this? It was great! Linett: I think over 90% of the groups recordings have been archived. But because they did so much recording at the house, or even in the studio where it wasnt always kept track of without a second engineer, it is not uncommon for us to transfer something and find something that we never knew existed. Im looking forward, actually, because theres a number of tapes from the next year, from 72-73, that we have not had a chance to transfer. After doing this project now, its really like, ooh, I wonder what might be hiding talking about the tapes recorded in Holland and who knows what gems, things they mightve worked on and then just left it behind and moved on to something. And then we have a whole slew of live tapes from 73. For the In Concert album, they had their own remote truck by then, so they recorded a whole tours worth of shows. And then Carl, who was in charge of the album, wound up basically just using I think two or three concerts. Most of these other shows, by all appearances, were never even listened to. Boyd: They were still in the plastic the tapes were wrapped in at the time; theyve never been played. So its safe to say you are planning on a set related to the Holland era next? Boyd: Yeah. Were looking at a project that encompasses Holland and Carl and the Passions and wed also like to, as part of that, present one of the complete Carnegie Hall concerts that they did in late 1972. Its very different from the Feel Flows era, because they werent as prolific. But theres still some amazing stuff that wasnt released, and some really interesting parts that are buried in some of those songs, particularly from Carl and the Passions, that wed kind of like to put a spotlight on. Yeah, thats looking like thats going to be next years box set. Linett: Thats largely the reason that the You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone track and backgrounds and Marcella a cappella appear at the end of the box, as sort of a coming attraction, if you will. It was like, oh no, this is too good not to find a place for them on this set. The group agreed, so we were able to get those on there. Having worked on this music for decades each, do you ever honestly get just a little tired of the Beach Boys? Do you ever have to listen to some death-metal for a palate cleanser? Linett: Its music that you dont get tired of. Speaking for myself, I mean, 90% of what I listen to more than that, probably is records that Ive listened to for 50-plus years. It would be surprising, I suppose, if I heard something new that made me sit up and go, I want to go buy that. Im kind of stuck in my musical history. My wife gets amused sometimes that I can listen to a record that Ive listened to a thousand times probably in her presence and and still enjoy it. its hard to think of another act that you could work on and work with for 34 years as I have, and not kind of feel like, Oh, well. Again? Boyd: Ive got other musical obsessions. Lately Ive been kind of diving into punk-rock, and Im really into Brazilian music. The thing, though, was that I always had a real strong affinity for the great American songbook. And Brians compositions are right up there, as far as Im concerned, with the Gershwins and Rogers and Hart. Its maybe because he was absorbing so much of that music when he was a little kid; theres a depth and a musicality to his stuff that still astounds me. And thats another reason why I love particularly the backing track and backing vocals mixes. Because the songs are still eminently hummable, but theyre really deep and complex at the same time. Like This Whole World I can barely think of any kind of popular music that goes through that many key modulations. These songs are just up there with the best of American music of the 20th century. Even when sometimes the Beach Boys world has me kind of wanting to go disappear into a shack in the desert for a while, I would actually go to that shack in the desert and Id probably still bring the Beach Boys music with me. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. "Jeopardy!" has permanently severed ties with its executive producer Mike Richards, less than two weeks after he stepped down as the new host of the show, following the revelation of several offensive comments he made on his former podcast. He will also no longer be executive producer of "Wheel of Fortune." Suzanne Prete, executive vice president for business and strategy for both game shows, made the announcement in an email to staff on Tuesday. "We had hoped that when Mike stepped down from the host position at Jeopardy! it would have minimized the disruption and internal difficulties we have all experienced these last few weeks. That clearly has not happened," she said. Prete added that Michael Davies from the production company Embassy Row will help with production "on an interim basis until further notice" as the show heads into its 38th season this fall. "I know this has been a challenging time for the entire team, and I want to thank you all for your cooperation and professionalism over these last few weeks," she concluded. For a 57-year-old quiz show known for minimal drama, the last month has been one of the most tumultuous times in its history - and one of the more baffling TV debacles in recent memory. Richards, 46, who joined the show as executive producer last year after longtime executive producer Harry Friedman exited the role, was part of the team searching for a new host after the beloved Alex Trebek died last November. Richards himself stepped in for a couple weeks amid a long string of celebrity guest hosts, including Ken Jennings, Katie Couric, Anderson Cooper and LeVar Burton. So when Richards was named the daily syndicated host on Aug. 11, alongside Mayim Bialik as host of the show's prime-time specials, there was plenty of surprise ("Who is Mike Richards?" was a popular comment), as well as jokes comparing him to former vice president Dick Cheney, who led George W. Bush's search committee for vice president and chose himself. Fans also recirculated articles about two models at "The Price Is Right," where Richards was executive producer, who named him in wrongful termination and pregnancy discrimination lawsuits. But his stint as host lasted only about a week. Claire McNear, a reporter for the Ringer who wrote a book about "Jeopardy!" last year, published a bombshell report that revealed Richards had hosted a podcast in 2013 in which he made remarks about women's bodies; joked about Jewish people and big noses; and asked whether someone's apartment was in Haiti because of "the urine smell, the woman in the muumuu, the stray cats." Richards released an apology, but the following week, he announced he was stepping down as host. A Sony statement emphasized that he would stay on as executive producer, and said the hope was he would continue in the role "with professionalism and respect." But more details emerged: McNear cited sources saying morale among "Jeopardy!" staff had "deteriorated" during Richards's tenure. The New York Times, which reported that Richards had steered the search for a host in his own direction, wrote last week that Sony appeared committed to keeping Richards, who would have to go through sensitivity training and have Prete as a "minder" of sorts, overseeing his day-to-day actions on set. And now he is gone, effective immediately. However, he already taped five episodes. Even after all the brouhaha, Sony confirmed those episodes will air when the show returns on Sept. 13. Click here to read the full article. Paramount sued its insurer on Monday for refusing to cover the vast majority of its losses due to pandemic-related shutdowns on Mission: Impossible 7. According to the suit, the studios insurer, Chubb, has said it will pay only $1 million for COVID-19 losses under its civil authority policy. Production was delayed seven times between February 2020 and June 2021, at least six of which were the result of the pandemic. Paramount had a cast insurance policy for the production, with a $100 million coverage limit. Such insurance is intended to cover losses that result when a films key personnel such as star Tom Cruise or director Christopher McQuarrie is unavailable due to sickness, death or kidnapping. Paramount maintains that the pandemic-related shutdowns should have triggered that provision of the policy, because the shutdowns were intended to protect the cast from getting sick. Chubb, however, has maintained that the COVID shutdowns are covered only under the studios civil authority policy, which covers costs that are the result of government-mandated shutdowns. That policy carries a $1 million limit. Production was initially set to begin in Venice, Italy, on Feb. 24, 2020. At the time, the studio cited local authorities ban on public gatherings and said it was postponing the shoot out of an abundance of caution. However, according to the lawsuit, the production actually shut down because one of the people covered under the cast insurance policy had become sick. The suit does not name that person though it would have to have been someone irreplaceable and it does not say whether the person got COVID or some other illness. A Paramount spokesperson declined to comment, citing the privacy of health information. Chubb paid out $5 million under the cast insurance policy in connection with that delay, according to the suit. Production was then set to begin in March, but was pushed to July due to Italian government restrictions. In October 2020, there were two separate outbreaks on set one in Rome and one in Venice each of which caused further delays. In December 2020, Cruise famously exploded on set in the U.K. when he saw two crew members standing close to each other near a computer monitor. He threatened to fire anyone seen breaking COVID protocols. You can tell it to the people who are losing their fing homes because our industry is shut down, he said at the time, in audio leaked to The Sun newspaper. Its not going to put food on their table or pay for their college education. Thats what I sleep with every night the future of this fing industry! So Im sorry, I am beyond your apologies. I have told you, and now I want it, and if you dont do it, youre out. We are not shutting this fing movie down! Is it understood? If I see it again, youre fing gone. Production halted two more times, once in February 2021 when cases surged in the U.K. In June 2021, another COVID outbreak on set caused yet another shutdown. The production also experienced a delay when the U.K. government imposed a quarantine on crew members returning from a shoot in Abu Dhabi. The suit does not state how much Paramount is seeking, other than to say that the $5 million payout represents a small portion of its total losses. Mission: Impossible 7 is due to be released on May 27, 2022. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. JERUSALEM (AP) Israel allowed dozens of truckloads of construction materials into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, easing a tight blockade it has maintained on the Hamas-ruled territory since an 11-day war last May. The imports came during a tense period in which Hamas activists have launched incendiary balloons into Israel, sparking a number of wildfires across the border, and staged a series of sometimes violent demonstrations along the separation fence with Israel. An Israeli soldier who was shot by a protester on Aug. 21 died of his wounds on Monday. Two Palestinians, including a 12-year-old boy and a Hamas militant, have also been killed from Israeli gunfire. Despite the tensions, Israeli officials this week allowed the entry of the badly needed building materials for Gaza's private sector in a step that may help calm the situation. Bassam Ghabin, director of the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom cargo crossing, said that 30 truckloads of cement, 120 trucks of gravel and 15 trucks of steel entered Gaza on Tuesday. He said the materials began entering on Monday, and that the crossing was operating almost at the same capacity as before the war. An Israeli security official, speaking on condition of anonymity under policy guidelines, confirmed that building materials had entered Gaza. He had no specific details, but said they came under previously announced government decisions. In recent weeks, COGAT, the Israeli defense body responsible for Palestinian civilian issues, said it was planning to allow more goods into Gaza if the security situation stabilized. Last week, it said it would expand the entry of goods and equipment for international civilian projects in the Gaza Strip. Israel, with Egyptian help, has maintained a tight blockade over Gaza since Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007, a year after winning a Palestinian election. Israel says the blockade is needed to keep Hamas, an Islamic militant group sworn to Israel's destruction, from rearming, while critics say the closure amounts to collective punishment. The blockade, which restricts the movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza, has devastated Gaza's economy. Israel and Hamas have fought four wars since 2008, and Israel has tightened the blockade since the latest fighting in May. Thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed, and construction goods are badly needed. Later on Tuesday, Hamas activists held another nighttime demonstration along the Israeli border to call for a lifting of the blockade. Gaza health officials said three Palestinians were lightly wounded by Israeli gunfire. Egyptian mediators have been trying to broker a longer-term cease-fire. But Israel has demanded the return of the remains of two dead Israeli soldiers and freedom of two Israeli civilians in Hamas captivity. Gisha, an Israeli human rights group that has pushed for an end to the closure, called Tuesday's move crucial but insufficient, especially given the scope of the damage in Gaza, as well as Israels legal and moral obligations towards residents of the strip. The situation in Gaza is not simply a humanitarian crisis that can be managed via narrow humanitarian gestures, Gisha said. Any meaningful attempt at resolving this dire situation requires much more expansive opening of the strip, underpinned by a broader political process." ___ Shurafa reported from Gaza City, Gaza Strip. Officials from the City of Laredo and Webb County reported on Monday an additional 156 positive cases of COVID-19 and seven related deaths from the past three days, showcasing in the final report of the month significantly elevated totals locally throughout August. The additions bring Laredo to 49,855 positives and 907 deaths historically dating back to the beginning of the pandemic locally in March of 2020 as the city closes in on hitting the 50,000-positive milestone likely later this week at its current pace. One positive from Mondays report was a bit of a drop in cases reported. Coming off 1,030 positive cases last week the second-most since Feb. 6-12 positives were again trending up. However, Mondays figure ends up as the lowest positives announced in a non-daily report in the past 14 updates. Its a stark contrast to just seven days prior when 439 were announced the most ever in a non-daily report and the highest in any report since Jan. 28. Unfortunately, while positive cases saw a bit of a dropoff Monday, the local death total continued to surge. Another seven fatalities were reported, the third time in four updates with six or more deaths. Eight of the past 11 updates have featured three or more deaths, compared to the previous 13 of 14 non-daily reports which had fewer than three deaths. The most recent deaths included four men two in their 40s and two in their 50s and three women two in their 60s, one in their 80s. All of them died Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Monthly figures are much harder to compare clearly as the city no longer updates figures relating to specific days, only ranges from past days in the past reports. But with the data that is available, its clear that August was one of the worst months Laredo has seen for COVID results in a while. August finishes with 3,941 new cases being reported during the month. Thats up from 1,437 in July and 298 from June. Overall, its the sixth-highest month Laredo has had out of the 18 months since the pandemic arrived locally. It is behind January 2021 (13,140), December 2020 (6,923), August 2020 (4,714), July 2020 (4,593) and November 2020 (4,589). Meanwhile, fatalities were also elevated finishing this month with 46, well above the 15 from July and the five from June. It was also the sixth-highest month for the pandemic, behind February 2021 (148), January 2021 (127), August 2020 (117) and July and December 2020 (102). Laredos rolling seven-day positivity rate is currently 11.1%. Texas rolling positivity rate is 16% while the United States is at 10.6%. COVID-19 Metrics in Laredo Positives: 49,855 Deaths: 907 Hospitalizations: 81 ICU: 28 Fully Vaccinated: 82.1% Recoveries: 48,462 Total Tested: 397,956 7-Day Positive Rate: 11.1% Source: City of Laredo Health Department See More Collapse Active cases have typically seen dips coming off weekends recently, and with the lower positives announced, Monday was no exception. The city estimates that 486 currently have COVID-19 locally including 141 cases below the age of 17, 134 cases between 18-30, 146 cases between 31-49 and 95 cases over the age of 50. The city also stated that of just the currently investigated active cases, 61.7% are non-vaccinated individuals. Serious COVID cases still overwhelmingly belong to the unvaccinated population, as only 54 fully-vaccinated persons this year have been hospitalized with a breakthrough case. Hospitalizations fell to 81 after sitting at 83 Friday and 86 Wednesday the latter its highest total since Feb. 18. ICU cases also fell to 28 from 36. However, with 13 deaths between those five days, the overall dropoffs in hospitalizations statistically may not exactly be progress at all as the number is remaining high despite the losses. The COVID-19 hospitalization rate sits at 19.4%, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services most recent data for Sunday. The city has sat between 18-22% pretty consistently during the past three weeks, only seeing a deviation from this once during the time it rose up to 26.4% with last Wednesdays data. While Laredos rate remains similar, the rest of Texas is struggling. Six other hospital regions are now above 30% with some approaching 40%, including Corpus Christi (36.4%), Galveston (34.9%), Lufkin (31.6%), Bryan/College Station (30.9%), Waco (30.8%) and Victoria (30.2%). To put those figures in perspective, Laredo has the record for highest-recorded hospitalization rate in a single day at 48.8% on Jan. 16. However, capacity remains an issue for Laredo as the DSHS reports that it has only five hospital beds available the lowest in the state with only three others below 100 including Bryan/College Station (29), Waco (71) and Belton/Kileen (90). The DSHS does state Laredo had one ICU bed available Sunday, breaking a streak of 25 straight days with none. As Laredo is medically underserved and with facilities understaffed, its hospital capacity has been diminished despite being nowhere near its previous high in hospitalizations of 249 in January when it was receiving help from the state, something that has been denied this time around. This is why local experts continue to tout being vaccinated as vital, even despite the areas success in that regard, as its current lack of resources has curtailed that success. The City of Laredo reported on Wednesday that it now has 177,377 people fully vaccinated, which equates to about 82.1% of the total eligible population. Additionally, a total of 218,698 people have received at least one dose of the vaccine, around 101.3% of the eligible population. Laredo officials have stated that its eligible population figures are based off U.S. Census data, and due to the citys past of having its population undercounted, its true 100% figure may be more difficult to identify. Around a third of Laredos total population is below the age of 18. That means that a significant segment of the citys actual population may not be vaccinated, as those under 12 are unable to do so. As for its elderly, the city reports that 25,957 people age 65 and up have been at least partially vaccinated, around 96.2% of the eligible population. Over the course of the pandemic, 397,956 tests have been administered. An estimated 48,462 people have recovered from a previous infection. zdavis@lmtonline.com A vaccine drive was held on the Columbia Bridge Sunday in a continued effort to show binational cooperation between the sister cities and prepare for the eventual reopening of the border. Five vaccine clinics have been held at multiple bridges since July, resulting in approximately 3,000 vaccines administered. Dr. Victor D. Trevino Jr., Tesoro Medical Care General Counsel and Clinic Vaccine Administrator, said that the current goal is to vaccinate 100,000 individuals by December as the southern neighbor continues to experience a shortage of vaccine doses. The Sunday clinic was a vehicle drive-thru format at the border of Colombia, Nuevo Leon, and Trevino said the line was as long as the eye can see. The vaccines are donated from local clinics and plans for weekly clinics are slated for each weekend moving forward, Trevino said. The virus does not sleep, it does not plan to take a day off, he said. Vaccines used are donated by clinics whose doses are close to expiring, and rather than wasting them, they are used at binational clinics for the people in Nuevo Laredo and other communities along the border. However, with the scarcity in Mexico, residents do not get to pick and choose which vaccine they get. Trevino explained that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have ruled it safe to mix and match vaccines only in circumstances where access to the vaccine is low, a vaccine card is lost or if an individual forgot which dose they received. He added that both the Pfizer and Moderna are MRNA versions of the vaccine, and the U.S. feels more comfortable in mixing both in contrast to mixing two with the AstraZeneca adenovirus vaccine. On Sunday, in one instance, a 90-year-old man living in a ranch with no internet or utilities showed up on a horse and advised that he had gotten the first Moderna dose but was unable to make it to the second appointment when prompted. Based on what is available on-hand and advised by the CDC, clinic staff administered the Pfizer vaccine to complete the 90-year-old mans two doses. And while using the same vaccine is preferable, the scarcity makes it difficult to receive a matching or even the first dose, a problem not had by residents in the United States. Trevino cited a story involving his father, Laredo Health Authority Dr. Victor Trevino. He said that during the Sunday clinic, a van full of children stopped to get the vaccine. When the elder Trevino asked if they were all siblings, the driver explained that they were the only ones with a vehicle and gathered the children from the block to receive their vaccine. In Laredo, Texas, we almost like have a menu-like option. What would you rather have, Moderna or Pfizer? Trevino said. That is unfortunately not the same situation in our neighboring cities, so it is a Tale of Two Cities. Primarily, the clinics would target medical workers to help protect them as they cared for patients in hospitals and clinics. According to Trevino, there was a heavy demand by the demographic as many frontline workers had been without a vaccine, outlining the overall need of vaccination south of the border. After the expansion, Trevino said that vaccine administration does not end at the clinic. In the case of adults and children with additional vulnerabilities to the virus, staff will reach out to them to provide a vaccine dose when it becomes available. In July during the first border bridge clinic, all 400 doses were used for medical workers as it was operated with 200 Mexican medical professional volunteers. Over time, the populations need continued, thus prompting an expansion of who received a vaccine and the number of clinics held. The ongoing clinics began through a cooperation between Tesoro Medical Care, Nuevo Laredo Mayor-elect Carmen Lilia Canturosas, Laredo local businessperson Eduardo Garza, Rep. Henry Cuellar and Nuevo Leon Governor Jaime Rodriguez and Governor-elect Samuel Garcia. To even begin the process of setting up a clinic, a collaboration occurred between Trevino, Mexican city officials in the sister cities and the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risk. Moving forward, the operation is expected to still be in place in time for a border reopening, which is currently slated for Sept. 21 but may very well once again be extended for another month as it has been since the first announcement during March 2020. Because our communities are intertwined, our success in this pandemic depend on each other, the elder Trevino said. We will continue to work towards regional immunity, because it is vital that we vaccinate the most vulnerable on both sides of the border. cocampo@lmtonline.com We all know Houston was once the capital of Texas, and we brag about it every chance we get. But do you know how our beloved Bayou City lost the seat in the days of the Texas Republic? It turns out the drama between Houston and Austin goes back to the 1840s, and is spicier than you might think. In the days of Texas' independence, the capital city changed hands fairly often. Houston held the seat a few times, but by 1842, years after Texans won the Battle of San Jacinto, the capital was in Austin. Because the republic's independence was challenged by Mexico, Texas was under constant fear of attack. In March 1842, a battalion of Mexican forces made its way into San Antonio and threatened to advance to Austin and possibly take the capital, according to the Texas State Historical Association. President Sam Houston ordered the Texas congress to meet and discuss a plan of action but not in the capital city. Instead, he ordered congress to meet in Houston and wanted the state's official archives moved, too, so they wouldn't fall in the hands of the advancing Mexican forces. Of course, that upset Austinites. In an apparent knee-jerk reaction, a "vigilante committee of residents" took arms and threatened to turn their guns on their fellow Texans tasked with moving the official documents, according to the historical association. Yes, Austin's hatred for Houston was so strong that they threatened to shoot Texas rangers sent by the president to grab some papers. Houston ordered the rangers to grab the documents but not cause any bloodshed. In a not-at-all-surprising move, the so-called committee was unprepared to take any action by the time the rangers arrived. Houston's crew secured the archives and left the city in December 1842. By January 1843, the committee of vigilantes had stolen more firepower and cornered the rangers just outside the city. There, they fired several rounds at the ranger who, under orders not to cause bloodshed, gave up the papers to the group and made their way back to Houston. The committee took the papers back to Austin, where they remain to this day. Texans voted to make Austin the permanent capital years later. In the days when we're rethinking how we view Texas' history, including the recent retelling of the history of the Alamo Mission, maybe this intrastate uprising is one of them. It's a saga known as the Archives War to historians, but I'd like to call it the War of Austin's Aggression. On Sunday, Aug. 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. It's hard to believe, but yet another school year is upon us. Kids across the country have either recently returned or are about to return to the classroom. But for many school-age children, the emotional toll of leaving their parents' care for the first time since the start of the pandemic has been overwhelming, leading to an increase in separation anxiety. According to Dr. Parker Huston, Clinical Director of the On Our Sleeves Program and a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children's Hospital, most children at some point suffer from separation anxiety, which is a normal part of childhood development. Kids feel anxious when they first meet a new babysitter or attend their first sleepover, for example. But these feelings are different from Separation Anxiety Disorder, which Dr. Huston describes as, "when separation anxiety comes to a point where it's limiting functioning." In this case, children might have more irrational fears about being left at school. "Kids will say and think things like, 'My parents are going to die while they're gone.' Or 'I'm going to get kidnapped,'" Dr. Huston says. "There's a lot of really scary thoughts that they have about what will happen." These emotions are heightened this year specifically because of the pandemic. "I would say over the past 18 months or so, one of the problems we've had is that those normal separations that we typically have from our kids, many of us have not been having nearly as often, if at all," says Dr. Huston. Children have become acclimated to being at home with their family, so the return to school is understandably jarring. Going back to school, Dr. Huston says, is "the first time for many of them where they're out of their parents' care." With that in mind, he has four basic tips for parents to help their children ease back into the school year. First, engage in a discussion. Ask your child how they're feeling and if they have any fears or concerns. And instead of trying to solve your child's problem, ask open-ended questions. "A lot of times parents ask a question like 'How are you feeling?' And the kid says, 'I'm a little nervous,' and the parent's response is, 'Well, you shouldn't be nervous, because...' Then they try and convince them that they're being irrational," Dr. Huston says. "But being irrational is irrational, it doesn't respond to us saying, 'Your teacher's nice' or 'Your friends are there.' It's an irrational fear. You want to just listen and see how deep the problem goes." Dr. Huston says it's better to instead ask more probing questions such as, "What do you think would happen while you're at school? What do you think's going to happen when I go back to work? What are you going to feel?" Second, rehearse the re-entry to school to get your child acclimated. Walk them to school and show them the door they'll use to enter the building. Talk through what the drop-off procedure might look like. "The more known it is ahead of time, the less scary it could be," Dr. Huston says. Third, create a routine or ritual that will give your child a sense of consistency. It could be that every day at drop off you pull up to the school, give a quick hug, and send your child off. It might be that you have a special handshake or high five. The routines can be small, but can still have an enormous impact on helping to lessen your child's anxiety. Finally, communicate with the school. Dr. Huston points out that schools often have "more experience than parents with dealing with separation anxiety. So they probably have ideas that you may never think of that could work." If you want to find a product that might help your child transition back into the school year, Dr. Huston says there are a number of items that may be useful. GoNoodle, which many children use both at home and school, offers a number of free mental health resources created in collaboration with Nationwide Children's Hospital's On Our Sleeves program. Featuring videos and mental health guides (in both English and Spanish), the resources are a great way to help kids explore, understand, and communicate their feelings. When Dr. Huston's daughter was in first grade, she wore a locket with a family photo in it to school each day. Having a personalized photo locket or keychain can remind the child of their family throughout the day and provide a sense of calm. ChicSilver Personalized Oval Locket Pendant Necklace ChicSilver $29.99 Shop Now Personalised Photo Keyring Custom A1GraphicsLtd etsy.com $7.17 Shop Now For kids who want to feel even more connected to their parents, bracelets that both the parents and child wear throughout the day can be helpful. This one from Etsy comes with a note to remind the child that "we'll wear the big bracelets and we'll think of you. The small one is yours, so you will think of us, too." Back to School Bracelet, First Day of School MAWXO etsy.com $15.00 Shop Now Packing your child's favorite treat for lunch with a sweet note on personalized family stationery can be a nice way to break up the day. Family Stationary Personalized Notepad PapirStationery etsy.com $15.00 Shop Now Tactile objects are also helpful. Worry stones either loose or on a necklace or pocket holders can be another great way to ease anxiety. Dr. Huston says the trick with these objects is to remember that the items themselves won't get rid of the anxiety; rather, the item is meant to reframe your child's thinking and trigger them to think about something other than their worries. So if your child is afraid they may never see you again, when they touch the item they should instead think, "I can't wait to see Mom and Dad later on and tell them about my day." Worry Stone - 23 Color Options! - Finger Fidget AllThingsSensoryShop etsy.com $4.00 Shop Now Worry Stone Necklace - 23 Color Options! - Finger Fidget AllThingsSensoryShop etsy.com $10.00 Shop Now Child's Pocket Hug TeenyTinyPocketWorld etsy.com $5.78 Shop Now The youngest of kids may benefit from reading a book with their parents. Ariella Prince Guttman's new picture book Wherever You'll Be is a sweet, rhyming reminder that even when children and parents are apart, they are always in one another's hearts and minds. Wherever You'll Be Flamingo Books $14.79 Shop Now Meanwhile, older kids may find solace in journaling. Dr. Huston shared that in some cases, parents may want to consider trading a journal back and forth with their child. The child can write in a journal during the day while the parent writes in it at night. He says it's a way for both parties to forge a deeper connection and share their thoughts in a meaningful way. Hygloss Products Colorful Blank Books Hygloss Products amazon.com $15.37 Shop Now Whatever tactic you choose, remember that this is a school year that will be stressful for many, so patience and communication are key. Sandra Ebejer lives in upstate New York with her husband, son, and two cats who haven't figured out how to get along. Her work has been published in The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Real Simple, Writer's Digest, Shondaland, and others. Read more at sandraebejer.com. Lockport, NY (14094) Today Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 64F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Primary school pupils in Longford and around Ireland are being challenged to get creative in how they learn and think about Europe through the Blue Star Programme, coordinated by European Movement Ireland. The Blue Star Programme teaches primary school children about Europe through creative activities and projects that complement the national primary curriculum. Each participating class carries out projects on history, geography, the institutions of the EU, culture and creativity with a European twist. Teachers and their classes can be creative and tailor their projects to their own individual needs and interests. Conscious of the ongoing challenges posed by Covid-19 that face schools, teachers and pupils returning this September, the Blue Star Programme team will offer participating schools continued support and a fully-flexible, curriculum-friendly programme with additional online resources and activities. Teachers, parents, guardians, carers and the whole school community are encouraged to get involved in Blue Star Programme projects, creating an awareness of the EU and European cultures that reaches far beyond the school walls and out into the wider community. Speaking about the opening of registration for the Programme, Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD said, Blue Star is an exciting project that allows our primary school children to learn about, and get creative on, our European identity and culture. As Minister for European Affairs, I am honoured to support the Blue Star Programme and have seen at first hand the enthusiasm that our young people are bringing to the programme. I am really hoping to visit some participating schools in person as soon as it is safe to do so, and I encourage as many primary schools as possible to register and get involved. Noelle O'Connell, CEO of European Movement Ireland, also commented, While the last school year saw schools around Ireland face another understandably unusual and challenging year, we were particularly encouraged to see the enthusiasm and creativity of participating pupils and teachers, including their great work from home when schools were closed. We were delighted to see a great number of participating schools complete the programme, finding new and innovative ways of completing project work. We look forward to another year of the Blue Star Programme as we are constantly greatly impressed by the imagination and innovation of both the participating teachers and their pupils. Since 2011, we have seen almost 1,100 school registrations in the Programme, and we would love to see these great levels of engagement continue for 2021 - 2022. The programme offers a great opportunity for pupils to recognise the solidarity among European citizens and to celebrate the diversity in the Irish classroom today. Solidarity with our neighbours across Europe has been key as we have faced the outbreak of Covid-19 together and it is vital that this solidarity continues and that our young people recognise the importance of co-operation and solidarity across Europe in challenging times. We strongly encourage teachers to consider partaking in the Blue Star Programme this year. Primary schools interested in taking part in the Blue Star Programme 2021-2022 can register here anytime until 5 October 2021. To complete the programme, schools are asked to take part in online quizzes and/or submit a Blue Star Programme Report outlining how each of the key elements were explored, at the end of the year. Schools are also encouraged to host an event for Europe Day on May 9, in school or online. Further information about the programme can be found at www.bluestarprogramme.ie . SCPD: Two Men Arrested in West Babylon for Attempting to Scam Elderly Woman Out Of $50,000 Crime By Chris Boyle Published: August 31 2021 Detectives from the Financial Crimes Unit received information about the scam and began an investigation. Suffolk County Police have arrested two men in West Babylon for attempting to scam an elderly woman. An 82-year-old Michigan woman received a call that her grandson had been arrested following a motor vehicle crash and needed bail money. The woman sent $10,000 cash to an address in Brooklyn on August 20. A man later called the woman and claimed that a pregnant womans unborn child was killed in the motor vehicle crash, and stated the woman needed to send $40,000 cash to an address in West Babylon. Detectives from the Financial Crimes Unit received information about the scam and began an investigation. The package that contained $40,000 was dropped off outside a residence on Fulton Street in West Babylon on August 25. Benson Massillon walked up to residence, picked up the package and carried it to a vehicle where he and the driver were arrested by detectives. Massillon, 34, of Brooklyn, and the driver, Lenard Gillis, 35, of Baldwin, were each charged with Attempted Grand Larceny 3rd Degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property and Conspiracy 5th Degree. They were arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip. The money will be returned to the victim. The Loudoun Chamber will begin requiring all attendees of in-person, indoor Chamber events, meetings or activities to provide proof they are f Ensure you get a print copy of the Loudoun Times-Mirror delivered weekly to your home or business! Complete online access is included with all print subscriptions purchased online. Plus, up to four other members of your household can share online access through this subscription with their own, individual linked accounts at no additional charge. (Are you a current advertiser? Ask your sales rep for our special advertiser rate code!) (Alliance News) - Anglo American PLC's strategy director Duncan Wanblad is the leading candidate to succeed Mark Cutifani as chief executive, Sky News reported on Tuesday. Sky News noted the FTSE 100-listed miner is considering a small number of external hopefuls for the role. A decision on Cutifani's successor could be announced as soon as the end of October. https://news.sky.com/story/ftse-100-mining-giant-anglo-american-closes-in-on-successor-to-veteran-ceo-12396078 Wanblad took on the role of strategy and business development director in 2016. He was CEO of Anglo's base metals unit between 2013 to 2019. Cutifani meanwhile, was appointed as CEO of the company back in 2013. Sky News noted Cutifani does not plan on stepping down from the post until the Quellaveco copper mine project in Peru has been completed. This is expected to happen next spring. By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair returned to profit in July thanks to a strong holiday season, but expects a "difficult" winter, Chief Executive Michael O'Leary told AFP on Tuesday. "We went back to profit in July, we'll make a profit again in August because the recovery has been very strong in the peak summer period. But this winter will be difficult," O'Leary said after holding a major press conference in London. Shares in the Dublin-based airline were down 3.1% to EUR15.84 in London on Tuesday afternoon. Earlier, O'Leary told Reuters that Ryanair has lifted its passenger target for September, October and November to 10.5 million per month. The previous forecast in July was for 10 million passengers per month in that period. O'Leary said Ryanair is set to beat its target for 10.5 million passengers in August, and that capacity should return to pre-pandemic levels in October - up from 90% in September and 80% in August. But around 15% to 20% of seats will be empty over the winter, compared to 7% to 8% before the pandemic, he added. Pricing will "continue to build" over the winter and is expected to reach pre-Covid levels in summer 2022. https://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSKBN2FW0IJ source: AFP Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Tuesday and not separately reported by Alliance News: CentralNic Group PLC - London-based domain name registry and registrar services firm - Pretax loss in six months to June 30 narrows to USD600,000 from USD1.8 million as revenue surges 57% to USD174.4 million from USD111.3 million. Organic revenue growth 20% year on year due to "standout performance" from Online Marketing unit. Chief Executive Ben Crawford says: "CentralNic has enjoyed a very strong first half across both our online presence subscriptions products and our privacy enabled online marketing technologies - achieving record organic growth of 25% in the second quarter, following 16% organic growth for the first quarter 2021 and 9% for the full year 2020. By virtue of our significant investment in resources, restructuring and market-leading products and promotions, we expect full year revenue and profits to be at least at the upper end of market expectations. As our investment levels plateau, we expect future periods to benefit from increasing operational leverage." Base Resources Ltd - Perth, Australia-based mineral sands developer with assets in Kenya and Madagascar - Revenue in the financial year ended June 30 falls 4.7% to USD198.2 million from USD208.0 million. Pretax profit falls 36% to USD29.3 million from USD45.6 million. Declares final dividend per share of 4.0 Australian cents, bringing the full-year total to 7.0 cents, up from 3.5 cents in financial 2020. "We enter the 2022 financial year with a high degree of optimism for the future of our company and the value we can create," Chair Keith Spence says. Sabien Technology Group PLC - London-based energy saving technology - Pretax loss in year to June 30 narrows to GBP509,000 from GBP1.4 million loss year before. Revenue doubles to GBP971,000 from GBP454,000. Administrative expenses slip to GBP1.2 million from GBP1.3 million. Executive Chair Richard Parris says: "Sabien's strategy has been developed and will evolve further through the evolution of the 'Green Economy'. For example, the UK has committed to achieving a net-zero economy by 2050. The US, across its different markets, is setting similar targets within equivalent timeframes. These ambitious goals demand equally ambitious innovation in products, services, and technology. Sabien is committed to building a portfolio of businesses which are involved directly in the application of emerging and developed technology to the emerging Green Economy. It will do so through organic, partnership and acquisition-led development." Galantas Gold Corp - Northern Ireland-focused gold producer - Net loss in six months to June 30 widens to USD3.5 million from USD1.5 million, as general expenses rise to USD3.2 million from USD1.3 million. Did not generate revenue in either period. Chief Executive Mario Stifano says: "The company has made great strides in advancing the Omagh project with the commencement of drilling to increase the confidence of resources for mine planning while also looking to expand known resources. Operationally the company has secured critical new mining equipment to support mining activities while strengthening site management and operations team as we commence a phased restart of operations." Immedia Group PLC - AIM-listed supplier of multi-media content and digital solutions - Pretax loss in six months to June 30 widens to GBP427,730 from GBP360,867 year before. Revenue drops to GBP1.1 million from GBP1.3 million. Chief Executive Ross Penney says: "Given continued difficult market conditions we have re-engineered the business to suit the new trading environment. This is evidenced by a substantial improvement on trading Ebitda compared to the prior period as we have benefited from a full six months of reduced cost base." Notes "prospects for HY2 2021 are favourable, and we expect the HY2 trading environment to be significantly more positive than HY1 as Covid-19 restrictions ease." Orosur Mining Inc - South American gold exploration and development company - Sinks to loss in twelve months to May 31 of USD171,000 from USD1.9 million profit year before. Corporate & administrative expenses slip to USD1.2 million from USD1.5 million, but share-based payments jump to USD1.0 million from USD40. Chief Executive Brad George says: "Operationally and financially, it has been a good year, albeit a somewhat challenging one in light of the Covid-19 pandemic that has impacted every facet of our business. Uruguay continues to be wound down in an orderly fashion as per our plans and is near the end; Colombia has been a major success story with tremendous results from our drilling and sampling programs, all undertaken while the pandemic raged around us; and our balance sheet was brought back to life with a well-supported capital raising. With work accelerating at Anza and with potential new projects coming on line, this coming year looks to be even better." Alba Mineral Resources PLC - exploration company with assets in Greenland, Ireland and the UK - Pretax loss widens to GBP567,828 in the six months ended May 31, from GBP303,921 a year ago. An announcement on the planned spinoff of Greenland assets into a separate company will be made shortly. "Alba remains in a strong position to generate real and sustained growth across the company's portfolio of assets and investments," company says. Wameja Ltd - Sydney-based mobile payments - Pretax loss widens to AUD3.4 million in the first half of 2021, about GBP1.8 million, from AUD3.2 million a year ago. Company makes no revenue and declares no dividend. Takeover by MasterCard Inc is expected to complete on September 21. Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas Ltd - Toronto-based explorer with assets in Namibia and Guyana - Revenue from interest income falls 84% to USD4,524 in the three months ended June 30, from USD28,409 a year ago. Net loss widens to USD825,624 from USD804,866. Expects to select targets from the Orinduik Block offshore Guyana in the third quarter. Eco and its joint venture partners will reconsider commercialising the Jethro oil discovery following the increase in oil prices. "We are upbeat about the company's prospects for the rest of 2021 and are well-placed to deliver long-term success into next year," Eco says. Clarify Pharma PLC - London-based investor in psychedelics companies - Makes pretax loss of GBP472,748 in the six months ended May 31, in its first year of trading. Net cash is GBP1.8 million as of Tuesday. "The deal flow of potential investments remains strong and the directors and advisers continue to evaluate exciting new opportunities that will generate long-term value for investors," company says. Yooma Wellness Inc - Toronto-based hemp and cannabinoid products - Makes revenue of USD2.2 million in the three months ended June 30, from zero revenue a year ago. Net loss widens to USD3.2 million from USD431,143. "Yooma has made significant progress since completing its public listing earlier this year, including a number of exciting acquisitions in the CBD and wellness space and a successful capital raise of up to US$17.1 million. Our efforts during the second quarter laid the foundation for the buy-and-build strategy that we recently outlined to investors," Chair Lorne Abony says. Thor Explorations Ltd - Vancouver-based mineral explorer with assets in west Africa - Swings to pretax loss of CAD6.8 million in the three months ended June 30, equivalent to GBP3.9 million, from a profit of CAD1.1 million a year ago. Lifts 2021 production guidance for the Segilola gold mine in Nigeria to 35,000 ounces from 30,000 ounces. Company is ramping up commercial production and is on schedule for the third quarter. Metal Tiger PLC - investor in mining projects and companies - Net asset value per share falls to 20.1 pence on June 30 from 20.3p on December 31. Pretax loss narrows to GBP567,000 in the period, from GBP3.4 million in the first half of 2020. Administration costs fall to GBP1.2 million from GBP1.4 million, reflecting the board's drive for efficiency. Bisichi PLC - London-based owner of coal mines in South Africa and retail properties in the UK - Revenue in the first half of 2021 rises 65% year-on-year, to GBP23.6 million from GBP14.3 million. Pretax loss narrows to GBP686,000 from GBP2.0 million. Production falls 4.7% to 553,000 tonnes from 580,000 tonnes. Second-half production is expected to remain at a similar level to the first half. The effect of the pandemic on Bisichi's property portfolio remains uncertain, but rent collection has improved in 2021. London & Associated Properties PLC - investor in UK retail properties - Revenue in the first half of 2021 rises 57% year-on-year, to GBP26.5 million from GBP16.9 million. Pretax loss narrows to GBP903,000 from GBP2.9 million. Net asset value per share falls to 34.22p on June 30 from 34.99p on December 31. Company does not declare a dividend, saying its strategy is to "maximise income over the medium term by moving the emphasis away from retail...This is beginning to show results and our dividend policy will reflect this, once our cash has been reinvested and our income has returned to previous levels. Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd - explorer with assets in South Africa, Australia and Hungary - On Friday reports a swing to a total loss of USD693,000 in the three months ended June 30, from income of USD199,000 year-on-year. Company says it is in a strong financial position with cash of USD10 million as of June 30, and it is continuing to focus on cost management and the efficient operation of the portfolio. Atlas Mara Ltd - lender with operations in sub-Saharan Africa - Reports net loss of USD58.7 million in the 14 months ended February 28, versus a loss of USD143.2 million in 2019. Atlas Mara is in the process of changing its financial calendar to end in February instead of December. It continues to consider options including delisting. "Despite the challenging macroeconomic environment in Africa, most of our banks generated positive recurring operating profit during the period," Chair Michael Wilkerson says. Chill Brands Group PLC - London-based cannabidiol products - Revenue in the financial year ended March 31 rises to GBP320,875 from GBP92,606 the previous year. Pretax loss widens to GBP5.9 million from GBP1.8 million. Plaza Centers NV - property investor in India - Reports zero revenue in the first half of 2021, versus EUR1.5 million a year ago. Pretax loss widens to EUR9.0 million from EUR7.3 million, mainly because of finance expenses on bonds. Company says it continues to focus on selling assets, including Casa Radio in Bangalore. The company is unable to serve its entire debt and plans to request delays to bond repayments. If bondholders reject the request, the company would need to further restructure its debt, or it may cease to be a going concern. MiLOC Group Ltd - Hong Kong-based pharmaceutical and beauty products - Reports delayed 2020 results, with revenue increasing 33% to HKD20.5 million, about GBP1.9 million, from HKD15.4 million in 2019. Swings to a pretax profit of HKD6.2 million from a loss of HKD40.6 million. Does not recommend a dividend. The company will maintain income in 2021 by providing medical supplies, selling SD Labs and FMCG products, launching a special design crushing pen, and cutting unprofitable product lines. By Paul McGowan and Ivan Edwards; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com, ivanedwards@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Today Rain. Potential for flooding rains. High 76F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected. Tonight Rain. Potential for flooding rains. Low 72F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch. Tomorrow Periods of rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. High around 80F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. MANISTEE TWP. Like most employers during the pandemic, Munson Healthcare hospitals have seen staff turnover. But when your organization is tasked with combating COVID-19, finding and maintaining the right personnel and leadership is crucial for the areas wellbeing. Munson Healthcare, the regions largest healthcare provider, has seen a number of changes to its executive leadership this summer, including the appointments of a new chief financial officer and chief medical officer. In August, Munson announced changes to the leadership structure for both Manistee Hospital and Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital. The changes followed Manistees chief operating officer resigning in May to take a CEO role at a community hospital in Pratt, Kansas. Kelly Tomaszewski, a R.N., who previously served as chief nursing officer for both Manistee and Paul Oliver has moved into a combined role at Manistee. Tomaszewski's CNO role at Paul Oliver was restructured similarly and absorbed by Kristi Johnson, registered nurse and chief operating officer. Also in August, Munson Healthcare announced Cristen Brandsma would be its new director of surgical services and Spencer Derenzy was appointed new executive director for surgical subspecialities and orthopedics. The hospital has also named Alicia Maitland as its new chief financial officer, Walt Noble as its new chief medical officer and Randy Hodges its new primary care service line executive director, earlier this summer. We reached out to Munson Healthcare spokesperson Lynn Schutter to discuss changes in company leadership and to find out how the healthcare provider is meeting its staffing needs in 2021. Some questions have been edited for clarity. MANISTEE NEWS ADVOCATE: Theres been a number of changes at Munson Healthcare. Is this part of the normal ebb and flow of personnel coming and going or is there more at work? LYNN SCHUTTER: Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital took advantage of an opportunity to restructure its executive leadership structure with the resignation of chief operating officer Darrell Lavender. Mr. Lavender accepted a chief executive officer role at a community hospital in Pratt, Kansas. Similar to many community hospitals of our size and volume, we implemented a dual chief operating/chief nursing officer role at Manistee and at Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital. The work is similar enough to be a dual role and results in a cost savings to the hospital. Those savings can put towards other necessary labor-related expenses like additional front-line staff. Munson Healthcare has had success with regional leadership and continues to implement such roles when it makes sense. In our area, Munson Healthcares South Region talent is shared across Manistee, Cadillac, and Paul Oliver. These experienced and talented professionals provide high level leadership, and the arrangement allows for expenses to be shared among three entities instead of each bearing the full cost of the manager role. Regional leadership advances system alignment, promotes standard work across the entities, and enables the sharing of best practices from each facility with other Munson Healthcare hospitals. MNA: Are any of the changes weve seen part of a planned restructuring? If so, can you share some overall goals or priorities of this process? SCHUTTER: As the healthcare system has grown, Munson Healthcare has worked thoughtfully toward more closely aligning operations across the service area, to ensure a standard patient experience and improve efficiencies. Regional leadership can help achieve those goals. At this time, there is no major restructuring of leadership planned. When leadership vacancies do occur, we take the opportunity to determine if the role needs to be filled, if it would make sense to move those duties to another leaders responsibilities, or if it would be beneficial to have regional oversight of those functions. MNA: Will personnel changes impact the care patients can expect to receive? SCHUTTER: Our patients are the center of all that we do, and our focus remains quality, safety, and excellent care and customer service. We are working very hard to make sure that we have appropriate staff in place to provide the outstanding care and exceptional patient experience Munson Healthcare is known for. Regionalizing leadership roles allows us to dedicate more resources to frontline and support staffing. Weve experienced some of the same staffing challenges seen in other industries recently, and we have appreciated the support and patience from our community. MNA: Currently, what are the hospitals biggest staffing needs? SCHUTTER: There is a need for nursing personnel, as well as many other direct and non-direct patient care roles at Manistee Hospital and across the Munson Healthcare system. Unfortunately, we are not alone. We are actively recruiting and hiring. Munson Healthcare has created a utility worker role, cross-trained in several skill sets and used throughout many departments in the hospital. Opportunities are available for those with healthcare experience as well as in entry-level positions, both clinical and non-clinical. For information on careers and open positions, please visit our careers page at munsonhealthcare.org/careers. MNA: What role has COVID-19 played in staffing at the hospital? SCHUTTER: Many hospitals across the county had been working short-staffed, even before the pandemic, and conditions have not improved. Some of our staff are working overtime because of staffing shortages. The delta variant and impending surge of COVID-19 patients will further stress an already tight staffing situation. (Munson Healthcare) is actively recruiting employees, offering sign-on bonuses, and partnering with educational institutions to train staff for roles within our system. Equally important is the retention of our current healthcare team, as their dedication throughout the pandemic has enabled us to treat COVID-19 patient along with our regular patient volume. MNA: How are hospital workers holding up at Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital? SCHUTTER: While working in pandemic conditions has been difficult and stressful, our team is dedicated and resilient. We encourage our employees to take time off so that they can reset and refresh in order to provide the best care to our patients. Turnover is somewhat higher than usual but not out of line with what other industries are experiencing. MNA: How has an increase in delta-variant COVID-19 cases impacted the hospital staff? SCHUTTER: The delta variant has arrived in northern Michigan, and our COVID-19 hospitalizations across the system are increasing. The vast majority of these hospitalization are unvaccinated individuals and children. As with the previous surge, Manistee Hospital is currently caring for COVID-19 inpatients. RELATED: On life support: Paramedic, EMT shortage impacts residents, expected to worsen Staff shortage at medical care facility could have consequences for future residents Munson paramedic training program begins this month Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has addressed the controversial events that took place in the Belgian GP at Spa. After a four-hour delay due to poor weather conditions the race finally started behind a safety car, but was stopped after only three laps of the circuit. Despite the extremely short race time, points were still distributed and podium places were awarded, leading to much criticism from all sectors, including drivers such as Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz. Many believe F1 organisers wanted the race to start to ensure that the commercial deal with promoters was fulfilled and the full fee was therefore paid. F1 CEO Domenicali has since come out to defend the decision. Did they race just for the TV money and sponsors? "No, no, at the end of the day," Domenicali said. "That's why, when I hear that there was some commercial discussion behind that, it's totally not true, because when we're talking about racing, there is responsibility, that is a clear process, and those things are not connected at all." Would Spa have paid the fee if the race didn't go ahead? "Absolutely. That's why I said to consider that as something related to a commercial implication is wrong," Domenicali said. Why did they stop after just three laps? "For the people, of course, it's a shame, because it's something that everyone wants to see, a proper race," Domenicali said. "But I think that the decisions taken by race control are absolutely correct. "There was the wish and the will to do the race. And as soon as there was information, I was following what was the situation there, there was a window of possible weather improvement to try to do the race. "Then as soon as they restarted, the comments were pretty clear, and on the other side another weather forecast received, not possible. Despite the disappointment for everyone, I think in terms of management, it was the right thing to do." Any message for the fans? "The message is clear, that unfortunately we don't control the time," Domenicali said "Two laps or no laps, the spend was there. "So, it's not a problem of laps. It was the point of trying to do the race. I think on that, race control tried to do the maximum to do it. So, as I said, it's not a problem of laps or no laps, it's really unfortunate conditions. "You need to consider safety for everyone, and that's very, very important. As I said, the first to be disappointed is me, because I love racing, but there are always conditions where you cannot do it." With people with tickets receive a refund? "It's something that [we can discuss] together with the organiser," Domenicali said. "We are not the ones that are putting [out] the tickets. Some sign of attention could be done, so it's something that as a gesture of attention, in terms of what will be the right reward in this condition. "Unfortunately, the race is not there. You can pay the ticket and it is what it is. At the end of the day, for sure, the organiser, together with us, will consider the attention, the maximum attention to the fans, that's for sure." "I think there will be ideas that they already are thinking [about], considering what has happened this year." Why wasn't it moved to the following day? "Not for logistical, for a lot of reasons, you cannot schedule the race the day after for many things, related to availability of marshals, availability of other stuff," Domenicali stated. That was considered, of course, but it's not possible. With the promoters, everything is very close, they followed the decision process, so they are not out of that." Sandra Lynn Carlock of Philadelphia, PA, passed away on September 8, 2021 after a short illness. She was the daughter of the late Kenneth L. Carlock and Ruth Carlock of McAlester. Services have not been planned at this time. The Texas Poison Center Network has received dozens of calls this month about people exposed to ivermectin, an animal dewormer some are using for COVID-19 treatment. But the drug, which is flying off the shelves in many parts of the United States, is not a suitable treatment and health organizations are warning against its improper use. Among them is the Texas Poison Center, which has received ... Note: We have changed our commenting system. If you do not have an mdjonline.com account, you will need to create one in order to comment. TORONTO Aug. 31, 2021 Anderson College John Lai Leonardo Faundez There is limited enrollment for this program and Anderson College offers reserved seats for Indigenous rural and northern Ontario students. All students must meet both the academic and non-academic requirements or technicalstandards consistent with the duties of an entry-level sonographer. Sonography is a regulated profession in Ontario under theCollege of Medical Radiation and Imaging Technologists ofOntario (CMRITO). Sonographers are required to be registeredwith CMRITO to be able to practice in Ontario . Registrationinformation can be found at the College of Medical Radiationand Imaging Technologists of Ontario ( www.cmrito.org ). Also, Anderson's DMS program is currently registered with Accreditation Canada and accreditation processes are underway. Anderson College www.andersoncollege.com Anderson College /CNW/ -of Health, Business and Technology is thrilled to announcethe launch of its two-year, comprehensive Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (DMS) program. Students are provided with the didactic, laboratory and clinical education and experience necessary to meet the Sonography Canada examination requirements and will be eligible tofulfil a crucial role in the industry."For the last several years, the healthcare sector has seen persistent growth across North Americaand diagnostic medical sonographers are in highdemand;as the sonography field continues to evolve and technology continues to improve, medical specialties will rely on it more and more,"said, Program Chair, Diagnostic Medical Sonography. "This program will accept only a limited number of students who meet the admission requirements, and they will be learning from senior instructors who all have vast Canadian teaching and clinical experience and love to promote active learning.""Anderson's DMS program includes 21 courses, access to a state-of-the-art scan lab with the latest in ultrasound technology and high-fidelity simulators and two 16-week practicums," said, Lead Instructor, Diagnostic Medical Sonography. "I'm proud to say that, with our program,students will have the opportunity to attain all of the required skills and competencies in keeping with Sonography Canada's latest national competency profile (6.0) and will have precisely what they need to become compassionate, confident healthcare professionals.""Education is an important part of creating a happier, more prosperous society and our DMS program plans to raise the bar on education, ensuring Anderson graduates can provide the best patient care and influence the community for the better," added Lai.SOURCE Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas may have hectic work schedules, but the couple never fails to amaze us with their pictures. Priyanka recently shared a steamy picture on Instagram and in the image, the actress is seen wearing a black and red bikini. Nick is seen shirtless and wearing black swimming trunks. In the picture, Priyanka can be seen lying stomach-down on a chair as Nick uses a fork and knife on her hips. Priyanka also penned a witty caption for the photo: Snack. After the picture went viral, some unwanted attention was headed Nick and Priyanka's way as people started to school the latter about Indian culture and how she is not sanskaari enough. Here are the reactions: Priyanka Chopra Instagram Priyanka Chopra Instagram Priyanka Chopra Instagram Priyanka Chopra Instagram Priyanka Chopra Instagram Well, this was quite expected as the troll army doesnt spare anyone. Its unfortunate that trolls continue to judge and mock people online for their pictures. Speaking about trolls in an appearance on the Feel Better, Live More podcast, Priyanka said, "It's crazy, you have to take away the power from the trolls. Otherwise, if I started giving importance to that, I would not be able to live. But what I realized is that if we give so much credence to online negativity, those are people that are giving you their opinions because they had the ability to do it right now with social media being what it is. But it is up to us to really see if their opinions matter. Is it going to affect your job? Is it going to affect your family? What is it affecting? And if it's only affecting our pride, then why are we giving these people so much importance?" We completely agree with her on her views regarding trolls and that seems like an effective way of dealing with them. On the professional front, Priyanka Chopra Jonas has Amazon web series Citadel, romantic drama Text For You, The Matrix 4, and the recently announced Bollywood film Jee Le Zaraa in her kitty. As the remnants of Hurricane Ida crawled through and out of Mississippi late Monday through Tuesday morning, officials said the Magnolia State mostly dodged a bullet on catastrophic damage and made plans to help devastated south Louisiana. We will do what Mississippians do, and step up and help, Gov. Tate Reeves said in a press conference late Monday. But he warned that Ida, still a tropical depression, would still dump heavy rain and have gusting winds until it exits the state on Wednesday morning. Authorities reported three Mississippi fatalities related to the storm, one before landfall and two on Monday night after the storm had passed through. One motorist was killed in an auto accident in Harrison County on Interstate 110, before the storm hit, as he was traveling to get sandbags. Two people were killed on Mississippi 26 and at least 10 injured after the roadway collapsed on Monday night after the storm passed through and motorists were apparently unaware and drove into the crater. Overall, state damage assessments have not been calculated, but the strong hurricanes impact here was not nearly as bad as once predicted. Mississippi Department of Transportation crews late Monday were focused on clearing roadways in southwest Mississippi, which saw some of the worst wind damage from the storm, Reeves said. The next focus of MDOT, the governor said, would turn to the Coast. Reeves said that state and federal teams had performed 20 water rescues overnight in Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties. He said federal teams had been released to help in Louisiana, and state teams would soon do likewise as issues in Mississippi subsided. Mississippi Emergency Management Director Stephen McRaney said damage reports had come in from eight of Mississippis 82 counties and so far were relatively light, considering the magnitude of the storm. Storm surge along the Coast reached more than 8 feet in Hancock County and caused flooding in low lying areas, but fell short of the 11-foot surge officials had warned Mississippi of before Idas landfall in Louisiana. Some areas of Mississippi saw total rainfall of 12 inches over 24 hours, and inland areas such as McComb and Hattiesburg saw up to 6 inches over the period. Riverine flooding and tornadoes remain a threat, officials warned, even as Ida leaves the state. At its peak, the storm knocked out power to about 144,000 households in Mississippi, McRaney said, but that number had been reduced to about 85,000 by late Monday afternoon. By late Monday, Reeves said, 19 of the 28 shelters Mississippi opened for the storm remained open. He warned those households still without power that a heat advisory was being issued for Tuesday. Reeves said much of U.S. Highway 90, the Coast beach highway, remained closed from Bay St. Louis to Ocean Springs on Monday evening. Refineries and gasoline distribution sites in Pascagoula and Collins were open on Monday, and the governor said supply trucks should be rolling and preventing any shortages at stations statewide. Earlier in the day, Reeves participated in a call with President Joe Biden, Louisiana Gov. John Bell Edwards and other federal, state and local officials to provide an update on the massive storm. The update was carried lived by national cable news channels. Biden pledged all the resources the states needed to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Reeves told the president that the federal search and research teams that had been deployed to Mississippi had been sent to Louisiana where the need is greater. Reeves said the state and local teams could handle search and rescue in Mississippi because it was not pummeled to the extent Louisiana was. Reeves said National Guard troops from Mississippi also were being sent to Louisiana to help. Biden expressed gratitude for those actions. Left to right: Lexie Adams (Miami '21) and biology doctoral students Keaka Farleigh and Katie Stahlhut received the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Photo: Scott Kissell and Jeff Sabo Four 2019 graduates also received the Fellowship By Susan Meikle, university communications and marketing Miami University doctoral students Keaka Farleigh and Katherine Stahlhut, and 2021 graduates Lexie Adams and William Carson, have been awarded fellowships from the National Science Foundations (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program. They are among approximately 2,074 Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) recipients selected from more than 13,000 applicants. The prestigious award recognizes outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based masters and doctoral degrees. Undergraduate students preparing to enter a graduate program, and graduate students who have not completed more than one academic year of a graduate, may apply to the GRF program. The fellowship provides three years of financial support including an annual stipend of $34,000, coverage of tuition and fees, and opportunities for international research and professional development. Alexandra "Lexie" Adams (Miami '21) Lexie Adams with faculty mentor Andrew Jones (image by Jeff Sabo). Adams graduated from Miami in May with bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and a Spanish minor. This fall, she will join Stanford Universitys doctoral program in bioengineering. In the meantime, this summer she has been a research assistant for her faculty mentor Andrew Jones, assistant professor of chemical, paper and biochemical engineering. Adams has worked with Jones since the fall of 2017 the first semester at Miami for both of them on a project involving the production of psilocybin in the Escherichia coli bacteria. Psilocybin, the psychoactive component of magic mushrooms, is currently being tested in treatments of depression, anxiety and PTSD. Jones and his lab were the first to report a new approach to the production of psilocybin by E. coli. This past year Adams mentored other undergraduates in Jones lab group. Before graduating this spring, she transitioned her part of the research project to her mentee Jessica Flowers, a junior bioengineering major. Adams and other talented undergraduates have played a large role in the success of Jones research, he said. His discovery of the production of psilocybin by E.coli has led to a $1 million research grant to extend these studies; two current patents; and the creation of a start-up company PsyBio Therapeutics Corp to commercialize his work. Jones serves as the chairman of the scientific advisory board of the company. Adams success is due in large part to her research experience with Jones. She is the recipient of several prestigious undergraduate awards including: Will Carson (Miami 21) Carson graduated in May with a major in chemistry and neuroscience co-major. He is a new doctoral student in chemistry at Princeton University. He was a member of Miami's university honors program, and a recipient of the 2020 Provosts Student Academic Achievement Award. He conducted undergraduate research with faculty mentors Scott Hartley, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and Wei Liu, former assistant professor. Keaka Farleigh Keaka Farleigh, with Jezkova Lab window art in the background (image by Jeff Sabo). Farleigh is a third-year doctoral student in Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology working with research adviser Tereza Jezkova, assistant professor of biology. He was awarded the NSF GRF in 2020* (due to campus and lab closures during the COVID-19 pandemic stay at home orders in Ohio, we are highlighting his award this year). His research focuses on identifying genetic signals of adaptation to different environments in the chisel-toothed kangaroo rat and other species. Many species occupy vast geographic ranges that span different environmental conditions, Farleigh said, particularly the chisel-toothed kangaroo rat, which can be found in the arid Mojave Desert to the Great Basin Desert area of Nevada, Oregon and Utah. Working with a set of tissue samples from 250 individuals across the species entire geographic range , Farleigh is conducting DNA sequencing and computational analysis to identify links between genetic signatures and local adaptation to the different environments. For example, the rats chisel-like teeth are adapted to removing the salty outer parts of Saltbush leaves, a desert plant. But that morphological adaptation is not needed for rats in the northern or mountainous part of the range that eat grains, seeds and nuts. Understanding different strategies that allow species to occupy diverse environmental conditions, such as genomic adaptation, is critical to predict responses to current and future environmental changes, according to Farleigh. He has conducted similar research with Jezkova on rattlesnakes and desert horned lizards (published July 2021). Farleigh uses the RedHawk Cluster High Performance Computing for analysis of his large data sets. He helped teach Miamis first Computer Science in Modern Biology workshop. The free, week-long student advancement workshop is offered for graduate, undergraduate and high school students to gain computer skills while working with biological data sets generated by labs at Miami. The workshop is supported by funding from M.I.A.M.I. WOMEN Giving Circle and the NSF. Farleighs research has also been supported by a grant from the American Museum of Natural History Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund. Katherine (Katie) Stahlhut Katie Stahlhut tends plants in the Pistell Greenhouse (image by Scott Kissell). Stahlhut is a second-year doctoral student in botany working with research adviser Jonathan Bauer, assistant professor of biology. Her research focuses on the interactions between mycorrhizal fungi and plants. In this mycorrhizal symbiosis plants provide the fungi with sugars, and the fungi provide plants with nutrients they take up from the surrounding soil. Her GRF project involves researching mycorrhizal symbiosis and variation in switchgrass, a grass native to the North American tallgrass prairie. Using tools such as genetic sequencing and Miamis newly renovated Pistell greenhouse in Pearson Hall, Stahlhut aims to identify if mycorrhizal community structure is related to the growth and survival of different populations of switchgrass. She will collect seeds from samples of switchgrass grown in about 12 different areas across the eastern United States and then assess how responsive each genotype is to mycorrhizal fungi in a greenhouse setting. She expects to find that the proportion of each mycorrhizal fungal species a plant associates with will be related to environmental variables of the sites from which the plant seeds were sourced. Stahlhut has also been mentoring the summer research of two undergraduates in the Bauer lab group, assessing how mycorrhizal symbiosis shifts different plant traits such as nutrient uptake, root length and water use efficiency in 27 important prairie species. Lydia Witt,a senior biology major, was a 2021 Miami University Undergraduate Summer Scholar, and Josie Laing, a senior botany major and food systems and food studies co-major, was a member of Miamis 2021 NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates - Ecology in Human-Dominated Landscapes (Eco REU) program. Measuring roots of seedlings Miami 2019 alumni who received the 2021 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Nicholas J. Fendinger (Miami19), graduate student in psychology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. graduate student in psychology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Krystina Hird (Miami 19), graduate student in the biochemistry and molecular program at Michigan State University. Hird was a 2018-2019 Beckman Scholar. graduate student in the biochemistry and molecular program at Michigan State University. Hird was a 2018-2019 Beckman Scholar. Robert Krueger (Miami 19 ), graduate student in mathematics at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Krueger was a 2018-2019 Goldwater Scholar. ), graduate student in mathematics at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Krueger was a 2018-2019 Goldwater Scholar. Leah Kuhn (Miami 19), graduate student in chemistry at Florida State University. Current Miami doctoral students Akanksha Das and Shelby Ortiz, both clinical psychology, and Jared Tangeman (Miami17), biology, received the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship in 2019. Read more about them online at Three doctoral students awarded NSF Graduate Research Fellowships (May 13, 2019). In February, O'Brien was arrested after failing a field sobriety test and refusing a preliminary breath test (PBT). She had pulled onto the shoulder of I-96 and the Michigan State Police inquired if she needed assistance. Disrupted Learning During the Pandemic Causes Dip in State Assessment Scores Disrupted Learning During the Pandemic Causes Dip in State Assessment Scores Martin Ackley 517-241-4395 Education August 31, 2021 LANSING - After a year and a half of disrupted learning due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, student state assessment scores from this spring dipped from the last time that students were given statewide assessments in the spring of 2019. "In spite of the extraordinary efforts of educators, support staff, school leaders, parents, the broader community, and students themselves, the disruption of the pandemic has inevitably resulted in unfinished learning for many of our children," said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. "Results from the state summative assessments and the local benchmark assessments show that some students were able to make relatively normal gains, while many others will be working with their teachers to accelerate their learning to catch up to where they otherwise would have been in the absence of the pandemic. In Michigan and across the country, we have our work cut out for us." The percentages of 8th and 11th grade students who scored proficient or above this year on the English language arts (ELA) PSAT and SAT tests improved over 2019, while the percentages of students who scored proficient or above in ELA, math, and social studies in all other grades declined (see the table below). Dr. Rice noted that precise comparisons to any previous years' scores would be difficult. Students did not take the M-STEP in the 2020 school year, and the percentages of students who took the ELA and math M-STEP tests this year ranged by grade and subject from 64 to 72 percent. "The 2020-21 school year was such an uneven year with high health risks for students and staff, inconsistent technology, and variations in teaching and learning across the state," Dr. Rice said. "Any analysis of M-STEP results must factor in low participation rates in state testing." State Board of Education President Dr. Casandra Ulbrich and Dr. Rice requested that the U.S. Department of Education waive the statewide M-STEP assessments for the second straight year. The request was made in part to maximize student learning time, which had been adversely affected during the pandemic. In addition, the state legislature had mandated district-chosen benchmark assessments to give parents and educators a sense of where students were academically and how educators needed to move forward with individual students. While the U.S. Department of Education (USED) granted MDE's request for waiver of high-stakes accountability requirements, it denied the request to waive state summative assessments. As such, the M-STEP was required to be administered by local school districts, but was optional for students to take depending on parents' beliefs about how safe it was to come into school to take the assessment. Students who took the state assessments were more likely to be from districts that offered in-person or hybrid learning and less likely to be students of color, economically disadvantaged students, or English learners. While achievement gaps appear to have narrowed among particular groups of students in different grades and subjects, it must be noted that all students did not test, and that groups of students who are historically lower achieving did not take the tests in the same percentages as some groups of historically higher achieving students. As such, the results should be viewed with caution. "Districts are encouraged to dig into their data at the school and district levels to better understand and address gaps," Dr. Rice said. "Educators know what we need to do and have already begun to do it, with longer summer school programs, accelerated learning, with greater creativity, for more children, and with earlier school year starts," Dr. Rice said. "Across the country, it will require intense focus to address the gaps so apparent pre-pandemic and, in some cases and places, more so after 18 months of the pandemic." Benchmark Assessments Separate measures of how students achieved throughout the past school year were the benchmark assessments, given to students in grades K-8 once in the fall and once in the spring. Local school districts could choose from four national off-the-shelf benchmark tests or chose/create their own assessment. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the state's Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) partnered with the Michigan Data Hub and two university research partners-Education Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC) at Michigan State University and Michigan Education Data Center (MEDC) at the University of Michigan-to compile the benchmark assessment data provided by districts. In the report produced by EPIC and released today, across all subjects and grades in these benchmark assessments, Michigan students appeared to make less than normal progress towards learning goals as measured and defined by all four approved assessment vendors. While learning as measured by the benchmark assessments did occur over the 2020-21 school year, the rate of learning appeared to be slower than in a typical pre-pandemic school year. Results from the i-Ready and Smarter Balanced ICA benchmark assessments show that many of the students who were behind at the beginning of the year made progress toward grade-level standards by the end of the year. However, according to the report, progress was likely slower than expected in a typical, pre-pandemic year. The NWEA MAP Growth assessment-the benchmark test used by the majority of Michigan school districts-suggests that a greater proportion of students would score at the "not proficient" level on the end-of-year M-STEP than in the most recent year of full M-STEP administration. This is particularly true in mathematics. Although students' fall 2020 MAP Growth scores indicated that they were on-track to reach similar proficiency rates to the last M-STEP administration, this was no longer true in spring 2021. The report also found that students who participated in benchmark assessments in both the fall and spring were more likely to be white and less likely to be economically disadvantaged or eligible for special education or English learner services, compared to the overall population of K-8 students in Michigan. EPIC's next report, to be released in spring 2022, will focus on identifying the specific groups of students by ethnicity, socioeconomic status, English learner status, and student with disability status whose learning trajectories were most affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read By Grade 3 The 2020-21 school year was the first year that third grade students in Michigan were subject to the state's Read by Grade 3 retention law. In total, 3,661 third graders across the state had scores that made them eligible to repeat third grade because of low reading scores. A report on Michigan's Read by Grade 3 law by EPIC paints a picture of the third grade students who scored 1252 or below on the ELA M-STEP. This is the first group of students potentially affected by the retention aspect of the law. Only 71.2 percent of third-grade students took the grade 3 ELA M-STEP test this year. Overall, 4.8 percent of the tested population of third-grade students were identified as being eligible for retention based on their grade 3 M-STEP ELA scores. The analysis showed wide disparities in retention eligibility rates by ethnicity, with African American third-grade students the most likely to be identified for retention and Asian and white students the least likely. Moving Forward Actions to respond to the unfinished learning of students during the pandemic have begun at the local, state, and national levels. Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan state legislature negotiated over $6 billion in state and federal funds appropriated to provide local school districts with resources to help Michigan's students, teachers, and families begin to rebound from the pandemic through local efforts of: expanded learning opportunities over the summer; additional learning time this school year; increased access to early education for more children through the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP); additional literacy and math supports; expansion of social and emotional learning and children's mental health supports with additional funding to hire more school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and nurses, and professional development for teachers and support staff in social emotional learning; smaller class sizes, particularly at the lower grade levels; improved environmental conditions in schools; and higher educator salaries, particularly in the beginning years of the profession. MDE has provided local school districts with regulatory relief and flexibility in the hiring of more educators to help address the teacher shortage exacerbated through the pandemic, and with guidance on how to best navigate the changes in federal and state laws this year. School-level Assessment Data For a complete look at this year's assessment results, please go to www.mischooldata.org. *The COVID-19 pandemic created significant challenges to instruction during the 2020-21 school year, and fewer than 75 percent of students took the assessment, with some subjects having as few as 50 percent taking the assessment. As a result, the data from the Spring 2021 PSAT 8/9, SAT with Essay, and the M-STEP assessments should be used with caution and comparing it to previous years' data is not advisable. Marijuana Regulatory Agency Announces the Joint Ventures Pathway Program Marijuana Regulatory Agency Announces the Joint Ventures Pathway Program August 31, 2021 - The Marijuana Regulatory Agency's social equity team has announced the creation of the Joint Ventures Pathway Program (JVPP). Based on a recommendation made by the Racial Equity Advisory Workgroup earlier this year, the JVPP will connect eligible social equity participants - and those seeking to become social equity participants - with adult-use licensees, potential adult-use licensees, and any businesses or organizations that wish to work with social equity participants and are interested in pursuing partnerships. As the agency responsible for implementing and administering the laws governing commercial licensure of the marijuana industry in Michigan, the Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) recognizes the importance of equity in opportunity for businesses operating in this newly legalized industry. The Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act - passed by Michigan voters in 2018 - directed the MRA to create a plan "to promote and encourage participation in the marijuana industry by people from communities that have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition and enforcement and to positively impact those communities." As the MRA implemented and expanded this plan, it became clear that the broad language of the statute was not enough to address the specific issue of racial inequities within the commercial industry. Accordingly, the MRA established a Racial Equity Advisory Workgroup, composed of state and local officials and industry stakeholders. This workgroup was charged with developing policy ideas and recommendations to address the disparities in ownership and participation in the marijuana industry by people of color and establishing the State of Michigan as a leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the marijuana industry. The social equity team has already compiled a list of over 100 individuals who are interested in pursuing partnerships through the JVPP. If your business or organization is interested in connecting with social equity participants, please visit the JVPP website. For more details regarding the social equity program, please visit www.michigan.gov/mra. Governor Whitmer Applauds School Districts Implementing Smart Mask Policies Governor Whitmer Applauds School Districts Implementing Smart Mask Policies FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 27, 2021 Contact: press@michigan.gov Governor Whitmer Applauds School Districts Implementing Smart Mask Policies A majority of Michigan students now covered by a mask requirement, ensuring safe, in-person learning LANSING, Mich.-Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued the following statement after Wayne County announced a mask requirement for schools, which brings the total number of school districts in Michigan with a mask policy to 179, covering more than 674,000 students or 53.8% of students in traditional public schools in Michigan. "After 19 months of COVID, the science is clear: vaccines and masks keep kids safe and help them continue learning in person. "On vaccines, the message is simple: every eligible Michigander 12 and older should get their safe, effective, and FDA-approved, vaccine to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their community. "On masks, both the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC have strongly recommended that districts require masks for students, teachers, and staff in schools regardless of vaccination status because it will allow them everyone to stay safe while continuing to learn and grow in-person. I agree with our top health experts. "As of today, 179 districts totaling over 53% of Michigan students, are covered by mask requirements implemented by their school district or local county health department. That number has increased substantially over the last few weeks, and we expect to see that trend continue as the first day of school approaches. "Districts and local public health leaders should keep working together to implement mask guidelines and create buy-in at the community level, which leads to better outcomes and better adherence to policies that keep kids, teachers, staff, and parents safe. "Together, we can protect ourselves from COVID and ensure kids keep learning in-person." ### Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor U.S. Service Members Killed in Terrorist Attack in Afghanistan Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor U.S. Service Members Killed in Terrorist Attack in Afghanistan FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 27, 2021 Contact: Press@Michigan.gov Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor U.S. Service Members Killed in Terrorist Attack in Afghanistan LANSING, Mich. - Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Biden, has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the State of Michigan to be immediately lowered to half-staff through Monday, August 30 to honor and remember the American service members who died in the terrorist attack in Kabul, Afghanistan. "We are forever indebted to the heroic service members, who laid down their lives in service to our nation to protect those seeking safety and freedom," Governor Whitmer said. "The attack in Afghanistan is a global tragedy, and my thoughts are with the loved ones of those killed, the troops who were injured in the attack, and the countless Afghans killed and injured. We are praying for the safety of the U.S. service members still on the ground in Afghanistan continuing the mission." On Thursday, two suicide bombers struck a crowd outside the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, killing at least 13 American service members, and injuring dozens of others. Officials have not yet released the names of those killed in the attack. The State of Michigan remembers the victims by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff. To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day. Flags should be returned to full staff on Tuesday, August 31. ### Im as patriotic as the next guy. I love the Fourth of July. I know all the words to the national anthem, and I hum along when it plays at sporting events as I hold my cap over my heart (mostly because I have a godawful singing voice). I love working on election nights, when results roll into the newsroom and it seems like everything weve been taught (and promised) about democracy is on display. I still consider the trip I took to Washington, D.C., when I was in college to be a life-changing event. I had a chance to visit Arlington National Cemetery and see the eternal flame at President John F. Kennedys grave and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I went to the Lincoln Memorial and then walked past the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall, the countless names driving home the true cost of war. What we have, as Americans, is very special, and many people have given their lives to preserve it for us and generations to come. Thats why its been so tough for most of us to watch the news reports out of Afghanistan the past couple of weeks. Whos to blame depends on which side youre rooting against politically, it would seem. Which is par for the course nowadays. The 13 American servicemen and servicewoman who died in a terrorist attack at the airport in Kabul last week certainly arent to blame, but their leadership is. They were left vulnerable due to a lack of planning and utter incompetence. But who holds their leaders accountable? Oh, thats right. Its us. Or at least those of us who are registered to vote. Its up to us to change things, and we have the power to do it. Thats why we have elections in the first place. Im merely stating the obvious, but the fact that there are powerful U.S. senators and representatives that have held their seats for decades proves voters should pay less attention to the letter listed after a candidates name, especially if theyre an incumbent, and pay more attention to what candidates have done and what they promise to do. Our elected officials are supposed to work for us. It would appear they now only work to serve themselves and their parties, and if they manage to do something that actually benefits their constituents, then, hey, thats an added bonus. Over the weekend, social media was filled with pictures of tables in bars and taverns across our country. On those tables sat 13 glasses of beer, with a sign stating the table was reserved for the 13 American men and women who died while serving their county in Kabul this week. It was a fitting tribute done in places where working-class people like those who gave their lives in Afghanistan over the past 20 years likely spent their time on visits home to see family and friends. What the pictures didnt show was a bartender dumping the beer down the drain at the end of the night, untold gallons of Bud and Busch Light seemingly going to waste. I hope we all remember those glasses of beer, and the men and women who didn't get the chance to drink them, when we take a pen in hand to fill out our ballots in November of 2022 and 2024. Otherwise, our votes might go to waste, too. Mark Birdsall is a staff writer at the Huron Daily Tribune. Email him at mark.birdsall@hearstnp.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MarkEBirdsall. MANISTEE COUNTY Whether youre hoping to learn a new skill, discover new worlds, or just need some rainy day reading material, then the Manistee County Library has you covered. All it takes is a free library card to gain access to the wealth of resources and activities available at any of the six branch locations in the county. Thats the message Julie Cirone, assistant director, is trying to share this September during National Library Card Sign Up month. We want to reach the people that you know, maybe we think the library doesn't have anything for them, Cirone said. We have things for everyone and we're such a good resource and having a library card is really the ticket to get it. To help promote the month-long event, Cirone said the library has partnered with others across the country. We have been in contact with libraries across the country and have collected library cards from every state, Cirone said. We used the cards to create a photo collage map of the United States. The collage will be displayed throughout Library Card Sign Up month, and will travel to all of the library branch locations. The point we wanted to convey with this art project is that a Manistee County Library card provides opportunity for discovery and access to a rich and diverse world. It empowers you to explore and experience new stories, Cirone said. Cirone said that inactive Manistee County library cards were also sent out to locations across the United States. A number of events are also planned to coincide with Library Card Sign Up month, including the popular fall local author's series, the conclusion of its local history series and the display of a 9/11 exhibit. Information on these and other events can be found on the library's Facebook page. For over 30 years, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September to mark the beginning of the school year. RELATED: Friends of Library to hold final book sale of 2021 During the month, the American Library Association and libraries unite in a national effort to ensure every child signs up for their own library card. The campaign started in 1987 as a response to then Secretary of Education William Bennett, who stated, Lets have a campaign Every child should obtain a library card and use it. A library card represents the first step toward academic achievement and lifelong learning, and studies show children who utilize the library perform better in school, according to a library association press release. In Manistee County, a library card also grants access to a collection of nearly 100,000 materials including books, audiobooks, magazines, movies, music, video games and more. The library also offers tools to members of the community, including fax and copy services, free WiFi and over 40 computer systems intended for public use. No matter what stage of life you are in, Manistee County Library is a great tool for lifelong learning. We encourage everyone to stop by any of our six locations and discover what the library has to offer, Cirone said. Library cards are free to all Michigan residents and property owners. Simply bring in proof of a current address to get a card. For more information about how to sign up for a library card, visit your local branch of the Manistee County Public Library in person or online at manisteelibrary.org. BIG RAPIDS Big Rapids top government role, as well as two city commission seats, are up for election Nov. 2. Current Mayor Tom Hogenson is term-limited and could not seek reelection. The two candidates seeking to become the next mayor of Big Rapids are Fred Guenther and Jennifer Cochran. Guenther is a retired physician who served patients of the Big Rapids area for 36 years. Cochran is currently a Big Rapids city commissioner. Three candidates are vying for two open city commission spots. Incumbent Jonathan Eppley faces challengers Amanda Johnson and Karen Simmon at the polls. Terms for both the mayors and city commissioner seats will run Nov. 2, 2021, to Nov. 4, 2025. The city of Big Rapids will host a meet and greet with the candidates at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Public Safety Community room. Candidates will be answer prepared questions. In the coming weeks, the Pioneer will be reaching out to each candidate with a Q&A form to give readers a better understanding of the candidates and what they represent. All eligible and registered voters in Michigan now may request an absentee ballot without providing a reason and vote early. To obtain a ballot prior to Election Day, drop off your ballot request in person at the clerks office no later than 4 p.m. the Monday before Election Day. Requests for an emergency ballot must be submitted after the deadline for regular ballots 5 p.m. the Friday before the election but before 4 p.m. on Election Day. The emergency must have occurred at a time which made it impossible for the voter to apply for a regular ballot. Emergency ballots must be returned to the clerks office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Those elected into Big Rapids' roles will then take an Oath of Office during the Nov. 8 city commission meeting. MANISTEE It has been two years since a small, private parcel on Man Made Lake was put on the market. Since that time, more questions have been raised about what is public and what is private around the lake. One-third of an acre sits at the very front of the property around Man Made Lake near a sign at 200 Dunes Drive near the parking lot. What appears to be a beach accessible part of Man Made lake is actually private property. It has a Re/Max for sale sign and orange fencing around this small parcel on the eastern side of Man Made Lake. At the southwest side of the lake is a line of condominiums that is also private and not city or government-owned land. There are several public access trails leading to the lake. The listing on the website, according to Re/Max agent Randall Zakrajsek, shows the street name is 250 Bismarck St. which doesn't show up on any map. The parcel itself is selling for $249,900. It was originally listed in 2019 for $269,000 with a taxable value at $14,240. According to Jeff Mikula the director of the city's Department of Public Works, "There is a private parcel on the east side of Man Made Lake. The property owner has placed a for sale sign and fencing. There are no signs in the city parks system which delineate the boundaries." In late 2007, the city announced it was receiving a more than $2 million Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund grant to be combined with $1.13 million raised locally to purchase 22 acres of property surrounding the lake from Sand Products, according to a 2019 article in the Manistee News Advocate. Zakrajsek said in a previous interview with the News Advocate that, "The current owner acquired (the property) through his great-uncle. I think the great-uncle said in 2007 no I dont want to sell, so (the city) just bought everything around it. But without a fence, without them putting up no trespassing signs, everyone just assumed and they glassed over the except for the one remaining parcel'. However, recently a fence has been put up to indicate that is private property, Zakrajsek said. There is also a sign on the southeast corner of the parcel that says, "Private Property, no trespassing." It is not clear when the fencing or signage was installed. The parcel itself is comprised of two lots that are 120 feet by 120 feet each. At the time of first listing, then city city manager Thad Taylor wasn't sure if the property owner would be successful at selling the property. The property owner had offered it to the city. "Its not currently serviced by water, sewer, electric, gas or anything," Taylor had said. "We did some cost estimates, it was going to cost quite a bit to provide those utilities. We couldnt in good conscience spend city residents tax dollars or even leverage grant funds at that price. It wasnt a good use of public money. Current Mayor Lynda Beaton agrees with that assessment, as well. RELATED: Private parcel on Man Made Lake for sale SEATTLE (AP) Backers of a measure that would change Seattles approach to homelessness are appealing a judges decision that blocked it from the November ballot. The Compassion Seattle campaign initially said it would not appeal the decision Friday from King County Superior Court Judge Catherine Shaffer, saying there wasn't enough time to do so before the election. Shaffer ruled that proposed charter amendment would conflict with state law and usurp the City Councils power. But in a statement Tuesday the campaign said it would appeal after all. Its lawyers filed an emergency motion in the state Court of Appeals seeking to stay Shaffer's decision and allow voters to have their say on the matter. The Judges decision caused an outpouring of support over the weekend from supporters who want us to press on with an appeal, the campaign said. We decided that we must take this action to represent the interests of tens of thousands of voters who signed petitions to put this amendment on the ballot. The proposal would direct the city to provide 2,000 units of housing within a year and to keep public land clear of encampments. Opponents call it an unfunded mandate. In her ruling, Shaffer indicated that blocking the measure from the ballot was not a close call. While she personally supports the measure's goals, she said, it exceeds what can be accomplished through a local charter amendment. The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness and the Transit Riders Union sued to block the measure, officially known as Charter Amendment 29. State law gives local legislative bodies city and county councils the exclusive authority to develop plans targeting homelessness, the lawsuit said. Further, it argued, the amendment would undermine the citys binding agreement with King County creating a regional homelessness authority and would unlawfully waive land-use regulations to speed the development of emergency and permanent housing. Knoll Lowney, an attorney for the challengers, said they were confident the judge's decision will stand. It may not be too late to file an appeal, he said. But it is too late to correct the illegal provisions in the charter amendment. Of the Seattle mayoral candidates who advanced to the general election, former City Council member Bruce Harrell supports the proposed charter amendment, saying the city must act with more urgency on the issue, while City Council President Lorena Gonzalez opposes it, calling it an unfunded mandate that could lead to cuts in vital services. Some homeless nonprofit leaders and advocates have spoken in favor of it, but others started a campaign called House Our Neighbors to encourage voters to oppose it. WARSAW, Poland (AP) Poland's constitutional court on Tuesday reopened but then recessed its proceedings in a case over whether Polish or European Union law has primacy in the country. The Constitutional Tribunal said it would take up the question again on Sept. 22. The court's ruling, when it eventually comes, is expected to define the future relationship of the EU member nation with the rest of the bloc. The court, which is largely made up of judges nominated by Polands conservative, nationalist ruling party, agreed to examine the matter at the request of Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. He asked for the review in March after the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that EU law takes precedence over the Polish Constitution. That came amid a larger dispute over changes to the larger Polish court system, initiated by the ruling Law and Justice party, which the EU views as an erosion of democratic checks and balances. The tribunal's proceedings started in July and then were postponed. The court reopened them Tuesday, but a civic rights official made a motion to exclude a judge who is a government loyalist. The court panel announced a three-week recess while it considers the motion. Law and Justice has made a number of changes to the operation of Polands judiciary since taking power in 2015. It argues reforms were needed to improve the efficiency of the court system and to fight corruption. Critics, however, see the changes as an attempt by the ruling party to gain control in a way that erodes the democratic balance of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. In the spring, retired judges from the court expressed concerns that the procedure could be a step toward Polands eventual departure from the EU. On Monday, pro-democracy activists pushed their way onto the grounds of the court to voice their opposition to the court, which they don't consider to be legitimate, in part because the ruling party put three loyalists on the court in an illegal maneuver early in its tenure. Countries that join the EU are supposed to bring their laws and regulations in line with other member nations in areas ranging from competition and trade to justice affairs and fighting corruption. Poland, a former communist state, joined the bloc in 2004, and the economic growth and travel freedoms that have come with membership have made EU membership very popular. The Polish government argued in March that the EU court had overstepped its authority by declaring the superiority of European law over the Polish Constitution. Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro said last week that the EUs criticism amounts to hybrid warfare against the Polish legal system. ATHENS, Greece (AP) Greek coast guard authorities say they have intercepted a yacht carrying 124 people believed to be migrants just off the coast of the Cycladic island of Milos, nearly three days after intercepting nearly three dozen others in a sailboat on the coast of a southern Greek island. The coast guard said it was tipped off by a member of the public about the yacht, which was located in the early hours of Tuesday near a beach on the southern coast of Milos. Frustrations are mounting with some medical professionals, like Huron County Medical Director Dr. Mark Hamed, as COVID cases rapidly increase once again. We are seeing some pretty sick people, Hamed said. From what I am seeing the cases are just as serious or just as severe as the last surge. My concern is we are hearing reports that some areas are seeing it even more severe. Hamed isnt reporting from a birds eye view, but from the trenches as a practicing physician at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, and emergency room and hospital medical director at McKenzie Health in Sandusky. Hamed also serves at the medical director for Tuscola and Sanilac counties, along with District Health Department No. 2 in Northeast Michigan. Hamed said the symptoms of COVID remain the same as they were at the start of the pandemic, even with the new more contagious variants. It is the same symptoms as before, he said. Cough, cold, fever, chills, vomiting, runny nose. There is no way to tell if it is COVID or flu unless you get a test. However, Hamed does not believe people are getting tested as quickly as they should because they are dismissing their symptoms. People are dismissing it as seasonal allergies, he said. It could be COVID. If you feel sick at all, or if your child feels sick at all, get tested. Hamed said when it comes to treatment of COVID, timeliness in diagnosing it could mean the difference between a mild or severe case in some people. If you are one of the high-risk populations, who are at risk of getting very ill and dying of COVID, and you test positive of COVID, you could qualify for monoclonal antibody therapy, he said. It can turn a case from severe to mild, and can speed up your category. Hamed said even though patients need to qualify for the therapy by being high risk, many people still qualify. If you have a (body mass index) of 25 or over, you qualify, Hamed said. That means I qualify. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services lists the following as higher risk for COVID: Are older in age (e.g., age > 65 years of age). Are obese (Body Mass Index > 35) or are overweight (e.g., adults with BMI > 25, or if age 12-17, have BMI > 85th percentile for their age and gender based on CDC growth charts, Are pregnant Have chronic kidney disease Have diabetes Have immunosuppressive disease or are receiving immunosuppressive treatment Have cardiovascular disease or hypertension Have chronic lung diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, moderate to severe asthma, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary hypertension) Have sickle cell disease Have a neurodevelopmental disorder (e.g., cerebral palsy) or other condition that confers with medical complexity Have a medical-related technological dependence (e.g., tracheostomy, gastrostomy, or positive pressure ventilation (not related to COVID-19)) Hamed said monoclonal antibody therapy is available for high risk patients at hospitals all over. It is offered at all of the hospitals, usually on an outpatient basis, he said. Hamed said the US Food and Drug Administration has also made additional changes to make treatment available sooner. Previously if you tested positive and were within 7-10 days of symptoms, he said. Now they have determined even if you were in close contact you can get therapy, even if you didnt test positive yet. Even though facilities have now been treating coronavirus patients for nearly 18 months, Hamed still said it is a good idea to call ahead when you are seeking treatment for COVID. If you just walk in the ER and during treatment you announce you might have COVID, you have exposed everyone else, Hamed said. By calling ahead, facilities are able to take additional precautions to minimize unnecessary exposure. What also hasnt changed is the effectiveness of wearing a mask indoors and around crowds when outdoors, Hamed said. It is also important to continue practicing safe hygienic measures, such as frequently washing your hands. Hamed said he believed medical officials were too quick to suggest vaccinated individuals could ditch their masks. I think the CDC jumped the gun saying if you were fully vaccinated you could take your mask off indoors, Hamed said. Despite the claims against the COVID vaccinations, Hamed said they are the best way to stop COVID and get out of the pandemic. Hamed said the vaccinations have a proven efficacy at preventing COVID or at least minimizing the severity of COVID. I am a big believer of the effective vaccines that can help prevent COVID or prevent severe illness or death from COVID, he said. Dont ask Facebook, dont ask Google, ask your provider, who knows you better than everyone else. Hamed said in his time working at the hospitals, he has not treated any patients with COVID who had been fully vaccinated. He said he knows some colleagues have had some breakthrough cases, but the severity of the cases were minimal. I know people are saying here are some vaccine patients getting sick, but I will be honest, I havent seen one vaccinated patient that was severely sick, he said. I know other doctors that have had vaccinated patients that have gotten sick, but even those cases werent severe. That is the job of the vaccine. If you do get COVID, odds are you will get less sick. This vaccine is 90% effective at preventing COVID. Hamed said when deciding whether or not to follow precautions or get vaccinated, it is important to remember there have been 600,000 deaths in the US, 20,000 deaths in Michigan and 362 deaths in the Upper Thumb due to the coronavirus. It is in our best interest to get a vaccine, Hamed said. Not only for your protection but also for the protection of the people around you. BERLIN (AP) Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday that she would never govern with support from Germany's hard-left opposition Left party, an option that two of her would-be successors have refused to rule out ahead of the country's national election in September. Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Merkel welcomed positive comments by her current vice chancellor Olaf Scholz about their current governing coalition. Scholz, who is also Germany's finance minister, is the center-left Social Democrats' candidate to succeed Merkel in the Sept. 26 vote. Of late, he has tried to portray himself as her natural successor, even though he belongs to a different party. Readers share what they remember from Sept. 11, 2001 For the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, we asked readers what they remember about that day. A Connecticut gun rights group on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against four of the states largest cities on behalf of four residents, alleging their municipal police departments delayed the residents appointment or applications for pistol permits. The suit, filed by the Connecticut Citizens Defense League in federal court, names the police chiefs or acting police chiefs of Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport and Waterbury as defendants. New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker denounced the suit in a statement, saying the group had previously opposed common sense gun safety legislation which enjoyed bipartisan support, such as laws restricting home built ghost guns, and laws expanding safe storage requirements and background checks. My priorities are keeping our residents safe - not profiteering for gun retailers and manufacturers. Last week a fourteen-year-old boy was gunned down in our city, this is unconscionable, Elicker said. To get a pistol permit in the state, applicants have to first apply for a municipal permit from their local police department, the complaint states. The states strict gun laws also prevent residents from purchasing a gun without first obtaining either a pistol permit, or an eligibility certificate for either pistols or long guns. Once they have received the temporary permit, a resident can then apply for a full state permit, which allows them to carry a gun on them. CCDLs lawsuit focuses on the municipal process, claiming that under the chiefs leadership, the four police departments have administratively slowed to the point of an effective shut down the permitting process. The lawsuit asks for an injunction against the four police departments to change the rules, customs, policies, practices, and procedures under which applicants can apply for a municipal firearm permit. It also asks for the court to compel the departments to timely take the fingerprints and process the applications for permits, along with judgments asserting the delays violate CCDL members rights, unspecified damages and attorneys fees. Renee Dominguez, New Havens acting police chief, said the department is working to process pistol permit applications, but the department also has to work around safety measures related to the pandemic. The New Haven Police Department is dedicated to protecting the safety of our community and our citizens constitutional rights, including their Second Amendment rights, Dominguez said in a statement. However, we are also operating in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which requires appropriate safety measures. The New Haven Police Department is working diligently and with new protocols that will help facilitate the processing of pistol permit applications, but is also focused on its core mission to keep our community safe. A spokesman for Waterbury police chief Fernando Spagnolo declined to comment Tuesday. A spokeswoman for the city of Bridgeport declined to comment, saying the suit is a complex legal matter that had yet to be reviewed. A Hartford police spokesman deferred the matter to the city attorney. In three cases, the suit claims the Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport police departments did not even accept the applications of three of the plaintiffs in the suit. One of the plaintiffs, Anne Cordero, a New Haven resident, was told to sign up online for an appointment to submit her application, according to the suit. When she did so, the earliest appointment date she found was in March of next year. By then the fingerprints she already paid to have taken would be stale, and that she would then be required to pay a second time and have a fresh set of fingerprints taken in order to submit her application, the lawsuit claims. A fourth plaintiff, Jamie Eason, submitted his application to Waterbury police in August and was told it would take 11 months to process it. Under state law, local police are supposed to inform applicants if they have been approved or denied within eight weeks. The suit also notes that twelve other states allow Connecticut pistol permit holders to carry guns in those states as part of reciprocal agreements. Of the 36 remaining states that issue firearm permits, Connecticut residents can apply for non-resident permits to carry a gun, according to the suit. Without a state-issued firearm permit, Connecticut citizens like the applicants and similarly situated CCDL members will not be afforded the right to apply for a nonresident firearm permit in those remaining states, the suit claims. ...Therefore the Applicants and similarly situated CCDL members are prevented from even being able to apply to lawfully carry firearms in those states. CCDL previously sued the state over Gov. Ned Lamonts executive order limiting fingerprinting during the pandemic. A judge struck down the fingerprinting order last June, a decision that was later reversed in an appeals court ruling. Jason DeCrow / Associated Press A beluga whale at Mystic Aquarium that had been gravely ill last week is now in stable condition, the aquarium said Monday. The young female whale, one of five recently acquired by Mystic, had been diagnosed with several health complications, including a low white blood cell count and gastrointestinal issues. She had been sick for several weeks, and officials said last week that she was in failing health. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) A bill cracking down on violent protests that critics argue could stifle free speech is heading to North Carolina's governor. The proposal from Republican House Speaker Tim Moore that was fueled by rioting and looting he saw take place in Raleigh last year amid frustration over the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody passed the House on Tuesday by a vote of 63-41. It now heads to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who has previously expressed concerns with the measure. Moore and other Republicans believe the plan will make criminals think twice before engaging in violence. They also believe it will give law enforcement the tools they need to prevent a rioter or looter from swiftly reentering the streets after they are taken into custody. What this bill really does well is strike a balance between protecting the right of folks to go out and protest... and at the same time, protecting order, the upholding of the law, property and life," Moore said during the floor debate on the bill. Two House Democrats supported the measure, down from 23 who backed an earlier version of Moore's plan in May. House Bill 805 cleared the Senate last week, with the vote split along party lines. If signed into law, the measure would let business owners sue individuals who damaged their property for three times the actual damages they incurred, in addition to court costs and attorneys fees. Those who assault emergency responders would be charged with a more serious felony, even if nobody was physically injured. People who are charged with rioting or looting could also be held in jail for up to 48 hours without bond, conditions similar to those placed on defendants charged with domestic violence. Democratic lawmakers expressed concern that the 48-hour lockup period is excessive and think a better solution would be to promote de-escalation techniques within law enforcement. Rep. Marcia Morey, a Durham County Democrat, said existing laws sufficiently address the consequences of rioting and looting. She believes the harsher language included in the bill the House gave final legislative approval for Tuesday will not reduce violence, but instead, reduce the number of people who feel safe taking to the streets to voice their frustrations. The truth is this isnt going to deter anyone, but it may have the harm of stifling free speech and free assembly, which are everyones constitutional rights. Thats what were afraid of. This bill came out because of a Black Lives Matter protest, and the response to it is not to figure out how we can get police to de-escalate." The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina is among those opposed to the bill, as is Emancipate North Carolina, the state NAACP and Democracy North Carolina. Speaker Moores decision to make HB 805 his personal priority this session clearly sends the message that the demands of the Black community for transformative change have gone unheard by leadership," Chantal Stevens, executive director of the ACLU of NC, said in a statement after the bill's passage. The group is calling for Gov. Cooper to veto the bill. Cooper has previously shared his concerns with the bill, noting it would not address any of the policy recommendations that a task force he commissioned outlined last year to address racial inequity in the states criminal justice system. But lawmakers recently sent him a separate measure that includes some of those recommendations, particularly about police conduct, but leaves out other far-reaching changes. Additionally, Cooper signed a bill Monday that raises the minimum age for prosecution in North Carolinas juvenile courts from 6 to 8. Cooper's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest measure lawmakers sent that would impose harsher penalties on those who engage in violent protests. ___ Follow Anderson on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BryanRAnderson. ___ Anderson is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) Masks will be required in all Pennsylvania public and private schools, as well as child care facilities, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Tuesday, reversing course amid a statewide COVID-19 resurgence that is filling hospital beds and infecting more young people just as students return to class. The Department of Health order will take effect Tuesday, Sept. 7 a week or more after the start of school in many districts and will require students, teachers and staff to wear face coverings when inside, regardless of vaccination status, the Wolf administration said. The Democratic governor said a universal, statewide order was necessary after most of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts did not impose their own mask mandates. State health officials said more than 5,000 students have tested positive for the coronavirus since the start of the academic year. It's crucial for students and staff to wear masks in school. This is a necessary step to keep our students and teachers safe and in the classroom, where they all need to be and where we want them all to be," Wolf said at a news conference. He said the masking order would be reevaluated in early October. Less than a month ago, Wolf had ruled out a statewide mask mandate for schools after requiring them last year. But the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus, which is driving nearly all new infections in the state, has changed the administrations calculus about what is needed to keep students in class. Pennsylvania is now averaging more than 3,200 new, confirmed infections daily 20 times the number of cases it was reporting on a typical day in early July. Some 1,850 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, up more than sevenfold since last month. Deaths have doubled in two weeks to about 20 per day. Most troubling, Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam said Tuesday, is an explosive rise in the number of children testing positive up nearly 300% in six weeks. She said nearly half of those pediatric infections were in children under 12, too young to be vaccinated. The reality that we are living in now is extremely different than it was just one month ago, Beam said. The Wolf administration outlined several limited exceptions to the mandate. A mask doesnt have to be worn if it would cause or worsen a medical condition, or if it would make a task unsafe. Student-athletes don't have to wear one while they're playing, officials said. Wolf took action after a month in which the masking of children was the focus of intense debate at school board meetings around the state. Some parents argued masks are necessary to help tamp down spread and keep schools open for in-person learning. Others contended they make it hard for their children to breathe and are tantamount to child abuse. Stephen Pirritano, president of the Neshaminy School Board outside Philadelphia, said he preferred local control of that decision. But he said that if Wolf was intent on a statewide mandate, the governor should have acted sooner. This shouldnt be a war about how we get these kids educated, Pirritano said. I wouldnt want to sit in a class all day with my face covered. But if there are conditions that say weve got to do it, then weve got to do it. Teachers unions, Democrats, progressive groups and others all said they supported Wolf's decision. Republicans in the GOP-controlled General Assembly, who had fought Wolf over earlier pandemic restrictions, deplored it and threatened a legislative response. Throughout the summer, Governor Wolf and Acting Health Secretary Beam were adamant about allowing these decisions to be made at the local level based on the best available data. It is completely disingenuous for him to flip-flop now when he didnt like the choices school districts made," said Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, R-Centre. Corman contended Beam lacked legal authority to issue a universal mask mandate. Beam said she has that power under various statutes, including the Disease Prevention and Control Law of 1955. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association said the decision on masking should have been left to local school officials. But the group said it would nevertheless remind school districts "of their legal obligation related to the directive. The Democratic governor took action after the Republican leaders of the House and Senate rejected his request last week to pass legislation requiring masks in classrooms. GOP lawmakers acknowledged that coronavirus cases are again surging across the state but insisted that local leaders were best positioned to respond to the pandemic. A group of Republican legislators encouraged their school districts to defy Wolfs order. The administration warned that officials who do not enforce the mask mandate could face legal liability. The masking issue had already generated a raft of litigation just days into the new school year. Last week, a federal judge ordered the North Allegheny School District and its board to require face coverings for students, staff and visitors, siding with a group of parents in the Pittsburgh suburbs who had sued. On Monday, another federal judge rejected a similar request made by parents in the Canon-McMillan School District, also in southwestern Pennsylvania. Parents of special needs children sued the Central Bucks School District outside Philadelphia over its refusal to mandate masks. That case was pending when word of the impending statewide mandate emerged. Some schools reimposed mask mandates on their own after starting out the year without them. The North Schuylkill School District began requiring masks indoors after it was forced to quarantine 60 students. It said only 11 students would have needed to quarantine if masking had been in place. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends masks in schools for students, staff and teachers. ___ Rubinkam reported from northeastern Pennsylvania. CT State Police / Contributed WINDSOR LOCKS Detectives are looking for witnesses who might have information about what happened to the man found dead with apparent gunshot wounds in a vehicle on a highway off-ramp on Sunday, state police said. Connecticut State Police said 22-year-old Dominique Kendrick Miller, of Bloomfield, was found unresponsive in a vehicle on Interstate 91 norths Exit 42 off-ramp around 7:35 p.m. Sunday. TOKYO (AP) U.S. climate envoy John Kerry met in Tokyo on Tuesday with Japan's top diplomat to push efforts to fight climate change ahead of a United Nations conference in November. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi highlighted what he said was the importance of getting other major carbon emitters, especially China, to cooperate. China is the worlds biggest carbon emitter and the number two economy as well, and it is extremely important that we encourage China to firmly fulfill its responsibility to match its place, Motegi told reporters after his meeting with Kerry. Motegi added that he hoped Japan and the United States would lead global decarbonizing efforts at the U.N. conference to be held in Glasgow in late November, known as COP26, and beyond. The United States is the second-largest carbon emitter. Japan is fifth. Kerry was also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, as well as Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshi Kajiyama. Kerry arrived in Japan on Monday and will fly out on Tuesday evening to China for more climate talks his second trip to the country during the Biden administration. Kerry has called on global leaders to work together and accelerate actions needed to curb rising temperatures to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels. He urged China to join the U.S. in urgently cutting carbon emissions. Many countries have pledged to eliminate net carbon emissions by 2050. Japan has promised to strive to reduce its emissions by 46% from 2012 levels, up from an earlier target of 26%, to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. China has also set a goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2060. Suga has said Japan will try to push the reduction as high as 50% to be in line with the European Union. In order to achieve that target, Japans Environment Ministry is seeking a significant budget increase to promote renewable energy and decarbonizing programs. The Trade and Industry Ministry plans to use large subsidies to promote electric vehicles and wind power generation, according to a draft budget proposal for 2022. The Trade and Industry Ministry, in its draft basic energy plan released in July, said the share of renewables should be raised to 36-38% of the power supply in 2030 from the current target of 22-24%. During his Sept. 1-3 China visit, Kerry is expected to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Xie Zhenhua. Venice, FL (34285) Today Partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms possible. High 89F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms mainly during the evening. Low 74F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) Pediatricians from several Florida hospitals all had the same message Tuesday: the COVID-19 delta variant is infecting more children than previous strains, putting more in the hospital and until it abates, schools should require masks in the classroom an assertion Gov. Ron DeSantis disputes as lacking evidence. While pediatric hospitalizations and deaths remain a small fraction of Florida's overall numbers, which have skyrocketed since June, they are exponentially higher than they were during previous waves of the disease. About 60 children are being admitted per day to Florida hospitals for COVID-19, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up from about five per day throughout much of the pandemic even previous surges. Overall, about 230 children are currently hospitalized in the state with COVID-19, compared to 20 in late June when the disease appeared to be waning, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. More than 15,000 patients of all ages are currently hospitalized in Florida, up from about 1,800 in June. At the University of Floridas Shands Childrens Hospital in Gainesville, for example, there were 14 COVID-19 patients Tuesday it typically had one virus patient or none during previous peaks. Dr. Shelley Collins, a UF professor of pediatric medicine, said the current number has left the staff emotionally drained as many of these children are being placed on ventilators. As the numbers grow, the frustration grows and it hurts our hearts every day," Collins said. The pediatric increase has come as schools have reopened and DeSantis has battled with districts over whether masks should be required in classrooms. Twelve of the state's 67 districts, representing about half of the state's 2.8 million public school students, have now defied DeSantis' executive order. It bars schools from requiring masks over parent objections an order that a judge threw out on Friday, saying the governor did not have the authority. DeSantis has said he will appeal, saying there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus that universal school masking prevents the spread of COVID-19 among children. He believes the decision on whether a child wears a mask in class should be left to families and not school boards. Parents and guardians not politicians and bureaucrats are the most local authorities for their own children, his spokeswoman, Christina Pushaw, said in an email Tuesday. "Every family deserves the right to choose whether their own children wear masks to school or not. Federal bureaucrats should not have the power to take that right away from families, or to intervene between parents and their own children. But Associated Press interviewed six hospital-affiliated pediatricians independently this week from across the state and all said students should be masked, as does the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Masks definitely decrease the spread among children, said Dr. Chad Sanborn, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Palm Beach Children's Hospital. They should be mandatory at schools. All the doctors interviewed have more hospitalized children than at any point in the pandemic, with most saying the majority of their patients are normally healthy with no underlying conditions. They also said the majority of their patients are unvaccinated, even among those 12 and older who are eligible. Dr. Emad Salman, chief physician executive at Golisano Childrens Hospital of Southwest Florida, said his facility had 17 COVID-19 patients on Tuesday, almost triple its previous high before this summers surge, with three in intensive care. He and the other doctors believe the surge is caused by the delta variant being easier to catch than the original strain while children and their parents are taking fewer precautions than they did a year ago. Many families have not had their eligible children vaccinated while discarding social distancing and masks not just in schools, but in everyday life. The incidence of COVID in Florida is very high. When the incidence goes down, we should readdress whether the masks can come off, but for today, the safe thing to do is put a mask on, Salman said. Dr. Christina Canody, a pediatrician at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa, said parents who are concerned that their children won't be able to breathe properly or concentrate if they are masked throughout the school day should consider surgeons, who sometimes wear masks throughout procedures that last 12 hours or more. That concern, she said, is not a reality, she said. Dr. Mobeen Rathore, chief of infectious disease and immunology at Wolfson Childrens Hospital of Jacksonville, said he is worried that the upcoming Labor Day weekend will result in another spike among children. After every long weekend, theres been a surge of infections," he said. ___ Associated Press writer Adriana Gomez Licon in Miami contributed to this report. Marine Cpl. Whitney McHaffie refused to comply with a mask mandate and doesn't want to be vaccinated against COVID-19. A month after the Defense Department's mask mandate for unvaccinated troops went into effect, she was booted from the military, possibly making her the first service member to be forced out of the service for violating COVID-related rules. McHaffie, who served at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, went viral on social media after appearing in a video with Josh Mandel, a former Ohio state treasurer who is currently in his second run for the Senate. The video, in which she tells her story of being swiftly booted from the Corps for disobeying the mask mandate, had more than 400,000 views as of Tuesday morning. Vaccines are now mandatory for troops, but were not at the time of McHaffie's discharge. Despite that, the amateur MMA fighter and fifth-grade teacher in Ohio sought a religious exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine that had not been resolved by the time of her discharge. An indoor mask mandate for unvaccinated troops was in effect at the time. Read Next: Final Troops Withdraw from Afghanistan, Ending Evacuation -- and the War More than 600,000 Americans have died from COVID-19, and another 100,000 are projected to die by the end of the year. The rampant spread of the more contagious Delta variant has been linked largely to parts of the U.S. with low vaccination rates. Multiple studies have shown that masks help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend the use of masks in areas with a high number of COVID-19 cases. In an interview with Military.com, McHaffie said the mask mandate violated her religious liberties. She said that she doesn't believe masks are effective and wearing them would be to bear false witness, a violation of the ninth commandment in Judaism and Christianity. The Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that wearing a cloth mask can reduce transmission of droplets from infected wearers into the air by 50% to 70%. Masks also were shown to help prevent uninfected wearers from inhaling large droplets. McHaffie believes she was singled out and that officers sought to make an example of her. She estimates only about half the Marines in her unit were vaccinated and most did not comply with the mask mandate. A spokesperson for the Corps said the policies related to mask wearing and vaccinations apply to all Marines, adding that "failure to adhere [to] policies, orders and regulations may result in corrective, disciplinary or administrative action, when appropriate." Another area of concern raised by McHaffie is the use of fetal tissue in COVID-19 vaccine research. While researchers did use cell lines derived from elective abortion tissue originally created decades ago, that tissue was used to produce proteins and wasn't put directly into the vaccine. McHaffie said that she cannot morally take a vaccine because they are derivatives of aborted fetal tissue. "It's against my religion because it's associated with aborted fetal tissue, I'm catholic, she said. "I'm not against vaccines, for me it's about religious freedom, choice and health concerns." "Aborted tissue" is a concern among some evangelical Christians, though most major religious leaders and institutions, including the Vatican, support vaccinations to save lives. None of the COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the U.S. are made with tissues taken directly from aborted fetuses. The Defense Department allows troops to seek religious exemptions, and it also will excuse service members from getting the coronavirus vaccines, including potential booster shots, if they have legitimate health concerns or were a part of a tiny minority of those who suffered from rare vaccine side effects such as myocarditis. Military.com was the first American news outlet to report on the link between COVID-19 vaccines and heart inflammation. McHaffie said that she objects to any mandates on health care. Yet troops must abide by a large roster of Defense Department health standards when they join the armed services, given mandates for other vaccines. Aside from COVID-19 shots, troops are mandated to receive more than a dozen vaccines against diseases such as smallpox and influenza. McHaffie did not have an explanation as to why she accepted the other mandatory vaccines as part of her service, but rejected the COVID-19 vaccine, when asked by Military.com. She described the events leading to her separation from the Marine Corps as being triggered by a coughing fit. "I went into my [officer in charge's] office to talk about something else, and I was coughing and he asked me if I thought I had COVID," McHaffie said. "At that point, I told him I don't believe in the panic behind COVID and I'm entirely fine. From that point, he kept pushing the COVID topic and told me when it was mandated he was going to push paperwork if I don't comply." That was exactly a month after the Pentagon issued an indoor mask mandate for unvaccinated troops on June 22. The policy has since been updated to include all troops in parts of the country where the virus is spreading quickly. McHaffie added that a senior member of her chain of command even called her mother, asking her to urge her daughter to fall in line with the rules. The next day, July 23, her chain of command issued a formal warning to McHaffie that they would move ahead with a discharge, according to documents reviewed by Military.com Her commander said she "willfully" disobeyed two superior officers by "refusing to wear a face covering despite not meeting the requirement to be exempt." The officers who acted to remove her from the Marine Corps did not reply to multiple requests for comment from Military.com when reached by text and phone calls. Less than a week later, on July 29, McHaffie received a general discharge under honorable conditions, according to a copy of her DD-214, which summarizes a service member's time in the military. It was a lightning-fast dismissal; it is unusual for a service member to be kicked out in less than a week even for serious criminal offenses. But her chain of command acted within the realm of their power and followed guidance from the Pentagon. Richard Mast, an attorney with Liberty Counsel, an evangelical religious organization, told Military.com that the speed of the discharge was shocking and that "she barely had time to seek counsel." Six months after a discharge, troops are allowed to appeal for an upgrade. Mast says he is seeking to have McHaffie's discharge upgraded to honorable. While her current discharge status entitles her to most benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs, she isn't eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. -- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon. Related: Bases Bring Back Mask Mandates as Coronavirus Variant Sweeps Through Unvaccinated Parts of America QUETTA, Pakistan Pakistans counter-terrorism units raided a hideout of the Islamic State group in the restive southwestern Baluchistan province before dawn on Tuesday, setting off a shootout that killed 11 militants, the police said. The units, acting on intelligence, carried out the raid in the district of Mastung, where ISIS militants had recently killed two police officers. The police said suicide belts, hand grenades and assault rifles were confiscated in the raid. The counter-terrorism department provided no further details and the nationality of the slain militants was not immediately known. The counter-terrorism police is a special branch of the police that fights militant groups. Quetta is the capital of Baluchistan province where ISIS group has claimed several attacks in recent years. ISIS has regional affiliates in both Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan. Baluchistan is also the scene of a low-level insurgency by Baluch separatist groups, which have also targeted non-Baluch laborers. However, unlike ISIS, they have no history of attacks on the minority Shiite community. The U.S. military on Tuesday denied reports in the wake of its departure from Afghanistan that it had left working dogs behind at the airport in Kabul, or that it had abandoned dogs in cages. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in a tweet that U.S. troops did not leave dogs in cages at Hamid Karzai International Airport when its last flights took off Monday afternoon, East Coast time. Photos circulating on social media showing 150 dogs in cages lined up at the airport are of animals belonging to a group called Kabul Small Animal Rescue, the Pentagon said. They were not military working dogs or under the care of U.S. troops. As of Tuesday the dogs pictured were still in Afghanistan. Read Next: The Last US Soldier Out of Afghanistan Kabul Small Animal Rescue was founded by an American, Charlotte Maxwell-Jones, in 2018; the group helped U.S. troops bring home cats and dogs they had befriended while deployed to Afghanistan. The Taliban ordered Maxwell-Jones to leave the country after it took over earlier this month, and she scrambled to get her employees, their family members and up to 250 animals out as well, Stars and Stripes reported. The Pentagon said that Maxwell-Jones brought the dogs to the airport in kennels and asked troops to get them on military evacuation flights. The military denied her request because of customs prohibitions and the need to reserve all space on flights for people needing evacuation. Maxwell-Jones then tried to charter a civilian aircraft to pick the dogs up, but the plane never arrived, according to the Pentagon. It added that troops moved the dogs from the runway to a compound that had been used by the former Afghan army. Service members then let the animals out into an enclosed area, where they remained when the final U.S. flights departed. Maxwell-Jones stayed with the dogs to try to get them onto a later flight, officials said. Sunday afternoon, before the final U.S. departure, the animal rescue group tweeted photos of some of the dogs it was trying to help, with the hashtag #OperationHercules. The post went viral. About an hour later, the group posted on Twitter again, urging people to stop tweeting at the State Department and U.S. Central Command and saying its team was handling the situation. The group's last full tweet came Monday afternoon and urged followers to "PLEASE LET THE PROCESS WORK." But by Tuesday, photos of the canines continued to rocket across social media, along with claims they were abandoned working dogs, prompting the Pentagon to issue a denial. -- Stephen Losey can be reached at stephen.losey@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StephenLosey. Related: US Woman Under Taliban's Watch Won't Leave Kabul Without Her Staff and Hundreds of Rescue Animals The Veterans Crisis Line has seen a sharp uptick in calls since the Taliban took control of Kabul in mid-August, a sign that veterans experienced significant stress as the war in Afghanistan came to a close. But Department of Veterans Affairs officials say the increase also means former service members are seeking help -- an encouraging trend that may be the result of a concerted effort to eliminate any stigma associated with mental health treatment. "Our [Veterans Crisis Line] number is being marketed everywhere right now, which I'm thankful for," said psychologist and Crisis Line Director Lisa Kearney during a call with reporters Tuesday. "The more we can do to normalize discussions about crisis, about suicide and it's OK to reach out for help ... I'm thankful for it." Texts to the hotline jumped 98% between Aug. 14 and Aug. 29, while chat messages and calls rose by 40% and 7% when compared with the same time frame last year, according to the VA. Read Next: The Last Soldier Out of Afghanistan Since the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Kabul, veterans, their advocates and mental health professionals have expressed concern for the health of former troops, who may be experiencing renewed grief over the loss of comrades-in-arms or questioning their service or purpose as the war concluded. VA officials said August is typically the beginning of the line's busiest time, running through October. In addition to Afghanistan, "multiple factors are at play" this year that may be pushing veterans to seek assistance, they said. "We've had multiple broad and meaningful weather events, we are going into the 20th anniversary of 9/11 ... and you have different political events that have occurred, to include the Afghanistan withdrawal," explained Matthew Miller, national director of the VA's Suicide Prevention Program, on the same call. In 2020, the Veterans Crisis Line averaged 1,756 calls per day and had roughly 300 contacts a day through chat and text programs. Since the Crisis Line protects anonymity, Kearney could not say whether the increase in calls has come primarily from any one group of veterans -- Afghanistan vets, post-9/11 or Vietnam veterans, etc. -- nor could she give a breakdown on branch of service or ages. But, she noted, veterans ages 18 to 34 tend to favor the line's chat and text functions, while those over age 55 prefer to call, indicating that younger vets are reaching out at unprecedented levels. "Veterans of all ages have been communicating questions and processing thoughts and feelings and concerns with us," Miller said. With the increase in concern for veterans' mental health, members of the House and Senate have called on the VA to develop an outreach program for post-9/11 veterans to ensure they are aware of all available resources. Iraq War veteran Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, sent a letter signed by 33 senators Tuesday to VA Secretary Denis McDonough urging the department to proactively contact veterans, especially the 800,000 who served in Afghanistan. "These service members deserve and earned the support that they need," they wrote. "We appreciate the VA's commitment to providing mental health services to all veterans and ask, in light of the current situation, that the Department accelerate its efforts to provide resources -- to veterans of these recent conflicts." Rep. Mike Bost of Illinois, the House Veterans Affairs Committee's highest ranking Republican, led a letter signed by seven other Republicans urging committee chairman Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., to recall members from recess to conduct a hearing on veterans' mental health. "We should have no higher priority," Bost wrote. Miller and Kearney noted that the Veterans Crisis Line is available for all veterans, giving them the chance to connect with the VA for vital services, health care and emergency support. No call is "unimportant," Miller said. "Every call is worthwhile, every call is exactly what we are there for," he said. "The reason for that is that we find when veterans call us and talk with us or engage with us, it breaks down a wall ... in terms of stigma, in terms of barriers to care they may perceive. And when those walls are broken down, they're much more likely to contact us when they truly are in crisis." The Veterans Crisis Line can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1-800-273-8255 and pressing 1, or by texting 838-255 or engaging via the Crisis Line's website. -- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime. Related: 'We've Abandoned the People Who Helped Us': Vets Grapple with Emotions over the Fall of Afghanistan This article by Commander Jennifer Runion, U.S. Coast Guard originally appeared in Proceedings. In early 2021, China passed a new law allowing the its coast guard to board, inspect, and even fire on foreign vessels. This shift added to the growing regional concern over Chinas employment of its coast guard, which has played an increasing role in what are traditionally considered navy operations, some noting that the only difference is the color scheme of the ships hulls. If this sounds familiar to those acquainted with recent U.S. Coast Guard operations, it should. Apart from the obvious differences in the validity of territorial claims, the employment of the two countries coast guards bears striking similarities. Nonetheless, U.S. officials, civilian experts, and even some military leaders increasingly have called for the U.S. Coast Guard to fill grey hull roles while simultaneously condemning the China Coast Guard for doing the same. Yet, while calling the Coast Guard an ideal maritime security partner, and deploying Marines on patrol boats may sound like an effective way to project naval power, it would come at a heavy cost to the reputation of both the United States and its Coast Guard as guardians of the rules-based international order. As the 20th anniversary of the 11 September terrorist attacks approaches, it is fitting to take stock of how the U.S. Coast Guards missions, outlook, and even appearance have changed since that generation-defining event. When the United States went to war, the Coast Guard took on expanded responsibilities both to protect the homeland and to defend U.S. interests overseas alongside the Department of Defense (DoD). Today, with the rise of maritime competitors abroad, the Coast Guard is being pulled further into DoDs orbit, participating in an increasing number of traditional gray-hull missions, with more of its personnel donning camouflage in lieu of blue, even to conduct domestic operations. This line of thinking is short-sighted. The Coast Guards value on the world stage is not derived from the fact that it is the worlds 12th-largest navy. Rather, it is the services unifying missions and devotion to the rule of law that make it the partner of choice to allies and potential allies around the globe. Furthermore, its missions are uniquely capable of allowing the service to build mutual-interest relations with U.S. competitors, vital in efforts to avoid conflict. To maximize the Coast Guards contribution to U.S. international aims, the service must resist the urge to be the second-best navy, and instead remain the worlds premiere Coast Guard. Supporting Sovereignty, Not Enforcing It The postCold War international order is shifting. The United States is no longer the sole hegemon, and the Wilsonian notion that it is Americas role to make the world safe for democracy has less and less sway over foreign states with each passing year. That is not to say that the international community has lost faith in a rules-based international order. As Dr. Stephen Walt points out, as sovereignty and rule of law become more normative, U.S. allies and competitors have come to expect the United States to defer to the sovereignty of others in their own territories. The U.S. can differentiate itself from competitors such as China and win influence by supporting partners in their efforts to defend their own sovereignty, rather than assuming the duty to police their waters for them. While the United States must respect the rightful sovereignty of foreign nations, this does not mean all claims are justified or deserving of recognition. The Chinese government, for example, has claimed almost the entirety of the South China Seaa claim that has no basis in international law and encroaches on the rights of its neighbors. But because China views this area as part of its sovereign territory, the U.S. naval services condemnation of Chinas efforts to subvert other nations sovereignty and enforce unlawful claims, is ineffective, as the Chinese government does not see those waters as belonging to other nations. Furthermore, South China Sea nations are wary of Chinas military intentions but also depend on its trade, so they have little desire to be forced to choose sides in a U.S.-China dispute. This leaves U.S. forces in the position of attempting to protect the waters of countries that are hesitant to express support for those efforts, giving the Chinese government ample opportunities to criticize U.S. forces for imperialist attempts to encroach on the rights of distant nations. A more effective approach would be to challenge excessive territorial claims through diplomatic means, while providing support to the encroached-on nations at their request and continuing to insist on freedom of navigation in the global commons. If the service is to model responsible behavior, as the Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Karl Schultz directs, there is no better place to start than through reciprocal respect for lawful maritime sovereignty. Choosing Diplomacy over Force Projection The Coast Guard is often said to look more like most of the worlds navies than the U.S. Navy. While this is true, the Coast Guard does not possess the weaponry or capabilities of a great-power navy and would stand little chance against vessels and aircraft armed with anti-ship missiles and torpedoes. Nor are its white hulls and racing stripes likely to protect it or present a tactical dilemma for would-be adversaries in times of heightened tension if they are openly conducting gray hull operations. And yet the Coast Guard seems determined to pursue the role of a smaller, less capable navy, rather than capitalizing on its own unique strengths. This shift in outlook is visible when comparing the services past two forays into the Black Sea. In 2008, when the USCGC Dallas (WHEC-716) moored in the Republic of Georgia, her commanding officer stressed the humanitarian nature of the mission. Although the Dallas likely was chosen to defuse the situation and provide aid without provoking Russia, the USCGC Hamilton (WMSL-753) had a different mission when it entered the Black Sea in April 2021. On the more recent visit, U.S. officials stressed the cutters elevated role in American forward maritime presence. Senior leaders seem to be betting on the efficacy of placing the Coast Guard in traditional Navy roles as a foil to foreign competitors, but these competitors are unlikely to be fooled by the color of the hulls. The Coast Guard has worked hard to make its distinctive and often-imitated color scheme a symbol recognized around the world as a dependable partner and envoy of good will. Although it is appropriate to employ the Navy for force projection and maritime security missions abroad, the Coast Guard risks eroding its unique authorities and hard-earned reputation. Embracing Coast Guard Blues over Camouflage The Coast Guards mentality shift is not solely reflected in its missions; it can be seen in the uniforms many of its service members wear, as well. Following the establishment of the Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia in 2002, an increasing number of Coast Guard members began donning camouflage, and this practice has since bled over to traditional law enforcement operations. But, considering recent tragic and controversial events that shone a negative light on the militarization of American policing, this trend should be reconsidered as potentially harmful to the Coast Guards overall mission. When Sir Robert Peel created the modern policing movement in London in 1829, he intentionally chose the color blue for the officers uniforms to deescalate and to differentiate from the red coats of British soldiers. But one need not look any further for the heart of the services mission to uphold a rules-based system than the Coast Guards founder, Alexander Hamilton. In his direction to the first captains of the services forerunner, the Revenue Marine, he exhorted them to remember that the people on the vessels they boarded were their countrymen [and] freemen, and, as such, are impatient of everything that bears the least mark of a domineering spirit, and to remember at all times that they, the officers, were under the particular protection of the laws, and bound to obey them. The warrior mentality of law enforcement officers dressed in camouflage, on the other hand, risks creating an us versus them mentality, in which those encountered are more likely to be treated as potential enemies than as citizens with rights.1 And yet it has become common practice for some domestically-based Coast Guard units to don camouflage, even when participating in fisheries and recreational boardings. This was perhaps most visible in the thrilling and widely-shared video of a camo-clad boarding officer leaping onboard a semi-submersible drug vessel in 2019. But, not only could this change in outward appearance affect the mentality of the services boarding teams, it also risks eroding the trust of the public and escalating already tense situations, should the individuals interdicted assume they will be treated as insurgents rather than given a fair hearing. The blue uniforms of Coast Guard boarding teams, like the white hull and racing stripe, are an important symbol of the services role in upholding domestic and international law, and of respecting the legitimate rights and sovereignties of those with whom they interact. The U.S. Coast Guard, can serve as a passable modern navy, but it is unsurpassed as a coast guard. Foreign navies and coast guards do not seek the service for its ability to provide a show of force. Rather, they desire partnership with the Coast Guard for its expertise in conducting noncombat missions, including search and rescue; illegal, unreported, and unregulated fisheries enforcement; pollution response; vessel inspections; environmental protection; and more. When pursuing its white hull missions, it is capable of building capacity and goodwill through the pursuit of common goals with partners and competitors alike. Rather than opting for the short-sighted expedient of using the service for Navy missions, which risks exposing the U.S. Coast Guard to the same kind of international criticism that the China Coast Guard has earned, DoD leaders should foster the Coast Guards capacity to collaborate with other nations to achieve more traditional goals. Doing so will aid in strengthening the sovereignty of international U.S. partners, making them less susceptible to malign actors, and fostering a stronger rules-based international order. 1. It is worth noting that the U.S. Coast Guard grants Fourth Amendment protections to all subjects of maritime law enforcement operations, regardless of their citizenship status. Also from the U.S. Naval Institute: Since 1873, the U.S. Naval Institute has championed intellectual debate on key issues for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. For more go to usni.org. Max Beilke was in the Army for 20 years already by the time he deployed to Vietnam in 1972. His time there would be much shorter than the many others who did tours in the Vietnam War. His last day in Vietnam was the U.S. militarys last day in Vietnam. What made his last footstep on Vietnamese soil so unique was that it was captured on tape for the world to see. On March 29, 1973, Master Sgt. Beilke was given a rattan mat before he boarded a C-130 bound for home. The giver of the gift was Bui Tin, a North Vietnamese observer, there to ensure the last hundred troops at Saigons Tan Son Nhut Airport left as agreed. Back home, his family watched live as the man they loved, drafted to fight in Korea in 1952, headed for home from the next American war. His service didnt stop when he landed back in the United States. Beilke retired from the Army and, in the next phase of his life, he worked to support American veterans. Eventually, he became the deputy chief of the Retirement Services Division, with an office in Virginia. But it was part of his duties that brought him to the Pentagon on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Beilke was meeting with Lt. Gen. Timothy Maude and retired Lt. Col. Gary Smith. Just as they were sitting down to begin talking, United Airlines flight 77 hit the outer ring of the Pentagon. The three men never knew what hit them. They were all killed instantly. Traces of their remains could only be found through DNA tests on the disaster site, according to the Beilke family. Max Beilke was 69 years old. Three months later, his remains were interred at Arlington National Cemetery. The man who had survived the ends of two American wars was one of the first casualties of a new one, the longest one in American history. He left behind a legacy of gentleness and fondness for everyone who met him including the North Vietnamese colonel sent to ensure he and the other Americans left Vietnam. According to his biography on the Pentagons 9/11 Memorial site, he traveled extensively for his work and ended every presentation with the same Irish blessing, May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rain fall soft upon your fields and, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. More articles from We Are the Mighty: This is how much troops were paid in every major American war 5 ways US military combat uniforms have changed since Vietnam Five 9/11 Memorials from around the world We Are The Mighty (WATM) celebrates service with stories that inspire. WATM is made in Hollywood by veterans. It's military life presented like never before. Check it out at We Are the Mighty. Keep Up With the Best in Military Entertainment Whether you're looking for news and entertainment, thinking of joining the military or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to the Military.com newsletter to have military news, updates and resources delivered straight to your inbox. The Indians have selected the contract of catcher Gianpaul Gonzalez, Mandy Bell of MLB.com was among those to relay (Twitter link). Wilson Ramos has been placed on the 10-day injured list to open active roster space. The team already had a vacancy on the 40-man roster. Gonzalez will back up Austin Hedges for the time being. Ramos, who had been taking that role, suffered a season-ending knee injury on Sunday. With Roberto Perez still on the mend from a shoulder issue, the Indians needed to add another catcher to the active and 40-man rosters. Ideally, that role likely wouldve gone to one of Ryan Lavarnway or Gavin Collins, both of whom are at Triple-A Columbus. Theyre in COVID-19 protocols at the moment, Bell notes. Rather than turn to a prospect like Bo Naylor or Bryan Lavastida before theyre ready, the Indians will call up Gonzalez from High-A Lake County. Itll be the major league debut for Gonzalez, a 25-year-old who has a bit of past high minors experience. Clevelands 20th-round pick in 2014 out of an academy in Puerto Rico, the right-handed hitting Gonzalez has a .195/.274/.227 line over parts of seven minor league seasons. 6:36 pm: Barnes has tested positive for the virus, reports Ian Browne of MLB.com (Twitter link). 5:59 pm: Boston has placed Perez and Barnes on the injured list, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe was among those to relay. In corresponding moves, righty Phillips Valdez has been recalled from Triple-A Worcester while Boston selected righty Raynel Espinal to the big league roster. Espinal will make his major league debut whenever he first gets into a game. A longtime Yankees farmhand, Espinal signed a minor league deal with Boston over the winter and has spent the entire season with Worcester. Hes been a reliable and generally productive member of the starting rotation there, pitching to a 3.74 ERA across 91 1/3 innings with league average strikeout and walk rates (23.9% and 9.7%, respectively). Because Espinal was selected to replace a player who landed on the COVID IL, he can be removed from the 40-man roster without being exposed to waivers whenever one of the players on the COVID list is ready to return. 5:52 pm: The Red Sox are placing closer Matt Barnes on the COVID-19 injured list, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN (Twitter link). He becomes the fourth Boston player to land on the IL for virus-related reasons in recent days, as each of Kike Hernandez, Christian Arroyo and Martin Perez tested positive. It isnt yet clear whether Barnes has also tested positive. Barnes has had a productive season on the whole, tossing 49 2/3 innings of 3.81 ERA/2.34 SIERA ball. He was absolutely lights-out early in the year, though, but has run into some uncharacteristic struggles in recent weeks. Dating back to the All-Star Break, Barnes has been tagged for a 7.71 ERA over sixteen appearances, allowing a .283/.383/.543 opponents slash line. With Barnes out, Boston figures to lean more heavily on Adam Ottavino, Garrett Whitlock and Josh Taylor in high-leverage situations. With a little less than five weeks to play in the regular season, Boston currently holds a two and a half game advantage over the As for the American Leagues final playoff spot. Theyre beginning a four-game series with the Rays tonight, followed by sets against the Indians, Rays again, and White Sox through next Sunday. The Twins will select the contract of right-hander Joe Ryan when rosters expand to 28 players on Wednesday, SKOR Norths Darren Wolfson reports (via Twitter). Minnesota created space on the 40-man roster last night by passing reliever Edgar Garcia through outright waivers. Ryan and fellow righty pitching prospect Drew Strotman were acquired from the Rays in the Nelson Cruz trade last month. MLB Pipeline ranks Ryan as the sixth-best prospect in Minnesotas farm system, saying he has all the makings of a mid-rotation big league starter if he can develop secondary pitches to properly support his outstanding four-seam fastball. Ryan has a combined 3.41 ERA, 4.82% walk rate, and 36.9% strikeout rate over 66 Triple-A innings with the Rays and Twins top affiliates this season, which marks Ryans first taste of Triple-A ball. That impressive strikeout total has only increased over his nine innings with Triple-A St. Paul, as Ryan has an absurd 17 strikeouts during his brief time in the Twins organization. Ryan has only thrown nine innings since joining the Twins since he was busy at this summers Olympic Games in Tokyo the righty had a 1.74 ERA over 10 1/3 innings to help the American team win a silver medal. With the Twins fully looking ahead to 2022, pitching is a particular need for a club that dealt Jose Berrios and J.A. Happ at the trade deadline, could lose Michael Pineda to free agency, and could quite possibly be without the injured Maeda for all of next year. This leaves plenty of room for the 25-year-old Ryan to establish his case for a rotation spot over the next month. Ryans Major League debut could potentially come as soon as Wednesday, when the Twins host the Cubs. KER RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF KERNEL HOLDING S.A. HELD ON 30 AUGUST 2021 Kernel Holding S.A. informs that the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders, which was held on 30 August 2021 at 3.00 p.m. (Luxembourg time) at the Companys registered office, 9 rue de Bitbourg, L-1273 Luxembourg, adopted the resolutions specified below. First, second, third, fourth, sixth and seventh resolutions were adopted substantially in wording as proposed in current report No 14/2021 published on 29 July 2021. Resolutions regarding the amendments of the articles of association of the Company were not adopted due to the absence of a quorum of fifty per cent (50%) of the share capital. All resolutions adopted at the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders come into force on the day of their adoption. In accordance with the provisions of the law of 24 May 2011 implementing the Directive 2007/36 EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 July 2007 on the exercise of certain rights of shareholders of listed companies, we hereby inform you of the resolutions adopted at the Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders: FIRST RESOLUTION WHEREAS the general meeting of shareholders noted that the Company intends to adopt a new management incentive plan to motivate and reward employees of the group of companies to which the Company belongs for accomplishing individual performance goals related to the duties and services provided by such employees to subsidiaries of the Company, altogether contributing to the better financial and non-financial results of the group of companies to which the Company belongs (the Management Incentive Plan). WHEREAS the general meeting of shareholders further noted that in the context of the Management Incentive Plan, the Company, as purchaser, intends to enter into Luxembourg law governed put option agreements whereby the Company shall grant to the beneficiaries of the put options the right to sell to the Company and to require the Company to purchase in total up to two million seven hundred ninety-two thousand four hundred thirty-five (2,792,435) ordinary shares of the Company without nominal value comprising three point three hundred twenty-three percent (3.323%) of the issued share capital of the Company, and any shares, stocks or other securities which derive (whether directly or indirectly) from them, to which the beneficiary of the put option (or its affiliates or nominees) becomes legally or beneficially entitled (the Put Option Agreements). The consideration for each share will be a minimum of (i) twenty-three United States Dollar and eighty cents (USD 23.80) and (ii) (operating profit before working capital changes minus interest paid plus interest received minus interest tax paid minus maintenance capital expenditures in the fixed amount of one hundred fifty-five million United States Dollars (USD 155,000,000.-)), where all amounts, except for the maintenance capital expenditures, are specified in United States Dollars (USD) in the relevant paragraph of the consolidated statement of cash flows of the audited annual consolidated accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries for the Financial Years 2022-2024, divided by three (3) divided by twelve percent (12%) and divided by eighty-four million thirty-one thousand two hundred and thirty (84,031,230). The option period is set for a period commencing on 1 November 2024 and expiring on 31 December 2025. WHEREAS the general meeting of shareholders understood that in case of an acceleration event (the cessation of trading of Company's shares at the Warsaw Stock Exchange or any other recognised stock exchange or a change of control event where the shareholding of Namsen Limited or its ultimate beneficial owner in Kernel's total votes falls below twenty five percent (25%) - the Acceleration Event), put options shall be exercisable immediately. WHEREAS the general meeting of shareholders acknowledged that, for the purposes of the Management Incentive Plan and the implementation of the terms of the Put Option Agreements, it is now intended for the shareholders of the Company to grant an authorisation to the board of directors of the Company for a period commencing on the date of the present general meeting and expiring on 31 December 2025, to purchase, in the name and on behalf of the Company, a maximum of two million seven hundred ninety-two thousand four hundred thirty-five (2,792,435) shares of the Company without nominal value, in accordance with the conditions set forth in the article 430-15 of the Luxembourg law of 10 August 1915 on commercial companies, as amended (the 1915 Law), for a purchase price which shall be a minimum of (i) twenty-three United States Dollar and eighty cents (USD 23.80) and (ii) (operating profit before working capital changes minus interest paid plus interest received minus interest tax paid minus maintenance capital expenditures in the fixed amount of one hundred fifty-five million United States Dollars (USD 155,000,000.-)), where all amounts, except for the maintenance capital expenditures, are specified in United States Dollars (USD) in the relevant paragraph of the consolidated statement of cash flows of the audited annual consolidated accounts of the Purchaser and its subsidiaries for the Financial Years 2022-2024, divided by three (3) divided by twelve percent (12%) and divided by eighty-four million thirty-one thousand two hundred and thirty (84,031,230) (the Authorization). The extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Company acknowledges, approves and, to the extent necessary, ratifies the Management Incentive Plan, acknowledges the Put Option Agreements and resolves to grant the Authorization. This resolution has been adopted by a majority of 38,689,362 votes in favour, 3,009,884 votes against. 0 votes abstained. SECOND RESOLUTION WHEREAS the recent financial results of the Company and its subsidiaries allowed the Company to accumulate significant liquidity. WHEREAS the Company does not face any new attractive investment opportunities in the short term. WHEREAS the leverage of the Company and its subsidiaries on the consolidated basis is at comfortable one point four (1.4)x Net-debt-to-EBITDA as of 31 March 2021, as presented in the Kernel Holding S.A. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the three (3) months ended 31 March 2021. WHEREAS the board of directors of the Company recognize the increased demand from shareholders for higher allocation of profits to shareholders, with a substantial percentage of shareholders expressing a preference of the share buyback over dividends. WHEREAS, in the context of the above, the board of directors of the Company resolved to suggest to the general meeting of shareholders to grant the authorization to the board of directors of the Company, according to the article 430-15 of the 1915 Law, during a period of two (2) years ending on the second anniversary of the date of these resolutions of the general meeting of shareholders, to (i) purchase, in the name and on behalf of the Company, or (ii) designate any wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company to purchase a maximum of 19,200,000 (nineteen million two hundred thousand) shares of the Company without a nominal value in accordance with the conditions set forth in the article 430-15 of the 1915 Law regarding the repurchase of own shares by a company and the article 430-23 of the 1915 Law regarding the cross-participation regime for a purchase price which shall (i) not be less than PLN 50 (fifty Polish Zloty) per share and (ii) not be more than PLN 65 (sixty-five Polish Zloty) per share, for a total maximum consideration equivalent to USD 250,000,000 (two hundred and fifty million United States Dollars). Accordingly, the general meeting of shareholders resolves to grant authorisation to the board of directors of the Company for a period of two (2) years ending on the second anniversary of the date of these resolutions of the general meeting of shareholders, to (i) purchase, in the name and on behalf of the Company, or (ii) designate any wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company to purchase, in one or several times, a maximum of 19,200,000 (nineteen million two hundred thousand) shares of the Company in accordance with the conditions set forth in the article 430-15 of the 1915 Law regarding the repurchase of own shares by a company and the article 430-23 of the 1915 Law regarding the cross-participation regime. The bought-back shares shall be subsequently cancelled, kept, sold or used for such legitimate purposes as the board of directors deem advisable. It is being understood that in case where the above option (ii) (cross-participation regime) is chosen by the board of directors of the Company, the latter has to ensure that the respective subsidiary complies at all times with all the contractual provisions applying to transfer and holding of such Companys shares by such subsidiary. The purchase price of the bought-back shall (i) not be less than PLN 50 (fifty Polish Zloty) per share and (ii) not be more than PLN 65 (sixty-five Polish Zloty) per share, for a total maximum consideration equivalent of USD 250,000,000 (two hundred and fifty million United States Dollars). The shares purchased and retained by the Company or its subsidiary shall not carry any voting rights and shall not give any dividend rights. The general meeting of shareholders resolves to authorize the board of directors of the Company to take all legal and factual actions in order to implement this resolution and in any format as they deem fit, in compliance with the conditions set out therein, including to conclude an agency agreement with the selected investment firm for the purchase of shares. The board of directors of the Company is also authorized to establish the detailed terms and conditions of the acquisition of own shares in limits specified in this resolution, but in any case with assurance of equal and proportional access by shareholders to exercise the right to sell shares. The general meeting of shareholders specifies that the board of directors of the Company shall satisfy itself that, at the time of each authorised acquisition, the conditions of the article 430-15 of the 1915 Law are complied with. This resolution has been adopted by a majority of 39,598,436 votes in favour, 2,100,810 votes against. 0 votes abstained. THIRD RESOLUTION WHEREAS the general meeting of shareholders noted that, pursuant to the Article 7bis of the Luxembourg law of 24 May 2011 on the exercise of certain rights of shareholders at general meetings, as amended, companies must establish a remuneration policy as regards directors and must submit it to the vote of shareholders at the general meeting. WHEREAS the general meeting of shareholders further noted that according to the article 5.2.4 of the Companys corporate governance charter (the CGC), the nomination and remuneration committee (the N&R Committee) of the Company is in charge of the establishment of the remuneration policies and has therefore drawn up an updated remuneration policy of the directors of the Company in the form as substantially set out in the Schedule 1 attached hereto (the Remuneration Policy) and has presented such Remuneration Policy to the vote of the shareholders at the present extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Company. The extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Company approves and ratifies the Remuneration Policy. This resolution has been adopted by a majority of 37,588,870 votes in favour, 4,110,376 votes against. 0 votes abstained. FOURTH RESOLUTION WHEREAS the general meeting of shareholders noted that, pursuant to the same article 5.2.4 of the CGC, the N&R Committee is in charge of the identification and recommendation of candidates for their appointment as directors of the Company, including assessment of the skills, knowledge and experience of the individuals appointed, as well as of the appointment and removal of the directors of the Company. WHEREAS the general meeting of shareholders acknowledged that the N&R Committee identified the profile of Mrs. Pieternel Boogaard, born on 16 July 1967 in Sliedrecht, the Netherlands, and residing at Wilhelminastraat 60, 2011 VP Haarlem, the Netherlands (Mrs. Boogaard). WHEREAS the general meeting of shareholders further acknowledged that the N&R Committee noted that Mrs. Boogaard showcases strong skills and significant experience in the field of agriculture, sustainable development and finance that shall positively contribute to the Companys growth and expansion, these skills and experience being fundamental for a potential member of the board of directors of the Company. The N&R Committee also noted that appointment of Mrs. Boogaard as a director of the Company shall increase the diversity within the composition of the board of directors of the Company. WHEREAS the general meeting of shareholders understood that, further to the above, the N&R Committee is of opinion that Mrs. Boogaard fulfills the criteria required to be appointed as non-executive independent director of the Company and thus recommends the board of directors of the Company to nominate Mrs. Boogaard to be appointed by the general meeting of shareholders as a director of the Company. WHEREAS the general meeting of shareholders further understood that, further to the above, the board of directors of the Company decided to nominate Mrs. Boogaard to be appointed by the general meeting of shareholders as a Director of the Company for a term mandate which shall terminate on the date of the general meeting of shareholders to be held in 2021. WHEREAS the general meeting of shareholders acknowledged that the board of directors of the Company decided to recommend the general meeting of shareholders to approve the fee for Mrs. Boogaard for a total gross annual amount of fifty thousand US dollars (USD 50,000), implying thirteen thousand nine hundred seventy-three US dollars (USD 13,973) pro rata fee for the period commencing on the date of this general shareholder meeting and expiring on the date of the general meeting of shareholders to be held in 2021. The extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Company resolves to appoint Mrs. Boogaard, born on 16 July 1967 in Sliedrecht, the Netherlands, and residing professionally at Wilhelminastraat 60, 2011 VP Haarlem, the Netherlands, as a new non-executive independent director of the Company for a term mandate which shall terminate on the date of the general meeting of shareholders to be held in 2021. The extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Company resolves to approve the fee to Mrs. Boogaard, for the period commencing on the date of this general shareholder meeting and expiring on the date of the general meeting of shareholders to be held in 2021 for a total gross amount of thirteen thousand nine hundred seventy-three US dollars (USD 13,973). This resolution has been adopted by a majority of 41,699,246 votes in favour, 0 votes against. 0 votes abstained. FIFTH RESOLUTION The general meeting of shareholders acknowledges that due to the absence of a quorum of fifty per cent (50%) of the share capital, it is not validly constituted to validly deliberate on the point 6 of the agenda regarding the amendments of the articles of association of the Company. SIXTH RESOLUTION WHEREAS the general meeting of shareholders notes that in accordance with article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 537/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on specific requirements regarding statutory audit of public-interest entities and repealing Commission Decision 2005/909/EC (the Audit Regulation), a public-interest entity shall appoint a statutory auditor or an audit firm for an initial engagement of at least one year. The engagement may be renewed. Neither the initial engagement of a particular statutory auditor or audit firm, nor this in combination with any renewed engagements therewith shall exceed a maximum duration of 10 years. WHEREAS Deloitte Audit, a societe a responsabilite limitee registered with the Luxembourg Trade and Companies Register under number B 67 895, acts as independent auditor of the Company since 7 December 2011, and such engagement was continuously renewed for 9 years in a row, bringing the total duration of the mandate to 10 years; WHEREAS the general meeting of shareholders notes that in accordance with article 16 of the Audit Regulation, the audit committee shall submit a recommendation to the administrative or supervisory body of the audited entity for the appointment of statutory auditors or audit firms. [ ] Unless it concerns the renewal of an audit engagement in accordance with Article 17(1) and 17(2), the recommendation of the audit committee referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article shall be prepared following a selection procedure organised by the audited entity. WHEREAS the Audit Regulation further states in its article 16 paragraph 5 that: the proposal to the general meeting of shareholders or members of the audited entity for the appointment of statutory auditor or audit firms shall include the recommendation and preference referred to in paragraph 2 made by the audit committee or the body performing equivalent functions. WHEREAS the general meeting of shareholders notes that further to the above, the audit committee of the Company (the Audit Committee) has identified the following audit firms for the position of an independent auditor of the Company: - PwC Societe cooperative, having its registered office at 2, rue Gerhard Mercator B.P. 1443 L-1014 Luxembourg, registered with the Luxembourg Trade and Companies' Register under number B 65 477 (PwC); and - Deloitte Audit, a societe a responsabilite limitee, having its registered office at 20, Boulevard de Kockelscheuer, L-1821 Luxembourg, registered with the Luxembourg Trade and Companies' Register under number B 67 895 (Deloitte) (together the Independent Auditor Candidates). WHEREAS the proposal is based on the results of the formal auditor selection process conducted by the auditor selection team, which includes all Audit Committee members and selected employees of the group of companies to which the Company belongs. WHEREAS the general meeting of shareholders further notes that the Audit Committee recommended the candidacy of the Independent Auditor Candidates to the board of directors of the Company. WHEREAS the Audit Committee explained that it prefers the candidacy of PwC as an independent auditor of the Company given that PwC obtained higher final score during the auditor selection process when evaluating the proposals and presentations in accordance with selection criteria and respective weights defined in Appendix II of the Auditor Selection Procedure approved by the board of directors of the Company on 17 July 2020. Namely, the PwC scored higher than Deloitte on such criteria as: Qualification of the team in Ukrainian office; Audit Approach; Audit methodology for effectiveness and efficiency; and Presentation to the Audit Committee. Although Deloitte scored higher than PwC on the criterion Industry-specific experience, and both candidates were ranked equal on such criteria as Provision of audit services to public-interest entities from CIS, Price (Value for money), Qualifications of the team in Luxembourg office, Evidence of audit quality (review of the auditors specific inspection reports), and Reputation, the assigned weights to each criterion resulted in the 8.8 final score for PwC and 8.5 final score for Deloitte. The Audit Committee mentioned that it is free from influence by a third party and that no clause of the kind referred to in Art. 16 (6) of the Audit Regulation has been imposed upon it. WHEREAS the decision of the board of directors of the Company regarding the selection of an auditor does not depart from the recommendation of the Audit Committee and the board of directors of the Company submitted the candidacy of the Independent Auditor Candidates to the vote of the general meeting of shareholders with a justifiable preference of PwC. WHEREAS the board of directors of the Company proposes that in case the candidacy of PwC is approved by a simple majority of votes of shareholders of the Company, PwC shall be appointed as a new independent auditor of the Company and its mandate shall begin on the date of the annual general meeting of shareholders to be held in 2021 and shall terminate on the date of the annual general meeting of shareholders to be held in 2022. WHEREAS the board of directors of the Company further proposes that in case PwC does not collect the required majority of votes of shareholders of the Company, the candidacy of Deloitte shall be submitted to the vote of the general meeting of shareholders of the Company and in case the candidacy of Deloitte is approved by a simple majority of votes of shareholders of the Company, Deloitte shall be appointed as a new independent auditor of the Company and its mandate shall begin on the date of the annual general meeting of shareholders to be held in 2021 and shall terminate on the date of the annual general meeting of shareholders to be held in 2022. The extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders resolves to appoint PwC Societe cooperative, having its registered office at 2, rue Gerhard Mercator B.P. 1443 L-1014 Luxembourg, registered with the Luxembourg Trade and Companies' Register under number B 65 477 as independent auditor of the Company in respect to the audit of the consolidated and unconsolidated annual accounts of the Company for a one-year term, which shall begin on the date of the annual general meeting of shareholders to be held in 2021 and which shall terminate on the date of the annual general meeting of shareholders to be held in 2022. This resolution has been adopted by a majority of 41,699,246 votes in favour, 0 votes against. 0 votes abstained. SEVENTH RESOLUTION The general meeting of the shareholders resolves to appoint any director of the Company, (the Director(s)) each acting individually, with power of substitution to take all actions and do such things on behalf and in the name of the Company that are necessary or desirable for the Company to take or to do in order for the above resolutions to be implemented, to agree or amend the form, terms and conditions of, to certify any and all documents as certified true copies and to make, sign, execute and do, all such deeds, instruments, agreements, applications, forms, declarations, confirmations, notices, acknowledgements, letters, certificates, powers-of-attorney, general assignments, and any other documents (including any notarial deeds) relating to and required or desirable under the above resolutions, and in particular all the agreements and/or documents the entering of which is approved in the present resolutions. This resolution has been adopted by a majority of 41,699,246 votes in favour, 0 votes against. 0 votes abstained. 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... Children are great but, sometimes they make mistakes which can cost parents a decent amount of money. One mum has been left in stitches after discovering her daughter had cut up real money to use as a fashion accessory for her dolls. Victoria Ingham explained on Facebook that she discovered her daughter, Esme, had gotten artistic with scissors to destroy the equivalent of $50. The Midland County Commissioners Court may consider creating a program that would offer money or other incentives to those on the fence about getting COVID-19 vaccine shots. Commissioner Randy Prude told the Reporter-Telegram on Monday that hes putting together a presentation about the effectiveness of offering incentives. He said he will present that information at the next court meeting on Sept. 13 or at a special meeting before then. We need something. Our hospital administrators and doctors have begged. You can see it on their faces theyre pleading with people to get the shot, Prude said. About 41 percent of Midlanders are fully vaccinated, according to data provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Midland Health reported Monday that unvaccinated individuals make up 86 percent of the 125 coronavirus patients in the hospital. Other states and counties are offering money or entries into lottery raffles for those receiving vaccines, including Harris County, which is offering $100 cash cards. According to Prude, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said vaccinations increased seven-fold after they created an incentive program. Prude said he would like Midland County to consider a program similar to Harris Countys. He said the goal would be to vaccinate 20 to 30 percent more residents who may be undecided about getting the vaccine. When asked if he would support the county paying $100 each to 30,000 residents ($3 million total), Prude said, Absolutely. We have enough in our funds to do that weve got to get the crisis under control now. If the Commissioners Court opts to create an incentive program, it would likely be paid for using the $34.3 million the county received from the American Rescue Plan Act. He said the county could also look at partnering with local stores to offer gift cards as an incentive. The county would likely work with Midland Health to offer incentives at future mass vaccination clinics, Prude said. He said this would help avoid cases of fraud, such as people using fake vaccination cards to claim incentives. Those who have already received vaccines would probably not be eligible for incentives, but thats something the Commissioners Court could consider, Prude said. People Ive talked with so far whove gotten vaccinated, theyre more concerned about whether people will join them than whether they get $100 or not, he said. Midland Health CEO and President Russell Meyers said during a press conference on Monday that theyve had discussions about incentives, and other counties are seeing success with their incentive programs. I think well probably talk about that more, recognizing that many people have stepped up without an incentive and done the appropriate thing for their community, Meyers said. But well continue to talk about that. It may make sense to help accelerate vaccination here in the community. CROWN POINT, La. (AP) Jason Kane rode out Hurricane Ida in Crown Point, south of New Orleans, and though no water entered his house, which is raised 8 feet (2 meters) off the ground, he did see metal roofs, fencing and other chunks of large debris flying through the air outside. It was just nuts, man," Kane said. "I mean, nothing like Ive ever experienced. Kane had parked his two vehicles on high ground away from the house. On Tuesday morning, he went to check on them, paddling a boat as far as he could, then walking the rest of the way. Both had flooded, and neither would start. Guess Im not going anywhere, he said. While New Orleans largely escaped catastrophic flooding during the storm, many smaller communities were not so lucky. About half of the properties in Grand Isle a narrow barrier island town that bore the full power of Ida's winds on Sunday were either heavily damaged or destroyed. The main roadway was nearly completely covered in sand that had been brought in by the tidal surge, and all of the utility poles were either leaning or had crashed down. Grand Isle Police Chief Scooter Resweber took shelter with about a dozen fellow officers inside the police station Sunday as they watched buildings across the street be torn to pieces. When the roof started to come apart and the building trembled, we all got scared, Resweber told The Associated Press. Were grown men but you do have fear in you, no matter what job youre in, and we felt it." Resweber and other officers ventured out early Monday to assess the damage and check on the nearly 100 residents who had decided to stay behind. Resweber said his home was among the hundreds destroyed by Ida. Ive ridden out other hurricanes Hurricane Isaac, Katrina, Gustav, Ike and this is no comparison whatsoever," he said. "This is the worst. Its just amazing that no one (here) was killed or even seriously injured. Residents in LaPlace, located along the west side of Lake Pontchartrain near New Orleans, retreated to their second floors or attics and took to social media to plead for boat rescues as the water rose around them. An AP reporter who flew over the city with Gov. John Bel Edwards on Tuesday saw a scene of complete devastation: uprooted and splintered trees lying on houses, buildings with collapsed ceilings and no roofs, streets flooded with water and the contents of houses strewn across yards. Trucks and boats on trailers began arriving on Monday to take people to safety. Among those rescued by boat were Debbie Greco and her family, including her elderly parents, all of whom had cowered on a stairway landing as Ida sent 4 feet (1.2 meters) of muddy water rushing into her home. God blessed us that we all survived, she said. Other residents got to dry ground by wading through knee-deep water carrying pets and other belongings. Robert T-Bob Dampier, of Marrero, was among the local volunteers with boats offering to help with search and rescue efforts Tuesday. Theyre down here at the top of their house, on the roof or wherever, he said. I got a boat. Im willing. ... I mean, if it was the other way around, you know youd hope they'd do the same for you. Vincent Ochello and Evan Michel have been checking on neighbors by boat in Lafitte, a small community 25 miles (40 kilometers) from New Orleans. The pair is going door to door to see how those who stayed behind and did not evacuate are doing. Michel is driving his boat through the flooded roads, and Ochello is broadcasting on Facebook. New Orleans levee system overhauled at a cost of billions of dollars after Hurricane Katrina breached it held up against Idas rampage. But in LaPlace, work only recently began on a long-awaited levee project that isnt expected to be completed until 2024. In Lafitte, a small community south of Crown Point, even homes on stilts were flooded and residents had to use boats to navigate the submerged streets. And in Houma, a city of about 30,000 people southwest of New Orleans, entire neighborhoods were shattered, with homes in some places reduced to splinters. Boats that had been tossed from their docking locations were piled on top of each other. Its too soon to determine the full scale of Idas wrath in Lafourche Parish, where the hurricane came ashore, said sheriffs office Capt. Brennan Matherne. The narrow parish with 96,000 people stretches 70 miles (nearly 115 kilometers) from Thibodaux to the Gulf of Mexico. Pretty much every home has damage. ... It just gets worse as you go down, Matherne said. Ida made landfall just to the west of Grand Isle with a wind gust recorded at 172 mph (277 kph) and seawater swamped the island. Edwards said local, state and federal boats, high water vehicles and aircraft rescued hundreds of people. Many homes that did not flood or suffer other damage were still without electricity, and officials warned it could be weeks before the power grid is repaired. More than 1 million customers in Louisiana and Mississippi including all of New Orleans were left in the dark. With water treatment plants overwhelmed by floodwaters or crippled by power outages, some places were also facing shortages of drinking water. About 441,000 people in 17 parishes had no water, and an additional 319,000 were under boil-water advisories, federal officials said. Edwards urged evacuees not to try to return home, citing the widespread power outages, road closures and other dangerous conditions. The schools are not open. The businesses are not open. The hospitals are slammed. Theres not water in your home and there is not going to be electricity, he said on Tuesday after touring LaPlace in hard-hit suburban St. John the Baptist Parish, where 80% of rescues took place. So lets get you where you can be safe and somewhat comfortable. Some residents vowed to rebuild after the storm, but Greco and her father, 85-year-old Fred Carmouche, said they are tired of the constant hurricane fears on the Gulf Coast. When I rebuild this Im out of here. Im done with Louisiana, Carmouche said. ___ Reeves reported from LaPlace, Louisiana. Associated Press journalists Gerald Herbert in Grand Isle, Louisiana; David J. Phillip in Lafitte, Louisiana; Kevin McGill in New Orleans; Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Julie Walker in New York; Jeff Martin in Marietta, Georgia; and Sudhin Thanawala in Atlanta contributed to this report. Fashion Analyst Omnilytics to Buy Data Firm Supahands Singapore-based fashion market intelligence and insights software platform Omnilytics is to acquire data labelling platform Supahands, in a deal valued at $20m. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Malaysia, Supahands offers access to a system called the 'human intelligence machine', through which it cleans datasets and trains artificial intelligence (AI). Solutions include image annotation, data transcription and data tagging and categorization, and use cases include geospatial imaging, sentiment analysis and optical character recognition. Fashion Analytics says the deal will strengthen its own proprietary Product Match solution, which enables brands and retailers to compare the same or similar stock-keeping units (SKUs) across multiple platforms and provide insights into how the market is pricing the same products. As part of the acquisition, Supahands co-founder and CEO Mark Koh will join the Omnilytics Board in the role of Chief Strategy Officer. Kendrick Wong (pictured), CEO and co-founder of Omnilytics, says the firm's vision is to enable a more intelligent, connected retail ecosystem, enabling brands to stay ahead of their competitors. He comments: 'Our acquisition of Supahands marks a pivotal step in our journey, filling a critical gap in our existing tech capabilities as we take one step closer in becoming retail's most important data stack'. Web sites: www.omnilytics.co and www.supahands.ai . News top story Vanderbilt LifeFlight nurse Janelle Zehr delivers safety in the sky SUBMITTED Vanderbilt LifeFlight nurse Janelle Zehr flies high in the sky to provide medical attention to patients in Rutherford County and nearby counties. She said her favorite part of the job is the moment when she knows exactly what she can do to help someone in need. When I can fix them, and Im able to do something to make a difference to change the whole outcome because of maybe an assessment or a procedure or whatever the case may be, that makes me super happy, said Zehr. SUBMITTED Vanderbilt LifeFlight nurse Janelle Zehr said the nurses who board the medical helicopter are allowed to perform certain life-saving procedures on patients that nurses in other capacities dont get to do. Vanderbilt LifeFlight nurse Janelle Zehr balances her efforts to stay grounded despite working in an environment that has her hovering from great heights on a regular basis. The Christiana resident was recently named a Hometown Hero by Ascend Federal Credit Union for her continued efforts to provide healthcare as an essential worker throughout the pandemic. Shes worked as a flight nurse for a total of 19 years. Shes now in her 14th year of service with Vanderbilt. I dont honestly feel like much of a hero. I just go to work, and I do my job, Zehr said. In some ways it feels like a very big name for something Ive been doing for a very long time and that Ive enjoyed so much. Although she witnessed her mother, Gloria Arndt, practice nursing, she said there had been a time when she wasnt sure this career path was the one for her. The interest seemed to have come out of the blue. I always said Id never be a nurse, said Zehr. I dont know what triggered me to change my mind, but I just one day decided I was going to be a nurse. She recalls discovering the flight nursing field from a college fair trip she took during her senior year of high school in Arizona. I saw an aircraft that had flown in from another company, and I was like, Thats what I want to do! said Zehr, who graduated from nursing school at Pensacola (Fla.) Christian College in 1997. She worked as a nurse, gaining experience with patients ranging from infants to adults in emergency department and ICU settings. She landed her first flight job in 2003. Before coming to Vanderbilt, she worked for PHI Air Medical in Kentucky. Each day begins by following up with the team working the previous shift. The debrief features updates on the aircraft and the medical supplies or equipment it may need to have restocked. We carry two units of blood and two units of plasma, and they have specific dates that those need to be either used or taken back to Vanderbilt, said Zehr, who gave the checklist of tasks that must be met to ensure preparation and safety. A flight will usually have three crew members aboard: one pilot, one nurse and either an additional nurse, paramedic or physician. Sometimes the flight will have a medical resident or nurse practitioner looking to learn more about the program. The medical professionals providing treatment in the back of the helicopter will swap primary and secondary roles on each flight. Zehr said the nurses onboard the medical helicopter are allowed to perform certain life-saving procedures on patients that nurses in other capacities dont get to do. They like to say that we can do what the trauma room can do within the first 10, 15 minutes, we would be able to do in the aircraft, said Zehr. We dont carry X-rays, and we dont carry CT scans, but we can do a lot of things in order to stabilize them to get them to where the trauma room can take over. The pilot provides an update on the weather conditions and the weight that can be carried on board. Follow-ups about patients that have been transported within the previous four days also take place. The crew checks all of those boxes unless a rescue call has been made. The LifeFlight Helicopter, which is docked at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport when not in use, responds to emergencies in and outside of Rutherford County. There are seven other bases across the state, including Gallatin, Tullahoma, Clarksville, Mt. Pleasant, Paris, Cookeville and Humboldt. Zehrs most common areas of coverage are Rutherford, Cannon and Coffee counties as well as the Shelbyville area of Blount County. Being situated at the heart of Middle Tennessee often makes Murfreesboros LifeFlight 5 location the go-to for backup when another base is already responding to a call. Zehr says the Murfreesboro base receives anywhere from 20 to 40 calls a month on average. Nursing in any capacity often comes with a fast-paced working environment that requires thoughtful decision making. Zehr said one major difference between what she does in the sky and what other nurses do in traditional hospital settings comes down to more autonomy. You have a lot more responsibility because theres not a physician thats dictating or directing you how to take care of this patient, said Zehr, who also mentioned the fewer resources available inside the aircraft. You have limited hands to help you. When shes not helping patients from high above, she participates in three LifeFlight committees, each of which has its own agendas and projects to improve the program. Shes involved with the Unit Board, Education Committee and now sits as the co-chair for the Safety Committee. Safety is very, very, very important for LifeFlight because if we cant be safe, then its a risk to us all, said Zehr. They like to say, Safetys our first product. We have to provide safety before we can provide care to the patient. A perk of the job is the flexible scheduling, which consists of one 24-hour shift and one 12-hour shift each week. Her committee meetings that are sprinkled throughout the month bring her work time up to 40 hours for three out of the four weeks in a month. While the work-life balance and the opportunities to be self-governed are plusses Zehr appreciates, the true highlight of her job shines through when theres a patient that she can help. I honestly feel like everyone has their specialty in what they enjoy doing. I am really blessed that I have a job that I absolutely love to do. Not everybody has that, said Zehr. I love what I do and being able to take care of people and try to make a difference. Timothy Joel Murr, Passed away on August 23rd, 2021 at the age of 67. Funeral services will be at Keefeton Free Will Baptist Church on Saturday, September 18th, 2021 at 2pm. Hundreds of people rescued from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover will be coming to Illinois in the coming months. At a news conference Monday with the Refugee Action Network Coalition, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, and others discussed how Illinois will respond to the flood of refugees coming to Illinois and the United States. Durbin said he helped develop a streamlined process for refugees to gain Special Immigrant Visa status but assured that everyone will be thoroughly checked out. We check their backgrounds carefully to make sure that they will be a positive force in this country, and we also understand that their families will be part of the process and part of the future, Durbin said. The estimated 500 Afghans arriving in Illinois will be supported by resettlement agencies to provide housing, employment resources and other services. The coalition said it has been accepting donations to help cover the costs. It is estimated about 100 people from Afghanistan will settle in Illinois. Others will go to areas with larger Afghan populations, such as Pennsylvania, California and the Washington, D.C., area. We have to ensure that all refugees have the resources and support they need when they relocated to America, said Congresswomen Marie Newman, D-Illinois. This is really critical. President Joe Bidens administration has been criticized for the sudden fall of the Afghan government and the ongoing troop pullout in Afghanistan. The Pentagon has ended evacuations from the main airport while officials warn the threat from ISIS-K militants remains high. A suicide bombing outside an airport gate last week claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members and 170 Afghans. ISIS has claimed responsibility. A graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is taking on the nationwide issue of lunch shaming by creating a website that explains the issue and calls for change. Lunch shaming takes place when students are provided an alternative meal, branded with stickers or stamps, or have lunch withheld in an effort to get their parents to pay a debt, Zach Wygal said. This project was created to help raise awareness and allow website visitors to contact legislators that are directly involved with current bills combating lunch shaming. Lunch shaming happens when students are singled out and stigmatized during lunch. A student who has no money in a school lunch account to pay for that days lunch may be given a cold sandwich or no food at all instead of a hot meal. The intent is to pressure the students parents into paying any meal-related debt. Wygal, now an eighth-grade teacher at Hillsboro Junior High School in Hillsboro, had a bachelors degree in special education from SIUE and was pursuing a masters degree in curriculum and instruction when he was introduced to lunch shaming during a class on poverty in schools. He later switched degree programs and earned a masters in diversity and equity in education. At (that) time, my school would give students a cheese sandwich if they had a balance over $25, Wygal said. I thought back to when I was younger and realized that low-income students had different colored lunch tickets. While working in a low-income area, I became interested in how poverty impacts students. I was unable to find research on how students felt about lunch shaming and decided to switch my masters focus to diversity and equity in education. By switching his focus, Wygal was able to conduct research and interview students who were familiar with the impact of lunch shaming, and his capstone project laid the foundation for endlunchshaming.com. The website includes information about lunch shaming, stories about students who have been impacted by it and ways people can take action against it, including contacting their state representatives. There now are two bills waiting in Congress, both titled The Anti-Lunch Shaming Act of 2019. Visitors can easily find their legislator and click on their link, Wygal said. Theres even a letter available for users to copy and paste. The entire process only takes a couple of minutes. Wygal hopes the website does some good. The more people talk about lunch shaming, the better chance we can end it for good, he said. Students are often the ones caught in the middle of what should be something between parents and schools. These kids cant get a job to pay for their lunches. They just want to show up to school to learn, eat, and be treated like anyone else. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) State labor officials warned Thursday that unemployment benefits are scheduled to come to a close for about 50,000 New Mexico residents in early September, as the federal government ends supplemental payments to people who lost jobs or self-employment income during the pandemic. Employers are warily watching whether those individuals will return to work and stabilize the state's unemployment insurance trust fund that is sustained by payroll taxes. The fund has been whipsawed by the pandemic and related financial crisis, while employers were temporarily shielded from tax rate increases. New Mexico had the nations highest June unemployment rate, at 7.9%. The state is bracing for the expiration Sept. 4 of four federal programs that boosted the maximum weekly unemployment benefit per worker of roughly $484 in New Mexico to $784, while temporarily extending benefits to the self-employed and gig-economy workers. Workforce Solutions Secretary Ricky Serna told a panel of state legislators that roughly 67,000 resident are currently receiving unemployment benefits, down from a record high of 148,000 in June 2020. Of those, only 14,000 receive standard state unemployment benefits, the longstanding program sustained by payroll taxes and a state-managed trust fund. The remainder are unlikely to continue receiving benefits. Serna outlined efforts by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the state Legislature to shield employers from tax increases associated with unprecedented payouts of $3.7 billion in unemployment benefits since the outset of the pandemic in March 2020. Serna said special hold harmless legislation enacted in June 2020 was successful in shielding employers from major tax rate increases as unemployment claims surged during the pandemic, depleting a $460 million unemployment trust and saddling the state with $284 million in debt. Fewer businesses saw an increase, and overall that increase to those businesses was smaller, when you make a comparison to the prior year, Serna said. So the provisions that this legislature put in place to hold businesses harmless were really effective. The state unemployment trust was replenished in June to its pre-pandemic balance of $460 million, thanks to a new tranche of federal pandemic relief authorized in March by President Joe Biden after he won congressional approval. New Mexico Business Coalition President Carla Sonntag said employers are wary that the federal government might extend supplemental employment benefits, possibly influencing individual decisions about whether to return to work. She says high unemployment rates inevitably draw down the unemployment trust and could lead to payroll tax increases when rates are recalculated in 2022. We have been flowing (money) out of the fund, and we don't have enough people employed where businesses are paying to replenish the fund, she said. So we're not finding the equilibrium we've had before. At the same time, state unemployment officials say they are grappling with a surge in attempts to hijack unemployment benefit payments and federal bonuses away from New Mexico residents. Serna said thousands of New Mexico residents last weekend received fraudulent text messages asking for claim information. He said the balance of paid unemployment claims flagged for fraud has decreased to roughly $68 million, down from an estimated $120 million earlier in the year, as suspicious claims are investigated and cleared or referred to prosecution. Separately, the state has made overpayments of unemployment benefits estimated at $130 million under circumstances not associated with fraud. Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, offered incentive payments of between $400 and $1,000 over the summer for people who return to work before the expiration of the extra federal unemployment payment. About 22 states, mostly led by Republican governors, already have stopped accepting the $300 weekly federal supplemental over concerns that it may discourage people from returning to work when jobs are available. Candidates vying to unseat Gov. J.B. Pritzker are targeting what they said is a continued unilateral approach to the states COVID-19 response. Pritzker, a Democrat, has been issuing executive orders for 18 months. Democrats, who hold veto-proof majorities in both of the states legislative chambers, have not objected. The governor last week ordered all health care employees, educators and college students to get vaccinated. He also reissued a statewide indoor mask mandate that started Monday. Democratic challenger Beverly Miles previously had said she opposes vaccine mandates but, as a nurse, she said she sees the uptick in COVID-19 cases and now supports the mandate. Still, she said the governor is wrong to issue orders without consulting others. The health care community needs to be on board, legislation has to be on board, and the residents of the state of Illinois need to be on board, Miles said. Republican businessman Gary Rabine said the governors action is overreach. It is unconscionable that the governor would mandate all school employees to be vaccinated, Rabine said. It is not the governments role to make healthcare decisions for its citizens. This is a dictator-like government overreach, and it is one we, as a society, must stand up to adamantly oppose. Pritzkers mandate requires that, if someone cant or wont get vaccinated, they must be tested for COVID-19 at least weekly. State Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, said the mandates are out-of-control government. Nobody, no one, should be mandating any of this nonsense, Bailey said. Its a choice and its your choice. Former Republican state Sen. Paul Schimpf said the governor doesnt have the moral authority, citing instances of the governors handling of the LaSalle Veterans Home COVID-19 deaths. Schimpf also criticized majority Democrats for letting the state be ruled by one man. If they feel that the circumstances are so dire, that this is such an emergency that we need a mask mandate for everybody indoors and we need mandated vaccination, we need to go the proper route, we need to go through the General Assembly, Schimpf said. . Total cases in west-central Illinois counties as of Monday, according to individual county health departments, and vaccination rates, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, were: Brown County 960 total, 898 recovered, seven deaths Fully vaccinated: 43.08%; 65 or older: 84.88% Cass County 2,279 total, 2,194 recovered, 38 deaths Fully vaccinated: 47.41%; 65 or older: 80.76% Greene County 1,774 total, 1,635 recovered, 52 deaths Fully vaccinated: 32.03%; 65 or older: 64.76% Jersey County 3,056 total, 2,932 recovered, 52 deaths Fully vaccinated: 44.63%; 65 or older: 85.66% Macoupin County 5,885 total, 4,968 recovered, 118 deaths Fully vaccinated: 43.97%; 65 or older: 85.49% Morgan County 4,724 total, 117 deaths Fully vaccinated: 44.37%; 65 or older: 82.41% Pike County 2,262 total, 2,135 recovered, 62 deaths Fully vaccinated: 32.4%; 65 or older: 74.32% Sangamon County 22,570 total, 247 deaths Fully vaccinated: 52.95%; 65 or older: 90.88% Schuyler County 878 total, 845 recovered, 17 deaths Fully vaccinated: 41.41%; 65 or older: 74.46% Scott County 625 total, 594 recovered, three deaths Fully vaccinated: 33.98%; 65 or older: 70.28% Since March 2020, there have been 1,518,071 COVID-19 cases and 23,927 deaths in Illinois. The Shakespeare character in Henry IV who said Lets kill all the lawyers was clearly a tad over the top. Its far more humane to single out the MAGA lawyers and humiliate them to within an inch of their lives. What happened last week, in federal court, was almost enough to rekindle ones faith in the system. Thank goodness that the judiciary is still one place where facts matter and fascist-enabling liars get stomped. Rudy Giulianis law license has been suspended, as you may know, but hes not the only one in trouble. Check out these tart tidbits from U.S. District Judge Linda Parker, who was highly displeased that Sidney Powell, Lin Wood and eight other Trump hacks claimed in court without a shred of actual evidence that Joe Bidens victory in Michigan was marred by (non-existent) election fraud: The Trumpists acted in bad faith and improper purpose. Once it appeared that their preferred political candidates grasp on the presidency was slipping away, (they) helped mold the predetermined narrative about election fraud by lodging this federal lawsuit based on evidence that they actively refused to investigate or question with the requisite level of professional skepticism. (Their) politically motivated accusations, allegations, and gamesmanship may be protected by the First Amendment when posted on Twitter, shared on Instagram, or repeated on television. The nations courts, however, are reserved for hearing legitimate causes of action. Stay with me here. It gets even better: (A)ttorneys take an oath to uphold and honor our legal system despite the haze of confusion, commotion, and chaos counsel intentionally attempted to create by filing this lawsuit, one thing is perfectly clear: (Powell et al) have scorned their oath, flouted the rules, and attempted to undermine the integrity of the judiciary along the way. Sanctions? Did she say something about sanctions? Sanctions are required to deter the filing of future frivolous lawsuits designed primarily to spread the narrative that our election processes are rigged and our democratic institutions cannot be trusted. How sweet it is. And thats not all. The MAGA legal team was ordered to financially reimburse the state of Michigan and city of Detroit for the resources they were compelled to spend on their own defense. Because the judge said that if the MAGA team was not ordered to reimburse, it will not be deterred from continuing to abuse the judicial system to publicize their narrative about (non-existent) election fraud. And theres another sanction. This one is priceless. Powell and her compadres were ordered to attend at least 12 hours of continuing legal education sort of a law-school tuneup, to acquaint them with the realities of election law and the proper filings of lawsuits. Because apparently they didnt know that legal rules prohibit lawyers from clogging the courts with frivolous and unsubstantiated crap. The federal ruling in Michigan is part of a broader pattern of comeuppance. We should feel good about that. MAGA hacks are being called to account hither and yon for their destructive attempts to use the courts to undermine democracy. Earlier this month in Colorado, a federal judge ordered two Trumpists to pay the legal fees of all the individuals and companies theyd sued in pursuit of a bogus election fraud case. The judge wrote: This was no slip-and-fall at the local grocery store. Albeit disorganized and fantastical, (the two lawyers) allegationsare the stuff of which violent insurrections are made. Also this month, another federal judge (a Trump appointee, no less) ruled that Dominion Voting Systems which is suing Powell and Giuliani (plus the pillow guy) for defamation can indeed proceed. Singling out Powell, the judge said there is no blanket immunity for lying in court, for making verifiably false statements about the voting firm. Indeed, said the judge, This is not a close call. Powell and her fellow conspirators have also been hit with a sanctions request in Wisconsin, an ethics complaint in Arizona, Lin Wood faces a probe by the State Bar of Georgia that could result in disbarment, and a judge in Washington D.C. recently ordered another Trump lawyer to face a disciplinary committee. The legal principle is easy to understand, or it certainly should be: If you go into court with allegations, you need to back them up. Its not enough to claim that people are saying. Thats snake oil for the suckers at MAGA rallies, nothing more. Naturally, we dont know whether these judicial smackdowns will deter future Powells from lying for similarly malevolent reasons. But its heartening to know that judges and lawyers associations are reminding practitioners that a law license does not grant its owner the prerogative of using the courts to concoct fake conspiracies that imperil our democratic way of life. Dick Polman, a veteran national political columnist, writes at DickPolman.net. He can be reached at dickpolman7@gmail.com Recently, the New York Times published an op-ed written by Atossa Araxia Abrahamian, There Is No Good Reason You Should Have to Be a Citizen to Vote, which it described as part of a series exploring bold ideas to revitalize and renew the American experiment. Bold, revitalize and renew are the misleading words that the Times chose instead of the more accurate: radical, audacious and subversive. The American experiment that the Times boasts proudly of championing is overthrowing Americas existing, time-honored voting system, which legally excludes voting rights for non-citizens. Abrahamian, the Canadian born author of The Cosmopolites: The Coming of the Global Citizen, and who holds Swiss and Iranian citizenship, proposes that voting rights be given to foreign nationals residing in the U.S. on temporary work visas, and green card holders. Those immigrant categories would include non-English speakers and those who have briefly lived in the U.S. Ironically, Abrahamians proposal would also extend to illegal aliens who have knowingly and willingly broken U.S. law, and presumably would also be granted to the estimated 2 million aliens who will surge the Southwest Border this year. The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 expressly barred non-citizens from voting. But the 1996 act has been steadily chipped away at and criminally disregarded. A San Francisco 2016 referendum joined a few other municipalities to give illegal immigrants voting privileges in local school board elections. The supporting argument was that about one-third of San Francisco school district pupils had foreign-born parents. Whether those parents were legally present was not part of the debate. Advocates also speciously argued that participating in the electoral process gives unlawfully present immigrants a greater sense of community involvement. Illegal immigrants have, fraudulently and feloniously, registered to vote and cast ballots in federal elections. In its essay, Aliens and Voter Fraud, the Center for Immigration Studies wrote that when Old Dominion University and George Mason University researchers analyzed non-citizen participation rates from the Cooperative Congressional Election Studies 2008 and 2010 data, they estimated that roughly 620,000 non-citizens were registered to vote prior to the 2008 election. The researchers then turned their attention to the 2008 North Carolina presidential results as well as to the Minnesota senate race. By comparing the non-citizen turnout to the vote margin needed to win the elections, Old Dominion and George Mason analysts concluded that non-citizen voting likely won the elections for the Democratic Party candidates in both instances. In the North Carolina election, authors wrote that it is likely that John McCain would have won North Carolina were it not for the votes for Obama cast by non-citizens. A University of Alabama study, Immigration Status, Immigrant Family Ties, and Support for the Democratic Party, concluded that immigrants, their children and their grandchildren are all more likely than Americans without close immigrant relatives to support the Democratic Party. If the entire illegal alien and temporary resident population were granted voting rights, Abrahamians goal, years if not decades will pass before the GOP won enough federal elections to make a difference. To all but the woke, a group that includes the Times, Abrahamian and far too many Washington, D.C., elites, sovereign American and inalienable voting rights that go with citizenship are treasured values to defend, fight and die for. Joe Guzzardi is a Progressives for Immigration Reform analyst who has written about immigration for more than 30 years. He can be reached at jguzzardi@pfirdc.org. DETROIT (AP) The parents and brother of an American journalist who has been detained in Myanmar for 100 days vowed Tuesday to never stop working to secure his release. Danny Fenster, 37, is managing editor of Frontier Myanmar, an independent online news outlet based in Yangon, the Southeast Asian nations largest city. He was detained May 24 while trying to board a flight to visit his family who live in the Detroit area, and is being held in Yangons Insein Prison. Were just trying to stay tough as tough as Danny is and were not going to stop until we get him home, Buddy Fenster, his father, said during a news conference held via Zoom. Myanmars military-installed government accuses Fenster of incitement, saying he spread false or inflammatory information. If convicted, Fenster could be imprisoned for up to three years. Military officials say they are not suppressing press freedom by holding the journalist, but that limits on publishing information are needed to prevent violence and disorder. The junta has detained dozens of journalists since it took power in February this year. Fensters next hearing is scheduled for next week, according to his brother, Bryan Fenster. His family wanted to raise awareness about his detention and call for his immediate release on humanitarian grounds. Danny Fenster told his lawyer in July that he believed he had COVID-19, but prison authorities denied he was infected. The Fensters say they have not spoken to Danny since Aug. 1. During that conversation, they came to believe that he had indeed contracted the coronavirus. He still was having some brain fog, loss of sense of taste and smell, some fatigue, mother Rose Fenster said, adding that her son has not been vaccinated against COVID-19. The U.S. government and press freedom associations have been pushing for Danny Fensters release. Its 100 days, and hes not home, which is frustrating, Bryan Fenster said Tuesday. But we know that at the highest levels this is a top priority. And resources are being used to secure his release. Michigan Rep. Andy Levin said he is in regular contact with the U.S. State Department and the Fenster family, whom he represents in Congress. The Democrat from suburban Detroit predicted that Fenster eventually will be freed. We will get Danny out, because the Fenster family will not give up, Levin said. The National Press Club announced Monday that Danny Fenster will receive the 2021 John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award, which recognizes journalists who bravely push to disclose the truth in trying circumstances. ___ This story has been corrected to show that in the quote by Buddy Fenster, he said the family wouldnt stop until they get him home, not bring, and to show that in the quote by Andy Levin, he referred to the Fenster family not the Fensters. By MIKE HOUSEHOLDER Associated Press Dutch coalition talks deadlocked 5 months after election View Photo THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) The Netherlands appeared to be heading toward talks to form a minority coalition after efforts to piece together a Cabinet made up of five parties from across the political spectrum broke down Tuesday. More than five months after a general election left the Dutch political landscape fragmented, two key parties said they do not want to form a new government with a pair of leftist parties. The decision by caretaker Prime Minister Mark Ruttes conservative Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy known by its Dutch acronym VVD and the CDA Christian Democrats came after months of talks between party leaders and an official who is attempting to cobble together the coalition. Jesse Klaver, leader of the Green Left party, said Ruttes refusal to talk did not fit in the Dutch tradition of multi-party coalition negotiations. Democracy is the loser today, he said. Klavers Greens had agreed to form a bloc in a new Cabinet with the Labor Party, but Rutte rejected the idea, apparently fearing that a Cabinet made up of five parties would lead to an unstable government. Its a great shame, said Labor leader Lilianne Ploumen. I would have really liked to negotiate with the VVD and CDA about, for example, raising the minimum wage. Rutte, who has led a caretaker administration with limited powers since the March 17 election, said he would reach out to the left-leaning parties on issues such as climate change, emissions and education, but not in a five-party Cabinet. Rutte has served three terms as Dutch prime minister and could become the countrys longest-serving leader if he leads the next government. Sigrid Kaag, leader of the centrist D66 party that emerged as the second largest party following the election, said it is now up to Rutte to find a way out of this deadlock. Talks to form the next Dutch government are expected to continue for weeks. Anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders didnt want to wait for more negotiations and tweeted a call for a new election. Washington Fire cleanup near Mill Villa- Photo by Monique Holcomb View Photos Sonora, CA The City of Sonora and Tuolumne County are hoping to recoup some of the costs associated with fighting the Washington Fire that ignited last Thursday between Sonora and Jamestown. Local deputies and police officers were stretched thin, and outside law enforcement personnel responded from places like Calaveras and Stanislaus counties. Sonora Police Chief Turu Vanderwiel referred to the collaboration among the different agencies as phenomenal. There was a point when we were out of people (law enforcement resources) and fortunately the fire crews came together and did what needed to get done. And so, we were able to start pulling down our roadblocks and opening those residential areas back up. The Police Department and Sheriffs Office were forced to cover a lot of ground in a short window of time. Mayor Matt Hawkins, who lives in a part of the downtown area that was under an evacuation order, says, There is so much riding on our little town and there is so much going on. This fire really had us outgunned. I know that because of how much underbrush there was. Adding to law enforcement and fire responders, From the bottom of my heart, I say thank you. Board of Supervisors Chair, Ryan Campbell, also praised the cooperation between the city and county. Noting, The level of professionalism was amazing. If they were afraid, they didnt look it. Im sure everybody was. But it was like get the job done, get people out and get them safe. Cleanup will continue over the coming days and weeks. The county is working to bring in contractors to safely remove waste. Anyone in the burn footprint should be wearing safety equipment like goggles and the equivalent of an N95 mask. Ashes and debris should remain in place for the time being while the removal is being coordinated. The declaration of local emergency opens the door for potential state or federal funding. Mop up on the fire continues. It is 100 acres and 75 percent contained. The cause of the incident is still under investigation. Fire Forum Outside CA Capitol View Photo Sacramento, CA Disappointed that efforts to pass wildfire-related legislation have come to a standstill at the state capitol, a group of Republican lawmakers held a forum this morning near the capitol steps. GOP leaders say the forum was quickly scheduled after the current sessions only planned legislative hearing on wildfires was canceled. The focus today was on barriers, challenges and solutions related to preventing catastrophic wildfires. Assemblyman James Gallagher helped to coordinate the forum, and opened by stating, Weve lost too many lives and too many communities. Today, South Lake Tahoe is under siege. We can no longer accept this. I wont accept this as the new normal. He called for reforming the California Environmental Quality Act to allow for increased forest thinning efforts, in addition to ramping up strategies like prescribed burns. Indicating that fire prevention efforts should be an all-hands-on-deck approach, he added, CAL Fire cant do this work on their own at the pace and scale that is needed. We need to work with non-profits, fire-safe councils, and the private sector. Even with these devasting fires, we can see clear examples where forestry management, and cooperative partnerships with the private sector, have saved lives and property. The work of companies like Sierra Pacific Industries was praised at the forum. Other confirmed attendees today included local Assemblyman Frank Bigelow and Senator Andreas Borgeas. Others were Assembly GOP leader Marie Waldron, Assemblymembers Megan Dahle and Kelly Seyarto, and Senator Jim Nielsen. Some of the panelists were John Anderson, Director of Forest Policy with Humboldt and Mendocino Redwood Companies, Jim Houtman, Project Manager of the Butte County Fire Safe Council, Robert Longatti, President of Citizens for Responsible Forest Management and Chris Wagoner, Project Manager of the Resource Conservation District of Tehama County. Aug 27 Washington Fire area-Andrew Hickey Photo View Photo Sonora, CATuolumne Countys Office of Emergency Services has received several questions about the Washington Fire recovery. OES Coordinator Dore Bietz has provided some of the questions and answers below. One of these questions deal with the recent declaration of a state of emergency in regards to the Washington fire, details about that can be found here. What do the declarations mean, what do they provide, why are they necessary, what do they open the door for ? If a local government determines effects of an emergency are beyond the capability of local resources to mitigate effectively, the local government must proclaim a local emergency. Pursuant to California Government Code section 8680.9, a local emergency is a condition of extreme peril to persons or property proclaimed as such by the governing body of the local agency affected by a natural or manmade disaster. The purpose of a local emergency proclamation is to provide extraordinary police powers; immunity for emergency actions; authorize issuance of orders and regulations; activate pre-established emergency provisions; and is a prerequisite to request state or federal assistance. A local emergency proclamation can only be issued by a governing body (city, county, or city and county) or an official designated by local ordinance. The proclamation must be issued within 10 days of the incident and ratified by the governing body within 7 days. Renewal of the resolution should occur every 60 days until terminated. It should be noted a local emergency proclamation is not required for fire or law mutual aid; direct state assistance, American Red Cross assistance; a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG); or disaster loan programs from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). They are necessary and they can provide financial assistance to the local government who proclaims a local emergency. Do you know if there is anyone with the county keeping track of fire victim fundraisers? Tuolumne County OES is currently gathering that information and then hopes to have that posted on our Washington Fire website(that website can be found here) Who with the county is handling the hazmat situation in the area where structures burned ? Which department ? Tuolumne County OES is responsible for the coordination of all disasters which includes the coordination of household hazardous waste and debris removal as it relates to a fire. OES and County Community Development Department are working with State and federal agencies on these issues. Do you know who with the county works with Everbridge to bring the emergency alerts to residents who sign up for them? Who can assess for the county how well the system worked, if it worked as intended, how many alerts went out, how many people received them, how many did not ? Who keeps track of this service and how much does the county pay for it? Tuolumne County OES works with the Sheriffs office to manage the Emergency Alert notification systems within Tuolumne County. We will have access to the data specific to this event and will be able to determine its effect. Costs associated with this system are paid out of a grant funded through Cal OES. Do you know who with Cal Fire is investigating the cause of the fire ? Is it Cal Fire Tuolumne County Fire? Or Cal Fire Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit ? The fire has been managed in Unified Command between Cal Fire and the City of Sonora Fire. They are handling the investigation of the cause and when a final report issued, it will come out from Cal Fire. Tuolumne County Fire has been assisting from day one. Do you know who with the county works with Everbridge to bring the emergency alerts to residents who sign up for them? Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services (OES) is the manager of the system and we work to educate folks to sign up. We have a link on our website here. We have been educating and advocating residents and visitors to sign up. In fact we have a new video that has gone out and will be playing at the local movie theater. Check it out here. If you want to sign up for the alert system please click here. Saudi TV: Drone attack on airport wounds 8, damages plane View Photo DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) A bomb-laden drone on Tuesday crashed into an airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia, wounding eight people and damaging a civilian plane, Saudi state television reported, the latest assault on the kingdom amid its grinding war in neighboring Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen blamed the assault on Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels, saying it was the second such strike on Abha airport in the last 24 hours. An earlier ballistic missile attack scattered shrapnel across the tarmac but caused no casualties. The Houthis did not claim responsibility for the strikes and its military spokesman did not answer calls seeking comment. Saudi forces said they downed the drone, and that their interception sent fragments flying that punctured small holes in a passenger plane, shattered glass and wounded citizens of Bangladesh, Nepal and India. One Bangladeshi man remained in critical condition, the coalition said, without offering further details about the assault. The attack comes just days after missiles and drones slammed into a key military base in Yemens south, killing at least 30 Saudi-backed Yemeni troops and marking one of the deadliest attacks in the countrys yearslong civil war. No one claimed responsibility for the strike, which bore the hallmarks the Iranian-supported rebels. Since 2015, Yemens Houthi rebels battling the Saudi-led military coalition have targeted international airports, along with military installations and critical oil infrastructure, within Saudi Arabia. Those attacks, often striking near the southern cities of Abha and Jizan, have rarely caused substantial damage but over the years killed at least one person, wounded dozens and rattled global oil markets. Within Yemen, the Saudi-led bombing campaign has drawn international criticism for killing civilians, hitting non-military targets like hospitals and wedding parties and devastating infrastructure in the Arab worlds most impoverished nation. The Yemen war has settled into a bloody stalemate even as international diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting intensify. The Houthis have accelerated their push to wrest control of the oil-rich government stronghold of Marib in recent months, and escalated their cross-border attacks on the kingdom. As the rebels pressed their offensive on Marib, the Yemeni military said it thwarted an attack on the nearby city of Rahbah on Monday. The raging battles around the critical Marib province in recent months have left thousands of fighters dead, mostly Houthis, and killed 12 government troops on Monday, said a military official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to reporters. Yemens war started in 2014, when the rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of the countrys north. The Saudi-led military coalition intervened months later to dislodge the Houthis and restore the internationally recognized government. The war has killed some 130,000 people and spawned the worlds worst humanitarian disaster. ___ Associated Press writer Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report. By ISABEL DEBRE Associated Press Ida collapses Mississippi road; kills 2, injures at least 10 View Photo LUCEDALE, Miss. (AP) Barbara Cochran said she was about to get ready for bed late Monday when she heard a loud crash outside her home in rural southeastern Mississippi. Hurricane Ida had been dumping torrential rain, her husband was already asleep and the homes air conditioner was humming loudly. The 83-year-old retired educator said she went onto the porch to see if a big oak tree had fallen, or if an 18-wheeler had slid off the highway down the hill from their home. She didnt see car lights, so she didnt think there was a wreck. About 10 minutes after she went back inside, she heard a second loud crash. Moments later, Cochran heard a third crash. As she was about to call the sheriffs department, she heard the wail of sirens. And, she said: I heard something that sounded like a woman screaming. Two people were killed and at least 10 others were injured late Monday when seven vehicles plunged, one after another, into a deep hole where a dark, rural highway collapsed as Hurricane Ida blew through Mississippi, authorities said Tuesday. Heavy rainfall may have caused the collapse of two-lane Mississippi Highway 26 west of Lucedale, and the drivers may not have seen that the roadway in front of them had disappeared, Mississippi Highway Patrol Cpl. Cal Robertson said. The George County Sheriffs Department received the first call at about 10:30 p.m. Cochran told The Associated Press that she didnt know about the highway collapse or the wrecks until after she woke from a fitful nights sleep. She said she is praying for the families of those killed or hurt. This is such a catastrophe, Cochran said Tuesday. Robertson said some of the vehicles ended up stacked on top of each other as they crashed into the abyss, which opened up in a rural area without street lights. Ida dumped as much as 13 inches (33 centimeters) of rain as it blew through Mississippi, the National Weather Service said. You can imagine driving at night with heavy rain coming down, Robertson said. Its just nothing but a wall of water, your headlights kind of reflecting back on you. State troopers, emergency workers and rescue teams responded to the crash site about 60 miles (96 kilometers) northeast of Biloxi, to find both the east and westbound lanes collapsed. Robertson said the hole removed about 50 to 60 feet (15 to 18 meters) of roadway, and is 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters) deep. George County Sheriff Keith Havard told the Sun Herald that the sheriffs department received a 911 call from a man whose car had plunged into the hole. He said he was driving and all of a sudden he wasnt driving anymore, Havard said. He didnt understand what had happened. I cant imagine anyone would. The newspaper reported that 911 dispatchers heard other vehicles crash into the pit. The vehicles were later lifted out by a crane, leaving some debris at the bottom of the hole. A drone video published by the Sun Herald showed how a raised berm beneath the road washed away, leaving a red-clay scar that runs for hundreds of feet, from a cemetery on one side into a wooded area on the other. It is a slide, which means the ground under the roadway and embankment was super-saturated and we can tell right now thats what caused the slide, Kelly Castleberry, district engineer for the Mississippi Department of Transportation, told the newspaper. Jerry Lee, 49, of Lucedale, was pronounced dead at 1:20 a.m., and Kent Brown, 49, of Leakesville, was pronounced dead 10 minutes later, George County Coroner DeeAnn Murrah said. George County High School said one of its students, a senior, was hospitalized with critical injuries after crashing into the hole. Local schools were closed Tuesday because the collapsed highway created problems for buses and other traffic. Mississippi southern district Transportation Commissioner Tom King said he didnt know anything unusual about the soil conditions where the highway caved in. We just got bombarded here in south Mississippi with rain, King told the AP. King said work crews were checking other highways in areas that received heavy rain from Ida. Between 3,100 and 5,700 vehicles drive along the stretch of highway on an average day, according to Mississippi Department of Transportation data. Its going to take us a while to redo it and make it right again and make it safe for folks to go over, King said of the collapsed roadbed. Mike Dillon is pastor of Crossroads United Pentecostal Church, which is near the crash site. He said he learned about the crashes after he woke up Tuesday and checked a community prayer page online. Like many local residents, he walked to the crash site and prayed. Were a very close-knit community, Dillon said, and were going to get through this with the help of the Lord. Hurricane Ida blasted ashore Sunday as a Category 4 storm, one of the most powerful ever to hit the U.S. mainland. It knocked out power to much of southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi, blowing roofs off buildings and causing widespread flooding as it pushed a surge of ocean water that briefly reversed the flow of the Mississippi River. ___ This story has been corrected to show that Jerry Lee was 49, not 42. ____ Emily Wagster Pettus reported from Jackson, Mississippi. By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS and ROGELIO V. SOLIS Associated Press Conviction to be dropped in Michigan fire that killed 5 kids View Photo DETROIT (AP) Authorities are dropping a murder conviction against a man who is serving a life sentence for a fire that killed five children in suburban Detroit after critical evidence that cast doubt on the case was never shared with the defense before the 2006 trial, a prosecutor said Tuesday. The evidence includes a video interview with a survivor who told police that Juwan Deering didnt set the fire, Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald said. Deering didnt get a fair trial, said McDonald, adding: This is a dark day for this office. Deering, now 50, was convicted of murder in a 2000 house fire in Royal Oak Township. Authorities at the time said the fire was revenge for drug debts, though Deering repeatedly declared his innocence. No one could identify him as being at the property. Indeed, McDonald said her staff uncovered a video of a police interview with a 13-year-old fire survivor who had looked at a photo lineup of possible suspects in 2000. He identifies a person named Juwan in the lineup, and he says that Juwan didnt do it, said McDonald, a former judge who was elected last fall. We have an ethical obligation to turn over all the evidence even if it hurts our case, she said. That didnt happen here. There was critical information that was not turned over to the defense and the jury never heard. McDonald also said jurors and Deerings trial lawyer were never told that jail informants won substantial benefits for their testimony against him and in other cases. The prosecutor announced that development in May. McDonald said she will join a new request by Deerings attorney to have a judge throw out the murder conviction. She declined to say whether the case should be dismissed entirely. The Michigan State Police is investigating this right now. Im not prepared to take a position, McDonald said. But Deerings attorney believes a full dismissal would be the best step. Theres not enough evidence to retry Mr. Deering. The simple reason is he didnt commit the crime, said Imran Syed of the Innocence Clinic at University of Michigan law school. He feels a deep vindication. He has known for 15 years that there was a process against him and no one believed him. Syed and law students earlier had been trying to get a new trial for Deering, arguing that the fire analysis was based on junk science, but those requests were unsuccessful in Michigans appellate courts. Greg Townsend was the assistant prosecutor who took Deering to trial in 2006. He subsequently became a Michigan assistant attorney general and was part of the team handling an alleged kidnapping plot against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. He was reassigned last spring when the Deering case made headlines again and retired in July. Lawyers in the warrants branch of the prosecutors office had declined three times to charge Deering before Townsend acted on his own, McDonald said. She said the parents of the children who died in the fire were told about the new twist in the case. The injustice doesnt just impact Juwan Deering. They have lived with this tragedy for two decades, and I cant imagine the pain of having to relive it again and again, McDonald said. ___ Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwritez By ED WHITE Associated Press NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (AP) Three men held at the Guantanamo Bay detention center were formally charged Tuesday in connection with the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings and other plots in Southeast Asia after 18 years in U.S. custody, with defense lawyers insisting afterward that the long-delayed arraignment was so flawed it may have to be repeated. The men appeared in a secure courthouse encircled by razor wire on the U.S. base in Cuba amid defense complaints about courtroom interpreters that caused what was supposed to be a brief arraignment before a military judge into a two-day affair. It was a rocky start to a case already expected to be complex because of the prolonged detention without charges for the three an Indonesian and two Malaysians and the brutal treatment they endured in CIA custody. Encep Nurjaman, the Indonesian militant leader known as Hambali, and the two Malaysians face trial by military commission, which combines elements of civilian and military law, on charges that include murder, terrorism and conspiracy. They have not yet entered pleas. The start of their long-delayed case comes as other war crimes tribunals at Guantanamo have languished without resolution for years amid legal challenges and as President Joe Biden says he intends to close the detention center, which now holds 39 of the 779 men who were brought to the base following the Sept. 11 attacks. Frankly after this two day arraignment, I didnt see any evidence that he would get a fair trial," said Christine Funk, the attorney for, Mohammed Farik bin Amin, one of the Malaysian defendants. The defense complained that a Malaysian interpreter's language skills were so poor that at least one defendant couldn't understand what was being said in court; that another Malay interpreter was improperly working for the prosecution because he previously assisted the prisoners when they appeared before a prisoner review board at Guantanamo; and that an Indonesian interpreter had been overheard disparaging the men as terrorists who should be killed. The judge, a Navy commander, allowed the proceeding to go on despite repeated objections. Defense attorney Brian Bouffard, who represents Malaysian defendant Mohammed Nazir bin Lep, said the arraignment was so flawed it should be done again. We have to have a new one because you have to do one and this one wasnt done right, Bouffard said. Nurjaman was a leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, a Southeast Asian militant group with ties to al-Qaida. The government says he recruited bin Lep and bin Amin, among others, for jihadist operations, and that the two Malaysians helped transfer money for their plots. 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. The Bali bombing killed 88 Australians. Its unclear why its taken so long to charge them before the commission. 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. 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 among a group of 14 men transferred to Guantanamo to face trial by military commission. Lawyers for Nurjaman and the two Malaysians are expected to argue that the abuse they experienced has tainted any evidence against them, an argument is also a key aspect of other war crimes cases at Guantanamo. Former President Barack Obama, who ordered the detention center to close at the start of his administration, had sought to move some commission cases to federal court in the U.S. but reversed course amid political opposition and Congress ultimately blocked efforts to close the prison. WARSAW, Poland (AP) Poland's government asked the president Tuesday to declare a state of emergency along the border with Belarus as it tries to stop migrants from entering from the neighboring country. The government cited the potential risk from foreign actors and the actions of protesters in Poland as rationales for the declaration. President Andrzej Duda said later that he was urgently analyzing the request and hinted that he would grant it. "Please expect Polands security to be strengthened in the nearest time through acts of law, and also through subsequent actions on Polands border, Duda said. Parliament would need to approve the move for the declaration to take effect, and the president said he believed lawmakers would support his decision. Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski said a state of emergency would not have much of an effect on the local population but would impose limits on outsiders in a border area about 3 kilometers (nearly 2 miles) wide. Meanwhile, more than 30 people from Afghanistan have been stuck for more than three weeks between armed Belarusian guards on one side and armed Polish forces on the other. Some are ill as they have limited access to food and the weather is getting worse, with recent rain and falling temperatures. Poland, a European Union member, has seen a large number of migrants seeking to illegally cross the border in recent weeks, most of them originally from Iraq and Afghanistan. The Polish government accuses the authoritarian leader of Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko, of pushing them to Poland to create instability in the EU. We have to stop these aggressive hybrid actions, which are carried out according to a script written in Minsk and by Mr. Lukashenkos patrons, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said at a news conference in Warsaw. Poland has already deployed hundreds of soldiers to reinforce border guards and has been installing a tall barbed wire barrier. Protesters and human rights activists traveled to the border in recent weeks to try to help a group of Poland-bound migrants who have been stuck in the open air for more than three weeks. Poland insists the group is on Belarusian soil and will not let the migrants approach Polish territory or request asylum. Activists say there are 32 people from Afghanistan, many of whom are now sick. Marianna Wartecka of the refugee rights group Fundacja Ocalenie said eight of the migrants have kidney problems and five have diarrhea. The sickest person in the group is a 52-year-old woman who traveled from Afghanistan with her five mostly grown children, Wartecka said. An activist who speaks Dari, one of Afghanistan's official languages, has used a megaphone to communicate with the stranded Afghans, who shout back or gesture answers with their hands. But Polish border guards run sirens and set up vans to interrupt the communication, Wartecka told The Associated Press. She thinks the state of emergency would require the activists to move further away from the border area. Over the weekend, 13 people from a different activist group, Obywatele RP (Citizens of Poland), were detained for trying to cut a new barbed-wire barrier going up on the border to protest what they called the inhuman behavior of Polish authorities. Kaminski described the behavior of the activists as scandalous. The interior minister and the president noted that Russian military maneuvers are scheduled to begin in September and will include exercises in Belarus, arguing for the need to strengthen Poland's border. An interfaith coalition called on Polish authorities Tuesday to give humanitarian aid to the stranded migrants. The coalition, which includes Christian, Jewish and Muslim representatives, said the people stuck at the border suffer from hunger, cold and indifference. Motivated by feelings of human solidarity, we call on the competent Polish authorities to immediately provide the refugees stranded in the border area with the necessary humanitarian aid, the Community of Conscience - Coalition of Mutual Respect said in a statement. Polish border guards said that more than 3,200 people tried to cross illegally into Poland from Belarus in August alone. It said most were from Iraq, followed by Afghanistan, but that some also came from Somalia, Tajikistan and Syria. Other EU nations on Belarus border primarily Lithuania but also Latvia and Estonia have also faced migration pressure. The four have increased security at their borders, which form part of the EUs external border. ___ Monika Scislowska in Warsaw contributed. ___ Follow AP's coverage of migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) North Dakota's environmental regulatory agency is moving its headquarters across town to palatial and costly office space in a building that has sat largely vacant after another agency allowed its more than 400 employees to work from home. The Department of Environmental Quality is moving about 140 of its employees from a leased office building just north of the state Capitol to the North Dakota Information Technology Departments 85,000-square-foot leased space in a newly remodeled, privately owned office building in north Bismarck. The building is the largest and most expensive office space leased by the state but has been largely unoccupied for months. Shawn Riley, who heads the Information Technology Department, has said he already begun moving toward having employees work remotely even before the COVID-19 pandemic and has said he intends to continue with that even after it subsides. The building is costing taxpayers almost $3 million in rent over the next two years. An Associated Press report about the expensive but unused office space spurred a legislative review of all state leases. An interim legislative committee is scheduled to get a copy of the report next month. Dave Glatt, director of the Department of Environmental Quality, said about 140 of his agencys 165 employees will be moving to the new building by early September. Glatt said the lease is expiring on the current privately owned office building where the agency has been for about 15 years. The agency will occupy about 40,000 square feet of the new building, which includes part of the second floor and all of the third. Glatt said his agency is subleasing the space from the IT agency, at a cost of about $960,000 over the next two years. The cost of the lease is about the same as what the Department of Environmental Quality pays now, Glatt said. Its about the same amount of space, but its more usable space, Glatt said. Southwest Research Institute has long been a center of discovery and scientific endeavors in the San Antonio area. Established in 1947, its founder, Tom Slick, was an intrepid Texas oil and cattle man with deep pockets and a vested interest in exploration in some cases this extended into the pursuit of a certain hairy ilk of cryptids. Our founder may be considered an early version of the most interesting man in the world. Not only a successful oil man and businessman, he invented lift-slab construction technology, helped develop the Brangus breed of cattle, and conducted cloud seeding experiments, flying a private plane across South Texas skies. This real-life adventurer led expeditions in the Himalayas to search for Yeti, wrote Southwest Research Institute in a statement to MySA. Bigfoot. Sasquatch. The Abominable Snowman. The yeti. SAN ANTONIO LIGHT FILE PHOTO During his tenure, the eccentric local millionaire and founder of one of the largest independent research nonprofits in the country, bankrolled several expeditions exploring signs of these hairy and fantastical beasts across the globe. In 1989, writer and cryptozoologist Loren Coleman penned the book Tom Slick and the Search for the Yeti about the adventurer's real-life travels during this time. The colorful jaunts include missions to find the abominable snowman in the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal between 1956 and 1959 and Bigfoot conquests in the Pacific Northwest between 1959 and 1962, the year of his death. Tom Slick, Jr. inherited his wealth from his father, who accrued his earnings dominating the Oklahoma oil fields. In 1930, Slick Sr. passed away at the age of 46, bestowing his money to his son. Shortly after, his family relocated to San Antonio, where the prototypical Elon Musk eventually established Southwest Research Institute, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, and assisted in the development of number of other facilities in town and across the country. His involvement with Trinity University and his inquisitive ventures eventually earned him an honorary degree in science in 1946, according to the Texas State Historical Association Handbook of Texas. A renaissance man, Slick also assisted his brother Earl in launching a small airline, Slick Airways, and early on, volunteered for the navy in 1941 after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Slick was twice divorced, and fathered four children. In regard to his sasquatch pursuits, Catherine Nixon Cooke, Slicks niece and former executive director of another one of his foundations, the Mind Science Foundation, said in a 2015 Express-News article that Slick was "curious and open-minded, two characteristics that are essential to science and discovery," and that to his credit "there were new species of animals discovered during his lifetime, so a creature (found) in the very remote wilds of the Himalaya mountains seemed possible." Facebook/Daingerfield State Park At this time, robots, advanced computers, and space exploration were still largely foreign concepts, so one could make the case that the adventurer's penchant for charting the earth's corners is indeed empathetic, if a little wacky and whimsical, and made possible by his lavish wealth. From its well-funded yet fairly humble and experimental beginnings, Southwest Research Institute has grown incredibly. The globetrotter was eventually killed in October of 1962, not from a yeti attack, as one might surmise, but when his plane crashed over southwestern Montana. Today he is buried in Mission Burial Park in San Antonio. After Slick first established the building on his cattle ranch on the outskirts of the city, Southwest Research Institute now employs nearly 2,600 staff members. While there's no yeti expeditions being lead out of the center today (that we know of), it's interesting to think about the local center for engineering and science is interlocked with a slice of relatively recent cryptoozological history. Recent rains in the Guadalupe Mountains have made for a most unusual site: Caribbean-esque pools as far as the eye can see. These "pools" are actually salt flats, a 2 million-year-old expanse located east of El Paso and near the small, appropriately named town of Salt Flat, Texas. Though the salt flats are usually dry, this year's rainy summer has created a kind of magical oasis. According to KTSM 9 News, based in El Paso, the knee-high water has people flocking to the "banks" of these pools to swim or simply take in the majestic scene. Unfortunately, the majority of these salt flats are also on private property, which is causing headaches for the local sheriff's office. In a Facebook post shared on August 30, the Hudspeth County Sheriff's Office issued a warning to would-be visitors to stay away. The flats sit at the base of the Guadalupe Mountains, and are actually the remains of an ancient, shallow lake from the Pleistocene Epoch, according to a 2016 piece by the Houston Chronicle. In more recent times, the flats have been the source of land scuffles, political strife, and even war. According to reporting by the Chronicle, El Pasoans in the 1700s would make the 100-mile trek to the flats to procure salt. It remained communal property open to all until the 1870s, when two El Paso businessmen tried to acquire land rights to the flats and instead ignited a four-day gun battle. Today, the salt flats are mainly spread across privately owned ranches. While a visit today to see the natural wonder probably won't end in gunfire (although in Texas it's possible), the sheriff office says it's issuing citations to anyone caught trespassing on private land. E. Joseph Deering/Staff We reached out to both the National Parks Service and the Hudspeth County Sheriff's Office for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) 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. In the last installment of this series, you learned about some of the basic tenets of Islam that your neighbors, friends or colleagues may be practicing. In this newsletter, we will cover some of the different Muslim sects and the interesting ways they mix in the United States. Journalists and scholars have pointed out how Muslims in the U.S. are often cast simplistically either as good or bad: The good ones are raising their voices against terrorism and the bad ones are violent, or likely to be. This view blocks out an otherwise fascinating spectrum of American Muslims, writes scholar Abbas Barzegar. Outside of Mecca itself, he says, there exists no other Muslim population that displays the theological, ideological, class and ethnic diversity as that which resides here in the U.S. So, what are the different ways of being a Muslim? Many American Muslims belong to one of the two main sects in Islam Sunni and Shiite. Each draws its faith and practice from the Quran and the life of the Prophet Muhammad. The two agree on most of the fundamentals of Islam. But the two groups split after the death of Prophet Muhammad in A.D. 632, when issues over leadership emerged, writes religion scholar Ken Chitwood. The majority of the Muslim community sided with Abu Bakr, one of the prophets closest companions. A minority, however, opted for the prophets cousin Ali. Muslims who rallied around Abu Bakr came to be called Sunni meaning those who follow the Sunna, or sayings, deeds and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad. Those who trusted in Ali came to be known as Shiite. The name comes from a contraction of Shiat Ali, meaning partisans of Ali. There are three main branches of Shiite Muslims: Zaydi, Twelver and Ismaili. Other Shiite-associated sects or movements include the Alawi in Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthi in Yemen. Among Sunni Muslims there are four principal schools: Shafi'i, Hanbali, Maliki and Hanafi. There are also Sunni-associated religious reform movements like the Salafis and Wahhabis and political organizations like the Muslim Brotherhood. Other than these sects, the Islamic tradition has other ways of approaching the divine. Sufis believe in a more inward, contemplative focus than many other forms of Islamic practice, explains scholar Peter Gottschalk. The 13th-century Persian poet and Sufi leader Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi communicated the yearning for a heartfelt relationship with God and believed contemplation was the way to achieve it. Gottschalk explains that many Muslims and non-Muslims around the globe celebrate Sufi saints and gather together for worship in their shrines. Many Sufi saints are believed to be friends of God and have the power to perform miracles. The graves of these saints often become pilgrimage sites. However, militant groups, such as the Islamic State Group, do not embrace the traditions, and Sufi shrines have often been attacked in such countries as Afghanistan and Pakistan. Another sect, the Ahmadiyya, was founded in the Punjab region of India by a Muslim religious leader, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, in 1889. Ahmadis believe Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was the promised Messiah of Islam. However, because of disagreements over who counts as a prophet in Islam, Ahmadis often face persecution from other Muslims. They have been declared heretics, or non-Muslim, in multiple countries. In Pakistan, the country with the largest number of Ahmadis, they represent about 0.2% of the population of 208 million. Because they are targeted for their beliefs, many Ahmadis come to the United Kingdom, Canada, or the U.S. to escape violence in their countries of origin. All these global religious traditions are present in the U.S. As Barzegar points out, small mosques in the United States may bring together different ethnic communities such as Bosnians, Turks, Bangladeshis and so on. Other large and diverse congregations may include both immigrants and Black Muslims. Among these mosques is one in Harlem that was founded in 1964 by Malcolm X when he left the Nation of Islam. Bargezar writes that the current spiritual leader of the mosque, Imam Talib Abdur Rashid, champions the fight against institutional discrimination and structural inequality as he joins hands with other oppressed groups. American Muslims today are part of many traditions, beliefs and culture. In addition, they are developing new interpretations of Islamic law. For example, says Bargezar, an emerging number lovingly accept queer and gay Muslims and allow for unconventional practices of womens religious leadership. And a younger generation of Muslims are less likely to be affiliated with mosques. Instead, you will find them in Silicon Valley, Syrian refugee camps and at the same time on Snapchat, he adds. 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: An eighth-century female Sufi saint, known popularly as Rabia al-Adawiyya, is said to have walked through her hometown of Basra, in modern-day Iraq, with a lit torch in one hand and a bucket of water in another. When asked why, she replied that she hoped to burn down heaven and douse hells fire so people would without concern for reward or punishment love God. From an article written by Peter Gottschalk, Professor of Religion, Wesleyan University In the next issue: Islams contributions to the world 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: - Eid al-Fitr 2016: Understanding the differences among Americas Muslims - Who are the Sufis and why does IS see them as threatening? - Who are Pakistans Ahmadis and why havent they voted in 30 years - What is the Shia-Sunni divide - Who are Yemens Houthis? Further Reading and Resources: - Reporting Islam Project: Based in Australia, the website provides information to journalists and others to help them understand Islam and to clear stereotypes and misconceptions. - Mystical Dimensions of Islam, by influential Islamic scholar Annemarie Schimmel. She was a professor at Harvard University from 1967 to 1992. This book provides valuable introduction to Sufism, the main form of Islamic mysticism. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/americas-muslims-come-from-many-traditions-and-cultures-155024. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) A woman was jailed after trying unsuccessfully to set a Florida deputys patrol vehicle on fire, officials said. The 25-year-old woman was arrested Sunday night at a Fort Lauderdale-area intersection, according to a Broward Sheriff's Office news release. She faces several charges, including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and attempted arson. SEOUL, South Korea South Korea has reported more than 2,000 new coronavirus cases, approaching a daily record set last month just a day after officials cautiously expressed hope that infections may slow. The 2,025 cases reported Wednesday marked the 57th consecutive day of at least 1,000 cases, and there are concerns transmissions could worsen as the country approaches its biggest holiday of the year. Officials are wrestling with a slow vaccine rollout and an erosion in public vigilance despite the toughest social distancing rules short of a lockdown in Seoul and other large population centers, where private social gatherings of three or more people are banned after 6 p.m. There are concerns the virus could spread more quickly during this months Chuseok holidays, the Korean version of Thanksgiving where millions of people usually travel across the country to meet relatives. ___ MORE ON THE PANDEMIC: Pennsylvania to require masks in all K-12 schools, childcare facilities Idaho governor calls in help amid surge in COVID-19 patients Mormon vaccine push ratchets up, dividing faiths members No stranger to plagues, Venice opens film festival with caution ___ Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronvirus-vaccine ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: MELBOURNE, Australia Australias Victoria state is reporting its first COVID-19 deaths this year, and the government concedes that the infection numbers of the delta variant of the coronavirus will continue to rise. The state reported two deaths Wednesday, the first since last Oct. 18. Neighboring New South Wales reported four deaths, bringing the death toll from a delta variant outbreak that started in June to 102. Victoria and New South Wales are both locked down and are now counting on getting their residents vaccinated to contain the outbreak. With 120 new infections reported Wednesday, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said: We will not see these case numbers go down. They are going to go up. New South Wales reported 1,116 infections in the latest 24-hour period. ___ RICHLAND, Wash. Workers at the Hanford nuclear reservation in eastern Washington state who do not provide proof of a coronavirus vaccination will be required to be tested at least weekly to be allowed on the site. he Tri-City Herald reports that the policy announced Monday covers about 11,000 Department of Energy, contractor and subcontractor workers. Many workers could be required to comply by mid-September. Also under the new policy, visitors with business at the site will have to provide proof of vaccination or a negative virus test from within the previous three days. The Hanford site was used to produce two-thirds of the plutonium for the nations nuclear weapons program during World War II and the Cold War. About $2.5 billion is now spent every year on cleanup of the contaminated site. ___ ATLANTA More Georgians are being diagnosed with coronavirus infections than ever before. The rolling seven-day average for positive tests rose to 9,641 per day Tuesday, topping the previous high of 9,635 set back on Jan. 11. Officials say the rapid spread among children is a new aspect of the pandemic. Public Health Commissioner Kathleen Toomey said Monday that cases have skyrocketed since schools opened in early August. Toomey says that were seeing a significant number of cases among school-aged children, and the number of cases has nearly quadrupled over the last couple of weeks, with the sharpest increase the highest number of cases in children aged 11 to 17. She says public health officials tracked more than 170 outbreaks statewide last week, the highest number since the pandemic began. More than half were in schools. ___ HILO, Hawaii The largest hospital on the Big Island of Hawaii is operating at about 120% of capacity amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports that Hilo Medical Center has 38 patients being treated for the disease that can be caused by the coronavirus, including 10 in the intensive care unit. A hospital spokeswoman says that as the largest hospital on the island, it cant divert patients. She says it has a plan for everyone who comes for care. Last week, the hospital opened a 16-bed overflow unit in its extended care facility. The hospital says its constantly assessing its campus for locations in which to care for patients. ___ ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- An increase in hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients is further straining Alaskas hospital system. One health official calls it a very serious crisis and worries what the next few weeks will bring. The state health department reported that hospitals had a record 152 COVID-19 patients Tuesday, surpassing previous highs in December. Jared Kosin of the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association told the Anchorage Daily News that the latest increase in coronavirus infections has shown little sign of slowing. As of Tuesday, 771 of the states 1,200 hospital beds were filled. Out of 174 intensive care beds, all but 26 were taken. ___ MINNEAPOLIS Minnesota officials are reopening four free coronavirus testing sites as circulation of the highly contagious delta variant renews demand for testing. The reopened locations include sites in St. Paul and Bloomington, augmenting existing metro area sites in Brooklyn Park and at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Outside the metro area, locations in St. Cloud and Mankato are expected to resume testing this week. The increase in testing locations comes as virus cases continue to grow across the state and hospitals near full capacity, with both intensive care unit beds and overall hospital beds more than 90% occupied. ___ SIOUX FALLS, S.D. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has activated nine soldiers from the state National Guard to help with coronavirus testing in the western part of the state amid a surge of infections. Over the past two weeks, the average number of infections has tripled statewide. Johns Hopkins University researchers say that one in every 570 South Dakotans has tested positive in the past week. The western part of the state has been the hardest hit by the virus. Meade County, which hosted the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally earlier this month, leads the state in new cases per capita. ___ BOISE, Idaho Idaho Gov. Brad Little is calling in 220 medical workers available through federal programs and mobilizing 150 Idaho National Guard soldiers to deal with a surge in unvaccinated COVID-19 patients who are overwhelming the states hospitals. The Republican governor said Tuesday the moves are a last-ditch effort to avoid activating for the first time statewide crisis standards of care that could force medical professionals to decide who lives and who dies. The last week has seen about 1,000 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases per day, most of them unvaccinated. Little says only four intensive care unit beds were available in the entire state on Tuesday. ___ LANSING, Mich. A federal judge has blocked Western Michigan University from enforcing a COVID-19 vaccine requirement on four female soccer players, ruling they are likely to prevail on claims it violates their constitutional religious rights. District Judge Paul Maloney in Grand Rapids issued the temporary restraining order on the day of the schools deadline for athletes to get an initial shot or be unable to practice or compete. He said while the university had not had an opportunity to respond to the lawsuit, WMUs vaccination requirement for student athletes is not justified by a compelling interest and is not narrowly tailored. He scheduled a hearing concerning a temporary injunction on Sept. 9. Unlike at other Michigan universities, Westerns vaccine requirement does not extend to all students and employees, though the unvaccinated do have to undergo weekly coronavirus testing. The four athletes said they were denied religious exemptions to play without getting a dose. The Kalamazoo-based school says it does not comment on ongoing litigation. ___ SALT LAKE CITY Utah Gov. Spencer Cox cast doubt on the efficacy of mask-wearing Tuesday as health leaders made some of their most impassioned pleas yet for state residents to mask up and get vaccinated. Cox said his administration is encouraging people to wear masks but said it is unclear whether they are effective against the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus. Masks are not as effective as most of the pro-mask crowd are arguing, Cox said. We know that theyre just not. Coxs comments contradicted earlier statements at the news conference from the state epidemiologist and state hospital leaders who made emotional pleas for vaccinations and universal masking. Under a new state law, school mask mandates this school year are now banned, though students can wear face coverings if they or their parents choose. ___ HELENA, Mont. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte announced on Tuesday a rule encouraging schools to give parents final say on whether children should wear masks in schools, after several large school districts in the state implemented mask requirements for all students. Gianforte made the announcement after the U.S. Department of Education opened on Monday civil rights investigations into five 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 rule says schools should consider parental concerns when adopting mask mandates and should provide parents the ability opt out of health-related mandates for a wide array of reasons including physical and mental health, developmental needs, religious beliefs and moral convictions. ___ BOISE, Idaho Idaho Gov. Brad Little is calling in 220 medical workers available through federal programs and mobilizing 150 Idaho National Guard soldiers to deal with a surge in unvaccinated COVID-19 patients overwhelming the states hospitals. The Republican governor says the moves are a last-ditch effort to avoid activating for the first time statewide crisis standards of care that could force medical professionals to decide who lives and who dies. The last week registered about 1,000 new confirmed cases per day, mostly unvaccinated. Little says only four intensive care unit beds were available in the entire state on Tuesday. The workers include a 20-person U.S. Department of Defense medical response team deployed to northern Idaho, where vaccination rates are among the lowest in the state. ___ JACKSON, Miss. Republican Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi says he has fully recovered from COVID-19. The 70-year-old Wicker says hes looking forward to traveling in Mississippi this week. Hes one of three senators who announced Aug. 19 that they had tested positive for the coronavirus. The others were 77-year-old independent Angus King of Maine and 69-year-old Democrat John Hickenlooper of Colorado. All three had been vaccinated. Hickenlooper said Friday he had a mild case. King says Tuesday he has recovered, although he didnt feel great during the worst of his illness. ___ HONOLULU Health care officials in Hawaii are concerned about a shortage of oxygen amid the coronavirus surge. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports hospital officials are canceling nonemergency procedures that require oxygen to conserve supplies. Hilton Raethel, president and CEO of the trade group Healthcare Association of Hawaii, says there is a global shortage of oxygen containers needed for transport to the islands. Hawaiis two liquid oxygen plants have switched to producing medical gas only. Raethel says mainland tank orders are backlogged for months. Hawaii Pacific Health, which oversees several hospitals in the state, directed staff to cancel elective procedures that require oxygen. ___ HARRISBURG, Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf announced masks will be required in all Pennsylvania K-12 schools starting on Sept. 7. The masking order will apply to private as well as public schools and to child care facilities. Pennsylvanias two statewide teachers unions had urged K-12 schools to require masks in school buildings, citing the more contagious delta variant of the coronavirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends masks in schools for students, staff and teachers. Wolf is taking action amid a statewide resurgence of coronavirus thats filling hospital beds just as students return to class. Pennsylvania is averaging more than 3,200 confirmed daily infections -- 20 times the number in early July. More than 1,700 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, up sevenfold since last month. Deaths have doubled in two weeks to about 20 per day. ___ OMAHA, Neb. The number of coronavirus cases in Nebraska has nearly doubled over the past two weeks with the highly contagious delta variant. Nebraska reported 5,006 new cases for the week ending Friday, according to an Omaha World-Herald analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thats up from 3,755 the previous week and nearly double the 2,668 cases recorded the week before. The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Nebraska has risen in the past two weeks from 190 new cases per day on Aug. 15 to 715 on Sunday. PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) Kosovo on Tuesday postponed the beginning of the school year for students up through high school by two weeks following a surge of coronavirus infections due to the delta variant, and new precautions were taken in other Western Balkan countries like Albania and Serbia. Perparim Kryeziu, the spokesman for the Kosovo government, told the Associated Press that we have put up some new restrictive measures, which include postponing classes until Sept. 13, imposing a 10 p.m.-5 a.m. nightly curfew, having restaurants and bars only operate outside and mandatory mask-wearing both indoors and outside. The preventative moves have been welcomed by teachers and parents who fear that the delta variant has created a more dangerous situation for students and families. Mergim Mestani, a teacher and a parent, hailed the government decision. "Peoples' lives are a priority, and then other issues, she said. Principal Shqipe Vllasaliu Mehmedi had worked to get the Naim Frasheri school in Kosovo's capital of Pristina ready for the start of the school year, but she said the school is considering using online teaching if the virus situation does not improve. Kosovo saw more than 2,000 new infections a day in August, 10 times what it was less than a month ago. That is posing a rising danger, for less than 20% of its 1.8 million people are vaccinated. In neighboring Albania, school was postponed until Sept. 27. The Tirana government is urging people to get their vaccine shots, warning that otherwise it may make vaccines compulsory for health workers, teachers, professors and students. About one-third of Albanias 2.8 million people have been vaccinated. In Serbia, teachers protested Tuesday outside the parliament building in Belgrade demanding fewer students in classes and better salaries. Schools in Serbia will start as normal on Wednesday, except in southwestern Serbia, where some classes will be online due to the high numbers of new coronavirus infections. Some 50% of the population has been vaccinated in Serbia, a country of 7 million, and authorities have started administering a third booster dose to people who had received jabs at least six months ago. - Llazar Semini contributed from Tirana; Jovana Gec from Belgrade. Yves here. Michael Hudson made a point similar to the one made in this post, based on the release of archival documents from the USSR. When the Soviets left Afghanistan, they were worried that there was a path to success for American that wasnt open to them: foreign aid spending on a scale to improve the quality of life for the Afghan people. Instead, as this and other articles have documented, the funds instead went in considerable degree to open corruption (blatant skimming and non-performance by contractors). By Medea Benjamin, cofounder of CODEPINK for Peace, and author of several books, including Inside Iran: The Real History and Politics of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Nicolas J. S. Davies is an independent journalist, a researcher with CODEPINK and the author of Blood On Our Hands: the American Invasion and Destruction of Iraq Americans have been shocked by videos of thousands of Afghans risking their lives to flee the Talibans return to power in their country and then by an Islamic State suicide bombing and ensuing massacre by U.S. forces that together killed at least 170 people, including 13 U.S. troops. Even as UN agencies warn of an impending humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the U.S. Treasury has frozen nearly all of the Afghan Central Banks $9.4 billion in foreign currency reserves, depriving the new government of funds that it will desperately need in the coming months to feed its people and provide basic services. Under pressure from the Biden administration, the International Monetary Fund decided not to release $450 million in funds that were scheduled to be sent to Afghanistan to help the country cope with the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. and other Western countries have also halted humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. After chairing a G7 summit on Afghanistan on August 24, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that withholding aid and recognition gave them very considerable leverage economic, diplomatic and political over the Taliban. Western politicians couch this leverage in terms of human rights, but they are clearly trying to ensure that their Afghan allies retain some power in the new government, and that Western influence and interests in Afghanistan do not end with the Talibans return. This leverage is being exercised in dollars, pounds, and euros, but it will be paid for in Afghan lives. To read or listen to Western analysts, one would think that the United States and its allies 20-year war was a benign and beneficial effort to modernize the country, liberate Afghan women and provide healthcare, education and good jobs, and that this has all now been swept away by capitulation to the Taliban. The reality is quite different, and not so hard to understand. The United States spent $2.26 trillion on its war in Afghanistan. Spending that kind of money in any country should have lifted most people out of poverty. But the vast bulk of those funds, about $1.5 trillion, went to absurd, stratospheric military spending to maintain the U.S. military occupation, drop over 80,000 bombs and missiles on Afghans, payprivate contractors, and transport troops, weapons and military equipment back and forth around the world for 20 years. Since the United States fought this war with borrowed money, it has also cost half a trillion dollars in interest payments alone, which will continue far into the future. Medical and disability costs for U.S. soldiers wounded in Afghanistan already amount to over $175 billion, and they will likewise keep mounting as the soldiers age. Medical and disability costs for the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan could eventually top a trillion dollars. So what about rebuilding Afghanistan? Congress appropriated $144 billion for reconstruction in Afghanistan since 2001, but $88 billion of that was spent to recruit, arm, train and pay the Afghan security forces that have now disintegrated, with soldiers returning to their villages or joining the Taliban. Another $15.5 billion spent between 2008 and 2017 was documented as waste, fraud and abuse by the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. The crumbs left over, less than 2% of total U.S. spending on Afghanistan, amount to about $40 billion, which should have provided some benefit to the Afghan people in economic development, healthcare, education, infrastructure and humanitarian aid. But, as in Iraq, the government the U.S. installed in Afghanistan was notoriously corrupt, and its corruption only became more entrenched and systemic over time. Transparency International (TI) has consistently ranked U.S.-occupied Afghanistan as among the most corrupt countries in the world. Western readers may think that this corruption is a long-standing problem in Afghanistan, as opposed to a particular feature of the U.S. occupation, but this is not the case. TI notesthat, it is widely recognized that the scale of corruption in the post-2001 period has increased over previous levels. A 2009 report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development warned that corruption has soared to levels not seen in previous administrations. Those administrations would include the Taliban government that U.S. invasion forces removed from power in 2001, and the Soviet-allied socialist governments that were overthrown by the U.S.-deployed precursors of Al Qaeda and the Taliban in the 1980s, destroying the substantial progress they had made in education, healthcare and womens rights. A 2010 report by former Reagan Pentagon official Anthony H. Cordesman, entitled How America Corrupted Afghanistan, chastised the U.S. government for throwing gobs of money into that country with virtually no accountability. The New York Times reported in 2013 that every month for a decade, the CIA had been dropping off suitcases, backpacks and even plastic shopping bags stuffed with U.S. dollars for the Afghan president to bribe warlords and politicians. Corruption also undermined the very areas that Western politicians now hold up as the successes of the occupation, like education and healthcare. The education system has been riddled with schools, teachers, and students that exist only on paper. Afghan pharmacies are stocked with fake, expired or low quality medicines, many smuggled in from neighboring Pakistan. At the personal level, corruption was fueled by civil servants like teachers earning only one-tenth the salaries of better-connected Afghans working for foreign NGOs and contractors. Rooting out corruption and improving Afghan lives has always been secondary to the primary U.S. goal of fighting the Taliban and maintaining or extending its puppet governments control. As TI reported, The U.S. has intentionally paid different armed groups and Afghan civil servants to ensure cooperation and/or information, and cooperated with governors regardless of how corrupt they were Corruption has undermined the U.S. mission in Afghanistan by fuelling grievances against the Afghan government and channelling material support to the insurgency. The endless violence of the U.S. occupation and the corruption of the U.S.-backed government boosted popular support for the Taliban, especially in rural areas where three quartersof Afghans live. The intractable poverty of occupied Afghanistan also contributed to the Taliban victory, as people naturally questioned how their occupation by wealthy countries like the United States and its Western allies could leave them in such abject poverty. Well before the current crisis, the number of Afghans reporting that they were struggling to live on their current income increased from 60% in 2008 to 90% by 2018. A 2018 Gallup pollfound the lowest levels of self-reported well-being that Gallup has ever recorded anywhere in the world. Afghans not only reported record levels of misery but also unprecedented hopelessness about their future. Despite some gains in education for girls, only a third of Afghan girls attended primary school in 2019 and only 37% of adolescent Afghan girls were literate. One reason that so few children go to school in Afghanistan is that more than two million children between the ages of 6 and 14 have to work to support their poverty-stricken families. Yet instead of atoning for our role in keeping most Afghans mired in poverty, Western leaders are now cutting off desperately needed economic and humanitarian aid that was funding three quarters of Afghanistans public sector and made up 40% of its total GDP. In effect, the United States and its allies are responding to losing the war by threatening the Taliban and the people of Afghanistan with a second, economic war. If the new Afghan government does not give in to their leverage and meet their demands, our leaders will starve their people and then blame the Taliban for the ensuing famine and humanitarian crisis, just as they demonize and blame other victims of U.S. economic warfare, from Cuba to Iran. After pouring trillions of dollars into endless war in Afghanistan, Americas main duty now is to help the 40 million Afghans who have not fled their country, as they try to recover from the terrible wounds and trauma of the war America inflicted on them, as well as a massive drought that devastated 40% of their crops this year and a crippling third waveof covid-19. The U.S. should release the $9.4 billion in Afghan funds held in U.S. banks. It should shift the $6 billion allocated for the now defunct Afghan armed forces to humanitarian aid, instead of diverting it to other forms of wasteful military spending. It should encourage European allies and the IMF not to withhold funds. Instead, they should fully fund the UN 2021 appeal for $1.3 billion in emergency aid, which as of late August was less than 40% funded. Once upon a time, the United States helped its British and Soviet allies to defeat Germany and Japan, and then helped to rebuild them as healthy, peaceful and prosperous countries. For all Americas serious faults its racism, its crimes against humanity in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and its neocolonial relations with poorer countries America held up a promise of prosperity that people in many countries around the world were ready to follow. If all the United States has to offer other countries today is the war, corruption and poverty it brought to Afghanistan, then the world is wise to be moving on and looking at new models to follow: new experiments in popular and social democracy; renewed emphasis on national sovereignty and international law; alternatives to the use of military force to resolve international problems; and more equitable ways of organizing internationally to tackle global crises like the Covid pandemic and the climate disaster. The United States can either stumble on in its fruitless attempt to control the world through militarism and coercion, or it can use this opportunity to rethink its place in the world. Americans should be ready to turn the page on our fading role as global hegemon and see how we can make a meaningful, cooperative contribution to a future that we will never again be able to dominate, but which we must help to build. Last week, we published the partly-redacted transcript from a special CalPERS board meeting held in August 2020, shortly after Chief Investment Officer had resigned on August 5 with immediate effect. This was a mere three days after we had documented, in detail, Mengs violations of California financial reporting requirements (via the so-called Form 700) and conflict of interest rules. Specifically, Meng was required to report his stock purchases and sales during the year, and not just his year-end holdings. A large number of year-to-year differences in his positions means Meng must have made trades that he failed to disclose as required. Meng in the first quarter of 2020 also approved a $1 billion investment in a Blackstone fund when he held shares in Blackstone. Finally, Meng had been pumping hard to increase CalPERS commitment to private equity when he was additionally conflicted by also holding Carlyle shares and an interest in an Ares credit fund. The scandal blew big when two individuals filed anonymous complaints to the California Fair Political Practices Commission the day after our post went live, and the financial press took up the conflict of interest angle (missing the hiding of the stock trading) and the FPPC reports, which assured the FPPC would investigate. The complaints came so hard on the heels of our posts that it is reasonable to assume that they used the information we presented and largely repeated our findings. Today, well discuss CalPERS past and ongoing cover-up of laffaire Meng. Why CalPERS Claim that CEO Frost Planned to Tell the Board About Meng Does Not Add Up In the transcript below, youll see both Board President Henry Jones and CEO Marcie Frost repeatedly assert that they really, truly, intended to fess up to the full board about Mengs financial misconduct, oh, maybe around September, presumably including that theyd hired top FPPC lawyer Lance Olson to investigate, and hed produced a draft report. Curiously, Olson had completed his draft in May but the document was not finalized as of when we broke the Meng story. That is extremely peculiar since Frost maintained that Meng dumped his Blackstone shares in April, shortly after CalPERS compliance staff had gotten his Form 700 for calendar year 2019 and saw that hed approved a law-breaking investment. In other words, after Meng sold his shares, there should have been no new facts, and no reason not to complete the report, administer whatever sanction Frost deemed suitable, and notify the board. CalPERS had an offsite in July, which included a substantive closed session on the last day. So Frost could easily have included the Meng matter in July had she wanted to. Moreover, Frost had to know by then she could not keep Mengs misconduct hidden much longer. The Forms 700 were due in later in 2020 than usual thanks to Covid, on April 1, which was when Meng turned in his document. CalPERS historically had posted the Forms 700 for board members, the CEO and CIO and other key officers promptly on CalPERS website. We noticed the failure to publish the documents for CalPERS officers. We requested forms filed in 2020 through June 8 for a whole raft of CalPERS staffers, including Meng. CalPERS slow-walked the response, saying it would provide the records as of July 17, then August 21. CalPERS in fact posted Mengs Form 700 on July 20. Insiders told us that Meng hired counsel only a couple of weeks before our post went live, as in roughly when CalPERS published his Form 700. Was Meng really so naive that he thought his second Form 700 would never see the light of day? What apparently sent Meng and CalPERS into freakout mode was our Public Records Act on July 27, triggered by the fact that his now-public Form 700 showed that Meng still held Blackstone shares at the end of 2019 as he had at the start of the year. That strongly suggested he had violated conflict of interest rules when hed green-lighted a Blackstone investment a few months later. Our request: Public Records Act request #5297 For 01/02/2019-7/27/2020 Please provide any materials or writings related to actual or potential recusals by Chief Investment Officer Ben Meng. Per Government Code 6253.9, please provide all machine readable documents in machine readable form. It looks like Meng and CalPERS, with their paranoia about loose lips and inability to understand that some people are capable of connecting dots, leaped to the false conclusion that an insider must have tossed us the Olson report. From Bloomberg on August 8: On the weekend of Aug. 1, he [Meng] met twice with Frost, sharing his concerns about the compliance review That was before our Meng post went live, on the evening of August 2. On the one hand, the claim that Mengs didnt lawyer up until he faced public exposure makes Meng seem awfully cavalier about his potential exposure, particularly since CalPERS had hired a serious lawyer to conduct a probe. On the other, it would be consistent with the idea that he and CalPERS had come to an understanding, and that included CalPERS keeping a lid on his dodgy actions. That was a promise the giant fund could never honor but Frost and Jacobs are not people of honor. CalPERS first version of the story was that the whole thing was confidential. This is clearly bogus since Form 700s are required filings and are also public records. This story in the normally CalPERS-friendly State Worker column on August 6 in the Sacramento Bee the day after Meng resigned shows that even CalPERS allies were not buying what CalPERS was trying to sell: CalPERS has known about questions regarding Bens Fair Political Practices (Commission) disclosure filings, Board President Henry Jones said in an emailed statement. These are private personnel matters and already have been addressed according to our internal compliance protocols. The commission, often referred to as the FPPC, administers state laws regulating campaign finance, conflicts of interest and government ethics. CalPERS provided no further explanation as to why Meng, in whom the majority of the 13-member board has repeatedly expressed confidence, resigned after the matters had been addressed. As you can see in the searchable transcript below that by August 17, Jones had a new spin for the full board: PRESIDENT JONES: So when the investigation was going to be complete was unknown. And I said, well, you have the direct report of the CI the Chief Investment Officer reports to you. You can discipline him with your findings. But I said, once you reach that point, you need to advise the Board. And that matter of fact, we already had talked about putting on September, because she believed that her investigation would be complete by then. So in plain sight is evidence of a plan never to tell the board: that the investigation had not been completed. If it hadnt been completed by August, with nothing having changed between May and then (except your humble blogger forcing CalPERS to cough up Mengs year 2019 Form 700), why would one assume that it was ever going to be completed? No completed investigation = no need to inform the board. Another CalPERS Big Lie to the board was Marcie Frosts statement that CalPERS didnt have to report Mengs conflict of interest violation to the FPPC: 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. So why did CalPERS, presumably truthfully, tell Bloomberg that the giant fund in fact had made a complaint to the FPPC about Meng.not when they knew of his misconduct in April, or after the investigation in May, but only after our story broke and two anonymous complaints had already been filed? From Bloomberg on August 8: Calpers found that Meng approved an investment into a private-equity fund managed by Blackstone Group Inc. at the same time 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. One has to think that its because CalPERS was now trying to get in front of a mob, in the form of the two already filed FPPC complaints, and pretend its a parade. Specifically, State Controller Betty Yee pointed out that the FPPC would subpoena the Olson report. It isnt hard to imagine that CalPERS decided to file its complaint in a manner to impede that from happening, say by providing some information but then handwaving as to why the Olson report was protected. Remember that FPPC investigation files become public once an investigation is completed, so now CalPERS faces being on the receiving end of yet more bad press once that happens. But the excuses CalPERS has tried running before dont wash. CalPERS cant pretend that Mengs Form 700 abuses are personnel matters. He was required to provide information, under penalty of perjury, per state law. If the report contains information that Meng was supposed to provide but didnt, like all those stock trades he had to have made, thats not entitled to a personnel protection. Neither are things like investments that CalPERS made that were reported to the Investment Committee in public meetings, or statements Meng made repeatedly in public about how keen CalPERS was to increase its private equity commitments. The assertion that the report is attorney-client privileged is a stretch too. If Meng hired an attorney earlier than our sources indicated (or perhaps beefed up his legal team later when he panicked), Meng would have been adverse with respect to the investigation. Any material presented to his side by Olson would not be entitled to protection. But if Frosts game was to make sure the report was never finalized, one way would be to present it to Meng, hope he got upset at some of the findings, and not agree to all the requested edits. Recall also that another set of shoes is likely to drop with the FPPC investigation, even if the Olson report is included in the public file only on a redacted basis. The press fixated on Mengs conflict of interest, since as Bloomberg and other financial outlets pointed out, thats a no-no in the private sector too. Its shocking that Meng thought he could get away with such a fundamental abuse. But we also have Mengs unreported stock trades. And Mengs arrival happened to coincide with a big spike in personal trading violations, which CalPERS attempted to minimize by saying they came mainly from one person. What if it turns out that the Olson report showed that Meng was a very active trader the entire time he was there? There is no way CalPERS could suppress this information, since it was required to have been reported on the Forms 700. This would be hugely embarrassing to CalPERS, in that it would show it had hired a CIO who didnt have his full attention on his very big ticket say job. And it would be vastly worse if Meng as head of the investment operation had been routinely violating SEC requirements for trade pre-approvals to prevent insider trading. This possibility seems even more likely when you look at the board transcript below. Marlene Timberlake DAdamo droned on and on and on trying to justify CalPERS not having reviewed Mengs Form 700 to see if it looked internally consistent and/or matched up with his trading records. At first I thought this was to exhaust the board and dissipate their energy so theyd not be as persistent about their issues when they finally got the mike. But it may also be that the compliance department was clearly remiss in not reviewing Mengs Form 700 by virtue of him being an active trader. And if he indeed was the person whod made the big personal trading violations, that would almost mandate reviewing his Form 700. Normally staff-supporting Rob Feckner undermined Timberlake DAdamos position by pointing out that he in his former role as Board President reviewed the Forms 700 of the top five CalPERS officers, which implied that the staff should have been doing so. Unfortunately, it isnt at all clear how long it will take the FPPC to investigate the Meng complaints. But the results are almost certain to shed more well-deserved unflattering light on CalPERS. 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. Follow William Williams 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 (Natural News) Former FBI Assistant Director of Intelligence Kevin Brock is sounding the alarm about Joe Biden becoming a national security threat to the nation. (Article by Martin Walsh republished from ConservativeBrief.com) In an op-ed for The Hill, Brock argued that Bidens weak leadership is now the greatest threat to national security. The Biden administration has exposed itself as incapable of making basic prudential decisions, and then compounding it with outrageous statements by the president, Pentagon brass, and the State Department that have many Americans asking, What were you thinking? What were you thinking when you decided to extract military personnel from Afghanistan without moving American civilians and Afghan employees out of harms way first?' Brock asked. There is chaos it is among Americas weak political and military leaders. Weve been subjected daily to conflicting messages between the president and the Pentagon about the safety of 15,000 Americans who remain in grave danger behind enemy lines, he said. Just yesterday, Bidens press secretary claimed that it is irresponsible to refer to Americans in Afghanistan as stranded since the U.S. is committed to evacuating anyone who wants to leave. All they have to do is make it through Taliban checkpoints and get to the Kabul airport, Brock added. This is the type of logic you get from leaders who are in over their heads, he continued. Can the State Department seem any more out of touch with reality? State is letting us know, much to our dismay, that after 20 years in Afghanistan they apparently remain clueless about whom they are dealing with. The Taliban are uncivilized, violent, religious fanatics who brutalize women, he said. Start from that reality. Woke wont work. The Biden administration is being pilloried, even by some traditional allies, for its breathtaking miscalculations and deservedly so. Biden has avoidably placed thousands of American lives in immediate danger, emboldened evil oppressors, and likely returned Afghanistan to the terror safe haven we set out to eliminate twenty years ago. Weakness always results in less security, Brock concluded. As Afghanistan has collapsed and been taken over by the Taliban, Biden has faced extreme blowback. Texas Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw issued a blistering response to the Taliban and their threat of a red line. After the Taliban threatened Biden to pull out all U.S. troops by August 31, Crenshaw took to Twitter and wrote: Go f*** yourself. The only proper response from America to these dirty savage terrorists should be: Go f*** yourself. https://t.co/n6Ip9V3Vwh Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) August 23, 2021 The United Kingdoms Houses of Parliament officially voted to hold Joe Biden in contempt over his disastrous handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Senate Democrats are planning to investigate the Biden administrations flawed American withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Senate Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committees both chaired by Democrats are planning to investigate the catastrophic withdrawal. Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott suggested using the 25th Amendment to remove Biden from the presidency. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has slammed Biden for his handling of the withdrawal of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, which have descended into chaos over the weekend as Taliban forces seized much of the country. McCarthy is now calling for investigations into Bidens handling of the crisis. Republican Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said she is drafting Articles of Impeachment against Biden as the debacle on his Afghanistan withdrawal of troops continues. Kamala Harris is also reportedly refusing to accept any responsibility. A source reportedly said that Harris refused to be part of addressing the American people after the terrorist group took over Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. A source said Harris screamed: They will not pin this sh*t on me! Read more at: ConservativeBrief.com and NationalSecurity.news. (Natural News) The Japanese Ministry of Health has identified yet another concerning contaminant in Modernas Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines, which authorities are describing as unknown black substances. After last week identifying a strange metallic substance inside the vials that some suspect might be graphene oxide, Japan suspended the use of some 1.6 million doses of the Moderna jab. Now, all Moderna vaccines are being put on hold in some areas of Japan, including in the Okinawa prefecture, which for the time being will no longer be administering this brand of the jab. We are suspending the use of Moderna Covid-19 vaccines as foreign substances were spotted, authorities in Okinawa, located in southern Japan, announced. Gunma, another prefecture in Japan, has suspended use of some of the Moderna shots believed to have come from contaminated batches. An investigation is currently underway to determine if all Moderna injections contain these strange black substances. Its a substance that reacts to magnets, a Japanese official told Nikkei about last weeks metallic substance discovery. It could be metal. Moderna says it has received several complaints of particulate matter in vials distributed throughout Japan. The company insists, however, that despite this contamination there are no safety or efficacy issues about which to be concerned. The company is investigating the reports and remains committed to working transparently and expeditiously with its partner, Takeda, and regulators to address any potential concerns, a Moderna spokesperson added, explaining that a manufacturing issue at a production plant in Spain is to blame. Why isnt the United States taking covid vaccine contamination issues seriously? Meanwhile, back in the U.S., authorities have not so much as mentioned the possibility of contamination issues with Modernas Wuhan Flu shots, despite widespread reports about magnetism in some peoples arms post-injection. Nobody seems to know for sure why the jabs are causing people to become magnetic, it turns out. And since there is no way to truly know what is inside these vials in the first place, it cannot be determined for sure what might be a possible culprit. The vials have been sent to a qualified lab for analysis and initial findings will be available early next week, Moderna and Takeda, its Japanese partner, indicated in a statement. The Spanish company that manufactures Moderna injections for Japan, ROVI, issued a statement as well claiming that it is currently investigating the issue to see what the contamination might be. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has similarly launched its own probe to determine if any Moderna doses being administered in Europe might likewise be contaminated. American authorities, meanwhile, are doing nothing, as is usually the case. Another thing Japan is doing that differs from the United States is pushing for greater use of ivermectin, a safe and effective FDA-approved anti-malarial drug that has helped many overcome Chinese Virus infection. Numerous reports and scientific studies suggest that ivermectin is an inexpensive way to safely treat the Fauci Flu without the need for expensive hospitalizations, ventilators, vaccines, and other novel interventions being aggressively pushed by the establishment. If a vaccine can be contaminated in todays manufacturing process, how could you ever trust it to be right?' asked one commenter at Zero Hedge about how this alleged contamination was even possible in the first place. Hell, what does right even mean in the world of vaccines? I do not and never will trust these people. Those that have thought nothing of it and just gotten in line are an insult worldwide to braindead ignorance. Its a genetic engineering experiment, wrote another about what these vaccines really are. These materials are being tested to see the reactions in human trials for future DNA modification drugs. More of the latest news about Chinese Virus injections can be found at ChemicalViolence.com. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) When Dr. Anthony Fauci first elbowed his way to the podium and took the national stage tiptoeing and reaching up to the microphone he had an air of authoritarianism about him, a persona of arrogance. When he spoke about separating people by six feet, and shutting down their lives motioning for governments and corporations to follow suit his fearful and controlling ways became evident, on display for all the world to see. But not everyone saw this man for the abusive deceiver he truly is. The bioweapon being replicated in human cells through mRNA vaccination is based off the same gain-of-function virus research that Fauci was a part of, which he lied about for over a year. As Fauci continues to threaten basic civil liberties and body autonomy rights, he is looking for new ways to mandate these COVID shots. Now he wants to mandate boosters every FIVE months. A cognitively impaired Joe Biden leaked the information during an Oval Office visit with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. When asked about COVID vaccine boosters, Biden said, The question raised is should it be shorter than eight months? Should it be as little as five months? Thats being discussed. I spoke with Dr. Fauci this morning about that. The experimental two-shot protocol that has sickened hundreds of thousands of Americans and killed an unspecified number of people, is just the beginning of a medical holocaust, as a third booster shot is rolled out and a fourth and fifth shot are planned for 2022. Fauci, the serial manipulator, is perpetuating a holocaust and ushering in a totalitarian hellscape Locking people in their homes and convincing healthy people that they are dangerous is the superior LIE behind the covid-19 scandal. After governments seized upon this totalitarian power, entire populations were given a coercive ultimatum, that they cannot go back to normal until they are vaccinated. Dr. Fauci continues to blame the 90 million Americans who have declined these vaccines for all the ongoing medical problems that are actually caused by the vaccines, including neuro-inflammation, cardiovascular inflammation, blood clots, waning antibodies in the vaccinated and the mutant strains that are being spurred into existence due to the vaccines selective pressure. When pressed by NPR about the arc of the pandemic, Fauci suggested that unvaccinated Americans are the reason why the pandemic never ends. Dr. Fauci continues to attack healthy and naturally-immune Americans for the health problems perpetuated by government lock downs, oxygen restriction, isolation, germaphobia mindsets, medical malpractice, public health oppression, censorship of treatments and vaccine fraud. Faucis push for vaccine mandates is criminal Fauci told NPR: The Pentagon, colleges, universities and even major organizations of places of employment, large corporations may say, this is it. If you want to work for us, youve got to be vaccinated. Fauci continues to cheer on vaccine mandates. However, there is no such thing as a mandatory vaccine. All medical interventions require CONSENT of the individual. That consent must be absent of coercion, duress, force, fraud, deceit and constraint. All these totalitarian forces are being used against people, and because of this, vaccine injuries are more common than ever. Mandatory vaccination and any threats of discrimination and segregation attached to it, are illegal, and Fauci must be held to account for promoting terrorism and segregation. On CNN, Fauci mocked informed consent by praising vaccine mandates. He balked at an individuals freedom to choose natural immunity over failed clot shots and continuous bioweapon injections. Enough is enough, Fauci said, the time has come for mandatory shots. Fauci refers to healthy, naturally-immune Americans as vaccine hesitant, but theres really no such thing as vaccine hesitancy when individuals have already made a choice. However, there is such a thing as informed consent hesitancy. When an employer, government official or medical provider hesitates to inform you of all risks from a needless medical intervention, and refuses to ask your consent for the medical procedure, they are the ones HESITANT to perform all their legal duties. Informed consent hesitancy occurs when an official is trying to mandate something (e.g. vaccination). The official refuses to provide information that could help you make an informed decision. These officials (like Fauci) remain hesitant to provide informed consent because: They only want to promote propaganda to advance their agenda. They are incentivized, bribed or pressured to maximize compliance to the experiment. They refuse to admit they are wrong about the immune system and available treatments. They want to blame innocent people to cover up for their own crimes. They think they own your body. Because spike protein boosters will soon be required every five months, everyone is considered unvaccinated again, no matter how many vaccines they took up until this point. If perpetual boosters are needed, the vaccines are a total failure, and everyone must face reality. Its time to put Fauci in cuffs and let a jury weigh the evidence against him. Sources include: Breitbart.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) The announcement [on Aug. 23] by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that it has granted full approval to Pfizer for its Covid-19 vaccine is not surprising to many people who have been watching all of the Operation Warp Speed fast-tracking, moving of barriers, and rule-bending for vaccine makers. Here are 10 reasons why the FDA gold standard stamp of approval doesnt mean anything about protecting citizens health and safety but has everything to do with erasing liability and giving governments and businesses the gumption to coerce injections on employees and consumers. (Article by Celeste McGovern republished from LifeSiteNews.com) 1. Its still experimental Pfizers clinical trials dont end until May 2023 Some people think that the FDA approval means that Pfizers shot is no longer experimental. Thats not the case. Every Covid shot, including Pfizers, is less than a year in use and still experimental by definition. Pfizers vaccine, like Modernas is based on a novel experiment using messenger RNA that hijacks human cell machinery to produce spike antibodies. Theres never been anything like it used in humans before and this vaccine rollout is a giant experiment whether you call it that or not. The fact is, Pfizers clinical trials dont end until May 2023. FDA-approval usually requires letting clinical trials run their course but granting an emergency use authorization (EUA) the sort of thing that allows doctors to try experimental drugs on a patient because he is dying anyway is a different game altogether. And Pfizers EUA extends to 12-year-olds whose odds of dying from Covid are significantly less than getting hit by lightning. More questions are emerging everyday about what the long-term effects of the Pfizer Covid jab will be on the immune system, on Covid, on chronic disease, on fertility, and so on. Given that no-one knows the answers to these questions the jab is obviously still experimental. 2. COVID jab mandates violate fundamental human rights When some people hear that an injection is still experimental, they pause. Some might hesitate to issue vaccine mandates because it would be in violation of the Nuremberg Code. After the horrific atrocities of Nazi experiments on Jews in World War II were exposed, the world accepted the Nuremberg Code which said that we as humanity would never, ever coerce people into medical experiments against their will again. Some people dont want to break codes like that. The EUA status itself forbids mandates. But approval doesnt. So Joe Biden and Anthony Faucis gangs didnt advertise that the shots were experimental and now theyve just changed the process to make something experimental sound not-so-experimental. 3. Theres a history of medical disasters to consider Many people still remember medical horrors like Thalidomide and DES experimental drugs that doctors cavalierly doled out like bubble gum until thousands of babies started being born with malformed limbs and young girls started getting rare vaginal cancer years and years after they were exposed to the experiment. There have been disasters with vaccines in the past, too. A vaccine for the swine flu pandemic of the 1970s is a considered a public health debacle because hundreds of people developed the neurologically disabling condition, Guillain Barre Syndrome. In 2017, Sanofi Pasteur was forced to yank its new Dengvaxia vaccine off the market after it killed several hundred children by making them experience a worse version of dengue fever than if theyd never been vaccinated at all. The Dengvaxia fiasco led to dozens of public health figures being indicted for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide. Do you think that cant happen again? 4. There has been no external review of the Pfizer jab There was a lot of blathering from public health types like Anthony Fauci about transparency in the FDA review process for Covid vaccines. In ordinary circumstances, this would involve bringing outside experts to the table and opening the data books. That didnt happen here. The FDA approval appeared uncontested because they simply skipped the bit where people contest. [W]e have no idea what the data looks like, the British Medical Journal quoted Kim Witczak, a drug safety advocate who serves as a consumer representative on the FDAs Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee, a few days ago. In June, Witczak had circulated a petition signed by herself and at least 30 other health professionals opposing the FDA process which they said removed an important mechanism for scrutinizing the data by disallowing external review. If the FDA listens to us, they wont give serious consideration to approving a Covid-19 vaccine until 2022, she told the BMJ. 5. All we have is six months of incomplete data The reality is that Pfizer set up its trials to last two years and now approval has been granted based on just six months of incomplete data. If you look at the public heath nightmares that happened before in most cases, it took longer than six months for the problems to emerge. The narcolepsy signal didnt emerge until two years after the vaccine was doled out and it wasnt confirmed until years after that. Data sifting takes time and if people are blinded to seeing disaster signals they dont want to see, it takes even more time. If there are big problems with Pfizers vaccine, it will be a long time before public health admits to them. 6. There are no control groups in this global experiment It is already concerning that full approval is being based on 6 months worth of data despite the clinical trials designed for two years, the FDAs own regulator Witczak said in the BMJ. There is no control group after Pfizer offered the product to placebo participants before the trials were completed. High schoolers understand the importance of controls in trials and Pfizer erased their controls and gave everyone the shot just months in to the experiment so that no real outcomes can be measured. If there are long-term adverse event to be detected, you wont see then in Jen Psakis gold standard approval process that has no controls. Now, the unvaccinated are the only control group left to erase and there seems to be an urgency to do that. Read more at: LifeSiteNews.com and MedicalTyranny.com. (Natural News) Federal and state officials all over the country are relying increasingly on the private sector to pass and enforce Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine mandates. These officials are also calling on businesses to make life increasingly more difficult for the unvaccinated in order to coerce them into getting experimental vaccines that cause deadly side effects. (Related: Vaccine passports becoming a reality in the US is it the start of segregation?) In Virginia, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe recently called on businesses in his state to mandate COVID-19 vaccines. I have long said that the best way to defeat this deadly virus, keep our students in school and keep Virginias economy strong is by getting every eligible Virginian vaccinated as quickly as possible, said McAuliffe in a statement released after the Food and Drug Administration granted its full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. During an appearance at a Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference in Las Vegas, McAuliffe also called on the private sector to segregate the unvaccinated and make it difficult or nearly impossible for them to rejoin public life. Make it hard for people to get on planes or go to movie theaters, he said. We cant force them. Were not going door to door, but you make life difficult. If youre going to come to the HIMSS conference, you got to be vaccinated. Noted Republicans and conservatives severely criticized McAuliffe for his statement. Virginias Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin accused McAuliffe of trying to bully Virginians into getting vaccinated. Youngkin insisted that Virginians should be free to choose to get vaccinated. Clinton lackey Terry McAuliffe supports discriminating against law-abiding American citizens, wrote Donald Trump Jr. in a tweet. Hes a total disgrace. If vaccination is meant to protect the person who vaccinates, it is that persons business, wrote conservative author and pundit Ben Shapiro. If youre vaccinated, you shouldnt care. Federal government also pushing for mandatory vaccinations McAuliffes rhetoric regarding vaccine mandates and segregation is unfortunately very common, especially among his party. Just hours after the FDA approved Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine, President Joe Biden urged the private sector to step up the passage of COVID-19 mandates. Today Im calling on more companies in the private sector to step up the vaccine requirements that will reach millions more people, said Biden on Monday, Aug. 23. If youre a business leader, a nonprofit leader, state or local leader who has been waiting for full FDA approval to require vaccinations, I call on you now to do that. Do what I did last month, Biden added. Require your employees to get vaccinated or face strict requirements. In July, the president announced a vaccine mandate for all federal employees. All of them had to sign forms attesting that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If they refuse to do so, their lives are made significantly worse. They have to wear masks at all times, must go through weekly COVID-19 testing, abide by social distancing regulations and more. In addition to Bidens call to coerce private sector employees to get vaccinated, he also called on unvaccinated Americans to get the dangerous and deadly COVID-19 vaccines. If youre one of the millions of Americans who said they will not get the shot until it has full and final approval of the FDA it has now happened, said Biden. The moment you were waiting for is here. Its time for you to go get your vaccination. Learn more about the governments campaign to get every American to receive the deadly COVID-19 vaccines by reading the latest articles at Vaccines.news. Sources include: WakingTimes.com RT.com NationalReview.com (Natural News) Media Research Center President Brent Bozell, in conjunction with the Free Speech Alliance, joined 10 other conservative leaders in demanding the International Fact-Checking Network remove PolitiFact as a fact-checker for violating IFCNs Code of Principles. (Article republished from NewsBusters.org) More than 40 conservative leaders have signed on to the open letter led by the Free Speech Alliance and MRCs Bozell. The open letter can be read in full below: Director Baybars Orsek International Fact-Checking Network Dear Mr. Orsek: We are writing to challenge the actions of one of the members of the International Fact-Checking Network. In its role as a fact-checker, PolitiFact has crossed a bright line, deliberately stifling free speech online and pursuing a blatant, anti-conservative political agenda. Those actions have ominous repercussions and clearly violate IFCNs Code of Principles. Most recently, PolitiFact falsely fact-checked a graphic, posted by the Media Research Center (MRC) showing the COVID-19 hospitalization rate in the United States. The graphic was a copy from the CDC, to which MRC gave clear attribution. In the post containing the graphic, MRC also linked to a blog, which included more information regarding the current threat of COVID-19 in the United States. The blog we linked to provided full context for the information provided in the graphic. PolitiFact flagged the graphic as partly-false, and put a FALSE stamp over the graphic. Then in its own piece, it said context was missing. Those are three different and incorrect allegations all in one piece. This is an egregious, unmerited and overtly biased action against a viewpoint the liberal PolitiFact disagrees with. But what makes this so dangerous is that this reflects a consistent pattern of politicized censorship. PolitiFact is approved by the IFCN to act as a fact-checker. Operationally, that means PolitiFact has enormous influence on the content that users and organizations are allowed to post on Facebook. PolitiFact is, at its core, a partisan operation. It is deliberately attempting to manipulate the online public conversation by quashing conservative viewpoints on social media. We the undersigned therefore demand the IFCN immediately remove PolitiFact from its list of approved fact-checkers. We further demand Facebook immediately remove PolitiFact from its list of approved Third-Party Fact-Checkers. We demand this regardless of the actions of the IFCN. Given PolitiFacts history of abusing its power as a fact-checker, this is long overdue. Consider PolitiFacts recent instances of unjustly censoring conservatives: In July of 2021, PolitiFact tagged as FALSE that: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris distrusted COVID-19 vaccines in 2020. PolitiFacts aggressive defense of Biden and Harris was exposed recently when PolitiFact tagged as False a Tik-Tok video that Says Joe Biden and Kamala Harris distrusted COVID-19 vaccines. In fact, both President Biden and Vice President Harris did voice their distrust of the COVID-19 vaccine. PolitiFact has failed to create a page for Jen Psaki, Joe Bidens press secretary. It blatantly refuses to fact-check her, even when she outrageously suggested that her political opponents favored defunding the police. PolitiFact dealt a Pants on Fire determination for Tucker Carlson for a guest interview in September stating that COVID-19 came from a Wuhan lab and was released with malicious intent. It retracted this designation in May 2021, long after the election. PolitiFact gave former Georgia Senator David Perdue a Pants on Fire rating for characterizing Jon Ossoff as a socialist, but failed to give a Pants on Fire to President Biden for labeling voting integrity laws Jim Crow. PolitiFact gave Josh Holmes, the former chief of staff for Sen. Mitch McConnell, a Mostly False label when he correctly stated that A Georgia law has not criminalized giving people bottles of water. It pertains to political organizations. In March, PolitiFact stated that former Vice President Mike Pence was False concerning two statements on election integrity, but at that point had not evaluated current Vice President Kamala Harriss statements since September. And all of these examples are but the tip of the iceberg. PolitiFact is, and has long been, a bad actor intent on aggressively quashing the free speech of conservatives online. The MRC has written critically about PolitiFact more than 50 times since 2019. By any standard, it is not an unbiased legitimate fact-checker. Especially, according to IFCNs Code of Principles. Those five principles fact-checkers must adhere to include: A commitment to nonpartisanship and fairness A commitment to transparency of sources A commitment to transparency of funding & organization A commitment to transparency of methodology A commitment to open & honest corrections At the very least, PolitiFact has violated Principles one and five. PolitiFacts crusade against conservatives is especially troubling given the ubiquitous censorship of conservatives on social media. The backdrop of this controversy is a huge push by the federal government to censor online content. The White House disturbingly announced that it was colluding with social media companies to censor so-called disinformation regarding COVID-19. This coordination has overwhelmingly harmed conservatives who are naturally more skeptical of Big Government mandates. This Orwellian behavior on the part of the federal government is, in its own right, potentially fatal to the health of a free society and fascistic. But together with the behavior of organizations like PolitiFact and the censorship of conservatives by Big Tech, the current situation poses an existential threat to our free and open society. If dissenting viewpoints are dropped down the memory hole, if only those voices that are acceptable to the state and Big Tech are allowed, our civil and political society are in jeopardy. Organizations such as PolitiFact have an obligation to be neutral arbiters of content. They must be held accountable when they abandon your principles. By your own rules, PolitiFact is no longer qualified to serve as a fact-checker.. We look forward to your response. L. Brent Bozell III Founder and President Media Research Center James Allen SpeechMovement.org Jessica Anderson Executive Director Heritage Action Saulius Saul Anuzis President 60 Plus Association Guillermo J. Aragon Corbere Partners Ryan Bomberger Co-founder & Chief Creative Officer The Radiance Foundation Dan Bongino The Dan Bongino Show Brian S. Brown President International Organization for the Family Floyd Brown Founder Western Journal Joseph Chalfant President Lone Conservative Lourdes Cosio Campaign for the American Future Sen. Jim DeMint Chairman Conservative Partnership Institute Seth Dillon CEO Babylon Bee Elaine Donnelly President Center for Military Readiness Bill Donohue President The Catholic League Steven Ertelt Editor LifeNews.com Joseph Farah Founder and Chief Executive Officer WND.com, WND Books, WND Films Lady Brigitte Gabriel Founder & Chairman ACT For America Becky Gerritson Executive Director Eagle Forum of Alabama Paul J. Gessing President Rio Grande Foundation Kay Coles James President Heritage Foundation Raheem Kassam Global Editor-In-Chief Human Events David Kupelian Vice President and Managing Editor WND Randy Long CEO Long Business Advisors, LLC Christina Murphy Lusk President The Martin Foundation Rick Manning President Americans for Limited Government James L. Martin Founder/Chairman 60 Plus Association Rod D. Martin Founder and CEO The Martin Organization, Inc. Jenny Beth Martin Honorary Chairman Tea Party Patriots Action David McIntosh President Club for Growth Christie-Lee McNally President Raven Strategies LLC Gene Mills President Louisiana Family Forum Sean Noble President American Encore Austin Ruse President C-Fam Congressman Pete Sessions 17th District of Texas Terry Schilling President American Principles Project Jon Schweppe Director of Policy and Government Affairs American Principles Project Kelly Shackelford President and CEO First Liberty Institute Craig Shirley Reagan biographer and presidential historian Eunie Smith President Emeritus Eagle Forum Mathew Staver Founder and Chairman Liberty Council James Taylor President Heartland Institute Gov. Scott Walker President Young Americas Foundation John-Henry Westen CoFounder and Editor in Chief LifeSite Read more at: NewsBusters.org and Biased.news. (Natural News) Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford University Medical School epidemiologist and public health expert, has said in a recent interview that lockdowns are the single biggest mistake in public health history. I dont see how anyone can look at lockdown and say there was successful policy, said Bhattacharya. We have had lockdowns in country after country after country. I dont think by any measure you can call them a success. From the beginning of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Bhattacharya has advocated for a public health action plan of focused protection a policy wherein creative measures are enacted by public servants to shield the most vulnerable from infection and the rest of society is allowed to carry on with regular life. The idea was to give people resources to protect themselves as they saw fit, that they could make trade-offs in their lives based on what they valued, he said. Lockdowns do more harm than good Bhattacharya called the harms caused by lockdowns extremely multi-dimensional and traumatic, especially to the poor, children and those on the margins of society. Its not possible to reduce to a single number, he said. For a child who skips a year of school, the consequences will last a lifetime. According to Bhattacharya, lockdowns led to dramatic increases in poverty, food insecurity, outright starvation, depression, anxiety, suicide and death. (Related: Data audit shows devastating effects of UK lockdown.) Last years data supported his claims. Most of the excess deaths in the U.S. were not attributed to COVID-19. Excess mortality is the best gauge of the pandemics impact. It compares the overall number of deaths with the total in previous years. While some of those deaths could be undetected COVID-19 cases, and some could be unrelated to the pandemic or the lockdowns, preliminary reports point to some obvious lockdown-related factors. There was a sharp decline in visits to emergency rooms and an increase in fatal heart attacks due to failure to receive prompt treatment. A lot fewer people were screened for cancer, and social isolation contributed to excess deaths from dementia and Alzheimers. As unemployment surged and mental-health and substance-abuse treatment programs were interrupted, the reported levels of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts increased dramatically, as did alcohol sales and fatal drug overdoses. The number of people killed last year in motor-vehicle accidents in the U.S. rose to the highest level in more than a decade, even though Americans did significantly less driving than in 2019. It was the steepest annual increase in the fatality rate per mile traveled in nearly a century, apparently due to more substance abuse and more high-speed driving on empty roads. There were roughly 56,000 excess deaths among Americans aged 15 to 54 22,000 involved COVID-19 and 34,000 from other causes. Experts now allowed to question lockdown narrative The idea that there are alternatives to lockdowns has not been given minimal space for discussion in the public forum, particularly among the mainstream media, politicians and public health and medical professionals. To be against lockdown was considered saying something dangerous, Bhattacharya said. He has found that out the hard way. In April 2020, Bhattacharya and some colleagues reported that the fatality rate among the infected was considerably lower than the assumptions used to justify lockdowns. By reporting data that didnt fit the official panic narrative, they became targets of unfair online attacks by other scientists and the mainstream media. Stanford University subjected them to a two-month fact-finding inquiry by an outside legal firm. The inquiry found no evidence of wrongdoing, but the smear campaign sent a clear message to scientists: Dont question the lockdown narrative. His colleagues also tried and failed to prevent lockdowns. Stefan Baral, an epidemiologist and an associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with 350 publications to his name, submitted a critique of lockdowns to more than 10 journals and finally gave up. Martin Kulldorff, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, had a similar experience with his article early in the pandemic arguing that resources should be focused on protecting the elderly. Lockdowns have protected the laptop class of young low-risk journalists, scientists, teachers, politicians and lawyers, while throwing children, the working class and high-risk older people under the bus, Kulldorff said. Kulldorff eventually joined Bhattacharya in advocating for focused protection. They urged officials to divert more resources to shield the elderly while reopening business and schools for younger people. Lockdowns stunt immune system development Lockdowns are stunting the training of our immune system. Our innate immune system protects us from a multitude of pathogens, thereby preventing these pathogens from causing disease. Suppression of innate immunity, especially in the younger age groups, can become very problematic. (Related: Report: States that imposed lockdown have more COVID-19 deaths per million compared to no-lockdown states.) As the innate immune system cannot remember the pathogens it encountered innate immunity has no so-called immunological memory we can only continue to rely on it provided we keep it trained well enough. It can only be achieved by regular exposure to a myriad of environmental agents, including pathogens. Bhattacharya, Kulldorff and numerous other medical professionals formally outlined the idea in the Great Barrington Declaration. Though tens of thousands of other scientists and doctors went on to sign the declaration, the mainstream media portrayed it as a deadly let it rip strategy and an ethical nightmare. We have come to think about lockdown as if its the only possible thing to do, Bhattacharya said. But thats not true. You have to make decisions based on the margins of what is alternatively possible. That requires imagination and requires care about thinking of different people in different parts of society, and the risks they face combined with the values they have and the scientific parameters about disease spread and all of these other things. Follow Pandemic.news for more news and information about lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com City-Journal.org NYPost.com (Natural News) A species of St. Johns wort (Hypericum) thats native to Central Asia may alleviate depression and anxiety, especially for those with dementia. In a report published in the Journal of Essential Oil Research, researchers from Firat University in Turkey examined the anti-anxiety and anti-depression properties of Hypericum scabrum. Behavioral changes among those with dementia Dementia isnt a specific disease; rather, its the umbrella term for conditions which are marked by a decline in cognitive function and loss of functional independence. According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 5 million people around the age of 65 have been diagnosed with a type of dementia, the most common of which is Alzheimers disease. Experts predict these figures could go as high as 14 million by 2060. Its easy to dismiss dementia as a part of normal aging. However, many older adults live their lives without developing dementia. While these individuals experience age-related memory changes, such as occasionally forgetting names and recent events, their knowledge, skills and experiences stay intact. People with dementia also experience memory changes, but these cause them to get lost even in familiar places or ask questions repeatedly. Compared to those experienced by healthy older adults, these changes can disrupt daily life. People with dementia also have problems with attention, communication, visual perception and reasoning. In addition, people with dementia suffer from behavioral and psychological symptoms. Its very common for them to exhibit apathy, depression and anxiety. Four out of 10 patients with dementia suffer from depression, while nine out of 10 patients show apathy in the latter stages of the disease. Anxiety, on the other hand, is often seen in patients who still have good insight and awareness of their condition, such as those suffering from vascular or frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Its worth noting that the causes of anxiety for those with dementia are similar to those without the condition. They include having a history of traumatic events, extreme worry and damage to parts of the brain that regulate emotion. Hypericum scabrum has anxiolytic and anti-depressive properties In their report, Turkish researchers looked at H. scabrum, a plant native to Central Asia and western China, and its potential as a treatment for dementia-related depression and anxiety. The plant has long been used in traditional medicine: In Uzbekistan, it is used to treat diseases ranging from cystitis to heart disease, while in southwest China, the plant is used as a local remedy. Meanwhile, folk healers in Iran use H. scabrum to relieve pain and treat headaches, among others. For their study, the researchers examined the effects of H. scabrum essential oil on anxiety and depressive-like behavior using an animal model of dementia. They made rats inhale the essential oil regularly for three weeks. They then treated the rats with scopolamine, a drug that can induce memory deficits similar to those seen in older adults. After scopolamine treatment, they subjected the rats to behavioral tests. The researchers found that rats treated with H. scabrum essential oil performed markedly better on tests than untreated ones, suggesting that the oil has anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects. (Related: St. Johns wort: A scientific review of its remarkable antibacterial and antioxidant properties.) In a follow-up study, the team also explored the potential memory-enhancing properties of H. scabrum essential oil using a rat model of dementia. For this, the researchers evaluated how well the essential oil can improve the spatial memory of rats with dementia compared to conventional drug therapies (diazepam and tramadol). They found that H. scabrum essential oil can be used as a complementary therapy for reducing memory impairment in patients with dementia and similar diseases. Learn more about natural treatments for dementia at Alzheimers.news. Sources include: Science.news CDC.gov Dementia.org Alzheimers.org.uk Link.Springer.com ScienceDirect.com OnlineLibrary.Wiley.com IJPRS.ir (Natural News) Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla warned that a vaccine-resistant Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) strain could likely emerge. He made the warning during an Aug. 24 Fox News appearance, but nevertheless assured that Pfizer scientists are working on vaccines to address it. Bourlas comments came a day after the New York-based firms BNT162b2 Comirnaty vaccine received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Pfizer executive told Americas Newsroom host Dana Perino on Aug. 24: Every time a [SARS-CoV-2] variant appears in the world, our scientists are getting their hands around it. [They] are researching to see if this variant can escape the protection of our vaccine. We havent identified any yet, but we believe that it is likely that one day, one of them will emerge. Bourla touted a company process that allowed scientists to develop a vaccine to address certain COVID-19 variants. We have built a process that within 95 days from [when] we identify a variant as a variant of concern, we will be able to have a vaccine tailor-made against [it], he told Perino. Bourlas Fox News appearance happened a day after the FDA fully approved its mRNA vaccine. In an Aug. 23 statement, Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock said: While millions of people have already safely received COVID-19 vaccines, we recognize that for some, the FDA approval of a vaccine may now instill additional confidence to get vaccinated. The full approval allowed Pfizer to advertise the Comirnaty vaccine, but Bourla clarified that marketing the COVID-19 shot is not a priority at this time. Instead, Pfizer focused on increasing vaccine supply to meet global demand and keep up with emerging variants. I dont think right now for us, its a priority to do anything different than what we do, Bourla said. Vaccines themselves are to blame for vaccine-resistant strains The Pfizer CEO was not the first one to warn of the possible emergence of vaccine-resistant strains. During a late July 2021 press conference, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky warned that SARS-CoV-2 could mutate and potentially evade existing vaccines. The big concern is that the next variant that might emerge, just a few mutations potentially away, could potentially evade our vaccines, she said. Walensky continued that the largest concern in public health and science was the number of mutations SARS-CoV-2 needs to undergo before it becomes a very transmissible virus that has the potential to evade vaccines in terms of [protecting against] severe disease and death. (Related: Medical experts: Herd immunity IMPOSSIBLE with the delta variant circulating and vaccines breeding mutant strains.) However, one doctor pointed out the role of vaccines and mass inoculation in the emergence of the B16172 delta variant and other SARS-CoV-2 strains that bypass vaccine-induced immunity. Dr. Peter McCullough of Baylor University Medical Center claimed that COVID-19 vaccines fueled the spread of vaccine-resistant strains during a July 22 interview. McCullough mentioned the role of the Sinovac Biotech COVID-19 in the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 strains in different countries. The vaccine made by the Chinese company was used by a number of developing countries for their mass inoculation programs. In the case of India, it was the use of the Sinovac vaccine that really promoted the emergence of the delta variant. [Now,] were seeing Sinovac again being the stimulus for the emergence of the [C37] lambda variant out of Peru. So mass vaccination, as opposed to targeted vaccination, is in a sense creating the problem of this immune escape of the virus, McCullough said. The expert continued: Whats going on is [that] the delta variant has undergone antigenic [or] immune escape and its avoiding the antibodies of the vaccine and causing [COVID-19] illness in individuals. Fortunately, its mild and its more easily treated. According to McCullough, the B16172 strain is just one strain in a sequence of variance that [arose] as a result of mass vaccination. He ultimately warned: The great fear is that the vaccinated will assume they are protected, when in fact theyre not. (Related: Vaccinated people causing vaccine-resistant coronavirus strains to emerge: Study.) McCullough cited examples from Israel and the U.K., in which a large percentage of individuals who contracted COVID-19 were vaccinated. He said that about 80 percent of COVID-19 cases in Israel involved vaccinated people, and 60 percent of hospitalized COVID-19 patients were fully vaccinated. Meanwhile, 75 percent of COVID-19 patients in the U.K. were vaccinated and 40 percent of those hospitalized for COVID-19 were fully vaccinated. VaccineDamage.news has more stories about vaccine-resistant COVID-19 strains and the role of vaccines in their emergence. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk FoxNews.com FDA.gov TheHill.com ChildrensHealthDefense.eu (Natural News) The largest union of police officers in New York City has announced plans to take legal action the moment Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines become mandatory for law enforcement. Police Benevolent Association (PBA) President Patrick Lynch said that the union will protect its members right to refuse inoculation. His threat came after NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio mandated that city employees get the COVID-19 vaccine. Lynch said in an email obtained by the New York Post: If the city attempts to impose a vaccine mandate on PBA members, we will take legal action to defend our members right to make such personal medical decisions. He added in the same email that the city has not indicated whether it will attempt to impose vaccine mandates on other city workers, including police officers. NYC Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said in 2020 that officers would not be required to get inoculated against COVID-19. However, he appeared to have changed his stance over time recently saying that he would one hundred percent support a vaccine mandate. Everyone all across this country really should be embracing these vaccines, he said. Shea noted that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration. I think everyone [not yet vaccinated] should be lining up to get it, he continued. The 36,000-strong New York City Police Department (NYPD) already lost a total of 60 employees to COVID-19 as of writing. Local news outlets reported that NYPD members who fail to show proof of COVID-19 inoculation must mask up while on duty in both indoor and outdoor settings. The police department said in a bulletin that officers who fail to comply with the mask mandates could face disciplinary action. Back in January 2021, NYC unions lobbied for cops to get priority positions in the citys vaccination drive. However, NYPD officers themselves had doubts about COVID-19 vaccines. According to the latest figures, only 47 percent of the NYPDs uniformed and civilian workforce were vaccinated against COVID-19. Police officers are now being strong-armed to get the vaccine against their will De Blasio extended the citys vaccination-or-testing mandate to more than 300,000 municipal employees, the Post reported in July. Under the mandate, city workers were required to get the COVID-19 vaccine or undergo weekly testing for SARS-CoV-2. He first gave a deadline of Aug. 2 for workers to get the vaccine. Workers in nursing homes and other living facilities run by the city were required to show proof of vaccination by Aug. 16. Meanwhile, employees at other agencies were given a deadline of Sept. 13 to get inoculated. The NYPD was among the agencies assigned the September deadline for vaccination. In a follow-up announcement, de Blasio said teachers and school staffers must also be vaccinated lest they be terminated for refusing to do so. (Related: New Jersey, New York City mandate COVID-19 vaccines for school employees and government workers.) Furthermore, the NYC mayor said that aside from undergoing weekly testing, unvaccinated employees must mask up at all times. Those refusing to comply with the new rule would be sent home and receive no payment for the day, de Blasio added. He defended his mandates during a July 26 press briefing: This is about our recovery, this is what we need to do to bring back New York City [and] this is about keeping people safe. NYC was not the only city that mandated COVID-19 vaccination for law enforcement. The city of Denver mandated its approximately 10,000 employees to get the vaccine by Sept. 30. The vaccine mandate put in place by Denver Department of Public Health and Environment Executive Director Robert McDonald applied to police officers, sheriffs deputies and firefighters. Denver Department of Public Safety Executive Director Murphy Robinson said he was prepared to punish and fire city workers refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. [The] mandate says city employees shall be vaccinated. If our folks dont comply with it then I am prepared to do what it is necessary, he told the Denver Post. Robinsons remarks followed an informal survey the Denver Police Protective Association (PPA), which represented a majority of officers in the Denver Police Department. The PPAs poll sought to determine how many of its members were vaccinated. Out of the 778 respondents, only 332 police officers about 43 percent said they received the COVID-19 vaccine. Robinson said: I was shocked by those numbers. It wasnt until the PPA put [its] numbers out there that I grew concerned. I thought we had a lot more people vaccinated. If we truly do have 57 percent of our officers not vaccinated, then an order is necessary. (Related: Denver to fire cops who turn down coronavirus vaccine, worsening shortage of law enforcement officers during time of increasing crime.) MedicalTyranny.com has more articles about U.S. cities mandating COVID-19 vaccines for police officers. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com NYPost.com 1 NYPost.com 2 DenverPost.com (Natural News) A groundbreaking study carried out by researchers in Israel has found that the immunity acquired through recovery from a COVID-19 infection, or natural immunity, is superior to that provided by the two-dose Pfizer vaccine currently being pushed on the masses by governments around the world. The study, which was conducted by researchers at Tel Aviv University and Maccabi Healthcare, is considered the biggest real-world observational study so far comparing natural immunity to that offered by vaccines. It compared the outcomes of more than 76,000 Israelis who fell into one of three categories: doubly vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine, previously infected with a single vaccine dose, and previously infected but completely unvaccinated. According to their study, individuals who were fully vaccinated but had not been previously infected were significantly more likely to experience a breakthrough COVID-19 infection than those who had been infected previously and then recovered from the illness. In addition, those who had recovered from COVID-19 but had not been vaccinated were far less likely than never-infected, vaccinated individuals to develop symptoms of the Delta variant or be hospitalized with serious COVID-19. Although this study is currently in preprint and has not yet been peer reviewed, some infectious disease experts, such as Professor Francois Balloux of University College London, have called it a bombshell report. It is good news for those who have already successfully fought the disease, but it also illustrates the problems of relying exclusively on vaccines to get past the pandemic. According to the study, people who got both doses of the Pfizer vaccine were nearly sixfold more likely to contract the delta variant of COVID-19 and sevenfold more likely to get symptomatic COVID-19 then those who had it and recovered. The researchers stated: This analysis demonstrated that natural immunity affords longer lasting and stronger protection against infection, symptomatic disease and hospitalization due to the delta variant. Swedish immunology researcher and physician Charlotte Thalin told Science Magazine that this is a textbook example of how natural immunity is really better than vaccination. She added: To my knowledge, its the first time [this] has really been shown in the context of Covid-19. Will this study get the publicity it deserves? It wont be surprising if the mainstream media continues to ignore this story. After all, it flies in the face of the current global COVID-19 policy, which seems to be vaccinating anyone and everyone as many times as they can be convinced to line up for a shot. In particular, it could present a serious challenge to the emphasis on requiring vaccine passports to travel and attend large public events. After all, if unvaccinated people who have recovered from the disease are at less of a risk than those who have received the vaccines, there is no scientific basis to shut them out of society. Of course, the concept of vaccine passports is already a highly questionable one for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that people who have been vaccinated can be infected again and infect those around them, which means these documents are essentially useless when it comes to proving that a person is not at risk of passing on the disease to others. To be clear, this study does not mean that people should start holding infection parties the way they once did for diseases like measles or chicken pox. However, it does indicate that people who have previously been infected have greater protection from the disease than many vaccine mandates and passport requirements currently acknowledge. In many places, vaccine mandates do not currently exempt those who have had previous infections, even though those individuals may well be enjoying better protection than those who got the jab. Sources for this article include: Unherd.com Bloomberg.com (Natural News) The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly rejected calls for coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine boosters, but the Biden administration still insists on rolling out another dose for the fully vaccinated. We recently had an expert group meeting with scientists from around the world this included researchers, it included regulatory experts from different regulatory agencies, there was consensus that the data around the need for boosters is not conclusive, WHO Chief Scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan said at a media briefing Wednesday, Aug. 25. We also dont know about the safety of boosters. When we talk about vaccines, its not just the efficacy. What happens when you give a third dose of an mRNA vaccine or any other kind of vaccine? These need to be studied as well, so before we launch into full-scale booster programs for the whole population there are a number of questions that need to be answered. (Related: Braveheart actor Michael Mitchell dies six days after getting third Pfizer booster shot for covid.) But President Joe Biden didnt budge. Instead, he suggested on Friday, Aug. 27, that the government could offer COVID-19 vaccine boosters to most vaccinated adults sooner than eight months after a second dose. Just nine days earlier, the president announced that his administration would begin offering boosters the week of Sept. 20 to adults who had received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccines at least eight months ago. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said earlier this year that boosters would not be recommended for the virus. With the COVID-19 vaccines appearing to fail against COVID-19 variants, it remains unclear what benefits an additional dose would provide. Boosters not a priority More and more experts around the world are opposing the rollout of boosters. They are now recommending that the virus be allowed to circulate throughout the population, with precautions taken for vulnerable individuals. We really cannot do anything else but allow the virus to take its course in order for the population to achieve herd immunity, said Porolfur Gudnason, chief epidemiologist of Icelands Directorate of Health. We need to try to vaccinate and better protect those who are vulnerable, but let us tolerate the infection. It is not a priority now to vaccinate everyone with the third dose. Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, told a parliamentary panel earlier this month that we dont have anything to stop COVID-19 transmissions. I think we are in a situation where herd immunity is not a possibility and I suspect the virus will throw up a new variant that is even better at infecting vaccinated individuals, he said. Infectious disease expert Paul Hunter told the same panel that vaccination would not bring about herd immunity. We need to start moving away from just reporting infections or just reporting positive cases admitted to hospital, to actually start reporting the number of people who are ill because of COVID, said Hunter, who also advises the WHO on the virus. Otherwise we are going to be frightening ourselves with very high numbers that actually dont translate into disease burden. Relying on boosters is like digging yourself a hole Some are asking whether catching COVID-19 now is better than more vaccines. It has become a serious question that has implications for whether children should ever be vaccinated, and whether we use the virus or booster shots to top up immunity in adults. (Related: COVID-19 natural immunity vs vaccine-induced immunity guide.) 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, board-certified internist and cardiologist, Dr. Peter McCullough, said in a podcast earlier this month. Just like an antibiotic, once we get to a certain percentage of coverage with an antibiotic, well allow resistant bacteria to move forward. Dr. Robert Malone, inventor of mRNA and DNA vaccines, recently tweeted: I am reminded of the first rule of holes. When you are in one, stop digging. He described booster shot strategies as based on hope rather than data. We could be digging ourselves into a hole for a very long time if we think we can only keep COVID away by boosting every year, said Eleanor Riley, an immunologist from the University of Edinburgh. Humans generally get a broader immune response after being infected with the virus than vaccination. That means if you had a real humdinger of an infection, you may have better immunity to any new variants that pop up as you have immunity to more than just spike [protein], said Riley. Its all about the money Its easy to see why Big Pharma companies are pushing hard to get the green light for their boosters. Every extra dose means more money for them. Adding booster doses to the equation would push the projected global spending on COVID-19 vaccines to a total of $157 billion through 2025, according to U.S. health data firm IQVIA Holdings. Pfizer has forecast sales of $26 billion from the vaccine in 2021 alone. It could be a lot more as the projections were based on expectations that the booster doses would follow every two years following initial vaccinations. IQVIA, which provides data and analytics for the healthcare industry, said it expects the first wave of COVID-19 vaccinations to reach about 70 percent of the worlds population by the end of 2022. Murray Aitken, a senior vice president at IQVIA, said that vaccine spending is expected to be highest this year at $54 billion with a global vaccination campaign underway. It is expected to decrease in succeeding years as tighter competition and vaccine volumes drive down prices. Follow Immunization.news for more news and information related to coronavirus vaccines and boosters. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com NYTimes.com BBC.com Reuters.com (Natural News) The Premier of Queensland in Australia has put out a new propaganda advertisement that celebrates the construction of a new government Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) quarantine facility known as Wellcamp. Like something straight out of 1984, the video you can watch it below shows Annastacia Palaszczuk delivering the worst kind of propaganda about how Australia needs to build a massive quarantine complex, complete with its own airport, in order to keep people safe against Chinese Germs. JUST IN Australia builds the first "quarantine facility" to "keep the community safe," Premier of Queensland announces.pic.twitter.com/rmKEOywdlv Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) August 26, 2021 This is a commitment by the Wagner family working with the Queensland government to say to the people of Queensland, We want to keep you safe!' Palaszczuk says proudly. And the best way to keep you safe, and to keep delta out of Queensland, is to build as quickly as possible a regional quarantine facility. The video goes on to show Palaszczuk claiming that the people of Queensland told her they wanted a massive covid concentration camp constructed in their backyard. The only way to flatten the curve, Palaszczuk, is to construct a multi-million-dollar compound for Aussies to be imprisoned in the event that they test positive for the Fauci Flu. I have listened to Queenslanders, Palaszczuk claims. I know how much they support a regional quarantine facility to be in Queensland. They want their community kept safe thats what theyre saying to me and we are delivering it. This is a race. We are up against a highly infectious delta variant thats sweeping the world. We dont know whats next. We need to get these facilities up and running. And everybody has seen how successful Howard Springs is. Will people finally wake up to the plandemic scam once theyre thrown in a covid concentration camp? Howard Springs, by the way, is another quarantine facility in Australia where repatriated Aussies returning from travel are being forced to stay for several weeks at their own expense. Individuals must fork out $2,500 for their quarantine stay while families are charged $5,000. The remote facility does not allow visitors, and those in quarantine are not allowed to bring anything with them during their stay. As Australia contends with the dangerous Delta variant, Queensland must have alternatives to hotel quarantine that offer enhanced public safety, Palaszczuk said in a separate statement. Thats why were getting on with building the Queensland Regional Accommodation Centre, a 1000-bed, dedicated facility near Wellcamp airport that will greatly reduce reliance on hotel quarantine. It is only a matter of time before this fascist scheme spreads elsewhere. Americans especially need to take a stand now to ensure that it does not happen here, especially since we are afforded the privilege of having the Second Amendment in our arsenal. We cannot allow the U.S. government to construct similar camps under the guise of keeping people safe against the China Flu. This is the Fourth Reich manifesting before our very eyes and it must be stopped or else the entire world will eventually be imprisoned by it. This situation is very dangerous and has the potential to be a repeat of what happened in Europe in the 30s and 40s, warned one commenter at Citizen Free Press. The covid excuse can be dealt with swiftly if proven therapeutics (i.e., ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine) are allowed and useless lockdowns ended. When do the guard towers and ovens get installed? asked another, making a point about where all of this is headed. Watch out for those communal showers without windows. Australiawitz. When they invite you in at gunpoint, how can you refuse? The latest news about the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) can be found at Fascism.news. Sources for this article include: CitizenFreePress.com NaturalNews.com Coronavirus.nt.gov.au (Natural News) An Australian journalist who nearly died from a negative side effect involving his heart after taking a COVID-19 vaccine nevertheless continued to promote them and said theres no other way to get his increasingly authoritarian country reopened unless everyone takes the jab. The journalist, Denham Hitchcock, was hospitalized in recent days with a heart condition after being vaccinated a few weeks earlier with his second Pfizer Shot, Yahoo! News reported. Hitchcock, whos employed by Seven News, told others he was feeling off for a couple weeks after he got his second dose, adding that his symptoms really did not begin until the end of the second week after his jab. Once admitted to the hospital, Hitchcock said doctors diagnosed him with pericarditis, or inflammation of the pericardium, which surrounds the heart muscle, one of the more common side effects of the vaccines. Pericarditis is an inflammation of the lining around the heart. The condition occurs generally in the population and is more common in males aged between 20 and 50 years, Yahoo News noted. According to the Australian Department of Health website, the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis has been observed in people who have received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, like Pfizer, in overseas studies. In fact, the condition is becoming increasingly common among people who get vaccinated for COVID. Hitchcock went on to say that he debated whether to post his experience with the vaccine online but he said he thought it best if people knew about the potential side effects when trying to decide which one to get. Im not anti-vax, he wrote in an Instagram post containing a picture of him lying in a hospital bed getting what looks like an EKG. Im PRO opening the bloody country up and to do that I dont see any way around getting the majority of Australia vaccinated. Hitchcock went on to describe his experience that led to his hospitalization but not why he has decided that despite the Pfizer vaccine nearly ending his life, he is still urging his fellow citizens to get a shot. Nearing the end of the second week my heart started to race, I was getting pins and needles in the arms, extreme fatigue and a very strange sensation of dizziness, he wrote. I took Nurofen, and I kept working. But by the end of the third week after his vaccination, Hitchcock wrote that he was getting steadily worse. Sharp chest pain cold shivers and chills and the dizziness was intense, he noted. 25 days after the shot and probably a little late to hospital but here I am diagnosed with pericarditis or inflammation of the heart due to the Pfizer vaccine. He noted further that since being hospitalized on the Gold Coast he has since gotten ahold of health experts in Sydney and has discovered that the condition is the most prevalent side effect. My present thought would be in the current vaccine frenzy, no one is talking about this but its clearly happening and if you want the vaccine and have any heart history it would be worth talking to your GP about your vaccine choice, especially as AZ is readily available and does not have this side effect, he said, using the acronym for the AstraZeneca vaccine. Meanwhile, according to Yahoo News, Sydney news reporter Georgia Clark also shared her diagnosis with pericarditis after having her second Pfizer vaccine early this month. In recent months, Australia once a thriving democracy has turned horribly authoritarian, because its being run by tyrannical liberals who are using the pandemic to extend their control over the population, as theyve always wanted to do. Whats more, the virus has continued to spread there despite draconian lockdowns, just like everywhere else on the planet. The point is this: The vaccine is dangerous, the tyranny is worse, and people had better get it through their heads that the left is using both to destroy liberty. Sources include: Au.Yahoo.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) The war in Afghanistan may officially be over, but the costs and scars from it will haunt America for a generation or more. The countrys longest conflict ended exactly the way it began: The Taliban are in charge, and though thousands of their fighters were killed over the course of decades, in the end that made no difference. The way in which Joe Biden left the country was even a disgrace. After taking office nearly eight months ago, the operations to evacuate were chaotic, deadly, and resulted in the loss of tens of billions of dollars worth of military gear, much of which will no doubt be used to suppress and murder any Afghans left behind by our government who helped us for years and trusted us to get them out. Ditto for the American citizens still reportedly left behind in an act of treasonous disgrace. But that wasnt even the worst of it; the Biden regime may also have imported several terrorist cells from Afghanistan because the administration focused far too much on getting far too many Afghan citizens out before those Americans who were ultimately stranded, and a majority of them were never properly vetted. In a recent program discussing the evacuation debacle, Fox News host Tucker Carlson ripped the regime for focusing too little on Americans and even less on vetting Afghanis. Who are all of these Afghans? They just whisk on through. That means as always unnamed foreign nationals got far better treatment than you would get if you landed in Dulles Airport, Carlson said, referencing photos of Afghan citizens walking, maskless, through the D.C. airport. During his program, Carlson went on to note that a flight attendant on a commercial flight that was supposed to be carrying Americans but instead was filled with Afghanis when several of the people our country just rescued got rowdy and refused to mask up according to FAA rules, like all Americans must do. The Daily Mail added: United Airlines did not immediately respond to DailyMail.coms request to confirm the pilots claim. According to Carlson, another commercial airline employee told him she was happy to learn that her flight crew would be ferrying American civilians trying to escape Kabul. Instead, the crew only picked up Afghan nationals who were rowdy and had no facemasks, Carlson said. Carlson also criticized the number of people the U.S. had evacuated from Afghanistan, saying the nations number one priority should be American citizens. Since July, the United States has evacuated more than 100,000 people from Afghanistan. All heroes? All Americans? No, he said. As of tonight, about 5,000 total are American citizens. Five per cent. So youre thinking the other five per cent must be heroes? All translators? 95,000 translators? No. [The] military might be heroes. Maybe translators. [The rest], theyre not heroes. We dont know who they are, the host went on. Fox News colleague Sean Hannity echoed a similar theme during his show, which followed Carlson. How does Biden plan to vet what is now tens of thousands of Afghan refugees? As we speak, theres too many refugees flying in to Washington D.C. Apparently theyre doing the vetting after people are in the air flying to this country, he said. While the Biden regime fumbled its attempt to get Americans out first, several groups of U.S. military veterans traveled to Afghanistan on their own to search for citizens and Afghan interpreters and others who helped American forces in their effort against the Taliban. Subsequent reports noted that these groups, collectively known as the Pineapple Express, were successful in removing some of the people who deserved to leave the war-torn country. But the fact is, some who were known terrorists have already begun to show up in some Western countries. Its only a matter of time before we discover them in America as well. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk NationalSecurity.news (Natural News) The World Health Organization has rejected the necessity of COVID-19 booster shots, saying that data is not conclusive. This came after the Biden administration announced plans to roll out boosters for individuals who have been fully vaccinated. The WHOs statement comes amid a wave of breakthrough cases in highly vaccinated countries, where novel vaccines have failed to prevent death or serious illnesses against new COVID-19 variants, and have been linked to unprecedentedly high adverse reactions. WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said at a media briefing: We recently had an expert group meeting with scientists from around the world this included researchers, it included regulatory experts from different regulatory agencies, there was consensus that the data around the need for boosters is not conclusive. She also said that they dont have enough data to know about the safety of the boosters and that it needs to be studied before the government launches a full-scale booster program for the population. Further, she stated that putting together all of the evidence from all other countries, the WHO is not at a point to recommend boosters, although it could reverse its stance in the face of new variants. Director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also doubled down on the discouragement of booster programs, saying that there is a debate about whether or not they are effective at all. He also indicated that low vaccination rates in some countries could lead to more potent variants, adding that countries should share what can be used for boosters. However, leading experts believe that it is not the unvaccinated population that is driving the creation of new variants. Instead, they pointed at vaccines as a cause of virus mutation. (Related: More mainstream scientists now speaking out against the total fraud of covid vaccine booster shots.) A board-certified internist and cardiologist, Dr. Peter McCullough noted that there are sources of information that suggested vaccinations will allow variants to emerge due to resistance. He compared this to an antibiotic, noting that once people get to a certain percentage of coverage, they allow a resistant bacteria to move forward. More questions surround the possibility of needing booster shots In June, leading infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci told Congress that he believed recipients of the vaccine will require booster shots, although he added that he wasnt sure when they will be needed. However, not all experts are ready to commit to another dose. Monica Gandhi, a professor at the University of California San Francisco detailed several reasons for why people dont have to worry about getting a booster. She wrote: The best way to keep people safe now is to put the discussion of boosters aside and work hard on global vaccine distribution. Anna Durbin of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health said that public health officials should keep an eye on the number and severity of breakthrough cases to know whether or not another dose is necessary. She said that if immunity induced by the vaccines is waning to the point that it is no longer giving protection against significant diseases, then it will be the time for boosters. Data has shown that vaccines have been effective at preventing severe infections and hospitalizations caused by the existing coronavirus variants, so if the vaccines are still highly effective against the original strain and offer enough protection from others, the extra dose may not be necessary yet. Certainly, a third dose is not going to hurt you. Its going to help your immune response. The big question is, is it really needed, Durbin said. The CDC and FDA said earlier this year that boosters will not be recommended As COVID-19 vaccines appear to be failing against the virus, it is not clear what additional benefits a booster shot will provide. Read more COVID-19 related updates on Pandemic.news. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com USNews.com (Natural News) American carrier Delta Air Lines informed employees that their health insurance premiums will be increased by $200 every month if they do not get the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. Delta said the new rule, which is set to begin Nov. 1, aims to cover the high costs of COVID-19 hospitalization. The airlines latest measures appeared to be an attempt to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates through a punishment-based approach. Delta CEO Ed Bastian announced the new rule on Aug. 25 through an employee memo. It said: The average hospital stay for COVID-19 has cost Delta $50,000 per person. Bastian defended the move by saying that the extra $200 charge will be necessary to address the financial risk the decision to not [get vaccinated] is creating for our company. The Atlanta-based airline added that beginning Sept. 30, [COVID-19] pay protection will only be provided to fully vaccinated individuals who are experiencing a breakthrough infection in accordance with state and local regulations. It added that unvaccinated Delta employees who fall sick from COVID-19 will have to use their sick days after Sept. 30. Furthermore, Delta also mandated new COVID-19 policies for its employees. It announced that unvaccinated staff members will have to mask up in indoor settings effective immediately. It also mandated unvaccinated employees to submit to weekly COVID-19 testing starting Sept. 12. According to Bastian, about 75 percent of Deltas roughly 75,000-strong workforce had already been vaccinated for COVID-19. However, this was not enough as [the] aggressiveness of the [B16172 delta] variant means we need to get many more of our people vaccinated, and as close to 100 percent as possible, he said. Bastian continued: In recent weeks since the rise of the B16172 variant, all Delta employees who have been hospitalized with [COVID-19] were not fully vaccinated. Delta stood out from its rivals with its plan to raise health insurance premiums for unvaccinated employers, given that it self-ensures staff members. However, it stopped short of mandating COVID-19 vaccination altogether. (Related: Delta Air Lines FORCING new employees to get vaccinated against coronavirus.) Will coercion- and punishment-based vaccine mandates work? Bastians Aug. 25 memo came two days after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave full approval to the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. A spokeswoman for the airline said the plan to increase health insurance premiums had been in the works for weeks. Nevertheless, she added that the timing of Bastians memo and the FDAs full approval of the vaccine was coincidental. Wade Symons, regulatory resources group national leader at human resources consulting firm Mercer, projected that many firms will follow Deltas footsteps. Given the full FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine, the strong statements asking employers to require employees to get vaccinated and the spike in new [COVID-19] cases around the U.S. we are likely at a tipping point for companies taking stricter measures to motivate employees to get vaccinated, he said. Denise Rousseau of Carnegie Mellon Universitys Heinz College meanwhile said health insurance surcharges such as what Delta did could turn out to be more effective than outright mandates. People are loss-sensitive. Losses are more painful than gains are good. If the incentives are experienced as a loss, theyll act to correct that loss, she said during a recent interview. Krutika Amin of the Kaiser Family Foundation meanwhile said employers can impose a higher cost on unvaccinated individuals outside of the health plan through wellness incentive programs. She continued: The Affordable Care act and other federal laws prohibit insurers from charging more for people who are not vaccinated. But employers, though incentive programs, may and can increase peoples cost if they are unvaccinated. True enough, some of Deltas rival airline companies have implemented COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Alaska Airlines considered making vaccinations mandatory, but later said it would only do so when one of the COVID-19 vaccines received full approval. Frontier Airlines also announced that employees must get the COVID-19 vaccine or submit to regular testing for SARS-CoV-2. (Related: US airlines divided over vaccine mandate.) On the same day that Bastian released his memo, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) received dozens of comments from pilots both supporting and opposing the measure. Delta said it informed ALPA, which represents aviators in the airline company, of the COVID-related changes. ALPA has reiterated that COVID-19 vaccinations should be voluntary for its member pilots. In a statement, the union said it has consistently advocated to maintain the right of each individual pilot to consult with [their] medical provider regarding COVID-19 vaccinations or booster doses. Pandemic.news has more articles about companies mandating COVID-19 vaccines for their employees. Sources include: CNBC.com USAToday.com ABC10.com (Natural News) The Pentagon announced Monday that the nearly 20-year war in Afghanistan officially ended as the last U.S. Air Force planes departed the International airport at Kabul, but the days before the worst evacuation in the history of our country were marred with death from combat, the first in 18 months. On Thursday, 13 U.S. military personnel 11 Marines, two Army soldiers, and a Navy corpsman were killed in a suicide bombing that didnt have to happen but did because we have generals who dont emulate Patton and Eisenhower anymore and are too afraid to tell a president no sir, Im not doing it that way and if you make me, Ill quit. In the follow-up to that attack, Biden ordered counterstrikes against terrorist targets including a car full of suicide bombers headed back to the airport to kill more American troops and Afghan citizens, and it was that attack that led to even more needless death. According to several reports, one of the missiles fired by a U.S. drone missed its target and instead slammed into an Afghan home, killing 10 people, seven of which were children, and burning them beyond all recognition. CNN reported that the resulting deaths were definitely from a U.S. airstrike: The US carried out a defensive airstrike in Kabul, targeting a suspected ISIS-K suicide bomber who posed an imminent threat to the airport, US Central Command said Sunday. The youngest victims of Sundays airstrike were two 2-year-old girls, according to family members. Relatives found the remains of one of the girls, Malika, in the rubble near their home on Monday. A family member told CNN that it was unclear whether Malika had been inside the vehicle or in the compound when the strike hit. The report quoted a brother of one those killed who said they were an ordinary family. We are not ISIS or Daesh and this was a family home where my brothers lived with their families, he said, the Afghan reference to the Taliban. During a funeral that was held later in the day, many of the family members shouted Death to America, even as the Taliban that have retaken the country are bringing death to their own countrymen and women as well. U.S. military officials acknowledged that the attack had taken place and that people who werent supposed to have been targeted were killed. We are aware of reports of civilians casualties. We take these reports extremely seriously, said Army Maj. Gen. William Taylor of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in a briefing to reporters. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby added that the U.S. tries hard to avoid any civilian casualties (which are impossible to avoid in any war, by the way). Were investigating this. Im not going to get ahead of it. But if we have significant verifiable information that we did take innocent life here, then we will be transparent about that, too. Nobody wants to see that happen, he said. 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 the airport as well as civilians around it and in it and that is another thing that we were very concerned about, Kirby added. U.S. Central Command, which oversaw the war in Afghanistan, put out a statement as well. We are aware of reports of civilian casualties following our strike on a vehicle in Kabul today, CENTCOM said. 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, the statement added. Other reports claimed that there were multiple people inside a vehicle that was filled with explosives, so its possible those were what did most of the damage. But it is clear the U.S. targeting of the vehicle which had to happen in order to prevent yet another Biden-led catastrophe on American forces from taking place is what led to this outcome. Americans who are glad to see our longest war end are not at all happy about the way Biden allowed it to end. If anyone deserves to be impeached, tried and convicted, its him. Sources include: DailyWire.com CNN.com MilitaryTech.news (Natural News) Chief Medical Advisor to the White House Dr. Anthony Fauci has said it is a good idea for schools to mandate Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines as a condition for kids to return. The so-called public health expert is making this recommendation even though children have virtually zero risk of contracting COVID-19, let alone dying from it. (Related: Fauci ADMITS antibodies from COVID-19 vaccines actually make the virus stronger.) Fauci made this comment regarding vaccine mandates for children on Sunday, Aug. 29, during an interview on mainstream media outlet CNNs program, State of the Union. Fauci said COVID-19 vaccines for children are necessary to mandate because of the prevalence of the highly contagious delta variant. Fauci failed to mention that fully vaccinated individuals are more likely to spread this variant. The chief medical advisor for the White House added that mandating vaccines for children has precedent, as they already need a variety of vaccines and boosters for schools. I believe that mandating vaccines for children to appear in school is a good idea, he said. Weve done this for decades and decades, requiring polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis, Fauci added. So this would not be something new requiring vaccinations for children to come to school. Currently, the COVID-19 vaccines are only available to children between the ages of 13 and 17. But Fauci, in a different interview on ABCs This Week, said he believes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will act quickly to approve giving COVID-19 vaccines to children under 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, said Fauci. Faucis comments came just one week after the FDA gave its full approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Already, the conversation regarding vaccines in mainstream media has been about mandating them and making booster doses available. The so-called public health expert even attempted to fearmonger about COVID-19 by sharing an estimate that suggested that at least 100,000 more Americans could die from the coronavirus by December. What is going on now is both entirely predictable, but entirely preventable, he said. We have about 80 million people in this country who are eligible to be vaccinated, who are not yet vaccinated. Congress also pushing FDA to approve vaccines for children quicker The push to vaccinate as many children as possible is also being seen in Congress. More than 100 members of the House of Representatives have written to the FDA asking for an update on its timeline for when vaccines will be available for children under 12. These representatives believe the FDA is working too slowly. The FDA seems to be oblivious to the urgency that millions of parents with young kids feel about vaccination, claimed Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California. Their communication has been very poor. Parents need timelines. Khanna is one of the leaders of the letter. In an interview, the Democratic representative said there was added confusion regarding the FDAs timeline. This is because Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, and Fauci gave different estimates for when the authorization could occur. As has already been states, Fauci believes authorization could come by late September to early October. Collins, in an interview with mainstream media outlet NPR, said he does not believe the FDA will approve COVID-19 vaccines for children ages five to 11 before the end of 2021. There needs to be a briefing of Congress of what is the timeline and what is it that theyre waiting on, said Khanna. Learn more about the push to give children the COVID-19 vaccines that can cause deadly side effects by reading the latest articles at Vaccines.news. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk Reuters.com Townhall.com MarketWatch.com TheHill.com (Natural News) For the crime of refusing to get vaccinated for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19), a Chicago mother has been separated from her son by a fascist judge. Judge James Shapiro from the Chicagos Daley Center decided to strip Rebecca Firlit of custody of her son after Firlit chose to preserve her God-given DNA by not allowing it to be permanently altered with mystery chemicals from Donald Trumps Operation Warp Speed injection arsenal. I miss my son more than anything, Firlit told a local Fox affiliate after her son was stolen from her by the court. Its been very difficult. I havent seen him since August 10. Firlits court hearing was held that day via Zoom, and she was accompanied by her ex-husband with whom she has been sharing custody and parenting time with her 11-year-old son for the past seven years. Out of nowhere, Shapiro asked Firlit whether or not she had been injected for the Chinese Virus. This question had absolutely nothing to do with Firlits court appearance, but Shapiro for whatever reason felt it necessary to ask. When Firlit indicated that she had not been injected due to past bad reactions to other vaccines, Shapiro ordered her to stop seeing her son until she agrees to roll up her sleeve for a Fauci Flu shot. Since Firlit has no plans to ever get jabbed, she now has to talk with her son over Zoom, as she is barred from seeing him in person. I think that its wrong, Firlit told the media about Shapiros order. I think that its dividing families. And I think its not in my sons best interest to be away from his mother. Judge James Shapiro is a child predator who is holding Rebecca Firlits son hostage until she submits to medical rape Firlit is appealing Shapiros decision, arguing rightly that he has absolutely no authority to take away her parenting rights simply because she refuses to be penetrated against her will with an experimental drug syringe. It had nothing to do with what we were talking about, Firlit reiterated about the nature of her court hearing with Shapiro. He was placing his views on me. And taking my son away from me. Annette Fernholz, Firlits attorney, says that Shapiro has overstepped his authority by a long shot. In this case you have a judge without any matter before him regarding the parenting time with the child deciding, Oh, youre not vaccinated. You dont get to see your child until you are vaccinated. That kind of exceeds his jurisdiction, Fernholz is quoted as saying. Kind of does not even begin to describe Shapiros self-imposed authority over Firlits body. By abducting Firlits son from her, Shapiro has made himself a child predator who is now holding someone elses son as a ransom until his mother agrees to get medically raped with a Trump Vaccine. You have to understand, the father did not even bring this issue before the court, Fernholz explained about how the hearing was in no way contentious prior to Shapiros judicial activism coming into play. So, its the judge on his own and making this decision that you cant see your child until youre vaccinated. Jeffrey Leving, the attorney representing Firlits ex-husband, says he is supportive of Shapiros outlandish decision. There are children who have died because of covid, Leving is quoted as saying, suggesting that Firlit needs to get injected in order to save her son. I think every child should be safe. And I agree that the mother should be vaccinated. To keep up with the latest news about Fauci Flu shots, be sure to check out ChemicalViolence.com. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com LinkedIn.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) All across the country, people with black skin are dropping dead from Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines. Rather than speak out in defense of black lives, though, the United States government is pushing more jabs on black people via celebrities and social media influencers. Off Guardians Mark Crispin Miller put together an expose looking at the many black lives across America that are now gone thanks to Operation Warp Speed injections. He asks the question: Dont black lives matter if those vaccines take them? The answer is apparently no. If the answer was yes, Joe Biden and the rest of his regime would immediately stop their vaccine push and start warning the black community to stay away from the shots. Heck, the fake president would be warning everyone of every skin color to just say no to experimental drug needles from Big Pharma. Instead, China Joe and his handlers are pushing hard to convince every last American, including Americans with dark skin, to roll up their sleeves and take the lethal injections. And some of them, sadly, are obeying to their own detriment. Take the case of Drene Keyes, for example. This 58-year-old black woman and minister at the Church of Abraham in Gloucester, Va., passed away back in late January after getting injected with her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Because Keyes suffered from diabetes, sleep apnea, and was obese, she believed that getting injected with a Trump Vaccine would keep her safe against Chinese Germs. She ended up suffering a severe adverse reaction and died not long after that. The mainstream media, as to be expected, reported that Keyes died after getting a covid shot but that no link has been found between the jab and her death. In other words, it was all just one big coincidence. Media continues to blame covid for vaccine deaths Ten days after Keyes death, another black woman by the name of Karen Hudson-Samuels died just 24 hours after getting her first dose of a Pfizer shot. The Detroit media icon who worked at the nations first black-owned and -operated TV station was found dead by her husband inside their home. The 68-year-old had previously gone on the air to claim that China Flu shots are perfectly safe and very effective. She later died as a result of the jab that she falsely claimed would keep her viewers protected against infection. In both of these cases, by the way, the mainstream media followed up on the story by claiming that these black women died from covid. Despite dying almost instantly after getting jabbed, these two tragic cases were the result of mysterious covid germs, we were told, that had nothing to do with the injections. There have been many other similar cases, by the way. So many black people have died from Chinese Virus shots that we would not be able to list them all here in one single article. And yet the government continues to push the jabs on black people as the final solution to end the plandemic. My first unkind thought is that the phrase, The benefits outweighed the risks ought to be the epigraph emblazoned on all of their headstones, wrote one commenter at Off Guardian. More constructively, someone should make a meme consisting of all those smiley and steely lets do this! faces, pre-vaccine, accompanied by the fact of each death a short time later. Theres nothing like cumulative evidence to banish these cognitively dissident notions of coincidence held on to by the majority. More of the latest news about injuries and deaths caused by Fauci Flu shots can be found at ChemicalViolence.com. Sources for this article include: Off-Guardian.org NaturalNews.com (Natural News) While American citizens stuck in Afghanistan had been required to fill out an online form to be evacuated, a report informs that massive numbers of Afghans are being flown out of Kabul without any proof of identification whatsoever. At least 100 of these refugees are on terror watch lists, and one evacuated man apparently works directly for the brutal Islamic State, infamous for burning people alive and drowning them in cages. (Article by Selwyn Duke republished from TheNewAmerican.com) In fact, of the 100,000 people evacuated thus far from Afghanistan, only 5,000 have been American citizens. How many of the other 95,000 will commit terrorist acts in the West? Time will tell even if our government wont. Telling us about the story Friday night was Fox News host Tucker Carlson. He mentioned that after the abrupt closure of the massive Bagram Airfield an outrageous act that led to the killing of 13 servicemen on Thursday evacuation of Americans and allies from Afghanistan had to be staged from the virtually undefendable commercial airport in the countrys capital, Kabul. Carlson then pointed out that the same officials responsible for this debacle are now overseeing what may be the largest airlift in generations, an airlift of thousands of Afghan citizens into the West and into our country. But who are these people? Addressing this, the commentator stated: The truth is, despite what they are telling you, we have no real idea who they are. We just learned for example that at least a hundred of the refugees the American military has flown out of Kabul, people weve been told repeatedly are heroes by definition are in fact on terror watch lists. One man we evacuated apparently works directly for ISIS. Today, an Afghan interpreter told FOX News that this sort of thing is happening all the time. People are getting on planes in Kabul without any proof of identification whatsoever. Its like voting in California. Listen. I know people that theyre at the same situation that I am right now, the interpreter could then be heard saying in an audio clip. They have worked for the United States. They have provided supply for the United States, but guess what? There are people that are getting inside the airport that they have never worked. They knew somebody with a green card [or] they know somebody with a passport; thats how they got inside. I know people that they are inside, but they never worked, he continued. Unfortunately, this is an example of how we learn from history that we learn nothing from history, to paraphrase philosopher Georg Hegel. That is, the above is reminiscent of how, addressing the wave Islamic migration into Europe in a 2015 interview, practicing Muslim Dr. Mudar Zahran stated that it also served as a Trojan horse for jihadists. I can authoritatively confirm I have photos, I have images, I have pictures, I have names of terrorists who actually are already in Europe posting their photos in Europe on Facebook, he warned. Yet if this isnt enough to make a patriots blood boil, note what else Carlson tells us about the evacuation: One pilot with United Airlines, someone who is flying people out of Kabul as part of the Civilian Reserve Airlift Fleet, just told FOX News [that] he was simply told to evacuate people from Afghanistan. No details beyond that. The pilot said he was never given a passenger manifest and when his airplane arrived at Dulles Airport outside Washington, the State Department refused to share any passenger information with Customs and Border Patrol. They just whisked right on through. That means, as always, unnamed foreign nationals got far better treatment than you would get if you landed at Dulles Airport. Surprised? But again, theres a lot of this. Another commercial airline employee, a flight attendant, just told this show that her flight crew was told theyd be ferrying American civilians who would escape from Kabul, and she was happy to do that. But when they arrived in Qatar in the Gulf they learned that, in fact, theyd be carrying no American citizens at all none. Instead, theyd have to transport Afghan nationals, many of whom became unruly on the flight [future model citizens?]. And by the way, since these werent American citizens, they didnt have to wear masks. Rules like that are only for you and the rest of us who are paying for it. They dont apply to people without passports from Afghanistan. Now, that may shock you, but trust us, its normal in Washington. The far more, too, in Carlsons video (below). The immigrationist pseudo-elite, however, are all in on this massive unknown-quantity migration. One of them, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-Il.), not only essentially said that its opponents may be racist (even though Afghans are Caucasian), but that if you oppose it, you may be evil at your heart. The politician also complained of fear-mongering, citing as an example the warning that they are coming to your neighborhood, these hordes of people that havent been vetted. Of course, theyre not likely coming to Kinzingers neighborhood; often unassimilable migrants are never shipped to the pseudo-elites cherished enclaves, places such as Marthas Vineyard. Blue-collar neighborhoods are blessed with that diversity. Moreover, these migrants often cant be vetted. Note that countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, and Sudan simply dont have comprehensive Western-style databases providing accurate information on citizens. Yet it wouldnt matter if they did because in such places, you can likely pay a bribe and get official government documents saying youre whoever you want to be. Why, even birth certificates are rarely issued in Afghanistan. Aside from this, something else the immigrationist propagandists never address (partially because conservatives are too conservative to ask it) is a simple question I posed Wednesday: Why arent wealthy, sparely populated Muslim countries e.g., Saudi Arabia taking the Afghan refugees, their co-religionists? Part of the answer is that migrants settled in Muslim nations cant become naturalized in our country and then vote Democrat. And leftists arent going to pressure Islamic lands into taking their future voters. Read more at: TheNewAmerican.com and Terrorism.news (Natural News) New research of out Israel shows that the best immunity is natural immunity, and those who rely on it instead of artificial vaccine immunity are at least 1,300 percent better protected against the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19). Described by Bloomberg as the largest real-world analysis comparing natural immunity gained from an earlier infection to the protection provided by one of the most potent vaccines currently in use, the paper by Israeli scientists found that getting jabbed for Chinese Germs massively increases ones risk of testing positive and developing symptoms. Fully vaccinated people are 13 times more likely to contract the Wuhan Flu compared to unvaccinated people, and are 27 times more likely than the unvaccinated to get sick as opposed to just testing positive without any symptoms. According to investigative journalist Alex Berenson, these incredible findings end any debate over vaccines [versus] natural immunity, proving once and for all that God-given immunity is always preferable to Big Pharmas fake immunity from a syringe. The new analysis relies on the database of Maccabi Healthcare Services, which enrolls about 2.5 million Israelis, reported Science magazine. The study, led by Tal Patalon and Sivan Gazit at KSM, the systems research and innovation arm, found in two analyses that people who were vaccinated in January and February were, in June, July, and the first half of August, six to 13 times more likely to get infected than unvaccinated people who were previously infected with the coronavirus. In one analysis, Science further revealed, comparing more than 32,000 people in the health system, the risk of developing symptomatic COVID-19 was 27 times higher among the vaccinated, and the risk of hospitalization eight times higher. If you already had covid, you now have antibodies to protect you against reinfection Even though U.S. authorities refuse to admit it, catching the Chinese Virus and recovering from it leaves a person with antibodies that will protect them against reinfection. The same cannot be said of those who take the injections. Since vaccine-induced immunity does not work and certainly does not last, the fully vaccinated must receive booster shots in order to stay safe. These boosters, we are now being told, could become a semi-annual routine for those who took the first two jabs. Those who took no jabs, on the other hand, have lasting protection against Fauci Flu infection. They also will not be spreading around infection to others like the vaccinated are doing as they shed the contents of the vaccine vials onto others. This is being widely seen in Israel, which is mostly vaccinated. Israelis are filling up hospitals, thanks to the jabs, as their immune systems are now shot. Vaccinated Israelis continue to test positive for the delta variant, even though no such test even exists. What is probably happening is that the fully vaccinated are developing serious adverse events from the jabs they received and are now flooding the health care system with their diseased bodies, which is placing enormous strain on the doctors and nurses who are tasked with trying to care for them. What this means, of course, is that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Tony Fauci, and other phony health authorities flat-out lied to the world when they claimed that Donald Trumps Operation Warp Speed injections provide 90 percent protection against the China Flu. The PCR test cant differentiate between the variants or typical influenza, noted one commenter at Zero Hedge. I doubt they are doing further testing on even a fraction of the cases to prove whats infecting people. They are being told if its a positive test then its delta. This is all crap. To keep up with the latest news about Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) injections, be sure to check out ChemicalViolence.com. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) United States Marine Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, has been identified as one of the 13 U.S. servicemembers who was killed in Thursdays terrorist attacks in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Article by Breccan F. Thies republished from Breitbart.com) Gee became known to the world as a hero when she posted an August 20 picture of her on Instagram caring for a baby in Kabul, saying I love my job. Less than a week later, she would be killed in a heinous suicide bombing believed to be perpetrated by members of the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), ISISs Afghanistan affiliate. The Department of Defense later posted the picture on Twitter: U.S. military service members comfort infants at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. #HKIA pic.twitter.com/8utbOwtcsF Department of Defense (@DeptofDefense) August 20, 2021 As Breitbart News reported, ISIS-K claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings outside Hamid Karzai International Airport, the staging point for the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which killed at least 90 people, including 13 U.S. servicemembers, and wounded another 150. Gee, from Roseville, California, was a maintenance technician with 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. As Stars and Stripes reported, Capt. Karen Holliday said of Gee that She was doing Gods work..a warrior Searching Afghan women and children trying to get out of country. Holliday added that Gee was a model Marine who had recently been promoted to sergeant meritoriously. Family and friends of the 23-year-old took to social media to express messages of love for the fallen Marine. I cant even begin to fathom that youre gone, or come up with the words to express my grief over losing you. i never thought we would be one of the 13 families waiting to get the tragic news.. i love you so much nicole, wrote Gees cousin on Facebook. Not a single day will go by where i dont miss you, and our family will never be the same now that youre no longer with us, her cousin continued in her heartfelt post. You were a hero to the people you helped in Kabul, and we could not be more proud of your memory. A friend, who appears to have been in the Marines with Gee, also posted a message on Facebook. How her last breath was taken doing what she lovedhelping peopleat HKIA in Afghanistan, she said. Gees friend continued: Our generation of Marines has been listening to the Iraq/Afghan vets tell their war stories for years. Its easy to feel distant when youre listening to those conversations, its easy for that war & those stories to sound like something so distantsomething that you feel like youre never going to experience since you joined the Marine Corps during peacetime. The stories are powerful and moving. Motivating. You know it can happen. And you train to be ready if/when it does. Youre ready. Gung-Ho. You raise your hand for all of the deployments, you put in the work. I find peace knowing that she left this world doing what she loved, she concluded. She was a Marines Marine. She cared about people. She loved fiercely. She was a light in this dark world. She was my person. Other U.S. servicemembers thus far identified as being killed in the attacks include Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts; Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California; Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska; Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana; Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas; Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri; Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyoming; Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California; and Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California. Read more at: Breitbart.com and Collapse.news (Natural News) The Supreme Court has blocked the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) eviction moratorium. This will finally allow property owners to collect rent owed to them from their tenants, or to evict those unable to pay. In June, the Supreme Court allowed the CDC to keep its eviction moratorium in place. This eviction ban was passed supposedly in response to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This previous moratorium was set to expire at the end of July. Justice Brett Kavanaugh said that if Congress wanted to extend this moratorium it needed Congressional authorization. The necessary authorization never materialized. Instead, Biden illegally passed a revised moratorium that was set to expire on Oct. 3. This one only applied to counties with substantial or high rates of community transmission of COVID-19. This definition applies to more than 95 percent of the country, which makes it practically the same as the previous eviction ban. This extension was challenged by a coalition of landlords and real estate associations from Georgia and Alabama. They argued that the CDC did not have the authority to pass such a moratorium. In an unsigned opinion issued on Thursday, Aug. 26, the Supreme Courts six conservative justices agreed with the petitioners. The justices argued that if the CDC or the federal government wanted to extend the eviction moratorium, they needed the authorization of Congress. (Related: CDC illegally extends eviction moratorium for another two months, despite U.S. Supreme Court ruling it has no such authority.) It would be one thing if Congress had specifically authorized the action that the CDC has taken. But that has not happened, wrote the court in its opinion. 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. If a federally imposed eviction moratorium is to continue, Congress must specifically authorize it, added the court. Liberal justices, Congressional Democrats, White House all disagree with Supreme Court decision The Supreme Courts three liberal justices all dissented from the majority opinion. Justice Stephen Breyer, the author of the dissenting opinion, said the court should not reject the eviction ban because it would supposedly impact the health of millions. He added that the moratorium should have been upheld. The public interest strongly favors respecting the CDCs judgment at this moment, when over 90 percent of counties are experiencing high transmission rates. Citing the CDC, Breyer claimed that a surge in evictions following the end of the moratorium would lead to more COVID-19 infections. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the Biden administration was disappointed in the Supreme Courts decision. She further claimed that the CDCs eviction moratoriums were saving lives. As a result of this ruling, families will face the painful impact of evictions, and communities across the country will face greater risk of exposure to COVID-19, said Psaki in a statement the night after the Supreme Court released its ruling. First-term socialist Democrat Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri tried to claim that the Supreme Courts decision was both racist and sexist. We already know who is going to bear the brunt of this disastrous decision Black and Brown communities, and especially Black women. The Supreme Courts decision is the second blow to the Biden administrations policies in just one week. On Tuesday, Aug. 24, the justices left in force a ruling requiring the federal government to reinstate former President Donald Trumps remain in Mexico refugee policy. This policy required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while the U.S. processed their cases. Learn more about the illegal actions and recommendations from the CDC by reading the latest articles at CDC.news. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com Reuters.com Bloomberg.com (Natural News) As RFK, Jr. recently stated in an interview (see below), the time has come for all people to take a stand against medical tyranny and say NO to the toxic vaccines, vaccine passports and medical mandates. All around the world, informed, passionate citizens are rising up against medical tyranny, from the truckers in Australia to peaceful protesters in France, the UK and Canada. In the United States, the Tea Party Patriots have announced protests in 60 cities, with details at StopMedicalMandates.com. The people of the world are increasingly realizing the plandemic was a malicious scam to mass murder innocent people while enslaving the people under tyrannical government rule. Covid internment camps are real and have been announced in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. The covid vaccine is so toxic that when a truck carrying Moderna vaccines overturned, the Dept. of Defense seized control over the area and brought in HAZMAT teams while closing the air space in order to contain the hazardous materials in the vaccines. Yet were all told theyre safe enough to inject, of course. (But too dangerous to allow a spill on a public roadway.) Fauci and the CDC are liars. The FDA is run by Big Pharma crooks. The vaccine manufacturers are mostly admitted felons who have long histories of carrying out crimes against innocent people. The vaccines are deliberately loaded with spike protein bioweapons as well as other mysterious ingredients that appear to be magnetic. Those who take the vaccines are dying in record numbers, with now 623,000 adverse events reported to VAERS from the vaccines, and over 13,000 deaths. (The Swine Flu vaccine was pulled after just 25 deaths.) The real death numbers in America are almost certainly above 500,000 right now, and globally, covid vaccines have no doubt already killed millions of people. Hospitals have become murder factories that refuse to administer ivermectin. Instead, they murder people with ventilators and then claim they died from covid. Nearly every mainstream medical hospital in North America is now staffed by mass murderers who are carrying out crimes against humanity on an unprecedented scale. People are waking up like never before, and theyve seen people they know and love killed by the covid vaccine (or the traumatic lockdowns). We are now seeing the beginning of the peaceful uprising against medical tyranny, and a true sleeping giant has been awakened. We call for informed, peaceful non-compliance and resistance against medical tyranny. Do not commit violence against those who are carrying out the medical violence. We must assert our human rights in a peaceful, powerful way to halt the mass murder and even medical terrorism being unleashed against humanity. Get full details in todays powerful Situation Update podcast: Brighteon.com/3c3d8bfc-746b-4444-88c2-78e3688b904c Discover a new podcast (and interviews) each day at: https://www.brighteon.com/channels/hrreport Also see this important message from RFK, Jr., We all need to resist vaccine tyranny: Brighteon.com/7bc6967a-ac24-4710-a116-88574d0f7ecf (Natural News) Back in February, Haruo Ozaki, head of the Tokyo Medical Association, publicly announced that ivermectin is a safe and effective remedy for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19). And yet, to this very day, the drug remains off limits for prescription throughout much of the world. The corrupt medical establishment continues to push lethal injections (vaccines) and face masks (cloth or Chinese plastic) as the solution to the Wuhan Flu, arguing that ivermectin is only for animals, which is a lie. Since Tony Fauci and other deep state tyrants have prohibited ivermectin from being prescribed to humans, many have decided to purchase the animal version from feed stores because it does not require a prescription. Truth be told, ivermectin holds FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval going back decades. It also costs mere pennies to produce, especially since it is off-patent and can be manufactured generically. Had ivermectin been in widespread use throughout the past year, the plandemic would already be long over. There never would have been a need for Donald father of the vaccine Trumps Operation Warp Speed scheme, and life would already be back to normal. Instead, Americans and many others living under tyranny were told by their overlords that ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), and other remedies were prohibited. The only options are Fauci Flu shots and face coverings, period. This decree by the government has resulted in tens of thousands of injuries and deaths all needless, of course, because ivermectin and HCQ could have saved many of them. While the list of crimes committed by authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic is a long one, perhaps the biggest crime of all is the purposeful suppression of safe and effective treatments, notes Dr. Joseph Mercola, a strong proponent of natural healing remedies. Ivermectin is used in India with great success The nation of India is a case-in-point for the safety and effectiveness of ivermectin. The government there has been administering it to covid patients, many of whom experience full recovery after the regimen. Ozaki pointed to India as an example of why ivermectin needs to be prescribed everywhere. He also referenced Africa, which has seen minimal, if any, cases of the Chinese Virus because as a whole because of its refusal to participate in all the plandemic hysteria. As it turns out, ivermectin is widely prescribed in Africa as a remedy for malaria. As a result, covid is virtually nonexistent there, which just goes to show that there is already a cure for the disease, despite what Fauci claims. In Africa, if we compare countries distributing ivermectin once a year with countries who do not give ivermectin they dont give ivermectin to prevent COVID but to prevent parasitic disease if we look at COVID numbers in countries that give ivermectin, the number of cases is 134.4 / 100,000 and the number of deaths is 2.2 / 100,000. Unfortunately, there have been efforts throughout Africa to stop prescribing ivermectin, which is suspect in and of itself. And as a result, deaths are starting to rise. Now, African countries which do not distribute ivermectin: 950.6 cases per 100,000 and 29.3 deaths per 100,000, Ozaki stated. There is a clear pattern of decreased mortality when ivermectin is used, in other words. Conversely, depriving people of ivermectin, as Fauci and others have done, is killing many making Fauci a mass murderer. I believe the difference is clear, Ozaki said. Of course, one cannot conclude that ivermectin is effective only on the basis of these figures, but when we have all of these elements, we cannot say that ivermectin is absolutely not effective, at least not me. The latest news stories about the governments plandemic lies and refusal to prescribe ivermectin can be found at Fascism.news. Sources for this article include: LifeSiteNews.com NaturalNews.com Sign up to get breaking news, weather forecasts, and more in your email inbox. Sign Up Now NEW CANAAN As the majority of the towns 4,194 students returned to in-person schooling for their first day of classes Monday, they were again wearing masks and social distancing, this time three feet rather than six feet. All students, except those immunocompromised or quarantined, are expected to learn in-person this year. Children who are home sick will not have access to remote learning via a livestream. Off to a great start, Superintendent Bryan Luizzi said Monday. The superintendent and district administrators visited all five schools to greet students, parents and teachers and welcome them back. People are excited to be back for the first day. Its a great day. The New England School Development Council (NESDEC) had projected 4,165 children for this September, 34 fewer than present enrollment numbers. The schools will have the same number of homerooms as last year, though some teachers may be moved around as some schools to keep class size within district guidelines, Luizzi said. District enrollment estimates expect that 1,491 students will attend the three grade schools, which is a 14-student increase over the 1,477 enrolled in the 2019-20 school year. NESDEC had projected 1,497 children for this September. Saxe Middle School is expecting 1,347 students, two more than the 1,345 on the roster at end of June and more than the NESDEC projection for 2020-21 of 1,319. New Canaan High School will have 1,356, down six from 1,362 over June last year, and the NESDEC projection is 1,349. The district guidelines call for keeping classes 16 to 20 students in grades K through 3; 20 to 24 pupils for grades 4 through 8; and 14 to 25 pupils for grades 9 through 12. Students will be required to wear masks for at least the first month of the academic year, consistent with an executive order by Gov. Ned Lamont for all Connecticut schools. Tempers flared at a recent school board meeting Aug. 16 on whether children should wear masks in school. Opinions were split evenly with six speakers from the public in favor of children wearing masks to school and six opposed. The schools will also be following the Department of Public Health guidelines on ventilation. Luizzi said fresh air is an important mitigation practice. Weve worked hard to ensure that every classroom and instructional space has sufficient air-flow and exchanges district-wide, Luizzi said at the board meeting. The state has not mandated that school districts provide full-time remote learning this school year, unless the student is a medically complex student or immune compromised in some way or if the student lives with someone with medical fragility. School Board member Penny Rashin expressed disappointment at the August board meeting over sick children not being able to livestream classes at home. She said it could be a mitigation strategy, because it encouraged students to stay home when they were not feeling well enough. The district needs to balance the operational needs, Luizzi told her. Students would still be encouraged to stay home when they feel sick, but the day will be treated like a normal sick day. He said student should rest to recover when sick. New Canaan Schools have also reduced the space of social distancing from six feet to three feet, consistent with the Center of Disease Controls new guidance. Last year, schools attempted to uphold a six-foot sphere of space around all children and adults. When a person tested positive for COVID-19, contact tracing would be conducted to find everyone who had entered that persons six-foot sphere for 15 minutes or more and those people would be quarantined. The district had 371 cases of COVID-19 during the last school year which resulted in 2,234 quarantines, according to COVID-19 Data Highlights, issued by the Board of Education. The Centers for Disease Control guidance points to students keeping a six-foot distance in common areas, such as school lobbies and auditoriums; when masks cannot be worn, such as when students are eating; and during activities when increased exhalation is needed such as during sports, band practice, singing, shouting or exercise. Catherine E. Noring, 87, of Bradford, Pennsylvania, formerly of Mars, Pennsylvania, passed away Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, at the Bradford Nursing Pavilion, with her daughter and granddaughter by her side. Born March 3, 1934, in New Castle, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Edward New Castle, PA (16103) Today Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. High around 85F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening. Scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Christian homeless charity is expanding in Norfolk Christian homeless charity is expanding in Norfolk Hope into Action is a Christian charity whose unique purpose is to enable churches to house the homeless, and their work is expanding across Norfolk as well as other parts of the UK. Tony Rothe reports. Hard disk giant Western Digital and Japan-based Kioxia Holdings are said to be in advanced talks to merge in a deal that could be valued at over $20 billion. Citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, The Wall Street Journal said a deal could be reached as soon as mid-September. It would be a stock transaction and current WD CEO David Goeckeler would be CEO of the combined company. This is not the first time there has been talk of a potential merger for Kioxia. In March, the Journal reported that both Western Digital and memory manufacturer Micron were looking at a possible acquisition of Kioxia in a deal that might have been valued at about $30 billion. Which begs the question of how did Kioxia lose $10 billion in value in the last five months? Kioxia was planning to go public last year but cancelled the IPO due to issues surrounding Covid. And The Journal notes Kioxia could still go public and scuttle the deal. Kioxia was known as Toshiba Memory until the name change in 2019. It is the leading supplier of memory and SSD technologies, including NAND flash memory, NAND with integrated controllers, managed flash with ECC memory, and 3D BiCS FLASH technology. The company claims to have invented flash memory in 1987. It serves both consumer and enterprise products. The merger would give Western Digital access to top flash memory and SSD technologies, even more than it has now. Dont forget, WD bought SanDisk a few years ago. The two companies already have a flash joint venture and Kioxia would give WD sole ownership. Which means there is a good chance Kioxia customers will throw a fit much like Arm licensees are objecting to the Nvidia merger. The deal would also benefit WD at a time when the US government and IT industry are both looking at ways to reduce reliance on overseas suppliers. Granted Kioxia is based in Japan, but the US has a much friendlier relationship with Japan than China. According to the most recent figures from TrendForce, the memory-market analyst firm, Kioxia has an 18.3% share of the NAND flash market, while Western Digital has 14.7%. The merged company would be right behind market leader Samsung, which currently has a 34% share. If the deal goes through, that means the NAND flash market consolidates from six players to four; South Koreas SK Hynix, with 12.3% market share, is in the process of buying Intels flash business, which has 6.7% share. And consolidation is rarely good for prices. Maybe for the vendor, but the customer loses with less choice. Dover - Robert "Bob" S. Hallisey, 59, of Dover NH, formerly of Newburyport MA, passed peacefully with his family by his side on August 27, 2021, due to complications from COVID-pneumonia. Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Lynne (McGinnis) Hallisey and, their two sons, Mitchell Help support your local hometown newspaper/website. Independent local news reporting matters. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, for as little as $3, so we can continue to provide independent local reporting on our communities. Don't miss out: Subscribe to our print and e-edition now. Get all our news direct to your mailbox and your inbox Click here to subscribe Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media BRIDGEPORT Three individuals are in custody and multiple guns have been seized after multiple reports Tuesday morning of people shooting out of a vehicle in the city, officials said. At 11:45 a.m., the citys 911 dispatch center took several calls about people shooting from a moving vehicle in the area of Park Street, according to Scott Appleby, the citys director of emergency communications and emergency management. New case study data published Tuesday offers another cautionary tale about the importance of Covid-19 vaccination and testing at large, in-person gatherings. By August, 180 Covid-19 cases had been traced back to a five-day overnight church camp for teenagers and a two-day men's conference, both held in June. Five people were hospitalized. The investigation, conducted by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found few pandemic precautions were taken at either camp. The church camp ran for four days in mid-June. On June 13, 294 campers from Illinois, Iowa and Missouri arrived at the sleepaway camp in west Illinois, where they were taken care of by 41 staff members. Campers lived in large groups, ate together and participated in multiple group activities. No proof of Covid-19 vaccination or testing was required to attend camp. The investigation, published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, notes "the suggested list of items to bring to camp did not include masks." The first camper tested positive for Covid-19 on June 16, after leaving camp with a fever and respiratory symptoms. By August 13, 87 camp attendees had tested positive for Covid-19. Six staff members at the camp who would later test positive then attended a two-day men's conference hosted by the same church group at a different location. As with the sleepaway camp, the conference did not require vaccination, testing or masks. Out of the 500 attendees and 30 staff members at the conference, 35 people tested positive for Covid-19. The effects of the two events spread beyond the attendees. Nearly a third of all cases connected to the conference and camp were secondary infections -- meaning they were a close contact of someone who attended either event. The researchers determined 1,127 people were exposed to the virus through these two events, across 18 counties in four states. Adams County, Illinois, where the events occurred, observed a 68% increase in its average number of new cases per day in the week after the last secondary case was found, compared to the week before the event. CDC researchers determined the outbreak to be largely, but not completely, connected to the Delta variant of coronavirus. The Delta variant accounted for 87% of all sequenced virus from the outbreak, and the Alpha variant was identified in 10% of sequenced samples, they reported. In the eight samples sequenced from vaccinated people, seven were the Delta variant and one was Alpha. The diversity of variants present, researchers said, likely indicates that there were multiple "introductions of SARS-CoV-2" to the camp, rather than one instigating infection. "In this investigation, most reported COVID-19 cases were identified among unvaccinated persons. However, transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from vaccinated persons both to unvaccinated and vaccinated persons likely occurred," the researchers wrote. The results of this investigation add even more evidence for the need for vaccinations, testing and other mitigation measures, particularly as the more transmissible Delta variant spreads. This work also specifically sheds more light on spread in camps, the researchers said. "As of August 7, COVID-19 outbreaks in at least 21 overnight camps had been reported in Illinois, reinforcing the importance of COVID-19 prevention measures at these camps, including identifying infected persons through prearrival and screening testing programs and consistent implementation of other prevention efforts, including vaccination, masking, and physical distancing." The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Michelle Woodard's voice broke and her body shook with emotion as she described the moment she learned her 8-year-old daughter Cara tested positive for Covid-19 last week. "I just felt this rage," Woodard said. What she feared most had come true: Her daughter, who attended school in a mask and face shield, had contracted the coronavirus. And Woodard believes this is the second time she's had it. And this time, Woodard says, it was preventable because medical experts had advised the use of universal indoor mask wearing in schools to stop the transmission of the highly contagious and potentially deadly virus. It's unknown where Cara contracted the virus. But at Cara's school, in the Humble Independent School District in Texas, masks are optional, which violates a local mask mandate for all public schools and daycare centers issued by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo earlier this month. Instead, school officials told CNN, the district is following Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's pandemic-related executive order banning school mask mandates. And Harris County authorities have not contacted them about the lack of compliance with the county order. "Nobody in the school community cares about whether she is safe," Woodard said, still shaking. "How can you call yourself a community when you don't care, whether or not, the people in the community live or die?" Since the start of the school year, more than 1,800 Humble ISD students and 350 staff have tested positive for Covid-19, according to the district's dashboard. And Covid-19 cases among Texas public school students have nearly tripled in a week, from August 15-22, according to the latest state data available, which shows more than 20,000 Texas students have tested positive for the coronavirus since the start of the school year. Child hospitalizations spiking Medical experts in the Houston area, which is where Humble ISD is located, are sounding the alarm about the record number of children contracting the coronavirus and requiring hospitalization. "Over the past week we reached a peak in terms of the number of children hospitalized in a 24-hour period with Covid-19 at Texas Children's," Dr. James Versalovic, interim pediatrician in chief at Texas Children's Hospital, told CNN Wednesday. Last Wednesday, Versalovic told CNN his hospital had seen more than 65 pediatric patients in the previous week, a record number. And children were showing up sicker than previously seen. Despite the record numbers, CNN observed some parents walking their children to a Humble ISD school last week without a mask and asked if their kids would be wearing masks in the classroom. "It's a personal choice," Jaime Urbina told CNN. Urbina says his 7-year-old daughter, who attends second grade, doesn't like wearing a mask. He says he knows the virus is real -- because he lost his mother to Covid-19 last May, on Mother's Day. But just like he doesn't impose his will on others, he says, he expects the same in return when it comes to masks. Ingrid Cuevas, a mom who dropped off two children, ages 5 and 7, without masks at school that morning, says her children were exposed to Covid-19 positive classmates last week. She says she kept them home for three days, monitored their health, and then sent them back to school without a mask. "So far, they haven't gotten sick," Cuevas said. According to its website, the school district will inform parents if there's a positive case in their child's elementary school classroom but children who've been exposed to the virus aren't required to quarantine if they don't show symptoms. Instead, the district says, "families will determine what is best for their specific situation." 'It was the worst day of my life' Woodard held back tears as she described Cara having trouble breathing in February of 2020 -- before widespread lockdowns were imposed in the United States. "It was the worst day of my life," Woodard said, the pain clear in her voice. Cellphone video shows Cara making wheezing sounds with every breath while sleeping in her mother's arms. One of the most frustrating things, Woodard said, was that doctors couldn't explain why her daughter's chest hurt so much, Woodard said. "She was so inflamed," Woodard said. "She kept saying it felt like someone was standing on her." Woodard says that months later, Cara's pediatrician told her Cara possibly had Covid-19, given her condition and that she had just traveled internationally. At the time Covid-19 tests were not readily available. That's why she shared the 2020 cellphone video of her daughter, having trouble breathing, on social media with a small group of parents -- to convince them to send their children to school wearing masks. "I said, 'this is real.' This is not a joke. This isn't politics. This is our kid's health," Woodard said. But to Woodard's disappointment, she says, the video did not persuade them to mask their children. 'Do I have Covid? Am I going to die?' CNN interviewed four mothers whose children attend Humble ISD. Stacie Smith, Nicole Willis, Rosell Jenkins and Laura Castrillo say they are frustrated, angry, afraid, anxious and in disbelief that the district has not implemented a mask mandate, given the increasing number of Covid-19 cases among students and staff. Willis says that while school administrators drag their feet, her 8-year-old daughter's stress level is so high that when she had the sniffles last week, she asked her if she was going to die. "Do I have Covid? Am I going to die?" Willis says her daughter asked her. As Willis shares the story, she says she tries "not to cry because it's really heartbreaking." "I do feel like it's going to take more deaths for our district to do something," Castrillo said, holding back tears. "That's what is really scary." Jenkins says her 9-year-old son has also asked her about death and she is worried about the potential long-term mental health effects associated with that. "Why can't our district step up and protect our kids?" Smith said. 'We are continuing to follow the Governor's order' CNN emailed the district twice last week, on Monday and Tuesday, requesting an interview with the superintendent of Humble ISD. When receipt of our requests was not acknowledged, CNN followed up Thursday in person at the district's administration office. Jamie Mount, the district's chief communications officer, said the superintendent had a "scheduling conflict" and that she would address our questions about masks. "We are continuing to follow the governor's order and masks will remain optional at this time," Mount said. CNN pressed Mount about the Harris County mask mandate in schools, which has been upheld by Texas courts and remains law. Gov. Abbott is expected to appeal the latest court ruling, which was issued by a Texas judge Friday. "Like many school districts in Harris County and throughout the state of Texas, we are continuing to follow the governor's order and we will wait for the Texas Supreme Court to decide," Mount said. Mount also says that the district has adopted other mitigation measures like clean air technology and enhanced cleaning at school campuses, as well as offering students a virtual school option. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo says school districts are expected to enforce the mask mandate as they do every other school policy. "The consequences for failing to do our basic due diligence to protect children are severe -- sick children, more hospitalizations, and the potential for young people suffering from long Covid-19," Hidalgo said. Parents protest for a mask mandate More than a dozen parents protested on foot and from their cars outside the Humble ISD administration office Monday, according to Smith, who provided CNN with photos of the event. Smith says she attended with her children to show them how to advocate for themselves and others. "I wanted the leadership of our district to see them [her children], to serve as a reminder that this is about real people's lives and their safety," Smith said. Woodard said she planned to attend, but instead developed a fever, congestion, body aches and a cough. So she decided to stay home and schedule an appointment to get tested for Covid-19. The earliest appointment she could find was Wednesday, she said. "I'm vaccinated. I'm going to recover. I'm going to be fine. My whole concern was my daughter," Woodard told CNN by phone between coughs. As for Cara, Woodard said she doesn't have any Covid-like symptoms and is scheduled to go back to class next Tuesday. But with the district not requiring masks, Cara's teacher in isolation with Covid and at least nine of her classmates also infected, Woodard said she might pull Cara out of public school and enroll her in private school. "That's how frustrated I am," Woodard said. "I just don't understand the leadership in the school district." The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Laughter transcends all languages -- and now scientists know this spontaneous response is universal across some primate species, too. The laughing patterns of human infants match those of great apes, according to a study published Tuesday in Biology Letters. Human adults primarily laugh while exhaling, whereas infants and great apes laugh during both inhalation and exhalation, said study author Mariska Kret, associate professor of cognitive psychology at Leiden University in the Netherlands. First adults inhale, then produce "ha-ha-ha" sounds in short bursts, starting loud and then fading away, Kret said. "The ape-type is more difficult to describe but there is an alternation huh-ha-huh-ha," she added. Infant laughter isn't necessarily similar to that of all species of great apes, just those that are evolutionarily closest to human -- such as chimpanzees and bonobos, said Marina Davila-Ross, a reader in comparative psychology at the University of Portsmouth in England, who was not involved in the study. "It seems to reflect that laughter is to some extent biologically deeply grounded," she said. Kret originally discovered this phenomenon while attending a talk by renowned primatologist Jan van Hooff with a friend. When van Hooff said apes laugh during inhalation and exhalation, Kret's friend showed a video of her baby laughing in the same manner. To test whether infants laugh like apes, Kret collected audio clips of humans ages 3 months to 18 months old laughing and asked listeners to rate what percentage of the laugh was produced by inhaling versus exhaling. As a control, researchers also included five clips of adults laughing. After two rounds including at least 100 listeners each, the results were in. People could tell that infants laughed both while inhaling and exhaling, whereas adults mainly laughed by exhaling. To ensure the results were accurate, Kret had expert listeners analyze the sound bites, and their findings aligned with those of the novices. Exhaling laughter is more contagious Researchers also had the listeners rate which sounds were the most pleasant and contagious. The results showed the more that the laughter was produced by exhaling, the more people perceived it as positive. Researchers confirmed this finding when they conducted another experiment and asked a new group of listeners to rate how positively they perceived the laughter without being informed of breathing patterns. The new group also found exhaling laughter to be more pleasant. Laughter produced by exhaling tends to be louder and more controlled, Kret noted, which she said makes it easier for infants to communicate that they are having fun and want to continue playing. Older infants produced more exhaling laughter Older infants in the study also produced more exhaling laughter than younger ones. This could be because, as babies grow up, they learn "the communicative function of it, and parents see that the baby is actively trying to make something clear," Kret said. Davila-Ross said she was surprised to see that the airflow associated with the laughter changes as the infants grew older. "It would actually be very interesting to see if such changes can also be found for other nonverbal vocalizations of humans," she added. In future research, Kret said she hopes to repeat her experiment with other vocalizations such as crying. She is currently running other laughter experiments, including one involving orangutans, gorillas and humans to see whether they change the sound of their laughter to mimic the laughter of those around them. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Broward and Alachua counties in Florida are moving forward with mask mandates for their public school systems despite financial penalties from the state of Florida for not allowing parents to opt out of the requirement, in defiance of an order by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran on Monday announced that the state's education department had begun withholding funds from the two counties because of their mask requirements. Statements from the counties' school superintendents Tuesday showed that the districts aren't backing away from the mandate. "I'm very troubled by the state's action. Our School Board members made a courageous decision to protect the health and lives of students, staff and the people of this community, and a court has already ruled they had the legal right to do so. They deserve praise, not penalties," Alachua County Public Schools Superintendent Carlee Simon said in a statement. "We have already begun working with our colleagues in other districts to take legal action. We believe this is a necessary step to ensure that Florida's districts have the right to act in the best interests of those they serve." During a meeting with the school board Tuesday, Interim Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Vickie Cartwright said the mandate would continue. "The health and the safety of our students, teachers, and staff continues to be our highest priority," Cartwright said. "As such we will continue to mandate the mask knowing that our data, as we are looking at it, our quarantine data, is demonstrating that the use of the mask is helping to minimize the spread of Covid-19." Covid-19 cases in Florida have been surging, and the state is one of five that have less than 10% left of their ICU bed capacity available, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services. More than 27,000 cases have been confirmed in the 15 largest school districts in Florida since the start of the school year, according to a CNN analysis. At least 45,024 students and staff members have been quarantined or put on "stay home" directives due to possible exposure to the virus. Corcoran announced Monday that the state has started withholding funds equal to the monthly school board members' salaries, and will continue to each month "until each school board complies with state law and rule." Broward County has listed nine school board members, who each earn a $46,773 annual salary. Alachua County has provided the salaries for four board members, who each earn $40,287 annually. Broward and Alachua were the first school districts to implement mask mandates that do not include a parent opt-out, going against the governor's executive order. A total of 13 school districts have now moved forward with similar mask mandates, including Hillsborough, Leon, Palm Beach, Sarasota, Duval, Miami-Dade, Indian River, Orange, Lee, Brevard and Volusia, in addition to Broward and Alachua counties. The Volusia County Schools board on Tuesday voted 3 to 2 to implement a mask mandate after a fiery board meeting that last more than five hours and included hours of public comment. Afterward, the chamber erupted with shouts of "shame on you" and "we will not comply." The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. ATHENS Researchers at the University of Georgia have provided multifaceted evidence to suggest the likely origins behind the global spread of Salmonella Enteritidis, which has caused recurring outbreaks of the foodborne pandemic linked to poultry products. Using hypothesis-driven data mining, the research team, led by Xiangyu Deng of UGAs Center for Food Safety, analyzed over 30,000 genomes of Salmonella Enteritidis obtained from global sources and the international trade of live poultry over five decades. The team concluded that the spread likely originated in poultry breeding stocks, or the progenitors chosen to produce future generations of chickens. The study, titled Global spread of Salmonella Enteritidis via centralized sourcing and international trade of poultry breeding stocks, is out now in the journal Nature Communications. Salmonella Enteritidis is a bacterial disease of poultry and a foodborne pathogen that makes people sick when contaminated food is consumed, causing symptoms such as diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. In poultry the disease often goes unnoticed, but it may present clinically as depression, poor growth, weakness, diarrhea and dehydration. In the 1980s, increases of Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to poultry products occurred simultaneously in America and Europe. The pathogen soon reached other continents at a pandemic scale. From 2015-18, the largest Salmonella outbreak ever recorded in Europe occurred across 16 countries due to contaminated eggs. Yet the source, how the bacteria rapidly spread across continents decades ago, and how it caused large outbreaks in recent years remained a historical puzzle. Deng said his team attempted to connect the dots to solve the mystery of the Salmonella Enteritidis pandemic, which is how the pathogen simultaneously increased in so many parts of the world. To help solve that mystery, the team had to understand how the poultry production industry has changed over the past 80 years. In 1948 and 1951, The Chicken of Tomorrow contests were held in the U.S. to improve poultry breeding stocks, that is, to breed bigger and better chickens. At that time, chicken was not a main source of protein because the birds were quite small. Several breeders emerged from the contests, and over time, they consolidated through mergers and acquisitions. In addition to helping address the historical puzzle of this foodborne pandemic, the study provides clues for prospective monitoring and intervention for emerging pathogens in poultry. By the late 2000s, only a few sizable breeding groups remained. This resulted in highly centralized sourcing and massive international trade of breeding stocks. Researchers hypothesized that Salmonella Enteritidis-infected poultry breeding stocks would be the simplest explanation for the synchronized and expansive spread of the illness. To look at problems of this scale, the research team needed vast amounts of data more than individual labs could generate. Deng said that they used publicly available Salmonella genomes obtained through sources such as GenomeTrakr and EnteroBase. They also collected decades worth of international trade data of live poultry from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Services and Observatory of Economic Complexity. This allowed them to gather the information that they needed. Our data mining is hypothesis-driven and integrative. I think thats the key to how we managed to not get lost in huge volumes of genome data, Deng said. After the researchers analyzed the data, they discovered recent isolates from domestically raised poultry in the U.S. and Suriname that were genetically near-identical. This was significant because the most likely overlap in poultry production systems between the two countries is breeding stock supply. The team then expanded genomic investigations to global populations of Salmonella Enteritidis. Through reconstruction of evolutionary history and population dynamics of the pathogen, they found that the global dispersal of the poultry pathogens likely had centralized origins. The researchers then integrated the genomic data with import and export records of live poultry between countries. This allowed them to conclude that the centralized origins were Salmonella Enteritidis-infected breeding stocks. The bacteria were then disseminated through subsequent generations of birds which accounts for the similar genomes appearing on different continents. In addition to helping address the historical puzzle of this foodborne pandemic, the study provides clues for prospective monitoring and intervention for emerging pathogens in poultry. College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences researchers plan to use these clues to research methods to limit the spread of Salmonella on an international scale. Poultry production is a notable venue for repeated emergence of additional Salmonella strains, Deng explained. Despite decades of significant progress of Salmonella control in poultry, the evidence provided here calls for further investigation and potential intervention into the global spread of Salmonella from centralized origins at the pinnacle of poultry production. To learn more about research in UGAs Center for Food Safety, visit cfs.caes.uga.edu. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Mostly sunny early then increasing clouds with some scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 88F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 59F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many have wondered if the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for COVID-19, can survive and spreads through contaminated surfaces of foods packaged by cold-chain processes. A new study published on the preprint server medRxiv* reports that the risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 through such fomites is very low. Moreover, this study reveals that workers in such plants can protect themselves by regular handwashing and wearing masks, especially if they are vaccinated. Study: Low Risk Of SARS-Cov-2 Transmission Via Fomite, Even In Cold-Chain. Image Credit: SeventyFour / Shutterstock.com Background Fomites typically become contaminated when an infected person sheds the virus onto their hands, which are then used to touch another surface. Sneezing, coughing, or simply speaking can shed SARS-CoV-2 through respiratory droplets or aerosols onto surfaces as well. Recently, a paper reported that SARS-CoV-2 had been found in infectious form on an imported package of frozen cod in China. While prominent health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have both declared the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via contaminated objects (fomites) to be very low, public doubts linger. Previous laboratory studies have suggested that SARS-CoV-2 can remain infective for days or weeks on many surfaces. Thus, these studies suggest that the low temperatures and reduced humidity typical of a cold-chain environment can allow the virus to remain stable for months. When this is coupled with the detection of viral genetic material on widely touched surfaces, as in playgrounds, houses where one member is an asymptomatic infected individual, or in healthcare settings where surfaces are contaminated by the patients or other infected individuals, there is obviously a need to decipher the link between detectable viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) and infectious virus. Notably, there have been only four reports of finding live virus in all the studies covering this aspect so far. Particularly in a cold-chain setting, there has not been any proof thus far that this is a route of transmission. The highest risks of fomite-mediated transmission have been in childcare centers, hospitals, and food production facilities, aside from the infamous outbreak onboard the Diamond Princess. Nonetheless, China has put in place elaborate tests for all imports of cold-chain products and their packaging, as well as treatment of these goods by wet wiping and disinfection. The current study uses a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) framework to evaluate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via fomites in cold-chain food packaging plants. A conceptual framework for fomite-mediated SARS-CoV-2 transmission involving exposure of a susceptible worker to individual plastic cartons, palletized cartons, and plastic wrap in a receiving warehouse under cold-chain conditions. This schematic depicts a representative frozen food packaging facility, initiating with two infected workers (left panel). Up to 10 contamination events per infected worker (0 to 10 coughs) can occur at three stages in the packaging pipeline: 1) contamination of the top-face of individual plastic cartons (144-216 individual cartons processed per hour) via respiratory droplet and aerosol fallout from the first infected worker while cartons are transported along a conveyor belt (orange in schematic); 2) contamination of cartons via respiratory particle spray (droplets and aerosols) as cartons are placed (manually or via automation) on a pallet by the second infected worker (yellow in schematic); and 3) contamination of the plastic-wrapped palletized cartons by respiratory particle spray (droplet and aerosol) from the second infected worker (yellow in schematic). Four pallets, each containing approximately 36-54 individual plastic cartons, are processed per hour. Because of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), the model did not account for indirect transfer of virus from the infected workers hands to the plastic fomites along the packaging pipeline. Under cold-chain conditions assuming no viral decay, plastic wrapped pallets were transported to a receiving warehouse for unloading by a susceptible worker. Infection risks resulting exclusively from fomite transmission were simulated as contacts between the susceptible workers fingers and palms (of both hands) and the fomite surface (accounting for the surface area of the hand relative to the fomite surface); virus transfer from fomite to hands; and virus transfer from fingertips to facial mucous membranes (accounting for the surface area of the fingers relative to the combined surface area of the eyes, nose, and mouth). Grey boxes indicate infection control measures implemented for the infected (mask use, vaccination) and susceptible (handwashing, mask use, vaccination) workers. In the scenarios with additional plastic surface decontamination, this was simulated prior to the susceptible worker contacting the fomites. Study findings The researchers of the current study found that the risk of being infected while unpacking products in a cold chain in an individual who has no history of vaccination or infection is 28 x 10-3 per hour. This was reduced to a third by masking and further reduced to 1% by handwashing. When both of these protective measures were utilized, the risk was reduced to almost zero when compared with when no measures were used. If plastic surfaces were decontaminated as well, the risk was reduced to below baseline. Vaccination with two doses of a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine reduced the risk of infection by up to 96% under optimal conditions or at least 72% with reduced vaccine efficacy. If mask-wearing, hourly handwashing, or both were adopted, the risk was reduced by 91%, 99.7%, and 99.9%, respectively, when compared to the unvaccinated state. Under optimal conditions, vaccine protection, in addition to other measures, amounted to 93.6%, 98%, and 99.9% protection against SARS-CoV-2. Almost complete protection was afforded by combining masks with handwashing and vaccination under optimal or suboptimal conditions. Taken together, a combination of non-vaccine measures including handwashing and mask-wearing ensures infection risk control. However, when vaccination is also carried out, the risk is less than one in a million. With breakthrough infections caused by variants of concern (VOC), viral shedding may be higher. Even so, the aforementioned conclusion remains valid with up to a two-fold increase in the shedding of viral particles, with the risk being below the threshold of transmission. A small increase in risk was observed only when the VOC increased viral shedding by a hundred-fold. Fomite-mediated SARS-CoV-2 infection risks associated with individual and combined standard infection control measures (hourly handwashing [2 log 10 virus removal efficiency],58 surgical mask use). Vaccination was incorporated into the model representing two doses of mRNA vaccine (Moderna/Pfizer) and was applied with and without the standard infection control measures. Additional decontamination of plastic packaging [3 log 10 virus removal efficiency]59 was applied in combination with the standard infection control measures. Implications These findings corroborate earlier studies that found very low infection risks from hand-to-fomite contact in the absence of surface disinfection. Given that the risk of fomite-mediated SARS-CoV-2 infection using standard infection control measures is so low, the benefit of decontaminating plastic packaging seems nominal and might be considered excessively conservative and is more likely to increase chemical risks to workers, food hazard and quality risks to consumers, and unnecessary added costs to governments and the global food industry. Disinfectants are themselves associated with adverse health outcomes including asthma exacerbations and chronic obstructive lung disease among users. In case of damage to the packaging, such disinfectants could enter the products and reach the consumers, causing potential irritation of the skin and eyes, mucous membranes of the nose and sinuses, along with dizziness, skeletal damage, or liver injury. Moreover, surface disinfection delays food distribution and could jeopardize food chain stability or cause food spoilage. Finally, these processes ultimately can increase the costs of food products. Reassuringly, the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, which is 40-60% more transmissible than the Alpha variant, does not appear to pose a higher risk if these measures are followed. Thus, the virus is unlikely to be seeded into areas naive for the infection, even when a highly infectious variant is in circulation. It is important to note that while the global vaccine rollout continues, maintaining high compliance with mask use and handwashing will be critical given their relatively low cost, high-impact risk mitigation potential, and ease of scaling across diverse food manufacturing settings. *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 new study available in the Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM) focuses on the importance of interferon (IFN) in severe acute respiratory syndromes coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. This study highlights insights from two recently published articles in the JEM, which revealed that a suitable amount of antiviral IFN activates epithelial cells of the nasopharyngeal mucosa to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 growth. These IFN-induced mucosal genes serve as biomarkers of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Study: The early interferon catches the SARS-CoV-2. Image Credit: Maryna Olyak / Shutterstock.com IFN and antiviral immunity The main function of IFN is to protect against viral invasions. Typically, type I IFN, which includes IFN, , and , as well as type III IFN, are associated with antiviral immunity. IFN-I receptors are present in all somatic cells. Comparatively, IFN-III receptors show tissue-restricted expression and are mostly found in the epithelial cells, which support innate immunity at the viral entry site. Both IFN-I and IFN-III receptors culminate in the activation of a master transcription factor ISGF3. ISGF3 is composed of the subunits STAT1, STAT2, and IRF9. ISGF3 regulates the induction of IFN-induced genes (ISG), which form a cell-autonomous antiviral state. IFN and treatment of COVID-19 The success of IFN in treating COVID-19 has been moderate. Scientists believe that in order to increase the success rate of IFN treatment, a detailed understanding of the role of endogenous IFN production during infection is essential. Previous studies have identified several factors that hinder the effectiveness of IFN. Similar to many coronaviruses, the SARS-CoV-2 genome also expresses factors that inhibit IFN synthesis and response. Scientists have also revealed that some hosts with genetic disorders inhibit the production of IFN. In some cases, the synthesis of IFN-neutralizing autoantibodies occurs as a result of a genetic anomaly that reduces IFN efficiency. Prior research has revealed that the proinflammatory character of IFN-I often aggravates the course of advanced disease, especially through the activation of immune cells like monocytes. It is important to understand the limiting factors imposed by both the host as well as the virus that threaten IFN-related protective mechanisms at the nasopharyngeal mucosae. This is important because SARS-CoV-2 infects the upper respiratory tract of the host and viral replication at this site is associated with its transmission. The two papers published in the JEM revealed early events of SARS-CoV-2 infection by analyzing both nasal swabs of COVID-19 patients, as well as cellular models of nasopharyngeal epithelium. Upon comparing the results of COVID-19 infected and non-infected healthcare workers, researchers observed the presence of ISG signatures and their dynamics in blood leukocytes in nasal samples collected during the early stage of infection. Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 viral load Both studies revealed that the accurate measurement of the expression of selected ISGs could be a potential way to detect early nasopharyngeal viral replication. One of the studies (Lopez et al., 2021) established an ISG score set by the expression of four ISGs; namely, IFI27, IFI44L, RSAD2, and IFIT1. However, in the other study (Cheemarla et al., 2021), the authors stated that measuring the level of chemokine CXCL10 is an adequate method to determine viral loads. Scientists are highly optimistic about these results and believe that this approach opens a new avenue for the detection of early SARS-CoV-2 infection. The viral load could be determined by analyzing the replication rate of different viral variants. Mucosal innate immunity to SARS-CoV-2 Both studies provided detailed evidence of mucosal innate immunity to SARS-CoV-2, which could help physicians plan proper treatment strategies. Furthermore, these studies determined disease parameters by studying severely infected COVID-19 patients with autoantibodies to IFN-I. To this end, when the sera completely neutralized IFN-I (IFN2 and IFN), the nasopharyngeal epithelia expressed low ISG scores, despite high viral loads. This might be due to the impaired innate immune response to SARS-CoV-2, which may be an appropriate indicator for the administration of antiviral drugs. The researchers also revealed that treatment of infected cells with IFN2 blocks viral replication. Antiviral effects and ISG induction are also blocked in serum-containing anti-IFN autoantibodies. Model depicting the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and the nasopharyngeal epithelium. Left: In a situation of asymptomatic infection or mild disease, mucosal leukocytes provide the IFN-I IFN and IFN for an inhibitory antiviral state. IFN production by the infected cells alone is insufficient in this situation. Middle: Infection with an RNA virus such as rhinovirus causes epithelial cells to produce sufficient IFN to cause an antiviral state in bystander cells that subsequently lose permissiveness for SARS-CoV-2 replication. Right: As in the left panel, but autoantibodies inhibit the leukocyte-derived IFN. Consequently, the epithelium remains permissive for SARS-CoV-2 replication, allowing for virus spread to the lower respiratory tract and favoring the development of severe pulmonary disease. Conclusion and future research The current research shows that the IFN response of the mucosae of the upper respiratory tract can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication. Scientists agree that the epithelial IFN production is not enough to restrict SARS-CoV-2 replication. Herein, the authors have identified IFN2 and IFN as prime mediators of innate antiviral effects. Therefore, they suggest that leukocytes are required for the production of an antiviral state in epithelial cells. The scientists further propose that IFN treatment at an early stage of SARS-CoV-2 infection could inhibit viral spread to the lower respiratory tract which would, in turn, prevent the onset of pulmonary disease. The JEM studies indicate that both IFN2 and IFN possess potential antiviral properties. Although several studies are available that elucidate the role of IFN, limited studies have been focused on the production of IFN in humans. More research is therefore required to understand the role of IFN during SARS-CoV-2 infection and the impact of this cytokine in innate immunity against other respiratory viruses. Each year, approximately 4,000 children undergo a tracheostomy- the surgical placement of a breathing tube- due to respiratory or neuromuscular disorders or chronic disease progression. Bacterial respiratory infections are the most common reason for hospitalization of these children at a cost of $300 million in U. S. hospital charges. In spite of its frequency, there is very limited evidence on how best to prevent, diagnose and treat bacterial respiratory infection in these children. Christopher Russell, MD, MS, a pediatric hospitalist at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, will lead the first multicenter prospective study of respiratory infection in children with tracheostomy. We know that bacterial respiratory infection occurs frequently in kids who have tracheostomies. Some clinicians prospectively start patients on broad-spectrum antibiotics while others wait for culture results and treat the specific organism. This study will provide information about which option produces the best clinical outcomes while reducing unnecessary antibiotic use and cost of care." Dr. Christopher Russell, Principal Investigator at The Saban Research Institute The study will evaluate the outcomes of 1,500 children with tracheostomy, from newborn to 21 years of age, hospitalized at five participating children's hospitals. The study team will monitor the impact of factors like rapid viral testing, antibiotic initiation prior to the results of testing and the type of antibiotics used. The investigators are also interested in how test results and other clinical factors influence physicians' decisions about continuing antibiotic use. The study team aims to provide clinical practice guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and management of bacterial infections in pediatric patients with tracheostomy. "Our study will give us much needed evidence to proactively help these kids," says Dr. Russell, "while providing information to support a randomized controlled trial for therapeutic interventions." Study co-investigators include Michael Neely, MD, Chief of Infectious Diseases at CHLA, Tamara Simon, MD, MSPH, Pediatric Hospitalist at CHLA and Wendy Mack, PhD, of the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. In addition to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, participating sites include: Seattle Children's Hospital Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Children's National Medical Center Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital The current study was funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, part of the Department of Health and Human Services. This study builds upon Dr. Russell's earlier work funded by the The Gerber Foundation. As COVID-19 hospitalizations once again soar in a fourth surge more than 18 months after the pandemic started, some patients continue to experience symptoms long after recovering from COVID, according to a Houston Methodist study recently published in Nature's Scientific Reports. Lead author Sonia Villapol, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the Center for Neuroregeneration at Houston Methodist, and her collaborators detected more than 50 long-term effects of COVID-19 among the 47,910 patients included in the analysis. Topping the list, the most common of these lingering symptoms, which range from mild to debilitating and last weeks to months after initial recovery, are fatigue at 58%, followed by headache (44%), attention disorder (27%), hair loss (25%), shortness of breath (24%), loss of taste (23%) and loss of smell (21%). Other symptoms were related to lung disease, such as cough, chest discomfort, reduced pulmonary diffusing capacity, sleep apnea and pulmonary fibrosis; cardiovascular issues, such as arrhythmias and myocarditis; and unspecific problems, such as tinnitus and night sweats. The researchers were surprised to also find a prevalence of neurological symptoms, such as dementia, depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. To assess these long-term effects of COVID-19, the research team identified a total of 18,251 publications, of which 15 met the inclusion criteria for their study. The peer-reviewed studies they analyzed were conducted in the U.S., Europe, UK, Australia, China, Egypt and Mexico and consisted of data published before 2021, following patient cohorts ranging from 102 to 44,799 adults age 17-87 years. The studies collected information from self-reported patient surveys, medical records and clinical evaluation, with post-COVID follow-up time ranging from 14 to 110 days. Patients hospitalized for COVID-19 made up 40% of the studies with the rest following a mix of mild, moderate and severe COVID-19 patients. The research team performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of these studies to estimate the prevalence of all the symptoms, signs or abnormal laboratory parameters extending beyond the acute phase of COVID-19. They measured several biomarkers, including abnormal chest X-ray or CT scan, blood clot risk, presence of inflammation, anemia, and indicators of possible heart failure, bacterial infection and lung damage. They found 80% of recovered adults had at least one long-term symptom lasting weeks to months after acute infection with mild, moderate or severe COVID-19. In total, the team identified 55 persistent symptoms, signs and abnormal laboratory results, with most of the lingering effects similar to the symptomatology developed during the acute phase of COVID-19. Identifying these same persistent effects across several countries, the researchers say their study confirms the burden of Long COVID is substantial and stress the urgency of recognizing these chronic complications, clearly communicating them to the community and defining therapeutic strategies to avoid long-term consequences from COVID-19. The next phase of their research will focus on determining what makes some individuals more susceptible to Long COVID. Collaborating with Villapol on this study were Sandra Lopez-Leon with Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Talia Wegman-Ostrosky with Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia in Mexico, Carol Perelman with National Autonomous University of Mexico, Rosalinda Sepulveda with Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Paulina A. Rebolledo with Emory University and Angelica Cuapio with Karolinska Institutet. 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 (Aug 30) 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. 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." Georgios Gkoutos, Study Corresponding Author and Professor of Clinical Bioinformatics, University of Birmingham Gkoutos is also the associate Director of Health Data Research Midlands and co-lead for the cardAIc group, said: 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: "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 personalised 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: "We hope these important research findings will be used to shape healthcare policy and improve treatment and outcomes for patients with heart failure." A team of scientists from Israel has recently claimed that antiviral immunity induced by the mRNA-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) BNT162b2 gradually declines over time, highlighting the need for a third booster dose. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server. Background Mass vaccination is one of the key interventions to bring an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a potential barrier to vaccine-mediated COVID-19 management is the emergence of novel variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that are able to induce breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated individuals. In this context, some studies have shown that only a small proportion of BNT162b2-vaccinated individuals are susceptible to breakthrough infections by the beta or delta variants of SARS-CoV-2. In contrast, there is evidence claiming a high rate of breakthrough infection among vaccine recipients. In Israel, mass vaccination programs were initiated in December 2020 with the Pfizer/BioNTech-developed BNT162b2 vaccine. Similar to most of the available vaccines, BNT162b2 contains prefusion-stabilized full-length spike protein as an immunogen. The two doses of the vaccine are administered intramuscularly at an interval of 21 days. By May 2021, Israel has experienced a 100-fold reduction in infection rates, with a small number of new infections detected mostly in unvaccinated individuals returning from abroad. However, during June 2021, a rapid induction in new cases has been observed, with a significant proportion of new infections detecting in vaccinated individuals. The whole genome sequencing studies conducted during this period have revealed that almost 98% of new COVID-19 cases are caused by the delta variant. In the current study, the scientists have investigated whether these vaccine breakthrough infections are caused by waning vaccine immunity. Study design The scientists searched the Ministry of Health database to collect information about Israeli residents who have received the BNT162b2 vaccine before June 2021. Specifically, they collected demographic details, vaccination status, and COVID-19-related outcomes of the residents. Since the delta variant became dominant in Israel during June 2021, they focused specifically on new infections detected between July 11 and 31, 2021. This represents the time period when the delta variant was predominantly circulating in the entire country. Important observations The study was conducted on a total of 4,785,245 fully vaccinated individuals who did not have SARS-CoV-2 infection before the study period. Of all enrolled individuals, 12,927 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, with 348 developing serious complications. Infection rate Among older adults aged 60 years or above, the infection rate was 3.2 cases per 1000 persons for those who received the vaccine in January 2021. In contrast, the infection rates were 2.1 and 1.6 per 1000 persons for those who received the vaccine in February and March, respectively. A similar trend was observed for people belonging to other age groups. These observations reveal a significant increase in infection rate as a function of time since the last vaccination. Disease severity Among people aged 60 years or above, the rates of severe COVID-19 were 0.29, 0.23, 0.15, and 0.10 per 1000 people for those who received the vaccine in January, February, March, and April May, respectively. These findings indicate that, like the infection rate, the rate of severe disease increases significantly as a function of time since the last vaccination. Regarding the level of protection, people aged 60 years or above who received the vaccine in March and April-May were 1.6-times and 2.1-times more protected against SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to their counterparts who received the vaccine in January. A similar trend of increasing protection with decreasing time since the last vaccination was observed in people from other age groups. Study significance The study findings indicate that people fully vaccinated with BNT162b2 become susceptible to breakthrough infections 6 months after the last vaccine dose. Given the waning vaccine immunity, it might be necessary to immunize people, especially older adults, with a third vaccine dose for sustained protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19. *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. Black transplant recipients and patients who received kidneys from Asian donors had a significantly higher risk of kidney graft failure within seven years, according to a new study presented at the European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT) Congress 2021. The study of 20,304 kidney organs transplanted between January 2001 and December 2015 from the United Kingdom NHS Transplant Registry, found Asian donor and black recipient ethnicities were associated with inferior long-term outcomes, when compared with white counterparts. Unadjusted survival analysis demonstrated significantly poorer long-term allograft (donor kidney) outcomes associated with Asian and black donors, compared to white donors. The 7-year graft survival was 71.9% from Asian donors, 74.0% from black donors and 80.5% from white donors. When Cox Regression Analysis (a statistical technique) was used to account for other factors and give more insight into the true nature of the associations with outcomes, the hazard ratio was 1.37 for Asian donors (a 37% increased risk of the donor organ failing compared to white donors), and 1.21 for black recipients (a 21% increased risk of organ graft failure compared to white recipients). Researchers found better Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) tissue matches when the donor and recipient pairs were the same ethnicity. At seven years, 81% of white donor/recipient pairs still had a successful graft compared to 70.6% of Asian and 69.2% of black pairs. Interestingly, further analysis revealed graft survival outcomes were worse for black recipients who received kidneys from black donors (a hazard ratio of 1.92, so a 92% increased risk of the donor organ failing compared to a white donor-white recipient pair). The other pairs with significantly worse outcomes were when an Asian donor kidney was transplanted into a white recipient and when a white donor kidney was transplanted into a black recipient with 56% and 22% increased risk of the donor organ failing compared to a white donor-white recipient pair, respectively. Lead study author Mr. Abdul Rahman Hakeem, a Consultant Hepatobiliary and Transplant Surgeon at St James's University Hospital NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom, says the disparity revealed is due to a combination of factors which put ethnic minorities at a disadvantage when it comes to transplants. For a start, ethnic minority patients face significant disadvantage in access to the renal transplant waiting lists in the UK and may wait twice as long as white recipients for a deceased donor renal transplant, spending longer time on dialysis, so their health may have deteriorated more." Abdul Rahman Hakeem, Study Lead Author, Consultant Hepatobiliary and Transplant Surgeon, St James's University Hospital, NHS Trust "The longer wait for a donor kidney is due to a shortage of grafts from ethnic minority patients in our study, Asian people make up 12.4% of deceased donor recipients and black people 6.7% of recipients, yet Asian people account for 1.6% of all donors and black people 1.2% of donors." Mr Hakeem adds "despite efforts to improve education about transplant and organ donation amongst ethnic minority groups, awareness and donation rates remain low, when compared to white people." In the UK, for example, organ allocation policy for donation after brain death (DBD) donors changed in 2006, with an emphasis on equity of access, in addition to HLA matching. This policy appears to have improved access to kidney transplantation among ethnic minorities; however, advantages have been limited by an increase in the number of patients on the transplant waiting list. The authors said that whilst an increase in deceased organ donations from Asian and black communities is desirable to improve blood group and HLA matching for these recipients, the impact of using organs from minority donors is still poorly reported, in part, because of the relative scarcity of such transplants. International experience with the use of non-white donors for non-white recipients, has suggested that long-term outcomes are consistently inferior to allografts obtained from white donors. They proposed that there are multiple factors that may contribute to inferior outcomes in these settings, in particular higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease and renal disease in these populations. "Increased deceased donation among ethnic minority communities would benefit the entire recipient pool by increasing the numbers of available organs and may specifically benefit the Asian and black recipients by increasing the numbers of blood group and HLA-compatible grafts for allocation", says Mr Hakeem. Mr Hakeem continues: "In conclusion, expanding the organ donor pool by increasing donation rates among ethnic minority groups remains a worthy goal and will improve overall access to transplantation whilst also reducing time spent on a waiting list, in particular within ethnic minority communities." "More research is needed to investigate why, despite advantages of blood-group compatibility and improved HLA matching, black recipients of black donor grafts appear to have the poorest outcomes", he said. "This difference cannot be explained by donor issues alone. There is need for future research to factor this into the UK kidney allocation system and get the best long-term results. An increase in deceased organ donation from ethnic minorities may improve access to transplantation for these groups but may not improve allograft outcomes." Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological diseases, affecting more than 50 million people worldwide. Although it is believed that a large proportion of childhood-onset epilepsies are caused by genetic changes, it remains unknown precisely how many of these patients suffer from a genetic disorder and how often the treatment can be targeted to their specific genetic alteration. Now, results from research to be presented at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics today (Tuesday) have shown a genetic cause for their condition among half of those studied. This will not only aid in the prescription of appropriate, tailored, treatments, but also preclude the use of unnecessary diagnostic procedures, say the investigators. Dr Allan Bayat, MD, a consultant in paediatric neurology at the Danish Epilepsy Centre, Dianalund, Denmark, and colleagues studied 290 children with a diagnosis of epilepsy or who presented with seizures accompanied by a high temperature that were either long, or in which consciousness was not regained between events (prolonged and clustering febrile seizures). The children were born between 2006-2011 and followed at the centre in 2015. After obtaining informed consent, the children underwent genetic testing. We found a genetic cause in half of those tested and also that half of those again could receive a tailored treatment. We hope that drug companies and the scientific community will be able to produce new drugs or repurpose existing ones that may be being used to treat entirely unrelated conditions to improve precision treatment possibilities for those for whom this is currently not available." Dr Allan Bayat, MD, Consultant in Paediatric Neurology, Danish Epilepsy Centre In recent years, the number of genes known to be associated with epilepsies has risen to over 500, and gene panel testing and exome sequencing are now routine analyses in many countries. Such testing is most important in children whose seizures commence when they are under three years of age, or with a family history of seizures, brain malformations, or cognitive comorbidities. However, in many parts of the world genetic testing is not systematically offered to such people, and there is often a long delay between the onset of symptoms and the test. Our results show that genetic testing is crucial in such patients in order that they may receive appropriate counselling and treatment," Dr Bayat says. An additional advantage of being able to identify a genetic cause is the avoidance of potentially harmful treatments. Genetic sequencing has shown that the majority of monogenic epilepsies, in which a single genetic change is involved, are caused by changes in ion channels, membrane proteins that are abundant in the central nervous system. While some genetic changes reduce the function of ion channels, others increase them. Most anti-epileptic drugs currently available target and block these ion channels, so treatment with them in patients with symptoms cased by genetic changes that have already suppressed ion channel function would most likely do more harm than good. The researchers intend to continue their work with further study of those individuals where they were unable to find a genetic explanation for their epilepsy. "We will re-evaluate the dataset obtained from exome sequencing at regular intervals and perform additional genetic testing with a method that can detect genetic changes that may be missed by exome sequencing. And we hope to explore whether these patients have an accumulation of risk variants in genes or pathways associated with epilepsy when compared to those where a genetic cause has been uncovered, and to controls. "Getting a genetic diagnosis is of great importance for the children and the families. It provides an explanation and certainty, and it enables a more targeted genetic counseling, including knowledge about the prognosis and recurrence risk. Furthermore, it allows the subject and families to enter gene specific networks of families with the same genetic condition," Dr Bayat concludes. Chair of the ESHG conference, Professor Alexandre Reymond, Director of the Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland, said: "The field has made great progress in identifying causative mutations following the introduction of high-throughput sequencing in epilepsy patients. Despite the high occurrence of the disease and its high genetic heterogeneity with hundreds of associated genes, my colleagues can now suggest a tailor treatment to a quarter of their patients and counsel half of the families, a remarkable step forward for precision health." The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), continues to spread across the globe. The total number of confirmed infections currently standing at over 217.29 million. Study: Johnson & Johnson Announces Data to Support Boosting its Single-Shot COVID-19 Vaccine. Image Credit: Wachiwit/ Shutterstock Amid a huge drive worldwide to immunize the global population, the emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants threatens vaccine efficacy. Johnson & Johnson announced data supporting the use of the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine (Johnson & JohnsonJanssen) as a booster shot for people previously vaccinated with the single-dose vaccine. The study findings supported the interim Phase a data published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study showed neutralizing antibody responses produced by the Johnson & JohnsonJanssen vaccine was robust and stable eight months after immunization. Trial background The Johnson & Johnson single-shot COVID-19 vaccine induced strong and stable humoral and cellular immune responses. The Phase 1/2a trial is an ongoing multi-center, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial to determine if the J&J vaccine is safe to use and can induce an immune response at two dose levels. The vaccine is administered intramuscularly in the trial as a single-dose or two-dose schedule about eight weeks apart in healthy adults. Overall, the trial results were obtained from 25 enrolled adults between 18 and 55 years of age at a single site at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center while additional follow-up with the participants is underway. The team administered the vaccine to 20 study participants, and five received a placebo. To date, the trial has been performed in clinical sites in Belgium and the United States. Among those who received the vaccine, all developed antibody responses on the 239th day. However, the median binding antibody titer against the parental WA1/2020 strain receptor-binding domain (RBD) was 645 on day 29, 1,772 on the 57th day, 1,062 on the 71st day, and 1,306 on day 239. Meanwhile, the median WA1/2020 pseudovirus neutralizing antibody titer was 272 on day 29, 169 on day 57, 340 on day 71, and 192 on day 239. Single-dose vaccine efficacy In the report, the findings indicate that a single dose of the vaccine induced dual protection mechanisms against COVID-19, including against the Delta variant and other variants of concern that lasted for about eight months. Variant-specific neutralizing antibodies were present over the eight-month period, which inferred the maturation of B-cell responses. Notably, T-cell responses were especially robust over time. In anticipation of the potential need for boosters, the researchers performed two Phase 1/2a studies in people previously vaccinated with the single-shot vaccine. The study results demonstrated that the booster shot elicited a rapid and robust increase in spike-binding antibodies in the 17 study participants, nine-fold higher than 28 days after the first dose. The booster shot was administered six months after the first one. Notably, people between 18 and 55 and 65 and above exhibited significant increases in binding antibody responses. The pharmaceutical company said it plans to submit the study results to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help hasten approval use of a booster shot. The company emphasized that the study supports a strategy to give a booster at eight months. Further, the company is in talks with other agencies to approve the Johnson & Johnson-Janssen booster shot, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Medicines Agency, and other hea5lth authorities. On August 18, health officials in the United States recommend a booster shot eight months after receiving the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. A Johnson & Johnson vaccine will also be needed, particularly for those who had the vaccine first and are eligible for a booster, such as the most vulnerable people. However, a booster plan still requires the assessment and approval of the FDA, which will review the efficacy and safety of a second dose of the J&J vaccine. 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. 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." Allison Gabriel, McClelland Professor of Management and Organizations and University Distinguished Scholar, Eller College of Management, University of Arizona 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. Since the COVID-19 pandemic reached the United States in early 2020, scientists have struggled to find laboratory models of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the respiratory virus that causes COVID-19. Animal models fell short; attempts to grow adult human lungs have historically failed because not all of the cell types survived. Undaunted, stem cell scientists, cell biologists, infectious disease experts, and cardiothoracic surgeons at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine teamed up to see if they could overcome multiple hurdles. Writing in a paper publishing August 31, 2021, in eLife, the team describes the first adult human "lung-in-a-dish" models, also known as lung organoids that represent all cell types. They also report that SARS-CoV-2 infection of the lung organoids replicates real-world patient lung infections, and reveals the specialized roles various cell types play in infected lungs. "This human disease model will now allow us to test drug efficacy and toxicity, and reject ineffective compounds early in the process, at 'Phase 0,' before human clinical trials begin," said Pradipta Ghosh, MD, professor, director of the Institute for Network Medicine and executive director of the HUMANOID Center of Research Excellence (CoRE) at UC San Diego School of Medicine. Ghosh co-led the study with Soumita Das, PhD, associate professor of pathology at UC San Diego School of Medicine and founding co-director and chief scientific officer of HUMANOID CoRE. Stem cell scientists at the HUMANOID CoRE, led by Das, reproducibly developed three lung organoid lines from adult stem cells derived from human lungs that had been surgically removed due to lung cancer. With a special cocktail of growth factors, they were able to maintain cells that make up both the upper and lower airways of human lungs, including specialized alveolar cells known as AT2. By infecting the lung organoids with SARS-CoV-2, the team discovered that the upper airway cells are critical for the virus to establish infection, while the lower airway cells are important for the immune response. Both cell types contribute to the overzealous immune response, sometimes called a cytokine storm that has been observed in severe cases of COVID-19. A computational team led by Debashis Sahoo, Ph.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at UC San Diego School of Medicine and of computer science and engineering at Jacobs School of Engineering, validated the new lung organoids by comparing their gene expression patterns -; which genes are "on" or "off" -; to patterns reported in the lungs of patients who succumbed to the disease, and to those that they previously uncovered from databases of viral pandemic patient data. Whether infected or not with SARS-CoV-2, the lung organoids behaved similarly to real-world lungs. In head-to-head comparisons using the same yardstick (gene expression patterns), the researchers showed that their adult lung organoids replicated COVID-19 better than any other current lab model. Other models, for example, fetal lung-derived organoids and models that rely only on upper airway cells, allowed robust viral infection but failed to mount an immune response. Our lung organoids are now ready to use to explore the uncharted territory of COVID-19, including post-COVID complications, such as lung fibrosis. We have already begun to test drugs for their ability to control viral infection -; from entry to replication to spread -; the runaway immune response that is so often fatal, and lung fibrosis." Soumita Das, PhD, Associate Professor of Pathology, UC San Diego School of Medicine Since their findings in human organoids are more likely to be relevant to human disease than findings in animal models or cell lines, the team hopes that successful drug candidates can be rapidly progressed to clinical trials. "Because our HUMANOID CoRE lung organoids are scalable, personalized, propagatable and cost-effective, they are quite unlike any other existing model," said Ghosh. "This is a significant advance that can enable the modeling of lung diseases and pandemics beyond COVID-19. In fact, other academic and industry partners are already beginning to use these organoids in disease modeling and drug discovery. This is when I feel that translational research is immediately transformative." The coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has sparked a worldwide pandemic since it first emerged in China, late December 2019. Though it is known that the virus originated from animals, the exact source and intermediate host are still unclear. Scientists at the University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research in the United Kingdom and the South China Agricultural University in Guangzhou, China, have shed light on the animal origin of SARS-CoV-2, tracing back to the first outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), the infectious agent of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in China in 2002 to 2003. Published as a viewpoint article in the journal Science, the authors explained how the virus reached humans, noting that only two other significant coronavirus outbreaks have occurred in the last two decades. SARS-CoV-2s origin The current global health crisis emerged in December 2019, when a group of people at a wet seafood market in Wuhan City, Hubei Province in China, developed a pneumonia-like illness. From there, the COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the globe, infecting over 217 million people and claiming the lives of more than 4.5 million people worldwide. The pandemic continues up to this moment, as scientists and countries grapple with vaccinating as many people as quickly as possible. To understand SARS-CoV-2s origin, it is essential to go back to 2002, when another coronavirus infected thousands of people across the globe. The SARS outbreak has infected about 8,000 people, but public health officials successfully controlled its spread by 2003. Horseshoe bats in China The animal origin of SARS-CoV was tied to live animals available at markets. Smaller outbreaks also happened in Guangzhou, Guangdong, and some researchers working with the cultured virus were infected in laboratory accidents. Scientists determined that the trading of infected and susceptible host animals is a crucial common theme in the emergence of SARS and COVID-19. About three years after the first SARS epidemic, scientists revealed that Horseshoe bats in the family Rhinolophidae in China harbor related coronaviruses, forming the species SARS-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoV). These contain the Sarbecovirus subgenus of the Betacoronavirus genus. It was also shown that a Sarbecovirus in horseshoe bats jumped to an intermediate host, most probably civet cats. Along the way, other potential intermediate hosts were identified, such as raccoon dogs and badgers. The scientists explained that when sold in markets, these animals could be possible sources of the coronaviruses that infected humans. Further investigation demonstrated the immediate threat posed by Sarbecoviruses from horseshow bats. In 2019, the SARS-CoV-2, previously known as the novel coronavirus, occurred. About one year and eight months from its first emergence, the COVID-19 pandemic still wreaks havoc. The emerging variants of the virus pose threats to many countries, causing skyrocketing cases over the past few months. How did SARS-CoV-2 reach humans? In the article, the scientists believe that even though a virus spillover happened through direct horseshoe bat-to-human contact, a known risk for SARS-CoVs, the first detected cases in December 2019 were seen in Wuhan wet markets. It is possible for SARS-CoV-2 to originate from other animal sources, such as civet cats, minks, raccoon dogs, and foxes, which are all susceptible to Sarbecorviruses. These animals were for sale in Wuhan wet markets, including the Huanan market identified as the COVID-19 pandemics epicenter. Most of these animals are farmed for their fur at a large scale and then sold to animal markets. Some animals like minks, raccoon dogs, and red foxes are farmed and sold alive for food at these markets. In these wet markets, however, no bat species were sold. Image Credit: TRAN THI HAI YEN / Shutterstock Together, this suggests a central role for SARS-CoVsusceptible live intermediate host animals as the primary source of the SARS-CoV-2 progenitor that humans were exposed to, as was the case with the origin of SARS, the researchers explained in the study. In a nutshell, the emergence of COVID-19 has properties that are consistent with a natural spillover. The SARS-CoV-2 animal-to-human transmission tied to infected live animals is the most likely cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, humans are now the dominant SARS-CoV-2 host species. As a result, there is a danger of the virus jumping from humans to animals, called reverse zoonosis. Therefore, the authors recommend that we should work to amplify surveillance for coronaviruses at the human-animal interface. This way, they can mitigate the threat of both established and evolving variants to stop future spillover events. The largest-ever independent gathering of interest groups, thought-leaders, science advisors to governments and global institutions, researchers, academics, communicators, and diplomats is taking place in Montreal and online. Organized by Prof Remi Quirion, Chief Scientist of Quebec, speakers from over 50 countries from Brazil to Burkina Faso and from Ireland to Indonesia, plus over 2000 delegates from over 130 countries, will spotlight what is really at stake in the relationship between science and policy-making, both during crises and within our daily lives. From the air we breathe, the food we eat and the cars we drive, to the medical treatments or the vaccines we take, and the education we provide to children, this relationship, and the decisions it can influence, matter immensely. Prof Remi Quirion, Conference Organizer, Chief Scientist of Quebec, and incoming President of INGSA added: "For those of us who believe wholeheartedly in evidence and the integrity of science, the past 18 months have been challenging. Information, correct and incorrect, can spread like a virus. The importance of open science and access to data to inform our UN sustainable development goals discussions or domestically as we strengthen the role of cities and municipalities, has never been more critical. I have no doubt that this transparent and honest platform led from Montreal will act as a carrier-wave for greater engagement". Chief Science Advisor of Canada and Conference co-organizer, Dr Mona Nemer, stated that: "Rapid scientific advances in managing the Covid pandemic have generated enormous public interest in evidence-based decision making. This attention comes with high expectations and an obligation to achieve results. Overcoming the current health crisis and future challenges will require global coordination in science advice, and INGSA is well positioned to carry out this important work. Canada and our international peers can benefit greatly from this collaboration." This is a timely conference as we are at a turning point not just in the pandemic, but globally in our management of longer-term challenges that affect us all. INGSA has helped build and elevate open and ongoing public and policy dialogue about the role of robust evidence in sound policy making". Sir Peter Gluckman, Founding Chair, International Network for Government Science Advice He added that: "Issues that were considered marginal seven years ago when the network was created are today rightly seen as central to our social, environmental and economic wellbeing. The pandemic highlights the strengths and weaknesses of evidence-based policy-making at all levels of governance. Operating on all continents, INGSA demonstrates the value of a well-networked community of emerging and experienced practitioners and academics, from countries at all levels of development. Learning from each other, we can help bring scientific evidence more centrally into policy-making. INGSA has achieved much since its formation in 2014, but the energy shown in this meeting demonstrates our potential to do so much more". Held previously in Auckland 2014, Brussels 2016, Tokyo 2018 and delayed for one year due to Covid, the advantage of the new hybrid and virtual format is that organizers have been able to involve more speakers, broaden the thematic scope, and offer the conference as free to view online, reaching thousands of more people. Examining the complex interactions between scientists, public policy, and diplomatic relations at local, national, regional, and international levels, especially in times of crisis, the overarching INGSA2021 theme is: "Build back wiser: knowledge, policy & publics in dialogue". The first three days will scrutinize everything from concrete case studies outlining successes and failures in our advisory systems to how digital technologies and AI are reshaping the profession itself. The final day targets how expertise and action in the cultural context of the French-speaking world are encouraging partnerships and contributing to economic and social development. A highlight of the conference is the 2 September announcement of a new 'Francophonie Science Advisory Network'. Prof. Salim Abdool Karim, a member of the World Health Organization's Science Council, and the face of South Africa's Covid-19 science speaking in the opening plenary outlined that: "As a past anti-apartheid activist now providing scientific advice to policy-makers, I have learnt that science and politics share common features. Both operate at the boundaries of knowledge and uncertainty, but approach problems differently. We scientists constantly question and challenge our assumptions, constantly searching for empiric evidence to determine the best options. In contrast, politicians are most often guided by the needs or demands of voters and constituencies, and by ideology". He added: "What is changing is that grass-roots citizens worldwide are no longer ill-informed and passive bystanders. And they are rightfully demanding greater transparency and accountability. This has brought the complex contradictions between evidence and ideology into the public eye. Covid-19 is not just a disease, its social fabric exemplifies humanity's interdependence in slowing global spread and preventing new viral mutations through global vaccine equity. This starkly highlights the fault-lines between the rich and poor countries, especially the maldistribution of life-saving public health goods like vaccines. I will explore some of the key lessons from Covid-19 to guide a better response to the next pandemic". Speaking on a panel analyzing different advisory models, Prof. Mark Ferguson, Chair of the European Innovation Council's Advisory Board and Chief Science Advisor to the Government of Ireland, sounded a note of optimism and caution in stating that: "Around the world, many scientists have become public celebrities as citizens engage with science like never before. Every country has a new, much followed advisory body. With that comes tremendous opportunities to advance the status of science and the funding of scientific research. On the flipside, my view is that we must also be mindful of the threat of science and scientists being viewed as a political force". Strength in numbers What makes the 4th edition of this biennial event stand out is the perhaps never-before assembled range of speakers from all continents working at the boundary between science, society, and policy willing to make their voices heard. In a truly 'Olympics' approach to getting all stakeholders on board, organizers succeeded in involving, amongst others, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, the United Nations Development Programme, UNESCO, and the OECD. The in-house science services of the European Commission and Parliament, plus many country-specific science advisors also feature prominently. As organizers foster informed debate, we get a rare glimpse inside the science advisory worlds of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisation, the World Economic Forum, and the Global Young Academy to name a few. From Canadian doctors, educators and entrepreneurs, and charitable foundations like the Welcome Trust, to Science Europe and media organizations, the program is rich in its diversity. The International Organisation of the Francophonie and a keynote address by H.E. Laurent Fabius, President of the Constitutional Council of the French Republic are just examples of two major draws on the final day dedicated to spotlighting advisory groups working through French. A team of scientists from the United States has recently examined the trajectory of early immune biomarkers in response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. They have identified specific plasma proteins that can accurately predict the clinical and virological outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server. Background Since its emergence in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, SARS-CoV-2, the causative pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has infected 217 million people and claimed 4.5 million lives globally. Although the disease remains asymptomatic in most patients, it can develop into severe life-threatening consequences in vulnerable people, including older adults and those with comorbidities. Early immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection determine the disease severity and dynamics of virus-specific memory immune responses. Upon infection, recognition of viral RNA by pattern recognition receptors, including toll-like receptors (TLRs) and RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), results in the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and interferons. The stimulation of interferon-responsive genes by interferons subsequently leads to induction of early antiviral response and initiation of an adaptive immune response. An insufficient interferon response during the early infection phase can increase the risk of severe COVID-19. In the current study, the scientists have conducted a proteomic and transcriptomic analysis to identify immune markers induced during the early course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. They have utilized these markers to predict viral load, disease severity, and memory immune responses in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. Study design The scientists analyzed longitudinal samples collected from COVID-19 patients enrolled for a randomized clinical trial of Peginterferon Lambda-1a, a type III interferon. In the trial, mild to moderate COVID-19 patients were enrolled within 72 hours of diagnosis and followed up for 7 months post-infection. They analyzed the samples to identify immune biomarkers induced within the first 2 weeks of symptom onset. Using a machine learning model, they have examined the ability of some early-response plasma proteins to predict viral load, disease severity, and memory T cell and antibody responses. Study schema. Outpatients (n=108) with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection 2 and swab obtained within 72 hours of randomization were enrolled in a Phase 2 clinical trial of subcutaneous Peginterferon lambda vs. placebo. In-person follow-up visits were conducted at day 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28,and month 7 post-enrollment, with assessment of symptoms and vitals, and collection of oropharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 testing. Blood obtained at Day 0 and 5 were evaluated by whole blood transcriptomics (RNA Sequencing), plasma proteomics (Olink), and SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies. Clinical outcomes assessed included duration of symptoms and duration of virologic shedding. Immunologic outcomes assessed including SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses at day 28, and antibody responses at day 28 and month 7. Created with biorender.com. Important observations The scientists identified 38 immune pathways and 10 plasma proteins that differed as a function of time since symptom onset. Based on the response pattern, these pathways and proteins were divided into 4 clusters. Cluster 1 contained interferon-related pathways, natural killer cell activation pathways, and interferon-stimulated proteins (MCP-1, MCP-2, CXCL10, and CXCL11). These markers showed a peak value at the time of symptom onset, followed by a gradual decline over time. In cluster 2, which contained Interferon-, chemokines CXCL1 and CXCL6, innate immune response pathways, and T cell activation pathways, peak values were observed 1 5 days after the symptom onset. The B cell activation pathways identified in cluster 3 showed a peak between 10 and 14 days after symptom onset. The cluster 4 markers, including anti-spike antibodies and B cell differentiation pathways, gradually increased after the symptom onset. Taken together, these observations indicate that the activation of interferon signaling, B cells, T cells, and natural killer cells and production of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies occur within the first 15 days of symptom onset. Association between immune responses and disease severity Of 108 enrolled patients with mild to moderate COVID-19, eight developed serious complications eventually. To identify immune pathways and plasma proteins responsible for severe disease, the scientists compared these patients with those who eventually became virus-free or asymptomatic. They identified 17 immune pathways and 24 plasma proteins that were significantly associated with disease severity. These markers were interferon-induced proteins and natural killer cell activation pathways, indicating the involvement of early immune responses in modulating disease severity. Association between immune responses and disease outcome The scientists identified 36 plasma proteins associated with disease outcome, including RIG-I, CCL20, CCL25, Keratin 19, and amphiregulin. Increased expressions of these proteins were negatively associated with viral load. These proteins were also associated with higher levels of spike-specific T cell and antibody responses. Similarly, multiple immune pathways, including complement and B cell activation pathways and antibody response pathways were identified as regulators of viral load. With further analysis, 4 plasma proteins and 12 immune pathways were identified that showed significant association with time since symptom onset. Specifically, peaked levels of interferon-gamma response, interferon-induced cytokines, and T cell-secreted cytokines were observed within the first 5 days of symptom onset. In addition, B cell activation and antibody production pathways reached peaked levels between 10 and 15 days after symptom onset. Together these findings indicate that induction of an early interferon response and subsequent pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling determine the clinical, virological, and immunological outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Interestingly, the findings revealed that a high plasma level of RIG-I is associated with less viral load, higher disease severity, and increased T cell and antibody responses. In addition, a strong association was observed between RIG-I and apoptosis (programmed cell death). Regarding immune responses to COVID-19 vaccines, the findings indicated that immune responses induced by the first dose of Pfizer/BioNTech-developed BNT162b2 vaccine were similar to that induced by natural SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, rapid induction of adaptive immune response and a lack of neutrophil response was observed in response to the second vaccine dose. Machine learning models The scientists conducted predictive modeling to identify proteins that could predict viral load, disease severity, and immune responses. They finally selected 8-10 plasma proteins measured at the early infection phase and observed that these proteins could accurately predict all tested outcomes. Study significance The study identifies a cytosolic pattern recognition receptor (RIG-I) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (MCP1, 10 MCP2, and MCP3) as potential biomarkers to predict clinical and immunological outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Moreover, the study highlights the importance of machine learning models in identifying high-risk COVID-19 patients using 8 10 plasma proteins. *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. Nearly 20% of patients with multiple myeloma have a form in which they make extreme quantities of one component of the abnormal antibody they are producing, and these so-called "free monoclonal light chains" pile up and damage the kidneys, investigators say. These patients likely could benefit most from early identification and additional interventions like plasmapheresis and dialysis, which would help remove the damaging, circulating light chains, says Dr. Gurmukh Singh, vice chair of clinical affairs for the Department of Pathology at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Multiple myeloma is a cancer in which our plasma cells, white blood cells which are supposed to make a variety of antibodies to protect us, instead become abnormal and start producing a single, Y-shaped protein, sometimes referred to as a monoclonal protein, or M-spike, that can do damage body-wide. The proteins have two chains, called heavy and light chains, and the disease may be classified by the type of each of those chains it produces. In fact, normal antibodies typically have two of each, although in both sickness and health plasma cells make more light chains. Some patients, like the ones Singh is studying, make even more light chains, and because those excessive light chains don't pair up with heavy chain proteins, that leaves a lot more free and circulating, which is how they can end up accumulating in the kidneys, Singh says of light chain predominant multiple myeloma. For the study published in the journal Lab Medicine, they looked at nearly 400 patients from a 10-year period at a single, medical school affiliated health system to assess why these patients typically have a shorter survival. They found they have higher rates of kidney dialysis and clear signs of kidney damage like higher blood pressure and higher concentrations of protein in the urine. Mortality rates in patients with this light chain predominant multiple myeloma were nearly three times higher than for conventional multiple myeloma, Singh and his colleagues say, with the survival graph for most patients looking like a gradual hill, and for these patients more like a cliff. The shorter survival of these patients is clearly associated with their kidney damage caused by excessive light chains traveling in their blood and clogging up the kidney tubules, which carry urine away from the kidney's filtering units and where needed items like salt and water get resorbed, says Singh, corresponding author and Walter L. Shepheard Chair in Clinical Pathology. More of these patients also needed blood transfusions to help supplement the work of the bone marrow that also is under attack from the abnormal plasma cells. They also had more hypertension, which can both damage kidneys and result from kidney damage. While multiple myeloma tends to impact the kidneys in all patients, this subset with excessive light chains appears to have worse damage, Singh says. An important bottom line is shorter survival, he says, and excessive free light chains and associated kidney damage have a clear role in that. Kidney damage may be reduced and quality of life improved by early intervention strategies like plasmapheresis, where excessive light chains could be filtered out of the blood or dialysis that uses a specialized filter to also trap circulating light chains, Singh says, but clinical trials are needed to evaluate these and other strategies. Tests can be done to identify these individuals by measuring free light chains, but right now there are no targeted treatments when they are identified, which is why clinical trials are needed, Singh notes. In healthy individuals, these excess light chains are simply filtered out by the kidneys and eliminated in the urine, Singh says. However with this form of multiple myeloma, Everything is multiplied, the kidneys get bombarded and the tubules get clogged. You can see the protein deposits in a biopsy." Gurmukh Singh, Study Corresponding Author and Walter L. Shepheard Chair in Clinical Pathology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University There are two different types of light chains, kappa and lambda, which are distinctive in their amino acid sequence. We normally make about twice as many kappa light chains as lambda, and while cancer can affect both light chains and/or multiple heavy chains as well, kappa light chains go up more, Singh says. He and his colleagues reported in 2019 that to more accurately diagnose and monitor multiple myeloma, concentrations of each light chain needed to be evaluated differently. Multiple myeloma can also interfere with the immune response and form actual masses or tumors, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Symptoms of multiple myeloma may include bone pain, particularly in the back and ribs; anemia that results in weakness and fatigue; and kidney trouble; or it may be essentially asymptomatic. Oncotarget published "Actionability evaluation of biliary tract cancer by genome transcriptome analysis and Asian cancer knowledgebase" which reported that it is necessary to investigate actionable genes and candidate drugs using a sophisticated knowledgebase and characterize BTCs immunologically for evaluating the actionability of molecular and immune therapies. Actionable mutations and candidate drugs were annotated using the largest available KB of the Asian population. Twenty-two actionable genes and 43 candidate drugs were annotated in 74 patients. The most frequent actionable genes were PTEN, CDKN2A, KRAS. Identifying actionable genes and candidate drugs using the KB contribute to the development of therapeutic drugs and personalized treatment for BTC. Dr. Hidewaki Nakagawa from The RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences and Dr. Satoshi Hirano from The Hokkaido University Faculty of Medicine said, "Biliary tract cancer (BTC) or cholangiocarcinoma, which originates from bile duct epithelial cells (cholangiocytes), is a rare tumor worldwide." However, most of these are not "actionable" genes or mutations, and there are only a few actionable genes or mutations that can be targeted specifically in BTC by any molecular therapy or drug. The European Society for Medical Oncology recommends genetic alterations, such as mutations in IDH1 and FGFR2 fusion, as molecular targets of clinical actionability in BTC. Efficacy of the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab was observed in advanced BTC regardless of PD-L1 CPS-positive status, whereas higher PD-L1 expression in BTC was associated with the response rate of pembrolizumab. Regarding the clinical annotations of cancer genome variants, several knowledge bases integrating massive amounts of genomic and clinical information data from articles and clinical trials have been developed to identify actionable genes and candidate drugs. This study aimed to detect actionable genes or mutations and candidate drugs in BTC using a KB with research-level information on genomic mutation lists and to investigate the relationship between actionable genes and clinic-pathological features. The Nakagawa/Hirano Research Team concluded in their Oncotarget Research output, "we identified 22 actionable genes and 43 candidate drugs for BTC using a KB with research-level information on genomic alterations. We also characterized the biomarkers of ICIs using RNA-seq. Further validation of comprehensive candidate drugs using cell lines and organoids based on these data, may facilitate drug discovery for BTC." The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caught the world off guard completely. Despite considerable research on the genomes of its distant cousins like SARS-CoV-1 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), showing a 70-80% similarity with the current SARS-CoV-2, the entire world was initially clueless on how to prevent the spread of this novel virus. In contrast to the SARS and MERS epidemics that were well controlled and disappeared within months, SARS-CoV-2 was on the rise, and containing it was becoming increasingly difficult. Thus, a universal preventative strategy - such as a vaccine - became increasingly necessary. Vaccines have been the single most effective way to contain and prevent severe infection by pathogenic microbes. The past few decades have been instrumental in proving the potential for messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, with conditions like influenza, different forms of lung cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma, Ebola and even HIV strains being under trials in mice, monkeys, and humans. During the COVID era, the development of mRNA vaccines was a significant development that continues to impact globally. With current vaccination drives across countries, there is a potential to reduce severe disease and hospitalization, as per reports of clinical trials conducted with the vaccines. In a review paper published in the journal Nature Reviews, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pennsylvania have described the underlying technologies for mRNA vaccines and their future prospects with improved delivery systems and applications in diseases beyond the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. What is the technology behind mRNA Vaccines? What makes them revolutionary? mRNA stands for messenger Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) which is used by ribosomes, present in the nucleus of the cell, to make proteins and release into the bloodstream. This is the principle that viruses use for replicating themselves when they enter host cells. This is no different for the (SARS) coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is now known that the SARS-CoV-2 uses its spike protein to attach to a specific receptor on the host cell called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines currently available use synthetic mRNAs which mimic the viral mRNAs. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are administered in the upper arm muscle first. Once the instructions (mRNA) are inside the muscle cells, the cells use them to make the protein piece. Once the protein piece is made, the cell digests the instructions and discards them. Next, the cell displays the protein piece on its surface. Antibodies are made when our immune systems recognize the protein does not belong there, like when we are infected with SARS-CoV-2. After the process is complete, our bodies have learned how to fight future SARS-CoV-2 infections. mRNA vaccines, like all vaccines, provide protection without exposing the recipients to the severe consequences of contracting COVID-19 disease. Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a cell (green) infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (blue, isolated from a patient sample. Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: NIAID Since the synthetic mRNA vaccines do not need the actual virus particles, they can be considered safer than those using live or attenuated (weakened) proteins from the actual virus. This, along with a host of other features, makes them a revolutionary concept for vaccine development. How did mRNA vaccines become a lifeline in the COVID-19 pandemic? The idea to use nucleic acid vaccines based on mRNA was conceived more than three decades ago in the hope of generating safe and versatile vaccines that are easy to produce. mRNA vaccines carry the added advantage of being highly potent, easy to manufacture in large volumes, and cost-effective. With so many proof-of-concept trials having been conducted on other viruses in both humans and animals, mRNA vaccines were the chosen candidates to combat the cOVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development improved on previous research on the MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, which pointed towards the spike protein as the most likely candidate for vaccine development. Its amino acid sequence (which makes up for the whole protein) should be slightly modified to lock the protein in its prefusion conformation, when it is most potent, maximizing its immunogenicity (capacity to trigger an immune response). This way, the maximum number of antibodies could be generated. These studies enabled researchers at Moderna (one of the major players in global COVID-19 vaccine delivery) to ramp up their operation and generate the mRNA-1273 sequence in 2 days and start phase I trials in 66 days. To date, the development of the mumps vaccines had been the fastest, which took 4 years from conception to production and administration. However, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines made it to the market at a record speed of 11 months, all thanks to the relentless work of scientists and researchers over the years and the Governments and investors who churned out vast sums of money for the vaccines to be manufactured. Lessons learned from the mRNA vaccines By the end of 2019, there were 15 mRNA vaccine candidates against infectious diseases which had entered clinical trials, but none could go beyond phase II. Therefore, there was little possibility of these vaccines being approved before 5-6 years subsequently. The approval of the COVID-19 vaccines in 11 months uprooted this belief and opened a world of possibilities to the entire scientific community. On the one hand, this landmark event successfully convinced researchers of the efficacy of these vaccines, which would provide protection from a host of harmful pathogens. On the other, it debunked all doubts pertaining to development, manufacture and deployment processes involving the commercial viability of the vaccines. A calamity opened many opportunities. Some of the other mRNA vaccine candidates under trial include those for cytomegalovirus (CMV) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV3), Rabies, Influenza A, Chikungunya, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Current research in mRNA therapeutics focuses on better delivery systems to ensure the mRNA is delivered unaffected for maximum immunogenicity, making the vaccines more robust and thermostable as mass cold storage is not an option with many countries around the globe and ensuring the longer lifespan of antibodies to ensure continued protection. Nonetheless, the story of the COVID-19 vaccine will remain a significant scientific landmark and continue to entrust people with the belief that we will see the end to this pandemic soon! Conducting a two-country clinical trial involving two assays and a nasopharyngeal swab may seem straightforward. However, amid Brexit and a global pandemic, this study was far from simple. Cerba Research was able to keep sample processing for a novel COVID-19 treatment on track in the middle of extraordinary upheaval through a combination of strong customer relationships, careful planning and creative logistics. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Viacheslav Lopatin The case Cerba Research needed to perform a controlled, randomized Phase IIb clinical trial for the evaluation of the efficacy and safety of the sponsors drug for high-risk subjects with mild COVID-19. The study initially included 10 UK sites and 25 US. The subject population enrolled a total of 600 women and men aged 18 years and over who were recruited in the UK and the US. However, the sponsor moved to a decentralized model as COVID-19 continued to impact patients willingness to visit sites as well as site and investigator availability. A COVID in a Box kit was delivered to patients homes once the sponsor randomized patients into the trial. Patients were then able to decide whether to participate remotely using telemedicine or on-site. Most chose telemedicine. An agent from Marken, the preferred courier, arrived to collect the sample within an hour once the patient supplied the sample and repacked the box. A strict process using personal protective equipment (PPE) and physical distancing during the handoff was followed by both patient and agent. The challenge An ultra-quick turnaround time was needed by the sponsor. For example, a fully executed contract was requested one week after the award, and there was a three-month window to bring sites online and ship supplies. Samples had a maximum room temperature stability of 72 hours between collection and testing, according to stability testing. This required samples to be transported quickly at a time when shipments coming through UK ports were at their peak due to Brexit concerns. The response The sponsor and Cerba Research had a strong preexisting relationship. This meant Cerba research was able to obtain approval and execute all contracts quickly, thanks to the high level of established trust. Cerba Researchs central lab in Ghent, Belgium, was used to produce kits for the UK sites. The companys New York facility was used to produce kits for the US sites. Kits were manually assembled using staff from other departments. Some staff worked weekends and evenings. Teamwork ensued that each COVID in a Box was kitted out with the necessary PPE, requisition forms, and collection materials in as short a time as possible. Before kits were forwarded to the UK investigator sites in bulk, necessary random batch QC checks were performed. An additional long-term stability experiment was done on the Abbott m2000sp sample preparation platform using the Seegene Allplex 2019 kit at Cerba Researhes lab in Johannesburg, South Africa, to address concerns about the short stability window. Using this data, it became possible to extend the stability of the samples from 72 to 96 hours. Marken managed all inbound shipments. Stability issues were not the reason for any lost samples. Top takeaways All vendor and legal onboarding agreements should be in place early, perhaps even prospectively. Goodwill and responsiveness will help smooth the process even with necessary agreements in place. Its important to find practical solutions to sponsor challenges. Brexit-related logistical challenges were overcome in order to execute within a tight timeline thanks to Cerba Research experts in two different continents coming together to find solutions. Central lab partners should be brought in early. Screening timelines, logistics, lab capacity, assay stability and other important aspects of the study can be evaluated during preliminary conversations. Research can be advanced sooner when strategies are developed in the early involvement. Build a relationship of trust. Cerba Research has a reputation built on robust governance paired with open and transparent conversation and a commitment to doing whatever it takes to keep studies on time and on budget. This reputation allowed the company to get the rapid client buy-in required to deliver despite the challenging circumstances. About Cerba Research For over 35 years, Cerba Research has been setting the industry standard for exemplary clinical trial conduct. Today, across five continents, with a focus on precision medicine, we are changing the paradigm of the central labs role in complex clinical research. From protocol inception through development and to market, our passionate experts deliver the highest quality specialized and personalized laboratory and diagnostic solutions. Partner with us for the most efficient strategy to actualize your biotech and pharmaceutical products sooner and improve the lives of patients worldwide. Sponsored Content Policy: News-Medical.net publishes articles and related content that may be derived from sources where we have existing commercial relationships, provided such content adds value to the core editorial ethos of News-Medical.Net which is to educate and inform site visitors interested in medical research, science, medical devices and treatments. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Indypendenz The answer to why some patients respond to therapy while others do not can be found in the concept of biomarkers: objective, measurable indicators of the severity or presence of disease. Used for decades to support medical diagnosis, today, researchers utilize biomarkers in all phases of drug discovery and development. There are reasonable grounds for this as biomarkers can boost drug development success rates threefold, thereby speeding up the availability of new therapeutics. A biomarker-driven approach offers multiple benefits, including: Enable early proof-of-concept studies for new therapeutic targets, reducing drug attrition rates Help determine benefit-risk profile, to facilitate and streamline regulatory decisions Predict drug efficacy more quickly than traditional clinical endpoints Stratify patients during enrollment with more accuracy, thereby reducing the number of patients needed to demonstrate clinical benefit Use as surrogate endpoints in clinical trials Recently, increases in biomarker development run in parallel to both advances in science and technology and the surge in precision medicine. Precision medicines necessitate predictive biomarkers to sort patients by disease risk and prognosis, as well as to determine which patients are most likely to respond to therapy or to experience side effects. Meanwhile, with advances and cost-efficiencies in diagnostic testing, genetic sequencing, and other technologies, scientists have concentrated on genetic biomarker candidates. In combination with biomarker development predicated on elements circulating in blood, as well as proteins residing in tissue which are detected through imaging, there has been a substantial increase in the number of circulating biomarkers being tested. The challenge with all this discovery exists in the validation of biomarkers to prove their clinical or predictive significance. Thats where Cerba Research steps in. Cerbas approach Cerba Research works in close collaboration with clients to produce a powerful biomarker validation process to help boost the success of biomarker integration in clinical development. That process begins with analyzing specificity throughout prevalidation and remains in place during preclinical, clinical, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and FDA validation. Cerba Research has adapted to the complexities of clinical research and the surge of additional targeted therapies with innovative solutions. Cerba can apply conventional and more advanced ELISA platforms as well as demonstrating the capacity for ultra-sensitive detection, which includes single and multiplex analysis, in various disease categories. Meanwhile, the Cerba IVD team custom-evaluates and validates new biomarkers continuously to help clients get nearer to their breakthrough treatments. Expertise extends from common clinical biology and esoteric testing to specimens and data sourcing. With immediate access to qualified specimens from millions of patients, Cerbas clinical pathology labs can use this data to help validate new drugs and new biomarkers, as well as assisting its clients in patient recruitment for their trials. Cerba continually onboard the latest technologies and use data science to produce more insights and relevance to biomarkers. However, none of this takes place without learning all about a clients products and objectives. During preliminary discussions, Cerba helps streamline tests and methodologies used and suggests alternatives that could generate more precise results. At the same time, Cerba is willing to add or remove tests based on client feedback: the development of this standard is a real team effort. Advances in biomarker development Biomarkers can be multigene or protein panels, individual genes, or proteins, biomolecules, or even microbiota from the gut microbiome. Cerba Research is happy to have highly skilled scientists with the experience to validate and test these and other types of biomarkers. Cerbas methods include, but are not restricted to, flow cytometry, multiplex IHC, PCR, NGS, tissue immunohistochemistry (IHC) and cytokine and circulatory protein analysis, among others. This wealth of experience allows the company to develop and validate both standard-stock and esoteric biomarkers. Cerbas scientists join forces with skilled researchers and physicians experts who treat patients every day via collaborations with pathology and genomics labs, startups and academia. Clients receive all-inclusive insights efficiently with all this experience and a wide range of techniques under one roof. The importance of a global network Delay during the transportation of specimens introduces the risk of variability. To better serve clinical research on an international level necessitates a network of instruments, platforms and experts, with the capacity to centralize the analysis and review data. Cerba Research developed a global footprint to adapt testing for research centers worldwide. Consistent sample handling makes sure the quality of samples remains unchanged throughout the journey. Access to over 700 labs and blood collection sites within the Cerba HealthCare Group, anchored by seven offices across five continents, enables Cerba Research to store specimens near research sites while offering global logistics to and from client sites as well as excellent data analysis. Both global and local operations at this level require world-class logistics. The result is minimized risk for Cerba clients. Also, offering rapid sample analysis means that clients are ensured the best quality data. Close communication, scientist to scientist An international network of labs also means access to an extensive range of skilled laboratory researchers. In a great number of cases, clients want to confirm new tests or testing modalities. Cerba Research shines in the development and validation of customized assays. However, whether it provides custom solutions or biomarkers from an enormous portfolio depends on the outcome of an in-depth scientist-to-scientist discussion between Cerbas experts and its clients. Cerba are enthusiastic about initiating a dialog, and the companys versatility adjusts to clients requirements. For instance, if a client is developing a biomarker-guided oncology trial and possesses a clear idea of their needs, Cerba can accommodate and offer good advice that adds value. For any open-ended questions about biomarker development and validation, Cerba can provide technical, medical and pathology experts for the development of a solution. Cerba remains as flexible as possible while designing a science-based solution. Your partner from early research through clinical trials While this level of close communication begins in drug discovery, it continues through to the commercialization stage. Cerba supports all development and validation, from nonclinical through to Phase I-III clinical trials. Cerbas biomarker and companion diagnostic services are consistently in place, allowing its clients to fully enhance R&D productivity. As clinical research becomes increasingly biomarker-driven, the need for companion diagnostics and results has also increased. The therapy and the test must be addressed in parallel, and for this reason, Cerba Research draws upon its diagnostics business unit, which is focused on benchmark validation of new devices, reagents and biomarkers, and offer qualified and typically rare specimens. Thanks to the network of Cerba HealthCare diagnostics labs, the company guarantees that those tests will be consistently available for patient access when the drug is on the market. In combination with Cerbas central laboratory solutions (specialty lab, FCM, ICH, NGS, BioA, metabolomics), additional translational science (CDx, biobanking) and IVD (biospecimens, prospective sample collection, IVD evaluation), clients acquire additional value. By working with just one vendor during drug development reduces the risks involved by eradicating transfers, as well as improving administrative and operational efficiency: one vendor, one contract, one point of communication for numerous services. The road ahead Given the promise of precision medicine for the effective treatment of debilitating diseases, Cerba expects it to remain a primary focus of clinical research for the foreseeable future. As science and technology progress, Cerba Research is on hand to offer comprehensive biomarker services, doing its part to change the face of clinical development. About Cerba Research For over 35 years, Cerba Research has been setting the industry standard for exemplary clinical trial conduct. Today, across five continents, with a focus on precision medicine, we are changing the paradigm of the central labs role in complex clinical research. From protocol inception through development and to market, our passionate experts deliver the highest quality specialized and personalized laboratory and diagnostic solutions. Partner with us for the most efficient strategy to actualize your biotech and pharmaceutical products sooner and improve the lives of patients worldwide. Sponsored Content Policy: News-Medical.net publishes articles and related content that may be derived from sources where we have existing commercial relationships, provided such content adds value to the core editorial ethos of News-Medical.Net which is to educate and inform site visitors interested in medical research, science, medical devices and treatments. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 574-583-5121 or email cgrace@thehj.com. (Newser) A Sunday morning shootout ended with a son dead and a father arrested after he allegedly grabbed the gun his dying son had been holding when he was shot by police. The Bronx incident started when Mike Rosado, 24, and his father Raphael Rosado, 45, who were celebrating outside a bodega around 4am, got into an argument with a group of men that turned physical, the New York Daily News reports. The younger Rosado then allegedly started firing a gun toward the group, and when two off-duty NYPD officers identified themselves and ordered him to drop the weapon, he instead allegedly started shooting at them. They returned fire, and the 24-year-old was hit in the chest. story continues below After he fell to the ground, the elder Rosado allegedly took the gun he'd been holding and continued firing on the cops. None of the officers were struck at any point during the exchange of gunfire, nor was the father struck when officers returned fire at him, but he was arrested after handing off the gun to a female bystander, leaving the scene, then returning. He was charged with attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal use of a firearm, and reckless endangerment, PIX11 reports. Police are searching for the man the father and son were originally shooting at as well as the woman who took the gun from the elder Rosado. The younger Rosado was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. (Read more New York City stories.) (Newser) The damage done by Hurricane Ida is still being assessedbut levees and other flood protection measures strengthened in New Orleans since Katrina hit 16 years ago appear to have passed the test. The Flood Protection Authority said that as of Monday morning, water had not "overtopped" any of the 192 miles of barriers in the $14.5 billion system, the New York Times reports. Statewide, "we dont believe there is a single levee anywhere now that actually breached or failed," said Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, per the AP. "There were a few smaller levees that were overtopped to a degree for a certain period of time." story continues below The New Orleans suburb of LaPlace, however, where levees are still being constructed, suffered major flooding, and many residents had to be rescued. "Everything's gone," Ricardo Tellec told the Washington Post as he inspected his wrecked mobile home in a neighborhood that was still largely submerged. Water also topped the ring levee in the southern Jefferson Parish area, next to New Orleans, the Times-Picayune reports. Residents said the flooding was the worst they had ever seen. Authorities said more than 30 boats were deployed to search for trapped or stranded residents, many of whom had lost mobile phone service. Ida weakened to a tropical storm Monday, but the National Hurricane Center warned that heavy rainfall could still cause flooding across parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama through Tuesday morning. New Orleans residents are among more than a million people without power. "Now is not the time to leave your home," tweeted the New Orleans Police Department on Monday. "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." The department said anti-looting teams had been deployed across the city. President Biden met virtually with governors and mayors from the region Monday and promised the federal government would do all it could to assist, CNN reports. "We know Hurricane Ida had the potential to cause massive, massive damage, and that's exactly what we saw," said the president, who has activated more than 5,000 National Guard troops. Biden said the government's efforts to help restore power would include using drones and satellites to search for damaged infrastructure. (Read more Hurricane Ida stories.) (Newser) All American diplomats are out of Afghanistan, and the US Embassy is closedsignaling an abandonment not just of fighting but of long-held hopes for diplomacy. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the embassy announcement Monday in an address to the nation after the Defense Department said that its personnel had left Afghanistan, the New York Times reports. The embassy will be vacant for the foreseeable future, per the AP. He said between 100 and 200 Americans remain in the country who want to get out. "We will continue our relentless efforts to help Americans, foreign nationals, and Afghans to leave Afghanistan," Blinken said, per the Washington Post. story continues below Instead, the US has opened a diplomatic office for Afghanistan in Qatar, the secretary of state said. The US plan had been to stay in Afghanistan and help its government work for peace while sharing power with the Taliban. Just this month, Blinken said the US would stay "deeply engaged" there well after the military had left. But that was before the Taliban took Kabul and President Ashraf Ghani fled. A small group of US diplomats had been working until near the end to process visas for Afghans and get Americans safely out of the country. Blinken said the Biden administration will still try to work with a Taliban government, but warily. "We will not do it on the basis of trust or faith," he said, "not on what the Taliban government says, but what it does." Saying a "new chapter" in the US involvement in Afghtanistan is beginning, Blinken said the Taliban will have to earn the international legitimacy it seeks. "The military mission is over, a new diplomatic mission has begun," he said. (Read more Afghanistan stories.) (Newser) 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, the AP reports. 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. story continues below 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. Instead of setting criminal penalties, as other abortion restrictions do, the Texas law 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. (Read more abortion stories.) (Newser) As the Caldor Fire bears down on Lake Tahoe, experts warn that an "urban conflagration" could see the popular resort area around the lake gutted. Old homes and log cabins with wood porches and roofs are common in the neighborhoods around Lake Tahoe, which straddles the California-Nevada border, as are piles of pine cones and pine needles. "Youve got this potential for it to really start jumping from building to building to building," one fire scientist tells the Los Angeles Times. Residents of South Lake Tahoe were ordered to evacuate Monday and strong winds predicted through Tuesday night could send spot fires more than a mile ahead of the main fire. story continues below If embers land in the valley and start a new fire, things could quickly get out of control, experts say. On Monday night, the fire pushed over Echo Summit and came into the Lake Tahoe Basin, CBS Bay Area reports. The Mercury News says the fire, the biggest in the area in at least a century, is a "nightmare scenario that firefighters have worried about for years." Spot fires from embers that blow over the ridge would be burning forested areas that haven't burned in generations. The evacuation order led to a miles-long traffic jam on the main road out of the Lake Tahoe Basin, reports Capital Public Radio, which has an extensive look at evacuation orders and road closures. The Caldor Fire as well as the Dixie Fire, also still burning in Northern California, are the first two to span the Sierra Nevada mountain range from east to west. "We havent had fires burn from one side of the Sierra to the other, the head of Cal Fire says, per the Tahoe Daily Tribune. "We did with Dixie, and now we do with the Caldorwe need to be cognizant that there is fire activity happening (here) that we have never seen before." (Read more California wildfires stories.) (Newser) The judge who barred an unvaccinated Chicago mom from seeing her 11-year-old son until she got a COVID shot has reversed that order after the story started making headlines. Rebecca Firlit, who hadn't seen her son since August 10 when the judge's order was issued at a virtual child support hearing, told the Chicago Sun-Times Monday, the day the order was revoked, that she was en route to see her son. However, she predicted the issue was not over: "I know that they are going to say that Im an endangerment to my son." She says her doctor has advised her not to get vaccinated due to adverse reactions to vaccines in the past, the Chicago Tribune reports. story continues below Indeed, while it was the judge, not Firlit's ex-husband, who raised the vaccination issue, a lawyer for the ex calls the reversal "unfortunate" and says he will be fighting it. This isn't the first time Judge James Shapiro has made vaccination status an issue at his hearings: He asked a man at another child support hearing recently whether he'd been vaccinated, and at another hearing that same day, he asked someone else the same thing. He also said, in video shot by one of the men, "I have been ordering parents to get vaccinated and some kids to get vaccinated also. Thats how strongly I feel about the efficacy of this vaccine." Firlit's attorney tells Fox 32 Chicago it was the backlash to his order that caused him to revoke it after it started getting media attention. (Read more coronavirus vaccine stories.) (Newser) The last American troops left Afghanistan on Monday, and the very last soldier to leave has been identified as Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, reports USA Today. The Pentagon tweeted what may become an iconic photo of Donahue boarding a C-17 aircraft at the Kabul airport, an image made with a night-vision lens. Donahue is the commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, reports the Raleigh News & Observer. The plane he was on flew out at 11:59pm Kabul time, just ahead of the US withdrawal deadline, per Defense One, which has a detailed account of the mission's dangerous final hours. story continues below Donahue, one of the last things he did before leaving, was talk to the Taliban commander hed been coordinating with about the time we were gonna leave just to let them know that we were leaving, Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of US Central Command, later told reporters. The last order on the military chat checklist read, "Flush the force," and when that went out, the last few military planes began taxiing. The final message on the chat log came from Donahue himself just before his C-17 took off. "Job well done," he wrote. "I'm proud of you all." (Read more Afghanistan stories.) (Newser) One of a handful of people believed to have died following Hurricane Ida was reportedly attacked by an alligator. The unidentified 71-year-old manwhose body has not been foundlived in a raised home surrounded by a wildlife refuge in Slidell, La., near Lake Pontchartrain. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Captain Lance Vitter tells WWL that he'd gone to check on items in a flooded shed beneath the house around midday Monday when his wife heard a commotion. She then saw him being attacked by an alligator. story continues below She was able to pull him up onto a set of stairs, but had to leave in a boat to get help as cell service was down, Vitter says. CBS News' David Begnaud reports the alligator had ripped off one of the man's arms. When the wife returned, her husband was nowhere to be found, Vitter adds. Deputies found blood at the scene but were unable to locate a body after searching the knee-deep water for six hours. The search is expected to continue. Neighbors told WWL that large alligators often approach people in the area, as residents sometimes feed them. The official death toll from Ida stands at four. Two people were killed and 10 injured in a highway collapse near Lucedale, Miss. In Louisiana, a man drowned while driving in floodwaters in New Orleans, while another person was killed when a tree fell in Prairieville, per the Washington Post. "Knowing that so many people stayed behind in places like Grand Isle and Lafitte where flood waters have devastated those areas, we expect there will be more people found that have passed," Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser tells NBC News. (Read more Hurricane Ida stories.) (Newser) Keeping up with the office grind during a pandemic is hardeven the at-home version. People who work at Nikes headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, are in the middle of a reprieve, the Oregonian reports. Matt Marrazzo, a senior manager with Nike, announced the week off on LinkedIn late last week, writing, "In just about an hour, teams at Nike will start closing their laptops for our regular Summer Friday hours. But today is *extra* special" because it'll be followed by that full week off. He described it as "an acknowledgment that we can prioritize mental health and still get work done." story continues below Its a great benefit for corporate employees, but it wasnt extended to those who staff Nike's retail stores. Lit Tippett, a professor at the University of Oregons law school, said "that also sends a message about which kind of workers they care about and are willing to invest in." Not all the comments on Marrazzos post were positive, either. "Do the child laborers around the world also get a week off?" one commenter asked. On the other side of the country, another company gave employees a much-needed break. The fast food chain Bojangles shut down stores Monday and will shut down for a second Monday on Sept. 13. Workers are "physically and emotionally drained," CEO Jose Armario said, per the Charlotte Observer. The time off wont be paid but the company pointed out that many employees have been working overtime and will have opportunities to make up hours if they want to. (Read more Nike stories.) (Newser) The mask fight in Florida just managed to escalate. On Monday, the state announced it would financially punish two school districts for imposing mask mandates even though a court ruled Gov. Ron DeSantis had no right to do that, reports Politico. State Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran said he would withhold money from Alachua and Broward countiesthe equivalent of the school boards' monthly salaries. Corcoran issued this statement as well: Were going to fight to protect parents' rights to make health care decisions for their children. Whats unacceptable is the politicians who have raised their right hands and pledged, under oath, to uphold the Constitution but are not doing so. In response: Neither school board is budging. Here's the response from Broward board member Sarah Leonardi, via the Miami Herald: Perhaps Commissioner Corcoran should re-read the Florida Constitution, because I swore an oath to provide a safe, secure and high quality system of free public schools under Article IX, Section 1, Paragraph (a.) story continues below Legal limbo: So isn't the state now in contempt of court? The Herald story offers a possible explanation about that. It notes that Friday's court ruling against DeSantis by Judge John C. Cooper was a verbal one. It still needed to be transcribed and then signed by the judge before becoming final, and that hadn't happened as of Monday night. If the state doesn't revoke the punishments when Cooper eventually signs the order, plaintiffs' attorney Charles Gallagher says he will file a motion for contempt. So isn't the state now in contempt of court? The Herald story offers a possible explanation about that. It notes that Friday's court ruling against DeSantis by Judge John C. Cooper was a verbal one. It still needed to be transcribed and then signed by the judge before becoming final, and that hadn't happened as of Monday night. If the state doesn't revoke the punishments when Cooper eventually signs the order, plaintiffs' attorney Charles Gallagher says he will file a motion for contempt. One more wrinkle: All this is taking place as federal education officials push back against state officials who oppose mandates. The New York Times notes that any money the Florida school boards lose from the state might be made up by federal funds. All this is taking place as federal education officials push back against state officials who oppose mandates. The New York Times notes that any money the Florida school boards lose from the state might be made up by federal funds. Leveling off? Florida on Monday reported another 30,712 COVID cases from over the weekend, and the Orlando Sentinel says the stats suggest the state's 2-month-long surge might be leveling off. The seven-day average is at 21,288, the lowest since Aug. 9. The state also reported 902 new deaths over the past two weeks. (Read more Florida stories.) (Newser) Among the post-mortems being written about the Afghanistan war is one from Peggy Noonan at the Wall Street Journal, who laments how the war could have ended successfully soon after it began. In December 2001, US and Afghan forces had Osama bin Laden pinned down in the mountainous Tora Bora region of Afghanistan. Had the US launched a ground assault or at least blocked the mountain paths into Pakistan, bin Laden likely would have been killed or captured, she writes, citing a 2009 Senate report on what transpired at Tora Bora. But no such decisions were made, and bin Laden managed to slip into Pakistan. "What a richly consequential screw-up it was, and how different the coming years might have been, the whole adventure might have been, if wed gotten it right," declares Noonan. story continues below A big part of the problem is that the administration of George W. Bush became distracted with plans to invade Iraq around this same time, she writes. Gen. Tommy Franks had been working on a Tora Bora plan to provide Afghan ground troops with air support when he was ordered to shift his focus to Iraq. "What if wed gotten Tora Bora right?" wonders Noonan. "Think of what might have followed. Bin Laden and his lieutenants captured or dead, an insult answered. Maybe a few more months in Afghanistan for America while the bad guys were fully, truly broken." It's impossible to say for sure what might have happened next, "but it's hard to imagine it would be worse than the 20-year muddle and the troops and treasure lost." (Read her full column.) (Newser) A young lifeguard was killed and seven other people, including four other lifeguards, were injured when lightning struck a Jersey Shore beach Monday afternoon, authorities tell the AP. It marked the second death of a young lifeguard at the Jersey Shore in a little over a week. The New York Times reports the lifeguard who died has been identified as Keith Pinto, 19, of Toms River. It was his fourth summer working as a lifeguard in Berkeley Township; NJ.com reports his twin brother also worked as a lifeguard there. story continues below The Times speaks to Christine Gailey-Glenn, who was positioned about 200 feet from the lifeguard stand and hit by residual lightning, meaning the electrical energy emanates from a direct lightning strike. "It was like a bomb," she said. "I felt this excruciating pain in my head, and crackling." She says she was knocked unconscious for several seconds, and that her son, who was also hit, struggled to walk afterwards. Police were called at 4:31pm to the beach on 21st Avenue, near the entrance to Island Beach State Park. Pete Tortorelli was tending an outdoor bar a block away from the beach when, he said, lightning struck seemingly out of nowhere. "It looked a little cloudy in one direction but clear as anything in the other direction, and it was the first lightning of the day," he said. "Literally two minutes after I saw the lightning, every cop car in this town was screaming down the street." Mayor Carmen Amato said his township's beaches will be closed through Thursday as crisis counselors are made available to beach staff and lifeguards. On Aug. 20, 16-year-old lifeguard Norman Inferrera III died a day after an accident in Cape May, on New Jersey's southern tip. A lifeboat he was rowing was struck by a wave and flipped over, knocking him unconscious, authorities said. (Read more lightning strike stories.) (Newser) Scientists searching for an HIV vaccine have been disappointed yet again. Johnson & Johnson says it has shut down a vaccine trial in Africa that started in 2017 after finding that it only provided 25% protection, the New York Times reports. The trial involved young women at high risk of HIV infection in five countries. Researchers say that over two years, 51 of 1,079 study participants who received the vaccine became infected with HIV, compared to 63 of 1,109 women who received a placebo. An earlier study in Thailand had suggested that the technology would be effective, but lead investigator Dr. Glenda Gray, who has been working to develop an HIV for more than 15 years, says it wasn't potent enough to deal with higher rates of HIV incidence and the low protection rate risked giving women a "false sense of security." story continues below The Johnson & Johnson candidate is the latest in a long line of failed efforts to find an effective HIV vaccine. "HIV is a unique and complex virus that has long posed unprecedented challenges for vaccine development because of its ability to attack, hijack and evade the human immune system, J&J Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Paul Stoffels said in a statement, per the AP. Researchers plan to continue a separate trial using a different iteration of the vaccine, which is being tested on men and transgender people in countries including the US. Moderna, which created a coronavirus vaccine using mRNA technology, said this month that it plans to test an HIV vaccine based on the same platform, reports the Times. (Read more HIV stories.) (Newser) Brazilian bank robbers strapped hostages to the hoods and roofs of getaway vehicles early Monday, and now those victims are speaking of their ordeal. One said they were told their options were to hang on or be shot in the face: "I was put onto the [hood] of a car and told: 'If you let go, if you try to throw yourself off, I'll stop the car and shoot you in the face.' I think I have never held on so tightly to anything as I did then," even over speed bumps and potholes. story continues below The BBC quotes another hostage as telling local media that he was stopped by a gunman who pushed him off the motorbike he was riding in Aracatuba. He said he had originally waved off the gunfire he heard as fireworks, then thought he was encountering a police checkpoint. When he realized the situation, "All I could think about is that I would die." The mother of yet another hostage says that after a roughly two-hour ordeal they were let go in a rural area and walked hours to get back to the city. Three people were killed during the heists, one a suspect; it hasn't been reported whether the other two were hostages or bystanders. Two more suspects have been apprehended, and some 380 police officers are now on the hunt for at least a dozen more. A Sao Paulo official said the criminals "had inside information that one of the banks had a large sum of money, so they went to the city," reports CNN. It's unclear how much they made off with from the two banks they managed to breach; they also damaged a third. (Read more hostage stories.) (Newser) A British man who once was in the Royal Military Police and now runs a company called Nomad Concepts Group got stuck in Afghanistan with about 50 employees, most of whom are women. He wasnt able to get a visa in time to airlifted out of the country. So Ben Slater, 37, a former bodyguard to British ambassadors serving overseas, made a plan to get himself and 400 Afghans, including his employees, out of the country, the Telegraph reports. story continues below "Its going to be a long trip," says Slater, who hopes Britains Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will have visas waiting for him at his destination. The route his convoy is taking is a secret; while the Taliban has promised to let foreign nationals out, many of the people hes trying to shepherd across the border are vulnerable to retribution. The UK government has told anyone still in Afghanistan to travel by land to a neighboring country, but thats trickier than it might sound. Not all borders are open, and Russia is openly discouraging Central Asian countries from accepting refugees. Pakistans border is only open to trucks, Uzbekistan requires a visa, Turkmenistan is closed to Afghan nationals, and Iran has closed its borders, the Daily Mail reports. Slater says he helped get dozens of people out of the country during the airlift, and feels massively let down that his government didnt give his employees visas before the end of the operation. (Read more Afghanistan stories.) (Newser) Addressing the nation, a defensive President Biden on Tuesday called the US military airlift to extract more than 120,000 Afghans, Americans, and other allies to end a 20-year war an "extraordinary success," though more than 100 Americans and thousands of Afghans looking to leave remain in the country. Twenty-four hours after the departure of the last American C-17 cargo plane from Kabul, Biden vigorously defended his decision to end America's longest war and withdraw all US troops ahead of an Aug. 31 deadline, the AP reports. "I was not going to extend this forever war, Biden said in an address from the White House State Dining Room. "And I was not going to extend a forever exit." story continues below Biden said the US government had reached out 19 times since Marchprior to his public announcement that he was going to end the US warto encourage all American citizens in Afghanistan to leave. He acknowledged that 100 to 200 were unable to get out when the airlift ended Monday. Biden asserted that his administration was ready when the US -backed government in Kabul collapsed in mid-August and the Taliban took over. The last Air Force transport plane departed Kabul one minute before midnight Monday, raising questions about why Biden didn't continue the airlift for at least another day. He had set Tuesday as a deadline for ending the evacuation and withdrawing the last US troops. Biden has faced tough questions about the way the US went about leaving Afghanistana chaotic evacuation and spasms of violence including a suicide bomb that killed 13 American service members and 169 Afghans. But he said it was inevitable that the final departure from two decades of war would be difficult with likely violence, no matter when it was planned and conducted. "To those asking for a third decade of war in Afghanistan I ask, What is the vital national interest?" Biden said. He added, "I simply do not believe that the safety and security of America is enhanced by continuing to deploy thousands of American troops and spending billions of dollars in Afghanistan. (Read more Afghanistan stories.) Please purchase a subscription read this premium content. If you have a subscription, please sign up for a digital website account or log in. Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing or contributing today. Let us know what you're seeing and hearing around the community. Submit here Ocean Davis, 9, keeps her 1-year old brother LeVian Turner entertained with a game of Peek-A-Boo while their mother, Essence Turner, casts her ballot at the Precinct 3 polling station at the Noel Wien Public Library on Election Day, Oct. 1, 2019. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Cabinet has approved a memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance on a number of vital construction projects financed through cooperation with the private sector and the proposed criteria for including them on the list. This was discussed yesterday during the weekly Cabinet meeting chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, at Gudaibiya Palace. The criteria stipulate the importance of construction projects that benefit the community. Additionally, the Ministry of Finance and National Economy has been instructed to coordinate with the government agency responsible for the projects to review their costs and determine their operational needs in advance. This aims to enhance the utilisation of private contributions in financing priority construction projects. The Cabinet expressed its gratitude and appreciation to citizens and residents for the excellent uptake of the COVID-19 booster shots. It noted that the successful vaccination of 80% of those 40 years and over with the booster shot reflects the people of Bahrains sense of social responsibility. To mark the start of the new academic year, the Cabinet wished all students and educational institutions a year full of achievements, excellence, and success. It urged educational institutions to adhere to all the precautionary measures intended to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health. The Cabinet condemned the two terrorist bombings that took place in the vicinity of Kabul Airport in Afghanistan. The Cabinet expressed its condolences to the victims families and wished those injured a speedy recovery. During the meeting, the Cabinet also approved the following: 1. A memorandum by the Government Executive Committee concerning the formulation of legislation that strengthens the rule of law, safeguards rights and supports development. 2. A memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance on the draft of the government report for the fourth review of the trade policy of the Kingdom of Bahrain at the World Trade Organisation. This confirms Bahrains compliance with the rules, regulations, and commitments under the multilateral agreements of the organisation. 3. A memorandum by the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Endowments regarding initiatives to further strengthen the appeal for justice for the years 2021-2025, which is based on several pillars, including unifying the directions of verdicts, achieving justice, and the rule of law with multiple tools. 4. The memorandum by the Minister of Information Affairs regarding the technical projects of the Ministry of Information Affairs within the Government Action Plan (2019-2022), which includes the implementation of 19 technical projects to develop radio and television broadcasting and to modernise the media sectors infrastructure. The Cabinet also took note of the ministerial reports on the outcomes of the visit of the Republic of Tunisia and the Federal Republic of Germany and the foreign visits of Their Excellencies the Ministers. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Council of Representatives Speaker Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal has affirmed the depth of the relations between Bahrain and South Korea in all fields, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and South Korea President Moon Jae-in. This came as Speaker Zainal and South Korean National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug signed yesterday a Memorandum of Understanding in the Korean capital Seoul. The MoU is the culmination of the long-standing friendship between Bahrain and Korea and their peoples, and their keenness to give a new impetus to the development of bilateral relations to deepen parliamentary cooperation and use parliamentary contacts as effective tools for strengthening ties. The two sides agreed to contribute to deepening coordination and parliamentary cooperation in line with the steady rapprochement between the two countries, which consolidates working together to promote common goals in sustainable development, innovation and the exchange of parliamentary and diplomatic expertise. They emphasised the significance of further endeavours to enhance cooperation and parliamentary visits and activities between them as well as holding bilateral meetings on the sidelines of regional and international parliamentary forums. The visit by the Bahraini parliamentary delegation to Seoul also included bilateral consultations, coordination and exchange of views on various issues of common interest. Fighting pandemic Speaker Zainal highlighted Bahrains experience in fighting the coronavirus pandemic and shared how the Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) expressed during his visit to the Kingdom his admiration for the measures taken by Bahrain as well as the efforts of Team Bahrain, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The WHO Chief also lauded the measures taken by the government to ensure the health and safety of citizens and residents, based on the humanitarian approach of His Majesty the King, she said. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today received the Minister of State for External Affairs of the Republic of India, His Excellency Shri V. Muraleedharan, at Riffa Palace, as part of His Excellencys visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. His Royal Highness highlighted the strength of bilateral relations, particularly within economic cooperation and investment, underpinned by the historical relationship between the two countries. His Royal Highness stressed the importance of continuing to explore further opportunities for cooperation, reflecting the vision and aspirations of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. His Royal Highness received the greetings of the Indian Prime Minister, His Excellency Narendra Modi conveyed by HE Shri V. Muraleedharan, and in response offered greetings to HE the Prime Minister. His Royal Highness emphasised the importance of furthering bilateral trade and encouraging two-way investment, to achieve economic growth and prosperity for both countries. His Royal Highness noted the cooperation and coordination between the two countries in responding to COVID-19, as well as the valuable contribution the Indian community make to Bahrains development, a contribution that is greatly appreciated. Regional and international topics of common interest were reviewed, and His Royal Highness commended the role played by India alongside others in enhancing regional security and stability. For his part, HE Shri V. Muraleedharan expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to meet His Royal Highness and expressed appreciation for His Royal Highness's continued support in furthering Bahrain-India relations. The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan announced that 99.8 per cent of companies in Bahrain have complied with the afternoon outdoor work ban during the months of July and August. The work ban period ended today, as companies and institutions resume their normal work, while the Ministry carried out 11342 inspection visits to work sites throughout the ban period, in order to supervise the implementation of the decision and the extent of the facilities and workers commitment to it. Accordingly, only 22 violating establishments were monitored, while the number of violating workers reached 33, and those violations were referred to the judiciary. In this context, Humaidan praised the commitment towards the afternoon work ban from 12 noon until 4 pm by the companies. The minister pointed out that this commitment reflects the keenness of employers on the safety and health of workers in various circumstances, praising the optimal implementation of the decision, which carries with it many human and human rights aspects. The minister also shed light on the economic gains that employers gain by reprogramming their working hours in open places in a way that does not affect productivity levels and the completion of tasks and at the same time contributes to reducing the cost of human injuries at work sites. He noted that through the inspection visits, it became clear the extent to which the establishments adhere to the decision and provide the necessary tools to spare workers heat exhaustion and heat strokes during the summer period when Bahrain is witnessing a rise in temperature and humidity. The Minister stressed that the Kingdom of Bahrain was proceeding to update the occupational safety and health legislation in line with the latest shifts in the risks in the workplace to reduce injuries, accidents, as well as occupational diseases in accordance with international Labour standards. He noted that this will constitute a motive for more legislation that protects the work environment from the economic risks caused by occupational accidents at work sites. This attention also reflects Bahrain's high status in respect to human rights, especially for those workers who participate in the construction and development sector. Furthermore, he pointed to the ministry's keenness to provide the optimal application for such regulatory decisions to ensure the health and safety of workers and the sustainability of a healthy and productive work environment. The ministerial edict regarding the afternoon work ban states that anyone who violates the provisions of this decision shall be punished with the penalties stipulated in Article (192) of the Civil Labour Law promulgated by Law No. (36) of 2012, which stipulates that whoever violates any of the provisions of the chapter (15) and the issued verdicts shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months and a fine of no less than 500 dinars, and not more than a thousand dinars, or either one of these two penalties. AFP | Kuwait City The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Kuwait on Sunday announced plans to transform what was once a mammoth tyre graveyard into a new residential city. The 2-square-kilometre (0.7-square-mile) dump in the north of the oil-rich Gulf country was where tyres went to die -- a total of more than 40 million at the end. Seventeen years of tyre dumping and three massive fires between 2012 and 2020 sparked environmental concerns, prompting the authorities to shut it down for good. We have moved from a difficult stage that was characterised by great environmental risk, Oil Minister Mohammed al-Fares said at the now empty landfill some five kilometres (three miles) from Al-Jahra province. Today the area is clean and all tyres have been removed to begin the launch of the project of Saad Al-Abdullah city. In past months, trucks loaded with tyres had made more than 44,000 trips from the landfill to Al-Salmi region, near Kuwaits industrial area, where Fares said they will be temporarily stored. He said the tyres will be cut or repurposed for local use or for export. According to Sheikh Abdullah Al-Sabah, director-general of the Environment Public Authority, Kuwait plans to recycle all the tyres and avoid the need for another landfill. There is already a factory today that repurposes them, and we hope to find other manufacturers to contribute to help end the tyres issue, he told. ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) Alaska this week reported its highest daily number of resident COVID-19 cases so far this year as health officials struggle to keep pace with testing and contact tracing and hospitals juggle a surge in patients with staff shortages and admissions for other conditions. Gov. Mike Dunleavy and members of his administration on Thursday announced plans aimed at increasing staffing to help with COVID-19 cases, including speeding the licensing process for health care workers and seeking federal contracts for more workers, the Anchorage Daily News reported. The state's chief medical officer, Dr. Anne Zink, said hospital staffing is a concern. Alaska reported 701 resident COVID-19 cases on Thursday, one of the highest daily rates since the start of the pandemic. That number may be lower than the real number of infections, health officials said, because of testing and contact tracing backlogs. According to the state hospital association, hospitalizations of patients with COVID-19 are nearing pandemic highs. Combined with staff shortages and busy summertime admissions, Alaska's health care system faces the threat of being overwhelmed, providers and state officials said. Health care providers are deciding which patients get intensive care unit beds and are struggling to transfer severely ill patients to other overwhelmed facilities. As far as were concerned, the crisis we have been warning about is here, said Jared Kosin, president and CEO of the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association. And we need to act like that. It looks like its going to get a lot worse. Health care officials have urged Alaskans to get vaccinated and to wear masks indoors to slow the spread of the highly contagious delta variant. Health care providers have said that most of the severely ill COVID-19 patients have been unvaccinated. Dunleavy, a Republican, told reporters Thursday that Alaskans should talk to their doctors about getting vaccinated if thats what they want to do. We know what we need to do. People know what they need to do, Dunleavy said. They need to have conversations with their doctor and make a decision, if thats what they want to do. If they dont, then they have to understand that they run the risk of getting infected, especially with this variant that is highly contagious. Asked if that is an effective way to encourage vaccination, Dunleavy said, This isnt North Korea. You dont dictate to people how they live their lives. I think its the best strategy. Its 2021. This isnt some place in Europe in 1939. You have conversations with folks. ... You have conversations with your doctors. You have conversations with your friends ... People arent stupid, he said. Dunleavy was infected with the coronavirus in in February. His office has said that Dunleavy decided to be vaccinated in June. State health officials have that said that 54% of Alaskans 12 or older are fully vaccinated. WASHINGTON The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff reflected on the Afghanistan wars end and delivered an emotional tribute Tuesday to the 13 service members killed by a suicide bombing last week. Gen. Mark Milley said the militarys counterterrorism efforts over the past 20 years and the evacuation of 124,000 people from Afghanistan in the last 20 days are the legacy of U.S. service members. In his words, Were now closing a chapter in our nations history. Milley said the 11 Marines, one soldier and one Navy corpsman who died in the suicide bombing gave their tomorrows for the tomorrows of 124,000 people. His comments came during the retirement ceremony for Gen. Robert Abrams, who most recently commanded U.S. Forces Korea. Both men commanded troops in Afghanistan. Milley called it an incredibly emotional day, adding: All of us are conflicted with feelings of pain and anger, sorrow and sadness, combined with pride and resilience. But one thing I am certain of, for any soldier, sailor, airman or Marine and their families, your service mattered. It was not in vain. ___ MORE ON AFGHANISTAN: Victorious Taliban focus on governing after US withdrawal In Kabul, some fear economic collapse more than Taliban fist Analysis: War is over but not Bidens Afghanistan challenges As US military leaves Kabul, many Americans, Afghans remain Last troops exit Afghanistan, ending Americas longest war Qatar emerges as key player in Afghanistan after US pullout ___ Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/afghanistan ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: WASHINGTON President Joe Biden says he chose to end the war in Afghanistan in order to focus the nations defenses on other security problems, including China and Russia. Addressing the nation Tuesday from the White House on the day after the last U.S. troops left Afghanistan, ending a 20-year war, Biden said he will sharpen the focus of U.S. foreign policy by concentrating on threats such as cyberattack and the proliferation of nuclear weapon technologies. He vows to continue counterterrorism operations, including against any threats emanating from Afghanistan. He says this can be done with forces based outside of Afghanistan. The president also mentioned the Islamic State extremist groups Afghanistan affiliate, which conducted a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport on Aug. 26 that killed 13 American service members and dozens of Afghan civilians. Biden said, We are not done with you yet. ___ WASHINGTON President Joe Biden is defending his handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, including the frantic final evacuation from Kabul airport. In remarks at the White House on Tuesday, Biden said the U.S. government had reached out 19 times since March prior to his public announcement that he was going to end the U.S. war to encourage all American citizens in Afghanistan to leave. He acknowledged that 100 to 200 were unable to get out when the airlift ended Monday. Biden asserted that his administration was ready when the U.S.-backed government in Kabul collapsed in mid-August and the Taliban took over. But the airlift that began Aug. 14 has been heavily criticized by many as initially unorganized and chaotic. Biden said that 5,500 Americans eventually got out, and that arrangements will be made to get the remaining Americans out if they so choose. ___ UNITED NATIONS The acting head of the U.N. womens agency is urging the Taliban to reaffirm their commitment to comply with Afghanistans 2004 constitution and international treaties that guarantee equality to all citizens. She also asks them to guarantee the full and equal participation of women in the political and decision-making processes. Pramila Patten said in a statement Tuesday that Afghanistans development and the cause of peace require the equal and meaningful participation of women in all fields including public and political life, and the Taliban must take bold steps to ensure their inclusion in decision-making at all levels, both nationally and internationally. She said the hard-won gains that Afghan womens rights activists have fought for cannot be reversed or rolled back. The inclusion of women in the governance architecture will be the litmus test for the new political leadership of Afghanistan, Patten said. Urgent action is needed now to ensure the full participation of women in the public and political life of Afghanistan. She said the Taliban must also ensure that women are protected from gender-based threats and attacks, which violate their rights and impede their effective participation. The U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution Monday reaffirming the importance of upholding human rights and encouraging a negotiated political settlement with the full, equal and meaningful participation of women. ___ UNITED NATIONS The United Nations chief is urging all countries to help the people of Afghanistan in their darkest hour of need, saying almost half the population needs humanitarian assistance to survive and the country faces the threat of basic services collapsing completely. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern at the deepening humanitarian crisis in the country in a statement Tuesday, the first day of Taliban rule after the withdrawal of the last U.S. forces from Afghanistan. He offered some grim statistics of the looming humanitarian catastrophe: 18 million Afghans need aid to survive, one in three dont know where their next meal will come from, over half of all children under age 5 are expected to become acutely malnourished in the next year, and every day people are losing access to basic goods and services. Guterres said that amid a severe drought and with harsh winter conditions on the horizon, extra food, shelter and health supplies must be urgently fast-tracked into the country. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the current $1.3 billion U.N. humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan is only 39 per cent funded. Guterres said a new emergency appeal for the next four months is expected next week. __ PARIS France says a few dozen French nationals remain in Afghanistan, including some who wanted to be evacuated but could not as the last flight left Kabul. Defense Ministry spokesman Herve Grandjean said in a news conference Tuesday that all efforts are being done to allow those left behind to get a safe and orderly evacuation. He said that is the goal of the talks under way within the United Nations framework with the Taliban power. In addition, France was not able to evacuate a few dozen former Afghan employees of the French army who asked for the protection of the country, he said. France will do the maximum in the coming days and weeks to help them getting out of Afghanistan, Grandjean said. Frances evacuation flights from Aug. 17 to Aug. 27 have evacuated about 2,600 Afghans at risk, including 110 former employees of the French army and their families. France withdrew its troops from Afghanistan at the end of 2014. ___ BERLIN The U.S. military says it has conducted more than 100 flights to bring almost 24,000 vulnerable Afghans to its Ramstein Air Base in Germany since Aug. 20. The 86th Airlift Wing said Tuesday that about 10,000 evacuees have already departed again for resettlement locations, with some 13,900 still at the base. A further 2,300 people are expected to be brought to Ramstein in the coming hours and a similar number will depart for onward destinations, it said. ___ ISTANBUL Turkeys foreign minister has warned of a fresh wave of migration from Afghanistan following the Talibans takeover. Mevlut Cavusoglus comments came Tuesday at a news conference in the Serbian capital Belgrade. There is a migration crisis in the world and there may be a new wave of migration, its very likely, he said. Cavusoglu said a meeting of G-7 foreign ministers on Monday had discussed ways to help Afghans stay in their country. Turkey currently hosts some 4 million refugees, mainly Syrians, and has been reinforcing security measures along its border with Iran to prevent a new influx from Afghanistan. ___ CHAMAN, Pakistan Dozens of Afghan families have crossed into Pakistan through the southwestern Chaman border a day after the U.S. wrapped up its 20-year military presence in the Taliban-controlled country. According to witnesses Tuesday, an Islamabad-based Christian organization was providing food and tents to some of the families. It was the first time that some Afghans were seen sitting in tents in an open area on the outskirts of Chaman, a border town in southwestern Baluchistan province. Pakistans Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Monday that most Afghans who came to Pakistan in the past two weeks are staying with relatives in Chaman. Pakistan says it has not granted refugee status to any Afghans since the Taliban took the control in Afghanistan this month. ___ THE HAGUE, Netherlands Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Sigrid Kaag is traveling to Qatar, Pakistan and Turkey to discuss how to get people out of Afghanistan who did not make it onto evacuation flights while Kabuls airport was still under the control of American forces. Evacuation flights rescued more than 1,000 Afghans who had worked with Dutch forces and diplomats in Afghanistan during the two-decade conflict there. However, not all those who were entitled to leave made it out of the country before the departure Monday night of the last American troops. Kaag leaves Tuesday night for a whistle-stop tour of Doha, Islamabad and Ankara in coming days before heading to a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Slovenia later this week. The Dutch foreign ministry says that Kaag will talk to her counterparts about the possibility of keeping borders and Kabul airport open, the importance of safe exit routes and possible support for countries in the region. She also will discuss support for the Afghan population - particularly women and girls humanitarian aid and migration in the region. ___ WASHINGTON The United States says its mission to get Americans out of Afghanistan will continue after Mondays withdrawal. Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security adviser, says its just that the evacuation effort has shifted from a military mission to a diplomatic mission. He cited considerable leverage the U.S. has over the Taliban to get out any remaining Americans a number that U.S. official have said is under 200. Sullivan says the U.S. intends to continue sending health, food and other forms of humanitarian aid to the Afghan people. He says that other forms of aid, including economic and developmental, would depend on Taliban actions and adherence to publicly stated commitments. American forces helped evacuate over 120,000 U.S. citizens, foreigners and Afghans after the Taliban regained control of the country, according to the White House. Coalition forces also evacuated their citizens and Afghans. But foreign nations and the U.S. government acknowledged they didnt evacuate all who wanted to go. ___ ROTA, Spain A military aircraft carrying 200 Afghans has landed at a military base in southern Spain hours after the United States wrapped up its 20-year-long military presence in the Taliban-controlled country. The latest flight to Rota was the sixth to the Spanish navy base since evacuations began through hubs in allied countries transit bases where U.S. authorities are offering basic help and screening the Afghan refugees before they are cleared to arrive on U.S. soil. U.S. officials said Tuesday the evacuees had flown from Kabul to an undisclosed location in the Middle East before they continued their trip to Spain. Rota, and the nearby air force base of Moron, have hosted a significant U.S. detachment since the mid-1950s. Spain, which owns both bases, has allowed the U.S. to evacuate up to 4,000 Afghans there for a maximum of 14 days. U.S. officials at the base said the first flight taking 350 Afghans to Dulles airport in Virginia would depart Tuesday. From there, people will be relocated to different cities in the country, said Rear Adm. Benjamin Reynolds, director of maritime headquarters at Rota, Some 1,700 Afghans are currently being hosted in Rota. ___ NEW DELHI Indias ambassador to Qatar has held talks with a top Taliban leader in Doha, the first such formal diplomatic contact between Indian officials and the insurgent groups leadership. Indias Ministry of External Affairs said Tuesday that Deepak Mittal met Sher Mohammed Abbas Stanekzai, the head of the Talibans Political Office in Doha, at the request of the insurgent group. The discussions focused on safety, security and early return of Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan, the ministry said in a statement. The ministry said Mittal made clear Afghanistans soil should not be used for anti-Indian activities. It said the Taliban representatives assured the issues raised by India would be positively addressed. This is the first time India has acknowledged formal contact with the Taliban since Kabul fell to the insurgent group on August 15. Indias earlier position was that it was engaged in talks with important stakeholders in Afghanistan. It had neither acknowledged nor denied that its officials had held any meetings with the Taliban. ___ BERLIN Chancellor Angela Merkel has stressed that Germany is focused on humanitarian aid now and on helping former local Afghan staffers who were not evacuated in the last two weeks. Merkel said their numbers are not 300 but between 10,000 to 40,000. Germany has evacuated more than 5,000 people from Afghanistan this month, the majority of them Afghans. She said that of those who remain, it wasnt clear how many of them want to leave Afghanistan. She says that while Germany doesnt have any diplomatic relations with the Taliban, its important to talk to the militant group, also in order to get further Afghans in need of evacuation out of the country. Merkel spoke ahead of talks on Tuesday with her Austrian counterpart Sebastian Kurz in Berlin. Kurz reiterated his countrys position to not take in any migrants from Afghanistan. He said that when it comes admission, my position in known. Nothing much has changed there. Especially because Austria has done a lot already. We have taken in a disproportionately high amount of people since 2015, we have the per-capita fourth biggest Afghan community worldwide. Kurz has long taken a tough approach to migration issues. Last month he said that he also would not halt the deportations of rejected asylum seekers to Afghanistan despite the situation there. ___ BERLIN Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz says his country is not prepared to take in more Afghans and will not back a Europe-wide system for distributing refugees from Afghanistan across the European Union. Asked about proposals for all EU countries to share the burden of taking in refugees, Kurz told reporters in Berlin on Tuesday that Austria had already taken in a bigger than proportionate share of migrants since 2015. Austria already has the fourth largest Afghan community worldwide, he said ahead of a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Merkel said that, for her government, the focus now is on how to help up to 40,000 Afghans who are entitled to come to Germany with their close family because they had worked for the German military or aid organizations. We need to see how many actually want to leave the country and how many dont, she said. That will depend very much on the circumstances the Taliban create in the country. Speaking at a separate event, Germanys interior minister said his country is willing to take in Afghans who are at particular risk of persecution, but declined to say how many. I dont think its wise if we talk about numbers here, because numbers obviously trigger a pull effect and we dont want that, said the minister, Horst Seehofer. He urged all 27 EU countries to agree on a common asylum policy, noting that so far Austria hasnt been prepared to do so, up to now. ___ KABUL, Afghanistan A prominent member of the Talibans political office has congratulated Afghans on their great victory in achieving full independence of the country as the U.S. troops pulled out. Shahabuddin Delawar spoke to a gathering of about a hundred people, apparently only men, in Kabul on Tuesday. The event was carried live on state television. Delawar chastised the enemy meaning U.S. and NATO forces and accused the West of spreading propaganda to undermine the Taliban. But, he warned, you will soon witness the progress of the nation. Delawar spoke with the white Taliban flag seen in the background. The state TV captioned the live shot with he caption: Celebration of Independence Day and the end of U.S. invasion in Afghanistan Delawar also reminded the audience that the Taliban defeated the Soviet Union and today they defeated America. He asked Afghan ambassadors to return home, and promised that the Kabul airport would resume operations soo. His speech both celebrated the Talibans return to power, and underlined their latest mantra that they are not a threat to anyone. He also sought to assure the world that they were a government the international community could do business with. He vacillated between reveling in their victory to assuring those who had opposed them to return. We do not seek revenge, he said. ___ BEIJING China says the withdrawal of the U.S. military and others from Afghanistan shows the nation has broken free from foreign military occupation, and the Afghan people stand at a new starting point for peace and reconstruction. The history of Afghanistan is entering a new chapter, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters at a daily briefing Tuesday. China has kept its embassy in Kabul following the Talibans sweep to power and In July hosted a delegation from the group including its political leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. China shares a narrow border with Afghanistan and is chiefly concerned with preventing the Taliban exporting instability or Islamic militancy to its traditionally Muslim northwestern region of Xinjiang. As Washingtons chief strategic rival, China has been piling on criticism of the chaotic pullout of U.S. and NATO forces, stating on a daily basis that the performance shows the U.S. cannot be relied on by countries that need its political and military support. China, along with Russia, abstained from a vote at the United Nations calling on the Taliban to allow all those wishing to leave Afghanistan to be allowed to do so. The recent chaos in Afghanistan is directly related to the hasty and disorderly withdrawal of foreign troops," Wang said. We hope that the countries concerned will realize that the withdrawal is not the end of responsibility, but the beginning for reflection and correction of mistakes. He also urged the United States and other Western countries to provide Afghans with much-needed economic, livelihood and humanitarian assistance to help the Afghan people overcome the difficulties and embark on the road to peaceful reconstruction as soon as possible, instead ___ ISLAMABAD Pakistans foreign minister on Tuesday urged the international community to act to prevent an economic collapse in neighboring Afghanistan after the takeover of the country by the Taliban and the pullout of U.S. forces. Shah Mahmood Qureshi says its in the interest of peace and stability for the world to remain engaged and not abandon Afghanistan since more instability and further exodus of Afghans fleeing the Taliban rule were not in the interest of the nation. He said that this is a pivotal moment in Afghanistans history. International community must remain engaged, do not let economic collapse take place in Afghanistan. Qureshi spoke at a joint news conference with visiting German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Tuesday, a day after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, marking the end of the 20 years of war next door. Qureshi said Pakistan facilitated the evacuation of more than 10,000 foreigners from Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover. He said Pakistan has already been hosting more than 3 million Afghan refugees for the past decades and that his Islamic nation lacks the capacity to absorb more refugees. Maas said that while the Taliban have pledged to form an inclusive government and respect human rights, it remains to be seen whether they will live up to those commitments. ___ KABUL, Afghanistan At one of Kabuls upscale wedding halls, a celebration was in full swing around midday Tuesday. Afghan dance music could be heard from inside the hall. According to reception halls manager, Shadab Azimi, 26, at least seven wedding parties have been held since the Taliban takeover of Kabul two weeks earlier, with festivities moved to daylight hours because of security concerns. The Taliban, who during their previous rule between 1996-2001 had banned most music, except for devotional Islamic songs, did not announce a ban of live music, Azimi said. However, wedding singers canceled on their own, for fear of running afoul of possible new Taliban restrictions. He said in recent celebrations, couples played taped music. Azimi said business was down by 80% over the past two weeks, presumably because of a sense of uncertainty. The manager said Taliban patrols check in a couple of times a day, asking if he needs help with security, but have not seemed threatening. And unlike the security forces under the deposed government, the Taliban have not demanded bribes, he said. Former officials, including police officers, were asking us for money and we were forced to host their friends for lunches and dinners, he said. Even before the Taliban takeover, wedding parties were traditionally been segregated, with men and women celebrating in different spaces. ___ TOKYO Japans top diplomat says his country has temporarily moved its embassy from Afghanistan to Turkey but now plans to relocate it to Qatar, where the Taliban have an office. The Gulf Arab country is also expected to play an important political role in what comes next for Afghanistan. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi earlier this month visited the Middle East. He told reporters on Tuesday that his talks with leaders in the region suggest that Doha, the capital of Qatar, will carry growing political importance. I believe various forms of communication will take place, Motegi said. Japanese nationals at the embassy in Kabul were among the first to be evacuated from Afghanistan. Most of them were airlifted by the British military before Tokyo dispatched its Self-Defense Force aircraft last week as the security outside the Kabul airport worsened. Last Thursday and Friday, Japan evacuated only one Japanese citizen, along with 14 Afghan people at the request of U.S. military, to Pakistan. Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said that safe evacuations of the rest of Japanese nationals and Afghans who worked for the Japanese Embassy and aid organization remain a top priority. ___ 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 on 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. Canadians asked, and McDonald's listened: Spicy Chicken McNuggets are now available for a limited time at participating restaurants nationwide TORONTO, Aug. 31, 2021 /CNW/ - Good things come to those who wait, and Canada's time has finally come! Beginning today, Spicy Chicken McNuggets are available nationwide at participating McDonald's restaurants, for a limited time. McDonald's Canada brings Spicy Chicken McNuggets to Canada for a limited time only (CNW Group/McDonald's Canada) "When our US counterparts launched Spicy McNuggets last September, there was huge buzz with Canadians asking when they would be launching in Canada," says Rebecca Smart, Director, Brand Strategy, McDonald's Canada. "We are very excited to offer Spicy McNuggets as a limited-time offer, tapping into the growing interest for spicy flavours, and giving Canadians another way to enjoy our iconic Chicken McNuggets." Spicy Chicken McNuggets are made with 100% seasoned chicken breast and breaded with a spicy habanero heat. And, Canadians can make them even hotter with the limited-time Spicy Buffalo Dipping Sauce. A tangy twist on a classic, the introduction of Spicy Chicken McNuggets marks the iconic menu item's first flavour innovation since it was introduced to Canadians in 1984. Facts: Adding to a growing variety of options for guests with a piquant palate, Spicy Chicken McNuggets joins the McDonald's Canada pantheon of spicy chicken offerings, including the permanent menu item of Spicy Habanero McChicken, and the limited time flavours like the Spicier Szechuan McChicken, and the Spiciest Ghost Pepper McChicken. pantheon of spicy chicken offerings, including the permanent menu item of Spicy Habanero McChicken, and the limited time flavours like the Spicier Szechuan McChicken, and the Spiciest Ghost Pepper McChicken. Spicy McNuggets are available for a limited time only starting August 31 in-restaurant, through the McDonald's app, at the Drive-Thru, or via McDelivery. in-restaurant, through the McDonald's app, at the Drive-Thru, or via McDelivery. Available on their own or as an Extra Value Meal, Spicy Chicken McNuggets come in 6-, 10-, and 20-piece About McDonald's Canada In 1967, Canadians welcomed the first McDonald's restaurant to Richmond, British Columbia. Today, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited has become part of the Canadian fabric, serving close to three million guests every day. In both franchised and corporate-owned restaurants, nearly 100,000 people are employed from coast-to-coast, and more than 90 per cent of McDonald's 1,400 Canadian restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent franchisees. Of the almost $1 billion spent on food, more than 85 per cent is purchased from suppliers in Canada. For more information on McDonald's Canada, visit mcdonalds.ca. SOURCE McDonald's Canada For further information: about McDonald's programs, please contact: [email protected] Tech skills a top priority for employers: KPMG Business Outlook Poll TORONTO, Aug. 31, 2021 /CNW/ - The COVID-19 pandemic compelled many Canadian businesses to adopt a digital-first mindset to survive, but most organizations are struggling to find workers with the skills necessary to compete in today's marketplace, find a new poll conducted by KPMG in Canada. KPMG's Business Outlook Poll found that nearly 80 per cent of the businesses surveyed say they need more workers with digital skills, however, better than two thirds are having trouble finding and hiring needed talent. This inability to find or retain talent was identified as the number one threat to their growth prospects. Notable survey findings include: 79 per cent said the pandemic changed the way they work, and they need more employees with IT skills said the pandemic changed the way they work, and they need more employees with IT skills 69 per cent said they plan to hire more staff over the next three years 24 per cent ranked cyber/information security as the top skill they need to hire 20 per cent ranked data analytics/analysis as the top skill required said they plan to hire more staff over the next three years 68 per cent of businesses said they are having a hard time hiring people with the skill sets they need to grow of businesses said they are having a hard time hiring people with the skill sets they need to grow 52 per cent are not confident they will find people with the skills they need and will consider recruiting outside Canada are not confident they will find people with the skills they need and will consider recruiting outside 89 per cent are investing in developing their workforce's skills and capabilities "The pandemic clearly provided a catalyst for many businesses to accelerate their digital strategies," says Armughan Ahmad, President & Managing Partner, Digital at KPMG in Canada. "But implementing these strategies is becoming more difficult, as the competition for digitally-skilled talent is accelerating globally." "To address this, companies are looking inward for solutions, and upskilling their existing workforce to become more digitally focused. They're also starting to recognize micro-credentials to help expedite the upskilling of their employees. But for many businesses, these won't be enough as they need to innovate and re-think their business models, which will also require access to global talent to fill highly specialized roles," he adds. A majority (82 per cent) of the more than 500 business owners surveyed from across Canada said they need to become a much more digitally integrated company, while 85 per cent are increasing capital investment in buying new technology. Roughly 77 per cent said the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated their plans to digitize their operations, and 76 per cent of companies said they view technological disruption as more of an opportunity than a threat. "Canadian businesses understand the power of technology and most have been making the necessary investments to digitize their operations," says Mary Jo Fedy, National Enterprise Leader for KPMG in Canada. "The next challenge is ensuring they have the talent to use these new digital tools. While having the right technology is important, it's only effective if your team possesses the skills to leverage it." Canadian companies are also working with outside parties to digitize their businesses. 73 per cent are using or plan to use products or services from online platform providers are using or plan to use products or services from online platform providers 63 per cent are looking to bring in third-party expertise and/or off-the-shelf software are looking to bring in third-party expertise and/or off-the-shelf software 59 per cent are interested in partnering with an innovative start-up to bolster growth About the KPMG Business Outlook Poll KPMG polled 505 Canadian small- and medium-sized owners and decision-makers between August 6 and August 15. The online survey of business owners and decision-makers were all drawn from Delvinia's premier online research panel, Asking Canadians, through the Methodify platform. Of the 505 survey respondents to the KPMG Business Outlook Poll, 35% are family-owned businesses and 74% are privately held, while 31% have revenues over $100 million annually and 24% have annual revenues between $50-100 million. About KPMG in Canada KPMG LLP, a limited liability partnership, is a full-service Audit, Tax and Advisory firm owned and operated by Canadians. For over 150 years, our professionals have provided consulting, accounting, auditing, and tax services to Canadians, inspiring confidence, empowering change, and driving innovation. Guided by our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Courage, Together, For Better, KPMG employs nearly 8,000 people in over 40 locations across Canada, serving private- and public-sector clients. KPMG is consistently ranked one of Canada's top employers and one of the best places to work in the country. The firm is established under the laws of Ontario and is a member of KPMG's global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International, a private English company limited by guarantee. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. For more information, see home.kpmg/ca SOURCE KPMG LLP For further information: For media inquiries: Roula Meditskos, National Communications & Media Relations, KPMG in Canada, (416) 549-7982, [email protected] Earlier on Monday, a UN shipment carrying lifesaving medical supplies reached Afghanistan by air. It was the first UN shipment since the Taliban takeover on August 15. There are nearly 10 million children in Afghanistan in desperate need of humanitarian aid, said UNICEF Afghanistan Representative, Herve Ludovic De Lys, adding that these children are deprived of their right to a healthy and protected childhood. Those least responsible for this crisis, are paying the highest price including the children killed and injured in a series of atrocities in Kabul since last Thursday, the senior UN Childrens Fund official told correspondents. Again, today, I heard of more unsettling reports of unaccompanied children across the countrymore reports of grave violations, including children being recruited by armed groupsAll this in a year in which more than 550 children have been killed, and more than 1400 injured. He said that against a backdrop of conflict and insecurity, children are living in communities that are running out of water because of drought. Theyre missing life-saving vaccines, including against polio, a disease that can paralyze children for life. Many are so malnourished they lie in hospital beds too weak to grasp an outstretched finger, he said. These children are deprived of their right to a healthy and protected childhood, he added. Earlier on Monday, a UN shipment carrying lifesaving medical supplies reached Afghanistan by air. It was the first UN shipment since the Taliban takeover on August 15. Announcing the news, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that the successful airlift meant that it could partially replenish health facilities reserves and ensure that services can continue, for now. Some 12.5 metric tonnes of supplies arrived in the northern airport of Mazar-i-Sharif, aboard a plane provided by the Government of Pakistan, UN News reported. The WHO said that the shipment consisted of enough trauma and emergency health kits to cover the basic health needs of more than 200,000 people, as well as provide 3500 surgical procedures and treat 6500 trauma patients. The supplies will be delivered immediately to 40 health facilities in 29 provinces across Afghanistan, the UN agency added. The plane was loaded with the supplies earlier on Monday by WHOs logistics team at the International Humanitarian City in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is the first of three flights planned with Pakistan International Airlines to fill urgent shortages in medicines and medical supplies in Afghanistan. The support of the Pakistani people has been timely and life-saving, said Dr Ahmed Al Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. While WHO is working with partners to ensure more shipments to the country, the agency said a reliable humanitarian air bridge is urgently required, to scale up the collective humanitarian effort. Tens of millions of vulnerable Afghans remain in the country and the work of meeting their needs is now just beginning, said the agency adding that the world cannot now divert its attention from the people of Afghanistan at this critical time. Adding his voice to the appeal, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi has urged the international community to help the many millions in need in Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries. In an appeal on Monday for long-term solutions for Afghans whose lives have been blighted by 40 years of war, the UN Refugee chief said that although thousands had managed to escape via Kabul airport, there will still be millions who need the international community to act. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) have called on the Taliban to honour their pledge to protect Afghan women and girls, and to respect and fulfil the human rights enshrined in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. With Haqqani network and its close associate Islamic State (Khorasan) active in Kabul, there is constant fear that international terror attacks can be planned and executed from Afghan soil. Resolution on Afghanistan has been passed by the United Nations Security Council. This crucial resolution was adopted with the support of 13 members with Russia and China abstaining and no one voting against the resolution. According to informed sources, The resolution has unequivocally conveyed that Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter, train terrorists, or plan or finance terrorist acts. There is widespread fear that with the departure of foreign forces, Afghanistan under the Taliban can become epicentre of Islamic fundamentalism. With Haqqani network and its close associate Islamic State (Khorasan) active in Kabul, there is constant fear that international terror attacks can be planned and executed from Afghan soil. Informed sources told ANI, The resolution also notes the statement by the Taliban on 27 August. The Security Council expects the Taliban to adhere to their commitments, including regarding the safe, secure and orderly departure from Afghanistan of Afghans and all foreign nationals. In the resolution there is a recognition of upholding human rights especially of Afghan women, children and minorities and well as to inclusive negotiated settlement, the sources added. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla was chairing the UNSC meet under the Indian presidency in which the resolution was adopted. Todays resolution also highlights the importance of womens rights, minorities rights particularly Sikhs and Hindu minorities in Afghanistan. It has indicated a need for safe passage of people and to take necessary steps in its engagement with Afghanistan, Shringla said. Move over, Fribble: The smoothie has come to a pair of Friendlys restaurants in Connecticut. The North Haven and Vernon locations of the once-iconic restaurant chain perhaps best known for the oddly named, but oh-so-delicious extra-thick shake are expanding their menu. The additions from Smoothie Factory are the Texas-based chains first foray outside its home state, according to company officials, who said the company has more than 40 locations in Texas. Friendlys has 10 remaining locations in Connecticut, but only the Vernon and North Haven locations currently are serving Smoothie Factorys fruit-based drinks. The North Haven location is at 140 Universal Drive North and the Vernon restaurant is 103 Talcotville Road. We are uniquely positioned to capitalize on existing real estate and increase foot traffic by using our Friendlys kitchen to prepare and serve Smoothie Factory items for online ordering and delivery, Craig Erlich, president and chief executive officer of Friendlys Restaurants and BRIX Holdings, parent company of Smoothie Holdings FC LLC, said in a statement. Now both our loyal patrons and new customers alike will have access to the best menus in both categories, with convenient online ordering. Amici Partners Group LLC, a Texas-based investment group, acquired Friendlys late last year when its former owner, Sun Capital Partners, announced a bankruptcy asset sale in November. Terms of that deal were not announced. Erlich said the success of this co-branded relationship could extend to other Friendlys locations in the future. Grand opening offers include free delivery, and $3 off any size smoothie for members of Friendlys customer rewards plan from now until Sept. 30. Guests with a gym membership also can show their membership card at checkout to receive $1 off any size smoothie, every day. David Ellis, Friendlys chief marketing officer, said Smoothie Factory provides a wide array of offerings to meet the appetites of moms, dads and families. A 20-ounce smoothie, according to Ellis, is $5.99, while 44-ounce beverage costs $9.49. The smoothie menu features whole fruits and vegetables, natural options for sweeteners, and vegan and non-dairy options, according to company officials. David Cadden, a professor emeritus at Quinnipiac University's School of Business, said the arrangement has benefits for both Smoothie Factory and Friendlys. It allows them (Smoothie Factory) to penetrate this market without a lot of overhead and for Friendlys, it is a extension of their existing menu, Cadden said. For decades, Friendlys has positioned itself has old-fashioned family dining, he said. But changing tastes in casual dining have resulted in many locations being closed over the past 10 years, according to Cadden. For Gen Xers and Millennials, the kind of food Friendlys has traditionally been serving didnt seem especially healthy, he said. By adding smoothies to the menu, they may be hoping to bring people whose business they would not normally capture. luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com NEW HAVEN - Fatal overdoses in the New Haven area increased by 40 percent between 2019 and 2020, reaching a record high, according to a DataHaven report. The rising prevalence of the powerful opioid fentanyl coupled with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which stifled resources and caused social and economic distress, are likely factors in the increase, experts said. There were 141 overdose deaths last year across New Haven, Hamden, North Haven, Woodbridge and Bethany, up from 101 in 2019, according to the report. New Haven recorded the most overdose deaths and Hamden the second most, with 120 and 15 fatalities, respectively, the report indicates. In 2019, Woodbridge had one overdose death; in 2020 the town had two overdose death. Regionwide, between 2016 and 2020, there were 498 overdose deaths for an average of 100 per year, it says. The dangers of fentanyl Fatal overdoses in Connecticut cities have been on the rise since 2013, according to Dr. David Fiellin, who described last years uptick as part of a larger trend but exacerbated by COVID-19. Contributed The increase has to do with an epidemic of illicit fentanyl and other fentanyl-like (substances) that are extremely potent and have essentially replaced the drug supply that used to be prescription opioids or heroin, said Fiellin, who directs the Yale School of Medicines addiction medicine program. For that reason, individuals who use not only opioids but other drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine are being exposed to very high-potency opioids that increase the risk of overdose dramatically. Of 2020s fatal overdoses, 84 percent involved fentanyl, according to the DataHaven report. Forty-seven percent involved cocaine, the second most common drug involved in an overdose death. Yet a Quinnipiack Valley Health Department survey of 54 people who had experienced an overdose found that 70 percent had overdosed within the last year but only 9 percent believed fentanyl was involved, per the report. Contributed photo / DataHaven That may be because they did not know they were using fentanyl. Fentanyl is not only present in the quote-unquote heroin supply, which has essentially been replaced with fentanyl (but) drug dealers are compounding it into pill formulations so that it will look like an oxycodone or a Percocet so that someone thinks theyre taking a prescription drug, Fiellin said. Jackie Lucibello, who serves as the outreach director for Sex Workers and Allies Network, or SWAN, said she knows fentanyl overdose victims who had thought they were using cocaine. Recently, a friend suffered from a fentanyl overdose that left her in a coma for several days, according to Lucibello, who said the friend had believed she was using heroin. Lucibello said some people incorrectly believe they can identify fentanyl based on the color of a substance. A lack of awareness about the prevalence of fentanyl is why SWAN operates a van in New Haven and Hamden that offers fentanyl testing strips and other harm reduction products such as clean syringes, Lucibello said, adding that staff also help clients make calls to rehabilitation centers, housing agencies and health centers. COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic, which changed lifestyles and squeezed resource networks, is the other likely culprit in last years fatal overdose increase. Contributed photo / DataHaven With social distancing, more people have been using drugs alone, Fiellin said, which is riskier than using with others. Ben Metcalf, who directs Cornell Scott-Hill Healths South Central Rehabilitation Center, said his team distributes naloxone to clients. (Known by the brand name Narcan, naloxone can reverse the effect of overdose.) But people cant administer Narcan to themselves, and so its really imperative that if youre going to use you use with somebody else, Metcalf said. The pandemic also put up barriers to treatment, Metcalf said. As services such as support groups went virtual, for example, not all clients had reliable phone access. Some treatment programs had to shut down or limit capacities amid concerns about the spread of COVID-19, according to Fiellin. He also cited stressors including job loss, increased responsibilities at home, social and physical distancing and the mental health impact of the pandemic that has resulted in increased depression and anxiety. All of those factors are made worse by a treatment system thats been completely disrupted, he said. Tip of the iceberg Lucibello knows what its like to lose someone to an overdose. Jason Crowell, a beloved substance abuse counselor for SWAN, died last month of an overdose after years of being in recovery. It was a loss that devastated the community. Crowell provided important support to many people, according to Lucibello, who said she knows clients who had been in recovery but returned to using drugs after learning about Crowells death. Fatalities are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the effect of the opioid epidemic, Fiellin said. Theres so many other individuals who experience either nonfatal overdoses or adverse consequences related to the drug supply, he said. The DataHaven report suggests accidental nonfatal overdoses rose 38 percent between 2019 and 2020. Between 2018 and 2020, there was an average of 814 accidental, nonfatal overdoses per year in the region, the report notes. Since the start of the pandemic, SWAN also has seen higher demand, according to Lucibello. Weve seen an influx of people in Fair Haven that weve never seen before, coming to the van, she said. So many - so many people have relapsed that I know who had, you know, by all means good, solid recoveries. When COVID-19 hit, many recovering drug users lost their foundations, as Lucibello put it, losing access to important support systems such as churches and fellowships. Theres so many reasons people relapse but what I have found is nine times out of 10 its a lack of supports or healthy supports, Lucibello said. After COVID, folks were isolated, and isolation is the devils favorite playground. She asked community members to keep their hearts and minds open. I just wish peoples, like, perspectives were more empathic toward marginalized populations in society, Lucibello said. Everybody has a story. Nobody raised their hands growing up and said, I hope to be a drug addict. I wish people would say how can they be part of the solution. I think overall that would make our communities and the world a better place. Those seeking help for substance use can call 211 or visit SWANs website at swanct.org, where an app facilitates emergency calls. meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com 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. 4 1 of 4 Newly renovated North Haven Police Department at 8 Linsley Street Clare Dignan / Hearst Connecticut Media The house on Primrose Street in North Haven where two brothers were found dead Sunday. Meghan Friedmann / Hearst Connecticut Media The house on Primrose Street in North Haven where two brothers were found dead Sunday. Meghan Friedmann / Hearst Connecticut Media The house on Primrose Street in North Haven where two brothers were found dead Sunday. Meghan Friedmann / 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 KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) It was Nov. 13 , 2001. The sun had just begun to rise over the Hindu Kush Mountains when the Taliban disappeared from Kabul, the battered capital of Afghanistan. The bodies of foreign Arabs who had stayed behind were mutilated and bloodied. They had been found and killed by advancing Afghans of another faction who were brought to the city by a blistering U.S.-led campaign that drove the Taliban from power. America was still reeling from the horrific terrorist attacks of two months earlier, when planes flown by al-Qaida terrorists crashed into three iconic buildings and a Pennsylvania field, killing nearly 3,000 people. The perpetrators and their leader, Osama bin Laden, were somewhere in Afghanistan, sheltered by the Taliban . The mission: Find him. Bring him to justice. Right then, Afghanistan two decades of disorder behind it, two decades more just ahead was suspended in an in-between moment. The recent pages of its book were already filled with so much heartbreak, but for the first time in a while, some blank pages full of potential sat just ahead. Nothing was certain, but much seemed possible. Against that backdrop, Afghans understood the mission against bin Laden to mean a chance to secure their future a future as murky on that day as it is today. In those post-2001 months and years, they believed in the power of "the foreigners. From hundreds of years ago right up to the jumbled chaos of recent days as the United States pulled out of its air base and then the capital, the word foreigner has meant many things in the Afghan context, from invaders to would-be colonizers. But in November 2001, in a mostly ruined Afghan capital where rutted roads were filled with bicycles and beat-up yellow taxis, it meant hope. ___ Torek Farhadi joined scores of educated and trained Afghan expatriates who returned to their homeland in 2002 after the Taliban were gone. He wanted to be part of the new Afghanistan that the U.S.-led invasion promised. I found the people relieved fresh and full on energy to start anew," the economist said from his home in Geneva, as he watched the Taliban's return to power last month. He remembered, too, the smart young women he encountered who had lost huge chunks of their educations to Taliban repression between 1996 and 2001. The arrival of the U.S.-led coalition weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks ended a repressive, religiously radical regime that had more in common with the sixth century than the 21st. Mullah Mohammad Omar, the reclusive one-eyed leader of the Taliban, had brought the village to the city. The strict edicts he taught at his one-room mud madrassa, or religious school, became law. Girls were denied education. Women were confined to their homes or, when in public, inside the all-encompassing burqa. Men were told to wear beards. Television was banned, as was all music but religious chants. When the Taliban fled and the new, post 9/11 leader, Hamid Karzai, entered the sprawling presidential palace, he discovered the Taliban had left their mark. The grand piano had been gutted; only the elegant shell remained. The insides had been removed seemingly out of fear that a piano key might be accidentally pressed and music made. Wall-to-wall hand-painted miniature murals had been defaced; Taliban who believed images of living things were a crime against Islam went to every tiny bird and blotted out its face with a black marker. In those first years, George W. Bush's defense secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, vowed there would be no nation-building. The running of the country was handed to Washington's Afghan allies, many of whom had destroyed Kabul with their bitter feuding when they last ruled. Under their corruption, the country devolved into a collection of fiefdoms that enriched local warlords and led to the Taliban's rise. Ethnic Pashtuns, the majority group that had made up the backbone of the country, were suddenly disenfranchised. In 2002, the deputy police chief of Zabul, a southern province that was once a Taliban stronghold, sent 2,000 young Pashtun men to Kabul to join the Afghan national army. They were teased and mocked; the deputy chief said all but four ended up joining the Taliban. Giant posters of slain anti-Taliban fighter Ahmad Shah Massoud an ethnic Tajik warlord who was assassinated on Sept. 9, 2001 were plastered on official vehicles and inside the Defense Ministry. The first defense minister, Mohammad Fahim, a Massoud lieutenant, deepened the divisions by institutionalizing ethnic discrimination. The Afghan military that would collapse in the wake of Taliban advances in 2021 began existence with its recruits often more loyal to a warlord than the army itself. Training was barely eight weeks for new, generally uneducated men. Building the Afghan army was often likened to repairing an aircraft midflight. So across Afghanistan, quickly and understandably, it started: The defeated Taliban began to re-emerge. And it kept getting worse. By 2012, just two years before the U.S. and NATO handed over the operational end of the war to Afghanistan's government, the Afghan army was barely competent and filled with fighters angry at what they considered poor treatment by their foreign trainers. Soldiers wore boots with holes because a shoddy contractor, paid millions by corrupt officials, had delivered substandard equipment. At an army outpost in the deadly east, helmets were so scarce that five soldiers took turns wearing one. And U.S. trainers? They were no longer attending training sessions where live ammunition was being used. They feared the weapons might be turned on them. ___ The return last month of the Taliban, with their long beards and flowing traditional turbans, has created widespread fear among young people in Afghanistan's cities places where urban girls wearing headscarves have felt free to mingle in coffee shops and on the street. Young men wearing Western dress who dream of even greater freedoms have been part of the airport chaos that greeted the start of evacuation flights. A country of 36 million, Afghanistan is filled with conservative people, many of whom live in the countryside. But even they do not adhere to the strict interpretation of Islam that the Taliban imposed when last they ruled. The Taliban leaders, many of whom are linked to the previous regime, including the movement's co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, promise a different Taliban this time. Once camera shy and reclusive, many have made regular appearances on the diplomatic stage. They say women can work, attend school and participate in public life. Who believes them is another matter entirely. The new generation is filled with nervous young people who grew up on stories that were the stuff of nightmares. Some older Afghans, who worry that an already depressed economy will only get worse, note that the Taliban's last rule was marked by strong security. Under those Taliban, justice was swift and harsh. Convicted thieves had their hands cut off. Murderers were publicly executed. The punishments and the trials were carried out publicly in a stadium filled with thousands barbaric scenes that still generate fear. The Taliban's rule was not marked by attacks on women, but rather relentless repression that denied them a public space. And despite orders that they should be accompanied by men, women often traveled by themselves. But the traditional all-covering burqa, an ancient dress that left only a gauzy patch through which to see, came to symbolize Taliban repression. Even as the world watched in shock at the quick demise of the Afghan army and government over the past weeks, the signs of Afghanistan's post-9/11 decay had long been evident. Twenty years and billions of dollars in investment after 9/11, Afghanistan was considered one of the worst places in the world to be a woman in 2020 and in 2019, according to the Georgetown Institute for Women Peace and Security. In 2018, in a Gallup poll offered a scale of one to 10 to determine how respondents judged their chances for a better future five years down the road, Afghans averaged 2.3. Gallup called it a new low for any country in any year. And two-thirds of those respondents were 35 years old or younger the very young Afghans who, this month, are anxiously wondering what might be coming next. ___ When Afghans still believed that searching for peace could make a difference, there was something called the High Peace Council. A few years ago, one of its members wondered how U.S. and NATO forces which at their peak numbered 150,000 and fought alongside hundreds of thousands of Afghan troops couldn't vanquish tens of thousands of Taliban. Either they did not want to, or they could not do it, Mohammed Ismail Qasimyar said. They have made a hell, not a paradise, for us. In the first years after 9/11, U.S. money arrived in Kabul in suitcases. There were no working banks at the time and no oversight of the billions pouring into the country. Most of it passed through the hands of U.S.-allied warlords whose corruption had led to the Taliban's rise in the 1990s. American generals were often used by their Afghan allies to exact revenge. Mohabullah, an Afghan who had left the Taliban to return home to the central province of Ghazni, once laughed as he recounted how easily fooled the Americans were by their Afghan partners. He recalled how a gas station owner was turned in to U.S. forces as a Taliban to settle a feud. American forces often unwittingly found themselves enmeshed in such local rivalries during those early months and years when they were utterly dependent on their warlord allies. In 2002, one U.S. general had to rely entirely on former warlords for information about prominent al-Qaida figures who were on the move. For those who have watched Afghanistan for years, the scenes of throngs of mostly young men hanging from departing aircraft at Kabul's airport last month seemed an indictment of the two decades of efforts and the billions of dollars spent. For many of those men, the desperation to depart was less about fear for their life and more about finding a new one. And, say some Afghans, no wonder. Kleptocrats and warlords found their way in the corridors of power. They were rich, they became filthy rich and took the entire governance system hostage to their interests, says Farhadi, the economist. People lost faith," he says. "Even the soldiers didnt fight for their corrupt leadership. Still, Farhadi, a former adviser to the International Monetary Fund and a former economist at the World Bank, said he'd return to his homeland under the Taliban to help them find a way to operate in the 21st century. So much has changed from 9/11-era Afghanistan. Bin Laden is dead and gone, slain by U.S. forces in Pakistan in 2011. Kabul is a city that many returning Taliban no longer recognize. The repercussions of the past few weeks will be with the U.S. government for a while. And with that hope of November 2001 long consigned to Afghanistan's history and heartbreak, Farhadi has advice for his country's once and newest rulers. Keep a sharp eye on corruption. Create a level playing field for corruption free business. Let the women join the workforce; it will help households boost their finances. Call on the diaspora to come back, invest and help build the country. Avoid driving the country into isolation. It is the people who will end up paying the price of sanctions." ___ Kathy Gannon, AP's news director for Pakistan and Afghanistan, has been covering the country for three decades, including the runup to and immediate aftermath of 9/11. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/KathyGannon 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. 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. Getty Images / Contributed EAST HARTFORD A former town resident was sentenced Monday to spend three years in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl, according to the prosecutors. Marco Rivera-Mejia, 36, a citizen of Honduras last living in East Hartford, was sentenced by Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 36 months in prison. BEACON FALLS One person was killed in a crash off Route 8 south in which a car went down a wooded ravine, according to fire officials. The southbound lanes of Route 8 near Exit 23 was backed up for more than five hours on Monday after the Beacon Hose Company No. 1 sent units to the highway at about 7 a.m. for a reported motor vehicle accident. Arriving fire crews were unable to find the vehicle on the highway and cleared the area. By about 7:30 a.m., police found the vehicle well off the road and down a wooded ravine between Route 8 and Lopus Road, officials said. The driver, whose identity has not yet been released, was pronounced dead at the scene. Connecticut State Police investigated the crash and called in the medical examiner. Fire officials said crews were called back to the scene around 10:30 a.m. to extricate the driver. A state Department of Transportation loader responded to help first responders get access to the vehicle in the heavily wooded area. An Ace Auto tow truck helped move the car to an area where fire crews cut the door and lifted the dashboard to get to the drivers body. The highway was backed up for about five hours, reopening around 1 p.m. The crash remains under investigation by state police. On Tuesday, in a follow-up statement, Beacon Falls fire officials addressed comments often left on social media posts about crews responding to accidents on Route 8. Everybody knows that Beacon Falls stretch of Route 8 can be dangerous, officials said. We also know better than anybody that drivers need to slow down especially when passing scenes where fire, police, EMS, construction, and tow truck drivers are operating. However, we are disappointed when we notice comments that judge, blame or vilify those involved in accidents. While recklessness can be a factor in some crashes, it is inaccurate and disrespectful to assume that all accidents involve poor judgment. Officials said while many of the crashes involved excessive speed, distracted driving or impaired driving, some involve drivers who have medical incidents while behind the wheel. Other cases have involved mechanical failures, animals, weather or other uncontrollable factors. MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) Eleven New Hampshire Air National Guard members have gone to New Jersey to assist people arriving from Afghanistan. They left Pease Air National Guard Base over the weekend in support of Operation Allies Refuge, a military operation to airlift Afghan civilians who assisted the United States from Afghanistan, WMUR-TV reports. Niagara Falls, NY (14301) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 64F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the interim forfeiture of the funds and properties traced to Abidemi Rufai, the ... A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the interim forfeiture of the funds and properties traced to Abidemi Rufai, the suspended aide of Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, who is facing wire fraud charges in the United States of America. The court order, which was granted on Tuesday, covers Rufais property located at House 11, Omodayo Awotuga Street, Bera Estate, Chevy View, Lekki, Lagos; and funds in his accounts domiciled in Sterling and Zenith banks. Justice Tijjani Ringim made the order sequel to an ex parte motion filed and argued by a counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ebuka Okongwu. The EFCC joined Rufai, his firm Omo Mayodele Global Investment; and Sterling Bank PLC as the first, second and third respondents in the suit. Okongwu told the judge that it was essential for the court to grant the prayer of interim forfeiture to preserve the res and prevent further dissipation of the defendants funds in his Sterling Bank account. He then furnished the judge with an affidavit sworn to by an EFCC investigator, Usman Abdulhamid, detailing the agencys investigation of Rufai in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Rufai had already dissipated a suspicious N29.37m in tranches of N5m, N5m, N2.7m, N1.1m, N2m, N2m, N2m, and N5m. The funds were warehoused in his accounts in three banks, Abdulhamid said. Rufai was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation at the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York on May 14 over alleged $350,000 COVID-19 unemployment fraud from the Washington State Employment Security Department, in the United States. He was indicted for alleged conspiracy, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Justice Ringim, in a bench ruling, granted the EFCCs order as prayed in the motion paper. I am satisfied by the averment in the affidavit deposed to by Usman Abdulhamid and the legal submission of the counsel that this application should succeed and the same is accordingly granted as prayed, the judge held. The judge also ordered the EFCC to publish the order within 14 days from Tuesday for any interested party to show cause why the funds and properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Justice Ringim adjourned further proceedings till December 1, 2021. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has cancelled the national cut-off mark. The body said it would now be left for Nigeria... The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has cancelled the national cut-off mark. The body said it would now be left for Nigerias tertiary institutions to determine its admission benchmark. This decision was made on Tuesday at the 2021 policy meeting presided over by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu. The Registrar of JAMB Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, who spoke during the forum said some universities such as the University of Maiduguri proposed 150, Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto proposed 140, Pan Atlantic University proposed 210, University of Lagos 200, Lagos State University190, Covenant University 190, and Bayero University Kano, 180. According to the stakeholders, the 2021 admissions will be conducted only through JAMB CAPS and no institution is allowed to admit candidates without uploading their details onto the portal. Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani Kayode has blamed the resurgence of violence in some communities in Plateau State on foreign assail... Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani Kayode has blamed the resurgence of violence in some communities in Plateau State on foreign assailants whom he said are not only attacking Plateau but other parts of the country as well. He said citizens of the state are not in any battle with one another, but facing instigation from influencers outside the state. Kayode who is in the state to condole with the government and people over the recent happenings which led to a breach of peace, said, Plateau State is a melting point of the nation whose history of accommodation, tolerance hospitality and serenity is globally recognised. He said, the recent attacks by criminals must not be allowed to give the impression of hostility between people of Plateau State who have dwelt together in peace despite religious and ethnic peculiarities. They are therefore not in any battle with one another, but are rather facing instigation from influencers outside the State, he maintained. The attacks are the handiwork of foreign assailants who are not only attacking Plateau State but other parts of the country as well. They must be fished out and dealt with in order to stop them from destroying the nation, he added. He described Governor Lalong as an example of tolerance, peace, unity and forgiveness whose inclusive leadership style has set him apart as a national icon. Kayode encouraged the Governor to continue with his efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and also deal with criminals who are killing and maiming innocent people. Responding, Governor Lalong said he was delighted with the visit of Chief Kayode, whom he said has been going around the country preaching peace, unity and reconciliation. Lalong reaffirmed his determination to continue to run an inclusive Government that takes care of care of the interests of all citizens no matter their backgrounds. Adding that it was what gave the state its fame and fortune over the years and gave it recognition as the home for all. The Governor appreciated all Nigerians that have expressed solidarity to the state during its trying moment and also condemned the narratives that seemed to fuel anger, tensions, reprisals and instability. He said despite this development, the State remains the destination of choice for many people from within and outside the country as it still embraces diversity and goodwill. Following the move to curb insecurity in Ondo State as well as cases of farmers/herders clashes, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is set to ... Following the move to curb insecurity in Ondo State as well as cases of farmers/herders clashes, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is set to sign the anti-open grazing bill into law. The move by the governor was a pointer that he was unperturbed by the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari that 368 grazing sites across the 25 states of the country should be reviewed. It was gathered that the Governor will sign the bill into law on Tuesday (Today). The move of the governor was in line with the resolution of the Southern Governors Forum at its last meeting in Lagos on July 5, 2021. The bill which was passed by the State House of Assembly on July 2, 2021 was designed to regulate security, rearing and grazing of livestock. The bill will also ensure the establishment of ranches in the state as well as prevent the destruction of farm crops in the state and will address clashes between herders and farmers in the state. During the passage of the bill by lawmakers in the state, the Assembly maintained that it will enhance the growth of livestock farming and as well encourage modern techniques of animal husbandry in the state among others. Joe Hulsizer, 17, a Lake Forest Academy student holds a research project on his laptop that he worked on with help from Jianfeng Xu, vice president and director of the program for personalized cancer care at NorthShore University Health System Research Institute in Evanston, Ill., on Aug. 9. Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune On day two after Hurricane Ida tore through the region, more people began trying to refresh their supplies of food, water, ice. They found many people from the New Orleans area hospitality community stepping up to try to still serve them in different ways. Here is what I found around the area Tuesday. After riding out Hurricane Ida with family in Texas, local baker Kelly Mayhew drove back to New Orleans on Monday night, but he didnt come back to bake bread. Instead, by Tuesday morning he was turning his Mayhew Bakery in the Faubourg St. John neighborhood into a community aid spot, distributing free essentials, from diapers and dog food to hot coffee. I was going stir crazy in Texas, I had to get back here and do something, said Mayhew, an Army veteran who started his baking business a few years ago. mayhew Kelly Mayhew (right) serves hot coffee and gives out free items to neighbors outside his Mayhew Bakery on Aug. 31, after Hurricane Ida cut pow If the prospect for a larger generator pans out, he may be able to start baking again soon, but right now hes focused on building up the bakery as a neighborhood support hub. Friends in the restaurant business are bringing food from their blacked-out kitchens to donate, and regular customers now leaving the city have been bringing groceries from their own pantries here on the way out of town. Emergency assistance and mutual aid organizations working in New Orleans post Hurricane Ida There's a host of non-profit and mutual aid groups in New Orleans helping people in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Here's a list of groups to get help from, or to donate to. As large-scale community feeding programs begin to ramp up, people in the restaurant business have been starting their own efforts, sometimes as simple as telling people to come take whatever they need and can use from their kitchens. At La Boca, the Argentine steakhouse in the Warehouse District, staff braised all the beef they could, cooked down vegetables and started dishing out plates for free. Restaurant manager Lorenzo Reef said they went through all the food in about 15 minutes, serving 150 free meals on the fly. Those showed up ranged from people living in nearby condos, and people without homes camping under the overpass. wishing At Wishing Town Bakery Cafe in Metairie, staff work furiously to package up the kitchen's inventory to give away to anyone who showed up, with A row of downed electric poles near Wishing Town Bakery Cafe made getting to the Metairie shop tricky, but those who showed up Tuesday were handed whole cakes, trays of dumplings to cook at home and cases of eggs, blocks of butter and bins of fruit. Owners Vivi and Kevin Zheng worked furiously to portion and package what they could to make the kitchens inventory as useful as possible to people who could still cook. +5 Stores open to sell groceries, ice, fuel as hurricane outages continue Tuesday Thousands of residents, anxious to find gas, food and booze after two nights of camping in their unair-conditioned homes, took to their cars T Jessica and Alonzo Knox did the same thing at their Basin Street cafe Backatown Coffee Parlour, leaving their own home that was damaged in the storm to open the doors here and dish out food to others. "We still realized that we are blessed," said Jessica Knox. "Times like this are when New Orleans really knows how to pull together." tacos The pop-up Tacos Para La Vida served free hot meals using food donated by local restaurants outside Pal's Lounge on Aug. 31, after Hurricane I Outside Pals Lounge, the bar by Bayou St. John, the pop-up Tacos Para La Vida that often cooks for customers here in normal times set up its street food operation once again, using inventory donated from a number of local restaurants to provide hot meals on the spot. A line of people stretched down the block. Food and restaurant news in your inbox Every Thursday we give you the scoop on NOLA dining. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up On Monday afternoon, chef Michael Gulotta had turned the patio of his City Park Avenue restaurant MoPho into an ad hoc Asian market, giving away all the rice noodles, braised greens, lemongrass, banh mi bread and sauces that people could haul away. On Tuesday, he did the same thing with the inventory of his upscale fusion restaurant Maypop, once hed been able to assess its inventory. You just dont want it to go to waste if someone can possibly use it, Gulotta said. +5 As New Orleans restaurant assess Hurricane Ida aftermath, a few start cooking again 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 reg The giveaway drew neighbors, former employees of the restaurant and people who were organizing their own community aid efforts around town. Other restaurants found ways to do some business, bringing just a bit more cash for their teams facing the day to day uncertainty of the post-Ida situation. haifa Jimmy Haifa flags down drivers on Canal Street outside Haifa Hookah and Grill on Aug. 31, the second day after Hurricane Ida cut power to New By 9 a.m. Jimmy Haifa was set up outside his familys Canal Street restaurant Haifa Hookah and Grill selling water and beer on the spot and taking orders for shawarma plates inside. He wrote serving food on the underside of a produce box to wave down passing motorists. We started last night and 30 people showed up, Haifa said. Every is just doing what they can today. ideal2 Staff at Ideal Market on 18th Street in Metairie grill up meats from the grocery's butcher case to sell by the pound on Aug. 31, after Hurrica In Metairie, the Ideal Market at the corner of Hessmer and 18th streets had grills roaring outside as staff cooked through the marinated fajita meats in the butcher case, selling it by the pound. The Latin American grocery was mostly dark inside, but a small amount of generator power kept the registers open, while people searched for needed items by the illumination of string lights arrayed around the shelves. yuyan Chef Yan Yu plates up dumplings at her Metairie restaurant YuYan Kitchen, which has no power but has gas to fire up stoves for lunch service o Just down the street, YuYan Kitchen only opened a few weeks ago, serving dishes from chef Yan Yus Mandarin Chinese tradition. On Tuesday, she fired up the gas stoves to cook dumplings, rice, noodles and egg rolls, selling heaping plates through the front door. I know some people cant cook right now, but I can so Im here, she said. Need food, water in New Orleans after Hurricane Ida? City opening multiple distribution sites New Orleans officials and their partners are distributing food and water at various locations in the coming days for residents in need of supp House of Tulip is providing direct relief aid to members of the New Orleans transgender and gender-conforming community impacted by Hurricane Ida, the organization announced Monday. House of Tulip, the trans-led housing organization and resource center for the city's TGNC community, said on its social media as of now it is able to distribute $15,000. To apply for aid, TGNC folks can fill out a Google form through House of Tulip. To learn more about House of Tulip and to make a donation to the organization, go to houseoftulip.org/make-a-donation. Co-founded and led by executive director Mariah Moore and director of community support and outreach Milan Nicole Sherry, House of Tulip celebrated its first anniversary in June. The group provides housing for several TGNC New Orleanians and operates as a resource and advocate for the community. Housing insecurity has long been an issue in the TGNC community House of Tulip has served as a model of TGNC people taking control of their own homes. St. Tammany Parish sheriff's deputies searched Tuesday for a Slidell man who was attacked by an alligator at his home near Slidell. His wife told investigators that her 71-year-old husband, identified by the Sheriff's Office as Timothy Satterlee, went downstairs Monday at their raised home on Avery Drive in the Avery Estates estates subdivision southeast of Slidell to check on something in the shed. His wife, in her 60s, then heard a splash and thought he had fallen into water rising from the nearby marsh, said Capt. Lance Vitter, a Sheriff's Office spokesperson. Instead, she saw her husband being attacked by an alligator that "had him in a death roll," Vitter said. She went to find something to help, but when she returned the alligator had ripped off his arm. He was unconscious. She got into a pirogue and paddled to where she could get in touch with the Sheriff's Office. Neither her phone nor 911 was working in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida passing the area a day earlier. When deputies arrived, there was no sign of the man. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Investigators say physical evidence supports the woman's story. Arterial blood was found in one spot, for example. The couple's house is near the Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge. The woman told deputies that she and her husband had seen a number of 7-foot alligators in the area. Deputies in flatboats searched for the body Monday night as Ida's high water began to recede, but the current was still strong, making it difficult to know where the body might have been swept away. They resumed search Tuesday. The couple's names were being withheld pending notification of the man's other relatives. Tulane University said Monday it is closing its campus Uptown and canceling in-class instruction through Sept. 12 due to Hurricane Ida. Tulane said it will go to online instruction from Sept. 13 through Oct. 6. In-class instruction will resume after fall break, on Oct. 11. The university said it will begin evacuating the campus of all remaining students graduate, undergraduate, in-residence and off campus on Tuesday by bus to Houston. Students are being asked to bring no more than two pieces of luggage, their computers and valuables. I met with many of our students on campus tonight ahead of their departure for Houston. A large and dedicated staff have been with our students before, during and after the storm. We are continuing to take all of the necessary steps to keep our campus and community safe. pic.twitter.com/o2Xh3Ngy8e Mike Fitts (@TUFitts) August 31, 2021 We are establishing a hub in Houston to provide food and lodging at Tulanes expense for students until they can get flights home. Tulane said it was providing more details to students Monday evening, and that students, faculty and staff will be allowed to return to campus Oct. 7-10. The universitys decision comes the day after Hurricane Ida tore through the city, decimating metro areas power infrastructure. Officials have said it will be weeks before electricity is restored. On the third day came the heat and the doldrums. Temperatures rose along with tempers on Tuesday amid dwindling access to gas, groceries and patience across the greater New Orleans region, as an extended period without electricity began to take its toll in Hurricane Idas wake. A likely timetable of more than a week for Entergy to begin restoring power to the bulk of New Orleans-area residents and businesses, after a complete collapse of its transmission system into the city during the hurricane, sent many into survival mode. Anxiety over an extended citywide outage was tempered somewhat Tuesday by a brighter forecast from Entergy officials. They told the City Council that the company expects to restore power to some parts of the city as soon as Wednesday night. They wouldnt say how many customers might see their lights and refrigerators back on then. +5 Stores open to sell groceries, ice, fuel as hurricane outages continue Tuesday Thousands of residents, anxious to find gas, food and booze after two nights of camping in their unair-conditioned homes, took to their cars T In the meantime, residents across the region who stayed for Ida were scrambling either to leave or find gas to keep generators churning, amid a heat advisory in effect for all of southeast Louisiana. Heat index values reached 106 degrees. Mayor LaToya Cantrell said the city began setting up food and water distributions, as well as electronic charging stations, in several places, along with a cooling center at Rosenwald Center on Earhart Boulevard. Mobile cooling centers in 70 Regional Transit Authority buses will be deployed in neighborhoods, she said. The sun beat down Tuesday as crowds toting red gas cans gathered around the pumps at a Shell station on South Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans around midday, while vehicles lined up for eight blocks to reach those same pumps. Complaints of line-jumping and gas hustling nearly resulted in fisticuffs, drawing several New Orleans police officers to calm the scene. One neighborhood resident said she waited three hours at the station and watched an underground economy unfold around the pumps, with payments to fill gas cans or purchase them outright. She said she participated, paying someone to watch her pump while she entered to pay, and receiving a payment from a line-cutter. I didnt plan on going there to take bribes, but I did, said the woman, who declined to give her name. You have people in a desperate situation. For those desperate to flee the city, a short supply of gas wasnt the only limitation. All flights were canceled Tuesday in and out of Louis Armstrong International Airport, where officials said the airport was running on generator power, with low water pressure, air conditioning issues and some damage to jet bridges and a perimeter fence. Hundreds of flights for Wednesday also were cut. Interstate 10 eastbound was open Tuesday across Louisiana. It was closed westbound for debris removal between Gramercy and Prairieville. Interstate 55 northbound was closed from Hammond to the Mississippi state line for fallen trees. Both highways fully reopened by late afternoon, although state officials asked residents to limit non-essential travel. All eight of Entergys main transmission lines bringing power to the city failed in Idas brutal winds, including a tower that toppled by the Mississippi River. The collapse darkened New Orleans along with Jefferson, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes, as well as parts of St. Charles and Terrebonne parishes. As a wet but weakened Ida rolled across Tennessee on Tuesday, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell surveyed some of its worst in a helicopter trip over St. John the Baptist Parish. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up In the parish, 800 people needed rescue Monday by a team of local law enforcement officials and out-of-state volunteers. Edwards said they accounted for 80% of Ida rescues statewide. "We have a lot of work ahead of us, Edwards said in LaPlace after surveying the damage from the air and briefing with local officials. And no one is under the illusion that this is going to be a short process. Democratic state Sen. Gary Smith, of hard-hit Norco, said the scene looks like a warzone or a bomb went off throughout the parish. There's no part that's unaffected." Jefferson Parish officials got their first up-close look Tuesday at Grand Isle, near where Ida made landfall Sunday. About 40 people rode out the storm on the rapidly eroding barrier island, which suffered catastrophic damage. Huge lines formed in the few gas stations and groceries to open Tuesday in Jefferson Parish, where officials warned residents who stay to be prepared to endure an arduous week ahead, with no running water or power. Hundreds of water main breaks left the parish under a boil-water advisory. Scores of people showed up at PARD Playground in Harvey, a staging area for bus rides to state shelters, while parish officials set up distribution points for drinking water, ice and food. FEMA officials urged Louisianans whose homes were damaged to file insurance claims but also to apply for federal assistance. The Army Corps of Engineers said Tuesday that it has not yet determined whether the federal government will sponsor a roof-tarping program, as it did after Katrina and other large storms. Need food, water in New Orleans after Hurricane Ida? City opening multiple distribution sites New Orleans officials and their partners are distributing food and water at various locations in the coming days for residents in need of supp State Farm, the largest insurance company in the state, said 8,200 homeowners claims and 1,200 vehicle claims had been filed as of mid-Tuesday morning. Ida left the power off to nearly a million Entergy customers in Louisiana and more than 100,000 Cleco Power customers, the latter mostly around Slidell, Madisonville and Covington. In New Orleans, a large transformer hung from an electrical pole that leaned steeply over Crystal Morgans roof, while large downed power lines crisscrossed Magnolia Street in front of her house. NO.idaday3.090121_1330.JPG People wait for a Chevron gas station next to the French Quarter in New Orleans to open up so they can get food and other supplies two days af Morgan said she heard all kind of sizzling, purple and green sizzling as Hurricane Ida blew on Sunday night. She said shes called Entergy almost 50 times, fearing another storm will topple it on her house. Morgan said she hasnt gotten much of a response yet, but shes trying to keep her cool. Theres three more storms out there, she said, referring to the tropics. Im just worried it may fall. Im not the only one. Some people dont have a roof. Staff writers Jeff Adelson, Blake Paterson, Ramon Antonio Vargas, Carlie Kollath Wells and Jessica Williams and Kristen Mosbrucker contributed to this story. If there's a bright spot in the efforts to repel Hurricane Ida's worst in Louisiana, it's likely the complete lack of damage caused by storm surge to the main New Orleans area hurricane levee systems. A key reason for that lack of damage was that Ida's devastating surge simply lost most of its steam before reaching the more northerly Hurricane Storm Damage and Risk Reduction System, the formal name for the east bank and west bank levee systems that protect the metro area. The levees in the two systems are built to withstand overtopping from surge events with a 1% chance of occurring in any year, a so-called 100-year storm. Ida was definitely a much larger event, but the 16-foot surge seen at a number of locations along the coast had dropped off by the time it reached the New Orleans area. Still, surge levels were significant and likely caused major problems for areas outside levee systems, said Ben Schott, director of the Slidell office of the National Weather Service. He pointed to the 6-foot rise of the Mississippi River caused by the surge, with the water flowing in actually halting the usual downriver flow, as an example of its impact. The new levee system "performed exceptionally well," said Chip Kline, chairman of the state Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, which acts as the parent agency for the two levee authorities that oversee daily operation of the system. All components were operational and performed as we needed them to. The systems first real test and it did exceptionally well, he said. Kelli Chandler, regional director of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East, said Idas surge along Lake Borgne was about 12 feet, well below the 16 feet delivered by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which overtopped the earthen levees then in place. The 1.8-mile-long barrier along Lake Borgne, mostly a concrete wall, is about 26 feet high, while a combined levee and floodwall along the eastern edge of St. Bernard Parish is 35 feet above sea level. +6 Hurricane Ida brings 'havoc' to huge swath of Louisiana, but levees prevent mass casualties Hurricane Ida arrived in Louisiana Sunday every bit as ornery as advertised: 150 mph winds, some of the fiercest to ever hit American shores, Combined pump stations and surge gates on the 17th Street, Orleans Avenue and London Avenue canals also performed well in moving rainwater into Lake Pontchartrain during the storm. The gates and stations are about 18 feet above sea level, while water in the lake reached 7 feet, topped by waves, high enough to flood the lakefront parks along the levee. Nick Cali, regional director of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West, said debris lines along the toe of the West Bank levees indicated water levels as high as 3 and 4 feet, well below their tops, which average between 14 and 15 feet. We lifted the levees and armored them, Cali said, referring to efforts over the past few years to elevate earthen parts of the system to account for subsidence. The armoring is a plastic fabric mat through which grass grows; that protects the clay beneath it from eroding when water does overtop. He said floodgates operated properly, as did the huge pumps at the West Closure Complex, which are able to drain an Olympic-size swimming pool in five seconds. The pumps there worked around the clock to deal with rainwater running through canals inside the system. So did pumps at the Bayou Segnette and Harvey Canal Complex. Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Cali said no gates, including one across La. 45, will be opened immediately because of high water still outside the levees in northernmost Barataria Bay. What didnt work in the regions levee systems was a key component that doesn't yet exist: The West Shore Lake Pontchartrain extension of the lakefront levees across the east bank of St. John the Baptist Parish, which has been requested by state and local officials for 30 years and was finally authorized for construction by Congress in 2018. +14 50 years in the making, construction begins on $760M River Parishes hurricane levee project In 1970, River Parishes leaders who were worried that the new levee system being built in New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Betsy A groundbreaking for the $760 million project was held by state and federal officials on July 27. But the only work thats been done is the clearing of trees and brush from the levees path and the awarding of a contract to build access roads for its construction, a Corps spokesman said. St. John Parish was doubly hammered by Ida, with between 15 and 17 inches of rain falling on Sunday evening, accompanied by surge moving west out of Lake Pontchartrain into the LaPlace area. The surge height hasnt been determined yet. The flooding likely will match the surge-only flooding that occurred during Hurricane Isaac in 2011. Equally problematical were three segments of local levees in Jefferson and Plaquemines parishes, built to heights below the 100-year requirements of federally sponsored projects. A small ring levee around the community of Lafitte, built to a much lower 25-year standard and only 7 feet above sea level, was overtopped by surge approaching 11 feet, said Deano Bonano, Jefferson Parish 3rd District councilman, who helped rescue 67 residents from the area on Monday. One elderly woman died. A 50-foot segment of levee was overtopped early Sunday in the Braithwaite community on the east bank of the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish, prompting an extreme flash flood warning from the National Weather Service. Alliance Refinery partially floods after levee fails near Belle Chasse The Alliance Refinery near Belle Chasse partially flooded after surging water from Hurricane Ida broke through a makeshift levee. A similar warning was issued Monday for a breach in the parish levee at Alliance, near the Phillips 66 Alliance Refinery. Kline said indications are that farther to the west, the completed segments of the Morganza to the Gulf levee system performed well, although a hinge was broken on the Bubba Dove floodgate. The accident only resulted in a small gap in the gate, and there were no significant problems, he said. The Larose to Golden Meadow levee system in Lafourche Parish, built to 100-year standards, also performed well, with no overtopping reported, he said. As the sun set on the first full day after Hurricane Ida devastated Louisianas coasts, causing massive power outages and destruction, officials from Louisianas battered hospitals said they are making plans to return to a new normal one that includes doing surgeries on generator power, housing employees without electricity in their homes and continuing the evacuation of fragile patients from heavily damaged hospitals. We got a lot done today, said Mike Hulefeld, chief operating officer at Ochsner Health, Louisianas largest health system. Roof repairs, a lot of clean up, really made a lot of progress. '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 On Monday Ochsner wrapped up the post-storm evacuation of 65 patients from Ochsner St. Anne Hospital in Raceland and Chabert Medical Center in Houma, both of which suffered roof damage and took on water as Ida bore down. An evacuation of its partner hospital, Terrebonne General Hospital, was still underway on Monday night. As patients continued to visit Terrebonne Generals emergency room for conditions that developed during the storm or injuries from the clean up, the number of patients in need of transfer to other hospitals got so high that Ochsner had to call in the state health department. About 40 patients from Terrebonne, which is in one of the hardest-hit areas, will head to non-Ochsner hospitals as far as Shreveport and Mississippi, regions that are also dealing with high numbers of coronavirus patients. Another 60 were transferred to Ochnser hospitals. By mid-morning people were really starting to show up, said Dr. Robert Hart, Ochsners chief medical officer. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Emergency rooms at the evacuated hospitals will remain open, Ochsner officials said. As evacuations wrap up, Ochsner is also looking at resuming surgeries in the coming days. The health system had already delayed about 5,000 surgeries over the last month due to the surge in COVID-19 patients. The storm pushed those back more. +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 In order to do that, Ochsner will have to bring back employees who do not have power in their homes in a city where schools and many essential services are not running. That means putting up employees in a place with power, gathering massive amounts of toiletries and home repair materials and allowing employees to exceed their allotted vacation time. Theres a whole ecosystem of other support thats getting put together right now, said CEO Warner Thomas. The system is also offering free virtual urgent care visits for displaced Louisiana and Mississippi residents through Sept. 6. The visit can be arranged by visiting www.ochsner.org/ochsner-anywhere-care. Use coupon code IDA for urgent care and IDATHERAPY for mental health care. St. Tammany residents began dealing with the messy aftermath of Hurricane Ida Monday morning, from downed trees to flooding along Lake Pontchartrain. But for some parts of the parish, that was just Chapter 1. Chapter 2 the rising rivers was expected to come later Monday and into Tuesday. Parish officials began warning residents of anticipated river floods on Sunday, and the picture didn't improve after Hurricane Ida passed. The National Weather Service River Forecasting Center was anticipating a crest on the Tchefuncte River near Covington of 30.51 feet at 7 am. Tuesday. That's just under the record of 32 feet in 1988 and in line with floods in 2016, when the Tchefuncte reached 31.2 feet in March and 30.2 feet several months later. "This is going to be one of the highest we've ever had," said Matthew Allen, who has lived on what's known as the Little Tchefuncte River his entire life. Allen, a certified floodplain manager, said that the river's rise is due to Hurricane Ida's rain he measured 10 inches at his home off Bennett Ridge Road and thinks some areas probably got more. "Everyone in Goodbee is pretty nervous right now," he said. His parents moved their vehicles to higher ground, as they typically do in advance of a storm. But this time they couldn't reach their usual spot, the Covington High School parking lot, because of fallen trees. Water was already creeping up Monday as Ida's rains finally dissipated. The Abita River had started spilling its banks Monday morning. Allen said water was already under his raised home. The Bogue Falaya River at Camp Covington crested Monday afternoon at 57.54 feet, above the projected crest of 56.17 feet, but shy of major flood stage and below the record of 61.14 in March of 2016. Get hurricane updates in your inbox Sign up for updates on storm forecasts, tracks and more. e-mail address * Sign Up The Bogue Falaya at Boston Street was project to crest at 1 a.m. Tuesday at 16.95 feet, close to major flood stage but below the record of 19.2 in March of 2016. Covington Mayor Mark Johnson said that he was concerned about the Bogue Falaya, which was already touching the bottom of the bridge on East Boston Street in Covington. But he said the flooding was not unusual. "River flooding happens every 20 years, this is typical." The river had already overflowed onto the property of Christ Episcopal Church in downtown Covington, with water nearly reaching the top of the slide in the playground. Blake Burns, director of youth ministries at Christ Episcopal School, walked over from his house with his two dogs, Rey and Kilo Ben, to inspect the damage from Ida. The school was prepared, he said, and had moved items out of the basement classrooms. Still, he said, it's the worse he'd ever seen. While residents near western St. Tammany's rivers readied for trouble, others across the parish were cutting up fallen trees and cleaning up flooded properties. Storm surge from Lake Pontchartrain pushed water into some homes in Slidell and into houses and businesses in Madisonville. The clatter of generators and the whine of chainsaws filled neighborhoods across Slidell. There were reports of house flooding in the Palm Lake subdivision and on Camellia Drive, a regular occurrence during tropical weather events. In Madisonville, several businesses reported taking on two feet of water. Trees that had been uprooted or snapped in Ida's winds were in and on houses and had crushed three backup police cars in Mandeville. In Barker's Corner, Brian Brewer directed traffic as the line of vehicles at an Exxon station snaked across Louisiana 40. Brewer said they were mostly trying to get fuel for generators. Cleco was reporting 95,000 customers without power in St. Tammany Parish, and governments across the parish were issuing boil water advisories. St. Tammany Parish School System sent out robocalls saying that classes were canceled until further notice and school officials were surveying the damage. All flights have been canceled Tuesday at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, officials said. The airport is running on emergency generator power, but said its facilities were not severely damaged by the storm. The vehicles in the airport's parking garage seem to be OK, airport officials said, and owners can pick them up "when you are ready." Call New South Parking at 504-471-1301 for more details. No "significant damage" has been observed to the vehicles, officials said. They shared this vehicle Monday night from the garage: Parking operators have not observed any significant damage to vehicles parked at MSY. Your vehicles can be retrieved when you are ready. For more info, call New South Parking at (504) 471-1301. pic.twitter.com/MfwRVQNGec New Orleans Airport (@flyneworleans) August 31, 2021 The airlines have canceled all incoming and outgoing flights on Tuesday, airport officials said, and about 200 flight cancellations have been reported for Wednesday so far. Get hurricane updates in your inbox Sign up for updates on storm forecasts, tracks and more. e-mail address * Sign Up Travelers should check directly with their airline for flight information, officials said. Power, water problems at airport Most of metro New Orleans is without power from Energy, including the airport. Critical facilities are running on emergency generator power, officials said. As of Monday afternoon, water pressure was low at the airport and it was affecting the air conditioning and bathrooms. MSY is on Jefferson Parish's priority list for water service restoration, airport officials said. All landlines are also out of service. The runways and taxiways don't appear to have any significant damage, officials said, but "some" jet bridges were damaged and repairs have begun. The perimeter fence also was damaged, officials said, and crews have been repairing it, along with clearing debris from airport roadways. Some of the 40 or so people trapped on Grand Isle in the wake of Hurricane Ida gave a thumbs-up to a helicopter crew checking on them from overhead, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto said Monday. Lopinto sent the helicopter crew to fly over after officials lost contact with those stuck on the island Sunday evening following Idas landfall. He said the sight greeting the chopper people flashing a thumbs-up sign and using frontloaders to clear debris from the road gave him hope that those who rode the storm out in Grand Isles community center fared relatively well. Everyone should be OK that stayed in the center, Lopinto said in an interview with WWL Radio host and former Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand. I think they lost some of the roof, but its not gone. Those in and around Kenner could lack water for five days, power for three weeks, officials warn After Hurricane Ida inflicted epic wind damage in and around Kenner on Sunday, residents should prepare to be without water for five days an The crew didnt land the helicopter on Grand Isle at the southern tip of Jefferson because there was not enough room to do so, and theres no refueling resources following Idas devastating impacts there, Lopinto said. Lopinto added that homes in Grand Isle which were built 10 feet off the ground stood up to Ida relatively well. But homes on ground level even ones that had never before taken on water got up to 8 feet of water as Category 4 Ida lashed onto Louisianas coast just a few miles west, packing winds of 150 mph and a devastating storm surge. Despite a mandatory evacuation ahead of the hurricane, a few dozen people stayed, including some firefighters. Rescuers havent been able to reach them and get them off the island because by Sunday night there was 6 feet of standing water with wind-whipped whitecaps on the lone state highway leading to Grand Isle, Jefferson Parish Council member Scott Walker said. Get hurricane updates in your inbox Sign up for updates on storm forecasts, tracks and more. e-mail address * Sign Up But, as weather conditions improved Monday, boat crews began conducting search-and-rescue operations in the lower parts of Jefferson, including Lafitte, to the north of Grand Isle, where there was also a high storm surge. Things on Grand Isle took a turn for the worse when those there lost contact with officials further inland Sunday, including Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng. Its very hard not to have any word, Lee Sheng said Monday during a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, who was surveying the storms aftermath in the region. Lopinto said boat crews were eager to work their way toward Grand Isle as weather conditions improved Monday. Well get to them as quickly as we can, Lopinto said. At 11:55 a.m. on Sunday, after rapidly strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico's bathub-warm waters, Hurricane Ida began its wobbling path across southern Louisiana. Its 150 mph winds made it the fifth-strongest storm to hit the U.S. since record-keeping began. So what exactly happened between Sunday morning, when Ida came ashore, and Monday evening, when it dissipated into a tropical depression? The graphic from The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate illustrates some of the fallout from Ida's destructive trek inland: overtopped levees, rogue barges and massive power outages among them. Not included: the Mississippi River reversing its course, indefinitely closed school systems, hospital patient evacuations, rescues, boil water advisories and much more. In short, 'it was a heck of a storm,' said Ben Schott, the meteorologist-in-charge of the National Weather Service in New Orleans. Get hurricane updates in your inbox Sign up for updates on storm forecasts, tracks and more. e-mail address * Sign Up Sam Karlin contributed to this report. +6 Hurricane Ida brings 'havoc' to huge swath of Louisiana, but levees prevent mass casualties Hurricane Ida arrived in Louisiana Sunday every bit as ornery as advertised: 150 mph winds, some of the fiercest to ever hit American shores, +3 'Isaac and Katrina combined': Madisonville reels from Hurricane Ida's wind, flooding The storm surge from Hurricane Ida filled Bonnie Boettner's Ace Hardware store on Louisiana 21 in Madisonville, reaching two feet Sunday night More than 18,000 people in Louisiana have registered for disaster assistance, but that's the tip of the iceberg when it comes to their needs following Hurricane Ida's catastrophic damage. Fortunately, Louisianans come together during disasters, and people from beyond state borders pitch in, too. "When it comes to disasters, we do see each other as brothers and sisters, and we respond that way," Gov. John Bel Edwards said in a Monday afternoon press conference. Here are a few ways to support southeast Louisiana in this time of crisis. All Hands and Hearts is requesting volunteers and donations to fund its work rebuilding southern Louisiana. Give money or sign up here. Culture Aid NOLA is distributing free meals outside Howlin' Wolf (907 S. Peters St., New Orleans) and accepting donations. Contribute via its website. Imagine Water Works provides direct mutual aid to people impacted by Hurricane Ida. To make a tax-deductible donation, visit the website or email klie@imaginewaterworks.org. GoFundMe has created a centralized page for all its verified Hurricane Ida-related relief efforts. Louisiana Association of the Deaf organized a GoFundMe to support the Deaf community. Funds go directly to people affected by Hurricane Ida. The nonprofit also accepts donations via mail: Louisiana Association of the Deaf, Inc., 3112 Valley Creek Drive, Suite E, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 Get hurricane updates in your inbox Sign up for updates on storm forecasts, tracks and more. e-mail address * Sign Up Louisiana SPCA requests donations and volunteers to assist with the care of their animals and evacuation efforts. Donate via the website. Multiple large religious groups sending volunteers and aid to southeastern Louisiana are accepting donations for their disaster relief efforts. They include Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Lutheran Disaster Response, Catholic Charities USA, Samaritan's Purse and the inter-denominational Convoy of Hope. New Orleans Musicians Clinic, which provides health services to musicians and performers, accepts donations via its website. The Preservation Resource Center's Revival Grants program provides free home repairs for low-income residents. The organization plan to scale up to help as many families as possible who fit the program's criteria after Hurricane Ida. Grants are funded Second Harvest Food Bank is requesting money, cleaning supplies, bottled water, nonperishable food, canned food and proteins (tuna, peanut butter, etc), diapers (for both babies and adults), can openers, batteries in unopened packs and personal hygiene items. Deliver items to Second Harvest locations at 700 Edwards Ave., Elmwood, or 215 E. Pinhook Road, Lafayette, or donate via its website. The St. Bernard Project requests donations for disaster response teams throughout Louisiana. Support its rebuilding efforts by donating via its website. Money goes to gutting, mucking, drywalling and re-roofing houses, plus supporting volunteers. United Way of Southeast Louisiana requests donations for its relief and recovery efforts. United Way of St. Charles Parish sends resources to residents in the hard-hit Luling area. Donate via its website. New Orleans officials and their partners are distributing food and water at various locations in the coming days for residents in need of supplies after Hurricane Ida, Mayor LaToya Cantrell said Tuesday. Meals, water, and charging stations for electronic devices will be available at seven locations Tuesday. The city is also converting its special needs shelter at Rosenwald Center on Earhart Boulevard Tuesday into a cooling center that can be used by all comers, due to rising temperatures and mass power outages. Starting Tuesday, the Regional Transit Authority will also use 70 public buses as mobile cooling centers that will be deployed in various neighborhoods, including at each of the seven food distribution sites. The LA-SPCA will also be on hand to provide cooling stations for pets. "We are focusing heavily on respite care, getting the much needed resources to our residents in their respective neighborhoods," Cantrell said at a press conference outside of City Hall. Locations offering free meals, water and air-conditioning on Tuesday are: St. Roch Park, 1800 St. Roch Ave., 1 p.m. Arthur Monday Center, 1111 Newton Street, 1 p.m. (will also offer tarps) Harmony Oaks, 2514 Washington Ave., 1:30 p.m. New Philippians Church, 5234 N. Claiborne Ave., 1:30 p.m. St. Maria Goretti Church, 7300 Crowder Blvd., 1:30 p.m. Rosenwald Recreation Center, 1120 S. Broad Ave., 3 p.m. Life Transformation Community Center, 8606 Marks St., 4 p.m. The locations for the city's meal distributions will change on Wednesday. Wednesday's list is as follows (open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.): Treme Rec Center, 900 N Villere St. Cutoff Rec Center, 6600 Belgrade St. Gernon Brown Rec Center, 1001 Harrison Ave. Milne Rec Center, 5420 Franklin Ave. Stallings St. Claude Rec Center, 4300 St Claude Ave. Lyons Center, 624 Louisiana Ave. Joe Brown Rec Center, 5601 Read Blvd. Rosenwald Rec Center, 1120 S. Broad Ave. So, too, will the Louisiana National Guard begin managing drive-through distribution sites at 8 a.m. Wednesday at the Mahalia Jackson Theater parking lot and at Joe Brown. Officers will also hold those distributions Thursday at the UNO Lakefront Arena, the Lyons Center and Skelly Rupp Stadium. The guard will be distributing ready-to-eat meals, water and ice, officials said. Get hurricane updates in your inbox Sign up for updates on storm forecasts, tracks and more. e-mail address * Sign Up The announcement comes a day after Cantrell pledged to open sites where residents can get needed supplies, cool off, and charge their devices as the city recovers from Ida. Her administration had also readied resources for a post-storm evacuation to various Louisiana shelters, had Ida caused catastrophic structural damage to an abundance of city homes and businesses. With the restoration of power being most people's No. 1 concern after the storm, however, the city is now focusing on meeting critical needs as New Orleans continues to shelter in place, Cantrell said. People with special medical needs, such as insulin that must be refrigerated, can call 311 to be added to the city's special needs registry, if they have not already, the mayor said. The city on Monday set up locations for residents to swap out old oxygen tanks. People do not have to provide identification or other documentation in order to get supplies, which are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The city expects to distribute tarps more widely in the coming days, said Collin Arnold, New Orleans' director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Crews have worked recently to clear storm debris from six major thoroughfares around the meal distributions, so that drivers can get there safely, added Ramsey Green, the city's infrastructure chief. Cantrell also urged residents to register for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. As of Tuesday, Louisiana had not yet been authorized to run a disaster supplemental nutrition assistance program, commonly known as disaster food stamps. Residents can sign up for FEMA aid at www.disasterassistance.gov, or call 1-800-621-3362. Over 113,000 people have already done so, most of whom live in New Orleans, FEMA official Gerry Stoler said. "What will happen after a household registers, is they will be contacted by a FEMA inspector to come and do an inspection of a damaged home," Stoler said. "We are in the process right now of getting inspectors deployed in this area." He encouraged people who are staying in temporary lodging to keep their receipts, but stressed that FEMA aid alone is often not enough to make households whole. People should also contact their insurance providers to report losses, he said. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell on Tuesday imposed a citywide curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning Tuesday night as the city remained without power and residents struggled to find gasoline and other essentials. The announcement came with just three hours notice, but Cantrell characterized the curfew as a "proactive" public safety measure. New Orleans Police Chief Shaun Ferguson said officers have made "several" looting arrests and said it was not widespread, but he refused to disclose how many there had been. Ferguson said he was withholding the number of arrests to prevent "a false narrative about this city." I dont think a number matters. What matters is who is committing these crimes and if they are being held accountable, Ferguson said. There have been few if any independent reports of looting across the city, other than in some isolated instances. But with power likely out for several more days, the move to impose a curfew suggests that city officials see the step as necessary to ensure that they can maintain public safety. Ferguson and Cantrell have repeatedly said New Orleanss post-storm public safety situation as stable, with a few bad actors committing looting crimes that will be stringently prosecuted. This is day two. We are moving into day three. As the days progress, sometimes things may get out of hand. We do not want that to happen, so we are being proactive, Cantrell said. Its not responding to something, its being proactive. Get hurricane updates in your inbox Sign up for updates on storm forecasts, tracks and more. e-mail address * Sign Up Ferguson said the timing of the curfew announcement was tied to the availability of State Police and National Guard personnel. Cantrell first mentioned an additional National Guard unit focused on an anti-looting effort on Tuesday morning. She made no mention of a curfew as part of that protocol. Ferguson said that the Louisiana State Police and National Guard will supplement police patrols. Asked why the outside help is necessary, Ferguson said it will help provide a visible deterrent. Ferguson said the joint patrols will be stationed at undisclosed locations. The number of outside personnel is not clear. "This is all about visibility to ensure the safety of our city," Ferguson he said. The worst of Hurricane Ida passed through New Orleans late Sunday night, and by Monday morning city officials, public-safety workers and residents were surveying the damage brought by the storm's wind and rain. By Tuesday morning, many grocery stores and a smattering of gas stations began opening, fueled by generator power, and lines quickly grew. New Orleans police typically provide a daily report of major crimes such as shootings, robberies and carjackings across the city's eight police districts. There have been few daily reports of these types of offenses in recent days as many city residents were hunkered down to ride out the storm or had already left the city. St. Bernard Parish flooded wall to wall 16 years ago in Hurricane Katrina. And while commercial power now remains out for days if not weeks, the parish fared better than its neighbors to the west in Hurricane Ida's 14-hour onslaught, officials said Tuesday. "We felt a little guilty," Sheriff James Pohlmann said after talking with officials in St. John the Baptist, Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes. +2 New Orleans' levee system 'performed exceptionally well' in combating Hurricane Ida If there's a bright spot in the efforts to repel Hurricane Ida's worst in Louisiana, it's likely the complete lack of damage caused by storm s During Ida, sheriff's deputies responded to several life-threatening emergencies yet weren't overwhelmed. Downed utility lines still litter the roads, but Parish President Guy McInnis said all roads entering and leaving St. Bernard are open and any residents who evacuated are welcome to return if they're prepared to live without power and with limited access to fuel and grocery stores. Water service remains uninterrupted and is in stable condition, escaping the boil water advisories faced by some residents of Jefferson, St. Charles and St. Tammany residents. "If you can come home and you have a generator and you think you can be comfortable without electricity for at least a few days, come on back," Pohlmann said. "We're here to protect you, and we want you back." Garbage collection resumes Thursday. McInnis equated Ida's effects inside the post-Katrina levee system in St. Bernard to Hurricane Zeta, a Category 3 storm that made landfall in southeast Louisiana in October. He predicted that commercial power will return "little by little" and likely be fully restored to the parish in about three weeks, although Entergy Louisiana has not said as much publicly. He said St. Bernard's electric grid will be easier to reassemble than New Orleans', calling the parish's power problems "low-hanging fruit" for Entergy. "The sooner they get up us and running, the sooner we can help some of these other parishes in southeast Louisiana get going," he said. Despite issues with electricity transmission lines and the loss of a major transmission tower at Avondale, Entergy crews were working in St. Bernard to repair local lines. McInnis said, however, that the utility can't deliver power to individual customers until a major transmission line is restored and tested. Entergy to New Orleans City Council: First power to city may come online as soon as Wednesday The total blackout thats engulfed New Orleans since Hurricane Ida hit could begin to lift at least partially by late Wednesday, Entergy N Get hurricane updates in your inbox Sign up for updates on storm forecasts, tracks and more. e-mail address * Sign Up "There's no power to put through the lines," he said. Outside the levees, water covered Louisiana 46 communities such as Delacroix, Yscloskey and Shell Beach, all key to commercial and recreational fishers. Ida pushed a wall of water almost 10 feet high into the sector gate near Violet on Monday, according to provisional date from a U.S. Geological Survey gauge. By Tuesday, those waters had receded. McInnis reported "considerable damage" to area's structures. "It's devastating," he said. Parish crews were working to clear the road, although those efforts will extend down Florissant Highway only as far as the Yscloskey bridge, which sustained serious damage from the storm and is impassable. McInnis was waiting on the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to estimate repairs. He said parish offices had no reports of injury or death from the handful of people who rode out the storm beyond the federal levees. On Wednesday, officials planned to start allowing residents to check on their docks, camps and other property beyond the levee system but before the bridge. Officials advised anyone - especially elderly people - who needs help with rising temperatures and the loss of power to call (504) 278-4200. A cooling center with phone charging stations will open Wednesday at the Val Riess Multipurpose Building at 1101 Magistrate St., Chalmette. It will be open from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Proof of residency will be required. Face coverings must be worn at all times. Pets in animal carriers are welcome. There also will be space for residents who depend on electricity for medical needs. Marie Burton rode out Hurricane Ida praying inside her 2007 Lexus sedan with a COPD nebulizer for company. She was parked in front of her darkened home on South Miro Street in Central City about 8 p.m., she said, when the building across the street collapsed. The pink-sided corner spot once held a bar, then a barber shop, then a beauty salon, neighbors said, but had sat dormant since Hurricane Katrina 16 years ago. Burton, 65, said shed considered parking beneath its awning for cover as Idas pounding wind began rocking the car and she feared it would tip over. I wouldnt be living right here now today. I would have been mashed. I would have been dead, Burton said of that plan. She remained sitting in the car on Monday morning, saying she had no money and about as many options. Ill be sitting in here all night again tonight. I gotta try to hustle up some money to put gas in my car to keep my car running, she said. Im just going to stick it out here until the lights come on. Across New Orleans, residents who stayed to hunker down for Ida crawled out from homes or cars Monday morning to find downed tree branches, lines and other moderate hazards, and monumental doubt about when power might return. The city largely escaped major damage from Idas hurricane-force winds, or from a severe deluge of rain that was forecast to overwhelm the citys antiquated and hobbled drainage pumping system. But the life-threatening collapse of the Entergy transmission system that powers up the city had Mayor LaToya Cantrell telling residents who evacuated to stay gone. Many who remained took a wait-and-see approach Monday as they assessed the damage to their own property or got busy with rakes, brooms or insurance calls. Lets see what the citys plans are. We cant make a move until they do, said Michele Bolden, who was trying to take the uncertainty in stride. Bolden had complications: Her two vehicles her own and a company car -- sat crushed under a fallen building on Tchoupitoulas Street. Oh, these are totaled, said Bolden, who works in auto insurance. I look at wrecked cars for a living. Get hurricane updates in your inbox Sign up for updates on storm forecasts, tracks and more. e-mail address * Sign Up She and other neighbors said the two-story building was under repair and that its owner scrambled to shore it up on Saturday with Ida looming, to no avail. They worked all day, and all of a sudden, it went all the way down to the ground, said a neighbor, Roddis Finley. Finley and his 95-year-old mother, Alice Evans, stayed at a downtown hotel Sunday night but came home after the power went out, he said. We got water, everything we mostly need for maybe a day or so," he said. "This is a bad situation. If we can get some food and a few things, we can maybe make it through the week. If it takes much longer for power, Finley said, he aims to find the nearest city with a hotel and air conditioning and lights. Thats all I want. With a restaurant close by. Up Cadiz Street, a large cypress tree that Steve Hunicke said he planted 36 years ago crashed into his porch roof with a loud boom before the power went out Sunday night, he said. Hunicke said he would crank up his generator until I find out more about the prognosis for everything, but that we may decide to high-tail it out of here. Some already were, strapping gas cans to vehicle roofs and heading out of the city. But many were set to wait a bit longer. Near another uninhabited building that collapsed in Ida, this one in the Irish Channel, Justin Fitzpatrick and Megan Browne viewed the damage along with other neighbors. Fitzpatrick, who tends bar at Traceys, said hed been preparing my whole life, having stockpiled fuel for a generator and other supplies for years. Were going to chill for a week, he said. In the meantime, as they have done following other hurricanes, Traceys staff members plan to open the Magazine Street bar on Tuesday to help feed people. The Greater New Orleans Foundation has launched a fund to benefit residents struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Update: Fund raises $2 million in one week The foundation's Disaster Response & Restoration Fund will support local nonprofits that are responding to the disaster. It has already provided $50,000 in grants to Second Harvest Food Bank, Red Cross and other organizations that are coordinating their response with local and regional emergency managers. Need food, water in New Orleans after Hurricane Ida? City opening multiple distribution sites New Orleans officials and their partners are distributing food and water at various locations in the coming days for residents in need of supp New donations to the fund can be made by visiting www.gnof.org. The fund typically makes awards to organizations within 48 hours. "With the support of generous donors and partners, we are positioned to respond to the threat of Hurricane Ida headed to our region and get resources into the hands of nonprofits working on the front lines to support our communities when disaster strikes," said Andy Kopplin, GNOF President and CEO. The Greater New Orleans Foundation is the community foundation for 13 parishes in southeast Louisiana. Its disaster response fund has responded to every major disaster in the region since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Get hurricane updates in your inbox Sign up for updates on storm forecasts, tracks and more. e-mail address * Sign Up Two days after Ida ravaged the area, more than 1 million people in the New Orleans region are without power. The Category 4 storm also caused considerable damage to homes and businesses in the greater New Orleans area, and sparked severe flooding its river parishes. +5 Stores open to sell groceries, ice, fuel as hurricane outages continue Tuesday Thousands of residents, anxious to find gas, food and booze after two nights of camping in their unair-conditioned homes, took to their cars T Though some power in New Orleans is expected to be restored this week, the vast majority of residents will continue to shelter in place, without air-conditioning, on some of the hottest days of the year as work continues to restore the grid. Next on GNOF's list is sending money to organizations that help people apply for federal and other assistance, that help clean and gut homes, and that provide shelter for people who are unable to return home, officials said. More than 20 organizations have already pre-registered for the grants. "As our city and region respond to Hurricane Ida, it is essential our nonprofits have the resources they need to lift up our residents after the storm," Mayor LaToya Cantrell said. Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng echoed that and asked people to donate if able. "Like we always do, we will come together with our nonprofit partners in its aftermath so we can support our community," she said. Hurricane Ida arrived in Louisiana Sunday every bit as ornery as advertised: 150 mph winds, some of the fiercest to ever hit American shores, bringing with them intense rainfall and storm surge that left a swath of carnage in its wake. The massive storm, which arrived on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, sent rescuers scrambling to retrieve people from attics as flood waters poured into places like Lafitte, LaPlace and Braithwaite. The winds, matching the highest speeds ever recorded in Louisiana, tore roofs off homes, toppled transmission towers and left historic buildings in ruin. In Grand Isle, near where Ida made landfall, a helicopter airlifted several people who rode out the storm. Two people were confirmed dead by state and local officials Monday, a toll that was expected to rise, especially as people hauled out generators to withstand suffocating August heat. The storm decimated infrastructure across southeast Louisiana, leaving hundreds of thousands with the prospect of being without power and water for days or even weeks. A 400-foot transmission tower near Avondale, supporting a band of electricity cable nearly three-quarters of a mile long, withstood Katrina but came toppling down when Ida tore through. On Monday, it lay in a mangled pile of rusted metal next to the Mississippi River. That and other blows to Entergys transmission knocked out power to most of metro New Orleans, including the entirety of the city. Communications were likewise crippled. AT&T lost service throughout a wide swath of south Louisiana for much of the day, leaving people unable to call for help from their flooded homes. More than 1 million customers -- an estimated 2 million people or more -- were out of power ahead of a week of sweltering summer weather. The storm left 641,000 people without access to clean water, including about 312,000 who were without water completely. The damage prompted Jefferson Parish officials to arrange for buses to help residents evacuate. People living in and around Kenner were told to prepare for five days without water and three weeks without power. Gov. John Bel Edwards described the scene Monday as catastrophic, and said it would take months for the region to fully recover. There are an awful lot of unknowns right now, Edwards said. I cant tell you when the power is going to be restored, I cant tell you when the debris is going to be cleaned up and the repairs made and so forth. The winds were extremely strong and sustained at 150 miles per hour for a long period of time. Ive been seeing reports that gusts that entered the 170s, maybe low 180s in different places. This wreaks havoc on infrastructure, and that includes the electrical grid. But unlike Katrina, which caused an estimated 1,800 deaths, mostly as a result of drowning, Ida didnt bring catastrophic flooding to New Orleans. Thats because the just-completed $14.5 billion system of levees, floodwalls, pumps and gates built after Katrina largely kept the storm surge and flooding at bay. Edwards said officials had not identified any levees that failed, though some smaller levees in southeast Louisiana that are not part of the federal system were overtopped, letting water stream into homes. About 200,000 residents of New Orleans -- well over half -- stayed behind to ride out Ida, compared with up to 90% of residents who fled ahead of Katrina. Still, city officials had only confirmed one death Monday, a resident who drowned while driving a car through a flooded low spot. Mayor LaToya Cantrell urged people who evacuated not to come home yet, echoing similar pleas from officials across the hard-hit parishes. While the levees held, New Orleans was hardly spared. Once ashore, Ida wobbled, bringing its eastern edge near the city, and with it, sustained winds between 75 and 80 mph at Louis Armstrong International Airport. That jog spared Baton Rouge from the worst of Idas winds. Get hurricane updates in your inbox Sign up for updates on storm forecasts, tracks and more. e-mail address * Sign Up The historic Karnofsky Tailor Shop -- one of the citys most crucial jazz landmarks, where Louis Armstrong lived and bought his first cornet -- was unrecognizable Monday, transformed into a heap of bricks. Next door, a mural depicting Buddy Bolden and his band had disappeared from the side of the Little Gem Saloon, the wall ripped from the studs. A mile and a half away, in Treme, the iron cross that sits atop St. Augustine Church was bent from Idas winds, hanging precariously from the historic churchs belfry. In an echo of Katrina, schools announced indefinite closures. In other southeast parishes, the scene was more dire still, especially in places not protected by federally built levees. Idas storm surge topped floodwalls in the Lafitte area in lower Jefferson Parish, bringing the highest water that Parish Council member Deano Bonano has ever seen in the town. Officials dispatched more than 30 boats to rescue people from attics after sections of the highway went underwater. In LaPlace, Lesia Landry watched the wind howl and rain blow in sheets that looked like snow and ultimately decided to take refuge on her kitchen island. She remained there for hours as the water rose in her house. In all, up to 17 inches of rain fell across St. John the Baptist Parish, swamping homes at the same time several feet of water surged in from Lake Pontchartrain. Helicopters buzzed overhead Monday as sheriffs deputies launched boats into the flooded roadways. Dozens of residents had to be rescued; there were no known casualties as of Monday afternoon. In Houma, a group of six people who rode out the storm piled out of a Coast Guard helicopter in the parking lot of the citys civic center, their clothes dirtied from the storm and belongings packed into duffel bags. They had hunkered down in Grand Isle, near where Ida made landfall, finally escaping from the motel they stayed in, which by then was barely standing. The helicopter plucked them from the island town; the roads were impassable by car. I thought we were going to blow away, recounted Kelly Smith. That building was shaking like I cant even tell you. We could see debris pilings from buildings floating everywhere. There were whole buildings floating by. Ida landed as a Category 4 just outside of Port Fourchon, making it more powerful than Katrina, a Category 3 at landfall. That made Ida one of the strongest hurricanes to ever hit the U.S., matching several storms at fifth for highest wind speeds to hit land. The only storms to match its intensity in Louisiana were the Last Island hurricane of 1856 and Hurricane Laura, which devastated southwest Louisiana last year. Ida took aim at Louisiana a year after a slew of harrowing hurricanes slammed the state, topped by Laura. Those storms brought the southwest portion of the state to its knees and exposed fragile infrastructure across south Louisiana. Idas unwelcome visit also came as the state continues to grapple with its worst coronavirus surge since the pandemic began, with hospitals full of COVID patients. Ochsner Health, Louisianas largest hospital system, was working Monday to evacuate 165 patients from its hardest-hit hospitals. Ida had torn off parts of roofs and blown out windows at several facilities, CEO Warner Thomas told reporters. Generators failed, and Terrebonne General Hospital asked for help moving about 100 patients after significant roof damage. A host of health care facilities were running on generator power, Edwards said. It was a heck of a storm, said Ben Schott, the meteorologist-in-charge of the National Weather Service in New Orleans. Im still a little sick to my stomach about what we might actually hear about in some of the places we havent heard from yet. Golden Meadow, or Lafourche or Houma. Interstate 10 eastbound is now open from the Texas state line to the Mississippi state line, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development said around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Officials are asking that drivers try to keep the eastbound lanes between Baton Rouge and New Orleans clear for Hurricane Ida response efforts. Here are other road closures as of 10 a.m. I-10 westbound between Gramercy and Prairieville remains closed as DOTD continues to remove debris from the road. I-10 exit ramps at Highway 51 in LaPlace are closed due to flooding. I-55 northbound is also closed from Hammond to the Mississippi state line due to fallen trees blocking the road. FOR TODAY:I-10 between NOLA and Baton Rouge is reserved for emergency vehicles only (advisory only)The-interstate exit ramps at Hwy 51 in Laplace are flooded and closed:NB I-55 is closed from Hammond to the Miss line due to trees in the roadway TTN Baton Rouge (@TotalTrafficBTR) August 31, 2021 For a full list of road closures, click here. These major roadways were open Tuesday morning: Billy J. Kennedy passed September 8th, 2021. A Celebration of Life Memorial is scheduled for Tuesday September 14, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in Little's Chapel. The service will be livestreamed on our Facebook page Wilson Little, and our website wilsonlittle.com. Harrisburg, Pa. -- Overdoses are still continuing despite the pandemic, but Gov. Tom Wolf said that Pennsylvanias opioid disaster declaration is over as of Aug. 25, 2021, after the Republican-controlled General Assembly declined to extend it. Wolf first signed the opioid disaster declaration in Jan. 2018 to help the commonwealth fight the deadly opioid and heroin epidemic and renewed the declaration 15 times, most recently on Aug. 4, 2021. When I first signed Pennsylvanias opioid disaster declaration in 2018, it was an important tool in our fight to save lives. The disaster declaration allowed us to work together more effectively to reduce overdose deaths and help Pennsylvanians obtain treatment and pursue recovery," said Wolf. We made a lot of progress before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, both in putting improved systems in place to help Pennsylvanians and in reducing overdose deaths in the commonwealth by nearly twenty percent from 2017 to 2020," Wolf said. Efforts over the past several years have resulted in significant action to address the opioid crisis including: DOH Acting Physician General Dr. Johnson signed an updated naloxone standing order permitting community-based organizations to provide naloxone by mail. In September 2020, DDAP announced the launch of Life Unites Us, an anti-stigma campaign, utilizing social media platforms to spread real-life stories of individuals and their family members battling substance use disorder, live and recorded webinars detailing tools and information necessary to effectively reduce stigma to more than 350 community-based organizations focused on substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery throughout Pennsylvania, and a web-based interactive data dashboard detailing the progress of the campaign. The Wolf Administration called on all Pennsylvanians to carry naloxone. The DOH Office of Drug Surveillance and Misuse Prevention has reduced opioid prescriptions by 40 percent and has virtually eliminated doctor shopping. Pennsylvania Coordinated Medication Assisted Treatment (PacMAT) programs are serving as part of a hub-and-spoke model to provide evidence-based treatment to people where they live. Eight PacMAT programs currently serve patients through this initiative, and over 8,000 patients have been served through this initiative. The First Responder Addiction and Connection to Treatment ProgramOpens In A New Window has equipped over 1,200 Commonwealth First Responders and Public Safety Professionals with the skills necessary to respond and fight the opioid epidemic. An update to the standing order signed by Acting Physician General Dr. Johnson allowed EMS to leave behind more than 5,140 doses of naloxone through December 2020. EMS has administered more than 51,760 doses of naloxone between January 2018 to present. More than 880 drug take-back boxes help Pennsylvanians properly dispose of unwanted drugs, including 180,969 pounds that were collected and destroyed in 2020. Since 2016, more than 76,000 Pennsylvanians have utilized Pennsylvanias Get Help Now hotline to find and/or access substance use treatment in their area. The state prison system has expanded their Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program, which is viewed as a model program for other states. A body scanner pilot project was successful in reducing overdoses and violent crime in a number of facilities. Body scanners are in place in more than 30 locations and are currently being expanded to additional facilities. Several agencies have worked together to collaborate on the seizure and destruction of illicit opioids across Pennsylvania. Education and training on opioids have been provided to schools. Future plans are in place to make opioid education a standard component of school-based training. The coordination with seven major commercial providers has expand access to naloxone and mental health care, while also working to make it more affordable. Naloxone has been made available to first responders through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency since Nov. 2017, with more than 72,000 kits made available and more than 16,241 overdose reversals reported through the program. More than 6,600 of those saves occurred in 2019. The utilization and creation of programs to address the needs of veterans with substance use disorders has served more than 500 veterans across the state. Connection through various support agencies of close to 500 pregnant and postpartum women with opioid use disorder services, and their babies with evidence-based SUD treatment, specialty medical and behavioral healthcare. Using state funding, conducted close to 80 trainings and more than 50 outreach events to approximately 13,000 student and faculty members of colleges and universities in Pennsylvania to increase awareness and understanding of opioid use and misuse, and the importance of naloxone. Through various initiatives, whether the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program through the Attorney Generals Office, diversion to treatment through the Pennsylvania State Police, or efforts on the local level led by the Single County Authorities, have worked to train law enforcement officers on topics related to police diversion and help get individuals into treatment. Unfortunately, the isolation and disruption caused by the pandemic over the past year and half has also caused a heartbreaking increase in substance use disorder and overdose deaths. Now more than ever, it is essential that we continue our efforts to fight stigma, increase access to treatment and reduce deaths related to substance use disorder. Thats why I asked the General Assembly to return to Harrisburg in August to renew this disaster declaration," Wolf added. The General Assembly has determined that a disaster declaration is no longer our most effective tool against the opioid epidemic and has declined to extend it. But our fight is not over. We have an obligation to support individuals desperately in need of substance use disorder services and supports. With or without a disaster declaration, this will remain a top priority of my administration," comments from the governor said. Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. Harrisburg, Pa. Cases of the coronavirus are steadily climbing in Pennsylvania to levels not seen since the beginning of the year, driven by the highly contagious delta variant. At the moment, the Wolf administration has rejected implementing new mitigation measures like mask mandates in favor of encouraging holdouts to get vaccinated. But with that effort slow-going, there are concerns about possible outbreaks in schools and other settings where unvaccinated people gather closely. Spotlight PA held a free panel with health experts about what you need to know going into the fall. Here are the takeaways: Whos getting sick now? At the beginning of the pandemic, experts were most concerned about serious illness in older people, said Dr. Jerome Gloster, chief executive officer of Primary Care Health Services, Inc. and a member of the Black Equity Coalition in Pittsburgh. Now, Gloster said people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s who havent been vaccinated are getting sick. There was a lot of complacency and a lot of resistance to the vaccine, he said. And those are the individuals that are getting, you know, the most sick and ill right now. The ones that are very sick are the unvaccinated, Frederick Jackson, executive director of Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers, added. The hesitancy is a tough thing to break. How many breakthrough cases have there been in Pennsylvania? Some states are publicly reporting how many fully vaccinated people have been infected with COVID-19, but Pennsylvania is not one of them. Dr. Krys Johnson, assistant professor of instruction in Temple Universitys Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, said there isnt good data at the moment on breakthrough cases, particularly at the state level. And I think thats just a manifestation of how hard it is to collect good data with so many cases going on, she said. Are vaccines effective against the delta variant? The experts agreed that current data and information indicate the vaccines are excellent at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. But they said its reasonable to be concerned about the risk of spreading COVID-19 to children and other people who cant get vaccinated because the delta variant is more contagious. Johnson said 65% of Pennsylvania adults being fully vaccinated is an excellent number, and we should keep striving to increase that. But, she continued, were really not going to get anywhere near herd immunity and feeling fully protected and going back to a true sense of normal until we also are able to get those children vaccinated. When will kids under 12 be able to get the shot? The Food and Drug Administration expects to give emergency approval to vaccinate children under 12 by mid-winter. Thats also what Pennsylvanias Vaccine Task Force has been told, according to state Sen. Art Haywood (D., Montgomery). Are mask mandates coming? Gov. Tom Wolfs administration lifted the statewide mask mandate in June and has rejected the idea of instituting a new one. But the Democratic governor did recently ask Republican leaders in the legislature to return to Harrisburg to pass a mandate focused solely on schools an idea the lawmakers rejected. Haywood said the legislature should take another look at masking, especially in elementary schools where children are too young to be vaccinated. Should I still wear a mask if Im vaccinated? Johnson said she has returned to acting as if she isnt fully vaccinated, in part because she is pregnant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently urged pregnant people to get vaccinated as it sees an uptick in hospitalizations among this largely unvaccinated population. I would suggest and have suggested to my extended family to just kind of pretend that you dont have any protection from that vaccine, she said. Thats not true, you have plenty of protection around it. ... But if what youre concerned about is actually becoming infected, then I would say go back to what your most heightened level of prevention and mitigation measures was throughout the pandemic. Gloster and Johnson said KN95s offer good protection while leaving N95s (which offer the highest level of protection) for health-care workers and others in high-risk settings. I gave the analogy of riding in a car and you have your seatbelt, you have your airbags. The more stuff you have, theres more protection from you getting killed in an accident, Gloster said. Its not that it cant happen. But you know what, when you pile on more and more protection, youre really decreasing your risk. How will the state handle booster shots? U.S. health officials are recommending people receive an additional shot eight months after getting the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, though the ultimate decision lies with the Food and Drug Administration. The agency has already given the go-ahead for some immunocompromised people. Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers will soon begin giving out third shots to people who meet those standards. Jackson, the executive director, said the challenge at the moment is people anxious to get a booster who dont currently qualify. Experts agreed that, if booster shots are approved for the general population, its unlikely the state will see the same type of confusion and chaos experienced when the vaccine first became available at the end of 2020. With the initial rollout, all of our systems were completely overwhelmed with demand, just tremendously exceeding supply ... and were in a much better place right now, Gloster said. A staggered rollout for the rest of the vaccinated population would allow us to do things in a much more orderly fashion, Jackson added. Haywood said the state Vaccine Task Force plans to meet to discuss booster shots and how they may be managed. No decisions have been made yet. But with flu season approaching, Gloster said theres going to be a heightened sense of urgency to move things along. WHILE YOURE HERE... If you learned something from this story, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. Wellsboro, Pa. -- Marc Berger and Ride will play the last free concert in the free outdoor summer concert series being sponsored by the Deane Center for the Performing Arts and the Wellsboro Community Concert Association. The concert is on Friday, Sept. 3 at 6:15 p.m. on the Deane Center's outdoor stage on the Central Avenue side of the building. Donations are always appreciated. Songwriter Berger is lead vocalist and plays acoustic and electric guitar and harmonica. The Ride Band includes Mike Ricciardi on drums and percussion, who fills the drum seat in the rock royalty band Badfinger; guitarist Rich DePaolo, who sang harmony vocals, played fretless bass and toured extensively with the Ithaca-based Burns Sisters Band; and Joey Arcuri, upright bass player in Driftwood, a folk rock quintet based in Binghamton, New York. Berger's songs span the full range of American roots music: country, blues, folk and rock n' roll. He has performed at Austins South by Southwest Music Festival, and the Kerrville and Falcon Ridge Folk Festivals, and has opened shows for Bob Dylan and other national acts. His antinuclear anthem "The Last One" was a staple of Richie Havens' concerts for many years. Inspired by Berger's lifelong love affair with the American West, "Ride," his critically acclaimed current release, presents ten cinematic recordings that capture its wide open spaces and timeless romantic appeal. Berger told the Boston Globe, "The thing I've always found so intoxicating about being in that environment is the way it gives you the ability to hear yourself think and breathefreedom from authority and people telling you what to do. That's what compelled me to make ('Ride'), to try to communicate these things," he said. At this special concert, Marc and the band will perform songs from "Ride" along with an in-the-works, roots rock, "shake yer booty" follow-up album so be prepared to dance. A well choreographed mix of deep country folk songs with touches of bluegrass, roots, Americana, a little spicy Cajun, and even a little indie with an effects laced lead acoustic guitar. It's near impossible to sit through a set without feeling a musical kinship to something in every song, even if it's just the basic joy of watching a well seasoned band rip through every song as if it was the final number of their farewell tour. The Living Room, NYC. For this free concert, bring lawn chairs and sit on the grass in front of the outdoor stage or on Central Avenue, which will be closed to traffic between Main Street and the Warehouse Theatre. On Aug. 30, officials reported multiple instances of law enforcement impersonation between the areas of Genesse and Shinglehouse. Police are currently investigating three cases in Potter County. Two vehicles have been identified so far: A red/maroon Honda Civic and a white Grand Marquis. To deceive drivers, they use blue and red flashing lights on their inner windshields. Suspects in the Honda vehicle are described as "two white men dressed in all black, one having a salt and pepper beard," according to Potter-Tioga County Fire Wire reports. Officials advise that drivers call 911 and put on hazards. If unable to call 9-11, drive to a well-lit area. Drivers can call 911 and ask if they're being pulled over by a cop. Any individual who can provide tips or would like to report a suspicious vehicle should contact the state police of Coudersport at (814) 274-8690. Mifflinburg, Pa. Pennsylvania State Police at Milton are looking for information regarding a road rage incident that occurred in Limestone Township, Union County. A male victim was allegedly assaulted by three unidentified black male suspects at 10 a.m. Aug. 10 at the area of Wildwood Road and State Route 104, according to the police report. State police said a 2021 Nissan Frontier vehicle was at the scene. Anyone with information may contact PSP Milton at (570) 524-2662 and reference incident number PA21-1138752. Shikellamy State Park now contains an observation area and monument honoring Franklin Kury and the Environmental Rights Amendment. On Aug. 26, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) celebrated the grand opening of the observation area---now called "Kury Point." Franklin Kury was a legislator who authored the amendment within Pennsylvania's Constitution. May marked the 50th anniversary of the Environmental Rights Amendment, and perhaps Kurys greatest accomplishment as a legislator. Kury and DCNR Secretary, Cindy Adams Dunn, participated in a public conversation about the continued impact of the amendment earlier this year. "We are proud to honor Franklin Kurys legacy and the landmark legislation that continues to ensure Pennsylvanians natural resources are protected and conserved, Dunn said. DCNR and other state resource organizations carry out this mission each day as trustees on behalf of the owners -- the current and future citizens of Pennsylvania. We are grateful to Mr. Kury for his contributions to conservation in the commonwealth. Kury Point was dedicated in 2016. A monument at the site shares text from Article 1, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution which reads: The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic, and esthetic values of the environment. Site improvements recently completed at the point include an ADA-accessible walkway to the point overlook, new railings, benches, landscape beds, and an interpretive panel mounted at the entrance to the point that provides more detailed information about the Environmental Rights Amendment. Kury, who served in both the House and Senate, grew up in rural Pennsylvania and saw first-hand the adverse effects of poor environmental decisions on the Susquehanna River. As a candidate for the House in 1966 his platform slogan was, For Clean Streams and Clean Politics. He also led early efforts on the lower Susquehanna to restore spawning runs by migratory fish and channel them toward upstream habitats. The Scenic Rivers Act sponsored these efforts which left a critical impact on improving the quality of the river and the Chesapeake Bay. I am humbled and honored by this dedication, Kury said. When I ran for the House of Representatives in 1966, I had no idea that anything I might do if elected would be recognized 50 years later. Its a very satisfying moment. Im delighted to be here. Former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Ron Castille spoke at the ceremony. In 2013, Castille wrote the plurality opinion in the Robinson Township v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which cited the Environmental Rights Amendment in its decision. Castille's decision noted the amendment as "on par with, and enforceable to the same extent as, any other right reserved to the people in Article 1." The 218-acre Shikellamy State Park is in Union and Northumberland counties. Located on the southern tip of Packers Island at the confluence of the West Branch and North Branch Susquehanna River, the 54-acre main park offers access to walking and biking trails, picnic grounds, the Shikellamy Marina and boat launch, and as of last Thursday, the newly dedicated Kury Point observation area. While the most extreme weather associated with Tropical Storm Ida is expected to remain south of PPL Electric Utilities' territory, our area is expecting heavy rain and some winds from this system to cause potential outages in PPL service areas starting Wednesday morning. Outage safety tips from PPL Keep your phones and other devices charged. Just in case you lose power, its good to have an emergency kit on hand with food, water, medication, and any pet supplies you may need. Remember that candles can start fires. If you lose power, use flashlights instead. If you encounter a downed wire at any time, assume its energized and stay away. If you lose power and are using a portable generator, never operate the generator in an enclosed area, like a garage, where deadly carbon monoxide fumes could accumulate. For your safety and ours, please keep a safe distance from working PPL crews. Forecasting predicts the heaviest rain to fall Wednesday into Thursday morning, with accumulation anywhere between three and six inches, winds below 30 miles per hour, and the possibility of flooding territory wide. "Were continuing to monitor the forecast and will be ready to respond to any outages that may occur," according to a PPL spokesperson. "Well work as quickly and safely as possible to restore any customers that may lose power." PPL is prepared to remove electric meters from homes to avoid damage from floodwaters and will leave door hangers with instructions where meters are removed. In the event of flooding, crews will be dispatched as quickly and as safely as possible to inspect meter bases and restore service when its safe to do so, according to PPL. Comprehensive line clearing, combined with extensive smart grid automation, and investments in more storm-resistant poles and wires, help PPL reduce storm-related outages. If you lose power Report your outage online at pplelectric.com or text Outage to TXTPPL (898775). The best way to stay up to date on your outage is by signing up for PPL Alerts at pplelectric.com/alerts. Check the status of an outage online and find additional information on storm safety, outage restoration prioritis, and more at pplelectric.com/outage. Crews on standby to aid in Ida recovery in Louisiana "We are in discussion to provide personnel and resources to assist in the recovery efforts in Louisiana. We are also preparing personnel and resources to resolve potential damage and outages caused by Ida when it reaches our own territory," said Tracie Witter, Regional Affairs director for PPL Electric Utilities. "Our crews are often called to help restore power in other regions as part of a mutual assistance agreement," Witter continued. "For example, our crews traveled to Puerto Rico to help restore power after Hurricane Maria, Florida after Hurricane Irma and Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina." Calhoun, GA (30701) Today Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 87F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Local New Orleans residents flee Hurricane Ida and take refuge in Rome The New Orleans Advocate/TownNews.com Content Exchange Through the morning rain the Huey P Long Bridge can be seen between the Caesars Superdome and the Smoothie King Center as Hurricane Ida approaches the Louisiana coast in New Orleans, La. Sunday, Aug. 29 A few days ago, Cassie Varmell went to work in her home city of New Orleans and kept monitoring the hurricane that was bearing down on the city. By the time she got off work, she was convinced she needed to get her three children out of the city immediately. So she came to Rome to stay with her aunt who, coincidentally, moved here 16 years ago after she too fled the destruction of a hurricane. Ive got four of my family members here with me, Linda Collins said. Im just thankful theyre safe and we were able to receive them. Collins fled New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city 16 years ago. She found a home in Rome and has been here ever since. Now her niece Cassie and three children made that same trip. As Hurricane Idas winds and water began to lash the Louisiana coast, Cassie grabbed some clothes and some snacks and jumped in the car. It took them a couple days to get here, Collins said. They didnt know how the roads would be. People were running out of gas and they had to take alternate routes but they got here at 4 oclock in the morning. Currently, most of Louisiana is under a massive power outage. Cassie said she may be here for several days but is unsure at this point. She knows that her house was leaking but doesnt believe its been flooded yet. There are other parts of New Orleans that have sustained considerable damage. I went through this as a child (with Hurricane Katrina) but its different to go through it as an adult, Cassie said. Im in limbo right now. The most important thing is the safety of my children. I dont know when well be able to return home safely. Will there be power? What will my house look like? The Floyd County Sheriffs Office is also keeping tabs on the hurricanes damage. For years, the sheriffs office has sent volunteers and supplies in the aftermath of disaster under its Rome Georgia Cares program. And theyve already made plans for Hurricane Ida. Weve already reached out to our contacts in Louisiana, Sheriff Dave Roberson said. There are a couple parishes in southeast Louisiana that will need a lot of help. Weve already been planning to do this for couple weeks. Were starting up a donation drive and we already have some funds available just for this. Chaplain David Thornton is planning a donation drive out of North Rome Church of God but for the moment, he said, the public can bring donations to the sheriffs office, 2526 New Calhoun Highway. A large service trailer there will bear Rome Georgia Cares signs. Were going to need a lot of cleaning supplies and tarps, Thornton said. Just think of things youd need to clean out houses and buildings after wind and water damage. We need shovels, rakes and a lot of tarps. Well also need cases of water, box fans and diapers. In the coming days, the sheriffs office will reach out to the community through social media with information about the official donation drive at North Rome Church of God. And when its safe to do so, a convoy of volunteers and supplies will leave Rome for Louisiana to help those in need. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing. Napoleon, OH (43545) Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 90F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 61F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Doug Kiser, of Mount Crawford, holds a sign in memory of his mother, Dorothy Kiser, who died just before Thanksgiving at the age of 84 from COVID-19. The Barn at Belgravia Farm in Edinburg before it burned down Friday. Traditional and not so traditional fair food offers something for everyone "The Sierra Club has shown there is no genuine dispute of material fact and it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law as to emissions violations at three of BPs stacks and the retesting requirements as well," the court ruled. After securing the favorable court ruling, the environmental group protects that BP's newly requested permit modifications would allow a hundred tons of additional emissions over the amount previously authorized. "Hours after the District Court for the Northern District of Indiana issued its order finding BP liable for violations of the PM10 emissions limits and retesting requirements at the 3SPS Steam Plant IDEM provided notice of the proposed permit and forwarded the proposed permit to EPA for review," the Sierra Club wrote in its objection. The emission limits apply to five industrial boilers originally constructed between 1948 and 1951 in the steam plant at the refinery on Lake Michigan, which supplies gasoline through the Midwest, jet fuel to O'Hare International Airport and 5% of the nation's asphalt. The boilers use refinery gas and natural gas to produce the steam that's used in process units throughout the sprawling refinery along the lakefront in Whiting, Hammond and East Chicago. Strack & Van Til's parent company is buying Tysens Country Market Inc. in DeMotte for an undisclosed sum. Tysens Country Market operates a grocery store at 325 N. Halleck St. in the DeMotte Shopping Plaza with the slogan "Big enough to serve you ... small enough to know you." It sells fresh produce, deli items and many grocery products. We are pleased that Strack & Van Til is acquiring this store," Todd Hinson and Greg Hamstra of Tysens Country Market said in a statement. "Stracks corporate culture parallels the way we do business. They are a local company that has a commitment to Northwest Indiana. Strack & Van Til parent company, Highland-based Indiana Grocery Group, currently operates 20 supermarkets in Northwest Indiana under the Strack & Van Til and Town & Country Market brand names, operating a sole legacy Town & Country Market grocery store in Valparaiso. It does not currently have a presence in DeMotte, a town of about 3,800 resident in Jasper County. Its closest stores are in Lowell in southern Lake County and Rensselaer in Jasper County. VALPARAISO A former Valparaiso University student pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to attempted rape, residential entry and voyeurism stemming from allegations of preying on female students at the school in 2018. Jaylen King, now 21 and of Zion, Illinois, faces up to nine years on the most serious charge of attempted rape with a cap of five years behind bars, according to the proposed plea agreement. King will also be required to register as a sex offender if the agreement is approved by Porter Circuit Court Judge Mary DeBoer during an Oct. 25 hearing. Prosecutors have agreed to drop the remaining eight charges in the case. King had been scheduled for two trials after DeBoer agreed to separate the four more serious allegations involving the alleged rape from the six charges of residential entry and voyeurism. While a student at Valparaiso University, King said he sneaked into the dorm rooms of female students about five times and said "he was doing it to relieve stress, sometimes it was stress from homework," police said. The case came to light Aug. 12 when the father of the child told Muscatine, Iowa, police he found videos on his cellphone of his 33-year-old girlfriend, Peters, performing various sex acts with one of their sons, police said. Text messages show Peters sent the videos and photos to Winchip in exchange for money on July 23, police said. Peters told investigators she has known "Hank" (Winchip) since she was a teenager and had done "odds and ends" work at his home in the past, the charging documents allege. "This relationship later evolved to (Peters) sending sex videos to Hank for cash," court records state. She denied the male in the videos in question is her son, police said. The child told investigators his father forced them to do the videos and that his mother "fake child molested him," a court document states. The father had not been charged in the matter as of Friday morning. CROWN POINT A Hammond woman eavesdropped Sunday outside a window as a man talked to her female neighbor about a dispute between the two women, didn't like what she heard and shot two people inside the neighbor's apartment, court records allege. Raven Washington, 30, was charged Monday in connection with the shooting about 5:30 a.m. Saturday in the 400 block of Michigan Street in Hammond. Washington has not yet entered pleas to four felony counts of battery and three counts of criminal recklessness. Hammond police were called to the apartment for a report of a shooting and found a 29-year-old woman and a 26-year-old woman with gunshot wounds to their legs, Lt. Steve Kellogg said. The gunshot wound victims told police they were visiting a woman's apartment when a man arrived, began to smoke with them and talked to the woman about resolving an issue with Washington, Lake Criminal Court records state. One of the witnesses told police Washington and the woman had been best friends, but had been having problems with each other for some time, records state. Washington's neighbor told police she was unaware of any issues with Washington and hadn't spoken to her in about six months, according to court documents. CROWN POINT An East Chicago woman was charged with five felony counts alleging she hit a boyfriend in the head with a hammer Saturday in Gary, broke out his car windows and fought police as they arrested her. Eva L. Santiago, 32, was in custody Monday on two counts of burglary, two counts of domestic battery and one count of residential entry, Gary police Cmdr. Jack Hamady said. Santiago also is facing misdemeanor counts of theft, resisting law enforcement, interference with reporting a crime and criminal mischief. She has not yet entered pleas to the charges. A Gary man told police he went out Friday night. About 1 a.m., he began receiving about 20 calls from Santiago, whom he had been dating for about 11 months, according to Lake Criminal Court records. When he returned to his home about 2:30 a.m., he noticed his surveillance system was not working, records state. He encountered Santiago in his bedroom, and she began accusing him of cheating on her, court documents allege. The man told police he asked Santiago about a missing camera, then realized Santiago had a hammer in her hand. Per the guidelines from the state, close contacts who are vaccinated and don't show symptoms won't have to quarantine. Unvaccinated close contacts without symptoms can return after eight days with a negative test result or on day 11 without a test, the letter said. "Some of you will welcome this change, while others will not," the letter said. "The board and administration continue to receive and listen to feedback from all sides of this conversation. I ask that our community continues to work together to keep our students in the classroom." A parent in the district, Melissa Houlding, told The Times she's been reaching out to her kids' principal and the district as a whole for the last month and was met with what she said were "generic answers," such as they can't please everyone or they are looking at the data. "It was disheartening dropping my kids off every day, knowing only 30% of the students and 20% of staff were masked," she said. Houlding said her children are special needs, so they need the structure school provides, but it has been nerve-racking to send them with numbers rising so rapidly. Now that the mandate is in place, she said she is "beyond relieved." Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb extended the public health emergency order for the 18th time as the delta variant and COVID-19 hospitalizations surge across the Hoosier State. He renewed the public health emergency for another 30 days, through Sept. 30. He also extended an executive order that "allows for ongoing conversations with healthcare stakeholders to evaluate pertinent information that supports hospitals during the current COVID surge." Holcomb has been in talks with executives at hospitals, which have been seeing increased patient volumes and higher intensive care unit utilization across the state, almost entirely among the unvaccinated. Since last March, more than 855,000 Hoosiers have been infected by the coronavirus and more than 14,000 have died. The emergency order ensures Holcomb has the power to take steps to minimize the spread of COVID-19, such as by temporarily suspending regulations, directing state agencies to provide emergency serves and marshaling government resources to cope with the public health disaster. It also qualifies the state for federal funding. Ali is proud of his daughters hard work. Hes no slacker, either. Since he retired, he has published more than 50 academic papers and a book. More papers and two more books are in the works. Ali, born in British India when it was a colony, was a former statistician for the former government of Pakistan when he went to the University of Toronto for additional education. He was advised not to return to his homeland because of the political upheaval there. I was about to return to Pakistan when I got a sudden call from Ball State University. I had never heard of Ball State University, he said. That move changed his life. He set up a statistics program there in 1971, just like his daughter set up a new criminal justice degree program at PNW years later. Jackson attended Ball State as an undergraduate, initially as a social work major. During the Introduction to Criminal Justice class, she fell in love with the topic and changed her major. A professor showed up at her family home on campus and urged her to visit a domestic violence shelter, a relatively new concept at the time. I went, and it changed my life, Jackson said. SCHERERVILLE The Schererville Police Department is gearing up to again host its citizens police academy. Schererville residents 18 years and older are eligible to apply for the nine-week academy, which will be held from 7-9 p.m. Mondays starting Sept. 20. The academy class size is limited to 20 participants, according to a press release. Through the academy, citizens will be able to see how the police department works and new technologies the department offers. Class curriculum will include law enforcement-related subjects, such as patrol functions; hand-held radar training; accident, criminal and DUI investigations; self-defense, firearms and railway enforcement; and use of force issues. Participants also will have a chance to tour the Schererville Police Department and discuss current policing issues, such as use of force, pursuit policies and evidence collection. Once academy participants graduate, they will be eligible to apply for the town's Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) program. Applications can be picked up from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Schererville Police Department's records division, 25 E. Joliet St. 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. North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, said that lapses in his countrys anti-pandemic campaign have caused a great crisis that threatened grave consequences, state media reported on Wednesday. Mr. Kim did not clarify whether he was referring to an outbreak in North Korea, where the authorities had said there were no cases of the virus. But state media reported that the matter was serious enough for Mr. Kim to convene a meeting of the Political Bureau of his ruling Workers Party on Tuesday, during which Mr. Kim reshuffled the top party leadership. Senior officials neglected implementing antivirus measures and had created a great crisis in ensuring the security of the state and safety of the people, Mr. Kim said. Mr. Kim also berated party officials for their ignorance, disability and irresponsibility, said the official Korean Central News Agency. The result is one of the most effective campaigns of its kind. Meduza has signed up more than 90,000 donors. The journalists were stunned to feel really loved and needed that people want to read their stories, said Katerina Abramova, the sites director of communications. Mr. Kolpakov declined to specify how much money theyve raised, saying, We think that any detailed information can be used against us by the state. The publication still had to cut about 40 percent of its costs and moved from a bright new office to its current digs. But Meduza remains online and while much of the staff has settled into a kind of exile in Riga, some of its reporters continue to report from Moscow, even as official sources have cited the foreign agent designation as a reason to stop talking to them. The question now hanging over Meduza and the other independent sites is whether the government will try to block access to them within Russia. They will block us one day, probably sooner rather than later, said Roman Badanin, who was Ms. Groysmans boss at Proekt. Until then, he added, he is in California, planning to start a new media venture under the name Agentstvo, in a nod to his shaky legal status. Mr. Ionov, the nationalist activist who has led the crackdown, said in an interview that he was not upset about Meduzas crowdfunding comeback. In fact, he took some credit. I didnt even ask them to give me a percentage, he said on Friday, soon before posting an Empire Strikes Back meme to his Telegram channel in celebration of the latest additions to the growing list of undesirables. Mr. Ionov, who founded the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia and has championed Californias secession from the United States, said that the Russian law restricting critical news outlets is simply its own version of the American Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires disclosures from people acting on behalf of foreign governments. The U.S. government pressed the Russian state television outlet RT to register as a foreign agent in 2017, offering the Russian government a pretext to target both U.S. government-backed Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which is fighting the designation in Russian court, as well as a wider range of critics with weaker ties to any foreign government. If you look at a watershed, particularly in the Southwest, you have all these tributaries and ephemeral streams that are linked together like capillaries, Mr. Gillespie said. And the Trump rule hurt all of us, because we are all downstream from those waters. The Trump rule was very extreme in eliminating protections on waters. Farming and construction groups are weighing an appeal. This ruling casts uncertainty over farmers and ranchers across the country and threatens the progress theyve made to responsibly manage water and natural resources, said Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. We are reviewing the ruling to determine our next course of action. Kerry Lynch, a spokeswoman for the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association, said her group was disappointed by the ruling and was evaluating the courts decision at this time. The Trump rule was a revision of an earlier rule promulgated by the Obama administration in 2015, known as Waters of the United States. That rule used the authority of the 1972 Clean Water Act to protect about 60 percent of the nations waterways, including large bodies of water such as the Chesapeake Bay, the Mississippi River and the Puget Sound, as well as smaller headwaters, wetlands, seasonal streams and streams that run temporarily underground. Mr. Trump repealed the policy in 2019, calling it one of the most ridiculous regulations of all and claiming that his repeal caused farmers to weep in gratitude. One year later, the E.P.A. finalized his replacement policy, known as the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, which removed protections for more than half the nations wetlands and hundreds of thousands of miles of upland streams by narrowing the definition of what constitutes a water of the United States that merits federal protection. With both the Trump and Obama rules off the books, the nations waters are now protected by a 1986 rule, which environmentalists, farmers and developers alike have bemoaned as so contradictory and poorly written that it resulted in thousands of legal disputes over water pollution that dragged on for years. It was horribly confusing, Mark Ryan, a former E.P.A. lawyer, said. It required a very complicated, time-consuming process to determine whether bodies of water qualified for federal protection from pollution. This summer, Michael S. Regan, the E.P.A. administrator, announced plans to begin crafting a new water protection rule that could be completed by next year. Faced with the pandemic putting an end to his New York bartending job, Aaron Waldman returned to Maine, his home state, and a year or so ago started the Worlds Your Oyster Company, distributing cultivated oysters from Maine and Eastern Canada to restaurants. Earlier this year he expanded his market, offering oysters to consumers on a C.S.A. basis, with weekly or biweekly deliveries to locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Hudson Valley. Other shellfish like clams can be included. Memberships in the September-October C.S.A. are now open and feature oyster farms owned or managed by women. Worlds Your Oyster, prepaid subscriptions starting at $35 per week, worldsyouroysterco.com. Follow NYT Food on Twitter and NYT Cooking on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Get regular updates from NYT Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice. You dont hear much these days about economic anxiety. Most observers acknowledge that the rise of the Trumpist right was driven by racial and social antagonism, not economic populism. Yet there is an economic element to political extremism, just not what youd think. Right-wing extremists, and to some extent even more mainstream conservative media, rely on financial support from companies selling nutritional supplements and miracle cures and that financial support is arguably a significant factor pushing the right to become more extreme. Indeed, right-wing extremism isnt just an ideological movement that happens to get a lot of money from sellers of snake oil; some of its extremism can probably be seen not as a reflection of deep conviction, but as a way of promoting snake oil. Consider where we are right now in the fight against Covid-19. A few months ago it seemed likely that the development of effective vaccines would soon bring the pandemic to an end. Instead, it goes on, with hospitalizations closing in on their peak from last winter. This is partly due to the emergence of the highly contagious Delta variant, but it also crucially reflects the refusal of many Americans to take the vaccines. And much of this refusal is political. True, many people who are refusing to get vaccinated arent Trumpists, but theres a strong negative correlation between Donald Trumps share of a countys vote and vaccinations. As of July, 86 percent of self-identified Democrats said they had had a vaccine shot, but only 54 percent of Republicans did. The Florida Department of Education has withheld funds from two school districts that made masks mandatory in classrooms this fall, state officials announced on Monday, making good on a threat that local school boards that required students to wear masks would be punished financially. The announcement is the latest twist in a political fight over masking in Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, issued a ban on masks in school in July, only to be swatted back by a judge last week. Richard Corcoran, the state education commissioner, said in a statement that the department would fight to protect parents rights to make health care decisions for their children, adding: They know what is best for their children. The penalty applies to two school districts Alachua County and Broward County that went ahead with mask mandates in defiance of the governors order. In Houma, a small city about 60 miles southwest of New Orleans, Craig Adams, 53, had planned to spend Saturday night in his beige trailer, but his daughter begged him at 9 p.m., as the storms arrival was imminent, to seek shelter somewhere sturdier. On Monday, he was thankful she had. The two-bedroom trailer was wrecked, with only the air-conditioner intact among piles of mangled furniture, kitchen supplies and personal belongings. Every little thing that I owned and had, its gone, Mr. Adams said. Im going to have to start all over again. You always see other people going through this on the news. You never think its going to be you until it is. Grand Isle, a narrow beachy islet of stilt-raised homes facing the Gulf of Mexico, near where Ida came ashore, could not be reached by road, which was underwater, or by air, because there was nowhere for a helicopter to land, said Sheriff Joseph P. Lopinto III of Jefferson Parish. He sent the chopper anyway to see if it could spot his 10 deputies who remained in a bunker on the isle during the storm. There were reports that its roof had blown off. But the deputies gave the helicopter crew a thumbs up on Monday, Sheriff Lopinto said in an interview with WWL radio. He told The New York Times he might have his team drop radios by helicopter so deputies on the isle could communicate. By the first hours of Monday, each neighborhoods fire station was also tasked with a new responsibility. With the citys 911 lines down, officials mass-texted residents, telling them to seek help in person from the nearest fire station or police officer. At a fire station on Poland Avenue, a generator powered the lights and kitchen, but its firefighters were reliant on hand-held radios for any communication. Were all in the dark right now, said one firefighter, who sat near the stations open garage doors on Monday morning, ready to assist anyone walking up for help. The system was up and running again by late afternoon. Some residents who have lived through previous storms said they were taking the power outage and a boil-water advisory in stride. Guess what? This is part of life in New Orleans, Antoine Davis, 58, said as he stopped at Duplantier Ice at the edge of the French Quarter for bags of ice to keep his refrigerator cold. If we lived in California, there would be fires and earthquakes. If we lived in Tennessee right now, wed have floods. Over on Elysian Fields Avenue a few blocks from the river, Darrian Rivers, 41, was shaking his head at the damage to his houses second-floor front porch, now missing one of its large white wooden columns. He and his neighbors were left wondering if their lives would be put on hold for days or even weeks as they waited for the power to return. Everybody wants to know whats next, he said. Thats the question I keep hearing. Whats next? Reporting was contributed by Rick Rojas , Stacy Cowley , Giulia Heyward , Richard Fausset , Campbell Robertson , Jesus Jimenez and Winston Choi-Schagrin . A farmworker was sentenced on Monday to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the fatal stabbing of an Iowa college student in 2018, a crime that Donald J. Trump seized upon as president as he amplified his hard-line policies against illegal immigration. The farmworker, Cristhian Bahena Rivera, was convicted in May in the abduction and murder of Mollie Tibbetts, 20, a University of Iowa student who disappeared after going for a run. It took more than a month until Mr. Bahena Rivera led investigators to the body of Ms. Tibbetts, which had been hidden in a cornfield outside Brooklyn, Iowa, her hometown. The arrest of Mr. Bahena Rivera, who had been described by the authorities as an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, quickly drew the attention of Mr. Trump. The president sought to use the case to his political advantage during the midterm elections in 2018 and in his efforts to build a border wall. 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. But in many cases, lawmakers gave up on the administration-led operation weeks ago, turning instead to their own connections to foreign officials, private organizations and individuals navigating private charter flights in and out of Afghanistan. Concerned donors have given millions to an effort, called Operation Flyaway and led by the firm Raven Advisory, to assist with evacuations, compiling a list of more than 4,000 Afghans whom Americans were seeking to help. Veterans groups have sprung into action in volunteer efforts to organize what many call a digital Dunkirk. Some have taken it upon themselves to try to rescue Afghans they know personally from their time overseas. Together with congressional offices, an informal support network has arisen to fill the gaps. Its inspiring, said Mr. Waltz, a former Green Beret who served in Afghanistan. But at the same time, I think its a real testament to how badly the administration has dropped the ball. The frustration is bipartisan. When Representative Andy Kim, Democrat of New Jersey, sat down with a top State Department official over the weekend, he hoped it could provide the American family he was working to evacuate from Afghanistan with a lifeline. Mr. Kim entered the meeting with a simple request: What was the best phone number the family could call for help? I was told no such number exists, he wrote on Twitter. In an interview, Mr. Kim, who served in Afghanistan as an Army strategic adviser, said his office had received more than 6,000 requests for help, many of them spearheaded by veterans or national security officers trying to assist their former colleagues in Afghanistan. The requests came in, he said, through texts, WhatsApp, Signal, email, phone calls just literally around the clock. I tell them that I can make no promises here, but they feel what I feel, which is we have to try and not just sit on our hands, Mr. Kim said. GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba Translation and interpretation problems on Monday delayed by one day military efforts to formally charge three Southeast Asian men held by the United States for 18 years with conspiring in deadly terrorist bombings in Indonesia in 2002 and 2003. Prosecutors accuse the three prisoners Encep Nurjaman, who is known as Hambali; Mohammed Nazir Bin Lep; and Mohammed Farik Bin Amin of murder, terrorism and conspiracy in the 2002 nightclub bombings in Bali, which killed 202 people, and the 2003 Marriott hotel bombing in Jakarta, which killed at least 11 people and wounded at least 80. Defense lawyers have called them torture victims who spent about three years in the secret C.I.A. prison network where agents used waterboarding, sleep deprivation, beatings, painful shackling and other now outlawed enhanced interrogation techniques to extract information from their captives. In 2003, a C.I.A. interrogator told Mr. Hambali that he would never go to court, because we can never let the world know what I have done to you, according to a study of the C.I.A. program that was released by the Senate Intelligence Committee in December 2014. GENEVA The coronavirus has caused the most catastrophic disruption of education in history, and it is vital for childrens learning and mental health that schools take the necessary measures to open and to continue classroom-based lessons, the World Health Organizations top European official said on Monday. We encourage all countries to keep schools open and urge all schools to put in place measures to minimize the risk of Covid-19 and the spread of different variants, the official, Hans Kluge, said in a statement released jointly with the United Nations childrens agency, UNICEF. The statement came as millions of children prepare for the start of a new school year against a backdrop of concern over the spread of the Delta variant. Children have suffered greatly over the past 20 months, particularly those who were already vulnerable or could not participate in digital learning, Dr. Kluge, the W.H.O.s European director, said at a news briefing on Monday. The Australian state of New South Wales on Monday reported its highest daily number of coronavirus cases since the pandemic began, as infections driven by the Delta variant continued to surge and millions remained in lockdown. New South Wales, the countrys most populous state, reported 1,290 cases, and the authorities said that they expected infections and intensive-care hospitalizations to continue to rise until peaking in October. Our hospital system is under pressure, Gladys Berejiklian, the premier of New South Wales, told reporters in Sydney, the state capital and a city of more than five million people. We will need to manage things differently. Ms. Berejiklian added that vaccination was the key to increasing freedoms and reducing the spread of the virus. A gray C-17 transport plane landed in Delaware shortly after 8 a.m. on Sunday. It carried the remains of 11 Marines, a Navy medic and an Army staff sergeant, who collectively could be the last Americans to die in the war in Afghanistan. Just before 8:40, a second plane, a white-and-blue Boeing jetliner, parked next to the transport. It carried the president who had given the orders to end that war after nearly 20 years, prompting the mass evacuation effort that those 13 service members were carrying out when a bomber from the Islamic State Khorasan group detonated his charges at the Kabul airport last week. President Bidens first trip in office to witness the transfer of remains at Dover was a reminder of the length and cost of the Afghanistan war, and of his unique attachment to it as a legislator, a vice president and now a commander in chief. Mr. Biden made an unannounced flight to Delaware for a rare presidential appearance at a transfer of remains of service members killed overseas. They were on their way from Afghanistan, via Kuwait and Germany, to final rest in communities across the nation that have supplied sons and daughters to fight two decades of what was once called the war on terror. Over the past two decades, the Afghan broadcaster Tolo has been known for provocative programs like Burka Avenger, in which an animated superheroine uses martial arts to vanquish villains trying to shut down a girls school. Millions of Afghans have also tuned in to its racy Turkish soap operas, its popular 6 P.M. News and the reality show Afghan Star, featuring female singers dancing energetically on Afghanistans version of American Idol. Since the Taliban captured Afghanistans capital, Kabul, on Aug. 15, however, Tolos usual lineup has been supplemented by something else: educational programming about Islamic morality. Whether its menu of pop music and female television hosts survive in the Talibans new Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will be a barometer of the insurgents tolerance for dissenting views and values. To be honest, Im still surprised we are up and running, said Saad Mohseni, Tolos co-owner, an Australian-Afghan former investment banker who started Moby Group, which owns Tolo, in 2002. We know what the Taliban stand for. In one of the strongest signs yet that the art market will not look the same after the pandemic and in an apparent effort to counter the increasing dominance of mega galleries four prominent dealers have made the unorthodox decision to consolidate under one roof. Dominique Levy, Brett Gorvy, Amalia Dayan and Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn in January will become LGDR, a consortium that will represent artists, organize exhibitions, advise collectors and broker auction sales. In joining forces, the foursome are betting they will be more effective together than separately at a time when the gallery sector has seen a 20 percent drop in sales (to an estimated $29.3 billion), and many small and midsize galleries are closing because of the high costs of operating. The partners, who are dissolving their existing businesses and merging into one entity, aim to offer a new model of one-stop shopping that would give artists and collectors the benefit of having four experienced dealers with different areas of expertise. The consortium could eat into the livelihood of rival art advisers, auction houses and art fairs. Terence Blanchard, trumpeter and composer Here is my impassioned clarion call to understand the trumpet! See that exclamation point? Thats what a trumpet does. It punctuates emotions. My trumpet teacher Bill Fielder would always ask, What is the trumpet? I would ponder for a moment and offer an encyclopedic answer like A metal instrument with blah, blah, blah. To that Mr. Fielder would say, It is a mirror of your mind. Ordinarily, I would invite you to listen to Miles Daviss Porgy and Bess, a classic collaboration between Miles and Gil Evans. This album set the stage for people thinking differently about the orchestra and jazz. But as I write this, yesterday was the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. My song Funeral Dirge, from the album A Tale of Gods Will, originally composed for the soundtrack of Spike Lees first Katrina documentary, When the Levees Broke, still haunts me today. Actually, I dont feel like I composed it. I feel like it was being screamed at me: my personal clarion call to hear and weep with my hometown, New Orleans. Dead bodies floating. Dead bodies on top of cars. Dead bodies in the grass. Dead bodies in places I knew. Dead bodies in neighborhoods I grew up in. I saw these bodies in the raw footage of Spikes documentary. One dead body I didnt see in the video was that of an old neighborhood friend who died trying to help people stay on their roofs while floodwaters raged beneath. I never cried so much, shedding tears for the many bodies I saw, and the many, many more I didnt see. This dirge is my tribute to those brave, valiant, fallen heroes. God bless those souls from Katrina and, today, those souls from Ida. Thomas Manns long and permanent exile from Germany began in 1933, after Hitler came to power, when the author of Death in Venice and The Magic Mountain fled to Switzerland along with Katia, his Jewish wife. When World War II erupted six years later, the Manns escaped to the United States, first to Princeton and then to Los Angeles. The Mann family they had six children managed to rescue some things (furniture, paintings, books) from their abandoned house in Munich. Among the items left behind were Manns diaries, locked in a safe in his study. The Nobel Prize winner was terrified the Nazis would find them. In those diaries, Mann frankly discussed his sexual interest in men, an interest that remained coded in his fiction. In The Magician, a subtle and substantial new novel about Manns life, Colm Toibin writes that, were Goebbels to get his hands on the diaries, he would Oscar Wilde the eminent author, transforming the reputation of Thomas Mann from great German writer to a name that was a byword for scandal. Goebbels didnt find them. A funny thing about those diaries, though. When they were finally published in the 1970s and 80s, more than two decades after Manns death, they prompted a reappraisal of his life and work. The diaries humanized a writer who, off the page and sometimes on it, could seem stuffy and pompous, driven by protocol and vanity. THE GAMBLER WIFE A True Story of Love, Risk, and the Woman Who Saved Dostoyevsky By Andrew D. Kaufman In the spring of 1880, in the midst of what felt like a political tipping point, a new monument dedicated to the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin was unveiled in Moscow. Alexander IIs Great Reforms of the 1860s including the emancipation of the serfs had not satisfied the appetites of radicals for change. Most alarming to moderate Russians were the women who had begun joining the ranks of the self-described Nihilists. They smoked cigarettes, cut their hair short, preferred Feuerbach to romance novels and spurned marriage in favor of careers in science and medicine (or, occasionally, terrorism). Everyone could sense that Russia was on a collision course with itself, and few feared the potential outcome more than Fyodor Dostoyevsky. At the unveiling ceremony, he delivered a fiery speech, calling on Russians to regard new theories of social progress coming from the West as spiritually alien. He praised Tatyana, the heroine of Eugene Onegin, Pushkins 1833 novel in verse, for embodying a uniquely Russian spirit of self-sacrifice. A married woman who rejects the advances of her erstwhile lover, Tatyana was proof to Dostoyevsky that, as Andrew D. Kaufman puts it in The Gambler Wife, a true Russian woman would always refuse to build her happiness on the unhappiness of others. A biography of the writers second spouse, Anna Dostoyevskaya, Kaufmans book suggests that her husbands readers would have heard his speech and recalled his own characters, like Sonya in Crime and Punishment, who follows the repentant Raskolnikov to a Siberian prison camp. Yet Kaufman, a specialist in Slavic literature at the University of Virginia, is principally concerned with what this philosophy would mean for a woman who was not fictional. In the early years of her marriage, Anna was called on to practice superhuman levels of selflessness and forgiveness. She lived at the mercy of her husbands gambling addiction, teetering on financial ruin for years at one point having to pawn her own underwear. Dostoyevsky did little to shield her from his domineering family, who tried to control his purse strings. When Anna wanted to go on a honeymoon to Germany, his stepson from his first marriage reproached her: I dont allow any European trips. Kaufman recounts Annas agony in scenes as gut-wrenching as any we might encounter in her husbands novels, and even Dostoyevskys most ardent fans will find themselves asking if the relationship, despite making it possible for him to finish some of his most celebrated works, was worth it. Anna was unprepared for this fate, having grown up in a stately home in St. Petersburg, in a family, she later wrote, without quarrels, dramas or catastrophes. Her father, a civil servant, was a great admirer of Dostoyevsky, and spoke at length about the promising young author of Poor Folk (1846). Unfortunately, he told his daughter, the man got mixed up in politics, landed in Siberia and vanished there without a trace. Biden defends Afghanistan withdrawal A day after the final transport plane carrying American forces left the Kabul airport, President Biden hailed what he called the extraordinary success of the evacuation as he strongly defended his decision to end the U.S. war in Afghanistan. Speaking from the White House, Biden blamed former President Donald Trump for negotiating a withdrawal deal with the Taliban that boxed him and his team in. That was the choice, the real choice between leaving or escalating, Biden declared. I was not going to extend this forever war. I believe this is the right decision, a wise decision, and the best decision for America, he said. Across the span of American history, its hard to think of another failed project that lasted so long or cost so much. There have been worse injustices and tragedies in this country, but they were usually deliberate. The U.S. has been attempting to win in Afghanistan for nearly the entire 21st century. Biden certainly could have overseen a more successful exit than he did, especially if he and his aides had taken more seriously the chances of a rapid Taliban takeover. I also understand that some people believe that an unending, low-level war in Afghanistan was worth the trade-offs. These advocates argue that the number of American soldiers killed each year had fallen into the single digits, while the financial cost was below $20 billion a year (which, by comparison, is a little more than half the countrys foreign-aid budget). In exchange, the U.S. likely could have prevented a complete Taliban takeover and the chaos of the past few weeks. But its worth emphasizing that this option really did mean unending war. After nearly 20 years and no apparent progress toward an Afghan government that could stand on its own, Americas longest war would have continued. It would not have resembled the ongoing U.S. presence in Korea, Japan and Western Europe, where no enemies are launching regular attacks and no American troops are being killed. It would have involved continued fighting, which has been killing more than 10,000 Afghan troops and more than 1,000 civilians every year. On Sunday, an errant U.S. drone missile may have killed 10 more civilians, including seven children. Continuing the war indefinitely also would have required Biden to renege on Donald Trumps promise, likely causing the Taliban to intensify its attacks and perhaps raising both the human and financial costs. Instead, for better and worse, Americas longest war is over. More perspectives Jeff Jacoby of The Boston Globe has made the case for staying in Afghanistan, citing rising literacy, falling infant mortality rates and more: All this was being sustained in recent years, and the Taliban was being held at bay, with just a relative handful of U.S. troops to provide intelligence, logistics, and air support. At least 3.2 million Indians lost stable, well-paying salaried jobs in July alone, Mr. Vyas estimated. Small traders and daily wage laborers suffered bigger job losses during the lockdowns than others, though they were able to go back to work once the restrictions were lifted, Mr. Vyas said in a report this month. Salaried jobs are not similarly elastic, he said. It is difficult to retrieve a lost salaried job. About 10 million people have lost such jobs since the beginning of the pandemic, Mr. Vyas said. Mr. Modis government moved this month to rekindle the economy by selling stakes worth close to $81 billion in state-owned assets like airports, railway stations and stadiums. But economists largely see the policy as a move to generate cash in the short term. It remains to be seen if it will lead to more investment, they say. The whole idea is that the government will borrow this money from the domestic market, said Devendra Kumar Pant, the chief economist at India Ratings. But what happens if this project goes to a domestic player and he is having to borrow in the domestic market? Your credit demand domestically wont change. Dr. Pant added that questions remained about how willing private players would be to maintain those assets long term and how the monetization policy would ultimately affect prices for consumers. In India, things will decay for the worse rather than improve, he said, adding that the costs to users of highways and other infrastructure could go up. Sony said on Tuesday that Mike Richards would immediately exit his job as the executive producer of Jeopardy!, completing a stunning downfall for a game-show impresario who just three weeks ago had secured one of the most coveted jobs in television as the replacement for the longtime host Alex Trebek. We had hoped that when Mike stepped down from the host position at Jeopardy! it would have minimized the disruption and internal difficulties we have all experienced these last few weeks, a Sony executive, Suzanne Prete, wrote in a memo to staff on Tuesday. That clearly has not happened. Mr. Richards is also set to leave his role as executive producer of Wheel of Fortune. He will be temporarily replaced at both programs by Michael Davies, a veteran game-show producer who developed the original American version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Sony had named Mr. Richards as the permanent host of Jeopardy! on Aug. 11, calling him a unique talent. But Mr. Richards quit the hosting job on Aug. 20, days after a report by The Ringer revealed offensive and sexist comments he had made on a podcast several years ago, the latest in a series of scandals that tarred his brief tenure. LONDON It began as a market stall in West Yorkshire, selling eggs and butter just before the turn of the 20th century. Today that market stall is Morrisons, Britains fourth-largest supermarket chain, with nearly 500 stores and the prize in a 7 billion-pound ($9.6 billion) bidding war between American private equity groups. It is a financial drama that is playing out almost weekly in Britain: A domestic company is courted and snapped up by, most likely, private equity investors awash with cash. Global investment companies have $1.3 trillion in dry powder (industry parlance for the unallocated capital), according to PitchBook, and they are eager to pluck bargains on British shores, where company valuations have been depressed by years of Brexit uncertainty and then disrupted by the pandemic. Already this year, 39 bids to take British companies private just two shy of the total for 2020 have been completed or proposed, half of them by private equity firms, according to Dealogic. South Korea legislators on Tuesday approved the first law in the world that requires app stores to let users pay for in-app purchases through multiple payment systems, a blow to the market dominance of Apple and Google, which opposed the bill. South Koreas National Assembly passed amendments to the countrys Telecommunications Business Act that prevent app marketers like Google and Apple from forcing certain payment methods, unfairly delaying the review of mobile content and unfairly deleting mobile content from the app market. The app-store revenue is lucrative for the tech giants. Apple takes a cut of up to 30 percent through in-app purchases; last year, Google indicated that it intends to follow suit by applying a 30 percent cut to more purchases than it had in the past. The legislation will be a blow to the profit they make in South Korea, where the two control more than 85 percent of the app market, according to lawmakers. The measures were proposed last year and faced strong resistance from Apple and Google. Two South Korean lawmakers, Jo Seoung Lae and Park Sungjoong, said Google representatives were in direct contact with the National Assembly and its staff. Headliner HOWM Cocina & Cocktails The name is pronounced home. Remembering how its spelled is something else. The idea, according to the Gilded Group, which manages the restaurant in partnership with the Selina Chelsea hotel, is to express people coming together with food and drink. Got that? What the name doesnt reflect is the nature of the food and drink, a focused exploration of Mexico, Central America and South America. (The hotel is part of a chain with a strong presence in Central America and Mexico.) The chef, Byron Penafiel, a native of Ecuador, takes some liberties with tradition: His small plates include pupusas with curtido (a kind of cabbage slaw), charred octopus with jalapeno hummus, and grilled broccolini in a mole sauce. Large dishes are guava-glazed roasted chicken, aged churrasco (rib-eye for two) with chimichurri, and chaulafan (Ecuadorean fried rice) chicharrone using black rice, seafood, pork rinds and salsa verde. Deep-fried plantains (patacones) are served for the table, complimentary. Gilded Groups beverage director, Daniel Bedoya, who was raised in Ecuador, has devised an array of cocktails. These are served in the airy ground-floor restaurant with yellow accents that has outdoor terrace seating on two levels, and also at the 10th-floor Rooftop at Selina Chelsea with expansive views and a plunge pool. (Opens Wednesday) Selina Chelsea, 518 West 27th Street, 347-342-7805, howm.co, selinarooftop.com. Opening Little Rebel This gastropub on two floors with bright, cartoonish decor on the ground floor and a Victorian setting upstairs serves reinvented bar food, like cheese puffs with strawberry bacon foam, buffalo chicken spring rolls, a burger with bacon jam, and pork belly on smoked celery root puree. The consulting chef is James Akins from Le Bernardin Prive, and the cocktails are by Brooke Smith, formerly of the Dead Rabbit. (Wednesday) 219 Second Avenue (14th Street), 646-922-7325, littlerebelnyc.com. Rib No. 7 Hefty beef ribs star in this new take on the Korean barbecue restaurant. The ribs come charcoal grilled, sliced tableside and presented arrayed on the bone with tangy side dishes, as well as braised. Appetizers include Korean pancakes, japchae glass noodles and spicy radish fried rice. There are several noodle stews on the menu. 32 West 33rd Street, 212-381-0802, ribno7.com. Simo Pizza A second location for this pizzeria, well established in the meatpacking district, is opening in Greenwich Village. The owner, Simone Falco, a native of Naples who runs the Rossopomodoro restaurants at Eataly, offers a menu of pizzas, salads, meatballs, gnocchi and desserts. 75 University Place (11th Street), simopizza.com. Try to get a reservation at one of Manhattans luxury sushi bars and youd never guess that the restaurant business is struggling. As I write this, you need to wait a week to experience one of Shion Uinos $420 omakase meals at 69 Leonard Street. Masa, where lunch and dinner are now $800 a person, is almost fully booked for the next two weeks. At Sushi Noz, spots at both the counter of buffed hinoki wood, where dinner is $400, and the secondary bar made of ash, where it costs $225, are all but sold out for the next month. How is this happening? Like cheaper restaurants, elite sushi bars are enjoying a rebound effect as customers who stayed home last year make up for lost time. I also think New Yorkers have caught on that something interesting is happening at the high end of the sushi trade, as chefs push their craft into more and more rarefied territory. And while other tasting menus may stay the same for months at a time, making repeat visits pointless, the lineup at a serious omakase sanctuary changes all the time as fish swim in and out of season. That ebb and flow is a big part of the appeal of Nakaji, which opened in March 2020, a few weeks before the city went into lockdown. Not only has it survived that act of poor timing, but it has already raised its prices, which started at $165. An omakase meal prepared by Kunihide Nakajima, the chef and owner, is now $225. At the moment, a scattering of reservations is still available over the next two weeks. An advanced H.I.V. vaccine trial in Africa has been shut down after data showed the shots offered only limited protection against the virus, researchers announced on Tuesday. The vaccine, made by Johnson & Johnson, is one in a long line found to offer little defense against H.I.V., one of medicines most intractable adversaries. One candidate vaccine even increased the risk of infection. Another trial was halted last year in South Africa after a different experimental vaccine failed to offer sufficient protection. Some 1.5 million people were infected with H.I.V. worldwide in 2020, and 38 million are living with the infection. Scientists were dismayed by the most recent failure. I should be used to it by now, but youre never used to it you still put your heart and soul into it, said Dr. Glenda Gray, the principal investigator of the trial and chair of the South African Medical Research Council. Dr. Gray has been working to develop an H.I.V. vaccine for more than 15 years. This was a real surprise, said the father, who asked to be identified only by his middle name, Paul, to protect his familys privacy. They had never seen this before. West Virginia lawmakers have since passed legislation requiring parity for coverage for mental health and substance abuse disorders, although the plan covering the doctor still operated under an exemption in the governments most recent lists. State plan officials did not respond to requests for comment. Even relatively inexpensive treatment can be hard to get. In Chicago, one of Dr. Michaels former patients, Julia, whose husband worked for the city and asked not to be identified by her last name to protect her familys privacy, compared coverage in recent years to treat her anxiety. In contrast to her previous policy with another Blue Cross plan, a new one overseen by an outside company required cumbersome pre-authorizations for therapy, she said. She had to provide detailed information that formerly had been supplied by her therapist, including the exact diagnosis code and the so-called NPI number used to identify the provider. The company began approving fewer visits at a time, she said. It just forces you to jump through the hoops, calling back and keeping track, she said. If you missed an authorization, you had to pay the full cost of the session. She also said she was pressured to estimate the length of the treatment or when it might end, a timetable sought in stark contrast to any questions about her other medical conditions. I dont have to get my dermatology appointments preapproved, she said. Rosea is never going away. No one is asking my dermatologist to cure rosea. She stopped therapy when she felt she could adequately manage her condition. Advocates and patients say that enforcement of the law has often been lax, and that many insurers and employers resist paying for expensive treatments for mental health. But the involvement of both state and federal regulators in the $14 million settlement with United is very significant, said D. Brian Hufford, a lawyer with Zuckerman Spaeder, whose firm represented the individuals in the private lawsuits. His firm also represented the plaintiffs in another lawsuit against United that resulted in a 2019 ruling against the company in which a federal judge in Northern California said that one of its units had created internal policies aimed at effectively discriminating against patients to save money. United said the care provided to its customers was appropriate, and the case is now being appealed. RIMINI, Italy Federico Fellini is one of a select group of movie directors to have gotten an Oxford English Dictionary-sanctioned adjective: Felliniesque, which is defined as fantastic, bizarre; lavish, extravagant. That description could easily apply to the Fellini Museum, which opened in the Italian coast city of Rimini the directors birthplace earlier this month: a multimedia project that draws visitors into Fellinis idiosyncratic cinematic universe. The museum is at turns fantastic (pages from the so-called Book of Dreams, Fellinis drawings and musings on his nighttime reveries, appear on a wall when visitors blow on a feather); lavish (it includes outlandish costumes from the liturgical fashion show in his 1972 film Roma); and bizarre (what to make of a gigantic plush sculpture of the actress Anita Ekberg, which visitors can recline on to watch scenes from La Dolce Vita?). Im like Gerard Butler in 300, Mr. Pierce said in an interview before dropping out of sight, comparing himself to the action star who played a Spartan king. Im in the hot gates at Thermopylae, holding the pass against the million-man Persian army. While the government has not yet weighed in on the merits on his claims, prosecutors did express concern in their letters filed on Monday about the young associate, Ryan Joseph Marshall, who has been standing in for Mr. Pierce at the hearings he has missed. For one thing, Mr. Marshall is not a licensed lawyer, prosecutors said, and has taken actions on behalf of clients that he is not permitted to take. Moreover, they went on, it remains unclear if and when Mr. Marshall will be able to get his law license given that he is under indictment in two criminal cases accusing him of corruption, theft and fraud in Pennsylvania. Mr. Pierces situation is not his first encounter with personal and professional setbacks. Last year, his law firm nearly collapsed in a swirl of debts and resignations. Then his most prominent client, Kyle Rittenhouse, the young man charged with murder at a racial justice protest in Wisconsin last year, fired him in a highly public spat that included allegations that a charity arranged for the defense had engaged in financial improprieties. His work in the Capitol cases began just after the attack when he took several members of the far-right nationalist group the Proud Boys as clients. He has also been hired by L. Brent Bozell IV, the son of a prominent conservative commentator, as well as by a Florida pastor and a Minnesota pub worker. In recent weeks, however, at least two clients have fired Mr. Pierce, complaining that he seemed unresponsive and appeared at times to be unversed in the details of their cases. Last week, the wife of yet another client, Kenneth Harrelson, a member of the Oath Keepers from Florida, sent a letter to her friends and associates, complaining that her husband was having issues getting Mr. Pierce to do his job. Every parent, and Im a parent, your greatest anxiety pertains to the safety of your child. And thats why were making our schools safe. I announced and wanted to give enough notice to school districts that we will have a mask mandate. But also I want to make sure that our school staff, anybody who enters that building, will have to be vaccinated or undergo mandatory testing, mandatory testing. And were in the process of getting the legal clearance for that as I speak. And with respect to booster shots, we all know how to get this done. We have the mechanism in place, we know how to set up mass vaccination sites where needed. We also know it has to be a targeted approach because everyone who got vaccinated eight months ago is vulnerable. As soon as we get the approvals from the federal government to have the ability to do this, well want to have the infrastructure in place to make sure that everybody gets a booster. In fact, Im going to announce today that Im making $65 million available to the localities to help you set this up. Because the last thing I ever want to do is to have to have a shutdown like we saw last year. And there is no need for that. People stay vigilant. They now have the best weapon available to them that we did not have last year, and that is the vaccine. Preliminary data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that in 2020, the highest number of people ever recorded died from an overdose in the United States 93,000, a nearly 30 percent increase over the previous year. On the North Fork, the dead were not hardened addicts but mostly recreational users, police said, seeking a fleeting high. Behind the brief descriptions in the police reports were rich and varied lives: a sometime jewelry maker from Tehran who loved heavy metal music, and a restaurant worker and fashion plate rarely seen without his gold lame boots. A Jamaican chef with a special knack for sourdough, and a landscaper who always answered the phone with a joke. A woman who loved goth makeup, whose mother called her noodle. A new father of a 6-month-old boy. Several other people also overdosed on fentanyl-laced cocaine between Aug. 11 and Aug. 13, according to the Southold police; emergency responders resuscitated them with naloxone, or Narcan, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. Family members of those who died blamed the dealers. They poisoned them to make money, said Seth Tramontana, whose 27-year-old son, also named Seth, died on Aug. 13 after ingesting cocaine, which his family believes he did not know had been doctored with fentanyl. You can say he made his choice and did what he was doing to have fun but this is not what he asked for. The trend is not limited to Suffolk County. In February, the San Francisco Department of Public Health issued a public health warning following a slew of fentanyl overdoses by people who believed they had consumed only cocaine. Authorities in Nebraska issued a similar warning in August after 26 overdoses in three weeks were linked to fentanyl-laced cocaine. In New York City, users passed warnings across social media in the spring about bad batches of cocaine containing the drug, urging one another to check cocaine for the presence of fentanyl using testing kits designed for the purpose. A teenage lifeguard was killed and at least seven other people were injured in a lightning strike Monday on a New Jersey beach. The lifeguard, Keith Pinto, 19, of Toms River, N.J., was fatally injured by a lightning strike at White Sands Beach in South Seaside Park around 4:35 p.m., the Berkeley Township Police Department said in a statement. Mr. Pinto died from his injuries on the beach, while the other victims, four of whom were lifeguards, were treated at nearby hospitals, the department said. Mr. Pinto had been working as a lifeguard for the past four years, according to Debbie Winogracki, communications director for Berkeley Township. Ms. Winogracki remembered him as a well-liked community member who took his job seriously. He was just a nice kid I call him a kid, but he was a young man, she said. He exuded those leadership qualities you want in a person. A month ago I thought I was a cynic about our 20-year war in Afghanistan. Today, after watching our stumbling withdrawal and the swift collapse of practically everything we fought for, my main feeling is that I wasnt cynical enough. My cynicism consisted of the belief that the American effort to forge a decent Afghan political settlement failed definitively during Barack Obamas first term in office, when a surge of U.S. forces blunted but did not reverse the Talibans recovery. This failure was then buried under a Vietnam-esque blizzard of official deceptions and bureaucratic lies, which covered over a shift in American priorities from the pursuit of victory to the management of stalemate, with the American presence insulated from casualties in the hopes that it could be sustained indefinitely. Under this strategic vision to use the word strategic generously there would be no prospect of victory, no end to corruption among our allies and collateral damage from our airstrikes, no clear reason to be in Afghanistan, as opposed to any other failing state or potential terror haven, except for the sunk cost that we were there already. But if American casualty rates stayed low enough, the public would accept it, the Pentagon budget would pay for it, and nobody would have to preside over anything so humiliating as defeat. In one way, my cynicism went too far. I guessed that the military and the national-security bureaucracy would be able to frustrate the desire of every incoming U.S. president to declare an endless-seeming conflict over, and I was wrong. Something like that happened with Obama and Donald Trump in their first years in office, but it didnt happen with Joe Biden. He promised withdrawal, and however shambolically we have now actually withdrawn. Last week, a group of Democratic lawmakers cited the lack of progress in a letter calling on congressional leadership to extend the moratorium through legislation, which the Supreme Court would be less likely to strike down. The Biden administration has also called on states and localities to put in place their own eviction moratoriums for at least the next two months, as New Jersey and Washington, D.C., have done. What about landlords? While corporate landlords have posted large profits in recent months, about 40 percent of rental units in the United States are owned by individual mom and pop investors, and many of them are struggling to cover their own bills and mortgage payments. The longer the ban continues, Jonathan OConnell reported for The Washington Post this month, the more small, independent landlords many of them senior citizens are likely to exhaust their savings and move on by selling their properties to Wall Street-backed and foreign investors. Distributing the full $46.5 billion of rental assistance would help stem those losses, but the National Apartment Association, a landlord group, says even the full sum would not be sufficient to cover what landlords are owed in back rent. The group filed a lawsuit against the government late last month seeking an additional $26.6 billion. It was pressure from landlord groups that helped sink an effort by House Democrats in July to extend the federal eviction moratorium. Even if the measure could now overcome the objections of the partys more conservative members, it would stand very little chance of clearing the 60-vote threshold in the Senate. To break the stalemate, Gary Painter, a professor of public policy at the University of Southern California, argues that Congress should create a federally financed and operated loan program. Unlike the current rental assistance program, it could offer both tenants and landlords immediate relief, and by requiring tenants to repay back rent over a 10-year period, it could win Republican support. At this point, he writes, only Washington has the scale and scope to head off a crisis whose costs have the potential to tick into the tens of billions with far-reaching, long-term impacts on renters. Hurricane Idas lesson, therefore, is not that Louisianas storm protections are good enough. Its lesson is that investments in infrastructure save lives. Nobody in Louisiana needed another hurricane to teach us this. Because of repeated hurricanes and coastal erosion, the population of Cameron Parish, on the states western border, is nearly half what it was in 2000; depending on how you look at it, this is either despite or because of an enormous new liquid natural gas facility in the parish. Many residents of Lake Charles, just north of Cameron, remain in dire straits since last summers Hurricane Laura. Relatively little attention or recovery aid followed that Category 4 hurricane. The Trump administration bears much of the blame for not getting people the resources they need, but it did not help that it is growing ever harder for journalists and citizens to keep up with the floods, storms, wildfires and other dystopian manifestations of our changed climate. Thats why I worry the attention paid to Louisiana after Hurricane Ida will be short-lived, too. New Orleanians understood why the Biden White House gave Louisiana a D+ on the national infrastructure report card it released in April. With increasing regularity, for example, clouds have been dumping water into our bowl-shaped city faster than our drainage pumps can take it out. This year, President Biden came to tour a linchpin of the citys water system, called the Carrollton Water Plant, which supplies drinking water to much of New Orleans. Infrastructure is all about making life livable for ordinary people, he said outside the plant, stumping for the infrastructure bill that has since passed the Senate and awaits action in the House of Representatives. A few days after the presidents visit, a problem in the electrical grid unrelated to the gas shortage that was then vexing much of the South caused a loss of power at the Carrollton Plant, prompting the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board to issue a precautionary boil water advisory for a large section of the city. This too is a familiar problem. Mostly you hope you hear about the warning before you have made your coffee or brushed your teeth. If you dont, you can console yourself knowing that the precautions usually turn out to be unnecessary even if it is hard to shake the fact that not long ago, two people died nearby after drinking water that contained Naegleria fowleri, which is known as the brain-eating amoeba. And even before Hurricane Ida blew through, the citys hospitals were filled to capacity. Yet through it all, New Orleanians continue to prove themselves capable of making beautiful moments. From an unfamiliar apartment in Birmingham, I think of Joe Krown playing a piano mounted in the back of a pickup truck or Kermit Ruffins advertising shots for shots a free drink at his Mother-in-Law Lounge to people from the neighborhood who got their Covid vaccine. After talking to Swann, I realize its not that simple. Her team didnt factor in the effect of quarantining students who test positive, and it assumed imperfect mask usage. For many schools, she expects the number of infections to be lower than what the model showed. Thats unlikely, however, to be of much comfort to parents who take Covid seriously but are surrounded by people who dont. With school just beginning and pediatric hospitalizations already higher than ever, they are in an especially intolerable situation. Thats why we need the Food and Drug Administration to move quickly. I can tell you almost certainly there will be data available in September to present to Pfizer, Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, a Stanford professor of pediatric infectious diseases and a lead investigator at the Stanford site of Pfizer-BioNTechs pediatric vaccine trial, told me. She thinks Pfizer will be able to file for emergency use authorization in October. So why is Collins saying the end of the year? Its unclear. One question, which even well-connected people are having a hard time getting an answer to, is whether the F.D.A. is going to demand extra data for the kids vaccine. In July, the agency asked Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna to double the number of kids in their clinical trials to have a better chance of detecting rare side effects. The F.D.A. also said it wanted four to six months of follow-up safety data, as opposed to two for adults. Most experts dont think this data is necessary for the F.D.A. to authorize the vaccine on an emergency basis. But we dont know if the F.D.A. will insist on waiting for it. That is probably one of the decision points that is affecting the various predictions, said Dr. Lee Savio Beers, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Two weeks ago, 108 members of Congress, worried about how long approval for a pediatric vaccine was taking, wrote to the F.D.A. seeking some visibility into its timetable. On Monday, the F.D.A. responded, but without offering specifics. We understand that it is essential that the public have full trust in the F.D.A.s review process, complete confidence in whatever products we approve or authorize, and faith in F.D.A. and our commitment to protecting public health, the agency said. To the Editor: Re Ron DeSantis, How Many Must Die? by Charles Blow (column, Aug. 30): Thank you, Mr. Blow, for your resounding rejection of Gov. Ron DeSantiss approach to Covid. My wife and I are elderly. Weve managed to escape the ravages of the pandemic for the last 18 months or so, and yet, because of Ron DeSantis, after a brief reprieve in midsummer, we must still live with the fear, anxiety and depression of always being careful so we do not endanger our lives. We never would have dreamed that wed have to don an uncomfortable N95 mask each time we go into the pharmacy or pick up a few items at the grocery store. Those places, and doctors offices, are about the only places we go these days, and even then its with great trepidation. And heaven forbid we should end up in our local emergency room with a heart attack, kidney stone or anything other than Covid. We wonder when we can again safely travel 500 miles to see our son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons. We enjoy going to the movies, but havent been since late 2019. This is definitely not the way we thought wed have to spend the remaining years of our lives, or part of it. We, along with many rational like-minded Floridians, wait hopefully to see Ron DeSantiss ideology go down in flames. For the sake of all Floridians, and for the sake of the country now that he aspires to be president, it cant come a day too soon. Ransomware attacks are plaguing the United States. With alarming regularity, cybercriminals disrupt computer systems controlling important pieces of infrastructure and refuse to restore access until they are paid typically in Bitcoin or another decentralized, hard-to-trace cryptocurrency. In May, cybercriminals disabled one of the largest gasoline pipelines in the United States. In June, cyberattacks caused the worlds largest meat-processing company to shut down nine beef plants. Attacks on smaller entities the Steamship Authority of Massachusetts, Baltimores city government attract less attention but speak to how common ransomware crime has become. The Biden administration has taken some steps to address the problem. An executive order in May directed the federal government to enhance coordination on the issue. A national security memorandum in July outlined better security standards for Americas industrial control systems. And last week, at a meeting at the White House, President Biden asked the leaders of Apple, Google and other companies to do more to prevent cyberattacks. But none of these efforts tackle the problem at its root. Ransomware attacks occur because criminals make money from them. If we can make it harder to profit from such attacks, they will decrease. Republican rhetoric in Washington, however, is a sideshow to the real fight over Covid, in states like Florida and Texas. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis rejected vaccine passports and launched an aggressive campaign against mandatory mask-wearing in schools. It is very important that we say, unequivocally, no to lockdowns, no to school closures, no to restrictions and no to mandates, he told a gathering of conservative activists in Utah last month. DeSantis has suspended city and county emergency orders, put limits on future mitigation efforts and signed a law that shields nursing homes, hospitals and businesses from legal liability if employees and patrons contract the virus on their premises. All of this, even as the state has been ravaged by the Delta variant of the virus. Florida has been reporting more than 20,000 new infections a day and has averaged 262 Covid deaths the most of any state, at least in absolute numbers. More than 16,000 people are hospitalized and thousands have been taken to intensive care units. Who does DeSantis blame for these outcomes? Biden. You know, he said he was going to end Covid. He hasnt done that, the Florida governor told the Fox News host Jesse Watters last week. At the end of the day, he is trying to find a way to distract from the failures of his presidency. In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott has banned mask mandates, signed legislation that would deny state contracts or licenses to businesses that require proof of vaccination and after recovering from a breakthrough Covid infection himself barred local governments from requiring the vaccine for any public agency or private institution. In a statement, Abbott said that this was to avoid a patchwork of vaccine mandates across Texas. But in a message to the state legislature, the governor appeared to be asking lawmakers to consider an outright ban on vaccine mandates. On Aug. 25, the day Abbott sent his message, Texas reported more than 23,000 new cases of Covid, along with 14,000 hospitalizations and 245 deaths. Abbott and DeSantis are not alone. Earlier this month, the Republican governor of Arizona, Doug Ducey, created two grant programs that would give funds to families and school districts that rejected mask mandates. And in South Dakota, Gov. Kristi Noem once again cheered the Sturgis motorcycle rally, a year after it contributed to a Covid outbreak throughout the region and into the Midwest. This year, health officials have already linked the rally to cases in Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The effect of all of this for the country is a pandemic that wont die. The effect of it for the Republican Party is a substantial part of its base that wont take the vaccines. According to data collected by the Kaiser Family Foundation, Republicans lag behind most of the rest of the country in vaccine uptake; 54 percent said they had received at least one dose at the time of the survey, compared with 67 percent of all adults. And the effect of this for Biden is a sharp drop in his approval rating; a Reuters poll conducted mid-month found the president down 21 points among all Americans for his handling of the pandemic. There was not enough time to fully evacuate New Orleans before Hurricane Ida hit. The hurricane intensified too rapidly. Thousands who could flee, did. Mayor LaToya Cantrell urged those left behind, including many without the money or resources to pack up and go, to hunker down. The storm tore off roofs and wiped out power. We are now at the dawn of Americas Great Climate Migration Era. For now, it is piecemeal, and moves are often temporary. Brutalized by hurricanes, flooding and a winter storm, Lake Charles, La., residents have been living with relatives for months. In early August, the Dixie fire the largest single fire in recorded California history claimed at least one entire town, and locals took to living in tents. Apartment dwellers in Lynn Haven, Fla., were forced from their homes to slosh through streets flooded by Tropical Storm Fred. The evacuee tally has continued to rise, from New Englanders in the path of Hurricane Henri to flood survivors in North Carolina and Tennessee to people escaping fire in Montana and Minnesota. But permanent relocations, by individuals and eventually whole communities, are increasingly becoming unavoidable. When Kathryn Gallagher was 11, the career demands of her father, the actor Peter Gallagher, forced the family to leave the Upper West Side of Manhattan for Los Angeles. A decade or so later, the demands of her own burgeoning career specifically, a role in the 2015 Broadway revival of Spring Awakening meant a move back to Manhattan. And she knew precisely where she wanted to land. I was like, If Im going to live in New York, it has to be the Upper West Side, which is home, and which is where the best bagels are to be found, said Ms. Gallagher, now 28, a current Tony nominee for her performance in the musical Jagged Little Pill and a Season 2 cast member of the Amazon series Modern Love, based on the New York Times column. This is my neighborhood. Initially, she rented a studio apartment on the fourth floor of a walk-up building near Central Park West, the fulfillment of every young-woman-in-the-big-city dream she ever had. There were tall windows, exposed brick, crown molding and just the right degree of scruffiness. But what with the three or four (or more) daily walks required by her dog, Willie Nelson, the trips up and down the stairs became burdensome. Google is pushing back its return-to-office date by three months, to Jan. 10, in a decision that reflects the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus. Sundar Pichai, the chief executive of Alphabet, Googles parent company, informed employees of the plans in an email on Tuesday. He said that after Jan. 10, offices in different countries and locations will determine for themselves when to return based on local conditions, and that employees will get 30-days notice. Like other companies, Google has repeatedly postponed the date when it expects its employees to return to work at its offices. Last month, Google pushed back its return date from September to October and announced that it would require employees who returned to the companys offices to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. If Google employees return to the office in January, it will be nearly two years since the company asked its staff to work from home in the early days of the pandemic. The extended period of working from home has forced the company to rethink the future of its workplace and what is the best way to balance remote work with in-person collaboration. Scientists say there is also a correlation between global warming and the increased wind conditions that have fanned fierce wildfires across the state. And they point to a need for better forest management, thinning out some of the thickest woods. What characterizes the megafires of recent years, experts said, is their tendency to launch embers far ahead of the main fire front sometimes by miles and for the embers to land on parched terrain that is instantly combustible. This can rapidly expand the perimeter of the fire, which hops over one of the main containment tools: the bulldozed areas, known as fire breaks, that create a line of containment. The Tubbs fire in October 2017 jumped over what would normally be considered a formidable fire break a six-lane freeway and went on to incinerate 1,200 homes in the residential community of Coffey Park. These spot fires are causing a lot of havoc, said Craig Clements, a professor of meteorology and the director of the Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center at San Jose State University, a group that is modeling the spread of the Caldor fire. Theres just fire all around, Professor Clements added, and that makes it very difficult to suppress. As a measure of how combustible the landscape has become, other scientists have calculated that embers have a 90 percent chance of becoming spot fires once they land. Pennsylvanias governor said on Tuesday his administration was imposing a statewide mask requirement for all schools, becoming the latest governor to embrace a politically charged but federally recommended precaution. Masks will be required for students, staff and visitors in public and private schools, early learning programs and child care centers in Pennsylvania beginning Sept. 7. The mandate was imposed by order of the states acting secretary of health, Alison Beam, who appeared at a news conference with Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat. Wearing a mask in school is necessary to keep our children in the classroom, and to keep Covid out, Mr. Wolf said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended masking for everyone inside a school, regardless of vaccination status, as a way to keep students safe for in-person schooling. Extra safety measures are especially important in schools because no coronavirus vaccine has been federally authorized for children younger than 12, health officials have said. We have a special bond with the Marines. The first person that you see when you visit an American embassy is a marine. They guard our diplomatic missions. They keep us safe around the world. We couldnt do our jobs without them. And we will never forget their sacrifice, nor will we forget what they achieved. The most exceptional among us perform a lifetimes work of service in a short time here on Earth. So it was for our exceptional brothers and sisters who died last week. Finally, I want to thank our allies and partners. This operation was a global endeavor in every way. Many countries stepped up with robust contributions to the airlift, including working by our side at the airport. Some are now serving as transit countries, allowing evacuees to be registered and processed on their way to their final destinations. Others have agreed to resettle Afghan refugees permanently, and we hope more will do so in the days and weeks ahead. Were truly grateful for their support. 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. So here is our plan for the days and weeks ahead: First, we built a new team to help lead this new mission. As of today, we suspended our diplomatic presence in Kabul and transferred our operations to Doha, Qatar, which will soon be formally notified to Congress. Given the uncertain security environment and political situation in Afghanistan, it was the prudent step to take. And let me take this opportunity to thank our outstanding charge daffaires in Kabul, Ambassador Ross Wilson, who came out of retirement in January 2020 to lead our embassy in Afghanistan and has done exceptional, courageous work during a highly challenging time. For the time being, we will use this post in Doha to manage our diplomacy with Afghanistan, including consular affairs, administering humanitarian assistance and working with allies, partners and regional and international stakeholders to coordinate our engagement and messaging to the Taliban. Our team there will be led by Ian McCary, who served as our deputy chief of mission in Afghanistan for this past year. No ones better prepared to do the job. Second, we will continue our relentless efforts to help Americans, foreign nationals and Afghans leave Afghanistan if they choose. Let me talk briefly about the Americans who remain in Afghanistan. We made extraordinary efforts to give Americans every opportunity to depart the country. In many cases, talking and sometimes walking them into the airport. Of those who self-identified as Americans in Afghanistan who are considering leaving the country, weve thus far received confirmation that about 6,000 have been evacuated or otherwise departed. This number will likely continue to grow as our outreach and arrivals continue. 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. Were going through manifests and calling and texting through our lists, and we will have more details to share as soon as possible. Part of the challenge with fixing a precise number is that there are longtime residents of Afghanistan who have American passports and who are trying to determine whether or not they wanted to leave. Many are dual citizen Americans with deep roots and extended families in Afghanistan who resided there for many years. For many, its a painful choice. Our commitment to them and to all Americans in Afghanistan and everywhere in the world continues. The actions of Republican governors, some of the leading stewards of the countrys response to the virus, reveal how the politics of the partys base have hardened when it comes to curbing Covid. As some Republican-led states, including Florida, confront their most serious outbreaks yet, even rising death totals are being treated as less politically damaging than imposing coronavirus mandates of almost any stripe. Freedom is good policy and good politics, Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican and ally of Mr. Abbotts who has introduced federal legislation to end mask decrees and to forbid federal vaccine passports, said in an interview. Mr. DeSantis has become a symbolic face of the battle, as President Biden has urged Republican governors opposed to mandates to at least get out of the way. This week, Mr. DeSantiss education commissioner withheld funds from two school districts that made masks mandatory. Most top Republicans, including every Republican governor, have been vaccinated and have encouraged others to do so. But most have also stopped short of supporting inoculation requirements and have opposed masking requirements. In many ways, Republican leaders are simply following Republican voters. Skepticism about masks, vaccines and the rules governing them is increasingly intertwined with the cultural issues that dominate the modern Republican Party. The fear over losing medical freedom has become part of the broader worry that cancel culture is coming for conservatives way of life. By the time I came to office, the Taliban was in its strongest military position since 2001, controlling or contesting nearly half of the country. The previous administrations agreement said that if we stuck to the May 1 deadline that they had signed on to leave by, the Taliban wouldnt attack any American forces. But if we stayed, all bets were off. So we were left with a simple decision: Either follow through on the commitment made by the last administration and leave Afghanistan, or say we werent leaving and commit another tens of thousands more troops. Going back to war. That was the choice, the real choice. Between leaving or escalating. I was not going to extend this forever war. And I was not extending a forever exit. The decision to end the military airlift operations at Kabul airport was based on the unanimous recommendation of my civilian and military advisers. The secretary of state, the secretary of defense, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and all the service chiefs and the commanders in the field. Their recommendation was that the safest way to secure the passage of the remaining Americans and others out of the country was not to continue as 6,000 troops on the ground in harms way in Kabul, but rather to get them out through nonmilitary means. In the 17 days that we operated in Kabul, after the Taliban seized power, we engaged in an around-the-clock effort to provide every American the opportunity to leave. Our State Department was working 24/7 contacting and talking and, in some cases, walking Americans into the airport. Again, more than 5,500 Americans were airlifted out. And for those who remain, we will make arrangements to get them out if they so choose. As for the Afghans, we and our partners have airlifted 100,000 of them. No country in history has done more to airlift out the residents of another country than we have done. We will continue to work to help more people leave the country who are at risk. Were far from done. For now, I urge all Americans to join me in grateful prayer for our troops and diplomats and intelligence officers who carried out this mission of mercy in Kabul, and at tremendous risk with such unparalleled results. An airlift that evacuated tens of thousands to a network of volunteers and veterans who helped identify those needing evacuation, guide them to the airport and provided them for their support along the way. Were going to continue to need their help. We need your help, and Im looking forward to meeting with you. And to everyone who is now offering, or who will offer, to welcome Afghan allies to their homes around the world, including in America, we thank you. I take responsibility for the decision. Now, some say we should have started mass evacuations sooner and Couldnt this have been done in a more orderly manner? I respectfully disagree. Imagine if we had begun evacuations in June or July, bringing in thousands of American troops and evacuating more than 120,000 people in the middle of a civil war. There still would have been a rush to the airport. A breakdown in confidence and control of the government. And it still would have been very difficult and dangerous mission. WASHINGTON For more than a week, Samiullah Naderi, a U.S. legal permanent resident, waited days and nights with his wife and son outside the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, hoping to be let in so that they could leave on one of the dozens of daily flights headed to America. Its 50 feet away, Mr. Naderi, 23, known as Sammy, said Sunday night in a short telephone interview, speaking in halting English, as gunfire crackled in the background. Maybe the Taliban will let me inside maybe. But on Monday, after being told that no more people would be allowed inside the airport gate, Mr. Naderi and his family returned to their apartment in Kabul with no clear path back to Philadelphia, where he has been living since last year. All flights are closed, he said with an incredulous laugh. I am scared. Mr. Naderi is among at least hundreds of U.S. citizens and potentially thousands of green card holders who are stranded in Afghanistan at the end of a 20-year war that culminated not in a reliable peace, but with a two-week military airlift that evacuated more than 123,000 people. For those considering venturing back out into the dating game, Dr. Mattox had some advice: Choose potential partners who have an appetite for risk that is similar to yours. If you arent comfortable eating inside restaurants or even using the drive-through, you will be anxiety-ridden dating someone whos taking a girls trip to Bermuda, she said. Is your company better than being alone? More than a year of solitude has demonstrated that it is OK, and sometimes preferable, to be alone, some daters say. Kaya Nova, 27, a musician and content creator in Manhattan, said she had always planned to be married by now, but she realized this year that life is not as linear as she once assumed. When she shared on Twitter her realization that being single isnt so bad, she was surprised by the effusive reactions the message received. People think theyre competing with other suitors when dating me, but really Im comparing you to my own solitude, Ms. Nova wrote. Thats the competition: Is your company better than being alone? Now that some vaccinated people are choosing to venture out and date one another in person, she and others are still choosing to hang back. We are going to be more picky, she said, because for the last year and some change, weve had to entertain ourselves, and weve become comfortable with that. Sukh Kaur, the founder of a U.K.-based matchmaking service for Sikh and Hindu professionals called Matched, said her clients have also become more aware of the non-negotiable traits they want in a partner since the pandemic began. While many were fatigued by dating apps, they also told Ms. Kaur that they enjoyed the low-pressure stakes of online dating. Some clients have told her that they plan to continue going for socially distanced walks and planning Zoom meet-ups even as the pandemic ebbs and flows. I believe the trend will now be slow dating, Ms. Kaur said. Lockdown has given singletons the time out from dating to build on themselves. Many are ready to date with quality in mind rather than quantity. Taking things slow online, and fast in person Taking things slow online, and fast in person, worked for Jessica Shropshire, 34, and Joe Crowder, 27, of Oklahoma. The couple met last September on Bumble. Ms. Shropshire didnt really know what she was looking for she was just bored being at home. Apps opened up the whole country, and the whole world was swiping for free, so I was like, Im at home, Im not getting out as much, Im going to try that and see! Many of the stranded Afghans thousands, by some estimates are permanent United States residents who were traveling in Afghanistan when it fell with astonishing speed to the Taliban as U.S. forces began pulling out. Among them was Samiullah, a Philadelphia resident who waited days and nights with his wife and son outside the airport in Kabul in the hope that a place could be found for them on a flight. On Monday, they gave up and returned to their apartment in Kabul. All flights are closed, he said, incredulously. I am scared. Taliban leaders promised that the airport would reopen within days. But extensive damage to the buildings, equipment and leftover aircraft there left that estimate in doubt. Qatar and Turkey were said to be in discussions with the group about whether they would help operate civilian flights from the airport. That may help the Afghans who want to leave, or with bringing in badly needed humanitarian aid. But for the Taliban, the more immediate problem may be winning over the vast majority who are staying and who fear the weeks and months ahead. Peoples expectations have grown dramatically after the past 20 years of freedom and liberation, said Saad Mohseni, owner of Tolo, Afghanistans largest broadcaster. And the pain is yet to come. Will the Taliban engage the world with a more inclusive approach? Or will they return to the ways of the past? Jim Huylebroek reported from Kabul, Afghanistan; Najim Rahim from Mexico City, and Eric Nagourney from New York. Reporting was contributed by Sharif Hassan from Mexico City; Matthieu Aikins, Victor Blue and Jordan Bryon from Kabul; Dan Bilefsky from Seoul; and Lara Jakes from Washington. DHAKA, Bangladesh Six men said to belong to an Islamist militant group were convicted and sentenced to death on Tuesday over the 2016 killings of a prominent Bangladeshi gay rights activist and his friend. When Xulhaz Mannan, an activist sometimes referred to as Julhas Mannan, and his friend Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy were hacked to death in April 2016, it was seen as yet another in a series of targeted attacks against academics, secular writers and activists who wrote views critical of Islam. That same month, an atheist blogger was shot and killed, and a university professor was hacked to death. Mr. Mannans killing was the first attack on a gay rights activist. They decided to slay the victims for their involvement in gay rights activism, a special antiterrorism tribunal in Dhaka said on Tuesday in announcing the convictions and sentences. All the convicts had the same intention. They wanted to prevent them from practicing their freedom and create fear among the other people from expressing their opinion. The court said the six men who were convicted were members of Ansar al-Islam, a banned militant group that local news outlets have connected to Al Qaeda. Four of the men are in custody, while two remain at large, including Syed Mohammad Ziaul Haque, a former major fired by the Bangladeshi Army, which accused him in 2012 of involvement in an attempted coup. Afghanistan Updates: Biden Defends U.S. Withdrawal After Taliban Declare Victory President Biden called the evacuation from Kabul an extraordinary success, praising the military for its work hours after the Talibans top spokesman toured the Kabul airport. Follow our live news updates on Afghanistan and the Taliban. Biden defends his decisions in Afghanistan. Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:54 - 0:00 transcript Biden Says, The War in Afghanistan Is Now Over President Biden defended his decision to end the 20-year war in Afghanistan, a day after the U.S. closed a two-week evacuation of 125,000 people from Kabul that saw the deaths of 13 American service members. Last night in Kabul, the United States ended 20 years of war in Afghanistan, the longest war in American history. We completed one of the biggest airlifts in history with more than 120,000 people evacuated to safety. The extraordinary success of this mission was due to the incredible skill, bravely and selfless courage of the United States military and our diplomats and intelligence professionals. Twenty service members were wounded in the service of this mission. Thirteen heroes gave their lives. I was just at Dover Air Force Base for the dignified transfer. We owe them and their families a debt of gratitude we can never repay but we should never, ever, ever forget. Let me be clear: Leaving Aug. 31 is not due to an arbitrary deadline. It was designed to save American lives. The previous administrations agreement said that if we stuck to the May 1 deadline that they had signed on to leave by, the Taliban wouldnt attack any American forces, but if we stayed, all bets were off. So we were left with a simple decision: either follow through on the commitment made by the last administration and leave Afghanistan, or say we werent leaving and commit another tens of thousands more troops going back to war. That was the choice, the real choice: between leaving or escalating. I was not going to extend this forever war. My fellow Americans, the war in Afghanistan is now over. President Biden defended his decision to end the 20-year war in Afghanistan, a day after the U.S. closed a two-week evacuation of 125,000 people from Kabul that saw the deaths of 13 American service members. Credit Credit... Doug Mills/The New York Times President Biden on Tuesday hailed what he called the extraordinary success of the evacuation of Kabul as he vehemently defended his decision to end Americas war in Afghanistan, just one day after the end of a two-week rescue of 125,000 people that saw the deaths of 13 service members. Speaking from the Cross Hall at the White House, Mr. Biden said the nation owed a debt of gratitude to the troops who died in the evacuation mission. Thirteen heroes gave their lives, he said in a speech in which he offered no apologies for either his decision to end the war or the way in which his administration executed that mission. We owe them and their families a debt of gratitude we can never repay, but we should never, ever, ever forget. Mr. Biden appeared intent on forcefully rejecting criticism of the end of the 20-year war in Afghanistan, offering a defensive recounting of his decision-making and blaming former President Donald J. Trump for negotiating a bad deal with the Taliban that boxed Mr. Biden and his team in. That was the choice, the real choice between leaving or escalating, Mr. Biden declared, his tone angry and defensive as he opened the first minutes of his remarks. I was not going to extend this forever war. The president delivered his remarks almost 20 years after the United States ousted the Taliban from power in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, and just a day after the last American troops and diplomats departed the country, which is once again under Taliban rule. Mr. Bidens speech comes as White House officials are hoping to wind down a difficult episode for his presidency, and focus instead on domestic crises at hand including the ongoing Delta variant wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and the aftermath of Hurricane Idas destructive path through the Gulf Coast. The president is also expected to pivot in the days and weeks ahead toward a push in Congress next month to pass key provisions of his multi-trillion-dollar economic agenda, including major spending on infrastructure and social services. Michael D. Shear and With Afghanistan fully controlled by the Taliban, daunting challenges lie ahead. Image Taliban fighters at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Tuesday. The group now faces the problem of governing a desperately poor and polarized country. Credit... Jim Huylebroek for The New York Times Afghans are confronting a new reality: a country firmly under the control of the Taliban amid escalating economic and humanitarian crises. The American withdrawal marked the end of a 20-year occupation that cost over $2 trillion, claimed more than 170,000 lives and culminated in a takeover by the very insurgents that the United States had sought to remove. But Saad Mohseni, the owner of Tolo, Afghanistans largest broadcaster, emphasized the huge hurdles facing the Taliban, including winning support from everyday Afghans. Peoples expectations have grown dramatically after the past 20 years of freedom and liberation, and the pain is yet to come, he said. Will the Taliban engage the world with a more inclusive approach? Or will they return to the ways of the past? The Taliban now need to form a government that many Afghans and foreign governments may not even recognize. Basic services like electricity are under threat as many state employees have not turned up for work. Washington has frozen Afghan government reserves, and the International Monetary Fund has blocked Afghanistan from accessing emergency reserves. Today, almost half of the population of Afghanistan 18 million people need humanitarian assistance to survive, Antonio Guterres, the United Nations secretary general, said in a statement on Tuesday. One in three Afghans do not know where their next meal will come from. More than half of all children under 5 are expected to become acutely malnourished in the next year. People are losing access to basic goods and services every day. Conditions will probably soon get much worse, with food stocks likely to run out at the end of September, said Ramiz Alakbarov, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Afghanistan. In Kabul, we may be on the brink of an urban humanitarian catastrophe, he said. Prices are up. There are no salaries. At some point, millions of people will reach desperation. Mr. Guterres called in his statement for all parties to facilitate safe and unimpeded humanitarian access for lifesaving and life-sustaining supplies such as food and medical equipment. A U.S. military official said that every American who had wanted to leave and could get to the airport had been taken out. But a number of Americans, thought to be fewer than 300, remain either by choice or because they were unable to reach the airport. Some people turned to social media to ask for help getting relatives out of the country. My family were at the entrance of Kabul airport for 4 days, after that being left behind, please help them from a third country, one man who identified himself as a former British military interpreter wrote in a publicly visible message on Twitter to a British lawmaker. Since capturing Kabul, the Taliban have sought to rebrand themselves as more moderate. But many in Afghanistan recall the groups rule in the 1990s, which deprived women of basic rights like education and encouraged punishments like floggings, amputations and mass executions. The early signs of the Talibans behavior do not look encouraging. Since capturing Kabul on Aug. 15, they have cracked down on protests, violently suppressed the news media and rounded up opponents. And while pledging to respect womens rights, they warned the women of Afghanistan that it might be safest for them to remain at home. That is, until the rank-and-file Taliban fighters have been trained not to mistreat them. Adam Nossiter , Azi Paybarah and Eric Schmitt contributed reporting. Advertisement Continue reading the main story With U.S. forces out, the Taliban take Kabuls airport. Video Once a symbol of escape and freedom from the Taliban, the airport in Kabul became a site for the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan after the militant group held a news conference from the tarmac. The last flight out of Afghanistan took off on Aug. 31. Credit Credit... Jim Huylebroek for The New York Times From the tarmac where the last American plane had departed from Afghanistans capital around midnight, the Talibans spokesman declared victory Tuesday in their two-decade fight against U.S. occupation. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman, congratulated Afghans as he toured the airport. This victory belongs to us all, he said. Mr. Mujahid made the declaration as he led journalists through a facility littered with the remains of the frantic operation to evacuate tens of thousands of Afghans fleeing the new reality of life under the rule of the militant group. But celebrations by the Taliban are likely to be short-lived. The group now faces the daunting challenge of governing a desperately poor and polarized country, plagued by food and cash shortages, terrorist threats and an intensifying humanitarian crisis. A third of all Afghans face what the United Nations calls crisis levels of food insecurity. Mr. Mujahid, flanked by Taliban officials and fighters from the groups elite unit, said that the airport, still named after the president whom the United States installed years earlier, would reopen for air traffic within days. He also repeated the Talibans previous assurances that Afghans with passports and visas would be allowed to leave the country, regardless of their role during the American occupation. The end of the occupation was our biggest goal, and we have been fighting for this day for the last 20 years: to end this war and attack of foreigners on us and bring our own Islamic government, Mr. Mujahid said. That goal is achieved now. He added that the Taliban would work to strengthen the government and protect our beliefs and serve our nation. This is a day of happiness and a historical day. Despite Mr. Mujahids assertions, the passenger terminal was in an evident state of disorder. Shattered glass littered hallways, and destroyed vehicles jammed the parking lot. And tens of thousands of Afghans who had clung to the hope of fleeing a country under Taliban rule now faced the reality that a primary escape hatch Kabuls airport was under the groups control. Qatar and Turkey were said to be in discussions with the Taliban about whether they would help operate civilian flights from the airport. On the northern side of the airport, from which the U.S. military had airlifted some 123,000 people out of the country, even more signs of disarray were visible. Dozens of military vehicles and armored S.U.V.s were left behind. Alongside them were piles of wrappers from military food rations and empty plastic bottles of baby milk. In front of an adjacent hangar sat a number of aircraft that had, until recently, been used to help keep the Taliban from power: A-29 Super Tucano propeller bombers, MD-530 gunship helicopters and Mi-17 transport helicopters. U.S. military officials have said that the aircraft left behind were all permanently disabled. Matthieu Aikins , Jim Huylebroek and To avert a migration wave, the E.U. says it will help refugees in Afghanistan and neighboring nations. Image Italys interior minister, Luciana Lamorgese, right, attended a meeting of E.U. justice and interior ministers on Tuesday in Brussels. Credit... Virginia Mayo/Associated Press European Union migration ministers pledged on Tuesday to increase humanitarian aid for Afghanistan and its neighbors, but did not agree on amounts or on a common approach to resettling Afghan refugees. European governments are determined not to repeat the 2015-16 migration crisis, in which more than a million people, mostly from Syria, sought asylum within the bloc, strengthening far-right nationalist movements. The influx threatened to upend the core of the European Union, with Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic refusing to accept their share of asylum seekers. The flow of migrants and support for far-right politicians have both ebbed since then, but migration remains a deeply divisive issue in Europe. Many E.U. countries have shifted to a harder stance, and the bloc has struggled for years to agree on a consistent policy. The European Union wants to prevent the recurrence of uncontrolled large-scale illegal migration movements faced in the past, the migration ministers said in a statement after their meeting. They focused on the need to ensure that Afghanistan does not become a haven for terrorists. The ministers pledged financial assistance to Afghanistans neighbors so that those in need receive adequate protection primarily in the region. But they did not offer any figure for how many migrants the bloc itself might accept. I dont think its wise if we talk about numbers here, because numbers obviously trigger a pull effect, and we dont want that, Horst Seehofer, the German interior minister, said before Tuesdays meeting. The European commissioner for home affairs, Ylva Johansson, told reporters: The best way to avoid a migration crisis is to avoid a humanitarian crisis. And thats why we need to support Afghans in Afghanistan. But Ms. Johansson insisted there would not be a repetition of the 2016 deal between the European Union and Turkey strongly criticized by human rights activists in which the bloc increased funding for Turkey in exchange for its agreement to host refugees. Advertisement Continue reading the main story U.S. residents left in Kabul feel they have run out of options. Image Families hoping to flee the country arriving at the airport in Kabul last week. Credit... Jim Huylebroek for The New York Times For more than a week, Samiullah Naderi, a U.S. legal permanent resident, waited days and nights with his wife and son outside the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, hoping to be let in so that they could leave on one of the dozens of daily flights out. But on Monday, after being told that no more people would be allowed inside the airport gate, Mr. Naderi and his family returned to their apartment in Kabul with no clear path back to Philadelphia, where he has been living since last year. All flights are closed, he said with an incredulous laugh. I am scared. Mr. Naderi, 23, is among at least hundreds of U.S. citizens and potentially thousands of green card holders who are stranded in Afghanistan at the end of a 20-year war that culminated not in a reliable peace, but with a two-week military airlift that evacuated more than 123,000 people. The bottom line: Ninety percent of Americans in Afghanistan who wanted to leave were able to leave, President Biden said on Tuesday. He said the U.S. government had alerted Americans 19 times since March to leave Afghanistan. And for those remaining Americans, there is no deadline, he said. We remain committed to get them out if they want to come out. The U.S. faces a series of dilemmas in dealing with a Taliban government. Image Taliban fighters wearing the uniforms and insignia of the former Afghan Commandos as they secure and inventory helicopters destroyed by departing U.S. forces at the airport in Kabul. Credit... Victor J. Blue for The New York Times Even as the United States finalizes its departure from Afghanistan, it faces a dilemma there as wrenching as any during the 20-year war: how to deal with the new Taliban government. The question is already manifest in the debate over how deeply to cooperate against a mutual enemy, the Islamic State branch in the region, known as ISIS-K. Another: Whether to release $9.4 billion in Afghan government currency reserves that are frozen in the United States. Handing the Taliban billions would mean funding the machinery of its ultraconservative rule. But withholding the money would all but ensure a sudden currency crisis and halt on imports, including food and fuel, starving Afghan civilians whom the United States had promised to protect. These are only the beginning. Washington and the Taliban may spend years, even decades, pulled between cooperation and conflict, compromise and competition, as they manage a relationship in which neither can fully tolerate nor live without the other. However fierce in battle, the Taliban seem to understand that governing an impoverished, war-ravaged nation is a very different challenge requiring economic and diplomatic support, both of which they are already seeking from the United States. Washington, for its part, sees Afghanistan as a potential haven for international terrorists, a center of geopolitical competition against its greatest adversaries and the site of two looming catastrophes Taliban rule and economic collapse that could each ripple far beyond the countrys borders. At home, President Biden already faces a backlash over Afghanistan that would be likely to intensify if he were seen as enabling Taliban rule. But he may find that securing even the most modest American aims in the country requires tolerating the group that now controls it. Advertisement Continue reading the main story 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. At a U.S. air base in Germany, thousands of Afghans prepare for a new life. Image Lining up for food at Ramstein Air Base in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate on Monday. We will continue to bring in evacuees and take care of them, a U.S. commander at the base said. Credit... Gordon Welters for The New York Times Even as the United States ended its presence in Afghanistan on Monday, a large-scale mission at Ramstein Air Base, in Germany, was underway to help thousands of people, most of them Afghans who were evacuated in the final days of the mission in Kabul, prepare for resettlement. More than 2,600 people have been flown from the base in Germany to the United States since the evacuation operation began, with roughly as many expected to depart on Tuesday, U.S. officials said. More than 18,000 people remain in hangars and in hundreds of tents set up at the edge of the airfield, waiting for clearance to be flown to America. There will not be anything that stops here at Ramstein, Brig. Gen. Joshua M. Olson, commander of the 86th Airlift Wing, said on Monday. We will continue to bring in evacuees and take care of them. More than 23,000 people have been processed at Ramstein in the past 11 days, including several hundred U.S. citizens and members of allied countries. General Olson was forced to briefly close the base to new arrivals on Sunday after the area reached capacity. Every person arriving at Ramstein undergoes biometrical screening, and any documentation they have is checked. Then they are assigned to living quarters where they wait for a flight to take them to Washington D.C. or Philadelphia. An agreement between the United States and the German government requires that evacuees arriving at the base be processed and moved on within 10 days of their arrival. An Afghan man named Rafiqullah, who asked that only his first name be used to avoid reprisals back home, was waiting with his family in a hangar built to service military planes that had been turned into a temporary airport terminal. He said that he hoped to make it to California, where he has family. I am glad to be out of Afghanistan, he said. I wanted to leave before the Taliban attacked. Five babies have been born during the evacuation: two in tents set up by the medical staff on base; two at the nearby Landstuhl Regional Medical Center; and one, a girl named Reach, aboard a C-17 aircraft that was bringing evacuees to the base. General Olson, when asked if, looking back a week ago, he would have thought it possible to transform the base from a military logistics hub to an evacuation center for thousands of Afghans as well as some U.S. citizens and others, shook his head. Never in a million years, he said. Advertisement Continue reading the main story In a few pockets of Afghanistan, resistance fighters are still opposing the Taliban. Image Anti-Taliban resistance forces take part in a military training on Monday in Panjshir province. Credit... Ahmad Sahel Arman/Agence France-Presse Getty Images Though the Taliban are firmly in control of most of Afghanistan, pockets of resistance remain in the mountainous northeast of the country, and there have been reports of fighting there between the holdouts and the Taliban. The resistance has been centered in Panjshir province northeast of Kabul, and there have also been skirmishes reported in neighboring Baghlan province. The Panjshir Valley is the base of an anti-Taliban group that has a corps of fighters and calls itself the National Resistance Front, and is led by Ahmad Massoud. When the Taliban ruled from 1996 to 2001, the same valley was the stronghold of the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance, led by Mr. Massouds father, Ahmad Shah Massoud. After President Ashraf Ghani fled the country on Aug. 15, a vice president in his government, Amrullah Saleh, took refuge with Mr. Massouds forces in Panjshir and proclaimed himself the acting president. Sharif Hassan and Advertisement Continue reading the main story After the U.S. withdrawal, the fate of Kabuls airport hangs in the balance. Image Members of the Taliban at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Tuesday. There are doubts that the group has the expertise or capacity to run the complex hub. Credit... Jim Huylebroek for The New York Times Hours after the final American flight departed from Kabuls airport which had been the site of a majority military base as well as a passenger terminal the Taliban entered and assured the world that operations there would continue. But with doubts that the group has the expertise or capacity to run the complex hub, the future of the airport, which is still called Hamid Karzai International, is an open question. The French foreign minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, said on Tuesday that the Taliban were in discussions with Qatar and Turkey over the administration of the airport, but there has been no clear sense of what that might look like. There are talks underway today with the Qataris and the Turks, because today the airport no longer functions, Mr. Le Drian told the television channel France 2. He added that the discussions were focusing on the management of the airport and on ensuring safe access to the area for those seeking to leave Afghanistan on commercial flights. Mr. Le Drian noted that the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution on Monday demanding that the Taliban honor their commitment to let people freely leave the country. Now it has to be implemented, he said. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has reportedly said that the Taliban refused his countrys offer to provide armed security at the airport. Mr. Erdogan, speaking to journalists while traveling from Montenegro to Turkey on Saturday evening, said that the discussions with the Taliban were continuing, according to Turkish news outlets. The Republic of Turkey has a certain amount of knowledge, a certain amount of infrastructure we would like to help with that knowledge and infrastructure, Mr. Erdogan said, the outlets reported. But to help, the doors first should open, he added. For that right now, our intelligence is having meetings with its Taliban counterparts. Turkey, which was part of the NATO mission to Afghanistan, had been responsible for security at the Kabul airport before the withdrawal. Mr. Erdogan said that in initial discussions, the Taliban had raised the prospect of providing security while Turkey ran the airport. Mr. Erdogan noted that such a proposal presented obvious problems. How could we give you the security? You take the security and then if there would be bloodshed again, how could we explain this to the world, he said. This is not an easy job, he added. Megan Specia and U.K. rejects reports that its troops pushed for a gate at Kabul airport to stay open. Image Outside the airport in Kabul, the Afghan capital, on Thursday, when devastating suicide bombings in the area killed at least 170 people, including 13 members of the U.S. military. Credit... Jim Huylebroek for The New York Times The British foreign minister, Dominic Raab, on Tuesday pushed back on a report from Politico that suggested U.S. forces kept a critical gate at Kabul airport open to allow British troops to continue evacuating their staff despite intelligence about a likely terrorist attack. The gate at the airport, called Abbey Gate, was the scene of devastating suicide bombings on Thursday that killed at least 170 people, including scores of civilians waiting to be airlifted out of the country, and 13 members of the U.S. military. According to the Politico report, British forces had sped up their own withdrawal timeline and had pushed for the gate to remain in use despite a warning that an Islamic State affiliate was planning an assault on the area. Mr. Raab was asked about the accusations during an appearance on Sky News, and he said that the claims were false. He noted that Britain had issued a change in its travel advice before the attack and had urged people to leave the area because of the risk. Its just not true to suggest that, other than securing our civilian staff inside the airport, that we were pushing to leave the gate open, he said. He also noted that Britain had coordinated very closely with the U.S. in particular around the ISIS-K threat that we anticipated although tragically were not able to prevent. Mr. Raab said that civilian staff had been taken out of a processing center and to the airport via Abbey Gate but that his country had not requested that the access point be left open. The back-and-forth was likely to further strain relations between London and Washington after a tense period in which British lawmakers have accused President Biden of failing to consult them on the timing or logistics of the military withdrawal from Afghanistan. Britain suffered the second-most casualties, after the United States, of any NATO member engaged in the war. Mr. Raab, too, has come under severe criticism at home for being on vacation in Crete when the Taliban took control of Kabul this month and for only returning to Britain after the militant group had seized control of the Afghan capital. Reports from the British news media have suggested that he was advised to return two days earlier. Advertisement Continue reading the main story She was lauded for challenging a Taliban member on live TV. Then she fled. Image 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. The last moments of the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan were captured in two images that were a reversal of the American invasion nearly 20 years ago: A U.S. soldier leaving as Taliban fighters took control. U.S. Central Command identified the final soldier to leave as Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue, the commanding general of the 82nd Airborne. He was boarding the last flight out of Kabuls airport. Shortly after, the Los Angeles Times posted a video of its Middle East bureau chief, Nabih Bulos, entering the airport with Taliban fighters. The image of Maj. Donahue, a firearm in his right hand, boarding a C-17 plane Monday night, is shrouded in the green tint suggestive of night vision goggles. Around 70 percent of adults in the European Union have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, E.U. officials said on Tuesday, a milestone that puts the bloc among the worlds leaders in vaccinations despite a sluggish start earlier this year and worrying discrepancies among member states. After a fumbling start, the European Union overtook the United States in vaccinations last month, as campaigns taken together across the blocs 27 countries grew at a faster pace than anywhere else in the world. Tuesdays announcement marked the meeting of a self-set deadline that once seemed far out of reach. While the vaccination rate has slowed this month, it has yet to reach a ceiling that some experts and officials feared it would hit over the summer. Taking children and teenagers into account, more than 55 percent of the overall E.U. population has been fully vaccinated, compared with 52 percent in the United States, 61 percent in Israel, and 64 percent in Britain. The Bank of England, which has its own museum, said it had appointed a researcher to explore the Banks historic links with the trans-Atlantic slave trade in detail, adding that the information would be used to inform future displays about the institutions history. The central bank apologized last year for the role of some top officials in the slave trade. In the review, staffers investigated whether the subjects of artworks had direct links with West Indian merchants who used enslaved people on plantations or other companies associated with the slave trade. Figures were also crosschecked with a database of British slave owners compiled by University College London. Kehinde Andrews, professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University, downplayed the significance of removing the artworks, given the banks crucial role in facilitating an economic system of which slavery was a part. You cannot separate the Bank of England from slavery, he said, adding that focusing on the past of a few directors was tokenistic nonsense. The Bank of England should be getting involved in saying: how do we redistribute this wealth thats been stolen back to the people who need it? Professor Andrews said, referring to measures like reparations. LONDON Rabbi Shalom Morris picked his way through a steel scaffold that construction workers were noisily dismantling as he showed a visitor around his 320-year-old synagogue, Bevis Marks. When the renovation is finished, there will be a new visitors center off the snug courtyard outside the building. But Rabbi Morris was less preoccupied with his own construction project than two others for which developers are seeking approval next door. Both are office towers 20 and 48 stories, respectively and if they are built, he said, they would leave one of Londons most venerable houses of worship in near-permanent twilight. If this was next to St. Pauls Cathedral, it wouldnt happen, said Rabbi Morris, 41, a former New Yorker who has overseen the synagogue, the oldest in Britain, for six years. Theyre willing, at best, to roll the dice and, at worst, to do lasting harm. Its not that the rabbi has it in for all skyscrapers. Bevis Marks already nestles in a glass and steel forest of thrusting towers, many with goofy nicknames the Gherkin, the Walkie Talkie, the Cheesegrater which have transformed Londons financial district, known as the City, into a kind of Legoland version of Chicago. MOSCOW The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday faulted Russias government for failing to investigate the abduction and assassination a decade ago of one of the countrys most prominent human rights defenders, Natalya Estemirova. The court ruled that Russian authorities had failed to thoroughly investigate the murder, and it pointed to contradictions in the evidence file that led to doubt that the investigation had been effective. It awarded Ms. Estemirovas relatives 20,000 euros, or about $23,600, in damages. But the court also ruled that the authorities could not be held directly responsible for the killing. The case had become emblematic of the brutal methods and lack of accountability of Russian security services in repressing an Islamist insurgency in Chechnya that coincided with the early years of the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. MOSCOW Unnerved by Americas abrupt and chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, is expected to raise questions about U.S. security commitments when he meets President Biden on Wednesday, an adviser to the Ukrainian leader said. The meeting was supposed to be an opportunity for the U.S. to demonstrate support for Ukraine, something Mr. Zelensky has been seeking since 2019, when his effort became entangled in former President Trumps first impeachment trial. Now that the meeting is finally at hand, it comes in the wake of an event that has caused numerous American allies to question the firmness of Washingtons support. And few nations are as reliant on U.S. backing as Ukraine, bogged down in a seven-year-old war with Russian-backed separatists and ever fearful of the Kremlins intentions and foul play. As vice-president, Mr. Biden was the Obama administrations point person on Ukraine and, though frequently frustrated with its endemic corruption, strongly supported the countrys fight to remain independent from Russia. Analysts widely expect him to affirm that support to Mr. Zelensky. Who wins and who loses when companies can hire from anywhere? Some employees and freelancers who can work remotely will have vastly expanded opportunities and the possibility of significant increases in pay, but remote workers in general figure to face more competition. One thing that seems unavoidable, research suggests, is an intensification of inequality. A 1981 paper, The Economics of Superstars, described the impact of recording and broadcasting on the incomes of athletes and entertainers. As technology enabled individuals with specialized skills to reach a giant market, fewer stars captured more of the rewards. Over time, the paper posited, many other professions would follow a similar pattern. A teachers income, for example, was traditionally limited by the number of students who could fit into one classroom. But today on Udemy, an online learning platform, teachers like Chris Haroun have earned millions from courses they created, especially after Covid-19 lockdown pushed enrollments up. The vast majority of teachers on Udemy dont come close to Mr. Harouns earnings, however. Once believed to be the stuff of legends, the double-nosed andean tiger hound is an extremely rare dog breed used by Bolivian hunters to track jaguars through the Amazon rainforest. The first mention of double-nosed dogs in the Amazon jungle can be traced back to 1913, when legendary explorer Colonel Percy Fawcet told tales of such animals on his return from an expedition. No one believed him, they laughed at his stories, and the double-nosed dog remained a cryptozoological beast up until the mid-2000s, when Colonel John Blashford-Snell returned with photographic evidence of the dogs existence. Its an extremely rare breed believed to only exist in Bolivia, where it is used to track jaguars because of their enhanced sense of smell. There is a chance that these dogs came from a breed with double noses thats known in Spain as Pachon Navarro, which were hunting dogs at the time of the Conquistadors, Colonel Blashford-Snell told the BBC back in 2007. I think its highly likely some of these were taken to South America and they continued to breed. Theyre good hunting dogs. The English explorer first noticed a doubled-nosed dog while carrying out reconnaissance near the village of Ojaki. He was sitting by the fire one night when he saw a weird-looking dog that appeared to have two noses. He had had nothing to drink, so he was pretty sure his eyes werent playing tricks on him. Plus, he remembered Colonel Percy Fawcets story. The dog Blashford-Snell saw in 2005 was a female called Bella, and two years later he met Bellas son, Xingu, who shared the same distinct physical trait. The explorer asked the locals about the existence of other double-nosed Andean tiger hounds and learned that there were other such dogs in the area. The Bolivian Army came and took DNA samples because theyre interested in the breed. Hes not the only dog like this, there are others in the area, the colonel said. Double-nosed Andean tiger hounds were developed to help hunters track jaguars, called tigres in Bolivia. Not much is known about them, but it is rumored that their double nose gives the dogs a superior sense of smell. Because it is so rare, the breed isnt even recognized by major breed groups or kennels, and until Colonel Blashford-Snell provided evidence of its existence, the double-nosed dog was considered a cryptozoological animal. Final approval for a grant of 500,000 from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications was recently received for the upgrade and retrofit of Kilbeggan Harbour Building. This application was jointly sponsored by Westmeath County Council in conjunction with Kilbeggan Grand Canal Company. The funding was awarded from the Just Transition Fund 2020(JTF) which provides funds for projects capable of sustainable employment in Green Enterprise and supporting communities transitioning to a low carbon economy. The amount of 500,000 is 85% of the expected overall cost, the balance being co-founded jointly by Westmeath County Council and Kilbeggan Harbour Committee. ''Complying with all the criteria laid out by Just Transition Fund was a complex and involved process. Sincere thanks is due to Barry Kehoe, Director of Services Westmeath County Council and his team for getting this grant to its final approval stage and without whom it would not have been possible. It is now expected that a Project Manager will be appointed to take charge of implementing and overseeing the work to its final completion,'' said chairman of the Kilbeggan Harbour committee Dan Scally. This is the third important phase of the Harbour project which begun in 1989 with the long term objective of re-watering of the Kilbeggan branch line. The first phase was the restoration of the Harbour Building and basin completed in the year 2000 with the aid of a FAS Scheme. The second phase was the green way linking the Dublin-Galway cycle track at Streamstown to the main line of the Grand Canal of Ballycommon completed in 2020. ''This brings total inward investment on the project to date in excess of 3 million and is very significant as an amenity for the local and wider community particularly during the lockdown period. The upgrade will ensure the viability and the low carbon imprint of the building for generations into the future, ''concluded Mr Scally. Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has today designated Professor Vincent Cunnane to be appointed as the first president of Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest. Professor Cunnane is the outgoing President of Limerick Institute of Technology, and will take up the role in the new Technological University on its establishment on 1 October 2021. This follows the running of an open competition by the governing bodies of Athlone and Limerick Institutes of Technology and their proposing Professor Cunnane as the successful candidate from a wide field of national and international candidates. Speaking today, Minister Harris said: "I am delighted to designate Professor Cunnane as the first President of Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest. The new technological university will be the third established in the State, and will be a new powerhouse university, driving development and investment across the Midlands and Midwest regions. I want to congratulate Professor Cunnane on his appointment. Professor Cunnane has vast experience and will be perfectly positioned to lead the new institution in realising the benefits that technological universities have to offer - education for all, from apprenticeship to doctoral degrees, research-informed teaching and learning, and, crucially, regional development." Following the open and competitive process run by the governing bodies of Athlone and Limerick Institutes of Technology, Professor Cunnane was chosen as the nominee for the first President of Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest. Professor Cunnane said: "I feel honoured and privileged to become the founding president of Ireland's newest Technological University. I have seen the evolution of the technological sector over the last number of years. To lead this exciting, dynamic and visionary new organisation will be a challenge but one that I very much look forward to with the support of a really talented, enthusiastic and motivated cohort of staff." Visit www.technologicaluniversities.com for more on the benefits of a TU for regions. A number of groups in Offaly are set for a funding boost as part of the Department of Rural and Community Developments CLAR Programme, which is aimed at revitalising rural towns and villages. Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys confirmed on Monday that St. Kierans National School, in Broughal, Co. Offaly will receive 36,000 for safer roadside parking and footpath to the school, while Shannonbridge Community Services Group will be allocated 11,025 towards its efforts to establish wheelchair accessible picnic benches, new planter boxes with flowers and shrubs, canopies, bins, poop a scoop dog dispenser. Meanwhile in Laois, the Ballyfin Community Development Association will receive 49,499 for the provision of a childrens playground with safe surfacing, seating, fencing, biodiversity and sensory planting. St Aengus FC in Laois will receive 30,517 for the construction of two accessible toilets with associated septic tank and biodiversity planting, while Tobar an Leinn National School will be allocated 49,500 to provide safer access and a pedestrian crossing. Welcoming the news, independent Laois-Offaly TD Carol Nolan said: I am delighted to confirm that a number of schools and projects will have received news today of much needed and invaluable levels of support. "These are measures we can all welcome and support because they will contribute so much to our local and school communities. "I would also say to all those other CLAR applicants who may not have received news that the allocations announced today are specifically related to Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety and Measure 2: Outdoor Community Recreation Facilities of the Programme. "Additional funding under the remaining strands will be announced in the coming weeks, concluded Deputy Nolan. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 716-372-3121 or email nfinnerty@oleantimesherald.com. Are you a current print subscriber? You qualify for online access to the Omak Chronicle. To receive your access, create a website account and then verify your print subscription or e-edition subscription with your subscriber number, which may be found on your bill or mailing label. Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York for New Managers: Cayler Capital, an energy trading CTA, is launching a new security token that will allow investors to invest directly in the equity of Cayler Capital LLC, not just the investment program. Cayler is the first CTA to launch a security token. The token will be listed on Securitize Markets, an exchange for security tokens. After the initial one-year lockup there will be secondary trading and liquidity available to investors on the platform. The target list date is October 1, 2021. The token will have the right to all revenue streams of Cayler Capital and will participate in all growth associated with an increase in AUM or new products. The firm is opening its institutional account this month and its flagship strategy is approaching its three-year milestone. Cayler's Flagship Energy Program is a fundamental systematic trading strategy that uses a combination of relative value and a directional oil approach. Investors can invest in either sub-strategy or the comingled program depending on their risk profile. The strategy uses a combination of fundamental and technical analysis to make its trading decisions and builds on the work portfolio manager Brent Belote did as manager of the Oil Product Derivative book for North America at JP Morgan. The Energy Program uses six algorithms that track WTI, Brent, Heating Oil Cracks, RBOB ...................... To view our full article Click here Opalesque Industry Update - dv01, a leading capital markets fintech company driving technological innovation and loan-level transparency in structured finance, today announced it has partnered with GoodLeap, America's number one point-of-sale platform for sustainable home solutions, to further promote data transparency and accountability within the solar asset-backed securities market. Through this partnership dv01 will serve as Loan Data Agent for Carbon Level Mitigation Trust (CLMTE) pass-through certificates, the first transactions of their kind in the residential solar and sustainable home solutions space. The shelf currently comprises CLMTE 2021-1 and CLMTE 2021-2 and has an aggregate notional value of $53.6 million at issuance across 1,252 residential solar loans. As LDA, dv01 handles the monthly deal reporting by cleansing, validating, and standardizing loan-level data from underlying servicers and other transaction participants. Qualified platform users, including participating investors, can then leverage fully integrated analytics tools through the dv01 web app to extract actionable insights on loan performance, free of charge. Residential solar ABS has shown impressive resilience against the stresses of COVID-19. Kroll Bond Rating Agency estimates that issuance climbed 22% YoY in 2020, with GoodLeap responsible for most of the issuance. Kroll forecasts 2021 issuance to increase by another 21% thanks to a combination of technology improvements, extensions of the investment tax credit, and a sympathetic presidential administration. "As investor demand for sustainable investing increases, transparent data on the underlying collateral is crucial to understanding asset performance," said Perry Rahbar, Founder & CEO at dv01. "We're excited to partner with a leading issuer to cement solar as a viable, investment-worthy asset class. We look forward to deepening our relationship with GoodLeap and introducing our reputable loan-level expertise to a rapidly-growing market." "The pass-through securities announced today are the first transactions of their kind in our space, enabling an even broader group of financial institutions to deploy capital in compelling ESG assets," said Tanguy Serra, GoodLeap's President. "With dv01, we look forward to providing market participants the opportunity to take part in these ESG assets with confidence and efficiency." The partnership comes at a time when ESG investing is seeing a record pace of adoption. In addition to supporting the Solar ABS market, dv01 is building a comprehensive, data-focused solution for structured products that empowers issuers and investors to accurately report the loan-level ESG adherence needed by their partners and the capital markets. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has passed a resolution on Afghanistan on Monday which was adopted with the support of 13 members, with Russia and China abstaining and no one voting against the resolution. New York: Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Monday (August 30) said that Afghan territory should not be used to threaten, attack any country or to shelter, finance or train terrorists. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has passed a resolution on Afghanistan on Monday. This crucial resolution was adopted with the support of 13 members, with Russia and China abstaining and no one voting against the resolution. Briefing the media after chairing the UNSC meeting on Afghanistan, Shringla said, "As you're aware, the month of August has been a very busy month for the Security Council. There are some very key issues that have come up for consideration in the council. We have had issues of Afghanistan, maritime security, the Middle East, Myanmar, Syria, Yemen. As India's presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of August draws to a close, Shringla thanked all members of the UN Security Council. "A very notable initiative that our delegation took was the organisation of the first comprehensive consideration of the issue of maritime security at the high-level event, chaired by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This event was attended by heads of state and government, Members of the Council," he said. He further said that "we also had two events on technology and peacekeeping and counterterrorism which were chaired by our External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar." "It underlines the risk individuals and entities designated by UN Security Council 1267. This is of direct importance to India. The resolution also notes the statement by the Taliban in the 27th of August and the Security Council does expect them to adhere to their commitments, including regarding the safe, secure and orderly departure from Afghanistan, of Afghan and all foreign nationals," he said. He added that "the resolution also recognises the importance of upholding human rights, especially Afghan women, children and minorities, as well as to inclusive negotiated settlement, and humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. These are some of the key aspects of the resolution which have been highlighted by India." Shringla also expressed condolences on behalf of India to those Afghan nationals and US troops who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Kabul. "You will recall that under our presidency, the Security Council adopted three press statements on Afghanistan following related developments in the third, the 16th and the 27th of August. I also wish to take this opportunity to extend condolences on behalf of our dedication and our country to those Afghan nationals and US troops who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Kabul," he stated. Courtesy: ANI Communists led Maoists have suffered major setbacks in two states, where they have commendable grip: Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. CPI-Maoists have suffered a major setback in Jharkhand. Notorious Maoist and Zonal Commander Maharaj Pramanik has surrendered before Jharkhand Police. After surrendering, Maharaj is being questioned at secret hideouts in Ranchi. It should be noted that after Patiram Manjhi was given charge of the Saranda area, there was resentment among the tribal leaders in the Maoist organisation. There were speculations that Maharaj might surrender because of the increasing interference of outside Maoists in the organisation. A reward of 10 lakh was announced on Maharaj Pramanik. In fact, recently, Maharaj Pramanik was declared a fugitive by his own organisation. The Maoists had also issued a decree to punish him by holding a Jan Adalat, accusing him of treason. The members associated with the organisation were also ordered to keep their distance from him. Maharaj Pramanik had actually come under the target of his own organisation. While on the one hand, the terrorists of the Maoist organisation were engaged in his search, on the other hand, the security forces were also looking for Maharaj Pramanik. In such a situation, it was believed that if Maharaj did not surrender before the security forces, then his death was certain. Perhaps this is the reason why he chose the path of surrender. It has also come to the fore that he was also in touch with the police for the last several days. It is worth noting that this notorious Maoist of Jharkhand has been involved in killing eight police officers. Pramanik is accused of being involved in the killing of five police officers in Seraikela and three police officers in Chaibasa. Along with killing the police personnel, he is also accused of being involved in many other terrorist activities. However, in view of the threat to Maharaj's life from the Maoists, now the policemen have to protect him. Since the surrender of Maharaj Pramanik, the security agencies are collecting information after interrogating him. Such information has come to the fore that the police have got important clues from Maharaj about many hideouts of Maoists. According to information received from the sources, the surrendered Maoists have informed the police about the activities of the members of the Maoist squad operating in the Kolhan area. Apart from this, Maharaj has also informed the police about the source who supplied gunpowder, arms, cartridges to the Maoists. Maharaj Pramanik, a resident of Daduda village under Ichagarh police station in Kharsawan-Seraikela district, is accused of leaving the organisation on August 14 with Rs 40 lakh, an AK 47 rifle, 150 bullets, 9 mm pistol, mobile, tablet and walkie. - Talkie. He had strong clout in the local tribal group, and now his surrender has dealt a major blow to the Maoists in the South Chota Nagpur region. In Chhattisgarh's Maoist-affected Bastar division, the security forces have achieved major success against the Maoist terrorist organisation. On Thursday (August 26), 15 Maoists, including four women Maoists, surrendered before police and CRPF officials in Sukma district. These 15 Maoists, who were actively working under the Phulbagdi police station area of Sukma district, reached Kerala Pal police station along with about a dozen villagers, where they surrendered to the police and CRPF. According to the information received from the district police, out of 15 Maoists who surrendered, crimes are registered against 13 in different district police stations. Some of them are also facing serious charges like attempt to murder and murder. All these surrendered Maoists will be given benefits under the relief and rehabilitation schemes run by the government. The district police officials also said that how the villagers encouraged these Maoists to surrender in such large numbers shows the local people have been disillusioned with the Red terror ideology. Those who surrendered have been identified as Madvi Hidma, Rava Devi, Rava Bheem, Rava Deva, Sodi Saresh, Rava Soni, Dudhi Bandi, and Muchaki Hanga, Sodi Ayta, Rava Bheem, Sodi Gangi, Sodi Dule, Sodi Nanda and Rava Joga. Some of these surrendered Maoists were active as militia members, village committee members, DAKAMS, KMS and Sangham members. Significantly, the number of Maoists who surrendered in the last few months has increased. In another similar development, the Militia Commander-in-Chief of the Katekalyan Area Committee of the Maoist terrorist organisation has surrendered in Dantewada. The surrendered Maoist has been identified as Budhara. . US President Joe Biden has said that it is in the Taliban interest to keep Islamic State Khorasan out of Afghanistan. However, the connection between the two terror groups is deep as they share the same enemy --Washington, reported Australian ABC News. In a report in ABC News, Australian journalist Stan Grant the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), Al Qaeda and the Taliban are different threads of the same tapestry. As the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, experts are fearful that the country will again become the safe haven of terrorists. Recently, a terror attack rocked Kabul on August 26, killing scores of people. ISKP claimed responsibility for the attack. According to Terrorism analyst, Sajjan Gohel, the Taliban will use the ISKP attack and the deaths of innocent Afghans to its own end, cracking down even further on its own people. As he points out in an article in Foreign Policy magazine: "Islamic State-Khorasan and the Taliban may resume their squabbles, but they also have more in common with each other than they have differences. The perennial losers in this remain the Afghan people." Elaborating on the "deep connection" between the two groups, Australian journalist Stan Grant said ISKP and Taliban also share a similar network. The founding leader of Islamic State Khorasan was Hafiz Saeed Khan, a veteran Pakistani Taliban leader. "Yes, the two groups have clashed often violently and they may indeed fight a turf war for control but they share a common enemy: the United States," Grant said in a report in ABC. Imphal: Union Minister of State for Railways Raosaheb Patil Danve on Monday inspected the crucial Sangaithel tunnel along with top officials of the Northeast Frontier Railway. The Sangaithel tunnel is going to be Northeast Indias longest railway tunnel. The 10 km-long railway tunnel will play a crucial role in connecting Manipur capital Imphal with the rest of India. The line is expected to be a major boost for Manipurs economy, as it would then not be dependent on a lone highway which at one point of time was prone to violence and long bandhs. Speaking to the media after inspecting the tunnel, the union minister said that the Prime ministers vision is to connect all state capitals of North East through a rail link. He informed that work on 7 kilometres of the tunnel is almost complete, and the rest of the work is going to be completed within the stipulated time frame. Union minister Danve also reiterated that the project will be completed within its stipulated deadline of 2023, and added that central funds will never be a problem for such a crucial project. The union minister also took stock of the works of the Noney Bridge, which is being constructed across the river Ijai. Noney bridge is considered to be an engineering marvel as the tallest pier railway bridge in the world. After the completion of construction, the 141 meters tall Noney pier bridge will surpass the existing record of 139 meter of Mala Rijeka viaduct at Montenegro in Europe. On Monday union minister Danve and state chief minister N Biren Singh had virtually flagged off a passenger train service between Jiribam in Manipur to Silchar in Assam resumes after almost two years which was suspended due to covid 19. The situation had escalated in May this year after violence in Jerusalem and the possible eviction of Palestinians in the Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighbourhood which lasted for 11 days. New Delhi: India, on Monday, August 30, expressed concern at the recent escalation in the Gaza Strip and urged all parties to 'refrain' from unilateral actions that undermine the viability of the two-State solution. "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. We recognize the efforts made by the UN and regional countries to prevent the hostilities from escalating into another military conflict," Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla said in his statement at the UNSC meeting on the 'Middle East Peace Process, including the Palestine Question'. He called for a regular and predictable transfer of aid and other essential items to Gaza to ease the humanitarian situation and facilitate early reconstruction. The situation had deteriorated in May this year, and over 250 Palestinians died in Gaza, while 10 Israelis were also killed in the rocket firing. A full-blown crisis between the two sides lasted for 11 days. The situation had escalated after violence in Jerusalem and the possible eviction of Palestinians in the Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighbourhood. The West Bank continues to witness violence and clashes between the Palestinians and Israeli security forces, the Foreign Secretary said. "Both sides must desist from provocative action in the interest of peace and stability." He further said that amidst these concerns, the decision by Israel to increase the number of work permits issued to Palestinians would help strengthen both the Palestinian and Israeli economies. It may be mentioned that the death of a 31-year-old Indian Catholic caregiver, Soumya Santhosh, in Israel following a Hamas rocket attack has divided opinion in India about the Israel-Palestine conflict. Gaza is sandwiched between Israel and Egypt and is just 25 miles (40 kilometres) long and six miles (10 kilometres) wide. It was part of the British-ruled Palestine Mandate before the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation when it came under Egypt's control. A large number of Palestinians who fled or were driven from what is now Israel ended up in Gaza, and the refugees and their descendants now number 1.4 million, accounting for more than half of Gaza's population. Israel captured Gaza, along with the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in the 1967 Mideast war. Jammu and Kashmir Police has recovered a twelve hundred year ancient sculpture from a local in Khansahib area in central Kashmirs Budgam district after getting reports that the local was attempting to sell it. An official told news agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) that the ancient Sculpture was recovered from the house of Nawaz Ahmad Sheikh son of Abdul Rashid Sheikh, a resident of Yarikhah Khansahab during the search. He said that he was attempting to sell it but police recovered it from him before being sold. Police in a statement to news agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) said Yesterday afternoon, upon specific information, Budgam Police recovered one ancient sculpture from Khansahib area. Accordingly Officers team of department of Archives, Archaeology & Museums, J&K Government were called for examination of the recovered sculpture and who reported to District Police Office Budgam on Today and established that the said sculpture is the sculpture of goddess Durga which dates back roughly to 7th-8th AD (about 1200 years old). They said the sculpture is 12x08 carved in a black stone. This sculpture is of goddess Durga seated on a lion throne along with 04 attendants. Police said the said recovered sculpture was handed over formally to Mushtaq Ahmad Beigh Deputy Director Department of Archives, Archaeology & Museums J&K Government and his team by Tahir Saleem Khan, SSP Budgam in presence of Gowhar Ahmad ASP Budgam, Aftab Awan- SDPO Khansahib and other Police/Civil officers through proper handing / taking over. Pertinent to mention that the said sculpture was found from river Jhelum at Pandrethan Srinagar by labourers who were extracting sand from river on 13th August 2021, the statement added. (KDC) Ram temple will be built in Ayodhya and nobody can stop it this statement of Kalyan Singh proved prophetic. As the work on the Ram temple is underway in Ayodhya, Kalyan Singh, one of the icons of the Mandir Movement will always be remembered for his contribution and unalloyed commitment to the cause of Hindutva A yodhyas streets were splattered with dead bodies of the Kar sevaks and their blood. They were shot dead in cold blood by Mulayam Singhs police, led by Subhash Joshi (later promoted as DG Police Uttarakhand ). Me and Balashankar, the then editor, Organiser, were in the Hanuman mandir area and suddenly saw Subhash Joshi facing us with a menacing smile. I do not know where we gathered strength and yelled at him- shoot us too like you shot these innocent Kar sevaks- you don't have any shame? I have never used so many swear words that we use on his face. He vanished with some calculation. Ayodhya was synonymous with daily battles and killings of the kar sewaks. Everyone forgot the caste, region, language. Every one had only Jai Shri Ram on their lips. Ashok ji Singhal, Shreesh Chandra Dixit, Acharya Giriraj Kishor, Vinay Katiar, and Lalloo Singh led the battle. Entering Ayodhya was made impossible by the brute forces of the state. All of them were Hindus, and all of them were fighting against Hindus alone. Kalyan Singh rode to power in that charged and battle-ridden atmosphere, promising a temple at Shri ram Janmabhumi. His image was of a no-nonsense leader who was a hard taskmaster, neither rested leisurely nor allowed others to have one. He promised the Temple, and when asked in the national integration council meeting in Delhi to use toughest measures against Kar sevaks- by secular-compassionate-human-rightists, his categorical answer was- i will never use force or gun power against Karsewaks. Main Goli Nahin Chalaunga'. All the shenanigans of the seculars fell flat. This pone line was the headline the next morning in media. He lived to what he promised. There was tremendous pressure on him, and he was in the eyes of the storm that had taken over Ayodhya. People, unfortunately, have a short memory. It is unimaginable the savagery and barbarism Hindus had to pass through during the Ram Janmabhumi movement period at the hands of constitutionally elected governments. In Indian politics, he was synonymous with purity, transparency and public service. The death of such a respected organiser and popular mass leader Kalyan Singh ji is an irreparable loss for the entire nation Yogi Adityanath Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Like Bengal today, the people who believed in Ram, Hindu Dharma, the sacred river Sarayu, were sought to be banished from their homes and villages. So much was Ram Naam dreaded that there were incidents reported in newspapers that when the last journey of a Hindu was taken off, with Ram Naam Satya Hai chants, it was banned? The force that enforced the ban was Hindu. The politician who ordered banning the Ram Naam chant was a Hindu. As a RSS Swayamsevak and a democratically elected Chief Minister, Kalyan Singh saw that devotees of Ram remain unharmed and respected by the administration. He was one of the ablest administrators. His personal integrity was beyond any doubt. He barely slept. As Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, he would come many times to Jhandewalan to meet Pujya Rajju Bhaiya, whom he held very high in his esteem. Often, he would drop into the Panchjanya office to meet our staff and discuss the UP situation. The one thing that everyone remembers of those many interactions is that Temple will be built very soon.. No power on earth can stop it now. Duniya Ki Koi Taqat Mandir Banane Se Rok Nahin Sakto Tarun ji, Yeh Baat aap aaj yahan Panchjanya mein note kar lijiye. He proved it too. He saw to it that the bhumi pujan to Ram Mandir was done before his eyes. What else can one seek from Bhagwan Ram to give him? As a friend, philosopher and guide, I would have met him many times. Once, he said-Tarun ji, god has given me a unique blessing-if I am too tired and can have a brief nap on my chair for 15-2-minutes, I get up refreshed for the next many hours. He slept for four hours, got up early morning at 4 am, finished his correspondence and days schedule fixation before going to the office. He was large hearted. Once, after Ayodhya reimagining, his grand Shobha Yatra was organised in Dehradun. He came to know that my mother is not well, who was an ardent Ramjanmabhumi worker. My home was in the way of his Shobha Yatra. He stopped the grand Yatra, winding its way majestically, near my home, got down, met my mother, prayed for her wellness, and resumed Yatra. Who can forget that? There would be thousands of such anecdotes with our workers across India. After reimagining Ayodhya and the demolition of Babri's black spot, he resigned and grew in stature. In those moments, he was the tallest leader in India. Dwarfing all the BJP galaxy. I attended one of his receptions or the main baudhiks in RSS shakha in Thiruvananthapuram. He never allowed the glory, towering praises, to go to his head and become arrogant; as seen in many small-time leaders, he remained an innocent child. During a BJP national executive, with Atal ji presiding it, the veteran columnist Sandhya Jain and I broached a very culinary subject-Kalyan Singh ji ( those days we called our leaders like this, not the present practice of sir ji, param mananiya or shraddhye kind of artificial hypocrisy)there is a famous idly restaurant called Mavalli Tiffin Room, established in 1924. It serves the best idlis in the world-with green peas on silverware. Please come and enjoy. Within a fraction of a second, he agreed. Imagine an entire battalion of security forces with us, entering MTR's Bangalore restaurant, with three of us enjoying idly sambhar served in (those days in silverware). Kalyan Singh jis parents named him Kalyan and he lived up to this name in the way he lived his life. All his life he worked towards jan kalyan or public welfare. He made jan kalyan his mantra for life. He dedicated his life to BJP and the Bharatiya Jan Sangh for an ideology and a bright future of the country Narendra Modi Prime Minister He was the most sought after, a popular leader amongst swayamsewaks. Perhaps that was the first in RSS history that a political leader was invited to address swayamsewaks in a shakha on Ramjanmbhumi. But as seers say, there are many ups and downs in the life of a tall leader. So happened with Kalyan Singh. I was pleading with him just half an hour before his devastating press conference. But he won't listen. The credit for the resurrection and reestablishing the raj Kalyan Singh goes solely to Narendra Bhai. I can guarantee if Narendra Modi wasn't around, the Kalyan Singh saga would have died midway. Modi is that large-hearted leader with a vision of a seer who honoured and respected Kalyan Singh, gave him the respect he deserved, and bid him the final adieu with full honours. Today when we see ugly anti- India conferences camouflaged as dismantling Hindutva, we remember Kalyan Singh all the more. He was the real leader with a spine who saw that the Ram Temple movement reaches to its logical conclusion. The real enemies of the nation's civilisational aspirations are not Islamists but the in-house secular millionaires and Islamabadi media houses. They are the real de-Indianised columnists who feel India for meagre profits. Like those local chieftains who gave way to Ghazanavis and Ghoris for little material profits, these profiteering crowd masquerading as journalists remind one of the grand old days of the Ramjanmabhumi movement when we had tall leaders like Kalyan Singh. In fact it is no exaggeration to say that on August 5, 2020, when the nations Vikramaditya Narendra Modi laid the foundation of Ram Temple, under the gracious, benign blessings of the RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan ji Bhagwat, waited Kalyan Singh's emergence in Lucknow for a new destiny. A strategically important road connecting Zingral to Tangtse via Kela at the altitude of 18600 feet was inaugurated by BJP MP from Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal on Tuesday. The road was constructed by the 58 Engineer Regiment of the Indian Army and was inaugurated in presence of Lt. Gen. PGK Menon General Officer Commanding 14th Corp, Tashi Namgyal Yakzee Executive Councilor, Stanzin Chosphel Executive Councilor, Lama Konchok Tsephel Councilor of LAHDC Leh, Chairman BDC Durbuk Block, Village heads and the villagers. "The strategically important road will reduce 41KM travel from Leh (Zingral to Tangtse) to reach Pangong Lake crossing Kela Pass of 18600 feet height connecting Lchagri Gyamtso Lake and Tharuk Village," said Army in a statement. Army said the road will play a major role in the coming future to boost the socio-economic status of the local residents of the people of Lalok Region of Ladakh as it will invite tourists for many reasons like Highest Tourist Motorable Road, Medicinal Plants like Sanjoeevni, Snow Sport Activities, Nomadic Livestock, Lake and other attractions. "During the inaugural function held at Kela Top at the altitude of 18600 feet, MP Namgyal applauded the dedication of Indian Army especially 58 Engineer Regiment for connecting this road within two months and also highlights the seriousness of the government of India towards the creation of Border Infrastructures especially roads and bridges," added the army. It said that Mamgyal also congratulates the people of Lalok Region, Tourists, and other travellers for this new road reducing 41km to arrive Famous Pangong Lake. (ANI) Sri Aurobindo has bequeathed to us a great legacy. His message is a stirring call for action by all those who believe in Bharats destiny as the guiding light to humanity. In the 150th Birth Anniversary Year of the Mahrshi, we have to commit ourselves to the task of bringing into fruition his vision of building a Great Nation On 15 August, the Independence Day, Sri Aurobindo gave the following message to the country from Pondicherry. In a prophetic and inspiring message, Sri Aurobindo said, August 15, 1947 is the birthday of free India. It marks for her the end of an old era, the beginning of a new age. But we can also make it in our life and act as a free nation, an important date, in a new age opening for the whole world, for the political, social, cultural and spiritual future of humanity. August 15th is my own birthday and it is naturally gratifying to me that it should have assumed this vast significance. I take this coincidence, not as a fortuitous accident, but as the sanction and seal of the Divine Force that guides my steps on the work with which I began life, the beginning of its full fruition. Indeed, on this day I can watch almost all the world-movements which I hoped to see fulfilled in my life-time, though then they looked like impracticable dreams, arriving at fruition or on their way to achievement. In all these movements free India may well play a large part and take a leading position. Unifying Bharat Sri Aurobindo said the first of these dreams was a revolutionary movement which would create a free and united India. India today is free but she has not achieved unity. At one moment it almost seemed as if in the very act of liberation she would fall back into the chaos of separate States which preceded the British conquest. But fortunately it now seems probable that this danger will be averted and a large and powerful, though not yet a complete union will be established. Also, the wisely drastic policy of the Constituent Assembly has made it probable that the problem of the depressed classes will be solved without schism or fissure. But the old communal division into Hindus and Muslims seems now to have hardened into a permanent political division of the country. It is to be hoped that this settled fact will not be accepted as settled forever or as anything more than a temporary expedient. For if it lasts, India may be seriously weakened, even crippled: civil strife may remain always possible, possible even a new invasion and foreign conquest. Indias internal development and prosperity may be impeded, her position among the nations weakened, her destiny impaired or even frustrated. This must not be; the partition must go. Let us hope that that may come about naturally, by an increasing recognition of the necessity not only of peace and concord but of common action, by the practice of common action and the creation of means for that purpose. In this way unity may finally come about under whatever form the exact form may have a pragmatic but not a fundamental importance. But by whatever means, in whatever way, the division must go; unity must and will be achieved, for it is necessary for the greatness of Indias future . . . . Such is the content which I put into this date of Indias liberation; whether or how far this hope will be justified depends upon the new and free India. (Speech Abridged) Sri Aurobindo was born in Calcutta on August 15, 1872, the third son of Dr. Krishnadhan Ghose and Srimati Swaranlata Devi. In 1879, his father, a civil surgeon, took his three sons to England and placed them with an English clergyman and his wife with strict instructions that they should not be allowed to make acquaintance of any Indian or undergo any Indian influence. These instructions were carried out to the letter and Aurobindo grew up in ignorance of India, her people, her religion and culture. Some of the more enthusiastic young Indians at Cambridge formed a secret society romantically called The Lotus and Dagger which Sri Aurobindo joined along with his brothers. Each member vowed to work for the liberation of India generally and also to take upon himself some special work to further that end Academic Excellence In 1890 Sri Aurobindo won an open scholarship of 80 for classics in his final examination at St. Pauls, which enabled him to go on to Kings College at Cambridge. He also passed his test for selection to the Indian Civil Service. At Cambridge he passed the First Part of the Classics Tripos in the first division after two years, and also won college prizes for English and literary ability. He was working simultaneously for the ICS. exam. Finally, he passed the open competition with distinction, but did not pass the riding test. Some of the more enthusiastic young Indians at Cambridge formed a secret society romantically called The Lotus and Dagger which Sri Aurobindo joined along with his brothers. Each member vowed to work for the liberation of India generally and also to take upon himself some special work to further that end. This much is clear; while at Cambridge Aurobindo had become imbued with deep patriotic fervour and a desire to dedicate himself to the liberation of his country from foreign rule. At a time when people are skeptical about the advantages of shopping only Indian, Swadesi offers renewed clarity through a platform that has a vast evolving range of homegrown products, made with internationally-aligned practices and global standards, at the click of a button. Taking inspired cues from India's historic and monumental self-reliant past and the relevance of the #Aatmanirbhar Bharat Initiative in the current economic climate, Swadesi brings the much needed focus towards supporting the Indian market and making people aware of the importance of local self-sufficiency. With the Indian infrastructure, knowledge and tech currently at par with leading nations, Swadesi moves forward with a vision to consolidate and follow the conventional norms suited for the Indian market while uniting the various products from the different categories. A mighty vision, led by a powerful team of experienced entrepreneurs - Madhav Dhir and Srishti Dhir define Swadesi as a "Business that helps foster the local brands, sellers and our country's renowned manufacturing prowess by making life even easier for the Indian customers." They mention that, "The basic access to the internet along with the power of e-commerce, these brands and small businesses alike will get the support they need to thrive.'' Aiming to be one of the most voluminous Indian marketplaces on the Internet, Swadesi is an endeavour in boosting the painstakingly nurtured, homegrown Indian brands that want to find their way into more Indian homes and eventually across the globe. Being 100% Indian owned, with only products from the country, Swadesi is working towards creating jobs across sectors, supporting all kinds of local businesses and doing its part in boosting the Indian economy. Swadesi wants to take on International e-commerce and imported brands by working gradually towards becoming the largest e-retailer for Indian goods and offerings. Geared with a user-friendly online interface, dedicated customer service, quick deliveries with a robust logistics system, Swadesi's core focus is to ensure an easy shopping experience for everyone from one of the largest ranges of SKUs within an Indian e-commerce store. A powerful, yet easy-to-use search engine in the web store and app, makes it possible for customers to find products in a few clicks, without ever leaving the comfort of their spaces. Founders of Swadesi, Madhav Dhir & Sristhi Dhir state that, "Swadesi wants to address the gap in the market of Indian products that are locally manufactured by companies registered in India. The vision of the company is to provide an alternative marketplace aggregator for discerning and progressive customers who want to provide Indian businesses and consequently, the Indian economy, the boost it needs. However, value is a two way street and listing with Swadesi will provide lasting benefits, preferential margins, and access to a larger network of customers who appreciate your product with the added caveat of supporting homegrown brands and small businesses." With close to 1000 vendors on board and counting, Swadesi is encouraging more Indian brands to be register as vendor partners and be a part of Swadesi's constantly-growing ecosystem of brands that reflect India's globally relevant products, made with love - www.swadesi.co/vendor/User It is truly time to grow and flourish with everything Indian and give homegrown local products the support required to make this vision come to life. Log on to www.swadesi.co or download the app to finally say bye to Videsi and buy Swadesi #ByeVidesiBuySwadesi. (ANI/NewsVoir) Though India had done better compared to developed countries, there is still need to work effectively to reduce the adverse effects on health, social fabric and finance. The world had witnessed panic, fear, stress, and loss of near and dear ones, especially during corona phase II. Even India had to face the worst time compared to corona phase I. An unforeseen rise in oxygen demand, ICU beds, and few medicines created a situation that had become difficult for many state governments to handle the critical situation which caused further deterioration of the situation. My intention is not to blame any government or make it a political one. We need to analyse where we have failed as a team in corona phase II, mostly in a few states like Maharashtra, Kerala, Delhi, which has resulted in a surge in covid patients and deaths. There were instances where people have been exploited for injection, medicines, oxygen requirement and bed. Many people have lost their little savings. Whatever mistakes happened in phase II, we need to learn lessons to avoid any misfortunes in phase III. Though India had done better compared to developed countries, we cannot be happy for this reason. We still need to work effectively to reduce the adverse effects on health, social fabric and finance. Let me put up few points where we went wrong and need to focus on making things easier and better in the coming phases: Maharashtra has been number one in phases I and II. The total cases in Maharashtra amount to 63,82,076 and death 134730. It was essential to take actions based on the number of cases in phase I and severe warnings from experts worldwide regarding phase II. Central government had allocated funds for oxygen plants. Was it not a duty of the state government to get it done in every district with the help of the central team? We could have avoided a lot of fatalities and related medical issues. The same thing happened with the Delhi government. Rather than blame game, if they had worked pro-active, the situation could have been much better in Delhi. Rather, they opted for a blame game against the central government and more efforts were put on self-promotion advertisements, which were unnecessary stuff. Creating unreal disproportionate demand for oxygen to put pressure on the central government and to create a bad image of PM was not in the right spirit. This has resulted in a shortage of oxygen in neighbouring states, causing more deaths. Black hoarding of oxygen concentrators and essential medicines was rampant; however, no strict action was visible on the ground to stop it. At least, we need to show unity, keeping politics aside for the betterment of our people. Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope did well during corona phase one. However, he failed to mounting pressure in phase II owing to insufficient arrangements and preparation after corona phase I. Kerala is still showing very high numbers. One of the reasons is vote bank politics. When the number of cases was very high, was it important to allow a religious festival to be performed with no restrictions? Even when there are least cases in UP, the government didnt allow religious Kawar Yatra. How Kerala government can be so insensitive when they could have discussed with Muslim leaders and did not open restrictions. What went wrong in small states like Maharashtra, Kerala, West Bengal, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, UT Delhi region compared to the better managed covid situation UP even after having 24 crores densely populated state. The experts need to study with no bias, analyse and make a correction plan so that central government with state governments can work on it and take necessary steps in each district to modify the necessary infrastructure and medical facilities, training to health workers, synchronisation of social organisations and government agencies to work in cognisance during a pandemic or any other similar situation. The criticism of the central government over centrally managed vaccination drive by opposition parties and non-BJP ruled states was finally a farce when the central government handed over the vaccination drive on 1st April. Not a single state could manage this drive on their own. Finally, after one and half months, the central government had to take back the drive in their control after a request from all state governments and seeing the difficulty people are facing in getting a vaccination. Health is a state subject; still, most of the states depended on the central government for all the requirements. I am not saying the central government is not responsible; however, expecting everything from the central government cannot be the right approach. Actions that are anticipated: Oxygen plants in every district to cater to the need for oxygen locally. UP is already much ahead in implementing it with firmness. Cylinders with necessary quantity in each district, looking at the quantum of patients in phase I and II and proper transport facility in place. Proper communication network set up to get easy access to various hospitals, quarantine centres, pathology labs, ambulances, police stations, NGOs, and other social organisations working on the ground to help corona patients and their families. Electronic media needs to be taught about how they present news to the people; it should mention real stories and not create panic and fear among people. Proper management of vaccination drive at each place. Every government must know that peoples lives matter, whether a person is rich or poor, black or white, irrespective of caste and creed. The focus should not be to politicise such a critical situation to garner votes at the cost of panic, fear, delusion, financial loss, major health issues, losing some near and dear ones. Hope sanity prevails. The contribution of social organisations like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Art of Living, ISKCON, Isha Foundation and many Temple trusts is beyond imagination and with no bias. Each state government must work out necessary action plans with these organisations and trusts to make groundwork more effective. We need to strive for excellence in the medical field when we are entering the 75th year of our independence. The Taliban took over the control of the entire Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, when they stormed into the capital city, Kabul. As the last US flight took off from Kabul International Airport, the Taliban celebrated their victory by firing in the air on Monday (August 30) midnight. The last US cargo planes carried tens of thousands of Afghanistan fleeing the country after the Taliban takeover, fearing for their lives under their rule. Head of US Central Command, Gen. Frank McKenzie, confirmed the completion of America's war in Afghanistan and their airlift. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, on early Tuesday (August 31) said, "American soldiers left the Kabul airport, and our nation got its full independence." The last five aircraft have left; it's over! I cannot express my happiness in words. ... Our 20 years of sacrifice worked," said Hemad Sherzad, a Taliban fighter stationed at Kabul's international airport. While many Afghans fear for their lives, U. S officially announced the end of the 20-year war in Afghanistan with the return of the Taliban. US and NATO invaded Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks. Though the US and its allies drove the Taliban out of power in the country, they couldn't eliminate them. The USA war against the Taliban took a drastic turn when they signed a peace treaty with the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, on February 29, 2020. By July 6, 2021, the US retreated 90 per cent of its troops from Afghanistan and the Taliban took over the control of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered prayers in the temple and attended 'Krishnotsav' organised by the temple and also attended the Janmashtami programme at Lucknow. Mathura: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday (August 30) visited Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura on the occasion of Janmashtami. The UP CM offered prayers in the temple and attended 'Krishnotsav' organised by the temple. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the celebration of festivals like Janmashtami is a symbol of our spiritual and cultural heritage that needs to be preserved. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a new direction to the country. The feelings and faith suppressed for centuries are now reawakened. The previous governments which were earlier afraid to go to temples, due to their fear of being labelled as communal, are now claiming Ram and Krishna as their gods," he stated. Adityanath added that Ayodhya was renewed after PM Modi laid the foundation stone of Ram Mandir there. "I visited Ayodhya with President Ram Nath Kovind yesterday. He visited Ramleela there and he is the first President to have visited Ramleela in Ayodhya since independence," he said. "PM Modi is the first Prime Minister to have witnessed Ramleela in Ayodhya since independence," he added. Later in the day, the UP CM also attended the Janmashtami programme at Lucknow and extended the greetings for the festival to the people there. Courtesy: ANI Joan Ruth (Geurts) Thompson, passed away at the Wesley Acres Health Center in Des Moines Iowa on September 8, 2021, at the age of 86 years. Joan was born on January 14, 1935, to Floris W.A. and Sophia (Vos) Geurts. Joan graduated from Pella High School with the class of 1953 and resided in D 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. Do you appreciate the work we do as the only independent media outlet dedicated to serving OU students, faculty, staff and alumni on campus and around the world for more than 100 years? Then consider helping fund our endeavors. Around the world, communities are grappling with what journalism is worth and how to fund the civic good that robust news organizations can generate. We believe The OU Daily and Crimson Quarterly magazine provide real value to this community both now by covering OU, and tomorrow by helping launch the careers of media professionals. If youre able, please SUPPORT US TODAY FOR AS LITTLE AS $1. You can make a one-time donation or a recurring pledge. On Monday, Sept. 7, 1908, there was a kerfuffle in a Midland newsroom. Depending on who you asked to tell the story, the event was either a minor incident, a heated argument, or a full-on brawl. Thanks to recently-discovered documents in the Midland County Historical Societys archives, todays readers have a more well-rounded view of what took place. What is known for a fact is that at least three people were involved: City Treasurer Leslie D. Madill, Mayor Stewart Gordon and Neil McKay, editor of the Midland Sun. On Sept. 7, 1908, Madill and Gordon entered the office of the Midland Sun, one of two weekly newspapers, wanting to see an affidavit the paper had published regarding Madill buying votes and Gordon tending bar and getting drunk the weekend after he was elected mayor. The narratives split from there as the event is chronicled in Midland Sun, its counterpart the Midland Republican and correspondence from E.O. Barstow, the first chemist employed by The Dow Chemical Co., each giving a different account. Crystal Laudeman, archivist for the Midland County Historical Society, recently came upon Barstows letter when performing a remote research request. While looking through Barstows posts to his girlfriend, Florence Schade of Wisconsin, whom he eventually married in 1903, Laudeman was struck by the level of detail given to this event. Hes recounting a lot of stories of whats going on in Midland to her, Laudeman said. What strikes me about this correspondence that hes writing (is that) it shows how communication matters in telling community stories and how communication has changed. After some light pleasantries, Barstow goes into detail about the events he witnessed in downtown Midland on the previous Monday as Madill and Gordon confronted McKay in his office. They shut the door and opened the window and told Neil they were going to throw him out the window. W.D. Gordon and Mr. Crissey (editor of the Midland Republican) and some others were down on the sidewalk waiting to see Neil come out, Barstow writes. They talked and threatened and Neil talked back till finally Leslie struck Neil in the face. Then Neil went for Leslie, got him down on the floor and pounded him good, making his nose bleed and giving him a black eye. Gordon hit Neil a couple of times in the back of the neck but he didnt hurt him. Surrine, who works for Neil, ran in and kept Gordon from helping Madill and Gordon and Surrine pulled Neil off. Then Gordon and Madill left. Madills face was all blood and he has a good black eye. I wish his head had been knocked off. Intrigued by the letter, Jake Huss, historical programs and exhibitions manager for Midland County Historical Society, began looking through newspaper records to see if the event was mentioned. Both the Midland Sun and Midland Republican shared the story in their Sept. 11, 1908 editions, but the respective editors views are made clear in the wording. In the Suns account, the writer goes into some detail of the event, beginning with Gordon and Madills approach and statement that they had come to see the affidavits. McKay explained that they could see them through the courts, upon which Gordon and Madill threatened the editor and physically assaulted him. Several times both (Madill and McKay) raised their fists to strike, usually stopping to tell what they had a notion to do, or expressing their desire to go into Snells court and pay a fine in return for the satisfaction the blow was going to give them, the Sun reported. Failing in all their bluffs, Madill delivered a very strong opinion of what the editor was, and was informed that the opinion was as good as the editor expected from him. Madill immediately assaulted the editor by striking him in the face. The article concludes with an observation of Madill and Gordons actions, stating that the two men knew the Suns report was true, and were only looking for more information to abuse the individual who submitted the affidavit. In contrast, the Republican, with Theodore Crissey as its editor, published a brief paragraph on the event, simply stating that Madill went to the Suns office and asked to see the affidavit; no mention of Gordons presence was made. Huss and Laudeman explained that Chrissy was not only McKays business rival, but also on the opposite end of the political spectrum. The reasonable privilege was denied and a little scrap ensued without very serious results, the Midland Republican article concluded. Huss appreciates the personal nature of Barstows account, as it details the presence of machine politics in Midland as well as the social fallout after the incident. Barstows letter goes on to state that the Gordon, Price and McCann families all prominent businessmen and politicians in Midland made a stance to not attend the same church that McKay worshiped at. Huss explained that they all attended First Presbyterian Church, which is now Memorial Presbyterian Church. The decision didnt seem to affect McKay, as he made a lot of friends by the fight, according to Barstow. (The) Gordons seem to put their foot in it every move they make, Barstows letter concludes. The discovery of Barstows letter highlights the importance of correspondence and historical documents. According to Laudeman, Barstows letters are the only correspondence collection they have, detailing the citys history through the eyes of its citizens. They color our community. They make history about people. Huss It shares stories in a way you dont get through photographs or newspaper accounts, Lauderman added. The Midland County Historical Society contains a working archive and continues to accept documents from the past and present to better understand the communitys journey through history. For more information about submitting organizational or family records or to view Midland County Historical Societys archives, visit mcfta.pastperfectonline.com. Anna Merillat and Kim Burgess, along with their husbands, planned a relaxing Labor Day weekend on a boat. Instead, they are making an 11th hour effort to gather and deliver needed items for flood victims in Waverly, Tennessee. I want them to feel the love and support we felt, Burgess said, recalling the outpouring from people all over after the 2020 mid-Michigan dam failures. Burgess and Merillat agree they were blessed with volunteers who showed up at their lowest point after the dams broke, toting food, water, cleaning supplies and so many things the residents lost to the flood waters. With the help of the Jerome Township Fire Chief Jerry Cole, the women are taking donations at the Jerome Township Fire Department at 3075 N. M-30 from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Then they will pack the stuff up and hand deliver it to Waverly, Tennessee. They are leaving on Sunday and plan to return Tuesday. Merillat was having coffee and reading about the flooding in Tennessee, especially in Waverly that was hardest hit. She called Burgess and said, Were not going boating, were going to Waverly. Burgess told her husband, Dean, to shrink wrap the boat, they were headed to Tennessee instead of relaxing. Merillat also told her husband, Jon, they were abandoning the chill Labor Day to head to a flooded area. The wives and their husbands were all on board. Waverly, which has a population about 4,100, has a confirmed death toll of 22. Authorities called off search efforts Friday in the middle Tennessee town. Burgess, who has family in Tennessee not far from the disaster area, contacted the command center in Waverly. They were told their volunteer efforts and donations would be greatly appreciated. In addition, they sent a list of needed items, which include many baby items, such as food, diapers, wipes, also adult diapers, clothing, under clothing for babies to adults. The list also includes cleaning supplies, tools, fans, generators, shovels, rakes, gloves, hoses, manual can openers, hygiene products, sheets, towels, and gift cards. I think (it's) more than just (bringing) supplies, Merillat said. "We can bring them hope. She recalls how people from all over showed up in Sanford on Memorial Day after the flood. I cant forget all that people did for us, she said. We were blessed by all the help during our disaster. Im kind of just doing the next right thing, Merillat added. Since the flood, both women have worked in the Sanford community, helping in the rebuilding efforts. We need to pay it back, Burgess said. The need to feel the love and support we felt in Sanford. We want to bring them hope, Merillat said. Both women know the trauma of such an event. They know there will be reminders of the ordeal for years to come. They saw Sanford families lose their homes, and business owners lose their livelihood. Now they see another area losing everything to flooding, and their hearts grieve. Burgess said she hopes the ordeal will cement a stronger Sanford just as it does Waverly. We will continue to recover, and in 20 years, we will me a more caring and stronger community, Burgess said of Sanford. Everyone wanting to be an extra in Sanford native Chris Krauses movie Followers can have their chance Wednesday. Show up at the Veterans Park, Cole Road entrance at 2 p.m., said filmmaker Krause. He said to wear dark (black, brown, gray) clothing, dirty is fine. Just nothing bright and no logos. There will be release forms to sign at the park. Those underage will need to have a parent or guardian with you to sign. He said filming will begin at 4 p.m. Come out and get your zombie on, said Krause, who is nearing the end of shooting the production. He and the crew are planning to wrap-up shooting on Sept. 2, with a large fire scene. Krause notes the Jerome Township Fire Department will be on hand for that to ensure We dont burn Michigan down. The writer, producer, and actor, who returned home to Sanford during the pandemic, arrived shortly before the flooding. His crew includes director Jerry Aquino and Megan Meyer. They have spent the summer working on the production. Krause, the son of Eric and Kelly, said the community and local businesses have helped them stretch the GoFundMe donations they raised for the endeavor. He said local businesses and restaurants have donated meals and things, and community members have been very supportive. In addition, he said the areas natural landscape offered a lot to the film. He said they didnt have to use special affects to create an apocalyptic feel. The aftermath of the flooding assisted in that. There was also the natural beauty of the area highlighted in the film. The 2008 Meridian High School graduate is extremely excited for people to see the film. He said marketing will come next once the film wraps and is edited. The film, Followers, is described as "a film in the vein of Get Out meets The Walking Dead. In a world where the infected target their victims based on the color of their skin, would you help those most at risk...or stand back and be a Follower?" Krause said its exploring the feeling of what you do when you feel you no longer know the people you love and trying to examine what turns someone into a follower. Are people willing to let others get hurt if it will keep them safe?" He said the movie is a commentary on race relations in the United States. The actual tension in the film is between the main characters, two of which are people of color and the other two are white. Krause earned a theater degree at Central Michigan University and attended Atlantic Acting School in New York. He lived in New York working as a professional actor for six years. The Sanford native said he wants to use his talents to bring something positive to the area. Also, he said he couldnt help build houses after the flooding, but he could use his talents in other ways. The Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF) is working to complete erosion stabilization projects as part of the effort to restore the four lakes and respective dams. As of mid-August, the group has completed eight of 27 erosion projects. According to FLTF the delegated authority on behalf of Midland and Gladwin counties 6,253 feet of land has been stabilized through these erosion projects. Between volunteers, Spicer Group engineers and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NCRS), over a mile of shoreline is stabilized. The stabilization efforts help protect threatened homes and/or infrastructure in Midland and Gladwin counties. The group says 39 properties were impacted by the projects. However, the group estimates $20 million of investment is needed toward stabilizing bank erosion. On its website, the group states a majority of this funding is provided by NRCS with a 25% match through other funding sources, which includes affected property owners. Those in need of erosion assistance can visit FLTF for resources. Debris removal FLTF is serving as Midland County's sponsor for the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program. The EWP program covers 75% of the cost to remove flood debris and the county pays for the remaining 25%. FLTF is not responsible for any project costs. There are more than five properties in the flood debris removal effort, these main properties include: River Trails Heritage Park; a Midland County property adjacent to the west end of Sanford Dam and a property east of Maple Street in Sanford; Pere Marquette Rail Trail (between M-30 and the Tittabawassee River); and two properties of community members. According to the FLTF, a community volunteer (Bill Gebo) is leading the debris removal efforts. As the program sponsor, FLTF participated in design, construction, planning and oversight meetings. The group says it receives updates from the county regarding work completed. Related Content Four Lakes Task Force shares updates on restoration efforts A Facebook group called "Parents Against MPS Mask Mandate" is organizing a protest set for 9 a.m. Wednesday on the sidewalks in front of the Midland Public Schools administration building at 600 East Carpenter St. The protest is in response to the school district's implementation on Monday of a new COVID-19-related requirement for MPS students in grades K-6 to wear masks at all times while inside school, except while eating lunch. For the first week of the school year, Aug. 23-27, MPS "strongly recommended" that students in all grades wear masks indoors, but the only indoor mask requirement was for students in grades K-5 and only while outside of one's own classroom. MPS and many other school districts required masks to be worn inside schools by all in-person K-12 students for the entire 2020-21 school year. MPS continues to "strongly recommend" masks for those in grades 7-12, and the federal mandate continues for all students to wear a mask while riding a school bus. According to a post by the Parents Against MPS Mask Mandate Facebook group, Wednesday's protest is organized by Will Zablocki and Jacob Allen Lewis, and it is scheduled to last until 10:30 a.m. "We will be gathering to express peaceful concern over MPS mask mandates which were implemented without public input or a school board meeting," the post reads. "Our kids are being harmed by the policies decided on by our local administrators and it's time to let them know that WE DO NOT AGREE! Please remain peaceful and stay on the public sidewalks only!" Lewis has also started an online petition at change.org that calls for the resignation of MPS Superintendent Michael Sharrow. As of noon Tuesday, 103 people had signed the petition. According to the districts website, midlandps.org, total Midland Public Schools student enrollment is 7,798. Sharrow and Midland County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) Director Fred Yanoski both signed a special edition communique issued Saturday to the MPS community that announced the new mask mandate for grades K-6 and the reasons for it. Part of the communique read: "The requirement to wear a mask protects those students whose parents have not been afforded the choice to have their child(ren) vaccinated due to the lack of access to approved vaccines for students under the age of 12. The MCDPH has reviewed these protocols and fully supports the masking of MPS students under 12 years of age. MPS, MCDPH and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) also continue to recommend masking for all of our students and staff as well as strongly recommending vaccination for all who are eligible." On Monday, Sharrow issued the following statement at the beginning of his regular weekly communique: "Thank you to the MPS students, staff, family members and community members who have emailed the Midland Public Schools Board of Education and/or emailed me personally since the release of the Special Edition Communique Saturday evening. "The MPS classroom outbreak is recorded in three schools and is particularly high at Adams Elementary. As a matter of fact, this outbreak has affected enough teaching staff that it may make staffing difficult. Please know we will continue to monitor COVID numbers very closely. When the COVID numbers warrant, it is our intent to return to strongly recommending masking allowing for parent preference." The daily COVID update posted Monday on the MPS website showed, for Adams, 11 confirmed COVID cases, one positive case and 24 close contacts among students; and one confirmed case and one close contact among staff members. Adams was the only school that had staff members in the update. Woodcrest Elementary students had three confirmed cases and seven close contacts. Chestnut Hill Elementary students had two confirmed cases and five close contacts. Siebert Elementary students had one confirmed case and three close contacts. Central Park Elementary students had four close contacts. Plymouth Elementary had two close contacts. At the secondary level, Dow High School students had two confirmed cases and 11 close contacts. Midland High School students had two confirmed cases and nine close contacts. Jefferson Middle School students had two confirmed cases and 33 close contacts. Northeast Middle School students had one confirmed case and seven close contacts. Brett Davenport, of Bay City, remembers coming home from Iraq, falling on hard times and having to beg for food and money while looking for a quiet cement pad to spend the night. Youve probably seen me begging on a street corner back in the day, he said. I appreciate events that help raise money for veterans, said Davenport, who spent five months homeless before he was able to turn things around. Veterans, no one for that matter, should have to live on the streets. Helping the cause is the annual United By Sacrifice concert on Sept. 11, in Coleman. This is the 10th annual event; it was cancelled in 2020. The 2019 concert drew about 3,500 people, said Colemans Veterans Memorial President Randy Zylman. This years concert features The Guess Who. They are joined by Peacemaker and Frame 42. Concert tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. Gates open at noon and the concert starts at 1 p.m. at 501 E. Washington Street. Zylman, was drafted into the Army and served in Vietnam. He said there are people who say veterans were paid for a job and they knew the dangers. Zylman said the bottom line is not all chose to join, hence the draft. Plus, helping veterans is also part of doing the right thing. If a person is injured in war, if they need help give it to them," he said. An important fact of everything is that without soldiers, would you have the freedoms you have today? Zylman said there are many reasons veterans return from duty and face difficulties. He said some of them get caught up in a system and cant get any help, some dont know help is available or where to turn, and some face demons they havent dealt with. There isnt a black and white answer as to why some face difficulties. I hate to see it, he said. Its a sad situation. Zylman said all the money raised goes to helping veterans, many who returned from recent overseas tours who have many issues to deal with. The organization keeps nothing from this fundraiser. In addition to raising money to help veteran charities, Zylman said the concert helps raise awareness about veterans needs. Whether people are going to have a good time, or to support veterans or both, it will be an enjoyable evening. We have some great bands, Zylman said of the lineup. There will be some great music. To learn more, visit www.colemanveteransmemorial.org. LOS ANGELES (AP) The man who stockpiled illegal fireworks in his South Los Angeles backyard which were later improperly detonated by police, likely causing a massive blast in late June that rocked a neighborhood and injured 17 people now faces a decade in federal prison. Five Los Angeles police bomb technicians overloaded a containment chamber with the illegal fireworks above the equipment's safety rating on June 30 after authorities were called to a South LA home for a huge stash of fireworks ahead of the Fourth of July. The explosion considered highly unusual because such containment chambers are designed to withhold blasts damaged dozens of homes, businesses and vehicles and prompted the Los Angeles Police Department to review its detonation procedures. The five bomb techs have been taken off their field duties and could face discipline. The illegal fireworks were found at the home of Arturo Ceja III, who pleaded guilty Monday to one count of transportation of explosives without a license. His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled for the 26-year-old man, who also goes by Autron." Officer Mike Lopez, an LAPD spokesperson, said he did not have any update Monday on the agency's investigation or potential disciplinary actions taken against the members of the bomb squad. Ceja admitted to making several trips to Nevada in late June to buy fireworks including homemade ones that were made out of cardboard and packed with explosive flash powder, federal prosecutors said. Fireworks can be sold in California for up to four times the purchase price in Nevada, officials said. Police discovered about 32,000 pounds (16 tons) of commercial-grade fireworks on Ceja's property on June 30 after following up on a tip. Law enforcement also found 140 homemade fireworks and explosives-making components. The bomb squad decided to detonate the homemade in the neighborhood believing they were too unstable to transport elsewhere. They examined them by X-ray and robotics and loaded them into the detonation chamber, officially called a total containment vessel, without weighing them with a scale. The technicians grossly miscalculated how much explosive material they were loading into the chamber and the entire vessel exploded. Residents in the neighborhood have called for accountability and asked why some people were still in their homes, despite a door-to-door evacuation order. Some victims have filed legal claims the precursor to a lawsuit against the city. Fireworks are illegal to sell or possess in Los Angeles and in unincorporated areas of the county. Three weeks ago, Midland County Clerk Ann Manary received an email from a Kalamazoo attorney claiming he had a "cease and desist order" that precluded her office from doing preventative maintenance on local voting machines. Manary noted she responded by saying that this was just a letter, not an order, so she did not have to comply with the attorney's "request." The following day was a flurry of about 75 phone calls and 150 emails about election fraud claims, many of whom were not even from Midland County. As it turns out, the lawyer gave out Manarys work phone number and email on his social media, blasting her over her response. The November 2020 election will never die, Manary told the Daily News on Monday. We are never going to be able to get past it. Despite the 2020 general election having taken place almost 10 months ago, misinformation about election fraud persists, even in Midland County. But last week, a federal judge sanctioned a group of attorneys who perpetuated claims of election fraud in Michigan. Clerks like Manary are hopeful the move will give pause to unfounded fraud claims that have persisted since the November 2020 election. Despite Michigan being one of many states subject to election scrutiny since the presidential election, Manary said she is thankful to be in Midland. Unlike in places such as Antrim County, the majority of Midland area residents do not believe the election was rigged. Serving as the county clerk since 2008 and working in the clerks office for about 30 years, Manary has never seen any election controversy like this. She also never expected to see clerks targeted as much as they are now. It is sad because we work really hard doing what we do, and we have lots of different responsibilities as county clerks, not just elections, Manary said. These people have made it I do not want to say impossible for us to do our job, but (they have) made it very difficult and we have to continually defend ourselves. This doesnt mean she has been free from receiving misinformation. With the lawyer debacle three weeks back, some of the calls and emails were from Midland County residents. Manary invited them to come and see how the voting machines are set up, tested, and why our elections are secure. Not a single person took her up on her offer, she said. Under fire from some constituents Ahead of the Aug. 3 Coleman Public School District bond, Coleman resident Kelly Bax stood before the Midland County Board of Commissioners and claimed the Dominion Voting machines were suspect. Bax said the machines needed to be looked into before residents voted on the Coleman school bond. She told county officials that if the machines were used, she would file an appeal because they need to be looked into. You're supposed to hold them for 22 months shake your head all you want, she continued, referring to Manary, who did at times shake her head during Bax's public comments. I have that right as constitutional law, you were not supposed to touch those machines, they've been touched twice since the election. Shake your head. I'm telling you the truth facts and I have it recorded (referencing the live-stream on Facebook). ... You know that the (Dominion) machines are suspect," Bax later continued. "Anybody that does not remove the (Dominion) machines or look into them should be held responsible if anything is proven that there was actual fraud, and that they know that those machines were suspect, and allowed people to tamper with them and to continue on. The above comments from Bax are not factual, and the Daily News is only repeating the statements in print to illustrate the reactions county officials are seeing from some constituents since the 2020 general election. Manary explained the 22-month retention period Bax referred to in her comments applies to the ballots and not the voting machines. When the president election is on the ballot, they are stored by the countys townships and cities in sealed, labeled containers. Manary noted Bax wanted a forensic investigation completed on the machines to investigate the election fraud, thus she wanted the machines left alone. But Bax would not have anything anyway, even if the machines were left alone, because when the cards are removed and the polls are closed, no data is store on the machine. Manary explained Bax's statements that the machines were touched twice since the election referred to routine tests and preventative maintenance. This maintenance is done by a vendor to see if the machine is working correctly, as are the tests to make sure the machine is tabulating ballots correctly. She's taking partial facts and using it to try to create an issue where there is none, Manary said. She is right; we have touched the machines twice. That part is true, but then when you go on to say why and how, it does not seem so sinister anymore. Looking for relief after recent court ruling Manary said these claims might slow down now with recent sanctions placed onto attorneys who participated in baseless election lawsuits by United States District Court Judge Linda Parker, who opined that the lawsuit represents a historic and profound abuse of the judicial process. Parker ordered the sanctioned attorneys to pay the fees and costs incurred by state defendants and the City of Detroit. She also ordered the plaintiffs attorneys to complete at least 12 hours of continuing legal education, taught by non-partisan organizations, in the subjects of pleading standards and election law within six months. These attorneys abused our judiciary for the sole purpose of undermining our system of free and fair elections, stated Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. There is a direct correlation between their filings and the distrust now felt by millions of Americans. Im proud of the work done by my office to secure these sanctions and I recognize the work that lies ahead for all of us to repair the damage done to our democracy. Manary doesnt have any worries about Midland County being able to find poll workers for the future: During the 2020 presidential election that was held during a global pandemic, out of 350 election workers used on election day, only 12 bowed out. I do not think this is going to scare them off, Manary noted. The Daily News reached out to the City of Midland's clerk and communication offices for comment on this article about election misinformation, the sanctions Parker ordered last week, what feedback the city has received from the public since the election, and whether there are concerns city poll workers may be hard to find in the future. City officials declined to comment. 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. ___ 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. ___ 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 ___ 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. ___ 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. ___ 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. ___ 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. ___ 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. ___ 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. ___ 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. ___ 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. ___ 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. ___ 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. ___ WARSAW, Poland (AP) Doctors at Polands main childrens hospital plan to carry out a liver transplant on a 6-year-old Afghan boy who ate highly poisonous mushrooms with his family, but they said Tuesday his 5-year-old brother is in a coma and near death. The boys and their older sister, recently evacuated from Afghanistan, were hospitalized last week. The family picked and ate highly poisonous death cap mushrooms in the forest near the refugee center where they were staying in Podkowa Lesna, near Warsaw. The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Andrew Mullin. Wednesday, Aug. 25 10:25 p.m. Officers responded to an assault on Holly Court. 8:33 p.m. A deputy located a tree on a wire at the roadway in Jerome Township. The information was turned over to Consumers Energy and Jerome Township Fire secured the scene. 6:59 p.m. Officers responded to a vehicle crash Greenbrier Terrace and Lambros Drive. 6:02 p.m. A deputy completed a domestic assault report involving a 59-year-old female and her 51-year-old husband in Lincoln Township. The report was forwarded to the Midland County Prosecutor's Office. 4:28 p.m. Officers responded to a case of fraud on Maryland Street. 2:08 p.m. Officers responded to a case of larceny Whiffletree Lane. 12:42 p.m. Deputies assisted Midland City Police Department by checking Overlook Park for a City of Midland male that was possibly suicidal. The male was not located, and Midland Police handled the investigation. 11:47 a.m. A 24-year-old Mount Haley Township woman called 911 reference a verbal argument she was having with her 24-year-old boyfriend while at a friends house in Lee Township. The woman was upset about him posting stuff on the internet about her parenting. The argument escalated to the woman punching the man's mirror on his vehicle and scraping her hand. Both parties said there was nothing physical that occurred between them. The man did not wish for anything to be done about his mirror and the woman did not need medical treatment. The woman returned home while the male stayed at his friends. It was requested they let things cool down and to think about not posting negative comments about one another on the internet. 3:17 a.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Greendale Township location regarding a disabled vehicle that was partially blocking the roadway. Deputies located the vehicle parked in the travel lane and the driver was inside sleeping. The 53-year-old female driver was subsequently arrested for operating while intoxicated and the female was lodged at the Midland County Jail and the vehicle was impounded. A report is being sent to the prosecutor's office. 2:54 a.m. Deputies assisted a Coleman Police Officer with a disorderly person in the City of Coleman. The 55-year-old Coleman male was subsequently arrested for operating while intoxicated. 2:51 a.m. A deputy was dispatched to a Larkin Township residence reference a report of a person walking around the property with a flashlight. The deputy checked the property and residence and did not locate the person or anything suspicious. 12:01 a.m. A deputy responded to a Hope Township residence for a report of a juvenile who ran away. While investigating the incident, the juvenile contacted his mother. The juvenile was in Saginaw County and reunited with his mother. Boat washed up on the shoreline of Bayou Portage in Pass Christian, Miss. from the effects of Hurricane Ida on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021./The Gazebo Gazette via AP) Leon Jones passed away at his home in Dallas, Texas. He is preceded in death by his twin brother Louis Jones, a son Timothy Jones and his father Elmer Jones. He is survived by his sister, Katie Jones Hodges of Dallas, Texas, a brother Calvin Jones of Dallas and locally by his sister Lois Jon Bamako, Mali (PANA) - Malian and Ivorian experts have expressed their desire to support the delimitation of their common border, official sources said here Monday Photo: (Photo : Brandon Bell/Getty Images) In a move to improve school ventilation and potentially reduce COVID-19 outbreaks among the students, schools across England will receive about 300,000 carbon dioxide detectors that will identify classrooms with poor air quality. According to the country's Department of Education, the distribution of the portable carbon dioxide detectors will be done before the start of the new school year this fall. The initial number is a partial allocation with the Education Department to roll out more equipment for the rest of the school year. Teachers in England have been asking for the detectors, especially when classroom windows and doors have to be kept closed in the colder season, affecting the air quality. Experts say that proper ventilation doesn't transmit the virus faster; hence, outdoor activities are encouraged instead of indoors. Once the schools have their allocated equipment, they will also receive new guidance on the monitor's use. Read Also: Food Stamp SNAP Benefits Increases in October; What Families Need to Know Pilot Program for 30 Schools Along with the rollout, the department will closely monitor the 30 public schools included in the pilot program to determine if this initiative works. The Department of Education has already identified these schools with poor ventilation and vulnerable students. "Providing all schools with CO2 monitors will help them make sure they have the right balance of measures in place," said Secretary Gavin Williamson. The hope is that the initiative will prevent class disruptions or school closures due to an outbreak so that the children can experience the full benefits of in-person classes. However, many school officials agree that this is not the only solution to stop COVID-19 transmissions as kids returning to classes remain unvaccinated. But the monitors will allow schools to "act quickly" if there are classrooms with ventilation problems. However, some officials wonder what will happen next once the monitors do indicate that the air quality in particular classrooms needs to be improved. The Department of Education has yet to indicate where funding will come from if schools need to replace their windows or airflow system. The department plans to spend over $34 million on the carbon dioxide detectors, while almost $3 million will be spent on the pilot program. One official said that England must follow America, which conducted an audit of public school classrooms and facilitated the necessary repair work. The Education Department said that more details would be unveiled once procurement of the carbon dioxide detectors has been completed. Vaccination of School Kids Meanwhile, the youngest age for vaccine eligibility in England is 16 years old. Kids aged 12 to 15 may also be vaccinated if they have Down's syndrome, severely weakened immune systems, neuro-disability, and multiple learning disabilities. Plans are still in the works to include children between the ages of 12 to 15 in the vaccination program. The children will be given a Pfizer jab if approved, as this is the only approved vaccine for the younger population. On the other hand, kids under 12 might have to wait longer for their vaccination; thus, the country has been looking at other options to protect the children going back to school. Related Article: COVID-19 and Flu Season: Doctors Urge Public to Get Flu Shots Early to Avoid 'Twindemic' Photo: (Photo : CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images) A young Florida doctor who works in the ER has been fired after his hospital found out that he has been writing mask exemption letters to parents of kids whose schools have imposed a mask mandate. Dr. Brian Warden of Tallahassee's Capital Regional Medical Center advertised his services in a Parents Against Masks Facebook group, where he's asking $50 per letter. He said that he could issue the mask exemption letter to those who live in Leon County, one of the ten counties in Florida that have defied Gov. Ron DeSantis' order to ban face mask mandates in school. The doctor prepares the letters using letterhead with the logo and details of his company, Dove Field Health. He clarified to parents that while he is a real doctor, his offer to provide families an "opt-out" of the mask mandates was not associated with any group or hospital. Read Also: Spike in COVID-19 Cases in Kids Attributed to Schools With No Face Mask Policy Not an Ethical Practice Leon County School District spokesperson Chris Petley said schools might accept Warden's letter because the mask exemption requirement only needs a note from a doctor, who should write it on a paper with an official letterhead. However, Kenneth Goodman of the Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy at the University of Miami Miller School said that this is not an ethical practice since Warden is helping parents get around a mandate that's supposed to protect the kids. Goodman said that while Warden might have wanted to advocate for the patients, he is putting the community's health at risk for issuing mask exemptions for a price. Capital Regional Medical Center spokesperson Rachel Stiles said that Warden is a third-party provider at their hospital in a statement to the press. Upon learning that he has been offering the exemption letters on Facebook, the center started processing his removal and informed the board of trustees of the doctor's actions. As his offer circulated on social media, other parents have reported the doctor to the Florida Board of Medicine. Warden has also refused to talk to the press following his meeting with the Capital Regional Medical Center human resources officials. More than 3,000 mask exemption forms were submitted to the Leon County School District, according to USA Today. However, it's unclear how many of these forms were issued by Warden or if the school board rejected the document. After graduating from the Temple University School of Medicine, Warden had his residency in Philadelphia at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He received his license to practice in Florida in February. Mask Mandates in 52 Percent of Florida Schools Aside from Leon County, Alachua, Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Indian River, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, and Sarasota will not follow DeSantis' order to ban mask mandates. Schools in these counties make up over 52 percent of public school students or a combined 1.45 million kids. However, the DeSantis administration said that schools that impose a mask requirement would be stripped of their financial funding. School boards have been going to court to uphold their decisions and call out the governor for overstepping his constitutional authority. The debates surrounding face masks come as Florida's cases have surged in the last few weeks, with the highest number of new cases at 21,706 in a day. Deaths have been averagely under 150 a day. Related Article: Is Face Mask Wearing Harmful to Children's Development? Experts Sound Off Photo: (Photo : ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images) Millions of families across the U.S. will experience a significant financial loss by September 6, when all of the pandemic unemployment benefits provided by the federal government will expire permanently. As early as June 2021, at least 26 states have already cut off the pandemic unemployment benefits issued to some of America's jobless, citing those workers haven't been motivated to take on jobs. However, after Labor Day, three kinds of financial aid for the unemployed will cease to exist as some economic analysts said there's no "political momentum" to reinstate the programs. The Trump administration's CARES Act established these financial aids in March 2020. The American Rescue Plan of the Biden administration extended the programs in March 2021 to last until Labor Day. Read Also: Food Stamp SNAP Benefits Increases in October; What Families Need to Know Who Will Lose the Unemployment Benefits? According to The Century Foundation, 4.2 million individuals whose families depend on the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for gig workers, freelancers, and independent contractors, will no longer receive the cash incentives that served as their safety nets when projects have been scarce. Another 3.3 million workers covered by the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), or the benefits for unemployed who have exceeded the allowances from the state, will also lose their financial aid. However, some eligible beneficiaries under this program may be moved to the Extended Benefits (EB) scheme and receive cash for 13 to 20 weeks, depending on the state's unemployment rate. Notably, Washington, Connecticut, Alaska, New Jersey, and New Mexico could shift PEUC To EB with a 50 percent funding, per the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. On the other hand, some three million families who have been receiving $600 from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) will lose half of their benefits as compensation for this program will become $300 after September 6. In a letter to Congress, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh said cutting the FPUC benefit to $300 was appropriate as states could divert the money for other benefits programs. Mom Appeals for Extension or Replacement Amanda Rinehart, a mom who works in the hospitality industry before the pandemic, said that she doesn't know where she'll source the money to provide for her child when the benefits expire. Along with 10 million moms in the U.S., she had to give up their jobs when their school-aged kids had to stay home for virtual learning at the beginning of the pandemic. While schools have resumed in-person classes this fall, Rinehart, who has been receiving support from the PEUC program, still hasn't found a stable job and has been "staying afloat" because her child under 12 remains unvaccinated. Rinehart had to switch her son to a virtual school because of the risks of virus transmission in an in-person class filled with unvaccinated kids. The mother believes that the government should not cut off the pandemic unemployment benefits unless vaccines are available for younger children. "My long-term plan is absolutely to return to work after there's a safe vaccine for these kids," she wrote. Related Article: Wisconsin School Drops Free Meals Program for Students to Prevent Families From 'Becoming Spoiled' September 11, 2001. For Americans alive at the time, it was their equivalent of Pe In this undated photo. U.S. troops and a tank are on patrol in Afghanistan. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions Yesterday we posted a report titled "South Korea may become the first country to pass a law Today ending Apple and Googles domination of mobile payments & Australia could Follow." Today, South Korea has become the first country to pass a law to breakup the Apple-Google duopoly regarding mobile payments. It's being reported in Korea today that the South Korean parliament passed a controversial bill early Tuesday that could break the app store duopoly of Google and Apple, in a move watched closely by the world for its potentially radical implications. The so-called anti-Google bill, endorsed by the National Assembly with 180 votes in its favor, amends the Telecommunications Business Act to stop the US-based IT titan from requiring local app developers to use its payment system for in-app sales. It is set to take effect immediately after promulgation. Regarding the bill in Korea, Apple remains concerned. Before the bill was passed, Apple said in a statement that "The bill will 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. We believe user trust in App Store purchases will decrease as a result of this proposal -- leading to fewer opportunities for the over 482,000 registered developers in Korea who have earned more than 8.55 trillion won to date with Apple." Apple has yet to add any further comment on the matter since the bill was passed. In a statement from Google immediately after the bills passage, they said it was seeking measures to comply with the new regulation, but added: "The [app store] commissions are used to provide Android for free, while enabling developers to reach customers around the world through various tools and global platforms. It is a business model that allows customers to use devices at affordable prices and helps both developers and platforms become financially successful. Just as developers incur costs to develop apps, Google incurs costs to establish and maintain the app market." The statement added that "Google, while maintaining the business model that supports a high-quality operating system and app market, is seeking measures to comply with the regulation." The legislation was pushed by President Moon Jae-ins liberal Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority. Its lawmakers took issue with Googles new in-app commission policy, announced last year, calling it an example of a large platform operator abusing its market dominance. But the bill was highly divisive, pitting local app developers and IT companies who see the need to regulate global IT titans against conservative politicians and experts who fear a trade dispute with the US government. Not only local but also global app developers and IT companies hailed the bill's passage in Korea. Match Group, an American internet and technology company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, immediately released a statement through its Asia Pacific office after the passage. The group's spokesperson said that "Todays historic action and bold leadership by South Korean lawmakers mark a monumental step in the fight for a fair app ecosystem. The legislation passed today by the Assembly will put an end to mandatory IAP in South Korea, which will allow innovation, consumer choice, and competition to thrive in this market. We look forward to the bill being quickly signed into law and implore legislative bodies around the globe to take similar measures to protect their citizens and businesses from monopolistic gatekeepers that are restricting the internet." For more on this story, read the full Korea Herald report. While Google Pay has more to lose in South Korea than Apple does, Samsung could be the big winner here. Samsung has to be delighted by their country's new law which will open the door for Samsung Pay to be used in Google Play. Protestant anti-Catholic apologist Jason Engwer has attempted several of these sorts of arguments against the papacy. I have (I think) refuted him many times along these lines, especially after he sought to overthrow some of my own arguments in favor of the papacy: Dialogue on Development of Doctrine (Esp. the Papacy) [2000] Dialogue on Doctrinal Development (Papacy & NT Canon) [2-26-02] * * * * * * My own basic biblical defenses of the papacy can be found (most concisely) in the following papers: * * * * * * blue . I reproduce his entire article. Jason Engwer has been so soundly refuted over and over in these matters, that its difficult to come up with anything fresh and new that hasnt already been presented, but Ill give it the old college try. His recent attack is entitled The Widespread Absence Of A Papacy (Tribalblogue, 8-8-21). His words below will be in. I reproduce his entire article. * One of the reasons for rejecting the papacy is the lack of justification for it. There are apparent contradictions of the concept of the papacy in some New Testament documents and other early sources, but the lack of evidence for the office would be enough reason to not accept it, even if such contradictions didnt exist. * Funny; I see evidence all over the place, per my various biblical and patristic / historical arguments along these lines. * However, Protestants often focus on too narrow a range of contexts in which the papacy is absent in the early sources. A lot of attention is given to passages about Peter in the gospels and Acts and material about church government in the early sources, for example, but we ought to think more broadly about where a papacy could have been mentioned if it existed. A papacy wouldnt have to be mentioned at every conceivable opportunity. But the larger the number and variety of contexts in which a papacy could have been mentioned, but wasnt, the more likely it is that the office didnt exist. What I want to do in this post is provide a few examples of contexts that are often neglected. * Jason is great at producing skeptical summary statements like the above (where he can create his own little thought-world, disconnected from biblical and Christian reality). When he actually attempts to make arguments to establish his erroneous cases, however, he does far less well. Here is basically presenting arguments from silence over and over again, and they never hold much weight. As the Wikipedia article on this form of argument bluntly states: arguments from silence themselves are also generally viewed as rather weak in many cases; or considered as fallacies. * The apostles sometimes discussed their upcoming death, what was being done to preserve their teachings, and how Christians should conduct themselves going forward (e.g., Acts 20:17-38, 2 Timothy 3:10-4:8, 2 Peter 1:12-21 ). If the papacy was considered the foundation of the church, the infallible center of Christian unity throughout church history, the absence of any mention of such an resource in passages like these is significant. * Acts 20 is from St. Paul: the same Paul who submitted to Church authority, including Peter: James and Cephas [Peter] and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship (Gal 2:9, RSV). Paul was no lone ranger. He had been commissioned by the Church at Antioch as well: Acts 13:1-3 (RSV) Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Mana-en a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. [2] While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. [3] Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Paul was again sent by the Church at Antioch (Acts 14:26-28) appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question [of who was required to be circumcised]: Acts 15:2. This was the Jerusalem Council. All that Paul and Barnabas did there: that we know from the record, in any event, was give a praise report of their missionary activities (15:4, 12). St. Peter: obviously of much more authority, gave the primary address (15:7-12). He quelled the debate (15:7), resulting in silence in the assembly (15:12). James, the bishop of Jerusalem, stated: Simeon [i.e., Simon Peter] has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree . . . (15:14-15). * After all, it was St. Peter who had already received a revelation from God about all foods being clean (Acts 10:9-16). For some reason God thought it was more important to give him this vision rather than St. Paul. Then in the same chapter, St. Peters encounter with the righteous Gentile Cornelius, shows him that non-Jews were to be fully accepted into the Christian community, with the implication that they were not bound to keep the entire Mosaic Law (10:17-43). * The Jerusalem Council then commissioned Paul and Barnabas and Silas (15:22, 25, 27, 30), who made their way through the cities and delivered to them for observance the decisions which had been reached by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem (16:4). * In sum, then, Paul is receiving an awful lot of Church and papal (Petrine) guidance, as we see above. Just because he may not have mentioned Peter in one discourse (argument from silence) does not wipe out all of this relevant information. The same applies to his discourse in 2 Timothy 3:10 ff. All that is, is an example of apostolic succession: from Paul to Timothy. It has no implications for papal succession, which is based on other biblical grounds . A fallacious argument from silence cannot overcome that. * Jason gives us also the example 2 Peter 1:12-21. This was written by St. Peter. Protestant scholars D. A. Carson et al, in their Introduction to the New Testament (first edition, 1992, pp. 434-435, 437) state: Generally speaking, conservative authors have held to the Petrine authorship . . . * The letter plainly indicates that Peter was the author. . . . * Church Tradition [subtitle] Such tradition uniformly ascribes the letter to Peter. There is no other name linked with it in the tradition. . . . * No conclusive reason has been given for denying that the letter is by the author it claims as its writer. None of the objections can be sustained, and it seems better to accept it at face value, as a genuine writing of the apostle Peter. Very well, then; this question of authorship out of the way, does the letter read like something a self-understood pope would have written? Yes. St. Pauls letters are to local churches of individuals. But this one is to all Christians (To those who have obtained a faith . .: 1:1). He continues to write to all Christians, in asserting: Therefore, brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall (1:10). It makes perfect sense for Peter to exhort all Christians, since, after all, our Lord Jesus told him specifically (and no other disciple) to Feed my lambs . . . Tend my sheep . . . feed my sheep (Jn 21:15-17). * So here (in 2 Peter) is Peter doing just that, as he was shown doing all through the first half of the book of Acts: the primary account of the very earliest Church. He states: I intend always to remind you [all Christians!] of these things . . . to arouse you by way of reminder (1:12-13). Likewise, Jesus had also said to him, specifically: I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren (Lk 22:32). Once again, St. Peter is commissioned as the indefectible leader of the Christian Church: whose faith would never again fail as it did when he denied his Lord three times. Nor does (importantly) Holy Scripture record Jesus praying for any other of the disciples, individually, as it does in this passage. And when He does so, it is regarding the pastoral office of the papacy: strengthening the Christian brethren with an unfailing faith. These passages have been defended and explained to Jason in the past. * In the very passage that Jason thinks indicates a lack of a papacy, Peter expressly says: we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this (1:19). What more does he require? All agree that the Bible must be interpreted by considering it as a whole, and especially all passages on a theme, so as to get the whole picture. This is the Petrine picture. Hes the leader of the Church, and he knows it and acts like it, as my 50 NT Petrine Proofs shows over and over and over. Another group of relevant contexts is the imagery used to refer to relevant entities, such as what imagery is used to refer to the apostles or the church. We get twelve thrones without Peters throne being differentiated (Matthew 19:28), three pillars without Peters being differentiated (Galatians 2:9), twelve foundation stones without Peters being differentiated (Ephesians 2:20, Revelation 21:14), etc. This is absolutely classic Jason Engwer pseudo-argumentation: which means that it is a classic instance of fallacy and taking things entirely out of context. The essential problem is the typically Protestant either/or outlook; whereas the biblical and Hebrew worldview is both/and. Not everything has to be mentioned every time. There is more than enough biblical indication of the papacy (see my papers on that; I need not repeat everything), without it having to be noted in every remotely ecclesiological context. The Bible massively teaches that Peter was the leader of the twelve disciples and the early Church. I just showed two passages where Jesus clearly treated him as preeminent. Two more famous ones are Jesus building His Church upon Peter, whom He renamed the Rock (Mt 16:18), and His giving Peter (and him only) the keys to the kingdom (16:19). The above considerations do not nullify all this. Its both/and. Then there is the aspect of peter being singled out in lists of the disciples and apostles, which I have already dealt with, directly in reply to Jason. Jesus had just conferred these extraordinary responsibilities and the office of papacy on St. Peter in Matthew 16, but says that twelve disciples will sit on twelve thrones in Matthew 19:28, just three chapters later; and Jason concludes, therefore, that Petr is not a white different from the other twelve. It simply doesnt follow. Jesus Himself elsewhere refers to the twelve (Mk 14:20; Jn 6:70) without singling out Peter; yet in other passages He does precisely that. Both/and. In fact, Judas is included in the twelve: and sometimes mentioned by name as included in their number (Mt 26:14, 47; Mk 14:10, 43; Lk 22:3, 47; Jn 6:71), including by Jesus Himself (Mk 14:20; Jn 6:70). Therefore, if Jesus and the Bible can repeatedly refer to the twelve [disciples], yet this number can include an evil betrayer, Judas; then by the same token and logic it can include the leader of the twelve, who is often differentiated or singled out in other lists of the disciples (Mk 1:36; Lk 9:28, 32; Acts 2:37; 5:29; 1 Cor 9:5). The same goes for the list of foundation stones. Its not a contradiction. Its biblical either/or thinking. If Jason wants to press the point of a supposed egalitarianism and lack of hierarchy, we can also point to examples of Jesus making Himself equal to His own disciples, even though we know He was God and infinitely higher than they were. He calls them friends (Jn 15:15) and notes that to be first is to be be last of all and servant of all (Mk 9:35); He washes their feet (Jn 13:3-16). He submits Himself as a child to Joseph and Mary (obedient to them: 2:51). Even in one of Jasons examples (Eph 2:20), Jesus includes Himself with the disciples as of the foundation stones: built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,. Obviously, He is not lesser than they are; yet He includes Himself. If He can be described in such terms, and talk in such terms, then all the more so can St. Peter as one of the twelve disciples. Its much ado about nothing, as always in Jasons anti-Catholic polemics and sophistry. St. Paul wrote: Philippians 4:2-3 I entreat Eu-odia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. [3] And I ask you also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, Note that Paul commanded Eu-odia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord. So he was higher in authority than them. Yet he calls them (along with Clement) fellow workers. Doe this prove then, that Eu-odia, Syntyche, St. Paul, and St. Clement are all on the same level: because they are fellow workers? No, of course not. The early Christians often interact with the objections of their opponents. The gospels respond to the charge that Jesus performed miracles by the power of Satan, Paul responds to his critics in his letters, Justin Martyr wrote a response to Jewish arguments against Christianity, Origen wrote a response to Celsus anti-Christian treatise, and so on. See here regarding the lack of reference to a papacy in such contexts. Its important for Protestants (and other opponents of the papacy) to bring up considerations like these, since the absence of early references to a papacy becomes more significant when the absence occurs across a broader range of contexts. If only two pages of early Christian literature were extant, the absence of a papacy (or whatever other concept) would be much less significant than its absence across two million pages. The number of pages matters (assuming the usual diversity of topics youd get with an increase in such a page number). One of the reasons why its become so popular for Catholics to argue for the papacy by an appeal to something like typology or Old Testament precedent is that theres such a lack of evidence in the New Testament and the early patristic literature. So, theres a turn to other sources to try to find what isnt present where wed most expect to see it. Jason acts as if there is nothing to indicate the papacy in early patristics. But in fact we have a fabulous, clear example of St. Clement of Rome, the fourth pope, who reigned from approximately 88-99 AD. The Corinthian church wrote to him for advice and guidance. It so happens that I wrote about this just about a month ago, and discovered some very striking facts: Why is it that Clement is speaking with authority from Rome, settling the disputes of other regions? Why dont the Corinthians solve it themselves, if they have a proclaimed bishop or even if they didnt claim one at the time? Why do they appeal to the bishop of Rome? These are questions that I think [a Protestant] needs to seriously consider and offer some sort of answer for. St. Clement writes (I use the standard Schaff translation: no Catholic bias there!): You therefore, who laid the foundation of this sedition, submit yourselves to the presbyters, and receive correction so as to repent, bending the knees of your hearts. Learn to be subject, laying aside the proud and arrogant self-confidence of your tongue. For it is better for you that you should occupy a humble but honourable place in the flock of Christ, than that, being highly exalted, you should be cast out from the hope of His people. (57) If, however, any shall disobey the words spoken by Him through us, let them know that they will involve themselves in transgression and serious danger; . . . (59, my bolding and italics) Joy and gladness will you afford us, if you become obedient to the words written by us and through the Holy Spirit root out the lawless wrath of your jealousy according to the intercession which we have made for peace and unity in this letter. (63, my bolding and italics) Clement definitely asserts his authority over the Corinthian church far away. Again, the question is: why? What sense does that make in a Protestant-type ecclesiology where every region is autonomous and there is supposedly no hierarchical authority in the Christian Church? Why must they obey the bishop from another region (sections 59, 63)? Not only does Clement assert strong authority; he also claims that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are speaking through him. That is extraordinary, and very similar to what we see in the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15:28 (For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: RSV) and in Scripture itself. Its not strictly inspiration but it is sure something akin to infallibility (divine protection from error and the pope as a unique mouthpiece of, or representative of God). The Jerusalem Council was an example of a pope presiding over but acting jointly in concert with bishops and even regular elders (much like ecumenical councils function). But Pope St. Clement was acting unilaterally, which popes can also do. The Jerusalem Council claimed divine guidance and de facto infallibility for the collective group. St. Clement, however, applies it to himself as an individual. If thats not the papacy in action I dont know what it would look like. What else could Jason possibly demand as proof? Here we have the papacy in full color and authority even before the first century was over with, and part of the Bible (Revelation) was possibly still being written. *** Photo credit: Lawrence OP (8-10-09). 19th-century depiction of St Peter holding the keys of the kingdom of heaven. This window is in the crypt of a chapel of the Upper Basilica in Lourdes [Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 license] *** Summary: Protestant anti-Catholic apologist Jason Engwer attempts to establish the absence of a papacy in the NT & in early patristic literature. Hes dead wrong on both counts, as I demonstrate. In the world we live in, bigger is better. That, unfortunately, is how we got to a point where a 17.3-inch laptop screen isnt necessarily bigger than a 17-inch laptop screen. And no, this isnt a fraction problem like the one that caused A&W to stop selling its third-pounder burger because people thought it was less than a quarter-pounder problem. Consumers legitimately expect a 17.3-inch laptop screen to be larger than a 17-inch one because 17.3 is bigger than 17. Its reasonable! But the key problem here is the differing aspect ratio of laptops. The vast majority of 17.3-inch laptops feature screens with an aspect ratiothe proportion between the length and the height of the panelof 16:9, similar to what you see in HDTVs. The Dell XPS 17s panel is 16:10. Its taller. That difference means its 17-inch screen offers just under 2 percent more screen real estate than a 17.3-inch 16:9 panel. Thats not a lot, but the fact that the average consumer will see 17-inches and think, well, I want the larger screen, so Ill go for the 17.3-inch laptop does a disservice to buyers. Why do we even bother to measure laptop screens using a method dreamed up 70 years ago for TVs? Internet urban legend claims TV makers didnt want to explain the length and width of the screen, and using the diagonal measurement gave them a bigger number to market. Yes, that means were still using a standard that was developed to fool consumers into thinking a 26-inch wood console TV was bigger. Whats worse: The diagonal measurement doesnt even give them the bigger number to sell. IDG Its time to ditch the diagonal measurement that makes people think a 17.3-inch panel is larger than a 17-inch panel. For this story, I physically measured the length and width of multiple laptops because most panels are typically a millimeter or so smaller than what the vertical measurement would have you believe. I apologize for pulling a NASA and mixing US Customary units and the metric system but the smaller units in the metric system make it easier to discuss. Still, the most common panel in an ultra light laptop is a 13.3-inch 16:9 screen. On an HP Elite Dragonfly I measured, that works out to 29.2 cm wide x 16.4 cm tall, or 479 cm2 in total area. These laptops typically bump right up against 14-inch laptop using the same 16:9 aspect ratio such as the MSI Prestige 14 Evo, which I measured at 30.7cm wide and 17.2cm tall. On the face of it, 0.7-inches is no big deal right? Thats only about a 5 percent larger screen. But if you work out the actual surface area, the 14-inch laptop actually offers you 10.2 percent more area than the 13.3-inch laptop. Youd probably say the same thing about laptops using the new crop of 16-inch panels that are popping up, such as the MSI Creator Z16. Its really only 0.4-inches more than the 15.6-inch panel in the Asus ROG Strix M16just 2.5 percentso again, not a big deal, right? In actual screen real estate though, its closer to 12.1 percent larger, or 80 cm2 of total area. Heck, thats practically an Apple Touch Bar. Unfortunately, like all whiners who can only point out whats wrong without suggesting any fixes, I can think of no easy way to cure the problem. We cant ask the average consumer to multiply the length by the width to derive the surface area of a screen. Saying one laptop has a 128 square inch screen vs. 126 square inches probably doesnt help either. Maybe we should adopt some accepted arbitrary, but standardized measurement like we do for beds: King, Queen, Full and Twin. That leaves room for such things as California King (yes, its a real thing) and the screen real estate is baked into expectation of size from a consumer. Starbucks uses an arbitrary size for its coffee cups that could adopted. You have no idea how large that $6 Grande is, but you know its good and bigger than a Venti. Oh, wait, maybe thats backwardsbut you get the idea. Consumers expect laptops with a larger stated screen size to be larger, but with 16:9, 16:10 and even 3:2 panels of all different dimensions and sizes, its time to find something more accurateeven if its something arbitrary that people can actually understand. So gimme that Dell XPS 17 with a Venti screen, please. If there was a way to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, just to reverse slam dunk victory back into the jaws of utter failure, Microsoft found it with the way its handled the Windows 11 hardware compatibility fiasco. Last Friday, the company passed word to several news outlets that it would indeed let PCs built before 2018 install its upcoming Windows 11 operating system, ending what had been building into a modern day Cuban Missile Crisis among PC enthusiasts. The crisis began in June when Microsoft released a Windows 11 compatibility checker that essentially threw computers running still-powerful CPUs like the Intel Core i7-7700K and AMD Ryzen 7 1800X overboardincluding its own Microsoft Surface laptopsin the name of security. As you can imagine, the PC community wasnt too happy to have to be forced into a smart phone-like upgrade program to get a more secure Windows 11. Its never been that way for the PC, after all, which has long held legacy support as one of its key pillars. Its why most experts expected Microsoft to back down (I didnt)and it seemingly did last Friday. But it turns out Microsoft didnt truly back down, and in an amazing fumble worthy of being captured on high-speed camera and replayed for generations, it may have made the whole mess even worse. Thats because after telling everyone that older PC hardware wasnt doomed if you manually install Windows 11, the company said those same unsupported PCs wont be getting updates. As our news story covering it said: But Microsoft said Friday evening that unsupported PCs running Windows 11 wont be entitled to receive updates via Windows Update. That means, Microsoft added, that unsupported Windows PCs might not include security and driver updates, either. Right. You can leave Windows 10which still gets OS and security updates through 2025for Windows 11 on your PC and risk never getting any updates at all. Put another way, you can basically volunteer to enter an operating system limbo state that is neither a fully supported Windows 10 or a fully supported Windows 11...because youre a glutton for punishment? Whats galling about this is it simply makes no sense. I suspect many of the skeptics who thought Microsoft was going to fold its hand originally figure that Microsoft is just going to fold again here. Im not so sure of that myself. While I was truly saddened to hear that Windows 11 would break one of the unwritten rules of legacy support for PCs in June, I could understand why and in many ways, it could have been justified. Ripping the Band-Aid off for older less security hardware would be painful, but I get it. Microsofts latest decision though, is like ripping the Band-Aid off your hairy arm, putting it back on, and then halfway ripping it off again because you cant decide what to do. Im not even sure whats worse at this point. If Microsoft completely capitulates and offers updates to all, it will feel as though all this suffering was for done for nothing. And if it does decide to let people run Windows 11 in an unpatched mode it could actually expose those customers to more security risks than if they had just stuck with a updated versions of Windows 10. So congratulations, Microsoft. The Windows 11 hardware situation was already a disaster and now its actually somehow worse than before. In a country famous for putting just about anything in vending machines, Japan may have topped it all with a vending machine that dispenses CPUs. The twist? You dont know what CPU youre going to get. The vending machine snap was taken by Twitter user Nullpo_x3100 and noticed by Wccftechs Hassan Mujtaba. Although we wouldnt put it past someone in Japan to actually sell CPUs like this one day, the machine here is actually more akin to a loot box youd find in a videogame. After dropping in 1,000 Yen (or about $9), according to Mujtaba, the machine drops a Ryzen box with random processors insideit could be Intel, it could be AMD, it could be several chips. The setup brings a whole new meaning to the phrase silicon lottery. In one Youtube video a player appears to open up three loot boxes in real life, scoring what look like pretty well-used CPUs. The winner appears to utter Core i5 we believe, and based on the gold trim around the edges, it looks like a 1st-generation Intel 32nm Clarkdale Core i5-661. That CPU was the first to integrate both PCIe and graphics into the package using a multiple chips. On eBay, a Core i5-661 could fetch from $12 to $24, which sounds like a great deal but youd still need a matching LGA1156 motherboard and DDR3 RAM to run itbut youd at least have onboard graphics. Youtube This looks to us like a 1st-gen 32nm Intel Clarkdale chip to us. So are you going to score a Ryzen 5 5600X? Seems very unlikely but we have to admit its pretty mesmerizing watching someone unbox the mystery boxes in real life. Now we have a better understanding of the loot box streams thatre so popular on Twitch. Ghana has received the equivalent of US$1 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), being its share of the new Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) allocation to boost the post-COVID economic recovery of member countries. On August 2, 2021, the IMF Board of Governors approved a general allocation of SDR456.5 billion, equivalent to US$650 billion out of which about US$33.7 billion is for African countries, to boost global liquidity and economic recovery following the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on lives and livelihoods. A statement issued in Accra by the Ministry of Finance said the new SDR allocation, which became effective on August 23, 2021, would augment the additional financing needs of countries, especially low-income countries, caused by the impact of the pandemic on public finances. It said the African Development Bank (AfDB) estimated that African governments required additional financing of about US$484.6 billion within the next three years to close the financing gap and to emerge from the COVID-19 crisis stronger and more resilient. According to the IMF, the SDR allocation would benefit all members, address the long-term global need for reserves, build confidence, and foster the resilience and stability of the global economy. "This historic SDR allocation will particularly help countries that are most vulnerable to immediately address the impact of the pandemic towards economic recovery," it said. The statement said the SDR allocation was in response to a global call to action, following the devastating effects of the pandemic, including an Africa-wide effort championed by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and his colleague African Finance Ministers, the AU, UNECA, and supported by key international partners, including The IMF, The World Bank, The G20, and the European Union. The Special Drawing Right (SDR) is an interest-bearing international reserve asset created by the IMF in 1969 to supplement member countries' official reserves. The general allocations of SDRs are distributed across the IMF membership in proportion to their IMF quota. The Statement said Mr Ofori-Atta on behalf of the Government of Ghana, expressed gratitude to the IMF for this historic advocacy and SDR allocation. It provides additional policy space to support Ghana's efforts to counter the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lives and livelihoods." He said this would support the GHc100 billion Ghana Cares (Obaatanpa) post-pandemic recovery programme, adding that the Ministry of Finance will ensure that all statutory requirements were complied with within the use of the SDR. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video After several months of absence from "intense media work", self-inspiring kidney health advocate, Abigail Ashley of "My Health My Life" Fame is set to Premier a fresh interactive health program called, "Mo Ho Y3" (Public Health Centered and Positive Behavioral Change Modification Show) on Okay 101.7 FM. Its the Host, Guest, and the General Public Show All Inclusive! The beloved presenter who is also the author of two books: Behind My Smiles and The New Me braved the odds and prevailed against life-threatening kidney disease, underwent a surgical kidney transplant, and has bounced back to serve Ghanaians with more educative topics centered on positive behavioral change on our health. The program starts this Saturday 4th September 2021, 2pm to 4pm on Okay 101.7 FM. Don't Miss it... 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 Opanyin Kwabena Nkrumah, a 103-year-old cocoa farmer from Adansi Atobiase, has become one of the first people to enrol on the Cocoa Farmer Pension Scheme, which is presently being piloted in the Ashanti Region. The centenarian was among a group of cocoa farmers who went to the registration centre in the early hours of the first day of the registration exercise and were taken through the registration process. Opayin Nkrumah expressed his delight at having gone through the process. He urged the younger generation of cocoa farmers to seize the opportunity to register with the scheme and make their contributions to secure a comfortable retirement. Look at me, at my age, I still harvest and sell cocoa. I have been farming for over 50 years. I still love cocoa farming and the pension scheme is a step in the right direction. We have been waiting for it for a long time and we are grateful to the government for it, he said. The ongoing pilot registration exercise will go on for 14 days. Within the period some 2,800 volunteer farmers will be enrolled on the scheme. The farmers will provide feedback to help improve the designed operational framework for the nationwide registration scheduled for October of this year. Mr. Arnold Mensa-Bonsu, an IT Consultant working with the Implementation Team for the scheme said the qualification criteria for enrolment onto the scheme does not include an age limit. Actually, there is no age limit to register. However, for a farmer who joins at an age lower than 50, they will be eligible for retirement at 55 years but those who join at age 50 and above, they are eligible for retirement after five years, he disclosed. The Chairman of the Implementation Committee, Mr. Charles Osei-Akoto, also indicated that farmers will choose beneficiaries, in the instance of their passing, during the registration process. The institution of the Cocoa Farmer Pension Scheme is in fulfilment of provisions in the Ghana Cocoa Board Law 1984 (PNDC Law 81) which enjoins the Board of Directors of COCOBOD to establish a contributory insurance for Cocoa Farmers. The scheme also forms part of a broader goal to improve the living standards of cocoa farmers in Ghana. It intends to provide a suitable retirement income to cocoa farmers for them to maintain a decent standard of living after retirement. 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 The Majority Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Hon Frank Annoh-Dompreh in collaboration with Resell Ghana Ltd and a Foundation from Netherlands, has installed 22 computers at the ICT Center at the Gyankrom Methodist Basic School in Nsawam/Adoagyiri Municipality. 22 computers will also be installed at the Nsawam Presby Basic School to bring the total to 44 computers. The ICT facility according to Hon Frank Annoh-Dompreh is aimed at promoting the teaching and learning of ICT in schools in the Municipality which is a major priority of government. He promised to help establish ten more ICT centers in other schools in the Nsawam/Adoagyiri Municipality by the end of 2022 for more students to acquire knowledge in ICT. He admonished the school to take good care of the facility for more benefit to be derived from the facility. Madam Aisha Mohammed, Business Developer of Resell Ghana Ltd said her company and the Netherlands Foundation are ready to help various schools in the country to acquire knowledge in the field of ICT and commended Hon Frank Annoh-Dompreh for his support for the project. Mr Benjamin Osae-Addo, Junior Headmaster of Gyankrom Methodist Primary C described the installation of the computers as a major opportunity for the school and thanked Hon Frank Annoh-Dompreh and Resell Ghana Ltd for their kind gesture. Source: Emmanuel Akorli/Parliamentary Correspondent/Peace FM 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 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. Prev 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 is scheduled to take delivery of one million, five hundred thousand (1,500,000) doses of Astra Zeneca vaccines donated to the country by the German government, according to the Director of Communication at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin. says President Akufo-Addo is dispatching a flight to the federal Republic of Germany Addressing the Presidential Press Corps at this weeks edition of the Jubilee House press briefing, Mr. Arhin says following President Akufo-Addos meeting with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, during his just-ended visit to Germany, the German government has donated 1,500,000.00 doses of AstraZeneca to the country. The German Chancellor I am happy to inform the Ghanaian people made it known to the President that a total of 1,200,000 vaccines were to be given to Ghana, basically, the Astra Zeneca Vaccines. A few hours ago, I got confirmation from the President that this has increased from 1,200,000 to 1,500,000 and steps have already been taken, in fact, according to the President, he is dispatching a plane immediately to go to Germany to take delivery on the 1,500,000 doses of the Astra Zeneca vaccines Eugene Arhin said. Meanwhile, 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 Tuesday. 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. Source: kasapafmonline.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 Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., has asked the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to stop 'fighting' over who's more corrupt. Former President John Mahama during his 'Thank you' tour in the Northern Region said he achieved a lot in the fight against corruption while in office compared to the ruling government. The NPP firing back said the former President has no moral right to talk about corruption Speaking at a press conference, the General Secretary, John Boadu, indicated: Former President Mahama asserts without proof that the NPP has stolen Ghanas money and that, he can ensure accountability through elections. Extremely rich, coming from a party credited by the Supreme Court of Ghana, with the ability to create, loot and share public funds with impunity. Is Mahama, of Government Official One infamy and the Ford vehicle from Kanazoe Contractors, talking about corruption? Is that the same Mahama whose government signed onto a half-baked contract of $1.2 billion for the Ghana Retail Payments Systems Infrastructure? he queried. Nothing new Even though Kwesi Pratt Jnr. believes the renewed 'bout' over who is more corrupt is nothing new in the country, he says it won't improve the livelihood of Ghanaians "This is nothing new . . . no Head of state will admit to being corrupt, but the bottom line is that Ghanaians are facing a lot of difficulties. What Ghanaians need is for their lives to improve . . . we're tired of this back and forth; who's corrupt and who is not; let's stop this, we'll gain nothing from it," he advised. Listen to him in the video below Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has urged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) to strengthen the bond between Parliament and the Executive to help fulfil the promises made to Ghanaians and further earn their trust to continue governing the nation. That, he said, would require that the Majority caucus continually armed themselves with the great success stories and achievements chalked up by the Akufo-Addo-administration to dismantle any propaganda churned out by the opposition. Dr Bawumia made the call at a workshop for the Majority Caucus and members of the Executive last Saturday at Mpraeso in the Eastern Region. Success Reminding the MPs that they were an integral part of the success or failure of the Executive and by extension the NPP administration, Dr Bawumia urged them to work extra hard to respond appropriately to any attempt to downplay the achievements of the Akufo-Addo-administration. The propaganda machinery of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will be oiled using their representation in Parliament. Every conceivable government policy or intervention will be furiously attacked. There is no better group to respond to these attacks, to set the record straight and to match them Boot-for-Chalewote than the Majority Caucus of Parliament, he stated. Story He said the NPP needed to tell its story and to let Ghanaians know how the party had been able to reduce, though not completely eliminated, the hardships. In your discourses in Parliament and outside of Parliament, you should not only be interested in having your way. Your way should be based on facts. The Minority is entitled to their opinion but they are not and cannot be entitled to their own facts, he stated. With the right set of facts, you are expected to challenge the NDCs propaganda and educate Ghanaians on NPPs sterling economic performance by establishing, as a matter of fact, that the NPP administration has managed the economy better, he stressed. Unity The General Secretary of the NPP, Mr John Boadu, called for the maintenance of synergy among the party's rank and file to keep the party on track and focused to win the 2024 polls. The Deputy Majority Leader of Parliament, Mr Alex Afenyo-Markin, urged his colleagues to employ the services of social media and every opportune platform of mass media to vehemently defend the record of the party, and sell the vision of the party. He said though some citizens would make unpleasant and unpalatable arguments about some unfavourable conditions in the country, the members of the NPP must, as a duty, continue to work hard and speak on the numerous good works of the government. 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 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. Featured Video The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has launched a scathing attack on the Presidency, saying it has become a breeding ground for sophisticated thieves. He said all manner of stealing appears to be going on at the seat of government, the Jubilee House. They steal fertilizer, they steal excavators, they steal oil, they steal everything. He stated these on Monday, August 30 when he addressed journalists in Accra to respond to the stiff challenge mounted by the General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu, following former president John Mahamas allegations of corruption against the current government. Sammy Gyamfi said Mr Mahama echoed the sentiments of the vast majority of Ghanaians who feel scandalized by the unbridled corruption and plain thievery that has become the hallmark of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government. The alarming case of corruption under this government is such that Ghanaians cannot wait to exact act accountability by voting out the NPP after their eight-year tenure in 2024. It was on the back of this that he said the Presidency has lost its credibility as a result of criminal activities of presidential staff. Never in the history of Ghana have we had such sophisticated thieves at the Presidency and in government, he stressed. No wonder the presidency has today become a breeding ground for criminals under their watch. Breaking the 8 On the recent mantra of the NPP to break the eight, that is to win the 2024 elections, Sammy Gyamfi said it is only a ploy by the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government who need that win to help them perpetuate this regime of corruption, naked thievery, ostentation and impunity. He said if the mandate of the government is renewed in 2024, the public purse will be further subjected to abuse. Source: 3news.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Managing Director of STC, Nana Akomea, has rubbished the press conference held by the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Monday, August 30 where the party raised a red flag over the governance system of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his government. According to the party's Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, Ghanaians are fed up with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and yearning to kick them out from power. Sammy Gyamfi made the comments while responding to some statements by the NPP General Secretary, John Boadu on Thursday, August 26 regarding the NDC 2020 Presidential candidate, Ex-President John Dramani Mahama' Thank You tour after Mr. Mahama criticized the President. John Boadu Replies Mahama John Boadu said; We are really not worried about his distraction because our president is focused on delivering his mandate. He has turned his so-called Thank you tour into election campaign. Yes, he has the right to campaign but he should play by the rules of engagement. He has no right to deceive the people of this country by twisting facts. Sammy Gyamfi Slams John Boadu Addressing a press conference in Accra on Monday, Sammy Gyamfi replied; Former President Mahama echoed the sentiments of the vast majority of Ghanaians who feel scandalized by the unbridled corruption and plain thievery that has become the hallmark of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government. The alarming case of corruption under this government is such that Ghanaians cannot wait to exact act accountability by voting out the NPP after their eight year tenure in 2024. Anything short if that will spell doom for the public purse which will be subjected to further abuse should their mandates be renewed beyond 2024. Nana Akomea Rubbishes NDC But to Nana Akomea, the NDC has lost their moral right to pass judgements about the NPP. However, admitting that Ghana isn't yet developed, Nana Akomea stressed the government is working assiduously to improve the living conditions of the citizenry. Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's morning programme ''Kokrokoo'', he noted that if the NDC were capable of developing the country, Ghanaians wouldn't have voted them out of power. ''We can't take anything the NDC says seriously'', he stated, adding ''we must admit that we are a third world country. We haven't reached yet...'' He emphasized that, "the government is not perfect. There are two or three things that are not good . . . but all in all, there's a lot of measures the government is undertaking and if it all materializes in another two/three years, the living conditions of Ghanaians will improve massively''. ''For them to say we have brought hardship to Ghana, does it mean there was no hardship during the NDC era? If there were no hardships and everything was alright, why would you be voted out of power?'' he questioned. Watch video below Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Greater Accra Regional Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has appealed to President Nana Akufo-Addo to reappoint Col. K. Damoah (Rtd) to his current position as the Commissioner of Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority. In a press statement copied to Peacefmonline, the Youth Wing was convinced Col. Damoah has excelled in executing his duties, therefore deserves another term in office. ''Breaking the eight demands the appointment of competent, honest, selfless, dedicated and welcoming officers whose doors would always be opened to the concerns of the grassroots of the party in all capacities whiles serving the interest of the Nation concurrently; a trait, unanimously possessed by Col. Damoah. ''We would therefore by this release appeal to H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to hear our outcry in reappointing him as The Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority to carry out his service to the nation in addition to further placing the Party in the limelight of Breaking the Eight'', portions of the statement read. Read full statement below: Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The stamp that has been described as the saddest stamp ever; issued to honour the victims of the Lidice massacre. B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe provides an update on illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province during a news conference at the legislature in Victoria on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito Erin O'Toole addresses the crowd at a federal Conservative leadership forum during the annual general meeting of the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative party in Halifax on February 8, 2020. A Conservative candidate in Nova Scotia withdrew from the federal election Monday after an allegation of sexual assault surfaced on social media. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan Families and youth aged 12 and older line up for a COVID-19 vaccine at Gordon A Brown Middle School in Toronto Wednesday May 19, 2021. Experts and school boards say early attention to individual learning and mental health needs should be a priority as kids return to Ontario classrooms after a year of pandemic-disrupted studies. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette Following successful conclusion of a yearlong pilot program with Pipeline AZ, MCCCD will roll out an innovative career exploration technology platform to all students. Support local journalism We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story. Thank you for reading the Philadelphia Tribune. 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The owners of the Charleston International Manufacturing Center in Goose Creek plan to invest $15 million at the industrial park along the Cooper River to handle storage and transportation of bulk liquids for chemical and food companies. Called Hydera, the operation is a joint venture between CIMC owner Cooper River Partners a subsidiary of Upstate-based Pacolet Milliken and Ouray, a Colorado environmental and engineering firm with experience in handling and transporting large liquid containers. "If you drive around Charleston, you see a lot of boxes on the back of trucks that they've picked up from the port," Kent Fonvielle, president of Cooper River Partners, said during an Aug. 26 meeting of the Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce. "Occasionally, you'll see funny looking boxes that are just a metal frame for a tank. That's an ISO container." Fonvielle said the Hydera site will be able to store up to 900 such containers for customers, with cleaning, repair, maintenance and transportation services available beginning early next year. "Charleston needs this capacity," Fonvielle said, adding the Port of Charleston is seeing a greater number of ISO containers moving through its terminals. "There are a couple of folks that do this in the Charleston area and that capacity is capped out. With the Leatherman Terminal opening and the port going gangbusters, this is a pinch point for moving more of this product." Some of CIMC's tenants use ISO tanks to import raw materials or ship finished goods, Fonvielle said, and Hydera hopes to capture some of that business as well as clients from outside the industrial park. The Hydera venture will employ about 15 workers. Berkeley County Council recently approved property tax breaks for the facility as an incentive for its development. About 650 acres of the CIMC site is developable, with nine tenants such as French underwater electric cable maker Nexans and U.S. Navy submarine contractor W International now occupying about 400 of those acres with long-term land leases. Of the remaining 250 acres, there are about 125 that are contiguous. To date, businesses have invested about $1.5 billion at the site that was known for decades as Bushy Park, according to the property owner. Here comes the judge Sign up for our business newsletter. Our twice-weekly newsletter features all the business stories shaping Charleston and South Carolina. Get ahead with us - it's free. Email Sign Up! A company that supplies parts for some of the engines used on Boeing Co.'s 787 Dreamliner jets is getting another day in court. The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments Oct. 5 in a case involving London-based engine maker Rolls-Royce and New York supplier Servotronics Inc. Servotronics is accused of making a defective valve for an engine that caught fire during Dreamliner testing at Boeing's North Charleston campus in 2016. The blaze caused $12.8 million in damages to the widebody plane, a sum that Rolls Royce has already paid to Boeing. The power plant manufacturer now wants to be reimbursed by Servotronics. An arbitration hearing was held in London in May, but the arbitration panel has not yet made a ruling. The Supreme Court case is expected to settle once and for all whether U.S. courts can force discovery such as depositions for use in foreign tribunals, like the London arbitration panel. Servotronics, which denies its valve was faulty, had hoped to interview Boeing and Rolls-Royce workers who witnessed the engine fire, which both companies opposed, but a series of lower court rulings thwarted that effort. U.S. District Court Judge David Norton of Charleston initially ruled that federal courts cant force discovery for foreign hearings. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., then reversed that decision and sent it back to Norton for further consideration. A related court decision in Boeings home state of Illinois, however, called into question the Fourth Circuits ruling. So Servotronics asked the nation's highest court to take the case, and the justices agreed. Even though the London arbitration panel has already heard the matter, Servotronics is hoping a favorable Supreme Court ruling could reopen the case. All of the Supreme Court's justices will be able to participate in the Servotronics case. Justice Samuel Alito had previously recused himself from the case because financial disclosures show either he or his family own at least $50,000 worth of Boeing stock. Last week, the high court announced Alito was no longer recused from the case in a one-sentence notice that did not explain the reason for the change. A transcript of the Oct. 5 hearing will be available on the Supreme Court's website by the end of that day. An audio recording of the hearing will be on the website by Oct. 8. As state lawmakers mull how to spend federal COVID-19 relief dollars, South Carolina's tourism department is asking that some of the funds go to the hard-hit but recovering sector, in the form of marketing dollars, money for new state parks and funding for beach renourishment projects. In total, the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism is asking for $79 million of the roughly $2.5 billion in federal aid the state received from the American Rescue Plan, a massive relief package signed into law by President Joe Biden in March. Tourism is a huge economic driver for the Palmetto State and, pre-pandemic, it delivered an estimated $24 billion in economic impact annually. During 2020, tourism spending in the state fell by nearly a third. This spring and summer, though, the recovery has been stronger and faster than industry leaders had expected. Particularly in June and July, hotel revenue and other major indicators were as good or better than they were before the health crisis. "We've recovered faster than the rest of the country," said state tourism chief Duane Parrish. A main angle of his pitch for the use of federal COVID-19 aid dollars for hospitality marketing was to allow the state to maintain that edge. Last fall, state lawmakers pumped $20 million of COVID-19-related funds into tourism marketing. All of that money has been spent because it came with mid-2021 deadline. During a presentation Aug. 24 to a House committee that's making recommendations on how to spend American Rescue Plan funds, Parrish argued those extra dollars made a difference. So far this year, lodging taxes are up $125 million. Comparing that to the $20 million infusion, Parrish said, that's $6.30 in improved revenue for every $1 of extra spending on marketing. From April through June, the rate at which South Carolina hotels were filling up from the prior year outperformed all neighboring states. In July, South Carolina fell behind Florida, which Parrish said is expected to put $95 million of its COVID-19 funds toward tourism marketing. Parrish's department is asking for $50 million to spend over five years. That would roughly be broken down into three segments: About $20 million would go to destination marketing groups for the state's main tourist draws: Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Greenville, Columbia and Hilton Head. Another $12.5 million would stay with PRT to market the state as a whole to U.S. travelers and to promote smaller destinations. The remaining $17.5 million would promote international tourism, a category that dropped 80 percent for the state last year. Another request is tied to a tourism outlier of 2020. S.C. State Parks just wrapped up its best revenue year ever, and the 47-park system has seen unprecedented demand in the last year, including many instances where parks had to close after reaching visitor capacity. Sign up for our business newsletter. Our twice-weekly newsletter features all the business stories shaping Charleston and South Carolina. Get ahead with us - it's free. Email Sign Up! "Its a great problem to have, but its still a problem," Parrish said. A suggested $14 million in COVID-19 aid funding would "address the increase in visitation capacities issues" by funding new parks and expansions. The projects include the "Gap Creek" property, an addition to Jones Gap State Park in the Upstate, and a planned park along the Black River. The third request $15 million to fund beach renourishment projects might require some outside insight to decide whether it falls within the terms of how the federal dollars can be spent. Parrish believes it should qualify, though, since it could "improve resilience to the effects of climate change," something that, according to a May 2021 U.S. Treasury ruling, would be an encouraged use of the funds. Beach renourishment projects rebuild recreational space on the coastline and replenish dune systems that provide protection during severe weather such as hurricanes, which have become more frequent. On a financial side, maintaining beaches is big for tourism: Coastal counties accounted for almost two-thirds of visitor spending in the state in 2019. Beaches are to tourism what the interstates are to transportation. ... Thats our infrastructure, Parrish said. State Rep. Gilda Cobb Hunter, D-Orangeburg, had reservations about the requests for new parks and beach renourishment. I find it interesting that climate change is part of your rationale for requesting this," Hunter said after Parrish's presentation last week. Hunter said it would be "really difficult" for her to say these dollars should pay for beach renourishment. This federal money should "address systemic problems," and the state should "pony up" the funds to repair beaches and add new parks, she said. A report from "accelerateSC," a task force Gov. Henry McMaster formed early in the pandemic to handle recovery and reopening issues, included a recommendation to spend about $47.5 million of the American Rescue Plan funds on tourism marketing and beach renourishment. Parrish's presentation added the request for state parks, plus more money for tourism marketing. COLUMBIA South Carolina's highest court sought to set aside the politics and public health policy of the mask debate as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on in the state to determine whether local mask requirements in schools violate state law. During two hours of hearings Aug. 31, the S.C. Supreme Court sought to look at the letter of the law. Justices tried to pin down attorneys on whether the Legislature had the authority to stop school mask requirements through a budget amendment or whether school districts could mandate face coverings as long as they do not use state money. The court didn't issue a decision the same day, though Chief Justice Donald Beatty acknowledged the urgency of the cases as schools are in session and mask requirements in place throughout Richland County. S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson sued the city of Columbia, arguing the city's emergency order requiring masks in elementary schools, middle schools and day cares violated state law. Richland County passed a similar ordinance earlier in the month. Wilson said in the lawsuit that a one-year law passed as part of the state budget banning such requirements extended to local governments and school districts throughout the state. An attorney for the city noted that more than 50 percent of Richland One School District's budget comes from local and federal sources. The budget provision says that state funds can't be used to carry out school mask mandates. "All they have said is do not spend our money on a mask mandate," attorney Chris Kenney said in defending the city. "And the citys mask mandate complies with that entirely." Judges appeared in agreement that enforcement of mask mandates would naturally fall on schoolteachers and administrators, whose salaries are appropriated in the state budget and therefore subject to the mask provision. The city said fire officials, including the Fire Department mascot Sparky, will embark on an education campaign, that will encourage compliance before any enforcement. But as a practical effect, teachers would be on the front lines of enforcing the policy, said Emory Smith, representing the Attorney General's Office. Beatty and Justice John Cannon Few pressed Smith at the end of his argument as to whether he believed the Legislature's rule to be a blanket ban on mask mandates as the state had argued in its lawsuit. "It is not a blanket prohibition without regard to funding sources," Smith said. In a second hearing involving Richland County School District Two's request in support of school mask requirements, district attorney Carl Solomon said the budget provisions were unconstitutionally vague and that they otherwise violated the state's one-subject rule requiring laws to address one primary topic. "The sacred trust the people have placed in the General Assembly of South Carolina to provide safe public schools as provided by our constitution, we believe should not be infringed upon for political gain," Solomon said in closing. Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, during an event Aug. 30 with U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-Columbia, to promote vaccines, lashed out at Wilson's legal challenge and said the state constitution was "crystal clear" in giving local governments the right to enact such rules to guard the health of residents. "It shouldn't be this damn hard to protect children," Benjamin said at the event. "And we're going to do every single thing that we can do to make sure we protect these babies, we protect these teachers, who have given their life's work to making sure our children have a chance to reach their God-given potential. And we're willing to go to the U.S. Supreme Court to defend that position." 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. GEORGETOWN Rosemary Middle will become the sixth Georgetown County School District school learning virtually this week, as quarantine numbers continue to skyrocket in the district. Rosemary Middle will shift to virtual learning Sept. 1 for a week, and district staff will reassess the situation Sept. 3 to determine if that period needs extended, district spokesperson Kristi Kibler said. According to the latest district numbers, there are 2,522 students one in three in quarantine throughout Georgetown schools, more than doubling the percentage of students in quarantine in neighboring Horry County Schools, the third largest school district in the state. The district also announced Aug. 27 McDonald Elementary would shift to virtual learning for at least a week, and on Aug. 31 Georgetown Middle, Georgetown High, Andrews High and Carvers Bay High school students all began virtual learning for at least a week, as well. When asked if the district had plans to shift all schools to virtual learning, Kibler directed the Post and Courier Myrtle Beach to the district's safety and risk management director, Alan Walters, who did not answer the question but said school closures are done in consultation with the Department of Health and Environmental Control and the South Carolina Board of Education. "We submit the day's numbers to DHEC for all schools for their review and then wait to hear back from them," Walters said. Sign up for our Myrtle Beach weekly update newsletter. Sign up for weekly roundups of our top stories, news and culture from the Myrtle Beach area. This newsletter is hand-curated by a member of our Myrtle Beach news staff. Email Sign Up! At Rosemary Middle, 12 students have tested positive and 191 are in quarantine, at Georgetown High, 35 students have tested positive and 475 are in quarantine, at Georgetown Middle 24 students have tested positive and 361 are in quarantine, at Andrews High 15 students have tested positive and 221 are in quarantine, at Carvers Bay High 7 students have tested positive and 164 are in quarantine and at McDonald Elementary, 19 students have tested positive and 130 are in quarantine. Kibler said parents of virtual learners should continue to report positive cases and if their student has been placed in quarantine. "Our school nurses continue keeping records for the school that they are assigned, and those numbers are updated daily," Kibler said. Horry County Schools' latest numbers show 6,800 students or 15 percent in quarantine. The S.C. Department of Heath and Environmental Control on Aug. 31 reported more than 200 people died from COVID-19 last week. Lexington County had the highest numbers of deaths Aug. 22-28. The news comes as many state health officials continue to urge residents to get vaccinated. South Carolina's complete vaccination rate currently sits below 50 percent. Williamsburg County recently announced it will begin paying some residents $100 to get the COVID-19 vaccine in what could be a first in South Carolina. The first 300 county residents who are completely vaccinated from Aug. 25 to Oct. 25 will receive the money, the county government said. They'll need to show a shot record or card from a medical provider on Mondays at the county's Public Service Administration Building. The $100 checks will be distributed on Fridays. Statewide numbers New cases reported: 3,631 confirmed, 712 probable Total cases in S.C.: 596,688 confirmed, 138,599 probable. Percent positive: 15.8 percent. New deaths reported: 29 confirmed, 8 probable. Total deaths in S.C.: 9,288 confirmed, 1,310 probable. Percent of ICU beds filled (with COVID-19 and other patients): 80.79 percent. S.C. residents vaccinated In South Carolina, 56.6 percent of people who are eligible for the vaccine have received one shot, and 47.6 percent of eligible residents are considered fully vaccinated. Hardest-hit areas Greenville (382), Horry (263) and Lexington (243) counties saw the highest totals of newly confirmed cases. What about tri-county? Dorchester County had 192 new cases on Aug. 31, while Charleston had 191 and Berkeley had 188. 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 Aug. 31, at least 221 people in South Carolina died from the virus Aug. 22-28, and their ages ranged from young adult (18-34) to elderly (65 and older). Lexington County recorded 25 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 2,285 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of Aug. 31, 541 were in the ICU and 339 were using ventilators. Student, teacher and faculty cases DHEC's school dashboard shows, through Aug. 29, there have been 3,056 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 Medical University of South Carolina say they are finding mutations of the delta variant, specifically one known as AY.4. Scientists from the university say the strain is becoming prevalent faster than the original delta strain and could soon need its own name. Delta is proving to be a crazy mutator," said Julie Hirschhorn, director of the Molecular Pathology Laboratory, in an article on MUSC's website. "Its mutating in a step-wise manner, which may provide one of these variants a selective advantage. Go to vaxlocator.dhec.sc.gov to find a vaccine clinic near you. Kingstree, SC (29556) Today A mix of clouds and sun. High around 85F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. CONWAY A little over 15 percent of students across Horry County Schools are in quarantine, according to newly released data by the district. This comes as Horry County schools are reporting 679 active COVID-19 cases, as of Aug. 30. Of the active cases, 628 are among students, and the other 51 are among staff, according to the districts COVID-19 dashboard, which is updated daily. Until Aug. 30 the district wasn't releasing quarantine numbers, unlike neighboring school district Georgetown County School District who has been releasing student quartaines since the start of the school year. In Georgetown's school district, 30 percent of its students are in quarantine. Sign up for our Myrtle Beach weekly update newsletter. Sign up for weekly roundups of our top stories, news and culture from the Myrtle Beach area. This newsletter is hand-curated by a member of our Myrtle Beach news staff. Email Sign Up! Due to the Legislatures ban on mask mandates in South Carolina schools, face coverings are not required in the states third-largest school district, where around 45,000 students are enrolled. However, the district is encouraging mask-wearing, a spokesperson said. Some COVID-19 precautions the district is taking include contact tracing and disinfecting high-touch areas, including classrooms and restrooms, at the end of each day. Buses are disinfected twice a day. Over the past two weeks, Horry County recorded more than 3,202, a 14 percent jump from last week, cases of COVID-19, according to the most recent Department of Health and Environmental Control data. Despite everything, Horry County placed Aynor Middle School in virtual learning for two weeks starting Aug. 30, and five of the 18 schools in Georgetown will go virtual as well. Members of the Charleston Animal Society rescued 50 dogs from a shelter in south Mississippi hours before Hurricane Ida made landfall. The team arrived at the Humane Society of South Mississippi in Gulfport at about midnight Aug. 28. While in Mississippi, they delivered 2,000 pounds of dog and cat food into the community for after the storm, said Bryant Taylor, the societys emergency response manager. The animal society continues to receive calls for assistance from the Gulf Coast states and will evaluate how it can continue to help states hit by the storm, Joe Elmore, CEO, said. The rescue comes amid overcrowded shelters across South Carolina. "We're in a state of emergency in South Carolina with overcrowding, mainly due to a veterinary shortage, among other things. Our objective was to get the dogs out of harm's way and get them to various shelters," Elmore said. "We couldn't put them in South Carolina. We're overwhelmed." The dogs were transferred to five shelters in Florida later that day a shelter in Jacksonville, Daytona Beach and three shelters in the greater Tampa Bay area. Shelters across Southern states typically help rescue animals before storms hit throughout the Atlantic hurricane season, Elmore said. It was important to rescue animals before Hurricane Ida made landfall so that all storm and post-storm resources can be used to keep people safe, he said. Accomplishment was her reward not her own success as much as the achievements of others. For Lucille Whipper was an educator first and forever, a mentor, a quiet leader whose example inspired a generation. She was successful to be sure. She helped save the Avery Institute, as it was called in the 1980s; she spoke truth within the chambers of the state House of Representatives for a decade; she raised money to send to countries in Africa coping with the AIDS crisis and endemic poverty. She would hear about a problem, or just somebody who was in trouble, and her attitude was never, Should we get involved and try to help? It was, What can we do to help?, recalled Steve Skardon, director of the Palmetto Project, which managed Whippers Lowcountry Aid to Africa program. Her familys a lot like that. Theyre just doers. ... I always found that attitude very refreshing, and I saw it in action. I loved that part about her. Whipper, who died on Aug. 27 at age 93, was among the Lowcountrys most respected and beloved civic-minded leaders. Determined yet unassuming, she was always challenging others her colleagues in the Legislature foremost to consider the less fortunate. She was laser-focused on finding ways to lift people up, whether constituents, students, friends and colleagues, or family members. She strived to harness the power of institutions to do this work, for institutions wielded power and influence, managed wealth and possessed the ability to reach deep into every corner of South Carolina. She focused on institutions, and opening them up to action and social justice, Skardon said. Thats where she put her time and energy. Institutions, she knew, are likely to last longer than any individual and better able to introduce formal programs that affect change and result in social uplift, he said. This is why she became a public school guidance counselor and educator early in her long life, why she embraced her role as a pastors wife, why she eventually held public office, why she partnered with the Palmetto Project and why she encouraged other leaders to embrace a similar approach. 'Go this way' Whipper applied to the College of Charleston in the 1940s to try to change its policy of segregation. In response, the public college went private to avoid admitting Black people. It wasnt until 1967 that it admitted its first African American students. She believed that changing the status quo required education and engagement. As a young woman, she worked on voter registration drives and encouraged African Americans to seek greater political influence. She also strived to prepare high school students for the world beyond. First she was a teacher at Haut Gap High School on Johns Island, then a guidance counselor at Burke and Bonds-Wilson high schools. Segregated schools were not panaceas, said the Rev. Nelson Rivers III, pastor of Charity Missionary Baptist Church, who attended Burke from 1963 to 1968. Some teachers and counselors would discourage ambition. When young students, full of awe, watched John Glenn orbit the Earth in 1962, some were inspired by the feat and wanted to become astronauts, including Rivers. Boy, there are no colored astronauts, one of his teachers told him. You have to think about something else. Another teacher questioned whether Rivers was college material, he said. Not Whipper. She understood that limits were imposed by others, that they must be broken again and again. No, she told Rivers, you must go to college. Then she followed through, arranging for him and more than 30 others that year to attend Wilberforce University in Ohio, the first historically Black college to be owned and operated by African Americans. Lucille Whipper stood at the division in the road, Rivers recalled. She said, Go this way. Rivers went on to become president of the North Charleston NAACP branch, then part of the national staff and, eventually, an activist pastor of the church Whippers husband, Benjamin J. Whipper, had led for many years. She could envision a future when opportunities would open up to Black people, Rivers said. And her message to the students was clear: You must be prepared. Dont do half of the work. You are capable of anything. 'Help me help you' In the 1970s, College of Charleston President Ted Stern hired Whipper to run the Colleges Head Start program and to develop new programs that promoted diversity on campus. In the decades following desegregation, what was then the Avery Normal School on Bull Street was faltering. After all, it had been established to educate Black children living under the restrictions of Jim Crow. So Whipper helped transform it into the Avery Institute of Afro-American History and Culture and, in 1985, get the College of Charleston to include it as a campus asset. In this way, she saved the institution for generations to come. That same year she was the first African American woman from Charleston County elected to the Statehouse, representing District 109. For a decade she focused on womens issues, health care, education and the environment. She served on numerous committees and always advocated for progressive change. Lucille Simmons Whipper was not only a trailblazer at the College of Charleston, but she was also a history maker for the entire State of South Carolina, the colleges President Andrew Hsu said in a statement. She raised seven children, two biological and five adopted. Her mother, who hailed from Edisto Island, was a riveter working at the old Navy base and an organizer of the Cigar Factory strike of 1945. The family was close-knit, her son Seth Whipper said. He was the youngest of the male children, and he grew up among feminist ideas and achievement-minded siblings. All of my sisters have post-graduate degrees, and all have managed some kind of career outside of the home, he said. These are the sort of women I am growing up with. As a result, Seth Whipper takes it for granted that women, especially Black women, are meant to lead and to succeed, he said. Lucille Whipper also endured tragedy the death of a child, the death of a grandchild but somehow also found a way to forge ahead. As a lawmaker, she suffered no fools, but welcomed opportunities to collaborate with anyone working in good faith, no matter their political views, so long as they were genuinely interested in facing challenges directly and finding solutions, Seth Whipper said. She believed the institution would work if its stakeholders allowed it to, her son said. So she assumed a simple, pragmatic approach: Help me help you. Progress was non-negotiable, not the manner in which it was achieved. Mom always felt like she ought to be doing something to make the world right, Seth Whipper said. He would follow in her footsteps and serve as a state legislator from 1994 until 2017. 'Speechless for a moment' But it was talk radio host and Burke graduate David Mack who won her seat in the House after she retired. Mack often invited Lucille Whipper to be a guest on his radio show. They would talk politics, and she would always show concern for the disadvantaged, he said. It would be a learning experience each and every time, Mack recalled. When he read in the newspaper that she did not plan to seek reelection, he planned to discuss the matter on his show that weekend. Saturday morning, the telephone rang. It was Whipper calling Mack to encourage him to run for her seat. I was speechless for a moment, he said. She provided guidance and encouragement, then advice once he took his place at the Legislature. And he did his best to further her legacy, focusing on health care, education, housing and other issues. She was a petite woman who left an impression on most everyone she encountered, including Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg. "Lucille Whipper was quite simply one of the finest people I've ever known, Tecklenburg said in a statement. She loved generously and well, lived her life with fortitude and purpose, and left the world better and kinder than she found it. Barbara Dilligard, former teacher and school administrator, and former president of the Burke High School Foundation, also benefited from Whippers counseling after Dilligard took a teaching job at Burke in 1968. She took me under her wing, Dilligard said. She was like a mother, as well as a big sister. We could talk about anything. They forged a strong friendship that lasted through the years. Whipper taught her young friend patience how it can be used to improve strength and determination within. When I started out in my career, I had lots of ideas and energy, but I wasnt patient with those who dealt in nonsense and tomfoolery, Dilligard said. She taught me that you can get it done, but youve got to allow other people to be themselves, then bring them along. Whippers death last week now brings to Dilligards mind a poem by Rudyard Kipling called If. The poem is a lesson a father teaches his son about becoming a man, but its advice easily could have come from Whipper. If you can keep your head when all about you / Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, / If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, / But make allowance for their doubting too ... Then, Kipling writes, you can inherit the Earth and everything in it. Kurt Vonnegut was many things during a writing career that spanned more than half a century: best-selling novelist, counterculture cult figure, popular speaker and biting political satirist. But is the "Slaughterhouse-Five" author who once cameoed in a Rodney Dangerfield film and added an obscene drawing to his signature worthy of academic study along the lines of Hemingway and Faulkner? Without a doubt, according to Susan Farrell, a professor of contemporary American literature at the College of Charleston. "He holds up to some of the more canonized writers of the 20th century," said Farrell, co-founder of The Kurt Vonnegut Society, which aims to promote the scholarly study of Vonnegut, his life and works. Farrell got the idea to create a group Vonnegut might have called it a karass devoted to the Hoosier author in 2007 while she was working on a book titled "A Critical Companion to Kurt Vonnegut." There are about 80 similar literary societies with members who study authors from Nelson Algren to Walt Whitman, but there were none at the time focused on Vonnegut. Today the society boasts membership from across the country, with some of the nation's top Vonnegut experts holding panel discussions at literary conferences; collecting scholarly papers focusing on topics such as the historical accuracy of "Slaughterhouse-Five;" and advocating for his inclusion in high school and college literature courses. Farrell is one of the society's most active participants and the author of academic papers like "Vonnegut and Religion" and "Art, Domesticity and Vonnegut's Women." "Susan Farrell disproves the myth that one can either be a teacher or researcher but not both," said Marc Leeds, founding president of the Vonnegut Society, a founding board member of the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library and author of The Vonnegut Encyclopedia. "For nearly three decades she has maintained a laudatory teaching career while contributing major milestones to the study of the American war machines effects through literature," Leeds said. Farrell said a primary reason for the Vonnegut Society is to keep the author's intellectual reputation alive. "A lot of writers that are popular in their time fall into obscurity," she said. That certainly hasn't happened with Vonnegut. His more than two dozen novels, short story collections and nonfiction works remain in print and continue to sell well each year. But there are some who think of Vonnegut as a dime store, pulp science fiction writer the kind of author whose popularity with the masses automatically negates his literary heft. Farrell thinks that's giving the Indianapolis native short shrift. "A lot of people don't take Vonnegut that seriously, and that's for a number of reasons he can be deceptively simple and, you know, maybe too accessible," she said. "Critics in the '70s and '80s didn't take his work as seriously as maybe they should have. There's been a lot written since his death (in 2007), though, and his reputation is very strong right now. He ushered in a whole new style of writing that's been very influential." The style is postmodern and minimalist, with short sentences and paragraphs that are easy to read. His best-known passages often consist of just a few words, like the "so it goes" that serves as a coda to each death that occurs in "Slaughterhouse-Five." Farrell has said the first Vonnegut book she read was "Breakfast of Champions" after finding it on her parents' bookshelves as a teenager. But she considers "Slaughterhouse-Five" to be her favorite of Vonnegut's works and his masterpiece. She includes the book in her American literature classes but finds that while most students these days have heard Vonnegut's name, they haven't read his work. "I feel like I'm introducing students more to him than I did when I first started teaching" nearly three decades ago, she said. Vonnegut loosely based Billy Pilgrim, the protagonist in "Slaughterhouse-Five," on his own experiences surviving the bombing of Dresden, Germany, during World War II. In the novel, Pilgrim time travels between the war, his married adult life as an optometrist and his time living captive with a porn star as human specimens on the fictional planet Tralfamadore. The plot might sound silly, but it packs an unexpected emotional punch. "Some of his works can seem almost cartoonish, but I think that's a deliberate stance," Farrell said. "The things he's experiencing in the war are told in an almost naive, cartoonish point of view that makes it more poignant. You have that distinction between very simple, non-sentimental sentences and the horrors he's describing." Earlier this year Farrell helped bring an art exhibit focusing on "Slaughterhouse-Five" to the college's Addlestone Library. The 50 oil paintings created in 2019 by former College of Charleston studio arts major Lance Miccio were a tribute to the novel's 50th anniversary. I like to say that Vonnegut writes like a painter," Miccio told South Carolina Public Radio. "So, I try to paint like a writer. Farrell came to the College of Charleston in 1993 after earning her doctorate in English at the University of Texas in Austin. With her advanced degree in hand, Farrell scoured the national jobs lists for work as an English professor but found there was little available. "I had never set foot in South Carolina when I got the job at the College of Charleston, and I feel so fortunate to have ended up here," she said. "I'm very grateful." Her latest book, "Imagining Home: American War Fiction From Hemingway to 9/11," includes chapters on Ernest Hemingway during World War I, Vonnegut during World War II and Tim O'Brien during the Vietnam War. Farrell said she has been fascinated by 20th-century war literature, which she teaches along with contemporary American authors such as Toni Morrison, Don DeLillo and Louise Erdrich. Farrell also is the author of "A Critical Companion to Tim O'Brien" and her classes focus on contemporary American literature, women writers and gender issues. Her classes seem to resonate with students, who use terms like "really great," "always interesting" and "really knows what she's talking about" in online reviews to describe Farrell and her teaching. "It's a great field and a lot of students love it," Farrell said of contemporary American literature. "They haven't had a chance to study it in school. Their traditional classes have been in British literature or early American literature, so they're usually very happy to read literature that's from their time and place." COLUMBIA In South Carolina, whistleblowers who want to file an ethics complaint against a public official are first sworn to secrecy. They cant talk about their allegations, no matter how egregious, until the State Ethics Commission has looked into the complaint and decided what to do with it. Breaking the seal of secrecy is a misdemeanor that carries a fine of $1,000 and up to a year in prison. And if the states ethics police dismiss the complaint, even on a technicality? The whistleblower can never speak of it again. Observers have long suspected the rules violate free-speech protections guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution. But now, a Columbia attorney is mounting a legal challenge to strike down the S.C. Ethics Act's gag orders for good. Chris Kenney, who works in the law firm of state Sen. Dick Harpootlian, D-Columbia, has filed a federal lawsuit that asks a judge to declare that portion of the law unconstitutional. Kenney filed the challenge on behalf of an unnamed plaintiff who cant speak about a complaint he filed against a state lawmaker because the Ethics Commission dismissed it in a closed-door proceeding. Thats a problem, Kenney wrote, because the ethics case exposes a serious loophole in South Carolinas ethics law and his client wants to push the Legislature to address it. Longtime state government watchdog John Crangle said Kenneys lawsuit is long overdue. Making ethics complaints against politicians public might be embarrassing for them, but its good public policy, said Crangle, who ran unsuccessfully for the S.C. House in 2018. News of a complaint against a particular politician might embolden more whistleblowers to come forward against them, he said. It also puts pressure on the Ethics Commission to thoroughly investigate those complaints before disposing of them, Crangle said. Right now, the commission can swallow the complaint and dismiss it without an extensive investigation, he said. Ethics Commission Executive Director Meghan Walker said she was aware of the lawsuit but declined to comment while it remains pending. Either way, her agency doesnt write the state Ethics Act. State lawmakers do. Kenneys lawsuit is centered on an ethics complaint the commission dismissed on Aug. 3. His client alleged that an unnamed state lawmaker improperly voted on a bill to benefit a special interest entity that had paid him some $108,000 over the course of three years. The lawsuit does not identify the special interest, and Kenney would not disclose its identity. According to the lawsuit, Kenneys client detailed a scheme in which the special interest laundered money to the lawmaker through several companies. The complaint alleged a subsidiary of the special interest paid several contracts worth tens of thousands of dollars each to two limited liability corporations owned by the lawmaker. The lawmaker then voted in favor of a bill that would benefit the special interest, instead of recusing himself and detailing the conflict of interest. The lawsuit included few details hinting at the identity of the lawmaker, the special interest or the subsidiary. Kenney declined to comment, saying his lawsuit speaks for itself and the gag order prevents him from explaining more. According to Kenneys filing, the Ethics Commission dismissed the complaint in a secret ruling after deliberating behind closed doors. Commissioners decided the lawmakers receipt of the money from a special interests subsidiary didnt constitute an affiliation with the special interest itself, Kenney said. In the lawsuit, Kenney described the finding as a legal absurdity." Elected officials are required by the Ethics Act to publicly disclose their sources of income and recuse themselves from voting or debating on proposals when a conflict of interest arises. But by funneling the money through other companies, politicians and special interests can easily avoid disclosing those conflicts, Kenney warned. Kenney wrote that his client wants to push the Legislature to close the loophole but cant "without subjecting himself to criminal penalty" under South Carolina law. "Plaintiff has good reason to want to speak," Kenney wrote. A new STEM initiative was announced by the Aiken County Public School District during an education luncheon Tuesday. The Dell Student TechCrew is a partnership made by global technology leader Dell and the North Augusta Chamber Education Workforce Development Foundation. The project allows four area schools to teach students how to develop IT skills. It gives students in high school the opportunity to get an industry certification, Kim Boutwell, the North America Regional giving manager with Dell Giving said in a promotional video. ... We are creating opportunities for the students, opportunities for schools, opportunities for the community. Its so much bigger than IT support. The North Augusta Chamber Education Workforce Development Foundation is a community nonprofit made to help coordinate this program with ACPSD. The program helps high school students learn more about IT-related fields. This is the first Dell Student TechCrew course in schools in South Carolina. About 70 students are currently enrolled in classes between North Augusta High School, Aiken High School, Ridge Spring-Monetta High School and Wagener-Salley High School. Students currently enrolled can receive certification by January 2022. Two graduates of the Dell program from Aiken High School have received their certification. One student is currently in college and another is assisting the school. We are creating a Silicon Valley right here in our backyard because we have schools that integrate technology, said Kenneth Lott, director of Career and Technical Education for Aiken County. Aiken Countys proximity to Augustas Cyber City is relevant to the program and recruiting within the CSRA. You have an opportunity, right here in your backyard, to reallocate that funding somewhere else and come help Aiken County School District prepare tomorrows workforce today, Lott said. ... Once our students receive this notification, they will be certified as Dell technicians, and they can go and work in any industry with this entry-level certification right out of high school. Dell provides students and teachers the curriculum, mentorships and tools necessary for course completion. According to Lott, Dell focuses on rural communities and career readiness. Aiken County plans to expand the program to other high schools and middle schools. Adding this program goes along with Aiken Countys goals to make Aiken County different through new learning initiatives. I think all of us over the last year and a half or so have had to get used to different, and I dont think thats going to change ... I think we have to get used to different because the world is not going back to the way it was, Superintendent King Laurence said. Weve got to do things differently. Lott said other ways to support the Dell program include donating old devices for hands-on experience and supporting these student accomplishments. The Dell workbench opportunity for our students is just one of those innovative things that we talk about, getting used to different, Laurence said. We want our community to know that we are preparing students for the world. This is just one more way the latest way that we have of doing that. Other school district administrators spoke about the progress of existing projects, giving updates about the use of federal money in schools, construction updates of North Augusta schools and COVID-19 impacts. Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations. The blessing about COVID-19 is that most people who get infected dont get very sick. Many perhaps most dont even realize they have it, unless they happen to take a test. So people who think were overreacting to the pandemic have a legitimate point when they say we shouldnt get so worked up over the number of positive tests. Part of the reason those numbers are going up so much and are so much higher than they were last summer could be the fact that testing is so much more easily available and more frequently required. The number and percent of positive tests do tell us how prevalent the virus is in our communities, and therefore how much more or less likely any of us are to get infected, but the most important metrics always have been how many people are hospitalized and how many are dying. And if youre looking at the pandemic from a strictly hard-nosed, pragmatic perspective setting aside the costs in human suffering and lost lives the number of hospitalizations is the more important of the two. After all, the reason we put the economy on ice last spring wasnt to save lives. It was to slow the spread of the virus enough that our hospital system wouldnt collapse. From that perspective, its time for South Carolina to get worried. The Post and Couriers Jessica Holdman reports that as of Friday, the states largest hospital system, Prisma Health, was treating 464 COVID-19 patients, just 82 short of its peak in January and up 30 from the day before. Lexington Medical Center went from four COVID patients to 190 in six weeks, with 41 on ventilators; in order to accommodate the spiraling number of COVID admissions, the hospital is starting to delay cancer biopsies and other surgeries that are deemed elective because the patient isnt at deaths door. Still, few patients would consider such procedures as elective. We closed one of our surgery centers, chief medical officer Dr. Brent Powers said at a news conference with physicians from all the Columbia area hospitals. We are pulling nurses from administrative functions and are deploying them again in the patient care areas. Were pulling staff from our ambulatory offices and pulling them back into the hospital setting. Sign up for our opinion newsletter Get a weekly recap of South Carolina opinion and analysis from The Post and Courier in your inbox on Monday evenings. Email Sign Up! Dr. Kale Davis, chief of staff at MUSC Health Columbia, said 25% of that hospitals patients now have COVID. Theres never been a time in my career that I can recall when 25% of our hospital capacity was taken up by a single disease entity, he said. The day before, physicians in the Upstate raised similar concerns about the speed with which their hospitals are filling up. It took Prisma 19 weeks to reach 304 COVID patients statewide last year; this year, the number grew to 436 in just eight weeks. And its still rising. In addition to being far more contagious, the delta variant driving the new surge is also hitting children harder. While the percentage of infected children who get seriously sick remains minuscule, the number is not. The result is that pediatric hospitals that were able to make room for adult patients during the earlier COVID surges are now looking for space for their young patients in adult hospitals. The Post and Couriers Lauren Sausser reports that as of Wednesday, nearly three dozen children in South Carolina were hospitalized, and at least three were on ventilators. Add in a rising number of children hospitalized with other respiratory viruses that have found welcoming hosts since school started back without mask requirements, and the states pediatric intensive care units are running between 71% to 100% of capacity, with some children having to wait in emergency departments for a bed. And heres where those positive test numbers are worth looking at: Just as deaths surge a few weeks after a surge in COVID hospitalizations, a hospitalizations surge follows a few weeks after a surge in infections. In the past couple of weeks, the rising number of infections has been nearly straight up on Wednesday, DHEC recorded the third-highest number of new infections during the entire pandemic, at 6,697 with nothing to indicate that its going to break soon. We dont need to shut down businesses or government again although our schools are increasingly being forced to shut themselves down as the Legislatures no-mask-requirement law drives school infections and accompanying quarantines to record levels. What we need is for more people to get vaccinated. And yes, we also need children masked up in schools, so theyre able to keep attending in person. (The U.S. Education Department is investigating South Carolina and four other states over their bans on mask mandates in schools.) If you havent been vaccinated, please get vaccinated. If you know people who arent vaccinated, please do whatever you can to convince them to get vaccinated. Otherwise, the next time you need a hospital, it might not be there for you. When Charleston County Councilman Henry Darby suggested naming the new county social services building after Council Chairman Teddie Pryor, some council members and several readers voiced objections to honoring someone who had made several financial missteps in handling county business. Charles Dillards July 4 letter to the editor outlining reasons why this was not a good idea is the winner of the July Golden Pen Award. Mr. Dillard of Johns Island wrote that he did a double take when he read Mr. Darbys June 23 commentary suggesting the social services building be named for Mr. Pryor. Actually, 33 million double takes. He noted that county taxpayers paid $33 million after Mr. Pryors costly unilateral move regarding the lease with a Charleston Naval Hospital developer. As part of the process of digging out of that financial hole, there will be a new social services building. Mr. Pryor refused to take responsibility for changing the lease and responded: Why make a mountain out of a mole hill? Sign up for our opinion newsletter Get a weekly recap of South Carolina opinion and analysis from The Post and Courier in your inbox on Monday evenings. Email Sign Up! Most Charleston County taxpayers would agree that $33 million is more of a mountain than a mole hill, Mr. Dillard wrote. The letter pointed out that Mr. Pryors most recent misstep was orchestrating a very generous bonus for county attorney Joe Dawson after he quit his job. When asked about the payment, Mr. Pryor insisted he wasnt trying to hide anything. Clearly, he was, and it also was revealed that now-Judge Dawson wrote his own bonus agreement, the letter concluded. The information remained hidden until The Post and Courier revealed it and the county and Dawson were forced to adjust the terms. The Golden Pen is awarded monthly. Winners also are invited to an annual luncheon with the newspapers editorial staff. ROCK HILL After drawing heat from South Carolina Republican activists for voting in favor of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham said he stands by his decision to negotiate with Democrats and hailed the legislation as a major victory for his home state. Graham, R-S.C., told reporters after an Aug. 31 roundtable with local officials he believes improving infrastructure is one of the most basic roles of government and that working across the aisle is essential for getting significant bills passed in Congress. The comments came just a few days after the York County GOP voted overwhelmingly to censure Graham for voting in favor of the bill, claiming Graham had "turned his back on the Republican Party Platform" and the voters who reelected him in 2020. "With all due respect to my friends in York County, I think this is absolutely what government needs to be doing now," Graham responded. "We need to start building for the roads and bridges and ports of the future." Graham was one of 19 Senate Republicans to vote along with all 50 Democrats in favor of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. South Carolina's other U.S. senator, Tim Scott, voted against it. The bill is awaiting a vote in the House, likely in September. In the censure resolution, the York GOP argued Graham's vote to support the infrastructure bill "opened the door" for a much broader $3.5 trillion bill Democrats are pursuing to boost federal investments in child care, climate change, immigration and a host of other issues. But Graham, who has vigorously criticized that $3.5 trillion plan, countered that passage of the infrastructure bill will actually make it less likely that the other bill passes because it will allow moderate Democrats to point to a modest win without having to sign on to the more progressive package. "I'm elected to solve problems," Graham said. "I'm elected to sometimes fight the other side. The $3.5 trillion bill is socialism; it make sense to me to fight that. But it also makes sense for me to work with people to do things for South Carolina." Graham rejected claims the infrastructure vote ran "contrary to conservatism ideals," as the York County GOP alleged. "I would disagree," Graham said. "From a conservative's point of view, if you're not creating the infrastructure to grow business, then you're missing a great opportunity. Infrastructure spending, to me, is one of the primary purposes of the government." Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! The influx of spending could be particularly valuable in a place like York County, which has seen rapid growth over the past decade that's led to increased congestion on aging roads and bridges. "The needs here are enormous," Graham said. "To those who believe that we don't need an infrastructure bill for America, you're not looking at the same movie I'm looking at." While local conservatives may be chastising Graham for his role in the bill's passage, he received warm praise from local and statewide transportation officials during the Rock Hill roundtable, who cheered his efforts to bring $4.6 billion worth of investment to South Carolina roads. "Sen. Graham is obviously a big friend of infrastructure, and we certainly appreciate his leadership in the Senate," said S.C. Transportation Secretary Christy Hall. York was not the first local GOP group to censure Graham for the infrastructure vote. The Aiken County GOP also approved a similar resolution earlier in August condemning the state's senior senator. The resolutions could now come before a subcommittee of the South Carolina GOP, which will then decide whether to bring them up for a vote in the statewide executive committee. The state GOP already voted to censure one of its own incumbent lawmakers earlier this year after U.S. Rep. Tom Rice, R-Myrtle Beach, voted in favor of impeaching now-former President Donald Trump for his actions during the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol. Graham has faced blowback from local conservative activists for working with Democrats in the past. Several county GOPs voted to censure him in the early years of then-President Barack Obama's administration for seeking to compromise with Democrats on actions to address climate change and immigration. Even though he worked with Democrats on infrastructure, Graham has continued to be a vocal critic of President Joe Biden, especially in recent days over his handling of the military withdrawal from Afghanistan. The South Carolina senator has gone as far as to call for Biden to be impeached over the operation, arguing that exiting Kabul without first getting all Americans out of the country amounted to a "dereliction of duty." COLUMBIA South Carolina welcomes any Afghan fleeing their home country after helping American troops, Gov. Henry McMaster said Aug. 31, adding the U.S. "let a lot of people down" in how military personnel and allies were evacuated after 20 years at war. McMaster was emphatic that the military-friendly state embraces Afghans who put their own lives in danger to protect Americans. But he drew a distinction between Afghans with approved "special immigrant visas," including battlefield interpreters, and other refugees not yet cleared. The Republican governor said his unwavering stance refers specifically to "those Afghans who have worked with us, worked with our troops and helped them and are known or could be known to the Taliban and the most radical elements there." U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace is traveling to America's southern border in Texas, making her the latest South Carolina politician to visit the region amid an uptick in migrant crossings. Mace, R-Charleston, will be in Laredo with U.S. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, where she will meet with Customs and Border Protection agents. She will also do a night tour of the border with agents. Other agenda items for the freshman congresswoman include being part of a roundtable discussion with community leaders, border officers and Laredo police on Sept. 1. Mace said the border is "a hotbed for drug smuggling and human trafficking" and also blamed the widespread cases of COVID-19, in part, on the increase in migrant crossings. "I kept hearing about our border issues, but I wanted to see in person whats really going on," Mace told The Post and Courier. "Ensuring our border communities are safe and secure is long overdue and keeps us as a nation safer." In July, Laredo sued the federal government and has asked a judge to block the Border Patrol from transferring migrants into the city because of the severe housing and health burden that's been placed on the area. Unfortunately, the federal government has left this public health concern to be tackled by our local government with no considerations of the citys little-to-no resources, nor regard for the deadly ramifications it could have on the country," the city said in its lawsuit. Mace is at least the fifth GOP politician from South Carolina to visit the southern border, with many publicly blaming President Joe Biden and his administration for the rise in immigrants heading to America. U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-Springdale, went to Del Rio, Texas, this past weekend to meet with S.C. National Guard members who have been stationed there since 2018 when Gov. Henry McMaster ordered them there. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! What started out as an assignment of three crew members and a helicopter grew in May 2020 when South Carolina was notified that the federal mobilization for troops would require a significant number of guardsmen to assist President Donald Trumps border agenda. As of Aug. 31, around 300 S.C. National Guardsmen are at the border, said spokeswoman Capt. Jessica Donnelly. In February, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., traveled to the border wall in Arizona and spoke with reporters about how he felt the Biden administration needed to fill the gaps in the border deterrent, highlighting one open portion near Nogales. U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-Rock Hill, visited the border in April alongside other members from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. McMaster also visited the border in April, meeting with some of the S.C. National Guardsmen he deployed there. What the 300 S.C. National Guard soldiers' day-to-day duties consist of since arriving has not been publicized. Historically, they have helped federal law enforcement with counter-drug, counter-transnational organized crime and other transnational threats, according to Maj. Karla Evans, a spokeswoman for the S.C. National Guard. This could range from helping file paperwork on migrant travelers and helping to repair vehicles, to patrolling uncompleted sections of the border wall project and providing surveillance. Many soldiers receive a per diem, which allows them to stay in nearby hotels and buy meals. Mace will not be meeting with the S.C. National Guard soldiers on her brief trip to Texas. Defense and White House officials have not said whether the border mission, which is authorized through Sept. 30, will end sooner as Biden attempts to unwind some of the policies that originated from the Trump administration. A POST-NATIVE PERSPECTIVE It is hard to believe these days that the nation has other issues as pressing, if not more so, as the economy, the right of agency over your b Read more In an interview with George Stephanopoulos on August 19, Joe Biden said the U.S. would stay in Afghanistan until every American who wants to get out is out. As of now, the U.S. is out of Afghanistan, but our government concedes that some Americans are still trapped in that chaotic Taliban-ruled country. Moreover, our government does not intend to use the military to get these Americans out. Lets break this down. General McKenzie, Commander of CENTCOM, said today: 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 [Kabul Airport] this afternoon at 3:29 East Coast Time. On the question of evacuating all Americans who want out, McKenzie said we were not able to bring any Americans out on the last jets to leave Afghanistan because none of them made it to the airport. (Emphasis added) I think even Jen Psaki would agree that those who didnt make it to the airport are stranded. How many are stranded? I doubt that we know. However, McKenzie said he thinks the number of Americans still trapped in Afghanistan is in the low hundreds. What are we going to do to get these people out? Were not planning to use the military. John Kirby, the State Department spokesman, said the administration does not anticipate a military role in the effort to get additional U.S. citizens out of Afghanistan. So I guess were going to rely on the Taliban to get our people out. Maybe well bribe them. Perhaps this approach will work, at least for most of those who are stranded. Lets hope so. But its not what Biden promised in the Stephanopoulos interview. And its not the way a serious, self-respecting country with a decent regard for its citizens behaves. It has been a nearly impossible task to report on the inquiry conducted by Judge Patrick Schiltz in In Re Blue Grand Jury Investigation. Judge Schiltz was assigned to the grand jury that handed up federal indictments of Derek Chauvin et al. When he had reason to believe that leaks of grand jury information resulted in a February New York Times story and a late April Star Tribune story, Judge Schiltz commenced an investigation in a May 5 order that I posted in The Chauvin leaks. I followed up in Notes on the Chauvin leaks as well as a few other posts. There has been no public disclosure of the status of this matter beyond what can be gleaned from the the docket entries. Every document in the case since the original order announcing the investigation has been filed under seal, although we can see that the investigation continues through the docket entries for the case on the publicly accessible ECF system. I asked Judge Schiltz to make some kind of interim public disclosure if possible and he responded by letter in early July. I posted my email and his response in Notes on the Chauvin leaks (5). At that time he advised that public disclosure was inappropriate. Last week I called the courts press representative to ask if that remained the case. After checking with Judge Schiltzs chambers, she told me that it did. I signed up for automated notice of filings in the case from its inception. This morning I received a notice that another letter had been filed in the investigation. I was disappointed to see that the docket reflected that it too was under seal. When I clicked on the numerical docket entry for the letter, however, the letter materialized (below). I called Judge Schiltzs chambers to apprise the judge that the letter had not been filed under seal and that I had downloaded a copy. I understood it would be placed under seal by the clerks office and, after consulting with John Hinderaker, let it ride while we thought about what to do with it. Letter of Matthew Frank by Scott Johnson on Scribd This afternoon I received notice of filing of Judge Schiltzs letter below. I understand from Judge Schiltzs letter that he deems the letter above from Minnesota Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank to him public by virtue of my access to it. Judge Schiltzs letter to Frank below is public. Letter of Judge Schiltz by Scott Johnson on Scribd These letters are self-explanatory. I have nothing to add except to reiterate my hope that Judge Schiltz can successfully conclude his investigation and that the public can be kept apprised of the progress of the investigation in some fashion consistent with its object. As Scott has noted, the Biden administration now claims that having extracted around 6,000 Americans from Afghanistan, only a very few remaina few hundred, or maybe just one hundred. But these numbers are radically different from what the administration was telling us only days ago. The first estimate I saw from an administration spokesman was that there were between 5,000 and 10,000 Americans in Afghanistan. Just two weeks ago, Jen Psaki told us with seeming specificity that there were 11,000, or perhaps more: We are there have been how the process works, I should say Ill tell you is that there are individuals who will self-identify as American citizens that number is around 11,000. Beyond that around the country beyond that, though, there are individuals who may not have self-identified, who may come and request assistance and come to the airport. Were going to work to assist, of course, American citizens, but we also have a responsibility and an obligation to help the men and women who served by our sides, many of your the sides of your colleagues, as translators, and as interpreters, and our locally employed staff, and others. Q So, just to confirm, 11,000 in the entire country, not just in Kabul? MS. PSAKI: Well, I would just say, thats the self-identified number, right? So but we will continue to provide assistance. And we are prioritizing American citizens. We are also working to get additional officials out who have played an important role. There obviously was some kind of process in which around 11,000 people self-identified as American citizens, yet that number has now been dropped to 6,000. Why? Further, subsequent to Psakis August 17 press conference the administration estimated that there were 10,000 to 15,000 Americans in Afghanistan. If the Biden administration has tried to explain why its estimates of the number of Americans in Afghanistan, made just days ago, were so drastically off the mark, I havent seen it. Failing a meaningful explanation, one is tempted to assume the worst: that the administration has no idea how many Americans it has left to the mercy of the Taliban, and is simply pretending that there were around 6,000 Americans in-country when the evacuation began, because that is the number its pathetic operation was able to save. Yesterday organs of the Biden administration at the Pentagon and the State Department held briefings to announce the the departure of American forces from Afghanistan. The Pentagon has posted the transcript of Centcom Commander Kenneth McKenzies Pentagon briefing announcing the completion of our evacuation here. The Facebook video of the statement followed by questions and answers is below. Hours later the State Department released a recorded statement by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the video and text of which are posted here. I have embedded the video below. For those who have followed the administrations public statements over the past two weeks, these briefings could have come as no surprise. For others these statements have to be seen to be believed. They compound the disgrace of our surrender and exit. I would like to offer the following thoughts and observations in the form of bullet points. General McKenzie announced the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the military mission to evacuate American citizens, third-country nationals and vulnerable Afghans. Yet a shifting number of American citizens were left behind. The mission was the departure of the military by August 31. It is that mission which was completed. General McKenzies portrayal of successful completion of the military mission was public relations. In his statement General McKenzie did not acknowledge the American citizens left behind. In response to a question General McKenzie put the abandonment of these Americans this way: [N]one of them made it to the airport, and were able to be and were able to be accommodated. How many? [W]e think the citizens that were not brought out number [is] in the low very low hundreds. If the mission was to depart by the Biden/Taliban deadline of August 31, as I believe it was, they did the best they could. General McKenzie offered kind words on the Taliban: I will tell you, the Taliban had been very very pragmatic and very business-like as we have approached this withdrawal. We did not turn it over to the Taliban. General Donahue, one of the last things he did before leaving was talk to the Taliban commander that he had been coordinating with, as soon as at about the time we were going to leave, just to let him know that we were leaving. General McKenzie reported the demilitarization of equipment left behind at the Kabul airport. He made no mention of the $85 billion of equipment left behind elsewhere in Afghanistan according to the Times (UK) graphic below. A mind-blowing graphic in today's Times on what $85bn worth of lost equipment means in practice for the Taliban: pic.twitter.com/GDcuNQbb6P Will Brown (@_Will_Brown) August 29, 2021 As for the Americans left behind: I believe our Department of State is going to work very hard to allow any American citizens that are left and we think the citizens that were not brought out number in the low very low hundreds. Over to you, Antony Blinken. As has become the custom for the briefing by high administration officials, Blinken appeared two hours after the announced time. I imagine he was sitting around the table on the Seventh Floor with his speechwriters asking, What the hell do we say now? The video of Blinkens statement is bizarre. Looking slightly to the side of the camera, Blinken read his statement from a teleprompter. As though in response to his thoughts somebody get me out of here the door behind Blinken opened shortly after he began his remarks. Blinkens remarks raised a multitude of questions, yet he had nothing to say beyond his prepared statement. According to Blinken, twas a famous victory: More than 123,000 people have been safely flown out of Afghanistan. That includes about 6,000 American citizens. This has been a massive military, diplomatic, and humanitarian undertaking one of the most difficult in our nations history and an extraordinary feat of logistics and coordination under some of the most challenging circumstances imaginable. He handed out kudos like a starlet at the Academy Awards. Blinken magically reduced the number of Americans left behind from General McKenzies low hundreds: 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. All they know is that they left an indeterminate number of American citizens. We know they left behind one American hostage held by the Taliban. His name is Mark Freichs. Blinken recited the obligatory diplospeak: More than half the worlds countries have joined us in insisting that the Taliban let people travel outside Afghanistan freely. As of today, more than 100 countries have said that they expect the Taliban to honor travel authorizations by our countries. And just a few hours ago, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution that enshrines that responsibility laying the groundwork to hold the Taliban accountable if they renege. So, the international chorus on this is strong, and it will stay strong. We will hold the Taliban to their commitment on freedom of movement for foreign nationals, visa holders, at-risk Afghans. Translation: We are entirely dependent on the kindness of strangers terrorist strangers. Blinken provided this unreassuring reassurance: The Taliban has made a commitment to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghanistan as a base for external operations that could threaten the United States or our allies, including al-Qaida and the Talibans sworn enemy, ISIS-K. Going forward, Blinken stated, any engagement with a Taliban-led government in Kabul will be driven by one thing only: our vital national interests. Yet our departure has betrayed our vital national interests. Blinken could not be much clearer that he was dishing out a complete and utter crock: Our message is: any legitimacy and any support will have to be earned. The Taliban can do that by meeting commitments and obligations on freedom of travel; respecting the basic rights of the Afghan people, including women and minorities; upholding its commitments on counterterrorism; not carrying out reprisal violence against those who choose to stay in Afghanistan; and forming an inclusive government that can meet the needs and reflect the aspirations of the Afghan people. The main point I want to drive home here today is that Americas work in Afghanistan continues. We have a plan for whats next. Were putting it into action. Work is a term of art. It requires translation. It seems to mean humanitarian aid to the Afghan people. Where was Biden? He gave no public remarks on the departure. Rather, the White House released a written statement. He is to address the American people on [his] decision not to extend our presence in Afghanistan beyond August 31 this afternoon. Bidens statement turns to the military: 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. Biden only indirectly acknowledged the Americans he left behind: 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 episode has comprehensively disgraced our political, military, intelligence, and diplomatic establishments. We have stood witness to the epic national humiliation of the United States by Biden and his administration. As of today, the only official or officer to pay any price is Marine Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Scheller, who was relieved of his command for seeking accountability somewhere higher up in the chain of command. President Franklin Roosevelt designated December 7, 1941 a date which will live in infamy. The infamy attached to Japans sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. By the same token, August 30, 2021 is a date which will live in infamy, though in this case the infamy has been brought to us by the president himself. Realizing that there will be less bad news from Afghanistan in the coming days, the New York Times seems more inclined now to cover for Joe Biden. At least thats the sense I get from this report by my friend who is following the Times coverage of the debacle: Even as NYT catalogues important aspects of the Afghanistan disaster, it covers for Bidens worst failures. The Americans left behind are barely mentioned. A passing reference toward the end of a very long story is all we get. Were told that, a number of Americans, thought to be fewer than 300, remain, either by choice or because they were unable to reach the airport. We get in-depth coverage of Afghans left behind, including the sad story of stranded students from the American University of Afghanistan. So, why is there no story dedicated to the stranded Americans, the shifting and perhaps unreliable numbers provided by the administration, and, above all, Bidens broken promise to stay until all American citizens are safely evacuated? Even Bret Stephens, who savages Biden in a long dialogue with Gail Collins on the Op-Ed page, says nothing about the American citizens left behind. Collins, by the way, offers no defense of Biden. On the contrary, she predicts that hell be more honest about his mistakes in time. Is NYT being honest about Bidens mistakes right now? A front-page news analysis by Thomas Gibbons-Neff works to pin the blame on Trump, while passing over nearly every questionable decision by Biden. NYT has little to say of the vast American arsenal left behind for the Taliban. Readers of the Times will undoubtedly come away convinced that our exit from Afghanistan has been a disaster. Nonetheless, the most egregious features of the fiasco remain largely hidden from view. The New York Times isnt as hard on Joe Biden as it should be, but it isnt giving him the kind of cover Bidens backers would like to see (and probably expect). My friend who is following the Times coverage of the Afghanistan fiasco filed this report on todays edition: NYTs core news coverage does relatively little to protect Biden. The drone attack gets a headline, but the article quickly notes that the U.S. is leaving untold thousands of Afghans who helped us behind. The piece calls our exit chaotic and bloody. Another article focuses on fears that American-allied Afghans will be killed, despite Taliban assurances to the contrary. Another article covers Biden at the transfer ceremony for the bodies of the slain American soldiers. On the other hand, although the crucial matter of American citizens left behind is not ignored by NYT, it is not much of a focus either. Arguably, the Times is pulling its punches on this to minimize damage to Biden. Curiously, one article says that according to the U.S., about 250 American citizens still in Afghanistan are trying to leave, some of whom were already at the airport. Yet an article on the next page says, The State Department said an additional 350 Americans were still waiting to be evacuated as of Saturday. Why do these numbers differ? Do they include Americans trapped outside of Kabul? Do they represent what the administration claims to be the total number of American citizens who want to leave who are left in country? None of this is clear. The status of stranded American citizens ought to be subject to the sort of detailed coverage the Times is devoting to our Afghan allies, but we are offered nothing of the sort. The Op-Ed page features a piece by Dennis Ross, an American diplomat whos worked under Republican and Democratic administrations. Ross makes the case that U.S. credibility has not been dealt a mortal blow or forever doomed. This is a straw man. Ross concedes that American credibility has taken a significant hit, and that is what counts. Strikingly, Ross calls on Biden to extend the withdrawal deadline so as to evacuate all Americans, and all Afghans who worked with us. I see no sign that Biden will do this. So even an Op-Ed that beats a straw man in order to minimize Bidens blow to American credibility implicitly criticizes the president by calling on him not to desert our citizens and allies. There is no covering for this fiasco. ADVERTISEMENT The Central Bank of Nigeria will work with Bitt Inc, a Barbados-based fintech company, as a technical partner to help it launch Nigerias digital currency. According to a release by the banks spokesperson, Osita Nwanisobi, the governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele listed the benefits of the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to include increased cross-border trade, accelerated financial inclusion, cheaper and faster remittance inflows, easier targeted social interventions, as well as improvements in monetary policy effectiveness, payment systems efficiency, and tax collection. Project Giant, as the Nigerian CBDC pilot is known, has been a long and thorough process for the CBN, with the Banks decision to digitize the Naira in 2017, following extensive research and explorations. Given the significant explosion in the use of digital payments and the rise in the digital economy, the CBNs decision follows an unmistakable global trend in which over 85 percent of Central Banks are now considering adopting digital currencies in their countries, he said. It said the selection of Bitt Inc, from among highly competitive bidders, was hinged on the companys technological competence, efficiency, platform security, interoperability, and implementation experience. READ ALSO: In choosing Bitt Inc, the CBN will rely on the companys tested and proven digital currency experience, which is already in circulation in several Eastern Caribbean Countries. Bitt Inc. was key to the development and successful launch of the central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) in April 2021, it said. Bitt offers a mobile solution that uses CBDC for payments, top-ups, bill payments, government fees, taxes, local and cross-border person-to-person payments. In June 2020, the CBN had announced that its digital currency will be launched by the end of 2021. The announcement came months after it banned financial institutions from cryptocurrency-related transactions in the country, claiming the digital currency is used for money laundering and terrorism. ADVERTISEMENT The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has said the federal governments plan to increase the nations oil and gas reserves, are on course, and is being boosted by strategic policies and programmes. The Head, Public Affairs, DPR, Paul Osu, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos. Mr Osu said the national aspiration of Nigeria was to increase its reserves from 36.91 billion barrels to 50 billion barrels, in the short to midterm. He said the government was also targeting increasing Nigerias proven gas reserves from 206.53TCF to 250TCF. According to him, the strategic focus for Upstream includes bid rounds, reserve growth, increased production and reduction of production cost per barrel. READ ALSO: Mr Osu said a majority of the companies that won the bid for the nations 57 marginal oilfields, had paid their signature bonuses to the Federal Government. He noted that about 600,000 barrels of crude oil per day, would be added to Nigerias production volume within the next few years, when the fields begin production. Mr Osu said the government was also looking at increasing frontier exploration activities, which had been boosted by the recent signing of the Petroleum Industry Act, by President Muhammadu Buhari. In terms of increasing production, he said the DPR had initiated the Maximum Economic Recovery ( MER) strategy for the oil and gas industry and would be rewarding deserving individuals and companies. Mr Osu said plans to reduce the cost of production to $10pb was still being implemented and was achievable to attract more investors to the sector. He said the DPR would continue to create opportunities for investors and stakeholders in the oil and gas industry and enable the successes of businesses, using its service instruments of licences, permits, and approvals. (NAN) Nigeria has recorded one additional fatality from the COVID-19 pandemic with 460 fresh cases reported across 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This is as civil societies and the government of Edo State, South-south Nigeria, have disagreed over the latters decision to make evidence of vaccination the access key to some important gatherings and locations. The workers in the states health ministry have also been given a seven-day ultimatum to get vaccinated. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), in an update shared on its Facebook page late Monday night, said the countrys fatality toll from the disease now stands at 2,455. The disease centre said the latest figure of confirmed cases has increased Nigerias infection toll to 191,805 among which the active cases are 10,858. Breakdown A breakdown of the NCDC data reveals that Rivers State reported the highest figure of 164 cases while Lagos State came second on the log with 139 infections. Edo State recorded 61 to rank third. The FCT ranks fourth with 37 cases, while Bayelsa State recorded 20 cases to take the fifth slot, followed by Oyo State with 14 cases, Plateau State, seven while Ogun State recorded six cases. Anambra and Benue states reported four cases each, followed by Enugu State with two cases, while Cross River and Kaduna states recorded one case each. Crisis rocks Edo over vaccination On Monday, a coalition of civil societies in Edo State defied heavy downpour to stage a protest over the states policy on mandatory vaccination for residents. Governor Godwin Obaseki of the state had said residents without proof of COVID-19 vaccination would be barred from public facilities and large gatherings. READ ALSO: He made this known during the flag-off of the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination in Benin, the state capital, where he lamented the increasing cases of infections in the state. Mr Obaseki had said from September 15, anyone who had yet to take the vaccine would not be allowed into public places, such as banks and worship centres. With what we have seen so far, COVID-19 pandemic is here to stay. This is the third wave and there is nothing that points to the fact that other waves will not come. What we are likely to see is intermittent waves of this pandemic. We are not going to shut down Edo State but we will make sure we protect all Edo citizens. Therefore, I have come out with the following regulations, beginning from the second week of September 2021, large gatherings as well as high traffic public and private places will only be accessed by persons who have proof of taking at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, the governor had said. Similarly, in a memo dated August 30, with reference number HA.429/1/16, the permanent secretary of the states health ministry, Frederick Irabor, said officials of the ministry were given a seven-day ultimatum to get vaccinated against the pandemic. COVID-19 statistics in Edo Edo, with a total of 5,402 cases and 316 fatalities is Nigerias 6th most ravaged states by the virus, and 7th if the FCT is given a state status. The state trails Lagos, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rivers, Kaduna, Plateau and Oyo States. CSOs kick On Monday, The Punch newspapers reported that amidst the heavy downpour in the state, protesters, who wore shirts with inscriptions such as My Life, My Right, walked around the city and converged on the Government House, protesting against what they described as Mr Obasekis forced vaccination and restriction of movement policy. ADVERTISEMENT They were led by Chris Iyama, with the interim state chairman, Edo civil society, Osadolor Ochei, insisting that it is the right of citizens to decide whether to be vaccinated or not. Governor Obaseki must rescind his decision. That decision will not stand. The governor did not seek our opinion. We are giving the governor seven days, Mr Iyama reportedly said. Reports of fighting emerged on Tuesday from the one part of Afghanistan not under Taliban control, even as the fundamentalist group asserted its control on Kabul. These happened hours after the final U.S. troops ended the countrys 20-year presence there. Resistance fighters in Panjir reported an offensive by Taliban forces. About seven or eight Taliban fighters died in the Monday offensive, according Fahim Dashti, a spokesperson for the forces in Panjir, speaking on a Whatsapp video. He also noted that many people had been wounded on his side. Panjir was the only district that was not taken in the Talibans offensive this month. It was taken in 1996-2001, partially because the region was only accessible through a valley that was relatively easy to defend. The Taliban made no comment. It has made relatively few assaults on Panjir even as it took over the rest of the country. Meanwhile, Kabul residents reported calm in the Afghan capital on Tuesday, in the wake of the U.S. departure. The city is quiet, said Lotfullah, who lives in central Kabul. Most shops in the Shahr-e Nau district were open, but only had a few customers, he said. A few banks reopened their largest branches on Tuesday, just more than two weeks after the Taliban reconquered the country, and hundreds of people stood in line to withdraw money. In the streets, few members of the Taliban were in evidence. Most were guarding buildings, mainly government offices. One resident of the Dasht-e Barchi district in western Kabul said private and public schools had reopened for the first time since the Taliban took power in mid-August. All pupils up to the sixth grade have returned to school, he said. A day earlier, the final U.S. troops left Kabul, bringing to an end a tense evacuation mission and a 20-year war in Afghanistan. The U.S. had begun planning its departure in 2020, after a deal between the Trump administration and the Taliban, and President Joe Biden carried on with the plan. He had expected to hand control to a Western-backed government, not the people the U.S. had been fighting for two decades. Taliban members were thus jubilant. Their forces had occupied the citys airport, which had been the last haven of U.S. control as Washington and its allies executed a desperate airlift operation for the last two weeks to get Westerners and their allies out of the country. ADVERTISEMENT Taliban members guarding the airport now are virtually indistinguishable from the U.S. troops who had guarded it up until Monday, having raided abandoned supplies and making use of uniforms and equipment left behind. Were writing history again. The 20-year occupation of Afghanistan by the U.S. and NATO ended this evening. God is great, was one cry. Meanwhile, Afghan womens rights activist, Fawzia Koofi, called on the Taliban to rebuild the country in an inclusive way. After 20 years of the presence of U.S. and NATO forces, and all the promises made to civil society, women and young people, that chapter has abruptly closed, Koofi said in a tweet. Our wealth is our young girls and boys. Taliban, hear us out: we must rebuild together! This land belongs to all of us, she said. Meanwhile, governments around the world are weighing how to deal with the Taliban. While the E.U. is worrying about the impact of a new refugee surge, many of its member countries and the U.S. say they were still going to talk to the Taliban about evacuating any citizens still left in Afghanistan. China, meanwhile, promised closer ties to Afghanistan and chided the U.S. for trying to impose its own values on another nation. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday said the new COVID-19 variant which was first detected in South Africa, does not appear to be spreading. WHO spokesperson, Margaret Harris told a UN briefing, that the variant, labelled C.1.2., was not currently classified as a variant of concern by the UN health agency as it was monitoring the variant as it evolves. Earlier, South African scientists said the new variant comes with multiple mutations but they are yet to establish whether it is more contagious or able to overcome the immunity provided by vaccines or prior infection. The scientist said the C.1.2. contains many mutations associated in other variants with increased transmissibility and reduced sensitivity to neutralising antibodies but they occur in a different mix. Scientists said they are not sure yet how they affect the behaviour of the virus but that laboratory tests are underway to establish how well the variant is neutralised by antibodies. South Africa was the first country to detect the Beta variant, one of only four labelled of concern by the WHO. Genomic sequencing data from South Africa shows that the C.1.2 variant was still nowhere near displacing the dominant Delta variant. Delta is the fastest and fittest variant the world has encountered, and it is upending assumptions about COVID-19 even as nations loosen restrictions and reopen their economies. However, a spokesman for South Africas health department declined to comment on the research. South Africas COVID-19 vaccination campaign got off to a slow start, with only around 14 per cent of its adult population fully vaccinated so far. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT A commercial motorcyclist, Bakari Samaila, on Tuesday, appeared before a Lagos Magistrates Court sitting at Tinubu for allegedly posing as a naval personnel to evade arrest. Mr Samaila, 30, is facing trial on a four-count charge of impersonation, unlawful possession of naval identification card, vest, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace. The prosecutor, Ajaga Agboko, told the court that on August 27, at 2:30 p.m. at Ajose Adeogun Street, off Victoria Island, Lagos, the defendant unlawfully presented himself as a naval personnel. He said the defendant presented himself as a naval officer by wearing a naval vest and military nose mask. The defendant presented a naval identification card to policemen on patrol to avoid his motorcycle from being impounded. He conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace, Agboko said. According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 77 (a) (b) and 168 (d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge against him. The Magistrate, T. O. Babalola, granted him bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum. He ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government. Mr Babalola adjourned the case until September 29 for mention. (NAN) Security experts and analysts generally do not think highly of a bill before the National Assembly that seeks to criminalise payment of ransom to kidnappers. The bill seeks to amend the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013. It was sponsored by the senator representing Imo East Senatorial District, Ezenwa Onyewuchi, and prescribes a 15-year jail term for anyone in Nigeria who pays ransom to free a kidnapped victim. The bill, which has scaled second reading, was presented at the Senate plenary in July. According to Mr Onyewuchi, the bill essentially seeks to substitute Section 14 of the Principal Act, which reads: Anyone who transfers funds, makes payment or colludes with an abductor, kidnapper or terrorist to receive any ransom for the release of any person who has been wrongfully confined, imprisoned or kidnapped is guilty of a felony and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years. Mr Onyewuchi said history had shown that even when ransom was paid, the life or safe return of a kidnapped victim was not guaranteed. But lawyers dismissed the bill as dead on arrival and impractical even if passed by the federal lawmakers. For instance, how can you determine proof of ransom which requires a kidnapper to come and confirm that he collected ransom? asked Frank Tie-Tie, a human rights lawyer. It is impractical and the National Assembly should not waste scarce resources on a venture that serves no cause, he said. Dead on arrival? Timothy Avele, the Managing Director of Agent-X Security LTD, said the bill is essentially a death sentence on kidnap victims and their families if it can be enforced. Ikemesit Effiong, head of research at SBM, said the bill is emblematic of policy thinking that focuses on the wrong end of the spectrum. The law seeks to criminalise the legitimate and quite honestly, one of the most human of instincts the desire of everyone not to allow their loved ones go through pain or suffering. READ ALSO: It is wrong and immoral of a government which has failed to deliver on protecting the lives and properties of Nigerian households all over the country, he said. Mr Effiong said ransom demand, while being a driver of kidnapping, is not one of the key drivers. It is the structural economic, political and social drivers of the problem that should occupy lawmakers, not people trying to secure the freedom of their loved ones. Impractical Mr Tie-Tie stressed that such a law cannot be enforced. Some laws are naturally unenforceable. No matter how you make them, you cannot enforce them because they are unnatural and are bound to die a natural death for lack of enforcement, he explained. When this bill becomes a law, it will be useless, so why embark on such a venture? People will not obey it and it will have no effect. Mr Tie-Tie said the proposal is highly insensitive, considering the fact that security forces have been unable to stem the tide of insecurity in the country, especially kidnapping and banditry. When these occasions happen, the victims with their families are left helpless. There is no encouraging history of the police rescuing kidnap victims in the past and present, therefore the citizens can only resort to self-help which is negotiating with the kidnappers and bandits for the purpose of releasing their loved ones. This is the reality of Nigeria today. To start criminalising self-help without providing security and other alternative help to the citizenry is not only insensitive but highly irresponsible of any arm of government, particularly the National Assembly at this point. ADVERTISEMENT Nzube Akunne, a Lagos-based lawyer, agrees with Mr Tie-Tie. Our criminal jurisprudence hovers around two main pillars of mens rea [intent] and actus reus [the physical act] and which may be lacking in ingredients for the offence to be created by the payment of ransom to secure the release of a kidnapped victim, especially where the ransom is paid in cash and without any trace and the perpetrators cannot be apprehended. It will therefore be difficult for the law enforcement agencies and the eventual prosecutor(s) to prove the offence in a court of law, Mr Akunne said. I doubt it (the bill) will move the needle. In a country where ransom amounts are rarely ever disclosed and Nigerians are left to their devices in terms of negotiating with these gangs, I struggle to imagine how the government will be able to enforce this law, SMBs Mr Effiong said. Thriving business Insurgents and other armed groups have found kidnapping for ransom lucrative, making the crime pervasive in Nigeria. High-profile Nigerians used to be the target of kidnappers but this has changed with the highways now the hunting ground for kidnappers with ordinary Nigerian becoming preys. In 2015, James Adichie, a professor of statistics and father of award-winning novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, paid an undisclosed amount of ransom for his release following his kidnapping on a highway in the southeastern part of the country. But in recent times, as the industry spreads across the country, people in low and middle-income classes are increasingly becoming targets. According to a report by SB Morgen (SBM) Intelligence, a security and political risk analysis firm, there were fewer incidents of individual kidnappings, and larger amounts changing hands in the past half decade compared to now when there are a lot more incidents for smaller amounts. But the sheer number of incidents, speaking to the democratisation of the kidnap industry, indicates that the kidnap economy now makes more money. The SBM report revealed that between June 2011 and the end of March 2020, at least $18.34 million was paid to kidnappers as ransom in Nigeria and the larger proportion of that figure (just below $11 million) was paid out between January 2016 and March 2020. Soft targets With northern Nigeria increasingly becoming more volatile with violent activities, the bigger and more organised armed groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP are turning their attention to softer targets such as schools and public institutions, leaving individual and highway kidnap bounties for smaller criminal gangs. Since last December, armed groups seeking ransom have kidnapped nearly 1, 000 students and pupils from boarding schools and other educational facilities in at least six separate incidents across northern Nigeria. These incidents occurred mainly in Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Borno, Yobe, Benue with Niger State being the most recent. About 200 children were kidnapped from an Islamic school in Niger State. The parents of such students were left to pay ransom to the kidnappers for the release of their children. PREMIUM TIMES reported how about 20 students of Greenfield University were freed after 40 days in captivity. Their parents reportedly paid over N100 million to the kidnappers who demanded more money. Double-standard? Meanwhile, security experts believe in most cases where students were kidnapped, the government negotiated with the terror groups and paid ransom even though they always denied such transaction. For instance, on December 11, 2020, more than 300 boys were abducted from their boarding school in the town of Kankara, Katsina State. Boko Haram claimed responsibility and the boys were released after six days following reported negotiation with the authorities. But the government typically denied any ransom was paid. Many have also criticised certain state governments such as in Katsina and Zamfara for negotiating with bandits and introducing amnesty schemes, saying such negotiations embolden criminal activities as perpetrators know they can at least negotiate conditions for safety or even get paid huge ransoms. While alluding that negotiating with armed groups is not the solution, analysts say the government is applying double standard by criminalising payment for ransom to kidnappers while also negotiating with abductors. In a Twitter post earlier this year, President Muhammadu Buhari charged security agents to improve security around schools and warned that the policy of rewarding bandits with money and vehicles could backfire with disastrous consequences. Yet, Mr Buhari in March 2018 announced that his government was ready to accept the unconditional laying down of arms by any member of the Boko Haram group who shows strong commitment in that regard. Come to think of it, security agencies are paying ransom to free their kidnapped staff. Federal and state authorities are also paying, Mr Avele observed. As it stands now, in view of the current security challenges and inability of the security agencies to do anything to tame the beast, the bill is essentially a death sentence on kidnapped victims and their families. Military operations involving the bombing of suspected hideouts of kidnappers have been deployed by authorities but with the countrys porous borders and vast forests, the proliferation of arms and secessionist tensions, the war against insurgency, security forces are over-stretched, poorly paid and underequipped, while the police forces are largely centralised. Grim indices In April 2018, UNICEF reported that Boko Haram had abducted more than 1,000 children since 2013, including 276 girls from Chibok in Borno State and 113 from Dapchi in Yobe State. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), using data from law enforcement agencies of member states, 277 kidnappings were reported in Nigeria in 2007; 309 in 2008; 703 in 2009; 738 in 2010; 600 in 2012; and 574 in 2013. No data were provided for 2011. In 2015, the Nigeria Police Force reported 886 kidnappings. About 630 people were reportedly abducted between May 2016 and May 2017. A recent Bulwark Intelligence threat analysis indicated that kidnapping figures remained relatively stable in 2017 and 2018. Nigeria also has one of the worlds highest rates of kidnap-for-ransom cases. Other countries high up on the list included Venezuela, Mexico, Yemen, Syria, the Philippines, Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. Meanwhile, some Nigerian researchers believe many kidnap victims and missing persons were abducted for ritual purposes rather than for ransom or any political objectives. Underreported? While kidnapping incidents are generally underreported in Nigeria, security experts believe a law criminalising payment for ransom will further result in a lack of official crime data as many people would rather keep the negotiation with the kidnappers secret than involve security agents, for fear of jeopardising the chances of their loved ones freedom. Many kidnap victims have been killed in the course of their abduction, custody or release. Way forward For Mr Avele, the way out is for the security, intelligence and military forces to confront kidnappers and their sponsors headlong. Hit their forest bases continually until they could no longer feel safe or use the forest as bases and hideout. I strongly suggest specially equipped clandestine tactical ghost teams to do the hunting, backed by actionable intelligence operations. State governments must be ready to fund such special tactical teams with logistics. The team should be made of highly motivated officers with guarantee to fully support their families should they be killed in action. No time left. With the way insecurity is spreading fast all over the country, very soon the senators will not be able to go back to their bases for any kind of campaign, thats if even their Abuja base will not be overrun soon. Mr Akunne urged the government to address the security challenges rather than seek to punish innocent citizens trying to secure the lives of their loved ones. They should not adopt this imbalance strategy to shy away from their primary duties of securing lives and properties of the citizens, he concluded. President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the payment of a controversial $418million in Paris Club refund-related judgment debts to six creditors, ignoring the Nigerian governors objection to the legitimacy of the claims. PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday exclusively obtained a finance ministrys correspondence asking the Debt Management Office (DMO) to commence issuance of promissory notes to the creditors, the means of payment approved by Mr Buhari. The development is against the governors protest and calls for a forensic audit into the suspicious claims of the creditors. The debts had accrued from court judgments awarding the creditors, as consultants and contractors, various sums of money amounting to about $418million. Some of the creditors claimed to have earned their shares of the money through consultancy services of helping state and local governments to recover funds over-deducted by the federal government from their allocations between 1995 and 2002 to service the London Club and Paris Club loans. Others were purportedly engaged to execute certain projects in all the 774 local governments in anticipation of being paid from the Paris Club refunds. The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) said the contracts were largely unexecuted. PREMIUM TIMES had in series of exclusive reports exposed wide-ranging legitimacy issues, including non-execution of agreed contracts and backdoor deals raised against the indebtedness from various quarters. The Kayode Fayemi-led Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), ALGON, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had in separate correspondences to relevant authorities, expressed concerns about the indebtedness. The Ekiti State governor, since taking over as the NGF chairperson in 2019, has been seeking a review of the humongous indebtedness calling for a forensic audit into the agreements leading to the court judgments. In February, the National Executive Council (NEC), led by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and has the 36 states governors, and some other top federal government officials, as members, also threw its weight behind the NGFs demand for a suspension of the planned payments for a forensic audit to be done. Subsequently, in April, the NGF, through its lawyer, Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, wrote the finance minister, Zainab Ahmed, asking her to suspend moves to begin paying the money as it was set to file appeals against the judgments. Presidential approval despite concerns The fresh document obtained by this newspaper on Tuesday shows that Mr Buhari has shoved the issues raised, by authorising the Federal Ministry of Finance to issue promissory notes to the creditors. The promissory notes, as revealed in our previous reports, are to be funded through deductions from states and local governments monthly allocations over a period of 10 years. Citing Mr Buharis approval letter dated January 11, 2021, the letter signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Aliyu Ahmed, obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, asked the Debt Management Office (DMO) to issue the promissory notes to the creditors. The letter dated and received by the DMO on August 12, is titled, Authorisation to issue promissory notes in favour of Category A judgment creditors. I write to convey the approval of the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning (HMFBNP) for the Debt Management Office (DMO) to issue Promissory Notes in favour of Category A judgment creditors in the reconciled list of judgment debts in compliance with various court orders and judgments and the approval of Mr. President. ADVERTISEMENT You will recall that Mr. President had in a letter dated 11 January 2021, approved the issuance of Promissory Notes to liquidate various categories of judgment debts to wit: (Categories A, B1, B2, and C) against Federal Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs); States and Local Governments Councils. (Please find copy attached as Annex A), the letter read in part. Creditors Our previous reports had revealed the list of creditors in the Category A judgment creditors list to comprise six persons and entities being owed a total of $418,953,670.59. The beneficiaries include a former member of the House of Representatives, politician and lawyer, Ned Nwoko, who is laying claim to $142,028,941 via a consent judgment he obtained from the Federal High Court in Abuja in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/148/2017. Three beneficiaries laying claim to $143,463,577.76 via a judgment of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/2129/2014 are: Riok Nigeria Ltd, Orji Nwafor Orizu, and Olaitan Bello. From the total money, Riok Nigeria Limited has a share of $142,028,941.95 (about N54 billion), Mr Nwafor is entitled to $1,219,440.45 and Mr Bello has a share of $215,159.36. The claimant with the singular lion share is Ted Iseghoghi Edwards, who is laying claim to $159,000,000 through a judgment he obtained from the FCT High Court in suit number FCT/CV/1545/2015. A firm, Panic Alert Security System Limited, owned by George Uboh, is also laying claim to $47,831,920 based on another consent judgment it obtained in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/123/2018, which was filed as recently as 2018. How creditors will get promissory notes The finance ministrys letter to the DMO seen by this newspaper detailed how the creditors would receive their promissory notes. The ministrys permanent secretary who signed the letter said, for Mr Nwoko, who had obtained an order of mandamus issued by the court, the promissory notes due to him and one Gregory Lar should be delivered to them directly. For Riok Nigeria Ltd, Orji Nwafor Orizu and Olaitan Bello, the letter stipulated that their promissory notes should be delivered to the Chief Registrar of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. It added that promissory note due to Ted Iseghohi Edwards, Panic Alert Security System, should be delivered to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Abuja in line with the order of court. Condition As a condition for issuing promissory notes, the beneficiaries would sign an agreement to receive promissory notes in lieu of cash, says the letter by Mr Ahmed, the finance ministrys permanent secretary. It is to be noted that, the letter reads, partly, that as advised by Mr Malami in his letter, all the beneficiaries of the Promissory Notes, as a condition precedent, shall execute appropriate Acceptance and Undertaking that they accept the Promissory Notes in lieu of cash payment as full and final settlement of their claims, thereby discharging the FGN (Federal Government of Nigeria) from all liabilities regarding the subject of their claims. How controversies started The monetary claims of the creditors, like the court proceedings validating them, are dogged by many controversies which PREMIUM TIMES previous reports have revealed. The foundation of the humongous debts appeared to have been laid by ALGON in 2013. Then, the leadership of ALGON, acting in concert with some of the claimants, went to court to challenge what they described as the federal governments unilateral deduction of the funds from the federation account to service the foreign debts without the consent of the third tier of governments in the country. Curiously, the 774 local governments, coordinated by ALGON, filed the suit as the principal plaintiffs and joined the consultants and contractors as co-plaintiffs, for their roles providing legal and consultancy services to help secure the Paris Club refund. Between 2013 and 2018, a series of similar suits relating to the Paris and London clubs money were filed in court with ALGON and past leaderships of the NGF giving tacit support to the contractors and consultants. At the end of the day, some of the cases were feebly defended, while others were consented to by the defendants, including past NGF leaderships and ALGON. With little or no opposition, judgments later began to fly around with huge awards in millions of dollars issued by the courts in favour of the claimants. Red flags against payments In a report of an investigation carried out at the behest of the AGF, the EFCC would later state that at least a part of the debts is unjustifiable. Mr Malami, in his letter dated July 17, 2020, sent to the Presidents Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, acknowledged the finding by the EFCC questioning the legitimacy of the $159 million being claimed by Mr Iseghoghi-Edwards, one of the six judgment creditors. He said in the letter that the recent EFCC report shows that Mr Iseghoghi-Edwards is not entitled to this sum. Aside from EFCC report, Mr Malami also received two letters authored by successive presidents of ALGON in 2018 and 2019 protesting the judgment claims credited to Ted Iseghoghi-Edwards and RIOK Nigeria Limited. In the letter dated September 10, 2018, with reference number, ALGON/NP/FMJ/VOL1/001/18, and which was received by the AGF office on September 13, 2018, the then ALGON President, Gambo Kagara, informed Mr Malami that neither Mr Iseghoghi-Edwards nor his law firm, worked for the association as claimed by them in the recovery of the refund of the over-deducted Paris Club loans to be entitled to any payment. Mr Kagaras letter, which was a reply to an earlier inquiry by Mr Malami, explained that ALGON actually engaged the services of some lawyers that represented the association and by extension its members during the litigation process that ended in favour of the association. But it added, A perusal of all the relevant court records will show that neither Dr Ted Edward nor Edwards and Partners were counsel on records throughout the entire court proceedings. Concerning RIOK, which is laying claim to a court judgment awarding it over $142million as its share of the Paris Club refunds, Mr Kagara stated that there was no evidence the firm executed the contracts it was awarded by ALGON in December 2013 to be entitled to the monetary claim. His letter to Mr Malami reads in part, ALGON via an award letter dated December 17, 2013, awarded a contract to RIOK Nigeria Limited for the provision of boreholes and other water reticulating apparatus in all the 774 Local Governments and Area Councils in Nigeria. This was subsequently followed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) executed by both parties. The entire contract sum was $318,807,950,596, to be funded from the Paris Club refund funds accruable to Local Governments. From ALGONs records, there is no evidence that RIOK has executed the required job. It added that there was also no communication from the company informing ALGON of the job execution/completion. No job inspection has been carried out by ALGON and RIOK has not formally handed over any site of job completion; no certification of job completion has been issued to RIOK; consequently, the association categorically denies execution of the work by RIOK to justify any claims for payment, the letter added. ALGON, under a new administration led by Kolade Alabi as president, wrote another letter dated October 8, 2019, to Mr Malami, restating the associations position on the judgment debts as canvassed in Mr Kagaras September 10, 2018 correspondence. In another outlandish case, George Uboh, owner of Panic Alert Security System Limited, laying claim to $47.8 million, revealed that his entitlement to the money accrued from helping NGF to pressure a sitting judge to reverse a $478 million judgment. He stated, I pressured a sitting judge to reverse a $478 Million USD judgment awarded to contractors that were not a party to the underlying suit. I have sacrificed enough for my country way more than you have. After saving the NGF $478 million USD and being detained, dont I deserve 10 per cent ($47.8M); or is it a case of the pidgin parlance monkey work, baboon chop. Gambari, Malami, Zainab Ahmeds desperate push Our reports revealed how three influential officials of the Presidents Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, the AGF, Mr Malami, and the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, have been spearheading the desperate moves to pay the creditors in disregard for all the red flags. Of the three, Mr Malami is the only one that has been in the picture since 2016 when the conversations among top echelons of the Buhari administration about payment of governments judgment debts started. Mrs Ahmed only became involved following her appointment as finance minister after her predecessor, Kemi Adeosun, resigned in September 2018 in the wake of her NYSC certificate forgery scandal. On his part, Mr Gambari got involved in the matter following his appointment in May 2020 after the death of his predecessor, Abba Kyari, who died from COVID-19 complications in April 2020. Mr Malami had in response to our reports denied any wrongdoing. But he has refused to answer the 10 questions raised by PREMIUM TIMES pointing out gaps in the statement issued in defence of his action. The third wave of COVID-19 appears to be stabilising in Africa, says Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Representative to Nigeria. Mr Mulombo, who stated this at a National Vaccines briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, however, added that the number of new cases was still very high, with almost 248, 000 reported in the past week. He said that the trend on the continent was that each new wave struck Africa faster and harder, reaching a higher number of new cases, more rapidly than the previous wave. This puts an increasing strain on already stretched health facilities and health workers. The good news is that, increasing vaccine supplies raises hope that the continent will meet the target of vaccinating 10 per cent of the population by the end of September, he said. He noted that equitable access to safe and effective vaccines was critical to ending the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that it was hugely encouraging to see vaccines listed for emergency use by WHO, being available for use in Nigeria. However, to understand the recent upward trend that Nigeria is experiencing, we must remind ourselves that: weak observance of preventive measures, increased population movement and interaction have heightened the risk of COVID-19 resurgence in many states. These factors can contribute to increased case numbers. This ebb and flow in the pandemics transmission dynamics is expected and is likely to continue, until a sizeable proportion of the Nigerian population is vaccinated. We have also been asked, at what point would WHO reconsider its position on booster doses. The answer is, first, WHO is looking carefully at the outcome, which is of most relevance from a public health perspective, that is the severe disease, hospitalisation and death outcomes. The second consideration is the consistency of the findings. Acting on a single study is just not a sound policy basis. So, we are including the entirety of the evidence. The third consideration is around the issue of the risk groups. Recommendations around the use of booster doses will very much be tailored to risk groups which may experience some change in the performance of the vaccines over a period, he added. The WHO representative said it was important to look at future scenarios, and Nigerians must continue to do everything possible to protect themselves now. Therefore, WHO continues to recommend a strong public health response, and for individuals to continue to protect themselves by getting vaccinated, maintaining a physical distance, wearing a mask, avoiding poorly ventilated spaces, cleaning hands and following respiratory hygiene, he explained. He added that journalists were critical in amplifying these messages. Vaccination drive Also speaking, representative of UNICEF in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, commended Nigeria for the successful commencement of its second phase of vaccination. Mr Hawkins also congratulated COVAX for successfully bringing all the vaccine consignments received in Nigeria as part of the COVAX facility, a partnership between CEPI, GAVI, UNICEF and WHO. He noted that the partnership was committed to ensuring equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. ADVERTISEMENT The UNICEF representative also said that there was now an opportunity for those 1.2 million people who took their first dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines to ensure they took their second dose before the end of September, to ensure full protection. He urged Nigerians to meet their obligations by getting vaccinated and ensuring that the vaccines were not wasted, commending the country for administering between 60 to 70,000 doses everyday. Nigeria recently received an additional four million and eighty (4,000,080) Moderna vaccine doses, donated by the U.S and also received 1,292,640 doses of Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines, donated by the UK government. This is in addition to receiving the first shipment of 177,600 of Johnson and Johnson vaccine doses from the African Union (AU), single-shot vaccines under the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT). (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT Nigerias Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has hailed the recent reports of the surrender of some Boko Haram terrorists to the military. He described it as a welcome development as he urged more terrorists to lay down their arms. He made these comments in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on Monday, according to a statement by his media aide, Ola Awoniyi. Mr Lawan who was accompanied by the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, was on a condolence visit to the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar El-Kanemi, who lost his elder brother and also to the family of former Foreign Affairs minister, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe over the death of his mother-in-law. While he condoled with the Monarch, he praised the Buhari-led administration for collaborating with the state to maintain peace and stability in the state. I want to take this opportunity to mention that the Federal Government of Nigeria will continue to work with Borno State Government to ensure that there is restoration of peace and stability in this state and in this part of the country. The recent surrender by Boko Haram elements is a good development for the security of this country. Personally I believe that the federal government must work with the Borno State Government and other states in this part of the country to ensure that those that have been received are appropriately processed. READ ALSO: Those that have no issues to answer are sanitised and taken back to their communities. Those that may have issues to answer should be taken through the legal process but we must ensure that we encourage Boko Haram elements and those they have taken by force to come out to surrender so that this unnecessary insurgency placed on us comes to an end. I believe there is no need for any controversy over what we need to do with people who surrendered. In any war, in every war, surrender is the ultimate and if we can achieve it, we should do everything and anything possible to encourage more and more to come out so that we are able to come to the end of this unnecessary insurgency that has taken our states back for so many years in terms of development, he said. Despite complaints by security agencies, the lawmaker further said the federal government has provided so much resources for them to end insecurity. This is even as he said more resources will be provided for the agencies in the 2022 budget. Mr Lawans comment comes about a day after community leaders in the state agreed to accept about 3,000 repentant Boko Haram terrorists into their communities whom they said had laid down their arms and surrendered to the Nigerian military. PREMIUM TIMES, however, reported that on the heels of the massive surrender, some residents (mostly civilians) of the state have fled after terrorists suspected to be members of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram attacked a military unit and other locations in Rann town, Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State. The Senate President is one of the lawmakers who have shown support for amnesty for repentant terrorists. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission says it is set to commence the third phase of its Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Exercise. ICPC spokesperson, Azuka Ogugwa, said in a statement on Tuesday that the tracking process would take place in 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Along with FCT, the states are: Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Plateau and Kogi. Others are Benue, Ondo, Osun, Lagos, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Edo, Anambra and Imo. The commission said the tracking exercise would focus on key sectors including agriculture, education, power, health and water resources. It said 1,024 constituency and 227 executive projects, summing up to 1,251 projects, appropriated for in the 2019 and 2020, would be tracked during the exercise. A total of 1,251 projects executed within the 2019 and 2020 appropriations have been listed for tracking in this third phase. These include 1,024 constituency and 227 executive projects respectively, the commission stated. It also said it was following up with other projects from its previous tracking exercises through community sensitisation and enlightenment programmes, receipt, and handling of enquiries on the toll-free number (0800-CALL-ICPC/0800-2255-4272) and info@icpc.gov.ng. Some cases of diversion of project funds from the first two phases are being investigated, it added. Objective of tracking The objectives of the tracking exercise, according to the commission include, ensuring that the Appropriation Act is fully implemented as contemplated by law. They also include monitoring the implementation of the projects from inception to completion, making recoveries on projects/contracts confirmed to have been inflated, and investigating fraudulent procurement practices in the award of contracts for the constituency and executive projects. The commission added that the tracking exercise would also help to, among others, improve service delivery to the people, ensure the full execution of all projects, and guarantee value for money in the implementation of the projects. It stated that it would also ensure compliance with regulatory requirements in the implementation of the projects, and increase recovery of public funds into government coffers. Constituency Project Tracking Constituency projects, also known as Zonal Intervention Projects (ZLP), were first introduced in Nigeria during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999. The project is conceived to ensure equity in the allocation of projects sited in the constituencies of state and federal lawmakers by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government in the budgets of the federation or state. However, previous reports of how the projects were poorly executed indicated sharp practices in the utilisation of the budgetary allocation. In addressing the issues, President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2019 lamented that there was little to show for over N1trillion budgeted for constituency projects of the National Assembly members in the last 10 years. Similarly, PREMIUM TIMES also reported in 2019 how over 400 participants from government agencies, civil society groups, and the media, at a two-day summit organised by the commission, suggested that the mode of payment and execution of the ZIPs were enmeshed in corruption and should be reviewed. In a bid to ensure proper and full execution of the projects, the ICPC in 2019, launched the Constituency Projects Tracking Group Initiative, focusing on how well money allocated to critical sectors by the government are utilized across the country. ADVERTISEMENT The initiative, according to the commission, has so far led to multiple recoveries of items, hospital equipment, vehicles, and funds worth billions to the government, as well as the return of assets and equipment to communities for whom they were meant. It has also forced many contractors who hitherto had abandoned projects to return to the site to complete them. The first phase of the exercise was held in 2019 across 12 states and the FCT and saw the tracking of 524 projects. The second phase in 2020 had about 822 projects tracked in 16 states. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has convicted 10 internet fraudsters. A statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, said the judge, Hamza Muazu, sentenced the convicts to various prison terms with options of fine on Thursday. According to EFCCs spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, the sentenced imposed on the convicts ranged from between three to six months with option of fines of between N20,000 to N100,000. The convicts are: Ulukpo Victor Obokparo, Osondu Stanley, Habib Iko-Ojo, Precious Ani, Emmanuel Philip Ikpan, Umar Farouk Mohammed, Israel Kue, Kingsley Mathew, Ibrahim Oyolade and Taiwo Samuel. In a case, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused one of the convicts, Ulukpo Victor Obokparo, of inducing the duo of Helen Isean and Ida Connor in the United States of America to pay him $5000. They were convicted of cheating, misrepresentation, romance scam, obtaining by false pretenses and defrauding foreigners via internet. The commission alleged that Mr Obokparo was paid the money after representing himself to the victims as one Williams Brandon, on June 25, 2021 an engineer from New Jersey, USA through the means of an email address williambrandon309@gmail.com. Read EFCCs full statement EFCC Press Release Court Jails 10 Internet Fraudsters in Abuja The Abuja Zonal Command of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, August 30, 2021 arraigned and secured the conviction and sentencing of 10 internet fraudsters to various prison terms. The convicts: Ulukpo Victor Obokparo, Osondu Stanley, Habib Iko-Ojo, Precious Ani, Emmanuel Philip Ikpan, Umar Farouk Mohammed, Israel Kue, Kingsley Mathew, Ibrahim Oyolade and Taiwo Samuel, were prosecuted before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja for offences bordering on cheating, misrepresentation, romance scam, obtaining by false pretenses and defrauding foreigners via internet. They pleaded guilty to their respective charges. READ ALSO: One of the charges reads: that you Ulukpo Victor Obokparo on or about the 25th day of June, 2021 within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja while representing yourself as one Williams Brandon, an Engineer from New Jersey, USA through the means of an email address williambrandon309@gmail.com carried out an illegal act to wit: inducing the duo of Helen Isean and Ida Connor of USA to deliver to you the sum of $5000 (Five Thousand USD) and you thereby committed the offence of cheating contrary to the provisions of Section 320 (b) of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja), 1990 and punishable under Section 322 of the same Act. Following their guilty pleas, Justice Muazu sentenced them to prison terms, ranging between 3 to 6 months, with option of fine of N20, 000 to N100,000. In addition, the Court ordered the forfeiture of proceeds and instrumentalities used in committing the crimes to the Federal Government. Wilson Uwujaren Head, Media & Publicity 31 August, 2021 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The General Manager of the Kaduna Inland Dry Port, Rotimi Hassan-Raimi, said on Tuesday that the port has not become fully operational, three years after it was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari. According to Mr Hassan-Raimi, who spoke in Abuja at the interactive session organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Customs, the railway services needed by the port was not efficient enough. He stated that most shipping companies were yet to recognise the inland dry port, hence, they seldom give the bill of laden for cargoes destined for it. Mr Buhari had commissioned the port in 2018 and promised it would help decongest the port in Lagos. Mr Hassan-Raimi said the port will need five locomotives and 100 wagons to ensure full operation. He also harped on the need for incentives to be given to shippers to bring cargo to Kaduna instead of taking it to Lagos and other seaports in the south. Since 2018, we have not been able to commence full dry ports. Kaduna is the first full dry port, and others are still coming. There should be a process by which dry inland ports should operate. We need at least five locomotives and 100 wagons for us to operate, he said. The shipping companies should encourage shipping activities to thrive by sending their services to commence documentation processes for cargo destined for Kaduna Inland dry port by issuing true bill of lading. The essence of the dry port is to decongest the ports and bring shipping services to the internal shippers, this has not been done. Most of our customers in the north, particularly in Kaduna and Kano, do ask the shipping lines that their cargos should be destined to Kaduna, but the shipping companies said the recognised ports are Apapa Port and Port Harcourt and they dont recognise the dry inland port. When you look at the landing cost, you will see that a shipper will prefer Lagos, rather than bring it to a dry port. It takes the clearing agent two to three days to capture and do everything, but on our end, it takes weeks. I expect the NPA to do something, because there must be incentives, to encourage the shipping companies to have their cargo destined for the dry port. Because when you look at shipping companies charging container deposit for containers destined for north. but it has not gotten to the final destination and they are charging container deposit, for what? And containers that have not gotten to Kaduna, and you are charging demurrage. All these are not supposed to be. The Kaduna port was commissioned on the 4th January 2018 by Mr President, since then we have not been able to fully commence operation. A dry port is a port of destination and port of origin, that has never been in practice. In essence, the railwe have the rail connected to the terminal, and the rail has not been sufficient enough, lack of wagon, lack of locomotive. Also speaking on challenges facing the Onne Port, the General Manager, West Africa Container Terminal, Ogbuji Innocent, said the road leading to the Onne port was in a bad condition and that it was affecting the flow of traffic at the port. We have the issue of Onne-Eleme East-West road. It is actually in a bad state. This has increased the trunk holding time, because it takes more time for trunks to navigate the port. If that road is rehabilitated, it will improve the time it takes for trunks to pass, he said. The committee chairman, Leke Abejide (ADC, Kogi), adjourned its session for two weeks. ADVERTISEMENT BUA Group, one of Africas leading industrial companies, is set to commence the construction of a 2,000tons/day Plaster of Paris (Gypsum Powder) production plant. This was made known during the signing of an agreement between BUA and MMM Erba Makina of Turkey one of the worlds leading equipment suppliers for plaster production to supply the equipment for the plant. Upon completion in 2022, BUAs P.O.P (gypsum powder) production plant will be Nigerias largest plaster (gypsum powder) production facility. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA, said that this signing marked another milestone in BUAs journey to becoming Africas leading manufacturing and infrastructure company. We are pleased to sign this agreement with a world leader in Plaster manufacturing machinery, MMM Erba Makina, to build our 2,000tons per day P.O.P. gypsum powder manufacturing plant which we expect to be completed in 2022. READ ALSO: We are confident in their expertise, quality of equipment and capacity to deliver on schedule. On completion, this plant will further deepen our involvement in the entire housing infrastructure value chain in Nigeria and the West African region. In his comments, Melih Baran Kilic, Chairman of MMM Erba expressed excitement at the opportunity to work in Nigeria with BUA Group. We intend to bring our wealth of experience in delivering some of the worlds best plaster plants to bring this project to completion on schedule,he added. BUA is one of Africas largest manufacturing, mining, foods, and infrastructure conglomerates with its headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria. Established in 1988 by industrialist, Abdul Samad Rabiu, BUA currently has significant assets and business interests in Cement Manufacturing, Construction, Real Estate, Quarrying & Mining, amongst others. The Federal Government on Tuesday launched the Guaranteed Off-take Scheme, one of the tracks of the MSME Survival Fund Scheme under the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP). N15 billion is expected to be spent on the scheme out of N2.3 trillion of the NESP, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on July 1, 2020. At a press briefing,the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Industry,Trade and Investment,Mariam Katagum, said the scheme was being implemented in line with the plan to rejuvenate the economy, especially MSMEs, in the manufacturing sector. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a drop in demand for corporate and household products and commodities in Nigeria just like it did in other parts of the world, she said. She informed that the track had an initial target of 100,000 MSMEs across the country but by the time the portal closed, they had received a total of 65,976 applications across the country out of which we have verified and pre-qualified 50,032 MSMEs that we are presently processing to off-take their products. Ms Katagum noted that the delay in implementing the scheme was to ensure that every State Government considered as key Stakeholders in the GOS are fully integrated and understand their roles She also said that the Steering Committee wanted to ensure that due process is followed with the Bureau of Public Procurement BPP and logistics are put in place as close to each of the over 50,000 beneficiaries as possible. The Minister further said that the scheme is giving preference to products produced in reasonably sufficient volumes in each state which have proven propensity to create jobs and have a multiplier effect on the surrounding economy. It is important to note that the purpose of GOS is to stimulate direct local production by enabling 100,000 MSMEs in the production sector with funds to produce post COVID lockdown off-take products. These products include: Face Masks; Hand sanitizers; Liquid Soap; Disinfectants and Processed Foods such as garri, palm oil, groundnut oil, and spices. We have successfully carried out a mapping of products produced in sufficient quantities in each state of the Federation and the FCT. Requirements for Beneficiaries The MSME survival project fund project coordinator, Tola Adekunle-Johnson, also at the briefing, said applicants will receive text messages and email requiring them to return to MSME Survival Fund portal to complete their documentation. He said the applicants will have three days from the time they get the SMS/Email to log in and electronically complete all necessary documentation. He instructed that they print a copy of their completed after documentation which will used to verify supply details at the Warehouse/Collection point. Mr Adekunle-Johnson disclosed that each grant is N100,000 and those who complete documentation will receive N30,000 as mobilisation fee to commence production of their selected item and they have 14 days to finish and deliver to their selected Warehouse/Collection point. READ ALSO: At the point of delivery, NAFDAC will check for branding, packaging and quality control, a Project Delivery officer will check for actual quantity and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN),contact persons will be responsible for primary contact management with applicants. According to him, the schemes process for an applicant will be complete when their items are successfully verified and received. Then they will be paid the remaining N70,000. At the end of the scheme, items procured will be handed over to the State Governments for onward distribution to Schools, Hospitals, NGOs and public and private institutions. Only applicants who receive the SMS/Email are eligible to continue. The PDO call center will be available from 9:00am-5:00pm Mondays to Fridays on 07004000500, he added. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT President Muhammadu Buhari in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme on Tuesday launched the Nigeria Jubilee Fellow Programme (NJFP), a fully paid post-NYSC work placement programme for Nigerians. Mr Buhari announced this on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday. The NJFP is a youth empowerment partnership initiative between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The programme seeks to connect talented graduates with local job opportunities that apply their expertise while equipping them with world-class practical knowledge and relevant skills. According to him, the programme is expected to create new opportunities for 20,000 graduates annually while the beneficiaries will maximise the opportunities presented to them. He assured participants that the programme, being a fully paid post-NYSC work placement programme, would provide an opportunity for mentors who are already engaged in various industries to gain relevant experience and build capacity over the years to provide mentorship and support for the young Nigerians. The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme is a fully paid post-NYSC work placement programme for Nigerians, that will provide an opportunity for mentors who are already engaged in various industries and have gained relevant experience and built capacity over the years to provide mentorship and support for the young Nigerians that will be on the programme, the president said. Beyond the skills and work experience, we will be building a new culture of mentorship and guidance that can chart a new course for skills development and work experience in our country. As this programme creates new opportunities for 20,000 recent graduates annually, we expect that the beneficiaries will maximise the opportunities presented to them and maximise their 12 months of engagement on the programme. He encourages all eligible Nigerians to apply for the programme while urging the private sector organisations to join by providing work placement opportunities, mentors and funding to support the programme. I will encourage all eligible Nigerians to apply for this programme, I also urge private sector organisations in Nigeria to join us on this programme to provide work placement opportunities, mentors, and funding to support the programme. I would like to say thank you to the United Nations Development Programme and the European Union for their support on this vital initiative. The Programme is hereby formally launched God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he added. The University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) and the University of Benin are among Nigerias tertiary institutions the Nigerian government has vowed to punish for engaging in what it described as illegal admission exercises. The other institutions that may come under the governments hammer for violating extant admission regulations are Obafemi Awolowo University, Igbinedion University, Ignatius Ajuru University, Abia State University, Babcock University, Igbinedion University, Plateau State Polytechnic and Bogoro College of Education. Education minister, Adamu Adamu, who issued the threat on Tuesday in Abuja at the 2021 admission policy meeting organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), accused the concerned institutions of flouting the governments directive. This was as the minister also formally announced the commencement of the admission processes for the 2021/2022 academic session, even as guidelines for the process were released including the free will offered the individual institutions to set cut-off marks as approved by the policy meeting. Mr Adamu, who was represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Sonny Echono, said appropriate sanctions would be meted against defaulting institutions and their leaderships. Mr Echono, who chaired the meeting on behalf of the minister, noted that the actions of the institutions usually alter the countrys statistics of admitted candidates and those not admitted annually. He said; It is in furtherance of the goal of safeguarding the integrity of the admission process that all institutions were told that admission made outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) is unacceptable to the system. It is saddening that despite the clear directives at previous policy meetings some institutions still illegally admitted candidates outside CAPS. I consider such an act as a direct affront on the system and appropriate sanctions shall be applied to those found to have been involved in such a disruptive act. Similarly, any institution that issued admission letters to candidates outside CAPS will be punished for such gross indiscipline and fraud. For instance, the minister said a total of 255,928 illegal admissions were conducted by various institutions in 2015 for the 2014 academic calendar while the figure stood at 190,407 in 2016 for the 2015 academic calendar. However, the minister said there was a sharp decline in the figure in 2017 when it recorded only 43,852 illegal admission figures for the 2016 academic calendar. Earlier, during his presentation at the meeting, the JAMB registrar, Is-haq Oloyede, displayed proofs of infractions allegedly committed by institutions. The infractions cited are as follows: UNIABUJA Mr Oloyede said a candidate already admitted to study medicine by Baze University, Abuja, was later offered admission by UNIABUJA to study the same MBBS programme without going through the CAPS. The admission body also gave evidence of a candidate who opted to study law at the university but was offered Political Science and that an admission letter was issued to the candidate without recourse to JAMB. The registrar gave in evidence that; Omosanya Faozeeyat Odunayo applied to University of Abuja to study Law with a score of 251. By 30th March 2021, she had been issued a Letter of Admission by the University for Political Science As of Monday, 30th August 2021 (5 months after), she is yet to be proposed on CAPS by the university. Earlier in April, JAMB had accused the management of the university and other unnamed institutions of illegally admitting students during the 2020/2021 admission processes. ADVERTISEMENT JAMB, in a statement signed by its Head of Public Affairs and Protocol unit, Fabian Benjamin, declared the admissions conducted by the university as null and void. The examination body reiterated that it remains the only body statutorily empowered to issue admission letters to successful candidates of universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and monotechnics in Nigeria. The universitys spokesman, Habib Yakoob, denies any wrongdoing, saying the university has always adhered to admission rules to a large extent. He acknowledged that the conflict between the examination body has been on for some time but that as much as he knows the university has not erred. He said; I dont know You know what, if you have been covering this beat for quite some time, particularly in the last couple of years, you would have noticed this back and forth between the university and JAMB, and our position has always been clear. So I am surprised this is coming up again. As far the university is concerned we adhere strictly to the rule, to a large extent, set by JAMB. So I do not think we violate this policy on CAPS. That is the much I can say for now. When confronted with the fact of an example given by the JAMB registrar, Mr Yakoob said he didnt have the details of such a candidate. UNIBEN A candidate wrote to the Board that the University of Benin denied her admission to Doctor of Pharmacy. The University claimed it was a result of quota inadequacy. JAMB said it however found that the candidate had all requirements to be admitted on merit, adding that she ranked as one of the best 30 for the programme. The admission body said to salvage the situation, it had to adjust the universitys quota by two spaces to be able to accommodate the affected because two other candidates who took her place had accepted admission. IGNATIUS AJURU UNIVERSITY Ignatius Ajuru University of Education wrote to the Board to reverse the admission of 151 candidates who had not accepted admission so that it would be able to replace them and conclude the admission exercise When we checked on CAPS, 116 candidates had accepted admission out of the 151 JAMB will not reverse the admission until candidates are contacted individually We could have been tempted to extend the window for the University to admit more but for the check and contact to individual candidates ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY Abia State University requested for adjustment Merit Cut-Off of some highly subscribed programmes without following derivation formula The University was educated Merit cut-off is derived and not imposed PLATEAU STATE POLYTECHNIC An official of Plateau State Polytechnic alleged and claimed at a meeting on 24th February 2021 that JAMB changed the Polytechnics minimum UTME score to 150 Evidence that the Polytechnic actually submitted 150 as its minimum score was made available. The institution has tendered an unreserved apology. OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY (OAU) OAU requested 200 as institutional minimum UTME score for all programmes. 180 was requested as the minimum score for candidates who went through pre-degree and those seeking admission to Adeyemi College of Education. 180 becomes the institutional minimum UTME score for all. Pre-degree programme candidates are not supposed to be inferior. Adeyemi COE holds the degree of OAU cannot have another minimum score different the B.Ed of OAU. BABCOCK UNIVERSITY BABCOCK issued a Provisional Undergraduate Admission to a candidate already admitted to FUTA The candidate was admitted and had completed the admission process in FUTA The University asked the candidate through a third party to request for new admission letter without going through FUTA IMPOSSIBLE IGBINEDION UNIVERSITY Igbinedion University requested for Special Appeal for Regularization of 633 Students in June, 2021 The institution disregard the decision of the Policy Meeting and requesting for REGULARIZATION of 633 candidates The Students were admitted between 2017 and 2020 The students were neither UTME nor DE candidates Most of the students were for regulated programmes MBBS, Law, Pharmacy, Accounting, etc BOGORO COLLEGE OF EDUCATION Bogoro College of Education requested for the Regularization of 432 students admitted for the 2019/2020 session The College claimed NCCE gave approval for NCE admission. NCCE gave approval for the establishment of the College NCCE gave approval for the courses to be mounted for the College but not to violate admission policy as directed by Federal Government. 2021 admission kicks off Meanwhile, with the policy meeting successfully held, the admission process for the 2021/2022 calendar has formally commenced in the country. But following what it described as varying recommendations cut-off marks, the policy meeting agreed that individual institutions should enjoy the free will to determine their minimum cut-off marks for admission. According to the JAMB registrar, the University of Maiduguri proposed 150 as its minimum cut-off mark, Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto proposed 140, Pan Atlantic University proposed 210, University of Lagos, 200; Lagos State University, 190; Covenant University, 190 and Bayero University Kano wanted 180 as its cut off mark. Meanwhile, the meeting also concluded that October 29, 2021, should be the deadline for any amendment to the 2020 admission but could not agree on the December deadline for the 2021 admission for public schools and January 31, 2022, for private tertiary institutions. Admission guidelines Ahead of the commencement of the 2021 admission processes, the stakeholders which comprised heads of various institutions, admission officers, and registrars, also adopted the set guidelines, which provide that all applications for part-time or full-time programmes for degrees, NCE, OND, and others must be posted only through the examination body. Speaking on the stakeholders decision on other admission criteria, Mr Oloyede said the candidates credentials must be uploaded on CAPS as recommended by the institutions of choice while JAMB approves and the candidate accepts the offer of admission. According to the meeting, the 2021 admissions will be conducted only through CAPS, no institution is allowed to admit candidates without uploading their details on CAPS. Meanwhile, the meeting also exempted prison inmates, visually impaired and foreign candidates from sitting for post UTME exercise. EDITORS NOTE: We have updated this post to reflect the infractions by other tertiary institutions as presented by JAMB registrar, Ishaq Oloyede. ADVERTISEMENT The Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Koko, has said the police erected multiple checkpoints at the entrances of the ports to extort money from users. He said the illegal checkpoints are outside the control of the NPA. Mr Koko also said military personnel sometimes escort vehicles illegally in and out of the ports. He stated this at the interactive session organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Customs on Tuesday in Abuja. While responding to questions raised by the Chairman of the Committee, Leke Abejide, (ADC, Kogi), on the e-call up system, Mr Koko said the checkpoints are within the red zone areas of the ports. On the issue of the e-call up system, it is a system that was introduced to digitalise the manual system of bringing in trucks into the ports. The idea was for all trucks going into ports locations to exit from appointed truck terminals and then you will be called up, you look from one terminal to the other and then we are supposed to have e-ticket. This way terminal operators are able to know when trucks are coming in. In recent times, they have been given a dashboard that will even enable us to know when trucks are coming in. But there are multiple problems which we have addressed. Some of them are outside the Nigerian Ports Authority, outside the purvey of NPA. The first issue is the problem of extortion. They are multiple checkpoints within what we call the red zone. Let me explain. So you have multiple checkpoints that are just springing up. And these checkpoints are manned by police officers. At times you find men in uniformnaval or military escorting vehicles illegally and the Lagos State Government has been very cooperative in terms of enforcement of the SOP as it relates to the truck call up system, he said. The Chairman of the Committee had urged the press to take note of the issue of extortion while the acting MD was making his presentation. But Mr Koko responded swiftly saying, Chairman this information is meant to you, not for the media. The chairman, in his response, said, We went round. We went to Lagos. We went around this country, all the ports. And everywhere we went to, all the area comptrollers, they are complaining about this. And even the transporters too complained that they spent an average of N250,000 to N300,000 to enter the ports. So it is not that we are hearing it from you. Mr Koko also explained some of the steps taken by the NPA to resolve the lingering congestion at the Ports. He said the NPA was working with the Lagos State Government to resolve the gridlock at the ports. About last week we held a meeting with the Federal Road Safety Corps, LASTMA, the AIG marine, the CP and other officers in the police force and we decided that let them identify checkpoints and the essence of the checkpoints is not to interfere with the flow of traffic, the acting MD said. The committee resolved to invite the Controller General of Customs, Hameed Ali, to appear before the committee to discuss underpayment of duties and the resultant harassment of Nigerians by the customs officials. ADVERTISEMENT The Borno State government on Tuesday confirmed the death of 43 persons from cholera outbreak in the state and 559 suspected cases. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the states health commissioner, Juliana Bitrus, who addressed a briefing in Maiduguri, the state capital. According to the commissioner, the outbreak was recorded in Gwoza, Kaga, Hawul, Magumeri, Dambao, Maiduguri Metropolitan and Jere Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. She said 354 cases were recorded in Gwoza with 18 deaths while Hawul recorded 126 cases with 11 deaths. The commissioner said: The remaining are Kaga with 22 cases and two deaths, Magumeri with six cases and one death, and Damboa with 39 cases and 10 deaths. Jere has eight cases with one death while Maiduguri has four cases with no death. She, however, noted that the state did not record any cholera case in 2019 and 2020. Measures taken She said government had directed all rapid response teams for disease surveillance and control in the affected LGAs to ensure timely response to all suspected cases. Active case search in communities is ongoing while about 10 CTC/CTU has been established in affected LGAs. All secondary health facilities have been directed to create isolation wards for management of cholera case, she said. Caution The commissioner urged the public to take precautionary measures by observing strict hygiene. People should observe precautionary measures like regular hand washing before eating and after visiting the toilets, covering of food and warming of leftover food before consumption, she advised. She further urged the residents to treat water with aqua tablets or by chlorination and ensure that all those who died from the disease were buried in line with IPC protocol. Cholera in Nigeria The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said more than 22 states and the Federal Capital Territory had reported cases of cholera since the beginning of 2021 with the fatality figure estimated at more than 1,000. ADVERTISEMENT A retired navy commodore, Kunle Olawunmi, on Tuesday, honoured an invitation by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for questioning over his recent television interview considered critical of President Muhammadu Buharis handling of the worsening security situation in the country. His lawyer, Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who accompanied him to the DIA headquarters in Abuja, told PREMIUM TIMES that, Mr Olawunmi, who is a military intelligence officer, returned home after what he described as a friendly chat with his colleagues. I confirm that it was a friendly chat between Commodore Kunle Olawunmi and his colleagues. The chat ended a few minutes ago, Mr Falana said in a message to our reporter on Tuesday afternoon. I was allowed to represent the retired military officer during the friendly chat in strict compliance with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. Invitation Sahara Reporters had reported that Mr Olawunmi was declared wanted for his comments criticising Mr Buharis poor handling of the countrys security situation. The newspaper also reported that the retired officer was invited to appear at the DIA headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. In reaction to the reports, the Defence headquarters on Sunday stated that Mr Olawunmi was merely invited to shed more light on his claims during an interview he granted Channels Television. The Defence Information (DDI), Benjamin Sawyerr, noted that the retired navy commodore, was not declared wanted. The invitation was not even formal. It was a phone call by an officer that he knows. We have no reason whatsoever to declare him wanted, when he knows how the system operates, the DHQ statement had read partly. What Olawunmi said on TV The professor of global security studies had appeared on Channels Television programme, Sunrise Daily speaking on the recent attack at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in which two officers were killed and another officer abducted by suspected bandits. In the interview considered to be highly critical of President Buhari, Mr Olawunmi alleged that the State Security Services had information on persons sponsoring Boko Haram but refused to act due to lack of presidential support. Sahara Reporters which monitored Mr Olawunmis interview had quoted him as saying, Recently, 400 people were gathered as sponsors of Boko Haram, why is it that the Buhari government has refused to try them? Why cant this government bring them to trial if not that they are partisan and part of the charade that is going on? You remember this Boko Haram issue started in 2012 and I was in the military intelligence at that time. We arrested those people. My organisation conducted interrogation and they (suspects) mentioned names. I cant come on air and start mentioning names of people that are presently in government that I know that the boys that we arrested mentioned. Some of them are governors now, some of them are in the Senate, some of them are in Aso Rock. Why should a government decide to cause this kind of embarrassment and insecurity to the sense of what happened yesterday (at the NDA)? The Federal High Court in Lagos, Tuesday, ordered the interim forfeiture of funds and assets linked to Abidemi Rufai, who is facing fraud charges in the United States. Mr Rufai who has been in detention in the U.S. is a suspended aide of Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State. His assets affected by Tuesdays interim forfeiture order, according to The Nation newspapers report, includes: House 11. Omodayo Awotuga Street, Bera Estate, Chevy View, Lekki, Lagos and funds in his accounts with two banks. The newspaper reports that the judge, Tijjani Ringim, issued the order following ex parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC). I am satisfied by the averment in the affidavit deposed to by Usman Abdulhamid and the legal submission of the counsel that this application should succeed and same is accordingly granted as prayed, the judge ruled. The judge ordered the EFCC to advertise the order in newspapers within 14 days from Tuesday for any interested party to show cause why the funds and assets should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government. He then adjourned the case till December 1, 2021, for interested parties to show cause. Investigations Arguing the ex parte application for interim forfeiture, EFCCs lawyer, Ebuka Okongwu, said the commissions request was necessitated by the need to preserve assets and prevent their dissipation. Mr Rufai and his firm, Omo Mayodele Global Investment, were respondents in the application. An affidavit filed in support of the application noted that EFCC was investigating Mr Rufai in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Usman Abdulhamid, EFCCs investigator who deposed to the affidavit, stated Mr Rufai had already removed N29.37 million from three of his targeted accounts in tranches. According to the affidavit, the EFCC investigated Mr Rufais sources of income and bank accounts, with findings showing that on March 19, 2020, there was an inflow of N4.5 million. It added that there were various subsequent transactions on the account which were all dissipated to his GTB account on the same day of the inflow. Further analysis revealed that prior to the first inflow on March 19, 2020, the 1st respondents account rarely receives such traffic and huge inflows. Upon proactive investigative method of asset tracking and recovery conducted by the Commission, it was revealed that the 1st Respondent owns a property located at HOUSE 11. OMODAYO AWOTUGA STREET, BERA ESTATE, CHEVY VIEW, LEKKI, LAGOS, NIGERIA, it said. The EFCC added that it wrote various letters to various financial institutions, agencies and related regulatory bodies, some of the responses of which are still being awaited. U.S. trial Mr Rufai was arrested in the Eastern District of New York while trying to jet out of the country on May 24. Judge Benjamin Settle of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, at Tacoma, on June 25, adjudged him to represent a flight risk, and ordered he should be attending his trial from jail. ADVERTISEMENT The Nigerian politician who has been in detention since his arrest is accused of using the identities of more than 100 Washington residents to steal more than $350,000 in unemployment benefits from the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) during the COVID-19 pandemic last year. He is said to have bypassed security systems at the Washington ESD using a simple feature of Googles free Gmail service. PREMIUM TIMES reported exclusively that Mr Rufais trial has been postponed to 2022. The trial earlier scheduled to commence on August 31, has now been postponed to February 1, 2022, by the order of the court. Mr Settles order changing the trial date is based on agreement between the prosecution and the defence, both of whom have described the case as unusual and complex. With about 97,000-page material already filed by the U.S. government as evidence against Mr Rufai, both parties admit that more time is needed to prepare for the case, PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported. The judge granted the agreed motion on August 3, the same day the parties filed it, saying the case is so unusual and complex, due to the nature of the prosecution and the volume of discovery. Therefore, it would be unreasonable to expect adequate preparation for trial within the time limits, Mr Settle had said. ADVERTISEMENT The commemoration of the Durban Conference comes at an important moment in the struggle for racial justice at the national and global levels, as manifested in the 2015 #RhodesMustFall and the 2020 #BlackLivesMatter movements. South African Foreign Minister, Naledi Pandor noted that the victory of the anti-apartheid movement between 1948 and 1994, demonstrated that triumph over the scourge of racism is possible On August 31, 2001, the world converged in South Africas coastal city of Durban, for the nine-day United Nations (UN) World Conference Against Racism, Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. The meeting attracted 2,300 representatives from 163 countries, including 16 heads of state, 58 foreign ministers, and 44 ministers. The Durban Conference aimed to combat the legacies of slavery, imperialism, and colonialism, and to engage historical issues that confront Africans, and their diaspora, and other indigenous peoples. The four-and-a-half centuries of transatlantic slave trade, which resulted in the transportation of 12 to 15 million Africans to the Caribbean and the Americas, had enhanced the expansion of global capitalism and greatly contributed to the industrialisation of the West and the underdevelopment of Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Prior to the 2001 Durban summit, other UN-led conventions had attempted to eradicate discrimination. While the 1960 UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples contributed to the political independence of many African countries, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights in June 1993, called for the speedy and comprehensive elimination of all forms of racism and other intolerance, as did the two world conferences to combat racism and racial discrimination, convened in Geneva in 1978 and 1983, respectively. The 2001 Durban Conference acknowledged and profoundly regretted the massive human sufferings and the tragic plight of millions of men, women and children as a result of slavery, slave trade, transatlantic slave trade, apartheid, colonialism and genocide, and the Durban Declaration categorised slavery, colonialism, apartheid, and genocide as international crimes against humanity. While several Caribbean delegates at the Durban summit had expected African leaders such as South Africas Thabo Mbeki, Nigerias Olusegun Obasanjo and Senegals Abdoulaye Wade to have staunchly confronted major powers such as Britain, the United States (U.S.), Japan and India, who had threatened to leave the meeting in protest against any discourse on reparations or caste systems, the African representatives decided to accept political compromises to secure an outcome document. This was condemned by one of the Caribbean delegates, Professor Hilary Beckles, who accused African leaders of betraying the black race and weakening Pan-Africanism by accepting the exclusion of stronger clauses in the final conference resolution. To reflect on the impact of, and fight against, racism, xenophobia, and contemporary intolerance, the University of Johannesburg (UJ)s Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation (IPATC) in South Africa, in collaboration with South Africas Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), organised a webinar on July 30 with the theme, 20th Commemoration of the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (Durban+20): Reflections on Youth and Racism Twenty Years Later. The meeting also commemorated the 45th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto students uprising, and sought to reignite in the consciousness of the youth, the constructive spirit of the MandelaRobinson pledge. The webinar recognised the place of the June 1976 Soweto incident, which claimed the lives of 176 black youth in confronting racism. Young people have suffered the consequences of discriminations and intolerance. In South Africa today, of the 20.4 million youth aged between 15 and 34 years, about 8.5 million (41.7 per cent of the population) of them are not in employment, education, or training. The webinar laid a foundation for the UN General Assembly debate on Reparations, Racial Justice and Equality for People of African Descent in New York in September. Dr Naledi Pandor, South Africas Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Ms Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; Ms Tendayi Achiume, the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism; Ms Abigail Noko, Regional Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; Ms Malaika Mahlatsi, a youth activist with the Pen and Azanian Revolution; and Professor Adekeye Adebajo, Director of UJs IPATC, spoke at the event. The commemoration of the Durban Conference comes at an important moment in the struggle for racial justice at the national and global levels, as manifested in the 2015 #RhodesMustFall and the 2020 #BlackLivesMatter movements. South African Foreign Minister, Naledi Pandor noted that the victory of the anti-apartheid movement between 1948 and 1994, demonstrated that triumph over the scourge of racism is possible whenever the comity of nations is united in its determination to say: No to Racism. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Michelle Bachelet, acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated many forms of discrimination, which have exposed global inequalities and exacerbated the disproportionate impact of these disparities on the poor. The July webinar recognised the important contribution of former South African president, Nelson Mandela, and Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights who, in the MandelaRobinson Pledge on Tolerance and Diversity: A Vision for the 21st Century enjoined delegates at the 2001 Conference to create a world where the exercise of individual gifts and personal rights is affirmed by the dynamic solidarity of our membership of one human family. Drawing from the MandelaRobinson vision, Naledi Pandor reiterated the inherent potential of humanity to triumph over evil and barbarism. As the advocacy for reparations gains more momentum, the focus is on the UN General Assembly debate on the post-Durban conference in New York in September. Reparations, an atonement for the crimes of human misery committed by European slave and colonial masters, is tied to political and restorative justice that demands that a debt be paid to the descendants of those who suffered these twin crimes The webinar recognised the place of the June 1976 Soweto incident, which claimed the lives of 176 black youth in confronting racism. Young people have suffered the consequences of discriminations and intolerance. In South Africa today, of the 20.4 million youth aged between 15 and 34 years, about 8.5 million (41.7 per cent of the population) of them are not in employment, education, or training. This reinforces the link between the right to education and the vice of social exclusion. In May 2001 in the U.S., blacks had the highest unemployment rate of 9.2 per cent compared to their white counterparts at 5.2 per cent. The 2001 Durban declaration noted that all forms of discrimination can be aggravated by social exclusion, and an inequitable distribution of wealth. As the advocacy for reparations gains more momentum, the focus is on the UN General Assembly debate on the post-Durban conference in New York in September. Reparations, an atonement for the crimes of human misery committed by European slave and colonial masters, is tied to political and restorative justice that demands that a debt be paid to the descendants of those who suffered these twin crimes in Africa and beyond. In May, Germany responded by apologising and offering $1.3 billion in compensation to the Namibian people for the genocide, which killed an estimated 80 per cent of indigenous Herero and Nama people between 1904 and 1908. Calls for reparations at the UN General Assembly next month should include the quest to restructure the prevailing global economic order, which has deepened poverty and inequality, structural violence, and social exclusion, along racial and national lines. The UN has a major responsibility to insist on reparations as the most effective instrument for achieving political and restorative justice. National governments should combat xenophobia and the marginalisation of vulnerable groups, and dismantle all the socio-economic and political structures that continue to reinforce racism, xenophobia, and other forms of intolerance. Adeoye O. Akinola is a Head of Research and Teaching at the University of Johannesburgs Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation, South Africa. ADVERTISEMENT But is anyone trying to ISLAMISE Nigeria? Can anyone Islamise Christianise, or Babalawonise the whole of this country? As a fact, we all know the tug of war between Christianity and Islam in Nigeria. These two Abrahamic religions are always struggling with each other for elusive supremacy. Of late, and especially in the South, many young Muslims have found it easier, and more fun, to switch to Christianity, thus spurring Islamic leaders Give it to Nigerians. When someone cannot measure up in other areas of life, religion becomes the last refuge. Nigerians love their religions, perhaps a little more than they love their ethnicities. Their nation? Who cares about that? Who even needs a nation? We are fixing to start identifying ourselves by our ethnicities and religion when we go abroad. We are exploring ways of issuing international passports that show where we worship and how, including the indigenous language we speak. Some say that is the only way forward. Who says we should hunker down and try to make something of our nationhood, just as every other geographical expression the world over has tried to do. Intellectual dishonesty takes over. We are forever hunting for those who have hurt us, those who have wronged us. We dont get it, that our claims will be stronger, more valid, when we also acknowledge, and redress those we have wronged. Fairness, balance, equity, are not in our dictionary. We assemble in our conclaves, in a joro-jara-joro attitude of seeking and demanding for reparations, and benefits, and allocation, and slices of the cake, over which we later quarrel, sometimes snarling at each other, like hyenas in the wild. I intend to reexamine the claim that the entire nation is about to be Islamised These are rabid claims from some of our most eloquent folks, many of them clergymen of the Christian faith, meaning they have a bias in the matter. The latest of such claims came from Retired Commodore Kunle Olawunmi, who made so many shocking and solid statements worthy of investigation from a security angle, but then complicated everything by claiming there is an Islamisation agenda. Commodore Olawunmis interview could be unpacked in many ways. It should be studied by all and, especially, in our security circles. Why throw the gates of our security units and fortresses open on Fridays and some say on Sundays for anyone to come in and worship? Why does religion have to always trump good sense? Why are most Nigerians more interested in making heaven in spite of their inconsistencies and many sins which have got us to this very point rather than trying to make this place a better place for all to live in? Why has the government done nothing to Boko Haram and sponsors of terrorism, despite reports written against them? Rather, Olawunmi says some of these terrorists are in Buharis government. Buhari, for me, seems a lost cause. A president who continues to insist on ancient practices in spite of tensions in the land, is not one to hold my breath for. Why not count the days until he departs? For he shall, some day. So, this is not about Buhari. Olawunmi is correct in many ways. Only that his Islamisation claim will be examined shortly. Why, under Buhari, are we rehabilitating cold-blooded terrorists and integrating them into society? Who are the guys sponsoring these terrorists? Because when some of them are caught, they all look gaunt, disheveled and deprived. Who gets the money? There is surely intelligence on this that hasnt been revealed to the public. Who are the sponsors? What are their aims? Are mind-control drugs involved? We have heard people like Sheikh Gumi try to equate the cold-blooded bloodlust going on in the far North, with the Niger Delta struggle over crude oil. He also called for reparations, amnesty and monthly stipends for these terrorists; a call which made many of us conclude that this is strictly about making money, using these usually young, drugged-out boys as mere disposable instruments. Anyone who has seen where these guys slaughter human beings like chicken, will know what I am talking about. The terrorists of Northern Nigeria do not discriminate. They have surely killed way more Muslims than Christians. I recall the January 2012 and November 2014 killings of over 300 people as they emerged from prayers at the Kano Central Mosque. From Borno, to Kaduna, and lately the senseless massacres in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger and elsewhere, these terrorists seem not to care about anyones religion before abducting and killing them. In the Jonathan days, they never cared about the religion of any of their victims when they bombed Nyanya bus stop, Kuje night market, Banex Plaza, or even the United Nations headquarters in Abuja. Perhaps, rather than promote the hypothesis that Muslims and Christians could not exist in the same country in almost equal proportions, we could have risen above such sentiments and made Nigeria a model country. But the so-called intellectuals, who should be at the vanguard of such an idea, are the ones who push the extremism from the pulpit and other places. Both sides are equally culpable. Three facts must be conceded to Olawunmi and those who believe in the Islamisation agenda though; one is that for a while now, the world and Nigeria has suffered from a brand of terrorism from a group of people who are fanatical adherents of the Islamic faith. Since the Irish Republican Army was tamed, we havent had many Christian groups ready to kill others for any cause and since the Spanish Inquisition of the 1400s, Im not sure we have seen many Christian groups ready to kill in the name of the religion. The Nazis had an idea about Christian supremacy, but also coloured that with a huge dollop of racism, obscuring their Christian fanaticism. Secondly, there is an injunction for Muslims to always come together wherever they may find themselves, and in Nigeria, as unrighteous as the outcomes of our conduct have shown us to be, Muslims make it a point of duty to always create the atmosphere to invite other Muslims for worship wherever the opportunity arises. When this happens, there is usually no discrimination. In housing estates, in the national mosque, perhaps even in Aso Villa, the lowliest, the most-suspicious looking, have free access to places of worship and it is indeed a testimony to the rarity of terrorism that those guys do not detonate bombs on a weekly basis. I mean that terrorism in Nigeria is more coordinated than as projected. Intelligence services have only kept so much information away from the people. Olawunmi however attempted to open the Pandoras box. Thirdly, we are unlucky to be saddled with the leadership of someone who thinks in very narrow terms and who has either emboldened these extremists or looked away from doing anything tangible about them. His nepotism has also fueled suspicion especially among people of the other Abrahamic faith just as his general approach to governance (some will say absence from governance), has compounded Nigerias problems on many fronts. But is anyone trying to ISLAMISE Nigeria? Can anyone Islamise Christianise, or Babalawonise the whole of this country? As a fact, we all know the tug of war between Christianity and Islam in Nigeria. These two Abrahamic religions are always struggling with each other for elusive supremacy. Of late, and especially in the South, many young Muslims have found it easier, and more fun, to switch to Christianity, thus spurring Islamic leaders to come up with ideas that could help retain their youths, such as NASFAT. Perhaps, rather than promote the hypothesis that Muslims and Christians could not exist in the same country in almost equal proportions, we could have risen above such sentiments and made Nigeria a model country. But the so-called intellectuals, who should be at the vanguard of such an idea, are the ones who push the extremism from the pulpit and other places. Both sides are equally culpable. Interestingly, a good number of the fieriest Christian preachers, were initially Muslims, including David Oyedepo, Tunde Bakare, Matthew Ashimolowo, Joshua Iginla, Yinka Yusuf, and Johnson Suleman, among many others. Nigeria has seen growing aggressiveness on both sides, when other countries were focused on improving the livelihoods of their people and improving standards of living. The Christians here have done fairly well, due to what is known as Max Webers Protestant Ethic (since many of our churches pump up their people to get rich), but in many instances, the greed of church leaders get the best of them and ends up impoverishing the majority. Nigerias brand of Islam especially northwards is tightly fused with politics and has not done a lot to reposition the majority economically. Nigerias inability to get 15 million children off the streets, and reposition education up North, is due to the influence of powerful Muslim clergy, who are wittingly or unwittingly holding down the vast majority of the people to be pliable for dishonest politicians who also play the religious card when it suits them. It is my considered opinion that since the Christian/Muslim balance has remained intact since the creation of this country, it is likely to continue ad infinitum. Instead, we are likely to see many young people who will probably choose to have nothing to do with both because of the failures noted above. This will create panic among the older people. None of the major religions will be able to convert the whole of the nation to their side alone. An intellectual, honest leadership at the centre and the states would have helped, but we have been unlucky to find leaders who can abandon the unproductive and ultimately destructive path, to instead focus Nigerians on humanity, progress, justice and equity. It will also help to find leaders, especially at the centre, who will honestly tackle the current dalliance with terrorism. As stated above, a lot of information has been kept from the public. This is not who we are. We should all slow down on all these theories, like the one that says Uthman Dan Fodio sought to dip the Quran in the Atlantic. Some even say that is why Ahmadu Bello Way is the road that led to Bar Beach. Maybe there was a fascination with the sea way back when technology wasnt as advanced. But these days there are many beaches everywhere in Nigeria (most of them unkempt of course, for that is who we are). Before 2010 Nigeria did not know anything like the newfangled terrorism. We should ensure that that phenomenon does not define us, just over 11 years after. Theres got to be a way of reconnecting with our humanity. This is why I think there is something wrong with Commodore Olawunmis total capitulation to the Islamisation agenda. Christians have always been intimidated by the seeming spontaneous unity among Muslims. But under Buhari, we saw the dichotomy between Shia and Sunni Muslims. Muslims are also riled by the rapid expansion of churches in every nook and cranny of Nigeria. But Christians in Nigeria have evolved into over 10,000 different brands, and only unite when it is time to fight the other religion. The metastasis of churches in Nigeria is largely commercial and transactional. I think what is going on calls us to think properly, on both sides. There is so much hypocrisy, on both sides. There is a need to focus on humanity, and improve the lives of our people, on both sides. We need to understand, that in order to make heaven, there is a need to also contribute our quota to the betterment of this earth. Nigeria has been in reverse gear, largely as a result of this sharp and unproductive divide along religious lines. Those who have also benefited from this country, and been at the kitchen table with their mouths full from the morsels of the national cake, should spare the rest of us of these religious counter-accusations when they get kicked out of the inner circle. Integrity requires that they try and change whatever is wrong, from within. We should all slow down on all these theories, like the one that says Uthman Dan Fodio sought to dip the Quran in the Atlantic. Some even say that is why Ahmadu Bello Way is the road that led to Bar Beach. Maybe there was a fascination with the sea way back when technology wasnt as advanced. But these days there are many beaches everywhere in Nigeria (most of them unkempt of course, for that is who we are). Anybody can go and dip whatever they seek in any sea. Most of the seas are filled with young boys seeking to sell you drugs anyway. Let us roll back some of these dark, sad tales and ensure we do not indoctrinate our children into them. The challenge our children face, is not among themselves, but with children in other countries, performing great feats, in sports, in technology, in industry, in the arts. What can I say? May God grant us leaders who are in tune with positivism. I believe this country can be turned around in a short period of time. I am sick and tired of all the negative energy around and will have nothing to do with such. I am a hopeful person and anyone who needs to be hopeless should give me a wide berth please. Tope Fasua, an economist, author, blogger, entrepreneur, and recent presidential candidate of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), can be reached through topsyfash@yahoo.com. ADVERTISEMENT Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State on Monday held a meeting with key stakeholders in Jos North Local Government Area. The meeting is part of efforts to enhance peace following recent attacks in the area. Speaking at the meeting held at Government House, Jos, Mr Lalong thanked the stakeholders for their assistance in quelling tension in their communities and helping security agencies in the discharge of their duties. He briefed them on the steps the government was taking to end the security challenges in the state and pointed out that continuous dialogue and engagement would facilitate peaceful coexistence in the state. The governor assured them that he would continue to uphold justice and fairness in the discharge of his duties, stressing that he was committed to finding a lasting solution to the security problems bedeviling the state. READ ALSO: Speaking at the end of the closed door session, the Deputy Chief Imam of Jos, Ghazali Adam, said that stakeholders who attended the meeting resolved to live in harmony and to reconcile their differences. He said the violence was perpetrated by criminals who were mostly under the influence of illicit drugs, pointing out that the crisis provided them an opportunity to loot. Mr Adam called on the government to deploy more security personnel to flash points across the state while increasing surveillance at boundary areas. Government should monitor boundary areas in the state and Jos North in particular, he said. The cleric said the stakeholders would organise more meetings in their communities, especially with the youth, to sensitise them on the critical need for peace to reign in the state. Also speaking, Chris Iruobe, a South-South community leader residing in Jos North LGA, assured the governor of their support in tackling the security issues in the state. He urged the governor to ensure that those arrested and found culpable of unleashing the attacks were dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land, stressing that it would serve as a deterrent to others. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other participants at the event included members of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Women and youth groups, among others. Plateau State recently came under renewed unrest which the state government sought to arrest by imposing curfews on affected areas. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday launched 100 tricycles to ease transportation challenges, stimulate macroeconomic activities and reduce poverty in the state. The government also officially enrolled members of the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) in the informal package of the states health insurance scheme, a step the association hailed as beneficial while also commending Mr AbdulRazaq for granting them official recognition. Today, we are launching 100 tricycles which our government guaranteed for members of TOAN. This is done through a partnership with SEAP Microfinance Institute, SIMBA/TVS, and TOAN. I commend all of you for this hugely beneficial partnership, Mr AbdulRazaq said at the event held at Government House, Ilorin. A major fruit of this partnership is the enrolment of TOAN members in the Kwara State health insurance. The health and economic benefits of this insurance cannot be overemphasised. Our profound appreciation particularly goes to SIMBA/TVS for the 12 month warranty on the tricycles and offer of free service for the same period. I also commend the firm for its decision to locate your Service, Sales, and Spares Centre in Offa in Kwara State. The attendant economic benefits of this step will be huge, and we promise to support you every step of the way. The administration had also implemented four major programmes and interventions that are meant to save jobs, create jobs, and prevent the people from falling into destitution, Mr AbdulRazaq said, referring to some initiatives funded under the Kwara State Social Investment Programme. READ ALSO: These interventions included governments soft loans for traders, transporters, and grants running into millions of naira for dozens of victims of ENDSARS riots. We have also granted non-interest loans to 170 young people to strengthen or get their businesses started. We have offered similar support for farmers, he added. Mr AbdulRazaq congratulated beneficiaries of the first phase of the community transport intervention project. He urged TOAN and other transport unions to continue to work with the government on the strategy to ensure coordination, safety, and general security. Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Intervention, Kayode Oyin-Zubair, said the community transport intervention project was a direct response to the request from TOAN members, saying the intervention is a total departure from the traditional empowerment programmes. Each beneficiary has committed themselves to an equity contribution. We have agreed with SEAP Microfinance that all equity contributions will be refunded to dutiful beneficiaries that completely liquidate their credit under the 18 months tenor of this intervention. Apart from the insurance on their vehicles, we have equally enrolled all beneficiaries with Kwara State Health Insurance Agency, Mr Oyin-Zubair said. Executive Secretary Kwara State Health Insurance Agency, Bunmi Jetawo-Winter, encouraged all the affected tricycle operators to immediately present their enrolment cards to their respective health facilities to access subsidised health care services. The Executive Programme Director of SEAP Microfinance Bank, Oladokun Olatunde, said the bank partnered with the state government to boost the state economy and reduce pressure on the government. We are supporting the state government to strengthen public-private partnership. We decided that most of the people rely on the government and that has been draining the limited resources of the government. So, we thought to put money that the government is supposed to give them and whoever made full payment will get the money, make some savings and get another tricycle, he said. The Chairman of TOAN, Saliu Gidado, applauded the state government for its interventions and for approving the certificate of the association to operate as Tricycles Transport Service provider under the state Ministry of Works, saying previous efforts to be independent like any other union in Kwara State had failed. Today is also a landmark in the history of the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria in Kwara State, because this is certainly the first time any government will be doing this for us. This will go a long way in ameliorating the sufferings of the masses in the state in terms of transportation, the chairman added. ADVERTISEMENT The Kaduna State Government on Monday said 12 persons died and six injured in a ghastly road traffic crash on Kaduna-Abuja road. Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, confirmed the incident, in a statement issued in Kaduna. Mr Aruwan said security agencies had reported to the government that 12 persons died and six others injured following a ghastly road traffic crash on Monday afternoon in Nasarawa Doka, along Kaduna-Abuja road in Kachia Local Government Area (LGA). He said the crash involved a lone Toyota Hiace bus conveying 18 passengers from Zaria to Abuja. READ ALSO: He explained that the cause of the crash was identified as a brake failure following a tyre explosion. Twelve passengers died on the spot, the six injured passengers were rushed to hospital, he said. Mr Aruwan said the governor had expressed sadness at the report and sent condolences to the families of the dead victims, as he offered prayers for the repose of their souls. He said the governor wished the injured persons a quick recovery. The governor implored citizens to continue to drive safely, pay attention to the condition of their vehicles and observe traffic rules as they ply major highways, Mr Aruwan said. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT I am happy to formally welcome you. I certainly wish you the best of luck. Im anxious for your success, and will closely follow. Those were the words of President Muhammadu Buhari as he, Tuesday at State House, Abuja, formally received Senator Andy Uba, the Anambra State gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 6 election. The candidate was accompanied to the event by the Chairman, Caretaker and Convention Planning Committee of the party and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, Governors Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, Hope Uzodinma of Imo, who is also Chairman, Campaign Council, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and George Akume, Minister for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs. Governor Buni said APC daily receives new entrants from Anambra State, citing the recent decamping of Senators Stella Oduah and Joy Emodi, adding that Anambra is ripe for us, and we will work together for victory. In his remarks, Mr Uzodinma, as chairman of the campaign council, assured the president that the message of the party would be taken to the people of Anambra, which will translate to victory for us in November. He also thanked the president for making the job easier, because of the integrity and honour you have in Nigeria. Your name opens doors for us, and lots of people come into our party today because of it. By the grace of God, we will be successful, Gov Uzodinma concluded. Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) August 31, 2021 The family of Ayodele Solaja Tuesday told a Judicial Panel of Inquiry that police officers lied to them after extrajudicially killing their son in August 2019. The family showed the panel a video of police officers shooting the deceased after they handcuffed him. In a sworn affidavit deposed to the panel, the elder sister of the deceased, Seun Bamgbose, narrated the events that led to the killing of Mr Solaja. She said the deceased, who was a youth corps member at the time, came to her house for the Sallah holidays and left the house to socialise with his friends in the neighbourhood at about 2 p.m. She said she was informed on the following day by one Francis that her brother and one other person, identified as Oghenenovo Ebobo, had been shot dead by police officers from Adoff Police Station, Iba. Francis recounted the event he witnessed that at around 3 p.m. on the 19th of August, 2019 that the policemen serving at the Adoff Police Station came fully armed and stormed Mission Street Iba Estate where my brother Ayodele Gabriel Solaja (now deceased) in the company of one Ogheneovo Ebobo and some others were drinking. That the people drinking there were terrified by the aggressive police presence and dispersed in various directions and the police pursued them. That my brother Ayodele Gabriel Solaja (now deceased) and Oghenevo Ebobo were arrested and brought in alive into the operation bus of the policemen, a yellow minibus popularly called Korope. That the policemen after a little while brought out my brother and Oghenevo Ebobo from inside the bus and shot them point-blank, with a rifle killing him instantly. That the policemen later planted two pistols and five expended shells or bullet casings on Ogheneovo Ebobo, she said. The killing of the victims was captured by an unknown person and was publicised on social media. The family presented the footage from an online site, Instablog9ja, which they played at the panel showing how the officers shot at the victims. Mrs Bamgbose said the police refused to release the corpses of her brother and Mr Ebodo, claiming that her brother ran away while being taken to the hospital by the police. She, however, said the viral video led to the arrest of the killer police officers who were identified as Fabiyi Omomuyiwa, Olaniyi Solomon, Solomon Sunday, and Aliyu Mukaila. They were dismissed from the police force and arraigned before the Ebute Meta magistrate court on conspiracy to commit murder and causing death. To our shock, the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution, Lagos State, issued legal advice exonerating the quartet of Fabiyi Omomuyiwa, Olaniyi Solomon, Solomon Sunday and Aliyu Mukaila from the case of murder against them claiming that my brother was an armed robber who died in an exchange of fire with the police and they were set free from prison custody, her written affidavit read. The petitioner, through her counsel, Adeshina Ogunlana, tendered different documents to support the case. Mrs Bamgbose said immediately the suspects were released from the Ikoyi Prison custody, the family lawyer, Mr Ogunlana, wrote a protest letter to the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Lagos State, after which new legal advice came from the DPPs office directing the prosecution of the four men for murder. Meanwhile, the officers are yet to be arraigned because they were said to have fled and could not be located. The family urged the panel to compel the state government to apprehend the four killers and bring them to justice. They also demanded compensation for the hurt caused to the family by the killing of the victim. Another killing In the second petition, Jude Balogun, who represented the family of Gabriel Ayoola, said he was present at the scene of his killing on October 21, 2020, at Ojodu Berger. Mr Balogun, in a sworn affidavit deposed to the panel, said the deceased was hit by a bullet while the police were trying to disperse protesters who came out in the morning of October 21, 2020, a day after the Lekki shooting incident. ADVERTISEMENT Mr Balogun, who is an agent of the Nigerian Aviation Holding Company (NAHCO), said he was compelled to go out that morning to check on his cargoes which he hurriedly left the night before due to the imposition of curfew by the state governor. On stepping out into the street of my area at Ojodu, I saw a group of protesters, numbering about two hundred, peacefully protesting. They held Nigerian flags and were chanting End Bad Governance with other calls and response chants that expressed dissatisfaction with the state and reflected their aims and goals as they were moving on. During the procession, from where I was, far behind the protesters, I saw police officers from Ojodu Police Station of Lagos State Police Command shooting into the crowd with the protesters fleeing in different directions, the affidavit read. Mr Balogun said after a while, another round of gunshots was released by the police officers, shortly after which Mr Ayoola was hit and found lying in the pool of his blood in front of Ojodu police station. He told the panel that he and other youths around rushed the victim to the Mother and Child Hospital at Ojodu, where he received first aid treatment before he was referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for treatment. Mr Balogun said the victim was hit on the head and suffered excessive bleeding and by the time they got to LASUTH, he was already in a coma. All the while he was on hospital bed, I could not establish his name and identity because he was in a coma and for the purpose of conducting surgery to extract the bullet from his head, I called him the Michael because I heard people calling him Michael but I was not sure that that was his real name. Mr Balogun said he could not contact any of his relatives as he did not know the victim prior to the incident and had to take responsibility for him at LASUTH before his relatives came around after a notice he posted on the social media. Gabriel was in the hospital for three weeks but died on the 12 day of November 2020 and the consultant in charge of his case is Dr. Ayodele. The hospital has refused to release the bullet to me or his relatives, Mr Balogun said. He said LASUTH also refused to give the autopsy report of the deceased to his family and the doctor in charge later claimed he died of COVID-19. Mr Balogun presented the LASUTH hospital request card for the radiological examination of the deceased, his picture on a hospital bed, videos of him being taken to the hospital and a video showing him lying in front of Ojodu police station to the panel. Doris Okuwobi, the chairperson of the panel, adjourned the matters to September 10 and 14 respectively. ADVERTISEMENT Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has said the state had not received a fair share from the federal government in the rehabilitation of roads across the country. Mr Abiodun expressed his displeasure when he received the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Muheeba Dankaka, who led the management team of the commission on a courtesy call to his office in Abeokuta pn Monday. The governor called on the federal government to reflect federal character on road rehabilitation in the country. He urged that Ogun State should be given special attention, particularly in terms of road rehabilitation, adding that the state deserves better attention than what it is currently getting due to its strategic location as the industrial capital of Nigeria We are not getting a fair share of road rehabilitation in this state, he said. There is a video being circulated on the social media showing the bad condition of roads in Ado-Odo/Ota right now. Ado-Odo/Ota harbours the biggest industries in this country, but regrettably, 90 per cent of the federal roads here are in bad shape. The federal government has so much to do, but Ogun State needs federal attention on road rehabilitation. We deserve a better share of federal attention. I have asked the federal government to give Ogun State roads special attention because a lot of its roads are in this state. He explained that his administration decided to reconstruct the Ijebu-Ode-Epe road which was in bad condition. He added that the quality of work done on the Ijebu-Ode Epe road was of very high standard, while the Toll Gates built on it was second to none in the country. The governor expressed his administrations readiness to partner the Commission to realise its mandates. Speaking, the FCCs Chairman, said the Commission was established to ensure a strong, virile and indivisible nation based on equity, fairness and justice that would promote national unity, foster loyalty and give every Nigerian a sense of belonging, irrespective of diversity in ethnic, culture, religion or language. She disclosed that the Commission has gone far in implementing its mandates by ensuring equal distribution of social services and economic opportunities for all Nigerians, noting that Ogun with its landmark and economic potentials has received its fair share in terms of appointments. Kenneth M. Eddy, 68, of Elizabethtown, passed away Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at his home. He was born in Elizabethtown on Sept. 17, 1952, son of the late Robert and Patricia (Partridge) Eddy. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to He IMAGE PROVIDEDThe Adirondack Council will publish the full State of the Park report, the theme of which is A Wilderness Refuge, to its website and in print on Tuesday, Sept. 7. The 28-page illustrated report documents the actions of local, state and federal officials that helped or harmed the park over the last year. It contains more than 100 topic summaries for which officials are granted a thumb up or a thumb down. North Country veterans and guardians listen during the send-off ceremony for North Country Honor Flights 32 and 33 Saturday morning. The flights brought the veterans to Washington, D.C., for all expense-paid visits to the national war memorials in the nation's capital. North Country Honor Flight traditionally makes multiple such trips each year, but the flights Saturday were the first since 2019, after the COVID-19 pandemic grounded any possible 2020 trips. Pick up Tuesday's edition of the Press-Republican for more coverage of the flights. WARSAW, Poland, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Polski Bank Komorek Macierzystych S.A. (PBKM), which leads the international FamiCord Group, Europe's largest stem cell bank, signed a transaction agreement with shareholders of Smart Cells Holdings Limited, based in London UK, to acquire a majority stake in the stem cell bank operating in Great Britain, Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and others) and Hong Kong. The transaction was closed on August 4th, 2021. FamiCord acquired 84.2 percent of shares in Smart Cells Holdings Limited. The transaction was financed from PBKM's own funds. - We are very pleased to welcome another well-organized and highly efficient stem cell bank to the FamiCord Group. This is another step in our strategy towards consolidation of the European family cord blood banking market which itself attracts multiple takeover targets we are interested in. By making this move we also entered new markets, substantially strengthen our position in Europe and our global presence on the markets in Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Oman, Bahrain , Kuwait and others) and Hong Kong, where Smart Cells Holdings operates. We're going to focus on strengthening Smart Cells UK and UAE markets with the goal to reach number one position within the next two years. We believe with our diverse product range, scientific expertise across many countries and financial strength, we will be the strongest service provider for stem cells and related healthcare products. I wish to add that we are continuing to seek further acquisitions from the European and other markets - says Jakub Baran, the co-founder, a shareholder and the President of the Management Board of PBKM S.A (the leading entity for the international FamiCord Group). Shamshad Ahmed- Founder and CEO , Smart Cells International Ltd says: - I am delighted that Smart Cells has become a part of the Famicord family of businesses. We are confident that bringing together our excellent customer care and world class storage facilities with PBKM's global reach and research capabilities will provide existing and new customers with unrivalled product offerings to protect their family's health. Our vision has always been for Smart Cells to be a global enterprise empowering people to store their children's stem cells with a company that is based on excellent science and integrity. I am so proud of what Smart Cells have accomplished together, and now with scale and presence, we are even closer to inspiring many more to take charge of their family's health and wellbeing. Smart Cells Holdings Limited was founded in 2001. It is the first private UK stem cell storage company to have released stored stem cell units for the use in the treatment of children with life-threatening or debilitating illnesses. Since its establishment, Smart Cells have released the greatest number of samples for use in transplants from a private UK bank for use in transplants in the UK and other countries (21 releases to 6 countries) from some of its 40,000 clients. The Company operates in the UK (laboratory near London Heathrow airport),Italy, Albania, Middle East, South Africa, Kenya , Pakistan, and Hong Kong. After the collection at the site of birth, biological materials are transported for storage to the Company's laboratory in the UK'' Polski Bank Komorek Macierzystych leads the international FamiCord Group, which manages stem cell banks located in Europe. After the transaction FamiCord Group will store 610.000 samples belonging to over 450,000 families. FamiCord's core business is the procurement, processing and long-term storage of stem cells from umbilical-cord blood and other post-foetal tissues on behalf of parents (family banking). The purpose of this banking is to provide security for the family in the event of a serious illness which requires a stem cell transplant in the donor or his/her immediate family members. The FamiCord Group is now present in over 35 European countries. It directly offers services to clients in Poland, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Romania, Switzerland, Italy, Luxembourg, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, and more recently in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Great Britain, Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Lebanon) and Hong Kong. It is one of the leading companies in almost all of these countries. In addition, it provides services to partners who acquire clients in Sweden, Denmark, Serbia and the Balkan countries, Italy and Ukraine. The Group's services are provided through a network of its own banks and through cooperating banks located in Switzerland, Sweden, Ukraine, the USA and other countries. On May 31st, 2021 PBKM and Vita 34 AG - the largest private stem cell bank in the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) signed a business combination agreement. The business combination will be carried out through the exchange of PBKM shares for newly issued Vita 34 shares. The proposed business combination will create a stronger pan-European family stem cell bank with combined revenues of approximately EUR 67 million (based on the 2020 reported results) and having a total market capitalization of approximately EUR 249 million (at closing prices as of 28 May 2021). In addition, the Group invests in the development of advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) manufacturing services, considered to be one of the most important developments in medicine. The PBKM Group is also involved in close to 10 clinical trials, in which stem cell fraction drugs have already been administered to patients about 700 times. Since May 2016, PBKM has been listed on the main market of the Warsaw Stock Exchange. For more information: www.pbkm.pl, https://akcjonariusze.pbkm.pl/ Twitter @PBKM_FamiCord . SOURCE FamiCord Group JERUSALEM, Israel, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- C2A Security, a leading provider of trusted automotive cybersecurity solutions, announces today that the company is accelerating company growth through a geographic expansion to Germany and China. C2A Security's automotive cybersecurity technology is set to empower two of the largest auto markets in the world, bringing visibility and control to protect connected vehicles across the vehicles' entire lifecycle. The inauguration of C2A Security's China office marks the first step of expanding into the world's fastest-growing automotive market. This strategic move will allow C2A Security to maximize the accessibility of their imperative technology to Chinese automotive manufacturers. C2A Security also opened an office in Germany, where the auto sector accounts for 20% of the total revenue in Germany. The new German office expands accessibility to the European markets. C2A Security takes a holistic approach to cybersecurity that includes a comprehensive, multi-layered technology suite scalable enough for the entire vehicle lifecycle. C2A Security is the first company to enhance its embedded cybersecurity offering with transparency through its cybersecurity lifecycle management platform. This unique orchestration layer empowers OEMs and Tier 1s with full-spectrum visibility, control and protection that are needed to meet vehicles' lifelong cybersecurity needs. "C2A Security stands alone in its ability to provide cybersecurity solutions for key attack vectors, making it the sole provider of the most flexible, comprehensive and transparent cybersecurity solutions on the market. C2A Security's expansion to China and Germany is filling the Chinese and European's automotive markets' need for a lasting, holistic solution to address cybersecurity challenges. We wish to empower the automotive industry with the tools and visibility needed to protect all connected vehicles," says Michael Dick, Founder & Chief Executive Officer at C2A Security. About C2A Security C2A Security is a trusted end-to-end automotive cybersecurity solutions provider. Its suite of embedded cybersecurity solutions takes a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity to provide automotive-relevant protection and safety compatibility. C2A's AutoSec is a comprehensive cybersecurity lifecycle management platform that empowers OEMs and Tier 1s with the visibility required to meet all the cybersecurity needs of connected vehicles across the entire vehicle lifecycle. With market neutrality, complete fluency in the needs of the automotive industry and ease of integration, C2A is redefining the automotive cybersecurity ecosystem. C2A is the sole provider of the most flexible, comprehensive and transparent cybersecurity solutions on the market. C2A was founded in 2016 by CEO Michael Dick, Co-Founder of NDS, which was acquired by Cisco for $5B. For more information, visit https://www.c2a-sec.com. SOURCE c2a-sec Ltd. Related Links https://www.c2a-sec.com The ActiveCampaign Access pillar promises to give customers as much access as possible across all areas of the business, ranging from customer success teams and cross-channel services, to advanced platform features and content in multiple languages. This also extends to access for global customers with plans to establish data centers in Europe, coming within the first half of 2022, and plans to expand localized data residency in the Asia-Pacific region. Furthermore, ActiveCampaign is working towards ISO 27001 certification, the leading international standard on how to manage and process data and safeguard privacy. Those interested can sign-up for early access . Within this pillar, ActiveCampaign is also introducing the industry's first anti-"no-reply" policy . ActiveCampaign is promising that every communication it sends will come from a monitored inbox, social account, or phone call, to ensure every piece of feedback and question will be received and read by an ActiveCampaign employee. While this may sound like a standard offering, no other company in the industry is doing this today. By taking this step, ActiveCampaign is committed to eliminating frustration and wasted time for businesses. With over 150,000 customers worldwide, the ActiveCampaign team is able to make human touch possible at scale by using its own platform . ActiveCampaign is committed to a shared experience with its customers. By leveraging the power of CXA, both ActiveCampaign and its customers alike will continue to grow together. Additional benefits of the Access pillar include: Being inclusive to businesses around the world: ActiveCampaign has customers in over 170 countries and is committed to being accessible in each of them through a platform, content, support, and training in multiple languages including German, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. Delivering on CXA in every channel: No one likes to feel they're talking to a void. That's why ActiveCampaign representatives are reachable to all customers, no matter their tier size, via email, chat and social - at no additional cost. ActiveCampaign has customers in over 170 countries and is committed to being accessible in each of them through a platform, content, support, and training in multiple languages including German, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. A platform developed based on customer feedback: ActiveCampaign constantly improves its platform to give customers the best tools available to grow their business, and relies on customer feedback to help drive those changes. That's why ActiveCampaign's engineering and developer teams make themselves accessible through the Ideas Board , and shares those ideas with customers through product updates page, bi-monthly emails, social, 1:1 personalized tips for each customer via the ActiveCampaign platform and a monthly webinar. Customers can see ideas delivered as part of #CustomerLoveAC . This program includes keeping customers informed of updates in whatever way they most prefer, including ActiveCampaign's product updates page, a monthly webinar , and frequent communications, both in the application and via social and email channels. ActiveCampaign constantly improves its platform to give customers the best tools available to grow their business, and relies on customer feedback to help drive those changes. That's why ActiveCampaign's engineering and developer teams make themselves accessible through the , and shares those ideas with customers through product updates page, bi-monthly emails, social, 1:1 personalized tips for each customer via the ActiveCampaign platform and a monthly webinar. Flexible solutions for companies of every size: All businesses should have what they need to create amazing customer experiences. With ActiveCampaign, every customer has access to the industry's most actionable Unified Data Model, which makes customer data across their tech stack accessible and actionable - allowing for tools and services otherwise only available to enterprises. This is made possible by a platform with a record of delivering self-guided enhancements, free training, over 600 automation recipes , and 870+ integrations , which over 70% of customers leverage. ActiveCampaign introduced the industry's first Customer Success Commitment in January 2020 to honor its promise to its customers. It began as a three-pillar commitment across service, trust and value, guaranteeing that the company would deliver an incredible experience to its customers and help them grow their own businesses by using its customer experience automation platform. The company's tremendous growth over the past 18 months proves that customers see value in this commitment. Since introducing the Customer Success Commitment, ActiveCampaign has gained over 60,000 customers, introduced over 500 partners, and nearly doubled its headcount. Further, customers have reviewed the platform over 8,000 times on G2, where it is also a leader in all 14 categories in its industry. Supporting quotes "You should be able to respond to any email that a company sends to you," said Dutta Satadip, Chief Customer Officer at ActiveCampaign. "That's why we at ActiveCampaign have made this commitment to granting our customers access to our teams, services, platform features and local languages. We're committed to supporting our customers at every step of their journey, and having full access is a key component to our commitment." "Support from ActiveCampaign is always stellar and the support staff seems to actually care about getting the issues you confront solved for you - a refreshing change from most companies these days! Keep up the great work," said Greg Howard, artist and founder, Greg Howard Fine Art Studio. "Customer feedback is essential to any company's growth. What I value most about our partnership with ActiveCampaign is our shared commitment to sourcing customer feedback and creating a relationship with our mutual customers that fosters a sense of community and ownership in the product," said Casey Hill, Head of Growth, Bonjoro. Learn more About ActiveCampaign ActiveCampaign's category-defining Customer Experience Automation Platform (CXA) helps over 150,000 businesses in 170 countries meaningfully engage with their customers. The platform gives businesses of all sizes access to 600+ pre-built automations that combine email marketing, marketing automation and CRM for powerful segmentation and personalization across social, email, messaging, chat and text. Over 70% of ActiveCampaign's customers use its 870+ integrations including Microsoft, Shopify, Square, Facebook, and Salesforce. ActiveCampaign scores higher in customer satisfaction than any other solution in Marketing Automation, CRM, and E-Commerce Personalization on G2.com and is the Top Rated Marketing Automation Software on TrustRadius. Pricing starts at just $9/month. Start a free trial at ActiveCampaign.com . SOURCE ActiveCampaign NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- American Jewish Committee (AJC) is deeply troubled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's 2020 hate crime statistics, released yesterday, which showed that overall hate crimes were up and crimes targeting Jews comprised 57.5% of all religious bias crimes last year. "Now is the time to act," said AJC CEO David Harris. "Every hate crime is heinous and unacceptable, no matter its target, and we must stand resolutely with any targeted group. Yet the fact that American Jewswho make up no more than 2% of the U.S. populationare the targets of nearly 60% of religious bias crimes should set off alarm bells. AJC's 2020 State of Antisemitism in America report revealed that an astounding 88% of American Jews are concerned about Jew-hatred in the United States and the latest FBI hate crime statistics illustrate exactly why. For decades, we have cautioned that antisemitism is a rising threat and that it comes from multiple sources, including the far right, the hard left, and Islamist extremists. Fighting Jew-hatred in America must become a national priority and it must be a bipartisan and cross-communal effort. Whether they carry tiki torches or placards denouncing Zionism, antisemites must be confronted no matter their background or ideology." According to the FBI data, 7,759 hate crimes took place in America in 2020, an increase of 6% compared to the 7,287 reported in 2019. Of all reported hate crimes, 1,174 targeted victims due to their religion and 676 of them57.5% of all religious bias crimestargeted Jews. 53% of hate incidents targeting Jews involved the destruction, damage, or vandalism of property; 33% were instances of intimidation; 6% were simple assaults; 4% were aggravated assaults; 1% were instances of burglary or breaking and entering; and 1% were instances of larceny or theft. AJC's 2020 State of Antisemitism in America report, released last October, found that 88% of American Jews view Jew-hatred as a problem in the United States and 82% believe it has gotten worse over the past five years. More than one in three American Jews37%reported having been the victim of antisemitism over the past five years, 31% said they sometimes avoid certain places or situations out of concern for their safety or comfort as Jews, and 24% said they had refrained from wearing or carrying items that might enable others to identify them as Jewish. Notably, the FBI's hate crime statistics are based on voluntary self-reporting by state and local law enforcement agencies across the country and are thus incomplete. Dozens of cities with over 100,000 residentsincluding Baltimore, Maryland; Norfolk, Virginia; St. Petersburg, Florida; and Anaheim, Californiafailed to submit any reports on hate crimes at all. AJC supported the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act, which establishes grants to improve hate crime reporting and enable federal authorities to better understand the scope of the problem and develop the necessary tools to combat it. The measure was adopted by large majorities of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate earlier this year. SOURCE American Jewish Committee Related Links http://www.ajc.org It would be an understatement to say that when Jerry Dittmer, a veteran of the office furniture business, was named president and chief executive officer of Flexsteel Industries in late 2018, the general feeling among independent furniture dealers across the country was one of concern. "I was very skeptical when we first met, as were many of the retailers I talk to, because we've all been down this road before," remembers Tom Balistreri, owner, and vice president of merchandising at four-store Colder's Furniture and Appliance, a long-time Flexsteel dealer based in the Milwaukee area. "The furniture industry is unique and consumer-centric," Balistreri posits, and the office products business is not consumer-facing. So, I was worried," the retailer explains. He had good reason. "We'd been doing business with Flexsteel for almost 40 years at that point, and it was a very important brand for us at the upper-end of our quality assortment." At the time, Flexsteellong an industry leader known as a good, Mid-Western company with strong values and a family atmospherewas clearly floundering. "They were a legacy company," the retailer describes. "Over the years, they promoted a lot from within, so the corporate culture was 'well, this is how we do things.' They weren't very progressive, and they weren't fresh in terms of product. Plus, they were having issues with their backend, caused by the implementation of an ERP system that was a disaster, and was costing everyone sales. Business was slowing and we needed them to get it right." The good news, according to Balistreri, was that from the jump, "Jerry was decisive. He started bringing in very intelligent, energetic people who were very progressive and very good listeners who really wanted to hear what we were doing and what we needed. Some people talk a lot and tell you, 'we're going to do this, and we're going to that,' and they never really do anything. But it was clear from the beginning that Jerry and his team were doing the things they said they were going to do." Back to Basics Among Dittmer's first orders of business "was to get Flexsteel out of hospitality and contracta low-margin industry that was costing them money, resources, and factory production timein order to focus all their efforts on the wholesale furniture side. I think that was a great first step, because it was a major distraction," Balistreri says. Certainly, when the pandemic hit in the Spring of 2020 and leisure travel all but came to a standstill, that initial move proved more prescient than anyone could have imagined. And as consumers reprioritized disposable income to focus on improving their living spaces, the stars began to align for a record-breaking year. As it happens, in the months leading up to the pandemic, Flexsteel had not only been quietly seeking economies and making strategic changes in the way the company's goods were produced, they were also laying the groundwork for augmented capacityadding a third North American factory based in Juarez, Mexico that helped them to mitigate the growing logjam overseas. According to Sharad Mathur, vice president of marketing at Flexsteel, the Juarez factory is now fully operational and ramping up production ever more quickly as poly foam availability improves. While many independent retailers have always looked to Flexsteel for its special-order capabilities, gallery dealer Ty Hoffard at Marchant Home Furnishings in Grandview, WA, says the ability to produce in-line goods domestically was particularly helpful in servicing his customers as the industry's supply chain woes increased. "They made it a point to help us out with domestically produced product that could ship quicker." In another effort to further diversify its sourcing in the Western hemisphere, Dittmer notes, "we recently entered into an agreement to secure a fourth leased building in Mexico to further expand manufacturing. Construction for the new 507,800-square-foot facility in Mexacali is beginning immediately and we hope to take possession by June 2022." "The additional North American production in Mexico has really benefitted our relationship with them," comments Will Harris, president of Darvin Furniture & Mattress, one of the country's Top 100 furniture retailers based in Orland Park, IL. "Most of their overseas production is done in China, which has had less of a logjam than some of the other Asian ports. While manufacturing in China might have been considered a negative at one point, now that the pandemic is starting to effect other countries like Vietnam, it's become a positive." Paying the Price "In the beginning, they made some mistakes with their partners in China and Vietnam, and like every other company in the industry, they had production issues for a time," Balistreri says, "but they cleaned all that up." Indeed, unlike many other manufacturers that put production on hold in the Pan Asian countries as container prices began to climb, "Flexsteel chose to pay the increasing premiums and keep product coming," Darvin's Harris says. That decision has paid off in increased market share. "We've heard a similar refrain again and again from dealers who say, 'Oh, you have this product in stock? We're giving you prime placement and it's coming right up to the front of our showroom," Mathur relates. "We've gained a lot of floor slots because retailers are so starved for available inventory. They just keep asking us for more." "Our inventory position relative to our competition was a clear advantage in fiscal 2021, and we intend to maintain that strength," Dittmer comments. "We've remained aggressive with purchasing and our inventory ended fiscal 2021 at $161 million, of which $62 million is in-transit to our distribution centers." "They've kept their commitments to keep goods flowing, and they continue to pay the price for the containers," Balistreri says. "It's going to take quite awhile to get the backlog squared away from a logistics standpoint, but throughout this whole time, they've consistently made good decisions." Darvin's Harris concurs. "They are good planners and users of technology for sure, and they have good forecasting models, which means that in the second half of the pandemic their manufacturing capability has remained almost normal." While others hesitated or tried to wait out the disruption, Flexsteel also began pricing its backlog almost from the get-go. "They adjusted prices in as fair and transparent a way as possible," he says. "We took pricing actions immediately, connecting with our retailers and telling them what was happening, and as a result, because we took the steps necessary to mitigate the entire process, they were whole and we were whole," Mathur reports. Notes Marchant's Hoffard, "as annoying as it was to be making new price tags every couple of weeks for a time there, we didn't ever have to worry about Flexsteel's prices being accurate. That transparency was nice. Flexsteel stayed on top of it and that meant we could stay on top of it." Let the Good Times Roll Of course, the container shortage was not the only transportation issue that Flexsteel had to contend with. Though the company had used its own fleet of trucks for years, Mathur says that one of the most important moves the company has made was to partner with Ruan on a transportation integration system to streamline its logistics. "We wanted a stronger and more robust Flexsteel logistics arm in place," Mathur says. "We used to have only our own delivery system, but we had a limited number of trucks, and there was only so much we could do. Ruan has afforded us countrywide coverage while staying connected to our integrated backend systems. Overall, we've been able to expand our entire transportation footprint. This means we are able to get all of our stocked product to customers within 15 days. If it's in stock, we deliver." Beyond the company's moves to increase the availability of in-stock product, Balistreri and the others have been impressed on the special-order side as well. "We're still seeing customers special ordering product who are willing to wait for quality product. And thanks to their forecasting systems, Flexsteel has been pretty accurate about when that product will arrive, which enables us to give good information to our customers." Add to all this the recently announced addition of a new distribution center in Pennsylvania that will enable the company to better service customers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. "The new DC positions us to handle increased inventory levels to support our growth," Mathur says. That's cause for optimism among the dealers. "In all the years we've doing business with Flexsteel, we've rarely had a year that we haven't grown," Balistreri says. "Thanks to all the positive moves they've made we've been up double-digits throughout the supply chain disruption, and we've already shipped in the first six months of this year what we shipped in Flexsteel product the entirety of last year." "The two most relevant things right now are reliability and product mix," says Harris. "Flexsteel is a uniquely good value for quality product and their new rollouts and additions have been very positive. Our history with them goes back four generations, so in our case, it's one established company working with another, both of which have family roots. Ultimately, our people are what make Darvin great, and it's the same for Flexsteel. Really, as stories go in the furniture business, this one has been refreshing." SOURCE Flexsteel Industries, Inc. Related Links www.flexsteel.com "Our new distillery is really the heart and soul of the Beam legacy. Years ago after my dad, Booker Noe, created the original small batch bourbons, he looked to me to welcome more whiskey drinkers into our family of brands. Now as I look ahead, it's with great pride that I hand the reins of this special place over to my son Freddie, and I look forward to working side-by-side as he leads the next chapter in whiskey making for the James B. Beam Distilling Co.," Fred Noe said. "At the new distillery Freddie will continue to experiment with new fermentation, distillation and blending techniques to produce category-defining and boundary-pushing whiskey of the highest quality. I can't wait to see what he does with it, and I know that my dad is smiling down on us today." The Fred B. Noe Distillery joins the Beam family's iconic distillery campus in Clermont, KY that has produced bourbon since 1935, including Jim Beam, the number one-selling bourbon in the world. Some of the James B. Beam Distilling Co.'s most popular super-premium whiskies, including Booker's Bourbon, Baker's Bourbon and Little Book Whiskey, will find a permanent home at the Fred B. Noe Distillery. The new distillery will also offer a space for continued experimentation and exploration of the future American whiskey category. The newly launched exclusive membership program, Barreled & Boxed , will allow consumers to experience the distilling company's most exciting releases straight to their doorsteps in select states, where legal. "This new distillery represents my family's bourbon legacy both where we've been and where we're headed," said Freddie Noe. "In this new home, I look forward to honoring all of my dad's contributions and continuing to innovate and push the boundaries in American whiskey. Over the last five years, I've been exploring new and interesting blends, ages and flavors on my quest to build upon the legacy my dad and granddad pioneered. I'm eager to show the world what we've been up to, and to offer fans everywhere a taste of the special whiskies we've been cooking up." The Fred B. Noe Distillery, powered by renewable energy through a high-efficiency electric boiler and the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs), will also offer experiential learning through distillation sessions and seminars with Freddie Noe, hands-on activities in the blending lab, and a tasting bar to sample new and yet-to-be released innovations for select members of the trade. Additionally, a state-of-the-art classroom for the University of Kentucky's James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits will be housed at the Fred B. Noe Distillery wherein future leaders in the American Whiskey industry will come together to learn the genuine whiskey making craft firsthand from the James B. Beam Distilling Company's experts. To bring the Fred B. Noe Distillery to life, James B. Beam Distilling Co. brought together a team of world renowned designers and builders. The external inspiration and visitor experience was provided by LOVE, a spatial design, branding, packaging and advertising agency. Architects from Joseph and Joseph designed the base distillery build, and OJB designed the landscape. Buzick Construction, Inc. took the lead on building both of these areas. Additionally, architects from Bergmeyer designed the consumer footprint, which was built by Shawmut Design and Construction . Project management and owner's representation for the visitor experience was led by Stys Hospitality Initiative . For more information about the James B. Beam Distilling Co. and the Fred B. Noe Distillery, please visit https://www.beamdistilling.com/. About Beam Suntory Inc. As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company's brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker's Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden's and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher's, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and On The Rocks Premium Cocktails. Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com. 2021 Beam Suntory Inc. Chicago, IL SOURCE Beam Suntory Inc. ATLANTA, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic last spring forced everyone to adjust to a new normal, including parents of young children. For Scott and Jordan Arogeti, the parental challenges brought on by both an 18-month-old and a newborn (born two weeks into quarantine) upended their lives professionally and personally. The increase in home responsibilities required these veterans of Atlanta's startup scene to reassess priorities, and eventually led Scott to resign from a head of sales role at a fast-growing startup to support Jordan continuing her six-year-plus chapter at SalesLoft. Inspired by the words of the late columnist Charles Krauthammer about "having lived the life he intended," they decided to pursue a longtime dream: to bet on themselves by creating a structure through which they could earn equity by advising, investing in, and building their own startupsall while prioritizing a sense of control and the ability to spend time with their young children. "We'd considered building a portfolio of equity positions through advising and investing as something we'd pursue later in our careers," said Scott Arogeti, who along with wife Jordan has worked at some of Atlanta's leading tech startups, including SalesLoft, STORD, Rubicon Global, PlayOn! Sports, Voxie, and more. "However, the pandemic provided us an opportunity and the courage to accelerate our timeline. We were confident we could begin adding value nowin the prime of our careers." Arogeti Endeavors launched in summer 2020, and since then has added six "Endeavors": Clarity Value, an interactive platform through which governments at all levels can handle all their core workflows, reducing headaches for both their constituents and employees. Cue, an overlay for sales, support, and customer service reps that enhances collaboration and productivity to create both a better agent and customer experience . Goodr, a sustainable food rescue and distribution tech company that believes hunger isn't an issue of scarcity, but a matter of logistics. Mesg.ai, a SaaS solution that automates prospect research, finds sales triggers, and enables sales teams to send high-quality personalized sales emails at scale. Procoto, a procurement solution that automates the source-to-contract process so that SMBs source better products and services, faster, cheaper, and with fewer resources. Wellspring, a wellness provider that partners with organizations to inspire wellness pathways by introducing thoughtful brands and programs that employees actually enjoy. Arogeti Endeavors' goal is to be more actively involved than a traditional angel investor. "Many angels provide C-suite experience, and while they bring immense value to the table, we believe founders and their teams are best served leveraging the insights of a diverse, complementary set of investors with experience up and down the org chart as well as the bandwidth to roll up their sleeves and help with the early, foundational work necessary," said Scott Arogeti. "We're able to partner with founders we enjoy spending time with, scaling companies that we believe in, through an untraditional structure that best fits our strengths." "By partnering with Arogeti Endeavors, founders and their teams are not only receiving financial support, but also sharp operational and strategic guidance," said Cristian Robiou, founder and CEO of Clarity Value. "Scott and Jordan understand the point of a startup isn't just to growit's also to scale. With their help, Clarity Value is doing just that, as the introductions they've made and the strategies and processes they've helped us implement have resulted in our growing both our client base and ARR 5X from when they first invested at the beginning of 2021." Among the advisory services that Arogeti Endeavors provides: overall sales strategy (focus on outbound); customer experience and journey mapping; messaging and positioning; new employee recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding; government relations; introductions to potential employees, customers, investors, and partners. Scott and Jordan believe Arogeti Endeavors is very early in its journey, and they're working on a few projects they plan to announce in the coming months, including their own technology platform they intend to bring to market soon. "We're from Atlantathis is our home. The prospect of playing a small role in building the tech ecosystem here is exciting to us," said Scott Arogeti. About Arogeti Endeavors Arogeti Endeavors is a general startup consulting and angel investment practice. The firm's partners, Scott Arogeti and Jordan Arogeti, have a collective 25 years of experience, including tenures with six high-profile, fast-growing tech startups in Atlanta. Their background also includes time at IMG, one of the largest sports-marketing firms in the world; AIPAC, one of the most effective public affairs/lobbying organizations in the nation; and The White House Office of Public Liaison under President George W. Bush. For more information, visit www.arogetiendeavors.com. Media Contact: Kathy Berardi [email protected] 678.644.4122 SOURCE Arogeti Endeavors Andy Scharenberg, M.D., Umoja Biopharma Co-founder & CEO, and members of the CRB and Umoja project team opened the event with a project tour and overview. Attendees included government and economic development officials, business partners and members of the CRB project team and Umoja Biopharma leadership. "It has been a privilege to work with Umoja to deliver a project in support of transformative science and therapies to treat cancerous tumors. Working closely with Umoja demonstrates their commitment to sustainability, diversity, equity, inclusion, creativity and fast project delivery," said Colton Koncak, Colorado Market Team Leader at CRB. "These commitments and goals unified our team members and allowed us to support rapidly changing technology. We are humbled that Umoja has entrusted us to deliver this project." CRB will transform the existing building into 146,000 square feet of highly flexible and scalable manufacturing, laboratory, office, and warehouse space. The project design will focus on features to integrate LEED criteria along with zero carbon emissions to meet the company's sustainability goals. CRB's ONEsolution is a complete approach that takes a project from initial planning through operational readiness. It advances the principles of integrated project delivery, uses proven lean construction tools, and capitalizes on the collaborative expertise of a single design and construction team. The result is improved design, increased productivity, reduced waste and inefficiencies, and lower costs. The current plan is for Phase 1 to be complete by May 2022 and substantial completion by Fall 2022. For more information visit the website, contact the company online, or call, (816) 880-9800 About Umoja Biopharma, Inc Umoja Biopharma, Inc. is a preclinical stage company advancing an entirely new approach to immunotherapy designed to retool a patient's immune system in vivo. Founded based on pioneering work performed at Seattle Children's Research Institute and Purdue University, Umoja's novel approach is powered by integrated cellular immunotherapy technologies including the VivoVec in vivo delivery platform, the RACR/CAR in vivo cell expansion/control platform, and the TumorTag targeting platform. Designed from the ground up to work together, these platforms are being developed to create and harness a powerful immune response in the body to directly, safely, and controllably attack cancer. Umoja believes that its approach can provide broader access to the most advanced immunotherapies and enable more patients to live better, fuller lives. To learn more, visit http://umoja-biopharma.com/. About CRB: CRB is a leading provider of sustainable engineering, architecture, construction and consulting solutions to the food and beverage and life sciences industries. The company's more than 1,600 employees provide world-class solutions that drive success and positive change for their clients, people and communities. CRB is a privately held company with a rich history of serving clients throughout the world, consistently striving for the highest standard of technical knowledge, creativity and execution. MEDIA CONTACT INFORMATION: CRB, Chris Clark: 816-200-5234 Clarity Quest, Bonnie Quintanilla, Megan Higdon: 877-887-7611 SOURCE CRB Related Links http://www.crbusa.com GLENVIEW, Ill., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Envoy Solutions, a diversified distribution company, is excited to announce that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Daycon Products Co. (Daycon), based in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Daycon, a 79-year-old distributor and market leader in facility supplies, training services, and sustainable solutions for thousands of customers throughout the region. This acquisition is the result of Envoy Solutions' ambitious approach to build a growing portfolio of like-minded and valued companies across the United States. The move further supports Envoy Solutions' focus on making buildings cleaner and more sustainable, people safer, and operations more productive, every day. Daycon is the latest in a series of companies joining Envoy Solutions, which is the premier national platform in distributing facility supplies, packaging solutions, and specialty marketing products. Both Envoy Solutions and Daycon are forward-thinking, focused on personalized service, and thrive on problem solving. This exciting milestone presents significant growth opportunities for employees, customers, and supplier partners. The combined company will include 2,000 associates, operate a network of 40 distribution centers and support 43,000 customers nationwide. According to Mark M. Fisher, CEO of Envoy Solutions, "This new partnership with Daycon furthers the organization's ability to combine scale with a high-touch customer-centric approach. Adding Daycon to our complementary businesses with similar cultures and product portfolios ultimately improves our ability to better serve our customers and supplier partners, while providing more opportunity for our associates. We can continue to combine the expertise of local sales teams with a wide portfolio of products and deeper category knowledge to solve the industry's toughest challenges." Daycon is a green-focused company that helps customers achieve healthier spaces for students, workers, and tenants with sustainable cleaning products. In addition, Daycon operates six retail ProCenter locations offering a one-stop-shop for all customers' Jan-San needs: facility supplies, equipment, and training. The company has been family-owned and operated since 1942. Howard M. Cohen has served as CEO for more than 15 Years. Howard M. Cohen, CEO of Daycon said, "When we looked at the competitive landscape, our goal was to partner with a culturally aligned company that focuses on building long term relationships. The Envoy Solutions team clearly recognizes the value we bring. They will help us become a much stronger company in the eastern region, and accelerate the expansion of our value-added services, such as our OnSite Facilities and Properties platforms, on a national basis. In addition, the partnership with Envoy Solutions will provide our exceptional team more growth opportunities. We are excited for the future together." This acquisition comes at a critical time. The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed how people work and live by highlighting the need for proper hand hygiene and facility cleanliness. With the addition of Daycon, Envoy Solutions can provide more people with essential products to stay safe and healthy. About Envoy Solutions: Envoy Solutions, the nation's premier specialty distribution platform, is helping businesses thrive through a multi-faceted approach to make buildings cleaner and people safer, every day. Our wide array of essential products including sanitary supply, packaging solutions, and foodservice disposables are improving the quality of life at schools, hospitals, offices, and other institutions. Based in Glenview, IL., Envoy Solutions is the parent company of North American Corporation, WAXIE Sanitary Supply, Southeastern Paper Group, Daycon Products Co. and NVISION. For more information, please visit www.envoysolutions.com About Daycon: Daycon has been a leading manufacturer and distributor of building maintenance supplies for 79 years. The company is built on dedication to personalized service and creating a cleaner, brighter tomorrow for our customers. Daycon provides an array of value-added services, including innovative cleaning products and solutions, consulting and training, inventory management, and coordination and education of green cleaning and sustainability programs. Daycon serves building owners, property managers, contract cleaners, public school systems, and universities. Our corporate headquarters is located in Upper Marlboro, Maryland with additional retail locations throughout Maryland and Virginia. For more information, please visit www.daycon.com SOURCE Envoy Solutions DALLAS, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- One Network Enterprises (ONE), the leading global provider of supply chain control towers and the Digital Supply Chain Network, is pleased to announce that the Ghana Ministry of Health has utilized the Ghana Integrated Logistics Management Information System, known as GhiLMIS, to help successfully meet and address COVID-19 supply chain needs. The comprehensive implementation process of GhiLMIS shifted the focus from manual reporting systems to the usage of data delivered from the network, to make more informed decisions. This has had significant positive impacts on operations in the shortest period of time which enabled, and continues to enable, COVID-19 response readiness. With the Government of Ghana's high commitment to the COVID-19 pandemic response, their plan was to procure and distribute the appropriate medicines and supplies for the early treatment of cases that would reduce morbidity and mortality. Key to achieving this was GhiLMIS. The system has been able to capture and process COVID-19 related transactions through the entire value chain while tracking and tracing COVID-19 items throughout the supply chain. Data derived from the system has been leveraged to enable informed decisions for demand and supply planning and scenario modeling, distribution segmentation and demand prioritization. GhiLMIS, built on the One Network NEO platform, provides an electronic logistics management information system that connects more than 1500 medical facilities across the country on the One Network Digital Supply Chain Networktm. The project was funded by the Global Fund and its successful implementation, managed by S4D Consulting, was based on a patient centric approach that ensured data quality while improving and optimizing operational performance and reducing supply chain costs. The system has been instrumental in producing: Improved planning and decision making to address the country's COVID-19 needs and address pandemic disruptions to the entire supply chain; Better execution of supply and demand planning utilizing intelligent demand and replenishment sensing engines; A supply chain that is agile and responsive to all disruptions brought on by COVID-19; Multi-tier collaboration to ensure responsiveness to customer needs in real time; A business intelligence engine that provides prescriptive and predictive analytics to different scenarios and; Establishment of a foundation for future growth. "When we did our initial systems evaluation, we realized we had over 100 different systems. There was no portability of the data, there was no standardization, there was no visibility which was hampering our efforts," said Samuel Ampomah, Head of IT, Ghana Ministry of Health. "The logistics management information system was designed to help address these challenges. The Ministry of Health now has a clear strategy to move toward data standardization. The GhiLMIS provides the capability of interfacing with every system which enhances data exchange, standardizing the data to enable real time reporting and access to data that enables us to make informed decisions." "Today real time logistics and transactional data, is generated by the click of the button addressing operational inefficiencies that existed prior to the system implementation," said Bernard Asamany, Deputy Director, Supplies, Stores and Drugs Management Division, Ghana Health Services. "The Ghana Ministry of Health did a fantastic job getting all their partners and staff up to speed and deployed quickly on GhiLMIS," said said Greg Brady, Founder and Chairman of One Network Enterprises. "As a fully deployed digitized, country wide network, GhiLMIS has enabled the Ghana MoH to react quickly and fully support COVID-19 pandemic response measures. In addition, they are well prepared to take on other relief measures that may come up in the future to best serve their population." "The interruptions caused by the pandemic created a critical need to ensure that the Ghana's public health supply chain are activated," said Philip Lule, GhilMIS implementation lead and CEO for Systems for Development (S4D). "It emphasized the need to ensure an agile and responsive supply chain management system, that is both effective and efficient in fighting any disruptions future and current. It highlighted how data plays a critical role in addressing supply chain needs, creates agile opportunities and facilitates resilience." One Network Health Logistics Management Systems and Digital Supply Chain Networktm are contributing to positive results to improve supply chain efficiencies in Rwanda, Ghana, and Nigeria, connecting thousands health care facilities that service the health care needs of more than 250 million people throughout these countries. Learn more about the GhiLMIS project. About One Network Enterprises One Network is the leading global provider of supply chain control towers and the Digital Supply Chain Networktm. It is the only available solution that gives supply chain managers and executives end-to-end visibility with a single version of the truth, from inbound supply to outbound order fulfillment and logistics, matching demand with available supply in real-time. This multitier, multiparty digital platform helps optimize and automate planning and execution across the entire supply chain network. Powered by NEO, One Network's machine learning and intelligent agent technology, real time predictive and prescriptive analytics autonomously enable industry-leading performance for the highest service levels and product quality at the lowest possible cost. It's the industry's only solution with a fully integrated data model that connects companies to their suppliers and all logistics partners, providing a network-wide, real-time single version of the truth. Leading global organizations have joined One Network transforming industries like Retail, Food Service, Consumer Goods, Automotive, Healthcare, Public Sector, Telecom, Defense, and Logistics. Headquartered in Dallas, One Network has offices across the Americas, Europe, and APAC. For more information, please visit www.onenetwork.com. Contact: Michelle Gaubert Julia Angelen Joy One Network Enterprises Interdependence Public Relations +1 510 316 0590 +1 949 777 2423 x 330 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE One Network Enterprises Related Links http://onenetwork.com BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GRSi, a state-of-the-art innovations and solutions company supporting the Civilian, Defense, and Intel communities, was recently awarded a contract to support the administrative and scientific missions of the National Eye Institute (NEI). NEI is the lead federal agency for the latest research on vision and eye health, and GRSi has served as key partners with NEI's leadership since 2017 to support their organizational alignment with high-priority mission needs. This new contract will be the 4th iteration of GRSi's support for NEI's mission needs and is focused on providing critical, strategic subject matter expertise towards implementing organizational and Information Technology (IT) change management across the Institute. GRSi's subject matter experts (SMEs) will be responsible for ensuring full operational excellence across NEI and leveraging IT solutions to realize process efficiency gains throughout administrative and business processes, continually enhancing the support delivered from the Institute's service centers to the scientific community. Our team will also provide expertise in the application of various IT platforms supporting the analysis and presentation of organizational effectiveness, human resources, and financial data to effectively measure organizational performance against strategic objectives. "We're thrilled to expand our support to the National Eye Institute. We could not be more committed to the critical mission of NEI and it is an honor to hold the continual trust of NIH as an industry partner." -Diane Yarnell, Executive Vice President & Chief of Staff GRSi, named Government Contracting Company of the Year for 2021, is an industry-leading professional technical and engineering services company delivering next-generation systems engineering, cybersecurity, technology insertion, and best practices-based Enterprise Operations (EOps) management. Our worldwide top-talent brings proven agility and innovation while maintaining compliance and governance. GRSi stabilizes, optimizes, and transforms our clients' environments, realizing their must-have objectives of resilient, reliable, and forward-leaning technical efficiencies. GRSi has delivered excellence in professional and technical services for nearly two decades to federal, defense, intelligence, and commercial clients worldwide. Our subject matter experts, refined processes, and best-fit technology implementations ensure that excellence is delivered daily. For more information, contact [email protected]. Related Images grsi-expect-excellence.jpg GRSi - Expect Excellence SOURCE GRSi 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. CLEVELAND, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, investors in Horizon Private Equity, an alleged Ponzi scheme, filed claims in Georgia and in Kentucky against Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. Investors filed their claims in arbitration before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). In both cases, the investors allege that Oppenheimer, a New York-based financial services company, played an early and important role in the formation and continuing operation of the alleged Horizon Private Equity scheme and demand it compensate them for the financial losses they incurred. An attorney for the Horizon investors, John Chapman, comments: "hundreds of Horizon investors including many seniors and retirees have lost over $110 million. And many of them depended upon Horizon's distributions to make ends meet every month. In some cases, their retirement savings are now depleted. They have nothing left to live on." The investors' lawsuit alleges Woods used Southport Capital, an investment advisory firm, to move customer accounts from Oppenheimer and lure investors into the Horizon alleged Ponzi scheme, dangling promises of "guaranteed' returns between 6-7% with little-to-no risk. In reality, none of the investors' funds were invested as promised but, were instead misappropriated or diverted to pay later investors, in typical Ponzi-scheme-like fashion. According to the investor complaints, during the time Woods was an Oppenheimer investment professional, between 2003 and 2016, his Horizon Private Equity scheme incubated in a Southport Capital office located in rented space just down the hall from Oppenheimer's Atlanta, Georgia branch office. The investor complaint alleges investors' money flowed from Oppenheimer customer accounts into Woods' alleged Horizon schemes. "Firms like Oppenheimer are charged with the responsibility of protecting investors by keeping a sharp eye out for employee misconduct and security law violations, comments Attorney Chapman. "Oppenheimer turned a blind-eye to red flags which showed serious ongoing misconduct by Woods. If it had investigated any of it, it would have surely uncovered the alleged Ponzi scheme." "Horizon Private Equity appears to have been an enormous scheme and it spread like a cancer for more than fifteen years," says Chapman. "It's easy to point the finger of blame at Woods, but there were plenty of brokers and advisors, financial service firms, and others who were only too willing to help him. We're going to make sure that those responsible for perpetrating this alleged fraud--not the unsuspecting investorsbear the consequences of their misconduct." The Georgia and Kentucky actions are the first of many that the attorneys at ChapmanAlbin, LLC and the Law Office of Craig H. Kuglar are preparing to file on behalf of investors. Mr. Chapman can be reached by phone at 1-877-410-8172 or by email at [email protected]. SOURCE Chapman, Albin CORONA, Calif., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Ikanik Farms, Inc. (CSE: IKNK.U) (FSE: DFMA) (the "Company" or "Ikanik Farms") is pleased to announce it has completed the construction and state and local licensing of its Palm Springs dispensary, consumption lounge and home delivery. "We are very excited to complete our flagship dispensary and consumption lounge that will set a new standard for cannabis experiences in the Palm Springs area, with operations targeted to begin October 2021." said Brian Baca, CEO of Ikanik Farms. Conveniently located one block from "Main Street" in the heart of Palm Springs, the licensed 1,800 square foot dispensary offers customers an open and modern shopping experience, a highly trained staff, and a wide assortment of California's leading brands and Ikanik products, exclusive brand apparel and other soft goods, locally inspired to create a consumer centric shopping experience. An online reservation system will offer customers the convenience of shopping from their home and will support curbside pickup and home delivery. The consumption lounge boasts 2,200 square feet of open and airy space, cascaded with natural light from its vaulted ceilings and a state-of-the-art ventilation and filtration system to provide an appealing venue for dispensary customers, private parties, and special events. The company is excited to provide the Palm Springs area with employment opportunities ranging from store management to budtenders and support staff positions, with well-paying jobs that offer upward mobility and internal promotion opportunities. "We will see dispensary revenue commence in Q4, with the completion of our California vertical integration supporting margin growth moving into 2022", said Ryan Ciucki, CFO Ikanik Farms. About Ikanik Farms Ikanik Farms is a California based, Multi-National Operator (MNO) who is building a dynamic portfolio of brands, inspired by its passion for health and wellness, action sports, and supported by its vertically integrated retail, distribution and cultivation in CA and its medical grade cultivation and laboratory in Colombia. The Company's leadership brings decades of expertise in R&D, cultivation, retail, branding, and corporate finance. Ikanik Farms' operation in Colombia, through its pharma division Pideka, holds GMP-PHARMA, (GACP) Good Agricultural and Collection Practice, (GPTCP) Good Production Transformation & Commercialization Practices Cannabis Pharma and ISO-9001:2015 certifications for its Casa Flores operating facility. Forward Looking Statements This news release includes "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and United States securities laws (together, "forward-looking information). All information, other than statements of historical facts, included in this news release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future is forward-looking information. When used in this news release, words such as "will", "could", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "potential", "believe", "should", and similar expressions, are forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including, but not limited to: changes in laws, a change in management, the inability to obtain additional financing, increased competition, hindering market growth and state adoption due to inconsistent public opinion and perception of the medical-use and adult-use marijuana industry and, regulatory or political change. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, the results or events predicted in the forward-looking information may differ materially from actual results or events. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information in this news release is made as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and the Company does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Ikanik Farms Inc. SOURCE Ikanik Farms Inc. Related Links https://ikanikfarms.com/ SOURCE Ikanik Farms Inc. Related Links https://ikanikfarms.com/ SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As legislators return to Springfield to consider a utility reform bill that could bring the largest rate hike in Illinois history, hundreds of older adults have signed a petition urging elected officials not to forget them when casting a vote. The concern from older adults across the state comes with good reason: data analyzed independently by AARP Illinois because a cost analysis was never presented to the public finds that the bill being debated this week would build up to a $15 monthly increase for Single Family customers and would lead to more than $14 billion in increases to customer bills during the next 10 years. "Our members are deeply concerned and dismayed about their utility bills, which keep going up without any explanation or consumer input," said State Director Bob Gallo. "But they are equally frustrated that their elected officials continually act in the best interest of ComEd and other big utilities, which use unfair lobbying practices and not on behalf of the residents." Since Aug. 26, more than 500 older adults across Illinois have completed petitions with AARP Illinois, the non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to improving the lives of those 50+. The petition demands that consumer advocacy groups, like AARP Illinois, be included in negotiations about the omnibus energy bill. On Tuesday, AARP Illinois representatives hand delivered stacks of these signed petitions to legislators at the Capitol. Research compiled by AARP Illinois found that from the current legislation being considered, the largest single cost driver (larger than the next largest cost by $1.5 billion), is not the increase in renewable energy funding or the equitable and jobs training, but it is the increase to ComEd's profits. That $4.1 billion increase represents only the increase in money going to Exelon over the next 10 years. L. Reed, a Lake in the Hills resident and single mother of a 13-year-old son, said she put off seeing a doctor and buying groceries for several weeks to cover a $220 electric bill. Reed had to rely on her church to supply food to her and her son, and the high bill was still not enough to keep her home cool. She had to sit in a chair with ice packs on her to keep from overheating. "There is no reason, with all the technology we have today, that electricity should be so expensive," Reed said. Other older adults who shared their utility struggles with AARP Illinois include: People who have had to stay working long into retirement to keep up with increases. Residents who are on the brink of declaring bankruptcy because they are paying hundreds of dollars a month on utilities. Currently, Illinois utility customers are millions of dollars behind on their utility bills. Meanwhile, ComEd is projected to make record profits this year, even after it admitted to a 10-year bribery scheme that cost consumers $5 billion dollars. The rate schemes that only benefit the utility companies, bailouts for nuclear plants, forced electrification, and increased rate caps for ratepayers are just a few reasons that electric bills will steadily increase on the citizens who can least afford it. AARP Illinois continues to support future legislation to: End formula rates and all similar ratemaking schemes, and give the Illinois Commerce Commission back control over the ratemaking process; Stop additional nuclear bailouts for Exelon, which would lead to even further unfair electricity rates for you and other unsuspecting consumers; Put a stop to so-called "charitable contributions" by big utility companies that are actually giving away consumers' money to make themselves seem benevolent; Enact strict ethics reforms and enhance oversight on utilities to ensure greater transparency and accountability and prevent any further illegal actions employed by utility companies that would lead to more ill-gotten rate increases; Oppose legislation that raises rates through questionable new spending. "All Illinois utility customers and especially older adults on fixed incomes deserve energy legislation that finally puts them first," Gallo said. "We urge legislators in Springfield to vote on behalf of the people who put them in office, who are telling them that the largest utility rate hike in history should not be an option." SOURCE AARP Illinois Related Links http://www.aarp.org NEW DELHI, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dalit women's rights activists in the National Council of Women Leaders (NCWL) are voicing serious concerns about how India is failing to meet its legal and moral obligations to protect Dalit women and girls from sexual violence. The NCWL is calling for urgent action and is releasing recommendations to India's government on how to tackle gender-based violence and intersectional discrimination experienced by Dalit women and girls. National Council of Women Leaders End Caste Based Sexual Violence The appalling gang-rape and murder of a nine-year-old Dalit girl in Delhi at the beginning of August, followed days later by the rape of a six-year-old Dalit girl in the same city, have sparked outrage and caste-based sexual violence has again been thrust into the spotlight. These latest high profile cases represent just the tip of the iceberg, with the National Family Health Survey-4 (2016) finding that women from Scheduled Tribes and Castes face the highest levels of sexual violence in India. The NCWL is a new coalition uniting women leaders from marginalised communities who are working at the grassroots to support and empower Dalit, Muslim and Adivasi women and girls. In collaboration with Dalit Human Rights Defenders Network (DHRD-Net) , Equality Labs , and Equality Now , the NCWL has been running a national campaign to focus public attention on how Dalit women and girls are subjected to sexual violence and harassment stemming from severe, pervasive and intersectional discrimination tied to their sex, gender, caste and class. NCWL has analysed 70 caste-based rape cases from 15 Indian states, and 12 landmark cases from 1985 to now. The research reveals deep-rooted, longstanding patterns of Dalit women and girls being oppressed with sexual violence, including more extreme forms such as gang rape, or rape with murder. Perpetrators in dominant positions are using rape as a weapon to assert power and reinforce caste and gender hierarchies. Survivors and victims' families frequently encounter multiple barriers that prevent them from accessing justice. Common obstructions demonstrate the systemic nature of discrimination Dalit communities experience within India's criminal justice system and wider society. In interviews with the NCWL, Dalit women's rights activists discussed numerous challenges they are confronted with when advocating for justice in sexual violence crimes. Manjula Pradeep, a Dalit activist and founding member of the NCWL, says: "The recent brutal rape and murder cases of young Dalit girls point towards the impunity and power that dominant caste perpetrators have in an inherently casteist society. Survivors and families of victims generally face a huge struggle to obtain justice within India's legal system." A report by Equality Now and Swabhiman Society, Justice Denied: Sexual Violence and Intersectional Discrimination , identified systemic impediments preventing Dalit women and girls in the state of Haryana from receiving justice. This includes police regularly refusing to register cases, declaring cases false, or coercing survivors into accepting out-of-court settlements. NCWL's research has found these problems across the country. Perpetrators know they are far less likely to be punished if they commit violations against Dalit community members because crimes are rarely investigated or prosecuted. For the small proportion of sexual violence assaults that India's criminal court system does prosecute, conviction rates remain abysmally low. The NCWL's recommendations to India's Central Government and State Governments outline steps duty-bearers should take to protect Dalit women and girls from sexual violence and provide justice and support to survivors. They include: Incorporate and effectively implement the abolition of caste-based discrimination and patriarchy in national-level law and policy; Recognise Dalit women as a distinct social group; develop and implement policies specifically focused on advancing their rights, wellbeing, equal standing, and protection within the law; Produce and disseminate disaggregated data on the status of Dalit women, particularly in government plans and development programmes; address intersectional forms of discrimination throughout the criminal justice system; Ensure full and strict implementation of existing legal protections, particularly the Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and the timely investigation and disposal of cases of violence against Dalit women and girls; Organise, support and fund community-based education, legal literacy and training programmes that improve understanding of intersectional discrimination and violence, including combating casteist and sexist stereotypes amongst criminal justice system officials; empower Dalit communities to better understand their legal and constitutional rights; Recognise that economic dependence is a significant reason behind Dalit women not filing police complaints; deliver a national plan with separate funding aimed at accelerating efforts to reduce the poverty gap between Dalit communities and the general population; Ensure Dalit survivors who report sexual violence are legally protected by the state from retaliation by the accused; prevent further violence targeting them, such as through social boycotts, and impose restrictions on these; Provide Dalit survivors and family members with immediate and longer-term assistance including medical aid, free legal aid, psycho-social support services and counselling, and quality, holistic rehabilitation. Media Contact: Tara Carey 4407971556340 [email protected] SOURCE National Council of Women Leaders (NCWL) PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research recently published a report, titled, "Industrial Floor Coating Market by Resin Type (Epoxy, Polyaspartic, Polyurethane, Anhydrite, and others), by Flooring Material (Concrete, Mortar, and Terrazzo), by Component (One Component, Two Component, Three Component, and Others), and by End-user Industry (Chemical, Food and Beverages, Healthcare, Transportation and Aviation, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030". As per the report, the global industrial floor coating industry was accounted for $5.89 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $9.48 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2021 to 2030. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities Rise in industrialization across the globe, growth in the food & beverage, manufacturing, and chemical industries, and surge in necessity in industrial facilities have boosted the growth of the global industrial floor coating market. However, lack of skilled workforce and awareness for selection of material hinder the market growth. On the contrary, surge in FDI inflows and favorable government policies are expected to open lucrative opportunities for the market players in the future. Download Sample PDF: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/9303 Covid-19 scenario: The Covid-19 outbreak affected the demand for industrial floor coating due to prolonged lockdown and closure of industrial and production facilities across the globe. Moreover, the strict lockdown restrictions disrupted the supply chain and increased the raw material prices. However, the demand for industrial floor coating is expected to rise as the manufacturing facilities resume their work at a full capacity. The epoxy segment held the largest share By resin type, the epoxy segment held the largest share in 2020, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global industrial floor coating market. Moreover, the segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period, owing to rise in adoption in the food & beverage, chemical, and food storage warehouse industries for its features including high adhesion, durability, and impact resistance. The report includes analysis of segments such as polyaspartic, polyurethane, anhydrite, and others. Get detailed COVID-19 impact analysis on the industrial floor coating market: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/9303 The food and beverages segment dominated the market By end-user industry, the food and beverage segment held the lion's share in 2020, contributing to more than one-fourth of the global industrial floor coating market. In addition, the segment is estimated to manifest the highest CAGR of 5.7% from 2021 to 2030, due to increase in demand in food & beverage industry for its ability withstand harsh service conditions including extreme temperature fluctuations and frequent high-pressure hosing. The report includes analysis of segments such as chemical, healthcare, transportation and aviation, and others. Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, held the largest share By region, the market across Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, dominated in 2020, holding more than two-fifths of the market. Moreover, the region is projected to portray the highest CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period, owing to rapid industrialization and rise in demand from aerospace and electronics industry. The report includes analysis of global industrial floor coating market across Europe, North America, and LAMEA. Major market players BASF SE Cornerstone Flooring Cipy Polyurethanes Pvt. Ltd. Fosroc, Inc. Don Construction Products Ltd. RPM International Inc. MAPEI S.p.A. Twintec Group Limited Sika AG VIACOR Polymer GmbH Interested in Procure Data? Visit: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/9303 Access AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model) at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access Avenue is a user-based library of global market report database, provides comprehensive reports pertaining to the world's largest emerging markets. It further offers e-access to all the available industry reports just in a jiffy. By offering core business insights on the varied industries, economies, and end users worldwide, Avenue ensures that the registered members get an easy as well as single gateway to their all-inclusive requirements. Avenue Library Subscription | Request for 14 days free trial of before buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/avenue/trial/starter Similar Reports We Have: Indoor Flooring Market: The indoor flooring market size was valued at $142,424.7 million in 2019, and is expected to reach $189,549.2 million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 5.7% from 2020 to 2027. Facility Management Services Market: The global facility management services market size was valued at $954.0 billion in 2019, and is projected to reach $1,422.6 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 6.6% from 2020 to 2027. Industrial Flooring Market: The global industrial flooring market size was valued at $6,299.4 million in 2019, and is projected to reach $8,303.1 million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 5.3% from 2020 to 2027. North America Roofing Market: The North America Roofing market size was $29,864.4 million in 2017, and is projected to reach $47,517.8 million in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 5.9%. Outdoor Flooring Market: The global outdoor flooring market size was valued at $16,557.7 million in 2019, and is projected to reach $22,070.0 million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 5.6% from 2020 to 2027. Pre-Book Now with 10% Discount: Construction Flooring Market- Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2028 Wooden Deck Market- Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202027 About us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact us: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States Toll Free: 1-800-792-5285 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 SOURCE Allied Market Research DENVER, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Denver-based healthtech leader Eon announces the launch of its latest Essential Patient Management (EPM) module, the Eon EPM Liver software solution. Eon leads the industry in incidental abnormality findings technology, and now offers advanced technology to capture and longitudinally track incidental liver lesions documented in radiology reports performed outside of liver screening. Eon EPM Liver is the only comprehensive solution available today, enabling the management of at-risk liver screening patients participating in testing, as well as patients with incidental liver lesions. A comprehensive liver program can use EPM Liver to manage and track both patient populations simultaneously to ensure follow-up. This will help a program achieve a stage shift in the early identification and treatment of liver cancer, a deadly cancer that until now has been very difficult to detect early. To capture patients with incidental liver lesions, Eon EPM Liver uses advanced AI-based technology called Computational Linguistics that understands texts similar to how the human brain works. It extracts pertinent information from radiology reports to identify incidental liver lesions with an industry-best 94% accuracy. This technology does not disrupt radiology workflow and enables providers to capture patients outside of regular screening who may be at risk for the deadly disease. Dr. Erika Scheider, Vice President, Product and Chief Science Officer at Eon, explains the identification technology. "Eon EPM Liver uses our newest CL model to automatically identify incidental liver lesions. The model has a high overall accuracy at 94%, which will improve as we continue to augment the data sets." EPM Liver segments both patients with incidental findings and at-risk liver screening patients into different risk populations based on LI-RADS scores. It then automates the longitudinal tracking of patients in the low-risk categories, and sends the high-risk patients for further review. Program staff can efficiently manage all patients through the same EPM dashboard, saving valuable time that they can better spend on patient care. EPM Liver is the latest in Eon's lineup of solutions developed to improve the early detection of disease. As Dr. Schneider says, "The new Liver cohort enhances the Eon oncology portfolio by allowing earlier detection and treatment of primary liver cancers as well as metastases from other malignancies." Eon EPM is an intuitive cloud-based platform, developed by a team of physicians, clinicians, and data scientists to ensure patient capture and improve outcomes. Eon EPM Liver is the latest EPM solution for multiple disease states, in addition to lung, aortic aneurysms, pancreas, thyroid, breast, adrenal, and renal. EPM is also available for actionable findings, serving as a safety net for other disease states so that no patient falls through the cracks. To support these EPM modules, Eon also offers Centralized Management, a full team of care coordinators to help hospitals offload resource-intensive tasks and focus solely on patient care. Eon is constantly innovating and enhancing its products to arm facilities with the latest tools to help with early diagnosis and improved patient outcomes. The company is live in over 270 facilities and offers its disease-defying technology to hospitals across the country. Eon's dedication and drive are fueled by the positive outcomes of early identification and intervention of catastrophic disease. About Eon Eon is a Denver-based healthtech company dedicated to revolutionizing the way healthcare data is gathered, curated, and shared among industry professionals. We are on a mission to ensure the right data reaches the right people at the right time to make patients healthier and healthcare affordable. We believe together we can defy disease. For more information, please contact Fahad Siraj at 416-518-4936 or [email protected] and follow Eon on LinkedIn and Twitter . SOURCE Eon Related Links https://eonhealth.com/ DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Insurance Care Direct (ICD), one of the nation's leading health benefits providers, announced today the expansion of its partnership with HOPE South Florida, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting homelessness. ICD founder Arnold Cohen and company co-chairs Seth and Brad Cohen have worked with HOPE South Florida for over a decade to feed and serve the region's homeless and food insecure population. Beginning in 2009, the Cohen family has donated, cooked, and served weekly meals for hundreds of people experiencing homelessness. This fall, they are bringing this longstanding tradition of providing homecooked meals to those in need to downtown Fort Lauderdale. Their support will help HOPE South Florida meet a growing need as local shelters again implement lockdowns, and the coronavirus continues to impact the local economy. "We have been blessed over these last 12 years to work with the Cohens to cook, prepare, and serve thousands of meals to members of the South Florida homeless community," said Pery Canan, A.V.P. of Shared Meals, Mobile Showers and Community Engagement at HOPE South Florida. "HOPE South Florida is delighted to continue to work with Arnold, Seth and Brad as they transition their weekly services to Fort Lauderdale, and we look forward to bringing a little joy not to mention amazing meals into the lives of those we serve together." The Cohen family has helped HOPE South Florida continue its mission of bringing hope, housing, and community to the region's homeless population. HOPE South Florida serves 50,000 shared meals a year across Broward County and provides eviction prevention services, rental assistance, clothing distribution and job opportunities and training to its community members. "ICD has always made giving back to our local community here in South Florida a priority," said ICD's Chief Executive Officer former U.S. Senator E. Ben Nelson. "Everyone here at ICD is thrilled that the Cohen family will continue our longstanding partnership with HOPE South Florida to help those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in Fort Lauderdale. As the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact individuals and families in Florida, supporting those in need is more important than ever." ICD provides meals each week to homeless and food insecure residents in Fort Lauderdale in partnership with HOPE South Florida. ICD also participates in numerous other philanthropic initiatives as part of company's established commitment to charitable giving. Details of ICD's other initiatives are available at https://www.insurancecaredirect.com/philanthropy/. About Insurance Care Direct Founded in 2001, Insurance Care Direct has grown into one of the largest health and life insurance agencies in the country. The Company offers a wide array of competitive products along with comprehensive software to aid insurance professionals in their sales, marketing, and lead management. Headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Florida, Insurance Care Direct is a family-owned business and is heavily involved in the local Florida community. SOURCE Insurance Care Direct THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cumulus Data ("Cumulus"), a Subsidiary of Talen Energy Corporation ("Talen"), today announced that it has appointed Kevin Dalton to the role of chief data center officer. In this newly created role, Dalton will lead the design, construction and operation of Cumulus Data centers and support technical customer sales efforts. Mr. Dalton will report to Alex Hernandez, CEO of Cumulus Data and President of Talen. Dalton joins Cumulus with over 30 years of experience in building data centers and will focus initially on delivering Cumulus Data's flagship digital campus outside Berwick, Pennsylvania, which will be powered via direct interconnect to Talen's carbon-free Susquehanna nuclear generation facility. The first data center is expected to be commercially available for lease in the second half of 2022. "Kevin's vast experience in developing 1,000 MW of data center capacity, which equates to approximately $10 billion of capex across over 75 data centers globally complements the strength of our team and will ensure Cumulus delivers a high-quality product to our customers," said Alex Hernandez Cumulus Chief Executive Officer and Talen President. "The combination of our low-cost, reliable, and carbon-free energy enables Cumulus Data to offer the lowest total cost of ownership together with ESG benefits to cloud, AI, and data center clients globally. Additionally, Cumulus offers customers the ability to supplement its carbon-free offering with 400 Megawatts of new solar generation capacity under development in Pennsylvania," Hernandez continued. Talen announced that it has broken ground on the Cumulus digital campus following the recent passage of Pennsylvania's Digital Infrastructure Legislation, House Bill 952, which provides state sales and use tax exemption for data center investment in the Commonwealth. The first Cumulus data center is being constructed on land adjacent Talen's Susquehanna nuclear generating facility, located outside Berwick, Pa. The Cumulus Data digital campus will provide up to one Gigawatt of carbon-free, low-cost, reliable 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 Cumulus Data investment and digital campus is a tangible expression of Talen's Force for Good strategy to invest in and support the communities in which it operates. Prior to joining Cumulus, Dalton served as senior vice president of design and construction for NTT Global Data Centers, where he led global data center design and supply chain functions. Prior to joining NTT Global Data Centers, Dalton spent 12 years at Digital Realty, a global leader in data center, colocation and integration strategies, in technical and senior management roles, including seven years as vice president of engineering, leading teams of engineers to deliver data center solutions for customers around the world. Previously, he spent 10 years at MGE UPS Systems, a world leader in uninterrupted power supply systems, and nine years at McClier Corporation, now AECOM, a design-build firm. Dalton earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. "I am pleased to join Cumulus Data in this new role, and look forward to working with the team to both design and construct our flagship campus as we lead the clean energy and digital infrastructure transition," Dalton said. "I look forward to working with Alex and the team to construct world-class facilities for the campus' tenants, create a template for future expansion and provide significant opportunities for the communities in which we operate." For more information regarding Cumulus Data, visit: https://cumulusinfra.com/ 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 with a goal of leading the clean energy and digital infrastructure transition and being a Force for Good for its people and communities along the way. For more information, visit https://www.talenenergy.com/esg-focused-future/ Customer Contact Cumulus Data 281-203-5800 [email protected] Investor Contact Olivia Sigo Director, Finance, Investor Relations & ESG 281-203-5387 [email protected] Media Contact Taryne Williams Media & Community Relations Manager 610-601-0327 [email protected] SOURCE Cumulus Data; Talen Energy Corp. Related Links www.pplweb.com BERKELEY, Calif., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kivu Consulting , Inc., and Fortalice Solutions , LLC today announced a partnership to provide end-to-end services across cybersecurity disciplines. By joining forces, these world-class firms are better equipped to meet escalating client demand for multiple cybersecurity disciplines. Fortalice provides extensive experience in offensive cybersecurity, security engineering, open-source intelligence, strategic communications, and risk and compliance. Kivu delivers decades of knowledge in incident response, digital forensics, post-breach remediation, and managed services. "Now more than ever, clients need cybersecurity firms to offer 'best-in-class' abilities across all their urgent needs," said Chad Holmes, CEO of Kivu Consulting. "As a women-owned business headed by the first female CIO at the White House under George W. Bush, Fortalice's excellence in handling incidents from triage to remediation perfectly complements Kivu's reputation as the 'go-to' firm for incident response, post-breach remediation, and managed services." As bad actors become increasingly sophisticated, organizations need advanced, unique skill sets to prepare, respond, and recover from breaches. Fortalice and Kivu Consulting's teams include professionals with multidisciplinary, highly specialized backgrounds. "The professionals at Fortalice and Kivu have spent time reimagining how to provide solutions that meet clients exactly where they are in that moment. Our combined teams bring to the industry some of the globe's leading expert problem-solvers, many of whom have decades of experience," said Theresa Payton, CEO of Fortalice Solutions. "This combination assures our clients have access to a deeper bench of professionals, all at the top of their game, bringing the highest skill levels to all stages of cybersecurity." Through the partnership, Kivu and Fortalice will jointly serve clients, depending on their requirements. Together, the two firms will deliver a full-fledged service offering across the breach lifecycle. About Kivu Consulting Kivu is a leading global cybersecurity firm that offers a full suite of pre- and post-breach services, specializing in the forensic response to cyber-attacks and ransomware incidents. Kivu delivers cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions to organizations in need and is a trusted cyber incident partner to insurance carriers and law firms worldwide. About Fortalice Solutions Since 2009, Fortalice's team of former White House cybersecurity operatives and national security veterans have honed their craft protecting people, businesses, and nations. Fortalice's highly-skilled practitioners are trained to meet clients where they are whether that be in the midst of a crisis or proactively seeking cybersecurity services. Fortalice Solutions provides personalized, end-to-end services built on a proven methodology that integrates the following cybersecurity disciplines: offensive cybersecurity, security engineering, risk and compliance, and strategic communications. In times of crisis, our incident response and open-source intelligence teams can swiftly handle an incident from triage to remediation. Fortalice works collaboratively to create actionable recommendations for all levels of the organizationfrom the board to the server room. SOURCE Kivu Consulting Related Links https://www.kivuconsulting.com NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to new research study on "Laboratory Information management system Market to 2028 Global Analysis and Forecast by type, deployment, component, application, and end user" the Laboratory Information management system market was valued at US$ 1,122.36 million in 2021 and is projected to reach US$ 2,402.48 million in 2028; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.5% during 20202028. The growth of the market is attributed to rising adoption of automation in laboratories, and technological advancements in LIMS systems. Get in-depth details on Laboratory Information Management System Market (No. of Pages 216, No. of Tables, Charts & Figures - 220) Download PDF Brochure: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPHE100000954/ North America Region to Dominate the Laboratory Information Management System Market North American market for global laboratory information management systems consists of the US, Canada, and Mexico. The US is the largest market for global laboratory information management systems, followed by Canada and Mexico. The leading position of North America in the LIMS market is primarily attributed to the high regulatory standards followed by the pharmaceutical industry. The rising number of biobanks and the region is attributed to offering significant growth opportunities for market growth during the forecast period. In the US, the demand for LIMS is anticipated to witness growth due to the rise in R&D expenditures made by the companies situated in the US. Various players have been offering LIMS solutions specifically for next-generation sequencing (NGS) experiments and other genomic tests. For instance, Illumina, Inc. offers BaseSpace Clarity LIMS is designed for genomics labs and optimized for next-generation sequencing (NGS) studies. Asia Pacific LIMS market is mainly represented by China, Japan, India, Australia, and South Korea. The market is also evaluated for the rest of countries in Asia Pacific. The market is driven by the factors such as increasing number of clinical trials, need for further cost containment of clinical trials, and increasing number of pharmaceutical and biotech companies in this region. The Chinese government is standardizing its clinical studies, improving its reimbursement process, and modernizing its regulatory pathway, therefore easing the process for biotech companies to seek convenient approval. As a result, the number of drug approvals in China has increased in the recent years. This has increased the preference for global pharmaceutical players to establish a strong foothold in the country, thereby driving the adoption of LIMS solutions. Thus, the rising adoption of automated laboratory solutions is escalating the demand for Laboratory Information management system in different regions across the world, thus driving the market growth. Get Sample Copy of Laboratory Information Management System Market: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPHE100000954/ Technological Advancement in LIMS to accelerate the market growth The laboratory information management systems market players are coming up with innovative solutions to sustain their presence in the highly competitive market. For instance, in February 2019, LabVantage Solutions launched LabVantage 8.4, the newest version of its LIMS. The LabVantage 8.4 has novel and updated features that enable laboratory managements and staffs to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of laboratory processes. The product is likely to assist them in planning work and managing resource capacity and availability, simultaneously ensuring data privacy. Autoscribe Informatics launched an updated version of its Regulated Manufacturing LIMS, in March 2021; it is a configured solution based on the Matrix Gemini LIMS solution. The product is ideal for all manufacturing organizations, including the highly regulated industries such as medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Moreover, the companies are also upgrading their original automation platforms to meet the escalating demands of researchers and laboratory personnel. Laboratory Information management system Market: Segmental Overview Based on Type, the Laboratory Information management system market is segmented into standalone and integrated LIMS. The standalone segment held the largest share of the market in 2021, however the integrated segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR in the market during the forecast period. Based on deployment, the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) market is segmented into web-based delivery mode, cloud-based delivery mode and on-premises delivery mode. In 2021, the web-based delivery mode segment is likely to hold the largest share of the market, however cloud-based delivery mode segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the coming years. Growth of web-based delivery mode segment is attributed to advantages offered such as high security, lower price, instant software updates, and unlimited storage capacity. Based on component, the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) market is segmented into software and services. The software segment is likely to hold the largest share of the market in 2021, however the services segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR in the market during the forecast period. Growth of software segment is attributed to improved efficiency coupled with more quick results and help in tracking data from various experiments. Based on application, the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) market is segmented into sample management, workflow automation, logistics management, enterprise resource planning, privacy and security controls and other applications. The sample management segment is likely to hold the largest share of the market in 2021, also the same segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR in the market during the forecast period. Based on End User, the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) market is segmented into hospitals & clinics, pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations and others. The pharmaceutical companies segment is likely to hold the largest share of the market in 2021, however the contract research organizations segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR in the market during the forecast period. Inquire before Buying Copy of Laboratory Information Management System Market: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/inquiry/TIPHE100000954/ Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Laboratory Information management system Market COVID-19 pandemic has become the most significant challenge across the world. Clinical laboratories are finding it difficult to cope with the rapid influx of COVID-19 testing samples, impacting their ability to provide accurate testing. Implementation of automated solutions like LIMS is expected to relieve this stress on clinical laboratories by promoting efficient testing of voluminous samples. Significant adoption of LIMS has been witnessed since the COVID-19 pandemic's onset, enabling healthcare providers to concentrate on drug and vaccine development by smoothening data collection procedures. Prominent players in the laboratory information systems landscape are collaborating with public and private sector organizations to employ advanced technologies for implementing COVID-19 testing capabilities. For instance, LabWare Technologies has collaborated with the National Health Service to provide laboratory management software to healthcare settings across the United Kingdom. Laboratory Information management system Market: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Abbott, Illumina, Inc., LABWORKS, LabLynx, Inc., LabVantage Solutions, Inc., Accelerated Technology Laboratories, Inc., LabSoft LIMS by Computing Solutions, Inc., LabWare, Autoscribe Informatics, and among the others are the key companies operating in the Laboratory Information management system market. The major market players are focusing on the new product launch, expansion and diversification of their market presence, and acquisition of new customer base, thereby tapping prevailing business opportunities. Purchase a copy of Laboratory Information Management System Market research report @ https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPHE100000954/ In May-2021, Autoscribe Informatics has appointed Axis Solutions Africa as a distributor in the countries such as Zimbabwe , Zambia , and Malawi . This provides Axis Solutions Africa to sell, configure and support the Matrix family of Laboratory Information Management System products in the allotted markets. , , and . This provides Axis Solutions Africa to sell, configure and support the Matrix family of Laboratory Information Management System products in the allotted markets. In Jan-2017, LabVantage Solutions, the leading global laboratory informatics provider, announced the release of LabVantage 8 Pharma. The solution provides the pharmaceutical industry with a pre-validated, pre-configured LIMS. The goal of the solution is to reduce cost, reduce risk and improve lab efficiency overall. Browse Related Reports: Master Patient Index Software Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis: Get Sample Copy @ https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00022435/ Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare Market Forecast to 2027 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis: Get Sample Copy @ https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00019843/ Medical Affairs Outsourcing Market Forecast to 2027 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis - Covid-19 Impact and Global Analysis @ https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00018935/ About Us: The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We specialize in industries such as Semiconductor and Electronics, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Manufacturing and Construction, Medical Device, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Chemicals and Materials. Contact Us: Contact Person: Sameer Joshi E-mail: [email protected] Phone: +1-646-491-9876 Research Insight: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/laboratory-information-management-systems-lims-market Visit Our Web Site: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/ More Research: https://heraldkeeper.com/author/theinsightpartners SOURCE The Insight Partners MEDFORD, Ore., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lithia & Driveway (NYSE: LAD) announced today the company's expansion into Canada through a new partnership with Toronto-based Pfaff Automotive Partners. The transaction is LAD's first international acquisition and paves the way for growth and capital deployment beyond the 50/50 Plan's domestic network target of 500 locations. Pfaff's 11 locations in the Greater Toronto area, the largest market in Canada, as well as Vancouver and Calgary are expected to generate over $1 billion USD in annualized revenues. LAD is also acquiring Pfaff's leasing business, a complementary profit driver for Pfaff and a new adjacency for LAD to explore and build upon throughout North America. "Canada has been our top target for growth outside of the United States with its similar business practices and a market opportunity of 5 million new and used cars sold annually," said Bryan DeBoer, LAD President and CEO. "Beyond its size, Pfaff has an excellent management team, and its locations provide an ideal hub for further expansion. Pfaff offers a customer-friendly experience with its best price first approach and captive in-house leasing option. This simple, transparent experience perfectly aligns with our technology-enabled online offerings. We warmly welcome Chris Pfaff and the entire Pfaff team to the Lithia & Driveway family." Pfaff Automotive Partners was founded by Chris Pfaff's father Hans J. Pfaff in 1964 and has since expanded to become one of Canada's leading premium automotive group. Pfaff is widely known for its passion for all things automotive and its decades-long commitment to motorsports. The Pfaff brand will remain, and Chris Pfaff will continue to act as President and CEO. "This partnership is borne out of a relationship that spans five years, and we are confident that the cultural alignment between our organizations makes this the perfect launch point for Lithia & Driveway in Canada," said Christopher Pfaff, President and CEO of Pfaff Automotive Partners. "Currently, there is no nation-wide, e-commerce player in Canada, which is why we believe this partnership will deliver a first-mover advantage in acquiring additional locations and deploying LAD's innovative, digital platforms across this country." The addition of Pfaff brings LAD's total expected annualized revenue acquired in 2021 to $5.9 billion. The company is well ahead of schedule and positioned to exceed their 5-year plan to reach $50 billion in revenue and $50 of earnings per share announced in July 2020. LAD's strategic growth moves it closer to its goal of delivering and servicing consumer vehicles within a 100-mile radius anywhere in the U.S. The acquisition was financed using existing on-balance sheet capacity. About Lithia & Driveway (LAD) LAD is a growth company powered by people and innovation with a plan to profitably consolidate the largest retail sector in North America. As the leading provider of personal transportation solutions in North America, LAD is among the fastest-growing companies in the Fortune 500 and is currently ranked #231 (#2 on 10-Year EPS Growth, #3 on 10-Year TSR and #12 on 10-year Revenue growth in 2021). By providing a wide array of products and services for the entire vehicle ownership lifecycle through various consumer channels, LAD builds magnetic brand loyalty. Operational excellence is achieved by focusing the business on convenient and transparent consumer experiences supported by proprietary data science to improve market share, consumer loyalty and profitability. LAD's omni-channel strategy will continue to pragmatically disrupt the industry by leveraging experienced teams, vast owned inventories, technology, and physical network. LAD continues to lead the industry's consolidation, and this combined with Driveway's e-commerce in-home experiences, further accelerates the massive regenerating capital engine. Together, these endeavors create a unique and compelling high-growth strategy that provides transportation solutions wherever, whenever, and however consumers desire. Sites: www.lithiainvestorrelations.com www.lithia.com www.driveway.com www.pfaffauto.com www.lithiacareers.com Lithia & Driveway on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LithiaMotors https://www.facebook.com/DrivewayHQ Lithia & Driveway on Twitter https://twitter.com/LithiaMotors https://twitter.com/DrivewayHQ SOURCE Lithia Motors, Inc. Related Links www.lithia.com WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit Tuesday to NASA Headquarters in Washington: "It was an honor to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this morning. "We discussed our renewed commitment to partnership in space, our shared interest in exploration and discovery, and the importance of international cooperation for achieving mutual ambitions in space." For more information on NASA and agency activities, visit: https://www.nasa.gov -end- SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy will speak with astronauts aboard the International Space Station from the Mission Control Center at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston Thursday, Sept. 2. NASA will provide live coverage of the call from the Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center starting at 10 a.m. EDT on NASA Television, the NASA app, and agency's website. The conversation will begin at 10:25 a.m. with: NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough , Megan McArthur , and Mark Vande Hei . , , and . JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide . . ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet. Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Oleg Novitskiy . The discussion is part of Nelson's visit to Johnson to discuss the critical role of the International Space Station's operations in low-Earth orbit as well as the center's work for NASA's Artemis program to build a long-term human presence on and around the Moon in preparation for the agency's next giant leap to Mars. Members of Congress representing Texas, including Reps. Brian Babin, Al Green, Sheila Jackson Lee, and Randy Weber, will accompany Nelson and Johnson Director Vanessa Wyche to mission control. Johnson is home to NASA's offices overseeing operations related to the International Space Station, Orion spacecraft, Gateway lunar outpost, and the Commercial Low Earth Orbit programs. It also serves as the primary training facility for NASA's astronauts preparing for missions to the space station on commercial spacecraft and for flights aboard the Orion spacecraft as part of Artemis missions to the Moon. Learn more about NASA's Johnson Space Center at: http://www.nasa.gov/johnson To find out about NASA human space exploration programs, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/topics/moon-to-mars SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ncontracts, the leading provider of integrated risk management and lending compliance solutions for the financial services industry, announced that it has been named to the Gartner IT Vendor Risk Management Services magic quadrant for the first time. Noted as a strong challenger in this year's evaluation, the company was singled out for its ability to meet the specialized requirements of the U.S. financial services market. Michael Berman, Ncontracts founder and CEO said, "We are honored to be included by Gartner in this evaluation of the top vendor management platforms in the industry. With thousands of financial institutions around the country relying on our Nvendor platform to monitor 3rd party risk and compliance, we continue to see significant growth in our vendor management business and appreciate the support and loyalty of all of our amazing customers." Ncontracts' integrated risk management solution enables banks, credit unions, mortgage lenders, and fintech companies in all 50 US states to automate their risk management and compliance activities. Clients save time in assessing and managing risks related to the financial products they market to consumers and ensuring that their compliance activities are accurate and complete. The need for this "RegTech" software has become more critical as federal and state regulations have become more complex, and as the impact of COVID-19, PPP loans, and lending diversity and equity initiatives continue to evolve. The Ncontracts solution was singled out for the depth of its product expertise, particularly around due diligence summaries and an onboarding process that provides users insights into their vendor landscape. In addition, the data explorer capabilities in the platform allow users to enrich the financial institution's vendor strategy with customizable reports and analytics that allow all departments to monitor and assess the associated risk of their third-party relationships. This ability to glean insight and take immediate action to mitigate risk and exposure has never been more critical to financial institutions given the increasing threats of data breaches, cyber-attacks, ransomware, and new regulations impacting their daily operations. About Ncontracts Ncontracts provides integrated risk management and compliance software to a rapidly expanding customer base of almost 4,000 financial institutions and mortgage companies in the United States. The company's powerful combination of software and services enables financial institutions to achieve their risk management and compliance goals with an integrated, user-friendly cloud-based solution suite that encompasses vendor risk, organizational risk, audit risk, and compliance risk management. The company has been named to the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private companies in America for the 3rd consecutive year. For more information visit www.ncontracts.com or follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter. About Gartner Gartner, Inc. is the world's leading research and advisory company and a member of the S&P 500. We equip business leaders with indispensable insights, advice and tools to achieve their mission-critical priorities today and build the successful organizations of tomorrow. Our unmatched combination of expert-led, practitioner-sourced and data-driven research steers clients toward the right decisions on the issues that matter most. We are a trusted advisor and an objective resource for more than 14,000 enterprises in more than 100 countries across all major functions, in every industry and enterprise size. To learn more about how we help decision makers fuel the future of business, visit gartner.com. SOURCE Ncontracts Related Links ncontracts.com More than 200,000 adults and children have an in-hospital cardiac arrest each year, according to the American Heart Association. Survival from cardiac arrest is largely dependent on timely medical emergency team response and effective CPR. The Get With The Guidelines Resuscitation program was developed to help save lives of patients who experience in-hospital cardiac arrests by consistently following the most up-to-date research-based guidelines for treatment. Guidelines include following protocols for patient safety, medical emergency team response, effective and timely resuscitation (CPR) and post-resuscitation care. "Nicklaus Children's is honored to again be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to ensuring that our medical personnel has the proper knowledge and training so that our patients have the best possible chance of survival after a cardiac arrest," said Matthew A. Love, president and CEO of Nicklaus Children's Health System. Nicklaus Children's Hospital received the award for meeting specific measures in treating neonate and infant patients who suffer cardiac arrests in the hospital. It is the only freestanding children's hospital in the region. "We are pleased to recognize Nicklaus Children's Hospital for their commitment in following these guidelines," said Tia Raymond, M.D., national chairperson of the American Heart Association's Resuscitation Systems of Care Advisory Group. "Shortening the time to effective resuscitation and maximizing post-resuscitation care is critical to patient survival." About Nicklaus Children's Hospital Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children's Hospital is South Florida's only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with nearly 800 attending physicians and more than 475 pediatric subspecialists. The 309-bed hospital, known as Miami Children's Hospital from 1983 through 2014, is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with several specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession's most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org About Get With The Guidelines Get With The Guidelines is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 9 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org/quality. For more information: Fuad Kiuhan 786-449-4797 SOURCE Nicklaus Children's Hospital SINGAPORE, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Holdings A/S ("Novo Holdings" and "NH"), a leading international investor in healthcare and life sciences, today announces that it has participated in the US$65.7 million Series C financing in Doctor Anywhere ("DA", "the Company"), a regional tech-led healthcare company headquartered in Singapore. As a result of the financing, Dr Amit Kakar, Senior Partner, Head of Novo Holdings Equity Asia will join the Company's Board of Directors and Carol Wang, Senior Associate, Novo Holdings Equity Asia will join the Board as an Observer. DA combines technology and innovation to transform the way people access healthcare and provide a seamless integration of the online and offline healthcare experiences. The DA Virtual Clinic is a digital platform that enables patients to access medical assistance on-demand anytime, without leaving their homes, whilst its offline platform provides users with access to resources such as GP clinics and mobile healthcare services. The Company's services allow for the management of a wide range of acute and chronic conditions in both adults and children, such as home-based health screenings and vaccinations, medication access and distribution, COVID-19 testing, mental wellness support, and nutrition and fitness counselling. Since its launch in 2017, DA has grown exponentially to serve more than 1.5 million users in Singapore and the wider region. The COVID-19 pandemic also served as a catalyst to fast-track the adoption of telehealth services in the region, and garnered strong interest and partnerships with leading brands across consumer healthcare and insurance industries. The latest investment will significantly bolster DA's market leadership and put the Company in a leading position to further deepen its presence in its existing markets. It will also allow the Company to expand into new markets, to drive its mission of transforming the regional healthcare landscape through technology. Dr Amit Kakar, Senior Partner, Head of Novo Holdings Equity Asia, said: "We are very pleased to invest in DA and to support its mission to transform the regional healthcare landscape through technology. This is our fourth investment in Asia this year and illustrates Singapore's position as the leading telehealth hub in the region, and is a great addition to our growing portfolio of telemedicine and digital health platforms. We look forward to building on this momentum and to continuing to invest in life science and healthcare companies that are true leaders in their sectors." Lim Wai Mun, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Doctor Anywhere, said: "DA's mission is to be the largest tech-enabled omni-channel healthcare provider in Southeast Asia, and tech-enabling offline businesses is part of how we differentiate ourselves from competitors. We are thrilled to attract the interest of Novo Holdings, one of the world's leading life sciences investors. This financing is a significant milestone which is a testament to our vision and track record. We will utilize this funding to further enhance our digital capabilities, and scale up on our ability to deliver quality healthcare seamlessly to our users in Southeast Asia." The round was led by growth equity investor Asia Partners and also joined by Philips Venture, OSK-SBI Ventures and existing investors Square Peg, Singapore-based global investor EDBI, IHH Healthcare, Kamet Capital and Pavilion Capital. Doctor Anywhere is currently available in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The group also recently announced the establishment of regional tech hubs in Bangalore, India, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. About Novo Holdings A/S Novo Holdings A/S is a private limited liability company wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. It is the holding company of the Novo Group, comprising Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S, and is responsible for managing the Novo Nordisk Foundation's assets. Novo Holdings is recognized as a leading international life science investor, with a focus on creating long-term value. As a life science investor, Novo Holdings provides seed and venture capital to development-stage companies and takes significant ownership positions in growth and well-established companies. Novo Holdings also manages a broad portfolio of diversified financial assets. Further information: www.novoholdings.dk. About Doctor Anywhere Doctor Anywhere is a regional tech-enabled, omni-channel healthcare company, on a mission is to make healthcare simple, accessible, and efficient for everyone. DA's digital platform bridges gaps in the healthcare ecosystem through technology and innovation, enabling users to manage their health easily and effectively through the DA mobile app. Headquartered in Singapore and with a presence in six countries in the region, DA now serves more than 1.5 million (and growing) users across Southeast Asia. SOURCE Novo Holdings SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Novva Data Centers, a state of the art data center company providing purpose-built data center facilities, announces today the acquisition of a 37 acre campus, and 190k Square foot of data center and supporting facilities, featuring a Tier 3+ data center and industrial building, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Novva has also secured an anchor tenant in conjunction with the acquisition. The company is currently building the largest data center campus in Utah, set to open September of this year. The acquisition involves a data center with 6 MW designed capacity. Novva will expand the campus to 30MW, with an additional 250,000 square feet, and invest over $200 million. Inventory is immediately available for lease. Colorado Springs offers reliable and inexpensive power and is currently undergoing a large shift away from coal towards solar energy. As the second largest city in Colorado, fiber and internet are similar to a Tier 1 location. Novva plans to shift to 100% renewable energy, and waterless cooling at the site. "We are really excited to move into the Colorado market," says Wes Swenson, CEO of Novva Data Centers. "Our mission at Novva is to serve the Western United States, providing purpose built designs, high capacity data center services to the area and our customers. This facility will be a great addition to our portfolio and we look forward to further growth in these markets." Novva Data Centers' premiere Utah campus and global headquarters is currently under construction and will be the largest in the state. Located in Salt Lake City and boasting 1.5 million square feet of built data center space and 180MW capacity, the facility will serve a large array of customers and support large capacity deployments. The facility's state-of-the-art waterless cooling system, renewable energy, drone and robot dog facility monitoring and more will provide a one-of-a-kind, modern day data center experience for customers. Novva will host a ribbon cutting event for the Salt Lake City facility on September 21st from 5-8pm. To register for the event, click here . About Novva Data Centers Novva Data Centers purpose-builds data centers for the future across the United States, providing wholesale and multi-tenant colocation infrastructure services both nationally and internationally. Novva's human-centric, sustainable data center solutions are married with an extensive portfolio of high capacity, scalable data center amenities to provide bespoke turn-key solutions for any size of business. Novva's flagship campus in West Jordan, Utah, is developed on 100 acres, at over 5,000 feet of elevation on the shoulder of the Wasatch Mountain Range. The campus features 180 MW of capacity, and 1.5 million square feet of data center built over four phases. A state-of-the-art waterless cooling system, renewable energy, drone and robot dog facility monitoring and more, provide a one-of-a-kind, modern day data center experience for customers. Novva Media Contact Jaymie Scotto & Associates (JSA) +1 866.695.3629 ext. 11 [email protected] SOURCE Novva Data Centers 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 MONTGOMERY, Ala., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Another jury has found that Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) talcum powder products cause cancer, prompting attorneys representing thousands of cancer victims to demand that the company take responsibility for damages brought by its defective consumer products and its failure to warn generations of women about talc-cancer links. The $26.5 million verdict by a California jury on August 26 continues to send a message amplified in numerous earlier trials that decades of hiding the truth about the carcinogenic properties of talcum powder must end, says an attorney who's leading the fight against J&J. "The evidence from J&J's own records clearly shows a 50-year-old pattern of corporate cover-ups and manipulation of research on the dangers of talc use," said Andy Birchfield, head of the Mass Torts Section at the Beasley Allen Law Firm. "This verdict is just the latest step in exposing the shameful lengths this company went through to keep selling its iconic product while putting lives in danger." Jurors in Alameda County awarded $26.5 million in compensatory damages against J&J for causing the mesothelioma cancer of 35-year-old Christina Prudencio, a former teacher. According to trial testimony of her mother and sister, Ms. Prudencio was directly and indirectly exposed to Johnson's Baby Powder for more than two decades. Several jury trials and news reports in recent years have documented that J&J's talc-based products including Johnson's Baby Powder and Shower to Shower were sometimes tainted with carcinogenic asbestos and that J&J historically kept that information from regulators and the public. Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a report that found roughly 20 percent of talc-based powders and makeup samples tested by the agency contained asbestos. In May 2020, Johnson & Johnson announced the company would no longer make or market talc-based powders for the North American market. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear evidence from a $2.1 billion judgment against the company entered by the Missouri Court of Appeals and upheld by the Missouri Supreme Court. That appellate court found that J&J had engaged in "reprehensible conduct" for decades by repeatedly denying the known association between talc use and ovarian cancer. In response to ongoing litigation and mounting jury verdicts, the company has threatened to bundle those liabilities into a separate entity, which would then seek bankruptcy protection. Such a scheme would eliminate the rights of thousands of ovarian cancer victims to have their claims resolved before a judge and jury. "Rather than attempt a cynical, greedy ploy to seek insolvency for a $500 billion company, J&J should simply come clean and seek a resolution that acknowledges the company's negligence and establishes a means for fairly compensating victims both now and in the future," said Birchfield. Media Contact: Mike Androvett 214-507-5456 [email protected] SOURCE Beasley Allen Law Firm Related Links https://www.beasleyallen.com "We want to provide the best facilities that we can for students and their families. I am hopeful we will have a school year filled with activities at our nine regional offices," says PA Cyber CEO Brian Hayden. PA Cyber has been educating children online for 21 years and has had a presence in all the cities mentioned below for at least 10 years. The school relocated these offices to increase square footage and enhance visibility and accessibility for students and families. The Erie office relocated in early 2020, but the celebration was postponed due to COVID-19. A ribbon-cutting event will take place on September 30 . 1980 Edinboro Road, Erie, PA 16509 The new Greensburg regional office will open for student activities in September. 1040 Towne Square Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601 The new Harrisburg office is expected to open in November or December of this year. The approx. 14,000-square-foot building marks PA Cyber's 15-year presence in the city. 3721 TecPort Drive, Suite 102, Harrisburg, PA 17111 The Philadelphia regional office is relocating from Crum Lynne to Springfield , with a tentative move-in date of November or December 2021 . The 12,500-square-foot building marks the school's 15-year presence in the city. 825 Baltimore Pike, Springfield, PA 19064 Additionally, the State College regional office remained at the same address but expanded by adding a flex space for student activities and a larger family waiting area. PA Cyber will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 22 at 1700 South Atherton Street, State College, PA, 16801. Media Contact: Casie Colalella | [email protected] About PA Cyber Serving students in kindergarten through 12th grade, the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School (PA Cyber) is one of the largest, most experienced, and most successful online public schools in the nation. PA Cyber's online learning environments, personalized instruction methods, and choices of curricula connect Pennsylvania students and their families with state-certified and highly qualified teachers and rich academic content that is aligned to state standards. Founded in 2000, PA Cyber is headquartered in Midland, Beaver County, and maintains a network of support offices throughout the state. As a public school, PA Cyber is open for enrollment by any school-age child residing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and does not charge tuition to students or families. SOURCE The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School (PA Cyber) WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) Executive Committee convened virtually to wrap up the 89th Annual Meeting. Mayors had planned to meet in person in Austin, Texas earlier in the month, but that was not possible due to COVID-19 and public health concerns. The important work of the Conference has carried on, however, and last week the standing committees met virtually to debate and advance policy resolutions that speak to the important issues facing American cities. The Executive Committee today considered those resolutions and voted to adopt them as official policy of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Detailed roundups of the four days of committee meeting can be found here, here, here, and here. Among the notable resolutions adopted today was one that expresses support for the U.S. resettlement of Afghan refugees who stood by the United States. The climate crisis has long been a primary concern for American mayors, and the Conference adopted 11 resolutions that speak to ways to fight climate change. Mayors spoke in support of a bipartisan infrastructure moving through Congress as well as key components of President Biden's American Families Plan. Other notable resolutions adopted today include support for voting rights, cannabis legalization, and important housing programs such as Community Development Block Grants. To watch all the deliberations, visit the USCM Annual Meeting page. The resolutions adopted today by the Executive Committee will now serve as USCM policy and will guide the organizations advocacy efforts for the coming year. Following the Executive Committee meeting, USCM President Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley released the following statement: "While we were disappointed not to be in person together this year, the U.S. Conference of Mayors is as strong as ever and we continue to do our work. The last year has proven what can be accomplished when bipartisan mayors speak with one voice. The Conference has laid out a bold vision that highlights the opportunities that exist to further strengthen American cities. We need action to rebuild America's physical infrastructure and reimagine what kind of support we can provide American families. We should stand with the Afghans who stood with the United States. And we must never let up in our fights for voting rights and against this climate crisis. I'm grateful to all the mayors who took part in our Annual Meeting this year, and proud of the policy that we have adopted today." ### About the United States Conference of Mayors -- The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are more than 1,400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter . SOURCE U.S. Conference of Mayors Related Links https://www.usmayors.org/ ATLANTA, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Red Sentry announced today that its new pentesting platform allows companies to automate their penetration tests and run them continuously. Organizations typically undergo a pentest just once a year, leaving them vulnerable to cyberattacks and ransomware the other 364 days of the year. Red Sentry exposes security vulnerabilities and exploits automatically, before bad actors can breach a system. While most businesses run pentests primarily on their external assets, Red Sentry can also perform vulnerability scans and pentests on cloud environments such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft Azure. This is becoming increasingly important as more businesses rely on the cloud to host their data. In addition, Red Sentry automatically identifies and tracks all of an organization's online assets via its attack surface analysis platform. Red Sentry provides continuous pentests on a subscription basis as Software as a Service (SaaS), and the company offers manual pentests as well. Using the software merely requires customers to type a domain, IP address, or CIDR range into Red Sentry's platform and the technology immediately begins finding assets. It then automatically performs the reconnaissance, fingerprinting, exploitation, and reporting phases of a security assessment. "Traditional, annual penetration testing can take up to four weeks to complete and cost up to $20,000 or more," says CEO Valentina Flores. "Red Sentry's approach provides the same high quality analysis and reporting that manual pentesting offers. However, our use of automation means that the turnaround time is minutes, not weeks. And the cost is a fraction of what businesses are used to paying." As a former pentester, I was frustrated by the manual, repetitive nature of the work, reported Founder and CTO Alex Thomas. I knew there was a better way, so I built Red Sentrys proprietary technology. Im eager to offer it publicly so everyone can benefit from it. Red Sentry recently partnered with Rule 1 Ventures, a venture studio. "We're excited to partner with Red Sentry," stated Gary Buxton, COO of Rule 1. "Just about every business globally can benefit from continuous pentesting. Cybersecurity vendors are partnering with Red Sentry, as well as managed service providers. With a market this sizeable, Rule 1's shared services will help Valentina and her team grow Red Sentry more quickly and efficiently." About Red Sentry Red Sentry's continuous external and cloud penetration testing platform allows companies to identify their cyber vulnerabilities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The system is automated, agentless, scalable, and easy to use. Pentest reports take minutes rather than weeks and cost a fraction of traditional pentests. For more information, visit redsentry.com . About Rule 1 Ventures Rule 1 Ventures is a venture studio that co-founds companies with dynamic entrepreneurs, providing the people, processes, and resources to accelerate speed to market, value creation, and profitable growth. The studio focuses on SaaS (Software as a Service) startups in the fintech, transportation & logistics, security, and pharmacy industries. For more information, visit r1vs.com . SOURCE Red Sentry Related Links http://redsentry.com EXTON, Pa., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ricoh USA, Inc. today announced RICOH 3D for Healthcare, an integrated end-to-end workflow solution that makes the development, design and production of 3D-printed anatomic models simple, accurate and easy. For the first time, RICOH 3D for Healthcare makes it possible for healthcare providers nationwide to develop patient-specific representations of tissue and bone. The lifelike replicas serve as physical simulators to help clinicians see inside anatomy for greater visibility into patient needs. These 3D-printed replicas are for non-diagnostic/treatment use. Ricoh's solution integrates with IBM iConnect Access from IBM Watson Health, an enterprise imaging solution many healthcare providers already use, making it easy for clinicians to incorporate into their existing workflow. Once a healthcare professional uses the interactive segmentation tool within IBM iConnect Access and submits a request for a 3D-printed anatomic model, Ricoh facilitates the entire development process on the centralized HIPAA-compliant platform to produce and deliver accurate 3D-printed models. "Currently, access to 3D-printed models is limited to very few healthcare organizations, meaning the vast majority of clinicians and their patients cannot benefit from this critical tool," said Gary Turner, Managing Director, Additive Manufacturing, North America, Ricoh USA, Inc. "RICOH 3D for Healthcare offers a turnkey and cost effective solution that can drastically expand access to 3D models and allow healthcare providers at any size facility to learn from and inform the overall patient experience." Any facility with access to IBM iConnect Access can get started quickly with 3D printed models. The system is easy to use, fast and accurate, with minimal initial costs so clinicians can focus on collaborating with colleagues and providing exceptional patient care. Additionally, medical schools and simulation labs for surgical education can benefit from Ricoh's solution by connecting students and residents with cadaver-free, lifelike representations of abnormal anatomy or specific case studies. RICOH 3D for Healthcare will be available in September and demonstrated in booth 4251 at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) 2021 Annual Meeting in San Diego Aug. 31-Sept. 3. For more information about RICOH 3D for Healthcare, view the brochure on the RICOH 3D for Healthcare webpage or follow along and engage on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. | About Ricoh | Ricoh is empowering digital workplaces using innovative technologies and services that enable individuals to work smarter from anywhere. With cultivated knowledge and organizational capabilities nurtured over its 85-years history, Ricoh is a leading provider of digital services and information management, and print and imaging solutions designed to support digital transformation and optimize business performance. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group has major operations throughout the world and its products and services now reach customers in approximately 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ended March 2021, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 1,682 billion yen (approx. 15.1 billion USD). For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com 2021 Ricoh USA, Inc. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies. SOURCE Ricoh USA, Inc. Related Links http://www.ricoh-usa.com PHOENIX, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ROC Title Agency, one of the fastest growing full-service title and escrow companies in western America, has hired a new Vice President to help the company expand through-out Arizona in the next year. Greg Lane joins ROC Title Agency with more than three decades of industry experience and a diverse background with leadership positions in escrow operations, underwriting, builder services, and sales and marketing. He has a proven track record of achieving and building highly successful operations. "We are thrilled to have Greg join our team of ROCSTARS," said Tara Johnson, ROC Title Agency President. "Greg's passion for mentoring and guiding team members to exceed operational and personal goals, is going to take ROC Title Agency to the next level in Arizona." ROC Title was recently named to Inc. 5000's 2021 list of the Fastest Growing Private Companies in the country for the second time in a row. The company is already celebrating a record-setting year reporting year-over-year revenue growth of 96% in the first half of 2021. "I look forward to joining such an amazing team and pursuing our dreams, excellence and much success together," said Lane, who will also be the Arizona State Manager for ROC Title Agency. "I am extremely excited with this opportunity that I have been entrusted with and my commitment to our team of ROCSTARS is unwavering!" ROC Title is also committed to its communities and is a proud sponsor of the Women's Council of REALTORS. The ROC Title team also gives back through local volunteerism and fundraisers and is a VAREP (Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals) sponsor. ROC Title sets itself apart with a commitment to closing escrows on time, providing excellent customer service, and stands by its "Ready. Open. Close.," promise to create extraordinary, no-hassle experiences on every real estate transaction. The awesome culture, modern marketing and branding, and dynamic offices have helped ROC Title achieve number one market share in three of the largest real estate offices in Las Vegas. ABOUT ROC TITLE ROC Title was founded in 2015 and now operates six full-service offices across Nevada and Arizona. Besides the awesome culture, modern marketing and branding, and dynamic offices, their talented and caring ROCSTARS are committed to closing escrows on time while providing competitive costs with the clear understanding that everyone loves value. To learn more, visit ROCTitle.com. SOURCE ROC Title DALLAS, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Upon the release of Newsweek's rankings of America's Best Plastic Surgeons 2021, Dr. Rod J. Rohrich has been honored as the country's top choice for both rhinoplasty and facelifts. Rohrich was also ranked as #2 in liposuction and #11 in breast augmentation. Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Over the past several decades, Rohrich has risen to become one of the most influential plastic surgeons of the current industry both in the USA and Globally, using his unique artistic skill.unique surgical talent and experiential know-how to restore youthfulness and definition to the human face and body. "This is the work I know and love. I've dedicated my entire career to being the best plastic surgeon possible every day . I'm honored to have patients trust me with their transformations and to have my peers and patients from around the globe seek my advice," says Rohrich. His career has earned accolades not only from Newsweek, but also from other national news outlets and medical associations, such as US News and World Report, Harper's Bazaar, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, and Good Morning America. He has been highly honored by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Plastic Surgery Foundation and The Aesthetic Society, three of the most prestigious plastic surgery organizations in the world. A trailblazer in his own right, Rohrich founded and was the First Chair/Professor of the Department of Plastic Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He was also the first plastic surgeon to be appointed a Distinguished Teaching Professor at UTSW. He is a Founding Partner of Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute. He currently serves as a Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine and Editor in Chief of the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive surgery - the most respected peer reviewed Plastic surgery Journal in the world. Dr. Rohrich has designed surgery instrument sets for all aspect of Plastic Surgery especially for his unique approach to both rhinoplasty and facelifts, He as also published over 1000 peer reviewed publications, plus hundreds more thought leadership pieces, including 8 books, and delivered over 50000 presentations, in over 45 countries. . More About Rod J. Rohrich, M.D., F.A.C.S. Dr. Rod J. Rohrich is a board certified plastic surgeon in Dallas, Texas . He is considered one of the most influential surgeons in this century. Dr. Rohrich is a Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. He was the first Chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery as well as the first plastic surgeon selected as a Distinguished Teaching Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He graduated from Baylor College of Medicine with high honors, and completed his plastic surgery training at the University of Michigan Medical Center and fellowships at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard (hand/microsurgery) and Oxford University (pediatric plastic surgery). He is Chair of the Dallas Rhinoplasty Meeting, Founding Chair of the Dallas Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine Meeting, Founding Member of the Alliance in Reconstructive Surgery, and a Founding Partner of the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute . He is the Editor-in-Chief of the most respected global peer reviewed plastic surgery journal the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal. He is Founding Editor-in-Chief/Editor Emeritus of the first open access peer reviewed plastic surgery journal, PRS Global Open. Dr. Rohrich has published nearly 1000 peer reviewed articles and seven textbooks in plastic surgery including a recent best-selling medical book entitled The Facial Danger Zones. Contact: Dr. Rod J. Rohrich 214-821-9114 [email protected] SOURCE Dr. Rod Rohrich At ServiceMax, Ames will oversee the organization's human capital strategy, empowering all teams to do their best work, amplifying the employee experience, and building an agile HR organization optimized for scale as ServiceMax shifts into its next decade of growth. She will also be a key driver in advancing diversity and inclusion goals and objectives. "At ServiceMax, our people have always been our greatest asset. We are excited to welcome Sophie as we continue to grow our high-performing team and capabilities worldwide," said Neil Barua, CEO, ServiceMax. "Sophie's impressive background overseeing the HR strategy for vast international workforces will be an incredible asset to ServiceMax, especially as we move forward as a public company." "I am thrilled to join ServiceMax and expand on the leadership team's commitment to building a place where all voices are represented and heard," said Ames. "The company is positioned for amazing growth, and I welcome the opportunity to help scale through progressive human capital strategies as ServiceMax embarks on this new chapter." Ames brings 20 years of broad international HR experience to ServiceMax, having held leadership roles with global technology and services organizations, most recently serving as the SVP & Chief Human Resources Officer at Veritas. Her experience spans organizations in enterprise data management, cloud communications, CRM, and professional information services. Ames has also led Sales Enablement in support of customer-first sales motions. About ServiceMax ServiceMax's mission is to help customers keep the world running with asset-centric field service management software. As the recognized leader in this space, ServiceMax's mobile apps and cloud-based software provide a complete view of assets to field service teams. By optimizing field service operations, customers across all industries can better manage the complexities of service, support faster growth and run more profitable, outcome-centric businesses. For more information, visit www.servicemax.com . On July 15, 2021, ServiceMax announced plans to merge with Pathfinder to become a publicly traded company (the "Business Combination"). Consummation of the Business Combination is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by Pathfinder's stockholders. Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act that are based on beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to ServiceMax. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "project," "potential," "continue," "ongoing," "target," "seek" or the negative or plural of these words, or other similar expressions that are predictions or indicate future events or prospects, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including strategies or plans as they relate to the Business Combination or the consummation of the Business Combination itself, are also forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. ServiceMax cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this communication will prove to be accurate. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those included under the heading "Risk Factors" in the registration statement on Form S-4 filed by Pathfinder with the SEC and those included under the heading "Risk Factors" in the final prospectus filed by Pathfinder on February 18, 2021 relating to Pathfinder's initial public offering and in its subsequent periodic reports and other filings with the SEC. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by Pathfinder, ServiceMax, their respective directors, officers or employees or any other person that Pathfinder and ServiceMax will achieve their objectives and plans in any specified time frame, or at all. The forward-looking statements in this communication represent the views of ServiceMax as of the date of this communication. Subsequent events and developments may cause that view to change. However, while ServiceMax may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, there is no current intention to do so, except to the extent required by applicable law. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing the views of ServiceMax as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication. Important Additional Information Regarding the Transaction Will Be Filed with the SEC In connection with the Business Combination, Pathfinder has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC that includes a prospectus with respect to Pathfinder's securities to be issued in connection with the Business Combination and a proxy statement with respect to the stockholder meeting of Pathfinder to vote on the Business Combination. Stockholders of Pathfinder and other interested persons are encouraged to read the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus as well as other documents to be filed with the SEC because these documents will contain important information about Pathfinder, ServiceMax and the Business Combination. After the registration statement is declared effective, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus to be included in the registration statement will be mailed to stockholders of Pathfinder as of a record date to be established for voting on the Business Combination. Once available, stockholders of Pathfinder will also be able to obtain a copy of the S-4, including the proxy statement/prospectus, and other documents filed with the SEC without charge, by directing a request to: Pathfinder Acquisition Corporation, 1950 University Avenue, Suite 350, Palo Alto, California 94303. The preliminary and definitive proxy statement/prospectus to be included in the registration statement, once available, can also be obtained, without charge, at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov). Participants in the Solicitation Pathfinder and ServiceMax and their respective directors and executive officers may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies with respect to the potential transaction described in this communication under the rules of the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of Pathfinder and their ownership is set forth in Pathfinder's filings with the SEC, including the final prospectus filed by Pathfinder on February 18, 2021 relating to Pathfinder's initial public offering and in its subsequent periodic reports and other filings with the SEC. Additional information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of the Pathfinder stockholders in connection with the potential transaction can be found in the registration statement containing the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC. These documents are available free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: Pathfinder Acquisition Corporation, 1950 University Avenue, Suite 350, Palo Alto, California 94303. No Offer or Solicitation This communication is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the potential transaction and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of Pathfinder or ServiceMax, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act. SOURCE ServiceMax Related Links www.servicemax.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 WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Biden administration's horribly botched withdrawal from Afghanistan has created a ripple effect of terrible outcomes. It has dealt a blow to America's standing in the world, resulted in the restoration of a brutal theocratic regime, provided a safe haven to numerous terrorist organizations, and spawned a massive flow of refugees. All of these circumstances demand that America's response carefully balance our obligations to Afghans who provided material assistance to our forces over the past 20 years, and our need to protect American security against renewed Islamist terrorism and further abuses of our refugee and asylum system, concludes a new report, Afghanistan Crisis: Fraud and Vetting Risks in the American SIV and Refugee Programs, by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). As we deal with the ongoing humanitarian fallout from President Biden's Afghanistan debacle, we must clearly distinguish between various categories of people who are seeking to be resettled in the United States. These include: Our Afghan allies who worked with us and who have already been approved for Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) or who have pending applications. Afghans who meet the statutory definition of refugees people who have a well-founded fear of being singled out for persecution at the hands of the Taliban-led regime. "The United States must make every effort to evacuate Afghans who have already been vetted and cleared for resettlement as SIVs. But, as is often the case, advocates for mass immigration are attempting to use the Biden-created chaos in Afghanistan to vastly expand a well-intended program," cautioned Dan Stein, president of FAIR. The report notes that advocates are demanding the admission of 50,000 unvetted SIV applicants, and as many as 200,000 Afghans whom we know very little about. According to government data, 84 percent of SIV applicants have been found ineligible during the first three months of this year, while a State Department report indicates that the instance of fraud in Afghan SIV applications is "relatively high compared to other countries and programs." Advocates are also calling upon the president to assert broad parole power to grant admission to Afghan nationals who are not otherwise admissible. "Given the warning by the Department of Defense that the situation in Afghanistan poses enhanced risks of terrorism to the United States, the first obligation of the administration must be ensuring that no one from this dangerous part of the world is admitted without thorough vetting," Stein said. "Because it is virtually impossible to remove people once they have entered the United States, the vetting process must take place outside the country." The report concludes that as the United States reckons with the new realities in Afghanistan, resettlement priority must be given to those who have been approved for SIVs. Additionally, the United States must work closely with allies and international agencies to protect other Afghans who have a well-founded fear of persecution at the hands of the Taliban, but that does not mean wholesale resettlement in this country. "The combined effect of the Biden administration's mismanaged withdrawal from Afghanistan, combined with its disastrous border security and immigration policies, is a humanitarian and national security crisis. These epic failures must not be compounded by ignoring the clear and present dangers posed by an ill-conceived resettlement policy that invites fraud, or threatens the security of the United States," Stein concluded. "We must temper our compassion and moral obligation to assist SIV applicants and Afghan refugees with our obligation to ensure we're not inadvertently importing a serious threat to our homeland. It's common sense. We should not abandon an intelligence driven, robust vetting process in exchange for speed. Once removed from Afghanistan, and in a safe third-country location, time is on our side. There is no reason to rush a meaningful and well executed vetting process prior to allowing entry into the US. But the Biden Administration is more concerned with addressing the political optics of the Afghanistan crisis by telling the America people just how fast and how many Afghans they've evacuated. It defies logic," said Mark Morgan, FAIR's senior fellow and the former acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Contact: Matthew Tragesser, 202-328-7004 or [email protected] ABOUT FAIR Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With over 3 million members and supporters nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced. SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) Related Links http://www.fairus.org PHOENIX, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SinglePoint Inc. (OTCQB: SING) ("SinglePoint" or the "Company"), a company focused on providing renewable energy solutions and energy-efficient applications to drive better health and living, today provided an update on its subsidiary company, EnergyWyze, LLC, who announced today that it is now the exclusive provider of USA-based lead generation and social media management for one of the world's largest energy solutions companies. The acquisition of this new client provides opportunities for immediate and long-term revenue growth and is a solid addition to the client portfolio. With 1500 re-sellers nationwide the newly added EnergyWyze client has the potential to consume significant lead volume to supply their re-sellers. EnergyWyze's current focus is primarily on increasing their new client's reach in the market by increasing their followers and boosting engagement on all social media platforms. One method of engagement entails launching a social media contest with a marketable prize in order to simultaneously grow their reach and generate leads. Che Oliver, CMO of EnergyWyze stated, "We're excited to be working with such a great company in the energy solutions space that has been a pioneer in the fight to move more homes to renewable power." EnergyWyze is continuing its efforts on expanding their base of clients to include a wider variety of energy efficiency customers to enhance the services currently offered. This opportunity further supports this endeavor and near-term goals. EnergyWyze has extensive experience generating and developing solar leads for some of the nation's largest solar companies including Vivint Solar, SunEdison, Crius Solar, Radix and others. As solar continues to become top of mind for many consumers around the world there are many opportunities in which EnergyWyze is providing consumer education and onboarding that ultimately leads to solar installation happening by client companies. Solar power in the U.S. alone has increased by approximately 4,000% in the past decade. While that increase is massive it still only accounts for 3% to 4% of our overall generation. The current administration wants to push adoption faster and believes that solar could power 40% by 2035. To achieve this target, the DOE calculates that solar rates will need to triple or quadruple by 2030. A key factor in meeting the goal of increased solar adoption will be to continue reducing the cost of going solar. While solar makes sense in most of the US, EnergyWyze is helping homeowners across the nation connect with great installation providers and ensure that going solar is the right solution for them. About EnergyWyze EnergyWyze provides software and services to solar and renewable energy companies. Through their partners and clients, EnergyWyze provides solar, battery backup and EV charging solutions to homeowners and businesses throughout the nation. About SinglePoint Inc. SinglePoint Inc. is a renewable energy and sustainable lifestyle company focused on providing environmentally friendly energy efficiencies and healthy living solutions. SinglePoint is initially focused on building the largest network of renewable energy solutions and modernizing the traditional solar and energy storage model. The Company is also actively exploring future growth opportunities in air purification, electric vehicle charging, solar as a subscription service, and additional energy efficiencies and appliances that enhance sustainability and a healthier life. For more information, visit the Company's website (www.singlepoint.com) and connect on LinkedIn and Twitter. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential plans and objectives of the Company, the use of proceeds, anticipated growth and future expansion, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications, which may arise, could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The Company undertakes no duty to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. Investor Contact: JTC Team, LLC Jenene Thomas 833-475-8247 [email protected] SOURCE SinglePoint Inc. Related Links singlepoint.com BAAR, Switzerland, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TCG Process, a leading intelligent document processing (IDP) solution provider with headquarters based in Switzerland, today announced a new, global partnership with Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company. This partnership will integrate TCG's enterprise process automation platform, DocProStar, with solutions and offerings of Wipro's Artificial Intelligence Solutions group to deliver best-in-class Artificial Intelligence (AI) and document processing capabilities to customers globally. The alliance enriches Wipro's ability to automate document-driven processes, and expands TCG Process' offerings for digital transformation projects. This partnership will enhance both companies' automation offerings to provide fast, accurate and cost-optimized solutions for complex document ingestion. The partnership also extends each organization's expertise in the banking, insurance, healthcare and public administration sectors as well as their business process outsourcers and shared services organizations. "We are excited to partner with Wipro and augment their deep business knowledge, consulting skills, technical talent and global footprint with TCG's next generation IDP platform. Our technologies are complementary to Wipro's AI offering, and we are already working jointly with customers in APAC, the Americas and Europe," said Frank Volckmar, TCG Process' executive sponsor for Wipro and Managing Director for Australia & New Zealand. "Together we will transform document-driven processes like those within digital mailrooms, insurance and banking with class-leading and unmatched automation solutions. This partnership is fantastic news for organizations across the world looking for efficiencies in their ongoing journey towards digital transformation and hyperautomation." "We are happy to partner with TCG to provide our customers end-to-end AI Solutions with flexible deployment options to meet the challenges of a hybrid world. Wipro's IDP solution and TCG's DocProStar product are perfectly aligned to fast-track the delivery of scalable, industry-specific intelligent document-processing solutions in the market. Our approach is to help our customers become intelligent enterprises and create value for them leveraging our frameworks like E-IQ (Enterprise IQ), our solutions like IDP and our platforms like Wipro Holmes," said Mukund Kalmanker, Vice President and Global head - AI Solutions, iDEAS-Apps and Data, Wipro Limited. About TCG Process TCG Process is an international organization helping companies to bring structure, control and automation to mission-critical processes with its enterprise process automation platform, DocProStar. The platform digitizes and automates complex processes across Banking, Finance, Insurance, Healthcare, Public Administration and their business process outsourcers or shared services organizations. TCG Process markets solutions direct-to-customer and via partners, on 5 continents. About the TCG Process Platform TCG Process' DocProStar combines capture, intelligent document processing (IDP) and process automation to offer unparalleled levels of automation, auditability and adaptability for organizations trying to manage a daily deluge of high-value documents. TCG Process' own intellectual property provides a modern, robust and highly scalable platform that effectively combines bots and humans, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies to achieve a new degree of efficiency in administrative processing. Compliance is built in, and implementation times are shortened due to the platform's no-code approach and flexible deployment options (private or public cloud, on-premises). Organizations using DocProStar reduce costs, speed transaction times, lower risk and offer greater value to their customers and business partners. For more information, reach out to: [Asia Pacific] Arijit Sarkar, [email protected] [Americas] Bob Fresneda, [email protected] [Europe] Martin Busl, [email protected] SOURCE TCG Process Considered one of the happiest countries in the world, Fiji is best known for its people. While its 333 islands offer breathtaking beaches, award-winning resorts and spas, and adventure activities, the popular destination sets itself apart from other tropical paradises with the hospitality of local residents and the warmth and happiness they ensure every traveler feels while visiting their homeland. As the new partner, 9thWonder will apply its strategic focus to develop messaging, find travel-ready audiences through its ConsumerX targeting, and execute on its digital marketing expertise to encourage North American travelers to plan and book their post-pandemic Fiji vacation. Through a targeted digital ad campaign, 9thWonder will help travelers get a glimpse of the happiness, adventure, and relaxation that await just an easy, overnight flight away. "It is no surprise that COVID-19 has greatly affected the travel and tourism industry," said Ruth Daly, Regional Manager of Tourism Fiji. "We knew we needed a strategic partner that could help us navigate the ever-changing landscape of the pandemic, and 9thWonder is without a doubt that trusted partner. Our North American visitors are so important to us and to the Fijian economy, and 9thWonder has that creative lens and strategy that will help drive excitement for future travel" The "Find Your Bula" campaign includes an interactive quiz that provides travelers with a travel itinerary matching their preferences for optimal happiness. The campaign plays off of the Fijian greeting "bula" a term with many meanings including hello, happiness, good health, and the energy of life. Travelers interested in taking the quiz or learning more can do so at fiji.travel/findyourbula. The addition of Tourism Fiji to 9thWonder's roster of clients further defines the agency's deep bench of travel and destination experience, having worked with Legoland Resorts, Energy Corridor, Heavenly Ski Resort, Tahiti Tourisme, WEHO Design District, City of El Segundo and Los Angeles World Airport (LAX). "We are thrilled to be partnering with Tourism Fiji to help drive anticipation and excitement for the reopening of Fiji," said Scott Thaler, chief marketing officer, 9thWonder. "It's certainly been a roller coaster of a year, and we know people are itching to get away. Fiji is truly the perfect post-pandemic vacation as it isand has always beenthe ultimate travel spot for natural social distancing." For more information about the "Find Your Bula" campaign, please visit fiji.travel/findyourbula. For more information on 9thWonder, please visit 9thwonder.com. About 9thWonder 9thWonder is a minority-owned independent marketing agency comprised of diverse thinkers committed to harnessing the power of difference. 9thWonder has offices spanning North America, South America and Asia, with capabilities including: brand strategy, media planning, creative, research, digital strategy and development, public relations, social media and more. With clients across a wide-range of industries, 9thWonder knows how to market to a diverse America and generate real marketplace results. Contact: Emma Wach [email protected] (630) 390-8474 SOURCE 9thWonder We selected Sunrise as our solution provider because their project offered maximum value to our customer, better helping Tweet this Launching in August of 2019, the Flexibility Program, The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) began offering local power companies (LPCs) the flexibility to meet 5% of their power needs through local generating sources, like wind, solar, and natural gas. A key requirement of participating in the program is signing the 20 year TVA Long Term partnership agreement, which is available to all 154 LPCs. TVA has set ambitious targets for decarbonization, forecasting a 70% decrease in CO2 emissions rate by 2030 from the 2005 baseline. This includes 1600 MW of Solar already contracted and operating, with a long term goal to procure 14 GW over the next 20 years. LUB, one of the Valley's early adopters to embrace renewables, issued an RFP for solar in March of 2021. "LUB is excited about the opportunity the flexibility contract offers. We selected Sunrise as our solution provider because their project offered maximum value to our customer, better helping us control rates, and they have a long and credible track record of success in the industry. They have been a fantastic partner thru-out the process, tailoring the project to meet our needs," said Ty Ross, LUB General Manager. "Additionally, we are thrilled to be using Renewable Energy on our network, and are hoping to leverage the Renewable Energy Credits the system produces to attract and retain industrial customers to this part of Tennessee." Sunrise began developing solar in TVA's service territory, with more than 5 developed facilities that remain operational across the Tennessee Valley. On behalf of LUB, the company will develop, fund, construct, and operate the solar facility, selling power to LUB through a power purchase agreement. "Sunrise is thrilled to develop Solar in TVA's service territory. We deployed some of our earliest projects here, and are grateful to remain a trusted partner to help Loudon deliver affordable clean power to communities they serve," said Dean Leischow, Sunrise CEO. "TVA is aggressively advancing renewables in the region. More importantly they are offering LPCs the opportunity to procure flexible generation to control customer rates, while attracting new business to the region. We couldn't be happier than to support Loudon in this pivotal program." Loudon serves Loudon County and Monroe County. Incorporated in 1939, LUB has more than 13,500 business and residential customers and maintains more than 800 miles of distribution line today. Sunrise is a seasoned, family owned, solar provider, with strong experience in both municipal and cooperative renewables. Operating in multiple states, they are 100% family owned, with no public listing, or foreign investors. Instead they work locally to deliver solutions at the community level, and partner with best in class technology and finance providers to deliver long term value. Sunrise is a member of TenneSEIA, TVPPA, and TMEPA, and installed their first systems in the TVA region in 2010. Earth Right Energy, INC, founded in 2008 has developed, built, and sold over 20MW of DG solar in TN, NJ, MA, NY, and CA. ERE founded "The School Solar Savings Program" for Tennessee Schools in 2010, allowing school districts to lease their rooftops for additional revenue to the school systems utilizing the TVA Green Power Providers Program. Earth Right has provided on the ground local expertise to Sunrise, supporting, permitting, site acquisition, community engagement, and LPC engagement. Media Contact David Stripling, Director of Utility Development, Sunrise Energy Ventures Tel: (612) 293-9900 [email protected] https://sunriseenergyventures.com/ SOURCE Sunrise Energy Ventures Related Links https://sunriseenergyventures.com/ OKLAHOMA CITY, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A state-of-the-art retail and self-storage facility is coming together at 5500 SE 59th St. in Oklahoma City thanks to the U-Haul acquisition of the former General Electric Oil and Gas office. U-Haul Moving & Storage of South Sooner will encompass 132,907 square feet of space and sits on 19.3 acres. The property was acquired on Aug. 18. Once the building is repurposed and renovated, it will offer a range of self-storage units with high-tech security features at affordable price points. Climate-controlled rooms will be available. Renovations are expected to be completed this winter. "OKC is a major metropolitan city and has been experiencing population growth over the last decade," said Scott Brackin, U-Haul Company of Oklahoma City president. "As OKC continues to attract residents, U-Haul is always seeking to provide our essential services at convenient and accessible locations to meet greater demand." Contact U-Haul Moving & Storage of South Sooner at (405) 672-0252 or stop by to see our progress. Hours of operation are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Reserve equipment at uhaul.com or contact Reservations at 1-800-GO-UHAUL. Acquisition of this property was driven by U-Haul Corporate Sustainability initiatives: U-Haul supports infill developments to help local communities lower their carbon footprint. The adaptive reuse of existing buildings reduces the amount of energy and resources required for new-building materials and helps cities reduce their unwanted inventory of unused buildings. "We are amplifying our sustainable footprint by reusing a building that has been here since 1969, which means we are preserving a piece of community history while taking an environmentally responsible approach to expansion," Brackin added. "Growing populations equate to more self-move and self-storage demand. U-Haul has been the DIY moving experts since 1945, and we're prepared to grow with OKC." Brackin plans to hire at least 12 Team Members to staff the new facility. U-Haul will look to hire locally to support job growth within Oklahoma City. U-Haul, honored as a "Best for Vets 2020" leading veteran-friendly employer by The Military Times, actively recruits veterans and gives them preference in the hiring process. Find U-Haul careers at uhauljobs.com. As an essential service provider, U-Haul continues to serve communities during the COVID-19 recovery while offering contactless business programs and enhanced cleaning protocols, including added steps for sanitizing equipment between customer transactions. U-Haul products are used daily by First Responders; delivery companies bringing needed supplies to people's homes; small businesses trying to remain afloat; college students; and many other dependent groups, in addition to the do-it-yourself household mover. About U-HAUL Since 1945, U-Haul has been the No. 1 choice of do-it-yourself movers, with a network of more than 23,000 locations across all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 offers secure access to U-Haul trucks every hour of every day through the customer dispatch option on their smartphones and our proprietary Live Verify technology. Our customers' patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to approximately 176,000 trucks, 126,000 trailers and 46,000 towing devices. U-Haul offers nearly 825,000 rentable storage units and 71.6 million square feet of self-storage space at owned and managed facilities throughout North America. U-Haul is the largest retailer of propane in the U.S., and continues to be the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry. U-Haul has been recognized repeatedly as a leading "Best for Vets" employer and was recently named one of the 15 Healthiest Workplaces in America. Contact: Andrea Batchelor Jeff Lockridge E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 602-263-6981 Website: uhaul.com SOURCE U-Haul Related Links www.uhaul.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. DUBLIN, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Print Advertising Market Report & Forecast 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Print advertising represents one of the oldest and widespread forms of media, mainly consisting of newspapers and consumer magazines. It is versatile, creative, engaging and can be accessed easily by everyone. However, due to digitalization of media, people have shifted from print to electronic channels. As a result, organisations are now spending more on digital advertisements as opposed to print. This shift has, therefore, affected the growth of the global print advertising market. According to the publisher's new report, titled "Global Print Advertising Market Report & Forecast 2021-2026", the market reached a value of US$ 67.3 Billion in 2020. Despite the market's declining growth and the competition faced from the newer advertising media such as internet and mobile advertising, print advertising still accounts for a significant share in the global advertising market. This can be attributed to a number of factors. A large portion of the global population still subscribes to newspapers and magazines either because they are habitual of reading it or it is considered a symbol of respectability for educated families. Moreover, print ads are less intrusive and at the same time provide unlimited exposure than other forms of media as the reader can study the advertisement at his leisure without any time limit or interruptions. Print media also provides position flexibility as it offers a choice to the advertisers as to where to place the ad in a publication. Findings from the report further suggest that while the print advertising market is declining in developed markets, it is experiencing a balanced growth in emerging markets. Looking forward, the publisher expects the global print advertising market to continue to decline during the next five years. The report has segmented the global print advertising market on the basis of type which include newspapers and magazines. Currently, newspaper advertising represents the largest segment. Based on industry, the report lists the key industries which actively uses print as a medium for advertising. Market share analysis of key regions and markets have also been provided in the report. Major markets for print advertising include Asia-Pacific, EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), North America and Latin America. The report has further analysed the competitive analysis of the market covering the major players of the global print advertising market. Key Topics Covered: 1 Preface 2 Scope and Methodology 3 Introduction 3.1 Overview 3.2 Executive Summary 3.3 Key Industry Trends 4 Global Advertising Market 4.1 Current and Historical Market Trends 4.2 Performance of Various Segments 4.3 Performance of Various Regions 4.4 Key Players and their Market Shares 4.5 Market Forecast 5 Global Print Advertising Market 5.1 Market Overview 5.2 Current and Historical Market Trends 5.3 Impact of COVID-19 5.4 Market Breakup by Type 5.5 Market Breakup by Region 5.5.1 Asia Pacific 5.5.1.1 Current and Historical Market Trends 5.5.1.2 Market Forecast 5.5.2 Europe, Middle East and Africa 5.5.2.1 Current and Historical Market Trends 5.5.2.2 Market Forecast 5.5.3 North America 5.5.3.1 Current and Historical Market Trends 5.5.3.2 Market Forecast 5.5.4 Latin America 5.5.4.1 Current and Historical Market Trends 5.5.4.2 Market Forecast 5.6 Newspaper Advertising 5.6.1 Advertising Revenue: Current and Historical Market Trends 5.6.2 Circulation Revenue: Current and Historical Market Trends 5.6.3 Market Breakup by Region 5.6.4 Major Newspapers: Performance by Readership 5.6.5 Market Forecast 5.7 Magazine Advertising 5.7.1 Advertising Revenue: Current and Historical Market Trends 5.7.2 Circulation Revenue: Current and Historical Market Trends 5.7.3 Market Breakup by Region 5.7.4 Major Magazines: Performance by Readership 5.7.5 Market Forecast 5.8 Market Breakup by Industry 5.8.1 Retail 5.8.1.1 Current and Historical Market Trends 5.8.1.2 Market Forecast 5.8.2 Electronics and Telecommunications 5.8.2.1 Current and Historical Market Trends 5.8.2.2 Market Forecast 5.8.3 Insurance and Finance 5.8.3.1 Current and Historical Market Trends 5.8.3.2 Market Forecast 5.8.4 Others 5.8.4.1 Current and Historical Market Trends 5.8.4.2 Market Forecast 5.9 Market Forecast 5.10 Print Advertising Pricing Models 5.11 SWOT Analysis 5.11.1 Overview 5.11.2 Strengths 5.11.3 Weaknesses 5.11.4 Opportunities 5.11.5 Threats 5.12 Value Chain Analysis 5.12.1 Research 5.12.2 Content Development 5.12.3 Advertising Agencies 5.12.4 Print Advertising Media 5.12.5 Audience 5.13 Porters Five Forces Analysis 5.13.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 5.13.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers 5.13.3 Threat of Substitutes 5.13.4 Competitive Rivalry 5.13.5 Threat of New Entrants 5.14 Key Challenges 6 Global Print Advertising Market: Competitive Landscape 6.1 Market Structure 6.2 Profiles of Leading Players For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/egwqxa Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com LAS VEGAS, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Earlier this month, PHP Agency held their 11th Annual Spectacular event in Las Vegas with nearly 10,000 attendees. During the celebration, PHP Agency, in partnership with Military Warriors Support Foundation (MWSF), honored Joseph Logue, a Purple Heart hero who selflessly enlisted to serve and protect the freedom of our great nation. When they come home wounded from the battlefield, the MWSF and their partners proudly step up to serve them by providing crucial transitional support out of the military and into their new civilian lives. PHP Agency, Inc. The invaluable support by PHP Agency allows MWSF to offers mentorship to Joseph Logue and his family for the next three years of their lives. As the foundation of MWSF's programs, they will be assigned a family and financial mentor to work together to develop a plan for their success and will communicate monthly, review budgets, credit reports and savings goals. This is made possible through PHP Agency's astonishing assistance. "As an Army veteran myself, I have a heartfelt and personal respect for the people that serve our country through the United States Armed Services. As I was introduced and learned about the support and great work by the Military Warriors Support Foundation, I knew right away that we found a philanthropic home for PHP Agency," said Patrick Bet-David, Founder & CEO of PHP Agency. "Our company embraces and employs many veterans, and the values that we embed and carry as a company and individuals are aligned with the noble cause of providing support to our nation's heroes." Joseph Logue was chosen to receive this life-changing gift after applying to the Military Warriors Support Foundation's Homes4WoundedHeroes program through their website. The application has a rigorous vetting process to ensure that the veteran chosen to receive a home is the best recipient to participate in the program. MWSF works with the veteran to ensure that the gift of a mortgage-free home assists them in their successful transition out of the military and into their new civilian life. In September 2010, Joseph Logue joined the United States Marine Corps in his Senior Year of High School. Serving in the military was in his family's history, and he wanted to follow in those footsteps of service. He went to Parris Island for Boot Camp and then Camp Geiger for Marine Combat Training and then on to Fort Knox Kentucky where he was trained on the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank. Logue was assigned to 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Tank Battalion and his unit was deployed to Afghanistan. On Aug. 9, 2012, he was the gunner in a tank, and after being engaged in a firefight with the enemy, his tank was hit by a large Improvised Explosive Device. Thankfully, Corporal Logue walked away from this event with only slight aches and pains. A few months later, on Oct. 16, 2012, Joe was wounded during combat and his tank was hit again by an IED. Corporal Logue received the Purple Heart for being wounded in this attack. "At PHP we are honored to show our gratitude for our country's heroes through our partnership with the Military Warriors Support Foundation. The work they do is outstanding; the lives they change are indelible," said David Vega, COO of PHP Agency. About PHP Founded in 2009, PHP Agency Inc. is a tech-enabled national field marketing organization (FMO). PHP partners with leading insurance and annuity carriers and provides a part-time or full-time opportunity to those seeking careers as life insurance agents. PHP is privately headquartered in Addison, Texas. Contact: [email protected] About Military Warriors Support Foundation Military Warriors Support Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, founded by LTG Leroy Sisco (Ret), in 2007. Their mission is to provide programs that facilitate a smooth and successful transition for our nation's combat-wounded heroes and Gold Star families. Their programs focus on housing and homeownership, recreational activities, transportation assistance and leadership development. Through select programs, they have awarded nearly 900 mortgage-free homes and over 100 payment-free vehicles to combat-wounded veterans, Gold Star spouses, and their families in all 50 states. In addition to the home or vehicle, the families receive family and financial mentoring. For more information, visit MilitaryWarriors.org. Contact: [email protected] Related Images image1.jpg SOURCE PHP Agency, Inc. ST. CHARLES, Mo., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- 1847 Goedeker Inc. (NYSE American: GOED) ("Goedeker" or the "Company"), one of the largest specialty ecommerce players in the U.S. household appliances market, today announced that its Board of Directors (the "Board") has taken the following steps to strengthen the Company's leadership and set a foundation for continued growth: The Appointment of Albert Fouerti as Chief Executive Officer - Mr. Fouerti, who was previously Chief Executive Officer of Appliances Connection and most recently served as President of Goedeker, has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Fouerti intends to purchase up to one million dollars of the Company's securities to supplement his current stockholdings as soon as practicable following this announcement, subject to applicable legal requirements. He succeeds Doug Moore , who has also stepped down from his position on the Company's Board. The Company thanks Mr. Moore for his leadership over the past two years and throughout the acquisition of Appliances Connection. - Mr. Fouerti, who was previously Chief Executive Officer of Appliances Connection and most recently served as President of Goedeker, has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Fouerti intends to purchase up to of the Company's securities to supplement his current stockholdings as soon as practicable following this announcement, subject to applicable legal requirements. He succeeds , who has also stepped down from his position on the Company's Board. The Company thanks Mr. Moore for his leadership over the past two years and throughout the acquisition of Appliances Connection. The Appointment of Ellery W. Roberts as Executive Chairman - Mr. Roberts, who had been serving as Chairman of Goedeker, will assume the Executive Chairman role in anticipation of greater involvement in certain corporate, non-operational activities. The Board believes this will position Mr. Fouerti to successfully transition into his new role and devote the majority of his time to leading business operations and overseeing revenue-generating initiatives. The Board does not anticipate having an Executive Chairman on an indefinite basis. - Mr. Roberts, who had been serving as Chairman of Goedeker, will assume the Executive Chairman role in anticipation of greater involvement in certain corporate, non-operational activities. The Board believes this will position Mr. Fouerti to successfully transition into his new role and devote the majority of his time to leading business operations and overseeing revenue-generating initiatives. The Board does not anticipate having an Executive Chairman on an indefinite basis. The Formation of a Strategic Planning Committee - In an effort to support the management team as it works to continue integrating the businesses and pursuing growth, the Board has formed a Strategic Planning Committee that includes Mr. Fouerti, Mr. Roberts and Alan P. Shor , who recently joined the Board following the announcement of the Appliances Connection acquisition. The Strategic Planning Committee will focus on initiatives that enable the Company to continue advancing the post-acquisition integration and growing market share. Mr. Fouerti commented: "Now that Goedeker has completed the acquisition of Appliances Connection, we are well-positioned to begin aggressively scaling and pursuing market leadership. We have a clear strategy that is grounded in providing customers unmatched selection, competitive pricing, dependable and fast shipping, and a seamless online shopping experience. With the support of our aligned and experienced Board, I look forward to working with the management team to execute on these priorities and pursue the type of growth trajectory we had at Appliances Connection prior to the merger. We started off as an ecommerce exclusive store, and now we are a powerhouse retailer of professional appliances and have transformed into a complete home lifestyle brand. We continue to produce and provide rich data and content on our website, making us a source for all people looking to buy appliances. I am excited to see our growth scale as we continue this venture." Mr. Roberts added: "After considering a variety of factors, our Board determined that Albert was the right individual to succeed Doug as Chief Executive Officer. Albert's alignment of interest with stockholders and distinct experience building a world-class appliance retailer make him the ideal leader for Goedeker as the Company pivots to a post-merger growth phase. On behalf of the Board, I also want to thank Doug for his guidance and vision throughout a transformative period in which we became a public entity and combined with Appliances Connection." In addition to today's changes, the Company also intends to continue strengthening its Board by filling Mr. Moore's seat with a highly-qualified, independent individual and evaluating other opportunities to add diverse, experienced directors with governance, fulfillment and ecommerce experience. Relevant Biographies Albert Fouerti Prior to becoming Chief Executive Office of Goedeker, Mr. Fouerti served as President of the Company. He was the Chief Executive Officer of Appliances Connection and its affiliates prior to the recent merger with Goedeker. With over 20 years of experience in ecommerce and retail, he made Appliances Connection a household name for kitchen appliances. Driven by technology, he entered the appliance business in 2008, and has contributed in taking the industry into to the digital age. Along with his brother, Elie Fouerti, he developed a process of delivering bulky items across the United States. Mr. Fouerti is one of the Company's largest stockholders. Ellery W. Roberts Ellery W. Roberts has more than 20 years of capital markets and investing experience. Mr. Roberts has been the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer of 1847 Holdings since its inception in 2013. Mr. Roberts has also been a director of Western Capital Resources, Inc., a public company, since May 2010. Prior to forming The 1847 Companies LLC, Mr. Roberts was the co-founder and was co-managing principal from October 2009 to June 2011 of RW Capital Partners LLC, the recipient of a "Green Light" letter from the United States Small Business Administration permitting RW Capital Partners LLC to raise capital in pursuit of the Small Business Investment Company license with the preliminary support of the Small Business Administration. Mr. Roberts was a founding member of Parallel Investment Partners, LP (formerly SKM Growth Investors, LP), a Dallas-based private equity fund focused on re-capitalizations, buyouts and growth capital investments in lower middle market companies throughout the United States. Previously, Mr. Roberts served as Principal with Lazard Group LLC, a Senior Financial Analyst at Colony Capital, Inc., and a Financial Analyst with the Corporate Finance Division of Smith Barney Inc. (now known as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC). Mr. Roberts received his B.A. degree in English from Stanford University. Alan P. Shor Alan P. Shor became a member of the Company's Board of Directors upon closing of the Appliances Connection acquisition. Mr. Shor is a co-founder of The Retail Connection, L.P., a retail real estate company, and has served as its President and Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors since its launch in January 2004. Mr. Shor is deeply involved in the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the company and also leads its investment and merchant banking business. He has served as an operating partner with leading private equity firms which have deep experience in consumer and multi-unit based investments. He is an investor in and a Board member of four high-growth retail chains: Diamonds Direct (since 2015), WSS (since 2015), Neighborhood Goods (since 2017) and Obsession Fragrance (since 2019). Prior to launching The Retail Connection, Mr. Shor served as President, Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of Zale Corporation, a publicly-held specialty retailer of fine jewelry. Prior to joining Zale, he spent 12 years with Troutman Sanders, an international law firm, where he built a strong track record of advising senior management teams of Fortune 1000 companies. Mr. Shor is also active in a number of professional and charitable organizations. Mr. Shor graduated with honors from both the University of Georgia and University of Georgia School of Law. About 1847 Goedeker Inc. 1847 Goedeker Inc. is an industry leading e-commerce destination for appliances, furniture, and home goods. Through its June 2021 acquisition of Appliances Connection, Goedeker created one of the largest pure-play online retailers of household appliances in the United States. With warehouse fulfillment centers in the Northeast and Midwest, as well as showrooms in Brooklyn, New York, and St. Louis, Missouri, Goedeker offers one-stop shopping for national and global brands. We carry many household name-0brands, including Bosch, Cafe, Frigidaire Pro, Whirlpool, LG, and Samsung, and also carry many major luxury appliance brands such as Miele, Thermador, La Cornue, Dacor, Ilve, Jenn-Air and Viking among others. We also sell furniture, fitness equipment, plumbing fixtures, televisions, outdoor appliances, and patio furniture, as well as commercial appliances for builder and business clients. Learn more at www.Goedekers.com. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "contemplate," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "seek," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "target," "aim," "should," "will" "would," or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on Goedeker's current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled "Risk Factors" of the reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and Goedeker undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law. Contacts For Stockholders: Goedeker Investor Relations [email protected] For Media: MKA Greg Marose / Charlotte Kiaie, 646-386-0091 [email protected] / [email protected] SOURCE 1847 Goedeker, Inc. Related Links https://www.goedekers.com Du Zhanyuan, president of China International Publishing Group, said 5G technology should be used to improve the ability of international communication, and proposed four suggestions. Firstly, the sharing of 5G technology should be actively promoted to improve the common well-being of mankind. Secondly, the application of multi-scene technology should be accelerated. Thirdly, the mechanisms compatible with the media convergence development should be built. Fourthly, the sci-tech achievements should be fully used to enhance the ability of international communication. Li Ping, a member of CPC of Ministry of Science and Technology and president of Science and Technology Daily, stressed that media convergence is essentially an inevitable result of sci-tech development. The mainstream media are expected to deeply integrate traditional media and new media, build a community of media convergence, and provide industry standards for the future development. Li Ping said that Science and Technology Daily has been paying close attention to the development of 5G technology, and voicing the Chinese opinions in the global stage. At present, the international opinions on the issues such as virus-tracing and digital security are complicated. In the face of intertwined situations between the known and unknown, the new mainstream media empowered by new technologies are required to maintain a correct stance and a clear mind in international communication. This will become a topic of the times that everyone need to think deeply and actively answer. During the keynote speech, guests discussed a series of topics concerning the future scientific research. For example, where will the combination of media and new technology lead the media industry? How does the media play an important role in promoting the implementation of emerging strategic technologies? Zheng Bo, the deputy editor-in-chief of Economic Daily, said that in the 5G era, the mainstream media should voice correct public opinion by using new technology and never lose themselves. It is very important to stick to the correct political stance and value orientation for the media. Great efforts in in-depth reporting should be made to reflect different news perspectives and amplify mainstream tone in public communication. Gao Jie, chief reporter of Centre of New Media, Xinhua News Agency, introduced the practice of 5G technology in the field of media convergencedemonstrating the perfect combination of virtual space and the real world by using media content to inspire people's enthusiasm for the public affairs. How to make the news intelligent, lower the threshold of live editing, and achieve the fast and efficient production of video content? Zhang Shenyuan, product director of New Media Center of People's Daily, illustrated that over-arching plan must be made well in order to make advanced technology support media convergence through the example of livestreaming editing tools. Zhang Shilei, managing director and senior editor of CGTN Digital, said that the impact of 5G and AI on the traditional journalism should not be ignored, and the press should take the initiative to embrace new technologies and accelerate the media convergence. As to the promotion of media convergence by 5G, Zhang Baoan, the party committee member and technical director of the Great Wall New Media Group, said that the technical staff and relevant platforms should take the lead in developing media convergence, namely the internal convergence within a journalism institute, the in-depth convergence between the journalism and public affairs, and the internal convergence between the press industries. Cui Baoguo, a professor at the School of Journalism and Communication of Tsinghua University, focused on the relationship between the media convergence and the development of digital economy. "The development of digital economy can offer the solid technical support and industrial guarantee required by the construction of an all-media communication system. Media convergence can expand the space for developing the digital economy. They promote and complement each other. The leading role of digital economy should be fully played to promote the transformation of traditional media," he said. Ding Gangyi, the secretary of party committee of the School of Computer Science, and the leader of the discipline of advanced digital performance, Beijing Institute of Technology, revealed the new changes brought by digital simulation technology through an art performance in the centennial celebration of the founding of the Communist Party of China Liu Xiaolin, head of Audience Development and Distribution Services, PR Newswire APAC, introduced the multimedia content dissemination under the influence of 5G technology. He believes that video content has occupied most of the users' time in a day and 5G technology is reconstructing the way that people interact with the world. Vasily Pushkov, director of the International Cooperation, Sputnik News Agency and Radio, conveyed an international voice that the development of immersive diversified content will be accelerated in the 5G era. Guests from the industry also discussed their views on the impact of 5G technology on the development of media convergence. Mr. Gao Peng, senior director of Audio and Video Industry Development of Strategy Department of Huawei, said that the number of online video users in China increased by 126 million in March, 2020, compared with the figure in late 2018, accounting for 94.1 percent of all Internet users. It can be learned that the video market is full of potential. Chen Lei, senior marketing director of Qualcomm, believes that 5G has not only changed the media ecosystem, but also speeded up the media convergence. Tu Jiashun, principal scientist of NFV/SDN and technology spokesman of ZTE Corporation, pointed out the difficulties faced by the traditional media and gave a solution of converging the technology and media. Wang Qiong, general manager of E-government and Livelihood Industry of WeCom Team in WeChat Group of Tencent, shared the cases of digital products in the 5G era and her reference for the media development in the future. Xu Zhilong, editor-in-chief of Science and Technology Daily, who presided over the forum, shared his views on the relationship between 5G technology and media development. Firstly, 5G has changed the development of media from theory to practice, and more fundamental changes will occur in the future. Secondly, 5G technology has huge development potential. Its current application is only the tip of the iceberg, and there are more areas to be explored. Thirdly, 5G's empowerment to the development of media convergence is both direct and indirect. More attention should be paid to the indirect empowerment. In the future, the issue about how 5G empowers the development of media convergence is not only a very important subject, but also a topic worthy of in-depth discussion. SOURCE Science and Technology Daily Each survivor articulates their unique thoughts, emotions and actions of the day: Don Bacso, Laura Bartl Murphy, Bridget Pakowski, Joe Dittmar, Trisha Shaffer Papantonakis, Nick Maviano, Damon Wilkinson, Joe Chason and Ryan Yantis. There is also a chapter with perspective from Willow House staff, a regional therapeutic counseling center that helped victim families and many of the survivors in the area. Their team writes about the trauma and post-traumatic stress techniques used to address the symptoms of survivors. The only military voice in the book is that of Ryan Yantis, Lt. Col., US Army, (ret.) who was serving in the Pentagon on the Army Staff. He details the Pentagon size and structure to give the reader an understanding of the magnitude of the impact. He shares the reaction of the more than 20,000 individuals on site that day, and the heroism and coming-together as a nation on the days following. World Trade Center diagrams are also provided as survivors detail eye-witness reports during the ordeal and afterwards. Everyone writes of their need for recovery from the trauma inflicted by the experience. Published by nonprofit, American Pride, Inc., writers were not compensated. Don Bacso, President of American Pride, Inc. and one of the authors, explains, "The copy-editing, proofreading, design, and legal assistance were provided pro bono by professionals to get the book to publication. All the profits from the book will be used to help preserve the history, as well as provide hope and healing." Vice President of American Pride, Inc., Ryan Yantis has given thousands of speeches over the 20-years. He will continue to give presentations to keep the history alive. He says, "There is a generation born in those 20-years we hope will find this book helpful to authentically understand the tragedy." American Pride is a non-partisan, inspirational non-profit offering high-quality, timely and professional presentations, speeches and learning events to engage students, and the general public with first-person stories of overcoming challenges relating to the Terrorist Attacks of 9/11/2001. Their mission states, "Our special purpose is to help people appreciate and support First Responders and the U.S. Military". Books can be ordered from Amazon.com in paperback and e-book formats. More information about "9/11 Survivors' Stories Midwest Memories" can be found on the website, www.AmericanPrideInc.org. Media Interested in interviews or comments, please contact: Don Bacso [email protected] phone 312-952-5366 Ryan Yantis [email protected] phone 815-355-6411 Contact: Sue Dobbe-Leahy, Dobbe Marketing [email protected] , 815-236-2550 SOURCE American Pride, Inc. - Accedian to become an official member of the Cisco DevNet SolutionsPlus Program MONTREAL, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Accedian, a leader in performance analytics, cybersecurity threat detection, and end user experience solutions, today announced a strategic collaboration with Cisco to deliver unrivaled business insights through a cloud-native, single pane-of-glass view of network and service performance. Cisco will offer Accedian's Skylight for near real-time network performance monitoring, analytics and assurance within its Cisco Crosswork Network Automation platform to offer Accedian Skylight for Cisco Network Automation, a complete solution for orchestrated service assurance. In today's digitally dependent world, service providers must deliver guaranteed service and application performance to unleash customer innovation and business success. Cisco's Crosswork Network Automation platform gives service providers the scalable and dynamic automation tools required to be proactive in meeting the needs of their customers. Together with Skylight, Cisco can offer simple and expedient deployments of new services from day 1 at service turn-up. In addition, Skylight delivers continuous performance monitoring for fully automated in-lifecycle management of the network and applications. "Accedian solutions enable Colt to deliver high-quality services, providing insights and analytics for our customers to enhance the telemetry to meet their business transformation needs," said Robin Farnan, EVP Operations & Engineering at Colt. "The power of Cisco's converged SDN transport infrastructure together with Accedian's deep insights into our network performance will allow us to deliver dynamic, best-in-class services for our customers while reducing our operating expenses." "Digital businesses will succeed or fail by the quality of their customer experiences, and our collaboration with Cisco supports our clients and their end-users by creating a best-in-class dynamic service assurance solution," said Dion Joannou, CEO, Accedian. "With tools such as Skylight and Cisco Crosswork Network Automation, organizations can efficiently monitor and troubleshoot their network performance, all without impacting the customer experience." Accedian provides comprehensive service assurance capabilities achieved through a combination of active and synthetic monitoring and testing, real transaction (real user) monitoring and insightful business outcomes, all of which are visible via a single pane of glass. With these capabilities at their disposal, Cisco is given increased visibility and observability across all network types, as well as greater performance visibility, data granularity, and the ability to detect performance issues that other solutions typically miss. "Service providers are always looking for ways to securely and cost-effectively improve customer experience, differentiate services, and enhance operational efficiency," said Kevin Wollenweber, Vice President of Networking, Mass-Scale Infrastructure Group, Cisco. "With Accedian Skylight for Cisco Network Automation, we are helping them to achieve dynamic service assurance, driven by powerful analytics and automation, while providing a better experience for subscribers." For more information on Accedian Skylight and its partners, visit accedian.com. Supporting Resources: Register for Cisco Knowledge Network Webinar "Deliver exceptional customer experience with real-time orchestrated assurance" Learn how Accedian Skylight with Cisco Crosswork Automation provides unrivaled business insights through a cloud-native, view of network and service performance enabling you to deliver digital business outcome assurance for your customers. CONTACT: Pragya Goel SourceCode Communications [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/accedian/r/accedian-and-cisco-collaborate-to-elevate-dynamic-service-assurance-and-improve-customer-experiences,c3404795 SOURCE Accedian WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Fields PLLC law firm announced today that Awista Ayazi has joined the firm as Of Counsel. Ayazi is a skilled and strategic litigator focused on international law and human rights. She has extensive experience in both large law firms and nonprofit organizations relating to remedying human rights violations and other ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) issues. Ayazi's recent experiences include supporting Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Inc. to investigate human rights violations in Afghanistan. Awista Ayazi She obtained her Master of Laws in International Law-Human Rights from Oxford Brookes University in England. During her time there, Ayazi was awarded Best Oral Advocate in the U.K. in the Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, which involved 645 law schools from 95 countries. Ayazi then earned her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 2013. Ayazi will strengthen the firm's ESG practice. ESG is an umbrella term that encompasses human rights infringements, consumer protection, anti-terrorism act cases, corruption, and environmental justice cases. Although the term has only recently gained popularity, the litigators at Fields PLLC have decades of experience in this space. Richard Fields, the founder of the firm, is well-known in the complex litigation world and was an early pioneer in the field of litigation finance. He has created an innovative firm that strategically assembles litigation teams based on case needs and lines up the financing for large contingency matters. He also has world-class experience in negotiating settlements in large, complex litigation, and managing challenging multi-national investigations. The firm's clients include state Attorneys General and federally recognized Native American Tribal Nations, along with victims of terrorism, human rights abuses, and consumer and financial fraud. "We are excited to have Awista join our firm," said Fields. "Awista's experience will benefit not only our growing list of public clients, but also our private clients that are seeking justice for a broad array of environmental, social justice, and governance issues." Fields added: "The enhanced regulatory framework arising from the global financial crisis of 2008, increased enforcement activity, the changing ethical, consumer and societal attitudes to these issues, and a growing awareness of the systemic and financial consequences of these abuses have amplified the need for lawyers to 'fight for justice' for those who often cannot fight costly legal battles on their own." Fields PLLC takes an innovative litigation approach that includes extraordinary diligence in client and case selection; a global network of highly trained investigators; a roster of world-class litigation firms with whom to partner; early selection of experts, economists, and other professionals; a focus on economics at the outset of the litigation; and the use of artificial intelligence tools to analyze digital information. Contact: Richard Fields Fields PLLC (833) 382-9816 [email protected] http://www.fieldslawpllc.com SOURCE Fields PLLC Related Links http://www.fieldslawpllc.com SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Achronix Semiconductor Corporation, a leader in high-performance FPGAs and embedded FPGA (eFPGA) IP, and Signoff Semiconductors, a spec-to-silicon FPGA and ASIC design services company, have partnered to offer expert FPGA and eFPGA IP design services solutions for artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) applications. Signoff will develop AI and deep-learning accelerators, inferencing solutions, and edge IoT processors using Achronix's FPGA and eFPGA IP technology. This partnership will accelerate time to market, leveraging Signoff Semiconductors proven FPGA and ASIC design expertise alongside Achronix's leading Speedster7t FPGA and Speedcore eFPGA IP platforms. As the complexity of designing efficient processing of AI and ML algorithms increases, customers need access to proven design services companies that have expertise in developing solutions on leading-edge semiconductor platforms. This partnership enables Signoff Semiconductor to have direct access to Achronix's silicon, IP and support services, which will accelerate customers' time to market. Signoff Semiconductors has industry-proven expert design services focused on both FPGA and ASIC designs for AI/ML applications. This expertise is ideal for Achronix customers, enabling access to the same design services company to target both FPGA and eFPGA IP based solutions. "Achronix partnered with Signoff Semiconductor to provide our customers with proven experts in AI/ML design services," said Steve Mensor, VP of Sales and Marketing at Achronix. "Their ability to target both FPGAs and ASICs that incorporate eFPGA IP provides our customers with the ability to design both standalone FPGAs and then migrate those designs to an ASIC with eFPGA IP, using the same design services partner." "The migration to Achronix FPGAs is a strong addition to our partnership solutions portfolio. Together, we are offering tremendous potential to our mutual customers by enabling them to accelerate the product development process," said Vikram Khemchandani, CEO and Co-Founder of Signoff Semiconductors. "Achronix FPGAs and eFPGA technology solutions are the ideal fit for high-performance, data-acceleration applications." About SignOff Semiconductors SignOff Semiconductors is a Spec-to-Silicon SoC/ASIC Design Services company headquartered in Bangalore, India and having its presence in San Jose CA. SignOff started its journey in 2016 as a Design services company and has been working as a preferred Design partner to some of the leading companies working in various Automotive, mobile, IoT and communication-based applications. Their core expertise includes Physical Design, Verification and Custom Layout across different foundries & nodes (180Nm 7Nm), along with providing custom silicon solutions using both in-house expertise and third-party IPs. The team has a cumulative experience 100+ years in Physical Design and taping out 80+ ASICs targeted to leading foundries in various process nodes including 7nm. Over the years SignOff has built expertise on High speed SerDes Ip's, Graphics Cores, Modems, servers, storage, and RISC Cores. Recently SignOff has introduced "Kaveri" a Low footprint, low power Embedded Application Processor, which can be used is various applications such as portable Medical Devices, small form factor based consumer devices, embedded controllers, and sensor hubs etc. The team has already developed "SIGNOX" a PICORV 32 application processor-based pulse oximeter which is a reference design and looking forward to making more such designs with robust application development tool chain along with adding more peripherals in the future versions of Kaveri. About Achronix Semiconductor Corporation Achronix Semiconductor Corporation is a fabless semiconductor corporation based in Santa Clara, California, offering high-end FPGA-based data acceleration solutions, designed to address high-performance, compute-intensive and real-time processing applications. Achronix is the only supplier to have both high-performance, high-density standalone FPGAs and licensed eFPGA IP solutions. Achronix Speedster7t FPGA and Speedcore eFPGA IP offerings are further enhanced by ready-to-use VectorPath accelerator cards targeting AI, machine learning, networking and data center applications. All Achronix products are fully supported by the Achronix Tool Suite which enables customers to quickly develop their own custom applications. Achronix has a global footprint, with sales and design teams across the U.S., Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.achronix.com. Follow Achronix Website: www.achronix.com The Achronix Blog: https://www.achronix.com/blogs/ Twitter: @AchronixInc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/achronix-semiconductor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/achronix/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AchronixCorp Contacts Bob Siller Achronix Semiconductor Corporation 408-889-4142 [email protected] Achronix and Speedster are registered trademarks, and Speedcore, Speedchip, and VectorPath are trademarks of Achronix Semiconductor Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their prospective owners. SOURCE Achronix Related Links achronix.com Acumatica Cloud ERP business accelerates expansion in South Asia and grows reseller network to meet demand across APAC Tweet this "We're excited to deepen our roots in South Asia by fortifying partnerships in Sri Lanka," said Jon Roskill, CEO at Acumatica. "Acumatica is a global company, with a worldwide network of partners and resellers, supporting customers across several industries. The demand for our product in APAC really called for more investment and commitment from us." Acumatica currently has more than 50 regional team members and nearly a dozen active resellers located throughout Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. These resellers mainly focus on the distribution, manufacturing, and construction industries. "We sincerely value the partnership of our early Acumatica partners in South Asia," said Thorsten Leppek, director of the Asia region at Acumatica. "Through their expertise and local ties, we can support the abundance of growing businesses in need of Acumatica's mobile, adaptable, and efficient cloud ERP solution. They are central to our success in the region." The IDC MarketScape: Asia/Pacific Software-As-A-Service and Cloud-Enabled Manufacturing Enterprise Resource Planning Applications 2021 Vendor Assessment recently named Acumatica a Major Player in the APAC market. The report highlights Acumatica's unique consumption-based licensing model, which charges clients based on their transaction volumes. IDC also notes that the pricing structure aids smaller organizations in keeping enterprise software spend in line with revenue growth. This regional expansion follows the opening in the UK of Acumatica's London office to better serve customers in Great Britain and Ireland. Since its founding in 2008, Acumatica has experienced unprecedented and industry-leading growth, adding new customers, partners, resellers, and corporate team members globally. Acumatica takes companies beyond basic process digitization and helps them transform into mature, efficient, and connected businesses. About Acumatica Acumatica Cloud ERP provides the best business management solution for transforming your company to thrive in the new digital economy. Built on a future-proof platform with open architecture for rapid integrations, scalability, and ease of use, Acumatica delivers unparalleled value to small and midmarket organizations. Connected Business. Delivered. SOURCE Acumatica Related Links http://www.acumatica.com Today, Adam & Eve is the nation's preeminent provider of pleasure products, with a broad range of "sex positive" items, including sex toys, vibrators, lingerie, and, yes, condoms. Serving 15 million customers through its award-winning website, AdamAndEve.com, and catalog, the company goes to great lengths to assure customer satisfaction by performing regular quality assurance inspections, offering an unconditional money-back guarantee, answering customers' questions, and shipping each order in discreet packaging. With more than 8500 "sex positive" products lining its warehouse shelves, customers can rely on Adam & Eve to have the product they want at a price they can afford. PHE, Inc., the parent company of Adam & Eve, houses a staff of 339 at the North Carolina headquarters and a large number of employees own stock in the company. By having a personal stake in the success of Adam & Eve and PHE, employees are highly motivated to provide customers with the best possible service while ensuring relationships with vendors remain cordial, honest and lasting. In fact, 22% of these employees have been with the company 10-19 years, 16% have been there 20-29 years, and 5% have been with the company 30 years or more. Adam & Eve is one of the largest local employers. PHE's two-story, 86,000 square-foot warehouse and three-story office facility is located on 10 acres inside the Meadowlands office park in historic Hillsborough, N.C. A free Adam & Eve catalog may be ordered online at AdamAndEve.com, or by calling 800.765.ADAM (2326). Adam & Eve employees contribute time and energy to a variety of local and national charities such as family violence prevention centers, schools, Habitat for Humanity, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Special Olympics, the American Cancer Society, animal shelters and others. When employees raise money for these organizations, PHE matches their funds to double the impact. The Hillsborough-Orange County Chamber of Commerce recently named PHE, Inc. its "Business of the Year" partly for its outstanding corporate citizenship and community outreach programs. In addition, Adam & Eve Founder and President Phil Harvey uses his share of the company's profits to help fund DKT International. Rated one of the best international family planning and AIDS prevention organizations in the world, DKT's family planning programs provide accessible, affordable birth control products and services to millions of couples, making it possible to prevent HIV infections and assist with family planning. The efforts made by DKT in Africa, Asia and Latin America help improve family health, lower infant and maternal mortality and improve prosperity. About Adam & Eve Adam & Eve is the nation's leading and most trusted internet adult retailer, having served more than 15 million customers through its website and catalog. With its longstanding "sex positive" stance, Adam & Eve products have been delivering excitement to bedrooms and enticing lovers for 50 years. Adam & Eve sells only the highest quality products for individuals and couples looking to engage in a consensual and sex positive experience. Find out more at www.adamandeve.com. For more information, please contact Adam & Eve Public Relations Director Katy Zvolerin at 919.644.8100 x 3121 or [email protected]. SOURCE AdamEve.com "For 75 years, our organization has built and maintained strong relationships in the communities where we operate," said Jeff Hansen , CEO. "Giving back to our communities reflects our core values and company culture and is the cornerstone of the legacy we have built together. This year we will celebrate that legacy through focused giving and community service across our many regions and offices." AP has historically provided donations and service in the communities it operates, supporting at-risk children and adults, military veterans, disaster relief and rebuilding, local food banks, hospitals and health organizations, schools, and other nonprofits and charitable foundations. The Day of Giving builds on those relationships and provides a more focused effort to give back in a meaningful way. "We're proud of our growth and longevity in the industry and the positive impact we've made on the clients and communities we serve," said Hansen. "The Day of Giving brings our people together to celebrate our successes while giving back and engaging with those in need of support in our local communities." AP's regional offices will select local charities and causes that have special meaning for their employees, including Feed My Starving Children and AZCEND Food Bank in Arizona, Transplants for Children and Dallas Children's Advocacy Center in Texas, and Hearts and Hammers and Second Harvest Heartland in Minnesota. Locations are also organizing fundraisers and blood drives, collecting and donating food and clothing, providing supplies to local schools, participating in park clean-ups and many other activities. About Adolfson & Peterson Construction: Adolfson & Peterson Construction (AP) has been building trust, communities and people for 75 years. Founded in 1946, AP has expanded its services and geographic footprint to become one of the leading construction management firms in the U.S. and is ranked as a Top 100 Contractor by the Engineering News Record (ENR). It remains a trusted family-owned business that is known for quality, reliability and strong partner relationships, while maintaining one of the strongest safety records in the industry. AP offers preconstruction, construction and contracting services to the commercial, education, healthcare, hospitality, industrial, multifamily, municipal, recreation and senior living market segments, and currently employs more than 600 team members and thousands of subcontractors and trade partners in Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, Texas and Wyoming. Dedication to its clients, communities, and employees, along with a commitment to core values and innovation, has allowed the company to remain an industry leader and dependable partner for decades. For more information, visit www.a-p.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter. AP is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. SOURCE Adolfson & Peterson Construction LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Alithea Genomics, a rapidly growing player in the transcriptomics field, has announced today the launch of its first MERCURIUS BRB-seq kits, which enable high-throughput and cost-efficient RNA-seq library preparation from a wide range of RNA samples. BRB-seq is Alithea's flagship technology and is based on early sample barcoding and pooling. With BRB-seq, right after the initial reverse transcription reaction, hundreds of RNA samples can be processed in one single tube. This translates into a significant reduction of reagents and manual effort involved in the overall workflow. The MERCURIUS BRB-seq kits provide an optimized set of barcodes, which ensure uniform and reproducible data generation from a large number of samples. Moreover, the newly launched BRB-seq kits are also optimized for RNA samples from various tissue types. In addition to standard purified RNA, the BRB-seq kits are also compatible with cell lysates (i.e. no need for RNA extraction) and for blood RNA samples (i.e. globin depletion is integrated in the BRB-seq workflow). "We are particularly proud of our first kits, especially after a successful beta-testing period with early adopters" said Daniel Alpern, CTO at Alithea Genomics. "BRB-seq has already proved itself an empowering solution for several users and now, through our kits, we want to make easy and convenient for anyone to adopt this new technology". More information can be requested at [email protected] or visiting https://www.alitheagenomics.com/contact About Alithea Genomics Founded in 2020, Alithea Genomics SA is a rapidly growing provider of high-throughput RNA-seq services, kits and bioinformatic solutions. Alithea's products are ideal for large-scale transcriptomics studies such as biomarker discovery, antibody development and drug screening. In addition to human health, BRB-seq can easily be applied to model organisms, plants and in-vitro models. Alithea Genomics is a privately held company based in Lausanne (Switzerland) and is currently shipping its kits directly and worldwide. For more information about Alithea Genomics, visit https://www.alitheagenomics.com/ Contact: Riccardo Dainese, CEO, [email protected], +41 788 30 31 39 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1603362/Alithea_Genomics_Logo.jpg SOURCE Alithea Genomics ST. LOUIS, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameren workers across Illinois and Missouri will be are heading to Louisiana later this week to assist in repairing damage and restoring power to communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. The company's personnel and contractors, including lineworkers, fleet, logistics and safety, will assist crews from Entergy. Ameren personnel will deploy from operating centers in Illinois and Missouri throughout the week. "Our hearts go out to those who have been affected by this devastating hurricane. We will help these communities recover from this storm's stunning damage as soon as possible," said Warner Baxter, chairman, president and CEO of Ameren Corporation. "Ameren customers in Illinois and Missouri have benefited many times from mutual assistance following severe storms and know firsthand how this type of support can make a real difference in recovery efforts." Ameren crews are planning a two-week deployment to assist in the restoration efforts. Ameren Illinois and Ameren Missouri are voluntary members of the electric power industry's mutual assistance network through the Edison Electric Institute. When called upon, a company will send either company employees, contractors or both, along with specialized equipment to help with the restoration efforts of a fellow company. In essence, it allows a utility hit by a major or catastrophic event to expand its workforce by borrowing field personnel from other companies in unaffected areas. Following some large storms here, Ameren has called upon other utilities for assistance and has a history of helping other utilities, providing support with catastrophic events such as Hurricane Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017, Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Just as they do when working in Illinois and Missouri service territories, Ameren response personnel and crews are taking extra precautions to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19. Preventive actions such as social distancing and use of masks, protective eyewear and gloves, are being followed. Safety is one of Ameren's core values. About Ameren Corporation St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.4 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric transmission and distribution service and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Missouri provides electric service generation, transmission and distribution services, as well as natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops, owns and operates rate-regulated electric transmission projects. For more information, visit Ameren.com, or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenCorp, Facebook.com/AmerenCorp, or LinkedIn.com/company/Ameren. SOURCE Ameren Corporation Related Links http://www.ameren.com MELVILLE, N.Y., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- American Veterans Group, a social impact investment bank, has provided a grant to a Pennsylvania non-profit organization that helps underemployed and unemployed U.S. military veterans find professional and financially rewarding careers after their military service. The $5,000 grant to the Veterans Leadership Program (VLP) will help underwrite the cost of career development services for up to 20 Pennsylvania veterans. The grant was made possible by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's decision to choose American Veterans Group as a co-manager on a bond issue earlier this year. American Veterans Group dedicates 25% of its earnings to support veterans causes. The firm, Wall Street's first and only public benefit corporation, directs its philanthropy to communities where it and its clients do business. "The Veterans Leadership Program delivers a vital service to post-9/11 military veterans who aspire to successful civilian careers," said Ben Biles, co-founder and CEO of American Veterans Group. "VLP and American Veterans Group share a common mission of helping veterans transition from military life, so it makes perfect sense to direct our philanthropy in Pennsylvania to support their career development efforts." Based in Pittsburgh, VLP provided employment assistance to 572 men and women military veterans during 2020 through its Veteran Career Development Program. The organization's mission and vision are to empower veterans to navigate life transitions and help them reach their full potential as civilians. "We, along with the thousands of local veterans and their families that we serve each year, are grateful for American Veterans Group's generosity," said Toshua Jarrett, CDO of Veterans Leadership Program. "AVG's gift will provide much needed employment support to veterans, service members, and their families. We appreciate their confidence in the Veterans Leadership Program and support of our mission." American Veterans Group served as a co-manager on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's $250 million, 2021 Series A, Turnpike Revenue Bond issue. "The Turnpike is committed to partnering with veteran's organizations and diverse businesses as part of its mission," said Richard Dreher, chief financial officer of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. "The PTC is particularly attracted to the social mission of American Veterans Group, and we are proud to be a part of this donation to the Veterans Leadership Group." About American Veterans Group American Veterans Group, PBC, is a military veteran-owned, social impact-focused broker dealer that delivers value to institutional clients while providing meaningful philanthropic support to the military veteran community. The company reinvests 25% of its earnings in national and local military veteran nonprofit organizations that provide worthy services and support to one of America's most vulnerable, at-risk populations. As Wall Street's only public benefit corporation, American Veterans Group empowers institutional clients to partner in its social mission while enabling them to remain focused on key business objectives and goals. To learn more about American Veterans Group, visit their website at www.americanvetsgroup.com. About VLP The Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania empowers Veterans to navigate the transitions of life. We provide essential housing, employment, and other vital supportive services to eligible veterans, service members and their families to improve self-sufficiency, sustainability and quality of life. Media Contacts: For American Veterans Group Mark Kroeger The Boldsquare Group (513) 236-3109 [email protected] For Veterans Leadership Program Toshua Jarrett, MS Chief Development Officer Veterans Leadership Program (412) 481-8200 [email protected] SOURCE American Veterans Group Related Links http://www.americanvetsgroup.com "Easy access to insights surrounding the carbon emissions of the energy they source is invaluable for fleets who wish to charge when energy is greener," said Gavin McCormick, cofounder and Executive Director at WattTime. "With AMPLY, now fleets can automatically optimize their charging schedules for the smallest carbon footprint possible." AMPLY's OMEGA platform is customized for every fleet customer, ensuring the automatic charging of vehicles based on the customer's goals, cost of electricity, vehicle shifts, routes, battery health, and other factors. AMPLY will integrate WattTime's Automated Emission Reduction (AER) technology via an API with AMPLY's OMEGA software. With the integration, fleets can access real-time and location-specific data for the grid nationwide. Emissions data is updated every five minutes, and historical data in rolling 24-hour increments is now integrated into the OMEGA platform for a more holistic view of a fleet's decarbonization efforts. Research from WattTime has shown that emissions-optimized charging can further reduce associated emissions nearly 20 percent annually and up to 90 percent on individual days "Fleets need insights to help them make more informed decisions when sourcing electricityincluding a mechanism to avoid purchasing energy that is not renewable or too high in GHGs," said Vic Shao, CEO and founder of AMPLY Power. "Our work with WattTime is the latest in a series of initiatives to ensure our customers are charging on the cleanest, lowest carbon energy possible." The partnership comes shortly after AMPLY announced plans to transition all California fleet customers to charging on electricity derived from 100 percent renewable energy and several new customer deployments. Earlier this month, AMPLY announced its management of charging operations at the Red Hook Terminal in Port Newark, New Jersey, for the single largest deployment of zero-emission battery-electric trucks in the eastern United States. AMPLY will also be managing charging for the new fleet of Volvo VNR electric Class 8 trucks for Manhattan Beer Distributors . About AMPLY Power AMPLY Power is a comprehensive electric vehicle charging and energy management provider for fleets operating trucks, buses, vans and light-duty vehicles. Our intelligent charge management software, OMEGA, optimizes charging for lowest cost energy, while offering improved resilience and reliability, all in a user-friendly dashboard. Paired with our Charging-as-a-Service model, our vehicle and charger agnostic approach allows us to handle all the details of charging a fleet's EVs, guaranteeing performance and dramatically reducing upfront capital. To learn more about AMPLY, please visit www.amplypower.com or LinkedIn and follow @AMPLYpower on Twitter. About WattTime WattTime empowers global citizenspeople, organizations, utilities, countriesto slash emissions and use cleaner energy. Founded by UC Berkeley researchers and now a subsidiary of RMI, we are a modern-day hybrid of an environmental nonprofit and cutting-edge software company. We research and develop data-driven tools that increase environmental and social good. We invented Automated Emissions Reduction (AER), software that allows IoT devices like smart thermostats and electric vehicles to effortlessly and automatically run on cleaner energy. We popularized emissionality, a technique to achieve greater avoided emissions from new renewable energy projects. And we co-founded the global coalition Climate TRACE, enabling more meaningful climate action by harnessing remote sensing and software intelligence to independently monitor human-caused GHG emissions in near real time. During the massive energy transition from a fossil-fueled past to a zero-carbon future, WattTime 'bends the curve' to realize deeper, faster emissions reductions that benefit people and the planet. Media Contact: Technica Communications for AMPLY Power Lisa Ann Pinkerton [email protected] SOURCE AMPLY Power Related Links https://www.amplypower.com/ Company taps former Salesforce North America President to rapidly scale global GTM functions as enterprises expand their adoption of Databricks' Lakehouse Platform SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Databricks, the Data and AI company, today announced the appointment of Andy Kofoid as President of Global Field Operations. With more than three decades of experience building, scaling and transforming high-growth software and cloud businesses, Andy's track record of category creation and operational excellence will prove invaluable as Databricks' Lakehouse Platform becomes the data architecture of choice for data-driven organizations. Andy's first day will be September 7, 2021. "Andy brings an incredible wealth of knowledge and global leadership experience to the Databricks team and I am thrilled to introduce him as the new President of Global Field Operations," said Ali Ghodsi, CEO and Co-Founder of Databricks. "Andy's background leading and scaling high growth, customer-focused GTM organizations and his commitment to operational excellence will take Databricks to new heights. As we work to create the lakehouse category and accelerate adoption of the data architecture of the future, Andy's experience in category creation and building a platform ecosystem will prove invaluable." Andy brings more than twenty years of executive experience to the company. He joins Databricks from Salesforce where he spent eight years, most recently in the role of President of North America managing a $12B+ business unit with 8,000+ employees. He also held executive positions as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Salesforce leading their B2C and global Marketing Cloud businesses. Prior to that, he served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at ExactTarget, leading the global field operations. During his tenure, ExactTarget went public in 2012 on the NYSE and was acquired by Salesforce in 2013 for $2.6B. Before joining ExactTarget, Andy served as Vice President of EMEA at Dassault Systemes, living in both London and Paris. He also held other executive positions within the U.S. at Dassault Systemes. Prior to that, Andy served in sales and sales management positions at Oracle Corporation and IBM. "Databricks' trajectory is incredible and I'm excited to join this outstanding organization and be part of the next chapter," said Andy. "I've seen first hand the critical role that data and AI play in fueling digital transformation and I look forward to helping customers around the world maximize the value of their data with this best-in-class lakehouse platform that is redefining the next era in cloud." About Databricks Databricks is the data and AI company. More than 5,000 organizations worldwide including Comcast, Conde Nast, H&M, and over 40% of the Fortune 500 rely on the Databricks Lakehouse Platform to unify their data, analytics and AI. Databricks is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices around the globe. Founded by the original creators of Apache Spark, Delta Lake and MLflow, Databricks is on a mission to help data teams solve the world's toughest problems. To learn more, follow Databricks on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Press Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Databricks PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Animal Vaccines Market by Type (Attenuated Vaccines, Inactivated Vaccines, Subunit Vaccines, Toxoid Vaccines, Conjugate Vaccines, Recombinant Vaccines, and DNA Vaccines) and Animal Type (Companion Animal, Livestock Animal, and Aquaculture): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030." According to the report, the global animal vaccines industry generated $9.09 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $15.20 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2020 to 2030. For Right Perspective and Competitive Insights, Get Sample Report at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/1988 Prime determinants of growth Growth in demand for pet insurance, rise in prevalence of animal diseases, surge in expenditure for animal health, and increase in ownership of companion animal drive the growth of the global animal vaccines market. However, highly competitive meat and milk prices and adverse impact of veterinary vaccines on human and animal health hinders the market growth. On the other hand, advancement in vaccine product and rise in demand for hybrid animal create new opportunities in coming years. Covid-19 Scenario The emergence of covid-19 affected the animal vaccine market negatively. The veterinary organizations across the globe have recommended limiting animal patient care to acutely ill animals and emergencies. The lockdown measures have led to rescheduling of annual checkup exams and elective vaccination procedures. The supply of animal vaccination witnessed disruptions to certain point. However, the manufacturers ensured proper supply of animal vaccinations. The attenuated vaccines segment to maintain its dominant position during the forecast period Based on product, the attenuated vaccines a segment held the highest market share in 2020, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the global animal vaccines market, and is expected to maintain its dominant position during the forecast period. This is attributed to availability of advanced technology for specific mutations/deletions in genes of the virus. However, the DNA vaccines segment is estimated to witness the highest CAGR of 8.10% from 2020 to 2030, owing to increase in prevalence of animal diseases, and its easy manipulation as compared to traditional vaccines. Do You Have Any Query Or Specific Requirement? Ask to Our Industry Expert: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/1988 The livestock segment to maintain its leadership status based on revenue by 2030 Based on animal type, the livestock animal segment accounted for nearly than two-thirds of the global animal vaccines market in 2020, and is projected to maintain its leadership status based on revenue by 2030. Increase in the prevalence of various infectious diseases among livestock animals and surge in awareness related to importance of immunization. However, the companion animal segment is expected to portray the highest CAGR of 5.50% from 2020 to 2030. The increase in awareness regarding medical illnesses & ailments of companion animals and growth in animal healthcare expenditure worldwide drive the growth of the segment. North America to maintain its highest contribution throughout the forecast period Based on region, North America held the majority share in 2020, with nearly two-fifths of the total share of the global animal vaccines market, and will maintain its highest contribution throughout the forecast period. This is due to established veterinary organizational structures and concern amongst people to ensure animal health. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to maintain the highest CAGR of 5.90% during the forecast period, owing to increase in need of protection of livestock from mass wipeouts due to epidemics, especially in countries such as India. Leading market players Merck & Co., Inc. Zoetis Inc. Ceva Sante Animale Sanofi S.A. Romvac Vaxxinova Biovac Merial Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH Anicon Labor GmbH Avenue Basic Plan | Library Access | 1 Year Subscription | Sign up for Avenue subscription to access more than 12,000+ company profiles and 2,000+ niche industry market research reports at $699 per month, per seat. For a year, the client needs to purchase minimum 2 seat plan. Avenue Library Subscription | Request for 14 days free trial of before buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/avenue/trial/starter Get more information: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access We have also published few syndicated market studies in the similar area that might be of your interest. Below are the report title for your reference, considering Impact of Covid-19 Over This Market which will help you to assess aftereffects of pandemic on short-term and long-term growth trends of this market. Similar Reports: Vaccines Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202028 Cancer Vaccines Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019-2028 Therapeutic Vaccines Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019-2028 Influenza Vaccine Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20192028 Aquaculture Vaccines Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20192028 Potential Analysis of Human DNA Vaccines Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20192028 Meningococcal Vaccines Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20192028 About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 [email protected] Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/allied-market-research SOURCE Allied Market Research The Boston Dynamics -designed, four-legged agile robotpurchased by the McWhorter School of Building Science , or BSCI, in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction , or CADCis a magnet for attention on the Plains. Weighing in at 80 pounds and standing almost 3 feet tall, Mac, named in honor of 1968 Auburn graduate Earlon McWhorter, whose name adorns the school, is a popular attraction wherever he goes. "It draws a crowd, and people are always curious about Mac and want their photo taken with it," said Eric Wetzel, an assistant professor of building science. Purchased this spring by BSCI, Mac already has been used on construction sites and in classrooms at Auburn. Wetzel said the robot has been utilized in research experiments on active construction sites, including the Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center, conducting autonomous laser scans of rooms to capture completion percentage and provide 3D imaging useful to project managers and educators alike. "We're trying to use Mac in all three phases of the university missionresearch, service and teaching," said Wetzel, a 2019 recipient of the Alumni Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award from the Auburn Alumni Association. "This is a very novel technology, especially on construction sites. Basically, any research question we develop is untested because we've never had autonomous robots on jobsites like we have now. We are looking at different applications and payloads and continue to explore a number of different research questions." Mac is a great tool on construction sites because its mobility and autonomous mode enable the robot to enter and scan a room on its own while avoiding obstacles and providing comprehensive and detailed data that can be studied and directly applied to projects. Mac's autonomous LiDAR scans can free up personnel such as field engineers to handle other tasks on a jobsite. "Historically, LiDAR scans are a very time-consuming effort for a field engineer, so by autonomously sending Mac out to execute those scans, it alleviates that time the field engineer would need to do it," said Wetzel, who earned his Master of Building Construction at Auburn before completing his doctorate at Virginia Tech. "The fact that Mac is a quadruped, allows it to go up and down stairs, deal with rough terrain at a construction site and step over and avoid things. This type of robot is the first that can actively be deployed on a construction site without getting stuck in mud or blocked by things sitting on the ground." LiDAR scans help researchers and construction managers monitor progress of a project or site with high-quality, dynamic images. "It's a newer form of advanced technology that allows you to capture spatial data of a site or structure thoroughly and accurately," said Junshan Liu, an associate professor in the McWhorter School of Building Science and co-author with Wetzel on a comparative analysis report involving Mac. "It's a really comprehensive capture, down to two millimeters in detail, and you're able to get a snapshot of a building as it is at that moment. That documentation is really important for historical buildings and also for new construction. "LiDAR scanning work is labor-intense that requires a commitment from a lot of people, so having Mac is great because we could just send him to a job site programmed to do image capturing at night when there's no one working. That can really improve productivity, and for circumstances that may be hazardous or dangerous, we can send Mac to places people shouldn't go because they're unsafe." Part of a revolution Mac is part of a revolution of sorts in the construction world, with robotics being used more and more with each passing year as technology continues to improve. "Within the last 10 years, we've seen this explosion in construction robotics," said Wetzel, who worked for years in the water and wastewater industry. "Mac is representative of this shift, and it's partially because the tech is good enough that it can now be useful on construction sites. Construction is suffering from a massive skilled labor shortage and one that doesn't seem to have a solution in the short term. "If you can't find people to lay brick or tie rebar, and we have the tech for robots, why not let robots do some of the work that's repetitive and hard on the human body? Quite frankly, it's better for humans not to be bent over all day tying rebar mats, so why not let a robot that doesn't have sore muscles and achy feet that can work 24/7as long as it has the power to do soexecute those scopes of work?" Jake Lovelace, an innovation and operations tech specialist at the Brasfield & Gorrie LLC, agrees. The Birmingham-based construction firmwhose name adorns the CADC's Gorrie Centerhas a Boston Dynamics SPOT dog of its own they call Benji. "I believe we are at the beginning of a construction 'renaissance,'" Lovelace said. "The industry is seeing rapid growth of technology that is transforming traditional manual workflows into data-driven autonomous processes. While 'hands in the dirt' will always be essential, digital innovators are being given an important seat at the table to manage the ever-growing amount of data needed to build a successful project. "The task is not an easy onea typical job site is a very dynamic environment and host to many hazardous activities, making robotic automation extremely difficult to achieve. But I believe this is why innovators are naturally drawn to the spacethey enjoy the challenge." Robotics has been used on construction sites in recent years for things like tying rebar, finishing drywall or even laying brick, as was the case with a robot named SAMshort for Semi-Automated Masonthat was utilized on the construction of the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University. The potential, Wetzel says, for Mac and the field of robotics in the construction realm is seemingly endless. "This robot has only been commercially available for a little over year, and Boston Dynamics released it with non-specific applications in mind," Wetzel said. "So, we're just filling in the gaps of what it could be doing on a job site. Because Mac has a programmable interface, we can write programs to get it to do things it's not inherently designed to do. "For example, we are currently working with the RFID Lab at Auburn to develop a 'follow protocol' in which Mac will follow a human around and execute actions without the need for the handheld device used to control the robot in manual mode. This human-robot collaboration, sometimes referred to as 'cobot,' is applicable to construction and beyond." Wetzel identified three main ways robotics like Mac can be utilized in the construction world. "If you think in generalities, robotics is most effective in three scenariosa repetitive task that humans don't necessarily like doing; a task that is harmful to humans that leads to injuries; and environments that are dangerous, like caves or buildings that are condemned," he said. "When you look at a robot like Mac, you can check the box on all three." Wetzel said he and his team hope to use Mac to collect data, conduct research that is shared with Boston Dynamics to improve future generations of its robots and publish papers about their discoveries made with the young technology. "We're in the first frontier of this, because there's nothing out there that's currently published," Wetzel said. "Current literature is largely researchers conjecturing about applications, but now that a few of us have robots, we're running experiments for the first time." One-of-a-kind outreach, research tool Not only is Mac a great tool Wetzel and his team are deploying out in the field, but also is a one-of-a-kind outreach and recruiting tool for CADC, BSCI and the university. Wetzel has visited elementary schools, shared the robot with the International Officers School from Maxwell Air Force Base, was recently interviewed for a documentary on robotics and was part of the College of Sciences and Mathematics' SCORE Robotics Camp at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum this summer. "It's massive," Wetzel said of Mac's outreach potential. "I could walk into a classroom at a high school or middle school and give the coolest spiel about building science, and a month later, students won't remember me or maybe even what I talked about. But if I walk in with a robot, they'll remember the robot. So, there's no way you can quantify the impact on a 10-year-old, 12-year-old or 15-year-old." A visit from a robot like Mac, Wetzel says, could spark a student's interest in the field and even help them choose a career path. "They're going to remember that robot when they're picking schools or picking programs," Wetzel said. "They may not even want to go to college, which is fine, but they may think, 'You know, construction seems more interesting than I thought it would be,' and so they end up going to a trade school and maybe becoming a mason next to a robot like SAM, or even end up controlling SAM. "These are all things that can cascade just from a simple visit to a school with a robot. It's almost unquantifiable to change someone's perspective on something." Even though Mac and his payloads carried a six-figure price tag, Wetzel said the potential returns are priceless. "It's really hard to put a return-on-investment figure on a robot that can potentially get students interested in building science and construction, publishing really novel information and having expertise that people in the industry and other universities respect," Wetzel said. "What's the ROI on having students who can actually control, feel and see a robot in construction, as opposed to just being taught about it in a classroom? These things are not really measurable by monetary standards." From a research standpoint, having Mac out in the field at Auburn allows Boston Dynamics and other industry leaders the chance to process never-before-seen data that is crucial to the technology's evolution. "We're all sharing, collaborating and giving feedback, and that information gets back to Boston Dynamics," Wetzel said. "When limitations or problems arise, they build the hardware and software to mitigate problems we run into and improve the technology. You have this collaboration between the manufacturer and the end user, and so you'll just keep seeing evolutions of these robots to be more and more useful on construction sites." Wetzel and his team can't help but be energized by the chance to work with Mac and explore new horizons of research and discovery. "As a researcher, it's a dream type of research assignment," Wetzel said. "To have such a novel piece of equipment at our disposal at the McWhorter School of Building Science, it doesn't happen that frequently. Very rarely do you get the opportunity to work on something that's so new and every experiment you run is something that's not been done before. "Not to mention, it's a 3-foot robot that walks by itself. What's cooler than that?" Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie's Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn's commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact. Note: Photos may be downloaded here, and a video is available here. SOURCE Auburn University Related Links http://www.auburn.edu RADNOR, Pa., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Avantor, Inc. (NYSE: AVTR), a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the life sciences, advanced technologies and applied materials industries, announced today a multi-year investment in its global hydration capabilities. The Company has recently completed a major expansion of its facility in Gliwice, Poland, and has begun a multi-stage expansion of its facility in Aurora, Ohio, USA, that will be completed by mid-2022. With the global demand for biologics increasing, the biopharmaceutical industry is seeking to reduce the cost and time to manufacture therapies, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and vaccines at scale. Outsourcing the preparation of certain materials, such as buffers, used to produce biologics can help biopharma manufacturers drive greater workflow efficiencies, eliminate unnecessary steps, and increase speed to market of new and existing therapies. Avantor's expansion of its hydration solution will benefit the industry through this outsourcing model. Adding to the Company's existing WFI-quality water buffer manufacturing capabilities in place, the facility investments in Gliwice and Aurora will dramatically increase Avantor's capacity to support biopharma manufacturers around the world. Furthermore, the Gliwice site was designed with built-in flexibility to expand capacity as the business grows in years to come. Ger Brophy, Executive Vice President of Biopharma Production at Avantor, said, "Buffer management is a key area where biopharma manufacturers can save time while reducing risk and costs. This recent investment in our global hydration offering allows us to strengthen our cGMP chemical manufacturing in Europe and the United States, and by partnering with Avantor, customers can outsource their buffer management and realize greater efficiencies, allowing them to focus more time on science and other process improvements to get therapies to patients more quickly and more safely." Projects in Gliwice and Aurora include the installation of equipment that provides enhanced capabilities and capacity to formulate and fill WFI-based hydration solutions. These buffer solutions are used throughout the manufacturing process as well as in final drug formulations and must adhere to strict quality and regulatory standards that Avantor's products and solutions meet and exceed. The Gliwice, Poland facility serves as Avantor's European manufacturing flagship, supporting customers across Europe and Asia. Upon completion, Aurora will offer expanded support to North America. About Avantor Avantor, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the biopharma, healthcare, education & government, and advanced technologies & applied materials industries. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development and production activities in the industries we serve. Our global footprint enables us to serve more than 225,000 customer locations and gives us extensive access to research laboratories and scientists in more than 180 countries. We set science in motion to create a better world. For information, visit avantorsciences.com and find us on LinkedIn , Twitter and Facebook. Media Contact Hannah Mooney Mack Director, Biopharma Communications Avantor M: 239-216-0209 [email protected] SOURCE Avantor and Financial News Related Links https://www.avantorsciences.com/site FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Baby Kingdom has created a line of luxurious, natural baby care products that include everything from shampoos and body washes to rash and body creams. While all of the growing U.K. brand's products are highly effective, there is one item that stands out when it comes to innovative baby care techniques: its Baby Powder product. Baby Kingdom specializes in developing dermatologically tested, hypoallergenic, vegan-friendly products. These are designed with elite natural and organic ingredients that focus on results above all else. In the words of the brand's Global Sales Director, Katie Roberts, her brand is known for "luxury, yes, but efficacy is really at the heart of what we do." This pursuit of tangible, real-world results is exemplified in the brand's Baby Powder. The popular product is approved for sensitive baby skin through the use of a variety of velvety soft, talc-free ingredients. This includes nettle extract, which helps to calm and soothe delicate skin. Vitamin E, aloe vera, and chamomile are also present to help moisturize the skin and provide anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and healing benefits. Roberts explains that "we use good quality extracts within all our products because our customers are very aware of what they are putting on to their babies' skin." As a side note, the brand also responsibly points out that, as far as allergens are concerned, the Baby Powder product "contains traces of nuts." Baby Kingdom's ingredients are the primary reason it's developed its award-winning brand and fiercely loyal customer base. However, in the case of the Baby Powder product, in particular, there's another factor driving home the elite nature of the product: its innovative delivery system. Baby Kingdom's Baby Powder comes in a bottle with a unique air pump that can be used to easily distribute the contents across the area requiring attention. This brilliant addition solves the age-old issue of parents holding their children's legs up with one hand and using the other to shake, squeeze, and otherwise tamper with a delivery-dysfunctional baby powder bottle. Between this clever delivery system which can be seen in action in the description section of the product's webpage and the quality of ingredients, it's no wonder Roberts reports that the Baby Powder product is one of Baby Kingdom's fastest-growing products to date. About Baby Kingdom: Health and wellness brand Baby Kingdom operates out of Warwick in the U.K. Founded in 2018, the company proudly describes itself as a business created "by parents, for children." The Baby Kingdom product line prioritizes efficacy and is vegan-friendly, hypoallergenic, 97% to 99% natural (depending on the product in question), and especially suited for sensitive skin. Please direct inquiries to: Kasey Gadbery (954) 743-2599 [email protected] SOURCE Baby Kingdom BC|GENOME X-10 provides a complete solution for high quality, high throughput NGS laboratory operations. ZURICH and SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BC Platforms (BCP), a global leader in healthcare data management and analytics and US-based Sentieon, a developer of highly optimized algorithms for bioinformatics applications, today announced the launch of its new integrated next generation sequencing (NGS) genetic analytics software, known as BC|GENOME X-10. BC|GENOME X-10 has been developed specifically for commercial laboratories offering NGS data production-based clinical genetic testing following American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) guidelines or American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines. BC|GENOME X-10 provides a full end-to-end solution for commercial laboratories to run highly efficient and automated processes enabling high quality testing serving multiple end customers. Timo Kanninen, Chief Scientific Officer, BCP, stated: "This solution provides all the necessary tools for configurability in automation, NGS quality metric calculation and approval, extensive panel and variant filtering tools, automated classification of variants and end report layout design. It is a turn-key solution for commercial NGS laboratories with full regulatory compliance. Our solution is available as a complete ready to use deployment from Microsoft Azure providin7g customers a secure and scalable platform for operating data analysis workflows." Brendan Gallagher, Business Development Director in Sentieon, commented: "By utilizing Sentieon's highly scalable and flexible analysis tools, we provide customers with a platform where they can deploy production ready assays quickly and confidently. This happens seamlessly using solutions' configuration capabilities. One is able to maintain full ownership of NGS secondary workflows with traceability and reproducibility, which is typically a key requirement in clinical laboratories." Nino da Silva, Deputy Managing Director, BCP, said: "We have seen very positive developments in the market. Both EU countries and the USA Federal government are taking measures at the national level to increase sequencing for COVID-19. This infrastructure will then be available for large predictive and preventive patient driven healthcare initiatives. It is important that countries and regional Healthcare systems use this momentum to establish their own NGS infrastructure to ensure a timely and precise local response with platforms like BC|GENOME X-10." First announced in 2018, BCP and Sentieon's partnership has been focused on providing precision medicine solutions on a population scale. In addition to COVID-19-related applications, BC|GENOME X-10 end-to-end workflow can also be used for oncology testing with tumour samples as well as hereditary cancer screening, including smaller testing panels through to exome and whole genome sequencing. To promote access to this advanced analytics solution, BC|GENOME X-10's cloud-based software has been specifically optimised for use by laboratories having limited internal IT and/or bioinformatics capabilities. It also offers default restful-based API for integration into other platforms (including LIMS, EMR or web portals). Notes to Editors About BC Platforms BC Platforms is a global leader in providing a powerful data and technology platform for personalized medicine, accelerating the translation of insights into clinical practice. Our technology drives the infinite loop between personalized care and research discoveries, leveraging latest science, deep technical expertise, strategic partnerships, and harmonized, diverse data collections. Our high performing genomic data discovery and analytics platform enables flexible data integration, secure analysis and interpretation of molecular and clinical information. Additionally, BC Platforms has developed a Global Data Partner Network BCRQUEST.com, which provides genomic and clinical cohort data for pharmaceutical and medical research and development. BC Platforms' vision is to build the world's leading analytics platform for healthcare and industry, providing access to diverse genomic and clinical data and samples from more than 5 million subjects, consolidated from a global network of Data Partners. Founded in 1997 from an MIT Whitehead project spinoff, the Company has a strong scientific heritage underpinned by over 20 years of working in close collaboration with a network of leading researchers, developers, and industry partners. BC Platforms has global operations with its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, research and development in Espoo, Finland, and presence in London, Boston and in Singapore. For more information, please visit www.bcplatforms.com or follow us on LinkedIn @BC Platforms. About Sentieon Sentieon, incorporated in July 2014, develops highly-optimized algorithms for bioinformatics applications, using the team's expertise in algorithm, software, and system optimization. Sentieon is a team of professionals experienced in image processing, telecom, computational lithography, large-scale data mining, and bioinformatics. Using our accumulated expertise in modeling, optimization, machine learning, and high-performance computing, we strive to enable precision data for precision medicine. SOURCE BC Platforms; Sentieon DALLAS, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Berkshire Biomedical, LLC ("Berkshire" or "the Company"), focused on developing oral liquid drug devices designed to precisely deliver drugs only to the biometrically authenticated Intended User, provide remote monitoring and enhance patient wellness, announces today that it joins with the millions of advocates around the world in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day. The goal of International Overdose Awareness Day is to raise awareness, elevate the public understanding of the global addiction burden, promote greater understanding of the tragedy of drug overdose death and, importantly, to advance evidence-based overdose prevention and drug policy. "We applaud those dedicated to raising awareness of the global overdose and addiction crisis as we all grapple with the challenges associated with pain medication, including the dangers of misuse, abuse and diversion of medications," said John Timberlake, Chief Executive Officer of Berkshire Biomedical. "At Berkshire, we are committed to the development of the COPA System as an authenticated Intended-User automated oral liquid prescription dispensing system." International Overdose Awareness Day is the world's largest annual campaign to end overdoses, remember (without stigma) those who have died, and acknowledge the grief of the families and friends left behind. The campaign raises awareness of overdose, which is one of the world's largest public health crises and stimulates action and discussion about prevention and drug policy. International Overdose Awareness Day spreads the message about the tragedy of drug overdose deaths and that drug overdose is preventable with proper assistance and tools. Penington Institute, the conveners of the International Overdose Awareness Day campaign, maintain a content-rich website that includes a Digital Event Guide, Social Media Kit, and other digital advocacy resources. To learn more visit International Overdose Awareness Day (overdoseday.com). About Berkshire Biomedical, LLC Berkshire Biomedical, LLC is a privately-held medical device company focused on developing precise oral liquid drug delivery devices to enhance patient wellness by pioneering the use of biometric technologies, combined with cloud-based and physician-enabled remote management systems to provide accurate personalized medication delivery to the authenticated Intended User. The Company's lead product under development, the Computerized Oral Prescription Administration System (COPA) device is an authenticated Intended User automated oral liquid dispensing system designed to deliver controlled and non-controlled liquid oral medications to an Intended user upon confirmation of dual biometric identifications (fingerprint and dentition). Three overarching features combine to make the COPA offering unique: security, compliance support (metrics) and precise liquid dispensing. Chronic pain and opioid addiction medication assisted therapy have been identified as potential indications with the greatest need for the benefits of these features. Berkshire was founded and funded by a team of experienced financial and information technology executives. The Company intends to initially seek opportunities to leverage COPA in the delivery and remote management of controlled liquid oral medications and to expand COPA use in broader medical markets, drug applications, and businesses that manage the commercialization and data analytics provided by the electronic devices to improve outcomes and reduce risk. Additional information about Berkshire Biomedical and the COPA System can be found at www.berkbiomed.com. CONTACT: Berkshire Biomedical, LLC [email protected] Anne Marie Fields Managing Director Rx Communications Group, LLC [email protected] SOURCE Berkshire Biomedical, LLC Related Links https://www.berkshirebiomedical.com FAIR LAWN, N.J., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Blair H. Kokotek, MD, FACOG, is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Trusted Doctor for her decades of dedication and personalized care for her patients. Blair H. Kokotek Dr. Kokotek is a trusted and dedicated Obstetrician-Gynecologist with over 41 years of experience in the medical field. Currently, she works with the BronxCare Health System, with her primary location being at the BronxCare Center for Gynecological Care. Dr. Kokotek is well-versed in all areas of OBGYN practice, including infertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. She is the former Associate Director of the Residency Program of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the BronxCare Health System. She is also an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. As a respected and highly educated OBGYN, Dr. Kokotek specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases and disorders in obstetrics and gynecology. As an OBGYN, Dr. Kokotek guides patients through pregnancy, childbirth, and into their postpartum period. She has been working at BronxCare for 32 years, and has delivered thousands of babies into the world. BronxCare is the largest not-for-profit Health and Teaching Hospital System serving South and Central Bronx. Dr. Kokotek sought a college education first at Oberlin College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She earned her medical degree from the West Virginia University School of Medicine, and subsequently completed an OBGYN residency at St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center in New York City. She is a board-certified OBGYN licensed to practice in New York. To receive a university education, Dr. Kokotek attended West Virginia University School of Medicine in 1980, graduating with her medical degree. Next, she completed an Obstetrics and Gynecology internship in 1981 and a residency in 1985 at St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center. As a distinguished medical professional, Dr. Kokotek is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (FACOG). She is board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). To remain abreast of developments in the field, Dr. Kokotek is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She is the clinical site director for OB/GYN medical students from the American University of the Caribbean and Saint George's University School of Medicine. Married to her husband Sam Josephson Kokotek for 45 years, they are the proud parents of three sons, Aaron, Nathaniel, and Ilan. Dr. Kokotek and her husband are sponsors of an ambulance fund for American Friends of Magen David Adom in Israel. Anyone wishing to contribute can contact http://saving-lives.afmda.org/BnotBrakha. Further charitable organizations include Covenant House and various Native American schools and missions. Dr. Kokotek would like to dedicate this honorable recognition to her colleagues Magdy Mikhail, MD, who is Department Chair and acting Chief Medical Officer; and her friend, colleague, and longtime medical partner, Aruna Mishra, MD. For more information, visit www.bronxcare.org. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who Related Links http://www.continentalwhoswho.com CHICAGO, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) board of directors today announced that David L. Joyce has been elected to the board, effective immediately. He will serve on the Aerospace Safety and Compensation committees. The Boeing board today also announced that Admiral Edmund P. Giambastiani Jr. has informed the company that he will retire from the board at the end of 2021. An accomplished aerospace executive, Joyce, 64, retired from General Electric (GE) as vice chair in 2020, where he also served as president and CEO of GE Aviation from 2008 to 2020. During his 12-year leadership of GE's largest division, Joyce also led customer and product support for more than 19,000 global engines and 500 airlines customers and oversaw the implementation of an industry-leading safety management system across GE Aviation. A 40-year GE veteran, Joyce joined GE Aviation in 1980 as a product engineer and spent 15 years designing and developing GE's commercial and military engines, before serving in a variety of leadership positions in GE Aviation, including vice president and general manager of Commercial Engines. Joyce earned both a Bachelor of Science and master's degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University and holds a master's in business finance from Xavier University. "David Joyce is a recognized aerospace industry leader who brings a demonstrated track record of safety leadership, engineering expertise and operational excellence to our board," said Boeing Chairman Larry Kellner. "He will provide valuable counsel and guidance based on his significant experience." Joyce is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and is the recipient of the National Defense Industrial Association's James Forrestal Industry Leadership Award and the American Society of Materials' Medal for the Advancement of Research. Since 2010, he has served on the Board of Trustees of Xavier University. "Boeing will benefit from David Joyce's deep aviation experience and broad industry relationships," said David Calhoun, Boeing president and CEO, and member of the board of directors. "David's experience transforming businesses and focus on quality and safety in the aerospace industry will further strengthen our board." Adm (ret.) Edmund P. Giambastiani joined the board in 2009 after a distinguished military career, culminating in his service as the seventh vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Admiral Giambastiani is a career U.S. Navy nuclear-trained submarine officer with extensive operational, maintenance, overhaul, engineering, and acquisition experience. He brought to the board a wide breadth of experience with major program development, program resourcing, and other aspects of managing large U.S. armed forces acquisition programs, with a particular focus on high-technology programs. His experience and leadership in matters related to national security and defense has been of distinct benefit to the company. In 2019, Admiral Giambastiani was appointed to serve as the chair of the Board's Committee on Airplane Policies and Procedures, which was formed to review Boeing's company-wide policies and processes for airplane design and development. After an intensive five-month review, the committee recommended several actions that have been implemented to strengthen Boeing's safety practices and culture, including: creating a permanent Aerospace Safety Committee, which Admiral Giambastiani has chaired since its inception; establishing a Product and Services Safety Organization reporting to senior company leadership and the Aerospace Safety Committee; realigning Engineering teams into a unified organization under the Chief Engineer to further strengthen the Company's engineering function; establishing a formal Design Requirements program; enhancing the company's Continued Operation Safety Program; re-examining flight deck design and operation assumptions; and expanding the role and reach of the company's Safety Promotion Center. In addition to chairing the Aerospace Safety Committee, Admiral Giambastiani serves as a member of the Board's Governance & Public Policy Committee and Special Programs Committee. Admiral Giambastiani earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in electrical engineering with leadership distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy. "We deeply appreciate Ed's commendable service on our board," said Boeing Chairman Larry Kellner. "Boeing has benefited greatly from his distinguished leadership and committed service, including his commitment to ensuring the quality and safety of all Boeing's aerospace products." "It has been a privilege to work closely with and serve alongside Ed," said Boeing President and CEO David Calhoun. "We are thankful for his significant and lasting contributions to our company, including his leadership on product safety and matters related to national security and defense." As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future and living the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Learn more at www.boeing.com. Contact Boeing Communications [email protected] SOURCE Boeing Related Links http://www.boeing.com HAMILTON, Bermuda, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Borr Drilling Limited ("Borr", "Borr Drilling" or the "Company") announces preliminary unaudited results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. Highlights second quarter of 2021 Total operating revenues of $54.8 million , an increase of 13% compared to the first quarter of 2021 , an increase of 13% compared to the first quarter of 2021 Net loss of $59.9 million , an increase of $5.5 million compared the first quarter of 2021, impacted by a $21.7 million decrease in income from equity method investments, mainly related to the IWS JVs in Mexico , an increase of compared the first quarter of 2021, impacted by a decrease in income from equity method investments, mainly related to the IWS JVs in Mexico Adjusted EBITDA of $3.7 million , an increase of $14.4 million compared to the first quarter of 2021 , an increase of compared to the first quarter of 2021 In June, entered into a MoU to sell the Company's ownership in the IWS JVs to streamline Mexico operations and improve liquidity. The transaction was completed in August 2021 and released $26.5 million net in cash operations and improve liquidity. The transaction was completed in and released net in cash Substantially improved cash collections from Pemex to our Mexico JVs In late August 2021 , the Company entered into two LOA/LOIs which have previously not been announced for two rigs in West Africa for a total duration of two years plus options , the Company entered into two LOA/LOIs which have previously not been announced for two rigs in for a total duration of two years plus options In 2021 to the date of this report, the Company has been awarded 28 new contracts, extensions, exercised options and LOA/LOIs, representing 6,398 days of potential backlog and $542 million in revenues, excluding unexercised optional periods CEO, Patrick Schorn commented: "We have seen a steady improvement in operations during the second quarter of 2021 with 13 rigs working at quarter end. Following our significant contract wins year to date, we have added approximately $542 million in revenues to our backlog. In our fleet we have an additional ten delivered rigs that can be deployed in an improving market, and a further five rigs still to be delivered by the Keppel FELS shipyard. "Based on ongoing negotiations expected to be concluded in the coming weeks, we anticipate having 17 rigs operating and generating revenue by year end. Against a backdrop of elevated oil prices, rig demand reverting to and outpacing pre-pandemic levels and rig supply naturally reducing, we are well positioned to benefit from the current environment, and on the way to having all of our 23 delivered rigs working by the end of 2022. The Company should generate positive cash from operations after paying cash interest cost at the current level of 13 rigs operating at contracted rates for a full quarter. This provides us with a solid foundation going forward. "Following improved collections in our Mexican joint ventures and the sale of our stake in the integrated well services joint ventures ("IWS JVs"), we have received $42.4 million from our Mexico operations year to date. The transaction has allowed us to release working capital while simultaneously securing additional work for our five rigs in the country until the end of 2022. Due to a substantial improvement in collections from Pemex in Mexico during 2021, combined with the new arrangement whereby we participate only in joint ventures providing drilling services, we expect increased regularity of cash payments from our Mexico JVs. The resulting liquidity improvement from the release of cash in Mexico coupled with cash from operations and encouraging market signals means that both management and the board are focusing on further improving our capital structure post 2023. Specific initiatives have been taken with the target of securing a long-term capital structure solution. We expect these, in combination with additional rig activations and rigs in operation, to further strengthen our operating cash flows and financial position going forward." Management Discussion and Analysis The discussion below compares the results of the second quarter of 2021 to the results of the first quarter of 2021. In $ million Q2 - 2021 Q1 - 2021 Change ($) Change (%) Total operating revenues 54.8 48.4 6.4 13% Rig operating and maintenance expenses (47.4) (48.8) 1.4 (3)% General and administrative expenses (7.8) (11.7) 3.9 (33)% Total operating expenses (81.6) (88.9) 7.3 (8)% Adjusted EBITDA 3.7 (10.7) 14.4 - Income / (loss) from equity method investments (5.7) 16.0 (21.7) - Net loss (59.9) (54.4) (5.5) 10% Cash and cash equivalents 32.4 49.0 (16.6) (34)% Total equity 973.5 1,027.9 (54.4) (5)% Three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 Total operating revenues for the second quarter of 2021 were $54.8 million, an increase of $6.4 million compared to the first quarter of 2021, consisting of $49.4 million in dayrate revenues and $5.4 million in related party revenues. Dayrate revenues increased by $2.0 million quarter on quarter due to more rig operating days for the rigs "Prospector 1", "Norve", and "Idun" as a result of commencing contracts, offset by less operating days for "Mist" as it ended its contract in the second quarter, as well as a lower dayrate for "Gunnlod" and less operating days for "Natt". Related party revenues from the Company's JVs in Mexico increased by $4.4 million quarter on quarter as the amendment of the joint venture agreements in the first quarter of 2021 did not impact the second quarter, with the increase partly offset by an increase in standby time on two rigs during the second quarter. Rig operating and maintenance expenses were $47.4 million for the second quarter of 2021, a decrease of $1.4 million compared to $48.8 million for the first quarter of 2021. General and administrative expenses were $7.8 million for the second quarter of 2021, a decrease of $3.9 million compared to the first quarter of 2021. The decrease is mainly due to lower corporate overhead costs as well as lower legal costs, which in the first quarter of 2021 were related to amendments to our credit agreements. Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter 2021 was $3.7 million, an increase of $14.4 million compared to the first quarter of 2021. The full report and financial statements are available in the files enclosed to this release. For further questions, please connect to: Magnus Vaaler, Chief Financial Officer, Tel.: +47 22 48 30 00 This information is subject to disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/borr-drilling-limited/r/borr-drilling-limited-announces-preliminary-results-for-the-second-quarter-of-2021,c3406424 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Public/16983/3406424/8f765e4cca5f7ab3.pdf Q2 2021 Earnings Release https://mb.cision.com/Public/16983/3406424/85afbac829b83e26.pdf Fleet Status Report AUGUST 2021 https://mb.cision.com/Public/16983/3406424/b1a788fa82db0fe2.pdf Q2 2021 6-K SOURCE Borr Drilling Limited Drawing on more than 30 years of leadership experience, Tom has a proven track record of driving growth and modernizing business models throughout his career. Most recently, Tom has served as President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. Previously, he served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sysco Corporation, the global leader in foodservice distribution. Prior to that, he served as President of PepsiCo's foodservice business. Charles Merinoff, Co-Chairman of the Board of Managers, said, "We are thrilled to welcome Tom to Breakthru Beverage as our next President and CEO. Tom has a demonstrated history of leading organizations through periods of exceptional growth and innovation. His transparent, compassionate and inspirational leadership style struck us immediately, and we're excited for him to continue building Breakthru's culture of excellence and inclusivity." W. Rockwell Wirtz, Co-Chairman of the Board of Managers, stated, "Tom brings invaluable expertise in distribution strategy and supplier and customer partnerships. We are confident that he will advance Breakthru's position as an industry leader as we implement our growth strategy and continue to transform our business." As President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association, Tom drove organizational and governance changes to improve overall engagement with its membership. In this important role, he worked with large national restaurant brands and local operators in the restaurant, foodservice and alcohol beverage industries to navigate the impact of Covid-19. While leading Sysco, Tom oversaw international expansion and numerous acquisitions, primarily of family-owned businesses, adding significant revenue to the top line. During Tom's tenure, the company grew sales to more than $60B across a variety of countries. Prior to joining Sysco in 2013, Tom spent 23 years at PepsiCo, serving in senior leadership roles including President of PepsiCo Foodservice and President of PepsiCo North American Beverages. Tom earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Kansas and is currently a member of the University of Kansas Business School Advisory Board. He previously served on the Board of the Women's Foodservice Forum and has been an active member of a variety of charitable organizations, including the United Way. Danny Wirtz, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Managers, said, "We are impressed with Tom's leadership track record and his desire to embrace our multigenerational legacy of service and commitment to our people, portfolio and culture. We're confident that he will enhance our key stakeholder relationships and take our organization to the next level." Tom said, "I'm very excited to join Breakthru at such an important time for the company. Breakthru's strong positioning in the marketplace provides a springboard to accelerate growth. I look forward to working with the Board of Managers and the company's talented leadership team and associates to capture the many opportunities ahead and exceed expectations for our suppliers and customers." To ensure a smooth transition, President and CEO Greg Baird will serve as an advisor to the company supporting Tom's transition through the end of the year. Charles added, "On behalf of the Board of Managers, I'd like to share my heartful gratitude to Greg for his leadership and achievements. His steadfast commitment to our suppliers, customers and associates has set the foundation for Breakthru's tremendous future. We wish him the very best in his upcoming retirement and look forward to celebrating his contributions to Breakthru." About Breakthru Beverage Group Breakthru Beverage Group is one of the leading alcohol wholesalers in the United States and the largest broker in Canada representing a full total beverage alcohol portfolio of spirits, wine and beer. Breakthru is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and supports a wide range of notable organizations as well as local charitable initiatives across its North American footprint. Across all markets, Breakthru aligns a nimble and insightful approach to sales, marketing and operations. Family ownership is active in the business and committed to being stewards of heritage and champions of innovation. For more information, visit www.BreakthruBev.com. SOURCE Breakthru Beverage Group Related Links http://www.BreakthruBev.com DALLAS, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) will host an in-person investor day on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, as opposed to the originally scheduled Sept. 15 date. The meeting will be held at the Company's headquarters in Dallas, beginning at 9 a.m. CT and ending at approximately 12:30 p.m. CT. During the investor day presentation, Brinker's senior leadership team will provide an overview of the Company's long-term strategic growth opportunities. In addition, the new date for the event better positions the Company to provide operational updates on its brands. For those not attending the event in-person, a live audio webcast can be accessed in the investor relations section of Brinker's website at http://live.brinker.com. A replay of the event will be available on the website for two weeks, concluding on Nov. 3, 2021. ABOUT BRINKER Brinker International, Inc. is one of the world's leading casual dining restaurant companies. Based in Dallas, as of Aug. 4, 2021, Brinker owned, operated or franchised 1,648 restaurants under the names Chili's Grill & Bar (1,594 restaurants) and Maggiano's Little Italy (54 restaurants). SOURCE Brinker International Payroll Company, L.P. BOSTON, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Burns & Levinson will host its fifth annual "State of the Cannabis Industry" conference, which will focus on critical issues in the multi-billion dollar cannabis industry, on September 28, 2021, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. The conference will be held in person at the Westin Waltham Boston, and all attendees, speakers and staff must provide proof of vaccination. A live stream option will also be available. The conference will feature an interview with Commissioner Steven Hoffman, Chairman of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, in an exclusive one-on-one Q&A with Frank A. Segall, founder and Chair of the Cannabis Business & Law Advisory Group at Burns & Levinson. The expert panels and Q&A sessions will tackle a wide range of issues impacting the cannabis industry, including regulatory and legislative issues, capital markets, M&A and investments, e-commerce strategies and opportunities, and trends and developments in the marketplace. "When we launched our conference five years ago, it was the first event of its kind with a specific focus on showcasing cannabis industry pioneers and sharing their experiences and expertise with our audience. It has since grown to attract industry leaders from all segments of the cannabis industry, including major capital market sources who are helping to fuel its growth. The conference has become a best-in-class forum and networking event, and we are excited and honored to be regarded by our industry peers as one of the leading law firms in the nation at the forefront of what comes next," said Segall. "We love bringing people together at this conference to make connections, develop partnerships and learn from their peers and industry leaders. We are especially looking forward to gathering safely in person, after being all virtual last year," added Scott Moskol, who founded and chairs Burns & Levinson's Cannabis Business & Law Advisory Group with Segall. The current conference sponsors include: CohnReznick, HUB International, Cannabis Co-Op Fund L.P., KreditForce, KindTap, Opus Consulting, Douglas Washing and Sanitizing Systems, Emerald Media Group, Needham Bank, AdaptiveHR, Agrify, Elevate Northeast, FlowerHire, Lighthouse Biz Solutions, LLC, and Young America Capital. Burns & Levinson was the first major Boston corporate law firm to develop a cannabis business practice, and has been advising cannabis businesses, entrepreneurs and investors across the country for nearly a decade. The firm has unrivaled experience in cannabis and hemp/CBD business formation and corporate structuring, private placements, venture capital, M&A, securities, banking issues, fund formation, debt and equity financing, restructuring and receiverships, real estate acquisitions and leasing, intellectual property protection, 280E taxation issues, and cannabis litigation. The firm is well-known for its role in the cannabis banking industry and has worked with multiple financial institutions to establish a framework that allows them to accept cannabis-derived deposits. Burns & Levinson is currently working with regulated financial institutions and non-regulated private funds to set up first-of-their-kind cannabis lending programs. The firm is also among the top law firms in the country handling M&A and high-level corporate and financing deals in the private and public markets in the cannabis market. For more information about the conference and to register, click here . For information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kristen Weller at [email protected] . About Burns & Levinson LLP At Burns & Levinson, we provide high-level, client-centric and results-oriented legal services to our regional, national and international clients. We are a full-service law firm with over 125 lawyers in Boston, Providence and London. Our areas of expertise include: business/finance, business litigation, cannabis, divorce/family law, venture capital/emerging companies, employment, estate planning, government investigations, intellectual property, M&A/private equity, probate/trust litigation, and real estate. We partner with our clients to solve their business and personal legal issues in a collaborative, creative and cost-effective way. For more information, visit Burns & Levinson at www.burnslev.com . Our cannabis industry blog can be found at www.cannabusinessadvisory.com . Contact: Amy Blumenthal Kristen Weller Blumenthal & Associates Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer 617.879.1511 617.345.3555 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Burns & Levinson OLDSMAR, Fla., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Serving 260K+ Denver-area members, Canvas Credit Union prides itself on being one of the top financial institutions in Colorado. With superior member service as a top priority, Canvas has selected Tampa's CenturionCARES, Inc. to provide enhanced offerings with their CARES Contact Center Platform. The CenturionCARES Canvas Credit Union relationship started in May 2019. Canvas deployed the CARES Next Teller IVR, a bank-by-phone solution designed specifically for credit unions. When Canvas was looking for an ACD/Contact Center Solution, Next Teller's success made CARES an easy decision. CARES Contact Center, along with Next Teller IVR, provides AI-enabled automation to maintain service levels when live agents are unavailable. Using the intuitive self-service menu, callers can identify themselves while waiting in queue. CARES securely verifies the identification, then offers account specific information while the caller waits for an agent. CARES ProSpeak saves time for members and agents while providing a richer service experience. Dennis Tabor, VP of Technology for Canvas said, "We're excited to give our members more flexibility with self-serve options through CARES IVR, especially when managing multiple accounts. We're also looking forward to more transparency for our family (employees) to track our communication center activity through CARES ACD and identify more opportunities for efficient service for our members." Kirk Wormington, CenturionCARES President & CEO stated "We are proud that Canvas was rewarded in their decision to choose the Next Teller IVR. We expect CARES to make their communication center operations smoother, while providing stellar member service experiences." CenturionCARES, Inc. Founded in 1981 as a systems integrator, CenturionCARES has evolved as a sole-source designer and manufacturer of Omni-channel Cloud and Premise Contact Center Platforms, featuring CARES ACD, IVR and REMOTE solutions. CARES platforms integrate with any back-end systems to maximize investment while establishing new standards in customer experience and data analytics. CARES is built through customer service expertise with a goal to make superior service easy to deploy and intuitive to use. Visit www.centurioncares.com . Canvas Credit Union (canvas.org) Canvas Credit Union is a safe and insured financial institution with over $3.47 billion in assets and over 263,700 members. Canvas provides an array of financial products and services, including savings, checking, loans, mortgages, online and mobile options. Serving Colorado communities for over 82 years, Canvas currently has 29 branches. Bob Brotzman Marketing Director [email protected] 727.431.5218 SOURCE CenturionCARES, Inc. Related Links https://www.centurioncares.com/ FORT MYERS, Fla., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Chico's FAS, Inc. (NYSE: CHS) (the "Company" or "Chico's FAS") today announced its financial results for the fiscal 2021 thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2021 (the "second quarter"). "Our second quarter earnings performance was the best second quarter Chico's FAS has posted since 2013, and these results show the incredible progress we continue to make in our turnaround strategy, despite pandemic challenges. Our return to profitability in the quarter was driven by our strategic actions that grew sales, expanded gross margin, and diligently controlled our expenses," noted Molly Langenstein, Chico's FAS Chief Executive Officer and President. Langenstein continued, "Our robust second quarter sales across all three brands were propelled by our meaningful enhancements in product and marketing, which continued to drive full-price selling, reduce markdowns and produce higher gross margin. Soma, which posted a 53% sales increase over last year's second quarter, we believe is well positioned to become one of the largest intimate apparel brands in the U.S. Sales at both Chico's and White House Black Market were strong, with year-over-year second quarter growth of 59% and 48%, respectively. Customers enthusiastically responded to our elevated styling and quality in both apparel brands, which led to faster sell-through rates and higher inventory productivity. Strategically planned inventories, operating discipline and the ongoing benefit of our prior cost reductions further added to our return to profitable growth. "We are a digital-first, customer-led company with a strong portfolio of three unique brands. We believe there are ample opportunities to further grow our customer bases, market share and sales in each of these amazing brands. We look forward to reporting our progress in the quarters ahead." Business Highlights The Company's second quarter highlights include: Return to profitability: Chico's FAS returned to profitability, posting $0.21 net income per diluted share for the second quarter, compared to a $0.40 net loss per diluted share for the thirteen weeks ended August 1, 2020 ("last year's second quarter") and a $0.02 net loss per diluted share for the thirteen weeks ended August 3, 2019 (the "second quarter of fiscal 2019"; using this as a pre-pandemic reference). Current quarter earnings was the best second quarter performance since 2013. Chico's FAS returned to profitability, posting net income per diluted share for the second quarter, compared to a net loss per diluted share for the thirteen weeks ended ("last year's second quarter") and a net loss per diluted share for the thirteen weeks ended (the "second quarter of fiscal 2019"; using this as a pre-pandemic reference). Current quarter earnings was the best second quarter performance since 2013. Continued exceptional sales growth at Soma: Soma posted a 53% sales increase over last year's second quarter and a 38% comparable sales increase over the second quarter of fiscal 2019. According to market research firm NPD, Group Inc., for the 12 months ended July 2021 compared to the same period in 2019, Soma's growth exceeded that of the U.S. market in non-sport bras, panties and sleepwear. In addition, as customers' preferences have shifted to comfort, Soma strategically increased its wireless assortment, taking more market share than any other brands for the 12 months ended July 2021 compared to the same period in 2019. We believe this research, along with our recent performance, is a strong indication that Soma is well positioned to capture additional market share. Soma posted a 53% sales increase over last year's second quarter and a 38% comparable sales increase over the second quarter of fiscal 2019. According to market research firm NPD, Group Inc., for the 12 months ended compared to the same period in 2019, Soma's growth exceeded that of the U.S. market in non-sport bras, panties and sleepwear. In addition, as customers' preferences have shifted to comfort, Soma strategically increased its wireless assortment, taking more market share than any other brands for the 12 months ended compared to the same period in 2019. We believe this research, along with our recent performance, is a strong indication that Soma is well positioned to capture additional market share. Continued improving sales performance at Chico's: Sales at Chico's increased 59% over last year's second quarter. Chico's continued to benefit from elevated product styling and quality enhancements, and customers responded to newness, comfort features and innovative fabrics. Inventories remained lean, which fueled high productivity and more full-price sales in the quarter. Sales at Chico's increased 59% over last year's second quarter. Chico's continued to benefit from elevated product styling and quality enhancements, and customers responded to newness, comfort features and innovative fabrics. Inventories remained lean, which fueled high productivity and more full-price sales in the quarter. Continued improving sales performance at White House Black Market ("WHBM"): Sales at WHBM grew 48% over last year's second quarter. WHBM continued to benefit from elevated quality and product enhancements, and customers responded to newness and seasonless fabrics. Inventories remained lean, which fueled high productivity and more full-price sales in the quarter. Sales at WHBM grew 48% over last year's second quarter. WHBM continued to benefit from elevated quality and product enhancements, and customers responded to newness and seasonless fabrics. Inventories remained lean, which fueled high productivity and more full-price sales in the quarter. Enhanced marketing continued to drive traffic as well as new customers : Chico's FAS continued to elevate its marketing efforts, allocating more resources to digital storytelling, social influencers and other social efforts. These enhanced marketing initiatives drove more reactivated customers from the previous year as well as younger new customers which highlights the opportunities for all three brands. : Chico's FAS continued to elevate its marketing efforts, allocating more resources to digital storytelling, social influencers and other social efforts. These enhanced marketing initiatives drove more reactivated customers from the previous year as well as younger new customers which highlights the opportunities for all three brands. Strong balance sheet: The Company ended the second quarter with more than $137 million in cash and marketable securities, an increase of nearly $35 million over the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The Company ended the second quarter with more than in cash and marketable securities, an increase of nearly over the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Improved gross margin: The gross margin rate improved to 38.4% in the second quarter, the best performance in 13 consecutive quarters, driven by controlled inventories and lower promotional levels. The gross margin rate improved to 38.4% in the second quarter, the best performance in 13 consecutive quarters, driven by controlled inventories and lower promotional levels. Continued cost discipline: Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses declined to a 30.9% rate for the second quarter, an improvement over both the second quarter rates of fiscal 2020 and 2019, reflecting the impact of cost savings initiatives put in place in prior years, continued cost discipline efforts and sales leverage. Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses declined to a 30.9% rate for the second quarter, an improvement over both the second quarter rates of fiscal 2020 and 2019, reflecting the impact of cost savings initiatives put in place in prior years, continued cost discipline efforts and sales leverage. Obtained additional meaningful rent reductions: In the first half of fiscal 2021, Chico's FAS obtained approximately $15 million in incremental savings from landlords; this is in addition to the $65 million of reductions and abatements negotiated during fiscal 2020, for a total savings of $80 million . In the first half of fiscal 2021, Chico's FAS obtained approximately in incremental savings from landlords; this is in addition to the of reductions and abatements negotiated during fiscal 2020, for a total savings of . Shop-in-shops: Forty-seven Soma shop-in-shops are now successfully opened inside Chico's stores and are exceeding expectations, driving new customers to both brands and further expanding the Company's digital business. Overview of Financial Results For the second quarter, the Company reported net income of $26.2 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $46.8 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, for last year's second quarter. Last year's second quarter net loss included $8.0 million, or $0.07 per share, in significant after-tax non-cash inventory write-offs as presented in the accompanying Summary of Significant Non-Cash Charges table. For the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2021, the Company reported net income of $17.3 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $225.1 million, or $1.95 per diluted share, for the twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2020. Net loss for the twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2020 included $148.4 million, or $1.27 per share, in significant after-tax non-cash charges as presented in the accompanying Summary of Significant Non-Cash Charges table. Sales For the second quarter, net sales were $472.1 million compared to $306.2 million in last year's second quarter. This 54.2% improvement primarily reflects the impact of temporary store closures or limited hours during last year's second quarter, partially offset by 29 net permanent store closures since last year's second quarter. Total Company comparable sales for the second quarter compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2019 declined 1.6%, with Soma improving 38.1% and Chico's and WHBM decreasing 14.3% and 5.4%, respectively. Total Company on-hand inventories at the end of the second quarter compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2019 were down 19.6%, with Soma up 19.4% and Chico's and WHBM down 32.4% and 48.6%, respectively; correlating sales and on-hand inventory. Gross Margin For the second quarter, gross margin was $181.5 million, or 38.4% of net sales, compared to $44.8 million, or 14.6% of net sales, in last year's second quarter. The year-over-year improvement in gross margin rate primarily reflects margin expansion as a result of higher full price sales and less promotional activity, improved leverage of occupancy costs with rising sales, and the impact of inventory write-offs in last year's second quarter, as reflected in the accompanying Summary of Significant Non-Cash Charges table. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses For the second quarter, SG&A expenses were $145.8 million, or 30.9% of net sales, compared to $107.3 million, or 35.0% of net sales, for last year's second quarter, primarily reflecting the benefit of fiscal 2020 cost savings initiatives and sales leverage. The second quarter SG&A expense rate of 30.9% improved over the 33.7% rate in the second quarter of fiscal 2019. Income Taxes For the second quarter, the effective tax rate was 22.7% compared to 25.7% for last year's second quarter. The 22.7% effective tax rate primarily reflects a change in estimate from the first quarter of fiscal 2021 due to an increase in the Company's projected annual pre-tax income and an increase in annual projected deferred tax assets on which a full valuation allowance exists, partially offset by the impact of the annual loss projected during the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The 25.7% effective tax rate for last year's second quarter includes the annual benefit of the fiscal 2020 pre-tax loss due the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, partially offset by the impact of nondeductible book goodwill impairment charges. Cash, Marketable Securities and Debt At the end of the second quarter, cash and marketable securities totaled $137.2 million compared to $124.5 million at the end of last year's second quarter. Debt at the end of the second quarter totaled $149.0 million, remaining unchanged from the end of last year's second quarter. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2021, cash and marketable securities totaled $102.4 million. The $34.8 million increase in second quarter cash and marketable securities compared to the first quarter primarily reflects cash flow from operating activities. Inventories At the end of the second quarter, inventories totaled $202.1 million compared to $235.8 million at the end of last year's second quarter. This $33.7 million, or 14.3%, decrease primarily reflects conservative inventory management to better align inventory and assortments with consumer demand. Fiscal 2021 Outlook During the balance of fiscal 2021, we expect improving year-over-year demand, but recognize that there is economic uncertainty as we continue to manage through the COVID-19 pandemic (the "pandemic"). In addition, we are facing macro supply chain headwinds in the back half of the fiscal year that we expect will impact sales and gross margin, including higher freight costs, extended inbound transit times and product supplier handover delays driven by the pandemic. Accordingly, given the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the Company is not providing specific fiscal 2021 third quarter and full year guidance at this time. The Company is, however, providing high-level outlook expectations for the third quarter and full fiscal year 2021. The ongoing financial impact of the pandemic is not estimable with precision and may vary significantly from estimates reflected in our high-level outlook expectations below. For the fiscal 2021 third quarter compared to the fiscal 2020 third quarter, the Company currently expects: Consolidated year-over-year net sales improvement between 18% to 22%; Gross margin rate improvement of 13 to 15 percentage points over last fiscal year; SG&A as a percent of net sales to improve 500 to 600 basis points year-over-year; and Income tax rate of 34% to 35%. For the fiscal 2021 full year compared to the fiscal 2020 full year, the Company currently expects: Consolidated year-over-year net sales improvement between 32% to 35%; Gross margin rate improvement of 20 to 22 percentage points over last fiscal year; SG&A as a percent of net sales to improve 500 to 600 basis points year-over-year; and Income tax rate of 34% to 35%. Conference Call Information The Company is hosting a live conference call on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 beginning at 8:00 a.m. ET to review the operating results for the second quarter. The conference call is being webcast live over the Internet, which you may access in the Investors section of the Company's corporate website, www.chicosfas.com. A replay of the webcast will remain available online for one year at http://chicosfas.com/investors/events-and-presentations. The phone number for the call is 1-877-883-0383. International callers should use 1-412-902-6506. The Elite Entry number, 5110261, is required to join the conference call. Interested participants should call 10-15 minutes prior to the 8:00 a.m. start to be placed in queue. ABOUT CHICO'S FAS, INC. Chico's FAS is a Florida-based fashion company founded in 1983 on Sanibel Island, Fla. The Company reinvented the fashion retail experience by creating fashion communities anchored by service, which put the customer at the center of everything we do. As one of the leading fashion retailers in North America, Chico's FAS is a company of three unique brands - Chico's, WHBM and Soma - each thriving in their own white space, founded by women, led by women, providing solutions that millions of women say give them confidence and joy. Our Company has a passion for fashion, and each day, we provide clothing, shoes and accessories, intimate apparel and expert styling in our brick-and-mortar boutiques, digital online boutiques and through StyleConnect, the Company's proprietary digital styling tool that enables customers to conveniently shop wherever, whenever and however they prefer. As of July 31, 2021, the Company operated 1,284 stores in the U.S. and sold merchandise through 66 international franchise locations in Mexico and 2 domestic franchise airport locations. The Company's merchandise is also available at www.chicos.com, www.chicosofftherack.com, www.whbm.com and www.soma.com as well as through third-party channels. To learn more about Chico's FAS, please visit our corporate website at www.chicosfas.com. The information on our corporate website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this press release or incorporated into our federal securities law filings. SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements, including without limitation the quote from Ms. Langenstein and the sections captioned "Business Highlights" and "Fiscal 2021 Outlook," relate to expectations and projections regarding the Company's future performance and may include the words "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "will," "plan," "outlook," "project," "should," "strategy," "potential," "confident" and similar terms. These forward-looking statements are based largely on information currently available to our management and on our current expectations, assumptions, plans, estimates, judgments and projections about our business and our industry, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although we believe our expectations are based on reasonable estimates and assumptions, there is no assurance that our expectations will, in fact, occur or that our estimates or assumptions will be correct, and we caution investors and all others not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to: the effects of the pandemic and uncertainties about its depth and duration, new variants of COVID-19 that have emerged, and the speed, efficacy and availability of vaccine and treatment developments, as well as the impacts to general economic conditions and the economic slowdown affecting consumer behavior and discretionary spending (during and after the pandemic) and any temporary store restrictions (including reduced hours or capacity) due to government mandates; the effectiveness of store reopenings, cost reduction initiatives, the extent, availability and effectiveness of any pandemic stimulus packages or loan programs, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, the ability of our third-party business partners, including our suppliers, logistics providers, vendors and landlords, to meet their obligations to us in light of financial stress, staffing shortages, liquidity challenges, bankruptcy filings by other industry participants and other disruptions due to the pandemic, and the impact of the pandemic on our manufacturing operations in China; our ability to successfully implement any alternatives that we pursue including our ability to maintain the cost savings described in this release; government actions and policies; increases in unemployment rates and taxes; local, regional, national and international economic conditions; the risk that natural disasters, public health crises, political uprisings, uncertainty or unrest, or other catastrophic events could adversely affect our operations and financial results; changes in the general economic and business environment; changes in the general or specialty retail or apparel industries, including the extent of the market demand and overall level of spending for women's private branded clothing and related accessories; future permanent store closures; the effectiveness of our brand strategies, awareness and marketing programs; the ability to successfully execute and achieve the expected results of our business strategies and particular strategic initiatives (including, but not limited to, the Company's turnaround strategy and five fiscal 2021 operating priorities which are: continuing our ongoing digital transformation; further refining product through fit, quality, fabric and innovation; driving increased customer engagement through marketing; maintaining our operating and cost discipline; and further enhancing the productivity of our real estate portfolio; cyber security or other data or security breaches; sales initiatives and multi-channel strategies; customer traffic; our ability to appropriately manage our inventory and allocation processes; our ability to leverage inventory management and targeted promotions; the successful recruitment of leadership and the successful transition of members of our senior management team; uncertainties regarding future unsolicited offers to buy the Company and our ability to respond effectively to them as well as to actions of activist shareholders and others; changes in the political environment that create consumer uncertainty; the risk that our investments in merchandise or marketing initiatives may not deliver the results we anticipate; significant changes to product import and distribution costs (such as unexpected consolidation in the freight carrier industry, and the ability to remain competitive with customer shipping terms and increases in costs pertaining to product deliveries and returns, higher freight costs, product supplier handover delays and extended inbound transit times); the risks and uncertainties that are related to our reliance on sourcing from foreign suppliers, including significant economic labor, political or other shifts (including the impact of changes in tariffs, taxes or other import regulations, particularly with respect to China, or legislation prohibiting certain imports from China); the quality and timeliness of merchandise received from suppliers; changes in the costs of manufacturing, raw materials, transportation, distribution, labor and advertising; new or increased taxes or tariffs that could impact, among other things, our sourcing from foreign suppliers; the risk that future legislation may prohibit certain imports from China; and significant shifts in consumer behavior. Other risk factors are detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and, from time to time, the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements contained herein. There can be no assurance that the actual future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that projected results expressed or implied in such statements will not be realized. (Financial Tables Follow) Investor Relations Contact: Tom Filandro ICR, Inc. (646) 277-1235 [email protected] Chico's FAS, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (in thousands, except per share amounts) Thirteen Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended July 31, 2021 August 1, 2020 July 31, 2021 August 1, 2020 Amount % of Sales Amount % of Sales Amount % of Sales Amount % of Sales Net Sales: Chico's $ 221,389 46.9 % $ 139,584 45.6 % $ 398,410 46.3 % $ 271,021 46.3 % White House Black Market 122,043 25.9 82,253 26.9 226,090 26.3 166,173 28.3 Soma 128,627 27.2 84,337 27.5 235,520 27.4 149,244 25.4 Total Net Sales 472,059 100.0 306,174 100.0 860,020 100.0 586,438 100.0 Cost of goods sold 290,601 61.6 261,408 85.4 551,767 64.2 552,767 94.3 Gross Margin 181,458 38.4 44,766 14.6 308,253 35.8 33,671 5.7 Selling, general and administrative expenses 145,849 30.9 107,304 35.0 280,168 32.5 237,475 40.5 Goodwill and intangible impairment charges 0.0 0.0 0.0 113,180 19.3 Income (Loss) from Operations 35,609 7.5 (62,538) (20.4) 28,085 3.3 (316,984) (54.1) Interest expense, net (1,722) (0.3) (507) (0.2) (3,427) (0.4) (851) (0.1) Income (Loss) before Income Taxes 33,887 7.2 (63,045) (20.6) 24,658 2.9 (317,835) (54.2) Income tax provision (benefit) 7,700 1.7 (16,200) (5.3) 7,400 0.9 (92,700) (15.8) Net Income (Loss) $ 26,187 5.5 % $ (46,845) (15.3) % $ 17,258 2.0 % $ (225,135) (38.4) % Per Share Data: Net income (loss) per common share - basic $ 0.22 $ (0.40) $ 0.15 $ (1.95) Net income (loss) per common and common equivalent share diluted $ 0.21 $ (0.40) $ 0.14 $ (1.95) Weighted average common shares outstanding basic 117,021 115,912 116,855 115,743 Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding diluted 122,724 115,912 121,222 115,743 Dividends declared per share $ $ $ $ 0.09 Chico's FAS, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (in thousands) July 31, 2021 January 30, 2021 August 1, 2020 ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 126,298 $ 90,791 $ 103,765 Marketable securities, at fair value 10,891 18,559 20,742 Inventories 202,128 203,983 235,844 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 50,428 30,565 31,446 Income taxes receivable 41,698 58,140 85,940 Total Current Assets 431,443 402,038 477,737 Property and Equipment, net 208,925 241,370 271,750 Right of Use Assets 529,945 586,061 571,992 Other Assets: Goodwill 16,360 16,360 16,360 Other intangible assets, net 5,000 5,000 6,164 Other assets, net 21,394 24,049 28,931 Total Other Assets 42,754 45,409 51,455 $ 1,213,067 $ 1,274,878 $ 1,372,934 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 119,387 $ 116,506 $ 108,166 Current lease liabilities 163,376 194,551 218,691 Other current and deferred liabilities 126,254 120,729 111,318 Total Current Liabilities 409,017 431,786 438,175 Noncurrent Liabilities: Long-term debt 149,000 149,000 149,000 Long-term lease liabilities 454,164 515,797 482,380 Other noncurrent and deferred liabilities 12,242 11,863 6,529 Deferred taxes 1,558 1,313 52 Total Noncurrent Liabilities 616,964 677,973 637,961 Commitments and Contingencies Shareholders' Equity: Preferred stock Common stock 1,226 1,197 1,199 Additional paid-in capital 503,168 498,488 495,163 Treasury stock, at cost (494,395) (494,395) (494,395) Retained earnings 177,077 159,765 294,708 Accumulated other comprehensive gain 10 64 123 Total Shareholders' Equity 187,086 165,119 296,798 $ 1,213,067 $ 1,274,878 $ 1,372,934 Chico's FAS, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statements (Unaudited) (in thousands) Twenty-Six Weeks Ended July 31, 2021 August 1, 2020 Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net income (loss) $ 17,258 $ (225,135) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Goodwill and intangible impairment charges 113,180 Inventory write-offs 374 54,308 Depreciation and amortization 27,348 33,613 Non-cash lease expense 95,317 100,710 Exit of frontline Canada operations 498 Right of use asset impairment 3,236 Loss on disposal and impairment of property and equipment, net 1,335 18,637 Deferred tax benefit 250 (6,756) Share-based compensation expense 5,689 3,793 Changes in assets and liabilities: Inventories 1,481 (44,926) Prepaid expenses and other assets (8,165) 2,743 Income tax receivable 16,442 (78,809) Accounts payable 2,991 (26,300) Accrued and other liabilities 6,259 (338) Lease liability (132,549) (38,673) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 34,030 (90,219) Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Purchases of marketable securities (219) (5,212) Proceeds from sale of marketable securities 7,826 48,326 Purchases of property and equipment (5,150) (8,151) Net cash provided by investing activities 2,457 34,963 Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Proceeds from borrowings 106,500 Proceeds from issuance of common stock 251 Dividends paid (10,701) Payments of tax withholdings related to share-based awards (980) (995) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (980) 95,055 Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (6) Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 35,507 39,793 Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of period 90,791 63,972 Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of period $ 126,298 $ 103,765 Supplemental Detail on Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Calculation In accordance with accounting guidance, unvested share-based payment awards that include non-forfeitable rights to dividends, whether paid or unpaid, are considered participating securities. As a result, such awards are required to be included in the calculation of income (loss) per common share pursuant to the "two-class" method. For the Company, participating securities are comprised entirely of unvested restricted stock awards granted prior to fiscal 2020. Net income (loss) per share is determined using the two-class method when it is more dilutive than the treasury stock method. Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, including participating securities. Diluted net income (loss) per share reflects the dilutive effect of potential common shares from non-participating securities such as restricted stock awards granted after fiscal 2019, stock options, PSUs and restricted stock units. For the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020, potential common shares were excluded from the computation of diluted income (loss) per common share to the extent they were antidilutive. The following unaudited table sets forth the computation of net income (loss) per basic and diluted common share shown on the face of the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income (loss) (in thousands, except per share amounts): Thirteen Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended July 31, 2021 August 1, 2020 July 31, 2021 August 1, 2020 Numerator Net income (loss) $ 26,187 $ (46,845) $ 17,258 $ (225,135) Net income and dividends declared allocated to participating securities (235) (171) (193) Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $ 25,952 $ (46,845) $ 17,087 $ (225,328) Denominator Weighted average common shares outstanding basic 117,021 115,912 116,855 115,743 Dilutive effect of non-participating securities 5,703 4,367 Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding diluted 122,724 115,912 121,222 115,743 Net income (loss) per common share (1): Basic $ 0.22 $ (0.40) $ 0.15 $ (1.95) Diluted $ 0.21 $ (0.40) $ 0.14 $ (1.95) (1) Due to the differences between quarterly and year-to-date weighted average share counts and the effect of quarterly rounding to the nearest cent per share, the year-to-date calculation of net income (loss) per basic and diluted common share may not equal the sum of the quarters. Supplemental Detail on Significant Non-Cash Charges A summary of significant non-cash charges related to the impact of the pandemic on results for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2020 is presented in the tables below: Summary of Significant Non-Cash Charges (1) Thirteen Weeks Ended August 1, 2020 Amount, pre-tax % of Net Sales Amount, after-tax Per share impact (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Gross margin: Inventory write-offs $ 12,256 4.0 % $ 8,028 $ 0.07 Total significant charges impacting gross margin 12,256 4.0 8,028 0.07 Total significant non-cash charges $ 12,256 4.0 % $ 8,028 $ 0.07 Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 1, 2020 Amount, pre-tax (3) % of Net Sales Amount, after-tax Per share impact (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Gross margin: Inventory write-offs $ 55,357 9.4 % $ 34,134 $ 0.29 Long-lived store asset impairment (2) 18,493 3.2 13,925 0.12 Right of use store asset impairment 2,442 0.4 1,839 0.02 Total significant charges impacting gross margin 76,291 13.0 49,898 0.43 Goodwill and intangible impairment charges: Goodwill impairment 80,414 13.7 73,837 0.63 Indefinite-lived asset impairment 32,766 5.6 24,673 0.21 Total significant goodwill and intangible impairment charges 113,180 19.3 98,510 0.84 Total significant non-cash charges $ 189,471 32.3 % $ 148,408 $ 1.27 (1) All significant charges relate to the impact of the pandemic. Less significant charges that may have been incurred are not reflected in the table above. (2) Primarily includes impairment on leasehold improvements at certain underperforming stores. (3) May not foot due to rounding. Chico's FAS, Inc. and Subsidiaries Store Count and Square Footage Thirteen Weeks Ended July 31, 2021 (Unaudited) May 1, 2021 New Stores Closures July 31, 2021 Store Count: Chico's frontline boutiques 513 (5) 508 Chico's outlets 123 123 WHBM frontline boutiques 344 (3) 341 WHBM outlets 55 (1) 54 Soma frontline boutiques 240 240 Soma outlets 18 18 Total Chico's FAS, Inc. 1,293 (9) 1,284 May 1, 2021 New Stores Closures Other Changes in SSF July 31, 2021 Net Selling Square Footage (SSF): Chico's frontline boutiques 1,398,808 (13,066) 1,385,742 Chico's outlets 309,921 309,921 WHBM frontline boutiques 806,975 (7,152) 799,823 WHBM outlets 115,147 (2,423) 112,724 Soma frontline boutiques 452,799 452,799 Soma outlets 34,329 34,329 Total Chico's FAS, Inc. 3,117,979 (22,641) 3,095,338 As of July 31, 2021, the Company's franchise operations consisted of 66 international retail locations in Mexico and 2 domestic airport locations. Chico's FAS, Inc. and Subsidiaries Store Count and Square Footage Twenty-Six Weeks Ended July 31, 2021 (Unaudited) January 30, 2021 New Stores Closures July 31, 2021 Store count: Chico's frontline boutiques 517 (9) 508 Chico's outlets 123 123 WHBM frontline boutiques 347 (6) 341 WHBM outlets 56 (2) 54 Soma frontline boutiques 241 (1) 240 Soma outlets 18 18 Total Chico's FAS, Inc. 1,302 (18) 1,284 January 30, 2021 New Stores Closures Other Changes in SSF July 31, 2021 Net Selling Square Footage (SSF): Chico's frontline boutiques 1,411,356 (25,614) 1,385,742 Chico's outlets 309,921 309,921 WHBM frontline boutiques 814,157 (14,334) 799,823 WHBM outlets 117,484 (4,760) 112,724 Soma frontline boutiques 454,557 (1,758) 452,799 Soma outlets 34,329 34,329 Total Chico's FAS, Inc. 3,141,804 (46,466) 3,095,338 As of July 31, 2021, the Company's franchise operations consisted of 66 international retail locations in Mexico and 2 domestic airport locations. SOURCE Chico's FAS, Inc. Related Links http://www.chicos.com "These kids and families are in the fight of their lives. They are counting on us to deliver care that is excellent, compassionate and specialized just for kids," said Jennifer Soderholm, chief development officer and president of the Children's Minnesota Foundation. "The type of care provided by the kids experts at Children's Minnesota wouldn't be possible without the support of our business partners and individual donors." By shopping at one of more than 30 participating businesses or donating directly to Children's Minnesota, the community is invited to support local kids fighting cancer. Donations allow patient families to access wrap around services that make a difference during the care journey. This includes everything from music therapy to nutritionists to end-of-chemotherapy celebrations. Donations also help alleviate some of the financial burden for families by covering expenses like meals and parking as well as providing overnight accommodations for those traveling from out of town. The Shine Bright for Cancer Kids campaign is presented by Great Clips and includes generous contributions from Pediatric Surgical Associates, Ltd., Prime Therapeutics and many more partners. For more information about the campaign, to make a donation or to join as a partnering business, visit: childrensmn.org/shinebrightforkids. About Children's Minnesota Children's Minnesota is the seventh largest pediatric health system in the United States and the only health system in Minnesota to provide care exclusively to children, from before birth through young adulthood. An independent and not-for-profit system since 1924, Children's Minnesota serves kids throughout the Upper Midwest at two free-standing hospitals, nine primary and specialty care clinics and seven rehabilitation sites. As The Kids ExpertsTM, Children's Minnesota is regularly ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top children's hospital. Find us on Facebook @childrensminnesota or on Twitter and Instagram @childrensmn. Please visit childrensMN.org SOURCE Children's Minnesota Related Links www.childrensmn.org ZHANGZHOU, China, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- China Zenix Auto International Limited (OTC: ZXAIY) ("Zenix Auto" or the "Company"), one of the largest commercial vehicle wheel manufacturers in China in both the aftermarket and OEM market by sales volume, announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021, today. Financial Highlights Second Quarter of 2021: Revenue was RMB 527.2 million ( US$81.7 million ), up 5.0% year-over-year; ( ), up 5.0% year-over-year; Sales to the Chinese OEM market increased by 10.4% year-over-year; Sales of tubed steel wheels increased by 22.9% year-over-year; Sales of aluminum wheels increased by 14.5% year-over-year and accounted for 13.4% total revenue; and Net loss and total comprehensive loss for the second quarter of 2021 was RMB244 .0 million ( US$37 .8 million) with basic and diluted loss per American Depositary Share ("ADS") of RMB4 .73 (US$0.73). First Six Months of 2021: Revenue was RMB924.5 million ( US$143.2 million ), an increase of 12.4% year-over-year as compared with RMB822.7 million in the first six months of 2020; ( ), an increase of 12.4% year-over-year as compared with in the first six months of 2020; Sales of tubed steel wheels increased by 22.9% year-over-year; Sales of aluminum wheels increased by 37.9% year-over-year; Net loss and total comprehensive loss for the period was RMB372.5 million ( US$57.7 million ) with loss per ADS of RMB7.21 (US$1.12) ; and ( ) with loss per ADS of ; and Bank balances and cash, pledged bank deposits and fixed bank deposits with maturity period over three months were RMB677.8 million ( US$105.0 million ) in total. Mr. Junqiu Gao, Deputy CEO and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Zenix Auto, commented, "Our revenue increased by 5.0% in the second quarter of 2021, led by a 10.4% increase in sales to the Chinese OEM market. However, our sales into the Chinese aftermarket and international markets remained weak. Growth in China's GDP was 7.9% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2021, as compared with 18.3% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2021." Mr. Gao further commented, "Higher raw material costs for metal were primary contributors to our losses in the results of the second quarter and first six months of 2021. Our sales of aluminum wheels increased by almost 37.9% in the first six months of 2021 as we increased our operation scale in that segment and benefited from the economy of scale. In addition, there is a continuing trend toward the purchase of less expensive wheels." "On August 10, 2021, the Board of Directors received a preliminary, non-binding proposal to take the Company private from Mr. Jianhui Lai, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Newrace Limited, a company wholly owned by him at a proposed purchase price of US$0.9 per ADS (or US$0.225 per Share). The Board of Directors has established a special committee comprising of independent and disinterested directors to evaluate this proposal." Mr. Gao noted. Mr. Martin Cheung, CFO of Zenix Auto, commented, "We had bank balances and cash of RMB434.3 million (US$67.3 million) plus RMB210.0 million (US$32.5 million) of fixed bank deposits as at June 30, 2021. We invested less than $1 million in the purchase of new plant, property and equipment in the six months ended June 30, 2021." 2021 Second Quarter Results Revenue for the second quarter was RMB527.2 million (US$81.7 million) as compared to RMB502.0 million in the second quarter of 2020. The increase in revenue on a year-over-year basis was mainly attributable to increase in sales to the Chinese OEM market, increase in average selling price, and a slower rate of contraction in the domestic aftermarket segment and international markets. Sales to the Chinese OEM market were RMB383.3 million (US$59.4 million) as compared to RMB347.3 million in the same quarter of 2020. Total unit sales in the OEM market increased by 3.5% year-over-year as compared to the same in the second quarter of 2020. Aftermarket sales in China were RMB110.6 million (US$17.1 million) as compared to RMB119.1 million in the second quarter of 2020. Total unit sales in the aftermarket decreased by 7.0% year-over-year. Increase in new vehicle sales and slowdown in infrastructure projects negatively impacted overall market for aftermarket sales in China but the market contracted at a slower rate in the second quarter of 2021. International sales were RMB33.3 million (US$5.2 million) as compared to sales of RMB35.6 million in the same quarter of 2020. Total unit sales in the international markets decreased by 6.1% year-over-year as compared to the same in the second quarter of 2020. In the second quarter of 2021, domestic OEM sales, domestic aftermarket sales and international sales contributed 72.7%, 21.0% and 6.3% of revenue, respectively. Sales of tubed steel wheels comprised 35.1% of the revenue of the second quarter of 2021 as compared to 30.0% in the same quarter of 2020. Tubeless steel wheel sales represented 48.7% of the revenue of the second quarter of 2021 as compared to 54.8% in the same quarter of 2020. Sales of aluminum wheels accounted for 13.4% of the revenue of the second quarter of 2021 as compared to 12.3% in the same quarter of 2020. Gross loss of the second quarter of 2021 was RMB82.3 million (US$12.7 million) as compared to a gross loss of RMB4.2 million in the same quarter of 2020. The increase in gross loss was mainly due to a significant increase of raw material cost, namely steel and aluminum, which offset the increase in our product prices. Selling and distribution costs increased by 2.9% year-over-year to RMB38.9 million (US$6.0 million) in the second quarter of 2021, as compared to RMB37.8 million in the second quarter of 2020. The increase in selling and distribution costs was primarily due to higher advertising and promotion costs in the second quarter of 2021 as compared with the same quarter last year. As a percentage of revenue, selling and distribution costs were 7.4% in the second quarter of 2021, as compared to 7.5% in the same quarter a year ago. Research and development ("R&D") expenses increased by 9.1% year-over-year to RMB19.9 million (US$3.1 million) in the second quarter of 2021, as compared to RMB18.3 million in the second quarter of 2020. R&D expenses, as a percentage of revenue, were 3.8% in the second quarter of 2021 and 3.6% in the same quarter a year ago. The increase in R&D expenses as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to increase of raw material costs in the second quarter of 2021 as compared to the same quarter last year. The Company maintains its R&D initiatives for new product development associated with new material development, new product design, and new production equipment development. Administrative expenses of RMB31.3 million (US$4.9 million) in the second quarter of 2021 decreased by 1.3% year-over-year as compared to RMB31.7 million in the second quarter of 2020. The decrease of administrative expenses in the second quarter of 2021 as compared with that in the same quarter last year was primarily due to our cost control measures. As a percentage of revenue, administrative expenses were 5.9% in the second quarter of 2021 as compared to 6.3% in the second quarter of 2020. Such decrease reflected the higher revenue and lower expenses in the second quarter of 2021 as compared to the same quarter last year. Net loss and total comprehensive loss were RMB244.0 million (US$37.8 million) in the second quarter of 2021 as compared to net loss and total comprehensive loss of RMB78.6 million in the same quarter of 2020. Basic and diluted loss per ADS were RMB4.73 (US$0.73) in the second quarter of 2021 as compared to basic and diluted loss per ADS of RMB1.52 in the second quarter of 2020. In the second quarter of 2021, the Company recorded net cash outflow from operating activities of RMB74.8 million (US$11.6 million) as compared with a net cash outflow of RMB150.0 million in the second quarter of 2020. Capital expenditure for the purchase of property, plant and equipment in the second quarter of 2021 was RMB2.0 million (US$0.3 million) as compared with RMB35.2 million in the second quarter of 2020. Quick ratio in the second quarter of 2021 was 1.01. During the second quarters of 2021 and 2020, the weighted average number of ordinary shares was 206.5 million and the weighted average number of ADSs was 51.6 million. 2021 First Six Months Results Revenue for the first six months ended June 30, 2021 was RMB924.5 million (US$143.2 million) as compared with RMB822.7 million in the first six months of 2020. Sales to the Chinese OEM market increased by 28.6% year-over-year to RMB663.2 million (US$102.7 million) in the first six months of 2021 and represented 71.7% of revenue. Aftermarket sales decreased by 9.3% year-over-year to RMB203.1 million (US$31.5 million) in the first six months of 2021 and represented 22.0% of revenue. International sales decreased by 30.0% year-over-year to RMB58.2 million (US$9.0 million) in the first six months of 2021 and represented 6.3% of revenue. Sales of tubed steel wheels in the first six months of 2021 increased by 22.9% year-over-year as compared to that in the same period in 2020 and accounted for 36.5% of revenue. Sales of tubeless steel wheels in the first six months of 2021 increased by 0.05% year-over-year as compared to that in the same period a year ago and accounted for 45.8% of revenue. Sales of Aluminum wheels in the first six months of 2021 increased 37.9% year-over-year as compared with that in the same period a year ago and accounted for 14.0% of revenue. Gross loss for the first six months ended June 30, 2021 was RMB144.1 million (US22.3 million) as compared with a gross loss of RMB6.3 million during the same period in 2020. Net loss and total comprehensive loss for the first six months ended June 30, 2021 was RMB372.5 million (US$57.7 million) as compared with a net loss and total comprehensive loss of RMB139.2 million during the same period in 2020. Basic and diluted losses per ADS for the first six months ended June 30, 2021 were RMB7.21 (US$1.12) as compared with basic and diluted loss per ADS of RMB2.70 during the same period in 2020. As of June 30, 2021, Zenix Auto had bank balances and cash of RMB434.3 million (US$67.3 million) and fixed bank deposits with a maturity period over three months of RMB210.0 million (US$32.5 million). Account receivables were RMB370.4 million (US$57.4) as compared to RMB395.2 million as of December 31, 2020. Total bank borrowings were RMB558.0 million (US$86.4 million). Total equity attributable to owners of the Company was RMB1,662.3 million (US$257.5 million). Conference Call Information The Company will host a conference call, to be simultaneously webcast, on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. EDT/ 8:00 p.m. Beijing Time. Interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing +1-877-407-0782 (U.S. Toll Free), +1-201-689-8567 (International), or +86-400-120-2840 (China). Please dial in five minutes before the call starting time and ask to be connected to the "China Zenix Auto" conference call. A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call through 8:00 A.M. EDT on September 24, 2021. The dial-in details for the replay are: U.S. Toll Free Number +1-877-481-4010 and International dial-in number +1-919-882-2331 using Conference ID "42534". Exchange Rate Information The United States dollar (US$) amounts disclosed in this press release are presented solely for the convenience of the reader. All translations from RMB to U.S. dollars are made at a rate of RMB 6.4566 to US$1.00, the effective noon buying rate as of June 30, 2021 in The City of New York, and for cable transfers of RMB as set forth in the H.10 weekly statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The percentages stated are calculated based on RMB amounts. About China Zenix Auto International Limited China Zenix Auto International Limited is one of the largest commercial vehicle wheel manufacturers in China in both the aftermarket and OEM market by sales volume. The Company offers approximately 883 series of aluminum wheels, tubed steel wheels, tubeless steel wheels, and off-road steel wheels in the aftermarket and OEM markets in China and internationally. The Company's products are primarily sold to large PRC commercial vehicle manufacturers and exported to over 67 distributors in more than 28 countries worldwide. With six large, strategically located manufacturing facilities in multiple regions across China, the Company has a designed annual production capacity of approximately 15.5 million units of steel and aluminum wheels as of June 30, 2021. For more information, please visit: www.zenixauto.com/en. Safe Harbor This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements and can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar terms. As forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, actual results could differ materially from those contained therein. Further information regarding these risks is included in our filings with the SEC. The "going private" proposal submitted to the Company on August 10, 2021 constitutes only a preliminary indication of interest from its chairman and his affiliates and does not constitute any binding commitment with respect to the transaction proposed or any other transaction. No agreement, arrangement or understanding relating to any proposed transaction, will be created until such time as definitive documentation has been executed by the Company and all other appropriate parties. There can be no assurance that any definitive offer will be made, that any definitive agreement will be executed relating to the "going private" proposal or any other transaction, or that any such transactions will be approved or consummated. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law. For more information, please contact Kevin Theiss Awaken Advisors Tel: +1-(212) 521-4050 Email: [email protected] - tables follow - China Zenix Auto International Limited Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (RMB and US$ amounts expressed in thousands, except number of shares and per share data) Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 2021 2021 RMB' 000 RMB' 000 US$' 000 Revenue 501,965 527,202 81,653 Cost of sales (506,166) (609,474) (94,396) Gross loss (4,201) (82,272) (12,743) Other operating income 2,550 4,344 673 Net exchange loss (154) (389) (60) Selling and distribution costs (37,817) (38,901) (6,025) Research and development expenses (18,254) (19,908) (3,083) Administrative expenses (31,737) (31,313) (4,850) Finance costs (6,136) (5,397) (836) Loss before taxation (95,749) (173,836) (26,924) Income tax credit (expense) 17,145 (70,175) (10,869) Loss and total comprehensive loss for the period (78,604) (244,011) (37,793) Loss per share Basic (0.38) (1.18) (0.18) Diluted (0.38) (1.18) (0.18) Loss per ADS Basic (1.52) (4.73) (0.73) Diluted (1.52) (4.73) (0.73) Shares 206,500,000 206,500,000 206,500,000 ADSs 51,625,000 51,625,000 51,625,000 China Zenix Auto International Limited Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (RMB and US$ amounts expressed in thousands, except number of shares and per share data) Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2021 2021 RMB' 000 RMB' 000 US$' 000 Revenue 822,748 924,482 143,184 Cost of sales (829,040) (1,068,571) (165,501) Gross loss (6,292) (144,089) (22,317) Other operating income 5,609 7,556 1,170 Net exchange loss (82) (404) (63) Selling and distribution costs (63,382) (73,534) (11,389) Research and development expenses (30,109) (38,310) (5,933) Administrative expenses (62,954) (68,972) (10,682) Finance costs (12,121) (11,104) (1,720) Loss before taxation (169,331) (328,857) (50,934) Income tax credit (expense) 30,163 (43,600) (6,753) Loss and total comprehensive loss for the period (139,168) (372,457) (57,687) Loss per share Basic (0.67) (1.80) (0.28) Diluted (0.67) (1.80) (0.28) Loss per ADS Basic (2.70) (7.21) (1.12) Diluted (2.70) (7.21) (1.12) Shares 206,500,000 206,500,000 206,500,000 ADSs 51,625,000 51,625,000 51,625,000 China Zenix Auto International Limited Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (RMB and US$ amounts expressed in thousands) December 31 2020 June 30 2021 June 30 2021 RMB'000 RMB'000 US$' 000 ASSETS Current Assets Inventories 90,351 194,498 30,124 Trade and other receivables and prepayments 617,328 577,857 89,499 Pledged bank deposits 26,000 33,500 5,188 Fixed bank deposits with maturity period over three months 290,000 210,000 32,525 Bank balances and cash 616,290 434,283 67,262 Total current assets 1,639,969 1,450,138 224,598 Non-Current Assets Property, plant and equipment 960,453 970,956 150,382 Right-of-use assets 348,174 343,461 53,195 Long-term prepayment 12,000 10,000 1,549 Deferred tax assets 117,846 74,532 11,544 Investment in a joint venture - 3,000 465 Intangible assets 17,000 17,000 2,632 Deposits paid for acquisition of property, plant and equipment 62,083 - - Total non-current assets 1,517,556 1,418,849 219,767 Total assets 3,157,525 2,869,087 444,365 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Current Liabilities Trade and other payables and accruals 489,380 573,511 88,826 Bank borrowings 558,000 558,000 86,423 Total current liabilities 1,047,380 1,131,511 175,249 Deferred tax liabilities 70,111 70,397 10,903 Deferred income 5,310 4,912 761 Total non-current liabilities 75,421 75,309 11,664 Total liabilities 1,122,801 1,206,820 186,913 EQUITY Share capital 136 136 21 Paid in capital 392,076 392,076 60,725 Reserves 1,642,512 1,270,055 196,706 Total equity attributable to owners of the company 2,034,724 1,662,267 257,452 Total equity and liabilities 3,157,525 2,869,087 444,365 China Zenix Auto International Limited Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows For the three months ended June 30, 2021 (RMB and US$ amounts expressed in thousands) Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 OPERATING ACTIVITIES RMB' 000 US$' 000 Loss before taxation (173,836) (26,924) Adjustments for: Amortization of prepaid lease payment 2,357 365 Depreciation of property plant and equipment 29,253 4,530 Release of deferred income (199) (31) Finance cost 5,397 836 Interest income (1,962) (304) Operating cash flows before movements in working capital (138,990) (21,528) Increase in inventories (23,763) (3,680) Decrease in trade and other receivables and prepayments 4,290 664 Increase in trade and other payables and accruals 81,493 12,622 Cash used in operations (76,970) (11,922) Interest received 2,163 335 NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES (74,807) (11,587) INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of property, plant and equipment (1,990) (308) Investment in a joint venture (3,000) (465) Withdrawal of pledged bank deposits 110,000 17,037 Placement of pledged bank deposits (118,500) (18,353) Placement of fixed bank deposits with maturity periods over three months (130,000) (20,134) Withdrawal of fixed bank deposits with maturity periods over three months 130,000 20,134 NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (13,490) (2,089) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Interest paid (5,775) (894) NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES (5,775) (894) NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (94,072) (14,570) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year 528,203 81,808 Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 152 24 Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year 434,283 67,262 China Zenix Auto International Limited Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows For the six months ended June 30, 2021 (RMB and US$ amounts expressed in thousands) Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 OPERATING ACTIVITIES RMB'000 US$' 000 Loss before taxation (328,857) (50,934) Adjustments for: Amortization of prepaid lease payments 4,713 730 Depreciation of property plant and equipment 58,779 9,104 Release of deferred income (398) (62) Finance costs 11,104 1,720 Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 17 3 Interest income (4,341) (672) Operating cash flows before movements in working capital (258,983) (40,111) Increase in inventories (104,147) (16,130) Decrease in trade and other receivables and prepayments 41,053 6,358 Increase in trade and other payables and accruals 83,837 12,985 Cash used in operations (238,240) (36,898) Interest received 4,695 727 NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES (233,545) (36,171) INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of property, plant and equipment (2,819) (437) Investment in a joint venture (3,000) (465) Withdrawal of pledged bank deposits 260,000 40,269 Placement of pledged bank deposits (267,500) (41,430) Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment 26 4 Deposits paid for acquisition of property, plant and equipment (3,720) (576) Placement of fixed bank deposits with maturity periods over three months (210,000) (32,525) Withdrawal of fixed bank deposits with maturity periods over three months 290,000 44,915 NET CASH FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 62,987 9,755 FINANCING ACTIVITIES New bank borrowings raised 340,000 52,659 Repayment of bank borrowings (340,000) (52,659) Interest paid (11,513) (1,783) NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES (11,513) (1,783) NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (182,071) (28,199) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year 616,290 95,451 Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 64 10 Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year 434,283 67,262 SOURCE China Zenix Auto International Limited Related Links http://www.zenixauto.com All of Chobani's dairy yogurts in Canada will also be Fair Trade USA certified. The Fair Trade Certified seal on Chobani Greek Yogurt tubs means that the dairy farmers and farm workers who collect the milk work in safe and healthy conditions and receive additional funds to address local needs or invest in community projects. Chobani partnered with Fair Trade USA to launch this certification program for U.S. dairy farms and cooperatives, which helps to protect and empower dairy farmers and workers while raising sustainability standards. "We're very excited to offer Canadian consumers our Fair Trade Certified Greek yogurt as part of our mission to make good food for all while supporting our dairy farm communities," says Peter McGuinness, President of Chobani. "Delivering our products across Canada is a win-win for Fair Trade Certified dairy and Canadian consumers." Key facts about our yogurt offering in Canada: Chobani Greek Yogurts are available in three multi-serve options: Chobani Greek Plain 0% Milkfat 907g Chobani Greek Plain 2% Lowfat 907g Chobani Greek Vanilla 0% Milkfat 907g The multi-serve formats are ideal for cooking, baking, and mixing in smoothies and parfaits, and a smart and delicious substitute for sour cream, mayo, buttermilk, and much more. Chobani also offers a selection of oat-based products throughout Canada, which are proudly made with Canadian oats. Our oat beverages are rich and creamy, vegan-friendly, made with gluten-free oats, and are a good source of calcium. Chobani Oat beverages are available in Plain and Vanilla (946ml). Chobani offers a plant-based oat blend in 454g cups, available nationwide in three purposeful pairings of elevated and familiar flavors including Vanilla, Strawberry Vanilla, and Blueberry Pomegranate. About Chobani Chobani is a food maker with a mission of making high-quality and nutritious food accessible to more people, while elevating our communities and making the world a healthier place. In short: making good food for all. In support of this mission, we are a values-driven, people-first, food-and-wellness-focused company, and have been since Hamdi Ulukaya, an immigrant to the U.S., founded the company in 2005. We produce yogurt, oatmilk, dairy- and plant-based creamers, ready-to-drink coffee and plant-based probiotic drinks. Chobani yogurt is America's No.1 yogurt brand, and it's made with only natural ingredients without artificial preservatives. Chobani uses food as a force for good in the world putting humanity first in everything we do. Our philanthropic efforts prioritize giving back to our communities and beyond: working to eradicate child hunger, supporting immigrants, refugees and underrepresented people, honoring veterans, and protecting the planet. We manufacture our products in New York, Idaho, and Australia. Chobani products are available throughout North America and distributed in Australia and other select markets. For more information, please visit www.chobani.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. SOURCE Chobani, LLC Related Links http://www.chobani.com AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aurigo Software , the leading provider of capital planning and construction management software for infrastructure and private owners, today announced it had entered into a multiyear contract with the City of Plano to help automate the agency's capital program. In October of 2020, the City of Plano announced their Community Investment Program (CIP), a five-year guide to planning, building, and operating capital projects that supports the City's strategic objectives. Located 20 miles north of Dallas, Plano is the largest city in Collin County with a population of 285,190 as of January 2020. The City offers nationally recognized schools, award-winning parks, and a wide variety of multicultural neighborhoods appealing to families, young singles, and retirees. Plano is home to the headquarters or regional operations of major corporations, including Rent-A-Center, Intuit, and Bank of America. "Plano is one of the fastest growing cities in Texas and we are excited to partner with the city to support their commitment to residents in improving their streets, utilities, parks and facilities," said Balaji Sreenivasan, CEO and founder of Aurigo Software. "Plano joins other leaders in our great nation who have chosen to build smarter by adopting modern capital planning project delivery software," he said. Aurigo Masterworks Cloud is set to transform the way CIP projects are managed from the initial planning stage until the closure of the project. Masterworks will automate various business processes that include capital planning and fund management, utilities coordination, project management, contract management, and bid management. The platform will provide access for 75 City employees as well as 400 external consultants, contractors, and vendors across multiple City departments, including engineering, public works, parks and recreation, and facilities. In addition, Masterworks will integrate with several other critical applications used by the City such as JD Edwards, ArcGIS, and Cartegraph. The City made their selection via a formal Request for Proposal process that evaluated and determined Aurigo Software to be the best fit for their long-term needs. Plano is added to Aurigo's growing list of major U.S. cities to adopt the platform, including Denver, Houston, Seattle, and Las Vegas. About Aurigo Software Aurigo builds software that helps build the world. Aurigo provides modern, cloud-based solutions for capital infrastructure and private owners to help them plan with confidence, build with quality, and maintain their assets efficiently. With more than $300b of capital programs under management, Aurigo's solutions are trusted by over 300 customers in transportation, water and utilities, healthcare, higher education, and the government on over 40,000 projects across North America. Aurigo helps capital program executives make better decisions based on proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning technology. Aurigo is a privately held US corporation headquartered in Austin, Texas, with global offices in Canada and India. Learn more at www.aurigo.com. SOURCE Aurigo Software Technologies Related Links http://www.aurigo.com 3x5 Partner's Managing Director, Nicholas Walrod expressed that "we are ecstatic to be partnering with the Claros team. Instead of engaging in problem displacement, Claros is providing clear, complete solutions to identified and urgent needs with large market opportunities." 3x5 Partners strives to 'invest in what the world needs' by partnering with promising companies whose technology offer real solutions in the healthcare and climate sectors. The Series A capital raise will allow the team at Claros to expand the applications of their breakthrough technology at the scale required to address problems for which the world needs immediate solutions. By proving the ZioShield antiviral technology can be achieved at roll-to-roll manufacturing scale, the team is rapidly responding to the high demand for embedding antiviral technology in a whole new range of applications. In the large-scale water treatment sector, Claros is well positioned to quickly prove themselves as a market leader in PFAS remediation with their ability to both capture and detoxify the problematic fluorocarbons. CEO and Co-founder, Michelle Bellanca described that "Claros is doing something truly revolutionary to address the massive PFAS clean-up needs that are quickly coming down the regulatory pipeline. The demand for cost effective and scalable treatment options, that both capture and destroy these 'forever chemicals' is here, and Claros has developed the solution that the world needs right now." Clarosafe removes both long and short chain PFAS chemicals from our ecosystem, compared to current treatment options that are limited to landfills and incineration, which only spread this problematic toxin further in our environment. "We are building a PFAS remediation ecosystem, where our partners can find accurate testing capabilities, efficient sorbents for PFAS removal, and sustainable disposal pathways that permanently remove PFAS from the environment" explained Co-founder Abdennour Abbas. About Claros Claros Technologies Inc. is an advanced materials company that strives to lead the industry towards a holistic approach in materials design and innovation to enable the development of more efficient, safe, and sustainable products with zero toxic waste. Claros is able to utilize nanoparticle growth technology to substantially impact multiple significant markets, including the rapidly growing PFAS remediation market and the functional textiles space with their antiviral and antimicrobial ZioShield technology. About 3x5 Partners With over $400 million raised, 3x5 Partners is a venture capital firm that collaborates with passionate entrepreneurs to solve challenges in global health and climate solutions. Established in Portland, Oregon in 2011, 3x5 has delivered both top returns to investors and meaningful impact to the world. Claros Contact Info: Find out more at https://clarostechnologies.com For inquiries, reach Claros at [email protected] 3x5 Contact Info: More information is available at www.3x5partners.com Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Claros Technologies Related Links clarostechnologies.com MARIETTA, Ga., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cogitate has launched a Cyber Liability rate, quote, bind, issue, and post-sale service (endorsements, cancelations, reinstatements, renewals, etc.) within its next-gen digital insurance flagship solution, DigitalEdge. With this innovation, users get a well-structured and organized dashboard that gives agents and underwriters a visual representation of pending tasks, a historical timeline of policies bound, ongoing actions within live policies, and simple navigation. The solution provides agency and underwriting mapping in complex policy conditions where experienced underwriting is needed. Pre-configured with Verisk's ISO rates, rules, and forms, and integrated with multiple 3rd party risk information providers, the application auto-populates and pre-fills Cyber liability data in seconds which maps to the business, saving several minutes within an hour for agents. The application is integrated with Cogitate's powerful comparative rating engine giving multiple premium options based on multiple carriers' rates, including ISO rates. The Cyber Liability application provides real time updates on changes and requests to a policy with the use of push notifications and email and portal alerts. These alerts are provided to underwriters on potential risk factors in a policy so that corrective actions can be immediately taken by changing coverages or manually adjusting premium amounts (based on the underwriter). The application is agnostic in that it integrates with management systems and document management systems across the board (solution is pre-integrated with Vertafore's AIM and ImageRight). Based on business revenue, the application smartly customizes the Cyber Liability underwriting and security questionnaire, while also customizing coverages for businesses with high annual revenue. As with all solutions in Cogitate's DigitalEdge platform, Cyber Liability quickly integrates with existing SSO, LDAP, or any authentication scheme used for security and privacy, allowing for one fast and efficient login. Arvind Kaushal and Jacque Schaendorf, Co-Founders of Cogitate, explain, "Our digital platform empowers users in the insurance value chain with modern, future-ready technology that improves distribution with on-demand access and insight to grow their business. While Builder's Risk and Commercial Auto already exist in our DigitalEdge Platform, Cyber Liability is a huge step for our users to start their digital journey into Commercial and Niche Lines of business. Next to be added to our digital platform is General Liability, followed by Commercial Property, and then Commercial Package." About Cogitate Technology Solutions Cogitate Technology Solutions, Inc., develops modern and innovative technology products and solutions for the Property & Casualty Insurance Industry. It helps insurance companies transform their business models to create a competitive advantage in a time of rapid industry change. Cogitate's next-generation technology products and solutions are helping insurance carriers, brokers, MGAs, and agents to accelerate digitalization and expand their businesses. Additional Resources Cogitate DigitalEdge Insurance Platform Cogitate Digital Insurance Cogitate Distribution Management Cogitate Intelligent Claims Media Contact: Michael Palmisano 954 Digital, Inc. [email protected] 1904 Leland Drive, Marietta, GA 30067 USA Web: https://www.cogitate.us/ Blog: https://cogitate.us/blog/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cogitate-technology-solutions/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cogitate-Technology-Solutions-313805012108651 Twitter: https://twitter.com/ctsimumbai All other registered trademarks, trademarks, or service marks belong to their respective companies. SOURCE Cogitate Technology Solutions, Inc. ALPHARETTA, Ga., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bruder Healthcare, a recognized leader in eye care that provides the #1 doctor-recommended moist heat eye compress, announces the publication of important research in the peer-reviewed journal, Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. This rigorous investigation further highlights the unique benefits of Eyeleve, the first and only eye compress clinically proven to increase comfortable contact lens wear time by up to three hours daily. 1 Improve and extend contact lens comfort with Eyeleve. The four-week, single-center, three-arm randomized clinical study was conducted at the School of Optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and found that subjects using Bruder masks with Bruder's patented technology had significantly improved meibomian gland scores, and experienced steeper declines in their overall Eye Discomfort Assessment scores. 2 They ultimately increased the comfortable wear time of their contact lenses by up to three hours by using the compress. "This study is excellent news during these challenging times," says Dr. Paul Karpecki of Kentucky Eye Institute. "Face mask use remains common in the United States, and even with restrictions easing in some locations, many Americans still choose or are required to wear a mask for long hours each day." This has led to a new condition known as mask-associated dry eye (MADE), a condition that can be very uncomfortable for contact lens wearers. When air blows upward instead of outward, it has a drying effect on the ocular surface, accelerating evaporation 1 and leading to ocular irritation and discomfort. 3 The Eyeleve Contact Lens Compress has been designed to deliver consistent, therapeutic moist heat that alleviates symptoms of MADE. By stimulating glands in the eyelid and increasing oil production, Eyeleve helps stabilize the ocular surface to reduce eye dryness and extend comfortable wear time of contacts. Eyeleve is also recommended due to its anti-bacterial properties. Contact-lens wearers have three times the usual levels of certain bacteria than the eyes of non-wearers. For this reason, the Eyeleve Contact Lens Compress utilizes silver ion MediBeads and an anti-microbial EyeOnic fabric. EyeOnic material has anti-microbial threads woven into the fabric of the compress, reducing the risk of infections. Together, these features help address eyelid hygiene and reduce the risk of corneal infection in contact lens wearers. Finally, Eyeleve features a patented ergonomic pod design and a contoured comfort stitch to alleviate pressure off the eyes. For more information about the Eyeleve Contact Lens Compress, or to purchase one online, visit www.eyeleve.com. About Bruder Healthcare Company Bruder Healthcare is a recognized leader in eye care and provides the #1 doctor-recommended moist heat eye compress. Since 1986, Bruder Healthcare has provided safe, effective therapeutic products to medical professionals and consumers. Our products are used in medical settings and homes around the world. Visit www.bruder.com for more information. Bruder Healthcare Company Media Contact: [email protected] | 610-304-6746 For more information: www.eyeleve.com References Moshirfar M. Ophthalmol Ther. 2020;9(3):397-400. Tichenor AA. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2019 Dec;42(6):625-632. Pandey SK. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2021;69(2):448-449. Related Images eyeleve-contact-lens-compress.png Eyeleve Contact Lens Compress Improve and extend contact lens comfort with Eyeleve. SOURCE Bruder Healthcare WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sheri Orlowitz, Founder and President of the Council for Federal Cannabis Regulation (CFCR), announced today the appointment of Sarah A. Chase as the organization's first Executive Director. A lifelong champion for mission-driven and social impact programs, Chase brings direction, focus and motivation to the Council's mission to educate, advocate, communicate and support the creation of informed, intelligible, and inclusive federal laws and regulations for the cannabis industry. "My vision for CFCR is to ensure that we become and will always remain -- the most trusted, and collaborative resource for the federal regulatory agencies, Congress, the White House, and the diversity of stakeholders within the cannabis industry," Chase said. "CFCR has been carefully structured to be the most dependable conduit through which information, knowledge, and accurate scientific information and research can be shared to ensure a safe and legal regulatory pathway. CFCR will educate, advocate, and communicate with honesty, efficiency, and integrity." For nearly two decades, Chase has worked primarily with start-up companies in the media, broadcast and communication space. She has held various COO, CFO, Communication, and Business Development positions and has worked closely with executive teams in the United States, Europe and Asia to translate high-level visions into realized corporate entities. From 2016 through 2020, Chase served as the Chief Operating Officer for Alan Alda's Communication Training Company (ACT), mentoring with the legendary actor, writer and director while helping to bring his proven improv and communication methods to the world. Working closely with Alda, Chase established the first-of-its-kind public-private partnership (PPP) with the State University of New York (SUNY). The company grew from ground zero to more than $2.5M in net profit within the first two years. Because of this growth and success, Alda achieved his dream of donating the profits directly back to the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University, to further advance the better communication of science. As the Executive Producer, writer, and voice-over artist for Alda's Clear+Vivid podcasts, Chase produced in excess of a hundred episodes generating more than 15 million downloads. The lineup included such notable guests as Tom Hanks, Paul McCartney, Julie Andrews, Madeline Albright, Tina Fey, Michael J. Fox, Judge Judy, Isabella Rossellini and others. Chase previously led communication and media training workshops for several corporate clients as well as at the United Nations, NASA, the Nature Conservancy and various "Shark Tank" events. She has served as an executive committee member of the National Small Business Association in Washington, D.C. and was a featured panelist and consultant with the Global Coalition for Aging at the Council on Foreign Relations. Earlier in her career she worked in both London and Frankfurt, advising a diverse range of clients and companies. She also served as a featured political commentator on Sky News and BBC Radio. "Sarah's expertise in the fields of communication, fundraising and business development uniquely qualifies her for this role," said Orlowitz. "Her passion for justice and social causes meshes perfectly with the Council's overall mission." For additional information, please visit uscfcr.org. ABOUT CFCR The Council for Federal Cannabis Regulation (CFCR) is 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) non-profit that serves as a forum in which stakeholders -- both from the federal government and industry -- can analyze and support the creation of informed, intelligible, and inclusive federal laws and regulations to govern the cannabis industry. CFCR exists to educate, advocate, and communicate. For additional information please visit www.uscfcr.org and follow us on social media @USCFCR. MEDIA CONTACTS: Steve Winter, Brotman|Winter|Fried [email protected]; 202-468-8100 Heather Mahoney, Brotman|Winter|Fried [email protected]; 240-271-5762 SOURCE Council for Federal Cannabis Regulation Related Links https://www.uscfcr.org PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Crestview Recovery is actively engaged with our Oregon health insurance industry to help reduce and eliminate out-of-pocket costs for our addiction recovery clients. We are excited to announce that our Portland rehab is now in-network with Providence Health & Services. This means no out-of-pocket costs for people with Providence insurance! Providence is a part of the integrated delivery system of Providence Health & Services. They provide and administer health coverage to more than 650,000 members nationwide. Providence is committed to meeting our Portland community's needs by offering insurance for commercial groups, individuals, and families. They work with physicians, treatment centers, hospitals and pharmacies to keep your family healthy. Long-Term Addiction Recovery At Crestview Recovery, our life's work involves helping people take back their lives from drug and alcohol addiction in the safest, most compassionate clinical setting available. If a person you care about is losing their battle with addiction, Crestview Recovery can provide the therapeutic services necessary to help them heal and move forward in their lives. Contact Crestview Recovery to speak to a counselor and discuss treatment options for your loved one. Our treatment options here at Crestview include the following levels of care: Residential treatment Intensive outpatient treatment Outpatient treatment Partial hospitalization Find a Portland Rehab Covered by Insurance In addition to Providence and Moda Health, we also work with the following Oregon health insurance plans: Shasta, Cigna, Aetna, and United Health Care. If you are considering attending alcohol or drug rehab, it makes sense to find a Portland rehab that accepts your insurance. Substance abuse disorder has become a public health crisis in the U.S. While everyone has the potential to develop a harmful chemical dependency, certain risk factors increase the likelihood of developing an addiction. No matter how defeated you feel, we want you to know that recovery is possible in the right environment with the right people. Crestview Recovery is a premier addiction treatment provider in the Pacific Northwest. To learn more about our philosophy, approach, and addiction treatment programs, contact us by calling [Direct]. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Crestview Recovery Chronic bronchitis, a phenotype of COPD, affects an estimated 9 million people in the U.S. 1,2 Patients experience prolonged inflammation and excess mucus in the lung airways, causing severe coughing spells, wheezing, chest pain and shortness of breath. 1 Chronic bronchitis can develop after exposure to cigarette smoke, vaping, airborne chemicals, and other pollutants and irritants. The endoscopic RheOx system is designed to improve the cough and mucus symptoms of chronic bronchitis by delivering non-thermal pulsed electric field (PEF) energy to mucus-producing cells in the lung airways. Clinical study outcomes described in two virtual ERS presentations include: One year after bronchial rheoplasty, the 21 treated patients in the US Early Feasibility study had a 36% reduction in moderate COPD exacerbations, defined as requiring steroids or antibiotics, and a 63% reduction in severe COPD exacerbations, defined as requiring hospitalization, compared to the 12 months prior to receiving the bronchial rheoplasty procedure. In a pooled analysis of one year outcomes following bronchial rheoplasty treatment in 60 patients from three studies, statistically significant improvements from baseline were observed in all of the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) component scores. The greatest improvements in individual CAT component scores were in phlegm, cough, chest tightness, and sleep quality, with relative improvements from baseline of 42%, 35%, 43%, and 33%, respectively. "Patients with chronic bronchitis have insufficient treatment options and therefore endure a wide range of challenging symptoms and reduced quality of life. The study results we've seen to date using the RheOx system are promising, and we continue to gather evidence in support of bronchial rheoplasty to deliver meaningful quality of life improvements for these patients," explained Victor Kim, M.D., ATSF, AASM, Professor of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. Dr. Kim is an investigator in the RheOx system U.S. Early Feasibility Study and the ongoing RheSolve pivotal clinical trial, which is enrolling 270 patients at up to 40 U.S. and 10 international centers. About RheOx RheOx is designed to reduce mucus-producing cells in patients with chronic bronchitis through a minimally invasive bronchoscopic procedure called bronchial rheoplasty. The revolutionary RheOx technology includes an electrosurgical generator and a single-use catheter that together deliver non-thermal energy to the airways to reduce the number of abnormal mucus-producing cells in the lungs, making way for new normal cells to redevelop. RheOx is limited by U.S. federal law to investigational use only. In 2019, RheOx received CE Mark in the European Union and U.S. FDA Breakthrough Device Designation. About Gala Therapeutics Gala Therapeutics is a privately held medical device company based in San Carlos, Calif., that is dedicated to developing disease-modifying therapies that improve survival, quality of life, and outcomes for patients with pulmonary diseases. Formed by ATP, a leader in life sciences venture capital, Gala builds technologies to address the needs of interventional pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, and all physicians who treat pulmonary disease. Editor's Note: Dr. Victor Kim is a consultant for Gala Therapeutics. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these interests, you may contact the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University COI Office at [email protected] References: 1 Chronic Bronchitis. Retrieved April 06, 2021, from https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/chronic-bronchitis 2 FastStats - Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) / National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) 2017; https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/copd.htm SOURCE Gala Therapeutics Related Links http://www.galatherapeutics.com From a small workshop in the 1990s which could only produce one crude API 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 year, 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 kallidinogenase 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 kallidinogenase occupies a majority of the global free market while the market share of pancreatin, 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 the development of 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 in 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." SOURCE Sichuan Deebiotech Corp., Ltd Held each year, Subaru donates $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased to a host of charitable partners, per the selection of each customer. This year's four national charities included the ASPCA, Make-A-Wish, Meals on Wheels America and National Park Foundation. In addition, DGDG's Capitol Subaru participated in the hometown charity matching donation program to support Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area. "Everyone at DGDG is very proud to continue our partnership with Make-A-Wish," said President Jeremy Beaver. "Being able to make a difference with amazing organizations like Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area right here in our community is what we strive for at the Del Grande Dealer Group." Participating in the Subaru Share the Love Event to support Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area is just one of the many ways the DGDG family of employees support community causes with their time, resources and money through DGDG Does Good Del Grande Does Good, the charitable arm of the DGDG dealership group. DGDG also had the opportunity to assist Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area's Wish Granters with fulfilling the dream of 18-year-old Bryce, whose wish was to have a car makeover. DGDG helped facilitate the vehicle updates and presented the car to a very happy and grateful Bryce before his first day of school. About Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that fulfills the wishes of children between the ages of 2 1/2 and 18 who have critical illnesses. Founded in 1984, we serve 17 counties in Northern California, from Siskiyou to Monterey. Our chapter has granted more than 8,500 wishes to date and, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, granted close to 400 wishes per year. About Del Grande Dealer Group The Del Grande Dealer Group (DGDG) is the Bay Area's largest family-owned automotive group. The dealer group comprises 14 brands and 12 dealerships in the Bay Area. DGDG's is committed to making Happy Car Buyers with a Best-In-Class dealership experience and their No Brainer Pricing. For more information, visit DGDG.com. SOURCE Del Grande Dealer Group Related Links https://www.dgdg.com/ NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DLA Piper represented Aumni, Inc., a leading investment analytics platform that provides the data infrastructure for private capital markets, in a US$50 million Series B funding round led by J.P. Morgan. Aumni unlocks, structures and analyzes untapped data in private portfolios to track critical provisions such as key investment rights, portfolio performance and emerging investment patterns, providing previously inaccessible insights to customers throughout the private capital markets. DLA Piper also previously advised Aumni on its Series A financing . "This is a significant milestone for the Aumni team, and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to support our client through this transformative transaction. Having worked with this high-performing, ambitious management team for the past several years, including with Kelsey Chase at DLA Piper before he co-founded Aumni, we have seen the company's impressive growth first-hand, and we very much value our work with Aumni and its team. We look forward to continuing our efforts to help Aumni transform the private equity markets and scale what is already a fantastic company," said Michael Brown , the DLA Piper partner who led the firm's deal team. "DLA Piper has been indispensable as Aumni's outside counsel from the earliest moments of our company formation," said Kelsey Chase, Aumni president and co-founder. "Their strategic guidance and years of experience have allowed us to achieve our impressive fundraising velocity without any compromise to quality. It's deeply reassuring to have them in our corner, as investors and advisors." Aumni CEO and co-founder Tony Lewis added, "Both Kelsey and I are former VC attorneys from top-tier firms, and we can leverage the full power of Aumni's private capital market analytics platform for benchmarking data. Even in light of those factors, the team at DLA Piper has consistently driven value and impressed us across all aspects of our commercial and financial transactions." In addition to Brown, the DLA Piper team representing Aumni included Andrew Booth and Kathryn Fortin (all of San Diego). DLA Piper's Emerging Growth and Venture Capital practice includes more than 200 lawyers in the US who provide strategic counsel to emerging companies in high-growth industries, including healthcare, insurance, biotech, manufacturing, communications, software and semiconductors. Over the last three years, DLA Piper has completed more than 2,100 financings totaling over US$31 billion. DLA Piper's global Technology sector lawyers work across practice areas and offices to support technology clients from startups to fast-growing and mid-market businesses to mature global enterprises doing business around the world. DLA Piper advises on all aspects of the fintech sector, representing a wide range of clients, including banks, private equity and venture capital funds, asset managers, broker-dealers, insurance companies, trading platforms and exchanges, and distributed-ledger technology platforms. The firm's multidisciplinary team around the world offers integrated legal solutions that help clients navigate the increasingly complex environment at the intersection of transactions, technology and regulation. DLA Piper is also at the forefront of providing legal counsel and business support to emerging proptech companies, investors and developers of innovative real estate technology in areas critical to both their short-term and ongoing success. About DLA Piper DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, positioning us to help clients with their legal needs around the world. In certain jurisdictions, this information may be considered attorney advertising. dlapiper.com SOURCE DLA Piper As parents, educators, schools and communities across America race to figure out how to bring fully susceptible children to a single location, they are confronted with the nearly impossible daily task of safeguarding our children and our classrooms. We've seen this before. But this time, we have the tools to help keep them safe. An infectious disease screening company based in North Carolina, CastleBranch's TEAM solution was specifically designed to help mitigate the risk of COVID-19 before vaccines were made available to the public. Known scientifically as an "engineering control" in the hierarchy of pandemic controls, the tool is being donated at absolutely no cost to all K-12 organizations across the country, and is considered one of the best defenses against COVID-19 for children who do not have access to an approved vaccine. "Through no fault of their own, our country's youngest are now some of the most vulnerable to COVID-19, with hospitalizations rising at an alarming rate," said CastleBranch CEO Brett Martin. "As students ready to return to school, we cannot sit idly by. These children deserve every advantage to keep them safe, which is why we're donating our solution to every school system in the country at no cost." Inside TEAM, students will be able to record their temperatures twice-daily before arriving at school and after classes are let out as well as track common COVID-19 symptoms and exposure. Should a student record a fever, symptom or exposure, schools can then take the appropriate next step such as implementing quarantine and isolation procedures, contact tracing or diagnostic testing. All information and legally required consents are gathered in accordance with federal and state rules and regulations, and private data is fiercely protected to ensure all information remains controlled by the student and/or the student's legal guardian. TEAM has been adopted by thousands of institutes of higher education throughout the US, and was previously donated to all healthcare higher education programs nationwide to help protect health professions students. Since TEAM's launch in April of 2020, the company has developed other tools to help organizations and individuals mitigate the risk of COVID-19, including RealVaccinationID.com, cards that provide physical and digital proof of COVID-19 vaccination and waiver status. "Today, schools and businesses use Real Vaccination ID to provide visibility into a person's vaccination or waiver status. TEAM plays a vital role for many organizations who wish to monitor symptoms of COVID to keep people safe," said Martin. "Our children have a distinct disadvantage at this moment with this virus. They need every advantage in the fight against COVID and we will make certain that every school that needs TEAM will get it at no cost." CastleBranch is one of the leading providers of vaccination and immunization tracking in the United States. With 25 years' experience, the company has tracked, reviewed, and/or stored over 35 million medical documents for a majority of healthcare education programs across the nation. Their solutions have been endorsed by both the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the nation's two largest nursing healthcare associations, representing over 80 percent of nursing education in the country. "Now is the time for courage and compassion; to take the necessary steps to protect our children, our educators, and our communities. We act because we must because any alternative is simply unacceptable," said Martin. "TEAM helped thousands of U.S. colleges navigate COVID-19 safely. Without vaccines, our children are at risk, which is why we're giving TEAM to them now to protect them in the eye of the COVID storm." For more information visit CB COVID-19 Compliance. About CastleBranch: Located in Wilmington, N.C., CastleBranch is an infectious disease screening and compliance management company serving over 17,700 healthcare programs, tens of millions of individuals, and tens of thousands of employers, schools and healthcare facilities nationwide by verifying identity, tracking over 35 million medical documents, and helping individuals transition to and through professional life. CastleBranch has 25 years of experience, employs over 500 team members and has a long track record of providing innovative solutions for complex problems. SOURCE CastleBranch Related Links www.castlebranch.com The COVID-19 impact report on the e-commerce market offers pre as well as post-COVID-19 market estimates. Technavio analysts have curated the reports extensively through both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to derive the most industry-relevant and business-relevant outcomes. With the continuing spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic, organizations across the globe are gradually flattening their recessionary curve by leveraging technology. Many businesses will go through response, recovery, and renewal phases. Building business resilience and enabling agility will aid organizations to move forward in their journey out of the COVID-19 crisis towards the Next Normal. The recovery process involves various phases including: Addressing Potential Impacts by Facilitating changes in Process Designs Identifying potential disruptions Conceptualize scenario-based planning to mitigate future crisis situations. Download the Post-Pandemic Business Planning Structure Key Considerations for Market Forecast: Impact of lockdowns, supply chain disruptions, demand destruction, and change in customer behavior Optimistic, probable, and pessimistic scenarios for all markets as the impact of pandemic unfolds Pre- as well as post-COVID-19 market estimates Quarterly impact analysis and updates on market estimates Get Access to On-demand, Syndicated Extensive Research Reports using Technavio's Subscription Platform Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Similar Reports: Global E-commerce Payment Market - Global e-commerce payment market is segmented by type (e-wallets, cards, online banking, and direct debits) and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and MEA). Download Exclusive Free Sample Report Global E-Commerce Technology Market - Global e-commerce technology market is segmented by application (B2C and B2B) and geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and MEA). Download Exclusive Free Sample Report Top 3 E-Commerce Market Players Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.: The company offers e-commerce services through its website (www.alibaba.com) and Alibaba.com mobile app. Amazon.com Inc.: The company offers e-commerce services through its website (www.amazon.com) and Amazon app. Apple Inc.: The company offers e-commerce services through its website (www.apple.com) and Apple store app. If you purchase a report that is updated in the next 60 days, we will send you the new edition and data extract FREE! Get report snapshot here to get detailed market share analysis of market participants during COVID-19 lockdown: https://www.technavio.com/report/e-commerce-market-industry-analysis E-Commerce Market 2021-2025: Segmentation E-commerce market is segmented as below: Application Home Appliances Fashion Products Groceries Books Others Geography APAC North America Europe South America MEA The e-commerce market is driven by the increase in social media advertising. In addition, the availability of multiple payment options is expected to trigger the e-commerce market toward witnessing a CAGR of almost 29% during the forecast period. Find more insights about the global trends impacting the future of the e-commerce market, Request Free Sample @ https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR70858 Market Drivers Market Challenges Market Trends Vendor Landscape Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Competitive scenario 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/ Report: www.technavio.com/report/e-commerce-market-industry-analysis Newsroom: newsroom.technavio.com/news/top-drivers-for-e-commercemarket SOURCE Technavio NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sallie Rainer, president and CEO of Entergy Texas Inc., will be retiring effective November 14, 2021, after more than 37 years with the company, Entergy announced today. Rainer, who assumed her current position in 2012, is responsible for the company's customer service, resource planning, economic development, charitable contributions, regulatory and governmental affairs, and financial performance of Entergy's Texas service territory. "With her focus on improving our customer service and regulatory relationships in Texas, Sallie has been a champion for enhancing the lives of our Texas customers," said Rod West, group president, utility operations. "From her charitable and community efforts to leading the modernization of our generation fleet with the construction of the Montgomery County Power Station, Sallie was dedicated to creating outcomes that benefitted southeast Texas. Her friendship and commitment to helping our key stakeholders will be sorely missed, and we thank her for her invaluable contributions to the Entergy family." Under Rainer's leadership, Entergy Texas has executed a robust capital plan to modernize infrastructure and strengthen reliability, including more than $2 billion in new generation, transmission and distribution assets. Completed in 2018, the Montgomery County Power Station is the company's first power plant in Texas since 1979. Entergy Texas has been recognized three times by JD Power & Associates as the top midsized utility brand across the Southeast, and customer rates have been among the lowest in the nation under Rainer's tenure. "It's been a privilege and the highlight of my career to serve southeast Texas in this role," said Rainer. "I am grateful and humbled by the excellent work of the men and women who provide electric service to our Texas customers, and I know their outstanding work along with Eli's experience and leadership will be the right combination going forward." Rainer joined Entergy in 1984 in the generation planning department working in various long-term planning roles. In 1997, she joined the energy management organization in The Woodlands, and in 2005, she was named director of regulatory affairs and energy settlements. Prior to joining Entergy Texas as president, she served as vice president, federal policy where she led the company's effort to join the Midcontinent Independent System Operator. Viamontes to lead Entergy Texas Replacing Rainer is Eliecer "Eli" Viamontes, who currently serves as vice president of utility distribution operations. Viamontes is an 18-year industry veteran who has spent the bulk of his career focused on grid modernization, improving reliability, developing customer solutions and storm response. While at NextEra Energy's subsidiary, Florida Power & Light, he served as incident commander during Hurricane Irma overseeing 3,000 personnel consisting of lineworkers, line clearing professionals and logistics personnel. "Eli's wide array of industry experience and keen focus on our customers make him the right choice to lead our Texas utility into the future," said West. "Throughout his career, Eli has provided an important voice for customers and solutions that solve complicated matters. His insights and understanding into the needs of our customers will benefit all of our stakeholders as he helps us create the premier utility." During Viamontes' nearly 17 years at FPL, his experience included reliability engineering, operations and vegetation management, customer and employee experience, enterprise strategic initiatives, and key and governmental accounts. Prior to joining Entergy, he served as NextEra Energy's senior director of labor relations and corporate safety. "I've become very familiar with our Texas territory and the men and women of Entergy who work in the Lone Star State," said Viamontes. "I look forward to partnering with them and all of our stakeholders to build on the progress started by Sallie to improve the lives of our Texas customers through safety, reliability, philanthropic and economic development programs." Viamontes joined Entergy in January 2020 as vice president of utility distribution operations. In this role, he led a team of 2,300 employees in Entergy's five utility companies focused on the safe, reliable and customer-centric delivery of electricity across the company's distribution system including leading storm restoration efforts during last year's record-setting season. Viamontes has a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and a master of business administration from Florida International University. He also attended the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. He is a licensed engineer and a certified six sigma black belt. Viamontes and his family will reside in The Woodlands, TX. A replacement for Viamontes' current position will be named at a future date. Entergy Texas, Inc. provides electricity to approximately 473,000 customers in 27 counties. Entergy Texas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, an integrated energy company engaged in electric power production, transmission and retail distribution operations. Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) is an integrated energy company engaged in electric power production, transmission and retail distribution operations. Entergy delivers electricity to 3 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy owns and operates one of the cleanest large-scale U.S. power generating fleets with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including 7,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, Entergy has annual revenues of $10 billion and approximately 12,500 employees. entergy.com facebook.com/Entergy Twitter: @Entergy SOURCE Entergy Corporation Related Links http://www.entergy.com ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In September, travel to Europe will reach its highest point in over a year, accounting for 40% of all trips that month, according to travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth.com. This comes as the EU recommends restricting entry to US travelers amid the spreading Delta variant. Half of Squaremouth's reported top destinations for the month of September are countries within the European Union: Italy, Greece, France, Spain and Croatia, with almost $9 million in insured trip expenses to these countries. Here's what travelers need to know about travel insurance coverage for border restrictions: Border Closures Rarely Trigger Cancellation Coverage Border closures and respective travel restrictions are one of the largest gaps in coverage within standard travel insurance policies at the moment, says Squaremouth. Cancel For Any Reason Gives The Best Chance of Coverage The Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is still widely available for travelers who have recently booked trips, and are concerned about lingering or new border closures at their destination. Cancel For Any Reason is a time sensitive benefit that is only available shortly after a traveler books their trip, typically up to 21 days following their first booking. This benefit reimburses up to 75% of the insured trip cost. Unfortunately, this means the Cancel For Any Reason benefit is no longer available for travelers who booked their trip to a European country more than three weeks ago. Methodology: Squaremouth.com hosts the largest number of travel insurance providers and policies that offer coverage related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Squaremouth Analytics studied data from thousands of policies purchased for travel between September 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021 to identify spending habits and the most popular destinations. Notes to editors Available Topic Expert: Megan Moncrief, Chief Marketing Officer, is available for comment and interview. [email protected] (727) 378-0938 Squaremouth maintains a list of country insurance requirements here: https://www.squaremouth.com/destinations Other Relevant Research: ABOUT SQUAREMOUTH Squaremouth.com, and their multi-award winning customer service team, has helped over 2 million travelers save time and money to find the best travel insurance policy for their trip. Leveraging decades of travel expertise, and industry-leading technology, Squaremouth.com hosts the most intuitive travel insurance quoting and comparison engine on the market today. Coupled with verified customer reviews and the largest portfolio of products, Squaremouth allows travelers to instantly purchase a travel insurance policy from every major provider in the US. SOURCE Squaremouth Related Links http://www.squaremouth.com EWTN programming will be broadcast along with current weekday programs created by The Archdiocese of Chicago, and Winds of Change, hosted by Father Bus of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Chicago. "The combination of EWTN Radio's national content and WSFI's local shows will provide an unbeatable package of Catholic programming for the Chicagoland area," said EWTN Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael P. Warsaw. Angela Tomlinson, Station Manager of WSFI Catholic Radio 88.5 FM/750 AM, said the "spectacular response" of listeners to EWTN's programming and the countless stories of conversions and reversions convinced the WSFI board that they needed to reach more people. "From its inception, WSFI always wanted to continue Mother Angelica's legacy of treating listeners like family," Tomlinson said. "That's why we not only air national programs, but programs produced here in Chicagoland, programs that allow local charities to shine. Lots of people are staying home now more than ever. They need the encouragement and support that our programming provides. This programming really transforms lives. It's especially important now when the world is living in such fear." "When it comes to Catholic media, EWTN is the best in the world, and our listeners will love their national programming, along with WSFI's local shows that originate out of [WSFI's] Libertyville studio," said WNDZ General Manager Mark Pinski. "The growth of Catholic radio in this country really began with Mother Angelica," Warsaw said. "Mother launched the world's largest privately-owned shortwave radio facility on Dec. 28, 1992, and, in February 1996, EWTN launched a worldwide AM/FM radio service. Mother's vision was to build Catholic radio in this country, and around the world, by offering quality Catholic programming to local stations free of charge." EWTN radio content is available on the Internet (www.ewtn.com/everywhere/radio), and on more than 350 U.S. terrestrial radio affiliates as well as numerous international affiliates. It is also available through the free EWTN app, SIRIUS/XM Satellite Radio Channel 130, iHeartRadio, and other audio streaming services. The Network's Spanish-language service EWTN Radio Catolica Mundial, broadcasts around the clock in Spanish. As EWTN Radio General Manager Jack Williams noted: "The opportunity that WSFI has in Chicago is one of the most important in the history of EWTN radio. I am thrilled that WSFI wants to grow their listening audience so that the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, is known throughout Chicagoland." In its 40th year, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world. EWTN's 11 global TV channels are broadcast in multiple languages 24 hours a day, seven days a week to over 380 million television households in more than 150 countries and territories. EWTN platforms also include radio services transmitted through SIRIUS/XM, iHeart Radio, and over 500 domestic and international AM & FM radio affiliates; a worldwide shortwave radio service; one of the largest Catholic websites in the U.S.; electronic and print news services, including Catholic News Agency, "The National Catholic Register" newspaper, and several global news wire services; as well as EWTN Publishing, its book publishing division. SOURCE EWTN Global Catholic Network Related Links ewtn.com KINNELON, N.J., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthIVthe digital healthcare company focused on improving home health outcomes through technologylaunched publicly today under the direction and guidance of Aysha Ahmed, PharmD, who will also serve as the company's President and Chief Medical Director. With Ahmed at the helm, HealthIV is poised to make significant impacts on the home healthcare space, with a particular focus on creating full digital interoperability between patients, doctors, pharmacists, and home healthcare workers. Aysha Ahmed In her roles as President and Chief Medical Director, Ahmed will coordinate medical collaborations as well as set priorities for the development of the company's new health offerings. She will also serve as the primary staff practitioner, taking a keen interest in the wellbeing of patients using HealthIV's home healthcare and IV delivery services. Ahmed brings a wealth of experience in medicine and pharmaceuticals to her leadership role at HealthIV. She previously spent a decade building a network of woman-owned and operated specialty pharmacies and clinical centers in New York, New Jersey, Texas, and Florida. She continues to serve as the CEO of several specialty pharmacies and is also the Medical Director of Prestige Infusions and Vitalyze Health. Ahmed holds a PharmD and a bachelor's degree in biochemistry, and is expected to receive a doctoral degree in naturopathic medicine from the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in 2022. HealthIV provides home healthcare services for infusion therapies, treating everything from light dehydration and the occasional hangover to managing chronic conditions and aiding in recovery from injuries and illnesses like the flu, and even supporting weight loss efforts. Soon, the company will launch a mobile app connecting patients, providers, and pharmacies in unprecedented ways. "HealthIV aims to advance primary care management by developing a set of medical programs aligned with patient-centric, consumer-friendly guidelines, and transforming operations in a way that will increase clinical staff productivity," said Ahmed. "Our primary objective is to guarantee medical care, and service is delivered in the safest and highest-quality way possible while cutting healthcare costs across the board." As a family-owned business, Ahmed is launching HealthIV alongside co-founder and brother Humza Khan. "We saw a need to create a higher-quality healthcare system for everyone, including ourselves and our family," said Humza. "Aysha and I have worked tirelessly to achieve our goal of ensuring fair access and proper healthcare for all. We started with Prestige Infusions two years ago, and HealthIV is the manifestation of a much larger dream that was born of that workto use digital technology to address the need for innovation, accessibility, and a new design for healthcare everywhere." Humza currently serves as the CEO of HealthIV and the Managing Partner of Prestige Infusions. About HealthIV HealthIV was founded in 2020 to answer the nationwide call for higher-quality, lower-cost healthcare. The company currently offers on-site and in-home ambulatory healthcare and infusion therapies with registered medical professionals, and is working towards the launch of digital and mobile products that will introduce unprecedented interoperability to the healthcare space, forever changing the face of home healthcare, and giving patients a greater share of voice in their care as they coordinate with doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and home healthcare providers. For more information, or to book your own infusion therapies, visit www.healthiv.com Media Contact: Amy C. Oliver Interdependence Public Relations [email protected] 801-783-9067 SOURCE HealthIV Related Links http://www.healthiv.com AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial Gravity Companies, Inc. (OTCQB: FGCO), announced that Investopedia.com has included CEO Scott Winters' book, The 10X Financial Advisor, in their "9 Best Books for Financial Advisors in 2021" list. Winters is a financial services industry innovator who has trained thousands of advisors over his career. His book shows them how to run their practice like an actual business, with a proven road map called the Quantum Leap Success Formula. The system is valuable for new advisors looking to avoid the expensive mistakes that keep the majority of them from success. It's also useful for experienced advisors looking to turbocharge their own marketing or make the leap from "practice" to "business." "Successful advisors are constantly searching for any edge they can find in a competitive market. There's no shortage of books to help them become better investors, better marketers, and better managers," said Winters. "Investopedia's list includes true classics from authors like Benjamin Graham, John Bogle, and George Soros. I couldn't be more honored to be included in their company." "Our new venture focuses on bringing new advisors into the business, and we're building the company around the concepts in the book," Winters continued. "It's flattering to be recognized for my work here, especially now that our real world success is validating the system." About Financial Gravity Companies, Inc. Financial Gravity Companies is a family of financial services companies including brokerage, wealth management, estate planning, family office services, risk management, business and personal tax planning, business consulting, and financial advisor services. Financial Gravity's mission is to help CPAs and tax professionals become multifamily offices offering integrated tax and financial planning services. www.financialgravity.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from the current expectations. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Financial Gravity's business, and Financial Gravity undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. SOURCE Financial Gravity Companies, Inc. Related Links https://financialgravity.com RAIPUR, India, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stratview Research announces the launch of a new research report on Flashing & Accessories Market by Product Type (Flashing [Liquid-Applied Flashing and Membrane Flashing] and Accessories [Primers, Adhesives & Sealants, Others]), by Application Type (Roofs, Walls & Windows, Basement, and Others), By End-Use Type (Residential, Commercial, and Industrial), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and RoW), Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2021-2026. This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today's flashing & accessories market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period of 2021 to 2026. The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for the market participants as well as investors in the identification of the low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as formulate growth strategies. Flashing & Accessories Market: Highlights from the Report Flashing is a thin impervious membrane that restricts the penetration of water in the building. Flashing is particularly important at junctions such as roof hips and valleys, joints between roofs and vertical walls, roof intersections, or projections such as chimneys, dormers, vent pipes, and window openings. Flashing is majorly of two types: exposed flashing and embedded flashing. Exposed flashing is majorly done outside, mainly performed using metal sheets, whereas embedded flashing can be done from either metal sheets or non-metallic materials. The most common flashing materials include metals, plastics, asphalt, and rubber. Whereas flashing accessories consist of weep vents, drip edge, end dams, and termination bars. These accessories are used while flashing at the joints or junctions of the walls. Flashing is engineered and installed with care so that water is deflected away from the building. Improper installation can result in water being directed into a building. There are numerous types of flashings such as valley flashing, step flashing, counter flashing, continuous flashing, and base flashing. The major type of flashing is continuous flashing, which is a one solid piece of material and is sometimes seen where a sloping roof and a vertical sidewall meet to form a horizontal line. Step flashing allows a roof to abut brickwork when a lower height roof meets a wall, a roof meets a chimney, or a conservatory roof meets a house wall. There are multiple accessories consumed with flashing such as dampers, primers, sealants, and adhesives. For instance, expansion joints should be provided for long runs of metal flashing to allow movement without causing deformation. The market is already reeling in with multiple challenges including the cash crunch, insolvencies, and multiple regulatory authorities. The outbreak of the pandemic further exacerbated the market challenges, especially in the developed economies. The most visible impacts of the pandemic were the supply-chain sabotage, halts in construction projects, huge COVID-related costs, and shortage of labor. Furthermore, there has been a sharp increase in the prices of raw materials including wood, steel, polyurethane, and paper. As a result, the flashing & accessories market logged a colossal decline of -9.5% in 2020. The demand is strong in Europe and North America, but most of the major projects are seeing lack of supplies. In the long term, the market for flashing & accessories is subjected to rebound at a healthy CAGR of 5% over the next five years to reach US$ 2.4 billion by 2026. Click Here and Run Through the TOC of the Report: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/toc/1919/flashing-accessories-market.html Based on the product type, the market is segmented as flashing and accessories. Flashing is further segmented into liquid-applied flashing and membrane flashing, whereas accessories into primers, adhesives & sealants, and others. Liquid-applied flashing is expected to grow at a higher rate in the market during the forecast period because it is easily applied in any building structure and has less wastage as compared to membrane flashing. Based on the application type, the flashing & accessories market is segmented as roofs, walls & windows, basement, and others. Despite being hit adversely in 2020, roof is expected to remain the largest as well as the fastest-growing application type in the market during the forecast period. Flashing is preferably used for residential and commercial roofs. In terms of regions, Asia Pacific is a well-established market for flashing & accessories. The region is also expected to recover at the highest rate in the post-pandemic market developments, propelled by increasing investment in the infrastructure and construction sector. China is not only the largest market for flashing & accessories in Asia-Pacific, but also in the world. The country is also the largest market for waterproofing in the world. Register Here for a Free Sample of the Detailed Report: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/Request-Sample/1919/flashing-accessories-market.html#form The market for flashing & accessories is gradually consolidating with major companies performing mergers & acquisitions to quickly gain the leading position and tap the growing opportunities in this briskly expanding market. For instance, in August 2021, Henry Company, the leading waterproofing company, was acquired by a leading building envelope manufacturer, Carlisle Companies Inc. Some of the major key players in the flashing & accessories market are listed below. Beijing Oriental Yuhong Waterproof Technology Co., Ltd. Carlisle Companies Incorporated Dupont de Nemours, Incorporated GCP Applied Technologies Keshun Waterproof Technology Co., Ltd., Sika AG Polyguard Products Incorporated RPM International Incorporated W.R Meadows Incorporated York Flashing Development of effective flashing for critical applications, expansion in untapped and growing markets, and execution of mergers & acquisitions are the key strategies adopted by the major players to gain a competitive edge in the market. Report Features This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights on the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report: Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis. Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis. Market trend and forecast analysis. Market segment trend and forecast. Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc. Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities. Emerging trends. Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players. Key success factors. This report studies the flashing and accessories market and has segmented the market in four ways, keeping in mind the interest of all the stakeholders across the value chain. Following are the four ways in which the market is segmented: Flashing & Accessories Market by Product Type Flashing (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Liquid-Applied Flashing (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Membrane Flashing (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Accessories (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Primers (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Adhesives & Sealants (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Others (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Flashing & Accessories Market by Application Type Roofs (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Walls & Windows (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Basement (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Others (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Flashing & Accessories Market by End-Use Type Residential (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Commercial (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Industrial (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Flashing & Accessories Market, by Region North America (Country Analysis: The USA , Canada , and Mexico ) Europe (Country Analysis: Germany , France , The UK, Italy , and Others) Asia Pacific (Country Analysis: India , China , Japan , and RoAP) ROW (Country Analysis: The UAE, Brazil , and Others) Stratview Research has several high value market reports in the construction materials industry. Please refer to the following link to browse through our reports: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/market-reports/Construction-Equipment.html About Stratview Research Stratview Research is a global market intelligence firm providing wide range of services including syndicated market reports, custom research and sourcing intelligence across industries, such as Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Automotive & Mass Transportation, Consumer Goods, Construction & Equipment, Electronics and Semiconductors, Energy & Utility, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Oil & Gas. We have a strong team of industry veterans and analysts with an extensive experience in executing custom research projects for mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies, in the areas of Market Assessment, Opportunity Screening, Competitive Intelligence, Due Diligence, Target Screening, Market Entry Strategy, Go to Market Strategy, and Voice of Customer studies. Stratview Research is a trusted brand globally, providing high quality research and strategic insights that help companies worldwide in effective decision making. For enquiries, please contact: Stratview Research E-mail: [email protected] Direct: +1-313-307-4176 SOURCE Stratview Research DUBLIN, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Poly-Vinyl Chloride Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global poly-vinyl chloride market is expected to grow from $24.39 billion in 2020 to $29.56 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.2%. The market is expected to reach $35.42 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 5%. Major players in the Poly-Vinyl Chloride (PVC) market are Westlake Chemical Corporation, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co, Ineos Group Ltd, LG Chem, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Occidental Chemical Corporation, China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina), Mexichem SAB de CV, Axiall Corporation, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. and BASF SE. The Poly-Vinyl Chloride (PVC) market consists of sales of PVC material and related services used in the building and construction, health care, electronics, automobile and other sectors, in products ranging from piping and siding, blood bags and tubing, to wire and cable insulation, windshield system components. Polyvinyl chloride is a white synthetic organic compound available in powder form or granules with high density and high impact strength. It is produced in two forms, first as a rigid and second as a flexible plastic. PVC is commonly used in construction as insulation on electrical wires. It is also blow-molded into clear, transparent bottles Increased demand from industries such as construction, health care, packaging contributed to the growth of the PVC market. The growing need for PVC is expected to drive the market. PVC being light weighted and strong is heavily used in construction industry in the form of pipes, windows, flooring, and roofing. In March 2019, it was reported that spending on federal government construction projects, in the US, increased by 4.2% which is expected to positively impact the PVC market. The growth of end-user industries, including construction, health care, packaging, boosts the demand for PVC increasing the growth of the PVC market. Environmental impacts of using PVC challenges the growth of the PVC market. Emission of toxic fumes emitted during the manufacturing, use, and disposal of PVC raises environmental concerns. The manufacturing of PVC consumes high amount of chlorine gas due to which large amount of hazardous gases as by products are emitted during the whole PVC lifecycle. PVC resists natural degradation. It stays in the environment for long contributing towards global pollution. Owing to the harmful effects of PVC on the environment, PVC packaging has been banned or restricted in a number of countries around the world, such as Canada, Spain, South Korea and the Czech Republic. Some U.S. cities such as Rahway, NJ and Glen Cove, NY have prohibited the use of PVC in food packaging or utensils. The ill-effects of PVC restraints the growth of the Poly-Vinyl Chloride market. The poly-vinyl chloride market covered in this report is segmented by product type into rigid PVC, flexible pvc, low-smoke PVC, chlorinated PVC. It is also segmented by end use industry into building & construction, automotive, electrical & electronics, packaging, footwear, healthcare, others and by application into pipes & fittings, film & sheets, wire & cables, bottles, profiles, hoses & tubing, others. The poly-vinyl chloride manufacturing companies are increasingly implementing the new "molecular orientation" technology to improve the physical and mechanical properties of the PVC produced. Molecular orientation is a manufacturing method that increases flexibility and resistivity of PVC from fatigue and impact. Molecular technology aligns the randomly arranged molecules in a normal PVC under certain conditions of pressure, temperature and speed, in the same direction. The new alignment improves the strength, ductility of the PVC pipes creating new PVC-O pipes. For instance, Molecor, uses molecular orientation to produce TOM PVC-O pipes. These pipes are resistant to low temperatures with high resistance to cracks or impacts. Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Poly-Vinyl Chloride Market Characteristics 3. Poly-Vinyl Chloride Market Trends and Strategies 4. Impact of COVID-19 on Poly-Vinyl Chloride 5. Poly-Vinyl Chloride Market Size and Growth 5.1. Global Poly-Vinyl Chloride Historic Market, 2015-2020, $ Billion 5.1.1. Drivers of the Market 5.1.2. Restraints on the Market 5.2. Global Poly-Vinyl Chloride Forecast Market, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion 5.2.1. Drivers of the Market 5.2.2. Restraints on the Market 6. Poly-Vinyl Chloride Market Segmentation 6.1. Global Poly-Vinyl Chloride Market, Segmentation by Product Type, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion Rigid PVC Flexible PVC Low-smoke PVC Chlorinated PVC 6.2. Global Poly-Vinyl Chloride Market, Segmentation by End Use Industry, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion Building & Construction Automotive Electrical & Electronics Packaging Footwear Healthcare Others 6.3. Global Poly-Vinyl Chloride Market, Segmentation by Application, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion Pipes & Fittings Film & Sheets Wire & Cables Bottles Profiles, Hoses & Tubing Others 7. Poly-Vinyl Chloride Market Regional and Country Analysis 7.1. Global Poly-Vinyl Chloride Market, Split by Region, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion 7.2. Global Poly-Vinyl Chloride Market, Split by Country, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion Companies Mentioned Westlake Chemical Corporation Shin-Etsu Chemical Co INEOS Group Ltd, LG Formosa Plastics Corporation Occidental Chemical Corporation Mexichem SAB de CV Axiall Corporation Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. BASF SE Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina) For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/707g6p Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com DUBLIN, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- 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/b826kt Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com A targeted strategic approach to Cold Chain can unlock several opportunities for buyers. This report also offers market impact and new opportunities created due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Download free sample report Key Highlights Offered in the Report: Information on how to identify strategic and tactical negotiation levels that will help achieve the best prices. Gain information on relevant pricing levels, detailed explanation on pros and cons of prevalent pricing models. Methods to help engage with the right suppliers and discover KPI's to evaluate incumbent suppliers. Get a free sample report for more information Insights into buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers: Several strategic and tactical negotiation levers are explained in the report to help buyers achieve the best prices for the Cold Chain market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Cold Chain pricing levels, pros, and cons of prevalent pricing models such as volume-based pricing, spot pricing, and cost-plus pricing and category management strategies and best practices to fulfil their category objectives. For more insights on buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers, www.spendedge.com/report/cold-chain-market-procurement-research-report Key Drivers and Trends Fueling Market Growth: The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the low bargaining power of suppliers. Price forecasts are beneficial in purchase planning, especially when supplemented by the constant monitoring of price influencing factors. During the forecast period, the market expects a change of 12.00%-14.00%. Identify favorable opportunities in Cold Chain TCO (total cost of ownership). Expected changes in price forecast and factors driving the current and future price changes. Identify pricing models that offer the most rewarding opportunities. Some of the top Cold Chain suppliers listed in this report: This Cold Chain procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies. Hanson Logistics Burris Logistics United States Cold Storage Inc. Tippmann Group To get instant access to over 1000 market-ready procurement intelligence reports without any additional costs or commitment. Subscribe Now for Free 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 Get instant access to download 5 reports every month and view 1200 full reports. With every purchase, we also offer complimentary research add-ons and Covid-19 impact assessments Purchase Now! About SpendEdge: 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. Contacts SpendEdge Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340 https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us SOURCE SpendEdge "Delta-8 is one of the most popular cannabinoids being utilized alongside CBD products," said Kevin Collins, co-founder of Global Widget. "As our experience and reputation shows from manufacturing award-winning, industry-leading CBD products, we are more than capable of manufacturing reliable and safe Delta-8 products under our new Mystic Labs brand." The Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE) and ASD Market Week trade shows earlier this year both showcased Mystic Labs for the first time, and the brand is already available to retailers, distributors and consumers nationwide. "We have received tremendous feedback from our distribution and retail partners," said Vince Gillen, Vice President of Sales at Global Widget. "The majority of our distributors have seen an increase in their CBD gummies sales because of the hype around Delta-8 products. There is a renewed focus on the hemp category and stores are capitalizing on the consumer demand." All Mystic Labs products are crafted and manufactured in-house at Global Widget's 100,000-square-foot manufacturing space. "We oversee the entire process from raw material verification to packaging, shipping and marketing so that our customers can have the utmost confidence in our Delta-8 products," said Gillen. "Our commitment to compliance and safety is reflected in our use of Current Good Manufacturing Processes (cGMP) and operating in an FDA-registered facility." The Mystic Labs product line includes: Delta-8 gummies available in 10 flavors and featuring 25mg of Delta-8 THC per gummy Delta-8 tincture oil available in Wicked Grapefruit flavor Delta-8 vapes available in Wicked Grapefruit, Blueberry Bliss and Atomic Apple flavors The Trifecta series mixed berry-flavored gummies and shot with Kratom, Delta-8 and CBD For more information about our commitment to providing the highest quality Delta-8 products and to learn more about partnering with Mystic Labs, visit www.mysticlabsd8.com/delta-8-wholesale. About Us Global Widget, founded in 2016 and headquartered in Tampa, Florida, is a vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor and marketer of CBD and health and wellness products, and a leader in gummy production and packaging. The company is the trusted powerhouse behind CBD brands Hemp Bombs and Nature's Script, and the wellness brand Defense Boost. With more than 100,000 square feet of manufacturing space and about 300 employees, Global Widget is one of the nation's largest CBD companies and a leading contract manufacturer providing quality products and support services to retailers, distributors and private brands worldwide. https://www.globalwidget.com. Media Contact: Joe Agostinelli, PR Manager 813.497.5752 | [email protected] SOURCE Global Widget Related Links https://www.globalwidget.com SAN DIEGO, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Goal Solutions , an innovative asset management and consumer financial services company, was recently named one of the best places to work by the San Diego Business Journal for the seventh year in a row. The Best Places to Work awards program is designed to recognize outstanding companies whose benefits, policies and practices are among the best in San Diego. Companies are selected through an extensive two-part assessment process that reviews workplace practices and employee survey results in order to rank companies based on topics such as leadership and corporate culture. Matt Myers, President, said "We are honored to receive this award and the positive legacy we've established as one of the San Diego's Best Places to Work. We have continuously invested in our corporate culture and have managed to sustain key elements yet also evolve it as we have grown. The ongoing success of our organization relies on a team of talented and committed employees that truly enjoy working together. We have all experienced the swift and dramatic work life changes that can occur, yet our commitment remains steady, to help our team and their families be positive, connected, productive and interested in future opportunities within our organization." Throughout the pandemic, Goal Solutions has seen its business rapidly expand and the employee roster has grown along with it. Goal is continually focused on being the most innovative financial services company in the market, encouraging employees at every level to explore new ideas and develop innovative solutions. "Each person plays a key role in our overall culture that emphasizes; trust, commitment, collaboration, integrity and innovation. Most importantly, our clients have noticed a real difference made possible by the exceptional team we have that tirelessly produces value, insight and results unlike any other organization." said Matt Myers. The company emphasizes social responsibility to the community where they live and work and their employees organize multiple clean-up events, food drives and volunteer efforts throughout the year. Goal Solutions also supports personal and professional growth in the workplace as each employee creates an Individual Development Plan with their manager that includes continuing education goals throughout the year. Some of the noteworthy benefits that have contributed to Goal's award-wining workplace are: $3,000 Vacation incentive plan every 3 years Vacation incentive plan every 3 years Community, wellness funds and more Wellness program that offers meditation time and a budget allocation for every employee to spend on their remote office set up and serenity Generous paid leave policies including paid parental leave Flexible schedules including work from home Tuition reimbursement and professional development program For more information, please visit www.goalsolutions.com About Goal Solutions Since 2001 Goal Solutions has leveraged data analytics, industry expertise and proprietary technology to deliver comprehensive solutions for asset management and loan servicing, specializing in; residential solar, home improvement, personal and student finance programs. Goal provides customized solutions for each client, with innovative capabilities that support the entire asset management lifecycle. The company attributes its success to their employees' commitment and outstanding work ethic which has created an environment where each employee has an opportunity to perform to their greatest potential while also emphasizing social responsibility within the community. Contact for Press Inquiries Brian Cox | VP Business Development 617-680-3515 [email protected] SOURCE Goal Solutions Related Links http://www.goalsolutions.com PASADENA, Calif., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California based law firm Hahn & Hahn announced today that Firm Partners Laura Farber and D. Jason Lyon have been recognized as visionaries in Business of Law: Trends, Updates & Visionaries, a special feature published this week by L.A. Times B2B Publishing. Lawyers were recognized as visionaries "for their contribution and leadership within their firms, the legal profession and the community at large," the feature says. "Laura and Jason are superb lawyers who regularly demonstrate the value Hahn & Hahn lawyers provide to clients," said the firm's Managing Partner Christianne Kerns. "It is an honor to have them included among such a distinguished group of professionals." As a member of Hahn & Hahn's Litigation and Employment practice groups, "Laura Farber brings and defends claims before all state and federal courts and administrative agencies, for general and complex civil matters in a wide range of areas," reports the publication. "Her expertise includes wage and hour and employment claims, business and commercial disputes and tort claims. Farber also counsels entities on wage and hour issues and provides legal advice regarding employment disputes." Last year, Farber was the chair of the ABA Latin American and Caribbean Law Council performing rule of law work. The Council supports the work of lawyers and others in Guatemala, Peru, El Salvador, Mexico and Colombia by providing specialized training in many areas including forensic science to prosecutors, experts, and judges to facilitate the resolution of all types of crime. Lyon, recently named a 'Top Litigator' by the Los Angeles Business Journal, is also a litigation partner at Hahn & Hahn LLP. "His practice focuses on commercial litigation involving complex financial matters and intricate fact patterns," the feature says. "Prior to joining Hahn & Hahn, Lyon was an associate with Latham & Watkins, practicing in the Complex Commercial Litigation and Securities Litigation groups. In his recent wins, he represented a major medical billing provider in a fraud and conversion claim against a collection agency, resulting in admission of liability, confession of judgment, and complete restitution of more than $1.5 million in stolen funds." The publication goes on to mention Lyon "also recently won a five-day trial defending the trustee of a substantial family trust against charges of breach of trust, elder financial abuse and related claims." Hahn & Hahn LLP has been an active member of the Southern California business and legal communities since 1899. The firm represents entrepreneurs, innovators, business owners, family offices and charitable organizations in their corporate, real estate, employment, estate planning and family law issues and in litigation. For more information visit https://www.hahnlawyers.com/ SOURCE Hahn & Hahn LLP Related Links https://www.hahnlawyers.com/ PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hempsi LLC, a producer of premium-grade USDA Certified Organic CBD hemp products and foods, including Hempsi Live Oil, a fresh frozen live resin extract out of Portland, Oregon, has landed a landmark export contract with the Republic of South Korea. The three-year deal with Woongjin Foods includes a contracted 200,000 units per year to supply Lotte, South Korea's largest retailer. Hempsi expects other products to be introduced both to South Korea and Japan, including hemp hearts and CBD products. Image of the first airing of Hempsi live on Korean TV With the first export of 50,000 tinctures already complete and sold, a second 50,000 are scheduled to ship next week. This is believed to be the largest-ever export deal of American-made finished hemp products internationally and the first import of such products from America into South Korea. The products will initially be introduced to South Korean customers through Lotte's TV shopping network, with the first airing already having taken place successfully. The products will then be rolled out exclusively through Lotte to its many retail locations throughout Korea. Hempsi CEO Reid Stewart commented, "Hempsi is very excited by the prospects throughout Asia and is naturally aligned with the region. Korean customers appreciate the quality of our USDA Organic hemp products and we are very excited to export USA-grown and produced hemp products into Korea. Canadian and Chinese hemp seed oil has been the only option until now, and we are confident customers will appreciate the quality and freshness of American-made Organic products. We would like to thank IND Hemp for their help and commitment in getting this deal done and advancing this great industry." About Hempsi Founded in 2018, Hempsi is a leader in hemp food and CBD products. Hempsi offers a wide range of USDA organically certified hemp products, including its Hempsi Live Oil, A Fresh Frozen Live resin extract that leads the market in full-spectrum profile and potency. For more information, press only: PR Contact Name: Rachel Preble Phone Number: 503 433 5180 Email [email protected] For more information on Product: www.hempsi.com Related Images hempsi-live-on-lotte-home-shopping.png Hempsi Live on Lotte Home shopping Image of the first airing of Hempsi live on Korean TV SOURCE Hempsi LLC Related Links https://hempsi.com/ CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- HubSpot, Inc. (NYSE: HUBS), the customer relationship management (CRM) platform for scaling companies, announced today that members of its executive team are scheduled to present virtually at the conferences listed below. All interested parties can access the webcasts live on the Company's investor relations website at ir.hubspot.com . The Company will also host virtual 1-on-1 investor meetings on the same day as the conferences. Event: Wolfe Technology Conference When: Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 3:10 p.m. Eastern Time Presenters: Dharmesh Shah, Chief Technology Officer Chuck MacGlashing, Head of Investor Relations Event: Citi Technology Conference When: Monday, September 13, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time Presenters: Kate Bueker, Chief Financial Officer Chuck MacGlashing, Head of Investor Relations Event: Jefferies Software Conference When: Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time Presenters: Yamini Rangan, Chief Executive Officer Brian Halligan, Executive Chairman About HubSpot HubSpot is a leading CRM platform that provides software and support to help companies grow better. The platform includes marketing, sales, service, operations, and website management products that start free and scale to meet our customers' needs at any stage of growth. Today, over 121,000 customers across more than 120 countries use HubSpot's powerful and easy-to-use tools and integrations to attract, engage, and delight customers. Named Glassdoor's #4 Best Place to Work in 2021, HubSpot has been recognized for its award-winning culture by Great Place to Work, Comparably, Fortune, Entrepreneur, Inc., and more. HubSpot was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The company's thousands of employees work across the globe in HubSpot offices and remotely. Learn more at www.hubspot.com . SOURCE HubSpot Related Links http://hubspot.com SAN DIEGO, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- HUYABIO International (HUYABIO), the leader in accelerating global development of China's pharmaceutical innovations, announced today the filing of an investigational new drug application (IND) with the FDA for HBI-2376 along with Genhouse who has filed an IND with the Chinese Center for Drug Excellence CDE. "HBI-2376 (GH21) is a SHP2 allosteric inhibitor with very high selectivity. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that HBI-2376 is effective against multiple SHP2 point mutations and has a very good PK and safety profile," said Dr. Keifung Wang, CEO of Genhouse. "Therefore, GH21 is a very promising small molecule drug candidate that Genhouse along with HUYABIO will coordinate the global clinical development to make it available for cancer patients as soon as possible." The companies entered into a licensing agreement granting HUYABIO worldwide rights outside China to HBI-2376 prior to filing the regulatory submissions. Dr. Mireille Gillings, CEO & Executive Chair of HUYABIO, said, "This submission represents a first filing of simultaneous INDs, to coordinate the development of our SHP2 inhibitor in both the US and China. We believe the drug's global testing will accelerate its commercialization as an important new agent. It will add synergy to current immuno-oncology products which to date, have transformed cancer care. The potential here is to transform current immuno-oncology therapy to an even higher level and so improve public health." About HBI-2376; SHP2 Inhibitor HBI-2376 is an oral small molecule inhibitor of SHP2 for multiple tumor types whose cellular growth is dependent on the activity of receptor tyrosine kinases in the mitogen-activated protein kinase or MAPK pathway. Extensive biochemical characterization has shown that HBI-2376 is a highly potent and selective inhibitor of SHP2 phosphatase. Furthermore, preclinical investigations showed significant efficacy for HBI-2376 as a single agent or in combination with other small molecule inhibitors or checkpoint inhibitors in multiple tumor models. About HUYABIO International HUYABIO is the leader in accelerating the global development of novel biopharmaceutical product opportunities originating in China enabling faster, more cost-effective and lower-risk drug development in the global markets. Through extensive collaboration with biopharmaceutical, academic and commercial organizations, it has built the largest China-sourced compound portfolio covering all therapeutic areas. With offices in the US, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Ireland and eight strategic locations across China, the Company has become a partner of choice to accelerate product development and maximize value globally. For more information, please visit www.huyabio.com. About Genhouse Genhouse Bio is a clinical-stage biotech company focusing on the development of global next-generation anti-cancer therapeutics, headquartered in the Suzhou Industry Park. The senior management team of Genhouse has multiple years of experience in new drug development, clinical research and corporate management. Genhouse has a clear focus on original innovation and overcoming those "undruggable" targets. Genhouse has established integrated in-house drug development platforms. With these platforms, Genhouse has started to build a highly innovative anti-cancer pipeline and out-licensed the ex-China rights of its SHP2 inhibitor GH21 to HUYABIO, an international biotech company. Genhouse will continue to advance more innovative pipeline programs into global development. Contact Details: Bob Goodenow, PhD President +1.858.342.2430 [email protected] Yiota Merianos Corporate Communications +1.858.353.1217 [email protected] SOURCE HUYABIO International Related Links http://WWW.HUYABIO.COM Among the money market fund proposals under consideration for further regulation is the elimination of stable NAV funds, or Low Volatility Net Asset Value (LVNAV) funds, the assets of which are valued at amortized cost. But trading data on ICD Portal shows that during March 2020, when the impact of the global pandemic caused a rush to liquidity, LVNAV funds in Europe were more resilient than prime funds in the U.S., with outflows at 11% and 30%, respectively. ICD explains: "Amending MMF regulation to eliminate stable NAV funds could have the unintended consequences, as we've seen in the U.S., of small losses due to temporary dislocation in mark-to-market valuation for investments designed to be held to maturity. It will potentially cause additional investor outflows, above and beyond what ordinarily would be expected with a stable NAV product that values itself at amortized cost. In addition, the unintended result of the proposal to switch from LVNAV to VNAV will result in significantly less utilization of the funds as we saw following the imposition of a floating NAV in the U.S. in October 2016." In June, ICD also sent comments opposing the elimination of stable NAV to the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) in response to its Consultation Paper on the EU Money Market Fund Regulation legislative review. To read more ICD comments to the FSB and ESMA, please visit ICD Resources at icdportal.com. About ICD ICD is treasury's trusted, independent portal provider of money market funds and other short-term investments. We provide intuitive technology and unbiased access to over 300 investment products through ICD Portal, a model in the industry for trading, reporting and analysis. Through our Global Trade Desk, located in London, Boston and San Francisco, we offer follow-the-sun support and expert service. ICD Media Contact Zoe Sochor +1 646.581.3277 [email protected] SOURCE Institutional Cash Distributors, LLC Related Links http://www.icdportal.com RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) has partnered with Victor Valley College (VVC) to address food insecurity in the high desert. Community residents can receive a free food box at VVC's Lower Campus every Monday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. While residents are encouraged to register online at tinyurl.com/vvcfoodboxreg, non-registered walk-ups are welcome at 12:30 p.m., while supplies last. Recipients must be 18 years or older, and boxes are limited to one per household. Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) has partnered with Victor Valley College (VVC) to address food insecurity in the high desert. Community residents can receive a free food box at VVCs Lower Campus every Monday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. IEHP Team Members, VVC students and faculty, and volunteers from Gods Hand Extended operate the event and work to distribute food directly to residents. Prior to partnering with VVC, the health plan hosted weekly food box drive-thru distribution events at their Victorville Community Resource Center (CRC), totaling more than $5M in food from June 2020 to July 2021. "Food insecurity is one of the greatest needs in our region. We knew the distribution efforts had to continue," said Delia Orosco, IEHP Victorville CRC Manager. "We are so grateful to VVC, a key community partner, for continuing to serve the community so our resource centers can prepare to reopen and serve again in the future." To support high desert residents, food is ordered weekly through Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino, picked up each Monday morning by High Desert Second Chance, and delivered to VVC. IEHP Team Members, VVC students and faculty, and volunteers from God's Hand Extended operate the event and work to distribute food directly to residents. "It is truly our pleasure to partner with such amazing organizations like IEHP and God's Hand Extended. This is a collaborative effort and great example of how education, healthcare, and community organizations can come together with a common goal and purpose to serve," said Amber Allen, VVC Special Grant Programs Director. "By bringing our community to the college to provide food, we are opening the doors to people who may not be aware of available opportunities at VVC. This effort helps us to meet people where they are, so they have the ability to focus on their goals, beyond just meeting their basic needs." In addition to food distribution efforts, IEHP and VVC will launch on-campus health and wellness programs to support VVC students. Programs will include personalized wellness support for students, fitness classes and more. "These resources are brought to the community, by the community," said Jarrod McNaughton, IEHP Chief Executive Officer. "These partnerships place life-changing resources within reach for so many of our most vulnerable residents. Times may be tough, and resources may be sparse, but partnerships and collaborations allow for hope and progress to be continuously made." VVC hopes to continue the distribution effort for as long as it is needed. To learn more about the food box drive-thru, visit vvc.edu/events/free-weekly-food-box-drive-thru. About IEHP With a mission to heal and inspire the human spirit, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is one of the top 10 largest Medicaid health plans and the largest not-for-profit Medicare-Medicaid plan in the country. In its 25th year, IEHP is supporting more than 1.4 million residents in Riverside and San Bernardino counties who are enrolled in Medicaid or Cal MediConnect Plans and has a growing network of over 7,300 providers and nearly 2,500 Team Members. Through dynamic partnerships with Providers and Community Organizations, paired with award-winning service and a tradition of quality care, IEHP is fully committed to their vision: We will not rest until our communities enjoy optimal care and vibrant health. For more information, visit iehp.org. SOURCE Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) Related Links http://www.iehp.org PITTSBURGH and LENEXA, Kan., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC) and ACA Connects (ACAC), sponsors of the Independent Show, today announced that the 2021 show will be held online, offering members and vendors with an opportunity to convene as an industry in the safest possible manner amid lingering uncertainty over the appropriateness of large in-person events. "After thoughtful discussion, ACA Connects and NCTC decided to take the Independent Show online next month because of difficult planning issues despite strong enthusiasm for such an important industry event to take place in Minneapolis. It's the correct decision, with broad support from both ACAC and NCTC members," ACA Connects Chairman Patricia Jo Boyers said. "I'm positive the online event will be a smashing success." Mrs. Boyers is President of BOYCOM Vision in Poplar Bluff, Mo. NCTC Chairman Brad Mefferd applauded the move to take the 2021 Independent Show online. "Now that this decision is behind us, I'm pleased that we can now look forward to putting on a great Independent Show that is exclusively online. I'm certain it will have high production values that ACAC and NCTC Members expect and deserve and will also have solid engagement opportunities for our industry's valued vendor community," Chairman Mefferd said. "I'm quite confident that everyone will benefit from the online experience that we have in store." Chairman Mefferd is Chief Administrative Officer of Buckeye Broadband in Northwood, Ohio. This year's Independent Show had been planned for Oct. 5-6 in Minneapolis, Minn. The event always included a streaming registration option as a convenience for ACAC and NCTC Members who were unable to attend in person. The decision to host the 2021 Independent Show will not alter the meeting dates. The online show will occur Oct. 5-6, and the event will keep all the great content previously announced by NCTC and ACAC show planners. In preparing for this year's Independent Show, ACAC and NCTC leaders knew COVID-19 and the Delta variant were unpredictable elements deserving our careful attention. The No. 1 goal was always the safety of show attendees reflected in decisions to put in place such measures as avoiding large crowds congregating in one area, making adjustments to food and beverage service, and implementing social distancing. However, even with those efforts, NCTC and ACAC planners could not, in good faith, ensure that they could provide a safe environment due to the highly contagious Delta variant. "COVID-19 and the Delta variant have been a moving target. While our plan was to finally meet in-person, it has become more and more clear that it was not the responsible thing to do," NCTC CEO Lou Borrelli said. "Nevertheless, the online show to me is a can't-miss program, and I greatly look forward to seeing friends and members on the big screen." ACAC President and CEO Matt Polka joined NCTC's Borrelli in endorsing the move to an online show given the current health environment. "We felt that transitioning the entire event to virtual was the best option and in the best interest of our members and vendor partners," CEO Polka said. "But let's look at the bright side: We are going to keep all the great content we had planned as well as offer a few fun surprises for those who are registered for the virtual conference." The Independent Show is an annual forum created to focus attention on the key public policy issues facing independent video and broadband providers and on other industrywide topics of concern and interest. ACAC, based in Pittsburgh, is the political voice for independent video and broadband providers while NCTC, based in Lenexa, Kan., negotiates programming and equipment agreements for video and broadband providers. About the National Cable Television Cooperative: The National Cable Television Cooperative, Inc. (NCTC) is a Kansas-based, not-for-profit corporation that operates as a programming, broadband solutions and hardware purchasing organization for its member companies who own and operate cable systems throughout the U.S. and its territories. NCTC seeks to maximize current and future opportunities to ensure the profitability, competitive stature, and long-term sustainability of its member companies. NCTC represents more than 700 small and mid-sized independent cable and broadband operators across the U.S., in programming and technology acquisition. NCTC is actively engaged in helping network providers and suppliers evolve their business models to deploy new video/data solutions to match the changes in the media landscape. About ACA Connects: America's Communications Association Based in Pittsburgh, ACA Connects is a trade organization representing more than 600 smaller and medium-sized, independent companies that provide broadband, phone and video services to nearly 8 million customers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA Connects' members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their business. For more information, visit: http://www.ACAConnects.org Contact for NCTC: Pam Gillies Vice President of Marketing & Communications National Cable Television Cooperative, Inc. [email protected] 720-594-8085 Contact for ACAC: Ted Hearn VP Communications ACA Connects (202) 713-0826 [email protected] SOURCE NCTC Related Links http://www.ACAConnects.org nctconline.org CHICAGO, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report "Indoor Location Market by Component (Hardware, Solutions, and Services), Technology (BLE, UWB, Wi-Fi, RFID), Application (Emergency Response Management, Remote Monitoring), Organization Size, Vertical, and Region Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Indoor Location Market size to grow from USD 7.0 billion in 2021 to USD 19.7 billion by 2026, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 22.9% during the forecast period. Various factors such as the increasing number of applications powered by beacons and BLE tags; the growing integration of beacons in cameras, LED lightings, Point of Sale (PoS) devices, and digital signage; the proliferation of smartphones, connected devices, and location-based app among customers and the inefficiency of the GPS technology in the indoor environment are driving the adoption of the Indoor Location Market across the globe. Browse in-depth TOC on "Indoor Location Market" 362 Tables 68 Figures 350 Pages Ask for Report Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=989 The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the Indoor Location Market, but companies are still leveraging indoor location solutions and hardware for facility management, virus tracking, people tracking and management, and smart quarantining. Governments and private companies across verticals are adopting indoor location solutions to keep citizens indoors and to track them. For instance, Inpixon is offering its location-based technology applications and services without additional costs or at reduced rates (depending on the solution) to healthcare providers and other organizations that are looking for solutions to assist in controlling the spread of COVID-19 or in managing the impact of the pandemic to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens. Quarantine and other enforced measures are intended to save lives by containing the spread of the virus. Once these restrictions are lifted, the pressure to restart business operations will increase. This, in turn, would bring along the risk of a COVID-19-positive employee introducing the virus to the workplace, thus increasing the risk of infecting the workforce, endangering lives, and placing businesses under quarantine again. Vendorsare is projected to offer smart quaranting solutions consulting to businesses. For instance, Sewio, a company based in Czechia, offers UWB RTLS solutions, is providing free consulting and software licenses to companies to help them install employee tracking technology and enable smart quarantining. The services segment to hold higher CAGR during the forecast period Based on components, the Indoor Location Market is segmented into hardware, solutions and services. The services segment has been further divided into professional and managed services. These services are essential for the successful operation of indoor positioning and tracking of people and assets. The overall cost of the indoor location technology installation depends on the complexity of the application and the type of technology used. It comprises hardware, software, and middleware, and services cost. The cloud segment to hold the larger market size during the forecast period Deployment mode segment for the Indoor Location Market are segmented into cloud and on-premises. On-premises deployment mode segment to hold larger market share during the forecast period. The highly secure data encryption, complete data visibility, and control features are key factors encouraging the adoption of on-premises-based indoor location software. Highly secure data encryption and complete data visibility and control feature boost the adoption of on-premises-based indoor location solutions across verticals, such as retail, transportation and logistics, media, and government, and public offices to have a better customer and employee data security. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=989 UWB segment to account for highest CAGR during the forecast period The Indoor Location Market is bifurcated on the basis of technology such as BLE, Wi-Fi, UWB, RFID, magnetic positioning, and other technologies (satellite/remote sensing, microwave, WLAN, and SLAM). The ultra-wideband (UWB) segment to gain traction in coming years. With the adoption of UWB technology, the user can get better distance information than determining the distance based on the signal strength with iBeacons. UWB is an accurate and promising technology for people and asset tracking indoor. The large enterprises segment to hold a larger market size during the forecast period The Indoor Location Market has been segmented by organization size into large enterprises and SMEs. The market for SMEs is expected to register a higher CAGR during the forecast period as cloud-based solutions and services help them improve business performance and enhance productivity. Whereas the large enterprises segment is expected to hold a larger market share in the Indoor Location Market during the forecast period. The availability of indoor location technologies, such as beacons, Wi-Fi, and UWB, will enable large enterprises to track objects and people within a building. Large enterprises have already started implementing the indoor location software and are focusing on implementing advanced technologies for managing the overall supply chain management process across channels. Remote monitoring segment to have highest CAGR during the forecast period The Indoor Location Market by application has been categorized into emergency response management, sales and marketing optimization, remote monitoring, predictive asset maintenance, supply chain management, inventory management, and other applications (AR, Security, customer experience management, and workflow management). The remote monitoring application segment is expected to have highest CAGR during the forecast period. The increasing adoption of smartphone devices that can implement remote monitoring applications to generate real-time tracking information on people and objects located indoor. The need to prevent loss of data and the increase in system performance efficiency led to the adoption of remote monitoring applications. Speak to Research Expert: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=989 North America to hold the largest market share during the forecast period North America to hold largest market size during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the increasing investments on the development of various technologies and applications of indoor location to drive the growth of vendors the region. Moreover, the growing adoption of the BLE beacons technology across the US and Canada country to enhance object and people tracking and navigation ability to contribute to the market growth. The growing challenges faced by various verticals, such as manufacturing, transportation and logistics, retail, and government and public sectors, for data security concern and wastage of time for finding a particular product in the store or warehouse would drive the adoption of indoor location solutions in North America. Major vendors in the global Indoor Location Market Zebra Technologies (US), Inpixon (US), Mist (US), HID Global (US), Google (US), Microsoft (US), Apple (US), Cisco (US), HPE (US), Acuity Brands (US), Esri (US), CenTrak (US), Sonitor (Norway), Ubisense (UK), infsoft (Germany), Polaris Wireless (US), HERE (US), STANLEY Healthcare (US), Quuppa (Finland), Navigine (US), Kontakt.io (US), AiRISTA (US), InnerSpace (Canada), Syook (India), Oriient (Israel), Navenio (England), SITUM (Spain), Pozyx (Belgium), Azitek (Portugal), and Mapxus (Japan). Browse Adjacent Markets: Analytics Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Location Analytics Market by Component (Solutions and Services), Location Type (Indoor Location and Outdoor Location), Application (Remote Monitoring, Risk Management), Vertical (Retail, Government and Defense), and Region - Global Forecast to 2025 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/location-analytics-market-177193456.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/indoor-positioning-navigation-ipin-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/indoor-location.asp SOURCE MarketsandMarkets PITTSBURGH, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- "I thought there could be a better system for monitoring an electric fence on your property," said an inventor, from Moscow, Kan., "so I invented the EFENCE. My design can be used in remote areas and it will provide an effective alert if there is a break in the wire, a failed charger or other failure in the unit's power supply." The invention provides an improved way to monitor electric fences powered by solar/battery systems. In doing so, it offers an alternative to traditional monitoring systems. As a result, it enables the owner to know if there is a fence break or failure of the fence charger and it provides added protection and peace of mind. The invention features a reliable design that is easy to install and use so it is ideal for farms. Additionally, a prototype is available. The original design was submitted to the National sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 19-HTM-8796, 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 MT. PLEASANT, Mich., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Isabella Bank Corporation (OTCQX:ISBA) today announced its Board of Directors declared a third-quarter cash dividend of $0.27 per common share at its regular meeting on August 25, 2021. The dividend will be payable September 30, 2021, to shareholders of record as of September 28, 2021. Based on ISBA's closing stock price of $23.05 per share as of August 25, 2021, the annualized cash dividend yield is 4.69%. "Our $0.27 third quarter cash dividend is a reflection of the organization's continued strong financial performance and our commitment to building shareholder value," said Jae A. Evans, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The strategic initiatives we have implemented to improve return on equity, return on assets, and earnings per share are working and the price of our stock has benefited." About the Corporation Isabella Bank Corporation (OTCQX: ISBA) is the parent holding company of Isabella Bank, a state chartered bank headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Isabella Bank was established in 1903 and has been committed to serving the local banking needs of its customers and communities for 118 years. The Bank offers personal and commercial lending and deposit products, as well as investment, trust and estate planning services through Isabella Wealth. The Bank has locations throughout seven Mid-Michigan counties: Clare, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, and Saginaw. For more information about Isabella Bank Corporation, visit the Invest in Us link at www.isabellabank.com. Isabella Bank Corporation common stock is quoted on the OTCQX tier of the OTC Markets Group, Inc.'s electronic quotation system (www.otcmarkets.com) under the symbol "ISBA." The Corporation's market maker is Boenning & Scattergood, Inc. (www.boenninginc.com) and its investor relations firm is Renmark Financial Communications, Inc. (www.renmarkfinancial.com). Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements. To the extent that the foregoing information refers to matters that may occur in the future, please be aware that such forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results. Additional information concerning some of the factors that could cause materially different results is included in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Forward Looking Statements" set forth in Isabella Bank Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available from the Securities and Exchange Commission's Public Reference facilities and from its website at www.sec.gov . SOURCE Isabella Bank Corporation Related Links http://www.isabellabank.com KINGSPORT, Tenn., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- It's time to Embrace the Box along with Wine Nook and celebrate International Box Wine Day on September 9th! This year may not be the year for big celebrations, but why wet your whistle with a taste of a new box wine? Have you been shy to try? Worried it won't meet your high standards of delectable tasting vino? We are here to tell you there are some amazing box wines out there just waiting to be tapped. Embrace the Box If you haven't heard, there is a box wine revolution taking place right now. Box wine was on its way up before the pandemic hit, and now it is being catapulted into the stratosphere. Many who wanted to stock up on wine tried the box for the first time in 2020, and that spawned a whole slew of new 3-liter libation creations. Why you ask? Winemakers are figuring out it is a packaging that costs less to produce, is more sustainable than glass (many places don't recycle glass anymore), causes less breakage and lower emissions in shipping, and costs less for the consumer. Win-win for everyone! We knew box wine needed its own special day to celebrate this ecological, economical, rising in popularity packaging choice, so we made 9-9 for Box Wine. Even though it may not be a great time to have a big party, we encourage winemakers and individuals alike to celebrate this day in their own special way. A couple of winemakers have shared their plans for the day.. When in Rome, based in Chalford, Gloucestershire will do the following: Open day at When in Rome HQ with a free glass of wine for all guests and a rolling presentation on the benefits of box wine They will be inviting all their neighbors in the village of Chalford Kingman Estates Winery, provider of premier Colorado wines in boxes, is celebrating International Box Wine Day on Saturday, September 11 from 12:00 to 5:00 PM MST. Join them for free wine tasting, discounted box wines, great food, and free tours of the winery. So go to your nearest wine warehouse or grocery store and pick out a box that piques your interest, tap it in your friend or family "pod" and share your pics on social media! Tag us here @winenook and let us know what you think. We hope you will find a new love for box wine. You can rest easy knowing you are helping the environment with a lower carbon footprint and fewer emissions in shipping. As always, please drink responsibly. About Wine Nook: We make it easier for people to embrace box wine by providing a fun, functional and personal way to serve it. Since 2015, we have championed the wine industry's efforts to produce premium wines in alternative packaging. Wine Nook is partnered with the National Forest Foundation to plant a tree for every Nook sold. Contact: Kim Snider, Creative Director Email: [email protected] Phone: 423-480-0215 SOURCE Wine Nook NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- LOGICFORCE, advised by JEGI CLARITY, has been sold to Frontline Managed Services, a portfolio company of BV Investment Partners. This is the fourth legal technology and services transaction JEGI CLARITY has advised in the past year. Founded in 1995, LOGICFORCE is a legal IT consulting organization with over 23 years of experience representing hundreds of middle market and large law firms across the country. LOGICFORCE helps law firms improve their internal operations and increase profitability through the strategic application of technology including: IT optimization, eDiscovery, document review, cyber security and digital forensics. Through this acquisition, Frontline Managed Services adds over 100 new law firm clients ranging from the middle market to large, global firms to its existing client base, which includes more than 40% of the AmLaw 200 and hundreds of mid-size firms. The acquisition brings LOGICFORCE's proprietary Synthesis E-IT Secure (SEITS) service, a comprehensive assessment of law firm technology and business goals that results in an actionable blueprint for increased profitability, to the Frontline Managed Services platform. As part of Frontline, LOGICFORCE will have the benefit of the additional support, scale and management afforded by joining the global provider. Clients will also benefit from the opportunity to leverage the full-service managed services platform offered by Frontline Managed Services' "Office in a Box" approach to synergistic law firm operations. This includes its Administrative, Financial and IT Managed Services lines. About JEGI CLARITY JEGI CLARITY is a pre-eminent M&A advisory firm for the media, marketing, information and technology industries. With a global reach from New York, London, Boston, Sydney and San Francisco, we have closed more than 800 transactions during our 30+ year history. For more information, visit www.jegiclarity.com. Contact: Kelsey Kovachik, Marketing Director +1 212 754 0710 | [email protected] | www.jegiclarity.com SOURCE JEGI CLARITY Related Links www.jegiclarity.com BOSTON, MA, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC and subadvised by Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, announced today sources of its monthly distribution of $0.0975 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of August 12, 2021, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Notification of Sources of Distribution This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on August 2, 2021, and payable on August 31, 2021. No action is required on your part. Distribution Period: August 2021 Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.0975 The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable August 31, 2021, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount. For the period 08/1/2021-08/31/2021 For the fiscal year-to-date period 11/1/2020-08/31/2021 1 Source Current Distribution ($) % Breakdown of the Current Distribution Total Cumulative Distributions ($) % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative Distributions Net Investment Income 0.0969 99% 0.7906 81% Net Realized Short- Term Capital Gains 0.0000 0% 0.0702 7% Net Realized Long- Term Capital Gains 0.0000 0% 0.0510 5% Return of Capital or Other Capital Source 0.0006 1% 0.0624 7% Total per common share 0.0975 100% 0.9742 100% Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on July 31, 2021 6.37% Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of July 31, 2021 7.88% Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through July 31, 2021 22.88% Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of July 31, 2021 6.56% ___________ 1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on November 1, 2020, and will end on October 31, 2021. You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan. The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income." The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. The Fund has declared the August 2021 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0975 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial John Hancock is a division of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading international financial services group that helps people achieve their dreams and aspirations by putting customers' needs first and providing the right advice and solutions. We operate primarily as John Hancock in the United States and as Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance, and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups, and institutions. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were over CAD$1.2 trillion (US$900 million) as of June 30, 2021. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under 945 on the SEHK. Manulife can be found at manulife.com. One of the largest life insurers in the United States, John Hancock supports approximately 10 million Americans with a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, and education savings plans. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com. SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), together with a consortium of global partners, today announced results from the primary analysis of a Phase 2b HIV vaccine clinical trial known as the Imbokodo study (also known as HVTN 705/HPX2008). Data showed the investigational HIV vaccine regimen did not provide sufficient protection against HIV infection in a population of young women in sub-Saharan Africa at high risk of acquiring HIV. The investigational vaccine was found to have a favorable safety profile with no serious adverse events. Based on these results, the Imbokodo study will not continue. Study participants will be notified of the results, unblinded and informed whether they were in the study group who received the vaccine or the group who received placebo. Further analysis of the Imbokodo study is ongoing, and the study has provided enough data to progress with key immunological correlates research. In parallel to the Phase 2b Imbokodo HIV vaccine trial, Janssen is sponsoring the ongoing Phase 3 Mosaico study (HVTN 706/HPX3002) which is testing the safety and efficacy of a different composition of the HIV vaccine regimen among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender individuals. This study is being conducted in the Americas and Europe where different strains of HIV are circulating. Given these differentiating factors and following consultations with the Mosaico study independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), it was decided that the Mosaico study will continue at this time. "We are extremely grateful to the women who volunteered for the Imbokodo study, and to our partners, including the people on the frontlines, all of whom are contributing every day to this enduring quest to make HIV history," said Paul Stoffels, M.D., Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chief Scientific Officer at Johnson & Johnson. "HIV is a unique and complex virus that has long posed unprecedented challenges for vaccine development because of its ability to attack, hijack and evade the human immune system. While we are disappointed that the vaccine candidate did not provide a sufficient level of protection against HIV infection in the Imbokodo trial, the study will give us important scientific findings in the ongoing pursuit for a vaccine to prevent HIV. We continue to stand in solidarity with people living with and vulnerable to HIV, and remain committed to furthering our research against this devastating virus." What the Imbokodo Data Tell Us The Imbokodo vaccine regimen was administered to participants through four vaccination visits over one year. The primary analysis was conducted 24 months after participants received their first vaccinations. The study's primary endpoint was based on the difference in number of new HIV infections between the placebo and vaccine groups from month seven (one month after the third vaccination timepoint) through month 24. These data found that through 24 months of follow up, 63 of 1,109 participants who received placebo compared to 51 of 1,079 participants who received active vaccine acquired HIV. This analysis demonstrated a vaccine efficacy point estimate of 25.2% (95% confidence interval of -10.5% to 49.3%). The vaccine regimen did not cause harm and was generally well-tolerated. "The high incidence of HIV among young women in sub-Saharan Africa reminds us that, despite great progress made in treatment and prevention, HIV remains a major health challenge for the region," said Professor Glenda Gray, President and Chief Executive Officer, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and Imbokodo's Protocol Chair. "This underscores the need to apply the knowledge that will be gained from this trial to continue to advance the pursuit of a global HIV vaccine." The Imbokodo study tested an investigational HIV regimen with an adenovirus vector containing four mosaic immunogens (Ad26.Mos4.HIV) at four vaccination visits over one year. The Imbokodo regimen contains a soluble protein component (Clade C gp140, adjuvanted with aluminum phosphate) which is administered at vaccination visits three and four. The ongoing Phase 3 Mosaico study is testing a different investigational vaccine regimen that involves the administration of a mosaic-based mixture of soluble proteins (Clade C/Mosaic gp140) at vaccination visits three and four. About the Phase 2b Imbokodo Study Imbokodo, a Phase 2b proof-of-concept efficacy study of Janssen's investigational HIV vaccine regimen, began in 2017, reached full enrollment in 2019 and completed vaccinations on June 30, 2020. The study enrolled approximately 2,600 young women across five countries in sub-Saharan Africa, a region where women and girls accounted for 63 percent of all new HIV infections in 2020.1 The study took place at 23 trial sites in Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Study investigators ensured that any HIV-infected participants in Imbokodo were referred to high-quality HIV treatment and care services. Imbokodo was supported by a public-private partnership led by Janssen Vaccines & Prevention B.V., part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson; the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health; the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; and the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN). Additional partners providing support included the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) and the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard. The study was conducted at clinical sites coordinated by HVTN, and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) helped to implement Imbokodo in South Africa. Since 2005, Janssen Vaccines & Prevention B.V. has been participating as a sub-grantee in the NIH-supported Integrated Preclinical/Clinical AIDS Vaccine Development (IPCAVD) program under grants AI066305, AI078526, AI096040 and AI128751 (Principal Investigator, Prof. Dan Barouch). Johnson & Johnson's Commitment to HIV Johnson & Johnson has been committed to the fight against HIV for 25 years, playing a central role in bringing nine therapeutics to people living with HIV, and continues to drive innovation in HIV prevention and care. In December 2020, the European Commission authorized the first complete, long-acting injectable treatment for HIV, which combines Janssen's rilpivirine with ViiV Healthcare's cabotegravir, offering people with HIV living in Europe the potential of replacing daily oral treatments with six injections per year (every-other-month). In January 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the treatment for an every-month dosing schedule (12 injections per year), and is considering a supplement New Drug Application (sNDA) that would extend this approval to include the every-other-month dosing schedule (6 injections per year). Also in January, the dapivirine ring, a discreet long-acting HIV prevention method specifically for women developed by the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) and based on Janssen's compound, was recommended by the World Health Organization as an additional prevention choice for women with a substantial chance of contracting HIV as part of combination prevention approaches. Johnson & Johnson also supports communities affected by HIV through initiatives such as the DREAMS Partnership in sub-Saharan Africa, the MenStar Coalition and the New Horizons program. To learn more, visit jnj.com/hiv. About Johnson & Johnson At Johnson & Johnson, we believe good health is the foundation of vibrant lives, thriving communities and forward progress. That's why for more than 130 years, we have aimed to keep people well at every age and every stage of life. Today, as the world's largest and most broadly-based healthcare company, we are committed to using our reach and size for good. We strive to improve access and affordability, create healthier communities, and put a healthy mind, body and environment within reach of everyone, everywhere. We are blending our heart, science and ingenuity to profoundly change the trajectory of health for humanity. Learn more at http://www.jnj.com/. Follow us at @jnjglobalhealth. About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson At Janssen, we're creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. We're the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, working tirelessly to make that future a reality for patients everywhere by fighting sickness with science, improving access with ingenuity, and healing hopelessness with heart. We focus on areas of medicine where we can make the biggest difference: Cardiovascular & Metabolism, Immunology, Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, Neuroscience, Oncology, and Pulmonary Hypertension. Learn more at www.janssen.com. Follow us at www.twitter.com/JanssenGlobal. *Dr. Glenda Gray, President and Chief Executive Officer, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), is Protocol Chair of the Imbokodo study. Janssen Vaccines & Prevention B.V. partnered with the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) to help implement Imbokodo in South Africa. Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding Janssen's investigational, mosaic-based HIV vaccine regimen. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Vaccines & Prevention B.V , any of the other Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2021, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in the company's most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. 1UNAIDS. GLOBAL HIV STATISTICS Fact Sheet 2021. June 2021. https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/UNAIDS_FactSheet_en.pdf. Last accessed July 2021. SOURCE Johnson & Johnson Related Links http://www.jnj.com MONTREAL, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - KalGene Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today a publication of a peer review article "Preclinical in vivo longitudinal assessment of KG207-M as a disease-modifying Alzheimer's disease therapeutic." This article is based on research led by the McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging. KalGene is developing a biological molecule KG207, engineered to transport across the blood-brain barrier and to eliminate toxic oligomeric forms of amyloid which accumulate in the brains of patients in early stages of Alzheimer's disease. The molecule is also designed to reduce inflammatory side effects in the brain, often observed with the antibody-based therapies. These functions of KG207 were evaluated in the current publication using an experimental approach akin to the typical clinical studies in Alzheimer's patients the effects of repeated drug administration in transgenic rats overexpressing beta amyloid, were followed using a prospective molecular imaging (PET) of brain amyloid load, structural and functional MRI imaging and analyses of clinically-validated biomarkers as surrogates for disease modification in response to treatment. "This paper is a great reminder of how the Canadian scientific community can come together to innovate and develop a ground-breaking approach in the field of Alzheimer's and to deliver the hope of a safer and more potent therapy to treat this difficult condition." said Prof. Pedro Rosa Neto, the Director of the McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging - Douglas Mental Health University Institute in Montreal. "The study was a collaborative effort which included McGill University, where researchers developed a transgenic AD rat model and a multimodal biomarker platform that allows assessments of the effects of an anti-amyloid-beta therapy on various clinically relevant features of disease progression." This innovative study designed with translation to patients in mind demonstrated a robust ability of KG207 to cross the BBB and to clear amyloid-beta deposits from the brain of AD transgenic animals using PET imaging, without inducing dose-limiting side effects (ARIA-E/H) that are common for currently developed immunotherapies. Furthermore, improved neuronal connectivity in the brains of treated animals were observed using functional MRI; these imaging outcomes were strongly correlated with molecular biomarker changes measured in cerebrospinal fluid. The study highlights the importance of designing pre-clinical studies using translational outcomes and assessment modalities that are typically used in clinical trials for AD. The evidence presented in this article shows a great potential of KG207 as a disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer's disease. About KalGene Pharmaceuticals, Inc. KalGene Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a pre-clinical stage company focused on the development of a precision-engineered drug candidate, KG207, to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. KG207 targets the direct cause of Alzheimer's disease, toxic beta-amyloid oligomers, with reduced risk of potentially serious side effects caused by some of the emerging anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody therapeutics, including the recently FDA-approved Aduhelm. KG207 is designed to address several critical components: a chaperone binding motif to facilitate active transport across the blood brain barrier, allowing for a multi-fold greater concentration of the drug to enter the brain when compared to conventional monoclonal antibodies; an active structural element to increase the half-life of the molecule and a toxic oligomer species specific binding peptide fragment that potentially slows neuronal loss and progression of Alzheimer's disease. SOURCE Kalgene Pharmaceuticals Inc. SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Keller Grover, Constantine Cannon, and Kleiman Rajaram announce the landmark $90 million False Claims Act settlement against Sutter Health on behalf of their whistleblower client, Kathy Ormsby, over allegations that Sutter committed massive Medicare Advantage fraud over the course of roughly six years. The settlement is the largest False Claims Act (FCA) settlement against a hospital system involving allegations of fraud on the Medicare Advantage program, and the second largest reported Medicare Advantage fraud settlement ever. The settlement resolves this case as the U.S. Department of Justice announced its intervention in a series of Medicare Advantage fraud cases in recent weeks. Medicare Advantage (also known as Medicare Part C) has seen its enrollment double over the past decade and is now a $350 billion market annually. More than 41% of all Medicare beneficiaries are now enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans. Ms. Ormsby filed her lawsuit in 2015 under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit whistleblowers to file lawsuits to recover taxpayer dollars lost to fraud committed against the government. Ms. Ormsby alleged that Sutter, through several affiliates including Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF), intentionally or recklessly submitted inaccurate and unsupported medical diagnosis codes that inflated Sutter's reimbursements from Medicare Part C, known as the Medicare Advantage Program. Medicare Part C authorizes qualified individuals to opt out of traditional fee-for-service coverage under Medicare Parts A and B and enroll in privately-run managed care plans that provide coverage for both inpatient and outpatient services. Unlike the traditional fee-for-service model, Medicare Part C pays for care with monthly amounts based on the health of the patient as documented in diagnosis codes in their medical records, known as a risk adjustment factor (RAF). Ms. Ormsby was employed at Sutter as a RAF Manager. After investigating Ms. Ormsby's allegations, including extensive cooperation from Ms. Ormsby and her attorneys, the Department of Justice intervened in the portion of Ms. Ormsby's case relating to PAMF. As expressly contemplated by the False Claims Act, Ms. Ormsby continued to pursue the non-intervened claims related to the alleged fraud at Sutter's other affiliates. The settlement followed Sutter's unsuccessful effort to dismiss both the government's complaint and Ms. Ormsby's. The order denying Sutter's motions to dismiss created important precedent for future False Claims Act cases alleging Medicare Advantage fraud. Kathleen R. Scanlan of Keller Grover LLP, counsel for Ms. Ormsby, said: "Today's settlement is a terrific victory for taxpayers. Kathy Ormsby was the catalyst behind the return of nearly a hundred million dollars to a program we all fund to provide cost-effective healthcare to the most vulnerable in our communities, the elderly. Her case also sends a powerful message to other healthcare providers in the Part C program: gaming a patient's RAF score is fraud, and you can be held responsible for it under the False Claims Act." Jeffrey F. Keller of Keller Grover LLP, added: "Kathy Ormsby demonstrated tremendous courage when she came forward to allege a major fraud on the Medicare Part C program by California's second largest healthcare provider. Representing her in this case has been an absolute privilege. Hopefully she inspires others to follow her lead in reporting allegations of fraud on the government." Gordon Schnell of Constantine Cannon, said: "We are all grateful for the heroic efforts of our frontline healthcare workers, especially over the last 18 months fighting COVID-19. This case highlights the other heroic individuals in our healthcare system, people like Kathy Ormsby who risk their career and personal well-being to make sure our healthcare system places patients before profits." Mark Kleiman of Kleiman Rajaram said: "This case is an important example of whistleblowers and their lawyers partnering with the government to bring extra expertise and legal firepower to the fight against fraud. This is just how the False Claims Act was intended to work. We hope it serves as a model for more cooperation between the government and whistleblowers in the future." Under the False Claims Act's whistleblower reward provision, Ms. Ormsby is entitled to 15-30% of the settlement amount for her vital role in bringing this matter forward and helping secure this record settlement for the government. In addition to Ms. Scanlan, Mr. Keller, Mr. Schnell, and Mr. Kleiman, Ms. Ormsby was also represented by Sarah P. Alexander, Hamsa Mahendranathan, and Gary Reilly of Constantine Cannon and Pooja Rajaram of Kleiman Rajaram. Ms. Ormsby and her entire legal team acknowledge the hard work of the Justice Department's legal team, including Olga Yevtekhova and Jenny Koh at Civil Frauds, and Chief of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California's Civil Division, Sara Winslow, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Wolinsky and former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kim Friday and Erica Hitchings at the U.S Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California. For more information about the proceedings in this case, including the complaints and the court's order on the motion to dismiss, please visit www.medicareadvantagefraud.com About Ms. Ormsby's Legal Team Ms. Ormsby legal team is made up of dedicated whistleblower lawyers who represent whistleblowers under federal and state False Claims Acts as well as the whistleblower programs of the IRS, SEC, CFTC, DOT, and others. Keller Grover is a San Francisco-based boutique law firm dedicated to representing whistleblowers, employees and victims of fraud. With over 30 years of litigation experience and billions in settlements, the firm's lawyers are recognized as leaders in their field. Constantine Cannon has the world's largest international whistleblower practice, with offices in New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and London. The firm is also home to an antitrust practice that is among the largest and most well recognized in the United States. Other practice areas include commercial litigation, securities, government relations and e-discovery. Kleiman Rajaram has a national practice representing health care whistleblowers since 1996 and has represented whistleblowers in health and government contracting cases leading to over $650 million in recoveries for fraud against government programs. Media Contact PRCG | Haggerty LLC (212) 683-8100 Lucy O'Brien, [email protected] Cristopher Bruce, [email protected] Source: Keller Grover Constantine Cannon LLP Kleiman Rajaram SOURCE Keller Grover; Constantine Cannon LLP; Kleiman Rajaram NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, FORTUNE Education published its first-ever Best Executive MBA Programs ranking, with the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University taking top honors, followed by Yale University and The MIT Sloan School of Management. Of the 2021 Executive MBA ranking, FORTUNE Education Editorial Director Lance Lambert says, "Good business schools help graduates get good jobs. Elite programs help develop the future leaders of business. We found Executive MBA programs with a solid track record doing the latter." FORTUNE announces 2021 best executive MBA programs ranking FORTUNE's Top 10 Executive MBA Programs of 2021 are: Northwestern University (Kellogg) Yale University Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( Sloan ) University of Pennsylvania ( Wharton ) University of Chicago (Booth) Columbia University New York University (Stern) University of Michigan, Ann Arbor ( Ross ) University of California, Los Angeles ( Anderson ) University of California, Berkeley (Haas) View the complete ranking here . FORTUNE Education 's final ranking is made up of three components: a FORTUNE 1000 Score, based on the number of alumni who are C-Level employees at FORTUNE 1000 companies, accounts for 15% of each school's score; a Brand Score, based on Ipsos survey results of business professionals' opinions of the schools, accounts for 25%; and a Program Score, based on how far along EMBA students are in the careers, and selectivity metrics , including average GMAT score and average GPA of incoming students, accounts for 60%. View the complete methodology here . Curated by a team of expert journalists, FORTUNE Education is a destination for articles, insights, and ongoing reporting about what prospective students should know in order to make the best, most impactful decisions for their careers. FORTUNE Education also produces rankings and ratings of graduate, post-graduate, executive education, and personal and professional improvement programs, informed by FORTUNE's unparalleled understanding of which skills matter to businesses today. About FORTUNE FORTUNE drives the conversation about business. With a global perspective, the guiding wisdom of history, and an unflinching eye to the future, we report and reveal the stories that matter today-and that will matter even more tomorrow. With the trusted power to convene and challenge those who are shaping industry, commerce and society around the world, FORTUNE lights the path for global leaders-and gives them the tools to make business better. For more information, visit www.fortune.com . Media Inquiries: Alison Klooster +1 646-437-6613 [email protected] SOURCE FORTUNE Media Voyager 6 is a breakthrough versatile chassis enabling DoD to seamlessly integrate C5ISR tactical communications systems into military ground vehicles without requiring modifications to the vehicle. Voyager 6 also meets Standardized A-Kit / Vehicle Envelope (SAVE) specifications for Size, Weight and Power (SWaP), creating a significant reduction in time and resources required to integrate the solution into existing and future military vehicles. "We are thrilled Voyager 6 has been recognized for its innovation and ability to extend AI/ML, IoT, and other cloud-enabled battlefield applications to the tactical edge exponentially increasing the tactical comms capabilities that can go into a limited vehicle footprint, and what troops can get out of it," said Chris Ericksen, Chief Revenue Officer, Klas Government. "The Platinum Award affirms our commitment to delivering technology at the speed of battle." Voyager is a modular and scalable range of network, compute and radio systems modules designed with a common form factor which allows users to repurpose existing Voyager modules and chassis with the ability to easily incorporate new capabilities as the mission dictates. Designed to fit in place of the SINCGARS MT-6352 mounting tray currently used to support radio communications of existing vehicles, Voyager 6 extends processing and analytical power to edge environments. "On behalf of the Military & Aerospace Electronics Innovators Awards, I would like to congratulate Klas Government on their Platinumlevel honoree status," said Military & Aerospace Electronics Editor in Chief John Keller. "This competitive program allows Military & Aerospace Electronics to celebrate and recognize the most innovative products impacting the aerospace and defense community this year." To learn more about how Klas Government's tactical communications solutions enabled the connected battlefield, visit http://www.klasgov.com . About Klas Government Klas Government makes the world's most powerful deployable communications solutions to meet the needs of government and military communicators in any operational environment. The company enables customers to communicate in extreme environments, where nobody else in the market can, by delivering tactical and executive communications systems specifically designed to move faster, travel lighter and work better under worse conditions than anything else available. To learn more, visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn . About Military & Aerospace Electronics Military & Aerospace Electronics is the leading media resource serving program and project managers, engineering managers, and engineers involved in electronic and electro-optic design for military, space, and aviation applications. Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine delivers time-sensitive news, in-depth analyses, case studies, and real-world applications of new products, industry opinion, and the latest trends in the use of mil-spec, rugged and commercial off-the-shelf components, subsystems, and systems. Contact: Laura Hazelwood | Marketing Manager Klas Government [email protected] 703-203-5810 SOURCE Klas Government Related Links www.klasgov.com RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA (Richmond Division) In re JELD-WEN HOLDING, INC. SECURITIES LITIGATION Civil Action No. 3:20-cv-00112-JAG CLASS ACTION SUMMARY NOTICE OF PENDENCY AND PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF CLASS ACTION AND MOTION FOR ATTORNEYS' FEES AND EXPENSES To: All persons and entities who or which, during the period from January 26, 2017 through October 15, 2018, inclusive (the "Class Period"), purchased the publicly traded common stock of JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. (the "Class") YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED, pursuant to Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and an Order of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, that Court-appointed Class Representatives, on behalf of themselves and all members of the certified Class, and defendants JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. ("JELD-WEN" or the "Company"), Mark A. Beck, L. Brooks Mallard, Kirk S. Hachigian, Gary S. Michel, Onex Corporation and its affiliated funds and entities, specifically Onex Partners Manager LP, Onex Partners III LP, Onex Partners III GP LP, Onex US Principals LP, Onex Partners III PV LP, Onex Partners III Select LP, Onex BP Co-Invest LP, Onex Advisor Subco III LLC, Onex American Holdings II LLC, OAH Wind LLC, BP EI LLC and BP EI II LLC (collectively, "Defendants"), have reached a proposed settlement of the claims in the above-captioned class action (the "Action") in the amount of $40,000,000 (the "Settlement"). A hearing will be held before the Honorable John A. Gibney, Jr., either in person or remotely in the Court's discretion, on November 22, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 6000 of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division, at the Spottswood W. Robinson III and Robert R. Merhige, Jr. Federal Courthouse, 701 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219 (the "Settlement Hearing") to determine whether the Court should: (i) approve the proposed Settlement as fair, reasonable, and adequate; (ii) dismiss the Action with prejudice as provided in the Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement, dated June 4, 2021; (iii) approve the proposed Plan of Allocation for distribution of the proceeds of the Settlement (the "Net Settlement Fund") to Class Members; and (iv) approve Class Counsel's Fee and Expense Application. The Court may change the date of the Settlement Hearing, or hold it remotely, without providing another notice. You do NOT need to attend the Settlement Hearing to receive a distribution from the Net Settlement Fund. IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE CLASS, YOUR RIGHTS WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT AND YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO A MONETARY PAYMENT. If you have not yet received a full Notice and Claim Form, you may obtain copies of these documents by visiting the website for the Settlement, www.JELD-WENSecuritiesSettlement.com, or by contacting the Claims Administrator at: JELD-WEN Securities Settlement c/o Epiq Systems P.O. Box 6397 Portland, OR 97228-6397 www.JELD-WENSecuritiesSettlement.com 855-867-0659 Inquiries, other than requests for information about the status of a claim, may also be made to Class Counsel: LABATON SUCHAROW LLP James W. Johnson, Esq. 140 Broadway New York, NY 10005 [email protected] 88-219-6877 ROBBINS GELLER RUDMAN & DOWD LLP Robert M. Rothman, Esq. 58 South Service Road, Suite 200 Melville, NY 11747 800-449-4900 If you are a Class Member, to be eligible to share in the distribution of the Net Settlement Fund, you must submit a Claim Form postmarked or submitted online no later than November 15, 2021. If you are a Class Member and do not timely submit a valid Claim Form, you will not be eligible to share in the distribution of the Net Settlement Fund, but you will nevertheless be bound by all judgments or orders entered by the Court, whether favorable or unfavorable. If you are a Class Member and wish to exclude yourself from the Class, you must submit a written request for exclusion in accordance with the instructions set forth in the Notice so that it is received no later than November 1, 2021. If you properly exclude yourself from the Class, you will not be bound by any judgments or orders entered by the Court, whether favorable or unfavorable, and you will not be eligible to share in the distribution of the Net Settlement Fund. Any objections to the proposed Settlement, Class Counsel's Fee and Expense Application, and/or the proposed Plan of Allocation must be filed with the Court, either by mail or in person, and be mailed to counsel for the Parties in accordance with the instructions in the Notice, such that they are received no later than November 1, 2021. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT, DEFENDANTS, OR DEFENDANTS' COUNSEL REGARDING THIS NOTICE. DATED: August 31, 2021 BY ORDER OF THE COURT UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA SOURCE// Labaton Sucharow LLP and Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP URL// www.JELD-WENSecuritiesSettlement.com SOURCE Labaton Sucharow LLP and Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP Related Links http://www.JELD-WENSecuritiesSettlement.com TOKYO and TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Top Artificial Intelligence (AI) chipmaker Hailo has partnered with Macnica, a leading global semiconductor distributor, to sell Hailo's products in Japan. The agreement with Macnica will allow Hailo to expand its presence in Japan, extending its reach to customers in fields such as smart retail, smart cities, smart homes, industry 4.0, and beyond. The agreement is part of Hailo's strategy to strengthen partnerships with existing customers in Japan, while expanding further into other Asia-Pacific markets to enable companies from a wide array of industries to accelerate AI computing performance at the edge. Hailo will continue to offer its innovative product line to customers in the region, including its specialized AI processor for edge devices, the Hailo-8, as well as its M.2 and Mini PCIe high-performance AI acceleration modules. "Working with Macnica will significantly strengthen our presence in the Asia-Pacific region, where interest in Edge AI solutions continues to rise," said Orr Danon, CEO of Hailo. "This comes with growing demand from Japanese customers as they seek to empower their devices with AI capabilities at the edge. We were impressed by Macnica's mission statement, as well as their strong relationship with customers, and we are confident that with our collaboration, we will further expand our offerings in the region." "We are excited to work with a leading company like Hailo, as we see the vast potential of their innovative AI solutions at the edge," said Yusuke Kobayashi, Macnica Altima company president. "Our deep experience supplying semiconductors and other innovative technologies to this key market, combined with Hailo's state-of-the-art AI products and team's capabilities, will bring significant value to customers in Japan." The partnership follows the establishment of Hailo Japan G.K., Hailo's wholly owned subsidiary located in Tokyo, led by former Sony executive Hiro Uchida. The Hailo-8 delivers unprecedented performance to edge devices. Featuring up to 26 Tera Operations Per Second (TOPS), the module is built with an innovative architecture that enables edge devices to run sophisticated deep learning applications that could previously only run on the cloud. Hailo-8's advanced structure translates into higher performance, lower power, and minimal latency, enabling enhanced privacy and better reliability for smart devices operating at the edge. About Hailo Hailo, an AI-focused, Israel-based chipmaker, has developed a specialized Artificial Intelligence (AI) processor that delivers the performance of a data center-class computer to edge devices. Hailo's AI processor reimagines traditional computer architecture, enabling smart devices to perform sophisticated deep learning tasks such as object detection and segmentation in real time, with minimal power consumption, size, and cost. Supported by its Hailo-8 M.2 and Mini PCIe high-performance AI acceleration modules, the deep learning processor is designed to fit into a multitude of smart machines and devices, impacting a wide variety of sectors including automotive, industry 4.0, smart cities, smart homes, and retail. About Macnica Since it was established in 1972, Macnica has provided leading-edge semiconductors, electronic devices, networks and cyber security products with high value-added technology. More recently, Macnica has been actively developing new businesses in the fields of AI, IoT, automated driving and robotics, based on its strength in global sourcing and strategic planning for world-leading technologies. With its slogan "Co.Tomorrowing", Macnica connects leading-edge technologies with 'Macnica' intelligence to provide unique services and solutions, *creating social value and contributing to the betterment of future societies. Headquartered in Yokohama, Macnica's global business spans 24 countries and 84 locations worldwide. Hailo Press Contact Garrett Krivicich Headline Media [email protected] +1 786 233 7684 Macnica Press Contact Masaaki Hirabe Macnica Altima Company [email protected] +81-45-476-2195 SOURCE Hailo Related Links https://hailo.ai/ LOS ANGELES, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ENDEAVOUR, a leading Department of Defense Trusted Capital Provider of Accounts Receivable Funding for government contractors in the National Security and Space industries, announced today that U.S. Army Lieutenant General (Retired) Michael D. Barbero has joined the company's Board of Advisors. General Barbero is a career Infantry leader, who has served in a wide variety of leadership assignments and has commanded forces at every grade, from Lieutenant to Lieutenant General. During his service as a General Officer in the US Army, he spent 46 months in Iraq over three separate combat tours of duty. A seasoned business manager spanning both civilian and military sectors, General Barbero brings his unique experience at the intersection of technology, security, government, military and finance. He served as Director of the multi-billion dollar rapid acquisition Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO), responsible for leading the Defense Department's actions to provide counter-IED capabilities to enable the defeat of the IED as a weapon of strategic influence. General Barbero also managed a $13 Billion Foreign Military Sales program during his service in the Middle East, in which he worked closely with senior government leaders, contractors, and foreign security ministries and forces to achieve financial and operational goals relating to complex political and military projects. Integral to his role at Endeavour, General Barbero will also lead the effort to provide greater support to the Veteran Community via the company's unique mission-oriented business model. Endeavour donates 50% of their after-tax profits to causes which provide support to Veterans, their Families, and their Communities. General Barbero seeks to provide particular support and awareness to Veteran suicide and other critical issues that impact our Veteran community. "I am very excited to join the great team at Endeavour. I have been impressed with Endeavour's mission to build a unique business in a critical industry niche while supporting the Veteran community in a meaningful way. I am very proud to be able to support Endeavour's commitment to causes and organizations that directly benefit our Veterans." About Endeavour Endeavour is a financial services platform supporting US Federal Government contractors. As an official Department of Defense Trusted Capital Provider, Endeavour offers cash funding for unpaid invoices up to $10,000,000, and can help companies improve their working capital position in order to finance growth strategies and manage operating expenses. Additionally, Endeavour contributes 50% of net profits to Mission Oriented causes that supports Veterans, their families, and their Communities. Learn more about ENDEAVOUR at www.endeavourar.com. SOURCE Endeavour Related Links https://www.endeavourcap.com CHICAGO, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Livingstone is pleased to announce the sale of MultiCam, Inc. ("MultiCam" or the "Company"), a portfolio company of Rosewood Private Investments, to Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems ("Kongsberg PCS"), a portfolio company of OpenGate Capital ("OpenGate"). Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Livingstone advised MultiCam on its sale to Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems Founded in 1989 and based in Dallas, Texas, MultiCam is an industry-leading global supplier of innovative automated cutting solutions and related parts, services, and consumables. MultiCam's global installed base of over 14,000 machines is comprised of router, digital finishing, plasma, waterjet, and laser machines. The Company's broad products portfolio serves a wide range of industries, including aerospace, signage, cabinet making, and automotive. "MultiCam sought a partner that would continue our strategic vision to become the global leader in automated cutting technologies. Kongsberg and OpenGate demonstrated their interest, fit, and strategy early in our process. We're thrilled to partner with their team going forward," stated David Morse, the President of MultiCam. "Livingstone demonstrated a unique understanding of the business and our global market, enabling us to run a targeted global process and leading to an optimal outcome for both Rosewood and the MultiCam team. We're thrilled with the outcome and look forward to the future." Kongsberg PCS is one of the leading providers of high-speed, precision cutting systems for packaging, signage, and display purposes, with facilities in Belgium, Czech Republic, and Norway serving Europe, the Americas, and Asia. The acquisition of MultiCam, including its operations in the U.S. and sales offices in Canada and Germany, expands Kongsberg PCS's market reach and customer base across North America and Europe and creates one of the world's most diversified providers of CNC cutting machines. "Dave and the MultiCam team have grown an outstanding platform in the automated cutting technologies industry. The combination with Kongsberg leverages world-class brands and market-leading technologies while expanding geographies and channels," stated Andrew Isgrig, Partner at Livingstone. "This new scale player will be exciting to watch as they continue their growth path together." MultiCam is Livingstone's 237th transaction completed since 2018 and the 87th industrial transaction completed globally in the same timeframe. It is another example of our success in the industrial technology sector, following the recent sales of Lesman Instruments to Kele, a portfolio company of The Stephens Group, and missile defense and rocket specialist Beranek to J&E Precision Tool, an LFM Capital portfolio company. Livingstone worked alongside Foley & Lardner LLP, which served as legal counsel, and BKD LLP, which provided accounting services to MultiCam throughout the transaction. About Livingstone Partners Livingstone is an international mid-market M&A and debt advisory firm with offices in Beijing, Chicago, Dusseldorf, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, and Stockholm. We have deep industry expertise, and extensive global coverage, with dedicated teams across our offices serving the Business & Technology Services, Consumer, Healthcare, and Industrial segments and close an average of 50+ transactions annually. To learn more about Livingstone, visit the website. Media Contact: Olga Jewusiak 773-505-8315 [email protected] SOURCE Livingstone Partners ATLANTA, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dynasty Jewelry and Loan Pawn Shop in Norcross, Georgia, announces their 1,000th Google Review with a perfect 5.0 Star Rating. "We're thrilled to have reached this milestone," President Ben Levinson said, "because it's a reflection of the way that our team supports their customers every single day." It's estimated that about 74 percent of local businesses have at least one Google review, while the average local business has 39 Google reviews with an average 4.4 star rating on Google.. When asked how their family's pawnshop has so far exceeded these averages, Joel Levinson replied, "We call it The Dynasty Difference. It's an attention to detail in everything we do, from the training we offer our team to the inventory we have on hand. People know that they can come to Dynasty and get the cash they need or the savings they want in a warm and welcoming environment." Dynasty is known for its extensive collection of luxury handbags, designer watches, diamond jewelry, electronics, laptops, and even fine art. "We have something for everyone, and our inventory changes every day," Ben says. One customer noted, in a recent review, "If you're looking to buy, you can't beat their inventory. You'll not only find pawn staples such as jewelry and tools, but also a vast selection of high-end shoes, purses, sunglasses, high-end art, furniture and electronics. If you're looking to sell or a short-term loan, you won't beat their pricing. Their staff consistently tries their best to get you to where you need to be they utilize online mediums better than their peers, and their customer service is great." The accolades don't stop at Google Reviews; the store has been named the 'Best of Gwinnett' winner since 2016 and has received other awards and recognitions over the years. The Levinsons are heavily involved in their community and the pawn industry, with Ben having served as a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the National Pawnbrokers Association, including in the role of President He also sits on the Board of Swing for a Cause which supports Toys for Tots. Dynasty is also a supporter of numerous community non-profits. More information about Dynasty Jewelry and Loan is available at www.dynastypawn.com, by following them on Facebook or Instagram, or by calling 770-300-0099. Media Contact Cyndee Harrison The Pawnbroker Network [email protected] 313-410-2343 SOURCE Pawnbroker Network Related Links www.pawnbrokernetwork.com Louisiana Tech University Partners with Rah Rah for Comprehensive Mobile First Strategy Tweet this As students return to school in a mix of full-time, hybrid, or remote capacities, they will receive all the benefits that campus has to offer. Students can search for resources, book time with faculty and staff, find and RSVP for local events, and move around Louisiana Tech's campus with a personal, annotated map. Rah Rah also provides personalized recommendations based on each student's calendar, preferences, and in-app behavior. "Putting myself in the shoes of students, whether full time or part time, the ability to connect with the content I'm personally interested in makes everyone feel more connected to campus," Director of Student Activities, Wes Cavin said. Rah Rah and Louisiana Tech plan to target more than just students living on campus. "Commuter students don't have access to the same canvassing and opportunities other students receive," Cavin said. "Rah Rah alleviates this pain point by helping us reach them wherever they are via their mobile devices." "The more students are engaged and connected, the more likely they are to complete their degrees." Wes Cavin "Freshmen who don't belong to any groups have a lower probability of completing their degree than students who come in and get involved in student life," Cavin said. "Rah Rah makes getting involved much more accessible and appealing to students because the app is designed with students in mind." For the mission-oriented Rah Rah team, the partnership provides an exciting opportunity to help over 12,000 students maximize their campus experience. "Louisiana Tech's commitment to providing their students a seamless and equitable experience through advanced technology and improved data is a testament to their innovative culture and relentless dedication to further driving successful student outcomes," said Cooper Jones, Rah Rah CEO and Co-founder. "This partnership brings both Rah Rah and Louisiana Tech one step closer to our shared mission of providing each and every student an individualized pathway to success by enabling them to find their sense of belonging and purpose. We could not be more humbled and motivated to be working with the Louisiana Tech team to make a lasting impact." Rah Rah is the first platform that puts all student life teams, resources, and opportunities in the hands of every student. The individualized solution helps each student's experience feel as unique as their goals. Students can connect directly with administrators and book meetings with calendar and system integrations, and navigate campus with a dynamic, personalized map. Event listings empower students to find their community on campus, RSVP, and connect with leadership. CONTACT INFORMATION Cooper Jones CEO & Co-Founder [email protected] SOURCE Rah Rah Related Links www.rahrahlife.com SAN DIEGO, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Maram Zakko is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Trusted Gastroenterologist for his exceptional work in the field of Gastroenterology. Maram Zakko Dr. Zakko has been treating patients since 1998, and is proud to have many loyal patients. He believes in treating different aspects of a patient, not just focusing on their illness, to achieve the best results. He is a practicing gastroenterologist at Arch Health partners building, Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion in Poway, and 488 E Valley Parkway in Escondido, California. He treats patients with a wide range of digestive disorders, and his treatments include advanced procedures like ERCP. Dr. Zakko also practices at Palomar Medical Center Poway (formerly Pomerado hospital), Palomar Medical Center Escondido, Parkway Endoscopy Center in Escondido, and Rancho Bernardo Surgery Center. To achieve his successful career in medicine, Dr. Zakko attended the College of Medicine at the University of Baghdad. He performed an internship in the United States at Yale University/St. Raphael's Hospital. Next, he completed a residency at UConn John Dempsey Hospital, and a Fellowship in Gastroenterology at Yale New Haven Hospital, then he joined the faculty at Yale School of Medicine in a teaching capacity in Gastroenterology. As a specialist of digestive medicine, Dr. Zakko treats patients for a wide range of gastrointestinal issues and digestive issues. He is board-certified and a diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Gastroenterology, a physician-led nonprofit evaluation group created to uphold the standards of professional care in the Gastroenterology field. Awarded for his acclaimed career, Dr. Zakko is the recipient of the Top 10 Doctor Metro Area Award (2014), Patients' Choice Award (2016, 2017, 2018, 2020), On-Time Doctor Award (2016, 2017, 2018, 2020) and Compassionate Doctor Recognition (2016, 2017, 2018, 2020). In his spare time, he enjoys playing the piano and acoustic guitar. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who Related Links http://www.continentalwhoswho.com MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mednet, a provider of eClinical solutions for the global life sciences community, today announced its twentieth anniversary, celebrating two decades of delivering innovative technologies to support clinical trials. A pioneer in electronic data capture (EDC) solutions, Mednet was founded in 2001 to enable research teams to streamline data collection and related processes. Today, life sciences sponsors and contract research organizations (CROs) around the world use Mednet's technology to conduct a wide range of clinical research across nearly every therapeutic category. More than 2,000 studies have been conducted on the platform to date. Mednet's original software included EDC and other capabilities to significantly streamline study processes, but the early solutions typically required significant customization and build support. In 2011, the company shifted to a turnkey, cloud-based solution, making it easier for customers to build and get studies up and running on their own. Mednet's current signature platform, iMednet, is a comprehensive, cloud-based, EDC-centric clinical data management system. Centered around a robust EDC, the platform is built from the ground up with key native modules, while also allowing for integrations with other clinical research technologies. Since its founding twenty years ago, Mednet established a tradition of excellence in delivering comprehensive eClinical capabilities coupled with exceptional services and support. Committed to long-term customer success, the team regularly surveys and meets with customers to ensure its technology and capabilities are meeting the emerging needs of the clinical research industry actively translating requirements into our product strategy. In a recent customer satisfaction survey, Mednet customers rated their overall satisfaction as 4.8, on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being 'very satisfied'. Advancements in medical science, new data sources and increasingly complex study designs are consistent drivers of change in the industry, and recently, challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic pushed research organizations to look for innovative ways to adapt and prepare for the future. Highly flexible and allowing for integrations, the Mednet platform is purposely and uniquely designed to enable research teams to easily adapt to the rapidly changing environment. "Since our founding twenty years ago, the industry has evolved significantly, and so have our capabilities, but our mission remains the same," said Rob Robertson, CEO, Mednet. "Our goal is to provide the most innovative, efficient and effective eClinical solutions to accelerate clinical development, enabling our life science customers to focus on what matters most improving healthcare for people worldwide." About Mednet Mednet is a healthcare technology company specializing in eClinical solutions designed for the global life sciences community. Mednet's comprehensive eClinical platform, iMednet, is built with native applications, while also enabling integrations, to optimize efficiency and deliver maximum value to clinical studies of all types and sizes. Beyond electronic data capture (EDC), Mednet's comprehensive solution set provides the tools required to build and manage all types of clinical research, while enabling organizations to adapt to evolving demands and requirements. Pharmaceutical, medical device, biotechnology and Contract Research Organizations (CROs) around the world have trusted Mednet for twenty years to deliver the technology innovation, experience and reliability they need for success. For more information, visit www.mednetsolutions.com. Contact: Barbara Correll, [email protected] SOURCE Mednet Related Links http://www.mednetstudy.com VIENNA, Va., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MicroHealth LLC has been named one of The Washington Post's 2021 Top Workplaces in the D.C. area. Selection is based solely on employee feedback gathered through an anonymous third-party survey administered by research partner Energage, LLC, which measured several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution, and connection. This year's honorees include government contractors, real estate firms, professional and business services, law firms, and tech companies. The Post's Top Workplaces list is eight years running, with MicroHealth making it on the list in 2019 and again in 2021. The companies on the list made rapid decisions to ensure employee safety, productivity, and efficiency according to The Washington Post Top Workplaces editor Dion Haynes. Washington Post Top Work Places "This is the most prestigious award for us because it's a reflection on how we are doing in delivering a culture of service to our highly valued workforce," - Frank Tucker, CEO. The Washington Post hosted a virtual awards ceremony on Thursday, June 17 to recognize the top-ranked companies. For more about The Washington Post's Top Workplaces, see the full list of this year's honorees. MicroHealth is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB) and SBA Certified 8(a) small, disadvantaged business that provides Health Information Technology Services for the United States Federal Government. Customers we serve include but are not limited to the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of State (DOS), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), United States Coast Guard (USCG), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), and Department of Energy (DOE). MicroHealth specializes in Electronic Health Records; Telehealth; Medical Simulation; Health Standards & Interoperability; Health Research & Analytics; Health Policy & Planning; Privacy, Security & HIPAA; Health Technology Development; Modernization & Maintenance; Health IT Operations & Infrastructure Management; and Health Record Management & Digitization. MicroHealth performs these services using certified techniques recognized by Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Development CMMI-Dev/3 and Services CMMI-Svc/3; ISO 20000-1:2018 (IT Service Management); ISO 27001:2013 (Information Security Management), and ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management). Media Contact: Diwa Reyes, Marketing [email protected] www.microhealthllc.com Related Images washington-post-top-work-places.jpg Washington Post Top Work Places Washington Post Top Work Places SOURCE MicroHealth LLC RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Naborforce, a fast-growing tech-enabled company designed to connect aging adults to a network of trusted care providers, today announced the close of its oversubscribed and upsized Series Seed funding round of $2.5M. The Artemis Fund, a Houston, TX-based venture capital fund investing in the best early-stage, female founders across the U.S., joined the round led by Claritas Capital. The additional capital will further expand Naborforce's elder tech solution, including geographic reach and operations, designed to combat isolation and other social determinants that impact the health of the senior population. "We are honored to add Artemis Fund to our seed funding round and are energized by the level of interest and enthusiasm for Naborforce's proven ability to make meaningful connections possible for older adults seeking companionship and on-demand care," said Paige Wilson, CEO and founder of Naborforce. "The Artemis Fund has a history of investing in female founders who solve big problems for real people and who drive returns for their investors. We feel that our ability to leverage new technology to make independent living possible for older adults is the perfect fit for their portfolio of innovation addressing massive markets and consumer demand. Together, we will open up new opportunities for aging-in-place while tackling social isolation at scale." Driving the demand for Naborforce's solution is an increased need for support as the U.S. population ages and over 11,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day. As a result, for the first time in U.S. history older adults will soon outnumber children. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased challenges for older adults by escalating isolation and the need for support during a period of time when older adults are expressing a desire to age gracefully and safely in place. Compounding the issue further, the United States is facing a caregiver crisis due to a shortage across the care continuum, beginning with a dramatic decrease in family caregivers. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Naborforce has leveraged its elder tech platform to support older adults and their families. The increased demand for Naborforce's network has increased its revenue by over 1,000 percent. In addition, Wilson won AARP's third annual Consumer Technology Association Foundation Pitch Competition, earned a spot in the highly competitive TechStars program, and was invited to present to the Senate Committee on Aging. Naborforce, which currently serves Richmond, Charlottesville, Raleigh, Wake County, Chapel Hill, and Durham, will leverage the funding and increased demand to further expand to 10 additional markets over the next year. As Naborforce enters new communities, it will introduce the first and only platform capable of dispatching a carefully vetted network of "Nabors" who will provide pre-care services before more intensive care is needed to directly impact long-term health outcomes. "The Artemis Fund invests in the best early-stage, female founders across the U.S. modernizing wealth. We are thrilled to partner with Naborforce to provide access to the care needed to facilitate aging in place and to alleviate significant social isolation and care challenges facing families," said Stephanie Campbell, co-founder of The Artemis Fund. Naborforce will announce new locations beginning in September as it works to make vital connections easy and accessible for older adults and their children seeking companionship and on-demand care. Visit naborforce.com to connect to Naborforce's network of "Nabors" for social engagement and on-demand support for errands, transportation, and help around the home. SOURCE Naborforce Related Links https://naborforce.com Established in 1992, the Consumer Participation Program promotes consumer representation and interaction with the NAIC members by providing a way for individuals who are qualified consumer representatives of consumer organizations to participate in NAIC meetings. The NAIC defines a consumer organization as a national, state, or local organization that serves to protect the interests of consumers as they relate to the regulation of insurance. "This year marks 29 years that the Consumer Participation Program has been helping position the voice of the consumer at the forefront as state regulators address priorities that impact consumers," said Colorado Insurance Commissioner and Chair of the Consumer Participation Program Committee, Michael Conway. One option for individuals to participate in the Consumer Participation Program is for the NAIC to provide funding in the form of travel expense reimbursement. In order to qualify for such funding, an individual candidate shall have a commitment to representing consumer interests in insurance regulation, be willing to fully participate in NAIC national meetings and related conference calls, have demonstrated expertise and experience on insurance-related issues addressed by the NAIC, and require NAIC funding in order to fully participate in NAIC national meetings and conference calls. An individual candidate must not have obligations or commitments to an industry that conflict with his/her responsibilities to represent consumer interests. "Consumer protection is at the core of the NAIC's mission. Consumer Representatives offer unique and diverse perspectives critical to helping guide decisions that impact consumers and I encourage candidates to apply," said NAIC President and Florida Commissioner of Insurance, David Altmaier. The following link to the NAIC website provides additional information about the NAIC's Consumer Participation Program and describes the application process to be appointed as either a funded or unfunded consumer representative: http://www.naic.org/consumer_participation.htm. Individuals who do not need funding may apply to participate in the Consumer Participation Program as an unfunded consumer representative. The application deadline is 5:00 pm Central Time on Oct. 31, 2021. All applicants are required to complete the application, sign the Conflict-of-Interest Statement, and attach all documents requested. Applicants will be selected in December and notified prior to the Spring National Meeting in 2022. SOURCE National Association of Insurance Commissioners Related Links http://www.naic.org Customers can get a beautiful, healthy gel effect manicure at home with no toxic ingredients and no heat lamp. LBK polish gives a gel effect without the heat lamp which enables consumers to create a beautiful, manicure at home without all the toxic ingredients. The California based brand has proven to be a game-changer for the nail industry and for consumers. "At home beauty and DIY fans love our beautiful, yet healthy shades of color. We aspire to give our customers the beauty they want while being good for their body and their budget," says Tony Kemeny, CEO and founder of LBK Nails. "Our unique top flips up to overlay the consumer's real fingernail to give the impression of the color on them. There's no mess at the retail location and no wasting money on colors that don't look good on you!" A favorite of consumers, nail artists, and influencers, LBK's nationally acclaimed collections include 54 colors in a broad range of gorgeous shades, from subtle and classic hues to bold statement colors. LBK launches a new collection of shades quarterly to ensure their shades are on trend for each season. The summer neon collection has been one of this season's most popular nail polishes. "Rockin' the Neon Palooza" features 9 bright colors available exclusively at select Walgreens. For more information, please visit www.lbknails.com About: Altering the way consumers pick their polish, LBK is a pioneering company with a multi-functional cap for bottles. A sleek hinged design creates a would-be plastic nail painted with the exact color tone of the bottle's contents. This patented technology takes away the guesswork without having to open the bottle. LBK is vegan friendly, 100% cruelty-free, and gives a gel-effect without the heat lamp. It's 7-Free which means it is free of Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, TPHP, and Xylene. LBK is currently available to purchase in Walgreens and Walmart stores across the U.S. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE LBK Nails Related Links www.lbknails.com NEW SOUTH WALES, Australia, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Sylvia Earle, legendary oceanographer, Nat Geo explorer and host-narrator of the new ocean conservation giant screen documentary Ocean Odyssey, announced Fish Rock, Australia as the newest addition to a global network of Hope Spots, marine areas currently under or seeking protected status. Dr. Earle's organization Mission Blue is committed to creating and supporting the conservation of Hope Spots globally, in line with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress goal to protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030. Ocean Odyssey 14-year-old local SCUBA diver and ocean conservationist Shalise Leesfield hopes that the recognition of the Fish Rock Hope Spot will help establish a 1500m radius marine protected area to protect its critically endangered Grey Nurse sharks. She is Mission Blue's youngest Hope Spot Champion. Fish Rock, well known as one of the largest ocean caverns in the southern hemisphere, acts like a blue magnet attracting divers from around the world. It is equally famous for its high biodiversity. A diver himself, Ocean Odyssey director Nick Robinson hopes the giant screen medium will immerse people in marine habitats they rarely have the chance to visit, and move people to support protection for special places like Fish Rock. Through a spectacular 3D underwater journey, viewers of Ocean Odyssey learn about the remarkable ways the ocean and ocean currents nurture not only a diverse cast of marine creatures, but also life on earth, and how all of us can play a role in ocean conservation. The film will be accompanied by a classroom guide that includes a lesson on Hope Spots. The Ocean Odyssey team is working with Mission Blue and other leading ocean conservation groups to reach a network of at least 26000 educators, as well as the vast ocean interest community and beyond. Ocean Odyssey, with the help of Dr. Earle and her organization Mission Blue as outreach partners, will bring the beauty and mystery of Fish Rock and the oceans to youth and adult audiences at science center and aquarium IMAX, Giant Screen and other specialty theaters around the world. The film follows a migrating whale mother and calf along the East Australian Current from the Great Barrier Reef to Antarctica. The pair's journey leads to a stop at Fish Rock Cave, where audiences experience an adventurous dive among Grey Nurse sharks and learn about their plight, followed by Dr. Earle's call to action to conserve 30% of the world's oceans. Fish Rock has one of the world's most impressive annual whale migrations from May to November, and occasionally serves as a whale nursery in which mothers bring their baby calves in for a rest. Prevailing currents provide nutrients that nurture high biodiversity in Fish Rock. Today, overfishing and pollution are the biggest threats to Fish Rock. Links Mission Blue press release on Fish Rock: https://mission-blue.org/2021/08/young-marine-conservationist-champions-the-fish-rock-hope-spot-in-new-south-wales-to-protect-critically-endangered-grey-nurse-sharks/ Mission Blue Hope Spots: https://mission-blue.org/hope-spots/ Ocean Odyssey film website: https://www.oceanodysseyfilm.com/ Contacts: Bob Kresser, Executive Producer [email protected] 310 563 2603 Brett Loveman, Communications Director Mission Blue [email protected] K2 Studios [email protected] 310 563 2608 SOURCE K2 Studios SCARBOROUGH, Maine, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Organic Payment Gateways, a US-based high-risk payment gateway company, has launched a new program for CBD and nutritional supplement manufacturers and warehouses looking to integrate payment processing for B2B clients. The new program allows warehouses and product manufacturers to potentially monetize high-risk payment gateway and merchant account referrals. The Organic Payment Gateways Partnership Program will focus on CBD, hemp, and nutritional supplement manufacturers and fulfillment houses. According to the company, they designed their Organic Payment Gateways Partnership Program for established CBD producers, supplement makers, and warehouses that have a clientele in need of payment gateways and merchant accounts. Organic Payment Gateways works with payment solutions that integrate seamlessly with their partners' preferred software and systems. This reduces frustration, lost revenue and allows supplement, CBD, and hemp clients to accept payments using the software already in place or in development. Alex Roy, president of E-Commerce 4 LLC, the parent company of Organic Payment Gateways, described the need for the program. According to Alex, "Supplement manufacturers, CBD producers, and warehouses are tied to the cash flow of their clients. If their clients cannot accept credit cards, these B2B providers cannot succeed. This new partnership program is designed to fill that need while paying businesses for qualified referrals." The company's Partnership Program page describes the affiliate program launch as follows: "Manufacturers, fulfillment warehouses, and other B2B companies that provide services to high-risk clients like CBD and supplement businesses are only successful when their clients can process credit card payments. The Organic Payment Gateways Partnership Program compensates qualified B2B companies while providing essential payment processing services to their clients. "Because product makers and shippers along with POS companies and platform developers are involved in many aspects of their customer's businesses, they are often used as a resource in terms of finding reliable, established payment gateway and merchant account solutions. We can help your CBD or supplement clients accept credit cards and compensate you for the referral." When asked for more specifics regarding which companies and individuals would be allowed to participate, Alex Roy explained that although they accept referrals from any company and appreciate the business, their Partnership Program only pays commissions to mid-sized or larger B2B companies with experience in CBD, hemp, or nutritional supplements. Alex added this explanation for the program's limited scope: "Unfortunately, the volume of inquiries we would likely receive from smaller B2B companies makes it inefficient for us to roll this Partnership Program out to all potential partners. For now, we will require a handful of items for a company to participate. First, partners must be located within the United States. Secondly, they must demonstrate that they have an active, growing CBD or supplement-focused business. Lastly, they must document a high level of client satisfaction and adherence to all local, state, federal, and industry rules and regulations. According to the Organic Payment Gateways Partnership Program description, qualified manufacturers and warehouses may earn ongoing income in exchange for their supplement, hemp, or CBD payment processing referrals. Commissions are based on several factors, and there is a simple online application that will only take a couple minutes for warehouses and manufacturers to fill out and submit. More information on this program can be found at https://organicpaymentgateways.com/partnership-program . Contact: Alex Roy 800-570-1347 [email protected] SOURCE Organic Payment Gateways CHARLESTON, SC., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The state of mental health in the Unites States appears in crisis. Rates of depression and anxiety have steadily increased over the last decade, only to be accelerated by the emergence of the pandemic. Coincidentally, emerging research focusing on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics has been showing tremendous promise in addressing this serious public health concern. It is during these trying times that Innerbloom Healing Arts has opened its new clinic in Charleston, South Carolina helping to lay the groundwork of a psychedelic reawakening in the field of mental health. Innerbloom aims to provide Charleston and its surrounding areas with a space of healing and growth through the use of psychedelic medicines and therapy. Founder, medical director and psychiatrist, Dr. Juan Pablo Galindo states, "Our mission is to offer alternative paths to alleviate psychological pain, especially for those whom standard psychiatric treatments are not meeting their needs". Currently, Innerbloom Healing Arts offers ketamine assisted psychotherapy, as ketamine is the only legal substance currently available for this approach. Fortunately, MDMA and Psilocybin are in late phase FDA trials that will hopefully be rescheduled as prescription medications that Innerbloom plans to incorporate into their therapeutic practice. "We are really excited about the psychedelic renaissance that is happening right now", says Dr. Galindo. "Psychedelics have the wonderful ability to bring us back into contact with each other, and show us that we all have the incredible ability to heal from within". About Dr. Juan Pablo Galindo, D.O. and Innerbloom Healing Arts Dr. Juan Pablo Galindo is a board-certified psychiatrist originally from Sacramento, California, specializing in psychopharmacology and psychotherapy. Recently, he obtained a certification in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research through the California Institute of Integral Studies, and is certified in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy through the Ketamine Training Center. His training has always focused on the connections between the body, mind and spirit leading to a deep interest in psychedelic medicines. Innerbloom Healing was founded to create a space of healing and growth through the use of psychedelic medicines and psychotherapy. It is a clinic that hopes to create a therapeutic environment that breaks down the walls of suffering and brings out one's inner-healer. The new psychedelic treatment clinic opens on September 1st, 2021, located at 103 Logan Street, Suite 300, Charleston, South Carolina, 29401. To learn about the new programs and therapies being offered to Charleston, visit the website, www.innerbloomhealingarts.com, or call 843-405-7598 today. Media Contact: Dr. Juan Pablo Galindo 843-405-7598 [email protected] SOURCE Innerbloom Healing Arts WEST CHESTER, Pa., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Centinel Spine, LLC, a leading global medical device company addressing cervical and lumbar spinal disease through anterior surgical access, today announced findings of a new study first presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for the Advancement of Spinal Surgery (ISASS) (May 13-15, 2021, Miami, FL). Thierry Marnay, MD reported results that strongly support the long-term safety and effectiveness of Centinel Spine's prodisc L Total Disc Replacement System for the lumbar spine. Results from this study will be further presented during the Best Paper session at the upcoming North American Spine Society (NASS) 36th Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 30, 2021. prodisc L The study expands the evidence of prodisc L and is one of the largest total disc replacement patient groups ever evaluateddemonstrating the robust long-term clinical success of one- and two-level lumbar total disc replacement (TDR) with prodisc L, as assessed at 7-21 years postoperatively. A total of 1,187 patients who underwent lumbar TDR from 1999 to 2013 were followed. Until this study, lumbar TDR published evidence was limited to 5-7 year follow up. According to the study, patients had maintained reduction in disability and pain scores over time, with low rates of index revision/reoperation or adjacent level surgery when compared to long-term published fusion data. Total TDR revision and adjacent level surgery rates over 7-21 years were 0.67% and 1.85%, respectively (Marnay, Thierry. "7 to 21 year clinical outcomes of 1,187 patients treated with one and two level lumbar total disc arthroplasty", ISASS 2021 Annual Meeting, May 14, 2021, Miami, FL). Centinel Spine's CEO, Steve Murray, stated, "This study reinforces the long-term safety and effectiveness of the prodisc system, a motion preservation technology that supports the advancement of patient care. The prodisc technology was designed on proven design principles and this study demonstrates continued positive results after over 30 years of clinical usage." Centinel Spine continues to lead the total disc replacement market and is the only company with FDA-approved cervical and lumbar total disc replacement devices. The prodisc L remains the only total disc replacement system in the U.S. approved for two-level use in the lumbar spine. About Centinel Spine, LLC Centinel Spine, LLC is a leading global medical device company addressing cervical and lumbar spinal disease through anterior surgical access. The company offers a continuum of trusted, brand-name, motion-preserving and fusion solutions backed by over 30 years of clinical successproviding the most robust and clinically-proven technology platforms in the world for total disc replacement (prodisc) and Integrated Interbody fusion (STALIF). Centinel Spine continues to advance its pioneering culture and corporate mission to become a catalyst of change in the spine industry and alter the way spine surgery is perceived. Centinel Spine remains the only company with comprehensive motion-preserving and fusion solutions for both cervical and lumbar anterior column reconstruction. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.CentinelSpine.com or contact: Varun Gandhi Chief Financial Officer 900 Airport Road, Suite 3B West Chester, PA 19380 Phone: 484-887-8871 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Centinel Spine, LLC Related Links https://www.centinelspine.com Report Links Auto Thefts by State | State Auto Thefts by MSA | 2020 Auto Thefts by MSA Ranking "Auto thefts saw a dramatic increase in 2020 versus 2019 in part due to the pandemic, an economic downturn, law enforcement realignment, depleted social and schooling programs, and, in still too many cases, owner complacency," said David Glawe, president and CEO of the NICB. "For many people, a car is the second largest investment they will ever make behind a home. As such, it is important to take simple steps to protect your investment lock your car and take your keys, no matter where you live." Colorado's thefts increased from 21,299 in 2019 to 29,162 thefts in 2020. Driving the increase in thefts in the state is the Denver Metropolitan Statistical Area. Thefts in the region increased by more than 7,000 rising from 14,093 in 2019 to 21,112 in 2020. Top 10 States by Theft Rate Theft Rate is total thefts per 100,000 residents # State 2020 Rate 2019 Rate # State 2020 Rate 2019 Rate 1 Washington D.C. 562.98 404.82 6 Oregon 385.08 361.64 2 Colorado 502.12 369.86 7 Oklahoma 371.28 340.36 3 California 475.24 405.89 8 Washington 368.46 331.06 4 Missouri 453.63 403.95 9 Nevada 365.84 395.08 5 New Mexico 426.19 447.87 10 Kansas 325.28 284.45 California leads states in total thefts with 187,094. Texas follows with 93,521, and Florida with 44,940. These three states alone account for 37% of all thefts nationally. Of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Bakersfield leads the pack with a theft rate of 905.41. The theft rate is the total number of thefts per 100,000 residents. Top Five Metropolitan Statistical Areas by Theft Rate Theft Rate is total thefts per 100,000 residents Rank MSA Name 2020 Rate 2019 Rate 1 Bakersfield, Calif. 905.41 726.28 2 Yuba City, Calif. 724.46 546.01 3 Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colo. 705.8 474.95 4 Odessa, Texas 664.28 569.11 5 San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, Calif. 655.2 492.33 Though thefts in 2020 jumped up significantly nationally, 10 states realized declines in total thefts. Top 10 States and Territories with Declining Thefts in 2020 Rank State 2020 Thefts Difference Rank State 2020 Thefts Difference 1 Puerto Rico 4,005 -1,894 6 Maryland 12,702 -471 2 Florida 46,465 -1,525 7 New Mexico 9,391 -414 3 Georgia 26,907 -939 8 Alaska 2,385 -407 4 Alabama 12,252 -916 9 New Jersey 12,386 -218 5 Nevada 12,169 -688 10 West Virginia 2,606 -141 The Hot Spots report examines vehicle theft data obtained from the National Crime Information Center for each of the nation's metropolitan statistical areas. These are designated by the Office of Management and Budget and often include municipalities other than the cities for which Metropolitan Statistical Areas are named. For example, Bakersfield, Calif., includes the entire county of Kern, not just the city of Bakersfield. As a population-based survey, an area with a much smaller population can have a higher theft rate than an area with a greater number of thefts. Creating a theft rate, or number of thefts per 100,000 people, enables analysts to compare large regions, such as Los Angeles, with small regions, such as Hot Springs, Ark. NICB recommends drivers follow four layers of protection to guard against vehicle theft. Common sense. Vehicle owners should always remove keys from the ignition, lock doors and windows, and park in well-lit areas. Warning devices. These include visible and audible alarms. Aftermarket alarms are available for all makes and models of cars. Visual devices include column collars, steering wheel locks, and brake locks. Immobilizing devices. The third layer of protection prevents thieves from bypassing the ignition and hot-wiring the vehicle. Some examples are smart keys; fuse cut-offs; kill switches; starter, ignition, and fuel pump disablers; and wireless ignition authentication. Tracking devices. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles. Some systems combine GPS and wireless technologies to allow remote monitoring of a vehicle. If the vehicle is moved, the system will alert the owner, and the vehicle can be tracked via computer. REPORT FRAUD: Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it anonymously by calling toll-free 800.TEL.NICB (800.835.6422) or submitting a form on our website. ABOUT THE NATIONAL INSURANCE CRIME BUREAU: Headquartered in Des Plaines, Ill., the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to preventing, detecting and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through Intelligence & Analytics, Learning & Development, and Strategy, Policy, & Plans. The NICB is supported by more than 1,200 property and casualty insurance companies, rental car agencies, auto auctions, and self-insured entities. NICB member companies wrote more than $526 billion in insurance premiums in 2019, or more than 82% of the nation's property-casualty insurance. That includes more than 95% ($241 billion) of the nation's personal auto insurance. To learn more, visit www.nicb.org. SOURCE National Insurance Crime Bureau Related Links www.nicb.org MADISON, Wis., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Wisconsin will hold an online webinar Wednesday, September 8th from 1:00 PM until 2:30 PM using ZOOM for Veterans of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM . The withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan has caused a profound pressure on Veterans that served there and made great sacrifices safeguarding the Afghans from the tyranny of the Taliban. Wisconsin VFW Commander, Cory Geisler will host the discussion accompanied by special guests and Veterans that served in Afghanistan, Jason Church and Travis West. The symposium will also provide referral support for those Veterans struggling. OEF Symposium an Online Discussion for Veterans of the War in Afghanistan OEF Symposium an Online Discussion for Veterans of the War in Afghanistan This exchange is intended to provide a forum for discussing shared experiences and offering a healing path to OEF Veterans adjusting to the stress exacerbated by the withdrawal. Geisler said, "The difficulty of the current events in this world has become unbearable to some of our Veterans that have served, fought and sacrificed, to see the progress halted. Wisconsin VFW is reaching out to our OEF Veterans and letting them know that we care. We are with you. We are here for you. We ARE you." September 8, 2021 Symposium timeline: 12:45 ZOOM Meeting will begin to allow participants in. 1:00 pm - Event Begins: VFW State Commander Cory Geisler will provide opening comments and introduce special guests. - Event Begins: VFW State Commander will provide opening comments and introduce special guests. Referral support presentation. Open mic discussion participants. Closing comments, Cory Geisler . . 2:30 pm Conclusion. Vet Center of Madison will attend and be available online to offer services for Veterans and their families. Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services to Veterans and military. Wisconsin VFW is a nonprofit Veterans Service Organization with 26,000 members, 8,500 Auxiliary in 249 Posts throughout Wisconsin. Contact: Adjutant David Green 608-221-5276 SOURCE Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Wisconsin DALLAS, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pariveda Solutions today announced it has earned the Analytics on Microsoft Azure advanced specialization, a validation of a partner's capability in planning and delivering tailored analytics solutions, following Microsoft and industry best practices. Only partners that meet stringent criteria around customer success and staff skilling, as well as pass a third-party audit of their analytics planning and deployment practices, are able to earn the Analytics on Microsoft Azure advanced specialization. As more businesses recognize the value of effective data and analytics strategies but struggle to implement them, partners with proven experience delivering customized Microsoft analytics solutions using Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Lake, Azure Data Factory, and Azure Databricks are well-positioned to capture this market opportunity. These partners can help customers better integrate endlessly scalable analytics platforms into their businesses to quickly capture insights from all their data across data warehouses and big data analytics systems. Rodney Clark, Corporate Vice President, Global Partner Solutions, Channel Sales and Channel Chief at Microsoft added, "The Analytics on Microsoft Azure advanced specialization highlights the partners who can be viewed as most capable when it comes to building transformative and secure analytics solutions on Azure. Pariveda clearly demonstrated that they have both the skills and the experience to help our customers harness the power of insight and transform their businesses in a scalable, secure, and cost-effective way." A Modern Data Enterprise on Azure seeks to consistently deliver value by driving decisions and action from data across the entire value chain. It aligns governance with the overall data strategy and centers around a platform that supplies value unique to your organization. This approach allows your organization to uniquely craft the way you handle data now and in the future. Pariveda is able to assess your organization's current data maturity and recommend the steps to achieve better insight and make better decisions. Explore the offering here. "This advanced specialization places Pariveda in a unique position to help enterprise data organizations advance at an innovative pace." said Brian Erickson, Dallas Office Managing Vice President. "We are proud of how we developed the Modern Data Enterprise offering to address the key areas we see client face every day." About Pariveda Solutions Pariveda Solutions, Inc. is an employee-owned, strategic services and consulting company that helps our clients diagnose and solve complex, disruptive problems often organizational or technological. We serve clients in eleven major city locations, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, and Washington D.C. Media Contact: Leslie Garza, [email protected] SOURCE Pariveda Solutions, Inc. Related Links http://www.parivedasolutions.com DALLAS, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Parks Associates will host two virtual sessions tomorrow covering independent living solutions and new tech as part of the eighth annual Connected Health Summit: Consumer Engagement and Innovation. Parks Associates' research reveals 55% of US broadband households own at least one connected health device, such as a smart watch or pulse oximeter. The executive event, sponsored by Alarm.com, Essence, and Everise, features virtual sessions highlighting consumer data and industry insights examining connected solutions in digital health. Parks Associates: Adoption of Connected Health Devices "Independent Living: Opportunity for Smart Home Platforms" features Josh Locke, VP, Essence USA, and Adam Sobol, CEO, CareBand. "The connected health industry will see tremendous innovation and the proper momentum it deserves over the next few years," Locke said. "Most importantly, trends show that lifesaving technologies that prolong independence no matter where you live will be embraced more than ever. The key is strategic partnerships, and this event is a perfect place to foster these." "For years we have been talking about the promise of smart technologies empowering older adults to age-in-place, but until recently there hasn't been the infrastructure to support these technologies," Sobol said. "With the introduction of Amazon Sidewalk, MATTER, and Wi-Fi Sensing, the promise is turning into a reality." "Driving Innovation: New Investments and the Future of Healthcare" features Tom Cassels, President, Rock Health, and Amol Pangarkar, Director, Product Management, Samsung Electronics. These interactive panels include the following executives: Ijaz Arif , CEO and Chairman, VeeMed , CEO and Chairman, VeeMed Greg Baker , Managing Partner, Bascom Ventures , Managing Partner, Bascom Ventures Paul Berney , CMO, Anthropos Digital Care , CMO, Anthropos Digital Care Andy Droney , Senior Director, Health & Innovation Programs, ADT , Senior Director, Health & Innovation Programs, ADT Maneesh Goyal , COO, Mayo Clinic Platform, Mayo Clinic , COO, Mayo Clinic Platform, Mayo Clinic Scott McMillan , CEO, XCO , CEO, XCO Dan Messina , President and Co-founder, HandsFree Health , President and Co-founder, HandsFree Health Lainie Muller , Director, Health & Wellness, Strategic Sales, Alarm.com , Director, Health & Wellness, Strategic Sales, Alarm.com Chuck Sabin , Senior Director, Market Development, Bluetooth SIG "At VeeMed, we find that large healthcare systems want to be able to do everything through one platform, especially if you look at it from the providers' perspective. They want to be able to do inpatient, outpatient, clinics, urgent care, and home health through one app," Arif said. "I look forward to discussing concepts that drive these innovations and specifically why RPM is the next level of telehealth, offering the same level of confidence patients would have if they were at a clinic, physician's office, or in the hospital." "Using smart home security devices can help seniors age in place and make life simpler and safer for them while providing peace of mind to their caregivers or loved ones," Droney said. "In combination with medical alert systems and specially trained monitoring agents responding to emergencies, technology and ease of use for customers are key to the future of the connected health industry." "The potential for IoMT in healthcare continues to grow. COVID-19 significantly accelerated a digital transformation in healthcare, which was already adopting more IoT-based medical devices and processes pre-pandemic," Sabin said. "We've seen a significant increase in the use of wearables and health monitoring devices for both personal use and telemedicine. We expect shipments of Bluetooth-enabled devices in this category to exceed half a billion per year by 2025." For more information, visit www.connectedhealthsummit.com. About Connected Health Summit Connected Health Summit is focused on the impact of connected devices and IoT healthcare solutions on consumers. www.connectedhealthsummit.com Contact: Rosey Ulpino Parks Associates 972.996.0202 [email protected] SOURCE Parks Associates Related Links http://www.connectedhealthsummit.com Highlights: Peak Processing Solutions (Peak), subsidiary of Althea Group Holdings (ASX: AGH) (Althea) has entered into agreements with BBCCC, Inc., The Boston Beer Company (NYSE: SAM) ('BBC'), and WeedMD Rx Inc., a subsidiary of Entourage Health Corp. ('Entourage') Under the product development agreement, Peak will provide research and development services including laboratory support and the testing of various product formulations and recipes, for the new line of BBC products BBC will provide Peak with funding of up to USD$2m for capital improvements associated with the development project. In addition, Peak will receive a minimum of USD$285,000 for each year of the Term of the agreement (totalling USD$1.42m ) for capital improvements associated with the development project. In addition, Peak will receive a minimum of for each year of the Term of the agreement (totalling ) Under the 5 year supply and manufacturing agreement, Peak is the exclusive manufacturer of all cannabis beverages produced or sold in Canada under BBC branding, for the term of the agreement under BBC branding, for the term of the agreement Entourage will be responsible for distribution and sales of the cannabis-infused beverages in Canada TECUMSEH, ON, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Peak Processing Solutions, a subsidiary of Althea Group Holdings Limited (ASX: AGH), ('Peak' or 'the Company') is a leading developer, manufacturer, and distributor of cannabis infused edible, topical, and concentrate products is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into agreements with WeedMD Rx Inc., a subsidiary of (TSXV: ENTG) (OTCQX: WDDMF) ('Entourage') and BBCCC, Inc., a subsidiary of the Boston Beer Company Inc. (NYSE: SAM) ('BBC'). The parties have entered into various agreements in connection with the development, production, marketing, distribution and sale of non-alcoholic cannabis-infused beverages in Canada. The terms of the agreements are five years. ('the Term') Supply and manufacturing agreement Under the supply and manufacturing agreement, Peak will be the exclusive manufacturer of all cannabis beverage products produced and sold in Canada under BBC branding for the term of the agreement, with a right of first refusal to a U.S. potential future partnership. Entourage will purchase the finished products from Peak, and leverage its sales force and sales licences to market, distribute and sell the products in Canada on behalf of BBC. Development Agreement Under the development agreement, Peak will provide research and development services, including laboratory support, for the purposes of developing new products and testing various product formulations and recipes, all activities to be completed at Peak's facility in Tecumseh Ontario. BBC will provide up to USD$2m to fund capital expenditure costs associated with matters including the construction and furnishing of laboratory facilities and additional production-related equipment at the Peak facility, with no less than USD$500,000 to be committed to enhancing Peak's beverage manufacturing capabilities. In addition, BBC will pay Peak a commitment fee of USD$285,000 for each year of the term of the agreement, payable in equal monthly amounts and reduced according to total product sales in the preceding month. The total commitment fee over the term is USD$1.42m. Peak's Founder & President Gregg Battersby said: "We are excited to partner with like-minded companies that see the need for true innovation in the space. This three-way partnership is the recipe for success through investment into innovation and pushing the status quo of cannabis infused products." He continued, "As we expand on and further solidify our working relationship with Entourage, we are humbled that an established innovator such as Boston Beer appreciates the unique capabilities and competitive advantage that Peak offers its partners, and has committed to invest in multiple facets into a long-term partnership" BBCCC, Inc. Head of Cannabis Paul Weaver said: "Peak has built a world class facility in Canada, with the right staff and systems in place to ensure every drink is of the highest quality. Entourage is one of Canada's oldest and most respected regulated cannabis cultivators. Their unwavering commitment to quality is exactly what we look for in our partners. We are excited to begin making some amazing drinks together." Entourage CEO and Executive Chair, George Scorsis said: "We're thrilled to be collaborating with Boston Beer and Peak to produce, market and sell the next generation of cannabis-infused beverages to discerning consumers looking for alternate consumption choices. Leveraging our collective industry expertise together with Entourage's cannabis research and advanced branding strategies will establish our product portfolio with another unique offering. In addition, this provides an opportunity to further explore our collective reach into international markets." Cannabis Innovation. Brand Elevation www.peakprocessing.com Peak Processing Solutions Peak Processing Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Althea Group Holdings Ltd (ASX:AGH), is a full 360-degree recreational and medical cannabis licenced producer, specializing in the formulation and production of innovative cannabis products. Operating from a purpose-built state-of-the-art 3,716 square metre facility in Ontario, Canada, Peak offers its partners access to a broad range of cannabis production capabilities that enable the development of products and brands that can capitalize on the rapidly growing Canadian recreational and medical cannabis markets. SOURCE Peak Processing Solutions ALAMEDA, Calif., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Penumbra, Inc. (NYSE: PEN) today announced that its management team is scheduled to present at the Morgan Stanley 19th Annual Global Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, September 14, 2021. Event: Morgan Stanley 19th Annual Global Healthcare Conference Date: Tuesday, September 14, 2021 Time: 11:00am EDT / 8:00am PDT A webcast of the presentation will be available by visiting the investors' section of the company's website at www.penumbrainc.com. The webcast will be available on the company's website for at least two weeks following the event. About Penumbra Penumbra, Inc., headquartered in Alameda, California, is a global healthcare company focused on innovative therapies. Penumbra designs, develops, manufactures and markets novel products and has a broad portfolio that addresses challenging medical conditions in markets with significant unmet need. Penumbra supports healthcare providers, hospitals and clinics in more than 100 countries. For more information, visit www.penumbrainc.com and connect on Twitter and LinkedIn. Investor Relations Penumbra, Inc. 510-995-2461 [email protected] SOURCE Penumbra, Inc. Related Links www.penumbrainc.com Topical treatment safe and well tolerated in study of healthy volunteers Full inhibition of lysyl oxidase enzymes achieved in skin with minimal systemic exposure Collaboration with research team led by Professor Fiona Wood AM planning for trial in patients with established scars to commence in Q4 2021 SYDNEY, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pharmaxis (ASX: PXS) today announced that its novel topical drug treatment for scarring has delivered positive Phase 1 clinical trial results and will now advance to the next stage of development in patients. In a study of healthy volunteers led by renowned surgeon Prof Fiona Wood AM the Pharmaxis drug demonstrated good tolerability and full inhibition of the enzymes being targeted to prevent scarring. The phase 1 trial of the drug known as PXS-6302 tested 4 different strengths formulated as an easy to apply cream in 4 subjects as a single dose, scaling to the highest dose applied daily for 7 days in a further 6 subjects. The positive results from the study have now triggered the next steps in initiating a longer term study in patients with scars. The study was conducted by a research team at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and Fiona Stanley Hospital. Professor Wood welcomed the early study results saying, "Scars are a constant reminder of trauma with both physical and psychological impact. Our aim is to reduce the scar and reduce the impact. We have two studies planned with Pharmaxis; this first one in established scars and an additional one in patients with burn injuries after they have had surgery." Dr Kylie Sandy-Hodgetts, Senior Research Fellow at the School of Biomedical Sciences, UWA, and principal investigator on the study said, "Based on the encouraging results from the phase 1 study in healthy volunteers, we are now preparing for a study in patients with established scars. We will be investigating the safety of 3 months' treatment with PXS-6302, and exploring if 3 months' treatment with PXS-6302, at a dose that we now know will significantly inhibit an enzyme implicated in scar formation, can make a difference to both the appearance and structure of their scars." The Pharmaxis discovery has shown promising results in pre-clinical models of scar tissue development under the direction of Dr Mark Fear, Senior Research Fellow at the Stan Perron Centre for Excellence in Childhood Burns. Dr Fear commented on the background to the forthcoming study in patients with established scars, "We now understand from our research that even scars which are stable and many years old are in fact replenishing a significant proportion of mature, stiff collagen in a matter of a few months. This presents an opportunity for a drug like PXS-6302 to potentially improve even established scars." PXS-6302 was discovered by the Pharmaxis research team at the company's Frenchs Forest laboratories. The project was supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) development grant funding extensive pre-clinical work executed in collaboration with UWA. The clinical trials in patients with established scar and patients with burns will both be conducted at the Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth with financial support from Pharmaxis. AUTHORISED FOR RELEASE TO ASX BY: Pharmaxis Ltd Disclosure Committee. Contact: David McGarvey, Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary: T +61 2 9454 7203, E [email protected] CONTACTS: Media: Felicity Moffatt: T +61 418 677 701, E [email protected] Investor relations: Rudi Michelson (Monsoon Communications) T +61 411 402 737, E [email protected] Kylie Sandy-Hodgetts (UWA School of Biomedical Sciences) 0435 436 747 Simone Hewett (UWA Media and PR Manager) 08 6488 3229 / 0432 637 716 Join the Pharmaxis mailing list here Follow us: LinkedIn/Twitter About Pharmaxis Pharmaxis Ltd is an Australian pharmaceutical research company developing drugs for inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, with a focus on myelofibrosis. The company has a highly productive drug discovery engine built on its expertise in the chemistry of amine oxidase inhibitors, with drug candidates in clinical trials. Pharmaxis has also developed two respiratory products which are approved and supplied in global markets, generating ongoing revenue. Pharmaxis is developing its drug PXS-5505 for the bone marrow cancer myelofibrosis which causes a build up of scar tissue that leads to loss of production of red and white blood cells and platelets. The US Food and Drug Administration has granted Orphan Drug Designation to PXS-5055 for the treatment of myelofibrosis and permission under an Investigational Drug Application (IND) to progress a phase 1c/2 clinical trial that commenced recruitment in Q1 2021. PXS5505 is also being investigated as a potential treatment for other cancers such as liver and pancreatic cancer. Other drug candidates being developed from Pharmaxis' amine oxidase chemistry platform are targeting fibrotic diseases such as kidney fibrosis, NASH, pulmonary fibrosis and cardiac fibrosis; fibrotic scarring from burns and other trauma; and inflammatory diseases such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Pharmaxis has developed two products from its proprietary spray drying technology that are manufactured and exported from its Sydney facility; Bronchitol for cystic fibrosis, which is approved and marketed in the United States, Europe, Russia and Australia; and Aridol for the assessment of asthma, which is approved and marketed in the United States, Europe, Australia and Asia. Pharmaxis is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (PXS). Its head office, manufacturing and research facilities are in Sydney, Australia. www.pharmaxis.com.au Forward-Looking Statements Forwardlooking statements in this media release include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, hopes, goals, intentions, initiatives or strategies, including statements regarding the potential of products and drug candidates. All forward-looking statements included in this media release are based upon information available to us as of the date hereof. Actual results, performance or achievements could be significantly different from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees or predictions of future results, levels of performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, and which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements contained in this document. For example, despite our efforts there is no certainty that we will be successful in developing or partnering any of the products in our pipeline on commercially acceptable terms, in a timely fashion or at all. Except as required by law we undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Pharmaxis Limited The rise in the popularity of e-learning and advances in technology will offer immense growth opportunities. The increased use of digital signage will also accelerate the growth. However, the increased emphasis on one-on-one learning will hamper the market growth. Pro AV Market 2020-2024: Segmentation Pro AV Market is segmented as below: Type Products Services Geographic APAC North America Europe South America MEA Learn more about the factors assisting the growth of the market, Download a FREE sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR41314 Pro AV Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis and Scope The Pro AV market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Anixter International Inc., AVI Systems Inc., AVI-SPL Inc., CCS Presentation Systems, Diversified, Ford Audio-Video LLC, New Era Technology, Telerent Leasing Corp., Unified Technology Systems, and Vistacom Inc. are some of the major market participants. To leverage the current opportunities, market vendors must strengthen their foothold in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the pro av market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile & M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support. The report also covers the following areas: Pro AV Market size Pro AV Market trends Pro AV Market industry analysis Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports: Smart Plug Market by End-user, Technology Adopters, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024 Smart Doorbell Camera Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025 Pro AV Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024 Detailed information on factors that will assist pro AV market growth during the next five years Estimation of the Pro AV market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the pro AV market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of pro AV market vendors Technavio's in-depth market research reports now include a thorough analysis of the COVID-19 impact on various markets to help industry leaders navigate their business through the new normal. Receive Latest Free Sample Report in Minutes Table of Contents: Executive Summary Market Landscape Market ecosystem Value chain analysis Market Sizing Market definition Market segment analysis Market size 2019 Market outlook: Forecast for 2019 - 2024 Five Forces Analysis Five force summary Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition Market Segmentation by Type Market segments Comparison by Type Products - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Services - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by Type Customer Landscape Geographic Landscape Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison APAC - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 North America - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Europe - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 South America - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 MEA - Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Key leading countries Market opportunity by geography Market drivers Market challenges Market trends Vendor Landscape Vendor landscape Landscape disruption Vendor Analysis Vendors covered Market positioning of vendors Anixter International Inc. AVI Systems Inc. AVI-SPL Inc. CCS Presentation Systems Diversified Ford Audio-Video LLC New Era Technology Telerent Leasing Corp. Unified Technology Systems Vistacom Inc. Appendix Scope of the report Currency conversion rates for US$ Research methodology List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio Related Links http://www.technavio.com/ MIAMI, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Aspen Institute Latinos & Society Program (AILAS) and Prospera are proud to announce Miami's participation in the City Learning and Action Lab, a new, 12-month program presented by AILAS in partnership with the Drexel University's Nowak Metro Finance Lab and Christopher Gergen , CEO of Impact investment firm Forward Impact and Aspen Institute Henry Crown Fellow. "This is the first program of its kind focused on Latino majority cities and communities to strengthen local entrepreneurial ecosystems," said Domenika Lynch, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Latinos & Society Program. "There's tremendous innovation happening in Latino communities as they work to rebuild after Covid-19, but access to capital, capacity building, and collaboration are needed to scale impact. The City Learning and Action Lab empowers and enhances local leaders' efforts to attract capital investment and resources to Latino communities where they live and operate. What is so exciting is that local funders are embracing our vision of curating Latino-centric communities to learn, innovate together, and connect to national networks to catalyze change in their local communities." Miami is part of a cohort of cities and communities that also includes Long Beach and San Bernardino in California, the Southwest side of Chicago in Illinois, and El Paso and San Antonio in Texas. The initiative is funded by public, corporate and individual philanthropic support, including: Angel Morales and Morales Capital; The Knight Foundation; the City of San Bernardino; Vanir Construction Management Inc.; Dr. J. Mario Molina; Secretary Henry Cisneros; the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation, and the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and other donors. "Miami is a powerful market and a leader in finance, commerce, culture, arts, and international trade. But 81% of our businesses have fewer than 10 employees, among those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are delighted to play a role in this national conversation and to be selected for this new Aspen Institute initiative," said Myrna Sonora, anchor host for the Miami Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Steering Committee and regional vice president at Prospera. "AILAS is investing national resources and leadership in our region's post-pandemic recovery to support underserved businesses while allowing our local leaders and economic development experts to identify and drive the solutions." Under the Latino Business and Entrepreneurship Initiative , the City Learning and Action Lab kicked off in July 2021 with the participating communities to spur economic growth in regions where COVID-19 exacerbated long-existing inequities. The initiative is a hub and spoke model designed to support anchor organizations in each city to form an entrepreneurial ecosystem steering committee composed of key cross-sector leaders. Committee members will coalesce around strategic priorities and implement solutions to boost and sustain the local Hispanic business economy. The following steering committee members have made a commitment and joined the pilot program on behalf of Miami: The Beacon Council President/CEO Michael Finney ; ; City of Miami Human Services & Economic Initiatives Director William Porro ; ; City of Doral Economic Developer Manuel Pila; North Bay Village City Manager Ralph Rosado ; City Manager ; Jorge M. Perez Metropolitan Center at FIU Assistant Director Maria Ilcheva ; ; The Knight Foundation Program Director Raul Moas ; ; Morales Capital CEO Angel Morales ; ; SBDC at FIU Director Brian Van Hook ; ; CDC Allapattah Cooperative Executive Director Mileyka Burgos; Anchor Alliance Representative Lisa Martinez ; ; Catalyst Miami Worker-Owned Enterprise Director De'Sean Weber; Healthy Little Havana Senior Program Manager Sofia Cuenca ; ; T&G Constructors President Rick Gonzalez ; ; ShadeFLA owner Margueritte Ramos ; ; NEO Broadband co-owners Edmerson Vasquez and Gloria Martinez ; ; Cargo International Consolidators owner Michelle Fajardo ; ; Ascendus Florida Director Fabiana Estrada ; and ; and Prospera South Florida Vice President Myrna Sonora Through the City Learning and Action Lab, the Nowak Metro Finance Lab at Drexel University will work closely with the Aspen Institute Latinos and Society team to help local regions take stock of the number, size, and sector orientation of Latino-owned businesses. Together, they will identify opportunities and pain points to crack the code for business growth in Hispanic communities in a post-Covid economy. Prior to the pandemic, Hispanic entrepreneurs accounted for the highest rate of new business creation in the U.S., growing at a rate of 34% in the past decade according to a study by the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative . The Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative also reported 86% of Hispanic-owned businesses experienced immediate negative effects of Covid-19 in the first months of the shutdown . According to the Brookings Institute , 80% of Hispanic-owned small and medium enterprises did not receive Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) financing, which has been crucial for businesses across the country. For more information, please visit www.aspeninstitute.org/latinos-society , or follow on Twitter and Facebook @AspenLatinos. For more information about Prospera, visit www.prosperausa.org or follow on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn @ProsperaUSA. The Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Program (AILAS), founded in 2015, provides a non-partisan, unbiased platform for shared learning across communities of influencers on the critical barriers preventing greater Latino achievement, and jointly surfaces new, innovative, and actionable solutions for a more prosperous future for all Americans. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org/latinos-society. The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the United States and the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org. Prospera is an economic development, nonprofit organization that since 1991 has specialized in providing bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs who want to start, sustain, and grow their business. In the last five years alone, Prospera has facilitated over $60 million in loans, trained over 20,000 entrepreneurs, and helped consulting clients create or retain over 16,000 jobs. It has offices in Florida's central, south, and west coast regions, and in Charlotte, NC. For more information, visit www.prosperausa.org. MEDIA CONTACTS: Soledad Jacobson, 954-881-9640 Maria Yabrudy, 407-412-3303 SOURCE Prospera Related Links http://www.aspeninstitute.org http://www.prosperausa.org CHICAGO, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Provi ( www.provi.com ), the B2B eCommerce marketplace simplifying beverage ordering across the alcohol industry, recently announced a new partnership with Major Brands, a leading Missouri-based wine and spirits wholesaler, to provide bars, restaurants, and alcohol retailers with an easier way to stock their beverage inventory. The partnership will allow buyers to stock their beverage inventory faster by managing and sending purchase orders to all of their beer, wine and liquor sales reps from dozens of distributors in Missouri, in one centralized platform. Major Brands customers will receive additional benefits such as real-time order communication and up-to-date inventory available through Provi's platform. In addition to consolidating the order process, bars, restaurants, and retailers in Missouri will have the ability to browse product catalogs, manage inventory and chat with their reps with their free Provi account. "At Provi, our goal is to connect all members of the beverage industry. We think transparency and convenience creates better relationships and better businesses no matter who you are," said Provi CEO, Taylor Katzman. "Working with Major Brands will allow bars, restaurants and local retailers the tools, access and convenience they need to keep their businesses thriving." Provi helps businesses better serve customers by streamlining the entire alcohol beverage supply chain, making ordering and restocking more accessible, affordable and faster than ever. In fact, Provi has been proven to help 60% of its customers restock their bar in under five minutes using one full-service platform. "As the largest Missouri-based premium beverage distributor, we are always looking to improve our retail customer offerings and experiences," said Major Brands CEO Sue McCollum. "Our partnership with Provi unlocks a new sales and customer engagement channel and creates an enhanced ordering experience for our customers. Prioritizing the business needs of our retailers is crucial to our success. Provi helps us accomplish this goal while playing an integral part in our eCommerce strategy." For Missouri retailers interested in Provi, you can learn more and sign up here: www.provi.com/missouridistributors . About Provi ( www.provi.com ) Founded in 2016 in Chicago, Provi is the fastest growing B2B eCommerce marketplace for the beverage alcohol industry. Currently active in 30 states, Provi's digital marketplace grants retailers a robust, contactless platform to place all of their orders 24/7 and improves communication and efficiency for retailers, distributors, and suppliers. About Major Brands (www.majorbrands.com) Major Brands is the largest Missouri-based and operated distributor of premium wine, spirits, beer and non-alcoholic beverages, with offices in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, Columbia and Cape Girardeau. Major Brands employs more than 600 people and serves more than 9,000 retail customers. It began operations in 1934 and remains a family business. SOURCE Provi Related Links https://www.provi.com/ Ram is the first truck-only brand to capture the top spot in the J.D. Power 2021 Initial Quality Study (IQS), culminating a meteoric rise in performance over the last two years. The brand's first-place finish was fueled by positive feedback from owners of new 2500/3500 trucks named top large heavy-duty pickup in this year's IQS and owners of new Ram 1500 trucks, which ranked second among large light-duty pickups. Ram tied for third place in the 2020 IQS, and was 21st the prior year. The groundbreaking result compliments Dodge brand's second-place finish. Dodge rewrote the record books last year by becoming the first domestic brand to claim top honors in IQS. Against this backdrop, Jeep jumped to a best-ever eighth place finish, three spots up from the prior year, putting a trio of Stellantis brands in the top quartile of this year's results. "This is not a data point; this is a trend," said Mark Champine, Head of North America Customer Experience at Stellantis. "Anyone who knows the robustness of our product-improvement processes, as well as the engagement level of our workforce, is not surprised by these latest results." "We have seen the hard work put in by the Stellantis team up close," said Dave Sargent, vice president of automotive quality at J.D. Power. "These latest results are testament to the efforts put in across the organization. To have the top two brands in the study is a very impressive achievement. Congratulations to the entire team." Product design was a key contributor to this year's outcomes, Champine noted. "If you start with strong design and follow that up with discipline on the plant floor, you get the kind of results we're seeing today," he said. "This feedback reflects our primary focus to build vehicles our customers will be proud to recommend to friends and family." J.D. Power surveyed new-vehicle buyers about their first three months of ownership and tracked problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) to measure the performance of 32 brands. Compared with 2020's results, Ram's industry-leading total improved by 13 PP100 to 128. Dodge was next with 139, five PP100 fewer than its nearest competitors. "We're proud to say it took another Stellantis brand to beat Dodge," Champine said. Jeep brand's 149 total is 13 PP100 better than the industry average of 162. The intrepid brand's performance was led by the Jeep Gladiator, winner of the midsize pickup category, and the previous-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee, which scored a podium finish in the midsize SUV category. Both the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 reached the podium in the large car segment. Half of the 12 Stellantis vehicles eligible for prizes either won or were runners-up in their categories. J.D. Power J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics. A pioneer in the use of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic modeling capabilities to understand consumer behavior, J.D. Power has been delivering incisive industry intelligence on customer interactions with brands and products for more than 50 years. The world's leading businesses across major industries rely on J.D. Power to guide their customer-facing strategies. J.D. Power has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more about the company's business offerings, visit JDPower.com/business. The J.D. Power auto shopping tool can be found at JDPower.com. Stellantis Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) is one of the world's leading automakers and a mobility provider, guided by a clear vision to offer freedom of movement with distinctive, affordable and reliable mobility solutions. In addition to the Group's rich heritage and broad geographic presence, its greatest strengths lie in its sustainable performance, depth of experience and the wide-ranging talents of employees working around the globe. Stellantis will leverage its broad and iconic brand portfolio, which was founded by visionaries who infused the brands with passion and a competitive spirit that speaks to employees and customers alike. Stellantis aspires to become the greatest, not the biggest, while creating added value for all stakeholders, as well as the communities in which it operates. Follow company news and video on: Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com Company website: www.stellantis.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/Stellantis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StellantisNA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellantisna Twitter: @StellantisNA YouTube: http://youtube.com/StellantisNA SOURCE Stellantis Related Links https://www.stellantis.com WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Government of Bangladesh takes note of the virtual briefing on the alleged "Enforced disappearance in Bangladesh" being organized by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission on August 31, 2021. In this regard, it is imperative to share the relevant facts, information, and position of Bangladesh Government on the allegations of "enforced disappearances", "extrajudicial killings" and other alleged human rights violations in Bangladesh that are likely to feature in the said Webinar. The Bangladesh Government remains committed to addressing any allegations of human rights violations in the country. In fact, some of those allegations have been reported before and investigated carefully and with due seriousness. The Government is concerned that there has been a growing pattern to label all criminal cases of missing with "enforced disappearance" with obvious intention of maligning the Government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and its achievements. In many cases the 'perceived' victims have reappeared, out of the criminal justice system, proving the allegations of so-called "enforced disappearance" false. However, the case classification of "enforced disappearance" does not change and the public is not updated. The Government is increasingly concerned by the trend of organized (/group of) miscreants to impersonate law enforcement agencies like the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) to carry out such "abductions" or "kidnappings." There have been numerous instances where the law enforcement agencies had brought to justice abductors that purported themselves to be law enforcement officers of RAB and other government agencies. These organized criminal acts are done with a purpose to undermine the credibility and professional competence of those lawful government agencies and this fact should be known to the public, international community and concerned parties. The Government also examines when there are allegations of "extrajudicial killings" and have concluded in almost all cases that those were without merit. Law Enforcement agencies have investigated instances of alleged "extrajudicial killings" and "disappearances." They have found no evidence of government involvement. Rather, they discovered that many of the "disappeared" were in hiding, been abducted by organized criminals, evading prosecution for violent crimes that further punish the accused's victim(s) by delayed justice. Due process of law, which may involve some time to complete, is wrongly portrayed by the relatives of lawfully detained and charged Defendant as enforced disappearance with the intention to undermine the Rule of Law and due legal process attempting to draw public sympathy and attract public opinion in their favor The Government of Bangladesh ensures that law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh conduct themselves strictly in accordance with international and domestic laws. As a signatory to the 1984 United Nations Convention Against Torture, and Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Bangladesh has worked to ensure that its domestic laws are in line with its obligations under the Convention. If involvement of law enforcing personnel in such cases is proven, the laws take their course and stern disciplinary actions are taken against them. The Government has great concern about the publication of so-called study by organizations like Human Rights Watch on the alleged disappearances in Bangladesh, which are based on questionable sources of information and should not be believed. For example, the recent study published by the Human Rights Watch is dependent on interviews with unidentified individuals, including 60 interviews with unnamed people, 81 citations from unnamed individuals, and 7 witnesses who are allowed to remain anonymous. No attempt was made to give the government an opportunity to respond. While Bangladesh takes seriously and investigates every reported disappearance, it cannot, logistically or legally, give credence to anonymous sources that are possibly providing misinformation to further punish victims of violent crimes. The Government of Bangladesh is determined to ensure rule of law and would also like to see it is respected everywhere. In this regard, the Government brings the issue of the return of Rashed Chowdhury, the killer of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first President and the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh and almost his entire family. The killer has been given asylum in the U.S. and yet to be returned despite the requests to the U.S. Government. The Government trusts/believes that as a promoter and advocate for defending human rights and the rule of law, the Lantos Commission will soon hold discussion on this Presidential Assassination and the actors that escape justice. The Embassy will remain closely engaged with the esteemed Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for concerns about human rights situations in Bangladesh and will provide relevant facts and information to meet their queries, when asked. SOURCE Embassy of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh The Revolutionary Fragrance Discovery Platform Expands Reach NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading fragrance subscription company, Scentbird , today announces its expansion to the Canadian market. Following an increasing demand from Canadian consumers who lack the variety and convenience of online fragrance shopping that Scentbird's US subscribers have grown accustomed to, the brand will now offer the same fragrance experience to its Canadian neighbours. Scentbird CEO, Mariya Nurislamova is ecstatic for the launch into Scentbird's first international market. "We've enabled our US members to integrate fragrance into their everyday lives for 7 years, and over that time we've had thousands of requests from Canadians. We're so happy to be able to bring those same benefits to our Northern neighbours," says Nurislamova. The Canada Launch was stickhandled by Steven Rivera, Scentbird's VP of Customer Experience & GM of International, adding, "The Canadian launch is just the start of our international expansion, and we're advancing our plans to launch in other countries as part of our role as the premier destination for fragrance discovery. Our focus is always providing affordable value for luxury fragrances, in every country we can." The platform's expansion will allow Canadian members to choose from the same 700+ designer and niche fragrances currently available in the US market for a monthly subscription of $15.95 plus a standard $4.95 fee for international shipping. As part of the extension, the company plans to build an even more customized experience by partnering with Canadian fragrance brands in the future. This announcement follows a strong 2021 for Scentbird. The company launched Sanctuary , Scentbird's eco-conscious fragrance line that supports endangered species earlier this year. Confessions of a Rebel , another Scentbird-owned brand, released new unisex fragrances and will expand its category offering with the addition of deodorants and shower gels next month. Scentbird also announced its certification as a Great Place to Work for employees in June. With plans to expand into more international markets in the coming months, Scentbird predicts a clear upward trajectory for the business as it soars into Q4. About Scentbird Scentbird is the first-ever fragrance subscription service to provide a sustainable approach to scents. With over 700 niche and designer brands ranging from Jason Wu to Versace, Scentbird allows consumers to discover new fragrances of their choosing every single month. www.scentbird.com SOURCE Scentbird Related Links http://www.scentbird.com "We are excited to welcome Ryan to our dynamic leadership team," says CEO Jeff Huenink. "With our portfolio of marine construction and habitat restoration projects rapidly expanding, his extensive background in financial management and strategic planning will help us to continue to position the company for accelerated and profitable growth." A graduate of Washington State University, Ryan served as the Senior Director of Operations for North American Roofing (Tampa, FL), and CFO for SR Building Services (Redmond, WA) and Advantage Timber & Lumber (Lakewood Ranch, FL). "As an avid angler and environmentalist, I am thrilled to join the team at Sea & Shoreline," says newly appointed CFO, Ryan Cripe. "Their passion and dedication to restoring water quality and providing healthy aquatic ecosystems for both residents and marine life is critical to our economy, commercial fisheries, and ecotourism." Sea & Shoreline is the industry leader in rehabilitating threatened aquatic environments with proven success in places such as Crystal River, the Homosassa River, the Caloosahatchee River, and in Tucker Cove and the Banana River located in the Indian River Lagoon. Earlier this year, the company launched its newest crusade, "Seagrass Saves Sea Life", in an effort to raise awareness and educate consumers and legislators on the critical environmental and ecological benefits of seagrass. With the tragic increase in manatee deaths this year, the company is working closely with state agencies, water management districts, and other stakeholders to reverse this crisis, and to help marine life survive by reducing nutrient overloads, removing muck, planting seagrass, restoring wetlands, and converting septic to sewer. ABOUT SEA & SHORELINE Sea & Shoreline, LLC is a Florida-based aquatic restoration firm that restores fresh and saltwater habitats to healthy and self-sustaining ecosystems. Services include seagrass, oyster reef, coral reef, and propeller scar restorations, dredging, living shorelines, vegetated retaining walls, wetland plantings, berm and bank stabilizations, and seagrass mitigation banking. For more information, please visit seaandshoreline.com, or follow us on social media LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Contact: Heather Herold [email protected] (321) 626-6760 SOURCE Sea & Shoreline, LLC Related Links http://www.seaandshoreline.com/ INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In a recent post for Seeking Alpha, Sheaff Brock Chief Investment Officer Dave Gilreath suggested how to ride the tech innovation wave without the risks of investing in tech companies. Many well-established industrial firms have strong technical sides that are typically overlooked by investors. These companies use innovative technology as an integral part of products that the market doesn't tend to view as technical. Caterpiller has been producing autonomous (unmanned) mining vehicles that work 24/7 since the 1990s. Its semi-autonomous vehicles are human-driven earthmovers using advanced technologysonic lasers and GPSthat guide grading to detailed construction specifications. New tech under development is 3D printing that would allow for production of parts on job sites. These industrial "tech" companies include Deere & Co., which manufactures autonomous and semi-autonomous tractors, drones, and vehicle attachments "smart" enough to identify weeds to kill. Rockwell Automation develops systems for manufacturing control and monitoring, and security infrastructure. Corning has shifted from casserole dishes to glass screens for cell phones, computers, and optical fiber. And Lockheed Martin Corp., known for its supersonic jets and defense systems, has offshoots in robotics, data analytics, and nanotechnology. Industrials already stand to grow post-pandemic, and more so if the infrastructure bill passes. The ongoing digital revolution may need to include these tech companies in industrial clothing. About Sheaff Brock: Sheaff Brock is an SEC-registered, fee-only independent investment firm striving to enhance portfolios of growth- and income-oriented investors, managing $1.3 billion in assets nationwide as of 6/30/2021. Sheaff Brock principal David Gilreath contributes investment commentary to CNBC.com, Medical Economics, Seeking Alpha, and Financial Advisor magazine. Visit Sheaff Brock YouTube for information. Disclaimer: Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors, LLC ("SBIA") is an SEC-registered investment advisor founded in 2001. Clients or prospective clients are directed to SBIA's Form ADV Part 2A prior to deciding to participate in any portfolio or making any investment decision. The views and opinions in the preceding commentary are subject to change without notice and are as of the date of the report. There is no guarantee that any market forecast set forth in the commentary will be realized. This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific point in time, should not be relied upon as investment advice, and is not intended to predict or depict performance of any investment. SOURCE Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SKF has completed the acquisition of Rubico Consulting AB, an industrial consultancy firm with 10 employees based in Lulea, Sweden. Rubico Consulting AB specialises in visualisation and analysis of signal data. This expertise will be integrated into SKF's offer around the rotating shaft, as well as powering new technology areas such as bearings with fiber-optic sensors. Victoria Van Camp, President, SKF Technology, says: "Rubico's expertise in signal processing enhances our existing technology base, spanning from traditional IoT hardware to the latest in edge computing. The patented edge algorithm developed by Rubico simplifies and automates analysis of machine data and is an enabler for wireless, energy efficient systems. We look forward to engaging the Rubico team in the development of SKF's proprietary fiber optic-based load sensing, a technology already being piloted in the north of Sweden." "With its leading university and focus on sustainable technology investments, Lulea is quickly becoming a hub of industrial innovation within both renewable energy and green steel. This is one of the reasons why SKF continues to invest in developing its hub for IoT development in Lulea." Aktiebolaget SKF (publ) For further information, please contact: PRESS: Carl Bjernstam Corporate Communication tel: 46 31-337 2517 mobile: 46 722-201893 e-mail: [email protected] INVESTOR RELATIONS: Patrik Stenberg Head of Investor Relations 46 31-337 2104; 46 705-472 104 [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/skf/r/skf-strengthens-analytics-capability-through-acquisition,c3406225 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/637/3406225/1461484.pdf 20210831 SKF strengthens analytics capability through acquisition https://news.cision.com/skf/i/dji-0735-fix,c2948743 DJI 0735 fix https://news.cision.com/skf/i/skfledn-victoria-van-camp,c2948744 SKFledn-Victoria Van Camp SOURCE SKF SOFIA, Bulgaria, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SoftGroup, the best-in-class end-to-end traceability technology provider in the CEE region, announced the launch of its entirely new platform with on-demand educational material, how-to product videos, a regulatory compliance section, live expert sessions and many more. All the resources will be at disposal of all SoftGroup's customers and will help them in their daily work. Even more, they will support their professional development giving them all these hints, advices, and know-how related to serialization, aggregation, and track & trace. The company has been always placed a high value on educating its customers and helping them get the most value from SoftGroup. In the early days of SoftGroup, the founder - Venelin Dimitrov, hosted "workshops" to show new signups and prospects how to achieve success with SoftGroup. "We realized that we could put more efforts and get our customers to the next level of our partnership by providing them with an in-depth set of resources regarding serialization itself", shares Mr. Dimitrov. "Over time, these efforts transformed into a main goal to the entire team of professionals dedicated to helping customers discover "aha" moments within challenging regulations over serialization and track & trace through multiple education channels, including docs, webinars, in-product videos, and more. What we're launching today is just the beginning of a comprehensive set of resources that will equip your serialization competence and your business with the skills you need to grow both now and, in the future," added Mr. Dimitrov. About SoftGroup SoftGroup is a software company that provides end-to-end traceability technology to the pharmaceutical industry worldwide. Our solutions cover all levels of the Track & Trace process, including aggregation processes in pharmaceutical manufacturing. SoftGroup is a Certified Gateway Provider and Trusted partner of the European Medicine Verification Organization (EMVO) and Bulgarian Medicine Verification Organization (BgMVO) as well as a trusted partner of GS1 Healthcare. Additionally, the company is a partner of the Russian Track and Trace system (MDLP) and is listed as one of the first recognized accredited solution providers and integrators of local manufacturers and foreign pharma companies. SoftGroup is a recipient of several prestigious awards for quality and innovation in the CEE region, applying cutting-edge technologies to ensure its customers with the most agile solutions up to their serialization and aggregation needs. SOURCE SoftGroup NEWPORT, Ky., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Ida, StandUp Wireless announced it will upgrade all Louisiana customers to unlimited talk, text, and data for free for the next 30 days. Customers will be able to connect to essential services and loved ones as they work to rebuild their communities without worrying about the minutes on their cellphone plan. "Our hearts go out to everyone affected by Hurricane Ida," said Eric Schimpf, chief operating officer at StandUp Wireless. "We are committed to providing support and care to our customers and our communities. It is imperative that our customers stay connected to friends, family, and emergency services. We are doing our part to make sure that happens." Access to wireless cellphone services is critical in the aftermath of a disaster as communities and families begin the process of rebuilding. StandUp Wireless is committed to keeping all its customers in Louisiana connected to emergency services, medical care, shelters, family, and friends during the crisis. The amount of minutes remaining on their cellphone plan shouldn't be on the minds of those affected by Hurricane Ida. With free unlimited talk, text, and data through September 30th, StandUp Wireless customers who call Louisiana home don't have to worry about staying connected when it matters the most. About StandUp Wireless For nearly 20 years, StandUp Wireless has connected hundreds of thousands of customers to what matters most, serving as a lifeline to family, employment opportunities, friends, healthcare providers, and more. Licensed by the Federal Communications Commission's Lifeline program in 30 states and Puerto Rico, StandUp Wireless operates on the nation's largest and fastest 5G network to bring free wireless cellphone and internet services to low-income Americans. For more information, visit https://standupwireless.com/ . SOURCE StandUp Wireless "Hartford is one of the strongest markets in the world for insurance and related technology professionals, and bringing our Connecticut team to Hartford is an important step in making us an even stronger home for top talent in the area," said Dan Fishbein, M.D., president of Sun Life U.S. "We look forward to developing a strong presence in and relationship with the city of Hartford." "Our office-work dynamic has shifted to a more flexible model and we intend to design our new space with advanced concepts for the future of work, including features that support how employees choose to work, leading technology, and amenities such as complimentary parking," added Fishbein. "We are thrilled to welcome Sun Life to the heart of downtown Hartford, adding to the tremendous ecosystem of insurance companies and insurtech startups in our capital city," said Mayor Luke Bronin. "As we recover from the pandemic, having Sun Life and other major employers in Hartford will send a powerful message as we work to grow our city." At full capacity, the new office will accommodate up to 450 employees. Currently there are approximately 300 Sun Life employees based in Connecticut, a mixture of underwriting, actuarial, technology, operations, clinical, sales, and product professionals in Sun Life's Stop-Loss & Health and Group Benefits businesses, as well as legal, HR and finance team members. "This new office will be a hub for Sun Life and give us the opportunity to operate with modern, more efficient capacity for our employees and clients," said Jen Collier, R.N., senior vice president, Stop-Loss & Health, at Sun Life U.S. "Our new, flexibility-inspired space will support our teams' optimal work styles, help us drive better health outcomes for our members and support our employer clients." The iconic 26-story, Class-A office tower is one of the most visible buildings on Hartford's skyline and co-owned by LAZ Investments LLC and Shelbourne Global Solutions. The structure has an efficient building core layout and an attached eight-story, 1,100-space garage operated by LAZ Parking with the highest parking ratio in downtown Hartford. "We are pleased to welcome Sun Life to the Gold Building and to be adding yet another well-respected company to our list of corporate tenants," said Alan Lazowski, Chairman and CEO of LAZ Parking. "Sun Life's decision to relocate its workforce downtown is an indicator of our rebounding economy and of the growing interest in Hartford as a place to do business and attract amazing talent." "This new lease demonstrates the confidence the business community has in the future of the city and its rebirth as a place where workers can live, work, and play," added Michael Seidenfeld, Chief Operating Officer of Shelbourne Global Partners, LLC. Sun Life will begin office design work in early 2022 and take occupancy in September 2022. Other tenants of One Financial Plaza include KPMG, Travelers, LAZ Parking, People's United Bank, Virtus Investments, Global Atlantic, Accenture, Conning and General Reinsurance. About Sun Life Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of June 30, 2021, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.36 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com. Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF. In the United States, Sun Life is one of the largest group benefits providers, serving more than 55,000 employers in small, medium and large workplaces across the country. Sun Life's broad portfolio of insurance products and services in the U.S. includes disability, absence management, life, dental, vision, voluntary, supplemental health and medical stop-loss. Sun Life and its affiliates in asset management businesses in the U.S. employ approximately 5,500 people. Group insurance policies are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, Mass.), except in New York, where policies are issued by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, Mich.). For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com/us. Media contacts: Devon Fernald Mary Coursey Sun Life U.S. LAZ Investments-Shelbourne Global Solutions 781-800-3609 860-232-9600 [email protected] [email protected] Connect with Sun Life U.S. https://www.facebook.com/SLFUnitedStates https://www.linkedin.com/company/sun-life-financial https://twitter.com/SunLifeUS SOURCE Sun Life U.S. Related Links www.sunlife.com/us DAYTON, Ohio, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tangram Flex, Inc., headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, announces they have been awarded a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II contract. Tangram Flex is partnering with The Ohio State University to support the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Air Force Agility Prime "flying car" efforts under this contract, which is a follow-on to the Commoditized Confidence Through Software Assurance (CCSA) effort announced in December 2020 . The use of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) in the commercial and defense sectors is growing exponentially. While new capabilities for UASs are becoming available at an ever-increasing cadence, the ability to integrate new software into existing systems presents serious risks of exposing cyber vulnerabilities. The U.S. Air Force is responding to these challenges in order to maintain air superiority. In this Phase II effort, Tangram Flex will support the Air Force with solutions to streamline the analysis and testing capabilities for UASs and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle systems. The solutions designed by Tangram Flex in partnership with The Ohio State University will provide high confidence in the correctness, safety, and cyber security of UASs and eVTOL vehicle systems. "Tangram Flex is dedicated to building technology that enables our customers to rapidly integrate new capabilities with high levels of confidence," says Mr. Ricky Peters, CEO of Tangram Flex. "Our engineering team develops cutting-edge solutions in support of the Air Force. I'm incredibly proud of our team's skills and the code generation technologies we have built that empower our customers to engage in the next frontier of software-driven innovation." AFRL and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research process in an attempt to speed up the experience, broaden the pool of potential applicants and decrease bureaucratic overhead. Beginning in SBIR 18.2, and now in 20.C/D, the Air Force has begun offering 'The Open Topic' SBIR/STTR program that is faster, leaner and open to a broader range of innovations. ABOUT TANGRAM FLEX Tangram Flex simplifies software integration for mission-critical defense systems. Tangram Flex combines engineering expertise with its Component Software Integration Platform (CSIP), Tangram Pro, to arm engineers with customized toolkits for meeting mission needs. Tangram Flex is headquartered in Dayton, Ohio. For press inquiries, please contact Liz Grauel: [email protected] SOURCE Tangram Flex Related Links https://tangramflex.com/ The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. FUNAI ELECTRIC Co. Ltd., LG Electronics Inc., Panasonic Corp., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Sharp Corp., Skyworth Group Ltd., Sony Group Corp., TCL Electronics Holdings Ltd., and VIZIO Holding Corp. Inc. are some of the major market participants. Although the rising popularity of large-display televisions will offer immense growth opportunities, the lack of 4K content will challenge the growth of the market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Television Market 2021-2025: Segmentation Television Market is segmented as below: Technology UHD HD Market Landscape Up To 43 Inches 55-64 Inches 48-50 Inches Greater Than 65 Inches Type LCD OLED Geography APAC North America Europe South America MEA To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR41137 Related Reports on Consumer Discretionary Include: Global Set-Top Box Market - Global set-top box market is segmented by type (satellite set-top box, DTT set-top box, IPTV set-top box, OTT set-top box, and cable set-top box), resolution (HD set-top box, SD set-top box, and 4K set-top box), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and MEA). Download Exclusive Free Sample Report Global 4K2K TV Market - Global 4K2K TV market is segmented by type (satellite set-top box, DTT set-top box, IPTV set-top box, OTT set-top box, and cable set-top box), resolution (HD set-top box, SD set-top box, and 4K set-top box), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and MEA). Download Exclusive Free Sample Report Television Market 2021-2025: Scope Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our television market report covers the following areas: Television Market size Television Market trends Television Market industry analysis This study identifies the increasing demand for UHD televisions as one of the prime reasons driving the television market growth during the next few years. Television Market 2021-2025: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the Television Market. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the Television Market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Television Market 2021-2025: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025 Detailed information on factors that will assist television market growth during the next five years Estimation of the television market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the television market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of television market vendors Table Of Contents: Executive Summary Market Landscape Market ecosystem Value chain analysis Market Sizing Market definition Market segment analysis Market size 2020 Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025 Five Forces Analysis Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition Market Segmentation by Technology Market segments Comparison by Technology UHD - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 HD - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Market opportunity by Technology Market Segmentation by Display size Market segments Comparison by Display size Up to 43 inches - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 55-64 inches - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 48-50 inches - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Greater than 65 inches - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Market opportunity by Display size Market Segmentation by Display type Market segments Comparison by Display type LCD - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 OLED - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Market opportunity by Display type 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 FUNAI ELECTRIC Co. Ltd. LG Electronics Inc. Panasonic Corp. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Sharp Corp. Skyworth Group Ltd. Sony Group Corp. TCL Electronics Holdings Ltd. VIZIO Holding Corp. Inc. Appendix Scope of the report Currency conversion rates for US$ Research methodology List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ Report: www.technavio.com/report/television-market-industry-analysis Newsroom: https://newsroom.technavio.com/news/televisionmarket SOURCE Technavio Related Links http://www.technavio.com ATLANTA, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- For the sixth year in a row, The Intersect Group has awarded $3,000 STEM scholarships to individuals pursuing degrees in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field of study. This year's scholarship recipients are: Derrick Williams-Earley of Georgia , who will attend Georgia State University and major in finance. of , who will attend and major in finance. Megan Childress of Georgia , who will matriculate at Wofford College in South Carolina and focus on a pre-med course of study. of , who will matriculate at in and focus on a pre-med course of study. Karthik Ponnapalli of Texas , who will matriculate in 2022 to study computer science education. He has not yet decided on a college. of , who will matriculate in 2022 to study computer science education. He has not yet decided on a college. Rowen Aragon of Georgia , who will attend the University of Alabama and major in computer engineering. "It's been a rough year and a half-for so many of our internal colleagues, consultants and clients so providing these scholarships to their dependents is just a small, yet impactful, thing we can do for them," said Joe Myers, CEO of The Intersect Group. "Everyone has sacrificed during the pandemic, and helping these students achieve their goals is an honor we especially looked forward to this year as it reminded us that helping others pursue important dreams gives us all hope for the future." A third-party committee selected the scholarship recipients based on their academic achievement, the quality and content of a written essay, as well as the student's character as evidenced by volunteerism and other activities. Applicants for the 2022-2023 STEM scholarships can apply between December 2021 and March 2022. The scholarship is an example of The Intersect Group's commitment to helping young people succeed in their educational careers, whether it's secondary or post-secondary. The company is also a corporate partner with the Cristo Rey Network, a consortium of private college preparatory high schools for inner-city youth. This year, The Intersect Group will host 8 high school interns in Atlanta and 2 in Dallas. About The Intersect Group At The Intersect Group, relationships are everything. We specialize in finding people to do great work for exceptional companies. Our focus areas include information technology, finance and accounting. Driven by a passion for business analytics, TIG (The Intersect Group) offers a Center of Excellence to advance leadership, research, and education around Business Intelligence. TIG has a designated subject matter expert at the helm who leverages data to provide insights to better position our clients. The Intersect Group is headquartered in Atlanta with additional offices in Charlotte and Dallas. For more information visit http://www.theintersectgroup.com. The Intersect Group Contact: Lisa Simpson Director of Marketing 770-500-3636 www.TheIntersectGroup.com SOURCE The Intersect Group Related Links www.theintersectgroup.com e-Diploma is a digital platform for the online use of electronic diplomas issued by Hungarian higher education institutions. Through the platform, diplomas can be shared and authenticated with just a few clicks, while the diploma holder can have complete control over the data of the document. The platform authenticates the diplomas with the help of the ILGON blockchain, which is also developed in Hungary, and ensures their GDPR-compatible and tamper-proof use. Students of Milton Friedman University are the first to enjoy the benefits of the system, but several other Hungarian universities in Budapest and the countryside have already indicated their need for the platform, so it is expected that the system will soon be available in several parts of the country. "Early success confirms that as part of the digital revolution, blockchain technology does have a place in the oldest institutions of our time. Authentication of digital documents is a use case that will be used in most areas of life in the coming years. " Attila Vidakovics added What is ILGON? The ILGON blockchain was created and launched in January 2021 in response to the scaling problems of the Ethereum network by the Hungarian startup Dlabs blockchain research and development. The ILGON blockchain allows anyone to create their own cryptographic tokens, run smart contracts, and run Dapps. Like Ethereum, ILGON is Turing complete, so it can model any business logic, and thanks to full EVM compatibility, no application redesign is required to migrate from Ethereum. The network has a permeability of more than 200 transactions per second, guaranteeing smooth, congestion-free operation. Transaction costs account for about 1% of Ethereum's costs, the long-term predictability of which is ensured by the so-called PTC (Predictable Transaction Cost) system. The applications on the network are therefore ensured by the PTC system that low transaction costs remain even in the event of a change in the ILG price. The development team also replaced the Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism, which requires energy wasteful computations known from previous systems, with an efficient and environment friendly hybrid PoA + dPoS consensus model. More information about ILGON: SOURCE Dlabs Blockchain Research and Development NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Princeton Reviewone of the nation's best-known education services companiestoday released the 30th edition of one of its most popular books: The Best 387 Colleges (Penguin Random House, 2022 Edition, August 31, 2021, $24.99). The new edition of the company's annual" Best Colleges" guide has two-page profiles of the schools with input from students attending them, school rating scores in eight categories including Financial Aid, and other resources found in no other college guides. The 30th Edition of The Princeton Review's Annual "Best Colleges" guidebook: The Best 387 Colleges (Penguin Random House, August 31, 2021) The Best 387 Colleges also has a twist that sets it apart from the 29 previous editions of the book. For this milestone edition, The Princeton Review curated a unique resource: 26 "Great Lists." The "Great Lists" identify the colleges in the book with the most impressive history of appearances on company's annual "Best of" ranking lists over the years. The colleges named on the "Great Lists" are those with truly stellar records of student satisfaction as The Princeton Review tallies its annual "Best Colleges" ranking lists based on data from the company's surveys of students at the colleges who rate and report on their campus experiences at them. The 26 "Great List" categories chosen for this special 30th edition resource focus on topics that have become increasingly important to college applicants and parents in searches for their "best fit" colleges. Among them are lists that name outstanding colleges for Great Financial Aid, Great Professors, Great Career Services, Great Health Services, and Great Classroom Experience. The Best 387 Colleges' "Great Lists" posted on The Princeton Review website today and are viewable here. "We are delighted to shine this deserving light on the exceptional colleges that made our 'Great Lists,'" said Rob Franek, editor-in-chief of The Princeton Review and author of The Best 387 Colleges. "Their placement on these lists goes beyond our high opinion of the colleges: their inclusion in our 'Best Colleges' guide bears witness to that. Their 'Great List' designations are totally due to the high ratings the college's very own students have given them over years of student surveys we have conducted for the book and its annual 'top 20 colleges' ranking lists in 62 categories." The Princeton Review curated the "Great Lists" by doing a deep data dive through the book's ranking lists in past editions all the way back to the first edition in 1992. The selections were based on three criteria: the number of times a college appeared on a list (including how recent the last appearance was), its numerical rank when on a list, and the overall consistency of feedback from the schools' surveyed students in a given category. Each "Great List" names from 16 to 29 schools in alphabetical (not ranked) order. Interesting facts about the book's "Great Lists" and the colleges that made the lists: 214 (56%) of the 387 colleges in the book made one or more of the 26 categories of "Great Lists." 154 (72%) of the schools are private and 60 (28%) are public colleges. Four schools made 11 "Great Lists": Claremont McKenna College ( Claremont, CA ), Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering ( Needham, MA ), Rice University ( Houston, TX ) and Vanderbilt University ( Nashville, TN ). Three schools made 10 lists: Kansas State ( Manhattan, KS ), U.S. Military Academy ( West Point , NY), and Wabash College ( Crawfordsville, IN ). Two schools made 9 lists: University of WisconsinMadison, and Williams College ( Williamstown , MA). Two schools made 8 lists: Reed College ( Portland, OR ) and Whitman College ( Walla Walla, WA ). Among the 11 schools that made 8 or more lists, categories on which the schools commonly appeared are (in order): Great Financial Aid, Students Love These Colleges, Great Quality of Life, and Great Professors. Other resources in The Best 387 Colleges include The Princeton Review's: List, "Great Schools for 21 of the Most Popular Undergraduate Majors" List, "Top 50 Colleges for Game Design" List, "Top 50 Colleges for Entrepreneurship Studies" List, "200 Best Value Colleges for 2021" Honor Rolls identifying colleges that earned the company's highest rating score (99) for: Financial Aid, Fire Safety, and Green (based on commitment to sustainability and the environment). Missing from The Best 387 Colleges are the company's 62 "top 20" ranking lists of colleges. "With most students attending college remotely this past year due to COVID, we knew it would be impossible to survey them about their on-campus experiencesfrom how they rated their college library to their campus food," said Franek. "After all, the majority of them were dining in their family dining rooms, not their campus dining halls. We look forward to returning to our traditional and robust student survey process in the 2021-22 academic year ahead." Today, The Princeton Review also released findings of its recent JulyAugust survey sent to 655 college administrators on topics from their fall reopenings and COVID protocols to enrollment forecasts and more. Among the findings, based on responses from nearly 300 administrators, 95% reported that the majority of their fall classes will be in-person, and 64% said they are mandating COVID vaccinations for their students. A release on the survey findings with a link to a complete report on the findings is posted in The Princeton Review Media Center (https://www.princetonreview.com/media). The Best 387 Colleges is one of more than 150 books in a line developed by The Princeton Review and published by Penguin Random House. Other titles for college and college-bound students include: College Admissions During COVID, The College Wellness Guide, The Complete College Planner, The K&W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Differences, and Paying for College. The Princeton Review also publishes annual guides to standardized tests used in college admission, placement, scholarship and financial aid award decisions. About The Princeton Review The Princeton Review, is a leading tutoring, test prep, and college admission services company. Every year, it helps millions of college- and graduate schoolbound students achieve their education and career goals through online and in-person courses delivered by a network of more than 4,000 teachers and tutors, online resources, and its more than 150 print and digital books published by Penguin Random House. The company's Tutor.com brand is one of the largest online tutoring services in the U.S. It comprises a community of thousands of tutors who have delivered nearly 21 million one-to-one tutoring sessions. The Princeton Review is headquartered in New York, NY. The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University. For more information, visit PrincetonReview.com and the company's Media Center . Follow the company on Twitter ( @ThePrincetonRev ) and Instagram ( @theprincetonreview ). THE BEST 387 COLLEGES: 2022 Edition by Rob Franek with David Soto, Stephen Koch, Aaron Riccio, and Anna Goodlett Penguin Random House Trade paperback $24.99 (Canada $33.99) August 31, 2021 880 pages ISBN 9780525570820 SOURCE: The Princeton Review WEBSITE: www.princetonreview.com SOURCE The Princeton Review Related Links http://www.princetonreview.com This sales record during the Fan Festival 2021 came on the back of another milestone, as realme celebrates 100 million smartphones sold. realme was also the fastest major smartphone company to cross this milestone, achieving it just three years since its establishment. To thank the fans and its supporters, realme held its Fan Festival virtually, dedicated to the many passionate fans who are passionate about the brand and its products. realme has shown that the power of youth and the focus on young audiences worldwide is a sustainable and correct strategy. In addition to being the fastest major smartphone company to cross 100 million units sold, realme is also the fastest-growing major smartphone brand globally in Q2 2021 with a year-over-year growth rate of 149%, as data from research firm International Data Corporation (IDC) showed. Currently, realme ranks in the Top 5 smartphone makers in 18 markets, claiming first place in the Philippines and Bangladesh, fourth in India and Russia and fifth in the Europe region in Q2 2021. In conjunction with the Fan Festival, realme organized a campaign called the 'Daring Heroes Wild Poster Event' where realme received photo submissions from fans and showcased them in key urban centres of London, Moscow, Madrid and Shenzhen, to showcase the realme spirit, aptly titled: 'How Dare You Be You'. The campaign is a celebration of the restless spirit of those who dare to live their own truths despite the judgements and obstacles they may face. With this powerful statement, realme aims to empower fans to turn negative external noise into positive empowerment. As pioneers and true believers of this spirit, realme has forged ahead where many others have seen only danger. Sky Li, Founder and CEO of realme, said at the festival: "Young people, both our consumers and our staff, have taught us to dare to leap into the future and be trendsetters, giving us the courage to disrupt a well-entrenched industry." realme's success has shown that even in a highly competitive environment, with the right team and the right heart, it is possible to dare to leap and conquer both fears and dreams. Nothing is impossible with the power of youth, as seen by the stellar sustained sales performances over the past three years. About realme: realme is a global emerging consumer technology company disrupting the smartphone and AIoT market by making cutting-edge technologies more accessible. It provides a range of smartphones and lifestyle technology devices with premium specs, quality, and trend-setting designs to young consumers at affordable prices. Established by Sky Li in 2018 and driven by its "Dare to Leap" spirit, realme is the world's 7th largest smartphone company. As of Q2 2021, realme has entered 61 markets worldwide, including China, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Europe, Russia, Australia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, with a global user base of over 100 million. For more information, please visit www.realme.com. For more information, please contact realme PR Team [email protected] SOURCE realme Related Links http://www.realme.com Under the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, Citizen Stash shareholders will receive 0.1620 of a Valens common share (" Valens Share ") for each Citizen Stash Common Share held (the " Exchange Ratio "). The Exchange Ratio implies a premium per Citizen Stash Common Share of approximately 35.1% based on the 15-day volume-weighted average price (" VWAP ") of the Citizen Stash Common Shares on the TSX-V and the Valens Shares on the TSX as of the close of markets on August 27, 2021. The Citizen Stash Acquisition is expected to be accretive to Valens in 2021 and 2022 before synergies, and will provide Valens with strategic, asset-light expansion into flower and pre-rolls, the largest segments of the Canadian cannabis market currently accounting for over 70% of retail sales. This acquisition is anticipated to solidify Valens' position as a top tier cannabis company by enhancing the Company's market share and adding an innovative, premium flower brand to its portfolio. Closing of the Citizen Stash transaction will mark the third acquisition Valens has made this year, which will accelerate Valens' strategic initiative to create a leading global manufacturing platform, capture market share through innovative product launches with unique consumer experiences, and expand on its existing domestic and international distribution network to better capitalize on the global opportunity. Key Transaction Highlights Top premium craft flower brand meets top cannabis product manufacturer to create a best-in-class cannabis company: Leading premium flower brand, a full suite of innovative product manufacturing capabilities, scale, and operational and financial flexibility best position the pro forma company to close the significant trading discount to the large cap cannabis peer group 3 currently experienced by both companies. Leading premium flower brand, a full suite of innovative product manufacturing capabilities, scale, and operational and financial flexibility best position the pro forma company to close the significant trading discount to the large cap cannabis peer group currently experienced by both companies. Competitively positioned to win : The Citizen Stash complementary award-winning brand portfolio will bring over 40 provincial listings to Valens' growing house of brands across seven provinces which will bring the proforma company to over 220 provincial listings as of August 2021 . : The Citizen Stash complementary award-winning brand portfolio will bring over 40 provincial listings to Valens' growing house of brands across seven provinces which will bring the proforma company to over 220 provincial listings as of . Accretive transaction: Expected to be accretive to the Company in 2021 and 2022 before synergies. The Acquisition represents an attractive revenue multiple of approximately 4.3x first half fiscal 2021 annualized revenue. Expected to be accretive to the Company in 2021 and 2022 before synergies. The Acquisition represents an attractive revenue multiple of approximately 4.3x first half fiscal 2021 annualized revenue. Asset-light model aligns with Valens' philosophy of operational flexibility and continued financial discipline: Utilization of Citizen Stash's craft contract growing model will provide Valens with operational flexibility to work with industry leading growers, efficiently manage proprietary strain rotation, reduce risk, and avoid the challenges a large growing infrastructure creates. Citizen Stash is a licensed cultivator and processor of premium craft cannabis products based in Mission, British Columbia, and will provide Valens the opportunity to unlock additional growth with its extensive and specialized product portfolio in the premium flower and pre-roll segments. Citizen Stash operates a unique, asset-light platform comprised of a network of craft contract growing partners from which it selectively sources premium bulk flower grown from Citizen Stash's industry leading proprietary genetics. Citizen Stash manufactures and packages flower and pre-roll products primarily through manual processes. Citizen Stash is one of the top performing premium brands in the flower and pre-roll categories. Based on Hifyre data for the flower category during March to May 2021 in the markets of Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, Citizen Stash is the highest ranked premium brand by market share in the flower category with an average selling price above $13.00 per gram and is the only brand in the top 20 by market share with an average selling price above $13.00 per gram. Within the pre-roll category during March to May 2021 in the markets of Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, Citizen Stash is the third highest ranked premium brand with average selling price above $13.00 per gram and one of only five within the top 20 overall brands. The Citizen Stash brand has demonstrated very impressive strength in the competitive flower and pre-roll categories with year-over-year market share gains unlike many other competitor brands a testament to the product quality and consumer loyalty borne out of Citizen Stash's industry leading genetics. Tyler Robson, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of The Valens Company, said, "We are excited to join forces with Citizen Stash's experienced team and broaden our offerings in the flower and pre-roll verticals with a best-in-class brand. The premium price tier of the flower and pre-roll segments represents the best expansion opportunity for Valens in the flower category, as premium brands are the hardest to build, while also capturing the highest margins. Citizen Stash's asset light model, and proprietary genetics will provide us significant operational flexibility and an opportunity to leverage the growing capabilities of our existing LP partners. In short, this strategic acquisition will allow Valens to significantly expand its presence in the recreational market and capture a share of the largest categories of the Canadian cannabis space without the burden of a high-cost growing infrastructure. We are opportunistically expanding our product offering to align with consumer demand for high quality craft cannabis flower and pre-rolls." Jarrett Malnarich, Chief Executive Officer of Citizen Stash, said, "Combining our business with The Valens Company represents an outstanding opportunity for our company and the shareholders of Citizen Stash and is wholeheartedly endorsed by our Board of Directors. We look forward to the full integration of Citizen Stash with The Valens Company. We believe the combination will create a leading platform in the Canadian cannabis industry which spans all categories, while focusing on profitability and creating value for all shareholders. Together we look forward to taking the Citizen Stash brand to new heights that Citizen Stash could not have achieved on its own, by leveraging Valens' best-in-class, low-cost manufacturing capabilities and industry leading distribution scale. In our collaboration with Valens to date, Citizen Stash has come to realize the common values we share centered around providing consumers with the highest quality cannabis products. We anticipate that the future of our combined company will be filled with product innovation fueled by our shared entrepreneurial vision and mission to provide outstanding consumer experiences in both domestic and global markets. We look forward to the support of our shareholders in completing this transaction and the full integration of our two businesses." Strategic Highlights of the Acquisition With the Acquisition of Citizen Stash, The Valens Company will be well positioned to capture market share, close the existing valuation gap with the large LPs and maximize value for both sets of shareholders: Strategic expansion into premium flower-based categories: The acquisition combines Valens' leading cannabis 2.0 product manufacturing capabilities with Citizen Stash's robust premium flower offering to create a leading player in the Canadian cannabis industry with a total addressable market of $3.8 billion 1 with a portfolio of innovative products, across all categories, and a strategic focus on the highest margin segments. The acquisition combines Valens' leading cannabis 2.0 product manufacturing capabilities with Citizen Stash's robust premium flower offering to create a leading player in the Canadian cannabis industry with a total addressable market of with a portfolio of innovative products, across all categories, and a strategic focus on the highest margin segments. Asset-light approach: Leveraging a robust network of craft contract growing partners supplied with proprietary genetics allows Citizen Stash to focus on product development and the marketing of its industry leading premium flower-based products. This unique decentralized model minimizes capital spend while providing Citizen Stash both supply flexibility and an ability to mitigate the risk of crop failures inherent to centralized operations. This is a similar outsourcing model utilized by large CPG companies in other industries reliant on agricultural operations. Leveraging a robust network of craft contract growing partners supplied with proprietary genetics allows Citizen Stash to focus on product development and the marketing of its industry leading premium flower-based products. This unique decentralized model minimizes capital spend while providing Citizen Stash both supply flexibility and an ability to mitigate the risk of crop failures inherent to centralized operations. This is a similar outsourcing model utilized by large CPG companies in other industries reliant on agricultural operations. Opportunity to achieve meaningful revenue synergies: Several potential revenue synergies have been identified, including launching of new premium strains and expanding the Citizen Stash brand to new product categories. Valens will seek to drive further revenue growth for Citizen Stash's existing products by improving distribution penetration for the brand through the Company's broad reaching relationships with provincial boards and retailers. Several potential revenue synergies have been identified, including launching of new premium strains and expanding the Citizen Stash brand to new product categories. Valens will seek to drive further revenue growth for Citizen Stash's existing products by improving distribution penetration for the brand through the Company's broad reaching relationships with provincial boards and retailers. Significant potential cost synergies have been identified: With Valens' position as the largest bulk purchaser of cannabis biomass in the Canadian market, the combined company is expected to enjoy lower sourcing costs as well as cost savings from packaging and logistical efficiencies and the removal of public company costs. With Valens' position as the largest bulk purchaser of cannabis biomass in the Canadian market, the combined company is expected to enjoy lower sourcing costs as well as cost savings from packaging and logistical efficiencies and the removal of public company costs. Expanded customer offering with genetics portfolio and opportunity to deepen LP relationships: The leading premium genetics portfolio of Citizen Stash paired with Valens' existing best-in-class, low-cost manufacturing bolsters the offering the Company can provide to both its licensed and unlicensed customers, including next generation solutions for rare cannabinoids and Cannabis 3.0 products. In addition, the need for new, high-quality contract grow relationships provides an opportunity for Valens to work with and create incremental value for its LP partners. The leading premium genetics portfolio of Citizen Stash paired with Valens' existing best-in-class, low-cost manufacturing bolsters the offering the Company can provide to both its licensed and unlicensed customers, including next generation solutions for rare cannabinoids and Cannabis 3.0 products. In addition, the need for new, high-quality contract grow relationships provides an opportunity for Valens to work with and create incremental value for its LP partners. Proven leadership team: With a strong history of credibility and a track record of developing a leading premium flower brand backed by an uncompromising pursuit of bringing only the highest quality products to market, the Citizen Stash team is a standout in the Canadian cannabis industry. With a strong history of credibility and a track record of developing a leading premium flower brand backed by an uncompromising pursuit of bringing only the highest quality products to market, the Citizen Stash team is a standout in the Canadian cannabis industry. Brand and expertise to leverage in entrance into the US THC market upon federal legalization: The Citizen Stash brand, the industry leading catalogue of genetics, and the flower expertise of the Citizen Stash team are all assets that will prove valuable upon entrance into the US THC market upon federal legalization. Transaction Details Under the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, Citizen Stash shareholders will receive 0.1620 of a Valens Share for each Citizen Stash Common Share held which implies a premium per Citizen Stash Common Share of approximately 35.1% based on the 15-day VWAP of Citizen Stash Common Shares on the TSX-V and of Valens Shares on the TSX as of the close of markets on August 27, 2021. Under the Arrangement, the outstanding Citizen Stash warrants, and the in-the-money Citizen Stash options, will be transferred to Citizen Stash for their in-the-money amount, payable in Valens shares, net of appliable withholdings. Assuming the completion of the Arrangement, all of the out-of-the-money Citizen Stash options will be replaced by options to acquire Valens Shares, with their exercise price and number of Valens shares issuable on exercise appropriately adjusted for the Exchange Ratio, but otherwise on the same terms, including their expiry date. Under the Arrangement, each Citizen Stash restricted share unit outstanding immediately prior to completion of the Arrangement (whether vested or unvested), shall be fully vested and transferred to the Company and thereupon cancelled in consideration for the issuance by the Company of Citizen Stash common shares that will participate in the Arrangement. Valens has entered into voting and support agreements with Citizen Stash's directors and officers. The Arrangement has been unanimously approved by the Valens' board of directors. Citizen Stash's directors permitted to vote also unanimously approved the Arrangement after receiving the fairness opinion of Evans & Evans Inc. Citizen Stash's board of directors recommend that Citizen Stash shareholders and optionholders vote in favour of the Acquisition. The Arrangement requires the approval of at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast by the shareholders of Citizen Stash present at a special meeting of Citizen Stash shareholders to be called to consider the Arrangement (the "Special Meeting"), at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast by the shareholders and optionholders of Citizen Stash (voting as a single class present at the Special Meeting, in addition to a separate simple majority by Citizen Stash shareholders, excluding votes from certain shareholders, including Valens, as required by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. The Arrangement does not require Valens shareholder approval. The Arrangement Agreement includes customary provisions for transactions of this nature, including non-solicitation provisions, the right of Citizen Stash to accept a superior proposal in certain circumstances, with Valens having a period of five business days to exercise a right to match any such superior proposal for Citizen Stash. The Arrangement Agreement also provides for a break fee of 4.0% payable by Citizen Stash to Valens if the Arrangement is terminated in certain specified circumstances and an expense reimbursement for Valens if the Arrangement is terminated in certain other specified circumstances. In addition to the approval by Citizen Stash's shareholders and optionholders, the Arrangement is subject to the receipt of certain court and stock exchange approvals and the satisfaction of customary conditions precedent in transactions of this nature, as well as certain other specified conditions precedent set out in the Arrangement Agreement. Concurrent with the entering into of the Arrangement Agreement, Valens and Citizen Stash also signed a binding commitment for a $1.5 million investment from Valens to fund Citizen Stash's transaction expenses and other short-term working capital requirements pursuant to the terms of a secured convertible debenture agreement to be entered into between the parties (the "Debenture" or the "Financing"). The Debenture will be on customary terms, bear interest at 6.0% and will be due six months from the date of issue, subject to earlier termination under certain circumstances. The principal amount of the Debenture plus accrued interest will be convertible into Citizen Stash Common Shares at a conversion price of $0.39 per Common Share at any time prior to maturity. In connection with the Financing, Citizen Stash will also issue Valens warrants to acquire 1,923,077 Citizen Stash Common Shares at an exercise price of $0.585 per Common Share for a period of one year. Further information regarding the Arrangement will be included in the management information circular that Citizen Stash will mail in due course to its shareholders and optionholders in connection with the Special Meeting. Citizen Stash will also be applying in the coming weeks to the Supreme Court of British Columbia to obtain an interim order approving various procedural and related matters in order to convene the Special Meeting. The Arrangement Agreement will be filed under the SEDAR profiles of Citizen Stash and Valens on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and any securities issued upon closing of the Arrangement are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon the exemption from such registration requirements provided by Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable exemptions under state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Advisors Stikeman Elliott LLP is acting as legal counsel to The Valens Company. Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP is acting as legal counsel to Citizen Stash and Hillcrest Merchant Partners Inc. and Evans & Evans, Inc. are acting as financial advisors to Citizen Stash. Conference Call & Webcast Presentation The Valens Company will host a conference call and webcast concurrently with an accompanying presentation to discuss the Citizen Stash Acquisition on Wednesday September 1, 2021, at 11:00 AM ET / 8:00 AM PT. Toll-Free: 1-877-407-0792 Toll / International: 1-201-689-8263 Conference ID#: 13722732 Webcast Link: http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=146411 Please visit the webcast link at least 15 minutes prior to the presentation to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. An archived replay of the webcast presentation will be available on the Valens investor page of the Company website at https://thevalenscompany.com/investors/. At Valens, it's Personal. Sources: 1Statistics Canada June retail sales annualized, flower-based portion estimated as 70% of total based on Hifyre data 2Hifyre data for the markets of Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia during March to May 2021 3Peer group includes Canopy Growth Corporation, Tilray Inc., Cronos Group Inc., Aurora Cannabis Inc., Sundial Growers Inc., Organigram Holdings Inc., Hexo Corp., and Village Farms International Inc. About The Valens Company The Valens Company is a leading manufacturer of cannabis products with a mission to bring the benefits of cannabis to the world. The Company provides proprietary cannabis processing services, in addition to best-in-class product development, manufacturing, and commercialization of cannabis consumer packaged goods. The Valens Company's high-quality products are formulated for the medical, health and wellness, and recreational consumer segments, and are offered across all cannabis product categories with a focus on quality and innovation. The Company also manufactures, distributes, and sells a wide range of CBD products in the United States through its subsidiary Green Roads, and distributes medicinal cannabis products to Australia through its subsidiary Valens Australia. In partnership with brand houses, consumer packaged goods companies and licensed cannabis producers around the globe, the Company continues to grow its diverse product portfolio in alignment with evolving cannabis consumer preferences in key markets. Through Valens Labs, the Company is setting the standard in cannabis testing and research and development with Canada's only ISO17025 accredited analytical services lab, named The Centre of Excellence in Plant-Based Science by partner and scientific world leader Thermo Fisher Scientific. Discover more on The Valens Company and its subsidiaries at http://www.thevalenscompany.com. About Citizen Stash Cannabis Corp. Citizen Stash is the parent company of Experion Biotechnologies Inc., a Health Canada licensed cultivator and processor of Cannabis, based in Mission, B.C. Citizen Stash is best known as a rapidly growing adult-use premium cannabis brand offered nationally in seven provinces and territories. Citizen Stash has invested and developed a portfolio of premium cannabis genetics, strains and products with a unique growth strategy incorporating a highly scalable aggregation and distribution business model to drive revenues across its national sales network. Citizen Stash trades on the TSX Venture Exchange as a Tier 1 issuer under the symbol "CSC" on the OTCQB Venture under the symbol "EXPFF" and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "MB31". For further information, please visit the Citizen Stash's website at www.citizenstash.com. Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release includes certain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements", and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws collectively "forward-looking statements". These include statements regarding Valens' and Citizen Stash's intent, or the beliefs or current expectations of the officers and directors of Valens' and Citizen Stash's (the "Companies") for Valens post-closing. When used in this news release, words such as "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "forward", "future", "outlook", "plan", "pro forma" and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements as well as phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "could", "may", "should", "will", "would" or the negative connotation of such terms. As well, forward-looking statements may relate to future outlook and anticipated events, such as the consummation and timing of the Acquisition; the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the Acquisition; the strengths, characteristics and potential of the combined company; the Financing; and discussion of future plans, projections, objectives, estimates and forecasts and the timing related thereto. These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including those relating to required shareholder and regulatory approvals, exercise of any termination rights under the Agreement, meeting other conditions in the Agreement, material adverse effects on the business, properties and assets of the Companies, whether any superior proposal will be made and such other risk factors detailed from time to time in the Companies' public disclosure documents including, without limitation, those risks identified in Valens' annual information form for the year ended November 30, 2020, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com , and Citizen Stash's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended November 30, 2020, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Companies assume no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If either of the Companies updates any one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the company will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Citizen Stash Cannabis Corp. Related Links https://thevalenscompany.com/ SANTA FE, N.M., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Thornburg Investment Management ("Thornburg"), a global investment firm that oversees $49 billion in assets[1] , today announced the 15-year anniversary of the $1.1 billion Thornburg Global Opportunities Fund ("Fund") (Ticker: THOIX). The Fund carries a top percentile ranking in the Morningstar World Large-Stock Blend category, among 81 funds, for the fifteen-year period ending July 31, 2021, based on total returns without sales charge. Thornburg Global Opportunities Fund "Our research process identifies quality businesses at attractive prices around the world," said Brian McMahon, Chief Investment Strategist and Co-Portfolio Manager. "We seek to capture the advantages of global diversification within a focused portfolio of compelling ideas. Built on our core investment principles of flexibility, focus and value, the Fund gives us a durable framework for value-added investing." The Fund, which launched on July 28, 2006, has been co-managed since inception by Mr. McMahon. Miguel Oleaga, who joined Thornburg in 2014, was promoted to portfolio manager on the Fund in 2020. Together and with support from the entire Thornburg investment team, Mr. McMahon and Mr. Oleaga oversee the flexible and focused equity portfolio that leverages Thornburg's renowned capacity as a global manager. Portfolio holdings are selected on a bottom-up basis through a disciplined, value-based framework, ensuring a balanced approach to portfolio construction and risk management. In addition to the mutual fund, the global opportunities solution is available to certain investors as a UCITS fund and a separately managed account. The Fund is benchmarked against the MSCI All Country (AC) World Index Net Total Return USD. Since inception and through July 31, 2021, the Fund's I share class (THOIX) has outperformed the benchmark by 3.21% on an annualized basis. "This is a significant milestone for Thornburg," said Thornburg President and CEO Jason Brady. "Thornburg Global Opportunities Fund's 15-year track record of outperformance is a testament to our long-term investment philosophy[2] . With Brian and Miguel at the helm and with support from our entire investment team, the Fund has proven time and again that the flexibility to look anywhere in the world for value can provide long-term positive returns to our shareholders." For more information about the Fund, please visit https://www.thornburg.com/products-performance/mutual-funds/equity-funds/fgo/performance/. To learn more about Thornburg's investment strategies, please visit https://www.thornburg.com/products-performance/mutual-funds/. About Thornburg Founded in 1982, Thornburg Investment Management is a privately owned global investment firm that offers a range of multi-strategy solutions for institutions and financial advisors. A recognized leader in fixed income and equity investing, the firm oversees $49 billion[1] as of July 31, 2021 across mutual funds, closed-end funds, institutional accounts, separate accounts for high-net-worth investors and UCITS funds for non-U.S. investors. Thornburg is headquartered in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with additional offices in London, Hong Kong and Shanghai. At Thornburg, we believe unconstrained investing leads to better outcomes for our clients. Our culture is collaborative, and our investment solutions are highly active, high conviction and benchmark agnostic. When it comes to finding value for our clients, it's more than what we do, it's how we do it: how we think, how we invest and how we're structured. For more information, visit www.thornburg.com or call (877) 215-1330. Media Inquiries Michael Corrao Director of Global Communications Thornburg Investment Management Tel: +1 (505) 467-5345 Email: [email protected] Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investments carry risks, including possible loss of principal. Additional risks may be associated with investments outside the United States, especially in emerging markets, including currency fluctuations, illiquidity, volatility, and political and economic risks. Investments in small- and mid-capitalization companies may increase the risk of greater price fluctuations. Investments in the Fund are not FDIC insured, nor are they bank deposits or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity. Class I shares may not be available to all investors. Minimum investments for the I share class may be higher than those for other classes. Based on total returns before sales charges, Morningstar ranked the fund (I shares) in the top 38% over three years, 38% over five years, and 18% over 10 years, among 282, 248, and 144 World Large-Stock Blend funds, respectively, as of 7/31/21. 2021 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Before investing, carefully consider the Fund's investment goals, risks, charges, and expenses. For a prospectus or summary prospectus containing this and other information, contact your financial advisor or visit thornburg.com. Read them carefully before investing. Thornburg mutual funds are distributed by Thornburg Securities Corporation. [1] Includes $46.8 billion in assets under management and $1.9 billion in assets under advisement as of July 31, 2021 [2] The Fund may not have outperformed in every reporting period. SOURCE Thornburg Investment Management Related Links www.thornburg.com MORRISVILLE, N.C., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TrialCard Incorporated today announced the launch of Engage HCP by TrialCard, a new expanded suite of services that serves as a complement to a biopharma brand's field teams, while delivering measurable results in brand reach, lead generation, and market share growth. Engage HCP by TrialCard is designed to offer a flexible array of services that can serve as standalone teams or be used to bolster the efforts of existing field teams. Engage HCP offers HCP engagement services for the following disciplines: Clinical Nurse Educators Field Reimbursement Managers Pharmaceutical Institutional, Sales, and Specialty Representatives Rare Disease Professionals Telepromotion Agents Medical Science Liaisons These augmented services strengthen TrialCard's original position in virtual detailing, which began several years ago. "TrialCard developed this suite of services to address for our clients the increasing number of "difficult to see" and "no see" HCPs," said Tom Heck, SVP of Commercial Solutions at TrialCard. "Engage HCP by TrialCard further solidifies our commitment to helping brands grow and thrive via non-traditional methods." Long before the COVID-19 global pandemic altered the traditional pharmaceutical selling cycle, pharma sales reps' access to HCPs had been decreasing for years. According to ZS's 2019 AffinityMonitor findings, only 47.3% of physicians engaged well with in-person pharma rep meetings, while just 9.6% of physicians engaged using digital tactics. TrialCard, a pioneer in digital HCP engagement, recognized this opportunity and began reaching out to physicians via digital channels years ago. "Many predict that it is unlikely society will ever return to pre-COVID-19 behavior," said Mark Bouck, President and CEO of TrialCard. "As HCPs become more accustomed and comfortable with digital communications, they will likely continue to become even less reliant on face-to-face interaction." "Our pharmaceutical sales reps enter the physician's office using technology instead of the front door," said Mike Davis, TrialCard's VP of Commercial Solutions. "While that technology is the backbone of our programs, our proven track record in supplementing a brand's field sales force is a result of the caliber of talent that we hire, the superior training and resources we provide, and the flexibility, experience, and expertise to create customized solutions for each client." About TrialCard TrialCard Incorporated is a full-service life sciences commercialization partner that provides comprehensive solutions that span the entire biopharmaceutical value chain. In addition to a foundation of fully integrated, digitally enabled patient support services, its broader offerings include everything from late-stage clinical trial management to post-marketing HCP engagement services and proprietary data-as-a-service payer intelligence and insights. Founded in 2000, TrialCard provides commercialization needs for more than 160 life science customers and has connected over 35 million patients with more than $18 billion in branded drug savings to date. The company is headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina. For more information about TrialCard, please visit www.trialcard.com. Contact: Landy Townsend VP, Marketing & Communications TrialCard [email protected] 919-415-5401 SOURCE TrialCard Incorporated RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- UDig, the Virginia-based IT consulting firm, helps companies efficiently use their existing data to make better decisions. By hiring Reid Colson, former Markel chief data & analytics officer and head of innovation, UDig is further enhancing their client support. "Many companies struggle to fully capitalize on their data," says Andy Frank, UDig founder and chief executive officer. "With Reid on our team, we are excited to help clients seize opportunities, from creating a single version of the truth to driving value via predictive analytics and machine learning." Colson brings two decades of experience transforming data into business value. In addition to his recent role at Markel, Colson held roles at Capital One leading data analytics, business intelligence, data governance, and data engineering. He is particularly passionate about collaborating to deliver results that improve business outcomes. At UDig, he will help clients unleash their data's potential. "The right data, strategy, and infrastructure can enhance everything from customer acquisition and retention to employee performance and satisfaction," says Colson. "I see analytics as a treasure hunt: Data always has hidden value if you know how to find and unlock it." As UDig's data practice grows, Colson will also focus on helping middle market companies leverage information to improve the bottom line. His ultimate goal is to give companies clear, tailored strategies to monetize their data backed by a team of engineers who can bring those plans to life. About UDig UDig is a technology consulting firm with locations in Richmond, Nashville, and Washington, D.C. Our team supports businesses throughout the southeast and mid-Atlantic markets. We believe in the power of innovation and know that solutions are only as powerful as the people who craft, curate, and use them. Visit us at udig.com. SOURCE UDig LLC Related Links www.udig.com COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Veteran's PATH , a non-profit providing veteran mindfulness training and peer support, has partnered with Chopra Global , a leading integrative health company founded by Dr. Deepak Chopra, to offer mindfulness tools in support of veterans, service members and their families on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Path to Healing includes a free livestream event on 9/11 with practices to support well-being, including a special message and meditation from Deepak Chopra. Participants will receive supplemental support, including a series of guided meditations and resources, and ways to engage via social media and the Veteran's PATH Network (a private, veteran peer support community). "With September 11th approaching, many in the military-veteran community were already reminded of their sacrifices, but recent events in Afghanistan have amplified emotions and distress, which can increase the risk of suicide," says Mary Beth Leisen, PhD, of Veteran's PATH. "Path to Healing will create a space for veterans to connect, decompress, and practice tools that support wholeness and well-being. We've seen the power of mindfulness and connection to transform lives. We're excited to partner with Chopra Global for this vital mission." Everyone in the military-veteran community is welcome to join. Information and registration at veteranspath.org/pathtohealing . About Veteran's PATH Veteran's PATH is a 501c3 whose mission is for every US veteran to find wholeness and lead a purposeful and fulfilling life. They provide high quality, veteran-specific mindfulness training and peer support through classes, workshops, outdoor experiences, and immersive healing programs. https://veteranspath.org/ About Chopra Global Chopra Global is an integrative health company empowering personal transformation for collective well-being. Anchored by the life's practice and research of Dr. Deepak Chopra, Chopra Global aims to advance a culture where a healthy, peaceful and joyful life is accessible to all. With a portfolio that includes more than 2000 health articles, a comprehensive mobile app , masterclasses, teacher certifications, immersive live events and personalized retreats, Chopra Global's signature programs have been proven to improve overall well-being through a focus on physical, mental and spiritual health. For more information, interact with the team on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . Contact: Mary Beth Leisen, Ph.D., [email protected] David Drake, [email protected] SOURCE Veteran's PATH Related Links https://www.veteranspath.org STOCKHOLM, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vogue Scandinavia, the newest localized addition to the Vogue family of magazines, today announced the launch of its Live Video Shopping initiative. Powered by Bambuser, a pioneer in livestream shopping technology, the events will enable the magazine to better connect with audiences, offering insight into the publication's editorial and the inspiration behind it. Additionally, adoption of the increasingly-popular format opens new opportunities to drive revenue through merchandise sales as well as brand collaborations. With Greta Thunberg on the cover of its inaugural issue, Vogue Scandinavia is already demonstrating that it is a future-focused publication that is unafraid of breaking with traditions. With their strategic adoption of livestream shopping, the title is establishing itself as an innovator in its field. For the first Live Video Shopping event, to be held today Tuesday 31 August at 7pm CEST, 1pm EDT, Vogue Scandinavia will be showcasing the latest issue of the magazine while offering audiences the opportunity to purchase a unique collection box and limited edition scent. For future livestreams, Vogue Scandinavia will feature collaborations with brands along with other topics reflective of each issue. For Bambuser, the partnership is an opportunity to demonstrate the potential impact of livestreaming for businesses beyond retail. With the format's ability to engage with audiences in an entertaining, interactive way, it is poised to be a powerful tool for an industry that is increasingly challenged by the need to diversify revenue streams. "We are honored to work closely with this trailblazing new member of the storied Vogue magazine family as they leverage Live Video Shopping to bring the publication to life in a unique way," said Maryam Ghahremani, CEO of Bambuser. "This implementation also demonstrates how interactive livestream commerce brings value to a host of different business types, and we're confident that Vogue Scandinavia's implementation will serve as an important benchmark moving forward." The show of the Vogue Scandinavia's first event can be viewed at voguescandinavia.com Contact information Corporate Communications, Bambuser AB | +46 8 400 160 00 | [email protected] Certified Adviser Erik Penser Bank AB | +46 8 463 83 00 | [email protected] ABOUT BAMBUSER Bambuser is a software company specializing in interactive live video streaming. The Company's primary product, Live Video Shopping, is a cloud-based software solution that is used by customers such as global e-commerce and retail businesses to host live shopping experiences on websites, mobile apps and social media. Bambuser was founded in 2007 and has its headquarters in Stockholm. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/bambuser/r/vogue-scandinavia-partners-with-bambuser-for-launch-of-livestream-shopping-events,c3406829 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/15749/3406829/1461950.pdf Release https://news.cision.com/bambuser/i/vogue-scandinavia---bambuser,c2949098 Vogue Scandinavia + Bambuser https://news.cision.com/bambuser/i/vogue-scandinavia,c2949099 Vogue Scandinavia https://news.cision.com/bambuser/i/maryam-ghahremani,c2949100 Maryam Ghahremani SOURCE Bambuser SAN RAMON, Calif., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- WANdisco (WAND.L), the LiveData company, announced today that it has won a contract with South African financial services group, Sanlam, to migrate hundreds of terabytes of business-critical unstructured data to a new environment, which will serve as its disaster recovery infrastructure. As one of South Africa's largest financial services businesses with a presence in 44 countries globally, including 33 African countries, Sanlam selected WANdisco to migrate their Hadoop data from Cloudera CDP on-premises to another on-premises CDP cluster, which will continue to replicate any ongoing changes from the primary CDP environment. The long-term goal is to also replicate this data to cloud data lake solutions to enable additional analytical use-cases. WANdisco LiveData Migrator will be used for the initial migration as well as for the ongoing replication of changes from source to target. The new infrastructure will be used to scale out and handle additional capacity and changes within either environment while automatically replicating data to ensure 100% data consistency and integrity between the two environments. "We were impressed with WANdisco's unique capabilities for real-time replication without disrupting our production environments," said Sanlam Big Data Platform Owner Jacques Joubert. "It was critical to us that data in our disaster recovery cluster is kept in sync with our primary cluster as closely as possible to enable a near zero Recovery Point Objective and Recovery Time Objective. WANdisco and its partners provided Sanlam with great support during the product evaluation. They addressed our questions and concerns in an efficient and professional manner, and delivered results within the timeline they promised. We look forward to building a productive and ongoing relationship with WANdisco." WANdisco worked on this agreement in tight collaboration with its local South African partners Blue Turtle, a leading systems integrator. Headquartered in South Africa, Sanlam is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Namibian Stock Exchange and the A2X Stock Exchange. Founded in 1918, Sanlam is classified as a domestic systemically important financial institution in South Africa, empowering generations to be financially secure, confident and prosperous in all the markets where they are present. "LiveData Migrator and LiveData Plane combine to deliver a risk-free disaster recovery solution," said WANdisco Founder and CEO, David Richards. "LiveData Migrator makes it easy to move business critical data at any scale while LiveData Plane ensures fully consistent replication across all environments. Customers from a wide variety of industries and regions are discovering and utilizing WANdisco's technology to help them remain competitive by ensuring their data is secure, and accessible from anywhere and at any time." About WANdisco WANdisco is the LiveData company. WANdisco solutions enable enterprises to create an environment where data is always available, accurate, and protected, creating a strong backbone for their IT infrastructure and a bedrock for running consistent, accurate machine learning applications. With zero downtime and zero data loss, WANdisco LiveData Cloud Services keep geographically dispersed data at any scale consistent between on-premises and cloud environments allowing businesses to operate seamlessly in a hybrid or multi-cloud environment. WANdisco has over a hundred customers and significant go-to-market partnerships with Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, Oracle, and others as well as OEM relationships with IBM and Alibaba. For more information on WANdisco, visit www.wandisco.com . For more information, contact: Lindsay Rand LaunchSquad [email protected] +1 415-625-8555 SOURCE WANdisco Related Links http://www.wandisco.com/ LIVONIA, Mich., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- WorkForce Software , the first global provider of integrated employee experience and workforce management solutions, announces today that it has been named the silver winner in the Company of the Year B2B category in this year's Best in Biz Awards International, the only independent global business awards program judged each year by prominent editors and reporters from top-tier publications from around the world. This accolade follows the company's Comparably win earlier this year in the Best Company Work-Life Balance category. This past year, the COVID-19 pandemic posed countless challenges to businesses. Many industry leaders used these disruptions as a catalyst to improve their ability to identify and react more quickly to change. WorkForce Software's solutions, which are designed to continually adapt, are providing its customers with a mechanism to support legislative or operational changes to keep employees safe and productive and ensure their businesses are able to respond on a global scale. In the midst of the crisis, WorkForce Software was able to achieve performance goals through strategic partnerships, deliver a reimagined employee experience suite, and introduced solutions that supported the business requirements of the most diverse global teams. "We never compromise on delivering an outstanding product to our customers," said Sandra Moran, Chief Marketing Officer at WorkForce Software. "Our ability to overcome the events of the past year and a half demonstrate our commitment to over a thousand companies that we proudly serve. We're honored to be named to this year's Best in Biz International list and look forward to continuing the important work we're doing with our customers to manage the complex needs of global workforces." With the continuing ramifications of the COVID-19 global pandemic, 2021 has been another year of challenges for many industries and companies. Nonetheless, this year, as every year, Best in Biz Awards upholds the same strict standards of scoring to achieve the same quality of winning entries. As a result, once again, fewer winners were selected across all categories, making this year's winners' achievements all the more laudable. Winners in the 9th annual program were determined based on scoring from an independent panel of judges hailing from a wide spectrum of top-tier publications and media outlets from 10 countries. Each year, only editors, writers and contributors to business, consumer, financial, trade and technology publications, as well as broadcast outlets and analyst firms, serve as judges in Best in Biz Awards. The program's uniqueness stems, in part, from this distinct composition of its judging panels, enabling it to best leverage the judges' unparalleled expertise, experience and objectivity to determine award winners. This year's judging panel included writers and contributors to such publications as Bloomberg News, Data Breach Today, HTMAG (Israel), Huffington Post, NDR (Germany), Panorama Magazine (United Arab Emirates), Small Business IT (Canada), TechRadar (UK), as well as other outlets from Brazil, Canada, India, United Kingdom and more. For a full list of gold, silver and bronze winners in Best in Biz Awards 2021 International, visit: http://intl.bestinbizawards.com/intl-2021-winners . For more information about WorkForce Software, visit www.workforcesoftware.com . About WorkForce Software WorkForce Software is the first global provider of workforce management solutions with integrated employee experience capabilities. The company's WorkForce Suite adapts to each organization's needsno matter how unique their pay rules, labor regulations, and scheduleswhile delivering a breakthrough employee experience at the time and place work happens. Enterprise-grade and future-ready, WorkForce Software is helping some of the world's most innovative organizations optimize their workforce, protect against compliance risks, and increase employee engagement to unlock new potential for resiliency and optimal performance. Whether your employees are deskless or office workers, unionized, full-time, part-time, or seasonal, WorkForce Software makes managing your global workforce easy, less costly, and more rewarding for everyone. For more information, please visit www.workforcesoftware.com . About Best in Biz Awards Since 2011, Best in Biz Awards has made its mark as the only independent business awards program judged each year by a who's who of prominent reporters and editors from top-tier publications from North America and around the world. Best in Biz Awards honors are conferred in two separate programs: North America and International, and in more than 90 categories, including company, team, executive, product, and CSR, media, PR and other categories. For more information about the International program, see: http://intl.bestinbizawards.com . SOURCE WorkForce Software Helsinki, Aug 31 : Students in upper secondary schools and vocational institutions in the Finnish capital are to be directly vaccinated against Covid-19 between September 1-10, the City of Helsinki announced on Monday. Vaccinations will be given to every student in these institutions, regardless of their municipality of residence, and no appointment will be required, it said in a press release. If a student has already received their first vaccine dose, he/she will be able to get their second at school, the Xinhua news agency reported. Timo Lukkarinen, medical director at the City of Helsinki, said the best way to protect students was through widespread vaccination. "When vaccines are given in educational institutions, it is easy and quick," he said in the press release. According to Lukkarinen, 74 per cent of 16-19-year-olds in Helsinki have received their first vaccine dose, and the city hopes this rate will be increased by improved availability of vaccines. However, students may choose whether to be vaccinated, and if they cannot decide, the procedure requires the consent of a guardian. According to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), as of Monday afternoon, Finland has recorded a total of 126,565 coronavirus cases, with 472 of these being new. The death toll in the country has now reached 1,024, with five deaths reported on the previous day. So far, 71.8 per cent of the country's population have already received their first vaccine dose, and 49.7 per cent, the second, said the THL. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Moscow, Aug 31 : 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," said 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 Xinhua news agency reported. The official said that 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 US airstrikes in Afghanistan and urged the West to assist in normalising 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 US soldiers. In retaliation, the US 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 US airstrikes in Afghanistan and described the move as a violation of the US-Taliban peace deal. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text United Nations, Aug 31 : The Security Council has demanded that the Taliban should not allow terrorists to use its territory for attacks against other countries and this would apply to the Lashkar-e-Toiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammad, according to India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla. The resolution was adopted on Monday under India's presidency by a divided Council where China and Russia were the outliers who abstained on the vote on the resolution, but refraining from vetoing it in view of the overwhelming global support for the sentiments behind it. All the other 13 members voted for it. India played a "constructive and bridging" role at the Council and worked to the "extent possible for consensus-based" outcomes, Shringla said and this diplomacy was evident in saving the resolution proposed by the US, Britain and France from a veto by China and Russia, even as they expressed their opposition. "Today's UN Security Council Resolution, therefore, is a very important and timely pronouncement coming as it does during India's Presidency of the UN Security Council," Shringla told reporters outside the Security Council after presiding over the meeting on Afghanistan. The resolution also demanded that the Taliban uphold human rights, provide safe passage to those who want to leave Afghanistan and allow humanitarian aid. Shringla said that India was "extremely happy" with the resolution as it "highlights the will of the Council to take necessary steps that are very important for the international community in its engagement with Afghanistan." The Council action came while the clocks 10,000 kilometres away in Afghanistan rolled past midnight into August 31, the deadline President Joe Biden had set for his country's withdrawal from there, and the last C-17 aircraft took off from Kabul International Airport. "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," declared General Kenneth McKenzie, the commander of the US Central Command. At UN, Shringla said, "I want to highlight the fact that the resolution makes it very clear that Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any other country. In particular, it also underlines the importance of combating terrorism." "It also refers to those individuals and entities been designated under Security Council resolution 1267 (as terrorists)", he said, adding, "And in that context I may mention that the Lashkar-e-Toiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammad, the L-e-T and the J-e-M, are UN Security Council proscribed entities, terror entities that need to be called out, and condemned in the strongest possible terms." The Council is "unequivocal" on terrorism, he said. The resolution said that Afghanistan "not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts." "And I think that also reflects the views of council members, as we understand it from the discussions," Shringla said. Although they had differences with other aspects of the resolution, Russia's Permanent Respresentative Vassily Nenenzia and China's Deputy Permanent Representative Geng Shuang joined in demanding in very strong terms in their speeches after their vote that the Taliban not allow terrorists to operate from its territory. US Permanent Representative Linda Thomas-Greefield told reporters, "The Security Council reiterates its enduring call on the importance of counter-terrorism." "Afghanistan can never again become a safe haven for terrorism," she said. While the Council expects the Taliban to allow those who want to leave, she said that "this resolution also affirms the Security Council's enduring commitment to those who remain" adding that "we cannot airlift an entire country to safety. This is the moment where diplomacy has to step up." "We need to ensure Afghanistan respects the inalienable rights of its people - including women, girls, and minorities," she said. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter at @arulouis) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New York, Aug 31 : As the last of Americas C-17s flew into the night from Kabuls Hamid Karzai International Airport just before the clock struck midnight in Afghanistan Monday, the costs of Americas longest war began sinking in at home. Thirteen fallen US service members, mostly in their 20s and born just around the time of the 9/11 attacks in 2001, returned 24 hours ago in the last of the caskets from Afghanistan, draped in the US flag. US President Joe Biden became the fourth commander in chief to stand in reverence, his head bowed, as the heroes came home. Over the last 20 years, more than 2,400 US service members have been killed in Afghanistan alone. Here are some numbers from America's longest war. The data on casualties and costs (approximations) are sourced from the Costs of War Project at Brown University and covers the time period between October 2001 to April 2021. Other data are sourced from a combination of Pentagon, White House and US State Department briefings. Number of people killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York City, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania: Nearly 3,000. Date on which US Congress authorized use of US Armed Forces against those responsible for the September 11 attacks: September 18, 2001. Time at which the last US planes took off from Kabul airport on August 30, 2021: 3:29 pm in Washington, DC. Number of days between Taliban takeover and total US withdrawal: 15. Number of people killed in a suicide attack three days before the US left Afghanistan: 13 US service members and 169 Afghans. Total number killed in Afghanistan alone, last 20 years: 171,000-174,000 America's total expenditure on operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan: $2.313 trillion. American military members killed in Afghanistan: 2,461. US contractors killed in Afghanistan: 3,846. National (Afghan) military and police deaths: 66,000. Afghan civilian deaths: 47,245. Number of Americans who remain in Afghanistan, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken: "under 200, likely closer to 100". Number of "hard core" Islamic State terrorists who remain in Afghanistan: At least 2,000. US vehicles and systems disabled before withdrawal: 27 Humvees and 73 aircraft. The last task US troops completed before catching the final plane: They disabled the C-RAMS (Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar System). The last people to board the final US plane out of Kabul: Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division and acting US ambassador to Afghanistan Ross Wilson. Donahue coordinated the final evacuation effort for the US. (Nikhila Natarajan is on Twitter @byniknat) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Aug 31 : When service stations in Algeria stopped providing leaded petrol in July, the use of leaded petrol ended globally. This development follows an almost two decades long campaign by the UNEP-led global Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV). Since 1922, the use of tetraethyllead as a petrol additive to improve engine performance has been a catastrophe for the environment and public health. By the 1970s, almost all petrol produced around the world contained lead. When the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) began its campaign to eliminate lead in petrol in 2002, it was one of the most serious environmental threats to human health. The year 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 $2.45 trillion for the global economy, and decrease crime rates. "The successful enforcement of the ban on leaded petrol is a huge milestone for global health and our environment," UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen said. "Overcoming a century of deaths and illnesses that affected hundreds of millions and degraded the environment worldwide, we are invigorated to change humanity's trajectory for the better through an accelerated transition to clean vehicles and electric mobility." By the 1980s, most high-income countries had prohibited the use of leaded petrol, yet as late as 2002, almost all low- and middle-income countries, including some Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) members, were still using leaded petrol. The PCFV is a public-private partnership that brought all stakeholders to the table, providing technical assistance, raising awareness, overcoming local challenges and resistance from local oil dealers and producers of lead, as well as investing in refinery upgrades. Kwaku Afriyie, Minister of Environment Science, Technology and Innovation in Ghana, said, "When the UN began working with governments and businesses to phase out lead from petrol, sub-Saharan African nations enthusiastically embraced this opportunity. Ghana was one of five West African countries to join early sub-regional workshops and declarations. Following PCFV's media campaigns, reports, studies, exposing illegalities, and public testing done to expose high levels of lead in the population's blood, Ghana became ever more determined to free its fuel from lead." Despite this progress, the fast-growing global vehicle fleet continues to contribute to the threat of local air, water and soil pollution, as well as to the global climate crisis: the transport sector is responsible for nearly a quarter of energy-related global greenhouse gas emissions and is set to grow to one third by 2050. While many countries have already begun transitioning to electric cars, 1.2 billion new vehicles will hit the road in the coming decades, and many of these will use fossil fuels, especially in developing countries. This includes millions of poor-quality used vehicles exported from Europe, the US and Japan, to mid- and low-income countries. This contributes to planet warming and air polluting traffic and bound to cause accidents. "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," Andersen said. "We urge these same stakeholders to take inspiration from this enormous achievement to ensure that now that we have cleaner fuels, we also adopt cleaner vehicles standards globally -- the combination of cleaner fuels and vehicles can reduce emissions by more than 80 per cent." In addition, while the world has now eliminated the largest source of lead pollution, urgent action is still needed to stop lead pollution from other sources -- such as lead in paints, leaded batteries, and lead in household items. The end of leaded petrol is expected to support the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including good health and well-being (SDG3), clean water (SDG6), clean energy (SDG7), sustainable cities (SDG11), climate action (SDG13) and life on land (SDG15). It also offers an opportunity for restoring ecosystems, especially in urban environments, which have been particularly degraded by this toxic pollutant. Finally, it marks major progress ahead of this year's International Day of Clean Air for blue skies on the 7th of September. Chennai, Aug 31 : With higher classes for IX to XII reopening in Tamil Nadu, the state transport minister has ordered that the students can travel in government buses for free by showing their school identity cards. Transport minister, R.S. Rajakannappan in a statement released on Monday said that the students wearing school uniforms will also be permitted free travel in buses till the bus passes are made available. The minister in the statement said that students of government colleges, polytechnics and industrial training institutes (ITIs) will also be allowed to travel for free in state transport undertakings. The Tamil Nadu government has issued an order stating that college students from Kerala who are studying in Tamil Nadu will have to produce vaccination certificates and RT-PCR negative certificates taken within 72 hours of reaching Tamil Nadu. This, according to the state higher education department is due to the high rates of fresh Covid cases in that state. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin held a high-level meeting with officials on Monday to review the Covid-19 situation prevailing in the state as schools are scheduled to reopen on September 1, Wednesday. Hostels for schools and college students and working men and women can function in compliance with the Covid-19 protocol, the government in a statement said. The Acollege and school authorities must ensure that the hostel workers are vaccinated, the statement said. Chief Minister also requested parents and students to wear masks, ensure physical distancing and to follow the guidelines on Covid-19 protocol issued by the state health department. The statement said that the school and college management must ensure that the premises are properly cleaned and sanitized and the benches and desks in classrooms are sanitized properly. The state health minister Ma Subramanian while speaking to IANS said, "The state health department has joined hands with the school and higher-education department and has conducted inspections across the state before the schools and colleges are reopened. The district medical officers and the district educational officers are given the responsibility to ensure that the schools and colleges are complying with the government orders in maintaining cleanliness." Los Angeles, Aug 31 : Actors Jacob Latimore, Elsie Fisher, Sarah Yarkin and Moe Dunford will be seen starring in the sequel of 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' that is directed by David Blue Garcia and has been picked up by streaming giant Netflix. Netflix has picked up global rights to the latest installment of 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' from Legendary Pictures, reports hollywoodreporter.com. David Blue Garcia directed the horror movie, which was shot last year in Bulgaria, and is produced by filmmaker Fede Alvarez and Rodolfo Sayagues through their Bad Hombre banner, as well as Kim Henkel, Ian Henkel, and Pat Cassidy of Exurbia Films, and Legendary Pictures. The original 'Chainsaw', released in 1974 and directed by Tobe Hooper, is considered one of the most influential horror movies of all time. It introduced the character of Leatherface, a member of a family of cannibals who is a hulking figure with a deformed face, hidden by the skin of his victims. The character has been a constant in the many sequels and prequels. The new movie takes place years after the shocking events of the original, in a setting where Leatherface hasn't been seen or heard from since. Chris Thomas Devlin wrote the script. Mirzapur : , Aug 31 (IANS) A young officer in the Provincial Civil Services (PCS), has reportedly refused to get married until the road to her house in Rampur village in Adlahat area in Mirzapur is constructed. The officer Pragati Dixit was selected in PCS last year and is presently posted as assistant commissioner in Kanpur. Her father Daya Shankar Dixit said, "There is no road to my house and because of this, the area is not motorable. My daughter has said that she will not marry until a road is made. She said that in the absence of the road, the baraat will not be able to come in a car or vehicle and the same problem will arise during the 'bidaai' ceremony." Pragati's grandfather, Ravi Shankar Dixit, said that a road under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana had been constructed at the western end of the village but the construction had to be stopped because a local influential person encroached upon the land and built a room on it. Tokyo, Aug 31 : Manish Narwal topped the qualifying round while Singhraj too made it to the eight-player final of the P1 - Men's 10m Air Pistol SH1 at the Tokyo Paralympic Games on Tuesday. Narwal tied for the top spot with Chinese Lou Xiaolong, both with a score of 575 points. He, however, topped the ranking having shot 21 pellets into the inner 10 circles as compared to 15 by Lou. Singhraj tallied 569 points to finish sixth in the 60-shot qualifying cycle. Narwal came up with scores of 96, 95, 92,98, 97, and 97 in the six rounds of 10 shots each in the low-scoring qualifying round. Singhraj started with 95 and then added scores of 97, 93, 95, 92, and 97 in the next five rounds. Interestingly, the eight-player final has two from India, three from China besides a Polish shooter, an American, and one from the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC). Meanwhile, Rubina Francis's hopes of winning a medal at the Tokyo Paralympics did not materialise as she finished seventh in the P2 Women's 10m Air Rifle SH1 finals played earlier in the day. Rubina had qualified for the final in seventh position with a score of 128.5 points and started the final with 92.6 points in the first 10 shots. Turkey's Aysel Ozgan got eliminated first as she shot 9.6 and 8.5 as compared to 8.8 and 9.1 by Rubina. The Indian came up with a 10.1 and 7.9 in the next two shots and got eliminated. Iran's Sareh Javanmardi won the gold medal by beating Turkey's Aysegul Pehlivanlar in the final. The Iranian shot 9.7 and 10.3 in her two shots while the Turkish shoot could only manage 10.0 and 9.7, Sareh thus winning the gold. Kolkata, Aug 31 : In an interesting development, the West Bengal BJP is forming special teams in the districts to assist the victims of post poll violence. The CBI investigating the violence is interacting with the families of the victims and recording their statements and these teams will assist the victims and provide them legal and other assistance so that they and their family members can speak to the investigating agency properly. The BJP will form committees in all the districts and these committees will comprise a professional advocate to ensure that the victims of violence or their family members are able to interact with CBI officials without hurdles and record their complaints. The BJP said that each committee will have five members. The district president and three prominent members of the district committee will be there in the said special committee. The fifth member will be a professional advocate. Party sources further said that following a series of attacks during the post-poll violence, the morale of the common BJP workers is totally down. So, this is an attempt to boost their falling morale. "In most of the cases the victims are illiterate and poor and they don't have any idea about the legal aspects. They did not even face any investigating agency before and naturally it will not be easy for them to face an agency like the CBI. To facilitate the process so that they can speak to the agency in a proper way our team will assist them in every possible way," a senior BJP leader told IANS on condition of anonymity. When asked whether it would be legally correct to assist the victims, the leader said, "We will not be present when the CBI officers will visit them. How can it be incorrect to help someone in need? They are our party members and it is our moral and ethical responsibility to be on their side". The ruling TMC has already opposed the move, claiming partisan approach in a court-directed inquiry. They also alleged that this is a direct attempt to influence investigating CBI sleuths. "This is quite natural for BJP. However, they might try all kinds of conspiracies but nothing will work. People of West Bengal, who want development, will reject them. And the truth is that most of the people who were killed in post-poll violence were associated with the Trinamool Congress. However, CBI sleuths have not visited their residences," a Trinamool Congress leader said. Tokyo, Aug 31 : India's Singhraj held his nerve in a topsy-turvy final round to win a bronze medal in men's P1 -Men's 10m Air Pistol SH1 shooting at the Paralympic Games here on Tuesday. Compatriot Manish Narwal, who had topped the qualifying field, ended seventh, getting eliminated with two poor rounds. Singhraj ended with a score of 216.8 in the final to finish behind Chinese duo Yang Chao (237.9) and Huang Xing (237.5). This was India's second medal at the Asaka Shooting Range the eighth overall. Avani Lekhara won India's first gold medal in shooting on Monday. With two Indians and three Chinese in the eight-shooter final, the contest was expected to be between the five with India's Manish Narwal among the favourites as he had topped the qualifying round. But Narwal could manage a modest 97.2 in the 10-shot first elimination round and dropped out of medal contention. Singraj, the 39-year-old from Faridabad, UP, had qualified for the final in sixth position but jumped into second with a brilliant score of 99.6 in the first 10 shots. Russian Paralympic Committee's Sergey Malyshev was eliminated first, finishing eighth with a score of 113.3 -- Narwhal survived the drop but could not advance any further as was out in the next round. He scored a couple of 10.0 in the next round and survived a scare when he could manage only 9.4 and 9.7 to drop down to fourth. He had to battle it out for the bronze medal with China's Lou Xiaolong for the third spot. With Singhraj shooting 9.4 and 9.7 in his 13th and 14th shots, Lou overtook him at the third spot. But the Chinese shooter could not hold on to the position for long as he scored 9.6 and 9.7 in his 17th and 18th turn. After another below-par round of 9.1 and 9.6 on his 19th and 20th turn, it looked like Singhraj may miss out on a medal but the Chinese shooter scored an 8.6 in his 20th shot and thus Singhraj survived by 0.3 points -- 196.8 to 196.5. In the next round, the 39-year-old educationist from Faridabad shot two 10.0s and had to be satisfied with a bronze medal. China's Yang Chao, who shot a brilliant 100.3 in the first series, bagged the gold medal despite shooting 8.7, 8.2, and 8.2 in the final. He ended with a score of 237.9, a Paralympic Games record, with compatriot Huang Xing losing out by 0.04 points -- 237.5 as against 237.8 of his opponent. This was Singhraj's first medal in his maiden Paralympic Games, Kabul, Aug 31 : Soon after the last US troops departed, heavily-armed Taliban members on Tuesday took control of the Kabul international airport. The Taliban members walked through sheds on the military side. Subsequently, the movement's leaders celebrated their victory by walking across the runway, Pajhwok News reported. In a live-stream, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said: "This is the enjoyable moment of victory." On Monday night, the Taliban opened celebratory gunfire. "After two decades, we have defeated the Americans," said Mohammad Islam, an airport guard. In an online video on Tuesday, spokesman for the Taliban's political office in Doha Mohammad Naeem also hailed the movement's takeover of the airport. While congratulating fighters, Naeem said: "Thank God all the occupiers have left our country completely." He linked the Taliban victory to 20 years of sacrifice by the "mujahedeen". Aerial firing using different types of weapons, including machine guns, dominated the sky in Kabul after midnight, which frightened and awoke residents of the Afghan capital. It was later clarified that the firings, which lasted about an hour, were part of the Taliban's celebrations for what its called the end of the occupation after the US announced that the withdrawal of troops was completed, Khaama News reported. Mujahid said on Twitter that "the gunshots heard in Kabul are as a result of celebratory firing, the Kabul residents should not worry, we are trying to control it". Addressing a news conference in Washington, which was held by the Department of Defence, on Monday midnight, Kenneth McKenzie, commander of US Central Command, said: "I'm here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the mission to evacuate American citizens, third country nationals and vulnerable Afghans. "The last C-17 lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 30, this afternoon, at 3.29 p.m. East coast time, and the last manned aircraft is now clearing the space above Afghanistan." US media cited a State Department official as saying earlier on Monday that it was believed that there were fewer than 250 American citizens still in Afghanistan. As per the White House and Pentagon, as of early Monday, a total of 116,700 people have been evacuated from Kabul after the Taliban takeover, according to Khaama News. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Aug 31 : Pardeep Narwal has smashed an all-time record by becoming the highest-ever bought kabaddi player in the history of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), after being bought by the UP Yoddha for Rs 1.65 crore. The UP Yoddha bought the talismanic raider Narwal on Monday, the second day of the PKL auction for the upcoming Season 8, which will take place in December. Narwal, the highlight of the day, continues to re-write history books, with his price tag now quashing that of another star raider Monu Goyat, who was bought by Haryana Steelers for Rs 1.51 crore in Season 6. Pardeep now finds himself a new home after spending five seasons with Patna Pirates. Siddharth Desai was retained by the Telugu Titans via the Final Bid Match (FBM) card for Rs 1.30 crore from his base price of Rs 30 lakh. Over 22 overseas players were sold on the second day. Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh, an all-rounder belonging to Category C, lay at the base price of Rs 10 lakh and was sold to Patna Pirates at a price of Rs 31 lakh. Bengal Warriors snatched up Abozar Mohajermighani, a Category B defender, bidding for him at Rs 30.5 lakh from the base price of Rs 20 lakh. Interestingly, Patna Pirates used their FBM card to retain South Korean raider Jang Kun Lee at Rs 20.5 lakh. After six seasons with the Telugu Titans and one season with Tamil Thalaivas Rahul Chaudhari finds himself a new home with the Puneri Paltans for Season 8. Jaipur Pink Panthers used both the FBM cards to their advantage, retaining captain Deepak Niwas Hooda and Sandeep Kumar Dhull. Tamil Thalaivas bid for raider Manjeet from his base price of Rs 30 lakh and bought him in for an astounding Rs 92 lakh. On the other hand, all-rounder Rohit Gulia grabbed eyeballs after he was sold to the 'Haryana Steelers' for Rs 83 lakh, a significant jump from his Rs 25-lakh price tag with the 'Gujarat Giants' in Season 7. "Kabaddi is such an elementary game in terms of infrastructure required, that I have no doubt that once we get our act together, the explosion of kabaddi internationally is just waiting to happen," Charu Sharma, co-founder of Mashal Sports, was quoted as saying in the release. Top 5 Indian players: Pardeep Narwal Rs 1.65 crore (UP Yoddha); Siddharth Desai Rs 1.30 crore (Telugu Titans); Manjeet Rs 92 lakh (Tamil Thalaivas); Sachin Rs 84 lakh (Patna Pirates); Rohit Gulia Rs 83 lakh (Haryana Steelers). Patna, Aug 31 : Three persons including a brother of a sub-inspector were killed in Bihar in the last 24 hours. The first incident appeared in Gaya district when half a dozen assailants crushed a youth using stones in Telbigha locality on Tuesday morning. The deceased is identified as Arvind Chaudhary, a native of Jheelganj locality and brother of a sub-inspector of Bihar STF, posted in Patna. Chaudhary went to Telbigha on Tuesday morning for some work. He was intercepted by half a dozen criminals. After he saw them, he tried to escape but failed. The attackers cornered him and kept hitting him with stones until he died. As attackers were carrying firearms, the residents of the locality did not dare to save him. The police said that the deceased also had criminal history and it was probably a revenge killing. The second incident took place in Saharsa district when a youth, who was returning home from Janmastami fair, was killed in the wee hours of Tuesday. The deceased is identified as Premjeet Singh alias Putput Singh, a resident of Soha village. He was intercepted by unidentified attackers who slit his throat and escaped. The family members of the deceased looked for him when he did not return home. They found his body at a roadside. The third incident happened in Aurangabad when a vegetable vender was gunned down in Chitragupt Nagar locality under the city police station. Manish Kumar, the SDPO said that assailants came on the bike and killed him when he was selling the vegetables to a woman in the area. "Two assailants came on the bike and shot him on his head from a point blank range. He died on the spot. The reason of murder is yet to ascertain," Kumar said. New Delhi, Aug 31: With the power structure changing swiftly in Afghanistan, political realignments are happening. The US is no longer interested in carrying on with its intervention in Afghanistan while Russia and China seem to be showing a symmetry with the new rulers -- the Taliban. Feeling let down by the Americans, the UK is beginning to think that it may help to work with Russia and China as they seem to hold leverage with the Taliban. Russian news agency TASS reported on Monday that there is a feeling in London that "Russia and China may have the opportunity to influence the new government in Kabul", which could create space for the British government to join in. UK joining Russia and China would also mean a more cohesive plan of action among the permanent five UN Security Council (UNSC) members. Citing unnamed sources, TASS said: "We recognize the need to work with Russia and China given their potential ability to influence the new Afghan government and our collective interests in countering terrorism and narcotics, preventing a refugee crisis and averting further economic collapse." UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres plans to hold a UNSC meeting this Monday. The main thrust of the British strategy seems to be sending a clear signal to the Taliban to honour its commitment to providing a safe passage to foreign nationals and Afghans with travel authorisation from leaving the country. The UK also wants the Taliban to not allow the country to once again become a haven for terrorists. Along with putting pressure on the Taliban, the UK also wants the Taliban to allow UN staff to continue humanitarian operations benefiting the Afghan people. Quoting diplomatic sources, TASS says: "The draft resolution has been under negotiation amongst UNSC members over the weekend with the aim of adopting it early this week." Many influential British are consumed by remorse over how the 20-year old US-driven strategy unwound within weeks as the US and NATO began pulling out their forces. The UK had been the staunchest supporter of the US in its role in Afghanistan, thinking that by eliminating terror the Western nations could push the country towards reforms and stability. However, the US and its allies were left bewildered as the Taliban rushed into Kabul with full force, casting aside the well-trained and equipped Afghan army. After two decades of 'nation-building' in Afghanistan, a dejected West is wondering if it needs to take into account other countries' influence with the Taliban to ensure that the nation does not go off-track once again. British efforts to get the permanent five on a united platform is evidence that the UK is warming up to powers besides the US. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Kathmandu, Aug 31 : Nepal's aviation entities lost around 37 billion NPR ($313 million) in potential earnings due to flight restrictions imposed in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to 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 it lost around 12 billion NPR in potential earnings, reports Xinhua news agency. Airlines as a whole lost about 25 billion NPR 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 NPR, and the Himalaya Airlines, a China-Nepal joint venture, lost around 3 billion NPR in potential earnings. Nepal's other airlines involved in domestic flights lost around 15 billion NPR. 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 September 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 NPR to 300 million NPR in recent days from 800 million NPR to 900 million NPR in normal times before the pandemic first hit the country," said Chhetri. "Our monthly income plunged to as low as 40 million NPR 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 off 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 Nepal, domestic flights are faring better than the international ones these days. "Recently 102 flights take off in a day, a record high since the second wave of pandemic hit," said Chhetri. 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. Nepal on Monday reported 1,902 new Covid-19 cases and 16 deaths, taking the total infections to 761,124 and the fatality toll to 10,730. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, Aug 31: As the Taliban are now inching closer to forming a government in Afghanistan, a critical question has come to the fore -- how will the newly formed dispensation get the necessary financial resources to run the country. One of the most critical tasks at hand for the Taliban would be to ensure stability of the economy and containing the depreciation of the Afghani -- the currency of the country. And for that the Taliban 2.0 would need -- some recognition and acceptability -- on the global platform. But that will not be easy to acquire. "The international community will not easily accept the Taliban. A Taliban led government is clearly not the same as any other government and it is not going to change -- they would need foreign aid to flow in but that is something that may not happen. We will have to wait and watch," Subhomoy Bhattacharjee, Senior Adjunct Fellow at Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) said. With the Taliban coming in, flow of aids and private remittances has come to a halt. For the last few years, about 75 per cent of the public spending in Afghanistan was financed by grants. The World Bank said that with an influx of aid since 2002, Afghanistan sustained rapid economic growth and improvements against important social indicators for more than a decade. Annual growth averaged 9.4 per cent between 2003 and 2012, driven by a booming aid-driven services sector, and strong agricultural growth. Yet, the US-led West is also under pressure to engage with the Taliban, which is getting some traction in the neighbourhood, including Russia and Iran, two regional heavyweights, who wish to achieve their grand strategic objective of ejecting Washington permanently out of the region, even if it means engaging with the Taliban. Iran has resumed supply of oil to the war-torn country and trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan has also once again picked up, reports say. A pick up in trade -- rather imports -- would mean that the revenue generated from the customs duties would somehow be intact. Shakti Sinha, Honorary Director Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Policy Research and International Studies, MS University pointed out that the new "government" under the Taliban would be able to garner "some money" from customs and import duties, which will be just enough to pay the government officials. However, this would hardly keep afloat the Taliban, which would not be able to sustain itself without 360-degree foreign concurrence. The Taliban are desperately hoping that the inflow of foreign aid resumes at the earliest. Besides, they would want immediate access to the $9.5 billion international reserves that Afghanistan has in various international banks. While the jury is out on the Taliban 2.0 regime, several foreign policy pundits have opined that given their economic vulnerability at an existential level, the Taliban will be forced to put up a "far more liberal face" so that gain some legitimacy and recognition from the global community. "Unlike the austere, anti-modern Taliban regime which came to power in 1996 in Afghanistan, Taliban 2.0 has not rejected modernism and realises the importance of engaging with the outside world. It finds its roots in office and college goers, in towns and villages, who are tired of corruption and weary of the ethos of the Western liberal world," Sinha said at an event organised by India Writes Network. "They would have no money left for security or other developmental work. The Taliban would need foreign aid to resume and hope that they get access to the reserves that have been frozen. Given this situation, the Taliban rule is expected to be very different from what we had seen earlier," Sinha, speaking to India Narrative, said. A Bloomberg report said that the situation is awkward for both the US. and the Taliban. "Each side wants to prevent Afghanistan from turning into a key staging ground for Islamic State fighters to plot global terrorist attacks, but they also find it politically unpalatable -- if not impossible -- to cooperate," it said. Earlier, at a press briefing, when asked about US-Taliban co-operation and whether that would continue beyond the evacuation exercise, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, "I don't want to get ahead of where we are." Despite its attempts at a makeover to form a legitimate "government", the Taliban's medievalist "head chopping" and "stoning women to death" image is hardly going to disappear anytime soon. And on the margins a battle between "realists and the pragmatists", who wish to engage with the Taliban and the "idealists", who are still seeking justice for the Taliban's past crimes has only just begun. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Mumbai, Aug 31 : Best known for her performance in the film 'Sairat', National Award-winning actress Rinku Rajguru says that in her upcoming Netflix release she is playing a role she has never essayed before. In a conversation with IANS, Rinku said: "From all the characters that I have done till now this one is totally different. Manjari, my character, wants to do so much in life but she is oppressed and everything is bottled up inside her because of her situation at home and the way she lives. We are portraying the 1980s, so it was a little difficult to get under the skin of the character, but it was fun." Rinku will be seen essaying the role of Manjari in the anthology 'Ankahi Kahaniya'. Caught in the middle of a family turmoil and burdened with responsibilities, Manjari emerges as a character looking to escape from the reality she lives in. With this segment, 'Ankahi Kahaniya' delves into yet another story set on the streets of Mumbai in the early 1980s. The anthology of three stories - directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Abhishek Chaubey and Saket Chaudhary - is set to premiere on Netflix on September 17. Jammu, Aug 31 : A Border Security Force (BSF) trooper was found dead on Tuesday under mysterious circumstances in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, police said. The victim, identified as Rakesh Kumar, was found dead in Sunderbani area at around 9.30 a.m. "The constable was posted with the 69 Battalion. Inquest proceedings have been started. The body has been shifted to hospital in Sunderbani for post-mortem," the police added. August 31 : Ajay Devgn has resumed work on his upcoming project MayDay after a long gap. Last time he was shooting in Mumbai with Amitabh Bachchan, who plays a pivotal role in the film. After which, shoot was halted due to the second wave of coronavirus pandemic. Now it is reported that the actor has jetted off to Russia to plan the next schedule of the film. Directed and produced by Ajay Devgn, MayDay was officially announcement in November 2020, and filming started in December 2020 in Hyderabad. The film stars Ajay himself, Amitabh Bachchan and Rakul Preet Singh. Ajay returns to direction after the actioner Shivaay in 2016, and U Me Aur Hum in 2008. Due to travel restrictions, Ajay couldnt plan the international schedule earlier. Now, with many countries opening up, it is reported by a portal that Ajay has jetted off to Russia, and will be stationed there for a week to plan for the international schedule. Ajay and the team will stay in Moscow for a week and finalise the locations. The lead team will then travel to Russia for an eight-day shoot. Reportedly, Ajay, Rakul and Boman Irani will shoot for some crucial airport scenes in Russia. Earlier, Ajay had said that shooting for the film is almost complete except for a few days, which means the Russia schedule is the last leg of the film. Touted as an edge-of-the-seat drama, MayDay features Ajay Devgn as a pilot, while Amitabh Bachchans character has been kept under wraps. MayDay is scheduled to be theatrically released on April 29, 2022. Meanwhile, Ajay Devgn was recently shooting for Indra Kumar's film Thank God in a Mumbai studio. The makers had made heaven's set at the studio and, as the title suggests, God plays an important role in the film. The film also stars Sidharth Malhotra and Rakul Preet Singh. Ajay also has Maidaan and RRR in the pipeline. The actor is gearing up for his OTT debut with a thrilling web series titled Rudra. Agartala, Aug 31 : Amidst open resentment by a section of ruling BJP MLAs and leaders in Tripura, with the inclusion of three new faces, the much expected cabinet expansion would take place on Tuesday afternoon, top party and official sources said. The sources said that former Tripura BJP-Vice President Ram Prasad Paul, young legislator Sushanta Chowdhury and party's northern Tripura leader Bhagaban Chandra Das, all new faces, likely to be the new ministers in the first ever cabinet expansion in the three-and-a-half year old BJP led alliance ministry. With the elevation of 47-year-old Das, the long awaited demand for a minister belonging to the Schedule Caste (SC) community would be fulfilled. "Those BJP MLAs would not be accommodated in the cabinet, they would be the chairpersons from among the 31 Public Sector Undertakings and Corporations," a top party leader told IANS on Tuesday. The BJP leader refusing to be named said that eyeing at the 2023 assembly election in Tripura, the Bharatiya Janata Party has further activated the governance and the party organisations all across the state. 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 former Health and Information Technology Minister Sudip Roy Barman was sacked following differences with the Chief Minister and the vacancy in the ministry rose to four. Amidst the dissidence by a section of ruling BJP MLAs and leaders since 2019, four senior central 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, immediately after their arrival on Monday started holding a series of meetings with Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, state President Manik Saha, all Ministers, MLAs, state and district leaders to obtain their views about the governance and functioning of the party organisation. The other BJP central 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 sub-divisions to meet the grassroots 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 grassroots 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. Ashis Kumar Saha 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. Mumbai, Aug 31 : Kotak Mahindra Bank will sell 20 crore shares in Airtel Payments Bank Ltd amounting to 8.57 per cent stake to Bharti Enterprises for around Rs 294 crore. Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited has executed a share purchase agreement for the sale, the bank said in a regulatory filing. It said that the shares were acquired for an aggregated consideration of Rs 200 crore invested in tranches during calendar years 2016 and 2017. The cash consideration for the share sale would be equal to or higher than Rs 294.8 crore at Rs 14.74 per share. The consideration will be determined in accordance with the terms of the share purchase agreement. Kotak Mahindra Bank does not require any governmental or regulatory approvals for the proposed transaction. Bharti Enterprises Limited has received 'No Objection' from the RBI to enable execution of the proposed transaction, which is expected to be completed by September 15, 2021, said the filing. Airtel Payments Bank is a payments bank duly licensed by the Reserve Bank of India to carry out the activities permitted under the license issued by the central. It commenced its operations as a payments bank, with effect from November 23, 2016. Mumbai, Aug 31 : Director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury has wrapped up shooting for his upcoming film 'Lost'. He says the film makes one question today's reality. The film features Yami Gautam in the lead as a crime reporter, and the movie will comment on the issues of media integrity in today's time. While sharing his excitement, Aniruddha said: "'Lost' in its drama makes you question today's reality. It was a pleasure giving shape to the story along with Shyamal and see him turn it into one of the finest scripts, and it was equally exhilarating to make the vision come alive on celluloid. He added: "It was an incredible experience of crafting this film with one of the most passionate casts and crew. I am excited to present what we have created to the world, and I hope they shower it with much love." Along with Yami, the film features Pankaj Kapur, Rahul Khanna and an ensemble of younger talent, including Neil Bhoopalam, Pia Bajpiee, and Tushar Pandey, in pivotal roles. The story is written by Shyamal Sengupta and Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury and screenplay is by Shyamal Sengupta and dialogues by Ritesh Shah, respectively, while the music is composed by Shantanu Moitra with Swanand Kirkire as a lyricist. The film is produced by Zee Studios, Shareen Mantri Kedia, Kishor Arora, Sam Fernandes and Indrani Mukherjee. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Aug 31 : In a shocking moment, an Afghan TV news presenter read out the headlines while being surrounded by armed Taliban members. The clip was shared online by the TV studio after the militants stormed the building and demanded the news anchor praise the Taliban, the Daily Mail reported. In the 42-second clip, which has since been viewed more than 1 million 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 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, the report said. Sharing footage from inside the newsroom, Zaki Daryabi, the Publisher of Etilaatroz and Kabul Now, 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." -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Chennai, Aug 31 : Government hospitals and the Urban Primary Health Centres in Tamil Nadu have been found to be far ahead of private hospitals in the number of daily vaccinations of people. According to a report of the Public Health Department, Tamil Nadu government hospitals, PHC's and door to door vaccination together make up around 2.7 lakh doses of vaccines a day. However, in private hospitals, the vaccination count is around 21,000. This shows that the vaccinations against Covid -19 in government hospitals are more than ten times that in private hospitals. Tamil Nadu health minister Ma Subramanian told IANS, "The number of vaccinations in government hospitals, and PHC's touch around 2.7 lakh doses on an average per day while it is around 21000 in private hospitals. The vaccines in government centres are free of cost and are hassle-free and hence public is preferring government centres." The Tamil Nadu health department has been repeatedly requesting the Central government to reduce the supply of vaccines to the private sector and increase the supply to the government sector. However Tamil Nadu is lagging behind some states in the number of vaccinations per day. According to Public Health Department officials the state would have to touch an average of 7 lakh vaccines a day for the whole state to be inoculated with at least one dose of vaccine by December 2021. Ma Subramanian have already requested the Central government to provide 1 crore vaccine doses in a single allotment. This, according to Public Health Department officials, would help the state to catch up with the other states and to achieve the target of inoculating its population with at least one dose of vaccine by December 2021. Jerusalem, Aug 31 : Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz announced that his country will make "goodwill gestures" to the Palestinian authority following his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Briefing reporters, Gantz said that during the meeting on Sunday night, he and Abbas agreed on a loan worth 500 million shekels ($155 million), Xinhua news agency reported. Israel will also recognise the status of thousands of Palestinians who live in the Israel-occupied West Bank without Israeli permits. Most of these Palestinians moved from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank after Hamas, the Islamic Palestinian group that runs the coastal enclave, seized power in 2007. Gantz said the purpose of the meeting was to build trust between Israel and the Palestinian authority without promoting a peace deal. "I came to the meeting to build trust, keep the Israeli interests and the important ties with the Palestinian authority," Gantz said, adding that he believes Israel should support the Palestinian authority. "The stronger the Palestinian authority is, the weaker Hamas will be, and the more governance it will have," the Defence Minister added. The meeting was the first between an Israeli minister and the Palestinian President since 2010. Panaji, Aug 31 : The investigation into the death of an Irish woman, whose body was found in a rented room in Candolim beach village late on Monday, will be carried out after recording statements of her friends, North Goa Superintendent of Police Shobit Saxena said on Tuesday. "We will carry out further investigation as per the autopsy report and statement of her friends," Saxena told reporters at the North Goa district police headquarters. "One Irish lady was found dead in Candolim in her rented room. Her body was discovered by two of her friends. We have registered a case of unnatural death. The post mortem report is awaited," Saxena also said. The remains of 66-year-old Mary McNamara were found by her friends, who had visited the rented room in Candolim beach village to enquire about her on Monday. Police said that the room was locked from inside at the time of discovery of the body by the deceased's friends. Over the last fortnight a series of deaths of foreign nationals, including the deaths of two Russian nationals, living in coastal villages have been reported in the state. Los Angeles, Aug 31 : The Caldor Fire raging Northern California has scorched 177,260 acres of land, with containment dropping from 19 per cent to 14 per cent due to the out-of-control growth, the fire officials said. The blaze has destroyed 472 buildings in El Dorado County and threatened more than 20,000 more as it headed east toward the Tahoe Basin, where the popular tourist resorts is located, reports Xinhua news agency. The fire burned 10,000 acres overnight as it drew closer to Lake Tahoe. Three firefighters and two civilians have suffered injuries since the fire started 16 days ago, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). Nearly all residents of the city of South Lake Tahoe were ordered to evacuate on Monday morning due to the raging wildfire. The city authority said on its official Facebook page that the evacuation "will be done systematically by neighbourhood", 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 the state had been cut by the wildfire which had been creeping toward the lake for more than two weeks since August 14. Barton Memorial Hospital, the biggest hospital in South Lake Tahoe, evacuated its patients on Sunday night and would transfer its emergency services to the Lake Tahoe Surgery Center in Zephyr Cove, Nevada, on Monday. 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. Sagar, Aug 31 : Prahlad Rajput, a mentally challenged man from Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh, was finally released from a Pakistani jail after 23 years. He had gone missing from his village in Sagar district but the Indian government only came to know years later that he had crossed the border to Pakistan. Prahlad is a resident of Ghosi Patti village in Sagar district. After he had reportedly gone missing the Madhya Pradesh authorities tried hard to trace him but were unsuccessful. Prahlad has got a fresh lease of life as he returned to his homeland after spending 23 years in prison in a foreign land. He has lost his mother who kept waiting for his return to India. Superintendent of Police (SP) Atul Singh said, "In 1998 Prahlad suddenly went missing as he was mentally weak. Even after thorough investigation, we could not find him. Then suddenly in 2014 we came to know that Prahlad is lodged in a Pakistan jail after which constant efforts for his release were made by the Indian government. The Madhya Pradesh Police and Sagar district SP launched rigorous efforts for Prahlad's return to his homeland. At last these efforts have been successful." According to Singh, "Prahlad was released from a Pakistan jail on Monday after 23 years. He was handed over to Gourjhamar's Sub Inspector Arvind Singh, Constable Anil Singh and Prahlad's brother Veer Singh at the Wagah-Atari border. As Veer Singh saw his brother Prahlad after several years, his eyes filled with tears and he hugged the latter" Veer Singh said that his mother was looking forward to the return of her son Prahlad, but she passed away five years ago. "But today my mother's dream has been fulfilled as Prahlad has returned to his home. For facilitating Prahlad's return I thank the state administration. On Prahlad's return, there are celebrations and happiness within our family and the entire village," Veer Singh said. Prahlad was 33-years-old when he went missing from his village. He has turned 56 now but the most comforting feeling is that he has returned to his homeland. Nevada, Aug 31 : This year's 'Burning Man' festival is officially cancelled, but that won't stop thousands of people from gathering at the event's traditional site in northern Nevada in the US this week for an unauthorised celebration in the same vein. Officials at the Bureau of Land Management -- which controls Black Rock Desert, where 'Burning Man' typically takes place the week before Labor Day -- estimate that roughly 10,000 people will arrive to the site this week for a non-ticketed event that's widely being referred to as 'Free Burn' and 'Renegade Burn', among other non-official titles. Lands managed by the Black Rock Field Office (BRFO) are available for the public to use year-round, with a 14-day limit to recreational use and camping, according to Billboard.com. The Bureau of Land Management has issued a number of temporary restrictions that will apply on the site through October 31, 2021, which include ignition of fires other than a campfire, burning of structures, building of structures, possession and or use of lasers and aircraft landing, taking off, touch-and-go landings. These restrictions provide that this year's 'non-event' will look much different than typical 'Burning Man' festivals, which are incredible spectacles of fire, lasers and ornate art installations and stage structures. 'Burning Man' usually also has an airstrip for on-site arrivals. These restrictions aren't, however, deterring 'Free Burners' from trekking to the desert and people started arriving at Black Rock Desert for 'Free Burn' as early as August 20, according to Heather O' Hanlon, Public affairs specialist at Winnemucca District Office Bureau of Land Management. While O' Hanlon notes that her organisation is preparing for 100,000 people to arrive to the site, she says this number "may change with the poor air quality the area is experiencing due to fires." Beyond this challenge, with 'Burning Man' officially cancelling the 2021 event in April due to the pandemic (after considering requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all attendees), this week's "non-event" will not have any of the infrastructure typically provided by the organisation, such as porto-potties, medical services and the roughly 10,000 volunteers who provide various modes of support. For fans who prefer to stay home this year, 'Burning Man' is hosting its second annual 'Virtual Burn', featuring six different "virtual worlds" and a live stream. Chennai, Aug 31 : Suspense continues on whether vehicle buyers will have to shell out a huge amount towards insurance premium upfront for five years from Wednesday onwards to comply with the Madras High Court order. As things stand now, new car buyers in Tamil Nadu from Wednesday onwards, have to pay huge sums as premium for five years. It is learnt the industry lobby body, General Insurance Council is exploring various options including legal ones to wriggle out of the situation. But where is the policy is the question? "The IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) has to approve such a product first. There is no five-year bumper-to-bumper car vehicle insurance policy," Saharsh Damani, CEO, Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) told IANS. Non-insurance industry officials told IANS, none of the insurers have a five year bumper-to-bumper insurance policy for cars and two wheelers. Such a product has to be designed after doing actuarial calculations. Industry officials starting from the sectoral regulator IRDAI and the insurers are keeping mum on the issue though claiming to serve the interests of the insuring public. Recently, the Madras High Court by an order made the costly bumper-to-bumper insurance cover compulsory for all new private cars sold from September 1, 2021. The court also ordered circulation of the judgement by the Additional Chief Secretary, Transport Department, Chennai, to all the insurers and the said officers must ensure that the above direction is followed scrupulously in letter and spirit without any deviation. "Why should the insurers issue any instructions. They will be happy if the order is implemented as they will get lump sum premium income upfront," an insurance intermediary not wanting to be quoted told IANS. The headless IRDAI has not issued any public notice/guidance in this regard. The Tamil Nadu government is also silent on this aspect as the court had ordered the circulation of its order to Additional Secretary, Transport Department. "We have not got any circular from the head office in this regard," an official of a public sector general insurer told IANS preferring anonymity. The court posted the matter for September 30 for reporting compliance. "The insurers will be silent as the court had not ordered them. It is for the IRDAI to issue necessary instructions making personal accident insurance cover for occupants of a private car and the pillion riders of two wheelers compulsory. Now it is optional," Americai V. Narayanan, Chairman, ICM Insurance Brokers Pvt Ltd told IANS. Narayanan said the bumper-to-bumper insurance cover will cost more than the comprehensive insurance cover as the claims under the former will be settled on replacement cost basis while under the latter depreciation will be applied on the component cost. Vehicle insurance policies are two parts -- own damage (insurance for the vehicle against damage, theft) and third party liability (liability for third parties). The third party insurance cover is mandatory whereas the insurance cover for vehicle damage is not mandatory. The Madras High Court order is for making insurance cover for vehicles mandatory. "It is a patently untenable order (court's order) and would not stand legal scrutiny if the vehicle makers or any other aggrieved party goes on appeal," D. Varadarajan, a Supreme Court advocate specialising in company/competition/insurance laws, told IANS. Commenting on the lack of awareness on the part of car owners about the liability for occupants of the car the court while hearing a case ordered: "Therefore, this court directs that whenever a new vehicle is sold after 01.09.2021, it is mandatory for coverage of bumper-to-bumper insurance every year, in addition to covering the driver, passengers and owner of the vehicle, for a period of five years." "Thereafter, the owner of the vehicle must be cautious in safeguarding the interest of driver, passengers, third parties and himself/herself, so as to avoid unnecessary liability being foisted on the owner of the vehicle, as beyond five years, as on date there is no provision to extend the bumper-to-bumper policy, due to its non-availability," the court ordered. (Venkatachari Jagannathan can be contacted at v.jagannathan@ians.in) Gaza, Aug 31 : Leaders of the Palestinian factions, including the Islamic Hamas Movement, have slammed the meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz, which was a first-of-its-kind since 2010. Hamas spokesman in Gaza, Hazem Qassem said that the Sunday night meeting "would deepen the Palestinian internal division," adding "it will encourage some parties in the region to normalise ties with Israel", reports Xinhua news agency. Spokesman of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) Tareq Silmi said in a statement that the group rejects the meeting, adding that "it is a stab in the back of the Palestinian people who suffer and struggle against the occupation". Meanwhile, the Palestinian left-wing factions, including the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), slammed the meeting, calling on Abbas that he should resolve the internal split and regain unity "instead of meeting Israelis". On Sunday night, Abbas and Gantz met in the West Bank city of Ramallah and discussed ways to improve the economic situation of the Palestinian territories, according to Palestinian official and Israeli media reports. It was the first meeting held between Abbas and a senior Israeli government official since ties between the two sides had been severed in 2014 due to the continued settlement expansion and the measures imposed by the Jewish state in East Jerusalem. The administration of US President Joe Biden has been pushing the two sides to go for trust-building and resume contacts in a bid to resume the peace talks. Tripoli, Aug 31 : More than 1,000 illegal migrants were rescued off the Libyan coast over the past week, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said. "In the period of August 22-28, 1,131 migrants were rescued/intercepted at sea and returned to Libya," IOM said. The Organization said that a total of 23,550 illegal migrants, including women and children, were rescued and returned to Libya, Xinhua news agency reported. It added that 446 illegal migrants have died and 648 others gone missing off the Libyan coast on the Central Mediterranean route so far this year. Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, which makes the North African country a preferred point of departure for illegal migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores. Up to 90 per cent of people crossing the Mediterranean Sea to Europe depart from Libya. Rescued migrants end up inside overcrowded reception centres across Libya, despite repeated international calls to close them. There are currently 223,949 internally displaced Libyans, according to the UNHCR. Srinagar, Aug 31 : National Conference (NC) president and Lok Sabha member, Dr Farooq Abdullah said on Tuesday that he was sorry why his party did not contest the Panchayat polls in 2018. Dr Abdullah was speaking at the parliamentary outreach programme on Tuesday where J&K Lt governor, Manoj Sinha was also present. "I regret that my party did not participate in the Panchayat polls", the NC president said. He said it is the politicians who stand with the country and who are targeted by the terrorists. "It is for the country to protect them", he asserted. Dr Abdullah alleged that the government officials do not pick phones of the general public. "As if some ghost is hanging upon them", he said while asking the Lt governor to enjoin upon government officials that they are public servants and are answerable to the people. He hoped J&K would soon have an elected government which will make government officials answerable. The National Conference did not participate in the Panchayat elections held in September 2018 while the party boycotted the block development council (BDC) polls held in 2019 when the state was downgraded into a union territory and its special status was taken away. United Nations, Aug 31 : Nearly 10 million children in Afghanistan are in desperate need of humanitarian aid, and the Unicef is appealing for about $200 million to respond to their needs, a UN official announced. The appeal covers a variety of sectors, including water and sanitation, child protection, nutrition, health, and education, Herve De Lys, the Unicef Representative in Afghanistan, told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York. De Lys added that those least responsible for this crisis, are paying the highest price, including the children killed and injured in a series of atrocities in Kabul since August 26, reports Xinhua news agency. This year alone, more than 550 children have been killed and more than 1,400 others injured, he noted. "This is clearly a child-protection crisis in a country that is already one of the worst places on earth to be a child." Against the backdrop of conflict and insecurity, children are living in communities that are running out of water because of the drought, he said, adding they're missing life-saving vaccines, including against polio, a disease that can paralyse children for life. Many are so malnourished they lie in hospital beds too weak to grasp an outstretched finger, said De Lys. "These children are deprived of their right to a healthy and protected childhood." Unicef is concerned about reports that international donors are cutting or pausing aid to the country not just for the agency but for other aid groups as well at this difficult time. The agency is also concerned about ensuring the safety and security needed to deliver programs nationwide, especially for its female national staff and female social workers, he said. The Representative urged all partners to support Unicef as it starts implementing its scale-up plan, which includes providing mobile health clinics; vaccinating babies against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases, and vaccinating people against Covid-19; treating children who are severely acutely malnourished; delivering water to areas affected by the drought, and distributing hygiene kits; getting children ready for school, and school ready for children for the new school term next month. Jammu, Aug 31 : A Pakistani national was among the two terrorists killed at the LoC in Poonch after an infiltration bid was foiled by the army on August 30, army said on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters Brigadier Puneet Doval said during the early hours of August 30, the Indian army troops, foiled an infiltration attempt by the terrorists from across the LoC. "The Indian army troops deployed along the LoC received a specific intelligence input provided by the intelligence agencies and police were alert to notice the terrorist movement though the integrated surveillance network," Brigadier Puneet Doval said. "Immediately the Quick Action Team was activated and the terrorists were challenged after which the terrorists opened a heavy volume of fire leading to an intense engagement during the retaliatory action by the Indian army troops in which two terrorists were eliminated." He added that the body of one of terrorist has been recovered along with one AK 56 rifle, five magazines, 133 rounds of AK series ammunition, four hand grenades, Pakistani currency worth Rs 13,370 as also an I Card issued by the Registrar General of Pakistan bearing name Mohamamd Akram, a resident of Pakistan. "The killed terrorist was donning a camouflage battle vest, during a detailed search of the area immediately after the fire fight, body of another terrorist with AK series rifle and ammunition was observed across the LoC," Brigadier Puneet Doval said. New Delhi, Aug 31 : Telecom major Bharti Airtel on Tuesday described that the reports on likely investment by Google into the company as speculations. The company responded after the exchanges had sought clarification on the reports of a possible investment running into thousands of crores by the US-headquartered technology major into the telco. "We would like to submit that the Company, as a matter of policy, does not comment on media speculation/report(s)," it said in a regulatory filing. Airtel, however, said that being a significant player in the telecom and digital industry, the company receives interests from high quality investors and companies for its various businesses. It further said that the company evaluates various opportunities of potential investor engagement and takes decisions in a judicious manner. "As a responsible corporate that follows the highest standards of corporate governance, the Company is fully conscious of its disclosure obligations under SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 and is committed to act in consonance with the same." As per recent media reports, both the companies are already in advanced stage of discussions and negotiations since last year. Shares of the company surged to 52-week high levels during the day. Around 2.40 p.m., Bharti Airtel shares on the BSE were at Rs 657.45, higher by Rs 37.10 or 5.98 per cent from its previous close. On Sunday, the Board of Directors of the company have approved the raising of up to Rs 21,000 crore through a rights issue. Mumbai, Aug 31 : Multi-lingual actress Raai Laxmi took time out to visit the famous Ajmer Sharif 'Dargah' as she is shooting a song for one of her upcoming projects in Rajasthan. She says such a visit to a spiritual places gives her a sense of satisfaction. Raai said, "This is the second time that I have been blessed to visit the Ajmer Sharif 'Dargah'. I have a religious side to me and I love to visit holy and spiritual places. I believe in Ajmer Sharif 'Dargah'. I was shooting there and I wanted to go and I was so happy and blessed to have been here. "It was a beautiful experience and I got to know more about the 'Dargah', as there was a lovely gentleman who handled the places who took me around and told me all the lovely stories and it was very peaceful and well arranged. There were some beautiful Sufi music and 'Qawwali' songs being played and it was a very peaceful and fulfilling day, keeping all Covid protocols in mind." Raai is known for appearing in several Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films. This year, she is busy shooting three films - Tamil films 'Cinderella' and 'Gangster 21', and Telugu film 'Anandha Bhairavi'. Chennai, Aug 31 : A day after forty seven-year-old Revathy, who was attacked with acid by her husband in Tamil Nadu's Salem district on Monday, succumbed to her injuries her husband Yesudasan was arrested by the police from Karur. The victim was attacked with a can of acid at Salem Old Bus Stand where she was waiting to board a bus to her home along with her mother Arrayi. Both Revathi and Yesudasan, hailing from Namakkal in Tamil Nadu, were staying separately for the past three months due to a family dispute. On Monday morning Revathi had visited the Salem town women police station and submitted a complaint that she no longer wanted to live with her husband. As she was returning home after filing the complaint, her husband attacked her with a can of acid. In the melee, Revathy's mother Arrayi suffered burn injuries while trying to prevent the acid attack on her daughter. The couple have three children. The woman succumbed to her injuries at the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital in Salem district. New Delhi, Aug 31 : Global smartphone brand Vivo has topped 5G smartphone shipments for Asia Pacific in the second quarter of 2021, a new report said on Tuesday. According to market researcher Strategy Analytics, the brand captured one in five 5G shipments in the Asia Pacific region, with annual shipment growth of 215 per cent. The company's combination of leading technology and high-quality innovations has made its smartphones the most popular 5G devices in the region, as per the report. Earlier this year, Strategy Analytics noted that Vivo had become the second-fastest growing 5G smartphone company in the world and maintained its strong momentum through the first quarter of 2021. By making remarkable progress in 5G standards and core technologies, Vivo is committed to providing consumers with a growing variety of 5G mobile phones and improved 5G experiences, the report said. Recently, in an interview with the media, Hu Baishan, the Executive Vice President of Vivo, confirmed that the company is likely to launch its first tablet in the first half of 2022. The executive also said that the company will be debuting its first self-developed ISP chip in September. This silicon dubbed as Vivo V1 will be present inside the upcoming Vivo X70 series. New Delhi, Aug 31 : IPS officer Sanjay Arora on Tuesday took over as Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) following the retirement of incumbent S.S. Deswal. Deswal handed over the baton to Arora at the force headquarter. Arora will be the 31st chief of the elite force, which was raised in 1962 and primarily deployed to guard the India-China border in the Himalayas. Deswal, an IPS officer of Haryana cadre, was appointed as ITBP chief on October 31, 2018. He was also Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal. Prior to his appointment, Arora, who is of the Tamil Nadu cadre's 1988 batch, was Special DG in the Central Reserve Police Force. He has done a stint in the ITBP from 1997 to 2002, commanding a battalion in Matli in Uttarakhand from 1997 to 2000. Subsequently, he made notable contributions in the force's training, serving as Commandant (Training) at the ITBP Academy, Mussoorie, from 2000 to 2002. Prior to his central deputation in the CRPF, he served his home cadre in various capacities including Additional Director General Police, Administration), Commissioner of Police of Coimbatore, and other positions. Presently, the ITBP is deployed on border guarding duties from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Diphu La in Arunachal Pradesh, covering 3,488 km of the India-China border in a hostile environment. It mans posts at altitudes as high as 21,000 feet (6,400 m) across the border. Mumbai, Aug 31 : Actor-director Faissal Khan, who is the brother of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, says despite all the struggles he has had in his life all these years, he never asked for help from his famous brother because he wanted to chart his own journey. Now, after staying away from the limelight for almost a decade, Faissal is coming out with a feature film titled 'Faactory' as actor and director. Asked if he asked for help from his brother Aamir to restore his career in Bollywood and Faissal told IANS: "No, I did not ask help to build my career from Aamir. I wanted to do things by myself because whatever it is, my success, my failure is mine. He is my brother, he wishes well for me but I had to go through a dark phase, that is part of my journey. That is my life. "Isn't it funny that when someone struggles to make something of his own and does not get as much success as other siblings, they are asked why don't you ask for support and help? But if he takes support and achieves success, it is called nepotism? Yes, I had a hard life but now I really want to get back in acting and directing films. I need the opportunity to grow and I am emotionally and physically ready to make my path." Faissal started his career as a junior actor and appeared in the films 'Pyar Ka Mausam', 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' and also worked as an assistant director with his father and uncle. Later though he acted in films like 'Madhosh', 'Mela', 'Border Hindustan Ka' among others but he could not achieve as much success as his brother. However, now that he is releasing his directorial debut 'Faactory' that also features - Roaleey Ryan, Raj Kumar Kanojia, and Ribbhu Mehra, among others, Faissal said there is a reason why he and his producer opted for a theatrical release as opposed to the OTT platform. "We are told it is a small film and there is no popular face attached to our film. So then my producer decided to opt for a theatrical release. It was not nice to realise that on one hand we are talking about supporting small films and on the other hand, films get rejected this way. I think everyone deserves a chance," said Faissal. The film 'Faactory' releases in theatres on September 3. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Aug 31 : Amid rift in the Chhattisgarh Congress, Health Minister T.S. Singhdeo is in Delhi while there is no official word from any side but his presence has set off speculation about rotational chief minister in Chhattisgarh. However, sources close to him say that he is on a personal visit and there is no official itinerary. But sources claim that he may meet Congress leaders in Delhi as suspense over Chhattisgarh is not yet over and former Congress president Rahul Gandhi is expected to visit Sarguja and Bastar in the second week of September. The state unit is preparing for his visit as Sarguja is the stronghold of Singhdeo in the state. The Chhattisgarh Health Minister arrived in Delhi on Monday evening. On the issue of rotational Chief Minister, Rahul Gandhi had two meetings last week involving both the leaders. Both Singhdeo and Bhupesh Baghel were present in the first meeting, while the second meeting, on last Friday, took place between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel but saw no decision being taken on a leadership change, party sources said. After the meeting, Baghel said that he has invited Rahul Gandhi to visit the state. But sources say that the issue is not yet over and the top leadership is likely to talk to Singhdeo before arriving at any decision but for the time being Baghel has got a reprieve from Delhi, but is it permanent or temprory, there is no clarity on that and no official statement has been issued. Singhdeo who is pushing on the formula of rotational chief minister is maintaining a line that everything is in the purview of the party leadership and whatever decision will be taken by them will be accepted. The Baghel camp has claimed the support of 56 MLAs. The Congress has 70 MLAs in the 90-member House in the mineral-rich state, but still everything is not well within the grand old party as Singhdeo is pushing hard in his bid to replace Baghel, saying he was promised in late 2018 that he would succeed Baghel after the latter completes two-and-a-half-years of his term. Chandigarh, Aug 31 : With Punjab Police filing an FIR against the ISI-backed Khalistan ideologue Gurpatwant Singh Pannu for "his continued attempts to promote violence in the state and assassination threats", Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday warned against any attempt to disturb the state's peace, stability, and communal harmony. Asserting that any bid by the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and its self-styled General Council to create trouble in Punjab would be countered with the full might of his government, he said: "Nobody will be allowed to disturb the hard-earned peace of Punjab and again plunge our people into the dark abyss of the terrorism days, which took thousands of innocent lives." Noting that as the land of the Sikh gurus, who had always propagated the ideology of oneness of humanity, Punjab was home to all people, regardless of religion, caste and creed, the Chief Minister said: "Pannu's pathetic attempts to once again fan hatred, divisiveness and violence in the name of religion and in the garb of a peaceful secessionist campaign for the attainment of Khalistan has already been strongly repudiated by the people of Punjab and India, who want to live and prosper in peace". All political leaders and parties had condemned Pannu's ISI-funded campaign for a separate nation, he stressed. The Chief Minister's strong warning came as Punjab Police on Monday registered an FIR against Pannu for issuing an assassination threat against Amarinder Singh through a video posted on SFJ's Facebook page. The FIR was registered against Pannu, his associates, and SFJ members at State Cyber Crime Police Station in Mohali near here under Sections 10 (a) and 13 (1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967, besides sections 153, 153-A and Section 124-A of the Indian Penal Code, said DGP Dinkar Gupta, adding Pannu had been found promoting violent extremist action, and threatening assassination of the Chief Minister, an elected constitutional head of government of the state of Punjab. Citing preliminary investigations into the video posted on August 28, the DGP said the said video clearly suggested a criminal conspiracy against the Chief Minister, who was shown in the video as being targeted with bullets. Further investigations were underway to unearth the complete conspiracy, he added. The SFJ had in July also issued a threat against Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, claiming that the outfit will not allow him to hoist the national flag on Independence Day. Himachal Police had then registered an FIR against Pannu. The Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a pro-Khalistani outfit based in the US, was declared as 'unlawful association' by the Indian government on July 10, 2019, after it was found to be indulging in activities prejudicial to internal security of India and the public order and having the potential of disrupting peace, unity and integrity of the country. It had been found involved in anti-national and subversive activities in Punjab and elsewhere under the garb of a peaceful campaign to form a sovereign Khalistan, out of the Indian territory. The outfit was also found to be in close touch with members of militant outfits and radical organisations or elements involved in fomenting strife in Punjab. Panaji, Aug 31 : President Ram Nath Kovind will be on a three-day official visit to Goa from September 5 to 7 during which he will attend the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Indian naval base 'INS Hansa', the Goa government said in a statement on Tuesday. "President Kovind will attend the presentation of the 'President's Colour' to the naval aviation coinciding with the diamond jubilee celebration of INS Hansa on September 6," the statement added. Goa's only airport at Dabolim in South Goa operates from the INS Hansa naval base. Chandigarh, Aug 31 : Busting a big drug syndicate operated by notorious gangsters lodged in jails, the Punjab Police have seized 20 kg heroin worth Rs 100 crore with the arrest of two drug dealers. The two drug suppliers have been identified as Balwinder Singh of Sarangwal Hoshiarpur village and Peter Masih of Basti Danishmanda locality in Jalandhar. Peter already faces two criminal cases. Director General of Police (DGP), Dinkar Gupta, said that when police teams intercepted a truck and a Hyundai i20 car at the high-tech Dhilwan police post in Kapurthala on Monday, the search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 20 kg heroin. He added that the drivers of the vehicles were signalled to stop, but the occupants tried to flee. However, the cops managed to nab them after a brief chase. The police recovered 20 packets of heroin (one kg each) from their personal possession during their body check and from the two vehicles, the DGP said. H.S. Khakh, SSP, Kapurthala, said that two special cavities had been created in the roof of driver's cabin of the truck by the drug suppliers to conceal the consignments during transportation. The DGP added that during preliminary investigation, the drug dealers disclosed that a heroin consignment was being smuggled from Purmara Mandi in Srinagar by Balwinder Singh in a truck which was collected by Peter. He said a narco-gangster angle is being suspected in the case as the investigations carried out so far have indicated that Peter had been sent to collect the consignment by Gaggandeep, the brother of notorious gangster Rajnish Kumar, alias Preet Phagwara. New Delhi, Aug 31 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday, ordering demolition of Supertech twin towers in Noida and refund for the flat purchasers, also ordered prosecution of errant NOIDA and real estate company officials under Section 49 of Uttar Pradesh Urban Development (UPUD) Act for their "nefarious complicity", which resulted in the construction of towers. A bench of Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and M.R. Shah said: "We confirm the directions of the High Court including the order of demolition and for sanctioning prosecution under Section 49 of the UPUD Act, as incorporated by Section 12 of the UPIAD Act 1976, against the officials of the appellant and the officers of NOIDA for violations of the UPIAD Act 1976 and UP Apartments Act 2010." It said that this case has revealed a "nefarious complicity" of the planning authority in the violation by the developer of the provisions of law. The bench noted the construction of towers was commenced by Supertech in July 2009, five months before the sanction was received for the second revised plan on November 26, 2009, in spite of which NOIDA chose to take no action. "In spite of this condition, NOIDA made no effort to ensure compliance of the UP Apartments Act 2010, as a result of which the rights of the flat purchasers have been brazenly violated," it said. In its 140-page judgment, the bench noted the real estate firm raised false pleas and attempted to mislead the court, while the officials of NOIDA have not acted bona fide in the discharge of their duties. "The appellant (Supertech Ltd) has stooped to the point of producing a fabricated sanctioned plan," said the judgment authored by Justice Chandrachud on the behalf of the bench. The bench said the sanction given by NOIDA on November 26, 2009 and March 2, 2012 for the construction of T-16 (Ceyane) and T-17 (Apex) is violative of the minimum distance requirement under the NBR 2006, NBR 2010 and NBC 2005. The bench added that towers were constructed without complying with the building regulations, and the fire safety norms were also violated. "The illegal construction of T-16 and T-17 has been achieved through acts of collusion between the officers of NOIDA and the appellant and its management," said the top court, adding that demolition of towers should be carried out within three months and the builder will bear its cost. In a relief for flat purchasers, the top court said all the amounts invested for the allotted flats together with interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum payable with effect from the date of the respective deposits until the date of refund. "The appellant shall, within a period of two months, refund to all existing flat purchasers in Apex and Ceyane (T-16 and T -17), other than those to whom refunds have already been made," said the bench. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Agartala, Aug 31 : Three new faces -- Ram Prasad Paul, Sushanta Chowdhury, Bhagaban Chandra Das -- were on Tuesday inducted into the Tripura cabinet in its first expansion after the BJP-IPFT alliance assumed office in March 2018 after defeating the Left parties in the assembly polls. Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya administered the oath of office and secrecy to Paul, Chowdhury and Das at a function in Raj Bhavan, where Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, his council of ministers and other dignitaries including Union Minister from Tripura Pratima Bhowmik and four central BJP leaders were present. Former Tripura BJP-Vice President Paul, 55 and 42-year-old legislator Chowdhury elected to the assembly in the 2018 polls for the first time from western Tripura. Das is the saffron party's northern Tripura leader who was also elected to the assembly for the first time. "With the elevation of 47-year-old Das, the long awaited demand for a minister belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community was fulfilled. "Those BJP MLAs who were not accommodated in the cabinet would be the chairpersons from among the 31 Public Sector Undertakings and Corporations," a top party leader told IANS on Tuesday. Amidst open resentment by a section of the ruling BJP MLAs and leaders in Tripura, the cabinet expansion took place on Tuesday afternoon even as the dissident MLAs and BJP leaders boycotted the swearing-in-ceremony. The leaders of the opposition Left parties and the Congress also did not attend the oath taking ceremony. The BJP leader refusing to be named said that eyeing the 2023 assembly election in Tripura, the Bharatiya Janata Party was further activating governance and the party organisation cross the state. 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 former Health and Information Technology Minister Sudip Roy Barman was sacked following differences with the Chief Minister and the vacancies in the ministry rose to four. Amidst dissidence by a section of the ruling BJP MLAs and leaders since 2019, four senior central party leaders arrived in the state on Monday for a week-long visit to quill the internal disputes and also 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 the party's North East Zonal Secretary, Organisation, Ajay Jamwal, soon after their arrival on Monday started holding a series of meetings with the Chief Minister, state President Manik Saha, Ministers, MLAs, state and district leaders to obtain their views about governance and functioning of the party organisation. The other BJP central 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 sub-divisions to meet the grassroots 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 at Sunday's meeting, they obtained the 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 grassroots 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. Another rebel legislator Ashis Kumar Saha 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. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Seoul, Aug 31 : The South Korean parliament on Tuesday passed a bill that would rein in the dominance Google and Apple exert over payments on their respective app stores. It became the first nation in the world to enact such a law. The South Korean lawmakers voted to approve the amendments to the Telecommunications Business Act, which bars app market operators from forcing certain payment systems on mobile content businesses by abusing their market positions, reports news agency Yonhap. The move comes amid growing global scrutiny of Google and Apple, who maintain a strong grip over mobile ecosystems, for requiring developers on their app stores to use their proprietary payment systems that charge fees of up to 30 per cent when users purchase digital goods within apps. Developers around the world have questioned app market operators' exclusive in-app payment systems, opposing their relatively high commissions and demanding that they should be able to freely use other systems, the report said. The latest legislation in South Korea is expected to give app developers the choice to use other payment systems, potentially signalling a major shift in how Google and Apple run their app markets, it added. The legislative movement in South Korea picked up after Google announced in September last year it would enforce its billing system on all developers on its Play Store starting October this year. Local tech groups vehemently opposed the move, calling it a monopolistic measure and saying it would likely lead to a price hike in the broader digital content industry, the report said. But the legislative movement initially faced fierce controversy amid concerns over a potential trade conflict with the US as it essentially took aim at the US companies, it added. The report mentioned that South Korean app developers have high hopes for the revised legislation to resolve their long-held complaints against the commissions charged by app store operators. However, Apple and Google have expressed concerns about the revisions, arguing that allowing other payment systems could lead to security and privacy risks for users. Hyderabad, Aug 31 : Tollywood actor K. Nagababu on Tuesday visited the Nehru Zoological Park here and offered to donate a pair of Senegal Parrots to the zoo. He presented a cheque of Rs 35,000 towards the purchase charges to Curator V.V.L. Subhadra Devi, and Deputy Curator, A.Nagamani, on behalf of his sister Vijaya. Vijaya is mother of Sai Dharma Tej and Vishnu Tej, both young film actors. Subhadra Devi thanked Nagababu for showing keen interest in improving the animal collection of the zoo and helping in ex-situ conservation of wildlife. Noting that his commitment in conservation of wild animals will be an inspiration to many, she hoped that more and more citizens will come forward to adopt animals in the Nehru Zoological Park as he will be role model to his followers. Nagababu said that his visit to the Nehru Zoological Park will be a memorable experience. He noted that the Zoo is blessed with majestic animals and the care taken by the management is remarkable. Nagababu, who is brother of megastar Chiranjeevi, appreciated the Zoo management and staff for maintaining a clean and green Zoo. He thanked the Zoo Curator for giving an opportunity to help the Zoo in achievement of its goal of conservation and education. Chennai, Aug 31 : The Hindu Munnani will take out protest marches in front of temples in Tamil Nadu on Thursday against the state government order banning 'Vinayaka Chaturthi' celebrations in public. Hindu Munnani state president Kadeswara. C. Subramaniam on Tuesday called upon the Tamil Nadu government to lift the ban due to the Covid-19 pandemic on public celebrations of Vinayaka Chaturthi. The Hindu Munnani in a statement on Tuesday said that the announcement banning celebrations in public was made in a dictatorial manner without any consultations with Hindu religious leaders and others. Subramaniam said that the AIADMK government had in the previous year held consultations with the Hindu religious leaders and allowed restricted celebrations. He said that the DMK government was behaving in a dictatorial manner which was not acceptable. He said that the DMK government while reopening schools, parks, cinema halls, and other public places is restricting celebrations of only one religion citing the Covid-19 pandemic. The Hindu Munnani had earlier announced that the organization would install idols at 1.25 lakh locations across Tamil Nadu. The state government had on Monday announced that the installation of 'Vinayaka' idols in public places and processions to immerse the idols in water bodies will not be permitted in view of the pandemic. The order also stated that only individuals would be allowed to immerse their idols in water bodies and not any organization. Latest updates on Ganesh Chaturthi Festival 2021 Jaipur, Aug 31 : Avani Lekhara (19), who won the gold medal in womens 10m air rifle standing event in the SH 1 category at the Tokyo Paralympics on Monday, has been appointed as the brand ambassador for Rajasthan government's 'Beti Bachao and Beti Padhao' project under the Department of Women and Child Development. In a letter sent to Avani by the Minister of Women and Child Development, Mamta Bhupesh, it has been mentioned that Avani's success shall inspire the daughters of the state to script their own success stories. "Congratulations for your incredible victory. You have earned recognition and pride for the state by winning name and fame. Rajasthan's daughters will learn to study hard and move ahead like you," Bhupesh said in the letter. The 19-year-old shooter on Monday created history in her debut campaign by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Paralympics. In the final, she scored 249.6 points to create a new Paralympic record. Washington, Aug 31 : Zarya, the Russian module on the International Space Station (ISS), has developed small cracks, which may widen, according to media reports. Zarya, meaning "Sunrise" in English, is funded by the US, but built and launched by Russia. The module, also known by the technical term Functional Cargo Block and the Russian acronym FGB, was the first component launched for the ISS in 1998. "Superficial fissures have been found in some places on the Zarya module," Vladimir Solovyov, chief engineer of Moscow-based company Energia Space Rocket Corporation, was quoted as saying to Russia's state-owned RIA news agency. However, it is not clear whether the cracks are causing any air to leak from the orbiting lab. This isn't the first time cracks have been found on the ISS, which is used for space research by astronauts continuously since November 2000, the space.com reported. In September 2019, fissures developed in the Russian Zvezda module and caused a small air leak on the orbiting lab. While cosmonauts fixed the cracks in October 2020 and March of this year, it persisted. Last month, Russia reported another pressure drop in the module, which launched to Earth orbit in July 2000, the report said. In July 2021, Russia's long-delayed Nauka science module was launched to the ISS. But, the thrusters on the Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module unexpectedly fired hours after docking, causing the station to move out of orientation. The space station was shoved 45 degrees off track. However, it was repositioned back to normal. Russia also has plans to create a separate orbital outpost. In April, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov announced that the condition of the ISS left much to be desired and Russia might focus on creating its own orbital outpost. Energia has been assigned the task of making the first basic module for a new Russian orbital station ready in 2025. However, Solovyov on Monday said that all Russian equipment onboard ISS are beyond its service life and thus cannot be moved to a new orbital station, TASS news agency reported on Monday. "It is impossible to overcome the difference in inclination because this is a completely different energy," he was quoted as saying. The new module will be based on a research and power unit that was previously intended for a launch to the ISS in 2024, the report said. The Roscosmos Scientific and Technical Council recommended that the work on creating the technical project of Russia's new orbital station be included in the 2025 federal space programme. Chandigarh, Aug 31 : With the arrest of a highly radicalised operative identified as Saroop Singh, linked with foreign-based terrorist entities, Punjab Police on Tuesday claimed it thwarted another possible terrorist attack in the border state. The police have also recovered two Chinese-made P-86 mark hand grenades from his possession, Director General of Police Dinkar Gupta said. The DGP said that Saroop Singh was apprehended by Tarn Taran police on suspicion at a checkpoint on the Amritsar-Harike road on Monday. The development came at a time when the state has been witnessing huge influx of grenades and RDX-laden tiffin boxes, besides recovery of other arms and ammunition, signalling major attempts being made by terrorist leaders and anti-national elements based abroad to disturb peace and communal harmony in the state. On August 8, Amritsar Rural police had recovered five hand grenades of similar mark along with a tiffin bomb from Daleke village in Lopoke, while the State Special Operation Cell in Amritsar had, on August 16, recovered two hand grenades of same make and model (P-86) along with other weapons from Amritpal Singh and Shammi. Similarly, Kapurthala police had also recovered a similar consignment consisting of two hand grenades, a live tiffin bomb and other explosive material from the possession of Gurmukh Singh Brar and his associate from Phagwara on August 20. DGP Gupta said during preliminary investigations, Saroop Singh has revealed that he came in contact with foreign-based terror handlers over social media and was further radicalised, cultivated by them and motivated to carry out terror acts in Punjab. New Delhi, Aug 31 : Security and intelligence establishments are keeping a close watch on the movements of 25 Indians who are wanted in Afghanistan for their alleged link to the terror group Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), an offshoot of Islamic State. The agencies believe that currently they are living in Afghanistan, near the Nangarhar area close to the borders with Pakistan. Sources said that they are hiding near the hometown of Amin al Haq, the former security chief of Osama bin Laden. Haq, who was detained by Pakistan and then freed, returned to his hometown in Nangarhar with an armed Taliban escort. A video of Haq has surfaced where he can be seen triumphantly returning to his home, less than two weeks after the country fell to the Taliban. The National Investigation Agency has so far identified one Munsib, who is active on social media and is actively involved in online recruitment. Further, the Taliban have also released ISIS-K recruiter Aijaz Ahangar from a jail in Afghanistan. Ahangar is listed as a most-wanted terrorist in India. A source said that ISIS-K is seeking to remain relevant and rebuild its ranks, with a focus on recruitment and training of new supporters potentially drawn from the ranks of Taliban who reject the peace process. After the jail break in Afghanistan, many ISIS-K terrorists, including wanted Indians, were freed. The security establishment said that "thousands" of prisoners affiliated to ISIS-K have been freed from Afghan prisons. It is believed that at its height in 2016, ISIS-K boasted only 3,000-4,000 fighters in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The numbers have been depleted in the years since. As part of a crackdown in Afghanistan since 2019, many Indians affiliated to ISIS-K were put in jail. Among those in jail were 300 Pakistanis, a few Chinese and Bangladeshis. In all, over 1,400 ISIS-K terrorists had surrendered before the Afghan forces. New Delhi, Aug 31 : After the US completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan, Taliban initiated dialogue with India in Qatar over safety, security and early return of Indian nationals stranded over there, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday. For the first time, India has made public a meeting held between the two sides. The ministry stated that Ambassador of India to Qatar, Deepak Mittal, met Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the Head of Taliban's Political Office in Doha. "The meeting took place at the Embassy of India, Doha, on the request of the Taliban side," said the ministry. Discussions focused on safety, security and early return of Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan. The travel of Afghan nationals, especially minorities, who wish to visit to India also came up. Ambassador Mittal raised India's concern that Afghanistan's soil should not be used for anti-Indian activities and terrorism in any manner. Stanekzai assured the Ambassador that these issues would be positively addressed. Stanekzai, known as Sheru, received military training in the Indian Military Academy in the 1982, rose to the ranks of Deputy Health Minister during the Taliban regime and later served as a chief peace negotiator in Doha. He was also Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Taliban regime. The 58-year-old Pashtun comes from the Stanekzai clan. He can speaks five languages and he served as Taliban's Political Office chief between 2015-2019. Taliban had seized the war-ravaged country's capital Kabul on August 15 after then President, Ashraf Ghani fled the country. On August 30, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution on Afghanistan, aiming to prevent the use of Afghan soil by terrorist organisations against any country. The resolution was adopted with 13 votes in favour while Russia and China preferred to abstain. Hyderabad, Aug 31 : The GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL) on Tuesday announced that Star Air has launched its maiden flight service from Hyderabad to Jamnagar in Gujarat. The service is an UDAN initiative to bolster regional connectivity by providing air connectivity to the travelers to Tier II and Tier III cities. The inaugural Star Air flight took off from Hyderabad amid a festive atmosphere at the airport. Senior officials from GHIAL along with Star Air officials and other airport stakeholders were at the terminal to see off the passengers and crew. The flight will operate between Hyderabad and Jamnagar three times a week -- Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Star Air Flight OG 150 will depart from Hyderabad Airport at 15.20 p.m. and arrive at the Jamnagar airport at 17.20 p.m. The return flight OG149 will depart from Jamnagar at 9.15 a.m. and arrive in Hyderabad at 11.30 a.m. "We aim at enhancing regional connectivity and this new air route to Jamnagar will enable more passengers who have waited for the much-needed connectivity for flying to small towns and cities. The UDAN scheme has enhanced the travel experience, especially for first time fliers. We are hopeful that Star Air will be received well and we look forward to exploring more domestic routes," said Pradeep Panicker, CEO, GHIAL. Jamnagar, which is popularly known as 'Jewel of Kathiawar', is home to century-old palaces and temples. A jewel on the coast of the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat, the city is embellished with rich culture, beaches, wildlife, marine life and delectable Kathiwadi cuisines. Star Air is the aviation arm of prominent Indian business conglomerate Sanjay Ghodawat Group that has its presence in various high-value business verticals like agro, aviation, mining, realty, retail, FMCG, energy, education, software and textiles. Washington D.c., Aug 31 : Former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, following in the footsteps of her husband, has embarked on her journey as a thriller writer. 'State of Terror' is Hillary Clinton's upcoming international political thriller, set in the "Byzantine" world of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. It takes off with a "baffling text from an anonymous source" received by an Indian American Foreign Service Officer (FSO), Anahita Dahir. Hillary, who was trumped in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, has co-authored the book with the 'New York Times' best-seller Canadian novelist, Louise Penny. The uncannily timed book, published by Simon & Schuster, is set to release on October 12. According to a preview of the novel available on the Simon & Schuster website, the story begins with the election of a new U.S. President, who appoints his political rival, Ellen Adams, as his Secretary of State (Hillary, remember, had contested in the Democratic Party primaries against Barack Obama in the run-up to the 2008 elections). And then comes the text message to Anahaita (who could be modelled after one of Hillary's closest aides, Pakistani American Huma Abedin), which was actually a coded warning. What follows is a series of terrorist attacks on American targets and the start of "an international chess game involving the ... Byzantine politics of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran; the race to develop nuclear weapons in the region; the Russian mob; a burgeoning terrorist organisation; and an American government set back on its heels in the international arena." The last bit sounds too much like the present state of the Biden administration. Pitted against this "intricate, carefully constructed conspiracy" are three individuals sucked into this explosive situation: the "passionate young FSO; a dedicated journalist; and a smart, determined, but as yet untested new secretary of state". Will they be able to save the world? To find the answer, one has to wait for the book to be out. Hillary's collaborator, Penny, is best known for her Quebec-based mystery novels centered on the work of her fictional character, Francophone chief inspector Armand Gamache. Former US president Bill Clinton's last book as a thriller writer was 'The President's Daughter', about a former president and ex-Navy SEAL, whose daughter is m which followed 'The President is Missing' (2018), both in collaboration with James Patterson, one of the world's biggest-selling authors. It was released in June 2021. Patterson, the former president's collaborator, has written chart-topping books such as 'Alex Cross', 'Michael Bennett', 'Women's Murder Club', 'Maximum Ride', and many other books spanning across genres, from romance to thrillers and non-fiction. Hillary, like her husband, has been a prolific writer, whose first book was the best-selling 'It Takes A Village' (1995), followed by many others on different subjects, including her account of her tenure as the 67th US Secretary of State, 'Hard Choices'. Srinagar, Aug 31 : Indian Army's 15 Corps Commander Lt Gen D.P. Pandey interacted with the families of militants in south Kashmir on Tuesday and urged them to persuade their kin to shun violence and join the mainstream. "If you fear that terrorists would kill him, you don't need to announce... you can go to any army camp or approach police, whosoever you trust, we will quietly take them out of the system for some years, they will be under your watch and knowledge, and after a few years, he will be back as a member of the society... "There is no incentive in losing your children, we all have children," he said. He assured that the security establishment will provide assistance to help their kin lead a normal life. "I had requested the GoC, Victor Force (of the Rashtriya Rifles) for a one to one interaction with you to request you take your children out of this quietly... how you do that, I don't know, it depends on you, he is your son, but during the operation, if any boy drops the weapons, we take bullets, injuries and causalities to save your children, this is my promise," he said. Beijing, Aug 31 : Global smartphone brand Vivo is likely to launch its upcoming smartphone -- X70 Pro+ -- with 50MP primary camera and Snapdragon 888+ chipset on September 9. According to GSMArena, the shooters, developed alongside Zeiss, will include a 50MP 1/1.31" main snapper and a periscope lens. The main camera will have a Samsung ISOCELL GN1 sensor. The ultra-wide-angle snapper will come with Sony IMX598 48MP sensor behind, while the third cam will be a dedicated shooter for portraits. Its sensor will be 12MP Sony IMX663 and will offer 2x magnification. The periscope cam will have an 8MP sensor and will support 5x zoom. Three of the four shooters will also support OIS for video stabilization, with only the ultra-wide-angle shooter missing it, the report said. The new flagship is expected to run the Snapdragon 888+ chipset, and its appearance on Geekbench suggests the same. It was tested with its V2145A model name on the benchmarking platform and scored 1156 with a single core and 3460 with multiple cores, it added. A recent report said that the company might launch both the smartphones -- X70 and X70 Pro -- with different chipsets in China and global markets. Last year, the Vivo X60 and X60 Pro were released with Exynos 1080 chip in China, whereas the global markets received their Snapdragon 870 SoC variants. New Delhi, Aug 31 : IPS officer Pankaj Kumar Singh on Tuesday took over as the new Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF). Outgoing Indo-Tibetan Border Police DG S.S. Deswal, who was holding the additional charge as DG BSF, handed over the baton to Singh, who will be the 29th chief of the BSF, the largest border guarding force with over 2,65,000 men and women, and tasked with manning the international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. Singh, who will hold the post till next December, has done a stint in the BSF earlier, serving as Additional DG of its Eastern Command and Special DG in its headquarters. A Rajasthan cadre officer, he has served in various capacities in the state, including as Inspector General, Law and order, IGP, Personnel, IGP, Jaipur Range, and Additional DG of Crime Branch and Traffic. During his stay in the Crime Branch, he, along with his team, had cracked the nexus between gun manufacturers, bureaucrats and gangsters in Jammu and Kashmir for giving out arms licenses without proper verification. In his first stint of central deputation, Singh had served in Central Bureau of Investigation at the ranks of Superintendent of Police and Deputy Inspector General and also served in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) as Inspector General (Ops), West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and New Delhi. He has also served in the United Nations International Police Task Force in Bosnia. Son of former UP Police and BSF chief Prakash Singh, Singh has been decorated with the UN Peace Medal (Bar), the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service, and the Police Medal for Meritorious Service and also with several DG's discs and commendations. Kolkata, Aug 31 : The senior most IPS officer in West Bengal, Manoj Malaviya, has been asked to take additional charge as the Director General of Police until further order. The order was issued because the present DG, Virendra, will retire on Tuesday and the state has asked Malviya to continue as acting DG until the Union Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under the PMO clears the name for the post. Malaviya, who is presently posted as DG (Organisation), is the first name in the list of candidates sent by the state to the DoPT for final clearance. Malaviya, who has a track record of central deputation at the CBI and the CAPF (Central Armed Police Force), has all the qualifications to become the DG, but the UPSC might raise various corruption allegations levelled against him during his tenure as the chief of the Bureau of Civil Aviation. This might go against him as an UPSC order mandates professional integrity. The state has already sent a list of 11 candidates, but sources close to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee feel that after the Alapan Bandyopadhyay incident, the posting of the DGP might also take a political turn. Ideally, since the DoPT under the PMO is the appointing authority of IPS and IAS officers, the PMO's sanction is required to appoint a person as the DGP of any state. Traditionally, Union governments accept the name forwarded by the chief ministers but this time the Centre has engaged the UPSC to do a credibility check of the officers before appointing anyone for the top post. According to senior officials of the state home department, the state government had sent the list to the DoPT in time but the Centre has not sent any list so far. The DoPT is supposed to send a list of three officers from which the state would have the liberty to choose. "The present DG will retire on Tuesday. So far the Centre has not sent any list but an important post like DG cannot lie vacant. So Malaviya has been asked to take charge until further order," a senior official of the state home department said. According to officials, the second on the list is Kuldiep Singh, who is currently DG (CRPF) and it is unlikely that the Centre would release Singh to become the police chief of Bengal. The next in line is current joint secretary at the cabinet secretariat, Sashi Bhusan Singh Tomar, who may also not be picked. In that case, Suman Bala Sahoo, who is fourth on the list, might have a chance to become the DG. The state government might even think of P. Nirajnayan, who figures fifth on the list. During the recently concluded Assembly polls in Bengal, Nirajnayan was made the DGP in place of Virendra but after the Trinamool Congress retained power, Virendra was reinstated and Nirajnayan was sent to the fire department as DG. Considered to be a smart officer and having good relation with the state government, Mamata Banerje might even think of reinstating Nirajnayan. New Delhi, Aug 31 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to entertain a plea by self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who sought suspension of his sentence, in the rape case of a minor girl, to avail ayurvedic treatment. A bench of Justices Indira Banerjee, V. Ramasubramanian, and Bela M. Trivedi observed that Asaram was convicted in a crime, which is "no ordinary crime at all". Earlier, the Rajasthan High Court had denied relief to him in the matter and Asaram had moved the top court. The bench told Asaram's counsel that his client will get ayurvedic treatment in jail. "Continuing ayurvedic treatment is not a problem. We'll direct the jail authorities to take care that ayurvedic treatment is granted," it said. Senior advocate R. Basant, representing Asaram, contended that only six weeks suspension was being sought owing to his failing health. He requested the court to show some mercy in the matter. However, the bench was unmoved by this argument. Basant submitted that there was no treatment in jail. Opposing this argument, senior advocate Manish Singhvi, appearing for Rajasthan, contended the convict was being provided all necessary treatment in jail. Basant added that his client is 85-year-old and is he likely to commit an offence again. Asaram is serving a life term at Jodhpur Central Jail in connection with the rape of a minor girl. On May 6, he had tested positive for Covid-19 and was shifted to AIIMS, Jodhpur. According to his May 19 medical report he was stable and fit for discharge. He initially moved the high court seeking bail for ayurvedic treatment, but his application was dismissed. The high court had directed the district and jail administration to ensure that proper treatment is provided to him at a suitable medical institution. He challenged this order in the top court. The Rajasthan government had informed the Supreme Court that he was not cooperating with the doctors at AIIMS Jodhpur with an ulterior motive of shifting of venue of his custody. The state government averred that Asaram has made third attempt to get his sentence suspended, under the garb of medical treatment. The state government, in an affidavit, challenging the bail plea for ayurvedic medical treatment, said: "In previous round of petitions, the accused had prayed for immediate medical surgery of his ailment, through allopathic method, which failed and now the accused through this present petition raised his concern to get his treatment from Ayurveda." Copenhagen, Aug 31 : The European office of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has asked vulnerable citizens to take boosters shots of Covid-19 vaccine, amid surging cases of coronavirus across the continent, media reports said on Tuesday. However, this contradicts WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus' stance on Covid boosters. Ghebreyesus said last week that boosters are not a priority in the face of slow vaccinations in low and middle-income countries. The high transmission rate of Covid-19 across Europe is "deeply worrying," said the WHO Europe calling for vaccination to be ramped up, Euronews reported. "In 15 countries, there is a decrease in vaccination uptake even when the vaccines are available. So we have to work on multiple fronts and one of them is to decrease vaccine hesitancy," Dr Hans Kluge, regional director of WHO Europe, was quoted as saying to Euronews in an interview. "The first priority is to ensure that the most vulnerable get their first and second shot. Then we have to do it all, meaning that in those countries where we see that people with decreased immunity, the elderly people, have a waning immunity against severe disease, then those countries can consider a third dose," he added. According to the WHO, just 10 countries have administered 75 per cent of all vaccine supply, while low-income countries have vaccinated barely 2 per cent of their people. Earlier this month, the WHO chief also called for a temporary moratorium on boosters to help shift supply to those countries that have not even been able to vaccinate their health workers and at-risk communities and are now experiencing major spikes. "But we should do it all, meaning sharing doses with those countries which still didn't fully vaccinate health care workers, and at the same time look at the evolving evidence," Kluge said. "We know in the pan-European region for example that there are at least 28 countries which have a surplus of doses. So those doses need to be shared as soon as possible," he noted. Kluge also said that as summer comes to an end, the epidemiological picture across the 53 countries it monitors "is mixed" with a "greater than 10 per cent increase in 14-day case incidence", particularly in areas with low vaccinations. The last week also saw an "11 per cent increase in the number of deaths in the region". So far, the region has recorded more than 64 million confirmed cases and 1.3 million deaths, the report said. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New York, Aug 31 : David and Jessica Oyelowo are set to produce Walt Disney's reboot of the 1991 action-adventure movie 'The Rocketeer'. 'Selma' star David Oyelowo may also star in 'The Return Of The Rocketeer', while Jessica Oyelowo will jointly produce the film under the Yoruba Saxon Productions banner. The sequel 'The Return of The Rocketeer' will be produced under the banner of Oyelowo's Yoruba Saxon Productions, with David possibly taking a starring role. Ed Ricourt is penning the screenplay for the film with Brigham Taylor and Yoruba Saxon joining as producers, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 'The Rocketeer' was based on the popular 1980s indie comic by Dave Stevens and like 'Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark', it was a loving homage to the serials of the 1930s and 1940s. The story followed Cliff Secord, a stunt pilot who discovers a rocket pack and suit to die for and becomes embroiled with mobsters and Nazis, as well as Howard Hughes and the FBI. The Joe Johnston-directed movie starred Billy Campbell as Secord, Jennifer Connelly as his aspiring actress (a Betty Page homage) girlfriend, Timothy Dalton as an Errol Flynn-type actor who is a Nazi spy and Alan Arkin as Secord's mechanic. Disney has long considered a reboot of the movie, but had to wait before a fresh view on the characters in 'The Rocketeers' came into focus. The new story will portray a retired Tuskegee airman who takes up the mantle of 'The Rocketeer'. David Oyelowo had worked with Disney in the 2016 chess drama 'Queen of Katwe'. He will next be seen in Doug Liman's sci-fi thriller 'Chaos Walking' and the Blumhouse production 'Only You'. 'The Rocketeer' reboot is the first film under Yoruba Saxon's first-look deal with Disney and is being developed by the studio's live-action team for release on Disney+. Gurugram, Aug 31 : To streamline traffic management, the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) will install smart traffic signals costing Rs 16.10 crore. According to a representative of the GMDA, old and defective traffic signals in the city will also be replaced and smart traffic signals will be installed in their place. He said tenders are being prepared for this and it is expected that in September this work will be tendered. By having smart traffic signals, the problem of traffic management will be solved to a great extent. This was decided during a monthly meeting of the Road Safety Advisory Committee on Tuesday and which was presided over by Additional Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena. In the meeting, Meena directed to make these places safe for the pedestrians by fixing the congested intersections, mainly Shankar Chowk, IFFCO Chowk, Signature Tower, Rajiv Chowk and Hero Honda Chowk. He said that a four-member committee would make visits to these places and find solutions to the problems. The project Director of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Secretary of Regional Transport Authority and ACP Traffic have been included in this committee. It was also informed in the meeting that the traffic police has issued 1,979 challans for those driving in the wrong lane, 484 challans have been issued for overspeeding, 4,184 for non-seat belts and 13,867 found without helmets. According to the officials, till this year 52,746 challans have been issued for those driving in the wrong direction. "Around 26 ambulances are stationed at different places in Gurugram district to take road accident victims on the national highway to the nearest hospital at the earliest. Apart from these, 11 more ambulances are expected to be added in September," health department officials informed the meeting. Panaji, Aug 31 : The Bombay High Court's Panaji bench on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of the state government's appeal against the acquittal of Tehelka magazine's former Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal, by three weeks, in order to facilitate it via video conference, following a request made by the state. Goa Advocate General Devidas Pangam requested the court to adjourn the matter, stating that the state government had proposed to move an application to the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court seeking that the hearing may be conducted via "virtual mode". "At the request of the learned counsel for the parties, this matter is now posted on September 20, 2021," a bench of Justices M.S. Sonak and M.S. Jawalkar said. The state has engaged Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta to represent itself in the High Court in the high profile case and Mehta himself had also urged the Court during the last hearing to facilitate an online hearing in the matter. Tejpal was charged against under Sections 376 (rape), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 354A (sexual harassment), and 354B (criminal assault), of the Indian Penal Code, after a junior colleague accused him of rape at a five star resort in Goa in 2013. On May 21, he was acquitted by the trial court in Goa citing "benefit of doubt", following which an appeal was filed by the state government. New Delhi, Aug 31 : In a big breakthrough against cybercrime, Delhi Police have arrested 14 persons operating a large-scale racket at Jamtara in Jharkhand, a place dubbed as a hub of cyber frauds. Those arrested during the raids included two high-profile cyber thugs identified as Ghulam Ansari and Altaf alias Rockstar, the police said. The arrests came after a weeklong operation against cyber frauds. Raids were conducted at Jamtara, Deoghar, Giridih, and Jamui areas in Jharkhand. The police said that Jamtara has recently emerged as the biggest hub of cyber frauds and therefore an operation against cybercrime was launched. The group was targeting people impersonating as bank employees and government officials. They used to create fake websites of popular e-commerce platforms to attract people and would prompt them to make UPI transaction in the belief of getting welfare benefits. "They were operating in an organised manner. They used to make calls to 40-50 persons per day. Of these, three to four people would become their victims daily. They worked in a large group from secret hideouts outside villages," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime), Anyesh Roy, said. The cyber thugs were operating from remote areas so that they could easily keep an eye on the movement of the police. Their crime activities were confined not just to Jharkhand or Bihar, but also in other states such as Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Odisha, Jharkhand, Telangana and Delhi. The police said the victims were duped in the name of various banks, e-commerce platforms, courier services, grocery delivery services, online shopping platforms etc. Also, the fraudsters used to contact Anganwadi workers of the area after accessing their contact details. They would also contact pregnant women and tell them that they will receive a link for the receipt of Rs 5,000 under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana. "After obtaining the bank details, they would deduct money from their accounts," the police said. Gurugram, Aug 31 : A 13-year-old Dalit girl from Delhis Narela area was allegedly raped and killed in Gurugram. The incident occurred on August 23 and after the incident, her body was taken to the Narela area for cremation. However, her father got suspicious following which he made a call to the Police Control Room (PCR). The father alleged in a FIR that his landlord's brother Praveen Verma, along with others, killed his daughter. A case was registered under sections 302 (murder) and 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and SC/ST Act at the Sector-10A police station in Gurugram, the police said, adding that Verma has been arrested. The police have got the post-mortem report where the sexual assault was confirmed and added further sections in the FIR, they said. According to the FIR, the father of the victim said, "On July 17, my landlord's wife said that her sister-in-law gave birth to a child and she was taking my daughter as caretaker along with her to her brother's home in Gurugram." On August 23 around 3 p.m., the father was informed by his landlord that his daughter has died. Around 7 p.m., they brought the body of the victim in a private ambulance to his residence for the cremation, according to the FIR. When the father got suspicious, he made a PCR call and the police reached the spot. Police took the body of the victim for an autopsy which confirmed sexual assault, it stated. New Delhi, Aug 31: Almost 24 hours after Major General Chris Donahue boarded the final flight out of the Kabul airport, 51 contracted military working dogs left behind by the US military are also expected to be put on a plane tonight, in the early hours of Wednesday. Plans to evacuate the dogs specially trained for combat missions had fallen through just before the last C-17 military transport carrying Americans took off from the Hamid Karzai International Airport Tuesday. "51 contracted military working dogs are safe & being cared for in their crates. We had all funds for the plane, but an animal rescue org fell through. So we are scrambling to cover their amount of $500,000 of the $1.67 million," tweeted Veteran Sheepdogs of America, a nonprofit organisation which has been working hard to fly the dogs out of Kabul. Its president, Joshua Hosler - a combat Marine veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan with over 700 combat missions as Assistant Platoon Leader and a bomb dog handler - had even urged celebrity investors like Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and world's richest person and Amazon and Blue Origin founder, Jeff Bezos to help in the funding required for the mission. "We need @elonmusk @BillGates @JeffBezos to pay for a plane for 51 military dogs left in Kabul. NOT taking seats from humans. This will also save Americans & interpreters lives! We are working on funding for after aslo. Please RETWEET & tag anyone who has the $," Hosler tweeted Tuesday. With pictures of dogs locked in cages in front of a damaged chopper, apparently at the Kabul airport, taking the internet by storm, things finally seem to be moving in the right direction for the organisation. It said Monday morning that the US State Department has "heard the cries" and is assisting. "The Turkish have taken over the airfield and things are actually smoother than the last 2 days to get info and PPR papers to Ramstein," it said earlier today. India Narrative had reported earlier this month about some decorated combat canines and their handlers being evacuated immediately after the US forces took control of the Kabul airport. Videos of the dogs entering the airport and pictures of them boarding the plane along with officials and sitting on seats specially reserved for them had also gone viral on social media. Many of these Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds and German Shorthaired Pointers had received medals for finding weapons, explosives, ammunition and also narcotics in the trouble-torn region. Once taken out of Kabul, these dogs will undergo a 30-day quarantine period at Ramstein Air Base in Germany and then put on a flight to the US before being donated to police departments in need. On Sunday, Paul 'Pen' Farthing, a former Royal Marine commando who has served in Helmand, arrived in London on a private plane carrying around 150 dogs, cats and other animals from Nowzad - his animal welfare NGO in Afghanistan. However, Farthing's 'Operation Ark' campaign has also drawn a lot of criticism, including from Kent MP Tom Tugendhat who is chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and also an ex-soldier who has served in Afghanistan. "The difficulty is getting people into and out of the airport and we've just used a lot of troops to bring in 200 dogs. 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?", Tugendhat said on British radio station Leading Britain's Conversation (LBC). (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative New Delhi, Aug 31 : Instant messaging platform WhatsApp on Tuesday announced that it has banned over 3 million Indian accounts in the 46-day period from June 16 to July 31. It received 137 reports for account support, of which one was actioned, and 316 requests to ban accounts, the messaging giant said in its second compliance report under the new Information Technology Rules, 2021. "Indian accounts actioned through our prevention and detection methods, for violating the laws of India or WhatsApp's Terms of Service and user-reports or grievances received, through 2 channels e-mail grievance_officer_wa@support.whatsapp.com regarding violations of WhatsApp's terms of service, or questions about accounts on WhatsApp, published in the help center or, mails received by the India Grievance Officer via post," the company said in a statement. All grievances received from users in India via the grievance mechanisms are evaluated and responded to. Overall, more than 95 per cent of such bans in India are due to the unauthorized use of automated or bulk messaging ('Spam'). These number have also increased significantly since 2019 because our systems have increased in sophistication, the firm said. In its first compliance report, which covered the time between May 15 and June 15, WhatsApp had said it banned 2 million Indian users. In July, search engine giant Google said that it removed over 1.5 lakh pieces of content based on complaints received in May and June, and over 98 per cent of these were related to copyright. New Delhi/Chandigarh, Aug 31 : Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has contradicted former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on the Jallianwala Bagh renovation issue. This could spark another round of controversy in the Punjab unit of the Congress which is already battling factionalism. Amarinder Singh when asked said, "I do not know what has been removed, it looks very nice to me." The statement is contrary to Rahul Gandhi who on Tuesday joined the outrage on social media over the renovation. Rahul Gandhi said that he will not tolerate disrespect of the martyrs. In a tweet in Hindi on Tuesday Rahul Gandhi said, "Disrespect to Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs will be done by those who do not know the meaning of martyrdom. I am the son of a martyr and will not tolerate disrespect at any cost. I am against this cruelty." The social media is saying that the government has erased history. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the memorial on Saturday. In Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar on April 13, 1919, General Reginald Dyer ordered firing on a peaceful protest against the arrest of two nationalist leaders. Hundreds of Indians were killed that day when British soldiers blocked all exits and started firing on them. In the renovation, the walls of the narrow lane through which General Dyer led his troops to the Bagh have been embossed with sculptures. The points of entry and exit to the Bagh have also been changed. Professor of Global and Imperial History Kim A. Wagner first posted a picture on Twitter on Saturday about the makeover of the walls in the lane connecting to the Bagh. "Devastated to hear that Jallianwala Bagh, site of the Amritsar Massacre of 1919, has been revamped, which means that the last traces of the event have effectively been erased. This is sadly just part of the general Disneyfication of the old city of Amritsar." Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the renovated complex of Jallianwala Bagh Smarak to the nation through video conference. During the event, he also inaugurated the Museum Galleries at the Smarak. The event showcased the multiple development initiatives taken by the government to upgrade the complex. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said the dreams of the innocent boys and girls, of the sisters and brothers are still visible in the bullet marks in the walls of Jallianwala Bagh. He added that today, we are remembering the love and lives of countless mothers and sisters which were snatched away in that Shaheedi well. Lucknow, Aug 31 : Uttar Pradesh has restricted the number of fresh Covid-19 cases to below 50 for three consecutive weeks. Indicating consistent decline, the state on Tuesday recorded 19 fresh cases, testifying success of the multi-pronged approach adopted by the state government in limiting the transmission of the virus in the densely populated state. With strengthening of the public health system, clear risk communication and active participation, the Yogi Adityanath government has been able to effectively manage the pandemic with a steady decline in the number of fresh Covid cases and deaths. Uttar Pradesh, under its stringent T3 testing mechanism, 'Trace, Test and Treat', conducted more than 1.73 lakh Covid tests in the past 24 hours. The daily case positivity rate in Uttar Pradesh too has dipped to 0.01 per cent from a high of over 16.84 percent in April. Case positivity rate is the percentage of samples that test positive out of the total number of samples evaluated. Besides, as many as 357 of the 554 oxygen plants have already been established and are functional while work on the rest is going on in Uttar Pradesh. Twenty-five oxygen plants were already functional in the state before the government took the step of constructing more at a rapid pace to ensure the availability of sufficient amount of medical oxygen in view of any possible future requirement. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Udupi : , Aug 31 (IANS) In yet another case of spurned men targeting the women in question reported from Karnataka in the last few days, a youth in the state's Udupi district stabbed the woman who rejected him before slitting his own throat, police said. Accused Sandesh Kulal (29), a resident of Alevoor Ramapur near Udupi, died in hospital on Tuesday. He had stabbed Sowmyashri Bhandari, 28, multiple times near Santhekatte on Monday evening, as she was returning home after work on her two-wheeler. After stabbing her repeatedly on the main road, Sandesh had slit his throat and collapsed. Both were taken to hospital, police said. While Sowmya died on Monday late night, Sandesh succumbed to injuries on Tuesday. According to police, Sowmya got engaged to another person a few days ago and Sandesh was agitated with the development. Sowmya worked as a data operator in a bank while Sandesh worked in a medical shop. She had ended the relationship with Sandesh as her parents were against it. Police sources said they had known each other for 7 years. Sandesh objected to the breakup and questioned her repeatedly but she ignored him. On Monday, Sandesh followed her on his motorbike, stopped her, and stabbed her after a verbal altercation. On Monday only, 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. Also last week, a jilted lover had repeatedly stabbed a woman college student in Bengaluru for spurning him time and again. New Delhi, Aug 31 : The Indian Navy carried out two maritime exercises with the Algerian Navy and the Moroccan Navy in the last one week, the Navy said on Tuesday. Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tabar took part in a maritime partnership exercise with Algerian Navy ship 'Ezzadjer' on August 29. INS Tabar is on a goodwill visit to Europe and Africa. "The Alandmark exercise, held off the Algerian coast, saw the participation of a frontline Algerian warship, 'Ezzadjer'," said the Indian Navy. As part of the exercise, diverse activities, including co-ordinated manoeuvring, communication procedures and steam past, were undertaken between the Indian and Algerian warships. The exercise enabled the two navies to understand the concept of operations followed by each other, enhanced interoperability and opened the possibility of increasing interaction and collaboration between the countries in the future, the force said. Prior to that, INS Tabar made a port call at Casablanca in Morocco on August 25 and August 26. Upon leaving the harbour on August 26, the ship participated in a maritime partnership exercise with Royal Moroccan Navy ship 'Lieutenant Colonel Arrahman' off the Casablanca port. Evolutions like communication drills, replenishment at sea procedures and naval manoeuvres were undertaken during the exercise. The exercise concluded with the traditional steam past between the two ships to bid farewell to each other. India has been collaborating with the friendly nations to enhance its capabilities and learn what best the others have to offer. Last week, Indian Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh had clearly stated that the basic precepts of maritime orientation are being challenged and India needs to exist and compete in the evolving paradigm. He said as the basic precepts of the maritime orientation are challenged, competition in the region is also becoming more diverse, involving levers of diplomacy, commerce, ideology, values, science and technology - apart from the military. New Delhi, Aug 31 : While the meeting of US CIA Director William Burns with Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Baradar in Kabul is now well known, less known is the visit of the Chinese intelligence chief to Afghanistan in early February this year. This was a result of the arrest of 10 Chinese spies who were caught spying in Afghanistan. Importantly, during his meetings with the NDS in Kabul, the Chinese State Security official cautioned his Afghan counterparts about the possibility of a Taliban takeover. This information was based on the contacts that China's intelligence agency had established with the Taliban last year. The NDS, Afghanistan's intelligence agency, had received tips about Chinese nationals, who had built ties with the Haqqani Network to track down Uyghur extremists. Interestingly, while in the past, China worked in Afghanistan through the Pakistani ISI, of late, they have been working directly with the Afghans, first with the government of President Ashraf Ghani and now with the Taliban. The Chinese contacts with the Taliban are neither new, nor surprising. China had signed a deal with the Taliban in 1996. They supplied the Taliban with weapons and ammunition in return for a guarantee that the Afghan Taliban would not provide asylum and training to the ETIM or any other separatist group like the IMU. One expects a similar understanding to have been reached between Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi when the former visited Beijing last month. Just as the Chinese view the Taliban based on their past linkages and need to counter any threats to them, the Taliban in its so-called new avatar as the rulers of Afghanistan has shown in recent weeks that they will work in much the same manner, as they did when they ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. Women and the media are bearing the brunt of the Taliban's ire, in effect undoing 20 years of societal progress. Reports have since emerged of the Taliban banning music and working of female employees in local radio stations in Ghazni province. At the same time, the killing of the family member of an Afghan journalist, who worked for the Deutsch Welle (DW), signals the antipathy of the Taliban to any kind of freedom of expression, especially by the media. The Taliban have taken the stand that it is best for women to stay at home till such time that their soldiers are sensitised on how to treat women. Their spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid, said recently, "Our security forces are not trained (in) how to deal with women - how to speak to women (for) some of them. Until we have full security in place... we ask women to stay home." This is an indirect imposition of Sharia by the Taliban. The Taliban's information affairs in-charge for the Ghazni province has banned music and the work of female employees in the local radio stations. Maulvi Habibullah Mujahid said that all radios should disseminate transmissions only in line with Sharia law. He is quoted by Pajhwok as saying that the "work of women employees and music is banned in local radios". He said Afghanistan is an Islamic country and its people don't want music, therefore it should be banned. According to him, radio could highlight public issues and could criticise the Taliban, but they could not violate Islamic law. Currently, Ghazni has nine local radios, two Sharia radios and one private television channel. During their first press interaction (on August 17), the Taliban had insisted that the media could function, if they follow their 'suggestions': Namely, adherence to Islamic values, impartiality, and upholding the national interest. The Ghazni news reports make it clear that the Taliban intend to clamp down on any freedom of expression, especially by the media in Afghanistan. Subsequently, it was reported that a family member of an Afghan journalist who worked for DW had been killed by the Taliban. The Taliban had gone looking for the journalist in Kabul, who had already fled to Germany. Typical of the Taliban, their soldiers went from house to house, searching for the journalist and when he was not found, they killed a relative, sending out a warning to all mediapersons to stick to the laid down line. Just how important the media is in Afghanistan can be gauged from the fact that from 2001 till date, the number of such organisations went from nil to 170 radio stations, over 100 newspapers and dozens of TV channels. The media is the obvious choice for the Taliban to target because they know that the press would be the first to report the ills of their governance style. One media advocacy group reported that at least 30 mediapersons have been killed since the beginning of 2021. Many media outlets had closed their operations anticipating a Taliban takeover. One must note that the Taliban had been making gradual inroads all over Afghanistan since the start of 2021. It is not as if their advance was sudden and occurred overnight. That is why scores of Afghan journalists went into hiding, quit their jobs, and in some cases even erased their online profiles. In regions where the Taliban had seized control, they had suspended or closed media outlets. Over 1,200 journalists have lost their jobs, due to the closures, or have been replaced by Taliban supporters. Media outlets that have reopened typically broadcast Taliban propaganda. The Taliban spokesperson in May 2021 had warned that journalists would 'face the consequences' for one-sided reporting or collusion with intel agencies. The group has long painted journalists as Western agents, spies, and sell-outs, thereby justifying violence against them. A February 2021 report of the UN indicates that attacks and threats against journalists had become more targeted in Afghanistan. The Human Rights Watch claims that the Taliban track reporters online, leaving warnings on Facebook feeds or via text message, and in some cases detain them overnight. Threats are peppered with details about a journalist's movements, family members and work. Female journalists are particularly threatened, despite the Taliban saying that women can continue to work in public. At the end of the day, the Taliban 2.0 is no different from Taliban 1.0. What is different this time is a subtle attempt to look good, at least in Kabul, so that in the eyes of the world, they are a better lot than before. The Taliban have not had a change of heart, they only made a tactical shift of position to gain some brownie points with the international community. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Aug 31 : President Ram Nath Kovind will award the President's Colour to Indian Naval Aviation at the ceremonial parade to be held at Indian Naval Ship Hansa in Goa on September 6, the Indian Navy said. The President's Colour is the highest honour bestowed on a military unit in recognition of its exceptional service to the nation. The Indian Navy was the first amongst the Indian Armed Forces to be awarded the President's Colour on May 27, 1951 by the first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad. Subsequent recipients of the President's Colour in the Navy include the Southern Naval Command, the Eastern Naval Command, the Western Naval Command, the Eastern Fleet, the Western Fleet, the submarine arm, INS Shivaji, and the Indian Naval Academy. Indian Naval Aviation came into being with acquisition of the first Sealand aircraft on January 13, 1951 and commissioning of INS Garuda, the first Naval Air Station, on May 11, 1953. Arrival of the armed Firefly aircraft in 1958 added an offensive punch, and the naval aviation steadily expanded its inventory to become an integral part of a formidable navy. The year 1959 saw the commissioning of Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 550 with 10 Sealand, 10 Firefly, and three HT-2 aircraft. Over the years, a variety of rotary wing platforms have been added as well, ranging from the Alouette, the S-55, Seaking 42A and 42B; the Kamov 25, 28 and 31; the UH3H; the Advanced Light Helicopter and the latest in the line, the MH60R. Maritime reconnaissance also grew steadily with induction of the Super-Constellation from the Indian Air Force in 1976, the IL-38 in 1977 and the TU-142 M in 1989. Induction of Dornier 228 in 1991 and the state-of-the-art Boeing P8I aircraft in 2013 marked the entry of modern high-performance reconnaissance aircraft. The world witnessed the carrier arm of Indian Naval Aviation coming of age with the induction of INS Vikrant, the first aircraft carrier, in 1957 and integral Sea Hawk and Alize Squadrons subsequently. INS Vikrant with its aircraft played a crucial role in the liberation of Goa in 1961 and again in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, where its presence on the Eastern seaboard proved decisive. Induction of INS Viraat along with legendary Sea Harriers in the mid-1980s strengthened carrier operations of the Navy, which transformed into a reckonable force with the arrival of MiG 29Ks on the mighty INS Vikramaditya in the last decade. The Indian Navy's carrier capability received significant fillip with sea trials of the indigenously-built aircraft carrier, the new avtaar of INS Vikrant, commencing this month. "Today, Indian Naval Aviation boasts of nine air stations and three naval air enclaves along the Indian coastline and the in Andaman and Nicobar Islands," Indian Navy stated. Over the past seven decades, it has transformed into a modern, technologically advanced and highly potent force with more than 250 aircraft comprising carrier-borne fighters, maritime reconnaissance aircraft, helicopters and remotely piloted aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm can support naval operations in all three dimensions and will remain the first responder for maritime surveillance and HADR in the Indian Ocean Region. Naval aviation has distinguished itself during operations such as Op Cactus, Op Jupiter, Op Shield, Op Vijay and Op Parakram to name a few. It has also spearheaded Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations on behalf of the Indian Navy, providing relief to numerous Indian Ocean region nations in addition to the countrymen, Op Castor in 2004, Op Sukoon in 2006, Op Sahayam in 2017, Op Madad in 2018, Op Sahayta in 2019 and the recently conducted rescue operations off Mumbai during Cyclone Tauktae in May 21 being examples. Naval Aviation has been at the forefront in inducting women into the fighting arm of the Navy, and making them work shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. Naval Aviators have been decorated with one Mahavir Chakra, six Vir Chakras, one Kirti Chakra, seven Shaurya Chakras, one Yudh Seva Medal and a large number of Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) over the years. "Award of President's Colour is testimony to the high professional standards and stellar operations performance of Naval Aviation, which has distinguished itself in service to the nation," the Indian Navy said. Srinagar, Aug 31 : Top officials of the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police addressed families of active terrorists in Kashmir on Tuesday, urging them to guide their wards back into society. Chinar Corps Commander, Lt Gen D.P. Pandey, along with GOC, Victor Force (of the Rashtriya Rifles), Maj Gen Rashim Bali and Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, addressed 83 family members of active terrorists at Shopian. "GOC, 15 Corps, while addressing the family members of active terrorists, reiterated that the security forces are committed to take surrenders even during active operations," an army said. Lt Gen Pandey added that all assistance will be provided to the misguided youth, in enabling them to surrender and the security forces will work with these youth, to address their concerns and assist them in joining the mainstream. He urged the families, especially the parents, to appeal to their wards to shun the path of violence and return home, as he reaffirmed the security forces' commitment, to maintaining peace in the Kashmir Valley. "The interaction was intended to instill confidence and convey the intent of the security forces, amongst the families of active terrorists. Societal and family support can wean the men away from the path of violence and death. The security forces, are focusing on the 'terrorists without weapons', who sustain and handle terror activities. The overall aim is, to the break the cycle of violence," the army said. Kolar : , Aug 31 (IANS) Karnataka Health Minister K. Sudhakar on Tuesday said that action will be initiated against the Noorunnisa Institute of Nursing located in Kolar Gold Field (KGF), for negligence in following Covid protocols, after 32 girl students there tested Covid positive since the last two days. "(As many as) 32 students, all from Kerala, have tested positive for Covid in the institution. The management should have taken negative reports when they came back from Kerala. This was the responsibility of the organisation. I will make a visit on Wednesday and initiate action," he said. The Karnataka government has brought down the number of cases in the state from 50,000 to 700 to 800 cases with great difficulty, he underlined. As many as 265 students from Kerala study at the Noorunnisa Institute of Nursing located in Anderson pet of KGF town. Sources in the Health Department said that there is a possibility that some of the students had submitted fake RT-PCR certificates obtained in Kerala, and these are being cross-checked here. Tehsildar K.N. Sujatha pulled up the management for allowing students to return from Kerala without taking proper precautions. "All of the students have submitted negative reports and tested positive for Covid in Karnataka. There should be something wrong in the report, their certificates should be properly checked," she said. Meanwhile, Kolar Commissioner R.Selvamani visited the institute on Tuesday and gave directions to quarantine all Kerala students. District Health Officer Dr Jagadish had issued a notice to the institute seeking explanation by Wednesday. Imphal, Aug 31 : Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on Tuesday that the BJP government in Manipur has been diverting urea for boosting poppy cultivation in the hilly areas of the state, while the farmers' body said that the fertiliser is being smuggled into neighbouring Myanmar. Ramesh, who is the Congress observer for Manipur where Assembly elections are less than a year away, said in a tweet: "BJP's 'Vikas' in Manipur. Manipur is getting twice the supply of urea it needs and yet farmers complain of shortage! Why? Because urea is diverted to hill areas in Manipur, where poppy is being grown for opium in large areas for the last four yrs. The state govt is fully complicit in this." Out of the 16 districts in Manipur, in more than 12 districts, illegal poppy cultivation is reportedly rampant and the poppy plants can be found growing barely a few km from the residential areas. Although the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act lists poppy as a contraband substance known for its psychotropic effects, the plant is being extensively cultivated in the interior hill areas of the northeastern state. Illegal poppy cultivation for opium has been in existence for almost a decade, but production has increased manifold in the last few years in Manipur, which shares around 400 km border with Myanmar. The Loumi Shimee Apunba Lup (Lousal), a farmers' organisation in Manipur, has also demanded a probe into the shortage of urea despite the state receiving more than its actual requirement. In a statement, Lousal said that there have been growing complaints from farmers against the artificial scarcity created by some. The statement said: "There are 81,189 hectares of paddy fields in Manipur's valley areas. There are 88,820 hectares in the hills. About 20,000 hectares of farmland are affected by various developmental projects. Due to lack of enforcement of The Manipur Conservation of Paddy Lands and Wetlands Act, 2014, there is a huge loss of areas of agricultural land," it said, alleging that the fertiliser is suspected to be smuggled to Myanmar. According to the organisation, a farmer needs three bags of 45-kg urea for one hectare of land. The total urea requirement is thus 2,43,000 bags. The Centre had allotted 4,40,000 bags of urea to the state, with an excess of 1,97,000 bags. The farmers had earlier organised a relay hunger strike demanding timely availability of urea ahead of the harvesting season. Ngamjahao Kipgen, who teaches humanities and social sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati, had said after conducting a study that the Manipur police's Narcotics and Affairs of Border wing destroyed 6,300 kg of opium produced on a total of 630 acres in seven hill districts during January-February 2018. He said that discussion with the farmers revealed that indebtedness, unemployment, poverty, lack of alternative means of livelihood, children's education and material needs forced them to undertake poppy cultivation in Manipur. Security and intelligence officials in Manipur said that poppy cultivation is largely controlled by a section of outlawed outfits as it is their major source of income. The Manipur government, however, rubbished the allegation that it is supporting opium production by diverting the "excess" urea. "Manipur Chief Minister (N. Biren Singh) had in February announced Rs 10 lakh for Peh village in Ukhrul district in appreciation of their steps to destroy poppy plantations. The government is always against such illegal farming," a government official said. Kabul/New Delhi, Aug 31 : The spectacular collapse of the Afghan civilian government has caught everyone by surprise. The US-led Western nations security and political assistance quickly unravelled as the Taliban made rapid gains across the country, standing on the doors of capital Kabul in no time. As the dramatic scenes of US and other Western nations' evacuation of their officials and citizens played out on TV screens and social media, China's propaganda machinery was quick to pounce, slamming the US for its 'messy' handling of the Afghanistan situation. Simultaneously, Global Times ran an editorial exulting that China can engage in 'post-war reconstruction' and provide investment to help Afghanistan's future development. The Chinese reaction summarised Beijing's elation at the US withdrawal from its neighbourhood. Beijing has long sought to assert its dominance in Central Asia, and with Russia, it has been shaping the regional dynamics through the Shanghai Central Organization (SCO). However, for a long period, Afghanistan was missing part of the puzzle. The deployment of the US troops indeed provided China with the necessary security cover and stability to expand its economic footprint. Still, it could never assert itself fully with the US and other Western nations present in Afghanistan. The West's exit now provides the necessary backdrop for China to cast its spell on Afghanistan. Earlier on July 28, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had hosted a nine-member Taliban delegation, led by the head of the Afghan Taliban Political Commission, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, in the northern coastal city of Tianjin. Yi had praised the Taliban as "an important military and political force". Beijing's public engagement with Biradar and Co. is symptomatic of its strictly transactional approach towards Afghanistan. It caps China's decades-long courting of the Taliban - just before the 9/11 attacks in 2001, China had signed a deal for greater economic and technical cooperation with the Taliban government in Afghanistan. China tried to hedge its bets on all the political factions in Afghanistan: days before hosting the Taliban delegation, Chinese president Xi Jinping had phoned then Afghan president Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, offering support for peace 'and an early, peaceful reconstruction of the country'. China has long eyed Afghanistan's mineral resources and potential as a cog of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to link Central with South Asia. The allure of the country's untapped natural and mineral resources - Afghanistan is believed to have large deposits of gold, iron, copper, zinc, lithium and other rare-earth metals, valued at over $1 trillion - was one more pull factor. Beijing began its initial economic engagement with Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001. The first project it got involved in was when a Chinese company won a 30-year lease in 2008 worth $3.5 million to develop a copper mine at Mes Aynak in Logar province. The mine development project, believed to contain the world's second-largest copper deposit, was supposed to be the gateway for the flow of Chinese investment in Afghanistan. Then in 2011, state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation won a $400 million bid to drill three oilfields in Faryab and Sar-e-Pol provinces. Subsequently, Beijing roped in Kabul for the BRI, with a senior-level Afghan delegation attending the Belt and Road Forum in 2017. However, advancing its interests in Afghanistan would require China to have a stable security situation in Afghanistan. While the US forces' presence provided that anchor in the preceding years, Beijing will now hope that the intra-Afghan dynamics will lend stability to the country. It is also worried about the reported presence of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) terrorists, who have carried out multiple attacks in its Xinjiang province, abutting Afghanistan. Beijing is acutely concerned with the impact of Taliban resurgence over the ETIM. China's fraternising with the Taliban also stood in sharp contrast to the inhuman treatment of Uighurs in Xinjiang, where under the garb of counter-terrorism, it has incarcerated a million residents in concentration camps, engaged them in forced labour and coerced them to engage in un-Islamic practices. Beijing is therefore expected to continue with a strictly transactional approach against its rhetoric of doing 'post-war reconstruction' of Afghanistan. Beijing is yet to welcome the Taliban takeover formally. Still, it has sent enough feelers to the new regime in Kabul that it will offer whatever support it can in return for greater access to Afghanistan's mineral resources and a greater footprint for the Chinese companies. In addition, Beijing will also push for significant presence of the People's Liberation Army troops in the Wakhan Corridor, which links Xinjiang province with Afghanistan's Badakshan province, with Tajikistan to the north and Pakistan's Khyber Pakthunkhwa and Kashmir to the south. Its location is crucial for the security and viability of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a crucial part of the BRI. It is also a route used by ETIM militants. How much of this becomes a reality also depends on how much Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence - Taliban's key benefactor - gives operational autonomy to the group. China is likely to exploit its close relations with Pakistan to have its way in Afghanistan. The exit of the U.S. has allowed China to leverage its long-standing ties with the Taliban and its relations with Pakistan to perpetuate its transactional engagement with Afghanistan. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Hyderabad, Aug 31 : Following the Telangana High Court's interim orders on reopening of schools in the state from Wednesday, parents of students studying in schools other than residential schools will adopt a wait and watch approach before taking a decision on sending them for offline classes. With the court leaving it to school managements to have either only offline or online or both online and offline classes, students and parents will have to wait for some time to get some clarity. Parents, who are reluctant to send their children to schools for offline classes, were relieved as the court made it clear that students should not be compelled to attend physical classes. They, however, are in a dilemma as it has been left to the school managements to decide on whether to conduct only offline classes. As school managements are free to take a decision, a section of the parents fear that they may do away with online classes to indirectly compel students to attend physical classes. Many parents are of the view that conducting both offline and online classes is the best option in the present situation. "If somebody wants to send his children to schools, let them send but for those students not willing to attend physical classes, the school should continue online classes," said B. Manoj Reddy, a businessman whose son is a Class 7 student in a private school. Some people want the school managements to go by the opinion of the majority of parents. "If majority is not willing to send their wards to school, the management should conduct only online classes. This will also help the schools in managing their resources effectively," said R. Somayajulu, a private employee, whose two daughters go to a high school. When the schools had re-opened briefly during February-March, the attendance in offline classes was thin. Though many schools had stopped conducting online classes, this could not compel parents to send their wards. The same situation is likely when the schools reopen for physical classes on Wednesday as majority of parents fear that their children might contract Covid-19 at schools. Even those who were thinking of sending their wards for offline classes changed their mind after schools wanted them to sign a declaration that the school managements will not be responsible if the children get infected while in school. After the high court's order on Tuesday, the Education Department issued a memo, clarifying at any such declaration will not be valid. "Any undertaking obtained from parents by any school management absolving the school management of any liability if the child gets infected with virus, while in school, shall not have any legal effect," reads the memo issued by state Education Secretary Sandeep Kumar Sultania. As per the orders of the high court, the Director, School Education has been directed to lay down the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to be followed by all school managements conducting classes offline within one week and give them wide publicity in print and electronic media. In view of this, the school managements are also likely to delay their decision on conducting only offline or only online classes by a week. Managements of few private schools said that they will take a final decision, depending on the attendance in offline classes and after some clarity on SOPs. The government made it clear that all schools other than government residential schools, social welfare schools and tribal welfare schools with hostel facilities are permitted to open from September 1. No child shall be compelled by any school management to physically attend offline classes, if his or her parent is not inclined to send the child to school, reads the memo. The clarifications came after the high court orders on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), challenging the government's move to reopen all educational institutions. New Delhi, Aug 31 : Fans of Korean boy band BTS are in for continuous celebrations. The band, which recently completed 3,000 days in the industry, will soon celebrate the birthday of its youngest member, JungKook. The fans, referred to as BTS ARMY, have already started sending early wishes, making him trend on Twitter. BTS is globally one of most popular boy bands, whose members are RM (Kim Namjoon), Jin (Kim Seokjin), Suga (Min Yoongi), J-Hope (Jung Hoseok), Jimin (Park Jimin), V (Kim Taehyung) and JungKook (Jeon Jungkook). JungKook, 23, who will celebrate his birthday on Wednesday, is already trending on Twitter. Fans are sharing pictures, messages and fan-made videos of the young artiste. Putting up a picture of JungKook, one fan wrote: "This person is so precious. Hope you have a happy birthday and all your heart's desire. #HappyBirthdayJungkook." While another one tweeted a video clip from his interview and tweeted: "Happy birthday to the most talented, cutest, funniest, most loving and amazing boy in the world, Jeon JungKook. #HappyJKDay #JungkookDay". One of the thousands of tweets also read: "Advance happy birthday to you our golden maknae jungkook." BTS debuted on June 12, 2013 with their album '2 Cool 4 Skool'. On the completion of 3,000 days, fans had made the hashtag 'Love You 3000' trend, a reference to the famous 'Avengers Endgame' dialogue. Jaipur, Aug 31 : A complicated love story claimed one life in Jaipur after two lovers of a married woman came face-off with her husband and manhandled each other, leaving one of her lovers dead while the woman herself was left injured in the tussle. As per police sources, the woman, Basanti, is a resident of Jharkhand and was separated from her husband. She had remarried Kanhaiya, who was a resident of Gangapur city. After the marriage, the couple started living with their kids in Muhana Mandi. Besides her second husband, the woman also had relations with two persons named Mukesh and Mohanaya. On Monday night, both her lovers visited her house where her husband Kanhaiya and his girlfriend Kamali were also present at the same time. All of them were drunk and a tussle broke out that claimed the life of Mohanaya. The police rushed to the spot and took Kanhaiya and Kamali into custody. They also found the two-year-old daughter of Basanti, who has been handed over to a children's helpline. Mohanaya's body has been sent for postmortem. The police are searching for Basanti's second lover Mukesh. Patna, Aug 31 : A police constable in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district was arrested on Tuesday for uploading a semi-nude photograph of a fellow female constable on social media. The accused was identified as Altaf Khan, a native of Turuk Bigha village under Kachwa police station in Rohtas district, and deployed at Muzaffarpur police lines. The victim is also selected for the post of constable and is currently undergoing training in Sitamarhi police training centre. The FIR was registered on the complaint of Subodh Kumar Mishra, the inspector incharge of Muzaffarpur police lines, who learnt about the incident after the victim's photograph was circulated on Whatsapp group of the police lines. "During investigation, we came to know that the victim is a trainee woman constable. We immediately called the accused constable and seized his mobile phone. The accused confessed the crime. He has also deleted the photograph of the woman constable from the phone, but by that time, the photograph went viral on several social media platforms," Mishra said. Altaf Khan circulated the photograph on August 26. He has been charged with outraging the modesty of a woman and defaming her social and personal image, as well as degrading the image of the state police. Bhubaneswar, Aug 31 : The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) will start commercial operations of its second unit of Darlipali Super Thermal Power Station in Odisha's Sundargarh district from September 1, officials said on Tuesday. The first unit of the plant was commissioned on March 1, 2020. "The second unit of the power plant with 800MW capacity that completed its trial operation on July 21 will start commercial generation from September 1, 2021," said NTPC regional executive director (Eastern Region-II), S.K. Satya. While Odisha is entitled to receive 50 per cent of the power generated by the Darlipali power project of 1,600 MW (2x800 MW), the remaining 50 per cent will be sold to Bihar, Jharkhand, Sikkim and West Bengal. As per the power purchase agreement with the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), the cost of power from the Darlipali plant will be Rs 2.90 per unit. While the fixed cost of power is set at Rs 1.90 per unit, the variable cost has bent determined at Rs 1 per unit. The NTPC has already made an expenditure of over Rs 13,500 core on the project. Some of the works like construction of railway line for transportation of coal and construction of merry-go-round (MGR) linking to railway sidings at Laikera and Kechobahal stations in Jharsuguda district for coal dispatch to the plant are under progress. It is expected that these works will be completed by June 2022, said an official. The pit head-based thermal power plant is currently sourcing its requirement of fossil fuel from its Dulanga coal mines in Sundargarh. With a daily requirement of about 25,000 tonnes, the Dulanga mine has the capacity to meet demand for 20,000 tonnes. The balance requirement will be met from the Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) through road. "Once the MGR project is over, NTPC will meet the additional coal requirements from anywhere in the country through railway," Satya said. Kolkata, Aug 31 : At least 25 people were injured, including six seriously, when hundreds of local residents tried to enter a vaccination centre in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district, leading to a stampede-like situation on Tuesday, officials said. Though there was no stampede, similar chaotic situations were noticed at Murshidabad medical college and in several places in North 24 Parganas district. In wake of the incident, the state government has now decided to distribute coupons for vaccination. The incident at Jalpaiguri happened in the afternoon when people standing outside the vaccination centre rushed inside. "As soon as the main gate of Dhupguri Health Centre was opened, several people tried to get inside the facility pushing each other. A stampede-like situation arose there. Several women were injured. We are probing the matter," an official said. A senior police officer of Jalpaiguri said: "The injured people have been rushed to Jalpaiguri district hospital and they are undergoing treatment. We are probing the matter. According to a preliminary investigation, those who were in the queue tried to enter the centre in the apprehension of a shortage of vaccine doses." The inoculation programme at the facility has been stopped following the incident, he added. Chief Secretary H.K. Diwedi held a meeting with the District Magistrates, Superintendents of Police, and Chief Medical Officer of Health, and instructed them to streamline the vaccination system. "The district administration has been asked to increase manpower and counters at the vaccination centres to avoid rush. The DMs have been asked to arrange for more police force at the vaccination centres," an official said. Senior officials said that several decisions have been taken to control the rush. "It has been decided that the state will arrange for distribution of coupons to the people two days before and none will be allowed inside the vaccination centres without a coupon," an official said. "Coupons will be delivered one to two days in advance. In addition to the staff of the district Health Department, ICDS staff must be employed to distribute coupons. Additional District Magistrate, Additional Superintendent of Police or senior health officials should be present at the vaccination centres," the official added. The District Magistrates have also been asked to make arrangements for vaccination in large grounds to avoid any kind of chaos. They have also been asked to open several counters and disperse people so that there is no crowd at a particular place. "This will help in crowd management as well help in maintaining the covid protocol," the official said. The Chief Secretary also asked the district administration to make arrangements for necessary police force and should ask the Inspector-in-Charge or the Officer-in-Charge of the respective police station to be present at the vaccination centres and personally oversee the crowd management. Srinagar, Aug 31 : A terror module has been busted in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district and four terrorist associates arrested, police said on Tuesday. Police said on August 22, information was received about a blast-like sound in village Shrakwara Kreeri area of Baramulla, and a joint team of local police, along with army's 52 RR and CRPF troopers rushed to the spot. "Preliminary investigation revealed that a grenade was lobbed towards the police guard at the house of sarpanch Narinder Kour which caused some minor damages to window panes and a vehicle," a police officer said. An FIR was registered and investigation was initiated. During the course of investigation, police, which examined CCTV footage, learnt about the involvement of Mohd Saleem Khan, resident of New Colony, Shrakwara and Sajad Ahmed Mir, resident of Mir Mohalla, Saloosa in the commission of crime and they were subsequently arrested. "During further course of investigation, both the accused persons also confessed that they are working as terrorist associates for proscribed terror outfit LeT on the behest of Pakistan-based handler namely Ali Bhai (TRF). It was also revealed that both the accused are drug addicts and were also in contact with the active terrorists of LeT Hilal Sheikh and Usman (FT) and it was on their directions they had obtained grenades from Batamaloo, Srinagar. Two more terrorist associates identified as Bilal Ahmad Sheikh, son of Mohd Maqbool, resident of Saloosa and Naseer Ahmad Dar, son of A. Majeed, resident of Najibhat, who had also assisted the accused persons in the commission of crime were also arrested," police said. Police said two hand grenades and 100 gms of charas-like substance have also been recovered from the possession of the accused, whose links in other cases are also being investigated. New Delhi, Aug 31 : The National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment organised a meeting with government officials, NGOs, parents and professionals from the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh for the implementation of National Trust Act, 1999, in the two UTs. The meeting was held to create awareness and develop the road for the implementation of the activities, schemes and programmes of the National Trust. Farooq Ahmad Khan, advisor to J&K Lieutenant Governor, along with Sheetal Nanda, Secretary, Social Welfare J&K, Anjali Bhawra, Secretary, DEPwD and Chairperson, National Trust, Kishore Surwade, DDG, DEPwD, and Nikunja Kishore Sundaray, JS and CEO, National Trust, along with 167 persons, including DMs and other officials, participated in the meeting. Appreciating the initiative of the UT administration and the National Trust, Farooq Ahmad Khan said that Divyangjan catered under the National Trust Act should always be given priority in all benefits provided by the government. He appreciated the work done by the National Trust and its commitment in catering to the target population of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. New Delhi, Sep 1 : Delhi's Water Minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday asked the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and the Irrigation and Flood Control Board (IFCB) to expedite all ongoing projects related to the cleaning of the Yamuna river and install odour control systems at all the STPs. The upgradation work for all the existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) is ongoing and also that of installation of biological odour control system to prevent emanating disease-causing bad odour and air pollution. The DJB already has odour control system at Delhi Gate STP. "Jain directed to install odour control units at all STPs," DJB's Chief Engineer V.K. Gupta told IANS. Jain's directions came during a review meeting with senior officials of both the departments, a Delhi government release said here. "Many say Yamuna cannot be cleaned but with devotion and hard work, any task can be achieved. All projects in this direction and even otherwise should be fast tracked and completed in a time-bound manner so that we can meet our ambition of a clean Yamuna as soon as possible," Jain said. The minister also took stock of the work progress of new STPs as well as of the interventions being made for upgrading the existing ones. "All the work related to STPs, and their upgradation should be completed on a war footing so that we can double the capacity and efficiency of our STPs, which is crucial in cleaning the Yamuna," he added. Meanwhile, the minister also said that in the first phase, floating aerators should be installed in drains which will not only help in-situ water treatment but will also eliminate the emanating pungent smell from the drains. The minister said that these two projects (upgrading STPs and cleaning Yamuna) are vital for the overall betterment of the national capital. "Various measures are being taken for cleaning the Yamuna and upgrading the existing infrastructure of STPs and drains for making them more efficient as well as for reducing pollution levels," he added. Dhaka, Sep 1 : Five years after the brutal killings of two gay rights campaigners in Bangladesh, six convicted persons, all members of banned militant outfit Ansar al-Islam, were sentenced to death by a local court on Tuesday. On April 25, 2016, Xulhaz Mannan, the editor of the country's first magazine for the LGBTQ+ community, 'Roopbaan', and his associate and group theatre artiste Mahbub Rabby Tonoy were hacked to death inside their apartment in the Kalabagan area in Dhaka. Mojibur Rahman, the judge of the Anti-Terrorism Special Tribunal, passed the order in the presence of four convicted persons on Tuesday afternoon. The court said the attack on Mannan and Tanoy was part of a preplanned series of attacks by militants on secular activists and religious minorities. The investigation found that Islamist militants were responsible for the killings of Mannan and Tonoy. The convicted persons include Syed Ziaul Haq, a sacked army major believed to be the mastermind, Akram Hossain, Mozammel Husain alias Saimon, Md Arafat Rahman, Md Sheikh Abdullah and Asadullah alias Fakrul alias Faisal. The court acquitted Sabbirul Haque Chowdhury and Junaid Ahmed alias 'Maulana Junaid', saying the charges against them could not be proven. Two of the convicts -- Zia and Akram -- are still on the run and were tried in absentia. On August 23, the judge had fixed the date for the delivery of the verdict after the completion of arguments by the prosecution and the defence. The tribunal had recorded the statements of 24 prosecution witnesses. On July 28, 2019, the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police had submitted a charge-sheet against the eight militants. Mannan, 35, had joined the US Embassy in 2007 before taking up what would turn out to be his last assignment at the USAID. He also edited 'Roopbaan', Bangladesh's first magazine for the LGBTQ+ community. Tonoy, 26, was involved with the Lok Natyadal theatre group. He taught drama to children at an organisation called the People's Theatre. The case was filed by Mannan's brother Minhaz Mannan against unidentified people. New Delhi, Sep 1 : Undertaking the IoT-based monitoring of drinking water quantity and quality in rural drinking water systems in different parts of the country is one of the eight proposals for R&D along with six other proposals for innovation considered for listing by the technical committee of the Jal Shakti Ministry. These 14 proposals would now be considered for listing in the Innovation Portal of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. "These recommendations would help the states/UTs use these technologies depending on their requirement and suitability," a release from the Jal Shakti Ministry said on Tuesday. The technical committee considered six innovation proposals and eight R&D proposals at its fourth meeting held on August 27. The IoT-based (Internet of Things-based) proposal was presented by different CSIR labs coming together as partners, the release said. Since August 2019, the government of India is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission in partnership with states to make provision of tap water supply to every rural home of the country by 2024. To assist the implementation agencies, a Technical Committee under the chairmanship of Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India has been constituted under Jal Jeevan Mission to identify new technologies and select high end R&D proposals for funding. The Committee has representatives from scientific departments of the Government of India, the various IITs, state governments, NITI Aayog, NGOs and even UNICEF. The Committee was set up in October 2019 and despite CoVid-19 pandemic and other constraints, the Committee has met four times so far. It considered 114 innovative technologies and 84 R&D proposals and has accepted 10 innovative technologies and two R&D proposals for funding, it said. The National Jal Jeevan Mission has two separate portals each for recognition of innovations and funding R&D proposals in drinking water and sanitation sector. Companies/ technology service providers desirous of getting their innovation accepted by the Committee can upload them in the innovation portal. Similarly, R&D proposals from young innovators, researchers, academia, entrepreneurs, start-ups working in this sector including action research proposals for adopting evidence-based technical intervention to manage rural water supply efficiently, effectively, and economically can be uploaded in the R&D portal of the mission. New Delhi, Sep 1 : Delhi University's most important decision making body 'Executive Council', during its meeting on Tuesday, gave its nod to the four-year undergraduate course. However, some members of the Council also registered their protest during the meeting. The 4-year undergraduate course has been approved by a majority. The Executive Council has approved a number of reforms under the National Policy on Education (NEP), including a four-year undergraduate program (FYUP). The Ministry of Education said that this course is different from the 4-year graduation course introduced last time in 2013. This time many central universities will be allowed to run their regular 3-year graduation programs. Under the new system, setting up digital infrastructure support for colleges and departments of Delhi University has also been proposed. Executive Council member Ashok Aggarwal, who was present in the meeting, said that he has lodged his protest on FYUP. Apart from this, many other members have also registered their protest against the implementation of the new education policy. According to Ashok Aggarwal, despite his opposition, the majority was in favour of FYUP, due to which it was approved on Tuesday night. There is a proposal to open two colleges under Delhi University. It is being considered to name one of them after Savarkar. This matter was also placed before the Council during the meeting. Professor Naveen Gaur, a member of the Academic Council of Delhi University, told IANS that many names have been discussed in the Academic Council meeting. The names of V.D. Savarkar, Sardar Patel, Sushma Swaraj, Swami Vivekananda, Savitribai Phule and the first Chief Minister of Delhi, Chaudhary Brahm Prakash have also been discussed. The names of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Arun Jaitley were also included in the discussion. Aggarwal told IANS that during the meeting, we have proposed to open new colleges in Delhi University in the name of personalities like Mahatma Gandhi and Amartya Sen. At present, these names have also been included in the proposal for consideration. Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Professor P.C. Joshi said that the names of Savarkar, Swami Vivekananda, Sushma Swaraj and Sardar Patel have been proposed on the basis of their contribution to society. Registering his protest, DUTA President Rajib Ray said that fixing the academic year 2022-23 as the year of implementation of NEP is baseless as NEP 2020 requires detailed discussion and extensive consultation among all stakeholders first. Only then can we determine whether NEP 2020 will be viable or not. According to the DUTA chairman, the FYUP structure with Multi-Entry and Exit System (MEES) will increase the expenditure for the undergraduate programme. Students leaving the system with fewer years of study will always be treated as dropouts by the job market. MEES will only increase the attrition rate by giving the false meaning of degree. The relevance of such awards on a student's job prospects is unclear. It is an extremely poorly designed structure which if implemented can actually harm the career progress of future generations. The complexity of clinical workflows and the sheer volume of data generated by our digital healthcare system today is overwhelming. Our vision is to use technology to help understand this data and then link together the teams driving improvement around it. Phrase Health, Inc, a Philadelphia-based healthcare technology company, was awarded over $1.7 million as part of a Phase 2 STTR grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The funded proposal builds upon a Phase 1 grant that explored end-user challenges with existing healthcare system quality improvement and clinical informatics dashboards aimed at reducing clinical variation. These results laid the foundation for the Phase 2 award and ultimately led to the release of a new product, Phrase Health Outcomes. Early estimates indicate the software can increase the volume of improvement projects at health systems by up to 9 times by allowing users to set up self-service dashboards within minutes. The Phase 2 expansion will include researchers from Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, Emory University/Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta, and the University of Vermont Health Network. Participating researchers at collaborative sites include clinicians, human factors experts, data engineers, designers, implementation scientists, and quality improvement specialists. The participants will implement quality improvement projects within the platform, share experiences, and provide feedback for iterative prototyping. Early planned projects include a premature extubation project in the intensive care unit (ICU) and an emergency department sepsis initiative. The Phrase Health team, founded in 2018 by a team of physicians and clinical informaticists, recognized that operational teams in healthcare often analyze fragmented intervention, clinical process, and clinical outcome data on an ad-hoc basis. Additionally, while quality improvement initiatives often require coordination and implementation across several cross-functional teams, the analyzed information was typically viewed without consideration to the interplay between this data. This research is core to Phrase Healths mission to decrease clinical variation by helping quality improvement, safety, informatics, and information technology professionals at health systems drive opportunities for clinical improvement. Quality, informatics, and IT teams are all involved in building electronic interventions and workflows. They are all also interested in delivering better patient outcomes. This research aims to build upon our innovative approach to more tightly integrate these operational teams, said Phrase Health CEO and practicing emergency physician, Dr. Marc Tobias. The complexity of clinical workflows and the sheer volume of data generated by our digital healthcare system today is overwhelming. Our vision is to use technology to help understand this data and then link together the teams driving improvement around it. About Phrase Health Phrase Health is a healthcare technology company focused on improving the quality of clinical care delivery through the optimization of workflows and management of electronic health data. The award-winning company was founded in 2018 by board-certified clinical informatics physicians after spinning out technology developed within Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. The company's software provides web-based analytics dashboards and collaboration tools to better understand clinical processes and electronic interventions like alerts and order sets. The company has customers that span academic health systems, community health networks, and stand-alone pediatric hospitals. Learn more at https://www.phrasehealth.com Disclosures The research referenced in this press release is supported by the National Institutes of Health under award numbers 1R41LM013317-01 and 2R42LM013317-02. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Evan Orenstein is a founder and holds ownership interests in Phrase Health. Dr. Evan Orenstein is the Primary Investigator of the subaward to Emory University. The terms of this arrangement have been reviewed and approved by the Emory University in accordance with its conflicts of interest policies. We live in a self-centered society and this book shows through the crucible of combat that the self is most profoundly expressed through acts of compassion and empathy that ultimately create courage Edgar Doleman served in the military for 20 years. Upon his retirement from a second career in information technology, he felt an urge to write about the war, not so much about his own experiences but about the amazing character of the men who fought it which resulted in the novel, Arlen's Gun: A Novel of Men at War (published by AuthorHouse). Arlen Washington, an alienated young airman serving as a gunner on an Air Force AC-47 gunship that is hit and crash lands in no mans land. It is the monsoon season, weather grounds the rescue helicopters, and the crew is rescued by an Army unit. Events strand him with his rescuers, soon caught up in desperate battles where the airman gradually discovers that brotherhood, not his self-centered alienation is the path to life. We live in a self-centered society and this book shows through the crucible of combat that the self is most profoundly expressed through acts of compassion and empathy that ultimately create courage, Doleman says. Both combat veterans and former anti-war protesters will find this story realistic and revealing of what men experienced in battle and how they reacted. The publication of Arlen's Gun: A Novel of Men at War aims for readers to realize that in spite of everything, people will still be good at heart. For more details about the book, please visit https://www.authorhouse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/822367-arlens-gun Arlen's Gun: A Novel of Men at War By Edgar Doleman Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 338 pages | ISBN 9781665508582 Softcover | 6 x 9in | 338 pages | ISBN 9781665508605 E-Book | 338 pages | ISBN 9781665508599 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Edgar Doleman, veteran of a 20-year career as an infantry officer, served in Berlin, Korea, various posts in the U.S. and two tours in Vietnam. Prior to his first tour in Vietnam, Doleman commanded a basic training company where young draftees and volunteers transitioned from being civilians to being soldiers; from being kids to being men. During the war, he commanded an air cavalry infantry company, served on a division intelligence staff and as an advisor to a South Vietnamese infantry battalion. After his service, he wrote The Tools of War, one of the Time-Life series, The Vietnam Experience and Arlen's Gun: A Novel of Men at War. AuthorHouse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is a leading provider of book publishing, marketing, and bookselling services for authors around the globe and offers the industrys only suite of Hollywood book-to-film services. Committed to providing the highest level of customer service, AuthorHouse assigns each author personal publishing and marketing consultants who provide guidance throughout the process. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, AuthorHouse celebrates over 23 years of service to authors. For more information or to publish a book visit authorhouse.com or call 833-262-8899. In May, Big Blue Swim School, the U.S.s fastest-growing swim-school franchise, made a massive splash in Centennial, Colorado when it debuted its first franchise in the state and broke the brands record for pre-registrations as hundreds of families eagerly signed their children up for swim lessons. Big Blue Swim School CEO Scott Sanders sees the successful launch of the Centennial location as a validation of the brands effective real estate and new pool opening strategy. Our ability to determine the right locations with excellent drive-by traffic and demographics that align perfectly with our brand is the result of the exhaustive research we put in before every launch, he said. We also have a robust new store pool opening strategy that our marketing team executes to support our franchise partners so they experience strong enrollment before they even open their doors. The Centennial location was opened by owners Wendy and Erik Skaalerud, who were responsible for bringing OrangeTheory to Colorado as franchise partners with the fitness brand. According to Erik, the locations impressive opening numbers are even better than what they anticipated. It feels good to have so many people ready to join us in our mission, said Erik. It's magical. It's like building a rocket and watching it take off for the first time. Now, the brand is building on that momentum with new lease agreements in Ann Arbor and Sterling Heights, Michigan and in Paramus, New Jersey. The Michigan locations are part of a plan to open at least eight units in the state with three multi-unit franchise partners. The Paramus location is part of a three-unit deal with a multi-unit franchise operator, as well. In total, Big Blue currently has agreements in place for 152 units and is actively scouting out real estate across 22 states. The brands momentum with franchise partners is continuing in markets across the country, including Boston, Southern California, Northern Virginia, and the southeast region. During the second quarter of 2021, Gary Cohen signed a multi-unit agreement to develop nine locations in Boston and eastern Massachusetts. Were excited about the pace of the growth were experiencing, Sanders said. But were also thrilled by the reception we are receiving across the country. Were not just opening swim schools, were helping children build life-saving skills and boost their confidence at the same time. Thats extremely rewarding for us, and for our franchise partners. The brand is actively growing in several other key markets across the country, including Houston, Kansas City, San Jose, Raleigh, Phoenix, Cleveland, Seattle, Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay. ABOUT BIG BLUE SWIM SCHOOL Big Blue Swim School was founded in 2009 by competitive swimmer Chris DeJong. The first location opened in Wilmette, Illinois, followed by four additional Chicagoland schools. In 2017, Level 5 Capital Partners acquired a stake in the brand, and pools are now open in Chicago, Atlanta, Denver and Northern Virginia. Big Blue is currently growing through franchising with plans to have a minimum of 150 pools sold by the end of 2021. Big Blue Swim School's real estate expertise, strong brand, proprietary technology, and leadership support, coupled with its best-in-class consumer offerings, position its franchise partners for long-term success. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Big Blue Swim School, visit http://YourBigMomentStartsHere.com. Over the course of our 40-year history, we estimate that British Swim School has taught upwards of $1.5 million lessons to hundreds of thousands of students, said Ashley Gundlach, Director of Marketing for British Swim School. British Swim School, the nations leading learn to swim franchise company, is celebrating 40 years of saving the lives of infants, children, and adults through its signature water survival programs. The celebration is taking place throughout 2021 at each of British Swim Schools locations across the U.S. and Canada. Founded in 1981 in Manchester, England, British Swim School was created utilizing signature gentle and fun water survival techniques for infants as young as three months old which remain a recognized trademark of the brand today. With a passion for excellence in swim instruction, an established and proven curriculum and dedication to serving families, British Swim School opened its first franchise in 2011. Now headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA, the company has since expanded to more than 215 schools across 23 states and Canadian provinces. Following the mantra, Survival of the Littlest, we are dedicated to teaching water survival skills to individuals of every age and ability. Over the course of our 40-year history, we estimate that British Swim School has taught upwards of $1.5 million lessons to hundreds of thousands of students, said Ashley Gundlach, Director of Marketing for British Swim School. Although weve increased in size dramatically over the last 20 years, our mission hasn't changed one bit. Its unbelievably rewarding when we hear from a parent that their child was able to save themselves from what could have been a tragic water emergency because of the skills they learned through out program. Its been fantastic to celebrate those wins and countless others throughout 2021. For more information, visit http://www.britishswimschool.com. About British Swim School British Swim Schools mission is to teach water safety and survival skills to children as young as 3 months old. Founded in 1981 and acquired by Buzz Franchise Brands in early 2019, British Swim School is a member Buzz Franchise Brands family, which includes Pool Scouts, a pool cleaning and maintenance company, and Home Clean Heroes, a residential cleaning company. British Swim School currently operates over 215 schools across the United States and Canada and celebrates its 40th year in business this year! For more information about British Swim School, visit http://www.britishswimschool.com. To learn more about the benefits of British Swim Schools franchising opportunities, visit https://britishswimschoolfranchise.com/. For more information about Buzz Franchise Brands, visit https://www.buzzfranchisebrands.com/. In its recent Pacesetter market research, US-based analyst firm ALM Intelligence identified CAMELOT Management Consultants as a global market leader and Pacesetter in supply chain management consulting. ALM confirmed CAMELOTs outstanding impact for clients in a rapidly shifting market environment. Among the 19 market leaders that ALM Intelligence assessed in this research, CAMELOT was the only one to gain the Pacesetter status. What makes CAMELOT stand out as a Pacesetter in supply chain management consulting are its end-to-end value chain approach that fosters cross-functional collaboration, industry expertise at micro level, thought leadership as well as the deployment of technology and analytics to drive change management, said Tomek Jankowski, Lead Analyst at ALM Intelligence. End-to-end value chain approach According to the ALM Intelligence Pacecetter Market Research Supply Chain 2021-2022, one of the key areas of impact for CAMELOT is in service delivery. The report states that CAMELOTs early adoption of the end-to-end value chain concept led to the design of offerings that encourage a cross-functional approach internally as well as collaboration across the entire value chain ecosystem, seeking to achieve client goals in simplification, automation, synchronization and innovation at both the micro and macro levels. Industry expertise at micro level In todays complex supply chain environment, clients need micro-level experience and expertise on specific topics, often anchored in specific jurisdictions or involving certain client operations. The industry expertise of a Pacesetter like CAMELOT goes down the intensely narrow rabbit holes that bedevil client supply chains, comments Tomek Jankowski. CAMELOTs offering is focused on four key industries: chemicals, life sciences, consumer goods as well as industrial manufacturing. Effective client enablement Most companies are currently forced to undergo a significant shift in their thinking and approach to their supply chain. The ALM Pacesetter Research highlights that with its cloud-based transformation analytics tool PulseShiftTM, CAMELOT effectively utilizes data-driven insights to make the case for change and manage the day-by-day implementation across stakeholders, the client organization and the broader value chain network through effective monitoring and engagement, measuring and tweaking progress along the way. ALM Pacesetter Research (APR) is a market research initiative of ALM Intelligence with an inclusive perspective of the professional services landscape. Rather than narrowly focusing on one segment of the market, APR covers a broader range that includes law, consulting, insurance, financial advisory, and other actors operating in the market defined by the research topic. For ALM Intelligence Pacesetter Research: Supply Chain 2021-2022, the analyst firm analyzed and profiled 19 market leaders across four market segments, including alongside CAMELOT firms like McKinsey, Boston Consulting, EY, PWC, Deloitte, and Accenture. Caring.com, a leading senior living referral service and the nations top site for senior care reviews, has published results from a survey that examines vaccine-hesitancy among private and professional caregivers of seniors. The study highlights responses from 2,000 caregivers about their vaccination status, plans for vaccination in the future, reasons for remaining unvaccinated, and planned responses to vaccine mandates. Survey findings indicate that only 50 percent of seniors caregivers are fully vaccinated, and more than 20 percent have not started the process. Fifty-four percent of unvaccinated caregivers also cited that they would not get vaccinated despite a risk of getting fired or furloughed. Only 23 percent of unvaccinated caregivers say they would be willing to get the COVID-19 vaccine if required by their employer. These responses are especially worrisome given that seniors are a high risk group. The top reasons that seniors caregivers give for remaining unvaccinated are concerns about the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine. Approximately 29 percent of respondents dont believe that the shot is safe, and more than 21 percent arent sure that its effective. Additionally, 15 percent of caregivers believe they dont need the vaccine or still have antibodies from contracting the virus. What weve learned from this study is that there is a worrying number of vaccine-hesitant caregivers, says Jim Rosenthal, Caring.coms CEO. While employer and government mandates may be effective in convincing some caregivers to get vaccinated, the current data suggests continued work is needed to educate caregivers about the safety and necessity of vaccines. We are hopeful that the just-announced FDA full approval of the Pfizer vaccine will drive more people to get vaccinated. Data from the study also shows that unvaccinated caregivers are more likely to ignore COVID-19 safety protocols, such as masking and social distancing. Seventeen percent of unvaccinated respondents said they do not practice any common precautions against the virus. In contrast, only seven percent of vaccinated caregivers fail to follow safety guidelines. Caring.com conducted this survey from August 9-11, 2021, in partnership with Pollfish an online survey platform. The organization surveyed 1,000 private caregivers and 1,000 professional caregivers to gauge their attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccine mandates and safety protocols. To access the complete report, please visit https://www.caring.com/caregivers/covid-vaccine-hesitancy-survey/. ABOUT CARING.COM With millions of website visitors, Caring.com is a leading senior care referral service and the nations top site for senior care reviews. Founded in 2007, Carings mission is to help as many seniors and their caregivers as possible through empathetic, expert guidance. Applying cutting-edge technology to this humane mission, Caring provides relevant senior care information and support, as well as comprehensive senior living and senior care directories for the United States with hundreds of thousands of consumer reviews of senior living and in-home care providers. Through a toll-free line at (866) 334-5804, Carings empathetic, nationwide team of Family Advisors who are among the most highly trained, highly skilled, and knowledgeable experts in senior care help families and seniors research and connect to the most appropriate services and support for their specific situations. For more information about our organization and our free services for seniors and their families, please visit https://www.caring.com/about/ and join with Caring on Facebook. Citeline Connect, the all-in-one clinical trial recruitment platform developed by Informa Pharma Intelligence, has partnered with Helium SEO to provide expert search engine optimization services to customers of its clinical trial website solution. A recent survey on clinical trial participation conducted by Informa Pharma Intelligence and Rare Patient Voice revealed that 47% of those who have not participated in a clinical trial could not find nearby trials relevant to their disease/condition. Among participants, sources of online information included internet searches and pharmaceutical company websites; however, 77% of these respondents did not use ClinicalTrials.gov. To help Citeline Connect-powered clinical trial websites rank higher in search results driving traffic and, ultimately, recruiting clinical trial participants Helium SEO provides the following services: Analyzing keywords related to specific therapeutic areas and high-value patient segments to ensure compliance with Google algorithms Employing proprietary technology to find and build links to related websites, boosting the websites authority Developing landing pages and content to attract and educate the public about clinical trials in general, as well as the sponsors specific trials According to a BrightEdge study, organic search drives 53% of website traffic. Whats more, Moz statistics show that the first page of Google search results captures as high as 92% of search traffic clicks. Googles algorithm has more than 200 ranking factors, and it is constantly changing. As a technology professional, I know how crucial SEO is to the success of a website, said Mike Wenger, Vice President of Patient Engagement for Informa Pharma Intelligence. And, as a patient myself, I also know how frustrating it can be when you are searching for information online and come up empty-handed. Thats why at Citeline Connect we are thrilled to provide our trial website customers the level of expertise that Helium SEO offers. Timothy Warren, CEO of Helium SEO, emphasizes the importance of website optimization: If your website cannot be found in Google search, your efforts are wasted. Were excited to be working with Citeline Connect on optimizing these clinical trial websites and, in turn, to make them more accessible to patients. For more information on Citeline Connect, visit https://pharmaintelligence.informa.com or contact pharma@informa.com. About Citeline Connect Citeline Connect, developed by Informa Pharma Intelligence, is the all-in-one clinical trial recruitment platform that accelerates trial enrollment via innovative technology and services. Informa Pharma Intelligence, the global business intelligence provider for the biopharma industry, powers a full suite of analysis products including Datamonitor Healthcare, Sitetrove, Trialtrove, Pharmaprojects, Biomedtracker, Scrip, Pink Sheet and In Vivo to deliver the data needed by the pharmaceutical and biomedical industry to make decisions and create real-world opportunities for growth. With more than 400 analysts keeping their fingers on the pulse of the industry, no key disease, clinical trial, drug approval or R&D project isnt covered through the breadth and depth of data available to customers. For more information, visit pharmaintelligence.informa.com. About Helium SEO Helium SEO is a completely unique digital marketing company that utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to build highly efficient systems for SEO and SEM that far outperform traditional agencies. Headquartered in Cincinnati, OH with four offices across the US, Helium employs over 50 full-time employees and serves clients like PetSmart, Honeywell, Fifth Third, Lands End, Xavier University and many more. Helium's team of search marketing experts strive every day to drive better ROI for their clients. They believe the modern digital marketing campaign must be invented by marketers and built by engineers in order to effectively leverage modern technology to bring in new clients and optimize your marketing spend. For more information, visit helium-seo.com or call 513-563-3065. Informa Pharma Intelligence PR Contact Diffusion PR for Informa Pharma Intelligence informapharma@diffusionpr.com 213-318-4500 Working with Elemental Enzymes, we continue expanding on our commitment to help farmers access innovative and proven solutions that complement conventional fungicides, enhance plant resilience and growth under challenging environmental conditions, and help keep crops productive and healthy. Corteva Agriscience and Elemental Enzymes, a life sciences company that develops novel biotechnology and enzymes solutions, announced today they are expanding their multi-year global agreement to include a new biofungicide for a broad range of row crops including soybeans, cereals, corn, oilseeds, rice and sugarcane, as well as turf and ornamental applications. Through the agreement, Corteva receives an exclusive license to Elemental Enzymes patented peptide technology. The novel mode of action uses a naturally occurring 22-amino acid peptide to alert plants to invading pathogens, which primes its immune system and helps the plant protect itself from fungal diseases, such as Asian soybean rust, Cercospora, and wheat head scab. Farmers are seeking biological solutions that offer proven, predictable performance, said Susanne Wasson, President, Crop Protection Business Platforms, Corteva Agriscience. Working with Elemental Enzymes, we continue expanding on our commitment to help farmers access innovative and proven solutions that complement conventional fungicides, enhance plant resilience and growth under challenging environmental conditions, and help keep crops productive and healthy. Corteva will offer the technology as part of its biologicals portfolio under the brand name Holzem biofungicide and be positioned as complementary to its leading fungicides solutions. Pending applicable registrations, Corteva anticipates the global launch of Holzem biofungicide to begin in Latin America in 2022 and the United States in 2023. "We are excited to continue our work with Corteva Agriscience to deliver a novel biofungicide that combats destructive row crop diseases across a broad range of crops and geographies. Elemental Enzymes is dedicated to developing highly effective new technologies for sustainable agriculture that address numerous grower challenges across the globe," said Brian Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Elemental Enzymes. Cortevas model for developing its best-in-class biologicals portfolio combines external innovation, R&D collaboration, licensing, and distribution. This agreement shows how Corteva collaborates with leading companies to accelerate commercializing customer-centered innovations. Holzem biofungicide offers an additional mode of action to help manage residue levels in crops, delay pest resistance to conventional single-site fungicides and enhance yield potential and sustainability, in line with the Corteva Agriscience 2030 Sustainability Goals. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. About Corteva Agriscience Corteva Agriscience is a publicly traded, global pure-play agriculture company that provides farmers around the world with the most complete portfolio in the industry - including a balanced and diverse mix of seed, crop protection and digital solutions focused on maximizing productivity to enhance yield and profitability. With some of the most recognized brands in agriculture and an industry-leading product and technology pipeline well positioned to drive growth, the company is committed to working with stakeholders throughout the food system as it fulfills its promise to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. Corteva Agriscience became an independent public company on June 1, 2019, and was previously the Agriculture Division of DowDuPont. More information can be found at http://www.corteva.com. Follow Corteva Agriscience on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. About Elemental Enzymes Elemental Enzymes, a St. Louis based company, is catalyzing the future of agriculture with innovative, cross-disciplinary scientific solutions to complex problems impacting growers today. Elemental Enzymes creates patented enzymes, peptides and biochemical solutions that improve nutrient uptake, water management and water use efficiency, plant health and yield, as well as disease protection. For more information, visit http://www.elementalenzymes.com. Follow Elemental Enzymes on LinkedIn. # # # Cautionary Statement About Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and may be identified by their use of words like "plans," "expects," "will," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "projects," or other words of similar meaning. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about Corteva's growth, product development, and sustainability goals, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events which may not be accurate or realized. Forward-looking statements also involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Corteva's control. While the list of factors presented below is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Consequences of material differences in results as compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, among other things, business disruption, operational problems, financial loss, legal liability to third parties and similar risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on Corteva's business, results of operations and financial condition. Some of the important factors that could cause Corteva's actual results to differ materially from those projected in any such forward-looking statements include: (i) failure to obtain or maintain the necessary regulatory approvals for some of Cortevas products; (ii) failure to successfully develop and commercialize Cortevas pipeline; (iii) effect of the degree of public understanding and acceptance or perceived public acceptance of Cortevas biotechnology and other agricultural products; (iv) effect of changes in agricultural and related policies of governments and international organizations; (v) effect of competition and consolidation in Cortevas industry; (vi) effect of competition from manufacturers of generic products; (vii) costs of complying with evolving regulatory requirements and the effect of actual or alleged violations of environmental laws or permit requirements; (viii) effect of climate change and unpredictable seasonal and weather factors; (ix) risks related to oil and commodity markets; (x) competitors establishment of an intermediary platform for distribution of Corteva's products; (xi) impact of Corteva's dependence on third parties with respect to certain of its raw materials or licenses and commercialization; (xii) effect of industrial espionage and other disruptions to Cortevas supply chain, information technology or network systems; (xiii) effect of volatility in Cortevas input costs; (xiv) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the internal reorganizations taken by DowDuPont in connection with the spin-off of Corteva and other cost savings initiatives; (xv) failure to raise capital through the capital markets or short-term borrowings on terms acceptable to Corteva; (xvi) failure of Cortevas customers to pay their debts to Corteva, including customer financing programs; (xvii) increases in pension and other post-employment benefit plan funding obligations; (xviii) risks related to the indemnification obligations of legacy E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company liabilities in connection with the separation of Corteva; (xix) effect of compliance with laws and requirements and adverse judgments on litigation; (xx) risks related to Cortevas global operations; (xxi) failure to effectively manage acquisitions, divestitures, alliances and other portfolio actions; (xxii) risks related to COVID-19; (xxiii) risks related to activist stockholders; (xxiv) failure to enforce Cortevas intellectual property rights or defend against intellectual property claims asserted by others; (xxv) effect of counterfeit products; (xxvi) Cortevas dependence on intellectual property cross-license agreements; and (xxvii) other risks related to the separation from DowDuPont. Additionally, there may be other risks and uncertainties that Corteva is unable to currently identify or that Corteva does not currently expect to have a material impact on its business. Where, in any forward-looking statement an expectation or belief as to future results or events is expressed, such expectation or belief is based on the current plans and expectations of Corteva's management and expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. Corteva disclaims and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable law. A detailed discussion of some of the significant risks and uncertainties which may cause results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements or other estimates is included in the "Risk Factors" section of Corteva's Annual Report on Form 10-K. 08/31/21 TM SM Trademarks and service marks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. CSG is excited to assist Georgia on this initiative creating an agile Medicaid Enterprise with the flexibility to meet the future needs of state agencies, service providers, and the Georgians they serve, says Robin Dufresne, Director of CSGs Healthcare and Human Services practice. CSG Government Solutions, a national leader in government program modernization, today announced that it has been selected by the Georgia Department of Community Health to provide Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) services for its Medicaid Enterprise System Transformation project. Georgia is using a modular approach to transform its legacy Medicaid system. CSG is providing IV&V services for individual modules and across the enterprise; assessing project progress, operational readiness, organizational change management, vendor and resource management, and governance; identifying risks and recommending mitigation strategies; and producing ongoing project health reports. CSG is excited to assist Georgia on this initiative creating an agile Medicaid Enterprise with the flexibility to meet the future needs of state agencies, service providers, and the Georgians they serve, says Robin Dufresne, Director of CSGs Healthcare and Human Services practice. Our team will apply our experience on modular Medicaid system projects across the country to help assure DCH achieves its implementation goals. CSG Government Solutions deploys highly experienced teams and innovative methods, knowledge, and tools to help governments modernize complex program enterprises. CSG clients include 46 state and territory governments, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Labor, and large municipal governments. CONTACT: Robin Dufresne Director, Healthcare and Human Services Practice CSG Government Solutions 180 N. Stetson Ave Suite 3200 Chicago, IL 60601 312.444.2760 Fax: 312.938.2191 rdufresne@csgdelivers.com About CSG Government Solutions: CSG Government Solutions is a leading government operations consulting firm focused on helping states modernize critical program enterprises. Our highly experienced teams and industry-leading Centers of Excellence help governments leverage innovative technology and processes to meet the challenges of administering complex programs. Founded in 1997, CSG has established itself as a trusted adviser to government agencies across the U.S. For more information, visit http://www.csgdelivers.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Historically, clinical trialsadministering medication, gathering patient data, etc.have taken place at a clinical trial site. To a great extent, this is no longer necessary. Decentralization has proven to be highly beneficial to sponsors and patients alike, and to significantly improve patient diversity, recruitment, and retention. Among its many other effects, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 seriously disrupted new drug testing, treatments, and in-person healthcare services. As medical centers were forced to focus on COVID-related care, and optional travel was curtailed by the need for physical distancing, patients access to clinical trial sites was reduced by some 80%.(1) In response, notes Dr. Harsha Rajasimha, founder and CEO of Jeeva Informatics, sponsors have moved rapidly to shift as much clinical trial activity as possible from centralized locations to the patients homes or nearby facilities such as pharmacieswith positive results. Decentralization, says Dr. Rajasimha, has proven to be highly beneficial to sponsors and patients alike, and to significantly improve patient diversity, recruitment, and retention. Role of new technology Historically, clinical trialsadministering medication, gathering patient data, etc.have taken place at a clinical trial site. To a great extent, this is no longer necessary. Todays technology enables patients to interact with the clinical trial site staff remotely. This, notes Dr. Rajasimha, helps alleviate a traditional weakness of clinical trialsa lack of diversity among study groups. Studies have shown that participation in clinical trials for new drugs has tended to skew heavily whitein some cases, 80 to 90 percent.(2) In addition, by making it easier to participate, hybrid or fully decentralized clinical trials help sponsors enroll more patients and reduce the dropout rate. They can also save participants money. Although most expenses are covered by the organization sponsoring the trial and study volunteers receive a nominal stipend for participating, paid time off and other indirect expenses may not be covered. By eliminating the financial burdens associated with time and travel, at-home participation has emerged as a more attractive option. Many clinical trials, notes Dr. Rajasimha, are best suited for a hybrid approach. For instance, evidence generation could alternate between patients responding to a standard questionnaire for assessment and clinicians making outcomes assessments of individual patients. By the same token, patients could report their outcomes remotely and drop off their samples either in person or have a phlebotomist collect the sample at their home or another remote location. Long-range nutrition study Other options are possible. Dr. Rajasimha states that his company is working with a major U.S. university on a hybrid decentralized study of the impact of food and nutrition on the academic performance of college students. The study will enroll an eventual total of 2,500 students and follow each student for a period of five years. Except for a one-time visit to the universitys clinic, participants are responsible for generating all the studys data: a monthly survey, a twice-yearly assessment questionnaire, and a daily record of nutrition intake. Jeeva Informatics will enable participants to complete all three of these reports through a single mobile app. Looking ahead, ensuring continuity and integrity of clinical trials during and beyond the pandemic, without compromising patient safety is of paramount concern for all stakeholders. Dr. Rajasimha projects that in one year, 30% to 50% of all clinical trials will be either fully decentralized or hybrids. By enabling participation for diverse sample populations and by improving participant retention, this will bring benefits not only to sponsors and participants, but to the patients as well. In developing software for this sector, says Dr. Rajasimha, we seek to address patient recruitment, patient retention, and quality of real-time evidence generation, while adhering to a multiplicity of national and international regulatory guidelines. We strongly believe that this workas it stands now, and as it developswill make life easier for all concerned stakeholders and will make a meaningful contribution to the goals for which the clinical testing is intended. About Jeeva Informatics Solutions The personal experience of losing a child born with a rare disease and a brother with a chronic disease became the springboard for Dr. Harsha Rajasimha to apply his years of postdoctoral training at NIH and FDA to accelerating therapies for rare and common conditions. He knew that technology in itself is not the limiting factor and that patient-centered design guided by stakeholder needs and regulatory requirements would guide their continuous learning digital platform. By digitizing and automating manual repetitive tasks and reducing the logistical burdens on patients and study teams by over 70%, Jeeva accelerates the process of bringing new medicines or vaccines to patients who need them by over 3x faster. The Virginia-based companys modular software-as-a-service platform is fully scalable and facilitates patient enrollment, engagement, and evidence generation in clinical trials on any browser-enabled mobile device. Visit https://jeevatrials.com/ 1. No Place like Home? Stepping up the Decentralization of Clinical Trials. McKinsey & Company, McKinsey & Company, 11 June 2021, mckinsey.com/industries/pharmaceuticals-and-medical-products/our-insights/noplace-like-home-stepping-up-the-decentralization-of-clinical-trials. 2. Clinical Trials Have Far Too Little Racial and Ethnic Diversity, Scientific American, September I, 2018, scientificamerican.com/article/clinical-trials-have-far-too-little-racial-and-ethnic-diversity/ San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney David Silldorf "We are incredibly happy for our client who can now move on with her life after this significant period of fear, stress, and uncertainty." The Government recently agreed to dismiss federal charges against a 68-year-old lawful permanent resident of San Diego, California. The defendant, a grandmother, was arrested for the importation of 27.14 kilograms of methamphetamine while driving her daughter and granddaughter across the border. The Case (19-cr-04243-JLS), was filed in federal district court, for the Southern District of California in September 2019. As a lawful permanent resident for over 4 decades, the defendant would have invariably lost her status and been deported if she were convicted. The case had been set for trial later this year when the government agreed to dismiss the charges filed against the defendant. The criminal defense attorney who handled the case, David Silldorf, stated: "This was the only result we could accept for obvious reasons absent going to trial--which we were, of course, prepared to do. My client adamantly denied the charges from the time of her arrest to the day the government ultimately agreed to dismiss. We believed firmly in the strength of our defense case and workup. If we're being honest, it's always disappointing for a trial attorney to see a great trial case go away. In the end, however, it is always about our clients, and putting their interests first, above all else, including our own (selfish interests, e.g., going to trial). Credit goes to the federal prosecutor assigned to this case for reaching the right result as well. We are incredibly happy for our client who can now move on with her life after this significant period of fear, stress, and uncertainty." Attorney David Silldorf has been in private practice for 14 years. He has also been designated by the federal U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California as an experienced criminal practitioner qualified to handle appointments arising under the Criminal Justice Act. The firms proximity to the international border has a strong influence on Davids caseload. He regularly represents individuals charged with drug trafficking and alien smuggling offenses and drug-related federal conspiracy cases, and other offenses involving firearms. For more information, you can visit David Silldorfs website at davidsilldorflaw.com Despite emerging and ongoing challenges of COVID-19, health departments are continuing to show their promise to protecting the health of their communities, said PHAB President and CEO Paul Kuehnert, DNP, RN, FAAN. The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) today announced the names of fifteen public health departments that have achieved accreditation or reaccreditation status, after completion of a systematic review process against national standards. These health departments demonstrated their commitment to quality improvement during the evolving COVID-19 pandemic Health departments are the backbone of the public health system and drivers of health and safety in their communities. Building capacity in quality and performance improvement, accountability and emergency preparedness is essential in our collective COVID-19 response, especially as new variants emerge. Accreditation fosters these qualities and builds a foundation for responding to this public health threat and the next. Lios Enchim Ania Vu, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe is honored to receive accreditation through PHAB, said Reuben Howard, Health Director of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Health Department. The accreditation process prepared us to quickly respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by encouraging us to examine and update our Public Health Codes and internal processes regarding infectious disease. Our accreditation would not have been possible without the support and guidance of our Tribal leadership and the voices of the Tribal members we serve. Maintaining accreditation for the Green River District Health Department shows our unwavering commitment to the health of our community, especially during this time, said Clayton Horton, Public Health Director of Green River District Health Department. Investing in quality improvement makes our department and wonderful staff more nimble and prepared to respond to public health needs. PHAB, the non-governmental, non-profit organization that administers the national accrediting program, aims to transform and protect public health practice by championing performance improvement, strong infrastructure, and innovation. Despite emerging and ongoing challenges of COVID-19, health departments are continuing to show their promise to protecting the health of their communities, said PHAB President and CEO Paul Kuehnert, DNP, RN, FAAN. With the spotlight on health departments during this time, accreditation helps departments respond to public health emergencies. National initial accreditation was awarded August 24, 2021 to: Athens City-County Health Department, OH Butler County General Health District, OH Geauga Public Health, OH Hocking County Health Department, OH Klamath County Public Health, OR Nevada County Public Health, CA Oakland County Health Division, MI Pascua Yaqui Tribe Health Department, AZ National reaccreditation was awarded August 24, 2021 to: Allegany County Health Department, MD Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, IL Clinton County Health Department, NY Cobb & Douglas Public Health, GA Green River District Health Department, KY Harford County Health Department, MD Worcester County Health Department, MD For more information, contact Janalle Goosby at jgoosby@phaboard.org. Learn more about PHAB and accreditation at http://www.phaboard.org. Be in the know: subscribe to PHAB's e-newsletter. About the Public Health Accreditation Board The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) was created to serve as the national public health accrediting body and is funded in part by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The development of national public health accreditation has involved, and is supported by, public health leaders and practitioners from the national, state, local, Tribal, and territorial levels. "Were honored to be listed among the top pioneers in SaaS for the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry, said Craig Mandeville, founder and CEO of Forcura. Forcura, a healthcare technology company that enables safer patient care transitions and coordination, today announced it was recognized by the 2021 Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Awards for its care coordination solution, which was named the winner of the Best SaaS Product for Healthcare/Pharmaceutical category. So far, 2021 has been a year of transformative growth for successful organizations, with disruptive change across most areas of business, said James Williams, Head of Operations for the SaaS Awards. In all, the judges had an incredibly tough time picking final winners. Congratulations are due for every organization that made the shortlist, but we reserve the utmost respect for all our category winners, whose successes were clear and hard-won. Forcuras care coordination solution integrates with seven of the top post-acute electronic health record vendors. It accelerates clients ability to push and retrieve data directly to and from the patient chart through a cloud-based platform that digitizes and centralizes documentation. Over the years, Forcura has continuously innovated the solution with capabilities such as integrating a mobile application, e-signatures and artificial intelligence to further enhance efficiencies and outcomes. The SaaS Awards celebrate the commitment to innovation and excellence among the worlds leading organizations, so were honored to be listed among the top pioneers in SaaS for the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry, said Craig Mandeville, founder and CEO of Forcura. This recognition speaks to the passion and dedication our people demonstrate as we work to transform the healthcare industry, leading the way in helping it become more patient centric. To view the shortlist and winners of the 2021 SaaS Awards, please visit: https://www.cloud-awards.com/2021-software-awards-shortlist/. About Forcura Forcura, a leading healthcare technology company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, facilitates continuity of care via technology, analytics and a deep commitment to enabling better patient care. The Forcura suite of tools is powered by Forcura Connect, a proprietary framework for standardizing interoperability and integration among post-acute health care organizations, physicians, electronic health records (EHRs) and other supporting technology vendors. Through our technology and analytics solutions, we are a step closer every day to elevating the opportunities of post-acute care. The company has received awards for Fastest Growing Company for the fifth consecutive year, Best UI/UX Design in SaaS, and Best Places to Work by Inc. Magazine. For more information visit http://www.forcura.com, call 800-378-0596 or follow Forcura on LinkedIn. As the firm has grown and the scope of our services has expanded, weve added new roles to help the firm stay focused on both delivering quality work for our clients on a daily basis and advancing our strategic vision. Frazier & Deeter, a Top 50 U.S. accounting and advisory firm, announced today that they have been named a 2021 Best of the Best Firm by INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA). This is the 15th consecutive year that the firm has received this recognition, and the 17th time the firm has been included in the list of Best of the Best firms. Frazier & Deeter is honored to be named a Best of the Best firm once again, said Seth McDaniel, Managing Partner of Frazier & Deeter. We believe our focus on investing in relationships, both internally and externally, helps our team consistently drive strong results. IPA selects the top 50 Best of the Best Firms based exclusively on their performance in specific key areas of management, growth and strategic vision. The firms chosen are some of the highest-performing public accounting firms in North America. As the firm has grown and the scope of our services has expanded, weve added new roles to help the firm stay focused on both delivering quality work for our clients on a daily basis and advancing our strategic vision, noted McDaniel. Additions in 2021 included a new Chief Strategy Officer and a Chief Operating Officers for the Tax, Audit and Advisory practices. Receiving this distinction is especially meaningful this year given the challenges the pandemic has presented to our industry, noted Jeremy Sperring, Chief Operating Officer of Frazier & Deeter. We strive to offer an adaptive and supportive environment for our team and our clients because we believe it drives the overall success of the firm. This was especially important in 2020. About Frazier & Deeter Frazier & Deeter is an award-winning accounting and advisory firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The firm provides a wide range of tax, audit, accounting and advisory services to serve the emerging needs of clients as they evolve. Frazier & Deeter and its FD family of brands have nine offices across the United States and one in the United Kingdom. The firm has been recognized repeatedly as a Best of the Best Accounting firm, a Best Firm to Work For in the U.S. and a Best Firm for Women in Leadership. Frazier & Deeters brand promise is Investing in Relationships to Make a Difference. By researching the United States history and the countrys legal records, author Robert J. Shenandoah has concluded that the Haudenosaunee or Iroquois should not be forced to register with the Selective Service System in order to be eligible for United States student financial assistance. In Tenor and Reality: A Stark Contradiction Throughout (published by WestBow Press in March 2016), he presents the historical evidence for his assertion, noting that the interpretation of the historical, legal records is the key. The fact that I was denied FSA after my first year of study at SUNY Oswego was the initial inspiration to write this book, Shenandoah says. Because I was aware then, and am still of the mind now, that I am not a United States Citizen. I am a Citizen of the Haudenosaunee: Onondaga Nation. Covering all of North America, Shenandoah argues that all Original Peoples should not be taken as a single entity, examining treaties and legislation that grouped all together and some that recognized individual entities. It is his hope that readers will seriously consider the evidence he has presented and see that it supports the crux of his argument. While collegiate Financial Aid may not seem to be important on a first look, this Student of American Studies is of the mind that higher education/training is a necessary component of life in the 21st Century, he says. No longer can Original Turtle Islanders survive in the forest or on the plains as in the days of old. For more details about the book, please visit https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/714811-Tenor-and-Reality-A-Stark-Contradiction-Throughout Tenor and Reality: A Stark Contradiction Throughout By Robert J. Shenandoah Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 130 pages | ISBN 9781512734126 Softcover | 6 x 9in | 130 pages | ISBN 9781512734119 E-Book | 130 pages | ISBN 9781512734102 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Robert J. Shenandoah has experienced the very issue he argues in this project. His research has shown that he has made the correct choice not to register with the Selective Services System. Shenandoah believes that the act of registration defeats the historical record of the United States of America and the way of life of the Haudenosaunee. WestBow Press is a strategic supported self-publishing alliance between HarperCollins Christian Publishing and Author Solutions, LLC the world leader in supported self-publishing. Titles published through WestBow Press are evaluated for sales potential and considered for publication through Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. For more information, visit westbowpress.com or call 844-714-3454. ROCK SPRINGS RETREAT CENTER If you want to celebrate a new milestone in life, transform your lifestyle or bring your family closer together, we have all the options you need for the perfect event or retreat," says Kris Intress, Founder and CEO of Rock Springs Retreat Center. Rock Springs Retreat Center, a secluded 24-room resort and retreat center is now accepting reservations for events and retreats in Castalian Springs, Tennessee, just 40 miles north of Nashville. An expansion of the health and wellness destination Fit Farm, Rock Springs Retreat Center helps people hit the reset button with experiences that promote physical activity and emotional wellbeing. Guests leave Rock Springs feeling vital, alive and connected. Fit Farm guests were so amazed at how beautiful and transformative the property and experiences were that they wanted us to host other events here. We expanded the property and built new outdoor and indoor venues so we could host weddings, family reunions, corporate retreats, couples retreats and more, says Kris Intress, Founder and CEO of Rock Springs Retreat Center. If you want to celebrate a new milestone in life, transform your lifestyle or bring your family closer together, we have all the options you need for the perfect event or retreat. Intress added, In todays environment, weve also had to consider how to provide the sense of safety and escape from the conversations around COVID-19. While we cant guarantee a COVID-free environment, we take measures above the local guidelines to mitigate the risks. Our mix of outdoor venues and sizeable indoor venues provide ample space for social distancing and proper ventilation. And weve implemented a company-wide vaccination policy. Science has always driven our decisions, and when it comes to COVID, we have followed the same approach. Rock Springs Retreat Center and Fit Farm include 80,000 square-feet of fitness facilities, 2 obstacle courses, a scenic lake, a spa and pastoral event centers perfect for weddings, corporate retreats, couples retreats, culinary retreats or just guests looking to recharge their battery and renew their enthusiasm for life. Rock Springs Retreat Center is the perfect place for an unforgettable event just a few minutes outside Gallatin and a short drive to downtown Nashville. Rock Springs has several flexible event spaces accommodating rehearsal dinners, wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions, bridal brunches, family reunions, groups, and corporate events. All types of celebrations, from large events to an intimate affair, can be accommodated with both indoor and outdoor arrangements. Rock Springs offers amazing interactive experiences from mechanical bull riding, to ax throwing, a private lake, enchanting fire pits, obstacle courses and more, all featuring the backdrop of a beautiful farm. Like a year-round summer camp for adults in the lush green hills of Middle Tennessee, the 200-acre adult playground will make you laugh like a kid again. Rock Springs guest rooms are private and surrounded by idyllic beauty with well-appointed comforts, including high-speed WiFi throughout the entire property, a screening room, world-class healthy dining, and engaging activities, all surrounded by the tranquility of nature and just a short drive to downtown Nashville. Accommodations are built specifically for the experience, a private retreat away from the distractions of a city and other temptations and designed for success. Rock Springs most popular offering, Fit Farm offers fitness and weight loss retreats ranging from a long-weekend to 8-weeks or longer. With multiple programs for fitness or weight loss, retreats are customized for each guest and can include up to 7 hours of physical activity a day. You dont have to exercise 7 hours every day, but you will work with the team to put together the right combination of activities to help you achieve your goals in a manageable way. The onsite spa provides Fit Farm guests with luxury treatments, ways to pamper themselves and body treatments to aid recovery like massage therapy, skincare and waxing. Fit Farm retreats include a substantial amount of education on nutrition, lifestyle choices and mental health tools to help guests make long term changes in their lives. Many guests take advantage of being able to work remotely while visiting Fit Farm. The fast and reliable internet and dedicated workstations allow guests to stay connected if they choose to. Many guests split their days between training and their remote work and still see great results without missing a day of work. Rock Springs Retreat Center was founded by Kris Intress, a mother, entrepreneur, Army Reservist, and former CEO of a global luxury hotel company. A busy corporate executive that struggled to find time for her own health, Kris watched as her parents struggled with obesity. She recently overcame the loss of her mother and decided to help people take control of and transform their lives. When creating Fit Farm at Rock Springs, Intress was inspired by her husbands family, generations of farmers. Farm life provided natural opportunities to eat fresh foods and be active all the time. She created a place where everyone could experience eating well, being active and experiencing the natural beauty of life on a farm. Intress recognizes that in todays world, we are living longer, but often our work and personal lives are off balance. This was the motivation to create a space for adults from all walks of life can visit to escape the busyness of typical day-to-day life and focus on the basics of human wellness. Unlike a usual vacation that requires a post-vacation recovery, Rock Springs Retreat Center and Fit Farm are trips that will rejuvenate. To book a stay or event at Rock Springs Retreat Center or Fit Farm, visit rockspringsrc.com. About Rock Springs Retreat Center: Located in Castalian Springs, minutes outside of Gallatin and a short drive from Downtown Nashville, Rock Springs Retreat Center includes 2 flexible event centers, a 24-room resort and 80,000 square-foot fitness facility, Fit Farm. The property is all-inclusive and provides guests with the tools necessary to be healthy, relaxed and energized. To learn more about Rock Springs Retreat Center and the amenities on the property, visit rockspringsrc.com. "Were honored to be recognized by Tech & Learning for our commitment to student success and enabling continuous learning," said Michael Flood, senior vice president and general manager of education at Kajeet. Kajeet, a leading provider of broadband service and connected devices that deliver safe, reliable and education-managed internet connectivity to K-12 and higher education students, today announced that its Education Broadband management platform, Sentinel, was named a Tech & Learning Secondary (grades 6-12) winner at the 2021 Awards of Excellence Back to School. Through its new awards program, Tech & Learning is helping educators find the most impressive products and solutions that will support their work in any learning environment. As we head into another uncertain year in education, technology will continue to be one of the key drivers for innovation, says Tech & Learning Group publisher Christine Weiser. 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. Kajeet Sentinel was specifically designed to address the connectivity needs of todays mobile students, keeping safety and flexibility top of mind. The platform provides a safe harbor for students to learn, free from distractions and non-education-related content, through a combination of customized website filters, firewalls, reporting and internet gateways that are device- and network-agnostic. To support various learning environments, Kajeets entire education-focused product suite including Kajeet SmartSpot, Kajeet SmartBus, Kajeet HomeWireless and LTE-embedded devices is provisioned on Sentinel. As we begin a new academic year, millions of students remain without adequate access to reliable internet connectivity, said Michael Flood, senior vice president and general manager of education at Kajeet. Kajeets mission is to close this homework gap and ensure all students have equitable access to online learning at home and on the go. Were honored to be recognized by Tech & Learning for our commitment to student success and enabling continuous learning. To learn more about Kajeets wireless solutions for education visit, https://www.kajeet.net/industries/education/. About Kajeet Kajeet provides optimized wireless connectivity, software and hardware solutions that deliver safe, reliable and controlled internet connectivity to students. Kajeet is the only managed connectivity services provider in the industry to offer a scalable Education Broadband management platform, Sentinel, that includes complete visibility into real-time data usage, policy control management, custom content filters for added security, and multi-network flexibility. Nearly 2,500 K-12 school districts, higher education institutions and libraries, and over 1,000 school bus fleets across North America rely on Kajeet to ensure equitable access to todays digital curriculum. To learn more, visit kajeet.com and follow us on Twitter at @Kajeet. CRIF and Know Your Customer's global commercial partnership and strategic financial investment Leading banking credit information provider CRIF today announced a global commercial partnership with award-winning RegTech company Know Your Customer underpinned by a strategic financial investment into the firm. A global company based in Bologna (Italy), CRIF specialises in credit bureau and business information, as well as advanced digital solutions for business development and open banking. Know Your Customer is an award-winning RegTech company headquartered in Hong Kong with offices in Singapore, China, Ireland, and the UK. It provides digital solutions for corporate KYC and client onboarding automation to financial institutions worldwide. The partnership will enable Know Your Customer to leverage CRIFs long-established and extensive customer network across 40 countries and 10,500 financial institutions to accelerate growth in new and existing global markets. The capital injection will allow Know Your Customer to broaden its product scope to target previously untapped sectors and extend the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation components within its platform. Under the agreement, CRIF will expand its existing KYC data offering to include Know Your Customers premium cloud-based platform to power end-to-end digitisation of corporate onboarding for the global financial sector. The collaboration between the two firms aims at accelerating innovation processes for banks and FinTechs in need of extensive digital transformation in our new business environment. The partnership will also provide an enhanced customer experience to individuals and businesses worldwide by leveraging a more comprehensive and updated data set, ultimately making access to credit simpler. The transaction follows significant business growth for Know Your Customer over the past 18 months. The companys client base spans 11 sectors and 18 jurisdictions, including Tier 1 banks, leading corporate service providers, large credit card issuers, fast-growing FinTechs and Asian and European challenger banks. Claus Christensen, CEO & Co-Founder of Know Your Customer, commented: This new partnership and investment represent a tremendous achievement as well as an essential foundation for the next phase in Know Your Customers global expansion. The entire team at Know Your Customer is looking forward to collaborating closely with CRIF to expand the reach and further advance the capabilities of our cutting-edge corporate KYC solution. Carlo Gherardi, CRIF CEO, added: Know Your Customers technology represents a strategically important addition to our product portfolio, strengthening our position as a centre of excellence for corporate KYC solutions in Asia and at a global level. Following the investment, Paola Galassi, Executive Director of B2B Services at CRIF, will join Know Your Customers board of directors. Zelig acted as exclusive strategic and financial advisor to Know Your Customer on the investment by CRIF. Notes to Editor: About Know Your Customer Established in 2015, Know Your Customer provides next-generation digital onboarding solutions to financial institutions around the world. Our award-winning technology empowers compliance teams to efficiently perform all necessary KYC and AML checks on customers, centralising the onboarding process through a uniquely intuitive and easy-to-use platform. This approach accelerates the time needed to onboard a new corporate client from an industry average of 26 days to 1 day, reducing compliance teams manual work by up to 85%. With offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Dublin and London, Know Your Customer has quickly established a global presence and a reputation for excellence. Our customer list spans across 11 verticals - including banking, FinTech, insurance, payments, real estate, asset management, legal firms - and 18 jurisdictions. For more information, visit https://knowyourcustomer.com or follow Know Your Customer on LinkedIn or Twitter. Know Your Customer Media Contact Contact Name: Margherita Maspero Email: marketing@knowyourcustomer.com Phone: +39 329 0990306 Website: https://knowyourcustomer.com About CRIF CRIF is a global company specialising in credit bureau and business information, outsourcing and processing services, and advanced solutions for credit and open banking. Established in 1988 in Bologna (Italy), CRIF operates over four continents and currently is the leader in continental Europe in the field of banking credit information and one of the main operators on a global level in the field of integrated services for business & commercial information and credit & marketing management. Moreover, CRIF is included in the prestigious IDC FinTech Rankings Top 100, a ranking of the leading global technology solution providers to the financial services industry, and in 2019 completed its coverage as an AISP in 31 European countries where the revised Payment Services Directive is applicable. Today over 10,500 banks and financial institutions, 1,000 insurance companies, 82,000 business clients and 1,000,000 consumers use CRIF services in 50 countries on a daily basis. For more information: http://www.crif.com About Zelig Zelig is an independent investment banking firm focused exclusively on FinTech and related technologies. With a core team in London, New York and Mumbai, supported by a network of senior advisers around the world, we provide M&A and capital raising advice to entrepreneurs, corporates and investors globally. For more information on Zelig, please visit https://www.zeligfintech.com. If you would like to know more about the Diab Leasing, Inc. (Wienerschnitzel) lawsuit, please contact Attorney Jackland K. Hom today by calling (619) 255-9047. The Northern California labor law attorneys, at Zakay Law Group, APLC and JCL Law Firm, APC, filed a class action complaint against Diab Leasing, Inc. ("Diab Leasing"), a Wienerschnitzel franchisee, for allegedly failing to accurately pay employees' wages for all their time worked. The Diab Leasing class action lawsuit, Case No. 34-2021-00305329, is currently pending in the Sacramento County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the complaint can be read here. According to the lawsuit, Diab Leasing 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 expenses; and (6) provide wages when due. The lawsuit also alleges Diab Leasing violated the Private Attorneys General Act ("PAGA"), which gives rise to civil penalties as a result of Diab Leasings conduct. PAGA allows aggrieved employees to file a lawsuit to recover civil penalties on behalf of themselves, other employees, and the State of California for Labor Code violations. An "aggrieved employee" is defined as "any person who was employed by the alleged violator and against whom one or more of the alleged violations was committed." Cal. Lab. Code section 2699(c). PAGA allows aggrieved employees to become deputized as private attorneys general to enforce the Labor Code. If you would like to know more about the Diab Leasing 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- luis vidal + architects has been recognized by the American Institute of Architect New York State for its Matta Sur Community Center + CESFAM project. Photo courtesy of luis vidal + architects. The city that takes good care of its cultural heritage is the city that listens to its past without neglecting its future. Those were our cornerstones for the Matta Sur Complex project, said Luis Vidal, president and founding partner at luis vidal + architects. luis vidal + architects, an international architecture firm that offers responsible and quality designs in response to the urban and social challenges of the day, has been awarded by the American Institute of Architect New York State (AIANYS) a Merit Award for Renovation and Adaptive Reuse for its Matta Sur Community Center + CESFAM project. The Matta Sur Complex, located in the capital of Chile, consists of two buildings located within the same plot. The former Metropolitan Lyceum of Santiago, built-in 1891, was restored for social uses, such as a nursery school, gym or auditorium. The second component is a new-build construction that accommodates CESFAM, a public primary healthcare center. The city that takes good care of its cultural heritage is the city that listens to its past without neglecting its future. Those were our cornerstones for the Matta Sur Complex project, said Luis Vidal, president and founding partner at luis vidal + architects. Were honored to be recognized by such a prominent institute like AIANYS. Its a true reflection of our constant objective to create high-quality designs with the community in mind. luis vidal + architects proposed an extensive renovation plan for the 59,000-square-foot school building. Steps included the replacement of all damaged structural elements, the installation of a new red metal roof, and the implementation of a heating and cooling system. The team also cleaned and painted the concrete facades, replaced floor tiles, and installed new wooden balustrades. The team preserved distinctive features of the building, such as the open-air corridors that run along the interior elevation overlooking the courtyard. Additionally, the project included the construction of a central public plaza. Otherwise known as the "heart" of the complex, the extension provides the community with an open space to gather. The complex was designed to create a balance what Vidal called a contemporary, austere language between both the historic and new buildings. The space will be utilized by approximately 30,000 users per year. Through a careful analysis of the preexisting building, combined with a deliberate design, luis vidal + architects worked to reveal the buildings original architectural and aesthetic value. The design also emphasized spatiality, functionality, rhythm and unique use of natural light and facades. Vidals work created a balance what he called a contemporary, austere language between both the historic and new buildings. Since 1968, AIANYS Annual Design Awards celebrate local, national and international projects that achieve architectural excellence designed by architects licensed in New York State. The program aims to bring exceptional works in the field of architecture well-deserved prestige. This years entries were evaluated by nationally recognized peers who, after reviewing and critiquing the entries, selected outstanding projects for recognition. The jury had the challenge of choosing 24 winners out of 222 submissions. Using their leadership, expertise and ability to problem solve, architects continue to create ambitious projects that make a notable difference, said AIANYS president Illya Azaroff, FAIA. Im proud of the significant contributions and innovative solutions our members provide to both our communities and to the profession. luis vidal + architects Matta Sur project was developed for the Municipality of Santiago, in its commitment to the rescue and validation of abandoned heritage buildings for cultural and neighborhood use. The design of Matta Sur supposes the union of the past, present and future in a way that combines modernity and tradition, technology and sustainability through elements such as wood and light, continued Vidal. We took advantage of this unique opportunity to create an iconic space in the city where social encounters, clinical care, health education and the promotion of preventative health care merge. luis vidal + architects and all award recipients will be honored at a virtual award ceremony on October 27. About luis vidal + architects luis vidal + architects is an architecture practice that prides itself on creativity, development and global dialogue. With an international workforce and talented architects of diverse backgrounds luis vidal + architects offers experience across various disciplines and scales, including expertise in the design of global transportation hubs, health care facilities, office buildings and cultural/educational centers. Driven by keen entrepreneurial spirit, luis vidal + architects provides innovative and high-quality answers to social, cultural and environmental questions of the day. The firm has been labeled the pioneer of the user experience. luis vidal + architects was established in 2004 by Luis Vidal and maintains offices across Spain, the Dominican Republic, Chile and the U.S. luis vidal + architects has expressed its unique vision across 200 projects worldwide, each of which differs in scale and encapsulates industry-leading expertise. For more information, visit: http://www.luisvidal.com. About AIA New York State AIA New York State is the state component of the American Institute of Architects and is composed of 13 statewide chapters representing over 9,000 architecture professionals. AIA New York is the oldest and largest chapter of the American Institute of Architects with more than 5,500 architect, allied professional, student, and public members. AIANY is dedicated to three goals: design excellence, public outreach and professional development. http://www.aiany.org This wouldnt have been possible without Medrios ePRO and Export API. We would not have been successful without the flexibility and agility that Medrio provided along with their world-class support team.- Jennifer Bradford, Director of Data Science at PHASTAR Medrio, Inc. a leading provider of decentralized and eClinical technology to pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, diagnostics, and animal health markets and PHASTAR, a global specialist biometrics clinical research organization (CRO) offering industry-leading data management, data science, statistical consulting, and clinical trial reporting services, announced today that they have partnered to leverage metadata surrounding electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePRO) for advanced data visualization, providing insight into patient compliance and burden. PHASTAR ran a pilot with 33 volunteers completing EQ-5D, a health-related measure of quality-of-life questionnaire, to understand how metadata may be used effectively to monitor ePRO data collection during a study. Whilst sites may monitor compliance at the individual subject level, data management teams can take a broader view. We looked at how the metadata surrounding the ePRO data can be used to monitor compliance, patient burden, and any anomalies that may ultimately impact the interpretation of the results, explained Jennifer Bradford, Director of Data Science at PHASTAR. The PHASTAR team used Medrio ePRO for initial data collection and Medrios Export API to funnel the ePRO and metadata into PHASTARs data visualization tool, PHIZUAL. Data visualization provides data management teams the ability to monitor compliance and see any anomalies in real-time, ultimately providing the highest quality data reflective of the patient population as a whole rather than at the subject level, detailed Bradford. Bradford also stated that this wouldnt have been possible without Medrios ePRO and Export API. These tools offered us an intuitive customer and patient-friendly experience while seamlessly integrating the data we needed. We would not have been successful without the flexibility and agility that Medrio provided along with their world-class support team. Medrio is thrilled to support and enable data visualization with PHASTAR. At Medrio we continuously look to be innovative and stay ahead of the curve to provide efficiencies and accurate data that serve not only our sponsors and CROs but the patients as well. Getting a holistic view of patient data is a necessary piece to the democratization of clinical trials. We look forward to continuing to work with PHASTAR on improving data quality and accuracy, said Fred Martin, Chief Product Officer of Medrio. About Medrio At Medrio, we believe that clinical trial technology shouldnt be difficult to use. Thats why our full-service eClinical Data Management suite helps streamline and decentralize your research and unify your solutions so you have more time to focus on your patients, rather than multiple vendors. Since 2005, our flexible technology has evolved alongside our customers to include an integrated suite of EDC, DDC, eConsent, RTSM, and ePRO/eCOA solutions that support your teams and sites, while reducing patient burden. Let our solutions put you back in the drivers seat with adaptive technology that easily powers mid-study changes and accelerates your trials, without compromising data quality. Or lean on our global team of experts who are available 24/7 to support you where you need it most. Weve worked alongside Sponsors, CROs, and sitesspanning all therapeutic areas and trial phasesto secure over 770 approvals because we know it takes a village to achieve a healthier world. Discover the Medrio difference today by visiting us at medrio.com. About PHASTAR PHASTAR is a global specialist biometrics contract research organization offering industry-leading data management, data science, statistical consulting, and clinical trial reporting services by providing expert consultants and managing and delivering in-house projects, FSP style arrangements, and preferred partnerships. PHASTAR currently has over staff across 14 offices (United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Kenya, Japan, India, and China) with plans to open additional locations in the future to serve prospective and existing clients. PHASTARs number one priority is to ensure that the work produced is of the highest quality. Every project PHASTAR undertakes utilizes unique internal processes which are designed to ensure optimal quality. All PHASTARs statistical, programming, data management, and data science staff are trained in the PHASTAR Discipline - an in-house approach to data analysis and collection. This comprises a set of common sense (but commonly ignored) principles that, if followed, guarantee error-free outcomes. The PHASTAR Discipline also includes a series of intranet-based checklists highlighting potential pitfalls and points to consider when conducting clinical trials, enabling over 4,000 years of combined technical knowledge to be shared across the company. For further information on PHASTAR contact tellmemore@phastar.com. NCPDP Logo NCPDP announced today the call for proposals for its 2022 Annual Technology & Business Conference, Be BOLD. Break Barriers., which will be held May 2-4, 2022, at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. NCPDPs national conference draws more than 700 attendees from across the healthcare industry, including technical, business and executive representatives from health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, retail and independent pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, long-term care providers, healthcare consultants, technology vendors, pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesale drug distributors, database management organizations and others. Our 2022 Annual Conference theme, Be BOLD. Break Barriers. are two strong calls to action for the healthcare industry, and specifically, NCPDP members, explained Lee Ann Stember, NCPDPs President & CEO. The first call to action is to Be BOLD. We must be purposeful, proactive, committed, and creative with our actions and behaviors, problem solving and consensus building in NCPDP forums. Break Barriers. is a powerful and direct call to support achievement of the goals in NCPDPs Three Year Strategic Plan. This includes breaking down barriers to interoperability, barriers that impede access to medication therapies, and barriers to successful implementation of innovative value-based care models. In addition, we are reexamining our processes with the goal of developing standards and solutions for the common good even faster! Now is the time to lean in, be bold and break down barriers to improve healthcare and the patient experience. NCPDP is accepting submissions for two different session formats at its 2022 Annual Conference: Standard Track Sessions are 60-minute sessions, providing for a 45-minute presentation and 15 minutes of question and answer. These sessions are limited to a maximum of two (2) speakers. However, the 2022 Annual Conference Subcommittee will consider more than two speakers/panel discussions if the topic warrants, and the proposal must include a thorough description and detailed information on the session and speakers/panelists (all form fields must be completed). Rapid-fire, Hot Topic Sessions are 30-minute sessions focused on a high-level overview of an emerging trend. These sessions are designed to be both cutting-edge and highly focused, requiring the presenter to share ideas and achieve learning objective(s) in 20 minutes, with the remaining 10 minutes open for interactive discussion. These sessions are intended for one speaker but if the topic warrants, can have a maximum of two (2) speakers. NCPDP encourages the submission of proposals covering a broad range of educational, informative healthcare and pharmacy topic areas, such as: Artificial Intelligence Behavioral Nudges Blockchain Technology Compliance, Accreditation, Government Mandates and Audits, HIPAA Data and Analytics Digital Therapeutics, Technology Emerging Pharmacy Treatments Emerging Technologies Food and Drug Administration Programs Impact of Regulatory/Legislative Environment on NCPDP Standards, Membership, Priorities Long-term Care, Hospice Pharmacogenomics Population Health Management Precision Medicine Medicaid and Medicare Programs Medication Adherence, Medication Management mHealth (mobile health) Patient Experience, Patient Engagement Pharmacist as Provider, Pharmacist Provided Patient Care Pharmacy Quality Measures Rebates, Chargebacks Social Determinants of Health Specialty Pharmacy Standards & Interoperability Telehealth Value Based Care Wearables Data 340B Drug Discount Program NCPDP encourages presentations that support or tie to the conference theme, wherever possible. Preference will be given to case studies, pilot results and emerging trends. The deadline to submit a proposal is October 4, 2021. For more information or to submit a proposal, visit: https://ncpdp.org/ac/call-for-proposals-info.aspx. For real-time updates before and during the conference, follow us at http://twitter.com/ncpdp or join the discussion using NCPDPs 2022 Annual Technology & Business Conference hashtag: #NCPDP22. About NCPDP Founded in 1977, NCPDP is a not-for-profit, ANSI-accredited, Standards Development Organization with more than 1,600 members representing virtually every sector of the pharmacy services industry. Our diverse membership provides leadership and healthcare business solutions through education and standards, created using the consensus building process. NCPDP has been named in federal legislation, including HIPAA, MMA, and HITECH. NCPDP members have created standards such as the Telecommunication Standard and Batch Standard, the SCRIPT Standard for ePrescribing, the Manufacturers Rebate Standard and more to improve communication within the pharmacy industry. Our data products include dataQ, a robust database of information on more than 80,000 pharmacies, resQ, an industry pharmacy credentialing resource, and HCIdea, an innovative prescriber database that provides continually updated information on more than 2.5 million prescribers. NCPDP's RxReconn is a legislative tracking product for real-time monitoring of pharmacy-related state and national legislative and regulatory activity. For more information about NCPDP Standards, Data Services, Products, Educational Programs and Work Group meetings, go online at http://www.ncpdp.org or call 480.477.1000. Each of us is a unique individual with great potential. At times we make mistakes that will be radical to change in our life, we need to face mistakes with strength, embrace the unknown with courage, and learn that those mistakes were simply stepping stones to a better tomorrow Lifes Detours: Alexandras Choices (published by Archway Publishing) by Badiaa Hiresh follows the life and journey of a young woman facing an unexpected pregnancy without support from anyone and choosing to chase her dreams anyway. Alexandra is a dreamer, the youngest child of a large, reserved family. She longs to escape her small-town life and begins a secret life when she is nearly 16, singing at a small pub in the next town over. Her parents find out and give her a choice: stop singing or leave home. She leaves and soon finds herself involved with a much older man. When she discovers she is pregnant, however, her entire life changes once more. She sets out on a journey to a big city, determined to make her own choices and find her dreams, regardless of the challenges she faces. Each of us is a unique individual with great potential. At times we make mistakes that will be radical to change in our life, we need to face mistakes with strength, embrace the unknown with courage, and learn that those mistakes were simply stepping stones to a better tomorrow, Hiresh says of what she wants readers to take from her book. Lifes Detours is available for purchase online at the Archway link above, from Barnes & Noble and on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Lifes-Detours-Alexandras-Badiaa-Hiresh/dp/1665708190. Lifes Detours By Badiaa Hiresh Hardcover | 5.5 x 8.5 in | 216 pages | ISBN 9781665708197 Softcover | 5.5 x 8.5 in | 216 pages | ISBN 9781665708180 E-Book | 216 pages | ISBN 9781665708203 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Badiaa Hiresh was born in Lebanon in 1964 where she lived and worked, raising two daughters Vanessa and Tiffany. Hiresh also lived in the USA which gave her an international perspective on her home country. Her career was between the family jewelry business and the educational sector, but her passion was for writing. She spent years as a peace education coordinator, the phase that inspired her to write the book, Mommy I Am a Pacer! helping children deal with everyday know-how in life. Additionally, she wanted to be the voice of emotional relief for every woman and relationship through Where is My Angel? the biography book where she shared her life experience. Hireshs goal is to be the voice of the voiceless and encourage women to speak through her blog Your Everyday Coffee and I Channel on YouTube. Simon & Schuster, a company with nearly ninety years of publishing experience, has teamed up with Author Solutions, LLC, the worldwide leader in self-publishing, to create Archway Publishing. With unique resources to support books of all kind, Archway Publishing offers a specialized approach to help every author reach his or her desired audience. For more information, visit archwaypublishing.com or call 844-669-3957. Dr. Lauren Laddaran Oak Health Center, Southern California's premier comprehensive mental health outpatient care organization, is pleased to welcome Dr. Lauren Laddaran, D.O., to its Beverly Hills office. Dr. Laddaran is certified in adult psychiatry and is board-eligible in child and adolescent psychiatry. Dr. Laddaran is dedicated to treating her patients and their families as a whole, and working collaboratively with her patients in their treatment with the goal of creating positive change in their systems. She has experience in working with patients with depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, ADHD, psychosis, and neurodevelopmental disorders, especially autism spectrum disorder. When asked to discuss her position, Dr. Laddaran said: What I love the most about my job is being able to create and develop connections with each of my patients and their families. I enjoy the different ways that I can relate with my patients, as every child or individual is not the same and so each of my relationships with my patients are unique and personal. To make an appointment with Dr. Laddaran, patients may call the Oak Health Center Beverly Hills office at 310-231-6805 or send an email to contact@oak.care More information about the growing Oak Health team is available at http://www.oak.care/our-team About Oak Health Center Oak Health Center offers comprehensive mental health outpatient care through our team of psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, psychologists, therapists, and tele-behavioral health clinicians. With the increasing prevalence of mental illness, the company is looking to make a positive impact on this struggling population. To learn more, visit http://www.oak.care. Paybotic is proud to sponsor PBC Conference 2021 this September in Washington, DC; the top national conference focused on payments, banking, and compliance in the cannabis industry. Formerly known as the Avantpay Conference, this event includes a full two day agenda with networking opportunities and regular discussions on a variety of financial and regulatory topics that apply to cannabis-related businesses. PBC Conference 2021 will have several seminars and speakers that address subjects concerning: cannabis investment, regulations, legislation, emerging technologies, tracking data, cybersecurity, insurance, and many others. Over 600 individuals, 150 organizations, and 75 keynote speakers will participate in this years event. Paybotics founder and president (Max Miller), VP of Partner Relations (Mahlon James), and Strategy & Business Development Officer (Tom Wondra) will all attend the conference on behalf of the sponsoring company. The first day of the conference on September 9th will feature two hours of networking in both the morning and afternoon. There will also be several exhibits open from 10 AM onwards and keynote speakers throughout the day, including appearances from US Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Barbara Lee (D-CA). At 3:45 PM, the presentation of the inaugural PBC Awards will commence. The conference will be accepting submissions for nominations until August 20th. The second and final day of the conference on September 10th will have lighter networking sessions in favor of exhibits running throughout the day and a wider array of panels discussing several topics. Seven of the nine scheduled roundtable sessions will feature at least three cannabis industry experts offering insight into one of the various financial subjects of the conference. The last day of operation will open at 8:30 AM and run through 4:30 PM in the afternoonwith lunch being served on both days. Cannabis business professionals curious about attending PBC Conference 2021 can visit the event website to explore additional details surrounding speakers, award applications, and travel arrangements. The website also features full schedule information for each day of the agenda and a downloadable overview of the entire conference on the homepage. About Paybotic Paybotic is one of the largest payment processing solution providers for high-risk merchants in the United States. The company specializes in helping cannabis-related businesses process customer payments and maintain compliance amid evolving regulation. As innovators in the FinTech space, products such as the Cashless ATM have been obvious solutions for Paybotic to implement across the cannabis industry. The company actively works with a variety of sizes of businessesfrom single store locations to multi-state operators and even publicly-traded companies. Cannabis business owners or decision makers with interest in one or several of Paybotics full suite of industry payment processing services can call 844-420-4729 for more information. Those interested can also visit the Paybotic website to speak with a live agent. Eric M. Bailey, president of Bailey Strategic Innovation Group, was the 2021 recipient of the Ann Byrnes, SPHR Memorial Award for Professional Excellence at the Arizona Society for Human Resource Management (AZSHRM) State Conference Awards Luncheon on August 26. Each year, the Ann Byrnes award recognizes one HR professional who has taken the initiative to grow and support the profession, serving as a role model and setting standards for others. I am extremely humbled to be recognized by the Arizona Society for Human Resource Management as someone who has impacted the HR profession, says Bailey. I have had the opportunity to work with world-class HR leaders across Arizona and around the world, and I have never considered myself to be at their level. To receive this award and be recognized among this group is a tremendous honor as well as an indication to me and my team that we are making a positive impact on the world. Even before the murder of George Floyd, Bailey has been facilitating meaningful conversations for organizations all over Arizona, including hosting a community dialogue between the Phoenix Police Department, Mayor of Phoenix, and more than 2,600 members of the community in response to a 2019 viral video of Phoenix police officers behaving unprofessionally. After organizing Kids Walk For A Change, a march to help children and their families talk about racism and discrimination, Bailey helped a group of high school students in Prescott, Ariz. heal through dialogue after the community seemed fractured by social justice protests and counter-protests. He partnered with the LaunchPad Teen Center to facilitate workshops and help teens develop teen-led programs creating opportunities for true communication about the sensitive issues of racism and other forms of discrimination. He was also able to connect personally with several parents who tried to stop the programs efforts and bring them into the process by creating understanding and empathy. Eric Bailey is an amazing partner, said Natalie Schwimer, chief human resources officer at Zelle/Early Warning Services. His true gift is his heart he is driven to make the world a better place by amplifying the ability to understand, be honest and care for one another. Bailey was also the opening keynote speaker at the AZSHRM State Conference, which took place from August 24 to August 27, 2021. He explored the practical brain science and psychology to navigate bias, discrimination, and racism in the workplace. Titled Wholly Shift: Completely Changing the Conversation on Bias, Diversity, Privilege and Inclusion Using Brain Science, Bailey created a space where HR professionals could safely share questions, opinions, and experiences authentically, listen and learn from one another, and continue the process of productive organizational dialogue. The AZSHRM Annual State Conference is the largest human resource-focused conference in the state of Arizona. The conference provides HR professionals a new way of aligning HR practices with business leaders strategies. Attendees had the opportunity to learn and grow their strategic partnerships to drive the business forward and execute results. AZSHRM continues to provide fantastic keynote speakers, great educational breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and exposure to the newest HR products, techniques and services. For more information on Bailey Strategic Innovation Group, or how to enlist their services, visit https://baileyinnovationgroup.com/. For more information on AZSHRM, visit http://www.azshrm.org. ### About Bailey Strategic Innovation Group Started in 2016, Bailey Strategic Innovation Group is one of the nations fastest-growing communication consulting firms helping break down the barriers of human communication using brain science. Bailey Strategic Innovation Groups methodology defies typical consulting. The firm works to leverage organizations and entities' most powerful resources and people to help propel them like never before. Services include meeting facilitation, keynote presentations, speaking engagements, leadership development, educational design and curriculum, process improvement, and diversity and inclusion training. Bailey Strategic Innovation Group is led by president, and bestselling author Eric M. Bailey. About Arizona SHRM (AZSHRM) Arizona SHRM, or AZSHRM, is the Arizona state affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management. AZSHRM is dedicated to advancing the field of HR in Arizona by engaging, educating, and advocating for HR professionals, the business and organizations they work in, and the communities in which they live and serve. Teaming up with the industry leader in the audio space will allow both companies to offer more integrated and expansive marketing for our authors. RBmedia, the largest audiobook producer in the world, today announced an exclusive partnership with romance publisher Entangled Publishing, recently named one of Publisher Weeklys 2021 fast-growing independent publishers. Through this agreement, the company will add audio editions of the Entangled titles to its sizable romance catalog over the next three yearsincluding Charm by Tracy Wolff, Stealing Infinity by New York Times bestselling author Alyson Noel, and The Queen Is Dead, the first in a new trilogy from Abigail Owen. Entangled Publishing is a women-owned publisher of romantic fiction, specializing in both the adult and young adult markets. Entangled publishes across more than a dozen imprints, including Amara, Sideways, Entangled Teen, and Embrace. Liz Pelletier, Chief Executive Officer and Publisher for Entangled, said, We are thrilled to be working more closely with RBmedia. Teaming up with the industry leader in the audio space will allow both companies to offer more integrated and expansive marketing for our authors. Since its inception in July 2011, Entangled has published more than 2,600 titles. These include the New York Times bestselling Crave series by Tracy Wolff, which has also been optioned for film by Universal, as well as some of the most renowned authors in adult romance like Avery Flynn, Stacy Reid, Eva Devon, Stefanie London, Helen Hardt, Lisa Renee Jones, Amalie Howard, Alyssa Day, Alyson Noel, Heather McCollum, Pintip Dunn, Molly E. Lee, Tawna Fenske, and Naima Simone. In its first five years, Entangled Publishing went from a start-up to the powerhouse romance publisher they are today, said Troy Juliar, Chief Content Officer for RBmedia. Liz and her team are savvy marketers who continue to break the traditional publishing mold. We are thrilled to start our partnership and bring Entangled titles to audio and a whole new audience. RBmedia is a leader in romance audiobook publishing serving the adult and young adult markets. Its award-winning list of romance titles includes Julia Quinns Bridgerton; Robyn Carrs Virgin River; Jenny Hans To All the Boys Ive Loved Before; and Sarah J. Maas A Court of Thorns and Roses. Entangled audiobooks released by RBmedia will be produced and distributed under both its flagship publishing brand Recorded Books and its Tantor imprint. Titles will be available for download on Audible, iTunes, Google Play, Audiobooks.com, and wherever RBmedia digital audiobooks are sold. ### About RBmedia RBmedia is the largest audiobook producer in the world. With more than 50,000 exclusive titles, our audiobooks continually dominate key literary awards and bestseller lists. The companys powerful digital retail and library distribution network reaches millions of listeners around the globeat home, in the car, and everywhere their mobile devices go. Our titles are available on leading audio platforms, including Audible, iTunes, Google Play, Audiobooks.com, OverDrive, Hoopla, and many more. RBmedia is owned by KKR, a leading global investment firm. Find out more at rbmediaglobal.com. About Entangled Publishing Entangled Publishing is a 100% women-owned independent publisher of romantic fiction in both the adult and young adult markets. Since its first release in July 2011, Entangled has published more than 2,600 titles, including the instant New York Times bestselling Crave series by Tracy Wolff, which has also been optioned for film by Universal, as well as some of the biggest names in adult romance like Avery Flynn, Stacy Reid, Eva Devon, Stefanie London, Helen Hardt, Lisa Renee Jones, Amalie Howard, Alyssa Day, Alyson Noel, Heather McCollum, Pintip Dunn, Molly Lee, Tawna Fenske, and Naima Simone. Revieve, a personalized brand experience company for the beauty, skin, and wellness categories co-headquartered in Chicago and Helsinki, today announced the appointment of Doctor Nicole Saphier, MD to its Advisory Board, which consists of leading experts and influential business leaders. Doctor Saphier, a nationally recognized patient advocate and board-certified Radiologist with advanced fellowship training in Oncologic and Breast Imaging, works full-time at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and surrounding areas. Dr. Saphier utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) in image interpretation and tumor interventions daily in addition to her other clinical and research duties. Dr. Saphier is also a best-selling author of Make America Healthy Again: How Bad Behavior and Big Government Caused a Trillion-Dollar Crisis and Panic Attack: Playing Politics with Science in the Fight Against COVID-19, as well as a frequent medical and health policy national media contributor. In addition to her above roles and part on the Revieve Advisory Board, Dr. Saphier holds advisory positions with the New Jersey Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Nicole Saphier is an undeniable force for medical, health and wellness, as both a successful radiologist and patient advocate, having frequently testified on behalf of patients and physicians to improve the healthcare system, said Dean DeBiase, Executive Chairman at Revieve. We are very fortunate to have her insight and passion as we continue to expand our personalized health, beauty and wellness platforms in partnership with the worlds leading retail, brand and digital services providers. Revieve is in a unique position within the beauty and skincare space to truly empower brands and retailers to meet consumer needs and build long-lasting loyalty, said Dr. Saphier. I am delighted to work with this group of forward-thinking global leaders as we look to advance and evolve Revieves AI and AR-driven platforms to create consumer-powered experiences across the growing health, beauty and wellness sectors. The Revieve Advisory Board was established to further Revieves mission transforming the way brands and retailers engage, connect and interact with consumers across all touchpoints. Made up of global industry leaders across retail, beauty, ecommerce, innovation, media, medical and technology, the board serves as a catalyst for innovation alongside Revieves AI-driven platform, including the AI Skincare Advisor, AR Makeup Advisor, AI Suncare Advisor and AI Nutrition Advisor. About Revieve Revieve is the preferred partner to brands and retailers across four continents for delivering a digitally driven, personalized brand experience by leveraging state-of-the-art AI/AR technology. Working with our partners, Revieve has transformed the brand experience for skincare and color cosmetics through its proprietary technology, the Revieve Health-Beauty-Wellness Platform. With easy-to-use self-diagnostic modules that personalize search, product discovery and shopping experiences, Revieves digital beauty platform delivers consumers targeted products, services and treatments. Encompassing all facets of the health, beauty and wellness industry, Revieves trusted powered-by modules include the AI Skincare Advisor, AR Makeup Advisor, AI Suncare Advisor and AI Nutrition Advisor. The Revieve platform seamlessly integrates personalized shopping solutions, in-person and live-video consultations with health and beauty advisors, driving tangible business value by increasing consumer engagement, conversion and basket size across all digital in-store and online brand touchpoints. Rendering of an architect's sukkah design for Sukkah Village 2021. The built sukkah will be on display September 19-29 at one of the venue partner locations around Downtown Princeton, N.J. The sukkahs themselves all of which can be taken apart and reassembled each year for Sukkot will be sold via an online auction to benefit charitable organizations...Interested parties can learn more at sukkahvillage.com. Locally headquartered integrated architecture and design firm JZA+D, in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks, has announced a unique, sprawling multi-day cultural event: Sukkah Village 2021 will take place at several sites throughout Downtown Princeton, coinciding with the Jewish holiday Sukkot, which occurs in the latter half of September. Event organizers, sponsors and participants hope that Sukkah Village 2021 will raise awareness of the power of design to address key social issues impacting New Jersey and the country particularly housing insecurity, homelessness, hunger, sustainability, and the struggles of refugees worldwide, all of which resonate with the themes and traditions associated with Sukkot. Eight high-profile architecture and design firms from across the state will join New Jersey Institute of Technology student design competition winners to participate in this major public exhibition and celebration. From September 19-29, eventgoers may visit several designated sites around Downtown Princeton to experience sukkahs the temporary shelters which figure prominently in Sukkot celebrations designed by the architects and student teams. A total of twelve sukkahs will be erected on sites provided by venue partners, with ten designed by eight practicing architects from across the state and two designed and built by student teams selected from a competition held this past Spring. Additional Sukkah Village programming includes panel discussions, walking tours, a film screening, and a family-oriented arts and crafts gathering. Sukkah Village 2021 will also be a platform for fundraising efforts for associated charitable organizations. To that end, the sukkahs themselves all of which can be taken apart and reassembled each year for Sukkot will be sold via an online auction which will open to bids just prior to Labor Day and close just after Sukkah Village 2021 ends, at which point winning bidders will be contacted. Interested parties can learn more by visiting the event website at sukkahvillage.com. Sukkot is a harvest celebration, but it is also meant to highlight the importance and fragility of shelter, says Joshua Zinder, local architect, entrepreneur, managing partner of JZA+D, and current president of AIA-New Jersey. Thanks to the phenomenal professional and student designers involved, and to the commitment of key partner and sponsor organizations, we expect Sukkah Village 2021 will capture the imaginations of eventgoers and inspire them to contribute to solutions for the range of critical issues facing New Jersey, such as homelessness, hunger, and a growing affordable housing gap. Sukkah Village 2021 was inspired in part by Zinder's participation in a similar event in New York City. Galvanizing the states architectural community, Zinder and his firm have worked to form and strengthen partnerships with like-minded designers and their firms to develop Sukkah Village in a way that would promote thoughtful conversations about critical issues facing their communities. According to Zinder, a partnership with local philanthropic organization The Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks, contributed considerably to making the event possible. "This event provides a unique opportunity to feature talented architects and share their vision with the local community, in celebration of Sukkot," says Daniel Herscovici, Board President of the Jewish Federation. The festival holiday commemorates the years the Jews spent wandering the desert, and how G-D sheltered us from the harsh desert conditions. Sukkah Village 2021 is an opportunity to highlight issues of housing insecurity faced by our local community and communities around the world, to spark conversations about these and related issues, and to inspire each other to address them. It is a meaningful event, and we're proud to be involved." Other event partners and sponsors include Princeton Hillel CJL, the Jewish Center of Princeton NJ, Arts Council of Princeton, and the Municipality of Princeton. A complete list of sponsors, organizing partners, and venue partners is available at sukkahvillage.com. For more information and interviews with event organizers and partners, please contact C.C. Sullivan. SUKKAH VILLAGE 2021 FACT SHEET NOTE: Some details are still being finalized. Please visit http://www.sukkahvillage.com for the latest detailed information, and to sign up for updates by email. SUKKAH VILLAGE 2021 WHEN: September 19-30, 2021 WHERE: Princeton, New Jersey, various partner locations: Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street Jewish Center of Princeton, 435 Nassau Street Palmer Square, 3 Palmer Square (on Hulfish Street) Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street YWCA Princeton, 59 Paul Robeson Place Trinity Church Princeton, 33 Mercer Street Additional venue to be announced WHAT: A unique cultural event, Sukkah Village 2021 is focused on the power of design to address humanitarian issues that resonate thematically with the Jewish festival holiday Sukkot, including housing insecurity, homelessness, and hunger. Eventgoers will be able to visit designated sites to see completely built and functional sukkahs the temporary hut-like shelters which figure prominently in Sukkot celebrations designed by eight practicing architecture firms and two student design teams, all from New Jersey. CALENDAR OF EVENTS Details at http://www.sukkahvillage.com Service flowchart Since transcosmos customized DEC Connect, AstraZeneca can connect "LINE WORKS" data with other data stored on its CRM system and now centrally manage "LINE WORKS" communication history and other various data. transcosmos inc. is delighted to announce that the company has offered "DEC Connect," its proprietary API connect platform, and supported AstraZeneca K.K. (Headquarters: Osaka, Japan; Representative Director and President: Stefan Woxstrom; AstraZeneca) to connect "LINE WORKS" and the company's CRM (customer relationship management) system to realize two-way communication between AstraZeneca's medical representatives (MR) and healthcare professionals. With the aim of optimizing the way AstraZeneca provides information to healthcare professionals, transcosmos will continue to expand its services. "LINE WORKS" is a business version of LINE by WORKS MOBILE Japan Corp. (Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President & CEO: Kosuke Fukuyama). COVID-19 has drastically changed the way MRs and healthcare professionals communicate. And there has been an increasing need for non-face-to-face, contactless communication via LINE - the daily communication tool - by connecting MRs' "LINE WORKS" accounts that they use for business purposes with healthcare professionals' LINE accounts. Against this backdrop, AstraZeneca has also been discussing the possibility of deploying "LINE WORKS" in order to facilitate smoother communication with healthcare professionals. However, if "LINE WORKS" is to be used as a communication tool, the company cannot centrally manage the communication history between MRs and the healthcare professionals and various data stored in its CRM system. Recognizing this challenge, transcosmos customized "DEC Connect (*1)," the platform which has been offering API connect solution for LINE, to enable AstraZeneca to connect "LINE WORKS" data with other data stored on AstraZeneca's CRM system. With this service in place, AstraZeneca can now centrally manage "LINE WORKS" communication history and other various data. With a view on connecting LINE Official Account, transcosmos will deepen the connection between LINE WORKS and the CRM system. (*1) About "DEC Connect" DEC Connect is a communication management platform which helps clients communicate with their customers by suitably combining various communication channels including LINE and Facebook Messenger with clients' customer data, purchase data, website log and other customer databases as well as with chat solutions like bot and AI. With this platform, clients can send messages to their customers and execute chat-based initiatives without any development. At the same time, its API based design helps clients drastically reduce man-hour to connect various communication channels as well as to set link to external databases and solutions. "Under the COVID-19 crisis, it has become harder for our MRs to have face-to-face communication with healthcare professionals," Richard Mendoza, Chief Information Officer at AstraZeneca K.K. said. "To make their communication go smoother, we have been considering the possibility of using LINE, the most used communication tool in Japan. Thanks to the support provided by transcosmos, we are almost ready to provide a secure platform that the healthcare professionals can use comfortably as a business communication tool. We plan to begin pilot testing of "LINE WORKS" in July, and then launch full-scale operations by the end of this year." In addition to providing "LINE WORKS" implementation services and connecting it with the CRM system, transcosmos will also offer end-to-end helpdesk services from user training for AstraZeneca employees including MRs to make them familiarize with the new tool, to inquiry support, to reporting. Ultimately, transcosmos will help AstraZeneca optimize its communication with healthcare professional on an ongoing basis. With the aim of helping clients in the medical industry provide the right information about medicines, transcosmos will continue to help clients in the industry achieve digital transformation. *transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries. *Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies. About transcosmos inc. transcosmos launched its operations in 1966. Since then, we have combined superior "people" with up-to-date "technology" to enhance the competitive strength of our clients by providing them with superior and valuable services. transcosmos currently offers services that support clients' business processes focusing on both sales expansion and cost optimization through our 166 bases across 30 countries/regions with a focus on Asia, while continuously pursuing Operational Excellence. Furthermore, following the expansion of e-commerce market on the global scale, transcosmos provides a comprehensive One-Stop Global E-Commerce Services to deliver our clients' excellent products and services to consumers in 48 countries/regions around the globe. transcosmos aims to be the "Global Digital Transformation Partner" of our clients, supporting the clients' transformation by leveraging digital technology, responding to the ever-changing business environment. Visit us here https://www.trans-cosmos.co.jp/english/ TwelveStone Health Partners Canton Infusion Center TwelveStone Health Partners, a leading provider of comprehensive chronic care medication services, welcomes the local Canton, Georgia business and healthcare community to its upcoming open house on Thursday, September 2, 2021, at 3:00 PM EDT. The free event will take place at 125 Oakside Ct, Suite 201, Canton, GA 30114. The event is open to the public and light refreshments will be provided. TwelveStone is celebrating the opening of its new, spa-like infusion center in Canton. The event will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony in cooperation with the Canton Chamber of Commerce. During the open house, the infusion center will offer tours of the facility, and staff will explain how the team offers a patient-centric process focused on helping patients with chronic condition management. We are excited to expand our footprint in Canton as this infusion center joins our existing infusion centers across Tennessee in Mt. Juliet, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, and Knoxville, said Shane Reeves, chief executive officer of TwelveStone. The TwelveStone Infusion Center makes infusion treatment less stressful and easier to access for those in Georgia. Patients receive care in private treatment rooms, and benefit from certified and caring clinicians who support patients and loved ones. Free Wi-Fi, snacks, and drinks are offered to patients and caregivers which creates a positive patient experience with personalized attention. Learn more about the TwelveStone Canton Infusion Center at https://www.12stonehealth.com/infusion-center/canton/. About TwelveStone Health Partners TwelveStone Health Partners incorporates the objective of glorifying God into its mission by delivering a higher level of service to partners and patients. As an organization, TwelveStone supports the transition from acute to post-acute care environments and the transition from sickness to health. This is the third evolution in the companys history, beginning in 1980 when Richard Reeves and Ronald Powell created a single retail pharmacy location then called Reeves Powell Saveway Drug Store. In 1994 Shane Reeves and Rick Sain launched Reeves-Sain and over 20 years grew the organization to include seven companies. In 2015 Reeves Sain Drug Store, Inc., a retail pharmacy, and its specialty pharmacy, EntrustRx were sold to Freds, Inc. In 2016 Shane Reeves launched TwelveStone Health Partners with the objective of continuing to pursue the highest professional, business and community goals set forth by its founders. For more information visit http://www.12stonehealth.com. Jill Geboy also is working toward her private pilot license and taking flight lessons at the Columbus Flying Club. Jill is the embodiment of a young professional who gets it.' Woolperts Jill Geboy has been selected for a two-year term on the Ohio Aviation Association Board of Directors. Geboy has more than a decade of experience providing consulting services to aviation clients across North America. Geboy, an Ohio native who graduated from The Ohio State University, has spent most of her young career working on the West Coast. She has held management and consulting roles and supported infrastructure and design, technology implementation and operational improvement at a wide range of large- and medium-hub airports, including Los Angeles World Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Ontario International Airport and San Diego International Airport. Im excited to bring my aviation and project management experience and lessons learned from the West Coast to my home state of Ohio, and to support airport advocacy, economic development and innovation fueled by the OAA, Geboy said. This is both a challenging and exciting time in the industry, as airports accelerate their recovery from the pandemic and advance to support emerging technologies. Im looking forward to working with the OAA board and to helping effect positive change here in Ohio, the birthplace of aviation. Geboy earned a Certificate in Project Management from the University of California San Diego and is very active in the aviation community. In 2014, Geboys team won second place in the ACC Young Professionals Innovation Competition for Augmented RealityAirports in 3D, and was elected as the youngest full-time member of the Airport Council International-North Americas (ACI-NA) Operations, Planning, Safety, Infrastructure & Development Committee in 2019. She is currently leading the development of the ACI-NA Young Professionals Program, which empowers young professionals to foster rich and impactful networks to encourage and embolden innovation and thought leadership in the industry. Jill is the embodiment of a young professional who gets it, Woolpert Senior Vice President Tom Mochty said. She understands the airport environment, the larger aviation industry, supporting clients at a high level and the importance of giving back to the industry she loves and supports. Im excited to see her take a leadership role with the OAA, where I know she will continue to accomplish great things. Congrats, Jill! About Woolpert Woolpert is the premier architecture, engineering, geospatial (AEG) and strategic consulting firm, with a vision to become one of the best companies in the world. We innovate within and across markets to effectively serve public, private and government clients worldwide. Woolpert is an ENR Top 150 Global Design Firm, recently earned its fifth-straight Great Place to Work certification and actively nurtures a culture of growth, inclusion, diversity and respect. Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, Woolpert has been Americas fastest-growing AEG firm since 2015. The firm has over 1,300 employees and 42 offices in three countries. For more, visit woolpert.com. Profits soared 55.1% at Penguin Random House in the first half of 2021 over the comparable period in 2020, parent company Bertelsmann reported, with that increase powered by a 10.9% increase in sales. Total revenue for the period was 1.80 billion, about $2.1 billion, in the first six months of 2021, up from 1.63 billion, while operating EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) jumped to 324 million, from 209 million a year ago. Bertelsmann attributed the increases to solid sales of both frontlist and backlist books, as well as to a continuing audio boom in nearly all territories. In addition to the jump in audiobook sales, Bertelsmann said that PRH, thanks to its high number of digitally available titles (e-books, audiobooks) and its state-of-the-art distribution logistics for physical content, continued to benefit from the accelerated shift to online retail channels. While the regulatory review of PRHs pending acquisition of Simon & Schuster continues in the U.S., growth in the first half the year was aided by acquisitions made by the company's Spanish-language subsidiary, Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial, in the childrens, young adult, and Catalan-language markets during the year's first half. Sales in PRHs services operationlargely in its distribution businessrose 18.2%, to 52 million. The top-selling titles in the first half of the year included The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country by Amanda Gorman, which sold 400,000 copies in the U.S. in the first three months of publication, and Barack Obamas A Promised Land, which sold 750,000 copies in North America in all formats in the first half of 2021. Other bestsellers included The Presidents Daughter by Bill Clinton and James Patterson, How to Avoid a Climate Disaster by Bill Gates, The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, and Uber Menschen by Juli Zeh. Bertelsmann also said that sales in the U.S. increased 8.7% in the period, to 1.08 billion. In his letter to employees, PRH worldwide CEO Markus Dohle pointed to a strong book market in some of our large territories and the recovery from last years revenue losses due to the COVID-19 crisis in other regions for the strong performance in the first half of the year. Dohle thanked PRH employees for working together during the pandemic, writing: the remaining months of 2021 bring new areas to navigate: the development of hybrid work models and the opportunity to meet voracious customers demand for books. Dohle, who has repeatedly stressed the vitality of the book business, continued that theme in his letter. We are taking actions to encourage a healthy book ecosystem, including support for booksellers financial recovery from the pandemic and using data-informed consumer-marketing research to foster reader engagement, he wrote. The more we embrace a growth mindset, marked by experimentation and learning, the more we can and will be a voice of optimism for our company and industry. Outside of publishing, Bertelsmann reported that revenue in its printing group fell 4.1%, to 624 million. The company cited varied results in its different countries for the decline, noting that in the U.K. sales were soft primarily due to declining volumes of supplements among major newspaper publishers. Still, its U.S. printing group, which focuses on book printing, had an improvement in business. Last November, Bertelsmann's Berryville Graphics division acquired Quads book printing plants in Fairfield, Pa., and Martinsburg, W. Va. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. A partnership between Purdue University Global and Nebraska medical center system York General has been formed with the aim to grow nursing education within Yorks workforce and increase potential staff to enter the nursing workforce. Purdue University Global School of Nursing is delighted to partner with York General and is committed to helping them reach their outstanding goal of becoming a premier provider in the community, known for continuous quality improvement and quality of life care for their patients, said Melissa Burdi, Purdue Global vice president and dean of the School of Nursing. York Generals dedication to patient care is made possible by creating avenues for academic advancement, and Purdue Global is happy to provide them with numerous pathways that fosters lifelong learning and goal attainment. The Purdue Global School of Nursing offers an associates degree program, RN-BSN, six Master of Science in Nursing specialties and Doctor of Nursing programs. Additional Purdue Global offerings include business, criminal justice, human services and psychology, among others. The partnership does not include Concord Law School or aviation programs. York General staff and immediate family members (spouse, domestic partner, children, siblings and parents) will be afforded 20% tuition reduction for undergraduate programs, 14% reduction for graduate programs and 10% reduction for doctoral programs. York General continues to support education for health care providers through this agreement with Purdue University Global, said Jenny Obermier, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer for York General. It is important to us to provide options to those in the community and our employees at York General as they desire to pursue educational opportunities. About Purdue University Global Purdue University Global delivers personalized online education tailored to the unique needs of adults who have work or life experience beyond the classroom, enabling them to develop essential academic and professional skills with the support and flexibility they need to achieve their career goals. It offers personalized paths for students to earn an associate, bachelors, masters or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, desired pace, military service, previous college credits and other considerations no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It is affiliated with Purdue Universitys flagship institution, a highly ranked public research university located in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue University also operates regional campuses in Fort Wayne and Northwest Indiana, as well as serving science, engineering and technology students at the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus. For more information, visit purdueglobal.edu. About York General York General (York, Nebraska) is a community, not-for-profit, multi-facility organization. For over 100 years, York General has provided quality patient/resident care, a broad range of services, and a strong commitment to York and the surrounding communities through the dedicated efforts of caregivers and support staff. Our vision: To be our regions trusted choice for the improvement of health and delivery of quality care throughout life. Media Contact: Tom Schott, 765-427-1721, tschott@purdue.edu Sources: Michelle Carlson Melissa Burdi Jenny Obermier UPDATE: The unmanned rocket carrying this drag sail exploded shortly after launch on Sept. 2. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. A drag sail that a team at Purdue University developed to pull launch vehicles in space back to Earth is scheduled to undergo a test launch on Thursday (Sept. 2). The mission, set to take off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, will evaluate how well the prototype helps its vehicle deorbit from space after mission completion. A livestream of the launch will be available through Everyday Astronaut. Faster deorbiting times may prevent spacecraft and launch vehicles from turning into hazardous space debris as they wait to deorbit naturally, a process that could take days, months or years without assistance. Abandoned, lost or post-mission space vehicles are part of the more than nine thousand tons of space debris currently traveling through Earths lower orbit at dangerous speeds. Deorbiting technology is a preventive approach to managing the growth of space debris, an issue NASA has acknowledged as essential to the future of safe space exploration. Named the Spinnaker3, the drag sail will be riding on a rocket from Firefly Aerospace along with six other prototypes for testing. The launch is a part of Fireflys DREAM Mission, carrying educational payloads into orbit. The plan is for the drag sail to specifically deorbit the upper stage of the Firefly launch vehicle. Developers expect the Spinnaker3 to reduce the vehicles upper stage deorbiting process from 25 to 15 days. The drag sail was produced by a team of students, faculty and staff at Purdues Space Flight Projects Laboratory. The team dedicated a year to design and development, and lab testing was completed in the spring. Development took place under the direction of David Spencer, a Purdue adjunct associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics. Spencer is also mission manager for the Mars Sample Return Campaign at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California and founder of Vestigo Aerospace LLC, a startup company producing a full line of Spinnaker drag sail prototypes for different sizes of space vehicles. The Purdue Research Foundation licenses the technology, and Spencer has worked with the Purdue Foundry on business model development for the startup. The Spinnaker3, named for the three-meter length of its carbon-fiber booms, rides on the exterior of the launch vehicle upper stage. The booms were provided by NASA Langley Research Center under a NASA Space Act Agreement with Purdue. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo provided avionics for the Spinnaker3 payload and assisted with testing and installation of Spinnaker3 on the Firefly rocket. The sail will deploy at the end of the rockets mission and use atmospheric drag to assist with the deorbiting process. At full deployment, the sail is 194 square feet and is made of CP1, a fluorinated polyimide developed by high-performance materials designer NeXolve. An animation of the sail deployment is available online. Images of the drag sail while it is in space will be captured by a camera mounted on the Firefly launch vehicle upper stage. The vehicles deorbit timeline will be evaluated based upon tracking data provided the United States Space Command. More details about the launch are available here. About Purdue University Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to todays toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 5 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://purdue.edu/. Media contact: Kayla Wiles, 765-494-2432, wiles5@purdue.edu Writer: Christy McCarter Sources: David Spencer, Purdue adjunct associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics Anthony Cofer, Purdue spacecraft laboratory manager Arly Black, Purdue Ph.D. candidate in aeronautics and astronautics Finnish production and distribution company Rabbit Films has announced that TVN in Poland has commissioned a local version of its original adventure reality format Over the Atlantic. The filming of the 8 x 60 series will begin in November 2021 and will be produced by Jake Vision. Over the Atlantic sees six celebrities given a challenge to sail across the Atlantic Ocean. The first season of the Norwegian version of the format will debut on TV Norge on 31 August, and the third season of the Swedish one will premiere on the same day on Kanal 5. Jonathan Tuovinen, head of international at Rabbit Films, said: Over the Atlantic has proven to be a hit territory after territory and season after season. These new deals demonstrate the staying power of Over the Atlantic as a brand. We are very excited to see the success build with the first commission in Central Europe. The original version of Over the Atlantic is produced by Rabbit Films Finland for TV5 (Discovery), with a third season currently in production due in 2022. Set in Harlem, Run the World follows a group of smart, funny and vibrant thirty-something black women fiercely loyal best friends who live, work and play in Harlem. As they strive for world domination, they each navigate career highs and lows, hook-ups and heartbreaks that causes them to re-evaluate who they are and where they are going. At its core, its an authentic and unapologetic show about enviable friendship and not only surviving but thriving together. Rachelle Williams joins season two as showrunner and will executive produce alongside Yvette Lee Bowser and series creator Leigh Davenport. Jeffrey Hirsch, president and CEO of Starz, said: We are proud to bring fans another season of Run the World, which so strongly exemplifies our companys commitment to narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences. Were happy to have our incredibly talented cast and executive producers Yvette and Leigh set to return; and were thrilled to welcome Rachelle, who has an exciting vision for the second season, back in the Starz family leading as showrunner and executive producer. Run the World is produced by Lionsgate Television. Senior vice president of original programming Kathryn Tyus-Adair is the executive overseeing the series on behalf of Starz. Senior vice president of television Jocelyn Sabo and director of television Maggie Leung are overseeing the series on behalf of Lionsgate. The race for Virginia governor is now a dead heat as Republican Glenn Youngkin has pulled within a single point of Democrat Terry McAuliffe at summers end, according to a new poll released Tuesday. The survey of 1,074 likely voters, conducted over the weekend by the Republican polling firm Trafalgar Group, showed 46.6% backing McAuliffe while 46.3% support Youngkin, a result well within the margin of error. Robert Cahaly, the pollster, called it a virtual tie. Five percent of voters, meanwhile, said they are undecided ahead of the Nov. 2 election while just 2.1% plan to vote for a third-party candidate. The Trafalgar poll shows a much closer contest than other recent surveys, which have McAuliffe more comfortably ahead. The former governor leads Youngkin by 5.2 percentage points in the current RealClearPolitics polling average. The two candidates are competing to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam, but the race is also being closely watched around the country as an early window into what the midterm elections might bring next year. Historically, the race tends to favor the candidate whose party is out of power at the White House. Northam defeated Republican Ed Gillespie in 2017 to win the governorship as the country was coming to grips with the Trump presidency. But Republicans won the governors mansion in 1993, the first year of Democrat Bill Clintons presidency, and again easily in 2009, the first year of Barack Obamas. Seeking to capitalize on those trends, the Republican National Committee made a significant early investment in the contest. As Politico first reported, party brass cut a multimillion-dollar check to dispatch over 100 field staffers at the beginning of this month to boost Youngkin. Youngkin faces a challenge in revitalizing the Republican ground game in a state that has turned decidedly bluer over the last few cycles. Donald Trump lost Virginia in 2016 by six points to Hillary Clinton, and by 10 points to Joe Biden in 2020. Democrats control both Senate seats, seven of 11 seats in the House delegation, and hold majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. His campaign also hopes that national winds will continue to blow in his favor, and against President Biden, but the former private equity executive isnt in a hurry to nationalize the race. McAuliffe, the governor from 2013 to 2017, is meanwhile more than eager to tie his opponent to Trump. Early prognosticators were quick to label the race as a barometer of the lingering legacy of the 45th president. However, the race may end up being more of a test of Biden and his policies as the president suffers through a cascade of crises that have caused his approval rating dip below 50% for the first time in his presidency. Good morning, its Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. President Biden, for better or worse, met his deadline for withdrawing the United States from Afghanistan after a 20-year military commitment that cost the lives of 2,461 active-duty U.S. military personnel (a number reached when 13 service members were killed in Thursdays explosion at the Kabul airport) and another 3,846 Americans euphemistically known as civilian contractors -- most of whom are ex-military. U.S. government officials were brought home this week, too: As of midnight, America has no diplomatic presence in that sprawling nation of 39 million people. Tens of thousands of Afghans who feared for their lives because they helped the U.S. also were airlifted out in the past weeks; hundreds of thousands of others remain behind. Biden is scheduled to speak to the American people this afternoon. Meanwhile, the destruction wreaked in Louisiana by Hurricane Ida is still revealing itself. But we see that the power grid didnt just cut off because of some downed trees. That Category 4 storm sheared off hundreds of telephone poles and knocked out power stations. Still, the death toll is far less than it was when Hurricane Katrina hit the same area on the same day 16 years ago -- even if Idas winds were much stronger. It's early in the postmortem, but two factors helped save lives. First, and foremost, New Orleans didnt flood the way it did in 2005 because the post-Katrina $14 billion federal effort to bolster levees surrounding the Crescent City worked. In 2021, the levees held. In addition, first responders rescuing people from attics and rooftops were supplemented by small armies of volunteers using smartphones and social media. Yes, Louisianans crowd-sourced its rescue efforts. Bravo to those civilian first-responders. On that note, Id direct you to our front page, which aggregates, as it does each day, an array of columns and stories spanning the political spectrum. We also offer a complement of original material from RCPs reporters and contributors, including the following: * * * Will Democratic Leaders Side With Progressives or Moderates? A.B. Stoddard writes that overreach on spending could leave Democrats with nothing to show voters next year. Election Update for the Week of Aug. 30. Todd Carneys precis can be found at RealClearPolicy. We Cant Forgot Why We Went to Afghanistan. Marion Smith warns that a generation of Americans is growing up having not learned the lessons of 9/11. The Jones Act Is Supported by Myths, But Its Impact Is Real. Also at RCPolicy, Josh Mason and Jonathan Helton argue that the law shaping maritime transportation in the U.S. for more than 100 years now only benefits a few special interests. Race-Neutral Education Movement Works and Is in Peril. At RealClearInvestigations, Vince Bielski reports that an approach with a 10-year track record of lifting up disadvantaged students faces pushback amid Americas CRT-fueled politics of school reform. Assessing Bidens Climate Plan. RealClearEnergy editor Jude Clemente has this reality check of the presidents sweeping proposals. Five Facts on Water in America. No Labels provides a primer on cleanliness, shortages and how infrastructure neglect has impacted both. Virtual Vison Tests: A COVID-19 Success Story. At RealClearHealth, Brent Rassmussen writes that online assessments have made a huge difference for those unable to make it into an optometrists exam room. Bidens Backdoor Approach to Student Loan Forgiveness. At RealClearEducation, Gerard Scimeca spotlights a dropped requirement that student loan recipients show evidence they were defrauded or otherwise misled by the schools they attended. * * * Carl M. Cannon Washington Bureau chief, RealClearPolitics @CarlCannon (Twitter) ccannon@realclearpolitics.com In the wake of Afghanistans fall to the Taliban, theres plenty of talk about the lessons to be learned. There are many lessons, including the need for American leadership and the consequences of weakness. Yet just as important is a renewed focus on why we went to Afghanistan in the first place. Those lessons are being forgotten, yet they are only growing in importance. The more they are ignored, the less America will be able to rally itself in times of true danger, and the more at risk our country and freedom will be. This national amnesia will have devastating consequences. The overwhelming majority of Americans (at least two-thirds) no longer think the war in Afghanistan was worth it. For younger generations, especially those born after Sept. 11, 2001, and those going through Americas schools today, the percentage is surely higher. The rising generation has little-to-no knowledge and no memory about what happened on that bright September morning. They dont know the story of the mothers and fathers and husbands and wives and sisters and brothers who died on that day. Worse, they have no understanding of the enemy who not only killed 2,997 innocent people, but also hate us and everything our country stands for. No wonder that todays students and tomorrows leaders dont know why we fought a 20-year war on the other side of the world. Yet the youngest generation, and future generations, should know: America went to Afghanistan because Afghanistan came to America. Afghanistans regime of tyranny came here in the form of 19 Islamist terrorists. They were driven solely by hatred of America, and behind them stood Osama bin Laden and the legions of al-Qaeda, who planned the attacks from the safety of Afghanistan. They were welcomed into that country by another band of terrorists the Taliban and given sovereign protection by its government. Both al-Qaeda and the Taliban despised American freedom and all of us who avail ourselves of that freedom. The very liberty to protest our governments actions and exercise freedom of choice are among the things our enemy hates most. They still do, and they always will. Their extremist ideology demands nothing less and wants nothing more than Americas extinction and the submission of all human beings under their totalitarian interpretation of Sharia law. Thats why America invaded Afghanistan. We rightly saw our mission as protecting the American people from further attacks launched from the Taliban-protected stronghold of al- Qaeda, which were already being planned. It was an act of national self-defense against those who were waging war against the United States. We should even now realize that Islamism would never rest in the attempt to wipe America off the map. That fact has not changed, even if the American peoples recognition of it has. We went to Afghanistan for the right reasons, reasons that were well within the national interest. We should remember them. And while its right to question what has happened over the past 20 years, its important that were encouraging the next generation to ask the right questions. Why did we stay so long? How did a mission to defeat the Taliban morph into state building in Afghanistan? Why did we struggle to win? How did the surveillance tools we built to target terrorists become a surveillance state increasingly turned on the American people? The answers to these questions matter, and we should search for them and encourage students to do the same. Yet we cannot simultaneously sink into the pit of disparaging Americas involvement in Afghanistan as a whole. If we do not learn from our history, we will see more self-inflicted catastrophes like the one unfolding today on the streets of Kabul and elsewhere around Afghanistan. There will be future complex and deadly threats to our way of life. It remains to be seen whether we have the courage and resolve to meet them. Fostering that national willpower is a national imperative. It must start in the classroom and in the home. Thats why my organization is releasing a free educational module: "Understanding September 11th, 2001. Intended for use in middle- and high-school social studies curricula, it gives students the chance to grapple with the reasons for those attacks, and the responses that followed. Much more must be done to restore understanding of our countrys actions in the days after the worst terrorist attack on American soil. The upcoming 20th anniversary is a natural time to cast our minds back two decades, instead of just the past two months of American withdrawal and Afghanistans collapse. There are truths there that deserve our renewed attention, not least because Afghanistan is reverting to where it was on Sept. 11, 2001. The more citizens who reflect on what happened then, the safer and stronger America will be now and for years to come. Sen. Bernie Sanders is traipsing through red states trying to sell the biggest tax increase in American history to GOP voters, knowing full well not one Republican senator will be supporting his plan to spend trillions on social welfare programs. But these days Sanders is king, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and drafter of a massive bill that encompasses broad economic policy shifts on health care, taxes, climate and education. Basically the entire Democratic agenda, save for police and voting reforms, is being smushed into the $3.5 trillion behemoth that Sanders describes as enormously popular. Yet Democrats representing battleground districts dont agree and they are the ones tasked with holding their seats to preserve the partys imperiled House majority next year. What they think is enormously popular is the $579 billion bipartisan Senate infrastructure bill that passed with 19 Republican votes and comprises transportation projects that 70% of Americans support. Progressives like Sanders insist that the existing bill cant become law without the bigger, new bill that doesnt exist yet. And House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Biden have backed them up, saying that the physical infrastructure projects must be paired and passed simultaneously with the human infrastructure bill. A standoff last week led to an agreement in which moderate Democrats were told that the former will receive a stand-alone vote in the House on Sept. 27 and that the latter will not be voted on by the lower chamber until it has been agreed to by the Senate. While that may not mean passed by the full Senate, the deal requires that any package be pre-conferenced with senators with the goal of reaching agreement before floor votes. Front-line Democrats from swing districts, who saw many of their colleagues defeated last year, dont want to take a vote on the kitchen-sink bill that can be held against them in campaigns, only for it to go down in the Senate and never become law. Pelosi seemed to assure this when she said we write a bill with the Senate because its no use our doing a bill thats not going to pass the Senate. Democrats plan to combine both bills to pass under the reconciliation procedure they used to pass COVID relief, which protects budget bills from the Senate filibuster and allows a simple majority of 51 votes for passage with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the 50-50 tie. These same Democrats were vehemently opposed to Republicans using the reconciliation process to pass their $2 trillion tax cut that exploded the deficit in 2017. But while moderate Senate Democrats Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema say they will insist on lowering the price tag from $3.5 trillion, Sanders says the package he originally wanted to be more than $6 trillion is not big enough. The self-described Democratic socialist from Vermont issued what sounded like a threat to Politico last week, stating the bottom line number is non-negotiable: I already negotiated. The truth is we need more. The needs are there. This is, in my view, the minimum of what we should be spending. Sanders' plans are larger than what President Biden originally proposed. He includes coverage for hearing, vision and dental benefits in the expansion of Medicare. The bill will also expand the child tax credit, expand Medicaid in states that have thus far refused to accept expansion under Obamacare provisions, extend subsidies in the Affordable Care Act, provide for universal pre-K, tuition-free community college, and money for housing including rental assistance and house purchase down-payment assistance. The bill will fund clean energy and conservation and climate research, solar and other climate-friendly technologies, as well as electrifying federal buildings and the federal vehicle fleet. While centrist democrats like Sen. Mark Warner have pledged the package would be fully paid for, offsets from savings or new taxes have yet to be finalized and could alter the actual cost of the final product. There are key disagreements over corporate tax rates that have yet to be resolved Biden initially proposed going from 21% to 28%, but Manchin has said he would only support an increase to 25%. Many swing-district Democrats in high tax states are seeking to lift the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions imposed by Republicans with their 2017 tax reform law. Progressives, meanwhile, are aiming to broaden the bills reach with as many new programs or changes possible, even without the money to pay for them. That means instead of long-term or permanent funding for a few programs, they are funding far more programs by shortening funding windows with partial pay-fors. When such temporary funding runs out in a few years, fiscal cliffs will produce political showdowns and the threat that recipients will be cut off from benefits they may have assumed were permanent. But progressives are pretty open that their strategy is to dupe people by jamming as much into the legislation in a deceptive way. Rep. Pramila Jayapal said, essentially, that Americans will eventually come to see the programs progressives want for them as necessary and therefore their short-term funding streams will be renewed down the road. Once people are able to see and experience these benefits, theyll be harder to roll back. They arent just the right thing to do but theyre incredibly popular, the chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus told Politico. The already hefty price tag, therefore, isnt real. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that the arbitrary expirations and sunsets Sanders and his fellow progressives are employing to hide the true costs likely bring the total to $5-5.5 trillion. The apparent plan to hide as much as $2 trillion through gimmicks, along with the willingness to pay for only a small fraction of all of the spending, jeopardizes not only the economy but our national security, said Maya MacGuineas, president of the CRFB. While all of these ambitions are appealing, these lawmakers are afraid if people understood the real price tag, they wouldnt support the spending. Pelosi has set an ambitious, if impossible, schedule of having all House committees finish their work on the reconciliation bill by Sept. 15 and to give what is supposed to be agreed to with the Senate final floor consideration by Oct. 1. This is, objectively, an unprecedented rush on a historically large set of new laws. And it is even more risky given concerns that existing programs are struggling to be implemented. What President Biden is attempting to do now could be seen as trying to launch 4 or 5 ACAs all at the same time, some with far less Congressional deliberation and time to prepare for implementation, Simon Rosenberg, founder and president of the New Democrat Network, wrote recently. States have not spent allocated American Rescue Plan rental relief funds, nor have they spent tens of billions of child care funds. Expanded unemployment insurance saw historic and unacceptable levels of fraud. The child care tax credit, as good as it is, is struggling to reach those most in need. This race to pass both kinds of infrastructure will be complicated by other intraparty battles, like funding the government and raising the debt ceiling all at the same time. Between the Afghanistan withdrawal and the surging delta variant, it was a wretched August for the Biden administration. September will be painful for the Democratic majorities in Congress. Going off a cliff with progressives, and risking the bipartisan infrastructure package to end up with neither, seems like an unforced error Democrats cannot afford to make. By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 08/30/2021 ADVERTISEMENT ELLIE AND VICTOR ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT COREY AND EVELIN ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ARIELA AND BINIYAM ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT JENNY AND SUMIT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT STEVEN AND ALINA ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. : The Other Way's third season premiered with Corey Rathgeber keeping a big secret from Evelin Villegas as they were planning their wedding, Biniyam Shibre dreading a visit from Ariela Weinberg's ex-husband Leandro, Jenny Slatten flipping out on Sumit because he won't marry her, and an introduction to two new couples -- Ellie and Victor as well as Steven and Alina -- during Sunday night's premiere episode on TLC.: The Other Way follows American citizens moving to foreign countries for the sake of love and their future spouses, and they must marry within 90 days in order to stay.The third-season premiere of : The Other Way featured Victor, a 28-year-old from Providencia, Colombia, and Ellie, a 45-year-old from Seattle, WA; Biniyam, a 31-year-old from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Ariela, a 29-year-old from Princeton, NJ; Corey, a 34-year-old from Mill A., WA, and Evelin, a 28-year-old from Engabao, Ecuador; Jenny, a 63-year-old from Palm Springs, CA, and Sumit, a 33-year-old from New Delhi, India; and Steven, a 25-year-old from Salt Lake City, UT, and Alina, a 20-year-old from Russia.The show will also star Armando Rubio, a 32-year-old from Mexico, and Kenny Niedermeier, a 58-year-old from St. Petersburg, FL.Below is what was shown on the first episode of : The Other Way's third season.Victor was about to face a hurricane, and so Ellie begged him to stay safe and said she missed him.At this point, Hurricane Iota had increased in strength to a Category 5, and the storm caused mass destruction. Ellie apparently didn't hear from Victor after the storm hit.Ellie was afraid Victor may not have even survived the hurricane, and she cried to producers about her lack of knowledge and being totally in the dark about his whereabouts.One week earlier, Ellie explained how she's known as "the pizza lady" in her neighborhood. She owns and operates a pizza restaurant in Seattle and put her blood, sweat and tears into her successful business for about five years.Ellie apparently grew up on a farm in a small town in Nevada but always dreamed of living in a bigger city. Ellie was voted "Most Likely to Never Come Back" in her high school yearbook, and she said she moved to Seattle in 1995.Ellie got married at age 28 and she called her husband "a happy and fun-loving guy." She said her husband loved her so much but died 11 months after they got married during a trip to Atlanta."It changed my life, forever," Ellie cried. "It's something you don't ever get over. It was awful."A few weeks later, Ellie learned her husband had accidentally overdosed on a prescription pain killer.Ellie struggled to open her heart again following the tragedy in fear she'd lose someone else she loves, but she traveled to Colombia with a friend and met a handsome man, Victor, at a beach bar."There was definitely some immediate chemistry and tension, like, 'Oh my God, this guy is such a dreamboat.' He was so cute!" Ellie gushed.Victor apparently made Ellie a delicious pina colada that changed her life and then they began dating. He's from a super small island in the Caribbean, Providencia, which only has 6,000 people. Victor refers to it as a "mini Jamaica."On the last day of her trip, Victor asked Ellie to stay and so she expanded her trip by another two weeks. Once she returned to Seattle, the pair kept talking and realized they wanted to continue their relationship.Ellie gushed about Victor being charming and sweet, and she said she traveled back to his little island twice. The couple then decided to get married and have Victor move to the United States.Victor had a K-1 visa interview scheduled on March 17, 2020, but then coronavirus started and his interview was canceled. Ellie and Victor therefore determined they didn't want to wait any longer to be together, and so Ellie decided she'd move to Providencia once the borders opened."So I'm packing up my belongings and moving to Providencia in one week!" Ellie revealed.Before moving, Ellie had to sell her car and her furniture."But the biggest thing I'm giving up is my restaurant... It's a big part of my identity and been my home base for the last seven years. So giving it up is huge," Ellie admitted.Ellie made an offer to her co-worker Dylan to take over the restaurant, but she acknowledged it was going to be "really hard" for her to let it go. Ellie also felt a little guilty about leaving the restaurant not long after COVID-19 struck.Ellie cried about having to trust her business to someone else, and Dylan said he was well aware of how much Ellie was sacrificing and giving up to move for a man with whom she had essentially spent only 100 days.Dylan wondered if Victor had an ulterior motives, and Ellie admitted that was a bit of a concern. Ellie feared Victor may be using her for financial reasons, especially since he has a lot more to gain from their relationship than she could gain.Ellie had also discovered that Victor was cheating on her seven months prior. The girl that Victor was seeing had messaged Ellie, saying that she and Victor were together and he was her boyfriend living in her house in Providencia.The girl asked Ellie to leave them alone and claimed, according to a screenshot Ellie had taken of the message, "We are in love and I don't want any one... an ex-girlfriend to disturb us."Victor had an entire relationship with this woman and didn't just sleep with her. Ellie also said Victor denied the whole thing once she first confronted him, but then the woman kept sending Ellie pictures and more evidence.After some time, Victor allegedly stopped denying the affair and put the blame on this woman, accusing her of tricking and trapping him. Victor claimed to Ellie that he was lost in life and this woman had taken advantage of that.Ellie said she had broken up with Victor at the time but he kept trying and wouldn't let her go. Ellie therefore gave Victor another chance even though she'd never really be able to forget about the affair.Ellie's close friend couldn't believe Ellie was about to give up her whole life for a liar and a cheater, but Ellie said she was truly crazy about Victor and was prepared to take a risk on love.Corey met Evelin over six years ago and Evelin called their relationship "a roller coaster."Corey said he and Evelin felt an instant connection when they met and he initially hoped she'd move to the United States with him; however, she didn't like Washington and really missed home.Evelin told Corey that he needed to move to Ecuador in order to make their relationship work, and so he did just that, although a bit reluctantly since he had to quit his job and say goodbye to his family."I had a hard time adjusting to life in Engabao... I didn't speak Spanish and I wanted to get married, but Evelin wasn't as ready," Corey recalled.Evelin admitted it was never her dream to get married, and so they had to work through some issues, including the sudden passing of Corey's father back at home.Following his father's death, Corey proposed marriage to Evelin and she accepted a ring. Corey said things were going "pretty smooth" with Evelin but she was dragging her feet to set a wedding date.Corey had also promised Evelin that he'd learn Spanish and engage more with her family."Nothing of that was happening, so I wasn't ready to marry him yet," Evelin shared. "I didn't [think] you were ready either, [Corey]."Corey said Evelin decided to go on a break and he interpreted her decision as a breakup. Evelin called it just "a break," but Corey viewed it as being dumped.Evelin explained that she wanted Corey to put more effort into their relationship and show he could follow through with all of the things he had promised her. Corey, however, acknowledged he was "devastated and heartbroken" and things weren't right in his head.Corey therefore recalled taking a trip to Peru and seeing another woman, before eventually returning to Ecuador.Corey and Evelin then got stuck quarantining together amid the coronavirus pandemic, and Evelin was angry about his time with Jenny, saying they'd never be together if they weren't forced to be in lockdown together.Corey insisted he only hung out with Jenny for four days, but Evelin said there was more to the story that Corey came out with once she began pressuring him for more information."I asked, 'Are you having sex with this woman?' And then he's like, 'Oh, no, like, I tried it once, but I couldn't get it up.' Whether his d-ck worked or not, he still put himself in a position where that was an option," Evelin explained."But I appreciated Corey telling me the whole truth so that we can start new and without secrets."Corey and Evelin were shown re-opening their bar in Engabao after six months of it being shutdown due to COVID-19. Evelin said re-opening the bar was awesome and it's a good business for them to live by.Corey insisted the pandemic had made his relationship with Evelin stronger, but Evelin still seemed angry over his "girl-hunting mission" in Peru."You gave me puppy eyes every day," Evelin told her husband.Evelin then confirmed she and Corey had a date set for their wedding and the ceremony was scheduled to take place in five months. The couple was planning their wedding, but Evelin said it was hard to trust Corey completely, even though she definitely still loved him.Corey was excited about their upcoming nuptials but confessed to the cameras he hadn't been entirely honest with Evelin about what actually happened with Jenny in Peru."When Evelin discovers new information that I withheld from her, yeah, it's gonna be bad. It's gonna be really bad," Corey admitted.Evelin had yet to share with her family how she and Corey were planning a wedding, and so she decided it was time to be open and honest.Evelin said she never wanted to get married and so she felt like she was failing herself and everything she had been preaching; however, she was willing to do it for love and the sake of Corey's happiness and well-being.Evelin was nervous to share her big news, saying that once she dropped the bomb, there was no going back on her decision to marry.Evelin's relatives seemed surprised to hear Evelin's decision to have a wedding, and they even expressed how they didn't really trust Corey. Evelin's sister Lesly also called Corey "fake" and said she didn't think he's the right man for her.Lesly also had yet to find out about Corey's fling with Jenny, so Evelin anticipated her sister would disapprove of Corey even more -- which made Evelin second-guess marrying him.Ariela had started a family with her fiance, Biniyam, in Ethiopia with their son Avi or Aviel.The pair had met in the streets of Ethiopia and Biniyam joked about how Ariela looked like a crazy white woman. At the time, Ariela had divorced her husband and she thought Biniyam was a really good looking guy with a nice smile.Ariela said she was not looking for love at the time, but after three months of dating, she ended up getting pregnant. Ariela left Ethiopia to go back to the United States but then realized it was going to be difficult for Biniyam to obtain a Tourist Visa.Ariela therefore decided to give birth in Ethiopia and build a family there, even though her parents thought she was crazy to live in a foreign country with no support other than from her fiance.Biniyam said the past year with Ariela had been "terrible" but "nice" at the same time, recalling how it had been difficult to please Ariela and satisfy her demanding mother, who had trouble accepting Ariela living and raising a baby on her own in a place with no bathroom or kitchen.Ariela hired a nanny, Mimi, and she and Biniyam had moved into a three-bedroom house together. Ariela gushed about child-help being only $200 a month, but she admitted it was really hard for Biniyam because there wasn't much more amid the coronavirus pandemic.Biniyam is a dancer, rapper and martial artist, and since people weren't going to clubs and bars amid COVID-19, Ariela's parents were apparently helping them out financially.Mimi taught Ariela how to cook Ethiopian dishes, and Ariela gushed about the nanny being a part of her family and close friend who had been helping her so much.Biniyam occasionally spent time with his friends and was out all night, and Ariela was missing out on "deep relationships" in Ethiopia -- although she was happy for "the most part."Ariela admitted her ex-husband is her best friend and she was missing him and everyone else at home.Ariela therefore asked her ex-husband Leandro to visit her in Ethiopia."Leandro and I are still best friends. Even though we got a divorce, we talk all the time and he is really involved in my life," Ariela shared, adding, "Because Leandro is a part of my life, I think it's really important for Bini and Leandro to meet each other and accept each other."Mimi thought it was strange Ariela was about to spend time with her ex-husband given that's a foreign concept in Ethiopia and divorced spouses are no longer in contact with each other, and Ariela could tell Biniyam felt "a little macho and territorial" about her."So I'm not sure they're going to get along," Ariela noted. "I'm not sure how he's going to react [to Leandro] face to face."Ariela was struggling be so far away from her family and her culture, and so she was shown FaceTiming with Leandro. Due to Ethiopia's quarantine laws, Leandro had to quarantine at a nearby hotel because he could reunite with Ariela.Ariela had met Leandro when she studied in Argentina at age 19. They got married after six months together and then she brought him to the United States on a spousal visa.Ariela said she and Leandro were married for 10 years but she wanted to travel more and Leandro wanted to focus on earning his doctorate. The former spouses therefore broke up but decided to stay best friends.Leandro told Ariela that he was excited to see her and meet Biniyam. He anticipated a fun trip, but Ariela anticipated Biniyam was going to be jealous of her strong unbreakable connection with her ex-husband.Biniyam admitted Leandro visiting was "uncomfortable" for him, and he told the cameras he wasn't happy at all. Biniyam worried about Ariela and Leandro's tight bond and the fact Leandro could possibly convince her to return to the United States.Biniyam confessed to Ariela that he was "jealous," especially because Ariela would say she "loves" Leandro, but only as a best friend."We are not together for a reason," Ariela insisted to her fiance."I don't want to lose you again, just like my last relationship," Biniyam explained. "I want to protect my family."Biniyam said he didn't want to lose another child and another marriage, as he had previously been married to an American who left him and moved back to the United States.Biniyam's sisters appeared shocked to hear about Leandro's upcoming visit, and Biniyam explained how he didn't have much of a choice in the matter.Ariela also apparently didn't tell Biniyam that Leandro had stayed at her house alone when she was four or five months pregnant for two weeks, which apparently upset Biniyam. Ariela had told Biniyam's sister that in confidence and so she wasn't happy.Biniyam worried Ariela was hiding something or had maybe slept with Leandro during his stay, but Ariela insisted that wasn't the case and they had stayed in two separate rooms.Ariela compared her relationship with Leandro to a brother and sister, but Biniyam was admittedly very suspicious of the pair's connection and what it meant to his fiancee.Sumit was shown surprising Jenny with flowers on the morning of her birthday. Jenny said she was living her best life with Sumit, "the love of [her] life."Jenny said she and Sumit had faced many obstacles and challenges in their relationship after meeting 10 years prior online, when Sumit had catfished her and tricked her into thinking he was a handsome model named Michael Jones.Jenny admitted she was upset at first but then she still thought Sumit was "so cute" when she saw a real picture of him. Jenny went as far as to say that Sumit was cuter than the man he was pretending to be.After about a year-and-a-half, Sumit flew Jenny to India and told her that he wanted to get married in 2013. Sumit's parents were against the relationship from the start due to their 30-year age difference, but Sumit said he and Jenny never gave up on their love.Four years later, Jenny gave up everything to move to India because Sumit promised, this time, they would wed and be together forever. Things didn't go as planned, however, because Sumit had been keeping a secret from her -- that he was actually married to an Indian woman.Sumit was in an arranged marriage and had been lying to Jenny, so she returned to the United States."But he assured me that he was going to get his divorce and we'd be back together again," Jenny recalled. "So last year, I moved back to India after Sumit filed for his divorce. I thought we were going to get married for sure this time. I didn't think anything was going to stop us."However, Sumit's father Anil and mother Sahna told Sumit that they would not allow him to marry Jenny, and Sahna even threatened to commit suicide if Sumit went through with the wedding against her solid objection.Jenny said something stopped them from getting married every single time and the pair had seemingly run out of options. However, Jenny said she wasn't ready to leave Sumit or his home country.For Jenny's birthday, Sumit took her to an astrologer so he could find out what they could do in order to get married. Jenny said she doesn't believe in astrology but she'd do whatever it takes to be Sumit's bride and get on with their live together.The pair then met with an astrologer named Khalid, who had apparently warned Sumit's father that Sumit would be interested in an older woman following his divorce.Sumit asked if there was anything he could do to convince his parents that marrying Jenny is okay, and Khalid explained that they could not change fate but they could maintain the love between them.Jenny shared how she has a 10-year Tourist Visa to live in India but she must leave the country every six months. Due to the lockdown, Jenny was able to extend her visa for several months, but she was afraid that was going to stop soon.Khalid told the couple to keep peace and calmness between them, also advising Jenny not to break down soon."I don't care -- Sumit needs to marry me. It's sad, I wish the man I love could just make a decision and stop listening to everybody else... If this is what you say you want, then let's do it. Keep me here; let's stay together and be happy. This is what we both want," Jenny complained in a confessional.Suddenly, Jenny learned her visa extension had been "closed" rather than extended and approved for more time. Jenny said she was going to have to leave India again, and she appeared very upset and nervous.Sumit replied, "We need to figure it out," adding they could maybe stay in Nepal for a couple of months until the borders would open again, and Jenny intended to talk to a travel agent for guidance and advice.Sumit's in-laws had also taken his passport away, and so Nepal seemed to be the couple's "only option," according to the travel agent."Well, it looks like I'm going back to America," Jenny determined, asking Sumit to go against his parents so they could get married and she could stay in the country.Jenny said she was about to go back to "nothing" again and she was "ruining [her] life" for him. Jenny argued that she couldn't keep doing this situation with Sumit, who had promised her marriage this time around."I wouldn't have come back and now I have to leave the country," Jenny complained. "You can change the situation if we get married. I came to America so I wouldn't have to leave India again... What do I have to go back to? I have no home to go back to. I have nothing."Jenny admitted she was tired of Sumit's empty promises and his parents' interference."I'm not gonna come back," Jenny threatened her fiance. "Why would I come back for the fourth time? For what? For what?! I can't stay in the country!"Jenny screamed at Sumit and said she wasn't going to live in India for six months at a time for the rest of her life under the false assumption Sumit was going to marry her when he really wasn't going to."That's it!" Jenny yelled, throwing something on the floor on her way out of the house. "I am done with all of this crap! F-ck you, Sumit! I'll never listen to you again! I'm booking my flight and I'm leaving!"Steven admitted he's different from other people and often fails to pick up on social cues. He said he's worked a lot of odds jobs, going door to door for pest control as of recently.Steven said he actually doesn't like killing bugs, however, because they have spirits too.Steven, a proud and devout Mormon, was living with his mother, stepfather and younger brother in a basement. He said his faith is "superbly important" to him."When I was 19 years old, I got called to go on a mission and so, for the next two years, I lived in Eastern Europe and I learned to speak Russian. I'm super grateful that I did learn it because now I have Alina," Steven said.Steven apparently met Alina on a language-exchange website and recalled, "I started helping her English a little bit and she's helping me with Russian.""From the very get-go, we are kind of interested in each other," he explained."So I said something kind of flirty like, 'Can I have your number?' That kind of a thing. We started calling each other every day. And since then, we haven't stopped."Steven, however, said Alina was "super nervous" upon learning he is a Mormon because Russians allegedly view people of his religion as "a cult.""She didn't even want to meet up with me because she was afraid that I was going to sell her organs," Steven admitted with a laugh."I decided to invite her mom, invite my mom. Maybe I [could] convince her like, 'Hey, like, I'm not gonna harvest your organs, I'm not gonna kidnap you. Your mom will be there,' which is kind of silly -- I feel like it'd be just as easy to kidnap two people, but it made her comfortable and then she agreed."Steven added how he and Alina felt an immediate attraction to each other when they finally met in person."She comes out of the elevator, we make eye contact and I run up and I hug her. And it seems like something off a movie where like, we instantly connected," Steven gushed."Everything was so new and excited. I loved walking the streets with her and holding her hand, and it was just a magical first two weeks."The couple proceeded to date over a year, and Steven said he wanted to start the rest of his life with Alina. Steven planned to move to Russia so Alina could finish college but the coronavirus pandemic drastically changed and affected their plans."The borders closed into Russia and so we had to look for another country where we could be together. We happened to find Turkey, which allows both Russians and Americans, so we're moving to Turkey!" Steven revealed.Steven planned to fly to Turkey in just one week, and so he intended to spend some quality time with his friends and family, including his brother Jordan, who had left the Mormon religion but still maintained a close relationship with his loved ones.Steven's mother described Steven as a "carefree" man who does silly and random things, such as announcing he's going to fart during an outdoor gathering.Steven said he and Alina must marry right away so he could apply for a spousal visa and they'd only have 90 days to do so in Turkey since both partners were traveling on a Tourist Visa. Steven imagined there wouldn't be any problems, but his family wasn't as certain.Steven was afraid to tell Alina that he hadn't lived up to the standards of the church and she may doubt everything he had ever told her.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage! Traverse City, MI (49684) Today Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 80F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low near 55F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Olivia is a junior journalism major at the University of Georgia. Her love for writing and sharing stories from the community led her to The Red & Black. She loves being able to highlight the people who make up the Athens community. Follow OLIVIA WAKIM 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 As it celebrates its 20th birthday in 2021, ATHICA is fundraising for its most significant financial endeavor to date: purchasing its building. The University of Georgia chapter of the United Campus Workers of Georgia held a demonstration in front of the Administration Building on Friday afternoon, protesting the University System of Georgias decision to not implement mask or vaccine mandates for the fall semester. Gary Pearce: My last column, but not the last word A group of artists that make up From the River, To the River, install a permanent art piece they called Ask the River at the Brattleboro, Vt., Parking Garage on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021. The new art installation replaces the original one that was hung in 2015. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today A mix of clouds and sun. High 76F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies early with scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. LUCEDALE, Miss. (AP) Barbara Cochran said she was about to get ready for bed late Monday when she heard a loud crash outside her home in rural southeastern Mississippi. Hurricane Ida had been dumping torrential rain, her husband was already asleep and the home's air conditioner was humming loudly. The 83-year-old retired educator said she went onto the porch to see if a big oak tree had fallen, or if an 18-wheeler had slid off the highway down the hill from their home. She didn't see car lights, so she didn't think there was a wreck. About 10 minutes after she went back inside, she heard a second loud crash. Moments later, Cochran heard a third crash. As she was about to call the sheriff's department, she heard the wail of sirens. And, she said: I heard something that sounded like a woman screaming. Two people were killed and at least 10 others were injured late Monday when seven vehicles plunged, one after another, into a deep hole where a dark, rural highway collapsed as Hurricane Ida blew through Mississippi, authorities said Tuesday. Heavy rainfall may have caused the collapse of two-lane Mississippi Highway 26 west of Lucedale, and the drivers may not have seen that the roadway in front of them had disappeared, Mississippi Highway Patrol Cpl. Cal Robertson said. The George County Sheriff's Department received the first call at about 10:30 p.m. Cochran told The Associated Press that she didn't know about the highway collapse or the wrecks until after she woke from a fitful night's sleep. She said she is praying for the families of those killed or hurt. This is such a catastrophe," Cochran said Tuesday. Robertson said some of the vehicles ended up stacked on top of each other as they crashed into the abyss, which opened up in a rural area without street lights. Ida dumped as much as 13 inches (33 centimeters) of rain as it blew through Mississippi, the National Weather Service said. You can imagine driving at night with heavy rain coming down, Robertson said. Its just nothing but a wall of water, your headlights kind of reflecting back on you. State troopers, emergency workers and rescue teams responded to the crash site about 60 miles (96 kilometers) northeast of Biloxi, to find both the east and westbound lanes collapsed. Robertson said the hole removed about 50 to 60 feet (15 to 18 meters) of roadway, and is 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters) deep. George County Sheriff Keith Havard told the Sun Herald that the sheriff's department received a 911 call from a man whose car had plunged into the hole. He said he was driving and all of a sudden he wasnt driving anymore," Havard said. "He didnt understand what had happened. I cant imagine anyone would. The newspaper reported that 911 dispatchers heard other vehicles crash into the pit. The vehicles were later lifted out by a crane, leaving some debris at the bottom of the hole. A drone video published by the Sun Herald showed how a raised berm beneath the road washed away, leaving a red-clay scar that runs for hundreds of feet, from a cemetery on one side into a wooded area on the other. It is a slide, which means the ground under the roadway and embankment was super-saturated and we can tell right now thats what caused the slide, Kelly Castleberry, district engineer for the Mississippi Department of Transportation, told the newspaper. Jerry Lee, 49, of Lucedale, was pronounced dead at 1:20 a.m., and Kent Brown, 49, of Leakesville, was pronounced dead 10 minutes later, George County Coroner DeeAnn Murrah said. George County High School said one of its students, a senior, was hospitalized with critical injuries after crashing into the hole. Local schools were closed Tuesday because the collapsed highway created problems for buses and other traffic. Mississippi southern district Transportation Commissioner Tom King said he didnt know anything unusual about the soil conditions where the highway caved in. We just got bombarded here in south Mississippi with rain, King told the AP. King said work crews were checking other highways in areas that received heavy rain from Ida. Between 3,100 and 5,700 vehicles drive along the stretch of highway on an average day, according to Mississippi Department of Transportation data. Its going to take us a while to redo it and make it right again and make it safe for folks to go over, King said of the collapsed roadbed. Mike Dillon is pastor of Crossroads United Pentecostal Church, which is near the crash site. He said he learned about the crashes after he woke up Tuesday and checked a community prayer page online. Like many local residents, he walked to the crash site and prayed. Were a very close-knit community," Dillon said, and were going to get through this with the help of the Lord. Hurricane Ida blasted ashore Sunday as a Category 4 storm, one of the most powerful ever to hit the U.S. mainland. It knocked out power to much of southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi, blowing roofs off buildings and causing widespread flooding as it pushed a surge of ocean water that briefly reversed the flow of the Mississippi River. ___ This story has been corrected to show that Jerry Lee was 49, not 42. ____ Emily Wagster Pettus reported from Jackson, Mississippi. 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. Jennifer Reynolds/AP TEXAS CITY (AP) Police in Southeast Texas say it's unclear whether a man shot and wounded Tuesday as officers responded to a report of a suicidal person was shot by an officer or shot himself. Texas City police said the man was airlifted to a hospital and have not revealed his condition. Lebanon, IN (46052) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Thunderstorms, some locally heavy early will become more isolated after midnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 62F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Most of your lines you deliver, carry the weight of honesty that people recognize. The other 10% is the surprising tilt you give to a particular line, which your average citizen would not have done. And maybe down to 6% or 5% percent, whatever, it just might happen, and it gives it its stamp of originality. Ed Asner, talking about his craft while sitting in the Majestic Theater, Pottsville Ed Asner, the legendary film and television actor who called me a weakling after I shook his hand, died Sunday at the age of 91. Do I even need to list his credits? The man won seven acting Emmys, more than any man in history, for playing Lou Grant in The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spinoff series Lou Grant. In his later career he shifted to voice work, giving a tender and heartrending performance as Carl Fredricksen in Pixars Up, one of the most memorable characters ever in animated film. He was married twice, played Santa Claus at least 10 times, and, most significantly, visited Pottsville once. At the time of his death, Asner was touring small towns across America in two different stage productions. His schedule was rapid-fire, and I believe that this love of performing, no matter the size of the role, venue or audience, is what kept him alive for so long. On July 22, Asner played Pottsvilles Majestic Theater in A Man and His Prostate, a one-man show written to raise awareness of prostate cancer. Its fitting that Asner, president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1981 to 1985 and lifelong supporter of unions, gave one of his last performances in Pottsville, a place with a long history of organized labor. I got to interview Asner before the show, and I will never forget our conversation. When we shook hands, he was surprised at how firm I was. I took you for a weakling, he said. That evening, we both learned that appearances can be deceiving. He told me it was his first time in Pottsville, and it could be his last. It was a joke, but at the same time it wasnt. Even at 91, he had a sharp wit and incredible way with words. He responded to every question with a witty remark or poetic reflection on art and life. He said he wanted to live to be as old as his siblings, who survived well into their 90s. He said that during the coronavirus pandemic, which cut him off from his beloved stage, he pondered the stars. Even when interacting with the Majestic stage crew, he was playing a character, the cynical world-weary old man that everyone expected him to be, that entertained everyone. The show never ended, and he loved every second of it. He described acting as showing your flesh out there to watch it hacked to pieces by the savages around you. The scars were starting to show. Despite his mental acuity being greater than most people half his age, he was in physical decline. When that happens, we tend to sidestep the issue, throw out cliches like not in the best shape or getting up there in years. In our interview, and throughout his life and career, Asner shoved such cliches aside. He never sugarcoated or ignored the truth as he saw it. He played every part with honesty, on stage and off. When I interviewed him, I was speaking to a man who was clearly aware of his own mortality, and was determined to continue doing what he loved until the end. I mind the stairs, he said, but I can handle it. If only we could all have such bravery, such acceptance, such love of life, when facing the inevitable. He even had a sense of humor about it. At the end of our interview, Asner cracked a joke about my admittedly shaggy haircut: Im glad Im not your barber Id have to charge you double! It was an honor. Almost a year after dozens of criminals blew up a bank branch and exchanged gunfire with police officers in Brazils Sao Paulo state, a similar incident was reported in the same city on Monday where a group of bank robbers held civilians hostage and put some on their cars while making their escape. According to the reports, the bank robbers armed with explosives and high-powered rifles plunged into Sao Paulo-- a city in Brazil that is considered "a vibrant financial centre" and is among the world's most populous cities in the wee hours of Monday. Na fuga, os refens foram amarrados nos veiculos. Tentativa de impedir qualquer contra-ataque da policia ao grupo. Deus guarde essas pessoas e todos de Aracatuba. Todas as agencias bancarias do centro foram invadidas - informacoes preliminares. pic.twitter.com/lu0hBlcTCu Yuri Macri (@yurimacri) August 30, 2021 Robbers burn cars at the strategic locations The report said the robbers targeted two bank branches belonging to state banks Caixa Federal and Banco do Brasil and drove away with hostages clinging to the roofs of their cars. In order to track the movement of the police, they deployed a large number of drones at various police stations. Also, to deter police action, the robbers burnt cars at the strategic locations of the city. A video shared by Yuri Macri, a TV journalist, showed a hostage stood with his torso protruding from an SUVs sunroof and his hands held in the air while they cling several civilians to the rooftop and were using them as "human shield". Meanwhile, police authorities, during a press conference on Monday morning confirmed the killing of three persons including two civilians and one suspected robber. According to the preliminary report, one was a local businessman who went to the location to film the attack and the other a delivery boy. The third person killed was a suspect, found in his car. Six others were injured, added the authorities on Monday. Aracatuba was shaken by highly dangerous criminals who fired thousands of shots, Colonel 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 Paulos public security secretariat said in a statement that 380 police officers were trying to locate the escaped criminals. Civilian hostage has become new normal in Brazil Meanwhile, when the news agency Associated Press (AP) contacted the bank cashier where the robbers reportedly seized a large amount of money, he declined to comment on the issue and added he told every single piece of information to the police. It is worth noting that large-scale bank heists have become more frequent in recent years, with hostages used as human shields in Brazil. In July last year, a group of heavily armed assailants donning bulletproof vests attacked multiple bank branches in the city. The residents were taken hostage during the attacks and that the suspects shot up a police station and set vehicles afire before escaping. (With inputs from AP, Image Credit: @yurimacri/ Pixabay) As part of the ongoing goodwill visit to Europe and Africa, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tabar participated in a Maritime Partnership Exercise with the Algerian Navy ship 'Ezzadjer' on 29 August. Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tabar, commenced its prolonged deployment on June 13 to visit various ports in Africa and Europe till the end of September. The landmark exercise conducted at the Algerian coast saw the participation of 'Ezzadjer', a frontline Algerian warship. Many activities were conducted as part of the exercise including coordinated manoeuvring, communication procedures, and steam past was undertaken between the Indian and Algerian warships. According to the Spokesperson of the Navy, the exercise enabled the two navies to understand the concept of operations followed by each other, enhanced interoperability and opened the possibility of increasing interaction and collaboration between them in the future. The ship is directed to transit across the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Suez Canal, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, and Baltic Sea while making port calls at Djibouti, Egypt, Italy, France, UK, Russia, Netherlands, Morocco, and Arctic Council countries like Sweden and Norway. Indian warships on a goodwill visit Four Indian warships including INS Mysore, INS Tabar, INS Ganga, and INS Aditya have been deployed on a goodwill visit to several maritime nations of Africa and the Indian Ocean. A defence spokesperson had informed that the warships will hold naval exercises with the navies and coast guards of Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Seychelles, and Mauritius besides making port calls at Reunion Island and Mozambique. The visit is aimed to demonstrate the Indian Navys blue water capability to deploy, operate and sustain a maritime task force well away from home for an extended duration. INS Kora & INS Ranvijay conduct maritime exercise with Philippine Navy On 23 August, the BRP Antonio Luna (Frigate, FF 151) of the Philippine Navy welcomed the two Indian Navy ships -- INS Ranvijay (Guided Missile Destroyer, D55) and INS Kora (Guided Missile Corvette, P61) and carried out a Maritime Partnership Exercise in the West Philippine Sea. The participating ships of both the navies were pleased with the consolidation of interoperability achieved through this operational interaction at sea. (Image credit: TWITTER) After AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi asked the Centre if it would add the Taliban to its 'UAPA Terror List,' BJP leader CT Ravi on Tuesday compared the ideologies of AIMIM and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) to the terror outfit. While speaking to ANI, the BJP National general secretary said that AIMIM is like the Taliban of Karnataka. The ideology of AIMIM and SDPI is the same as the Taliban, CT Ravi added. The BJP general secretary was here to campaign for his party for Kalaburagi City Corporation polls. BJP compares ideologies of AIMIM & SDPI to Taliban Remarking that the BJP will win with majority in the Kalaburagi City Corporation polls, Ravi said, "Our aim is developed and Hindutva." Asserting that people do not trust Congress anymore, he said that the state government has issued Rs 200 crores for the development of Kalaburagi and Rs 837 crore has been issued for supplying drinking water. Terrorism will definitely end some day, he added. Asaduddin Owaisi reacts as India's envoy meets Taliban All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi asked the Government of India if it would add the Taliban to its 'UAPA Terror List' after the Indian envoy in Qatar met Taliban leader Sher Mohammad Abbas Stankzai and raised India's concern over the use of Afghan soil for anti-India acts and terrorism. Asaduddin Owaisi took to Twitter and asked whether India's formal talks with the Taliban would lead to recognition of the terrorist groups. Owaisi pointed out that India chairs the UN-Taliban sanctions committee and questioned as to whether talking with the insurgent group would mean that 'they would be delisted.' #Taliban REQUESTED Modi sarkar to meet & they were invited to our embassy! Did you serve tea? Kebabs? Did Taliban give CONCRETE assurances on removing Pak-backed terrorists like JeM from Helmand & LeT from Khost? Will our mining rights in Hajigak continue or be shelved? 1/3 pic.twitter.com/7WzlSO0KfS Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) August 31, 2021 BJP spokies are baying for Talib blood, using Taliban as an abuse against critics. Our media is crying for Afghan women. And youre holding cordial talks with them?! India chairs UN Sanctions Comm, will Taliban/Haqqanis be delisted? Or will you do it only after UP election? 2/3 Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) August 31, 2021 And till UP elections, will we have to suffer this hypocrisy? Did you tell your Talib interlocutor that weve a Shri Thok Denge whos very concerned about them? As Daagh Dehelvi had said Saaf chupte bhi nahin, saamne aate bhi nahin 3/3 pic.twitter.com/NJwak3lRR0 Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) August 31, 2021 India warns Taliban on terror Indian envoy to Qatar Deepak Mittal on Tuesday met Taliban leader Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai in Doha, the first high-level contact between the two sides on a day the US completed the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan. As per the official release, the meeting took place at the Embassy of India, Doha, at the request of the Taliban side. The Ministry of External Affairs said Ambassador Mittal raised India's concern at the meeting that Afghanistan's soil should not be used for anti-Indian activities and terrorism in any manner. As per the official statement released, the discussions focused on safety, security, and early return of Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan as well as the travel of Afghan nationals wishing to visit India. The MEA said that the Taliban leader assured Mittal that these issues would be positively addressed. "Discussions focused on safety, security and early return of Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan. The travel of Afghan nationals, especially minorities, who wish to visit to India also came up," the MEA said. "Ambassador Mittal raised India's concern that Afghanistan's soil should not be used for anti-Indian activities and terrorism in any manner," it added. (With ANI inputs) Image: ANI, PTI In a major development amid the Afghanistan crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has instructed officials to form an Afghanistan group that will include the External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and the National Security Advisor of India (NSA) Ajit Doval. In addition, it is also being reported that officials from related ministries will be a part of it. The Afghanistan Group will focus on evacuations and the ground situation. In view of the evolving situation in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently directed that a high-level group comprising of EAM, NSA & senior officials focus on the immediate priorities of India: Sources ANI (@ANI) August 31, 2021 PM Modi asks officials to form Afghanistan group Sources have informed that the group has been meeting regularly over the last few days and discussed pertaining to safe return of stranded Indians, travel of Afghans (especially minorities) to India. In addition, it also discussed issues related to terrorism. This group has been meeting regularly over last few days. It's seized of issues pertaining to safe return of stranded Indians, travel of Afghans (especially minorities) to India&assuring that Afghan territory is not used in any manner for terrorism directed against India: Sources ANI (@ANI) August 31, 2021 The group has also been monitoring the ground situation in Afghanistan and international reactions, including the Resolution passed this morning by the UN Security Council: Sources ANI (@ANI) August 31, 2021 UNSC adopts 7-point resolution on Afghanistan Earlier on Monday, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted a a strong 7-point resolution on Afghanistan demanding that the Afghan territory 'not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists.' The resolution was adopted under India's presidency. Over 13 countries voted in favour of the resolution except for China and Russia. The resolution was proposed by NATO allies US, the UK and France after their withdrew their troops from Afghanistan. The three countries asserted that the Taliban should stick to its assurances and allow a safe passage for Afghans and foreigners who want to leave the country. UNSC adopts resolution on Afghanistan - 13 in favour, 0 against and 2 abstentions by Russia and China (In the photo is Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla who is chairing the UNSC meet( pic.twitter.com/g1TlQYl0Fw ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2021 The resolution establishes clear expectations regarding future of Afghanistan - UNSC expects the Taliban to live up to its commitment to facilitate safe passage for Afghans and foreigners who want to leave Afghanistan today, tomorrow, or after August 31: US representative at UNSC pic.twitter.com/IR0ttt2Ab1 ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2021 In addition, sources reported that India categorically pointed out that Afghanistan land should not be used by terrorists to threaten or attack any country. It also demanded that Afghanistan should not shelter, train terrorists, or plan or finance terrorist acts. Key aspects which have been consistently highlighted by India - Resolution has unequivocally conveyed that Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter, train terrorists, or plan or finance terrorist acts: Sources ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2021 'Afghan Hindus and Sikhs allowed to travel to India': Taliban Taliban spokesperson Zahebullah Mujahid on Monday informed that the insurgent group will allow Afghan Hindus and Sikhs are allowed to travel to India only if they have valid travel documents. Taliban's assurance comes after the terrorist group recently stopped minorities from boarding an evacuation flight that was headed for India. The Taliban spokesperson has also assured that rights of Afghan Sikhs will be protected. French astronaut Thomas Pesquet aboard the International Space Station (ISS), often shares mesmerising pictures and videos of space on his Instagram handle. Upgrading his vast collection is this new stunning set of images that captured a glimpse of the star-lit sky from space. The picture went viral immediately after Pesquet uploaded it. The viral post shows two pictures, one with a satellite in the right-hand corner and another with a bright sunlit reflection. Both the images look stunning. Pesquet successfully snapped the beauty and twinkle of the sky. Take a look at the post: "Initially you see only the black sky" "The view is magical," Thomas Pesquet French astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA), Pesquet explained through the post that it is difficult to capture images in space due to low light. "I've been trying star pictures. It is not easy to capture images in low light," he wrote. Explaining the difficulty he added, "Initially you see only a black sky because your eyes haven't adjusted to the darkness." Talking about its similarity to a summer night view from earth Pesquet mentioned, "It's actually not that different from a summer night sky seen from Earth (if youre far from any light pollution). Go out there and watch the stars, its good for the soul." The post left netizens amazed. The images garnered over 1,20,000 likes and 700 comments. Most viewers echoed one comment that said "Magnifique," the word that translates to "magnificent" in English. Thomas shared the picture with a paragraph-long caption and many viewers wrote "beautiful!!!" 'Martian landslide' In another such mesmerising set of images, ESA on Sunday shared stunning pictures of a "Martian landslide" that was captured by its Exo Mars Trace Gas Orbiter. As per information from ESA's official website, the images were snapped on 13 April 2021 when a landslide occurred at the rim of a 35km wide crater in the Aeolis region of Mars. The incredible pictures of the landslide were shared on ESA's social media handle on Instagram. The images have sparked curiosity among many and have left others awestruck. Since the launch of the Exo Mars Trace Gas Orbiter, the ESA has gathered many such extraordinary images that have surprised viewers on the internet. One such event is the current "Martian landslide." Take a look: ESA did not leave its audience to interpret the planetary activity. The space agency thoroughly explained the process of the Martian landslide for the viewers. "Landslides are geomorphological processes occurring under specific environmental conditions. On Mars as on Earth, they come in various shapes and sizes, and Earth analogues are used to understand similar processes seen on planetary bodies," it wrote. Image Credit: @ThomasPesquet/Instagram A top Kenyan pathologist has warned of so-called "vaccine apartheid" as the country continues to experience a high number of deaths due to a slow rollout of the COVID-19 jab. In Africa, less than 2% of the population on the continent of 1.3 billion people are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Doctors and nurses working in hospitals in countries such as Kenya have suffered continued pressure due to the government's lack of investment in vaccines. Vaccine shortages continue to plague many African countries and hospitals in Kenya are seeing more deaths due to COVID-19 "It is only two countries in the whole of Africa that have the capacity to produce vaccines, that is South Africa and Senegal. You find countries like Kenya and Egypt, they do have the technical capacity but they never really invested in it," said Ahmed Kalebi, independent consultant pathologist and founder of Lancet Kenya. James Nderitu is a 58-year-old cobbler and resident of Nairobi, and is receiving his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. He believes that if everything had gone to plan, he should be on his second. "I would therefore like to urge the European countries that have the vaccine, to assist us. Instead of vaccinating children, they should stop being selfish and help the African countries so that we can get vaccinated," he said. The Africa director for the World Health Organization recently hit out at richer western nations, accusing them of hoarding vaccines when there should be a more even distribution of jabs. But Kalebi believes it's not as simple as to blame western nations for Africa's woeful vaccination rate. "In a country like Kenya I think we don't just have our priorities right. Because you find that a lot of the times, money will be poured into politics, money will be poured into other things but health, we are waiting for donations," he said. More than 7.3 million cases, including more than 186,000 deaths, have been confirmed across the continent, and health systems are straining to provide medical oxygen and other care. If Africa continues to proceed at such a slow pace with its vaccination programme, it could have the effect of prolonging the pandemic internationally. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) A liver transplant will be carried out on the six-year-old Afghan boy who ate highly poisonous mushrooms with his family, said doctors at Polands main childrens hospital on August 31. The medical professionals, as per The Associated Press, also said that his five-year-old brother was in a coma and that they were still carrying out tests to determine if he was brain dead. Both the boys and their older sister were recently evacuated from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and were hospitalised last week. The children picked and consumed highly poisonous death cap mushrooms in a forest near the centre where the entire family was accommodated in Podkowa Lesna, near Warsaw. The doctors said that the older brother will undergo the transplant at the Center for Childrens Health Institute and still remains in life-threatening condition. Meanwhile, the 17-year-old sister is in stable condition at the hospital. Meanwhile, other family members were hospitalised elsewhere. Poland had evacuated the family at the request of the UK after the Taliban reconquered Afghanistan on August 15. The father had worked for the British in Afghanistan. The mushrooms that the family picked and ate, death cap mushrooms are among the most poisonous in the world. Notably, they share a close resemblance with Polands popular and edible parasol mushroom. Poland seeks emergency order amid a surge in refugees Meanwhile, on August 31, the Polish government asked its President to declare a state of emergency in the two regions on its border shared with Belarus. This comes after the Polish Border Guard said that hundreds of irregular crossings were witnessed this month. As per media reports, Poland has also started building a barbed-wire fence just last week along the border to restrict the dramatic increase of asylum seekers from nations such as Iraq and Afghanistan from crossing from Belarus. The declaration of a state of emergency in Poland would provide the border authorities with the power to monitor as well as control peoples movements. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told a news conference, announcing the move on Tuesday, The situation on the border with Belarus is a crisis and is still tense. (IMAGE: AP) Ukraine's leader is travelling to the United States in hopes of bolstering security ties with Washington and persuading the Biden administration to ramp up sanctions against a new Russian gas pipeline that bypasses his country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has deplored Washington's failure to block the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Germany as a grave political error, is expected to again raise the issue during his talks Wednesday with U.S. President Joe Biden. Zelenskyy has described the new pipeline as a powerful geopolitical weapon for Russia, which annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula after the ouster of the country's former Kremlin-friendly president in 2014 and has thrown its weight behind a separatist insurgency in the country's east. Washington has strongly opposed the construction of Nord Stream 2, but the Biden administration has opted not to punish the German company overseeing the project while announcing the new sanctions against Russian companies and ships. Zelenskyy has warned that Nord Stream 2 would mark a major victory for Moscow and a "personal loss" for Biden. The undiplomatic comments reflected Ukrainian fears that the new pipeline would deprive it of $3 billion in annual transit fees for pumping the Russian gas to Europe, erode its strategic importance and make it more vulnerable to the Kremlin pressure. Yuriy Vitrenko, the head of Ukraine's state-controlled Naftogaz company, told The Associated Press that Ukraine would urge the U.S. to slap Nord Stream 2 with tougher sanctions. "We continue underlining that Nord Stream 2 is not a matter of some kind of compensations for Ukraine," Vitrenko said. "It's a security threat for Ukraine, because if there is no physical transit of gas through Ukraine, it increases a chance of a full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine, and it's not in the interests of Ukraine, and it's not in the interests of Europe, not in the interest of the U.S. as well. That's why we want our U.S. partners to look at Nord Stream 2 as the security threat to Ukraine and to the world." Ukraine has urged the U.S. and Germany to help pressure Moscow to prolong the current contract for transit of the Russian gas via Ukraine that expires in 2024. Russian President Vladimir Putin has held the door open for an extension, but noted that it would hinge on the European demand for Russian gas. Ukrainian officials have argued that a U.S.-German agreement that offered compensation for Ukraine wasn't enough. The Biden-Zelenskyy meeting, which was initially set for Tuesday, was pushed back one day due to the developments in Afghanistan. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba voiced hope that the talks between Biden and Zelenskyy will help "bring the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States to the next level." He emphasized that Ukraine's push for a stronger U.S. security assistance will be central to the talks. A 2015 peace deal brokered by France and Germany helped end large-scale battles in eastern Ukraine, but regular skirmishes have continued along the tense line of contact and political settlement efforts have stalled. More than 14,000 have been killed in the fighting since 2014. Earlier this year, increasing cease-fire violations in the east and a major Russian troop build-up near Ukraine fuelled Kyiv and Western fears of renewed hostilities. The next month's massive Russia-Belarus war games in western Russia, which are set to involve 200,000 troops, will likely trigger new concerns. Amid the tug-of-war with Moscow, Ukraine has pushed strongly for joining NATO. "We continue to insist on the importance of opening NATO doors as wide as possible for Ukraine," Kuleba told the AP. Observers are sceptical, however, about Ukraine's ability to secure a specific roadmap for membership amid the spiralling conflict in the east and the continuing tensions with Russia. "The U.S. understands that its European partners are against granting Ukraine a membership action plan because they fear a conflict with Russia," said Volodymyr Fesenko, head of the Penta Centre think-tank. "The U.S. wants to strengthen its partnership with Europe and Germany in particular, so it has to take the position of its European partners into account." Fesenko noted that Zelenskyy's visit to Washington isn't expected to bring any major results. "There will be no sensations or breakthroughs, but putting military cooperation with the U.S. on a systemic legal basis will be certainly a big result," Fesenko said. 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 a big development, a bomb-laden drone on Tuesday targeted the Abha airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia, wounding 8 people and damaging a civilian plane, Saudi state television reported. It is important to note here that this is the latest assault on the kingdom amid its grinding war with its neighbouring Yemen. While no one has claimed responsibility for the attack as of now, the bomb-laden drone attakc is the second such strike on Saudi Arabia in the last 24 hours. The previous attack, which was blamed on Yemen's Iran-backed Shiite Houthi rebels, had scattered shrapnel across the tarmac but had caused no casualties. Bomb-laden drone strikes Saudi Following the attack, the Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen did not elaborate on the assault or provide details about those hurt, beyond saying that its forces had 'intercepted' the explosive drone. The attack came after missiles and drones smashed into a key military base in Yemen's south on Sunday. This attack had killed at least 30 Saudi-backed Yemeni troops and marking one of the deadliest attacks in the country's yearslong civil war. No one claimed responsibility for the strike, which bore the hallmarks the Iranian-supported rebels. Since 2015, Yemen''s Houthi rebels battling the Saudi-led military coalition have targeted international airports, along with military installations and critical oil infrastructure, within Saudi Arabia. These attacks, which are often striking near the southern cities of Abha and Jizan, have rarely caused substantial damage but wounded dozens, killed at least one person and also rattled the global oil markets. Within Yemen, the Saudi-led bombing campaign has drawn international criticism for killing civilians, hitting non-military targets like hospitals and wedding parties and devastating infrastructure in the Arab world's most impoverished nation. The Yemen war has settled into a bloody stalemate even as international diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting intensified. The Houthis have accelerated their push to wrest control of the oil-rich government stronghold of Marib in recent months and escalated their cross-border attacks on the kingdom. Yemen embroiled in civil war since 2014 Yemen has been mired in civil war since 2014, when Houthi rebels seized control of much of the country's north along with 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, reported the AP. The Saudi-led military coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict in March 2015 to support President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi's government. It should be mentioned here that Sunday's attack came amid peace talks between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis, backed by the United Nations and the United States, which have been hindered after both sides failed to reach a suitable deal, The AP reported. (Image: Republicworld.com) Hundreds of Palestinians staged a demonstration along the border east of Khan Younis on Monday, burning tyres 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. 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 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. Israel's army chief of staff said in a speech earlier on Monday that "if the calm is not kept, we will not hesitate to launch another campaign" in the Gaza Strip. Israel and Hamas have fought four wars since Hamas took power, most recently an 11-day conflict in May. Egypt has been working in recent weeks to shore up a cease-fire agreement that ended the fighting. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Lahore, Aug 31 (PTI) Two Indian nationals, who were languishing in a Pakistani jail for eight years for "illegal border crossing", have been handed over to the Border Security Force personnel at the Wagah Border, a government official said on Tuesday. The official told PTI that in 2013, the Indian nationals - Sharma Rajput and Ram Buhadar - entered Pakistan's territory at the Line of Control (LoC) from Kashmir and were arrested by the Pakistan Rangers. Later, it appeared that they were mentally challenged, he said, adding that they had apparently crossed the border inadvertently. "Their pictures and other credentials were shared with India and finally after admitting them as its citizens, the Rangers handed them over to the BSF on Monday," the official said. The cases of 19 Indian nationals, arrested by the Pakistani authorities for alleged spying and illegal border crossing charges over a year ago, are still pending with the Federal Review Board. Police and Rangers had arrested the 19 Indians from different parts of the country under the Security Act and Secret Services Act of the country. They have been kept in different jails. They were produced before the Federal Review Board comprising judges of the Superior Court and the federal interior ministry presented their charges. The board extended their detention till the decision on their cases is made based on the investigation report of the interior ministry on whether they should face trial or should be set free, officials said. PTI MZ MRJ AKJ MRJ (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) As the U.S. military aircraft descended in Islamabad (a transit route for American & NATO forces) with dozens of U.S. troops spotted roaming at Pakistans airport, the countrys interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Tuesday rushed to clarify that the presence of U.S. forces in Pakistan will not be long term. Ahmad issued his response long after the photos and videos of the U.S. military forces landing in Pakistan from Afghanistan circulated on social media. The Pakistani citizens questioned their Prime Minister Imran Khans promise of saying absolutely not to the United States. Pakistan Prime Minister had earlier said in an interview with Jonathan Swan of HBO Axios that he wouldnt permit the CIA to use any of Pakistans military bases or its territory for the United States counter-terrorism missions in Afghanistan. "Absolutely not. There is no way we are going to allow any bases, any sort of action from Pakistani territory into Afghanistan. Absolutely not," Khan had said in his televised remarks that had earned him plaudits from his country for taking a brave stand. Now as the United States Armed forces military aircraft was seen making a landing in Pakistan, the countrys interior minister in a statement to the newspaper Dawn clarified that the troops were hosted for a limited time period and that they have been issued the transit visas that ranges from three weeks to one month. Even as Pakistan ruled out the possibility of U.S. troop deployment for future counterterrorism operations in its territory, it remains unclear as to why have the American forces landed at the countrys airport. Ahmad had claimed that foreigners from Afghanistan have landed in Islamabad after evacuations and their stay will be arranged in hotels. [U.S. Forces land at Pakistan's airport. Credit: Twitter/@Herez_Huzzaifa] As the images of U.S. troops circulated on social media and caused a stir, lawmakers and citizens criticized the Imran Khan administration, speculating the return of the Musharraf era. They claimed that the U.S. forces had made a comeback in Pakistan to build a counter-terrorism infrastructure as Washington sought options after withdrawing troops from Afghanistan. In June, United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had confirmed at a press briefing that America had held talks with Pakistan on the matter, categorically stressing that discussions have been constructive, and that the Pakistani interlocutors have ostensibly refused to host drone bases for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Pakistans Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, at the time, had told reporters that Pakistan would consider its own interests, and that hosting U.S. troops and granting them basing rights on Pakistani soil wouldnt be advantageous. Reports suggest that the U.S. had made umpteen attempts to convince Islamabad to revisit its stance. It is to be noted that Pakistan PM Imran Khan, despite his reluctance, has consistently insisted on reaffirming Islamabads ties with the U.S., offering a mutually beneficial relationship and becoming a U.S. partner in peace. As Pakistans citizens and opposition lawmakers speculated a U-turn in Prime Minister Imran Khans foreign policy, many questioned the exact duration of the U.S. troops stay in Pakistan as well as the purpose. Pakistan press reports reveal that the U.S. soldiers will be accommodated in different hotels in Islamabad. However, it is unknown why the soldiers haven't taken the route via Qatar back to the United States. Pakistans interior minister told reporters that Pakistan plays a huge role in the peace process in Afghanistan, and it will continue to fulfil its duty of national security in the region. No other country has rendered sacrifices for peace in Afghanistan more than Pakistan. Peace and stability in Afghanistan were linked with peace and stability in Pakistan, Ahmad was quoted saying by PTI, adding that he got assurance from the Taliban that banned terror outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) will not be harboured on Afghan soil where it foments terror activities. Taliban warned Pakistan against hosting U.S. troops Taliban had earlier warned Islamabad and all the neighbouring countries against letting the United States Armed Forces operate bases on their soil. The Taliban said in a statement, We urge neighboring countries not to allow anyone to do so. If such a step is taken again, it will be a great and historic mistake and disgrace. We will not remain silent in the face of such heinous and provocative acts. In May 2021, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific affairs, David F Helvey, had told the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, "Pakistan has allowed the U.S. military to use its airspace to support its presence in Afghanistan in the past. The country has always allowed overflights and ground access to the U.S. to facilitate its military presence in Afghanistan and would continue to do so. His remarks came as Pakistans foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, told the Senate that Islamabad would not offer its military bases to the U.S. Pakistani Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed on Monday disclosed that a strategic agreement has been reached between Taliban and Turkey which would oblige Turkish troops to take over the security of Kabuls Hamid Karzai Airport. Soon after US President Joe Biden announced the troop pullout deadline, Turkish President Recept Tayyip Erdogan proposed to protect Afghanistans most crucial airport and other pivotal areas. However, the stance appeared to dwindle following last weeks airport explosions. "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 was quoted as saying by the Anadolu news agency. However, speaking to The Nation Senator, Syed touted that well trained and skilled personnel were required to run the airport in the aftermath of the Talibans takeover and that Ankara had the capability to do it. "US forces will be leaving by August 31, therefore to run Kabul Airport and manage its proper security, there has to be a well-trained multi-skilled team which performs this heavy task." He further said that the Turkish military has the capability to do this which is why they had negotiated these things with the Taliban. He also said that the formation of an early, inclusive Taliban government was crucial to the regions stability and security. Welcoming the assurance given by the Taliban on Afghanistan would not be turned into a terror base, the Pakistani lawmaker asserted that Pakistan has to protect its national interests, specifically in the field of safety and security. 'Ready to co-operate' Meanwhile, 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. 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,"he was quoted as saying by Hurriyet News . (With inputs from ANI) (Image: AP) Afghan soil shouldnt be used to harbour terror forces or for an attack on any country or to shelter terrorists even as American forces have completely withdrawn from Kabul, the United Nations Security Council said in a resolution reached by the 13 Council members. Under the Presidency of India, the council adopted a resolution tabled by the US, the UK and France on Monday, Aug. 31 that voted in favour, exempting China and Russia, both of whom abstained from voting. The Afghanistan territory, at any cost, should not be used for terrorism or to shelter or train terror factions after the Talibans takeover of the territory on August 15. UNs highest body stressed the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan as it also highlighted the entities that are sanctioned under UN Resolution 1267, pointing out at the Talibans commitments in this regard. Members of the Security Council had earlier also condemned the bomb blasts near the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on 26 August, claimed by the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), an entity affiliated with Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh). As the United States ended the 2-decade war in Afghanistan, UN Security Council resolution asserted that the Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts, and reiterates the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan, including those individuals and entities designated pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999), and notes the Talibans relevant commitments. US highlights need for 'counterterrorism' missions US secretary of state had emphasized that the Taliban made public and private commitments to provide and permit safe passage for Americans, for third-country nationals, and Afghans at risk going forward past August 31. US President Joe Biden meanwhile stressed that the post-withdrawal the US only vital national interest in Afghanistan remains preventing a terrorist attack. Our mission should be narrowly focused on counterterrorism, he added while speaking from the White House. Terrorist threat has metastasized well beyond Afghanistan, Al Shabaab in Somalia, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, al-Nusra in Syria, ISIS attempting to create a caliphate in Syria and Iraq and establishing affiliates in multiple countries in Africa and Asia. These threats warrant our attention and our resources, the US President said, adding that there was a need for effective counterterrorism missions against such terrorist groups. The United States on Monday completed its military withdrawal from Afghanistan putting an end to America's longest war. However, the evacuation of the US troops and citizens, which has been touted as the largest airlift in US history, has come under severe criticism for being a 'chaotic' failure. As the US scrambled to pull out its final men from Afghanistan by August 31, Americans and US war veterans took to social media to criticize the Biden administration's evacuation plan. Former Veterans, netizens condemn pullout War veterans and netizens trended the hashtag 'Afghanistan Disaster', and hit out at the US President for leaving behind citizens. According to details shared by Retired US Army SFC Samuel Williams, at least 90 retired flag officers have signed a letter calling out top military leadership in the US over the dangerous withdrawal and demanding their resignation. The war veterans have alleged that the disaster and emboldened countries like China, Russia and Pakistan to take advantage of the crisis. Moreover, they have also come down heavily on the dismissal of US Marine Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller who had demanded that the senior officers and leaders take 'accountability' for the loss of 13 US servicemen in the Kabul bombings. I am very proud of my two sons and my own fight against the enemy in #Afghanistan but this end was not honorable for our country @JoeBiden, we are disgraced. #AfghanistanDisaster Col. Rob Maness ret. (@RobManess) August 30, 2021 #AfghanistanDisaster is all Biden's fault. He left Americans behind because of piss poor evacution plan. We need to get our people home now! Every American should be screaming for Biden to resign. Samuel Williams (@votesamuelwill1) August 31, 2021 The President must be impeached @JoeBiden, @SecDef, @thejointstaff Mark Milley, @SecBlinken Everyone of these people are responsible for the #AfghanistanDisaster and need to resign now! 90 Flag Officers have called for this as well as 1000s of Veterans. pic.twitter.com/j8JSgdgy0j Samuel Williams (@votesamuelwill1) August 31, 2021 You broke the golden American rule: You left Americans behind. You are unfit to be Commander in Chief. Youre unfit to lead. Resign. Immediately. Buzz Patterson (@BuzzPatterson) August 31, 2021 Did he just say Afghanistan now has access to over $84billion worth of military equipment left behind by the US - which also mean Afghanistan has more Black Hawk helicopters that 85% of the world? Can someone fact check this shit?#AfghanistanDisaster pic.twitter.com/E77y8ke6ip Taz (@Tazman_London) August 29, 2021 So the generals who disgraced their country fire and expel the one Lt. Col. brave enough to call them out for their lies and incompetence. What a fitting metaphor for a dysfunctional military command under a dysfunctional commander-in-chief #StuartScheller #AfghanistanDisaster Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) August 28, 2021 Biden promises safe return of stranded Americans Earlier today, US President Joe Biden issued his first statement after the completion of the evacuation operations in Afghanistan and revealed that the US had evacuated over 120,000 US citizens and Afghan allies in the last 17 days. The President stated that he had directed 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. Biden also banked on the promises made by the Taliban stating that the terror group had made commitments on safe passage and the world will hold them to their commitments. "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," he said. Cuba is now applying the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine alongside its homegrown shots as it deals with its biggest wave of coronavirus infections. Authorities in central Cienfuegos province announced the rollout of the Chinese-developed jabs from Sunday, along with the use of Cuba's own Soberana Plus booster. Cienfuegos, with a population of less than half a million inhabitants, reported 496 virus cases on Sunday and has seen more than 20,000 cases over the past 15 days. Authorities did not explain how Cuba obtained the Chinese vaccines, nor did they specify whether they were purchased by the island's government or if they were donated. It remains unclear why Cuba is now applying the Sinophram shots to some of its population. The Soberana 02 and the Soberana Plus vaccines were developed by the Finaly Institute and are produced on the island. A third, Abdala, was created by Cuba's Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. Cuba is the only country in Latin America that manufactures its own vaccines. The Caribbean island had been highly successful in keeping the virus at bay last year, but cases began shooting up after a brief period of relaxed controls at the start of 2021. Cienfuegos and other provinces, such as Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, Ciego de Avila and Havana, have been dealing with the latest wave of infections. Cuba is also going through a tough economic period, with common food and medicine shortages as well as power outages sparking large protests in July. As of Monday, the island has reported more than 645,000 coronavirus cases and 5,219 deaths linked to COVID-19. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Tuesday welcomed the warm message from his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son, who expressed gratitude for India for sending 300 oxygen concentrators and 100 MT of liquid medical oxygen amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Jaishankar said that he is confident regarding the India-Vietnam partnership growing from strength to strength. Bui had earlier said, Greatly appreciate the gift of the Government and People of India of 300 oxygen concentrators and 100MT of liquid medical oxygen. This is a true testament to the sound and strong Vietnam-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Appreciate your warm message Foreign Minister. Confident that our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will grow from strength to strength. https://t.co/EeIV6u9sKT Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 31, 2021 Earlier on August 30, the Ministry of Defence said in a release that its INS Airavat had reached Ho Chi Minh City Port in Vietnam with COVID relief materials as a part of the ongoing 'Mission SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region). At the request of the Vietnamese government, the ministry said on Monday, the ship carried 100 Metric Tons of Liquid Medical Oxygen in 05 ISO Containers. Apart from this, it also carried 300 Oxygen Concentrators of 10 LPM capacity to help the country's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday, Jaishankar had also informed about the development, and said, "INS Airavat reaches Vietnam with oxygen supplies. Indo-Pacific approach in practice [sic]." Before heading to Vietnam, the ship had gone to Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta on August 24 at the request of the Government of Indonesia. The ship delivered 10 Liquid Medical Oxygen containers to the country, according to the Defence Ministry's release. Indian Navy engaged in Mission SAGAR As per the ongoing Mission SAGAR program of the government, the Indian Navy has carried out several humanitarian aids to help other nations in their fight against the health crisis that originated in China in December 2019. These missions span the entire extent of the Indian Ocean, including South East Asia and East Africa. Sharing a strong traditional bond of friendship, India and Vietnam have been proactively engaged together towards a safer maritime domain. Apart from India providing aid to Vietnam on Monday, the Navies of both nations have been involved in several joint exercises. As per news agency ANI, India and Vietnams areas of cooperation include training programmes in the fields of the submarine, aviation and technical training. IMAGE: AP/Twitter In a massive development, India on Tuesday held a meeting with the new rulers of Afghanistan for the first time. In the meeting that took place in Doha, the Indian Ambassador to Qatar, Deepak Mittal, met Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the head of Talibans Political Office in Doha at the Embassy of India, Doha. The meeting took place at the request of the Taliban. Points of discussion:- Evacuation This was the first official meeting between India and the Taliban, after the fall of Kabul. In the meeting, the Indian Ambassador to Qatar, Deepak Mittal highlighted the need for safety and security of Indians, and pushed for the early return of those nationals stranded in Afghanistan. The travel of Afghan nationals, especially minorities, who wish to visit to India also came up during the meeting. 'Afghanistan soil should not be used for anti-Indian, terrorist activities' Besides, the Indian Ambassador Deepak Mittal also warned against Taliban using the Afghan's soil for anti-Indian activities and terrorism in any manner. Having heard the points laid by the Indian Ambassador to Qatar, Deepak Mittal, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the head of Talibans Political Office assured that the issues would be addressed 'positively'. Full statement following meeting in Qatar's Doha here- PM Modi forms Afghanistan group The meeting comes on the very same day Prime Minister Narendra Modi instructed officials to form an Afghanistan group that will include the External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and the National Security Advisor of India (NSA) Ajit Doval. Some officials of the concerned Ministries are also to be a part of the Afghanistan group. Sources have informed that the group has been meeting regularly over the last few days and discussed pertaining to safe return of stranded Indians, travel of Afghans (especially minorities) to India. In addition, it also discussed issues related to the ground situation in Afghanistan and international reactions, including the Resolution passed this morning by the UN Security Council, demanding that the Afghan territory 'not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists.' Over 13 countries voted in favour of the resolution except for China and Russia. The resolution was proposed by NATO allies US, the UK and France after their withdrew their troops from Afghanistan. The three countries asserted that the Taliban should stick to its assurances and allow a safe passage for Afghans and foreigners who want to leave the country. In the wake of the growing assertiveness of China in the region, Japans Defence Ministry on August 31 asked for a 2.6% increase over this years record budget to enhance the nations military. Japanese Defence Ministry's budget sought 5.48 trillion yen ($49.86 billion) for the year starting April 1, 2022. If approved by the finance ministry and parliament later this year, as per The Associated Press, it would be a record high for the military after a nine-year consecutive increase. Japans worry over Chinas growing influence and military actions in the region is also escalating. Meanwhile, China and Taiwans relations are also deteriorating with Taipeis increasing friendliness with the United States. All the concerns were specifically noted in this years defence report in Japan, adopted in July. The report had stated that Chinas enhanced military capabilities and the lack of clarity regarding the spending of the Communist government on its troops are a matter of grave concern. The report had also criticised Chinas maritime activity in and around the waters claimed by Japan. Meanwhile, Japan has been stepping up the defence in the countrys southwestern regions and islands including Ishigaki Island. In Ishigaki Island, Japan has installed a new military base with a land-to-sea missile defence system soon to be opened. The island also lies north of the uninhabited but Japan-claimed Senkaku Islands. The Senkaku Islands are also claimed by China and are called Diaoyu. Chinese Ships Enter Japan's Territorial Waters In the most recent intrusion by Chinas authoritarian government, its two patrol ships entered Japans territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea on August 28. As per ANI, initially, four ships in total were spotted in the area bordering waters claimed by Japan. Reportedly, then two of the ships entered the waters and even attempted to approach a Japanese fishing vessel. As per the report, the Saturday intrusion was also the 32nd time that Chinese vessels entered Japans territorial waters in 2021. Even though Japan controls the Senkaku Islands, China and Taiwan continue to claim them. Senkaku Islands in Japan are termed Diaoyu Islands in China. As per international law and Japans history, it maintains the islands which are also an inherent part of its territory. However, facing harsh criticism, China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea. Chinas claims have increased tensions in the region as the territorial disputes overlap with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan. The Chinese government has also ramped up its maritime activities in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea especially in the last few months in response to Beijing's concerns over the increasing presence of the US military in the region amid escalating Sino-US tensions. Earlier, China raised concerns over the passage of a United States Navy warship and Coast Guard cutter through the waters between China and Taiwan. IMAGE: AP As the Taliban continues to assert its ultra-austere set of rules over Afghanistan, Japan has disclosed plans to relocate its embassy to Qatar. On Monday, a top Japanese diplomat said that the pacific country has temporarily moved its embassy from Kabul to Turkey and would soon be relocating it to Qatar, according to Associated Press. It is imperative to note that the Taliban already have an office in the Qatari capital Doha and experts have predicted that the gulf state could play a pivotal role in shaping the course of events in Afghanistan. Since the fall of Kabul, a number of countries have either closed or relocated their embassies from Afghanistan. Back in May, Australia shut down its offices in the war-ravaged state highlighting the threat to its residents. Since then, major western powers including the US, UK, France, Germany and Canada have closed their diplomatic offices. 'Major communications to take place' Addressing media reporters, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who earlier this month toured the Middle East, said that his talks with region leaders suggested that Doha will carry growing political importance. Furthermore, he reckoned that he believed "major communications would take place there. Earlier this month, the country's Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said that safe evacuations for the remaining Japanese nationals and Afghans remained the administration's top priority. This comes as NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg chaired a virtual meeting with Foreign Ministers of the G7 (Group of 7) countries wherein he discussed the situation unfolding in Afghanistan and vowed to continue fighting terrorism. On Tuesday, the Taliban insurgents triumphantly marched at Kabuls Hamid Karzai Airport after the last US paratrooper left the war-ravaged territory, ending a 20-year long war. Meanwhile, Stoltenberg said that it was essential to preserve the counterterrorism gains made in Afghanistan. It is imperative to note that US and NATO troops invaded Afghanistan a month after the 9/11 attacks. The invasion also marked the first time when the intergovernmental military alliance expanded its operation past Europe. NATOs mission was always to make sure that Afghanistan was not a safe haven for international terrorists. Al Qaeda has been degraded and there has not been a terrorist attack on NATO allies organized from Afghanistan since 9/11, the NATO chief said at the conference. (With inputs and image from AP) Thousands of Mexican schools opened their doors on Monday after a year-and-a-half of closure, with a voluntary and hybrid system between in-person learning and virtual lessons. "We are truly uneasy," said Veronica Ruiz after dropping off her daughter at a Veracruz school. "A boy or girl could have the disease, and this could spread, and then they could spread it to others," she said. The new school year begins at a time when Mexico is amid 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 doesn't necessarily mean a greater risk for the kids who return to school nor for the community," said public health expert Miguel Betancourt. 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. 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 18 months. 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." In Mexico along, 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 country's Interior Ministry. "They cannot remain stagnant, locked up," said Blanca Martinez after dropping off her son, who is beginning his first year of high school. "If the disease is going to remain and given that it will not be eradicated, then we have to carry on," she said. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) PM Modi Forms High-level Group On Afghanistan With EAM And NSA, Focus On Evacuation In a major development amid the Afghanistan crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has instructed officials to form an Afghanistan group that will include the External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and the National Security Advisor of India (NSA) Ajit Doval. In addition, it is also being reported that officials from related ministries will be a part of it. The Afghanistan Group will focus on evacuations and the ground situation. Taliban's 'Presidential Face' Mullah Baradar Heads To Kabul As US Leaves; Govt Likely Soon As the United States of America has officially withdrawn its troops from Afghanistan, the Taliban has taken full charge of the war-torn nation. Now, as per Republic sources, the Taliban's political chief and 'Presidential face', Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, has left from Kandahar to Kabul, and the terrorist group is likely to announce new government formation soon. The Taliban had maintained that it was waiting for the US to complete its withdrawal to present its grand plan for the country. Read Full Story Here Tokyo Paralympics: Singhraj Adhana Wins Bronze In Men's 10m Air Pistol SH1 Event Singhraj Adhana has won a bronze medal for India in the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 men's 10m Air Pistol SH1 event on Sunday. By the virtue of this win, it has taken India's medal tally to eight. After the end of the first round, Singhraj Adhana was at the second spot with 50.3 points and retained the same spot after the end of Series 2 with 99.6 points. He did seem to be out of the medal race after the end of Elimination Round 3 but made great amends in the next round to successfully manage a podium finish. He earned 216.8 points in total to finish at 3. Read Full Story Here Jammu & Kashmir: Move To Rename Government Schools After Martyrs Initiated All government schools in Jammu will be renamed after the Indian Army soldiers, CRPF jawans and J&K police personnel, who were killed in the line of duty while serving the nations. This latest development was announced following the directions issued by the Jammu & Kashmir commissioner on Friday. Read Full Story Here At Kabul Airport, Taliban Leader Anas Haqqani & Terrorists Inspect US Evacuation Remnants As the United States ended its military involvement in Afghanistan, the Taliban on Tuesday entered Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport. In the visuals accessed by Republic Media Network, chief of Pak-based Haqqani network and Taliban leader Anas Haqqani can be seen walking around the airport with other members of the terrorist groups and taking stock of the area, which now houses aircraft, armored vehicles, and arms and ammunition left behind by the US. There is estimated to be tens of millions of dollars worth of gear left behind which is likely to be a major asset for the Taliban. Read Full Story Here Punjab Police File FIR Against Pro-Khalistan SFJ Leader For Issuing Death Threat To CM In a massive development, the Punjab police on Tuesday registered an FIR against the ISI-backed Khalistan ideologue Sikh for Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannu and other members for their continued attempts to promote violence in the state and the recent assassination threat against Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. Read Full Story Here Assam Floods: PM Modi Dials CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assures All Help For Rescue & Relief Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, 31 August, discussed the Assam flood situation with the state's chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over phone and assured all help needed for rescue and relief. According to the latest government data, two people have died in flood-related incidents in the past 24 hours. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has urged all citizens to avoid NH 715 as Kaziranga Park, in the area, is among the worst-hit regions. Read Full Story Here Bomb-laden Drone Attack On Airport In Saudi Arabia Wounds 8, Damages Civilian Plane In a big development, a bomb-laden drone on Tuesday targeted the Abha airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia, wounding 8 people and damaging a civilian plane, Saudi state television reported. It is important to note here that this is the latest assault on the kingdom amid its grinding war with its neighbouring Yemen. Read Full Story Here Ladakh MP Inaugurates Indian Army-built Road At 18,600 Feet Connecting Leh To Pangong BJPs Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal inaugurated a strategically important road built by the Indian Army connecting Zingral to Tangtse via Kela. The road has been built by the Indian Army at 18,600 feet high altitude and is set to play a great role in the development of the area. The road will significantly reduce 41 km to reach the famous tourist spot Pangong lake. Read Full Story Here Haryana Dy CM Dushyant Chautala Urges Farmer Leaders To Have Regular Dialogue With Govt In a significant development over the ongoing farmers' protest, Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana Dushyant Chautala, on Tuesday, said that those farmer leaders who support or work for farmers must have a dialouge with the government regularly. Chautala lashed out at some farmer leaders and said, "If their intention is to create chaos, then it is different, but if the intention is to work for farmers, then they must hold regular talks with the government," reported the news agency ANI. The JJP leaders pointed out the farmer leaders, saying, "Where are those 40 people now?". Read Full Story Here (IMAGE: Republicworld) A F-16 of Taiwan's Air Force slipped off the runway and made a nosedive on the grass while landing at an Air Force base in southern Taiwan. No one was injured and the aircraft suffered minor damage. The landing at Pingtung Air Force Base was part of a series of drills to prepare for the annual Han Kuang military exercises in mid-September. The fighter started to land at 6:32 am, and and the accident happened shortly after it deployed a parachute to slow down. The Ministry of National Defense has launched an investigation on the accident. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) The lawmakers from Thailand commenced a no-confidence debate on Tuesday, against Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha along with his five other Cabinet members. It happened when the opposition started putting allegations that the administration has handled the COVID-19 outbreak poorly. It is stated that for four days the debate will continue with a vote scheduled for the lower house on Saturday. Earlier, the groups who were indulged in the anti-government street demonstrations have pledged to boost up their own attempts to drive Prayuth out from power. Although the coalition administration of the prime minister has faced criticism for failing to acquire a timely and enough supply of COVID-19 vaccinations, it is widely anticipated that his coalition government will win this week's no-confidence debate. Opposition allegation on Thailand prime minister While the head of the main opposition Pheu Thai party, Sompong Amornvivat has made several scathing hits on Prayuth, accusing him of 'being an arrogant guy who is mostly driven with power' and unable to govern the nation. He even said, If we let him continue his leadership, it will lead to more people being infected and losing their lives. There wont be enough crematoriums in service and there will be no way to stop the spread of the disease, as per AP. Prime Minister, Prayuth has faced the no-confidence debate for the third time during this rule after he took office following the general election in 2019. Under his government, in the month of April, Coronavirus third wave engulfed the nation's population very quickly, with almost 97 per cent of over 1.17 million confirmed cases and more than 99 per cent of the 11,495 fatalities were registered since the beginning of the pandemic. Yet in the previous year of pandemic, the government of Prime Minister Prayuth succeeded in controlling the coronavirus outbreak with nationwide lockdown and several restrictions. However, lockdowns and travel bans wreaked havoc on the nation's economy, especially the important tourist industry, which nearly collapsed when most international travellers were denied entrance. The government's management of the country's economy is also another expected topic that will be in this week's debate. The deputy leader of the opposition Pheu Thai party, Pichai Naripthaphan informed The Associated Press that he believes everyone shares a sense of despair and scepticism about how the country's economy will revive. He even said that the economic condition of Thailand is expected to expand the slowest of the Southeast Asian economies this year. He even said, We hope that this no-confidence motion will lead to some changes either a Cabinet reshuffle or the coalition parties withdrawal later. More on the no-confidence debate Minister of Digital Economy Chaiwut said to the media prior to the debate that he is prepared to answer questions from the opposition parties. He even stated that the administration is concentrating on resolving the COVID-19 issues as quickly as possible so that individuals may resume their regular lives, and that if there is a political shift, that attempt may be jeopardised. According to Chaiyun Chaiyaporn, a political scientist at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, the debate would neither break apart the governing coalition nor pull the administration down. He predicted that the ministers who are on target would be able to justify their management of the epidemic effectively. Chaiyaporn further said, The debate by the opposition parties may reduce Prayuths legitimacy among the public, but not among the coalition parties. I think their relationship remains strong. As per AP, the opposition intends to question government officials from three major coalition parties apart from Prayuth. They include Bhumjai Thai Party's Deputy Premier and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, Palang Pracharath's Labor Minister Suchat Chomklin and Digital Economy Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, and Democrat Party's Agriculture Minister Chalermchai Sri-on. (Image Credit: AP) Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently held a phone conversation with the United Arab Emirates de facto leader Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed. On Monday, the Turkish presidency released a readout of the conversation informing that both the leaders touched upon a variety of topics including the bilateral relations between both the countries and other regional issues and Ankaras support for Turkish Brotherhood. "In a phone call, the two leaders exchanged views over a number of international and regional issues of interest, Saudis WAM news agency said. Turkey improves ties with UAE Experts have touted that the meeting could serve as a possible thaw between the regional adversaries. Ankara and Riyadh have been trading barbs over a variety of issues including their conflicting support in Libyas civil war. However, over the recent years, Turkey has considerably improved its ties with its Gulf adversaries including UAE and Saudi Arabia. The meeting comes two weeks after the Turkish president met with UAE National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan and pledged to make progress in improving relations. On 18 August, although, embarking on a new era of enduring conciliatory rhetoric, President Erdogan received Emirates' National Security Adviser and the two headed to the Presidential Complex in Ankara for talks. Even as Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had earlier asserted that there was no reason to mend ties with the United Arab Emirates even if UAE took a positive step, the Turkish leader, on Wednesday, argued that the instability in the regional diplomacy with allies and partners was normal. This comes after decades of Ankaras scathing attacks against the UAE lambasting its regional policies, which Turkey stated, were absolutely not friendly. In the rare de-escalation of the UAE-Turkey rivalry on Wednesday, Erdogan and UAEs Zayed al Nahyan discussed bilateral and regional developments with a key focus on cooperation and economic partnerships between the two Islamic middle eastern nations, Turkeys Communications Directorate revealed in an official statement. Former foreign minister and diplomatic adviser to the UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, Anwar Gargash, hailed the meeting as historic and positive on his official Twitter handle. (Image: AP) United Nations Security Council (UNSC), on Monday, adopted a resolution calling on the Taliban to allow safe passage for those seeking to leave Afghanistan but stopped short of vowing to create a safe zone as proposed by France and its allies. Earlier today, August 31, the Sunni Pashtun insurgents marched triumphantly across Kabuls Hamid Karzai Airport after the last American paratrooper left the war-ravaged state to its fate. More than 1,14,000 people have been airlifted from Kabul in the past two weeks as part of the US evacuation efforts. However, a small number of people have chosen to stay behind stressing their need to stay back with their families. The UN Security Council passed a resolution on Monday that calls for the Taliban to facilitate safe passage for people wanting to leave Afghanistan, allow humanitarians to access the country, and uphold human rights, including for women and children, the global body said in an online statement. UNSC adopts resolution on Afghanistan - 13 in favour, 0 against and 2 abstentions by Russia and China (In the photo is Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla who is chairing the UNSC meet( pic.twitter.com/g1TlQYl0Fw ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2021 The resolution was passed with a vote of 13 members while two permanent members-Russia and China-abstained. It is worth mentioning that both the socialist countries have dismissed the prospect of pulling out their officials from Afghanistan, adopting the policy of non-interference. Earlier on Sunday, the US, UK and other western allies asserted that the Taliban has allowed foreign nationals and Afghan citizens with travel authorisations to leave. With todays resolution, the Security Council expects the Taliban to live up to its commitment to facilitate safe passage for Afghans and foreign nationals who want to leave Afghanistan today and going forward. https://t.co/iNdbwwJq53 Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield (@USAmbUN) August 31, 2021 #BREAKING Security Council adopts resolution on #Afghanistan #UNSC sets out clear expectations on the Taliban to ensure: - No safe haven for terrorists - Safe passage for those who wish to leave - Access for @UN & humanitarian agencies - Respect for human rights pic.twitter.com/klzQI6NEDB UK at the UN (@UKUN_NewYork) August 30, 2021 UNSC condemns Kabul blasts Reaffirming its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and national unity of Afghanistan, the UNSC resolution also condemned the attack at the Kabul Airport on August 26. A key aspect of the aforementioned resolution which has also been consistently highlighted by India is the demand that Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter, train terrorists, or plan or finance terrorist acts. The resolution also calls for the strengthened efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and calls on all parties to allow full, safe, and unhindered access for the United Nations. Additionally, it reaffirms the importance of upholding human rights including those of women, children and minorities, and encourages all parties to seek an inclusive, negotiated political settlement with meaningful participation of women. Image: ANI/Twitter Activists in Colombia's capital commemorated the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances by taking dozens of pairs of rubber boots to a public square and laying them out in a rectangular shape. Some laid down inside the rectangle and used their bodies to make the number 6,402, in allusion to the number of people who were allegedly kidnapped by Colombian soldiers, executed and presented as dead rebels, as the Colombian army fought guerrilla groups in the first decade of this century. The so-called "false positive" cases are among many war crimes that are currently under investigation in Colombia, following a 2016 peace deal between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia that ended decades of war. In March, the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, a tribunal created by the peace accords, said that 6,402 civilians were killed by soldiers and presented as enemy combatants between 2002 and 2008. During that time, soldiers and officers were encouraged by their superiors to kill greater numbers of rebel fighters, in exchange for promotions and vacation time. Protesters in Bogota said that they would like to see those who killed civilians, or covered up the murders of civilians to be brought to justice. "Our message is that something like this should never happen again," said Rafael Orozco, the protest's organizer. "This cannot happen, and we cannot allow institutions to commit such crimes." Beatriz Mendez, whose son was killed by soldiers and presented as a rebel fighter in 2004, said that she went to the protests to make sure that his death, and that of other youths, would be remembered. "We are here to speak for them. If they no longer have a voice we will speak for them" Mendez said. The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances was created in 2010 by the United Nations, as the number of cases of forced disappearances rose around the world. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Hurricane Ida made landfall in the US state of Louisiana on Sunday and soon after, National Weather Services issued an alert warning residents of flash floods throughout the week. Now in the latest development, the Louis Armstrong International Airport, the only airport in the city of New Orleans, has shut down its operations. In a statement issued late on Monday, airport authorities said that all flights have been nixed till Tuesday and urged passengers to get in contact with their carriers. UPDATE: Airlines have cancelled all incoming and outgoing flights for tomorrow, Tuesday 8/31, and 197 cancellations have been reported for Wednesday due to impacts from #HuricaneIda. Please continue to check directly with your airlines for the latest flight information. New Orleans Airport (@flyneworleans) August 31, 2021 Ida, a category 4 storm hit American soil on the same day as Hurricane Katrina hit the Mississippi and Louisiana 16 years ago. The tropical storm left the city of New Orlean in a blackout, obliterating buildings and veering the flow of the Mississippi River as it rushed to the countrys one of the most important industrial corridors. As of now, two deaths have been reported with one person losing his life after a tree fell upon his home in Prairieville, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. "As #Ida moves inland, heavy rainfall and flooding impacts are expected to spread across the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys, the central and southern Appalachians, and Mid-Atlantic through Wednesday, "National Weather Service said in a statement. On Monday (local time), the US National Weather Service warned that the flash floods might continue throughout the week as the hurricane proceeded inland. "A Flash Flood Watch has been issued from Tue morning until early Thu morning," it said. A Flash Flood Watch has been issued from Tue morning until early Thu morning. A Flash Flood Watch means you should exercise caution, listen for NWS Flash Flood Warnings, watch for signs of rising water and be prepared to flee to higher ground at a moments notice. #azwx pic.twitter.com/spGSwsDLRy NWS Flagstaff (@NWSFlagstaff) August 30, 2021 Flash flooding will continue through the afternoon hours in association with Tropical Storm Ida. Rainfall rates of 1-3"/hr will result in additional localized totals of 3-6" through 7PM CDT. https://t.co/ZHLBwXYhaU National Weather Service (@NWS) August 30, 2021 Louisiana governor warns against Ida 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. Meanwhile, New Orleans power provider said that a major transmission tower fell into a river due to Hurricane Ida, leaving hundreds of thousands without power. Rescue Operations According to the latest update, hundreds of rescue workers set out boats and helicopters to reach people trapped by floodwaters. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, while speaking to the Associated Press (AP), informed about the death of one person and added the hurricane made several roads impassable. Also, Edwards said that the cellphone network has not been working as hurricane-ravaged several mobile towers in the area. The hurricane came in and did everything that was advertised, unfortunately, Louisiana Governor said. Image: AP (With inputs from AP) The journalist was told to move away from the exit as activists in exile called on people to remember the Aug. 31, 2019 attacks on unarmed civilians by riot police. A protester holds a placard reading 'Don't forget the 831 terror attack' on the first anniversary of the Aug. 31, 2019 attack by Hong Kong Police on passengers at the Prince Edward MTR station, in an Aug. 30, 2020 photo. Hong Kong police on Tuesday arrested a journalist outside Prince Edward MTR station, as many in and outside the city marked the second anniversary of attacks on train passengers by riot police at the height of the 2019 protest movement. The journalist for the news website Egg Egg Club, was arrested for "disorderly conduct in a public place" after shouting insults at police officers. The man had been standing outside an exit from the subway station, when he was told by police officers at the scene to step back into the press area, the Hong Kong Standard newspaper reported. Police also questioned a number of people who wanted to leave flowers and other offerings outside the exit as a mark of respect for anyone who may have died in the incident, the paper said. Hong Kong residents have repeatedly left flowers outside the subway station to commemorate one or more people whom many believed died when riot police attacked unarmed train passengers on a train and on the subway platforms. Authorities in Hong Kong have repeatedly hit out at 'malicious rumors' that someone died when riot police stormed the Prince Edward MTR station on Aug. 31, but the selective release of stills from surveillance footage from cameras inside the station has done little to assuage public mistrust in the official narrative. Zhang Xiaoming, who heads China's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO), has warned that people who express the belief that anyone died in the incident could be breaking a draconian national security law imposed on the city by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from July 1, 2020 as a response to a wave of mass, popular protests over the erosion of Hong Kong's promised freedoms. Meanwhile, Hongkongers in exile spoke out more freely about the anniversary. "Never forget how the Hong Kong police terrorized and assaulted citizens two years ago," former lawmaker Nathan Law, now in exile in the United Kingdom, said via Twitter on Tuesday. "Full-geared special force rushed to the station and attacked passengers indiscriminately," Law said. "Many were severely injured, yet no officers are held accountable." Rewriting history Wong Mau-chun, who was named as mysteriously missing, believed killed, in early rumors about the attacks, and who later turned up in the U.K., said people should resist the government's attempts to make people forget about the events of Aug. 31, 2019. Wong, also known as Jim Wong, faces eight charges including rioting, should he return to Hong Kong, and has applied for political asylum in the U.K. "I think everyone has a duty to find out the truth and never to forget what happened," he told RFA. "[The authorities] are constantly trying to revise the details and rewrite history." "It's now been two years ... and the biggest issue we face now is forgetfulness," Wong said. "People in Hong Kong may think that nothing is going to happen, because there aren't any more protests now, and everyone is in jail," he said. "But a lot of people are still suffering because of what happened ... we are talking about people's lives." Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. The move comes amid growing concerns over gaming addiction, mental and physical health and myopia. Authorities in China are cracking down on widespread gaming among minors, limiting anyone under 18 to just three hours' online gaming per week, the country's press, publications, and gaming censor said in a statement. Gaming companies have been ordered to impose strict time limits on online gaming for minors, in order to prevent them from overindulging and to protect their physical and mental health, the General Administration of Press and Publications (GAPP) said in an Aug. 30 directive on its official website. "Online gaming companies may only provide minors with one-hour online gaming slots from 20 to 21:00 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and statutory holidays," the order said. The move is a drastic cut in permitted gaming time, which was set at one-and-a-half hours on all weekdays and three hours at weekends, with no gaming allowed after 10.00 p.m. Service providers Tencent and NetEase have already set up real-name identification systems to identify minors, as well as facial recognition technology that can tell if an underage player is using an adult login. Now, all underage users in China will be required to register with their real names, while all online games must be integrated with the GAPP's anti-addiction verification system, it said. No users will be allowed to access online games unless they have logged in according to the new rules, it said. GAPP officials at all levels of government have also been ordered to step up supervision and inspection of online gaming companies' performance regarding the new rules, which take effect from Sept. 1, 2021. About 62.5 percent of Chinese minors often play games online, while 13.2 percent of underage mobile game users play mobile games for more than two hours a day on weekdays, according to state media. Complaints of addiction In 2017, Tencent Holdings said it would limit play time for some young users of its flagship mobile game "Honor of Kings," a response to complaints from parents and teachers that children were becoming addicted. The authorities have also become increasingly concerned over rising rates of myopia among young people. On Aug. 3, state media denounced online gaming as "mental opium" and "electronic drugs," naming "the Honor of Kings" as a key example. Primary school teacher and keen gamer Yuan Changquan said the rules are somewhat draconian, however. "It's a bit heavy-handed and simplistic to use such methods to supervise children, who should have the freedom to make their own choices," Yuan told RFA. "Also, a lot of young people play games now because there aren't many jobs." Crackdown success uncertain Chongqing-based educator Meng Xing said it wasn't entirely clear whether the government would be able to implement the new rules. "Underage people will still be able to use their parents' ID to log on," Meng said. "They tried to bring out new rules forbidding minors from logging onto live streams in the past, but hundreds of thousands of them are doing it." "Of course they will crack down hardest on the better-known games like 'Honor of Kings," Meng said. "Whether or not they will succeed in implementing this with the lesser-known games is another matter." Meng said the anti-gaming policy for minors was part and parcel of recent moves to abolish primary school examinations and out-of-school tutoring schools, in a bid to take the pressure off children and parents to excel, and to encourage couples to consider having more children. "Xi Jinping has in mind a utopian ideal of the Chinese dream," U.S.-based political commentator Wang Juntao told RFA in a recent interview. "The cream of this society are men like him and women like [his wife] Peng Liyuan," Wang said. "Everyone else is just supposed to do whatever the party tells them to do." "Ordinary people are just cogs in the machine. They're not to play video games, but should spend the day working hard and study the party constitution in the evenings," he said. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is moving to strengthen central control over the country's land, setting up a scheme to allow farmers to be bought out of household responsibility leases set up in the post-Mao Zedong era and requiring the proceeds of land sales to be paid into central government coffers. Under CCP general secretary Xi Jinping, the government intends to "deepen rural reforms" by rolling out pilot schemes under which rural residents who move into urban areas can have their contracts to farm land back home terminated. Under a policy first unveiled in Central Policy Document No. 1 in 2016, local governments in the pilot areas are required to "support and guide farmers to transfer [land] rights in accordance with the law and with compensation," the ministry of agriculture said in an Aug. 27 directive published on its website. "Some counties, cities and districts in Shanghai, Shandong, Ningxia, Hubei and other provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities [are being authorized] to carry out pilot projects for the withdrawal of contracted rural land," the directive said. "Whether the pilot experience in those areas can be rolled out on a larger scale requires in-depth research," it said. Jiangsu-based commentator Zhang Jianping said the "household responsibility" system, which typically signed leases of 30 years with farming families, was brought in by late supreme leader Deng Xiaoping in 1978, to enable farmers to sell off excess produce at local markets, for a profit. He said the insistence by the ministry of agriculture that the return of land to state hands would be "voluntary" was unlikely to be implemented in reality. "This insistence that it will be voluntary ... is very scary," Zhang told RFA. "Nobody in China believes that our so-called voluntary vaccination program is truly voluntary." Urbanization He said the only way to solve the problem of lack of investment in rural areas was to allow full land ownership. Under the CCP, all land ultimately belongs to the state, which sells leases for specified users to land buyers. But Beijing-based independent commentator Zha Jianguo said the policy is also in keeping with the government's support for increased urbanization of the rural population. "Urbanization continues to gather pace, and rural residents are more and more likely to go and live in cities now, especially young people," Zha told RFA. "They are less and less willing to go back to rural areas to work the land." "There is a growing bank of fallow and abandoned land in rural areas, which means that land resources aren't being used to their fullest extent," he said. But he said the key to the scheme's success would be whether farmers genuinely had a choice, and whether they were compensated. "The key, of course, lies in the mechanism used to transfer the land," Zha said. "The crucial thing is whether it is voluntary, and whether it is compensated." "Whether or not people get compensation could vary from place to place." The move comes after the ministry of finance announced in that proceeds from land sales at local level would now be collected by national taxation bureaus, rather than by land and resources bureaus in local governments. Figures released for 2020 by the finance ministry showed that the sale of land leases generated 8.4 trillion yuan for local governments, out of a total revenue of 10 trillion yuan for local governments nationwide. Central government control The change will deprive local governments of a lucrative source of revenue, and strengthen central government control over what they can do, commentators told RFA at the time. A scholar who gave only the surname Zhang said the move was part of a move to nationalize huge swathes of the economy, including private corporations. A business owner from Nanjing, who gave only the surname Zhou said Xi had always held recovering revenue from local governments as a policy goal since taking office. "After he took office, Xi Jinping made his thinking very clear about that. He has always wanted to transfer local fiscal revenues to central government control," Zhou said. She said that local governments had long taken a huge slice of any wealth generated from the sale of land or from incoming investment. "For example, if a developer invests in an industrial park, then they have to pay back a certain proportion of money to the local government," she said. Beijing-based commentator Ji Feng said local governments will find other ways to generate revenue. "In future, maybe they will have to do historic urban reconstruction schemes, which means that more and more demolitions will take place," Ji said. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. The report by the UNs atomic energy agency 'underscores the urgent need for dialogue and diplomacy,' the White House says. A new report by the U.N.s atomic energy agency that North Korea may have restarted a five-megawatt nuclear reactor at its Yongbyon nuclear power facility believed to be capable of producing plutonium for nuclear weapons, has sparked calls by the United States and South Korea for the resumption of international talks to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. [S]ince early July 2021, there have been indications, including the discharge of cooling water, consistent with the operation of the reactor, said the report issued Friday by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Vienna, Austria-based IAEA monitors developments in the Norths nuclear program and evaluates available open source information and satellite imagery, though the agency has not had access to the Yongbyon site or to other locations in the reclusive country since Pyongyang expelled its inspectors in 2009 and subsequently continued its nuclear weapons program. The DPRKs nuclear activities continue to be a cause for serious concern, the report said. Furthermore, the new indications of the operation of the 5MW(e) reactor and the Radiochemical Laboratory are deeply troubling. The continuation of the DPRKs nuclear programme is a clear violation of relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and is deeply regrettable, it said. The Security Council has passed several resolutions sanctioning North Korea in response to the countrys nuclear and missile activities since 2006. In response to the report, a senior administration official at the State Department said Monday that officials there were aware of the report and were closely coordinating with U.S. allies and partners on developments regarding North Korea. This report underscores the urgent need for dialogue and diplomacy, so we can achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, said White House press secretary Jen Psaki at the daily press briefing at the White House on Monday. We continue to seek dialogue with the DPRK so we can address this reported activity and the full range of issues related to denuclearization, she said. The Biden administration has said it is willing to engage with North Korea diplomatically on ending the nuclear threat, but likely will not lift harsh sanctions against the country for its past ballistic missile tests and nuclear program. Former U.S. President Donald Trump met with Kim Jong Un at a summit in Singapore in June 2018 the first-ever meeting between leaders of the U.S. and North Korea where they signed a joint statement in which the North would work toward a complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in exchange for U.S. security guarantees. At a second summit in Hanoi in 2019, the two leaders failed to reach a denuclearization deal when Trump refused to drop sanctions against the North first before a promised dismantling of nuclear weapons at the Yongbyon facility. Nuclear envoy arrives Two days after the IAEAs report was issued, South Koreas top nuclear envoy Noh Kyu-duk arrived in Washington for talks with his U.S. counterparts on ways to restart denuclearization negotiations with North Korea. His trip came on the heels of a visit to Seoul last week by Sung Kim, the U.S.s special envoy for North Korea, amid annual nine-day U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises that Pyongyang warned could create a serious security crisis. The United Nations responded to the report, saying that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is concerned by the latest developments. He has called on North Korea to refrain from nuclear weapons-related activities and to resume diplomatic talks with the other parties concerned as the only way to forge sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Following a meeting with U.S. State Department officials on Monday, Seouls envoy Noh Kyu-duk said that his government was closely monitoring the Norths weapons of mass destruction activities in close cooperation with the U.S. South Korea and the U.S share the view that the North Korean nuclear issue is a task that needs to be urgently resolved through diplomacy and dialogue while maintaining stability on the Korean Peninsula, he said. U.S special envoy Sung Kim said that the two side reaffirmed the shared goal of the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and looked forward to hearing from the DPRK. U.S. Senator Ed Markey, who has championed nuclear nonproliferation, said he was deeply disappointed in Pyongyangs decision to reject diplomacy and restart operations at Yongbyon. Kim Jong Un should return to the negotiating table so we do not see a return to fire and fury, he said, referring to a comment made by Trump in August 2017 warning that the North would be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen following revelations that Pyongyang had successfully created a miniaturized nuclear weapon that could fit in its missiles. The international community must send the message that Kim Jong UNs provocative proliferation stands in the way of peace on the Peninsula, Markey said. Build, provoke, and threaten Analysts said that any moves by North Korea to restart the Yongbyon facility were concerning, but not completely unexpected. Bruce Klingner, a senior research fellow on Northeast Asia at the conservative Heritage Foundation in Washington, called the information in the report a very worrisome development. [A]ny action by North Korea to augment its nuclear or missile arsenals is troublesome to not only U.S. security but to the security of our allies, he said. It could augment North Koreas already ongoing efforts to expand its nuclear arsenal and the current production that its undergoing, he added. In 2017, U.S. intelligence community estimated based on leaked documents that the North could have 30 to 60 nuclear weapons or weapons worth of fissile material plutonium or uranium and could produce seven to 12 more annually, Klingner said. Just extrapolating from those numbers, North Korea could have close to 100 weapons or weapons worth [of fissile material] right now, he said. Soo Kim, a policy analyst at the RAND Corporation, said North Korea never intended to surrender its nuclear weapons program, as now evidenced by the apparent restarting of the Yongbyon nuclear reactor. Amid stalled nuclear negotiations with the U.S., this latest development may also help Pyongyang signal to the U.S. and the international community of its intent to keep developing its nuclear weapons capabilities, she said. Pyongyang will continue to build, provoke, and threaten, with the intention of extracting concessions and eventually getting the U.S. and the international community to accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons power, Kim added. The U.S. and South Korea should be wary of Pyongyangs intentions, and not fall into the trap of expecting or hoping that the regime will come around with the right timing and balance of concessions, she said. Reported by Soyoung Kim and Albert Hong for RFAs Korean Service. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Russia is strengthening ties with Myanmars increasingly isolated junta in a bid to grow its global arms market and expand its influence in Southeast Asian regional affairs, political analysts said Monday, following Moscows confirmation of plans to deliver military equipment to the nation. Myanmars military seized power from the government on Feb. 1 in response to what it said was a fraud-tainted victory by the National League for Democracy (NLD) in the countrys November 2020 election. The junta has yet to provide evidence of its claims and has violently repressed anti-coup protests, killing 1,038 people and arresting 6,033, according to the Bangkok-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). Western governments have responded with sanctions, calling on the regime to hand back power to the NLD, but the junta has indicated it has no plans to step down and has been forced to shift its diplomatic focus elsewhere amid its growing status as an international pariah. In June, the U.N. General Assembly voted not to sell weapons to the junta amid its brutal crackdown on unarmed civilians. The U.S. and 118 other countries voted in favor of the resolution, but 36 countries, including Russia, abstained. Last week, Russian officials announced plans to deliver an air defense weapons system to Myanmars military. And on Monday, the head of Russias military technology department confirmed the aid will arrive in a timely manner, speaking to the juntas General Staff General Maung Maung Aye, who is in Moscow leading a delegation to the International Military Technology Forum (IMTFA) 2021. The announcements followed an Aug. 23 meeting between Gen. Maung Maung Aye and Russian Deputy Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Alexander Fomin, during which the former pledged more cooperation between the two countries in military affairs and technology. Meanwhile, junta spokesman Maj. General Zaw Min Tun told The Irrawaddy online newspaper last week that relations with Russia are stronger than ever. Thein Tun Oo, executive director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, a group of former military officers, said the militarys close ties with Russia and other powerful nations would allow the junta to reap the benefits [it] deserves, despite being ostracized by the West. That is why Russia, which is still a leader in military technology, is recognized as an ally, he told RFAs Myanmar Service on Monday. Seeking buyers Other analysts pointed out that the increased ties work both ways and said that, as a leader in the global arms market, Russia would not miss out on the opportunity to sell weapons while the West sanctions Myanmars military. Russia wants to sell its weapons and at the same time opposes pressure from the U.S. and the E.U., said Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-based Myanmar political analyst. When it needs to find buyers for its weaponry, it has to deal with a country like ours. On the other hand, the junta is forced to work with such an ally for its own benefit. Junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing traveled to Russia in June, visiting arms and military vehicles manufacturer Rosoboronexport, and meeting with company officials on military technical cooperation. Myanmar has been a major customer of Rosoboronexport for many years. Myanmar accounts for only 0.07 percent of Russias exports, but its market for arms has grown in recent years. The value of arms, military-related equipment, and nuclear material exports to Myanmar grew from less than U.S. $8 million in 2014 to more than U.S. $115 million in 2020, accounting for 51 percent of all exports. A study by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) found that Russia had recorded some U.S. $10.7 billion in arms sales to Southeast Asia from 1999 to 2018more than any other country. Of that, Myanmars military bought U.S. $1.5 billion, the second most after Vietnam, the study said. Investment opportunities Analyst Dr. Sai Kyi Zin Soe said Russias interest in Myanmar is not limited to the weapons trade. It sees Myanmar not only as a major arms customer, but also as a strategic country for geopolitical influence in Southeast Asia, he said. Additionally, while most foreign investors are leaving Myanmar, Russia seems to be considering expanding its investment there. Lt. Gen. Alexander Fomin told the official Myawaddy TV in June that Southeast Asia is a key hub for global economic development. He noted the nations abundant natural resources and transportation opportunities, which he suggested could produce benefit for Russia in terms of both military affairs and geopolitical influence. Zaw Pe Win, an economist, told RFA the junta expects to receive economic investment from Russia, which is seeking oil and mining opportunities. Russia, I think, is only interested in trading weapons and defense equipment, and investing in oil and the mining of metals, he said. According to a 2018 statement from the Russian Embassy in Yangon, Russian companies are currently operating a steel factory in Myanmars Shan state and engaging in oil exploration in the country. Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Labor activists say workers are concerned about getting ill but are fired if they refuse the shot. Factory workers in Myanmars largest city Yangon are being forced to decide between receiving bonuses for getting Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines or pink slips, despite concerns they have about potential side effects from the drug, labor activists said Monday. Thet Thet Aung, a labor official with the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society rights group, told RFAs Myanmar Service that authorities have been offering monetary rewards to factory workers to get the Sinopharm vaccine, while others are threatening to fire those who refuse to. She said workers at a small number of factories had not been pressured to get vaccinated, but most had been forced to do so. Most workers are too scared to be vaccinated because they havent been given any details about the vaccine, she said. But the factory told them they would be fired if they didnt get vaccinated. This is happening in many factories. Thet Thet Aung said workers at one factory had been asked, without any pressure, to get vaccinated, but that it has now become mandatory. If you refuse, you would be fired. Thats the situation, she said. The workers are now questioning who will take the responsibility if something happens [to them] after taking the vaccine. And the factory officials said it was not their responsibility. There are some factories where workers are not pressured about this. But thats only a few. She said the workers are unwilling to be vaccinated because the factory has refused to give them a leave of absence if they become ill after receiving the shot. China has shipped millions of doses of its Sinopharm vaccine to Myanmar in July and August as the Southeast Asian nation grapples with a third outbreak of COVID-19 that has killed 6,241 people and infected nearly 98,000 in the past month. Officials say at least 15,183 people have died and 392,300 have been infected since the start of the pandemic, but sources say the numbers are likely much higher. Efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus in Myanmar were dealt a serious blow when the military seized power in a Feb. 1 coup detat. The countrys healthcare system is now at the brink of collapse due to a poorly managed response to a third wave of COVID-19 that has killed more than 8,600 people in the past month alone. The countrys public hospitals are operating at maximum capacity and have been turning away all but the most seriously ill. Other patients are being forced to settle for treatment at home amid shortages of basic medical necessities, including oxygen supplies critical to mitigating hypoxia, when oxygen fails to reach bodily tissues. Vaccination drive Workers at the Grand Enterprises Garment (GEG) factory in Yangons Dagon Myothit (East) township, which employs more than 30,000 people, said some people sweated profusely and fainted after being given the vaccine on Aug. 21. A woman at the GEG factory, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told RFA that some of the workers took the vaccination after being promised cash rewards. It was last Saturday, and I went for the vaccination. One of the guys at the top of the line was vaccinated and very soon after that, he fainted and fell. It happened right before our eyes, she said. Another man who said he had a heart condition had breathing difficulties after getting the shot. He wasnt sent to any hospital as the factory had its own clinic. They said the man recovered at the clinic after a while. The woman said that while workers were told they would not receive a leave of absence, they were offered 5,000 kyats (U.S. $3) to take the vaccine. A lot of people got interested after that and agreed to get vaccinated. The same happened at seven other branches of the factory, she said, adding that around 1,000 people were vaccinated that day. A security official at the GEG factory told RFA that the shots were given without checking the medical history of each factory worker. We first heard that a pregnant woman had fainted. But it wasnt true. A guy sweated profusely after the vaccination and fainted, he said. After some inquiries, we found out that the shots were given without checking the medical records of the workers. They just checked their oxygen levels and gave them the shots, which is not right. Workers told RFA that GEG officials stopped vaccinating workers that day due to the fainting incidents. WHO guidance Reports of the forced vaccinations at factories came days after Dr. Khin Khin Gyi, director of the juntas Central Infectious Diseases Control Division under the Ministry of Health, told the official MRTV on Aug. 23 that members of the public could take their vaccinations with confidence, as the vaccines from China had already been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). There is no harm in being vaccinated and one would only get positive benefits [from doing so], he said at the time. But during a news conference the following day, Dr. Zaw Wai Soe, the health minister for Myanmars shadow National Unity Government (NUG), slammed the junta for a vaccination rollout that he said has not followed WHO guidelines. We have to follow the plan that has been recognized by the WHO and agreed upon, he said. It may be difficult for the public and our country as a whole to get protection against the virus, as we are seeing, in many cases, an unsystematic procedure in the administration of the vaccines. Dr. Zaw Wei Soe said the NUG government was working to ensure that people are vaccinated systematically, adding that the WHO will soon deliver 4 million doses of the U.S.-made Pfizer vaccine and 2.2 million doses of the Chinese-produced Sinovac vaccine. He said the NUG is also working to obtain 15 million doses of vaccines purchased from India prior to the coup. According to a statement issued by the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association in June, there are 11 factories in Myanmar that have been shuttered since February and 41 factories that are temporarily closed. It said a total of 502 garment factories are currently in operation. Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. MOSCOW -- A noted young mathematician from Russia's Tatarstan who was sentenced to six years in prison on hooliganism charges that he and his supporters have rejected, says he would not be surprised if he is turned down for early release on parole for resisting attempts by prison officials to "correct" his pleas of innocence. In a letter to his wife Yelena Gorban, Azat Miftakhov wrote that prison authorities refuse to believe his claims of innocence and fears they will use that, and any minor violations of prison protocol to keep him in the Kirov region's Correctional Colony No. 17, which is known as one of the toughest prisons in the country. Miftakhov, 28, was sentenced to six years in prison in January after a court in Moscow found him guilty of involvement in an arson attack on the ruling United Russia's office in Moscow in 2018. Miftakhov has denied the charges, which his lawyers say stem from his anarchist beliefs and support for political prisoners. The mathematician says that he will be eligible for parole in about six months, but fears prison authorities will find a way to block his early release. "I may face any number of moves [by the administration] to deprive me of my release. They can file a reprimand against me for some minor thing, such as an unbuttoned uniform, and that will be enough," the letter, shown to RFE/RL by Gorban on August 31, says. He did not say if he had been reprimanded during his stay. The mathematician said that all of his books were confiscated upon his arrival at the penitentiary earlier in August, with guards saying they "had to check the contents." After he arrived at the colony, Miftakhov informed his wife that he was ordered to do what he called "hard labor," namely to load sawdust onto trucks in a wood-processing facility. After Gorban raised the issue of her husband's situation in the penitentiary, the prison administration changed his work task, ordering him to load wood boards on trucks instead of sawdust, which Miftakhov called "a much easier job." Miftakhov was first arrested in early 2019 and accused of helping make an improvised bomb found in the city of Balashikha near Moscow. He was released several days after the initial charge failed to hold, but was rearrested immediately upon his release and charged with being involved in the attack on an office of the ruling United Russia political party in January 2018. The Public Monitoring Commission, a human rights group, has said that Miftakhov's body bore the signs of torture, which the student claimed were the result of investigators unsuccessfully attempting to force him to confess to the bomb-making charge. The Moscow-based Memorial Human Rights Center has recognized Miftakhov as a political prisoner, while some 2,500 mathematicians from 15 countries have signed a letter urging the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) to assist in Miftakhov's release. In June, the American Mathematical Society urged Acting Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at the U.S. Department of State, Lisa Peterson to include Miftakhov's issue in the agenda of a summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin that was held on June 16 in Geneva. MINSK -- Verdicts and sentences will be handed down on September 6 in the trial of two leading Belarusian opposition figures, Maryya Kalesnikava and Maksim Znak, on conspiracy charges the United States has called "manufactured" amid an ongoing crackdown on pro-democracy activists and groups by authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka. The Telegram channel of jailed politician Viktar Babaryka quoted Kalesnikava's lawyer, Uladzimer Pylchanka, as saying on August 31 that the high-profile trial will reach its end next week with the court handing down its decision. The two defendants, who are members of the opposition Coordination Council, were charged with conspiracy to seize power, calls for action to damage national security, and calls for actions damaging national security using media and the Internet. Both have rejected the charges, which stem from their calls for protests against the official election results in August 2020, as politically motivated. They face up to 12 years in prison if convicted. The ongoing crackdown started after the presidential election awarded Lukashenka a sixth term, sparking an unprecedented wave of protests amid allegations the vote was rigged. Mass protests against Lukashenka were met with the heavy-handed, and sometimes violent, detention of tens of thousands of people. Much of the opposition leadership has been jailed or forced into exile. Several protesters have been killed and thousands arrested during mass demonstrations demanding Lukashenka's resignation. There have also been what human rights groups call credible reports of torture in the crackdown. Barna Kargar benefited from educational opportunities made available to Afghan girls in the years after the defeat of the Taliban in 2001, and after completing school she gained a place at a university in Kazakhstan. Now, like many Afghan students in the country, she fears being sent home when her visa expires. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that while it had insufficient evidence to conclude there was Russian state involvement in the 2009 abduction and murder of human rights activist Natalya Estemirova, Russian authorities failed to properly investigate the killing. The court found Russian officials also undermined the ECHR's proceedings in the case, brought by Estemirova's sister, by refusing to comply with evidentiary requirements. Estemirova's daughter and the rights group that her mother worked for both expressed disappointment with the court's failure to point a finger at Russian officials they believe are responsible. The 51-year-old Estemirova worked for the Memorial human rights group and documented extrajudicial killings, kidnappings, and other abuses by law enforcement officers in the southern Russian region of Chechnya before she disappeared in Grozny. Her body was found hours later in neighboring Ingushetia with gunshot wounds to the head and chest. Many of Estemirova's cases exposed "specific crimes allegedly committed by insurgents and law-enforcement personnel of the Republic of Chechnya," the court noted. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has been accused by local and international rights groups of overseeing abuses against perceived opponents, roundups and summary procedures by law enforcement, as well as numerous intimidation tactics since taking power with Kremlin backing in 2007. Russian and international rights groups have criticized Russia for failing to bring anyone to justice for the 12-year-old killing. Russian investigators charged an alleged militant, Alkhazur Bashayev, in the killing in 2010 and ordered his arrest, but he has not been found. Estemirova's sister, Svyetlana, who brought the ECHR case, argued that Russian officials were behind the abduction. The ECHR ruled that "the applicant had not made out a case that Natalya Estemirova, had been abducted by state agents, and the evidence did not support the state involvement in her murder." Estemirova's and many other high-profile killings of rights advocates and political opponents of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his apparatus have gone unsolved in the two decades he has held power. The ruling said the court "did draw parallels with similar well-known cases such as those of Anna Politkovskaya and Yury Orlov in Russia," two prominent critics who were killed in the past. "However, it was unable to accept the applicant's argument that this was a prima facie case of abduction by state agents. It did not switch the burden of proof to the government." But the ruling said the court "concludes that the authorities failed to investigate effectively the abduction and killing of Natalya Estemirova." It also urged Russian officials to find Estemirova's killer or killers. The ECHR ordered Russia to pay 20,000 euros ($23,600) in nonfinancial damages. Russia did not officially respond to the ruling by the ECHR, many of whose judgments have been ignored in the past by Russian officials. Rights groups have chronicled more than a decade of abuses since Kadyrov took over the restive region of Chechnya following two wars against separatists after the Soviet Union fell in 1991. Kadyrov denies the allegations. Estemirova's daughter, Lana, expressed disappointment with the ruling. "I am glad that the court found that there was no proper investigation, but otherwise this is an extremely disappointing judgment," she said in a statement. "It was a catch-22 situation, as the court concluded there was not enough evidence of the Russian authorities' complicity in my mother's murder, but they didn't submit enough evidence to the court. This is no way to produce a fair judgment." Memorial, whose board member Oleg Orlov had directly accused Kadyrov of responsibility for the killing and was prosecuted for slander but then acquitted, also expressed disappointment over the ruling. "Memorial regrets that the ECHR did not acknowledge the responsibility of the authorities in the death of Natalya Estemirova," it said. With reporting by Reuters and AFP The Iranian judiciary says six wardens at Tehrans notorious Evin prison will stand trial soon in connection with leaked videos showing prison guards mistreating inmates that human rights activists said offered a rare glimpse of the cruelty regularly meted out to prisoners in the country. Four of the guards are soldiers and will be tried in a military court, judiciary spokesperson Sabiollah Chodaian said on August 31, according to the state-run ISNA news agency. Chodaian said the two other suspects were part of the prison staff and will be tried in a revolutionary court. The judiciary's official Mizan news agency reported on August 30 that two unidentified people had been arrested and four others placed on parole in connection with the videos. The moves come after a hacking group calling itself Edalat-e Ali (Ali's Justice) earlier this month shared with RFE/RL's Radio Farda and some other Persian media videos apparently showing guards at Evin prison, a primary site for political detainees, beating prisoners and dragging an inmate on the floor. The videos, said to be from the prisons surveillance cameras, prompted the authorities to apologize and launch an investigation. Amnesty International has said it had analyzed a total of 16 leaked video clips that "offer shocking visual evidence of beatings, sexual harassment, and deliberate neglect and ill-treatment of those in need of medical care." The videos "also reaffirm concerns around chronic overcrowding and solitary confinement in cruel and inhumane prison conditions," the London-based human rights watchdog said in a statement on August 25. 'Tip Of The Iceberg' Sadly the abuse depicted in these leaked video clips is just the tip of the iceberg of Irans torture epidemic, according to Heba Morayef, Middle East and North Africa regional director at Amnesty International. Human Rights Watch has said that the hacked videos confirmed many of the patterns of abusive treatment and violations of due process human rights groups have documented for decades, including the systematic due process and torture violations in prisoners. Iranian officials have consistently dismissed criticism over the alleged ill-treatment of inmates at Evin prison in northern Tehran, and Chodaian said on August 31 that the misconduct of several conscripts or employees of the Prisons Organization should not be attributed to all the hard-working employees of the organization. In a rare admission of abuse by the authorities, the head of the country's prisons, Mohammad Mehdi Hajmohammadi, has apologized for "unacceptable behavior" at the prison, and pledged to try to prevent any repeat of these bitter events and to deal seriously with the wrongdoers. With reporting by Mizan NUR-SULTAN -- Kazakhstan's Defense Minister Nurlan Ermekbaev has resigned after a series of explosions last week in the Central Asian nation's south that left at least 15 people dead. Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev accepted Ermekbaev's resignation letter, presidential spokesman Berik Uali said on August 31. In addition to the fatalities, dozens more people were injured in the explosions caused by a fire at an ammunition warehouse in the Zhambyl region on August 26. One person remains missing. BBC journalist Sarah Rainsford has left Russia as a result of a de facto expulsion that the British broadcaster called an assault on media freedom amid a dispute with Moscow over the treatment of foreign journalists. Rainsford is one of two BBC English-language correspondents in Moscow and was told to leave after Moscow accused London of discriminating against Russian journalists working in the United Kingdom. After more than two decades reporting from Russia, she wrote in a farewell report on August 31 that "by the time you read it I'll be on my way back to England, expelled from Russia as a national security threat." Moscow has alleged British official mistreatment in the case of a journalist for the Russian state's TASS news agency who it says was effectively expelled in 2019 when his visa was not renewed without explanation. Rainsford said she began to suspect she was "being singled out a year ago when the Russian Foreign Ministry started issuing me short-term visas." She said that then on August 10 she was "taken aside at passport control at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport and told I'd been barred from Russia by the FSB," Russia's Federal Security Service. There was no further explanation, she said, except that she was being refused entry "indefinitely." "Ask the FSB," she quoted the airport border-guard officer as saying. Rainsford said the notice came after she flew in from Minsk, where she was covering the unprecedented protests against the rule of Alyaksandr Lukashenka, a five-term president whose declaration of victory in August 2020 sparked a domestic and international outcry and left him turning desperately to Russian President Vladimir Putin for support. She said that she was granted one last entry to Russia in order to collect belongings accrued during two decades as a reporter there. The British government urged Russian authorities to reconsider cutting Rainsford's access to the country, while the BBC criticized it as a "direct assault on media freedom." Russia is due to hold local and national elections in September that have been preceded by a tightening of checks on the media and opposition challengers to Putin's allies. Moscow has reportedly suggested it will keep its exclusion of Rainsford or any BBC replacement in place unless U.K. authorities grant a visa to a Russian journalist it wants to relocate to London. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warned on August 31 that the Russian state was "tightening its grip" on the Internet, "drastically" restricting freedom of the press and of expression ahead of the elections. The Paris-based group cited Rainsford's case as a signal that "foreign reporters will only be allowed to go about their work unhindered as long as they refrain from criticizing those in power in the Kremlin too strongly." A number of leading Russian news journals and websites recently joined forces to protest against the authorities' targeting of a growing number of independent media outlets and journalists under Russia's controversial "foreign agent" law. That law is set up to target media, NGOs, and individuals that receive funding from outside of Russia. With reporting by Reuters and BBC Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says the Russian state is "tightening its grip" on the Internet, "drastically" restricting freedom of the press and of expression ahead of next month's parliamentary elections. In a report published on August 31, RSF noted that at least five independent sites had to cease their activity this year, and more media were "arbitrarily" declared "foreign agents" by the authorities, including TV Dozhd, the Latvian-based news portal Meduza, and several investigative sites. The Russian authorities have also signaled with the expulsion of longtime BBC correspondent Sarah Rainsford earlier this month that "foreign reporters will only be allowed to go about their work unhindered as long as they refrain from criticizing those in power in the Kremlin too strongly," according to the Paris-based media-freedom watchdog. RSF Germany director Christian Mihr urged democratic governments to "vigorously defend the fundamental right to freedom of expression in their future relations with Russia." "Without independent media reporting social reality in Russia, the elections lose all their meaning," Mihr said in a statement. "If political alternatives and social issues are not allowed to be reported and discussed in public, any 'vote' only confirms the distorted perception of the rulers -- instead of reflecting the will of the people." In its report, RSF said that the Russian authorities can suppress any information going against the official version of events using multiple laws adopted by parliament in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, such as those on "foreign agents" and new regulations on defamation or "fake news." In addition to repeated attacks on media workers and outfits, RSF said the Kremlin was exerting increasing pressure on social media operators, with Western platforms receiving "huge" fines for failing to localize the storage of personal data of its Russian users or to block content banned by Russias media regulator. Russia ranks 150th out of 180 countries on the RSF 2021 World Press Freedom Index. NABEREZHNYE CHELNY, Russia -- Nakia Sharifullina, a noted teacher and founder of Islamic schools for girls in Russia's Tatarstan region, has been handed a suspended two-year sentence for organizing the activities of a banned Islamic group. Sharifullina's lawyer, Ruslan Nagiyev, told RFE/RL that a prosecutor had asked the Naberezhnye Chelny city court to sentence his client to seven years in prison for organizing activities of the Nurcular Islamic group. Nagiyev added that it had yet to be decided if the court ruling will be appealed. Sharifullina was charged after police found in her possession books by the founder of Nurcular, Islamic scholar Said Nursi, in March 2020. She has rejected all of the charges, insisting that she did not use the books in her lessons. She was placed under house arrest for eight months at the time and later released on condition she would not leave the city. Since 2013, several alleged members of Nurcular have been arrested across Russia. Last year, a noted Islamic scholar in Tatarstan, Gabdrakhman Naumov, was charged with creating and running a Nurcular branch in the region, which he and his supporters have denied. His trial is pending. Nurcular was founded in Turkey by Nursi, who died in 1960. The Nurcular movement, which has millions of followers around the globe -- especially in Turkey -- has been banned in Russia since 2008. Russian authorities have said the group promotes the creation of an Islamic state that encompasses all Turkic-speaking areas and countries in the Middle East, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Russia's Turkic-speaking regions in the North Caucasus and Volga regions. Washington is promising Kyiv up to $60 million in military aid ahead of scheduled talks at the White House between U.S. President Joe Biden and his visiting Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The Biden administration said in a notification to Congress cited by the AP news agency on August 31 that the aid package for Ukraine was necessary because of a "major increase in Russian military activity along its border" and because of mortar attacks, cease-fire violations, and other provocations. "Russia's buildup along the Ukrainian border has highlighted capability shortfalls in the Ukrainian military's ability to defend against a Russian incursion," the notification states. "Ukraine's significant capability gaps must be urgently addressed to reinforce deterrence in light of the current Russian threat." Zelenskiy, who arrived in Washington on August 30 on a three-day visit, and Biden are due to meet on September 1 at the White House as part of a visit Washington hopes will demonstrate support for Ukraine's sovereignty. Russia took control of Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014 after sending in troops, seizing key facilities, and staging a referendum dismissed as illegal by at least 100 countries. Moscow also backs separatists in a war against government forces that has killed more than 13,200 people in eastern Ukraine since April 2014, although it has consistently denied any role in the fighting. Biden is also expected to press Zelenskiy to tackle corruption in the country and carry out reforms. Zelenskiy, meanwhile, is expected to raise with Biden Washington's decision not to block construction of the Nord Stream 2 natural-gas pipeline to Germany that bypasses Ukraine. Zelenskiy has described the new pipeline as a powerful geopolitical weapon for Russia. Critics of the pipeline project -- which is nearly completed -- argue it will strengthen Moscow's energy hold on Europe and cut Ukraine off from lucrative gas-transit fees, amounting to billions of dollars annually. The new proposed military aid package to Ukraine will reportedly include more Javelin anti-tank missiles, which Kyiv sees as critical to defending against the Moscow-backed separatists in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions of eastern Ukraine. In March, the Pentagon announced a $125 million military aid package for Ukraine, including two armed patrol boats to help the country defend its territorial waters. Military aid to Ukraine became a politically charged issue in the Trump administration. Allegations that then-President Donald Trump withheld assistance to Ukraine as part of a scheme to press the Ukrainian government to investigate Biden and his son Hunter formed the basis of the first impeachment case against Trump. Trump was acquitted by the Senate in February 2020. Meanwhile, during Zelenskiy's talks in Washington on August 31, Ukraine's state-owned nuclear power enterprise Energoatom and the U.S. nuclear power company Westinghouse signed a memorandum of agreement with a view to expanding Ukraine's nuclear power industry. Zelenskiy tweeted that the costs of the construction of five power plant units would amount to up to 25 billion euros ($30 billion). More than 50 percent of Ukraine's electricity demand is met by nuclear power at present. Six of the 15 nuclear power plants in operation in the country are already supplied with fuel by Westinghouse. With reporting by dpa and AP Support local journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute Since August 18, China has upgraded the COVID-19 pandemic preventive measures for goods exported from Viet Nam to China, significantly changing the process of transporting export goods at border gates between the two countries, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT). Accordingly, China does not allow Vietnamese drivers and goods owners to enter this country's border gate areas. Chinese drivers will receive the trucks transporting Viet Nams export goods at the Pochai border gate area. After the goods are unloaded from the trucks, Chinese drivers will return those vehicles to Vietnamese drivers at the border gate area. As a result, there are hundreds of trucks transporting Vietnamese goods and agricultural products at Lang Son Provinces border gates waiting to be exported to China, the Nguoi Lao ong (Labourer) newspaper reported. The Lang Son Customs Department said the customs clearance for Vietnamese export agricultural products and fresh fruits has been implemented slowly due to many procedures and strict regulations on pandemic prevention set out by China. From August 18 to August 23, the Tan Thanh customs office carried out customs clearance procedures for nearly 900 trucks of agricultural products. Meanwhile, at the Huu Nghi international border gate, the volume of goods passing customs clearance each day is limited due to the stricter preventive measures. Nguyen Huu Vuong, Deputy Director of Lang Son Customs Department, said with this situation, border-gate customs offices prioritise trucks carrying fresh fruits and farm produce to perform customs clearance in the morning. "The priority will avoid incurring time and costs and minimise damage to enterprises," Vuong said. In order to remove those difficulties, deputy minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh said Lang Son Province has asked to review and improve further processes of transport and customs clearance for goods at border gates, ensuring pandemic prevention and control measures but not causing obstacles for import and export activities. MoIT leaders have also worked with the Chinese Embassy in Viet Nam to seek solutions on removing those difficulties for export agricultural products at the northern border gates. At the same time, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien sent a letter to the Minister of Commerce of China and the authorities of Yunnan Province (China) proposing to facilitate customs clearance for Vietnamese agricultural products and fruits exported to China. The People's Committee of Lang Son Province needs to closely coordinate with the ministry in discussing with the Chinese side to change the strict measures that are causing obstacles for trade activities between the two countries. In the long term, the MoIT encourages local businesses to shift their export activities to the Chinese market to the official form and only transport goods to the border when they have agreements with buyers. The enterprises also need to implement import markets standards on quality, food safety, traceability and growing area codes in the production of farm produce. That will help speed up the customs clearance process, according to the ministry. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) would work to solve this problem in meetings with China in the near future. This proposal was offered by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Quoc Doanh last week at a meeting with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu on the agricultural cooperation between Viet Nam and China. It aimed at preparing for the upcoming meeting of the Viet Nam - China Bilateral Cooperation Steering Committee. According to Deputy Minister Doanh, China has a large demand for Vietnamese farm produce as Viet Nam has abundant tropical agricultural products. However, the current biggest obstacle in exporting those products to China is that China often changes its border policy. Deputy Minister Vu said MoFA would work with the Chinese side to remove this obstacle, creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese agricultural products. Vu was quoted by the Nong thon ngay nay (Countryside Today) newspaper as saying that "the MoFA will strengthen coordination with the MARD to facilite further export of Vietnamese agricultural products to China. Innitially, the two ministries will promote information exchange and have specific recommendations on this issue. They will also strengthen connection to increase the efficiency of solving problems in trade activities. Vu said in the current economic situation, agriculture continues to be an important pillar of the economy, not only meeting domestic consumption but also completing export goals. Of which, China is a potential market for Vietnamse farm produce. Where are the best places to shop? Who gives the best haircut? Who cooks the best burger? Vote today for "Best of Peabody" Vote! OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Canadian Nationals $33.6 billion deal to acquire Kansas City Southern railroad is in jeopardy after federal regulators on Tuesday rejected a key part of the plan and opened the door for a competing $31 billion offer from Canadian Pacific Railway. The Surface Transportation Board said Canadian National wont be able to use a voting trust to acquire Kansas City Southern and hold the railroad while the board reviews the overall deal. It wasnt immediately clear whether Kansas City Southern will still want to move forward with the deal without a voting trust that would allow shareholders to get paid before the regulatory board embarks on its lengthy review of the deal. Plus, Kansas City Southern is now free to accept CPs offer, which already has regulatory approval to move forward. Kansas City Southern and Canadian National railroads didn't immediately react publicly to the ruling Tuesday The Surface Transportation Board said the proposed voting trust is not consistent with the public interest standard under the Boards merger regulations. Now that regulators have rejected Canadian Nationals plan to use a voting trust, it wasnt immediately clear whether Kansas City Southern will go forward with a scheduled Sept. 3 shareholder vote on the Canadian National deal. Shares in Canadian National Railroad Co. rose more than 7% on Wall Street Tuesday. Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. fell 4.5% and Kansas City Southern lost 4.4%. An investment fund that says it controls more than 5% of Canadian National's stock sent a letter Tuesday urging the railroad to abandon the Kansas City Southern deal, shake up its top management and board, and refocus its efforts on improving its own operations. The London-based investment firm TCI Fund said it expects CN's chairman and CEO to both resign in the wake of the failed deal. It is time to do the right thing, accept the deal cannot be done, and withdraw from the transaction, said TCI, which is also a major shareholder in Canadian Pacific. The Surface Transportation Board essentially decided that using a voting trust offered more benefit to the companies than it did to the public, said Edward Jones analyst Jeff Windau. And the deal was likely to face increased scrutiny because of its potential impact on competition. The board seem to agree with concerns Canadian Pacific raised about the competitive impact across the central United States. KCS and CN operate parallel rail lines connecting the Midwest to the Gulf Coast, so allowing those two to combine would eliminate a shipping option for many companies. The STB decision clearly shows that the CN-KCS merger proposal is illusory and not achievable, CP CEO Keith Creel said. He said CP's Aug. 10 offer to buy Kansas City Southern remains on the table. The Surface Transportation Board also said that allowing Canadian Nationals acquisition of Kansas City Southern to move forward could inspire additional rail consolidation. Canadian Pacific originally announced an agreement to buy KCS for roughly $275 per share in March. But Canadian National intervened with its $325 per share offer and eventually won over Kansas City Southerns board in May after sweetening its offer to include more stock. Earlier this month, Canadian Pacific came back with a $31 billion offer that valued KCS at roughly $300 per share that Kansas City Southerns board rejected. CP officials maintained throughout the bidding war that they didnt see a need to outbid Canadian National because they didnt think CNs plan would get approved because of concerns about its impact on competition. Regulators have already approved Canadian Pacifics plan to use a voting trust to acquire Kansas City Southern, so that deal has a clear path to move forward if KCS accepts CPs offer and shareholders of both railroads approve it. There are fewer competitive concerns about that proposed merger because there is little overlap between the two railroads networks. Even after the deal the combined railroad would be the smallest of the major North American railroads. Using a voting trust will allow Kansas City Southern shareholders to be paid upfront before the Surface Transportation Board embarks on its full review of the deal, which may take more than 18 months. If regulators ultimately reject the deal, then the voting trust would sell off Kansas City Southern, so it could remain independent. The Surface Transportation Board hasnt approved any major railroad mergers since the 1990s. It has generally said that any deal involving one of the nations six largest railroads needs to enhance competition and serve the public interest to get approved. The board has also said it would consider whether any deal would destabilize the industry and prompt additional mergers. For more than two decades the railroad industry has been stable, with two railroads in the Western United States BNSF and Union Pacific two in the Eastern United States CSX and Norfolk Southern and the two Canadian railroads that serve part of the United States. ____ This story has been corrected to remove reference to a $1 billion breakup fee that Kansas City Southern was due to receive now that regulators rejected Canadian Nationals plan to use a voting trust in the acquisition. There is no breakup fee due at this stage. As you plan leisure travel for this fall, there are new opportunities to save on sunny destinations like Southern California, Las Vegas and South Florida thanks to low fares with Frontier and Southwest. This weeks airline news also includes the debut of Alaskas new SFO Lounge and Deltas new chef-led in-flight menus. Keep reading to discover the latest airline news for the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Courtesy of Alaska Airlines Alaska opens new SFO Lounge Alaska Airlines has opened a new Alaska Lounge at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), the second largest to date in their portfolio. The 9,200-square-foot space highlights Bay Area amenities and menus. Our eight lounges redefine the guest experience and offer a calm oasis for every type of traveler including kid-friendly spaces, peaceful nooks, local wine or beer and tasty, locally sourced bites, said Sangita Woerner, senior vice president of marketing and guest experience at Alaska Airlines. The new SFO lounge features a full bar with complimentary Bay Area craft brews on tap, wines from local vineyards and a staffed espresso bar. Regional treats include Ghirardelli chocolates, custom travel-themed cookies by Oakland Fortune Cookie Factory and a new sourdough toast cart, featuring San Franciscos famous sourdough from The Acme Bread Co. Additional lounge features include a new childrens play area and a gallery wall featuring fine art designed by local artists. Travelers looking to experience the new Alaska Lounge can do so by purchasing a day pass, becoming a Lounge member or flying first class with Alaska. courtesy of Delta Air Lines Delta introduces top restaurant favorites Delta recently reintroduced fresh and hot meals in select coast-to-coast markets, and the airline is now adding acclaimed culinary favorites from San Francisco-based Souvla and New York Citys Union Square Events (USE). Delta passengers may have already been introduced to Danny Meyers Union Square Events menu, with select items on board since 2013. Seasonal favorites include selections like braised short ribs with cheesy twice baked potatoes and spinach and goat cheese frittatas served with bacon and hash browns. Union Square Events will be served in Delta One and First Class on flights from New York-JFK to Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco while Souvla will be served in Delta One and First Class on flights from San Francisco to Boston and New York-JFK. Its never been more important to deliver moments of enlightened hospitality by developing meals that bring together just the right amount of familiarity and creativity, said Tony Mastellone, division president of USE. We know USE and Delta share the same vision of providing excellent service and delicious dining experiences, and that common vision helps us achieve the best customer experience. AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images Frontier fall fare sale Book by September 2 to save up to 80% on airfare with Frontiers fall fare sale. Use promo code SAVE80 to save on travel dates now through December 15, 2021. The discount is valid on roundtrip travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Sample roundtrip fares include Seattle (SEA) to Las Vegas (LAS) for $30 and Seattle to Denver (DEN) for $72. Charles Dharapak/AP Southwest low-fare finder Southwest is currently offering one-way flight deals from Seattle (SEA) for as low as $58. Guests may use the Southwest low-fare finder to seek the latest deals. The lowest one-way fares on offer right now include Seattle to Boise (BOI) for $58, while $59 flights are available Seattle to Oakland (OAK), San Jose (SJC) and Sacramento (SMF). Other low-fare deals include Seattle to Chicago (ORD) for $97, Seattle to Albuquerque (ABQ) for $108 and Seattle to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) for $114. The Washington State Fair is requiring all attendees ages 5 and up to wear a mask both indoors and outdoors, according to a notice the fair issued Tuesday. We realize that some of our guests might not agree with this mandate, but it is crucial we adhere to this, for us to open our gates and remain open, officials wrote in the notice. So please, bring your mask and wear it during your visit. Have a great time at the biggest party in the state. We understand if you need to skip our party this year, but we look forward to seeing you again soon. The fair said it will enforce this order but will follow guidance from the state Department of Health and honor medical exemptions for mask wearing. Attendees without an exemption will be granted a mask upon entry if they forget to bring one, the notice said. Officials said they will not be refunding tickets unless the fair is canceled. Tickets to individual concerts will also not be refunded unless that concert is canceled. The fair, which is held annually in Puyallup, is scheduled to begin Friday and end Sept. 26. It is consistently one of the largest fairs in the world and routinely receives more than 1 million visitors each year. It was canceled last year for the first time since World War II due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Evergreen State Fair, which is held in Monroe, began Thursday and requires masks in indoor settings only. The Washington state Fair's outdoor mask requirement is the first such requirement since the statewide mask mandate ended in the spring. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee brought the statewide indoor mask mandate back earlier this month. In addition to the mask order, the fair scaled back rides by 10% and vendors by 25%. Its also offering COVID vaccines daily at two locations on the fairgrounds, and officials say theyre going to test fair employees for the virus before and during the multi-week event. The fairs announcement comes at a time when COVID cases are surging in Washington. The state is currently averaging more than 3,300 cases a day and hospitalizations are up 40% over the last two weeks. BRUSSELS (AP) European Union justice and home affairs ministers pledged Tuesday to support Afghanistan's neighbors to help them host people fleeing the new Taliban regime and prevent a new wave of migrants heading to Europe. In a closing statement following a meeting in Brussels, the ministers said the EU and its 27 nations 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. European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said there has not been a big exodus of Afghans out of the war-torn country so far but insisted there is a huge risk of a humanitarian crisis if the Taliban turns out to be the same Taliban that we have seen in the past." Johansson added that the EU is quite far from recognizing the Taliban regime." The EU said it will cooperate with the Afghan government following the Talibans return to power only if they respect fundamental rights and oppose the use of Afghan soil by terror groups. We have not seen any answers to the important conditions that need to be fulfilled," Johansson said, adding that the EU has already frozen development aid to Afghanistan to apply pressure on the Taliban. The meeting came the day after the last U.S. forces flew out of Kabul's international airport, ending America's longest war. Johansson said all the EU staff and Afghans who worked for European institutions have now been evacuated. The ministers said the EU should boost its support to countries around Afghanistan to ensure that those in need receive adequate protection, primarily in the region. The plan is reminiscent of the deal the EU sealed with Turkey after over 1 million migrants entered the EU in 2015, many of them fleeing conflict in Syria and Iraq. To persuade Turkey to stop people from leaving its territory, the 27-nation bloc offered the country 6 billion euros to help Syrian refugees. Johansson, however, said a copy and paste" of the Turkish refugee deal would not be a good idea and that support to Afghanistan's neighbors should be tailor-made. She insisted the EU should work quickly and not wait until people are here." We need to work comprehensively in the region with Afghans in Afghanistan and in the neighboring countries," she said. The best way to prevent a migratory crisis is to prevent a humanitarian crisis." Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz made clear that his country wouldnt back a system for distributing refugees from Afghanistan across the EU. He told reporters in Berlin that Austria had already taken in a bigger than proportionate share of migrants since 2015. Austria already has the fourth-largest Afghan community worldwide, he said before a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Merkel said, for Germany, the focus now is on how to help between 10,000 and 40,000 Afghans who are entitled to come to Germany with their close family members because they had worked for the German military or aid organizations. We need to see how many actually want to leave the country and how many dont, she said. That will depend very much on the circumstances the Taliban create. Johansson plans to convene a meeting next month to discuss resettlement efforts. The EU ministers also stressed the need to ensure that Afghanistan does not once again become a haven for terrorists. The EU will use all its available tools to closely monitor and respond to developments on the ground that might impact its security, in particular in the area of organized crime and terrorism, their statement said. Still, accommodating Afghans in countries close to their homeland will be difficult. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met his German counterpart, Heiko Maas, in Islamabad on Tuesday and said Pakistan has hosted more than 3 million Afghan refugees in previous decades and lacks the capacity to absorb more. Rights groups were critical of the EU's focus on keeping migrants close to Afghanistan. Amnesty International said in a letter to Johansson that the EU and its nations must refrain from extremely damaging responses that put emphasis on keeping the EUs border protected and proposing or adopting measures that shift the responsibility for the protection of refugees to third countries. The human rights group said the EU should give Afghans who reach Europe access to the territory and to fair and effective asylum procedures and also consider all Afghan women and girls as prima facie refugees due to the risks they face in Afghanistan. American forces helped evacuate over 120,000 U.S. citizens, foreigners and Afghans after the Taliban regained control of the country, according to the White House. Coalition forces also evacuated their citizens and Afghans. But both foreign nations and the U.S. government acknowledged they didnt evacuate all who wanted to go. According to some EU estimates, around 570,000 Afghans have applied for asylum in Europe since 2015. ___ Corder reported from The Hague, Netherlands. Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed. ___ Follow APs coverage of Afghanistan at https://apnews.com/hub/afghanistan and of migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration 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. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves said Monday that he stands by remarks he made at a political fundraising event last week that he believes Christians are a little less scared of COVID-19 because of their belief in eternal life. In our state and in our nation right now, there are certainly necessary precautions that we can take with respect to COVID. But I believe very strongly in my faith," Reeves said in response to a question from The Associated Press during a news conference Monday. I believe very strongly in what the Bible says, and the Bibles very clear that Whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life,' Reeves said. "And, that is my worldview, its how I believe, its what drives me every single day, and I think its what drives a large number of Mississippians. We should take necessary precautions with respect to COVID, but we also understand that we do have everlasting life if we believe in Jesus, if we believe in God the father, and I certainly do. Mississippi has the highest per-capita rate of new coronavirus cases and deaths in the United States, followed by Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina and Louisiana. The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 case tracker shows seven-day rolling averages. Numbers posted by the tracker Monday show that during the week that ended Saturday, Mississippi had 102.3 new coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents and nearly 1.4 new coronavirus deaths per 100,000 residents. Reeves has declined to set school mask mandates or business restrictions to try to slow the spread of the virus the past few months, saying he is relying on people to take personal responsibility. Several local school boards are requiring students to wear masks indoors. Reeves, who is up for reelection in 2023, spoke about the pandemic Thursday during a fundraising event at a home in Eads, Tennessee, just outside Memphis, the Daily Memphian reported. Im often asked by some of my friends on the other side of the aisle about COVID and why does it seem like folks in Mississippi and maybe in the Mid-South are a little less scared, shall we say, Reeves said. When you believe in eternal life when you believe that living on this earth is but a blip on the screen, then you dont have to be so scared of things. Reeves also said: Now, God also tells us to take necessary precautions. And we all have opportunities and abilities to do that and we should all do that. I encourage everyone to do so. People attending the event were asked to donate to the Tate for Governor committee, starting at $500 a couple. The Daily Memphian reported that Shelby County Election Commission Chairman Brent Taylor owns the house where the Reeves fundraiser was held. Taylor, who grew up in Mississippi, had his house built as mostly a replica of the Greek Revival-style Mississippi Governors Mansion. Mississippi reported nearly 8,000 new COVID-19 cases during the weekend, the state Health Department said Monday. The department said all of its COVID-19 testing sites and vaccination sites were closed Monday and those in the central and southern parts of the state will remain closed Tuesday as the remnants of what was Hurricane Ida push through the state. Many private testing and vaccination sites remained open. Mississippi has nearly 3 million residents. The Health Department said the state has had 435,611 confirmed coronavirus cases and 8,361 deaths from the virus since the pandemic began in the spring of 2020. ____ Follow APs coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) 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. Some Americans believe that the Islamic faith is oppressive for women. In the West, particularly in France, the hijab, or headscarf, that many Muslim women wear has become a symbol of this perceived oppression. This article will explain some of the complex issues that go into many Muslim womens choice to wear the hijab, including why some women see it as a mark of empowerment. It will also draw attention to some of the global Muslim feminist movements that often go unnoticed in the Western world. Sociologist Caitlin Killian explains that Jewish, Christian and Hindu women have covered their heads since pre-Islamic days. For some Muslim women today, wearing a hijab can be a religious act a way of demonstrating their submission to God. The Quran instructs both men and women to observe modesty in their dress and behavior. However, Muslim womens clothing isnt entirely about adherence to faith. It has been used in the past and present as an assertion of identity. Under colonial rule, Muslim women were encouraged to be more like European women and remove the veil. As demands for independence from colonial rule grew, the veil, Killian says, became a symbol of national identity and opposition to the West. Today, some Muslim women in America may wear the hijab as a way of asserting their pride in the face of Islamophobia. World Hijab Day, celebrated on Feb. 1, starting in 2013, came about through the efforts of Nazma Khan, an immigrant to the United States from Bangladesh, who had been shamed over wearing a headscarf. She decided to start a day when both Muslim and non-Muslim women could experience wearing the head garment. Even so, in much of the Western world, the headscarf continues to be seen as representative of Muslim womens oppression. In Switzerland, voters approved legislation in March 2021 to ban face coverings, while France is pushing for a more restrictive policy on hijabs. In a judgment on March 14, 2017, the Court of Justice of the European Union, which interprets EU law, allowed private companies in France to bar employees from wearing religious, political and philosophical signs in the interest of neutrality. Sociologist Z. Fareen Parvez says the anti-headscarf legislation was a turning point in the lives of Muslim women looking for acceptance and integration in French society. The headscarf is not just a religious symbol for many of the women; it is a way of being. But this focus on Muslim womens clothing takes attention away from other issues and how Muslim feminist movements are trying to bring about change. In Indonesia, for example, female Muslim religious scholars, or ulamas, are helping change how Islam is understood and practiced. As sociologist Rachel Rinaldo says, the past three decades in Indonesia have seen the emergence of a new generation of female religious leaders who are interpreting the Quran in a way that is empowering for women. The word of female ulamas is more accepted, compared to womens rights activists, explains Rinaldo, as they are trained Islamic scholars. A 2017 conference of female Muslim religious scholars held in Indonesia, with participants from Kenya, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, issued fatwas nonbinding religious edicts against child marriage, sexual abuse and environmental destruction. The point is that, like other faiths, Islam is a multifaceted religion, and Muslim women are choosing how they want to be heard and seen. This article was reviewed for accuracy by Jessica Marglin, Associate Professor of Religion at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Fact: Female ulamas in Indonesia go back to the 17th century. Queen Tajul Alam Safiatuddin Syah ruled over the Islamic kingdom of Aceh (now Indonesias northernmost province) for 35 years and commissioned several important books of Islamic commentaries and theology. At a time when female rulers anywhere in the world were unusual, she was the primary upholder of religious authority in what was then a prosperous and peaceful kingdom. From an article written by Rachel Rinaldo, Professor of Sociology at the University of Colorado Boulder. In the next issue: What is Islamic law? 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 articles in this edition: - Why do Muslim women wear a hijab? - How a growing number of Muslim women clerics are challenging traditional narratives - EU court allows companies to ban headscarves. What will be the impact on Muslim women? Further Readings and Resources: - North African Women in France, by Caitlin Killian. Sociologist Killian explores how Muslim women construct and manage their identities in a foreign culture. - Navigating Islam: The Hijab and the American Workplace, by Fatima Koura, explores the lived experiences of 35 hijab-wearing Muslim-American women. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/why-some-muslim-women-feel-empowered-wearing-hijab-a-headscarf-155110. Local top story Jaffrey woman pleads guilty to falsifying evidence in Keene man's killing Mia Summerson / Sentinel Staff Senior Assistant Attorney General Ben Agati takes questions from the media after Britany Barrons hearing Monday morning in Grafton County Superior Court. Jonathan Amerault NORTH HAVERHILL Britany Barron wore a red jail uniform, shackles and a solemn expression in Grafton County Superior Court on Monday as she admitted her actions after Keene resident Jonathan Amerault was killed in 2020. Barron, 32, of Jaffrey, entered guilty pleas on three counts of falsifying physical evidence before Superior Court Judge Peter Bornstein. The pleas are part of an agreement with prosecutors, which will offer Barron a reduced sentence in exchange for her cooperation with the state and continuing good behavior. During Mondays plea hearing, Barron acknowledged that she had attempted to clean and conceal Ameraults car, hide his body, and that she had removed his head, previously saying that she was following her husbands orders. Her husband, Armando Barron, 31, has been charged with capital murder for allegedly shooting Amerault, 25, to death in Rindge during the overnight hours between Sept. 19 and 20, and with assaulting his wife just before doing so. Britany Barron has also been charged with two counts of abusing a corpse, misdemeanor charges that would be dropped under the conditions of her deal. Her attorney, Richard Guerriero, who has argued that his client was under severe duress during Ameraults slaying and acted out of fear of her husband, said he feels the plea agreement is reasonable. She fully accepts responsibility for what she did, and we believe this is a fair agreement for both sides, Guerriero said after the hearing. Under the terms of the agreement, Britany Barron could be looking at as little as 1 years in jail, which would include time served. She has been incarcerated in Grafton County since late September, just days after Ameraults body was discovered in northern New Hampshire. The deal is contingent upon Britany Barron complying with the states terms, including that she stay out of further legal trouble and continue to cooperate with authorities, according to Senior Assistant Attorney General Ben Agati. Asked whether the plea deal took into consideration the abuse that authorities say Britany Barron endured from her husband just before Amerault was killed, Agati said that prosecutors acted in accordance with the law. The state felt that it could prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she knowingly did these actions, he said. Those are the charges and thats what the law requires us to bring forward. According to police, Armando Barron killed Amerault after using his wifes phone to lure him to Annett Wayside Park in Rindge after discovering text messages between the two. Agati said in court Monday that Britany Barron had told her husband in early September that she wanted a divorce and that she and Amerault were in the very beginning stages of forming a romantic relationship. Britany Barron and Amerault were both employees at Teleflex Medical in Jaffrey. Barron quit her job there the same day Amerault was reported missing, according to a Sept. 24 affidavit from N.H. State Police. In the affidavit, State Police Sgt. Stephen Sloper wrote that Britany Barron said her husband assaulted her after discovering the texts between her and Amerault, both in their home and while they were in their vehicle heading to the scene of the killing. Once there, she said her husband ordered her to kill Amerault, but she refused, and Armando Barron shot Amerault himself, according to the affidavit. With her husband traveling in a separate car, she said she then drove Ameraults body north to an unincorporated area of Coos County, where they set up camp and attempted to conceal evidence, Sloper wrote. Armando Barron then returned to Jaffrey, leaving his wife alone at the campsite, the affidavit states. A Coos County Superior Court judge denied Britany Barrons request for bail earlier this year, saying he felt prosecutors had shown that if released, she would be a threat to the community. Guerriero, her attorney, had argued that she had acted under duress, while prosecutors said she had multiple opportunities to seek assistance, but did not seize them. Though Ameraults parents, who were present for Mondays hearing by phone, did not speak during the proceedings, Agati read a statement from them expressing disappointment in the plea deal. They took issue with Britany Barrons failure to seek help despite encountering several people who could have aided her, including hunters who found her at the campsite as well as N.H. Fish and Game officers who responded to a concerned call from the hunters and found Ameraults remains. For every single time that she was offered help but refused it, hours and days went by causing the authorities great difficultly and causing everyone in Jonathans extended circle of family and friends and colleagues days of agony while he was missing, they said in the statement. She was offered so many opportunities to stop the madness, but she refused every time. Britany Barron is due back in court for sentencing on Oct. 6. Thank you for reading! You have reached your 30-day limit of free access to SentinelSource.com, The Keene Sentinels website. If you would like to read two more articles for free at this time, please register for an account by clicking the sign up button below. We hope you find The Sentinels coverage of the Monadnock Region valuable. We rely on our subscribers to bring you strong local journalism and hope you will consider supporting our work by taking advantage of this special subscription offer here. When Dora Mendez tested positive for the coronavirus Aug. 20, she was surprised. Mendez, 50, is fully vaccinated. But the Redwood City resident had a kidney and pancreas transplant 19 years ago and takes medication that suppresses her immune system, which may have interfered with her bodys ability to build up protective antibodies After she tested positive, her doctor quickly referred Mendez to a Stanford Medicine clinic that administers monoclonal antibodies to eligible COVID patients. Monoclonal antibody therapy is the only treatment authorized for non-hospitalized patients with mild or moderate symptoms in early stages of the disease. The drug made headlines last year after former President Donald Trump received it. It was not widely used for many months but is gaining traction now, as the delta surge drives new infections and the need for treatment. Mendezs status as a severely immunocompromised solid organ transplant recipient made her a good candidate for the treatment, and by Wednesday, she was getting the roughly 40-minute IV infusion at a clinic in Palo Alto. On Thursday, she said the mild symptoms shed been experiencing, a loss of smell and taste, seemed to be improving and she felt well while quarantining at home. Mendez is one of a growing number of Bay Area residents who in recent weeks have received monoclonal antibodies to prevent their COVID-19 symptoms from worsening. The therapy is becoming more in demand as doctors and patients are gaining awareness of its availability, as more doses are being shipped to providers around the country, and as federal regulators expand eligibility for who can get it. The clinic that treated Mendez has seen referrals for monoclonal antibodies skyrocket in the past four weeks, from two referrals a day to more than 30, said Stanfords Dr. Upinder Singh, who oversees the clinic. The growing availability of the treatment comes at a welcome time. COVID will probably be around in some form for years. And as long as there are people who are unvaccinated or unable to mount an immune response to a vaccine, they are vulnerable to the worst outcomes and will need treatment. While there are two other approved therapies the antiviral remdesivir and the steroid dexamethasone both are typically given to hospitalized patients only. Giving (patients) a therapy offers them hope, said Dr. Jeanne Noble, director of COVID response at UCSFs Parnassus emergency department, which administers monoclonal antibodies to overflow patients whom UCSFs outpatient clinic cant accommodate. Were not in a situation (like that of) early in the pandemic when we had almost nothing to offer. Now we have a therapy that has good data behind it and its quite effective. The most widely used monoclonal antibody treatment in the U.S. is made by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, a New York-based biotechnology company. It is a combination of two drugs, casirivimab and imdevimab, given by IV or injection. It gives the body synthetic antibodies that mimic those the body would have produced on its own after vaccination. The antibodies bind to the virus spike protein and block the virus from infecting human cells. The FDA granted emergency use authorization to the Regeneron drug, and a similar Eli Lilly drug, in November. But they were not widely used during the winter surge, in part because hospitals struggled to administer the treatment during staffing shortages. The Lilly drug was halted after it was found to be less effective against variants. Regeneron is the only monoclonal antibody treatment that the federal government is providing free to providers, so its what most medical centers are currently using. The Regeneron drug reduces risk of hospitalization and death by 70%, according to the companys clinical trial data. Local doctors who have treated patients report promising results as well. We have seen very few patients whove received Regeneron whove needed subsequent hospitalization, said Noble of UCSF. Anecdotally, it seems to be working well. This is critical to help ease the burden on hospitals, many of which are filling up again amid the delta surge. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of treatment, Dr. Manisha Israni-Jiang, who last year helped launch the monoclonal antibody program for UCSF outpatient clinics. The reason we need to make the most of (monoclonal antibody) treatment is its preventing hospitalization. The treatment is not meant for everyone. Its limited to patients like Mendez who are immunocompromised and at highest risk of progressing to severe disease. Patients who are at high risk for other reasons are also considered good candidates, such as those over 65, those over 55 with comorbidities like obesity and diabetes, and pregnant women. Patients must be 12 or older and weigh at least 88 pounds, under the FDAs guidelines. And it must be given within the first 10 days of symptoms and only if symptoms are mild or moderate. Its hard to quantify the regional supply and demand for the drug. But providers say they are busy. The UCSF outpatient clinics that do the infusions are pretty much booked up every day, Noble said, with the emergency department doing the treatment for the clinics overflow patients at least a few times a week. In August, UCSFs emergency department treated 54 patients with the infusions, the most in a given month since the pandemic began up from 32 in July and three in June. It was also one of the few medical sites that were regularly doing the infusions during the winter surge, treating 35 patients in December and 44 January. About 730,000 people in the U.S. have received the Regeneron treatment, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which distributes the drug to providers. The agency did not provide figures for each state. More than 40 providers in the Bay Area have received the Regeneron drug, according to the Health and Human Services Department, though not all of the providers administer it on a regular basis. UCSF and Stanford are among those that do, and both have opened up access to the medicine to patients outside of their health systems. 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. Patients can ask their doctor to refer them, or do a self-referral. UCSF, for instance, has a referral system that asks patients to fill out their qualifying criteria and directs them to a virtual visit that will assess their eligibility. Regeneron did not specify how many doses have gone to Bay Area providers. Nationally, though, the company is fielding more orders as cases continue soaring. Since mid-July, the number of doses Regeneron has shipped has grown sixfold from 25,000 doses a week to 150,000. Most of the orders are coming from Southern states, where the U.S pandemic is the worst. Between July 1 and Aug. 22, 78% of the roughly 500,000 courses ordered by 4,000 U.S. providers came from 13 states: Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. Regulators are expanding who can get Regeneron. On Aug. 10, the FDA said the drug can be used as a post-exposure preventive measure for high-risk individuals. This means some people whove been exposed to a person with a known COVID infection can take it, even if they have yet to test positive or show symptoms. This opens the door to helping prevent COVID, not just treating the symptoms, for a critical group. This, too, is limited to those at highest risk, including people who are not fully vaccinated or are immunocompromised, who have been exposed to someone with COVID in the past seven days. Thatd be good for nursing homes, or patients with cancer whose spouse gets COVID, said Singh, of Stanford. And for those, like Mendez, who are lucky enough to have gotten it, theres palpable relief. Mendez said she was very worried when she found out she had COVID because of her vulnerability, but said that the treatment helped ease her concerns. I feel good that I got it, she said. I think it helped me a lot. Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat_Ho With wildfires burning across California and the Labor Day holiday approaching, the U.S. Forest Service announced Tuesday that all national forests in the state would shut for several weeks but the closure does not directly affect state and national parks, including Yosemite. Of the eight national parks in California, only one is fully closed: Lassen Volcanic National Park has been shut since July 24 because of the Dixie Fire, the second-largest wildfire in California history, which is still raging across five counties in the northeastern part of the state. The others are open, though most have some changes or restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, wildfires or restoration work. For example, a notice on the Yosemite National Park website alerts visitors that reservations are required, and park shuttles are not operating. Almost two dozen of Californias 280 state parks are also fully or partially closed because of current or past wildfires - eight of those in the vicinity of the Caldor Fire now burning in El Dorado County. The state Department of Parks and Recreation warns the public to stay away entirely from the Lake Tahoe Basin, where evacuation orders and warnings are in effect. Anyone planning to visit a national or state park or any other recreation area should check the parks website for the most current information about any closures or hazards and when on public lands, visitors are urged to recreate responsibly and keep fire safety in mind. Californias national forest shutdown, in effect from Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. through Sept. 17, affects more than 20 million acres of national forestland. Only permit holders, landowners and officials are allowed on Forest Service lands. Anyone else caught within forest boundaries, including on developed campgrounds, hiking trails and recreation sites, can face fines of up to $5,000 for violating closure orders. The Forest Services Pacific Southwest Region comprises 17 national forests in California, plus a special management unit in Lake Tahoe. All of those are closed through Sept. 17 except for Eldorado National Forest that area, where the Caldor Fire is raging, was closed Aug. 17 under a separate order that lasts through Sept. 30. Tuesdays order also bans pedestrians on long-distance routes within national forest land, including the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail. The Pacific Crest Trail Association on its website Tuesday warned, If you are out there now, its time to start walking out to the trailhead. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, which is managed by another division of the Forest Service, is unaffected by the closures. Here is a list of all the forests closed (to see a map, go here): Angeles National Forest Cleveland National Forest Eldorado National Forest Inyo National Forest Klamath National Forest Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Lassen National Forest Los Padres National Forest Mendocino National Forest Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California Modoc National Forest Plumas National Forest San Bernardino National Forest Sequoia National Forest Shasta-Trinity National Forest Sierra National Forest Six Rivers National Forest Stanislaus National Forest Tahoe National Forest Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KellieHwang Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images All evacuation warnings and orders have been lifted in Butte County one of the five counties that was scorched by the Dixie Fire, according to local law enforcement authorities. Meanwhile, the Plumas County Sheriffs Office issued an evacuation order, in a sign that the second-largest wildfire in California history was far from over. The evacuation order affected Beckwourth Genesee Road east through Dixie Valley Road to the Plumas County line and north to the Plumas County line. LIVE UPDATES: Go here for live coverage of the Caldor Fire in Tahoe. All of South Lake Tahoe was ordered to evacuate after the Caldor Fire breached Echo Summit. Thousands streamed onto Highway 50, causing a massive traffic jam on one of the few routes out of the area. Firefighters braced for another day of dangerous wind gusts that could help fuel the Caldor Fire as it marches toward Lake Tahoe. Still, resilience seems to be laced into the people of Tahoe as much as it is into the soil and waves. A severe, two-year drought and an ever-warming climate have changed the rules for fire behavior as blazes grow bigger and faster. Californias wildfires are not only getting bigger, theyre moving higher, reaching once unthinkable heights. Keep track of Northern California wildfires with The Chronicles interactive fire map. See air quality information down to the neighborhood level in real time with The Chronicles air quality map. The Caldor Fire has spread to 199,632 acres over 17 days, is 18% contained and has destroyed 675 structures and injured five people as of Tuesday evening, according to Cal Fire. Latest updates: Caldor Fires overnight progression weak to moderate based on SJSU lab forecast: San Jose State Universitys Fire Weather Research Laboratory said its experimental forecast of the Caldor Fire shows weak to moderate progression overnight based on weather forecast and latest fire perimeter from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Hydrants at Heavenly Ski Resort will help a lot, Cal Fire official says: In an interview with KPIX on Tuesday night, Cal Fire Battalion Chief Jed Gaines said that the water pumping efforts at Heavenly Ski Resort will help a lot. He said that the resort water hydrants which were blasting water onto the mountains was increasing the humidity level, its getting everything wet so that if there is spotting in the area, its able to slow it down, Gaines said, referring to flames from the Caldor Fire. Heavenly Ski Resort fires water hydrants as part of mitigation efforts: Resort officials pumped significant water onto the mountains at Heavenly Ski Resort on Tuesday as part of the resorts mitigation efforts related to the Caldor Fire, said Susan Whitman, a spokesperson for Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood resorts. Video captured by KCBS Radio on Tuesday showed the resort firing several of its water hydrants, blasting water across a portion of the resort. Whitman said key infrastructure is in place at Heavenly and Kirkwood, adding that the U.S. Forest Service and officials with various fire and local agencies have assisted resort officials in structure protection and other mitigation efforts. Caldor Fire grows to more than 199,000 acres: The blaze grew to 199,632 acres by Tuesday evening, with containment increasing to 18%, Cal Fire officials said. Strong winds and poor humidity caused fire behavior to increase dramatically in the northeast and eastern divisions early Tuesday morning, Cal Fire officials said. New Caldor Fire evacuation orders in Alpine County: Cal Fire issued new evacuation orders as of 4:45 pm. Tuesday in a number of areas along Highway 88, and to the north of highways 88 and 89, to the Alpine/El Dorado County line. For details, and to see new evacuation warnings for the county, go to this Cal Fire site. Nevada casinos aren't being evacuated: More than 4,000 people were included in the Nevada evacuation orders on Tuesday, according to Eric Guevin, a local fire marshal serving as a spokesman for the Nevada-side response to the Caldor Fire. But the major casinos clustered along Highway 50 near Lake Tahoe were not ordered to evacuate and are unlikely to ever be told to do so, Guevin said. Firefighters, other first responders and Caldor Fire evacuees are staying in the facilities, and the area is well protected, he said. Weather forecast offers hope: Thursday could offer a break in the high winds and low humidity that have accelerated the spread of the Caldor Fire, officials said at a briefing on the blaze late Tuesday afternoon. We've got to get through tonight and tomorrow, said Jim Dudley, a meteorologist for Cal Fire, referring to the red flag warning in effect through 11 p.m. Wednesday. After that, winds will lighten considerably ... There's light at the end of the tunnel. Fake news, Caldor style: During Tuesday's briefing, Sgt. Eric Palmberg of the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office addressed a rumor spreading among evacuees that there are passes to get back into your house. Those passes do not exist, he emphasized. The confusion he suggested, stems from the fact that ranchers, farmers and vintners can get permission from the county to go to their agriculture operation for a short period of time under certain circumstances. Evacuation orders issued in Nevada east of Lake Tahoe: Mandatory evacuations are now in effect along Highway 50 on the Nevada side of the border. The orders issued at 4 p.m. cover a two-mile stretch of the Highway between Lake Parkway and Elks Point Road, as well as Nevada's State Route 207 heading east from Highway 50. Stateline Casinos are not part of the order. Volunteer firefighter in Caldor blaze hospitalized with burns: Richard Gerety, a volunteer with the West Stanislaus Fire Protection District, is expected to spend at least a month in the hospital with second- and third-degree burns across 20% of his body, suffered on Aug. 28 while he battled the massive Caldor Fire in El Dorado County. Colleagues have created a GoFundMe account to help Geretys wife and 2-year-old son while he is recovering, said Amy Best, a fire department administrator who helped set up the account. Hes doing OK, Best said. Just healing. Trying to get better. Lake Tahoe Community College delays fall start due to Caldor Fire: School officials with the Lake Tahoe Community College delayed the start of the fall quarter by one week as the Caldor Fire pushes toward South Lake Tahoe. Classes are now scheduled to begin Sept. 20, school officials wrote in a Facebook post. The college was closed Monday and Tuesday to allow students, faculty and staff to evacuate the area. The Board of Trustees plans to vote this week "to make this delay official," school officials said. Again, a Walmart parking lot serves as fire refuge: When Josh Weckmann left his job as manager of the Gardnerville Walmart near the California-Nevada border, there were three vehicles in the lot that looked like they held evacuees fleeing the Caldor Fire. By Tuesday afternoon he counted around two dozen and there was a line all turning into the parking lot. The story is here. Tahoe group, police helping unsheltered residents evacuate South Lake Tahoe: The Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless said they are working with the South Lake Tahoe Police Department to provide transportation for individuals especially older adults, medically compromised people and the unhoused to evacuate South Lake Tahoe. Call 530-600-2822 or meet them in front of the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel if you need a ride. Newsom says the Caldor Fire is Californias No. 1 priority: Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday said the Caldor Fire is the No. 1 priority in California and that state officials are doing their best to fight the blaze. All I can say is were doing everything in our power to have your back, Newsom said at a news conference in Alameda County. The governor said he plans to visit the area Wednesday. Sapphire water, Hollywood stars, pristine nature fire and smoke cant dim vibrant attraction of Lake Tahoe: Lake Tahoe is facing what could be the worst disaster in its history, with the 2-week-old Caldor Fire threatening to bring catastrophic flames right to its shores for the first time ever. But resilience seems to be laced into the people of Tahoe as much as it is into the soil and waves. Read the story here. This map shows where National Forests are closed due to Californias wildfires: As wildfires continue to tear through the state, California regional forester Jennifer Eberlien announced Monday that all of the regions National Forests would be closed to protect the natural resources and minimize the burden on firefighting crews. See the map showing the perimeters of all the national forestlands that have been shut down in relation to active fire here. No structure losses reported in South Lake Tahoe so far: The California Highway Patrol in South Lake Tahoe said on Twitter there were no structure losses reported as of Tuesday afternoon. Fire crews are working extremely hard on the Caldor Fire, CHP officials said. Have some peace of mind knowing law enforcement is protecting our area as the fire crews do their jobs. Were preparing for a worst-case scenario : Nevada officials said regular fire crews are being joined by nearly 200 personnel from the National Guard personnel and the Nevada Department of Forestry to provide everything from traffic control on the ground to helicopters in the air. According to Jon Bakkedahl, a manager at the Nevada Division of Emergency, preparations began 10 days ago for the possibility that the blaze would reach the state border. He also warned that anything could happen in the days ahead, given dry terrain and high winds: Its called a wildland fire for a reason. It acts wild. We are preparing for a worst-case scenario. Our biggest concern is the wind: Caldor Fire makes unrelenting push toward Lake Tahoe: The Caldor Fire continued to its attack on the Tahoe Basin Tuesday, fully breaching the summit and descending the eastern Sierra slope, forcing firefighters to battle flames on two separate fronts. Gusting winds roared through the trees Tuesday morning, with embers breaching defenses and threatening swaths of South Lake Tahoe, which underwent an unprecedented citywide evacuation. Read the story here. Heres the latest list of shelters for Caldor Fire evacuees: The Red Cross updated its list of evacuation shelters in California and Nevada set up to aide people fleeing the Caldor Fire. A full list of shelters is available here. Friends in Service Helping, an organization in Carson City, Nevada, said on Facebook they will serve lunch and dinner to Caldor Fire victims everyday from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 138 E. Long St. Carson City, NV. Berkeley Echo Lake Camp survives flames, more thorough assessment needed: Video and photos on Twitter show that several buildings at Berkeley Echo Lake Camp appeared to have survived the Caldor Fire. Amazingly this camp survived here, ABC 10 reporter John Bartell said on a Facebook Live video Tuesday morning as from Johnson Pass Road. Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin said on Twitter, While a more thorough assessment is needed and the danger is far from over, it appears many buildings at Berkeley Echo Lake Camp remain intact. Strong winds expected Tuesday afternoon near Caldor Fire: Strong southwest to west winds are expected to pick up over the Caldor Fire Tuesday starting at 11 a.m., said Emily Heller, a meteorologist with the National Weather Services Sacramento office. Heller predicted winds to calm overnight before picking up again Wednesday morning. Wildfires force evacuation of nearly 60,000 Northern Californians: More than 59,000 people were forced to flee their homes in Northern California due to encroaching wildfires. The vast majority of those evacuees more than 53,000 people were from El Dorado County, according to state officials. No evacuations orders for North Lake Tahoe yet: Cal Fire spokesman Stephen Horner said there were no planned evacuation orders for North Lake Tahoe as of Tuesday because the Caldor Fire is spreading east towards Nevada. The warnings are in place in some of those areas, but orders, not yet, said Horner. But the North Lake Tahoe Convention and Visitor Bureau has warned travelers to postpone upcoming trips to the area to keep the roads open and to make lodging space more readily available for evacuees, they wrote on Twitter. Caldor Fire crosses Highway 89, burning near Meyers: The latest data on the Caldor Fire Tuesday morning showed the blaze had crossed a portion of Highway 89 and appeared to be burning a few miles east of Meyers. Most structures spared in Strawberry: There was mild fire activity in the town of Strawberry Tuesday morning after the Caldor Fire burned through the area over the weekend, destroying some structures, said Cal Fire spokesperson Stephen Horner. Some structures were lost there but a lot of them are still intact, said Horner, including the main Strawberry Station General Store and the Strawberry Lodge. Red flag warning still in effect: A red flag warning affecting a swath of eastern California and western Nevada will remain in effect until 11 p.m. Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Persistently low humidity and winds that could gust up to 35 mph were expected, the NWS said, including over the Caldor Fire. Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California Fifth & Mission: Evacuating South Lake Tahoe to escape the Caldor Fire: The go-to vacation destination for Bay Area residents is also home to more than 20,000 locals who have been forced to leave. Chronicle photographer Carlos Avila Gonzalez joins Fifth & Mission host Cecilia Lei to discuss what hes witnessing on the front lines. And Bay Area native Katie MacBride, a writer for Inverse.com, talks about what its like to potentially lose a cabin thats been in her family for generations. Listen to the podcast here. South Lake Tahoe officials were finalizing a new evacuation plan. And then the Caldor Fire arrived: After more than four hours of gridlock on Highway 50 the main artery in and out of South Lake Tahoe fleeing residents finally made it out of town. Almost four weeks ago, the South Lake Tahoe city council discussed a draft of its evacuation plan and members envisioned this exact scenario. Read the story here. See the latest evacuation maps for South Lake Tahoe: All of South Lake Tahoe was ordered to evacuate as the Caldor Fire crept closer to the iconic region. A map maintained El Dorado County Sheriffs Office shows the huge swaths of evacuated zones up to and abutting Lake Tahoe, along with road closures. See the map here. Firefighters battle flames in Christmas Valley: Tuesday morning, firefighters with hoses doused low-to-the-ground flames along both sides of Christmas Valley where the fire made a significant move Monday into the Tahoe basin. Fire backed down steep ridges on both sides of the Valley Monday and through the night, a fiery spectacle that mainly stayed on the forest floor. Caldor Fire grows to more than 191,000 acres: The Caldor Fire was measured at 191,607 acres Tuesday morning and remained just 15% contained. The fire remained active overnight Monday, Cal Fire said, thanks in part to persistently low humidity. A red flag warning for the region surrounding and including the fire remains in effect until 11 p.m. Wednesday. 100-year-old Camp Sacramento saved from Caldor Fire: Camp Sacramento, a 100-year-old camp about 20 miles southwest of South Lake Tahoe, was spared from the Caldor Fire. No structures were damaged after fire crews worked for four days around the clock to create defensible space around the camp, Sacramento city officials tweeted. This map shows how close the Caldor Fire is to the Lake Tahoe basin: The Caldor Fire continued its march northeast toward South Lake Tahoe overnight. Satellite imagery from the National Weather Service showed the blazes eastern edge crossing Highway 89 and spreading past Myers. To the south, the fires perimeter crossed Highway 88, headed toward Kirkwood. Photos show battle to stop the Caldor Fire from reaching Lake Tahoe: Chronicle photographers captured the fight to protect South Lake Tahoe from the Caldor Fire, and the mass evacuations as the flames neared the iconic city. See the images here. What satellite imagery shows us about the Caldor Fires growth: Satellite imagery from NASAs Earth Observing System Data and Information System shows the Caldor Fires growing perimeters and the smoke approaching Lake Tahoe. The fire has led to numerous evacuation warnings, the latest of which was for South Lake Tahoe and its 22,000 residents. Read the story and see the images here. Nevada governor declares state of emergency: Gov. Steve Sisolaks 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 forests closed: The U.S. Forest Service is closing all national forests in California through Sept. 17 because of the wildfire crisis. Closing the forests reduces the chances of new fire starts, the service said, and the danger that people could become trapped in the wildlands. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is not affected, as it is not in the services Pacific Southwest Region. Trapped in traffic fleeing the Caldor Fire, one Tahoe resident broke out his fiddle: 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. Read the story here. 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, driven by northeast winds. 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. California wildfires are climbing higher up mountains, putting more forest at risk of flames: High-elevation burns are the direct result of the warming climate, scientists say. And theyre exacerbating the wildfire crisis by charring tracts of land that were long considered too cool to burn. Theyre also harder for firefighters to get to. Read the story here. Caldor Fire throws 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. SOUTH LAKE TAHOE Firefighters battled the monstrous Caldor Fire on Tuesday, protecting alpine communities and shielding some of the countrys most beloved outdoor playgrounds in the Tahoe Basin. Gusting winds roared through the region carrying embers that breached defense lines and threatened swaths of South Lake Tahoe, which completed an unprecedented citywide evacuation of its 22,000 residents Monday. Fire officials said their strategy was to keep the fire on the north side of Highway 88, where new orders to evacuate were issued Tuesday evening. That was good news for the Kirkwood ski resort, which sits south of Highway 88. An offshoot of the 199,632-acre fire approached the resort early in the day, but private firefighters stationed there were prepared to shore up the lodge and other buildings as they did to save the Sierra-at-Tahoe resort on Monday. The Heavenly Mountain Resort is well north of 88, in a danger zone near the southeastern tip of Lake Tahoe. Maps show the flames as close as four miles from parts of the resort. The head of the fire has not made it into Heavenly yet, Eric Schwab, Cal Fires operations section chief said shortly after 5 p.m. We dont have any tools out there to stop the fire, so were herding it away from structures. Whats keeping the fire going at this point are the winds and the hot, dry air that together are blowing embers into very old, very dense trees that havent burned since before 1940, said Steve Volmer, Cal Fires fire behavior manager, at Tuesdays evening briefing. The winds were expected to ease only slightly Wednesday and lighten considerably by Thursday, said Jim Dudley, a Cal Fire meteorologist. Theres light at the end of the tunnel, he said. That will make for a much better situation in the fire footprint. Firefighters have already contained the western portion of the fire zone, including the communities of Pollock Pines and Grizzly Flats, officials said. And residents are clamoring to return home, although that cant happen until fire officials declare the area safe. Late Tuesday, firefighters strengthened defenses against flames burning in the forest near the Pioneer Trail, a main thoroughfare off Highway 50 on the eastern edge of the city. Tod Flowers watched a line of engines head down a side street to the fire front. This was personal he lives in the neighborhood. Flowers spends the fire off-season working to prevent what he was now seeing in his own neighborhood, overseeing prescribed burns and fuel reduction projects for the U.S. Forest Service. He hopes that effort has saved some homes. But he also knows the wind, drought and a century of fire suppression in the forest has set the stage for a fierce battle. All our work is being tested by this fire, he said. In Meyers, a 15-minute drive south of Lake Tahoe down Highway 50, fire crews from several counties, including Alameda, braced for fierce winds. Just before sunset, the yellow-clad crews used their hoses to keep embers at bay. So far, the communitys small downtown was safe. Theres no magic, said Kent Carlin, a battalion chief with the Alameda County Fire Department, modest about the achievement, which has taken days of sweat and aching backs to remove flammable objects, keep roofs wet and build the lines of defense that will, ultimately, conquer the fire. Carlin just arrived in the Tahoe Basin after leaving the Monument Fire in Trinity County around 3 a.m. Tuesday morning. Many of the roughly two dozen firefighters from Alameda County had been on similarly grueling schedules, he said. Weve got people that have just gone from fire to fire, Carlin said. Some of them havent been home in weeks. A few firefighters ventured down a hill toward South Lake Tahoe as dinner time rolled around. In a deserted town whose survival depends on their long hours, they hoped there might still be pizza to be found. South Lake Tahoe Fire Chief Clive Savacool said that Tuesday could have been the most important day of the fire fight so far because crews were able to do the critical work of building fire breaks in the forest to keep it from encroaching on neighborhoods from Meyers to South Lake Tahoe. Every mile they go is that much more of my community that is protected, he said. Mandatory evacuations we put into effect in and around Highway 50 on the Nevada side of the border Tuesday afternoon covering a 2-mile stretch between Lake Parkway and Elks Point Road, as well as Nevadas State Route 207 heading east from Highway 50. Stateline casinos were not part of the order. After the hurried evacuation of South Lake Tahoe on Monday, the city was quiet Tuesday save for the movement of fire trucks and equipment to shore up fire breaks and prepare for spot fires. Thousands of residents had scattered in different directions, filling shelters, hotels, the homes of family and friends and even the WalMart parking lot in Gardnerville, Nev., about 7 miles over the California state line. Leia Sutton set up camp there with her parents, who fled Meyers on Sunday as chunks of charcoal-like ash rained down on them. Sutton, 42, stayed up all night, packing in a daze, and then spent two hours Monday on the 25-mile drive from South Lake Tahoe to the Nevada town. 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 Its just the unknown, Sutton said, as she watched other evacuees arrive. What will I have to go back to? There was no estimate on when residents can return. We have a lot of history up there, said Suttons father, Lee Sutton, 70, a former regional NASCAR driver. Well have to leave it to Mother Nature. Thousands of firefighters were working the blaze, bulldozing containment lines in the area north of Highway 50 and working in the Tahoe Basin to keep the fire from homes along Highway 89. Thats an extremely challenging fire environment for firefighters to deal with, he said. The Caldor has injured five people, including three firefighters. One of them, Richard Gerety, a tractor mechanic who volunteers with the West Stanislaus Fire Protection District, will spend at least a month in the hospital with second- and third-degree burns across 20% of his body. Hes one of those guys that was raised right, willing to help people, said Fire Chief Jeff Gregory. He always goes all out, likes to listen and learn and he knows what hes doing. Gerety was out with a team fighting the northeast corner of the fire on Saturday afternoon when Gregory wasnt certain how it happened he was burned. Four firefighters working with him were able to rescue him and transport him to the burn center. Colleagues have created a GoFundMe account to help Geretys wife and 2-year-old son while he is recovering. Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California The Caldor Fire started Aug. 14 south of Grizzly Flats and has pushed relentlessly up Highway 50, traveling more than 8 miles on some days, fueled by dry timber and winds across a landscape that has mostly avoided wildfires for the past several decades. It was 16% contained Tuesday evening. The blaze that has torched nearly 200,000 acres and destroyed hundreds of cabins and homes continues to threaten more than 33,000 additional structures as it expands south and pushes to the northeast. It was one of the largest of nearly 7,000 fires that have burned across the state this year, with more than 1.8 million acres scorched. The Caldor is now on the Top 20 list of the largest fires in state history, currently at No. 17. It is one of only two California wildfires ever to have made it over a Sierra summit and burn down the other side. The Dixie Fire, which reached nearly 820,000 acres Tuesday, did it weeks earlier. Dixie, burning across five counties to the north of the Caldor Butte, Plumas, Tehama, Shasta and Lassen was 48% contained as of Tuesday night. Fire officials have described this years fire season as unprecedented, the blazes faster, more complex and more dangerous than anything theyve seen before. The Caldor Fire has defied efforts to stop it, with firefighters pushed back to defend structures or get people out of the way. The landscape up Highway 50 will bear witness for years to come, the trees and hillsides blackened, clusters of cabins destroyed. Firefighters remained along the route Tuesday, battling back flames that continued to threaten homes near Twin Bridges, only to evacuate, their faces blackened by ash, when the fire turned on them. Trees and piles of debris continued to smolder, along the route, two days after the main fire burned through. A few miles west of Echo Summit, a smoldering mess remained in Phillips after flames climbed into the tree canopy, torching towering pines and destroying a cluster of cabins owned by families for generations. The tiny unincorporated community is barely visible on a map, a blip as tourists drive by on the way to Lake Tahoe and known mostly for the monthly snow-depth measurements taken in the nearby meadow during the winter months. The last measurement in early June showed the snowpack at 0% of average after a historically dry winter, conditions that pitched the state into severe drought with accurate predictions of a dangerous fire season. Yet among the devastation, there were small victories, with little damage to homes in the Christmas Valley area on Highway 89 as the fire moved through Monday night into Tuesday. In the Echo Lake area, firefighters saved many of the historic cabins in the area, as well as the city of Berkeleys family and summer camp and the general store at the boat launch. Firefighters maintained an unrelenting pace throughout the night. It was wind like this all night, Cal Fire Capt. Mark Christiansen, on a strike team from Santa Clara, said Tuesday morning while his crew siphoned water from the lake to refill their rig. When a spot fire starts, we try to get it right away before it grows big. Those winds kept a steady ember rainfall sparking spot fires in the area Tuesday morning. Crews paused their work cutting fire breaks to attack those small spot fires, Christiansen said. Yet the massive blaze continued its largely unchecked assault on the region, with spot fires lighting new blazes up to a mile ahead. With vegetation so dry, any ember that blows past defenses is likely to ignite a new spot fire, said Cal Fire spokesman Jason Hunter, a captain with the West Sacramento Fire Department. Our biggest concern is the wind, he said. Chronicle staff writers Danielle Echeverria and Jill Tucker contributed to this report. Julie Johnson, Sarah Ravani, Lauren Hepler, and Nanette Asimov are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: julie.johnson@sfchronicle.com, sravani@sfchronicle.com, lauren.hepler@sfchronicle.com, nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @juliejohnson, @SarRavani, @LAHepler, @NanetteAsimov Alvin A.H. Jornada / Special to The Chronicle 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 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. Eberlien delivered the message in a notice to employees obtained by The Bee. After more than four hours of gridlock on Highway 50 the main artery in and out of South Lake Tahoe fleeing residents finally made it out of town. Despite idling in bumper-to-bumper traffic, they had enough time to evacuate to Nevada and avoid any encounters with the advancing Caldor Fire that spent Monday on a blitzkrieg into the Tahoe Basin. It was a nightmare scenario for the isolated city of 22,000 rapidly ordered to evacuate the entire city limits Monday that would test a new evacuation plan that had yet to be finalized. Almost four weeks ago, the South Lake Tahoe city council discussed a draft of its evacuation plan and members envisioned this exact scenario. We have to realize, said councilman Cody Bass at the councils last meeting on Aug. 3, that if were calling for mandatory evacuations its probably going to be our whole town. He asked the police and fire officials to work closely with their Nevada partners as residents would likely have to head to Carson City and both directions of the freeway would have to accomodate evacuees. He and his colleagues brought up Paradise the town destroyed by the Camp Fire three years ago. They discussed fuel loads on private properties in the popular tourist town reaching a very scary point. Police and fire officials shared the draft plan and outreach strategy to engage their residents. They described how they would face challenges with the tourist population who would be largely unfamiliar with evacuation routes and not likely to receive evacuation warnings on their cell phones. The city uses a notification system called Code Red to send cell phone alerts to residents who signed up for the service, but cell service can be spotty in some areas. One resident reminded the council how three years ago he implored a different group of elected officials to start a Fire Safe Council for the area, but the plan got abandoned. 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 In August 2015, regional stakeholders created the Lake Tahoe Basin Community Wildfire Protection Plan which spelled out the challenges for an evacuation. In the 1960s and 1970s, when much of the development was built in South Lake Tahoe, homes were built to maximize views of the mountains and the world famous lake, without consideration to emergency response and fire safety. There was not a focus on wildland fire because large loss fires were nearly unheard of in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains, the plans authors wrote. The result is that many developments are situated on steep slopes completely surrounded by wildland fuels, with only a single road in and out for emergency response and evacuation. From a wildland firefighting perspective these communities are sited mid-slope and isolated in the most dangerous location for suppression. The plan recognized that the feeder road network to Highway 50 during high traffic congestion can be troublesome. Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California It is often difficult, if not hazardous for emergency responders to navigate their vehicles and equipment on Tahoes roads, the plans authors wrote. Even on Aug. 3, 11 days before the Caldor Fire would roar to life, the council and city staff felt the urgency. It could happen, city manager Joe Irvin told his colleagues. We need to be realistic. Matthias Gafni is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: matthias.gafni@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mgafni Sierra National Forest officials closed a portion of trails in Mariposa County where a family and their dog were found dead under mysterious circumstances in mid-August, citing unspecified safety concerns. The monthlong closure is to provide for public safety due to unknown hazards found in and near the Savage Lundy Trail, according to the order. The closure will last until Sept. 26, although rangers can reopen the trails if conditions change. Officials have not ruled out water toxicity as a contributing factor in the familys death as they await the results of water tests taken from the area where the family was found. We are uncertain of the causes of death. We still havent gotten the results from the case, said Leak Pen, assistant recreation officer at the Bass Lake Ranger District, which oversees that portion of the Sierra National Forest. So, as a precaution, lets go ahead and close it because we know theres some form of hazard to the public. The closure affects nine trails, six picnic sites and the dirt Forest Road that leads to the Hites Cove trailhead. The 8.5-mile loop between Hites Cove and Savage Lundy trails is steep and challenging and mostly popular during the cooler spring months, Pen said. The district took two weeks to close the trail to figure out the logistics of shuttering such a large area and when they realized answers for the deaths were still far off, Pen said. Jonathan Gerrish, Ellen Chung, their 1-year-old baby Aurelia Miju Chung-Gerrish and their dog Oski were found dead Aug. 17 about 1.5 miles below their truck, which was parked at the Hites Cove trailhead. There were no obvious signs of death, which led the Mariposa County Sheriffs Office to initially close the area and deem it a hazardous materials scene. Toxicology reports are still pending, leading investigators to wait to list a cause of death, but last week they ruled out any weapons being used or dangerous gases from a mine along the trail. The FBI is trying to access Gerrishs cell phone, which was found in his pocket. State water officials and private labs are also testing water samples from the south fork of the Merced River and creeks along the trail, as well as a small amount of water from the couples water bladder backpack. Temperatures reached 109 degrees the day they hiked, investigators have said. Courtesy Steve Jeffe Pen said one water test has come back positive for harmful algae bloom. Others have turned up no toxic substances and still other tests are outstanding. Officials had already warned hikers of such blooms a month before the deaths along the south fork of the Merced River, so that result is not a surprise. Such freshwater blooms are not known to kill humans. Because of the heat theres a chance they may have drank the water or tried to treat the water, but we dont know, Pen said. Its very mysterious, and were all just waiting for the results. The Sierra National Forest closure coincides with a statewide shutdown of all national forestlands through Labor Day due to dangerous fire conditions and taxed firefighting crews. All 20 million acres of the states national forests will be closed to the public effective at midnight Tuesday. We do not take this decision lightly, but this is the best choice for public safety, said Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlien. The Forest Service had already closed nine of its national forests in Northern California on Aug. 22 for fire precautions. Matthias Gafni is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: matthias.gafni@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mgafni Courtesy S.F. Police Department San Francisco police are offering a $50,000 reward in an effort to crack the July 30 killing of Jaedah Tofaeono, a 16-year-old girl gunned down in San Franciscos Bayview district. Tofaeono, a rising junior at Deer Valley High School in Antioch who had recently moved to San Francisco with her family, was shot on Bertha Lane near Hudson Avenue and Ingalls Street alongside her 45-year-old aunt. The aunt, whom police have not identified, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to survive. For my birthday a few years ago, Zane wrote Worlds Best Dad on a mug in ceramics class. Ive worn that cup out, but no matter how much I hint, I never get another. On Jan. 5, Deidre and I met in Noe Valley at La Boulangerie de San Francisco to pick up king cakes to celebrate the Epiphany, and then a little shopping. Christmas had come and gone, and I was still looking for my gift. Ever have a birthday and a friend shows up with what she thinks is the perfect present, and you dont want to disappoint her but the back of your brain is going: Where the hell am I gonna display this for the next 30 years or until she stops being my friend? For our wedding (the prelegal one), a co-worker gave us a sterling silver powdered sugar sifter. In the 34 years since, I can count on one hand how many times I have needed to sift powdered sugar, and on none of those occasions did I want the sugar sifted through a sterling silver sifter. But I keep it, because even though the giver lives on the other side of the continent, I cant take the chance of her showing up and not seeing it in our china cabinet. Gifting is worse within our family. My sons, Zane and Aidan, rarely think to buy Fathers Day gifts, but when they do, its usually New Religion T-shirts with red omegas. Ive never been cool enough to pull that off. Yet often when Im getting ready to step out of the bedlam blue bungalow, their first question is: Why dont you wear that omega shirt? I was grateful, therefore, that both sons had forgotten to pick out a Christmas gift. It gave me an excuse to pick out my own. When Deidre steered me into an antique store, my gaze fell upon an ancient Royal typewriter. Longtime Chronicle readers know that Herb Caen produced his column, a thousand words a day, for 50 years on his Loyal Royal. On my first day with the paper, reporter Jill Tucker showed me the worlds most famous Royal, displayed like a museum object in a plexiglass case. (The second most famous? A gold-plated typewriter upon which Ian Fleming wrote all the James Bond novels.) I was humbled and awed to be part of a journalism tradition that stretched back to correspondents like Bret Harte, Jack London and Mark Twain. This is my Christmas present! I told my husband when I got home. But of course, the ribbon was broken and a couple of keys were stuck, so it went into the closet. It sat there next to my boxes of X-Men comics until just last week. Brian had an appointment with the Limb Salvage Clinic, and so I took the day off. But theres only so much physical therapy you can do for a toe that isnt there anymore, so when we were done, I said, Lets get that typewriter fixed. The man at Berkeley Typewriter did not roll his eyes when he simply replaced the ribbon and shimmied the keys apart, but he did charge me for my ignorance. Returning to the outer, outer, outer, outer Excelsior, I tried writing the draft for this column on my new old Royal. Never have been a great typist (although I did go to typing camp when I was 15), but in the decade working with my not-so-loyal iMac, Id forgotten it takes a lot more pressure to type on a manual. The keys get stuck. And I needed Wite-Out. (Younger readers can Google that.) 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. On the other hand, my Royal didnt need electricity, so I could type in the dark if I had to. But if I did, of course, I wouldnt know what I was typing. A bit of synchronicity: In the mail that day was an envelope from a Chronicle colleague, reporter Nanette Asimov. She had saved one of Mr. Caens hand-typed columns, about Madonna and Warren Beatty, and she thought the time was right for me to have it. In that moment, I had my true gift: a slim page of history, of a tradition to which I now belong. I may never write as well as Herb Caen. In fact, Ill never even type as well. But whether on Royal or iMac, I now get to write about the city he loved, a town where you can find king cakes and antique typewriters. And a sterling silver sugar sifter, if you need one. Kevin Fisher-Paulsons column appears Wednesdays in Datebook. Email: datebook@sfchronicle.com Steven Sadri and Emily Thompson have spent years immersing themselves in Mexicos food and spirits culture, visiting off-the-grid mezcal producers in the mountain ranges of Oaxaca and living in Valle de Guadalupe, a wine region filled with top-notch restaurants. Theyre bringing that knowledge to life at Tahona Mercado, which opened in San Franciscos Nob Hill neighborhood last week. The shelves of what they call a Mexicatessen a.k.a Mexican delicatessen function as a love letter to the producers theyve met in their travels to Mexico and their restaurant careers in the Bay Area and Southern California. Its stocked with smoky mezcal, hard-to-find Mexican wines, piquant salsas and snacks made by chefs from nonprofit La Cocina. Its a gold mine for home cooks and mixologists: Theres blue corn masa to make fresh tortillas, Rancho Gordo beans and Oaxacan mole paste. For drinks, find ceiling-high shelves of Mexican spirits, tonic syrups and a habanero salt thats born to mate with mezcal and tequila, as the store website says. Those seeking picnic fare can find yucca chips and salsas, among other snacks, plus cold beer and Michelada mix. While we had seen specialty stores for other cultures, we hadnt seen anything for Mexican products. Thats where this idea was born, Sadri said. Sadri, a Bay Area native whos half Mexican and half Persian, has been hooked on mezcal ever since a fateful sip during a shift as bartender at Roys in San Francisco. He later met Thompson when they were both working at Cala, famed Mexican chef Gabriela Camaras now-closed San Francisco restaurant. They also run Tahona, a Mexican restaurant with a mezcal tasting room, in San Diego. Marsilo Gabuardi, a former bar manager known for starting a mezcal dinner series at Cala, is also working with them at Tahona Mercado. Like at a wine shop, this is the kind of place where you should tap into the owners expertise and ask for help if youre unsure what to buy. Sadri might point you to a briny, herbaceous mezcal, or Thompson will tell you how they like to use Oakland-made Kualis salsa macha at home. They plan to grow the market as they get settled, with plans to host mezcal and food pairings and to serve more food and drinks, like aguas frescas and cafe de olla. Here are six exciting things to eat and drink at Tahona Mercado. Theres no seating, but head just two blocks away to the tranquil Huntington Park for a makeshift picnic. Don Bugito sal de gusano Courtesy Anna Bruce/Rambling Spirits Tahona Mercado carries several edible insect snacks from Don Bugito, one of several La Cocina producers at the market, but the owners favorite is the sal de gusano. Typically, orange slices get sprinkled with the salt and offer a palate cleanser in between sips of mezcal. Monica Martinez of Don Bugito makes hers from sea salt, chile powder and toasted chinicuil, an agave worm from the mountains in northern Mexico. Its earthy, salty and spicy perfect for using as a cocktail rim instead of Tajin, sprinkled on popcorn or on fried eggs, Thompson said. Casa de Chocolates Elena Kadvany/The Chronicle Sadris eyes pop out bit when he talks about pairing Casa de Chocolates chocolate bars with his favorite mezcals. The Berkeley confectionary, run by Amelia Gonzalez and Arcelia Gallard, makes Latin American-inspired chocolates, infused with ingredients like Valencia oranges, tequila and hibiscus. Dont miss the mole bar, 61% cacao sprinkled with 11 chiles and warm spices like cloves and all spice, which Sadri said would pair well with a bottle of bright, citrusy Mal Bien mezcal. Other desserts of note at the market include fruit paletas and pints of lobonada ice cream (half mango and half watermelon, topped with chamoy and Tajin) from Lobos Ice Cream in Novato. Salsa macha Tahona Mercado is currently the only place in San Francisco where you can find jars of Kualis much-coveted chile-oil salsa macha with pumpkin seeds, which also makes an appearance in the markets breakfast burrito. Los Angeles masa purveyor Masienda also has salsa macha here. It comes in three unusual flavor combinations: chipotle-coffee-peanut, which Sadri spreads on toast; spicy guajillo-cranberry-hazelnut; and potent arbol-nori-sesame, with the added punch of Sichuan peppercorns. Sadri and Thompson like to spoon any of them over roasted vegetables, pizza, salads, quesadillas and tamales. Real Minero mezcal Courtesy Anna Bruce/Rambling Spirits The family that owns Real Minero in Oaxaca has been distilling mezcal in clay pots since the 1800s. Producing mezcal in clay pots is far more labor intensive and risky the pots can break easily and are hard to clean but the payoff is high, Sadri said. Because the clay pots are porous, they impart these beautiful flavors into the mezcal more earthy tones, even caramel and butterscotch, he said. Tahona Mercado carries several of their mezcals, including a complex, almost savory pechuga mezcal (which is distilled with a piece of lamb hanging above it, so the meats fat drips into the liquor) the couple served at their wedding this summer. Other bottles were produced through Real Mineros Proyecto LAM, an effort to restore agave varietals that are close to extinction. Pick up a few veladora glasses, Catholic prayer candle holders turned shot glasses from Oaxaca, for at-home imbibing. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Vinicola Bruma wine Courtesy Anna Bruce/Rambling Spirits Mexican wines remain few and far between in the United States, so Tahona Mercados selection is noteworthy. The store stocks about 30 Mexican wines, including the recognizable, natural Bichi and producers that are less well-known in the U.S. like Vinicola Bruma. The winery in Valle de Guadalupe is run by Lulu Martinez Ojeda, a native of Baja who studied wine-making in Bordeaux, France, for over a decade, and is known for putting Mexican wine on the map. Tahona Mercado carries three Vinicola Bruma wines, including a mineral and not overly oakey Chablis-style Chardonnay and a medium-bodied, well-balanced rose. Tortas, quesadillas and Mexican pastries Elena Kadvany/The Chronicle Tahona Mercado doesnt have a full kitchen, so theyve gotten creative with their hot food offerings which double as another way to highlight local Mexican producers. A quesadilla stuffed with tender mushrooms and poblano chiles gets a bright infusion from Pass the Sauceds herb salsa, another La Cocina alumna whose sauces are for sale at the market. A carnitas torta, the meat from San Francisco institution La Palma, gets smeared with serrano tomatillo salsa from Bolita Masa, a pandemic-born pop-up. Former Nopa baker Raquel Goldman of the Norte 54 pop-up is responsible for the yeasty foundation of the sandwich: a baguette-like bolillo, crusty on the outside but soft on the inside. You can also find Norte 54 pastries at Tahona Mercado on weekends, like garibaldis, or small pound cakes, topped with pluot jam. Tahona Mercado. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. 1168 Leavenworth St., San Francisco. tahonamercado.com Elena Kadvany is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: elena.kadvany@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ekadvany As part of our ongoing reporting on the closures of local restaurants, here is a running list of Bay Area restaurants that have permanently closed as of Aug. 31. The Chronicle will run a list of closures monthly. Following a nine-year run, Hayes Valley Swedish restaurant Plaj has permanently closed. Owners Roberth and Andrea Sundell said in an Instagram post that the pandemic has made it impossible to sustain their restaurant. Plajs sister restaurant, Stockhome, in Petaluma, remains open. Emeryville Basque cheesecake destination Oui Oui Macaron closed its Public Market outpost for good after a five-year run. The dessert shops lease came to an end in the East Bay, but its not a permanent end for the business. Its planning to open at a new location on Divisadero Street in San Francisco later this year. Belgian cafe Frjtz has permanently ceased operations after initially transitioning to a delivery-only establishment. The Hayes Valley spot closed earlier this year and owner Santiago Rodriguez moved to New York City, according to Eater. An Oakland outpost run by his sister-in-law and niece remains open. The last standalone outpost of popular Korean restaurant Namu Stonepot permanently closed on Aug. 1. Brothers and co-owners Dennis, David and Daniel Lee wanted to shift their focus toward more quick-service and takeout-friendly restaurants. Namu Stonepots food will still be available at SoMas SSP Beer Hall and some farmers market stands on weekends. Longtime San Francisco teahouse Samovar has permanently closed both locations. Owners Jesse and Joshua Jacobs have transitioned the outposts into a Detroit-style pizza joint called Joyride Pizza. Samovars teas are still sold online, however. Brittany Hosea-Small/Special to The Chronicle Berkeley jam master June Taylors eponymous shop closed for good on Aug. 30. Taylor announced her shops closing last year, but continued to sell her famed preserves, citrus candies and syrups until the closure. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Fast-casual Los Angeles chain Lemonade has closed its locations in Palo Alto and Walnut Creek. Two San Francisco locations are the only ones that remain open in Northern California. Palo Alto Turkish restaurant Anatolian Kitchen has permanently closed. Owner Dino Tekdemir told The Chronicle that he plans to replace it with a second location of his Austrian restaurant Naschmarkt, which is in Campbell. The new spot is slated to open in three months. Tanay Warerkar is the San Francisco Chronicles assistant food & wine editor Email: tanay.warerkar@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @TanayWarerkar Jancis Robinson, arguably the worlds most influential wine writer, has sold her eponymous digital publication to a company with offices in San Francisco. Miami-based Recurrent Ventures, a fast-growing and venture capital-backed media conglomerate, announced its acquisition of JancisRobinson.com on Tuesday. The London subscription-based website, which has been operating since 2000, joins a portfolio of 17 other digital media properties, including Popular Science, Saveur and Domino. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Robinson, 71, said she began thinking about selling the business a year ago. She needed a succession plan for her website, which employs four full-time staff members and 13 contributing writers. And she said she believes the 21-year-old site has room to expand, with the proper marketing and business development tools. Ive long thought there was real potential for growth but I dont have the qualities needed to achieve it, Robinson said. This will allow me to concentrate on what I love doing: tasting and writing about wine, which I intend to do for many, many more years. She will remain on board as editor in chief for at least five years. The new ownership will be particularly focused on growing readership in the U.S., which accounts for just under 30% of subscriptions. (Subscriptions in the United Kingdom are just over 30%, Robinson said.) A subscription currently costs about $117 per year. Since we share a language, and the number of wine drinkers is so much higher in the U.S. than the U.K., U.S. expansion is a no-brainer, she said. JancisRobinson.com already has two regular columnists in California, Alder Yarrow and Elaine Chukan Brown, but we plan even more focus on California, Robinson said. Recurrent wont make any big, immediate changes, said CEO Lance Johnson, but he hinted at new initiatives down the line, whether its events or ways to utilize the sites existing tasting notes. JancisRobinson.com launched in November 2000 on the trail of the dot-com boom. Robinson had been a famous wine figure for decades by then as the author of multiple books, including The Oxford Companion to Wine and was the host of a wine series on the BBC. Her site preceded other digital entries by well-known wine critics in that era; eRobertParker.com, the digital arm of the famous American wine critic Robert Parkers Wine Advocate newsletter, debuted the following year, in November 2001. The Wine Advocate was purchased by the Michelin Group in 2019. Initially a free website, JancisRobinson.com added a paywalled section called the Purple Pages one year in. (The name referred not to the color of red wine but to the color scheme of the members-only website pages.) Today, much of the site is behind a paywall, including the tasting notes and an online version of the Oxford Companion to Wine. Subscriptions remain the sites sole revenue source. It has never run ads. Since launching the site, Robinsons clout has only grown. She was awarded an Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth in 2003; she consults on the queens wine cellar. Her books now number over 20, and she has long been a columnist in the Financial Times. In 2017, she donated all of her papers to the library at UC Davis. The website has always traded on the personality of its founder, with articles written in a conversational register, producing the impression that Robinson is speaking to a circle of close friends. And JancisRobinson.coms subscribers often seem to regard each other that way, too: Theyre highly active on the sites forum, trading geeky tips about which German Rieslings to buy and which vintages of Bordeaux are showing best. The publication covers the entire world of wine, with correspondents on four continents and subscribers in 82 countries, Robinson said. In addition to industry news and narrative features, Robinsons team also publishes reviews of individual wines, scored on a 20-point scale. The database counts more than 200,000 wine reviews. We werent explicitly looking for a wine-focused publication, said Recurrents Johnson, but when this opportunity came to our attention, we felt like we couldnt pass it up. Recurrent has been building up a collection of properties focused on home and lifestyle already, like the food magazine Saveur, formerly owned by Bonnier Corp. We really loved the idea of JancisRobinson.com and Saveur working alongside each other as well as together, Johnson said. Recurrent has been on a buying spree lately. In July, it acquired Mel Magazine, the mens lifestyle vertical started by Dollar Shave Club, and also Futurism, a science and technology news site that began as a subreddit on Reddit. Recurrents roots date to 2018, when the venture-capital firm North Equity was founded in order to purchase the Drive, an automotive-news website. This spring, with 15 digital-media properties then under its belt, North Equity created a new company, Recurrent Ventures, to operate its media brands. North Equity and Recurrents headquarters are in Miami, though Recurrent has an office in San Francisco. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Johnson said he isnt ruling out further expansions in the food-and-wine media space. If there were another brand that we thought could be a good fit in this category, he said, we'd certainly have a look because there is so much room here for expansion. Its not yet clear how JancisRobinson.coms devoted following, many of whom have been drawn to the site for its personal feeling and commitment to independence, will view the new deal. Robinson, for her part, emphasized that she isnt going anywhere just yet. She isnt ready to retire, she said. But, she continued, she believes that the new partners will be able to improve its reach in ways that she couldnt on her own. My tech and marketing skills are definitely less impressive than my wine achievements, said Robinson, who also holds the distinguished title of Master of Wine. When asked about her long-term vision for the publication, Robinson said she hopes the editorial core remains the same, but that the business side will improve. I hope that JancisRobinson.com will still be admired for the quality and integrity of its wide-ranging content, she said, but that it will be appreciated by many more people, especially Americans. Esther Mobley is The San Francisco Chronicles wine critic. Email: emobley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Esther_mobley A new coronavirus variant making headlines across the globe could be the most mutated strain yet. According to a recent report from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases in South Africa, the C.1.2 variant first discovered by scientists in that country this year could be more infectious than all other coronavirus mutations identified so far. However, health officials say the variant so far is not widespread. Heres everything we know about C.1.2 so far. What is the C.1.2 variant? The C.1.2 was first discovered in May and has now been detected in all of South Africas provinces, according to the NICD. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF, said C.1.2 is likely a descendant of the beta variant, which was first detected in South Africa in May 2020. The major difference is the C.1.2 variant has many more mutations, which could mean its more transmissible or could evade vaccine protection but that is not yet proven. The World Health Organization has been monitoring the variant, but according to its variant tracker, the C.1.2 strain is not yet on its lists of variants of concern or variants of interest. A variant of interest, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is one that appears to be driving a surge in cases or clusters of infection; has genetic changes that might make it more contagious or more likely to escape immunity or vaccinations; or one that therapy and testing may not be as effective against. The CDC says a variant of concern has been shown through research to be more transmissible or cause more severe disease, or to reduce the effectiveness of therapy, testing or vaccines. Why is the C.1.2 variant concerning? Chin-Hong said C.1.2 has a dizzying number of mutations, with a mutation rate of around 41.8 per year more than double any other strain currently considered a variant of concern. Some of these mutations in the spike protein are similar to other variants that confer increased transmissibility and increased vaccine evasion compared to the original Wuhan variety, Chin-Hong said. But this so far is theoretical, and we need to see how it moves in the community, and how it pits itself against other variants, he said including the highly transmissible delta variant, which is currently the dominant strain around the world. How far has the variant spread? The WHO says few sequences of the C.1.2 variant have been reported worldwide so far about 100, according to Newsweek. In addition to South Africa, the WHO says it has been detected in eight other countries: Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Botswana, China, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The World Health Organization said Tuesday it does not look like the variant is spreading right now, according to Reuters. 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. It does not appear to be increasing in circulation, said WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris during a U.N. briefing. C.1.2 does not yet appear on online variant trackers for the CDC, state Department of Public Health or any Bay Area county health agencies. California health officials said no cases associated with the variant have been reported to the state. Could C.1.2 spread to the U.S.? Chin-Hong said that while to his knowledge, C.1.2 has not yet been detected in the U.S., it is inevitable that we will see it emerge at some point. He said it will likely show up as a result of travel between the U.S. and South Africa or other areas where the variant has emerged. However, he said, Whether it will spread will be determined by a whole host of other factors including what the dominant variant is at the time, and how much more transmissible or vaccine evasive it is going to end up being. Chin-Hong said the rate of increase in South Africa has been mild and not as explosive as the delta variant, from 0.2% in May to 2% in July. He said this is a far cry from the rapid increase in delta once it sets up shop in a community. Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KellieHwang 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. In the aftermath of ill-fated military operations, Congress has typically avoided exploiting operational failures for political gain. Not so anymore. A number of Republicans in Congress are calling for President Joe Bidens impeachment. The rationale is if an American president can be impeached for just a phone call, referring to former President Donald Trumps first impeachment, then Biden should be impeached for the error-ridden Afghanistan withdrawal. Lets be clear. The phone call in question was not an innocent exchange of diplomatic platitudes. It was an attempt by Trump to solicit interference from a foreign government in the 2020 election through extortion and bribery, a federal crime. To downplay the significance of that assault on our democracy, and in the same breath politicize the tragedy in Kabul, is to besmirch the sacrifice made by our fallen heroes. Jim Paladino, Tampa, Fla. Expand Muni service I write to add my voice to those Outer Richmond District residents who have expressed their gratitude at having the Great Highway open to automobile traffic again. I wonder how many realize that in addition to losing access to that important roadway, my neighbors and I lost all three of the bus lines (5, 18 and 31) that offered service to Ocean Beach north of Fulton. (The 5-Fulton ran only as far as Sixth Avenue for months; the 18 and 31 have only just started running again). Suddenly, the only way for octogenarians like me to get to doctors appointments downtown or in Daly City, or to go grocery shopping was to drive (or call for a ride and let someone else drive). How did this help reduce car traffic? You can count me among those who will be happy to consider closing part or all the Great Highway to cars in future just as soon as the city shows it can provide reliable public transport for the area. Not everyone can get around on bicycles, scooters or skates! Linda Shaffer, San Francisco Newsom fails on fires California is burning once again. Given the climate change and our long dry summers, this is expected. But, expected does not and should not justify doing very little about it. During the winter and spring, the forests should be manicured and prepared for summer to reduce the fire danger. During the summer, when a fire starts, it should become the absolute top priority of the state to deal with it, even by calling on the National Guard, if necessary. Where is our governor right now? Why has he not declared a state of emergency and called the National Guard yet? Oh, I forgot: He is on the campaign trail shaking hands and kissing babies. If he had spent only a 10th of the time he spends on campaigning on fire preparedness instead, wed be in much better shape. He is a self-declared environmentalist. Does he not know that a major forest fire pollutes more than a million cars? Obviously, the climate change is not his fault, but not decisively acting upon forest fires has been his failing. Forest fires fuel further climate change. Sinan Kaptanoglu, Belmont Easy recall election fix As ridiculous as I find recall elections to be, I think there is a simpler solution going forward once this silly election has come to pass. In the future, if its deemed necessary to remove a governor from office by means of recall, the lieutenant governor would assume the responsibilities until the next gubernatorial election. The lieutenant governor is the second highest office holder in the state and would become governor in the event of death, incarceration or legislative removal. This avoids the appointment of an inept/incompetent replacement with what could be a measly 20 percent of the vote and incentive for other political parties to just wait for the next election. From womens suffrage to the Civil Rights movement, public demonstrations have been critical to making social progress in the United States. Yet, during last summers racial justice protests, peaceful protesters were frequently met by police with force, particularly so-called less lethal weapons like tear gas and rubber bullets. Law enforcement used these weapons in more than 100 cities across the country and at least a dozen in California. While the real number of those affected is much higher, there were hundreds of documented injuries, many serious, including well over 100 head injuries from projectiles and reports of chemical injuries from tear gas, not to mention the mental health burden, all in the setting of already overburdened hospitals filled with COVID-19 patients. From Los Angeles to Oakland, emergency physicians were called on to manage complex facial fractures, groin injuries and brain trauma. Numerous reports commissioned by U.S. cities to investigate what went wrong found that when dealing with protests, police were often poorly trained, overly militarized, too aggressive and inappropriately used less lethal weapons. The use of tear gas and projectiles against crowds often inflamed tensions instead of calming them, leading to confrontation with protesters. Besides the human toll caused by these weapons, these incidents also led to litigation and substantial payouts by cities. In response, lawmakers have started taking action, with at least six states and 12 cities already enacting legislation to better regulate these weapons. Some, like Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, have outlawed the use of these weapons to disperse constitutionally protected demonstrations. These bans only reinforce current law. Given the indiscriminate nature of firing rubber bullets and tear gas into a crowd, federal courts have repeatedly ruled that it is already unconstitutional to use them to break-up a First Amendment-protected protest. For example, in June, a federal district judge issued a preliminary injunction against the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department after finding that it had indiscriminately targeted peaceful protesters, journalists and legal observers with tear gas and projectiles. The challenge for these prohibitions on less lethal weapons, however, is that the Supreme Court has largely failed to lay out clear standards on when a demonstration stops being protected under the First Amendment. If a handful of protesters block a sidewalk, kick over a trash can or police decide the crowd is threatening, law enforcement currently has far too broad discretion to declare a protest an unlawful assembly or a riot. And once an unlawful assembly or a riot is declared, in the eyes of the police, bans on less lethal weapons then no longer apply. To avoid getting caught in squabbles over what is and is not a constitutionally protected protest, some jurisdictions have instead begun to set out standards for when and how these weapons can be used for crowd control more generally. California is taking the legislative lead in these efforts through AB48, which passed the Assembly in June and will soon be voted on by the state Senate. It would create new common-sense requirements for the use of less lethal weapons for crowd control, including that their use is necessary to prevent serious injury and proportionate to the threat. It also requires that before these weapons are used there must be a dispersal order by law enforcement and an opportunity to comply. Importantly, after firing less lethal weapons, police would have to publicly justify why their use was necessary and detail why de-escalation tactics were not feasible or failed. These types of reporting requirements are critical to stop the excessive use of these weapons by police. There is no doubt that much more work still needs to be done. Broader efforts are needed on the national level. In June, two subcommittees of the U.S. House of Representatives demanded manufacturers of tear gas provide more information about its safety. Hopefully, reforms led by states and cities can support a coherent national policy on less lethal weapons their manufacture, procurement and use that better protects protesters and the public. For now, it is up to states like California, through measures like AB48, to lead the way. Rohini Haar is an emergency medicine physician, faculty member at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and medical adviser at Physicians for Human Rights. Nick Robinson is a senior legal adviser at the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law. For just the second time in the states history, California voters are being asked whether to remove a governor from office before the end of his term. In a recall election fueled in part by frustration over the states response to the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsoms political future is on the line. The campaign has entered its final stage, with mail ballots already sent to every registered voter in the state. Heres what you need to know about casting a vote in this unusual election. On Wednesday, Aug. 25, from 7-8 p.m., The San Francisco Chronicle and KCRA are hosting a debate ahead of the Sept. 14 gubernatorial recall election. Watch it live here. When is the recall election? The recall election is on Sept. 14 the last day to cast a ballot on whether to keep Gov. Gavin Newsom in office. The deadline to register to vote online at RegistertoVote.ca.gov is Aug. 30. If you miss the deadline, you can register in person and cast a provisional ballot up until Sept. 14. For more information about how to cast a same-day ballot, go here. Who are the candidates running to replace Newsom? There are 46 replacement candidates on the ballot. You can see a list of all of them here. One candidate, Republican Doug Ose, formally ended his campaign in August after suffering a heart attack. How do I vote? County election officials were required to mail recall ballots to every registered California voter by Aug. 16, so yours should already have arrived. You can return your completed ballot through the mail no postage is required. Ballots must be postmarked by Sept. 14 to be counted. If you prefer to drop off your completed ballot in person, it must be returned to a secure drop box, local polling place or county vote center by 8 p.m. on Sept. 14. Every county will have at least one early voting location. Here is where to go to check if you are registered to vote. A list of ballot drop-off locations is available online or on the back of your county voter information guide. How do I fill out the recall ballot? The ballot contains two parts. Voters can vote on either one or both parts of the recall ballot. Go here for our in-depth, visual explainer of the ballot. Question 1: Shall GAVIN NEWSOM be recalled (removed) from the office of Governor? The choices are yes or no. If you vote YES, that means you want Newsom to be removed from office. If you vote NO, that means you want him to stay until his term ends on Jan. 2, 2023. If a majority votes NO, Newsom will remain in office until the end of his term. If more than 50% vote YES, Newsom will be replaced by the candidate who receives the most votes on the second question. Question 2: The second section asks voters to choose who Newsoms replacement should be from among 46 candidates. If Newsom is recalled, the replacement candidate who receives the highest number of votes even if it is not a majority will serve out the remainder of his term. You can write in a preferred replacement for Newsom, but those votes will only count if the candidate has filed paperwork with elections officials. The state will release a list of certified write-in candidates on Sept. 3. Jungho Kim/Special to The Chronicle Newsom cannot run as a replacement candidate nor will write-in votes for him be counted. If I vote NO to the first question, can I still vote on a replacement candidate? Yes, a voter can vote no to the question of removing Newsom from office and still select a replacement candidate. Voters can also skip the second question whether they vote YES or NO to the first question. Who has Newsom recommended as a replacement candidate? Newsom has urged voters to skip the second question altogether, instead choosing to focus his attention on campaigning against the recall. That has confused many Democratic voters. Chronicle columnist Joe Garofoli wrote about whats behind Newsom's advice to not vote for a recall replacement candidate. Whats going on with the holes on ballot return envelopes? Recall supporters have pointed to certain design elements of the ballot as evidence of a conspiracy to rig the election for Newsom, including a pair of small holes punched into the return envelope. But these elements are standard and, in some cases, were added to ensure accuracy and accessibility for all voters. Read more about it here. Opinion and commentary on the recall Endorsements: The Chronicle Editorial Board has weighed in on how they believe voters should answer the two questions on the recall ballot here. The Editorial Board also wrote about why it isn't considering California's recall candidates for endorsement. See more commentary on the recall here. What are the top issues driving the recall? The original recall petition focused on immigration, but the campaign really took off during the coronavirus pandemic, as many Californians grew frustrated with Newsoms restrictions. The pace of signature-gathering exploded after the governor attended a birthday dinner for a friend at the French Laundry in November, helping the recall qualify for the ballot. Newsom has tried to paint the recall as a power grab by Republicans who otherwise can no longer win regular elections in California. But there are some significant policy differences that have risen to the forefront of the campaign: The homelessness crisis: Recall supporters sense an opportunity to capitalize on frustration over widespread encampments across the state. With homelessness regularly cited in public polls as one of the biggest problems facing the state, recall organizers believe the issue could drive down support for Newsom in core Democratic areas that propelled him to a record victory in 2018, such as the Bay Area and Los Angeles, where the crisis is most evident. Crime: Republicans are trying to make crime a top issue by triggering pandemic-stoked anxieties. Though the overall crime rate in Californias largest cities dropped from 2019 to 2020, homicides were up significantly last year, and polls indicate that most Californians believe crime is getting worse. Recall supporters have toured the state blaming Newsom for making the state a more dangerous place with policies that decrease the amount of time people spend incarcerated. Who is funding the campaigns? Newsom holds a massive cash advantage heading into the final weeks of the campaign, having raised three times as much money for his recall defense committee as his top Republican challengers have raised combined. The governor has scored major contributions sometimes in the millions of dollars from tech executives, state employee unions and industry associations representing real estate agents, housing developers and dentists. Because of different fundraising limits for replacement candidates, those gubernatorial hopefuls have had to rely on small donations. But John Cox, the San Diego County real estate investor who lost to Newsom in the 2018 governor race, has given more than $8 million to his own campaign. Rosa Baltobano was 6 when her family scored a subsidized apartment in the Vista Del Monte apartments in San Franciscos Diamond Heights neighborhood. It was only a couple of miles from the Mission District streets where the family had been homeless, but it was a world apart a windswept spine overlooking a steep hillside of Monterey pine trees descending into Noe Valley below. We used to run up and down the hill, she said. We shouldnt have been climbing those trees, but we sure did. I have a few scars from falling and scraping myself. Now, more than 30 years later, Baltobano is raising her own children at Vista Del Monte. And while her kids play in the rugged open space, that may not be the case for very long, as the hillside is the focus of a fight over a proposed townhomes project. The developer, On Diamond LLC, an affiliate of Emerald Fund, has an option to buy the property and wants to construct 24 townhomes that average 2,500 square feet and will likely fetch more than $3 million apiece. The development would not include any affordable units, but the developer would pay $2.8 million to the Mayors Office of Housing and Community Development. Opponents question whether the current property owner, the Cesar Chavez Foundation, has the right to sell the land to a market-rate developer. The foundation bought the property using public money tax-exempt affordable housing bonds issued by the California Statewide Communities Development Authority and the deal included a deed restriction that requires it to maintain the property for affordable multifamily rental uses for a period of 55 years. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle Selling the open space to become housing that only the very wealthiest city residents could afford seems tantamount to theft of public funds and an illegal use of property designated for affordable housing, said the group 1900 Diamond For All, which has asked the City Attorneys Office to investigate. Marc Babsin, a principal at Emerald Fund, said that the fee to the city will provide gap financing for 11 affordable units. He said the lack of three- and four-bedroom homes is one of the reasons San Francisco has the smallest percentage of kids of any major U.S. city. The project checks all the boxes, he said. It strongly aligns with San Franciscos goal of creating family housing near transit, shopping and parks. We have these wonderful classic San Francisco neighborhoods that havent built a single project with over 20 units in 40 years. This is where we should be building housing. Carolyn Lee, an attorney for the Cesar Chavez Foundation, said the property had been subdivided in 2019, and the portion of land slated for development has absolutely no remaining deed restrictions, regulatory agreements, declarations, covenants, or any other recorded encumbrance that would prevent it from becoming market-rate housing. Both the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development had signed off on the subdivision and proposed sale of the land, she wrote in a letter. But the idea that land acquired with taxpayer money would be sold off to a profit-driven third party is problematic, according to Steve Chaffin, an opponent who lives across the street from the site. Chaffin said that he would support housing aimed at moderate-income families. Whatever is done there is supposed to be for the increased enjoyment and use of the people who live at Vista Del Monte and building multimillion homes is not that, Chaffin said. You dont need so much square footage its obnoxious. This was San Francisco redevelopment agency land. We should all be angry that Cesar Chavez Foundation is going to take this land that we the taxpayers subsidized and sell it to the highest bidder. While Diamond Heights is a neighborhood of million-dollar views and midcentury modern homes, it is also among the citys more economically diverse enclaves, having been purposefully developed to be a mixed-income neighborhood, with 640 affordable units, about 25% of the housing stock. Developed from 1961 to 1978, the neighborhood includes the 275-unit Glenridge Cooperative Apartments. Vincent Nesbitt, a retired custodian, said the residents in the Vista Del Monte building watch out for each other. He relocated to the hillside 40 years ago after a fire in the Bayview District left him homeless. He fears that the construction would destabilize the hill, something that happened when several townhomes were built a few years ago to the north of his unit. About 7,500 cubic yards of dirt and rock would be removed from the hillside, according to the plan. Its a mess. Its just a big a slap in the face, he said. When they ran the steel beams, it ripped our building off the foundation. I think its another form of squeezing us out. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle Cesia Gutierrez is another second-generation Vista Del Monte resident who is raising her 2-year-old daughter there. She said the open space next to her apartment was a lifesaver during the COVID shutdown when playgrounds were closed. 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. We run up and down these hills, and now my daughter gets to do the same thing. The little bit of nature we have left, they want to take it from us, said Gutierrez, a receptionist at a dental office. There could be another shutdown. Where are we going to go? We are going to stand across the street and watch them build condos we could never afford? Betsy Eddy, co-president of the Diamond Heights Community Association and a retired city worker, said she would support housing for the missing middle people who work tirelessly for the benefit of our city and cannot afford to live here. She said that the developers point person, Babsin, has been generous with his time, but little about the proposal has changed. In fact, the latest version is 5,200 square feet bigger and has six more parking spaces than an earlier iteration, she said. Babsin said the changes have been significant. The latest design includes a pocket park on the southwest corner of the property, which residents asked for. It includes a mid-block crosswalk, sidewalks that will be doubled in width, and bulb-outs that will make it safer for pedestrians. Milo Trauss, who lives at 26th and Sanchez streets, said Diamond Heights and the surrounding neighborhood have not pulled its weight or been responsible when it comes to producing housing. Its family-oriented housing. Its an undeveloped site. Nobody is getting displaced, he said. Its exactly what San Francisco needs. For now, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who represents the neighborhood, is not taking a position on the project because it will likely be appealed to the Board of Supervisors. He said its clear that District 8 has been derelict in housing production over the last 40 years, there have not been any 20-unit buildings in Diamond Heights, Glen Park or Noe Valley. He said he is waiting for the city attorney to weigh in on the question of the deed restriction. Mandelman said he would prefer smaller homes. In District 8 we have been way overproducing billionaire mansions and way underproducing housing that everyday folks might be able to live in at some point. J.K. Dineen is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jdineen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfjkdineen LONDON (AP) British government veterinarians on Tuesday killed Geronimo, an alpaca whose sentence of death for carrying bovine tuberculosis made international headlines and pitted animal activists against the state. Veterinary staff in blue overalls, masks and goggles, backed by police officers, arrived at the western England farm where the animal lives, and took Geronimo from his pen. The scene was witnessed by animal activists and journalists who have camped out at the farm in Wickwar, 110 miles (175 kilometers) west of London, vowing to stop the killing. The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed the animal had been euthanized and a post-mortem examination would be conducted. The controversial camelid was sentenced to death after twice testing positive for bovine TB. Geronimo's owner, Helen Macdonald, argued the tests had produced false positives and battled for a third test. Several veterinarians backed her cause, but earlier this month a High Court judge rejected Macdonalds request for a temporary injunction to stop the killing order and reopen the case. Macdonald, who imported Geronimo from New Zealand in 2017, said the animal's destruction was barbaric and unscientific. The government have refused to engage in good faith," she said. We now know they have been stringing us along for the last week, fobbing us off by saying that people were on holiday and would get back to us this week. In fact, all the time, they were simply planning to murder Geronimo. Bovine TB can devastate cattle herds and hurt farm revenues. Britain has been culling animals chiefly badgers to stop its spread for a decade, but the practice remains contentious. The government said that 27,000 cattle were slaughtered in 2020 to curb the spread of the disease. "This is a terribly sad situation and our sympathies remain with all those affected by this devastating disease, said U.K. Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss. No one wants to have to cull infected animals if it can be avoided. But we need to follow the scientific evidence and cull animals that have tested positive for bTB to minimize spread of this insidious disease and ultimately eradicate the biggest threat to animal health in this country," she said. This article was first published on NerdWallet.com. The last 18 months can understandably make it seem like now is a terrible time to start a business. But for some entrepreneurs, the steps for starting a business are still the same its just the rules that have changed. Two small-business pros explain how COVID-19 has rewritten four basic tenets of starting a business and what the path to success looks like for new entrepreneurs in 2021. 1. Create a business plan Whats the same: You still have to write a business plan, says Frank LaMonaca, a small-business mentor with SCORE in Westerly, Rhode Island. A business plan typically includes such things as how much your product or service will cost, how youll market it and how much you'll need to make to break even. I think the basic business plan is ... tried and true, and that certainly doesn't change in COVID, he says. A lot of people don't even ask that question when they go to start a business, which is, How much money do I need every month to live on? LaMonaca says. Whats different now: Your online strategy has to be front and center. Are you prepared to connect with customers through video chat? How interactive is your website? Do you know how to market yourself on social media? The past 18 months have proved how important these questions are for startups today, according to LaMonaca. Those that survived the best had very robust digital-marketing strategies. They had an online presence that connected them to their customers, their clients, their cohort, he says. Even if they were a service business they benefited from having a connection to their customer, keeping them apprised of what was happening next and where they were going. 2. Calculate what you need to get started Whats the same: New businesses typically need a pile of cash upfront to set up, open their doors and cover expenses as they ramp up sales. Banks are an unlikely source of those startup funds, says Jerry Herrick, a SCORE counselor in Northern California. Banks don't waste their time dealing with somebody who's a year away from making it money, he says. Herrick says tapping personal savings, friends, family and other sources of capital is more likely to produce the funding you need at first. Whats different now: Youll probably need way more cash than what your calculations suggest to get started these days, according to LaMonaca. He recommends doubling it now. If you were thinking, I need enough cash for six months, we're saying, No, you don't know what's coming. And you don't know when the next shutdown might be. You don't know how clients will react to what you need to do, whether it's mask mandates, whether it's vaccination requirements. I mean, these are things that youve got to think about, he says. 3. Fight inertia Whats the same: To start a business, you have to actually start a business, Herrick says. Youve got to jump in, he says. What have you done today? ... What are you going to do tomorrow? Whats different now: Starting a business already takes courage and risk tolerance; now you may need even more of those things. For LaMonaca, the past 18 months went something like this: I had people calling and asking for time that had survived four recessions and felt their business was recession-proof. And then all of a sudden they had zero revenue. Not 20% down, not 30% down zero revenue, he says. They were in shock. We had to sort of snap them out of the shock and say, OK, let's treat this like any other business challenge. Let's step back and don't panic. Let's figure out how are you going to conserve cash and get through this.'" 4. Track your money Whats the same: Finding accounting software for your small business and opening a separate checking account for it are still important first steps, Herrick says. Recording all of your expenditures, even if your business isnt open yet, can save you money on taxes and keep things much more organized. Always document the money you receive, he adds. Whats different now: With the complexities of changing tax laws, the Paycheck Protection Program and other state and federal business rules, surrounding yourself with smart people may be more important than ever. LaMonaca recommends forming a financial BAIL team, composed of a banker, accountant, insurance pro and lawyer who can all help watch over your accounts, prevent tax headaches, reduce liability risks and protect you. Pre-COVID, post-COVID, you don't want to go it alone, he says. Tina Orem writes for NerdWallet. Email: torem@nerdwallet.com. The article 4 New Rules for Entrepreneurs in 2021 originally appeared on NerdWallet. A Central California firefighter is hospitalized with severe burns sustained in the Caldor Fire. Richard Gerety III, a volunteer firefighter for the West Stanislaus County Fire Protection District and a John Deere mechanic, was severely burned Saturday afternoon while fighting the massive blaze, reports the Fresno Bee. West Stanislaus Fire Chief Jeff Gregory told the Bee that Gerety was part of a three-person team covering the northeast portion of the Caldor Fire in El Dorado County. By Saturday, Gerety was on his 10th day of service, Gregory told the news station, when he fell on a "burned area" and sustained third-degree burns on his arms and second-degree burns on his legs. (Gregory did not immediately respond to a request for comment from SFGATE.) Twenty percent of Gerety's body reportedly suffered burns. Gerety is at UC Davis Medical Center's burn unit, recovering from his injuries. He is expected to receive a skin graft Wednesday, and his wife, Jennifer Gerety, will stay by his side for the month he's recovering, she told the Bee. Hes in very good spirits but in a lot of pain, she told the newspaper. As of late Monday morning, the Caldor Fire has burned 177,260 acres and is 14% contained, according to Cal Fire. LATEST Aug. 31, 9:45 a.m. It appears Berkeley's Echo Lake Camp has survived mostly intact after the raging Caldor Fire tore straight toward it on Monday. On Tuesday morning, ABC10 reporter John Bartell shared a video driving along Johnson Pass Road to show fire damage in the Echo Lake community. Amazingly, this camp survived here, said Bartell as he pointed out the camp, which is owned by the City of Berkeley. Mike Teselle/KCRA Many other cabins shown in the video also appeared to have made it through the night relatively unscathed. "While a more thorough assessment is needed and the danger is far from over, it appears many buildings at Berkeley Echo Lake Camp remain intact," shared Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin on Twitter. Mike Teselle/KCRA KCRA reporter Mike TeSelle reported that fire crews have been using water from Echo Lake to protect cabins in the immediate area. Nearby, the historic Echo Summit Lodge also appears to be undamaged by fire after significant efforts from firefighters, according to TeSelle. Aug. 30, 3:30 p.m. The Caldor Fire is threatening Berkeley's Echo Lake Camp, a recreational facility operated by the City of Berkeley on Echo Summit, near South Lake Tahoe. Fire crews have had to retreat to a safe area as the fire advances towards the cabins, Keith May, assistant chief of the Berkeley Fire Department, told SFGATE. ABC10 reporter John Bartell spoke to Sacramento Fire Department Chief Gary Liesch at the scene just as crews were beginning to retreat, as seen in a Facebook Live. "It's coming down as you can see, this ridge. Theres no way these are going to survive unfortunately," Liesch told Bartell, gesturing towards the nearby cabins. "... We're getting out of here. Unfortunately we can't defend this area." Last week, the Berkeley Fire Department sent personnel up to the area to prepare the Echo Lake Camp area by removing dead branches and other potential fuel away from the structures. On Sunday, eight personnel were sent up for a final defense of the property. "We are currently monitoring the #CaldorFire which is threatening Berkeley's Lake Echo Camp," tweeted Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin on Monday morning. "@BerkeleyFD is on scene and will do everything possible to protect the site. I will post updates as they become available." As of this morning, the Caldor Fire was a quarter mile away and heading towards the Echo Lake Camp, according to May. "We just received some info a little bit ago that our crews are getting spot fires in the camp and are having a difficult time addressing them all, but they did get some assistance from the U.S. Forest Service engines in the area," said May, just before getting news that the firefighters had retreated. The historic camp, which has been operating since 1922, is a 15-minute walk from Echo Lake. The camp features a pool, dining hall, and dozens of cabins for staff and campers at the popular youth summer camp. This is not the first time a Berkeley camp has been threatened by a wildfire: in 2013, Tuolumne Camp near the West entrance of Yosemite National Park was destroyed in the Rim Fire. 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. On a recent Saturday evening, the hottest day of 2021 for San Francisco, owner Kenny Zhang is behind the counter at Spices, head down, multitasking with a landline tucked between his ear and shoulder while scrolling through an iPad. Zhang doesnt look up for a solid 5 minutes while he scribbles away phone orders on his pad of paper and confirms digital orders from the likes of DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats. Its a busy night for business. But thats how he likes it, especially during a pandemic. We're grateful that our customers helped support our small business. They kept doing phone call [orders] and they couldnt walk in, but they just stand outside to order in person and wait for the food, Zhang said. Spices has served the people of San Francisco since 2003. The original owner, a Taiwanese man, started the restaurant as a mix between Sichuan and Taiwanese influences. (Sister restaurant Spices 2 closed permanently in 2015, and Zhang said via text he is not affiliated with Spices 3 in Oakland.) Nico Madrigal-Yankowski In 2010, when Zhang bought the business, he focused solely on Sichuan cuisine. Sichuan food is famous for its numbing spicy. Sichuan uses those small peppercorns that make your tongue numb. When asked what the numbing sensation feels like, he recounted with a laugh, Some customers say, How do you describe the numbing feeling? [I say] its like you stuck a battery in your mouth! While Sichuan food is known to be spicy and numbing, the cuisine is actually bursting with subtle flavors that get overshadowed by the conversation around the spicy peppercorns. The mala (a term describing the combination of the two Chinese characters numbing and piquant) properties of the husks that cocoon the dried, pebble-sized reddish-pink berries of the pepper plant create a flavor profile that is actually quite floral, and its evident in most classic Sichuan dishes. Nico Madrigal-Yankowski On my visit to Spices, I was eager for the nuance of flavors and textures in each dish. The spicy cumin lamb was pungent from the get-go, perking the nostrils. Razor-thin furls of lamb meat peeked out of the forest-colored mountain of onions, cilantro and julienned green peppers. The meat was succulent, without that gamey taste that some fear from lamb. The caramelized onions soaked up the juices of the lamb, and there was only a slight tingly sensation from the Sichuan peppercorns. Each bite was a layered combination of delicate chew and al dente crunch. Nico Madrigal-Yankowski For the mapo tofu, white, silken cubes of tofu jutted out of the chili oil and minced beef stew like crystals on an amethyst geode to make an exceptionally runny-nose experience with rose-scented undertones. The fish fillet in flaming red oil, a fan favorite according to Zhang, was a bowl of red liquid splotched with mancala beads of chili oil and floating pieces of plump fish that covered a fistful of pickled cabbage. The balance of spice, brine and creamy, weightless white fish flesh was remarkable. Nico Madrigal-Yankowski There are many restaurants in San Francisco serving Sichuan cuisine, but Mission Chinese, from chef and restaurateur Danny Bowien, garnered significant media attention and praise for his Sichuan-influenced flavors. It was Spices, however, that influenced Bowien to focus on these flavors for Mission Chinese. We started the business very specialist at Sichuan food. Over the years we [decided to] update our menu each two years, Zhang said. For him, its all about improvement to keep his business running. Every few years, Zhang and his wife visit China to research the growing culinary trends that are happening in their home country. Even in China, those trends change year by year. We really want to catch those flavors to make sure our customers can taste the most updated flavors, he said. Thats why, in 2016, Zhang updated the menu to include Hunan cuisine, as well. Nico Madrigal-Yankowski Zhang is from the northern part of the Guangdong province in China, which sits just southeast of Hunan province. Its a very huge province. So, our taste is exactly the same as Hunan spicy food. It's close to Hunan province and cuisine, he said. Zhang inherited Sichuan cuisine, but with Hunan cuisine, hes adding his own mark on Spices. [Because Im from northern Guangdong] that's why I can provide Hunan food because I know what it tastes like. Nico Madrigal-Yankowski While Sichuan and Hunan cuisine are both known for spicy food, they offer a different type of spice. Hunan spicy food is more famous for its fresh chili pepper. It uses a lot of fresh chili pepper instead of the small numbing spicy peppercorn. In Hunan food, we do more wok-fried style and we cut the ingredients into small pieces. It's more easy to [eat] with rice, Zhang described. Some of the Hunan highlights of the menu include wok-fried pork, pickled long bean with ground pork and wok-fried duck with special red bean sauce. All the customers really like it, so we keep selling those ones, said Zhang. And hes happy to be serving both Hunan and Sichuan flavors to his customer base in the Inner Richmond. Nico Madrigal-Yankowski The neighborhood was hit hard during the pandemic. Zhang mentioned the lively business sector of Clement Street had many business closures and the street was very lonely. He also noticed that people seemed to be moving out of the neighborhood. I could tell some people moved out of the Richmond area, too. I saw a lot of moving trucks, sadly, he remarked. But now its getting better. Zhang is perhaps most proud that he was able to keep his entire team intact without letting anyone go. The team of seven, four in the kitchen and three front-of-house workers, which includes himself and his wife, is a good size for his small business, Zhang said. They are all still here. We are working really hard to provide food, he said. We actually sold the same [month over month] as 2019. We have a lot of loyal customers supporting our business. As I leave the restaurant, I turn around one more time and I see Kenny hunched over, phone to his ear, scrolling through the iPad, packaging to-go orders and doing a multitude of other restaurant operations. Theres still two more hours of service to go, and tomorrow, hell do it again. - Its Inner Richmond Month at SFGATE. Well be diving deep into the neighborhood for the entirety of August as part of a new series where well be highlighting a different corner of San Francisco every month this year. MANISTEE COUNTY COVID-19 cases are on the rise in northern Michigan and local health officials are once again urging residents to mask up, take the vaccine and get tested early if they are feeling ill. During a media conference on Tuesday, Dr. Jennifer Morse, medical director for the District Health Department #10, reported a near four-fold increase in percent positivity within its 10 county service region, compared to July. All of our counties now are in the substantial to high transmission rate, which means that we do recommend universal masking in indoor settings for all individuals, and in crowded outdoor settings as well to help prevent transmission, Morse said. As the highly contagious delta variant spreads, COVID-19 hospitalizations in northern Michigan are increasing, causing strain to hospital staff. Our staff has been working hard for a very long time, so they are quite stressed out, and ... disheartened in some ways about what we are seeing, said Dr. Christine Nefcy, chief medical officer with Munson Healthcare. A two week rolling average of 9.4% percent positivity was reported at Munson facilities, according to Nefcy, with the last week up to 10.7% positive. Public health officials, including Morse and Nefcy, continue to urge residents to vaccinate against the virus and follow other COVID-19 precautions to help limit transmission of the disease. TESTING IS CRUCIAL As we head into a school setting and (with) more people being indoors and in enclosed spaces, it's really important that if you have any symptoms at all, that you do get tested, Nefcy said. By testing, Nefcy said that individuals who have contracted the virus can take appropriate actions, and inform others who might have been exposed, so they can do the same. Early testing is also vital, as monoclonal antibody therapies used to treat patients with COVID-19 must be completed within the first 10 days of the onset of symptoms to be effective in preventing more serious complications. COVID still has a significant mortality rate over 2% (and) that does make it 20 times more lethal than influenza, Nefcy said. So testing (and) letting people around you know, is an important aspect of us containing this virus. There are plenty of resources for people to get tested for COVID-19, including at most primary care providers, some pharmacies and at the District Health Department#10 office, Nefcy said. Individuals can also visit michigan.gov/coronavirus, enter their zip code and find additional local testing sites. BENEFITS OF MASKING Morse pushed back against what she called the confusion and controversy surrounding mask wearing, saying there was a very large body of evidence that does support the effectiveness of masking to prevent COVID. Morse said that there was a large body of evidence supporting the effectiveness of masking to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, along with other respiratory infections, both viral and bacterial. While Morse said it was true that studying mask effectiveness was complex, the evidence available demonstrates that proper use of a mask is effective and poses little to no risk for those aged two and older. When you look at the fact that theres up towards 100 studies demonstrating effectiveness of masks in both healthcare and community settings; and demonstrating that the proper use of masks pose really little to no risk to those that are using them properly, we really are confident in saying that masking does help stop the spread of COVID, Morse continued. With the potential for outbreaks worsening as students return to class, Morse encouraged parents and educators to help educate children on how to properly wear and use a mask. Morse recommends kids wash their hands before putting on or taking off a mask; avoid touching the inner part of their mask; ensure it's covering their nose, mouth and chin; and to change masks if they get dirty or wet. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the CDC and DHHS, the local health department, numerous medical professionals have all strongly recommended wearing masks to help with a safe return to school, Morse said. So we can keep our kids in school rather than having them home sick or in quarantine. Masking in schools can also limit the spread of other respiratory illnesses such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, which Morse said was virtually nonexistent last year. We do know that Covid can be extremely transmissible, especially the new delta variant, so it becomes more important that we do these extra efforts to prevent spread and prevent school closures or student absence, she said. VACCINE EFFICACY With the current vaccination rate for Manistee County is around 10% lower than what health experts estimate is necessary to achieve herd immunity, Morse reported vaccinations for the region continue to creep up very slowly at this point. The more transmissible a virus is, the larger the percentage of a population needs to be vaccinated, and with the new delta variant surging across the country, the current goal of 70% may not be sufficient, according to Nefcy. We had estimated that 70% based on that initial strain of the virus, which was not as contagious as the delta virus, Nefcy said. So we know a lot about that from say measles, which is highly contagious and you need about a 95% vaccination rate in order to prevent the spread in the community. I happened to be stationed in the United Kingdom when they had a drop in their vaccination number to under 90%, and they had some big outbreaks of measles despite a lot of people being immunized against it, she continued. Studies indicate that those who are not vaccinated are five times as likely of getting sick with the delta variant, and 30 times more likely to be hospitalized with Covid, Nefcy said. Related: Northwest Michigan healthcare provider reports 'tight staffing situation' at hospitals Health department reports 436% increase in COVID-19 cases Hospitals, health systems in Michigan mandating vaccines for workers Masking tips for school aged children Encourage children to wash hands before handling a mask; Hold the mask by the ear loops and make sure it is in good condition; Use ear loops to put on mask; Cover nose, mouth and chin; Always change your mask if it gets dirty; Wash hands before removing mask by the ear loops; Place mask in a clean resealable bag; Wash masks daily and avoid sharing masks with others; Use a gentle, child-friendly approach when talking about masking and focus on positive reinforcement; and Talk to them in advance about when they will need to wear a mask so they are prepared. FULLERTON, Calif. (AP) Two people were hospitalized after a small plane crashed into a chain-link fence while landing Monday at Southern California's Fullerton Municipal Airport, authorities said. The single-engine Piper PA-24 crashed shortly before 2 p.m. and came to a rest on its belly on the runway, said Brendan OReilly, the airport manager. LYONS, Ill. (AP) Two brothers who told police they buried their mother and sister's bodies in their suburban Chicago home's backyard years ago after they died have been released from custody as authorities continue investigating two bodies found buried there last weekend. The brothers, ages 41 and 45, were released on their own recognizance Monday following a 48-hour custody hold in cooperation with the Cook County states attorneys office. The men were taken into custody Saturday after two bodies were found in the backyard in Lyons. Those bodies have not yet been identified, and investigators said they will use DNA to determine whether the remains are the brothers biological relatives. Lyons Police Chief Tom Herion said in a statement Monday evening that while the brothers were released, they continue to be the subject of the death investigation." The men have not been charged, but they face potential felonies for illegally burying the bodies found Saturday. Herion said Lyons police were looking at every aspect of the brothers and the deceased, including examining financial records, and determining the cause of death of the two people whose bodies were excavated by crews. We continue to look into this case with the help of the Cook County Medical Examiner who is doing a forensic evaluation of the remains that were removed from the backyard on Saturday, Herion said. The brothers told police their sister pushed their mother, who was in her late 70s, down the stairs of the home in 2015, causing some type of head contusion that caused her death. They also told police their sister died in 2019. No records exist of their deaths, Herion said last week. He said one brother who led police to where the bodies could be found told investigators they were buried in the yard for financial reasons. Investigators were still collecting any possible evidence from their home 12 miles (19 kilometers) southwest of Chicago. The home came to the attention of authorities when public works officials noticed that water had not been used at the home for more than a year. Police conducting a well-being check at the home last Thursday found it filled with clutter, and with no running water or working toilets. Human feces and large containers filled with urine littered the home, Herion said. SOMERSET, Ky. (AP) The federal government has awarded $3 million to a Kentucky city to upgrade two wastewater treatment facilities, expected to create more than 300 jobs, Gov. Andy Beshear said. The funds from the U.S. Economic Development Administration go to the city of Somerset. Along with local funds, the award is expected to create 379 jobs, retain 580 jobs and generate $179 million in private investment, the governor's office said in a news release. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) More than 80% of the people eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine in California have received at least one dose, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday, a pandemic milestone for the nation's most populous state amid signs a recent surge in new cases is abating. Newsom said the news puts California among the top 10 states in vaccination rates, despite having the population of 21 other states combined. Inoculations have steadily increased in recent weeks after Newsom announced state employee s and teachers must either be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing. He's also requiring all of the state's roughly 2.2 million health care workers to get vaccinated or risk losing their jobs. Newsom says California has averaged 600,000 doses administered for the past two weeks, with the number of vaccine doses administered having increased 44% since July Fourth. But again, 80% is not where we need to go. We still need to reach out to those that are on the fence," Newsom said Tuesday at a vaccine site in Oakland. I encourage everybody that hasn't been vaccinated to avail themselves to these lifesaving vaccines that are not only effective, but are truly the answer to how we get this pandemic once and for all behind us. Of all the people tested for the coronavirus in California, about 4.6% test positive for the virus among the lowest rates in the country. That rate has fallen from 7.1% just a few weeks ago, Newsom said, and is likely a byproduct of more people being vaccinated. While it is possible for vaccinated people to still get the virus, data has shown those cases are rare and mild. Despite California's progress with vaccines, a surge of new cases from a more contagious version of the virus is straining resources in smaller, more rural counties. In Mendocino County, home to less than 100,000 people along the Pacific Coast north of the San Francisco Bay Area, close to 10% of everyone tested for the virus is positive. While more than 74% of the county's eligible population has received at least one vaccine dose, county hospitals and health clinics are still overrun with patients, according to an open letter signed by 66 health care workers in Mendocino County. The great majority of hospitalized patients are unvaccinated. Our emergency departments are overflowing. Our hospitals are full. Our ICUs are full. We struggle to find hospital beds even for the patients who are coming to the emergency department with strokes, heart attacks, or appendicitis," the group wrote. We can all do our part in this dire situation by getting vaccinated. State lawmakers had discussed passing a bill in the final weeks of the Legislative session that would have required coronavirus vaccines for people to go to work and most other public places. But the lawmaker behind the bill, Democratic Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, told the Sacramento Bee the bill won't be considered this year. Newsom said his administration had been actively engaged with Wicks about the bill to see what's possible. But Newsom said he is not planning to expand vaccine or testing mandates to include more people right now, saying: We want to see what we have put up implemented and applied. As things change as the mutations change and sequencing directs us in different ways, then we'll consider subsequent actions. But right now we want to see what we have put up implemented and applied, he said. We support local government's efforts to go even further. Some local governments have gone further, including Los Angeles and Oakland, by requiring all city workers get vaccinated to keep their jobs unless they have a medical or religious exemption. KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) It was Nov. 13 , 2001. The sun had just begun to rise over the Hindu Kush Mountains when the Taliban disappeared from Kabul, the battered capital of Afghanistan. The bodies of foreign Arabs who had stayed behind were mutilated and bloodied. They had been found and killed by advancing Afghans of another faction who were brought to the city by a blistering U.S.-led campaign that drove the Taliban from power. America was still reeling from the horrific terrorist attacks of two months earlier, when planes flown by al-Qaida terrorists crashed into three iconic buildings and a Pennsylvania field, killing nearly 3,000 people. The perpetrators and their leader, Osama bin Laden, were somewhere in Afghanistan, sheltered by the Taliban. The mission: Find him. Bring him to justice. Right then, Afghanistan two decades of disorder behind it, two decades more just ahead was suspended in an in-between moment. Nothing was certain, but much seemed possible. Against that backdrop, Afghans understood the mission against bin Laden to mean a chance to secure their future a future as murky on that day as it is today. In those post-2001 months and years, they believed in the power of "the foreigners. From hundreds of years ago right up to the jumbled chaos of recent weeks as the United States pulled out of its air base and then the capital, the word foreigner has meant many things in the Afghan context, from invaders to would-be colonizers. But in November 2001, it meant hope. I found the people relieved fresh and full on energy to start anew," says Torek Farhadi, who joined scores of educated and trained Afghan expatriates who returned to their homeland in 2002 after the Taliban were gone. He spoke from Geneva as he watched the Taliban's return to power last month. The arrival of the U.S.-led coalition weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks ended a repressive, religiously radical regime that had more in common with the sixth century than the 21st. Mullah Mohammad Omar, the reclusive one-eyed leader of the Taliban, had brought the village to the city. The strict edicts he taught at his one-room mud madrassa, or religious school, became law. Girls were denied education. Women were confined to their homes or, when in public, inside the all-encompassing burqa. Men were told to wear beards. Television was banned, as was all music but religious chants. When the Taliban fled and the new, post 9/11 leader, Hamid Karzai, entered the sprawling presidential palace, he discovered the Taliban had left their mark. Wall-to-wall hand-painted miniature murals had been defaced; Taliban who believed images of living things were a crime against Islam went to every tiny bird and blotted out its face with a black marker. The running of the country was handed to Washington's Afghan allies, many of whom had destroyed Kabul with their bitter feuding when they last ruled. Under their corruption, the country devolved into a collection of fiefdoms that enriched local warlords and led to the Taliban's rise. The Afghan military that would collapse in the wake of Taliban advances in 2021 began existence with its recruits often more loyal to a warlord than the army itself. Training was barely eight weeks for new, generally uneducated men. Building the Afghan army was often likened to repairing an aircraft midflight. So across Afghanistan, quickly and understandably, it started: The defeated Taliban began to re-emerge. And it kept getting worse. By 2012, just two years before the U.S. and NATO handed over the operational end of the war to Afghanistan's government, the Afghan army was barely competent and filled with fighters angry at what they considered poor treatment by their foreign trainers. The return last month of the Taliban has created widespread fear among young people in Afghanistan's cities places where urban girls wearing headscarves have felt free to mingle in coffee shops and on the street. Young men wearing Western dress who dream of even greater freedoms have been part of the airport chaos that greeted the start of evacuation flights. A country of 36 million, Afghanistan is filled with conservative people, many of whom live in the countryside. But even they do not adhere to the strict interpretation of Islam that the Taliban imposed when last they ruled. The Taliban leaders, many of whom are linked to the previous regime, including the movement's co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, promise a different Taliban this time. Once camera shy and reclusive, many have made regular appearances on the diplomatic stage. And while the Taliban's original rule was marked by relentless repression that denied women a public space, they now say women can work, attend school and participate in public life. Yet even as the world watched in shock at the quick demise of the Afghan army and government over the past weeks, the signs of Afghanistan's post-9/11 decay had long been evident. Twenty years and billions of dollars in investment after 9/11, Afghanistan was considered one of the worst places in the world to be a woman in 2020 and in 2019, according to the Georgetown Institute for Women Peace and Security. In 2018, in a Gallup poll offered a scale of one to 10 to determine how respondents judged their chances for a better future five years down the road, Afghans averaged 2.3. Gallup called it a new low for any country in any year. In the first years after 9/11, U.S. money arrived in Kabul in suitcases. There were no working banks at the time and no oversight of the billions pouring into the country. Most of it passed through the hands of U.S.-allied warlords whose corruption had led to the Taliban's rise in the 1990s. American generals were often used by their Afghan allies to exact revenge. Mohabullah, an Afghan who had left the Taliban to return home to the central province of Ghazni, once laughed as he recounted how easily fooled the Americans were by their Afghan partners. He recalled how a gas station owner was turned in to U.S. forces as a Taliban to settle a feud. American forces often unwittingly found themselves enmeshed in such local rivalries during those early months and years when they were utterly dependent on their warlord allies. In 2002, one U.S. general had to rely entirely on former warlords for information about prominent al-Qaida figures who were on the move. For those who have watched Afghanistan for years, the scenes of throngs of mostly young men hanging from departing aircraft at Kabul's airport in recent days seemed an indictment of the two decades of efforts and the billions of dollars spent. For many of those men, the desperation to depart was less about fear for their life and more about finding a new one. And, say some Afghans, no wonder. ___ Kathy Gannon, AP's news director for Pakistan and Afghanistan, has been covering the country for three decades, including the runup to and immediate aftermath of 9/11. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/KathyGannon JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) The Alaska House passed legislation Tuesday calling for an $1,100 dividend to residents but there are different interpretations as to whether much of the money that would be used for the checks is available. The bill, which passed 24-16, calls for spending $730.5 million, with $330 million of that from the statutory budget reserve fund, for a dividend this year. That's where a recent court decision and failed votes earlier this year come into play. The fund was long considered among the accounts subject to being swept into the constitutional budget reserve to repay it for money that has been used from it. Lawmakers can reverse the sweep and restore funds to their original accounts. But earlier this year, they failed to secure the votes to do so. Megan Wallace, director of Legislative Legal Services, told a Senate committee Monday a recent court decision suggests the statutory reserve is not subject to the sweep. Gov. Mike Dunleavy's office contends otherwise. The fund has been swept, Dunleavy spokesperson Jeff Turner said by email. He said the Legislature can change that with a three-quarter majority vote. The dividend would be about $585 if the statutory budget reserve funds were deemed swept, according to the Legislative Finance Division director. The bill, which also dealt with other budget items, including oil tax credits, still must go to the Senate for consideration. Senate President Peter Micciche, a Soldotna Republican, said the Senate will take time to ensure that we are on solid legal ground. He said he believes the House passed an $1,100 dividend. It's not clear what size check the Senate might yet support. But Micciche said the bill will likely end up in a conference committee, with House and Senate negotiators hashing out differences. Genevieve Wojtusik, legislative liaison with the Department of Revenue, has said that Alaskans can expect a check 30 days after the Legislature finalizes an amount. Checks are typically paid in the fall. The statutory budget reserve is referenced in a footnote in a decision by Superior Court Judge Josie Garton that barred the state from sweeping the nearly $1.2 billion Power Cost Equalization Endowment Fund into the constitutional budget reserve. That lawsuit was brought by a coalition that included the Alaska Federation of Natives and electric cooperatives. The Dunleavy administration did not appeal the decision. Wallace noted the Alaska Supreme Court has not weighed in and told senators caution is warranted, because while the decision pretty clearly seems to suggest the statutory budget reserve is not subject to being swept, the administration has not changed its position. House Speaker Louise Stutes, a Kodiak Republican, told reporters lawmakers are not looking for a lawsuit and believe based on the court case the reserve is a legitimate funding source that can be used for the dividends. Two minority Republicans - Reps. Steve Thompson and Bart LeBon of Fairbanks - and Rep. Sara Rasmussen, an Anchorage Republican who is not with a caucus, voted with the majority on the budget. Rep. Adam Wool, a Fairbanks Democrat, said an $1,100 dividend represented what the state can afford. He said it wouldn't require taking more from the earnings of the state's oil-wealth fund, the Alaska Permanent Fund. Lawmakers have sought to limit what can be drawn from earnings each year for government and checks, though they can breach that limit if they choose to do so. Members of the House's bipartisan majority have said they would be open to doing that if there was agreement on a long-term fiscal plan. Some legislators say they're worried that if the limit is exceeded, it will be easier to do so in the future and cite the experience drawing down reserves in recent years as the state has struggled with deficits. There has been no agreement on a fiscal plan yet. House majority and minority members traded barbs Tuesday over where things stand. This year's draw amount went into the general fund, said Alexei Painter, director of the Legislative Finance Division. The bill that passed Tuesday calls for using the statutory budget reserve and general funds for the dividend. Some members of the Houses Republican minority said the dividend, as proposed, would not truly be a permanent fund dividend. What we have here is basically income redistribution, said Rep. Tom McKay, an Anchorage Republican. Proposed amendments for larger dividends failed in the House, including a roughly $2,350 dividend, in line with what Dunleavy had proposed. Dunleavy said Tuesday he wanted to see how the bill plays out in the legislative process. He said the pandemic has been disruptive economically and the state has a chance to use earnings from the permanent fund to help. He said he wants legislators to talk with their constituents and really get an idea how truly disruptive this pandemic has been to people's lives and truly how absurd it appears to people looking at Juneau right now as to why they can't come up with decisions that are going to help residents. The Republican governor has proposed an amendment to the state Constitution that would restructure the permanent fund, limit what can be withdrawn from it and evenly split the withdrawals between payouts to residents and government costs. Some legislative leaders have said they do not see that proposal as having sufficient support. A working group of lawmakers recommended guaranteeing a payout of some kind in the Constitution, but as part of a larger package that includes new revenues, budget cuts and changes to a government spending cap. Micciche said he would like to see other bills moving during the special session, which can last up to 30 days. That limit would be hit Sept. 14. WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden on Tuesday glossed over his broken promise to keep U.S. troops in Afghanistan until the last Americans are out and offered the faint assurance even with the last U.S. planes gone that it's never too late for U.S. citizens to leave. There is no deadline, Biden said. But with its forces withdrawn, the U.S. is left with diplomatic persuasion instead of military muscle to get the Taliban extremists who've been fighting the U.S. for 20 years to give remaining Americans safe passage out. BIDEN: The bottom line: 90% of Americans in Afghanistan who wanted to leave were able to leave. For those remaining Americans, there is no deadline. We remain committed to get them out, if they want to come out. Secretary of State Blinken is leading the continued diplomatic efforts to ensure safe passage for any American, Afghan partner or foreign national who wants to leave Afghanistan. White House remarks. THE FACTS: For the record, Biden vowed that he would get 100% of Americans out before withdrawing forces. And his suggestions Tuesday that many of the remaining Americans are dual nationals who may be undecided about leaving do not reflect the full reality. He contended 100 to 200 Americans are still there and have "some intention to leave," adding: Most of those who remain are dual citizens, longtime residents, but earlier decided to stay because of their family roots in Afghanistan. And White House press secretary Jen Psaki said afterward that Biden is telling those people that if they decide in two weeks that they want to go, we will get you out. But those comments may understate the desperation of Americans trapped in Afghanistan. Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, said Monday that Americans tried to get to the Kabul airport for the final evacuations but couldn't. No Americans were on the last five jets to leave. We maintained the ability to bring them in up until immediately before departure, but we were not able to bring any Americans out, he said. That activity ended probably about 12 hours before our exit, although we continue the outreach and would have been prepared to bring them on until the very last minute. But none of them made it to the airport, and were able to be and were able to be accommodated. Biden told ABC News unequivocally on Aug. 19 that the U.S. would not leave any Americans stranded. Americans understand were going to try and get it done before Aug. 31, Biden said then. "If we dont, well determine at the time, whos left. And then? "And if there are American citizens left, were going to stay until we get them all out. The last U.S. planes took off from the airport Monday night, Aug. 30, one minute before midnight in Kabul. U.S. officials estimated up to 200 Americans were left behind, along with unknown numbers of Afghans and others who were trying frantically to leave. By then, more than 100,000 people, mostly Afghans, had been flown to safety in the multinational evacuations. Now that has become a matter for diplomacy, U.S. officials said diplomats are in talks with neighboring countries and others to try to arrange non-U.S.-military evacuations for those remaining. Among the options, if the diplomacy works, are potential charter flights from the airport when it re-opens and overland routes. __ AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report. ___ EDITOR'S NOTE A look at the veracity of claims by political figures. ___ Find AP Fact Checks at http://apnews.com/APFactCheck Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck Just a few months ago, the honeymoon seemed in full bloom. President Joe Biden arrived in Brussels in June and was treated like a long-lost friend, happily home after a sojourn in the Trumpian wilderness. "America is back on the global scene," Charles Michel, president of the European Council, said to Biden in front of the media. "It's great news. It's great news for our alliance. It's also great news for the world." But as the summer wanes, so too has the transatlantic romance that accompanied Biden's ascent to power earlier this year. Biden promised a far less combustible relationship with the United States' traditional Western allies, and appeared to galvanize European colleagues with his paeans toward shared values and his renewed efforts to help lead collective action on climate change. But sources of friction remain. The Biden administration, which touts its own brand of economic populism, has yet to fully lift a slate of tariffs on European goods put into place by former president Donald Trump. Moreover, on Monday, the European Union removed the United States from its "safe list" of nations whose residents should not face travel restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic. The move, which functions as guidance for the bloc's 27 member states, was a reaction to the worsening state of affairs in the United States, home once more to spiking infections and a coronavirus vaccination rate that now lags behind the E.U. It may also reflect widespread European frustration at Biden's refusal to lift punitive pandemic-related travel bans on citizens of European countries. "The United States got a free pass over the summer, even as the situation in many parts of the country deteriorated dramatically," Jacob Kirkegaard, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, told The Washington Post's Reis Thebault, adding that "the U.S. exceptions became harder and harder to defend in the face of a lack of reciprocity from the Biden administration." Now that lack of reciprocity is just one ripple in a growing lake of transatlantic discontent. For all the public health reasons to impose restrictions on U.S. travelers, the E.U.'s new ruling, tweeted Francois Heisbourg, a senior adviser for Europe at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, may also be seen as a "a broader vote of no-confidence in the US administration." Shadowing all deliberations is the sudden Taliban takeover in Afghanistan and the seemingly chaotic handling of the American withdrawal, which have shaken European faith in Biden's decision-making and priorities. Last week, European leaders and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson pressed Biden to delay his planned Aug. 31 deadline for withdrawal. He didn't budge. On Monday night, the last U.S. military planes left Kabul's airport, bringing to a close the military-led evacuation operations out of the fallen Afghan capital and, if only technically, America's longest war. For myriad European politicians and diplomats, particularly in countries that invested a great deal in supporting the two-decade-long NATO mission in Afghanistan, the events of the past weeks have served as a gut check. Biden, acting on Trump's agreement with the Taliban, announced a full withdrawal that his NATO allies had no choice but to follow. While European officials voice concerns about the humanitarian plight in the country, as well as the prospect of huge new flows of Afghan refugees, they also complain in private about a lack of genuine consultation with the Biden administration. "We're not islands. The decisions of our allies have consequences for their allies," Constanze Stelzenmuller, an expert on German affairs and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, told Today's WorldView. "You get this impression that people are making policy into a void when there should be coordination." The sense of catastrophe hanging over the situation in Afghanistan has only added to the long-running discussion over Europe's need for greater strategic autonomy. "We must strengthen Europe such that we never have to leave it up to Americans," Armin Laschet, who is vying to succeed German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said during a televised debate Sunday against his main election rivals. Laschet, who is a center-right Christian Democrat like Merkel, also said earlier this month that the Afghanistan withdrawal was "the biggest debacle that NATO has suffered since its founding." "Was our intelligence really so poor? Was our understanding of the Afghan government so weak? Was our knowledge on the ground so inadequate?" former British prime minister Theresa May said in a parliamentary speech last week. "Or did we just think we had to follow the United States and hope that on a wing and a prayer it would be all right on the night?" The war in Afghanistan was the first mission in NATO's history to emerge from invoking Article V, the alliance's collective defense provision. Biden may be able to shrug off its shambolic denouement, but it has been a blow to European prestige. "What people will overlook is that an entire generation of western practitioners" - including military officers, diplomats, intelligence officials and journalists - "went through Afghanistan," said Stelzenmuller. "This is NATO's most legitimate mission, the one that was most central to our understanding of ourselves." "For countries like Germany and Britain, which invested heavily in Afghanistan - political capital, troops, funds - the Afghanistan operation was about their commitment to NATO and the alliance," Benjamin Haddad, director of the Europe Center at the Atlantic Council, told Today's WorldView. "This is why what happened in recent weeks is a real trauma in Berlin and London. It signals a shift in priorities for the U.S. that runs deeper than presidential personalities and rhetoric." That should not be too surprising. "Europe was the centerpiece of U.S. foreign policy for most of the 20th century and especially during the Cold War, but the collapse of communism, the rise of China and Asia, and the post-9/11 wars and counterterrorism campaigns shifted U.S. priorities elsewhere," wrote Stephen Walt in Foreign Policy. "Donald Trump was the first president to openly articulate these ideas, and now European elites fear that maybe this wasn't just an aberration." Haddad suggested Biden's turn need not stir fear in Europe. "Let's go beyond 'America is back' and have a frank conversation, among allies, about what Americans don't want to do anymore, where Europeans have to take responsibility," he said. WASHINGTON (AP) As the final five U.S. military transport aircraft lifted off out of Afghanistan Monday, they left behind up to 200 Americans and thousands of desperate Afghans who couldn't get out and now must rely on the Taliban to allow their departure. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. will continue to try to get Americans and Afghans out of the country, and will work with Afghanistans neighbors to secure their departure either over land or by charter flight once the Kabul airport reopens. We have no illusion that any of this will be easy, or rapid, said Blinken, adding that the total number of Americans who are in Afghanistan and still want to leave may be closer to 100. 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. American diplomats, he said, will be based in Doha, Qatar. We will continue our relentless efforts to help Americans, foreign nationals and Afghans leave Afghanistan if they choose, Blinken said in an address from the State Department. "Our commitment to them holds no deadline. Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, told reporters the U.S. military was able to get as many as 1,500 Afghans out in the final hours of the American evacuation mission. But now it will be up to the State Department working with the Taliban to get any more people out. McKenzie said there were no citizens left stranded at the airport and none were on the final few military flights out. He said the U.S. military maintained the ability to get Americans out right up until just before the end, but none of them made it to the airport. Theres a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure," said McKenzie. "We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out. But I think if wed stayed another 10 days we wouldnt have gotten everybody out that we wanted to get out. McKenzie and other officials painted a vivid picture of the final hours U.S. troops were on the ground, and the preparations they took to ensure that the Taliban and Islamic State group militants did not get functioning U.S. military weapons systems and other equipment. The terror threat remains a major problem in Afghanistan, with at least 2,000 hard core members of the Islamic State group who remain in the country, including many released from prisons as the Taliban swept to control. Underscoring the ongoing security threats, the weapon systems used just hours earlier to counter IS rockets launched toward the airport were kept operational until the very last minute as the final U.S. military aircraft flew out, officials said. One of the last things U.S. troops did was to make the so-called C-RAMS (Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar System) inoperable. McKenzie said they demilitarized the system so it can never be used again. Officials said troops did not blow up equipment in order to ensure they left the airport workable for future flights, once those begin again. In addition, McKenzie said the U.S. also disabled 27 Humvees and 73 aircraft so they can never be used again. Throughout the day, as the final C-17 transport planes prepared to take off, McKenzie said the U.S. kept overwhelming U.S. airpower overhead to deal with potential IS threats. Back at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, watched the final 90 minutes of the military departure in real time from an operations center in the basement. According to a U.S. official, they sat in hushed silence as they watched troops make last-minute runway checks, make the key defense systems inoperable and climb aboard the C-17s. The official said you could hear a pin drop as the last aircraft lifted off, and leaders around the room breathed sighs of relief. Later, Austin phoned Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, who was coordinating the evacuation. Donahue and acting U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan Ross Wilson were the last to board the final plane that left Kabul. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details of military operations. Simply because we have left, that doesnt mean the opportunities for both Americans that are in Afghanistan that want to leave and Afghans who want to leave, they will not be denied that opportunity, said McKenzie. The military left some equipment for the Taliban in order to run the airport, including two firetrucks, some front-end loaders and aircraft staircases. Blinken said the U.S. will work with Turkey and Qatar to help them get the Kabul airport up and running again. This would enable a small number of daily charter flights, which is a key for anyone who wants to depart from Afghanistan moving forward, he said. DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) A Bangladesh anti-terrorism tribunal on Tuesday sentenced six Islamist militants to death in the brutal slayings of two men, including a prominent gay rights activist, five years ago, lawyers said. In April 2016, assailants hacked to death Xulhaz Mannan, an editor of Bangladesh's first gay rights magazine who had worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development, and his friend Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy. The killings in an apartment in Dhaka were part of a wave of attacks targeting atheists, moderates and foreigners. Judge Mojibur Rahman of the Anti-Terrorism Special Tribunal ruled that the six defendants were responsible for the killings of the two men but acquitted two others. Police had indicted eight suspected militants in the case. Four of the defendants were present amid tight security in the court Tuesday while the two others remain at large. Prosecutors identified all of them as members of Ansar-al-Islam, a domestic militant group. Defense lawyers vowed to appeal the ruling to the High Court. Mannan, who also previously worked as a U.S. Embassy protocol officer, was editor of the gay rights magazine Roopbaan as well as a cousin of former Foreign Minister Dipu Moni of the governing Awami League party. In 2016, Bangladesh was riven by a wave of deadly attacks on foreigners, religious minorities and secular bloggers, raising fears that religious extremists were gaining a foothold in the country, despite its traditions of secularism and tolerance. The killings were claimed by various militant groups including Ansar-al-Islam and al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, or AQIS. The domestic groups Jumatul Mujahedeen Bangladesh and Harkatul Jihad were also blamed for some attacks. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas government has claimed success in controlling the militancy after a nationwide crackdown on radical Islamists left dozens of militants dead and many others in jail. The U.S. had condemned Mannan's killing. In a statement, then U.S. Ambassador Marcia Bernicat said she was devastated by the brutal murder. Xulhaz was more than a colleague to those of us fortunate to work with him at the U.S. Embassy. He was a dear friend, she said. FRESNO, Calif. (AP) A Brazilian bull rider was killed Sunday when his spur got caught in a rope, pulling him under the bull, and the animal stepped on his chest in California, according to the Professional Bull Riders touring group. Amadeu Campos Silva, 22, was competing at a bull-riding Velocity Tour event at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, said Andrew Giangola, a spokesperson for Professional Bull Riders. He was pronounced dead at a hospital. LOS ANGELES In his fight to keep his political life afloat, Gov. Gavin Newsom has staked his future on how well he can emulate a budget-slashing tea party darling: former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. Walker may seem an unlikely role model for the liberal Californian, but he has notched one big accomplishment that Newsom now covets. The Republican is the only governor in American history to successfully beat back a recall. He did so in 2012 by pivoting from playing defense on his record, namely a highly polarizing measure to clamp down on organized labor, to going on offense against those trying to remove him. We made it about union bosses, Walker said in an interview, and eventually [Tom] Barrett, the Democrat who ultimately ran against him. Newsom, a close labor ally, would almost certainly not endorse the sentiment, but his campaign has adopted an identical strategy. In his case, the foils are Republicans, whom Newsom never fails to connect to the recall. His official campaign committee is named Stop the Republican Recall. The word Republican appears more than 10 times in his official voter guide submission, along with phrases like power grab and takeover of our state. His television ads make a point of referring to former President Donald Trump. In a state where there are nearly 5 million more registered Democrats than Republicans, Newsoms team hopes running against the GOP is enough to save him from suffering the same fate as Gray Davis, Californias Democratic governor who was ousted in 2003, 11 months after he was elected to a second term. This years recall in every way has been far more similar to Walkers, said Sean Clegg, a top Newsom strategist. The big thing Gray failed to do was make a coherent case about who was bringing the recall and why. Thats been our theory of the case since day one. Its why we branded it a Republican recall. For Newsom, whose national image has been bruised by the seriousness of the recall effort against him, there is plenty of inspiration to be found in Walkers win. In 2012, the Wisconsin governor emerged from his recall attempt with new strength that powered his reelection campaign two years later and, briefly, a buzzy presidential bid. But although Walker may offer a road map for a Newsom victory, a close look at the Wisconsin race also underscores the challenges, both procedural and political, facing the California governor that may complicate his dreams of resurgence. Ten years ago, it was Walker whose political future appeared shaky. Just one month after the Republican took office as governor, he pushed through a measure to dramatically curtail collective bargaining rights and hobble the power of labor unions. In Wisconsin, a state with a deep tradition of organized labor, the measure was immediately a flashpoint. Crowds as large as 100,000 protested at the state Capitol in Madison, and calls for Walkers recall were a popular rallying cry, often broadcast on the cable news networks that breathlessly covered the developments. That was the height of my oppositions support and the low point for me, said Walker, recalling how Time magazine mused if he was Dead Man Walker. But he had a lucky break. Wisconsins election laws require that a politician serve at least one year in office before a recall can be initiated. By the time Walker would actually face the voters in 2012, the delay had tempered the outrage around the bill, known as Act 10. In the meantime, Walker sold himself as a governor who got things done, even if they were unpopular, a pitch that even Democrats conceded worked with swing voters. The campaign also found an effective boogeyman in labor leaders. The attack diverted attention from more politically sympathetic rank-and-file workers, such as teachers who had been highly visible in the protests. Union leaders were the ones that exerted undue influence, getting governors and legislatures to approve contracts and benefits that were out of line with the private sector and ability of state and local governments to pay, said Keith Gilkes, Walkers campaign manager. They were the villains in this. Wisconsin Democrats saw the tactic as class warfare. Regardless, Walkers message offered voters someone to blame as the economy shakily emerged from the Great Recession. The strategy echoes that of Newsoms today. His closing theme paints Republicans, particularly front-runner Larry Elder, the radio host, as resistant to vaccines and mask mandates. The clear hope is voters take out their frustration over the protracted pandemic on the recall proponents. Its a matter of life and death, one recent Newsom ad intoned. Stop the spread. ... Protect California by voting no on the Republican recall. Whether its highlighting Elder or anti-immigrant and extremist connections among the recalls original group of signature collectors, the overall message has been to portray the recall as a conservative effort that is at odds with Californias liberal tilt. California Democrats see this recall for what it is a Republican-led effort to grab power using the recall process because they cant win any other way, said Nathan Click, a spokesman for Newsoms campaign. Walker said it was logical that Newsom would follow his example, adding that making the race about Republicans was not a bad strategy to begin with. But the former governor, who now leads the conservative Young Americas Foundation, said it may not be so simple for Newsom to follow his successful formula. He noted that its hard to run against Trump, who is not in office anymore, or the state Republican Party, which has not won a statewide campaign since 2003. And although Walker benefited from the timing of the recall in Wisconsin, Newsoms political atmosphere is far more challenging, as the delta variant of the coronavirus threatens the governors claim that California is on the rebound. Act 10 was a political decision instigated by Gov. Walker. He created a wave and he was able to ride it successfully, said Paul Maslin, a Democratic strategist and veteran of the Davis and Walker recalls. COVID is a wave that is breaking all over the place ... and poor Gavin Newsom is out in the middle of the ocean trying to get to shore. For much of his first 18 months in office, Walker considered the recall to be a major threat. His opponents collected more than 1 million signatures to qualify for the ballot, nearly twice as many as they needed. But the GOP found its voters equally engaged. We didnt have to light up the base. The base was lit red hot from day one, Gilkes said. Walker capitalized on the widespread attention to his race, including outsize interest and money pouring in from out-of-state labor unions and conservative advocacy groups that saw the state as a proxy war for labor rights broadly. Every time one of these national unions came in, one of these national [Democratic] surrogates came in, it helped make our point that a whole bunch of people outside the state wanted this to happen, Walker said. Enthusiasm among Republicans became clear about a month before the recall contest. (In Wisconsin, a governor facing a recall runs directly against an opponent, another key procedural difference from California, where the ballot is split into two questions on whether Newsom should be recalled, and if so, who would replace him. ) Democrats had a semi-competitive primary and selected Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, whom Walker had beat in the 2010 governors race. Walker in effect ran unopposed in the GOP contest but received nearly as many votes as all of the Democratic candidates combined. We realized our voters were not showing up and protesting. They werent out getting signatures. But they were pissed off, Walker said. For those wanting to oust Walker, the primary was a pit-in-the-stomach moment, said Mike Tate, then the chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party. When the recall vote was held in June, Walker won by 7 percentage points slightly exceeding his margin from two years earlier and cemented his political stature. Theres no question that Walker emerged stronger, Tate said. It sure as hell emboldened him and his team. It set them on a trajectory that made it much harder in 2014 [to beat him] than it already wouldve been. As Californians now weigh in on Newsom, there is more uncertainty about whether he has galvanized the Democratic base as successfully as Walker did. Early polling showed opposition to the recall far outpacing support, but the race appeared to tighten because Republicans were far more enthused about the election than Democrats. Apathy is the real opponent here, said Clegg, Newsoms strategist. What do you have to do? You have to activate those partisan cues. You have to lay out a compelling case to people of what are the stakes if this thing really happens. Newsoms team says the focus on Republicans, and increasing national attention on the race, has helped juice enthusiasm among his base. His campaign notes that so far Democrats are outpacing the GOP in sending in their mail-in ballots an imprecise metric given that theres no indication how those Democrats voted and Republicans are expected to turn out in higher numbers on election day. The best-case scenario, his advisers envision, is a victory in September sparking a political turnaround like that of Walker, who used the recall as a jumping-off point for his national ambitions. (In the end, Walkers presidential bid lasted less than three months in 2015 and he narrowly lost the 2018 governors race.) Republicans with this really partisan recall against Gavin Newsom I think at the end of the day they will have created a comeback vehicle for this governor, Clegg said. Everyone loves a comeback story. True, said Walker, but it may not be enough for Newsom to simply survive the recall, given how he appeared poised to beat it handily earlier this year. Most people nationally are shocked that hes even got a race, Walker said. Hes got to win by a whole lot for it to be a net positive. Newsom may not much appreciate the setting of high expectations, or the fact that Walker hopes that after Sept. 14, hell remain the only American governor to have ever defeated a recall. But the California Democrat probably has little to quibble with when it comes to the Wisconsin Republicans view of the procedure overall. Recalls should be for what other states might use impeachment for malfeasance in office, or a crime committed, Walker said. Other than that, he added, Im not a fan of recalls, in any state. BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) A court refused Monday to allow a trial for a retired general accused of offering incentives that led soldiers to murder 104 civilians and pass them off as guerrilla fighters killed in combat during Colombia's long civil conflict. Mario Montoya had appeared at a court hearing last week, where he was going to be charged with murder by the Attorney General's Office. But Bogota's Superior Tribunal stopped prosecutors from pressing charges while they considered the case. The court ruled Monday that Montoya is not under the jurisdiction of ordinary courts because he is cooperating with a special tribunal created by the 2016 peace deal between the government and the now disbanded Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. The ruling will be appealed by relatives of civilians killed by soldiers under Montoya's command, who are hoping that the case sets a powerful precedent. Montoya was commander of Colombia's army between 2006 and 2008 and is the highest ranking officer who has faced charges so far over the executions of civilians, who were abducted by soldiers, killed and presented as rebel fighters in what is known as the false positives" scandal. Prosecutors say they have gathered evidence proving Montoya pressured his subordinates to increase the number of enemy fighters killed in combat and rewarded soldiers who provided the most kills with vacations and promotions. This policy allegedly motivated some soldiers to abduct civilians, murder them and present them as dead guerrilla fighters. Montoya denies the charges. He says he sought only to get tactical results from his subordinates in fighting the rebels and did not seek greater kill rates. Under Colombia's peace deal with the FARC, soldiers and guerrilla fighters accused of war crimes can choose to collaborate with the tribunal known as the Special Jurisdiction for Peace. Those who help investigations and tell the truth about war crimes can avoid time in prison, and will instead receive alternative sentences that include paying reparations to victims or conducting community service. Montoya has been cooperating with the tribunal since 2018. Attorney General Francisco Barbosa, however, argued in a radio interview last week that he was constitutionally entitled to investigate accusations against the former general and did not want human rights abusers to profit from the inaction of prosecutors. Barbosa said evidence gathered against Montoya will be handed over to the peace tribunal, which can use it to further its own investigations. According to the peace tribunal, at least 6,402 civilians were murdered by the Colombian army and presented as false positives between 2002 and 2008, when the killings were first revealed by journalists. In all, an estimated 262,000 people died as a result of the five-decade conflict. LYNWOOD, Calif. (AP) A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy was struck by a bullet Monday night during a shootout with a robbery suspect, authorities said. Doctors removed the bullet from the deputy's upper body during surgery, the sheriff's department said. The deputy is expected to survive. Around 7 p.m. in the city of Lynwood, south of Los Angeles, a resident flagged down deputies and said he'd been robbed at gunpoint. The victim said the suspects had been in a black Dodge Ram pickup truck, according to the sheriff's department. As the deputies were talking to the man, they spotted the pickup truck. They later found it in a cul-de-sac, and the truck made a U-turn and drove toward the deputies. The suspect began shooting at the deputies, who got out of their vehicle and fired back, the sheriff's department said. Several rounds of bullets were exchanged, during which the deputy was hit. Authorities detained one suspect, whose name has not been released, and recovered three handguns. Deputies then discovered that a second suspect had fled in a white pickup truck, the sheriff's department said, which they pursued until the truck was involved in a traffic collision. The suspect, whose name also has not been made public, got out of the truck after the crash. The sheriff's department says that at least one deputy fired their weapon as they were trying to detain him. It was not immediately clear what led them to begin shooting. The suspect was not struck by gunfire, though he did sustain injuries that were not life-threatening during the crash, the sheriff's department said. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) A Tennessee man has drowned in the Cumberland River, marking the state's 17th boating-related death this year, wildlife officials said. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said it responded to a drowning call at Rock Harbor Marina on the Cumberland River shortly after 4 p.m. on Sunday. ELKO, Nev. (AP) A magnitude 4.7 earthquake rumbled Tuesday in a remote area of northeast Nevada, where officials said they had no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The U.S. Geological Survey said the temblor struck about 10:20 a.m. about 46 miles (75 kilometers) east of Elko, where a sheriffs office dispatcher said she had no calls or reports of an earthquake. MOSCOW (AP) Europe's top human rights court has ruled that Russian authorities failed to conduct an effective investigation into the killing of a prominent human rights activist in the Russian republic of Chechnya. Tuesday's ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) related to the July 15, 2009 murder of Natalia Estemirova, a leading rights defender in Chechnya, who was abducted and later found dead with shots to the head and chest. The ECHR noted that Russian authorities promptly opened a probe into Estemirovas killing and identified a suspect, but emphasized that Moscows failure to provide full materials of the case made the court unable to conclude that the investigation had been carried out thoroughly. It noted some contradictions in the expert evidence led it to doubt that the investigation had been effective. The victim's sister, Svetlana Estemirova, alleged in her appeal that state agents were behind the killing but the Strasbourg-based court ruled that the evidence didn't support the claim. The court required Russia to pay 20,000 euros ($23,600) to Estemirova's sister and urged Russian authorities to track down and punish the perpetrators of her murder. Estemirova was a strong critic of Chechnyas regional leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who has relied on his feared security forces to enforce his rule and quash dissent in the region. International human rights groups have accused Chechen authorities of abductions, torture and killings of their opponents. The Kremlin, which has relied on Kadyrov to stabilize Chechnya after two separatist wars in the 1990s and the early 2000s, has staunchly backed him despite international criticism. Amnesty International said the ECHR's judgment highlighted the unabated impunity in Russia." The inaction of Russian authorities has effectively given the Chechen leadership a carte-blanche to continue to commit abuses, and to silence anyone who dares to speak out, said Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty Internationals Eastern Europe and Central Asia acting director. In the 12 years since Natalia was killed, not only have they failed to identify and bring the perpetrators to account, but they have also remained silent and complacent as other human rights defenders in Chechnya were exposed to the same perils, attacked, threatened and prosecuted." Krivosheev said "the assault on human rights in Chechnya has intensified and civil society has been methodically extinguished by the Chechen authorities, adding that rights activists face death threats, arbitrary arrests and jail, and many journalists and activists have been forced into exile. PHOENIX (AP) Two journalists who founded an alternative weekly newspaper in Phoenix and later created the lucrative classified site Backpage.com are scheduled to go on trial Wednesday on charges of facilitating prostitution and laundering money in what authorities say was a scheme to knowingly sell ads for sex on the site. Michael Lacey and James Larkin also are accused of using cryptocurrency and wiring money to foreign bank accounts to launder revenues earned from the sites ad sales after authorities say banks raised concerns that they were being used for illegal purposes. Lacey and Larkin said the site never allowed ads for sex and used people and automated tools to try to delete such ads. While prosecutors say the site published many ads that depicted children who were victims of sex trafficking, no one in the federal case in Arizona is charged with sex trafficking or child sex trafficking. In a statement released Monday, Lacey and Larkin called the case against them an epic government overreach, maintained content on the site was protected by the First Amendment and said the site aided law enforcement whenever when concerns arose about the safety of a woman or child. We have the knowledge that we are not guilty and the determination not to bow before the authoritarian mindset that demanded we suppress constitutionally-protected speech and now prosecutes us for having refused to do so, their statement said. And we will prove our case during the course of this trial. Lacey and Larkin founded the Phoenix New Times, held ownership interests in other weeklies such as The Village Voice and ultimately sold their newspapers in 2013. But they held onto Backpage, which authorities say generated $500 million in prostitution-related revenue from its inception in 2004 until April 2018 when it was shut down by the government. Prosecutors say Backpages operators ignored warnings to stop running prostitution ads, some involving children. They are accused of giving free ads to prostitutes and cultivated arrangements with others who worked in the sex trade to get them to post ads with the company. Authorities say Backpage employees would identify prostitutes through Google searches, then call and offer them a free ad. The site also is accused of having a business arrangement in which it would place ads on another site that lets customers post reviews of their experiences with prostitutes. In all, six former Backpage operators have pleaded not guilty to charges of facilitating prostitution. Of the six, Lacey, Larkin and two others have pleaded not guilty to money laundering charges. The sites marketing director has already pleaded guilty to conspiring to facilitate prostitution and acknowledged he participated in a scheme to give free ads to prostitutes to win over their business. Additionally, the CEO of the company when the government shut the site down, Carl Ferrer, pleaded guilty to a separate federal conspiracy case in Arizona and to state money laundering charges in California. At trial, the Backpage defendants are barred from bringing up a 2013 memo by federal prosecutors who examined the site and said at the time that they hadnt uncovered evidence of a pattern of recklessness toward minors or admissions from key participants that the site was used for prostitution. In the memo, prosecutors had said witnesses testified Backpage made substantial efforts to prevent criminal conduct on its site and coordinated such efforts with law enforcement agencies. The document was written five years before Lacey, Larkin and the other former Backpage operators were charged in the Arizona case. A Government Accountability Office report released in June noted the FBIs ability to identify victims and sex traffickers had decreased significantly after Backpage was seized by the government, because law enforcement was familiar with the site and Backpage was generally responsive to requests for information. Prosecutors said the moderation efforts by the site were aimed at concealing the true nature of the ads. Though Lacey and Larkin sold their interest in Backpage in 2015, prosecutors said the two founders retained control over the site. The indictment alleges specific instances in which sex was being sold on Backpage. Prosecutors alleged an ad for a 17-year-old girl was rejected because it accurately reflected her age but was later accepted after it was falsely changed to 19. The indictment said some customers who responded to her ads forced her to perform sexual acts at gun point, choked her and gang raped her. It also alleged another victim, whose age wasnt revealed in the indictment, was killed in 2015 by a customer after being sold for sex on Backpage. U.S. District Judge Susan Brnovich declined to grant a request by prosecutors for a blanket order allowing evidence of such killings at trial. But she noted that evidence may be allowed if its relevant and witnesses dont mention the facts of those deaths. The judge offered an example in the case of a victim who was fatally struck after jumping out of vehicle in 2015 when her trafficker tried to take her to Texas against her will. Brnovich wrote she would likely let the victims father testify about his effort to remove his daughters posting from the site, but he wouldnt be allowed to talk to jurors about the death. The Backpage operators asked Brnovich to bar prosecutors from presenting evidence of sex trafficking, both of adults and children. Noting the prejudicial value of such evidence is high, Brnovich concluded she will still allow evidence showing that people were trafficked using the site, but will not allow prosecutors to linger on the details of the abuse suffered by victims. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) A former state lawmaker and two-time congressional candidate from the Pittsburgh area who appeared to support efforts to overturn President Joe Biden's victory said Monday that he will run for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor next year. Rick Saccone, 63, will make a formal announcement on Sept. 10, he said. Saccone drew attention Jan. 6 when he posted videos online from outside the U.S. Capitol that appeared to support the violent insurrection by supporters of then-President Donald Trump to prevent Congress from counting Electoral College votes to confirm Biden's victory last November. His comments also appeared to support Trumps pressure on Vice President Mike Pence, who presided over the session, to tip the results in Trumps favor, although Pence's role was strictly ceremonial. We are in front of the U.S. Capitol, hundreds of thousands of people storming the Capitol, they broke down the gates, theyre macing them up there, were trying to run out all the evil people in there, all the RINOs that have betrayed our president, were going to run them out of their offices, Saccone said in the video. Were calling on Vice President Pence to support our president. ... Im telling you there are hundreds of thousands of people here to support our president and save our nation. Are you with me? Saccone said Monday that he has not had any run-in with law enforcement over his statements and insisted he knew of no violence storming of the Capitol until an Associated Press reporter called him when he was back at his bus, ready to leave. Saccone served four terms in the state House of Representatives from Allegheny County before losing a special election to Congress and a Republican primary for another congressional seat in 2018. In the state House, Saccone was an early supporter of Trump known for his fiery speeches and a willingness to buck party leaders. Saccone had among the most conservative voting records, based on American Conservative Union ratings, and his support of religion in public life made him a favorite of religious conservatives. He is a retired Air Force counterintelligence officer who served as a civilian adviser in Iraq and lived in South Korea, where he worked in the private sector, including as an anchor for an English-language television news station. He also spent a period in North Korea as a diplomatic representative on an unsuccessful American-sponsored nuclear power project aimed at freezing North Koreas homegrown plutonium production and earned a PhD. in international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh. The video he posted Jan. 6 led to him resigning a position as an adjunct professor from Saint Vincent College. ___ Follow Marc Levy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/timelywriter DETROIT (AP) The parents and brother of an American journalist who has been detained in Myanmar for 100 days vowed Tuesday to never stop working to secure his release. Danny Fenster, 37, is managing editor of Frontier Myanmar, an independent online news outlet based in Yangon, the Southeast Asian nations largest city. He was detained May 24 while trying to board a flight to visit his family who live in the Detroit area, and is being held in Yangons Insein Prison. We're just trying to stay tough as tough as Danny is and we're not going to stop until we get him home, Buddy Fenster, his father, said during a news conference held via Zoom. Myanmar's military-installed government accuses Fenster of incitement, saying he spread false or inflammatory information. If convicted, Fenster could be imprisoned for up to three years. Military officials say they are not suppressing press freedom by holding the journalist, but that limits on publishing information are needed to prevent violence and disorder. The junta has detained dozens of journalists since it took power in February this year. Fenster's next hearing is scheduled for next week, according to his brother, Bryan Fenster. His family wanted to raise awareness about his detention and call for his immediate release on humanitarian grounds. Danny Fenster told his lawyer in July that he believed he had COVID-19, but prison authorities denied he was infected. The Fensters say they have not spoken to Danny since Aug. 1. During that conversation, they came to believe that he had indeed contracted the coronavirus. He still was having some brain fog, loss of sense of taste and smell, some fatigue, mother Rose Fenster said, adding that her son has not been vaccinated against COVID-19. The U.S. government and press freedom associations have been pushing for Danny Fensters release. It's 100 days, and he's not home, which is frustrating, Bryan Fenster said Tuesday. But we know that at the highest levels this is a top priority. And resources are being used to secure his release." Michigan Rep. Andy Levin said he is in regular contact with the U.S. State Department and the Fenster family, whom he represents in Congress. The Democrat from suburban Detroit predicted that Fenster eventually will be freed. We will get Danny out, because the Fenster family will not give up," Levin said. The National Press Club announced Monday that Danny Fenster will receive the 2021 John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award, which recognizes journalists who bravely push to disclose the truth in trying circumstances. ___ This story has been corrected to show that in the quote by Buddy Fenster, he said the family wouldnt stop until they get him home, not bring, and to show that in the quote by Andy Levin, he referred to the Fenster family not the Fensters. TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) High levels of toxic, widely used forever chemicals contaminate groundwater around at least six military sites in the Great Lakes region, according to U.S. Department of Defense records that an environmental group released Tuesday. The Environmental Working Group said PFAS, an abbreviation for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have oozed into the Great Lakes and pose a risk to people who eat fish tainted with the chemicals. Pentagon documents show at least 385 military installations nationwide are polluted with PFAS, mostly from firefighting foam used widely in training exercises, the group said. If you are relying on well water and are near one of these bases where PFAS has been confirmed in the groundwater, you should be concerned, said Scott Faber, senior vice president of government affairs. And you should be doubly concerned if you are near one of the hundreds of bases where PFAS is suspected but not confirmed." Asked for comment, a Pentagon spokesman referred to remarks by Richard Kidd, deputy assistant secretary of defense for environment and energy resilience, during a July 14 public discussion on PFAS. Kidd said it would take years to fully define cleanup requirements the department faces, and probably decades before that cleanup is complete. We are intent on making sustained progress on all PFAS challenges," Kidd said, adding that cleanup costs were estimated at $2 billion. A review of department records showed PFAS has been detected at levels up to 213,000 parts per trillion at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan, which closed in 1993, the Environmental Working Group said. State officials discovered the contamination in 2010. The Air Force is treating PFAS-contaminated groundwater at some sites in the area, but local residents and members of Congress have called the actions insufficient and demanded a stronger and faster approach. The environmental group said its study turned up high readings at five other Great Lakes bases. Combined levels of PFOA and PFOS, two of the most commonly used chemicals in the group, reached as high as 1.3 million ppt at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in Niagara County, New York. Other readings included 135,000 ppt of the compound PFHxS at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee; 82,000 ppt of PFOA and PFOS at Alpena County Regional Airport in Michigan; 17,000 ppt of PFOS at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Mount Clemens, Michigan; and 5,400 ppt of PFHxS at Duluth International Airport in Minnesota. Most civilian airports also have firefighting foam containing PFAS and some have released it to the environment during emergency fire suppression and training, said Melanie Benesh, the groups legislative attorney. Federal regulations require that airports be equipped with foams meeting military specifications, although Congress has ordered the Federal Aviation Administration to allow foams without PFAS. The Biden administration is developing national standards for triggering PFAS cleanups in drinking water and groundwater. The Environmental Protection Agency presently has a non-enforceable health advisory level of 70 ppt for PFOS and PFOA for drinking water. PFAS compounds, first developed in the 1940s, are used in a variety of commercial and household products ranging from non-stick cookware to food packaging and water-repellent clothing. Foam containing PFAS has long been used to extinguish jet fuel fires. The compounds are called forever chemicals" because they don't break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time. They have been linked to a variety of health problems including cancer, liver damage and decreased fertility. BOSTON (AP) A former employee of the Massachusetts state agency that oversees unemployment insurance benefits has pleaded guilty to using her position to fraudulently try to obtain federal COVID-19 relief funds for herself and her husband, federal prosecutors said. Tiffany Pacheco, 35, who also goes by Tiffany Tavery, pleaded guilty Monday to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney's office in Boston. Kyle Robertson/AP COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Ohio Supreme Court Justice Pat DeWine said Tuesday he's dropping out of the race for chief justice and will focus on being reelected to his current seat. DeWine, 52, is a Republican and the son of GOP Gov. Mike DeWine. A former county and appeals court judge, he was elected to his first six-year term on the high court in 2016 and is up for reelection next year. HILO, Hawaii (AP) The largest hospital on the Big Island of Hawaii was operating at about 120% of capacity amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, straining employees and supplies. Hilo Medical Center had 38 patients with coronavirus, including 10 in the intensive care unit, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Tuesday. Altogether the hospital had 17 ICU Patients, far beyond its normal 11-bed ICU capacity. Some ICU patients were being treated in the progressive care unit. As the largest hospital on the island, we cannot divert patients, hospital spokeswoman Elena Cabatu said. We have a plan to care for everyone who come to us for care. On Friday, the hospital opened a 16-bed overflow unit in its extended care facility. Cabatu said the hospital was constantly assessing its campus for locations in which to care for patients. Two dozen traveling nurses have arrived to help, but the vast majority of the work has been assumed by hospital staff, said Dan Brinkman, the East Hawaii Regional CEO for Hawaii Health Systems Corp. The seven-day average of new COVID-19 on the Big Island soared from 2.7 on July 4 to 138 on Tuesday. Sixty percent of the population has been fully vaccinated. Since the FDA granted Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine full approval last week, some of Michigans major hospital systems are mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for employees, and some are not. The news comes as concern grows about the spread of the highly contagious delta variant of the virus, and after 50 national health care organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, issued a joint statement in support of COVID-19 vaccine mandates for all workers in health and long-term care. The following hospitals are requiring their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19: Beaumont Health, headquartered in Royal Oak As a result of the FDAs approval, Beaumont Health will require all team members, regardless of location, to receive the complete dosing regimen of COVID-19 vaccine by Monday, Oct. 18, according to Beaumont Health. We know getting the COVID-19 vaccine is an important decision for people to make, said John Fox, Beaumont Health president and chief executive officer, in a statement. We dont want to lose one Beaumont team member. However, the positivity rate in the communities we serve has more than doubled in the past few months and the number of COVID-19 cases at Beaumont has increased. We need to follow the science and provide a safe environment for our patients, their families and each other. While the Pfizer vaccine has full approval, Beaumont Health employees can still get the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, which currently have Emergency Use Authorization approval from the FDA. Beaumont might grant an exemption to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for certain medical contradictions or religious beliefs. Henry Ford Health System, headquartered in Detroit The health system is requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for its team members. Employees have until Sept. 10 to be fully vaccinated, according to Henry Ford Health System. The decision "is the right thing to do for the health and safety of our patients, our workforce and the communities we serve. If healthcare is not going to lead on this issue, who will? Henry Ford Health System COO Bob Riney said in a statement. "They depend on us and trust us to ensure a safe and healthy environment and we pledged to honor that promise." The hospital system is believed to be one of the first in Michigan to require COVID-19 vaccinations of all its team members, students, volunteers and contractors. That includes those working remotely. The announcement came June 29. There will be exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccine for religious or medical reasons if they are requested, documented and approved. Employees who don't receive a COVID-19 vaccine or exemption face losing their jobs. Spectrum Health, headquartered in Grand Rapids Michigans largest healthcare system, Spectrum Health, is requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for team members. As of July 28, about 70% of Spectrums workforce was vaccinated against COVID-19, and the health system said it will consider exemptions to the mandate as required by law. The mandate will apply to the health system's more than 31,000 workers at 14 hospitals, as well as those who work for its health plan, Priority Health, along with students, volunteers and contractors. However, the requirement will not go into effect at Spectrum Health until eight weeks from when the FDA granted full approval of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine. The following hospitals are not requiring their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19: McLaren Health Care, headquartered in Grand Blanc McLaren is not mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for its employees. It will continue to require employees to wear proper personal protective equipment and abide by safety recommendations from the CDC and Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, according to Magen Samyn, who is the regional vice president of marketing and business development for McLaren Health Care. The conversation around vaccine mandates will continue for McLaren. Samyn cites a concern for losing staff members while already dealing with a shortage of workers as a possible reason to avoid a vaccine mandate. MidMichigan Health, headquartered in Midland MidMichigan is not mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for its employees, MidMichigan Health Public Relations Manager Millie Jezior told the Alpena News earlier this month. We are currently not planning on mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for our employees; however, we are continuing to monitor developments by the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention and what is occurring locally and across our state," Jezior said at the time. Per the CDC and Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommendations masks are still required in health care settings. This means that for the health and safety of patients, all individuals, whether fully vaccinated or not, must continue to wear a mask while in MidMichigan Health facilities. Calls to reach MidMichigan Health for updated information were not immediately returned. Munson Healthcare, headquartered in Traverse City Munson is not mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for its employees. However, it is encouraging everyone to consider getting vaccinated when it is available to them. In terms of mandatory vaccinations for staff, we continue to review all sides of the issue and look at all information that would help us form our decision, but have made no decisions," said Munson Healthcare Chief Communications Officer Dianne Michalek in a statement. "We continue to strongly encourage our staff to get the vaccine. We currently have 69.7 percent of staff who have been vaccinated with an even higher percentage of doctors and providers being vaccinated. McLaren hospital is one of the many major health systems nationwide to have concerns about COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Doctors are concerned that COVID-19 vaccine mandates may lead to an employee exodus that would affect patient care, according to CEOs of Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland-based University Hospitals and Johnson City, Tennessee-based Ballad Health. The CEOs said they worried that some healthcare workers would rather quit or be fired than get inoculated. Dr. Mihaljevic, CEO and president of Cleveland Clinic, said hospitals are already understaffed, and losing healthcare employees during a public health crisis would jeopardize the clinic's ability to provide care. NEW DELHI (AP) Indias economy grew by 20.1% in the April-June quarter from the same period a year earlier, when it suffered a record contraction, the government announced Tuesday, raising hopes of an economic recovery. It was Indias fastest pace of growth since it began publishing quarterly gross domestic product figures in 1996, and was far higher than the January-March quarter, when the economy grew 1.6%. But economists say the latest growth figures are deceptive because they are calculated from last years smaller base. PLYMOUTH, Ind. (AP) A man charged with neglect in the death of an 11-month-old girl left in his care now faces a murder charge in the northern Indiana county where the toddler's body was found. Starke County prosecutors charged Justin Miller of Hamlet with murder Monday afternoon in the death of Mercedes Lain. Miller also faces felony charges in adjacent Marshall County for child neglect causing death in the toddler's death. LENEXA, Kan. (AP) Two companies from Iowa and Nebraska have been fined for tampering with emission controls for hundreds of customers, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday. The companies Midwest Truck Products of Cantril, Iowa; and South Central Diesel Inc. of Holdrege, Nebraska installed or sold defeat devices that make emission controls inoperative, the EPA said. CINCINNATI (AP) A Common Pleas judge in Cincinnati has rescinded his order that a man sentenced for a felony drug charge get vaccinated against COVID-19 within two months as a condition of his probation. Speaking at a hearing Tuesday, Judge Christopher Wagner told Brandon Rutherford that its not a judges role to make decisions for him or teach you to be a better person, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported. ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) Countries neighboring Libya wrapped up their meeting Tuesday in Algeria, with calls for foreign fighters and mercenaries to be pulled out from the conflict-stricken North African nation. The two-day meeting also urged Libyan parties to stick to a political road map that ended hostilities last year and set parliamentary and presidential elections in December. The meeting, hosted by Algeria, was attended by foreign ministers of Egypt, Tunisia, Sudan, Chad and Niger. Those countries have for years been concerned over the chaos in Libya. The U.N. envoy for Libya, Jan Kubis, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and a representative of the African Union also attended. The question of the withdrawal of mercenaries, terrorists and irregular forces is a fundamental question that conditions the success of the elections, said Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra at a news conference. Libya is the first victim of these irregular elements and the risk is real that neighboring countries also become victims if the withdrawal is not handled in a transparent, organized way." Algeria, which shares a long border with Libya, is ready to play a role, he said. Libya has been wracked by chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, and split the country between a U.N.-supported government in the capital, Tripoli, and rival authorities loyal to commander Khalifa Hifter in the east. Each have been backed by different armed groups and foreign governments. In 2019, Hifter launched a military offensive to capture the capital. His campaign was backed by Egypt, the UAE, Russia and France, while his rivals had the support of Turkey, Qatar and Italy. Hifters march on Tripoli ultimately failed in June 2020. Subsequent U.N.-sponsored peace talks brought about a cease-fire and installed an interim government thats expected to lead the country into a general election in December. The Libyan parliament has so far failed to agree on a legal framework to hold elections. Kubis, the U.N. envoy, urged lawmakers to finalize laws needed for the December vote without any further delay. He also expressed concerns about the continued presence of mercenaries, foreign fighters and foreign forces in Libya, echoing the U.N. Security Councils calls for the full implementation of the October cease-fire deal including the withdrawal of foreign fighters and mercenaries. The U.N. estimated in December there were at least 20,000 foreign fighters and mercenaries in Libya, including Syrians, Russians, Sudanese and Chadians. Libya is at a critical stage where the significant achievements and progress of the past period must be consolidated with an added momentum to continue the political transition towards a unified, fully sovereign, peaceful and stable country, Kubis said. ___ Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) One of the two men accused of setting a Rhode Island police cruiser on fire last summer has been found not competent to stand trial for now, with a judge recommending Friday that he be treated at a hospital. Two mental health professionals found that Luis Joel Sierra, 35, was not able to participate in his defense based on interviews and a review of his mental health history, the Providence Journal reported. FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) A Florida man was sentenced Monday to life in prison for fatally shooting two teens and wounding a third near Fort Myers. Elwood Robinson was sentenced in Lee County court. A jury found him guilty in June of two counts of second-degree murder and one count of aggravated battery with a firearm, according to court records. Robinson was convicted in the 2018 deaths of William Hughes Jr., 19, and Jeremy Stewart, 16. Prosecutors said the teens were hanging out at a gathering spot in Alva early in the morning on Nov. 17, 2018. Robinson heard a loud argument coming from the area. He drove his truck to the area and encountered the first teen, who flagged him down and asked for a ride home, saying he was stranded. According to a news release, Robinson told the teen that he was a police officer and would take care of the situation. The teen got into his truck. As another car tried to leave the area, Robinson tried to block him before chasing the car at high speeds before losing him. The first teen remained in the truck during the chase. Instead of taking the teen home, Robinson drove back to the original location. At that point, the news release said, another car drove up with a male and a female inside. They had come there to retrieve a car left at the site. That's when Robinson got out of the truck, and holding a revolver, ordered the male to the ground. He told him he was a police officer and would take him to prison, the news release said. Robinson ordered the female to get the other teen out of his truck, telling her it was his son. Two more people arrived at the location, who were friends of some of the teens, the news release said. They saw the gun and one attempted to disarm Robinson. But Robinson stumbled, got up and shot the teen he'd ordered to the ground in the back of the head. He then shot the teen who'd pushed him. Prosecutors said that after shooting the two teens, Robinson fired at the female victim. She survived but a bullet hit her right hand, grazed her shoulder and hit her neck. He also pointed the gun at another teenager but didn't shoot. Some of the teens fled to a friend's house and called 911, the release said. WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) An El Salvador national has been sentenced to up to 25 years in prison for snatching a teenage girl from an eastern Iowa yard, dragging her into a house and groping her. Saul Santos Vasquez Martinez, 45, was sentenced last week after being convicted of second-degree kidnapping and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, the Courier reported. LANSING, Mich (AP) Michigan standardized test results released Tuesday showed gaps in students' learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, with state education officials noting lower than usual participation rates. Children in third to eighth grade and 11th grade take the M-STEP test. All grades saw a decline in the percentage of students testing proficient or better in math from 2019 to 2021. Sixth-graders saw the biggest drop at 6.5% less students testing proficient or better in math. A similar decline was seen in social studies. Students in third through seventh grades saw a decline in English language arts scores, while eighth and 11th grade saw improvements. The state Department of Education noted that participation in different subjects in the M-STEP ranged from 64% to 72%, making comparisons to previous years tricky. Michigan schools administered the M-STEP test in-person this spring after the U.S. Department of Education declined to waive testing requirements for the 2020-21 school year, as it did for the 2019-20 school year. Schools in wealthier districts with the resources to offer more in-person instruction and accommodate a safer in-person test-taking experience were more likely to have higher testing participation. The Michigan Department of Education asserts that groups of students who are historically lower achieving did not have the opportunity to participate at the same rates as some groups of historically higher achieving students. The 2020-21 school year was such an uneven year with high health risks for students and staff, inconsistent technology, and variations in teaching and learning across the state, State Superintendent Michael Rice said in a news release. Any analysis of M-STEP results must factor in low participation rates in state testing. Michigan took steps to reduce inequalities between school districts by creating a 2022 state budget allocation of $17.1 billion that aims to create more equality in per-student funding between school districts. Also Tuesday, Michigan State University's Education Policy Innovation Collaborative released a report on benchmark data, but also provided insight on the M-STEP test. According to the report, third graders who are subject to a state law that requires schools to identify those within that grade with reading and writing struggles saw a significant decline in participation. The report says 96.5% of third graders took the M-STEP English language arts portion for the 2018-19 school year, while only 71.2% took it for the 2020-2021 academic year. Black students were the least likely demographic to take that portion of the M-STEP, the report said. Also, economically disadvantaged students were less likely to participate than their non-economically challenged peers, the report said. ___ Anna Liz Nichols is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. CONCORD, N.H. (AP) New Hampshire is getting more than $1.5 million in federal funding to help firefighters. The 10 grants through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grant program is going toward radios, firefighter training, ambulance equipment, firefighting and medical gear, and other needs. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Prosecutors and police have argued unsuccessfully that New Mexicos bail reform law needs to be tweaked to make it tougher for defendants charged with violent felonies to be released while awaiting trial. While their past legislative efforts have fallen short, they have gained an important ally in Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who says she wants to see changes in the states pretrial detention system. I believe a rebuttable presumption for individuals accused of violent crimes can be a wedge in the revolving door of repeat violent offenses that have characterized the worst aspects of the crime our state continues to experience, Lujan Grisham said in a statement to the Albuquerque Journal. As the system works now, to have a defendant charged with a violent felony held prior to trial, prosecutors must show the accused represents a danger to the community and that there are no conditions of release that will protect the community. Lujan Grisham, who is seeking reelection, said she wants to shift the burden of proof so that people charged with violent offenses are required to show they can safely be released. Bernalillo County District Attorney Raul Torrez, a candidate for the Democratic Partys nomination for attorney general who has pushed for similar changes in the past, said he welcomes the governor's support. Chief Public Defender Bennett Baur said in a statement that fear about rising violent crime has little to do with pretrial release and that this kind of change is guaranteed to sweep up the innocent along with the guilty. Baur said only 3% of people released prior to trial commit a violent crime after their release pending trial. Im extremely concerned about allowing the government to hold people in jail for months just because someone said you did something, he said. We hope the governor will look at the facts and not the emotion of the issue, Baur added. New Mexico voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment in 2016 that largely did away with the system of money bail bonds. The change meant many low-level defendants were no longer held simply because they lacked resources to post a bond. It also authorized judges to order defendants held in custody without bond pending trial if certain conditions on dangerousness and conditions of release were met. In 2019, Torrez sought to have the Legislature pass a law that would require judges to lock up defendants prior to trial if they were charged in certain violent crimes, like murder and criminal sexual penetration. The law would put the responsibility on the defendant facing those charges to show that there are conditions under which they could be released prior to trial. Torrez failed to get much traction in 2019. He intends to make another attempt this coming session. Were not asking for low-risk, non-violent offenders to be detained, he said. Torrezs suggested legislation would create a rebuttable presumption against release in the crimes of first- and second-degree murder cases, voluntary manslaughter, aggravated battery in the third degree, sexual exploitation of children, criminal sexual penetration, armed robbery and human trafficking of a child. The law also would include defendants facing new charges while on parole or with a recent felony conviction for any of those crimes. Charges that included great bodily harm and brandishing a firearm during the commission of the crime would also be subject to a rebuttable presumption against release. In those cases, defendants would have to show that they could be released from pretrial detention without endangering the community. Baur said the current process allows for dangerous people to be held prior to trial. Innocent people are arrested every day," he said, "but currently there is a process that requires the government to separate the truly dangerous from those who pose little or no threat. Torrez points to several cases in which people charged with violent crimes were released and either absconded from court supervision or committed more crimes when they were released. Last week, Trey Bausby, 19, cut off his ankle monitor and failed to show up at a halfway house after being released on first-degree murder charges in the stabbing death of a woman at an Albuquerque motel in January. Prosecutors had sought to keep Bausby in custody pending further proceedings in the case, but District Judge Richard Brown ordered him released with ankle monitoring and orders to stay in a halfway house. The court is putting too much faith in ankle monitors, Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said in a statement. Our officers and the public are at risk by these decisions. Prosecutors also had argued that Bausby, who was arrested in Albuquerque last Friday morning, was a flight risk and was asking people if he could borrow money so he could get out of town. Torrez also wants legislators to look at how the state deals with felons in possession of a firearm. About 42% of the people we seek to detain, the crime involves possession of a firearm, Torrez said. Were losing over 52% of those detention cases. In the federal system, a high percentage of defendants accused of gun crimes including being a felon in possession are held in custody. Torrez says the changes he advocates would make New Mexicos system operate more like California, Washington, D.C., and the federal system on the issue of pretrial detention. New Mexico, he has said, is an outlier. In addition to shifting the presumption on pretrial detention, Lujan Grisham said that in next years 30-day legislative session she wants lawmakers to approve $100 million to fund an additional 1,000 police officer positions throughout the state. The governor also said she wants to continue to talk with legislators about other improvements to public safety. Earlier this month she sent 35 state police officers to Albuquerque because of the record high number of homicides the city has seen since January. Republicans, meanwhile, have urged her to call a special session to deal with crime, pointing out that Democratic majorities in the state House and Senate have killed 10 GOP-sponsored tough-on-crime bills in the last two years. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Local governments will get a $50 million boost to resolve a 2018 lawsuit that accused the state of botching tax distributions to 44 counties and municipalities across New Mexico. Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Roswell and Farmington were among the major plaintiffs to the lawsuit that alleged the state has short changed them revenue that pays for law enforcement, fire protection and other services. The state Taxation and Revenue Department on Tuesday announced terms of the financial settlement on the sharing of gross receipts taxes. Gross receipts taxes apply to sales and business services at a rate of between 5% and 9% by location. The state distributes more than $1.9 billion in revenues from gross receipts taxes to local governments each year. Local governments also complained of wild fluctuations in amount of gross receipts shared each month, previously with little explanation by state taxation authorities. In a statement, Taxation and Revenue Secretary Stephanie Schardin Clarke said that local governments deserve to have confidence in how their tax revenues are handled, and we've been able to demonstrate to them that the system is working. Her agency says it added a liaison to improve communications with local governments, rigorous monthly reviews of local tax distributions, more robust auditing and greater access to state financial reports. State economists say that gross receipts taxes have surpassed expectations by $330 million during the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2021. They linked the surge in revenues to deployment of the coronavirus vaccine this year, the reopening of businesses and the release of pent-up consumer demand. (RNS) Its a Bible verse familiar to many Christians and even to many non-Christians who have seen John 3:16 on billboards and T-shirts or scrawled across eye black under football players helmets. But Terry Wildman hopes the new translation published Tuesday (Aug. 31) by InterVarsity Press, First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament, will help Christians and Indigenous peoples read it again in a fresh way. The Great Spirit loves this world of human beings so deeply he gave us his Son the only Son who fully represents him. All who trust in him and his way will not come to a bad end, but will have the life of the world to come that never fades away, full of beauty and harmony, reads the First Nations Version of the verse. ___ This content is written and produced by Religion News Service and distributed by The Associated Press. RNS and AP partner on some religion news content. RNS is solely responsible for this story. ___ In the First Nations Version, eternal life, a concept unfamiliar in Native American cultures, becomes the life of the world to come that never fades away, full of beauty and harmony. The Greek word cosmos, usually translated in English as the world, had to be reconsidered, too: It doesnt mean the planet Earth but how the world works and how creation lives and functions together, said Wildman, the lead translator and project manager of the First Nations Version. Theyre phrases that resonated with Wildman, changing the way he read the Bible even as he translated it for Native American readers. We believe its a gift not only to our Native people, (but) from our Native people to the dominant culture. We believe that theres a fresh way that people can experience the story again from a Native perspective, he said. The idea for an Indigenous Bible translation first came to Wildman nearly 20 years ago in the storeroom of the church he pastored on the Hopi Reservation in Arizona. Wildman, who is Ojibwe and Yaqui, was excited to find a Hopi translation of the New Testament in storage. He wanted to hear how that beloved Scripture sounded in Hopi, how it translated back into English. But, he said, while many Hopi elders still speak their native language and children now are learning it in schools, he couldnt find anyone able to read it. That is true for many Native American nations, he added, noting that at the same time Christian missionaries were translating the Bible into Native languages, they were also working with the boarding schools in the United States and Canada that punished students for speaking those languages. It occurred to the pastor that since 90-plus percent of our Native people are not speaking their tribal language or reading their tribal language, we felt there needed to be a translation in English worded for Native people, he said. Wildman, a licensed local pastor in the United Methodist Church, has been working on translating the Bible into words and concepts familiar to many Native Americans ever since. He first began experimenting by rewording Scripture passages he was using in a prison ministry, giving them more of a Native traditional sound, he said a sound hed learned by being around Native elders and reading books written in a more traditional style of English by Native Americans like Oglala Lakota spiritual leader Black Elk. He and his wife, Darlene, who have a music ministry called RainSong, also recorded readings of those passages over music in an album called The Great Story from the Sacred Book. It won a Native American Music Award in 2008 for best spoken-word album. Wildman was encouraged by the reactions he received as he shared his rewordings across the country at tribal centers, Native American-led churches and powwows. They just loved listening to it because it didnt have the church language. It didnt have the colonial language. It had more of a Native feel to it as much as possible that you can put in English, he said. Many Native people asked what Bible he was reading from. Young people have told him it sounds like one of their elders telling them a story. Elders have said it resonates with how they heard traditional stories from their parents and grandparents. As others encouraged him to turn his rewordings into a full translation of the Bible, Wildman published a childrens book retelling the Christmas story, Birth of the Chosen One, and a harmonization of the four Gospels called When the Great Spirit Walked among Us. Then, on April Fools Day 2015, he heard from the CEO of OneBook Canada, who suggested the Bible translation organization fund his work. The offer wasnt a prank, he said, it was confirmation from Creator that this was something he wanted. Everybody hears English a little differently, Wildman said. We have all of these translations for that purpose to reach another generation, to reach a particular people group. But we had never had one for our Native people that has actually been translated into English. Wildman began by forming a translation council to guide the process, gathering men and women, young and old, from different Native cultures and church backgrounds. They started with a list of nearly 200 keywords Wycliffe Bible Translators said must be translated properly to get a good translation of Scripture. With that foundation, Wildman got to work, sending drafts to the council for feedback. He looked up the original Greek text of the New Testament. He checked to see how other English translations rendered tricky passages. He consulted Dave Ohlson, a former Wycliffe translator who helped found OneBook Canada, part of the Wycliffe Global Alliance. The Indigenous translation uses names for God common in many Native cultures, including Great Spirit or Creator. Names of biblical figures echo their original meanings in Greek and Hebrew: Jesus becomes Creator Sets Free and Abraham, Father of Many Nations. We believe its very important that the Gospel be kind of decolonized and told in a Native way, but being accurate to the meaning of the original language and understanding that its a different culture, Wildman said. Over the years, he and his council have published editions of the Gospel of Luke and Ephesians and a book called Walking the Good Road that included the four Gospels alongside Acts and Ephesians. A number of ministries already have started using those translations, including Foursquare Native Ministries, Lutheran Indian Ministries, Montana Indian Ministries, Cru Nations and Native InterVarsity, he said. Native InterVarsity, where Wildman serves as director of spiritual growth and leadership, has distributed earlier editions of the First Nations Version at conferences and used the Indigenous translation in its Bible studies for Native college students for several years. Megan Murdock Krischke, national director of Native InterVarsity, said students have been more engaged with the translation, hearing the Bible in a way theyre used to stories being told. Even though its still English, it feels like its made by us for us. This is a version of Scripture that is for Native people, and its indigenized. Youre not having to kind of sort through the ways other cultures talk about faith and spirituality, said Krischke, who is Wyandotte and Cherokee. Its one less barrier between Native people and being able to follow Jesus. Earlier this month, The Jesus Film Project also released a collection of short animated films called Retelling the Good Story, bringing to life the stories of Jesus, or Creator Sets Free, feeding the 5,000 and walking on water from the First Nations Version. Wildman said the response from Native peoples and ministries to the First Nations Version has exceeded any expectations he had when he first began rewording Bible passages. He hopes it can help break down barriers between Native and non-Native peoples, too. He pointed out the suspicion and misinformation many white Christians have passed down for generations, believing Native Americans worship the devil and their cultures are evil when they share a belief in a Creator, he said. We hope that this will help non-Native people be more interested in our Native people maybe the history, understanding the need for further reconciliation and things like that, Wildman said. We hope that this will be part of creating a conversation that will help that process. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) Nursing homes in Rhode Island, already struggling with staffing shortages, are worried that Gov. Dan McKees mandate that all workers in state-licensed health care facilities must be vaccinated against the coronavirus will prompt more people to leave the field. There are definitely grave concerns from our members about the potential loss of staff, John Gage, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Health Care Association, which represents 62 for-profit nursing homes in the state, told The Providence Journal for a story Monday. OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma City Council rejected a proposal Tuesday that would have reinstituted a mask mandate. The council voted after hearing from dozens of residents in a packed room, most of whom opposed the mandate. One compared a mask requirement to Jim Crow laws. You couldn't eat at a restaurant because you're Black. You're taking somebody's individual freedom away" by mandating that people wear masks, James Rainey said. Councilmember James Cooper, who offered the measure, said masking would slow the spread of the coronavirus until COVID-19 vaccinations reach herd immunity of 80%. The vaccination rate in the county is currently 60.3%, according to Phil Maytubby, Oklahoma City-County Health Department chief operating officer. The vote comes after the Tulsa City Council also rejected a mask mandate as the delta variant of the coronavirus sweeps the state, flooding hospitals with COVID-19 cases. The four major hospitals in Oklahoma City have said they have no ICU beds for COVID-19 patients. The state health department on Tuesday reported 1,719 new virus cases and a seven-day average of 2,796 new cases daily, up from 2,213 on Aug. 15. The department reported a three-day average of 1,539 hospitalizations, with 434 in ICU statewide. HONOLULU (AP) An elderly couple with gunshot wounds died Tuesday at a Hawaii assisted living center and a note was left behind indicating they took their lives, police said. Honolulu Police Lt. Deena Thoemmes declined to detail the note's contents. She said police are investigating whether it was a murder-suicide or two suicides. The 86-year-old woman was a resident of The Plaza at Waikiki, while her 92-year-old husband lived nearby, Thoemmes said. The husband was visiting his wife in a sitting area of the facility's garage. We are deeply saddened by todays fatal, domestic incident, which occurred in the parking garage of The Plaza at Waikiki," said Tricia Medeiros, chief operating officer of The Plaza Assisted Living. She said in a statement that the company was offering counseling services to its residents and employees. According to its website, the Waikiki facility has room for up to 170 residents, offering month-to-month senior rentals in private studio, private one-bedroom and shared suites. The Plaza Assisted Living also runs similar senior homes in five other locations in and around Honolulu. Company officials didn't immediately return messages from The Associated Press. Honolulu Emergency Medical Services spokeswoman Shayne Enright said the man and woman were pronounced dead at the scene. Autopsies of the couple are scheduled for Wednesday, Thoemmes said. ___ Associated Press journalist Audrey McAvoy contributed to this report. HENRICO, Va. (AP) Charges wont be filed in the death of a toddler who was struck by a vehicle in an apartment complex parking lot, a Virginia prosecutor said Monday. Henrico Commonwealths Attorney Shannon Taylor said police and the prosecutors office investigated after the 1-year-old under her mothers care, darted out between two parked cars into the path of a moving vehicle, The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. The investigation found that the driver stopped immediately and wasnt speeding or violating traffic laws, Taylor said. The mother was also behaving responsibly, she said. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) The union that represents nurses at Rhode Island's only Level 1 trauma hospital is calling on its parent company to increase the pay of nurses who have been on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. The United Nurses and Allied Professionals union on Tuesday delivered a petition with more than 2,000 signatures to Lifespan Corp., which operates Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) Striking nurses at a Massachusetts hospital have filed an unfair labor practices complaint against their employer with the National Labor Relations Board, the nurses' union said Tuesday. The Massachusetts Nurses Association, on behalf of the 700 striking nurses of St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, alleged that the hospital is trying to coerce, intimidate and retaliate against the nurses to undermine their legal right to advocate for safer working conditions." BOSTON (AP) The number of new cases of COVID-19 increased by more than 1,500 Tuesday while the number of newly confirmed coronavirus deaths in Massachusetts rose by 17. The new number pushed the states confirmed COVID-19 death toll to 17,874 since the start of the pandemic, while its confirmed caseload rose to more than 709,500. Nearly 600 people were reported hospitalized Tuesday because of confirmed cases of COVID-19, with more than 160 in intensive care units. The average age of those who have died from COVID-19 was 75. The true number of cases is likely higher because studies suggest some people can be infected and not feel sick. More than 4.5 million people in Massachusetts have been fully immunized against COVID-19. ___ BOSTON SYMPHONY VACCINATION PROTOCOL The Boston Symphony Orchestra will require all audience members attending performances at Symphony Hall this fall to provide proof of vaccination or proof of a negative test result, the orchestra announced Tuesday. Patrons will also be required to wear a mask during concerts, unless eating or drinking, the organization said in an emailed statement. Physical distancing will not be required. By requiring vaccinations and masks, we hope that people will feel comfortable at concerts and know that we are doing all we can to create a safe environment to gather for the collective experience of live music," President and CEO Gail Samuel said. The orchestra went on a live performance hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic. When it announced its new season in June, it said proof of vaccination and masks would not be required. That was before a surge in cases caused by the highly contagious delta variant. Proof of vaccination includes showing a vaccination card, a photo of the card, or a digital vaccine record upon entering Symphony Hall, the BSO said. For children under 12 who are not yet eligible for a coronavirus vaccine, proof of a negative test will be accepted for entry. Patrons who cannot show proof of vaccination can either show proof of a negative PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours, or an antigen test taken within the previous 24 hours. The BSO has also been updating its air filtration system and cleaning protocols to ensure patron safety. The new season starts Sept. 30. ___ AMHERST COLLEGE-STUDENT PUSHBACK Hundreds of students at Amherst College in Massachusetts are pushing back against what they call the school's overly restrictive COVID-19 protocols that include double masking indoors, restrictions on off-campus activities, and no in-person campus dining. In a letter sent to President Carolyn Biddy Martin a week ago, the students said the guidelines are not based on any given data, have been developed without student input, are significantly stricter than our peer institutions, and are in conflict with (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines. The restrictions originally announced Aug. 24 and designed in response to the spread of the delta variant apply to the first two weeks of the fall semester, which began Monday. The prestigious private liberal arts college celebrating its 200th anniversary this year had already mandated vaccinations for students, faculty and staff. In response to the student pushback, Martin explained the necessity of the rules in another campuswide email on Aug. 27. We are in the midst of a surge, and you are arriving on campus from all over the country and the world, including from delta hotspots," she said, adding later: Now is not yet the time to relax key restrictions." She did, however, amend a near-universal outdoor mask mandate, calling it unworkable," and said masks are now only required outdoors at high-density gatherings over a sustained time period." Students are allowed to leave campus to take care of personal business and to pick up takeout meals, but should not go to indoor restaurants, cafes, or bars, she said. The school has about 1,850 students. The reason that the college put these protocols in place for two weeks is that, between testing and possibly isolating/quarantining individuals, we can establish a healthy baseline for our campus," a college spokesperson said Tuesday. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The GOP-controlled Texas Legislature passed a broad overhaul of the states election laws Tuesday, tightening already strict voting rules and dealing a bruising defeat to Democrats who waged a monthslong fight over what they argued was a brazen attempt to disenfranchise minorities and other Democratic-leaning voters. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said he will sign the bill, the latest in a national GOP campaign to add new hurdles to voting in the name of security. The effort, which led to new restrictions in Georgia, Florida, Arizona and elsewhere, was spurred in part by former President Donald Trumps false claims of a stolen election. Texas Democrats fought the legislation for months, arguing the bill was tailored to make it harder for young people, racial and ethnic minorities and people with disabilities all Democratic-leaning voters to cast ballots, just as they see the demographics shifting to favor their party. The bill specifically targets Democratic strongholds, including Houston's Harris County, further tightening rules in a state already considered among the hardest places to cast a ballot. The legislation set off a heated summer in Texas of walkouts by Democrats, Republicans threatening them with arrest, Abbott vetoing the paychecks of thousands of rank-and-file staffers when the bill failed to reach him sooner, and accusations of racism and voter suppression. The emotional reasons for not voting for it are that it creates hardships for people because of the color of their skin and their ethnicity, and I am part of that class of people, said Democrat Garnet Coleman, a state representative whose return to the Capitol earlier this month helped end a 38-day standoff. Even the final vote did not escape a parting round of confrontation after Senate Republicans, at the last minute, scuttled one of the few areas of bipartisan agreement: efforts to shield voters with felony convictions from prosecution if they did not realize they were ineligible to cast a ballot. It had been included following backlash over the arrests of two Texas voters, both of whom are Black, which intensified criticism amid a broader fight over voting restrictions that opponents say disproportionately impact people of color. Texas will limit voting hours and empower partisan poll watchers under the nearly 75-page bill, known as Senate Bill 1. It is largely similar to the one Democrats first walked out on 93 days ago, underscoring how Republicans, who have overwhelming majorities in both the House and Senate, held their ground in the face of months of protest and escalating brinksmanship. Senate Bill 1 will solidify trust and confidence in the outcome of our elections by making it easier to vote and harder to cheat. I look forward to signing Senate Bill 1 into law, ensuring election integrity in Texas, Abbott said in a statement minutes after the bill passed. That acrimony is unlikely to end with Abbotts signature. The Texas Capitol is set to immediately shift into another charged fight over redrawn voting maps that could lock in Republican electoral advantages for the next decade. Texas added more than 4 million new residents since 2010, more than any other state, with people of color accounting for more than nine in every 10 new residents. Democrats criticized the voting bill as an attempt to suppress the turnout of an ascendant and more diverse electorate as Republicans, who are used to racking up commanding electoral victories in Americas biggest red state, begin to lose ground. Texas Republicans defended the bill in the same terms the GOP has used in more than a dozen other states that have also passed restrictive voting laws this year: calling the changes practical safeguards, while denying they are driven by Trumps baseless claims that he lost reelection because of widespread voter fraud. When the bill won final approval Tuesday in the Senate, holding the gavel on the dais was Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Days after the election last year, Patrick offered a $1 million reward in support of Trumps unfounded claims of irregularities at the polls. One provision in the bill had sought to add clarity that a person must have known he or she was voting illegally in order to face prosecution. But although it had buy-in from the House, it was rejected by Senate negotiators just as the bill was being finalized over the weekend. Texas law prohibits people on parole, probation or supervised release from voting. But both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have expressed unease over the case of Crystal Mason, who was sentenced to five years in prison in 2018 for casting a provisional ballot in the 2016 presidential election when she was on probation. She has said she was unaware that she was ineligible to cast a ballot at the time. Her provisional vote wound up not counting, and her case is now on appeal. After the full voting bill cleared, the House approved a resolution that a person should not be criminally incarcerated for making an innocent mistake. It passed 119-4. You should not be put in jail for five years under those circumstances, Republican state Rep. Dustin Burrows said. Texas already has some of the nations toughest election laws, and many of the most hotly contested changes now heading to Abbott are prohibitions on expanded voting options put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas largest county, which includes Houston and is a major source of Democratic votes. Harris County last year offered 24-hour polling places and drive-thru voting, as well as tried sending mail-ballot applications to 2 million registered voters. All of that would now be outlawed with Abbotts signature, and election officials who send mail-in ballots applications to voters who dont request one could face criminal penalties. Republicans said the tightened rules reign in powers that local elections officials never had in the first place, while accusing critics of exaggerating the impacts. They also emphasized that polls during two weeks of early voting everywhere in Texas must now be open for at least an extra hour, and that more counties must have polls open for at least 12 hours. Masons illegal voting arrest is not the only one to draw criticism from Democrats and voting rights groups. In July, Hervis Rogers was arrested on charges of illegal voting because he cast a ballot while still on parole after waiting more than six hours in line during the 2020 presidential primary. The cases drew national attention and angered critics who saw both as overzealous attempts by Republicans to look tough on rare cases of improper voting. The Brennan Center for Justice in 2017 ranked the risk of ballot fraud at 0.00004% to 0.0009%, based on studies of past elections. ___ Acacia Coronado 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. SOUTHOLD, N.Y. The 911 calls to the Southold Town Police Department began to pour in on a Wednesday. And for three days they did not stop. Female, 34, Greenport Village, unresponsive. Male, 25, Southold, unresponsive. Male, 30, Southold, unresponsive. Male, 27, Greenport Village, unresponsive. Male, 32, East Marion, unresponsive. Male, 40, Shelter Island, unresponsive. By Friday at least eight people in the string of small towns along Long Islands North Fork had overdosed, and six of them none older than 40 were dead. Their deaths were caused, police said, by cocaine laced with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that can be 50 times more powerful than heroin. They left behind a seaside enclave wreathed in grief that feels both familiar and confounding: Nearly 3,000 people have died from overdoses in Suffolk County over the past decade. But whats new is the drug cocktail that killed the six in mid-August: cocaine adulterated with highly lethal fentanyl, which delivers a cheap and powerful high and was in the past more commonly mixed into heroin. The tragedy in Suffolk County, according to police and prosecutors, reflects an emerging and dangerous shift in the street-drug marketplace, a trend that has grown in the past year as dealers have been affected by the same pandemic-linked issues plaguing global supply chains and driving up prices. Some have turned to substitutes like fentanyl cheaper and more readily available than cocaine or heroin to bulk out their wares, keeping their supply of drugs flowing, whatever the human cost. But even a speck of fentanyl can kill. The same market forces that are causing shortages in everyday products are also putting pressures on the drug markets, said Timothy D. Sini, the Suffolk County district attorney. All the while we have seen demand skyrocketing from users because of the impact the pandemic has had on them. The presence of fentanyl in Southold is nested in an even larger-scale tragedy gripping the county and the country: the opioid epidemic that hooked hundreds of thousands of people on prescription pain pills. Last month, New York state, including hard-hit Suffolk and Nassau counties, wrested a $1 billion settlement from the drugmakers, distributors and purveyors of prescription opioids to mitigate the harm that stemmed from their role in the epidemic. Preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that in 2020, the highest number of people ever recorded died from an overdose in the United States 93,000, a nearly 30% increase over the previous year. On the North Fork, the dead were not hardened addicts but mostly recreational users, police said, seeking a fleeting high. Behind the brief descriptions in the police reports were rich and varied lives: a sometime jewelry-maker from Tehran who loved heavy metal music, and a restaurant worker and fashion plate rarely seen without his gold lame boots. A Jamaican chef with a special knack for sourdough, and a landscaper who always answered the phone with a joke. A woman who loved goth makeup, whose mother called her noodle. A new father of a 6-month-old boy. Several other people also overdosed on fentanyl-laced cocaine between Aug. 11-13, according to the Southold police; emergency responders resuscitated them with naloxone, or Narcan, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. Family members of those who died blamed the dealers. They poisoned them to make money, said Seth Tramontana, whose 27-year-old son, also named Seth, died Aug. 13 after ingesting cocaine, which his family believes he did not know had been doctored with fentanyl. You can say he made his choice and did what he was doing to have fun but this is not what he asked for. The trend is not limited to Suffolk County. In February, the San Francisco Department of Public Health issued a public health warning following a slew of fentanyl overdoses by people who believed they had consumed only cocaine. Authorities in Nebraska issued a similar warning in August after 26 overdoses in three weeks were linked to fentanyl-laced cocaine. In New York City, users passed warnings across social media in the spring about bad batches of cocaine containing the drug, urging one another to check cocaine for the presence of fentanyl using testing kits designed for the purpose. People who use cocaine think that the overdose epidemic is not relevant to them, said Dr. Chinazo O. Cunningham, executive deputy commissioner in the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. In 2017, just 17 of the citys overdose deaths were from cocaine combined with fentanyl; that number rose to 183 in 2019, the last year for which data was available. Part of the problem nationally is that the narrative has been around opioids, and what weve seen is that its not just opioids its cocaine, she said. A few days after the chain of deaths on Long Island, two men, Lavain Creighton, 51, of Greenport, and Justin Smith, 46, of Smithtown, were arrested. Creighton was charged with several counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance; in a news conference, the district attorney said Creighton sold the drugs that caused at least two of the fatal overdoses, based on text message exchanges and other communication. Smith was charged with possessing drugs and drug paraphernalia. Anthony Scheller, Smiths lawyer, said his client did not sell the drugs. He feels terrible for those people, Scheller said. But he had no involvement. A lawyer for Creighton did not return a request for comment. Suffolk County has aggressively pushed to hold dealers accountable for overdose deaths, obtaining a manslaughter conviction for a dealer in 2017, the first in the state. The county has successfully prosecuted just three similar cases since then. Prosecutors say they are hampered in holding dealers accountable because to successfully argue manslaughter they must prove that the dealer acted recklessly. Shortly after the spate of deaths, Long Island state legislators made a renewed push for a Death by Dealer law, which would allow prosecutors to level felony homicide charges at drug dealers and impose stiffer sentences. Since 2011 about half of all U.S. states have adopted similar laws, according to the Drug Policy Alliance, a nonprofit organization. But critics argue that such legislation does not prevent overdose deaths and conversely may increase the risk by making people afraid to call for help when someone is overdosing because of fear of reprisal. Increasing access to fentanyl testing kits and naloxone is a better way to head off tragedies like those on Long Island, said Grey Gardner, a senior staff attorney with the Drug Policy Alliance. What we need to be doing is doing a better job as a country, as a society, helping people know when their supply is tainted, and having safe places for people to use to prevent overdose, he said. On Aug. 12, a victim with the initials M.L. received a text message from a friend warning him about the presence of fentanyl in cocaine he had purchased from Creighton, prosecutors said. But by the time it was sent, the man was already dead. The police would not confirm M.L.s identity. But the initials matched those of one of the men who died that day: Matthew Lapiana, a landscaper. His friend Clarisse Stevens said he was a whiz at cooking Italian food who always answered the phone with a goofy joke. Stevens was outraged at those who provided the fentanyl-laced drugs. You put it in your supply, and then you sell it and then people die, its because it came from your hands, she said. They should definitely be charged with murder. Following the six deaths, police and social service organizations fanned out across Southold, handing out Narcan kits and offering workshops on how to administer the anti-overdose drug. Local newspapers and social media feeds were crammed with obituaries, funeral notices, and tributes: Nicole Eckardt, Fausto Rafael Herrera Campos, Swainson Brown, Matthew Lapiana, Seth Tramontana, Navid Ahmadzadeh. They had been linked by small-town life; some were distant cousins, others former co-workers. Now they were joined in death. Sitting on their porch on 5th Street in Greenport, Tramontanas grandparents, Richard and Joan Olszewski, clung to memories of their 27-year-old grandchild, whom everyone called Boogie. They recalled how Boogie sang his way through the quaint fishing village in battered gold boots he patched with duct tape. How Boogie always slipped out after Christmas dinner to bring a plate of his grandmothers cooking to a friend who struggled with the holiday season. He did what he was put on this earth to do, Olszewski, 74, said. Make all these people realize how wonderful they were. At the Pridwin hotel on Shelter Island, Glenn Petry, a co-owner, was saving a single jar of sourdough starter, left behind by his friend and head chef, Swainson Brown. When he could tear himself away from fishing, Brown, 40, had turned the kitchen of the hotel into a laboratory of dishes of his own devising. Wed say, Swainson, thats not exactly what we are looking for, Petry recalled, And hed say, Taste it and it would be like, Oh, my God. He paused. It breaks my heart now we are at this point eulogizing this young guy, Petry said. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. ISTANBUL (AP) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has spoken with the United Arab Emirates de-facto leader, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, by telephone, Erdogans office said late Monday, in a sign of easing tensions between the countries. The two discussed their countries' relations and regional issues, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency. The statement did not say when the conversation took place. SAN DIEGO (AP) Federal prosecutors said they will not seek the death penalty for a 22-year-old former nursing student charged in a deadly shooting at a Southern California synagogue on the last day of Passover. The decision was disclosed Monday in a one-sentence court filing in federal court in San Diego. It comes less than two months after U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland halted federal executions while the Justice Department conducts a review of its policies and procedures. RICHMOND, Va. (AP) The Supreme Court of Virginia has upheld a lower court ruling that ordered the reinstatement of a northern Virginia gym teacher who said he won't refer to transgender students by the pronouns they use. Loudoun County Public Schools appealed to the state Supreme Court after a judge ruled that the school system violated the free speech rights of teacher Tanner Cross by suspending him after he spoke up at a school board meeting. FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) Witnesses said a small plane that crashed near Fort Worth on Aug. 21, killing a man and his teenage son, appeared to stall before crashing, federal investigators said Tuesday. The single-engine Aeronca 7AC crashed shortly after takeoff from Flying Oaks Airfield, a small private airfield near Azle, northwest of Fort Worth. JEMISON, Ala. (AP) A state worker was killed Monday when he was hit by a car in a road construction zone in Chilton County. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said 33-year-old Brandon F. Barber of Prattville was killed. Officials said Barber was struck by a car that failed to yield to the traffic control sign Barber was holding within a construction zone. The accident occurred two miles south of Jemison on Alabama Highway 91. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Oregon regulators have fined a crude oil storage company nearly $25,000, saying it performed months of construction work without a permit at its terminal along the Willamette River in Northwest Portland. Newly-released documents show the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality imposed the financial penalty last month, claiming the unsanctioned activity at the property posed a risk of discharging harmful sediment into the nearby waterway, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. By Vincente Vera San Jose Spotlight Fentanyl continues to kill unhoused residents in Santa Clara County, and some unsuspecting users may be taking the drug in the form of counterfeit pills. Seven homeless individuals in San Jose suffered fatal overdoses from methamphetamine laced with fentanyl in the past month, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid usually prescribed for terminal pain, has already killed 44 county residents in overdoses this year. Fentanyl is at least 50 times more potent than morphine, and inconsistent dosing through counterfeit pills leads to accidental overdoses, especially among users with a low tolerance for opioids, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. In Santa Clara County, fatal drug overdoses connected to fentanyl nearly tripled during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, from 29 deaths in 2019 to 86 in 2020. Fatal overdoses from the drug show no signs of slowing down, according to Brian Buckelew, deputy district attorney for the office's narcotics unit. He said the eruption of fentanyl use among the unhoused community--as well as young people--can be tied back to the pandemic's effects. San Jose police seized more than four ounces of fentanyl powder in early August, and cocaine cut with fentanyl is suspected to have caused a fatal double overdose in Sunnyvale on July 18, according to Buckelew. Fentanyl is cheaper to obtain than other opioids, and different law enforcement agencies around the county have been seizing fake, 30 milligram oxycodone pills since at least June 2019. Often, drug users seek out the deadly counterfeit pills because of the potency. "We've tested thousands of them. I've only had one pill, one single pill, come back positive for oxycodone," Buckelew told San Jose Spotlight. "We know for a fact that it was from a common source. They were hot pills, and so people had heard about it and heard, 'You take one pill or half a pill,' but they were so hot it was just killing people left and right." According to Business Insider, drug dealers and their affiliates use the social media platform Snapchat to distribute fentanyl. Buying dope from the app is especially popular with young adults, who use it to purchases meth and Xanax topped with fentanyl. According to data KQED obtained from the Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office, in 2020 the average age of a person who suffered a fatal overdose in Santa Clara County was approximately 26 years old. Meanwhile, the average age for Alameda County that same year was 34, and San Francisco was 44. "I can see people buying on Snapchat because the messages can disappear on (the app)," said Mr. Savaccini, an unhoused man residing in San Jose's Roosevelt Park. Requesting to be identified only by his last name, Savaccini spoke with San Jose Spotlight in his tent along the Coyote Creek River as he and his partner smoked their drug of choice, methamphetamine. Savaccini said he takes caution when receiving pills from new contacts, and he will examine pills for any unusual dents and unfamiliar markings. His vigilance stems from his own fentanyl overdose a few years ago when a friend offered what he thought to be cocaine, Savaccini said. "I started to feel more and more sick as the day went on. My girlfriend at the time looked at me in the car and asked why I was shaking and sweating. I felt like I was shutting down," he said. "I smoked some weed and crystal so I was able to shake it out of me. (Fentanyl) is trash." Buckelew said the most visible symptoms of opioid overdoses are distinct snoring sounds indicating respiratory distress. If an overdose is suspected, he advises individuals to call 911 and emergency medical technicians can administer naloxone, a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Sherri Terao, director of the Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services Department, said a brand of naloxone, Narcan, was first distributed in the county in 2016. The department also plans to provide training and Narcan kits to the Office of Supportive Housing to help tackle fentanyl in the homeless community. "The public health department's needle exchange program provides fentanyl test strips, as well as Narcan, to their clients," Terao said. "(The department) is looking into adding fentanyl test strips for distribution in the community soon." To combat rising fatal fentanyl overdoses, behavioral health services is launching a community awareness campaign this week to decrease deaths by providing information and resources for users. 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. While skies in some counties in the Bay Area are forecast to be clear in the coming days, the San Joaquin Valley continues to be under air quality advisories, cautioning residents to be aware of heavy smoke-filled air. As of Monday, an air quality alert for all eight counties of the San Joaquin Valley remained in effect due to smoke impacts from ongoing wildfires throughout California, according to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. According to the district's website, the nine active wildfires throughout the state are leaving counties such as San Joaquin with moderate to unhealthy air quality most days. Three people are dead following three shootings over the weekend in Oakland, police said Monday. The latest to die was a San Leandro man who was shot at the Extravagant Grooming Lounge at 5243 College Ave. in North Oakland. He died Monday afternoon, according to police. His name was not available Monday night from the Alameda County coroner's bureau. Two people went into the barbershop and opened fire, police Chief LeRonne Armstrong said. A second person was hit by the gunfire, police said. That person, a Richmond man, was in critical condition Monday afternoon, according to police. The shooting was part of nearly a dozen citywide during the weekend, police said. San Francisco fire personnel Monday helped treat 19 people in connection with a possible COVID-19 outbreak aboard a cargo ship docked in the bay, a fire department spokesman said. Around 1:20 p.m., fire officials responded to the cargo ship "Global Striker" after the ship's crew reported people on board experiencing flu-like symptoms, according to spokesman Lt. Jonathan Baxter. Emergency crews were able to reach the ship quickly and brought 19 people to San Francisco's Pier 26 to treat them. Of those, six people were confirmed to have mild COVID-19 symptoms and were taken to the hospital. Those hospitalized remain in "good condition," Baxter said. In addition, 21 others were evaluated and tested, and remain on the vessel. One person has life-threatening injuries following a shooting Monday afternoon in San Jose's Alum Rock neighborhood, San Jose police said. The shooting, reported at 2:22 p.m., happened along the 1000 block of Sundown Lane, east of East Capitol Expressway and about two blocks from an elementary school. The victim was transported to a hospital and no information has been released about the suspect. Police said more information would be released when it is available. Police nabbed a man with a knife Sunday afternoon after he allegedly robbed a Lafayette convenience store. The suspect walked into the store in the 3300 block of Mt. Diablo Boulevard around 12:22 p.m., grabbed some goods, and fled, Contra Costa County sheriff's spokesman Jimmy Lee said. Lafayette Police put out a description of the suspect and officers from Moraga detained him shortly afterward, not far from the store. The suspect has been identified as 26-year-old Lakarea Hill, of Lafayette. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility, where he was still in custody Monday afternoon. With more than 15,000 firefighters battling more than a dozen major wildfires across California, state officials urged residents Monday to be prepared to evacuate before they are ordered to do so. Wildfires have burned more than 1.76 million acres across the state this year, according to Cal Fire, including the Dixie Fire in the Feather River Canyon that has burned more than 770,000 acres and the Caldor Fire near South Lake Tahoe that has spread to more than 177,000 acres. That state is using nearly 1,200 fire engines and 111 helicopters to fight the 15 major fires currently burning across the state, according to California Office of Emergency Services Director Mark Ghilarducci. California is also receiving firefighting resources from Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia. The state had received emergency resources from Louisiana as well before Hurricane Ida made landfall in the Gulf of Mexico, Ghilarducci said. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Monday for Alpine, Amador and Placer counties due to the Caldor Fire, which has forced the evacuation of thousands of people from the South Lake Tahoe region. The same fire prompted the governor to declare a state of emergency in El Dorado County earlier this month. Newsom also signed an executive order Monday that allows out-of-county emergency workers who are unable to cast ballots in their home precincts to be provided with provisional ballots, upon request, for the upcoming state election. Fire and smoke made a Petaluma home too dangerous to live in Monday night, displacing four people, fire officials said. Firefighters were dispatched at 8:23 p.m. to the 100 block of Lindberg Lane. When crews arrived, smoke and flames were coming from a bedroom window, according to fire officials. Firefighters cut a hole in the roof to let smoke and heat leave the home and then quickly put out the blaze. Crews kept the fire from spreading beyond the bedroom and a hallway, fire officials said, but smoke damaged the entire residence. A Contra Costa County jury has convicted Brandon Lamont Lindsey of attempted murder and other charges in connection with a 2018 shooting and robbery of a Yuba City man during a drug deal in Antioch. The jury found Lindsey, 27, guilty earlier this month of attempted murder, shooting at an occupied car, assault with a semi-automatic weapon and attempted second-degree robbery. A news release from the Contra Costa County District Attorney's office reported that the shooting occurred Sept. 21, 2018, after Lindsey had arranged to sell drugs to a Yuba city couple. The National Weather Service forecast for the San Francisco Bay Area calls for slightly cooler temperatures Tuesday and better air quality. Expect highs in the 60s along the coast to the 60s and 70s around the Bay, and to the 80s in the inland valleys. Overnight lows will be in the 50s. Low pressure descending into the region will bring a trend towards cooler and less dry conditions through the upcoming week. Wednesday and Thursday will be the coolest days, well below normal, with slightly warming into the weekend. 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. NEW ORLEANS Rescuers set out in hundreds of boats and helicopters to reach people trapped by floodwaters Monday, and utility repair crews rushed in, after a furious Hurricane Ida 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 states 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 customers 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 and early Monday before weakening into a tropical storm. The damage was so extensive that officials warned it could be weeks before the power grid was repaired. As the storm continued to make its way inland with torrential rain and shrieking winds, 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 knocked 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 governors office said damage to the power grid appeared catastrophic dispiriting news for those left without refrigeration or air conditioning during the dog days of summer, with highs forecast in the mid-80s to close to 90 by midweek. 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 her son rode out the storm in LaPlace with Grecos parents. Water reached the first-floor windows, then knocked down the back door and filled the brick home with 4 feet of water. They retreated to the second floor, but then screaming winds collapsed the roof. 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 Grecos 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.l 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. and the governor said Louisianas levees, heavily overhauled since Katrina, performed extremely well. But he said the storm still inflicted tremendous damage to homes and businesses. Local Penn Power crews aiding Louisiana in restoring power A dozen Penn Power workers from Mercer County are heading to Louisiana to help restore elect Stephanie Blaise returned to her home with her father in New Orleans Lower Ninth Ward after evacuating. It lost only some shingles. But with no idea when electricity would be restored, she didnt 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. New Orleans police reported receiving numerous reports of theft and said they made several arrests. 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 governors office said over 2,200 evacuees were staying in 41 shelters as of Monday morning, a number expected to rise as people were rescued or escaped from flooded homes. The governors spokesperson said the state will work to move people to hotels as soon as possible so that 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. Interstate 10 between New Orleans and Baton Rouge the main east-west route along the Gulf Coast was closed because of flooding, with the water reported to be 4 feet deep at one spot, officials said. 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. Emergency officials had not heard from Grand Isle since Sunday afternoon. About 40 people stayed on the barrier island, which took the brunt of the hurricane and was swamped by seawater, Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng 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, brought trees down onto power lines and caused transformers to explode with flashes that lit up the night sky. The governor said on Sunday that 30,000 utility workers were in the state to help restore electricity. AT&T said its wireless network in Louisiana was reduced to 60% of normal. Many people resorted to using walkie-talkies. The governors office staff had no working phones. The company sent a mobile tower to the states emergency preparedness office so that 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 had 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 winds tied it for the fifth-strongest hurricane ever to hit the mainland. Its winds were down to 40 mph around midday Monday. In Mississippis southwestern corner, entire neighborhoods were surrounded by floodwaters, and many roads were impassable. 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 are possible along Idas path before it blows out to sea over New England on Friday. 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. photo: Harvard Wang Shelley Parker-Chan is an Asian Australian former diplomat who worked on human rights, gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights in Southeast Asia. She was raised on Greek myths, Arthurian legend and Chinese tales of suffering and tragic romance, and her writing owes more than a little to all three. Her debut novel, the Chinese historical fantasy She Who Became the Sun, was just published by Tor. On your nightstand now: Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto, which is a super fun rom-com caper. The details of Chinese-Indonesian family dynamics are a delight--I've been howling in recognition and texting the best lines to all my friends. I've also just stolen back my early copy of Zen Cho's Black Water Sister from my book-thieving family. Nobody does a comedic-terrifying Chinese grandma as well as Zen. Favorite book when you were a child: Tamora Pierce's Tortall books! I was obsessed with fierce-tempered Alanna, who disguises herself as a boy to take her brother's place as a knight-in-training. I remember finishing Wild Magic, the first book in her next series, and discovering to my shock that the next one wasn't out yet. It was the first time that had ever happened to me. I was so desperate for it that I started to dream about finding it in random places. I was always pleased with the genius story that dream-me was reading, until I woke up and it was ridiculous. Your top five authors: As a proxy, I'll say my current fiction auto-buys are: Tana French, Nghi Vo, Madeline Miller, Naomi Novik and Tasha Suri. Book you've faked reading: Jin Yong is the granddaddy of the wuxia Chinese martial arts adventure genre, but for a long time his books weren't readily available in English. I read an incomplete fan translation of The Legend of the Condor Heroes back in the day, and I suppose I have some secondhand knowledge from TV dramas, but I generally just nod and sweat when people start talking about famous wuxia sects. Though now that there are new translations by Gigi Chang and Anna Holmwood, I no longer have an excuse. Book you're an evangelist for: Garth Greenwell's Cleanness. In particular the story "Gospodar," which is a single BDSM scene, is a revelation. It excavates that incommunicable interiority that gives rise to both the excitement and disappointment of (queer) sexual encounters with strangers. I've never read anything like it. Book you've bought for the cover: Who could pass over the strutting, butch, goth brilliance of Tommy Arnold's cover for Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir? The cherry on top is the Charles Stross blurb that was heard around the world: "Lesbian necromancers in space." I couldn't imagine a better cover for a book that begins, "Gideon Nav packed her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and she escaped from the House of the Ninth." Book you hid from your parents: My parents didn't mind what I read, but before discovering the romance genre, I did hide in the library stacks and surreptitiously re-read the spicy scenes in David Gemmell historical fantasy books. Good ancient Greek warrior content. Book that changed your life: Probably Romeo Dallaire's Shake Hands with the Devil. Dallaire commanded the UN's mission to Rwanda in 1993, and his book is a searing indictment of the international community's refusal to take action in the face of genocidal violence. I was a jaded cog in the international bureaucracy at the time, and I was very familiar with that brand of cowardly, self-serving pettiness. That book told me it was time to get out. Favorite line from a book: "The boy thought that there was something wrong with him. All through his life--even when he was a great man with the world at his feet--he was to feel this gap: something at the bottom of his heart of which he was aware, and ashamed, but which he did not understand." --T.H. White, The Once and Future King. I've always loved this line about Lancelot, whose deepest desires were to be cruel, and because of that strove all the harder to be kind. I never knew, until I read Helen Macdonald's brilliant memoir of grief, H Is for Hawk, that White spent his whole life tormented by his (gay, sadistic, unspeakable) sexuality. It makes this line unbearably sad. Five books you'll never part with: Underland by Robert Macfarlane (brain-opening!), The Shock of the New by Robert Hughes (stunning work of art criticism), The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen (brutal), Wintercombe by Pamela Belle (perfect high-stakes historical romance), House of Aunts by Zen Cho (absolute tearjerker). Book you most want to read again for the first time: When you have friends who are incredible writers, you have the privilege of seeing their books take shape. But it also means you'll never read those finished books for the first time; you'll never get that thrill of opening them and realising they're what you've been looking for. I wish I could experience C.S. Pacat's Kings Rising without knowing how it was going to end the Captive Prince series. I wish I could discover Vanessa Len's time-traveler London of Only a Monster for the first time. Ludington, MI (49431) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 74F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low 58F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Convenient home delivery Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! Get the Ludington Daily News delivered straight to your door and receive unlimited access to our website and e-Edition when you purchase a Print + Digital Subscription. Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas has shared a cheeky picture with her American popstar husband Nick Jonas and called herself a "snack". Priyanka shared the picture on Instagram. In the image, the actress is seen wearing a black and red bikini. Nick is seen shirtless and wearing black swimming trunks. The 'Sucker' hitmaker is seen using a fork and a knife on Priyanka's derriere as she smiles at the camera. "Snack," she wrote as the caption along with a fork and knife emoji. Priyanka has returned back to the US. She was in London shooting for her upcoming series, 'Citadel'. Helmed by 'Avengers' makers Joe and Anthony Russo, 'Citadel' is a spy thriller series co-starring Richard Madden, and is billed as a global event for OTT. Text: IANS Images: Priyanka on Instagram The RAB-3 have arrested four suspects, including a woman, in connection to the crime from Demra in the capital, Keraniganj on the outskirts of the city and Manikganj district on August 1. Bina Rani Das, Additional Superintendent of Police of RAB-3, said once the women reached Dubai, their passports were seized by the traffickers and they were forced to work as sex slaves. The four suspects have been identified as Shamima Akhter, Shankar Biswas, Sheikh Hanif Miah and Jewel Hossain. Das further said that the operation to nab the suspects was carried out when the mother of a victim came to the RAB-3 office and lodged a complaint. The victims said that they were sexually abused in different places, including Dubai, after they were trafficked there in the name of good jobs. According to the police, the gang trafficks women to different countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the promise of good jobs. A large number of Bangladeshi women are falling victims to human trafficking every year and the low conviction rate in such cases is encouraging the perpetrators to continue. Sources said that the gang members prepare all the papers, including passports, visas and tickets, for the targeted women. However, there is a condition that the matter should be kept a secret from their family members. Earlier, the trafficking rings used various tactics to traffic women with the support of travel agencies of the country. Faruk Hossain, Deputy Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told IANS that the trafficking ring is a organised gang of women traffickers and they have been active in Bangladesh for long. There are many Bangladeshi girls in Dubai. Many of them have fallen ill, but not sent to hospital for emergency treatment, not even back to Bangladesh . The traffickers who are caught come out of jail taking the opportunity of the loopholes in the law, police officials told IANS, seeking anonymity. --IANS sumi/ksk/ "War criminals, defeated forces, August 15 killers, and their children are still conspiring against Bangladesh. They're plotting against the country," she said in her address at a programme of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of her Awami League, at Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh (KIB) to mark the National Mourning Day. "Evil forces are pampered by some international forces which had acted against Bangladesh's Liberation War. The nation must remain alert about it," she said, joining the programme virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban. At the beginning of the programme, a one-minute silence was observed to show respect to the martyrs of the August 15, 1975 massacre, where her father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and most of the family were killed. Hasina, the chief patron of BCL, asked its members and ruling party activists and leaders to work for the country being imbued with patriotism and follow the ideals of Bangabandhu, the Father of the Nation. Referring to his hectic nation-building hectic effort, she said the defeated forces staged the August 15 massacre when they saw Bangladesh cannot be stopped from its economic march forward. "We've to move forward keeping that in our mind." She said the defeated forces of 1971 took their revenge with the August 15 carnage and distorted the history of Bangladesh after that, including its liberation struggle. About Ziaur Rahman, who seized power after Sheikh Mujib's assassination, and his engagement in the Liberation War in 1971, Hasina said there is no instance that he fired a single shot at the Pakistani forces. "No one can prove that." She mentioned that Mustaq, Rashid and Farooq, proclaimed killers of Sheikh Mujib, in their interviews with the BBC, admitted that Ziaur Rahman was always with them. "Zia was the source of all power (for them), he betrayed Sheikh Mujib," she stressed. The PM said she is surprised that these people, who had always visited Bangabandhu's house for various purposes, including personal matters, killed him. "How could they do that!" She also highlighted the sacrifice of her mother Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib. "My father could fully engage in the service of the country as he got such a companion beside him... this is a rare instance," she said. The Prime Minister stressed all that Bangladesh has many enemies and massive hurdles in every step of its development journey "Our path of progress is not smooth. It is rather full of hurdles, but we've to move forward overcoming all the odds and obstacles, and we're doing that," she said, adding Bangladesh has stood out on the world stage in the last 12 years. The Prime Minister earlier unveiled a book titled "Matribhumi" and the "Joy Bangla Magazine". --IANS sumi/vd The decision, which the Council announced through a statement on Monday, reversed a decision taken in June when the bloc put the US on the safe travel list just in time for the summer holidays, reports Xinhua news agency. Brussels, Aug 31 (IANS) The Council of the European Union (EU) has recommended that member states of the bloc reintroduce restrictions on travellers from the US due to a Covid-19 resurgence. In the past week, the US reported 977,947 confirmed cases and 7,394 deaths, the most severe in the world, according to the World Health Organization. Apart from the US, the Council also removed Israel, Lebanon, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo from the safe list of countries and regions for nonessential travel. The recommendation is not binding but travellers from these countries and regions will face increased scrutiny and restrictions when they travel to the bloc, including mandatory quarantine. "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 travellers," the Council added. The EU's criteria to determine the third countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted cover the epidemiological situation and overall response to Covid-19, as well as the reliability of the available information and data sources. Reciprocity is also taken into account on a case by case basis. On the latest safe travel list were Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, Japan, Jordan, New Zealand, Qatar, Moldova, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Ukraine and China (subject to confirmation of reciprocity). --IANS ksk/ "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 US," Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesman for the Ministry, told reporters on Monday. Tehran, Aug 31 (IANS) The Iranian Foreign Ministry said that the country will downscale its nuclear activities if the US fully returns to "all of its commitments under the nuclear agreement and UN Security Council Resolution 2231 in a verified manner". If Washington abides by its obligations in such verified way, he added that Iran will accept that the US' 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 the Foreign Ministry in the upcoming continuation of the talks, he went on to say, is yet to be decided by the leadership and will be made public. On August 22, then Foreign Minister-designate Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said in his confidence vote session in Parliament that the country was willing to engage in "reasonable" negotiations that serve the Iranian people's interests. Former US 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 US for the revitalization of the deal. The sixth round of talks ended on June 20, with the talks currently on hiatus. --IANS ksk/ Industry watchers attributed the sharp rise mainly to the relaxing of restrictions on international travellers to Ireland in July, reports Xinhua news agency. Dublin, Aug 31 (IANS) July witnessed a total of 380,700 passengers arriving in Ireland from overseas, up 138 per cent from the previous month, said the country's Central Statistics Office (CSO). From July 19, Ireland has no longer required travellers from other European Union countries to quarantine on arrival if they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, have recovered from the disease in the past six months, or have had a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival. The rules have also been relaxed for travellers from the US, the UK, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, and contributed to a year-on-year rise of 67.5 per cent in July overseas passenger arrivals in Ireland. However, the July 2021 figure is still 82.9 per cent lower than before the pandemic in July 2019, when the country saw over 2.2 million passengers arriving from abroad, said the CSO. Of the overseas passengers arriving in Ireland in July, 85.8 per cent came by air and 14.2 per cent by sea, while 57.2 per cent via by the European continental route, 32.3 per cent across the channel from the UK, and 7 per cent by the transatlantic route. The CSO also said that Britain was the most important routing country in July, accounting for over 32 per cent of total arrivals in the month, followed by Spain and Poland. In the first seven months of this year, 919,800 passengers arrived in Ireland from overseas, down 73 per cent compared with the same period last year. --IANS ksk/ Kuala Lumpur, Aug 31 (IANS) Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is under self-quarantine after coming into close contact with a Covid-19 patient, his office said in a statement. Ismail Sabri was not able to attend the swearing-in ceremony of his cabinet, which was held at the National Palace on Monday, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying. Tripoli, Aug 31 (IANS) More than 1,000 illegal migrants were rescued off the Libyan coast over the past week, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said. "In the period of August 22-28, 1,131 migrants were rescued/intercepted at sea and returned to Libya," IOM said. The Organization said that a total of 23,550 illegal migrants, including women and children, were rescued and returned to Libya, Xinhua news agency reported. "Thus far, about 18 suspects have been arrested by the police and Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI). Some have already appeared in various courts in Gauteng, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal with others having been granted bail and others remanded in custody," said police spokesperson Katlego Mogale. Johannesburg, Aug 31 (IANS) South African police said they have arrested 18 suspects for inciting violence during the unrest last month which was triggered in the wake of former President Jacob Zuma's imprisonment. She said one of the suspects, 36-year-old Zamaswazi Zinhle Majozi, created a Twitter account under the handle "Sphithiphithi Evaluator" with almost 60,000 followers where she incited people to commit crimes. "Majozi is alleged to have incited public violence in the content she circulated on her social media accounts which resulted in the looting and burning that occurred at Brookside Mall in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The case was postponed to October 18, 2021," Mogale said. Another 35-year-old suspect appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate's Court. The unrest in July claimed the lives of 337 people, while more than 2,500 people have been arrested in connection. Zuma, once known for his fight against apartheid, has been imprisoned in the Estcourt Correctional Centre for 15 months for disobeying court orders. He did not testify before the judicial commission that was investigating accusations of corruption against him between 2009-2018. --IANS ksk/ 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. Hyderabad, Aug 30 (IANS) 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. 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. --IANS ms/vd As IT operations are vital for business succession. A data centre is an industrial-scale operation using as much electricity as a small town. It generally includes backup components and infrastructure for power supply, data communication connections, environmental controls. A data centre is a dedicated space inside a building that houses computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. Dynamic infrastructure provides the ability to intelligently, automatically, and securely move workloads within a data centre anytime, anywhere, for migrations, provisioning, to enhance performance or building co-location facilities. As per the data centre network architecture, communications in data centres are often based on networks running the IP protocol suite. Redundancy of the Internet connection is usually provided by using two or more upstream service providers. Some of the servers at the data centre are used for running the essential Internet and intranet services needed by internal users in the organization, e.g., e-mail servers, proxy servers, and DNS servers. Network security elements are also usually deployed: firewalls, VPN gateways, intrusion detection systems, etc. Data centres need a lot of power, consumed by two main usages: the power required to run the actual equipment and the power expected to cool the equipment. Power efficiency reduces the first category. Cooling cost cut from natural ways comprises location decisions: When the focus is not near good fibre connectivity, power grid connections, and people-concentrations to manage the equipment, a data centre can be miles away from the users. 'Mass' data centres like Google or Facebook don't need to be near population centres. Arctic locations that can use outside air, which produces cooling, are getting more popular. Renewable electricity sources are another plus. Thus countries with favourable conditions, such as Canada, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Switzerland, are attracting cloud computing data centres. Bitcoin mining is increasingly being seen as a potential way to build data centres at the site of renewable energy production. Curtailed and clipped energy can secure transactions on the Bitcoin blockchain providing another revenue stream to renewable energy producers. It is tough to reuse the heat which comes from air-cooled data centres. For this reason, data centre infrastructures are more often equipped with heat pumps. An alternative to heat pumps is the adoption of liquid cooling throughout a data centre. Different fluid cooling techniques are mixed and matched to allow a fully liquid-cooled infrastructure that captures all water heat. Microsoft Executive on Data Centres in Metro Cities: India Major global cities like Amsterdam and Singapore are shunning new data centres because they "suck out" power. A senior industry official said we need to be cautious about concentrating all the capacities in or around the financial capital. The executive from global tech major Microsoft suggested that rather than focusing on one city like Mumbai or Delhi, or Chennai, there has to be diversification in geographical locations. "Many of the developed cities, many of the developed countries have actually stopped building datacentres in those cities. Cities like Amsterdam, modern city like Ireland, extremely modern city like Singapore, have almost stopped development of new datacentres in their cities. They are sucking out entire power of that city," Rahul Dhar, country director, data centres, for Microsoft, said at an event organized by industry lobby CII. He also said the global experience gives something to learn for India and wondered if we have a task force working on the same. "How can we completely decongest a city like Mumbai because it is sucking out the entire power of Mumbai or may be some other city like Chennai or New Delhi?" It can't be seen until a few years ago, Maharashtra was facing an acute shortage of power, and it was an islanding system that saved its capital Mumbai from the broader woes of the state. Speaking at the same event, Sify Technologies' Kamal Nath said his company set up India's first data centre in the Vashi railway station because of higher assurance of power supply at the site. At present, over half of the data centre capacity of the country is concentrated in Mumbai, and estimates suggest the same contribution continues even as the industry grows significantly owing to increased digital adoption, executives said. They attributed the high interest in the financial capital to factors like cable landing, power availability and stability, dense fibre networks, and supportive government policies. In the last three years, Nath said over half of the overall 240 MW of data centres added nationally have been in Mumbai or around. The overall capacity in Mumbai presently stands at 200 MW and is expected to more than double to 410 MW by 2023, he said, pointing out that the stretch from Airoli to Mahape in Navi Mumbai is a hub. He also announced a slew of expansion plans his own company is undertaking to increase capacities without disclosing the investments. Speaking at the same event, Maharashtra's industries minister Subhash Desai welcomed the interest shown by the industry and committed the state's support. He said another 200 acres in Navi Mumbai is the first step for growing the data centre business and spoke about committing space near Pune and Nagpur for such facilities. He also said that the MIDC could acquire even small tracts of land of up to 10 acres for datacentres by invoking "statutory" provisions so that the industry gets un-encumbered land. The state will do more once its new policy on information technology and information technology-enabled services comes in. The MIDC expects a government resolution on the same in the next month. 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." To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! Thirteen superannuation funds have failed the federal governments performance test designed to name and shame underperformers, including funds from the Commonwealth Bank, Westpacs BT and Christian Super. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) released the first results of its annual performance test on Tuesday, that ranked 76 MySuper funds based on fees and returns, as part of the federal governments Your Future Your Super bill passed earlier this year. Commonwealth Bank super funds are among the 13 failed funds highlighted in APRAs new review. Credit:Attila Csaszar The failed funds which include Westpacs BT Super Fund, Commonwealth Bank Group Super and Christian Supers MyEthical option now have four weeks to send a letter to members informing them of the result and suggesting they switch funds. Your superannuation product has performed poorly under an annual performance test that was introduced by the Australian Government to make sure Australians are getting the most out of their super, the letter reads. BHP versus Andrew Forrest was once a David and Goliath fight confined to the Pilbara. Today the battle between the two titans of iron ore, has moved to the far reaches of Northern Canada and the quarry they both seek is a nickel company no one has ever heard of. So small and financially embattled is Noront Resources, that nine months ago it was worth just around $70 million dollars - little more than the petty cash held in the head offices of BHP and Forrests Fortescue. Thanks to the bidding war between Forrest and BHP, Noront is now capitalised at $380 million and counting. Forrest lifted his offer this week to C70 cents per share - trumping BHPs C55 cents. Andrew Forrest has turned up the heat on BHP in the fight for Noront Resources. Credit:Bloomberg Despite his corporate and financial success the battle still feels personal for Forrest who is prepared to devote time and emotion to a bare knuckle brawl with the Big Australian. Stem cell treatments maker Mesoblast faces a new hurdle after the US medicines regulator told the company it would need to run another trial of its COVID-19 treatment before it could apply for emergency approvals. Shares in the Melbourne biotech fell 15.9 per cent to $1.67 on Tuesday after it revealed a loss of $US98.8 million ($134.6 million) for 2021. Mesoblast shares dropped 12 per cent at Tuesdays open. Credit: The company wants to get its flagship product remestemcel-L approved to treat an acute immune reaction called graft-versus-host disease in children, as well as using this same drug to treat severe respiratory distress caused by COVID-19. Mesoblast experienced a shock setback last October when the US Food and Drug Administration asked it to provide more data on the treatment before it could secure approvals. Harvey Normans repayment of $6 million in JobKeeper payments establishes a new ethical test for businesses that had one hand out for taxpayer subsidies while another raked in healthy profits during the pandemic. Under the letter of the law, businesses that made a healthy profit during the pandemic are entitled to pocket their JobKeeper wage subsidies. But public opinion strongly suggests that those who turned a profit have an ethical obligation to repay the subsidies. An exclusive poll for the Herald shows Australians overwhelmingly believe companies that have used the federal governments $98 billion JobKeeper program to boost their profits should now repay the cash. Many companies applied for the subsidy after fearing a massive downturn in sales at the beginning of the pandemic. A surge in online shopping helped some businesses during this period, especially large retailers. Many, including Harvey Norman, prospered during the pandemic, including during lockdowns. After facing public pressure to give the money back, and previously refusing, Harvey Norman founder Gerry Harvey finally announced to the ASX on Tuesday that it would return $6.02 million in JobKeeper subsidies to the tax office. This followed a year of record sales and earnings for the business, which reported a 15.3 per cent increase in total revenue to $9.72 billion. Christian OConnell continues to laugh in the face of his own memoir, winning his 10th straight survey and putting the lie to the titular claim that No One Listens to Your Dads Show. OConnells breakfast show on Gold 104.3 lifted by 0.3 points to an 8.9 per cent share of the Melbourne market, making his the most-listened-to FM breakfast show once again. That fresh start set the station up for another strong showing, winning its 13th straight survey in Melbourne on the FM band. Ten in a row: Gold FMs breakfast host Christian OConnell stretches his winning streak. Credit:Marco Vittur However, the station generally suffered slight declines across the rest of the day and an overall dip of 0.4 points to a 10 per cent share across seven days. Its a privilege to be someones friend right now, said OConnell, the 48-year-old who left behind an established career on English radio to try his hand in Australia in June 2018. Its never been a tougher time for Melbourne and my listeners. Federal Liberal minister Christian Porter has won a legal bid to stop Nine and News Corp using or reporting on secret parts of the ABCs defence to his defamation claim which have been removed from a publicly-accessible court file but were obtained by the media outlets lawyers. Mr Porter agreed in May to withdraw his high-stakes defamation case against the ABC, and filed an official notice of discontinuance this month. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday August 3. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The ABC and Mr Porter agreed as part of a settlement to seek a court order that 27 pages of the ABCs 37-page defence to his claim be removed from the courts public records. Justice Jayne Jagot upheld their agreement last month and ordered that the pages, which were covered by a temporary suppression order, be removed from the public court file and placed in a separate part of the courts records that is not open for inspection. Does closing schools keep children safe? Ive used a lot of ink on the evidence for children, COVID-19 and Delta over past week. For a full accounting, read our explainer here. Heres the condensed version: The evidence shows, to the best of our knowledge to date, COVID-19 even with Delta remains a mild illness for children, says Royal Australasian College of Physicians president-elect and paediatrician Dr Jacqueline Small. The evidence is the same for long COVID. The best data we have (and the data is not great, to be honest) suggests kids are at very small risk. A teacher wears a face mask at a school in Berlin, Germany. Credit:Getty Images Consistent evidence suggests schools are not major places where children catch and share COVID-19, although Delta is increasing infection rates overall. This surprises parents given kids are so snotty! But we have to remember that COVID-19 is unlike other respiratory viruses: for reasons we still dont understand, kids seem to have very strong innate defences. There is an unworldly response to a small risk in children, which has been horribly, horribly overinflated, says Robert Booy, professor of child health at the Childrens Hospital at Westmead. Does closing schools stop the virus? It remains unclear how much of a role children play in spreading COVID-19, but the data seems to trend toward not as much as adults. Two small Australian studies of infected children found they gave it to perhaps 1 per cent of their close contacts. Theres some pretty good evidence from the UK that kids are at greater risk of catching COVID-19 if they are at home than if they go to school (adults are not at greater risk if they live with kids). Why? Because schools are actually pretty good at preventing kids from giving each other COVID-19 and because we know the vast majority of COVID-19 transmission happens in the home. A better argument might be that stopping school is not about preventing kids from getting infected, but instead is about stopping parents from moving around picking them up and dropping them off. Unreleased modelling done for the Victorian government showed that was an important part of reducing infections, The Age and the Herald understand, and probably informs its current position. But remember: this is a wider social benefit that mostly accrues to the oldest members of society who face the most risk of COVID-19, and benefits children the least. Is closing schools bad? In theory, yes. The evidence we have from school closures pre-COVID is they are bad for kids development, health and wellbeing. Education is one the biggest factors in a persons life that will decide just how good their life is going to be. Thats why paediatricians from the Sydney and Melbourne childrens hospitals and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute have been repeatedly calling for schools to stay open during lockdowns much as Britain did during its successful November lockdown. Students at a school in New York join in a discussion about vaccines. Credit:AP In-person learning for kids is very important for their educational outcomes, their general socialisation, mental health and wellbeing, says Professor Kristine Macartney, director of the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (she told me she supports keeping schools closed during Sydneys current lockdown due to the enhanced risks of more community transmission). Thats particularly so for kids from low socio-economic backgrounds. School is critically important. Losing time, face to face, can be associated with lower educational attainment if its prolonged. Lets start with health and wellbeing. A large systematic review found good evidence school closures as part of broader lockdowns were associated with considerable short-term harms to childrens health and wellbeing (although you might wonder how much of this was the school closure and how much the lockdown in general). What about learning? Heres where things get tricky. There isnt much evidence, because this is new. People try to use prior experiences of school closures as a basis for projecting whats likely to happen but weve never had anything like this, says Laureate Professor Jennifer Gore, from the University of Newcastles Teachers and Teaching Research Centre. The non-COVID evidence is troubling. Take this study from Argentina, where teachers at the nations schools often went on strike. Children exposed to those strikes had lower wages when they reached 30 or 40. Are findings from pre-COVID really applicable to the current pandemic? Its not clear. And were doing things differently. Childrens learning hasnt been shut down instead, there has been a heroic effort by parents and teachers to move it online. A study in the Netherlands tracking the performance of about 350,000 students found an eight-week COVID-19 lockdown led to a drop in performance equivalent to losing a fifth of the school year with the effects much stronger on children from more disadvantaged homes. Professor Gores study came to the opposite conclusion, finding no effect on learning in children in NSW between 2019 and 2020. Early NAPLAN results for 2020 havent budged much, even in Victoria which endured months of lockdown. The evidence that seems to be coming together around COVID-19 seems to reinforce the view that student learning does not suffer too badly, said Professor Gore. Putting it all together All medical interventions, be they vaccination or lockdown or closing schools, come with risks and benefits. It can be scary when the risks are potentially catastrophic to people we hold as the most valuable members of society. Make no mistake: it is extremely rare, but children do die of COVID-19 (385 children have died of COVID-19 in America versus 623,985 adults). But the direct risks to children are very small, all things considered. The risk of being out of school, at least in Australia, is contested and we likely wont know for decades. There could be none. It could be minimal, or mostly for kids from disadvantaged homes. It could be significant. The benefit to children from this policy appears to be a very small reduction and perhaps no reduction at all in the risk of infection. It possibly benefits wider society, although the evidence is again weak. Based on this risk-benefit analysis, would you ask children to make this sacrifice? Having not experienced a health crisis of this scale in more than a century, weve been flying largely blind as to how the COVID pandemic will evolve and the best policy responses to it. Staring into the unknown, we can form an uncertain view about the path ahead based on theory and what little existing data we have. But we must be prepared to rapidly and frequently update this view as new data emerges. Indeed, so many of our pandemic policy failures have resulted from our failure to stay ahead of the curve in this way. Vaccine effectiveness is a prime example. Back when all we had were the results from phase-three trials, the mRNA vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna appeared to be significantly more efficacious in preventing infection than the viral vector vaccines made by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. Healthcare workers deserve maximum protetion. Credit:Kate Geraghty With only those data available and a desire to limit transmission it was appropriate to favour the mRNA vaccines, while keeping an open mind as new data became available. It would have been premature to denigrate AstraZeneca on the basis solely of those early data. And as billions of jabs have been administered around the world for almost nine months, new data has emerged that should lead us to update our prior beliefs. The latest such emergence is a likely waning in the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine that Australia has come to rely heavily upon. Because Israel relied solely on Pfizer and did so far earlier and faster than other countries, it offers a valuable indicator of where we might find ourselves in the months ahead. An elderly man has been found dead after a fire broke out in a granny flat in Sydneys south-west on Tuesday afternoon. Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Scott Dodson said firefighters were called to a property on Belmont Road, Glenfield, about 4.15pm following multiple reports of a house fire. A mans body has been found in a Glenfield granny flat following a fire. Credit:Nine News He said seven crews arrived at the scene to find an intense fire burning in the back of the property. The fire was very fierce and well-developed, Superintendent Dodson said. Ben Millington will spend the next 14 days in hotel quarantine following a five-week stint in Canada battling blazes with more than 50 other Australian firefighters. But these battles may soon be much closer to home, with NSWs season just around the corner. And this year, firefighters will also have to contend with COVID-19. Mr Millington, the NSW Rural Fire Service Assistant Commissioner and director of state operations said the agency had brought home several lessons from their deployment overseas. The 55-person contingent from the NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW State Emergency Service and Western Australia, arrived back in Australia on Tuesday following a five-week deployment to Canada. Credit:NSW RFS Last season, when COVID-19 first came to light, the RFS did a lot of planning and that has continued ahead of the 2021-22 season, he said. This deployment showed how Canadian authorities have prepared and how that compares our arrangements. I think what we have done to date holds us in good stead, but certainly, weve taken a number of lessons, that well be discussing over the next couple of weeks and how we can adapt those for NSW. The boss of the NSW correctional system is developing plans for the rapid release of fewer than 1000 inmates if a prison outbreak of COVID-19 worsens, but is confident of eliminating the virus without the need to use these emergency powers. Authorities have scrambled to contain the Delta variant cluster at Parklea prison in Sydneys north-west, which has infected 74 inmates and triggered a system-wide lockdown as Corrective Services NSW identified 198 inmates who were moved to other facilities over the past two weeks. An outbreak at Parklea prison has so far infected 74 inmates. Credit:Nick Moir All the inmates moved from Parklea to other prisons were put into isolation and tested, with no positive cases returned among the 60 per cent of tests that had been processed as of Tuesday afternoon. Corrective Services acting Commissioner Kevin Corcoran said the statewide lockdown was imposed on Sunday night after Parklea was locked down on Saturday so prisons could get a handle on case numbers across the system. Twelve prisons have now been released from lockdowns after being cleared and another 10 may follow by Wednesday. Premier Gladys Berejiklian has repeatedly warned that October would be the worst month for hospitals in NSW, but on Tuesday would not outline the modelling or health advice that informed that belief. The modelling changes every day, and it would be inappropriate to say, today its this, tomorrow its that. We dont know the answer as to what it would be in October, she said. There are 871 COVID-19 patients in NSW hospitals, including 143 in ICU. The Premier said hospitalisations were at 5.5 per cent of active cases and the state had room to move in terms of capacity. UNSW epidemiologist Associate Professor James Wood said, while hospitalisation rates should decline with the rapid uptake in vaccination, caution should be taken when analysing data because of high growth rates in cases in the past weeks and recent cases wont be hospitalised immediately. Loading Dr Wood said higher vaccination rates will likely to cut transmission down by 50 per cent, compared with what it was before vaccination. But it will require our second dose rates to continue to improve, he said. Infections in unvaccinated or partially vaccinated nurses at Sydneys hospitals continue to send ward staff into isolation. On Friday, an unvaccinated nurse at St George Hospital, who did not acquire their infection at work, tested positive, resulting in 29 other staff members needing to isolate. Last month, a 37-person outbreak at Liverpool Hospital was linked to a partially vaccinated student nurse. With vaccination mandatory in the aged care sector from September 17, Health Services Union Secretary Gerard Hayes said he expected there would be staffing issues. In some areas, particularly regional areas, they are trying to get vaccinated but they cant, he said. And sometimes they have bookings, but their work is short of staff so they have to cancel. In a statement, NSW Health said it would be working with the federal government to ensure all staff across the state have the opportunity to be vaccinated before the deadline. NSW Nurses and Midwives Association General Secretary Brett Holmes said the union had already received a handful of resignations due to the policy, although most members were vaccinated. A survey of 7000 of the unions members showed more than 75 per cent were fully vaccinated (87 per cent in the Sydney metropolitan area). Eighty-four per cent had received one dose. Loading However, 6 per cent of survey respondents said they did not agree with COVID-19 vaccination, and about one in 10 disagreed with making it mandatory to the extent they had considered leaving the industry. Some nurses, they feel their consent has been taken away and the compulsory nature alone is a disincentive to them, he said The union has been running webinars about the COVID-19 vaccine and strongly encourages its members to be vaccinated. Mr Holmes said he believed the choice of the Pfizer vaccine would assist some in deciding to receive a shot. People who are strongly opposed are already resigning to us, and then next test will be whether they turn up to work on September 6 or September 30, he said. We dont know how strong those convictions are, but it is inevitable that some will decide to leave and this is the last time we want to lose people from the frontline. Alison Hodak, president of the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses, expressed concern about maintaining one-to-one nursing care in ICU and a need to divide the patient load more evenly across Sydneys hospitals. What we are seeing in overseas countries, that are six to 12 months ahead of where we are at, is nurses are now leaving the workforce, she said. Various exemptions to the requirement exist in the public health order mandating vaccination, including for health practitioners acting in a medical or non-medical emergency (such as a fire or gas leak), or those unable to be vaccinated due to a medical contraindication. The order also contains a provision to exempt a person or class of persons from the rules if the Minister is satisfied it is necessary to protect the health and wellbeing of persons. The Premier on Tuesday said she was looking forward to a better spring than winter because two-thirds of the states adult population have now received at least one dose of a vaccine. NSW recorded 1164 new local coronavirus cases and another three deaths, but Ms Berejiklian insisted the most important numbers now were how many people were in hospital and how many were vaccinated. When the vast majority of people are vaccinated, case numbers, of course, will matter. But theyll matter less when youve got higher rates of vaccination because that will tell you to what extent the hospital system can cope, she said. Cases in NSW continue to be largely recorded in Sydneys west, particularly in Guildford, Merrylands, Auburn, Greenacre, Bankstown and Blacktown. Health authorities remain concerned by ongoing transmission in the states west and far west, with another 58 cases announced on Tuesday. Mr Hazzard said he had engaged Planning Minister Rob Stokes to seek approvals for portable accommodation to be arranged in Wilcannia, which lacked alternative accommodation for cases. He said vaccination of Indigenous communities had been the responsibility of the federal government, and, while low rates were disappointing and concerning, he urged against laying blame. What we should be doing is putting all our energies, state and federal, to try and make sure that everybody who wants to be vaccinated is vaccinated, he said. NSW Police have arrested more than 150 people and issued almost 600 fines after dozens of co-ordinated anti-lockdown protests were held across the state on Tuesday, primarily targeting local council chambers. Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon said three officers had received minor injuries during 79 unauthorised demonstrations with fines issued for breaches of public health orders. Police disrupted dozens of coordinated protests in NSW on Tuesday. Credit:Getty Images NSW Police have been monitoring the online activities of fringe groups behind the demonstrations with officers deployed to various sites expected to be targeted by protesters, including Parliament House and council chambers. Police attended the protests across NSW, including 29 in Sydney, 25 in the northern part of the state, 14 in the south and nine in the western region. A brothel in Sydneys west has been shut down and $12,500 in fines issued after police allege it was operating in breach of the public health order and no one at the premises was wearing a face mask. One woman is also due to face court in October after allegedly attempting to return to the address. Officers were called to the brothel in Rydalmere about 10.15pm on Monday after receiving a tip-off via Crime Stoppers that the business was still in operation. Rydalmere is in the Parramatta local government area, considered an area of concern by the NSW government and under tighter lockdown restrictions including a 9pm to 5am curfew. Police spoke with the 57-year-old female owner before entering the premises and finding three women aged 31, 36 and 56, considered employees, and two men aged 56 and 57, considered patrons. Queensland will begin a trial of home quarantine to allow boarders from schools in hotspot regions to return to their families in time for the September school holidays as the state notched up 24 days without a case of COVID-19 in the community. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told Queensland Parliament on Tuesday there had been no new cases reported from more than 11,000 tests, as the state ticked over 51 per cent of its eligible population having received at least one dose of a vaccine. News of the trial for students at interstate boarding schools comes days after the state put a two-week pause on people relocating, or residents returning, to the state from hotspot regions because of pressure on the hotel quarantine system. Last week Ms Palaszczuk said her government was not considering home quarantine amid the toughest border measures in place throughout the pandemic. The family of a soldier who died in an army vehicle rollover at a north Queensland training area has been left heartbroken. Defence and police will investigate the deaths of Brendon Payne, 29, and a 40-year-old male soldier who is yet to be identified after the crash on Dotswood Road, near Mingela west of Townsville, involving members of the Brisbane-based 7th Combat Brigade on Monday. Brendon Payne, 29, has been identified as one of two soldiers who were killed on Monday. Credit:Facebook Mr Paynes aunt, Leanne Payne, shared her grief on social media. Yesterday we were told heartbreaking news that my gorgeous nephew was killed training in Townsville in his beloved army, she said on Facebook. An independent report into the tragedy of a five-month-old baby who died in the arms of her mother when they were swooped at a suburban park has found Brisbane City Council did not react quickly enough against the aggressive magpie, and that warning signs at the park were inadequate. Five-month-old Mia died after her mother fell while being swooped by a magpie. Credit:Internet Paramedics were called to Glindemann Park at Holland Park, in Brisbanes south, about midday on August 8 after the mother tripped and fell. Mia was rushed to hospital in a critical condition before she died. An independent review by KPMG, ordered by lord mayor Adrian Schrinner, found there were five notifications of magpie swoopings in the park that season before the tragedy. Last year Jimmy Rose, a support worker for the homeless, had more than 30 COVID-19 tests to help calm the fears of rough sleepers needing to be tested for the virus. The 50-year-old, who once slept on the streets himself, is now helping encourage the City of Melbournes homeless people to get vaccinated at a centre opening at Melbourne Town Hall on Wednesday. Peer support worker Jimmy Rose (right) chats to his friend Greg outside Melbournes new vaccine centre dedicated to the citys homeless and disadvantaged. Credit:Jason South Ive had AstraZeneca myself, Mr Rose said. I tell them, it didnt kill me. Im more likely to win Tattslotto. One of the main issues is with drug users. I say, Listen mate, the stuff that you are shooting up your arm is more likely going to give you a clot than the AstraZeneca. Eligible COVID-19 patients in Shepparton will have access to a newly approved drug that mimics natural antibodies to fight off coronavirus as local infections continue to grow. The regional city north of Melbourne has one of the biggest clusters in Victoria, with 106 active cases and nine new infections reported on Tuesday. Australian Defence Force personnel helping with Covid-19 tests at the Shepparton showgrounds. Credit:Justin McManus Local authorities expect the case numbers to rise in Shepparton as some people wait more than two days from the onset of symptoms before coming forward for testing. The coronavirus treatment sotrovimab received provisional approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration earlier this month. For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Generally, whenever someone is tested for COVID-19 in Australia behind the long queues to the Q-tip and then the ping of results to a phone many hours later are lab workers poring over tiny particles collected from the slime in your nose, hunting for the tell-tale genetic code of the virus. But in the United Kingdom, you can pick up a home testing kit at a pharmacy, swab, and have your results in 20 minutes. As NSW struggles to contain its current Delta outbreak, frontline workers in high-risk areas are undergoing regular testing with these rapid antigen kits too. The federal government says its now considering how the tests might fit into the national plan to reopen Australia, and some businesses are already offering them to staff. But scientists stress they are no substitute for the current gold standard PCR lab test. So, how do these tests work and, with testing still a crucial part of our fight against COVID, will they become part of our daily lives? Australia has been slower than other nations to implement rapid antigen tests. Credit:Kate Geraghty What are rapid antigen tests and how are they different from other tests? The rapid antigen tests are not the finger-prick antibody tests you might have heard about early in the pandemic those test our blood for the virus-killing proteins made by our immune system after it encounters the virus. These antibodies can take some time to show up in your system so blood tests are not good at picking up early infections (which is also when people are most infectious). Instead, the antigen tests, as with PCR, test for the virus itself. Both tests involve collecting a sample from where we shed viral particles the nose and mouth. But, as Professor Deborah Williamson, deputy director of the Microbiological Diagnostic Unit at the Doherty Institute explains, the rapid tests dont need to go quite as far up the nose as the famously eye-watering PCR swab. Thats known as the brain tickler, she says, with the Q-tip inserted high up the nose and then the back of the throat. Advertisement These PCR tests amplify their sample in the lab to see if it matches the coronaviruss genetic code (PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction, the lab technique that spins up DNA). The tiniest fragments of the virus can be found this way, even if its already dead. That makes PCR tests almost 100 per cent accurate, but it also means results are slower, taking many hours, and more expensive about $100 per test compared to $5 to $30 for an antigen test (though PCR tests are free, covered by Medicare). The rapids, meanwhile, are more like a pregnancy test, Williamson says. Except obviously, its a, ahem, quite different bodily fluid being sampled. They use a little chemistry set to test for a particular protein of the virus, known as an antigen, in your nasal swab by seeing if it reacts to a solution. The swab is generally placed in a dropper of solution to drip onto the paper of the test container for results. These take between 15 and 30 minutes to emerge (one line on the test means negative, two lines mean positive). Rapid results help health authorities isolate cases much earlier, cutting off the viruss spread, and could lighten the load on PCR labs or improve COVID surveillance or screening before flights and events. About 20 rapid antigen tests are already authorised for use in Australia by its medical regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) but you need training to use one; generally a registered healthcare worker will come in to perform them. Home testing kits, along the lines of those used in the UK, are banned. How accurate are rapid antigen tests? Because the rapid tests are not amplifying the viral sample, Williamson says, they are inherently less sensitive than PCR. At the tail end of Melbournes second wave in October, she ran a trial across the emergency departments of three major Melbourne hospitals. About 2500 people who needed a PCR test for COVID got an antigen test too, and the team could compare the results as well as the logistics of rolling them out. People found the kits pretty easy to use, she says. And we did find the rapid tests were about as sensitive as the manufacturer had said. It found about 77 per cent of all cases in their [main] two-week infectious period. But it was more sensitive in the first seven days of symptoms. A review of similar trials around the world found that, when used as a one-off diagnostic tool in this way, antigen tests would pick up about 72 per cent of cases with symptoms, but only 58 per cent of those without symptoms, and some brands were better than others. That means a lot of cases will slip through the cracks as false negatives. But, when the rapid tests are used frequently to screen the same people, say for testing frontline workers every few days, errors can be cancelled out, and their overall accuracy climbs back closer to PCR tests, which are harder to use continuously. Advertisement In August, the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia warned against the uncontrolled use of rapid antigen tests due to their sensitivity limitations, but acknowledged that states fighting outbreaks may need to use them for surveillance screening. Still, President Dr Michael Dray said the tests should never be used alone for diagnosis as any false negative may provide unwarranted reassurance and lead to ongoing community transmission. And he added: It is wrong to automatically assume that mass surveillance through frequent use of [rapid tests] may detect ... infection more (or as) quickly as infrequent use of the superior gold standard PCR. While that strategy has some rationale in countries such as the US and the UK where the virus is everywhere, and PCR testing cannot keep up, Dray said not enough is known about how it would work in countries such as Australia and New Zealand with fewer cases. Yet in a February letter in The Lancet, a group of senior researchers stressed that the main role of the rapid tests was to pick up cases while they were infectious with COVID and shedding a lot of virus. PCR tests will always be better for tracking down the asymptomatic cases. When paired with PCR, a major trial in the UK city of Liverpool found regular screening with the rapid tests helped flatten overall caseloads. The Delta variant is twice as infectious as the original strain of the virus that emerged in Wuhan in late 2019, meaning the amount of virus people shed (viral load) is higher. So tests like these might pick it up more often, says Associate Professor David Anderson, a microbiologist at the Burnet Diagnostics Initiative. When we first were trialling the different kinds of tests, the original strains didnt have as much viral load to work with. Loading Pathologists have been accused of running a testing cartel in their opposition to rapid tests, as they make money from processing the PCR results, but Anderson and Williamson say there are good reasons to be cautious of antigen kits, and proper trials are needed in Australia. What works in the UK and the United States will not necessarily work here. The tests really have a lot of promise, Anderson says. Theyre much better than the finger-prick antibody tests for finding infectious people. But we cant just blindly spend millions [of dollars] rolling them out until we know more about how theyll work best. The UK has spent hundreds of millions of pounds on them with very little coordination, and they still dont really know whether theyve helped [at scale]. The federal Department of Health has begun trialling voluntary rapid antigen testing of aged care workers at two facilities in Sydney, which a spokeswoman said would expand to more than 50 providers over the next eight weeks. Advertisement The department is currently considering the use of rapid antigen testing as part of Australias COVID-19 testing strategy and how this might fit into the national plan to transition Australias National COVID Response, she said. As for supply of the tests, she said recent advice from the majority of suppliers is that there is currently no major shortages. So will we be tested everywhere we go with these faster kits? Probably not just yet. Scientists and health departments, including in NSW and Victoria, stress that rapid antigen tests cannot replace PCR, which will still be needed to confirm any positive rapid results arent errors. For people with symptoms or those in quarantine where the risk of exposure is high, Anderson thinks PCR is still best. But for parts of the world where theres no way theyre ever going to be able to have the lab capacity to roll out hundreds of thousands of PCR tests daily like we do, these are a good option. In late 2020, the World Health Organisation began rolling out millions of tests to the developing world which has struggled to access testing equipment just as it has struggled to access vaccines hoarded by wealthier nations. Loading In countries such as France and the US with high caseloads, antigen testing has helped take the load off PCR labs. And it could help us do the same, Anderson says. But its really for when our vaccination rates are up higher, say at 80 per cent, then we can afford to miss more cases and accept more risk. Williamson agrees. Countries such as Germany have made accessing much of everyday life, from gyms to dining out, conditional on passing a rapid test. But she says, although its really conceptually attractive to think you could have a one-off rapid test right before you go to the footy or hit the town, this kind of test works better for ongoing screening. People see the gulf between what were doing here in Australia and what [some countries] overseas are doing with these tests. And yes, the TGA has put in place a very strong regulatory framework around testing but thats served us well. Advertisement Still, she notes that how we use the tests will also depend on how much virus is loose in the community. As we transition through the pandemic and we start to think about opening up, there are very real questions of whether that PCR capacity will still meet demand for testing, it seems unlikely it will. So last year rapid antigen tests werent thought to have a role [because] theyre not as accurate and we had PCR capacity and low cases but now is the time to trial them and see how they might fit in. NSW is planning to use the tests to help students return to school, something that has been trialled in the UK and elsewhere. But the only real way we will know how it will work here is if we do proper studies too, Williamson says. Many businesses will inevitably adopt staff screening using the rapid tests, she adds. But a lot of the onus will be on those workplaces. The TGA has now released guidelines for businesses bringing in the tests and a NSW Health spokeswoman said it was expected that workplaces would secure and cover the cost of TGA-approved testing kits. If youre screening workers every three days, for example, youll still miss people, Anderson warns. Even NSWs [rapid testing of frontline workers] in high-risk areas, we know there are cases outside those areas too. But screening is a worthwhile thing to do if we dont have the capacity for PCR. People stacking shelves at the supermarket at two in the morning away from everyone probably arent the ones Id target. But people working in say aged care, oh yes. Already some people are required to return a negative PCR test a few days before certain activities, such as boarding a plane. But, because of the delay in PCR testing turnaround, a new infection can take hold in that window. Really, PCR testing, if it takes more than a day to come back, its not working, Anderson says. Thats why some experts have suggested an extra layer of rapid testing on-site at the airport or concert line will cut down spread even further. But Anderson doesnt see long queues to get tested before a live show or the footy as the answer because some cases will still get through, and then you think everyone around you is safe, youve let your guard down. Still a one-off test at the MCG is different to, say, a school because there you could have repeated screening. Advertisement Australia must dramatically increase its action on climate change to protect the Great Barrier Reef from global warming decimation, says Special Envoy Warren Entsch, as the latest government data shows Australia will need drastic cuts to industrial emissions if its to reach net zero. The Member for Leichhardt in north Queensland was appointed to bring focus to the World Heritage-listed coral reef in 2019. His latest report to Environment Minister Sussan Ley was published on Tuesday. Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef Warren Entsch. Credit:Getty Images Minister, as you know, this year is an incredibly important time for increasing global ambition on reducing emissions and addressing climate change, Mr Entsch said. The science illustrates very clearly why we ought to undertake accelerated changes to reach net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. Mr Entsch said he had continued to call on Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor and other senior colleagues for more ambitious climate action. A controversial University of Sydney lecturer who was sacked after superimposing a swastika on an Israeli flag has won a key victory in his battle to be reinstated, with the federal court declaring academics at the institution are entitled to convey even offensive views in their area of expertise. The decision reverses a previous court ruling that had suggested academic freedom was merely an aspirational goal with no legal force and bolsters academics free speech rights nationally amid a focus on censorship on campuses. Former Sydney University academic Tim Anderson has won a victory in his battle against the University of Sydney. Credit:Facebook But it does not mean the lecturer, Tim Anderson, will ultimately win his legal campaign to get his job back because another judge now has to examine whether his conduct was within the bounds of academic freedom or went too far. Dr Anderson, who came to national prominence when he was acquitted of planning the 1978 Hilton Hotel bombing in Sydney, taught political economy from an anti-imperialist perspective at the university from 1998 until 2019, when he was fired after a string of online incidents from 2017. Schools will not be allowed to reopen under the latest measures, but Mr Andrews said he would outline a plan on Wednesday for senior students to return to the classroom. Loading Senior government sources previously told The Age ministers should consider reopening playgrounds and allowing year 12 students back into the classroom as extinguishing the current Delta outbreak was looking highly unlikely. Deakin University chair in epidemiology Catherine Bennett predicted the first restrictions to be eased would be less risky measures, such as lifting the curfew and allowing people more time to exercise outdoors. In the coming weeks, she expected a soft opening for some businesses that might allow some people to sit outdoors at cafes. Although the Victorian government has officially shifted its tough stance on eliminating the virus, Mr Andrews stressed on Tuesday that the aim remained to drive case numbers as low as possible and close to zero to ensure the states hospitals were not overwhelmed. This is bloody tough, no one is pretending otherwise, he said. [On Wednesday], well announce thresholds, low numbers we think we can contain. Well always push to get as low as we possibly can, but if, despite our best efforts, zero is not something that we can achieve, I make two points: it cant be much more than zero and secondly, we are better off for having chased zero, otherwise it finishes up thousands of cases. Professor Sutton and his public health team spent Tuesday afternoon finalising the road map for COVID-19 restrictions until Victoria hits its vaccination targets and determining the tolerable case thresholds that need to be reached before an easing of lockdown rules. The governments eight senior ministers, including the Premier, met on Tuesday night to decide on the settings. The wider cabinet is expected to sign off on the new rules and path to reopening on Wednesday morning. Loading In NSW, the government has already promised to allow fully vaccinated people living outside areas of concern to meet up to four people from other households outdoors. Those living in hotspot areas will be able to gather outdoors for recreation, as well as exercise. James McCaw, an epidemiologist and mathematical biologist with the University of Melbourne who provided modelling on the pandemic to the federal government, said it was impossible to determine a magic number that would be achievable to maintain long-term. However, to manage the caseload effectively, Professor McCaw said Victoria could not go beyond a threshold of 100 cases a day. We need measures that keep the daily case counts to no more than 50 to 100 per day ideally, he said. If case counts go higher so in the 200-300 per day it makes future response to the pandemic more difficult ... Without wanting to speculate on the easing of restrictions foreshadowed by Mr Andrews, Professor McCaw said there was scope for minor or small changes to be made to the current restrictions which are both warranted and will be of huge benefit. Epidemiologist Nancy Baxter said Victoria should aim for as low as it can go within a double-digit threshold and that 50 or 100 new daily cases was still far too high. Victoria had roughly 40 new cases who were infectious in the community, a figure Professor Baxter said was very concerning. She said NSW was reporting only 78 cases a day at the end of July, a number which exploded to more than 1000 daily cases in five weeks. Asked about what restrictions the government could safely ease, Professor Baxter said allowing people to exercise for longer outdoors and slightly increasing the five-kilometre radius could be done without the risk of a huge surge in cases. However, she suspected the government might also opt to allow families back into playgrounds. It is more risky, but from a mental health perspective it is something thats quite important. Loading The Premier would not be drawn on which restrictions would be eased, but stressed it would not be Freedom Day and that any easing of the rules would be modest and cautious. It will not be an opening-up type of day, Mr Andrews said. Itll be modest changes that hopefully can be meaningful in peoples lives. As much economic activity as is possible, but they will be very modest changes because there is no middle ground here its either very low numbers or very, very high numbers until we get people vaccinated. Last week, Mr Andrews said he did not favour an idea put forward by University of Melbourne epidemiologist Tony Blakely to move to a lighter lockdown with slightly more freedoms in acknowledgement of the difficulty of reaching zero. Under Professor Blakelys suggestion, strict rules would remain, but more time would be allowed outside, the travel limit would become 10 kilometres, some retail could open and essential sectors such as construction could return to greater operating capacity. His modelling on the proposal estimates cases would rise to about 400 a day, but vaccine coverage would curtail the spike by mid-October. However, as Victoria struggles to crush the latest Delta outbreak despite entering into a tough lockdown at the earliest possible time, government MPs have increasingly turned their attention to tweaking the harsh restrictions to ease the mental health burden on Victorians who have endured more than 200 days in lockdown. Of Wednesdays 76 new COVID-19 cases, 45 are linked to existing outbreaks, and 36 were in isolation for their entire infectious period. Seventeen are connected to the MyCentre childcare facility in Broadmeadows, nine to the Shepparton cluster, three to Millers Junction Shopping Centre in Altona North, one to Learning Sanctuary in Spotswood, one to the St Kilda East engagement party cluster, one to Al Taqwa College, one to a retail centre in Fishermans Bend, and 11 to existing clusters which remain a mystery. The message is clear because the message is true and the message is critical, Professor Sutton said. You really need to follow the rules, not just because theyre rules, but it is the way to protect yourself and to protect those that you love ... COVID seeks out all of those gaps the unvaccinated individuals, the individuals who are not doing the right thing, the individuals who get in touch with others unnecessarily and provide an opportunity for transmission. Loading Professor Bennett said while the goal should be to keep new infections in the double digits, even chasing a daily figure of 20 new cases would probably be unachievable in the long term. Its about trying to keep a lid on it, keep the cases numbers where they are or even less, she said. She predicted the numbers would continue to bounce around in the coming months, but the most critical aspect was keeping the reproduction number, the average number of people each infected person passes the virus on to, to below one. Latrobe University Associate Professor Hassan Vally suspected the government might do what it can to reopen small businesses safely. He also predicted authorities would come increasing pressure to lift the curfew as we move into spring and the days get warmer and longer. This is new ground for us, its like a real-time experiment, he said. It could be that the government choose a number of cases per day that they feel their comfortable with, and they play around with restrictions and tinker with the settings depending on how they are tracking. Warsaw: Poland is set to declare a state of emergency along its border with Belarus after accusing Belarusian authorities of allowing thousands of migrants to cross over in an attempt to destabilise the European Union nation. As the bloc braces for a new wave of refugees from Afghanistan, member nations have accused Belarus of using migrants as a weapon and worry that Turkey could do the same, as it has done before. It is the first time since the fall of communism in 1989 that Polish authorities have moved to call a state of emergency, preferring not to do so even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 30 Afghans have been trapped for more than three weeks between armed Belarusian guards on one side and armed Polish forces on the other. Some are ill as they have limited access to food and the weather is getting worse, with recent rain and falling temperatures. Rome: Italys Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio denounced a climate of hatred against the COVID-19 vaccination campaign after receiving death threats on social media. Protests were planned for Wednesday against the governments health pass, which restricts access to an array of services to those who cannot show they have received at least one does of the vaccine, have recently tested negative or recovered. Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio. Credit:AP This is a worrying escalation, a climate of hatred which harms the country but will not stop the vaccination campaign, Di Maio wrote on Facebook of the threats on Thursday (AEST). Demonstrators have said they will gather in front of many train stations in Italy and block the railways, to protest the health pass obligation on trains. New York: US prosecutors said a New Jersey woman calling herself the AntiVaxMomma on Instagram sold several hundred fake COVID-19 vaccination cards at $US200 ($273) a pop to New York City-area jab dodgers, including people working in hospitals and nursing homes. For an extra $US250, a second scammer would then enter a bogus card buyers name into a New York state vaccination database, which feeds systems used to verify vaccine status at places theyre required, such as concerts and sporting events, prosecutors said. An authentic COVID-19 vaccination card. Credit:AP Jasmine Clifford, of Lyndhurst, New Jersey, was charged on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) with offering a false instrument, criminal possession of a forged instrument and conspiracy. Authorities say she sold about 250 fake vaccine cards in recent months. Cliffords alleged co-conspirator, Nadayza Barkley, of Bellport, Long Island, did not enter a plea on arraignment on Tuesday morning in Manhattan criminal court on charges of offering a false instrument and conspiracy. Guantanamo Bay: Three prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay detention centre had their first day in court after being held by the US for 18 years without charge in connection with the deadly 2002 Bali nightclub bombings and other plots in south-east Asia. Indonesian prisoner Encep Nurjaman, known as Hambali, and two Malaysians started their arraignment on Monday (Tuesday AEST) before a military commission in a nearly five-hour hearing at the US base in Cuba, facing charges that include murder, conspiracy and terrorism. The charge sheets issued in 2017 cast Hambali as a leader of Jemaah Islamiyah who began sending followers to al-Qaeda in Afghanistan in the late 1990s for training, specifically in bombing, and that he masterminded the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people, including 88 Australians. The charges also alleged that Hambali dispatched Mohammed Nazir bin Lep, Mohammed Farik bin Amin and two other Malaysians to meet Osama bin Laden in Kabul, Afghanistan, after the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. He had chosen them as would-be suicide bombers in a post- September 11 attack in the United States, perhaps in California, according to the charges. Washington: US President Joe Biden has called the evacuation from Afghanistan an extraordinary success in his first public remarks since the United States withdrew its military from the country, ending a 20-year war. In a speech at times defiant, Biden said the choice in Afghanistan was between leaving or escalating the conflict. Biden pointedly stressed that exiting the war-torn nation would allow the US to focus on future security challenges such as China. US President Joe Biden speaks about the end of the war in Afghanistan. Credit:AP Biden said the US succeeded in what it set out to do in Afghanistan over a decade ago, adding that he was the fourth president to have to decide on whether to stay the course or leave. Biden rejected criticism of his decision to stick to his withdrawal deadline this week, a move that left 100 to 200 Americans in the country along with thousands of US-aligned Afghan citizens. New Zealands COVID numbers have dropped again to the lowest number in six days. Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said on Tuesday that 49 cases had been recorded the previous day, all in Auckland, bringing the total number of infections in this outbreak to 612. New Zealand Pm Jacinda Ardern and Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield. Credit:Getty Images Bloomfield said most importantly, the reproduction rate is remaining under 1, which means cases should continue to decline and were breaking the train of transmission. But he said six cases were under the age of one, reinforcing the need to isolate and remain vigilant. ~Hosted by Student Support Services Division~ PHILIPSBURG Students looking to continue their studies in the Netherlands are urged to sign up for and attend the free online workshop organized by the Student Support Services Division of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport and entitled Applying to Schools in the Netherlands. This workshop is aimed at students from all the sections of the diverse education system on St. Maarten and will be held on Thursday, September 9, 2021, from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Vocational, as well as academic tracts and schools with Dutch or English language instruction in the Netherlands, will be covered. According to SSSD officials, on St. Maarten there are students from varying educational backgrounds and students should know that the process of applying to schools is not the same for all students. They added that with technology at our fingertips, for some students applying to schools in the Netherlands can be just a few clicks away and then waiting for an answer from the school while for others, however, the task of applying to schools can be daunting and they may not know where to start. Students also have to know the educational system in the Netherlands. The Applying to Schools in the Netherlands workshop is aimed at students in the last two years of secondary school or recent graduates, in particular. Educational changes occur frequently in the Netherlands and it is important for students to know of such, SSSD officials said. Requirements for admissions may vary from school to school and admission may not be granted with a diploma or decent grades. For example, some schools have interviews, language tests and other requirements and students should know this, SSSD officials indicated. Parents are urged to encourage their children to participate in this workshop. Students are encouraged to register, in advance, for the workshop so an invitation can be emailed to them. Students may also click on the link on the Student Support Services Division Facebook page to participate in the workshop. If parents or students have any questions about these workshops, they can contact the Student Support Services Division at telephone 543-1235 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information. The Student Support Services Division (SSSD) provides services to students referred by the schools such as psychological services, counseling services, social work services, educational diagnostic services, speech-language pathology services. SSSD also provides general services such as career services, parent sessions and crisis response. PHILIPSBURG:--- 23 of the 24 Safety and Emergency Teams (SETs) of our Primary and Secondary schools were trained as part of the School Safety Initiatives of the Ministry of Education, Culture Youth & Sport. The 1-day Safe School Virtual Training was aimed to support School Safety Teams in the implementation of the school safety guidelines, providing basic disaster risk management knowledge as well as guidance on carrying out a risk assessment and develop or update school safety & emergency plans. At the end of the training, participants acquired skills to recognize the importance of school safety; differentiate the concepts of hazards, vulnerability, risk, and resources as they relate to disaster risk management; apply tools to assess school safety of a given facility, and develop or update a School Safety & Emergency Plan. The training of the Safety & Emergency Teams (SETs) started on June 17 and concluded on August 19, 2021, to allow for all schools to register for the training. The training was executed by the Student Support Services Division (SSSD) in collaboration with UNICEF The Netherlands, financed by the Government of the Netherlands through the Sint Maarten Trustfund as part of the Child Resilience and Protection project (CRPP). In 2018, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (MECYS) developed the Safety and Emergency Response Guidelines for Schools with the support of UNICEF The Netherlands. This document provides guidance for disaster safety planning in schools, emphasizing the work to be carried out by School Safety Teams (SETs). It also outlines the dos and donts before and during emergencies, suggesting possible steps for various hazards. SETs went on to draft their school safety & emergency plans under the guidance of the Student Support Services Division and with the support of UNICEF in the Netherlands. News spotlight Dwayne's Body Shop celebrates 50 years serving Lonsdale Kyle, left, and Dwayne Tuma are a father and son pair that enjoy working together at their family-owned business, Dwaynes Body Shop and Auto Sales. On Sept. 11, the business celebrates its 50th anniversary (postponed from 2020). Behind them is an orange Camaro they built and display outside the shop. (Misty Schwab/southernminn.com) From scale models to full-sized vehicles, Dwayne Tuma has always loved cars and working on them. Growing up, he recalls walking past the Chevrolet dealership every day to and from school. But the building burned down when Dwayne was in elementary school. His parents lived behind the shop, and Dwayne began auto painting in their garage. Dwayne Tumas interest in cars goes back years and years. Hes pictured here with a 1965 Chevy Impala SS with his sister, Dianne. (Photo courtesy of Dwayne Tuma) After completing vocational-technical school, and while working at the Lockwood Chevrolet dealership in Faribault, Dwayne made a decision with his dad, Fritz, that changed the course of the next five decades. In 1970, my dad and I decided building a body shop in Lonsdale would be the thing to do, Dwayne said. And what better place to build it but on the site of the old Chevrolet dealership? Dwaynes Body Shop and Auto Sales has been part of the Lonsdale community for over 50 years. For many years, the outside was painted green. (Photo courtesy of Dwayne Tuma) Located on Hwy. 19, only a block away from his parents house, Dwaynes Body Shop and Auto Sales opened nearly 51 years ago, on Sept. 11, 1970. Dwayne and his son Kyle, his business partner, postponed the 50-year celebration to this year, and are inviting community members to an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11 at the shop. Hot dogs, chips and refreshments will be served. mschwab / By MISTY SCHWAB misty.schwab@apgsomn.com This black Trans Am look-alike is a vehicle Kyle Tuma developed in honor of Dwaynes Body Shop and Auto Sales 50th anniversary. (Misty Schwab/southernminn.com) Dwayne ran the shop by himself for many years. Now, with help from his wife Sandy, Kyle, and son-in-law John, Dwayne said, We can barely keep up. Kyle does much of the hands-on work in the shop while Dwaynes work is primarily in the office. The business probably would have never started without the help and support of my dad, Fritz Tuma, along with a lot of support from my entire family, Dwayne said. Although Kyle and I do make a pretty good team, a lot of our success is due to our friends and customers. I tell my wife that when my work becomes a job, then Im going to retire. One of the most memorable vehicles Dwayne ever fixed up was a 1967 Yenko Camaro, which he bought in Faribault. With only 52 models made, a collector in Florida got word that Dwayne owned one of them. He contacted Dwayne and kept raising his offer until Dwayne couldnt turn it down. After selling the vehicle, Dwayne and Kyle built a tribute, an orange Camaro, that is now displayed in front of the shop. Dwayne Tuma is pictured driving the Yenko Camero he ultimately sold to a collector in Florida, who offered him a large sum of money for the collectible vehicle. (Photo courtesy of Dwayne Tuma) Over the years, Dwayne said processes have changed from handwriting estimates to completing that work on the computer. Thats one thing thats gotten easier, he said, compared to consulting a thick book full of numbers just to do their work. Another thing thats changed is how much time the company spends dealing with clients insurance companies. Dwayne said over the years the company has gone from 20% to 80% of its time working with insurance companies. Dwaynes also mixes its own paint. Kyle said the paint matching process has evolved a lot over the years, involving now clear-coat paint and paint guns. Unlike years ago, he uses chips upon chips of paint samples to find just the right color. Kyles own involvement with Dwaynes began with a fort above the paint booth. From there, his interest in vehicles started with a pedal tractor, then Power Wheels and then a go-cart. As for the work itself, he eventually swept the floors and began working at 11 years old with starting pay of $4.25. He cleaned up cars for the car lot and prepared them for paint. Whether it was after school or during the summer, Kyle learned more every day on the job and did a work release program through high school. Kyle Tuma has been around cars all his life, since his dad owns Dwaynes Body Shop and Auto Sales. Since 2006, Kyle has done all the businesss paint and body works. (Photo courtesy of Dwayne Tuma) Since 2006, at age 18, Kyle has done all the paint and body work at Dwaynes. He said its important to him to keep the business going, and someday maybe my two boys will follow in my footsteps like I did with my dad. Kyle said its fun to work with his dad, and there are still days when they learn from each other. He and his wife, Nichole, have two sons, Collin, 7, and Liam, 5. His goal is to keep the business going for another 50 years. Its rewarding fixing cars and getting them back to the customer, seeing how pleased and happy and amazed they are, helping people out from something small to something big, he said. How prepared is Minnesota for other wildfires on the scale of Greenwood or larger? Kyle Chandler (Bloodline) is joining Jeremy Renner in Mayor of Kingstown, Taylor Sheridans upcoming series for Paramount+. Production is underway in Toronto.Co-created by Sheridan and Dillon, Mayor of Kingstown follows the McLusky family, power brokers in Kingstown, Michigan, where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry. Tackling themes of systemic racism, corruption and inequality, the series provides a stark look at their attempt to bring order and justice to a town that has neither.Chandler will play Mitch McLusky, older brother to Mike McLusky (Renner). He is a fixer both inside and outside the prison system in a town where the prisons are the economic engines to the city at large. Algiers, 30 August 2021 (SPS) - Ambassador of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic in Algiers, Abdelkader Taleb Omar said Sunday that Morocco "is now isolated after the failures and crises in series," stressing "its correlation with organized crime through drug trafficking and terrorism. Speaking at a study day on terrorism in the Sahel organized at the National Army Circle by the National Institute of Global Strategic Studies (INESG), Taleb Omar said that Morocco is in conflict with Africa as a whole and not only with the Western Sahara and Algeria or with Spain, Germany and the European Union (EU) in general. Rabat has tried to exert pressure on Europe through illegal emigration but has failed to achieve its objective by leading the EU to follow in the footsteps of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who granted Morocco alleged sovereignty over occupied Western Sahara. Rabat has gone to the point of making promises for the realization of fictitious projects in some states and "extends again its hand" to Spain after the crisis but it has found itself in a real state of isolation," he said. Morocco has joined the AU, continues the Sahrawi diplomat, but "it refuses that the settlement of the Sahrawi cause is pan-African or UN. Worse still, it procrastinates on the appointment of a UN envoy to Western Sahara. However, the Sahrawi people will achieve independence through their will and their resistance, and the delay or the attempt to prevent the referendum process "means that Morocco knows that the results will be in favor of the Sahrawis. In addition, he praised the role of Algeria in the fight against terrorism "emanating from a global vision that exceeds the security and military aspects, to the socio-economic, cultural and external components," stressing, for this, the need for "collaboration of all to fight against this scourge and establish security and peace. (SPS) 062/700 Neni Academy Surely you know some " Neni ", a micro-entrepreneur who maintains her home through direct sales through social networks. This group, -which had a brutal growth with the pandemic-, is incredibly important for the economy, because according to UNAM studies , the nenis support 13 million Mexican households and generate daily income of 9 million pesos. In times of quarantine and social distance, many people managed to reinvent themselves, try new things or simply rest and make a stop in their life. In their case, Alejandro Rendon and Genesis Analy Garcia tried to become producers of black garlic , a situation that led them to Shark Tank Mexico . We were in quarantine, locked up by COVID around October, November of last year [2020], and we realized that it was a very good product for these times so that people would know it, explains Alejandro in an interview for Entrepreneur in Spanish . This is how Curandero was born, a brand that a little later would change its name to Ajo Mexa, thanks to the attraction felt by one of the sharks in the show that is broadcast by Sony, towards the former. What is black garlic? According to a blog post from Farmacia San Pablo, it is a food that is obtained from the fermentation of garlic that we normally know, at temperatures of 50 to 60 degrees Celsius for 30 days. The production process is carried out with humidity control and without preservatives or other additives. It is a traditional white garlic, which undergoes a fermentation process with controlled humidity and temperature, the result is black garlic The fascinating thing about this is that it becomes a superfood. This product is 10 times more powerful than traditional white garlic, and its texture is smooth and its taste is bittersweet , explains Alejandro. Image: Courtesy of Shark Tank Mexico. According to the entrepreneurs, this food provides "many health benefits" and in an environment where "everyone began to take better care of themselves" it seemed obvious that this could be an excellent product to offer. We saw the opportunity to present it to Mexico so that they could get to know it, so that people will strengthen their immune systems. And what better than through a natural product , says the entrepreneur. With these times of pandemic people are going to start taking care of themselves, that is the idea we wanted to attack 'How are we going to start strengthening our body? How will it be in this new normal? ' This is how Curandero came about, says Genesis. What are the properties of black garlic? Apart from not having the strong flavor of traditional garlic, this food is antioxidant, has a high content of amino acids and zinc. Also, it is attributed anti-aging properties, in addition to all the benefits that are known from traditional garlic. The price of this edible is higher than that of normal garlic. A loose head costs you about 60/70 [Mexican] pesos, it depends on where you buy it. Yes, it is an expensive product, since it is gourmet, but what is it worth, yes it does. "There is no doubt that the product is good," says Alejandro. This is real? I had always wanted to participate, says Genesis when asked about how they got to Shark Tank Mexico, which airs every Friday at 9:30 p.m. on Canal Sony. "Before all this I was already a fan of the program, I had seen it for a long time and dreamed of being there, but I saw it so unattainable," says the entrepreneur. After opening Curandero's social media accounts and starting to sell through that channel, they received a message on Instagram inviting them to participate in the sixth season of Shark Tank Mexico. At first, the husbands did not believe this was possible. "We wondering Is it true? How can it be possible if we have not sold more than 5 bags , says Alejandro. Image: Courtesy of Shark Tank Mexico. Historic pitch In this way Alejandro and Genesis dedicated themselves to gathering all the documentation and information necessary for the show, in which they arrived asking for 350 thousand pesos for a 40% stake in their brand and to their surprise they managed to close two deals, a fact that happens by first time in Shark Tank history. Rodrigo offered us 350 thousand pesos, but for the purchase of the name, without any kind of participation. In other words, 'you give me the rights to the Curandero brand and I will pay you the 350 thousand pesos and it's over', without doing any business, explains Alejandro. Although Rodrigo Herrera did not want to participate in the company, Marcus Dantus and Marisa Lazo offered him 100 pesos for 40% in a different deal than Rodrigo's. After talking with each other, the entrepreneurs decided to take both opportunities: sell the brand name and partner with Marcus and Marisa. Image: Courtesy of Shark Tank Mexico. Garlic Mexa After transferring the rights to the first name of their brand, Alejandro and Genesis thought of a new concept called Ajo Mexa. We made this decision because we needed capital, we are literally starting, that is, we are not incorporated, we had not even made an invoice, only the deliveries we had, it was to friends and acquaintances. Everything was closed, it wasn't like you could enter the supermarkets at that moment, everything was totally stopped, says Alejandro. Now entrepreneurs want to focus on expanding their production, employing more people, marketing, expanding their business, and products derived from black garlic. Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Citing the possible threat of anti-Semitism, the leaders of Jewish federations in southwestern Connecticut have entered into a new partnership to provide more security resources to increase safety for Jewish programs in the region. This will better protect members of the Jewish communities who attend area synagogues, day schools and other facilities in the area, according to the UJA-JCC Of Greenwich. This will connect the region to the Secure Community Network, which serves as the official safety and security organization for the Jewish community in North America. The resources will be available to all synagogues and Jewish groups in town this fall, said Pam Ehrenkranz, CEO of the UJA-JCC of Greenwich. Training will be offered in emergency preparedness, active shooter scenarios and other security programs. Security assessments will also be done. This is about preparedness and prevention, Ehrenkranz told Hearst Connecticut Media. We dont want to be reactive. We want to be proactive in making sure were all safe. The Anti-Defamation League has reported a recent rise in anti-Semitism in America, and Ehrenkranz said pointed to incidents in New York State as well as a swastika found earlier this year at the University of Connecticut. There is also tremendous rise of anti-Semitism in the social media sphere, which is very concerning because thats everywhere, she said. Thats not a specific town. Thats in your hands, on your phone and in your computer. Wherever you go, it goes with you. Theres no question its the responsibility of Jewish institutions to get trained and to have more awareness of security. Its unfortunate, but its the current state of affairs. We cant sit idly by. The partnership will launch a new regional security program for the members of the federations, which includes both Greenwich and Stamford. And it is connecting the region to national efforts to launch community-based security initiatives. As part of the program, Michael Shanbrom will be the new full-time regional security adviser for the region. A 20-year veteran of the FBI and a current police commissioner for Woodbridge, Shanbrom will be an expert adviser to Jewish institutions such as synagogues and day schools. UJA-JCC said he will also establish a system of collaboration, coordination, and communication among organization and be a liaison to local, state and federal law enforcement. The Secure Community Network has been at the forefront of Jewish communal security for many years, said Diane Sloyer, chief executive officer of the United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien. With the rise in anti-Semitism and increasing threat to our Jewish community and institutions, (we are) pleased to be working with SCN and neighboring federations in the hiring of our first regional security adviser, Mike Shanbrom. The SCN is working on community-based security initiatives with an all threats, all hazards approach when it comes to preparedness, safety, security and resiliency. It will put Greenwich and other involved communities into its national network with direct access to the National Jewish Security Operations Command Center, the SCNs Duty Desk and its intelligence analysts, the UJA-JCC said. It will also share best practice security resources and offer support in policies, procedures, physical security, facility assessments, training and incident response, the UJA-JCC said. I am excited to hit the ground running and contribute to the safety and security of the greater Southern/Western Connecticut Jewish community, Shanbrom said in a statement Tuesday. I hope to use my extensive law enforcement and security background to protect the community from all forms of threats. We are thrilled to have Mike join our federation as the first regional security adviser, Ehrenkranz said in the statement. With the dramatic increase in antisemitic incidents and acts of hate over the past several years, Jewish communal security has never been more important. Mikes tremendous knowledge, expertise, and law enforcement relationships and partnerships will help keep our local community safe and secure. Other nearby organizations agreed. Having a professional regional security adviser on the ground here in Connecticut is the best way to enhance the safety and security of the Jewish community and its institutions in western Connecticut, said Gary Jones, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut. Safety and security will be improved with the collaboration, communication and training led by the professional experts at SCN, said Judith Alperin, chief executive officer of Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven. We appreciate the efforts of all who helped to bring the process to fruition and look forward to the programs successful implementation. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com The Farmers Almanac has released its winter weather outlook, and in Connecticut, that means residents should expect both the typical and the atypical. Called the Frost Flip-Flop Winter Outlook, Farmers Almanac is predicting that the Northeast should buckle up for not one, but three major winter storms this season: one in the second week of January, one in the final week of February and again in the second week of March. NORMAL, Ill. (AP) Officers responding to a shooting at a central Illinois mobile home park found two people dead from gunshot wounds before officers fatally shot the suspected gunman, police said. Two women were pronounced dead at the scene Monday afternoon, while three other shooting victims were taken to a hospital with serious injuries, said Normal police Chief Rick Bleichner. Amy Goodman is the host of Democracy Now!, a daily international TV/radio news hour airing on more than 1,400 stations. She is the co-author, with Denis Moynihan and David Goodman, of the New York Times best-seller Democracy Now!: 20 Years Covering the Movements Changing America. Published: 31 August 2021 Prices of old dwellings in housing companies rose as sales of dwellings calmed down in July According to Statistics Finlands preliminary data, prices of old dwellings in housing companies rose in July in all the biggest towns and in all major regions except for Western Finland compared with the previous year. Compared with June, prices fell in the whole country by 0.4 per cent. Development of prices of old dwellings in housing companies by month in large cities in 2015 to 2021M07, index 2015=100 Among large towns, prices of old dwellings in housing companies rose most in Helsinki and Espoo compared with the corresponding period of last year. Since 2015, prices have gone up by around 13 per cent in Espoo and by nearly 26 per cent in Helsinki. In Greater Helsinki, prices of dwellings in blocks of flats rose by 4.6 per cent and in terraced houses by 5.9 per cent from one year ago. Examined by major region, prices of old dwellings rose in July on the annual level most in Southern Finland. Compared with 2015, prices have risen by 14 per cent in Southern Finland and remained almost unchanged in Northern and Western Finland. Prices have fallen by close on 20 per cent in Eastern Finland. Development of prices of old dwellings in housing companies by month in major regions 20152021M07, index 2015=100 In July, five per cent fewer transactions of old dwellings in blocks of flats and terraced houses were made through real estate agencies than one year ago. In January to July 2021, the number of dwelling transactions made through real estate agents rose by 30 per cent from one year ago and by 21 per cent from 2019. Prices per square metre of old dwellings in housing companies, July 2021 1) Area Price, EUR/m Index 2015=100 Monthly change, % Yearly change, % Whole country 2,304 108.5 -0.4 3.1 Greater Helsinki 4,151 120.4 -0.3 5.0 Rest of the country (whole country - Greater Helsinki) 1,767 98.0 -0.4 1.1 Satellite municipalities 2) 2,255 96.2 -2.4 -0.6 Helsinki 4,734 125.7 -1.2 4.9 Espoo-Kauniainen 3,963 113.4 1.7 6.2 Vantaa 2,963 109.5 0.0 3.9 Tampere 2,766 115.3 -2.1 2.7 Turku 2,560 121.7 -2.8 4.4 Oulu 1,918 108.6 1.8 4.1 1) Preliminary data2) Satellite municipalities = Hyvinkaa, Jarvenpaa, Kerava, Kirkkonummi, Nurmijarvi, Riihimaki, Sipoo, Tuusula and Vihti The statistics on the prices of old dwellings in housing companies are based on the Tax Administration's data on dwellings (data on ownership of dwellings in housing companies). The numbers published from data on dwellings should not be used to assess the activeness of transactions in the latest periods. When the monthly statistics on prices of old dwellings in housing companies are published for the first time, they cover approximately 60 per cent of all transactions made in the latest statistical reference month. Particularly in summer months, the number of transactions in the latest release of the monthly statistics may remain lower than usual and become revised in the coming months. The monthly data become revised during the following months so that the final data for the year are published in the release concerning the first quarter of the following year. Further information about data revisions can be found in separate tables. The numbers of old dwellings in housing companies sold through real estate agents are based on the data from the price monitoring service of the Central Federation of Finnish Real Estate Agencies. As a rule, these data do not become revised retrospectively. Data on prices of dwellings in housing companies in different areas and by house type are available at stat.fi/til/ashi/tau_en.html. The tables also contain data on the prices per square metre at the municipal and postal code levels and on the numbers of transactions. If only a few transactions are known in the area, a couple of deviating cases may significantly affect the average price for an area and the price index. Instead of individual monthly and annual changes, the development of prices should be examined over a longer time period and not only for a particular point in time. Source: Prices of dwellings in housing companies, Statistics Finland Inquiries: Petri Kettunen 029 551 3558, Elina Vuorio 029 551 3385, asuminen.hinnat@stat.fi Head of Department in charge: Hannele Orjala Publication in pdf-format (356.5 kB) Updated 31.8.2021 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Prices of dwellings in housing companies [e-publication]. ISSN=2323-8801. July 2021. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 14.9.2021]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/ashi/2021/07/ashi_2021_07_2021-08-31_tie_001_en.html Published: 31 August 2021 Preliminary data: Turnover of construction enterprises grew in July According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, the working day adjusted turnover of construction enterprises grew by 9.4 per cent in July 2021 compared with July 2020. Annual change in working day adjusted turnover of construction, % (TOL 2008) Turnover increased compared with the previous month According to the preliminary data, seasonally adjusted turnover in construction increased by 1.4 percent in July 2021 from June. In June, seasonally adjusted turnover decreased by 0.7 per cent and in May turnover increased by 2.5 per cent from one month ago. Change in seasonally adjusted turnover of construction from the previous month, % (TOL 2008) The calculation of indices of turnover of construction is based on the Tax Administrations data on self-assessed taxes, which are supplemented with Statistics Finlands sales inquiry. The monthly turnover of construction enterprises can have even large variations due to invoicing practices. The final invoice for major projects may be recorded in the sales of one month, even if the project had required the work of several months or years. The factors caused by the variation in the number of weekdays are taken into account in adjustment for working days. This means taking into consideration the lengths of months, different weekdays and holidays. In addition, seasonal variation is eliminated from seasonally adjusted series, on account of which it makes sense to compare observations of two successive months as well. The data for the latest month are preliminary and are released at a delay of around four weeks. The data may become significantly revised particularly in coming months. Source: Index of turnover of construction, Statistics Finland Inquiries: Lauri Pullinen 029 551 3043, Heli Suonio 029 551 2481, rakennus.suhdanne@stat.fi Head of Department in charge: Katri Kaaja Publication in pdf-format (236.3 kB) Updated 31.8.2021 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Index of turnover of construction [e-publication]. ISSN=1798-5935. July 2021. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 14.9.2021]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/rlv/2021/07/rlv_2021_07_2021-08-31_tie_001_en.html Blog Archive Apr 2010 (22) May 2010 (25) Jun 2010 (8) Jul 2010 (12) Aug 2010 (18) Sep 2010 (19) Oct 2010 (29) Nov 2010 (30) Dec 2010 (18) Jan 2011 (13) Feb 2011 (21) Mar 2011 (23) Apr 2011 (19) May 2011 (31) Jun 2011 (36) Jul 2011 (46) Aug 2011 (26) Sep 2011 (12) Oct 2011 (15) Nov 2011 (17) Dec 2011 (7) Jan 2012 (18) Feb 2012 (4) Mar 2012 (12) Apr 2012 (18) May 2012 (10) Jun 2012 (21) Jul 2012 (8) Aug 2012 (15) Sep 2012 (7) Oct 2012 (17) Nov 2012 (20) Dec 2012 (10) Jan 2013 (58) Feb 2013 (59) Mar 2013 (60) Apr 2013 (98) May 2013 (135) Jun 2013 (204) Jul 2013 (293) Aug 2013 (351) Sep 2013 (363) Oct 2013 (348) Nov 2013 (374) Dec 2013 (442) Jan 2014 (547) Feb 2014 (476) Mar 2014 (526) Apr 2014 (527) May 2014 (469) Jun 2014 (408) Jul 2014 (472) Aug 2014 (522) Sep 2014 (443) Oct 2014 (472) Nov 2014 (497) Dec 2014 (536) Jan 2015 (539) Feb 2015 (520) Mar 2015 (582) Apr 2015 (658) May 2015 (679) Jun 2015 (673) Jul 2015 (728) Aug 2015 (803) Sep 2015 (923) Oct 2015 (924) Nov 2015 (802) Dec 2015 (791) Jan 2016 (782) Feb 2016 (835) Mar 2016 (929) Apr 2016 (866) May 2016 (947) Jun 2016 (1044) Jul 2016 (882) Aug 2016 (1035) Sep 2016 (967) Oct 2016 (918) Nov 2016 (854) Dec 2016 (885) Jan 2017 (880) Feb 2017 (777) Mar 2017 (896) Apr 2017 (872) May 2017 (850) Jun 2017 (851) Jul 2017 (971) Aug 2017 (1040) Sep 2017 (998) Oct 2017 (1144) Nov 2017 (1046) Dec 2017 (838) Jan 2018 (873) Feb 2018 (769) Mar 2018 (885) Apr 2018 (809) May 2018 (827) Jun 2018 (820) Jul 2018 (840) Aug 2018 (854) Sep 2018 (844) Oct 2018 (851) Nov 2018 (870) Dec 2018 (912) Jan 2019 (919) Feb 2019 (827) Mar 2019 (957) Apr 2019 (913) May 2019 (1007) Jun 2019 (935) Jul 2019 (950) Aug 2019 (936) Sep 2019 (910) Oct 2019 (920) Nov 2019 (874) Dec 2019 (908) Jan 2020 (941) Feb 2020 (849) Mar 2020 (898) Apr 2020 (848) May 2020 (822) Jun 2020 (789) Jul 2020 (819) Aug 2020 (858) Sep 2020 (841) Oct 2020 (873) Nov 2020 (812) Dec 2020 (780) Jan 2021 (765) Feb 2021 (716) Mar 2021 (819) Apr 2021 (805) May 2021 (815) Jun 2021 (824) Jul 2021 (830) Aug 2021 (832) Sep 2021 (369) The members of the Confederation Committee of the National Trade Union Confederation (CNS) "Cartel ALFA" have decided to start street activities against the Government and its aberrant measures, according to a release sent on Tuesday by the trade union organization. "CNS Cartel ALFA will resume protest activities against this government which is acting in a dictatorial manner, against the general interest. On the backdrop of the appearance of the new wave of COVID-19, of the elections within the parties in the governing coalition, the decisions taken by the current government continue the series of activities contrary to the legislation in force and constitutional provisions, acting in a dictatorial manner against the rights and interests of citizens. The government follows only image activities in the context of the campaign within the parties of the coalition, and the measures it takes lead to the impoverishment of the population and the consolidation of privileges of the 1 pct of the population with high wages. The economic results that the Prime Minister brags about constantly are not felt by the population, because the mechanisms by which economic growth produces development and welfare are blocked," the CNS Cartel ALFA release mentions. The trade union organization draws attention that the economic results that the Prime Minister is constantly boasting are not felt by the population, because the mechanisms by which economic growth produces development and welfare are blocked, by lack of assumption on amending the Law of Social Dialogue, which eliminated all the leverages of distribution of economic growth depending on the accomplishments of units; through a policy of growth of the minimum wage that is not based on the Law of the minimum basket approved and promulgated in August 2020, but continues the policy of maintaining the minimum wage at a very low level; by maintaining a fiscal policy that impoverishes workers and small contributors and creates facilities to capital and rich persons. The first complaint towards the Government mentioned by CNS Cartel ALFA is the Government policy towards energy prices. "With cynicism and hypocrisy, the Government shows concern towards the accelerated growth of prices in utilities. Nevertheless, the Executive refused to extend the term for the liberalization of the energy market for household consumers and to take into account the social context, but also that of the energy market, in order to take the adequate measures for protection and prevention of abuse. How is it that regarding pensions, salaries, allowances, the terms could be extended with no impediment? Why is that? Is it not because there are beneficiaries of the uncontrolled growth of the prices in energy within the current deciders? The lack of responsibility towards citizens also stands in the refusal of the Government to promote by emergency ordinance the law of the vulnerable consumer, decided in the Government at 90 days after the liberalization of the energy market and sent to Parliament for notice with term of entering force 2023! This, given that we have over 17 pct of active workers under the threshold of poverty, and 2.95 million persons were in 2020 in a state of severe material deprivation (didn't have access to goods and services considered minimum for a decent living). Furthermore, approximately 1.1 million households record have outstanding bills for electrical energy, while another 3 million persons are today in the impossibility to pay on time utilities bills of current obligations (INSSE) [National Institute for Statistics]," the CNS Cartel ALFA release mentions. Another complaint of the trade union organization is the limitation by the Government of the constitutional right to public assembly, which limits the right of citizens to participate in protest manifestations in numbers larger than 100 persons, although for cultural manifestations the maximum number allowed is 60,000 persons. Furthermore, CNS Cartel ALFA is criticizing the intention of the Government to force unvaccinated employees in education, public order and healthcare to have to take a weekly PCR test at their own expense. CNS Cartel ALFA is also criticizing the lack of interest of the Government towards saving the CFR Marfa company, the freight arm of national rail transporter CFR, the lack of policy coherence in the past years on agriculture, the lack of solutions to grave problems that police officers and the contractual personnel of the Internal Affairs Ministry face, the continuation of the masked privatization of the healthcare system, taking advantage of the pandemic situation. Prime Minister Florin Citu said on Tuesday that energy prices will not be capped in Romania, insisting that Romania needs energy independence. "There is growing public concern over energy prices, especially because the winter season is coming - the payment of energy bills - and so we have to come up with solutions. Of course, the solution to prices cannot come from the prime minister. We have to find the solution together. I can tell you from the outset that the government will not step in to cap prices; that should be very clear," Citu said at the Government House. He pointed out that energy prices have gone up everywhere in the European Union."I am ready to take up this goal, together with you, because it is clear that we need Romania's energy independence. This is what I understood from what happened during this period. An increase in consumption - we had to increase imports and we are dependent on energy prices elsewhere in the European Union. I have noticed that prices in Spain have tripled, but we have the resources to win Romania's energy independence and then we need to increase production capacity; we have some programmes that we are already working on (...) and I take up the goal of achieving Romania's energy independence," added Citu.Citu had a meeting at the Government House with Energy Minister Virgil Popescu, Labour Minister Raluca Turcan, and officials of the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE), Transelectrica electricity transmission corporation, the OPCOM national energy market administrator, the Competition Council and the National Consumer Protection Agency (ANPC). Prime Minister Florin Citu said on Tuesday that "all sorts of brave people" from all parties come up with solutions regarding the vulnerable consumer law, but no political leader proposed an extraordinary session for the faster adoption of this piece of legislation. "We have the law of the vulnerable consumer and here again we have to call a spade a spade. It is a law from around 2012 that has been held off and no Government until this Government had the courage to assume this law. Today I saw that there are all sorts of brave people who appear in the public space, from all political parties, with solutions.This law has been prepared since 2012 and has not been taken into account so far. We adopted this law in spring. The Ministry of Labor proposed it in the Government and we passed this law - the Ministry of Energy - and it has been in Parliament since spring. We have been talking about energy prices all summer. No one in Parliament, no Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies or President of the Senate, no one, no political leader has come to say that they will hold an extraordinary session to adopt this law faster. I was again the one who had to come and say that we will send amendments from the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Energy to complete the law and adopt it sooner. There is a lot of discussion in the public space, but nobody wants to and consequently we are the ones to assume this," premier Citu said in Government. Prime Minister Florin Citu has a meeting at Victoria Palace of Government with the Minister of Energy, Virgil Popescu, the Minister of Labor, Raluca Turcan, and with representatives of the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE), Transelectrica, OPCOM (Electric Energy and Natural Gas Market Operator), the Competition Council and the National Consumer Protection Agency (ANPC).National Liberal Party leader Ludovic Orban said that "decisive discussion" on the final form of the vulnerable consumer law will take place in the coalition next Monday. The students from the Politehnica University of Bucharest (UPB) have received, within the recently announced initiative "ICTalent", the graduation certificate of the 8th edition of the "Seeds for the Future" program. According to a press release sent to AGERPRES, the closing virtual ceremony took place on Tuesday, the Ministry of Education's state secretary, Maria Manea, highlighting the necessity of supporting the private sector in developing the technological talent among young people. This year, the emblematic program of CSR by Huawei took place in a hybrid format. During the program which took place for 8 days, participants had the opportunity to accumulate new information regarding new technology, such as 5G, AI, Cloud Computing, but also knowledge about China's culture from top teachers, business leaders and professionals from Huawei. The program also included activities such as cultural exchange and leadership, which were graduated by 18 remarkable students. Huawei Romania awarded 20 students at the end of the 8th edition of the Seeds for the Future program within a ceremony which took place in a hybrid system. According to Mihnea Udrea, the dean of the Electronics, Telecommunication and Information Technology of UPB reunited professors, business leaders and experts that could directly discuss with students, offering extra-curricular support, William Wu highlighted, the subsidiary director council of Huawei Romania, within the closing ceremony. The 8th edition of the Seeds for the Future program took place within the new Understanding Memorandum signed with UPB, through which Huawei offers scholarships and training courses to the students of the Polytechnic University. The Declic Community organizes on Tuesday a protest action in front of the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forestry (MMAP) requesting the prohibition of forest exploitation in the national parks. Community members will bring before the ministry the "victims" of the logging in national parks. Numerous stumps, life-size replicas of the remains of the cut trees, will be placed at the entrance to the ministry's headquarters, with the message: ''The disaster in the national parks can no longer be overlooked!.'' The protest action will be followed by a meeting with Minister Tanczos Barna who will receive on this occasion the petition signed by over 28,000 people. The Romanian Language Day is a celebration of the Romanian soul, because the language is the most pronounced effigy of the Romanians, said, on Tuesday, Ioan Aurel Pop, the president of the Romanian Academy, at the debate "The current status of the Romanian language". "The Day of the Romanian Language - since 1990 in the Republic of Moldova and since 2013 in Romania - is an official holiday, but in fact it is a celebration of the Romanian soul, because the language is the most pronounced effigy of the Romanians. Many definitions have been given of the language and of the Romanian language, but language for me means a living organism that is born, grows, develops and even ages sometimes and flows into other languages at the same time as the people who created it and that served as a means of communication. That's why we are talking, perhaps scientifically incorrect, but in colloquial language, about living languages and dead languages. Ours is alive and no matter how contaminated it may be today by neologisms, barbarisms, hyper-urbanisms, unusual abbreviations, naughty text messages, we should not be afraid. The Romanian language still has the power to remain itself despite these various dangers," said Ioan Aurel Pop during the event held in the Academy's Aula. Ioan Aurel Pop said that the Romanian Academy has the role of watching over the Romanian language, over the rich, harmonious, beautiful literary language, capable of communicating all the human feelings. "Our language is our life and, fortunately, I believe that language has its own means of defense, conservation and development with a condition, that we, as specialists, watch over the most beautiful form of language which is the literary language. We can express ourselves in words, we can cultivate the dialects of the language, we can have a colloquial language, but when it comes to a ceremony and solemnity, the literary language defines us, and ours is a rich, harmonious, beautiful literary language, able to communicate through words all the human feelings, from the simplest to the most complicated. This mission of caring over the language is held by the Romanian Academy and the Romanian Academy will never abdicate from its mission," the president of the Romanian Academy stressed. Academic Eugen Simion asserted that the Romanian language is the sign of our identity as a people. "The Romanian language is the sign of our identity. I'm not telling you a new thing, but I'm telling you a real thing. Whoever has a language has a people, or the people exist if they have a language, a poet said. (...) Peoples who lose their language become populations, and the populations disappear from history. It is the language that gives the identity," academician Eugen Simion said. The Romanian Language Day is celebrated on 31 August, as it has been established by Law 53/2013. The legislative proposal on the establishment of this day was started in 2011, when 166 MPs from all political groups submitted to the Senate a draft law requesting the proclamation of August 31 as the Day of the Romanian Language. The legislative approach was approved by the Senate on 6 December 2011 and by the Chamber of Deputies on 19 February 2013. The law was promulgated by President Traian Basescu on 13 March 2013 and published in the Official Journal on 19 March 2013. Romanian citizens can enter Bulgaria starting 1 September, by presenting of an EU digital COVID certificate valid for vaccination, proof of recovery from the disease or with a test or a similar document containing the same data as the digital certificate. "The Bulgarian border authorities have informed the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Border Police (IGPF), through the Giurgiu Joint Border Point, that the Bulgarian authorities have issued new regulations on travel conditions in the Republic of Bulgaria, applicable as of September 1, 2021, at midnight. Thus, Romania enters the green zone, according to the Bulgarian authorities," informs an IGPF press release sent, on Tuesday, to AGERPRES. Among the special categories of persons exempted from the requirement to present COVID documents upon entry into the Republic of Bulgaria are persons transiting the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, with the guarantee of immediately leaving the territory of that state, and children up to 12 years of age. Romanian citizens are allowed to enter the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria only through border crossing points where Bulgarian medical staff are located. Thus, from Romania it is possible to enter the territory of the neighboring state through PTF Giurgiu - Ruse, Giurgiu county, PTF Calafat - Vidin, Dolj county, PTF Bechet - Oriahovo, Dolj county, PTF Turnu Magurele - PTF Somovit-Nikopol, Teleorman county, PTF Vama Veche - Durankulak, Constanta County. "PTF Ostrov - Silistra, Calarasi County, PTF Zimnicea - Svishtov and PTF Negru Voda - Kardam, Constanta County allow the entry of persons transiting the territory of Bulgaria, with the guarantee of immediately leaving the country's territory," shows the cited source. Additional details can be found at: https://www.mae.ro/travel-conditions/3677#806. The Senate and the Chamber of Deputies convene on Wednesday as of 16:00 hrs for the second ordinary parliamentary session this year. The priorities of the new parliamentary session include the vulnerable consumer bill, currently in the Chamber of Deputies as decision-making body, and the bill on dismantling the Section for the Investigation of Judicial Crimes (SIIJ), currently in the Senate. Chamber of Deputies Speaker Ludovic Orban announced that the "zero priority" of the upcoming parliamentary session is the adoption of the vulnerable consumer bill, which provides for the possibility of supporting lower-income families with footing the electricity and gas bills. As regards the bill on the the abolition of the SIIJ, the leaders of the PNL, USR PLUS and UDMR governing coalition are to decide the form in which the act will be adopted, because although everyone announced that they agree that this section should be abolished, there is no consensus on how to do it. The Social Democratic Party (PSD) requests that the top priority of the Senate - as decision-making body - be the "No convicts in public office" bill initiated by USR PLUS during the previous legislature; PSD also announced that it supports the debate and fast-track adoption of the vulnerable consumer bill in the Chamber of Deputies. PSD announced that it will move a censure motion when it has the 234 votes needed for the motion to pass (at this moment it can count on 204 votes). The Alliance for the Unity of Romanians - AUR also announced the initiation of negotiations with parliamentarians from the entire political spectrum for the submission of a censure motion at the beginning of the new parliamentary session. A joint sitting of Parliament is scheduled for Wednesday at 17:30 with President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Igor Grosu, invited to attend. 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%. Houston fared better after Hurricane Harvey dumped more than 4 feet of rain on the metro area in August 2017. It lost just 8,800 jobs in the immediate aftermath of the deluge. By October, it had recovered all the jobs and more. ST. CHARLES Online appliance seller Goedekers is getting a new boss. The company announced Tuesday that Albert Fouerti, who led New Jersey-based Appliances Connection before Goedekers acquired it this year, is taking over as CEO. Fouerti replaces Doug Moore, a former Sears executive who took over for Steve Goedeker after the family business sold to New York private equity group 1847 Holdings in 2019. The shakeup continues a year of rapid change for a company that began in 1951 as a humble television repair shop in south St. Louis. The last 12 months have seen it go public, buy a competitor several times its size, mothball its old Manchester Road headquarters and announce plans to change its name. The company is also planning to open new distribution centers in California, Texas and Florida by the end of the year in an effort to speed delivery to the countrys most populous markets. Investors have yet to warm to the new Goedekers, however. The companys shares have fallen 80% since February. They bottomed out in May when the company had to sell new shares to raise money to buy Appliances Connection, and priced them well below where its stock had been trading on the open market. Kathy Butterly has made dozens and dozens of colorful 6-inch sculptures, but no two are alike. She couldnt replicate one if she tried. Never in a million years, she says. In her studio, a generic clay cup can end up almost any color or pattern of colors and textures. It might be adorned with forms that resemble ribbons, spaghetti or crooked handles. Moss, pompons or a scalloped edge may top wavy or folded vessels. One reason Butterly cant reproduce a piece is uncertainty over what shell have after its multiple trips to the 1,800-degree kiln, where paint can crackle or change colors unexpectedly. And when clay cools, she says, shell reexamine it and may decide to move in new directions. As long ago as 2002, a New York Times reviewer said Butterly, at 38, was a genius in clay, stoneware and glaze, a miniaturist of Faberge refinement and in her own way one of the best artists of our time. For another show, a reviewer wrote that with her zany and beautiful little porcelain vases, you become avidly interested, alive with curiosity. Curious pieces by the highly respected ceramic sculptor will be among new exhibitions opening Sept. 3 at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis. Liz Mermin, the films director, says the offspring of 9/11 victims have had lives bracketed by tragedy. They were born in the wake of one and graduated in the midst of others, she says. What have they made of the world? What has the world been made of in between? Thats what I would find fascinating getting to hear their take on the world around them. Some, like Gorki, didnt read much about 9/11. It is really rare that I go out of my way to find information about the subject. For Retik, interest ebbs and flows. I can find out general facts about 9/11 online so easily, she says. But there are questions about her father, that she cant ask online. It definitely kind of comes in waves. All three say they appreciate hearing more about their fathers. Growing up, I was told that I look identical to my father or I do some acts that he did, Szurkowski says. Thats the type of connection I feel I have. I feel hes always around and his presence is always here. ST. LOUIS In the rural northeastern corner of Missouri, Scotland County Hospital has been so low on staff that it sometimes had to turn away patients amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. The national COVID staffing crunch means CEO Dr. Randy Tobler has hired more travel nurses to fill the gaps. And the prices are steep what he called crazy rates of $200 an hour or more, which Tobler said his small rural hospital cannot afford. A little over 60% of his staff is fully vaccinated. Even as COVID cases rise, though, a vaccine mandate is out of the question. If that becomes our differential advantage, we probably wont have one until were forced to have one, Tobler said. Maybe thats the thing that will keep nurses here. As of Thursday, about 39% of U.S. hospitals had announced vaccine mandates, said Colin Milligan, a spokesperson for the American Hospital Association. Across Missouri and the nation, hospitals are weighing more than patient and caregiver health in deciding whether to mandate COVID vaccines for staffers. Monoclonal antibody therapy must be administered as soon as possible after an individual tests positive for the virus, and within 10 days of symptom onset. Doctors emphasize that the treatment is no substitute for vaccination. The state has contracted with Galveston, Texas-based disaster response company SLSCO to provide the services. Missouris seven-day average of new cases, which rose from 396 on June 3 to 3,032 on Aug. 5, has begun to retreat in recent weeks, to 2,124 on Monday, according to a Post-Dispatch analysis. COVID-19 patients in St. Louis area hospitals jumped from 93 on June 9 to a summer peak of 586 on Aug. 20, and hung at 538 on Monday. Neither Affinia nor Mercy Hospital Jefferson have provided monoclonal antibody therapy so far. Kendra Holmes, Affinias senior vice president and chief operating officer, said Affinia has had patients who met the qualifications for monoclonal antibody therapy, and may have benefitted from it, but couldnt get to the nearest clinics then, in St. Peters or north St. Louis County. Transportation was always, always an issue, Holmes said. It just wasnt really accessible to the population that we serve. Two Franklin County Sheriffs deputies, Sgt. Jason M. Weggeman and Ronald R. Burgess, will receive the award after both were injured during a shootout following an attempted traffic stop in March 2020. St. Charles County police Officer John K. Gresco II will also receive the Medal of Valor for saving a man stuck on top of his car during a flash flood on Aug. 9, 2020. About 1 a.m. that night, the mans car became stuck in floodwater on Pitman Hill Road. The current quickly began to carry the car toward the nearby creek with the man still clinging on top. Gresco grew up in the area, so knew he could use a guardrail to get near the man, according to a submission for the medal from St. Charles County police. Gresco eventually let go of the guardrail to swim to the man and bring him to safety. The amount could be up to $1,500 in federal benefits per person, attorney Loretta Haggard told Beetem during a hearing Monday. She represents Missouri Jobs With Justice and five residents who lost benefits in June. Missouri Jobs with Justice brought the suit after being contacted by representatives of a self-organized network of hundreds of Missourians who have been struggling with the ramifications of the decision. Governor Parson never should have made this decision, said Maya Mae, an organizer of the network of Missourians. I was already struggling with the loss of income due to COVID. To have had those struggles compounded by someone who is supposed to look out for me, someone who is supposed to care for me, it was just infuriating. How out of touch can he be? The organization said Parsons decision blocked an estimated $770 million dollars from reaching Missouri families, money that would have been spent in Missouri. The loss of economic activity due to this decision cannot be overstated, said Amy Blouin, president and CEO of the Missouri Budget Project. No jobs boom Parsons decision, however, hasnt resulted in a jobs boom. 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. 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. Matthew DeSarno, special agent in charge of the FBIs Dallas office, said investigators believe Rasheed acted alone but that the 33-year-old left a letter indicating he may have been inspired by a foreign terrorist organization." He did not offer more specifics on the letter and declined to identify the group. DeSarno said Rasheed was the subject of a counterterrorism investigation from 2010 to 2013, when the case was closed after agents determined Rasheed did not currently pose a threat. The agency's regional terrorism task force is working on the investigation of Lewis' killing, he said. If signed into law, the measure would let business owners sue individuals who damaged their property for three times the actual damages they incurred, in addition to court costs and attorneys fees. Those who assault emergency responders would be charged with a more serious felony, even if nobody was physically injured. People who are charged with rioting or looting could also be held in jail for up to 48 hours without bond, conditions similar to those placed on defendants charged with domestic violence. Democratic lawmakers expressed concern that the 48-hour lockup period is excessive and think a better solution would be to promote de-escalation techniques within law enforcement. Rep. Marcia Morey, a Durham County Democrat, said existing laws sufficiently address the consequences of rioting and looting. She believes the harsher language included in the bill the House gave final legislative approval for Tuesday will not reduce violence, but instead, reduce the number of people who feel safe taking to the streets to voice their frustrations. Its hard to believe, said Jennifer Williams, a former mail carrier in the Atlanta area. This is a government job. Nobody should go to work and wonder if theyre going to get paid. Williams, 36, said co-workers warned her to keep track of her hours when she was hired as a mail carrier in February 2020. She said she didnt get her first paycheck and had to file a grievance with the union to get paid. When her second paycheck arrived, Williams said, she was missing five hours of overtime. Another supervisor told Williams that her boss had deleted the hours, according to a lawsuit she filed against the Postal Service in federal court. When she brought up the missing overtime to her boss on the phone, she said her boss berated her. A few days later, Williams said the mail truck she was driving broke down and she was fired for not finishing her route. She sued in September 2020, claiming she was illegally fired for complaining about wage theft. I was really upset because I was depending on working at the post office to keep myself afloat, said Williams, who said she had to take a low-paid job at a filter factory after she was fired. Just in case anyone were to mistake that lawsuit as an indication that Schmitt takes the pandemic seriously, he has also sued St. Louis County to thwart its mask mandate. And on Tuesday, Schmitt sued again, this time to prevent Missouri school districts from enforcing mask mandates for kids this even as Missouri coronavirus infections have spiked because the more aggressive delta variant is attacking younger people in record numbers. Its difficult to imagine a more cynical and potentially dangerous stunt by Schmitt, unless it was his participation in the suit with other red-state attorneys general seeking to overturn last years presidential election. Having already used his elective office to attack public health and democracy itself, it perhaps was only a matter of time before Schmitt went after the worlds climate. On Wednesday, he made Missouri the lead plaintiff in a multistate suit over the Biden administrations plans to revamp how the federal government calculates the cost of greenhouse gases. The new guidelines wont even be completed until next year. But of course Schmitt has a GOP Senate primary to think about, so hell need the headlines well before that. A Missouri judge on Tuesday refused to reinstate federal unemployment benefits that were cut in June when Gov. Mike Parson pulled out of several programs, saying the court would not substitute its judgment for that of the governor. The ruling by Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem came a day after lawyers representing Missouri residents who lost the jobless benefits asked for reinstatement with back pay that, for some people, could have amounted to $1,500. The enhanced benefits from several federal programs added money to the unemployment checks for out-of-work Americans to help ease the crunch caused by shutdowns for the COVID-19 pandemic. But some Republican governors, including Parson, ended the benefits, saying they wanted to prod people to rejoin the workforce. In his four-page ruling denying a preliminary injunction, Beteem wrote that "the balancing of harms and the public interest strongly favor the Governor's decision to promote economic recovery and encourage workers' re-entry into Missouri's critically understaffed labor force. The Court will not substitute its judgment for that of Missouri's duly elected Governor on such an important policy question, which both Missouri law and the principle of separation of powers confer on Missouri's Executive Branch, Beetem wrote. BRUSSELS (AP) European Union justice and home affairs ministers pledged Tuesday to support Afghanistan's neighbors to help them host people fleeing the new Taliban regime and prevent a new wave of migrants heading to Europe. In a closing statement following a meeting in Brussels, the ministers said the EU and its 27 nations 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. European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said there has not been a big exodus of Afghans out of the war-torn country so far but insisted there is a huge risk of a humanitarian crisis if the Taliban turns out to be the same Taliban that we have seen in the past." Johansson added that the EU is quite far from recognizing the Taliban regime." The EU said it will cooperate with the Afghan government following the Talibans return to power only if they respect fundamental rights and oppose the use of Afghan soil by terror groups. We have not seen any answers to the important conditions that need to be fulfilled," Johansson said, adding that the EU has already frozen development aid to Afghanistan to apply pressure on the Taliban. At the same time, family breadwinners are well justified in fearing the dangers of returning to potentially crowded workplaces. Consider the paltry attendance figures at recent Cardinals games: The public, regardless of financial means, remains highly skeptical about the safety of any close-quarters mingling. Congress has approved $46 billion for rental assistance to help tenants and landlords make it through the pandemics first wave. But by mid-August, only $4.2 billion had reached households, the National Low Income Housing Coalition reports. Most states have distributed less than 10% of the funds they were allotted. Missouri has distributed 10.5%. Which means lots of money sat undisbursed while landlord frustrations grew and tenants inched closer to the inevitable day when deputies armed with eviction orders would come pounding at the door. The first order of business, then, is for Missouri and other states to distribute the aid and avert a national homelessness crisis. Q: What's the most important thing you've learned from your travels? A: Make sure you have a few specific things planned, but also allow time for spontaneity and relaxation. You can over schedule yourself at home, so no need to do that on vacation. Q: If you could only pick one place to eat, would you choose a casual meal or fine dining? A: Hands down a street cart or food truck! I think the food is much more authentic and probably has a lot more passion put into it. My mom is always a bit squeamish about the carts, but Im trying to teach her to live on the edge a bit more. Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways? A: San Diego and Palm Springs. They are both nearby and have some really cool things to do. Palm Springs can get very hot, so you have to pick a good time of year. Q: If you've ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip? A: I love going down South to visit my moms side of the family. My Grandma Tina always cooks up big meals. What can I say? I love to eat good soul food. Its also nice to be around my extended family since my immediate family is just the three of us and my dog. Q: Do you speak any foreign languages? Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money. Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists. Most of the time the U.S. Coast Guard is not part of the military but rather a seagoing police and public safety organization. Only during wartime does the Coast Guard temporarily become part of the navy and that status ends when the war is over. Yet the largest seagoing Coast Guard patrol ships are those at least 20 meters long and called cutters. Some are the size of small warships like corvettes and frigates but most of them are smaller. While lightly armed in peacetime, the cutters are built to accommodate more weapons and sensors in wartime. The Coast Guard has always maintained a lot of cutters and every one or two decades they have to replace them. The cutters spend more time at sea than navy warships and often operate in bad weather navy ships avoid. The latest cutter design, the Sentinel class, had a difficult time during design and construction. Those problems appear to have been overcome, mainly by adopting a foreign coast guard ship design. In mid-2021 The U.S. Coast Guard ordered another four of their Sentinel-class FRC (Fast Response Cutter) patrol ships. That makes 64 of these ships on order or in service. This is a rare success story in American naval ship design and construction. Most of the action in this area has been bad and getting worse for decades. What saved the coast guard was the politically unpopular decision fifteen years ago to abandon a failed local design and look for a foreign ship design that was already in service, successful and could meet American needs. The current Fast Response Cutter is basically a slightly larger version of the Damen Stan 4207 patrol vessel. Damen is a Dutch company that creates basic ship designs that can be easily modified to meet customer needs. The Damen design was selected in 2008 because in 2007, the Coast Guard was finally forced to admit defeat in its effort to build an earlier design for FRCs. The ship builders (Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman) screwed up, big time. While the Coast Guard shares some of the blame, for coming up with new concepts that didn't work out, the shipbuilders are the primary culprits because they are, well, the shipbuilding professionals and signed off on the Coast Guard concepts. Under intense pressure from media, politicians, and the shame of it all, the Coast Guard promptly went looking for an existing (off-the-shelf) design and in a hurry. That had become urgent because of an earlier screw up. By 2013, satisfied with its new modified Damen FRC (Fast Response Cutter) design, the U.S. Coast Guard began ordering more to be delivered in 2016. In 2012, the first of 58 FRC vessels was commissioned. These are 46.8 meter (154 feet) long, 353-ton vessels equipped with an eight-meter (25 foot) rigid hull boat launched and recovered internally from a ramp in the stern (rear) of the ship. Armament of this cutter (as seagoing coast guard ships are called) consists of a remotely controlled 25mm autocannon and four 12.7mm (.50 caliber) machine-guns, plus small arms. Top speed is 52 kilometers an hour and the crew of 22 has sleeping and eating facilities on board so the ship can be at sea 5 days at a time, FRCs each average about 2,500 hours (over 100 days) a year at sea. In 2006 the Coast Guard discovered that an existing ship upgrade program made the modified ships structurally unsound and subject to breaking up in heavy seas. All eight of the modified 40-meter (123 feet) cutters were removed from service after cracks were found in the hull and decks. The 40-meter "Island Class" ships used to be 35.5-meters (110 feet) long and displace 154 tons. After four meters (13 feet) were added to the hull length, ship displacement went to 166 tons. Crew size (16) didn't change but top speed (53 kilometers an hour) was reduced five percent. The ships are armed with a 25mm cannon and two 12.7mm machine-guns. The original plan was to spend $100 million to modify all 49 of the 35.5-meter ships, so as to extend their useful life, normally 15 years, a bit until a new class of cutters was built. The modification also added a rear ramp for launching a small boarding party boat. The modification program was already in trouble for being behind schedule and over budget. The program was first halted and then killed. This left the coast guard short of ships and in danger of being in even more trouble over the next decade. The coast guard has 250 cutters and the Island Class ships are 18 percent of that. With the failure of that first Fast Response Cutter program, the coasties had to really hustle to even get an off-the-shelf into service before many of their current ships are unfit for service. Twelve of the new FRCs were ordered in 2008, and by the end of 2013 six were in service and performing well as the Dutch Damen class ships had already been doing since the late 1990s, and the U.S. Coast Guard will eventually account for about half of the Damen Stan 4100 type ships built. The success of this approach encouraged the U.S. Navy to use a similar approach to find a successful design for a new class of frigates to replace the failed LCS (Littoral Combat Ship) design. The French-Italian FREMM multipurpose frigate design is similar in concept to the Damen patrol ship concept. The first FREMM ship entered service in 2012. Not counting the twenty or more FREMM type ships the U.S. Navy plans to build, there are already 49 FREMM type ships on order or in service with five other navies. Despite the Western news headlines proclaiming every violent death in Iraq a surge in violence, the number of terrorist related deaths has been way down since 2017. That was the year in which ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) power in Iraq was broken. Ever since then small groups of ISIL fighters survive in the north and west, mainly by avoiding the security forces and concentrating on raising money via extortion and kidnapping so they can rebuild and recruit. The fundraising has been more successful than the recruiting and ISIL in Iraq is evolving into another organized crime network. Gangsters tend to prefer a lower body count than terrorists. In 2017 there were about a thousand terrorism related civilian deaths a month, with a somewhat smaller number of deaths among the Islamic terrorists and the security forces. In 2018 monthly civilian deaths fell to less than 300 a month. In 2019 it was about 200 a month and in 2020 less than a hundred a month. The 2020 deaths were partly the result of covid19 lockdowns and uncertainty about how bad the virus was. In 2021 the downward trend continues. The Turkish Threat ISIL and Iran-backed Iraqi Shia groups are both seeking to kill or expel foreign troops, mainly Americans and Turks. Currently the Turks are suffering most of the foreign solider deaths, in part because there are about twice as many Turkish troops as Americans in Iraq and most of them are deliberately seeking out PKK Turkish Kurdish separatists who have long used bases in northern Iraq. The smaller number of American troops in Iraq are there mainly to train and advise the Iraqi military. Over the last decade Turkey has become more aggressive against the PKK presence in northern (Kurdish controlled) Iraq and northeast Syria. This includes stationing thousands of Turkish special operations and support troops in remote parts of northern Iraq. These Turks have plenty of air support, in the form of American made F-16s using smart bombs plus Turkish made helicopter gunships and armed UAVs. The Turkish air and artillery support often kills Kurdish civilians, not all of them PKK supporters. The Iraqi Kurd government complains loudly about Iraqi Kurds killed but are more subdued about PKK deaths. Angering the Turks too much stirs up Arab fears that Turkey might go from counterterrorism to annexation by invading and regaining possession of their Mosul province. A century ago, after World War I, the victorious Allies dismantled the Ottoman Turk empire and that included making Mosul province, long considered part of the Turkish heartland, a component of the new state of Iraq. The post-Ottoman Turks fought a brief war with the Allies and reversed most of the Allied plans to take away parts of the Turkish homeland and form a smaller Turkey than the Turks were willing to accept. The ferocity and success of Turkish resistance caused the war-weary Allies to back off and the Turks got to keep most of their heartland. The one exception was Mosul. Then as now much of southeastern Turkey is populated by the Kurdish minority. In Mosul province Ottoman Turks were the most powerful of many minorities, ruling Kurdish, Arab and various other minorities including non-Ottoman Turks. Western oil companies had discovered oil throughout the Arabian Peninsula before World War I broke out and Mosul Province turned out to have a lot of oil. The Allies were determined to deny post-Ottoman Turkey oil, just in case those old imperial ambitions returned. Most of the Turks were forced out of Mosul in the 1920s and have not forgotten. Nor have the Kurds, who were then persecuted by the Arab majority of Iraq. A Kurdish state, uniting land and Kurds from Ottoman Turkey and Iran was one of the promised post World War I Allied reforms. Making that happen in the 1920s was prevented by opposition from Turks, Arabs and Iranians who were supposed to surrender land and population to make the Kurdish state happen. The Iraqis fear Turkish domination or annexation of the old Turkish province of Mosul rather than the Iranian threat to dominate Iraqi politics via the Shia Moslem beliefs Iranians and most Iraqis share. Shia Arabs are a minority in what the Turks call Mosul province and prefer it that way. The Turks dont have an ancient claim on Mosul, having created and ruled the area about 400 years before losing it a century ago. Iran has contested control of Iraq for thousands of years. Then there is the issue of the Ottoman, and Turks in general, relationship with Islam. Early Islam gained most of its converts in the Middle East and North Africa by force. Convert or die, sometimes slowly because of heavy taxes and economic restrictions imposed on non-Moslems who were too valuable to exterminate. The Turks, like the Mongols were different. Both groups adopted Islam when it suited their political needs. The Arabs have never accepted the Turks as religious equals and were much offended when the Ottomans decided their leader (the Sultan) should also be the Caliph (leader of all Moslems). The Turks bribed, intimidated or exterminated all Moslems who actively opposed this. To Arabs the Turks and Iranians are both seen as alien (non-Semites) and very dangerous. Based on the number of Arabs killed, the Turks are seen as the most dangerous threat. This is a major factor in Iraqi preference for Western allies, especially the Americans. As the founder of the Saudi dynasty observed in the 1940s, the Americans may be Western infidels, but they are far away and not as interested in ruling Arabs as they are in trading with them. Early on the Saudis sought some kind of alliance with the Americans, despite considerable religious and cultural differences. Southern Disorders Iraqs Shia controlled government faces more dangerous threats locally; internal corruption and Iranian efforts to turn Iraq into a client state or unofficial part of the Iranian Shia Islamic empire. The current situation is that you have about 90 percent of Iraqis opposed to corruption, many of them very opposed. Since 2015, there have been repeated public gatherings that evolved into large anti-corruption demonstrations that continue. Many of these demonstrations are anti-Iran as well. While corrupt Iraqi officials and pro-Iran Shias are on the defensive, they are still a major factor in Iraq and Iraqis in general dont want this to degenerate into another civil war. They just want less corruption, an improved standard of living and a major reduction in Iranian efforts to control Iraq. The religious dictatorship in Iran is now dominated by the extremists, or radicals. Most of the extremist attitudes come from the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) who suffered greatly from the return of economic sanctions in 2017. Because of these sanctions the IRGC Quds force, which handles foreign wars and terrorism, saw its budget cut by half since 2017, forcing major reductions in Quds activities in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. The IRGC was created in the 1980s to protect the new religious dictatorship and suppress, with violence, if necessary, local opposition to the new religious overlords. The IRGC has become increasingly assertive in backing radical solutions to problems and that has created a growing number of nationalist clerics, including some eligible to be one of the twelve senior Shia clerics who run the Guardian Council. The senior clerics have become divided into mutually antagonistic factions. The moderates are those who want to put Irans interests first and concentrate on the economy and reducing the poverty that is visibly turning more Iranians against their government, Islam and all the foreign wars the radicals have dragged Iran into. These realists are also nationalists and often called moderates by foreigners. The IRGC believes force is the key to Iranian power and all Iranians must support that. Most Iranians do not support the IRGC and for over a decade have become increasingly open about that opposition. The IRGC has killed over a thousand of these protestors over the last few years. As a result of this the Guardian Council has blocked nearly all nationalist candidates from running in the latest national elections. This meant the new parliament and senior leaders were dominated by IRGC and Quds Force veterans, including several recognized as terrorists or guilty of war crimes. August 30, 2021: In the west (Anbar province) a border guard was killed and another wounded. A roadside bomb and a gunman were used for the attack, which no one has taken credit for. ISIL is the usual suspect. In the north (Kirkuk) ISIL gunmen killed a policeman during an attack on a checkpoint. The attackers also destroyed a thermal (night vision) vidcam used at that location. August 29, 2021: In the west (Anbar province) fifty tanker trucks carrying vehicle fuel were allowed into Syria, where the fuel is being delivered to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iraqi soldiers and border guards at the Al Bukamal crossing into Syria did not interfere because both sides of the border are dominated by pro-Iran groups. On the Iraqi side there are Iran-backed PMF militias. The Syrian side is controlled by the pro-Iran Syrian government and Iranian Syrian mercenaries. Israeli and airstrikes often hit the Syrian side, where there are a growing number of Iranian bases, which include warehouses for Iranian rockets and missiles trucked in from Iran via Iraq. Fuel trucks are usually not hit because that cargo is useful to civilians as well as Iranian controlled military personnel. The U.S. recently carried out a rare airstrike on the Iraqi of the crossing, in retaliation for an Iranian rocket attack on an American base. Iran wants all American troops out of Iraq but that is not going to happen as long as there is ISIL activity in Iraq. Even after ISIL is suppressed, the U.S. has made it clear it will maintain a force or military trainers and advisors in the autonomous Kurdish north. August 28, 2021: In the south, neighboring Kuwait confirmed that a rocket fired from Iraq had landed in an uninhabited area of northern Kuwait. The day before there were Iraqi news reports of someone firing three unguided rockets at Americans based in Kuwait. There are six military bases in Kuwait where thousands of American military personnel are stationed, mainly to provide logistic support for American forces in Iraq as well as training and advisory services for Kuwaiti forces. Since the 1990s Kuwait has welcomed the United States using their territory as a logistics and air support center to support Kuwait in deterring Iranian or Iraqi aggression. Kuwait also allows their territory to serve as a mobilization base if U.S. combat units are needed in the region. Kuwait is one of the foreign locations where the U.S. stores pre-positioned weapons and equipment for an American combat brigade. Only the troops have to be flown in to have that brigade ready for combat. Kuwait also contains facilities to handle a lot more American troops in an emergency. Since 2015 as many as 12,000 American troops have been in Kuwait, mainly (and very openly) to discourage any Iranian (or Iraqi ISIL) threats. Saddam justified his 1990s invasion and annexation of Kuwait as a way to eliminate unpaid loans the Kuwaitis were demanding repayment of as well as vague claims that Kuwait was actually a lost province of Iraq. In the 1980s Kuwait had loaned Iraq $20 billion to pay for the eight- year war with Iran. Saddam later declared the loans were actually meant to be donations to the Iraqi war effort against a common enemy. After a year of Iraqi occupation an American led force drove the Iraqis out and Kuwait added up all the damage the Iraqis had done. The UN agreed that this was a valid debt. Since then, Kuwait and the UN have worked to get the debt repaid. A lot of Iraqis are unhappy about this but Iraqi leaders have backed repayment efforts. In late 2020 the UNCC (United Nations Compensation Commission) authorized another Iraqi payment (of $230 million) to Kuwait for damage done to Kuwait oil fields during the 1990-91 occupation. That leaves $2.3 billion still to be paid before the entire $52.3 billion debt is satisfied. The UNCC also granted Iraq additional time to complete payments. The UNCC assessed the reparations in the 1990s but Saddam Hussein refused to pay. Five years after Saddam was removed in 2003 Kuwait restored diplomatic relations with Iraq in return for Iraq working with the UNCC to pay off the reparations. In early 2018 Iraq resumed paying Kuwait reparations. Payments had been resumed earlier but were suspended in 2014 because of the ISIL invasion and the consequent cash shortage. If Iraq continues making payments it should be finished paying the debt in a few years. Achieving this repayment will improve relations with the Sunni Arab oil states in Arabia and make it easier for Iraqis firms to do business in the rest of the Middle East. That goal is very popular with most Iraqis. August 27, 2021: Senior Shia cleric Muqtada al Sadr announced he would support and participate in the October 10th parliamentary elections. This comes six weeks after Sadr declared he would not participate in those elections and was withdrawing support for the current government and any new government after the October elections. Sadr is a very respected and influential Shia cleric and he asked other Iraqis to follow his example. This was all about corruption and the refusal of senior politicians to do anything effective to deal with the problem. Sadr changed his position because he had received written assurances from senior politicians that they would implement a charter for reform. Sadr believes if these politicians again ignore public pledges to eliminate corrupt practices, many of them quite visible, publication of those written pledges would lead to larger protests and threats of violent revolution. Sadr has also criticized the Iran-backed PMF militias as well as some local tribal leaders who are guilty of blatant corruption and, in the case of the PMF groups, working for a hostile neighbor that seeks to control the Iraqi government via corruption and threats. Sadr was once a pro-Iran cleric but has openly turned against Iran since mid-2015, when thousands of pro-reform Iraqis began demonstrating in Baghdad and other cities every Friday to encourage the government to take more action against corruption. Those demonstrations continue although their intensity varies over time. The demonstrations were most intense in southern cities like Basra and Mayan, the capital of Mayan province which borders Iran. August 26, 2021: In the far north (Duhok Province) Turkish warplanes carried out another attack on PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) Turkish Kurdish separatist camps and positions in the hills and valleys of this sparsely populated region. As many as 5,000 Turkish military and security force personnel are currently deployed in Iraq. Fire support is provided by artillery on the Turkish side of the border and airstrikes by Turkish Air Force F-16s and helicopter gunships as well as the new force of armed UAVs. Turkish special forces commandos often find PKK bases and call in the airstrikes or, if close enough to the border, artillery fire. August 24, 2021: In the north (Babel province) a roadside bomb was used to attack an American supply convoy from Kuwait. One truck was damaged but there were no casualties. In the south (Qadisiya province) there was a similar attack on another American supply convoy but there were no casualties or damage. There was also a similar attack on a convoy outside Baghdad. Three such attacks in one day were attributed to pro-Iran groups trying to inflict some damage on the Americans as well as get all American troops out of the country. Most Iraqis want some Americans to stick around, if only because it frightens and annoys the Iranians and ISIL. A bonus is the fact that Turkey wants to remain a member of NATO and that membership would be threatened if Turkish military operations in northern Iraq expanded into an occupation force. August 21, 2021: In northern Iraq and northern Syria Turkish airstrikes killed seven PKK (Turkish Kurd separatists) fighters. August 15, 2021: In the far north (Kurdish controlled areas) four Turkish troops were killed in two separate incidents. One involved a hidden bomb and the other a firefight with PKK gunmen. August 13, 2021: In the far north (Duhok Province) PKK fighters got close enough to a Turkish base to fire several mortar shells, killing one Turkish soldier. The Turks responded with airstrikes that killed at least three people near a suspected PKK camp. August 9, 2021: The U.S. announced new sanctions on individuals and companies associated with Iran-backed armed groups in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. This makes it more difficult for these individuals and companies to do business, especially when it is traced to those militias. Ibrahim Raisi, the new president of Iran, has been appointing officials to senior posts who are already sanctioned by the United States. Raisi was an infamous judge and prosecutors during the 1980s and responsible for the execution of thousands of Iranian accused or suspected of disloyalty towards the then new religious dictatorship that had replaced the monarchy in 1979. Ever since then many Iranians refer to Raisi with uncomplimentary nicknames referring to his early career as a mass murder. August 6, 2021: Turkeys military and paramilitary security forces claimed they have neutralized (arrested) or eliminated (killed) 18,313 terrorists since July 2015. This includes Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) separatist rebels killed in Turkey and northern Iraq. Many of those rebel deaths were made possible by Turkey moving thousands of troops into northern Syria and Iraq. FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the state of the U.S. economy and the need to pass coronavirus disease (COVID-19) aid legislation during a speech in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 5, 2021. R By Nichola Groom (Reuters) -The Biden administration announced plans on Tuesday to open millions of acres for oil and gas exploration as the White House sought to comply with a court order requiring it to resume lease auctions. The move, which includes some 80 million acres of water in the Gulf of Mexico along with potentially hundreds of thousands more onshore, represents a setback for Democratic President Joe Biden's plans to fight climate change, which included a campaign vow to end new federal oil and gas leasing. Biden paused drilling auctions after taking office in January pending an analysis of their impacts on the environment and value to taxpayers. That review is ongoing, officials have said. In June, however, a federal judge in Louisiana ordered a resumption of auctions, saying the government was required by law to offer acreage to the oil and gas industry. The U.S. Interior Department on Tuesday said it would offer almost all available, unleased blocks in a more than 90 million acre area in the Gulf of Mexico. The sale could ultimately result in production of up to 1.1 billion barrels of crude oil and 4.4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, according to a sale document posted online. The sale is roughly the same size as offshore sales held by the Trump administration, which downplayed the threats from global warming and sought to maximize domestic fossil fuel production. In the document, known as a Record of Decision, the administration said a United Nations report that warned earlier this month that climate change was dangerously close to spiraling out of control "does not present sufficient cause" to revise an existing environmental analysis of the offshore lease sale, which was conducted by the Trump administration. The document said, however, that "additional analysis of climate change may be a significant consideration in the Departments decisions regarding oil and gas leasing programs in the future." After the document's publication, four environmental groups filed a lawsuit in Washington federal court challenging the decision to hold the offshore auction, alleging the underlying environmental analysis was flawed and violated federal law. ""The Biden administration has folded to the oil industry ..., ignoring the worsening climate emergency we face," said Brettny Hardy, an attorney with Earthjustice, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of the environmental groups. They were Friends of the Earth, Healthy Gulf, Sierra Club and Center for Biological Diversity. Interior said it was evaluating more than 700,000 acres of land for potential auction in Alabama, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming, according to documents posted on a government website. Most of the land under consideration, some 560,000 acres, is in Wyoming, a major oil-producing state. The administration is seeking public comment on the land parcels for 30 days as part of a review that will determine which ones are put up for auction. The sales are expected to happen early next year. The president of oil and gas industry group Western Energy Alliance, Kathleen Sgamma offered what she called "lukewarm praise to the Interior Department" for selecting parcels that had been scheduled to be offered earlier this year. "However that's where my praise ends," she said in an email, saying the administration "continues to slow walk sales." Her group is suing the Interior Department and hopes to win a court order that would force sales to be held this year instead of in 2022, she said. (Reporting by Nichola Groom and Valerie Volcovici; Editing by Howard Goller and Cynthia Osterman) NEW YORK and CHICAGO, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Breakthru Beverage Group, a leading North American total beverage alcohol distributor with operations across the United States and Canada, today announced the Board of Managers has appointed Tom Bene as President and CEO, effective October 4, 2021. As Breakthru's leader, Tom will advance the next phase of the company's evolution focusing on growth and expansion, accelerating technology and innovation and executing with excellence for supplier and customer partners. Drawing on more than 30 years of leadership experience, Tom has a proven track record of driving growth and modernizing business models throughout his career. Most recently, Tom has served as President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. Previously, he served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sysco Corporation, the global leader in foodservice distribution. Prior to that, he served as President of PepsiCo's foodservice business. Charles Merinoff, Co-Chairman of the Board of Managers, said, "We are thrilled to welcome Tom to Breakthru Beverage as our next President and CEO. Tom has a demonstrated history of leading organizations through periods of exceptional growth and innovation. His transparent, compassionate and inspirational leadership style struck us immediately, and we're excited for him to continue building Breakthru's culture of excellence and inclusivity." W. Rockwell Wirtz, Co-Chairman of the Board of Managers, stated, "Tom brings invaluable expertise in distribution strategy and supplier and customer partnerships. We are confident that he will advance Breakthru's position as an industry leader as we implement our growth strategy and continue to transform our business." As President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association, Tom drove organizational and governance changes to improve overall engagement with its membership. In this important role, he worked with large national restaurant brands and local operators in the restaurant, foodservice and alcohol beverage industries to navigate the impact of Covid-19. While leading Sysco, Tom oversaw international expansion and numerous acquisitions, primarily of family-owned businesses, adding significant revenue to the top line. During Tom's tenure, the company grew sales to more than $60B across a variety of countries. Prior to joining Sysco in 2013, Tom spent 23 years at PepsiCo, serving in senior leadership roles including President of PepsiCo Foodservice and President of PepsiCo North American Beverages. Tom earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Kansas and is currently a member of the University of Kansas Business School Advisory Board. He previously served on the Board of the Women's Foodservice Forum and has been an active member of a variety of charitable organizations, including the United Way. Danny Wirtz, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Managers, said, "We are impressed with Tom's leadership track record and his desire to embrace our multigenerational legacy of service and commitment to our people, portfolio and culture. We're confident that he will enhance our key stakeholder relationships and take our organization to the next level." Tom said, "I'm very excited to join Breakthru at such an important time for the company. Breakthru's strong positioning in the marketplace provides a springboard to accelerate growth. I look forward to working with the Board of Managers and the company's talented leadership team and associates to capture the many opportunities ahead and exceed expectations for our suppliers and customers." To ensure a smooth transition, President and CEO Greg Baird will serve as an advisor to the company supporting Tom's transition through the end of the year. Charles added, "On behalf of the Board of Managers, I'd like to share my heartful gratitude to Greg for his leadership and achievements. His steadfast commitment to our suppliers, customers and associates has set the foundation for Breakthru's tremendous future. We wish him the very best in his upcoming retirement and look forward to celebrating his contributions to Breakthru." About Breakthru Beverage Group Breakthru Beverage Group is one of the leading alcohol wholesalers in the United States and the largest broker in Canada representing a full total beverage alcohol portfolio of spirits, wine and beer. Breakthru is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and supports a wide range of notable organizations as well as local charitable initiatives across its North American footprint. Across all markets, Breakthru aligns a nimble and insightful approach to sales, marketing and operations. Family ownership is active in the business and committed to being stewards of heritage and champions of innovation. For more information, visit www.BreakthruBev.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/breakthru-beverage-group-appoints-tom-bene-as-president-and-ceo-301366373.html SOURCE Breakthru Beverage Group SINGAPORE, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Holdings A/S ("Novo Holdings" and "NH"), a leading international investor in healthcare and life sciences, today announces that it has participated in the US$65.7 million Series C financing in Doctor Anywhere ("DA", "the Company"), a regional tech-led healthcare company headquartered in Singapore. As a result of the financing, Dr Amit Kakar, Senior Partner, Head of Novo Holdings Equity Asia will join the Company's Board of Directors and Carol Wang, Senior Associate, Novo Holdings Equity Asia will join the Board as an Observer. DA combines technology and innovation to transform the way people access healthcare and provide a seamless integration of the online and offline healthcare experiences. The DA Virtual Clinic is a digital platform that enables patients to access medical assistance on-demand anytime, without leaving their homes, whilst its offline platform provides users with access to resources such as GP clinics and mobile healthcare services. The Company's services allow for the management of a wide range of acute and chronic conditions in both adults and children, such as home-based health screenings and vaccinations, medication access and distribution, COVID-19 testing, mental wellness support, and nutrition and fitness counselling. Since its launch in 2017, DA has grown exponentially to serve more than 1.5 million users in Singapore and the wider region. The COVID-19 pandemic also served as a catalyst to fast-track the adoption of telehealth services in the region, and garnered strong interest and partnerships with leading brands across consumer healthcare and insurance industries. The latest investment will significantly bolster DA's market leadership and put the Company in a leading position to further deepen its presence in its existing markets. It will also allow the Company to expand into new markets, to drive its mission of transforming the regional healthcare landscape through technology. Dr Amit Kakar, Senior Partner, Head of Novo Holdings Equity Asia, said: "We are very pleased to invest in DA and to support its mission to transform the regional healthcare landscape through technology. This is our fourth investment in Asia this year and illustrates Singapore's position as the leading telehealth hub in the region, and is a great addition to our growing portfolio of telemedicine and digital health platforms. We look forward to building on this momentum and to continuing to invest in life science and healthcare companies that are true leaders in their sectors." Lim Wai Mun, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Doctor Anywhere, said: "DA's mission is to be the largest tech-enabled omni-channel healthcare provider in Southeast Asia, and tech-enabling offline businesses is part of how we differentiate ourselves from competitors. We are thrilled to attract the interest of Novo Holdings, one of the world's leading life sciences investors. This financing is a significant milestone which is a testament to our vision and track record. We will utilize this funding to further enhance our digital capabilities, and scale up on our ability to deliver quality healthcare seamlessly to our users in Southeast Asia." The round was led by growth equity investor Asia Partners and also joined by Philips Venture, OSK-SBI Ventures and existing investors Square Peg, Singapore-based global investor EDBI, IHH Healthcare, Kamet Capital and Pavilion Capital. Doctor Anywhere is currently available in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The group also recently announced the establishment of regional tech hubs in Bangalore, India, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. About Novo Holdings A/S Novo Holdings A/S is a private limited liability company wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. It is the holding company of the Novo Group, comprising Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S, and is responsible for managing the Novo Nordisk Foundation's assets.Novo Holdings is recognized as a leading international life science investor, with a focus on creating long-term value. As a life science investor, Novo Holdings provides seed and venture capital to development-stage companies and takes significant ownership positions in growth and well-established companies. Novo Holdings also manages a broad portfolio of diversified financial assets. Further information: www.novoholdings.dk. About Doctor Anywhere Doctor Anywhere is a regional tech-enabled, omni-channel healthcare company, on a mission is to make healthcare simple, accessible, and efficient for everyone. DA's digital platform bridges gaps in the healthcare ecosystem through technology and innovation, enabling users to manage their health easily and effectively through the DA mobile app. Headquartered in Singapore and with a presence in six countries in the region, DA now serves more than 1.5 million (and growing) users across Southeast Asia. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/novo-holdings-participates-in-us65-7-million-series-c-financing-in-singapore-based-regional-telehealth-platform-doctor-anywhere-301364461.html SOURCE Novo Holdings SINGAPORE, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aicadium, a global technology company founded by Temasek and dedicated to creating and scaling AI solutions, today announced the acquisition of BasisAI, a Singapore-based provider of scalable and responsible artificial intelligence (AI) software. The two organisations will be jointly known as Aicadium and will expand operations to serve a global enterprise customer base. BasisAI was co-founded by Liu Feng-Yuan, Linus Lee, and Silvanus Lee in 2018 to draw on their world-class experience in building scalable AI from Silicon Valley companies and seize the vast opportunity to build an AI powerhouse in the APAC region. In 2019, BasisAI raised S$8.2 million (US$6 million) in seed funding from Temasek, a Singapore-headquartered global investment firm, and Sequoia India. One year later, the startup launched its proprietary end-to-end machine learning platform, Bedrock, which enables organisations to rapidly deploy responsible AI solutions. Since then, BasisAI has gone on to deploy solutions for organisations such as DBS, UOB, OCBC, ComfortDelGro, the Singapore government, and Singapore Airlines, and has also partnered with global companies including Accenture, PwC, and AWS. Aicadium was launched in August 2021 as Temasek's global centre of excellence in Artificial Intelligence. It aims to partner with Temasek portfolio companies and other enterprises seeking to develop and scale end-to-end AI solutions to improve business outcomes. The firm leverages its global team of data scientists and engineers, a repeatable and scalable process, and a platform of AI algorithms, models, and tools to help clients achieve operational AI within their organisations. The newly merged organisation brings together the best of combined capabilities, including deep AI/ML and product development expertise spanning decades. The combined team's proven experience delivering end-to-end AI solutions for enterprises will enable Aicadium's global expansion plans. "This acquisition allows us to accelerate our growth strategy, broaden our reach and expand our offering that is built on the strong foundation of a powerful AI platform and a combined team of talent. We are excited to be joining forces with Aicadium to augment our strength in building responsible AI systems," said Mr. Liu Feng-Yuan, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of BasisAI, who will assume an executive leadership position at Aicadium together with fellow BasisAI Co-founder Linus Lee. "BasisAI shares Aicadium's determination to deliver AI solutions that are responsibly and ethically designed, developed, and deployed," said Dr. Michael Zeller, Head of AI Strategy & Solutions at Temasek. "The strengths that BasisAI brings to the Aicadium team include not only an extremely talented and experienced group of data scientists, software engineers, and business leaders but also an AI platform that was built from the ground up with these values in mind," Dr. Zeller said. "Together, the new entity will further Temasek's strategy of deploying capital to catalyse innovative and transformational technologies, such as AI, to enhance businesses and build a more inclusive, resilient world." About Aicadium Aicadium is a global technology company dedicated to creating and scaling AI solutions by leveraging deep expertise and a common machine learning platform. As Temasek's global centre of excellence in Artificial Intelligence, we partner with companies to build and operationalize impactful AI solutions across a wide variety of industries and use cases. Our team includes expert data scientists, software engineers, and AI business leaders in Singapore and San Diego, CA. As a team, we place the highest priority on the responsible adoption, development, and delivery of AI technologies and solutions, with the goal of delivering improved business outcomes that usher in a more resilient and inclusive world. For more information, visit the company website: https://aicadium.ai/ View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/temasek-founded-aicadium-acquires-singapore-ai-firm-basisai-301365622.html SOURCE BasisAI; Aicadium (nesa.cap.gov) (Tribune News Service) Indiana's Camp Atterbury will temporarily house Afghan evacuees as part of Operation Allies Refuge, the Indiana National Guard announced Tuesday. Gov. Eric Holcomb was supportive of the efforts to house refugees who had worked with U.S. service members and diplomats at the military and civilian training post, located 40 miles south of Indianapolis. "As Hoosiers, we are proud to do our part and provide a temporary home for Afghan evacuees who have supported this nation," Holcomb said in a statement. "Our federal partners are taking necessary and appropriate steps to establish that there is a smooth process to allow these men, women and children to quickly find their permanent home across the United States. I have faith in the Indiana National Guard's ability to support this federal mission." Camp Atterbury, Fort Pickett, Marine Corps Base Quantico and Fort Lee in Virginia; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort McCoy, Wisconsin.; Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.; and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey will provide temporary housing and support to a total of 50,000 Afghans. According to the release from the Indiana National Guard, active-duty and National Guard service members will provide housing, medical, logistics and transportation when the Afghans arrive. The date has not yet been set. "Our Hoosier Guardsmen are honored to join our fellow Americans to help, assist and host Afghans who played an integral part and helped us for nearly 20 years," Brig. Gen. Dale Lyles, Indiana National Guard adjutant general, said in a statement. "We also look forward to working alongside our active-duty counterparts, and members of national, state, and local agencies as we support the Department of Homeland Security mission." U.S. Rep. Greg Pence tweeted that Camp Atterbury will be built up to have the capacity to house approximately 5,000 people. He promised to "closely monitor this situation." Indiana made headlines six years ago when then Gov. Mike Pence, Congressman Greg Pence's brother, suspended the resettlement of Syrian refugees in Indiana in the wake of the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris that left 130 people dead, joining governors from at least 15 other states. "Indiana has a long tradition of opening our arms and homes to refugees from around the world but, as governor, my first responsibility is to ensure the safety and security of all Hoosiers," Pence said in a statement at the time. A U.S. district judge later ruled that state officials were prohibited from withholding federal grant money to a nonprofit that aided refugees. 2021 www.indystar.com. Visit indystar.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Tribune News Service) 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 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, a 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. YR Colorado Springs Gazette. Visit at gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Buy Photo An Afghan woman sits alone in the medical area of a warehouse that has been transformed into a processing center for evacuees on Rhine Ordnance Barracks in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Aug. 30, 2021. Many of the Afghans who are being temporarily housed at the Army facility are suffering from depression and survivor guilt for those they left behind in Afghanistan, medical staff say. (Karin Zeitvogel/Stars and Stripes) KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany An Afghan woman sat alone in a warehouse at Rhine Ordnance Barracks in Kaiserslautern that had been transformed into a processing center for evacuees. It may have been hunger or pain that caused her to double over every once in awhile. Or it could have been a mental health issue facing many evacuees at the camp, which was providing temporary shelter for some 3,000 people who had fled Afghanistan since the Taliban seized control Aug. 15. Theres a lot of depression and a lot of survivor guilt where theyve left people behind and dont know whats going to happen, said Maj. Karyn Kagel, a physicians assistant working at the Army facility. On-site behavioral health teams have been talking to the evacuees through interpreters, trying to help them work through the mental trauma theyve been through, she said. The Army began taking in evacuees at ROB last week to support the operations at Ramstein and give them that pressure release, said Capt. Alex Lovely of the 16th Sustainment Brigade, the officer in charge of the site. Ramstein has housed around 24,000 evacuees since the first aircraft carrying vulnerable Afghans arrived at the base Aug. 17, officials said. The last transport plane left Kabul overnight Tuesday, ending an unprecedented airlift and nearly 20 years of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan. But no evacuees were on that flight or any others during the last 12 hours of operations, said Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command. [We] would have been prepared to bring them on ... but none of them made it to the airport, he said. Buy Photo Afghan evacuees wait by fencing on Rhine Ordnance Barracks in Kaiserslautern, Germany, for the evening meal, Aug. 30, 2021. The Army installation was transformed in four days to help nearby Ramstein Air Base temporarily house thousands of Afghans who have been airlifted out of Kabul since the Taliban seized control in Afghanistan. (Karin Zeitvogel/Stars and Stripes) Buy Photo An Afghan girl draws while two boys play on the grass at Rhine Ordnance Barracks in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Aug. 30, 2021. More than 3,000 evacuees from Afghanistan have been housed at the Army installation, which is taking some of the pressure off Ramstein Air Base, where around 24,000 evacuees have arrived in the past two weeks. (Karin Zeitvogel/Stars and Stripes) Buy Photo Afghan boys draw the word "help" and a broken heart with chalk on paving slabs at Rhine Ordnance Barracks in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Aug. 30, 2021. The children's faces have been blurred to protect anyone they may have left behind in Afghanistan. (Karin Zeitvogel/Stars and Stripes) Buy Photo Afghan men play volleyball without a net in a concrete courtyard at Rhine Ordnance Barracks in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Aug. 30, 2021. The Army installation is housing more than 3,000 Afghan evacuees before they are resettled in the U.S. (Karin Zeitvogel/Stars and Stripes) Buy Photo Army Capt. Alex Lovely stands at the site on Rhine Ordnance Barracks in Kaiserslautern, Germany, on Aug. 30, 2021, where more facilities are being installed to take in an additional 3,000 Afghan evacuees. The Army has already provided shelter for more than 3,000 evacuees at the site, to ease the burden on Ramstein Air Base, where some 24,000 Afghans have arrived since mid-August. (Karin Zeitvogel/Stars and Stripes) Buy Photo A man wearing the traditional pakol hat of northern Afghanistan waits with hundreds of other evacuees for dinner at Rhine Ordnance Barracks in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Aug. 30, 2021. The Army installation is providing food and shelter for thousands of Afghans who are transiting through Germany, most of whom will eventually be resettled in the U.S. (Karin Zeitvogel/Stars and Stripes) Most of those who have made it out transited via bases in the Middle East before reaching Ramstein. On arrival in Germany, the evacuees undergo background and document checks to make sure we know whos going through the process, Lovely said. Officials then decide where to house them at Ramstein, ROB or other U.S. military installations. Some of the evacuees have spent just six hours at ROB while others have been there for five days. Most will eventually head to the U.S., Lovely said. If they are housed at ROB, they go through medical checks and inprocessing in the warehouse. Most are in good physical health and no cases of COVID-19 have been reported, Kagel said. Many are dehydrated, they have low reserves, theyve [had] many days of no meals. Nearby in the warehouse, the mother of a little boy who was crying held her fingers to her mouth to indicate that her son was hungry. After being assigned a bunk, the evacuees are taken to their sleeping quarters across a courtyard where children had drawn chalk images of broken hearts and the word help on the pavement. As men played volleyball and a long line began forming ahead of the evening meal, volunteers at a Red Cross distribution point gave newly arrived evacuees snacks, drinks, hygiene products and blankets. Germany tends to be cooler than the Middle East, so blankets are in high demand, Lovely said. So are cellphone chargers, because unlike Ramstein, the facilities for evacuees at ROB have WiFi and power. With our WiFi capability here, everyone wants to make sure theyre letting their friends and family know that theyre safe in Germany with U.S. forces, Lovely said. Theres also a certain level of apprehension or fear when things are unknown, so weve worked very hard to make sure everyone who comes through here has as much information about our processes, about whats next, to ease their transition out of a tough situation, he said. Buy Photo Forty people associated with U.S. Forces Korea, including military family members and contractors, tested positive for COVID-19 on Aug. 26-27, 2021. (Stars and Stripes) CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea U.S. Forces Korea on Tuesday announced the fastest surge of new coronavirus cases among its personnel, surpassing a record set in July. Forty people, including U.S. military family members and South Korean contractors, tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday and Friday, the command said in a news release. The previous record was 37 infections over a three-day span between July 5 and 7. Fifty-one USFK personnel tested positive between Aug. 23 and Friday, which is, so far, fewer than the previous record of 58 cases during a weeklong period in July. USFK releases its number of COVID-19 cases at irregular intervals throughout the week. The figures only represent personnel who were already stationed in South Korea and do not include recent arrivals into the country. Nearly half of the recent cases are service members at Osan Air Base, roughly eight miles north of Camp Humphreys, the largest U.S. military base overseas. Nineteen of the 40 positive cases originated at the air base, while two cases were reported at Humphreys. The remaining cases include one contractor and 18 service members on temporary duty in South Korea. USFK did not specify where those individuals are posted; the command does not publicly discuss specific details about confirmed cases, according to a statement to Stars and Stripes on Tuesday. All of the infected personnel were moved to isolation buildings at Humphreys, Osan or a South Korean medical facility. Osan came under scrutiny following a party at an enlisted club on Aug. 21. Video footage reviewed by Stars and Stripes showed dozens of military personnel drinking and dancing at the club-like event without masks or regard for USFKs social-distancing policy. According to that policy, service members in indoor common areas on military facilities are required to wear a mask. USFK on Tuesday said it remains at a high level of readiness with over 80% of its personnel being fully vaccinated and less than 1% of its active-duty force confirmed positive. The command, which is responsible for about 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea, updated its travel guidelines Saturday. The new regulations allow troops to travel more freely throughout the country but bans them from entering a few hotspot districts that are defined by the number of COVID-19 cases there over a weeklong period. Meanwhile, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Tuesday reported 1,372 new cases in the country, down from a daily high of about2,221. The country has been in a daily downtrend for new cases for the last six days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised Guams coronavirus risk level to very high on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, meaning people should avoid traveling to the U.S. territory. (Pixabay) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has again raised Guams coronavirus risk level to very high, meaning people should avoid all travel to the U.S. territory. The designation the highest of the CDCs four-tiered travel warning system took effect Monday because the island has tallied more than 500 new COVID-19 cases over the past 28 days. COVID-19 is the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus. Guam had been at high, or level three, for the past three weeks. It was last under the CDCs very high designation between May 17 and June 7. So far during the pandemic the island has confirmed 10,559 COVID-19 infections, 1,415 of which were active as of Tuesday, and 149 deaths, according to Guams Joint Information Center. There were 206 cases announced on Tuesday evening. Forty-five of Guams COVID-19 patients were hospitalized as of 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to the information center. Of those, at least 26 are not vaccinated and three are on ventilators. Starting Labor Day, Guam will begin imposing a proof-of-vaccination policy for myriad activities, from movie theaters to ocean cruises. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero signed an executive order Aug. 21 requiring businesses and large gatherings to check for proof of vaccination from clients and participants ages 12 and older. Anyone without proof will be denied service, according to the order. The CDC warning is a setback to a hesitant reopening. Guerrero in late July had lifted social distancing requirements and limits on gatherings and allowed local businesses to open to full capacity. A surge of cases arrived with August, and the U.S. military on the island reimposed a mask mandate. The territorial government remained optimistic, saying some new cases were expected as restrictions ended. About 80% of the islands 169,000 people are vaccinated. But tens of thousands remain unvaccinated, which renders them still vulnerable to infection, to suffering severe symptoms once infected and to infecting others, Guerrero wrote in her order. It is beyond reasonable dispute that these vaccines save lives. The Japan Defense Ministry's budget request for the coming fiscal year includes upgrades to twodestroyers to accommodate F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters along with another 12 F-35s and space-related projects. (Japanese Air Self-Defense Force) TOKYO Japans Defense Ministry has requested nearly $50 billion for the coming fiscal year, a spending plan that includes upgrades to two destroyers to accommodate F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters along with another 12 F-35s and space-related projects. As surrounding countries strengthen their military power significantly by increasing their defense budget, the security environment surrounding Japan is growing increasingly severe, Tuesdays budget request stated. Japans defense budget has risen each year for nine consecutive years, starting when former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took office in 2012 for a second term. Abe expanded the role and capabilities of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, a trend his successor, Yoshihide Suga, continued with a record defense budget for fiscal 2021. Japan faces, among many other challenges, assertive claims by China over the Senkaku Islands northeast of Taiwan that Japan administers. North Korea, which has a history of test-firing ballistic missile tests over Japan, may have restarted the reactor it uses to produce plutonium for nuclear weapons, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Regional powers are challenging the status quo by eroding non-proliferation and developing missiles, Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, chief of staff for the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, told reporters Monday. Yoshida spoke during a meeting with Gen. Charles Flynn, commander of U.S. Army Pacific, at the defense ministry headquarters on Camp Ichigaya in Tokyo. I recognize that the security environment surrounding Japan is very severe, Yoshida said, without mentioning any other states, because there are regional powers and neighbors that are willing to change the status quo. The ministry asked for the same amount for fiscal 2022 that it requested for the current year, 5.49 trillion yen, or $49.97 billion. For fiscal 2021, it received 5.3 trillion yen, or $48.7 billion. Japan has focused recently on building up its defense in new domains, including space, cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum. For space-related projects, the ministry requested 84 billion yen, or $765 million, to acquire space situational awareness laser-detecting capability and to establish a second squadron in its Space Operations Group, which works closely with U.S. Space Command. Japan needs to strengthen necessary defense power significantly and build multi-domain defense force, the ministrys budget proposal states. The ministry requested 77.9 billion yen, or $709 million, to purchase eight F-35As and 52.1 billion yen, or $474 million, for four F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters. The B model is capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings, making it suitable for Japans flattop destroyers. To accommodate the aircraft, the ministry asked for 6.7 billion yen, or $61 million, to refurbish the flight decks on the JS Izumo and JS Kaga. The ministry hopes to test the Izumo with U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs by March, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said in July. The budget request left blank the amount it seeks to upgrade the Self-Defense Forces fleet of F-15 Eagle fighters. Japan announced in August that it scrapped a plan to outfit the fighters with expensive, U.S.-made anti-ship missiles. Negotiations with the U.S. over the amended project cost are still underway, ministry officials said. The budget request did not specify the cost to realign U.S. forces in Japan, which include shifting some Marine aviation assets from Okinawa to Guam. The ministry asks 202.9 billion yen, or $1.8 billion, to support U.S. forces, which may change with further negotiations between the two countries. The agreement that specified Japans share of that cost expired in March, according to the budget request. Stars and Stripes reporter Alex Wilson contributed to this report. This photo from the state-run Korean Central News Agency shows a missile launch at an undisclosed location in North Korea, March 29, 2020. (KCNA) CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea North Korean officials have railed against a recent joint military exercise between the U.S. and South Korea, calling it "the most vivid expression of a hostile policy. The Aug. 16-26 drills consisted of computer simulations and a smaller number of troops than the thousands of ground forces used in large-scale field exercises of the past. North Koreas Foreign Ministry frequently complains about the allies military exercises and on Saturday alleged the most recent drill was fueling up the instability of the situation. The drills were the most vivid expression of the U.S. hostile policy against [North Korea], which is aimed at stifling our state by means of force, according to the ministry statement. North Korea may continue bolstering the national defensive power and preemptive strike capabilities which can strongly contain and eliminate the outside threats," the statement reads. The statement comes a day after the United Nations nuclear watchdog issued a report indicating the regime restarted its Yongbyon nuclear reactor in July. The International Atomic Energy Agency said North Koreas nuclear activities continue to be a cause for serious concern and described the evidence as deeply troubling. The agencys findings corroborate an analysis from the Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank in April that said the regimes activity is likely an indicator of a new reprocessing campaign designed to expand North Koreas inventory of fissile material for nuclear weapons. President Joe Biden is aware of the UNs report and is closely coordinating with allies, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Monday. This report underscores the urgent need for dialogue and diplomacy so we can achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Psaki said at a press briefing. We continue to seek dialogue with [North Korea] so we can address this reported activity and the full range of issues related to denuclearization. South Koreas Ministry of Unification mentioned Pyongyangs statement during a press briefing Monday and said it will thoroughly prepare for all possibilities without forejudging the attitude of the North. The Unification Ministry will keep trying to rebuild trust and reinstate relations between South and North Korea as early as possible, spokeswoman Lee Jong Joo said in the briefing. Stars and Stripes reporter Yoo Kyong Chang contributed to this report. Buy Photo Another 2,909 people tested positive for the coronavirus in Tokyo on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. Thats 1,311 fewer cases than a week prior. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) TOKYO U.S. military installation across Japan announced 75 new cases of the coronavirus respiratory disease on Tuesday, mostly at Marine Corps bases on Okinawa. Meanwhile, Japans capital city recorded a ninth consecutive day of a comparative decline in new cases of coronavirus, evidence the citys fifth pandemic wave may be cresting. Another 2,909 people tested positive for the virus in Tokyo, according to public broadcaster NHK, which cited the metropolitan government. Thats 1,311 fewer cases than a week prior, according to metro government data. Another 15 people died Tuesday, NHK reported. Forty of the U.S. militarys cases were discovered since Monday within the Marine Corps community on Okinawa, according to a Facebook post by Marine Corps Installations Pacific. The command provided no further information. Another 29 have surfaced since Friday at Yokosuka Naval Base, 28 miles south of central Tokyo. They consist of 12 unimmunized and 17 immunized individuals, according to a base news release. Of the unimmunized, seven are affiliated with the Navy: five developed COVID-19 symptoms, one turned up in a medical screening and one was discovered during contact tracing. The remaining five are base employees: one was a close contact and four had fallen ill. Of the immunized, 15 are associated with the Navy: five turned up in medical screenings and 10 fell ill with COVID-19 symptoms. Two are base employees who became ill. The base has 55 active cases. Nearby Naval Air Station Atsugi had one individual test positive Tuesday while in restricted movement, according to a base news release. Seven people with COVID-19 are being monitored there. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, south of Hiroshima, has had five people infected with COVID-19 since Monday, according to a news release Tuesday. Three had been in restricted movement and two were not. The base provided no further information. Sasebo Naval Base commander Capt. David Adams ordered a ban on off-base drinking anywhere on Kyushu Island by the base population effective Wednesday. The ban is in effect until the end of a local state of emergency Sept. 12. COVID-19 remains a serious public health emergency and we must continue to learn to live and thrive in this environment, Adams wrote in a base Facebook post Tuesday. We have made great progress over the last several months as we have learned how to coexist with this threat. The active cases of COVID-19 on the base, nine as of Monday, are directly or indirectly associated with a restaurant or bar where alcohol was served, the commander wrote. This number will most likely grow in the coming weeks due to how easily the COVID-19 Delta variant is being transmitted if we do nothing. The delta variant is widespread in Japan and considered highly contagious. Adams imposed no curfew or other restrictions on off-base dining and group size, and dining and drinking on base are unaffected. Adams wrote that he would re-evaluate the drinking ban Sept. 12. Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo on Tuesday clarified parts of the base commanders order Friday that prohibits unvaccinated service members from leaving the installation. Childrens programs at Yokota may continue as planned; however, children over age 2 must wear masks and practice social distancing when possible, according to an email to Stars and Stripes from base spokesman Capt. Stuart Thrift. Spouses with an official dependent ID are permitted on Yokota regardless of vaccination status. For an unvaccinated spouse without an ID, the service member must request an exception-to-policy letter from the squadron commander or equivalent. The exception letters are to be used only when conducting official business on base, Thrift wrote. On Okinawa, where the bulk of U.S. forces are concentrated, the prefectural Department of Public Health and Medical Care reported another 554 new cases Tuesday. Japan reported another 13,625 newly infected people Monday, and 47 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. Nearly 45% of the population, or 56.7 million people are fully vaccinated. Stars and Stripes reporter Mari Higa contributed to this report. Buy Photo Army Col. Jodelie Schroeder, the chief nursing officer at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, spoke Aug. 31, 2021, about the flood of emotions and pride she felt while caring for U.S. service members injured in the attack outside the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, last week. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes) All 20 U.S. service members who were injured in the terrorist attack last week in Afghanistan and later were treated in Germany have returned to the United States for further care, military officials said Tuesday. Doctors and nurses at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the U.S. militarys largest hospital overseas, stabilized the patients, many of whom arrived in critical condition with a range of shrapnel and gunshot wounds, officials said. The last group to be medically evacuated to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., left on Monday. Every single service member that received care here left our facility in much better condition than when they arrived, said Col. Andrew Landers, the LRMC commander. Whether they make a full recovery depends on what happens over the next four to six weeks in their treatment and recovery process, he said. Staff at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center receive casualties Aug. 27, 2021, who were medically evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan, after an attack outside of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul a day earlier and evacuated to LRMC. All 20 U.S. service members injured in the attack have been stabilized and evacuated to the United States for further care. (Marcy Sanchez/Landstuhl Regional Medical Center) Buy Photo Army Col. Andrew Landers, the commander of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, said Aug. 31, 2021, that all 20 U.S. service members injured in the attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, last week and treated at LRMC have been stabilized and evacuated to the United States for further care. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes) Buy Photo Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, the U.S. militarys largest hospital overseas, treated 20 U.S. service members and nearly a dozen Afghan civilians injured in the attack outside the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, last week. LRMC stabilized the injured military personnel, who have all since been flown to the United States for further care. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes) LRMC also treated about a dozen Afghan evacuees who were injured in the Kabul airport attack and medically evacuated. Most of them are still receiving care at the hospital, officials said. Landers did not share personal details about the injured. But officials said the U.S. military members are young, similar to the demographics of the personnel killed in the attack, whose ages ranged from 20 to 31. A few women are among the injured. Most had shrapnel injuries, fractures and penetrating wounds consistent with what you see in any type of blast, Landers said. Some had gunshot wounds, said Col. Peter Kim, an Air Force physician and the chief medical officer at LRMC. There were reports of gunfire during the attack, in which a suicide bomber detonated explosives near a checkpoint manned by U.S. military personnel. Some of the patients received interventions during the 8.5-hour medical evacuation flight on military aircraft from Kabul that saved life, limb and eyesight as much as possible, said Air Force Col. Irene Folaron, commander of the 86th Medical Squadron at Ramstein Air Base. When the service members arrived at LRMC, doctors and nurses were preparing for the worst, Kim said. We werent getting a lot of good information, just because of the size of what happened, he said. When the first patients arrived Friday, more than 100 staff members from across all hospital departments waited with gurneys and offers of support, Kim said. The energy was palpable, he said. Other military units in Europe and German military and civilian medical officials also provided support. The 86th Medical Group at Ramstein helped with supplies, and the Army sent a team of linguists and special forces medics to help. RAF Lakenheath also sent two providers to assist, and German trauma centers provided expertise, Landers said. Army Col. Jodelie Schroeder, LRMCs chief nursing officer, grew emotional when talking about the injured service members. An Army nurse corps officer for 24 years, Schroeder was a brigade combat team nurse in Iraq. Those are the kind of feelings for me that are coming back, she said. They know that from a military medical standpoint that were here, weve got their back. President Joe Biden made his way on Sunday around a quiet room at Dover Air Force Base, a chamber filled with couches and chairs, with dignitaries and grieving families huddling together as the president came to speak to them privately, one family at a time. Mark Schmitz had told a military officer the night before that he wasn't much interested in speaking to a president he did not vote for, one whose execution of the Afghan pullout he disdains and one he now blames for the death of his 20-year-old son Jared. But overnight, sleeping in a nondescript hotel nearby, Schmitz changed his mind. So on that dreary morning he and his ex-wife were approached by Biden after he'd talked to all the other families. But by his own account, Schmitz glared hard at the president, so Biden spent more time looking at his ex-wife, repeatedly invoking his own son, Beau, who died six years ago. Schmitz did not want to hear about Beau, he wanted to talk about Jared. Eventually, the parents took out a photo to show to Biden. "I said, 'Don't you ever forget that name. Don't you ever forget that face. Don't you ever forget the names of the other 12,' " Schmitz said. " 'And take some time to learn their stories.' " Biden did not seem to like that, Schmitz recalled, and he bristled, offering a blunt response: "I do know their stories." It was a remarkable moment of two men thrown together by history. One was a president of the United States who prides himself on connecting with just about anyone in a moment of grief, but now coming face-to-face with grief that he himself had a role in creating. The other was a proud Marine father from Missouri, awoken a few nights before at 2:40 a.m. by a military officer at his door with news that nearly made him faint. In what may be a sign of the country's deep divide, Schmitz was not the only family member who wrestled long and hard with whether he even wanted to meet with Biden and who did not hesitate to offer criticism of the commander in chief. The family of Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, too, had mixed emotions when it came time to decide whether to talk with the president. McCollum's sisters and father joined his widow, Jiennah McCollum, on the trip to Dover but when it came time to meet Biden, only Jiennah went in. Afterward, one of the sisters, Roice McCollum, said Jiennah felt the president's words were scripted and shallow, a conversation that lasted only a couple minutes in "total disregard to the loss of our Marine our brother, son, husband and father." The White House declined to comment on Biden's conversations with the grieving families, saying those exchanges should remain private. But last week, after news of the deaths emerged, the president publicly recalled how he and his wife, Jill, lost Beau, who served in Iraq before being diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. "We have some sense, like many of you do, what the families of these brave heroes are feeling today," Biden said. "You get this feeling like you're being sucked into a black hole in the middle of your chest. There's no way out. My heart aches for you." Despite Schmitz's disenchantment with Biden, one part of the encounter did strike him favorably. The president at one point pulled out the card he keeps in his breast pocket showing the number of American service members who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's something Biden has talked about for years, but now the card had an addition that reflected the new toll that Biden was responsible for. "At the end of it, it had 'Plus 13,' " Schmitz said. "I know it's just a number, but it was a simple reflective thing that he looks at. I'll give him kudos there." In recounting the meeting, Schmitz said he did not want to make it political. His own emotions at times appeared contradictory and changing. He didn't want to meet with Biden, and then he did. He didn't intend to shake his hand, and then he did. He agrees with Biden on the need to withdraw, but believes that he botched the way it should have been done. And while he hardened when Biden entered the room, he said he also understood how difficult it must have been for the president to take that step. "It had to be one of the hardest things he's ever had to do," Schmitz said. "You make some calls, here's the aftereffect. It's got to be difficult. I'm not saying it was easy at all. But you can't run up and hug someone as if you had nothing to do with it. It's not going to work that way when you're commander in chief." Biden did not address the group collectively with prepared comments, instead making his way around the room for more private moments with each individual family. And the reactions varied widely; some families opted not to meet with Biden at all, while others accepted hugs from him. Biden for years has brought up his life story and how it has been shaped by tragedy. His wife and young daughter died in a car crash in 1972. He suffered from brain aneurysms in 1988 that were so significant that a priest came to read him his last rites. And Beau died of brain cancer in 2015. Biden has often talked of Beau's service in the Delaware National Guard and his deployment to Iraq as a way to convey his empathy with the worry that faces military families. He has at times wondered aloud whether Beau's exposure to burn pits while in Iraq was the reason he developed brain cancer. But his life experiences, which so often have provided the connective tissue to help him reach those immersed in grief, at times seemed to fall flat on this occasion. For the first time, Biden was meeting with relatives some of whom held him responsible for the death of their loved ones. And they did not necessarily view Biden's suffering as directly relevant to theirs. "When he just kept talking about his son so much it was just - my interest was lost in that. I was more focused on my own son than what happened with him and his son," Schmitz said. "I'm not trying to insult the president, but it just didn't seem that appropriate to spend that much time on his own son." "I think it was all him trying to say he understands grief," Schmitz added. "But when you're the one responsible for ultimately the way things went down, you kind of feel like that person should own it a little bit more. Our son is now gone. Because of a direct decision or game plan or lack thereof that he put in place." White House press secretary Jen Psaki declined to comment Monday on Biden's interactions with the family members. "While his son did not lose his life directly in combat as they did or directly at the hands of a terrorist, as these families did that they're mourning he knows . . . firsthand that there's nothing you can say, nothing you can convey, to ease the pain and to ease what all of these families are going through," she said. "It is certainly the right of any individual who met with the president yesterday to speak publicly about their experience," Psaki added. "But I'm not going to speak about the president's experience beyond what I've said already." Some of the grieving relatives felt a need to interact directly with the president after losing their loved one, including Jiennah McCollum, who married Rylee McCollum just six months ago and is due to give birth to the couple's child next month. "Gigi wanted to look him in the eye and hear him," McCollum's sister Roice said in a text message to The Washington Post, using Jiennah's nickname. Roice recounted that Jiennah left disappointed. The president, she said, kept checking his watch and bringing up Beau. And her feelings appeared to be influenced by her overall views of Biden's politics and performance as president. "He cannot possibly understand," Roice said. "My dad and I did not want to speak to him. You cannot kneel on our flag and pretend you care about our troops. You can't f--- up as bad as he did and say you're sorry. This did not need to happen, and every life is on his hands. The thousands of Afghans who will suffer and be tortured is a direct result of his incompetence." Schmitz did not react as harshly, but he said that he was consoled far more by the words of military leaders who came up to him on Sunday to offer their condolences than by anything Biden said. As the families left the building following their encounter with Biden, solemnly watching the bodies of their loved ones come off the C-17 plane, the emotions were still raw. Schmitz said he grew agitated every time he saw Biden check his watch. And at the end, there was another outburst of emotion. As the families began loading back onto their bus, one woman grew emotional and began screaming in Biden's direction across the tarmac. "She said, 'I hope you burn in hell! That was my brother!' " Schmitz recounted. "I can't fault her for it," he added. "We all lost somebody." The Washington Post's Meagan Flynn and Maria Paul contributed to this report. An Afghan army soldier walks past Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, MRAP, that were left after the American military left Bagram air base, in Parwan province north of Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, July 5, 2021. (Rahmat Gul/AP) WASHINGTON U.S. troops disabled 170 vehicles, aircraft and weapons systems that they abandoned Monday at the Kabul airport before the remaining American service members in Afghanistan boarded the last flights out of the country, the top U.S. commander in the region said. About 70 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, 27 Humvees and 73 aircraft were demilitarized by the U.S. at Hamid Karzai International Airport before they left Kabul for the last time, said Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command. Theyll never be able to be operated by anyone, McKenzie said of the equipment. Most of them were non-mission capable to begin with. McKenzie did not say what kind of aircraft were among the 73 left behind at the airport, where U.S. forces helped more than 123,000 people evacuate the country since late July. Most of those evacuation flights took place after Aug. 14 when thousands of U.S. troops deployed to the Kabul airport to ramp up withdrawal efforts as the Taliban closed in on the city. In the first hours after U.S. forces left the airport, Taliban fighters entered a hangar formerly under U.S. control to examine abandoned equipment including four Chinook helicopters, according to a video posted to Twitter by Los Angeles Times reporter Nabih Bulos. Were here right now with the Taliban as they enter into what was only minutes ago an American-controlled portion of the airport, Bulos said in the video. And now, theyve taken over. Chief Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told CNN on Tuesday that the only equipment the U.S. left operable at the airport were a couple of fire trucks and forklifts so that the airport itself can remain more operational going forward. "[The Taliban] can inspect all they want. They can look at them, they can walk around, but they can't fly them. They can't operate them, Kirby told CNN. We made sure to demilitarize, to make unusable, all the gear that is at the airport all the aircraft, all the ground vehicles. McKenzie said the U.S. also made its counter rocket, artillery and mortar system at the airport inoperable, but waited up until the very last minute to do so to protect the forces. That system was used Sunday to stop an Islamic State rocket fired at the airport. It's a complex procedure and time-intensive procedure to break down those systems, the general said. [But] we demilitarized those systems so that they'll never be used again. Buy Photo A U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft carrying evacuees from Afghanistan lands at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes) PHILADELPHIA (Tribune News Service) A total of 883 evacuees from Afghanistan arrived at Philadelphia International Airport on Saturday and Sunday, and nine planes carrying hundreds more were expected Monday, according to city officials. That would mark a dozen flights to set down here so far as part of Operation Allies Refuge, the U.S. military operation to airlift people out of the country. Shortly before 5 p.m. came confirmation that the last military flight had departed Kabul airport, meeting President Joe Biden's Tuesday deadline to end the 20-year war. Military flights had been leaving the embattled capital at a rate of more than one an hour Monday, helping drive departures that have seen about 116,700 people evacuated in roughly the last two weeks. Those arriving in Philadelphia who may be Afghan nationals, U.S. citizens, or hold any of a variety of legal statuses are being met by staff from city, state, and federal agencies, along with local hospitals and nonprofit organizations. The city turned a closed Terminal A-East into a staging and processing area, used after new arrivals have left the planes and been cleared through customs. "I'm very pleased with the level of coordination," Mayor Jim Kenney said Sunday. "We anticipate this operation picking up speed in the coming days." The city is providing familiar, culturally appropriate food, diapers, hygiene products, and other supplies, along with books and stuffed animals for children. Everyone gets a medical evaluation that includes COVID-19 testing. New arrivals may be vaccinated against the virus if they wish. The city also is offering on-site interpretation in Dari, Pashto, Urdu and Farsi, and has set up space for prayer and religious observance. Muslims in Virginia sent out an urgent request Monday for 800 copies of the Quran and 800 prayer rugs for newly arrived Afghans stationed in Quantico. City officials say they need volunteer translators. Those able to help should first sign up as part of the Philadelphia Medical Reserve Corps, which serves during large-scale events. To join, visit the SERVPA website and select "Medical Reserve Corps Organizations" from the drop-down menu, and then choose "Philadelphia MRC" from the secondary menu. The best way to support relief efforts, city officials said, is through monetary donations to vetted groups. The city Office of Immigrant Affairs is working with Nationalities Services Center and HIAS Pennsylvania. People can also donate goods and services to organizations included here. Many of the evacuees are being taken to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in South Jersey, which is readying to shelter thousands of people. A respite site on the Camden waterfront has so far not been used, on standby in case crowds of arrivals overflow at the airport. Many or most of those taken to the New Jersey base will be resettled in communities around the United States. About 156,000 Afghans live in this country, half of whom have been here less than five years. California has the largest Afghan population at about 54,000, followed by Virginia at 24,500 and Texas with 10,400. About 700 Afghans live in Philadelphia, clustered in Mayfair and Oxford Circle in the Northeast. (c)2021 The Philadelphia Inquirer Visit The Philadelphia Inquirer at www.inquirer.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. In this Aug. 24, 2021, file photo, provided by the U.S. Marine Corps, families walk towards their flight during ongoing evacuations at Hamid Karzai International Airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Samuel Ruiz/U.S. Marine Corps) CHICAGO (Tribune News Service) Grocery shopping. Furnishing apartments. Finding translators. These are just some of the ways Chicago resettlement agencies are working to welcome an expected influx of Afghan refugees who fled their homes before the last U.S. plane left the country. Refugee resettlement groups expect as many as 500 Afghan refugees to arrive in the coming months. Illinois legislators have suggested Chicago should receive many, as the city has both the capacity to serve them and the Afghan communities to welcome them. Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky called supporting refugees a moral obligation. Groups that help resettle refugees, like RefugeeOne, Heartland Alliance, Catholic Charities and World Relief, were already preparing for Afghan arrivals as the U.S. prepared to exit the country. The extra evacuees are an unexpected and urgent addition. It is like with the expression building the plane as youre flying it, said Lea Tienou-Gustafson, director of Refugee and Immigrant Community Services at Heartland Alliance. Thats very much what it feels like right now. Information is just changing literally hourly. In recent days, staffers also frantically worked to help those still in Afghanistan, calling legislators and the State Department to help Illinois residents or family members get to the Kabul airport and safely out of the country. Chicago volunteers from RefugeeOne also traveled to a Virginia military base to help process arriving refugees. Schakowsky said she helped submit 100 cases to try and get people out of Afghanistan and to Illinois, and as of Monday knew of only two families who had left. Staffers described working to prepare apartments and find household items for people who left everything behind. People will have left with very little, said Tienou-Gustafson. We know that people will need everything from clothing, to children will need school supplies, families will need furniture and home goods. An additional financial hurdle will be that many will be coming on a status that makes them ineligible for benefits like food stamps, and meaning nonprofits hope to raise funds to meet that financial gap. Others will arrive on Special Immigrant Visas, the program for Afghans who worked for the U.S. government or military. Tienou-Gustafson said they received many offers to volunteer; groups like Heartland and RefugeeOne also are accepting donations as it is hard to assess exact needs until more families arrive. Right now, they sometimes get just 24 hours notice that a family will be arriving. We anticipate that we will continue to have arrival notices, and those people will arrive quite quickly, she said. Ekram Hanna, who herself arrived from Iraq in 2012 on a Special Immigrant Visa, said the mental health needs will be acute. People experienced beatings from the Taliban on the way to the airport and they often had tried multiple times to flee amid violence. For her, its been really tough to watch the headlines and know personally how people are at risk. She and her husband left Iraq after receiving a threat. These people will arrive with trauma, she said. They will need emotional support first. Some Afghan families arrived very recently; groups expect people to come over the course of the next few months. Resettlement agencies provide the first three months of rent, but families who often arrive not speaking English and working to learn a new city and help children adjust have needs over a longer span of time. Tienou-Gustafson expects housing will be an issue; they have heard from people who have apartments available and are offering them for families. They also will need volunteers to help with tasks like grocery shopping, which can free up staffers to help families navigate paperwork for things such as school registration. Refugees are continually arriving in Chicago; right now families Heartland is preparing for include people from Congo, Syria and Sudan. These organizations provide youth programs, English classes and mental health services. They also work closely with people in the Afghan community, who have helped them know what grocery items may offer comfort or encouraged common home-country items such as rugs. The things that were all seeing on the television are things that these people have witnessed and lived through, she said, and yet theres still a sense of loss in leaving your home country. Theres a lot that people are going through. 2021 Chicago Tribune. Visit chicagotribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, left, and Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, talk before a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2022 for the Defense Department in Washington on Thursday, June 17, 2021. (Caroline Brehman/Pool via AP) WASHINGTON A group of retired military officers are calling for the resignations of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, over their handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The conservative group Flag Officers 4 America orchestrated the letter signed by 87 officers that accuses Austin and Milley of failing to recommend against this dangerous withdrawal in the strongest possible terms" that left 13 U.S. troops dead. Conversely, if they did do everything within their ability to persuade the president to not hastily exit the country without ensuring the safety of our citizens and Afghans loyal to America, then they should have resigned in protest as a matter of conscience and public statement, the group wrote in the letter. Eleven Marines, a sailor and a soldier and dozens of Afghans were killed Thursday when an Islamic State suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest and gunmen fired on crowds near a Kabul airport gate where troops were evacuating Americans, Afghans seeking special immigrant visas and others from Afghanistan. The withdrawal ended in Kabul just before midnight Tuesday local time after U.S. and coalition forces evacuated more than 123,000 people from Afghanistan since late July. Most of those evacuations happened after Aug. 14, when the U.S. increased its forces at the airport to speed operations as the Taliban closed in on the capital. Among the signatories are retired Vice Adm. John Poindexter, who served as former President Ronald Reagans national security advisor, and one retired four-star admiral, Adm. Jerome Johnson. At least one officer listed as having signed the letter, Marine Corps Brig. Gen. James Mead, is dead, according to his July obituary posted to the Wareham Village Funeral Home and Cremation Services website. Flag Officers 4 America is the same organization that in May published a letter with 124 retired admirals and generals accusing President Joe Biden of launching a full-blown assault on our Constitution rights in a dictatorial manner over his use of executive orders. In its Monday letter, the group called the withdrawal disastrous and hasty, claiming the Americans and vulnerable Afghans left in Afghanistan after U.S. forces left Monday are now de facto hostages of the Taliban at this time. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday said between 100-200 Americans who want to leave Afghanistan were unable to get to the airport in time for evacuation. The group of officers further alleged Austin and Milley should resign for other leadership, training and moral reasons related to the Pentagons focus this year on addressing racism and extremism within the ranks. It has become clear that top leaders in our military are placing mandatory emphasis on [politically correct] wokeness related training which is extremely divisive and harmful to unit cohesion, readiness and war fighting, the group said in its letter. Our military exists to fight and win our nations wars and that must be the sole focus of our top military leaders. Louisiana National Guard members in high-water vehicles and boats work with St. John the Baptist Parish officials to rescue people stranded in their homes in the wake of Hurricane Ida. (Louisiana National Guard) National Guard troops have helped rescue 359 people and 55 pets in Louisiana as search and rescue efforts remain a top priority after Hurricane Ida left a path of destruction across the eastern half of the state, the Louisiana National Guard said. The last couple days have not been good for our state. And the next several days and weeks, they will not be easy either. I can assure you that we will get through this, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said. About 6,000 troops from several states are deployed in Louisiana, according to the Louisiana National Guard, which has about 5,100 of its own troops deployed with 177 high-water vehicles, 74 rescue boats and 34 helicopters. Search and rescue operations are underway in 31 parishes, though the 359 people rescued were all within five parishes. Meanwhile, more than 1 million people are without power and many are also without drinking water. At least four people have died from the storm in Louisiana and Mississippi, according to The Associated Press. Edwards said the death toll could rise as they go neighborhood to neighborhood to check on people. State and local officials have urged those who have evacuated not to return until electricity and water are available, which could take days or even weeks in some areas. Travel also remains dangerous as emergency responders continue to clear downed powerlines and trees from roads. Louisiana National Guard members in high-water vehicles and boats work with St. John the Baptist Parish officials to rescue people stranded in their homes in the wake of Hurricane Ida. (Louisiana National Guard) The Louisiana National Guard prepares to distribute supplies to victims of Hurricane Ida in south Louisiana. More than 5,000 members of the Louisiana Guard were assisting with relief efforts. (Louisiana National Guard) Members of the Louisiana National Guard coordinate Hurricane Ida response. (Louisiana National Guard) National Guard engineer teams have assessed 938 miles of road and cleared 294 miles, said Sgt. 1st Class Denis Ricou, spokesman for the Louisiana National Guard. Troops also work with the Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to support generator requests for agencies affected by power losses, Ricou said. So far, 185 generators have been requested. Of those, 20 are on site and 88 installations are underway. The remaining support is under assessment. Additional missions include security operations in six parishes, staging food and water for delivery on trucks and trailers and preparing nine distribution sites in three parishes. Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and South Carolina have provided or pledged support through an emergency management assistance agreement. This is what the National Guard is for, said Col. Bob Walter, commander of the Oklahoma National Guard Joint Task Force, which sent 500 service members. Our organization is proud to help our neighbors in need, just as we did for both Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Harvey, and just as other states have done for us. About 200 troops from Mississippi are ready to deploy once they receive clearance and another 350 are on standby in case they are needed, said Daniel Szarek, spokesman for the Mississippi National Guard. While they, too, experienced heavy rains from Ida, Mississippi was spared the need for Guard missions within the state. Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, about 110 miles northeast of New Orleans, has become a staging and holding area for federal and state equipment and personnel preparing to support Louisiana, he said. While most military bases hit by the storm returned to normal operations Tuesday, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans remained closed. The commissary and Navy exchange expect to open Wednesday with limited stock, according to base officials. Patrician Military Housing, which manages about 735 homes on the base, said those who did not evacuate did not have power and many had internet outages. Housing personnel were visiting homes to assess damage and check on residents. National Guard Tim Kennedy, a U.S. Army Green Beret and a mixed martial artist, takes a photo of himself and evacuees inside a U.S. military cargo plane, in an undated photo taken during the evacuation of at-risk people from Afghanistan in the last two weeks of August 2021. Kennedy traveled to Kabul, Afghanistan as a private citizen affiliated with an ad hoc volunteer group that formed to help evacuations. (Nick Palmisciano) Veterans and civilians who worked tirelessly to help Afghans escape Taliban rule are now agonizing over the fates of friends and allies left behind in the wake of the U.S. militarys withdrawal, which was completed Monday. Although the hurried efforts brought more than 123,000 civilians from Afghanistan on U.S. and coalition aircraft, not everyone the U.S. wanted to evacuate made it out of the country, said Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command. There's a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure, McKenzie said. Volunteers served as conduits between at-risk Afghans and the U.S. government during the evacuation. Some even flew to the Kabul airport to help. We knew it was going to end in tears from the very beginning, said Nick Palmisciano, an Army infantry officer for six years, in a Twitter direct message Tuesday. It was a hard pill to swallow, but it is the very reason we pushed so hard. Palmisciano said he worked to bring 12,000 people out of the country with a large a group of volunteers that had a base of operations in Washington, D.C., and its own hangar at the Kabul airport. A group of U.S. military veterans and civilian volunteers gathered for an undated photo as part of an effort to evacuate at-risk Afghans. The group helped bring 12,000 people out of Afghanistan, said Nick Palmisciano, an Army infantry officer for six years, adding that they had people based at a hangar at Kabuls international airport and at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. (Nick Palmisciano) But so many people who helped the U.S. remain in Afghanistan despite volunteer efforts, said retired Col. Mike Jason, the interim executive director of an informal group called Allied Airlift 21. Lets face it, Jason said. The numbers indicate most of us failed to get them out, most of us failed. So how do we deal with that? Jason said he is worried about the mental health of the veterans and civilians who poured their efforts into evacuations. Allied Airlift 21 evacuated around 600 to 700 people, Jason said, but this was out of a list of over 30,000 who sought their help. The former battalion commander in northern Afghanistan said his hopes for an orderly evacuation disappeared once he realized how disorganized and chaotic the airport was. He and other volunteers described a system in which people with adequate paperwork were turned away from the airport, while some people with no documentation or connection to the U.S. got in. Chris Jones, a Marine veteran, said the process brought back memories of his time as a machine gunner in Afghanistan and the accompanying feelings of helplessness and regret for not being able to save lives. Buy Photo Chris Jones, who fought in Helmand province during two tours as a Marine, lights a cigarette as he watches the sun set on a return trip to the province in 2019. Jones said the process of trying to help evacuate Afghans who worked with the U.S. government brought back memories of his time in Afghanistan, along with feelings of helplessness and regret for not being able to save people. (J.P. Lawrence / Stars and Stripes) There are thousands of American veterans who are having to tell the guys who kept them alive on their deployment, I dont know what to do, Jones said. Jones recalled traveling to Arlington National Cemetery last weekend to pay respects to a friend who died during their first deployment to Afghanistan in 2010. While at the gravesite, Jones received a text message from an Afghan man who wanted help leaving the country. It was surreal to tell a grave, Hey, man, I think we lost this war pretty bad, and to have the reality of it thrust into my face, via my phone, and to sit there and to say, I cant help you, he said. Afghan women tend to a baby in an undated photo taken through a chain link fence at Kabul, Afghanistans international airport. While an evacuation effort brought more than 123,000 civilians from the country on U.S. and coalition aircraft, not everyone the U.S. wanted to evacuate was able to leave, said Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, on Aug. 30, 2021. (Nick Palmisciano) Jones and other volunteers said they still plan to try to help Afghan allies escape, perhaps via land routes to neighboring countries. Efforts will pivot to welcoming and assisting refugees who have arrived in America, and the lists of Afghans requesting help will be offered to the U.S. government, Jason said. Air Force veteran Christy Barry was in basic training at the time of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. She said she had believed in the mission of helping Afghanistan, and she signed up for a program in which she learned one of the countrys languages to better assist Afghan forces. Im heartbroken for the Afghans that I couldnt get out, said Barry, who deployed to Afghanistan as an Air Force officer and then as a civilian. Devastated, just gutted, absolutely gutted. The next few weeks will be hard for a lot of veterans, Barry said. She had supported the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan but said the execution was a disaster. Theres a part of me that has died, she said. A part of me that used to be a patriotic American has died. The Veterans Crisis Line has had an increase of texts, calls and online chats since mid-August when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan's capital Kabul and the crisis at the city's airport began, VA officials said. () WASHINGTON The crisis hotline for veterans experienced a 98% increase in the number of texts that it received during the last two weeks of August compared to the same two weeks last year. Calls to the Veterans Crisis Line increased 7% and online chats increased by nearly 40% during the same time period, from Aug. 13 to 29. Department of Veterans Affairs officials attribute the increase to multiple factors, including the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan and the upcoming 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. VA officials also said theres an increased awareness of the hotline since last year and theres not as much stigma about utilizing the resource. The more we can do to normalize discussions about crisis and suicide, that increases our call volume, said Lisa Kearney, director of the Veterans Crisis Line. Were reaching more people to get them care and support. So, Im thankful for it. The VA has been tracking an increased usage of the hotline since the Taliban overthrew the Afghanistan government in mid-August and the United States began a frenzied effort to evacuate Americans and Afghan allies from the country. Thirteen U.S. service members were killed Thursday in an attack on the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul by the Afghanistan branch of the Islamic State. The U.S. troops were working to evacuate people. The U.S. military ended its withdrawal Monday, concluding its 20-year mission in Afghanistan. Matthew Miller, national director of the VAs suicide prevention program, said hes received numerous questions about how the withdrawal is affecting the mental well-being of Afghanistan War veterans. The increase in calls and texts to the hotline helps to reveal some of the effects, Miller said. I think its really hard to speak for veterans as a whole because veterans are an extremely diverse group, he said. [The hotline] gives a small sample, but a meaningful look at whats occurring within the veteran population. The VA compared the number of calls, chats and texts to the same time period last year, rather than earlier in 2021, because usage increases or decreases depending on the time of year. August, September and October are the hotlines busiest months, Miller said. The VA does not ask veterans for demographic information on the calls, so its not clear how many texts or calls have been initiated by Afghanistan War veterans, Miller said. However, veterans ages 18 to 34 are more inclined to use chat or text, rather than calling the hotline. But the withdrawal from Afghanistan has prompted some Vietnam War veterans to use the hotline, too. I dont want this to come across as being a post-9/11 specific issue, Miller said. We have veterans from the Vietnam era who have been contacting us who are incorporating what theyre seeing on the news into their process of working on what they experienced as a result of their service. The Veterans Crisis Line is operated by responders at three call centers in Canandaigua, N.Y., Topeka, Kan., and Atlanta. To handle the influx of calls in recent weeks, the hotline has been using its backup centers, Kearney said. On Tuesday, 34 senators wrote to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, asking him to increase outreach to post-9/11 veterans about the mental health resources available to them. They referenced VA data that show suicide rates are lower among veterans who use VA care. We ask that the VA develop a comprehensive outreach plan to connect Afghanistan and Global War on Terrorism veterans to VA benefits and services, the senators wrote. This plan must proactively contact veterans in the coming months through means including, but not be limited to, digital correspondence, social media, phone calls, and text messages. Jeremy Butler, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said he supported the idea of a sustained, comprehensive plan to reach veterans. A group of House Republicans called on Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., the chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, to hold a hearing regarding veterans mental health following Americas withdrawal from Afghanistan. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., the ranking Republican on the committee, led the letter written to Takano, in which he described the withdrawal as a failure of President Joe Bidens administration. We must convey to our nations veterans that their service and sacrifice have not been in vain, and that despite political failures in Washington, they are heroes who have indeed accomplished their mission in Afghanistan and left the world a better, safer place, the Republicans wrote. Takano issued a statement Tuesday defending Bidens decisions about Afghanistan and encouraged people to reach out to the veterans in your lives. Veterans who want to contact the Veterans Crisis Line can dial 1-800-273-8255, and then press 1, or text the crisis line at 838255. An option to chat online is available at veteranscrisisline.net. Frances Sarah Pratt, 93, passed on September 10, 2021 in Stillwater. At this time services are pending. Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com Changes to the SunCommercial's back end processing means the e-edition is getting a facelift. The biggest change is the e-edition, by default, is now presented in Text view. Police are pleased with the publics overall response to Alert Level 4 restrictions over the weekend. "By and large New Zealanders continue to recognise the importance of these restrictions for the health and wellbeing of us all," says Police Commissioner Andrew Coster. "Now is not the time to throw caution to the wind or take unnecessary risks. Police will not tolerate behaviour that deliberately jeopardises everyones efforts to date. "We all know the rules by now so the public can expect Police to move from education through to enforcement more quickly in these circumstances." Examples of Alert Level 4 breaches over the weekend include a report of poachers on farmland at Totora Flat in Grey District. Officers responded and located two men in a vehicle, one of whom admitted hunting. An unloaded firearm was also found in the vehicle. Enquiries are underway to determine whether charges will be filed. Across Auckland, Police at checkpoints observed reasonably low levels of traffic however motorists were turned around for a range of reasons including exercising or shopping outside their neighbourhood and attempting to visit family or friends. Other creative reasons for non-essential and long-distance travel around the country included needing to fix a shower, buying a puppy, delivering fish to a friend, getting better quality meat, and going for a Sunday drive. Meanwhile in Wellington roving Police patrols yesterday turned around a number of motorists who travelled to Pauatahanui inlet to see a pod of visiting orca. Compliance update As of 5pm on Sunday, 107 people have been charged with a total of 115 offences nationwide since Alert Level 4 restrictions began. Of the charges filed, 75 are for Failing to Comply with Order (COVID-19), 26 for Failure to Comply with Direction/Prohibition/Restriction, 11 for Health Act Breaches, and three for Assaults/Threatens/Hinders/Obstructs Enforcement Officer. In the same time period, 293 people were warned for 295 offences 109 for Failing to Comply with Order (COVID-19), 101 for Failure to Comply with Direction/Prohibition/Restriction and 85 for Health Act Breaches. Since August 19 2021, Police have been issuing infringements for COVID-19 related breaches. As at 5pm on August 28 2021, Police have issued 2179 infringements nationwide. Person failed to remain at current home / residence 2018 Person failed to wear a face covering on premises 41 Person failed to comply with applicable physical distancing rule 62 Obstruct/Hinder Medical Officer of Health or Person Assisting Med Officer/Failing to Comply with Order (COVID-19) 25 Person failed to wear a face covering on public transport 6 Person in control of premises failed to close as required 6 Person in control of workplace failed to display QR code 13 Person organised a gathering in an outdoor place 8 Police have now received a total of 12,674 online breach notifications 7873 about a gathering, 3603 about a business, and 1198 about an individual. In addition to the online breach notifications, a total of 7899 COVID-19 related calls were made to the 105-phone line. The majority (5606) of calls were requests for information, and 2293 were to report perceived COVID-19 breaches. St John is reminding the public of the importance of letting ambulance staff know if they or anyone in their household have been exposed to, have symptoms of or have tested positive for COVID-19. St John currently has 93 frontline staff in self-isolation due to community contact with COVID-19. These paramedics have been stood down from work until they return a negative test as per Ministry of Health guidelines. St John understands some people may fear that they will not get an ambulance response in these circumstances, but St John wants to reassure the public that ambulance crews continue to respond to all emergencies, at all alert levels, says St John Deputy Chief Excutive Ambulance Operations Dan Ohs. However, in order to respond safely, we are asking patients and their support persons to be upfront about whether theyve been exposed to the virus. St John ambulance officers are trained and experienced in infection control practice, and deal with infectious diseases all year round. To limit the risk of infection and to protect our people and the public, frontline staff routinely wear Ministry of Health MOH - recommended personal protective equipment PPE - such as masks and gloves when attending all patients, and change these between patients. They are also pausing before entering a scene to ask screening questions to determine the appropriate level of PPE to be worn. In response to feedback from ambulance officers, who are reporting regular instances of patients and those in their household not providing accurate answers to COVID-19 screening questions, St John has made the decision that all frontline ambulance officers in the wider Auckland region will now be required to wear full airborne PPE, including gowns, eye protection, gloves, and N95 masks, to all routine call outs to keep them safe. For the rest of New Zealand, ambulance crews will continue to wear regular PPE but will wear full airborne PPE in instances where a patient or someone in their household has symptoms or may have been exposed to COVID-19. St John knows these are challenging times and is confident we can continue to provide a safe and timely service to the public as long as crews are informed appropriately. We appreciate the cooperation and support from the public to keep our frontline crews safe and operational, says Dan. The safe passage of hundreds of evacuees from Afghanistan has been made possible by an elite group of New Zealand soldiers who used code words and tactical landmarks to assist their efforts in an attempt to avoid chaotic and dangerous scenes. Members of the New Zealand Army, deployed as part of the New Zealand Defence Forces Operation Kokako, were on the ground at Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) in Kabul to help evacuate New Zealand nationals, their families and visa holders earlier this month. The turbulent and dangerous environment saw Special Forces troops, including a Female Engagement Team, move deep into the security area designated around HKIA, at times utilising a canal, to reach those they had been sent to help, guiding them through the crowds to points on the perimeter where they could be brought into the airport, secured, and safely evacuated. A special forces commander on the ground says the evacuees would be given code words for them to show in order for them to be positively identified. Once identified we would begin the work of extracting them, often during a lull where it was tactically acceptable. We were very deliberate in this approach lest we started a riot or caused a breach. The bank of the canal was controlled by coalition forces so the soldiers were able to use the banks as a tactical thoroughfare, often jumping into the water to aide evacuees. In one rescue, a wheelchair-bound woman and her son were helped down the banks in order to reach safety. This specific rescue was just one of hundreds of acts we undertook to recover New Zealand nationals. All those involved in the operation take great pride in being able to be a part of the numerous acts that took place to get people out safely. Senior National Officer for the operation, Group Captain Nick Olney, says the scenes were confronting for personnel to deal with. We were looking for needles in haystacks. And there were a lot of haystacks out there to start with and we had no idea what the needle we were looking for looked like. He says coordinated efforts from the interagency response, that included officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, meant they were able to locate the people they needed to help. We were assisting people through sewage ditches, over barbed wire fences, I cant describe enough the bravery on both sides. With the evacuees, the desperation, they would do anything to get into the airport. And on our side, our team pushed themselves to every physical and psychological limit to get these people out and inside the wire and make them safe. Group Captain Olney says the New Zealand troops put their lives on the line by going into crowded areas knowing there were credible threats of attack that later came to tragic fruition for US forces. There was absolute bravery and desperation on both sides to make it work, he said. We had some very highly trained, highly capable individuals on the ground who were able to do the best they could. Group Captain Olney says thanks to support from MFAT and MBIE, the NZDF personnel were able to ensure we could get the right needles, out of the right haystacks and make it work. This could not have been done without any one of those components working. It had to be a team effort. An NZDF soldier helps a woman across a canal in order for her to reach the safety of HKIA. He says the team were tormented by reflecting on situations where they could physically reach out and touch people who they wanted to help, but they couldnt get through. I cant stress enough how difficult it was to bring those people through the wire. It was best endeavours to make miracles happen in the timeframe we had available. Once safely within HKIA, evacuees were relieved, frightened, every human emotion you could possibly think of, he says. For them, when they saw a Kiwi serviceperson, it was their first sign of hope. Around 80 NZDF personnel involved in the mission are due back in New Zealand in early September where they will complete the 14 day isolation period. Do you already have a paid subscription to any of the SWNewsMedia newspapers? If so, you can Activate your Premium online account by clicking here. Activation will allow you to view unlimited online articles each month. To activate your Premium online account, the email address and phone number provided with your paid newspaper subscription needs to match the information you use in setting up your online user account. If you are having trouble or want to confirm what email address and phone number is listed on your subscription account, please call 952-345-6682 or email circulation@swpub.com and we'll be happy to assist. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Emily Macias is a daycare worker at Lil Blessings Child Care Center. She prepares lessons for her students, and she is also helping to facilitate virtual learning for her daycare children by helping them to get on their Zoom meetings and overlooking their classwork. SRLC chairman Steve Fair speaks during the first day of the Souther Republican Leadership Conference at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. on Thursday, May 21, 2015. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman Offer a personal message of sympathy... By sharing a fond memory or writing a kind tribute, you will be providing a comforting keepsake to those in mourning. If you have an existing account with this site, you may log in with that below. Otherwise, you can create an account by clicking on the Log in button below, and then register to create your account. For the second week in a row, Florida Department of Health reported fewer new COVID-19 cases; however, the opposite is true for deaths with an increase of nearly 2,500 for the week of Sept. 3-9. Thank you for Reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and Purchase a Subscription to continue reading. A hot potato: It's no secret that Nintendo is hawkish about its properties. Any time it gets word that a fan has created something based on an IP or there is an unsanctioned event, Mario's lawyers swoop in and put an end to all the fun. The latest uproar is regarding a Super Smash Bros Ultimate tournament that has been effectively shut down. The Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio, was prepared to host its first-ever Super Smash Bros Ultimate at its Riptide water park. The event was initially slated to occur in 2020, but then the pandemic hit, and organizers postponed it to September 10, 2021. With less than two weeks before the event was to take place, Nintendo's legal team said no way. The problem is that the aging 2008 Nintendo Wii game needs help to make it suitable for pro-level competitive play. This help comes by way of the Project+ mod, a spin-off of the Project M mod. Seemingly because of Nintendo's zero-tolerance policy on modding its IPs, Riptide canceled the event. "Riptide was contacted recently by a Nintendo of America, Inc. representative regarding our Project+ events," the organizers tweeted on Friday. "As a result of that conversation, there will be no Project+ tournaments or setups at Riptide." Riptide said it would refund attendees. However, Some of those planning on going are now stuck with non-refundable airline tickets and hotel reservations. Super cool of @NintendoAmerica to cancel an event that's been planned for months just 2 weeks before it happens! Its so considerate to all of the people that bought plane tickets and hotels months ago, which are now usless. Keep up the great work Nintendo! https://t.co/26vliBnCe3 Jo "Melee Pro" Sniffy (@JoSniffy) August 27, 2021 "Super cool of [Nintendo of America] to cancel an event that's been planned for months just 2 weeks before it happens!" tweeted pro-gamer JoSniffy in response to the notice. "It's so considerate to all of the people that bought plane tickets and hotels months ago, which are now useless. Keep up the great work, Nintendo!" The Riptide tourney is not an isolated instance. Last November, Kotaku reported the company's legal eagles put the lid on The Big House Super Smash Bros Melee tournament for a similar mod-related reason. Then when the Splatoon community showed its support for the players put out of their Melee event, Nintendo came in and shut down their plans to live stream a Splatoon tournament. Reminder that Brawl doesnt even have active online servers anymore. It came out in 2008. This is unforgivable at this point. Theres no legitimate reason for @Nintendo to do this that doesnt include a complete disconnect with the current culture of their consumers. Insanity. https://t.co/2TysTTspio hungrybox (@LiquidHbox) August 27, 2021 Former Melee champ Hungrybox voiced his displeasure on Twitter, calling Nintendo's move "unforgivable insanity." "This is unforgivable at this point," said Hungrybox. "There's no legitimate reason for @Nintendo to do this that doesn't include a complete disconnect with the current culture of their consumers. Insanity." The most bizarre aspect of the cease and desist is that piracy or IP theft is not even an issue in this case. The Project+ mod requires an original physical game disc to work. So organizers had genuine retail versions to use for the event and not bootleg images. The only possible factor for Nintendo to object to is the use of the mod, which seems a bit ridiculous, but the company has not commented on the action. Rumor mill: A leaker with a strong track record added to rumors that Nvidia's next generation of gaming graphics cards will use TSMC's 5-nanometer node process. It may also arrive a bit earlier than previously expected. Kopite7kimi, who knew details of Nvidia's current Ampere graphics card lineup before they launched last year, asserted last week that Nvidia's next seriesprobably the RTX 40 cardswould use TSMC's N5 node process. The Ampere series uses Samsung's 8nm silicon. This is the second consecutive time Nvidia has switched back and forth between the two companies. Known leaker Greymon55 stated as much last month, so this puts more strength behind existing rumors. Kopite also said the RTX 40 series, supposedly running on an architecture called "Ada Lovelace," should arrive a bit earlier than previously expected. Those previous expectations put it around the end of 2022. Nvidia tends to launch new generations of graphics cards every couple of years, so the latest rumors could mean as early as Q3 2022. of course TSMC N5 kopite7kimi (@kopite7kimi) August 26, 2021 Earlier, both leakers suggested the top-of-the-line cards in the RTX 40 series, similar to the rumored RTX 3090 super, would draw over 400W of power, setting a new precedent in a concerning upward trend. The flagship of the 40 series will supposedly be based on the AD102 GPU, which according to estimates from Kopite's leaks about its structure, might have as many as 18432 CUDA cores, compared to the RTX 3090's 10496. The flagship 40 series card may double its predecessor's performance based on these rumors. Something to look forward to: Foldable devices may not be to everyone's taste, but they're slowly starting to capture the attention of tech enthusiasts, especially among the younger crowd. A newly-revealed prototype from Samsung leaves a lot to your imagination, but it also shows that the dream of a tri-fold smartphone is getting closer to becoming a reality. Samsung is currently the undisputed king of foldable phones, and the young crowd is apparently so excited about the company's latest Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3 that the company is having trouble handling the demand. So far, they've outsold both the Galaxy S21 and the Galaxy Note 20, which is no small feat. However, as exciting as the new Galaxy Z foldables may be, companies are experimenting with multiple form factors that have yet to materialize in a commercial device. Recently, Samsung showcased a prototype foldable phone that looks strikingly similar to one of the exotic tri-fold concepts portrayed in the popular science fiction TV series Westworld. The foldable device was on display at the International Meeting for Information Displays (IMID) 2021 in South Korea. As you can see in the video above, it draws a lot from the current Galaxy Z Fold design. While the prototype isn't actually shown folding, it can extend into a 7.2-inch tablet with an 18:9 aspect ratio and is proof the mock-up device that Samsung revealed in May is actually working. Samsung is referring to this as a "multifoldable" device, and the prototype in question is called the Samsung Flex In & Out. We've already seen that the Korean tech giant is determined to bring foldable phones into the mainstream, so it will be interesting to see if this concept will be brought to market in the coming years. (Photo : GettlyImages/ Justin Sullivan) COVID-19 passports The COVID-19 vaccine card is a small paper card that you receive after you get vaccinated. It will serve as proof that you completed your shot. But what if the card gets lost, stolen, or damaged? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the CDC are not storing the public's vaccination status. In the United States, several establishments require customers to prevent their proof of vaccination. This is why numerous health apps were launched to make it easier for people to store their digital COVID-19 vaccine cards. Now, Samsung users can do it too. Here are a few options that you can choose from to keep your card safe. Take a Clear Picture of Your Card Taking a picture of your vaccination card and storing it on your phone's gallery is the fastest and easiest way to have a backup copy of the card and all of the information surrounding your vaccination. The CDC even recommended keeping a picture of the card as a backup copy. Use the camera app on your smartphone to take a picture. You can store it in a notes app, the gallery, a folder, or somewhere that can be easily accessed and remembered. Make sure that the picture is clear and close enough to see the dates and important details. Also Read: COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Needed as Early as September With Pfizer. Moderna CEO Aims to Deliver By Year's End Use the App on Your Samsung Phone Samsung Galaxy phone owners can now add proof of COVID-19 vaccination via Samsung Pay. Samsung Pay is the company's wallet app. By having direct access to your vaccination record, you won't have to create photo albums or go through numerous screens before you can show your proof to someone at your local restaurant or bar. To add the card to the digital wallet, download the CommonHealth app first from the Google Play Store. You can follow the instructions in the app to verify your status, according to CNET. Once the app confirmed that you had gotten the shots and the card is yours, you will be prompted to download a Smart Health Card to Samsung Pay. That is what you will show to those who need to see your proof of vaccination. Although the security regarding digital COVID-19 vaccine card had raised some questions, Google, Samsung, and Apple assured users that their personal information is all secured. Apps Based on Your Area In Colorado, state health officials encourage people to use a digital vaccination card via myColorado app. You need to create an account, verify your identity, and add your digital driver's license. Once you're done, you can add your myVaccine record to the app. In Louisiana, people can use the LA Wallet app, which is similar to the myColorado app. This will allow you to add your digital driver's license and proof of vaccination to your smartphone, according to ABC4. In California, you need to fill out a form to verify your identity. You will then receive a text message or email with a link to a QR code that you can save to your device. Once it is scanned, the QR code will be your proof of vaccination, according to NBC News. Another app that several state health departments use is MyIR Mobile. It allows you to provide a digital copy of your COVID-19 vaccination card. If you are in North Dakota, Louisiana, Mississippi, Maryland, Washington, or West Virginia, this is that app you will need to use. Related Article: Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine's Protection Weakens But Remains High After Six Months, Strengthens Call for Boosters This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Soophie Webster 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Google's Chrome 94 is looking at an upgrade for its beta, as it would bring a better browser gaming feature for users to enjoy a faster and easier experience. This would empower those who focus on browser-based gaming, as the company tweaks the WebCodecs, WebGPU, and other aspects of the Chromium browser. Potentially this could empower the use of cloud and browser-based gaming platforms like Google Stadia, Facebook Gaming, and more. The venture would make it easier for the Chrome 94 browser to run games, and avoid any lags or delays because of the application or software's capabilities. Chrome 94 Beta: Cloud and Browser Gaming Empowered Google has revealed that its Chromium web browser under the code name Chrome 94, is improving its beta features and focusing on delivering the best possible experience for all. The main focus of the Chrome 94 is now on gaming, and it would bring an experience where users would experience nothing but the best from Google. Significant improvements were made with several features of the browser, including that if the WebCodec, WebGPU, Scheduling APIs, and more. Chrome 94 Google's take to bring back the trust in the browser, something which has been inferior to the Microsoft Edge that has proved to be the faster Chromium browser. The goal of Google has now shifted its focus, as it claims that gaming would be better and easier with its beta browser. The Chrome 94 beta is shaping up to be the next big thing from Google, since its popular release of Chrome when it first debuted a faster interface compared to Internet Explorer. Now, gaming on the browser is not a menial small-scale game, as it can potentially run PC-based games directly. Read Also: Google Privacy Sandbox Initiative Moves to 2023, Chrome to Stop Collecting Cookies Soon Chrome 94 Beta: Google's Chromium Take Chromium is shaping up to be the consideration for a fast web browser, and it is adopted by many internet companies that aim to compete with Google and Microsoft. The feature can potentially stream 4K streaming quality, as well as other high-tech features it would bring. The beta browser can give developers better access to a computer's system, including that of the GPU so that they can tap into it directly to power their games. The feature is not only for users but also for game developers and designers who have also been focusing on web-based gaming. When is Chrome 94 Beta Releasing? The Chrome 94 beta has already been released, but it remains in the testing and development phase as it requires a lot of tweaks before releasing the final build version. For the said public release version, it remains unknown from Google as to when the ETA would be. The Chromium is a massive venture and change for Google, as it would revamp a new face to the Chrome web browser, something which has not been changed for a lot of time now. Related Article: How to Run Android 12's Material You Dynamic Theme for Google Chrome NOW This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Isaiah Richard 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Heimdal is a tech startup that focused its services to extract CO2, cement, and other materials from seawater, using renewable energy sources. The company features one of the most eco-friendly ventures in the world, and it aims to deliver a lot of its materials from natural resources, without destroying or taking much from the Earth. A lot of technology companies have been aiming to bring eco-friendly solutions to help preserve the Earth, and this includes Tesla, which aims to provide clean energy to the state of Texas. On the other hand, GM is also on the verge of purchasing solar power from California to power its electric vehicles. While these big techs are gearing up to have clean energy, another company is focusing on the industrial needs of the world. Heimdal: Startup for the Environment Heimdal describes themselves as "decarbonizing industries and the world," and the main goal of the company is to create materials that people can use without guilt or worries. Why is that? Because its industrial products would be carbon-negative or carbon-free. This is something that has been achieved before, but what Heimdal aims to debut is the novel. Heimdal's focus is to extract different raw materials from the Earth using their renewable energy source and creating what people need without leaving any carbon footprint. Cement and concrete production are known to be major contributors of greenhouse gases in the world, something which startups try to change. There is a lot of focus which the company aims to venture on, and according to Tech Crunch, it would potentially help in preserving the environment with its efforts. Heimdal demonstrates a high level of sustainability from its extraction to production, something which is not widely that practiced in the industry. Read Also: Solar, Wind Power Now Cheaper than Coal, Renewable Energy Revolution Against Climate Change Heimdal Carbon-Free Industrial Materials Erik Millar and Marcus Lima founded Heimdal, and this is something that the duo has brought with them upon completing their studies at Oxford University, United Kingdom. Heimdal aims to bring carbon-free industrial materials like cement, concrete, limestone, and more. Its main focus of using seawater and CO2 can help in bringing these said industrial materials, which aims to remove the dangerous greenhouse gas from the equation. The company engineers are working on ways to do this, particularly with a design from the founders to extract energy from seawater. Heimdal Renewable Energy One of Heimdal's main focuses as well is to extract energy from seawater, and it would alter the components to several stages such as making it alkalinized. After which, several gases are extracted, and here, they return seawater to its source. From this process, Heimdal can collect the raw materials it needs to start on its limestone making while using clean and renewable sources of energy to do so. The venture of the company hits two birds with one stone, and can potentially reduce significant uses of raw materials in the environment. Related Article: 'Green Steel,' aka Carbon-Free Steel, Has Come Sooner than Expected This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Isaiah Richard 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Nike has given its headquarters staff the week off in order to better care for their mental health. The staff's week off will last until Friday. Nike staff are expected to head back to the office in September. Nike follows the footsteps of Bumble and LinkedIn, who have similarly given their employees mental health breaks in the past couple of months. Nike Gives Headquarters Staff a Week Off Nike has given its staff working at the corporate headquarters, which is located in Oregon, the week off in support of the staff's mental health. The week off for the staff is meant to last until Friday. The announcement was made on LinkedIn by Matt Marrazzo, Nike's head of insights. "Our senior leaders are all sending a clear message: Take the time to unwind, destress and spend time with your loved ones. Do not work," the LinkedIn announcement reads. The announcement made by Marrazzo also highlights how difficult the past year has been, but he says that he hopes that the empathy and grace being shown to the staff will have a positive effect on Nike's work culture. "It's not just a "week off" for the team... it's an acknowledgment that we can prioritize mental health and still get work done," the announcement reads. Marrazzo ended his post with, "Support your people. It's good business but it's also the right thing to do." According to BBC, the week off for the staff comes ahead of employees' return to the office in September. Nike is the Latest Company to Give Mental Health Break Nike has joined the likes of Bumble and LinkedIn when it comes to showing empathy and priority for employees' mental health. Last June, Bumble gave around 700 employees a week-long "burnout leave" in support of their mental health. The BBC report quoted a senior executive who said that Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd "had made the move 'having correctly intuited our collective burnout.'" The BBC also reported that LinkedIn has given a similar week-long break to its employees back in April. Related Article: 4 Ways Leaders Should Be Investing in Their Tech Teams During COVID-19 COVID-19 Pandemic and its Effect on Mental Health With the COVID-19 pandemic still raging a year and a half after it first started, its effects on mental health have become apparent among survivors and the workforce. As early as April last year, which was during the early months of the pandemic, it was already reported that an increase in mental health problems should be expected as part of the pandemic aftermath. Survivors of COVID-19, in particular, have been experiencing mental health issues such as depression and PTSD, according to different studies and reports. As many industries shifted to digital platforms due to the virus and many were made to work from home, cases of burnout among employees and workers have since increased. Also Read: How to Cope With Mental Health Issues in the Cybersecurity Industry This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Isabella James 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Ragnarok ransomware gang has shut down its operations and wiped its leak site clean without providing a reason behind the decision. More importantly, the ransomware gang has left behind a master key so that victims can finally decrypt files that have been locked up in the gang's malware. The ransomware gang has been around since January of last year and has been infamous for stealing one terabyte-worth of files from video gaming company Capcom. Ragnarok Ransomware Gang Shuts Down Operations The Ragnarok ransomware gang has shut down its operations though "it seems like the gang did not plan on shutting down today and just wiped everything and shut down their operation," according to a report by BleepingComputer. Unlike fellow ransomware gangs who have shut down, such as GandCrab and Maze, the Ragnarok ransomware gang did not leave any note explaining the sudden shutdown of its operations. Prior to the shutdown, the gang's leak site showed 12 victims from countries such as the United States, France, Malaysia, Italy, Spain, and more. According to a report by TechRadar, the Ragnarok ransomware gang does this "to shame victims into paying to decrypt their files." The Ragnarok ransomware gang has been notorious since last year for exploiting a Citrix ADC vulnerability. Related Article: Cybercriminals Face Manslaughter Charges as a Woman Died after a Nearby Hospital was Crippled by Ransomware Attack that Exploited Add-on Software Vulnerability One of its most famous victims has been the video game company Capcom. The Ragnarok ransomware gang stole one terabyte-worth of files from Capcom in November 2020. Ragnarok Ransomware Gang Leaves Behind Master Key According to the BleepingComputer report, everything on the leak site has been wiped and replaced by "brief text linking to an archive containing the master key and the accompanying binaries for using it." Per the report, ransomware expert Michael Gillespie has confirmed that it contains the master decryption key. The report also adds that a universal decryptor for the victims of the Ragnarok ransomware gang is currently being worked on. What is Ransomware? Ransomware has been defined by Trend Micro as "a type of malware that prevents or limits users from accessing their system, either by locking the system's screen or by locking the users' files until a ransom is paid." A 2019 report by Tech Times showed that 71% of ransomware attacks are focused on small businesses. Year 2021 and even the previous year, however, have shown ransomware gangs focusing on bigger companies. Some of the most infamous ransomware gangs include REvil, which attacked IT company Kaseya just as the U.S. was celebrating the 4th of July, and the Cl0p ransomware gang, whose members had been arrested in Ukraine in June. The arrests of some of its members have not stopped the Cl0p ransomware gang, who proceeded to release even more stolen data even after the police caught their members. Also Read: Ransomware Roundup: Cl0p Releases New Stolen Data; EU, US to Team Up Against Attacks This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Isabella James 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Image from Unsplash Website) NFTs Being Sold in Bid to Help Rebuild Brazil's Rainforest | Here's How to Help NFTs are now being sold in a bid to help Rebuild Brazil's sacred rainforest. With cryptocurrency becoming immensely popular, NFTs are starting to be largely recognized as well! NFT Technology Gets Popular While NFTs started out being something only a few could understand, non-fungible tokens started to become more and more popular and now, NFTs can also help the physical environment. NFT games have become extremely popular with the likes of "Axie Infinity" and other NFT games lodging NFTs in general to succeed. With blockchain technology becoming more and more popular, the uses for NFTs have also become more versatile. NFT coins have also started to go up in value as NFT games become more and more popular. What is an NFT? NFTs, otherwise known as non-fungible tokens, are certain digital collectibles that usually come at a high cost. This is not just towards the investor but according to the story by HypeBeast, also towards the planet. The popularity of NFTs has also grown and this also includes conversations regarding lessening the whole environmental impact of these particular types of blockchain assets. More new blocks of information are mined (added) to a decentralized blockchain network which is based on a process known as proof-of-work, which requires quite extensive computer hardware that usually consumes a significant amount of power. 'The Ultimate Green NFT' A number of companies, this includes the known sustainability platform called Aerial as well as the music-centered platform known as Oneof, have just officially launched initiatives in order to help offset the whole carbon footprint of minting NFTs. Just last week, Real Nifty reportedly announced the official launch of its "The Ultimate Green NFT" which is aimed at helping the reforestation efforts in southeastern Brazil. Every user that reportedly purchases an NFT through the whole To Be Named Atlantic Rainforest project will reportedly help fund the planting, growing, as well as maintaining of native species over in the Atlantic Forest region in Brazil. Click the link to help out. Read Also: PayPal Could be Preparing to Take Robinhood Head On NFT to Save Brazil's Rainforest NFT holders will also get a plot of forest land to be named after them and will reportedly hold a 30-year license to the carbon credits. Brazil is known to be the home of the largest rainforest in the whole world and is often known as "the lungs of the planet." The particularly lush green landscape is reportedly pivotal when it comes to helping fight climate change as well as control the earth's greenhouse gas emissions. Shi Wen Li, Real Nifty CEO, gave a statement in a press release. According to Shi Wen Li, this particular collaboration allows the whole cryptocurrency technology to not only offset but also reverse its particular harm to the environment in order for the net impact to become positive for everyone. Real Nifty has just launched an NFT minting service allowing NFTs to be created for things people want to buy. Related Article: PancakeSwap Lists $NAOS-BNB Giving High 587.37% Annual Percentage Rate for Yield Farming | Is It Worth It? This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Urian B. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Image from Unsplash Website) Health Officials Warn Delta Variant 'Eating Lungs' of People Without Vaccines | Oxygen, Intubation, Ventilators Much Needed With the COVID-19 pandemic making its presence known to the general public, new variants are starting to alarm health officials even more. Just recently health officials warned the public that the delta variant could be "eating lungs" of people that did not have their vaccines yet. COVID-19 Delta Variant According to WishTV.com, another coronavirus is here and due to the delta variant, the surge was reportedly "stronger than ever." The article notes that the "numbers don't lie" enumerating hospitalizations, testing, and even death rates reaching levels that they "haven't seen" ever since the worst of the pandemic that happened "last winter." As one particular doctor puts it, when a certain individual is infected with the new mutation "it's eating their lungs." This is then reportedly resulting in a much more rapid decline of health status, which is currently mostly occurring in people that are unvaccinated. With numerous information regarding COVID-19 coming out that sometimes goes against health officials like people using Ivermectin to treat the virus, health officials are urging people to get vaccinated. Oxygen, Intubation, Ventilators Now Required The group is reportedly requiring oxygen, intubation, and even ventilators, which could have not been the case if it was done earlier during the pandemic. As seen on eCommunity, chief physician executive at Community Health Dr. Ram Yeleti gave a statement to News 8. The statement noted that they do not know for sure if the new variant is "much more infectious" compared to the other variants. When talking about the severity, however, and how bad the new variant is affecting the lungs, it was noted that "it looks like it's more severe." Read Also: WHO To Continue Its COVID-19 Origins Study, But China Says Agency Should NOT Only Focus on the Asian Country Health Officials: 'Getting Vaccinated is Essential' There was reportedly a recent study done out of the United Kingdom that actually shows the delta virus does look like the variant is now "worse now" compared to how it was before. It was then noted that there is a suggestion that the virus itself is now attacking in other ways and attacking the body's immune system differently compared to how it did before. While scientists reportedly don't know exactly the mechanism that is driving rapid deterioration, Yeleti notably stated that a delta infection actually causes the body to attack itself even more aggressively. It was also noted that this could lead to organ failure, inflammation, and worst of all, death. He also notably stated that the mortality rate is getting even higher and that even though they do not really have treatments like anti-inflammatory steroids available, there is still reportedly no cure. The statement then ended explaining that that is why "getting vaccinated is essential" especially now more than ever. With the decline in the number of health staff that is catering to COVID-19 needs, even college students have been recruited in order to help with testing stations. Related Article: UK MHRA Regulators Approve Ronapreve, the First Monoclonal Antibody Treatment for Coronavirus This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Urian B. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Texas Medical Technology, a leading medical equipment supplier and distributor, announces its strategic partnerships with YMCA Greater Houston and the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston to bring additional opportunities for refugees in the Greater Houston area. Both organizations are comprehensive charity networks that are working toward self-sufficiency across the community. The charities do this through a variety of initiatives that include basic needs, counseling, children and family services, and housing. The new partnerships involving Texas Medical Technology are looking to provide employment for refugees currently supported by these organizations. ALSO READ: Airbnb to House 20K Afghanistan Refugees for FREE-Here's How Hosts can Participate Texas Medical Technology: Helping Refugees Find Better Life For refugees everywhere, charitable institutions like YMCA Greater Houston and the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston have proven valuable in securing their basic needs, finding jobs, and developing the necessary skills they need to survive in the new environment. With help from these non-government organizations (NGOs), refugees have a better chance at having a sustainable life for themselves and their families. However, the lack of verifiable qualifications and language barriers often hinder a refugee's ability to be employed in their new location, especially for those coming from unusually difficult circumstances. With the pandemic putting additional pressure on NGOs, refugees depending on them now need all the help they can get. These conditions prompted Texas Medical Technology to provide employment opportunities for refugees, which includes asylees, Cuban-Haitian entrants, human trafficking victims, and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders from Iraq and Afghanistan. This is especially important for the medical supplier since three of the entrepreneurs behind the company are from nations and families of refugees. Jad Shraim is from Palestine, while Omri Scaffran and Dimitri Menin are from Israel. The three are among the entrepreneurs that established Texas Medical Technology to meet the growing demands for personal protective equipment (PPE). The company has a 144,000-square-foot facility in Houston, Texas, employing 550 workers from 53 different countries, including refugees supported by the two charities in its new partnerships. "In a world going through significant change, giving people who have been through hardships but still have so much to offer an opportunity for a better life through employment was a no-brainer," says Texas Medical Technology CEO and founder Omri Sharfran, in a company press release.. Co-founder and CFO Jad Shraim shares that coming from a refugee family himself, he has an obligation towards refugees. He works to empower them and "give them a fair shot at life." "Our work with Texas Medical Technology has been phenomenal," comments Kevin Maas, the Catholic Charities of Galveston-Houston Employment Coordinator of the Refugee Resettlement Department. About Texas Medical Technology One of the fastest-growing companies in the US today, Texas Medical Technology meets the supply challenges. It faces them head-on as a leading provider of PPE in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. WIth its iNitrile, the company continues to provide employment opportunities to locals and refugees with its automated gloving machine, reducing infections in the workplace - business establishments, hospitals, factories - and save up to 40 percent in terms of glove waste. RELATED ARTICLE: [VIDEO] Scientists Developed New High-Tech Glove, Turning Sign Language Into Speech in Real-Time Published on Tech Times. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Apple Pay support is now coming to Brazil following the approval from its largest fintech, Nubank, to back up the Cupertino giant's payment system. The plan for supporting Apple Pay has been around for many years since many customers are always requesting the Brazilian fintech to adopt it. However, it took a long time for the Latin American neobank to grant to make it happen. Nubank Earlier Teased Apple Pay Support Nubank has previously announced in July that it would launch an Apple Card-like card dubbed as Ultraviolet card. The user of this card will gain numerous benefits that a Black credit card has. Most importantly, the most expected action of Nubank to adopt Apple Pay support was formerly teased. The South American financial technology bank wrote in its blog post that the Apple Pay support is now official on the Apple Wallet. Users can now have an alternative payment system starting Tuesday, Aug. 31. The company also added that Nubank credit or debit card users can use the recent Apple Pay support. How to Add Card to Apple Pay According to a report by 9to5Mac on Tuesday, Aug. 31, adding your card to Apple Pay for support is easy to follow. All you have to do is to check these four steps to complete the process. Go to "Meus Cartoes" on your Nubank app Select your card either physical or digital Tap "Configurar" and click "Adicionar ao Apple Pay" after that. After you are finished doing the previous steps, you can now do the rest in your Apple Wallet app. The Apple Pay support is now only new to the platform that's why it is understandable that it could still experience bugs. According to some people who tried using it, there are many issues that happen with their credit cards. If ever you have experienced these issues, just try to refresh the page and wait. Read Also: Delayed Apple Card Payment Will Not Disable Your Apple ID, Says Company Nubank Under Scrutiny After Apple Pay Listing At one point, Nubank was criticized by many users after not offering Apple Pay just one month after the listing appeared. During that time, the Brazil-based bank did not disclose any information about its possible release date. Nubank only said that the Apple feature would come "very soon," according to Seu Credit Digital. In a statement, Nubank said that the announcement has not been finalized for Apple Pay. In April, the feature reached the clipper card. The train passengers can now utilize the Apple Card on-board. They could refrain from the typical card tapping and instead, stick to the easy access through a smartphone. In July, Apple also announced the "Apple Pay Later," which is now underway. The tech giant said that the feature would work for monthly installments through Goldman Sachs. This would be handy for those who have no current cash on their stash. Related Article: Apple Pay Limit: Woman Buys $1 Worth Banana; Instead, Charged with $2,210 This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joseph Henry 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Changes to The Messenger's back end processing means the e-edition is getting a facelift. The biggest change is the e-edition by default is now presented in Text view. Tommy Pitre rode his bicycle through downtown Thibodaux on Monday afternoon to witness Hurricane Ida's wreckage firsthand. It was one of the few ways to access the city, since law enforcement turned vehicles around at the main entrances and cell reception was nonexistent. Pitre stopped pedaling as he reached the corner of West Third and Green streets, backing up to take in the scene. Hurricane-force winds had blown out the entire front of a three-story brick building, spilling bricks out onto the street below and crushing three vehicles parked there. "I had to go around myself, just to see the damage," Pitre said. "We got lucky where I am. We got lucky." Pitre's apartment, which is located near Thibodaux Regional Medical Center, sustained no significant damage during the hurricane. He did not evacuate for the storm, but he could not sleep through the night as winds in excess of 100 miles per hour pounded Thibodaux for about five hours. "I couldn't sleep at all," Pitre said. "The last one I remember being this bad was Hurricane Katrina." 'Harder than we could have even imagined' When Amanda Matis, the director of the largest shelter in Lafourche Parish, began hearing the winds getting stronger Sunday afternoon, she realized Ida was going to hit her town hard. Harder than we could have even imagined, she said, sitting at a table in Thibodaux High School that has served as her desk over the past few days. Her eyes are tired. Her staff, three deputies, and 45 volunteers worked tirelesly to help residents who needed a roof over their heads while Ida was making landfall. We have not slept for days (in order) to organize the efforts, and we are still doing our best, but we hope that the worst is over. +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 Inside the high school, at least 60 people have taken shelter. They are socially distanced, each family squashed into a separate hallway of the high school, eating chips, drinking coffee, playing with their dogs. They have many unanswered questions about when they might get home and whether they still have a home at all. "We got to a point where we had 143 guests Sunday," Matis said. "The people who came here, basically the shelter is their last resort. Because of Ida, many of them do not have running water anymore. In the southern part of the parish, almost everyone is sharing the same issue." The shelter wasn't spared, either. "We are out of power. We are running on a minimum generator right now," Maris said. 'Do not self-deploy': Volunteers agencies await damage reports, eye logistics for staging areas Acadiana, largely unscathed by Hurricane Ida, may become a substantial staging area for storing and shipping goods intended for south Louisian Hurricane Ida stalled out over Thibodaux for more than three hours. It felt never-ending residents in the shelter said. Many of them never dreamed they would have to leave their homes and take shelter here. Zachary Hammontree, 31, is a veteran affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. He lives in Thibodaux with his wife, Jessica, and his two daughters, Jasmine, 5, and Lilly, 3. "We came prepared. We had propane. We had food. We avoided leaving our place in the first place because my rule is, let's control what you can," he said, sitting on the foot of a bed. "When you evacuate, you have to take a COVID test before you board a bus, spend time with people that you do not know and that you do not know if they are sick." But on Saturday, when the hurricane reached category 4, local officials enforced the mandatory evacuation home by home. "They came in the afternoon, and we had to collect everything we could in less than thirty minutes," Hammontree said. "Still now, we don't know when we can go back home. They told us it could be three days or a week." No power, no water and no service Thibodaux, which is located along the banks of Bayou Lafourche, is home to about 15,000 people. It's in the northwest region of Lafourche Parish. The city, and the communities nearby, saw devastation during Hurricane Ida that was still being assessed Monday afternoon. 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 Metal buildings were crumpled beyond recognition. Roofs were peeled off of homes, and windows shattered from panes. A live oak near a planation home had been split down the center, its limbs sprawled sadly onto the ground below. All of Lafourche Parish was without electricity on Monday, and the majority of the parish had no water service, according to Parish President Archie Chaisson III's video update posted to Facebook. There was virtually no cell phone service or any way for residents who stayed in the parish to view the online update, which Chaisson acknowledged in the video. He asked for people to share the message through any means possible and urged those viewing from afar to stay put. "This is going to take us a few days, guys, so you just got to be patient with me," Chaisson said. "I know everybody is in a rush to get home. I know everybody wants to check on their family and their friends and their stuff, but you've got to sit tight if you left town. If you try to come through on one of the main roads, you're going to get stopped and get turned around. And I don't need you sleeping in your car somewhere along the road. I need you to just stay put where you are right now. "You will come home to no sanitary services, no way to take a shower, none of that stuff." Nearly 250,000 Baton Rouge homes without power from Ida, restoration a 'week(s) long process' More than 250,000 homes in metro Baton Rouge were without power Monday afternoon after Hurricane Idas powerful winds tore through Southeast L Officials were still unsure exactly what failed with the water system as of midday Monday. They were also struggling to assess and clear roads south of the Intracoastal Waterway in the lower portion of the parish. Brenda Gibbens, who lives in Schriever, expressed frustration over the limited communications in the aftermath of the hurricane. Gibbens evacuated to Thibodaux and returned midday Monday to her home a few miles south in the unincorporated community of Schriever in Terrebonne Parish to assess the damage. Her home, and others in the area, flooded from water that overtopped a nearby drainage coulee. Multiple water pumps and backup generators, meant to prevent flooding, seem to have failed. "I shouldn't have had water in my home," Gibbens said. "Nothing should have failed. There's more water on this side than there is in the drainage canal." Gibbens has lived in her home for 50 years. This was the third time it's flooded but the first time in 20 years she's taken in water. She expressed frustration over the flooding and downed trees blocking their street, noting that she was unable to reach any parish officials by phone. A neighbor attached a fallen tree to a chain and dragged it out of the road with a pickup truck midday Monday. "This is the last time," Gibbens said. "I'm not going through this again. It's time to find somewhere else to live." Diane and Kerry Aucoin, both who are recovering from COVID-19, expressed gratitude Monday afternoon as they returned to their home in Donner, which is southwest of Schriever. Although they had downed limbs and fences to clean up, they were thankful to see their trailer home was still in livable condition after Hurricane Ida. The husband and wife, who have lived in their home for 42 years, evacuated for the first time for Ida. Diane Aucoin cried as she recalled the stress of the last week. She said she waited nearly 10 hours in a hospital emergency department before being sent home with oxygen and breathing treatments for her coronavirus symptoms. There weren't enough beds or staff to admit her. She and her husband evacuated to stay with her daughter, who is a nurse, before returning home Monday afternoon. "I've been here all my life, and I've never experienced a storm like this," Diane Aucoin said. "I've never evacuated before in my life. We're lucky. That's all I can say." Kerry Aucoin said he and his grandchildren watched the storm in disbelief as the winds ripped a fence in one direction then flattened it again in the opposite direction. "It's like it never would stop," Kerry Aucoin said. "We laughed. We cried. We prayed." National Guard soldiers are en route to rescue those trapped in their homes in Lafourche Parish, Chaisson said. It will likely take several days to understand the full scope of the damage from Hurricane Ida. "Hug your kids, and say a prayer," Chaisson said in the video. "We're going to rebuild it, guys." The sprawling Vineyard pub and surrounding land in Sydneys north-west said to be one of the countrys largest at about 8 hectares is on the market after 40 years of ownership, with price expectations of about $60 million. The decision to sell the 76,900-square-metre Vineyard site was made to allow a new generation of owner in the Stanford family to take advantage of the growth in the region and look to redevelop the site. Currently, the pub comes with 57 motel rooms and there is an approval for a further 84 rooms on the surrounding land. Located on the busy Windsor Road, Vineyard, the site is a walk away from the new large residential sites including the Gables, Box Hill and Hills of Carmel in the north-west growth corridor. The Vineyard Hotel complex is spread across almost 8 hectares. The Stanford family are long-term pub operators, with the Carousel Inn Hotel at Mt Druitt, which sits on 22,000 square metres, and the Riverstone Hotel in Riverstone in its portfolio. They have engaged HTL Property for the sale. NSW has reported 1164 new local coronavirus cases and three deaths on Tuesday, as Premier Gladys Berejiklian revealed two-thirds of the states adult population has now received at least a single dose of the vaccine. The number of infections in western NSW is growing with 58 new local cases. The worsening situation prompted Deputy Premier John Barilaro to accuse the federal government of having stopped paying attention to vaccinating vulnerable communities before the latest outbreak. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian enters the Tuesday briefing with Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant. Credit:Rhett Wyman Ms Berejiklian, however, expressed optimism that the state would hit seven million doses of the vaccine this week, noting she was looking forward to 80 per cent of people in the state having received their first shot. I can safely say that were looking forward to a better spring than we did winter, she said. The inability of doctors and nurses to properly use electronic record-keeping systems remains the biggest challenge to how well the systems perform across Australia, new research has found. Over the past few years, all states and territories have moved to some form of electronic medical record system (EMR) to replace old paper records. The first survey of the use of electronic medical records in Australia has found some doctors and nurses are still struggling to use the digital systems. Credit:Photo: Andrew Quilty The first large-scale study into the use of EMRs across the country has found smaller venues, such as GP clinics, are integrating the systems better than larger facilities, such as hospitals, which are struggling with a one-size-fits-all approach. Lead author Sheree Lloyd, from Griffith Universitys School of Applied Psychology, said problems experienced with EMRs contributed to fatigue and burnout in health staff, as well as more errors. The senior Queensland police figure tasked with negotiating easier travel arrangements for residents of Queensland-NSW border communities has conceded the state governments pitch to shift border checkpoints south of the state line is dead in the water. Such a move has been labelled a very complicated public law problem by one expert, while a prominent mayor in the states west said recent advice from Queenslands Chief Health Officer was NSW would have to all but eliminate movement into any reinstated border bubble. Defence and police personnel on Griffith Street, Coolangatta, on the Queensland side of the border. Credit:Matt Dennien Queensland announced a trial of home quarantine for children returning for the holidays from boarding schools in interstate hotspots on Tuesday, in the latest effort to ease travel restriction stresses. The state also reported no new COVID-19 cases and defended its decision to welcome NRL families from Sydney amid a two-week hotel quarantine pause. Deakin University vice-chancellor Iain Martin has told staff the university must cut 180 to 220 more jobs as Victorias higher education sector continues to contract in the pandemic. Professor Martin briefed staff on Tuesday about the deteriorating financial picture at Deakin and said the universitys problems were not all caused by COVID-19. The proposed cut in academic and professional staff follow the loss of about 300 jobs last year. Credit:Vicky Hughson The university, which has campuses in Burwood, Geelong and Warrnambool, was already facing slower growth and rising costs before the pandemic, he stated in slides shown to staff in the online briefing. Staff were told Deakins income will shrink by $220 million next year and staff costs have risen by 75 per cent since 2012, outpacing revenue growth. Tougher economic conditions are likely to continue beyond 2022 and 2023, staff were told. A former nurse who received a $1 million estate in 2015 from an elderly patient she had known for less than a month faces a legal challenge to the inheritance in the Supreme Court of Victoria. Abha Anuradha Kumar was banned from being a registered health practitioner for five years in 2019 after engaging in professional misconduct involving 92-year-old Lionel Cox, and could now also lose the fortune he bequeathed her under circumstances set to be examined by the court. Lionel Coxs home in Greeves Street, Fitzroy. Credit:Ten News According to court documents, Ms Kumar was manager at Cambridge House, a residential aged care facility in Collingwood, when she met Mr Cox in July 2015. The claim says Ms Kumar immediately learnt that Mr Cox, who was frail and in poor health, had no immediate family, owned a property in Fitzroy, and had never made a will. A total of 97 postcodes throughout Victoria currently have at least one active COVID-19 case among residents, up from 76 postcodes last Tuesday. The maps below show which postcodes in the Melbourne region have at least one active case, as well as active case numbers for all of Victoria: If you select an area on the map, you can also view its current active case rate and see whether its changed over the past week. You can also use the controls on the right of the map to zoom in on your chosen postcode. The federal minister in charge of the NDIS has hit back at West Australian Premier Mark McGowans appalling claims aged care and disability scheme patients in hospital beds were partly to blame for pressure on the states hospital system. On Monday, Mr McGowan said there were hundreds of people in WA hospitals taking up beds who should be managed under the NDIS or aged care systems, but there was nowhere else for them to go. NDIS Minister Linda Reynolds. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Beds are being used by people who probably should be in other environments, but weve been unable to get them into other environments and thats putting huge pressure on the system, he said. But NDIS Minister Linda Reynolds said the state governments attempt to blame NDIS patients for its underinvestment in the hospital system and support services was appalling. The situation facing the far-western NSW town of Wilcannia is dire. As of Monday, 69 people in the town of 720 had tested positive for COVID-19, the highest transmission rate in the state. Life in the predominantly Aboriginal community was already tough, with the average life expectancy for Aboriginal people there some 40 years less than non-Aboriginal Australians. There have been food shortages, and people sleeping in tents to self-isolate. The COVID-19 outbreak in the far western NSW town of Wilcannia is not under control and "chaotic" government mistakes are mounting, according to a prominent Aboriginal health organisation in the region. A letter dated 28 August from Maari Ma Aboriginal Health Corporation to the Prime Minister Scott Morrison, obtained by the Herald, says Commonwealth intervention is urgently needed in the community to deal with the growing humanitarian crisis. Wilcannia and the Darling River in 2019. Credit:Janie Barrett We do our work quietly, and try to fly under the radar of media and public attention as much as possible ... We cannot, however, sit quietly while the catastrophe in the Far West, and western NSW more broadly, continues to unfold, the letter said. There are now 80 cases in far western NSW, with most in the remote town of Wilcannia - where more than 60 per cent of the population is Aboriginal. Indigenous people are considered more vulnerable to the virus, particularly in places like Wilcannia, due to more limited access to health services, overcrowded housing, poorer health outcomes, and their remoteness. Andrews government minister Shaun Leane will take four weeks leave for radiation therapy to treat skin cancers after struggling with fatigue and pain. The Minister for Veterans, Local Government and Suburban Development revealed on Tuesday he had been receiving treatment for the past month and said his prognosis for recovery was good. Veterans Minister Shaun Leane. Credit:Eddie Jim Over the past month, Ive been receiving radiation therapy across my shoulders and chest to treat a number of skin cancers, Mr Leane said in a statement. My prognosis for recovery is very good, but Ive reached a point in recent days where Im struggling with the physical effects of the treatment such as fatigue and pain. Washington: The moment was circled on the calendar months ago, yet when the longest war in American history finally ended it still came as a surprise. When President Joe Biden announced that all American troops would be out of Afghanistan by August 31 it was widely assumed to be referring to US time. Instead the final American military jet took off from Hamid Karzai International Airport just before the stroke of midnight on August 30 in Kabul, a day earlier than most people expected. A 20-year war that most Americans had long ago tired of was coming to a sad and profoundly unsatisfying end. And why should it feel any different? This was a surrender and a defeat for both America and the western world. San Francisco, September 2 The United States, Australia and New Zealand yesterday formally declared their intention of standing together to resist aggression in the Pacific. Envoys for the three countries affixed their signatures to a tripartite Anzus security pact in a brief and simple ceremony at the San Francisco Presidio, overlooking the Golden Gate. Signing for the United States, the Secretary of State (Mr Dean Acheson) declared: The treaty only puts into words the strong ties and purposes already in existence. Australias Ambassador, (Mr Spencer) said: This day we declare to the world that our three peoples share a common destiny. This treaty takes the first step towards what we hope will prove to be an ever widening system of peaceful security in this vital area. New Zealands Ambassador (Sir Carl Berendsen) recalled the treatys own declaration that no potential aggressor could be under the illusion that nay of the three countries stood alone in the Pacific area. The treaty must be ratified in the legislatures of the three countries before it becomes effective. A sign indicating the availability of an apartment to rent stands outside a building early Friday, May 28, 2021, in downtown Denver. Surrounded by lawmakers, Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson speaks to members of the media after the end of a legislative session, Friday, April 30, 2021, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. Indiana National Guard officer Lauryan Tyler helps to box food items that will be sent to an Indiana family, Friday, April 17, 2020, in Indianapolis. The food boxes were filled with shelf-stable items designed to help supplement the pantries of families who are struggling due to COVID-19 shut-downs. Up for debate: Live legislation tracker Check out the latest developments on bills pending before state lawmakers in four key topics. Alcohol concessions at Fenway Park before the first game of a baseball double header between the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers in Boston, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. A sign in Eldorado County, Calif., warns motorists about the closure of Highway 50, which is shut down in both directions due to the Caldor Fire, on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. New Jersey congressional delegation wants Murphy to dole out more federal money to tenants and landlords (The Center Square) New York Gov. Kathy Hochul gave the first official COVID-19 briefing of her administration on Tuesday. In speaking at the University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, her remarks represented a far different approach than former Gov. Andrew Cuomo took. No other administration officials walked in with the Buffalo native, as she was accompanied by University President Dr. Satish Tripathi and Dr. Michael Cain, dean of the medical school and the universitys vice president for health services. There was no COVID Mountain, nor any other props from the bygone era behind her. No PowerPoint display and no mention of New York Tough, either. Toward the end of her 18-minute speech, she started ruffling through her pages and rehashing the main points she stated. Making sure I didnt forget something. There might be some other great announcement, the governor added with a laugh right after that list. I like to wing it little more than I should, I know. My staffs like, Why didnt you stick to the script? Im going to remain unscripted. Hochul unscripted, just get used to it. Beyond being unscripted, the new governor also noted there will likely be a more decentralized approach to battling the pandemic. Among the announcements, Hochul said she was making $65 million in funding available on Tuesday to help local communities set up mass vaccination sites and plans for COVID-19 booster shots. You figure it out, she said. You know your communities better than anybody. Moments before, she also pledged that she would not be micromanaging the response. Ill be giving guidance based on your input, she said. Ill be giving you the cover you need. Ill be there to be the ally, but I will not be imposing state people and locations on all of you without consultation. You tell us where theres gaps. Tell us where something needs to be enhanced by the state, and well be there without stepping on the local public health agencies. Thats not to say there may not be some top-down orders or mandates. In her ramp-up to becoming governor, she said the state Department of Health had the authority to issue a mask mandate for schools. On Tuesday, her eighth day in office, she told gathering in Buffalo that she would make tough decisions when theyre needed, like masks. Still, she added there will be flexibility to lift the mandate earlier in certain parts of the state if conditions show improvement there. Some of her decentralized plan may also have to do with the powers available to her compared to Cuomo. She said that her administration is working on getting legal clearance on a vaccine-or-test mandate for people who enter school facilities. I think thats a compromise, but its also , the governor said before pausing briefly. I want everyone vaccinated. I dont have the authority. I dont have the same executive power that was in place last year. But if I did, sure as Im standing here, I would mandate it. The test-out option likely will not be available, though, for staff at state-regulated health care facilities, including long-term care facilities. Hochul said the state is looking at options to expand the order Cuomo issued earlier this month. We have to let people know when they walk into our facilities that the people that are taking care of them, their loved one in a setting are safe themselves and will not spread this, she said. And we saw what happened with that last year. Even before she took over for Cuomo, Hochul faced calls to fire Cuomo-era staff and officials. Among the most targeted by critics has been Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. Last Friday, U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, the Long Island congressman and favorite to be the Republican gubernatorial nominee next year, started a petition drive on his campaign website calling on Hochul to dismiss him. Hochul has previously said shes committed to removing anyone from her administration mentioned in the Attorney Generals sexual harassment report on Cuomo. Zucker was not named in that report. However, the Cuomo administrations nursing home policies and reporting of deaths have been under investigation as well. Last Thursday, she said shes planning a transition period to help shape her administration and leadership. Thats why Ive asked for a 45-day period, she said. There are individuals who will be gone sooner than that. Many have already been removed or left on their own because they knew they would not be in my administration, but I am very excited about the people, high caliber and talented professional people, whove reached out to us. Simon Lomax is a researcher and adviser to free-enterprise groups and business coalitions in energy, health care, education, housing and other economic sectors. He is a former Bloomberg News reporter and a former congressional fellow with the American Political Science Association. The views expressed are his own. Instant unlimited access to all of our E-Editions and content on thechronicleonline.com. The Chronicle E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) DuBois, PA (15801) Today Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. High 82F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Batavia, NY (14020) Today Partly cloudy. High 82F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then thunderstorms developing late. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 64F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. This is the temporary subscription pass for users returning from the Vision Data subscription process. Your subscription will be updated within 24 hours, after your information is verified. Please click the button below to get your pass. Oneonta, NY (13820) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 79F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Tom Bickers has served as mayor of Louisville since 2010. He also is serving his second term as one of four municipal members of the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations. Click the image to the left and log in to get your exclusive reader perks. News School mask requirement began Monday FOREST CITY The Rutherford County Schools (RCS) mask mandate went into effect Monday. So far, school leaders say there have not really been any compliance issues. When the new school year began (for most RCS students, last Monday), the wearing of face masks to protect against COVID-19, was optional. Early in August, the Board of Education made that decision. But since that decision was made and throughout the first week of school, the number of COVID-19 cases and exposures has exploded, affecting students and adult staff. In an emergency school board meeting Thursday night, the board agreed to make the face masks mandatory for all students, staff, and visitors inside school buildings. All of the schools have extra masks. We have masks for those who may have forgotten to bring one, said Tammie Ash, Forrest Hunt Elementary School principal. We have only had to hand out a few. Asked specifically about the mask mandate, Ash said, I want to do whatever it takes to allow us to focus on providing our kids with a good, solid education. Brandon Hill, principal of Spindale Elementary School, says Monday was a good day, with no mask-related problems. The mask mandate is going very well here at Spindale, Hill said. I am so pleased with how well the students have fallen back into the routine of wearing masks, as we had to do last year. In the first week of school, according to Hill, approximately half the students at Spindale were wearing face masks before the mandate. COVID-19 exposures and required quarantines affected a handful of students mid-week, Hill said Monday. But the number was growing by the end of the week, he added. We have a few more out today, in quarantine. Hill is pleased with how his staff and students have responded to the change. To the best of our ability, we are going to do whatever the board directs us to do regarding the masks, Hill said. We want to do what we can to be as safe as possible. With COVID-19 numbers rising, RCS administrators and board members have been making the case to the public that when everyone is wearing a mask in the school setting, the numbers going into quarantine is reduced. Board of Education Chairman Phillip Morrow on Monday said the mask mandate will mean more students will remain in school without being quarantined. The majority of the parents have been loud and clear in that they want their kids in a classroom at school, Morrow said. They really dont want remote learning. The mask mandate makes it dramatically more likely that, in the event of a COVID exposure in school, if all students are masked, your child wont have to go into quarantine if they have no symptoms. Public health officials say masks reduce the spread of COVID-19, and masks make it less likely for a person to be infected with the virus. If a student is around another student who tests positive for COVID-19, he will not have to quarantine if all students are wearing masks, Morrow said. Only the student who tested positive would have to quarantine. Morrow believes the public is getting the message. I think most people are realizing that, regardless of their personal feelings about masks, wearing masks will ultimately reduce the number of kids in quarantine, Morrow continued. Some parents may not agree with this, but more are now understanding the reasoning behind it. Morrow said he has received a lot of support regarding the new mask mandate. We have heard a lot of positive feedback from people in the community, since we made our decision, he said. I believe there is widespread support for it. As he did in the emergency school board meeting last week, Morrow again cautions against misusing social media. We are living in chaotic times, Morrow said. We dont need to add to the chaos by going on social media. We dont need to be trying to cause further divisions. 4.1 Million Californians Not at All Confident About Next Rent or Mortgage Payment Commentary Over 4.1 million Californians live in households where the primary rent-payer or mortgage-payer is not at all confident they can pay their next rent or mortgage payment. This is more than 10 percent of the entire state population living in such households. The entire city of Los Angeles is only 3.99 million persons. More Californians than in the entire city of Los Angeles are now in households where the primary rent or mortgage payer are not at all confident they can make their next payment. The number of California households in which the renter is not at all confident they can make their next rent payment jumped 200,000 households from 733,000 three weeks ago to 933,000 last week. At an average family size in California of 2.95 persons per household, that increase represents 590,000 persons. The increase in persons in such households is larger than the cities of Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, or Oakland. This dire news about renters and mortgage borrowers confidence comes as the Supreme Court strikes down the federal CDC ban on evictions and new data showing the US Treasury might take back $1.4 billion to $4 billion it had allocated to the State of California under the Emergency Renters Assistance Program. Its not surprising that the Supreme Court struck down the most recent eviction moratorium attempted by the federal Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (the CDC). When the court decided not to strike down the previous moratorium on June 29, the court simultaneously put the administration on notice that the court believed the CDC did not have authority to prevent evictions. It allowed the then-current moratorium to complete on July 31. In the run-up to that expiration of the previous CDC eviction moratorium, Congress failed to act. There was no new law granting the administration some sort of federal authority to suspend evictions. However, the administration, knowing it would likely be overturned, created on Aug. 2 a new nationwide moratorium on evictions, which was struck down by the US Supreme Court in an unsigned 6-3 decision. As for the money the US Treasury may take back from California, the Treasury said in a press release, If grantees (like the State of California) are unable or unwilling to deliver ERA1 resources (money from part one of the Emergency Rental Assistance program), [the] Treasury is prepared to reallocate funds. Beginning September 30, 2021, the ERA1 statute requires Treasury to recapture excess funds that have not been obligated by a state or other grantee and reallocate those resources to high-performing jurisdictions that have obligated at least 65% of their original allocation. The state of California is currently well below that 65 percent threshold, having spent the equivalent of just 22 percent of all ERA moneys allocated to the state, or the equivalent of just 44 percent of the ERA1 moneys. It is not clear from what funds (ERA1 or both ERA 1 and 2) the state is allocating money to renters and landlords. All this is the context in which California renters are increasingly not at all confident they can pay next months rent, according to data from the US Census Bureau. The data comes from a survey of Californians taken from the Household Pulse Survey during period August 4 to August 16. When the previous survey results were published two weeks ago, the data showed only 8.5 percent of Californian renters told the Census Bureau they were not at all confident about making their next rent payment. Similar data for the entire US shows a slight decrease over the two-week interim. Data released on August 11 showed 11.2 percent of American renters were not at all confident about their ability to pay the next months rent. Data for all of the US released this week showed a slight improvement to only 10.8 percent of American renters so worried. Likely, the positive trend for the entire US is partially due to the original the CDC eviction moratorium ending on July 31 and then a new moratorium (struck down today) being instituted on Aug. 2. So, during the second survey period, Aug. 4 to Aug. 16, many respondents likely believed there was an eviction moratorium in place. Previous respondents likely were worried about the July 31 end-date of the previous moratorium and all the press attention that end-date was getting. In California, the state-level eviction moratorium ends on Sept. 30. So in California, where there was no change in the state-level eviction moratorium from one survey period to the next, it seems highly likely that the key change from one survey period to the next was that the second survey period included when renters were seeing the terrible August 15 images of the Fall of Kabul, the last major city held by the US-backed government of Afghanistan to lose to the Taliban. Such events can sometimes bring on a Minsky Moment, named for famed economist Hyman Minsky. Money manager and economist Paul McCulley coined the term in 2009 to refer to an event so shocking to peoples confidence that it can cause individuals to reduce consumption and businesses to reduce investments. With the recent news of a fall in consumer confidence nationally and Californian renters reduced confidence about their ability to pay rent, policy makers and others may have to work particularly hard to avoid further economic and financial concern. The 4.1 million Californians in homes where the renter or mortgage-payer is not at all confident include 2.75 people in rented homes and 1.35 million in homes with a mortgage. In mid-2019 there were 39.5 million Californians, and the average household size in the state was 2.95 persons. Americans Need a Second Internet to Survive, Entrepreneur Argues Freedom-loving Americans need to build a second internet if they wish for the United States to survive in this era of increasing left-wing big tech domination of the nations communications infrastructure, according to tech entrepreneur Martin Avila. These big tech companies are just gobbling up infrastructure companies, and theyre just trying to own the hard assets, said Avila, CEO of RightForge, which describes itself as the first global internet infrastructure company committed to American principles online. What were seeing BlackRock do with housing, Big Techs been doing on the real-estate side of the internet. Theres got to be an alternative here, because if we lose that, we lose everything: They control it all, he told The Epoch Times. New York-based BlackRock Inc., run by billionaire Laurence Fink, is the worlds largest asset management firm, with a reported $9 trillion in assets under management. Critics say the company has been buying entire neighborhoods in cities such as Houston and converting single-family homes into rentals and in the process pushing those with modest resources out of housing markets. For years, Big Tech has been sorting Americans into groups that can be easily marketed to, and corroding relationships with friends and family members by producing addictive media platforms that can monopolize users time, Avila said. Now that so many people are hooked and driven by a desire to crush support for former President Donald Trump, Big Tech has revealed its true face by shutting down open dialogue in the United States, he said. Big Tech has made it clear that they want to exclude from public discussion every single person who challenges their authority, holds alternative beliefs, or thinks even a bit differently. By choosing not to do business with certain users, they are starving individuals, companies, and organizations of the fundamental means required to make a living, he said. They censored newspapers, deplatformed Parler, and prevented the president of the United States from communicating with the American people and the world. Big Tech has been engaged in a ruthless campaign against the ideals and principles enshrined in our nations founding documents, he said. Even worse, Big Tech is not only excising our ideas from societyits eliminating our very ability to formulate and express them. Silicon Valley has no allegiance to the United States, he said. Instead, it is captive to radical ideologies that repudiate individual liberty, tradition, and transcendent truths. Avila pointed to the recent revelation that American billionaire Jeff Bezoss Amazon Web Services allowed Nida-e-Haqq, an ISIS media organization that promotes content in the Urdu language widely spoken in Pakistan as well as parts of Afghanistan, to disseminate pro-Taliban propaganda, including praise of the deadly Aug. 26 terrorist attack at the Kabul airport. Amazon only disabled the offending ISIS website after it was caught redhanded and the matter was widely reported. The incident urgently underlines the need for Americans to be free of the Silicon Valley oligopoly, he said. We need a second internet because Amazon will have and host and keep ISIS and Taliban websites up, but at the same time they will deplatform pages and applications like Parler, and until people call them out, theyre happy to keep doing this, Avila said. Theyre constantly looking for ways to shut down conservatives and the American viewpoint. People need to be free to build applications and express American ideas. Unfortunately, some of the more libertarian elements of the conservative movement have not been helpful in taking on big tech domination. You get the libertarians who hide behind, Well, its a private company. We cant tell them what to do, he said. So then they go and cozy up to China and were told that we cant say anything because theyre private companies? We cant demand that they institute core American principles? This is nuts. Checking the power of Big Tech wont be easy, Avila said, but its not impossible. By second internet, Avila said he means an internet infrastructure that is beyond the reach of Silicon Valley companies. Conservatives have to make sure that were not living on the highways that liberal big tech companies own, because they will put toll booths and guardrails around what were allowed to see, he said. We need a second internet in which you can use your same websites that you have today. You just want to make sure theyre not housed in a place like Amazon, because what happened to Parler will happen to other organizations. Avila said it gives him hope that pro-conservative businesses like Black Rifle Coffee Company have become the coffee places preferred to liberal Starbucks in some parts of the country, such as the Dallas area. People are making choices with their dollars, and people running organizations need to know that the internet, as you know it, the infrastructurethe serversis owned by Big Tech, largely controlled by Big Tech, and there needs to be an alternative. So thats why we built it. RightForge is able to host websites or build applications for social networks and has servers in every major city in the country, he said. Avila said RightForges customers cannot be shut down. You cannot be removed from the internet. You can be removed from a phone if Apple wants to get you out of the App Store. But you cannot be shut down when youre on RightForge. They will not be able to remove you from the internet. You will still be able to exist, gain users, and be completely independent from Big Tech. And RightForge doesnt moderate content that it hosts, he said. Im talking to conservative and libertarian organizations that are fighting, pushing back against woke cancel culture, standing up for American values. But well have a platform where anybody can launch any site that they want. The internet should be a place for open debate and free speech and we recognize that sometimes thats uncomfortable. Of course, well abide by all laws. But from where we stand, thats not the job of a hosting company to moderate the content thats going on it other than for things that are illegal. An iPhone is used to make an Apple Pay purchase at The Post Office in London, England, on July 14, 2015. (Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) Australia Considers Regulation of Apple, Google, WeChat Digital Payment Services The Australian government is considering new laws that would standardise regulation across the digital payments industry and likely encompass the payment services of Apple, Google, and Chinese tech giant WeChat. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is considering recommendations from a recently published reportPayments System Reviewthat considered whether the old regulatory architecture for digital payments set up in the 1990s was keeping up with changes in the space. Currently, digital wallet services such as Apply Pay, Google Pay, and Chinas WeChat Pay, are not designated as payment services provider under Australian law, placing them outside the regulatory framework. 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 wrote in an op-ed published in the Australian Financial Review. According to the treasurer, Australians carry out 55 million digital payments per day, transacting a value of around $650 billion. Such payments range from simple supermarket transactions to wage payments into bank accounts, and to major funds transfers for mortgages and more. However, newer technologies and services, including cryptocurrency payments, digital wallets (the domain of Big Tech), as well as Buy Now, Pay Later services like Afterpay have created a new segment outside of current regulations. The report is calling for an overall strategic direction to be set by the government on how to protect the payments system, coordination between major regulators, and a single licensing system for different size businesses. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), which currently designates whether a company is a payment services provider, estimates that payments via digital wallets had grown to eight percent of all in-person card transactions in 2019. While the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)the countrys largest bankestimated that digital wallet transactions had doubled in the year to March to AU$2.1 billion. The CBA has been involved in a public dispute with Apple over its characterisation of the tech giant as having tight control over the countrys fast-growing payments industry. The Bank for International Settlements (pdf) in early August called on financial watchdogs around the world to come to terns with the growing influence of Big Tech companies and the amount of data they control. 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) Australia Secures 500,000 Pfizer Doses in Singapore Swap Deal Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Aug. 31 that Australia has secured 500,000 Pfizer vaccine doses in a swap deal with Singapore to be distributed for immediate use next week. In exchange, Australia will supply the same amount of doses to Singapore in December. The half a million doses will be distributed to all states and territories to be administered by primary care and vaccination sites in a bid to boost Australias COVID-19 immunisation programme in September. The deal comes following a surge in vaccination rates in August as the state governments push people to get vaccinated, as it works towards its 70-80 percent immunisation targets. Morrison thanked Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for his support. Prime Minister Scott Morrison at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Aug. 26, 2021. (Mick Tsikas/AAP Image) I said we would leave no stone unturned in bolstering our vaccination programme. This deal comes on top of the Polish agreement that has already boosted our national vaccination rates to exceed those achieved in the United States and United Kingdom at the peak of their programmes, Morrison said in a media release. The doses will enable the supply of Pfizer to children aged 12 to 15 from Sept. 13, along with the 16 to 39 age group that already commenced when Australia purchased one million doses from Poland earlier in August. Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the deal demonstrated how Australia was working with other countries to manage the challenge of the global COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. Students wait to receive the Pfizer vaccine for Covid-19 at Qudos Arena in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 9, 2021. (Dean Lewins-Pool/Getty Images) This demonstrates how our diplomatic capability can deliver in ways that protect Australians and strengthen Australias security and prosperity, Payne said. Just as Australia and Singapore are working together, Australia is cooperating with partners in the region to save lives, advance economic recovery, and build health systems to protect against future pandemics. Health Minister Greg Hunt said, With increasing supply, we encourage all Australians to come forward and be vaccinated at more than 9,300 locations around the country. Last week the prime minister noted that the number of vaccination sites in Australia was 10 times more than the number of McDonalds restaurants in the country, referring to how easy it was to get vaccinated. National Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese was critical of the announcement, writing on Twitter: Scott Morrison could have ordered enough vaccines for every Australian last year. He failed to do that. With Scott Morrison, its always too little, too late. More than 19.3 million doses of vaccine have now been administered in Australia, with a mix of single and double doses. The Australian government, which has invested over $350 million to support vaccine research and development, previously stated it would not end the lockdowns until 70 to 80 percent of the countrys near 26 million population is vaccinated. Nina Nguyen contributed to this report. Australian PM Defends Afghan Refugee Allocation Prime Minister Scott Morrison has defended the Australian governments decision to allocate 3000 visas to Afghan refugees this financial year and rejected calls to take more. Morrison said Australias commitment to allocate humanitarian places from the 13,750-person quota this year was in line with the countrys previous efforts. Let me remind you what happened with Syria; we did 12,000 in that first year. Of that 12,000, we did 3000 in the first year, Morrison told 5AA radio on Tuesday, referring to the Abbott governments one-off intake of 12,000 refugees from Syria in 2015. What Ive said is, we will do, we think, at least 3000 this year. I actually think it will be more, he said. If the overall intake has to be increased to accommodate those additional numbers, then it will be. The prime minister comments come as the last of the U.S. Army troops officially withdraw from Afghanistan, leaving the country under the control of the Taliban after a 20-year peacekeeping mission in the country. U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps, boards a C-17 cargo plane at Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 30, 2021, in Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Central Command via Getty Images) Christian leaders have also called on the Prime Minister to increase Australias Afghan refugee intake. In a letter to Morrison on Aug. 20, Archbishop Mark Coleridge, president of the Australian Catholic Bishop Conference, said Australia should take at least 20,000 Afghan refugees, the same number as the U.K. and Canada promised. Joshua Lourensz, executive director of Catholic Social Services Victoria, echoed Coleridges words and called on the government to provide security for about 50,000 Afghanistan-born people living in Australia, including 5,100 who are on a temporary protection visa and cannot have their family to come to Australia through the humanitarian program. While the Australian Government continues to withhold the ability to apply for humanitarian family reunification for this cohort, this places their lives and families in a tenuous situation. With the situation in Afghanistan fundamentally changed, Australias policies also need to fundamentally change, Lourensz said. Meanwhile, the Australian Red Cross has said it is experincing a tenfold increase of phone calls since the Taliban occupied Kabul, with Afghan Australians asking for help to reach their families and friends trapped in the chaos of Afghanistan. This is a hugely distressing time, Nicole Batch, the protection manager, told AAP. We are getting calls from people distressed because they cant reach their loved ones. They are worried and searching for answers. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement help people worldwide to trace their family members who have lost contact in wars or disasters. Everyone in Australia should be sensitive to the fear and uncertainty this is causing, and support people in our communities who have friends or family in Afghanistanthey are living through this crisis, Batch said. AAP contributed to this report. National security adviser Jake Sullivan speaks during the daily press briefing on the situation in Afghanistan at the White House in Washington, on Aug. 17, 2021. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) Biden Administration Wont Rule Out Giving Aid to Afghan Taliban President Joe Bidens national security adviser Jake Sullivan said it is possible that the Biden administration would provide aid to the Taliban following the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan and the collapse of the Afghan government. Sullivan told ABC News Good Morning America on Tuesday that regarding giving financial assistance to the Taliban, that will be about the Talibans actions. It will be about whether they follow through on their commitments. The security adviser said providing humanitarian aid to Afghans is a priority for the Biden administration and will flow through non-governmental organizations (NGOs). They need help with respect to health and food aid and other forms of subsistence, and we do intend to continue that. However, long-term economic and development assistance would only be provided to the terrorist organization if they keep the pledges they made to the United States, such as their commitments to safe passage for Americans and Afghan allies, their commitment to not allow Afghanistan to be a base from which terrorists can attack the United States or any other country, their commitments with respect to upholding international obligations. Its going to be up to them, and we will wait and see, by their actions, how we end up responding in terms of the economic and development assistance, said Sullivan. Republican lawmakers have slammed the administration for trying to work with the Taliban and accepting them as a legitimate government. We should bleed the Taliban dry. We should deny them legitimacy. We should help those who are willing to fight back against the Taliban. We should make their life miserable, said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) while speaking to reporters at a press briefing on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan on Aug. 16 from Capitol Hill. The Taliban broke the agreement that it made with this country from the very beginning. And clearly this year at multiple points in the timeline, the Taliban continued to break that agreement, whether it was the power-sharing agreement overall by their taking over the country, or the agreement to allow Americans to pass through checkpoints, said Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.). And yet here they [members of the Biden administration] are considering, contemplating, recognizing the Taliban as a government, as a state. Let the insanity of that sink in for just a second. Sullivan was asked if the aid, should it be given, will flow through the Taliban. Its not going to flow through the Taliban. When we send humanitarian assistance to countries, we do so through international institutions like the World Health Organization or the World Food Program, and we do so through a non-governmental organization, who are still operating on the ground in Afghanistan as we speak. It will not flow through the government, said Sullivan. The Epoch Times reached out to the White House for comment. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the end of the war in Afghanistan in the State Dining Room at the White House on Aug. 31, 2021. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Biden Defends Ending Afghanistan Mission as Some Americans Get Left Behind President Joe Biden again defended his administrations handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan on Aug. 31, declaring an end to the 20-year-long conflict, but opening up the possibility for future airstrikes against ISIS affiliates in the country. This is the way the mission was designed, he said of the often messy and chaotic evacuation that has drawn criticism from both major political parties, the media, and family members of soldiers who were recently killed in Kabul by terrorists. Although Biden has faced significant criticism, he said the military completed one of the biggest airlifts in history and that no nation has done anything like it in all of history. We will continue to support the Afghan people through diplomacy and engagement, he said. I take responsibility for the chaotic evacuation and withdrawal. However, Biden suggested that it wasnt possible to leave in a more orderly manner than what had transpired in Kabul. Biden, who didnt take any questions, blamed the Afghan military and government for collapsing against the Taliban and for putting the security of Americans and Afghans on the ground at risk. The Taliban carried out an offensive that captured nearly all of Afghanistan in roughly 11 days. Moments later, Biden cast some of the blame for the evacuation and government collapse on the Trump administration, saying that it was then-President Donald Trump who hashed out a deal with the Taliban to pull out of the country by May 1. Over the past few weeks, Trump, who has repeatedly denounced Bidens pullout strategy, said his withdrawal was conditional. Other Trump-era officials, including former Acting Pentagon chief Chris Miller, recently said the United States wasnt going to leave Afghanistan under Trumps deal and would have left a few troops behind. Kash Patel, who previously served as chief of staff to Miller, also explained the original exit strategy in an episode of EpochTVs Kashs Corner. Taliban terrorists stand guard outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the U.S. militarys withdrawal, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 31, 2021. (Khwaja Tawfiq Sediqi/AP Photo) Taliban terrorists walk in front of a military airplane a day after the U.S. troop withdrawal from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 31, 2021. (Stringer/Reuters) The evacuation effort from Kabul was marred by a terrorist bombing that left 13 U.S. troops and numerous Afghans dead. ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attack. During an Aug. 31 speech, Biden said he would dedicate resources to strike the terrorist group, saying that the United States is not done with you yet and that his administration would use an unforgiving targeted precise strategy to go after terror today not where it was two decades ago. We will maintain the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan and other countries. We just dont need to fight a ground war to do it, he said. At 3:29 ET on Aug. 30, one minute before midnight in Kabul, the final American C-17 aircraft carrying military forces left Afghanistan, according to U.S. Central Command Gen. Frank McKenzie. He said that no Americans were able to evacuate on the final five flights out of Afghanistan. During the Aug. 31 speech, Biden said that around 100 to 200 Americans are still in Afghanistan, noting that the majority are those with dual AfghanU.S. citizenship. Ninety percent of Americans in Afghanistan who wanted to leave were able to leave, he said, noting that Secretary of State Antony Blinken is working to ensure safe passage for any American, Afghan national, or others who want to leave Afghanistan. Biden again noted that there was intelligence suggesting the Afghan army would hold onto the country after the Aug. 31 withdrawal deadline. But that assumption turned out not to be accurate, he said. Scientists and journalists watch as an Andean condor is released into the wild as part of a project run by a state conservation program, on the outskirts of Choquekhota, Bolivia, on Feb. 23, 2021. (Juan Karita/AP Photo) Birds of Prey Face Global Decline From Habitat Loss, Poisons WASHINGTONDespite a few high-profile conservation success storieslike the dramatic comeback of bald eagle populations in North Americabirds of prey are in decline worldwide. A new analysis of data from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and BirdLife International found that 30 percent of 557 raptor species worldwide are considered near threatened, vulnerable or endangered, or critically endangered. Eighteen species are critically endangered, including the Philippine eagle, the hooded vulture, and the Annobon scops owl, the researchers found. Other species are in danger of becoming locally extinct in specific regions, meaning they may no longer play critical 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 published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The golden eagle is the national bird of Mexico, but we have very few golden eagles left in Mexico, he said. A 2016 census estimated only about 100 breeding pairs remain in the country. Harpy eagles were once widespread throughout southern Mexico and Central and South America, but tree cutting and burning has dramatically shrunk their range. Of threatened birds of prey that are active mostly during the dayincluding most hawks, eagles, and vultures54 percent were falling in population, the study found. The same was true for 47 percent of threatened nocturnal raptors, such as owls. That means the factors causing the decline have not been remedied and those species need immediate attention, said Jeff Johnson, a biologist at the University of North Texas, who was not involved in the study. Globally, the biggest threats to these birds are habitat loss, climate change, and toxic substances, said 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. A Tawny Eagle in Ethiopia in a 2018 file photo. (Evan R. Buechley via AP) A golden eagle feeding on roadkill in Utah in a 2020 file photo. (Evan R. Buechley via AP) The insecticide DDT thinned eggshells and decimated bald eagle populations in North America, leading to its ban in the United States in 1972. But Buechley said other threats remain, including rodent pesticides and the lead in hunters bullets and shot pellets. Many raptors feed on rodents and dead animals. 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 percent 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 percent of all raptor species worldwide are decreasing in population. By Christina Larson Boy, 16, Held on Suspicion of Murder After London Assault Victim Dies A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 61-year-old man died following a suspected assault. Mehmood Shamshi was taken to hospital after being found seriously injured in Staines Road, Hounslow, west London, in the early hours of Aug. 18, the Metropolitan Police said. Officers believe he was assaulted in Staines Road, near the junction of Cromwell Road, at around 10:30 p.m. the previous day. He died in hospital on Aug. 21 and a post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as a head injury. Mehmood Shamshi in an undated handout. (Metropolitan Police/PA) A 16-year-old boy was arrested on Aug. 28 on suspicion of murder. He was taken into custody before being released on bail to a date in September. Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin, who is leading the investigation, said: Mehmoods family and friends have been left devastated by his death, and we are working hard to work out the sequence of events that led to him sustaining injuries, which we believe ultimately led to his death. I would like to speak to anyone who was in the area, including drivers who may have any dashcam footage, of Staines Road, near to the junction of Cromwell Road, on 17 August between 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., who may have seen anything suspicious. Anyone who was in the area and witnessed anything is asked to call 020 8785 8244, quoting Op Tinos, or 101 and quote CAD 212/18Aug. The town of Matucana in Peru, near which a bus fell off a cliff in the Peruvian Andes on Tuesday, killing 29 people, on Aug. 31, 2021. (Google Maps/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Bus Plunges in Perus Andes, Killing 29 LIMAA bus driving along a main highway in the Peruvian Andes plunged into an abyss and killed at least 29 passengers in the early hours of Tuesday, authorities said. The incident happened near the town of Matucana, along Perus Central Highway, a corridor that connects the capital Lima to much of the central Andes. The bus was carrying 63 passengers, a police official told local news outlet Canal N. The accident is the second involving a bus plunging from a road in Peru in a matter of days, after a bus carrying mining workers in a different part of the Andes also fell off a cliff and killed 16 on Friday. The two incidents are unrelated, although bus plunges are not uncommon in Peru, especially in the Andes. The mountain range traverses the length of the country and its highways are often dangerous, overlooking tall cliffs. California Bill to Decriminalize Psychedelics Delayed to 2022 Senator Scott Wieners (D-San Francisco) controversial bill that decriminalizes psychedelic drugs was delayed until 2022. Senate Bill 519 (SB 519) was set to appear before the state assembly Aug. 26, but was postponed at Weiners request. Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said in a tweet: Success in slowing this bill is due to those of you who made your voice heard. The bill will return in 2022, so please continue to speak out against this extreme proposal. Sheriff Don Barnes speaks to reporters at the Orange County Sheriffs Department Law Enforcement Shooting Range in Orange, Calif., on March 30, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) SB 519 introduced on Feb. 17 decriminalizes hallucinogenic drugs including but not limited to: LSD, psilocybin, psilocybin mushrooms, heroin, and MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy or molly). The bill allows individuals 21 years of age or older to buy, use, and share hallucinogenic drugs without penalties. While Im disappointed we couldnt pass SB 519 this year, Im heartened that the bill moved as deep into the process as it did and that we have a realistic chance of passing it next year, Wiener said in an Aug. 26 statement. Given that this idea had never before been introduced in the Legislature, our progress is a testament to the power of the issue and the urgency of the need to act. Im so grateful to my colleagues for working with us and advancing the bill so significantly. Now that we have more time, Im optimistic through education and member engagement we can pass this critical legislation next year. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), psychedelics are a schedule 1 drug. Weiner stated the intention of the bill is to address the war on drugs and help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have access to these drugs to help with their mental health. Decriminalizing psychedelics is an important step in ending the failed War on Drugs, and we are committed to this fight. Our mental health crisis is worse than ever, and psychedelics have shown great promise in treating mental health issues from PTSD to anxiety and depression, Weiner said. Many Californians who oppose the bill say that decriminalizing psychedelics will devastate communities. Carolyn Brown, minister and community advocate, said crimes such as robbery, rape, and violence are already widespread in the African American community. Our community opposes SB 519 completely, and we just need more structure. Let [drugs] stay in the hands of the physicians, the professionals, and not in the hands of our politicians, Brown said during a July 8 press conference. Some Californians protested on June 25 in Los Angeles and San Francisco calling out the bill for potentially legalizing ketamine, sinceaccording to the DEAit is sometimes used to further advance sexual assault crimes. As of July 1, however, ketamine has been removed from the bill. Older versions of the bill called for dismissing prior convictions related to drug abuse. Such wording has also been removed from the bill. Oregon passed a similar ballot measure in 2020 that decriminalized all scheduled substances. SB 519 is co-authored by state Senators Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) and Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymembers Evan Low (D-San Jose), Alex Lee (D-Fremont) and Bill Quirk (D-Hayward). The bill is expected to appear before the state assembly for a vote next year. Californias Recall Election Voter Registration Deadline is Today Californias gubernatorial recall election is a few weeks away and Aug. 30 is the deadline for residents to register to vote by mail. Antonia Hutzell, San Diego County Registrar Office spokesperson told The Epoch Times 221 in-person voting locations will be open beginning Sept. 11 for county residents to cast their votes. Registration forms returned in the mail must be postmarked by today, Aug. 30, she said. If you want to drop off your registration form at the Registrars office you must do so by 5 p.m. today. Voters may also register online until midnight. Residents who miss the registration deadline will need to travel to the county registrars office or any voting location to register conditionally and vote provisionally. In Orange County, over 250,000 ballots were sent by mail and returned to the registrars office as of Aug 27. As of today, 273,696 Vote-by-Mail ballots have been returned to our office, OC Registrars office said in an Aug. 27 tweet. You may return your ballot by dropping it off at any one of our 116 official ballot drop boxes or by mail. While ballot drop boxes are available now, on Sept. 4, county residents can begin voting in person at a location near them. California residents who are not sure about their voter registration status can check to see if they are registered to vote before the midnight deadline. A general view of Liverpool Hospital as seen in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 10, 2020. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) Call to Arms: Australian Nurses Returning to ICU to Help Treat COVID-19 Patients Nurses have been retraining to work in intensive care units to help treat the sickest COVID-19 patients in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW), state officials said on Aug. 31. Liverpool Hospital ICU Manager Michelle Dowd said there was a call to arms, and a lot of nurses had been deployed to her. Were training theatre nurses and recovery nurses to be ICU nurses, she told reporters on Aug. 31. Nurses Ive worked with for the last 30 years are coming back to intensive care. Health professionals really want to help right now, she added. Dowd said ICU nurses work with a big range of health professionals, including physios, ward orderlies, doctors, and nurses, to care for patients who need constant monitoring. ICU patients require two nurses, whether they are COVID-19 patients or otherwise, she said. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. Treating COVID-19 patients in the ICU was both physically and emotionally difficult, Dowd said. These patients are some of the sickest weve ever seen, she said. They require so much support and monitoring and physical care. Were in layers of PPE, sometimes for hours at a time. A general view of Liverpool Hospital in Liverpool in Sydney, Australia, on July 12, 2021. (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) The Liverpool Hospital ICU manager said nurses normally work very closely with the families of intensive care patients, but ICU patients with COVID-19 cant have visitors. Every day, were communicating with families over the phone and by video call to connect them, she said. When a COVID-19 patient is about to die, their family can only communicate with them via video chat. Well hold the patients hands, and well provide as much care and comfort and support as we possibly can. We know this is really hard for families, Dowd said. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant at a press conference to provide a COVID-19 update in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 6, 2021 (Mick Tsikas-Pool/Getty Images). NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklean said, I cant thank enough our nurses across the state. Please know youre deeply appreciated. The NSW government has reported that 67 percent of residents have now received their first dose of a vaccine against the CCP virus, with the premier urging people to get immunised in order to be granted more freedoms. Once this figure reaches 70 percent, Berejiklean said the state would allow more freedoms to those who are fully vaccinated, while at 80 percent, international travel becomes a possibility. How wonderful would it be to welcome back Aussies who want to be reunited with their families by Christmas? she said. NSW recorded 1,164 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8 p.m. on Aug. 30 and three deaths related to the virus. The deaths included a woman in her 50s with underlying health conditions, a man in his 80s and a man in his 90s. Each had not been vaccinated for the CCP virus. NSW Chief Health Officer said there were 871 people in hospital due to the CCP virus, with 143 in intensive care, with 58 who require ventilation. A nurse administers a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to a high school student at the California State University Long Beach campus in Long Beach, Calif., on Aug. 11, 2021. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images) CDC: COVID-19 Vaccines Effectiveness Against Hospitalization Drops COVID-19 vaccines ability to keep people out of the hospital is waning, albeit slightly, said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday during an advisory panel meeting. The agency has estimated that most people being treated for the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus are unvaccinated, saying that about 97 percent havent received the shot, although its not clear whether those unvaccinated individuals in the hospital previously had COVID-19 or not. The CDC panel on Monday noted that the 97 percent figure was based on data that was collected before the spread of the Delta variant. Now, the latest CDC analysis estimates that vaccines effectiveness at keeping people out of the hospital is between 75 percent and 95 percent. For individuals older than the age of 75, the CDC panel said, vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization saw the largest decline. The effectiveness went from 90 percent in June to 80 percent in July, said the agency, noting that a persons immunity could be weakening over time, namely among older people, the most vulnerable group. Officials during the panels briefing, however, said that COVID-19 vaccines are still effective at preventing serious illness. The CDC and Food and Drug Administration last week said they would push for people to get booster shots, or third doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, by Sept. 20, triggering criticism from the World Health Organization and other groups who said the priority should be placed on providing poorer nations with vaccines. Earlier this month, officials in Israel, a country that has one of the worlds highest vaccination rates, issued a warning saying that of the countrys 650 new daily COVID-19 cases, more than half were among the fully vaccinated. This is a very clear warning sign for the rest of world, Ran Balicer, chief innovation officer at Clalit Health Services, told news outlets in mid-August. If it can happen here, it can probably happen everywhere. Officials in Israel are now offering a booster shot to all vaccinated people. A new study, also from Israel, found that individuals who already contracted COVID-19 and gained a natural immunity were shown to have much greater protection against the Delta variant. Individuals who tested positive for the virus were less likely to become infected, sick, or in need of hospital treatment, compared with people who received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine, the shot predominantly used in Israel. The preprint study has yet to be peer-reviewed. The Epoch Times has contacted Pfizer and Moderna for comment. A vial of PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is seen at a pop up vaccine clinic in the Arleta neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, Aug. 23, 2021. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images) CDC Panel Backs Full Approval for PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Over 16s An advisory group of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) unanimously endorsed the full approval of the PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for U.S. citizens who are over the age of 16. The Advisory on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a committee within the CDC, said on Monday that the vaccine by PfizerBioNTech against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus is safe and effective for those aged 16 and older, and that the benefits of the Pfizer vaccine outweigh potential risks associated with the shots. The tolerability and safety profile of [the vaccine] in participants 16 years of age at up to 6 months after Dose 2 was acceptable throughout the follow-up period (to the data cutoff date) and consistent with results previously reported, states a presentation (pdf) reviewed by the panel. Data reviewed by the CDC compared populations of those who were vaccinated with those who were not vaccinated and noted that severe cases were observed predominantly in the placebo group. The panel did not review any data that compared the vaccine to other reported interventions, such as hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, vitamin C, zinc, and monoclonal antibody therapy. There was also no consideration of immunity developed against COVID-19 from a previous infection. Data also showed that one serious side effect, myocarditisan inflammation of the heart muscleremains rare for both the mRNA-based Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. The CDC noted that 2,574 cases of heart inflammation (pdf) were reported via the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System after hundreds of millions of doses of both vaccines. The condition mostly affects males under 30, about a week after vaccination. Limited follow-up information in VAERS case reports suggests most patients (77%) recovered from symptoms at time of report or follow-up, a CDC presentation (pdf) reviewed by the panel reads. New Zealand on Monday reported its first death linked to Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine after a woman suffered myocarditis. Health officials there said other factors could have contributed to her death. There have been no reported deaths among young U.S. adults who developed myocarditis after getting the PfizerBioNTech vaccine, the CDC said. The latest ACIP endorsement comes a week after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave full approval for the mRNA-based COVID-19 shot, which is being marketed as Comirnaty. The approval is only for doses produced in the future, according to FDA documents. Existing supply will continue to be administered under an updated emergency use authorization (EUA) that the federal agency granted in December 2020. More than 209 million Pfizer doses have been administered. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adjusts her face mask during a Senate hearing in Washington on March 18, 2021. (Susan Walsh/AP Photo) A CDC statement said that the ACIP recommendation comes 9 months after the committees interim recommendation and after an exhaustive review of the scientific evidence demonstrating safety and effectiveness, and supporting continued use of the vaccine. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky is expected to accept ACIPs endorsement. We now have a fully approved COVID-19 vaccine and ACIP has added its recommendation, Walensky said in a statement after the vote by advisers on the ACIP panel. If you have been waiting for this approval before getting the vaccine, now is the time to get vaccinated. Children aged 12 to 15 are currently able to receive the PfizerBioNTech vaccine under the EUA. The FDA earlier in August authorized a third dose of the PfizerBioNTech and Moderna vaccines for those who are immunocompromised. The CDC said on its website that booster shots may be available starting this fall with people being eligible starting 8 months after they received their second dose of an mRNA vaccine. This would be subject to authorization by ACIP. Another meeting will be scheduled in mid-September to discuss potential boosters. It is likely that people who received a Johnson & Johnson/Janssen (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine will also need a booster dose, the CDC said. According to the CDC, 203 million Americans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as of Aug. 26, and 172 million people, or about 52 percent of the U.S. population, are fully vaccinated. The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. A Chinese coast guard ship (back) sails next to a Vietnamese coast guard vessel (front) near China's oil drilling rig in disputed waters in the South China Sea on May 14, 2014. (Hoang Dinh Nam/AFP via Getty Images China Says Foreign Vessels Must Report Identification in Disputed Waters Beginning on September 1, China will require foreign vessels to report detailed information upon entering into the ocean areas the regime claims as its territory. An expert warns of the rising possibility of clashes in contested waters in the South China Sea. The move comes after Beijing passed a Coast Guard Law in late January, authorizing the coast guard to adopt all necessary means, including the use of weapons to stop threats from foreign vessels. The regime says it has a historical right to a large swath of the South China Sea, vaguely demarcated by the 9-dash line China published on a map to indicate the area to which it laid claim. Neighboring countries do not recognize these claims. Chinas maritime safety authorities said that foreign vessels should report the details of ships, estimated time of arrival and departure, current position, and other information before passing through these waters. If a ships automatic identification system is not working properly, authorities will require follow-up reports every two hours until it leaves the area, according to a statement released on Aug. 27. A map designed by China including an insert with nine dash lines shows the Chinese regimes claimed territory in the South China Sea in Beijing, China, on June 15, 2016. It came three days after the Hagues Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidated Beijings claim. (GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images) The new regulation puts these demands on a wide range of ships. The list includes submersibles, nuclear vessels, ships carrying radioactive materials, and ships carrying bulk oil, chemicals, liquefied gas, and other toxic and harmful substances. Chinas Maritime Safety Administration also noted that any other vessels that may endanger the maritime traffic safety of the regimes claims should report upon arrival. The new regulation, based on the countrys revised Maritime Traffic Safety Law, will together take effect on Sep. 1. Analysts previously highlighted that the Chinese regime could apply the law to contentious waters where its not able to exercise jurisdiction under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Su Tzu-yun, a Taiwan-based expert, told The Epoch Times the new regulation could heighten tensions in the disputed areas, especially in the South China Sea, as the regime may extend the law to artificial reefs. The Chinese regime claimed sovereignty over the largest portion of two uninhabited island chains, Spratly and Paracel, in the South China Sea. However, other governments, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei, dispute those claims. The Hagues Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidated Beijings claim in 2016, saying that China violated the UNCLOS. Nevertheless, the Chinese regime has backed its claims with island-building and military patrols. Since 2013, Beijing has been building artificial islands across the region and has established military installations on the islands. Su said the regimes two maritime laws, the Coast Guard Law and the Maritime Traffic Safety Law, could make the water region more volatile. Beijing will also apply the Maritime Traffic Safety Law to the artificial islands after September 1. So when [vessels of] other countries sailed within 12 miles of Chinese-claimed artificial reefs a clash may break out, said Su, director of the Defense Strategy and Resources Division of the Institute for National Defense and Security Research in Taiwan. One of Chinas man-made islands in the South China Sea, May 21, 2015. (U.S. Navy/Handout via Reuters) According to UNCLOS, a countrys territorial waters are defined as 12 nautical miles from its coastline. All ships, whether civilian or military, enjoy the right of innocent passage through other states territorial seas if they dont threaten the security of the state. The United States and other western countries regularly deploy warships to sail through the 12-nautical mile zone around the artificial islands. The ships conduct freedom of navigation operations according to international law. In July, Beijing accused the United States of provocative actions while the U.S. navy sailed through the area. Secretary of State Antony Blinken repeated the tribunals ruling in an earlier statement, saying that Beijing had no lawful claim to the area. Luo Ya contributed to this report. Chinese and American flags are displayed in a company in Beijing, China, on Aug. 16, 2017. (Wang Zhao/AFP/Getty Images) China Shuts American Chamber of Commerce in Chengdu, Organization Says SHANGHAIChinese authorities have instructed an American Chamber of Commerce in the southwestern city of Chengdu to cease operations, officials with the organization said on Tuesday. The chamber notified members on Monday that, in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations, it had to stop operations and no longer carry out any activities in the name of the American Chamber of Commerce in Southwest China. The statement, seen by Reuters, did not provide a specific reason why the chamber, which promotes trade and investment between the United States and the region, had been instructed to cease operations. Benjamin Wang, the groups chairman, told Reuters by a messaging app that it was in discussions with local authorities about its registration and future direction. The Chinese regimes Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) appeared to be enforcing a rule that countries maintain only one official chamber of commerce in the country, Wang said. The MCA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Chengdu chamber is not affiliated with the American Chamber of Commerce in China, a business advocacy group based in Beijing with offices in several other cities. The closure of the chamber comes just over one year after the Chinese regime closed the U.S. consulate in Chengdu, in retaliation for the regimes ouster from its consulate in Houston a week earlier. Signs of Meituan are seen at its booth at the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, China, on Sept. 4, 2020. (Tingshu Wang/Reuters) Chinas Meituan Reports 3rd Quarterly Loss, Warns on Antitrust Fines BEIJINGChinese food delivery giant Meituan warned it could be required to pay a significant amount of antitrust fines and posted a third consecutive quarterly loss on Monday as it continued to invest in expanding its various businesses. Meituan, Chinas eighth largest company by market value, has faced regulatory heat as authorities crack down on the countrys sprawling platform economy. Chinas State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) launched an antitrust probe into the company in April, focussing on forcing restaurants and other merchants to use its platform exclusively. SAMR also said on Monday it would further regulate the sharing economy sector and that it has been investigating Meituan not reporting its acquisition of bike-sharing startup Mobike in 2018 for antitrust review. Meituan said in its earnings report that it was actively cooperating with SAMR in the ongoing investigation and that it could be required to make changes to its business practices and/or be subject to a significant amount of fines. The Tencent-backed company reported a 2.21 billion yuan ($341.8 million) loss in the April-June period versus a profit of 2.72 billion yuan a year earlier. It has been expanding aggressively into hotel booking and community group-buying, taking on such rivals as Alibaba and Pinduoduo. Meituan said its total revenue rose 77 percent in the quarter from a year earlier to 43.76 billion yuan. That compared with a 42.32 billion yuan average estimate of 15 analysts compiled by Refinitiv. Revenue in Meituans core food delivery business rose 59 percent year-over-year to 23.13 billion yuan. In July, a set of guidelines announced by SAMR required food delivery platforms to guarantee their workers with insurance, causing investor concerns about the rising cost of employing riders. The company will strictly follow the guidelines, Wang Xing said on a conference call, adding Meituan will introduce compulsory breaks for delivery riders. ($1 = 6.4656 Chinese yuan renminbi) Chinese Branch of US Company Issues Fake Reports Triggering Product Recalls in South Korea A Chinese branch of a U.S.-based multinational electronics testing company has been issuing fake reports for China-made goods entering the South Korean market for eight years, Korean media reported as a massive recall of products was announced. The recall impacted 1,696 products sold by 378 companies in South Korea, Korean media reported. The top three companies with recalled products were the large China-based companies Huawei, drone maker DJI, and Hangzhou Hikvision, accounting for about 30 percent of all forged reports. Founded and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, the multinational Bay Area Compliance Laboratory Corp. (BACL) performs third party certification and testing of electronic products across a number of jurisdictions. It has branches in Dongguan, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Shanghai, and other cities in China, as well as Taiwan, South Korea and South East Asia. All of the China-based branches belong to the same Chinese cooperation, according to a BACL staff member at one of the Chinese branches. According to News Korea, the Ministry of Science and Technology of South Korea said that the Korean police are investigating a Chinese branch of BACL for allegedly releasing forged U.S. BACL test reports for broadcast communications equipment sold in South Korea. A forged test report issued by a Chinese branch of Bay Area Compliance Laboratory Corp (BACL) (L) compared to a legitimate test report (R). The falsified test report lists the test site as being in the United States. (Courtesy of Ministry of Science and Technology of South Korea) Of the 378 companies identified, Chinese video surveillance equipment supplier Hangzhou Hikvision had the largest number, 224, of products with fake reports, followed by Chinese drone manufacturer DJI with 145, and Huawei with 136. In fourth place with 64 reports was Britz International, a Korean company that makes earphones, speakers, and other electronics. Samsung Electronics was in 10th place with 23 reports, while SK Telecom subsidiary Dreamus had only two reports. The companies have since been banned from selling the products that had fake reports by South Korean authorities for one year. It is not yet known whether these companies had prior knowledge of the Chinese BACLs falsification of the U.S. BACLs test reports. According to Korean media The ChosunBiz, a subsidiary of Chosun Ilbo, large corporate groups as well as small to medium-sized Korean businesses have complained about being cheated by the China-based testing agency. It is expected that the police will investigate the circumstances behind the falsifications in detail. Korean law requires companies that sell broadcasting and communications equipment to obtain certification of product compliance with technical standards. This standard includes whether the product prevents radio wave interference and whether it is proven to be harmless to humans. To date, South Korea has signed mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) for certification standards with 32 countries, including the United States, 27 EU member states, the European Union, Canada, Vietnam, and Chile. It does not recognize certification from bodies in China. The Epoch Times called BACLs Chinese branches in Guangzhou and Changsha for comment regarding the reports of fake certifications. Staff members from both branches replied that the tests were done in China, so the test reports were issued from China. They also said that the reports were valid in South Korea, claiming it is not necessary to provide reports from their certifiers in the United States. Meanwhile, a BACL staff member from a branch in Seoul told The Epoch Times that the test reports issued by the Chinese branch were not accepted in South Korea. 6 Months of Investigation On May 15 last year, South Koreas Ministry of Science and Technology received a complaint alleging that some test reports marked as U.S. BACL had been issued by a Chinese BACL branch, Chosun reported. The ministry spent six months auditing all test reports issued by BACL dating back to 2006. It found that the test reports for close to 1,700 products sold by 381 companies were forged by the Chinese branch of BACL, according to a ministry report released on Nov. 10, 2020. The ministry said that in order to maintain a safe radio environment, the breach issue would be dealt with seriously under to the relevant laws, adding that equipment such as surveillance cameras, bluetooth devices, drones, communication devices, and PC peripherals are closely related to peoples everyday lives. On June 17, the ministry recalled all 1,696 products, and announced that their certifications had been revoked, not to be certification again for at least one year. It also banned the same products from being manufactured, imported, or sold in South Korea until properly certified. The companies were given three months to notify customers. The Epoch Times has sought comment from BACLs headquarters in California to ask whether they were aware of the falsified reports but has not yet received a response. Lisa Bian Cladding Questions Arise in Milans 20-Story Building Blaze MILANItalian 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 Sundays blaze, but no serious injuries or deaths. The fire that sent up a huge plume of black smoke visible for 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 dont 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 ships 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. 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. A Wall St. sign outside the New York Stock Exchange in New York City in a file photo. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images) Conservative Values Investment Fund Pushes Back Against ESG Environmental, social, governance factors aligned with more progressive philosophy, says fund manager In recent years, the investment profession has been increasingly influenced by a companys adherence to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. But a nascent exchange-traded fund (ETF) is taking the position that these standards often do not reflect conservative values. Bill Flaig, founder and CEO of American Conservative Values ETF (ACVF), avoids companies that he believes suppress the freedom of speech and religion, are hostile to conservative values, or are proudly liberal. Flaig told The Epoch Times that growth in ESG investing has been significant, and most of those products are probably more in line with a politically progressive investment philosophy. ESG may seek to influence social issues around gender and diversity, for example, or sustainability efforts such as advancing renewable energy sources. ACVF has boycotted BlackRock, the worlds largest asset manager. The investing giant is very bullish on China, and recently its chief investment strategist suggested ramping up investments in China despite Beijings crackdown on tech companies. BlackRocks website features three primary investment themes: sustainable investing (which means ESG), the China opportunity, and alternative investments. BlackRock is what were concerned [about] on multiple levels. Their overall business model is going to force ESG investing on everybody using proxies, popping up against some of their shareholders best interests, Flaig said. The Epoch Times reached out to BlackRock for comment on their business model and ESG but didnt receive a response by time of publication. Some other high-profile companies ACVF boycotts include Nike, Starbucks, Facebook, and Twitter. We can only boycott or divest from companies that are hostile to conservative values rather than building a portfolio of companies that are examples of conservative values, Flaig said. Flaig and his business partner Tom Carter founded ACVF in October 2020, after seeing a clear gap in the market. The fund has since grown to US$14 million. We were struck by the fact that there was nothing that seemed to be targeted for politically conservative people, Flaig said. Its a balancing act between advocacy and performance for the U.S. large-cap fund, which currently excludes about a quarter of S&P 500 companies. Flaig said there is a lot of opportunity for his investment thesis, as many politically conservative people may not realize they are investing in companies that go against their personal beliefs. The funds website points out that people may be investing in companies that suppress the U.S. Constitutions Second Amendment (the right to keep and bear arms), support illegal immigration and sanctuary cities, and support the liberal media. The founders of the fund are of the opinion that politically active companies hurt their own stock returns. Companies weighing in on political issues are misusing their resources on things that arent directly increasing shareholder value, Flaig said. Looking toward the future, he said ACVF has an international product in the conceptual stage now, and that China would probably be completely absent from that portfolio. There may even be a Canadian fund. Theres going to be a tremendous economic opportunity for companies that can figure out what to do with carbon, Flaig said. I dont think telling people they cant have energy is the way forward. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speak after a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Dec. 20, 2020. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) Democrat Bills Normalize Illegal Immigration: FAIR News Analysis Since the introduction of the so-called For the People election bill (S.2093) in the Senate, Republicans have criticized the bill for facilitating voting by illegal immigrants; Democrats have responded by saying they want to make it easier for eligible voters to register and attend the polls. Despite these assurances, some still have concerns that several pieces of legislation introduced by Democrats would help ineligible voters bypass current security measures, get registered, and vote. Before the Senate went on their month-long August recess, Democrats attempted to move S.2093 out of committee. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) blocked this effort. Speaking about the legislation on the Senate floor, Cruz said, It would strike down virtually every reasonable voter integrity law in the country, including voter ID laws [and] prohibitions on ballot harvesting [both of which are] supported by the overwhelming majority of this country. He then criticized the provisions of the bill that would mandate felons be allowed to vote, and would automatically register millions of illegal aliens to vote. In fact, the bill does have provisions that would explicitly bar states from withholding the vote to convicted felons. But voting for illegal aliens is not explicitly outlined in the text of the bill; rather, opponents argue that sections of the bill would make it easy for illegal immigrants to vote without explicitly giving them the right to do so. A key concern for these critics is a provision buried deep within the bill that would establish an automatic voter registration system. By authorizing various government agencies to share information, the bill would create a system that registers voters automatically using that shared info. Below this section, S.2093 adds that there are to be no consequences for illegals who are automatically registered. Beyond this, the bill would allow people to register to vote on election day without a state-issued identification cardit would only require people to show a student ID, which many schools offer to illegal aliens, or to sign a form swearing that they are legally allowed to vote. For The People Election Bill Shields Illegal Aliens Preston Huennekens, the Government Relations Manager at the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), explained some concerns that the organization has towards S.2093. FAIR is a nonpartisan organization that describes its mission as seeking out solutions that help reduce the negative impact of uncontrolled immigration on the nations security, economy, workforce, education, healthcare, and environment. Huennekens called the bill a deeply flawed piece of legislation. He said: On immigration alone, it prohibits the prosecution of any illegal alien under Federal or State law if that alien illegally registered to vote or voted in elections. [It] leaves no room for doubtthis bill shields and excuses fraudulent voting by illegal aliens. Asked whether Cruz was correct that the bill would facilitate voting illegally, Huennekens said: Senator Cruzs warning that this bill would allow illegal aliens to vote is not far off of the mark. While the legislation itself does not specifically grant illegal aliens the right to vote, it prevents any enforcement taken against those who do. In this way, Section 1014 of the bill [by shielding illegal voters from penalties] is a de facto acceptance and endorsement of illegal voting. Higher Education Bill Bars Higher Tuition for Dreamers In regards to Rep. Ruben Gallegos (D-Ariz.) Higher Education Dream Act, Huennekens said the purpose is to prohibit discrimination in higher education against certain noncitizen students on the basis of immigration status. The group of noncitizen students protected under the legislation is limited to so-called Dreamers, a nickname for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, a program for people who entered the United States illegally as children. Dreamers have received temporary immunity from deportation under an Obama-era executive action. Estimates of how many of these Dreamers have received this protection vary widely, from 600,000 on the low end to upwards of 800,000 on the high end. In any case, Gallegos bill would be hugely consequential. The short bill outlines several notably expansive protections for Dreamers. Immigration policy activists rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, on Nov. 12, 2019. (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images) The bill reads: An institution of higher education that receives federal funds or financial assistance under any federal program shall not discriminate against or penalize in the admissions process a Dreamer student who is otherwise qualified for admission to the institution, on the basis of that individuals immigration status, nor shall such an institution differentiate in the admissions process on the basis of residency between a United States citizen applicant and a Dreamer student applying from the same state. This would make it illegal for higher education institutions to even consider the legal status of these applicants; schools who violate this clause would be at risk of receiving federal penalties similar to existing penalties for discrimination. The legislation also overturns a standing U.S. law from 1998 that makes it illegal for non-tax-paying illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition rates, rates that are only possible because of subsidies from state-level taxes. Should the bill pass, schools would be barred from charging a higher rate of tuition to these applicants than they would charge their state or out-of-state citizen peers. Finally, the bill would make it illegal for state, federal, or school officials to use information obtained from Dreamers admission application to arrest, detain, or initiate removal proceedings against any person identified in that information. FAIR opposes [Gallegos bill], Huennekens said. The federal government should not force colleges and universitieswhether private or publicto admit illegal aliens against the will of their admissions boards. He warned that the federal takeover of college admissions would compel universitiesin some casesto admit illegal aliens in place of American citizens. This concern is well-founded. According to a New American Economy report, estimates drawn from a 2018 survey showed more than 450,000 illegal immigrant students were enrolled in postsecondary education, about two percent of all postsecondary students (pdf). Students and supporters rally in support of DACA recipients on the day the Supreme Court hears arguments in DACA case in Los Angeles, Calif., on Nov. 12, 2019. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) Admission of illegal aliens has been a policy long in place at many institutions. In an article discussing the situation, the College Board said: Undocumented students may incorrectly assume that they cannot legally attend college in the United States. However, there is no federal or state law that prohibits the admission of undocumented immigrants to U.S. colleges, public or private. But it also notes that many institutions do require such a proof of residence. As an example, the organization points to requirements at four-year universities and colleges in Virginia. Other schools that do admit illegal aliens often require these students to pay out-of-state tuition rates. Under this legislation, both policies would be a federal offense. Because of these provisions, Huennekens said the bill is a disturbing normalization of illegal immigration. However, both bills are far from becoming law. The For the People Act has only recently managed to move out of committee in the Senate. Even with this victory for Democrats, the bill is unlikely to pass. With Democrats razor-thin majority, even a single vote against such partisan legislation would kill the bill. But it is already clear that Democrats are not unified behind the bill. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has publicly spoken out against the bill, saying that it would divide the country rather than unify it. But even if Manchin changed his mind, the bill would almost certainly be killed by a filibuster. Gallegos bill has an even bigger challenge. It has yet to be moved out of committee, and would likely face stiff opposition from both Republicans and moderate Democrats in the House. But even if Democrats united and made the bill a top priority, it would likely face the same failure by filibuster in the Senate. Tom Ozimek contributed to this report. Discovery of 7,000-Year-Old Remains Unravels Mystery of Unknown Group of Humans The ancient remains of a hunter-gatherer girl who died over 7,000 years ago in Indonesia, has revealed clues to a mysterious group of humans from the past. The discovery, made in 2015, in the Leang Panninge cave on Indonesias Sulawesi Island is the first discovery of ancient human DNA in the region, known as Wallacea. In a study published on Wednesday, Griffith University archaeology professor and study co-author Adam Brumm, said the girl, nicknamed Besse, belonged to a mysterious group of modern humans from the Holocene era who archaeologists have named the Toaleans. It is the first time an intact skeleton of the Toalean people had been found. Weve got ancient DNA from the bones of this woman, but we could only reconstruct about 2 percent of her complete genome, Brumm told the ABC. So thats how degraded it was and it took a lot of work to get even that. Sulawesi is the largest island in Wallacea. White shaded areas represent landmasses exposed during periods of lower sea level in the Late Pleistocene. (Supplied, Kim Newman) Burial of the hunter-gatherer Toalean woman. (Supplied, University of Hasanuddin) Through DNA analysis, archaeologists have confirmed a theory that the Toaleans were related to the first humans who lived in Wallacea around 65,000 years ago, and could also tie the girl to the Aboriginal Australians and Papuans. Half of Besses genome is shared with present-day Aboriginals, Papuans, and Western Pacific Islander peoples. She was also partly related to the older human ancestors the Denisovans, whose remains have been found in Tibet and Siberia. Further analysis found that Besse also had strong genetic ties to an ancient Asian group of people who did not mingle with the ancestors of Aboriginals and Papuans. A really unexpected discovery is that within the DNA of this ancient woman, we found ancestry from a very ancient Asian population, Brumm said. We dont know quite who they were. Excavations at Leang Panninge cave. (Supplied, Leang Panninge research project) Prof. Akin Duli from the University of Hasanuddin said this meant the population and genetic history of early humans in the region were more complex than previously thought. It is unlikely we will know much about the identity of these early ancestors of the Toaleans until more ancient human DNA samples are available from Wallacea, Duli said. However, finding more preserved remains, like Besses, is extremely difficult given the tropical, humid weather of the region. Just two other DNA samples have been found in the whole region and they come from Laos and Malaysia. Besse has no relation to the present-day people of Sulawesi, which is unsurprising given they are known to be largely descended from people who came from the Taiwanese region 3,500 years ago. The Toaleans have been a century-old archaeological mystery since the discovery of unique, finely crafted arrowheads in several southern Sulawesi caves in 1902. Undated Toalean stone arrowheads, backed microliths, and bone projectile points. (Supplied, Basran Burhan) In this file photo taken in 2006, students pass under the arches at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. (Sara D. Davis/Getty Images) Duke University Enhances Restrictions After COVID-19 Surge on Mostly Vaccinated Campus Duke University on Monday enacted stricter mask and vaccine policies after a surveillance test returned hundreds of positive results for COVID-19 among its overwhelmingly vaccinated student and staff population. Duke, which required COVID-19 vaccination for all students coming or returning to its Durham, North Carolina, campus this fall, reported that 304 undergraduate students, 45 graduate students, and 15 employees tested positive for the disease in the last week. All but eight of those individuals were vaccinated, and the vast majority are asymptomatic, the university administrators said in a letter to the campus community. A small number of them have minor cold- and flu-like symptoms, and none have been hospitalized. The good news is that we are able to identify these infections early and quickly, that our near-fully vaccinated student (98 percent) and employee (92 percent) populations are protected from serious illness, and that we continue to see no evidence of transmission in our classrooms and other campus locations where all individuals are masked, the letter read. The 364 positive results among 22,932 administered tests makes a positivity rate of 1.59 percent, according to the COVID-19 testing tracker on Dukes website. The university reported 610 total cases since Aug. 1, mostly among students. We cannot stop COVID-19, but what we can do is adapt to our local and national realities and seek to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on campus, Duke administrators said. Among the new restrictive measures announced Monday is a mask requirement in all indoor and outdoor locations, except when alone or eating. Indoor group seating at Dukes dining facilities will be temporarily suspended, as those services shift to take-out only. There will also be new limitations on student activities, and individuals and groups that violate these to-be-specified limitations will face disciplinary consequences. In addition, Duke now requires COVID-19 vaccination for all faculty and staff as a condition of employment. Professors teaching undergraduate classes will also be allowed to teach remotely for the next two weeks, considering many of their students are not able to attend classes in person while in isolation. We want to be clear: the problem is not our people, the problem is COVID-19, the letter read. This is a time to be prudent, to take care of ourselves and each other so we can continue our important mission, which is now more important than ever. The announcement comes days after Dukes rival school, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, reported about 200 confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the past week. More than 350 cases have been reported among students and employees throughout August, according to the public universitys website. Unlike Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill does not have a vaccine mandate, although students who are not vaccinated or decide not to share their vaccination status with the university are required be tested at least once a week for the entire fall semester. Elder Versus Newsom: Two Radically Different Views of the Soul of America Commentary LOS ANGELESSunday evening I was standing in an excited crowd at a Long Beach fundraiser for Larry Elders California gubernatorial campaign when I received a text with the headline Gov. Newsom Pivots Recall Speeches To Attack Larry Elders Political Opinions. The article was from the California Globe, a publication I had never heard of, and was dated Aug. 17, ages ago in the whirlwind pace of todays politics, but it caught my eye because it quoted extensively from Gavin Newsoms stump speech, which ran in part: Though we defeated Trump, we didnt defeat Trumpism. Trumpism is still alive and well, even here in the state of California. If you dont believe me, just consider the likely person to enter an oath of office, to enter in the governors office in just a matter of weeks if we dont reject this recall. Dont think for a second that this recall is not about all of you. Its about each and every one of us and the values we hold dear. I immediately thought of an editor at the Los Angeles Times who, during a Zoom interview with Elder, accused the talk show host of much the same thing, being out of synch with the values of the state. But just what are those California values everyone is supposed to hold so dear Newsom was speaking about? And are they in the process of changing or going back to something from years ago that was lost? In a sense, the current governor and the editor of the states most prominent paper are correct, this recall election is about values. But are they the values of a rich class that has, for years and years, sent their kids to private schools while theyat the insistence of all-powerful teachers unionsdeny poor minority children school choice and force them into schools like the one Larry Elder attended years back in South Central, Crenshaw High, from which, just recently, but two percent of students passed a basic math proficiency test? It would be interesting to know what Crenshaw was like when Elder attended compared to today. And now these same supposed progressives want to teach Crenshaw students Critical Race Theory and the concurrent anti-racism, an approach to education likely to bring that two percent to zero. Theres nothing like reverse racism to enlighten the young mind and develop responsible adults, according to Democrat (and Newsom) values. Dont worry about fathers in the home. Thats so 1950s. From their vocal, enthusiastic responses to Elders speech, it was clear CRT and the Afghanistan debacle were the two issues most on the minds of the fundraiser crowd Sunday night. The escalating violent crime in the streets in every major California city, not to mention the rest of the country, came in a not-so-distant third with the myriad COVID duplicities, masks (no one there wore one) and the lockdowns just behind. Only twice before in my life have I seen a candidate received with so much excitement and enthusiasm: Trump and Bobby Kennedy, the latter ironic since this Elder event occurred almost simultaneous to the release of Sirhan Sirhan, the man who shot Bobby and one of the first active jihadists on our soil. Before the speech, I had wandered through the crowd, asking people, essentially at random, even though I knew this was a skewed sample, if they thought Elder could actually win. Skewed or not, the answers were astonishingly uniform and direct: Yes, if they dont cheat. I discovered too that I wasnt the only California ex-pat there, visiting from another state. There were others I met from Tennessee, as well as Texas, Florida, and South Carolina, flown in for the occasion. When, in his speech, Elder mentioned that this was the first time in the history of California that more people were leaving the state than coming in, a woman screamed out You win and well come back! The crowd roared. What everyone there seemed to know and clearly Elder himself knew from the content of his speech, his eagerness for the bully pulpit to talk about things that are almost never talked about honestly (i.e., race in America), is that this California gubernatorial recall election had morphed into a contest of truly epochal importance, almost the equivalent of a presidential election, even a crucial one, with the soul of the nation literally hanging in the balance. If Elder wins, the people there clearly thought, the door is open to a renewed American freedom. If he loses, the uni-party continues on its merry way, turning the United States, like it or not, into a Chinese fiefdom. Its that serious, as my old friend Lionel Chetwynd and partner in PJTVs Poliwood, told me at his house the next day. Chetwynd, whose encouragement Elder acknowledges in his stump speech was instrumental in convincing him to run, had been made the candidates campaign chairman, and I was interested in his view of how the campaign was progressing. Lionel, after bemoaning the dominance of social media in the life of our country, the pervasive, often depressing, alienation that it has created among our citizens, especially among the young, turned to what it was about Elders campaign that inspired him on a human level. People are now finding each other through Larrys candidacy and rediscovering the power the Founders put in their hands. We dont have to be victims of the bureaucratic state. If we succeed, the impact will be global. Larry is fighting our Dunkirk. If he can win, we can live to fight another day. Ill leave it at thatexcept to remind readers who dont know that Larry Elder is a contributor to Epoch TV. The views expressed herein are solely those of the author. As a nonpartisan public charity, The Epoch Times does not endorse these statements and takes no position on political candidates. Alar Karis, a former state auditor and university head, delivers his speech at Estonia's Parliament in Tallinn, Estonia, on Aug. 31, 2021. (Raul Mee/AP Photo) Estonia Lawmakers Elect Museum Chief as President on 2nd Try TALLINN, EstoniaEstonias parliament elected the chief of a major national museum as the Baltic countrys new president Tuesday in a second round of voting after lawmakers rejected the appointment a day earlier. Estonian National Museum director Alar Karis secured support from 72 members of the 101-seat Riigikogu legislature, while eight lawmakers voted blank and the rest abstained or were absent. Karis was the only candidate in both rounds, but he failed to achieve the necessary two-thirds support, or 68 votes, in Mondays secret ballot. I thank all of those who voted for me and also those who didnt. I promise to be a good partner for the Riigikogu, Karis, 63, said in a short speech after the tally was announced. The former state auditor and university leader will succeed President Kersti Kaljulaid, Estonias first female president. She could not seek another five-year term in office because she failed to obtain a minimum of 21 lawmakers to propose her as a candidate. Alar Karis, a former state auditor and university head, delivers his speech at Estonias Parliament in Tallinn, Estonia, on Aug. 31, 2021. (Raul Mee/AP Photo) 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 and hold 59 parliament seats, endorsed him earlier this month. The two parties praised Karis solid academic background, including as rector of the University of Tartu, Estonias main academic institution, and his understanding of Estonian society. Earlier Tuesday, two opposition parties, the Social Democrats and the conservative Fatherland, also endorsed Karis, essentially guaranteeing his election. Meanwhile, the right-wing populist EKRE party had decided its lawmakers would abstain from the vote. The opposition party failed to qualify its own presidential candidate. The prime minister holds the most power in Estonia, a European Union and NATO member of 1.3 million people, while the role of the president is largely ceremonialincluding representing the nation abroad and acting as a domestic opinion leader. But the presidents 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 law proposals. Karis is to assume office on Oct. 11, according to initial information from the government. A native of Tartu, Estonias second-largest city after the capital, Tallinn, he is a molecular geneticist and developmental biologist by training. He became a university professor in 1999 and headed the University of Tartu between 20072012 as its rector. By Jari Tanner Smoke rises from an explosion outside the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 26, 2021. (Wali Sabawoon/AP Photo) Ex-British Soldier Trapped in Kabul Plans to Escape by Land With 400 Afghans A former British soldier stranded in Afghanistan is planning an exodus by land with about 400 Afghan nationals. Ben Slater, a former Royal Military Police Officer who served as a bodyguard to British ambassadors, will try to bring his 50 staff and about 350 other Afghans across the border to a nearby country so they can eventually be processed to enter the UK, according to The Telegraph. The 37-year-old founder of NGO Nomad Concepts Group told the newspaper that he hopes the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) can provide help on the other side of the border. Its going to be a long trip, and I am hoping on the other end that the FCDO have got our visas sorted, or at least have spoken to the foreign affairs ministry in our destination country to allow access for our vulnerable staff, he said. The Telegraph said Slater showed a detailed plan of his operation, which he had sent to the FCDO, but didnt reveal any details for security reasons. The Epoch Times could not independently verify this information. Slater previously said that his company had been assisting the Western militaries repatriation effort since the operation began, but his own staff couldnt secure their visas to make the flights. Thus far Ive helped 67 do the impossible and could not help my own people yet, he told The Telegraph on Saturday when the last British evacuation flight for civilians left Kabul. Slater stayed behind with his staff, whom he said are mostly Afghan women who would be eligible for the UKs special cases refugee programme. He said he felt let down massively by the UK government, but would continue to help and pick up anybody we can on the way. The RAF managed to airlift around 15,000 British citizens and eligible Afghans out of Kabul during its two-week repatriation effort. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Tuesday that its hard to know the exact number of British nationals remaining in Afghanistan, but he estimates that the number is in the low hundreds. The government estimates that between 800 and 1,100 Afghans who would have been eligible to settle in the UK under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy were left behind, but the Labour Party claimed that the government had significantly underestimated the number. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace previously said that British citizens and Afghans eligible to resettle in the UK who are left behind in Afghanistan will have to find their own way out of the country, and the UK has been looking at establishing a series of processing hubs in countries neighbouring Afghanistan. Simon Veazey contributed to this report. Explosion at Colombian Police Station Leaves 13 Injured BOGOTA, ColombiaAt least 13 people were injured following an explosion at a police station near Colombias border with Venezuela, officials in the city of Cucuta said on Monday. Police said the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device that was left at the station, which is located in one of Cucutas lower income neighborhoods. So far authorities have refrained from blaming any of the armed groups that operate in the area. In June, a car bomb at a military base in Cucuta injured 44 people, including several U.S. soldiers who were there to train Colombian military personnel. Ten days later, President Ivan Duques helicopter was shot at as it approached the citys airport. Cucuta is the capital of North Santander province, which straddles the border with Venezuela and is also one of Colombias leading cocaine production areas. Several armed groups have been fighting over drug trafficking routes and coca fields in North Santander recently, including the National Liberation Army, a leftist terrorist group, as well as a group led by former members of the FARC, the terrorist group that made peace with Colombias government in 2016. An empty domestic terminal is seen a day after the U.S. troops withdrawal from Hamid Karzai international airport in Kabul, Afghanistan on Aug. 31, 2021. (Stringer/Reuters) FAA Tells US Carriers Not to Fly Over Afghanistan After Final Withdrawal U.S. carriers cant fly over Afghanistan unless they receive authorization, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Monday. All U.S. carriers and commercial operators are prohibited from operating at all altitudes in the region around Kabul, except for Department of Defense flights, the FAA said. The air authority said the move was made because of the risk posed by extremist/militant activity, lack of risk mitigation capabilities, and disruptions to air traffic services. Flights authorized by another U.S. government agency or the FAA can still operate in the restricted airspace. The United States pulled out its last troops from Afghanistan earlier Monday, ending a 20-year war. U.S. troops had been holding the Hamid Karzai International Airport for weeks, enabling the evacuation of tens of thousands of Afghans and thousands of Americans. The Taliban terrorist group took control of the airport shortly after the final American troops left. Taliban extremists stand guard inside the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the U.S. withdrawal in Kabul, Afghanistan on Aug. 31, 2021. (Kathy Gannon/AP Photo) Americans were told in an Aug. 31 State Department advisory not to travel to Afghanistan. Do not travel to Afghanistan due to civil unrest, armed conflict, crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and COVID-19, the alert says. Travel to all areas of Afghanistan is unsafe. The Department of State assesses the risk of kidnapping or violence against U.S. citizens in Afghanistan is high. The U.S. embassy in Kabul suspended operations on Aug. 31 and no staffers are in the country. Operations were transferred to Doha, Qatar, because of the uncertain security environment and political situation in Afghanistan, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Washington. Between 100 and 200 Americans are believed to remain in Afghanistan, according to the State Department. No Americans were evacuated in the final 12 hours before the last withdrawal, according to the Pentagon. U.S. officials have said theyll try to help Americans and Afghans leave the country if they want to depart, even without a military or diplomatic presence there. We will hold the Taliban to its pledge to let people freely depart Afghanistan, Blinken said. A television photographer shoots the sign outside of Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif., in a file photograph. (Paul Sakuma/AP Photo) Facebook: Deletion of Marine Mothers Account a Mistake The deletion of an Instagram account belonging to a mother whose Marine son was killed in Afghanistan last week was a mistake, parent company Facebook said Tuesday. Shana Chappell raised an alarm on Facebook on Monday after she said her account was removed. Chappell said she believed the deletion was because [I] gained so many followers over my [sons] death due to Bidens negligence, ignorance and him being a traitor! She was referring to President Joe Biden. The post in question described my heart break [sic] over my son, according to Chappell. Facebook acknowledged the account was deleted but said it has now been restored. We express our deepest condolences to Ms. Chappell and her family. Her tribute to her heroic son does not violate any of our policies, a Facebook spokesperson told news outlets. While the post was not removed, her account was incorrectly deleted and we have since restored it, the spokesperson added. Chappell did not respond to a request for comment and had not posted about the development as of Tuesday afternoon. Chappell is the mother of Kareem Nikoui, who was one of 13 U.S. service members who were killed in the suicide bombing attack on the Kabul airport on Aug. 26. Steve Nikoui, the father of Kareem Nikoui, 20, also blamed Biden for the death. They sent my son over there as a paper pusher and then had the Taliban outside providing security, Steve Nikoui told The Daily Beast. I blame my own military leaders Biden turned his back on him. Thats it. Read the remarks during an appearance on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that there were no words that I can say, that I think anyone can say, to assuage the grief that a parent is feeling at the loss of their childnothing. And if I were in his shoes, probably I would feel exactly the same way, he added. In undated file photographs, Imran Ali Rasheed, left, and Isabella Lewis are seen. Rasheed is suspected of murdering Lewis before opening fire in Plano, Texas, on Aug. 29, 2021. (Garland Police Department via AP) FBI: Texas Shooter May Have Been Inspired by Terrorists FBI investigated suspect for three years before closing the probe A man who murdered a Lyft driver in Texas before barging into a police department headquarters and opening fire may have drawn inspiration from terrorists outside the country, authorities said Monday. Imran Ali Rasheed was investigated by the FBI from 2010 to 2013 for potential terror ties. That probe was closed when investigators concluded Rasheed didnt pose a threat. But the same man killed his Lyft driver, Isabella Lewis, in Garland on Sunday before entering the Plano Police Department police station and opening fire. Police officers fatally shot Rasheed. A preliminary investigation had led investigators to believe Rasheed, 33, may have been inspired by a foreign terrorist organization, Matthew DeSarno, the special agent in charge of the FBIs office in Dallas, told reporters in a briefing. Weve not found indication at this point in the investigation that Rasheed was either directed by or in contact with foreign terrorist organization actors. We believe, at this point, that he was inspired by rhetoric and/or propaganda by foreign terrorist organizations, he added later. That early finding stemmed primarily from a note the man left behind. DeSarno also defended the closing of the previous investigation, saying it had been reviewed in light of what happened. Im comfortable that the investigation was done thoroughly and properly, and in 2013, after the exhaustion of all investigative steps, that investigation was closed when the case team determined that Rasheed at that time did not pose a threat, he said. Federal Judge Rejects Lawsuit to Cancel California Gov. Newsoms Recall A federal judge rejected a request to do away with or amend California Gov. Gavin Newsoms recall or allow his name to be added to a second recall ballot question about who should replace the governor. U.S. District Court Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald ruled the recall election process does not conflict with the one person, one vote clause in the U.S. Constitutions 14th Amendment. There is nothing unconstitutional about placing in one ballot a vote for or against the recall of the Governor and then a vote for a replacement candidate, Fitzgerald wrote (pdf) in a recent ruling. Attorneys for plaintiffs who were not affiliated with Newsom appealed the judges decision to the 9th Circuit Court on Aug. 27. The recall ballot asks two questions about whether Newsom, a Democrat, should be ousted, and who should replace him. If the majority votes on the first question to recall Newsom, then the individual who got the highest number of votes on the second question would then become governor. If Newsom gets only 49 percent support in the first question, he will be recalled. If the second candidate wins less than 50 percent of the overall vote, that individual will become governor of California. There are 46 candidates on the recall ballot. The 2003 California recall election saw former Gov. Gray Davis replaced by Arnold Schwarzenegger from a field of 135 candidates. Plaintiff plainly feels disgruntled that a replacement candidate with a small plurality might replace a sitting governor who, based on a robust No vote, might well have beaten that same replacement candidate in a general election, Fitzgerald also wrote, adding that the plaintiffs rights were not violated and said that halting the election before the Sept. 14 deadline would be unfair to voters. As that may be, he wrote, such disgruntlement raises no federal constitutional issues and certainly does not give the federal judiciary the right to halt the mammoth undertaking of this gubernatorial recall election. In a statement last week, a spokesperson for California Secretary of State Shirley Weber said they agree and accept the judges ruling. The office said that it will not appeal the ruling and will continue to assist county officials with the recall election. Lawyers for California Attorney General Rob Bontas office, who represented Webers office, filed arguments defending the recall law and opposing the plaintiffs lawsuit. Both Weber and Bonta were appointed by Newsom. The court should not interfere with the ongoing recall election at this late stage, lawyers from Bontas office said last week in a filing. Students wear masks as they attend their first day in school after summer vacation at the St. Lawrence Catholic School north of Miami, on Aug. 18, 2021. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images) Florida Withholds Funds From 2 School Districts Over Mask Mandates Floridas Department of Health on Monday announced that it is withholding funds from two school districts that defied Gov. Ron DeSantiss order banning mask mandates. Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran announced that the Florida Department of Education has withheld the monthly school board member salaries in Alachua and Broward County, as directed by the State Board of Education, the department said in a statement. After the Republican governor on July 30 issued an executive order aimed at preventing school districts from mandating masks for students, the state health department issued a rule that gives parents the right to opt out of mask requirements for students. A Florida state judge on Friday ruled that the state had no authority to enforce De Santiss order, and barred his administration from withholding funds over mask mandates. School boards in Broward and Alachua counties have mandated masks in schools in defiance of DeSantiss executive order. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the opening of a monoclonal antibody site in Pembroke Pines, Fla., on Aug. 18, 2021. (Marta Lavandier/AP Photo) Each district has implemented a mandatory face mask policy that violates parental rights by not allowing a parent or legal guardian to opt out their child, the statement said, adding that the penalties will continue until the school boards comply. The education department said in a statement that the funds would be withheld until the school districts comply with state law and rule. Were going to fight to protect parents rights to make health care decisions for their children, Corcoran said in a statement. They know what is best for their children. Whats unacceptable is the politicians who have raised their right hands and pledged, under oath, to uphold the Constitution but are not doing so. Simply said, elected officials cannot pick and choose what laws they want to follow. Florida is one of several states where Republican governors have sought to prevent local governments and school districts from mandating masks. These governors have said that such rules infringe on personal liberty. Proponents of mask mandates have said the rules are necessary to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 across the country. Earlier on Monday, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it is probing five GOP-led states that have prohibited mask mandates in schools, including Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah, saying such policies could be discriminatory against students with disabilities. Reuters contributed to this report. 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) Former Afghan Minister on Her Escape, Womens Risks Former Afghan government minister Nargis Nehan spoke on Monday of the difficult decision she had made to leave her country after the Taliban took over Kabul. I was very clear that I wanted to stay in Afghanistan. But with the sudden capture of Kabul by the Taliban, it was a big shock for all of us. And my own driver got shot down by two bullets, and the Taliban took Kabul, and that was a big problem for me and my family and we decided to evacuate, she told British broadcaster Sky News. After several trips to the capitals airport to try and get out of the country, she and her family were eventually evacuated to Norway. She also spoke of the difficulties she faced at Kabul airport. Several times I had to go to the airport with my family, and I was about to lose my father in the crowd. After a phone call from Norwegian government officials, Nehan and some members of her family boarded a flight to the country. It was very much heartbreaking for me because I wanted to stay, I wanted to be with my people, I wanted to help, but I did not have any other choice, she said. Although the Taliban claim they are willing to adopt a more tempered style of leadership, Afghans remain fearful of the Taliban returning to the oppressive rule for which it was once known. We want to see how they are forming the government, how inclusive is that going to be and then based on that, people like myself are ready to go back at any point, even if its going to be very difficult for us to go back, work with them and help with the reconstruction of Afghanistan, Nehan said. There have been sporadic reports of killings and other abuses in the sweep across the country. If they want to have support of the different groups of the society, including men, youth, educated, academia, civil society, media, they need to have a representative government. People need to find themselves in Talibans government, Nehan said. She also hit out at the international community for not doing enough to help stabilize the situation in the country. From Billionaire to Chinese Prisoner: The Shattered Paradise of Agricultural Mogul Sun Dawu Founder of Dawu Group set out to prove the potential of Chinas farmersand succeeded, but he could not save his company from the Communist Party On July 28, in the closing statements at his trial, 67-year-old Sun Dawu made an impassioned plea for leniency from the Chinese court officials who that day sentenced him to 18 years in prison. The renowned agricultural entrepreneur, along with family members and colleagues, had spent months in Chinas harrowing residential surveillance detention system after being arrested last November. Their case went to trial just days after charges were brought to court, leaving the defense hardly any time to review the 348 volumes of case documents. Speaking at the Gaobeidian Municipal Peoples Court in northern Chinas Baoding city, Sunwhose incriminating offenses were provoking trouble and gathering a crowd to attack state organschoked up multiple times as he described how he and partners built up their business from a modest batch of chickens and pigs to a national brand worth billions. Suns company, the Dawu Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Group, was being accused of multiple economic crimes, which ranged from those involving disputes with state-owned enterprises to unauthorized mining and financial fraud. One charge, that of illegally collecting funds, was something that Sun had previously been arrested and stood trial for in 2003. Sun admitted that Dawu Group had not always operated in sync with government regulations, but defended his companys economic successes, worker-friendly constitutional model, and civic contributions, while assuming personal responsibility for the legal charges. Dawu Group does have its faults, and the fault lies with me alone, Sun said. The charges leveled against Sun Dawu and others, as well as the Dawu Group, are all derived from very trivial disputes that can be seen everywhere and every day in China, Yaxue Cao, editor of human rights website China Change, wrote on the day of the verdict. The sentencing, she wrote, amounted to a blatant takeover of Dawu Groupwhich is now under state managementas well as a sign of things to come under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), a Leninist regime that seeks the eventual abolition of private property. The CCP has never seen private enterprises as sovereign entities and it can take them over anytime under the guise of implementing the law. Thats precisely what we have seen in the Dawu case. A Company Built From Eggs Dawu Groups relations with the CCP were not always so antagonistic. Sun was an active participant in the economic reforms of the 1980s, having begun the business in his native Xushui County, a then-undeveloped part of Hebei Province about an hours drive from Beijing. Xushui had been the site where, in the late 1950s, communist Chinas founding leader Mao Zedong touted the success of his Great Leap Forward, a disastrous economic campaign that would cause some 40 million Chinese to die of famine. Born in 1954, Suns first memory was the memory of starvation, Cao wrote in a feature on Sun. He had joined the Peoples Liberation Army at 16, became a Party member at 18, and was discharged after eight years of service. In 1985, after several more years working at the Xushui Agricultural Bank, Sun decided to take advantage of the economic reforms that were coming to China. Together with his wife Liu Huiru and several other families, they leased a dozen acres of raw land from the government. Though the others soon gave upthe land had no power, running water, or even roadsSun and Liu persevered, growing the business from 1,000 chickens and several dozen hogs to 100,000 chickens within several years. As Sun would later tell an audience at Peking University, My business was created by bringing land under the plow. It is a company built from eggs. Hard work and smart investments in tech and training allowed Dawu Group to grow rapidly. In 2003, Dawu Groups poultry breeding group had three hatcheries that could hatch 20 million high-quality chicks per year. Its feed factory produced 60,000 tons annually, according to China Change. Sun was well-recognized as a figure in Chinas rural economic reforms. He was a frequent speaker at universities, and was even twice invited to offer his thoughts at Zhongnanhai, the CCPs headquarters in Beijing. Peach Blossom Spring What set Dawu Group apart from many other private and state enterprises was no doubt the corporate vision Sun created for the business. Early on, his ethos was not to aim for profit, but to prioritize the companys development and the well-being of employees. Beginning in 1998, for example, Dawu Group had established non-profit K-12 and technical schools, as well as a 1,000-bed hospital. These facilities and their use were subsidized by the companys other ventures, making their services available to both Dawu staff and the general public at little to no cost. Sun also set up what he called a constitutional system of private enterprise, based on a triad of private-ownership, open governance, and co-prosperity. While the authority of executives and Suns relatives was not in question, their powersand paywere limited by corporate checks and balances to ensure that employees had fair rights and representation. According to China Change, Dawu Group never turned a business loss except in 2003, when Suns first arrest and legal saga disrupted operations. By 2020, the company had assets totaling more than 10 billion yuan (around $1.5 billion), employed nearly 10,000 staff, and operated 28 subsidiaries. Despite a stated obedience to the CCPs socialism, Sun stressed that his model was not meant to create the involuntary equality of utopia, nor eliminate all class differences. For instance, while in court he contrasted his company culture with the authoritarian model communist community of Huaxi Village in eastern Chinawhere residents must obey strict requirements in their daily life and purchases, and the leading cadres enjoy unparalleled wealth and privileges. Sun and his colleagues toured Huaxi multiple times, but knew we couldnt model on the utopian [ideal], and we had to walk our own path. Rather than Marx, Sun took inspiration from the Peach Blossom Spring, an idyllic community described in ancient Chinese literature. Removed from the outside world, residents of this paradise managed their own affairs, ignorant of which emperor was on the throne or what his edicts were. In modern times, such isolation was hardly possible. Throughout his 36 years of operation, Sun faced challenges of varying intensity, from self-serving and spiteful local officials (who on at least one occasion threatened to bulldoze Dawus property if the company did not drop a lawsuit) to the CCP system itself. The local government seemed to harbor an ingrained disdain and prejudice toward private business, Cao wrote, describing the petty disagreements and demands that Dawu Group was compelled to handle. But in May 2003, the authorities arrested Sun and multiple Dawu executives on charges of illegally absorbing funds, referring to a sponsorship program that allowed employees and local residents to loan the company grain or cash. The contribution would be sold or invested, and the debtors paid back either immediately or on a schedule. Despite the flimsiness of the charge, Sun was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison. But a robust defense by human rights lawyersincluding currently jailed dissident Xu Zhiyongas well as prominent media coverage, were instrumental in reducing the punishment, and Suns sentence was reduced to time served in detention. This Is Your Last Time Here Not coincidentally, Suns first arrest and trial seemed to coincide with the high point of his civic activity and lobbying for greater economic freedom. Though a CCP member and professed socialist, Sun believed in the capacity of the Chinese people to work for themselves. The backwardness and poverty of the countryside, he frequently argued, had little to do with the inability of Chinas farmers to turn profits, but stemmed from the preponderance of crushing government regulations and taxes. In order to develop the rural market, the first thing should be to let farmers increase their income, and that the way to increase income lies in production plus business, he said in 1998, during his first visit to the Communist Party headquarters at Zhongnanhai. Sun spoke for 40 minutes as high-ranking cadres, including then-State Councillor Wu Yi, listened. But on his way out of the building, a staffer asked if it was Suns first time setting foot in the building. When he said yes, the man replied, then this is also your last time coming here. As I exited Zhongnanhai, I felt no sense of pride, only a feeling of sadness, Sun would later tell colleagues. There is still a long way to go to revitalize the rural economy and liberalize the rural economic market. The relatively positive, if inconsequential, reception among the officialdom Sun enjoyed was a reflection of the age. Even after the Tiananmen Massacre in 1989, the CCP continued with some reforms throughout the 1990s, with various officials encouraging the growth of the legal community, state enterprise reform, and other steps to transition China into a more conventional and transparent state. But the leadership of Party boss Jiang Zemin, notorious for his renewed human rights abuses and turning a blind eye to growing corruption, set the country on a different course. The secretary who warned Sun turned out to be mistaken. He would visit Zhongnanhai again, this time in April 2003. But the atmosphere had noticeably darkened. The officials did not introduce themselves, and Sun did not know who they were. He generally reiterated what he had said in his speeches at [two colleges earlier that year]that there was too much government control and that the peasants were excessively restricted in their economic activity, Cao wrote. A month later, Sun was arrested on the fund-collection charge. Confrontation Apart from drawing the authorities ire for his advocacy of rural reform, Sun was also known as a supporter of Chinas rights lawyers, and was not afraid to voice his opinion on other social issues. Mr. Sun was a frequent and loud critic of Chinese government policies, from its early handling of Covid-19 to local government cover-ups over a 2019 outbreak of African swine fever that killed thousands of his pigs, Paul Mozur of the New York Times reported on July 28. In at least one incident, Dawu staff gathered to protest the local authorities, holding banners and chanting slogans to protect their firm. The arrests of the Suns and Dawu executives on Nov. 11 came in apparent reaction to a protracted land dispute between Dawu Group and a regional state-run farm. According to Chinese media reports, the state farm had originally leased about 100 acres from Dawu Group, but steadily encroached on other land owned by the company, occupying more than 300 acres of Dawus property. Things came to a head in June and August last year, when workers from the state farm and Dawu Group engaged in physical confrontations and scuffles. These incidents formed the basis of what the Gaobeidian court claimed was Dawu Groups mobilizing a crowd to attack state organs. Following their arrest, Sun and other defendants were held in residential surveillance at a designated location (RSDL) for more than three months. According to Sun, he never saw the sun during this period of time, and was beaten. Others suffered torture such as being tied up for 30 hours non-stop. According to a statement from the early stages of the trial, defense attorneys noted evidence obtained during the RSDL period was illegal, but the court ignored their arguments. Sun, his three sons, and 16 other Dawu executives were sentenced in the case. Authorities also started a separate investigation into Suns wife Liu Huiru and daughters-in-law for absorbing illegal deposits. Wang Yingguo, an entrepreneur based in southern Chinas Shenzhen and an acquaintance of Sun, blamed the backsliding direction of the Communist Party for Dawu Groups setbacks and ultimate fate. Speaking with the Chinese-language Epoch Times, Wang lamented that the Party saw people like Sun, who have ideals and create prosperity for the people, as enemies. These people are societys conscience, and they are hard to find. It is they who lead society forward. But the CCP is practicing totalitarianism, it is going backward, so any force that stops this backsliding will be increasingly suppressed and destroyed. For Cao, the Dawu Groups accomplishments show what a private citizen and a private company can do for the country, for a place, and for the people with a little freedom and policy support from the government. But Im afraid, politically, thats exactly where the CCP now sees danger, Cao, the editor of China Change, wrote. Sun had said in his numerous speeches that Chinas countryside had no shortage of talent, labor, capital, or markets; only a lack of freedom. But as Cao notes, more freedom is precisely what the Party would not and will not grant. Geronimo the alpaca, with his owner Helen, in this undated picture from a farm near Wickwar, South Gloucestershire, England. (PA) Geronimo the Alpaca Is Put Down, Ending High-Profile Legal Fight With UK Authorities The British alpaca made famous by his owners dogged high-profile attempts to save him from being killed despite testing positive for bovine tuberculosis, has finally been put down. It ends his owners four-year-long legal battle with authorities over the validity of the test. The Department of Rural Affairs on Aug. 31 announced that Geronimo the alpaca had been killed by vetswith a police escortunder a court order, after being removed from his home at a farm in near Wickwar, South Gloucestershire. A positive test for bovine tuberculosis automatically triggers a death sentence for animals as part of a policy to stem the spread of the disease. Last year alone, some 27,000 were slaughtered after being diagnosed with the disease. Geronimos owner, veterinary nurse Helen Macdonald, however, had insisted that the test was fundamentally flawed and that it was picking up a TB protein derivative she had given him. He had tested positive twice in 2017 after being brought to the UK from New Zealand. Officers screen workers who arrived with a police escort, as they identify Geronimo the alpaca at Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire, before the animal was taken away on a trailer to an undisclosed location on Aug. 31, 2021. (PA) Although several veterinarians backed her cause, after four years of challenges in the courts, the legal road appeared to run out for Macdonald this summer, when a judge dismissed her request for a temporary injunction to stop the killing order and reopen the case. That sparked a frenzied publicity campaign over the summer, during which Macdonald garnered over 140,000 signatures in an online petition and generated much media attention. Supporters had been camping out at Macdonalds farm hoping to block officials, who were in the end accompanied by police officers. Geronimo was loaded onto a waiting trailer with little incident, other than a woman spraying one police officer with a water pistol. In a statement Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said it was a terribly sad situation. No one wants to have to cull infected animals if it can be avoided, she said. But we need to follow the scientific evidence and cull animals that have tested positive for bTB to minimise spread of this insidious disease and ultimately eradicate the biggest threat to animal health in this country. Not only is this essential to protect the livelihoods of our farming industry and rural communities, but it is also necessary to avoid more TB cases in humans. A post-mortem examination will now be undertaken by veterinary pathologists from the Animal and Plant Health Agency. Macdonald told the BBC that the government had refused to act in good faith, describing the killing as barbaric. We know now they have been stringing us along for the last week, fobbing us off by saying people are on holiday and would get back to us this week, she said. PA contributed to this report. GOP Lawmakers Denounce Ending Afghanistan Evacuation, Saying House Members Still Receiving Calls From US Citizens Republican lawmakers are blasting President Joe Biden for adhering to the Taliban-set Afghanistan evacuation deadline, with U.S. citizens and allies left behind, saying that GOP and Democrat members of the House are still receiving calls from citizens stuck in Afghanistan. I want to thank, also, so many congressional offices, so many of you, Republican and Democrat, where congressional offices, members of Congress and their staffs, have had to step up and step in with so many other veterans groups to try to save Americans and to try to save our allies, and frankly have had to fill the void of this administrations leadership, said Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.). Republican members of the House held a press conference Monday evening and again Tuesday in an urgent attempt to get the Biden administration and Democrat leaders to give answers to how the administration will get all citizens and allies out now that the military has left. My question to the Secretary [of Defense] was, what is the plan? What is the plan now to get Americans out? said House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) GOP lawmakers have been critical of President Joe Bidens handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, with the closing of Bagram Air Base and allowing billions of dollars of military equipment to fall into the hands of the Taliban. And although Democrats have remained largely publicly silent on the issue, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) said privately they share the same concerns. Last week, I actually had a moment of hope because we had a briefing with the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, high-level officials in the Biden administration behind closed doors. And in that briefing, a lot of our Democratic colleagues actually pushed back quite forcefully on the Aug. 31 withdrawal date, pleading, in some cases, with the administration not to adhere to an arbitrary date and abandon hundreds if not thousands of Americans, leaving them behind enemy lines, leaving them with the threat of being taken hostage, said Gallagher at the Monday press conference on Capitol Hill. A U.S. Air Force aircraft takes off from the airport in Kabul on Aug. 30, 2021. Rockets were fired on Aug. 30 at Kabuls airport, where U.S. troops were racing to complete their withdrawal from Afghanistan and evacuate allies under the threat of attacks from ISIS terrorists. (Aamir Qureshi/AFP via Getty Images) On the eve of the U.S. militarys departure, Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.) railed against the Biden administrations ending the evacuation and handling of the withdrawal. President Joe Biden has failed. Joe Bidens arbitrary Aug. 31 deadline must be extended until the mission is complete. In war, we make a commitment to leave no one behind. Pulling our troops out of Afghanistan before every American citizen is out goes against every fiber of Americas national character. This is shameful, said Green. After Thursdays terrorist attack, its clear were leaving Afghanistan worse off. Today, the Taliban controls more of Afghanistan than they did 20 years ago, and now they have billions of dollars worth of U.S. weapon systems. Their rule will once again make Afghanistan a haven for terrorists, Green continued. McCarthy told reporters that he has asked Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to prioritize the Afghanistan crisis over other legislation and bring Gallaghers bill up for a vote. Last week, Gallagher introduced H.R. 5071, which would have required daily reports to Congress with the numbers of U.S. citizens and allies still in Afghanistan and prohibit the pull of the military until all those people are safe. Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) said Gallaghers bill will be amended to hold the Biden administration accountable for the chaotic withdrawal and the loss of life, and then presented to Pelosi to bring up for a vote. Right now, we have over 50 amendments filed by Republican members that are related to Afghanistan. We want to find out what happened to the equipment that was left behind, what was left behind. We want to know why specifically Bagram was abandoned. We created a $250 million counterterrorism fund, said Rogers. We want to know what the security impacts are for letting ISIS-K terrorists out. We force the department to brief us on a regular basis, on the groups that were formed because of this withdrawal. Theres a whole series of them. Republicans say they will not stop pressing the administration until all U.S. citizens are accounted for and answers are given for what led to the death of the 13 service members at Kabul airport and why the withdrawal was not more safely executed. Speaker Pelosis office did not immediately return a request for comment. Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon reacts after being declared the winner of the Glasgow Southside seat at Glasgow counting centre in the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, on May 7, 2021. (Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images) Greens to Join Government in Scotland, Bolstering Independence Cause Lawmakers in Scotland return from the summer recess to an altered political landscape in the Scottish Parliament, as the Green Party joins the ruling SNP in a cooperation agreement that will result in their first ever ministerial appointments in the UK. First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon is expected to lay out the details of the agreement, which was hashed out this weekend between the two pro-independence parties. The formal cooperation shifts the balance of power in a parliament where until now the SNP has been just one vote shy of a majority. Even though the Scottish voting systemwhich is different from the one in Westminsterwas set up to make it hard for any one party to gain a majority, the SNP currently holds 64 out of the 129 seats. The Green Party has seven seats. Green Party SMPs Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater are expected to be formally appointed as junior ministers in the Scottish government on Aug. 31. Sturgeon has said that a majority government would give her a mandate for another referendum on Scottish independence, which would be would be impossible for Boris Johnson to ignore, according to The Daily Telegraph. The UK government, however, has rejected calls for a referendum and insisted that Scottish Parliament lacks the constitutional authority to decide to hold one. However, authorities in Westminster have suggested that they could agree to a referendum if polling consistently shows 60 percent of Scots want a re-run of the referendum held seven years ago. If Sturgeon presses ahead with a referendum bill in the Scottish Parliament, the ensuing constitutional showdown with Westminster is likely to be settled in the Supreme Court. Sturgeon said the historic cooperation agreement between the two parties was founded on a shared drive to work together in the Scottish government to build a greener, fairer, independent Scotland. Meanwhile SNP MSP Neil Gray said the deal could see the people of Scotland given the chance to vote again on the issue of independence. Scottish Tory MPs, however, accuse Sturgeon of bringing in radicals to bolster support for another referendum on Scottish independence. Tory COVID-19 recovery spokesman Murdo Fraser said, In the middle of the biggest economic crisis in our lifetime, its deeply worrying that Nicola Sturgeon is turning to anti-jobs, anti-business extremists. He added: Nicola Sturgeon is taking a nationalist gamble with peoples jobs. She is bringing in radicals, all in the hopes of ramping up her push for another divisive referendum. PA contributed to this report. Health Care Worker Says Hell No to the Jab; Plans on Quitting A health care worker in North Carolina said hes preparing to quit his job after President Joe Bidens ultimatum to withhold funding from nursing home facilities that dont mandate vaccines. On Aug. 18, Biden announced his plan to deny Medicare and Medicaid funding to nursing home facilities if they dont require their employees to get vaccinated. It was reported that the new policy would apply to over 15,000 nursing home facilities in the United States that employ 1.3 million workers who serve 1.6 million residents. Bret Somers said hes been on the COVID frontline since day one, and he will say hell no to the jab. My plan is to remain healthy and survive, Somers said. I had COVID, tested positive. I did not get it at work. I got it when I took a week off. I had a bit of a sore throat for a few days, and stomach cramps for a week. I alsowhile I had COVIDshoveled 8,000 pounds of dirt and gravel. If that sounds death bed, I think I can handle it. He knows quitting is in his future, he said. Ive yet to get a satisfactory response to why anyone would care what I do if the other person is vaccinated and wearing a mask, if its so effective, he said. Another persons rights and desires end at my integumentary system. Period. Thats not negotiable. According to OpenVAERS on Tuesday, the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) has recorded 13,627 post-COVID vaccine reported deaths and 55,821 post-COVID vaccines reported hospitalizations. However, VAERS reports alone cannot be used to determine if a vaccine caused or contributed to an adverse event or illness, according to a disclaimer. The Nuremberg Code Not only is it a violation of the Nuremberg Code, but its also a violation of human rights, and its a violation of me, he said. The Nuremberg Code, according to the New England Journal of Medicine, was formed in August 1947 in Nuremberg, Germany, where American judges presiding over Nazi doctors who had conducted unethical human experimentation wrote the code to prevent future atrocities. The code provides a model for current medical ethics to guarantee the rights of the individual in medical research. There are 10 tenets to the code, one of which being: No experiment should be conducted where there is a priori reason to believe that death or disabling injury will occur; except, perhaps, in those experiments where the experimental physicians also serve as subjects. Questioning the COVID-19 Narrative The United States government is broken, Somers said, and if a person questions the COVID-19 narrative at this point, they could be classified as a domestic terrorist. The National Security Councils June 2021 National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism report (pdf) states that domestic violent extremists who are motivated by questioning the 2020 election or the conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic could engage in violence. In no way, Somers said, has he ever encouraged violence, and yet, what he called the propagandized and politicized narrative takes anyone who questions the narrative and has them framed within this allegation. Its All Connected Our society is like a Monet painting, Somers said. When you are standing too close, you just see a bunch of dots. This issue, that issue, and then another issue. But when you stand back and look at the whole picture, its very clearly a woman sitting by the pond having a picnic. The next dot to connect to the whole picture, Somers said he fears, is brute force. Now, they may take a step back, but after that, they will take two steps forward, and I dont care what the consequences are of me not taking the vaccine: Im not taking it, Somers said. If its a bullet to the head or the vaccine, Ill take the bullet. The whole picture thats forming as he takes his own step back and observes, he said, is a picture not of a woman by a pond having a picnic, but a portrait of fascism. And as sure as Im standing here, its wrong, Somers said. Isabel van Brugen contributed to this report. Heavy Rains Continue in Central China Chinese officials are forcing people to get vaccinated, even though Beijing says its not required. Residents who dont want to get the shot may face retaliation from officials. A video shows a group of authorities forcing a farmer away from his field to get the vaccine. Heavy rains strike in Henan Province. The downpour led to road collapse there. Beijing is keeping an eye on celebrities and their online fans, as the regime clamps down on a number of domestic business sectorsa move insiders say carries political goals. Counterfeit products from China surface in the United States. Customs and Border Protection seized nearly 40,000 fake designer products from China in just a monthgoods that would be worth $50 million, if genuine. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more first-hand news from China. For more news and videos, please visit our website and Twitter. A for sale sign is seen near a house for sale in South Pasadena, Calif., on April 24, 2020. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images) Home Price Growth Surges to Record High: Case-Shiller Index Two new reports released Tuesday show home prices continuing their skyward vault, with supply shortages and strong demand putting upwards pressure on prices. U.S. single-family home prices in 20 key urban markets rose 19.1 percent in June from a year earlier, marking the largest annual price increase in the 20-year history of the 20-city composite measure, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller home price index (pdf), released on Aug. 31. June 2021 is the third consecutive month in which the growth rate of housing prices set a record, Craig Lazzara, Managing Director and Global Head of Index Investment Strategy at S&P DJI, said in a statement. The last several months have been extraordinary not only in the level of price gains, but in the consistency of gains across the country. The 20-city index shows home prices are now 29.9 percent higher than the 2006 peak. At the same time, the Case-Schiller national composite index, which covers all nine U.S. census divisions, saw an 18.6 percent annual gain, also a record for the series, which dates back to 1987. Junes 18.6 percent price gain for the National Composite is the highest reading in more than 30 years of S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller data. This month, Boston joined Charlotte, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, and Seattle in recording their all-time highest 12-month gains, Lazzara said. The national index shows home prices nationwide are now 41.3 percent higher than their last peak during the 2006 housing boom. We have previously suggested that the strength in the U.S. housing market is being driven in part by reaction to the COVID pandemic, as potential buyers move from urban apartments to suburban homes. Junes data are consistent with this hypothesis, Lazzara said. Meanwhile, an Aug. 31 report from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), showed house prices rose 17.4 percent from the second quarter of 2020 to the second quarter of this year. At the same time, house prices vaulted 4.9 percent in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the earlier quarter, with over-the-year price growth in June coming in at 18.8 percent and 1.6 percent over the month. During the second quarter, house prices peaked in June with an 18.8 percent growth rate compared to a year ago, Lynn Fisher, Deputy Director of FHFAs Division of Research and Statistics, said in a statement. For the quarter, annual gains surpassed 20 percent in the Mountain, New England, and Pacific census divisions and in all of the top 20 metro areas. House prices have risen for 40 consecutive quarters, according to FHFA figures. Sales of new single-family homes increased in July after three straight monthly declines, according to a Commerce Department report released last week (pdf), pushing the median price of a new home in July to a record high of $390,500. At the same time, the median price of an existing home retreated slightly to $359,900 in July from $363,300 in June, according to a recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). While the dip may be an encouraging sign for buyers facing sticker shock, the July price was up 17.8 percent from a year ago and marked the 113th straight month of year-over-year increases. Although we shouldnt expect to see home prices drop in the coming months, there is a chance that they will level off as inventory continues to gradually improve, Lawrence Yun, NARs chief economist, said in a statement. A child in front of skyline buildings, in Hong Kong, on July 13, 2021. (Tyrone Siu/Reuters) Hong Kongs Strict Quarantine Rules Threaten to Erode Allure of Financial Hub HONG KONGHong Kongs government is facing growing pressure from business lobby groups to open borders or risk losing executives and investments as it shows no sign of easing one of the worlds strictest quarantine programs. Working on billion-dollar deals while locked in hotel rooms for three weeks is becoming common for bankers in Asias financial hub even as counterparts in places like London and New York go straight back to their offices after travel. Hong Kongs decision in August to increase mandatory hotel quarantine to three weeks for arrivals from most countries has prompted a backlash from banks, hedge funds, and traders who say it is hampering new investment into the asset management market, and risks setting off a brain drain. Financial services contribute around 20 percent to Hong Kongs gross domestic product, government statistics show. City leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday many people had complained that quarantine policies were excessively strict but maintained that restrictions were needed to open up to the Chinese mainland. The more you relax on overseas arrivals, the lesser you will have a chance to go into the mainland we will try to make our measures more humanistic whenever possible, but to relax altogether the restrictions on arrivals is not a wise move, she told a weekly press briefing. People are thinking, do I want to be in Hong Kong for the next 3 to 5 years, as they see the world opening up, said Kher Sheng Lee, co-head of the Asia Pacific Alternative Investment Management Association. Lee said the group had met with the government to discuss the quarantine rules as they were hindering new investors. Restrictions were prompting expatriate and Chinese staff to return home, said a fund manager who could not be named due to company policy. Right now its just one-way traffic as its impossible for anyone to come here. No official data was available on the net ouflow of expatriates. Red Line The Hong Kong government tried to placate the financial sector in May by announcing a scheme to allow listed company executives to be exempt from full quarantine. However, the program requires a detailed itinerary submitted in advance to regulators, and 232 out of 303 applications received up to August 23 were either rejected by the government or withdrawn by applicants, according to official figures sent to Reuters. They did not provide further details. Hong Kongs foreign residents account for nearly 10 percent of the citys total population of 7.5 million. While many weathered the often-violent 2019 protests and the imposition of the national security law in 2020, stringent COVID-19 regulations have drawn a red line. For many people it is the last straw people are starting to calculate how they can work from abroad and manage things, Tara Joseph, president of the citys American Chamber of Commerce told Reuters. There has been $21.8 billion worth of initial public offerings so far this year in Hong Kong capital markets, versus $9.5 billion at the same time in 2020, Refinitiv data shows. Officials say Hong Kongs vaccination rate needs to be much higher before it can relax in a safe manner. Around 60 percent of the population has received one dose but rates for elderly are among the lowest in the world due to worries about vaccine safety. The city has recorded around 12,000 COVID-19 cases in total and 212 deaths, far lower than other developed cities. The citys General Chamber of Commerce told Reuters that the government should re-examine its approach. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R) speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on June 23, 2021. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) House Democrats Block GOP Afghanistan Withdrawal Transparency Bill In a short pro forma session on Tuesday, House Democrats blocked a Republican-sponsored bill that would put new obligations on the White House and military leaders as the Afghanistan crisis continues to unfold. The bill, introduced by Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), requires the White House and military to send daily reports to Congress on the number of Americans trapped in Afghanistan. It also commits U.S. troops to Afghanistan until every American who wants to leave has been able to escape the country. It would also urge the president not to recognize the Taliban terrorist organization as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. Last Thursday, 13 U.S. troops died in an attack claimed by the terrorist organization ISIS-K, the highest American death toll in over a decade. On Tuesday, the House met in the first session since these deaths in Afghanistan; legislative business is usually not conducted at pro forma sessions. Still, in the wake of the deaths in Kabul, some members of the House GOP caucus made a desperate bid to use the session to consider Gallaghers bill. Democrats silently shot down the motion by refusing to recognize Republicans to speak about the legislation. Over loud objections, House Democrats quickly adjourned the meeting. This was the bills second failure in the House. On Aug. 24, the House met in an emergency session to vote on two pieces of expansive Democratic legislation: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) $3.5 trillion budget resolution and Rep. Terri Sewells (D-Ala.) John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Early in that session, Gallagher put forward a motion to suspend considerations on these pieces of legislation and to instead consider his bill. Democratic Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) quickly shot the proposal down, explaining that acceding to this request would hand the floor over to the Republican conference, an unacceptable move given the extremely important legislation on the House docket for the day. Democrats later pushed forward party-line votes on both pieces of legislation, a move that drew the ire of Republicans. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) made a fiery speech excoriating Democrats for shooting down Gallaghers bill at the first session of Congress since the fall of Kabul to Taliban terrorists. In a brief press conference after the pro forma session Tuesday, Gallagher and other Republicans discussed this second failure of the bill. Gallagher first referenced the Houses emergency meeting on Aug. 24, saying Just last week we had an opportunity to come together as Democrats and Republicans, and pass a bill that would have prevented the administration from withdrawing troops on the arbitrary August 31 surrender date until we had gotten all of our Americans out. He continued: Behind closed doors, this is exactly what many Democrats said they wanted. They pushed back on the administration, they begged and pleaded the president to abandon the Talibans surrender day. In fact, many Democratsespecially those in vulnerable seatshave distanced themselves from the president in recent days. Several Democrats across various congressional committees promised to investigate the administrations failures in Afghanistan and pushed to extend the withdrawal deadline. But despite this positioning, Democrats rejected Gallaghers bill to push the withdrawal date forward indefinitely until all Americans were out safely. With this rejection, the future of Gallaghers bill is uncertain, leading Republicans to strategize a path forward for the bill. McCarthy said at the press conference that in light of Democratic opposition to the bill, the House GOP would consider using a discharge petition. A discharge petition is a U.S. parliamentary procedure that can expedite the consideration of a bill by immediately moving it out of committee and onto the floor for a vote. There are some hurdles that GOP leadership would have to overcome before moving the bill on, however. For one, a discharge petition must get 218 signatures to advance; because the GOP only controls 212 seats, advancing the petition would require that at least 6 Democrats sign on with Republicans. But even if the bill got through the House with this technique, it would still face stiff opposition from Democrats in the Senate, who may kill the bill with a filibuster. House GOPers Ask for Open and Transparent Process in Dealing With $3.5 Trillion Spending Bill Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-Wash.) and 23 of her House Republican colleagues are waving a yellow flag at Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), asking him to agree to an open and transparent process regarding the Democrats unprecedented $3.5 trillion spending plan. We request that you commit to regular order and a robust, open, and transparent process on any matters the Committee on Energy and Commerce considers to meet its reconciliation instructions, McMorris-Rodgers and the other co-signers told Pallone in an Aug. 30 letter. McMorris-Rodgers is the ranking minority member of the panel. Calling the Democrats spending plan an unprecedented expansion of federal control over American health care, energy production and use, and the economy writ large, the letter reads, it should not be rushed through on a party-line vote without giving the American people a chance to learn about what it means for their jobs and ability to provide for their families. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) used a rarely-employed legislative maneuver last week to push through instructions to all House committees regarding their role in writing the huge expenditure plan. Congress must enact either a new budget or a concurrent spending resolution that continues current expenditure levels for a set period of time no later than Sept. 30 to avoid a potential government shutdown. The Pelosi maneuver allows the committees to bypass the regular order of public hearings, testimony from advocates and opponents, and open markups. Also, under the reconciliation process, the Senate needs only a simple majority rather than the usual 60 votes for passage. With the Senate split 5050 between the two parties and their independent allies, Vice President Kamala Harris would cast the deciding vote. In the absence of regular order, Democratic majorities on the committees will effectively be able to write their bills behind closed doors, then bring them forward for what will almost certainly be pro forma party-line votes to proceed. A spokesman for Pallone didnt respond to a request for comment by press time. Many of the proposals in the Budget Resolution have never had any type of informational or legislative hearing, input from stakeholders, technical assistance from the relevant federal agencies, or committee process whatsoever, the letter reads. As far as we know, legislative text has not even been finalized. Before you bring this massive bill to markup, the committee needs to do its due diligence through regular order, including educational hearings, testimony and technical assistance from the administration, and legislative hearings. It is also critical that the committee receive a score from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to provide a full accounting of the budgetary and economic consequences these proposals may have on the American people. The letter writers also reminded Pallone of his comments when positions were reversed in 2017, with Republicans in control of Congress and moving to bypass regular order. The inconveniences that would result from delaying this markup, and actually going through the regular committee process, pale in comparison to the damage that hasty action invites, said Pallone, then the ranking Democrat on the energy and commerce panel, as quoted in the letter. And so, Mr. Chairman, again, I dont understand the rush. My fear is that the Republicans dont want an open and transparent process because they dont want feedback from their constituents and the American people before marking it up. The letter writers also noted earlier comments by another Democratic member of the panel, Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), regarding the importance of having a CBO score before marking up the final version of the bill. Her comments are also quoted in the letter: I think that there is a huge deficiency here today around a very important topic, and that is that we dont have a CBO score. How much is the bill going to cost? Who is going to pay for it? Is it going to act as a deficit? Is it going to bring the deficit down? These are major, major issues. And why it is left out, I mean, it is up to the majority to explain that. You either dont care about it or you are worried what it is going to bring out. I dont know, butor I have a sense of it. But I want to reiterate for the record how essential it is to have the CBO score. A spokesman for Eshoo didnt respond to a request for comment by press time. Among the 24 signers of the letter is House Minority Whip, Rep. Stephen Scalise (R-La.). An Afghan refugee girl, fleeing the Afghan capital Kabul, stands on the tarmac after disembarking from an US air force plane upon their arrival at Pristina International airport near Pristina on Aug. 29, 2021. (Armend Nimani/AFP via Getty Images) Hundreds of Americans Still in Afghanistan After Last Military Flight: CENTCOM The Pentagon has admitted that hundreds of Americans seeking evacuation have been left in Afghanistan, after the last U.S. military plane departed Afghanistans Hamid Karzai International Airport a few hours before dawn. In announcing that the United States has officially ended its military presence in Afghanistan, hours before President Joe Bidens Aug. 31 deadline, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) head Gen. Frank McKenzie said that there are still Americans who remain in Afghanistan in the low hundreds. He made the remarks during a televised address in response to a reporters question, adding that the military and State Department will work to evacuate those individuals. Theres a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure. We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out, said McKenzie, adding that it is a tough situation. The head of U.S. Central Command added that he believed if U.S. troops remained in Afghanistan for a further 10 days, we wouldnt have gotten everybody out and there still wouldve been people who wouldve been disappointed. Earlier this month, Biden vowed to keep U.S. troops in the country until all Americans who wished to leave had been evacuated. The U.S. military objective in Afghanistan was to get everyone out, including Americans and our Afghan allies and their families, Biden told ABC News George Stephanopoulos in an interview on Aug. 18. Thats what were doing now, thats the path were on. And I think well get there, Biden said at the time. If theres American citizens left, were gonna stay to get them all out. A Pentagon spokesman earlier on Aug. 30 said that around 600 Americans still remain in the country. 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 sweeping advance to the capital over only a few days. On Aug. 26, a bombing at Kabuls airport claimed the lives of an estimated 170 Afghan civilians, 13 U.S. troops, and three Britons. 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. Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban, said that it was conducting a Taliban investigation into the attacks. Meanwhile, Afghan resistance leader Amrullah Saleh, who says he is Afghanistans acting president according to its constitution, has claimed that the Taliban, which has many factions in Afghanistan, were behind the blasts. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday that the United States will continue to try to evacuate the remaining Americans by either working with Afghanistans neighbors to secure their departure either overland or by charter flight once Kabuls Hamid Karzai International Airport reopens. The protection and welfare of Americans abroad remains the State Departments most vital and enduring mission, said Blinken. 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. The Taliban terrorist group has claimed that normal travel will be allowed after it assumed control of the airpot following the U.S. troop withdrawal. Jack Phillips contributed to this report. Japanese Artist Turns Thousands of Miniature Origami Cranes Into Symbolic Bonsai Trees A Japanese artist who always considered the origami crane to be tightly linked to war and peace is now giving a new meaning to it by incorporating thousands of them into his works of art. Tiny, hand-folded paper cranes take on new life as leaves on the branches of bonsai-style tree sculptures, inviting viewers into a state of contemplation. For Tokyo-based artist Naoki Onogawa, 30, origami has been a passion since childhood. Among the forms you can find in origami, the origami crane stands apart as a particularly famous, traditional form of the art, Onogawa told The Epoch Times via email. Within the cranes, I see a central point of reference for myself, together with a special something, a special quality. Onogawa begins each artwork by creating an asymmetric stem before adorning its branches with between 500 and 1,000 expertly folded, monochromatic paper cranes, each no bigger than a fingertip. Every piece of artwork takes around one month to complete. Onogawa, who studied at Japans Ochabi Institute, claims his main challenges are to create art that pulls at his heartstrings and is as close to perfect as he can muster. Also, imaging peoples reactions when they stand in front of my artwork is one of my joys to create the artworks, too, he said. The artist developed his unique relationship with the paper crane after the Great East Japan Earthquake. He had traveled to the city of Rikuzen Takata, in Iwate Prefecture, a region that was impacted by the disaster, in April the following year to walk around and speak with the locals. He found complete devastation everywhere. I found myself in terror of how powerless we humans are in the face of natures wonder, Onogawa said, yet at the same time, I felt empowered by the power of life, vitality, that shone so brightly in the aftermath of its wrath [and] from time to time, we also live in harmony with nature and flourish with its blessings. During this period of time, Onogawa came across a bundle of around 1,000 paper cranes placed at the wreckage of a local school building, swept away by the tsunami. It was the first time he had seen the crane used as a symbol of prayer, rather than of war and peace. For some reason, I felt like it made sense for them to be there, he explained. It was like witnessing the result of a desolate ritual where people channeled their unsettled feelings into these cranes I struggle to find the words to describe it, but I think that maybe the cranes that I fold now come from that place of solemn prayer. Since the end of the Second World War, mourners have shipped tons of paper cranes to Hiroshima and Nagasaki every single year. Yet for Onogawa, folding origami cranes for the sake of peace is a peculiar custom. What strikes me as odd about these paper cranes is how they function as a vessel for peoples unrequited emotions, he explained. I have great reverence for the act of praying for peace. But in this dynamic, I felt that there was nothing there that connects me to the cranes and that the cranes are, at least in my mind, not where they were supposed to be. Thus, Onogawas art is created with the intention of giving origami cranes a place to belong. He is hoping and planning to exhibit overseas, and meanwhile, shares his art with the world on Instagram. I believe that each person familiar with cranes has their own history with them but it is my hope that my works allow for new dialogue, he explained to The Epoch Times. Through that dialogue, it is my hope that there is something, whatever it is, that stirs the heart of the viewer. 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 judge in Illinois has been criticized for exceeding his jurisdiction after he ruled a woman couldnt see her son because she was unvaccinated. He later reversed the ruling. (3D Animation Production Company/Pixabay) Judge Reverses Ban That Prevented Unvaccinated Mother From Seeing Her Son An Illinois judge on Monday reversed his previous decision to ban a divorced mother from seeing her 11-year-old son because she hasnt been vaccinated against COVID-19. Cook County Judge James Shapiro earlier this month granted custody of the 11-year-old to Rebecca Firlits ex-husband Matthew Duiven, who has been vaccinated against COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. According to The Chicago Sun-Times, Firlit and her former husband have been divorced for seven years, and they previously shared custody. Mondays ruling revoked an Aug. 10 order that blocked the 39-year-old mother from seeing her son, the news outlet reported. This court hereby VACATES paragraph 3 of its August 11, 2021 order based on the absence of a pleading or hearing on serious endangerment, Shapiros order said. The case gained national attention after Shapiro earlier this month asked Firlit during an online hearing whether she was inoculated. After learning that she was unvaccinated, the judge said she would not be allowed to see her son until she receives the vaccine. I was confused because it was just supposed to be about expenses and child support, the mother 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. Firlit previously told the news outlet that she was advised by her doctor not to take the COVID-19 vaccine due to prior adverse reactions. It wasnt clear whether these issues were made known to the judge. After Mondays reversal, the mother told the Sun-Times that she is extremely happy. Im extremely happy, Im going to see my son right now, she said. I know that they are going to say that Im an endangerment to my son. This isnt over for me. Her attorney, Annette Fernholz, previously told Fox 32 Chicago that Shapiro exceeded his authority with his initial decision. In this case you have a judge, without any matter before him regarding the parenting time with the child deciding Oh, youre not vaccinated. You dont get to see your child until you are vaccinated. That kind of exceeds his jurisdiction, Fernholz said. Her ex-husbands lawyer, Jeffrey Leving, called Mondays reversal unfortunate and a mistake, adding that he was working on an emergency motion to fight it. My client is definitely planning on fighting the courts decision because its important the mother be vaccinated, added Leving, NBC Chicago reported. Judge Strikes Trump-Era Water Rule, Unsure Whether to Restore Obama-Era Measure A A federal judge on Monday struck down a Trump-era rule aimed at promoting economic growth by enabling the alteration of smaller bodies of water and waterways. U.S. District Judge Rosemary Marquez agreed with Indian tribes that leaving the rule in place would risk serious environmental harm. Marquez, an Obama nominee, vacated and remanded for reconsideration to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, which was put into place on April 21, 2020. The EPA, which was sued by tribes, had asked that the rule be remanded without vacatur, or remanded but kept in place for the time being. Businesses that intervened in the case, including the National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association, did not oppose that position. Plaintiffs had pushed for remanding and vacating the rule. The rule was announced last year following former President Donald Trumps executive order that the Waters of the United States Rule should be reviewed. He said the rule should ensure that the Nations navigable waters are kept free from pollution, while at the same time promoting economic growth, minimizing regulatory uncertainty, and showing due regard for the roles of the Congress and the States under the Constitution. The rule scaled back the types of waterways and bodies of water the federal agencies have jurisdiction over. The tribes argued that the agencies overstepped their authority with the rule and that the rule excluded waters from the protections required by the Clean Water Act. Marquez largely sided with the plaintiffs, finding that the concerns are not mere procedural errors or problems that could be remedied through further explanation but involve fundamental, substantive flaws that cannot be cured without revising or replacing the NWPRs definition of waters of the United States.' Accordingly, this is not a case in which the agency could adopt the same rule on remand by offering better reasoning or complying with procedural rules,' the judge said in her 11-page ruling. Under the 2020 rule, more than 300 projects that would have required permits under the previous rule have been allowed to go forward without permits, according to the federal agencies. The court recognized that the serious legal and scientific errors of the Dirty Water Rule were causing irreparable damage to our nations waters and would continue to do so unless that Rule was vacated, Janette Brimmer, an Earthjustice attorney who represented the plaintiffs, said in a statement. Small headwater streams are fundamental to the protection and restoration of salmon and our way of life,added Guy Capoeman, president of the Quinault Indian Nation. Todays ruling will protect all waters on which the Quinault people rely. An EPA spokesperson told news agencies that the agency was reviewing the ruling. The EPA and Department of the Army had said last month that they intended to revise the definition of waters of the United States, a key part of the 2020 rule. The agencies said they planned to issue a foundational rule that would restore the regulations defining the phase that were in place for decades until 2015. They were also planning to launch a separate rule-making process that would establish an updated and durable definition of the phrase. The judge in the same ruling also left in place, for now, a rule promulgated in 2019 that repealed the Obama-era Clean Water Rule. She said that the motions in the case have primarily focused on the 2020 rule and that it may be beneficial to have a further briefing focused on the 2019 one. A protester holds a sign and a flag as he takes part in a rally against Covid-19 vaccine mandates, in Santa Monica, Calif., on Aug. 29, 2021. (Ringo Chiu/AFP via Getty Images) LA City Council Seeks Law Banning Protests Within 300 Feet of Targets Home LOS ANGELESTwo days after activists protesting vaccine mandates showed up at the homes of two Los Angeles City Council members, the panel on Aug. 31 directed city attorneys to draw up an emergency ordinance to prohibit protests within 300 feet of the targets residence. The motion, which was introduced by Council President Nury Martinez using a rarely used City Council rule, comes after a protester at a Santa Monica rally on Sunday shared the addresses of council members and encouraged people to go to their homes if they vote yes on an ordinance to require at least partial proof of vaccination before entering most indoor public spaces. We have one week to stop the (vaccination) passports if its unanimous, weve lost. Sharpen your knives, get your guns, get your food now, the protester said while holding a sign with council members home addresses. We find out who voted yes and you show up at their house. We need to intimidate these people. After the rally, protesters showed up at the homes of Martinez and Councilman Mitch OFarrell, including gubernatorial recall candidate David Alexander Bramante. During the public comment period at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, Bramante noted he was among the group and urged people to call him to receive council members addresses and go to their homes to protest. Before the council voted on the motion, Martinez discussed the experience of having protesters show up at her home. I had a group of folks show up at my doorstep, banging on my door, banging on my windows, harassing my neighbors, screaming obscenities into my daughters bedroom and yelling into bullhorns asking me to come out and threatening my life, she said. Members, quite frankly, Im done with the entire thing. Im done with the threats I am prepared to put an end to this. Martinez said people who want to protest elected officials should go to their offices, not their homes. No staffers, no family members of ours should be subjected to this kind of treatment. My address and my home is not a public place for you to come and protest, she said. The motion requests that the draft ordinance include an urgency clause under which the ordinance would go into effect immediately upon publication, instead of after 30 days, due to the urgent need to protect elected officials and their staff from threatened intimidation at their residences. The motion instructs the City Attorneys Office to model the ordinance after a law already in effect in San Jose. Los Angeles municipal code currently prohibits targeted demonstrations focused upon and at or about a private residence that take place within 100 feet of the address. Councilwoman Nithya Raman cast the sole dissenting vote, saying the city should focus on enforcing its existing law instead of adding an ordinance that will likely have the exact same problems in its design and its enforcement. Councilman Mitch OFarrell said having protesters show up at his home traumatized his neighbors, especially the children who live on either side of his house who heard unspeakable language spoken by protesters through bullhorns. He added that protests at council members homes and the publishing of their addresses on social media has come from left wing protesters, as well. Councilman Mike Bonin voted for the motion but said he has some concerns about the potential ordinance, saying that the city needs to focus on enforcement of existing laws. There seem to be acts of violence and acts of threats that could be prosecuted [now]. That may be a more direct way to get about this issue, he said. Once the City Attorneys Office prepares the draft ordinance, it will be sent to the City Council for a vote. Lessons From George Washington Whether dealing with conflicts or fame and power, the Founding Father set a remarkable example Character is often defined as who you are when no one is looking, but it can also be defined as who you are when you hold the fate of others in your hands. For a large portion of his illustrious military and political career, George Washington possessed such power. But it is how he restrained that power that speaks volumes to us today in how to deal with others. The following are three pivotal moments that proved Washingtons character. The Demand for British Acknowledgement When the British troops landed en masse on our shores, they were under the leadership of the Howe brothersRichard and William. They desired a meeting with the commander-in-chief of the Continental Armyan army that they, King George III, nearly all of Parliament, most British citizens, and the Tories considered nothing more than a band of rebels destined for ultimate defeat. Not only had the Howes underestimated the glorious cause of that rebellion, but also the man who led that cause. On July 14, 1776, they sent Lt. Philip Brown with a message addressed to Washington. Brown never reached Washington, as Henry Knox, Joseph Reed, and Samuel Webb were sent by Washington to meet him. Upon asking who the letter was addressed to, Brown responded, George Washington, Esq. etc. etc. Knox, Reed, and Webb feigned perplexity. No such person existed. Perhaps truly perplexed, Brown asked who the letter should be addressed to. The three responded that everyone knew who General Washington was after the events of the summer of 1775. Brown and the letter were sent back to William and Richard Howe. A second attempt ended very much the same way, as the letter was addressed to George Washington, Esq. It was not until the third letter, and three days after sending the first, that the British command understood how seriously Washington took the situation. The third letter was addressed His Excellency George Washington. Upon receipt, Washington agreed to meet with William Howes adjutant general, Lt. Col. James Paterson. During this meeting, Paterson placed on the table the original letter sent by Howe to Washington, which was addressed to the non-existent individual: George Washington, Esq. etc. etc. Washington hardly acknowledged it. Paterson explained that the etc. etc. implied everything that ought to follow. Washington clarified that the letter was addressed so as to be a private letter, yet he was in a public station. The etc. etc. surely implied everything, but also anything. It was not only that the letter was inappropriately labeled, but that it would be truly inappropriate for him to open such a letter. Not only because was it addressed to a private citizen, which he was not, but that to open such a letter would demean his position, and to acquiesce to such an insultreal or impliedwould be to demean his officers, his army, Congress, and most importantly, the cause for which they were fighting. Therefore, this moment with the letter was not just about demanding respect for his position. Washington understood the fragility of the situation. His situation, and that of the new nations, could easily be undermined through even the slightest misperception by his enemies and his fellow patriots. Washington was necessarily conscious of every detaileven those that appeared trivial. Dealing With Internal Conflict The victory of Gen. Horatio Gates and the surrender of Gen. John Burgoynes army at Saratoga in October 1777 convinced the French to accept American independence and begin helping us with military aid. After the Christmas miracle of 1776, 1777 was less than miraculous for Washington. He had undergone a number of defeats. Congress had fled Philadelphia as the British took the city. And now all eyes were on the success of Gates, who was a proven general, and, for Washingtons critics, a happy alternative. Washington was aware of his critics in Congress and even in the army, the aforementioned Reed being among them. But something else was now afoot. After the victory at Saratoga, three generals, with the support of numerous members of Congress, would begin a pincer movement to undermine, and even attempt to remove, Washington from command and replace him with the victorious Gates. These three generals were Gates, Thomas Mifflin, and Thomas Conway. After a week of negotiations, Burgoyne signed the articles of surrender on Oct. 17, 1777, ending the Battle of Saratoga. Washington would receive word on Oct. 18, not from Gates, but from Gov. George Clinton of New York. A week later, in a letter to John Hancock about a shortage of supplies, Washington mentioned in passing that he had yet to hear from Gates about the surrender. Hancock replied that he also had yet to hear from Gates. It was not until Nov. 2 that Gates would send a mere three-sentence letter to Washingtonhis superiorregarding the single biggest development of the war. Washington fumed, but not publically, nor even to the offending general. When Gatess aide, James Wilkinson, was sent to inform Congress of the Saratoga news, he ran into Lord Stirlings aide. Known for his loose-lipped nature, Wilkinson discussed the harsh comments Gates had made about Washingtons leadership at Brandywine Creek. He also showed Stirlings aide a line in a letter from Gen. Conway to Gates that read: Heaven has been determined to save your country or a weak general and bad councillors would have ruined it. Stirling told Washington what Wilkinson had said and shown to his aide. When Washington confronted Gates about Conways letter, Gates feigned outrage, suggesting it was impossible, and even that it was most likely Alexander Hamilton, who had copied a forgery. Hamilton had recently visited Gates, upon Washingtons request. Washington informed him that the wretch and traitorous thief, as Gates had called the person, was in fact his own aide. It may have been pleasing to inform Gates of this, but it could not have alleviated the worry or resentment he felt about two generals colluding against him. Washington was already well aware of the shortcomings of Gates and Conway. His study of Mifflin would prove no different, though he found it all the more disturbing that he would be betrayed by one whom he had befriended and appointed as one of his initial aides. When Congress reorganized the Board of War from a legislative committee into an executive agency, it placed Thomas Mifflin on itand Mifflin would ensure Gates would be the boards president. Though Gates would remain a major general, his new position gave him a supervisory role over Washington. A few weeks later, the Board of War created an inspection system, naming Conway as its inspector general. Washington could see the writing on the wall, especially after Conway was promoted to major generala position Richard Henry Lee, a representative from Virginia in the Second Continental Congress, had assured Washington only two months prior that Conway would never receive. When Conway arrived at Valley Forge, he indicated he was coolly received, an accusation Washington had no reservation in accepting. Conway wrote to Washington in complaint, suggesting their conflict was due to the infamous letter to Gates, but that Washington should not take the least notice of the comment. He ruffled Washington even further by asking, Must such an odious and tyrannical inquisition begin in this country? Conway would soon exit Valley Forge, and the Board of War would be dissolved. This would also end Mifflins and Gatess positions over Washington. Mifflin would soon be forced to resign as quartermaster general amid charges of mismanagement, which tarnished his reputation. After his rise at Saratoga, Gates would suffer a terrible fall after the devastating loss in the Battle of Camden during the Southern Campaign, where heamong othersfled the field, leaving behind the Continental regulars of Maryland and Delaware. He was shortly thereafter relieved of field command. Conway continued to issue complaints to Congress, along with threats to resigna threat he had issued to Washington at Valley Forge. In April 1778, Congress gladly accepted his resignation. His constant criticisms of Washington, however, continued. Washington had garnered the loyalty of his soldiers and officers, which made the cool reception of Conway at Valley Forge all the more chilling. This loyalty to Washington was put on display in dramatic fashion when John Cadwalader challenged Conway to a duel. The duel ended with Conway shot in the mouth and neck. Cadwalader stared down at the bleeding Conway and stated, I have stopped that [expletive] rascals lying anyway. Mifflin, Gates, and Conway were the authors of their own undoings. It required little action from Washington, as he understood how poor character and pride do destroy a manConway being the most visible proof. Conway, during his recovery, did garner enough strength to pen a final letter to Washington before returning to France: I find my self just able to hold the penn During a few Minutes, and take this opportunity of expressing my sincere grief for having Done, Written, or said any thing Disagreeable to your excellency. my carreer will soon be over, therefore justice and truth prompt me to Declare my Last sentiments. you are in my eyes the great and the good Man. May you Long enjoy the Love, Veneration and Esteem of these states whose Libertys you have asserted by your Virtues. I am With the greatest respect sir your Excellencys Most obedt humble Servant. The Resistance to Absolute Power There is a famous John Trumbull painting hanging in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol entitled General George Washington Resigning His Commission. Washington and his army had just defeated the greatest military power on earth. He was adored by allfrom the soldiers to the citizens. There were hints that he should become king of this new country. A colonel in the army made the mistake of suggesting it in a letter. To this, Washington responded, as part of a seven-page rebuttal, If I am not deceived in the knowledge of myself, you could not have found a person to whom your schemes are more disagreeable if you have any regard for your country, concern for yourself or posterity, or respect for me banish these thoughts from your mind. Washington resigned his commission in the Maryland State House in Annapolis. This act echoed the history of another great general from another great republic: Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus of the young Roman Republic. Cincinnatus, who had served once as consul and turned down the opportunity to serve again because it was against the republics constitution, was called away from his farm to defend the republic when an enemy had attacked. He was made dictator by the senate, which gave him absolute power for a period of six months. In two weeks, Cincinnatus led his countrymen to victory. He then immediately resigned as dictator and returned to his farm. In Baltimore, there is a 180-foot tower with a 15-foot-tall statue of George Washington atop. Washington, instead of being adorned in his military uniform, is in a togaa reference to the great Roman, Cincinnatus. And Washington, like Cincinnatus, understood his countrys liberty would require he also deny the lust for power. Reflecting on his famous painting, Trumbull stated: What a dazzling temptation was here to earthly ambition! Beloved by the military, venerated by the people, who was there to oppose the victorious chief, if he had chosen to retain that power, which he had so long held with universal approbation? The Caesars, the Cromwells, the Napoleons, yielded to the charm of earthly ambition, and betrayed their country; but Washington aspired to loftier, imperishable gloryto that glory which virtue alone can give, and which no power, no effort, no time, can ever take away or diminish. When King George III, who fully anticipated Washington to become ruler, was informed by the court painter Benjamin West that Washington planned to resign and return to his farm, the king said, If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world. A small crowd looks on as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces a snap election at a press conference at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Aug 15, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick) Likeability and Inspiration: How Politicians Win Over Undecided Voters In every election there are the existing staunch party supporters, but there are many who are undecided, and thats who the parties target most in their campaigns. Jacqueline Biollo, a principal at Aurora Strategy Group, says that for undecided voters, party policies are the caboose while personal impressions drive the train. Much of an election outcome is decided based on a candidates image or impression, single issues next, and party policies last. Canadians are quick to judge. Many seem less interested in researching issues or considering more than one side of a situation to form their opinion or cast their vote, Biollo told The Epoch Times. Canadians are likely hesitant to elect a party whose leader lacks charisma and composure to lead the country. Comedian Rick Mercer said on his CBC Television show in 2017: It is a political truth in this country that we do not elect governments. We like to throw governments out. Daniel Bernier, senior consultant at Earnscliffe Strategy Group, agrees that the desire for change is a substantial motivator. What will sway them to go to vote, unfortunately, more often is voting against something than voting for something. So, are they happy with the record that the Liberals have? Bernier said in an interview. When you have to defend something that youve done in the last five years, six years, its not always easy to do, because theres a track record of what youve doneor what you have not done. Bernier said he has recently started to see anti-Trudeau bumper stickers on vehicles between Montreal and Quebec City. Ironically, he believes some people will vote against the Liberal leader because they did not want to vote at all, less than two years after the last election and during a pandemic. They dont see the point. Why do we need to go [to the polls] again? he said. If at any point theres some ballot issues or some eventseven from candidates or from the leadersthat cannot take place because of the pandemic, then this will have a ripple effect. Bernier says such momentum can become its own force. Trendy popularity or the desire to vote for a party headed for government factor into the emotional and mental decision-making process. [Momentum] does have a major impact. Theres a bit of momentum on the NDP, so thats to watch. If the trend stays it could be a very different 905, he said of the Greater Toronto Area. People like to go vote for people that are inspiring. People went to vote for Jack Layton because they liked the guy, and I think that this is what Jagmeet [Singh] is trying to reproduce again. And [Erin] OToole has been quite positive during the campaign, I find. Biollo agrees that likeability and inspiration are definite electoral assets. Once they like you, then theyll trust what you are selling, she said. People vote for someone when they are inspired by a candidates personality or charisma, impressed by their experience or expertise, and can align their beliefs with the stated platform or campaign priorities. People vote against the incumbents they hate for much the same reason, although from an opposing position. They no longer, or never were, inspired or impressed by the incumbent and did not [or] do not align their beliefs with those of the incumbent. Intangibles aside, the issues do remain important so long as they impact a voter personally and not by some abstract concept of the national interest. If Im a swayable voter even though federal candidates and federal platforms speak to all Canadians, I want a candidate to speak to me and a platform that has realistic objectives and outcomes that impact my day-to-day living, Biollo said. Theres likely frustration, anger, and confusion that goes on in the minds of a non-political person who still cares enough to vote but wishes the government would just get on with implementing changes that will positively impact their lives. Action, not words, is how you get them to vote for you. Malibu Declares Local Emergency Over Homelessness, LASD Continues Homeless Cleanups The Los Angeles Sheriff Department (LASD) is preparing to deploy members of the Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) to Malibu after the city council declared a local emergency over homelessness last week. Malibus City Council unanimously approved the resolution to declare a state of local emergency over the citys homeless encampments, and to create a program to address the potential fire and safety hazards on Aug. 23. To prevent the occurrences of fire and loss of life and property, homeless encampments are prohibited in areas designated as a VHFHSZ [very high fire hazard severity zone] in Malibu, the resolution stated. Since the beginning of 2021, there have been 17 fires in Malibu attributed to homeless encampments, according to the resolution. As of Aug. 23, the entire city of Malibu was considered to be under high risk. In January 2020, LAHSA reported that 239 homeless people were living in Malibu. As more individuals live unhoused in areas designated as VHFHSZ, the risk of vegetation fires started by warming, cooking fires, and other flammable materials increases, especially in the fall when the nights are cooler and Santa Ana winds may be present, the resolution said. Unhoused individuals living in VHFHSZ are also at significant risk of loss of life due to being trapped by wildfires since they are not likely to receive traditional emergency alerts sent through cell phones. In addition, individuals who are attempting to leave Malibu during an emergency wildfire evacuation could be trapped by fires that start from the ember cast that precedes the fire front in a wind driven fire. Malibus Public Safety Manager Susan Duenas said during the council meeting the resolution was not a ban on encampments altogether. This policyensures the city does not criminalize lying, sitting, or sleeping in public when a person has no access to temporary shelter, Duenas said. The council should alsoleave an adequate portion of the city where a person lacking access to adequate shelter will not be subject to criminal penalties for the act of lying, sitting, or sleeping in the city of Malibu. Malibu residents called in to express their concern for homeless individuals once the Santa Ana winds begin blowing in the next month and a half. Resident Kay Gabbard said during the meeting that getting people out of high-fire areas is a high priority, but the action should be followed by an intense commitment to face-to-face services. We know that it can take as many as 15 interactions or more with one unhoused person to get them to trust that we have something to offer them to get them the medical, mental health, occupational or housing help the desperately need, Gabbard said. We know that most of them have been disappointed and let down by their family or the system too many times to count or even begin to understand, but we also know that our outreach teamand the newly formed task force will be ready to actively engage the newly displaced unhoused and help them pick up the pieces of their lives. I wish we had the resources in Malibu to really help people but its a bigger issue than a little city of under 10,00 people, so please pass the ordinance, resident Scott Ditrich said, also calling on the surrounding county and city to offer assistance. The homeless task force is going to struggle to try to find solutions, but we need the help of the counties and the cities around us and they dont seem very anxious to do that. In an effort to answer Malibus call for assistance, the LASDs HOST team, along with Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA) and local law enforcement officers, met with Malibu and Calabasas city officials to discuss homeless encampments in the city on Aug. 24. The LASD tweeted on Aug. 24 that the HOST team is preparing to deploy officers and resources to Malibu. This comes after the LASD and HOST last week continue to clean up and provide assistance to those living in encampments in Lario Park, located along the San Gabriel Valley River Trail. Since April, HOST has done more than 30 outreaches in Lario Park, and 40 homeless individuals have accepted resources and shelter, LASD officials told ABC7 earlier this month. Many of those we contacted accepted referrals to ancillary resources. We hope locals can enjoy safer and cleaner parks, beaches and communities. Theres more locations HOST will be visiting in the near future, L.A. Sheriff Alex Villanueva wrote of the Lario Park cleanup in an LASD Facebook post. The LASD, Malibu city councilmembers Karen Ferrer and Mikke Pierson, and organization The People Concern, did not respond to a request for comment by press deadline. Robert Aaron Long appears in front of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville at the Fulton County Courthouse in downtown Atlanta, Ga., on Aug. 30, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal Constitution via AP) Man Who Pled Guilty in 4 Spa Deaths Was in Court for Other 4 ATLANTAA man accused of killing eight people at Atlanta area massage businesses who has already pleaded guilty in four of those killings appeared briefly in court Monday, but he did not enter a plea 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 was scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Fulton County Superior Court on charges including murder, aggravated assault, and domestic terrorism in the Atlanta killings. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has filed notice that she intends to seek the death penalty, as well as a sentencing enhancement under Georgias new hate crimes law. The judge 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 entering of a plea is expected. Those killed in Cherokee County: 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. The killings 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 pleaded guilty last month in Cherokee County to charges including four counts of murder and received four sentences of life without parole plus an additional 35 years. A man walks past a spa where four people were shot and killed in Acworth, Ga., on March 17, 2021. (Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images) Cherokee County District Attorney Shannon Wallace said during the hearing 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. If the case had gone to trial, Wallace said, she was prepared to seek the death penalty and would have argued Long was motivated by gender bias. But after conversations with survivors and families of victims, she agreed to a plea deal in the interest of swift justice and avoiding lengthy appeals. In Atlanta, where all four of the victims were women of Asian descent, Willis said she believes the killings were based on bias-motivated by 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. Georgias new 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. Willis said the case could take a long time to prosecute and said the families understand that Mondays court appearance marked the start of an of a very long journey and a very long process. Longs attorneys had reached out to her about the possibility of a plea deal, but Willis plans to continue to seek the death penalty, she said. 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. A man walks past a spa where three women were shot and killed in Atlanta, Ga., on March 17, 2021. (Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images) 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. By Kate Brumback New Office to Bring COVID-19 Lessons Learned to Climate Change and Public Health Following through on one of President Joe Bidens executive orders, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched the new Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE). HHS officials claimed it would adapt lessons learned from the governments COVID-19 response to address the effects of climate change on public health, in a message met with a mixture of approval and, in some quarters, deep concern about government overreach. Weve always known that health is at the center of climate change, and now were going to double-down on a necessity: fighting climate change in order to help protect public health in our communities, said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra in a statement announcing the launch of OCCHE. The OCCHE has been established as part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. OCCHEs interim director is Dr. John Balbus, whose background includes stints as HHS principal to the U.S. Global Change Research Program and as chief health scientist for the environmental activist group Environmental Defense Fund. An HHS spokesperson said the office has a budget of $3 million with a staff of eight people. In a statement, Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Rachel Levine explicitly linked the new office to the governments response to COVID-19. COVID-19 highlighted the inequities faced throughout our nation. Unfortunately, some of the same groups disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 will be the same groups struggling the most with the effects of climate change on our health, Levine said. We will use the lessons learned from COVID-19 to address these disparities, prioritizing and protecting the nations health. COVID-19 demonstrated the vital importance of essential workers to the nation, an HHS spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email when asked to explain lessons learned from the pandemic. Many essential workers are in [low-income] jobs that make them more vulnerable to underlying health conditions related to deprivations in the social determinants of health. Additionally, these essential workers are more exposed to the effects of climate change, the spokesperson said. The office will not only work to protect vulnerable populations from exposures to climate risks, but also reduce health disparities and the rates of underlying health conditions to lessen the health risks from the exposures these populations are likely to face with future climate change. The OCCHE was established in the Jan. 27 executive order Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. It stated that the office will address the impact of climate change on the health of the American people. The new offices responsibilities include supporting the establishment of new regulations on greenhouse gas emissions by the health care sector as well as reporting on health adaptation actions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Climate change activists and public officials were among those to celebrate the launch of the new office. Protecting Americans health & well-being has always been at the heart of fighting climate change; now its being elevated! EarthShare wrote in a tweet. I applaud thisand particularly the link with health equity. NYC neighborhoods that have been historically deprived of public resourcesoften low-income communities of colorare at greater risk from the health and economic threats from our climate, wrote Dr. Dave A. Chokshi, commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in a tweet. But the new office has met with skepticism and concern from others, including energy expert Alex Epstein, who highlighted its potential control over greenhouse gas emissions from hospitals. Is the Administration going to raise their prices so they use less energy? Is [the] Administration going to force respirators and incubators to run on unreliable solar and wind? Epstein wrote in a Twitter thread outlining his objections to the OCCHE. One of the countrys largest hospital networks didnt immediately respond to requests for comment on these concerns. Others worried about the potential danger of extending public health-related powers, such as those exercised during the COVID-19 pandemic, to a new office. As predicted: public health will be the tool of choice for other tyrannies, Jay W. Richards, William E. Simon senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, wrote on Twitter. Americans were surprisingly compliant with unjustified and unprecedented restrictions in the name of public health, Richards told The Epoch Times in an email. As a result, any politicians wishing to increase their power would realize that is a proven way to get Americans to give up their freedoms without a fight. Therefore, there would be a strong incentive to frame other political issues in terms of public health. Hence, it will become a tool of choice. Richards said he predicted the reframing of climate change activism in terms of public health in his 2020 book, The Price of Panic. Even if human activity is causing catastrophic climate change, its a weird gerrymander to put a climate and energy policy issue into HHS and to describe it as a public health issue, he wrote. I would expect this new office to start promoting COVID-like restrictions on ordinary activities that involve the use of energy and hydrocarbons. In fact, that seems to be the very point of the office. Nordic Countries Do Not Equal Big Government or High Corporate Taxes Commentary A lie is still a lie even if its often repeated. And claiming the Nordic countries are socialist economies with high taxes on wealth and businesses is a big lie. Nordic countries are not socialist. They rank at the top in the Heritage Foundations Economic Freedom Index 2020 (Denmark 10, Finland 17, Sweden 21, Norway 28). They also rank at the top in the World Banks Ease of Doing Business Index 2020 (Denmark 4, Norway 9, Sweden 10, Finland 20), with simple and limited business regulation and a strong support for entrepreneurship. They also rank at the highest levels in labor market flexibilityDenmark 7 and Norway 15and have some of the most flexible labor markets according to the Employment Flexibility Index 2020 (pdf), while Finland and Sweden rank in the top 40 above Luxembourg or South Korea. The public sector doesnt dictate the growth pattern or the way in which the economy should be run; this is generated from the private sector, which finances more than 60 percent of research and development, and government applies private-sector best practices of efficiency and transparency in the management of public services. In addition, public officials dont have a life-long position. The opposite of the political control that populists defend. Nordic countries have carried out continued successful privatizations of state-owned sectors, from telecommunications to electricity generation and distribution. Even the postal service in Sweden was placed in a corporate structure. In these countries, private education is encouraged through school vouchers, not forced state-run schools. Government bureaucracy is extremely limited, and civil servants dont have a lifetime job. In fact, the size of the public sector relative to GDP and compared to total public expenditure is very similar to the global and European average, according to the World Bank Bureaucracy Indicators. Nordic countries also have a wide gap between rich and poor. They rank among the highest in wealth inequality according to the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Databook 2021, showing that in Sweden, for example, 74 percent of the wealth is owned by the top 10 percent and 34.9 percent by the top 1 percent, very similar levels to the United States. In Finland, the top 1 percent hold 28.5 percent of the total wealth, while the top 10 percent hold 59.8 percent. Yes, Nordic countries do have higher taxes and high public spending, but it doesnt entail bigger government, more bureaucracy, or more state control, as interventionists want. Furthermore, the reason why they have higher taxes is not because of elevated wedges for businesses and capital, but due to a very high VAT (value-added tax, a tax on sales). All Nordic countries corporate tax rates are lower than or similar to the average European Union and United States rates in 2021, with Denmark and Norway at 22 percent, Finland at 20 percent, and Sweden at 20.6 percent. The U.S. corporate tax rate is 25.75 percent (federal and state combined). Capital gains and dividend taxes are also generally in line with the rest of the European Union and United States. Norways top personal tax rate of 38.2 percent is lower than the United States 43.7 percent. However, Scandinavian countries tend to impose the top personal income tax rates on upper and middle-class earners, not just high-income taxpayers. Nordic high taxes come mostly from high VAT and social security taxes, not business or capital taxation, which is lower than in many developed economies. As the Tax Foundation article Insights into the Tax Systems of Scandinavian Countries by Elke Asen points out: If the U.S. were to raise taxes in a way that mirrors Scandinavian countries, taxesespecially on the middle classwould increase through a new VAT and higher social security contributions and personal income taxes. Business and capital taxes would not necessarily need to be increased if policymakers were following the Scandinavian model. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. North Koreas main nuclear complex is seen in Yongbyon, North Korea, on July 27, 2021. (Planet Labs Inc. via AP) North Korea Appears to Have Restarted Nuclear Reactor: UN Atomic Watchdog US continues to seek dialogue: Psaki North Korea appears to have revamped a nuclear reactor used to produce fuel for nuclear weapons, according to a UN atomic watchdog based in Vienna, Austria. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in its annual report (pdf) that there have been indications of operation of a 5-megawatt nuclear reactor at the Yongbyon Experimental Nuclear Power Plant, including the discharge of cooling water, since early July 2021. It deems the observation deeply troubling. The Yongbyon Experimental Nuclear Power Plant, which North Korea calls the heart of its nuclear program and research, is suspected to produce materials that could potentially be used in the countrys nuclear weapons development. The IAEA report, published quietly on Friday, noted that there were no indications of reactor operation from early December 2018 to the beginning of July 2021 at the power plant in Yongbyon, north of Pyongyang. The report noted that the steam plant that serves Yongbyons radiochemical laboratory appears to have operated for approximately five months, from mid-February 2021 until early July 2021. The five month duration is significantly longer than the time that would be needed for waste treatment or maintenance activities, the IAEA said. The five month period is also consistent with the time required to reprocess a complete core of irradiated fuel removed from the nuclear reactor, as well as the time for previous processing campaigns, the agency pointed out. Plutonium can be extracted in the reprocessing work. In 2003, 2005, and 2009, [North Korea] announced that it had conducted reprocessing campaigns at the Radiochemical Laboratory, each of which had lasted approximately five months, said the report. Plutonium Plutonium is one of the two key ingredients used to build nuclear weapons. The other ingredient is highly enriched uranium. According to the non-profit Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), North Korea told IAEA that the reactor would be used for electricity generation, but experts suspected a possible military purpose as the reactors design can easily produce weapons-grade plutonium. These suspicions were confirmed when North Korea announced its nuclear weapons in 2005 and conducted its first test in 2006, the NTI said on its website. North Koreas main nuclear complex is seen in Yongbyon, North Korea, on July 27, 2021. (Planet Labs Inc. via AP) The Yongbyon complex also produces highly enriched uranium. 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 IAEA has not had access to Yongbyon or other locations in North Korea since the country expelled its inspectors in 2009. It now monitors developments in North Koreas nuclear program from a distance, including through satellite imagery and open-source information. It remains unclear how much plutonium or highly enriched uranium has been produced at Yongbyon, and where they are being stored. [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. The continuation of [North Koreas] nuclear programme is a clear violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and is deeply regrettable. Since 2006, the UN Security Council has passed nine major sanctions resolutions in relation to North Koreas missile tests and nuclear program. White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, on Aug. 25, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) US Continues to Seek Dialogue: Psaki White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Monday the administration is aware of the IAEA report. 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. 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. North Korea has not been engaged in any denuclearization talks since February 2019, when North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and President Donald Trumps second North Korea-U.S. summit in Hanoi, Vietnam ended without a deal to advance denuclearization. The United States placed sanctions on North Korea to cut off its main sources of hard cash after the country undertook a series of nuclear and ballistic missile tests in 2017. Trump said that North Korea wanted to lift sanctions without offering enough denuclearization in return. They wanted the sanctions lifted in their entirety, and we couldnt do that, Trump said in February 2019. They were willing to denuke a large portion of the areas we wanted, but we couldnt give up all of the sanctions for that. The first summit between Trump and Kim was in June 2018. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The New York Times building in New York City on Aug. 31, 2021. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) NY Times Pulled Ad Calling CCP to Account for Pandemic A full-page advertisement that called for the world to hold the Chinese communist regime to account for the COVID-19 pandemic was pulled at the last moment by The New York Times in March 2020. The paper said the ad didnt meet its standards, but the ad was pulled after it had already passed the papers vetting process. The businessman who paid for the ad suspects the papers ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) played a role. He only revealed the details of the incident to The Epoch Times earlier this year. The ad was scheduled to run on March 22, 2020. It was already approved, paid for, and even printed and distributed in some locations when the paper pulled the plug in the middle of the night, preventing the ad from being published in some of the papers main markets, including New York and Florida. The decision was so abrupt that the sales representative responsible for the ad wasnt informed, and the client only found out the next morning when he couldnt find the ad in the paper. The client, Brett Kingstone, is a real estate developer in Florida. He backed up his story with email threads documenting his correspondence with the newspaper as well as images of the contract he signed, details about the payment and subsequent refund of the $55,000 ad fee, and photos of the ad as it ran in some locales. New York Times spokeswoman Danielle Rhoades Ha said the ad ran in an early edition of Sundays paper and was removed from all later editions, which account for the vast majority of copies. The ad in question did not meet our standards and should not have appeared in The New York Times, she told The Epoch Times via email. She didnt respond to a question about whether the paper faced any CCP pressure regarding the ad. It was removed after being flagged internally by [New York] Times staff, she said. Kingstone, a prolific donor to charitable and conservative causes, had contacted The New York Times via email on March 18, 2020, with an advertorial placement request. He said he placed an advertorial in the papers Sunday edition back in 2018 and the staff did an excellent job in delivering what was promised both in performance and placement. I am interested in doing the same again, he said, submitting a draft of the ad. The text urged the U.S. government to organize and initiate investigations and lawsuits regarding the origins and repercussions of the CCP virus pandemic. This virus was the direct result of the incompetence and irresponsibility of the Chinese Government. They showed as much disregard for their own population as they have for ours, the ad stated. It called for massive liability lawsuits against the CCP as well as investigations into two Chinese labs close to the epicenter of the pandemic, including the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Scrutiny of the Wuhan Institute of Virology was treated as a taboo subject by social media and the corporate press at the time. Only earlier this year have establishment actors acknowledged that the inquiries were legitimate and that the virus could have escaped from the lab. On March 19, 2020, the ad placement representative informed Kingstone that it had been accepted. My Ad Acceptability team has approved the message as long as we include the footnotes, your email address, a border around the ad, and advertisement slugs, the representative said. The two then exchanged several emails regarding technical edits to the ad as well as proof of payment of the ad fee required before publication. Everything seemed to go smoothly. Then, on the morning of March 22, 2020, Kingstone was surprised to learn the ad was nowhere to be found in the Florida edition of the paper. In his inbox, he found an email from the sales representative: I wanted to let you know that I was informed late last night that our production team had pulled the ad from the production run, without my knowledge. Im investigating this now and Ill get back to you as soon as I can with any updates, it read. I just wanted to assure you that Im working on this and I will hopefully be able to share additional context on Monday after I speak to the necessary people. I will be in touch on Monday! The representative has since left the paper. The Epoch Times is omitting her name for the sake of her privacy. Kingstone didnt hide his disappointment. I would like to know the reason why they did this, he said in an email response to the representative, requesting a refund. He asked whether the papers executives concluded that his particular message needed to be silenced. I was very pleased with how the NYT treated me on my first advocacy advertisement. They were more than fair. Now my fears about bias are being realized, he wrote. The cancellation was all the more a slap in the face given that The New York Times used to regularly publish propaganda advertorials paid for by a company directly controlled by the CCP. After receiving his refund, Kingstone didnt leave it at that. As it happened, his website, which was listed on the ad, came under a cyberattack around the same time the copies of the paper that did include the ad landed on peoples doormats, he said. This was too much of a coincidence for Kingstone, who has had his share of run-ins with the CCP. It was his company that years earlier won a precedent-setting lawsuit against Chinese counterfeiters. In 2005, he published a book detailing his story, called The Real War Against America. Kingstone started to inquire with his contacts and eventually reached the conclusion that the CCP must have been involved in the ads cancellation. One New York Times executive told him a CCP official called the papers leadership, demanding the ad be pulled, he said. The Epoch Times wasnt able to independently confirm that the phone call took place. Attempts to reach the executive for comment were unsuccessful. The papers spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied that such a phone call took place. In any case, the situation carries an earmark of how China would operate, according to Pat Laflin, a former FBI agent who upon retirement led a series of lectures for the bureau to American businesses and research entities on economic espionage by adversarial nations, including China. Its impossible that the CCP let the ad slide, he told The Epoch Times. If theres anything negative about China, Chinas going to scream, he said in a phone call. It would just be the question of what form the pressure took, he said. Exactly what they said and how subtle it was or how not-so-subtle, thats all speculation. I dont know. But did the call come in? Yes. The New York Times has over the years repeatedly faced criticism over its relations with the CCP. The controversy reaches back to at least 2001, when the papers publisher at the time, Arthur Sulzberger Jr., met with then-CCP leader Jiang Zemin, whose power faction within the communist regime exerts influence even to this day, long after his retirement. The paper actively discouraged reporting on one of the most gruesome atrocities committed by the CCPthe harvesting of organs from prisoners of conscience, mainly practitioners of the Falun Gong spiritual practiceas indicated by former New York Times Beijing correspondent Didi Kirsten Tatlow in her testimony to the independent China Tribunal in the United Kingdom. Last year, the paper finally cut ties with the CCP-controlled China Daily and quietly deleted hundreds of paid propaganda pieces from its website, The Washington Free Beacon reported. China Daily disclosed to federal authorities one $50,000 payment to The New York Times in 2018. Its not clear how much total revenue The New York Times drew from CCP advertorials. Update: Further information has been added to the article. Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly identified the profession of Brett Kingstone. He is a real estate developer. A healthcare professional prepares to enter a COVID-19 patient's room in the ICU at Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert, Ohio, on Nov. 20, 2020. (Megan Jelinger/AFP via Getty Images) Ohio Judge Orders Hospital to Treat Ventilated COVID-19 Patient With Ivermectin A Butler County judge in Ohio has ordered a hospital to administer Ivermectin to a ventilated COVID-19 patient, granting an emergency relief filed by the patients wife. Butler County Common Pleas Judge Gregory Howard ruled last week that West Chester Hospital, part of the University of Cincinnatis health network UC Health, must immediately administer Ivermectin to patient Jeffrey Smith following his doctors prescription of 30 mg of Ivermectin for 21 days, the Ohio Capital Journal reported. Smith, 51, is a Verizon Wireless engineer in Butler County. According to the lawsuit (pdf) filed by his wife Julie Smith, Jeffrey Smith tested positive for COVID-19 on July 9, and he was admitted to West Chester Hospital on July 15. On the same day, he was moved to an intensive care unit (ICU). Smiths condition continued to decline, and he was placed on a ventilator on Aug. 1. By Aug. 19, the ventilator was operating at 80 percent volume, with Smiths chances of survival dropping to less than 30 percent, court documents read. At that time, the hospital claimed to have exhausted all options in its COVID-19 treatment protocol. At this point, there is nothing more the defendant can do, or will do, for my husband, Julie wrote in an affidavit included in her complaint. However, I cannot give up on him, even if the defendant has, Julie continued. There is no reason why the defendant cannot approve or authorize other forms of treatments so long as the benefits outweigh the risks. Julie had read about some lawsuits reported by Chicago Tribune and The Buffalo News where patients in severe condition from COVID-19 later recovered after being given Ivermectin. These patients had won lawsuits forcing their hospitals to treat them with Ivermectin. The plaintiffs in these cases were all represented by attorney Ralph Lorigo, chairman of New Yorks Erie County Conservative Party, who later became one of Julies attorneys. According to court documents, Julie requested that the hospital treat her husband with Ivermectin, but the hospital refused to even though she offered to release them from any and all responsibility. Julie then sought medical advice from Dr. Fred Wagshul, who later prescribed Ivermectin to her husband. But the hospital still refused to do so, prompting her to file a lawsuit against the hospital. With absolutely nothing to lose, with little to no risk, and with the defendant likely to begin palliative care, there is no basis for it to refuse Dr. Wagshuls order and prescription to administer Ivermectin, Julie said in the affidavit. Wagshul is a founding member of the Frontline COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC), a nonprofit organization that is working during the pandemic to develop effective treatment protocols to prevent COVID-19 infection as well as treat patients with COVID-19. In October of 2020, FLCCC adopted Ivermectin as a core medication in its protocols for preventing and treating COVID-19. Its website references many recent studies reporting Ivermectin to be a safe, effective, and inexpensive drug against COVID-19, the disease caused by CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. Ivermectin is so safe, Wagshul told Dayton247Now. It essentially has no drug interactions and no side effects. The UC Health hasnt responded to a request from The Epoch Times for comment. According to the Ohio Capital Journal, it hasnt challenged the judges ruling. The ruling was only effective for 14 days pursuant to the Ohio Procedural Law. Federal Agencies Oppose Ivermectin For COVID-19 Ivermectin is a drug that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain infections caused by internal and external parasites. A Japanese scientist and an Irish-American scientist were awarded the Nobel Prize in 2015 for their discovery of Ivermectin, given the drugs success at improving the health and wellbeing of millions of individuals infected with river parasites in the poorest regions of the world. President Joe Bidens top medical adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has advised people against using Ivermectin to treat COVID-19. Dont do it. Theres no evidence whatsoever that it works, and it could potentially have toxicity, Fauci told CNN on Sunday. Theres no clinical evidence that indicates that this works. Dr. Anthony Fauci responds to accusations by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) as he testifies before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 20, 2021. (J. Scott Applewhite-Pool/Getty Images) Last Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an official health advisory (pdf), reiterating its opposition to the use of Ivermectin for COVID-19 treatment. Ivermectin is not authorized or approved by FDA for prevention or treatment of COVID-19, the advisory reads. The National Institutes of Healths (NIH) COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel has also determined that there are currently insufficient data to recommend Ivermectin for treatment of COVID-19. 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 advisory continued. FDA warned on its website that taking large doses of Ivermectin is dangerous and can cause serious harm. The agency also stressed that Ivermectin products for animals are different from products for people because animal drugs are often highly concentrated. Such high doses can be highly toxic in humans, FDA said. A firefighter with the Orange County Fire Department connects a hose to a truck while bystanders look on in Irvine, Calif., on Aug. 17, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Orange County Firefighters Help Elderly Lady Make Breakfast After Accident Firefighters from Orange County Fire Authoritys (OCFA) Engine 25 assisted an elderly diabetic lady back to her feet and made her breakfast after she fell while cooking breakfast on Aug. 29. Firefighter paramedics Joe Park and Matthew Carlson went into the second-story apartment in a Westminster, California, senior living facility, while the other two members of Engine 25 were on standby with medical equipment. Our job is to do more than just fix the immediate emergency, Park told The Epoch Times. We try to do what would we want to do for our family members. What would we want if this was our grandmother or grandfather? We wouldnt want them to just pick her up off the floor and leave her alone without any help or any means of getting the nutrition she needed. We try to think about the whole picture and try to make sure that theyre well taken care of. A firefighter cooks breakfast for an elderly woman who had fallen. (Courtesy of the Orange County Fire Authority) A firefighter feeds an elderly woman who had fallen. (Courtesy of the Orange County Fire Authority) When they arrived, they helped the lady onto her couch and saw the stove was still hot, with eggs in the frying pan. First they made sure the frying pan didnt catch fire. Then Park and Carlson saw to it that she ate more than just eggs. Carlson gave her a meal replacement drink, while Park cooked some eggs just how she asked, the yolk not to be too runny but not too firm, Park said. Park cut up a slice of bread, buttered it with the eggs, and fed it to her. I said, Hows that? She goes, Oh, thats perfect, and she had a big smile on her face, Park said. They placed the ladys cellphone in her hand and left. She was in good shapehappy and grateful for their help, they said. The lady declined a medical evaluation and a ride to the hospital. For us, when we respond to these types of calls, its more than just picking somebody up off the ground. Its making sure that theyre going to be okay for the rest of the day, Park said. The service, posted on OCFAs social media page, received overflowing support from the community. One person commented: Thank you Mr. Park for caring for others and especially for our elders. Our older generations deserve our respect and care and its beautiful to see this in action. Another person commented: Over the years with various elderly family members, I cant tell you how wonderful our local FDs have been about Lift Assist calls! Brings me such a relief that they are helpful, gracious and WELCOMING about these calls. Another said: Our firefighters/ paramedics/ healthcare workers really go beyond their daily duties!! They have shown true compassion with a can do attitude Love it. Just a couple of weeks ago, a crew finished mowing a 92-year-olds lawn in Westminster after he collapsed in the middle of the task. Were public servants, OCFA spokesperson Cpt. Brett Buffington told The Epoch Times. Our crews want to go above and beyond to provide that top-level customer service and meet the needs of the community and doing something as simple as finishing making an egg or finish cutting grass takes a couple minutes of our day but it helps the public. Thats what were here for. Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates after recording match point Marie Bouzkova of Czech Republic in the first round on day one of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York, on Aug. 30, 2021. (Jerry Lai/USA TODAY Sports via Reuters) Osaka Kicks Off US Open Title Defense With Straight Sets Win NEW YORKNaomi Osaka overcame a slow start to beat Czech Marie Bouzkova 64 61 and get her U.S. Open title defense under way in front of a roaring capacity crowd at Flushing Meadows, New York, on Monday. Unseeded Bouzkova held her own through much of the first set but failed to convert on four break point opportunities against the Japanese four-time Grand Slam winner. Osaka, who fired 21 winners but committed 13 unforced errors in the first set, broke Bouzkovas serve at 54 to win the opener and never looked back, winning the first five games of the second despite struggling with her first serve. The world number three closed out the match with a forehand winner, offering a smile and a wave to the stands that were empty a year ago. Im the type of player that wants to entertain a crowd as well. I think last year I was just really business, she said. I wouldnt try to hit a crazy serve or anything like that. Of course, Im only one match in here and I dont think Ive gotten that distracted yet. Osakas only previous meeting with Bouzkova came at the first round of the Australian Open in 2020, where she also won in straight sets. I thought todays match was really tough. I havent played her in a while. I guess just to be able to be the first night match and to win in two sets was really important to me, she told reporters. In the run-up to the years final major, much of the talk around Osaka focused on her inconsistent play and relative lack of time on court as she crashed out in the third round of the Tokyo Olympics and the Western & Southern Open. But the match marked a reassuring return to form for the 23-year-old, who looks the likeliest candidate to upset world number one Ash Barty on the New York hardcourts. Osaka, who had her powerful forehand dialed in and held Bouzkova to just 10 winners in the entire match, said she felt at home at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where she won her first major title three years ago. Im always nervous during the first round in a Slam, said Osaka. It felt kind of surreal to walk onto the court and to hear an actual audience this time. To see people and to hear their energy, because last year the automated crowd noise was kind of the same all the time. But here, people are reacting in real time, so it was cool. A Pakistan Special Service Group of naval commandos take part in the first day of the multinational naval exercise in Karachi on Feb. 11, 2017. (Rizwan Tabassum/AFP via Getty Images) Pakistan Counter-Terrorism Division Kills 11 Suspected ISIS Members in Raid A Pakistani Counter-Terrorism Division (CTD) unit killed 11 suspected members of the ISIS terrorist group on Monday during a special operation that erupted into an intense shootout in Baluchistan province, according to local authorities. The unit carried out the raid in the district of Mastung, where ISIS recently killed two police officers, after obtaining intelligence reports related to a terrorist hideout in the region. Upon arrival, the police force immediately surrounded the compound after discovering that the hideout housed armed men, Dawn reported. Police said they ordered the men to surrender, which they refused, prompting a gun battle. After the heavy gun battle that ensued, 11 alleged terrorists were found dead in the compound, which they were using as their hideout, a police spokesman said. Authorities said they confiscated suicide belts, hand grenades, and assault rifles in the raid. It is unclear if there were any survivors or if any police officers were injured in the shootout. The CTD provided no further details and the nationality of the slain terrorists was not immediately known. The unit is a special branch of the police force that particularly targets terrorist groups. Pakistani paramedical personnel stand next to the covered bodies of suspect ISIS terrorists who were killed by security forces at a morgue in Quetta, Pakistan, on Aug. 31, 2021. (Arshad Butt/AP Photo) Quetta is the capital of Baluchistan province, where ISIS has claimed several attacks in recent years. The terrorist group has regional affiliates in both Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan. The spokesperson said the slain men belonged to ISISa designated terrorist organization that claimed responsibility for the bombing at Kabuls airport in Afghanistan, killing 13 American troops and many more Afghans. The men had an arrest warrant for their involvement in the fatal attack on two policemen in May 2020. They were also allegedly planning a major terrorist attack, police said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. From NTD News A general view of Australia Post mailboxes in Coogee on October 28, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. An investigation has been launched by Prime Minister Scott Morrison into Australia Post after revelations by chief executive Christine Holgate during Senate estimates last week that the government-owned business had bought four Cartier watches worth almost $20,000. ( Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) Parcel Business Drives Australia Post Profit Australia Post has reported a before-tax full-year profit of $100.7 million amid strong growth in its parcel business during COVID-19. Overall group revenue for the 2020/21 financial year was up 10.3 per cent to $8.27 billion, while the parcels and services division realised 17.7 per cent growth. This strong result rests with the hard work of our people, who have continued to deliver every day through the challenges of a pandemic and numerous lockdowns, acting CEO and Managing Director Rodney Boys said in a statement accompanying the results on Tuesday. An express post envelope displayed inside Darlinghurst post office on May 7, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Don Arnold/Getty Images) The results represent an increase in pre-tax profit of $47.1 million on the previous year, with the organisation noting disruptions to network operations while processing unprecedented parcel volumes and significantly reduced transport capacity. The strength of eCommerce up 31.8 per cent as Australians took to online shopping in record numbers has supported the result, Mr Boys added. A government business enterprise with some 35,000 employees, Australia Post returned $46.2 million in dividends to the government on 2020/21. It also warned of potential negative impacts on the current financial year due to considerable uncertainty stemming from COVID-19. Boys became acting CEO after the departure of Christine Holgate in October last year, following revelations that four senior staff were gifted luxury watches worth a combined $20,000. A woman posts mail via an Express Post box located on Oxford st outside the Darlinghurst Post Office on May 7, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Don Arnold/Getty Images) In early August Australia Post reached a $1 million settlement with Ms Holgate, acknowledging it regrets the difficult circumstances of her departure. Australia Post expects to table its 2021 Annual Report in federal parliament in October. An US Air Force aircraft takes off from the airport in Kabul on Aug. 30, 2021. Rockets were fired at Kabul's airport on Aug. 30 where U.S. troops were racing to complete their withdrawal from Afghanistan and evacuate allies under the threat of attacks from ISIS terrorists. (Aamir Qureshi/AFP via Getty Images) Pentagon Acknowledges Americans Stranded in Afghanistan After Pullout Pentagon spokesman John Kirby on Tuesday acknowledged that Americans were stranded in Afghanistan despite earlier comments to the contrary made by White House officials. He said its not clear how many remain. Right now I think the tools we have available to us and that were going to use as a U.S. government is going to be more in the diplomatic, economic lanes, and we dont really see a military role right now, Kirby told MSNBC on Tuesday morning when asked if the U.S. military would play a role in rescuing those individuals. When asked about whether the State Department could help evacuate Americans from the country amid Taliban terrorist rule, Kirby said that it will be similar to how the United States extracts its citizens from other countries. Its not completely unlike the way we do it elsewhere around the world. We have Americans that get stranded in countries all the time and we do everything we can to try to facilitate safe passage, Kirby said, which appeared to contradict comments made by White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Aug. 23 when she said it is wrong to refer to Americans stuck in Afghanistan as being stranded there. During an exchange with a reporter last week, Psaki said, I think its irresponsible to say Americans are stranded. They are not. We are committed to bringing Americans who want to come home, home. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden, during an ABC News earlier this month, vowed that the United States would evacuate every American who wanted to leave the country. Also in the interview, Kirby said that the United States has leverage over the Taliban to hold them to account, adding its going to be a whole-of-government effort, but I dont see a military role at this time. Some Americans who remain in Afghanistan said they attempted to evacuate but werent successful. The last flight is gone and were left behind, a U.S. citizen using a moniker said on Monday during a CNN interview. Abound 6,000 U.S. citizens were flown out between Aug. 14 and Aug. 31, but under 200, and likely close to 100, are still in the country, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday. Were trying to determine exactly how many. Were going through manifests and calling and texting through our lists, and we will have more details to share as soon as possible, he said. Part of the challenge with fixing a precise number is that there are longtime residents of Afghanistan who have American passports and who are trying to determine whether or not they wanted to leave. The remarks come as the final U.S. military flight out of Kabul was carried out on Monday, effectively leaving most of the country under Taliban control. A U.S. military dog is seen at Bagram air base in Afghanistan, on March 22, 2002. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Pentagon Responds to Claims US Military Dogs Were Left in Cages in Afghanistan Animal welfare groups say that U.S. military contract dogs face 'death or worse' in Kabul Several animal welfare groups said that U.S. military contract dogs that were allegedly left behind in Afghanistan face death or worse, although a Pentagon spokesperson denied claims that working dogs were left behind in cages. Dr. Robin R. Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane, issued a statement Monday condemning the reported decision to leave the animals behind in Kabul. 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, Ganzert said. 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. Describing the alleged decision as senseless, she said that 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. Ganzert noted that her group has worked hand in hand with the military for more than 100 years to rescue military animals, adding that it brings home retired military working dogs and pairs veterans with life-saving service dogs. In order to prevent this tragedy from occurring, these K-9s should be loaded into whatever cargo space remains and flown to safety, Ganzert continued. 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, she added. Two U.S. soldiers are seen with a military working dog at an Afghanistan military base in an undated photo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Demetrius Lester) Another working dogs group, the Veteran Sheepdogs of America, said it is also working to extract military dogs from the country, adding in a Twitter post on Aug. 29 that whatever mess you think Kabul is its worse! The group posted photos of cages that were ostensibly left at the Kabul airport. A spokesperson for the Department of Defense denied claims that the military left any of its dogs behind inside cages. The U.S. priority mission was the evacuation of U.S. citizens, SIV, and vulnerable Afghans. However, to correct erroneous reports, the U.S. military did not leave any dogs in cages at Hamid Karzai International Airport, to include the reported military working dogs,' a Defense Department spokesman told the Washington Examiner. The spokesman added: Photos circulating online were animals under the care of the Kabul Small Animal Rescue, not dogs under the care of the U.S. military. Despite an ongoing complicated and dangerous retrograde mission, U.S. forces went to great lengths to assist the Kabul Small Animal Rescue as much as possible. The Pentagon spokesperson did not appear to address other reports of military dogs being left behind, just the dogs in cages. In another report, SPCA International said that some military working dogs were left behind. On Monday, top military commander Gen. Frank McKenzie confirmed that the final U.S. evacuation flight out of Afghanistan was carried out, officially ending the 20-year-long occupation of the country following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. As the United States starting pulling out earlier this month and in late July, the Afghan government and army suffered continual losses to the Taliban before the terrorist group took over Kabul about two weeks ago. McKenzie expressed regret that a few hundred Americans are still trapped in Afghanistan and said the State Department will now work on evacuating them. While its not clear on the exact number, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told MSNBC on Tuesday that several hundred remain. We believe we got the vast, vast majority of American citizens out, something to the tune of 6,000 of them, he said. And we think its probably in the low hundreds that are still there. And there were also several hundred others that didnt want to leave. In the midst of a rushed and chaotic evacuation at the Kabul airport, ISIS terrorists carried out a suicide bomb attack that killed 13 U.S. service members and scores more Afghan citizens last week. The Epoch Times has contacted U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, for comment. U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps, boards a C-17 cargo plane at Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 30, 2021, in Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Central Command via Getty Images) Pentagon Posts Photo of Last Soldier Leaving Afghanistan The Department of Defense on Aug. 30 released a photo of the last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan, capping off a frantic withdrawal and evacuation effort, and marking an end to Americas longest war. The photograph, posted on Twitter by the official account of the Department of Defense, shows Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue, commanding general of the 82 Airborne Division, boarding a C-17 aircraft and ending the U.S. mission in Kabul, the Pentagon said. While the military evacuation is complete, the diplomatic mission to ensure additional U.S. citizens and eligible Afghans who want to leave, continues, Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said at a Pentagon briefing announcing the completion of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. McKenzie called the accompanying evacuation mission the largest non-combatant evacuation in the U.S. militarys history. U.S. and allied service members evacuated a total of 123,000 civilians, McKenzie said. The evacuation effort was disorganized and frantic, drawing criticism from many Americans as well as their Democrat and Republican representatives in Washington. An ISIS-claimed terrorist attack at the airport in Kabul, a central evacuation point, killed 13 American soldiers and dozens of Afghans. McKenzie estimated the number of Americans still in Afghanistan is in the low hundreds. The State Department and the military are working to get out those left behind, he said. A Pentagon spokesman earlier on Aug. 30 said that around 600 Americans 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. 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. President Joe Biden told ABC on Aug. 18, If there are American citizens left [in Afghanistan], were going to stay to get them all out. 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 withdrawal and evacuation followed a blitz by the Taliban terrorist group, which recaptured most of Afghanistan in 11 days. The Biden administration has received blowback over the American weapons, vehicles, aircraft, and other equipment that were left to be seized by the Taliban. The last planes took off from Kabul airport at 3:29 p.m. Washington time, or just before midnight in Kabul and one minute short of Bidens goal for a full withdrawal. The United States attacked Afghanistan on Oct. 7, 2001, less than a month after the Sept. 11 attacks. A total of 2,420 U.S. troops perished in the ensuing 20-year war. More than 212,000 people were killed on both sides of the conflict, including more than 51,000 civilians. Jack Phillips and The Associated Press contributed to this report. A member of a group of migrants believed to be from Afghanistan stands as he tries to confirm their will to apply for international protection in Poland to Polish volunteer lawyers, in the presence of press members and Polish Parliament deputies, in the small village of Usnarz Gorny near Bialystok, northeastern Poland, located close to the border with Belarus, on Aug. 20, 2021. (Wojtek Radwanski/AFP via Getty Images) Poland Seeks State of Emergency Along Border Amid Record-High Migration Levels Polands government is set to declare a state of emergency on Tuesday in several areas along the countries border with Belarus as immigration levels have recently surged. The legislation, believed to be signed by Polish President Andrzej Duda on Aug. 31, comes as thousands of illegal immigrants, mostly from Iraq and Afghanistan, have tried to unlawfully enter the country from neighboring Belarus. Please expect Polands security to be strengthened in the nearest time through acts of law, and also through subsequent actions on Polands border, Duda said. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Tuesday the situation along the border is in crisis and blamed authoritarian Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko for sending the immigrants into Polish territory as a way to create instability in Europe. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki addresses a press conference in Budapest on April 1, 2021. (Attila Kisbenedek/AFP via Getty Images) The situation on the border with Belarus is still a crisis, it is still tense because the Lukashenko regime decided to transport people mainly from Iraq to Belarusto push these people to the territory of Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia in order to introduce an element destabilizing the territory of our countries, Morawiecki said. Parliament still needs to approve the move for the declaration to take effect, though the president said he believed lawmakers would support his decision. Morawiecki said the measure will be active for a 30-day period in parts of Podlaskie and Lubelskie province. It will provide officials with the authority to monitor and control peoples movements in the two regions. The Polish Border Guard said in a statement earlier this month illegal border crossings have reached record heights and 349 immigrants attempting to cross the Belarus border were arrested between Aug. 6 and Aug. 9, a record number. Migrants are seated, after crossing the border from Belarus into Poland in the village of Usnarz Gorny, Poland on Aug. 19, 2021. (Mateusz Wodzinski/AP Photo) Polish soldiers unload materials to construct a barbed wire fence on the border with Belarus in Zubrzyca Wielka near Bialystok, eastern Poland on Aug. 26, 2021. (Jaap Arriens/AFP via Getty Images) In August alone, more than 3,200 people tried to cross illegally into Poland from Belarus, border officials said, Euro News reported. In the whole of 2020, only 122 people crossed the Belarus border into Poland illegally and were detained. Poland also started the construction of an 8.2-foot (2.5-meter) high fence along its 260-mile (418-kilometer) border last week to halt the flow of illegal immigrants. A new 2.5-meter-[8.2-foot]-high solid fence will be built on the border with Belarus, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak wrote on Twitter. More soldiers will [also] be involved in helping the Border Guard. The Associated Press contributed to this report. From NTD News The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) sails in formation with ships from the Indian Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force while conducting replenishment-at-seas approaches (RASAPs) as part of Malabar 2020. (U.S. INDOPACOM) Quad Military Exercise Presents Alternative Vision to CCP Ideology Naval forces from Australia, India, Japan, and the United States participated in Malabar 2021 during the last week of August, giving the nations forces a chance to further develop cohesion in planning, training, and the employment of advanced warfare techniques. Malabar is an annual military exercise that began as a joint initiative between the United States and India in 1992. Since then, the exercise has evolved considerably with ongoing developments in international relations and has seen other nations get involved at various points in time. This year marked the second year in a row in which all four members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, colloquially known as the Quad, participated. The exercise also demonstrated the commitment of diverse members of the international community to uphold a rules-based international order in the face of increased adventurism and economic aggression by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Experts believe that Malabar, and the Quad more broadly, could present a valuable opportunity to coordinate international strategy against the malign influence of the CCP both in the Indo-Pacific and globally. A Systemic Rivalry Chad Sbragia, a research analyst for the Intelligence Analyses Division of the Institute for Defense Analyses, spoke to the Epoch Times about the pervasiveness of the CCPs influence and how that influence informs exercises like Malabar. According to Sbragia, the CCPs efforts in global diplomacy, politics, and military affairs are vast enough that any exercise will necessarily be conducted within the context of potential conflict with China. As such, although Malabar was not designed specifically to be about China in any way, its strategic value acquired a Sino-centric valence due to what Sbragia termed a systemic rivalry. There is a rivalry between two different visions for the international system, Sbragia said. Most [military] exercises are not specifically about China, but theyre certainly in the context of that systemic rivalry and its hard to separate them at this point. Strategic competition makes it sound much more like its a bilateral issue between the United States and China, Sbragia said. Certainly, in many ways it is. But theres a bigger picture at stake, which is the system that virtually all of the countries in the world have bought into, helped build, contributed to, lean on and continue to leverage. It is that system itself, a rules-based international order, that is at stake in the competition between the CCP and the international community. Considering this, Sbragia noted that the CCPs cooperation with other nations was different in form and substance from that of the United States and its allies. Whereas the United States seeks to develop capabilities multilaterally that allow allies to efficiently work together as one unit, the CCP seeks influence and control in its relationships, and spurns traditional alliance structures. Their view is that absolute sovereignty is absolute, Sbragia said. The reputation that they are seeking is not necessarily to be well-loved, Sbragia added, but to be respected and followed. As such, the very structure and goals of exercises like Malabar are emblematic of the great struggle between competing visions of a rules-based order and a disparate grouping of supremely sovereign states. Sbragia hoped that ultimately, the people of the United States and its partner nations would realize the global scale of the threat posed by the CCP before it was too late; and would work quickly to counter the CCPs plans to supplant the United States and be a global hegemon by 2049. The Chinese do have a long-term plan and vision for what they expect and hope to transform both the region and the globe into, Sbragia said. Chinese aspirations are not just limited to the region. Their aspirations are global. The things that youre seeing now, 100 nautical miles off of China, you will see 100 nautical miles off of Europe and West Africa and the Caribbean and other locations globally in not too long a period of time. A Free and Open Indo-Pacific Alexander Gray, a senior fellow in national security affairs at the American Foreign Policy Council, spoke to the importance of the Quad in mitigating the worst of the CCPs excesses and promoting a more stable and prosperous future. Like Sbragia, he noted the ideological tint coloring the struggles between the CCP and the rest of the globe. Theres no question that at least part of the competition with China that the United States and its partners and allies are facing is an ideologically-tinged struggle, Gray said. Part of the ideological challenge comes down to [the fact that] the Chinese Communist Partys conception of how the world order operates is very, very different than anything either party in the United States would ever subscribe to. Gray hailed the development of the concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific as one of few success stories of policy continuity between the Trump and Biden administrations, and noted that it offered a vital countervision to the statist philosophy of the CCP. I think its a success story and a reaction to the individual experiences of each of the Quad nations with China, Gray said. The Quad is now seen as a very useful tool in doing a variety of different countermoves to Chinese ambitions. The necessity of a free and open Indo-Pacific has become more pressing for many countries in the region as the CCP has continued to increase its military activity in the South China Sea, where it has taken to constructing new military outposts on artificial islands it has created for the purposes of expanding its territorial claims into international waters. This, despite the fact that an international tribunal found that China held no claim to the waterways. Although there have been efforts to formalize the Quad, it remains an unofficial alliance. Gray noted that there was also a desire in Washington to utilize the Quad more creatively, and said that the Quad could still be an invaluable tool for pursuing common good projects, such as, dealing with search and rescue, environmental spills, rising sea levels, and issues of economic security, particularly in the face of the CCPs continued campaigns of economic coercion. Such a capacity has become increasingly necessary as the CCP attempts to pressure other nations through economic means, according to Gray. Beijing, for instance, has issued numerous sanctions and tariffs on Australian goods as a punishment for Australias call to investigate the origins of the CCP Virus. That economic coercion is the greatest threat to the existing order, Gray said. Its not anti-access weapons, its not space capabilities or fielding more submarines. The long-term threat to the stability of the region and to our ability to project power is China using its size to economically coerce smaller countries. Gray hopes that the Quad could serve as a unified mechanism for coordinating nations in buying products that the Chinese are boycotting or leveraging for political purposes. The Quads commitment to interoperability and multilateralism presents hard evidence of the differences in ideology between the CCP and the United States and its allies, he added. To that end, Gray said that the CCP lacked the same multilateral capabilities as the United States and its allies because it does not adhere to the same alliance structure as the United States. It says a lot about the competition itself, Gray said. The Chinese are not focused on [interoperability] because their conception of the international order is them operating above all the other countries in the system and dictating. Thats their strategic culture: They dictate outcomes, Gray added. We are focused on interoperability because thats the military reflection of what the free and open Indo-Pacific concept is all about. Given these competing visions of the proper ordering of global relations, Gray said that the United States continued pursuit of multilateral exercises presented the best evidence of its hopes for the future of the Indo-Pacific. Its about the United States, regardless of its military and economic dominance, operating under the same set of rules and norms as the rest of the region, Gray said. People wearing protective face mask are seen at the entry to Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane, Australia on June 30, 2021. (AAP Image/Darren England) Queensland Govt Releases Griffen Report into Prince Charles Hospital An independent report has found no evidence that an unvaccinated hospital worker breached Queensland COVID-19 public health directions when she contracted the virus at the Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane, Australia. The Queensland state government on July 12 appointed Dr. Paul Griffin and Katherine Taylor to report on the events surrounding the infection of the staff member, who worked as a concierge staff member outside the COVID-19 ward in June. Their report found no evidence the hospital or any individual failed to comply with the chief health officers directives. In fact, the report found the hospital had the appropriate policies, procedures, and practices in place. Health Minister Yvette DAth speaks after the announcement of a three-day lockdown for the Greater Brisbane area in Brisbane, Australia on Mar. 29, 2021. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images) Queensland Health Minister Yvette DAth said the report also identified opportunities to strengthen infection control, both at Prince Charles Hospital and in the broader health system. Weve never seen anything like COVID-19 before and with different variants it continues to change and become more transmissible, she said in a media release on Aug. 31. Its important we take every opportunity to learn and adapt, with work already underway to enhance infection control practices in our hospitals. The report has made a number of recommendations, including limiting the number of entry points, signage, and swipe care access procedures in COVID-19 wards. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. DAth said those recommendations were already being implements at Prince Charles Hospital. Importantly, the report noted a high level of understanding and compliance with infection control procedures and found no wrongdoing by MNHHS or any staff member, she said. But therell always be areas where we can improve our response, and thats what were doing. The report recommended consideration be given to mandating vaccinations for all staff who work in proximity of COVID-19 wards, such as those who work in the same building. The health minister said that Queenslands hospitals that treat COVID-19 already had very high vaccination rates amongst staff with 77 percent fully vaccinated and 83 percent partially vaccinated. Importantly, the report confirmed no unvaccinated staff member had entered the COVID-19 ward at The Prince Charles Hospital, DAth said. Flooded streets and homes are shown in the Spring Meadow subdivision after Hurricane Ida moved through in LaPlace, La., on Aug. 30, 2021. (Steve Helber/AP Photo) Rescuers Save Hundreds Across Louisiana Trapped Amid Devastation of Hurricane Ida Hundreds of Louisianans trapped by Hurricane Idas floodwaters were brought to safety on Monday as boats, helicopters, and high-water trucks worked as part of rescue efforts after the furious storm ravaged the coast and left more than one million homes without power. Residents retreated to their roofs or attics after a rare flash flood emergency was issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) in New Orleans amid torrential downpour. More than one million homes and businesses in Louisiana and neighboring Mississippiincluding all of New Orleanswere left without power as Ida pushed through on Sunday after making landfall near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, on Sunday afternoon with 150 mph winds and high storm surge. Michael Thomas, back, carries his daughter Mikala, out of his flooded neighborhood after Hurricane Ida moved through in LaPlace, La., on Aug. 30, 2021. (Steve Helber/AP Photo) In the New Orleans metropolitan area, all eight transmission lines that deliver electricity to Louisianas largest city were down, according to utility company Entergy Louisiana. One transmission tower collapsed into the Mississippi River, according to the Jefferson Parish Emergency Management Department. The damage was so extensive that officials warned it could be weeks before the power grid is repaired. After the storm was downgraded to a tropical depression Monday afternoon and continued to make its way inland with torrential rain, it has been blamed for at least two deathsa motorist who drowned in New Orleans and a person hit by a falling tree outside Baton Rouge on Sunday night. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said on Monday that the damage caused by the hurricane is catastrophic, and that he expects the death toll to rise considerably. The damage is really catastrophic, Bel Edwards told NBC on Monday morning. This storm packed a very powerful punch. It delivered the surge that was forecasted, the wind that was forecasted, and the rain. The governor said, Im certain that as the day goes on, we will have more deaths. He acknowledged that some apartment buildings collapsed partially, and it happened during the height of the storm and there was no way to go out and respond to those calls. The current top priority is to search and rescue, the governor said. People are evacuated from floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in LaPlace, La., on Aug. 30, 2021. (Gerald Herbert/AP Photo) According to National Guard, about 5,000 Louisiana National Guard members have been activated to assist with relief and rescue efforts. In addition to 195 high-water vehicles and 73 rescue boats staged across south Louisiana, the Louisiana National Guard has 34 helicopters ready to support search and rescue missions as needed. President Joe Biden on Sunday night declared a major disaster, ordering federal assistance to bolster recovery efforts. 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 added. The National Hurricane Center said in an update late on Monday that heavy rain and a flood threat will continue to spread across parts of the Tennessee and Ohio Valley overnight into Tuesday. Li Hai and The Associated Press contributed to this report. San Diego County Board of Supervisors Declares COVID Misinformation a Public Health Crisis The San Diego County Board of Supervisors became the first county in the nation to declare COVID-19 misinformation a public health crisis on Aug. 31, and it intends to create methods to combat it. The board passed a resolution with a 32 voteintroduced by Chairman Nathan Fletcher in response to a slowing-down of vaccination rateswhich the resolution claims is due to alleged misinformation. Combating health misinformation needs to start on the ground, in counties and cities across our nation, Fletcher said in a Sept. 1 statement. San Diego County took the first step by becoming the first local jurisdiction in the country to align its policies with the U.S. Surgeon Generals recommendations to fight health misinformation. Health misinformation is a national crisis and it requires all of us to fight against it together. The resolution will commit county resources to work with trusted stakeholders to aggressively counter misinformation in our community and engage in outreach based on best practices, which are based on the strategies cited by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy. San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, a Republican, says the resolution discourages free speech and that the facts of the pandemic are apt to change over time, making it difficult to always determine which information is correct. To me, [the pandemic] has been evolving over time, and no one has been 100 percent right on any of it, Desmond told The Epoch Times. The fact that all of the sudden you want to declare what is the right information and what is misinformation, to me is a reach because nobody has been always correct on this. People walk along the sidewalk near the Port of San Diego, Calif., on March 27, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) I really think it affects free speech, because going out and getting a second opinion or even questioning authority isnt riskier. It seems like what they want to do is say At this point in time, we know everything there is to know, and anything thats not what were telling you is misinformation. In response to first amendment concerns, Supervisor Fletcher issued a statement saying he supports the first amendment, but that the misinformation must be stopped. Health misinformation about COVID-19 is causing people to die and contributing significantly to our struggles with the Delta variant, Fletcher said. I fully support the first amendment, and peoples right to say and believe what they want, but we also have the right and responsibility to call out things that are objectively false, he said. The pervasiveness of health misinformation was on full display at our Board of Supervisors meeting a couple of weeks ago, and we have an obligation to make sure we are defending the science and pushing back on the non-science. Part of the resolution includes identifying and labeling health misinformation and disseminating timely health information to counter the misinformation, modernizing public health communications to better understand gaps in health information, expanding research efforts to better define and understand the sources of health misinformation, and documenting and tracing its costs and negative impacts. The resolution also creates a website in partnership with the medical community to serve as a central resource for combating health misinformation in our community. Desmond said he has heard that many San Diego County residents are worried about their right to free speech and freedom to question authority. He also said that instead of blaming others for alleged misinformation, the county should focus on how they can get their message out better regarding the vaccine. We have to better deliver the correct information now instead of blaming others for misinformation, he said. Desmond said it would be better to concentrate on zip codes where there are fewer people vaccinated and try to get the right message that we want to get out now with the information we have today, instead of pointing the finger and blaming other people for misinformation. Should Universities Cancel Critical Race Theory? Commentary There are numerous politicians who fervently wish critical race theory (CRT) to besquelched, cancelled, and ignored. This mostly pertains to elementary and high schools. I take no position on this whatsoever. My task is to assess the propriety of CRT being discussed, debated, talked about, and taught at colleges and universities. For example, Idaho is in the process of prohibiting the teaching of this theory at its institutions of higher learning (pdf). What is CRT? It can be defined, by proponents and opponents alike, as the claim that the United States is systematically racistsome say irredeemably so; others deny this. Whites (and Asians?) are in positions of power; they use this situation to exploit, oppress, and offend blacks and browns. Sometimes these rights violations are purposeful and explicit, as in the case of out-and-out prejudice and bigotry. But more often its an implicit part and parcel of institutions that ostensibly have nothing to do with race; for example, mathematics, science in general, ACT and SAT exams, chess, and baroque music. Offenses can be microaggressions where both sides are even unaware of the insult. Its one of the goals of CRT to make us all aware of these bellicosities. As such this doctrine is similar to Marxism. That theory was based on economic categories: the bourgeois encroach upon the proletariat, instead of one or several races upon others. So should institutions of higher learning allow CRT into their hallowed halls? John Stuart Mill had this to say about free speech and by extension academic freedom in his excellent On Liberty: He who knows only his own side of the case, knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them. But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side; if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion. If CRT is banned from universities, students and professors will not be able to wrestle with this doctrine. They may read up about it (the politically correct wokesters have not, at least not of yet, succeeded in any actual book burning), but the scholar will still be deprived of hear[ing] them from persons who actually believe them; who defend them in earnest, and do their very utmost for them. [The scholar] must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form. No, CRT should not be canceled at university: Sunlight is the best disinfectant. The usual objection to the foregoing is, Well, we dont allow discussion of the flat earth hypothesis. But we should. We should not ban discussion on or debate over anything in universities devoted to seeking out truth, wherever it lies. Of course, advocates of this view will be pulverized in any open and fair debate, as should be the case, but thats entirely another matter. And this applies to Holocaust denial, which is actually outlawed in Canada and several European countries. Nothing should be off the table insofar as learning, teaching, and discussing, is concerned. Nothing. But theres one caveat in the view of some. Some but not all CRT advocates engage in what is a closed system. They insist that some of their students, based on race, admit to unfair privilege. They maintain that denial of CRT doctrines is per se racist, and should not be tolerated. Students should not be treated in any such fashion. On the other hand, and theres another hand here, Freudians have often maintained that to deny their perspective is tantamount to partaking in psychological debilitation: Only sick people can deny the insights of Sigmund Freud. This is fully analogous to the claim that only racists can reject the teachings of CRT. Should we ban the teachings of Freud in an institution devoted to uncovering truth? Hardly. Well, then not CRT either. It cannot be denied that the objections of the CRTists to being cancelled come with particular ill grace from them. For they are the same woke folk who wish to do this to the views of conservatives and libertarians. They dont much like it when the shoe is on the other foot. We should ignore this hypocrisy on their part, and instead follow John Stuart Mill in this matter. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Gold Coast residents are seen with their backs turned to the Gold Coast City Council during a Silent Protest at Bundall on the Gold Coast, Australia, on Aug. 31, 2021. Pro-Choice protests have been carried out in dozens of locations in all states and territories, borne out of opposition towards mandatory vaccinations for authorised workers including truck drivers from 12 local government areas in Sydney. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) Silent Protests Across Australia Against COVID-19 Lockdowns, Several Arrested Thousands of Australians frustrated with COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccine mandates mobilised across the country on Tuesday for planned mostly peaceful and silent protests in front of government buildings. A flyer circulating on Telegram stated, Enough is enough, and called for silent protests in multiple Australian and New Zealand jurisdictions to begin at 9 a.m.: No signs. No speeches. No noise. It accused the governments of both countries of being abusive and called for citizens to stand up. Videos and images circulating online showed protestors standing in front of local government buildings in silence. A man is detained by members of Victoria Police during a protest near Government House in Melbourne, Australia, on Aug. 31, 2021. (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images) A man is detained by members of Victoria Police during a protest near Government House in Melbourne, Australia, on Aug. 31, 2021. (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images) The protests drew participation from people not only in Australias capital cities but across regional areas, with protests in areas as remote as Nambour, Gympie, and Noosa in Queensland; remote mining town Coober Pedy in South Australia; and Mullumbimby and Moruya in New South Wales (NSW). Protests were also recorded in the Australian Capital Territory, Western Australia, and New Zealand. In Queenslands capital, Brisbane, state MPs were locked inside the Parliament building over fears protestors might break in. A general view of people gathering outside Parliament House during an anti-lockdown protest in Brisbane, Australia, on Aug. 31, 2021. (AAP Image/Russell Freeman) NSW, Australias most populous state, recorded 79 different protests. According to NSW Police figures, 153 arrests were made, and 573 fines were issued for breaches of the states public health orders. NSW Police deployed 900 officers to monitor protests and conduct high-visibility patrols. Regional protests were held in Orange, Dubbo, Grafton, Shellharbour, Mudgee, Uralla, Glen Innes, Inverell, and Tamworth in the states west. Further arrests were made in the Sydney-based council areas of Blacktown, Sutherland, Hills, Canada Bay, Waverley, Fairfield, and Liverpool. Police also broke up protests in front of Parliament House and Government House. Three officers suffered minor injuries following interactions with protestors at Lismore, Murwillumbah, and Raymond Terrace. NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon told reporters that many of the protests were made up of a handful of people. Weve made it very clear in previous weeks the police are not opposed to free speech, but we are opposed to activity that breaches the public health order and puts the community in danger, Lanyon said. Barbara White speaks to media during an anti-lockdown protest in Martin Place in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 31, 2021. (Brook Mitchell/Getty Images) NSW Police Western Region Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie said protesters were disregarding the safety of their communities. I dont think its a sign that were losing the community as such. These people would be protesting, any day of the week, on any number of issues. Its just so irresponsible, McKechnie told reporters. Federal Labor MP Michelle Rowland wrote on Twitter, Today, our men and women in blue are putting their health and safety at risk as anti-lockdown protesters selfishly swarm the streets across Sydney. The latest activity followed a protest on Monday that saw truck drivers block a major highway in the state of Queensland causing traffic to back up for several kilometres. End all lockdowns, people go back to work, and kids go back to school, truck driver Brock told Nines Today show. Thats all we want out of it; weve had enough of it. 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. Over the past few months, more Australians have expressed discontent with tough COVID-19 restrictions, including an Aug. 21 protest that was attended by thousands across major metropolitan centres in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, and Coolangatta-Tweed Heads. 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, NSW shed 200,000 small business employees, 64,000 medium-sized business workers, and 12,000 large business workers. U.S. Forces, under the command of Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue, Commander 82d Airborne, refuel the Ark Salus Private Air Carrier Afghan Rescue Boeing 737 on its maiden voyage at Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 22, 2021. (Ark Salus) Situation in Afghanistan A High Tension, High Panic, Anne Frank-Like Environment: Rescue Mission Leader As news reports spread the word that the United States has officially ended its military presence in Afghanistan, one member of a group of former special operations warriors reminds the world of the terror faced by those the federal government has left behind. This is 1936 Germany Gestapo meets the Hunger Games, Peter Quinn, director of Ark Salus, told The Epoch Times. It is a high tension, high panic, Anne Frank-like environment. On Monday, Quinn provided his on-the-ground assessment of the situation in Afghanistan as of Sunday. The whole Khorasan initiative is very disturbing for Afghan self-determination, Quinn told WION regarding the U.S. military air strike in Kabul on Sunday. No matter who is trying to lead the country, no matter who is trying to form a sovereign state, the ISIS-K, Khorasan initiative, is no good for anyone in the area. Its not good for Iran. Its not good for Afghanistan. Its not good for Pakistan or India. If anything, it will eliminate any opportunity, any hopes and dreams for a tripartite free trade zone between Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan one day. And this is crucial for interstate cooperation and for the future. On July 30, Quinn said Gen. Ziarmal of the Afghan Special Mission Wing contacted Ark Salus through his trusted leads Colonel Belal Kohistani and Colonel Zakaria Oria. He was pleading for help in any capacity for Quinn to try to get the willing family members of Special Mission Wing and the family of General Command of Police Special Units, out of Afghanistan and to safety. Quinn told The Epoch Times it only took three days to scramble together the names of 1,165 people, men, women, and children. They called it their Schindlers List. The Taliban took Kabul by force quickly, Quinn recounted. The intelligence community really underestimated it. Predicting in his own mind that Kabul would fall by 1, October, Quinn said that even he was surprised by the speed with which the Taliban took control. But, unlike anyone else out there, Quinn noted, we werent reactive. We were proactive. We began our mission plan to get our operation ready well before the Taliban took Kabul. We were positioned in a relationship of advantage. We had direct lines of communication established with our former Afghan colleagues. We had our 501(c)(3) filed and we had our entire operation brokered by and through the Afghan leadership. So, when chaos consumed the capital, we were ready. Department of State Representatives move with haste loading American citizens onto Ark Salus Boing 737s, the special private air carrier to Ark Salus at Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 22, 2021. (Courtesy of Ark Salus) My fellow Afghans, their wives and children are in hiding every day, Quinn said ahead of the Aug. 31 self-imposed deadline withdrawal date, describing how some women associated with the friendly Afghan forceswives, sisters, and other family membershavent left their homes in over two weeks. According to Quinn, they are moving from house-to-house and place-to-place to evade the highly organized door-to-door manhunt being executed by the Taliban for people on their wanted list. Ark Salus Ark Salus is a group of private Americans and former U.S. Special Operations advisers working to rescue people from Afghanistan. The Ark Salus website describes the group as being driven by a moral obligation to assist and protect the Afghans who assisted and protected us. With our experience and logistical capabilities, Ark Salus is positioned to fulfill our duty and mission to safeguard Afghans, their families and rescue them from Kabul. We will bring them to safety just as they brought safety to U.S. service members for two decades. As a member of the United States Army, Quinn served 14 years of active duty in five combat deployments in Afghanistan. The majority of those missions were spent working with the Afghans in the Special Mission Wing, as well as in the general command of police special units. According to his profile on the Arc Salus website, Quinn is a former UH-60 Blackhawk, C-12 Beechcraft King Air, and Mi-17 Russian Helicopter Pilot as well as assessed and trained as a former strategic human intelligence collector in what is known, unclassified, as the Great Skill Program. These are elite national mission units, Quinn explained. They call them The Triples; Triple Seven, Triple Two, Triple Three, and Triple Four. These are units that are not part of the Afghan National Army. They are special forces units that have been carefully cultivated since 2003 by the British SAS (Special Air Service), the British Special Boat Service, Australian Second Commando Regimen, United States Special Forces, and United States Special Operations Aviation. Theyre unique in that they are intermarried within the units to transcend tribal and ethnic lines of divisions and to foster loyalty to each other, the commander, and to the central government of Afghanistan. I got to know these men on a deeply, personal level beyond the business of conducting war, Quinn shared. I got to know their families, we broke bread together and we saved each others lives in battle many times. Shohna ba Shohna, we say, which is shoulder to shoulder, weve stood. So, when we saw the devolution of Afghanistan coming with the Taliban movement and ISIS-K, we were very concerned, myself and a couple of other former special operations friends. So I would say as early as June, I said weve got to do something about this and we need to be able to help our men focus on the fight. Maybe we can get their families out so they can focus on the mission. Acting as a humanitarian operation as private American citizens, the website describes of its operationdubbed On Wings of Eaglesas focused on immediate rescue action plans and working with international organizations to place, care, and safeguard our Afghan families, especially key Afghan players within the Afghan Government, Elite Commando Units, and select Intelligence support cells. One of my Afghan commandos remained behind even though he let his family go on one of our escape routes through Pakistan, Quinn said on Monday. He has just been discovered by the Taliban today. We were just notified that he had to ditch his phone Hell come back on the surface later. So, their time is running out, Quinn shared. They know there is going to be a mass hunt, a mass execution as soon as the Americans are off the airfield tomorrow. According to Quinn, U.S. forces have already transferred about half of the airfield security to the Turks and the Turks have already transferred about a quarter of that to the Taliban. American citizens onboard the first passenger rescue of an Ark Salus Boeing 737 at Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 22, 2021. (Courtesy of Ark Salus) So you now have a mixture of Taliban, Turkish and United States Forces controlling the Kabul Airfield, Quinn explained. You cant make this up. This is like an unheard of, historical event. The crux of it all, Quinn added is these Afghans, who have given everything to America in high risk, extreme operations for years since 2003, are now being left to fend for themselves. Asked what he sees happening the day after the Aug. 31 deadline, Quinn did not hesitate to speak of the Afghan commandos who have already been risking their lives and those of their families to help the Americans. The Taliban already have the original addresses for the ones most sought after on their list, Quinn said pointedly. They will go drag them out of their house and kill them in the street. But this is something I have discussed with my Afghans, Quinn said, and thats why they keep changing homes. Its important that Operation Northern Lights kicks off as soon as possible. But I have to finish funding it. Asked who he blames for the humanitarian crisis that has the whole world sitting on the edge of their collective seats, Quinn demurred. With our mission, I stay out of politics, he prefaced, our mission is a humanitarian mission. Its not partisan. But as a private American citizen? This is a bipartisan problem. Asked if there was any hope for those still waiting for a way out, Quinn expressed certainly. Yes there is, he assured. Ark Salus, he specified. Were doing it ourselves. Were getting the people out. In fact, Quinn said he just got a final tally from his chief of operations. By [Tuesday], Quinn assured, we will have almost 1,000 Afghan family members out to safety. Asked if there was a message he would like to pass on to anyone in the world, Quinn did not hesitate. Dear Mr. President, he began. We have a moral obligation to our people. We can still achieve the long game, which is vital to U.S. national interest and Afghan self-determination. But it doesnt have to be at the expense of these men and women who have given all. Asked if there was a message he would like to send to those still hiding in fear and awaiting word of safe passage or a knock on the door, Quinn was resolute. Stay Strong, Quinn prayed. God is with you. I am with you. I am your servant and I will never give up and I will never quit. One day, we will have a BBQ together in my backyard and well enjoy an iced tea and laugh about this. Bags of heroin, some laced with fentanyl, are displayed before a press conference regarding a major drug bust, at the office of the New York Attorney General, in New York on Sept. 23, 2016. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) State Department Offers Millions for Information on Chinese Fentanyl Trafficker An award of up to $5 million is being offered by the U.S. State Department for information regarding a Chinese fentanyl trafficker. Zhang Jian, 42, a key leader of a transnational criminal organization that manufactured fentanyl and fentanyl analogs from at least four known labs in China, advertised illicit drugs on the internet to customers in the United States and Canada, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The drugs are alleged to have caused the overdose deaths of four individuals in North Carolina, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Oregon in 2014 and 2015, according to a 2017 federal indictment (pdf). During the two years, five individuals in North Carolina and Oregon sustained serious bodily injuries as well. Zhangs organization began to operate in about January 2013, prosecutors said. Since that time, it has allegedly sent thousands of orders of fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and other illicit drugs, as well as pill presses, stamps, or dies used to shape drugs into pills. Those items were shipped out through the mail or international parcel delivery services. Zhang, also known as Hong Kong Zaron, was indicted with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and fentanyl analogs and other related counts in 2017. He faced additional charges, including international money laundering conspiracy in a 2018 superseding indictment (pdf). In April 2018, the U.S. Treasury Department froze Zhangs U.S. assets and sanctioned his biotechnology company Zaron Bio-Tech (Asia) Limited. The company, which was registered in Hong Kong but operated in China, was allegedly used by Zhang to facilitate the unlawful importation of fentanyl and other controlled substances into the United States. The $5 million bounty, offered by the State Departments Transnational Organized Crimes Rewards Program, seeks information that will lead to Zhangs location, arrest, or conviction, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in an Aug. 30 statement. To date, the State Department has paid more than $135 million in rewards. We hope that this reward will encourage those with valuable information to contact DEA to bring Mr. Zhang to justice, La Verne Hibbert, acting special agent in charge at DEA Miami Field Division, said in a statement. This is an example of the commitment DEA has to working w/ LE partners to dismantle drug trafficking orgs & keeping communities safe. This reward will encourage those w/ info to contact #DEA to bring Zhang to justice, said Acting Chief Hibbert @StateDept https://t.co/i1AYCBUwvF pic.twitter.com/pSK6gbPJXp DEAMiami (@DEAMIAMIDiv) August 30, 2021 Zhangs case underscores Americas drug epidemic. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 93,331 U.S. residents died from a drug overdose in 2020, with 69,170 of them involving synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl. Fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more powerful than heroin, according to the CDC. In 2019, the Chinese regime introduced a ban on fentanyl and its analogs. However, the U.S.China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) found in its report published on Aug. 24 that China has continued to be the primary country of origin for illicit fentanyl trafficked into the United States. The USCC report also noted that Chinese traffickers are known to export fentanyl precursors to Mexican drug cartels, who then make the drug and move it to the United States. Chinese money launderers have also aided the cartels in their criminal operations. In April, a Chinese national was sentenced to 14 years for laundering tens of millions of dollars in drug money for Latin American cartels. In early August, another Chinese national was given a seven-year sentence for running a money-laundering network spanning several countries. Several Canadian and U.S. nationals were also charged in connection to Zhangs organization, according to the 2018 superseding indictment. Four of Zhangs Chinese associatesChu Na, Chu Yeyou, Liu Cuiying, and Zhang Kepingwere also charged. The DEA stated on Aug. 30 that some of the U.S. nationals have been sentenced to 20 years to life imprisonment. Prosecutors alleged that Zhang and other co-defendants used cryptocurrency and offshore accounts to conceal their financial transactions. They also used encrypted communication and aliases to mask their identity. If convicted, Zhang would face life imprisonment and $12.5 million in fines, prosecutors said. Protesters hold placards with messages that read reject red media and safeguard the nation's democracy during a rally against pro-China media in Taipei on June 23, 2019. (Hsu Tsun-hsu / AFP) Taiwan Launches News Platform For Westerners as Beijing Steps Up Propaganda Efforts Taiwan launched the first international streaming platform on Aug. 30 to reach the English-speaking world, as Beijing continues pushing propaganda campaigns on the world stage. Our story deserves to be told by Taiwanese voices, said the president of the self-ruled island, describing the launch as an exciting new initiative. Government-funded TaiwanPlus will broadcast online the latest local news, international affairs, culture, and technology, targeting English speakers for the first time, according to a Monday press release distributed by Business Wire. TaiwanPlus funding comes at a time when China is increasingly active in English-language media, putting across the ruling Communist Partys views to the West, especially via the regimes overseas English mouthpiece media CGTN (China Global Television Network). Taiwan needed a platform to highlight to the world the islands aspirations to contribute to the international community, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said in a recorded message for the opening ceremony at a Taipei museum. Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang said the launch allows the world to more easily see Taiwan. Taiwan has been a de facto independent country for more than seven decades, with its own military, democratically-elected government, and constitution. Yet the Chinese regime claims the island as its own and has been pinching Taiwans international presence. Taiwan participated as an observer in the World Health Assembly, the World Health Organizations decision-making body, from 2009 to 2016 until the country was barred in 2017 because of Beijings objections. In 2018, Beijing demanded that foreign companies list Taiwan as a part of China on their websites drop-down menus, BBC reported. Companies that failed to cooperate, from airlines to clothing brands, would be blocked from doing business with China. China has also carried out maneuvers in waters and airspaces, and routine military drills, and jet incursions near the island. Taiwans Legislative Speaker You Si-kun said during the opening: For a long time, the Chinese Communists have been squeezing Taiwans international space and creating a false image of Taiwan, leading to the diplomatic challenges Taiwan now faces. 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 Chinas rise. The new streaming platform is available on its website and social media platforms, such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Reuters contributed to this report. Taliban extremists stand guard inside the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the U.S. withdrawal in Kabul, Afghanistan on Aug. 31, 2021. (Kathy Gannon/AP Photo) Taliban Declare Victory in Afghanistan as American Forces Pull Out The Taliban on Tuesday celebrated the departure of U.S. military forces by shooting in the air at the Kabul airport and declaring victory. Video footage posted online showed members of the Taliban, designated by many federal agencies as a terrorist organization, entering the airport armed with U.S. rifles and gear. It came just moments after the Americans carried out their final evacuation flight, with the U.S. Central Commands Gen. Frank McKenzie announcing the official end of the 20-year-long conflict. It is a historical day and a historical moment, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told a news conference at the airport, according to the Reuters news agency. We are proud of these moments, that we liberated our country from a great power. Known as the graveyard of empires by some, Afghanistan has been a notoriously difficult region to conquer and control. The Soviet Union waged a war for years in the 1980s only to be rebuffed by mujahideen fighters who were being supplied by Western forces, including the United States. Before, the British Empire in the mid-19th century attempted to capture the rugged country and were defeated and forced to retreat what is known now as the Disaster in Afghanistan. Although it succeeded in driving the Taliban from power and stopped Afghanistan from being used by al-Qaeda as a base to attack the United States, it ended with the terror group controlling more territory than when they last ruled. Observers are now watching to see how the Taliban, which enforced a strict interpretation of Shariah Law from 1996 to 2001, rules over the Afghan populace. Meanwhile, inside Afghanistan, a few hundred Americans remain, according to McKenzie, who delivered a speech on the withdrawal on Monday afternoon ET. Taliban terrorists walk in front of a military airplane a day after the U.S. troop withdrawal from Hamid Karzai International Airport n Kabul, Afghanistan on Aug. 31, 2021. (Stringer/Reuters) We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out. But I think if we stayed another 10 days, we would not get everybody out that we wanted to get out, he said. And for Afghans who want to leave the country, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday that the Kabul airport has to be kept open. Its essential to keep the airport open, both to enable humanitarian aid to the Afghan people and also to make sure that we can continue to get people outthose who wished to, but were not able to be part of the military evacuation, he told AFP news agency. We will not forget them. President Joe Biden set an Aug. 31 deadline to complete the withdrawal, although his administration has received significant blowback over how the pullout was handled, with many questioning the presidents leadership ability during a time of crisis. Last week, a terrorist bombing at the Kabul airport claimed by ISIS-K killed at least 13 American soldiers and many more Afghans, raising concerns about the regional security threat posed by the group. Also of concern are the billions of dollars of U.S. weapons, vehicles, and equipment that were captured by the Taliban during its days-long offensive across Afghanistan. About a week ago, several senators sent a request for an audit of the Department of Defense (DOD) after seeing Taliban forces capturing several U.S. Black Hawk helicopters. Footage uploaded online on Monday appeared to show a Taliban-commissioned Black Hawk helicopter hanging an individual by the throat in Kandahar Province. The Epoch Times couldnt verify its authenticity. There will not be a U.S. diplomatic presence on the ground in Afghanistan for now, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a Sunday interview. Reports have indicated that the U.S. Embassy for Afghanistan will be located in Doha, Qatar. Reuters contributed to this report. Chinese police patrol as tourists walk in a busy shopping area during the final day of the Golden Week holiday in Beijing on Oct. 8, 2020. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) The Chinese Coronavirus Origin Charade Commentary The intelligence communitys (IC) recently declassified non-assessment of the origins of the Chinese coronavirus should be seen as part of a continued charade by the Biden administration thatin effectprotects communist China. It enables Team Biden to present the appearance of concern over Chinas malign behavior while absolving itself of any responsibility to forthrightly confront it. More than a year and a half after the coronavirus began spreading, the IC declared that it remains divided on the most likely origin of COVID-19. All agencies assess that two hypotheses are plausible: natural exposure to an infected animal and a laboratory-associated incident. This conclusion seemed almost preordained. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a highly reminiscent statement on May 27, just after President Joe Biden called for the 90-day review into the origins of the coronavirus, asserting, The U.S. Intelligence Community does not know exactly where, when, or how the COVID-19 virus was transmitted initially but has coalesced around two likely scenarios: either it emerged naturally from human contact with infected animals or it was a laboratory accident. As then, in the final assessment, different agencies gave different weights to these hypotheses. The IC claimed it couldnt provide a more definitive conclusion without better clinical samples and the like, and that Chinas cooperation most likely would be needed to reach a conclusive assessment. Interestingly, but perhaps unsurprisingly, the IC was only unequivocal on the most provocative thesis regarding the origin of the coronavirus: We judge the virus was not developed as a biological weapon. Chinese officials, per the IC, had no foreknowledge of the virus before the initial outbreak of COVID-19 emerged. The report, in short, generated precisely the answer one would have expected from increasingly hyper-politicized bureaucracies keen to hedge on vital questionsand likely even more so given the geopolitical implications at playwhen seeking out sensitive information from a closed country in which they lack visibility, where they have frequently found themselves blindsided, and on which they have allegedly gone soft in the recent past. Occams razor suggests Biden got exactly the review one would have expected, and therefore that he would have wanted. We may never fully know why the lab leak thesis became politically correct months after officials across the federal government, in the medical field, and media had gone to such great lengths to pooh-pooh it. But we know that this created a political issue for the Biden administration after it had punted the origin question originally to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-dominated World Health Organization (WHO) for a futile Potemkin inquiry, and reports surfaced that it had quashed a Secretary of State Mike Pompeo-directed investigation into the matter. The IC review was a necessary sideshow. Why? Because in the final analysis, how the coronavirus came about is of secondary importance to what China did once it was literally or figuratively out of the bottle. Yes, the lab leak thesis is more than plausible based on a mass of circumstantial evidence, including that cataloged by the Secretary Pompeo-led State Department, the writings of prominent scientists and science journalists, and a House Republican-led report on the origins of the coronavirus. The presidents statement subsequent to the release of the IC review that We will do everything we can to trace the roots of this outbreak so that we can take every necessary precaution to prevent it from happening again though banal and toothless, is fine insofar as prudence demands learning from catastrophes. But set aside how the coronavirus came about. We know it came from China. We know the CCP silenced whistleblowers who might have had valuable knowledge and insight into the coronavirus that could have saved lives (and certainly, including those associated with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, where we know China engaged in dangerous gain-of-function researchone of the only places in the world where such work is conductedthat could very well have resulted in COVID-19). We know it lied about human-to-human transmission. We know it shut down internal travel but permitted Chinese citizens to fly all over the world and encouraged other nations not to halt such travel. We know it hoarded personal protective equipment and then sold shoddy versions of it to peoples worldwide. We know it pressed the WHO to push its favored narrativesincluding casting anyone who dared finger China for the coronaviruss spread as racist and bigoted. We know its mouthpiece threatened to plunge America into the mighty sea of coronavirus by withholding vital drugs as the crisis metastasized. We know it sought to stymie investigations into the coronaviruss origins at every turn. We know it aimed to take advantage of the pandemic in service of its hegemonic ambitions in myriad ways, from the very start of the pandemic. One could rattle off infinitely more such points. But the bottom line is this: The CCP lied, deceived, and in effect weaponized the coronavirus that began on its soil. It did everything possible to conceal what was transpiring subsequent to the outbreak, stop other nations from taking necessary precautionsbut advocating they shut down human life for months on endand encourage its spread globally, which it has tried to exploit and leverage at every point to increase its power and influence. The Biden administration has never made this point clearthat a hostile China weaponized the virus and used it to pursue its ambitions. Consequently, it has never vowed to make China pay for it. And this in turn substantiates the point that the Biden administrations punting of the question of the origin of the coronavirus to the intelligence community was part of a charade. The review was the best the Biden administration could do if it wanted to create the impression of holding China to account out of political necessity, without doing anything about it. And remember who the Biden administrations core constituency is: The elite. Elites in government who have egg on their face over the gain-of-function research they funded by proxy at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and who again refused to investigate the lab leak thesis when smoking guns may still have been hot; elites in the medical field who appear to have been influenced by China into ignoring or dismissing the lab leak thesisthat Big Tech even banned talk of; elites in the business community, who are wedded to trading with China forever no matter the CCPs evils; and elites in the media who themselves are complicit in refusing to investigate the coronaviruss origins, and often running CCP-favorable coronavirus propaganda. This is to say nothing of Bidens well-documented kowtowing to communist China for nearly 50 years, made all the more disturbing and dangerous given the business activities of son Hunter and other family members. The losers of this charade are the American people, who are seeing China once again appeased by their leaders, which will only invite further aggression. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. The Silence of the Professors Commentary Recently there appeared a rousing Statement of Non-Compliance with Mandatory Vaccination in Canadian Universities by Maximilian Forte, professor of sociology at Concordia University (Forte also joined with others to publish an op-ed in the Toronto Sun against vaccine passports). Fortes online statement calls on university personnel across the country, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, to refuse to comply with their universities recent mandate that all students, staff, and instructors provide proof of vaccination in order to work on campus. At present, a large and growing number of Canadian universities have implemented vaccine policies, while those that havent are coming under pressure by their own faculty to do so. Perhaps Fortes words can awaken the slumbering consciences of at least some of his fellow professors. A vaccine mandate, Forte says, makes little sense as a public health measure, having no scientifically indisputable role in reducing COVID-19 transmission (in fact, countries, such as Israel, with the highest rates of vaccination, are currently experiencing increasing COVID-19 cases) and the mandate is in direct violation of various employment and human rights laws (as well as of the Nuremberg Code). In particular, Forte points out, coercing healthy people into being vaccinated negates the principle of voluntary informed consent not only because consent cannot be mandated, by definition but also because members of the university community, some of them not even of legal drinking age, havent been advised of the adverse effects, including serious medical complications and even death, that can result from the vaccines. At universities claiming to place a high value on research ethics, this indifference to informed consent is deeply unsettling. Forte explains further that the vaccine mandate is discriminatory, irrationally punitive (in that the unvaccinated pose no greater threat of passing on the virus than the vaccinated), and a violation of human dignity. It will stigmatize already marginalized individuals while denying individual bodily autonomy. For Forte, faculty members response to their universities coercive measure will be, for most Canadian faculty, the first if not the only real test of their integrity and dignity, and their purpose as scholars and intellectuals. It is absolutely essential that they not fail this test from the start. Thus far, alas, the silence of the professors speaks volumes. While a few valiant individuals, such as University of Guelph viral immunologist Dr. Bryam Bridle and University of Saskatchewan professor of surgery Francis Christian, among others, have placed their careers and reputations on the line, the vast majority of professors have been unwilling or feel unable to speak out against the dictates of the Big Pharma-led political and media establishment. If universities admitted upfront that their faculty members are merely elite state functionaries with aristocratic leanings, one could understand their quiescence. On the contrary, however, academics continually tout their alleged wider commitments in glowing rhetoric, claiming to fight for social justice (one can even get a degree in diversity and social justice studies), defend the marginalized, and speak truth to power. The typical stance of the dissident academic has been for many years that intellectuals should question everything, especially widely accepted views and values, everything that has become normality. Academics frequently defend the significance of their work by claiming to analyze, investigate, and illuminate how oppressive power structures operate, and how dominant narratives come to be seen as the only possible truth. Students looking at the website of the University of Ottawa (one of the first universities to implement the vaccine policy), for example, are invited to join a community of bold, caring and engaged people that, as University of Ottawa President Jacques Fremont affirms, hunger to tackle big problems, to disrupt, and to shape transformative solutions with an urgent sense of purpose. Yet for over a year and a half, with no concerted opposition from these same bold academics, a relatively innocuous virus, not lethal to the vast majority of the working-age populationand posing almost zero threat to people under 30has been made the rationale for the suspension of Canadians rights in the form of widespread (and unevenly applied) lockdowns, restrictions on gatherings, business closures, church closures, denial of the right to peaceful protest, and ever-changing limitations on personal liberty, often brutally enforced through fines and arrests, all of them of dubious efficacy in saving lives. The imposition of passports separating the vaccinated from the unvaccinatedwith all of the attendant fear-mongering, social division, and scapegoatingwould seem an ideal occasion for academic analyses from a variety of social, cultural, religious, legal, medical, and scientific angles, as well as for robust criticism and active resistance. The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT), the largest national body of Canadian academics, hasnt encouraged its members to resist. CAUT claims to represent 72,000 members as an outspoken defender of academic freedom with the mission to advance the social and economic interests of its members. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it organized workshops exploring the challenges for teachers of online learning, addressing concerns about privacy, academic freedom, and intellectual property. On the subject of vaccines, however, it has so far chosen to speak with a single, highly state-compliant voice. A few weeks ago, CAUT endorsed mandatory campus vaccination policies. Such policies are justified, according to CAUT Executive Director Peter Robinson, so long as human rights accommodations are followed; if the unvaccinated are accommodated through masking, physical distancing, or working or studying from home; and if all legal privacy issues are fully respected. The position is almost laughably incoherent. Vaccines would not be in fact mandatory if unvaccinated persons could freely operate on campus merely by following masking and social distancing guidelines (and, notably, universities published vaccine policies dont allow for regular exceptions). How working or studying from home can possibly be accommodated at a time when the whole point of mandatory vaccines is to enable a return to on-campus instruction isnt explained in the directors statement; nor how legal privacy issues can be respected at a time when proof of vaccination is mandatory. Is there no CAUT member with medical, ethical, philosophical, legal, or employment-related concerns about the vaccine mandate? None, it seems, who is given a voice through CAUT. CAUT has also singly failed to support or even express dismay over university professors harassed or disciplined as a result of their expressed opposition to vaccines, including Francis Christian, professor of surgery, who was suspended by the University of Saskatchewan for circulating a letter expressing his objection to the vaccination of children. The long-term effects of the COVID vaccines are unknown, as is their short- to medium-term efficacy and necessity, making it far from clear that thousands of young people should be forced into a mass vaccination experiment. In this unprecedented situation, university professors claims to stand against state and corporate hegemony, in solidarity with the marginalized, ring hollow indeed. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. 2 Years on From Hong Kongs Prince Edward 831 Attack: From Police Violence to Police State Commentary Two years ago today, the Hong Kong Police Forceif one can still call them thatran riot in the Prince Edward subway station in Hong Kong, indiscriminately attacking passengers on the metro as they sought out pro-democracy protesters. The video footage of the terror unleashed by a police force once regarded as Asias finest shocked the world, and it shocked me for several personal reasons. First, when I lived in Hong Kong for the first five years after the handover, I always regarded the Hong Kong police as not dissimilar to the British policenot perfect, but professional. I never had much reason to be in contact with them, but on the few occasions that I did, I found them civil and courteous. On a couple of occasions, I visited Pakistani asylum seekers who ended up in Tsim Sha Tsui police station cells, and I was permitted to bring them (at their request) McDonalds meals. The cops were always friendly. On a few occasions living in the city from 1997 to 2002, I asked a Hong Kong policeman for directions. At the time, I had no reason to fear or disrespect the Hong Kong police. Today, they sicken me. Today, theyve morphed into nothing more than a gang of thugs. The second reason I feel this personally is that I know Prince Edward station well. I used to pass through it often on my way to work in Kowloon Bay, when I was a journalist at the Hong Kong iMail. Its four stops beyond Tsim Sha Tsui, where I used to go every Sunday to worship at St. Andrews Church, and its just past Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok, areas where I often went with friends. And thirdly, a young activist who was beaten and arrested at Prince Edward two years ago todaynow known as Jim Wong, previously Hon Bo Sunhas become my friend. Indeed, last yearjust over a month before the first anniversary of the Prince Edward incident, known to Hongkongers as 831I met Jim as he arrived in London. We had dinner together. At the end of dinner, he asked me to take a photograph. I assumed it was for personal records only and not for publication, but he then asked me to post it on social media. He explained that people thought he was missing or dead, and he wanted to let them know he was safe. He told me to tweet: #HongKongers: I just want to tell you: Hon Bo Sun from 831 is not dead. He is alive and well. And it was a privilege to spend the evening with him today. People light candles at a tribute wall at the entrance to Prince Edward MTR station in Hong Kong, on Sept. 7, 2019. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images) For these reasons, today is an anniversary that weighs heavy in my heart. As does everything that has happened in Hong Kong since then. In the past two years, the speed and severity of the crackdown in Hong Kong has caught everyone by surprise: from the crack of the truncheon, the bang of rubber bullets and the smell and smoke of teargas at protest sites, the expulsion of democrats from the legislature, the imprisonment of politicians and activists under the draconian National Security Law, the murder of the Apple Daily, and new film censorship laws recently introduced. Hong Kongs freedoms have been dismantled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) with a speed and vigor only outstripped by the Talibans march on Kabul and the coup in Burma (also known as Myanmar) that reversed a decade of fragile political reform there overnight. Perhaps thats why Xi Jinpings regime is so quick to embrace the jihadists in Afghanistan and the generals in Naypyidaw, recognizing them as kindred spirits, peas in the same pod. Since the 831 attacks, Hong Kong has become a place of daily, permanent terror. Not necessarily always of the physical brutality seen this day two years ago, but nevertheless with a climate of fear. The permanent question is whether something you might dosomething that would in ordinary times be perfectly normal: talk to an overseas friend, speak to a foreign journalist, comment on a new policy proposal, express an opinionmight land you in jail. Thats not the Hong Kong I knew. And its not the Hong Kong that was meant to be. When Hong Kong was handed over to China, it was on the principle of one country, two systems that was proposed by Deng Xiaoping. That lasted for much of the first decade after the handover, and in the past two years has been ripped up, binned, and set on fire completely. By writing for this courageous newspaper, The Epoch Times, I know full well I will receive abuseas I did when I wrote weekly for Apple Daily, the newspaper I loved writing for every week for a year up to the week before it was killed. But I am proud to write for newspapers brave enough to stick their heads above the parapets and call out the CCP, something too few are willing to do. And I know enough Falun Gong practitioners to know that, contrary to the CCPs propaganda, they embody the principles of truthfulness, compassion and forbearancevalues that the CCP hates. Does that mean I endorse every article published by this newspaper, or every opinion articulated by Falun Gong practitioners? Of course not, in the same way, that I didnt necessarily agree with everything the Apple Daily published. But what unites us is far more profound than anything that differentiates usits a basic, fundamental belief in freedom: of expression, of religion, of thought, conscience and belief, of assembly, of association, and of the media. The freedoms for which so many in China yearnand which Hongkongers have had stolen from them. As we look around the world, we have good reason to think that freedom is on the back foot. When we look at the withdrawal from Afghanistan, we see the free world handing the people of Afghanistan over to repressive Taliban rule, after two decades of occupation that had seen big advances in womens rights and other freedoms. When we look at the crisis in Burma, we hear an ominous silence from the free world. Despite the eagerness of the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and others to embrace the democratic reforms in the country a decade ago, there is no apparent energy or will to defend those fragile freedoms in the face of a humanitarian catastrophe in Burma today. And when we look at Hong Kong, what has been done in response to a blatant betrayal of a people and of a treaty obligation? Yes, Britain has made a generous immigration offer to Hongkongers and should be applauded for that, and others have followed suit. Yes, the United States has imposed some sanctions. But what we really need is a collective effort by the free world to impose the toughest, most targeted, most robust sanctions possible on officials in Beijing and Hong Kong. This would send a message that police beating passengers on a metro at Prince Edward station is unacceptable, nor is the jailing of democrats, the silencing of civil society, the closure of a newspaper or the destruction of media freedom. Even if our leaders, for now, appear to be in retreat, let our friends in Hong Kongincluding my friend Jim Wongremind us that those who are fighting on the frontlines of freedom have not given up, and so nor should we. Let us continue to #FightforFreedom. Otherwise, well all be ruled by a police state that bashes heads at metro stops at whim. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry talks with Japanese Minister of the Environment Shinjiro Koizumi in Tokyo, Japan, August, 31, 2021. (Koji Sasahara/Pool via REUTERS) US Climate Envoy Kerry Visits China for Emissions Talks U.S. climate envoy John Kerry starts a three-day visit to China after meeting with Japanese officials in Tokyo on Aug. 31. The trip is aimed at building on commitments secured during Kerrys last visit to China in April. Kerry will meet with Xie Zhenhua, Chinas special envoy for climate change affairs, in the northern port of Tianjin City from Aug. 31 to Sep. 3, Chinas Ministry of Ecology and Environment said on Tuesday. The meeting comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing as the Biden administration seeks to form a global alliance to counter the regime over a range of aggressions from its economic coercion to its human rights abuses. Earlier this week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during a phone call with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, said that Beijings cooperation with the Biden administration on issues like climate change and Afghanistan would be dependent on Washingtons attitude toward China. The remarks echo previous statements by Chinese officials that say that cooperation on climate change will require the United States to loosen its stance towards the regime. Experts have previously told The Epoch Times that it would not be possible for the United States to cooperate with the regime on issues including climate change given the concessions Beijing wants in return. Kerry will continue to discuss key issues regarding climate change, which was outlined in the statement released after his previous visit in April, according to a statement by the U.S. State Department. In April, the two countries agreed to work together to fight against climate change after the envoys meeting in Shanghai. A joint statement released after the meeting said the two countries will continue the discussions on concrete actions in the 2020s to reduce emissions. The Biden administration has made combating climate change among its top policy agendas and brought the United States back into the Paris Climate Accord earlier this year. Chinese leader Xi Jinping, during a U.S.-led virtual global climate change summit in April, pledged that China would strictly limit increasing coal consumption in the next five years. China is the worlds largest coal-user, by far, and is continuing to build more coal-fired power stations. It is also the worlds largest emitter of greenhouse gases. Xi, during the summit, repeated the plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. The regime had announced earlier that the countrys carbon emission would reach a peak by 2030 and reduce to zero in the following 30 years. A May report found that China alone was responsible for over 27 percent of total global emissions, with the United States being a distant second at 11 percent. According to data from San Francisco-based NGO Global Energy Monitor, there were 1,082 coal-fired power stations operating in China as of January this year. Moreover, China is building 92 more stations and 135 are in the pre-construction phase. Reuters and Nicole Hao contributed to this report. The University of CaliforniaSan Diego (UCSD) will resume face-to-face classes in the fall of 2021. As the semester begins, many students struggled to find housing. The picture shows the newly completed North Torrey Pines dormitory in UCSD. (Tina Deng/The Epoch Times) UCSD Students Consider Living in Cars Due to Housing Shortage As students flock to campus, more than two thousand University of California San Diego (UCSD) students are still on the waiting list for campus housing. The school apartments near campus are so scarce, some parents of students are considering letting their children sleep in an RV as a last resort. To ensure social distancing protocols during the pandemic, UCSD canceled the three-person dormitories previously provided this year, and now only provide single and double rooms. UCSD spokesperson Leslie Sepuka told The Epoch Times via email the cancellation of the triple-bedrooms reduced about 2,000 beds. In a UCSD social media group for students living off-campus, a user posted about living in a camp van in the parking lots surrounding the campus. The author of the post said his friends son could not find accommodation when he returned to school and that his parents were considering buying him a camp van. Several parents commented on the post, indicating they are considering the same solution. Alicia Bretons son is attending his second year at UCSD. During the outbreak of COVID-19 last year, Bretons son moved back home for distance learning. He is currently looking for living accommodations when he returns to school in the fall. Breton said her son was excited to return to school in person, but finding housing was unexpectedly difficult. Were finding it extremely difficult to find something, anything, let alone something affordable, Breton told The Epoch Times. He is on the waiting list everywhere, for on-campus and off-campus, she added. Were on every waiting list for the apartment complexes and every time something gets posted he immediately responds, but you know theres 30 responses within the first five minutes so its almost like a lottery. Were hearing about students looking for RV lots; we havent found one close by. That definitely wouldnt be ideal, but were trying to find any option that we can to find him housing, Breton said. Its really a crisis right now. As of Aug. 23, there are still 2,133 UCSD students on the waitlist for on-campus housing. Among them, there are more than 1,500 undergraduates and nearly 560 postgraduates and doctoral students. According to data provided by the school on Aug. 19, among the 1,670 undergraduates waiting for on-campus accommodation, 1,268 were sophomores, and only about 70 freshmen were on the list. UCSDs New Dormitory Cant Keep Up with the Demand In addition to the cancellation of the triple bed dormitories, Breton believes the number of admissions at UCSD rising every year, coupled with the eviction moratorium mandate, also catalyzes the student housing shortage. In the past six years, the number of undergraduate students at UCSD has increased by 5,252, including 3,753 California residents, making it the branch campus with the highest undergraduate student growth in the UC system. According to Sepuka, the growth in the student body is due to a policy issued by the state in 2015, which requires the UC system to increase enrollment for students its students. Sepuka said as the number of people admitted to the university increases, the school is expanding its housing capacity accordingly. The newly completed North Torrey Pines campus last year added 2,000 beds to undergraduates, filling the beds lost in the cancellation of triple rooms this year. According to the data provided by the school, UCSD has increased the housing capacity of undergraduate students by about 5,000 beds in the 11 years since the fall of 2010, but the number of undergraduate students has increased by more than 8,300 in the same period. The growth rate of dormitory beds has not kept up with the increase in the number of students. UCSD continued to admit a record number of undergraduate freshmen this year, including 40,616 freshmen and 12,330 transfer students from community colleges in the state. However, Sepuka said that only about onequarter of admitted students accept the admissions offer and enroll. The total number of undergraduates in the fall of 2021 is about 32,000, hundreds more than last year. Sepuka said that the schools off-campus housing office and other departments are providing assistance to students facing difficulties and assisting students in finding stable housing. UCSD has partnered with four local Marriott hotels to provide transitional accommodation for students. Students can stay in double rooms with breakfast and wireless internet at a discounted rate, which costs approximately $1,785 per person per month. Tina Deng contributed to this report. A Tornado from RAF Marham's 31 Squadron takes off from Kandahar airfield, completing the Squadron's final deployment to Afghanistan, on Nov. 11, 2014. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images) UK Ready to Launch Fresh Air Strikes on ISIS in Afghanistan Britain is still able to operate in Afghanistan and will be ready to hit the ISIS terrorist group in that country, the head of the Royal Air Force has said. In an interview with The Telegraph, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston said: Ultimately, what this boils down to is that weve got to be able to play a global role in the global coalition to defeat Daesh [ISIS]whether its strike or whether its moving troops or equipment into a particular country at scale and at speed. If theres an opportunity for us to contribute, I am in no doubt that we will be ready to. That will be anywhere where violent extremism raises its head and is a direct or indirect threat to the UK and our allies, he said. Afghanistan is probably one of the most inaccessible parts of the world, and were able to operate there. Western military presence in Afghanistan ended on Monday when U.S. forces completed their withdrawal. The UK had pulled out its last remaining troops on Saturday, August 28. But the UK and its allies pledged to continue to fight the ISIS terrorist group wherever it operates, including in Afghanistan. The UK stands united with our @coalition partners in mourning those killed by Daeshs horrific attack at Kabul airport & in our unwavering collective resolve to combat Daesh networks by all means available, wherever they operate.https://t.co/BtKCfbcmyr Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) August 30, 2021 Britains Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also said that the UK stands united with coalition partners in their unwavering collective resolve to combat Daesh networks by all means available, wherever they operate. Raab made the comment after signing a joint statement on Monday, which was issued by the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS. The Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS said it strongly condemns the terrorist attack on Kabul airport on Aug. 26, in which 170 people were killed, including 13 U.S. service personnel. It is believed the attack was carried out by ISIS-K, an ISIS affiliate in Afghanistan that consists of disaffected Taliban members who hold an even more extreme view of Islam. The coalition said it will draw on all elements of national powermilitary, intelligence, diplomatic, economic, law enforcementto ensure the defeat of this brutal terrorist organization. We will continue to apply robust counterterrorism pressure against Daesh/ISIS wherever it operates, said the statement. Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab walks in Downing street in London on May 27, 2021. (Niklas Halle'n/AFP via Getty Images) UKs Raab Says Buck-Passing Briefings on Afghan Crisis Not Credible UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said that reports about him not being in contact with his counterparts in Afghanistan and Pakistan for months ahead of the Afghanistan crisis were not credible and deeply irresponsible. Raab has faced questions in recent days on whether he should have returned from holiday earlier, over emails about potential evacuees that were unanswered, the number of Afghans left behind, and his general handling of the crisis. A report in The Sunday Times, citing an unnamed Pakistani official, said that Raab had shown no interest in taking calls from either countrys government in the six months before the evacuation. Doing the rounds in the media for the first time since the accusation, Raab today suggested that he was the victim of some political blame game. He said there had been a team effort across the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office to communicate with the two countries. Raab told Sky News, Anyone that is toddling off to The Sunday Times or any other newspaper at a time of crisis, including the evacuation which has been two weeks running, giving buck-passing briefings either at me or the FCDO is, frankly, not credible and it is deeply irresponsible. Raab said that the proof of the competency of his departments handling of the crisis lay in the fact they had supported supported the evacuation of 17,000 people since April. Pressed on exactly when he had spoken to his counterparts in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Raab told LBC radio that he didnt have the information. Raabs handling of the crisis has been criticised not only by the Labour Party, but also from some prominent voices within the Conservative Party. Former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, however, described the current avalanche of criticism of Raab as childish and pathetic. A lot of the briefing against Dominic Raab is rather childish and pathetic, during the course of a crisis where you want this thing settled, he told LBC. You dont want to have a debate about whether somebody should be there or not there, as long as theyre doing their job and you want them to get on with that job. Raab will face a grilling from MPs tomorrow on his handling of the crisis when he appears before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, which is chaired by Afghanistan veteran MP Tom Tugendhat. Tugendhat has already said the committee will be holding an inquiry into the crisis. PA contributed to this report. Unprecedented Power Outage Crippled Half of NYC Subway Sunday Night A momentary power surge disrupted half of the New York City subway system for several hours and stranded hundreds of passengers, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Monday. 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 told reporters. Five of those trains were stuck between stations while carrying over 550 people who had to be evacuated through the tunnels, the governor said. The evacuation of two trains was directed by emergency personnel, while riders on two other trains left on their own, she continued, adding that the last train was re-platformed. This self-evacuation delayed the restoration of power because the rescue team had to go examine all the tracks to make sure that there were no people on them, Hochul continued. Power could have been restored by midnight but because of the passenger risk after self-evacuation, it was restored one and a half hours later, Hochul explained. The governor called the outage unacceptable: The MTA [Metropolitan Transportation Authority] is the lifeblood of the city, and a disruption of this magnitude can be catastrophic. Hochul said that she has ordered a review to determine the root cause of the service disruption to prevent it from re-occurring. I would also be clear that weve had no indication of any malicious actions that would have created the situation, and thats why I want to find out exactly what happened, she added. The power surge was triggered by a sequence of events after the citys electricity supplier, Con Edison, lost a feeder for a short period of time, which resulted in a reduction of voltage for New Yorkers, according to Hochul. At the same time, two power plants went offline, causing a momentary outage and a subsequent failover to the backup system, she said. When it tried to go back to normal, there was a surge, an unprecedented surge that resulted in the subway losing signalization and communication ability and it lost that between its command center and the trains throughout the system, the governor explained. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference that there were no injuries due to the incident. He also said the city government has been working with the MTA to investigate the disruption. Hochul, a Democrat and former lieutenant governor who took over as New York governor on Aug. 24 following the resignation of Andrew Cuomo, said that the subway service is now back to normal for the Monday morning commute. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Taliban terrorists walk in front of a military airplane a day after the U.S. troop withdrawal from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 31, 2021. (Stringer/Reuters) US Officials Defend Leaving Americans Behind in Afghanistan U.S. officials are defending the pullout of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan despite Americans remaining in the country, despite a promise from President Joe Biden. We continue our mission to get them out. Its just that it has shifted from a military mission to a diplomatic mission, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Aug. 31 on ABCs Good Morning America. And we have considerable leverage over the Taliban to ensure that any remaining American citizen will be able to get out, he added, without describing the leverage. Between 100 and 200 Americans are still in Afghanistan, according to State Department estimates. Biden, who plans to speak on Afghanistan later Aug. 31, promised on Aug. 20 that the United States would evacuate every American who wanted to leave the country. But at least some Americans who remain in the Taliban-held country said they tried to leave but werent successful. The last flight is gone and were left behind, a U.S. citizen using a moniker said late Aug. 30 on CNN. Americans who wanted to leave were forced to brave Taliban checkpoints, with some being beaten by members of the terrorist group. Some reported being blocked from passing through. Approximately 6,000 U.S. citizens were flown out between Aug. 14 and Aug. 31, but under 200, and likely close to 100 remain in Afghanistan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Aug. 30. A U.S. Air Force aircraft takes off from the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 30, 2021. (Aamir Qureshi/AFP via Getty Images) Were trying to determine exactly how many. Were going through manifests and calling and texting through our lists, and we will have more details to share as soon as possible. Part of the challenge with fixing a precise number is that there are longtime residents of Afghanistan who have American passports and who are trying to determine whether or not they wanted to leave. Many are dual citizen Americans with deep roots and extended families in Afghanistan who resided there for many years. For many, its a painful choice. Our commitment to them and to all Americans in Afghanistan and everywhere in the world continues, he said. No Americans were evacuated on the last five jets, Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr. told reporters in a separate briefing. None of them made it to the airport and were able to be accommodated, he said. U.S. officials have largely painted the evacuation mission as a success, noting that the United States flew or facilitated the evacuation of more than 123,000 civilians from the Kabul airport in 18 days. But critics say the evacuation efforts were deeply flawed, from the reliance on the Taliban to the failure to stop a bombing attack that left 13 U.S. troops dead. They say the Aug. 31 withdrawal deadline, which Biden imposed over the summer, should have been pushed back until all Americans were evacuated. President Biden told the American people: If theres American citizens left, were gonna stay to get them all out. He didnt keep his word. Hundreds of Americans are now stuck in Afghanistan at the mercy of the Taliban and ISIS-K, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. We have a commander-in-chief that literally left Americans behind, reportedly as hostages now, in the hands of the Taliban, Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) said on Newsmax. Asked why the withdrawal happened when it did, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on CNNs New Day that the militarys job is to provide options to the commander-in-chief, but its not to make policy. We dont see a military role here in helping these, these last individuals getting out. And obviously, our job is to provide the president options, but I dont foresee that thats an option right now that is going to be needed, he said. Sullivan said Biden received a unanimous recommendation from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Blinken, all of his civilian advisers, all the commanders on the ground, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff that the best way to protect our forces. And the best way to help those Americans [still in Afghanistan] was to transition this mission. At the end of the day, the question will be, did we protect those American citizens did they get out if they wanted to get out? We believe that we will get out any person who wants to get out and we will have completed that mission, he added. And those who are criticizing are not the ones who have to sit in the Situation Room and make the hard calls about the threats that we face and the objectives were trying to obtain and President Biden made that hard call and it is a call he believes will ultimately serve the interests of our people. An exterior view of the building of US Treasury Department in Washington on March 27, 2020. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images) Chinese Acquisition of Semiconductor Firm Poses Security Risks, US Treasury Warns The U.S. Treasury Department said the sale of Magnachip Semiconductor Corp. to a Chinese private equity firm poses risks to national security, as Chinese investments in critical technologies meet with enhanced U.S. scrutiny. Magnachip, a South Korean producer for display and power chips, sold its controlling stake in late March to Chinese private equity firm Wise Road Capital in an all-cash deal worth about $1.4 billion. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), the U.S. interagency panel overseen by the Treasury Department that scrutinizes foreign deals for national security implications, sent a letter to Magnachip on Aug. 27, saying it had identified risks to the national security of the United States arising as a result of the Merger and would seek President Joe Bidens decision on the issue, the company disclosed in its latest filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). CFIUS said it hadnt identified measures that adequately mitigate the identified risks. Magnachip, in its filing, said it is assessing the next steps but couldnt give an assurance that it would agree to U.S. proposals to facilitate clearance from the agency. Regulators in the United States and South Korea have both been reviewing the sale. CFIUS ordered to put the merger on pause in June as it probes the deal, a process the company expects to complete within the coming two weeks. The SEC filing didnt give details on the nature of such risks. Smaller than postage stamps, microchips are nonetheless essential in modern electronics such as cars, smartphones, computers, 5G infrastructure, and artificial intelligence, creating a source of tension between the United States and China as the two powers rival for tech dominance. While the United States is the market leader for semiconductor design and research, companies have largely outsourced their manufacturing to Asia. The pandemic-fueled global chip shortage has highlighted issues with such dependence and ignited calls for the United States to rely less on China. A new type of 300-millimeter wafer with semiconductor chips and finished microchips of the semiconductor German manufacturer Bosch is pictured in Dresden, eastern Germany on May 31, 2021. (Jens Schlueter/AFP via Getty Images) The U.S. Senate in June passed the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act to set aside $190 billion in provisions to fortify U.S. technology and research, plus $54 billion specifically to increase production of semiconductors, microchips, and telecommunication equipment. On June 29, the House also passed a version of the act and a separate bill aimed at boosting U.S. scientific competitiveness against China. Over the past few years, concerns from the U.S. security panel and U.S. presidents have caused several proposed semiconductor deals to be dropped. In 2018, the CFIUS blocked a $580 million sale of U.S. semiconductor testing company Xcerra Corp. to a Chinese state-backed semiconductor investment fund, Hubei Xinyan. In 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump blocked a Chinese-backed private equity firm from buying Lattice Semiconductor Corp., a chipmaker based in Oregon. After the Magnachip deal was announced in March, South Koreans began a petition to the government objecting to the merger. It collected 33,451 signatures in a month. Financial Information Technology Alliance (FITC), the parent company of Wise Road Capital based in Beijing, had previously expressed support for advancing Chinas local semiconductor testing industry following its September 2020 acquisition of Singaporean semiconductor testing firm, UTAC. Two dozen Chinese companies sit as board members for FITC, including Chinas biggest and partially state-owned chipmaker, SMIC. A new study raises concerns about the antibodies triggered by both COVID-19 and the vaccines. (Lightspring/Shutterstock) Why Is COVID-19 Severe for Some? New study may explain severe reactions to COVID-19 and the vaccines Are the antibodies we produce to fight COVID-19 infection causing severe disease? A new paperso new in fact that it hasnt yet been peer-reviewedfrom scientists in Hangzhou, China, appears to indicate just that. The researchers data suggests that at least two antibodies that target the spike protein that enables the COVID-19 virus to enter human cells are pathogenicmeaning these antibodies create illness all by themselves. Its hard to think of antibodiesone of the bodys best infection fightersas pathogenic, but thats exactly what happens in autoimmune disease. Antibodies that the body develops in response to foreign invaders attach to body tissues instead, sometimes causing catastrophic damage. In early 2020, Japanese researchers discovered that many COVID-19 deaths were caused by part of the bodys immune reaction. In a peer-reviewed article published in Inflammation and Regeneration, the scientists argued that it was a cytokine storm that overwhelmed the body and was implicated in the high death rates from the virus. This new Chinese study shows that yet another component of the immune system may be a danger as well. The fact that antibodies that target COVID-19s spike protein are harmful is disturbing enough, but its especially disturbing knowing that these same antibodies are likely to be triggered by COVID-19 vaccines as well as the virus. All three of the vaccines approved for emergency use by the CDC stimulate the production of antibodies against the spike proteinthe mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer, and the recombinant vector vaccine from Johnson and Johnson. Spike Protein Antibodies Attack Body Tissues The Chinese researchers suspected that some antibodies triggered by a pathogenic virus could attack body tissues. To test the hypothesis, they identified seven different COVID-19 antibodies. They then analyzed how well each of these antibodies bound to human lung cells, both healthy and damaged ones. Antibodies binding to your own tissue cells can cause autoimmune damage. As the researchers expected, two of the antibodies bound strongly to damaged lung cellsand one of those bound strongly to healthy cells as well. The researchers then injected the antibodies, as well as some combinations, into the bodies of healthy pregnant mice at three-day intervals. They wanted to see what, if any, damage the antibodies would do to the mice and their pups. Again as expected, the same two antibodies that had bound well to the human lung cells did extensive damage to the mouse pups tissues. In fact, the antibody that could bind to healthy human lung cells, REGN10987, killed nearly half the pups. This is a very troubling finding, says Zoey OToole, a vaccine safety advocate who has a background in physics and engineering and who reviewed the study carefully. It should give anyone pause, especially pregnant women. How Does SARS-CoV-2 Kill? One of the big questions about SARS-CoV-2, also known as COVID-19, is exactly how it causes serious illness in those who have died as well as in others who develop long-term symptoms. Most viruses cause short-term illness that resolves once the body has had time to develop antibodies, which appears to be the case for the majority of people who contract COVID-19. Why is it, then, that some people die after two to three weeks of illness, when their immune systems have already cleared the virus from their bodies? And why do some peopleknown as long haulershave long-term multi-organ damage that seems to have nothing to do with the virus itself? We know that no two people have identical immune responses. With COVID-19, weve also seen that those who get severely ill have higher levels of inflammatory cytokines in their blood. This is the cytokine storm that the media latched onto as an explanation for severe infectious disease. How Antibodies Create Severe Disease But elevated cytokines are only part of the picture. Researchers have long suspected an autoimmune aspect to severe COVID-19 disease as well. An article in Nature in January noted that surprisingly high percentages of people with severe disease from COVID-19 had auto-immune antibodies. These antibodies targeted the immune system itself, as well as the blood vessels, heart, and brain. Since COVID-19 was first identified, we have seen auto-immune responses worsening the effect of the disease, increasing inflammation and immune dysregulation, and sometimes increasing the activity of the virus itself. The Chinese researchers dont suggest how the antibodies damage tissues, but autoimmunity researchers have long understood that the particular proteins our antibodies lock on to when they target a virus are sometimes found in our own cells. This molecular mimicry might be only a partial match, but even that can be enough to cause otherwise helpful antibodies to attack our own healthy cells. COVID-19 Vaccine Design The findings from this pre-print have profound implications for vaccine design. In order for a vaccine to be as safe and effective as possible, it would have to be one that stimulates antibodies that neutralize the pathogen but dont bind to any body tissues, so that people who got it would be safe from autoimmune effects. Unfortunately, it seems that industry scientists didnt take molecular mimicry into consideration when designing the COVID-19 vaccines. The spike protein that makes SARS-CoV-2 so infectious to humans was the target the vaccine makers focused on when designing their vaccines. They believed that the spike protein itself, apart from the rest of the virus, was harmless. If the isolated protein wasnt the disease agent, getting the body to make the protein for a short time would be safe. But, as the new research from China underscores, there may be at least three problems with this approach. Potential Problems With COVID-19 Spike Protein Vaccines Firstly, the spike protein itself isnt harmless, as has since been found. In fact, according to science published by an international team of researchers in March in the journal Circulation Research, the spike protein can damage lung endothelial cells, just like the ones that bound to the antibodies in the Chinese study, as well as the endothelial cells that line blood vessels throughout the body. If you remove the replicating capabilities of the virus, it still has a major damaging effect on the vascular cells, Dr. Uri Manor, co-author of the study and a researcher at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California, said in an interview for Salk.edu. In the first paragraph of the press release, Salk.edu asserts in parentheses that spike proteins behave very differently from those safely encoded in the vaccines. However, neither the study itself or the press release offer any evidence to justify this claim. At the same time, we have seen that many adverse effects reported after vaccination, including blood clots and strokes, are vascular events similar to those associated with the disease itself. Secondly, as this new research shows, antibodies generated to neutralize the spike protein may be particularly toxic to human cells, especially if the cells have already been damaged. Finally, the Hangzhou researchers data suggested that the one thing that could prevent the ill effects of the pathogenic antibodies is when there are also non-pathogenic antibodies alongside them, doing their job normally. But whether the vaccines as theyve been formulated can actually trigger production of healthy, non-pathogenic antibodies remains an open question. This study suggests that antibodies to other parts of the virus can counteract the potential harm of anti-spike antibodies, explains OToole. Thats an important finding. But theres no virus in the mRNA vaccines. So, its very unlikely that these vaccines can produce enough beneficial antibodies to help. The Upshot As we learn more about SARS-CoV-2s ability to harm human beings, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests the vaccines can also cause harm. In our rush to find a way to prevent severe COVID-19, we may unwittingly be doing more harm than good. It may be years before we know the full extent of the damage. Which was worse, the disease or its preventive? Only time will tell. An ambulance outside a hospital in Lahj, Yemen, on Aug. 29, 2021. (Reuters/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Yemeni Official: Missile, Drone Attack on Airbase Kills 30 SANAA, YemenA 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. Soldier 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 months-long 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. By Ahmed Al-Haj and Samy Magdy You Can Be German Even If Your Name Is Not Klaus or Erika: Merkel BERLINChancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday immigrants who settle in Germany are German even if they have foreign-sounding names, making a subtle dig at a widespread habit among white Germans of asking Turks born on German soil where they come from. Integration cannot be a seven-generation endeavor that never ends just because one isnt called Klaus or Erika, Merkel said with a wry smile during a ceremony to mark 60 years since Germany signed a treaty with Turkey to bring in hundreds of thousands of Turkish men to fill labor shortages in the 1960s. The question is how long does a person who doesnt have a clearly German name have to integrate themselves before they are integrated? I think everyone should have a chance, at the latest when they have taken up German citizenship, to be seen as part of this land, and the name must play no role, she added. Merkel, who has led Germany for 16 years, plans to step down after an election on Sept. 26 at which her conservative bloc risks losing power as they trail the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) in polls. Her Christian Democrats (CDU) and their Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) sister party have seen their popularity sag gradually since her decision in 2015 to welcome almost 1 million illegal immigrants, mainly from Syria and Iraq. Merkels decision won her plaudits internationally but drew criticism at home as the mainstream conservatives slipped in the polls. Lately, the chaotic pullout of NATO troops from Afghanistan has thrust immigration to the top of the election agenda as Germany welcomed thousands of Afghans fleeing the Taliban, raising fears of a repetition of 2015 Europes migrant crisis. Germanys Federal Labor Agency estimates that Europes largest economy would need to absorb around 400,000 migrants a year to address labor shortages and a fast-shrinking workforce. Germany has invested billions of euros on language courses and training to help migrants enter the labor market, learning from mistakes it made with Turkish workers who received no help to learn the language and upgrade their skills. By Joseph Nasr File photo WILTON Nearly 60 retired nuns will soon leave their Villa Notre Dame home for a continuing care facility in Bridgeport, the School Sisters of Notre Dame Atlantic-Midwest Province has announced. A total of 58 nuns had been living in Wilton for 60 years, but the SSND said its anticipating a decline in need for the space in the coming years. EDWARDSVILLE The past few years havent been easy for Faith Jordan and her family, but thanks in part to Habitat for Humanity, the future is bright. On Sunday afternoon, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on the site of Jordans future house at 624 Hill Lane in Edwardsville. Jordan and her three school-age daughters hope to move into the completed home by late 2022 or early 2023. Having this house will mean stability for me and the girls well have something that is our own and our forever home, Jordan said. We spent so many years going short term and wondering where we would live next, and this gives us an opportunity to look long term. I can retire in 26 years and this will be the place I get to retire at. This means financial freedom and so many other things. The house is the latest project for the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chapter of Lewis and Clark Habitat for Humanity. The house, which will not have a basement, will be 1,320 square feet and will include three bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms. The estimated cost of the home is $126,000 before donations of funds and services. Today marks the official kickoff of this particular build, and in the next few weeks well be excavating the footings and starting the concrete and foundation work, said Marc Gibbs, who is president of the local chapter. We dont have a hard target date for getting the house completed, but we hope to break ground in September. It will probably take at least nine months to a year to finish the project, depending on weather, raising funds and the number of volunteers were able to get. This house will pretty much deplete our entire savings, so well have to do a number of fundraising events to generate more funds for the next house. When the house is completed, Jordan will have most of the typical obligations of a homeowner. One of the misconceptions about Habitat for Humanity is that the house is free, but the homeowner will have a mortgage, Gibbs said. Its an affordable mortgage because the cost of the house is a lot less than normal. There is also a sweat equity obligation. That means they have to work on their own house or another Habitat project. Jordan was the finalist in a selection process that included a series of one-hour orientation sessions in early June. Families are chosen according to the following criteria: need, ability to pay and willingness to partner. It took us about two months to make the decision and had meetings all over town with prospective homeowners and have them attend orientation, said Kathy Metzger, board member and chair of the chapters family selection committee. We had 35 families come to the meetings and we can only build one house at a time. Well get started on the next house as soon as we get this one done. It will be on the lot next door. Jordan, meanwhile, has three daughters Abigaile, 16, a junior at Edwardsville High School; Elizabeth, 10, a fifth-grader at Cassens Elementary School; and CJ, 8, a third-grader at Cassens. For her, being chosen as a Habitat for Humanity homeowner was a match made in heaven. We lived in Ferguson (Missouri) but we moved during the riots (in 2014) and came to Glen Carbon to stay safe, Jordan said. We fell in love with the church here (Calvary Baptist). We moved to Colorado a little over three years ago and my ex-husband was really struggling with some personal choices. He decided he was no longer a part of the family. Jordan got a divorce but had to stay in a friends basement for a while and moved from place to place with other people that she knew. In the meantime, she finished her degree, and she is now a math teacher at Ferguson Middle School. She and her daughters are currently living in a townhouse in Glen Carbon. She heard about the Habitat for Humanity house application through her best friend, Lori Dozier. Lori I and were talking about furniture and I started talking about our house needs, Jordan said. She mentioned Habitat for Humanity and she was talking about the Restore (in Collinsville) and I thought she meant for the house. I reached out just before the applications were due and got into the last opportunity they had for a meeting. I got everything filled out and got accepted. Dr. Rob Schneider, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, gave the blessing at Sundays ceremony. He knows firsthand the struggles that Jordan and her family have endured in recent years, and hes thrilled about how her fortunes have turned. Ive been the pastor for this family for many years and Ive had the pleasure of seeing all of these ladies do so well, Schneider said. Theyve taken a few knocks in their lives, but Im excited about whats in store for them. I appreciate everything that Habitat for Humanity has done to help them out and how were personally going to get involved as a church family. Ive dealt with Habitat in other areas, and they do marvelous work. Among the happiest people at the groundbreaking ceremony was Jordans oldest daughter, Abigaile. Ever since the divorce, my mom has shown how much she has grown and how to take care of herself mentally and find stability, Abigaile said. One of her main goals was to find a house and now thats it happening, its like a dream come true. To see what she has done, its just a beautiful transition. Im so proud of her. Jordan is eager to complete the sweat equity that is part of her obligation as a Habitat homeowner. I have to do 200 hours but up to 25 percent can be done by friends and family, Jordan said. Habitat has amazing opportunities for classes on how to take care of your home, including financial budgeting. Weve already been saving up for a down payment and were ready for the next step. For Jordans new house, the wall sections will be constructed by inmates from Federal Correction Institute in Greenville. Our chapter in OFallon struck up an agreement with the correctional facility and they have used them before, said Gibbs, who added other Habitat chapters have had similar arrangements. The inmates there will put together the walls and they will get hauled to the site and then erected. This is the first time weve done this for our chapter, and it will be an interesting twist. We should be able to get up on the roof a lot faster this way. Our goal is to get all of the exterior work, other than the siding, done before the winter weather hits. Fundraising is always a challenge for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, and the COVID-19 pandemic hasnt made it any easier. But the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chapter continues to find innovative ways to raise money. In July we had a fundraiser with Annies Frozen Custard in Edwardsville called Sign a Stud where we ordered 100 studs from RP Lumber, which is one of our partners, board member Rob Lewis said. We sold each stud for $10, and people could sign their name or a Bible verse, whatever they wanted. Were always looking for people who see the value in building this community and helping families, Gibbs added. Because of their professional background, everybody has their own aptitude and if they have skill in fundraising, we can definitely use that. If businesses in the community would like to contribute, were always open to them. Greg Erspamer, committee chairperson and construction coordinator, discussed how his work with Faith Coalition, another local organization, helped to provide funding for Habitat for Humanity. I went to Joplin, Missouri, with (local contractor) Joe Russo on a volunteer trip after the tornado (in 2011), Erspamer said. On the way back, we decided we would form a group called Faith Coalition. We rebuilt a house on Grand Avenue (in Edwardsville) with the help of hundreds of volunteers and contributions of many local churches and it was donated to Habitat, but Habitat couldnt take it at that time. Faith Coalition raised money through the churches we were dealing with and sold the house for $172,000. Of that money, about $152,000 went to Habitat to build houses. That paid to build two other houses plus one house that was already built and there was a little money left over, and thats where were at right now. To volunteer for a project or to make a donation, visit Habit for Humanity The Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chapter on Facebook. Its been an amazing experience and we have been so blessed. God has been so good to us, Jordan said. Habitat for Humanity is wonderful. Its not a handout, but they want to make sure that youre successful and able to maintain what you have. They help you build a forever home and make sure that you are financially stable and stay in that home. I love how their heart is into helping others. 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. Mankato, MN (56001) Today A mix of clouds and sun. High 72F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Clear skies. Low near 45F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. You can find your client key on your subscription renewal statement or call us at the Mountain Mail at 719-539-6691. Between Samaritan Pacific Hospital in Newport, pictured, and Samaritan North Lincoln in Lincoln City, there were seven patients with COVID-19 hospitalized last Wednesday, five in ICU beds. Instant unlimited access to all of our content on thenewsguard.com. The News Guard E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) Another B44.3 billion for COVID-19 relief BANGKOK: The cabinet yesterday (Aug 30) approved another B44.3 billion in the budget for funding COVID-19 relief measures in the 29 provinces worst hit by the outbreak, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said. CoronavirusCOVID-19ChinesehealthVaccine By Bangkok Post Tuesday 31 August 2021, 08:55AM Royal Thai Air Force medical staff yesterday (Aug 30) read COVID-19 test kit results collected from people who travelled to the air forces COVID-19 testing point at Thupatemi Stadium. Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb This budget is for financing relief measures for workers registered under Sections 39 and 40 of the Social Security Act for a period of one month, during which the governments COVID-19 restrictions will continue to impact them, he said. The cabinet has already approved B33.4bn in funds for financing COVID-19 relief efforts, he said, adding that the budget approved for this purpose so far has amounted to B77.7bn. The cabinet also approved B105 million in the budget to be allocated to the Public Relations Department to fund public campaigns aimed at improving health awareness regarding COVID-19, said deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul. The department requested this additional budget for its public campaigns to improve awareness about the highly contagious Delta variant and its impact on the country, Ms Traisuree said. The department also said it needs more funds to address increasing fake news about COVID-19, which has been confusing the public, she said. The cabinet also approved another B4.7bn in the budget for procuring another 9.9 million doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for six at-risk groups, said Mr Thanakorn. The six groups are children aged 12 to 17, women 12-weeks pregnant or longer, frontline healthcare workers, people with underlying medical conditions, expatriates, and people needing to travel abroad such as students and diplomats, he said. Yang Xin, minister counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, meanwhile yesterday represented the Chinese Red Cross Society to present to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, executive vice president of Thai Red Cross Society, 100,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine donated to the Thai Red Cross Society, at Sra Prathum Palace. So far Thailand has administered about 30mn COVID-19 vaccine doses, costing B22.9bn, and is aiming to administering a total of 100mn doses by the end of this year, said Mr Thanakorn. Dine-in customers to help restaurants recover 50% of income BANGKOK: The Thai Restaurant Association has informed the governments Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) that the reopening of restaurants to dine-in customers will help restaurateurs recover about 50% of normal income. COVID-19economics By National News Bureau of Thailand Tuesday 31 August 2021, 10:25AM Photo: NNT The association has also asked the government to provide COVID-19 vaccines to Thai and migrant workers in the restaurant business, as soon as possible, reports state news agency NNT. President of the Thai Restaurant Association, Thaniwan Koonmongkon, said that the CCSAs resolution to relax disease-control measures, particularly the granting of permission for restaurants to reopen their businesses to dine-in customers while following all precautionary measures, is beyond expectations, with 75% capacity allowed for outdoor dining spaces. The decision will improve the overall situation, leading to an increase in sales volume. However, it also depends on how well restaurateurs manage their customer base. After the reopening becomes effective, the sales volume of restaurants should increase from 20% to at least 50%, helping businesses to survive. Food businesses in Thailand are valued at B1.4 billion a day. Once the sales volume reaches 50%, or about B700 million a day, restaurants will be injecting B21bn into the economy a month. Ms Thaniwan added that the government should provide COVID-19 vaccines to Thai and migrant workers in the restaurant business. Although the Ministry of Public Health has allowed the general public to register for COVID-19 vaccination equally, many migrant workers and some Thai workers in different sectors are not able to access the registration process due to various factors. Only 200,000 workers in the restaurant business are insured under Section 33 of the Social Security Act, while many other workers are not registered. Therefore, the Thai Restaurants Association has encouraged restaurant workers to register for vaccinations; the information will be submitted to the Ministry of Public Health, so as to allocate more doses of vaccine to meet the demand, she said. No field hospital escapees, but drugs found, says Phuket Governor PHUKET: Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew has claimed that no COVID-19 patients have escaped any field hospitals in Phuket, but has ramped up the number of security personnel after drugs were found at one of the compounds. COVID-19Coronavirushealth By The Phuket News Tuesday 31 August 2021, 12:51PM Governor Narong made the announcement at an assembly of police officers in Phuket Town yesterday (Aug 30). Photo: PR Dept Governor Narong made the announcement at an assembly of police officers in Phuket Town yesterday (Aug 30). Photo: PR Dept Governor Narong made the announcement at an assembly of police officers in Phuket Town yesterday (Aug 30). Photo: PR Dept For the news about the patients fleeing from a field hospital that was posted on social media, our police, military officers and relevant officials have checked and found that no patients have fled from any field hospital, Governor Narong said at a mass assembly of Phuket police gathered at the Phuket Emergency Operation Center at the Phuket Provincial Police headquarters in Phuket Town yesterday (Aug 30). However, officers found that illegal drugs had been smuggled to patients at one of the field hospitals. We will add more officers standing by at field hospitals and other venues, Governor said. This mass assembly aims to make you understand among officers to work strictly under the provincial orders to help reduce the number of infections among Thai and migrant workers in Phuket. Police can charge those who violate the orders, he said. Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Col Chaiwat Uikham who also presented in the mass assembly explained that. Since April when the third wave of the pandemic started, we found many clusters among migrant workers who work at markets, on fishing boats and at piers, as well as construction sites and their accommodations, he said. The Phuket government issued provincial order no 4977/2564 on Saturday [Aug 29] to control the migrant workers who do not stay in their camps, factories or other places of work, he said. We have set up teams to patrol and search for migrant workers who do not follow the order. Officers will go out to promote the order and remind workers and their employers about the order and charges, he added. This work will be a collaboration among officers from the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, Phuket Employment Office, Phuket Office of Labour Protection and Welfare, Phuket Public Health Office, Phuket Immigration and local residents, he said. Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin. @rachelravina on Twitter Rachel Ravina is a journalist covering news and lifestyle features in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She grew up in Blue Bell and graduated from Penn State. She's also a news enthusiast who is passionate about covering topics people want to read. RIDGEFIELD As the morning sun gleamed over the distant, tree-studded hillside, students arrived at Ridgefield High School for their first day of classes. Many were thrilled to report to the building bright and early Tuesday since they were split into cohorts the year before. The arrangement was part of a hybrid learning model that the district adopted due to the pandemic. The return to full, in-person instruction is a welcome change for high school students who have yet to set foot in the building despite being enrolled there. The district is not offering a remote or hybrid option this year, and masks are required for all individuals regardless of vaccination status. A group of student leaders spoke with Hearst Connecticut Media before first period to discuss how this school year differs from the last. Junior Charlotte Kemp said she feels shell be able to dive fully into this school year since the district has more concrete protocols in place. She added that on the days she learned remotely, she felt little division between home and school. Sophomore Hannah Yu agreed. My first day of freshman year was online, which was weird I woke up and felt like I had no place to go, she recalled. Last year I couldnt see half my friend group because we were in different cohorts, so Im excited were back in person. Junior Jack Federici said he and his peers would yield better outcomes now that theyre physically back in the classroom. I learn better in person since its easier to pay attention, but it will also be easier for teachers since theyre not instructing different groups of kids, he explained. Its a year for the better. Junior Lizzy Garson is most excited to see the hallways filled with faces again, even though theyll all be masked. And junior Matthew Uy is anticipating the return of in-person events such as club meetings, musicals and concerts. He plays violin in the high schools orchestra. It feels like normal ... but also feels safe at the same time, he said. Superintendent weighs in Superintendent Susie Da Silva said the district had a great start to the new school year. With more knowledge of the virus at their disposal, she explained, administrators were able to better prepare for the year ahead. Our kids know what to do and we know what to do, she said. Between (Monday) and (Tuesday) kids were incredibly compliant with mask-wearing they were just so happy to be in school. The district did not experience any protests from parents denouncing the districts mask mandate during the first two days of school, Da Silva said. School officials will keep a close eye on local COVID-19 cases to inform how to proceed with quarantines, continued instruction and enhancing that learning. And while the total percentage of unvaccinated faculty members within the district is unknown, Da Silva said those individuals will be able to partake in weekly COVID screenings to mitigate transmission. Yes there are differences than before COVID, but it feels like a very typical school year, she added. Teachers get to teach and kids get to learn. alyssa.seidman@hearstmediact.com Salem, MO (65560) Today Sunshine and a few clouds. High 87F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Salem, MO (65560) Today Partly cloudy. High 87F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Salem, MO (65560) Today Sunshine and a few clouds. High 87F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. CDI Colleges $2,000 donation will help support the Financial Administration Program at Chez Doris. This service allows the organizations caseworkers to help participants create a monthly budget, pay bills, help with apartment searches, and meet many other needs. Media Content Creator Ian Ostroff is a writer/reporter who resides in Montreal. He is passionate about getting to know the people and places that make his hometown so great. In his spare time, you can find him at the gym, eating ice cream, or working on his novel(s). Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. High around 90F. Winds light and variable. Tonight Some passing clouds. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Tomorrow Partly cloudy early followed by increasing clouds with showers developing later in the day. High 86F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. ALTON Firefighters were called to a house in the 800 block of Park Drive in Alton at about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday for a report of the smell of smoke. First responders reported no active fire in the structure. EDWARDSVILLE An Alton man faces felony charges after attacking two Alton police officers and injuring a police dog. Kyle D. Carter, 33, of Alton, was charged Aug. 30 with two counts of aggravated battery, both Class 2 felonies; and injuring a police animal, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. According to court documents, on Aug. 27 Carter allegedly kicked two Alton police officers and grabbed the lower jaw of Jax, an Alton Police Department K9, causing damage. Bail was set at $75,000. Other felony charges filed by the Madison County States Attorneys Office on Aug. 30 include: Caleb M. Springer, 30, of South Roxana, was charged with aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony, and domestic battery (second subsequent offense) and unlawful restraint, both Class 4 felonies. The case was presented by the South Roxana Police Department. On Aug. 21 Springer allegedly strangled a household or family member, and blocked the door and would not let them leave the residence. He has a 2014 Madison County conviction for aggravated domestic battery. Bail was set at $75,000. Autumn L Schuetz, 23, listed as homeless out of Alton, was charged with aggravated battery, a Class 2 felony; and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Collinsville Police Department. On Aug. 27 Schuetz allegedly struck a Collinsville police officer in the face with an open hand; and was found to be in possession of less than 15 grams of fentanyl. Bail was set at $15,000. Isiah J. Ball Jr., 36, of Collinsville, was charged with aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony. The case was presented by the Collinsville Police Department. On Aug. 27 Ball allegedly strangled a household or family member. Bail was set at $50,000. Michael E. Cox, 53, of East Alton, was charged with aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On Aug. 1 Cox allegedly struck another man in the head with a bottle, causing an injury. Bail was set at $25,000. Brandi M. Jackson, 38, of Granite City; and Jeffrey Bland, 37, of Bellfountain, Missouri, were both charged with unlawful possession of a stolen firearm, a Class 2 felony; aggravated unlawful use of weapons, a Class 4 felony; and unlawful possession of cannabis, a Class A misdemeanor. The cases were presented by the Illinois State Police. On Aug. 28 the two allegedly were found to be in possession of a stolen Smith & Wesson SD .40 caliber handgun, and that it was being carried loaded and accessible in a motor vehicle; and were found to be in possession of 30-100 grams of cannabis. Bail was set at $75,000 each. EDWARDSVILLE A Granite City man has been charged with setting his home on fire while another person was inside. Terry S. Randall Jr., 39, of 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 allegedly set fire to his residence, knowing another person was inside, and violated an order of protection by being within 300 feet of his residence. He has a 2005 Madison County conviction for domestic battery. 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 allegedly 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 Madison, was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony. The case was presented by the Madison Police Department. On Aug. 13 Robertson allegedly fired a gun in the direction of another person or occupied vehicle. Bail was set at $50,000. Steven E. Adkisson, 44, of 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 allegedly 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 Collinsville, was charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. On Aug. 26 Snider allegedly 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. On June 25 Williams allegedly gave false information to a Troy police officer. Bail was set at $15,000. On Monday, the FBI released Hate Crime Statistics, 2020, the Uniform Crime Reporting Program's latest compilation of bias-motivated incidents throughout the nation. The 2020 data, submitted by 15,136 law enforcement agencies, provide information about the offenses, victims, offenders and locations of hate crimes. Law enforcement agencies submitted incident reports involving 7,759 criminal incidents and 10,532 related offenses as being motivated by bias toward race, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender and gender identity. However, the UCR Program does not estimate offenses for the jurisdictions of agencies that did not submit reports. The amount of hate crimes reported to the FBI increased by about 450 incidents over 2019, according to CNN. That increase coincided with a reduction in agencies reporting hate crimes than in previous years. The report shows 2020 had the highest tally of reported hate crimes since 2008, when 7,783 hate crimes were reported to the FBI. Attacks targeting Black people rose to 2,755 from 1,930, and the number targeting Asians jumped to 274 from 161. Of the known offenders, more than half were White, according to the FBI. "These statistics show a rise in hate crimes committed against Black and African-Americans, already the group most often victimized, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. "Notably, they show a rise in hate crimes committed against members of the Asian-American Pacific Islander community. This also confirms what we have seen and heard through our work and from our partners." There were 7,554 single-bias incidents involving 10,528 victims. The percent breakdown of victims (percents may not add up to 100% because of rounding) by bias type shows that 61.9% of victims were targeted because of the offenders race/ethnicity/ancestry bias, 20.5% were victimized because of the offenders sexual-orientation bias, 13.4% were targeted because of the offenders religious bias, 2.5% were targeted because of the offenders gender identity bias, 1% were victimized because of the offenders disability bias, and 0.7% were victimized because of the offenders gender bias. There were 205 multiple-bias hate crime incidents that involved 333 victims. The Justice Department and FBI are required by a 1990 federal law called the Hate Crime Statistics Act to publish an annual report on hate crime statistics. The annual report serves as the most comprehensive look at hate crime across the country. Law enforcement agencies are not required to submit their data to the FBI for its annual crime report. There are more than 18,000 agencies in the United States and more than 3,000 did not submit their crime statistics in 2020, which may result in an undercount. Of the 7,426 hate crime offenses classified as crimes against persons in 2020, 53.4% were for intimidation, 27.6% were for simple assault, and 18.1% were for aggravated assault. There were 22 murders and 19 rapes reported as hate crimes. The remaining 27 hate crime offenses were reported in the category of "other." Of the 2,913 hate crime offenses classified as crimes against property, most (76.4%) were acts of destruction/damage/vandalism. Robbery, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, arson, and other offenses accounted for the remaining 23.6% of crimes against property. There were 193 additional offenses classified as crimes against society. This crime category represents societys prohibition against engaging in certain types of activity such as gambling, prostitution and drug violations. These are typically victimless crimes in which property is not the object. In the UCR Program, the term "known offender" does not imply that the suspects identity is known; rather, the term indicates that some aspect of the suspect was identified, thus distinguishing the suspect from an unknown offender. Law enforcement agencies specify the number of offenders and, when possible, the race of the offender or offenders as a group. Beginning in 2013, law enforcement agencies began reporting whether suspects were juveniles or adults, as well as the suspects ethnicity when possible. Of the 6,431 known offenders indicating some aspect of the suspect was identified, distinguishing the suspect from an unknown offender 55.2% were White and 20.2% were Black or African American. Other races accounted for the remaining known offenders although the race was unknown for 16.4% of offenders. Of the 5,915 known offenders for whom ages were known, 89.1% were 18 years of age or older. In Illinois, there were 25 reported cases of anti-Black or African American hate crimes and nine cases of anti-gay male hate crimes. There was a total of 56 hate crimes in 2020 in the state. Twenty-two of those cases involved intimidation, 21 involved simple assault and 21 involved aggravated assault. There was also one reported incident of murder or negligent manslaughter and there was a total of 75 offenses. The offender's ethnicity was unknown in 60 of the 68 reports. Thirty-two of the offenders were reported as white and 28 were reported as black in Illinois in 2020. Seventeen of the incidents occurred in a home and 14 occurred on a highway, alley, street or sidewalk. EDWARDSVILLE Madison County Circuit Judge Amy Sholar has announced she has permanently declined joining the Illinois Judges Retirement Pension System. Retired Illinois judges have an average pension of around $146,000 annually. I wanted to send a clear message that I accepted the appointment as Madison County Circuit Court Judge to help people and interpret the law fairly for everyone, said Sholar. I know that everyone may not understand this decision, but its a matter of principle, she said. Its no secret that we have a pension system in Illinois that is clearly broken and anything that I can do as an individual to help not be a burden on that system, felt like the responsible thing to do. In April, Supreme Court Justice David Overstreet appointed Sholar to fill a vacancy in the Third Judicial Circuit. The historic appointment was the first-ever appointment of a Republican woman to the judiciary. The Third Judicial Circuit includes both Madison and Bond counties. Sholar has announced she will run for the judicial post in November 2022. Sholar has 19 years of courtroom experience and was the founding partner of Sholar Stephan Law where she primarily focused on domestic litigation. She also has been a court-appointed guardian ad litem for children in Madison County. Before opening her own law firm, Sholar served as planning coordinator for the city of Alton. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Illinois University and her Juris Doctor from Saint Louis University School of Law. Should our government temper its justice with mercy? Ive been pondering that question for at least three decades, ever since I was a young reporter and heard a Texas prosecutor stand before a jury and say, These arent halls of mercy; these are halls of justice! Justice is rendered when people receive their due, according to the law. Mercy is a disposition to be kind and forgiving even if the person has done nothing to deserve it. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation allowing terminally ill or incapacitated inmates to be released early from prison, after their case is assessed by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. Its a measure that can be best described as merciful. Illinois is the 49th state to enact such legislation, leaving only Iowa without such a provision in its statutes. Unfortunately, so many of these people lose their lives, locked away behind bars without being able to spend their last moments with their family, state Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, told me Monday. And so many of those folks, especially the people who have been very sick, or are permanently disabled are people who dont pose any kind of public safety risk to their community. Guzzardi was the House sponsor of the legislation. I confided in him that I was stunned that it passed. After all, for most of the time Ive covered politics a majority of legislators have had a lock em up and throw away the key mindset. I do think that the pendulum is swinging back toward a more compassionate and fair justice system, Guzzardi replied. We have increased penalties, longer sentences, higher incarceration rates, but the data says that it doesnt make our communities any safer. Its extremely disruptive to over-policed and over-incarcerated communities. And its enormously costly to all levels of government. One thing is for certain: we have too many people in prison. The United States locks up the highest percentage of its citizens of any nation in the world. Shortly after Pritzker signed the legislation, another act of mercy caught my attention. The California Parole Board voted to recommend the release of Sirhan Sirhan, who murdered U.S. Sen. Robert Kennedy 53 years ago. Kennedy had won the Democratic presidential primary in California the day he was shot. Ultimately, it will be up to Gavin Newsom to decide whether Sirhan becomes a free man. Six of Kennedys children lobbied the parole board for the assassins continued incarceration. And two called for his release. And there is the rub. Family members often equate the worth of the loved one they lost to the severity of punishment given to their killer. Its a strange phenomenon. Guzzardi calls it uniquely American. Perhaps it is. Twenty years ago, when Gov. George Ryan contemplated commuting the sentences of everyone on Illinois death row, families of those murdered made pilgrimages to Springfield and Chicago to speak against it. I stood outside the Illinois Governors Mansion as family member after member told me they needed an execution in order for their family to have closure. I hear similar things today when families demand life without possibility of parole. But to be honest, I dont understand how the severity of the punishment someone else receives equates to ones own sense of peace or resolution. Craig Findley, chairman of the Prisoner Review Board, said the suffering murder victims families endure is unfathomable. I dont know what they go through because I never experienced a loss like that. A murder is like dropping a stone into a pond. The ripples keep going outward. It can affect future generations as well. Findley, who has served on the board for 20 years, said victim families rarely lose interest in the punishment of the offender, even decades after the crime. The measure signed by Pritzker will for the first time allow the board to use mercy as a criterion for releasing someone from prison, Findley said. Is that good public policy? Well, its certainly not a new concept. I was raised in a home where forgiveness was considered a sign of strength. Unfortunately, many of our elected officials have taken a different view, believing retribution is the key to justice. But for me, the words of the Hebrew prophet Micah ring loud: And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Scott Reeder is a veteran journalist; contact him at Scottreeder1965@gmail.com. Scranton, PA (18503) Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 82F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low around 70F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Sarah Gray, age 80, of Beech Bluff, TN passed away Sunday, September 12, 2021 in Jackson, TN. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Oliver Gray, her parents, Charlie and Verna Hollin, and several brothers and sisters. Sarah is survived by her three children: Marsha (Karl) You Westerly, RI (02891) Today Sun and clouds mixed. High 73F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Advertisement As any die-hard collector will tell you, when it comes to valuable vintage toy cars, you must make sure you keep it in pristine condition inside the box. For millions of children of all ages who since 1965 have at some point owned a toy version of James Bond's classic gadget-laden Aston Martin DB5, it is a lesson usually learned the hard way. Original mint examples of that 007 gadget-laden car from Corgi can sell for hundreds and even thousands of pounds, provided you've kept it in the box and not been tempted to play with it. Additionally, that small blue figure with a gun from the passenger seat who gets propelled via an ejector seat through the flick-top roof - how many thousands were lost under sofa cushions and beyond may never be known... Producers of the 007 movie have joined forces with Aston Martin and toy firm Corgi to produce a replica of a gadget-laden DB5, complete a life-size toy box Well today, to mark the final one month countdown to the cinema release of the much delayed new Bond movie No Time To Die, starring Daniel Craig in what is expected to be his last outing in the 007 role, the movie's producers have joined forces with Aston Martin and toy firm Corgi to produce the ultimate giant replica box of that much loved favourite 007 toy complete with a working gadget-laden DB5 inside. The giant life-size model box, which measures 5.66 metres long, 2.7 metres tall and 2.7 metres deep, replicates the original Corgi design and, along with the car, will be on display to the public at The Coaling Jetty, Battersea Power Station in London until 1 October. With the pandemic causing the film's postponement now easing, the stunt also coincides with the reveal of the action-packed global TV trailer against the backdrop of London's Battersea Power Station featuring the Aston Martin DB5 - of which eight stunt replicas were produced for the movie. The Aston Martin DB5 on show in the box is one of a limited number of DB5 'Goldfinger' Continuation cars costing 3.3million each. The giant life-size model box, which measures 5.66 metres long, 2.7 metres tall and 2.7 metres deep, replicates the original Corgi design and, along with the car, will be on display to the public at The Coaling Jetty, Battersea Power Station in London until 1 October. They were built from scratch by Aston Martin using the original tooling and come complete with most of the working gadgets that fans will recognise from the classic James Bond film including rotating number plates, a retractable bullet proof rear shield, battering ram bumpers, smoke and oil-slick options, and pop out machine guns. Although there's a nod to an ejector seat, a working version was not possible on of 'health and safety' grounds. Just 25 DB5 Goldfinger Continuation cars are being produced, more than 55 years after the last new DB5 rolled off the line at Aston Martin's then global manufacturing base in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. All new cars are authentic reproductions of the DB5 seen on screen, available in one exterior Silver Birch colour specification (just like the original) with only some 'sympathetic modifications and enhancements to ensure the highest levels of quality and reliability'. James Bond's return to cinema screens marks the first time four different Aston Martin models have appeared in a 007 Bond film. In addition to the DB5, the movie features a classic Aston Martin V8 alongside the DBS grand tourer and the original prototype version of the forthcoming 700,000 217mph Valhalla mid-engined hypercar which sprints from rest to 60mph in under three seconds. Original mint examples of the 007 gadget-laden car from Corgi can sell for hundreds if not thousands of pounds In this 2019 photo, actor Daniel Craig is partially seen, left, sitting inside one of the Aston Martin DB5s used on the set of the latest James Bond movie 'No time to die' in Matera, southern Italy The original 1965 Corgi James Bond Aston Martin DB5 which replicated the action features of the vehicle seen on-screen in 'Goldfinger' - proved an instant success and won UK 'Toy of the Year' and 'Best Boys Toy' titles at the National Association of Toy Retailers Awards in the same year. More than 20million have been sold worldwide and it is still being produced to this day. Priced originally at around 10/- (50p), Corgi said the model has proven so popular over the years that it has had to be retooled numerous times. Since its first outing in Goldfinger, the DB5 has appeared in a number of 007 movies with a variety of Bonds since Sean Connery, including Thunderball (1965), Goldeneye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), Casino Royale (2006), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015) and the soon to be screened No Time To Die (in which the front machine guns are re-located to the behind the main headlights. The grand unveiling was carried out by Aston Martin's design chief Marek Reichman. He was joined by special effects co-ordinator Chris Corbould OBE who is responsible for some of the most dazzling James Bond action scenes from the past 14 films. The limited edition DB5 'Goldfinger' Continuation cars come complete with most of the working gadgets that fans will recognise from the classic James Bond film including rotating number plates, a retractable bullet proof rear shield, battering ram bumpers, smoke and oil-slick options, and pop out machine guns Actor Sean Connery, the original James Bond, pictured on the set of Goldfinger with one of the fictional spy's cars, a 1964 Aston Martin DB5 He was also heavily involved in the engineering of the eight DB5 stunt replicas produced for the movie, and the working gadgets on the DB5 Goldfinger Continuation cars. Reichman said: 'Aston Martin's relationship with James Bond spreads decades and the DB5 is, without question, the most famous car in the world by virtue of its 50-plus year association. 'Now, to work with Corgi - another quintessential British brand - and to see James Bond's most cherished car sitting inside a to-scale toy box in central London is quite magnificent'. Corbould said: 'I can genuinely say it is a privilege to be here today to help unveil this incredible display for such an iconic car that truly holds a special place in Bond history'. No Time To Die is the 25th official James Bond movie from Albert R. Broccoli's EON Productions, Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios (MGM), and Universal Pictures International. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga it stars Daniel Craig in his fifth and expected last outing as Bond creator Ian Fleming's British secret agent 007. It has been written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade (Spectre, Skyfall), Cary Joji Fukunaga, and Fleabag and Killing Eve's Phoebe Waller- Bridge and will the film will be released globally from September 2021. The plot has Bond leaving active service and enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. But his peace is short-lived when his old friend and CIA agent Felix Leiter arrives to ask for help. The producers note: 'The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.' More details at: www.007.com When 'vampire kangaroo' Macquarie took a 1bn majority stake in disgraced Southern Water in early August, the transaction was barely noticed. It occurred amid a slew of bids for UK aerospace innovators and the battle for Morrisons. The funding for Southern Water, fined in July 2021 for dumping between 16bn and 21bn litres of raw sewage into rivers and the sea, was hailed by water regulator Ofwat. It noted that the new investor 'had committed to a substantial package of investment.' How quickly they forget. As the owner of Thames Water from 2006-2017, Macquarie was vilified for the extraction of millions of pounds of dividends. This as Thames Water polluted the upper reaches of the river and brought London to a halt with leakage problems. Missing the train?: The insouciance of investment minister, Lord Grimstone, and his boss, Kwasi Kwarteng (pictured), about financially driven bids for UK assets, is so frustrating Few things are more important to the health and well-being of British citizens than command and control of our water supplies. Yet contradictory thinking in government over foreign takeovers means that the social, governance and national interest impact of such deals rarely gets a look-in. Amid the spate of transactions recently, I thought it was possible to detect a change of attitude towards Britain's open borders when it comes to financially driven, asset-stripping takeovers, when Mammon is the driving force. The Government declared a national security interest in the proposed takeover by Advent-controlled Cobham for submarine detector group Ultra Electronics. The bidding war for aerospace engineer Meggitt is being closely monitored in Whitehall. But the fight for Morrisons did not raise an eyebrow at a time when it is not possible to switch on the radio and here a blast from agriculture about dangers to our food security and empty supermarket shelves. Allowing private equity rivals Fortress or CD&R to load Morrisons up with debt, filling the pockets of greedy directors and grasping advisers, will not benefit shoppers' one jot and could endanger staff pensions. The doors to overseas takeovers of strategic assets were thrown open by New Labour. The 2002 Enterprise Act changed the face of ownership in Britain. Most dramatically, the UK squandered control of privatised utilities and strategic assets such as power, water, ports and airports. BAA, owner of Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, was sold to Spain's highly indebted Ferrovial in 2006 for 10.6bn. Dubai Ports World was allowed to acquire P&O ports in the same year. Forth Ports, which controlled Tilbury in London, followed a few years later. A country built on maritime history and entrepot status sacrificed part of its global future. All of this illustrates why the insouciance of investment minister, Lord Grimstone, and his boss, Kwasi Kwarteng, about financially driven bids for UK assets, is so frustrating. They are failing to draw any distinction between trade takeovers, such as Akzo Nobel's deal for ICI, and those which harm the UK's vital interests the original Advent bid for Cobham. The mistaken views of the late Cabinet Secretary Jeremy Heywood, who never saw a deal he didn't like, thankfully have been expunged on Downing Street. There is now robust thinking about the dangers of surrendering control of vital assets, technologies and enterprises at the highest level. Rolls-Royce is facing demands from its biggest investor to consider a board overhaul and the sale of a key division in the wake of the pandemic. Just weeks before Anita Frew arrives as chairman, Causeway Capital has called for a 'refresh' at the top of the British engineer to bring in more expertise in engineering and green technologies. The fund manager is also calling on Rolls to consider selling its power systems business, which analysts believe could fetch 3.5billion or more. Causeway is the company's biggest investor with 9 per cent, having built up its stake throughout the Covid-19 crisis. The California-based firm is thought to be happy with Rolls boss Warren East but is calling on Frew to cull other board members when she replaces Ian Davis in October. Jonathan Eng, portfolio manager at Causeway, did not single out individual directors but pointedly said now was the time for a shake-up. 'I really believe the board needs some fresh thinking the company is facing some challenges,' he told the Financial Times. Eng questioned whether current board members have the right expertise to decarbonise the company and asked if more engineering experience was needed given the company's problems with the Trent 1000 engines. 'I will be asking [Frew], do we have the right people now that will ask the questions when sticky situations come up because they will come up.' New arrival: Anita Frew is set to join as chair The selling of the power systems division which makes engines and batteries for boats, trains, mining excavators and oil rigs would also help pay down debt. Eng added: 'With a stroke they can become an aerospace and defence company and they can fix their balance sheet issue in one go.' Asked about Eng's views yesterday, East declined to comment but said: 'This is our largest shareholder and we talk with them on a regular basis.' The intervention comes at a critical time in Rolls' history. The firm, which makes propulsion systems for commercial aircraft as well as military warships, submarines and jets, only gets paid by aerospace customers when its engines fly. This left it exposed during the pandemic, as airlines around the world cut their schedules and grounded planes. To survive, Rolls burned through 1billion of cash reserves each quarter and was forced to slash 9,000 jobs and take on 7billion of extra debts. And this has left the firm in an even trickier position while it still grapples with faulty Trent 1000 engines and the once-in-a-generation shift towards greener technologies. It leaves City veteran Frew, 63, with an unenviable task when she replaces Davis. She is expected to meet with investors soon after starting the job and reviewing the board will likely be a top priority, after the departures of directors Lewis Both, Sir Frank Chapman and Jasmin Staiblin, who all had experience in engineering and technology. However, Causeway's suggestion of selling power systems may not be enthusiastically received. It is understood that East and other top figures at the company see the division as critical to the green energy transition. A Rolls spokesman said: 'We regularly review the effectiveness, composition and skillset of our board, using independent advice and bench-marking, and engage in robust succession planning to ensure that we have the talent and capabilities required to secure the long-term sustainable success of the company.' Shares in Rolls-Royce wobbled after the engineering giant's largest investor attacked its management. Jonathan Eng, portfolio manager at American firm Causeway Capital, said he would urge incoming chairman Anita Frew to consider shaking up the plane engine maker's top team. Los Angeles-based Causeway has built up its stake to around 9pc, suggesting it is bedding in for the long-haul. It comes a year another American activist investor, Value Act Capital, ditched its holding. Shares in Rolls-Royce wobbled after the engineering giant's largest investor attacked its management Eng said he will be asking Frew: 'Do we have the right people now that will ask questions when sticky situations come up, because they will come up?' Frew takes over from chairman Sir Ian Davis in October, giving the management a bit of time to prepare a case. Though Eng did not name names, chief executive Warren East is likely to be feeling the pressure. Rolls is the most prestigious British engineering group but it had been struggling for years with a bloated middle management and unsuccessful restructurings. To respond to Covid, which wiped out its major source of income maintaining plane engines, East last year launched a third turnaround programme in five years. It is taking its time to pay off though plans to sell 2bn of businesses have made progress Rolls fell 1.6pc, or 1.88p, to 114.86p, as investors digested Eng's comments, made on Monday. Worries are rising about whether international travel will be hit by the spread of the Delta variant, heightened by the EU move to restrict travel from the US. British Airways owner IAG fell 2.5pc, or 4.16p, to 159.36p Another engineer, mining specialist Weir, made gains following an upgrade from brokers at Peel Hunt. Analysts moved its rating to 'buy' from 'hold' and upped the target price on the 150-year-old company's stock to 2250p, a whopping jump from the previous guidance of 860p. They said a recent drop in the price provides a 'great opportunity' and that it was a consistently good performer. It rose 3.8pc, or 64p, to 1751.5p. Airline stocks dragged on the wider market. STOCK WATCH: Renalytix Diagnostics group Renalytix shot higher after it added an industry veteran to its board. The US company makes artificial intelligence technology that can identify which diabetic kidney disease patients will be most at risk of developing a serious form of the illness or even kidney failure. Daniel Levangie, who has extensive experience in medical devices and investment firms, joins as Renalytix tries to grow rapidly in the US. Shares in Renalytix, which is included in the AIM100 index of the biggest firms on the junior market, jumped 14.1pc, or 130p, to 1050p. The Footsie fell 0.4pc, or 28.31 points, to 7119.70, though the FTSE250 rose 0.18pc, or 42.47 points, to 24,102.19. Worries are rising about whether international travel will be hit by the spread of the Delta variant, heightened by the EU move to restrict travel from the US. This put a dampener on an upbeat outlook from Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary, who predicted a 'strong recovery' and that it will return to pre-Covid passenger numbers by October if there are no pandemic-related setbacks. The airline ran at about 80pc capacity in August and expects to be at 90pc in September. O'Leary said it was even considering adding Boeing planes to its fleet. This sentiment was shared by Jet2, which yesterday placed its first order for Airbus planes, buying 36. British Airways owner IAG fell 2.5pc, or 4.16p, to 159.36p, Wizz Air by 2.5pc, or 125p, to 4860p, Easyjet by 1.6pc, or 13p, to 796p, while Ryanair fell 2.8pc, or 46 cents, to 15.86 euros, and Jet2 by 0.7pc, or 7.5p, to 1154p despite their news. Oil prices also lagged on concerns about the Delta strain and a meeting of the Opec+ oil cartel today. Some ministers have indicated the group, which includes countries such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Russia, could increase production further, risking a glut of oil. Brent crude fell 0.6pc to $73 a barrel, sealing its worst month so far this year in August. Renewable power infrastructure investor Trig (down 2.2pc, or 2.8p, to 125.8p) announced plans to sell more shares to investors to pay down debt and fund a potential takeover of some solar energy assets. They will be priced at 124p and around 195m have already been sold so far. AIM-listed Futura Medical rose 5pc, or 1.9p, to 40p, after it signed a deal to sell its fast-acting erectile dysfunction gel in Mexico and Brazil. Latin American group M8 will distribute the gel. More over-55s now want to stay in their homes rather than downsizing in their old age, after the pandemic led them to place a higher value on space and staying within a supportive community. The number of homeowners over 55 who were looking to downsize in the near future dropped by 200,000 in the last three years, according to research by Legal & General Financial Advice. The latest study found that potential downsizers made up 24 per cent of all households aged 55 and over, amounting to 2.9million homes. Staying put: Fewer older people are thinking about downsizing - even though they believe they could gain an average of 150,000 in cash if they did so When Legal & General last analysed the market, in 2018, this figure stood at 26 per cent of households, meaning there were then 3.1 million potential houses to be sold. When asked why their plans had changed, the main reason was that they did not want to leave the community they lived in. Many said the Covid-19 pandemic had emphasised the importance of having friends and family close by. Sara McLeish, chief executive of Legal & General Financial Advice, said: 'The impact of Covid-19 has clearly changed the mindset of many older homeowners, and we can see there has been an uplift in those who want to keep hold of their home. 'Over time, priorities can change, and it is only natural that over the course of the 16 months people have grown closer to their local community, valued having family nearby and enjoyed having the space to relax while in lockdown.' The lockdown resulted in us spending more time in our homes than ever before, which also influenced the decision not to downsize. Almost 3 million would still consider selling their home and moving in to a smaller property One in four (24 per cent) said they enjoyed having more space during lockdown and did not want to give that up, while a further one in ten (13 per cent) said they had decided to invest in their current home rather than moving on. However, Legal & General said there were still 2.9million older households who may sell their home in their golden years. Nearly a quarter of over 55's who had not sold their home stated that they would still consider downsizing, but wanted to see how their financial situation developed before deciding (12 per cent) or felt uncertain about the current housing market (10 per cent). 'Our research suggests many over 55s are still open to the idea of moving, but are mulling things over before making any decisions, so we may see a shift in stance now that lockdown has eased,' McLeish added. Downsizers expect 150,000 windfall Those that do choose to downsize could be in for a cash windfall of 150,000, according to a separate study. The survey commissioned by Churchill Retirement Living, which polled 2,009 people aged 60 and over, found that one in ten believed they could release between 250,000 and 500,000 in equity if they moved to a smaller property. On average, people said they would expect a windfall of 150,000. That increased to an average of 295,000 for properties in London. FACT BOX TITLE Perkins says downsizing to a retirement village gave him a 'fresh start' Barry Perkins, 89, recently downsized to move to an apartment in a Churchill retirement village in Newquay, four years after his wife passed away. He said: 'I was in a difficult spot after my wife died. Now that I've moved, I'm beginning to accept the loss. Although nothing can replace her, I feel like I've had a fresh start, even at this age. I now see my future years in a much more positive light. 'I have moved seven or eight times in my life, and have met all sort of different people, and I've never met a better group of people. There's always something going on to keep you busy. 'Now that restrictions have been removed, people will continue to feel isolated. Retirement living could be a really good step for them. It certainly was for me.' Many older people admitted to being in homes too large to suit their daily needs. More than a third (36 per cent) who lived alone reported having at least two spare bedrooms, while two-thirds (65 per cent) of those living in a couple had at least one spare bedroom. Three in 10 said they had a room they used solely for storage. Older people downsizing is important to a healthy housing market, as it frees up larger homes for young families. If there are few larger homes available this can have the effect of driving up prices, making it harder for families to find the space they need. When asked how they would use the potential proceeds from downsizing, a significant proportion said they would use it to top up their pension (28 per cent) or put it towards the inheritance for their family (41 per cent). Nearly 1 in 3 (29 per cent) said they would put the money towards a family holiday or a trip, while 7 per cent would simply put it towards their social life. Chief executive and chairman of Churchill Retirement Living, Spencer McCarthy said: 'These latest findings are a clear signal that not only are there better options for quality of life out there, but huge opportunities for people to spend more time on the things they enjoy like family, holidays, or helping others'. However, there are also compelling reasons for many homeowners not to downsize. For those who remained hesitant the main barriers are that they loved their current location too much (45 per cent) and that they were not sure they would find somewhere suitable (33 per cent). Meanwhile, more than one in four (27 per cent) said they were too attached to the property for sentimental reasons. Should I consider equity release? One way to access the cash tied up in a home without downsizing is to take out a lifetime mortgage, also known as equity release. This is when a lender will advance some of the cash tied up in a home to an owner over 55, provided they have paid off their mortgage. The balance will then be repaid, with interest, after the owner passes away or moves in to long-term care. 'For those who don't want to move, unlocking some of the equity tied up in their housing could therefore prove a huge help, particularly when the time comes to make a home fit for older age,' said McLeish. 'While this may be a lifeline for some, for anyone thinking about this route, it's important to consider all of your options and seek proper advice before doing so.' Instant unlimited access to all of our content on tillamookheadlightherald.com. The Headlight Herald E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit Here FLINTSTONE Constance "Connie" Stonestreet, 78, of Flintstone, passed away Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, at home with family by her side. Born Feb. 17, 1943, in Baltimore, Connie was the daughter of the late Leonard M. Carpenter and Constance (Simonsen) Carpenter. She was also preceded in death Barre, VT (05641) Today Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 73F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 62F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Graveside services for Melanie G. Chavaux will be held Sunday, September 12, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Dr. Jimmy Clanton will officiate. Mrs. Chavaux passed away September 10, 2021. She was born June 3, 1959 to the late Dr. Joe Greenway and Wynelle Greenway who survives. Melan This column expresses the views of the author, separate from those of the Times Union. ALBANY Let's begin with a reminder that Andrew Cuomo's downfall was about much more than sexual harassment. Yes, last week's damning report from the office of Attorney General Letitia James lit a fire under impeachment and made it impossible for the governor to continue. But it was the other report from James, the one about nursing homes, that really launched the long descent leading to Cuomo's resignation. That report, released in January, found that the Cuomo administration had undercounted by thousands the number of nursing home residents who died from COVID-19. It also was critical of an infamous state order that required nursing homes to accept COVID-19 patients, asserting that the mandate "may have put residents at increased risk of harm." The findings were a black eye for Cuomo, certainly, making clear that his administration had engaged in a cover-up intended to make the controversial order look less deadly. But it was also stain on Howard Zucker, the state's health commissioner. Zucker, after all, had allowed state health data to be tainted by Cuomo's political influence and during a pandemic, no less. When New Yorkers needed him most, he stood by while the Health Department became an arm of the governor's public-relations operation. It gets worse. We later learned that Cuomo aides in 2020 had been allowed to rewrite a Health Department report on nursing homes, scrubbing an accurate death count from its pages. According to the New York Times, the changes fueled bitter exchanges between Cuomo staffers and health experts alarmed at the politicization of official data. The conflict helped to explain an exodus of top health officials that included resignations by the deputy commissioner for public health and the director of the bureau of communicable disease. Why would Zucker allow Cuomo's team to exert such influence? Why did he allow his department to become complicit in the governor's corruption? Why didn't the commissioner resign or stand up for his employees? Why didn't he show more, you know, courage? Sure, the governor's a noted bully who tends to get his way. But Zucker is a doctor, the state's chief physician. He has higher obligations than political expediency. But let's move on to another Cuomo scandal in which Zucker and the Health Department played a key role. It's the one involving special COVID-19 testing for the governor's friends and family, with state health officials often dispatched to conduct the tests. Here's just one example: Dr. Eleanor Adams, an epidemiologist and special advisor to Zucker, was sent to Chris Cuomo's home in the Hamptons to test the gubernatorial brother at a time when other New Yorkers struggled to obtain coronavirus tests. When her time wasn't being wasted on such errands, Adams was tasked with coordinating testing issues for nursing homes and other high-risk settings, according to The Washington Post. In other words, a health official who could have been working to protect one of New York's most vulnerable populations was instead catering to the privileged brother of you-know-who. That's just ... well, it's hard to find the words to describe how awful that is. There may be no better example of Cuomo's self-serving hubris. The VIP testing, probably illegal under the state's Public Officers Law, is corruption for which Cuomo was to blame and Zucker was again complicit. Together, the men shredded the integrity and reputation of the Health Department, which is no small thing. It is, after all, a department that New Yorkers need to trust, pandemic or not. And that's why Zucker should follow Cuomo out the door. If the commissioner won't resign, incoming governor Kathy Hochul should fire him without a shred of regret. Zucker's departure would be a step toward rebuilding the credibility of a Health Department undermined by Cuomo's abuses. It would be a sign Hochul's administration understands that the department should be independent of political influence and meddling. It would be, most importantly, the right thing to do. Zucker, like his soon-to-be-former boss, does not deserve to keep his job. I asked whether Zucker expects to stay and received the following emailed statement: "We have a job to do and at my direction the state Health Department remains focused on our mission to protect the health and safety of all New Yorkers, as we continue to manage the public health response to the ongoing and unprecedented global pandemic during this transition." Hochul gave a press conference Wednesday, her first since Cuomo announced his coming resignation, and distanced herself from the governor's bad behavior. The lieutenant governor even said any Cuomo employee cited for unethical behavior in James' report wouldn't have a job in her administration. Hochul presumably meant the report on sexual harassment. But she shouldn't forget the other James report, the one that exposed the undercount of nursing home deaths. It, too, explains how Cuomo earned this disgrace. cchurchill@timesunion.com 518-454-5442 @chris_churchill CATSKILL Twenty-three percent of active COVID-19 cases in Greene County were "breakthrough" cases infecting fully vaccinated residents, the county health department announced Monday. There were 83 active cases Monday, of which 19 were fully vaccinated, according to the health department. Five more cases struck residents who had not completed the two-shot Pfizer or Moderna regimen. The remaining 59 cases, about 71 percent, were among unvaccinated residents. About 65 percent of Greene County residents over the age of 18 have at least one vaccine dose, according to the state Department of Health, meaning 71 percent of cases were present in the more susceptible 35 percent of the population. Greene County has the lowest vaccination rates in the Hudson Valley, according to the state Department of Health. Westchester County has the highest rate, with 84.5 percent of its population receiving at least one shot. Of the 24 cases where the resident was fully or partially vaccinated, 12 had received the Moderna vaccination, nine had received the Pfizer vaccination, and three had received the Johnson and Johnson vaccination. Downtime is the best time Make the most of your Hudson Valley weekend, every week with our newsletter. There are currently two residents hospitalized with COVID-19 in the county. The health department did not respond to inquiries about the patients' vaccination status. WASHINGTON (AP) Despite a few high-profile conservation success stories like the dramatic comeback of bald eagle populations in North America birds of prey are in decline worldwide. A new analysis of data from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and BirdLife International found that 30% of 557 raptor species worldwide are considered near threatened, vulnerable or endangered or critically endangered. Eighteen species are critically endangered, including the Philippine eagle, the hooded vulture and the Annobon scops owl, the researchers found. Other species are in danger of becoming locally extinct in specific regions, meaning they may no longer play critical 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 published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The golden eagle is the national bird of Mexico, but we have very few golden eagles left in Mexico, he said. A 2016 census estimated only about 100 breeding pairs remain in the country. Harpy eagles were once widespread throughout southern Mexico and Central and South America, but 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% were falling in population, the study found. The same was true for 47% of threatened nocturnal raptors, such as owls. That means the factors causing the decline have not been remedied" and those species need immediate attention, said Jeff Johnson, a biologist at the University of North Texas, who was not involved in the study. Globally, the biggest threats to these birds are habitat loss, climate change and toxic substances, said 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. The insecticide DDT thinned egg shells and decimated bald eagle populations in North America, leading to its ban in the U.S. in 1972. But Buechley said other threats remain, including rodent pesticides and the lead in hunters' bullets and shot pellets. Many raptors feed on rodents and dead animals. 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. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. 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. ___ Follow Christina Larson on Twitter: @larsonchristina ___ 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. SARATOGA SPRINGS Eight years ago, Patty Jackson was awakened at 5 a.m. by a panicky phone call from her son's girlfriend. She called to tell her that Jackson's son, Darryl Mount Jr., was missing. She called me freaking out, Jackson recalled of the morning of Aug. 31, 2013. I was so disoriented. Jackson immediately called the police in Saratoga Springs, where his girlfriend said she was with Mount when he went missing. A city police officer told Jackson that her son was at Albany Medical Center Hospital. He said there was a domestic incident and that Darryl fell off a scaffolding, Jackson said. He never told me the severity of it, like he had minor injuries. He was very nonchalant. But the injuries were not minor. Mount, a 21-year-old biracial man from Malta, was in a coma. Police later said that their officers pursued Mount on foot after he slammed his girlfriend's head into a brick wall; she disputes that account. They also said they found Mount unconscious in a city alley where, they said, he took a 19-foot fall. Mount never regained consciousness and subsequently died nine months later on May 13, 2014. Jackson, a nurse, never believed the police narrative, saying the injuries were not consistent with a fall. Neither did racial justice advocates who often shout his name as a rallying cry for police reform. Those advocates, Saratoga Black Lives Matter and MLK Saratoga, will once again gather in his name to mark the eighth anniversary of the incident. At the 5:30 p.m. Tuesday vigil in Congress Park called Shine a Light for Darryl, activists will call for internal and independent external investigations into Mount's death. I really appreciate that they have not forgotten Darryl, Jackson said. That means a lot to me that there are people who still care and believe in what is right. But I wont be at the rally. She said shes too traumatized to appear anywhere that city police patrol and where counterprotesters follow those who gather for her son. I dont feel safe, she said. It scares me because I see the (counterprotesters) driving around in their big-ass trucks. What if one of them shoots at us? She said she also doesnt feel especially welcome in the city where Mount was injured. And where then-police Chief Greg Veitch admitted in a deposition that he lied to a reporter about doing an internal investigation into Mounts injuries. Veitch had said he did do one, ruling out police wrongdoing. Veitch has since retired. Even before Veitch's inaccurate statement became public, Jackson was pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit against the city. Her attorney Brian Breedlove would not comment on the case; however, he did say there is no court date pending. Meanwhile, city officials have stood by the police account of a scaffolding fall and have released videos of the pursuit. The attorney representing the city, John Aspland, said "we look forward to the ability to get this matter before the court." Jackson said she remains tortured because her sons death has splintered the family with anger and sadness. It has literally destroyed my family, Jackson said. You have no idea. When something like this happens, losing a child, you are not the same person you were before. You are just not. I don't care about the same things or do the same things I did before. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Ive lost my faith in our justice system because the police are tied into the courts and the coroners office, she said. Its sick. Ive seen it first-hand. But my lawyers are very confident. Its not just Jackson. She said her daughter and granddaughter, who were close to Mount, are also struggling. It literally tore us down, Jackson said. It tore my family apart. I think Im doing a good job holding it all in. But everyone notices and knows Im a hot mess. Im on pins and needles and my anxiety is through the roof. Im not intentionally thinking about it but subconsciously, my heart and mind knows. She tries to remember who her son was, an energetic person who was always smiling and an avid skier who couldnt wait for winter. He had a beautiful smile, she said. He made mistakes in life. He was trying to figure it out. He was only 21. His brain wasnt even fully developed. He was the life of the party, a mamas boy, he was my baby. He is deeply missed. When you lose a child, you yearn to be with him. More Information Shine a Light for Darryl 5:30 p.m. Tuesday Congress Park, Saratoga Springs See More Collapse She still hopes for some closure. She said a settlement with the city would help. I wish they would hurry up so we could have some closure, she said. Im just trying not to think about it and carry on. Its been eight years. Right now it feels like they are holding open our wounds, taking their hands and pulling our chest apart. GLENS FALLS Glens Falls Hospital president and CEO Dianne Shugrue will retire Dec. 31, ending an eight-year run as leader of the hospital, officials announced Tuesday. Shugrues retirement will cap 14 years she spent at the hospital. In 2007, she was named executive vice president and chief operating officer and in 2013 she was promoted to her current role. Paul Scimeca, the hospitals current senior vice president and chief operating officer, will take the helm in an interim role once she leaves, the hospital said. Dianne Shugrue took over as president and CEO of the hospital at a crucial time, said George Ferone, chair of the hospitals Board of Governors. Her steady, courageous leadership, collaborative and personal approach and deep knowledge of health care have paid huge benefits for this hospital and this community. She has been a fierce advocate for our physicians, nurses, staff, community and the institution itself. Shugrues tenure has been marked by a number of challenges over the years, including the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that has strained hospital capacity and health care workers both locally and nationally. In recent years she has also overseen the institution as it pursued and cemented an affiliation with Albany Medical Center, the regions largest locally governed health system. Hospital leaders say the partnership was necessary in order to maintain critical services in the Glens Falls region. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. As a team, we have come through some amazing highs and lows together, Shugrue said in a news release announcing her retirement. But in the end, we can all be proud of how this indispensable community hospital has always been there for the people we serve I am so proud of the team here it has been the honor of my career to serve as CEO of this hospital. Prior to joining Glens Falls Hospital, Shugrue held leadership positions at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Healthcare System, the Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown, and Ellis Hospital in Schenectady. ALBANY City and higher education officials are trying to crack down after back-to-back weekends drew crowds of up to 2,000 people to raucous parties in Albany's Pine Hills neighborhood. Over the weekend, city police officers repeatedly tried to clear Hudson Avenue between Ontario and Quail streets after social media-fueled house parties grew out of control. A video circulating on social media purportedly from this past weekend showed crowds of young people gathered around a man dancing and stomping on a car, a scene reminiscent of the infamous Kegs and Eggs riot in 2011 that trashed the same block. The gatherings appear to be typical college house parties that social media pushes to dangerous heights. Partiers using Snapchat can see where their friends are based on cell phone locations available in the app. As more people they know pop up on the app's "heat map," the party draws more attention. Mayor Kathy Sheehan said the city had already taken a number of actions, including multiple conversations with representatives from local colleges, and would take more in the future to try and prevent the parties from forming in the future. It is really frustrating to have people come into the city and treat it like its a playground where they can come, do whatever they want and leave their trash behind and go home, she said. What we have seen those past weekends are not how we expect people to treat our city, whether its students coming to go to school, or someone coming into the city to attend a party or event. The parties came together quickly. Officers on the street Saturday night reported the crowds swelled to well over 1,000 people within a half hour. Police spokesman Steve Smith said the department had a detail on the street on both Friday and Saturday night. Officers wrote numerous tickets for open containers, loud music and other quality of life issues, he said. In some cases, officers were met with belligerence. Around 2 a.m. on Saturday officers had bottles thrown at them as they broke up a large fight between several girls, striking one officer in the back. Another bottle broke a squad car window. Saturday night brought more of the same, with multiple fights breaking out and officers using pepper spray to clear the street, Smith said Sheehan, Police Chief Eric Hawkins and Councilman Owusu Anane toured the trash-strewn block Monday afternoon. Department of General Services staff ticketed 40 properties for illegal trash and the city Codes Department is making a sweep of the street this week, Sheehan said. If some landlords come up with multiple problematic properties, the city will bring them in for a conversation, Sheehan said. Quite candidly, theyre renting to the individuals, its the property owners who is responsible ultimately, not the tenants, she said. Early Monday evening, the smell of rotting trash permeated the street and nearly every house had multiple overflowing garbage cans. Anane called the events unacceptable. This type of behavior will not be tolerated, he said. If those who want to visit are unable to treat our neighborhood with respect and dignity, theyre not welcome here. Sheehan said the city is still working with UAlbany, the College at St. Rose and Hudson Valley Community College officials on how to handle the situation going forward. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. It's not clear whether the man shown in the video dancing on the roof of a car is a UAlbany student, but college officials are aware of the issue and taking steps to stop such street parties from happening again, a spokesman said. Both the city and UAlbany officials have done outreach to the student neighborhood, going door-to-door with"off-campus student ambassadors" over the past few days. UAlbany staff also went door-to-door with officers last week to stress the importance of not disrupting the neighborhood. The crowds we are seeing gathering in midtown, and the behavior in them, are completely unacceptable and unsafe," UAlbany spokesman Jordan Carleo-Evangelist said. "While it is clear from the reports from Albany police and university staff on the ground that it is not just college students contributing to these crowds, we are working closely with APD, other city agencies, and other area colleges to do whatever is in the universitys power to stop this behavior." Carleo-Evangelist said the university will review photos and video to identify and sanction students who may have been involved. Sheehan said the city would work to identify those that it could and promote photos of people it was trying to identify. Anyone with information is asked to contact city police or the Dean of Students Office. The college will work with the city to increase its presence in midtown in the coming weekends, according to Carleo-Evangelist. Smith declined to go into specifics about a further police response, but said the department would also be taking further steps over the next few weekends in response to the large parties. "It's something that certainly can't be tolerated and it needs to be made clear to those who decide to party on that street that its a residential neighborhood and they need to respect their neighbors," he said. NEW ORLEANS (AP) A storied New Orleans jazz site where a young Louis Armstrong once worked toppled when Ida blew through Louisiana as one of the most powerful hurricanes to ever hit the U.S. The Karnofsky Tailor Shop, where a Jewish family employed Armstrong, collapsed Sunday during the storm. Armstrong would play a small tin horn as he worked on the coal and junk wagons, according to the National Park Service. The business opened downtown in 1913 and had a residence above it where the late jazz legend would often eat meals. The family, who provided Armstrong a second home, lent him money to buy his first cornet. Louis said it was the Karnofskys that instilled the love of singing in his heart, jazz historian and retired photojournalist John McCusker said, according to WWL-TV. Morris Karnofsky, the familys son and Armstrongs childhood friend, opened the citys first jazz record shop on that same street, according to the park service. Armstrong would visit Morris Music when he returned to New Orleans after moving away. A cluster of other sites that were integral to jazzs early history in the city were also situated on South Rampart Street. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. In 2019, a real estate firm that specializes in historic preservation was under contract to restore a part of the block that included the Karnofsky shop, The Times Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported. The companys CEO floated the idea of repurposing the building as a nightclub or jazz lounge. But when daylight came Monday morning, all that was left was a pile of bricks and other remnants of the historic site. 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. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. 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. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) A whistleblower lawsuit alleges that Indianas state treasurer violated state law in handing out contracts that paid more than $6 million to firms linked to her political supporters. The lawsuit, which was filed by a former top office staffer whom Treasurer Kelly Mitchell fired, claims the Republican bypassed required approvals from other state agencies in awarding contracts for lobbying and financial services without seeking competitive bids. The lawsuit alleges those contracts went to eight banks, a financial services company and the Indianapolis law firm Ice Miller. It says all 10 companies either directly contributed or had business ties with others who contributed to Mitchell's 2014 or 2018 treasurer campaigns, or her unsuccessful 2020 run for Congress. Her current and final term as treasurer runs until the end of 2022. A former managing partner at Ice Miller, Melissa Proffitt, was Mitchells treasurer campaign chairwoman before the law firm received a $3,000-a-month lobbying contract. Officials for Mitchells office and Ice Miller declined to comment Tuesday on the allegations in the lawsuit, which was filed in Marion County court in July and announced Tuesday. The lawsuit claims the treasurers office, which oversees several billion dollars in state investment accounts, began issuing the contracts soon after Mitchell took office in late 2014. It says the contracts didnt undergo reviews by the states Department of Administration, state budget agency and attorney generals office, as required by state law. The fact that Treasurer Mitchell has spent the last six years in office handing out illegal contracts to her political supporters should be troubling to every taxpayer in the state, attorney Chris Wolcott, who represents the whistleblower, said in a statement. State law is very clear that these contracts are void and this money must be repaid immediately. The lawsuit was filed by James Holden, who was the chief deputy treasurer under then-Treasurer Richard Mourdock. Holden was given a new three-year employment contract worth $100,000 a year before Mourdock left office, but Mitchell fired Holden the day she took office in November 2014. He later received a $92,500 settlement in a wrongful termination lawsuit. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Holdens whistleblower lawsuit said he obtained the vendor contracts awarded under Mitchell during research for his wrongful termination lawsuit and public records requests he filed. The contracts generally paid monthly fees to the vendors, ranging from the $3,000 a month to Ice Miller to more than $100,000 a month to a Colorado-based financial firm for management of a state investment fund. The total payouts spanned from about $170,000 to Ice Miller to about $2.1 million for the Colorado firm, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges the payments span from 2015 to early 2020 and maintains that several of the contracts are ongoing. A statement from Holdens attorney said the total amount involved now likely exceeds $12 million. A spokesman for Mitchells office didnt immediately respond to questions about whether any of the contracts remained in effect or had since been approved by other state agencies. Will Waldron FORT EDWARD - State Police are investigating a fight between rival motorcycle gang members that ended with three being injured, one with a gunshot wound. The feuding factions, police said, got into a fight at a home on Route 197 at around 11 p.m. Aug. 9. When police arrived at the fight in-progress, those involved fled. State Police searched the 50-acre property on foot and by helicopter. Five people were apprehended and questioned. No arrests have been made. ALBANY Tucked away on the corner of Morton Avenue and Eagle Street in the citys South End, small changes are happening. Tiny caterpillars are forming chrysalises, emerging days later as monarch butterflies. And a corner lot is becoming a sanctuary not only for these prolific pollinators, but other plant and animal life as well. The South End Butterfly Sanctuary at 228 Eagle St., is the work of Laura Rose and her two daughters: Olivia, 13 and Rebecca, 11. On Tuesday, the sanctuary hosted what the Roses hope will become an annual tradition Pollinator Day Celebration. The Roses hosted a half-dozen or so nonprofits along with craft tables and other activities for children. The event culminated with the release of nearly two dozen monarchs into the wild. Roses family has owned the land for decades. When she and her daughters recently moved back to the property, they considered renting the corner lot and nearby garage for parking. Instead, they hatched the idea of a small ecological sanctuary. I wanted to show my girls that we could make a difference, Laura Rose said. I found that the more connections children and families have with nature, the more resilience and capacity they have to make choices of how they can improve their own areas. They planted milkweed, the main food source for the caterpillars, as well as vegetables and other native plant life. The girls were able to capture three wild monarchs and have examined the plants, looking for tiny monarch eggs to keep an eye on. Once the caterpillars hatch, they transfer them to a small breathable container. Laura sees parallels between the butterflies and her daughters. The girls are fourth-generation Albanians, living now in the house their mother grew up in. The monarchs themselves undergo a four-generation life cycle, with every fourth generation undergoing a journey of thousands of miles from the wildlife reserves in Mexico back to the Northern United States and Canada. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. It has been a learning experience for all three. Small insects have attacked their milkweed, killing most of it. They had to figure out how to teach the newly hatched butterflies to drink a mixture of honey and water. And soon they will need to learn how to tag the butterflies before their release as part of Monarch Watch, a University at Kansas program that tracks monarch migrations. This is just the beginning. Their hope is that the site expands, drawing in people for free vegetables, displays on what plants and animal live in or visit the site and a community board to advertise other nearby events. The Roses see the sanctuary as their small way of making their city a better place and doing their part to push back against global warming. We all are already part of the problem, but its much better to be part of the solution, Olivia Rose said. ALBANY Speechless. Ecstatic. Stunned. Thankful. Suneeta, the Albany-based mom who fled Afghanistan, was reunited with her four children on Monday, marking the end of an eight-year journey fraught with uncertainty and peril. The group landed at Albany International Airport on Monday afternoon after Suneeta went to Washington D.C. to guide them along the final stretch of their arduous journey. With the little ones in front, they made their way through the concourse. Shortly after emerging, Suneeta wept. Thank you, she repeated in English as she emerged from the airline gate to the applause of a small crowd gathered to welcome them home. She looked up at the sky and then grasped her two youngest tightly in an emotional embrace. Many who had arrived to greet them grew emotional. Except, that is, for the youngest, who likely was unaware of the danger they all faced as they escaped Kabul, which fell to the Taliban earlier this month following a chaotic pullout of U.S. forces. Were so happy, were like floating in the sky, Suneeta later said through an interpreter. Upon arrival in Albany, the four kids, ages 7 to 18, were given rainbow-colored bears (and Coca-Colas and donuts for later). It was the first time the family had been together in more than seven years, 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. Their homecoming marks the end of a weeks-long sprint to get the foursome to safety after weeks of huddling in a Kabul apartment building, fearful of retaliatory measures by the Taliban due to Suneetas husbands work as an American ally. He went missing and is presumed dead. The governments collapse on Aug. 15 expedited the timeline, and the familys arrival in Albany Monday by way of Washington D.C. came just hours after the last U.S. officials left the country and wrapped up evacuation efforts a day early, formally ending the countrys decades-long occupation. Its just a gift for us, Sunetta said. Suneeta believed her kids had a target on their backs due to her husbands work. All four kids, who the Times Union is not identifying for security reasons, were previously pre-approved for humanitarian parole. Yet visa processing by the U.S. government trickled to a stop earlier this summer. In the meantime, the group huddled in a Kabul apartment building, occasionally making a break for the exit. The kids narrowly averted the deadly blast that tore through the airport last week, killing 13 U.S. military personnel and at least 169 Afghans. Suneetas decision to go public with her story earlier this month sparked a renewed emphasis on ferrying the kids out of Kabul, with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) working closely with the offices of Senate Maj. Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, both New Yorkers, to clear bureaucratic hurdles. CNN anchor Jake Tapper also got involved, linking USCRI attorney Sara Lowry to Alex Plitsas, a U.S. Army Iraq war veteran who helped shepherd refugees through the escape process in conjunction with official U.S. government efforts. Both of them, Suneeta said, were invaluable in her childrens rescue, the result of a sophisticated operation conducted with U.S. forces, Afghan volunteers and nonprofits and other stakeholders. Plitsas, who was at the airport, fought back tears Monday as he watched his efforts come to fruition. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Also 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 guided them to safety. Afzali himself is now on route to safety in Texas, Plitsas confirmed on Monday. Theyre really good people, Suneeta said. They sheltered my children. Rabbi Moshe Margaretten, president of the Tzedek Association, a nonprofit that has been working to evacuate high-risk individuals out of the country, worked with the White House and other federal agencies to obtain paperwork needed for the kids to leave Hamid Karzai International Airport. Margaretten traced a direct connection between Holocaust survivors and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Afghanistan. Our parents went through a lot, said Margaretten, whose father and aunt went on to escape the Hungarian Revolution in the mid-1950s. Were honored to help. So far, the New York City-based group evacuated 61 people alone on Monday. More will follow, officials said. With her family reunited, Suneeta said shes so excited, she cant think straight. Yet her heart aches for all of those left behind, including extended family members, who she fears will be targeted and perhaps killed by the Taliban during door-to-door interrogations. They have to sit still, Suneeta said. Otherwise the Taliban will kill them one-by-one. She hugged her children tighter. Today is our day, she said. ALBANY In 1999, rookie FBI agent Janeen DiGuiseppi hoped for an assignment in New York or Philadelphia. She wound up in Utah. More than 21 years later and following assignments in Memphis, Denver, Baghdad and Kabul, Afghanistan, DiGuiseppi is finally rooted in the Northeast as the first woman to permanently lead the FBI in the Capital Region. Sitting behind her desk in the bureau's McCarty Avenue office, the 54-year-old DiGuiseppi offers a direct, no-nonsense approach befitting the Air Force veteran who served nearly nine years. As special agent in charge of the Albany field office, DiGuiseppi is responsible for an area covering 32 upstate counties and Vermont. The Albany FBI office has seen four prior permanent top agents leave since 2017. That list includes ex-SAC James N. Hendricks, who resigned after an internal investigation determined he sexually harassed eight subordinate employees. DiGuiseppi, who followed Hendricks noncontroversial successor, Thomas Relford, did not shy away when asked if the office had made changes in the post-Hendricks era. I would say what happened here happened because of Mr. Hendricks, not because of anything we did or didnt have in place, DiGuiseppi said. Thats who he was and unfortunately, he was in a position that he could exploit his position as a SAC to do the wrong thing. It should have never happened. Under her leadership, DiGuiseppi said everyone who enters the building, including criminal suspects, are to be treated with dignity and respect. Ive found that if you treat people that way, thats the work environment youre going to have. DiGuiseppi's all business exterior is slightly belied when she speaks of her beloved dog Layla, whose photo is on the wall of her office. DiGuiseppis family hails from the Bronx, though she never lived there. The daughter of an Air Force officer, DiGuiseppi lived in Mississippi, Arizona, Florida and Greece. DiGuiseppi has two sisters, including a twin. DiGuiseppi attended middle school and high school in Merritt Island, Fla. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida and master's degree from Florida International University. While in the Air Force, DiGuiseppi spent time in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Saudi Arabia. She loved being in the military, she said, but after nearly nine years it was downsizing. She said she had long been interested in criminal justice. In college, she interned at the sheriffs office in Orlando. In January 1999, DiGuiseppi went to Quantico, Va. to train to be an FBI agent. I had the education and the background that I could come into the FBI and to me, this is the premier law enforcement agency, DiGuiseppi said. It was just the right fit. DiGuiseppis first FBI assignment was in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was then assigned to Iraq to work as an assistant legal attache, supervising a major crimes task force in Baghdad between 2008 and 2009. We worked with the Iraqi law enforcement to teach them how to conduct investigations and bring cases together to go into the court system, she said. She spent nearly two years in Afghanistan from July 2010 to April 2012 as a supervisory agent and the FBI's biometric lead in Kabul. Asked about the recent terrorist attack that killed 13 U.S. soldiers and injured many others in Afghanistan, she said, Its heartbreaking. Before Albany, DiGuiseppi was deputy assistant director of the FBIs training division in Quantico. She previously worked as an assistant SAC in the FBIs Denver field office. She also served in three roles at the Criminal Investigative Division at FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. DiGuiseppis top priorities in Albany include battling violent crime, cybercrime, ransomware and fraud against the elderly, among others issues. DiGuiseppi said her office will conduct a media campaign to educate the community about hate crimes. We know that hate crimes are underreported so we want to make sure that people understand what a federal hate crime is and that were here to help and to investigate, she said. In 2018, acting SAC Janelle Miller temporarily ran the office, but DiGuiseppi is the first woman to hold the position permanently. DiGuiseppi said she has earned the ultimate job for most agents, which is to run a field office. She made it clear she would rather not focus on herself. I think for me and its always been because I grew up around it its about duty and service to this country, DiGuiseppi said. Ive always felt that is the core of who I am, just like integrity, trustworthiness. Its not always easy to be in the military or in the bureau, but its about doing the right thing for the right reasons and I have always been someone who wanted to serve. ALBANY Law enforcement officials are issuing subpoenas to gather records in an ongoing investigation of allegations that former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo groped a female aide's breast at the Executive Mansion in November. The allegation that the governor had groped the woman, Brittany Commisso, became a focus of the state attorney general's investigation that concluded Cuomo had sexually harassed, touched or acted inappropriately with 11 women. Sources close to the investigation said that Commisso met with Albany County sheriff's investigators for a second time on Monday for a formal interview about her allegations. The subpoenas will be used to gather any documentary evidence, including material related to Commisso's claim that on the day of the alleged encounter she had helped the governor text a note from his iPhone to Stephanie Benton, one of his top assistants. Sheriff Craig Apple confirmed that Commisso met with investigators on Monday, along with a representative of the Albany County district attorney's office. He declined further comment. Apple previously said that Cuomos decision to resign would not impact the criminal investigation into Commisso's allegation that the governor groped her last year. Cuomo has accused Commisso of lying and denied that he touched or hugged her in a sexually aggressive manner. The 33-year-old revealed her identity publicly in an exclusive interview with the Times Union and CBS News in early August, just days after the release of the attorney general's report. She subsequently filed a complaint with the sheriff's department on the advice of her attorney, Brian Premo. It was Commisso's allegations the most serious the governor faced that prompted the most pushback from Cuomo and his private attorney, Rita Glavin. Before Cuomo announced his resignation on Aug. 10, Glavin gave livestreamed presentations in which she sought to pick apart the fairness and thoroughness of the attorney general's investigation, noting that it contained errors of fact and had allegedly cast aside information that may have favored Cuomo. "From day one, it became building a case against Gov. Cuomo," Glavin said of the investigation, which was handled by outside attorneys hired by Attorney General Letitia James' office. "They started with a presumption that he had done some terrible things, and it went from there. ... This investigation took every possible negative thing that could be said about the governor and they put it in, and they disregarded the positive." In his resignation speech, Cuomo apologized to a female state trooper that he had touched and with whom he had engaged in conversations that she described as "flirtatious" and "creepy." But there was no apology for Commisso, who alleged that he groped her breast and rear end during two incidents at the governor's mansion in December 2019 and November 2020. "The most serious allegations made against me have no credible factual basis in the report," Cuomo said. "There is a difference between alleged improper conduct and concluding sexual harassment." Glavin has honed in on the fact the attorney general's report erroneously stated the groping incident took place on Nov. 16. But Commisso, in a series of interviews with the Times Union, had said the incident took place later that month, possibly on a weekday just prior to Thanksgiving. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The attorney general's office has declined to clarify the error, but has pointed to a footnote in the report that states the woman said the incident had occurred around that time, but not on that day. Commisso has said she went to the mansion when only the governor and mansion staff were present. She went to Cuomo's second-floor office and helped him text a note from his iPhone to Benton just before the alleged groping took place. In her first meeting with sheriff's investigator in early August, she suggested they use a subpoena to verify the date of that text, which would confirm the date of the alleged incident. Glavin previously responded to a written question from the Times Union about whether Benton or Cuomo had a copy of that text. Glavin has said there are no records of Commisso visiting the mansion in November other than on Nov. 16, but State Police sources and staffers of the governor have said it's possible to enter the mansion without a record being kept of the visit. Cecilia Walsh, a spokeswoman for the district attorney's office, previously said the inquiry remains ongoing and declined comment on a pending investigation. In March, after the incident was disclosed by the Times Union, Cuomo's acting counsel referred the sexual assault allegation against the governor to the Albany Police Department. That referral was "highly unusual" because it was a matter that would normally be handled by the State Police, Mayor Kathy Sheehan said at the time. The complaint filed with sheriff's investigators triggered a new investigation of the allegations against Cuomo days after the release of the report from James' office. Soares' office and sheriff's investigators have been provided with copies of the attorney general's records that were gathered in the investigation. Several other district attorneys, including in Manhattan, are also examining the allegations of the women who cooperated with the report. TROY Plumb Oyster Bar, largely closed since November, reopened last week. Owner Heidi Knoblauch tells me Plumb is open 5 to 9:30 p.m, Thursday to Saturday. She says the focus is on raw-bar fare, cocktails and pressed sandwiches, but she isn't posting the menu online at the moment because it is evolving. The restaurant, previously with a staff of 18, now runs with six employees, made possible by the smaller menu, shorter days/hours and different methods of operation, according to an interview Knoblauch gave CBS6 Albany. After multiple pandemic-related pivots last year, Plumb closed in November, offering occasional cocktail and cookie takeouts. In mid-June, a high-end concept called Plumb Oyster Bar featuring Clermont opened, with Troy restaurateur Quang Tran running front-of-house operations and chef Alexander Goldman in the kitchen. The partnership imploded within two weeks, with Tran returning to his Quang's Vietnamese Bistro, and Clermont continued through mid-August under Goldman. Knoblauch originally said Clermont would run through mid-September and was the first of an ongoing series of guest-chef arrangements, but she decided to reopen as Plumb at the urging of employees, according to the CBS6 interview. Plumb is located at 15 Second St. Tibrina Hobson/FilmMagic COLONIE News this week and last that the Chick-fil-A chain will likely have Capital Region locations accessible to the public, not just behind security at Albany International Airport, again stirred up sentiment against the company for its support of antigay causes. This controversy goes back a long way, nationally and locally. When rumors were going around seven years ago that Chick-fil-A might be opening locally, I took a poll that drew an impressive 2,800 responses. Almost 75 percent of people said they would not boycott the chain, with 17 percent saying they would refuse to patronize it. Wesley J. "Jack" Bradley, age 91 of Knottsville Road, Thornton, WV passed away Friday, September 10, 2021 at his residence. He was born March 29, 1930 in Grafton, a son of the late Milton Otis and Flossie Lee Beall Bradley. Jack was also preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise Hustead B Two brothers who told police they buried their mother and sisters bodies in their suburban Chicago homes backyard years ago after they died have been released from custody as authorities continue investigating two bodies found buried there Two people were killed and at least 10 others were injured when their vehicles plunged into a large, muddy pit after a roadway collapsed in Mississippi New wild horse capture in Colorado to proceed, Interior says The federal government is launching an emergency roundup of more than 780 wild horses in a drought-stricken area of Colorado despite a last-minute appeal by Gov. Jared Polis to pause the operation [August 31, 2021] Apple Broadens Racial Equity and Justice Initiative with $30 Million in New Commitments Apple (News - Alert) today announced $30 million in new commitments as part of its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI), supporting students, innovators, and advocacy organizations that are leading the charge in creating a more inclusive, more just world. These new projects include a Global Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Equity Innovation Hub; expanded education initiatives for community colleges and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); a new cohort of the Apple Entrepreneur Camp immersive tech lab for Hispanic/Latinx founders and developers; and funding for leaders working to advance criminal justice reform and environmental justice. These new commitments build on Apple's $100 million initial investment in REJI, and will help elevate equity-focused solutions across the academic and advocacy landscapes. As 60 percent of undergraduate students at HSIs and HBCUs are Hispanic/Latinx or Black, Apple's new projects will help equip the next generation of students and leaders to dismantle structures that perpetuate inequities and institutional racism. "The call to build a more just and equitable world is an urgent one, and at Apple, we feel a collective responsibility to help drive progress forward," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "The commitments we're sharing will help the young leaders of today and tomorrow start new businesses, develop groundbreaking innovations, and inspire countless others to join the fight for justice. We're grateful to all of the trailblazing organizations we're partnering with for their tireless dedication to equity as we work toward a better future together." Expanding Access and Equity in Education with the Launch of the Innovation Hub Apple is partnering with the California State University (CSU) to launch a Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub. This public-private partnership between the state of California, the CSU, and Apple will work in collaboration with HSIs throughout the nation to foster student success by equipping learners - including Hispanic/Latinx, Black, and Asian American students - with skills for high-demand careers. Apple's commitment will support the initiative's main location on the California State University, Northridge campus near Los Angeles, and provide Apple technology, design support, and thought partnership as the project expands. The partnership will launch equity-centered programming focused on transforming HSIs throughout the CSU and across the nation. It also seeks to expand by establishing regional HSI Equity Innovation hubs at affiliate colleges and universities, and through partnerships with national organizations committed to advancing this work. "By reframing service through an equity and racial-justice lens, the Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub seeks to exponentially accelerate educational equity across the CSU system and the nation," said Erika D. Beck, president of CSUN. "We are thankful for Apple's support as we aim to shift away from thinking about what students must do to be successful, instead thinking about what our institutions must do to successfully serve the Latinx community and students from other underrepresented groups. The Equity Hub at CSUN is an ideal site to continue collaborating on proven strategies that benefit all." Applying an interdisciplinary approach, programming will focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and will leverage technology to inspire students to become the innovators and creators of the future in STEM. "The CSU takes great pride in providing pathways to STEM education and preparing students for careers that power the world's fifth-largest economy," said Joseph I. Castro, chancellor of CSU. "Thanks to the bold vision from the state of California, Apple, and other legislative leaders, the Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub will greatly benefit thousands of talented students in Californa and beyond." In partnership with Tennessee State University, Apple is also supporting the expansion of the HBCU C2 initiative to 11 new schools - including Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M University, and Texas Southern University - bringing the total number of community coding centers and regional hubs on HBCU campuses to 45 across the country. The program, which launched in 2019, empowers and supports HBCUs to bring coding and creativity experiences to their communities, using Apple hardware and its Everyone Can Code and Everyone Can Create curricula. "In the three years since we teamed up with Apple, we've brought coding and creativity courses and experiences to thousands of HBCU students and community members," said Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, president of Tennessee State University. "We're proud of all that we've accomplished, and cannot wait to continue building this impactful initiative together as we create a more equitable future, open doors to new opportunities, and ensure our students have access to cutting-edge careers." Elevating App Founders and Technologists from Underrepresented Backgrounds ?Apple will expand its Entrepreneur Camp program to welcome its first cohort of Hispanic/Latinx founders and developers next year. Participants in the immersive tech lab for app-driven companies founded and led by developers from underrepresented backgrounds will have the opportunity to work with Apple experts, engineers, and leaders to take their app experiences to the next level. They will also become members of the Apple Entrepreneur Camp alumni network, a world-class group of ambitious leaders who have gone on to secure major funding rounds, garner numerous awards and accolades, and significantly expand both their teams and app users worldwide. "We are focused on advancing enduring change, and our newest grant commitments will further that effort by supporting problem solvers and solution seekers in communities of color nationwide," said Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. "Education, economic opportunity, and environmental justice are fundamental pillars to ensuring racial equity, and everyone has a role to play in this critical mission." Investing in Criminal Justice and Environmental Justice Organizations Apple has committed to investing in organizations that support racial justice, including the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, The Council on Criminal Justice, Innocence Project, The Last Mile (News - Alert) , Recidiviz, The Sentencing Project, and Vera Institute of Justice. These commitments will also help to promote racial, ethnic, economic, and gender justice, as well as the safeguarding of youth and working to end the practice of extreme sentences in the criminal justice system. "The Last Mile strives to break the cycle and curb the problem of mass incarceration in America by focusing on education, vocation, expansion, and workforce reentry," said Beverly Parenti, executive director and founder of The Last Mile. "We are thrilled to have Apple support our mission as we work to build better opportunities and futures for the communities we serve." Apple is also partnering with a number of community colleges to implement programs that will help incarcerated and paroled individuals learn new skills and work to prevent recidivism. In Texas, at Houston Community College, Apple will contribute funding and technology to a program that supports individuals on parole and probation to prepare for career and college readiness. In California, Apple is supporting the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) in creating programming for the Community Collaborative Courts, an initiative where the Los Angeles County Probation Department works with prosecutors, attorneys, and judges to refer at-risk offenders to LACCD as an alternative to traditional incarceration. And in Louisiana, Apple is working with New Orleans's Delgado Community College to develop an anti-recidivism program. Additionally, Apple is committing funding to Black-, Hispanic/Latinx-, and Indigenous-led organizations that are grounded in advancing environmental justice, and advocating for communities most impacted by climate change and environmental disparities. Recipients include Hispanic Access Foundation, First Nations Development Institute, and The Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice. "For more than a decade, Hispanic Access Foundation has been working to address environmental hazards directly affecting our Latino community and establishing bridges that provide equal access to a more healthy, natural environment," said Maite Arce, president and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation. "We're thankful for Apple's support, which will directly heighten our impact, help us deepen community engagement, and ensure that we continue to bring more equitable solutions and opportunities to the forefront." Funding will expand critical work emphasizing environmental stewardship, advocacy, and leadership in overburdened communities, and expand upon Apple's Impact Accelerator, which helps combat systemic barriers to opportunity, while also advancing innovative solutions for communities impacted by climate change. For more information about Apple's commitment to racial equity and justice, visit apple.com/racial-equity-justice-initiative. Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone (News - Alert) , iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. Apple's five software platforms - iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS - provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, and iCloud. Apple's more than 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it. NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple Newsroom (www.apple.com/newsroom), or call Apple's Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042. 2021 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005358/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] BDO Netherlands Chooses Sinequa to Power its Information-Driven Growth Strategy Leading enterprise search provider, Sinequa, announced today that financial services company BDO Netherlands has chosen Sinequa's technology to accelerate its global expansion strategy. Sinequa's platform will enable BDO employees to surface insights from the company's content and data and deliver greater value to its clients. This will enable BDO Netherlands to go further, faster by facilitating rapid development of insight applications that improve decision making, increase productivity, accelerate innovation, and create competitive advantage. Marcel Donkers, CIO at BDO Netherlands said: "Data drives everything we do, from informing our advisory services to engaging world-wide partners, employees and clients, to enabling our digital services. BDO sees a bright future with highly differentiated business solutions that create value for our clients and key stakeholders. The Sinequa platform goes well beyond traditional enterprise search and will be instrumental in taking BDO to its next level of maturity and sustained growth." BDO Netherlands is an independent member firm of BDO International Limited. With more than 2600 employees, it is the fastest-growing global audit and accounting network in the world, operating in 167 countries, and connecting over 90,000 people in 1,650 offices worldwide. As BDO Netherlands's digital resources and services expand, it's imperative that advisers can easily derive insights from vast amounts of structured data and unstructured content from across the organization. BDO was looking for a comprehensive solution that could deliver capabilities for enterprise search. After a head-to-head comparison, BDO selected Sinequa due to its comprehensive cognitive search and analysis capabilities, complementary technologies for building powerful search-based insight applications, advanced Natural Language Processing including Dutch and German langage support, and integration with Microsoft (News - Alert) Azure and Microsoft Office 365. The broad portfolio of connectors was also a major differentiator, with robust support for M-Files, a key application at BDO. Recognized as a leader in the Gartner 2021 Magic Quadrant for Insight Engines and The Forrester Wave: Cognitive Search, Q3 2021, Sinequa enables companies like BDO to extract deep, relevant insights to operate more efficiently. Stephane Kirchacker, Vice President, EMEA at Sinequa comments: "Like many of our world-class customers, BDO is a data-intensive organization that relies on insights from a broad range of sources to deliver superior services to its clients. Our work with BDO Netherlands exemplifies how Sinequa empowers leading organizations to extract greater value from their vast quantities of data more rapidly and efficiently than they would otherwise be able to. We are thrilled to be working with BDO to deliver the benefits of our powerful tool, from enabling more tailored services for clients, to aiding sustainable business growth." About Sinequa Sinequa serves both large and complex organizations with the most complete enterprise search, ever. Customers employ our intelligent search platform to connect all content (both text and data), derive meaning, learn from user interactions, and present information in context. This solves content chaos and informs employees through a single, secure interface. They get the knowledge, expertise, and insights needed to make informed decisions and do more, faster. These organizations accelerate innovation, reduce rework, foster collaboration, ensure compliance, and increase productivity. Become Information-Driven with Sinequa. For more information visit www.sinequa.com About BDO Netherlands In the new economy we need to capitalize on market opportunities faster than ever. New rules challenge us to act more business-like. And a new generation is ready to do things differently. Better, smarter, more innovatively. To succeed as an entrepreneur we need to renew ourselves too. Be open to change. And have a broad-minded view of the possibilities that lie before us. New perspectives. That's what BDO wants to offer you. And that's exactly what we do, with our unique combination of local market knowledge and an international network. Personal service and a professional approach. At BDO, we want to help you get a fresh angle on your business. So you can make the right decisions to increase the agility, strength and success of your organisation - whether it is a small or medium-sized enterprise, a family-owned business, a public organisation or an international corporation. BDO is eager to look ahead with you. Together we will gain new insights and new opportunities in your market. Together we will create new perspectives. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005461/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Big Data Exchange (BDx) Inks Agreement with Red Dot Analytics to Increase Sustainability Across Its Asia Pacific Data Centers HONG KONG, Sept. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Data Exchange (BDx) , a Pan-Asian data center cluster, has entered into an agreement with Red Dot Analytics (RDA) to digitally transform BDx's facilities, empowering them to be more efficient and sustainable. The first phase of the three-year project with RDA, a Singapore-based pioneer in the industrial artificial intelligence (AI) space, will focus on cooling and PUE optimization at BDx's facilities in mainland China, China Hong Kong and Singapore. This agreement enables BDx to identify inefficiencies throughout its facilities by leveraging RDA's Data Center Solution that integrates AI-driven applications and automation. As a result, BDx will gain deep insight into its data center life cycle management, delivering lower energy costs, less human error and increased capacity utilization. Ultimately, BDx will reduce its carbon emissions and footprint, which is critical as the demand for digital continues to increase the need for data centers. Technological advances are especially in demand in Singapore, which is home to one of BDx's data centers. Singapore supplies approximately 60% of data center needs across the AsiaPacific region, however a data center moratorium has been implemented while government officials address concerns over data center sustainability. Data centers comprise 7% of the nation's total electricity consumption, due in large part to the cost of cooling data centers in order to protect equipment from the hot, humid environment. "RDA's artificial intelligence-based technology will provide visibility into our systems to identify ways we can increase performance and sustainability without compromising the safety standards required for mission-critical infrastructure," says Jeremy Yew, COO for BDx. "This focus on energy and operational efficiency will help us advance our operations and increase our quality of service." Through its digital twin technology model, RDA creates critical infrastructure in the physical world and optimizes it with the use of AI-based applications. The company's advancements in sustainability and predictive maintenance allow mission-critical data center operators, like BDx, to keep providing needed connectivity in a more efficient environment. "BDx will have a stronger ability to identify and prevent potential hotspots and other thermal safety concerns within the data center," says Professor Yonggang Wen, Chief Scientist at RDA. "Cooling regulation and optimization will result in a PUE optimization of up to 5%. The increased efficiencies will lead to additional savings for BDx and its customers in a more sustainable environment." To learn more about BDx, visit www.bdxworld.com. About BDx Big Data Exchange (BDx) is a Pan-Asian data center cluster with sites throughout China Hong Kong, mainland China and Singapore. Its unique hybrid cloud, connectivity and colocation solutions offer unparalleled security and reliability for the mission-critical IT infrastructure of its local and global clientele. As a carrier-neutral provider, BDx delivers a secure hybrid ecosystem with innovative connectivity solutions to enterprises, OTTS, financial services and more. With its automated modules, BDx allows enterprises to manage physical racks with the same ease as working in public clouds, as well as an unmatched level of customization. BDx was founded in 2019 and maintains headquarters in Hong Kong. To learn more, visit www.bdxworld.com or follow BDx on Twitter and LinkedIn . About Red Dot Analytics Pte Ltd Red Dot Analytics Pte Ltd (RDA) is a spin-off from Nanyang Technological University Singapore. RDA focuses on commercialising an award-winning cognitive digital twin solution to digitalise, optimise and automate data centre operations and management for business continuity and sustainability. To learn more, visit www.rda.ai/ Media Contact: Jaymie Scotto & Associates (JSA) pr@jsa.net SOURCE Big Data Exchange (BDx) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Cornerstone Advisors Acquires Coastline Analytics, Adding Advanced Analytics Expertise to Its Financial Services Consulting Offerings SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cornerstone Advisors announced today its acquisition of Coastline Analytics, a Florida-based firm specializing in advanced data analytics applications for community-based banks and credit unions. "Through this acquisition, we are adding unmatched analytics, machine learning, and data science consulting expertise to the comprehensive list of services we provide to our financial services clients," said Scott Sommer, chief executive officer at Cornerstone Advisors. Coastline Analytics Co-Founder Steven Simpson joins Cornerstone to head up the firm's Data Science Division. Simpson has been employed by or consulted with some of the most reputable organizations in the world, including Bank of America, McKinsey & Co., Sheshunoff, Suncoast Credit Union, Wachovia, and ompass BBVA. "We are excited to offer additional value to our clients through Steven's executive-level expertise and technical data science knowledge," Sommer said. "I look forward to introducing Cornerstone's bank and credit union clients to advanced analytics solutions that can help them execute successful digital growth, customer retention, risk mitigation, and profit improvement strategies," Simpson said. Adding deeper analytics to the firm's advisory services enhances Cornerstone's ability to help financial institutions quickly execute on growth and performance improvement strategies, Sommer observed. "Coupled with our robust Performance Vault benchmarks, our clients will have even greater fact-based insights to drive their strategic decisions and achieve business outcomes faster," he concluded. Cornerstone Advisors, a management and technology consulting firm, brings innovative insights and strategic execution to banks, credit unions, and fintechs, helping them reach the next level of performance. For more information, visit crnrstone.com. Contact: Cate Pitts, Editorial Director Cornerstone Advisors 315846@email4pr.com 480.425.5203 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cornerstone-advisors-acquires-coastline-analytics-adding-advanced-analytics-expertise-to-its-financial-services-consulting-offerings-301365892.html SOURCE Cornerstone Advisors [August 31, 2021] Dante Labs Announces Appointment of Sandra Close to its Board of Directors to Support Strategic Initiatives in Diagnostics CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dante Labs , a global leader in genomics and precision medicine, announced today the appointment of Sandra Close, Ph.D., as a member of its Board of Directors. Sandra was formerly the Chief Diagnostics Strategy Officer at Invitae, a leading medical genetics company, which acquired ArcherDX in 2020. Im thrilled to welcome Sandra Close to the Dante Labs Board, said Dante Labs CEO Andrea Riposati. Sandras expertise in leading strategic efforts to provide actionable, more personalized medical information have had real life impact on peoples healthcare decisions, and her leadership in the field will be a valuable addition to our board as we expand the capabilities of the diagnostics side of our business. Dr. Close stated, Im very pleased to be joining Dantes Board at this exciting time to help accelerate diagnostics in healthcare, particularly in rare disease and oncology where earlier intervention is so essential to better health outcomes. Dr. Close is an experienced leader in driving qualit, regulatory and business strategy for growing diagnostics companies on a global scale. Her work at Invitae was focused on leading diagnostics strategy efforts on the oncology team, having joined Invitae through the acquisition of ArcherDX, where she served as Executive Vice President of Quality, Regulatory and Business Strategy. Prior to that, Dr. Close served as CEO and Independent Consultant at GenEngine, an information company providing genetics support technology and services. Prior to her work at GenEngine, Dr. Close held several roles in biotechnology and biopharma. Dr. Close will join Illumina Chief Operations Officer Bob Ragusa, GRAIL SVP Mark Morgan and Pacific Biosciences Chief Operating Officer Mark Van Oene to Dante Labs Board of Directors. About Dante Labs Dante Labs is a global genomic data company building and commercializing a new class of transformative health and longevity applications based on whole genome sequencing and AI. Our assets include one of the largest private genome databases with research consent, a proprietary software platform designed to unleash the power of genomic data at scale and proprietary processes which enable an industrial approach to genomic sequencing. Headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, with a research laboratory in Wolverhampton, Dante Labs supported the UK Governments urgent requirement to scale-up a high-capacity, highly automated testing solution for Covid-19, including infected patients as well as those with antibodies. Dante Labs was able to deliver by leveraging existing technology that had been developed for whole genome sequencing. Contact Giorgio Lodi media@dantelabs.com +39 0862 191 0671 www.dantelabs.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Databricks Raises $1.6 Billion Series H Investment at $38 Billion Valuation Strong valuation increase reflects adoption of lakehouse as the data and AI architecture of the future SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 31, 2021 /CNW/ -- Databricks, the Data and AI company, today announced a $1.6 Billion round of funding to accelerate innovation and adoption of the data lakehouse, as the data architecture's popularity across data-driven organizations continues to grow at a rapid pace. The Series H funding, led by Counterpoint Global (Morgan Stanley), puts Databricks at a $38 billion post-money valuation. Counterpoint Global is joined by other new investors including Baillie Gifford, ClearBridge Investments and UC Investments (Office of the Chief Investment Officer of the Regents of the University of California). Existing investors participating in the round include Andreessen Horowitz, funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments), Coatue Management, Fidelity Management & Research, Franklin Templeton, GIC, Greenoaks, Octahedron Capital, funds and accounts managed by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., Tiger Global Management and Whale Rock Capital Management. As further commitment to accelerate lakehouse adoption globally, Databricks also announced the appointment of former Salesforce executive, Andy Kofoid, as President of Global Field Operations. As the world's first lakehouse platform in the cloud, Databricks has pioneered an open and unified architecture for data and AI, which brings the reliability, governance and performance of a data warehouse directly to the data lakes that most organizations already store all of their data in. Rather than being forced to move data out of the data lake, and between various disconnected and legacy systems for different use cases, Databricks customers are building lakehouses on AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud to support every data and analytics workload on a single platform. As a result, they're able to avoid architectural complexity, significantly reduce infrastructure costs, increase data team productivity, and innovate faster. Today, hunreds of leading organizations around the world are using the Databricks Lakehouse Platform. "AT&T has been changing the way people live, work and play for the past 144 years. As part of our goal to create new and exciting customer experiences that connect people with who and what they love, AT&T is modernizing our data ecosystem and migrating it to the cloud. This involves moving petabytes of data to the cloud. We leverage Data Lakehouse in Databricks for our most granular data as well as real-time data pipelines supporting key AI/ML applications." Andy Markus, Chief Data Officer, AT&T This new round brings Databricks' total funding to almost $3.6B, and will be used to accelerate the company's lead in the massive and rapidly growing data lakehouse market. Driven by open standards, cloud adoption and the continued rise of machine learning applications, the company intends to build on its lead by investing in innovations that further simplify AI, preserve choice and flexibility across all major public clouds, and establish the lakehouse as a modern replacement to the legacy data warehouse. In addition, under Kofoid's leadership, the company will invest to accelerate adoption of the Databricks Lakehouse Platform globally, by entering new markets, enabling and growing its partner ecosystem, and building a broad catalog of industry solutions. "This new investment is a reflection of the rapid adoption and incredible customer demand we're seeing for the Databricks Lakehouse Platform and underscores the industry and investor confidence in our vision - that lakehouse is the data architecture of the future," said Ali Ghodsi, Co-Founder and CEO of Databricks. "This marks a thrilling new chapter that will allow us to accelerate our pace of innovation and further invest in the success of data-driven organizations on their journey to the lakehouse." "We're incredibly excited to partner with the world class team at Databricks whose lakehouse platform is reinventing analytics with the speed and scale customers require today. We believe the company is well positioned to become a platform of choice among forward thinking enterprises that want to transform valuable data into strategic business insights." - Dennis Lynch, Head of Counterpoint Global "Databricks is an outstanding example of the innovation and pioneering spirit that flourishes throughout the University of California system and we are excited to support the next phase of a meteoric journey that first sparked at Berkeley," said Jagdeep Singh Bachher, Chief Investment Officer of the UC Regents for UC Investments. "This investment is a testament to the extraordinary opportunity we see for Databricks to shape the future of data and AI with the creation of the data lakehouse category. We look forward to partnering with the Databricks team to enable tens of thousands of future UC students to be the next generation of innovators." Other existing and new Investors that participated in this funding round include: Alta Park Capital, a suite of BNY Mellon funds, Discovery Capital, Dragoneer Investment Group, Flucas Ventures, Gaingels, Geodesic, Green Bay Ventures, the House Fund, Insight Partners, and New Enterprise Associates. About Databricks Databricks is the data and AI company. More than 5,000 organizations worldwide including Comcast, Conde Nast, H&M, and over 40% of the Fortune 500 rely on the Databricks Lakehouse Platform to unify their data, analytics and AI. Databricks is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices around the globe. Founded by the original creators of Apache Spark, Delta Lake and MLflow, Databricks is on a mission to help data teams solve the world's toughest problems. To learn more, follow Databricks on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Press Contact: Keyana Corliss, Head of Global Communications Keyana.Corliss@databricks.com IR Contact: IR@databricks.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/databricks-raises-1-6-billion-series-h-investment-at-38-billion-valuation-301365773.html SOURCE Databricks [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] DecisionLink Wins Best SaaS Product in Sales and Marketing and Atlanta Inno's Fire Awards DecisionLink, the leader in cloud-based Customer Value Management (CVM), today announces that the company's supersonic momentum continues with two new awards. DecisionLink's ValueCloud(R) is the winner of the SaaS (News - Alert) Awards Best SaaS Product in the Sales and Marketing category. DecisionLink was also recognized as an award winner by Atlanta Inno's Fire Awards in the Software category. The SaaS Awards is a software awards program which celebrates innovation and excellence. It accepts entries from across the world, including the US, Canada, UK, Australasia and EMEA. CEO for DecisionLink, Tim Page, said: "It is a huge honor for DecisionLink to be named as a winner in the 2021 SaaS Awards. To have impressed the judging panel in this way clearly demonstrates our ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence." Head of Operations for the SaaS Awards, James Williams, said: "So far, 2021 has been a year of transformative growth for successful organizations, with disruptive change across most areas of business." Atlanta Inno's Fire Awards recognizes companies that show potential to disrupt their sectors with their innovations. The winners are selected based on industry insights and community nominations. CMO for DecisionLink, Joanne Moretti, said: "The high praise from our amazing Atlanta tech community is truly appreciated." About DecisionLink DecisionLink's ValueCloud is the first and leading enterprise-class solution for automating and scaling customer value management. ValueCloud transforms customer value into strategic, actionable assets empowering sellers, marketers, and customer success professionals to elevate tactical conversations about feature, function, and price into outcome-based discussions of business value. The ability to do this securely, at scale, and at any point in the customer journey is unique to DecisionLink and ensures customers for life. DecisionLink is trusted by top enterprise businesses, including Caterpillar, CrowdStrike, DocuSign, Marketo, VMware, and elite, fast-growing companies like Apptio, Contrast Security, Menlo Security, and PagerDuty. For more information, please visit www.decisionlink.com, call 800.670.8301, or engage with us on social media. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005721/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Ed Tech Leader Stride, Inc. Offers Support to Families Disrupted by Hurricane Ida As communities recover and rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, Stride, Inc. (NYSE: LRN) is offering students across Louisiana and Mississippi with free access to its online private school K12 Private Academy. Due to widespread power outages and extensive damage across the region, many schools have closed their doors for a prolonged period. Enrollment in K12 Private Academy will help provide academic continuity for families who need it most. "At Stride, we are deeply saddened by the devastation and destruction caused by Hurricane Ida," said James Rhyu, Chief Executive Officer of Stride, Inc. "Our hope is that this opportunity brings some measure of relief and comfort to families, students, and schools during this challenging time." K12 Private Academy provides students and families with a quality, inclusive choice for private school education in an online setting. As an accredited school, K12 Private Academy graduates earn a U.S. diploma accepted by schools, colleges, universities, and employers around the globe. The Academy offers rolling start dates every semester so students can enroll as late as October 20th without missing any classwork for the school year. The interactive and dynamic award-winning curriculum is aligned to meet state standards, and classes are delivered by state-credentialed teachers. Families in the affected areas can call (855) 668-4732 for more information about this opportunity. Online and blended schooling has provided a critical educational refuge following other large-scale crises. In 2016, when historic flooding in Baton Rouge required several school districts to close buildings for the remainder of the school year, Stride and its partner, Community School for Apprenticeship Learning, worked with the Louisiana Department of Education to make it possible for students in affected areas to enroll at Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy. In 2018, North Carolina Virtual Academy families who were forced to evacuate their homes after Hurricane Florence were also able to maintain consistency in their children's education despite relocation, accessing the school's curriculum online and staying connected with classmates and staff. K12 Private Academy's online setting enables students to access this unique learning opportunity around the world. Teachers receive specialized training to be effective in the online environment, and the school's curriculum invites students to study the core subjects of math, science, English/language arts, and history, as well as a host of electives. Courses are offered at a variety of levels, including credit recovery, honors, and Advanced Placement options. For aspiring college athletes, K12 Private Academy is NCAA accredited. Many families choose online and blended learning as an educational alternative when they have safety concerns such as bullying, or medical needs that require regular attention. Stride offers a range of resources, including district solutions, full and part-time public and private school enrollment, and domestic and international programs. For more information, visit www.stridelearning.com or www.k12privateacademy.com. About Stride, Inc. At Stride, Inc. (NYSE: LRN) we are reimagining learning - where learning is lifelong, deeply personal, and prepares learners for tomorrow. The company has transformed the teaching and learning experience for millions of people by providing innovative, high-quality, tech-enabled education solutions, curriculum, and programs directly to students, schools, the military, and enterprises in primary, secondary, and post-secondary settings. Stride is a premier provider of K-12 education for students, schools, and districts, including career learning services through middle and high school curriculum. For adult learners, Stride delivers professional skills training in healthcare and technology, as well as staffing and talent development for Fortune 500 companies. Stride has delivered millions of courses over the past decade and serves learners in all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The company is a proud sponsor of the Future of School, a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the gap between the pace of technology and the pace of change in education. More information can be found at stridelearning.com, K12.com, galvanize.com, techelevator.com, and medcerts.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005876/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] ETHOS ASSET MANAGEMENT INC USA Announces Deal with United Kingdom Events Company; New Partnership with POULAINE LTD., OXFORD, UK ETHOS ASSET MANAGEMENT INC USA announced a new long-term financing partnership with Poulaine Ltd., a United Kingdom-based Property Development and Events Company. Ethos, a private project financing provider based in San Diego, California, with global operations, has committed to providing Poulaine with a significant capital infusion of 10 million GBP, that will continue for several years. Carlos Santos, CEO of Ethos Asset Management, stated, "We are extremely pleased to be able to support Poulaine through our Crisis Financing Facility (CFF). The relevance of this deal confirms our commitment to the penetration of the UK and European markets. We whole-heartedly support Poulaine's ambitions to deliver their project in the events sector including weddings and business conferencing across two prestigious locations in the UK. The acquisition of two significant estates and listed buildings and their refurbishment will enable Poulaine to commence operations which have been delayed due to the Covid19 pandemic." Liam Robertson, Director of Poulaine Ltd., UK, stated, "Poulaine Ltd are excited to work with Ethos Asset Management. We look forward to our upcoming projects in two impressive properties within the events sector." Polaine Ltd., is a UK-based dynamic alternative asset management company. Ethos Asset Management (Ethos) is an independent, US-based company with a global reach in resource mobilization and project financing. Providing financing to government and privately promoted projects in every continent and every sector, Ethos has developed a unique risk modulation model which allows them to provide financing in terms not available anywhere in traditional financial markets. Additionally, Ethos provides advice to structure projects and restructure debt. Ethos supports and develops their clients to achieve their long-term goals with confidence. Carlos Santos, CEO of Ethos Asset Management, is actively involved in acquiring and structuring three investment funds. He is directly involved in four business areas of the companies: resource mobilization, project financing, wealth management, and commodities trading. Mr. Santos holds a bachelor's degree in Economics, three Master's degrees in Finance, Banking Accounting and International Taxation, and a Ph.D. developer in Financial Instruments. Craig Freeman, Ethos' UK Associate, also said, "I am delighted to continue my relationship with Ethos, and to secure funding to enable Poulaine to purchase two more properties to expand its foothold in the events business." You can hear from Carlos Santos, Ethos CEO, in Dubai where he is Guest Speaker and Panellist at The Leaders Without Borders Leadership Summit and International Honours, the #1 gathering of high-achieving level professionals from all across the World, at the Habtoor Palace, Dubai, on 29th - 30th September 2021. For more information about Ethos, please visit https://www.ethosasset.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005879/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] EV Connect Premium Maintenance Program Drives Confidence for EV Charging Providers EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Built on the success of the Company's Partner Program , EV Connect today announced the launch of its premium warranty offering, EV Connect Shield program, to allow charging providers to experience hassle-free EV charging stations and charging network ownership and operations. The comprehensive plan bundles all of the EV charging station's critical operational and maintenance aspects, including station hardware, software support, and fieldwork labor, to resolve technical issues, including parts sourcing and replacement. Successful EV charging includes technical and logistical issues in both the hardware and software domains. When problems arise, the EV Connect Shield relieves charging providers of the burden of detecting, diagnosing, and resolving issues themselves. EV Connect Shield customers will have the peace of mind of being backed by a premium warranty that includes field support and parts directly from the manufacturer. The package adds an essential layer of protection incremental to the complete driver support on a 24/7 basis, and national customers leverage these beneits to ensure driver satisfaction through industry-leading charging station uptime. "With more than ten years of hands-on EV charging experience, we've built a network of trusted partners, and the EV Connect Shield program is designed to extend the benefits of that trust to our customers," said Daniel Bryant, Director of Customer Support at EV Connect. "This program is an important element of our mission to simplify EV charging for all by providing an all-encompassing, hassle-free program and becoming the go-to company for all EV charging needs." To deliver consistent service and reliable charging station performance, EV Connect Shield customers will have the option to proactively fix problems remotely whenever possible. If needed, EV Connect will deploy hands-on labor dispatch within forty-eight hours to repair or replace the charging equipment. EV Connect offers transparency on coordinating and covering the cost of technician labor, OEM parts, or a complete replacement of the charging station if needed. EV Connect's warranty solution provides economic benefits by protecting its customers' return on investment by assuring charging station performance. And when there is a problem that requires a technician to visit the station in the field - the customer is completely covered and has no out-of-pocket expenses. EV Connect Shield is currently available to all California and Arizona municipality, multifamily, and small- and medium-sized business customers, including resellers, who have purchased L2 stations from EV Connect's gold partners: BTC, EVBox, EvoCharge, and PowerCharge. The program will subsequently expand to the northeast and the rest of the U.S. before the end of the year. For more information about EV Connect Shield, please visit the EV Connect website . About EV Connect EV Connect is on a mission to build a better planet by enabling electricity as a transportation fuel. Through its innovative and open charging platform, EV Connect simplifies the set-up, management, and optimization of charging stations with premium customer service, from installation to driver support. EV Connect guides companies of all sizes in managing networks of chargers and delivers a seamless EV charging experience that empowers drivers. Established in 2010, EV Connect serves customers across 41 states in the U.S. including Avista Utilities, Love's Travel Stops, Verizon, Marriott, Hilton, Western Digital, ADP, New York Power Authority, and numerous municipalities. Globally, EV Connect's reach extends across Europe, Australia, and Asia, removing carbon emissions from vehicles through the electrification of transportation. For more information, please visit www.evconnect.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ev-connect-premium-maintenance-program-drives-confidence-for-ev-charging-providers-301365565.html SOURCE EV Connect [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] First-ever Tech Conference for HBCUs to Expand Access to Tech Careers News Highlights: More than 100 HBCUs across the U.S. can gain latest insights into digital transformation to help meet their needs for the future of education. As part of a Bot A Thon competition for HBCU students, top finalists will have the opportunity to interview for internship positions at HP and Microsoft. Notable speakers include Dallas Martin of Asylum Records and executive vice president of Atlantic Records; Lanre Gaba, executive vice president of Urban A&R at Atlantic Records who has advanced women in music, including Cardi B and Lizzo; and Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC-12), founder and co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus. 5th annual HP-HBCU Business Challenge continues to drive a diverse pipeline in tech. Previous challenges attracted over 380 students from 46 HBCUs and select participants later became full-time employees or interns at HP. PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) today announced an inaugural technology conference for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with support from Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Intel and Microsoft. The virtual conference will promote learning, networking and lasting connections to inspire digital transformation and accelerate digital equity. 1 COVID-19 reinforced the new reality that organizations must learn to pivot to a virtual environment in days, not years. For HBCUs, which are engines of social mobility for many Black and African Americans, forming the right partnerships to accelerate digital transformation is key to being successful in this new world. As part of HPs ambition to become the worlds most sustainable and just technology company, it is stepping up to empower HBCUs to meet 21st century student needs through the HBCU Technology Conference. The diverse talent that HBCUs foster are integral to driving innovation not just in the tech industry but across all sectors. Diversity is a business imperative; when we attract and nurture people from diverse backgrounds and increase their representation in the workplace, we can strengthen the companys long-term growth, said Lesley Slaton Brown, chief diversity officer at HP Inc. We look forward to building on our existing partnerships with HBCUs to raise the bar and put together this one-of-a-kind initiative that can help build amore diverse, equitable and inclusive society where HBCU students have equal access to opportunity and their institutions are armed with the knowledge needed to unlock transformational growth. HP has been partnering closely with HBCUs of different sizes and from various states to obtain their strategic guidance in order to create an inclusive and impactful experience for HBCU students, IT staff and faculty/administration. The conference has dedicated tracks for these groups because accelerating digital transformation requires a cultural shift among all higher education stakeholders. Five half-day virtual sessions will be held on September 14, 16, 22, 28, and 30. All HBCUs can attend for free. The HBCU Technology Conference will open and expand opportunities for teaching, learning, collaborating, mentoring and internships not only for our students, faculty and staff, but for all HBCUs, said Kimberly Ballard-Washington, president of Savannah State University. This event is a wonderful collaboration between HP and HBCUs, helping to prepare the students to have a career in various technology sectors and providing the digital transformation needed now and in the future. Preparing HBCU Students with Tech Skills of the Future The conferences student track has a Future of Work Academy to help students gain emerging tech skills (automation, machine learning, chatbot, etc.) and demonstrate how students with different academic backgrounds can build meaningful careers in tech. Students can participate in a Bot A Thon during the conference and select finalists will have the opportunity to interview for internship positions at HP and Microsoft next year. Students can also access online learning programs such as HP LIFE and the Microsoft Learn and Future of Work Academy Cloud Skills Challenge to continue building their skills after the conference. These comprehensive and dynamic offerings focused on helping students build digital literacy are aligned with HPs goal to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people by 2030. A Committed Partner for Long-term Success In 2017, HP joined the HBCU Business Deans Roundtable as a founding member. Since then, HP has partnered with HBCUs to launch the annual HP-HBCU Business Challenge. The challenge provides HBCU students with access to executive leaders, real-world business knowledge and, ultimately, career opportunities in tech. Going on its fifth year, this years theme is immersive technologies and students are asked to use virtual reality technology to create a new service or solution. Since the challenge started, more than 380 students across 46 HBCUs have participated, and select finalists later became interns or full-time employees at HP. In addition to the HBCU Business Challenge, HP launched an innovative 3D printing learning pilot program at North Carolina A&T State University last year. To drive a more diverse pipeline in cybersecurity, HP partnered with Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) and presented the school with an endowment to establish the HP Cybersecurity Scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded each year to a student pursuing a degree in Computer Science with a concentration in Cybersecurity. Earlier this year, HP joined the HBCU Partnership Challenge to further strengthen our relationships and programming with HBCUs. The Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus Partnership Challenge is an effort to promote greater engagement and support between private companies and HBCUs. HPs growing investments in HBCUs demonstrate its commitment to reflect the diverse markets and customers that the company serves. About HP HP Inc. creates technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. Through our product and service portfolio of personal systems, printers and 3D printing solutions, we engineer experiences that amaze. More information about HP Inc. is available at http://www.hp.com. Media Contact Kelly Xie, HP Kelly.Xie@hp.com Copyright 2021 HP Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. ____________________ 1 Digital transformation is a series of deep and coordinated culture, workforce and technology shifts that enable new educational and operating models and transform an institutions operations, strategic direction and value proposition, according to EDUCAUSE. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Humana Foundation Donates $50,000 in Relief Efforts for Those Impacted by Flooding in Tennessee The Humana Foundation, philanthropic arm of Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) for the past 40 years, is donating $50,000 in relief efforts for those impacted by recent flooding across Tennessee. This giving is part of The Foundation's commitment to supporting communities in crisis through Disaster Philanthropy. On August 21st, the Tennessee counties of Humphreys, Dickson, Houston and Hickman experienced 14 inches of rainfall over a six hour period. The speed of this significant rainfall caused severe flooding that has taken over 20 lives, injured roughly 200 and destroyed at least 270 homes. In response, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee activated the Tennessee Emergency Response Fund to assist those impacted by the flooding. The Humana Foundation donated $50,000 to the fund to help the relief efforts go further in affected communities. Money contributed to the fund will be disbursed through grants to nonprofits supporting relief and restoration in areas of Middle Tennessee affected by the severe storms and floods. "Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected by the extreme and sudden flooding that took place in Central Tennessee," said The Humana Foundation interim CEO Caraline Coats. "We are grateful for The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee's rapid activation in making sure those in need receive support from trusted community organizations." In times of need, The Humana Foundation partners with organizations and sends disaster relief funding to address these needs, especially as they relate to The Humana Foundation's areas of focus, with food and financial security at the forefront in emergency situations. About The Humana Foundation The Humana Foundation was established in 1981 as the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc., one of the nation's leading health and well-being companies. Located in Louisville, Ky., The Humana Foundation seeks to co-create communities where leadership, culture, and systems work to improve and sustain positive health outcomes. For more information, visit humanafoundation.org. Humana and The Humana Foundation are dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Our goal is to ensure that every business decision we make reflects our commitment to improving the health and well-being of each person, each community, the environment, and the collective healthcare system. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005942/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] HVR Launches HVR 6.0, Helps Organizations More Readily Adopt DataOps Strategies with Data Democratization SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HVR , the leading independent provider of real-time cloud data replication technology, today announced HVR 6.0 , a scalable and reliable data replication solution that provides the most efficient way to integrate large data volumes in complex environments. With new features and enhanced capabilities, as well as a completely reimagined user interface, HVR 6.0 enables simplified data integration deployments and modern manageability, helping organizations more readily adopt DataOps strategies to fully harness the power of their data. With more than 2.5 quintillion bytes of data generated each day , the volume, complexity, and trust of the data that strategic organizations need to process for real-time analytics is increasing. And, according to IDC , not having enough data is not the problem the problem is extracting business value from available data to gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. DataOps has gained critical mass as a key methodology for extracting value from data. Additionally, [IDC] research shows that fully 89% of organizations view DataOps as important, very important, or extremely important, yet only 10% of organizations have fully implemented it.1 With HVR 6.0, DataOps initiatives become a reality through data democratization. By enabling more people in an organization to move high volumes of critical operational data to specialized analytical warehouses, data lakes, and event platforms, organizations can improve operational processes, reduce costs, and empower faster decision making for a more optimized business. Key features of HVR 6.0 include: RESTful APIs: HVR 6.0 can now e completely and securely managed through RESTful APIs. This simplifies DataOps automation, making it easier to incorporate real-time data movement into new and existing data management strategies. Sliced Refresh: Organizations store billions of rows in tables that can be terabytes in size, which can dominate initial load times, extending them by hours or days. HVR 6.0 table slicing can load massive tables much faster, speeding the adoption of new analytics systems and reducing time to value. Pre-configured Security: More operational data flows between on premises, cloud, and intercloud than ever before, making network encryption no longer optional. HVR 6.0 can now configure network encryption, making it secure by default. HVR 6.0 also enables encryption at rest and stores keys securely in a local wallet or Amazon KMS (Key Management Store). Browser-based User Interface: HVR 6.0 includes a reimagined interface with a simplified and intuitive design that is graphic rich and easier for users to point and click in the replication set up. Additionally, automated workflows dramatically simplify the deployment of initial data replication. "Summit Materials is a geographically diverse, vertically-integrated aggregates-based business of scale, which offers customers a single-source provider of construction materials and related downstream products. We generate large volumes of operational and transactional data, as we serve customers throughout the United States and western Canada. HVR empowers us to make the data-driven business decisions we need, in real time, for our customers, said Matt Hubble, senior database administrator at Summit Materials. With the new features in HVR 6.0, HVR becomes even more important to us as we automate workflows and fully harness the power of our data." The HVR platform is a reliable, secure, and scalable way to quickly and efficiently integrate large data volumes in complex environments, enabling real-time data updates, access, and analysis. HVR facilitates the adoption of the three major cloud platforms AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud with Snowflake as the prominent choice on these cloud platforms. Data is replicated from the most widely used data platforms, including SAP, and validated to ensure the data delivered is accurate and made available for real-time consumption by key stakeholders. "Enterprises understand the importance of DataOps and the role it plays in simplifying access to cross-organization operational data. Lack of easy, secure access has been a roadblock for countless data strategies. That roadblock has now been removed," said Joe deBuzna, VP of products at HVR. With workflow automation, point-and-click design, built-in security and user-based access control (UBAC), HVR 6.0 is a modern data replication solution that offers a step toward the data democratization organizations need to kickstart their DataOps initiatives and help achieve their data-driven business goals. Helpful links: HVR Test Drive Read the HVR Blog Follow HVR on Twitter Follow HVR on LinkedIn About HVR HVR provides a real-time cloud data replication solution that supports enterprise modernization efforts. The HVR platform is a reliable, secure, and scalable way to quickly and efficiently integrate large data volumes in complex environments, enabling real-time data updates, access, and analysis. Global market leaders in a variety of industries trust HVR to address their real-time data integration challenges and revolutionize their businesses. HVR is a privately held company based in San Francisco, with offices across North America, Europe, and Asia. Media Contact Marta Debski Offleash for HVR hvr@offleashpr.com ________________________ 1 IDC Market Glance: DataOps, 2Q2, June 2021 Doc # US47993021. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Inclusify.com - a Data-Centric Platform for Accelerating Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the Workplace - Launches Alpha DENVER, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. Stefanie K. Johnson, Tanya Barnett, and Iterate.ai have teamed up to launch Inclusify.com , a data-centric approach to move the needle on diversity, inclusion, and belonging (DIB). The technologically-advanced platform will include dynamic inclusion profiles for tracked corporations and organizations, scoring systems, HR tool discovery, research about belonging, real-time DIB news, and more. Dr. Johnson is the author of WSJ Bestseller Inclusify: The Power of Uniqueness and Belonging to Build Innovative Teams and is recognized worldwide for her research on inclusion and diversity. Ms. Barnett launched the BE Tech Scholars program presented by Western Digitalwith support from Fortune 500 companies including Deloitte, Dish, and Arrowto develop a more inclusive tech industry for underrepresented business and engineering students at the University of Colorado Boulder. Iterate.ai owns platforms including Signals and Interplay that help companies such as CircleK, Ulta Beauty, and Pampered Chef utilize advanced technologies, including AI. Inclusify.com will be the preeminent place for belonging. With best-in-class DIB certification, a premier recognition program for changemakers, a research and data platform featuring interactive dashboards, curated insights, and exclusive content from the worlds leading inclusion research authority, plus automated HR solutions and diversity advisory services, the Inclusify movement will empower organizational leaders around the globe to create a workplace that works for everyone. Dr. Johnson said, The best part of doing the research for my book (Inclusify) was the realization that the vast majrity of companies and leaders really want to do better when it comes to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. They just dont always know how to do it and they are often scared to make mistakes. The book includes a multitude of data-backed, evidence-based practices for creating successful DIB programs, but new research and statistics continue to emerge. Lets be honest, said Dr. Johnson, the data in the book is already out of date and there is no way to keep up with the speed of research using books. We need real-time updates and we need AI. That is where Inclusify.com comes in. Recognizing and celebrating the uniqueness of individuals in the workplace creates the space for diversity of thought, which leads to better team decision-making, and better business outcomes, said Barnett. Inclusify.com strives to move the needle on diversity in impactful and unifying ways in turn creating a workplace that works for all. Part of this will happen through real-time updates flowing through an advanced data ingestion and delivery process. Real-time data updates will flow into Inclusify.com via Iterate's Signals platform, into which Iterate has invested $5.8 million. The software platform will be overseen by Mike Frazzini, Iterates Chief of Data Science who was previously CTO of eBags.com (acquired by Samsonite after it sold $1.65 billion of products) and has an MS in Data Science from Cal Berkeley. Mr. Frazzini says, "Signals architecture provides real-time ingestion of big data across myriad sources, AI-driven data connections driving unique insights, and rich interactive dashboards and data visualizations for democratized analysis and benchmarking and it can be immediately leveraged for Inclusify.com. It cuts two years off our software platform development cycle and reduces the launch cost by millions of dollars." About Inclusify.com Inclusify.com is the preeminent source of belonging. Founded in 2021, Inclusify.coms mission is to help organizations design, implement, and realize the value of their diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives. Inclusify.com will provide real-time data updates related to organizations as they work to become more inclusive of all employees and stakeholders. The WSJ-bestselling book, Inclusify, written by Dr. Stefanie K. Johnson, and her academic research on the topic, inspired the launch of this advanced data-rich resource that will be available to all professionals and updated dynamically on an hourly basis. HR professionals, inclusion strategists, diversity practitioners, researchers, professors, organizational leaders, and philanthropists who are interested in promoting inclusion or contributing to the cause are encouraged to contact Tanya Barnett at tanya@inclusify.com. About Iterate.ai Iterate is the worlds simplest, safest, and quickest way to get innovation done. Our innovation platform facilitates the steps along your innovation workflow: trend analysis, emerging tech evaluation, and microservices software for rapid application development. Iterate's platform has two patents issued and nearly a dozen more pending. Our solutions appeal to executives and corporate innovators who seek low-risk, systematic ways to scale in-house, near-term digital innovation initiatives and long-term strategic planning. Our team has a global presence in North America (Silicon Valley, Colorado), Europe, and Asia (India). For information about Iterate please contact Dave Jenkins at djenkins@iterate.ai. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eebf41a8-590a-47f9-ba01-84ee2a867c27 Contact Kyle Peterson kyle@clementpeterson.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] INFiLED Launches Cutting Edge Outdoor LED Rental Solution TITAN-X SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 31, 2021 /CNW/ -- INFiLED, leading global manufacturer of LED displays, is delighted to officially announce the launch of its new cutting-edge outdoor rental solution, TITAN-X, after several months of hard work and dedication. As part of the INFiLED DNA, the idea behind the TITAN-X innovation is to create a long-lasting outdoor LED rental screen with excellent transparency yet remains strong. Michael Hao, CEO of INFiLED, commented, "To accomplish this challenging task, we built an international R&D team of 15 engineers from both Europe and China, who after seven months of dedication to this project, finally completed TITAN-X. The beauty of TITAN-X lies in how our team combined high transparency with a super load capacity into one. The average outdoor stage screen construction needs a stage truss for every 2 meters of screen to protect against wind over 20m/s for two-tiers. Hoever, TITAN-X needs a stage truss for every 9.6 meters of eight tiers, thanks to an elaborate built-in foldable subframe inside the TITAN frame. Moreover, the overall system remains around 30kg/m2 making it lightweight and strong which is absolutely mind-blowing." TITAN-X high-transparency large-format outdoor touring LED solution features a pixel pith of 8.3mm and high transparency rate of 70% offering outstanding display performance for state-of-the-art stage visual effects. Each cabinet offers extensive load capacity and advanced overall stability due to its unique rear triangular foldable wind bracing system which can resist wind speeds of 20m/sec for outdoor events, while the screen can reach heights of up to 24 meters. The extra-large 1200x1200mm cabinets feature a unique design with an innovative lifting operation from the dolly that quickens installation time to a new level. Its dedicated dolly system allows for easy transportation and makes installation more efficient. The foldable bracing design of each cabinet saves on storage space and even with extra accessories, the cabinets can still be transported in their dollies. Featuring a high brightness of 5000nits and IP65 protection, its a reliable and robust choice under any light and weather conditions. The TITAN-X can be customized and assembled at angles of 15 giving it the ability to adapt to unlimited stage and creative design requirements such as a curve effect. The INFiLED TITAN-X is expected to be available from August 2021. About INFiLED INFiLED is a leading high-tech enterprise specialized in developing and manufacturing large format LED display solutions. INFiLED's product application range covers digital signage, transportation, sports, events, command & control, corporate branding and meetings, creative applications and many more. With installations in over 85 countries and over 178 patents, one of the highest numbers in the industry, INFiLED is striving to be a top brand of LED screen manufacturers to enlighten the world with a visual feast. Media contact: pr@infiled.com Web: www.infiled.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/infiled-launches-cutting-edge-outdoor-led-rental-solution-titan-x-301365085.html SOURCE Shenzhen INFiLED Electronics Co., Ltd [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Kevala Announces $21 Million Series A Funding Round to Accelerate Decarbonization and Improve Security of U.S. Electric Grid SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kevala Inc., a nationwide leader in energy data and analytics, today announced $21 million in Series A funding. The round was led by C5 Impact Partners LP (C5 Capital's fund focused on data-driven technologies transforming critical infrastructure) and Thin Line Capital. Additional investors in the Series A round include senior energy sector executives Tom Werner, current Chairman and former CEO of Sunpower Corp., and Mark Ferron, former California Public Utilities Commissioner. "Kevala has first mover advantage in providing comprehensive big data analytics on grid infrastructure," said Zulfe Ali, Managing Partner at C5 Capital. "We're incredibly excited to partner with the company as it expands into new markets such as cybersecurity and national security, as well as new geographies outside of the United States. We believe Kevala's platform provides critical solutions to the many stakeholders across the global energy landscape." Founded in 2014, Kevala empowers a diverse range of energy industry stakeholders to make smarter decisions involving sustainability, resiliency, and cybersecurity. The company has developed the industry's most comprehensive and interactive cloud-based grid analytics toolbox the Kevala Assessor Platform powered by public utility data as well as proprietary data. Leveraging artificial intelligence on this sweeping dataset, the platform is uniquely positioned to help grid operators predict and plan for extreme weather events, renewable energy adoption, and increasing demand from vehicle, building and industry electrification. "With this significant support and partnership from C5and others, we can dramatically increase the deployment of our grid analytics tools to help secure America's infrastructure and radically decarbonize our economy at an ever- accelerating pace," said Aram Shumavon, Kevala Founder and CEO. "Kevala's solutions provide real-time, actionable data and clear roadmaps for utilities, developers, and regulators, delivering immediate value across the entire market. Our company intends to utilize this substantial new growth capital to expand operations across the United States, commercialize new grid analytics products and begin launching our offerings around the globe." The Assessor platform allows clients to process grid data, map carbon intensity of different energy sources, identify new locations for solar farms and electric vehicle charging stations, assess vulnerabilities in critical public infrastructure, pinpoint opportunities to sustainably improve clean energy access in underserved communities, and more, all with a high degree of granularity. "With the proliferation of grid-connected solar, storage, and a range of other distributed energy resources, America's energy infrastructure is rapidly evolving," explained Tom Werner, Kevala adviser and investor. "As the landscape grows more complex, Kevala's tools are increasingly critical for a range of companies across the energy sector managing resources both on-site and off-site." Kevala's leadership has unique insights into the industry that have been honed through decades of helping regulators and utilities solve critical issues. The team combines specific expertise in advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence with unique industry experience across utilities, regulators, and power-systems engineering organizations. Senior leaders hail from organizations as diverse as the California Public Utility Commission, ABB Network Management, Silver Spring Networks, Schneider Electric, the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and many other public institutions and private companies. About Kevala: Kevala's mission is to provide an objective understanding of the production, delivery, and consumption of energy in support of the radical decarbonization of the global economy. With Kevala, all market participants can access accurate, unbiased, and actionable insights that enable faster and better decision making, ensuring the most sustainable, efficient, and equitable energy transition. For more information, visit www.kevala.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kevala-announces-21-million-series-a-funding-round-to-accelerate-decarbonization-and-improve-security-of-us-electric-grid-301365828.html SOURCE Kevala [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Little Canada and Freedom Mobile Announce BIG New Partnership Exclusive Telecommunications Partnership with Freedom Mobile will help connect Canadians to Little Canada in BIG and LITTLE ways TORONTO, Aug. 31, 2021 /CNW/ - Little Canada is pleased to announce an exclusive new partnership with Freedom Mobile that will help bring Toronto's newest big attraction in the heart of downtown Toronto at 10 Dundas Street East. With the support of Freedom Mobile, Little Canada will enable visitors to explore the country's wonders and diverse stories through a new lens, right in their own backyard. "We are committed to telling stories of Canada that connect people, so a partnership with a leading-edge telecom brand that is dedicated to making it easier for Canadians to connect is ideally suited to our brand," said Jean-Louis Brenninkmeijer, Founder and President f Little?Canada. "We are delighted to welcome Freedom Mobile to the Little Canada family to help share the stories and experiences of this country." "Little Canada allows us to connect with our country's most iconic places, and as a wireless service provider, we understand firsthand the important role these connections play in our lives whether with friends, family and loved ones, or with the places we call home," said Paul Deverell, President, Consumer, Shaw Communications, parent company of Freedom Mobile. "We're proud to partner with Little Canada and support their team of skilled artisans as they bring our country's greatest landmarks to life for us all to enjoy." The Little Canada and Freedom Mobile partnership will seek to bring Canadians a renewed sense of curiosity to explore our country, and to be a part of something wondrous at a time when we need it most. About Little Canada Little Canada is a celebration of Canada and all that makes this country so great, shrunk into a 2-hour experience, a place for residents and visitors alike to experience Canada and all that it has to offer, all under one roof. Little Canada takes you on a journey of discovery from the moment you enter. It is a place where you'll lose yourself in our country's captivating vistas, famous landmarks, iconic cityscapes and the many diverse stories that connect people to Canada and the residents of this great country. Our mission is to evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity about Canada. About Shaw Communications Inc. Freedom Mobile is a wholly owned subsidiary of Shaw Communications Inc. Shaw is a leading Canadian connectivity company. The Wireline division consists of Consumer and Business services. Consumer serves residential customers with broadband Internet, Shaw Go WiFi, video and digital phone. Business provides business customers with Internet, data, WiFi, digital phone, and video services. The Wireless division provides wireless voice and LTE data services. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX SJR.B, NYSE SJR, and TSXV SJR.A). For more information, please visit www.shaw.ca SOURCE Little Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Local, State and Federal Leaders Celebrate Burns SciTech High School Groundbreaking in Oak Hill, Fla. 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 Burns SciTech in Oak Hill, FL, broke ground on its new high school Friday. A 10-year-long relationship between Building Hope and Burns SciTech is now culminating in the creation of a new school that will allow Oak Hill students to experience a K-12 education entirely on the Burns SciTech campus. Burns SciTech Principal Dr. Jan McGee shared an inspiring message about the relationship between the school and Building Hope. "My favorite quote has always been, 'Leap and the net will appear,' and Building Hope was our net. They appeared and helped us fulfill our vision of becoming a K-12 school," she said. President of Building Hope Services Richard Moreno said, "It has been a privilege to support the growth of Dr. Jan's educational mission to provide an amazing Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) education right here in Oak Hill." Moreno was present for Friday's groundbreaking ceremony. School and Building Hope officials were joined by community leaders and legislative representatives Friday evening for the groundbreaking event and dinner to recognize Burns SciTech's 10-year anniversary. Special guests who spoke at the event included Rep. Mike Waltz of the U.S. House of Representaties, Rep. Elizabeth Fetterhoff of the Florida House of Representatives, Rep. Webster Barnaby of the Florida House of Representatives and Danny Robins of the Volusia County Council. Additionally, members of the Oak Hill City Council, Oak Hill Community Trust, the Burns SciTech School Board, representatives from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Buddy Davenport, the Edgewater Rotary and Deb Denys were in attendance to celebrate the school's success and growth. Building Hope President Joe Bruno, who spoke at the groundbreaking event, said it was tremendous to see how much community support there is for Burns SciTech. "Building Hope has worked on hundreds of charter school projects around the country, and the community support for this school is truly exceptional." Burns Science and Technology Charter School is housed at the site of the former W.F. Burns Elementary School, which was closed in 2008. Community leaders, educators and parents worked tirelessly to keep the building intact. In late 2010, Volusia County Schools and the Charter Evaluation Committee recommended approval for Burns Science and Technology Charter School's charter. The new site of Burns SciTech High School is directly beside the existing school and is scheduled to be completed before the start of the 2022-2023 academic year. 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 public charter schools. Since 2003, Building Hope has grown the capacity of charter schools nationwide by providing facilities, financial, and operational services, so schools can focus more time and resources on educating students. 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/20210831005931/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] McLaren Northern Michigan Deploys Vocera Solutions Across the Smart Hospital Vocera Communications, Inc. (NYSE:VCRA), a recognized leader in clinical communication and workflow, today announced that McLaren Northern Michigan has deployed Vocera (News - Alert) solutions to connect care teams across the hospital, including its new 182,000-square-foot Offield Family Pavilion. The new hospital wing, which features 104 private inpatient rooms in a new intensive care unit (ICU), cardiovascular unit, and surgical unit, boasts many technologies and innovative services, many of which were funded by local donations to enhance the patient and staff experience. "We are fortunate to have a caring and supportive community that enabled us to implement essential solutions and build a modern facility to match our world-class care," said Jennifer Woods, MSN, RN, CENP, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services at McLaren Northern Michigan. "Our clinicians and staff deserve the best tools and technologies." Focusing on the safety and well-being of their staff and community, a multi-disciplinary team of leaders at McLaren Northern Michigan partnered to ensure the right infrastructure was in place to build an ideal working and healing environment. A critical foundation of the project, called "Building the Future of Health Care," focused on creating an intelligent ecosystem of connectivity and transparency. McLaren Health Care System chose Vocera solutions to standardize care team collaboration and communication at every point of care. At McLaren Northern Michigan nurses, physicians and other care team members throughout the hospital are equipped with the Vocera Vina smartphone application and the wearable, voice-controlled Vocera Smartbadge to quickly communicate and collaborate. The intuitive Vocera Smartbadge and Vina app enable healthcare workers to connect quickly with the right person or group using simple voice commands like "call 201 nurse," "call ICU pharmacist" or "call trauma team." The mobile solutions also enable team members to send and receive secure messages and easily manage alert and alarm notifications. The Vocera Engage intelligent workflow engine prioritizes and routes notifications with actionable information to the right clinician on their device of choice, including the Spectralink Versity smartphone running the Vina app. Care team members can also reach safety and security personnel instantly with the dedicated panic buttons on the Vocera Smartbadge and Spectralink Versity. Additionally, McLaren Northern Michigan is actively working to integrate the Vocera solutions with the hospital's real time location system (RTLS), nurse call, physiologic monitors, digital whiteboards, electronic health record (EHR) system, and smart beds to simplify workflows, reduce interruptions, mitigate cognitive overload, and speed up response times. "Vocera provides an excellent platform for safe and efficient clinical communication and advanced integrated workflows," Shari Schult, MSN, RN, Vice President of Operations at McLaren Northern Michigan said. "We are very proud of the hospital we built and the many technologically advanced solutions we implemented to best serve our patients today and into the future." About McLaren Northern Michigan McLaren Northern Michigan is a 202-bed regional hospital located in Petoskey, Michigan serving residents in 22 counties across northern Michigan and the eastern part of the Upper Peninsula. More than 230 physicians represent nearly all medical and surgical specialties, enabling full-service care with an emphasis on cardiology, cancer, orthopedics, and neurosciences. McLaren Northern Michigan has a network of primary care providers and specialty care clinics throughout the region, and an outpatient surgery center in Cheboygan. It has achieved Magnet status for nursing excellence, been named a Top 50 heart hospital and Top 100 Hospital in the U.S. by IBM (News - Alert) /Watson Health, and received the highest national ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for quality and safety. For more information, visit www.mclaren.org. About Vocera The mission of Vocera Communications, Inc. is to improve the lives of healthcare professionals, patients, and families. Founded in 2000, Vocera provides solutions that help protect and connect team members, simplify workflows, increase efficiency, enhance quality of care and safety, and humanize the healthcare experience. More than 2,300 facilities worldwide, including nearly 1,900 hospitals and healthcare facilities, have selected Vocera solutions to enable their workforce to communicate and collaborate with co-workers and engage with patients and families. Mobile workers can choose the right device for their role or task, including smartphones or one of the company's wearable communication devices, and use voice commands to easily reach people by name, role, or group. The hands-free Vocera Smartbadge was named to TIME's list of the 100 Best Inventions of 2020. Vocera solutions can integrate with more than 150 clinical and operational systems, including electronic health records, nurse call systems, ventilators, physiological monitors, and more. In addition to healthcare, Vocera solutions are found in aged care facilities, veterinary hospitals, schools, luxury hotels, retail stores, power facilities, and more. Visit www.vocera.com to learn more, and follow @VoceraComm on Twitter (News - Alert) . Vocera and the Vocera logo are trademarks of Vocera Communications, Inc. registered in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other trademarks appearing in this release are the property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005303/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Metal Matrix Composite Producer's Collective Production Capacity to Increase by 3X in Next Ten Years NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The global metal matrix composites market is poised to reach US$ 630 Mn in 2031, expanding at a positive 5% CAGR during the assessment period. Owing to rising concerns regarding harmful greenhouse emissions and focus on decarbonization, the demand for alternative to conventional materials in automotive, aerospace, and other industries is on a rise. This is fostering sales of metal matrix composites and the trend is anticipated to prevail in the forthcoming years. Metal matrix composites provide superior tensile strength, stiffness, higher operating temperature, and wear and tear resistance, which is driving their applications in industries such as electric/electronic, aerospace & defense, automotive, and others. Besides this, increasing expenditure on research and development and government-backed initiatives are anticipated to encourage investment towards the development of new technologies and products in the metal matrix composites market. Request a report sample to gain comprehensive insights at https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=6859 As per Fact.MR, the demand for powder metallurgy is estimated to rise at a positive pace. Increasing sales can be attributed to rising adoption of ball mill mixing, hot pressing, extrusion, and vacuum pressing technology to manufacture metal matric composites. The process is cost-effective and commercially available, which in turn, is fueling demand for metal matrix composites. Fact.MR also forecasts the U.S. to emerge as a lucrative metal matrix composites market. Growth can be attributed to the presence of leading automotive and aircraft manufacturers, along with prominent metal matrix composites suppliers in the country is anticipated to augment market growth in forthcoming years. "Increasing demand from electrical and electronics industry, coupled with the development of highly effective and innovative products by key market players will continue supplementing market growth during the forecast period. Besides these, mergers and acquisitions will remain primary growth strategies, as market players seek to expand their global footprint" says the Fact.MR analyst. Key Takeaways from Metal Matrix Composites Market: Sales of magnesium metal matrix composites are estimated to remain high. Based on production technology, powder metallurgy is projected to remain highly sought-after, with demand increasing at 4% CAGR. In terms of applications, the automotive and transport sector is estimated to account for the maximum market share. The U.S. is projected to experience high demand for metal matrix composites, owing to increasing defense spending and significant investments in research and development. China will emerge as an attractive market, totaling approximately US$ 130 Mn in 2031. Growth Drivers: Increasing expansion of the automotive, electric, electronic, and construction industry will drive sales of metal matrix composites. Growing popularity and adoption of powder metallurgy will positively shape the sales outlook of etal matrix composites. Restraints: Increasing manufacturing costs and weak technological competency for metal matrix composites might stunt market growth. Lack of skilled professionals and shortage of equipment to streamline metal matrix composites manufacturing will have a negative impact on sales. Competitive Landscape As a part of their growth strategies, leading players are focusing on expanding their product portfolios through mergers, acquisitions, and strategic collaborations. For instance, in 2019, GKN Powder Metallurgy, a subsidiary of GKN plc, inaugurated a new customer care center in Bonn, Germany, to enable the company to assist its customers and partners in a better way. Leading Players in the Metal Matrix Composites Market Include: Materion Corporation GKN plc 3M ADMA Products, Inc. TISICS Ltd. Thermal Transfer Composites LLC DWA Aluminum Composites USA , Inc. , Inc. CPS Technologies Corporation Deutsche Edelstahlwerke GmbH Plansee Group Sandvik AB Mi-Tech Tungsten Metals, LLC DAT Alloytech Company Limited AMETEK Specialty Metal Products CeramTec Santier, Inc. To learn more about Metal Matrix Composites Market, you can get in touch with our Analyst at https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=6859 More Valuable Insights on Metal Matrix Composites Market Fact.MR provides an unbiased analysis of the metal matrix composites market, presenting historical demand data (2016-2020) and forecast statistics for the period from 2021-2031. The study divulges compelling insights on the global metal matrix composites market with a detailed segmentation on the basis of: Product: Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites Copper Metal Matrix Composites Magnesium Metal Matrix Composites Super Alloys Metal Matrix Composites Refractory Metal Matrix Composites Production Technology: Liquid Metal Infiltration Powder Metallurgy Casting Deposition techniques Application: Metal Matrix Composites for Automotive & Transportation Metal Matrix Composites for Aerospace & Defense Metal Matrix Composites for Electrical & Electronics Metal Matrix Composites for Thermal Management Region: North America Latin America Europe East Asia South Asia Oceania MEA Key Questions Covered in the Metal Matrix Composites Market Report The report offers insight into metal matrix composites market demand outlook for 2021-203 The market study also highlights projected sales growth for metal matrix composites market between 2021 and 203 Metal matrix composites market survey identifies key growth drivers, restraints, and other forces impacting prevailing trends and evaluation of current market size and forecast and technological advancements within the industry Metal matrix composites market share analysis of the key companies within the industry and coverage of strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, collaborations or partnerships, and others Explore Fact.MR's Coverage on the Chemical & Materials Domain Metal Finishing Chemicals Market- The metal finishing chemicals market will grow slowly as COVID-19 caused disruptions in industries such as automotive, aerospace, electrical and electronics, and others. While recovery is expected, strict limits enacted to reduce harmful component emissions from industry will continue to pose a threat. The demand for electroplating is increasing as the automobile sector continues to grow. The global metal finishing chemicals market is predicted to develop due to an increase in demand for flawless finished metal in electrical equipment, machinery parts, construction machinery, and other applications. Graphene Composites Market- The widespread use of graphene in numerous industries due to its advantageous properties is expected to fuel demand for graphene composites. Furthermore, the introduction of new entrepreneurs has not only made the firm more competitive, but it has also provided the market with lucrative expansion opportunities. Furthermore, supporting government regulations to promote the product's use in numerous sectors are expected to propel the market's growth in the coming years. In addition to energy storage systems, textiles, and construction, graphene composites are employed as alternative items. Composites Testing Market- Composites Testing will become more popular as more composites are used in transportation, aircraft, defense, and wind energy, all of which require high testing standards. The increase in demand for composites testing is due to a variety of additional applications of composites, including building and construction, sporting goods, and electrical and electronics. With the increasing use of composites in the defense and aerospace industries, the need for composites testing from modern commercial aircraft has grown over time. About Fact.MR Market research and consulting agency with a difference! That's why 80% of Fortune 1,000 companies trust us for making their most critical decisions. We have offices in US and Dublin, whereas our global headquarter is in Dubai. While our experienced consultants employ the latest technologies to extract hard-to-find insights, we believe our USP is the trust clients have on our expertise. Spanning a wide range from automotive & industry 4.0 to healthcare & chemical and materials, our coverage is expansive, but we ensure even the most niche categories are analyzed. Reach out to us with your goals, and we'll be an able research partner. Contact: Mahendra Singh US Sales Office 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United States Tel: +1 (628) 251-1583 E: sales@factmr.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/metal-matrix-composite-producers-collective-production-capacity-to-increase-by-3x-in-next-ten-years-301366092.html SOURCE Fact.MR [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] New Study From Entrust Identifies Opportunities and Challenges for Securing the New Hybrid Workplace As a rise in variants spurs new uncertainties around the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses around the globe are tasked with developing a long-term plan and work model, whether in-person, remote or hybrid, that meets the needs of employees and the business. Amid this transition, Entrust, a global leader in trusted identity, payments and data protection, set out to uncover what is needed to secure the world's hybrid workplaces in its new data study, "Securing the New Hybrid Workplace." Entrust (News - Alert) surveyed 1,500 business leaders and 1,500 general employees from 10 countries to better understand how workers from the manager level to the C-suite are preparing for a new hybrid workplace. Key findings include: Hybrid is here to stay, but security concerns are high: The overwhelming majority of respondent companies are moving to a long-term hybrid workplace approach. In fact, 80% of leaders and 75% of employees said their company is currently using a hybrid model or is fully remote and considering a hybrid work model. But, 54% of employees reported up to six instances of lost productivity due to network access issues and leaders cite home internet security (21%) and leakage of sensitive company data (20%) among their top security challenges. The overwhelming majority of respondent companies are moving to a long-term hybrid workplace approach. In fact, 80% of leaders and 75% of employees said their company is currently using a hybrid model or is fully remote and considering a hybrid work model. But, 54% of employees reported up to six instances of lost productivity due to network access issues and leaders cite home internet security (21%) and leakage of sensitive company data (20%) among their top security challenges. Visitor management is an in-office priority: Having a detailed record of who has been in and out of a company's office is a larger priority in 2021. 96% of business leaders and 93% of employees agree that it is important for their company to have a system in place that logs and tracks visitors who enter and exit the building when employees work in the office. Having a detailed record of who has been in and out of a company's office is a larger priority in 2021. 96% of business leaders and 93% of employees agree that it is important for their company to have a system in place that logs and tracks visitors who enter and exit the building when employees work in the office. Home office data security presents new challenges: Businesses need to change their data security approach now that employees are more decentralized than ever before. However, while data security is a priority for leaders with 81% saying their company has offered employees training on it, only 61% of employees said their company offers this training, indicating a communication gap. "With the uncertainties of the last year and a half, many organizations are well-adapted to remote work. With leaders planning the future state of their workplace models, we wanted to ask how they are adapting security and identity for the hybrid workplace: how are leaders and employees prepared to protect data and sensitive information? How will office security evolve? Will adapting to hybrid workplaces multiply vulnerabilities...or will enterprises choose smart security strategies to enable employees wherever they work?" said Anudeep Parhar, Chief Information Officer at Entrust. "With the study overwhelmingly indicating the desire of 91% of employees to work in a hybrid model moving forward, this data study provides businesses insight about how to democratize work frm anywhere and incorporate security practices into their hybrid approach by working with companies like Entrust to implement solutions such as passwordless and biometric authentication, mobile identity verification and more." Perfecting the hybrid work model There is no question employers are leaning into a clear desire among employees for hybrid work options, with 68% saying they are considering hiring talent that resides in geographically diverse locations. For employers following this trend and hiring employees in a new, hybrid environment, there are several ways to improve and secure the onboarding process. The study found business leaders are improving training methods (53%), rolling out new or improved collaboration tools (47%) and implementing mobile ID issuance for remote employees. Furthermore, leaders are taking steps to maintain internal security as they incorporate a hybrid model, with 51% rolling out one-time password technology, 40% utilizing biometric authentication and 36% using mobile identity verification, citing the desire to stay ahead of hackers and protect their internal data. Maintaining and enhancing security in the office environment As companies start bringing workers back to the office, the ongoing pandemic raises the stakes of physical security to include health, safety and infosecurity. For example, companies must consider best practices when they begin to open their doors to visitors outside their internal workforce once more. Entrust found support for organizational visitor management is overwhelming, with 96% of business leaders and 93% of employees agreeing that it is important for their company to have a system in place that logs and tracks visitors who enter and exit the building when employees work in the office. With this in mind, companies will begin paying more attention to who's going in and out of the office building. Reasons for this enhanced scrutiny of visitors is primarily due to caution surrounding COVID-19, with 83% of leaders and 84% of employees citing the risk of spreading COVID-19 as the top reason it is important to have a system in place that manages and tracks guests. Other reasons included protecting confidential information (65% of leaders and 55% of employees) and avoiding physical harm to employees (61% of leaders and 62% of employees). Merging data security with work from home standards Business leaders also agree that it is imperative to consider the intersection of data security and work from home standards. Fortunately, it appears that the introduction of hybrid work has resulted in a step in the right direction for workplace data protection. In fact, while 81% of leaders said their company has offered employees training on data security, the overwhelming majority (86%) said it was offered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating a trend towards enhanced data security. Unfortunately, while leaders are offering this training, only 61% of employees said their company offers this training, indicating a communication gap between leadership and their employees. By communicating these trainings to employees, leaders can help reduce the risk of security threats including phishing and ransomware attacks. A global view Naturally, while the Securing the New Hybrid Workplace data study takes a holistic look at the top trends of hybrid work, some individual countries presented data that is particularly intriguing. Some top findings of key international trends and takeaways include: 65% of employers in Japan say they have offered data security training for the hybrid work model, but only 36% of employees agree, indicating a potential gap in communication or training execution. Businesses in Saudi Arabia (89%) and the United Arab Emirates (87%) are by far the most willing to consider hiring talent that resides anywhere in the world. Businesses in the United States and Singapore are the next most likely to hire talent anywhere in the world, both with 73% of leaders indicating they would be willing to hire global talent. Businesses in Indonesia are particularly likely to implement cutting-edge security technologies into their business practices, with 75% of employers saying they have utilized one-time passwords and 69% indicating they utilize biometric authentication. Of the countries surveyed, respondents from Germany indicated the lowest productivity impact due to network access or login delays with 49% reporting that they have never had an issue, and 27% reporting only 1-3 incidents. By comparison, in the United Kingdom, only 25% reported no issues, with 34% reporting 1-3 incidents. Securing the New Hybrid Workplace is a study of 1,500 business leaders and 1,500 employees in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Japan and Singapore. The data was gathered and distributed by Entrust in 2021. The study examines new data surrounding hot topics including best practices for hybrid work, office visitor management systems and how hybrid work affects workplace security. To learn more about the Securing the New Hybrid Workplace data study, download the first of three reports and access more content and insights, visit www.entrust.com/lp/en/securing-the-new-hybrid-workplace. About Entrust Corporation Entrust keeps the world moving safely by enabling trusted identities, payments and data protection. Today more than ever, people demand seamless, secure experiences, whether they're crossing borders, making a purchase, accessing e-government services or logging into corporate networks. Entrust offers an unmatched breadth of digital security and credential issuance solutions at the very heart of all these interactions. With more than 2,500 colleagues, a network of global partners, and customers in over 150 countries, it's no wonder the world's most entrusted organizations trust us. For more information, visit www.entrust.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005180/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] The number of applications using the Hungarian blockchain continues to grow BUDAPEST, Hungary, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the Blockchain Solution of the Year 2021 and Innovative Hungarian Brands awards winner eHaz condominium management software, now the e-Diploma platform is next in line to move data authentication operations to the ILGON blockchain. What is e-Diploma? e-Diploma is a digital platform for the online use of electronic diplomas issued by Hungarian higher education institutions. Through the platform, diplomas can be shared and authenticated with just a few clicks, while the diploma holder can have complete control over the data of the document. The platform authenticates the diplomas with the help of the ILGON blockchain, which is also dveloped in Hungary, and ensures their GDPR-compatible and tamper-proof use. Students of Milton Friedman University are the first to enjoy the benefits of the system, but several other Hungarian universities in Budapest and the countryside have already indicated their need for the platform, so it is expected that the system will soon be available in several parts of the country. "Early success confirms that as part of the digital revolution, blockchain technology does have a place in the oldest institutions of our time. Authentication of digital documents is a use case that will be used in most areas of life in the coming years. " Attila Vidakovics added What is ILGON? The ILGON blockchain was created and launched in January 2021 in response to the scaling problems of the Ethereum network by the Hungarian startup Dlabs blockchain research and development. The ILGON blockchain allows anyone to create their own cryptographic tokens, run smart contracts, and run Dapps. Like Ethereum, ILGON is Turing complete, so it can model any business logic, and thanks to full EVM compatibility, no application redesign is required to migrate from Ethereum. The network has a permeability of more than 200 transactions per second, guaranteeing smooth, congestion-free operation. Transaction costs account for about 1% of Ethereum's costs, the long-term predictability of which is ensured by the so-called PTC (Predictable Transaction Cost) system. The applications on the network are therefore ensured by the PTC system that low transaction costs remain even in the event of a change in the ILG price. The development team also replaced the Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism, which requires energy wasteful computations known from previous systems, with an efficient and environment friendly hybrid PoA + dPoS consensus model. More information about ILGON: Website Whitepaper Telegram Facebook LinkedIn Logo- https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1605493/Dlabs_Blockchain_Research_and_Development.jpg [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] OneConnect Responds to Whistleblower Complaint OneConnect Financial Technology Co., Ltd. ("OneConnect" or the "Company") (NYSE: OCFT), a leading technology-as-a-service platform for financial institutions in China, today responded to certain allegations made about the Company circulated online. The Company first became aware of these allegations on August 20, 2021 from an anonymous whistleblower complaint containing multiple unsubstantiated claims, including that the Company's audited financial statements contain material misstatements. The Company has carefully reviewed the whistleblower complaint. Based upon its review and evaluation, the Company strongly denies these slanderous and meritless allegations. That said, to provide additional comfort to our shareholders' against these allegations, the Company's independent Audit Committee immediately took action by initiating a thorough investigation of the allegations raised in the whistleblower complaint by August 24, 2021. The audit committee is tasked with fully reviewing all allegations and have appointed Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP as outside counsel to advise the Audit Committee. On August 25, 2021, the Company reported the incident to the Shenzhen police and has been cooperating with the police's investigation. Our Company will take appropriate legal action against any public dissemination of untrue statement and retains the right to rebut the allegations. The Company is committed to maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance, as well as transparent and timely disclosure in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange. About OneConnect OneConnect is a leading technology-as-a-service platform for financial institutions in China. The Company's platform provides cloud-native technology solutions that integrate extensive financial services industry expertise with market-leading technology. The Company's solutions provide technology applications and technology-enabled business services to financial institutions. Together they enable the Company's customers' digital transformations, which help them increase revenue, manage risks, imprve efficiency, enhance service quality and reduce costs. The Company's technology-as-a-service platform strategically covers multiple verticals in the financial services industry, including banking, insurance and asset management, across the full scope of their businesses - from sales and marketing and risk management to customer services, as well as technology infrastructure such as data management, program development and cloud services. For more information, please visit ir.ocft.com. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "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 can be identified by terminology such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "future", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", "confident" and similar statements. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions 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. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company's limited operating history in the technology-as-a-service for financial institutions industry; its ability to achieve or sustain profitability; the tightening of laws, regulations or standards in the financial services industry; the Company's ability to comply with the evolving regulatory requirements in the PRC and other jurisdictions where it operates; its ability to comply with existing or future laws and regulations related to data protection or data security; its ability to maintain and enlarge the customer base or strengthen customer engagement; its ability to maintain its relationship with Ping An Group, which is its strategic partner, most important customer and largest supplier; its ability to compete effectively to serve China's financial institutions; the effectiveness of its technologies, its ability to maintain and improve technology infrastructure and security measures; its ability to protect its intellectual property and proprietary rights; risks of defaults by borrowers under the loans for which the Company provided credit enhancement under its legacy credit management business; its ability to maintain or expand relationship with its business partners and the failure of its partners to perform in accordance with expectations; its ability to protect or promote its brand and reputation; its ability to timely implement and deploy its solutions; its ability to obtain additional capital when desired; litigation and negative publicity surrounding China -based companies listed in the U.S.; disruptions in the financial markets and business and economic conditions; the Company's ability to pursue and achieve optimal results from acquisition or expansion opportunities; the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak, including the emergence of COVID variants, and its potential impact on the Company's business and financial performance; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the SEC (News - Alert) . All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005612/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] OnLogic Details Global Growth, Unveils Plans for New High Tech Facility in Vermont SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- To accommodate their continued growth, global industrial computer hardware manufacturer and Internet of Things solution provider, OnLogic ( www.onlogic.com ), has unveiled plans to build a new 125,000 square foot global headquarters in South Burlington's Technology Park. The company has outgrown their current 36,000 square foot high tech facility in Meadowlands Park, which was previously expanded in 2014. "When we expanded the current building in Vermont, we expected it to sustain our growth for at least 10 years, but we've scaled at a faster rate than even we anticipated," says OnLogic Co-Founder and Executive Chair Roland Groeneveld. "The new facility will accommodate our growing production needs while also providing our Vermont-based team with an environment that will foster continued innovation." The planned $50 Million project will house manufacturing, warehousing, testing facilities and all other business operations to support the production of the company's small form factor, industrial computers . Energy management and sustainability are integral to the design, with items like rooftop solar arrays and EV charging stations being considered during this planning stage. The site will also be pedestrian and bike friendly, with access to neighboring walking trails. Exterior design is currently underway, to be followed by permitting and interior design details. The company hopes to break ground in the first half of 2022. "The state of Vermont has been incredibly supportive of our business and or team, and this expansion wouldn't be possible without them," says OnLogic Co-Founder and Vice Chair Lisa Groeneveld. "As a global technology company, we could be based anywhere, but we've chosen to grow here in Vermont because we love it here and it's our home." In addition to the new facility in Vermont, OnLogic will soon open an office in Cary, North Carolina, where the company has already begun rapidly adding team members. In line with the US expansion, the company also has plans to double the size of their European office this year, having seen that site more than triple their revenue over the last 5 years. OnLogic is also significantly growing their Engineering and Supply Chain teams in Malaysia and Taiwan. This year, for the eleventh time, OnLogic was presented with a Vermont Business Growth Award, recognizing their year-over-year growth, an accomplishment that company leaders attribute to their entire global team. "The recent local recognition wouldn't be possible without the incredible group of individuals all over the world who create an exceptional customer experience and products every single day," said OnLogic CEO, Sean Larkin. "From making sure our team members were cared for during the pandemic, and that communications remained effective during periods of remote and hybrid work, to staying on top of global supply challenges, our team is amazing, and is the reason we're planning for continued growth." As part of their growth strategy, OnLogic also announced that former company President Sean Larkin has moved into the role of CEO. Co-Founder and former CEO, Roland Groeneveld, now serves as the company's Executive Chair along with Co-Founder and Vice Chair Lisa Groeneveld. Mr. Groeneveld continues to be highly involved in the company's product development strategy, while Mrs. Groeneveld leads external business relations as part of the Intel Channel Board of Advisors and ongoing involvement with a number of Vermont organizations, including the Boards of Mascoma Bank and The Center for Women & Enterprise. OnLogic is currently hiring for a wide range of positions across their global locations, and was recently highlighted as the Best Place to Work in Vermont by Vermont Business Magazine. More information is available by visiting www.onlogic.com/careers . About OnLogic: OnLogic is a global industrial computer manufacturer who designs highly-configurable, solution-focused computers engineered for reliability at the IoT edge. Their systems operate in the world's harshest environments, empowering customers to solve their most complex computing challenges, no matter their industry. Founded in 2003 as Logic Supply, the company has offices in the U.S., the Netherlands, Taiwan and Malaysia. OnLogic has helped more than 70,000 customers worldwide advance their ideas with computers that are designed to last, built to order and delivered in days. Learn more at onlogic.com/company or on YouTube at www.youtube.com/onlogic . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/onlogic-details-global-growth-unveils-plans-for-new-high-tech-facility-in-vermont-301365393.html SOURCE OnLogic [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] OwnBackup Acquires RevCult, Enhancing Their Cloud Data Protection Platform With Proactive Data Security OwnBackup, the leading cloud data protection platform, today announced the acquisition of RevCult, a California-based software company that provides Salesforce security and governance solutions, often known as SaaS (News - Alert) Security Posture Management (SSPM). SSPM helps organizations more easily secure data that is growing in volume, velocity and variety by continuously scanning for and eliminating configuration mistakes and mismanaged permissions, which are the top causes of cloud security failures. While SaaS providers have invested heavily in solidifying their own security posture, data resiliency and security remain real and present concerns for all companies leveraging cloud services. In addition to external security breaches, the overwhelming majority of cloud security failures and resulting data loss are actually the customer's responsibility, according to Gartner. "Although we've equipped customers to be more resilient with proactive data backup, monitoring, compare and restore caabilities, many of the problems we help them recover from are preventable through the addition of proactive SSPM," said Sam Gutmann, CEO of OwnBackup. "The addition of RevCult will allow us to innovate faster in the cloud and protect customers against the primary security issues that lead to data loss and corruption, such as lax permissioning, social hacking, insider threats, poor physical security controls and other vulnerabilities." The announcement is OwnBackup's latest step toward growing their world-class data protection platform and empowering customers to own and protect their data on any cloud platform. The RevCult acquisition follows the recent purchases of Nimmetry, a SaaS data management company, as well as Merlinx, a top cybersecurity firm based in Tel Aviv. And just this month, OwnBackup announced a $240 million Series E at a $3.35 billion valuation. These actions tell a compelling story of the growing need for SaaS data protection and OwnBackup's position as the clear leader in the category. "We've partnered with OwnBackup for several years providing SaaS data protection, and we couldn't be happier to officially be part of their team at this high-growth stage," said Andreas Schenck, CEO and Founder of RevCult. "I'm excited to take the product to the next level to provide even more value to customers. Not only do both companies share a passion for protecting companies' SaaS data, but the company's culture and values align well with OwnBackup." Nearly 4,000 customers trust OwnBackup across every industry, such as AECOM, Aston Martin, Ciena, Delivery Hero, Guidewire Software, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Medtronic, Navy Federal Credit Union, Singapore Economic Development Board and the University of Miami. About OwnBackup OwnBackup, the leading cloud-to-cloud data protection platform, provides secure, automated, daily backups and rapid data restore tools of SaaS and PaaS data. Helping nearly 4,000 businesses worldwide safeguard critical cloud data, OwnBackup covers data loss and corruption caused by human errors, malicious intent, integration errors, and rogue applications. Co-founded by seasoned data-recovery, data-protection, and information-security experts, OwnBackup is a backup and restore independent software vendor (ISV) on the Salesforce AppExchange. Headquartered in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, with research and development (R&D), support, and other functions in Israel, EMEA and APAC, OwnBackup is the partner of choice for some of the world's largest users of SaaS applications. 2021 OwnBackup. "OwnBackup" and "RevCult" are registered trademarks of OwnBackup Inc. Other company or product names used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005185/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Peak secures $75 million in Series C funding led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artificial Intelligence (AI) company Peak has raised a $75 million Series C funding round led by new investor SoftBank Vision Fund 2*, with participation from all existing investors, including MMC Ventures, Oxx, Praetura Ventures, Arete and Octopus Ventures. This brings Peaks total funding raised to date to $119 million. Peaks software platform enables companies to embed AI into the core of their decision making and operations. This commercial application of AI to optimize business performance is known as Decision Intelligence; enabling companies to boost operational efficiency, grow revenues and profits. It is set to be the most important enterprise software category of the next decade. By making AI accessible to more businesses, Peak has seen strong demand for its Decision Intelligence platform over the past 12 months, with revenues more than doubling thanks to new customer wins in Europe, the USA, Middle East, and India. With Peak, businesses are empowered to make great decisions with the help of AI across their sales, marketing, demand management, and supply chains, regardless of their AI maturity and capability. Peaks platform is used by retailers, CPG, direct-to-consumer and manufacturing businesses to drive transformational results, including examples such as a 5% increase in total company revenues, a doubling of return on advertising spend, a 12% reduction in inventory holdings and a 5% reduction in supply chain costs. These gains are adding millions to the top and bottom line of these companies. Customers include Nike, PepsiCo, KFC, PrettyLittleThing, Superdry and CJ Group. This latest funding will fuel an ambitious global expansion, with new offices opening i both the USA and India, as well as increasing R&D investment in Peaks Decision Intelligence software. As a result, Peak is planning to create more than 200 new jobs globally in the coming year. Richard Potter, co-founder and CEO at Peak: Were proud to be working with some of the biggest brands in the world. Modern businesses are complex and operate in an ever-changing world. Its becoming impossible to run them without AI, which is enabling them to make consistently great decisions, faster and more accurately than ever before. No other software company offers a platform like Peak. We uniquely simplify the task of data scientists and engineers, who use Peak to rapidly create and deploy AI applications to business users. These applications empower day-to-day decision makers across businesses to achieve transformational gains. Were delighted to welcome SoftBank as our new lead investor. The funding will help us empower many more businesses with Decision Intelligence over the coming years. It will further catalyze our growth and global expansion plans. Max Ohrstrand, Senior Investor for SoftBank Investment Advisers: In Peak we have a partner with a shared vision that the future enterprise will run on a centralized AI software platform capable of optimizing entire value chains. To realize this a new breed of platform is needed and were hugely impressed with what Richard and the excellent team have built at Peak. Were delighted to be supporting them on their way to becoming the category-defining, global leader in Decision Intelligence. About Peak Peak is the pioneer of a new category of enterprise software, Decision Intelligence; the commercial application of AI to optimize business performance. Decision Intelligence allows companies to fulfill their potential, grow revenues and profits. Peaks platform is used by leading brands across industries such as retail, CPG, direct-to-consumer, construction, and manufacturing. Peaks customers include Nike, PepsiCo, KFC, PrettyLittleThing, Superdry and CJ Group. Peak has been named a Gartner Cool Vendor for AI in retail, and was also named in The 10 Best Technology Companies to Work for 2021 with the Best Companies 3-star World Class accreditation, which recognises extraordinary levels of employee engagement. Peak is an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Retail Competency Partner and Machine Learning Competency Partner, and is ISO 27001 accredited. *As of the date of this press release, SoftBank Group Corp. has made capital contributions to allow investments by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 ("SVF 2") in certain portfolio companies. The information included herein is made for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy limited partnership interests in any fund, including SVF 2. SVF 2 has yet to have an external close, and any potential third-party investors shall receive additional information related to any SVF 2 investments prior to closing. Contact Mica Hahn for Peak Peak@praytellagency.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] PitchBook Expands Coverage in Asia with New Report on Greater China Venture Capital Activity SEATTLE, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PitchBook, the premier data provider for the private and public equity markets, today announced the release of a new bi-annual report on Greater China venture activity that showed VC financings within the region have drastically increased since 2015 as disruptive startups and investors continue to rapidly develop businesses despite regulatory uncertainty. PitchBook's Institutional Research Group found annual investment in Greater China is on pace to significantly grow year-over-year and could exceed $100 billion by year's end only the second time on record following the last high-water mark of $129.1 billion in 2018. Exit opportunities appear strong as well heading into the second half of the year, with annual exit value on pace to reach new highs. That said, recent scrutiny and new legislation from Chinese regulators could be a headwind for companies attempting to list on overseas stock exchanges. For now, the ecosystem is generating sufficient exits to continue its rapid growth trajectory. To download PitchBook's Greater China Venture report, click here . "A multitude of factors hve converged to make Greater China an attractive market for both domestic and foreign VC investors in recent years, including an expanding middle class, accelerated mobile adoption and high-tech initiatives from economic development councils," said Cameron Stanfill, lead VC analyst at PitchBook. "This regularly released report will help investors uncover new opportunities, track existing trends and perform due diligence in the rapidly evolving ecosystem." PitchBook will further expand its research and data offerings in APAC in the coming months to better serve global clients and ensure they have the insights and transparency needed to develop winning investment strategies. In 2020, PitchBook established a Hong Kong office to provide 24/5 support to its rapidly growing client base in the region and grew its dedicated team of researchers to bolster proprietary datasets. Through the Greater China Venture report, clients gain access to vital analysis on deal, exit and fundraising activity in Greater China and spotlights on sectors like software, hardware, commercial services, and consumer goods & recreation. See below for key findings: Relative to pandemic-mired 2020, the pace of deals in H1 2021 has been robust with $56.0 billion invested across 2,366 deals. invested across 2,366 deals. Nondomestic investors, seeing opportunity to invest in first-in-class startups in a rapidly growing market, participated in nearly a fourth of Greater China's VC deals in H1 2021. VC deals in H1 2021. Mega-deal activity in H1 2021 has been robust, with 113 mega-deals accounting for $36.7 billion of capital. At its current pace, annual mega-deal count will likely set a record high in 2021. of capital. At its current pace, annual mega-deal count will likely set a record high in 2021. First-time financings rose, with $4.2 billion of capital deployed through H1, veering from the downward trend seen since 2015. of capital deployed through H1, veering from the downward trend seen since 2015. VC exits within Greater China have soared in recent years, with H1 already notching $137.5 billion in exit value across 99 exits. have soared in recent years, with H1 already notching in exit value across 99 exits. So far in 2021, 20 $1 billion+ exits have been completed 19 of which were public offerings. To download PitchBook's Greater China Venture report, click here . About PitchBook PitchBook is a financial data and software company that provides transparency into the capital markets to help professionals discover and execute opportunities with confidence and efficiency. PitchBook collects and analyzes detailed data on the entire venture capital, private equity and M&A landscapeincluding public and private companies, investors, funds, investments, exits and people. The company's data and analysis are available through the PitchBook Platform, industry news and in-depth reports. Founded in 2007, PitchBook has offices in Seattle, San Francisco, New York and London and serves more than 60,000 professionals around the world. In 2016, Morningstar acquired PitchBook, which now operates as an independent subsidiary. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pitchbook-expands-coverage-in-asia-with-new-report-on-greater-china-venture-capital-activity-301366071.html SOURCE PitchBook [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Planet Ice: Mysteries of the Ice Ages makes world-touring premiere at Ontario Science Centre Canadian-made exhibition explores the power of ice and cold in shaping our world TORONTO, Aug. 31, 2021 /CNW/ - Bring on the brrr! Journey through more than 80,000 years of history and explore how cold and ice have shaped the Earth and its inhabitants in Planet Ice: Mysteries of the Ice Ages. Developed by the Canadian Museum of Nature, this travelling exhibition makes its world-touring premiere at the Ontario Science Centre. "The cycle of ice and cold has shaped the environment we know and continues to impact the planet due to climate change," said Paul Kortenaar, CEO, Ontario Science Centre. "While Planet Ice: Mysteries of the Ice Ages looks from deep time through to today , it also gives insight intoand hope forthe future. In understanding climate cycles and science, we hope visitors will leave with a heightened intention to tackle climate change caused by humans and to engage in climate conservation." From lost lands to animal adaptations, the dramatic story of ice is told over five exhibition sections through engaging exhibits, digital and mechanical interactives and innovative multimedia. The exhibition also features more than 100 real specimens, models and artifacts, including animal fossils, ancient human tools and impressive casts of megafauna. "We're delighted that Planet Ice is opening at the Ontario Science Centre and grateful to our sponsors for their support in this exhibition's tour," said Meg Beckel, President and CEO, Canadian Museum of Nature. "As Canada's national natural sciences museum, we drew from our extensive national collections and scientific expertise to tell this important story of environmental change over time and the critical role of ice and cold." Thought-provoking questions posed throughout the exhibition promote dialogue about the power of ice and encourage visitors to reflect on how its loss could affect species, infrastructure?and ecosystems during a time of climate hange.? "The ice age creatures are fantastic beasts that once roamed our Canadian Shield. Understanding their life ways and ultimate extinctions are critical in preparing for a warming Arctic," said Hendrik Poinar, Professor and Principal Investigator, Ancient DNA Centre, McMaster University. Combining environmental science, natural sciences, human history and culture, Planet Ice: Mysteries of the Ice Ages offers wide appeal. Featuring inclusive design and accessible interpretation, the exhibition is suitable for visitors of all ages. "The Ontario Science Centre is a leader in interactive learning. The perspective provided by Planet Ice: Mysteries of the Ice Ages shows yet again why the Science Centre is an engaging and inspirational destination for all Ontarians," said Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. "I encourage everyone to safely visit the Ontario Science Centre and experience a great example of its innovative programming." Now open to the public, Planet Ice: Mysteries of the Ice Ages runs until March 20, 2022. Access to the exhibition is included with general admission to the Science Centre. Timed tickets are available to buy online . To keep everyone safe, face masks are mandatory in the building at all times, and physical distancing measures are in place. Planet Ice: Mysteries of the Ice Ages at the Ontario Science Centre is made possible in part by presenting tour partner Polar Knowledge Canada, corporate tour partner Enbridge and knowledge partner McMaster University. About the Ontario Science Centre Guided by our mission to inspire passion for the human adventure of discovery, the Ontario Science Centre strives to be a global leader in lifelong learning, a vital link in Ontario's education and innovation ecosystems and a convener of public dialogue about technology, science and society. The Centre has welcomed more than 54 million visitors since opening as a Centennial project in 1969, pioneering an interactive approach now adopted by science centres around the world. An agency of the Government of Ontario, the Centre relies on funding from the province, as well as donations from generous individuals, corporations and foundations that share the Centre's vision to contribute to a more curious, creative and resilient world. Learn more at OntarioScienceCentre.ca. About the Canadian Museum of Nature Saving the world through evidence, knowledge and inspiration! The Canadian Museum of Nature is Canada's national museum of natural history and natural sciences. The museum provides evidence-based insights, inspiring experiences and meaningful engagement with nature's past, present and future. It achieves this through scientific research, a 14.6 million specimen collection, education programs, signature and travelling exhibitions and a dynamic website, nature.ca . About McMaster University McMaster University is Canada's most research-intensive university and is consistently ranked as one of the world's Top 100 universities. Together, our researchers, students and staff advance human and societal health and well-being, creating a Brighter World. SOURCE Ontario Science Centre [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] POSconnect Announces a New FINconnect Integrated Partnership With REITIUM Technologies LTD. TORONTO, Aug. 31, 2021 /CNW/ - Toronto based POSconnect Inc., Canada's leading innovators in the payments and fintech space, is pleased to announce its latest integrated partnership with Vancouver based REITIUM Technologies LTD., a white-hot Real Estate/Investech/SaaS platform taking the global private capital markets by storm. "POSconnect's success in developing, launching and supporting the only Canadian based, regulatorily compliant managed payments platform, purposefully designed and developed for Investech platform operators and users alike, coupled with REITIUM's industry disrupting, investech platform, allowed both of our firms the luxury of jumping into the partnership with both feet out of the gate" says Jeremy Murray, POSconnect's VP of Business Development. "REITIUM has built a beautiful, intuitive and disruptive platform, with thousands of investors already signed up and transacting. They are opening up the private capital markets to a new audience, while providing a much-needed technology lift to existing brokers and dealers who want to capitalize through innovation. We subsequently have built a managed payments platform. This provides the automation and payments facilities hat innovative platforms like REITIUM require to deliver a fully compliant, end to end experience to customers, end-users and investors alike", say Jeremy Murray, POSconnect's VP of Business Development. "REITIUM's vision from day one was to offer real estate investing for as little as $100, to offer those otherwise priced out of the market a chance to grow their wealth sustainably. The tech we built to manage our investment processes, was quickly sought after by Exempt Market Dealers, Issuers, and Dealing Representatives who were in need of digital transformation for this antiquated industry. Our platform is a two-sided marketplace that enables investors to buy real estate and allows Issuers to raise capital compliantly. Some of our features include; referral capabilities, investor management, housing subscription documents, live investment data and syndication that significantly reduces errors and onboards investors in minutes instead of hours" says, Thomas Park, REITIUM's CEO and Co-founder. The integrated partnership with POSconnect utilizing their FINconnect platform streamlines REITIUM's investor experience and eliminates archaic and burdensome processes for the investor. Whether a REITIUM investor chooses to utilize a registered account (RRSP/TFSA) or instantly verify any of their available bank account balances to authorize payment, the transaction is executed securely and in real time. "Working with POSconnect allows us to focus on delivering an incredible investor experience, while at the same time ensuring regulatory compliance for all REITIUM platform investors and SaaS customers" says Thomas Park, REITIUM's CEO and Co-founder. About POSconnect Inc.: Founded in 2009, POSconnect has been delivering innovative financial services and payments processing solutions to emerging market industries and innovators both at home in Canada and abroad. About FINconnect: FINconnect was purpose-built with speed and simplicity at the forefront of its design. Automating the investor interaction from invite to investor acceptance, collection of funds, all the way through to distribution, FINconnect streamlines fundraising in a simple, intuitive, and automated platform. About REITIUM : REITIUM is a blockchain, real estate investment marketplace that allows anyone to invest in income-producing properties starting with $100. Investors share the rental income and appreciation through fractional ownership. REITIUM's proprietary SaaS technology is a back-end management software that allows Exempt Market Dealers, Issuers and Dealing Representatives to digitally transform documentation, investments and real-time data and is fully compliant with securities regulations . SOURCE REITIUM Technologies Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 30, 2021] Renesas Announces More Than 35 Winning Combinations Featuring Both Dialog and Renesas Products Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723) and Dialog Semiconductor (News - Alert) Plc (Dialog) have officially joined forces today, and as an immediate benefit to customers, Renesas announced 39 new Winning Combinations. These expert designs showcase both Renesas' and Dialog's complementary, and now combined, product portfolios of Embedded Processing, Analog, Power, and Connectivity. "The addition of Dialog to the Renesas portfolio presents a tremendous opportunity to drive growth and cross sales in our core segments of Power Management, Analog-Mixed Signal, Connectivity, Industrial and Standard Products. Additionally, Dialog's focus on low-power technologies will allow us to further enhance sustainability across our product portfolio," said Sailesh Chittipeddi (News - Alert) , Executive Vice President & General Manager of the IoT and Infrastructure Business Unit. Renesas' Winning Combinations are engineering-vetted designs and allow customers to take advantage of an elevated platform for their design ideas, accelerating their product development cycle and lowering their overall risk in bringing designs to market. "The 39 Winning Combinations represent just the beginning," said Chris Allexandre, Senior Vice President & Head of Sales and Corporate Digital Marketing of the IoT and Infrastructure Business Unit. "As we drive collaboration among the teams, our customers should start seeing the benefits of the combined portfolio in terms of getting their own solutions to market faster." To highlight the best of both Renesas' and Dialog's portfolios, Renesas is showcasing its key IoT and Industrial Winning Combinations. Quick Connect IoT Renesas' recently-announced Quick Connect IoT, an IoT system design platform that significantly eases the prototyping of IoT systems to help users dramatically reduce time-to-market. The multi-board design platform eliminates widespread compatibility issues found in hardware and software, enabling designers to quickly and easily connect a wide range of sensors to MCU development boards. Combined with Dialog's ultra-low power Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) (DA14531) and Wi-Fi (DA16200) SOCs, the new Pmod 6A board-to-board connector, and the glue codes embedded into the Renesas software package, Quick Connect IoT enables Renesas sensors and MCUs to seamlessly transmit to a mobile application or the cloud. 100W Adapter with power delivery & wireless charger Renesas' 100W PD adapter is a multi-function PD adapter supporting 65W maximum PD output, BC1.2 fast charging, Qi 15W wireless charging, and two 5V2.1A USB A ports. It now includes the latest Dialog high power density AC/DC chipset (primary-side digital flyback controller / secondary side interface IC) with advanced zerovoltage switching combined with Renesas' USB PD controller, MOSFETs, PFC and wireless charging devices. Smart Asset Tracking Label The Smart Tracking Label is an ultra-thin, credit card-sized, asset tracking solution to monitor and track environmental data through Bluetooth LE. It achieves optimal battery life via the low-power DA14531 Bluetooth LE 5.1 SoC combined with Renesas' high-performance humidity and temperature sensors, with data logging stored via onboard serial Flash from Dialog. It provides 2-3 months of shelf life and roughly 30 days of active life using a rechargeable & disposable, printable 25mAh battery. Additionally, Renesas released nine Winning Combinations designed specifically for Automotive customers that combine analog products from Dialog with a broad range of Renesas solutions. Automotive Winning Combinations One new solution for In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) includes a combination of Dialog's PMIC and CMIC with Renesas' automotive R-Car SoCs, buck regulators and timing ICs. Another Winning Combination combines Dialog's LED backlight and haptic drivers with Renesas' PMIC for LCD to realize an automotive display system. Further solutions combining Renesas and Dialog offerings are underway, including a Wireless Battery Management Systems (BMS) with Dialog's Bluetooth LE IC and Renesas' battery management ICs and MCUs. For details, visit the Winning Combinations for Automotive page. "Dialog's outstanding analog technologies add depth and breadth to our automotive lineup," said Takeshi Kataoka, Senior Vice President & General Manager of the Automotive Solution Business Unit. "By combining the best of both companies' offerings, we expect to develop innovative automotive products that reduce our customers' development burden and time-to-market. We are offering multiple new, integrated solutions featuring Renesas and Dialog products immediately, and look forward to introducing more going forward." Availability and More Information Following the landmark acquisitions of Intersil and IDT, Renesas has developed more than 200 "Winning Combinations," compelling product combinations that help our customers accelerate their designs and get to market faster. These portfolio combinations focus on verticals including industrial, infrastructure, automotive, and consumer segments to service more customers and partners worldwide. All of the 39 new Renesas-plus-Dialog Winning Combinations, in addition to 200+ existing Winning Combinations, include block diagrams, product information, and the ability to sample and buy. They are available at renesas.com/win. Renesas plans to hold a press conference on September 1 at 8:00 a.m. London Time / 4:00 p.m. Japan Time to discuss these Winning Combinations and how Renesas' and Dialog's product portfolios can deliver new, optimized solutions for a variety of applications. Sailesh Chittipeddi, Executive Vice President and General Manager of IoT and Infrastructure Business Unit, and Takeshi Kataoka, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Automotive Solution Business Unit, will both speak at the event, which will be available in both English and Japanese. Registration for the press conference is available at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mbLtFZX_Ttq4uBeFe0R_9g. About Renesas Electronics Corporation Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723) delivers trusted embedded design innovation with complete semiconductor solutions that enable billions of connected, intelligent devices to enhance the way people work and live. A global leader in microcontrollers, analog, power, and SoC products, Renesas provides comprehensive solutions for a broad range of automotive, industrial, infrastructure, and IoT applications that help shape a limitless future. Learn more at renesas.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. All names of products or services mentioned in this press release are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005598/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Same-day Delivery Service WeFast Rebrands To Borzo And Raises $35M In Series C MUMBAI, India, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- WeFast , the leading crowdsourced same-day delivery service operating globally, announced today that it has changed its name to Borzo to unite its businesses in 10 different countries under a single brand. As part of its growth strategy, the company also raised $35M in a Series C funding round. Its investors include Mubadala, VNV Global, RDIF, Flashpoint Venture Capital, and others. With the money raised, the company plans to strengthen its position on the international market under the Borzo brand and develop new products. The coronavirus pandemic accelerated an already rising digital economy, shifting consumer habits and setting new behavioral trends. Delivery apps have become more important for both business owners and their customers as during and even after the coronavirus pandemic people are more likely to order home delivery. This applies not only to food, but also to different goods - despite the demand, the options for affordable, same-day delivery of goods are very limited and Borzo solves this problem for its business customers. Borzo enables same-day delivery via any route, any transport, any weight or size, for a competitive price. All customers need to do is request a delivery on the Borzo website, in the mobile app or via its API and a trusted courier will pick up and deliver the requested item. Behind the scenes, the company applies its highly advanced algorithms to enable affordable, fast, precise delivery for the mass market - the algorithms optimize numerous parallel deliveries taking into account the geographical routes, packages' contents, couriers and many others to ensure the feasibility of the same-da delivery. "We at Borzo always believed on-demand delivery will become a new normal as it's beneficial for all parties involved and we're glad it's happening," says Mike Alexandrovski, founder of Borzo. "With the new round closed we continue to move toward our goal of becoming one of the top courier delivery companies in every market we operate in. To achieve this goal we believe it's important to ensure operational synchronicity and integrity of the company's brand perception, and that's why we rebranded it to Borzo." Founded in 2012, Borzo provides same-day delivery to a rapidly expanding customer base of 2M users and its business has been doubling for 5 years straight. The company has operations in 10 countries including Brazil, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia, Turkey and Vietnam. Borzo has over 2.5M couriers and 2M active customers, 75% of which are small and medium-sized businesses. It fulfills over 3M orders per month, while its annual gross revenue runrate approaches $150M. Combining all of Borzo's operations across 10 countries under the same name will help the company optimize its marketing resources and build a universally recognizable global brand. Borzo will continue developing each of its markets individually through local teams and relevant positioning to provide a scalable product to its customers. Faris Al Mazrui, Head of Russia & CIS at Mubadala, said: "The true fundamental shift in eCommerce took place with the increasing reliability and convenience of on-demand delivery services. In Borzo, we find a team with a clear vision on the opportunity in the evolving on-demand delivery space. They have succeeded in going global; becoming competitive in 10 new international markets. We are excited to partner with Mike and Borzo as they continue on their journey." "As the demand for delivery services is growing and the e-commerce segment is expanding, we see a good market opportunity for Borzo - and the team is succeeding in harnessing the power of network effects to turn this opportunity into an ultimate advantage," said Per Brilioth, CEO at VNV Global. About Borzo Borzo is a global delivery service that enables intracity delivery for private customers and businesses. Deliveries range from on-demand to same-day and can be performed via any route, any transport, at any weight or size, for a competitive price. Their algorithms optimize numerous parallel deliveries taking into account the geographical routes, packages' contents, couriers and many others to ensure the feasibility of the same-day delivery. The services are available in 10 countries including Brazil, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia, Turkey and Vietnam and are used by over 2 million customers ranging from individuals to enterprises with the main focus on SMEs. 2.5 million couriers perform more than 3 million deliveries a month through Borzo. For more information please visit borzodelivery.com Photo : https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1605165/CEO_Mike_Alexandrovski.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1605164/borzo_Logo.jpg Contacts: Yury Molodtsov yury@ma.family +1(678) 509-2216 Digant d@wefast.in +918655000011 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] "The Story of New Finance in China(II)" Dives into Latest Innovative Financial Technologies "The Story of New Finance in China (II)" is a video series on YouTube (News - Alert) that explains the latest innovative technologies and how they affect financial institutions in China. The series goes over a variety of financial technologies (called FinTech, for short) including artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, blockchain, robotics, big data, and satellite remote sensing. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005376/en/ "The Story of New Finance in China" was created to share information on the development of China's financial system reform with government leaders, enterprises, institutions, and the public. These videos are also offered as a tool for economies around the world that are seeking financial reform, as well. These videos explain how innovative FinTech including AI, cloud computing, blockchain, and big data has accelerated the application of contactless transactions, allowed financial institutions throughout China to offer more accessible financial services to small and mediu enterprises, and more. Each video in the series has a unique theme: Video 1: Artificial Intelligence Boosts New Finance Technology China's financial institutions are realizing that AI can offer personalized services as well as - or better than - humans can. The first video encompasses FinTech and how it is launching China into the future. Video 2: SME Loans Use Technology to Innovate Financial Services WeBank is the first online-only bank in China. WeBank's SME Loans integrate the ABCDs of financial technology (artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, and big data) to serve small and medium enterprises. Video 3: The Emergence of Contactless Loans With WeBank and innovative FinTech, China can now offer contactless loans - loans that can be applied for and received through the internet. Enterprises that are operating in uncertain environments or have been affected by COVID-19 find this tool to be invaluable. Video 4: Zheshang Bank Applies Blockchain Innovative Financial Services Zheshang Bank uses blockchain technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) to protect financial and personal data that is shared among platforms. Video 5: Small and Medium Enterprises in Zhejiang Province, China No Longer Have Difficulty in Financing Zhejiang Province's financial service platform has improved the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of financial services to small and medium enterprise owners. To watch the second season of "The Story of New Finance in China", please visit on YouTube. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005376/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Surge in Global Demand for Cloud Data Engineering Spurs Trifacta to Appoint New Executives Trifacta, the Data Engineering Cloud company, today announced the addition of several leadership team members who will drive the next generation of data wrangling and cloud data engineering. The company has grown rapidly in the last year, particularly with the introduction of the Data Engineering Cloud, and has expanded its leadership team to accommodate and accelerate this growth. This year, Trifacta appointed Mark Sarbiewski as the company's first Chief Marketing Officer, continued its global expansion with the addition of Andy Bromley as VP of Sales for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), and aligned with its current momentum base by adding Matt Cassie as VP of Sales for North America. Both Bromley and Cassie bring highly relevant SaaS (News - Alert) and domain experience from their recent work at Informatica and Data Scout. "With the explosive growth of cloud data warehousing, the surge in demand for cloud data engineering has accelerated tremendous expansion for Trifacta. The addition of our new executives will further help Trifacta and our more than 10,000 customers to embrace modern data wrangling," said Adam Wilson, Chief Executive Officer at Trifacta. "We are thrilled to welcome Mark, Andy, and Matt to Trifacta. Their leadership in enterprise, market-leading software companies will help propel Trifacta to the next level in cloud data engineering." "Trifacta is uniquely positioned in that it's ahead of its time for innovation and the future of data engineering, while also having an established tradition of success," said Bromley. "Cloud data engineering has incredible momentum as companies continue to transform how they work with data." The new Trifacta leadership team members include: Mark Sarbiewski, Chief Marketing Officer Mark Sarbiewski brings more than 25 years of experience as a CMO in high-tech organizations. Prior to joining Trifacta, he served as CMO at Kentik (News - Alert) , Castlight Health, and Anaplan, helping to scale those market-leadingSaaS businesses. At Anaplan, Sarbiewski drove marketing to support more than five times the revenue growth. He also held executive product and product marketing roles at Mercury Interactive and Hewlett Packard. Sarbiewski earned an MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and a BS in Computer Science from the University of California, Davis. Andy Bromley, VP of Sales, EMEA Matt Cassie, VP of Sales, North America Matt Cassie's data management career spans nearly two decades, with the last 11 years at Informatica. As Vice President of North American Cloud Sales there, Cassie led the company through five straight years of record SaaS growth. During that time, he oversaw Informatica's iPaaS & Cloud Data Warehouse Modernization business, which delivered multiple year-over-year records for the company, including net new bookings & customer retention rates. Cassie holds an MBA from the University of Florida and a BS in Business Administration from the University of Montana. Trifacta's robust growth spans the entire organization with new positions in all geographies and departments. Further, Trifacta recently announced a number of key innovations and initiatives, including the industry's first Data Engineering Cloud, usage-based pricing for self-service data engineering, universal data connectivity, and advanced partnerships with Google (News - Alert) Cloud Dataprep and Databricks, among other initiatives. To experience Trifacta, sign up for a free, 30-day trial at trifacta.com/trial. About Trifacta The Trifacta Data Engineering Cloud leverages decades of innovative research in human-computer interaction, scalable data management, and machine learning to make the process of preparing data and engineering data products faster and more intuitive. Around the globe, tens of thousands of users at more than 10,000 companies, including leading brands like Deutsche Boerse, Google, Kaiser Permanente, New York Life, and PepsiCo, are unlocking the potential of their data with Trifacta's market-leading data engineering platform. Learn more at trifacta.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005271/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] SUSE Rancher 2.6 Brings Enterprise Customers Improved Interoperability Across Multi-Cloud Cluster Environments NUREMBERG, Germany, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SUSE, a global leader in innovative, reliable and enterprise-grade open source solutions, today announced the availability of SUSE Rancher 2.6, the latest release of SUSE's open source enterprise Kubernetes management platform. SUSE Rancher 2.6 is the first major Rancher-related release from SUSE since its acquisition of Rancher Labs in December 2020. "Kubernetes and container solutions are booming in popularity, environments are becoming more sophisticated, and there is no slowdown in sight," said Thomas Di Giacomo, SUSE Chief Technology and Product Officer. "We recognize that SUSE Rancher is a big part of that growth, having proven itself as a leading Kubernetes management technology and customer solution for thousands of enterprises. A key part of its success is its openness and interoperability. We continue to see customers innovate best when they have freedom to choose the products they believe best fit their needs, with flexibility to easily define and adapt their IT strategy. SUSE and SUSE Rancher 2.6 give businesses the opportunity to simply build, scale and transform their infrastructures with Kubernetes." SUSE Rancher 2.6 features major updates across the platform that will help enterprise customers better manage their growing Kubernetes environments. Enhancements include a redesigned platform experience complete with a new crisp user interface with improved logic-based workflows, full lifecycle management of hosted Kubernetes clusters in Microsoft AKS and Google GKE alongside existing Amazon EKS capabilities, plus new security, risk and compliance features. Steve Delaney, Cloud Enterprise Architect at multinational energy and automation company Schneider Electric, said, "In 2020, our Rancher platform experienced a 92% increase in the number of projects onboarded, and in 2021 we're seeing the same high level of engagement. SUSE Rancher 2.6 will further stoke demand with the addition of AKS and EKS support, while at the same time offering our operations team a single pane of glass through which to support this growing demand." Important new customer benefits provided by SUSE Rancher 2.6 include: Savings in time and resources with further simplification of users' Kubernetes deployments and management of their clusters. Professionals who build within or manage growing environments now have access to a new crisp user interface and rearchitected workflows across the platform. This reduction in visual noise, redesigned dashboards and improved single- and multi-cluster anagement experience within a single pane of glass enables users to save time and resources needed to manage the operational requirements of clusters regardless of where they are hosted. with further simplification of users' Kubernetes deployments and management of their clusters. Professionals who build within or manage growing environments now have access to a new crisp user interface and rearchitected workflows across the platform. This reduction in visual noise, redesigned dashboards and improved single- and multi-cluster anagement experience within a single pane of glass enables users to save time and resources needed to manage the operational requirements of clusters regardless of where they are hosted. Broader choice and infrastructure freedom with full lifecycle management of clusters hosted in Microsoft AKS and Google GKE, adding to SUSE Rancher's existing support for hosted Amazon EKS clusters. Users with multi-cloud environments can now easily manage, secure and operate their hosted clusters within SUSE Rancher. Existing hosted clusters can also be imported and managed with the same proficiency level of SUSE Rancher deployed clusters, giving users true interoperability across their multi-cloud environments by empowering them to freely choose the right infrastructure and technology solutions fit for their organization. SUSE continues to accelerate technology partnerships with leading infrastructure providers in the pursuit of helping enterprises scale faster. with full lifecycle management of clusters hosted in Microsoft AKS and Google GKE, adding to SUSE Rancher's existing support for hosted Amazon EKS clusters. Users with multi-cloud environments can now easily manage, secure and operate their hosted clusters within SUSE Rancher. Existing hosted clusters can also be imported and managed with the same proficiency level of SUSE Rancher deployed clusters, giving users true interoperability across their multi-cloud environments by empowering them to freely choose the right infrastructure and technology solutions fit for their organization. SUSE continues to accelerate technology partnerships with leading infrastructure providers in the pursuit of helping enterprises scale faster. Greater confidence to build applications and scale environments with strengthened enterprise security and compliance capabilities. To help users fortify their existing and new cluster environments, SUSE Rancher 2.6 has begun integration with SUSE Linux Enterprise Base Container Images (SLE BCI) to deliver a free, open, flexible and secure foundation. SUSE Rancher 2.6 also now features enhanced audit log traceability to help operators satisfy audit compliance requirements. A technical preview of GitOps provisioning with Cluster API is also available in SUSE Rancher 2.6 to give IT operators the ability to create custom cluster templates to help reduce user-error risk and standardize deployments. For more information about SUSE Rancher 2.6, visit www.suse.com/products/suse-rancher. To learn more about accelerating digital transformation using the industry's most innovative cloud-native platforms, see www.suse.com/solutions/cloud-native-transformation. About SUSE SUSE is a global leader in innovative, reliable and enterprise-grade open source solutions, relied upon by more than 60% of the Fortune 500 to power their mission-critical workloads. We specialize in Enterprise Linux, Kubernetes Management, and Edge solutions, and collaborate with partners and communities to empower our customers to innovate everywhere from the data center, to the cloud, to the edge and beyond. SUSE puts the "open" back in open source, giving customers the agility to tackle innovation challenges today and the freedom to evolve their strategy and solutions tomorrow. The company employs nearly 2000 people globally and is listed in the regulated market (Prime Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.suse.com. Forward-Looking Statements Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for the company, including statements containing the words "aims," "targets," "will," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," and similar expressions, may constitute forward-looking statements and should be read with caution. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including competitive landscape, development of customer deals, reliance upon customer relationships, management of growth and acquisitions, the possibility of undetected software issues, the risks of impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and economic downturns, pricing pressures and the viability of the Internet. In addition, any forward-looking statements included herein represent views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. The Company does not have any obligation to update its forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to change and should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date other than the date of this press release. Copyright 2021 SUSE LLC. All rights reserved. SUSE and the SUSE logo are registered trademarks of SUSE LLC in the United States and other countries. All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/suse-rancher-2-6-brings-enterprise-customers-improved-interoperability-across-multi-cloud-cluster-environments-301365573.html SOURCE SUSE [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Tangram Flex, Inc. To Support Air Force Unmanned Aerial Systems And Agility Prime Community DAYTON, Ohio, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tangram Flex, Inc., headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, announces they have been awarded a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II contract. Tangram Flex is partnering with The Ohio State University to support the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Air Force Agility Prime "flying car" efforts under this contract, which is a follow-on to the Commoditized Confidence Through Software Assurance (CCSA) effort announced in December 2020 . The use of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) in the commercial and defense sectors is growing exponentially. While new capabilities for UASs are becoming available at an ever-increasing cadence, the ability to integrate new software into existing systems presents serious rsks of exposing cyber vulnerabilities. The U.S. Air Force is responding to these challenges in order to maintain air superiority. In this Phase II effort, Tangram Flex will support the Air Force with solutions to streamline the analysis and testing capabilities for UASs and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle systems. The solutions designed by Tangram Flex in partnership with The Ohio State University will provide high confidence in the correctness, safety, and cyber security of UASs and eVTOL vehicle systems. "Tangram Flex is dedicated to building technology that enables our customers to rapidly integrate new capabilities with high levels of confidence," says Mr. Ricky Peters, CEO of Tangram Flex. "Our engineering team develops cutting-edge solutions in support of the Air Force. I'm incredibly proud of our team's skills and the code generation technologies we have built that empower our customers to engage in the next frontier of software-driven innovation." AFRL and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research process in an attempt to speed up the experience, broaden the pool of potential applicants and decrease bureaucratic overhead. Beginning in SBIR 18.2, and now in 20.C/D, the Air Force has begun offering 'The Open Topic' SBIR/STTR program that is faster, leaner and open to a broader range of innovations. ABOUT TANGRAM FLEX Tangram Flex simplifies software integration for mission-critical defense systems. Tangram Flex combines engineering expertise with its Component Software Integration Platform (CSIP), Tangram Pro, to arm engineers with customized toolkits for meeting mission needs. Tangram Flex is headquartered in Dayton, Ohio. For press inquiries, please contact Liz Grauel: press@tangramflex.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tangram-flex-inc-to-support-air-force-unmanned-aerial-systems-and-agility-prime-community-301366446.html SOURCE Tangram Flex [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Tauriga Sciences, Inc. Initiates Clinical Trial to Examine the Effects of Cannabidiol Doses on Pregnant Women with Diagnosis of Hyperemesis Gravidarum The Companys Proposed Cannabidiol Delivery System Utilizes its Proprietary Cannabidiol (CBD) Infused Chewing Gum Platform NEW YORK, NY, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- Tauriga Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB: TAUG) (Tauriga or the Company), a New York based diversified Life Sciences Company, has announced that it has initiated a clinical trial to examine the effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) doses on pregnant women with the diagnosis of: Hyperemesis Gravidarum (Morning Sickness). More specifically, this clinical trial has been planned as a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, to examine the: Effects of Different Cannabidiol Doses on Reducing the Frequency and Severity of Nausea in Otherwise Healthy Pregnant Women with Excessive First Trimester Emesis and the Diagnosis of Hyperemesis Gravidarum. This planned Clinical Trial will launch the Companys pharmaceutical development initiative and will secure Tauriga Sciences Inc. as the only Company evaluating Cannabidiol in this specific patient population. The Companys proposed Cannabidiol delivery system, utilizes its proprietary Cannabidiol infused chewing gum platform. This focuses on Sublingual Delivery, which refers to the pharmacological route of administration by which substances diffuse into the blood through tissues under the tongue. The Company expects to develop mission critical versions of its proprietary chewing gum, incorporating varying concentrations of CBD (potentially combined with other substances). The Company is currently in the process of finalizing the study protocol, to be submitted, reviewed, and approved by a central Institutional Review Board (IRB). The Companys efforts, with respect to this corporative initiative, are being spearheaded by its Chief Medical Officer Dr. Keith Aqua. Taurigas Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Keith Aqua, commented, Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy are both significant physical and psychological health risks. Pregnant women frequently ingest multiple medications for which there is little data on the effectiveness and safety for both themselves or their developing fetuses. Roughly 5% of pregnant women consume some form of cannabinoid, the two most common being CBD and THC. Unlike alcohol, to date, no known syndrome or specific birth defect has been identified to be caused by these products. Despite being considered a vulnerable population, pregnant women have few clinical trials presenting rigorous scientific data to understand how these molecules interact with the mother and fetus. We intend to add to thefund of knowledge regarding the effects of CBD on pregnant women by performing this and other scientific clinical trials. This Corporate Initiative, is in addition to its ongoing Pharmaceutical development efforts Targeting: Patients Subjected to Ongoing Chemotherapy Treatment. This relates to the development of its previously disclosed, Cannabinoid based, Pharmaceutical grade version of Tauri-Gum -- for nausea regulation. ABOUT TAURIGA SCIENCES INC. Tauriga Sciences, Inc. (TAUG) is a revenue generating, diversified life sciences company, engaged in several major business activities and initiatives. The company manufactures and distributes several proprietary retail products and product lines, mainly focused on the Cannabidiol (CBD) and Cannabigerol (CBG) Edibles market segment. The main product line, branded as Tauri-Gum, consists of a proprietary supplement chewing gum that is Kosher certified, Halal certified, and Vegan Formulated (CBD Infused Tauri-Gum Flavors: Mint, Blood Orange, Pomegranate), (CBG Infused Tauri-Gum Flavors: Peach-Lemon, Black Currant), (DELTA 8 THC Infused Tauri-Gum Flavor: Evergreen Mint), (Vitamin C + Zinc Infused Tauri-Gum Flavor: Pear Bellini), (Caffeine Infused Tauri-Gum Flavor: Cherry Lime Rickey), & (Vitamin D3 Infused Tauri-Gum Flavor: Golden Raspberry). The Companys commercialization strategy consists of a broad array of retail customers, distributors, and a fast-growing E-Commerce business segment (E-Commerce website: www.taurigum.com). Please visit our corporate website, for additional information, as well as inquiries, at http://www.tauriga.com Complementary to the Companys retail business, is its ongoing Pharmaceutical Development initiative. This relates to the development of a proposed Pharmaceutical grade version of Tauri-Gum, for nausea regulation (specifically designed for the following indication: Patients Subjected to Ongoing Chemotherapy Treatment). On March 22, 2021, the Company announced that it had Converted its U.S. Provisional Patent Application (filed on March 17, 2020) into a U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application. The Patent, filed with the U.S.P.T.O. is Titled MEDICATED CBD COMPOSITIONS, METHODS OF MANUFACTURING, AND METHODS OF TREATMENT. On December 18, 2020 the Company disclosed that it had entered into a Master Services Agreement with CSTI to lead the Company's clinical development efforts. The Company is headquartered in Wappingers Falls, New York. In addition, the Company operates two full time E-Commerce fulfillment centers: one located in Montgomery, Texas and the other in Brooklyn, New York. DISCLAIMER -- Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 which represent managements beliefs and assumptions concerning future events. These forward-looking statements are often indicated by using words such as may, will, expects, anticipates, believes, hopes, believes, or plans, and may include statements regarding corporate objectives as well as the attainment of certain corporate goals and milestones. Forward-looking statements are based on present circumstances and on managements present beliefs with respect to events that have not occurred, that may not occur, or that may occur with different consequences or timing than those now assumed or anticipated. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in forward looking statements due to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, such as are not guarantees of general economic and business conditions, the ability to successfully develop and market products, consumer and business consumption habits, the ability to consummate successful acquisition and licensing transactions, fluctuations in exchange rates, and other factors over which Tauriga has little or no control. Many of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in greater detail in the Risk Factors section of Taurigas Form 10-K and other periodic filings made from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this release, and Tauriga assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Contact: Tauriga Sciences, Inc. 4 Nancy Court, Suite 4 Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 Chief Executive Officer Mr. Seth M. Shaw Email: sshaw@tauriga.com cell # (917) 796 9926 Company Instagram: @taurigum Personal Instagram: @sethsms47 Twitter: @SethMShaw Corp. Website: www.tauriga.com E-Commerce Website: www.taurigum.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] UCSF Rosenman ADAPT Seeks Healthtech Companies Addressing Health Disparities; Will Assist in Scaling Up Solutions SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Applications are now open for UCSF Rosenman ADAPT (ADAPT), a program that provides emerging health technology companies with funding and opportunities to partner with the largest healthcare companies in the United States, the UCSF Rosenman Institute (Rosenman) announced today. The deadline is 5 pm ET on Friday, October 1st. Anthem, Inc., Chicago Pacific Partners, Evernorth, and UnitedHealth Group, who together serve more than 200 million people in the U.S. healthcare market, have partnered with Rosenman to provide resources for accelerating market testing and commercialization. Four companies selected will receive $100K in non-dilutive funding apiece, and a match with one of the program's partners. Applications to ADAPT will be accepted from companies based anywhere in the world that have at least developed a minimum viable product. Of particular interest are technologies that address health disparities, especially for communities of color, and LGBTQ communities, and people who struggle to afford healthcare; improve health outcomes at the population/community level; and improve efficiency in healthcare. Rosenman encourages teams that are minority, LGBTQ+- and women-led to apply for the program. "Our goal is to get vital new solutions into the market where they can ensure that communities that have historically been underserved can access the healthcare they need," said Rosenman director Christine Winoto. "ADAPT is unique in being able to recruit such a wide range of technologies and broker connections between emerging companies and dominant players. It is an incredible opportunity for deserving entrepreneurs." "The UCSF Rosenman ADAPT program aligns with our goal to improve health in all its forms, challenge the status quo, and usher in a new era of healthcare that addresses the unique needs of diverse communities," said Omid Toloui, Vice President, Innovation, at Anthem. "We look forward to working with high-potential, early-stage companies to scale innovative solutions and increase access to high-quality healthcare services for all individuals, independent of their location or socioeconomic status." "As one of the very few women-led private equity firms in the US, we feel completely aligned with the mission of ADAPT on a number of levels," said Mary Tolan, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Chicago Pacific Founders. "At our core our firm looks to expand access to the highest quality healthcare and bend the cost curve, all while promoting and encouraging diversity. We are excited at partnering with such an esteemed group as has been assembled here." "At Evernorth, we are committed to solving the toughest, most costly health care hallenges, and especially, health care disparities. Innovative solutions like the ones being developed by ADAPT applicants are core to our mission," said Glen Stettin, MD, Chief Innovation Officer at Evernorth. "We look forward to working with our second group of ADAPT program applicants and helping them advance innovations to combat health disparities." "Improving health equity and reducing health disparities are critically important to addressing health care's biggest challenges," said David Cook, MD, Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealth Group's OptumLabs. "We can't wait to see the new technologies in 2021 and look forward to collaborating with these companies." To learn more about partnering with UCSF Rosenman ADAPT, contact christine.winoto@ucsf.edu. About the UCSF Rosenman Institute The UCSF Rosenman Institute, a QB3 health technology initiative at the University of California, San Francisco, is a community of investors, clinicians, and technology entrepreneurs who create solutions for unmet clinical needs. Its mission is to drive innovation and education and improve patient care by helping entrepreneurs from concept to commercialization. No UC affiliation is required to obtain support from the UCSF Rosenman Institute. Visit rosenmaninstitute.org. About Anthem, Inc. Anthem is a leading health benefits company dedicated to improving lives and communities, and making healthcare simpler. Through its affiliated companies, Anthem serves more than 117 million people, including more than 44 million within its family of health plans. We aim to be the most innovative, valuable and inclusive partner. For more information, please visit www.antheminc.com or follow @AnthemInc on Twitter. About Chicago Pacific Founders Based in Chicago and San Francisco, Chicago Pacific Founders ("CPF") is a leading strategic private equity firm focused on investing in growth companies within value-based care innovation, healthcare services, and caring for aging populations. CPF believes that the most significant societal impact and investment returns from healthcare for the next decade will be generated by investment in delivery model innovation. CPF's leadership team is made up of former healthcare CEOs, senior executives, and investment professionals with a passion and track record of building healthcare businesses. For more information, please visit www.cpfounders.com. About Evernorth Evernorth creates and connects premier health services offerings, including benefits management, pharmacy, care solutions, insights, and intelligence. With an open approach to partnering across the health care landscape, we deliver innovative and flexible solutions for health plans, employers and government programs. Evernorth capabilities are powered by our family of companies, including Express Scripts, Accredo, eviCore and MDLIVE, along with holistic Evernorth platforms and solutions that elevate health and drive progress for people and businesses. All Evernorth solutions are serviced and provided by or through operating affiliates of Evernorth Health, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cigna Corporation, or third-party partners. Learn more at Evernorth.com. About UnitedHealth Group UnitedHealth Group is a diversified health care company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and helping to make the health system work better for everyone. UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through two distinct platforms: UnitedHealthcare, which provides health care coverage and benefits services; and Optum, which provides information and technology-enabled health services. For more information, visit UnitedHealth Group at www.unitedhealthgroup.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ucsf-rosenman-adapt-seeks-healthtech-companies-addressing-health-disparities-will-assist-in-scaling-up-solutions-301365508.html SOURCE UCSF Rosenman Institute [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Vyopta Survey Reveals Executives Don't Fully Trust One Third of Remote Workers to Effectively Perform AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vyopta, the Collaboration Intelligence Company, today released the results of a study on the real-life consequences of remote and hybrid work. Conducted by Wakefield Research, the study surveyed 200 U.S. executives at companies of 500 or more employees between July 30 and August 10, when Covid numbers began again to rise and return to office plans were yet again put on hold. When asked what percentage of your staff do you fully trust to be able to correctly navigate the remote technology needed to make remote work successful, the average response among executives was just 66%. That means that executives do not fully trust a full third of their staff to effectively perform when working remotely. Online Accountability. In addition, nearly a quarter of those surveyed reported they have seen an employee fired because of video or audio conference mistakes. It seems that business leaders expect employees to figure it out -- or pay the price. It is not just firing: 83% have seen an employee receive some disciplinary action. Top actions executives have seen enacted over a call or video conference error include moving the responsibility of managing/facilitating meetings or calls to another staff member (53%); Giving an informal (40%) or formal (38%) reprimand; and Removing a staff member from a project (33%). Nearly three in five business leaders (58%) responded that it is the company's responsibility to ensure remote collaboration technology is working smoothly. But the other 42% say the burden is on employees to keep collaboration technology up and running. Bottom Line. It might seem harsh to punish someone over a videoconference mix-up, but executives know that when these things don't go smoothly, they pay a price. Nearly a third (32%) have lost a clien or business opportunity because of technology or connection issues. Another 41% have missed a project deadline. Here to Stay. An overwhelming 97% of executives said they are currently offering or are planning to offer hybrid work options; this new mode of work is not going anywhere. Nearly three out of four executives (72%) plan to maintain or expand the number of employees allowed to work a hybrid schedule in the next 12 monthsincluding 29% who say that number is expected to grow. Into the Unknown. But even as they try to establish this new hybrid work environment and push their employees to make it work, executives themselves admit they are guessing. More than half of the executives (58%) are very concerned that their company does not fully understand what employees are looking for in a hybrid work optionpointing to the need for guidance and support as they ramp up hybrid efforts. "The data clearly shows that there is a misalignment in expectations regarding remote and hybrid work between management and employees and a lack of training on how to manage and perform in this new way of working," said Alfredo Ramirez, CEO of Vyopta. "Since Vyopta develops software to optimize collaboration, our teams are proficient in using technology for remote and hybrid work. However, we are continually focused on how we can help foster collaborative work among our team and on how we help enhance productivity in any work environment." View the full hybrid work survey report here . Methodology The Vyopta Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research ( www.wakefieldresearch.com ) among 200 U.S. executives with a minimum seniority of VP, at companies of 500+ employees, between July 30th and August 10th, 2021, using an email invitation and an online survey. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. For the interviews conducted in this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 6.9 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample. About Vyopta Incorporated Vyopta , the Collaboration Intelligence company, is a global leader in comprehensive monitoring and analytics for Collaboration Performance Management and Workspace Insights. By integrating insights from multi-vendor Unified Communications & Collaboration vendors and IOT devices, Vyopta helps organizations deliver the best UC user experience and optimize their UC and real estate investments. Vyopta helps hundreds of organizations worldwide spanning 20+ industries monitor 6 million endpoints and over 20 billion meeting minutes a year. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vyopta-survey-reveals-executives-dont-fully-trust-one-third-of-remote-workers-to-effectively-perform-301365984.html SOURCE Vyopta [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Whitehat Virtual Announces Partnership with BOXX Technologies AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Whitehat Virtual, the expert in "work from anywhere" IT, today announced a partnership with BOXX Technologies, the leading innovator of high-performance computer workstations. Together, Whitehat Virtual and BOXX will provide customers working with some of the most graphically demanding resource-intensive applications globally with an "easy button" for protecting IP, working from home, and collaboration by offering expert VDI managed services and support, guaranteeing a quality VDI end-user experience for customers of the industry's most complete line of powerful workstation computers. As a result of this agreement, Whitehat Virtual is the preferred virtual desktop services partner for BOXX. An expert in solving even the most challenging Citrix and VMware VDI issues, Whitehat Virtual has cataloged over 1,500 optimizations for virtual environments, making them perform better and deliver an optimal user experience. Whitehat Virtual is also a proven service partner for NVIDIA vGPU environments ensuring vGPU enables the best possible performance. "The arrival of new virtual GPU (vGPU) technologies places heightened demands on virtual desktop technology," said Val King, President and CEO, Whitehat Virtual. "For users of high-performance graphic applications that want the ability to work from anywhere there is an Internet connection, virtual desktops (VDI) must be paired with vGPU technology and optimized to deliver the performance and user experience digital workers need. At Whitehat Virtual, we've seen and solved it all when it comes to high-performance computing on VDI. We are pleased to bring our expertise to the BOXX community of power-computing users and we look forward to briging BOXX innovations and high-performance hardware to Whitehat Virtual customers." As a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, work from anywhere means new demands on environments, including rich multi-media content delivery for remote training and facilitating team member communication. Overall, VDI environments struggle to deliver this level of content since most were not designed to support robust visual content. NVIDIA vGPU software enables powerful GPU performance for workloads ranging from graphics-rich virtual workstations to data science and AI. This enables IT to leverage the management and security benefits of virtualization, as well as the performance of NVIDIA GPUs required for modern workloads. "All VDI systems host multiple users on a single server," said Tim Lawrence, Founder and VP of Engineering, BOXX Technologies. "Only BOXX has the experience and product portfolio to provide engineers, architects, and 3D artists with bare-metal performance in a virtual environment. With Whitehat Virtual managed services and support, we are extending our expertise in high-performance computing with a VDI services partner we trust." Whitehat Virtual's partnership with BOXX Technologies was recently finalized and services options from Whitehat Virtual are available now through BOXX. About Whitehat Virtual Whitehat Virtual is a nationally ranked top 100 technology services provider specializing in security, compliance, desktop virtualization, cloud, hosting, and managed IT services with NVIDIA, Citrix, VMware, Microsoft, AWS, among other partnerships. Whitehat Virtual's mission is to maximize the value of IT for clients at what Whitehat Virtual calls the "Point of Execution," or the last 18 inches between the screen and the end-user, where IT productivity is gained or lost, and ultimately where data translates into dollars. Clients of Whitehat Virtual know what technology to buy, how to deliver it successfully on time, and how to extract maximum business value, achieving more dollar-for-dollar value from their IT investment than their competitors. Learn more at www.whitehatvirtual.com. About BOXX Technologies BOXX is the leading innovator of high-performance computer workstations, rendering systems, and servers for engineering, product design, architecture, visual effects, animation, deep learning, and more. For 26 years, BOXX has combined record-setting performance, speed, and reliability with unparalleled industry knowledge to become the trusted choice of creative professionals worldwide. For more information, visit www.boxx.com. Press Contacts: Erin Jones Avista PR for Whitehat Virtual P: 704.664.2170 ejones@avistapr.com John Vondrak BOXX Technologies P: 512.852.3326 jvondrak@boxx.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/whitehat-virtual-announces-partnership-with-boxx-technologies-301366115.html SOURCE Whitehat Virtual [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Zimmer Biomet Announces New Data Supporting Clinical Benefits of mymobility with Apple Watch at AAOS 2021 WARSAW, Ind., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (NYSE and SIX: ZBH), a global medical technology leader, today announced four data presentations on the clinical value of mymobility with Apple Watch, a first-of-a-kind remote care management platform designed to help healthcare professionals remotely support and guide patients as they prepare for and recover from orthopedic procedures. mymobility with Apple Watch is a part of ZBEdge, Zimmer Biomet's suite of connected digital and robotic technologies designed to deliver actionable insights with the goal of improving patient outcomes. The data are being presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) 2021 Annual Meeting being held on August 31 to September 3 in San Diego. "The introduction of mymobility with Apple Watch underscores Zimmer Biomet's commitment to evaluating the real-world clinical benefits of a remote care management platform after orthopedic surgery," said Robert Kraal, Vice President and General Manager, Connected Health at Zimmer Biomet. "These four analyses, utilizing interim data from the ongoing mymobility Clinical Study, suggest that mymobility with Apple Watch may be a viable option to help healthcare professionals monitor how a patient is progressing after surgery and remotely manage rehabilitation regimens to optimize recovery." Details on the four data presentations can be found below. PODIUM SESSION: Paper 458 - A Smartwatch Paired Mobile Application Provides Postoperative Self-Directed Rehabilitation Without Compromising Patient Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial Session: Adult Reconstruction Knee IV September 2, 2021 8:50AM 8:55AM PT Ballroom 6A Evaluated 337 patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to determine the impact on postoperative outcomes with the use of a self-directed rehabilitation (SDR) program after TKA. The SDR was administered via the mymobility application which provided pre- and post-operative education and video-directed exercise programs and was paired with an Apple Watch to help track the patient's physical activity * . . Patients were divided into three groups: a control group who had formal physical therapy (184 patients), a high exercise-compliance SDR treatment group (90 patients) and a low exercise-compliance SDR group (63 patients). Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) of knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome scores, joint replacement (KOOS, JR) along with knee range of motion and manipulation rates were evaluated. Results showed no clinically significant differences between groups for all evaluated outcomes at 3, 6 or 12 months. Study Outcome: Researchers concluded that a postoperative SDR program administered through a mobile application paired with a smartwatch can provide similar patient-reported outcome measures while not affecting manipulation rates or compromising range of motion, regardless of the level of compliance with the application exercise program. "Our study was able to demonstrate that total knee replacement surgery patients using a remote care model with mymobility and an Apple Watch were able to achieve clinically similar outcomes compared to patients who received the traditional standard of care, regardless of their level of exercise compliance," said Krishna Tripuraneni, MD, FAAOS, orthopedic surgeon at New Mexico Orthopaedics and the study's lead author. "The data suggest that a smartphone-based care platform featuring mymobility could be a viable alternative to the standard of care for post-operative knee replacement care." POSTER SESSION: P0765 - Use of a Smartphone-Based Care Platform after Primary Joint Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Trial September 2, 2021, 7:00AM 5:00PM PT (Academy Hall Sails Pavilion) Evaluated 828 patients who underwent primary hip or knee arthroplasty to determine the difference in 90-day healthcare utilization between a smartphone-based versus traditional care platform. Patients were randomized into two groups: a control group (447 patients) who received the institution's traditional standard of care, and a treatment group (381 patients) who received the mymobility application with an Apple Watch. Outcomes assessed were physical therapy (PT) visits, readmissions and emergency department (ED)/urgent care (UC) visits. Study Outcome: Findings of this randomized trial demonstrate non-inferiority of the primary endpoint comparing the mymobility platform group to the control group on 90-day readmissions. "This study demonstrated that compared to patients treated with the standard of care after surgery, mymobility patients utilized less of the studied healthcare resources which, we hypothesize, could aid in decreasing postoperative costs," said David Crawford, MD, orthopedic surgeon at JIS Orthopedics and the study's lead author. POSTER SESSION: P0542 - The Recovery Curve for Physical Activity following Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty Using Average Daily Step Counts Measured with a Smartphone Based Case Platform and Smart Watch September 2, 2021, 7:00AM 5:00PM PT (Academy Hall Sails Pavilion) Designed to characterize the recovery curve based on passively collected physical activity after total hip arthroplasty (THA) using average step counts and flight counts (flights of stairs) measured by mymobility with Apple Watch. Study Outcome: Analyses of the interim data of 778 patients found that using these passively collected outcome measures (PCOM) to assess the rate of recovery (the pace at which patients return to preoperative activity levels) was similar to previously reported recovery curves for patient reported outcomes measures (PROM) 1. "Before the availability of wearables and remote care management applications that can passively collect movement data and other indicators of post-surgical recovery, surgeons relied on patient reported outcome measures to assess a patient's progress," said Dr. Crawford, the study's lead author. "Our analysis suggests that passively collected physical activity data using mymobility with Apple Watch may be as useful as PROMs to set goals and monitor recovery after total hip replacement surgery." POSTER SESSION: P0528 - The Relationship of Common Patient Reported Outcomes and Passively Collected Outcome Measures in the Adult Reconstruction Arena September 2, 2021, 7:00AM 5:00PM PT (Academy Hall Sails Pavilion) Analyzed data from 778 patients who underwent primary total hip, or total and unicondylar knee arthroplasty and had at least one PROM and one PCOM. Study Outcome: When the relationship between overall PROM scores and PCOMs was evaluated, there did not appear to be a correlation; however, there were associations between PCOMs and PROMs about pain, walking, standing and activity levels. "The associations we observed between passively collected data on step and stair counts and patient reported data on metrics such as pain and walking support the value of incorporating smart remote monitoring technology into the traditional rehabilitation pathways for hip or knee surgery," added Dr. Crawford, the study's leading author. Full abstracts of the planned presentations are available at https://www.aaos.org/annual/education/browse-education/. mymobility with Apple Watch and iPhone acts as a virtual care team member by providing patients with support and guidance at the direction of their healthcare professional as they prepare for and recover from orthopedic procedures from the comfort of their home. For patients who have a compatible smartphone, and who are clinically suited for remote care, mymobility leverages the powerful sensors on Apple Watch and iPhone to measure a patient's activity (e.g., number of steps, walking asymmetry, walking speed, flights of stairs) and post-operative progress. mymobility with Apple Watch also enables virtual connections between patients and healthcare professionals throughout the surgical episode of care, with the goal of lowering the overall cost of care. Pre- and post-operative data collected by mymobility with Apple Watch is combined with intraoperative data from patients who undergo joint replacement with ROSA Robotics and is then seamlessly consolidated and analyzed by OrthoIntel Orthopedic Intelligence Platform, to uncover new clinical insights throughout the episode of care and to help surgeons and care teams make informed patient care decisions. To learn more about mymobility with Apple Watch, please visit zimmerbiomet.com/mymobility. About the Company Zimmer Biomet is a global medical technology leader with a comprehensive portfolio designed to maximize mobility and improve health. We seamlessly transform the patient experience through our innovative products and suite of integrated digital and robotic technologies that leverage data, data analytics and artificial intelligence. With 90+ years of trusted leadership and proven expertise, Zimmer Biomet is positioned to deliver the highest quality solutions to patients and providers. Our legacy continues to come to life today through our progressive culture of evolution and innovation. For more information about our product portfolio, our operations in 25+ countries and sales in 100+ countries or about joining our team, visit www.zimmerbiomet.com or follow Zimmer Biomet on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zimmerbiomet. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning Zimmer Biomet's expectations, plans, prospects, and product and service offerings, including new product launches and potential clinical successes. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management and are subject to significant risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. For a list and description of some of such risks and uncertainties, see Zimmer Biomet's periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in Zimmer Biomet's filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Zimmer Biomet disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers of this news release are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements, since there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Apple Watch and iPhone are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the US and other countries. ZBH-Corp * The treatment group was not initially prescribed physical therapy, but could be if their surgeons deemed it necessary. 1 1. Kagan R, Anderson MB, Christensen JC, Peters CL, Gililland JM, Pelt CE. The Recovery Curve for the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Patient-Reported Physical Function and Pain Interference Computerized Adaptive Tests After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty 33(8): 2471, 2018 Contacts: Media Meredith Weissman (703) 346-3127 meredith.weissman@zimmerbiomet.com Investors Ezgi Yagci Keri Mattox (617) 549-2443 (203) 399-0856 ezgi.yagci@zimmerbiomet.com keri.mattox@zimmerbiomet.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zimmer-biomet-announces-new-data-supporting-clinical-benefits-of-mymobility-with-apple-watch-at-aaos-2021-301365583.html SOURCE Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 30, 2021] Social Solutions Announces Availability of Apricot Case Management Software in Australia and New Zealand Social Solutions Global, the leading cloud software provider for nonprofit and public sector social service organizations, today announced the availability of its Apricot case management software in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). Apricot is Social Solution's flagship, comprehensive case management tool for outcomes-focused organizations. Designed with intuitive workflows and powerful reporting, Apricot enables human services organizations across the ANZ region to better track and report on services and optimize programs to better meet the needs of the people they serve. Adding to their product portfolio available in ANZ, Apricot joins Penelope by Social Solutions as an industry-leading case management tool to accelerate social change in the region. "The availability of Apricot case management software in Australia and New Zealand reinforces Social Solutions' global commitment to helping human services organizations of all sizes achieve better outcomes through actionable insights in an unmatched, collaborative ecosystem," said Julian Flint, Country Manager, Asia Pacific, Social Solutions. "We're excited to grow our ANZ footprint and help the thousands of nonprofit organizations across the region measure outcomes more accurately and empower change across communities." Social Solutions long ago realized the role data and technology play in unlocking the ability for social good organizations to scale and empower communities to drive impact together. Results of Social Solutions' inaugural 2020 Impact Report show that demand for human services organizations continues to exceed the capacity of nonprofits' ability to serve all those in need, and that investments in data and technology are the keys to optimizing efficiencies and improving outcomes for organizations and their communities. Social Solutions' Apricot case management software reduces administrative burdens and tracks performance outcomes to meet the needs of the whole person in a way that leads to lasting change. The tens of thousands of social good organizations across Australia and New Zealand can now get up and running quickly and easily on Apricot. Features and benefits include: Consolidate data in one place for simplified, secure data entry and reporting Make accurate, data-driven decisions when helping participants and running your programs Create built-in reports and dashboards to track program performance and impact Streamline internal workflows that allow for more time to be spent serving people and communities To ensure easy access and implementation of Apricot for social good organizations in ANZ, Social Solutions has constructed a regional server infrastructure to support all geographic-specific considerations, including time zones, address lockups and data formatting. The company remains committed to delivering a steady cadence of new features and functionality to Apricot for organizations in this region. Apricot case management software is available now in Australia and New Zealand. The Penelope solution is still available and fully supported in region. To learn more contact: apacsales@socialsolutions.com. About Social Solutions Global: Social Solutions, a Public Benefit Corporation, is the leading provider of cloud software for nonprofit and public sector social service organizations. Our Apricot, Penelope and ETO products offer clients the most comprehensive and secure social good platform available, including case management, participant connection, data insights, outcome analytics and funder enablement solutions. Based in Austin, Texas, Social Solutions was founded over 20 years ago by social workers who saw the potential of technology to improve outcomes and help accelerate lasting social change in the communities they serve. To date, more than 90,000 users have adopted the Social Solutions platform to improve their data by measuring and optimizing outcomes. Social Solutions is backed by Vista Equity Partners and serves clients in the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. For more information, please visit our website, www.socialsolutions.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005025/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 30, 2021] Renesas Completes Acquisition of Dialog Semiconductor Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723, "Renesas"), a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, and Dialog Semiconductor (News - Alert) Plc ("Dialog"), a leading provider of battery and power management, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth low energy and Industrial edge computing solutions, today announced the successful completion of Renesas' acquisition of the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Dialog. Renesas will fund the cash consideration payable to Dialog shareholders of approximately EUR 4.8 billion (approximately 624.0 billion yen at an exchange rate of 130 yen to the Euro) through a combination of debt, cash on hand and the proceeds of an equity offering of approximately 222.6 billion yen. "Today represents an important milestone for Renesas. This transaction builds on our long-term strategy to offer a complete set of solutions with more leading-edge analog and mixed signal products that deliver value and innovation to the customers," said Hidetoshi Shibata, President & CEO of Renesas. "We are excited to welcome the talented team of Dialog employees, as well as the customers and suppliers of Dialog to the Renesas community. The combination augments engineering scale and delivers a diversified product portfolio across multiple, attractive end markets. Together, we are positioned to capitalize on an array of growing opportunities including the IoT, industrial, and automotive fields." The closing of the acquisition of Dialog, following the landmark acquisitions of Intersil and IDT, reinforces Renesas as a premier embedded solution provider. Renesas will expand its market presence with an even broader range of product portfolio by combining Dialog's low-power mixed signal products, low-power Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity expertise, flash memory, battery and power management as well as its long-standing experience and in-depth knowledge in providing configurable mixed-signal (CMIC) solutions and more. The acquisition will also enable Renesas to further extend its go-to-market initiatives and provide seamless and borderless services to customers across the globe. As an immediate benefit to customers, Renesas and Dialog have launched more than 35 "Winning Combinations," compelling product combinations of "Embedded Computing + Analog + Power + Connectivity" that lever the comprehensive engineering advantages the combined company provides. See the press release titled "Renesas Announces More than 35 Winning Combinations Featuring Both Dialog and Renesas Products" or to learn more about the Renesas and Dialog Winning Combintions, visit www.renesas.com/win. Renesas anticipates incremental revenue growth of approximately USD 200 million (non-GAAP operating income, approximately 21.0 billion yen) from cross-selling and offering winning combinations. The combined company also expects cost savings from operational efficiencies to result in a financial impact of approximately USD 125 million (non-GAAP operating income per year on a run rate basis targeting to achieve in three years after close, approximately 13.1 billion yen). Renesas expects the acquisition to be accretive to Renesas' EBITDA and gross and operating margins (in each case, on a non-GAAP basis) after closing, consistent with prior guidance. With the transaction now closed, Dialog became a wholly owned subsidiary of Renesas. About 2,300 Dialog employees have joined Renesas Group, and the two companies will work together to integrate both businesses. About Renesas Electronics Corporation Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723) delivers trusted embedded design innovation with complete semiconductor solutions that enable billions of connected, intelligent devices to enhance the way people work and live. A global leader in microcontrollers, analog, power, and SoC products, Renesas provides comprehensive solutions for a broad range of automotive, industrial, infrastructure, and IoT applications that help shape a limitless future. Learn more at renesas.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. About Dialog Semiconductor Dialog Semiconductor, a wholly owned subsidiary of Renesas Electronics Corporation, is a leading provider of standard and custom integrated circuits (ICs) that power the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 applications. Dialog's proven expertise propels the next generation of today's devices by providing Battery Management, Bluetooth low energy, Wi-Fi, Flash memory, and Configurable Mixed-signal ICs, improving power efficiency, reducing charge times, while increasing performance and productivity on the go. (Remarks) Dialog and the Dialog logo are trademarks of Dialog Semiconductor Plc or its subsidiaries. Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. of the United States. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005264/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 30, 2021] The realme Fan Festival 2021 brings together its global fan community to celebrate the power of youth, as realme hits sales milestones of over $330 million during the festival SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- realme, the world fastest growing smartphone brand, brought in over $330 million in sales during its much-anticipated realme Fan Festival 2021, achieving 38% YoY growth. realme sold 1.6 Million units smartphones and 225 thousand units AIoT devices during this festival. This sales record during the Fan Festival 2021 came on the back of another milestone, as realme celebrates 100 million smartphones sold. realme was also the fastest major smartphone company to cross this milestone, achieving it just three years since its establishment. To thank the fans and its supporters, realme held its Fan Festival virtually, dedicated to the many passionate fans who are passionate about the brand and its products. realme has shown that the power of youth and the focus on young audiences worldwide is a sustainable and correct strategy. In addition to being the fastest major smartphone company to cross 100 million units sold, realme is also the fastest-growing major smartphone brand globally in Q2 2021 with a year-over-year growth rate of 149%, as data from research firm International Data Corporation (IDC) showed. Currently, realme ranks in the Top 5 smartphone makers in 18 markets, claiming first place in the Philippines and Bangladesh, fourth in India and Russia and fifth in the Europe region in Q2 2021. In conjunction with the Fan Festival, realme organized a campaign called the 'Daring Heroes Wild Poster Event' where realme received photo submissions from fans and showcased them in key urban centres of London, Moscow, Madrid and Shenzhen, to showcase the realme spirit, aptly titled: 'How Dare You Be You'. The campaign is a celebration of the restless spirit of those who dare to live their own truths despite the judgements and obstacles they may face. With this powerful statement, realme aims to empower fans to turn negative external noise into positive empowerment. As pioneers and true believers of this spirit, realme has forged ahead where many others have seen only danger. Sky Li, Founder and CEO of realme, said at the festival: "Young people, both our consumers and our staff, have taught us to dare to leap into the future and be trendsetters, giving us the courage to disrupt a well-entrenched industry." realme's success has shown that even in a highly competitive environment, with the right team and the right heart, it is possible to dare to leap and conquer both fears and dreams. Nothing is impossible with the power of youth, as seen by the stellar sustained sales performances over the past three years. About realme: realme is a global emerging consumer technology company disrupting the smartphone and AIoT market by making cutting-edge technologies more accessible. It provides a range of smartphones and lifestyle technology devices with premium specs, quality, and trend-setting designs to young consumers at affordable prices. Established by Sky Li in 2018 and driven by its "Dare to Leap" spirit, realme is the world's 7th largest smartphone company. As of Q2 2021, realme has entered 61 markets worldwide, including China, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Europe, Russia, Australia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, with a global user base of over 100 million. For more information, please visit www.realme.com. For more information, please contact realme PR Team realmepr@realme.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-realme-fan-festival-2021-brings-together-its-global-fan-community-to-celebrate-the-power-of-youth-as-realme-hits-sales-milestones-of-over-330-million-during-the-festival-301365616.html SOURCE realme [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 30, 2021] SpeQtral and Toshiba Collaborate to Power Quantum-Secure Communication Solutions in Southeast Asia SINGAPORE, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SpeQtral and Toshiba Digital Solutions Corporation (Toshiba) today announced that they have reached a definitive agreement to market and deploy Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) solutions to governments and enterprises. In today's digital economy, data is increasingly being collected, transmitted and processed, inadvertently making cyber-attacks a growing threat. INTERPOL's ASEAN Cyberthreat Assessment 2021 report outlined the exponential increase of cybercrime, inducing organisations to explore more ways to manage sensitive information. Alongside this trend, QKD solutions are gaining market traction in several advanced countries, as the solution applies the laws of physics and quantum mechanics to generate an un-hackable crypto algorithm, securing the transmission and retrieval of data. The collaboration will help potential users in Southeast Asia understand the need for and consider implementation of QKD solutions to secure their communications, with free knowledge-sharing webinars and workshops as a starting point. As a global hub for financial applications, Singapore in particular serves as a focalpoint for telecommunications, data centres and cloud connectivity infrastructure. These industries process extremely important and high-value data, and it is crucial to continually review the security of these communications and upgrade current systems to address future threats. "Southeast Asia is conducive for the adoption of new and leading-edge technologies such as QKD. There is strong emphasis on the cybersecurity of our digital ecosystem and creation of a resilient communications infrastructure," says Chune Yang Lum, CEO of SpeQtral, "We are pleased to collaborate with Toshiba to introduce QKD solutions to the market and play a leading role in enhancing the quantum security of digital communications for governments and enterprises in the region." Additionally, as each organisation has unique data connectivity configuration and security requirements, the SpeQtral-Toshiba collaboration will help provide customised QKD solutions to ensure needs are addressed. Officially launched in October 2020, Toshiba has developed class-leading QKD platform products that operate over fibre-optic cables based on decades of research and development. These fibre-QKD platform products are able to address quantum-secure communication requirements over hundreds of kilometers in metropolitan areas. To further amplify the reach of these systems, SpeQtral is developing space-based QKD systems using satellites which can cover across continents. Since long-distance quantum-secure network requires both satellite and terrestrial QKD systems, SpeQtral and Toshiba can strongly complement each other through collaboration. "Toshiba has established industry partnerships in Japan, US and UK on early deployments of quantum secure communications. Together with SpeQtral, we are excited to support businesses in Singapore and Southeast Asia, and can accelerate the global expansion of our QKD business," remarks Mr. Taro Shimada, President and CEO, Toshiba Digital Solutions Corporation. Interested participants can register their interest on https://speqtral.space/fibre-qkd About SpeQtral SpeQtral is a quantum technologies company on a mission to transform the world's networks for the quantum revolution. Powered by technologies developed at the Centre for Quantum Technologies in Singapore, SpeQtral provides specialized solutions for quantum security to clients concerned about the security of their communications networks and infrastructure. SpeQtral's core expertise lies in using a space-based quantum platform to establish long distance quantum networks with a global reach. About Toshiba Digital Solutions Corporation As the driver of Toshiba Group's digital solutions business, Toshiba Digital Solutions Corporation delivers system integration and digital service solutions that support companies in accelerating their digital transformation, and also plays a central role in Toshiba's transition to become one of the world's leading cyber-physical technology companies, with advanced capabilities extending from manufacturing to AI. www.global.toshiba/ww/company/digitalsolution Business website of Toshiba Quantum Key Distribution: www.toshiba.co.jp/qkd/en SOURCE The Hoffman Agency for SpeQtral [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 30, 2021] Colt Data Centre Services to Build New 45MW Osaka Keihanna Data Centre LONDON, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Colt Data Centre Services (Colt DCS), a leading provider of global hyperscale data centre solutions, has commenced construction of its next hyperscale data centre with a ground-breaking ceremony in Japan. This 42,000m2, 45MW facility will be located in Keihanna Science City, in the Kansai area. The site will be ready to service Colt DCS customers in early 2023. This carrier neutral and diversely connected facility will be purpose-designed to meet the scalable capacity demands of hyperscale and enterprise customers looking for large scale facilities to meet growing requirements. Following the 2011 earthquake in Japan, many companies realised the benefit of geographically dispersed sites and so there is a large demand for data centres near Osaka as an integral part of disaster recovery plans. The facility will employ state-of-the-art cooling technologies to ensure high efficiency, while supporting Colt DCS and its clients' sustainability targets. The ground-breaking for this site swiftly followed the Colt DCS announcement of Fidelity's joint venture with Mitsui to provide advanced hyperscale data centres in Japan, with potential further growth in APAC. Shinsuke Waka , GM of Financial Business Division, from Mitsui & Co. "There has been a surge in cloud service demand throughout Japan, all of which requires carrier-neutral network access in the region, as well as disaster recovery sites," commented Quy Nguyen, Vice President, Global Accounts and Solutions. "Combined with the fact that the Kansai region of Japan has a population of around 22.4 million, generating enough GDP to position itself at the same level as the Top 20 countries, we expect this facility to be a key site for Colt DCS." "The acquisition of this site is another stake in the ground for us, demonstrating the momentum of our hyperscale strategy and cementing our foothold in APAC," added Padraig MacColgain, Vice President, Head of APAC at Colt DCS. "This land was not originally available for purchase by a data centre operator due to Keihanna Science City being an area designated for research and development activities. However, we received immense support from the Kyoto Prefectural authorities to help make our acquisition possible and want to thank them greatly for their support." About Colt DCS Colt Data Centre Services provide true service and operational excellence in the design, build, delivery and operational management of hyperscale data centres and hybrid cloud solutions to our customers across Europe and Asia pacific. We have over 25 years of experience in operating 26 state-of-the-art carrier neutral data centres across 18 cities, offering 24/7 security and local language support. Our connectivity and colocation solutions allow our customers freedom to plan effectively for the growth of their business, knowing that their data centre strategy is ready for the demands of tomorrow. https://www.coltdatacentres.net/ SOURCE Colt Data Centre Services (Colt DCS) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 30, 2021] IDEMIA Partners With KT Corporation to Support Launch of Asia-Pacific's 1st 5G Standalone Network and 5G SIM IDEMIA will supply KT (News - Alert) Corporation its eXtra One 5G USIM (Universal Subscriber Identity Module), a dedicated 5G SIM card giving enhanced subscriber privacy protection and fast, seamless connectivity in South Korea, while marking a big development leap forward and boosting consumer 5G handset adoption. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005442/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) IDEMIA, the global leader in Augmented Identity, today announced it plans to team up with KT Corporation (formerly Korea Telecomm) to launch KTC's first standalone (SA) 5G USIM card in Asia-Pacific in support of their new 5G standalone network. Under this partnership, IDEMIA will supply KTC 5G standalone USIM cards with NFC (near-field communication) features. The 5G standalone USIM delivers better security for MNO (Mobile Network Operator) network customers as the cards are specially designed to protect customer privacy. Through the USIMs IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) encryption capability, MNO customer private data such as location and network usage habits will be protected by the fact that mobile users' IMSI numbers are encrypted before transmission to networks. The card safeguards MNOs' control over their 5G security and data. Compliant with global privacy regulations and recommended by the Trusted Connectivity Alliance (TCA), 5G USIM cards are also compatible with 5G non-stand alone (NSA) networks, 4G networks and South Korea's NFC contactless payment schemes. "We constantly push the boundaries at IDEMIA, and launching our eXtra One 5G SA USIM cards in Asia for the first time is testament to this. We have worke with KT Corporation for many years going back to the 3G era, and we are thrilled to join forces once more to bring to market a truly groundbreaking product. We look forward to support their efforts in delivering a smoother, more modern experience to South Korean customers," said Benson Yeo, IDEMIA Asia Pacific Mobile Operators Vice President. "It's just a matter of time before 5G becomes the new global communication standard. We partner with IDEMIA to stay ahead of the curve and ensure that our users' privacy and data are totally safe while they enjoy the benefits of our 5G networks. Our past great teamwork with IDEMIA gives us confidence they have the expertise and capability to create these game-changing 5G SA USIM cards for our customers", said Joon-Ho Lee, Device Team Leader, Device Division, KT Corporation. -END- About IDEMIA IDEMIA, the global leader in Augmented Identity, provides a trusted environment enabling citizens and consumers alike to perform their daily critical activities (such as pay, connect and travel), in the physical as well as digital space. Securing our identity has become mission critical in the world we live in today. By standing for Augmented Identity, an identity that ensures privacy and trust and guarantees secure, authenticated and verifiable transactions, we reinvent the way we think, produce, use and protect one of our greatest assets - our identity - whether for individuals or for objects, whenever and wherever security matters. We provide Augmented Identity for international clients from Financial, Telecom, Identity, Public Security and IoT sectors. With close to 15,000 employees around the world, IDEMIA serves clients in 180 countries. For more information, visit www.idemia.com / Follow @IdemiaGroup on Twitter (News - Alert) About IDEMIA's Mobile Operators Business unit IDEMIA serves clients in 180 countries and is trusted by over 500 mobile operators globally. With over 900 million SIM cards, 100 + eSIM platform references and over 2.2 eSIM consumer transactions in 2020, IDEMIA is leading the way in eSIM and remote subscription management for consumer and M2M spaces and end-to-end biometric solutions. Making MNOs the next identity providers. IDEMIA benefits from its global manufacturing footprint (Brazil, France, India and China) and cutting-edge security data centers in Europe and the United States. Our solutions are trusted by the largest Groups worldwide. Our continuous innovation is fueled by strong R&D investments and close partnerships in IoT/M2M - Connectivity - Biometrics - Security - Encryption - QoS/QoE - Advanced SIM & services areas. About KT Corporation KT Corp. (News - Alert) , Korea's largest telecommunications service provider, is leading the new era of innovations in one the world's most connected countries with 5G, Big Data, Cloud, IoT, Blockchain and other transformative technologies. KT launched the world's first nationwide commercial 5G network in April 2019, after showcasing the first trial 5G services at the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games in February 2018. To help cope with COVID-19, KT is staging a social campaign, dubbed "Ma-Eum:TACT (Heart to Heart)," providing technology support for people and businesses in need. KT will deliver most essential and innovative services and solutions to its customers around the world as the first frontier in the next technology revolution and number one Global ICT Company. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005442/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 30, 2021] Digital Health Platform Doctor Anywhere Closes S$88 Million Series C Round to Deepen Southeast Asia Expansion The company has experienced a 500 percent growth in the business since the start of 2020. The investment will significantly bolster DA's market leadership and its mission to transform the regional healthcare landscape through technology. SINGAPORE, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Doctor Anywhere (DA), a regional tech-led healthcare company headquartered in Singapore, announced today that it has raised its Series C financing round, led by growth equity investor Asia Partners. The round also attracted other investors including Novo Holdings, Philips and OSK-SBI Venture Partners. At $88 million SGD (US$65.7 million), it is one of the largest private funding rounds ever raised by a healthtech company in Southeast Asia. Existing investors also participated in the round, including Singapore-based global investor EDBI, Square Peg, IHH Healthcare, Kamet Capital and Pavilion Capital. This round brings the total capital raised by Doctor Anywhere since founding to more than $140 million SGD. As a result of the financing, Oliver Rippel, Co-Founder and Partner of Asia Partners, and Dr Amit Kakar, Senior Partner, Head of Novo Holdings Equity Asia will come onboard DA's Board of Directors. Since its launch in 2017, DA has grown exponentially to serve more than 1.5 million users across Southeast Asia. Over the past 18 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has also served as a catalyst to fast-track the adoption of telehealth services in the region, an innovation which enabled the healthcare industry to continue providing high-quality, affordable care to families through the crisis. Lim Wai Mun, founder and CEO of Doctor Anywhere, said: "DA's mission is to be the largest tech-enabled omnichannel healthcare provider in Southeast Asia, and applying innovative technology to improving patient outcomes is core to our differentiated offerings. We are thrilled to attract the interest of a strong group of investors inthis round, a significant milestone which is a testament to our vision and track record." DA has built a strong ecosystem of payers, providers, and patients across its core markets. It has close to 2800 doctors and medical professionals within its network in the region, and it also works closely with major hospitals and healthcare institutions. This latest investment will significantly bolster DA's market leadership and put the group in a leading position to further deepen its presence in its existing markets. It will also allow the group to expand into new markets, to drive its mission of transforming the regional healthcare landscape through technology. "We will utilize this funding to further enhance our digital capabilities, and scale up on our ability to deliver quality healthcare seamlessly to our users in Southeast Asia," added Lim. "We are deeply impressed by what Wai Mun and his team have accomplished in such a short period of time," said Oliver M. Rippel, a co-founder of Asia Partners. "As our region's leading omnichannel healthcare innovator, DA is helping the healthcare industry rise to the occasion for the challenges and opportunities in the decade ahead. We are proud to be partnering with DA to support its continued growth." Kien T. Nguyen, a co-founder of Asia Partners, added, "DA is becoming a true regional leader in omnichannel healthcare, following the proven regionalization playbook of Southeast Asia's first generation of internet platform companies. The powerful combination of telehealth and offline care is deeply compelling to payers, providers, and patients across our region of 650 million people, and DA is leading the way." Dr Amit Kakar, Senior Partner, Head of Novo Holdings Equity Asia, said: "We are very pleased to invest in DA and to support its mission to transform the regional healthcare landscape through technology. The pandemic accelerated a trend that was already gaining traction - the delivery of high quality, cost effective and highly accessible healthcare through digital means, regardless of where the patients are located. DA offers a leading approach to combining the online and offline realms of healthcare through an omnichannel strategy, bringing the delivery of patient care to the next level of tech-led healthcare. We look forward to leveraging this momentum and continuing to work with Wai Mun and his team, true leaders in this space." Doctor Anywhere is currently available in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The group also recently announced the establishment of regional tech hubs in Bangalore, India, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. About Doctor Anywhere Doctor Anywhere is a regional tech-enabled, omnichannel healthcare company, on a mission is to make healthcare simple, accessible, and efficient for everyone. Doctor Anywhere's digital platform bridges gaps in the healthcare ecosystem through technology and innovation, enabling users to manage their health easily and effectively through the DA mobile app. Headquartered in Singapore and with a presence in six countries across the region, Doctor Anywhere now serves more than 1.5 million (and growing) users across Southeast Asia. Profile of Series C New Investors Based in Singapore, Asia Partners is a growth equity investment firm focused on technology and technology-enabled companies. Its US$384M fund, announced in March 2021, is the largest debut technology fund in Southeast Asia's history and included limited partners from six continents. Prior to co-founding Asia Partners, the Firm's six co-founders played leadership roles in Southeast Asia across Naspers, Sea Ltd, Bukalapak, eBay, and Vinamilk. Based in Denmark, Novo Holdings A/S is a private limited liability company wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. It is the holding company of the Novo Group, comprising Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S, and is responsible for managing the Novo Nordisk Foundation's assets. Novo Holdings is recognized as a leading international life science investor, with a focus on creating long-term value. As a life science investor, Novo Holdings provides seed and venture capital to development-stage companies and takes significant ownership positions in growth and well-established companies. Novo Holdings also manages a broad portfolio of diversified financial assets. Further information: www.novoholdings.dk. Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being, and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum - from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Based in Malaysia, OSK-SBI Venture Partners is a fund management company jointly established by OSK Ventures International Bhd, a Malaysia-based private equity company and SBI Ventures Malaysia Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of SBI Holdings Inc, a financial services firm based in Japan). Its main investment targets are promising private companies within the ASEAN region. SOURCE Doctor Anywhere [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 30, 2021] Temasek-founded Aicadium acquires Singapore AI firm BasisAI SINGAPORE, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aicadium, a global technology company founded by Temasek and dedicated to creating and scaling AI solutions, today announced the acquisition of BasisAI, a Singapore-based provider of scalable and responsible artificial intelligence (AI) software. The two organisations will be jointly known as Aicadium and will expand operations to serve a global enterprise customer base. BasisAI was co-founded by Liu Feng-Yuan, Linus Lee, and Silvanus Lee in 2018 to draw on their world-class experience in building scalable AI from Silicon Valley companies and seize the vast opportunity to build an AI powerhouse in the APAC region. In 2019, BasisAI raised S$8.2 million (US$6 million) in seed funding from Temasek, a Singapore-headquartered global investment firm, and Sequoia India. One year later, the startup launched its proprietary end-to-end machine learning platform, Bedrock, which enables organisations to rapidly deploy responsible AI solutions. Since then, BasisAI has gone on to deploy solutions for orgnisations such as DBS, UOB, OCBC, ComfortDelGro, the Singapore government, and Singapore Airlines, and has also partnered with global companies including Accenture, PwC, and AWS. Aicadium was launched in August 2021 as Temasek's global centre of excellence in Artificial Intelligence. It aims to partner with Temasek portfolio companies and other enterprises seeking to develop and scale end-to-end AI solutions to improve business outcomes. The firm leverages its global team of data scientists and engineers, a repeatable and scalable process, and a platform of AI algorithms, models, and tools to help clients achieve operational AI within their organisations. The newly merged organisation brings together the best of combined capabilities, including deep AI/ML and product development expertise spanning decades. The combined team's proven experience delivering end-to-end AI solutions for enterprises will enable Aicadium's global expansion plans. "This acquisition allows us to accelerate our growth strategy, broaden our reach and expand our offering that is built on the strong foundation of a powerful AI platform and a combined team of talent. We are excited to be joining forces with Aicadium to augment our strength in building responsible AI systems," said Mr. Liu Feng-Yuan, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of BasisAI, who will assume an executive leadership position at Aicadium together with fellow BasisAI Co-founder Linus Lee. "BasisAI shares Aicadium's determination to deliver AI solutions that are responsibly and ethically designed, developed, and deployed," said Dr. Michael Zeller, Head of AI Strategy & Solutions at Temasek. "The strengths that BasisAI brings to the Aicadium team include not only an extremely talented and experienced group of data scientists, software engineers, and business leaders but also an AI platform that was built from the ground up with these values in mind," Dr. Zeller said. "Together, the new entity will further Temasek's strategy of deploying capital to catalyse innovative and transformational technologies, such as AI, to enhance businesses and build a more inclusive, resilient world." About Aicadium Aicadium is a global technology company dedicated to creating and scaling AI solutions by leveraging deep expertise and a common machine learning platform. As Temasek's global centre of excellence in Artificial Intelligence, we partner with companies to build and operationalize impactful AI solutions across a wide variety of industries and use cases. Our team includes expert data scientists, software engineers, and AI business leaders in Singapore and San Diego, CA. As a team, we place the highest priority on the responsible adoption, development, and delivery of AI technologies and solutions, with the goal of delivering improved business outcomes that usher in a more resilient and inclusive world. For more information, visit the company website: https://aicadium.ai/ SOURCE BasisAI; Aicadium [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 30, 2021] AliExpress Attracts Top International Young Talents with the First Alibaba Global Business Challenge HANGZHOU, China, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AliExpress, a global retail online marketplace part of Alibaba Group, continues to identify and engage with China-based global talents from around the world with Alibaba Global Business Challenge, the first ever Alibaba competition for international young talents recruitment in China, hosted by AliExpress and alibaba.com, the international wholesale marketplace of Alibaba Group. The final eight teams, consisting of international students from 13 different countries studying at leading universities in China, presented their big ideas in front of senior executives from AliExpress and Alibaba.com. Team "Harmony", three MBA students from South Korea who presented creative solutions on helping AliExpress attract female shoppers in South Korea, won the first prize of 50,000 RMB and a job interview opportunity with AliExpress. "As we continue to expand our global business footprint, it is our priority to recruit international talents with valuable insights for local markets," says Wang Mingqiang, General Manager of AliExpress. "Alibaba Global Business Challenge is a marvelous opportunity to identify the right global talents, and we are very impressed by the creativity and passion of these student contestants from around the world. They came up with very comprehensive proposals within a week, demonstrating their deep understanding of our business and their local market landscape. We very much look forward to working with these promising young talents and empowering them with real-world business experience in the future." Identifying The Right Talent to Grow Global Business Footprint Alibaba Global Business Chllenge gives international students in China a chance to capitalize on their academic knowledge and local market insights to come up with innovative solutions for real global business challenges. Each group was assigned to tackle a real-world business challenge, for instance, how can AliExpress further connect with French female shoppers, how to identify the next best-selling Chinese product for AliExpress Spain, and how to solve pain points for Japanese SMEs with Alibaba.com. Winning teams who demonstrated exceptional creativity to tackle the given tasks are rewarded potential full time or internship roles in various business units within Alibaba. Contestants from South Korea Crowned Winner A total of 42 teams of 45 different nationalities entered the contest. Eight final teams consisting of international students from 13 different countries, including Brazil, US, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Spain, France and many more, virtually presented their proposals at the finals and tackled challenging questions from senior executives at AliExpress and Alibaba.com. Presenting "How to attract female shoppers for AliExpress in South Korea", Team "Harmony", South Korean students from China Europe International Business School and Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, was crowned the champion of this year's Alibaba Global Business Challenge. Impressing the judges with unique insights and immense creativity, the team was rewarded with 50,000 RMB travel voucher alongside an interview opportunity for a full-time employment offer to join the group. "We are beyond grateful for this recognition from the industry experts at AliExpress," says Claire Jahye Lee, contestant of the winning team, "While we are unable to present our ideas to the judges in person, we look forward to the opportunity to meet everyone in the Alibaba campus soon." Team "Shin Sapiens", Japanese students from Tsinghua University and Kyoto University, was named the first runner-up for their creative idea on solving pain points for Japanese SMEs with Alibaba.com solutions, while team "E-Guardian" from The Chinese University of Hong Kong won second runner-up for their take on identifying the next best-selling item from China for AliExpress Spain. Currently, AliExpress operates in 18 languages and serves consumers in more than 200 markets. With a significant presence in the international e-commerce scene, especially across Europe, Latin America and the APAC region, AliExpress looks to continue expanding their talent pool strategically to satisfy the growing needs of its global operations. About AliExpress Launched in 2010, AliExpress (www.aliexpress.com) is a global retail marketplace that enables consumers from around the world to buy directly from manufacturers and distributors primarily in China and is dedicated to becoming a platform for worldwide merchants to sell locally and globally. AliExpress operates in multiple languages including English, Russian, Spanish, French, Polish, Korean and Italian. SOURCE AliExpress [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 30, 2021] Building Industry Partners ("BIP") Forms New Specialty Building Products Component Manufacturing Platform, North American Specialty Laminations ("American Laminations"), in Partnership With Building Products Manufacturing Industry Veteran Ted Rock Building Industry Partners LLC ("BIP"), the leading building industry-focused private equity investment firm, has formed a new specialty building products component manufacturing platform in partnership with building industry veteran Ted Rock - North American Specialty Laminations ("American Laminations"). BIP and Mr. Rock formed American Laminations to build a best-in-class, people-first component profile wrapping and specialty manufacturing organization. Concurrent with its formation, American Laminations made its inaugural investment, the acquisition of the assets of SourceCut Industries, Inc. in partnership with SourceCut's existing owners and management team. Founded in 1999, SourceCut Industries, Inc. ("SourceCut") is a fast-growing manufacturer of laminated, composite and wood components serving the residential and commercial Window & Door, Cabinet & Casegood, Architectural Millwork, Furniture and Fixture/Display Industries. This partnership and investment in SourceCut will help bring to life the Wiedenhoeft family's vision for the business - investing in human and capital resources to bolster service of existing and new customers and position the business for significant organic and acquisition-related expansion. Brad Wiedenhoeft, founder of SourceCut, continues with American Laminations as Chief Revenue Officer. Zach Wiedenhoeft continues in his current role of President, with responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the facilities in Osseo, Wisconsin. Both Brad and Zach Wiedenhoeft will support Mr. Rock who will serve as Chief Executive Officer of North American Specialty Laminations. SourceCut Industries, Inc. will retain their business' name. Matt Ogden, Founder & Managing Partner of BIP, said, "We're excited to kick off our new specialty component manufacturing platform with SourceCut as our foundation, and are looking forward to working alongside the Wiedenhoeft family to build on all they have achieved. We're also introducing a proven, growth-minded manufacturing leader in Ted Rock, growth capital, and a commitment to driving enhanced results for our employees, customers, and business operations overall. Mr. Ogden also noted, "North American Specialty Laminations is BIP's second new platform under our people-first purpose. BIP renewed its purpose to drive a new standard in its investing that better aligns shareholder, management and employee interests, and prioritizes human capital management as a strategic pillar to building better businesses, generating better investment returns, and helping employees actualize their career goals. Brad Wiedenhoeft, the founder of SourceCut, commented "BIP's commitment to SourceCut's people was an intriguing factor in pursuing this partnership. BIP's relationships, talet resources, and capital investment will allow us to continue our strategic growth plan - providing our customers excellent service levels with quality products. Most importantly, enhancing our pursuit to provide our employees best in class opportunities. I'm very excited about the positive impact this partnership will have for our great employees, and for our customers who trust us with their business." Ted Rock joins as Chief Executive Officer of North American Specialty Laminations, drawing on his 15+ years of experience with market-leading building products manufacturing companies, and successful track record of growing private equity-backed organizations. Mr. Rock will lead the company's future growth, including an ambitious plan to expand the platform's footprint. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Panoramic Doors, Senior Vice President of PGT Innovations, and as Chief Operating Officer of Atrium Windows and Doors. Pat Mascia, Partner & Head of Strategic Development for BIP, said, "We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with a talented and experienced leader like Ted Rock - his unique experience across Private Equity, Specialty Manufacturing, and the Window and Door segment make him especially qualified to lead American Laminations. We are honored to be working alongside Mr. Rock and the Wiedenhoeft family to build on the success they have each achieved individually, and to bring our collective experiences, skills, and resources together to drive a game-changing platform." Ted Rock commented, "It has been a pleasure to get to know the Wiedenhoeft family, and a privilege to be entrusted to lead this platform alongside them. I am delighted by the opportunity to partner with BIP, a firm that I have admired both for their investment track record and for their explicit commitment to the employees of BIP portfolio companies. This is a fantastic opportunity for me and for SourceCut, and I'm looking forward to being a contributor to BIP's 'Do Good and Do Well' mission." Two BIP Operating Partners - Peter Stroble and Chris Kliefoth - will be joining the Board of North American Specialty Laminations as Directors. Mr. Stroble previously held roles as Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer of Alta Forest Products, North America's largest manufacturer of fence boards, as well as President of Alta's predecessor, Welco Lumber Company. Mr. Kliefoth is a Wisconsin native, with deep experience in private equity, manufacturing, and leadership - including 15+ years as President of Nationwide Industries. Partners involved in this opportunity were Holland & Knight LLC and Fifth Third Bank. Intrinsic LLC, CBIZ Insurance Services, Inc., DSG Benefits Group, and ATEC were also instrumental. About Building Industry Partners Building Industry Partners ("BIP") is the leading private equity investment firm focused on the U.S. building industry. Founded by Matt Ogden in 2008, BIP is headquartered in Boston, with partners across the U.S. The firm is led by Matt and Partners Pat Mascia, Pete Robinson, and Stu Kliman and supported by the firm's Operating Partners. BIP invests its Partners' own capital, as well as that of a number of strategic, like-minded investors, including business leaders and family offices affiliated with the U.S. building industry. In 2020, BIP redefined its purpose: Build exceptional and enduring businesses, generate world class investment returns, and contribute to elevating the building industry and its workforce through people-focused investment & business principles. Accordingly, BIP is committed to elevating the employee value proposition at its portfolio companies. This will include introducing broad-based employee ownership and supporting programs across future BIP investments in order to better align the interests of shareholders, management, and the broader workforce, to help elevate workforce prosperity and accelerate collective performance and equity value creation. Further, in 2021, BIP established its Center of Excellence, which will support BIP portfolio companies in developing and implementing best practices, foremost in Human Capital Management, in support of the firm's redefined purpose. BIP remains firmly grounded in its core fundamental investment principles: Unwavering integrity, a people-first approach to business, alignment of long-term interests with partners, respect for the advantages of local, independent, entrepreneurial businesses, deep sector focus, the power of relationships, and a prudent approach to macro, business and financial risk. Over the past decade, BIP is proud to have been part of building some of the fastest-growing and most dynamic businesses in the middle-market U.S. building industry: U.S. LBM Holdings, Kodiak Building Partners, United Cabinet Holdings, Rugby Architectural Building Products, Homewood Holdings, and U.S. Fence Solutions Co / Binford Supply. BIP continues to seek opportunities to sponsor the building industry's greatest talent in building exceptional businesses and realizing their entrepreneurial visions. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005626/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 30, 2021] Amazon and 11st Launch New Amazon Global Store in Korea SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Amazon and 11st today announced the launch of Amazon Global Store on 11st, a new way for customers in Korea to shop Amazon US selection. The launch brings one of the largest international selections available for online shopping in Korea, with tens of millions of products from more than 30 categories including PC, toys, fashion, consumer electronics, kitchen and more. For avid readers, the launch also makes Amazon Global Store on 11st Korea's most extensive bookstore, with millions of books available at customers' fingertips. Customers in Korea will experience Amazon's commitment to great prices, selection and convenience, while shopping directly on 11st by visiting 11st.kr/Amazon or the 11st app. "We are thrilled to bring Amazon Global Store to customers in Korea through 11st," said Somana Konganda, Director of Amazon Global. "11st shares our customer obsession, and together we are working to expand our product selection, give customers even greater value, and continually improve the shopping experience. Starting today, customrs in Korea will be able to enjoy the most convenient way to shop global products, with free international shipping from the US." In addition, customers who are SKT's 'Universe Pass' subscribers will benefit from free international delivery from Amazon US on an ever-growing range of millions of products on Amazon Global Store on 11st. Customers can look forward to receiving their orders within 6 10 working days, and select products will be available as fast as 4 - 6 working days. For a limited time, subscribers will enjoy the free shipping with no minimum spend*, while customers who are not subscribed to 'Universe Pass' will receive free international delivery with a minimum spend of 28,000 KRW. "Today marks a proud day for us at 11st," said Sangho Lee, CEO of 11st. The launch of Amazon Global Store on 11st brings together the best of 11st's local know-how and Amazon's global retailing experience. We will continue to work hand in hand with our partners at Amazon to innovate and provide a convenient and safe shopping experience for customers in Korea. We invite all customers to visit the 11st app and website that they have become familiar with, and explore the tens of millions of new Amazon US items available to shop from." In celebration of the launch, Amazon and 11st will be offering customers thousands of incredible deals, including: Up to 50% off on PC products Up to 50% off fashion brands Up to 40% off on household products Up to 30% off on Amazon devices including Echo Dot International Version Konganda added, "Both 11st and Amazon teams are thrilled to invite you to explore this new shopping experience. We are only getting started and will continue to innovate on your behalf with the addition of many new services and product offerings in the future. It's still Day 1!" To start shopping Amazon Global Store on 11st today, please download the 11st app or visit 11st.kr/Amazon. About Amazon Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth's Best Employer, and Earth's Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews. SOURCE Amazon [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 30, 2021] YAS MicroInsurance Raises Pre-Series A from 500 Startups To Bring Protection and Care to Southeast Asia HONG KONG, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Every Partner Matters! YAS MicroInsurance, a leading microinsurance innovative startup headquartered in Hong Kong, has partnered with and closed a Pre-Series A funding led by 500 Startups, a reputable global venture fund and seed accelerator for early-stage startups supporting their access to capital, mentorship, and community. Proceeds from this round will help YAS MicroInsurance to further strengthen its core R&D and accelerate its expansion in the SEA market. As a next-generation InsurTech startup, YAS has launched several epochal products in recent months, such as 'RYDE with YAS', a pioneering microinsuance that provides in-app on-demand 90-min protection for passengers anytime, and 'BUS RYDE', the world's first smart transportation card embedded bus passenger protection, seamlessly auto-connecting transport journeys with insurance policies through OpenAPIs delivering care, convenience and a new imagination on insurance to over 7 million commuters in Hong Kong. Financial inclusion is the tenet of YAS MicroInsurance, which fosters the 500 Startups' funding. Every product YAS developed provides financial inclusiveness with affordable micro-protection for all, starting at as low as US$0.5 per trip. 'The future of microinsurance is affordable to all and enables us to be financially inclusive because every moment and every person matters!' addressed William Lee, the Co-Founder of YAS. Andy Ann, the other Co-Founder of YAS added, 'As a leading pioneer in the microinsurance InsurTech field, we are excited and honored to move forward with 500 Startups as our backer. With the diverse SEA network and strong portfolio like Grab, Carousell, Gitlab, and Twilio 500 Startups hold, it will definitely help YAS with delivering more innovative products to Asia countries in the coming quarters.' Apart from 500 Startups, YAS MicroInsurance has already been recognized by a range of notable investors and incubation programs, such as Beyond Ventures, Merdeka Financial Group, Cyberport Hong Kong and Plug and Play APAC. The company is also preparing for new funding rounds in the coming months to support its hyper-growth. About YAS MicroInsurance YAS is the No.1 microinsurance and technology company headquartered in Hong Kong with operations in Vietnam and expanding in the Asia Region. Their vision is to enable and embed insurance into the daily moments for everyone, anywhere, anytime and to build a future of insurance that has no wastage, streamable, sharable and on-demand. SOURCE YAS MicroInsurance [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 30, 2021] BunkerFit Closes Seed Round, Poised To Take Off - India's only FREE Integrated Vernacular Health & Wellness App NEW DELHI, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BunkerFit, India's only free to use Health & Wellness app, announced today that it has raised an undisclosed amount from private investors. The start-up has seen participation from Airtel, Umang Bedi (Daily Hunt), Rohit Malik (ex-Red Fort Capital), Vivek Khemka (Egon Zehnder), Sudhir Singh Dungarpur (Big Four), Dinesh Anand (Grant Thornton), Iskander Lalljee, Jatin Aneja (Shardul Amarchand) and a few other angel investors, in this round. BunkerFit has created the industry's first accessible and free health & wellness app aimed at both physical as well as mental well-being. The integrated app has been created keeping urban & rural, English speaking & vernacular consumers in mind, in a way that truly democratises wellness. With 200mn monetizable vernacular users, and a digital penetration that is growing YoY, the health & wellness services market is poised to reach $6.6Bn in the next couple of years. Whilst there are many players in this space, no one has been able to makea definitive mark yet. Zeba Zaidi, Co-founder of BunkerFit, said: "BunkerFit aims at making a 100mn active by 2030. India is a world leader when it comes to cardiovascular and lifestyle related diseases. These are not limited to the elite urban folks for whom fitness solutions are a dime a dozen. We want to reach every single Indian who aspires to be more active and our proprietary content delivery system works seamlessly to combine Training, Nutrition & Mindfulness into an easy to follow and easy to track solution. This seed round allows us to expand beyond the MVP that we launched and build out the product." BunkerFit is geared to fill the gap that exists in the market by creating bespoke content for its vernacular users, using local celebrities to engage with them, and with a monetisation strategy that doesn't rely on user subscription. As it grows beyond its MVP version, BunkerFit aims at using Machine Learning (ML) to personalise each customer experience and ensure that no matter where on their fitness journey each user is, they get unique insights and value from using the app. Founded by Adnan Adeeb and Zeba Zaidi, who previously founded the popular Devils Circuit races, BunkerFit is created to make physical and mental wellness solutions accessible to the masses. India's only all-in-one FREE fitness app which aims at getting Indians active, fit and healthy was launched in March 2021. Available for android only for now, BunkerFit can be downloaded from https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bunkerfit About BunkerFit BunkerFit, founded in 2020, is owned by Spectacom Global Pvt Ltd, & is the first company in the Airtel Accelerator Program, created by Airtel Digital to support new age tech companies that can benefit from being part of the Airtel ecosystem. Created as an integrated platform to offer simplified solutions to Health & Wellness, BunkerFit currently serves over 100k users with content in training, nutrition, & mindfulness. Follow us on https://www.facebook.com/GetBunkerfit or https://www.instagram.com/getbunkerfit/ Media Contact: Rahul Shah fitness@bunkerfit.com +91-9888725521 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1604655/BunkerFit_Fitness_App.jpg [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Smallsat IoT to Become a $1 Billion Annual Market CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NSRs M2M and IoT via Satellite, 12th Edition (M2M12) report, published today, forecasts the dedicated IoT constellations market reaching $990 million in annual total retail revenues by 2030, reflecting ~44 % of the total satcom IoT market. Due to the low cost of Smallsat IoT terminals and ongoing subscription fees to end users, a conservative scenario sees Smallsat IoT representing 71% of global in-service units (~13 million) by 2030, with much higher market share if the stars align properly. As with the Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) market, key smallsat applications are agriculture and transport & cargo, notes Alan Crisp, consultant for NSR and report lead author. Unlike mobility markets, COVID-19 had limited impact on M2M/IoT revenues. Cargos essential nature made it resilient and the largest market for smallsats, with basic dots on a map type applications growing a substantially larger addressable market. And with the potential for regulated tagging of all animals, agriculture has real green field market potential; especially with lower price points unlocking new addressable markets. In the coming years Smallsat IoT products will compete head on with the Garmin InReach lineup, Globalstar SPOT, and other satcom based devices. Smallsat IoT prices will be lower than existing price points, inceasing the addressable market by an order of magnitude, notes Crisp. Features, such as panic alarms, can be built into devices at the time of manufacturing to reach a greater consumer base. Other application types will use similar strategies, to deliver similar success. The coming years represent an inflection point for the satcom IoT industry, resulting in permanent changes to MSS and VSAT operators. But along with change comes opportunity, and the M2M/IoT markets are seeing opportunity, but strategies will need to be revisited, and change is inevitable for long term success. About the Report NSRs M2M and IoT via Satellite, 12th Edition (M2M12) the industrys leading resource for assessing the lucrative M2M/IoT market. M2M12 cuts through the hype of small satellite constellations and provides level-headed actionable insights into the future growth of this new market, providing the reader with the best opportunities for growth, and the impact on existing operators and service providers. The report provides deep insight into this fast-evolving market, keeping readers abreast of recent market movements and deals. It also enables service providers and satellite operators to navigate the M2M and IoT maze to protect and expand their market position in both existing and new segments that offer long-term revenue potential. For additional information on this report, including a full table of contents, list of exhibits and executive summary, please visit www.nsr.com or call NSR at +1-617-674-7743. Companies and Organizations Mentioned in NSRs M2M12 Astrocast, Bivystick, Caterpillar, eSAT Global, Globalstar, Eurona, Eutelsat, Garmin, GeoDynamics, GEOS, Hiber, hiSky, iDirect, Inmarsat, Iridium, Kepler Communications, Kineis, Kymeta, Marten Transport, OQ Technology, Orbcomm, SkyLo, Somewear Labs, SpaceX, ST Engineering, Swarm Technologies, Tractrac, and ZOLEO. About NSR NSR is the leading global market research and consulting firm focused on the satellite and space sectors, NSRs global team, unparalleled coverage and anticipation of trends with a high degree of confidence and precision than the competition is the cornerstone of all NSR offerings. First to market coverage and a transparent, dependable approach sets NSR apart as the key provider of critical insight to the satellite and space industries. Contact us at info@nsr.com to discuss how we can assist your business. Press Contact: Kristen Kloster-Grady NSR Marketing Director KKloster@NSR.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Leju Reports First Half Year 2021 Results BEIJING, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Leju Holdings Limited ("Leju" or the "Company") (NYSE: LEJU), a leading online-to-offline ("O2O") real estate services provider in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2021. First Half 2021 Financial Highlights Total revenues increased by 8% year on year to $301.1 million . - Revenues from e-commerce services increased by 13% year on year to $231.4 million . - Revenues from online advertising services decreased by 6% year on year to $69.3 million . . - Revenues from e-commerce services increased by 13% year on year to . - Revenues from online advertising services decreased by 6% year on year to . Loss from operations was $49.9 million , compared to income from operations of $1.2 million for the same period of 2020, primarily due to bad debt provision which was increased by $48.9 million compared to the same period of 2020 . , compared to income from operations of for the same period of 2020, primarily due to bad debt provision which was increased by compared to the same period of 2020 Non-GAAP [1] loss from operations was $43.4 million , compared to non-GAAP income from operations of $8.3 million for the same period of 2020. loss from operations was , compared to non-GAAP income from operations of for the same period of 2020. Net loss attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders was $47.8 million , or $0.35 loss per diluted American depositary share ("ADS"), compared to net income attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders of $1.5 million , or $0.01 per diluted ADS, for the same period of 2020. , or loss per diluted American depositary share ("ADS"), compared to net income attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders of , or per diluted ADS, for the same period of 2020. Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders was $42.6 million , or $0.31 loss per diluted ADS, compared to non-GAAP net income attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders of $7.2 million , or $0.05 per diluted ADS, for the same period of 2020. "In the first half of 2021, amid tightening regulations in China's real estate industry, the pressure on real estate developers' operations and sales continued to increase," said Mr. Geoffrey He, Leju's Chief Executive Officer. "Against this challenging backdrop, Leju's overall business was able to maintain steady growth. However, due to the deterioration of the credit status of one of our real estate developer clients, our bad debt provision for the first half of this year increased by US$48.9 million compared to the same period of 2020, resulting in a loss for the first half of this year." "With the support of the strategic cooperation between our controlling shareholder E-House (China) Enterprise Holdings Limited and Alibaba Group Holding Limited, we held a series of online promotional events including 'The 2nd Online Real Estate Fair' and 'June 18 Top Pick House Festival' on the Leju Housing platform and Leju Flagship Store on Tmall Haofang. The success of these events and the launch of our Leju Flagship Store on Tmall Haofang have greatly improved the operational capabilities of Leju's advertising and e-commerce businesses." [1] Leju uses in this press release the following non-GAAP financial measures: (1) income (loss) from operations, (2) net income (loss), (3) net income (loss) attributable to Leju shareholders, (4) net income (loss) attributable to Leju shareholders per basic ADS, and (5) net income (loss) attributable to Leju shareholders per diluted ADS, each of which excludes share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, and income tax impact on the share-based compensation expense and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business combinations. See "About Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" below for more information about the non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release. "In the second half of the year, Leju will firmly seize the opportunities created by the digitalization of real estate marketing and deepen cooperation with developers as we strive to expand our advertising business and develop new e-commerce business models. At the same time, we will continue to focus on platform construction and content creation and make efforts to improve user growth, optimize user experience and stickiness and further consolidate Leju's influence among industry media. We will also continue to strengthen our team, further optimize our organizational structure and improve operational efficiency in order to lay a solid foundation for Leju's future development." First Half 2021 Results Total revenues were $301.1 million, an increase of 8% from $279.7 million for the same period of 2020. Revenues from e-commerce services were $231.4 million, an increase of 13% from $205.4 million for the same period of 2020, primarily due to an increase in the number of discount coupons redeemed, partially offset by a decrease in the average price per discount coupon redeemed. Revenues from online advertising services were $69.3 million, a decrease of 6% from $73.9 million for the same period of 2020, primarily due to a decrease in property developers' demand for online advertising. Revenues from listing services were $0.4 million, an increase of 18% from $0.3 million for the same period of 2020, primarily due to an increase in secondary real estate brokers' demand. Cost of revenues was $31.7 million, a decrease of 23% from $41.1 million for the same period of 2020, primarily due to decreased cost of advertising resources purchased from media platforms, partially offset by increased editorial personnel related costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $319.5 million, an increase of 34% from $237.7 million for the same period of 2020, primarily due to bad debt provision which increased by $48.9 million compared to the same period of 2020, and increased marketing expenses related to the Company's e-commerce business. The bad debt provision recorded in the first half of 2021 was mainly attributable to the recognition of additional loss allowance on expected credit loss of the Company's outstanding online advertising related receivables from a certain customer, whose credit quality has worsened. Loss from operations was $49.9 million, compared to income from operations of $1.2 million for the same period of 2020. Non-GAAP loss from operations was $43.4 million, compared to non-GAAP income from operations of $8.3 million for the same period of 2020. Net loss was $46.9 million, compared to net income of $1.9 million for the same period of 2020. Non-GAAP net loss was $41.7 million, compared to non-GAAP net income of $7.6 million for the same period of 2020. Net loss attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders was $47.8 million, or $0.35 loss per diluted ADS, compared to net income attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders of $1.5 million, or $0.01 per diluted ADS, for the same period of 2020. Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders was $42.6 million, or $0.31 loss per diluted ADS, compared to non-GAAP net income attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders of $7.2 million, or $0.05 per diluted ADS, for the same period of 2020. Cash Flow As of June 30, 2021, the Company's cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash balance was $328.0 million. First half 2021 net cash provided by operating activities was $38.8 million, primarily comprised of provision for allowance for doubtful accounts of $51.7 million, and a decrease in accounts receivable of $46.5 million, partially offset by non-GAAP net loss of $41.7 million, and an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $15.2 million. Business Outlook Given the current macroeconomic situation and Leju's prudent operating model, the Company estimates that its total revenues for the second half of 2021 will be approximately $300 million to $310 million, which relatively flat compared to the first half of 2021. This forecast reflects the Company's current and preliminary view, which is subject to change. Board of Directors Changes The Company also announced that Ms. Juhong Chen has resigned as a director of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board"). The Board has appointed Mr. Minyi Zhang as the new director to replace Ms. Chen, effective August 31, 2021. Mr. Minyi Zhang currently serves as General Manager of Vertical Sales & Operation Department of Tencent Marketing Solution, Mr. Zhang is in charge of the department's overall business strategy and development, and leads various teams including vertical sales, operations and marketing insights service teams. He joined Tencent in 2009. Mr. Zhang received his bachelor's degree in automation from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and his MBA from China Europe International Business School (CEIBS). "We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Ms. Juhong Chen for her dedication and contributions during her tenure on the Board," said Mr. Xin Zhou, Leju's Executive Chairman. "We also look forward to working with Mr. Minyi Zhang. We believe he is a great addition to our Board, and we are confident that Leju will benefit from his experience and contributions." Conference Call Information Leju's management will host an earnings conference call on August 31, 2021 at 7 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (7 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong time). Please register in advance of the conference using the link provided below and dial in 10 minutes prior to the call, using participant dial-in numbers, Direct Event passcode and unique registrant ID which would be provided upon registering. You will be automatically linked to the live call after completion of this process, unless required to provide the conference ID below due to regional restrictions. PRE-REGISTER LINK: http://apac.directeventreg.com/registration/event/9888419 CONFERENCE ID: 9888419 A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following number until September 8, 2021: U.S./International: +1-855-452-5696 Hong Kong: 800-963-117 Mainland China: 400-632-2162 Passcode: 9888419 Additionally, a live and archived webcast will be available at http://ir.leju.com. About Leju Leju Holdings Limited ("Leju") (NYSE: LEJU) is a leading e-commerce and online media platform for real estate and home furnishing industries in China, offering real estate e-commerce, online advertising and online listing services. Leju's integrated online platform comprises various mobile applications along with local websites covering more than 380 cities, enhanced by complementary offline services to facilitate residential property transactions. In addition to the Company's own websites, Leju operates the real estate and home furnishing websites of SINA Corporation, and maintains a strategic partnership with Tencent Holdings Limited. For more information about Leju, please visit http://ir.leju.com. Safe Harbor: Forward-Looking Statements 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 can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "target," "going forward," "outlook" and similar statements. Leju may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed or furnished with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Leju's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained, either expressly or impliedly, in any of the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in China's real estate market; the highly regulated nature of, and government measures affecting, the real estate and internet industries in China; Leju's ability to compete successfully against current and future competitors; its ability to continue to develop and expand its content, service offerings and features, and to develop or incorporate the technologies that support them; its limited operating history and lack of experience as a stand-alone public company, given its carve-out from E-House and prior reliance on E-House for various corporate services; its reliance on SINA and others with which it has developed, or may develop in the future, strategic partnerships; substantial revenue contribution from a limited number of real estate markets; complexities resulting from its ongoing relationships with E-House, due to E-House's status as a principal shareholder of Leju; and relevant government policies and regulations relating to the corporate structure, business and industry of Leju. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is current as of the date of the press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law. About Non-GAAP Financial Measures To supplement Leju's consolidated financial results presented in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), Leju uses in this press release the following non-GAAP financial measures: (1) income (loss) from operations, (2) net income (loss), (3) net income (loss) attributable to Leju shareholders, (4) net income (loss) attributable to Leju shareholders per basic ADS, and (5) net income (loss) attributable to Leju shareholders per diluted ADS, each of which excludes share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, and income tax impact on the share-based compensation expense and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business combinations. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release. Leju believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information to investors regarding its operating performance by excluding share-based compensation expense and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, which may not be indicative of Leju's operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management's internal comparisons to Leju's historical performance and assist its financial and operational decision making. A limitation of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that share-based compensation expense and amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions may continue to exist in Leju's business for the foreseeable future. Management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The accompanying tables provide more details on the reconciliation between non-GAAP financial measures and their most comparable GAAP financial measures. For investor and media inquiries please contact: Ms. Christina Wu Leju Holdings Limited Phone: +86 (10) 5895-1062 E-mail: ir@leju.com Philip Lisio The Foote Group Phone: +86 135-0116-6560 E-mail: phil@thefootegroup.com LEJU HOLDINGS LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands of U.S. dollars) December 31, June 30, 2020 2021 ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 284,489 315,383 Restricted cash 1,217 12,619 Accounts receivable, net 202,702 103,282 Contract assets, net 1,884 2,178 Marketable securities 4,304 6,497 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 7,484 21,872 Customer deposits 11,551 12,004 Amounts due from related parties 9,076 5,609 Total current assets 522,707 479,444 Property and equipment, net 17,002 16,763 Intangible assets, net 34,213 28,726 Right-of-use assets 25,666 24,812 Investment in affiliates 31 23 Deferred tax assets, net 40,905 41,315 Other non-current assets 1,437 1,415 Total assets 641,961 592,498 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities Accounts payable 2,834 2,107 Accrued payroll and welfare expenses 29,222 26,678 Income tax payable 63,041 63,049 Other tax payable 21,204 21,357 Amounts due to related parties 7,106 6,512 Advances from customers 95,340 100,574 Lease liabilities, current 5,461 5,632 Accrued marketing and advertising expenses 70,086 54,209 Other current liabilities 22,596 31,347 Total current liabilities 316,890 311,465 Lease liabilities, non-current 21,727 20,677 Deferred tax liabilities 8,559 8,644 Total liabilities 347,176 340,786 Shareholders' Equity Ordinary shares ($0.001 par value): 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 136,326,020 and 136,795,935 shares issued and outstanding, as of December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2021, respectively 136 137 Additional paid-in capital 799,537 800,900 Accumulated deficit (498,001) (545,773) Subscription receivables (50) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (5,695) (3,302) Total Leju Holdings Limited shareholders' equity 295,927 251,962 Non-controlling interests (1,142) (250) Total equity 294,785 251,712 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 641,961 592,498 LEJU HOLDINGS LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data and per share data) Six months ended June 30, 2020 2021 Revenues E-commerce 205,448 231,401 Online advertising 73,929 69,290 Listing 339 401 Total net revenues 279,716 301,092 Cost of revenues (41,138) (31,671) Selling, general and administrative expenses (237,670) (319,472) Other operating income, net 245 199 Income (loss) from operations 1,153 (49,852) Interest income, net 699 1,575 Other income, net 713 2,128 Income (loss) before taxes and loss from equity in affiliates 2,565 (46,149) Income tax expenses (618) (730) Income (loss) before loss from equity in affiliates 1,947 (46,879) Loss from equity in affiliates (22) (8) Net income (loss) 1,925 (46,887) Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interests 433 885 Net income (loss) attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders 1,492 (47,772) Earnings (loss) per ADS: Basic 0.01 (0.35) Diluted 0.01 (0.35) Shares used in computation of earnings (loss) per ADS: Basic 135,891,617 136,485,339 Diluted 136,039,569 136,485,339 The conversion of Renminbi ("RMB") amounts into reporting currency USD amounts is based on the rate of USD1 = RMB6.4601 on June 30, 2021 and USD1 = RMB6.5316 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 LEJU HOLDINGS LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (In thousands of U.S. dollars) Six months ended June 30, 2020 2021 Net income (loss) 1,925 (46,887) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of nil Foreign currency translation adjustment (3,279) 2,400 Comprehensive loss (1,354) (44,487) Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest 464 892 Comprehensive loss attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders (1,818) (45,379) LEJU HOLDINGS LIMITED Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data and per ADS data) Six months ended June 30, 2020 2021 GAAP income (loss) from operations 1,153 (49,852) Share-based compensation expense 1,236 1,194 Amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions 5,901 5,279 Non-GAAP income (loss) from operations 8,290 (43,379) GAAP net income (loss) 1,925 (46,887) Share-based compensation expense 1,236 1,194 Amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions 5,901 5,279 Income tax benefit: Current Deferred [2] (1,476) (1,320) Non-GAAP net income (loss) 7,586 (41,734) Net income (loss) attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders 1,492 (47,772) Share-based compensation expense (net of non-controlling interests) 1,236 1,194 Amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions (net of non-controlling interests) 5,901 5,279 Income tax benefit: Current Deferred (1,476) (1,320) Non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders 7,153 (42,619) GAAP net income (loss) per ADS basic 0.01 (0.35) GAAP net income (loss) per ADS diluted 0.01 (0.35) Non-GAAP net income (loss) per ADS basic 0.05 (0.31) Non-GAAP net income (loss) per ADS diluted 0.05 (0.31) Shares used in calculating basic GAAP/non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders per ADS 135,891,617 136,485,339 Shares used in calculating diluted GAAP/non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders per ADS 136,039,569 136,485,339 [2] Amount represents the realization of deferred tax liabilities recognized for the temporary difference between the tax basis of intangible assets recognized from acquisitions and their reported amounts in the financial statements. The income tax impact on the share-based compensation expense is nil. LEJU HOLDINGS LIMITED SELECTED OPERATING DATA Six months ended June 30, 2020 2021 Operating data for e-commerce services Number of discount coupons issued to prospective purchasers (number of transactions) 94,215 92,058 Number of discount coupons redeemed (number of transactions) 67,268 77,378 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leju-reports-first-half-year-2021-results-301365855.html SOURCE Leju Holdings Limited [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Fivetran Announces Industry's Most Secure Cloud Data Integration Platform Fivetran, the leading automated data integration provider, today announced the addition of a new product tier that offers a set of key security-related features for enterprises: Fivetran Business Critical. Building on its ability to fully manage data pipelines, Fivetran now offers enterprises the highest level of protection for sensitive data. Fivetran Business Critical enables them to create a more secure modern data stack that meets internal and regulatory requirements. As more enterprises migrate data to the cloud, they need to ensure that both internal and customer data, including personally identifiable information (PII) and other sensitive data, is fully protected. A growing number of data security and privacy requirements ? including regional data regulations such as GDPR and CCPA, and industry compliance measures such as HIPAA and PCI (News - Alert) ? require adherence to stringent security measures to protect consumers. Fivetran Business Critical provides management of these security requirements, including HIPAA compatibility and PCI DSS Level 1 validation ? the only ELT SaaS (News - Alert) product today to do so. This allows enterprises within the healthcare, retail, finance and ecommerce industries to meet industry data security and privacy requirements. "Companies across industries continue to turn to Fivetran for quick, reliable access to their data," said Fraser Harris, Vice President of Product at Fivetran. "Data security is a crucial piece of that reliability and increasingly critical as more enterprises fully migrate to the cloud. We're proud to offer Fivetran Business Critical to help our customers keep their data protected and manage a myriad of security requirements, while reducing the complexity of their modern data stack." Fivetran Business Critical provides an end-to-end, fully managed and secure data integration platform for enterprises and customers of Snowflake and Amazon Web Services (News - Alert) (AWS). The product features are also in alignment with the Snowflake Business Critical plan, allowing Snowflake customers to create the most secure modern data stack, built on AWS. "We're really excited to try Fivetran's new Business Critical offering, and we expect it will provide great value to Penguin Random House. We selected Fivtran as a key component of our Modern Data Stack as we wanted to focus on rapid deployment of data pipelines to drive value and automation to enable us to scale quickly," said Pete Williams, Director of Data and Online at Penguin Random House. "Data security is always a primary consideration, and we expect the AWS Private Link capability will support us to securely integrate a wider variety of data sources than we have used before. We are also optimistic that the simplified connectivity may offer us some performance gains too!" "Protecting sensitive customer data within the Snowflake Data Cloud has always been one of our top priorities," said Christian Kleinerman, Senior Vice President of Product at Snowflake. "We recognize the critical importance of data security to our enterprise customers and understand the trust customers place in Snowflake to ensure all their data is safe. We're proud to have a partner like Fivetran who shares this perspective and is investing significant resources to support the secure integration of data into Snowflake. The new Fivetran Business Critical offering is the perfect complement to our own Business Critical Edition, allowing enterprises with extremely sensitive data to create secure, automated data pipelines into Snowflake." In addition to improved enterprise security and management of internal and regulatory requirements, Fivetran Business Critical can improve performance and deliver cost benefits by simplifying the enterprise data and analytics stack, reducing latency, and eliminating some data egress charges. Key features of Fivetran Business Critical include: Private networking with AWS PrivateLink. With data residency options and AWS PrivateLink, Fivetran connects to customers' source and/or destination databases that are hosted in AWS without routing data over the public internet. Additionally, Fivetran can replicate on-premise data sources to the cloud data platform destination via AWS Direct Connect. With data residency options and AWS PrivateLink, Fivetran connects to customers' source and/or destination databases that are hosted in AWS without routing data over the public internet. Additionally, Fivetran can replicate on-premise data sources to the cloud data platform destination via AWS Direct Connect. Enterprise-grade security for cloud migration. Fivetran Business Critical delivers the ability to securely migrate on-premise database(s) into a cloud data platform, whether data warehouse or data lake, while ensuring compliance requirements are met. Fivetran Business Critical delivers the ability to securely migrate on-premise database(s) into a cloud data platform, whether data warehouse or data lake, while ensuring compliance requirements are met. Customer-managed keys. Fivetran Business Critical uses a customer-operated key management system (KMS) to hold encryption keys that Fivetran uses to encrypt credentials and temporary data processed in the service. This enables immediate termination of connector activity by the customer in case of a breach or other security event. Fivetran Business Critical uses a customer-operated key management system (KMS) to hold encryption keys that Fivetran uses to encrypt credentials and temporary data processed in the service. This enables immediate termination of connector activity by the customer in case of a breach or other security event. Cloud geography and region support. To help customers meet data residency requirements, Fivetran Business Critical provides the ability to select cloud provider geography and geographic region (currently AWS only). The Fivetran Business Critical plan is available now. To learn more, please visit the Fivetran blog. For images and additional assets, please visit the Fivetran newsroom. About Fivetran Fivetran, the leader in automated data integration, delivers ready-to-use connectors that automatically adapt as schemas and APIs change, ensuring consistent, reliable access to data. Fivetran improves the accuracy of data-driven decisions by continuously synchronizing data from source applications to any destination, allowing analysts to work with the freshest possible data. To accelerate analytics, Fivetran automates in-warehouse transformations and programmatically manages ready-to-query schemas. Fivetran is headquartered in Oakland, California, with offices around the globe. For more information, visit fivetran.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005235/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Cloud Native Leader Lightbend Joins Forces with Global IT Services Giant Hexaware to Deliver Scalable Back-End Services for Business-Critical Applications SAN FRANCISCO and MUMBAI, India, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lightbend , the company providing cloud native microservice frameworks for some of the worlds largest brands, today announced a partnership with global IT services leader Hexaware . Under the terms of this relationship, Hexaware will leverage Lightbends award-winning Akka Platform and new Akka Serverless technology to help their joint customers create transformative solutions with an eye to customer satisfaction. Hexaware will also provide consulting to our joint customers on how to get the most out of Lightbend technologies as these enterprises build new cloud-native applications designed to serve millions of users in real-time. The vast majority of our customers are prioritizing the creation of cloud native applications that enable them to compete more effectively, said Mohandeep Singh, Hexawares Head Hi-Tech and Platforms North America. What is needed is a data-centric backend application architecture that can handle the volume of data required for todays applications at extremely high performance. Right now, Lightbend has a great solution in the industry using stateful microservices and serverless technology for these specific needs. We want to help our customers leverage this technology to meet their critical business objectives. Lightbends solutions are based on the powerful Akka Platform technology, a leading framework for building large-scale distributed applications. With more than 20 million downloads annually, Akka is one of the most used programming models for cloud native applications running on containers on Kubernetes. Hexawares service portfolio for digital transformation is unparalleled in the industry. Its teams expertise and customer base is a perfect match for the Akka Platform, said Rakesh Patel, Lightbend Head of Global System Integrators. Together, we will be able to help developer teams build and maintain the advanced and complex cloud services in the world. In addition to helping Hexawares customers build their own services using the Akka Platform, Lightbend will also make available its Akka Serverless solution, a unique, first-of-its-kind Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) offerng that sets a new standard for cloud native application development. Akka Serverless is based on a revolutionary new architecture that removes the historical limitations that prevented the development of general-purpose, business-critical applications using the serverless model, enables the creation of cloud native apps using any programming language, and eliminates the need for databases in deploying business-critical applications. Lightbend and Hexaware are singularly positioned to help organizations transform their business-critical applications. Hexaware brings the cloud migration and modernization capabilities of Amaze with the expertise to leverage the best of Lightbend technologies to help customers deploy at scale and quickly recover from failure while capturing incremental revenue and realizing efficiencies. About Lightbend Lightbend (@Lightbend) is leading the enterprise transformation toward real-time, cloud-native applications and setting the standard for cloud native architectures. Lightbend provides scalable, high-performance microservices frameworks and streaming engines for building data-centric systems that are optimized to run on cloud-native infrastructure. Lightbend powers the worlds most innovative companies. For more information, visit www.lightbend.com . About Hexaware Hexaware is a global IT services company empowering businesses worldwide to realize digital transformation at scale and speed. Our three-pronged strategy of Automate Everything, Cloudify Everything and Transform Customer Experiences endeavors to drive human-machine collaboration for solving complex business problems. We enable future-ready organizations and market leaders to create lasting business value by helping them offer touchless immersive customer experiences through full-cloud enablement, digital product engineering and extreme automation. We serve customers in Banking, Financial Services, Capital Markets, Healthcare, Insurance, Manufacturing, Retail, Education, Telecom, Hi-Tech & Professional Services (Tax, Audit, Accounting and Legal), Travel, Transportation and Logistics. We deliver highly evolved services in Rapid Application prototyping, development and deployment; Build, Migrate and Run Cloud solutions; Automation-based Application support; Enterprise Solutions for digitizing the back-office; Customer Experience Transformation; Business Intelligence & Analytics; Digital Assurance (Testing); Infrastructure Management Services; and Business Process Services. We believe technology is a magical thing, and our purpose is to create smiles through great people and technology. Headquartered in New Jersey for North America, London for Europe and Singapore for the Asia Pacific, Hexaware services customers in over two dozen languages from every major time and regulatory zone. Learn more about Hexaware at http://www.hexaware.com Take an immersive 360 virtual tour of our campuses worldwide at https://www.hexawareimmersive.com Editorial Contacts: Joanne Harris Lightbend +1 425 295 1373 joanne.harris@lightbend.com Nichols Communications for Lightbend Jay Nichols +1 408 772 1551 jay@nicholscomm.com Sreedatri Chatterjee Hexaware Technologies Limited Tel: +91 900 426 3405 E-mail: sreedatric@hexaware.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Rothschild & Co Hires Bob Berry as Managing Director in North America Rothschild & Co today announced that Bob Berry (News - Alert) has joined its Global Advisory business in North America as a Managing Director in the Financial Sponsors Group. Mr. Berry brings more than three decades of investment banking and sponsor coverage experience to Rothschild & Co, where he will help manage and grow the firm's relationships with private equity clients. He will be based in Boston. Rothschild & Co also announced today the opening of a new office in Boston. The firm remains committed to growing its footprint in the Americas and the opening of its seventh office in North America is validation of its strategy. "Bob's hiring significantly strengthens our private equity franchise and roster of accomplished advisors. His impressive M&A experience and excellent reputation will be a great asset to our clients as we continue to enhance our team in the U.S. and build our presence in Boston. It is a pleasure to welcome Bob to the firm," said Jimmy Neissa, Head of Rothschild & Co North America. Announcing the office opening, Mr. Neissa continued, "Boston represents another important market for Rothschild & Co. We see tremendous opportunities to deliver unparalleled global capabilities and perspective to both current and future clients in the U.S., in collaboration with our offices around the world." Previously, Mr. Berry was a Managing Director in the Finncial Sponsors Group with Truist Securities. Prior to this, he headed the Consumer & Retail Groups at both Truist and Raymond James. Mr. Berry also served as co-head of M&A at Raymond James after successfully selling Lane Berry & Co, an M&A boutique that he co-founded and served as President, to Raymond James. He also was a Managing Director in the Financial Sponsors Groups at both Credit Suisse and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, and he started his career with Kidder, Peabody & Co. Over the course of his career, Mr. Berry has worked on more than 200 financings and M&A transactions. He is a graduate of Boston College with a B.S. in accounting and finance. Mr. Berry stated, "Rothschild & Co has expanded immensely in North America over the last several years and I am honored to have the opportunity to establish and grow the firm's presence in Boston. Rothschild & Co is well positioned to grow its leading private equity group, and I am excited to continue that momentum and provide clients with exceptional advice in the region." This announcement follows Rothschild & Co's recent hiring of Timothy Lufkin as a Managing Director in New York, adding two experienced senior advisors to further strengthen the firm's Financial Sponsors Group. About Rothschild & Co, Global Advisory Rothschild & Co is family-controlled and independent and has been at the centre of the world's financial markets for over 200 years. With a team of c.3 600 talented financial services specialists on the ground in over 40 countries, Rothschild & Co's integrated global network of trusted professionals provides in-depth market intelligence and effective long-term solutions for our clients in Global Advisory, Wealth & Asset Management, and Merchant Banking. Global Advisory, a division of the Rothschild & Co group, designs and executes strategic M&A and financing solutions, providing impartial, expert advice to large and mid-sized corporations, private equity, families and entrepreneurs, and governments. Through its unrivalled network of 1,000 industry and financing specialists in over 40 countries, Rothschild & Co's Global Advisory business combines the breadth of its advisory offering with a high volume of transactions to achieve a unique understanding and perspective into markets and participants worldwide. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005569/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Avaya Invests in Journey, a Leading Zero Knowledge and Digital Identity Platform Provider Avaya Holdings Corp. (NYSE: AVYA) today announced it has made a strategic investment in Journey.Ai, Inc., developer of a digital trusted identity platform focusing on enhancing privacy, security, and customer experience. Based in Denver, Colorado, Journey is a part of the Avaya DevConnect (News - Alert) partner ecosystem. The Journey digital trusted identity platform, integrated with Avaya OneCloud CCaaS (Contact Center as a Service) offerings, enables enterprises to interact and transact with customers in a secure and simple manner. With its use of multi-modal biometric technologies, including facial and voice authentication, Journey can confirm customer identity with 99.9999% accuracy in less than two seconds. Journey's patented Zero Knowledge Network gives Avaya (News - Alert) OneCloud CCaaS customers the unique ability to digitally request information from their customers, from Personal Identifiable Information (PII) to payments to electronic signatures. This patented technique routes the information to back-office systems to be verified and acted on before returning the results back to the contact center agents or specific applications and revealing only the need-to-know details. "Journey's innovation in Zero Knowledge, coupled with core Avaya Contact Center offerings address critical components of the customer experience along with the privacy and security requirements faced by contact centers," said David Austin, Avaya GVP of Corporate Development. "This strategic investment in an ecosystem partner enhances key security capabilities for our global customers, and is bringing additional industry-leading innovation into the Avaya OneCloud platform." "To combat the increase in data breaches and identity theft, the Avaya OneCloud Platform provides an ideal solution to leverage and orchestrate trusted identity throughout the customer journey across blended channels and devices to improve the customer experience," said Brett Shockley (News - Alert) , Co-Founder and CEO of Journey. "By verifing a customer through flexible biometrics, rather than relying on passwords like their favorite pizza topping or high school mascot, we have an opportunity to simultaneously fight fraud and customer friction in the contact center." The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction closed this month and is not expected to have a material financial impact for the current quarter. About Avaya Businesses are built by the experiences they provide, and everyday millions of those experiences are delivered by Avaya Holdings Corp. (NYSE: AVYA). Avaya is shaping what's next for the future of work, with innovation and partnerships that deliver game-changing business benefits. Our cloud communications solutions and multi-cloud application ecosystem power personalized, intelligent, and effortless customer and employee experiences to help achieve strategic ambitions and desired outcomes. Together, we are committed to help grow your business by delivering Experiences that Matter. Learn more at http://www.avaya.com. About Journey Journey's award-winning Trusted Identity Platform simplifies the development of digital relationships between businesses and their customers. Based on patented Zero Knowledge Network technology, contact center agents, bots and other self-service applications can request, collect, verify and route customer data from a variety of biometrics to eSignatures, payments and other sensitive information without exposing customer data. The Identity Platform blends customer journeys across channels, eliminating the traditional tradeoff between fraud and friction while simultaneously solving for security, privacy and extraordinary customer experiences. Journey is led by well-known veterans from the contact center, security and networking industries. Learn more at www.journeyid.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This document contains certain "forward-looking statements." All statements other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking" statements for purposes of the U.S. federal and state securities laws. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "our vision," "plan," "potential," "preliminary," "predict," "should," "will," or "would" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While the Company believes these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond its control. The factors are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC (News - Alert) ") available at www.sec.gov, and may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The Company cautions you that the list of important factors included in the Company's SEC filings may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release may not in fact occur. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. All trademarks identified by , TM, or SM are registered marks, trademarks, and service marks, respectively, of Avaya Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Source (News - Alert) : Avaya Newsroom View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005264/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Standard Industries Announces Bob Patel to Join as CEO of W. R. Grace Standard Industries Holdings ("Standard"), a privately-held global industrial company, today announced, in anticipation of the closing of its acquisition of W. R. Grace ("Grace"), that Bhavesh V. (Bob) Patel will join the company as CEO of Grace, effective January 2022. "We're thrilled to welcome Bob to the Standard family as CEO of W. R. Grace," said David Winter and David Millstone, Co-CEOs of Standard Industries. "Bob has for decades been a visionary leader in the industry, with a record of transforming businesses to achieve robust, sustainable growth. He has proven himself to be the right person to lead Grace's exceptional team and help architect Standard's investment in the advanced materials space. He will be instrumental in taking Grace into its next chapter as we ensure a seamless transition post-close and embark on an ambitious growth strategy." Patel will join Standard from LyondellBasell, where he has served as Chief Executive Officer since 2015 and led a period of extraordinary growth for the company. From 2010 to 2014, Patel led significant restructuring efforts in both the U.S. and Europe to optimize the company's cost structure and geographic footprint. Throughout his time at LyondellBasell, he significantly increased earnings power through a number of strategic investments-includng acquiring A. Schulman and building world-scale manufacturing facilities-and greatly expanded the company's sustainability initiatives. During his tenure, LyondellBasell was named to Fortune Magazine's "World's Most Admired Companies" list for four years in a row. Prior to joining LyondellBasell in 2010, Patel spent 20 years at Chevron (News - Alert) Phillips Chemical Co., where he held positions in manufacturing and led several businesses in the U.S. and Asia. "It's a privilege to join Standard Industries and to be asked to lead W. R. Grace through its next chapter," Patel said. "Grace is an iconic company and a fundamentally strong business driven by its exceptionally talented employees. I look forward to working with the leadership team at Grace to take the company to new heights." Patel will succeed Hudson La Force, who has served as CEO of Grace since 2018. Under La Force's leadership, Grace has made significant investments to deliver higher growth in its catalysts and materials businesses. La Force will continue as CEO until the end of the year and will join Standard's advisory board in January 2022. "Hudson is an exemplary leader who has been instrumental in building Grace into the leading global chemicals business it is today. We appreciate his continued service as CEO through the end of the year and are excited to welcome him to Standard's advisory board," said Winter and Millstone. About Standard Industries: Standard Industries is a privately-held global industrial company operating in over 80 countries with over 15,000 employees. The Standard ecosystem spans a broad array of holdings, technologies and investments-including both public and private companies from early to late-stage-as well as world-class building materials assets and next-generation solar solutions. Throughout its 140-year history, Standard has leveraged its deep industry expertise and vision to create outsize value across its businesses, which today include operating companies GAF, BMI, Siplast, GAF Energy, Schiedel and SGI, as well as related businesses 40 North, a multi-billion-dollar investment platform, 40 North Ventures and Winter Properties. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005554/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Ancestry Signs Agreement to Acquire French Genealogy Leader Geneanet Ancestry, the global leader in family history, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Geneanet, a leading French genealogy company. With over 30 billion records from more than 80 countries, Ancestry helps customers discover new details about their family story and ancestors. The terms of the agreement have not been disclosed. With a large and growing European community of more than 4 million members, Geneanet is available in ten languages and more than 25 countries. Combining Geneanet's free family tree platform and engaged community with Ancestry's global subscriber base and unparalleled historical records will enable family history discoveries and connections for even more people around the world. Ancestry, which already offers the largest collection of European records, is also investing in digitizing and indexing a national collection of French historical records, including the complete French census and birth, marriage and death records which will be available soon, accelerating family history discoveries and connections between people in France and those around the world with French hritage. "We are thrilled to welcome Geneanet to the Ancestry family and look forward to working together to grow our global community so that more people can easily discover, craft and connect around their family story," said Deb Liu, Ancestry President and CEO. "Ancestry is committed to continued investment in Geneanet's free tree-building platform and the volunteer spirit of its community." "This is an exciting next step for Geneanet and for our community. We will preserve our business model and continue to focus on what we do well, building a highly-engaged community of passionate users. Our members will greatly benefit from Ancestry's vast record collections and global network as they build their family trees and connect with new relatives and share their family stories," said Jacques La Marois, Founder and CEO of Geneanet. "I am delighted to build the next chapter together and look forward to the opportunity to play an active role in the company's future." Upon closing, Geneanet will operate as an independent business in the Ancestry portfolio of companies. Jacques Le Marois, Founder and CEO of Geneanet, will remain in his role as the head of the Geneanet website and community. About Ancestry Ancestry, the global leader in family history and consumer genomics, empowers journeys of personal discovery to enrich lives. With our unparalleled collection of more than 30 billion records and over 20 million people in our growing consumer DNA network, customers can discover their family story and gain a new level of understanding about their lives. For over 30 years, we've built trusted relationships with millions of people who have chosen us as the platform for discovering, preserving and sharing the most important information about themselves and their families. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005247/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] IDC Industrial Printer Tracker Finds Mixed Results in the Second Quarter of 2021 New data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Industrial Printer Tracker shows that worldwide shipments slowed slightly year over year in the second quarter of 2021 (2Q21). "Overall large format and industrial printer shipments declined slightly - less than 3% - in the second quarter, largely due to the presence of the COVID-19 delta variant and ongoing supply chain issues," said Tim Greene, research director, Hardcopy Solutions at IDC (News - Alert) . "While these factors slowed the recovery that we had seen for three consecutive quarters, some segments still showed excellent growth in Q2 2021." Worldwide Industrial Segment Highlights for Q2 2021 Large format printer shipments were down 2.4% in 2Q21 compared to the first quarter but were still well above 90,000 units for the quarter on a worldwide basis. Direct-to-garment and direct-to-shape printer shipments declined by 7.6% and 5.0% respectively after a very strong first quarter. Label & Packaging printer shipments grew by more than 27% in the quarter. Industrial Textile printer shipments declined 26.3% in 2Q21 compared to 1Q21. Regional Analysis Total shipments in North America grew 11.6% in 2Q21 compared to the previous quarter. Printer shipments in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) declined 8.5% compared to the first quarter. Within the region, slower shipments in Western Europe offset gains in the Central & Eastern European regions. Total shipments in Japan were down nearly 25% compared to 1Q21 as the country continues to deal with the coronavirus. Shipments in China showed modest sequential growth of 3% in 2Q21. Worldwide Industrial Printer Shipments and Shipment Value Share and Sequential Growth, Q2 2021 Product Category 2Q21 Share of Shipments 2Q21/1Q21 Shipment Change 2Q21 Share of Shipment Value 2Q21/1Q21 Shipment Value Growth Direct to Garment 2.0% -7.6% 4.4% -11.8% Direct to Shape 1.1% -5.0% 2.4% -4.1% Industrial Textile 0.4% -26.3% 5.0% -29.4% Label & Packaging 0.4% 27.3% 14.4% 23.4% Large Format 96.2% -2.4% 73.7% -3.9% Total 100.0% -2.6% 100.0% 2.9% Source (News - Alert) : IDC Worldwide Quarterly Industrial Printer Tracker, August 2021 Outlook for 2021 Investments in new technology that can replace the production capacity of several older devices with greater levels of automation is one of the trends IDC is watching for the second half of 2021 and beyond. Despite clear indicators of demand for more digital print solutions, the lingering impact of the pandemic creates a lack of real visibility at either the regional or segment level. Nevertheless, IDC continues to expect the combination of greater demand for new technology, more automated solutions, and more sustainable operations to fuel investments through the end of 2021. About IDC Trackers IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC's Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly Excel deliverables and on-line query tools. 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. All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005310/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Downward Pressure on Pricing Drives Momentum in Wearables, Says IDC Global wearables shipments grew 32.3% year-over-year as volumes reached 114.2 million during the second quarter of 2021 (2Q21), according to new data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker. Despite early signs of slower consumer tech spending, purchases of wearable devices remained strong during the quarter as consumers once again ventured outdoors with the urge to track their health and activity. Among the various device types, hearables and watches each grew 39% during the quarter as demand continued to soar for these categories. Meanwhile, the market for wristbands remained flat as consumer continue to transition to watches and the category lacked notable product launches during recent quarters. "Both the watch and hearables categories have seen a sharp rise in adoption due to new entrants as well as discounting on older models," said Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for IDC Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers. "Watches priced between $200 and $300 have gained 10 percentage points since last year thanks to devices like the Watch SE, Series 3, Versa 3, and the Galaxy Watch Active 2. Meanwhile, hearables in the sub-$100 space have enjoyed a similar trend largely thanks to brands such as Xiaomi, BoAt, Huawei (News - Alert) , JBL, and JLAB as they have succeeded at making premium features such as active noise control (ANC) more affordable." What also makes these devices popular is the variety in feature sets and price points. "As the market has matured, so have vendor product portfolios," said Ramon T. Llamas, research director for IDC's Wearables Team. "Offering a selection of good/better/best devices at staggered price points allows companies to approach more customers. Over time, features once reserved for only the high-end devices will eventually make their way down to the mid-tier and the mass market. This, in turn, will lure people to upgrade or purchase their first devices, thus placing wearables - both watches and hearables - on a steady treadmill of growth and upgrades." 2Q21 Company Highlights Apple once again led the market with 28.2% share though growth slowed to 9.3%. The slowdown in year-over-year growth was somewhat expected given Apple's aging product lineup as well as the surge in sales it has seen over the past few quarters. Xiaomi ranked second thanks to its tremendous progress in the hearables category. On a unit basis, hearables surpassed wristbands for the company for the first time. The company continues to employ the same strategy in hearables as it does in wristbands, namely low-cost devices with a strong online presence. Despite Huawei's growth across most regions, the company continues to rely heavily on its home market of China. More than three quarters of Huawei's shipments were in China in 2Q21 up from 72.9% last year. By making its wearables compatible with any Android (News - Alert) phone and by offering very competitive pricing, the company has managed to experience some growth even in markets where Huawei's phone business has declined. Samsung (News - Alert) captured the fourth position. As one of the few premium smartwatch and hearables vendors outside of Apple, the company has managed to carve out a nice spot for itself in mature markets and is often regarded as the de facto choice of wearables for Android users. The company's growth is also attributed to the multiple brands and price points offered. Imagine Marketing, the company behind the popular BoAt brand, rounded out the top 5. Though the company has its beginnings in the hearables business, it has since expanded into watches and wristbands as well. However, the company still operates only within India. Top 5 Wearable Device Companies by Shipment Volume, Market Share, and Year-Over-Year Growth, Q2 2021 (shipments in millions) Company 2Q21 Shipments 2Q21 Market Share 2Q20 Shipments 2Q20 Market Share Year-Over-Year Growth 1. Apple 32.2 28.2% 29.5 34.1% 9.3% 2. Xiaomi 14.0 12.3% 10.2 11.8% 37.8% 3. Huawei 11.7 10.2% 8.4 9.8% 38.5% 4. Samsung 9.7 8.5% 7.1 8.2% 37.4% 5. Imagine Marketing 4.6 4.1% 0.8 0.9% 478.0% Others 41.9 36.7% 30.3 35.1% 38.2% Total 114.2 100.00% 86.3 100.00% 32.3% Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker, August 30, 2021 In addition to the table above, a graphic illustrating the worldwide wearables market by price band over the previous five quarters is available by viewing this press release on IDC.com. About IDC Trackers IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC's Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly Excel deliverables and on-line query tools. For more information about IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone (News - Alert) Tracker, please contact Kathy Nagamine at 650-350-6423 or knagamine@idc.com. Click here to learn about IDC's full suite of data products and how you can leverage them to grow your business. About IDC International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter (News - Alert) at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights. All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005255/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] GWM Appears at Chengdu Motor Show with Over 10 New Products From Its Five Vehicle Brands BAODING, China, Aug. 31, 2021 /CNW/ -- On August 29, the grand opening ceremony of the 24th Chengdu Motor Show was unveiled, where GWM attracted many visitors with over 10 new products from its five vehicle brandsHAVAL, TANK, GWM Pickup, ORA and WEY. In the HAVAL exhibition area, HAVAL H6S, GWM's first coupe SUV built on the L.E.M.O.N. and COIFS platform, made its debut. With a "shark-shaped" exterior design, the SUV has a large polygonal front grille in the front face to create a visual effect as mighty as a shark. The fastback style body and the rear end of a suspended rear wing design make the SUV look youthful and sporty. For the interior design, the SUV is equipped with a large suspended screen, intelligent full-colour HUD, face recognition and other technologies, showing a sense of future. It offers a 2.0T gasoline engine and a L.E.M.O.N. DHT system for selection. The beautiful and intelligent car is expected to go global. Due to a tough and cool appearance and an intelligent configuration, HAVAL DAGO, another hot seller, is very eye-catching, with a product strength surpassing that of the same level. Its sales volume in China has exceeded 10,000 in the first month since its launch. This year, the excellent car won praise from the local media in the Australian market. This has boosted GWM's confidence in entering the global market. TANK, the fifth-largest brand, is presenting its two masterpieces "TANK 400" and "TANK 500" to the world firstly. TANK 400 is a medium- and large-sized mecha off-road SUV integrating a unique mecha design, off-road performance and technologies. TANK 500 is positioned as a cool medium- and large-sized luxury off-road SUV, with tough exterior lines, a huge chrome-plated grille, and irregularly shaped headlights on both sides. The interior is equipped with a 12.3-inch digital dashboard, combined with the central touch screen and the rear control screen, achieving "three-screen linkage". And it's equipped with the "3.0T V6+9AT" super powertrain firstly, with a maximum power of 260kW and a maximum torque of 500Nm, meeting the diverse needs of everyday use and outdoor off-roading. ORA also has various new cars unveiled here. Among them, the ORA Balei Mao (name for Chinese market)was publicly exhibited firstly. Its exterior design is very retro, using classic elements such as heavy chrome-plated bumpers and wide-spoke silver-white two-color wheels. Also, GWM POER held the 200,000th car delivery ceremony at the auto show site and launched the Everest version of the off-road pickup truck, shocking the audience with its hardcore performance. At the WEY booth, the first Macchiato equipped with the intelligent DHT hybrid powertrain and "a new generation of smart retro-fashioned car" also debuted. GWM's booth became the focus with its rich and personalized products. Also, GWM will continue to focus on users and launch more trendy products to bring a richer product experience to global users. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gwm-appears-at-chengdu-motor-show-with-over-10-new-products-from-its-five-vehicle-brands-301366109.html SOURCE GWM [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Evervault Announces PCI DSS Compliance for its Suite of Encryption Tools Evervault, a company building simplified encryption infrastructure for developers, today announced it has successfully achieved compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard ( PCI (News - Alert) DSS), which mandates how payment card data is secured and maintained. Enhancing its already rigorous security standards with this new certification, Evervault is equipped to help organizations encrypt and secure their customers' cardholder data, while reducing their PCI DSS scope to the simplest method. This reduces a significant administrative burden for Evervault's users, while upping their data security through encryption for an added layer of assurance. Currently a Level 2 Service Provider under PCI DSS, Evervault is in the process of attaining Level 1 certification, as it projects it will exceed the Level 2 benchmarks following its general launch. As a Level 2 Provider, Evervault can process or transmit up to 300,000 annual transactions each for VISA, MasterCard and Discover, as well as up to 2.5 million annual transactions for American Express (News - Alert) . "PCI DSS is one of the most important industry standards that ensures a baseline level of protection for consumers and helps reduce fraud and data breaches - but it can slow down companies heavily when they start building in the payments, banking and finance spaces," said Shane Curran, CEO of Evervault. "With our encryption infrastructure, we're bolstering the baseline protection consumers have and making PCI compliance easy for developers and businesses - without them having to go though the arduous compliance process." Evervault's first PCI DSS customer is TreeCard, an environmental fintech company that makes sustainably sourced debit cards and aims to put 80% of profits toward responsible reforestation. TreeCard uses Evervault's encryption services to secure cardholder data without having to manage encryption keys or configure crypto libraries. "PCI DSS becomes a heavy burden for companies like us that process cardholder data," said Jamie Cox (News - Alert) , CEO of TreeCard. "Encrypting with Evervault reduces our PCI scope to the simplest method of validation. This will save us time and give us peace of mind that we're fully compliant, while allowing us to focus on what matters most - getting more users and planting more trees." Attaining PCI DSS compliance is Evervault's first commitment to ending data breaches in the payments and card industry. This certification comes on the heels of Evervault's compliance with both the healthcare industry's Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 Type II earlier this year. Developers and businesses that need to secure cardholder data under PCI DSS can begin encrypting with Evervault by visiting www.evervault.com. About Evervault Evervault is a data encryption company enabling developers to put security first without disrupting their existing workflows. Evervault provides the tools developers need to build encrypted apps, in which data stays encrypted at all times, yet can still be processed and shared. Evervault never stores data and developers never configure crypto algorithms or manage keys. Founded in 2019, the company is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. To learn more visit https://evervault.com or @evervault on Twitter (News - Alert) . View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005042/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] CVC and TA to partner with Mediaocean and fuel growth of global omnichannel advertising platform NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mediaocean, the leading global omnichannel advertising platform, today announced an investment from funds advised by CVC Capital Partners (CVC), along with TA Associates (TA), who are acquiring the stake in the company held by Vista Equity Partners. As a leader in global advertising technology, Mediaocean helps the worlds top agencies and marketers manage $200 billion in annualized media spend. CVC and TA are committed to investing in Mediaoceans omnichannel platform, serving as an industry system of record with trusted, independent solutions for media management, intelligence, and finance. In July, Mediaocean announced its acquisition of Flashtalking, adding capabilities for primary ad serving, creative personalization, identity management, and fraud prevention. The investment from funds advised by CVC and TA will continue accelerating growth and driving innovation at Mediaocean, which included its acquisition of 4C last year and continued in March with the transformational launch of a new product model. By unifying its core offering from a range of best-in-class software products into a modern, omnichannel platform, Mediaocean is enabling its customers to achieve business outcomes more efficiently and effectively. The company was recently recognized as a 2021 Gartner Peer Insights Customers Choice for Ad Tech and ranked first in advertising technology for Ad Age Best Places to Work 2021. As Mediaocean enters its next phase of growth with CVC and TA, we are doubling down on our global omnichannel advertising platform, said Bill Wise, CEO at Mediaocean. Now, more than ever, agencies and their clients need an independent, open, and neutral operating system to manage media investment and grow their businesses. Mediaocean stands ready to deliver on the needs of the industry and help marketers maret the way consumers consume seamlessly across all channels at all times. Mediaocean, with the recently announced acquisitions of 4C and Flashtalking, has positioned itself as the leader in providing integrated tools and analytics to ensure marketers maximize returns on ad dollars, said Chris Colpitts, Partner at CVC, We have been impressed by what Mediaocean has achieved to date and are delighted to partner with the management team to accelerate investment in its modern omnichannel platform. Chris Baldwin, Managing Partner at CVC added, We are committed to building a dynamic customer-facing organization and we strongly believe helping agencies and marketers navigate the increasingly complex digital advertising landscape is critical to success. We look forward to supporting Mediaocean in working to achieve this. With the rise of big tech, brands and agencies are placing more trust in Mediaocean to be the steward for their media buys, said Jonathan Meeks, Managing Director at TA. Through our investment in Flashtalking, weve seen firsthand the impact that a scaled, independent ad tech platform can have in putting buyers in control and improving campaign performance. As the companies come together, we believe that Mediaocean is primed to deliver even better results for its customers and were excited to help fuel further growth. Over the past six years, the Mediaocean team has worked tremendously hard to scale the business into what it is today a core media management platform to power the world of advertising, said Michael Fosnaugh, Co-Head of the Flagship Fund and Senior Managing Director at Vista. Todays media landscape is ripe with opportunity for a pivotal technology provider like Mediaocean and we wish Bill and the entire team continued success with CVC and TA. The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2021, subject to customary closing conditions including receipt of required regulatory approvals. White & Case acted as legal advisor for CVC. Goodwin Procter acted as legal advisor for TA. Macquarie Capital and Nomura provided committed acquisition financing for the transaction. About Mediaocean Mediaocean is the mission-critical platform for omnichannel advertising. With more than $200 billion in annualized media spend managed through its software, Mediaocean connects brands, agencies, media, technology, and data. Using AI and machine learning technology to control marketing investments and optimize business outcomes, Mediaocean powers campaigns from planning, buying, and selling to analysis, invoices, and payments. Mediaocean employs 1,500 staff across 30 global offices and supports over 100,000 people using its products. Visit www.mediaocean.com for more information. About CVC CVC is a leading private equity and investment advisory firm with a network of 24 offices throughout Europe, Asia and the US, with US$115 billion of assets under management. Since its founding in 1981, CVC has secured commitments in excess of US$162 billion from some of the world's leading institutional investors across its private equity and credit strategies. Funds managed or advised by CVC are invested in over 90 companies worldwide, which have combined annual sales of approximately US$100 billion and employ more than 440,000 people. For further information about CVC please visit: www.cvc.com. About TA Associates TA is a leading global growth private equity firm. Focused on targeted sectors within five industries technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer and business services the firm invests in profitable, growing companies with opportunities for sustained growth, and has invested in more than 550 companies around the world. Investing as either a majority or minority investor, TA employs a long-term approach, utilizing its strategic resources to help management teams build lasting value in high quality growth companies. TA has raised $47.5 billion in capital since its founding in 1968 and is committing to new investments at the pace of over $3 billion per year. The firm's more than 100 investment professionals are based in Boston, Menlo Park, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong. More information about TA can be found at www.ta.com. About Vista Equity Partners Vista is a leading global investment firm with more than $77 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2021. The firm exclusively invests in enterprise software, data and technology-enabled organizations across private equity, permanent capital, credit, and public equity strategies, bringing an approach that prioritizes creating enduring market value for the benefit of its global ecosystem of investors, companies, customers and employees. Vistas investments are anchored by a sizable long-term capital base, experience in structuring technology-oriented transactions and proven, flexible management techniques that drive sustainable growth. Vista believes the transformative power of technology is the key to an even better future a healthier planet, a smarter economy, a diverse and inclusive community and a broader path to prosperity. Further information is available at vistaequitypartners.com. Follow Vista on LinkedIn, @Vista Equity Partners, and on Twitter, @Vista_Equity. Press Contacts: Mediaocean Mona Khaldi VP, Corporate Marketing & Communications press@mediaocean.com CVC Nick Board VP, Communications +44 20 7420 4200 nboard@cvc.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Pritzker Private Capital Partners with Monogram Foods Pritzker Private Capital ("PPC"), a leader in family direct investing, announced today that it has acquired a significant stake in Monogram Foods ("Monogram"), a founder-led company focused on business-to-business food manufacturing for some of the most prominent brands and retailers in the United States. HF Capital, a family investment firm, invested along with PPC. Current owners, including co-founders Karl Schledwitz and Wes Jackson, and other members of management remain significant owners and will continue to lead the business. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., Monogram Foods was founded by Karl Schledwitz and Wes Jackson in 2004 and continues to be led by members of the company's founding team. The company is a market leader in innovating and manufacturing food products including meat snacks, bacon, corn dogs, appetizers and sandwiches, and operates one of the only USDA-approved bakeries in the U.S. With 10 manufacturing locations across six states and over 3,000 employees, Monogram plays a critical role in the supply chain for its co-manufacturing, private label and foodservice customers. "Monogram Foods is an established leader in the prepared food industry with best-in-class manufacturing capabilities and a longstanding commitment to food safety, sustainability and social impact," said Chris Trick Investment Partner at PPC. "Monogram is led by a world-class management team and has leading market positions in its categories and compelling opportunities for long-term growth and expansion. We are thrilled to partner with Karl and the team and support Monogram in its next phase of growth." "Since we founded Monogram Foods in 2004, we've built our company guided by a culture of continuous growth, a commitment to safety and a focus on customer service," said Mr. Schledwitz. "The Pritzker Private Capital team shares our values and is the ideal partner to support our company's exciting next chapter. This partnership will help our company grow through strategic acquisitions, expand our nationwide facility footprint, strengthen our R&D capabilities and provide new opportunities for our talented team." Tony Pritzker, Chairman and CEO at PPC, added, "At Pritzker Private Capital, we look to partner with growth-focused management teams who share our long-term philosophy of building great businesses. We are impressed by Monogram's commitment to its people, its communities and to food safety and innovation. The company plays a vital role with its diverse customer base, and we're delighted to partner with the Monogram team." Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. About Monogram Foods Monogram Foods is a strategic food manufacturer focused on the co-manufacturing, private label, and foodservice channels throughout the United States. Founded in 2004, Monogram Foods manufactures top-quality and innovative food products. Among these are a full range of meat snacks, appetizers, assembled sandwiches, fully-cooked and raw bacon, corn dogs, USDA baked goods, and other convenience products. Monogram Foods is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, has over 3,000 employees and operates ten manufacturing facilities in six states. About Pritzker Private Capital Pritzker Private Capital partners with middle-market companies based in North America with leading positions in the manufactured products, services and healthcare sectors. The firm's differentiated, long-duration capital base allows for efficient decision-making, broad flexibility with transaction structure and investment horizon, and alignment with all stakeholders. Pritzker Private Capital builds businesses for the long term and is an ideal partner for entrepreneur- and family-owned companies. Pritzker Private Capital is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). For more information, visit www.ppcpartners.com. About HF Capital HF Capital invests capital on behalf of the Haslam family, based in Knoxville, Tennessee. This includes direct investments in operating companies as well as investment commitments to exceptional managers of liquid and illiquid investments across a spectrum of asset classes and geographies. James Haslam, Jr., the family's patriarch, founded Pilot Corporation in 1958. Today, Pilot is owned by the Haslam family and Berkshire Hathaway. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005319/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Amid the Uncertainty, Wisconsin Virtual Academy, Destinations Career Academy, and Insight School of Wisconsin Are Poised to Help Students Succeed in the New School Year Wisconsin Virtual Academy (WIVA), Destinations Career Academy (DCA), and Insight School of Wisconsin (ISWI), three full-time, tuition-free public charter schools authorized by the McFarland School District, are ready to kick off the new school year and give students throughout Wisconsin consistent education options designed to personalize learning and create strong schooling experiences, virtually. Wisconsin Virtual Academy students and teachers will open their laptops to start the 2021-2022 school year on September 1, 2021. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005003/en/ 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. "Our students and teachers at all three of our schools showed incredible drive and perseverance amid such uncertainty last year," said Head of Schools Dr. Sara R. Cutler. "I cannot wait to see what we can accomplish this year!" With Wisconsin-licensed teachers, WIVA, DCA, and ISWI lead the state in virtual education. "We believe that all students desrve an equitable education and a personalized approach to learning. At our schools we support students individually no matter where they are, who they are or what they need," said Cutler. "Our schools deliver rich, engaging curriculum designed to assist students who seek alternative pathways to education." Despite wide-spread evidence of a "COVID slide" learning loss for students in the U.S. during the pandemic, Stride K12-powered schools like these three 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 DCA 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 Administration & Management, Health Science, Information Technology, Law & Criminal Justice, and Construction. Students earn business and industry recognized credentials and participate in work-based learning opportunities, as well. In addition, 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. During the 2020-2021 school year Wisconsin Virtual Academy schools' enrollment reached 4100. "Our students had 4100 different reasons for choosing our schools," reported Dr. Cutler. 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. Each of the three schools have online platforms which give students the opportunity to pursue their academic goals in a supportive environment and at an appropriate pace for their learning style. WIVA, DCA, and ISWI are still accepting enrollments for the 2021-2022 school year. To learn more about these schools and how to enroll, visit either dcawi.k12.com, insightwi.k12.com or wiva.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 Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin, Insight School of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Virtual Academy Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin (WIDCA), Insight School of Wisconsin (ISWI) and Wisconsin Virtual Academy (WIVA) are online public-school programs of the McFarland School District, serving students across the state of Wisconsin. The three programs are 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, visit dcawi.k12.com, insightwi.k12.com or wiva.k12.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005003/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Digital Pathology Market 2020-2024 | Growing Adoption Of IoT Infrastructure Among Laboratories to Boost Growth | 17,000+ Technavio Reports NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Technavio has been monitoring the digital pathology market and it is poised to grow by $ 546.54 million during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 15% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. Request a FREE sample report The growing adoption of IoT infrastructure among laboratories, increasing demand for high productivity and reduced turnaround time among end-users, surging integration of AI in digital pathology systems, and significant adoption of digital pathology in education and training are some of the crucial factors that will offer immense growth opportunities. However, issues regarding the privacy and safety of digital databases and the high cost associated with digital pathology systems will challenge the growth of the market participants. Digital Pathology Market 2020-2024: Segmentation Digital Pathology Market is segmented as below: Product Digital Slide Scanner Software Geographic North America Europe Asia ROW To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR45085 Related Reports: Pathology Instruments Market by Application and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025 Anatomic Pathology Track and Trace Solutions Market byTechnology and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024 Digital Pathology Market 2020-2024: Scope Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our digital pathology market report covers the following areas: Digital Pathology Market size Digital Pathology Market trends Digital Pathology Market industry analysis Digital Pathology Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. 3DHISTECH, Co-Diagnostics Inc., Corista, Danaher Corp., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., General Electric Co., Hamamatsu Photonics KK, Koninklijke Philips NV, Olympus Corp., and Sectra AB are some of the major market participants. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the digital pathology market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile, and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Digital Pathology Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024 Detailed information on factors that will assist digital pathology market growth during the next five years Estimation of the digital pathology market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the digital pathology market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of digital pathology market vendors Table Of Contents : Executive Summary Market Landscape Market ecosystem Value chain analysis Market Sizing Market definition Market segment analysis Market size 2020 Market outlook: Forecast for 2019 - 2024 Five Forces Analysis Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition Market Segmentation by Product Market segments Comparison by Product Digital slide scanner - Market size and forecast 2019 - 2024 Software - Market size and forecast 2019 - 2024 Market opportunity by Product Customer landscape Geographic Landscape Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison North America - Market size and forecast 2019 - 2024 - Market size and forecast 2019 - 2024 Europe - Market size and forecast 2019 - 2024 - Market size and forecast 2019 - 2024 Asia - Market size and forecast 2019 - 2024 - Market size and forecast 2019 - 2024 ROW - Market size and forecast 2019 - 2024 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 3DHISTECH Ltd. Co-Diagnostics Inc. Corista Danaher Corp. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. General Electric Co. Hamamatsu Photonics KK Koninklijke Philips NV Olympus Corp. Sectra AB Appendix Scope of the report Currency conversion rates for US$ Research methodology List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ Report: www.technavio.com/report/digital-pathology-market-size-industry-analysis View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/digital-pathology-market-2020-2024--growing-adoption-of-iot-infrastructure-among-laboratories-to-boost-growth--17-000-technavio-reports-301366027.html SOURCE Technavio [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Bark Technologies Adds Detections to Microsoft Teams ATLANTA, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Online safety company Bark Technologies today announced the addition of Microsoft Teams to the list of platforms it monitors at schools nationwide. Bark is the latest company to offer this level of protection on the popular Teams platform. The added safety measures Bark brings to Teams helps ensure that students are protected and in the best position to succeed. Currently, Bark monitors more than 30 of today's most popular social media platforms and apps, as well as text messages, chats, emails, and Microsoft OneDrive files. Bark also monitors images, text within images, audio, and video that can be attached to Teams channels and chat messages as part of its suite of safety solutions. The addition of Teams monitoring in schools reinforces Bark's commitment to protecting more than 5.6 million children across the U.S. Throughout the pandemic, Teams has been one of the most heavily relied-upon platforms for educational institutions, growing exponentially as schools switched to distance and hybrid learning. ven as students return to the classroom this fall, more than 230,000 educational institutions rely on Teams to communicate and collaborate online. Using highly sophisticated AI, Bark detects and alerts families of concerning behaviors in a variety of categories, including cyberbullying, depression, suicidal ideation, violence, and online predation. Throughout the challenging months of 2020 the hardest year for families in recent memory Bark analyzed more than 2 billion online activities from teens and tweens across the U.S., noting a significant uptick in behaviors including self-harm and suicidal ideation. Kids faced a pandemic, social unrest, and virtual learning, and through it all, they relied heavily on online communication to stay connected with family and friends. "With more than 100 million students currently using Microsoft Teams, there has never been a greater need to ensure their safety when communicating and collaborating on school platforms," said Brian Bason, CEO of Bark. "We are thrilled to add this extra layer of protection by adding Bark's monitoring services to Teams." "We're happy to see companies like Bark joining the Microsoft Teams ecosystem and adding value by integrating their safety solutions with Teams Graph APIs," said Yaron Hezroni, principal program manager for Teams Ecosystem at Microsoft. "The added safety measures Bark brings to Teams helps ensure that students are protected and in the best position to succeed." About Bark Bark helps families manage and protect their children's digital lives. The award-winning service monitors 30+ of the most popular apps and social media platforms for signs of issues like cyberbullying, suicidal ideation, online predators, threats of violence, and more. Bark's web filtering and screen time management tools empower families to set healthy limits around the websites and apps their kids can access and when they can visit them. Visit www.bark.us to learn more. Downloadable media assets at https://www.bark.us/media Recent press at https://www.bark.us/newsroom View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bark-technologies-adds-detections-to-microsoft-teams-301366204.html SOURCE Bark Technologies [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] New Report from Aberdeen Group Reveals Serious Impact of Credential Stuffing and Account Takeover Attacks on the Financial Services Industry SAN MATEO, Calif., Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PerimeterX, the leading provider of solutions that secure digital businesses against automated fraud and client-side threats, today released Quantifying the Impact of Credential Stuffing and Account Takeovers in Financial Services , a comprehensive report that examines how attackers have found credential stuffing attacks and account takeovers (ATOs) against organizations in the financial services industry to be a highly effective, highly scalable way to commit fraud. The study, conducted by the Aberdeen Group, quantifies the risk of credential stuffing and account takeovers for four segments of the financial services industry in the United States: commercial banks, credit unions, savings institutions and fintech. Key findings of the report include: Financial consequences have grown to a level that goes beyond a mere cost of doing business, to become a material business risk. To address the issue of credential stuffing and account takeovers, organizations in the financial services industry are about three times more likely to invest in fighting malicious bots than to take steps to reduce weak passwords and password reuse. Advanced bot detection and mitigation services top the list of technical capabilities being adopted to combat automated credential stuffing attacks. In particular, bot-driven credential stuffing attacks are prevalent, and growing. 84% of al respondents reported that some number of their online users had experienced a successful account takeover in the previous 12 months. Respondents were asked about the direct consequences from attacks on their customer accounts. The survey found that: 45% of organizations experienced fraudulent transactions 31% saw the creation of new accounts, e.g., credit applications 24% reported transfer of funds or other fungible value, e.g., loyalty points, rewards "Throughout the financial services industry, the monetary consequences of credential stuffing and successful account takeovers both direct, and indirect have grown beyond a basic 'cost of doing business' to become a material business risk, concluded Derek Brink, CISSP, vice president and research fellow for Aberdeen Strategy & Research. "Given the central role of digital credentials in the management of long-term, account-based relationships with their customers, its clear that addressing these risks now demands much closer attention." Aberdeens quantitative analysis also estimated the median cost of an attack ranges from 2.7% to 6.4% of the revenue generated from their monthly active users for each of the four market segments: commercial banks, credit unions, savings institutions and fintech companies. The business impact of ATO-related fraud on an organization is higher than many people realize, which is why we undertook this important industry analysis. For example, the median revenue for the credit unions that responded to the survey is $65 million, and the median amount lost due to a data breach is 5.2% of revenue, which is more than $3 million. Preventing and fighting these attacks requires an investment in people, tools, technologies, services and data, but these costs can really add up so accuracy and efficiency are paramount. PerimeterX is committed to supporting our financial services customers to meet these challenges head on, helping them assure their account holders, investors and stakeholders that they are taking a strong, proactive approach to security, said Kim DeCarlis, CMO, PerimeterX. For more information, read the full report from the Aberdeen Group here . About PerimeterX PerimeterX is the leading provider of solutions that protect modern web apps at scale. Delivered as a service, the companys solutions detect risks to your web applications and proactively manage them, freeing you to focus on growth and innovation. The worlds largest and most reputable websites and mobile applications count on PerimeterX to safeguard their consumers digital experience. PerimeterX is headquartered in San Mateo, California, and at www.perimeterx.com . Media contact: Paula Brici Eskenzi PR paula@eskenzipr.com +1 949 677 6527 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] AM Best Revises Outlooks to Stable for ECM Insurance Group Members AM Best has revised the outlooks to stable from negative and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of "a" (Excellent) of Everett Cash Mutual Insurance Company (Everett Cash Mutual) and 1st Choice Advantage Insurance Company, Inc., which are the members of ECM Insurance Group (ECM). Concurrently, AM Best has revised the outlook to stable from negative for the Long-Term ICR and affirmed the FSR of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term ICR of "bbb+" (Good) of Ever-Greene Mutual Insurance Company (Ever-Greene), an affiliate of Everett Cash Mutual. The outlook of the FSR is stable. All companies are domiciled in Everett, PA. The ratings of ECM reflect the group's balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). The revised outlooks are based on the group's improved operating performance in recent years. The favorable turnaround is largely reflective of product and geographic expansion initiatives, improved results in the auto programs, enhanced pricing sophistication and continued profitable growth in Farm/Agriculture specialty business. Prospective operating performance metrics are expected to remain in line with the personal property composite, primarily driven by sustained profitability of the group's niche farm programs despite the impact from weather-related events. ECM maintains very strong overall balance sheet strength, supported by the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), partially offset by elevated net written premium and common stock leverage. ECM's neutral business profile reflects its niche market footprint with a focus on agricultural and select commercial operations. Business is produced in 18 states, with the largest being Pennsylvania. Management continues to focus on Farm/Agriculture expansion geographically and across multiple distribution channels to refine the business profile furter. AM Best considers ECM's ERM framework appropriate, with tolerances established for quantifiable risks, while qualitative risks are evaluated on the likelihood and potential impact of occurrence. The ratings of Ever-Greene reflect the company's balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its strong operating performance, very limited business profile and appropriate ERM. The revised Long-Term ICR outlook is based on Ever-Greene's improved operating performance in recent years driven by consistently profitable underwriting results, enhanced by a steady flow of net investment income. Prospective operating trends are expected to remain strong with low to moderate volatility of key performance metrics based on ECM's stabilized results. The company's balance sheet strength is supported by the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization as measured by BCAR, somewhat offset by its limited scale and financial flexibility. Ever-Greene's very limited business profile reflects its status as a reinsurer of commercial fire and inland marine business assumed from its affiliate, Everett Cash Mutual. The company's ERM is integrated into the risk management structure of ECM. The ratings of Ever-Greene are enhanced by its strategic role as a tax-exempt entity within the ECM organization. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings & Assessments. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2021 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005713/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Versaterm Public Safety Acquires JusticeTrax - Global Leader in Forensic Information Software and Services Versaterm Public Safety, defining the future of public safety software for more than 40 years while serving more than 65,000 Police, Fire and EMS professionals across North America, announced today the acquisition of JusticeTrax, Inc., the leading developer of laboratory information management systems (LIMS). With this acquisition, Versaterm extends its platform capabilities to include forensic science operations which currently support more than 100 law enforcement agencies across North America, The Caribbean, The Middle East and Australia. "JusticeTrax continues to set the standard for innovation in forensic case management software. Versaterm's law enforcement customers and the communities they serve will now have access to the most advanced forensic laboratory software products developed by leading scientists over the past 25 years," said Warren Loomis, CEO, Versaterm. "In today's environment, law enforcement agencies are facing unprecedented operational demands and we are committed to meeting their evolving needs. JusticeTrax marks our fourth acquisition this year - with each transaction enhancing the capabilities of our customers through an unmatched public safety software ecosystem." Designed by forensic scientists for forensic scientists, LIMS-plus covers all forensic disciplines and is the most widely used commercial-off-the-shelf solution for such critical operations. Other JusticeTrax offerings include LIMS-plus DNA, Consumables Inventory Management System, LIMS-plus Portal, and ChainLinx which are currently used across more than are 190 sites on five continents. "We are excited t be joining the Versaterm family," said Simon Key, CEO, JusticeTrax. "The inclusion of our forensic suite with Versaterm's product platform equips customers with the most sophisticated technology applications from the crime scene to the courtroom." Versaterm, a Banneker Partners company, continues to expand its portfolio of strategic acquisitions and enhancements to its public safety software platform. JusticeTrax joins SPIDR Tech, Adashi Systems, eJust Systems, and TechVoice as the latest software solution to become part of Versaterm's enterprise-wide platform designed to deliver the technology public safety professionals need to effectively and efficiently serve their communities. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Along with the full integration into the Versaterm vRMS, JusticeTrax's solutions will continue to be sold as a popular standalone platform in markets worldwide. ABOUT VERSATERM For more than 40 years, Versaterm Public Safety has defined the future of public safety software, delivering success to agencies, large and small, with a fully-integrated Computer Aided Dispatch System, Records Management System, Mobile Data Platform, Field Reporting and Citizen Engagement solutions. A Banneker Partners portfolio company, Versaterm's dedication to public safety is demonstrated by an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, development of innovative software solutions powered by advanced technologies and a team dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those sworn to serve. www.Versaterm.com ABOUT JUSTICETRAX Based in Mesa, Arizona, JusticeTrax, Inc. has been providing software to forensic science and law enforcement professionals since 1995. Our products allow for efficient, effective, and quality management of analytical and administrative data that staff can rely on for sound decision making. www.JusticeTrax.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005718/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Buy Now, Pay Later Leader Uplift Launches Partnership with Sixthman, Curator of Festival-style Cruise Experiences at Sea SUNNYVALE, Calif., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Uplift , the leading enterprise Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solution serving the world's top travel brands, has announced a new partnership with Sixthman - the industry leader in unforgettable music and lifestyle festivals at sea. Sixthman guests can now launch right into festival mode, booking directly via Sixthman and paying over time with surprise-free monthly installments through Uplift that can extend past their cruise date. Featuring well-known performers such as KISS, Kesha, and Melissa Etheridge, Sixthman festivals are unforgettable cruise vacation experiences that breakdown boundaries between guests and their favorite music artists, athletes, actors, and comedians. Festival goers have the opportunity to encounter truly immersive experiences, including unique concerts, activities with artists, and other activations over the course of their trip creating one-of-a-kind memories. No matter the preference - from rock music, to professional wrestling and beyond these festival experiences are truly a memorable adventure at sea. "The fundamental Sixthman core values of going above and beyond to both build community and provide amazing guest experiences continue to be central to all that we do," said Joy Todaro, Senior Manager Community Relations for Sixthman. "Partnering with Uplift allows us to set the stage to nurture and grow that community further by providing a range of flexible payment options to our guests. We are excited to make the unforgettable Sixthman experience even more attainable as we continue to grow our passionate fan bae." Uplift is currently available for any new cruise bookings by calling Sixthman directly at 1-877-749-8462 or for existing reservations via log-in to the guest's Sixthman account. On the horizon, Uplift installments will expand to 100% of all booking channels inclusive of new reservations on desktop and mobile. Customers will see the total cost at the time of booking along with the monthly payment amount making vacation budgeting effortless. There are no late fees or prepayment penalties and guests can travel even before completing all scheduled payments. Uplift partners with more than 200 of the world's leading airlines, cruise lines, resorts and other major travel brands to offer BNPL payment options that help people make meaningful purchases and get the most out of their travel experiences. Sixthman guests can pay through Uplift's flexible payment options for purchase amounts beginning at $300. For example, a guest may select a $2,000 multi-day cruise experience, and instead of paying the entire amount up front, customers apply for an interest-based loan and pay just $178 at the time of booking and spread the remaining cost over 11 easy monthly installments of $178. "We are delighted to add Sixthman, as another cruise partner offering Uplift's buy now pay later payment options," said Tom Botts, Chief Commercial Officer for Uplift. "The immersive festivals and events produced by Sixthman along with a dedicated community and avid following make Sixthman the ideal partner. We look forward to empowering their guests with a budget friendly way to experience this for themselves." Uplift's BNPL flexible payment options are now available for Sixthman bookings on their most popular festivals, beginning October 21, 2021 - For a full list of upcoming Sixthman cruises, festivals and travel experiences visit: https://www.sixthman.net/festivals . To utilize Uplift's flexible payment options call 1-877-749-8462. About Sixthman Since 2001 Sixthman, a Norwegian Cruise Line Subsidiary offering a unique festival-style cruise experience at Sea has set the stage for moments that make life rock, serving over 300,000 guest's unforgettable vacations on sand and at sea with their favorite artists, athletes, actors, comedians and brands. Holiday-makers have the unique opportunity to fully immerse themselves in interactive, carefully curated events that celebrate community all whilst taking in dream destinations including the Virgin Islands, Belize, Honduras, Mexico and The Bahamas. Sixthman fans now have the opportunity to select festivals at sea in Europe, sailing from Barcelona, Spain to exotic Mediterranean ports. Further excitement is just around the corner in 2022 with expansion to include festivals through the Greek Isles. About Uplift Uplift is the leading Buy Now, Pay Later solution that empowers people to get more out of life, one thoughtful purchase at a time. Serving the world's top enterprise level travel brands, Uplift's complete range of flexible payment options drive higher conversion and loyalty for partners, while giving customers a simple, surprise-free way to pay over time with no late or early payment fees. Uplift is currently available throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit Uplift.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/buy-now-pay-later-leader-uplift-launches-partnership-with-sixthman-curator-of-festival-style-cruise-experiences-at-sea-301364823.html SOURCE Uplift [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Symetra's Benefits Division Appoints Two New Vice Presidents-Voluntary Practice Lead and Life, Disability and Voluntary Underwriting Symetra Life Insurance Company today announced the appointments of two new vice presidents to its group Benefits Division: Craig Deep joins Symetra as vice president, Life, Disability and Voluntary Underwriting, and Michael Estep joins the company as vice president, Voluntary Practice Lead. Both executives report to Lisa Marecki, senior vice president of Symetra's Life and Disability (LAD) and Select Benefits voluntary benefits product lines. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005771/en/ Craig Deep joins Symetra's group Benefits Division as Vice President, Underwriting for its Life & Disability and Voluntary benefits lines. (Photo: Business Wire) As Voluntary Practice Lead, Mr. Estep will be responsible for growing Symetra's presence in the voluntary benefits marketplace, working closely with internal and external partners to drive execution of initiatives already underway and refining the Benefits Division's ongoing voluntary benefits strategy. Mr. Deep will head all underwriting activities across both the life and disability and voluntary lines with responsibility for profitable growth, working closely with te division's distribution team and external partners. "Symetra's goal is to be a leading and differentiating provider of voluntary products and services that support the diverse needs of employers looking to balance the growing cost of providing benefits to their employees with ensuring access to solutions that meet consumer lifestyle differences, are attractive to multiple generations of workers, and help protect their financial wellbeing. I'm pleased to have Michael and Craig on board to help drive our vision forward," said Ms. Marecki. "Michael brings a tremendous amount of knowledge around voluntary product development, enrollment strategies and capabilities needed in the marketplace. Craig combines a robust technical background with a proven ability to foster strong partnerships both internally and externally with a creative, solution-oriented approach to profitable and strategic growth." Mr. Deep joins Symetra from The Hartford, where he was assistant vice president of priority and regional account underwriting and played an integral role in the integration and conversion of the Aetna Group Insurance acquisition. His extensive benefits background also includes roles at Aetna, where he was senior director, middle market underwriting, responsible for employer groups 3,000 lives and under, and Cigna, where he was national accounts director, focused on growth and persistency through strategic integrated healthcare and disability packaging. Mr. Estep brings over 20 years' experience in the group benefits marketplace to his new role at Symetra. Most recently, he was vice president, group product and voluntary practice lead at the Guardian Life Insurance Company, where he led the strategic plan development and build out of the voluntary benefits business, growing their supplemental health block from $50M to $200M over a four-year period. Previously, he was with AIG, where he led their voluntary product management and development team. Symetra offers group life, disability, absence management and stop loss insurance coverage. Its Select Benefits voluntary product suite includes accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance, as well as GapAssist, a package of accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity benefits designed to complement any other plan, including major medical coverage paired with an HSA. Earlier this year, Symetra introduced an innovative new critical illness insurance product with a flexible plan design that gives employers the ability to tailor coverage to the needs of their specific workforce. Symetra Critical Illness offers a unique 'life stage' approach allowing employees of all ages to get the financial support they need to navigate major life events. About Symetra Symetra Life Insurance Company is a subsidiary of Symetra Financial Corporation, a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Washington. In business since 1957, Symetra provides employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through a national network of benefit consultants, financial institutions, and independent financial professionals and insurance producers. For more information, visit www.symetra.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005771/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Kramer Chevrolet and Subaru Hosts Military Appreciation Event and Car Show On September 11th, 2021 Kramer Chevrolet and Kramer Subaru will be hosting their 15th annual customer and military appreciation event and car show. A free-will donation is encouraged by attendees, with all proceeds benefiting the North Dakota National Guard Emergency Relief Fund. To thank customers and solicit support for those who serve(d), the community is invited to Kramer Chevrolet for complimentary food and festivities. This day also marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack, Kramer is hoping to exceed previous years' donations for this incredible cause. With the current events and the struggles of the last couple years, it's more important than ever to give support to the people who need it most, our military troops, veterans, and their families. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005856/en/ On September 11th, 2021 Kramer Chevrolet and Kramer Subaru will be hosting their 15th annual customer and military appreciation even and car show. A free-will donation is encouraged by attendees, with all proceeds benefiting the North Dakota National Guard Emergency Relief Fund. To thank customers and solicit support for those who serve(d), the community is invited to Kramer Chevrolet for complimentary food and festivities. This day also marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack, Kramer is hoping to exceed previous years' donations for this incredible cause. (Graphic: Business Wire) Terry Weszner, managing partner of Kramer Chevrolet and Kramer Subaru, is looking forward to the event after a year off due to Covid-19 restrictions. "This is our 15th year hosting this event, and a very special year since it's the 20th anniversary to the day of 9/11. It will be great to see some classic cars and show our support after that year off," said Weszner. During the event there will be free food, a silent auction, car show, and festivities. To get involved, Kramer Chevrolet is seeking both monetary and silent auction donations, with all proceeds going directly to the cause. The event takes place at Kramer Chevrolet. The car show registration begins at 10am, with dash plates for the first 100 registrants ,and will conclude at 1pm to tally votes. Awards include top 10 people's choice, and best in show! To donate or register for the car show, contact Kendra or Tiffany at 701-663-9851. "This money goes directly to the Military Emergency Relief Fund and it's extremely important, especially with the current events. Our goal is to raise $50,000 to get into the hands of the people who need it most," said Chuck Kramer, COO of Foundation Automotive. The Military Emergency Relief Fund is a non-profit charitable organization whose purpose is to provide financial support in sudden and unforeseen emergency situations. The organization supports the North Dakota National Guard soldiers and airmen, as well as their dependents. Kramer Chevrolet and Subaru joined Foundation Automotive Corp. in 2019. Foundation is a family business that will continue to give back to North Dakota with frequent giveaways to local residents, working with local charities, fundraising, and unrivaled community focus and involvement. Foundation actively supports current troops and veterans and will be pulling out all stops for this event with a goal to raise $50,000. Foundation Automotive is currently hiring in most departments and excited to offer programs for veterans to get back to work with tremendous support and training from the Foundation family. Current opportunities and contact information available at careers.foundationauto.com. Kramer Chevrolet and Subaru are locally operated, full-service dealerships in Mandan ND offering an extensive inventory of new and used vehicles. They strive to be an industry leader in providing unmatched quality automotive products and services. Kramer Chevrolet, Kramer Subaru, and Foundation Automotive's mission is to exceed customers' and employees' expectations and maintain lifetime loyalty. Find more information on their websites https://www.kramerchevrolet.com/ and https://www.kramersubaru.com/ or follow their facebook page for up-to-date promotions, events, and giveaways. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005856/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] NASA Leadership to Call Space Station Crew WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy will speak with astronauts aboard the International Space Station from the Mission Control Center at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston Thursday, Sept. 2. NASA will provide live coverage of the call from the Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center starting at 10 a.m. EDT on NASA Television, the NASA app, and agency's website. The conversation will begin at 10:25 a.m. with: NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough , Megan cArthur , and Mark Vande Hei . , , and . JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide . . ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet. Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Oleg Novitskiy . Johnson to discuss the critical role of the International Space Station's operations in low-Earth orbit as well as the center's work for NASA's Artemis program to build a long-term human presence on and around the Moon in preparation for the agency's next giant leap to Mars. Members of Congress representing Texas, including Reps. Brian Babin, Al Green, Sheila Jackson Lee, and Randy Weber, will accompany Nelson and Johnson Director Vanessa Wyche to mission control. Johnson is home to NASA's offices overseeing operations related to the International Space Station, Orion spacecraft, Gateway lunar outpost, and the Commercial Low Earth Orbit programs. It also serves as the primary training facility for NASA's astronauts preparing for missions to the space station on commercial spacecraft and for flights aboard the Orion spacecraft as part of Artemis missions to the Moon. Learn more about NASA's Johnson Space Center at: http://www.nasa.gov/johnson To find out about NASA human space exploration programs, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/topics/moon-to-mars View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-leadership-to-call-space-station-crew-301366444.html SOURCE NASA [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Inszone Insurance Services Announced Acquisition of Summit Insurance Group and Expansion into the Missouri Market Inszone Insurance Services, a rapidly growing, national provider of benefits, personal and commercial lines insurance, announced today the acquisition of Summit Insurance Group, and with it the company's expansion into Missouri. Entrance into Missouri is part of an expansion of the Company's strategic business goals, as it looks to expand into the Midwest Region of the United States. "As our company continues to grow, we are looking to give Inszone a wider footprint across the country, providing more service options to our customers," said Norm Hudson, CEO of Inszone Insurance. "The acquisition of Summit Insurance Group is an exciting opportunity to expand into the Midwest and enter the exciting and growing market that is Missouri. We are excited for the many geographical advantages that come with an office in this area of the country." Founded by George Bermel, Summit Insurance Group has been serving Lee's Summit, Missouri, and surrounding areas sincethe late 1930s. The first agency in the Kansas City Stockyard, Summit Insurance Group has a strong rooted local presence; throughout all these years the team at Summit Insurance Group has been focused on providing quality service and building lasting relationships with all their customers. Following the transition, Summit Insurance Group employees will continue operating out of their current location in Lee's Summit under the leadership of Jennifer Turner. Inszone Insurance is expected to announce a number of important acquisitions in the upcoming months as it continues to build its national presence. About Inszone: Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Sacramento, California, Inszone is a full-service insurance brokerage firm which provides a broad array of property & casualty along with employee benefits solutions. With a strong, experienced management team, Inszone continues to organically grow, as well as through acquisitions. With 19 locations across California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado and Missouri, the company is looking to further expand throughout the United States. For more information about Inszone, please visit www.inszoneinsurance.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005258/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Marks Rail Safety Month in September with Efforts to Increase Awareness Online ORANGE, Calif., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of Rail Safety Month and Rail Safety Week in September, the Los Angeles San Diego San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, which manages the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service, is elevating educational resources and tools that can help individuals stay safe around railroad tracks. Digital tools are available on the Pacific Surfliner website including activities for kids, lesson plans for teachers and parents, and downloadable presentations developed by Operation Lifesaver and California Operation Lifesaver (CAOL), two non-profit entities that work year-round to promote rail safety. CAOL will also host the second annual social media rail safety awreness campaign called Rail Safety Partners Raising Awareness to Save Lives. Followers across all channels can join in taking "the pledge" to make safe decisions near trains and railroad tracks and share the message using the hashtag: #SaveLivesTell5. "Rail Safety Month is a great time for all of us to come together and highlight the importance of being vigilant around the railroad tracks," said Donna DeMartino, Managing Director of the LOSSAN Agency. "It is our honor to support this initiative and help educate the public. We cannot stress enough that walking, jogging, and taking pictures on or near the tracks is not only illegal, but also very dangerous." September is Rail Safety Month in California, and September 20 26 is Rail Safety Week across the nation. California leads the nation in annual fatalities due to highway-rail grade crossing and trespassing incidents, according to CAOL and the Federal Railroad Administration. Most incidents are preventable by following simple safety rules, including: Never walk on or along train tracks; it's illegal trespassing and highly dangerous. Cross train tracks only at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings, and obey all warning signs and signals posted there. Stay alert around railroad tracks. Don't use your phone, wear headphones or let other things distract you and possibly prevent you from hearing an approaching train. Report suspicious items, persons, or activity immediately to the Amtrak Police Department uniformed officers, calling (800) 331-0008, sending a text to APD11 (27311), or by calling 911. "California Operation Lifesaver is dedicated to raising awareness during Rail Safety Month and all year long. We greatly appreciate our partnership with Pacific Surfliner and our mutual commitment to saving lives with rail safety education. We ask Californians to make safe decisions near tracks and trains and ask them to share rail safety messages with their family and friends." emphasized Executive Director of California Operation Lifesaver, Nancy Sheehan. The Pacific Surfliner encourages passengers to follow safety measures and important public health orders in place during their trip and at their destination. This includes wearing a mask at stations and onboard trains at all times, washing hands or using sanitizer often, and staying home if they are feeling sick. Visit Pacific Surfliner's website for additional information. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amtrak-pacific-surfliner-marks-rail-safety-month-in-september-with-efforts-to-increase-awareness-online-301366447.html SOURCE Amtrak Pacific Surfliner [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Health Net's Martha Santana-Chin Named "Insurance Executive of the Year" by the Los Angeles Business Journal Martha Santana-Chin, Medi-Cal President of Health Net, has been has been named "Insurance Executive of the Year" by the Los Angeles Business Journal. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005164/en/ Martha Santana-Chin, Health Net Medi-Cal President (Photo: Business Wire) The business journal recently announced its 2021 Health Care Leadership Awards, which recognized Santana-Chin and 15 other organizations and individuals in Los Angeles for their contributions to the health care sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. In her role as Health Net's Medi-Cal President, Santana-Chin provides executive oversight to the plan's Medi-Cal program, which serves low-income adults, seniors, pregnant women, children, foster children, undocumented residents, and persons with disabilities. Her accomplishments throughout the pandemic include a variety of strategic, operational, and technological achievements that helped members and residents access high-quality, affordable care: Recognized the key role telemedicine would play for Californians during the pandemic . Within seven weeks of the state's shelter-at-home orders, Santana-Chin's team launched digital telemedicine for all 2 million Health Net Medi-Cal members, so they could easily and conveniently access care safely from their smart phones or computers. . Within seven weeks of the state's shelter-at-home orders, Santana-Chin's team launched digital telemedicine for all 2 million Health Net Medi-Cal members, so they could easily and conveniently access care safely from their smart phones or computers. Helped Medi-Cal providers and clinics launch or expand telemedicine. Health Net awarded 138 grants , totaling $13.4 million, to independent provider practices, rural health centers, community clinics, Indian health centers, and others across the state. At the time, it was the largest cash grant program focused on this cause and awarded by a California health plan. Health Net awarded 138 grants totaling $13.4 million, to independent provider practices, rural health centers, community clinics, Indian health centers, and others across the state. At the time, it was the largest cash grant program focused on this cause and awarded by a California health plan. Oversaw Health Net's Mobile RV Vaccination Initiative to help vaccinate largely Black and Brown communities. The company partnered with San Bernardino County and safety net clinics in Los Angeles and Sacramento counties to co-host more than 90 vaccination clinics. Health Net's Mobile RV team administered more than 9,000 vaccines. The company partnered with San Bernardino County and safety net clinics in Los Angeles and Sacramento counties to co-host more than 90 vaccination clinics. Health Net's Mobile RV team administered more than 9,000 vaccines. Led a data analytics initiative to predict which members lacked access to basic necessities during the pandemic - and then connected them to needed resources. The company contacted members and arranged services, ranging from food delivery from a local food bank, transportation to doctors' appointments, and buying clothes for homebound members. The company contacted members and arranged services, ranging from food delivery from a local food bank, transportation to doctors' appointments, and buying clothes for homebound members. Enhanced Health Net's Medi-Cal Regional Leadership Team Structure. The health plan recently announced a new regional model and leadership structure to ensure every community has regional leadership and improved access to high-quality care and services. "It's an honor to be recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal and to share this recognition with industry peers for their work and dedication during the pandemic," said Santana-Chin. "I am incredibly proud of Health Net's work to date, but as our state faces the Delta variant threat, there's still much work to be done. Health Net remains committed to helping our members access high-quality care and services throughout the pandemic and beyond." Health Net's History and Expertise with Medi-Cal Health Net was founded more than 40 years ago in California and is one of the state's longest-serving and most experienced Medi-Cal partners. Today, two-thirds of the company's 3 million members are Medi-Cal enrollees. To learn more, visit: http://bridgingthedivideca.com/. About Health Net At Health Net, we believe every person deserves a safety net for their health, regardless of age, income, employment status or current state of health. Founded in California more than 40 years ago, we're dedicated to transforming the health of our community, one person at a time. Today, Health Net's 2,600 employees and 85,000 network providers serve 3 million members. That's nearly 1 in 12 Californians. We provide health plans for individuals, families, businesses of every size and people who qualify for Medi-Cal or Medicare - Coverage for Every Stage of LifeTM. Health Net also offers access to substance abuse programs, behavioral health services, employee assistance programs and managed health care products related to prescription drugs. We offer these health plans and services through Health Net, LLC and its subsidiaries: Health Net of California, Inc., Health Net Life Insurance Company and Health Net Community Solutions, Inc. These entities are wholly owned subsidiaries of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), a Fortune 25 company that offers affordable and high-quality products to nearly 1 in 15 individuals across the nation. For more information, visit HealthNet.Com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005164/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] OneRail Raises $9M Series A Round Led by Ironspring Ventures to Leverage Record 10x YoY Revenue Growth in Final Mile Delivery Fulfillment OneRail, a leading final mile delivery fulfillment SaaS (News - Alert) platform, announced today that the company has closed a $9 million Series A investment led by Ironspring Ventures, an early stage venture capital fund focused on investing in digital industrial supply chain innovation. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005539/en/ OneRail Leadership Team (L to R) Jeff Flowers COO/CFO, Lisa Catania VP of Customer Sucess/Founder, and Bill Catania CEO/Founder. OneRail is a team of technologists, retail tech pioneers, and supply chain experts who have built and scaled large enterprise networks across several industry verticals. Learn more @ OneRail.com. (Photo: Business Wire) "Final mile logistics has only become more critical to shippers as they face even further enhanced E-Commerce customer experience expectations. OneRail's 10 times year-over-year revenue growth with major Fortune 500 customers is indicative of how well this team has executed to establish clear product market fit," said Ironspring Ventures Managing Partner Ty Findley. Findley will be joining the OneRail Board of Directors. OneRail solves final mile delivery logistics more comprehensively than any other offering in the space, with a 3-in-1 approach firmly establishing them as the top-tier solution for Retailers, Healthcare Networks and Product Distributors, as well as the Construction and Materials ecosystem. Between an unparalleled national courier network of 7.5 million drivers across 200 major U.S. cities, an API-driven smart-matching delivery operating system and a 24/7/365 exceptions management team - known as Exceptions Assist - OneRail combines best-in-class technology with the critical human element. The platform's on-time delivery rate is 98.6 percent, and its exceptions rate is virtually zero. "We are very thankful for the show of faith that Ironspring Ventures and our valued investors have placed in us as we continue to execute upon our vision of transforming final mile logistics," said OneRail Founder & CEO Bill Catania. "This next chapter is all about scale - and the infrastructure needed to execute a true omnichannel strategy." With the additional capital, OneRail plans to further accelerate the digital transformation of our customers' supply chains, providing even more competitive advantage in the marketplace. The past 18 months have been a hypergrowth story for the Orlando-based company, closing out $21.5 million in financing, growing its team from nine to 80, and enjoying over 10x YoY revenue growth - all of which provide direct evidence of the shift in consumer shopping behavior, and the resulting commercial demand to create a more dependable, modern and affordable delivery fulfillment solution. "Our overall experience with OneRail has been seamless. The OneRail solution has allowed Milton Cat the ability to offer our customers a final mile delivery service that customers see value in and are willing to pay for. From their on-demand support team to making 30-minute pickups a reality, OneRail has provided Milton Cat with a truly differentiated solution to support and grow our customer service capabilities," said Chris Milton, Milton Cat CEO. The startup's Logistics Partner Network - a managed marketplace that seamlessly benefits both shippers and courier businesses - grew by 4 million from last year. Carrier partners such as Frayt, Hailify, Lyft, SkipCart, Epic1, Dropoff, DoorDash and more look to OneRail to serve as or support their own fleet to scale their businesses, while shippers across Retail, Product Manufacturing, Construction, Health Care Networks and more rely OneRail's impeccable delivery service levels to delight their customers. "OneRail is an amazing partner to Hailify; we couldn't have asked for a better partner!" said Nick Bhashyam, CEO of Hailify. "The team at OneRail is kind and collaborative. It has been inspiring to watch them grow so quickly, and it is only a testament to the team at OneRail. We have loved working, growing and scaling with them over the last year, and we are excited to continue to grow together!" Gaingels joined Ironspring Ventures as new investors in the round. The company's current investors, including Chicago Ventures, Bullpen Capital, Las Olas Venture Capital, CreativeCo Capital and Alpine Meridian Ventures, all participated in the round. The new capital investment in OneRail will accelerate the company's rapid growth in the final mile logistics market that contributes $417 billion annually to GDP in the United States alone. OneRail plans to expand its customer success team, delivery operating system capabilities and Logistics Partner Network, while activating key partnerships, notably with SAP through its recent integration with SAP (News - Alert) Commerce Cloud, now available in the SAP Store. About OneRail Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, OneRail solves last mile delivery logistics more comprehensively than any other offering in the space, with a 3-in-1 approach that improves dependability, speed and cost. Between its massive national courier network of 7.5 million drivers, its API-driven smart-matching platform and its 24/7 exceptions management team, OneRail combines best-in-technology with the critical human element to streamline last mile workflow. Available as a standalone platform or easily integrated with an existing TMS, OneRail helps global brands across Retail, Healthcare, Construction and Materials, and more optimize their supply chain and experience real-time visibility and an on-time delivery rate of 98.6 percent. To learn more about OneRail, visit OneRail.com. About Ironspring Ventures Ironspring Ventures is a venture capital fund investing in digital industrial supply chain innovation. The fund's sector-focused approach partners with world-class founders and teams who are revolutionizing the way we design, build, distribute and operate in the physical world. Learn more at ironspring.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005539/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Kids Learning Philanthropy With Help From BusyKid BusyKid believes to be financially successful in life, kids must learn from an early age how to earn, save, share, spend and invest. This balanced approach doesn't come naturally and it's not taught in schools. That is why the BusyKid app has been designed to help the next generations start developing an understanding, as well as, a solid routine to be better at managing money. BusyKid has several unique features, but one of the most popular lets a child donate a portion of allowance to one of nearly 50 listed national or regional charities. Matter of fact, the company is announcing the latest group of organizations now listed - Agrarian Trust, Arizona Diabetes Foundation, American Respiratory Care Foundation, Safe Families for Children and The CE Shop. As the first app that allowed kids to earn, save, share, spend and invest real allowance by completing weekly chores and activities, BusyKid has already helped its kids donate nearly $100,000. "The world has been crazy recently, but we continue to hear from parents that they want something that provides motivation, structure and basic financial education for their children," says BusyKid CEO Gregg Murset. "Our app easily meets those needs, but it's the need for financial education that is most important. Kids need to learn how to deal with money issues long before high school. This includes the need to be philanthropic. We welcome these wonderful charities to our platform and hope our community will make them part of their regular sharing routine." Agrarian Trust Agrarian Trust's mission is to support land access for next generation farmers. It encourages and assists the transfer of farmland to the next generation of sustaiable farmers and ranchers. They propose to act through internal efforts and external partnerships, and to build the issue, strengthening the network of stakeholders (entering and retiring farmers, farm service providers, and others). Arizona Diabetes Foundation The goals of the Arizona Diabetes Foundation are to provide innovative educational programs for at risk targeted populations and to improve the diabetic care of individuals in the State of Arizona. The moving force behind the work of the American Diabetes Association is a network of more than 565,000 volunteers, their families and caregivers, a professional society of nearly 20,000 health care professionals, as well as more than 250 staff members. The American Respiratory Care Foundation The American Respiratory Care Foundation is a nonprofit organization formed for the purpose of supporting research, education, and charitable activities. The ARCF seeks to educate the public about respiratory health, assist in the training and continuing education of health care providers, and improve the quality of our environment. Safe Families for Children Safe Families for Children is a volunteer-driven nonprofit that provides hope and support to families in crisis. They work to (1) Keep children safe during a family crisis, (2) Support, and stabilize families by surrounding them with a caring, compassionate community, and (3) Reunite families and reduce the number of children entering the child welfare system. The CE Shop Foundation Over 30 million children across the United States participate in reduced or no-cost school lunch programs, and many of them go without food on the weekends. The CE Shop Foundation is committed to eliminating childhood hunger by collecting funds for school-aged backpack programs in cooperation with elementary schools and a local non-profit organization, Food For Thought. About BusyKid BusyKid is available for all mobile devices and is easy to use, highly secure and provides kids hands-on experience in managing real money. Children learn the important basic financial principles they won't learn in school through the app that provides real "teachable moments" for kids. It's perfect for kids 5-16, though kids/teens younger and older are using it. The Family Plan is just $19.99/yr and includes one free BusyKid Visa Prepaid Spend Card and no fees for investing. The card allows children to spend their allowance in stores or online with prior approval of parents. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005899/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] River City Bank Earns Investment Grade Rating From S&P Global Ratings River City Bank, Sacramento's premier business bank and consistently one of the region's fastest growing companies, has announced that S&P Global Ratings (S&P) has assigned it an investment grade long-term rating of BBB-. This rating reflects the bank's strong credit performance in recent years, including through the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as its experienced management team, large loan loss reserve balances and low loan-to-value on its commercial real estate (CRE) loans. S&P's outlook for the bank also underscores its stability, operational efficiency and solid earnings capacity for the next two years or more. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005922/en/ Northern California-based River City Bnk has earned an investment grade rating of BBB- from S&P Global Ratings, a leading provider of credit assessments and ratings worldwide. (Photo: Business Wire) "We are excited to announce our investment grade rating from S&P Global, one of the undisputed leaders in credit ratings on the global stage," said Steve Fleming, President and CEO of River City Bank. "River City Bank is now one of the only banks in the nation with an asset size under five billion dollars to have secured an investment grade rating from S&P." River City Bank has been named one of Sacramento Business Journal's "50 Fastest Growing Companies" for five consecutive years. Over the past five years, it has experienced average annual compounded loan growth of 18 percent. In addition to commercial real estate loan growth, a significant portion of the bank's growth has been due to the expansion of the bank's Clean Energy (News - Alert) Division across California. In its release, S&P noted, "Overall asset quality has performed well in recent years--in fact, better than peers.' The bank reported no nonperforming assets (NPAs) as of June 30, 2021, and it hasn't had positive net charge-offs since 2015." According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, River City Bank ranked 19th among the nation's best-performing community banks with asset size between $3B and $10B in 2020. S&P Global Market Intelligence and S&P Global Ratings are separately managed divisions of S&P Global. For more information about River City Bank, visit RiverCityBank.com. About River City Bank Named one of Sacramento Business Journal's "50 Fastest Growing Companies" for the past five years, River City Bank is the Sacramento region's premier business bank with assets of almost $3.4 billion. River City Bank offers a comprehensive suite of banking services, including loans, deposits and cash management tools to the business, consumer and commercial real estate sectors. With tailored, executive-level service, an investment grade credit rating from S&P Global Ratings, and a "Superior" financial rating from the nation's leading independent bank-rating firm, Bauer Financial, River City Bank redefines the banking experience and every touch point that surrounds it. River City Bank is the largest, independent, locally-owned and managed bank in the Sacramento region with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and a presence in Southern California. For additional information, please visit RiverCityBank.com or call (916) 567-2600. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005922/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] The Primerica Foundation Donates $25,000 to Blessings in a Backpack Orlando Chapter The Primerica Foundation has announced a $25,000 donation to the Blessings in a Backpack Orlando Chapter to help feed elementary school children who might otherwise go hungry on the weekends. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005971/en/ Left to right: Peter Schneider, Primerica President; Sarah Carlson, Managing Director - Blessings in a Backpack - Orlando; and Kathryn Kieser, Primerica Executive Vice President and Chair of The Primerica Foundation. (Photo: Business Wire) "The Primerica Foundation focuses on helping families meet their critical needs and becoming self-sufficient in order to build a more secure financial future," said Kathryn Kieser, Primerica Executive Vice President and Chair of The Primerica Foundation. "We are proud to support Blessings in a Backpack in their efforts to feed thousands of hungry school children in Central Florida every weekend." "This gift could not ave come at a better time," said Sarah Carlson, Managing Director, Blessings in a Backpack Orlando Chapter. "Since school has resumed, many of our existing programs have requested an increase in service to provide Blessings in a Backpack for more students, and requests for new programs continue to come in each week. This gift will allow us to provide food on the weekends for 200 additional children every weekend of this school year. We are truly grateful to The Primerica Foundation, and we absolutely love their practice of leaving good wherever they go." About Blessings in a Backpack Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry. As closures caused by COVID-19 lead to a rise in unemployment and poverty, it is projected that 18 MILLION CHILDREN* are experiencing food insecurity. That's one in four American children who may be struggling with access to food. In Central Florida, that figure is closer to one in three. The consequences of hunger are much more than a growling stomach. Poor nutrition can result in a weaker immune system, increased hospitalization, lower IQ, shorter attention spans, and lower academic achievement. Children are fed during the school week by federal government programs. We want to make sure they're getting nutritional meals over the weekend, too, so that they can show up for school on Monday nourished and ready to learn. For more information, please visit Orlando.blessingsinabackpack.org. About Primerica, Inc. Primerica, Inc., headquartered in Duluth, GA, is a leading provider of financial services to middle-income households in the United States and Canada. Independent licensed representatives educate Primerica clients about how to better prepare for a more secure financial future by assessing their needs and providing appropriate solutions through term life insurance and mutual funds, annuities and other financial products. Primerica insured over 5.5 million lives and had approximately 2.6 million client investment accounts at December 31, 2020. Primerica, through its insurance company subsidiaries, was the #2 issuer of Term Life insurance coverage in North America in 2020. Primerca stock is included in the S&P MidCap 400 and the Russell 1000 stock indices and is traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "PRI." View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005971/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] American Equity CEO Anant Bhalla to Participate in Fireside Chat at 2021 Virtual KBW Insurance Conference American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (NYSE: AEL), today announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Anant Bhalla, will participate in a fireside chat at the 2021 Virtual KBW Insurance Conference on Friday, September 10 at 10:30 a.m. ET. The fireside chat may include comments on the Company's financial condition and results, business, investments, operations, and strategy. The call may also include forward-looking statements regarding future performance using terms such as believe, expect, intend, may, plan, strategy, or similar words, as well as specific projections of future results. These statements will be based on assumptions and expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, including the "Risk Factors" the Company describes in its U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The Company's future results could differ, and it has no oblgation to correct or update any such statements. Interested parties may access a webcast of this discussion on American Equity's website at www.american-equity.com. A replay will be made available for 30 days shortly following the discussion. ABOUT AMERICAN EQUITY American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is a leading issuer of fixed index annuities through independent agents, banks and broker-dealers. American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, a New York Stock Exchange listed company (NYSE: AEL), is headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa. For more information, please visit www.american-equity.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005881/en/ [August 31, 2021] Innovate5G Achieves Breakthrough by Completing First Successful Commercial North American Call on Mid-band 5G Standalone Network Innovate5G has completed a successful mid-band call on a 5G standalone (SA) network in collaboration with Nokia (News - Alert) and Athonet. The successful call means enterprises designing for 5G can now test their applications in an actual 5G environment to better understand performance, security, and network resource usage. Innovate5G made the call in Frequency Range 1 (FR1) on Broadband Radio Service (BRS) n41 using Nokia's AirScale Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) and Athonet's 5G SA Core Network. The call solidifies the lab's support for mid-band 5G SA, allowing Innovate5G to test and prove 5G applications, whether they be from other 5G economies using mid-band, U.S.-based enterprise applications optimized for 5G, or native 5G applications like mixed and virtual reality (XR). Existing in the 5G mid-band at 2.5 MHz, n41 is the same time division duplex (TDD) frequency used by many universities and the Department of Defense. "To put this accomplishment into perspective, a developer designing for 5G would literally have to drive around to try to latch on to a 5G network to test their application, and even then, they're still not going to have any meaningful/definitive information about performance," said Rashmi Varma, chief technology officer of Innovate5G. "In addition, the networks they may find are still migrating from 4G and are not yet pure 5G networks. This call means we can now provide 5G access to developers wanting to test in the actual environment, while also providing the metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to help understand metrics like round-trip time and latency." Earlier this summer, Innovate5G launched its In5Genius platform to provide developers cloud-based access to an environment for testing and certifying their 5G applications in 5G, allowing for a new level of access and flexibility. The platform, a cloud lab, gives assurance of capability at launch and supports the journey for developers to improve their apps. "This multiple vendor collaboration opens the 'go to market' journey, helping developers understand things like jitter, delays and video quality when it comes to their 5G applications," added Ed Alfonso, EVP and GM of Mobile Networks for Nokia Americas. "If you build it and want to know how it works, we have created the place to come test your 5G mid-band applications with this first commercially available TDD radio integration in SA 5G leveraging Nokia's RAN infrastructure." Since Innovate5G's slice capable lab allows developers to log in remotely, it has remained accessible as other labs have shuttered due to COVID. Most consumers think of 5G in terms of one of the carrier networks, which are still migrating, but enterprise applications on SA etworks present a significant enterprise opportunity. Private enterprise networks like those for healthcare, transportation, and industry 4.0 are ideal for 5G given its high-frequency bandwidths, and stand to benefit greatly from the enhanced technology and spectrum. "This test call validates Innovate5G's vision to provide a pathway forward to 5G," continued Gianluca Verin, chief technology officer of Athonet. "Our 5G mobile core is built for business-critical applications to connect a multitude of devices and sensors, allowing developers to put their ideas into action and leverage the incredible potential of 5G. This collaboration with Innovate5G and Nokia makes it possible for anyone to gain access." The In5Genius platform has already facilitated testing for health and wellness and Internet of Things (IoT) industries, aggregating KPIs like performance, compatibility, efficiency, reliability, and adaptability. This insight means apps can be designed to what the network offers. Housed in Richardson's (News - Alert) Innovation Quarter (IQ), Innovate5G's actual lab where the call was completed, can be accessed anywhere in the world for 5G testing of over-the-top (OTT) applications being adapted for 5G and other native 5G applications. "The Richardson IQ is a living laboratory for big ideas and groundbreaking technology, and Innovate5G is a prime example of the success that stems from our collaborative, forward-thinking community," added Doug McDonald, strategic initiatives manager for the City of Richardson. "The IQ fosters and supports the work of entrepreneurs like Innovate5G, allowing them to thrive and achieve the initiatives like this multi-vendor call. We're honored to be home to this pioneering event and the future innovation it will facilitate." About Innovate5G Innovate5G enables application-centric networks with a focus on the business outcome and helps clients optimize products for 5th generation wireless environments. Founded in 2019, Innovate5G's mission is to open up the 5G ecosystem beyond traditional players and eliminate barriers for developers to test their ideas and products. Innovate5G operates a cloud-based platform that tests, certifies, and integrates 5G applications. More information is available at www.innovate5g.com. About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs (News - Alert) . Adhering to the highest standards of integrity and security, we help build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable and inclusive world. About Athonet Athonet is a leader in private cellular network technology delivering a mobile core to enterprises and communication service providers to connect applications, devices and radios. With more than 10 years of experience in delivering 4G/5G mobile core solutions to customers and partners in every region of the world, Athonet supports key industries where network control, mobility, security, performance, and cost are important for business outcomes. Find out more at www.athonet.com. About the Richardson Innovation Quarter The Richardson Innovation Quarter, also known simply as Richardson IQ or The IQ, is a 1,200-acre urban hub in Richardson, Texas, with a rich heritage of innovation and entrepreneurship. As Texas' premier tech hub, The IQ is the City of Richardson's living laboratory for big ideas and groundbreaking technology. The IQ today is home to technology-related start-ups, corporate research and development, manufacturers, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, restaurants, entrepreneurs, designers, researchers, inventors, educators and students. With over 19,000 workers and more than 1,000 businesses, The IQ spurs the creativity and collaboration that drives innovation and growth. For more information, visit richardsoniq.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831005997/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] The Thin Blue Line Foundation to Host Inaugural Backin' the Badges Motorcycle Rally with Approximately 100 Riders and 5 Bands Sept. 3 and Sept. 4 in Bastrop, Texas: Event Supports First Responders The Thin Blue Line Foundation is hosting its Inaugural Backin' the Badges Motorcycle Rally and Music Fest Sept. 3 and Sept. 4 at Fisherman's Park in Bastrop, Texas, near Austin. The Thin Blue Line Foundation is seeking to attract motorcycle riders and others who support the organization's mission of providing financial and emotional support for law enforcement personnel as well as first responders and healthcare workers. Backin' the Badges Rally weekend activities include performances by five bands, motorcycle games, the Honor Ride for Heroes, a Bike Show, a Jeep Show, and event sponsor booths offering an extensive range of products and services. Event schedule, registration for riders, and general admission ticketing details are available online at www.backinthebadgesrally.com. Law enforcement personnel and other first responders will be admitted free along with one guest on Friday, Sept. 3. Valid credentials must be provided. Gate times for Friday, Sept. 3, are 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. General admission fees are $10 per person. On Saturday, Sept. 4, gate times are 1 p.m. to midnight. General admission tickets are $15. Children under five years of age are admitted for free. The fee for a general admission two-day pass is $25 for adults. Patrons must show their online receipt when checking in. Most Backin' the Badges Rally participants are law enforcement officers or family and friends of law enforcement officers from Bastrop and the metro areas of Austin, Bryan-College Station, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. An escort by San Antonio Police Department and Bexar County Sheriff's Office will escort the Honor Ride for Heroes on Saturday. Bastrop Police Officers and SparTex Protection Solutions, LLC., will be on site for safety and security purposes. Emergency Medical Service also will support the event. Backin' the Badges Rally supporters include Visit Bastrop Texas, Relentless Defender, Headwaters for Heroes, Ranch Harley-Davidson, Walker Texas Lawyer, Covert Chevrolet, Texas Association of First Responders, Bluebonnet Electric, Badd Azz Bikes, Texaswood, CDS Designs, Class VI Woodworks, Back Rhodes Customs, Riders Biker Supply, Canopy of Stars Travel, Aid to Injured Motorcyclists, Texan Sewn, Bastrop Association of Sheriffs Employee's, First National Bank, Hodge Podge Enterprise, Fans & Friends, Bastrop County Emergency Services District #2, and Camp Gladiator. Katy Independent School District Police Officer Luis Santiago, founder of the Teddy Cops Program, will appear in character as Teddy Cop Bear to raise awareness of Autism, and the Devil's Brew girls will be passing out samples of a new line of whiskey. Pennino and Partners is providing pro bono public relations support for this event. About The Thin Blue Line Foundation The Thin Blue Foundation was founded in Texas in 2012 to provide financial and emotional help to families of first responders killed or injured in the line of duty. This volunteer-staffed non-profit organization, which has expanded internationally, contributes 100 percent of funds raised through charitable activities for the benefit of law enforcement, fire, and medical personnel. Administrative expenses are covered by several benefactors. For more information, please visit www.thethinbluelinefoundation.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831006010/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Crane Credit Union Completes Acquisition of Our Community Bank Crane Credit Union ("Crane") announced today that it has successfully completed the acquisition of Our Community Bank ("OCB") further expanding its presence across Indiana. The acquisition, which was first announced on August 19, 2020, was completed on August 31, 2021 following shareholder and regulatory approval. The combined institution will retain the Crane Credit Union name and charter. Former OCB employees will become employees of Crane. Both OCB branches will continue to operate as branches of Crane. With the acquisition complete, Crane now has 20 branch locations in central and southern Indiana. Members also have access to online banking and Crane's mobile app along with an expansive ATM and Shared Branching network. Kevin Sparks, President and CEO of Crane, commented, "We look forward to assisting the Our Community Bank team in Spencer and Cloverdale in building on their existing customer relationships. By teaming with OCB, we will expand our services to Owen and Putnam Countis, which fit within our existing market areas stretching from the Greater Indianapolis area to Evansville" Krieg DeVault LLP acted as legal counsel to Crane. Renninger & Associates, LLC served as financial advisor and Barnes & Thornburg LLP acted as legal counsel to OCB. Shares of common stock of Our Community Bank's parent bank holding company, Home Financial Bancorp (OTCPink: HWEN), will no longer be listed for quotation on the OTC Pink Open Market following consummation of the asset purchase transaction between Our Community Bank and Crane Credit Union. About Crane Credit Union: Crane Credit Union, headquartered in Odon, Indiana, was founded in 1955 on Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center. Crane serves the communities of Central and Southern Indiana, offering a full array of products and services. The credit union prides itself on member service, community involvement and strives to offer better rates on loans and deposits than competitors. For more information, please visit Crane Credit Union online at cranecu.org. About Our Community Bank: OCB, headquartered in Spencer, Indiana was founded in 1911 as Owen County Savings and Loan Association by a group of local residents. Since its inception, OCB has helped community residents achieve financial stability, become homeowners, and strengthen the local economy. The institution has earned a reputation for its personal customer service and neighborly friendliness. OCB has 2 branches located in Spencer and Cloverdale serving Owen, Putnam and surrounding counties. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831006012/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Best's Commentary: Hurricane Ida Losses Manageable for the Insurance Industry Hurricane Ida's trajectory and proximity toward the New Orleans area could tilt insured losses more to the insurance industry's commercial lines sector, according to new AM Best report. Property damage and business interruption losses may contribute more heavily to overall losses than did Hurricane Laura last year, which had a greater impact on personal lines business. Louisiana insurers are already trying to move past a 2020 spike in weather-related losses, with more than 300,000 claims attributable to Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Zeta, according to the report. The Best's Commentary also notes that a surge in demand for materials and goods post-Hurricane Ida could increase the level of (re)insured losses meaningfully, especially in light of a 5.4% rise in the U.S. consumer price index from roughly a year ago. Total losses from Hurricane Ida are not expected to impact overall capital levels due to the number of regional players in the market who will likely be able to cede off larger losses to the reinsurance sector. However, the (re)insurance industr should be able to absorb the magnitude of losses without impacting their capital positions. Hurricane Ida will add to uncertainty about the growing frequency of weather events and provide momentum to reinsurance pricing. Hurricane Ida, which made landfall on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, generated less severe storm surge. The infrastructure improvements made since 2005 may curtail losses as the new levee systems have thus far performed as expected. To access the full copy of this commentary, please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=312194. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2021 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831006017/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 31, 2021] Vivint Introduces Daniel Garen as Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer Vivint Smart Home, Inc. (NYSE: VVNT), a leading smart home company, today announced that Daniel Garen has been named Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer for the organization. In his role, Garen will be responsible for upholding Vivint's strong culture of corporate compliance as well as implementing new systems to ensure policies are being enforced across the business. Garen will report to Vivint's Board of Directors and to its CEO, David Bywater. Garen brings more than two decades of experience in compliance to Vivint. He joins the company from DLA Piper, where he developed and implemented best-in-class compliance and risk management strategies at public and private companies around the world. As a technology compliance lawyer, Garen has a long track record of success creating, implementing and managing compliance programs for Danaher Corporation (News - Alert) , Wright Medical Technology, Siemens Medical Solutions and Bayer Healthcare, among others. "As Vivint moves into its next chapter of growth, Daniel will be instrumental in guiding our ethics and compliance efforts and ensuring they align with our business objectives," said Vivint CEO David Bywater. "His level of experience and understanding of Vivint's unique needs and challenges will make him a valuable asset to the company's future." Garen will implement his unique approach at Vivint, which includes using quantitative analytics and process optimization to help the company mitigate risk and streamline business workflows. "I'm excited to join Vivint at this stage of its evolution," said Garen. "The company has a great history of growth and innovation, and I look forward to building upon its dedication to ethics and regulatory compliance." Garen attended Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where he earned a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Federal Supreme Court Bar and the bar for Illinois and the District of Columbia. About Vivint Smart Home Vivint Smart Home isa leading smart home company in North America. Vivint delivers an integrated smart home system with in-home consultation, professional installation and support delivered by its Smart Home Pros, as well as 24/7 customer care and monitoring. Dedicated to redefining the home experience with intelligent products and services, Vivint serves more than 1.7 million customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.vivint.com. Note on Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding, among other things, the Company's plans, strategies and prospects, both business and financial, including without limitation statements regarding the Company hiring a chief ethics and compliance officer. Generally, statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning the Company's possible or assumed future actions, business strategies, events or results of operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements may be preceded by, followed by or include the words "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "forecasts," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "plans," "scheduled," "anticipates" or "intends" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved, if at all. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions regarding future events and business performance as of the date of this press release, and they are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in the Company's Amendment No. 1 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC (News - Alert) ") on May 12, 2021 (the "Form 10-K/A"), as such factors may be updated from time to time in the Company's periodic filings with the SEC, that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Although Vivint Smart Home believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in those statements will be achieved or will occur, and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Vivint Smart Home does not undertake and expressly disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. You should read the documents Vivint Smart Home has filed with the SEC, including the Form 10-K/A and the Company's other periodic filings, for more complete information about the Vivint Smart Home. These documents are available on both the EDGAR section of the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of Vivint's website at www.vivint.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210831006044/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] NASHVILLE, Tenn. Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced today the appointment of Brooxie Carlton as assistant commissioner of Community and Rural Development. Carlton, a member of the department for more than 13 years, has most recently served as deputy assistant commissioner of Rural Development since 2015. She replaces Sammie Arnold, who has taken on the role of chief of staff to House Speaker Cameron Sexton. Brooxie has proven herself to be an extraordinary leader and valued team member at TNECD, and I have no doubt that this will be a seamless transition, Rolfe said. Brooxies experience and the relationships she has built with communities throughout the state demonstrates that she is the best fit for this role and will carry out the departments mission to expand economic opportunities across rural Tennessee. We appreciate Sammie Arnold for his leadership and time at TNECD and for making rural Tennessee a priority. We look forward to working with him as he begins the next step in his career. Assisting and advancing rural Tennessee is one of the main focuses of TNECD and supports Gov. Lees first executive order, which required each executive department to submit recommendations on how to better serve rural Tennesseans. Over the past eight years, the number of distressed counties in Tennessee has decreased from 26 to nine. In her new role, Carlton will lead TNECDs long-term rural strategy, which is built around a full suite of community development grants and enhanced efforts to support job creation in Tennessees most economically vulnerable communities. As deputy assistant commissioner of Rural and Community Development, Carlton oversaw federal grant funding from the Delta Regional Authority, the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Community Development Block Grant program. In addition, Carlton managed the administration of more than 3,000 grants totaling more than $650 million, including federal funding in excess of $500 million. She serves as Gov. Bill Lees alternate to the boards of the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Delta Regional Authority. I have had the opportunity to work with Tennessees rural communities for several years now. We have developed programs that benefitted our communities and citizens from downtown development to industrial site development to water and sewer projects, Carlton said. I am honored to be able to expand that work and lead a great team that is committed to making our state a great place to live and work. Born and raised in Dyersburg, Tennessee, Carlton attended Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Alabama, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and with honors. Carlton went on to receive her masters degree in human, organizational and community development from Vanderbilt University. 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 ### NASHVILLE, Tenn. On behalf of Gov. Bill Lee, Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes, Tennessees Adjutant General, announced today that more than 320 Soldiers from the Tennessee National Guard have been activated in response to Hurricane Ida, which made landfall along the Louisiana coastline on Aug. 29. Currently, personnel from the Tennessee Army National Guards 251st Military Police Company in Lexington and Savannah, 1172nd Transportation Company in Memphis and Waynesboro, and the 1176th Transportation Company in Dresden, Jacksboro, and Smyrna are preparing to depart for Louisiana to assist with relief and recovery operations. These Guardsmen will assist with security in the affected areas, provide high water vehicles to support rescue and recovery operations, and provide vehicles to transport citizens out of the affected areas among other tasks. The Tennessee National Guard has been communicating with the Louisiana National Guard and National Guard Bureau for the past three days to prepare for this activation. This mutual support among states is a standard process, which allows states within a region to be able to mobilize rapidly to respond to emergencies. Currently, we are actively engaged in relief efforts in Humphreys County and with COVID-19 support statewide, but we are also ready to help Louisiana without impacting our support here in Tennessee, said Holmes. During our mobilization in Humphreys County, I had numerous states reach out to me offering support and we, in kind, offered similar support to Louisiana. The ability to mobilize rapidly is one of the biggest strengths of the National Guard in each state. This capability has been on display for the last 18 months with COVID-19, domestic responses, and our federal missions. Were continuing to uphold Tennessees volunteer tradition. The Tennessee National Guard will continue to work with local, state, and federal emergency management officials and will regularly provide public updates. Today's theme might be "new friends" as we turn to a local expert for a bit of insight on how the upcoming spike in evictions might play out in Kansas City. Here's the word . . . "This is going to be EVERYONE'S PROBLEM very soon. People looking for shelter are going to be scattered far and wide and they're unlikely to stay in the urban core. Desperate people will find shelter wherever they can. Expect friends & family in the suburbs or other apartment complexes to have house guests that will make the holidays (and beyond) a bit more crowded . . . A lot of people mistakenly believe this is an urban core problem but the evictions are likely to be coming to neighborhoods across Kansas City if they haven't already." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . . In-depth: For those who are homeless or on the brink in KC, slow roll-out of emergency aid matters KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kim Taylor hasn't felt at home or safe for two years. "It's been living hell and I just want to go home. I'm sick of it," Taylor said. Taylor is experiencing homelessness and said every camp she's stayed in has been swept. Kansas City shelter that has served thousands to close soon KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A local children's shelter that serves kids in their most desperate times will soon close. The Salvation Army says it's closing its shelter on Linwood Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri. They say the move comes after new federal legislation changed the priority of where they children are placed in emergency situations. Tenant and landlord advocates urge action to prevent evictions Americans behind on rent no longer have protection from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Eviction Moratorium following a Supreme Court ruling Thursday.The Justices decided the CDC does not have the authority to halt evictions, saying it's up to Congress to continue it. Reconciliation Services offers rental assistance to those affected by pandemic KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Thousands of families in the metro are facing eviction, but there is money available right now to help them pay their rent. Kansas City officials gave Reconciliation Services $600,000 in federal funds to give out to struggling families to help them pay their utility bills and rent. Evictions to hit 750,000 households, Goldman says Given the slow pace of rental aid disbursement, Goldman's analysts expect that between 1 million and 2 million households will remain without support and at risk of eviction when the remaining state and local eviction bans expire at the end of September. Developing . . . Pandemic precautions are ramping up across the metro as cold & flu season approaches. The Courthouse earned a bit of opposition for their power move but not as much as some suburban enclaves. Like it or not, the reality is that the new American dress code has a growing number of supporters despite some notable legal battles which we'll consider in just a bit. For those who haven't seen the entire order . . . Check the full text of the order via www.TonysKansasCity.com: Jackson County Legislature approves mask mandate extension KANSAS CITY, Mo. Today, a majority of the Jackson County Legislature voted to extend the Countys public health order requiring mask-wearing in indoor public places for those 5 and older. The health order remains in effect until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, October 7. The Jackson County Health Department supports extending the order, which aligns with current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The County currently meets the CDCs definition of High Transmission designation. Before todays extension, the health order was set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, September 7. As elected officials, it is our job to make tough decisions regardless of how unpopular they are, said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. Today, the Legislature faced that challenge and ultimately, based on the science and data presented to them, acted in the best interest of public safety, not politics. We will continue relying on our public health and medical professionals to guide us through this deadly pandemic since it began nearly 18 months ago. Wearing a mask indoors along with getting more people vaccinated will offer more protection to all of our residents, including children under 12 who are not able to get vaccinated. I commend my colleagues today for standing up for whats right. Under the authority of the County Executive and Health Director, a public health order was issued earlier this month in response to the rising number of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations due, in part, to the highly-contagious Delta variant and our regions low vaccination rates. Since then, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has issued a COVID-19 hotspot advisory for Jackson County and the Kansas City area. Additionally, a health department report to the County Legislature shows the following conditions in the metropolitan area: - As of August 25, 2021, the Kansas City Region reported 193,842 total cases, an increase from 179,575 total cases reported on August 6, 2021. On the same day, the Kansas City Region reported 2,608 total deaths from COVID-19, an increase from 2,457 total deaths from COVID-19 reported on August 6, 2021. - As of August 25, 2021, Eastern Jackson County reported 34,923 total cases and 431 total deaths from COVID-19, up from 31,892 total cases and 388 deaths from COVID-19 on August 6, 2021. - In Eastern Jackson County, the 7-day case rate per 100,000 persons was 306.06 per 100,000 on August 25, 2021. This remains three-times higher than the upper threshold of High classification defined by the CDC. - Of the total population in Eastern Jackson County, 42.6% of residents have completed their vaccination series as of August 25, 2021, an increase of 2.1% over August 6, 2021. - On August 25, 2021, the Jackson County Health Department received report of six hospitals in Jackson County reporting under 5% capacity to accept new patients. - Childrens Mercy Hospital, the regions only childrens hospital, is reporting a general increase in patient volume driven by both a community outbreak of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection and increases in COVID-19 infections among youth. The County continues to urge everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated to do so as soon as possible. All available vaccine options, including the FDA fully-approved Pfizer vaccine, are safe, effective and free. Vaccine clinics can be found by visiting www.jacohd.org/events. ### Developing . . . Once again the mayor dismisses his opponents and avoids further discussion about local pandemic safety protocols. To be fair, at this point it's doubtful either side of this hot mess will be convinced. Check the mayor's clap back if you haven't read it already . . . As it has been since the onset of this pandemic, my primary objective when it comes to Kansas Citys COVID-19 response is to save lives. No lawsuit will change that. Still, Im saddened to see yet another lawsuit filed today over masking without merit under Missouri lawjust like the suits filed against us before, including the Missouri Attorney Generals own politically-motivated stunt. The City has crafted each set of COVID-19 guidelines based on clear, data-driven advice from health and scientific leaders from the White House and CDC down to our Health Department. Our City Councilincluding three of the four members from Kansas Citys Northlandhave codified this indoor mask mandate in places of public accommodation for this reason: masking works to slow the spread of COVID-19. Children 12 and under are not yet eligible to be vaccinated; meanwhile, COVID-19 cases in children continue to skyrocket. This mask mandate helps protect students, teachers, faculty, and staffand all of their loved ones at homeand I and the City will continue to stand by our actions, which were made to protect our children and our vulnerable friends, families, and neighbors. Kansas Citys indoor mask mandate will exist through at least September 23. Many surrounding jurisdictions have implemented their own indoor mask mandates. I applaud all leaders who continue to prioritize the health of our public. Kansas City will continue to do so. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . . Mayor Lucas releases statement regarding Northland Parent Association lawsuit KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Today, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas released a statement regarding a lawsuit that was filed against him and the Kansas City Council by the Northland Parent Association. He said: "As it has been since the onset of this pandemic, my primary objective when it comes to Kansas City's COVID-19 response is to save lives. Was going to title this one . . . "Nobody wants to see your silly storm shelf pix from your overpriced downtown apartment" but it's best not to discourage half of the middle-aged posters on Facebook. Nevertheless . . . Amid upcoming rain, www.TonysKansasCity.com shares a torrent of local news . . . Kansas City Healthcare COVID Vaxx Crackdown Saint Luke's Becomes Second Local Hospital System To Require COVID-19 Vaccinations For All Workers Saint Luke's Health System has become the second local hospital network to require all of its employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The network made the announcement a little more than a month after Truman Medical Centers/University Health became the first local hospital system to mandate vaccinations for its employees. Local NextGen Missing Independence police ask for help in finding missing 26-year-old woman, her boyfriend Independence police are asking for help in finding a missing 26-year-old woman and her boyfriend.Police said Lexee M. Beckett has not had contact with her family since Aug. 12.Authorities said Lexee is known to use her sisters' names, Hunter or Megan. Lexee is also known to stay anywhere from Worlds of Fun to Harrisonville. Lesson In More Cash New grant helps Kansas City Teachers Residency expand KANSAS CITY, Mo. - New grant funding will allow a Kansas City, Missouri-based program that trains teachers to expand its reach. This year, SchoolSmartKC and the Sherman Family Foundation granted Kansas City Teacher Residency $2.5 million. COVID Testing KC Students With kids back in school, metro parents tell others to test after their kids contract COVID-19 KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kids are contracting COVID-19 and some parents are feeling helpless. With school back in session and kids in daycare the risk of COVID-19 for them is rising. Doctors are saying if you think your child might be sick, it's best to get a COVID-19 test ASAP. Today's Horrible Dead-Tree Idea Why does Kansas City have all the responsibility at KCI? Time for a regional approach Kansas City International Airport is one of the region's most important assets. The need for independent regional airport oversight is now more clear than ever. It's time to begin that process. The Kansas City Council, members of Congress and local civic groups should reexamine how the airport is run, with the aim of naming a regional airport authority by 2023, when the new terminal is scheduled to open. More Storm Shelf Pix Morning storms damage trees, cause power outages in Kansas City by: Heidi Schmidt Posted: / Updated: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A storm system that swept through Kansas City, Missouri, knocked out power and caused tree damage Tuesday morning. It also brought thunder, lightning, and interesting looking clouds over the metro. At the height of the storm, more than 3,400 Evergy customers were without power. Gunfire Aftermath 29-year-old charged in fatal shooting in Kansas City Friday night by: Juan Cisneros Posted: / Updated: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker has charged a 29-year-old Kansas City, Missouri man with second degree murder and armed criminal action in relation to a shooting Friday night. Shawnee Slice Of Life Woman recovering after getting stabbed Saturday morning One woman is recovering after someone stabbed her Saturday morning. Shawnee police say officers were called to an apartment complex near West 74th and Flint Street for an armed disturbance around 9:35 a.m. They found a 33-year-old woman with stab wounds. She was taken to the hospital for her injuries. Show-Me Front Line Lacking Missouri nursing home workers lag far behind in vaccinations ST. LOUIS (AP) - Officials face a tall order to get all Missouri nursing home workers vaccinated because fewer than half of them have received the shots. By that metric, Missouri's 48% ranks third-lowest in the nation, trailed only by Florida and Louisiana, both at 47%. Hawaii leads the states, at 89%. JoCo Po'Folk Healthcare Life Lesson Shawnee Mission School District will open health clinic 'to break down barriers' KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Shawnee Mission School District will open a school-based health clinic Thursday at Shawnee Mission West High School for students and their siblings between 3 and 20 years old. "The idea is to break down barriers to health care," Shelby Rebeck, SMSD health services director, said in a news release. Sponsored Content Hint For Your Ugly Wife Associated Plastic Surgeons Open House - In Kansas City Thursday, September 30th | 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Showcasing the best in surgical & non-surgical aesthetic procedures! Exclusive open house specials include: 20% Off Gift Cards, Products, and Select Services Free Food Truck Fare & Beverages Live Music Vendors & Demonstrations Doctor Q & A Stay up to date on this event by checking... Acceptable Ice Cream Promo Andy's Frozen Custard celebrates 100th store opening with Kansas City ceremony KANSAS CITY, Mo. - If anyone needs a break from Kansas City's long, hot summer, Andy's Frozen Custard has supplied a reason to cool off and celebrate. Andy's will celebrate its 100th store opening in Kansas City at 79th Street and Wornall Road on Sept. 1. More Weather Deets Right Now Rain, T-storms possible Tuesday Rain and thunderstorms are possible for the Kansas City area this morning. We'll see drier skies midday and early afternoon. This is one more OPEN THREAD for right now . . . There call for exoneration of this old school Kansas City murder convict earns more support from across the state. Here's the best summary that I've read which better explains the situation outside of partisan blathering: Strickland was arrested in 1978, accused of killing three people in Kansas City. The killings occurred when a group of assailants ransacked a Kansas City home. Larry Ingram, 21; John Walker, 20; and Sherrie Black, 22, were fatally shot. Cynthia Douglas, the only eye witness, was wounded but pretended to be dead. For decades, two men who pleaded guilty in the killings swore Strickland was not with them and two other accomplices during the killings. Douglas later said detectives pressured her into identifying Strickland as the shooter. She tried to recant for years before her death in 2015. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . . Dozens rally to free Kevin Strickland, Lamar Johnson after new Missouri law goes into effect JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Jackson County's prosecutor is asking a judge to exonerate a man who's been in prison for more than 40 years after a new Missouri law went into effect allowing attorneys to ask a judge to reverse a case. Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker isn't the only one pushing for Kevin Strickland's freedom. Right now hottie Lindsey and her body of work inspire this peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines. Check-it . . . Big Boy Pulls Into Cowtown Tonight (Ewwww!!!) Union Pacific's Big Boy to roll into Kansas City's Union Station Tuesday night Hide Transcript Show Transcript ROB: AFTER LEASING -- AFTER LEAVING IN STATION EARLIER THIS MONTH,IG B BOY IS RETURNING TO KANSAS CITY. THE WORLD'S LARGEST OPERATING STEAM LOCOMOTIVE, UNION PACIFIC NUMBER 4014, OR BIG BOY, IS RETURNING TO UNION STATION. IT WILL BEN ODISPLAY FOR PUBLIC VIEWING ALL DAY TOMORROW. Not Exactly Double Time KCPD leaders ignore city audit recommendations - The Beacon Delivered every Tuesday and Thursday morning A donation to The Beacon goes beyond the newsroom. We amplify community voices, share resources and investigate systems, not just symptoms. The Beacon in your inbox. In-depth reporting delivered every Tuesday and Thursday morning. Gunman Admits It Kansas City man pleads guilt to illegal firearm in federal court KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- A Kansas City man has pleaded guilty today to illegally possessing a firearm. Desmond Washington, 22, was charged with possessing a firearm after being arrested in September 2019 for being involved in a fight outside of a building on Armour Blvd. Instagram Hottie Gets Real Playboy star Lindsey Pelas flaunts real bikini body in unedited snaps Model and Playboy beauty Lindsey Pelas is known for her glam bikini snaps. However, the social media influencer, who boasts 8.4million Instagram followers, revealed her real bikini body in her new snaps. The 30-year-old US stunner was seen posing in a tiny back bikini in unedited and unfiltered photos. Negotiating With Terrorists After All Taliban members escorted Americans to gates at Kabul airport in secret arrangement with US The US military negotiated a secret arrangement with the Taliban that resulted in Taliban members escorting groups of Americans to the gates of the Kabul airport as they sought to escape Afghanistan, according to two defense officials. MAGA Didn't Have A Solution Either Trump Reveals His Master Plan for Afghanistan: We Should've 'Let It Rot' Donald Trump has had a lot to say about how Joe Biden has mishandled the withdrawal from Afghanistan-but, when given the chance to explain what he would have done differently, Trump's master plan boiled down to leaving the country in smouldering ruins before leaving it forever. Kansas City Off Track CN Rail's $30-billion deal for Kansas City Southern in jeopardy after U.S. regulator rejects voting trust Rail regulator's ruling a potentially fatal blow to CN, locked in a takeover battle with Canadian Pacific Railway Canadian National Railway Co. was dealt a potentially fatal blow in its US$30-billion effort to acquire Kansas City Southern as U.S. regulators rejected a plan to use a voting trust to make the purchase. European Vaxx Spike "We must go further": 70% of adults in European Union are fully vaccinated About 70% of adults in the European Union are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said Tuesday. Why it matters: The milestone makes the E.U. one of the world's leaders in inoculations, after an initially lagging vaccine campaign, the New York Times notes. Nothing Burger Dating News Van Jones Just Responded to Rumors He Dated Kim Kardashian After Her Divorce From Kanye We've been waiting for what feels like forever for Van Jones' response to those Kim Kardashian dating rumors-but you know what they say about better late than never! The political commentator has finally weighed in on his rumored romance with the SKIMS founder. According to Van, the rumors were "absurd." Hipsters Have Beef The first annual National Burnt Ends Day honors one of KC's biggest culinary creations One of Kansas City's most famous culinary marvels is getting more national attention. The and American Royal Zarda Bar-B-Q partnered to make September 1, 2021 the inaugural National Burnt Ends Day. "This is the beginning of what we hope becomes a delicious and beloved tradition in Kansas City and across the country," says Kim Palmer, Chief Marketing Officer for the American Royal. Local Tech Capitalizes On COVID Vaxx KC startup releases 'eVaccine passport' with state registry verification, alerts for booster shots Employers and event organizers hoping to promote a safety amid the flourishing Delta variant and the threat of fraudulent CDC vaccine cards have a new tool, said Jeremy Elias, announcing a Kansas City-built solution to track and confirm individuals' COVID-19 vaccine statuses. Footballer End Game Today Chiefs' initial 53-man roster for 2021 revealed after cuts We'll probably see some more moves in the next few days, but this is the starting point for the 2021 Chiefs roster. The Kansas City Chiefs have made their cuts to get the team's active roster down to 53 players before the NFL's deadline. Gorillaz - Meanwhile... ft. Jelani Blackman with Barrington Levy is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. Refugees from Afghanistan are on their way to Kansas City but we notice Mayor Q lowering expectations ahead of the new arrivals. Reality check that our progressive friends . . . SUPPORT FOR AFGHANISTAN REFUGEES IS LOW IN MAYOR Q'S FORMER KANSAS CITY 3RD COUNCIL DISTRICT!!! Of course there are exceptions to this rule but we base this analysis on a great deal of anti-immigrant sentiment amongst some of our favorite urban core friends and their assorted social media ranting on a myriad of topics. Remember that Mayor Q is living the good life with his young family in Midtown where people are far more accepting and so we doubt this kind of politically incorrect chatter finds its way to his new home. Nevertheless . . . In his talk show comments today, the mayor offers a great deal of progressive hope along with conservative numbers. I am in some ways saddened that they have to leave home but we welcome them and really want to build an opportunity for them to build an exceptional new life here in middle America here in the United States, Lucas said Tuesday on KCURs Up to Date, hosted by Steve Kraske. I think that it is our duty to make sure we help them with that. He continued . . . For us, it would be a smaller number than youve seen for other cities, looking more to 50 to 100 refugees than perhaps the thousands that youve seen discussed in the St. Louis metropolitan area, Lucas said. There's some dispute about the numbers that could be as high as a couple of thousand. Mayor Q claims that number is "manageable" and offers more local pep talk . . . We will just be ready from our local government side and in this region to welcome whoever is sent here, he said. More cringe . . . Mayor Q teased an AirBnB deal and concluded with this bit of hype that has him practicing for higher office. It would take significant nonprofit support and it would take significant, perhaps, government support but its the sort of thing that I think is right for us to do, Lucas said. We should help our allies who helped us so much over the 20 years of the conflict in Afghanistan. Similarly, Prez Biden offered his Afghanistan FAIL conversation this afternoon as well . . . Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . . Biden defends ending mission in Afghanistan: It "was designed to save American lives." President Biden said on Tuesday that ending the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan "was designed to save American lives." Why it matters: While Biden said he did not regret pulling U.S. troops from Afghanistan, he made a commitment to get Americans still in the country out even without a military presence. Biden To Talk About The Afghanistan Exit As Critics Charge He Left Americans Behind subscribe to The NPR Politics Podcast podcast President Biden will address the nation on Tuesday on his decision to pull U.S. troops out of Afghanistan by Aug. 31st. The last U.S. troops left Afghanistan on Monday, ending America's longest war. He is expected to speak at 2:45p.m. ET. The U.S. Afghan Interpreter Who Helped Rescue Biden in 2008 Left Behind After U.S. Exit Thirteen years ago, Afghan interpreter Mohammed helped rescue then- Sen. Joe Biden and two other senators stranded in a remote Afghanistan valley after their helicopter was forced to land in a snowstorm. Now, Mohammed is asking President Biden to save him. Even Democrats Don't Think Biden Did A Good Job On Afghanistan Withdrawal, Poll Finds A majority of Americans agree with the decision to pull the U.S. out of Afghanistan-but even most Democrats find it hard to back President Joe Biden's handling of the U.S. troop withdrawal, a new Pew Research Center poll found. You decide . . . Here's a peek at a couple more local plague news links that deserve more attention . . . As always, TKC starts with the good news . . . Hospitalizations in Missouri start to decline in some areas Missouri has been among the states hit early and hard by the delta variant of COVID-19, but there are some signs of improvement.The state's COVID-19 dashboard on Tuesday showed 2,146 people hospitalized with the virus. That's still more than three times the number hospitalized at the start of June, but it's down from 2,463 hospitalizations on Aug. And then, a note about higher prices . . . Landing In the Hospital With COVID-19 Is Getting More Expensive. Here's Why. For many Kansans, landing in the hospital with COVID-19 could easily cost thousands more dollars now than earlier in the pandemic. It's the latest, financial reason that experts encourage people to get vaccinated. The vast majority of people hospitalized with the coronavirus today never got their shots against the disease. Developing . . . The Missouri GOP has justifiably argued that unemployment benefits were keeping low-end workers at home and hurting the state's economy when workers could simply follow safety protocols to keep safe from the ongoing plague. Here's a peek at the current legal fight . . . "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." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . . Missouri lawsuit seeks reinstatement of jobless benefits 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. 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 inevitable aftermath . . . CLAY CITY - Barbara L. (McBride) Stickles, 90, of Clay City, Indiana passed away on September 10, 2021 while staying at Harrison's Crossing Rehabilitation Center in Terre Haute, Indiana. Prior to her recent stay there she resided at Villas of Hollybrook in Brazil, Indiana. Barbara married th This photo provided by the French Army Thursday, Aug.26, 2021 shows Afghan refugees arriving in a military plane at Roissy airport, north of Paris, Wednesday, Aug.25, 2021. At least 1720 Afghans and a hundred French people have been evacuated by France since the beginning of the operation last week. French President Emmanuel Macron promised France would evacuate Afghans who worked for the country as well as activists and others under threat. (Eric Cadiou/Etat Major des Armees via AP) This monument to Bert Hinkler could get over looked as it sits on the side of the road on the corner of Quay and Maryborough Streets and depicts a bust of Hinkler on a stone curved base. Hinkler was born in Bundaberg in 1892 and among other aviation achievements was the first peron to fly solo from England to Australia in 1928. He was killed by accident in a second sol flight to Australia in 1933 and is buried in Florence Italy. This memorial is not well located and presented and Hinkler deserves better. My French-speaking 23 year old daughter and I (fit 63 year old man) are planning a three week road trip throughout Morocco beginning mid to late December 2021. We have done this sort of adventure before in the Balkans, Iceland, Scotland, and Patagonia, so we like to travel fast and hard (no lying around on beaches), with mostly one-night stays before moving on. We love historical cities, great architecture, churches and mosques, mountains, waterfalls, and nature in general, with moderate to more strenuous hiking along the way. We have read the Rough Guide for Morocco, researched on YouTube and Google, and now have a general self-drive route laid out with a rental car. We will fly into and return to Casablanca on a big loop. Our tentative stops, in order, are Rabat, Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaouen, Fes, Meknes, Merzouga, Tinghir, Quarzazate, Marrakesh, Ouzoud, and then back to Casablanca. We are interested in your general thoughts (this isn't crazy, is it?), and more particularly, what is driving like in Morocco? Are we likely to encounter snow in the mountain routes, and might that be a problem? How are the roads we will be using? If there are two or more optional routes in places, which is best? Is the drive from Meknes to Merzouga too long or difficult? If so, what would be a good place to stop overnight? Is it better to drive straight to Casablanca from Ouzoud, or return first to Marrakesh to take the A3? Other good places to stop between Merzouga and Marrakesh? Which cities deserve the most time? And what about clothing for this trip? How cold will it get? Are layers satisfactory? That's it for now. Thank you for your comments. I am sure to have more questions later on. Getting to Hamanasi from Maryland was not easy. BUT, it was worth it! This was a multiple time rescheduled 50th bday vacation. Karina and the others in reservations worked diligently to get us booked. Communication throughout this covid mess was top notch. Direct flight from Miami to BZE. My husbands covid results didnt come back in time. He had to get a test when we arrived. It delayed us a bit but not too terrible. Customs is a little bit of a s#!t show. The 2nd flight - cargo plane on Maya Air - was very safe and quick. Hamanasi was waiting for us when we arrived in Dangriga. Arne drove us the 40 minutes to the resort. This country is beautiful. The people are amazingly friendly and welcoming. We stayed in a deluxe treehouse. Its huge and well appointed. The only situation that is somewhat uncomfortable is that the bathrooms are very warm - AC doesnt really get there. Our AC stopped working one night. But they came directly the next am and it was fixed. We came to Belize for the diving. We had 7 dives. Saw something special on each dive. But the 2nd dive of the Ultimate Dive at the Half Moon Caye Wall was spectacular. Big Daddy was our guide the first 2 trips and Evan the last day. All of them were focused on the safety of the divers while trying to give us the best experience possible. We also had the all day excursion to the Mayan Ruins and Cave Tubing. Arne & Ems showed us their beautiful country and gave historical background. Bottom line on the country is that its special and there are a lot of things to explore. In terms of the resort, what can I write The food was fresh, healthy and tasty. They accommodated our picky eater son. Their focus is on superb service for sure. Its such a small resort they make you feel like family. The other folks that were there during our stay were really interesting people also. So, the kind of people that this resort attracts are interesting also. David & Pam from Ohio, Ray, Mike, Kim & Fam, Sasha, Michael & Tatyana from Missouri Their were newly weds, and people who have been there 9 times! Down the beach is a tiki bar over the water where you can jump into the water or watch the manatees swimming by. Like I titled this, just go to Hamanasi! New pharmacy 'Roma' has opened at the border. Pharmacy is open 24 hours just opposite the entrance to Mexico via the pedeast crossing here is the link here a copy of the text : "Always thinking of better serving its customers, in the most optimal locations, Farmacias Roma opened the La Linea branch, just in front of the pedestrian exit in the central Tijuana gatehouse. Those who are going out, also on foot, are also very close to the new facilities, which were put into service in an atmosphere of celebration and joy. As is customary, each time a new store opens, by opening, the doctor's office will be free for a month, until September 20. The pharmacy will operate 24 hours a day and has staff who serve in English and Spanish, for better customer service. By opening, they put offers on medicines, as well as personal cleaning items, to deal with Covid 19 and traditional spaces: juices and beverages, baby department, with powdered food and diapers; mini groceries, and the drugs that customers seek. " Edited: 01 September 2021, 05:56 Methane gas from landfills across the country may soon be coming to a vehicle near you. Over the past 24 hours, on August 30, Ukraine recorded 11 ceasefire violations by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Joint Forces Operation zone, in which a Ukrainian serviceman was killed and two were injured. Thats according to the press center of the JFO Command, Ukrinform reports. Outside Novozvanivka, the enemy fired at Ukrainian positions three times using 120 mm mortars, anti-tank missile launchers, heavy anti-tank and heavy automatic grenade launchers, as well as large-caliber machine guns. Not far from the village of Shumy, Russian occupiers fired easel-munted anti-tank grenade launchers and small arms. Near Troitske, the enemy opened fire using large-caliber machine guns. In the direction of Katerynivka, Russian mercenaries fired from automatic machine grenade launchers. In the Novotoshkivskyi area, the enemy engaged Ukrainian positions with easel-mounted anti-tank grenade launchers, also dropping a VOG-17 grenade from a UAV. Not far from Vodiane, invaders fired easel-mounted anti-tank and automatic grenade launchers. Near Shyrokyne, Russian-controlled armed groups engaged Ukrainian defense positions with automatic machine grenade launchers and large-caliber machine guns. In addition, on the border of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, an Orlan 10 unmanned aerial vehicle was spotted flying across the demarcation line. "As a result of enemy fire, one serviceman with the Joint Forces was killed and another was injured. Also, as a result of an IED blast, another serviceman was injured. The injured soldiers were rushed to a medical facility. They remain in a moderate condition," the JFO HQ said. The Joint Forces Command has expressed sincere condolences to the families and friends of the fallen military. Ukrainian forces have returned fire to enemy attacks, the report reads. As of 7:00 on August 31, another three ceasefire violations were recorded. In the direction of Shyrokyne, Russian mercenaries fired at Ukrainian positions employing anti-tank and automatic grenade launchers and large-caliber machine guns. Near Novozvanivka, the enemy used 120 mm mortars. Near New York, Russian-controlled armed groups opened fire using anti-tank grenade launchers. Ukrainian defenders returned fire. No casualties were reported on August 31. It is noted that the Ukrainian delegation to the Joint Ceasefire Control and Coordination Center informed the OSCE Mission of all violations by Russian occupation forces. The Ukrainian military is monitoring the situation in the JFO zone to repel and deter Russias armed aggression. im Total electricity exports on August 25-29 amounted to 68.1 million kWh, while last week's imports to 4.4 million kWh. Thats according to NEC Ukrenergo, Ukrinform reports. It is noted that the average daily exports from the "Burshtyn TPP Island" against August 16-24 increased by 16.8% - to 8.9 million kWh, and from the Integrated Power System (IPS) of Ukraine by 7.5% to 4.7 million kWh. In particular, exports to Hungary dropped 52.4%, to Romania by 56.5%, and to Slovakia only 0.04 million kWh was exported. Read also: NSDC orders government to draw up plan for transition to market prices for electricity for households It is also noted that on August 25-29, electricity was imported only to the Burshtyn TPP Island." The imports came from Slovakia, amounting to 4.4 million kWh. No power was imported to the IPS of Ukraine trade zone from Russia and Belarus. As reported, in July 2021, against the previous month, electricity exports increased by 1.1% (to 366.3 million kWh), while imports dropped by 71.5% (to 1.2 million kWh). im Hungary has agreed with Russia all conditions for a new long-term gas supply agreement to be enforced on October 1. Thats according to Reuters referring to Hungarys Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, Ukrinform reports. The new contract is designed for 15 years with the possibility of terms revision in 10 years. Under the deal, Hungary shall annually receive from Russia 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas: 3.5 billion via Serbia through the Turkish Stream gas pipeline and its overland extension, and 1 billion cubic meters via Austria. Szijjarto said most of the volume under the new contract would come through a new interconnector on the country's border with Serbia, which will have launched operations by October. That is, Russian gas will be supplied to Hungary bypassing Ukraine. Szijjarto stopped short of revealing the gas price under the new contract, only saying it was "much more favorable" than the current one. Russia's Gazprom has confirmed the meeting with the Hungarian minister but has not yet announced any details of the agreement. It is worth noting that most of its gas imports, supplied through Ukraine, Hungary has been receiving from Russia. However, in recent years, the country has diversified gas imports by opening cross-border interconnectors with most of its neighbors and securing supplies from Royal Dutch Shell through a liquefied natural gas terminal in Croatia. im Ukraine and Poland have every opportunity to create a joint gas hub in Eastern and Central Europe, Sergiy Makogon, CEO of Gas Transmission System Operator (TSO) of Ukraine, has said. Ukrinform reports that with a reference to the companys press service. "Our gas markets are the largest in the region - about 50 billion cubic meters a year. Poland has a plan for the development of LNG terminals, the Baltic gas pipeline and connectors with neighbors. With access to the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline, our countries can create a powerful north-south gas corridor that will ensure the energy security of the whole of Southeast Europe, said Makogon. According to him, the deepening of cooperation will allow the countries to coordinate their efforts to implement the decarbonization plan, increase guaranteed capacities, and counteract external challenges. As reported, Poland's state-owned oil and gas company PGNiG announced about the signing of an agreement with the Ukrainian-American company "Energy Resources of Ukraine" (ERU), which provides for joint exploration for gas in Ukraine. iy President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in Washington, D.C. as part of the presidents working visit to the United States at the invitation of U.S. President Joe Biden. Thats according to the Ukrainian Presidents Office, Ukrinform reports. "On the agenda of the visit is a summit of the two countries leaders in a one-on-one e format and as part of expanded delegations. The president of Ukraine will also have a number of important meetings with U.S. senior officials," the statement reads. The parties are expected to sign a number of bilateral agreements. The Presidents Office clarifies that the visit, set to last several days, will cover a number of cities on the U.S. East and West coasts. As reported earlier, the official visit to Washington of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky kicks off on August 31. On September 1, he will hold talks with U.S. President Joe Biden. Photo: facebook.com/president.gov.ua im Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Liudmyla Denisova said President Volodymyr Zelensky was expected to bring to the U.S. during a working visit a list of persons who went missing in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The statement came as Denisova was speaking with Ukraine 24 TV, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "Why is Vitaliy Markiv free today? Why did Oleg Sentsov and our sailors return two years ago? Thats because their names were mentioned almost every day. Every person who is in captivity ... if we remember them, the world will say that these people are still in danger. I know that all these lists were prepared for the president the ones of the missing persons, (Kremlin ed.) hostages, prisoners of war, and political prisoners. And Ive been told the President will bring them along on his U.S. visit. And I think that this issue will also be raised and discussed there," the Ukrainian ombudsperson said. As Ukrinform reported earlier, the Office of the Ombudsperson reported on Monday that 258 persons remain missing in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, of whom 67 are servicemen and reservists. Every year on August 30, the world marks International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances or the Day of the Missing Persons, in line with the resolution of the UN General Assembly of December 21, 2010. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky kicks off his U.S. visit on August 31. On September 1, Zelensky will hold talks with U.S. President Joe Biden. im Ukraine plans to continue the evacuation of Ukrainians from Afghanistan beyond August 31, while the relevant routes may be adjusted depending on the developments at Kabul Airport. That's according to Foreign Ministry Spokesman Oleh Nikolenko who spoke with Ukrinform on Tuesday The spokesman stated that security risks in the country keep growing. "Over the past few days, the Foreign Ministry and the Embassy of Ukraine in Tajikistan have been witnessing a new wave of requests for evacuation from Afghanistan. Now the embassy is clarifying data on people, their number, location, and liaising with them," Nikolenko said. The Foreign Ministry spokesman said that, on behalf of Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, diplomats, together with representatives of other agencies, are working out further safe evacuation routes, including other airports or land routes. "As soon as the first opportunity arises, all our citizens who have reported about their situation to the Ukrainian embassy in Tajikistan will receive instructions on further action," he said. At the same time, Nikolenko noted that sensationalizing the evacuation efforts harms them, creating risks for both those seeking to flee the country and those who are eager to help them. "Weve been working 24/7 and we wont leave anyone to their own devices," the Foreign Ministry spokesman said. In this context, Nikolenko recalled that Ukraine had already organized six evacuation flights in unprecedentedly difficult conditions, extracting more than 650 people. Thus Ukraine is among the countries that carried out the highest number of such successful operations amid the ongoing turmoil in Afghanistan. As Ukrinform reported earlier, the United States completed the withdrawal of its military forces from Afghanistan, wrapping up a 20-year mission, just a day before the deadline previously set by the White House chief. im If the Kremlin seeks to impose on the public a subconscious feeling that the Ukrainian president "ran to Biden for protection, Kyivs response should be to emphasize this even more! The shelling of Avdiivka over the weekend, where eight Ukrainian servicemen were injured in a single day, marked a new escalation in Donbas, which a number of experts, including foreign ones, automatically linked to President Volodymyr Zelenskys visit to the United States. Serhiy Garmash, a member of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group on Donbas settlement, believes that in this way, the Russians are raising the stakes, seeking to portray Ukraine as a violator of peace; otherwise, their actions may have the opposite effect and leave Biden no choice: "Afghanistan , Nord Stream 2... he cannot afford another defeat. Hence the latest shelling, especially of peaceful infrastructure," Garmash reflected in a Facebook post. Garmash explained that the shelling, which "seems senseless from a military perspective," was aimed at provoking the Ukrainian military and portraying their actions as aggressive. Then, in his opinion, Putin would be able to "put pressure on the United States with signals to tame Kyiv under the threat of serious aggravation." According to Serhiy Garmash, "taming Kyiv" means, in particular, forcing Ukraine to sit down at the negotiating table with the so-called "DPR/LPR" or achieving the implementation of the so-called "Steinmeier Formula" in Ukrainian legislation. In fact, this is not the first time in the last six months that Putin has blackmailed the West with "escalation": this spring, when he pulled massive forces to Ukrainian borders, the Kremlin chief pretty much forced Biden to negotiate in Geneva and even do a handshake for the media. Another opinion on the issue was expressed by Gary Tabach, ex-U.S. Navy officer, former chief of NATOs Center of Excellence - Defense against Terrorism. The purpose of the escalation in Donbas is to create a subconscious feeling that Zelensky is "running to Biden for protection" while at the same time Putin shows that Biden wont help you, I do what I want, I open fire whenever I want, I take hostages if I want to, and I pull this bleeding thread every time I want to do this." This is about showing Zelensky that he is going to have a summit with someone who will do nothing for him or Ukraine, Tabach believes. Political scientist Oleh Sahakian agrees with this assessment of the American military: "Russians play peoples feelings of despair and frustration, their very perception of the event." But how can this be countered, first of all, in terms of information influence? Countering this, Sahakian believes, is not to create inflated expectations, but to shape clear goals in advance. "And we need prompt communication of victories and primacy in the interpretation of failures. (We need to ed.) [p]redict and program responses to provocations to strengthen own position, as well as reduce response time," the political scientist said. He adds that the intensification of hostilities on the eve of international visits and negotiations is a standard type of behavior that should be expected from Russia: "This escalation and the Russian narrative can be an additional argument during meetings with the American establishment, in favor of the need for more tangible support." "The Kremlin's style is absolutely predictable, clear, and unwavering. I absolutely agree with Harry Tabach's theses, in particular, that Putin wants to present things as if the United States does not and cannot influence the situation in Donbas, said Taras Semeniuk, an international expert and analyst with KyivStratPro. Another important factor is that the United States will now pay more attention to domestic policy as the implications of Afghanistan withdrawal are quite unpredictable and troublesome for the reputation and image of the United States, and first of all, of the White House. But one needs to be careful and not fall into the trap of stereotypical thinking, buying claims that, if nothing could be done with Afghanistan, a similar story can be expected in other countries that are U.S. partners." Afghanistan is a separate case. And Ukraine has its own track on cooperation with the United States. But, again, now the United States will focus more on itself, that is, on domestic policy," said Semeniuk. Yulia Kazdobina, head of the Ukrainian Foundation for Security Studies and an ex-minister of information policy, says that the United States is now going through difficult times: The situation in Afghanistan has quickly gone out of hand, over a million of Louisiana residents have faced blackouts amid Hurricane Ida, Chinese and Russian threats are growing, while American society and political elites remain polarized, and the COVID epidemic remains an issue for unvaccinated Americans. In such a situation, it is important that Ukraine communicate ahead of the visit that the Ukrainian delegation is going to the United States not as someone whos only asking for something, but also as a strategic partner. They should be talking not only about what we expect to get from the visit, but also about the things we can offer the United States. "We must position ourselves as a country that will continue to deter Russian aggression in Europe in difficult times, although it will need some support from partners," the expert said. "It is important to expose Russias plot before the visit, that is, what stands behind the escalation of conflict." Simply put, Ukraines spokesmen must constantly emphasize Russia's role in the conflict in the east of the country, explain to wider audiences what is really behind the latest escalation, and emphasize that the end of war does not depend on the United States or President Biden, but on Russia and Putin. "After all, it is the latters support for the puppet regimes that doesnt allow us to end the war and peacefully reintegrate the temporarily uncontrolled territories of Donbas into Ukraine," Kazdobina emphasizes. Kyiv must first acknowledge the lack of a stable truce in Donbas, says political scientist Ihor Reiterovych, because if this doesnt happen, "the longer Russia will use this fact to its own benefit." And this must be done by reporting information the right way. "How? Well, for example, resuming the practice of regular reports from the front line, the way they were delivered before. A week will be enough to gather the relevant facts, and then declare that we are forced to state a unilateral termination of ceasefire by the Russian Federation. I think it will be a decent media response, it will be a positive thing for us," he said. Paraphrasing a famous saying by Karl von Clausewitz (Prussian general, military reformer and military theorist) about the war being a continuation of politics, the expert says that, in this case, everything should be the opposite: politics, on principle, should be a continuation of war. "And if we have an escalation again, then, from a political perspective, we stop naming white black, and black white. Instead, we call a spade a spade. And we use it as an additional means of pressure, including on our partners, and through them on the Russian Federation," Ihor Reiterovych emphasized. There is also another opinion on the issue. Political scientist Lilia Brudnytska ponders whether it is necessary to counter Russia's propaganda intentions in the same way: Zelensky is indeed going to the United States to defend the country of which he is president. There is nothing humiliating in terms of Zelensky's status or Ukraine as such in the paradigm of confrontation with Russia. " But Media technologists need to remain vigilant. "Theres nothing wrong, of course, in trying to do a PR stunt off of an overseas trip. But in this case, being overly creative could do harm, first of all, to public perception of the visit within Ukraine. Besides, this approach to covering an important visit opens a wide field for the Russian propaganda machine. The best weapon against this is honesty, logic, and completeness of reports," sums up Brudnytska. Myroslav Liskovych, Kyiv The delegations of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) and the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people have held a working meeting, the UWC has announced on Facebook. "The issues of interaction and coordination of joint events to be held in 2022 by the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, the World Congress of Crimean Tatars and the Ukrainian World Congress at the international level, including at the level of parliaments of individual states, have been discussed with Mejlis Chairman Refat Chubarov, Deputy Mejlis Ilmi Umerov, Mejlis member and director general of the Crimea Foundation charity organization Riza Shevkiev, Mejlis member Gayana Yuksel, and the head of the Kurultai's audit commission, Ali Ozenbash," the statement reads. According to the statement, the participants in the meeting paid special attention to preparations for and the implementation of measures within the Crimea Platform to increase international pressure on Russia in order to make it leave the occupied territories of Ukraine and comply with the norms and principles of international law. Photo credit: UWC News Release UNHCR KHARTOUM, Sudan UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) commend the Sudanese Government for the launch of its 2021 2023 National Action Plan (NAP) to Combat Human Trafficking. The plan, officially launched yesterday by the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking (NCCT), seeks to reinforce Sudans efforts to curb human trafficking and to build on the previous action plan for 2017-2019. The new NAP, which was drafted with the support of the Counter Trafficking and Mixed Migration Working Group (CTWG) which UNHCR and IOM are co-chairs of, has a broader scope and takes into consideration contributions from all concerned actors including officials and civil society. The launch of this National Action Plan shows the renewed commitment of the Government of Sudan to tackle human trafficking, which is also a key concern for refugees and asylum seekers, said Axel Bisschop, UNHCR Representative in Sudan. We will continue to work with the NCCT, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other partners to enhance the protection of forcibly displaced who have fallen victims of trafficking and to find solutions for them, he added. Sudan has a complex and diverse migration profile as a major source, transit and destination country at the centre of multiple migration routes. Over the past decade, thousands of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers have been transiting to and through Sudan which currently host millions of displaced persons many of which are at increased risk of exploitation and abuse, including human trafficking. The National Action Plan is a way forward to coordinate the efforts in the prevention of trafficking, protection and assistance to victims of trafficking in Sudan, said Catherine Northing, IOM Chief of Mission in Sudan. IOM is committed to continue its efforts to support the government together with UNHCR and other partners to protect the human rights of and provide assistance to victims of trafficking. The overarching goal of the new NAP is to prevent and respond to human trafficking and migrant smuggling, which women and children are at heightened risk of. The plan outlines activities aimed at eradicating trafficking in persons. While the NCCT will coordinate collective actions to fulfil the NAPs objectives and priorities, UNHCR and IOM calls on the international community to fully support concerned authorities and engaged actors in the implementation of this plan. For more information, please contact: South Sudanese refugees Nyabane (left) and Nyadow (right), pose with one of the energy-efficient cookstoves they helped design in Nguenyyiel refugee camp, Ethiopia. UNHCR/Elisabeth Haslund Nyadow Thoan recalls how lush and green the environment in Nguenyyiel camp was when she first arrived there in 2017. But today, the 27-year-old South Sudanese mother of three is concerned by how much the camps surroundings in western Ethiopias Gambella region have changed. Since the camps establishment five years ago, its natural forests have diminished, as refugees and the local community cut down trees to produce firewood, which is their sole source of energy. The impact on the environment is clear and the consequences are being greatly felt by refugees, particularly girls and women who are traditionally responsible for collecting firewood for cooking. But as the firewood becomes increasingly scarce so does refugees access to sufficient cooking energy. It was such a big problem to get firewood and it was so difficult to cook outside when it was windy, because a lot of firewood went to waste, explains Nyadow. That was before Nyadow got her portable, clay cookstove a small device with a big effect that she helped develop together with other refugee women. It was such a big problem to get firewood. To address the concerning lack of energy supply in refugee-hosting areas as well as the environmental consequences of using firewood, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is working with partner GIZ on a joint program dubbed Energy Solutions for Displacement Settings in Ethiopia. 612df6364Earlier this year, and together with Ethiopias Agency for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA), the joint program launched a specific project to develop an energy-saving cooking stove as a sustainable, eco-friendly energy solution for households in Gambella. Refugee women and the local community have played a key role in this project, particularly in the stoves design. We learnt how to save energy, how to light fire in the rainy season when the wood is wet and how to cook with very little firewood, says Nyadow. She adds that during the training, they came up with a lot of recommendations and improvements for the stove. An electric or solar energy stove would be better but they are very expensive, so we have designed the best alternative solution which has many benefits, she adds. The stoves are produced by members of the local Ceramic Producers Association and use less firewood. In the long run, fewer trees will be cut, which has a positive impact on the air quality in the camp. We can even use other energy sources like grass and corn cobs. It makes a big difference, explains Nyabane, 21, another recipient of the cookstoves. We have designed the best alternative solution which has many benefits. But the most important advantage, according to the women, is the reduced need to venture into the bush to collect firewood. We have to travel very long distances, like two to three hours, to collect firewood. So, it could easily be a full days trip, many times a week, adds Nyabane. Nyadow agrees, adding that for women like her with newborn babies, its tough to go into the forest to fetch firewood. Its in the bush that bad things happen, where women and children can be raped or worse! she explains. So far, one group of women in the camp has received the cooking stoves. 200 additional stoves will be produced and distributed across the six camps in Gambella. Kwadwo Frempong, UNHCRs Development Officer in Gambella explains that working with the communities will help in getting feedback on how the agencys energy policies can better address people's needs. We hope to improve refugees access to energy and reduce the problematic deforesting by producing the stoves and training refugees on how to use them, he explains. He adds that by gradually adopting a market-based approach where local manufacturers develop the stoves and refugees buy them at affordable prices, peoples livelihoods will improve, ultimately reducing their dependency on aid. He further explains how UNHCR, GIZ and other partners are exploring different approaches to enhance livelihoods and income-generating initiatives across the camps. Nyadow and Nyabane hope that many more families in their community can benefit from the stoves as they do. We are the role models, so we tell everyone about the cookstoves and their advantages, says Nyadow. Most friendships begin with open arms, but for unlikely best friends, Syaedah a Rohingya refugee woman living in Malaysia - and Nasha a Malaysian citizen - it might have started with an I love you instead. In the beginning, I would say "I love you" at the end of the phone calls with Syaedah, but maybe this was too culturally different, because she would only reply with "oh ok" before hanging up," laughed Nasha. But these awkward early exchanges of affection foreshadowed a true friendship that would profoundly and forever impact the lives of both women. The duo first met at the Rohingya Women Development Network (RWDN), a social enterprise aimed at empowering Rohingya women in Malaysia. Nasha is RWDNs co-director, while Syaedah joined the centre over four years ago. Syaedah, who had never been to a school before, learnt to read and write for the first time at the centre. I used to volunteer at RWDN every Monday to teach the refugees skills that could earn them a living. That was when I first met Syaedah, recalled 34-year-old Nasha. Syaedah was a student of mine. She came for the classes with her sister. Syaedah recalled being terrified of engaging anyone outside her community at the start, and that included Nasha. When I first came to RWDN in 2017, I was scared to talk to any Malaysian. I wasnt sure how they would treat us, said the 25-year-old Syaedah. But from the start, Nasha was different. She respected us. Syaedah (left) and her sister (center) and Nasha (right) support and strengthen each other Nasha Damia Syaedah comes from a conservative culture, where women are often not given opportunities for education or work. Her family fled persecution in Myanmar when she was only four years old. She grew up in Malaysia, but did not get a chance to attend any of the learning centers available for refugee children in the country. Instead, out of necessity, she was married at the age of 15, and became a mother in the same year. Syaedah now has two daughters, aged nine and one. When the opportunity arose to learn new skills at the RWDN centre, Syaedah did not hesitate to join. I feel like I lost my childhood because I got married young and could not attend school and college, she said. But I still consider myself lucky to have a husband who is understanding and who supports my dreams to learn and be an active member in the community now. As Syaedah learnt new crafts skills from Nasha, their friendship developed too. I needed someone I could depend on in the group, and Syaedah stepped up, said Nasha. Just like that, Syaedah became my number one, my right arm and best friend. We got closer and closer as we worked together. Today Syaedah helps Nasha run RWDN as a community leader. Together, they educate young Rohingya girls and women on child marriage and domestic violence at the centre. As they uplift the women around them, Syaedah and Nasha also find support in each other. Just like any deep friendship, the women see each other through the good times, and through the difficult times. When my grandmother passed away, Syaedah and her sister came to be with me. They brought me food and stayed the whole day. I was so touched, said Nasha. Syaedah is one of my best friends, said Nasha. She is a genuine person, and one of the kindest people I know. She notices even the smallest things that I dont realise about myself, like when I am tired and need rest. Over time, I started opening up more and more to her. Today Syaedah is my family, said Nasha. I visit with her whole family. I come for her daughters birthdays and other family events. Syaedah has been there for me in my personal life too. We are there for each other, said Nasha. Syaedah looks up to Nasha as a sister and role model. Sometimes she is like a sister, other times she is like a mother, scolding me even, joked Syaedah. We have become family. Since the pandemic began, Syaedah and Nasha developed a nightly routine of checking in on each other. We send heart emojis to one another to check in and make sure we are alive, said Nasha. Even when work gets busy, we try to send voice messages to each other every night. The best friends embody how friendships can blossom between unlikely people and in unlikely circumstances, when people open their hearts to seeing beyond what divides them. Syaedah said, People might hesitate to befriend us because we are refugees. But we are just like everyone else. We have families and friends. We have laughter and tears. The beautiful thing about friendship is that it can break down all kinds of barriers. All it takes is a hello, said Nasha. 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. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, right, speaks at a news conference, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Inslee announced that Washington state is expanding its vaccine mandate to include all public, charter and private school teachers and staff, as well as those working at the state's colleges and universities. The governor also expanded the statewide indoor mask mandate in place for non-vaccinated individuals to include those who are vaccinated. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee puts on a mask after speaking at a news conference, Aug. 18, at the Capitol in Olympia. On that date, Inslee said all teachers and school staff would be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19. A passenger wears personal protective equipment on a Delta Airlines flight after landing at MinneapolisSaint Paul International Airport in Minneapolis, May 28, 2020. Billy Edward "Wild Bill" Dixon, 61, passed away Sunday, Sept. 13, 2021. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, at Freedom Church with the Rev. Tim Thomas officiating. Burial will follow at Snow Hill cemetery. Mr. Dixon was born in Milledgeville, Ga. on March 15, 1960, to Dovie D 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. This 2013 Dodge Charger, operated by a Milledgeville police officer, sustained considerable damages, as did this 2016 Infiniti Q50, following a three-vehicle collision at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and North Columbia Street on Friday afternoon. One person was taken to Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin hospital in Milledgeville with injuries. Only scientists should study the origins of COVID-19, the leader of the Bangladesh Medical Association, the largest nationwide professional body of medical doctors in the country, told Xinhua on Tuesday DHAKA, Aug. 31 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Aug, 2021 ) --:Only scientists should study the origins of COVID-19, the leader of the Bangladesh Medical Association, the largest nationwide professional body of medical doctors in the country, told Xinhua on Tuesday. "If we have a clear and transparent idea about its origins or source, it will be an easy task to deal with the virus," said Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin, the association's president. Mohiuddin, a former Member of the Bangladesh Parliament, hailed China for supporting his country with COVID-19 vaccines. "Definitely we applaud Chinese support," he said, adding that if rich countries fail to help their less fortunate counterparts with vaccines, medical equipment and technology, the world can't expect a return to normalcy. ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 31st Aug, 2021) President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued a Federal decree holding ministers and senior officials accountable for wrongdoing in order to enhance transparency. The decree is issued as part of the government's efforts to adopt laws and regulations that consolidate transparency and the rule of law within the federal government. Under the decree, the Public Prosecution can receive and accordingly investigate complaints against senior official and take necessary actions. The Public Prosecution can ban a minister or an official under investigation from travelling and freeze their money as well as funds of their wives and minors, if necessary, said the decree. The decree also highlights the potential penalties for violators, including censuring, forced retirement, job termination, or relief of duties along with deprivation of pension or bonus at a maximum of one quarter of the total. The UAE is ranked first in the region at the Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index, an advanced ranking that reflects the determination of the country's leadership to combat all forms of corruption. Ottawa, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Sep, 2021 ) :Canada's economic recovery came to a surprise and screeching halt in the second quarter, casting a pall over snap elections called by Justin Trudeau to set a new post-pandemic course for the nation. The economy, after nine months of strong growth that followed the lifting of initial Covid lockdowns last year, contracted by an annualized rate of 1.1 percent in the April to June period, according to government data released Tuesday. Economists were expecting continued growth, but increases in business and government spending were insufficient to offset a decline in exports and a shock slowdown in housing resales, according to Statistics Canada. "It seems that the Canadian economy wasn't on as strong a footing as we had believed, and with the fourth (Covid) wave now seemingly here, the economy faces another storm to navigate through," CIBC analyst Royce Mendes said in a research note. "It's disappointing," commented Derek Holt, vice president of Scotiabank Economics. He told AFP: "It's definitely a setback" as many believed businesses and consumers had adapted to operating amid Covid, but the data clearly shows "we're not out of the woods yet." Analysts had forecast growth of up to 2.5 percent from April to June, after growth in the previous quarters of 5.5 percent, 9.3 percent and 41.7 percent. Those came as the economy roared back from a 38 percent plunge in gross domestic product in the early months of the pandemic, when most of the country was ordered locked down. June figures were in line with expectations, but downward revisions to data for April and May "wrongfooted economists' predictions," Mendes explained. Early indications suggest the third quarter "also didn't get off to as hot a start as anticipated... despite public health restrictions continuing to ease," he said. - Bad economic news for Trudeau - The sudden and unexpected slump comes as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appears to be losing ground in a general election that he was initially favored to win handily. The economy had been humming along, most of the jobs lost at the onset of the pandemic had been recouped, and with nearly all public health restrictions lifted, a sense of normalcy was setting in. Voters simply had to decide which party and policies they favored to complete the pandemic pullout. But two weeks into the campaign, Trudeau's Liberals are now neck and neck with Erin O'Toole's Conservatives, according to the latest public opinion polls. Ahead of the September 20 ballot, Covid infections are also rising once again. "The economy will be at the heart of debates in the last weeks of the campaign," predicted Jean-Marc Leger, president of Leger polling firm, noting that Trudeau is suddenly facing "a lot of headwinds." "It would have been better for the Liberals if this economic news did not come out now," University of Ottawa politics professor Genevieve Tellier told AFP. According to Statistics Canada, exports fell four percent while imports were flat in the second quarter. Since the third quarter of 2020, housing investment emerged as the "predominant contributor" to the economy, the government agency said. Both new construction and renovations of homes continued at a brisk pace in the second quarter of this year. But home resale activity, which had been a key economic driver, plunged. Household spending, meanwhile, was flat after edging up in the first quarter. Outlays for durable goods declined as higher prices constrained demand. Business investment in machinery rebounded. But shortages of microchips curtailed sales of passenger cars and trucks, and hit auto assembly lines, resulting in a drop in exports of motor vehicles and parts. BMO chief economist Douglas Porter said early indications are that July will also be weak, but that could turn around in August. "We're still looking for a bump in activity as things erratically reopen in coming months/quarters, but this weak (Q2) report will leave a mark," he concluded. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Doha, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Sep, 2021 ) :German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Tuesday he saw "no way around" talking with the Taliban after their takeover of Afghanistan. "I personally believe there is absolutely no way around having talks with the Taliban," he said during a press conference after meeting with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, in Doha. Doha, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Sep, 2021 ) :Qatar's foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, urged the Taliban on Tuesday to combat terrorism after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, and called for an inclusive government. "We stressed the importance of cooperation to combat terrorism... and we stressed the importance of the Taliban to cooperate in this field," he said in a press conference after meeting with his German counterpart, Heiko Maas. ISTANBUL, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Aug, 2021 ) :A rebel drone attack from Yemen has injured eight people in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi-led coalition said on Tuesday. A coalition statement said a civilian plane also sustained damage in the attack that targeted the Abha Airport southwest of Saudi Arabia. Saudi air defenses also intercepted and destroyed a second drone attack by Houthi rebels on the airport, the statement said, describing the attack as a "war crime. On Monday, the coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile fired by Houthi rebels towards the southern Najran province. There was no comment from the Houthi group on the statement. Houthi rebels regularly announce rocket and drone attacks on Saudi territories, saying they are a reaction to the Saudi-led coalition's assault on Yemen. Yemen has been beset by violence and chaos since 2014, when Houthis overran much of the country, including the capital, Sanaa. The crisis escalated in 2015 when a Saudi-led coalition launched a devastating air campaign aimed at rolling back Houthi territorial gains. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the conflict has claimed more than 233,000 lives. Lima, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Sep, 2021 ) :Twenty-six passengers died, including a child, and 22 were injured when a bus plummeted from a cliff in Peru early Tuesday, police said, in the country's third multiple-victim transport accident in four days. The accident happened on a narrow stretch of the Carretera Central road some 60 kilometers (37 miles) east of the capital Lima. Police commander Cesar Cervantes said on told tv Peru there was a child among the dead and two among the injured. There had been 63 passengers on the bus. A search and rescue effort was under way for possible survivors and to recover bodies, the police department added on Twitter. Cervantes said "recklessness" contributed to Tuesday's accident, adding that the bus had been traveling "at high speed." It hit a rock and plunged into an abyss some 200 meters (656 feet) deep, according to survivor accounts. On Sunday, 14 people died when two boats collided on the Amazon river in Peru. An undetermined number remain missing. Two days earlier, another bus fell into a ravine in the country's southeast, killing 17 people. Road accidents are common in the Andean country due to factors including speeding motorists, poorly-maintained highways, a lack of road signs, and poor traffic safety enforcement. WASHINGTON, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Aug, 2021 ) :An American senator has thanked Pakistan and other countries that supported evacuations of US, Afghan other nationals from Afghanistan during a conversation with Pakistani Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan on Monday. "Even as the last US troops leave Afghanistan, I'll continue to do everything in my power to bring home all Americans & provide asylum to our Afghan partners endangered by their support to the US," Senator Chris van Hollen, who was born in Karachi, said in a tweet. "Also thankful to Qatar, UAE, Pakistan, Kuwait & many others supporting evacuation efforts. "In his tweet, Ambassador Khan said he briefed Senator Hollen on Pakistan's support for the evacuations, and shared Islamabad's perspective on the urgency of securing an inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan. On Friday, the ambassador spoke to US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham Friday. Graham also praised the Pakistani government for helping to evacuate people wanting to leave Afghanistan, saying that Pakistan must be part of "sustainable solution" to the conflict in the country.\932 Geneva, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2021 ) :The World Trade Organization agreed Monday to a request from Beijing to evaluate China's compliance with a ruling faulting it for unfair restrictions on imports of American grain. The decision by the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) to establish an expert panel to determine whether China complied with a 2019 ruling marks the latest twist in a long-running dispute between the world's two largest economies. Back in December 2016, the administration of then US president Barack Obama filed a complaint with the global trade body over what it claimed were illegal Chinese restrictions on imports of American rice, wheat and corn, describing China's use of the so-called tariff-rate quota (TRQ) system as "opaque and unpredictable". Washington estimated at the time that American farmers could have exported some $3.5 billion more of such crops to China if the system had been used properly, and charged that Beijing had violated its commitments under international trade rules. A panel of experts established by the DSB agreed in April 2019 that China had failed to adhere to the commitments it made when it became a WTO member in 2001 to administer the TRQs on a "transparent, predictable, and fair basis". TRQs are two-level tariffs, allowing for a limited volume of imports to come in at a lower "in-quota" tariff level, and all other imports charged at an often much higher "out-of-quota" tariff. Countries like China that joined the WTO after its creation in 1995 have had their TRQ commitments set out in their accession agreements. China maintains it has fully implemented the DSB rulings and recommendations in this dispute, but Washington does not agree, and threatened last month to take countermeasures. China has requested that the WTO help settle the matter by establishing a fresh panel of experts to examine its compliance with the 2019 ruling. Its initial request for a panel was rejected, but its second request during a DSB meeting Monday was granted, according to a Geneva-based trade official. The US representative at Monday's meeting appeared to welcome the decision, saying Washington was "willing to work together with China to reach a resolution to this dispute". Pakistan on Tuesday asked Germany and the international community to remain engaged with Afghanistan to avert any humanitarian crisis and economic collapse of the conflict-hit country ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Aug, 2021 ) :Pakistan on Tuesday asked Germany and the international community to remain engaged with Afghanistan to avert any humanitarian crisis and economic collapse of the conflict-hit country. "This is a pivotal moment in Afghanistan's history. The international community must remain engaged," Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said in a joint press conference with his German counterpart Heiko Maas, here at the Foreign Ministry. The presser followed the delegation-level talks led by the two foreign ministers that was focused on bilateral and regional issues and the situation in Afghanistan. Qureshi said Germany must "use its influence to convince the international community for continuous engagement" with Afghanistan. He said the exodus of refugees from Afghanistan in the current situation could not be avoided and therefore needed support from the world. He said Pakistan had so far safely evacuated over 10,000 people from Afghanistan since August 15. On formation of government in Afghanistan, he said as per the statements of the Taliban, it was expected to be announced after the U.S. troops completed their withdrawal. Asked on solid evidence available on India's financing and training of militant group Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), he said Pakistan had been constantly warning the world to "beware of the spoilers of peace". "The international community has to discern the side, either of those who support peace or the ones who for their self-interest are committed to destroy region's peace," he said. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Germany, in coming days, would see if the Taliban fulfilled their commitments with the world. "It remains to be seen if the [Afghan] government will be an inclusive one as we had demanded," he said. To a question on India's terror funding in Afghanistan, he said in broader context, there was a need for formulation of a common strategy by neighbouring countries for continuation of development projects in Afghanistan. He said Germany and Pakistan were closely coordinating on bilateral and regional issues, including Afghanistan. He said the German government was grateful for cooperation and receiving information from Pakistan, being the immediate neighbour of Afghanistan. Maas thanked Pakistan for successfully managing the evacuation of German nationals and local staff and their safe airlift from Afghanistan.\932 Pakistan has called for the international community's continued engagement with Afghanistan in the backdrop of Monday's UN Security Council resolution so as to prevent the "spoilers" from disrupting prospects for peace and stability in the war-torn country UNITED NATIONS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Aug, 2021 ) :Pakistan has called for the international community's continued engagement with Afghanistan in the backdrop of Monday's UN Security Council resolution so as to prevent the "spoilers" from disrupting prospects for peace and stability in the war-torn country. "Pakistan is working closely with the regional countries as well as members of the international community for achieving lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan," a spokesperson of the Pakistan Mission to the UN said Tuesday. The resolution that the 15-member Council adopted on Monday called on the Taliban to allow safe passage for those seeking to leave Afghanistan, and not allow the Afghan territory to be used to threaten or attack any nation or shelter terrorists. Thirteen Council members voted in favour of the resolution, which demands access to the country for humanitarians, and upholding of human rights, including for women and children. China and Russia, two of Council's permanent members, abstained on the resolution, which was drafted by the United States, Britain and France. Commenting on the resolution, the spokesperson said Pakistan has been calling on the international community to stay engaged with all relevant parties and to respond to the current situation in a "careful and a calibrated manner", taking into account the prevailing ground realities in Afghanistan. "We believe that continued constructive engagement of the international community is vital towards ensuring the success of ongoing efforts for achieving an inclusive political set-up; seeking continued cooperation in the process of evacuation; as well as addressing the human rights and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.'' The initial draft of the UNSC draft resolution did not enjoy consensus, it was pointed out. Both in Islamabad as well as through the Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Munir Akram, Pakistan closely engaged with the members of the Security Council in making the text more balanced and constructive. "On its part," the spokesperson said, "Pakistan remains at the forefront of supporting efforts to promote an inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan, and is working closely with the regional countries, including through the Extended Troika format on Afghanistan that includes Pakistan, China, Russia and the US. " On its part, Pakistan is also extending complete support in the safe evacuations from Afghanistan, having evacuated so far over 10,000 nationals and staff of foreign embassies, United Nations and other international organizations as well as media personnel and more are expected to transit through Pakistan. In addition, Pakistan is providing all possible support to the United Nations and other international agencies to address the prevailing humanitarian situation in Afghanistan by serving a humanitarian air bridge for provision of essential supplies, including vital medical supplies. On Monday, first PIA Cargo flight with WHO medical supplies reached from Islamabad to Mazar Sharif as part of this initiative. Pakistan strongly condemned the heinous terrorist attack at the Kabul airport on 26 August and called for the elimination of all terrorist groups from the Afghan soil, including TTP, Al-Qaeda, ETIM, ISIL-K and IMU. "A coordinated approach is needed to address the threat posed by these terrorist organizations," the spokesperson said, pointing out TTP carried out hundreds of cross-border attacks against Pakistan with the sponsorship of hostile intelligence agencies during the last year alone. The latest TTP attack on 29 August, the spokesperson said, was yet another manifestation of the continued threat posed by the terrorist group. Being a host to approximately 4 million Afghan refugees, Pakistan said it hopes that the international community will fulfill the call of the UNSC to provide humanitarian assistance to major Afghan refugee-hosting countries. "We hope that the international community will continue to play a constructive role in addressing the situation in Afghanistan and prevent the spoilers from disrupting prospects for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan, " the spokesperson added. Pakistan on Tuesday strongly condemned the recent attack by the Houthi militants on Abha International airport in Saudi Arabia, which was intercepted by the coalition forces ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Aug, 2021 ) :Pakistan on Tuesday strongly condemned the recent attack by the Houthi militants on Abha International airport in Saudi Arabia, which was intercepted by the coalition forces. "Unfortunately the incident caused several injuries and damage to a civilian plane. We wish speedy recovery to those injured in the incident. " the Foreign Office said in a statement. "We call for immediate cessation of these attacks that violate the international law and threaten peace and security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region." said the statement. The Foreign Office further said that Pakistan reaffirmed its full support and solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against any threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Aug, 2021 ) :Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday announced to open the country's consulate general in Germany's city Munich. "We will soon inaugurate the Consulate General of Pakistan in Munich and are working to establish Iqbal-Goethe Center in Heidelberg," the foreign minister said in a tweet, following his announcement at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. Foreign Minister Qureshi said, "Bilaterally, we deeply value our longstanding relations with Germany, now in our 70th year of friendship". He said Pakistan attached high value to its relations with Germany and underscored the resolve to comprehensively upgrade the overall relationship. The year 2021 marks the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Germany. A range of events are envisaged by the two countries to celebrate this milestone in a befitting manner. Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, Asad Majeed Khan, has urged the international community to facilitate the Taliban and other Afghan parties to come to a common understanding and form an inclusive government in a bid to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan WASHINGTON, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Aug, 2021 ) :Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, Asad Majeed Khan, has urged the international community to facilitate the Taliban and other Afghan parties to come to a common understanding and form an inclusive government in a bid to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan. "This is really the time an opportunity for international community to come together and I think we owe it to the people of Afghanistan," he said, adding that that was the best way to prevent deterioration of the situation and a civil war in the country. The Taliban were themselves anxious to restore normalcy and order there, he said. The Pakistani envoy, who was responding to questions from BBC Correspondent Yalda Hakim, said some reports in the international media about violations of human rights might not be true. "We are hearing that things are returning to normal; we are also seeing no Afghan refugees on border crossings," Ambassador Khan said. "We are also seeing the restoration of commercial traffic," he said pointing out that the situation was by and large close to normal in all the major cities of Afghanistan. Replying to a question, the ambassador said Pakistan did not control the Taliban and had even lost whatever leverage it had over the group. Successive Afghan governments, he said, had made allegations about Pakistan's involvement with the Taliban in an attempt to shift the focus on their corruption and failures, and "our detractors in the region" also used Kabul's accusations to malign Pakistan. Pakistan, he said, did have linkages with the Taliban like several other countries. The United States too had been having talks with the group. Ambassador Khan said Pakistan was doing its part to evacuate diplomats, representatives of international organizations and Afghans wishing to leave Afghanistan. But, he said, Pakistan, which already had 3.5 million refugees, would not accept more refugees. "We are already overburdened by the refugees, and it is beyond our capacity to host any more refugees," he added. HAVANA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 31st August, 2021) The Dominican Republic has sent a ship with 12 tonnes of medicines and medical supplies to Cuba, and another shipment of aid from a local Cuban association has been sent to Cuba by plane, Prensa Latina reported. The cargo is being transported in solidarity in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. According to diplomatic sources in Cuba, the shipment includes thousands of masks, drugs such as acetaminophen. amoxicillin, cytirizin, vitamins, as well as antibacterial gel and isopropyl alcohol, all worth $551,458. Recently, humanitarian supplies for Cuba were sent by Russia, China, Vietnam, Mexico, Bolivia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Italy, Spain and other countries. The island is experiencing an acute economic crisis and shortages as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and intensification of the US economic, trade and financial blockade. MEXICO CITY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 31st August, 2021) Five construction workers have been killed and two others injured by a falling crane in the Mexican state of Mexico, the civil protection and fire department of the municipality of Ecatepec de Morelos said on Monday. The incident took place during the construction of an overhead road, when workers were installing 30-meter (98-feet) reinforcing steel bars for the support structure of the bridge. "The crane was loading welded reinforcing bars, for some reason it was overloaded and fell on five workers, who, unfortunately, died. Two other people were injured," department director Victoria Arriaga told journalists. The construction works are conducted by the state of Mexico to provide easier access to Felipe Angeles International Airport that is being built at the Santa Lucia military base. Indian Ambassador to Qatar Deepak Mittal met with the head of Taliban's (terrorist organization, outlawed in Russia) political office in Doha Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai at the latter's request, India's Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 31st August, 2021) Indian Ambassador to Qatar Deepak Mittal met with the head of Taliban's (terrorist organization, outlawed in Russia) political office in Doha Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai at the latter's request, India's Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday. "Today, Ambassador of India to Qatar, Deepak Mittal, met Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the Head of Taliban's Political Office in Doha. The meeting took place at the Embassy of India, Doha, on the request of the Taliban side," the ministry said in a release. The discussion focused on the safety, security, and prompt return of Indian people who were trapped in Afghanistan. Afghan nationals, particularly minorities, who desire to visit India were also discussed. The Indian diplomat cautioned not to use Afghanistan as a haven for terrorism however, the Taliban representative gave assurances that the issues would be positively addressed. Earlier this month, the Taliban reportedly prohibited 140 Sikhs and Hindu pilgrims from going to India to celebrate the 400th Anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. This prompted the Sikh community to ask the Indian government to facilitate the transportation of pilgrims as the Taliban suspended all commercial flights. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi met with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John F. Kerry on Tuesday to discuss preparations for the COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference TOKYO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 31st August, 2021) Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi met with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John F. Kerry on Tuesday to discuss preparations for the COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference. Kerry arrived in Japan on Monday for a two-day visit to talk about global climate issues. "Minister Motegi, warmly welcoming the visit of SPEC John Kerry, stated that climate change is an important global challenge and that Japan will lead the efforts of the international community for global de-carbonization, together with the United States, looking ahead to the G20, COP26 and beyond," the Japanese ministry said in a statement. Motegi elaborated on his country's carbon neutrality plans by 2050, noting that Japan was set to use its cutting-edge technologies to achieve the ambitious goals. Kerry, for his part, expanded on the US administration's climate efforts. "Toward global de-carbonization, the two sides concurred on the importance of cooperation with developing countries, including major emitters, in their emission reduction efforts," the ministry stated. After Japan, Kerry is set to travel to China. The COP26 summit is scheduled to run from October 31 to November 12 in Glasgow. The next G20 Summit will take place in Rome from October 30-31. Police have deployed anti-looting teams to the US city of New Orleans after reports of several plunder cases in the wake of Hurricane Ida WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 31st August, 2021) Police have deployed anti-looting teams to the US city of New Orleans after reports of several plunder cases in the wake of Hurricane Ida. "NOPD has deployed anti-looting teams across the city in order to protect our citizens' property as we continue the recovery process. Looting will NOT be tolerated and encourage everyone to be good neighbors and say something when you see something," the police department tweeted late on Monday. On August 30, Fox news reported that after Hurricane Ida led to power outages, numerous cases of looting were recorded in the city. According to Police Chief Shaun Ferguson, several people have been detained in connection with plunder/ He also said the city will work with the National Guard to take preventive measures. City Mayor LaToya Cantrell, however, noted that although looting did take place, it was not widespread. Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana on Sunday as a Category 4 storm before weakening to a Category 1, as it moved across the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Qatar's Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has urged the Taliban (terrorist group, banned in Russia) to allow foreign security presence at the Kabul airport so that commercial flights could safely resume MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 31st August, 2021) Qatar's Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has urged the Taliban (terrorist group, banned in Russia) to allow foreign security presence at the Kabul airport so that commercial flights could safely resume. "What is a clear [Taliban] objection is that they don't want to see a foreign security presence in their airport or their territory. What we are trying to explain to them is that airport safety and security requires a lot more than securing the perimeters of the airport," the minister told Financial Times in an interview, published on Monday. After the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan in mid-August, the Kabul airport became the center of rapid evacuations carried out by several countries, who have elected to evacuate their citizens, diplomatic missions, and associated Afghan nationals from the militant-controlled nation. After the United States completed troop withdrawal from Afghanistan on August 30, the Taliban indicated they would reopen the airport to civilian air traffic. The radical group is reportedly in talks with Turkey and Qatar on technical assistance in operating the airport. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed receiving such a request, but criticized the Taliban's proposal for Ankara to manage the airport, while leaving security issues to themselves. (@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. Switzerland said Tuesday it had rejected a request from Russia to extradite a Russian businessman, who is already fighting an extradition to the United States over suspicions of large-scale insider trading Geneva, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Aug, 2021 ) :Switzerland said Tuesday it had rejected a request from Russia to extradite a Russian businessman, who is already fighting an extradition to the United States over suspicions of large-scale insider trading. The Swiss justice ministry confirmed Swiss media reports that it had recently rejected a Russian request to extradite Vladislav Klyushin. In an email to AFP, a ministry spokeswoman explained that "the facts described in the request are not punishable under Swiss law," adding that it had informed Russian authorities on August 12 that "the request had been rejected". Klyushin, who stands accused of "insider trading in the tens of millions of Dollars together with several accomplices", was arrested in the Swiss canton of Wallis in March. (@ChaudhryMAli88) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 31st August, 2021) Militants shelled the positions of Syrian government troops in the Idlib province, one Syrian serviceman was wounded, Rear Adm. Vadim Kulit, deputy head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria, said at a briefing. "As a result of artillery shelling by terrorists of the positions of government forces in the area of the locality of Mellaja, Idlib province, one Syrian serviceman was wounded," Rear Adm. Kulit said at a briefing. He said the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group (banned in Russia) carried out 21 shelling attacks in the Idlib de-escalation zone in Syria. "Over the past day, 21 attacks were recorded in the Idlib de-escalation zone from the positions of the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group (according to the Syrian side, 20 attacks). A total of 12 attacks were registered in Idlib province, four attacks in Latakia, one in Aleppo and four in Hama," Rear Adm. Kulit said. The Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides and Control over the Movement of Refugees in the Syrian Arab Republic was established in February 2016. Its tasks include the signing of agreements on illegal armed groups and individual settlements joining the regime of cessation of hostilities, as well as coordinating the delivery of humanitarian aid. The United States embassy to Belarus had to further reduce its staff on Tuesday at Minsk's request, the diplomatic mission said MINSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 31st August, 2021) The United States embassy to Belarus had to further reduce its staff on Tuesday at Minsk's request, the diplomatic mission said. "More U.S. diplomats had to depart #Belarus today because of the regime's unfortunate decision to limit engagement and dialogue. Whether in Minsk or elsewhere, U.S. diplomats will continue to support the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people. #StandwithBelarus," the embassy tweeted. Earlier in August, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry proposed the US to reduce the number of its embassy staff to five people until September 1. (@FahadShabbir) The US has not left any dogs at the Kabul airport following after it has fully withdrawn from Afghanistan on Monday, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said on Tuesday countering reports that circulated earlier in the day WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 31st August, 2021) The US has not left any dogs at the Kabul airport following after it has fully withdrawn from Afghanistan on Monday, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said on Tuesday countering reports that circulated earlier in the day. "To correct erroneous reports, the U.S. Military did not leave any dogs in cages at Hamid Karzai International Airport, including the reported military working dogs. Photos circulating online were animals under the care of the Kabul Small Animal Rescue, not dogs under our care," Kirby said in a tweet. At least 150 dogs were brought to Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) by Kabul Small Animal Rescue in order to evacuate them onboard military flights. The US military refused to do so and the dogs were left in an enclosed area at one of the airport compounds after they were released from cages, according to the Pentagon spokesman's statement. American Humane organization in a statement on Monday slammed the US military for abandoning military contract working dogs in Afghanistan and called upon the American government to load all dogs on cargo flights and transport them out of the country to save their lives. Pope Francis sends his greetings to a meeting of Bishops serving rural areas in Italy, and urges them to let charity and hope fill their pastoral activities By Vatican News staff reporter Some 20 Italian Bishops are holding a two-day meeting in the city of Benevento to seek ways to revitalize their pastoral care in areas facing depopulation, marginalization, and economic difficulty. The Bishops hail from dioceses in Piedmont, Umbria, Lazio, Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, and Calabria. As the event kicked off on Monday, Pope Francis sent a message to participants, urging them to set out with openness to make all things new. Charity and communion The Pope said the meeting can help the Bishops rediscover communion and fraternity and meet challenges together. Do not let yourselves be paralyzed by difficulties, individualism, and indifference that marks our times, he wrote. Rather, Christians should respond to these problems with charity and by active engagement, and not with subdued disagreement with the lack of values in todays society. Schools of service He also urged Italian Bishops to overcome nostalgia for the past and take bold steps to be a consoling presence in places where hardships abound. Parishes, he added, should become training centers for Christian life and schools of service to others, in such a way that humility and tenderness shine forth. Pope Francis concluded the message expressing his appreciation for the initiative, which should help Bishops create projects and attitudes to help people discover the love of the encounter with Jesus. The UN's children's agency highlights the urgent needs of the children in Afghanistan where insecurity and conflict following the Taliban takeover of the country has made it one of the worst places on earth to be a child. By Benedict Mayaki, SJ With nearly 10 million children in urgent need of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan amid the increased conflict and insecurity in recent weeks, the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern that those least responsible for the crisis are paying the highest price including children some of them killed in a deadly attack at the Kabul airport on Thursday. A huge explosion rocked Kabuls airport last week as the US and other international troops carried out massive evacuation efforts following the Taliban takeover of the country. Over 150 people were killed in the incident, including 13 US servicemen, and several others were left injured. UNICEF further highlights the need for humanitarian aid for the country, amid headlines about international donors cutting aid to the country. The humanitarian aid appeal will go to cover a variety of sectors including child protection, sanitation, nutrition, health and education, says Herve Ludovic De Lys, UNICEFs Afghanistan representative. Children affected in the crisis Against the back of instability and conflict, Herve de Lys notes that there is a child protection crisis in the country that is already one of the worst places on earth to be a child. He spoke of unsettling reports of unaccompanied children across the country, many exposed to grave violations, including some being recruited by armed groups. Some other children who live in communities are running out of water because of droughts. Many are extremely malnourished and risk starvation. In addition, they are missing life-saving vaccines, including against polio, a disease that can paralyze them for life. All of this, De Lys noted, is happening in a year in which more than 550 children have been killed, and more than 1,400 injured. Aid for Afghanistan UNICEF urges aid to support its work in the trouble-ridden country, in order to help the children deprived of their right to a healthy and protected childhood, de Lys said adding that it is for each and every one of these children that UNICEF is staying in Afghanistan. Herve de Lys underlined the importance of cash-based assistance for Afghans in need, noting that cash gives people the power to choose what they need the most while maintaining their dignity, especially as the winter months approach. He also reiterated the commitment to girls education, insisting that UNICEF will advocate for all girls in Afghanistan, including those with disabilities, to attend primary and secondary school, and go to university if they choose. Calling on all partners, he appealed that they support UNICEF as it prioritizes its scale-up plan which includes providing mobile health clinics; vaccinating babies against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases, and vaccinating people against COVID-19; treating children who are severely acutely malnourished; delivering water to areas affected by the drought, and distributing hygiene kits; getting children ready for school for the new school term next month, which includes efforts to reach 300,000 children, half of whom are girls. Melbourne, FL (32940) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 77F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. With the U.S. withdrawing from Afghanistan, Communist China has started to position itself to benefit from the situation. CCP-backed media has run articles boasting how the presence of Chinese companies and the involvement of Beijing will bring prosperity to the war-ravaged country. A Global Times article from Aug. 24 paints Beijings presence as providing genuine aid to reconstruct Afghanistans economy. It states that Chinese State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) have adopted a wait-and-see approach. It stated that Chinese private companies are set to stand firm in Afghanistan despite Western governments potential sanctions on the Taliban. The article went on to criticize Western media for hyping up the possibility of Chinese companies exploiting Afghanistans rich mineral deposits. The Global Times also claimed that the Taliban leadership has offered an olive branch to small and medium-sized Chinese investors. We saw Taliban members in every street and block When they heard about business hurdles in China Town, they would send higher-level officials, asking about the difficulty and how they could help. They say that Chinese people are friends, and should not be afraid to ask if they run into any trouble, Yu Minghui, director of the China Arab Economic and Trade Promotion Committee, told the Global Times. The article raised concerns that Western sanctions on the Taliban might cut off companies operating in Afghanistan from the global banking system, similar to the way U.S. sanctions have affected the Iranian economy. However, Chinese businessmen are relatively immune to such sanctions and have backup plans to deal with such situations, according to the article. The Taliban has also expressed an open mentality towards communist Chinas investments. In an interview with Chinese state-run CGTN television, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen stated that China is a big country with a huge economy and capacity. I think they can play a very big role in the rebuilding, rehabilitation, reconstruction of Afghanistan. He said that the Taliban and CCP have been in contact for a long time. Beijing has appointed a new contact person for the Taliban who recently held a meeting with the terror group. Mineral wealth, economic development According to estimates, Afghanistans mineral wealth could be $3 trillion. The country is believed to possess one of the largest lithium reserves in the world. Lithium is a critical element for electric batteries used in cars, laptops, and cell phones. In addition, there are also sizable deposits of iron, copper, mercury, lead, coal, and uranium. An Aug. 17 report published by CNBC warned that Beijing might align itself with the Taliban to exploit Afghanistans rare earth metals. It immediately drew criticism from Chinese media. The Global Times stated that Washington might launch its notorious sanction measures in Afghanistan. The U.S. is in no position to meddle with any potential cooperation between China and Afghanistan, including on rare earths. The so-called warnings in the CNBC report show that American firms doing business in Afghanistan are dissatisfied with Washingtons hasty evacuation and therefore the loss of their privileges, and it also reveals the U.S. fear of possible advancement for China with regard to the rare-earth sector, the article stated. However, China has suffered in the past when investing money in Afghanistan. During the mid-2000s, SOE Metallurgical Corp. of China Ltd. won a $3 billion deal to mine copper at Mes Aynak, located near Kabul. More than a decade later, the project is still in limbo. The extreme political uncertainty and security threats in the country basically make any investment a high-risk one. Everyones just in crisis mode I dont see the entrepreneurs getting back to business unless theres a huge overhaul in the Talibans behavior. And theres nothing Ive seen that makes me think thats going to happen, Sarah Wahedi told Bloomberg. Wahedi is a 26-year-old tech entrepreneur from Afghanistan who recently fled the country, There is also the question of whether mining activities will actually benefit the common citizens of Afghanistan. Having rich resources does not necessarily mean that the region will become prosperous. Nigeria, Iraq, and Brazil, for example, are all middle-income nations despite being oil-rich. Whether the multi-trillion-dollar mineral wealth of Afghanistan translates into economic prosperity for its people is something that remains to be seen. Satellite imagery has revealed that a nuclear reactor located in North Korea widely believed to be capable of producing weapons-grade plutonium for nuclear weapons is showing deeply troubling signs of renewed activity. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a recent report that it had first spotted activity at the 5-megawatt (MW) reactor just north of the North Korean capital of Pyongyang in late 2018 and that recently it was showing signs of increased activity. Since the beginning of July 2021, there have been signs, including drainage of cooling water, consistent with the operation of the reactor, the report said. The reactor, known as the Yongbyon nuclear facility, is believed to be capable of producing multiple kilograms of weapons-grade plutonium every year. The Trump administration had previously attempted to negotiate the demolition of the facility with the North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un. At a 2019 summit in Vietnam with the then-U.S. President, Donald Trump, Kim offered to shut down and dismantle the Yongbyon nuclear site in exchange for relief from international sanctions over nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. Trump ultimately rejected the deal stating that the Yongbyon site was only a small part of North Koreas nuclear program and was not enough of a concession. Kim Jong-Un has long touted his nuclear ambitions saying in January this year that he would seek completely new nuclear capabilities aimed at attaining the goal of modernization of the nuclear force. Since 2006 there have been five North Korean nuclear tests detected with the most recent test occurring in 2017 which led the U.N. Security Council to demand that the country immediately abandon its nuclear program in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. IAEA inspectors have not had access to the country since 2009 and have had to rely on commercial satellite imagery to conduct their assessments. Joshua Pollack, a researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies told Reuters,There has been no agreement governing these facilities for a long time now, adding that, North Koreas appetite for warheads is not yet sated, it seems. Convicted Khmer Rouge leader Khieu Samphan will face his final appeal at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal next week in what could be the last case taken up by the hybrid court tasked with investigating crimes committed by the brutal regime. The Khmer Rouge Tribunal, officially called the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), will convene a Supreme Court Chamber from August 16 to 19 where Khieu Samphan, head of state under the Khmer Rouge, wants the court to overthrow his convictions for crimes against humanity and genocide. Khieu Samphans defense team has asked the Supreme Court Chamber to reverse the life imprisonment conviction or have the sentence reduced to a shorter prison term, but the civil parties representing the Khmer Rouge victims want to see the highest court uphold the lower courts verdict. The hybrid tribunal consisting of both Cambodian and foreign court officials has been racked by uncertainty as most other case files at the court have made no progress or are caught up in procedural grey areas. The only other convictions at the trial have been that of Nuon Chea, who was a co-defendant with Khieu Samphan, and Kaing Guek Eav, well known as Duch and who ran the notorious Tuol Sleng prison where thousands were tortured and murdered. Nuon Chea died in 2019 and Duch passed away at a Phnom Penh hospital last year. While events at the court are rarely reported in local media with the possible exception of a conviction or a death news of Khieu Samphan receiving a COVID-19 vaccine has riled up some survivors and observers. Cambodia has so far had a successful, and ongoing, vaccination campaign, with around 81 percent of the targeted 10 million citizens having received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This has been in part due to the steady stream of vaccines from China and, more recently, from Japan, the U.K., and the U.S. The vaccine drive also includes some of Cambodias notoriously overcrowded prisons where COVID-19 outbreaks were underreported and hard to control. More than 95 percent of Phnom Penhs adult residents were vaccinated as a priority because a recent outbreak was centered in the capital. The Khmer Rouge Tribunal falls within the jurisdiction of the Phnom Penh Municipality. Neth Pheaktra, a spokesperson for the tribunal, said Khieu Samphan was vaccinated like any other Cambodian citizen and was in line with the ECCCs established healthcare standards for detainees. We know some [Khmer Rouge] victims are not happy with the fact that the accused has been vaccinated and provided with other health care and food, but this is just the common practice by international standards, he said. The aim of the ECCC establishment is not to take revenge against anyone. But, Khmer Rouge survivors are not impressed by the courts reasoning. Matt Nou is a resident of Pursat province on the countrys western border with Thailand. The 58-year-old farmer is just not convinced that Khieu Samphan should be inoculated before the rest of the population. I am angry because during the Pol Pot time, [Khieu Samphan] didnt have doctors to take care of the people, Matt Nou said last week. "Now, even though he is in his cell, he has been well taken care of by doctors; he was even vaccinated already, she said, adding that she was forced to do hard labor with no access to healthcare under the Khmer Rouge. Matt Nou said she and her husband were waiting for their chance to get inoculated but had not heard from local officials so far. While Phnom Penh was the focus of the early vaccination drive, the campaign has moved to provinces, especially border provinces like Pursat which are seeing a surge of returning Cambodian migrant workers from Thailand and have tested positive for the highly virulent Delta variant of the novel coronavirus. Phnom Penh resident Poch Kri lost three of his seven siblings during the Khmer Rouges nearly four-year rule of Cambodia. He has heard that Khieu Samphan has been afforded luxuries like a television. He is luckier now than me during the Khmer Rouge time, Poch Kri said. He has been well taken care of and I heard that he even has TV although he is in his cell and can see the same as whatever we can see outside. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. The Chinese government is drawing parallels between Afghanistan and Taiwan, suggesting the U.S. is a weak and unreliable partner. Analysts say the accusation is part of Chinas political warfare as VOAs Elizabeth Lee reports. The International Committee of the Red Cross says more than 48,000 people are missing across Africa, and at least 21,600 are minors. Most of the registered disappearances widely believed to be a fraction of the continents wider, undocumented humanitarian tragedy are linked to armed conflict, violence, disasters and migration across the continent. The International Committee of the Red Cross says the number of people coming forward to report missing persons is on the rise in Africa. Amaya Fernandez, the humanitarian organizations adviser on the missing and their families for Western Africa, says the cause of the increasing numbers is two-fold. On one hand, [it's] due to the fact we are trying to register more systematically cases of missing persons throughout the region. But also, certainly, [it's] due to the increased violence and conflict experienced on the continent, which increases at the same time the likelihood of people going missing. Looking at our figures, almost half of the missing persons have been recorded underage and most of them are men. Among the women ... we can see that the majority are minors, she said. The ICRC finding shows that 39,360 of the 48,000 missing people are from seven countries with armed conflicts. According to the Stockholm International Peace and Research Institute, 20 countries in Africa have armed conflict. Out of the 20, 10 are witnessing high-intensity armed conflicts. Fernandez says the ongoing conflict in some African countries has created more pain and suffering for families of missing persons. Humanitarian consequences... caused by protracted armed conflicts are often... reflected in most of the interviews. For instance, half of the families interviewed in Nigeria reported that their relatives had gone missing in 2014-2015. [In] South Sudan, [the] majority of the families were looking for people that went missing between 2013 and 2016. In Libya, families reported that they were looking for missing relatives from the late '70s until the present day, and the same goes for families in Ethiopia and Uganda, she said. Some experts see the need to train community workers and security agencies on the importance of information sharing to help locate missing persons. Zimbabwes assistant police commissioner Crispen Lifa says his country and the region need a data management system to follow up on the missing person cases. There is a need to have a database which should be continuously updated so that all missing persons, and even those that are deceased... is captured in a database by police stations. At the end of the day, that information has to be put in place... [so] if you want to check across the country the number of missing persons, [you] would quickly get that information from a central point, he said. Fauziya Hussein's brother went missing in June after a Kenyan court released him. The 39-year-old was accused of terrorism-related issues, but the court found him innocent and ordered the police to release him. His sister, Fauziya Hussein, says they never saw him again. I know they still have him. At every point [of his detention], my brother got a chance to make a phone call. He called my mother. So, if he was released, why didnt he call my mother? So, I know for a fact they did not release him, she said. According to Hussein, police told her they released her brother. The ICRC calls on African governments to prevent disappearances and help with search and identification, and addressing families needs. There were demonstrations throughout the U.S. over the weekend to raise concerns for those still trapped in Afghanistan. VOAs Aunshuman Apte was present at the New York City protest and brings this report. #taliban #usa #afghanistan With the departure of international troops from Afghanistan, U.N. agencies pledge to remain in the beleaguered country and assist millions of people, many of whom who are internally displaced. The Taliban now is in charge of the country but there is no centralized government in place. U.N. agencies say that is problematic. However, they note they have been talking with the Taliban and other groups for decades about accessing people in need. Spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Jens Laerke says he believes that experience will allow aid agencies to gain the necessary acceptance to carry out their life-saving operations. The armies have left but the U.N. is staying, and we are committed to stay. And that is what we have said from the beginning, and that is what we are doing. Just to remind you that we have already delivered humanitarian aid to some eight million people this year alone. So, I think that is simply a number that demonstrates that we are there to stay. The United Nations aims to assist 16 million people this year, including 3.5 million people forcibly uprooted from their homes by conflict. However, it acknowledges that may not be possible as it has received only 39% of its $1.3 billion humanitarian appeal. The World Health Organization succeeded in flying 12.5 tons of medical supplies into the Mazar-i-Sharif airport in Afghanistan Monday. WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris says much more is needed. She says the WHO is planning two further airlifts this week from the WHOs logistics hub in Dubai and is exploring other options to get more shipments into the country. She says the WHO is concerned that many non-governmental organizations are forced to scale down operations and close health facilities for lack of money. That, she says, is depriving millions of Afghans of necessary primary and secondary health care. The range of services that will be impacted include immunization for children, antenatal care, postnatal care, and child delivery for pregnant women," she said. "Malnutrition care and COVID treatment centers and other essential services will also be affected. It is estimated that the closure of every 50 health facilities could lead to the death of five more women and 58 more children under five years of age every day. Aid agencies say they fear the tragedy that has been unfolding in Afghanistan will no longer be visible now that the airlifts out of Kabul have ended. U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warns a far greater humanitarian crisis is just beginning. He is urging nations to keep their borders open to Afghans fleeing persecution and conflict and who need international protection. 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! Translate Kahama / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : There were house shaking by the moment earth quake occurred. I was already woke up doing home chores. Emanuel | One user found this interesting. Mwanza / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 15-20 s : Bed | One user found this interesting. Mwanza, Nyamagana District (120.8 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s Kahama Town / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s Geita (59.4 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Vertical swinging Bugarama / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s Isamilo, Mwanza city (119.9 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Felt like a shake or tremble. Later I thought maybe a large track passed outside and shook the building- I was on the third floor Mwanza (123.4 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Shinyanga (129.3 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s Geita / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex motion difficult to describe : House shaking it was around 5:35 local time Geita Town (59.2 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 30-60 s Kahama / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Moderate shaking Mwanza Mkolani / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Gisuru (200 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Katoro / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s Chato (46.6 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) 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! Translate West Wendover, NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 30-60 s : Windows, photos, objects rattling. A large bronze bell started to swing and chime (cast bronze weighs about 4 pounds suspended by the ceiling. We live on the second floor. I also had an issue that felt like I was having vertigo and my cats were upset. Also heard dogs barking in area. | 15 users found this interesting. Clover Valley 17 miles So of Wells, NV (5.6 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : We heard 2 booms and the house shook, then the deck began swaying from the East to the West. Knock a picture over, moved pictures and started our Grandfather clock. No damage. | 12 users found this interesting. Although we live in West Tennessee, we were wondering WHY the National Weather alert / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s Spring Creek, nevada (70 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Started off slow then got bigger, felt like the floor was rolling, objects fell off cabinets | 4 users found this interesting. Spring Creek, Nevada (60.4 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Lived in N. California for 55 years, so am in tune with quakes. Usually sleep through them if at night. This one, occurring at 10:21 a.m. PST in the Spring Creek are of N. Nevada, caught attention only because the single-wide trailer where we sat swayed as the geo-plates slipped back and forth. Nothing fearful due to the gentleness of it. Things remained on shelving and no sounds came from the ground ... more like how a child might be rocked in a crib. :) | 4 users found this interesting. West Wendover (75.7 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : I was in the kitchen and all of a sudden all my flower vases and wine glasses on the top of my dining room shelves and buffet table just started shaking. Dog was on her pillow and shes hiding under the table now. | 4 users found this interesting. Wells, NV 89835 / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 5-10 s : I was sitting on the couch & I heard & felt it about the same time. It felt like something hit the back of the couch and then I could feel it rolling & shaking for the next 10 seconds or so. It sounded like a train going right past the house. | 3 users found this interesting. Wells, NV. / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 20-30 s : Windows made noises at first I thought it was a train going by but there wasn't any horns sounding. Put some cracks on my ceiling. Nothing fell off the walls but my bed was 5in. Out of place | 2 users found this interesting. Carlin Nevada / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Animals alarmed | 2 users found this interesting. Carlin, NV / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / very short : Heard and felt it. Slight shaking on our feet and birds scattered. Wasn't scary, thought it was the washing machine. | 2 users found this interesting. West wendover / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : It began shaking and slowed down quite quickly. There was light shaking after. | 2 users found this interesting. Osino / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Felt about 10 seconds of the quake | 2 users found this interesting. Carlin, Elko, Nevada (97.2 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : It just felt like a strong windstorm | One user found this interesting. near Spring Creek, Elko, Nevada (75.6 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / very short : I was asleep and I woke up with my bed shaking and my dog whining and scared | One user found this interesting. Spring Creek, Elko, Nevada (57.8 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / very short : Felt like house was rolling, wind chimes ring | One user found this interesting. Elko, Nevada (70.4 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Shook computer screens and blinds | One user found this interesting. Wells / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 30-60 s : Im on night shift woke me up from a dead sleep | One user found this interesting. Intrepid Potash (83.9 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Sitting in a rolling office chair and starting moving back and fourth, laptop was shaking, and some pictures on the wall fell. | One user found this interesting. Wells (1.5 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s : Loud, shaking, swaying, movement. Blinds and hanging lights swayed for a bit after. Woke husband. Frightened dog | One user found this interesting. Silver Peak NV (421 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / complex motion difficult to describe / 30-60 s Nausea. Like I was being lifted up and down without noticing until it made me sea sick. Smoke is really thick and it all just made my balance a little off today... | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / complex motion difficult to describe / 30-60 s 306 Pony Express Way, Spring Creek, NV (69.3 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Distant rumbling, then localized rumble and shaking. Was sitting in basement. | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Crescent Valley / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s : felt the ground slightly move and the table my hands were on was shaking. computer monitors very slight wobble | One user found this interesting. Las Vegas, NV 89107 / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : I was sitting on my bed bed ...it felt like someone sitting on the bed w/me shaking their leg lightly & quickly | One user found this interesting. Elko RV Park in Ryndon / Light shaking (MMI IV) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 20-30 s : Live at the Elko RV Park in Ryndon 10 miles east of Elko Nevada right at highway 80. Felt my 5th wheel moving in a rolling matter. Nothing fell nothing broke. | One user found this interesting. Spring Creek Nevads / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : I live in a mobile home. It definitely shook. A ceramic sign fell off a shelf. Kinda scary. But we have had some in the past with the same epicenter. | One user found this interesting. Sundance Drive, Elko, NV / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 15-20 s : Sitting at computer and felt my chair moving. Looked to left and saw smaller computer monitor shaking. | One user found this interesting. Spring Creek, NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s : It felt like a tremor. I felt the ground shake, and then felt the house shake as well. The windows rattled. The shaking had stopped by the time I figured out it was an earthquake. At first I thought it was due to a large truck driving by. It wasn't that. Our street is small and we don't get larger than average trucks driving on it. | One user found this interesting. Spring Creek Nevada / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 2-5 s : Felt the floor rumble and heard it as well. Felt like a plane flying directly overhead and a very large truck driving by all at the same time. Very deep rumbling. This was while sitting still | One user found this interesting. Elko nv (70.4 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Light shaking felt 2 quakes a few seconds apart | One user found this interesting. Eureka, NV (178.6 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : There is a mine close by and I thought they were blasting but it was the wrong time of day. | One user found this interesting. Elko nevada, 3rd floor of my apartment building. / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : A jolt. Couple seconds later a few rumbling shakes. | One user found this interesting. Spring Creek / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : My house made a noise as if it was shifting while a large wind gust was going by. Plants, drinking glasses, and various other items in the household were shaking and vibrating and stopped after about 5 seconds. I immediately got on google to see if there was an earthquake and it hadnt been reported yet, although I was sure thats what happened. | One user found this interesting. Wells Nevada / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : It felt like a bulldozer with metal tracks was going down my road. | One user found this interesting. Spring Creek Nevada / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I felt the house sway and thought it was the wind. | One user found this interesting. Southfork No / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : Laying on the cough felt it shaking the house side to side | One user found this interesting. Elko / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : We were in a zoom meeting when all of us noticed the earthquake. We were in Elko and Spring Creek. | One user found this interesting. Elko nv. / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Building shake rolling in stomach | One user found this interesting. Lamoille, NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Heard a load noise like a strong wind, no leaves blowing, then blinds in the house started to shake. Felt floor rise and fall in a roll or wavelike motion. | One user found this interesting. West Wendover / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Heard photos shutter, daughter also heard and then felt a shake | One user found this interesting. 306 Pony Express Way, Spring Creek, Nv 89815 / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Sitting downstairs, heard rattling upstairs then rough shaking downstairs....rumbling sound accompanied the movement. | One user found this interesting. Spring creek Nv / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : The house was moving side to side slightly. It was noticeable but probably not enough to damage waterlines. | One user found this interesting. elko nvada / Light shaking (MMI IV) : I woke up to my room shaking | One user found this interesting. Ryndon, NV / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s : Slight swaying like someone bumping in to your bed. | One user found this interesting. Elko NV / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : It felt like a circular motion under the couch I was sitting on. | One user found this interesting. Wells nv / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Building rolling | One user found this interesting. Teaching class Elko NV / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : Movement I was sitting at my desk and enough to make me feel queasy | One user found this interesting. Spring Creek Nevada USA / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Sofa moving, chandelier shaking. Lasted about 30 plus seconds. | One user found this interesting. Elko, Nv / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Scared | One user found this interesting. :( please don't be scared. / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s South Fork (71.7 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s : The windows shook and the floor shook as well. | One user found this interesting. Carlin, Nevada (102.5 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s : My vehicle started rocking | One user found this interesting. Spring Creek NV / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Vibrating on sofa lite fixture slightly moving | One user found this interesting. Elko / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Okay | One user found this interesting. Elko, NV / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / very short : House shook for a brief moment. One door swung open. | One user found this interesting. Elko / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Rumbling and shaking vibrating | One user found this interesting. Elko, Nevada (63 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s Elko, Nevada (69.7 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Spring Creek, Elko, Nevada (57.9 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Spring Creek, Nv (58.1 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Carlin,Nevada 89822 (101.6 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 5-10 s Elko nv / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Felt the support beams creek Spring Creek / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Spring Creek / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s : It felt like my home was on the ocean. ELKO, nv / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : Shaking, no sounds or rumbles. ELKO, NV (72 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s Carlin / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : Just enough of a shake to notice. Was sitting in my kitchen at the time. No furniture moved and no rattling of dishes, just a slight nudge for a couple seconds. Spring Creek (62.7 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : Shaking that felt like very heavy machinery was being moved down our street. Didn't rattle too much but definitely felt it. I felt it in my bed for several long second and my partner who was standing in another room also felt it. Spring creek / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / very short : No shaking just a boom like something hit the outside of the house. Spring creek / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : Pictures were smacking the wall and the light above the table was swinging Ibapah utah (134.3 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short : Very light shaking hear a faint rumble Elko NV (56.5 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating Spring Creek, Nevada / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex motion difficult to describe : It was horrible I thought I might not live At home in Spring Creek, NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s : Loud boom. House shook Spring Creek / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Spring Creek nv (142.1 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Elko High School / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s Elko (1.5 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s Elko, NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Elko nevada (67.8 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s Spring creek nv 89815 / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s RYNDON / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vibration and rolling / 2-5 s Fernley, NV (388.5 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Elko / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s elko nv / Light shaking (MMI IV) Wells, nevada / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 5-10 s Spring Creek Nv / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s Lamoille / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s Spring Creek / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Spring Creek / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Wells nevada / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 5-10 s spring creek nv / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s Elko, NV / Weak shaking (MMI III) Spring creek nevada / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s elko, nevada / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s mountain home, id / not felt SPRING CREEK / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Wells, NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) WELLS / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 5-10 s Spring Creek / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s Elko, NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Elko, NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s Spring Creek / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s spring creek, NV 89815 / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Elko / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Elko, Nevada / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Elko, NV / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s Elko,NV / Weak shaking (MMI III) / complex motion difficult to describe / 10-15 s Wells NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) Elko / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Elko nv / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s Spring Creek, NV / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Elko / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / very short Spring Creek Nevada / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Elko / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s Elko / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s Wells,nv / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 1-2 s Spring creek / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s 89835 / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 5-10 s las Vegas / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 30-60 s Spring Creek (61.5 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s elko / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Elko / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Spring Creek, NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s ELKO, NV / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Spring Creek, Nevada / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating Spring Creek nv (142.1 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Wells, Nevada / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s Spring creek / Weak shaking (MMI III) / very short Elko Nevada / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Elko / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s Wells NV / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vibration and rolling Spring Creek / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s Elko / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Elburz (50.6 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / very short Contribute: Leave a comment if you find a particular report interesting or want to add to it. Flag as inappropriate. Mark as helpful or interesting. Send your own user report! Translate West Wendover, NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 30-60 s : Windows, photos, objects rattling. A large bronze bell started to swing and chime (cast bronze weighs about 4 pounds suspended by the ceiling. We live on the second floor. I also had an issue that felt like I was having vertigo and my cats were upset. Also heard dogs barking in area. | 15 users found this interesting. Clover Valley 17 miles So of Wells, NV (5.6 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : We heard 2 booms and the house shook, then the deck began swaying from the East to the West. Knock a picture over, moved pictures and started our Grandfather clock. No damage. | 12 users found this interesting. Although we live in West Tennessee, we were wondering WHY the National Weather alert / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s Spring Creek, nevada (70 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Started off slow then got bigger, felt like the floor was rolling, objects fell off cabinets | 4 users found this interesting. Spring Creek, Nevada (60.4 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Lived in N. California for 55 years, so am in tune with quakes. Usually sleep through them if at night. This one, occurring at 10:21 a.m. PST in the Spring Creek are of N. Nevada, caught attention only because the single-wide trailer where we sat swayed as the geo-plates slipped back and forth. Nothing fearful due to the gentleness of it. Things remained on shelving and no sounds came from the ground ... more like how a child might be rocked in a crib. :) | 4 users found this interesting. West Wendover (75.7 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : I was in the kitchen and all of a sudden all my flower vases and wine glasses on the top of my dining room shelves and buffet table just started shaking. Dog was on her pillow and shes hiding under the table now. | 4 users found this interesting. Wells, NV 89835 / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 5-10 s : I was sitting on the couch & I heard & felt it about the same time. It felt like something hit the back of the couch and then I could feel it rolling & shaking for the next 10 seconds or so. It sounded like a train going right past the house. | 3 users found this interesting. Wells, NV. / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 20-30 s : Windows made noises at first I thought it was a train going by but there wasn't any horns sounding. Put some cracks on my ceiling. Nothing fell off the walls but my bed was 5in. Out of place | 2 users found this interesting. Carlin Nevada / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Animals alarmed | 2 users found this interesting. Carlin, NV / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / very short : Heard and felt it. Slight shaking on our feet and birds scattered. Wasn't scary, thought it was the washing machine. | 2 users found this interesting. West wendover / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : It began shaking and slowed down quite quickly. There was light shaking after. | 2 users found this interesting. Osino / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Felt about 10 seconds of the quake | 2 users found this interesting. Carlin, Elko, Nevada (97.2 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : It just felt like a strong windstorm | One user found this interesting. near Spring Creek, Elko, Nevada (75.6 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / very short : I was asleep and I woke up with my bed shaking and my dog whining and scared | One user found this interesting. Spring Creek, Elko, Nevada (57.8 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / very short : Felt like house was rolling, wind chimes ring | One user found this interesting. Elko, Nevada (70.4 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Shook computer screens and blinds | One user found this interesting. Wells / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 30-60 s : Im on night shift woke me up from a dead sleep | One user found this interesting. Intrepid Potash (83.9 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Sitting in a rolling office chair and starting moving back and fourth, laptop was shaking, and some pictures on the wall fell. | One user found this interesting. Wells (1.5 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s : Loud, shaking, swaying, movement. Blinds and hanging lights swayed for a bit after. Woke husband. Frightened dog | One user found this interesting. Silver Peak NV (421 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / complex motion difficult to describe / 30-60 s Nausea. Like I was being lifted up and down without noticing until it made me sea sick. Smoke is really thick and it all just made my balance a little off today... | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / complex motion difficult to describe / 30-60 s 306 Pony Express Way, Spring Creek, NV (69.3 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Distant rumbling, then localized rumble and shaking. Was sitting in basement. | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Crescent Valley / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s : felt the ground slightly move and the table my hands were on was shaking. computer monitors very slight wobble | One user found this interesting. Las Vegas, NV 89107 / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : I was sitting on my bed bed ...it felt like someone sitting on the bed w/me shaking their leg lightly & quickly | One user found this interesting. Elko RV Park in Ryndon / Light shaking (MMI IV) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 20-30 s : Live at the Elko RV Park in Ryndon 10 miles east of Elko Nevada right at highway 80. Felt my 5th wheel moving in a rolling matter. Nothing fell nothing broke. | One user found this interesting. Spring Creek Nevads / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : I live in a mobile home. It definitely shook. A ceramic sign fell off a shelf. Kinda scary. But we have had some in the past with the same epicenter. | One user found this interesting. Sundance Drive, Elko, NV / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 15-20 s : Sitting at computer and felt my chair moving. Looked to left and saw smaller computer monitor shaking. | One user found this interesting. Spring Creek, NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s : It felt like a tremor. I felt the ground shake, and then felt the house shake as well. The windows rattled. The shaking had stopped by the time I figured out it was an earthquake. At first I thought it was due to a large truck driving by. It wasn't that. Our street is small and we don't get larger than average trucks driving on it. | One user found this interesting. Spring Creek Nevada / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 2-5 s : Felt the floor rumble and heard it as well. Felt like a plane flying directly overhead and a very large truck driving by all at the same time. Very deep rumbling. This was while sitting still | One user found this interesting. Elko nv (70.4 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Light shaking felt 2 quakes a few seconds apart | One user found this interesting. Eureka, NV (178.6 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : There is a mine close by and I thought they were blasting but it was the wrong time of day. | One user found this interesting. Elko nevada, 3rd floor of my apartment building. / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : A jolt. Couple seconds later a few rumbling shakes. | One user found this interesting. Spring Creek / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : My house made a noise as if it was shifting while a large wind gust was going by. Plants, drinking glasses, and various other items in the household were shaking and vibrating and stopped after about 5 seconds. I immediately got on google to see if there was an earthquake and it hadnt been reported yet, although I was sure thats what happened. | One user found this interesting. Wells Nevada / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : It felt like a bulldozer with metal tracks was going down my road. | One user found this interesting. Spring Creek Nevada / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I felt the house sway and thought it was the wind. | One user found this interesting. Southfork No / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : Laying on the cough felt it shaking the house side to side | One user found this interesting. Elko / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : We were in a zoom meeting when all of us noticed the earthquake. We were in Elko and Spring Creek. | One user found this interesting. Elko nv. / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Building shake rolling in stomach | One user found this interesting. Lamoille, NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Heard a load noise like a strong wind, no leaves blowing, then blinds in the house started to shake. Felt floor rise and fall in a roll or wavelike motion. | One user found this interesting. West Wendover / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Heard photos shutter, daughter also heard and then felt a shake | One user found this interesting. 306 Pony Express Way, Spring Creek, Nv 89815 / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Sitting downstairs, heard rattling upstairs then rough shaking downstairs....rumbling sound accompanied the movement. | One user found this interesting. Spring creek Nv / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : The house was moving side to side slightly. It was noticeable but probably not enough to damage waterlines. | One user found this interesting. elko nvada / Light shaking (MMI IV) : I woke up to my room shaking | One user found this interesting. Ryndon, NV / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s : Slight swaying like someone bumping in to your bed. | One user found this interesting. Elko NV / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : It felt like a circular motion under the couch I was sitting on. | One user found this interesting. Wells nv / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Building rolling | One user found this interesting. Teaching class Elko NV / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : Movement I was sitting at my desk and enough to make me feel queasy | One user found this interesting. Spring Creek Nevada USA / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Sofa moving, chandelier shaking. Lasted about 30 plus seconds. | One user found this interesting. Elko, Nv / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Scared | One user found this interesting. :( please don't be scared. / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s South Fork (71.7 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s : The windows shook and the floor shook as well. | One user found this interesting. Carlin, Nevada (102.5 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s : My vehicle started rocking | One user found this interesting. Spring Creek NV / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Vibrating on sofa lite fixture slightly moving | One user found this interesting. Elko / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Okay | One user found this interesting. Elko, NV / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / very short : House shook for a brief moment. One door swung open. | One user found this interesting. Elko / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Rumbling and shaking vibrating | One user found this interesting. Elko, Nevada (63 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s Elko, Nevada (69.7 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Spring Creek, Elko, Nevada (57.9 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Spring Creek, Nv (58.1 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Carlin,Nevada 89822 (101.6 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 5-10 s Elko nv / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Felt the support beams creek Spring Creek / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Spring Creek / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s : It felt like my home was on the ocean. ELKO, nv / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : Shaking, no sounds or rumbles. ELKO, NV (72 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s Carlin / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : Just enough of a shake to notice. Was sitting in my kitchen at the time. No furniture moved and no rattling of dishes, just a slight nudge for a couple seconds. Spring Creek (62.7 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : Shaking that felt like very heavy machinery was being moved down our street. Didn't rattle too much but definitely felt it. I felt it in my bed for several long second and my partner who was standing in another room also felt it. Spring creek / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / very short : No shaking just a boom like something hit the outside of the house. Spring creek / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : Pictures were smacking the wall and the light above the table was swinging Ibapah utah (134.3 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short : Very light shaking hear a faint rumble Elko NV (56.5 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating Spring Creek, Nevada / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex motion difficult to describe : It was horrible I thought I might not live At home in Spring Creek, NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s : Loud boom. House shook Spring Creek / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Spring Creek nv (142.1 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Elko High School / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s Elko (1.5 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s Elko, NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Elko nevada (67.8 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s Spring creek nv 89815 / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s RYNDON / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vibration and rolling / 2-5 s Fernley, NV (388.5 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Elko / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s elko nv / Light shaking (MMI IV) Wells, nevada / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 5-10 s Spring Creek Nv / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s Lamoille / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s Spring Creek / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Spring Creek / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Wells nevada / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 5-10 s spring creek nv / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s Elko, NV / Weak shaking (MMI III) Spring creek nevada / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s elko, nevada / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s mountain home, id / not felt SPRING CREEK / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Wells, NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) WELLS / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 5-10 s Spring Creek / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s Elko, NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Elko, NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s Spring Creek / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s spring creek, NV 89815 / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Elko / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Elko, Nevada / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Elko, NV / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s Elko,NV / Weak shaking (MMI III) / complex motion difficult to describe / 10-15 s Wells NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) Elko / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Elko nv / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s Spring Creek, NV / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Elko / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / very short Spring Creek Nevada / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Elko / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s Elko / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s Wells,nv / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 1-2 s Spring creek / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s 89835 / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 5-10 s las Vegas / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 30-60 s Spring Creek (61.5 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s elko / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Elko / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Spring Creek, NV / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s ELKO, NV / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Spring Creek, Nevada / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating Spring Creek nv (142.1 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Wells, Nevada / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s Spring creek / Weak shaking (MMI III) / very short Elko Nevada / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Elko / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s Wells NV / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vibration and rolling Spring Creek / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s Elko / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Elburz (50.6 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / very short A team, formed around Representative Michael Waltz (R-Fl), organized a private rescue operation inside Afghanistan: Operation Pineapple Express. Pineapple was the password they used. The identity of these volunteers is unknown, but it is believed they mainly consist of Green Berets veterans (of which Michael Waltz is one) under the command of Colonel Scott Mann and Captain Zac Lois. About fifty advisers supervised the commandos on the ground. The identity of those rescued is equally unknown. It only took these commandos roughly a week to rescue over 600 Afghans, bring them to the airport and entrust them to US troops. A second group was composed by Colonel Russell Worth Parker under the name of Dunkirk Task Force (Task Force Dunkirk), in reference to the massive evacuation of French forces from Dunkirk by the British army in 1940. It includes Mick Mulroy, former deputy assistant secretary of defense and current ABC news analyst. He is said to have extricated 83 Afghans. According to Sheffield Police Chief Ricky Terry, a 3-year-old was shot in the leg at Blake Apartments around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. The child was taken to Helen Keller Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A person of interest was taken into custody. Police are speaking with that person to determine what happened. Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello is pleading for help to bring a group of young female guitarists in hiding in Afghanistan to safety. Morello wrote an open letter after the Taliban takeover of Kabul, which was sent to Billboard by former House of Lords band member and guitar teacher Lanny Cordola, who runs a program he started in Kabul in 2015 called Girl With a Guitar. "I'm writing on behalf of some very special girls in Afghanistan who are in grave danger," Morello wrote. "[Girl With a Guitar] takes in street orphans and other girls that have endured significant trauma and uses music as a rehabilitation tool and means of working through their problems, their histories, and their hopes. I've had the honor of collaborating with these wonderful kids. Since the Taliban takeover their school has been destroyed and the girls are in hiding. They are at extreme risk because they are widely known to have performed Western music and have been educated by a male American teacher. Anything you could do to help save their lives would be much appreciated." Hundreds of students have recorded remotely with Brian Wilson, Sammy Hagar, Nick Cave and Blake Shelton and other musicians through the program. The school has closed and the girls are now in hiding, according to Billboard. Cordola is in Pakistan, the report states, trying to bring 12 Afghan students, their families and his driver to safety. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, since July, coronavirus positive cases in children have steadily increased. Right now, dozens of children in Alabama are hospitalized with Covid. It is stressing the pediatric care system, just like we are seeing throughout the rest of the health care system with adult cases surging. Dr. Karen Landers Alabama Department of Public Health is a pediatrician and says this is not the same virus we saw last year and many of the treatments they are able to use on adults, are not available as treatments for younger people. Covid is going to find a place, its going to find a reservoir, it is going to find a vulnerable population, and that is really what we are looking at here especially with younger people who are not vaccinated and for kids who cannot be vaccinated, Landers said. Covid is finding a place to be able to continue to wreak havoc in our state and we have got to close this down. Just at Children's of Alabama there are 19 Covid patients. The hospital reporting at least one of them is on a ventilator, but that number could be as high as four. The hospital does not release the total number due to federal privacy laws when there are fewer than five. Dr. Landers says the best way to keep kids from getting sick and ending up in the hospital is to make sure they are masked, and if 12 or older, get vaccinated. For kids 5-years-old and older, she expects the Pfizer vaccine will be available for children in the fall. She said Pfizer is in its last round of trials for children under the age of 12. Thousands of people who evacuated Louisiana in preparation for Hurricane Ida still don't know when they will be able to return home. One Huntsville woman is currently housing a dozen family members who evacuated from St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. Evacuees from Louisiana stay with family in Huntsville Evacuees from Louisiana stay with family in Huntsville As Hurricane Ida quickly strengthened to an extremely dangerous category 4 storm, they had little time to pack up their belongings or think about the damage they might return to. "None of us was really thinking we're leaving, and we might come back to nothing. No, I don't think you ever think you're leaving, and you might come back to nothing. I don't think that's ever really a thought in your mind. You just think oh, I got to get out, I got to save myself right now," says Breanna Franklin, one of the evacuees from Louisiana. Franklin's hometown is currently without power, and her family is being told to stay out of St. Bernard Parish until local authorities know how much damage is in the area. Power outages are just one of the many impacts Ida can have on North Alabama. Early Tuesday, outages were reported throughout the area. Here are links to some outage maps where you can see how Ida is impacting power in your area: Florence Utilities Decatur Utilities Huntsville Utilities Joe Wheeler EMC Cullman Electric Cooperative Alabama Power 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 Local Emergency Management Agencies are preparing for Ida's impact on North Alabama. They are keeping a close eye on the storm as it could have some devastating effects to the area. During Monday's briefing with the National Weather Service in Huntsville, they were warned of heavy rain, flash flooding and possible brief tornadoes. The Madison County EMA team came together to discuss areas of concerns. They also came up with a schedule in case they have to go into 24-hour operations. But for now, they are mainly just monitoring the situation and seeing how its impacting other parts of the state before coming up to north alabama. They say everyone should be taking steps to prepare. "Now is the time to take your protective measures. When the storm hits, a lot of times it's too late. So, don't sit back and think, 'Well I've got plenty of time to plan on what I'm going to do and get my supplies together.' You need to be taking that action now," Madison County EMA Director Jeff Birdwell said. He says that while hurricane weather is usually a bit more intense, people should be taking the same precautions they do with any storm. Birdwell says their main concern is the timing of the storm since it will be moving overnight when most people are asleep. They are worried people won't be weather aware, which can have deadly consequences. A recent study found that tornadoes at night can be more than twice as likely to be deadly than during the day. "Concern there is that when it happens during the overnight hours.We need to make sure people are prepared to get notifications while they are asleep.If you look at the research, a lot of the fatalities dealing with tornadoes happens during the hours when people are asleep. So, that's a concern right now, " Birdwell said. Officials ask you have more than one way to get weather alerts. You can get alerts with the WAAY 31 Storm Tracker Weather App. Birdwell says you shouldn't stop taking COVID precautions when you go to a storm shelter. Right now, all of North Alabama is under high risk of COVID community transmission because of the more contagious Delta variant. Madison County's test positivity rate is around 16% That's why people are being asked to wear a mask, use hand sanitizer and practice social distance if they can. Birdwell says these steps are known to be effective in preventing COVID-19 and are crucial during a time when cases are skyrocketing. Birdwell knows some people may be concerned of being in a closed space with other people. But, when it comes to making a final decision... "The answer is simple. Handle the emergency at hand. You know, fortunately we are at a time now to where we got a little bit more knowledge on mitigation efforts related to COVID. So if you do decide to go to a shelter, we will certainly encourage that," Birdwell explained. These measures are strongly encouraged, but won't be enforced. So no one will be turned away for not wearing a mask. An Athens man faces extradition to Tennessee after his arrest for the theft of several bottles of an over-the-counter stimulant. Tony Allen Walker, 26, was arrested in Athens. Walker is accused of committing three different thefts of ZaZa Red from stores in Ardmore dating back to April 27th. ZaZa Red is a stimulant which contains Tianeptine. The highly addictive substance is outlawed in Alabama. Walker was arrested in Athens thanks to the observant actions of an Athens police investigation. He faces theft, burglary and robbery charges in Giles County, Tennessee. Walker is being held in the Limestone County jail until he can be transferred to Tennessee to face criminal charges. Decatur, IL (62521) Today Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness. Low 61F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. All you need to know about travel restrictions on tourists from the United States. EU drops US from covid safe travel list but what exactly does this mean for American tourists who wish to visit Italy? This is the question on the minds of many American tourists after the European Union dropped the US from its safe travel list due to rising covid-19 infections there, driven by the Delta variant of the virus. The EU recommended on Monday that travel restrictions on tourists from the United States be reinstated, just months after US travellers were allowed to re-enter the EU at the start of the summer tourism season. So what does this mean for US travellers who plan to visit the EU? The EU recommendation is non-binding, meaning that the 27 member states each retain the option of allowing entry to fully-vaccinated visitors for non-essential travel. However unvaccinated tourists are likely to face tighter controls such as covid testing and quarantine or they may even be barred from travelling entirely. The EU Council stated that its non-binding travel guidance is issued "without prejudice to the possibility for member states to lift the temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU for fully vaccinated travellers", and that the list "will continue to be reviewed regularly and, as the case may be, updated." The move coincides with Italy scrapping a mandatory five-day quarantine for fully-vaccinated travellers from the UK, who show a negative covid test, with effect from 31 August. EU white list In addition to the US, five other countries were removed from the EU covid "white list" of places whose tourists should be permitted entry without travel restrictions: Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro, and the Republic of North Macedonia. The EU white list now includes: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Japan, Jordan, New Zealand, Qatar, Republic of Moldova, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Ukraine, and China (subject to confirmation of reciprocity). Italy travel and covid-19 information For updated information about travel to Italy see the website of the Italian ministry of foreign affairs while for updates on the covid-19 situation in Italy see the health ministry website. Photo credit: S-F / Shutterstock.com. Italian politicians condemn violence and threats against reporters and doctors. Italy's interior minister Luciana Lamorgese has convened a meeting to discuss the rise in violence and intimidation towards journalists from people protesting against the covid Green Pass obligations. The recent wave of aggression comes ahead of a further tightening of Green Pass restrictions on 1 September when new rules governing transport and education come into force. "We will always ensure the freedom to demonstrate peacefully in compliance with the rules but acts of violence and threats will not be allowed," the interior ministry said in a statement. The latest incident occurred on Tuesday morning when Francesco Giovannetti, a video reporter for La Repubblica newspaper, was assaulted outside the education ministry in Rome during a sit-in protest against the Green Pass. Giovannetti had been asking protesters questions about the reasons behind their demonstration when a man told him to move away before saying "I'll cut your throat" and then punching him several times. The reporter was taken to hospital while the aggressor, a 57-year-old school employee, was detained by police. The assault took place a few days after Antonella Alba, a journalist from state broadcaster RAI, was physically attacked for wearing a mask and filming during a No Green Pass rally in Rome on Saturday. In recent months there have been numerous cases of police having to escort reporters away from No Green Pass and No Vax demonstrations due to threats from protestors who frequently accuse journalists of being "terrorists". The latest attacks and intimidation have been widely condemned by politicians. Unjustifiable violence On Twitter the education minister Patrizio Bianchi sent his "maximum solidarity" to Giovannetti, saying the "unjustifiable" assault "offends the image of the school which is a place of dialogue, discussion, tolerance." Health minister Roberto Speranza also condemned the escalation of violence: "My full solidarity goes to the journalists involved. We must say enough of these serious incidents. Doctors threatened High-profile medical experts who air their views on the coronavirus situation via social media and television have also been the subject of intimidation from No Green Pass and No Vax protesters recently. Virologist Fabrizio Pregliasco said he has been inundated with threatening phone calls, while infectious diseases doctor Matteo Bassetti was followed to the front door of his family home by a man who shouted: "You'll kill us all with these vaccines, we'll make you pay for it." On Tuesday police began escorting Bassetti between his home and his place of work at the S. Martino hospital in Genoa. The escalating wave of aggression comes as protestors plan to hold demonstrations to 'blockade' train stations across Italy on Wednesday 1 September, the day that new Green Pass travel rules come into effect. 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 as of 1 September. The Green Pass is currently required to dine indoors in restaurants as well as providing access to a wide range of cultural, leisure and social activities. 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 Libero Quotidiano Italian transport unions seek safety plan for employees and commuters ahead of planned No Green Pass protests. Italian trade unions representing transport workers have called for the 'No Green Pass' protests planned in train stations across Italy on Wednesday 1 September to be dropped. The demonstrations, scheduled in 54 major train stations, are against new rules relating to the Green Pass certificate which shows that people have been vaccinated, tested negative or recovered from covid-19. The protests have been planned for the first day that the Green Pass will be required to board Intercity and high-speed trains, as well as domestic flights, long-distance buses and inter-regional ferries. The CGIL, CISL and UIL trade unions issued a joint statement on Tuesday calling on protesters to "rethink" their planned actions, stressing that: "Transport is an essential service, whoever interrupts it will not have our support." Pledging their support for Italy's covid vaccination campaign, the unions say there are "clear risks connected" to the protests and have called for a "safety plan to protect employees and commuters." Among those involved in organising the protests on social media is the neo-fascist Forza Nuova group whose leader Giuliano Castellino told Adnkronos news agency: "We will be in all stations to block departing trains" on 1 September. "Either everyone leaves or no one leaves" - said Castellino - "In a system that calls itself democratic, it is unacceptable that a citizen cannot get on a train because they don't have a Green Pass." The Telegram chat behind the protests, titled 'Basta dittatura' (Enough dictatorship), states: "They won't let us leave by train without a slavery passport? Then no one will leave." The planned demonstrations come amid rising tension in Italy over Green Pass obligations, with cases of journalists being attacked and the well-known virologist Matteo Bassetti receiving a police escort to and from his workplace at S. Martino hospital in Genova. Death threats against Italy's foreign minister Luigi Di Maio were posted in Telegram chat rooms on Tuesday, reports news agency ANSA, with comments including "You must die" and "Another rat to be executed." The interior ministry has stated that it "will always ensure the freedom to demonstrate peacefully in compliance with the rules" but warns that "acts of violence and threats will not be allowed." 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: VILTVART / Shutterstock.com. Tourists from US and UK caught in Piazza Farnese fountain. Rome police caught two young tourists splashing around in an historic fountain in the central Piazza Farnese on Monday night, reports La Repubblica newspaper. The pair, a 21-year-old American man and a 20-year-old English woman, were apprehended in the waters of the fountain facing the church of S. Brigida, in front of the French embassy to Italy. The tourists, who still had their clothes on, were fined a total of 900 and ordered to stay away from the historic centre for 48 hours. There did not appear to be any damage done to the ancient monument, reports La Repubblica. The granite fountain is part of a pair believed to have come originally from the Baths of Caracalla before being placed in Piazza Farnese in the 16th century. Incidents involving tourists jumping into Rome's fountains occur every year, but not as often as before the covid pandemic and the subsequent fall-off in visitor numbers. In 2019, following a spate of such incidents, the city's mayor Virginia Raggi contacted foreign ambassadors in the capital to highlight the bad behaviour of some of their fellow citizens - whom she referred to as "tourist vandals" - while on holiday in Rome. Photo La Repubblica Viruses mutate all the time, including the one, SARS-CoV-2, thats caused the Covid-19 pandemic. Although most genetic changes are innocuous, some can make the mutant more adept at infecting cells, for example, or evading antibodies. Such fitter variants can outcompete other strains, so that they become the predominant source of infections. A succession of more-transmissible variants has emerged over the past year, each harboring a constellation of mutations. The most worrisome so far is the so-called delta variant. Its become dominant in much of the world since its discovery in India in October, leading to surges in cases and hospitalizations, especially in places where less than half the adult population has been fully immunized. Three of the firms have faced lawsuits or probes from both the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department. They need to maintain cordial relations with the U.S. government. Biden probably didnt bring that up during his discussions with Apples Tim Cook or Googles Sundar Pichai at the White House cyber security summit on Aug. 25, but the cases will have hung in the air like an unpleasant smell. Detected by all and never remarked on. Such an all-left government would amount to a small revolution. At home, it would talk the talk of modernization but walk the walk of soaking the rich, with higher taxes and new ones, such as wealth levies that would inundate owners of family businesses and others in paperwork. Within the EU and NATO, Germany would become unreliable, because The Left doesnt like either. In terms of foreign and defense policy, Germany could potentially go rogue. But sometimes a portfolios diversity isnt so clear. Thats why principle three is important: Look for hidden overlaps. A selection of funds might appear to spread your risk, but could actually end up concentrating it instead. Many of the most successful global equity funds in recent years will have been heavily exposed to the technology sector, and in particular the FAANG giants: Facebook Inc., Apple Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Netflix Inc. and Alphabet Inc. (aka Google). Even a portfolio of these funds would leave you very heavily exposed to what is essentially a single, large bet that the tech firms will continue their ascendency. For those on my side of the Atlantic who have fallen victim to the U.S. ban, it is a good thing to see Europe show some teeth on this issue. U.S.-based Brookings Institution fellow Celia Belin has written forcefully about her own experience of a ban she calls cruel. She is a non-immigrant visa holder. Visiting her family in France would have meant the risk of not being let back into the U.S. to pursue her career. And the ban has more than a few inconsistencies, she writes. One of the ways around it is to travel via countries including Turkey, where cases have outpaced the EUs. For everyone admitted to a hospital, even in the most overwhelmed states, it should be a simple matter to record ages, whether the patients were vaccinated, which vaccine they received and when. Its the kind of data Americans might assume was used to back the recent decision to recommend boosters to everyone eight months after our initial shots. When I looked into the booster rationale for a previous column, I found that there was no expert consensus on whether the efficacy of vaccines was waning over time or whether were seeing the effects of the more contagious delta variant coupled with people reverting to more typical social lives. 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. That first night in Anatole Broyards workshop, the room was crowded with other neophytes, and Anatole called on me to read my story aloud. He asked me to spit out my gum first and come to the front of the room. I felt incredibly embarrassed, and I read the story like a laundry list, hyperventilating as I went along. When I finished reading and crawled back to my seat, Anatole said, Who would like to comment on this story? A man raised his hand and said, That was the most boring thing Ive ever heard. I was ready to pack it in and just make Jell-O molds for the rest of my life, but Anatole passed me a note that said the story was fine, and he told that guy, You may not like her story, but you have an obligation to tell her why, and how she might make it better. This not only taught me about revision but also about teaching writing, the honesty and charity it required. Thomas, the Ochsner president, said all the hospitals in his system have fuel for at least 10 days and can be steadily supplied with more fuel as needed. So far there have been few people coming to the hospitals with injuries from the storm, but that may change in the hours and days ahead, Thomas said. After Srikrishna raised his concerns with parents at his childrens San Francisco school last spring, they were able to raise funds for portable, plug-in solutions that would address air pollution from both wildfires and covid-19: free-standing HEPA air purifiers, designed to trap up to 99.7 percent of 0.3 micron particulate matter as ambient air is pushed through them. (Building on such parent-funded efforts, the district plans to spend $2.9 million to install 3,700 purifiers in San Francisco classrooms over the next several months.) But they also learned that for a purifier to be effective, you must know what size to purchase and how best to operate it. Here is some expert advice about air purifiers that you can use to breathe easier in your home, office or school. Cross was opposing a policy that might burden his freedoms of expression and religion by requiring him to speak and interact with students in a way that affirms gender transition, the justices wrote. Although the [Loudoun school] Board may have considered Cross speech to be a trifling and annoying instance of individual distasteful abuse of a privilege, we believe Cross has a strong claim to the view that his public dissent implicates fundamental societal values deeply embedded in our Constitutional Republic. Mr. Wood, a resident of Severna Park, Md., was born in Midland, Tex., and moved to the Washington area in 1981. Before founding the Energy Blue Project in 2013, he was an economist with the Democratic Policy Committee, legislative director for Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.), director of federal relations for telephone companies that were once part of the Bell System, and a vice president of a company involved in coal mining. Todays Headlines The most important news stories of the day, curated by Post editors and delivered every morning. Email address By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy That month, a 32-year-old White woman was walking past a group of Black men drinking by the railroad tracks in the Southside Virginia town when, she said, one of them tackled her. Over a span of about two hours, the woman testified at trial, several of the men raped her repeatedly, threatening to kill her if she screamed and dragging her into the woods after she briefly escaped. The bikes. The canoe. The teak furniture, I love my teak furniture, my mom said, ticking off all the things that they left behind, the household they filled over 50 years, piece by piece. They watched the neighbor across the street load furniture into a U-Haul. My brother and I got on the phone and discussed doing this for them, but my parents waved off the idea. Mexican officials say they intend to continue cooperating with the United States on immigration management and border controls, and technical talks to discuss restarting MPP will occur as part of ongoing conversations about migration. Their capacity to take back more U.S. asylum seekers and migrants remains limited, however, and they regard other enforcement tools and policies to be more effective, according to two Mexican officials who were not authorized to speak publicly about the incipient U.S. discussions. Many calls were from residents who made it to dry land but who were trapped by floodwaters, he said. Still others came from people who were unable to reach loved ones and wanted help checking on their well-being. The command station also compiled a list of pleas for help from social media, gathering images from Twitter and Facebook throughout the night and ensuring that those homes were checked first thing this morning. He cannot possibly understand, Roice said. My dad and I did not want to speak to him. You cannot kneel on our flag and pretend you care about our troops. You cant f--- up as bad as he did and say youre sorry. This did not need to happen, and every life is on his hands. The thousands of Afghans who will suffer and be tortured is a direct result of his incompetence. Biden said the threats of terrorism have metastasized to other parts of the world, as they have. The United States has been trying to combat them for some years, and the president said that will continue. One question now is whether Afghanistan will again become a breeding ground for terrorism, as it was two decades ago. Biden insisted that his administration is prepared to deal with that threat if it arises, just as he contended that the United States has leverage over the Taliban to make it live up to its commitments. Meanwhile, Afghans continue to try to flee the country. Biden and his team now have to grapple with deep skepticism over whether the Taliban, which now rules Afghanistan, will keep its promises for a peaceful transition. It pledged not to seek revenge on the Afghans who worked with and aided Americans during the conflict, and to respect the rights of women at least within the framework of the groups interpretation of Islamic law. But many foreign policy experts and even Biden allies remain mistrustful of what, exactly, that means. I decided it was time to downsize for the next phase of my life, said Pearson, 58. My rowhouse is too much space for one person. Its also not a house where I feel I can age in place. The house is more than 130 years old, and theres always work to be done. With a condominium, I can travel without the worries of a house in the city. But Riyad Ghantous, a son of Biram natives who watched his own eldest son, George, be married in the villages church on Aug. 28, said the Israelis promise of a two-week evacuation makes it different from any other case of the hundreds of villages evacuated in 1948. After repeated disappointments of the court decisions, it is time, he said, for political powers to do the right thing. We knew if they took Kandahar, they could reach Kabul the next day, but we believed the Americans when they said they would never let the Taliban take the capital, said Haroun Mir, a former adviser to onetime vice president Amrullah Saleh. Mir was evacuated from his government office and flown to France. But it turned out the Americans were not prepared either. They had stopped doing air raids, and the Taliban didnt even have to fight. They had all the momentum. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) speaks to a crowd before being joined by President Biden on Monday in Long Beach. (Getty Images) Larry Elder, the leading Republican running to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom in California's recall election, is pre-accusing Democrats of fraud, an ominous shift in the effort to overturn election results. In recent months, the Biden administration has sought to reassure Mazloum and others in the SDF, sending Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, who heads U.S. Central Command, and Joey Hood, acting assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, to the region to talk with them, officials said. The administration has stressed that the partnership with the SDF remains strong and that American troops will not be leaving any time soon, according to SDF and U.S. officials. As it has done for years, Qatar is trying to prod the Taliban to see the wisdom of compromise, Qatars foreign minister suggested in an interview published Monday in the Financial Times. They dont want to see a foreign security presence in their airport or their territory, he said. What we are trying to explain to them is that airport safety and security requires a lot more than securing the perimeters of the airport. Charlene Thomas, 73, passed away while at the Daviess Community Hospital, Sept. 8, 2021. She was born April 23, 1948, in Washington, to Eugene Matteson and Eileen (Best) Matteson. Charlene was a homemaker who loved to play the piano, enjoyed genealogy, and liked to play cards and board games Trusted local news has never been more important, but providing the information you need, information that can change sometimes minute-by-minute, requires a partnership with you, our readers. Please consider making a contribution today to support this vital resource that you and countless others depend on. YouTube personality Jordan Shanks has been denied a jury trial in the case brought against him by the NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro after a judge found a jury would not be appropriate due to the complex legal issues involved and the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr Barilaro sued Mr Shanks in the Federal Court in May, alleging he was defamed by videos titled bruz and Secret Dictatorship which were published on the Friendlyjordies YouTube channel in September and October last year. Google, which owns YouTube, is also being sued. NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro pictured on Tuesday. Credit:Rhett Wyman The politician argues the videos incorrectly portray him as a corrupt conman who committed perjury nine times and should be jailed, among other imputations. Mr Shanks has sought to rely on the defences of truth, contextual truth and honest opinion, while Google will argue the defences of qualified privilege, honest opinion, and public interest. Google and Mr Shanks sought to have the trial heard by a jury a rare step in the Federal Court, which has never had a jury for any defamation case. 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? At the moment, Australia feels like a confederation, not a federation. In a confederation, states come together under a national umbrella, but with their individual sovereignty largely unimpaired. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, WA Premier Mark McGowan, and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. In a federation, states unite in a way that cedes many of their sovereign powers to a national government. Thats, of course, how the Commonwealth of Australia was established. But you would not think that right now given the way states and territories are openly working against each other during COVID. As the preamble to the covering clauses of the federal Constitution records, the people of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania have agreed to unite in one indissoluble Federal Commonwealth 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. 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. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing or making a contribution. Indiana's Camp Atterbury to be used as temporary housing for Afghanistan evacuees Reporter I cover a range of stories for WDRB, but really enjoy tracking what's going on at our State Capitol. I grew up on military bases all over the world, but am a Kentuckian at heart. I'm an EKU alum, and have lived in Louisville for 30 years. Mom of Indiana student killed in hit-and-run wants to thank witness who tracked down suspect Army Lt. Col. Michael Tachias (ret.) and his wife, Rowena, discuss his work recruiting and training more than 5,000 Afghan translators and his intention to go back in and rescue as many as possible. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) The Caldor Fire roared over a ridge of the Sierra Nevada as the winds returned this week and bore down on the southern end of Lake Tahoe. Perhaps more than other wildfires in the Western U.S., this one resonates the world over. Tahoe is an international destination, a glorious wedding backdrop, a sparkling jewel in John Muir's Range of Light. The postcard photos of Emerald Bay are as iconic as those of another famous California landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge. But Tahoe, and the granite ridges, forests and rivers around it, is more than that. To millions of Northern Californians, the region is as familiar as the backyard less than two hours from the Sacramento metro area and its 2.3 million people and another hour (depending on traffic) from the San Francisco Bay Area. In a typical summer, the Eldorado National Forest, where the Caldor Fire has cut wide path of destruction, would be filled with day hikers, backpackers, campers, kayakers and paddleboarders. Vacation cabins along the South Fork of the American River, many of which are now reduced to ash, would be filled with families from Sacramento, the Bay Area and beyond. Similar cabins that fill the woods on the outskirts of South Lake Tahoe await their fate amid warnings of dangerous weather in the coming days. Because the region means so much to so many, the Caldor Fire has captured the attention of Californians and others with a special connection to the region like no other in recent memory. WHERE HAS THE FIRE BURNED? The immediate danger is to South Lake Tahoe, the city of 22,000 that straddles the border between California and Nevada. That threat edged closer to reality Tuesday as wind-driven embers pierced the valley and ignited smaller blazes on the outskirts of town. Before its run over the mountains at Echo Summit, the fire had already destroyed hundreds of homes where it originated in the Sierra Nevada foothills and churned through tens of thousands of thickly forested acres along the Highway 50 corridor, one of the two main routes between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. The news here is not all bad. Over the weekend, before the flames churned toward Tahoe, fire crews prevented major damage to Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort. Unpretentious and comparatively affordable, it's beloved for its certified unserious vibe and lower-cost season passes that have made it popular for parents who want to teach their kids to ski or snowboard. Fire crews also saved Camp Sacramento, a 100-year-old family camp run by the city on Forest Service land just down the highway from the ski resort. Families have come every summer for two, three, even four generations to the old-school camp (a cabin with an electrical outlet is considered a luxury). It's where kids line up to ring the camp bell before meal time and then gather in age groups as Minnows, Chipmunks or Marmots for tie-dye, archery and, at night, s'mores and sing-a-longs around a well-protected campfire. Farther up Highway 50, near the top of Echo Summit, is the Echo Chalet, a cluster of summer cabins dating to the 1940s that was in the path of the flames before being evacuated. It's perhaps best known for providing a water taxi across Twin Lake to a trailhead into the Desolation Wilderness, a popular backcountry of granite and lakes that was shaped by glaciers and now is being tested by fire. WHAT IS SOUTH LAKE TAHOE? The south shore is a split screen. On one, the high-rise casinos of the Nevada side and their gambling crowds. On New Year's Eve, at least before the coronavirus pandemic, they gave one heck of a street party. Heavenly Resort straddles both states and is renowned for its powder skiing, iconic lake views and perhaps because of proximity party atmosphere. But South Lake Tahoe has another side. Most of the year-round residents would not consider themselves glitzy or glamorous. They are casinos workers, wait staff, bartenders, ski instructors, construction workers, Forest Service or state park employees. The median household income of roughly $49,000 is just 65% of the statewide median. Rents and home prices have soared during the pandemic, squeezing the working-class and middle-income residents who make up the bulk of the town's population. Besides the tourists, these are the evacuees who have packed up and fled the fire. WHAT REMAINS IN THE FIRE'S PATH? The Caldor Fire continues to confound and outpace a massive firefighting force. It already has taken an unusual path by burning up to and over the Sierra crest, and its appetite is extending to heavily used recreation areas on the fringes of the Tahoe region. Crews are trying to keep it from yet another ski resort, Kirkwood, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Tahoe, and the trout-fishing lakes, hiking trails and stands of quaking aspen, bursting with gold in fall, that surround it. As the fire burns ever closer to South Lake Tahoe, it threatens to consume landmarks, campgrounds, summer cabins and places cherished by generations of visitors. Fallen Leaf Lake, another cerulean postcard, is home to a Forest Service campground (upgraded with yurts), cabins and a summer conference center for Stanford University. Camp Richardson is a lakeshore stretch of cabins and tents (and an ice cream parlor that may be the most popular in Tahoe) that traces its earliest days as a resort to the turn of the last century and is a summer tradition for thousands. At Emerald Bay, if the fire gets that far, is Vikingsholm, a replica of a Scandinavian castle that has survived for nearly a century and now is part of a state park. As if in defiance of California's ever-worsening wildfire season, it has a traditional sod roof. If the Caldor Fire were to reach Emerald Bay, it would first have to tear through one of the most popular hiking trails in all of Tahoe the Eagle Falls Trail. In non-drought years, snowmelt tumbles down from the Sierra crest and eventually cascades over boulders just above Emerald Bay, providing a strikingly sublime photo for tourists from around the world each summer. This summer, that postcard picture is one of smoke, fire and fear. The Range of Light has burst into a range of flame, and so far there is no stopping it. 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. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Warm and humid with a blend of sun and clouds. Just the slight chance of a shower late.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Just a slight chance of a stray shower or storm. Reading, PA (19601) Today Warm and humid with a blend of sun and clouds. Just the slight chance of a shower late.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Just a slight chance of a stray shower or storm. (WFSB) - Millions remain without power in Louisiana and blackouts are expected to last for weeks. Some of those folks are Connecticut residents who attend school in New Orleans. Eversource crews are heading down to help restore power. One student Eyewitness News spoke with says their electricity went out hours ago and now all remaining students have to evacuate. "I slept in the hallway last night, because there was some concern that the windows would break, so I dragged my mattress out into the hallway," Tulane University student and Glastonbury native Shayna Lebowitz tells us. Shayna stayed on campus through Hurricane Ida. When Eyewitness News first connected with her this afternoon, she was stepping outside for the first time in two days. Just two hours later, the situation deteriorated. "The power went out two hours ago and its ninety degrees, so its really hot in here and the flooding in my room is drying, and it smells like mold and mildew," Lebowitz says. Shayna is one of many Tulane students who now has to evacuate the campus. The university is shuttling remaining students to Houston by bus tomorrow morning. "Ill be in Houston for a couple of days and then I'm getting a flight back to Connecticut, where Ill be until October 6," explained Lebowitz. Freshman and Stamford native Emma Goldberg just started classes last Monday. By Friday evening, she evacuated hours before Hurricane Ida made landfall. "Seeing broken windows in my residence hall and hearing about flooding on campus. There was actually a transformer that blew up near one of the residential areas on campus," Tulane University student and Connecticut native Emma Goldberg stated. Shes now in Charleston with family, but is worried about her friends who are scrambling to get out of New Orleans. The earliest they will be allowed back on campus is October 6. "I was one of the only people who left in my friend group at school. Everyone is kind of in a rampage right now," Goldberg added. The message being repeated from students, volunteers, and officials is donate to help folks out in Louisiana. For more information on how you can help, head here. A new touring production of The Homecoming is on its way. Harold Pinter's hit play will be on the open road from next spring, after opening at Theatre Royal Bath on 30 March 2022. Stops will include Cambridge Arts Theatre (where the show plays in April 2022), with further locations to be revealed. Appearing will be Mathew Horne (Gavin and Stacey) as well as Keith Allen (The Young Ones) as Max. Allen previously played the role of Sam in the show when it was on in the West End, and was recently on stage in the Pinter at the Pinter season. Actor and director Jamie Glover will direct the new revival, with further casting and creatives to be revealed. The Homecoming follows an American professor who returns to his childhood home, where he becomes part of a bitter battle of words and power. Penelope Keith will lead the touring production of Stephen Wyatt's new play Two Cigarettes in the Dark. Working with director Alan Strachan and designer Simon Higlett, Keith, who has appeared in The Good Life and To the Manor Born on stage, will open the show at Chichester Festival Theatre on 17 February 2022. The production will then go on to visit Cambridge, Guildford, Cardiff, Richmond, Brighton, Bath and Malvern. Keith said today: "Following this difficult period for regional theatres I am delighted to be bringing this new play to a group of theatres and audiences who have been important to me over the years. When I read Stephen's touching and amusing play which has at its centre a (rare to find) role for an actress of a certain age, I knew immediately I wanted to play the part and bring this play to audiences across the country." Produced by Jonathan Church and Cambridge Arts, the show follows a woman, Isabel, who reflects on the hidden regrets and family secrets in her life. Further cast and creatives are to be revealed. We run down the top reviewed shows currently playing or coming soon! (Fear not, we'll be repeating this for shows across the UK imminently!). Five stars Anything Goes The sparkling new production sailed into the Barbican where it plays to Barbican Theatre, until 31 October 2021 Carousel Timothy Sheader's radical twist on the R&H classic wowed critics when it first opened Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, until 25 September 2021 Hairspray the Musical The musical extravaganza continues to wow audiences after its much-awaited return The London Coliseum, until 29 September 2021 Everybody's Talking About Jamie Its new cast continues to cement it as one of the best new musicals in a long while and it's soon going to "pause" its West End run Apollo Theatre until 26 September The Last Five Years Jason Robert Brown's romantic two-hander will have its first major West End run Garrick Theatre from 17 September until 17 October & Juliet The larger than life musical is back! Shaftesbury Theatre, from 24 September Pride and Prejudice* *(sort of) It got five stars during its original run, and it's now back for a weighty West End spell! Criterion Theatre, from 15 October Life of Pi The WOSAward-winning play has been gearing up for a West End run for a long time, so we can't wait for what is hopefully a lengthy, lengthy spell at the Wydham's Theatre From 15 November 2021 Six the Musical Its third London home will be the Vaudeville Theatre! A chance to see the six Queens in a fresh location Vaudeville Theatre, from 29 September Dear Evan Hansen The cult fan favourite will be back in action post-pandemic, just in time for the movie release Noel Coward Theatre, returning from 26 October 2021' The Ocean at the End of the Lane Neil Gaiman's fantasy adventure was an utter smash-hit at the National, and now returns Duke of York's Theatre, from 26 October Ivano Turco and the ensemble Tristram Kenton Four stars The Phantom of the Opera, Her Majesty's Theatre Come From Away Phoenix Theatre Mary Poppins Prince Edward Theatre Frozen Theatre Royal, Drury Lane Leopoldstadt, Wyndham's Theatre, until 30 October Rockets and Blue Lights, National Theatre, until 9 October Operation Mincemeat, Southwark Playhouse, until 18 September Jersey Boys, Trafalgar Theatre Cinderella, Gillian Lynne Theatre Amelie the Musical, Criterion Theatre, until 25 September The Prince of Egypt , Dominion Theatre, until 8 January 2022 The Choir of Man The Arts Theatre Back to the Future Adelphi Theatre Les Miserables Sondheim Theatre, from 25 September Quincy, IL (62301) Today Generally cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mainly cloudy. Low 58F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Laboratory Technician (Environmental Geochemistry) (G4), Monaco Organization: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Country: Monaco Closing date: Monday, 20 September 2021 Laboratory Technician (Environmental Geochemistry)(G4) ( 2021/0439 (222771) ) Organization: NAEL-Radioecology Laboratory Primary Location: Monaco-Monaco-Monaco-IAEA Environment Laboratories in Monaco Job Posting: 2021-08-23, 1:17:54 PM Contract Type : Fixed Term Extrabudgetary Probation Period : 1 Year Organizational Setting The Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications implements the IAEAs Major Programme 2, "Nuclear Techniques for Development and Environmental Protection". This Major Programme comprises individual programmes on food and agriculture, human health, water resources, environment and radiation technologies. These programmes are supported by laboratories in Seibersdorf, Monaco and Vienna. The Major Programmes objective is to enhance the capacity of Member States to meet basic human needs and to assess and manage the marine and terrestrial environments through the use of nuclear and isotopic techniques in sustainable development programmes. The IAEA Environment Laboratories Division consists of four laboratories, three of which are located in Monaco and one in Seibersdorf. The Division supports Member States in enhancing their capacity to use nuclear and isotopic techniques to understand marine, terrestrial and atmospheric environmental processes and dynamics, and to identify and address environmental problems caused by radioactive and non-radioactive pollutants and climate change.The Radioecology Laboratory applies nuclear and nuclear-derived techniques to improve knowledge about the behavior and fate of radionuclides and other contaminants in the marine environment, and the impacts of climate related changes on oceans and ecosystems. It aims to assist and enhance Member States capability in the field of radioecology and its applications to ecotoxicology and biogeochemistry. Main Purpose Reporting to the Laboratory Head and with direction from Professional staff, the Laboratory Technician works in the IAEA Environment Laboratories to prepare and assist in the analysis of sediment samples for geochronological models. He/she adheres to standard operating procedures and best laboratory practices and helps maintain associated laboratory equipment. He/she will also assist with data reduction and data management, assuring that a detailed inventory is kept up to date from sample logs to eventual data processing and sample storage. Functions / Key Results Expected Assist in sample preparation for geochronological reconstructions by conducting laboratory digestions and chemical separations, by preparing and maintaining associated laboratory infrastructure, analyzing sediment for a suite of U/Th series radionuclides using alpha and gamma spectrometers, and archiving data. Perform routine analysis of sediment samples, within the scope of the extra budgetary project on Blue Carbon within established standards and procedures. Provide assistance to other Radioecology staff in the application of marine radiotracer techniques. Participate in sampling missions to collect coastal and marine samples for associated projects. Maintain laboratory equipment and infrastructure according to existing protocols and standards (inventories of radioactive sources and waste disposal, experimental records, safety records). The incumbent may perform his/her work in areas involving exposure to radioactive materials. Therefore, as an Occupationally Exposed Worker, he/she must be medically cleared by VIC Medical Service and is subject to an appropriate radiation and health monitoring programme, in accordance with the IAEAs Radiation Safety Regulations. Competencies and Expertise Core Competencies Name Definition Communication Communicates orally and in writing in a clear, concise and impartial manner. Takes time to listen to and understand the perspectives of others and proposes solutions. Achieving Results Takes initiative in defining realistic outputs and clarifying roles, responsibilities and expected results in the context of the Department/Divisions programme. Evaluates his/her results realistically, drawing conclusions from lessons learned. Teamwork Actively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions. Planning and Organizing Plans and organizes his/her own work in support of achieving the team or Sections priorities. Takes into account potential changes and proposes contingency plans. Functional Competencies Name Definition Judgement/decision making Consults with supervisor/manager and makes decisions in full compliance with the Agencys regulations and rules. Partnership building Develops and maintains partnerships needed for his/her work. Establishes and nurtures positive relations with partners and stakeholders. Technical/scientific credibility Acquires and applies new skills to remain up to date in his/her area of expertise. Reliably applies knowledge of basic technical/scientific methods and concepts. Asset Expertise Function Name Expertise Description Bioscience Isotopic Techniques to Study Pollution and Climate Change Processes Working knowledge in isotopic techniques to study marine pollution and climate change. Qualifications, Experience and Language skills Minimum of four years of relevant working experience. Specialized training in an environment-related discipline (geochemistry, geology, radiochemistry, oceanography, etc.) would be an asset. Background in sampling techniques and lab experience in environmental geochemistry. Basic knowledge of data manipulation using spreadsheets. Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset. English language test (level 2) to IAEA standard. Remuneration The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at EUR 36106 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), 6 weeks annual vacation, pension plan and health insurance Appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical report. Recruitment will be on a LOCAL BASIS. Non-local candidates will be considered only when no suitable candidate from the duty station is identified and will be subject to local recruitment. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. Outside applicants are required to supply to the IAEA or to authorize it to seek all information relevant to their suitability for employment by the IAEA. Testing may be part of the recruitment process. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applicants should be aware that IAEA staff members are international civil servants and may not accept instructions from any other authority. The IAEA is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. As part of the United Nations common system, the IAEA subscribes to the following core ethical standards (or values): Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for diversity. Staff members may be assigned to any location. The IAEA retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade or with a different contract type, or to make an appointment with a modified job description or for shorter duration than indicated above. Link to the organizations job offer: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1629740929783 Agricultural Officer (Innovation and digital agriculture), Santiago, Chile Organization: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Country: Chile City: Santiago Office: FAO Chile Closing date: Friday, 10 September 2021 2102196 Agricultural Officer (Innovation and digital agriculture) Job Posting: 05/Aug/2021 Closure Date: 10/Sep/2021, 9:59:00 PM Organizational Unit : RLC Job Type: Staff position Type of Requisition : Professional Grade Level : P-4 Primary Location: Chile-Santiago Duration : Fixed-Term: 2 years, with possibility of extension Post Number : 2004291 CCOG Code : 1L09 FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member nations and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization. Organizational Setting The Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) is responsible for leading FAOs response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAOs priority activities in the Region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAOs strategic response to regional priorities. FAO RLC also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organizations Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the Region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. FAO RLC develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. The post is located in the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) in Santiago, Chile. Reporting Lines The Agriculture Officer (Innovation and digital agriculture) reports to the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, and contributes to one or more technical teams at global, regional, subregional and country levels, maintaining regular contact with the Chief Scientist and the Chief Innovation Officer at FAO headquarters, Rome for functional guidance on policy and governance related to digitalization and technological innovation in food and agriculture sectors. Technical Focus Policy analysis and technical and policy support to enable Members to develop, adopt and assess innovation strategies, policies and programmes, technological innovation and digitalization that help to achieve better production, better nutrition, better environment and better lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Areas of interest include, inter alia, digital technology integration and management models to enable agricultural transformation towards more efficient, sustainable and inclusive food systems, innovation systems involving research, extension and advisory services, technology transfer, digital financial services, biotechnology, big data and information systems, institutional strengthening for innovation and digitalization, private sector investments in innovation and digitalization, and related investment and partnerships to achieve the SDGs. Key Results Development and implementation of coherent, adaptive, and effective digital and other innovative strategies, policies, programmes, and initiatives in support of agricultural transformation that enhances food security and nutrition and promotes more efficient, sustainable and inclusive food systems in line with SDGs and organizational objectives. Key Functions Leads the strategic thinking and planning on agricultural innovation systems and digitalization of agriculture in the Regional Office and contributes to the development of innovative programmes and initiatives at country and regional levels in support of food and agriculture systems. Supports Members in assessment of needs of agricultural innovation systems and provides national policy support and strategy development support to enact innovative initiatives and digital solutions from the perspectives of governance, policy, technology, communication and partnerships, and capacity building. Plans, formulates, implements and scales up initiatives and programmes to facilitate innovation deployment and digital solutions for more efficient and sustainable farming (crops, livestock), resource use (land and water, forests, fisheries) and food systems (production, processing, trade, consumption and waste) taking into account the needs, priorities and capacities of small-scale farmers, women, youth and other marginalized communities. Develops, maintains and strengthens strategic partnerships with specialized UN agencies, research institutions, extension agencies, private innovation hubs, and universities at the forefront of innovation and digital solutions including digital extension and best practices in support of FAOs mandate and priorities. Promotes synergies and coordination of innovation activities with FAOs Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HIHI) in the region; aligns regional innovation activities with the FAO Office for Innovation, the regional and national innovation hubs; Coordinates with and supports multidisciplinary teams in FAOs Regional Office and headquarters to mainstream innovation approaches, digital solutions across the regional programmes and activities in the region in line with the corporate innovation ethos. Mobilizes resources through development of proposals, concept notes and project documents, coordinating with internal procedures and stakeholders; explores options under South-South Cooperation and HIHI by identifying appropriate partners and facilitating exchange of best practices, technologies and investment possibilities between donors, partners and recipient countries. Provides technical leadership and inputs for generation of knowledge products (publications, reports and policy briefs) in areas of expertise related to innovation, digital agriculture, and related policies, processes and issues Specific Functions In the context of FAOs Strategic Framework and corporate policies, develops and leads the regions strategies and work to enhance technological innovation and digitalization in food, agriculture, rural development, and natural resource management, to achieve better nutrition, better production, better environment and better lives. Maintains updated knowledge on development trends, including technological innovations and digital solutions applied in food and agriculture systems. Coordinates intelligence gathering by keeping abreast of latest research in agricultural innovation systems, digitalization of agriculture and ICT-related norms, standards and trends and develops knowledge on human-centred designs, business and partnership models, digital ecosystem approaches and digital extension. Maintains a database of innovation hubs, technology centres, and digital experts for multidisciplinary partnerships. Maintains updated knowledge on agriculture extension systems, and communication for development. Leads the development of approaches and capacities to incentivize and support the mainstreaming of corporate digitalization and technological innovation priorities in FAO regional initiatives, corporate plans, projects and other cooperation initiatives, thereby enhancing FAO`s portfolio (regional initiatives and projects) related to food, agriculture, rural development, and natural resource management. Provides technical, policy and operational support to FAO regional initiatives, corporate planning, partnerships and cooperation initiatives with member countries and FAO partners. Provides technical support to FAO Representatives in the formulation and/or revision of their Country Programming Framework (CPF), and other in-country multilateral processes such as the CCA and UNSDCF, particularly in the context of the UN reform in the areas of technological innovation and digitalization. Promotes and supports FAOs field programme in the region at all phases of the programme cycle and in resource mobilization, in line with national and FAO strategies and priorities. Organizes and contributes to technical servicing of FAO regional statutory bodies, including the regional conference and other relevant regional and sub-regional fora, technical and policy networks, and capacity development efforts. Mobilizes and/or maintains strategic alliances, cooperation, partnerships (including with the private sector), communities of practice, and resources and helps to build and enhance the portfolio of agri-food system programmes. Manages and shares knowledge and data to ensure that regional policy and programme recommendations are forward looking, aligned to FAO global strategies and other current positions, and are regularly updated with lessons and good practice from the field, paying attention to the digital social, economic and territorial divides. Appraises capacity development needs relating to digitalization and technological innovation in countries of the Region. Represents FAO in diverse fora and in the media. Performs other duties as required. CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements Advanced university degree in agricultural sciences, agricultural economics, information and communication technologies for development, food science, political economy ,development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry and fisheries), agricultural engineering, systems analytics or related field Seven years of relevant experience in policy and strategy advice and analysis relating to innovation and digital solutions applied to, or relevant to, food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development Working knowledge (level C) of Spanish and English Competencies Results Focus Leading, Engaging and Empowering Communications Skills Partnering and Advocating Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement Technical/Functional Skills Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable; Extent and relevance of experience in strategic guidance, policy analysis and advice relating to the design, planning and deployment of technological innovation and digitalization in food, agriculture, rural development, and natural resource management including experience within governments and/or international organizations, and/or civil society, and/or private sector; Strategic understanding of complex policy processes and demonstrated capacity to promote intersectoral approaches to and good governance of technological innovation and digitalization; Extent and relevance of experience in leading and preparing important publications, technical and policy briefs for governments, and inputs to international and intergovernmental meetings based on the analysis and interpretation of complex information; Extent and relevance of experience in working with intergovernmental bodies, senior government officials, development partners including private sector, civil society and research and development organizations, multistakeholder processes and other stakeholders on policies, programmes and investments; Demonstrated record of accomplishment in mobilizing resources and investments; Working experience in developing countries is desirable as well as in Latina America and the Caribbean; Extent and relevance of experience in information and communication technologies and underlying digital innovation. FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency. GENERAL INFORMATION Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment. CONDITIONS OF SERVICE A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries allowances/salary.htm Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include: Dependency allowances Rental subsidy Education grant for children Home leave travel 30 working days of annual leave per year Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund International health insurance; optional life insurance Disability protection FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes: elements of family-friendly policies flexible working arrangements standards of conduct. HOW TO APPLY To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications and language skills. Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile; Once your profile is completed, please apply and submit your application; Your application will be screened based on the information provided on your online profile; Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/ Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications; Incomplete applications will not be considered; Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered; We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date. Link to the organizations job offer. https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1630256342211 Some Connecticut hospitals are accepting out-of-state COVID patients, but the state Department of Public Health says its not tracking them. The exact number of COVID patients from other states being treated at Connecticut hospitals remained unclear Tuesday. However, at least two major hospital networks said they have been accepting these transfers in limited circumstances, but did not provide the specific number of patients. A state Department of Public Health official said Tuesday the agency has not been receiving reports about out-of-state COVID patients being treated in Connecticut. Officials from Hartford HealthCare, which runs hospitals across the state, said it operates a Care Logistics Center that allows hospitals nationwide to inquire about transferring patients. Considering the surge of delta variant infections has overwhelmed the bed capacities of some intensive care units in other parts of the country, HHC officials said the requests from out of state have recently increased. The Care Logistics Center has fielded dozens of calls from out-of-state hospitals, said Beth Ciotti, vice president for care logistics. Over the weekend, Hartford Hospital received a COVID-related patient from a hospital out west. And has also accepted non-COVID patients from throughout the Northeast. As in any health crisis whenever possible, Hartford HealthCare answers the call for help. A spokesperson for HHC said the out-of-state patient at Hartford Hospital was from Oklahoma. Trinity Health of New England, which runs large hospitals in Hartford and Waterbury, said it also has been accepting COVID-19 patients from outside Connecticut to help provide adequate care for those who are seriously ill. As a mission-based organization, we are deeply committed to serve as a healing presence to each of our patients and our community. In some cases, due to high volumes of COVID-19 patients in many parts of the country, our work to serve those in need must reach beyond our local cities, towns. In recent days and weeks, we have received and accepted requests for out-of-state patient transfers, specifically for COVID-positive patients with higher critical needs, Trinity Health of New England said in a statement. In general, the requests have been increasing during the spike in delta variant-related infections, but the overall number is relatively low, health care officials said. The number of requests remain low, but we will continue to serve these patients and those states/communities in need of our assistance to the best of our ability, while ensuring the safety and needs of our colleagues and our local community remain top priority, Trinity Health said in the statement. While some hospitals are taking out-of-state COVID-19 patients, Yale New Haven Health and Stamford Health said they are not accepting transfers. We are not accepting COVID-19 patient transfers from out of state. We currently have 10 COVID-19 positive inpatients, and a small number of those patients have recently traveled to other parts of the country. The majority of all of our COVID-19 positive inpatients are unvaccinated, said Dr. Asha Shah, director of infectious diseases at Stamford Health. At Nuvance Health, which runs hospitals in Danbury, Norwalk, New Milford and Sharon, officials said they are ready to help, but have not received any requests. Nuvance Health hospitals are willing and prepared to help other hospitals because we are all in this together, the health network said in a statement. At this time, there has not been a need or any requests to accept transfer patients from out-of-state hospitals that are outside our health system due to COVID-19 capacity concerns. Hospital capacity has been a crucial issue since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Within weeks of the first reported case in Connecticut, the states hospitals saw capacity quickly fill up amid an influx of ill patients. By late April 2020, there were nearly 2,000 COVID patients in Connecticut hospitals, but that number dropped through the summer last year. Hospitalizations spiked again in late December 2020 to more than 1,200 patients, state reports show. Numbers had again dropped through June of this year before the delta variant took hold in Connecticut, driving up new infections. Hospitalizations rose to more than 350 patients statewide, but officials in Connecticut believe the high vaccination rate here spared the state the worst of what has been seen in other parts of the country where hospitals have again been overwhelmed with new COVID-19 patients. Throughout the pandemic, Gov. Ned Lamont has said overall hospitalization numbers have been a key metric informing his decisions on whether to modify restrictions meant to limit the spread of the virus. There were 17 fewer Connecticut COVID-related hospitalizations recorded on Tuesday, dropping the statewide total to 363. The daily positivity rate on Tuesday surged to 4.65 percent, the states data showed. While some Connecticut hospitals have taken COVID-19 patients, officials said they have also treated out-of-state patients not sick with the coronavirus. We have cared for non-COVID patients from Vermont and Massachusetts in the past week, said Dr. Steven Valassis, chairman of emergency medicine at Hartford HealthCares St. Vincents Medical Center in Bridgeport. While we focus on our community here, we will continue to assist hospitals in our neighboring states to provide the specialized treatment their patients need. Staff writers Jordan Fenster and Amanda Cuda contributed to this story. WASHINGTON (AP) Response to disasters such as Hurricane Ida falls primarily to state and local officials, but the federal government is playing an important support role making available millions of dollars in aid and coordinating with local officials and private relief groups for everything from meals to generators and search-and-rescue efforts. The Biden administration has pledged an all-of-government response to Ida, led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and coordinated by White House senior adviser Cedric Richmond, a former Louisiana congressman and close ally of President Joe Biden. Whatever you need, go to Cedric,'' Biden told Gulf Coast governors and local officials at a virtual meeting Monday. "Hell get to me, and well get you what you need, if we can.'' The people of Louisiana and Mississippi are resilient, Biden added, "but its in moments like these where we can certainly see the power of government to respond to the needs of the people, if the governments prepared and if they respond. More than 3,600 FEMA employees were deployed to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi, officials said, along with 5,200 National Guard personnel. Applying a lesson learned after previous storms, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012, supplies were put in place in the Gulf Coast even before the storm made landfall on Sunday. More than 200 generators, as well 3.5 million meals, 2.5 million liters of water and 139,000 tarps were sent to the Gulf, with millions more meals and water on order. Hundreds of ambulances and air ambulances and 17 search-and-rescue teams have also been activated, along with a 250-bed federal medical shelter in Alexandria, Louisiana. The U.S. Coast Guard has 27 rotary or fixed-wing aircraft, and the Department of Defense has 60 high-water vehicles and 14 rotary wing aircraft prepositioned to assist with rescue efforts. Federal and state agencies remain focused on power restoration efforts after nearly 2 million people lost electricity. Tap water and gasoline also are in short supply even as temperatures reached 90 degrees Tuesday in New Orleans. This is going to be a long haul, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards told Biden. Restoring power can be tricky. In 2017, Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico and knocked out the power grid, and the territory has still not fully recovered. Last September, former President Donald Trump released $13 billion to the territory to help rebuild the electrical grid and repair schools after fierce criticism the aid was overdue. Aware of the widespread criticism of Trump's Maria response and former President George W. Bush's response to Katrina the Biden administration has issued regular updates on federal actions, including emergency waivers issued by the Environmental Protection Agency to increase gasoline supplies, and a Transportation Department waiver that makes it easier for truck drivers to move critical freight to areas damaged by Ida. The waivers will allow truckers to haul in essential items such as food, water, fuel and utility poles, as well as transformers and generators to help support emergency relief efforts. The Energy Department said it is coordinating with the region's power company, Entergy, and other partners to support efforts to restore electricity. Offshore oil rigs, under the supervision of the Interior Department, were moved out of the storms projected path, and nearly 95% of current oil production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut in. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell was in Baton Rouge Tuesday, where she surveyed damage by helicopter with Edwards and other officials. FEMA teams equipped with iPads were set to go house-to-house in hard-hit neighborhoods to register people on the spot for individual aid, Criswell said. "To the people of Louisiana, we are with you and we support you. Help is on the way,'' Criswell tweeted. So far, so good,'' former FEMA administrator Craig Fugate said Tuesday of the federal response. Fugate, who led FEMA during the Obama administration, said much of the credit goes to governors, particularly Edwards, whom he described as battle-hardened by crisis. Louisiana has endured several hurricanes, floods and other disasters in recent years, along with COVID-19, which has ravaged the state. Governors are the real leaders in an emergency, Fugate said. The levees, floodwalls and floodgates that protect New Orleans held up against Idas fury, their strongest test since the federal government spent $14.5 billion to upgrade a system that catastrophically failed when Katrina struck 16 years ago. They passed,'' Fugate said of the levees, "for this storm.'' In Louisiana, there's always another storm coming. ___ Associated Press writers Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge, La., and Colleen Long in Washington contributed to this story. WASHINGTON (AP) A federal judge has thrown out a Trump-era rule that ended federal protections for hundreds of thousands of small streams, wetlands and other waterways and left them vulnerable to pollution from nearby development. FILE - In this Thursday, June 7, 2018, file photo, a committee of black vultures sit atop of a tree at the Panther Island Mitigation Bank, near Naples, Fla. A federal judge has thrown out Trump-era rule that ended federal protections for hundreds of thousands of small streams, wetlands and other waterways across the country. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File) WASHINGTON (AP) A federal judge has thrown out a Trump-era rule that ended federal protections for hundreds of thousands of small streams, wetlands and other waterways and left them vulnerable to pollution from nearby development. The Biden administration had already said it plans to repeal the Trump-era rule and issue new regulations defining which waterways are federally protected under the Clean Water Act. But the Trump rule remained in place in the meantime, and environmental groups, Native American tribes and others said it could lead to the loss of wetlands, damage wildlife habitat and allow businesses and farmers to pollute waterways. U.S. District Court Judge Rosemary Marquez in Arizona, an Obama appointee, sided with those groups on Monday, determining that the Trump administration's rule last year improperly limited the scope of clean water protections. Marquez said the Environmental Protection Agency had ignored its own findings that small waterways can affect the well-being of the larger waterways they flow into. The EPA, now headed by Biden appointee Michael Regan, said it is reviewing the decision and declined to comment. In June, Regan said the agency planned to issue a new rule that protects water quality while not overly burdening small farmers. The water rule sometimes called "waters of the United States" or WOTUS has long been a point of contention. In 2015, the Obama administration expanded federal protection to nearly 60% of the nations waterways. Because the Obama rule also faced several legal challenges, Monday's decision puts back in place a 1986 standard which is broader in scope than the Trump rule but narrower than Obamas until new regulations are issued. According to an earlier review by the Biden administration, the Trump rule allowed more than 300 projects to proceed without the federal permits required under the Obama-era rule. The review also found the Trump rule significantly curtailed clean water protections in states such as New Mexico and Arizona. Those changes were challenged in court by six Native American tribes that said the Trump rule defied the law's environmental focus. Until it was revoked, the rule was "causing irreparable damage to our nations waters," said Janette Brimmer, a lawyer for Earthjustice, an environmental group that represented the tribes. Gunnar Peters, chair of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, one of the tribes that sued, said federal water regulation "protects our history, our culture, and our peoples way of life." Mondays' ruling takes effect nationwide and could have an immediate impact. In Georgia, a proposed titanium mine a few miles from the edge of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge could require federal approval after all. Last year, the Army Corps of Engineering determined that it no longer had jurisdiction over the project. On Tuesday, an Army Corps spokesman said it is too early to determine how the ruling will affect its involvement with the project. Doug Speirs | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Also affected are developers and other businesses that stood to benefit from regulatory and financial relief under the Trump rule. Advocates for less restrictive federal regulation say protection of waterways should be left to states. Chuck Fowke, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, said the group was disappointed by Mondays ruling. He said the decision will lead to confusion about where home builders could develop and result in "longer delays and higher housing costs." ____ Phillis reported from St. Louis. Associated Press writer Kate Brumback in Atlanta contributed. _____ The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/environment 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. The Writ The federal election occurs Sept. 20 and we have you covered. Get the latest campaign news, insights, analysis and commentary delivered weekly to your inbox with our free newsletter. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. 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 - A re-elected Liberal government would give provinces and territories $4.5 billion over five years in targeted funding for mental health, but wouldn't dictate how they deliver that support, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau promised Tuesday. Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau announces mental health funding at campaign stop in a backyard during the Canadian federal election in Kanata, Ont., on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette OTTAWA - A re-elected Liberal government would give provinces and territories $4.5 billion over five years in targeted funding for mental health, but wouldn't dictate how they deliver that support, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau promised Tuesday. The funding would be delivered through a new, permanent mental health transfer, he said. "The past 18 months have been really tough, for parents, for seniors, for essential workers, for all the people who are grieving the loss of family members, for everyone whos faced discrimination or hate no matter who you are, you deserve the right support and that includes on mental health," Trudeau said. "Weve made real progress, but if youve been in crisis and faced a wait list, if youre a student struggling to pay both rent and a therapist, you know theres a lot of work still to do." The Liberals are also promising $500 million over four years to increase access to mental health services on university and college campuses, which he says will support the hiring of 1,200 mental health counsellors. Tuesday's announcement, made in Ottawa, also includes the creation of a national, three-digit suicide prevention and mental health support hotline. A Conservative motion to create such a hotline was unanimously supported by the House of Commons last December and that party has also included such a promise in its platform. The Tories have vowed to provide enough funding through health transfers for an additional one million Canadians to receive mental health treatment every year. But Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole has said that his pledge of increased health spending, which he has pegged at $60 billion over 10 years, will not come with conditions. "In our Canada recovery plan, were making historic investments in our public system, a minimum of six per cent increase per year without tying Ottawa-knows-best conditions," "O'Toole said Tuesday. "I know that all provinces know that we've seen alarming rates in domestic violence, in youth depression. I know all provinces will focus need on mental health, but I will respect provincial decisions." Trudeau's promise to provide dedicated funding to hire doctors and nurses was criticized last week as emblematic of an overly "centralist" approach by Quebec Premier Francois Legault, who also took aim at specific funding pledges issued by the New Democrats. Legault bristled at what he deemed to be overly targeted health funding promises, saying health transfers should increase while allowing Quebec to set its own program priorities. "We're not micromanaging," Trudeau said in French on Tuesday when asked whether his latest announcement could fuel similar criticism. "We know what the goals are. Canadians need access to doctors and mental health experts, they need support, but we won't tell provinces exactly how they need to deliver that," he said. Trudeau shifted focus to post-secondary education later Tuesday, announcing a boost in funding for minority language institutions during a rally at the University of Sudbury. The university suspended its operations this summer as it seeks to restructure after its partnership with Laurentian University was terminated earlier this year. Laurentian asked the court to sever its ties with the university and two others as part of creditor protection proceedings. Laurentian's president announced in February that the school was insolvent, and an interim report by a government adviser found it had run deficits at least as far back as 2014. The report also found Laurentian had sought financial help from the province starting late last year, but that the two sides had been at an impasse. In the budget, the Liberals committed $121.3 million over three years to support minority language post-secondary institutions funding they promised Tuesday to double and make permanent if re-elected. "While education remains a provincial jurisdiction and requires serious action on their behalf, we are stepping up for Canadians, countering the cuts that took place at Laurentian University, and working hard to ensure that francophone communities in the North have the education that they deserve," the party said in a statement. Trudeau announced the funding on a rooftop as a small crowd of protesters shouted below. The Liberal leader, whose campaign has been dogged by throngs of angry demonstrators in recent days, took a far more combative tone than on previous occasions as he denounced the demonstrators and called on the Conservatives to do the same. "Those people are putting us all at risk and Erin O'Toole is siding with them instead of with Canadians who did their part and stepped up?" Trudeau said. "He's talking about personal choice. What about my choice to keep my kids safe? What about our choice to make sure we're getting through this pandemic as quickly as we can? The Writ The federal election occurs Sept. 20 and we have you covered. Get the latest campaign news, insights, analysis and commentary delivered weekly to your inbox with our free newsletter. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "So shame on you, Erin O'Toole. You need to condemn these people, you need to correct them." Trudeau has previously vowed to confront "anger with compassion" when asked about the protests, including one that prompted the cancellation of an event in Bolton, Ont., last week due to security concerns. O' Toole has warned his supporters that they're not welcome on the Conservative campaign if they engage in harassment and intimidation of other party leaders. Earlier Tuesday, the Liberals also vowed to review the Disability Tax Credit and Canada Pension Plan disability benefits, establish a fund to support Black Canadians in the public service and include mental health as a specific element of occupational health and safety under the Canada Labour Code. It was the Liberals' second mental health announcement in as many days. On Monday, they pledged $1.4 billion in added funding over five years to co-develop an Indigenous mental health strategy. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 2021. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Florida state education officials on Monday began to make good on threats to withhold funding from local school districts that defied Gov. Ron DeSantis' ban on mask mandates, despite a circuit judge last week ruling the ban unconstitutional. FILE - In this Aug. 24, 2021, file photo, anti-mask and anti-testing protesters shout during a news conference by Broward County Schools Interim Superintendent Vickie Cartwright, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The news conference followed a school board meeting about COVID-19 testing in schools. 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. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP, File) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Florida state education officials on Monday began to make good on threats to withhold funding from local school districts that defied Gov. Ron DeSantis' ban on mask mandates, despite a circuit judge last week ruling the ban unconstitutional. Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran announced that the Florida Department of Education has withheld an amount equal to monthly school board member salaries in Alachua and Broward counties, as directed by the State Board of Education. Funds will continue to be withheld until the districts comply, Corcoran said. Broward County Interim Superintendent Vickie Cartwright said in a statement that Broward County School Board believes they are in compliance with the law. "The health and safety of our students, teachers and staff continue to be our main priorities," Cartwright said. "As such, BCPS (Broward County Public Schools) will continue to mandate masks, knowing the data shows they help minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our schools." DeSantis, a Republican who is eyeing a possible presidential run in 2024, had been threatening to impose financial penalties on school boards for weeks. Democratic President Joe Biden has said if that happened, federal money would be used to cover any costs. School districts in Alachua and Broward counties were the first of 10 to require all students to wear masks unless they had a medical exemption in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Those districts, which include cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville and West Palm Beach, represent slightly more than half of the 2.8 million Florida public school students enrolled this year. Corcoran said those districts are violating parental rights by not allowing a parent or legal guardian to opt-out their child, as required by a Florida Department of Health emergency rule. "Were going to fight to protect parents rights to make health care decisions for their children," Corcoran said in a statement. "They know what is best for their children." Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Corcoran said elected officials, like the school board members, cannot pick and choose what laws they want to follow. He said the board members pledged to uphold the Constitution but were not doing so. Meanwhile, a Tallahassee circuit judge on Friday agreed with a group of parents who argued in a lawsuit that DeSantis ban on mask mandates is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced. Leon County Circuit Judge John C. Cooper said an executive order issued by DeSantis that served as the basis for the health department's emergency rule is without legal authority. Cooper said his ruling wouldn't go into effect until it is put into writing, which he asked the parents lawyers to complete by Monday. Craig Whisenhunt, one of the attorneys representing the parents, said they complied and expect the ruling to take effect this week. The governors office has said that Coopers decision wasnt based on the law, and the state will appeal it. The highly contagious delta variant led to an acceleration in cases around Florida and record-high hospitalizations just as schools prepared to reopen classrooms. By mid-August, more than 21,000 new cases were being added per day, compared with about 8,500 a month earlier. Over the past week, new cases and hospitalizations have leveled off. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services tallied 15,488 patients with COVID-19 in Florida hospitals, an 8% decrease over the past week. School officials in Alachua County didn't immediately respond to messages seeking comment from The Associated Press. SITES, Calif. (AP) In 2014, in the middle of a severe drought that would test California's complex water storage system like never before, voters told the state to borrow $7.5 billion and use part of it to build projects to stockpile more water. A barbed wire fence runs along a ranch in Sites, Calif., on Friday, July 23, 2021. This ranch would be underwater once the Sites Reservoir is completed. The reservoir is one of seven water storage projects set to receive state funding. The reservoir would be used to store water during wet years for use during droughts and would be large enough to supply 1.5 million households each for one year. (AP Photo/Adam Beam) SITES, Calif. (AP) In 2014, in the middle of a severe drought that would test California's complex water storage system like never before, voters told the state to borrow $7.5 billion and use part of it to build projects to stockpile more water. Seven years later, that drought has come and gone, replaced by an even hotter and drier one that is draining the state's reservoirs at an alarming rate. But none of the more than half-dozen water storage projects scheduled to receive that money have been built. The largest project by far is a proposed lake in Northern California, which would be the state's first new reservoir of significant size in more than 40 years. People have talked about building the Sites Reservoir since the 1950s. But the cost, plus shifting political priorities, stopped it from happening. Now, a major drought gripping the western United States has put the project back in the spotlight. It's slated to get $836 million in taxpayer money to help cover it's $3.9 billion price tag if project officials can meet a deadline by year's end. The Biden administration recently committed $80 million to the reservoir, the largest appropriation of any water storage scheduled to receive funding next year. And the project could get some of the $1.15 billion included in an infrastructure bill that has passed the U.S. Senate. Still, the delay has frustrated some lawmakers, who view it as a wasted opportunity now that the state is preparing to cut of water to thousands of farmers in the Central Valley because of a shortage. The longer you dont build, the more expensive it gets, said Republican state Sen. Brian Dahle, whose rural Northern California district includes farmers. Jerry Brown, left, and Kevin Spesert stand at what would be the bottom of the Sites Reservoir in Sites, Calif., on Friday, July 23, 2021. Brown is the executive director of the Sites Project Authority and Spesert is the authority's public affairs and real estate manager. The project would be used to store water during wet years for use during droughts. The reservoir would be large enough to supply water for 1.5 million households each for one year. (AP Photo/Adam Beam) Storage was once the centerpiece of California's water management strategy, highlighted by a building bonanza in the mid-20th century of a number of dams and reservoirs. But in the more than 40 years since California last opened a major new reservoir, the politics and policy have shifted toward a more environmental focus that has caused tension between urban and rural legislators and the communities they represent. The voter-approved bond in 2014 was supposed to jump-start a number of long-delayed storage projects. But some experts say the delays aren't surprising, given the complexities and environmental hazards that come with building new water projects. We have about 1,500 reservoirs in California. If you assume people are smart which they kind of are most of the time they will have built reservoirs at the 1,500 best reservoir sites already," said Jay Lund, co-director of the Center for Watershed Sciences at the University of California-Davis. What you have left over is more expensive sites that give you less water. California's Mediterranean climate means it gets most of its rain and snow in the winter and spring, followed by hot, dry summers and falls that see rivers and streams dry up. The largest of California's reservoirs are operated by the state and federal governments, although neither has built a new one since the 1979 New Melones Lake near Sonora, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of Yosemite National Park. That could change with the Sites Reservoir project, which would flood what's left of the town of Sites, located in a valley amid California's coast range mountains. The town's roots go back to the 1850s, when John Sites, a German immigrant, settled there. At its peak in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was known for a sandstone quarry that provided building materials throughout the state, including the iconic Ferry Building in San Francisco. But when the quarry closed shortly after World War I, the town slowly dwindled. Fire destroyed many of the buildings, leaving behind about 10 houses on unirrigated land that can only be used for agriculture during the rainy season. Officials would have to eventually buy those properties from residents to build the reservoir. With only two ways in and out of the valley, it's an ideal spot to flood and turn into a massive lake to store water. But unlike most California reservoirs, Sites would not be connected to a river or stream. Instead, operators would have to pump water from the Sacramento River whenever it has extra to give. The idea is to take advantage of wet years like 2018, when California got so much rain and snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains that reservoirs were filled beyond capacity. Were really redefining how water is developed in California, said Jerry Brown, executive director of the Sites Project Authority, who has no relation to the former governor of the same name. Pumping the water is expensive, which, along with concern from environmental groups, is one reason the reservoir has been talked about for more than 60 years but never built. Many environmental groups argue the reservoir would do more harm than good because they say operators would have to pull way more water than is environmentally safe from the Sacramento River to make the project feasible. Fundamentally, it is a deadbeat dam, a pretty marginal project, or else it would have been built years ago, said Ron Stork, a senior policy advocate for Friends of the River, an environmental advocacy group. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration, which included the Sites Reservoir in its water plan, sees the reservoir as a way to prepare for a future impacted by climate change. California's reservoir system is designed to capture water from melted snow in the mountains. But climate change could mean less snow and more rain, which the state is not as equipped to capture. We are going to start swinging to more extremes, (a) dry, deep drought or big flood, said Karla Nemeth, director of the California Department of Water Resources. I do think there is some value to those kinds of projects. It will cost $3.9 billion to build the Sites Reservoir, and that's after project leaders made it smaller to shave about $1 billion off the price tag. Most of the money will come from customers who will buy the water, the federal government and bank loans. California taxpayers have pledged about $836 million to the project from a bond voters approved in 2014. But to use that money, project leaders have to meet a deadline by the end of the year to show the idea is feasible. I'm absolutely confident, Brown said. Its going to be close, but its going to make it. ___ Follow APs complete drought coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/droughts. TORONTO - Canadian National Railway Co.'s takeover bid for Kansas City Southern Railway has been thrown into doubt after a U.S. regulator denied its use of a voting trust structure. A Kansas City Southern locomotive is shown in this undated photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Kansas City Southern MANDATORY CREDIT TORONTO - Canadian National Railway Co.'s takeover bid for Kansas City Southern Railway has been thrown into doubt after a U.S. regulator denied its use of a voting trust structure. The U.S. Surface Transportation Board said Tuesday that the trust would reduce incentives for competition between the two railways whose networks overlap, and is not consistent with the public interest standard under its merger regulations. "Applicants have shown no benefit from the use of a voting trust to stakeholders other than KCS and CN," the regulator said in its decision. The trust would have allowed KCS to remain independent while a full and lengthy review of the proposed takeover goes forward, while also allowing shareholders to be paid without having to wait for a final decision on the deal. The Surface Transportation Board said that while the trust would mean CN wasn't in direct control of KCS operations, it would still be a beneficial owner and share in profits. "Antitrust regulators have long recognized that the sort of financial interest that CN would have in KCS is sufficient to alter a firms incentive to compete vigorously." CN's proposed acquisition would be the first takeover of a major U.S. railway in two decades and the first to test stricter criteria that looks at whether a merger would enhance competition. Canadian Pacific Railway, which already has approval for a voting trust structure, reaffirmed its offer to acquire the U.S. railway. "The STB decision clearly shows that the CN-KCS merger proposal is illusory and not achievable," stated CP chief executive Keith Creel. "Knowing this, we believe the August 10 CP offer to combine with KCS, which recognizes the premium value of KCS while providing regulatory certainty, ought to be deemed a superior proposal. Today, we have notified the KCS Board of Directors that our August 10 offer still stands to bring this once-in-a lifetime partnership together." The railway's bid would also be assessed under the older merger regime after the regulator granted a waiver because a merged CP and KCS would still be the smallest of seven U.S. railways in the top tier of operators. CN has proposed a takeover worth US$33.6 billion for the U.S. railway, while Canadian Pacific increased its offer to US$31 billion earlier in August. Both proposals include the assumption of about US$3.8 billion of KCS debt. Canadian Pacific has maintained that while it is offering less money, its bid faces less regulatory risk. The Surface Transportation Board said that CN could still try to move forward with its takeover, but it would have to wait until the full regulatory review of the proposal is done. National Bank analyst Cameron Doerksen said that while CN could try to move forward with its merger, and possibly appeal the decision, KCS would likely move to re-engage CP on a potential merger. "Practically speaking in our view, the KCS Board and shareholders are likely much better served by accepting a merger offer from CP that has a high certainty of financial close," he said in a note. He said the rejection of the trust potentially puts CN on the hook for a US$1-billion break fee and could have repercussions for company leadership. "CN's fundamental misreading of the STB's rules around mergers could lead to some fallout for CN's Board and management." CN did not respond to a request for comment. One of the railway's largest shareholders, U.K.-based TCI Fund, which recently increased its stake to 5.2 per cent and is also a leading CP Rail shareholder, urged CN in a letter on Tuesday to abandon its pursuit of KCS. "The opinion of the STB is clear: it does not want Canadian National to buy KCS, so persisting in the face of explicit opposition from the STB would be hugely damaging to the reputation of CN and potentially financially disastrous because it would expose the company to the risk of forced divestment and damaging remedies," stated the letter from founder Chris Hohn and partner Ben Walker. They added that an appeal of the STB decision would be "an expensive and undignified charade." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "Continuing with the bid would not only be futile but, knowing it will ultimately end in failure, would also be unprofessional and disrespectful to everyone involved in the process. Instead, the company should withdraw and save billions of dollars in break fees. "Proceeding without a voting trust would be reckless, irresponsible and massively value destructive." TCI also reiterated its position expressed in a May letter to CN that it expects CN chairman Robert Pace and CEO Jean-Jacques Ruest to resign immediately and be replaced by Jim Vena, who was recently chief operating officer at Union Pacific Railway. CN's shares closed up $10.17, or 7.36 per cent, at $148.40 on the Toronto Stock Exchange, while CP Rail's shares closed down $4.13, or 4.55 per cent, at $86.69. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 2021. Companies in this story: (TSX:CNR, TSX:CP) LAVAL, Que. - Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. beat expectations even though its net profit slipped in the first quarter of its fiscal year despite a 40 per cent increase in revenues. LAVAL, Que. - Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. beat expectations even though its net profit slipped in the first quarter of its fiscal year despite a 40 per cent increase in revenues. The Quebec-based convenience store retailer earned US$764.4 million or 71 cents per diluted share, compared with US$777.1 million or 70 cents per share a year earlier. A Couche-Tard store is seen Wednesday, September 25, 2013 in Laval, Que. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz Adjusted earnings fell 4.7 per cent to US$758 million from US$795 million in the first quarter of 2020. On a share basis they were unchanged at 71 cents. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Revenues for the three months ended July 18 were US$13.58 billion, up from US$9.71 billion in the prior-year period. Total merchandise revenues increased 5.4 per cent with same-store merchandise revenues, a key retail metric, decreasing 0.2 per cent in the U.S. and 9.6 per cent in Canada and increasing 5.9 per cent in Europe and other regions. Same-store fuel volume increased 11.8 per cent in the U.S., 10.4 per cent in Canada and 6.3 per cent in Europe. Couche-Tard, which operates Circle K in Canada, the U.S. and Europe as well as in other countries, was expected to earn 65 cents per share in adjusted profits on US$13.27 billion of revenues, according to financial data firm Refinitiv. "While remaining impacted by COVID-19 traffic patterns, fuel volumes improved and we continued to achieve healthy margins as well as expanded our global fuel business in terms of procurement capabilities, pricing analytics, and the Circle K fuel rebranding efforts, where results continued to be encouraging," stated CEO Brian Hannasch. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 2021. Companies in this story: (TSX:ATD.B) TORONTO - Canadian businesses are struggling to find workers with digital skills as the pandemic continues to accelerate technology adoption and automation, a new survey has found. Hands type on a keyboard in North Vancouver on Wednesday, December, 19, 2012.A new poll says Canadian businesses are struggling to find workers with digital skills as the pandemic continues to accelerate technology adoption and automation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward TORONTO - Canadian businesses are struggling to find workers with digital skills as the pandemic continues to accelerate technology adoption and automation, a new survey has found. The KPMG business outlook poll released Tuesday found the inability to find and retain talent was identified as the No. 1 threat to the growth prospects of businesses across the country. Nearly 80 per cent of businesses polled said the pandemic changed the way they work and they now need more workers with IT skills. But 70 per cent of businesses said they are having a hard time hiring people with the right skills. The pandemic clearly provided a catalyst for many businesses to accelerate their digital strategies, Armughan Ahmad, president and managing partner of digital at KPMG in Canada, said in a statement. But implementing these strategies is becoming more difficult, as the competition for digitally-skilled talent is accelerating globally. While nearly 90 per cent of businesses said they are investing in upgrading the skills of workers, the poll found more than half of businesses are considering recruiting outside of Canada. Businesses polled by KPMG ranked cybersecurity and data analytics as among the top skills needed in the workforce. Given the shortage of skilled workers, many companies are turning to outside sources to digitize their operations, the survey found. Doug Speirs | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. About 73 per cent plan to use products or services from online platform providers while 63 per cent said they are looking to bring in third-party expertise or off-the-shelf software. "Canadian businesses understand the power of technology and most have been making the necessary investments to digitize their operations, Mary Jo Fedy, national enterprise leader for KPMG in Canada, said in a statement. The next challenge is ensuring they have the talent to use these new digital tools. While having the right technology is important, its only effective if your team possesses the skills to leverage it. KPMG polled 505 Canadian small- and medium-sized business operators online between Aug. 6 and Aug. 15. The polling industry's professional body, the Canadian Research Insights Council, says online surveys cannot be assigned a margin of error because they do not randomly sample the population. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 2021. PHOENIX (AP) Two journalists who founded an alternative weekly newspaper in Phoenix and later created the lucrative classified site Backpage.com are scheduled to go on trial Wednesday on charges of facilitating prostitution and laundering money in what authorities say was a scheme to knowingly sell ads for sex on the site. FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2017, file photo, former Backpage.com owners James Larkin, left, and Michael Lacey wait on Capitol Hill in Washington to appear at a congressional hearing examining the classified site. Larkin and Lacey are scheduled to go on trial Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Phoenix on charges of facilitating prostitution and money laundering in what authorities say was a scheme to knowingly run ads for sexual services. Lacey and Larkin pleaded not guilty to the charges, said the site never allowed ads for sex and maintain the site's content was protected by the First Amendment. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) PHOENIX (AP) Two journalists who founded an alternative weekly newspaper in Phoenix and later created the lucrative classified site Backpage.com are scheduled to go on trial Wednesday on charges of facilitating prostitution and laundering money in what authorities say was a scheme to knowingly sell ads for sex on the site. Michael Lacey and James Larkin also are accused of using cryptocurrency and wiring money to foreign bank accounts to launder revenues earned from the sites ad sales after authorities say banks raised concerns that they were being used for illegal purposes. Lacey and Larkin said the site never allowed ads for sex and used people and automated tools to try to delete such ads. While prosecutors say the site published many ads that depicted children who were victims of sex trafficking, no one in the federal case in Arizona is charged with sex trafficking or child sex trafficking. In a statement released Monday, Lacey and Larkin called the case against them an epic government overreach, maintained content on the site was protected by the First Amendment and said the site aided law enforcement whenever when concerns arose about the safety of a woman or child. We have the knowledge that we are not guilty and the determination not to bow before the authoritarian mindset that demanded we suppress constitutionally-protected speech and now prosecutes us for having refused to do so, their statement said. And we will prove our case during the course of this trial. Lacey and Larkin founded the Phoenix New Times, held ownership interests in other weeklies such as The Village Voice and ultimately sold their newspapers in 2013. But they held onto Backpage, which authorities say generated $500 million in prostitution-related revenue from its inception in 2004 until April 2018 when it was shut down by the government. Prosecutors say Backpages operators ignored warnings to stop running prostitution ads, some involving children. They are accused of giving free ads to prostitutes and cultivated arrangements with others who worked in the sex trade to get them to post ads with the company. Authorities say Backpage employees would identify prostitutes through Google searches, then call and offer them a free ad. The site also is accused of having a business arrangement in which it would place ads on another site that lets customers post reviews of their experiences with prostitutes. In all, six former Backpage operators have pleaded not guilty to charges of facilitating prostitution. Of the six, Lacey, Larkin and two others have pleaded not guilty to money laundering charges. The sites marketing director has already pleaded guilty to conspiring to facilitate prostitution and acknowledged he participated in a scheme to give free ads to prostitutes to win over their business. Additionally, the CEO of the company when the government shut the site down, Carl Ferrer, pleaded guilty to a separate federal conspiracy case in Arizona and to state money laundering charges in California. At trial, the Backpage defendants are barred from bringing up a 2013 memo by federal prosecutors who examined the site and said at the time that they hadnt uncovered evidence of a pattern of recklessness toward minors or admissions from key participants that the site was used for prostitution. In the memo, prosecutors had said witnesses testified Backpage made substantial efforts to prevent criminal conduct on its site and coordinated such efforts with law enforcement agencies. The document was written five years before Lacey, Larkin and the other former Backpage operators were charged in the Arizona case. A Government Accountability Office report released in June noted the FBIs ability to identify victims and sex traffickers had decreased significantly after Backpage was seized by the government, because law enforcement was familiar with the site and Backpage was generally responsive to requests for information. Prosecutors said the moderation efforts by the site were aimed at concealing the true nature of the ads. Though Lacey and Larkin sold their interest in Backpage in 2015, prosecutors said the two founders retained control over the site. The indictment alleges specific instances in which sex was being sold on Backpage. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Prosecutors alleged an ad for a 17-year-old girl was rejected because it accurately reflected her age but was later accepted after it was falsely changed to 19. The indictment said some customers who responded to her ads forced her to perform sexual acts at gun point, choked her and gang raped her. It also alleged another victim, whose age wasnt revealed in the indictment, was killed in 2015 by a customer after being sold for sex on Backpage. U.S. District Judge Susan Brnovich declined to grant a request by prosecutors for a blanket order allowing evidence of such killings at trial. But she noted that evidence may be allowed if its relevant and witnesses dont mention the facts of those deaths. The judge offered an example in the case of a victim who was fatally struck after jumping out of vehicle in 2015 when her trafficker tried to take her to Texas against her will. Brnovich wrote she would likely let the victims father testify about his effort to remove his daughters posting from the site, but he wouldnt be allowed to talk to jurors about the death. The Backpage operators asked Brnovich to bar prosecutors from presenting evidence of sex trafficking, both of adults and children. Noting the prejudicial value of such evidence is high, Brnovich concluded she will still allow evidence showing that people were trafficked using the site, but will not allow prosecutors to linger on the details of the abuse suffered by victims. WASHINGTON (AP) The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol is asking social media and telecommunications companies to preserve phone or computer records for hundreds of people who were potentially involved with efforts to challenge, delay or interfere with the certification that day of President Joe Bidens victory or otherwise try to overturn the results of the 2020 election. FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo insurrections loyal to President Donald Trump confront U.S. Capitol Police officers outside the Capitol in Washington. The House panel investigation of the riot at the U.S. Capitol issued sweeping document requests on Friday, Aug. 27, to social media companies, expanding the committees investigation as it seeks to examine the events leading to Januarys insurrection. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) WASHINGTON (AP) The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol is asking social media and telecommunications companies to preserve phone or computer records for hundreds of people who were potentially involved with efforts to challenge, delay or interfere with the certification that day of President Joe Bidens victory or otherwise try to overturn the results of the 2020 election. In a letter Monday to 35 companies, the committees Democratic chairman asks for the preservation of records relating to certain individuals who hold or have held accounts with your company from April 2020 through Jan. 31, 2021. The committee did not release the list of individuals targeted, but it includes former President Donald Trump, members of his family and several of his Republican allies in Congress, according to a person familiar with the confidential request who requested anonymity to discuss it. The Select Committee seeks the preservation of these records as part of its examination of the violent attack on the Capitol and the broader context of efforts to delay or interfere with the peaceful transfer of power following the 2020 election, Chairman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi wrote in the letters to the companies, which range from cell phone giants AT&T and Verizon to social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter and TikTok to conservative and far-right platforms Parler, 4chan and theDonald.win. Thompson said last week that the committee would be requesting the records preservation for several hundred people as the committee begins its probe into the insurrection, in which hundreds of Trumps supporters seeking to overturn the election stormed the Capitol, brutally beat police, broke through windows and doors and sent lawmakers running for their lives. The letters do not ask the companies to turn over the records, though the committee could do so in the future. The letters are the third such request as the committee gathers information on the origins of the riot and the details of what happened that day. The probe could take months or even years, as the Democrat-led panel conducts interviews, holds public hearings and prepares a comprehensive report on how the mob was able to infiltrate the Capitol and interrupt the certification of Bidens presidential victory. It was the most serious assault on Congress in two centuries. Among the hundreds of names are Trump's and those of several family members, including his children Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric, according to the person familiar with the request. Also on the list are several of Trump's most ardent Republican allies in Congress, including GOP Reps. Mo Brooks of Alabama, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Matt Gaetz of Florida, Jody Hice of Georgia, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Louie Gohmert of Texas, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina. Several of those House members spoke to Trump as the rioting was unfolding. Their names were first reported by CNN as on the committee's list. Thompson wrote in the letter that the individuals listed may have relevant information to aid the factfinding of the Select Committee, but notes that inclusion on the list should not be viewed as indicative of any wrongdoing by that person or others. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The panel also asks the companies to preserve information about individuals who have been charged with crimes associated with the Jan. 6 attack and those who were listed on permit applications for Trumps rally immediately preceding the siege or were otherwise involved in organizing, funding or speaking at rallies of Trump supporters on Jan. 5 and Jan. 6. The request comes after the panel demanded a trove of records from federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies last week. The committee also asked 15 social media companies to provide copies of any reviews, studies, reports or analysis about misinformation related to the 2020 election, foreign influence in the election, efforts to stop the election certification and domestic violent extremists associated with efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including the attack on the Capitol. Republicans in the House have objected to most all of the committees work as partisan, and GOP leader Kevin McCarthy pulled five of his members off the panel after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected two of them. Republican Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, both of whom have repeatedly criticized Trump and his lies about election fraud, still joined the committee despite McCarthys disapproval. The panel has so far held one hearing with police officers who fought the insurrectionists at the Capitol on Jan. 6. In emotional testimony, those officers spoke of the brutal assault and how frustrated they were by Republicans who have attempted to downplay the seriousness of the attack. At least nine people who were at the Capitol that day died during or after the rioting, including a woman who was shot and killed by police as she tried to break into the House chamber and three other Trump supporters who suffered medical emergencies. Two police officers died by suicide in the days that immediately followed, and a third officer, Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, collapsed and died after engaging with the protesters. A medical examiner later determined that Sicknick died of natural causes. Earlier this summer, the Metropolitan Police announced that two more of their officers who had responded to the insurrection had died by suicide. Officer Kyle DeFreytag was found dead on July 10 and Officer Gunther Hashida was found dead in his home weeks later. The circumstances that led to their deaths are unknown. NEW ORLEANS (AP) Hundreds of thousands of Louisianans sweltered in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida on Tuesday with no electricity, no tap water, precious little gasoline and no clear idea of when things might improve. New Orleans Firefighters assess damage as they look through debris after a building collapsed from the effects of Hurricane Ida, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in New Orleans, La. All of New Orleans lost power right around sunset Sunday as the hurricane blew ashore on the 16th anniversary of Katrina, leading to an uneasy night of pouring rain and howling wind. The weather died down shortly before dawn. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) NEW ORLEANS (AP) Hundreds of thousands of Louisianans sweltered in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida on Tuesday with no electricity, no tap water, precious little gasoline and no clear idea of when things might improve. Long lines that wrapped around the block formed at the few gas stations that had fuel and generator power to pump it. People cleared rotting food out of refrigerators. Neighbors shared generators and borrowed buckets of swimming pool water to bathe or to flush toilets. We have a lot of work ahead of us and no one is under the illusion that this is going to be a short process, Gov. John Bel Edwards said as the cleanup and rebuilding began across the soggy region in the oppressive late-summer heat. New Orleans officials announced seven places around the city where people could get a meal and sit in air conditioning. The city was also using 70 transit buses as cooling sites and will have drive-thru food, water and ice distribution locations set up on Wednesday, Mayor LaToya Cantrell said. Edwards said state officials also were working to set up distribution locations in other areas. Cantrell ordered a nighttime curfew Tuesday, calling it an effort to prevent crime after Hurricane Ida devastated the power system and left the city in darkness. Police Chief Shaun Ferguson said there had been some arrests for stealing. 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) The mayor also said she expects the main power company Entergy to be able to provide some electricity to the city by Wednesday evening, but stressed that doesnt mean a quick citywide restoration. Entergy was looking at two options to begin powering critical infrastructure in the area such as hospitals, nursing homes and first responders, the company said in a news release. Cantrell acknowledged frustration in the days ahead. We know its hot. We know we do not have any power, and that continues to be a priority, she told a news conference. Galen Bell sits with his dog, Mason, after being rescued from floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in LaPlace, La., Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) More than 1 million homes and businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi including all of New Orleans were left without power when Ida slammed the electric grid on Sunday with its 150 mph (240 kph) winds, toppling a major transmission tower and knocking out thousands of miles of lines and hundreds of substations. An estimated 25,000-plus utility workers labored to restore electricity, but officials said it could take weeks. With water treatment plants overwhelmed by floodwaters or crippled by power outages, some places were also facing shortages of drinking water. About 441,000 people in 17 parishes had no water, and an additional 319,000 were under boil-water advisories, federal officials 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 number of deaths climbed to at least four in Louisiana and Mississippi, including two people killed Monday night when seven vehicles plunged into a 20-foot-deep (6-meter-deep) hole near Lucedale, Mississippi, where a highway had collapsed after torrential rains. Among the crash victims was Kent Brown, a well-liked, 49-year-old father of two, his brother Keith Brown said in a telephone interview on Tuesday. Keith Brown said his brother was in construction but had been out of work for a while. He didnt know where his brother was headed when the crash happened. Edwards said he expects the death toll to rise. Customers stand in line to enter a convenience store that opened without electricity after the effects the effects of Hurricane Ida knocked out power in the area, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in Nhew Orleans, La. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) In Slidell, crews searched for a 71-year-old man who was attacked by an alligator that tore off his arm as he walked through Ida's floodwaters. His wife pulled him to the steps of the home and paddled away to get help, but when she returned, he was gone, authorities said. On Grand Isle, the barrier island that bore the full force of Ida's winds, Police Chief Scooter Resweber said he was amazed that no one was killed or even seriously injured. About half of the properties on the island of about 1,400 people were heavily damaged or destroyed, and the main roadway was nearly completely covered in sand brought in from the tidal surge. St. John the Baptist Parish rescue teams place a person onto the back of a truck during an evacuation on the morning after Hurricane Ida hit the area, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in St. John the Baptist Parish, La. (Chris Granger/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP) Ive ridden out other hurricanes: Hurricane Isaac, Katrina, Gustav, Ike. ... This is the worst, Resweber said. In New Orleans, drivers lined up for roughly a quarter-mile, waiting to get into a Costco that was one of the few spots in the city with gasoline. At other gas stations, motorists occasionally pulled up to the pumps, saw the handles covered in plastic bags and drove off. Renell Debose spent a week suffering in the New Orleans Superdome after 2005s Hurricane Katrina, which killed 1,800 people and left the city nearly uninhabitable. She said she is willing to give it a few days without electricity, but no more than that. An out of service gas pump is seen where motorists waited up to four hours in line just to find out the station was sold out of gas, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, in New Orleans, La. New Orleans is without power with the exception of those with generators.(AP Photo/Eric Gay) I love my city. Im built for this. But I cant make it without any air conditioning, she said. Michael Pinkrah used his dwindling fuel to find food. He cradled his 3-week-old son in the back seat of an SUV and his 2-year-old daughter played in the front seat as his wife stood in a long line in the sweltering heat to get into one of the few grocery stores open in the city. Pinkrah said he and his wife thought about evacuating but couldn't find a hotel room. They found out about the open store through social media. But even that link was tenuous. People wait in line at a convenience store, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, in New Orleans. The effects of Hurricane Ida left New Orleans without power with the exception of those with generators. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) We cant charge our electronic devices to keep in contact with people. And without that, all of the communication just fails, he said. In hard-hit Houma, the dismal reality of life without air conditioning, refrigeration or other more basic supplies began to sink in. Our desperate need right now is tarps, gasoline for generators, food, water," pastor Chad Ducote said. He said a church group from Mississippi arrived with food and supplies, and neighbors came to his pool to scoop up buckets of water. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, Amy Voisin cleans up the heavily damaged Bowl South of Louisiana Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, in Houma, La. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) The people down here are just doing what they can. They dont have anything," he said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Adding to the misery was the steamy weather. A heat advisory was issued for New Orleans and the rest of the region, with forecasters saying the combination of high temperatures and humidity could make it feel like 105 degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees Celsius) on Tuesday and 106 on Wednesday. Cynthia Andrews couldn't go back to her New Orleans home if she wanted to. She was in a wheelchair, tethered by a power cord to the generator system running the elevators and hallway lights at the Le Meridien hotel. Workers remove a tree that toppled over onto the roof of a home Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, in Houma, La., in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) When the power went out Sunday, the machine that helps Andrews breathe after a lung collapse in 2018 stopped working. The hotel let her stay in the lobby, giving her a cot after she spent nearly a whole night in her wheelchair. It was so scary, but as long as this thing keeps running, Ill be OK, she said. ___ Deslatte reported from Thibodaux, Louisiana. Associated Press writers Janet McConnaughey, Rebecca Santana and Stacey Plaisance in New Orleans; Jay Reeves in Houma, Louisiana; Alina Hartounian in Scottsdale, Arizona; Travis Loller in Nashville, Tennessee; Sudhin Thanawala in Atlanta; Jeff Martin in Marietta, Georgia; and Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report. NEW DELHI (AP) Indias economy grew by 20.1% in the April-June quarter from the same period a year earlier, when it suffered a record contraction, the government announced Tuesday, raising hopes of an economic recovery. Police personnel wearing masks guard outside the Reserve Bank of India during a protest against the federal government's plan to privatize government assets in Kochi, Kerala state, India, Tuesday, Aug.31, 2021. (AP Photo/R S Iyer) NEW DELHI (AP) Indias economy grew by 20.1% in the April-June quarter from the same period a year earlier, when it suffered a record contraction, the government announced Tuesday, raising hopes of an economic recovery. It was Indias fastest pace of growth since it began publishing quarterly gross domestic product figures in 1996, and was far higher than the January-March quarter, when the economy grew 1.6%. But economists say the latest growth figures are deceptive because they are calculated from last years smaller base. Indias economy, battered by the coronavirus and a monthslong nationwide lockdown, contracted 24.4% in the April-June quarter in 2020, pulling the country into recession. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. A country enters a technical recession if its economy contracts for two successive quarters. The economic rebound came despite a catastrophic surge in coronavirus infections throughout the country from March to early June. India avoided another nationwide lockdown, but many industrial states reimposed localized restrictions to slow the spread of the virus. Economists say Indias agriculture, manufacturing and construction sectors are likely to have to have led the April-June rebound. Indias fiscal year begins in April. New cases of COVID-19 and deaths have dropped sharply from their peaks, and vaccinations have picked up pace. Health experts are warning of another, less deadly surge, but economists say its impact on the economy is likely to be milder. High-frequency indicators show that the economy will return to decent sequential growth in the July-September quarter, said Shuchita Shukla, a research analyst at The Economist Intelligence Unit. India, Asias third-largest economy, suffered one of the biggest setbacks among major economies in fiscal year 2020-21. Its growth contracted by 7.3%, worsening from a slump that slashed growth to 4% from 8% in the two years before the pandemic hit. QUEBEC - Pierre Fitzgibbon will return to the cabinet of Premier Francois Legault on Wednesday after withdrawing in June because of ethics violations. Pierre Fitzgibbon responds to the opposition during question period at the legislature in Quebec City, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot QUEBEC - Pierre Fitzgibbon will return to the cabinet of Premier Francois Legault on Wednesday after withdrawing in June because of ethics violations. He will resume his role as economy minister following the sale of his shares in two companies, according to a government source who spoke to The Canadian Press on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly. Fitzgibbon, who represents the suburban Montreal riding of Terrebonne, is now in compliance with requirements laid out by the province's ethics commissioner. The Writ The federal election occurs Sept. 20 and we have you covered. Get the latest campaign news, insights, analysis and commentary delivered weekly to your inbox with our free newsletter. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. He left cabinet after he was targeted by the ethics czar for failing to divest himself of shares in two companies that did business with the province and could place him in a conflict of interest. Commissioner Ariane Mignolet recommended Fitzgibbon be suspended from the legislature until he sold those shares or until he resigned from his role as a cabinet minister and placed the shares in a blind trust. In June, Fitzgibbon said he stood to lose $1 million if he had accepted the offers he had received at the time. The source said Fitzgibbon was finally able to sell his shares in White Star Capital and ImmerVision, both privately held firms. Legault had pledged to reinstate Fitzgibbon when the situation was resolved. In the interim, the role was managed by Finance Minister Eric Girard. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 2021. CROWN POINT, La. (AP) Jason Kane rode out Hurricane Ida in Crown Point, south of New Orleans, and though no water entered his house, which is raised 8 feet (2 meters) off the ground, he did see metal roofs, fencing and other chunks of large debris flying through the air outside. 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) CROWN POINT, La. (AP) Jason Kane rode out Hurricane Ida in Crown Point, south of New Orleans, and though no water entered his house, which is raised 8 feet (2 meters) off the ground, he did see metal roofs, fencing and other chunks of large debris flying through the air outside. It was just nuts, man," Kane said. "I mean, nothing like Ive ever experienced. Kane had parked his two vehicles on high ground away from the house. On Tuesday morning, he went to check on them, paddling a boat as far as he could, then walking the rest of the way. Both had flooded, and neither would start. Guess Im not going anywhere, he said. While New Orleans largely escaped catastrophic flooding during the storm, many smaller communities were not so lucky. About half of the properties in Grand Isle a narrow barrier island town that bore the full power of Ida's winds on Sunday were either heavily damaged or destroyed. The main roadway was nearly completely covered in sand that had been brought in by the tidal surge, and all of the utility poles were either leaning or had crashed down. Grand Isle Police Chief Scooter Resweber took shelter with about a dozen fellow officers inside the police station Sunday as they watched buildings across the street be torn to pieces. When the roof started to come apart and the building trembled, we all got scared, Resweber told The Associated Press. Were grown men but you do have fear in you, no matter what job youre in, and we felt it." Resweber and other officers ventured out early Monday to assess the damage and check on the nearly 100 residents who had decided to stay behind. Resweber said his home was among the hundreds destroyed by Ida. Ive ridden out other hurricanes Hurricane Isaac, Katrina, Gustav, Ike and this is no comparison whatsoever," he said. "This is the worst. Its just amazing that no one (here) was killed or even seriously injured. Residents in LaPlace, located along the west side of Lake Pontchartrain near New Orleans, retreated to their second floors or attics and took to social media to plead for boat rescues as the water rose around them. An AP reporter who flew over the city with Gov. John Bel Edwards on Tuesday saw a scene of complete devastation: uprooted and splintered trees lying on houses, buildings with collapsed ceilings and no roofs, streets flooded with water and the contents of houses strewn across yards. Trucks and boats on trailers began arriving on Monday to take people to safety. Among those rescued by boat were Debbie Greco and her family, including her elderly parents, all of whom had cowered on a stairway landing as Ida sent 4 feet (1.2 meters) of muddy water rushing into her home. God blessed us that we all survived, she said. Other residents got to dry ground by wading through knee-deep water carrying pets and other belongings. Robert T-Bob Dampier, of Marrero, was among the local volunteers with boats offering to help with search and rescue efforts Tuesday. Theyre down here at the top of their house, on the roof or wherever, he said. I got a boat. Im willing. ... I mean, if it was the other way around, you know youd hope they'd do the same for you. Vincent Ochello and Evan Michel have been checking on neighbors by boat in Lafitte, a small community 25 miles (40 kilometers) from New Orleans. The pair is going door to door to see how those who stayed behind and did not evacuate are doing. Michel is driving his boat through the flooded roads, and Ochello is broadcasting on Facebook. New Orleans levee system overhauled at a cost of billions of dollars after Hurricane Katrina breached it held up against Idas rampage. But in LaPlace, work only recently began on a long-awaited levee project that isnt expected to be completed until 2024. In Lafitte, a small community south of Crown Point, even homes on stilts were flooded and residents had to use boats to navigate the submerged streets. And in Houma, a city of about 30,000 people southwest of New Orleans, entire neighborhoods were shattered, with homes in some places reduced to splinters. Boats that had been tossed from their docking locations were piled on top of each other. Its too soon to determine the full scale of Idas wrath in Lafourche Parish, where the hurricane came ashore, said sheriffs office Capt. Brennan Matherne. The narrow parish with 96,000 people stretches 70 miles (nearly 115 kilometers) from Thibodaux to the Gulf of Mexico. Pretty much every home has damage. ... It just gets worse as you go down, Matherne said. Ida made landfall just to the west of Grand Isle with a wind gust recorded at 172 mph (277 kph) and seawater swamped the island. Edwards said local, state and federal boats, high water vehicles and aircraft rescued hundreds of people. Many homes that did not flood or suffer other damage were still without electricity, and officials warned it could be weeks before the power grid is repaired. More than 1 million customers in Louisiana and Mississippi including all of New Orleans were left in the dark. With water treatment plants overwhelmed by floodwaters or crippled by power outages, some places were also facing shortages of drinking water. About 441,000 people in 17 parishes had no water, and an additional 319,000 were under boil-water advisories, federal officials said. Doug Speirs | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Edwards urged evacuees not to try to return home, citing the widespread power outages, road closures and other dangerous conditions. The schools are not open. The businesses are not open. The hospitals are slammed. Theres not water in your home and there is not going to be electricity, he said on Tuesday after touring LaPlace in hard-hit suburban St. John the Baptist Parish, where 80% of rescues took place. So lets get you where you can be safe and somewhat comfortable. Some residents vowed to rebuild after the storm, but Greco and her father, 85-year-old Fred Carmouche, said they are tired of the constant hurricane fears on the Gulf Coast. When I rebuild this Im out of here. Im done with Louisiana, Carmouche said. ___ Reeves reported from LaPlace, Louisiana. Associated Press journalists Gerald Herbert in Grand Isle, Louisiana; David J. Phillip in Lafitte, Louisiana; Kevin McGill in New Orleans; Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Julie Walker in New York; Jeff Martin in Marietta, Georgia; and Sudhin Thanawala in Atlanta contributed to this report. OTTAWA - Canada's economy had its worst quarterly stretch since the start of the pandemic, contracting at an annualized rate of 1.1 per cent between April and June and possibly dropping further in July. Statistics Canada building and signs are pictured in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 3, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA - Canada's economy had its worst quarterly stretch since the start of the pandemic, contracting at an annualized rate of 1.1 per cent between April and June and possibly dropping further in July. The decrease in real gross domestic product in the second quarter was the first quarterly contraction recorded since the sharp drop during the same stretch one year earlier during first-wave lockdowns. And it was a sharp turnaround from the agency's initial estimate last month that the economy expanded at an annual rate of 2.5 per cent for the April-to-June period, which Statistics Canada chalked up to additional data that wasn't available last month. Statistics Canada said driving the drop in the second quarter of this year were declines in home resale activity and exports. Increased business and government spending, as well as new home construction and renovations in the quarter weren't enough to make up the shortfall. Household spending also stayed flat in the quarter, even as restrictions rolled back in much of the country and consumers had more places to spend. What appears to have happened, though, is that consumer spending in the quarter appeared to fuel price increases amid widespread supply-chain issues, rather than fuel growth. The Bank of Canada has decided to let inflation run above its two-per-cent target until the economy recovers, but now faces a more complicated policy-making landscape, said BMO chief economist Douglas Porter. He said tightening monetary policy usually done to cool price pressures would slow growth, but adding stimulus could simply fuel inflation. "This is where policy-making gets very complicated, and the decisions are tough," Porter said. "Sometimes you have the best of all worlds when you've got strong growth and low inflation, and sometimes you have the worst of all worlds where you have high inflation and low or no growth and that's the situation that we're temporarily in right now." The second quarter ended with the economy growing by 0.7 per cent in June after two months of declines, placing total economic activity 1.5 per cent below pre-pandemic levels recorded in February 2020. The agency said its initial estimate for July shows a contraction of 0.4 per cent for the month. Statistics Canada said the main decreases in July were in manufacturing, construction and retail trade, while accommodation and food services had strong monthly gains as public health restrictions eased. Total economic activity in July was about two per cent below pre-pandemic levels recorded in February 2020. The figures suggest the Canadian economy wasn't on as strong a footing as many believed at the start of the third quarter of the year, said CIBC senior economist Royce Mendes. "And with the fourth wave now seemingly here, the economy faces another storm to navigate through," he wrote in a note. There were some silver linings in the figures, said TD senior economist Sri Thanabalasingam, pointing to consumer reorienting their spending from goods to services, which weighed on retail trade output, and a cooling in the super-hot housing market towards more normal levels. Those weaknesses, he said, should become less of a drag as activity in each sector normalizes. What could pose a larger drag for the rest of the year is the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19, said Thanabalasingam. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Provinces are looking to avoid lockdowns by proposing vaccine passports to access non-essential businesses, companies implementing regular testing, and a federal vaccine mandates for workers and travellers. The rise in case counts could affect consumer confidence that could prove to be a material shock, Thanabalasingam said. "That could weaken the pace of the recovery," he said. "I don't think it blows the economic recovery off course, given all the measures that we have seen being implemented, but it could slow the recovery." Porter said he's cutting his forecast for growth for the year to five per cent from six per cent, but added that "five per cent might even look a tad optimistic at this point, to be honest." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 2021. KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) The Taliban triumphantly marched into Kabul's international airport on Tuesday, hours after the final U.S. troop withdrawal that ended America's longest war. Standing on the tarmac, Taliban leaders pledged to secure the country, quickly reopen the airport and grant amnesty to former opponents. A U.S military aircraft is parked on the tarmac of the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Wali Sabawoon) KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) The Taliban triumphantly marched into Kabul's international airport on Tuesday, hours after the final U.S. troop withdrawal that ended America's longest war. Standing on the tarmac, Taliban leaders pledged to secure the country, quickly reopen the airport and grant amnesty to former opponents. In a show of control, turbaned Taliban leaders were flanked by the insurgents elite Badri unit as they walked across the tarmac. The commandos in camouflage uniforms proudly posed for photos. Getting the airport running again is just one of the sizeable challenges the Taliban face in governing a nation of 38 million people that for two decades had survived on billions of dollars in foreign aid. A U.S military aircraft takes off from the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Wali Sabawoon) Afghanistan is finally free, Hekmatullah Wasiq, a top Taliban official, told The Associated Press on the tarmac. The military and civilian side (of the airport) are with us and in control. Hopefully, we will be announcing our Cabinet. Everything is peaceful. Everything is safe. Wasiq also urged people to return to work and reiterated the Taliban pledge offering a general amnesty. People have to be patient, he said. Slowly we will get everything back to normal. It will take time. Just hours earlier, the U.S. military had wrapped up its largest airlift of non-combatants in history. On Tuesday morning, signs of the chaos of recent days were still visible. In the terminal, rifled luggage and clothes were strewn across the ground, alongside wads of documents. Concertina wire stills separated areas while overturned cars and parked vehicles blocked routes around the civilian airport a sign of measures taken to protect against possible suicide car bombers entering the facility. Taliban officials are interviewed by journalists inside the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the U.S. withdrawal in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. The Taliban were in full control of Kabul's international airport on Tuesday, after the last U.S. plane left its runway, marking the end of America's longest war. (AP Photo/Kathy Gannon) Vehicles carrying the Taliban raced back and forth along the Hamid Karzai International Airport's sole runway on the military side of the airfield. Before dawn broke, heavily armed Taliban fighters walked through hangars, passing some of the seven CH-46 helicopters the State Department used in its evacuations before rendering them unusable. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid addressed the gathered members of the Badri unit. I hope you be very cautious in dealing with the nation," he said. Our nation has suffered war and invasion and the people do not have more tolerance. At the end of his remarks, the Badri fighters shouted: God is the greatest! In an interview with Afghan state television, Mujahid also discussed restarting operations at the airport, which remains a key way out for those wanting to leave the country. Taliban fighters stand guard inside the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the U.S. withdrawal in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. The Taliban were in full control of Kabul's international airport on Tuesday, after the last U.S. plane left its runway, marking the end of America's longest war. (AP Photo/Kathy Gannon) Our technical team will be checking the technical and logistical needs of the airport, he said. If we are able to fix everything on our own, then we wont need any help. If there is need for technical or logistics help to repair the destruction, then we might ask help from Qatar or Turkey. He didn't elaborate on what was destroyed. Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, the head of U.S. military's Central Command, earlier said troops disabled 27 Humvees and 73 aircraft so they cannot be used again. He said troops did not blow up equipment needed for eventually restarting airport operations. The airport had seen chaotic and deadly scenes since the Taliban blitzed across Afghanistan and took Kabul on Aug. 15. Thousands of Afghans besieged the airport, some falling to their death after desperately hanging onto the side of an American C-17 military cargo jet. Last week, an Islamic State suicide attack at an airport gate killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members. Taliban fighters stand guard inside the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the U.S. withdrawal in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. The Taliban were in full control of Kabul's international airport on Tuesday, after the last U.S. plane left its runway, marking the end of America's longest war. (AP Photo/Kathy Gannon) During the evacuation, U.S. forces helped evacuate over 120,000 U.S. citizens, foreigners and Afghans, according to the White House. Coalition forces also evacuated their citizens and Afghans. But for all who got out, foreign nations and the U.S. acknowledged they didnt evacuate all who wanted to go. On Tuesday, after a night that saw the Taliban fire triumphantly into the air, guards now blearily on duty kept out the curious and those still somehow hoping to catch a flight out. After 20 years we have defeated the Americans," said Mohammad Islam, a Taliban guard at the airport from Logar province, cradling a Kalashnikov rifle. They have left and now our country is free. Its clear what we want. We want Shariah (Islamic law), peace and stability, he added. Taliban fighters stand guard in front of the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the U.S. withdrawal in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. The Taliban were in full control of Kabul's international airport on Tuesday, after the last U.S. plane left its runway, marking the end of America's longest war. (AP Photo/Khwaja Tawfiq Sediqi) Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. special representative who oversaw Americas talks with the Taliban, wrote on Twitter that Afghans face a moment of decision & opportunity after the withdrawal. Their countrys future is in their hands. They will choose their path in full sovereignty, he wrote. This is the chance to bring their war to an end as well. But the Taliban face what could be a series of major crises as they fully take over the government. The majority of the billions of dollars Afghanistan holds in foreign reserves is now frozen in America, pressuring its now-depreciating Afghani currency. Banks have implemented withdrawal controls, fearing runs on their deposits in the uncertainty. Civil servants across the country say they haven't received their salary in months. Abdul Maqsood, a traffic police officer for the past 10 years on duty near the airport, said he hadnt paid for the past four months. We keep coming to work but we are not getting paid, he said. Medical equipment remains in short supply, while thousands who fled the Taliban's advance remain living in squalid conditions. A major drought also has cut into the country's food supplies, making its imports even more important and raising the risk of people going hungry. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Also in question are the rights of women, who faced oppression under the Taliban's earlier rule. Schools have reopened, and on Tuesday morning dozens of elementary school students headed to schools in a neighborhood near the airport. The Taliban have ordered schools to be segregated but it is often not enforced for younger children. I am not afraid of the Taliban, said Masooda, a fifth-grade student. During the evacuation, U.S. forces helped evacuate over 120,000 U.S. citizens, foreigners and Afghans, according to the White House. Coalition forces also evacuated their citizens and Afghans. But for all who got out, foreign nations and the U.S. acknowledged they didn't evacuate all who wanted to go. ___ Akhgar reported from Istanbul. Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report. Canada's tourism and hotel associations say they were caught off guard and disappointed by the U.S. government's decision to escalate its travel advisory for Canada. Canadian and American flags fly near the Ambassador Bridge at the Canada-USA border crossing in Windsor, Ont. on Saturday, March 21, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rob Gurdebeke Canada's tourism and hotel associations say they were caught off guard and disappointed by the U.S. government's decision to escalate its travel advisory for Canada. The U.S. State Department urged Americans on Monday to "reconsider" travel to Canada as they set the travel advisory to Level 3, after just a three-week period where Canada was at Level 2 with the land border open to U.S citizens and permanent residents. The Tourism Industry Association of Canada says the decision will further hurt the country's battered tourism sector, especially ahead of the Labour Day weekend, the first holiday in which Americans are able to travel across the land border. "This was not on our radar," said Beth Potter, President and CEO of TIAC. "It's like businesses got kicked again while they're already down." The Hotel Association of Canada said it's disappointed the U.S. is discouraging travel to Canada, saying hotels and the events sector will continue to feel the brunt of COVID-19's economic impact for many months to come. "Our current data shows hotels are still operating more than 40 per cent below industry norms on average, and this will only make things worse," said Susie Grynol, President & CEO of HAC, in a statement. "Limited international tourism, combined with the reality that no major conventions or festivals are taking place and limited business travel, means that Canadian hotels will face another eight months like the last sixteen." However, Flight Centre spokeswoman Allison Wallace said the fact that the U.S. only issued a travel advisory without any increased restrictions means there won't be a large effect on travel. She said the advisory wouldn't even have implications for travel insurance, which is already affected by COVID-19 being a known risk. "The pent-up demand is evident both for people looking to get away and those wanting to see family/friends that live across the border," said Wallace. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "Unless theres a restriction put in place, we expect those Americans that planned to travel to Canada in the near future will continue with their plans." Both Wallace and Potter say the question now is how long it will take for the U.S. to lower their advisory, and when Canadians will be allowed to travel south through the land border. Vaccinated Americans have been allowed to cross into Canada via the land border without quarantining as of Aug. 9, although Canadians are still not able to cross the land border into the U.S. Wallace also said the tourism industry will be watching to see if rising COVID-19 case counts will have any effect on the Canadian government's plans to reopen to vaccinated international travellers on Sept. 7. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 2021. Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version incorrectly referred to the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. LONDON (AP) British government veterinarians on Tuesday killed Geronimo, an alpaca whose sentence of death for carrying bovine tuberculosis made international headlines and pitted animal activists against the state. LONDON (AP) British government veterinarians on Tuesday killed Geronimo, an alpaca whose sentence of death for carrying bovine tuberculosis made international headlines and pitted animal activists against the state. Veterinary staff in blue overalls, masks and goggles, backed by police officers, arrived at the western England farm where the animal lives, and took Geronimo from his pen. The scene was witnessed by animal activists and journalists who have camped out at the farm in Wickwar, 110 miles (175 kilometers) west of London, vowing to stop the killing. Geronimo the alpaca at Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge village in England, Friday Aug. 27, 2021. Geronimo has twice tested positive for bovine tuberculosis and the government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has ordered Geronimo to be destroyed, but owner Helen Macdonald believes the tests are returning false positives. (Andrew Matthews/PA via AP) The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed the animal had been euthanized and a post-mortem examination would be conducted. The controversial camelid was sentenced to death after twice testing positive for bovine TB. Geronimo's owner, Helen Macdonald, argued the tests had produced false positives and battled for a third test. Several veterinarians backed her cause, but earlier this month a High Court judge rejected Macdonalds request for a temporary injunction to stop the killing order and reopen the case. Doug Speirs | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Helen Macdonald poses for a photograph with Geronimo the alpaca at Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, England, Wednesday Aug. 25, 2021. Geronimo has twice tested positive for bovine tuberculosis and, as a result, the government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has ordered Geronimo to be euthanised. Macdonald, who imported the alpaca from New Zealand, believes the tests are returning false positives, but has been refused permission to have him tested a third time. (Andrew Matthews/PA via AP) Macdonald, who imported Geronimo from New Zealand in 2017, said the animal's destruction was barbaric and unscientific. The government have refused to engage in good faith," she said. We now know they have been stringing us along for the last week, fobbing us off by saying that people were on holiday and would get back to us this week. In fact, all the time, they were simply planning to murder Geronimo. Bovine TB can devastate cattle herds and hurt farm revenues. Britain has been culling animals chiefly badgers to stop its spread for a decade, but the practice remains contentious. The government said that 27,000 cattle were slaughtered in 2020 to curb the spread of the disease. "This is a terribly sad situation and our sympathies remain with all those affected by this devastating disease, said U.K. Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss. No one wants to have to cull infected animals if it can be avoided. But we need to follow the scientific evidence and cull animals that have tested positive for bTB to minimize spread of this insidious disease and ultimately eradicate the biggest threat to animal health in this country," she said. WASHINGTON - The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the U.S. told Americans to "reconsider travel" to Canada mainly for the benefit of those not yet vaccinated against COVID-19. Cars with U.S. licence plates enter Canada at the Stanstead, Quebec, border crossing as seen from Derby Line, Vt., Monday Aug. 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Wilson Ring WASHINGTON - The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the U.S. told Americans to "reconsider travel" to Canada mainly for the benefit of those not yet vaccinated against COVID-19. Dr. Rochelle Walensky says State Department travel advisories are typically based on regular assessments of a destination's testing capacity, as well as the growth rate of new cases. But Walensky also says that people who are fully vaccinated and willing to wear face masks are OK to travel, provided they take into account the potential risks in the host country. Monday's new Level 3 travel advisory marked a quick end to a three-week period when the State Department's warning to would-be travellers to Canada was at Level 2, or "exercise increased caution." That move to Level 2 coincided with Canada's decision earlier in August to allow fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents back into the country. Only about 61 per cent of eligible Americans are fully vaccinated, compared with nearly 75 per cent of Canadians age 12 and over. The U.S., meanwhile, is maintaining its existing restrictions on non-essential Canadian travellers until at least Sept. 21, citing the ongoing spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19. "We receive travel health notices and check and typically watch those daily; those look at testing capacity as well as case rates and we update our travel guidance by country in real time," Walensky told a COVID-19 task force briefing Tuesday. "People who are fully vaccinated and who are wearing masks can travel, although given where we are with disease transmission right now, we would say that people need to take these risks into their own consideration." People who are unvaccinated should avoid travel altogether, she added. The latest seven-day average for confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations was up 5.7 per cent over the previous weeklong period, the CDC says, with the vast majority of new cases being among the unvaccinated. "Nationally, new admissions of patients with confirmed COVID-19 are currently at their highest levels since the start of the pandemic for all age groups under 50 years old," the agency says. The Writ The federal election occurs Sept. 20 and we have you covered. Get the latest campaign news, insights, analysis and commentary delivered weekly to your inbox with our free newsletter. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The White House says some six million Americans got a shot last week, the largest weekly total since early July, with some 14 million people getting a first dose in August. The average number of shots each day is now 80 per cent higher than it was last month. Asked about the travel advisory Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau repeated his message that the single best defence against the virus is vaccination, which is why Canada has reopened its border to Americans who have had a full course of an approved vaccine. "We will continue to make our decisions around how to keep Canadians safe, and other countries will make the recommendations they need to keep their citizens safe," Trudeau said while on the campaign trail as Liberal party leader. "I know that the way through this is to continue to lean heavily and hard on vaccinations." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 2021. With files from Allison Jones in Toronto VICTORIA - British Columbia needs a significant shift in how it treats people who use drugs, the province's chief coroner said Tuesday after releasing statistics showing 1,011 people died from suspected illicit overdoses from January to June. B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe provides an update on illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province during a news conference at the legislature in Victoria on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito VICTORIA - British Columbia needs a significant shift in how it treats people who use drugs, the province's chief coroner said Tuesday after releasing statistics showing 1,011 people died from suspected illicit overdoses from January to June. It's the highest death toll recorded in the first six months of a calendar year during the province's overdose crisis. June was the ninth consecutive month during which at least 150 B.C. residents died as a result of the supply of toxic street drugs. Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said drug toxicity is now the leading cause of death in B.C. for people aged 19 to 39 and it remains the overall leading cause of unnatural death. "This is a significant problem within our province, and the fact we come out here every six months and every year and the numbers keep going up and up and up, and no significant changes are being made, it's tremendously frustrating," she said. Lapointe added that the safe supply program, where pharmaceutical drugs are prescribed as an alternative to illicit ones, needs to be expanded and given more support. The current program is a "step in the right direction," Lapointe said, but more is needed to discourage the illegal drug market. "We don't have education for the public. Most of the public doesn't understand substance dependency. And it needs the public to understand, it needs the clinicians to understand," she told a news conference. Lapointe said the deaths have taken a toll on staff at the coroners service, with front-line workers becoming disheartened by a lack of progress in stemming the rising numbers and leaving for other opportunities. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how governments and ministers can work together to tackle public health emergencies, Lapointe said, and it highlights how a similar approach is needed for overdoses. Lapointe's comments were made on International Overdose Awareness Day, and Leslie McBain, the cofounder of the advocacy group Moms Stop the Harm, said various levels of government are "doing nothing and expecting things to improve." "How many people must die before all levels of government have the courage, the sense of immediacy and the lack of stigma to say enough is enough?" McBain asked. Brian Twaites, a paramedic specialist and advanced care paramedic with BC Emergency Health Services, said first responders have seen a dramatic rise in the number of daily suspected overdoses. The health service is dealing with an average of 100 overdoses a day, coinciding with an increase in the toxicity of the drugs being used, Twaites said. "We're finding that we're having to give up to five times the regular dosing of Narcan just to get these people breathing on their own," he added. Narcan is the product name for naloxone, which is used to reverse the effects of substances such as fentanyl. The Writ The federal election occurs Sept. 20 and we have you covered. Get the latest campaign news, insights, analysis and commentary delivered weekly to your inbox with our free newsletter. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Sheila Malcolmson, the minister of mental health and addictions, said the effort against overdoses lost ground during the pandemic, but more lives would have been lost if there hadn't been more spending on addiction programs. Malcolmson also said she disagrees that the government isn't treating the issue with the same urgency shown to the COVID-19 pandemic. "I appreciate none of this is any comfort to someone who has lost a loved one, and that so many people continue to die from the toxic drug crisis shows we need to do more," she said in an interview. "We're working on doing that every day. It's not from a lack of political will." More than 7,000 people have died since British Columbia declared a public health emergency in 2016 because of deaths related to illicit drugs. By Nick Wells in Vancouver. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 2021. MONTREAL - Seven-year-old Jayda Watts-Simeon was bouncing up and down with excitement on Tuesday at the chance to be back in school. MONTREAL - Seven-year-old Jayda Watts-Simeon was bouncing up and down with excitement on Tuesday at the chance to be back in school. Wearing a medical mask and carrying a pink backpack covered in images of sloths, the Grade 2 student at St. Monica's elementary school high-fived the English Montreal School Board mascot a giant bee and eagerly chatted to reporters about her favourite subject (math) and the kids who might be in her class. Adrien, 7, left, and Damien, 10, Borgia arrive for the first day of school in Montreal, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada and around the world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes "I'm really excited, just really excited," Watts-Simeon said. As thousands of children in Montreals English-language school system went back to class on Tuesday, parents and teachers expressed hope for a more normal experience despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. At St. Monica, a cheer went up from parents as the rows of masked children were led into the building. Jayda's mother, Chelsea Watts-Smith, decided to homeschool her last year out of fears the constant school closures would be too disruptive. But this year, she said she felt more comfortable. "I think everyone has a better understanding of how to structure the day, and we're all a little more comfortable with the new normal," she said outside the school. Shyeena Moore, who also homeschooled her daughter Shaleena last year, said her hope was for "just a very consistent, well-thought-through and planned out school year," adding that her daughter was excited to be in class. Children in Grade 1 and up will have to wear masks in common areas and in class, but there wont be any more class bubbles and extracurricular activities are allowed. English Montreal School Board chair Joe Ortona stressed that while everyone would have preferred a full return to normal, kids have adapted well to the measures in place. The provincial government has also changed the protocol for managing COVID-19 cases in order to avoid the widespread class closures of last year. Unlike last year, only students who tests positive will be automatically sent home, while the others can stay in class as long as they wear masks and test negative for COVID-19. "The perspective of public health this year is much more to keep schools open," Education Minister Jean-Francois Roberge said Tuesday. He has said the province will also gradually implement rapid tests in some schools. At St. Monica, the happy screams of children and music from a live band helped create a festive atmosphere, but behind the excitement, some anxiety lingered. John Cloutier, father of a Grade 6 student, said he's worried about the more contagious Delta variant but not enough to keep his son away from school. He said he has confidence in the school administration and is hopeful for a good year preferably with fewer COVID-related shutdowns. "They may be sent home once or twice and well deal with it, but obviously were hoping for as smooth a year as possible," he said. Principal Silvana Crigna said that while everyone was excited to welcome students back, she acknowledged there's also a "certain level of anxiety" among teachers about being in a room full of children who are too young to be vaccinated. She said the government's decision last week to impose a mask mandate in school was a relief for most, adding that St. Monica has worked hard to find a balance between safety and letting kids learn as normally as possible. The Writ The federal election occurs Sept. 20 and we have you covered. Get the latest campaign news, insights, analysis and commentary delivered weekly to your inbox with our free newsletter. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Crigna said she's learned over the last year that communication is key to easing fears. "Whether the anxiety happens with our students or the staff or some of our families, its just being there for them and making sure if theyre informed if ever theres a case, being transparent with that and making sure everyone understands the situation and the actions were taking," she said. St. Monica has set up tents outside to allow the possibility of outdoor classes, she said, and teachers have been offered protective equipment. The school's common areas, she added, are cleaned every two hours. Gym classes, meanwhile, will be held outdoors as much as possible so children will get a break from wearing masks. Noah Trister, who teaches English and math, said the first day of school would be spent like any other: helping kids get their lockers, settle in and making plans to decorate the classroom. "Everything is going to be normal," Trister said. "Yes, we'll be wearing masks, but the kids are used to it and have really well adapted to it, and I don't think that's really going to be a factor for anyone." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 2021. OTTAWA - Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortins lawyers are citing Health Minister Patty Hajdus statements during a television interview in May in their fight to prove their clients removal as head of Canadas vaccine distribution campaign constituted improper political interference. Major General Dany Fortin responds to a question on COVID-19 vaccines during a news conference, Thursday, January 14, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld OTTAWA - Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortins lawyers are citing Health Minister Patty Hajdus statements during a television interview in May in their fight to prove their clients removal as head of Canadas vaccine distribution campaign constituted improper political interference. The interview on CTVs Question Period aired on May 30, two weeks after Fortin was abruptly removed from his high-profile but temporary position at the Public Health Agency of Canada because of a military police investigation. According to a transcript filed in Federal Court, Hajdu told interviewer Evan Solomon that she first learned of an investigation involving Fortin in March and agreed with PHAC president Iain Stewarts decision to remove him in May. I was alerted to a further development in May and at that time agreed with the president that Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin should be relieved of his duties with the Public Health Agency, Hajdu said. She later added: As I found out more about the next steps, that's when I asked president Stewart to look into it more closely. And president Stewart advised me that he was asking Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin to step aside, and I agreed with that decision. Fortins lawyers have been arguing that only acting defence chief Gen. Wayne Eyre had the power under the National Defence Act to remove their client from his position given that he was still a serving member of the Canadian military while working at PHAC. They allege the decision to remove Fortin was unreasonable, lacked procedural fairness and involved Liberal government interference in the military chain of command, and are asking the court to reinstate him into his old role or an equivalent position. The Department of National Defence announced in a terse statement on May 14 that Fortin was stepping down from his position at PHAC, which he had held since November. Military police referred his case to the Quebec prosecutors office five days later. The government did not say at that time who decided to remove him. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan would only say at the time that Eyre has advised me that Maj.-Gen. Fortin has stepped aside. Fortin, a veteran of Afghanistan who more recently commanded a NATO training mission in Iraq, was formally charged in Gatineau, Que., on Aug. 18 with one count of sexual assault dating back to 1988. He has denied any wrongdoing. His lawyers are now asking the court for permission to file Hajdus comments as evidence to back up their case and force the government to produce more documents on who made the decision to remove Fortin. The comments of the minister of health confirm her involvement in the decision to remove Maj.-Gen. Fortin from his secondment at PHAC. They confirm Mr. Stewarts involvement, lawyer Thomas Conway wrote to the court on Aug. 25. Conway added that Hajdus comments support Fortins sworn affidavit stating the decision was not made by Eyre, and contradict previous assertions by government lawyers that the acting defence chief was the sole decision-maker. Hajdus office did not dispute the ministers involvement and instead indicated in a statement on Tuesday that she and Stewart were solely responsible for Fortins removal from his position overseeing the vaccine distribution campaign. In May, in discussion with the president of the Public Health Agency of Canada, it was agreed that Maj.-Gen. Fortin would be relieved of his duty as the vice-president of logistics and operations at the Public Health Agency of Canada as the matter was going to be referred to the director of public and criminal prosecution, spokesman Andrew MacKendrick said in an email. At no time did Minister Hajdu speak with the acting chief of defence about this matter. Additionally, to confirm for clarity, decisions regarding personnel at the Public Health Agency of Canada are under the responsibility of the agencys president. An affidavit filed with the court from a senior military officer indicated Fortin remained under the militarys authority while seconded to the health agency to lead the vaccine rollout. At all times, Maj.-Gen. Fortin remained a member of the CAF under military command, as is customary when CAF members are assigned to organizations outside of the CAF either in Canada or abroad, reads Brig.-Gen. Paul Prevosts affidavit dated Aug. 12. As a CAF member, Maj.-Gen. Fortin's service continued at all times to be administered by the CAF, Prevost added, noting Fortins most recent performance report, which included his time with PHAC, was completed by a senior officer and signed by Eyre. A separate affidavit from the director general of human resources at PHAC, Daryl Gauthier, dated the same day indicated Fortin never formally worked for the health agency. The Writ The federal election occurs Sept. 20 and we have you covered. Get the latest campaign news, insights, analysis and commentary delivered weekly to your inbox with our free newsletter. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. I have reviewed staffing records and confirm that at no time was Maj.-Gen. Fortin an employee of PHAC nor was he seconded to PHAC pursuant to a formal secondment agreement, reads Gauthiers affidavit. Although he was publicly referred to as the vice-president operations and logistics (announced by the prime minister in late November 2020) he never formally occupied that position within PHAC. Hajdus spokesman declined further comment when asked about the affidavits, noting the matter is before the courts. I would again indicate that personnel matters with PHAC would fall under the responsibility of the agencys president, as would CAF personnel matters fall under the responsibility of the (acting) chief of defence staff, MacKendrick said. The government has until Sept. 17 to respond to Fortins lawyers, with a court date scheduled for Sept. 28. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 2021. COQUITLAM, B.C. - The NDP leader promised Tuesday to crack down on "big-money" house-flippers by increasing the taxable amount of capital gains profits from 50 to 75 per cent. New Democratic leader Jagmeet Singh coughs into his elbow as he stands at the microphone during a campaign stop, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 in Coquitlam, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld COQUITLAM, B.C. - The NDP leader promised Tuesday to crack down on "big-money" house-flippers by increasing the taxable amount of capital gains profits from 50 to 75 per cent. Jagmeet Singh made the announcement in Metro Vancouver, an area where the New Democrats hope to attract voters frustrated with housing prices that have skyrocketed out of reach of many middle-class families. "One of the big problems that we're seeing is that very wealthy investors are using the housing market like a stock market," he said. "And we want to tackle that. We want to get big money out of housing." He said his plan would target wealthy speculators who buy affordable homes, renovate them quickly and resell them for profit, while using what he describes as the capital-gains loophole to not pay their "fair share" of taxes. The Liberals cut the capital-gains inclusion rate to 50 per cent from 75 per cent in 2000. Leader Justin Trudeau has refused to close the loophole even though it has a billion-dollar price tag and 88 per cent of it goes to the richest one per cent of Canadians, Singh said. A capital-gains tax is applied on the sale of an investment asset, like a stock share or real estate property, but does not apply to a primary residence and Singh said he has no plans to change that. The Liberals proposed last week an anti-flipping tax on residential properties, requiring that such homes be held for at least 12 months. Singh criticized the proposal, saying it doesnt address the problem but simply pushes it down the road, adding, That is not going to make a difference. He said money laundering has also been driving up housing costs in British Columbia, an issue that the provincial government convened an inquiry to examine. "We can also tackle that," Singh said. "And while the B.C. NDP has done a lot to tackle it provincially, it's really something that needs federal partnership. The federal government is in the best position to tackle money laundering, and to tackle the illegal activities that are driving up the cost of housing." Singh stopped by his Burnaby South campaign office in the afternoon to meet and greet his staff and supporters in a high-energy, party-like atmosphere. The NDP leader elbow-bumped, laughed and cheered his way through the crowd. Several photos and selfies were snapped with his supporters. Cars honked, people clapped, supporters chanted, and he was given a bottle of homemade blackberry jam and a children's book for his soon-to-arrive baby. Earlier in the day, Singh also accused foreign buyers of pushing up real estate costs, saying his partys goal is to unlock the ability of Canadians to buy their own home. "To do that we need to tackle the housing crisis, we need to build more homes that are in people's budgets, and that's really our goal," saying there needs to be a "holistic solution." His government would build 1.7 million homes, he said, calling it a "bold step forward." "We're proposing a suite of solutions to address all the problems," Singh said. "It's a plan that deals with all the concerns that people have." Andy Yan, director of the City Program at Simon Fraser University, noted that the devil is in the details when it comes to such promises. The viability of a capital-gains tax depends on whether it is incremental or a lump sum, who it involves and how it is rolled out, he said in an interview. The Writ The federal election occurs Sept. 20 and we have you covered. Get the latest campaign news, insights, analysis and commentary delivered weekly to your inbox with our free newsletter. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "Is that 75 per cent immediate or happening after the first $50,000? A Canadian tax bracket is incremental as opposed to flat," Yan said, suggesting this proposal could follow a similar scale. Capital investments improve businesses and properties and those investors should be able to reap a level of return, he said, so it's important to keep capital gains taxes in check. It becomes an issue, however, when residential real estate is used as a stock certificate, he said. Adding to the complexity of the issue is the fact that almost one out of five homeowners in Vancouver and Toronto have more than one property, he said. Many of these properties end up becoming income generators as they are rented out as "phantom hotels" via Airbnb instead of full-time rentals, which is driving down vacancies and increasing rents, he noted. "That's an example of a very specific capital gain area that hasn't been addressed by any candidate." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 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. The Writ The federal election occurs Sept. 20 and we have you covered. Get the latest campaign news, insights, analysis and commentary delivered weekly to your inbox with our free newsletter. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "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. Le Burger Week is a special time of year when Kevin Ramberrans bread and butter becomes a mainstream fascination. Le Burger Week is a special time of year when Kevin Ramberrans bread and butter becomes a mainstream fascination. "Burgers we know, burgers we understand," says the co-owner of St. James Burger and Chip Co. "Burger Week is absolutely the busiest period of time we usually do over a month of sales in one week." Last September, the fast-casual diner on Ness Avenue flipped more than 4,200 burgers during the seven-day food festival. This year, the national event is running for two weeks, from Sept. 1 to 14, with more than 215 restaurants participating across Manitoba. Ramberran is gearing up for another busy affair. "We are often lined up throughout the day, but its very efficient," he says. "Its also the only thing we sell during Burger Week so its a little bit easier for us to turn out high volumes." Kevin Ramberran of St James Burger with his restaurant's Burger Week entry, the Cinn City Burger. (Mike Sudoma / Winnipeg Free Press) This years submission is the Cinn City: a chorizo and beef patty topped with New Bothwell cheese; local bacon; a celery, apple and fennel slaw; and pineapple hot sauce served on a cinnamon bun from Gunns Bakery. Coming up with a burger fit for competition has been a creative and logistical challenge in 2021 when pandemic-related product backlogs and a local drought have made it trickier (and more expensive) to source certain ingredients. "Word on the street is that beef is supposed to be getting more and more expensive over the next little while," says Ramberran, who previously noticed a sharp increase in the price of ketchup owing to production line issues owing to COVID-19. "I think everybodys been conditioned over the last year and a little bit to be more nimble with these things were communicating with our suppliers a lot more than we used to in the past." For Lance Magnaye, head chef at Amsterdam Tea Room and Bar, staffing has been a bigger concern than supplies. As with many restaurants, the Exchange District eatery has had a hard time filling kitchen and front-of-house positions amid the pandemic. "I was (short staffed) a week ago, but the right people answered at the right time," Magnaye says. "Im giving them my full attention this week to get them trained up because its gonna be hectic. Amsterdam Tea Rooms ATR Burger. (Supplied) "The whole two-week situation is amazing its good for the restaurant but were asking more out of our staff." Amsterdams feature is the ATR Burger, a quarter-pound Angus patty served on a Gunns onion bun topped with Indonesian spiced tomato sauce, purple cabbage, green onions and crispy onions. Magnaye was inspired to create a burger that aligned with the popularity of Indonesian cuisine in the Netherlands. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Le Burger Week which was founded by a pair of Montreal entrepreneurs and the first year Roughage Eatery will be taking part in the event. Jessie Hodel, chef and co-owner of the Sherbrook Street vegan restaurant, is hoping lessons learned during Le Vegan Week and Fried Chicken Fest will carry them through. "Were expecting it to be pretty crazy," says Hodel, who runs Roughage with her wife, Candice Tonelete. "We have such a tiny kitchen, so were just going to do a few items, try to do them really well and hope for the best." Roughage also doesnt have a deep fryer, so kitchen staff will be busy pan-frying the restaurants featured Hunny Spicy Chicken Burger to order. The patty is a "labour of love" made of seitan a wheat gluten-based meat substitute and coated with panko bread crumbs that has been perfected over many, many hours. The burger is served on a kaiser bun with pickles, lettuce, red onions, hot soy mayo and a "honey" sauce made from an apple juice and chamomile tea reduction. Jessie Hodel, co-owner of Roughage Eatery, with the Hunny Spicy Chicken Burger, her vegan entry in this years Le Burger Week. (Mike Sudoma / Winnipeg Free Press) Its one of seven vegan options available locally during this years event; Hodel hopes to see more in the future. "You dont have to have a traditional beef burger for it to be a delicious burger," she says, pointing to the growing popularity of plant-based burgers as an example. "We have a lot of carnivore and omnivore customers too and its so nice to see them enjoying our food as much as any other food." Visit leburgerweek.com for a full list of participating local restaurants and to vote for your favourite burger. eva.wasney@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @evawasney Try our Dish The latest on food and drink in Winnipeg and beyond from arts writers Ben Sigurdson and Eva Wasney. Dish arrives in your inbox every other Friday. See sample. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. 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. Jen Zoratti | Next A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. 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_ LESS than two months after admitting he hired a private investigator to follow a Manitoba judge, the president of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms has returned from a leave of absence. LESS than two months after admitting he hired a private investigator to follow a Manitoba judge, the president of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms has returned from a leave of absence. In mid-July, Alberta lawyer John Carpay temporarily stepped down as head of the registered charity he founded, after revealing at Manitobas Court of Queens Bench he employed a private eye to find out if Chief Justice Glenn Joyal was following COVID-19 public health orders. Lawyer John Carpay. THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES/Bill Graveland Joyal was and is still presiding over a constitutional challenge brought by Carpays organization that argues Manitoba churches should not be subject to the public health restrictions because of charter protections. Carpays return to the position, along with several new job postings for the centre, was announced Monday. The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms didnt respond to a request for comment. The Calgary-based organization posted multiple job openings Monday for staff lawyers and paralegals, as well as one position for an office manager, citing a need to keep up with its workload. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "The board is taking steps to strengthen governance, and to provide increased independence between the litigation and educational activities of the organization. While there is still work to be done in the coming weeks and months, the board recognizes that the organization needs to end the uncertainty that comes with temporary leadership, to enable the Justice Centre to work more effectively in dealing with unprecedented challenges in our society. The board is also seeking to streamline and refresh its membership to better respond to demands on the organization," a news release said. On July 12, Joyal called a special court hearing to inform lawyers involved in the churches constitutional challenge hed discovered he was being followed by a private investigator, who tracked him while he did errands around Winnipeg and sent someone to his home. Following the judges revelation, Carpay admitted he was responsible for hiring the investigator, but said he did so separately from the ongoing legal case, with the instructions that Joyal was to be monitored but not approached. The incident led to a complaint to police and professional misconduct complaints against Carpay and the lawyers involved in the case. Carpay apologized to Joyal in court and apologized in a written statement the same day, calling it "an error in judgment" to include the judge in surveillance of other unnamed senior provincial government officials pandemic restrictions observance. katie.may@freepress.mb.ca One of Manitoba's top law firms is requiring all of its partners and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. One of Manitoba's top law firms is requiring all of its partners and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. On Monday, Pitblado Law announced, going forward, it will require its 143 lawyers and employees to show proof of double vaccination. Managing partner Benjamin Hecht said he believes this makes it the first law or accounting firm in Manitoba to do so, though he expects others will soon follow. "Its the right thing to do," Hecht, a labour and employment lawyer, said in a phone call with the Free Press on Monday. "Employers in the province of Manitoba have a duty to have a safe workplace. And based on the medical evidence we have today, having people double vaccinated is the best way we can make our workplace safe." Most of the Pitblado team is already double vaccinated, Hecht said. For any who need time to reach full vaccination, the firm has set a target date of Nov. 1, to account for the time to receive both doses and have them take full effect. After telling partners about the move last week, the initial response was positive, Hecht said: "I got three emails, and all were saying 'Bravo' and 'Well done.'" Some Manitoba eateries are considering closing their doors to indoor dining Friday rather than alienate unvaccinated customers. Some Manitoba eateries are considering closing their doors to indoor dining Friday rather than alienate unvaccinated customers. Its a matter of principle, says Damian Penner, Steinbach city councillor and owner of Roccos Pizzeria: if the dining room isnt open to everyone, it shouldnt be open to anyone. In the wake of new public health orders requiring, as of Sept. 3, restaurant-goers to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, Roccos will continue to offer take-out and delivery, Penner said. But it wont have people seated in the restaurant in the near future, despite the stance likely to cost about half of the Steinbach pizzeria's business. "It would be hard for us to stomach it, to say that," he said Monday. "We want everybody, we want to be able to service everyone. "But if we tell individuals, 'I'm sorry, we can't service you to the same level as other individuals,' and then when everything does open up say, 'Please support us again,' it just doesn't feel right to us." He said the restaurant has always followed public health restrictions and sees the decision to close its indoor space as going "over and above" the health order in an industry that hasnt "had a lot of choices in the last year-and-a-half of how we're able to operate." "Essentially, this isn't about vaccinations, this isn't about public health orders, this is just about respecting each individual," Penner said. In Winkler, owner of 1950s-style diner Twisters, Christine Kornelsen, said shes considering doing the same because of a deepening divide within her community. The Winkler health district has steadfastly posted the second-lowest vaccine uptake rate in the province, with 38.7 per cent of its population having received at least one dose. According to provincial data, Steinbach has the eighth-lowest number of adults with at least one dose, at 60.5 per cent of the population. Comparatively, many Winnipeg health districts have uptake rates in the 80 per cent range. "The segregation of the vaxxed versus the un-vaxxed, according to this vaccination order (announced Aug. 27), is already happening. People are already fighting," Kornelsen said. Jen Zoratti | Next A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Twisters has been open for 29 years, and has taken financial hits during the COVID-19 pandemic, she said. A permanent closure may loom, Kornelsen said, should she decide to bar all dine-in options, which account for around 40 per cent of business. She said she sees it as an issue of ethics: the provinces decision to "segregate" people based on immunization status will turn unvaccinated people away from frequenting local businesses even after the pandemic because of lasting resentment. "What are you willing to sacrifice? That's what every business owner is asking themselves right now. Am I willing to sacrifice my livelihood, that I might go under, in two months, three months... Or am I going to sacrifice the (support of) my customer base? Or am I going to sacrifice the health restrictions?" Kornelsen said. "It's not black and white." malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: malakabas_ STEINBACH A midday demonstration outside the Hanover School Division office Monday attracted hundreds of attendees to decry vaccination and mask mandates implemented by the province. STEINBACH A midday demonstration outside the Hanover School Division office Monday attracted hundreds of attendees to decry vaccination and mask mandates implemented by the province. Politicians, teachers, parents and nurses gathered on the grounds to protest the vaccine requirement for public-sector employees, a move made by the province to dampen the incoming fourth waves effect on the health-care system. Signs held up by demonstrators read "We dont follow blindly" and "Forced is not free." One sign compared the public-health orders to child abuse. Manitoba is now the fourth province to mandate employees in some sectors be fully immunized; the deadline in Manitoba to be fully vaccinated is Oct. 31. If workers arent inoculated by then, they will be subject to regular COVID-19 testing up to three times per week. "Thats not a choice," said Sheena Friesen, organizer of the event, which she says came together in less than one week. "If youre given the option to wear either a red shirt or a blue shirt, is that really a choice? Or has the choice been made for you?" Dozens of speakers took to the microphone in front of the divisions head office to denounce the mandate, which many called unconstitutional under the Canadian Bill of Rights. Friesen, a preschool teacher, said she fears for children and what long-term effects of wearing face coverings would have. "Dont let the government dictate how our children are educated and med-ucated," she told the crowd of supporters before they erupted into applause. Friesen also acts as the leader for Vaccine Choice Canadas Manitoba chapter, an organization that spreads information on alleged side effects and dangers relating to COVID-19 vaccines. One woman, referring to herself only as Taylor, said as a recently hired substitute for the school division, its unlikely shell go to work in September because of vaccination and mask requirements. "When kids are scared to come to school or feeling nervous, its my job to give them a reassuring smile to make them feel better," she said. "I cant do that with a mask on and it mentally hurts children." She went on to say mask use reduces oxygen levels, that she doesnt believe in vaccinations and that, as a Christian, she trusts God to protect her from illness. Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Noel Gautron, the Peoples Party of Canada candidate for Provencher, made his rounds through the crowd on Monday, speaking with attendees. He said residents he spoke with are "discontented" with the mandates. "People are largely downtrodden and I remain hopeful that these folks can change things a little bit for the better," he said. Gautron, on the campaign trail in the southeast riding for the upcoming federal election, has been open in admitting he isnt vaccinated, but is willing get a jab when more long-term research has been done. Ron Falk, board chairman for the Hanover School Division, issued a statement acknowledging differing opinions on the mandates among parents and staff. "Parents/caregivers in our community have diverse opinions regarding COVID-19 preventative measures in schools. We understand and respect the importance of community voice and urge for compassion and respectful dialogue when engaged in these conversations," Falks statement read. A petition to block the public-health orders floated around the crowd, amassing more than 3,000 signatures by mid-afternoon. A second protest to denounce the mandates is planned for Friday in front of Steinbach City Hall. Steinbach Carillon Were you pushed or did you jump? That is the obvious question faced by a political leader who decides, rather unexpectedly, to leave politics. Political leaders such as Premier Brian Pallister, who confirmed Sunday he will retire from politics Wednesday. Did Pallister finally realize, after months of careful consideration, he was not doing himself and his party any favours by staying on? Possibly, although there is strong evidence that even as he was reflecting on his place in the political universe, there were already many hands pushing him towards the exit. Right now, the only thing that can be said with certainty is there is no easy explanation for how, in the space of just six weeks, Pallister went from defiantly in control to sheepishly in retreat. The beginning of the end is pretty easy to identify. In the week's before MLA Eileen Clarke's resignation as Indigenous Affairs Minister, and for several weeks afterwards, sources confirmed Pallister sought one-on-one and small group meetings with cabinet ministers to gauge their support. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun files) On July 14, Tory MLA Eileen Clarke resigned her post as Indigenous Affairs Minister to protest Pallister's comments absolving prairie settlers of any involvement in the destruction of Indigenous culture. As a longtime friend and close colleague, Clarke's resignation clearly shook Pallister's confidence. It did not help that Clarke's replacement, Alan Lagimodiere, immediately self-destructed by trying to rationalize the damage done to Indigenous people by residential schools. Several other members of his cabinet and caucus went to social media to condemn comments made by the premier and his new minister. Pallister disappeared from public view for an astounding 18 days after that. Could this be when he realized it was time to go? As it turned out, he was already getting strong signals that his control on the government and party was waning. In the week's before Clarke's resignation and for several weeks afterwards, sources confirmed Pallister sought one-on-one and small group meetings with cabinet ministers to gauge their support. Plummeting popularity and mounting criticism of the premier's pandemic response were causing anxiety in caucus and cabinet. These meetings took on added significance after Clarke resigned; Pallister began to fear she might trigger a stampede of similar resignations. It was not clear to the sources whether Pallister was seeking a vote of confidence, or just assurances he would not be blindsided again. It has been theorized one of these meetings gave some senior cabinet ministers, including former health minister Heather Stefanson and Deputy Premier Kelvin Goertzen in particular, a chance to tell Pallister it was time to go. It is clear now that when Stefanson had her meeting with her boss, she was already working diligently behind the scenes to marshal the support of two-thirds of the Tory caucus for her own leadership bid. It is clear now that when Stefanson had her meeting with her boss, she was already working diligently behind the scenes to marshal the support of twothirds of the Tory caucus for her own leadership bid. Even if Pallister did not know exactly how many MLAs were supporting Stefanson, it should have been clear to him at this moment he was losing control. That fear would have been amplified by growing rumours that some caucus members, including backbencher MLA Shannon Martin, were preparing to table a formal leadership review motion at the retreat in Brandon. By this time, even Pallister had to realize he was facing political checkmate. Several highly placed sources said in addition to continuing the meetings with cabinet ministers, he used the 18-day hiatus to discuss his predicament with wife Esther, his principal adviser in life and in politics. Many within the party believe it was Esther who ultimately convinced Pallister to relent. And so it was that on Aug. 10, he surprised many by announcing he would leave politics at a date yet to be determined. Senior government and caucus sources confirmed Pallister gave no advance warning he would use Brandon as a backdrop to announce his retirement. In fact, the majority of political staff working back in Winnipeg did not know what he was going to do until mid-morning, less than two hours before a scheduled media availability, when a copy of his retirement announcement was circulated. At that announcement, Pallister did not take questions, nor would he define a timetable for his departure. It was initially assumed he would stay long enough to chair a meeting of first ministers in Winnipeg starting on Oct. 5, an honour that would serve as the perfect denouement for his political career. But as it turned out, Pallister would be denied that opportunity thanks, in large part, to something known in Tory circles as "the letter." Dan Lett | Not for Attribution A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world that is sent every Tuesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Party and government sources said a group of party operatives wrote an open letter asking Pallister to step down. The letter was to have been signed by a combination of "business leaders, financial supporters, grassroots supporters and former staff," according to several sources involved in recruiting signatories. It is unclear whether Pallister actually saw the letter, or was just warned that it was coming. But, it seems impossible he did not know of its existence and the potential embarrassment it might cause him. There will always be some mystery about why Pallister didn't just pick a date for his departure when he first made the announcement in Brandon. But, in the end, the result is more or less the same. As of Wednesday, for better or worse, Brian Pallister will be gone. Not soon enough for some, but just soon enough to claim just a little bit of dignity. And that's all any besieged political leader can ask for. dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca You cant buy the will to fight. This comment by James Clapper, the former director of National Intelligence of the United States, is an astute remark on the recent collapse of the Afghan government and military. Opinion "You cant buy the will to fight." This comment by James Clapper, the former director of National Intelligence of the United States, is an astute remark on the recent collapse of the Afghan government and military. I would add, however, that perhaps you can build the confidence to fight. The U.S. is learning for the second time in half a century that the will to fight trumps western military training, technological superiority and money. The Taliban possessed the will to fight and little else. The Afghan National Security Forces had it all but lacked the will to fight. While the Afghan military and police fought hard and sustained perhaps 66,000 fatalities in a long campaign against the Taliban, they seem to have given up the moment a few thousand U.S. and NATO ground forces and civilian support contractors withdrew. Retired Gen. David Petraeus, former International Security Assistance Force commander, has said that both the announcement of and the act of withdrawal was a psychological blow to the Afghan forces that led to a rational choice on their part to stop fighting. The Afghans lost the will to fight when the West no longer had their backs. Saigon comparisons The media are likening the fiasco unfolding in Kabul to the humiliating American abandonment of their embassy in Saigon in April 1975. In both Saigon then and Kabul today we saw images of a chaotic evacuation of Americans and thousands of locals who worked with them trying desperately to board U.S. military aircraft to escape imprisonment, torture or death. And in both cases, American-trained and well-equipped militaries lost the will to fight when U.S. forces departed. These and other similarities between these two conflicts are striking. But there are also some big differences. By the late 1960s, the Vietnam War was the most divisive issue in America, central to both the 1968 and 1972 presidential elections. It was the reason President Lyndon B. Johnson did not seek re-election. By the early 1970s, American involvement in Vietnam was no longer sustainable for any U.S. administration. With a partially conscripted force, 58,000 dead and 153,000 wounded Americans, the U.S. public would no longer tolerate involvement in Vietnam. Afghanistan contrasts This is in sharp contrast to American involvement in Afghanistan today. While polls suggest 60 per cent to 70 per cent of Americans favoured U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Afghan war was not a major issue in the last two presidential elections. Twenty years after 9/11, with about 2,500 American fatalities in Afghanistan less than five per cent of the total in Vietnam the Afghan war has not been top of mind for most Americans for years. Afghanistan has been both Americas longest war and Americas forgotten war. While former U.S. president Richard Nixon had no choice but to pull America out of Vietnam, President Joe Biden had room to manoeuvre on Afghanistan, yet he chose to follow his predecessors path and end Americas military presence there. Part of the rationale for Bidens withdrawal decision was based on his assertion that "our mission in Afghanistan was never supposed to be about nation-building." On one level the presidents claim is accurate, at another its misleading. Eliminating al-Qaida The initial U.S.-led coalition that invaded Afghanistan had the narrow aim of eliminating al-Qaida operatives and toppling the Taliban regime that was harbouring them. Beyond that, the George W. Bush administration did not have much of a plan for Afghanistan, and was soon courting NATO allies to do the nation-building part. In January 2003, I was chief of staff to Canadian Defence Minister John McCallum and we attended a meeting in the Pentagon with U.S. Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. During that meeting, Rumsfeld made the point that reconstruction, stabilization and nation-building in Afghanistan while badly needed were tasks best suited to countries like Canada and a few European countries, not the United States. Nevertheless, while U.S. operations in Afghanistan were not focused on nation-building in the beginning, by 2019, Washington had spent US$87 billion training and equipping the Afghan military and police forces; US$24 billion on economic development and US$30 billion on reconstruction programs, according to the New York Times. Destined to fail? Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Perhaps, as others have argued, nation-building in Afghanistan was destined to fail, as it did in South Vietnam half a century before, even though its been core to American involvement in Afghanistan for at least 15 years. That said, the American and NATO military presence in Afghanistan did seem to be working, at least in terms of giving confidence to the Afghan forces to continue their fight against the insurgents, though they had been losing ground to the Taliban for years. The pullout of those remaining U.S. forces appears to have gutted that confidence overnight. It could prove to be the biggest error Washington has made during 20 years in Afghanistan. The Vietnam War was the defining issue for Bidens generation. His decision to withdraw American forces from Afghanistan coupled with a botched withdrawal leading to humiliating images for America and a looming humanitarian crisis for Afghans could be the defining act of his presidency. Eugene Lang is a lecturer/adjunct professor in the school of policy studies at Queen's University. This article was first published at The Conversation Canada: theconversation.com/ca. Thank you to the Winnipeg Free Press for speaking out in its Aug. 10 editorial IPCC report signals code red for planet Earth. The editorial board correctly charges the government of Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro with dereliction of duty; they have failed to prepare Manitoba for the coming climate emergency. Opinion Thank you to the Winnipeg Free Press for speaking out in its Aug. 10 editorial "IPCC report signals code red for planet Earth." The editorial board correctly charges the government of Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro with dereliction of duty; they have failed to prepare Manitoba for the coming climate emergency. We still have no plan to phase out natural-gas heating in buildings, and have not built adequate infrastructure to support electric vehicles. Sadly, most candidates in the federal election campaign, the contenders wishing to replace Premier Brian Pallister, Winnipegs city hall and most of the business community also have little to say about this. As we careen toward climate apocalypse, the corridors of power are filled with a deafening silence. The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) removes any shred of doubt that human activity is the root cause of the environmental disasters already underway and those yet to come. The IPCC is very direct: "Unless there are immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, limiting warming to close to 1.5 C or even 2.0 C will be beyond reach." The report continues, "Climate changes will increase in all regions. For 1.5 C of global warming, there will be increasing heat waves, longer warm seasons and shorter cold seasons. At 2 C of global warming, heat extremes would more often reach critical tolerance thresholds for agriculture and health." As Gwynne Dyer identified in his column published Aug. 13, the IPCC report is a consensus document prepared by thousands of specialist scientists from around the world. He suggests that the report is erring on the side of "least drama" and focuses on the "likeliest case, rather than the worst-case." Despite this, the latest report leaves polite language behind, and states that "climate change is widespread, rapid and intensifying." These new alerts from the IPCC resonate with our first-hand experience in Canada this summer unprecedented heat waves, raging forest fires, ominous smoke blanketing cities, drought and related crop failures, pestilence of grasshoppers, dry rivers and water shortages. The evidence is not only in dense scientific reports, but right in front of our faces. Where are Manitobas leaders? The City of Winnipeg adopted "Winnipegs Climate Action Plan" in 2018; why has it never produced updated data about its mandated carbon reductions? And why hasnt the provincial government shown us the reduction in greenhouse gases it achieved from its "Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan"? The answer is that there have been no reductions. Instead, we continue to use more energy and increase our carbon emissions, with no sign of stopping. Climate change is not going away. Who will look at the transition to a cleaner future as an opportunity, rather than a problem? Who will take on the mantle of leadership and reject short-term thinking to embrace a more sustainable, resilient and equitable future for Manitoba and the world? Who will challenge business leaders to ensure that Manitoba isnt left behind in the transformation to net-zero? We need to act quickly. We need a change of heart. We need to elect politicians and support business leaders who have vision and who are prepared to lead, rather than be popular. Where are the champions who can look beyond convention, conformity and tradition? We need leaders who will truly confront the climate emergency and accept the challenge to create a resilient society that achieves net-zero for both energy and carbon. Instead of resisting the limits of nature, we need to embrace the beauty and simplicity of living in balance with creation. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Think of a future in which every human action replenishes the natural world one where we build ecological equity for our grandchildren. Imagine an economy that creates tens of thousands of permanent and creative green jobs in the transformation to resilience. We already know how to achieve resilience. Manitobas Road to Resilience (climateaction.ca), produced by Manitobas not-for-profit Climate Action Team, illustrates an achievable and concrete pathway to a climate-resilient future. It lays out what is needed for us to feed, shelter, transport ourselves and produce electricity without the use of fossil fuels, and includes foundational chapters on nature, green jobs and the human impacts of climate change. As we prepare to select new leaders at all levels of government, let us invite them to become serious champions of climate resiliency. After experiencing the tastes of climate change this summer and hearing the chilling warnings in the latest IPCC report, surely candidates for election will be compelled to speak out. All serious candidates for office must show a commitment to real leadership on climate change and demonstrate willingness to undertake the necessary transformation of our society and economy. This is not a fire drill. This is the fire. If not now, when? Dudley Thompson is chair of the advocacy committee of Sustainable Building Manitoba, a cross-sector building industry-based organization with a commitment to working with government and business to achieve the vision of a sustainable environment in Manitoba. A new book concludes co-operation between Canada's National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg and China's Wuhan Institute of Virology played no part in the origin of the coronavirus pandemic but raises questions about links between one of the researchers fired from the lab and a prominent Chinese virologist affiliated with the military. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. CBC Xiangguo Qiu was escorted out of the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg in July 2019 along with her husband, Keding Cheng, months after the Public Health Agency of Canada reported a 'policy breach' at the lab to the RCMP. The two virologists were fired in January 2021. The RCMP is still investigating, and the reasons behind the firing remain a mystery to the public. (CBC) A new book concludes co-operation between Canada's National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg and China's Wuhan Institute of Virology played no part in the origin of the coronavirus pandemic but raises questions about links between one of the researchers fired from the lab and a prominent Chinese virologist affiliated with the military. Toronto-based freelance journalist Elaine Dewar says she set out to investigate the hypothesis that the coronavirus was leaked from the Wuhan lab by looking at the science and financial and geopolitical interests related to the theory. As part of that, she looked into whether an approved shipment of Ebola and henipah viruses in March 2019 from the Winnipeg lab to Wuhan had anything to do with the pandemic after conspiracy theories suggesting it did surfaced online. 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. RM OF STANLEY About 1,000 people gathered just off Highway 32 south of Winkler to call for the community to be declared a sanctuary city for those who oppose vaccine passports, mask mandates and other COVID-19 measures. It was the second consecutive day of protests at the site. RM OF STANLEY About 1,000 people gathered just off Highway 32 south of Winkler to call for the community to be declared a "sanctuary city" for those who oppose vaccine passports, mask mandates and other COVID-19 measures. It was the second consecutive day of protests at the site. Vehicles stretched for about a kilometre along both sides of the highway and a neighbouring service road. Purple placards poked into the ground adorned with the Peoples Party of Canadas logo. Traffic on the highway crawled past, careful not to hit the people walking along the shoulder. The crowd, seated in rows of lawn chairs in a grassy ditch facing a makeshift stage, lacked the usual protest signs and were mostly quiet. The event evoked the tone of a small Christian music festival more than a protest, complete with a few people in reflective vests directing parking. After a prayer in song, organizer Shawn Enns launched into his speech. Adorning the stage were four large Canadian flags, behind a row of signs that said "My Body, My Choice: Stop Vaccine Passports." Enns referred to COVID-19 restrictions as attacks on business and expressed disbelief in the efficacy of restrictions and vaccines. He encouraged the crowd to protest mask mandates at schools. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Shawn Enns, event organiser, speaks to the crowd at the rally. Speaker Karl Krebs, whose Facebook group pushed to organize the event, warned "the wolves are upon us." "What we need to do right now is to put this hedge up, call ourselves a sanctuary city," he said. Wayne Sturby of the Manitoba Party said Canada should return to its state in the 1960s, while reminiscing "about how good things used to be." The former corrections officer referred to public health orders as attacks on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Jen Zoratti | Next A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS About a thousand people came out to listen to speakers in Winkler Monday. Earlier on Monday, senior pastor Randy Smart at Bethel Bergthaler Mennonite Church, about 10 kilometres outside of Winkler, said he was saddened to see so many people taking part in the rallies. "Im so tired of that discussion about the Charter of Rights. The Charter of Rights, protect certain freedoms, but in the end, it doesnt say and you are totally free to do what you want, no matter what anybody else needs," he said. Smart said hes spoken to local residents who have had religious concerns around getting vaccinated and has shared the historical value of vaccines while referencing religious teachings. "I dont think it should be about religious beliefs at all. I think its about being wise and safe regarding our health needs and the needs of our community," he said. "I dont think its a faith issue at all, I dont understand what in our Bible would say, And dont get a vaccine to protect you from this disease." with files from Malak Abas cody.sellar@freepress.mb.ca A midday demonstration outside the Hanover School Division office on Monday garnered hundreds of attendees and speakers to decry vaccination and mask mandates implemented by the province. A midday demonstration outside the Hanover School Division office on Monday garnered hundreds of attendees and speakers to decry vaccination and mask mandates implemented by the province. Politicians, teachers, parents and nurses gathered on the grounds to protest the vaccine requirement for public sector employees, a move made by the province to dampen the incoming fourth waves effect on the healthcare system. Signs held up by demonstrators read "We dont follow blindly" and "Forced is not free." One sign compared the public health orders to child abuse. Manitoba is now the fourth province to mandate employees in some sectors be fully immunized, with the deadline in Manitoba to be fully vaccinated Oct. 31. If workers arent inoculated by then they will be subject to regular COVID-19 testing up to three times per week. "Thats not a choice," said Sheena Friesen, organizer of the event which she says came together in less than one week. "If youre given the option to wear either a red shirt or a blue shirt, is that really a choice? Or has the choice been made for you?" Dozens of speakers took to the microphone in front of the divisions head office to denounce the mandate, which many called unconstitutional regarding the Canadian Bill of Rights. The crowd recited excerpts from the piece of legislation penned by Prime Minister John G. Diefenbaker to signify their right to freedom of choice. Friesen, a preschool teacher, said she fears for children and what long-term effects of wearing face coverings would have. "Dont let the government dictate how our children are educated and med-ucated," she told the crowd of supporters before they erupted into applause. Friesen also acts as the leader for Vaccine Choice Canadas Manitoba chapter, an organization which spreads information on alleged side effects and dangers relating to COVID-19 vaccines. One woman, only referring to herself as Taylor, said as a recently-hired substitute for HSD its unlikely shell go to work in September because of vaccination and mask requirements. "When kids are scared to come to school or feeling nervous its my job to give them a reassuring smile to make them feel better," she said. "I cant do that with a mask on and it mentally hurts children." She went on to say mask use reduces oxygen levels, she doesnt believe in vaccinations and that as a Christian she trusts God to protect her from illness. Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Provenchers Peoples Party of Canada candidate Noel Gautron made his rounds through the crowd on Monday speaking with attendees. He said residents he spoke with are "discontented" with the mandates. "People are largely downtrodden and I remain hopeful that these folks can change things a little bit for the better," he said. Gautron, on the campaign trail in the southeast riding for the upcoming federal election, has been open in admitting he isnt vaccinated but willing get a jab when more long-term research has been done. Ron Falk, board chair for HSD, issued a statement acknowledging differing opinions on the mandates among parents and staff. "Parents/caregivers in our community have diverse opinions regarding COVID-19 preventative measures in schools. We understand and respect the importance of community voice and urge for compassion and respectful dialogue when engaged in these conversations," Falks statement read. A petition to block the public health orders floated around the crowd which amassed over 3,000 signatures by mid-afternoon. A second protest to denounce the mandates is planned for Friday in front of Steinbach City Hall. 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. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby with U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William Taylor, Joint Staff Operations, conclude a briefing about the situation in Afghanistan at the Pentagon in Washington, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) 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. Gen. Frank McKenzie, Commander of the U.S. Central Command, speaks from MacDill Air Force Base, in Tampa, Fla., and appears on a screen as he speaks about the situation in Afghanistan during a virtual briefing moderated by Pentagon spokesman John Kirby at the Pentagon in Washington, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) 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. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. 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. CHICAGO (AP) A Black man who was left paralyzed from the waist down after he was shot by a white police officer in Wisconsin expects to be walking soon, an accomplishment he says is tempered by fears of it happening again. Jacob Blake Jr. was shot seven times by a Kenosha police officer in August 2020, three months after George Floyd was killed by police in Minnesota. Blake's shooting set off days of violent protests in the city of about 100,000 people located midway between Chicago and Milwaukee. Blake tells CNN he was able to take a few steps during his son's 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. We would appreciate parents wearing masks if they need to enter our buildings, Hill said. Wearing a mask helps mitigate the chance you may inadvertently expose our staff and students to COVID. Hill said parents should remember to create a regular routine with their children including reviewing school work, reading, talking and listening to their children about how their day went. Mayville Schools will have masks recommended and are asking for all students to have clean masks available in their backpacks or lockers at all times. Samantha Teeters, who handles communications for the Mayville School District said masks are required for all students and staff members on district transportation, like all districts. While we will again be limiting visitors to our offices only at all of our schools, parents/guardians are welcome to drop their children off on the first day and walk them to the door where our staff will welcome them and take it from there, Teeters said. These men were executed because they were Black, and thats not right, Northam said. Their punishment did not fit the crime. They should not have been executed, he added. All seven men were convicted and sentenced to death within eight days. Northam said some of the defendants were impaired at the time of their arrests or unable to read confessions they signed. He said none of the men had attorneys present while they were interrogated. Before their executions, protesters picketed at the White House, and the governor's office received letters from around the world asking for mercy. James Walter Grayson is the son of Francis DeSales Grayson, who was one of the seven. He sobbed loudly when Northam told the family members he would grant the pardons after meeting with them Tuesday. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Lord, he said, as he wept while being embraced by two other descendants of the men. Grayson said he was 4 years old when his father was executed. It means so much to me, he said of the pardon. I remember the very day the police came to the door. He kissed us and they took him away, he told The Associated Press in an interview after the announcement. Ive ridden out other hurricanes: Hurricane Isaac, Katrina, Gustav, Ike. ... This is the worst, Resweber said. In New Orleans, drivers lined up for roughly a quarter-mile, waiting to get into a Costco that was one of the few spots in the city with gasoline. At other gas stations, motorists occasionally pulled up to the pumps, saw the handles covered in plastic bags and drove off. Renell Debose spent a week suffering in the New Orleans Superdome after 2005s Hurricane Katrina, which killed 1,800 people and left the city nearly uninhabitable. She said she is willing to give it a few days without electricity, but no more than that. I love my city. Im built for this. But I cant make it without any air conditioning, she said. Michael Pinkrah used his dwindling fuel to find food. He cradled his 3-week-old son in the back seat of an SUV and his 2-year-old daughter played in the front seat as his wife stood in a long line in the sweltering heat to get into one of the few grocery stores open in the city. Pinkrah said he and his wife thought about evacuating but couldn't find a hotel room. They found out about the open store through social media. But even that link was tenuous. Im a big believer in going to a region you like and getting lost on purpose, Rachael Ray said from her home in Tuscany, Italy. My mom used to do that with me when I was a kid. Wed drive to Vermont and wed go left instead of right or down a different street or into a different place. You dont have to go far, but I completely love the idea of getting lost a little bit. Im an off-the-beaten-path kind of person and I like places that have reinvented themselves. Currently in her 16th season of the syndicated Rachael Ray Show, she also is the author of the upcoming cookbook, This Must Be the Place: Dispatches & Food from the Home Front, which will be out on October 26. Ray, who also has a home in New York, shares her travels with fans on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RachaelRay), Twitter (https://twitter.com/rachaelray) and TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@rachaelray?). As Covid-19 cases surge across the US, particularly among unvaccinated Americans, hospitals have been pushed to their limits treating the influx of patients -- and five states are nearly out of ICU beds. Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Florida and Arkansas have less than 10% left of their ICU bed capacity, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services. In Georgia, the CEO of Northeast Georgia Health Systems said it had 287 Covid patients Monday morning, which is more than the hospital has had since January. "So, in essence, our hospitals are full," Carol Burrell said. "We're looking to add space in hallways and conference rooms in waiting areas. Our emergency rooms and our urgent care centers are seeing higher volume than they've seen throughout this pandemic," she said. And it's not just the South now. On Tuesday, Idaho had just four ICU beds available out of the 400 beds total in the state, Gov. Brad Little said. "Yesterday evening I toured a nearly full ICU wing in Boise. What I saw was heartbreaking. Among the Covid-positive patients all of them were unvaccinated," Little said. "Some were young, two were middle-aged, two patients were pregnant. I was told the average age of the patients was 43. All of them were struggling to breathe and most were only breathing with help from a machine," the governor said in a televised address Tuesday. Hospitals around the country have been stretched as cases have picked back up, but the South, where vaccinations have been lagging, has been particularly hit. Many hospitals have been reporting oxygen shortages. 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," said Dr. Matthew F. Daley at the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting. The effect of the low vaccination levels can be seen in Kentucky, where hospitals are overwhelmed with record numbers of Covid-19 patients and 58 of the 96 hospitals are reporting critical staffing shortages, Gov. Andy Beshear said Monday. "We're living in a reality where some Covid patients who are sick are being treated in their cars when there isn't room for them inside the ER or inside the hospital," Beshear said. And Mississippi is also struggling, with only nine ICU beds available in the state, Mississippi Department of Health Senior Deputy and Director Jim Craig said Monday. With increased hospitalizations, more deaths have followed. The Central Florida Disaster Medical Coalition has purchased a total of 14 portable morgues to help with the "unprecedented" number of Covid-19 deaths in the region, the organization told CNN. And among children, cases "have increased exponentially" recently after a decline in early summer, the American Academy of Pediatrics reported Tuesday. In the past week, about 204,000 children tested positive for Covid-19, a five-fold increase from a month earlier, the AAP said. That's the second week that pediatric cases are at levels not seen since the surge last winter, the AAP said. The rise in children's infections is worrying experts as parents and students prepare for a new school year. Thousands of students in quarantine Health experts have been particularly concerned about how cases will trend as school gets underway; and with many regions early in their academic year, thousands of students are already back in quarantine. In Florida's 15 largest school districts, at least 21,869 students and 4,481 employees have tested positive for Covid-19 since the start of school, according to a CNN analysis. At least an additional 45,024 students and staff members have been quarantined or put on "stay home" directives due to possible exposure to Covid-19. That's an increase of 62% since CNN's last update on Thursday afternoon. In Texas, after just the first two weeks of school in the Fort Worth Independent School District, more than 3,000 students have been quarantined due to close contact with individuals who tested positive for Covid-19. The district announced a mask mandate earlier this month for all students, employees and guests, despite ongoing legal battles in the state against Gov. Greg Abbott's ban on such mandates. 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. But not even those children who are eligible for the protection are not reaping the full benefits. Children ages 12 to 15 are eligible but less then half of that group is vaccinated with at least one dose, according to data published Monday by the CDC. A Virginia county is requiring student-athletes to get vaccinated Virginia's largest school district is among the first to mandate vaccines for some of its students. Athletes in Fairfax County Public Schools will have to be vaccinated in order to compete in winter and spring sports, according to a letter from the superintendent. "Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination will also be required for participation in any other activity that requires a physical," Superintendent Scott S. Brabrand wrote in a letter to the community Monday. "This includes dance team and step team, as well as out-of-season practices and workouts." The requirement kicks on November 8. Most pauses in education in the district's high schools come from exposure to Covid-19 during athletic activities, the letter said. Students returned to in-person learning at Fairfax County Schools on August 23. Since then, the district has reported at least 177 students and 31 employees have tested positive for Covid-19. Fairfax's decision comes several weeks after New York Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a vaccine mandate for "high-risk" public school sports. The mandate applies to roughly 20,000 students and staff participating in football, basketball, wrestling, lacrosse, stunt, rugby, and bowling, according to a statement from the NYC Department of Education. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to require mandatory weekly Covid-19 testing for school staff in the state who are not vaccinated, she said Tuesday. "School staff, anybody who enters that building will have to be vaccinated or undergo mandatory testing -- mandatory testing, and we're in the process of getting the legal clearance for that, as I speak," Hochul said. School infections could be cut in half by masking and testing, projections show While the risk of unvaccinated students becoming infected when they go to school is of concern, a new study shows that masking and testing could help prevent infections in at least half of that population. With universal mask use, less than half of susceptible students -- and perhaps as few as a quarter -- may become infected with Covid-19 in the same timeframe, depending on the student body's incoming level of protection from vaccinations or natural immunity, according to , projections modeled by researchers from North Carolina State University and published as a preprint earlier this month. Adding randomized testing for half of the students biweekly, and assuming at least a 70% compliance with isolation requirements for those who test positive, would cut Covid-19 infections down to less than a quarter of all susceptible students in all scenarios, the researchers' projections suggested. The model assumes that in a class of 500, two or three students are infected at the start of the school year and that one additional case enters the school each week. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration told CBS's Ed O'Keefe on 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 said, adding measures such as frequent testing and putting students in social pods "are probably the two most effective steps schools can be taking." The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Taliban leaders declared victory over the United States from the tarmac of Kabul airport on Tuesday, hours after the withdrawal of the last American troops left Afghanistan in the grip of the militant group. The airport that in recent weeks had been the epicenter of a frantic Western evacuation mission was transformed into a stage for Taliban celebrations after the final US plane departed just before midnight on Monday, bringing an end to America's longest war. Videos showed Taliban fighters filling the night air with gunfire and walking through the airport. As the sun rose on Tuesday, footage showed the militants making their way through an abandoned hanger strewn with equipment the US left behind. In one video, militants dressed in US-style uniforms and holding US-made weapons examined a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter parked inside a hangar. Taliban fighters were also seen posing for photographs while sitting in the cockpits of planes and helicopters that once belonged to the Afghan Air Force. But Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told CNN Tuesday he wasn't "overly concerned about these images" of Taliban fighters examining the abandoned aircraft. "They can inspect all they want," Kirby said. "They can look at them, they can walk around -- but they can't fly them. They can't operate them." He added that the US military had made "unusable all the gear that is at the airport -- all the aircraft, all the ground vehicles. "The only thing that we left operable is a couple of fire trucks and some fork lifts, so that the airport itself can remain more operational going forward," he said. Victory and uncertainty On Tuesday morning, Afghanistan's roughly 38 million people woke to a new phase of the Taliban's takeover of the country for the first time since the 1990s, when it imposed a barbaric interpretation of Sharia law that banned girls from school, stoned women for adultery, and plunged the country into economic crisis. The Taliban have pledged to govern more moderately this time around, and said they would still allow foreign nationals and Afghans with proper documentation to leave the country after August 31. But many Afghans are skeptical of their claims, and huge question marks hang over the Taliban's ability to run the country. Standing on the airport runway on Tuesday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told a small crowd that: "This victory belongs to us all." He was joined by heavily armed fighters from the Taliban's Badri 313 special forces brigade, kitted out in camouflage uniforms and desert boots. Mujahid congratulated the Taliban fighters lined up, and indeed "the whole of the nation." He said the Taliban wanted to have "good relations with the US and the world," and promised that Afghanistan would not be used as a launchpad for attacks. "No death will be caused to anyone outside of Afghanistan...we will not allow anyone to use Afghanistan against them," he added. The Taliban's retaking of Afghanistan has sparked concerns internationally that the country may be used to harbor jihadist activity. Al Qaeda central's media arm, As-Sahab, released a statement Tuesday congratulating the Taliban's "great victory" in Afghanistan, hailing the militant group's supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada for "breaking America's back." The statement added that the US and NATO's "Afghan debacle marks the beginning of the end of the dark era of Western hegemony and military occupation of Islamic lands." The Taliban has also received praise from Islamist groups such as the al Qaeda affiliate al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Pakistani Taliban, which has renewed allegiance to the group, according to a statement shared with CNN. An al Qaeda spokesperson said in April it was planning to return to Afghanistan after US forces leave. Airport a lifeline An immediate challenge for the Taliban will be securing Hamid Karzai International Airport, a vital lifeline to the rest of the world -- both for Afghans and foreign nationals wanting to leave, and for aid to get in. Afghanistan is heavily reliant on foreign aid, and the WHO and UNICEF have already struggled to get critical food and medical supplies to the airport amid the mass evacuation operation. Even before the political upheaval of recent weeks, Afghanistan represented the world's third-largest humanitarian concern, with over 18 million people requiring assistance, according to UNICEF. But with no commercial aircraft currently permitted to land in Kabul, getting aid in will be difficult. Restarting commercial flights will also be crucial for people still wanting to leave the country but who did not make it onto military evacuation planes. More than 123,000 people were evacuated by American and coalition aircraft since August 14, US Central Command Gen. Frank McKenzie said Monday. The vast majority of these -- around 79,000 -- were evacuated by the US in what McKenzie called the "largest non-combatant evacuation" in the military's history. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US and allies were discussing ways to reopen the airport as quickly as possible to facilitate safe travel out of Afghanistan for Americans, US legal permanent residents and Afghans who worked with the US. "We discussed how we will work together to facilitate safe travel out of Afghanistan, including by reopening Kabul's civilian airport soon as possible," Blinken said. "And we very much appreciate the efforts of Qatar and Turkey, in particular, to make this happen. This would enable a small number of daily charter flights, which is a key for anyone who wants to depart from Afghanistan moving forward." Turkey's Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, said Sunday that Ankara had been in talks with the Taliban about providing technical help to operate Kabul airport, Reuters reported. Cavusoglu said inspection reports showed that runways, towers and terminals, including those in the civilian side of the airport, were damaged and needed repairing. A number of attacks on the airport in recent days show that security will also be an immediate concern for the Taliban. As many as five rockets were fired at the airport on Monday, a US official told CNN. There were no reported casualties. The rocket strikes happened just days after two suicide bomb attacks at the airport killed more than 170 people, including 13 American service members. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - A person with direct knowledge of the details tells The Associated Press the the Buffalo Bills' proposed new stadium would include about 60,000 seats and be built by 2027. The $1.4 billion venue would not include a roof but a majority of the seats would be protected from the elements. The Bills are in discusions with county and state officials about the new stadium. At issue is how quickly a deal can be approved, and how the construction costs would be split between the team and taxpayers. The team's current stadium was built in 1973. ALBANY, N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday she will be calling the state legislature into extraordinary session this week to address three specific issues extending the eviction moratorium, access to open meetings and the state cannabis program. The session is scheduled to begin Wednesday. The eviction moratorium in New York expires at midnight Tuesday, but Hochul says it should be extended since we are still in a pandemic. In additionto the extension, Hochul wants to streamline the process to apply for and distribute the federal assistance available through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Hochul accentuated her intention to get the money to the landlords who are in critical need of the funds, even if state workers have to go door-to-door to get all of the application information needed from both tenants and landlords. Its really a small business crisis, the people that are behind in their rent because of loss of job, and the landlords are the ones who are suffering, said Hochul. And I want to make sure that we wipe the slate clean for the landlords and the tenants, and let people start with a new start, let them start with a clean slate, and move beyond this pandemic and get people back to work and get them back to be able to pay for their own rent. And again, this is a temporary safety net that we need to extend because the pandemic is not over. She proposed extending the moratorium and rental assistance program to Jan. 15. The second item Hochul addressed is making public meetings accessible to people who cannot safely attend them in person, which will require continuing or reinstating virtual options. And finally, Hochul wants to expedite the cannabis program in New York by appointing a chairman and executive director to get the ball rolling as soon as this week. I also have an agenda item that is very personal to me, and that is to jumpstart the long overdue decisions pertaining to establishing cannabis in the state of New York. Ill be appointing my nominations to start the process to legally produce and distribute cannabis in the state of New York, said Hochul. There is no reason why simple announcements in terms of who the executive director is and who the chairperson is were not done in time, but Im going to make up for that lost time and I want those decisions made. Ive made the decisions as to who I want, but they need confirmation in the legislature. It is not clear how long the extraordinary session will last, but Hochul did indicate she would release further details later this week. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (AP) - The United States has completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan, ending Americas longest war and closing a sad two-decade chapter in military history. It's likely to be remembered for colossal failures, unfulfilled promises and a frantic final exit that cost the lives of 13 service members, some barely older than the war. The last U.S. Air Force evacuation flight from Kabul airport late Monday marked the end of a frantic effort to get out Americans, Afghans and others desperate to escape the Taliban's return to power 20 years after they were ousted in a U.S.-led invasion. A Taliban guard at Kabul's airport says five planes departed around midnight. Celebratory gunfire erupted across the Afghan capital early Tuesday. The U.S. confirmed the withdrawal of its last troops, which was due to take place by a self-imposed Tuesday deadline. Islamic State militants fired a volley of rockets at the airport on Monday without hurting anyone. The departure of the last planes marks the end of a massive U.S.-led airlift in which tens of thousands of Afghans were able to flee Taliban rule. More than 2,400 Americans lost their lives in the long war. (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.) ROME, N.Y. -- Flooding along the Mohawk River left feet of water inside Staley Elementary School. Even though the water has been pumped out, the school is now plagued with safety issues. Rome District Superintendent Peter Blake talked about the existing problems. "We have several classrooms with visible mold, but the air quality is registering at a suitable level, and we have other places where theres no visible mold and the air quality is twice the permissible level, or twice the comfortable level that the biologists would like to see," said Blake. Insurance will cover some of the costs, and the school is looking to FEMA to cover other damages. The district has until the end of the week to get their application in to FEMA for Federal assistance. In the meantime the Superintendent and School Board need to vote on declaring the flooding here an emergency, and then convince the State Education Department why its not worth investing any more money into this building. "We need to show them that we are doing our best to get the building to a point where it could be used, and then make the argument about why it shouldnt and cant be used moving forward," said Blake. Students are being redistributed among the Districts six elementary schools, and the possibility of utilizing Clough as an additional elementary school is being considered for next year. The superintendent is working on where to put teachers and staff, but says he has no plans to let anybody go. "As far as Im concerned an event like this should not cost somebody their job. These people, they have lives, they have families, and they count on this employment," said Blake. The State Education Department will first need to make their assessment before the district can move forward with any long-term decisions, but the district is already planning for the future. "I would say a new school is a possibility. I dont think its likely," said Blake. Another unlikely possibility is dumping more money into Staley and reopening it. "It would be foolish of us to spend taxpayer dollars on that facility when we can renovate our other facilities and provide a much better situation long-term for our community and for our students," said Blake. In order to place Staley staff and students at other schools, the district has postponed the first day of school to Sept. 13. Taliban leaders declared victory over the United States from the tarmac of Kabul airport on Tuesday, hours after the withdrawal of last American troops left Afghanistan in the grip of the militant group. The airport that in recent weeks had been the epicenter of a frantic Western evacuation mission was transformed into a stage for Taliban celebrations after the final US plane departed just before midnight on Monday night, bringing an end to America's longest war. Videos showed Taliban fighters filling the night air with gunfire and walking through the airport. As the sun rose on Tuesday, footage showed the militants making their way through an abandoned hanger strewn with equipment the US left behind. In one video, militants dressed in US-style uniforms and holding US-made weapons examined a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter parked inside a hangar. Taliban fighters were also seen posing for photographs while sitting in the cockpits of planes and helicopters that once belonged to the Afghan Air Force. Some of the US military equipment used in Afghanistan was removed from the country and other items were disabled, Gen. Frank McKenzie, Commander of US Central Command, told reporters during a briefing on Monday. Standing on the airport runway on Tuesday morning, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told a small crowd that "This victory belongs to us all." He was joined by heavily armed fighters from the Taliban's Badri 313 special forces brigade, kitted out in camouflage uniforms and desert boots. Mujahid congratulated the Taliban fighters lined up, and indeed "the whole of the nation." He said the Taliban wanted to have "good relations with the US and the world." On Tuesday morning, Afghanistan's roughly 38 million people woke to a new phase of the Taliban's takeover of the country for the first time since the 1990s, when it imposed a barbaric interpretation of Sharia law that banned girls from school, stoned women for adultery, and plunged the country into economic crisis. The Taliban have pledged to govern more moderately this time around, and said they would still allow foreign nationals and Afghans with proper documentation to leave the country after August 31. But many Afghans are skeptical of their claims, and huge question marks hang over the Taliban's ability to run the country An immediate challenge for the Taliban will be securing Hamid Karzai International Airport, a vital lifeline to the rest of the world -- both for Afghans and foreign nationals wanting to leave, and for aid to get in. Afghanistan is heavily reliant on foreign aid, and the WHO and UNICEF have already struggled to get critical food and medical supplies to the airport amid the mass evacuation operation. Even before the political upheaval of recent weeks, Afghanistan represented the world's third-largest humanitarian concern, with over 18 million people requiring assistance, according to UNICEF. But with no commercial aircraft currently permitted to land in Kabul, getting aid in will be difficult. Restarting commercial flights will also be crucial for people still wanting to leave the country but who did not make it onto military evacuation planes. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US and allies were discussing ways to reopen the airport as quickly as possible to facilitate safe travel out of Afghanistan for Americans, US legal permanent residents and Afghans who worked with the US. "We discussed how we will work together to facilitate safe travel out of Afghanistan, including by reopening Kabul's civilian airport soon as possible," Blinken said. "And we very much appreciate the efforts of Qatar and Turkey, in particular, to make this happen. This would enable a small number of daily charter flights, which is a key for anyone who wants to depart from Afghanistan moving forward." Turkey's Foreign Minister said Sunday that Ankara had been in talks with the Taliban about providing technical help to operate Kabul airport, Reuters reported. Cavusoglu said inspection reports showed that runways, towers and terminals, including those in the civilian side of the airport, were damaged and needed repairing. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) One person was found dead after a fire in the 1400 block of Elizabeth Street in Lafayette. According to the Lafayette Fire Department, crews responded to reports of a structure fire around 10 p.m. Monday night. LFD said one adult female was found deceased inside. The identity of the victim has been withheld pending proper notification of family. The Tippecanoe County Coroners Office is investigating the cause of death. The fire was isolated to the victims living space. The LFD said though the cause of the fire is currently under investigation, no criminal activity is suspected. The Red Cross was called to assist the other tenant of the duplex, as the building has no utilities. INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WLFI)- The Red Cross is asking for blood donations. The organization is currently in critical need. At this time the Red Cross only has a day supply left of Type O blood. If the organization runs out of blood they won't be able to provide what is needed to hospitals. COVID-19 slowed down donations due to several blood drives being canceled. Now that it is summertime a lot of people aren't donating because they are on vacation. As of right now, the distribution of blood hasn't been interrupted, but without more donations that could change. Hyacinth Rucker the Regional Communications Manager for the American Red Cross in Indiana says there are several misconceptions about donating blood. "If you have had the COVID vaccine you can give blood," said Rucker. "If you know what type of vaccine that you have gotten the wait time is probably none. If for some reason you don't remember what kind of vaccine you've had we do ask that you wait two weeks." One donation of blood can be used to help up to three people in need. To find a location where you can donate near you click here. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) West Lafayette defended its home turf, shutting out Faith Christian 4-0 on Monday night. Ava Hallberg, Dylan Kastens, Lauren Pedley, and Vivian Huston added one goal each for RDP. West Lafayette scored three goals in the second half alone. West Side improves to (5-1) and spoils Faith Christian's undefeated record. The Eagles fall to (4-1) Faith Christian's Sydney Argo tallied 19 saves. West Lafayette put up 35 shots total, controlling the ball for much of the night. "We adjusted a lot in the second half to make our crosses and runs more accurate," said the junior midfieler Hallberg. "We're a lot closer as a team this year than we were in the past. We have a lot of trust in eachother. We know how we play, we know how people are going to make runs, we know when people are going to shoot." NEXT UP: West Lafayette plays at Central Catholic on Thursday at 5:30pm. Faith Christian hosts Covenant Christian on Thursday at 5:00pm. OTHER SCORES VOLLEYBALL Frontier def. Delphi, 3-0 BOYS TENNIS Benton Central def. Attica, 3-2 Missing scores? Email sports@wlfi.com W&Ms Washington Center relocating to D.C. Bar association building New home: William & Marys Washington Center is moving into the District of Columbia Bar (D.C. Bar) association building at 901 4th St. NW in the Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Photo by Gabe Cancio-Bello Photo - of - Hide Caption William & Marys Washington Center is moving into the District of Columbia Bar (D.C. Bar) association building starting this fall. Center classes and events will take place elsewhere in that building while W&Ms new facility is renovated. That works completion and a finalized move-in are expected to take place in early 2022, according to Washington Center Director Roxane Adler Hickey M.Ed. '02. The D.C. Bar is located at 901 4th St. NW in the Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. W&M has leased 6,930 square feet on the 7th floor of the building for 10 years, according to Sean Hughes, W&M director of real estate & strategic space planning. That is the top floor of the building, aside from the shared rooftop lounge. An expanded Washington Center is critical to the future of William & Mary, said Provost Peggy Agouris. In more than doubling its physical space, the center will be able to sufficiently grow its academic and programmatic capacity, reflecting the universitys strategic priority to expand the center as it remains an integrated part of William & Mary. We look forward to the next decade of the Washington Center and Study in D.C. The Washington Center is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and had previously leased space in the Dupont Circle neighborhood before the propertys owners decided to occupy more space in that facility, which prompted a non-renewal of W&Ms lease, Hughes said. The D.C. Bar building, opened in 2018, is home to the largest unified bar association in the U.S., with a worldwide membership of more than 100,000 lawyers. The organization occupies two-thirds of the building and rents out the other third. Were really excited about the new space, W&M Chief Operating Officer Amy Sebring said. Closer to Capitol Hill and in a vibrant neighborhood, the D.C. Bar building is perfectly situated to support expanded offerings both academically and in networking. Functionally perfect for the center, it also signifies William & Marys long-term commitment to the success of our D.C. programs. Preliminary plans for the new space feature a large reception/gathering area adjacent to two classrooms dedicated for W&Ms use. It will also include a large conference room, an additional row of offices for employees, a catering kitchen/breakroom and internal circulation space. The new space is a commitment to our current and future programs in the District of Columbia, serving as an expanded home for William & Marys students, faculty, staff and alumni, Hughes said. The experience will be one of a modern campus in the city while providing a quintessential William & Mary experience and value. Adler Hickey has worked for the center in various roles since 2006. It has been my honor to help the center grow and develop into the incredible hub for connections and community-building it has become for W&M students, faculty, staff, alumni, family and friends, she said. Our high-impact, experiential Study in D.C. opportunities thrive because we bring together all these important members of the W&M community. Recent developments include starting the Study in D.C. Scholarship Fund and W&M Washington Center Advisory Board, and launching a new continuing studies leadership course for alumni and the general public. I am especially excited about our move to the 901 4th Street space, Adler Hickey said. Having considered and toured many options, this building in this location offers us the most visibility, with incredible flexibility and exciting possibilities for the future as W&M considers even more growth. State-of-the-art classrooms and meeting space will offer all who gather there comfort and connections. Our collaborative team aligns our operational practices with William & Marys, and we appreciate our many campus partners and volunteers who make our programs possible. The new center space will enhance W&M community academic, career and networking options while remaining true to our core identity a modern William & Mary campus in the city. A planned 20th anniversary celebration event on Nov. 4 will be held at the new location. The space will continue engaging students in the high-impact learning opportunities offered through Study in D.C. in innovative, contemporary ways, said Washington Center Associate Director Erin Battle '13, M.Ed. '15. For 15 years, our four Study in D.C. academic programs have provided students with guidance and support as they begin their professional journeys, and the facilities in the new Washington Center will only enhance and advance those journeys. Our students have interned everywhere from C-SPAN to Volunteers of America to Capitol Hill, and we are so thrilled to be able to offer classes in a space that matches the quality of those amazing experiences. Annual faculty/staff trips and year-round academic programs will allow the W&M family to gather in the Washington Center and create a community rivaled only by that built in Williamsburg. When Lt. Col. Green returned to his post at Camp Grant following his expedition into the White Mountain area he filed a report to his superiors in California on Aug. 20, 1869. In that report he included his recommendation that a reservation be created for the Apache Bands living in the area Soprano Zhou Xiaolin plays the role of Yang Caihong, in the opera Summer Rainbow, in which Yang, a teacher, helps students living in mountainous areas. [For China Daily] Two years after the 2009 opening of the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, it premiered an original production of Chinese opera A Village Teacher, which received a warm and positive feedback of audiences. Gathering creative team members, including veteran scriptwriter Liu Heng, composer Hao Weiya and director Chen Xinyi, the opera tells the story of Yang Caihong, a teacher who dedicated her life to helping and motivating young students living in a remote and mountainous village. The opera appeals to audiences with its touching story, and melodic songs, featuring distinctive Chinese folk music elements. A decade later, the same creative team again got together and worked on a new version of the opera, which, renamed as Summer Rainbow, will be staged at the NCPA from Sept 8-12. The China NCPA Orchestra will perform under the baton of conductor Zhang Yi. "Back in 2009, one of the most important missions for the NCPA was to produce original Chinese operas. A Village Teacher proved to be a success. Now, we are restaging it, hoping to tell the same story with new ideas," says Wei Lanfen, the head of production department of NCPA. "The opera is set against the backdrop of a Chinese village. Since Chinese villages are quite different from the situation 12 years ago, we rearranged the story and music to showcase what the villages look like today," she adds. Wei also notes that the given name of the leading character Yang Caihong means rainbow, which symbolizes hope and happiness. "A summer rainbow conjures up images of beautiful colors and a sense of freshness. It's just like the relationship of the teacher and her students," Wei says. The composer Hao, who is known for writing an 18-minute sequel to the NCPA's opera production Turandot, has added more songs to the opera for a children's chorus. Director Chen Xinyi works with a children choir in rehearsal. [For China Daily] During one recent afternoon, the rehearsal of the opera was going on in a room of the NCPA. A group of children standing in the center of the room were ready to sing. It's a scene from the opera about the teacher Yang getting married to local man, Zhou Luoping. "A huge event is happening in the village. Your teacher will get married here and she will not leave. You are happy. Even the buffaloes are happy," the 83-year-old Chen Xinyi said to the children. "The opera is an ode to those teachers who work in rural areas and give their students unconditional love. Their stories deserve to be seen by more people," the director says. Soprano Zhou Xiaolin plays the leading role as Yang Caihong. Back in 2009, she played the same role in the operatic production. "I've seen many stories about Chinese rural teachers and when asked about the reasons why they stick to their jobs, their answers are the same: they don't want to let their students down," says Zhou, who graduated from the opera department of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing in 2006 and A Village Teacher was her first opera. Zhou mentions that one of the touching stories about rural teachers she read is Zhang Guimei, founder and principal of the first free high school for girls in Yunnan Province. Zhang is one of the 29 outstanding members of the Communist Party of China, who received the July 1 Medal, the Party's highest honor by the CPC Central Committee. "As we grow up, we have teachers, who inspired us. It's a shared experience connecting to the audiences. When we traveled to remote villages to prepare for the opera in 2009, we've seen many left-behind children, who wanted to go to school but had to drop out due to poverty. Now, thanks to the effects on poverty alleviation, the situation has been improved," says Zhou. In an early interview with writer Liu, who has written many blockbuster movie scripts such as director Zhang Yimou's Judou and director Feng Xiaogang's Assembly, he said that A Village Teacher was his first opera. "We've interviewed over 20 rural teachers when we prepared for the opera. Those teachers were very optimistic though their life conditions were not good in rural areas. They impressed me with their love for the students," said Liu. (Source: China Daily) Students look for jobs during a spring campus job fair in Xining, capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province, March 24, 2021. [Xinhua/Zhang Long] BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) China's job market will remain generally stable for the next five years as the country cranks up its proactive job-creation measures to cope with the challenges ahead. Led by the country's consistent job-first policy, the State Council has released a plan on boosting employment for the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), vowing to add over 55 million new urban jobs in the next five years. Li Zhong, vice minister of human resources and social security, told a press conference on Monday that the plan is an "important guide" for the work related to employment, which faces both opportunities and challenges. Acknowledging the current problems and future uncertainties in the job market, a senior official with China's top economic planner who was also at the meeting said that they are "overall confident in keeping employment stable." Positive Factors The country's positive economic outlook has laid an important foundation for promoting employment, said Gao Gao, a senior official with the National Development and Reform Commission. New growth drivers have also been formed to boost employment, Gao said, citing the examples of the digital economy and the country's efforts in promoting mass entrepreneurship and innovation. China's ever-growing service sector, with new industries constantly emerging, has served to absorb labor. The number of people working in the tertiary industry accounted for 47.7 percent of the total workforce in 2020, up 4.4 percentage points from that of 2016, according to Li. The country's job market is also underpinned by the private sector. Vibrant market entities, especially the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employed businesses, provide over 80 percent of job positions and create over 90 percent of new jobs in China. Gao also noted that China boasts 200 million skilled workers, of whom over 50 million are highly-skilled, and they now constitute a strong pillar supporting the drive of "made in China" and "designed in China", he added. Challenges & Solutions With the launch of the five-year job plan, China aims to solve prominent issues underpinning the country's job market. The main conflicts in employment are the "structural" ones, noted Gao. For example, structural conflicts occur when the education and training models in the higher-education system do not accord with the market demand, he said. Gao also pointed out that amid the acceleration of population aging, older workers will increasingly find it hard to gain employment as industries transform and upgrade. Although promoting employment is an arduous task, Li said the human resources ministry will "make every endeavor" to expand the employment capacity, scale up multi-level vocational-skill training and safeguard employment among the key groups. Specific measures have been mentioned in the plan, including setting up support schemes for workers involved in flexible employment and new forms of work, while pushing for the coordinated development of employment across different regions, Li added. (Source: Xinhua) 81 year old Taloga, OK resident passed on August 31, 2021. Celebration of Life will be Saturday September 4, 2021 at 10:00 am at Taloga High School burial following at Mound Cemetery, Taloga, OK. Ohio judge orders hospital to treat COVID-19 patient with ivermectin, despite the fact that the deworming drug does not work against COVID-19 Biden defends withdrawal from Afghanistan after end of nation's longest war: 'I was not extending a forever exit' Protesters outside the Texas Capitol in Austin on May 29. Union says Welsh Government guidance on covid safety measures in schools is contradictory and confusing A union has described newly published Welsh Government guidance on covid safety measures for schools across Wales as contradictory and confusing. Last week the Welsh Government has published a framework on how schools and other educational settings can make their sites safe when students and staff return following the summer break. It sets out arrangements for the delivery of teaching and enables schools and education settings to tailor interventions to reflect local risks and circumstances. The framework consists of core measures that should be in place, regardless of the risk level minister for education Jermey Miles said in a statement, He said there are also be variable measures that may be tailored to reflect the level of risk identified. They will be supported by public health officials and local authorities to ensure measures are appropriate to their circumstances. Mr Miles said: The approach set out in the Frameworks should be adopted as soon as possible after the start of term, and by 20 September 2021 at the latest. He added: Local authorities will be discussing with schools over the coming weeks how this approach will be embedded into their operational arrangements, ensuring that staff, learners and the wider education community understand the measures in place in their school. However a school leaders union has described the new framework contradictory and confusing. Commenting on the updated guidance on Friday, Laura Doel, director of school leaders union, NAHT Cymru, said: We welcome the fact that schools have until 20 September to transition to the new framework. It is the transition period we called for to ensure school teams were not expected to work on planning the logistics during the summer holiday which came at the end of an intensive 16 months with hardly a break for them. However, there are elements of the framework that are contradictory and likely to lead to confusion. Stating that operations should return to business as usual seems out of step, given that Covid-19 cases are rising and the First Minister says he wont rule out further restrictions coming back into place. Vaccination take-up in Wales is high, but it wont stop people getting Covid and it wont stop teachers and learners having to take time away from the classroom if they contract the virus. We dont want unnecessary measures in place for the sake of it, but there must be a balance with protecting school staff and learners to ensure the return to school is sustainable. We fail to see how school leaders are going to pick up this framework and know what to do, which will leave us once again turning to local authorities for support in establishing local authority-wide approaches to give some level of consistency and support to schools. She added: The framework states that Wales is at low risk, yet two days ago the Welsh Government instructed schools to continue with lateral flow testing on secondary pupils and all school staff. According to todays framework, that is a practice for when we are at high risk. Also, where todays advice refers to rising hospital admissions and the seven-day rolling incidence of infection, that appears to put us in the moderate risk category. Added to this, there is a lack of differentiation between the measures to take, depending on the risk level. When we are talking about risk, when we are planning for what we want to be a sustainable return, we must be absolutely clear of the risk level. We dont feel this is clear enough. Where someone tests positive for Covid, it will be the responsibility of Test, Trace and Protect to contact that individual, identify close contacts and get in touch with them to advise on PCR tests and to advise on action such as to self-isolate. Suggesting seating plans for learners and identifying friendship groups is unworkable and we have made this point time and time again. Its the reason why contact groups were originally put in place because it is impossible to manage learners any other way. Gone are the days when children sit at desks all day, particularly in primary schools, thats not the way teaching and learning is delivered. To put in those measures would absolutely have a detrimental impact on learners, far more than contact groups would. We remain to be convinced that the warn and inform approach is accurate and reliable. Welsh Conservatives have accused the Welsh government of putting more unnecessary pressure on teachers. by publishing their coronavirus infection control plan with less than two weeks to go until schools return. A Welsh Conservative spokesperson said: There are many points in this new plan that are welcome, but the release of the framework is astonishingly poorly-timed with schools returning in a little under two weeks time. How on earth can teachers, who are already lesson planning for the upcoming academic year, be expected to digest the detail of the framework and put measures in place in such a short period of time? Labour ministers should have and could have published this document much earlier in the summer so schools knew exactly what was expected of them. Welsh Conservatives have also raised concern over a major contradiction between a recent Welsh Government statement and the framework. On August 25, a Welsh Government announcement said that staff and learners in secondary schools and colleges, who are not showing symptoms should take regular rapid lateral flow tests twice a week. But the framework, published two days later, said that in the low risk category, which Wales is currently in, there should be little or no testing, and that there should be targeted/focused testing at medium risk level. The spokesperson added: Either Labours education minister made the quickest U-turn in history, or there is a lack of communication within the Welsh Government. To us, the best way to prevent large outbreaks of coronavirus at schools and colleges, and avoid major disruption to learning, would be to ensure that there is a regular testing system to identify cases before the virus spreads throughout the classroom. We need to see some clarity from the education minister, who should come out and address the situation. Plaid Cymrus spokesperson for Education, Sian Gwenllian MS said: Schools need practical and financial support in keeping our children safe. She said the government guidance underlines the importance of vaccines in protecting schools from coronavirus infections. But when the vast majority of school children are ineligible for the vaccine, and schools are due to return at a time when coronavirus is once against spreading freely in our communities, its impractical to work on the assumption that infection can be kept out of our schools. What Welsh Government must do is give schools practical and financial support in helping to limit transmission. One of the most effective ways is to bring in fresh air into classrooms, but todays guidance mentions nothing about how schools are meant to monitor air quality, it issues no advice about encouraging children to wear warm clothes during school hours, nor does it say what schools are to do with classrooms where it may be impossible to open windows because of their poor condition or if they are painted shut! Its imperative that we use all the tools available to us to help keep our children safe, and I urge Welsh Government to issue CO2 monitors to all educational settings so that air quality can be monitored. They must also provide practical guidance for educational settings to maintain both good ventilation and learner comfort in what will soon be our coldest season. Waless new Chief Nursing Officer officially takes up post Waless new Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Sue Tranka has officially taken up post. Originally from South Africa where she qualified as a midwife, registered general nurse, mental health and community nurse, Sue has been working for the NHS for 22 years in both operational and clinical leadership roles. Since January 2020, Sue has been working for NHS England where she led on the national nursing response for COVID as Deputy CNO for Patient Safety and Innovation. Protecting staff and patients from nosocomial transmission of COVID has been a key focus of her work since the start of the pandemic. She brings a wealth of expertise to her new role with the Welsh Government and is now looking forward to meeting the nursing workforce in Wales and supporting and leading them through the pandemic recovery. Sue Tranka says: During this unprecedented time, I have witnessed the immense contribution of our profession and I am incredibly proud of how they have stepped up to deliver care for our patients, in and out of hospital. I am also grateful to all those who came out of retirement to support their colleagues, and we will look to retain their expertise now as we focus on the future. It is imperative that as we restore services we pay close attention to the health and wellbeing of our most precious asset in the NHS: our workforce. Our nursing workforce have shown great resilience at this difficult time, and I am mindful that in keeping themselves and their colleagues safe, this has sometimes come at great personal cost. We have dealt with many challenges during this time and we will need to redouble our efforts on enhancing recruitment, and focusing on the right retention strategies. This pandemic is not over yet, but Im looking forward to meeting, listening and talking with the Welsh nursing workforce as we reflect on the past 18 months and build for the future. NHS Wales Chief Executive Andrew Goodall says: Im delighted to welcome Sue to Wales and to her new role leading the nursing profession here. This has been and continues to be a challenging time for the NHS and I know that Sue is keen to meet the workforce and understand the pressures they are facing so that we can support them as we move into the COVID recovery period. Her broad experience and knowledge will be a great asset to us during this time and Im looking forward to working with her. NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) - Evacuees from Louisiana are in the Midstate, and some are planning to help their neighbors when they go back. Haley Clark and her family were loading a U-Haul full of food, water and other essentials on Monday. Her parents evacuated from Louisiana and came to Nashville on Saturday. Probably the worst hurricane thats ever come through our local town. Probably the worst one ever in its history, said Kevin Hebert, who evacuated Louisiana. Kevin and Debbie Hebert are from Luling in St. Charles Parish, a town just outside New Orleans. They left with very little as they made the trip to their daughters house. We dont know how much water we got through the roof. We know theres trees down on our house. Theres trees down on both of my parents homes. We have no idea what were going back to, Kevin Hebert said. The family couldnt go back empty-handed. They bought tarps for friends, family and neighbors in the storms path. Collecting supplies for Hurricane Ida victims Nashville's Haley Clark is collecting supplies that her parents can take back to Louisiana later this week after Hurricane Ida made landfall. Clark took it one step further by posting on social media about collecting supplies. I think Nashville has been through a lot and we know what it means to be a community around here, Clark said. We had to life each other up after the tornado and Waverly just had flooding, everybodys jumping in to help them, so its just what we do. Within hours of her post, the community responded in a big way. Ive had random people stopping by my house all day and I just see someone randomly outside and theyre putting stuff in my garage, Clark said. Those actions are giving the family hope as they get ready to return home. We live in the greatest country in the world and I think we are more united than any of us give us credit for, Kevin Hebert said. In times of crisis, were Americans and we come through for our countrymates, absolutely. The Heberts said they play to head back to Louisiana either Tuesday or Wednesday. If you would like to help, theres still time. Contact Haley Clark via email for information on how you can help. MURFREESBORO, TN (WSMV) - A long-time interpreter for a retired Murfreesboro soldier is trying to leave Afghanistan. The interpreter, Zabihullah Jalali, made it out of Afghanistan and is currently in Kuwait going through security clearance. When he gets to Murfreesboro, he's even offered a job that comes with full medical benefits for him and his family. Matt Hosepian helped Jalali and two other families get out of Afghanistan. The retired soldier also says the GoFundMe created to support them raised more than $30,000 in one day. Hosepian said the news is awful for the hundreds of other Americans and their families still in Afghanistan. He added that the United States government had failed our country. Local veteran gets Afghan family to safety NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) - A local veteran helped get an Afghan ally and his family to safety amidst chaos overseas. The relationships army vetera "If I was an American, I'd pretty much know I'm dead. As an American who served over there and worn this country's uniform, I'm ashamed that our nation turned its back on its people," Hosepian said. Hosepian said we could all debate the war and whether the United States should have pulled out from Afghanistan, but you can't argue this. "We can have that debate. That's fine," Hosepian said. "I don't think there is much room for debate whether or not our country men should be brought home." As US military leaves Kabul, many Americans, Afghans remain As the final five U.S. military transport aircraft lifted off out of Afghanistan Monday, they left behind up to 200 Americans and thousands of desperate Afghans who couldn't get out and now must rely on the Taliban to allow their departure. The retired Army captain believes there are hundreds of more Americans still in Afghanistan. Some stopped at Taliban checkpoints which were basically sealed after the blast. "Basically, the Taliban through their checkpoints just made it impossible for Americans to come through," Hosepian said. "I have second-hand knowledge of documents being taken." Others, Hosepian said, were terrified by Taliban members going door to door. He's personally taken calls from distraught service members with soldiers with family members begging to cross the border. IT'S OVER: America's longest war ends after 20 years as last US troops depart Afghanistan 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. "I know if a soldier or a marine had the ability to let them in, they'd do it," Hosepian said. "It's our blood. We're not going to turn our back on our countrymen. We'll break the rules to take care of our countrymen." The husband and soon-to-be-father said all Americans can do now is demand accountability from elected officials. "We have the ability to see this through, and we cut and run," Hosepian said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said today there are 100 Americans left in Afghanistan as of Monday night. But, Hosepian said he believes that number is two to three-hundred Americans pleading to get out. He said even one left behind is too many. On August 23, Florida-based Cyber Ninjas, a pro-Trump company charged with overseeing the bogus forensic audit in Maricopa County, Arizona, failed to release a full draft report on its findings by its previously announced deadline. That deadline had already been extended once before. Initially, the draft report was due to be issued in June. The Republican president of the Arizona Senate, Karen Fann, issued a statement saying the full draft report, which was supposed to be sent to a Senate audit and legal team to review for accuracy, documentation and clarity, would not be forthcoming because CEO Doug Logan and two other members of the five-person audit team have tested positive for COVID-19 and are quite sick. Logan is a far-right conspiracy theorist, revealed to be Anon, a member of the fascistic QAnon group, in The Deep Rig propaganda film released earlier this year. The film posits that the Central Intelligence Agency worked against Trump to steal the election. It was produced by millionaire libertarian and former Overstock.com CEO Patrick Byrne. In addition to producing the film and a book with the same title, Byrne has been the lead private sponsor of the Arizona audit, contributing $3.25 million to the effort. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, supporters of President Donald Trump rally outside the Maricopa County Recorder's Office in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) Fann has been a leading proponent of Trumps election lies and supported his attempted coup this past January. Emails released in June, after being obtained by the nonprofit legal group American Oversight through a Freedom of Information Act request, show that former President Donald Trump and his then-lawyer Rudy Giuliani were in frequent contact with Fann following Trumps electoral defeat. In a December 13, 2020 email, Fann, replying to a constituent, noted the importance of the Electoral College certification on January 6, 2021, writing that we are all hoping any substantiated information from any state regarding voter fraud can be brought and verified by January 6, 2021, when Congress convenes to give the final blessing on the election. That would be one of our last options to make a difference in the outcome of the 2020 election. Defending her efforts to overturn the election, Fann wrote in a December 28, 2020 email that she had received a personal call from Trump, who thanks us for pushing to prove any fraud. In the same email, she boasted that she had been in numerous conversations with Rudy Guiliani [sic] over the past weeks trying to get this done. The Arizona Republican Party played an integral role in the January 6 coup attempt. Stop the Steal lead organizer Ali Alexander, a Republican operative and friend of Roger Stone, boasted in an interview with the far-right Michigan-based Church Militant that Stop the Steal owns all of [the] Arizona [state government], except the secretary of state [Katie Hobbs.] The same day Fann revealed that the sham report had not been completed, Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, told reporters the audit findings were not worth the paper theyre printed on. The week prior, her office had issued a 45-page report outlining various issues related to Cyber Ninjas chain of custody, security, transparency and documentation policies and procedures. Cyber Ninjas fails to meet industry standards for any credible audit, much less for an election audit, wrote Hobbs. The Senates contractors demonstrated a lack of understanding of election processes and procedures both at a state and county level. The multimillion-dollar recount has been a sham from the get-go and has no legal bearing on the outcome of the 2020 election. President Joe Biden won the states 11 electoral votes by a margin of 10,457. Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix and is the largest county in Arizona, cast 2.1 million of the states 3.3 million presidential ballots. Biden took the county by 45,000 votes. The fact that no evidence of fraud has been discovered has not deterred Republicans in other battleground states from seeking to replicate the Arizona model and hold their own forensic audits. The aim is to lend credibility to Trumps lies and create the best possible conditions for their next coup attempt. While the Democrats and Joe Biden bend over backwards to appease their Republican colleagues, Republican officials and lawmakers continue to conspire with Trump and his co-conspirators. Last Tuesday, former Republican National Committee Chair and Trump White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus appeared on Stephen Bannons War Room podcast, where he claimed there was election fraud in Wisconsin, and mail-in and absentee ballots were suspicious. Priebus admitted he had been in contact with Trump and former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman, who was appointed by the Republican-controlled legislature to investigate fraud. Gableman recently visited Arizona to observe the ongoing audit and also attended Mike Lindells far-right Cyber Symposium . Priebus said Wisconsin Republicans were hoping to pass a measure that would require taxpayers to pay $680,000 to fund a forensic audit in Wisconsin, noting that the sum was higher than the $150,000 appropriated by the Arizona State Senate. After initially resisting demands by Trump for an audit of Wisconsins election, virtually the entire state party has embraced the idea over the past month. In the beginning of August, Representative Janel Brandtjen, the head of the Assembly Elections Committee, issued subpoenas to seize ballots and voting machines in Brown and Milwaukee counties. The subpoenas are not valid until Assembly Speaker Robin Vos signs them, which he has yet to do. On August 12, Trump threatened Vos, writing: Hopefully Republican Speaker Vos has the integrity and strength Wisconsin needs to support Rep. Brandtjens efforts. A little over a week later, Vos was flying in a private jet with Trump to attend the ex-presidents fascistic rally in Alabama. Asked by reporters from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the likelihood that China hacked the election to deliver it to Biden, Vos responded, I think its a possibility, but I think its unlikely. In support of Trumps election lies, Trumps most loyal and fascistic lawmakers are speaking at rallies in battleground states demanding audits. On August 17, Women for America First sponsored an Audit the Vote Rally in Pennsylvania. The featured speakers were Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano and Arizona State Senator Wendy Rogers. Mastriano was on the U.S. Capitol grounds during the January 6 coup attempt. He was one of 10 Pennsylvania Republican Party officials who directly encouraged or facilitated transport to the Capitol on January 6. Mastrianos campaign spent over $3,300 on charter buses to Washington D.C. for the January 6 attack. August, which kicked off the second school semester of 2021, has witnessed the largest reopening of schools in Brazil since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nine states, where until this month schools had remained closed, decreed the return of in-person teaching. And in states where classrooms had already been opened, protocols have been reformulated to allow an even greater influx of students to the classrooms. The full reopening of schools is the centerpiece of the Brazilian ruling classs campaign to promote a return to economic activities and a new status quo based on the mantra that it is necessary to live with the pandemic, as stated by Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga. The adoption of this reckless policy by rulers all over the country has caused the resumption of the circulation of people in the streets in a pattern close to the one prior to the pandemic, declared the August 26 bulletin of the Fiocruzs COVID-19 Observatory. The Fiocruz researchers emphasized, however, that the positivity rate of the tests remains high, which shows the intense circulation of the virus, with the expansion of the Delta variant and warned that the relaxation of preventive measures by people and managers contributes to the high spread of the virus. Keeping schools open under such circumstances represents a barbaric experiment with human lives, particularly those of children. While capitalist managers spread the lie that young people dont get infected or sick from COVID-19, the explosion of the Delta variant is leading to an unprecedented crowding of childrens ICUs in countries such as the United States. Return to school in Itapevi, a municipality on the western edge of Greater Sao Paulo.(Credit: Felipe Barros | ExLibris | PMI) Even before being hit by this virulent strain, Brazil already recorded catastrophic levels of COVID-19 deaths among children and teenagers. Official data, acknowledged as a significant underestimate, has recorded more than 1,200 deaths of people under 18 in 2020, 45 percent of whom were under the age of 2. A Uol survey revealed that 1,581 young people between the ages of 10 and 19 died from COVID-19 in the first six months of this year alonean average of 263 deaths in this age group per month. Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro is now the epicenter of the spread of the Delta variant in Brazil. Delta has already become the dominant variant in the state, accounting for more than 60 percent of the samples collected. Simultaneously with the spread of the new variant, Rio has registered an increase in infections and deaths among the elderly and an explosion in hospitalizations, which has led to 96 percent occupation of ICU beds in the capital. The terrifying evolution of the virus in Rio de Janeiro contrasts with the policies adopted by state and local governments. The mayor of the capital, Eduardo Paes of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), had set September 2 as the date for initiating a series of measures to fully resume economic activities in the city, which included mega events and the end of mask mandates. Although Paes announced the postponement of these measures in view of the rise of Delta cases, Rios City Hall kept municipal schools fully operating. Educators from dozens of schools in the Rio de Janeiro municipal network have revealed that their units are being kept open even in cases of coronavirus outbreaks. The Sepe teachers union reported having received, as of August 26, reports of 94 schools functioning with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infections. These numbers have grown exponentially over the last two weeks: on August 23 there were 76 schools operating under these conditions; on August 19, 49; and on August 17, 31. In addition, there are 53 municipal schools completely closed, and 47 with classes suspended due to infections. Sao Paulo The current conditions in Rio de Janeiro underscore the catastrophic prospects for the pandemics development in the coming weeks and months in Brazil. This is especially true for Sao Paulo, which has already seen the prevalence of the Delta variant rise to 43 percent of analyzed samples. A projection of the evolution of the Delta variant produced by the Info Track, a platform developed by researchers from the University of Sao Paulo (USP) and the Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), concluded that Sao Paulo will have an explosion [of cases] from the second week of September. The Sao Paulo state government is, however, promoting the largest flexibilization of social distancing measures since the beginning of the pandemic. Opposing this criminal policy, UNESP professor Wallace Casaca told G1: Delta is a very aggressive strain. We see the outbreaks with great concern. We have to accelerate now as much as possible the vaccination with the second shots, but the vaccine alone is not a solution for everything. Governor Joao Doria of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) responded to these warnings by reaffirming his complete indifference to science and the preservation of human lives. On August 18, he dissolved his COVID-19 Contingency Center and responded to criticism from the Sao Paulo Infectious Diseases Society by declaring that his sociopathic measures were being taken in due time. Despite reported outbreaks in more than 1,200 schools and the deaths of more than 100 educators and students in the state public school network alone, the government of Sao Paulo is keeping the schools open and has expanded their capacity, reducing the distance between students within the classrooms. The capital of Sao Paulo has the largest school system in Brazil, with more than 2 million students enrolled, and its in-person operation has potentially devastating consequences. A teacher in the citys municipal public network told the World Socialist Web Site that educators have been reporting an increasing number of outbreaks in schools. He declared: Last week, cases started appearing among staff at my school, so far there are three confirmed. Although the protocol for school reopening says that two cases already constitute an outbreak, so far my school has not been closed. We have news of other schools that had outbreaks and remain open. A teacher wrote on Facebook that in a single week 14 staff members and one student were sent home due to COVID infections. Not only does the school remain operating, but students from different classes were brought together due to the lack of teachers. A few months ago, a case like that would have made newspaper headlines. But today the situation is being covered up, both by the government and by the union. Me and my colleagues have even called the SINPEEM [teachers union] to ask about their orientation regarding the outbreak in the school, and they didnt have any. They only repeated the governments official position. This is very revolting because the union broke our strike and sent us back to in-person work with a bunch of promises that protocols would be reviewed to increase safety and celebrating the vaccination of teachers as the big solution to our problems. Now we are working endless overtime hours to pay for the strike days, being even more exposed to the virus, and people are getting infected regardless of whether they are vaccinated. Bahia The universal character of the homicidal policies promoted by the Brazilian ruling class is highlighted by the fact that it is being equally adopted in the states governed by the so-called left-wing opposition to the extreme-right government of President Jair Bolsonaro. The government of Rui Costa, of the Workers Party (PT), in Bahia recently clashed with a movement of educators opposing the reopening of state schools. Costa has publicly threatened striking workers with dismissal and has effectively cut their pay to force them into classrooms. Last Friday, the APLB teachers unionwhich is also presided over by the PTannounced a deal reached with the government behind the workers backs that agreed to the return of in-person classes on September 1. The rotten agreement, which was celebrated by the union officials as a victory, imposes face-to-face classes even on Saturdays to compensate for the days on strike. The APLB unions maneuver against teachers of Bahia followed exactly the same script as the unions betrayal of teachers in Sao Paulo and was received with the same outrage by the workers. On social networks, rank-and-file teachers posted hundreds of comments denouncing the unions coup and demanding truly safe conditions for the reopening of schools. One teacher wrote: Union leadership and government united as always. Students without immunization, some schools with suspended classes due to COVID-19, the Delta variant still feared, scientists recommending a third dose of the vaccine, and the union leadership accepted in-person classes for September 1. Another teacher stated: I didnt see any victory there. They didnt listen to or even consult the workers regarding the return, the possibility of a return was not even mentioned. And if it was going to return on September 1, why were there salary cuts? For me this was a defeat. The victory was to Rui Costa and Luiz Caetano [the governments Institutional Relations secretary], they were victorious. A third teacher declared: What was the victory? Unless they are referring to the governments victory, because the students will return without vaccines and without even testing. The COVID-19 infections in the state schools are there. Thats helping to normalize an abnormal situation. *** All over Brazil, similar situations are being faced by educators, parents and students, and are provoking a sharp growth of social opposition. In Amazonas, in northern Brazil, where the most catastrophic experiments with the herd immunity policy have been conducted, teachers are denouncing the extraordinarily unsafe conditions in their classrooms, while parents are protesting the governments forcing their children back to in-person classes. At the opposite end of the country, in Rio Grande do Sul, educators are reporting growing outbreaks in schools, which has been acknowledged by the health secretariat in the capital, Porto Alegre, where the number of individuals exposed to outbreaks in schools jumped from 3,125 on July 1 to 3,999 on August 25. These movements across the country express the rise of a renewed wave of class struggle among Brazilian educators. The development of this struggle requires that fundamental conclusions be drawn from the crucial political experiences of the last year and a half marked by the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. On every occasion that teachers attempted to mount an opposition to the ruthless policies of the bourgeois governments, they have faced the efforts of the unions to sabotage their struggles. At this extremely critical moment of the pandemic, no resistance is being organized by the National Confederation of Education Workers (CNTE) and its affiliated unions. On the contrary, teachers can be sure that union officials are discussing, among themselves and with state representatives, the best strategies for suppressing workers struggles against the pandemic. Without any illusions in the perspective of reforming of the corrupted trade unions, educators must form rank-and-file committees to organize a struggle for the immediate closure of schools throughout Brazil and to organize a movement of the entire working class to eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the fourth in a series of interviews with UK parents and educators opposed to the reckless reopening of schools. Part 1 is here, Part 2 is here and Part 3 is here. We urge all parents, educators and workers seeking to organise opposition to this homicidal policy to join and build the Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committees in the UK and internationally . Leah, a parent of two young children, spoke to the WSWS about her familys experiences during the pandemic. She is a member of the parents advocacy group SafeEdForAll (Safe Education For All). My familys personal pandemic story is long-winded, but briefly we were infected in February 2020, before it all kicked off. We pulled our kids out of school long before lockdown. The kids returned for four days in September 2020, but we pulled them out as soon as they fell ill with another virus. It took 11 days to secure a COVID PCR test! We fought the school and the local authority. We were fined in October 2020 but refused to pay with help from Public Interest Law Centre. Leah with her family In January, 2021, after the reopening fiasco, the head teacher at my childrens school revoked the fine retrospectively, issued 100 percent attendance and supported our remote learning. This is not the end of story, as we were suffering Long COVID. My children, 5 and 8 years of age, had been suffering bouts of illness over lockdown consistent with Long COVID. We hid our initial infection, fearing implied immunity would be used to force attendance. Unfortunately, my 8-year-old daughter has only worsened. She has been diagnosed with CFS/ME [chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy] and CPS [chronic pain syndrome] and she couldnt now return to school even if it was safe. Asked about the UK-wide reopening of schools from this week, in the middle of a surge in the pandemic, Leah said, In the UK its currently terrifying. Our schools are going ahead with reopening with infection rates that would put any other sensible country into lockdown. New rules mean close contacts of confirmed infected people can go about their business if they are double jabbed or under 18. Schools will have no mitigations for an airborne virus in place and children will be able to attend even if their household is currently infected! Childrens attendance in school is mandatory and enforced with fines and prison sentences of up to three months. Im sure the rest of the world must be watching with horror! The UK has a total of 322 PICU [Paediatric Intensive Care Unit] beds. Its going to be carnage. Leah urged readers to look into the disinformation spread by UsForThem and the HART [Health Advisory & Recovery Team] group, both right-wing organisations arguing for the full reopening of schools while minimizing the effects of COVID-19 on children. Theyve had the ears of our politicians since the start! Asked to comment on the role of the government, political parties and unions as well as the need to organize independently via groups like SafeEdForAll, Leah said, The whole current government are dirty. Its clear theyve taken influence from the Great Barrington Declaration lot. They have stripped the public coffers for a disastrous SERCO [private corporation] track and trace system and are set on an American-style public health system. I read that the National Health Service has dropped on the world stage [in international health service rankings] from 1st to 4th! Its starved of staff and funding, many have not had routine access to care for chronic conditions for nearly 18 months. Its basically a field hospital and it is close to capacity with many hospitals declaring black alerts. But government messaging is all is well and sole reliance on the silver bullet of vaccination. Too many accept this on face value. Everyone is keen to get back to normal. The shielded are suffering the most. Trapped in isolation as very few venues/shops/public places have any meaningful mitigations in place or enforced. I believe this is by government design to bolster infection levels in the young and bring about herd immunity. It will be at great cost to many. Our government are reckless. Knowingly and willingly exposing the youngest to infection and imprisoning the vulnerable by exclusion. Its the Great Barrington Declaration in full effect. Our groups have contacted just about every MP [Member of Parliament], prominent personalities, reporters, school governors, teaching staff we can think of. Were making waves but are repeatedly fobbed off. Its clear that government policy is #DontMentionTheSchools. Unions have made some big gestures and are asking for the changes needed, but when government dismisses their calls for action, the unions proceed no further. They need to ballot to strike. They need to level with their members on what great risk they are at. All that parents have left is #parentStrike. And numbers were low last time. This was a reference to the attempt by parents to organize a strike last November that was opposed and boycotted by the trade unions. On the economic and class issues surrounding school reopenings and the pandemic policies of the ruling elites, Leah said, Its clear this will disproportionately affect the poorest in our communities. Those on lowest income less likely to have the means and support to isolate, more likely to mix with more of the public, more likely to work when infected, more likely to need childcare in the education system. Very few vulnerable children have access to vaccines [they have been allowed for the clinically extremely vulnerable 12-15 only recently], most are unable to secure appointments. More affluent members of society are far less likely to be as exposed. Private schools, favoured by MPs, have mitigations in place and were able to enable distance learning. State schools were not authorised to close and sanctioned when they did. They [the private schools] also have good mitigations in place and smaller class sizes. Boarding schools are well isolated bubbles. Outbreaks in the schools were managed quickly and effectively. Our SafeEdforAll page has details of Freedom of Information requests on outbreaks in specific schools showing alarmingly high numbers. There is a distinct disparity between the ruling classs childrens learning environment and those on low incomes. As coronavirus cases from the highly transmissible Delta variant continue to climb in Massachusetts, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), supported by the teachers unions, is forcing every child across the state back into school. Behind the feigned concern for childrens wellbeing lies the scientific reality of what will transpire over the coming months if this is allowed to take place. As children and teachers infected in the tens or hundreds of thousands spread out through the community at large, hundreds of thousands more will become infected. The DESEs school reopening guidelines, issued July 30, begins, For the fall, all districts and schools will be required to be in-person, full-time, five days a week, and all DESE health and safety requirements will be lifted. This includes all physical distancing requirements. Physical distancing of 3 feet, following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, would have little impact in curbing transmission in schools. However, the lifting of physical distancing requirements now has everything to do with allowing for schools to run at full capacity with limited numbers of classrooms and teachers. A a summer school student wears a protective mask while listening to instruction, at the E.N. White School in Holyoke, Mass., on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Last year, schools could only maintain some form of distancing while a large portion of the student body was learning remotely. Since the beginning of the pandemic, DESE has had as its main imperative the return of students to classrooms, no matter the danger. However, it is only now, under conditions of mass infections, that the mandate that all schools return to full, in-person learning has been realized. The goal of every aspect of DESEs fall opening guidelines is to keep schools open and filled with children during active community transmission of a debilitating and deadly virus. In a recent statement aimed at diverting attention from the deadly policies of school reopening and directing it instead toward unvaccinated individuals, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said, While Massachusetts leads the nation in vaccination rates, we are seeing a recent rise in COVID-19 cases because we still need more people to get vaccinated. This step will increase vaccinations among our students and school staff and ensure that we have a safe school reopening. There is no scientific legitimacy to the claims that COVID-19 does not spread in schools, or that children dont get as sick or spread the virus easily. The Delta variant is indeed contracted and spread by fully vaccinated individuals. Currently, 164 of 569 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Massachusetts are fully vaccinated. Furthermore, a recent study of breakthrough cases among fully vaccinated nurses showed that 19 percent of cases presented with long COVID symptoms, a similar percentage to that among non-vaccinated individuals. [1] Modeling shows that with vaccines alone and a vaccination rate of 85 percent with 60 efficacy, the Delta variant, with an estimated R0 value of 6, would spread at an R0 of 2.9. (R is a mathematical term that indicates how contagious an infectious disease is and how quickly it reproduces when transmitted to new people.) That is, every one person with COVID-19 would infect 2.9 others, meaning a large wave of exponential growth in case numbers. This means that vaccines alone, no matter how widely administered, when combined with opening up schools and other nonessential businesses, will mean hundreds of thousands if not over a million people infected over the coming months in Massachusetts. With public health measures alone, without vaccines, the R0 value with the Delta variant, taken in relation to the public health measures achieved in many countries before vaccines, would drop to R=1.21.4 [2]. This means that public health measures are more effective than vaccines alone. It is only a combination of vaccines and public health measuresthe closing of nonessential businesses and schools, robust testing, contact tracing, isolated quarantine locations to protect the families of infectedthat would drop the R0 value below one, allowing for the eradication of the virus. The lies from last year that if everyone, as Baker said, played by the rules and wore masks in schools they would be safe have now been repackaged to blame the unvaccinated for the real crimes that rest with the policy of herd immunity and those, like the DESE, who have helped promote it. The DESE guidelines state, Massachusetts has among the highest vaccination rates of any state in the nation, and evidence continues to reinforce that the COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective, especially against severe disease. At the same time, even for those students not yet vaccinated, the apparent risk of COVID-19 to children remains small. These factors continue to reinforce that many previously instituted COVID-19 mitigation measures in school settings are no longer necessary. Over 700,000 children in Massachusetts are poised to return to in-person learning. No safe schools await them and some will die! Many more face potentially debilitating long COVID symptoms, as the virus damages their brains, lungs, hearts and other organs. It is estimated that somewhere between 3 and 12 percent of children will experience long COVID, and it is still unknown how long these symptoms will last, possibly reducing life expectancy. The US reported 180,000 child COVID-19 cases in the week ending August 19, a 50 percent increase in just one week, according to the latest report from the American Academy of Pediatrics. [3] There were 120,000 child cases the previous week, and less than 10,000 just two months ago. The Delta variant is also known to be much more dangerous for children. Hospitalizations for children in the US have risen sharply in recent weeks, higher than at any other time during the pandemic, with children comprising 2.3 percent of all hospitalizations. This is clear evidence that the Delta variant, which has been described by some scientists as an almost completely new virus, is much more virulent against children. Remarkably, the DESE school guidelines also state: Asymptomatic, fully vaccinated close contacts are exempt from testing and quarantine response protocols. Also exempt are those exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual in the classroom while both individuals were masked, so long as the individuals were spaced at least 3 feet apart, who are also exempt from testing and quarantine response protocols. This means that significantly large percent of close contacts, who under current guidelines will not be getting tested or quarantining, will be contracting the virus and left in schools to continue transmission. While masks are important and effective, lower quality cloth masks, or unfitted masks, are much less effective in stopping viral transmission, especially the highly contagious Delta variant. Epidemiologist Eric Feigl-Ding, sharing data on masking in a Twitter thread, wrote: One thing that Im absolutely certain about is that kids need to not only mask, but need premium high filtration masks like this kids KF94 maskwhich even have adjustable ear loops for a tighter fit. [4] The DESE guidelines represent most brazenly the careless and deranged policies that will kill and debilitate large sections of the population. But these guidelines are just one of the many varieties of cosmetic mitigations to COVID transmission stemming from the overarching policy of herd immunity, i.e., the mass infection of students, families, teachers and workers. Opposition to the opening of schools is an integral component of a policy of complete elimination of the virus. The eradication of the virus is possible and must be coordinated on a global basis. Yet this policy is diametrically opposed to the interests of Wall Street, their two capitalist parties, and the pro-capitalist, corporatist trade unions. To build the foundational forms to wage this struggle the working class must mobilize across borders and industries, on a politically independent basis, through the formation of rank-and-file committees at workplaces, schools and neighborhoods. We urge teachers, students and parents to contact us today to build committees at your school, workplace or neighborhood and fight for a scientific response to save lives and end the pandemic. Notes: [1] https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2109072#.YRK8mDsAjKw.twitter [2] https://twitter.com/GosiaGasperoPhD/status/1418699432036495363/photo/2 [3] https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/AAP%20and%20CHA%20-%20Children%20and%20COVID-19%20State%20Data%20Report%208.19%20FINAL.pdf [4] https://twitter.com/DrEricDing/status/1428171066409635841?s=20' https://twitter.com/DrEricDing/status/1428171066409635841?s=20 Since the Scottish parliament lifted all Covid restrictions on August 9 and schools reopened on August 16 after the summer break, coronavirus cases are soaring. On Friday, cases hit a record high of 6,835, a rise from 1,567 or over 300 percent since the beginning of the autumn term. In comparison, daily cases reached a high of 4,234 during the summer wave. This was the third record set for daily cases in a matter of days. On Sunday the record was surpassed againfor the fourth time in six daysas Scotland reported another 7,113 cases. Half of all new cases are in the under 25 age group, and on Tuesday 34 percent of cases were under 19 years old. Public Health Scotland (PHS) reported a threefold rise in case rates for 16-17-year-olds since August 8, and a fivefold rise for 18-19-year-oldscompared to the national average which doubled. Test positivity rates for children aged 2-17 are at 19.9 percent. On August 24, 15,000 pupils (14,914) were absent from school due to Covid, with nearly 18 percent (2,496) sick with the virus 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. Two out of every 100 pupils were reported absent from school for Covid-related reasons on August 27 by PHS. Even before further and higher education campuses reopen in September, educational settings account for one out of six cases overall. On Monday, 551 people were in hospital and 52 in intensive care, up from 312 people in hospital on August 20 and just 58 on May 4. To August 21, there have been 943 child Covid hospital admissions in Scotland during the pandemic. The total Covid death toll in the country stands at 8,103. The situation had worsened so much that by last Thursday that the World Health Organisation named five health boards in ScotlandDumfries and Galloway, Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Lothian, and Taysidein its list of the 20 most severely affected areas in Europe. In response to this growing catastrophe, Deputy First Minister John Swinney admitted, Undoubtedly the gathering of people together in schools will have fuelled that [the case rise] to some extent, and you can see that in the proportion of younger people who are testing positive. Scotlands First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said, That is one of the sharpest rises we have experienced at any point during the pandemic, describing the numbers as cause for concern but making clear the government was not considering even a circuit breaker lockdown. On Sunday, Sturgeon herself was forced into self-isolation after coming into contact with someone with Covid. Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, Pool) Many young people remain unvaccinated. A total of 74 percent of 18-24-year-olds have had at least one dose, of whom only 46 percent are double vaccinated. This compares with 95 percent of over 40s who are fully vaccinated. The figure is 70 percent for those in the 30-39 age range. Only now will 16-17-year-olds be offered a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. School children are currently not eligible for vaccination and therefore among the most vulnerable, yet they have been sent unprotected back into the classroom! Schools are a major vector for the spread of the virus and children can suffer devastating health consequences from Covidincluding cognitive, respiratory and cardiac damage, Long Covid and, in the most tragic cases, death. The UKs Office for National Statistics April report estimated that of children who tested positive, 12.9 percent aged two to 11, and 14.5 percent aged 12 to 16 had symptoms five weeks after they were first infected. In the UK in July, 33,000 children ages 216 and 71,000 young people ages 1724 were suffering Covid symptoms after 12 weeks. Many schools in Scotland have already been forced to send pupils or classes home. Around 60 out of the 203 schools in the Highlands were affected by delta outbreaks. Grantown, Kingussie, Culloden and Fort William's Lochaber high schools all have a number of year groups self-isolating. Aviemore Primary and Thurso's Pennyland were partially closed. Between schools reopening on August 16 and August 22, NHS Highland reported more than 1,000 new cases. Classes were suspended at Crossmichael Primary in the south of Scotland due to eight members of staff self-isolating for four days. In Glasgow, a class from St Alberts Primary school was sent home for 14 days following an outbreak. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde announced it was carrying out contact tracing at seven schools. At least two high schools in Aberdeen reported Covid cases among senior pupils. The example of Scotland is an urgent warning of how quickly the virus spreads when restrictions on social distancing are lifted and schools reopen. The response of the education unions in Scotland to this next deadly stage of the pandemic mirrors that of the unions in the rest of the UKcowardly capitulation to the Johnson governments policy of social murder. The unions play a particularly pernicious role in maintaining the fiction that schools can be made safe with minimal mitigation methods and vaccines alone. In fact, the explosion of cases as soon as restrictions are relaxed shows the claimed mitigation strategy is little more than window dressing for a policy of mass infection. While vaccines currently significantly reduce the chances of hospitalization, they offer only limited protection against catching and spreading the virus, and this protection declines over time, allowing the virus to continue circulating. While the virus is allowed to continue infecting large numbers of people, it is given the opportunity to develop new, more virulent, vaccine evading strains and variants. Larry Flanagan, the general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland teaching union, commented, These figures will be a cause for concern for school communities They underline the need to remain on guard to ensure schools remain COVID conscious and that mitigations are maintained. Supporting the relaxation of government guidelines on the required response when an outbreak occurs, his only complaint was that the change in contact tracing arrangements for schools is creating confusion for parents, pupils and staff. We wish to see all pupils identified as close contacts being required to get a clear PCR test before returning to class. This removes the 10-day self-isolation requirement but offers a quick reassurance to school communities and will reduce the risk of in-school transmission. Schools in Scotland will follow revised-down safety measures for another six weeks at most, before scrapping them entirely: one-metre social distancing; only children determined high-risk to isolate for 10 days after close contact with a positive case; mask wearing for secondary pupils in lessons; secondary school staff and pupils to take twice weekly lateral flow tests. SNP Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said the measures will be dropped earlier if possible. Scottish Secondary Teachers Association general secretary Seamus Searson said, To keep everybody safe we need to make sure that everybody is vaccinated. Ireland are already vaccinating the 12 to 15-year-olds we need to move on that quickly to keep everybody safe. He called on for the mitigation measures to last beyond six weeks. No union is advocating action to bring the disastrous spread of infection among children, school workers and the wider community to an end. They are refusing to wage a fight under conditions in which growing numbers of parents are deregistering their children rather than send them into unsafe schools. Last Friday, PHS figures revealed that 399 pupils were not in school last week because their parents chose to keep them away contrary to public health guidance. On August 22, the World Socialist Web Site hosted an online discussion with leading scientists, For a Global Strategy to Stop the Pandemic and Save Lives. The scientists advocated a policy for the eradication of Covid-19, based on a combination of aggressive public health measures, including school closures, and vaccination to eliminate the virus completely. This programme, requiring a huge and coordinated investment of resources, can only be implemented by a mass movement of the international working class. We call on educators, parents and workers who agree with this strategy to join the Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee (UK), attend its meetings and set up committees in every workplace to organise a fightback against the homicidal herd immunity policies of the Johnson government and its Scottish counterpart. On August 27, the Socialist Equality Party of Sri Lanka held an online meeting celebrating the eightieth birthday of its general secretary, Wije Dias. The following greetings were delivered by David North, chairperson of the WSWS International Editorial Board and national chairperson of the Socialist Equality Party (US). Dear Comrade Wije, On behalf of the International Committee of the Fourth International and the Socialist Equality Party in the United States, permit me to extend to you the warmest and heartiest congratulations on your eightieth birthday. I cannot help but adopt a somewhat formal tone, because your birthday is more than an occasion for the celebration of a personal milestone. It is at the same time a milestone in the history of the Sri Lankan working class and the world Trotskyist movement. A vast historical experience is concentrated in your life. The chapters of your political biography encompass the most critical events of the international class struggle and their conscious expression in the history of the Fourth International. Your life is embedded profoundly in these events, but your relation to history has been that of a highly conscious and active participant. SEP (Sri Lanka) General Secretary Wije Dias It is true, of course, that you are a product of your times, acting under circumstances existing already, given and transmitted from the past. But you have acted upon those circumstances, seeking throughout your six decades of political activity as a Trotskyist to direct events in accordance with historical necessity. You have fought to divert the spontaneous struggles of the working class away from the line of least resistancethat is, away from the path of opportunist accommodation that has led to so many defeatsand toward the goal of the conquest of political power. As a consequence, you were compelled by objective conditions to conduct your work in opposition to the dominant political tendencies of the times: the openly capitalist parties and their political accomplices among the Stalinists, Maoists, bourgeois nationalists, and Pabloite organizations. But as history as proved, your work, in revolutionary opposition, was based on a correct understanding of the laws of the class struggle. You were correct in your opposition to the entry of the LSSP into the coalition government of Bandaranaike in 1964; you were correct, in opposing the unprincipled centrist vacillations of the LSSP(R), to establish the Revolutionary Communist Leagueforerunner of the Socialist Equality Party in Sri Lankaas a section of the International Committee of the Fourth International in 1968; the RCL was correct in its rejection of the petty-bourgeois nationalism of the JVP in the critical period of 1970-71; the RCL leadership was correct when it criticized, in 1971, the British SLLs endorsement of Indias intervention in East Pakistan (anticipating the future criticisms of the WRPs opportunism by the Workers League); the RCL was correct in its intransigent opposition to the racist war launched by the Sinhalese bourgeoisie in 1983 and in its rejection of the bankrupt nationalism of the Tamil Tigers; and the Sri Lankan section was correct in its opposition to the Indo-Lankan Accord of 1987. The long record of revolutionary opposition contained, however, an immensely creative and positive content. It clearly indicated and explained the correct political path. The decisive historical test of the RCL came in 1985, when it opposed the opportunism of the WRP and played a critical role in defense of the International Committee of the Fourth International. While Comrade Keerthi Balasuriya, as general secretary of the Revolutionary Communist League, provided exceptional and far-sighted leadership to the struggle within the International Committee, his work received and was vastly strengthened by your unwavering support. Your critical role within the Revolutionary Communist League was well known to the International Committee. That is why, when confronted with the sudden and tragic loss of Comrade Keerthi in December 1987, it was recognized you had to assume leadership of the Sri Lankan section. And that is a responsibility that you have carried out for the last 34 years in a manner that has won for you not only the immense respect but also the deep affection of your comrades in Sri Lanka and throughout the International Committee. We first met in July 1972, at a summer school organized by the Socialist Labour League in Britain. I especially recall that you undertook the difficult task of translating Keerthis contributions, delivered in Sinhala, into English. In the decade that followed we met occasionally in Britain, but under conditions that, unfortunately, did not allow for extensive political discussion. It was not until November 1986, when I traveled to Sri Lanka for the first time, that we had the opportunity to discuss political issues at length and in a more politically hospitable environment. In the aftermath of Comrade Keerthis death, our collective work assumed a close and systematic character. Our political relationship developed into a personal friendship that I have treasured. You are a man who exemplifies the finest attributes of a genuine revolutionary: unquestionable integrity, determination, honesty, objectivity, courage, personal kindness, optimism and a wonderful sense of humor. On the occasion of your last major personal milestone, birthday number 75, I wrote: I cannot adequately convey in words the depth of my respect for you as a comrade, a fighter and a human being. I am sure that you have your share of faults, but excuse me if I confess that none of them come to mind at the moment. You have been intransigent in your defense of Marxist principles. During a stint in jail, even the prison warden was impressed by your devotion to the cause of socialist revolution. Throughout Sri Lanka, you are respectedeven by political opponentsas a man of unimpeachable revolutionary integrity. You are the only political leader in Sri Lanka who commands the respect and admiration of the oppressed in both the Sinhalese and Tamil communities. They recognize that only the Socialist Equality Party fights for the unity of the entire working class and opposes every form of racialist sectarianism. In the course of political struggles that span more than a half century, and in the face of countless hardshipsincluding the loss of your beloved wife, Comrade Piyaseeliyou have held high the banner of the Fourth International. The sentiments that I expressed in 2016 are reinforced by the experiences of the past five years, as you have remained a powerful voice and presence within the Sri Lankan section and the International Committee. Comrade Wije: you have secured for yourself an honored place in the history of the Fourth International and in the hearts of your comrades throughout the world. With deep affection, David The US withdrew the last of its troops from Afghanistan aboard a C-17 military transport plane just one minute before midnight Kabul time Monday, in advance of the August 31 deadline that Washington had negotiated with the Taliban. The planes departure consummated the debacle of the 20-year US war, the longest in American history. Journalists take photos of a destroyed vehicle where rockets were fired from in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Khwaja Tawfiq Sediqi) Mondays final withdrawal ended a two-week-long evacuation that transported 122,000 people out of the country, including 5,400 American citizens, along with Afghans who had collaborated with the two-decade US occupation and their families. Monday saw the last of the core US diplomatic staff depart Kabul airport, leaving behind empty what had been one of the largest US embassies in the world, built at the cost of $800 million. The chaotic character of the US evacuation included a suicide bomb attack last Thursday, claimed by the Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K), that killed 13 American military personnel. Some 170 Afghans were killed in the incident, an unknown number of them by US fire in response to the bombing. On Monday, Kabuls airport came under rocket fire. The humiliating character of the withdrawal under fire, drawing comparisons to the flight from the US embassys roof in Saigon in 1975, has sparked bitter recriminations within the US ruling establishment, including accusations against the Biden administrations gross mishandling of the operation. The conditions for this withdrawal, however, had been created by the entire 20-year imperialist intervention, which failed to create a viable puppet regime and provoked hatred and anger among a population subjected to bombings, drone strikes, night raids, imprisonment and torture. President Joe Biden approved the withdrawal last April, based on the supposition that the Afghan security forces could stave off the fall of Kabul for six months to a year. US intelligence agencies changed this assessment to a worst-case scenario of one month, just days before Taliban fighters actually took control of the Afghan capital on August 15. In the end, the Afghan national security forces armed, trained and funded by Washington at the cost of over $80 billion melted away, unwilling to defend a regime that represented nothing but the US occupation and the kleptocracy that it spawned. After 20 years and the loss of 2,461 US troops and civilians and 1,144 NATO and allied forces, along with the slaughter of over 100,000 Afghans, and the expenditure of at the least $2 trillion, Washington leaves Afghanistan under the rule of the Taliban, the Islamist militia overthrown by its October 2001 intervention. The final US departure was greeted by celebratory fireworks and gunfire from Kabul. Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, tweeted early Tuesday morning: Our country has achieved a full independence, thanks to God. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr., the head of the US Central Command, acknowledged that there were Americans numbering in the low hundreds left behind by the final evacuation, while estimates have put the number of Afghans holding or eligible for US visas who remained in Afghanistan at 100,000 or more. The bloody legacy of the 20-year US intervention was underscored on the eve of the final evacuation with a preemptive drone strike carried out against what the US military had claimed was a car carrying a suicide bomber. It wiped out 10 Afghan civilians, nine of them from the same family. The victims included seven children aged 2 to 12 along with their father and brothera 19-year-old studentand a neighbor. Sundays attack, conducted as the US staggered to the finish line of its evacuation operation from Kabul international airport, was described by the Pentagon as a self-defense unmanned over-the-horizon air strike conducted against Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K), which claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing at the airport last Thursday. The drone massacre constitutes one more in a countless number of such atrocities carried out in the 20-year neocolonial war and occupation that has ravaged Afghanistan. It will doubtless not be the last, as Washington continues to claim the right to stage attacks at will against what it deems terrorist targets in the country even after the withdrawal of the last US forces. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby acknowledged reports of the drone massacre at a press conference on Monday, saying that the US military was assessing and investigating reports that it had killed 10 civilians. We are not in a position to dispute it, he said. As opposed to the vast majority of US drone strikes, which began on the first day of the US invasion of October 2001, Sundays attack took place in a crowded neighborhood in the center of Kabul, rather than a remote rural village. This makes it more difficult for the Pentagon to issue one of its routine denials of civilian casualties. Reports from Kabul paint a picture of horror at the site of the drone strike. Outraged neighbors of the slaughtered Ahmadi family told Al Jazeera of human flesh stuck to the walls. Bones fallen into bushes. Walls stained with blood. One neighbor said of one of the youngest children killed, We only found his legs. The children killed in the attack included three two-year-olds and two three-year-olds. The missile struck just as the childrens father returned from work and they ran out to his car to greet him. The father, Zemarai, had worked for the aid agency Nutrition and Education International, resulting in the familys receiving a US Special Immigrant Visa. They had packed their bags and were waiting for a call telling them to go to the Kabul airport. The other adult killed in the strike was a former member of the Afghan National Army. Ramin Yousufi, a relative of the slaughtered family, told the BBC that the drone strike had brought hell in our lives. Why did they kill our family, our children? he asked, sobbing. Seven children burned up. We cant identify them from their faces, their bodies. As the US military was organizing the last flight out of Kabul, the United Nations Security Council convened in a special session on the Afghan crisis, passing a resolution calling on the Taliban to allow safe passage for all those seeking to leave Afghanistan. The measure did not include a proposal advanced by France and the UK for the creation of a safe zone in Kabul for supporters of the ousted US puppet regime, a measure that unquestionably would have been rejected by the Taliban as a gross violation of Afghan sovereignty. The measure was passed with 13 votes in favor, with both China and Russia abstaining. Even as the US and its allies on the Security Council waxed eloquent about the inviolable rights of Afghans to leave their country, the European Union was preparing to meet on Tuesday to approve emergency measures designed to, in the words of a draft resolution, prevent the recurrence of uncontrolled large-scale illegal migration movements faced in the past. The resolution goes on to state, The EU should also strengthen the support to the countries in Afghanistans immediate neighborhood to ensure that those in need receive adequate protection primarily in the region. In other words, the aim is to provide financial aid in return for Afghanistans neighboring countries serving as the EUs border guards in preventing Afghan migrants from making their way to Europe, similar to the reactionary deal reached with Turkey to restrain Syrian migrants in 2015. To mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jean Brust, the WSWS has published an exhibit featuring essays on her life and political significance. August 31, 2021 marks 100 years since the birth of Jean Brust, a leading figure in the Trotskyist movement whose legacy lives on in the work of the US Socialist Equality Party and the entire International Committee of the Fourth International. Todays new generation of workers and youth joining the Trotskyist movement can learn from Jeans enormous confidence in the revolutionary role of the working class. Jean speaking at the World Conference of Workers Against Imperialist War and Colonialism, November, 1991 (WSWS Media) Comrade Jean, who died November 24, 1997 at the age of 76, joined the Trotskyist-led Young Peoples Socialist League as a teenager in 1937. Alongside her lifelong partner, Bill Brust, Jean fought for the cause of international socialism for the next 60 years. What characterized her political work was a profound conviction in the ability of the Marxist movement to find a path to the masses of working people, and the ability of the working class, educated and led by the party, to build a new, truly humane society. This sentiment was rooted in great historical experiences, including the work of the Trotskyist movement in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Jean was a teenager in the Twin Cities when the Trotskyists led the union organization drive among local trucking company workers that culminated in the 1934 Minneapolis General Strike, one of the critical struggles that laid the basis for the sit-down strikes and formation of the mass industrial unions. Later, Jean herself played a significant role in the strike wave of 1945-48 as a young worker in the meatpacking plants. Central to her political understanding was the revolutionary perspective that had led to the October Revolution in Russia and that was fought for by Leon Trotsky and the Left Opposition. There were many socialist groups in the 1930s, but Jean joined the Trotskyists. She was an early member of the US Socialist Workers Party, the party formed in the closest collaboration with Trotsky in the years before he became the victim of a Stalinist assassin in 1940. When the SWP repudiated Trotskyism in the early 1960s, Jean and her husband Bill Brust would not accept this betrayal and joined with an opposition inside the party that was loyal to the International Committee. Jean went on to become a founding member of the Workers League, the predecessor of the Socialist Equality Party, and was part of the leadership of the American and world Trotskyist movement until she died. An active participant in the struggle in the early and mid-1980s to defend Trotskyism against the decay and degeneration of its British section, the Workers Revolutionary Party, Jean then witnessed the vindication of Trotskyisms analysis and long struggle against the counterrevolutionary role of Stalinism. At the same time, Jean treated the capitalist triumphalism that followed the dissolution of the Soviet Union with the contempt it deserved. She understood that a new period of revolutionary struggle was inevitable and that the party must prepare for it. Jean Brusts political struggle and contributions are incorporated in the WSWS and the SEP today. For those who are repelled by the crimes of capitalism: the horrific wave of needless deaths from the coronavirus pandemic, the growth of poverty and inequality, and the threat of dictatorship, fascism and war, Jeans life has enormous relevance. It demonstrates both the power of Marxism and what is finest in the revolutionary traditions of the working class. The WSWS has collected a number of essays on the life and political work of Jean Brust. We invite you to see the exhibit: 100 years since the birth of Jean Brust. The terrible societal cost of the Johnson governments herd immunity policy is clearer by the day. After 156,000 Covid fatalities and millions of infections, all indices point to a substantial increase in cases, hospitalisations and deaths. Britain is recording over 33,000 new cases daily, with the 233,594 over the last seven days an increase on the previous weeks 228,938. The UKs current rate of 3,420 cases per million people is higher than those of the United States, Japan, Russia, Turkey, Thailand, France and Iran. Deaths are on the increase, with 115 a day on average, up 15 percent on the previous week. On Tuesday, following the bank holiday weekend, another 32,000 cases and 50 deaths were reported. Hospital admissions are increasing and are approaching 1,000 a day. The governments mantra of learning to live with the virus is a recipe for mass infection and death. The herd immunity agenda was aired again last week when Downing Street let it be known that there would be at least a further 30,000 deaths in the UK over the next year. Prime Minister Boris Johnson would only consider imposing further [Covid-19 safety] restrictions if that figure looked like it could rise above 50,000. Such an outcome, and worse, is more than possible. Cases are surging across the country, fuelled by the highly transmissible Delta variant that has spread like wildfire since the end of all lockdown measures on July 19. In England, the UKs most populous country, the virus is spreading out of control. Sundays Observer newspaper reported figures from the Office for National Statistics which estimated that in the week ending August 20, 756,900 people in Englandone person in 70were infected with Covid-19. It cited the comments of Simon Clarke, associate professor in cellular microbiology at Reading University, who noted, community infections are 26 times more common now than they were a year ago, when the population was unvaccinated and the country was three months into its reopening. Not a single area in the UK has avoided being hit. Every area nationwide is recording more than 100 infections per 100,000 people, with locations in Scotland and Northern Ireland leading the way. The Daily Mail reported, All 10 of the highest Covid infection rates in the past week were in local authorities in Northern Ireland and the Scottish central belt. With the resurgence of Covid fuelled by an explosion of cases among young people, it is no surprise that Scotland and Northern Ireland are now the worst-affected areas as schoolchildren and teachers have been back in classrooms for weeks. In Scotland, the first schools opened as early as August 11, and in Northern Ireland shortly after. On Tuesday and Wednesday, all schools fully reopened in Northern Ireland to another 350,000 children. Hardly any safety measures are in place, with only post-primary pupils in Northern Ireland required to wear masks in class, and only until October 8. Pupils will not have to self-isolate after coming into contact with a coronavirus case if they have tested positive for the virus themselves within the previous 90 days. On Tuesday, Michelle ONeill, Northern Irelands deputy first minister and Sinn Fein Vice President, had to self-isolate after contracting Covid. In Scotland, the situation is, if anything, even worse, with a new record number of daily cases reported four times in the last week. On Tuesday another 6,029 new cases and seven deaths were recorded. In England and Wales, schools reopened this week, also with next to no virus mitigation measures in place. Schools will only have to provide pupils in Year 7 and above with two, widely discredited, lateral flow tests at the start of term. The Daily Mail noted that When 8.9 million children in England went back last September it led to Covid cases spiking four-fold in a month. But that was under conditions in which the Delta variantfar more transmissible that the original wild version of Covidhad not become dominant in the population. As mass infection proceeds, a grave danger is that variants even more devastating than Delta are allowed to develop. According to the i newspaper, a new strain of Delta may have emerged from one of the super-spreader events encouraged by the government last month. 53,000 people were allowed to be packed into the Boardmasters festival in Newquay, England, contributing to a surge in infections and the area now having the most Covid cases in England with more than 2,000 per 100,000 people. The i reported that hospital staff in Devon and Cornwall now refer to the festival variant. It is one of around twelve different strains of Delta already discovered. With no end in sight to the carnage being wrought by the cabal of herd immunity enthusiasts in Downing Street, hostility to the Johnson government is growing. On Monday, #JohnsonOut was the most popular hashtag on Twitter, with nearly 90,000 tweets posted in 24 hours. Many focused on the mass death sanctioned by the government over the last 18 months and the stepping up of attacks on the working class. The tweets give an accurate picture of the sentiment held by millions. Among the comments were those responding to a short video posted by parent Lisa Diaz. Lisa has posted a number of videos in recent daysfocussing on the unsafe return to schoolswhich have received a large viewership. Mondays video, accompanied by the #JohnsonOut hashtag was titled, The British people deserve so much better was a powerful statement denouncing the criminal policy of Johnson. By Tuesday it had been viewed by more than 131,000 people and retweeted over 1,500 times. Liza Diaz speaks out against the Johnson government in a Twiiter video on Monday (credit: Liza Diaz @Sandyboots2020) On August 22, Lisa participated in the online meeting, hosted by the WSWS, For a Global Strategy to Stop the Pandemic and Save Lives . Other tweets read: Im appalled at this Conservatives Gov. They happily left people to die & struggle whilst lining the pockets of their mates. 3.8m taxpayers were left without any financial support during Covid-19 through no fault of their own with 26 known suicides. #JohnsonOut. Not sending my youngest back to school because this bastard government wants to deliberately infect our children with covid, even though there is no herd immunity, only more variants, more deaths, more hospitalizations and cases way out of control! One more day left of August... schools going back soon with mitigations removed. Covid rates far, far higher than this time last year. The government are happy to let the bodies pile high. We need #JohnsonOut We are just monetary figures to the Tories: 'The Governments cost-benefit analysis on Covid measures is believed to set not only the acceptable level of cost to save the life of a Covid patient at up to 30,000, but also how much each life lost costs the UK economy. #JohnsonOut' We have no public health Covid measures in place in England and cases are rising. Schools are due to open. We don't even have to isolate now if we have been in contact with a positive case! And vaccine efficacy is waning. A total disaster is looming. #JohnsonOut A number of people also denounced the comments of Education Secretary Gavin Williamson who said in a column in Mondays Mail after describing the mass return of millions of children and educators to schools as a happy position to be inthat Parents too have a responsibility to make sure that their children are tested regularly. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson (credit: Wikimedia Commons-Kuhlmann/ MSC) One response read, Parents have a responsibility to help prevent 4th wave of Covid-19 when schools reopen next weekWilliamson. As a teacher this makes me f'ing angry. Almost all mitigation requirements scrapped. He & Gov't solely responsible for what's going to happen. #JohnsonOut Amid the worsening pandemic, in the name of protecting the economy, the Tories are escalating their assault on the working class. Johnson confirmed this week that millions of the poorest people who have relied since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis on a 20 weekly uplift in their Universal Credit welfare payment will lose it from October. At the same time, the furlough scheme, under which the government paid a percentage of the wages of a large proportion of those unable to work during the pandemic, will end. The widespread hatred of the government currently finds no organised expression as its polices are supported by the Labour Party and the trade unions, who backed to the hilt the July 19 reopening and the return to schools. Opposition can only be mounted through the mobilisation of the working class, independently of the Labour and union bureaucracy, on a socialist programme for the eradication of the Covid-19 virus. This is the fifth in a series of interviews with UK parents and educators opposed to the reckless reopening of schools. Part 1 is here, Part 2 is here, Part 3 is here and Part 4 is here. We urge all parents, educators and workers seeking to organise opposition to this homicidal policy to join and build the Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committees in the UK and internationally. Helen Clarke, a teacher and parent, spoke to the WSWS about her recent experience of the pandemic. As a parent, Ive spent the summer in a state of almost constant anxiety as cases where I live have skyrocketed and stayed stubbornly high. I knew this would happen when [Prime Minister] Boris Johnson removed all restrictions, but its like living in a bad dream and I just dont know what to do for the best for my family. I have teenagers who are doing GCSE and A level courses. They are in the age group which has consistently had the highest rate of infections ever since schools reopened. We cant home educate them at this stage of their learning and they are young people who need some independence and time with their friends. But neither has had the chance to be fully vaccinated and me and my husband are both clinically vulnerable. I worry about them getting sick. I worry about one of us getting sick. Last year was stressful, getting through each week, each term safely. But schools have never been fully open with infection rates this high before. And Delta is the dominant strain. And no masks. Its madness. They can wear a mask but no one else will be. Living in the UK is like a nightmare you cant wake up from. After fighting for the safety of herself and her colleagues at work, Helen was victimised by her school employers and abandoned by her trade union. Im also a teacher. As a union rep in my school, I was victimised early on in the pandemic for raising health and safety concerns and lost my job as a result. The union let me down badly and this summer has been like a re-run of last summer. The top leadership has said and done nothing all summer except issuing grovelling thanks for a handful of C02 monitors which will only tell us what we already know: that UK classrooms are overcrowded, poorly ventilated death-traps on which action should have been taken well over a year ago. Meanwhile the union itself continues to peddle the governments lies that Covid doesnt really affect children, in spite of 1,000 hospital admissions a month and a significant number of deaths. Their own members, hundreds of whom have died, dont seem to matter. Schools and colleges are now the only workplace in which women are not able to work from home from the 28th week of pregnancy onwards. Many are not vaccinated because until recently they were advised against it by health professionals. Pregnant women are getting very sick and dying here as a result. Im appalled to see women, children and families being treated in this way. Asked about the August 22 online meeting For a global strategy to stop the pandemic and save lives, hosted by the WSWS, Helen said, The online meeting was an excellent opportunity to hear honestly and clearly from some of the best scientists from all over the world. Professor Michael Baker, who advises the New Zealand government, really made it clear that what they and some other countries have done was to follow the advice of WHO [the World Health Organisation] and the example of how an elimination strategy worked in Wuhan. He just assumed everyone would read the WHO report from Wuhan and follow an elimination strategy. The shocking thing is that the rest of the world didnt bother. Lisa spoke for all of us when she explained how dangerous UK schools are and how frightening it is to be a parent or educator here at the moment. The virus is being allowed to run rampant, all mitigations have been removed and anyone who keeps their child away from school faces fines, welfare visits to their homes and threats of social services or court action. This is the real danger to our mental health, as well as the danger of the virus to our physical health. Its a constant source of stress and anxiety. Daniella Modos-Cutter is a parent and one of the founders of the SafeEdForAll (Safe Education For All) website and blog. She told the WSWS, My son is clinically vulnerable and hasnt been to school since March 2020. I will not play Russian roulette with his life. Im also immunocompromised. Ive been campaigning for well over a year for safety mitigations in schools. Daniella and her son We are opening schools without any mitigations except hand washing for an airborne virus and no isolation for close contacts. Johnson has issued the policies to suit the minority with libertarian ideologies, not the many. He is running a hybrid herd immunity plan to protect the vulnerable but run Covid through the younger population as fast as he can, even though Johnson knows 8 percent of children suffer from Long Covid and the Delta variant is more dangerous to them. Its now basically the kids Covid gamble. Daniella described The unions inaction to protect their workers and children in schools as scandalous. Im unsure what can be done other than refuse to send children into school until mitigations are put in place. [There should be] universal mask wearing unless exempt, social distancing even if thats through half the children staying home and the other half attending in-person learning. Remote learning should be offered to all who wish to keep their children home and not risk infection, without the threats of fines and being referred to social services. There should be HEPA filtration and CO2 monitors and vaccinate children who are eligible for the vaccine 12 years old and over. We must vaccinate and mitigate against the harms of Covid in children. Having attended the August 22 WSWS online meeting, Daniella said, I found it very informative, and it cemented my decision that I was doing 100 percent the right thing not sending my child [to school] in September. Ive kept him home since March 2020 and I wont risk his life or future health in any way. In my opinion we are not in the 1900s anymore, you can pick up education at any point in your life. Whats the point in education if youre dead or disabled through Long Covid? Im disabled with multiple health problems, three autoimmune conditionsI would not wish it on my worst enemy. I agreed with Dr Gasperowicz. We need schools to stay closed until there is minimal community transmission and vaccinate and continue with public health measures. The meeting showed that the scientists have really cared about childrens health. On the political situation, Daniella commented, Parents and educators confront governments who have populist leaders who wont make the hard decisions for the greater good and bow to big businesses pressure instead of the need for public health. Sending children back to school I believe is purely economical, getting parents in work and working more hours even though this will be a false economy as it will end up in a lockdown in the UK. We are going to see a huge wave of infection, Long Covid and deaths in the UK, and I hate to say it but this time its a pandemic of the children. I fear they will take the brunt of this, especially under-12s as they cant have a vaccine. I think Rank-and-File Safety Committees are a good idea and need to be done as the unions are not proactive but reactive. Kids health and lives are being risked as well as teachers lives. Workers from the Faurecia plants on Gladstone Avenue in Columbus, Indiana, and Michigan Avenue in Saline, Michigan, west of Detroit denounced forced overtime and horrific working conditions during the scorching hot weather conditions over the past two weeks. Management is pushing workers past the limit of endurance, demanding continuous 80- and 84-hour weeks with no regard for the life-threatening heat with no air conditioning in the factories. Notice of Faurecia Heat Stress Prevention protocols posted in the Gladstone plant in Columbus, Indiana Company posters at both plants demand 11- and 12-hour days from every line every day in the imperious tone of petty dictators and the unions in both shops. The UAW at Saline and the IBEW at Gladstone have nothing to say about it. Moreover, the companys posted Reaction Rules, Heat Stress Reduction are insulting and inadequate. On the contrary, the companys guidelines represent a prescription for heat stroke, seizures and death under the present conditions. The rules call for five-minute breaks when the heat index rises above 91 F (32.7 C) and 10-minute breaks when it rises to between 104 F (40 C) and 114 F (45.5 C). At between 115 F (46 C) and 124 F (51 C), the company allows 15-minute breaks each hour, when there are none scheduled, and an extra five minutes when a break is scheduled during an hour of work. Work will not stop until the heat index rises above 125 F (51.6 C). The Marine Corps treated us better, a worker told the World Socialist Web Site. They stopped all operations at 110 F (43 C). That shows that the Marines cared more about us than the businesses do. Adding insult to injury the company bases their punishing calculations on temperature checks at locations in the factory, which have the lowest ambient temperatures. Operating machinery and welding booths, which comprise the majority of the shop floor are notoriously much hotter. In a note in fine print at the bottom of the announcement, the company adopts the tone of a master addressing a slave, or a serf, Employees are allowed covered drink containers where the surface which contacts your mouth are [sic] covered when not in use (i.e., pop bottles with screw caps) at their work site. The companys published guidelines represent a flagrant repudiation of comparable guidelines published by the American Medical Association. The company is guilty of placing the health and well-being, even the lives, of employees at risk. Moreover, it is threatening those who refuse these conditions with dismissal. After five 12 hour days, Faurecia Saline plant announced an additional 20 hours of mandatory overtime this past Saturday and Sunday On the contrary, when the heat index stands between 90 F (32 C) and 103 F (39 C), the AMA calls for extreme caution because the effect on the body can be Heat stroke, heat cramps, heat exhaustion possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity. And working mandatory overtime in an overheated factory represents an extreme combination of both prolonged exposure and physical activity. What Faurecia considers acceptable working conditions, the AMA refers to with one word, DANGER! The effect of a heat index between 103 F (39 C) and 124 F (51 C) is Heat cramps or heat exhaustion likely, and heat stroke possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity. In the middle of a mandatory 80-hour workweek, a worker from the Saline plant 40 miles west of Detroit told the World Socialist Web Site, This is horrible. I hurt all over, and I have to be back there at 5 oclock tomorrow morning. She went on to denounce the inhuman conditions. The company gives us packets of dry Gatorade, but we have to buy the bottled water, she said. Her co-worker from Columbus, Indiana, who is member of the Faurecia Rank-and-File Committee, said, At 5:00 a.m. last Tuesday, I saw an ambulance taking somebody out of the plant, most likely from heat exhaustion. We had only four heat breaks all week, maybe five. They never slow production to allow workers time to walk to the break rooms and back to the line. There is always the threat to get back on the line or get written up. The speed-up is non-stop. Workers are reporting all the classic symptoms associated with heat fatigue and heat stroke: cramps, headaches, disorientation and nausea, but the union does nothing about it. They do time studies to get the maximum number of parts from every minute of work, commented another Rank-and-File Committee member from the Saline plant. But they wont study how long it takes to get a drink of water on a hot day. The breaks stay the same. In fact, since Faurecia took over in 2012, he continued, the UAW gave up personal break time. The union is not coming down the line to enforce water breaks and cooling down time. Any medical association will tell you that you can drink water, but you also need bathroom breaks and time for cooling down. They say they encourage safety and hydration, he said. We need to challenge these claims. I have seen four and five ambulances at a time carrying workers out of that plant. Breaks have been cut to the absolute bare minimum because they want to squeeze people for as much as they can get. Even under the companys wholly inadequate guidelines, the supervisors are responsible to extend break times based on the rise in the heat index, but they do not do it. The unions have completely abdicated any of the traditional functions of protecting the safety of workers on the job. Today the unions function as another arm of corporate management to apply pressure on the workers to extract the last ounce of profit from their labor. When a worker is a minute late to a job assignment, he or she gets written up. But when a planner at the Gladstone plant wrote incorrect job assignments last week that produced a parts shortage, the day shift had to work three hours overtime for three days straight to make up for the planners mistake. Without a rank-and-file committee monitoring safety conditions, workers have no way of knowing what hazards they are being subjected to. The World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter encourages workers to send us reports on conditions in your plants. To learn more about building a rank-and-file committee, write to autoworkers@wsws.org. Astonishment, outrage, and solidarity. These were the initial reactions of workers at Dana Inc.-owned Spicer Gelenkwellenbau Ltd.s (GWB) Plant One in the German city of Essen upon hearing of the working conditions their 4,000 colleagues in the United States are fighting. Dana workers in Essen, Germany (WSWS Media) Dana workers are engaged in a fight not only against the multi-national auto parts maker but also against the United Auto Workers and United Steelworkers union, which have agreed to a contract that further intensifies the exploitative working conditions, including unacceptably long hours and poverty-level wages. With the assistance of the World Socialist Web Site, the workers have formed the Dana Workers Rank-and-File Committee (DWRFC) to lead the fight for the defeat of the rotten agreement and the overturning of years of union-backed concessions. A WSWS reporting team distributed the statement by the DWRFC in front of the Essen GWB plant prior to the beginning of the early shift and returned to speak to workers during the afternoon shift change. The German workers were particularly shocked over the 84-hour work week their US counterparts were subjected to. Thats outrageous, one said. Several workers who spoke to the campaigners agreed that their brothers and sisters in the US had to be supported. Dominik read the statement from the American workers during the break and discussed it with colleagues. We were all very surprised, 12 hours a day, seven days a week, thats out of order. I wouldnt do it. But the colleagues there dont have a choice. And they obviously earn far too little. Its an outrage, everyone here sees that. At Dana in Germany, workweeks are 40 hours or at most 48 hours long, an obviously nervous representative of management who appeared at the plant gates assured the SEP campaigners. In reality, workloads in Essen are extremely high. Three years ago, when workers were protesting as part of the bargaining round overseen by the IG Metall trade union, a 53-year-old worker who had worked at the Essen plant for 30 years told the local newspaper WAZ that pressure in the factory to work was considerable. We work 40 to 48 hours per week. You dont have much time left for the family, said the worker. Having three or four days off did not make it any better. Workers were less motivated to protest by the demand for higher wages than they were by the call for reduced working hours. In the auto and parts industries, a brutal global process of restructuring and concentration is taking place at the expense of the workers. This month, the global supplier Faurecia took over the parts supplier Hella. Dominik said, I wouldnt even get out of bed for an 80-hour week and low wages. But in the United States they apparently have to. And certainly, if conditions here were the same as in the United States, I would hope we would be supported too, he commented. Lieven directed a message of solidarity to his American colleagues. I read about what is going on there. I must say that its a heap of crap. I hope the colleagues keep their heads up and that everything turns out well for them. GWB was founded in 1946 and has produced drive shafts at two locations in Essen since 1964. Currently, around 500 workers are employed there. At Plant One, drive shafts for trucks, rail carriages, ships and industrial equipment are manufactured and mounted. Plant Two manufactures special heavy-duty drive shafts for industrial settings. GWB became part of Dana Corporation in 2000. Dana is a global parts supplier headquartered in Maumee, Ohio. Its 38,000 workers at 33 plants on six continents produced a turnover of $7.1 billion last year. Dominik, Lieven and many others with whom we spoke found it difficult to believe that their colleagues in the United States are working in conditions akin to the 19th century. But workers in the United States 40 years ago would also never have imagined it in their worst nightmares. This is why their struggle is the struggle of all autoworkers and parts workers worldwideat Dana, in the auto and parts industries and in all other sectors. Like all multinational corporations, Dana and the unions will attempt to play workers off against each other. Successful attacks by the company in the United States or elsewhere will be used to demand concessions from workers in other countries. This procedure is already well known in Germany. As in every country, it is organized in Germany by the trade unions like IG Metall, which has close relations with the UAW and USW. The initiative taken by the Dana workers in the United States to organize independently of the unions in a rank-and-file committee is the first step in a common and globally coordinated struggle against the multinational corporations and the capitalist profit system. To take that fight forward, the International Committee of the Fourth International has called for the formation of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees, or IWA-RFC. To get more information and to join the Dana Workers Rank-and-File Committee, email us at DanaWRFC@gmail.com or text (248) 6020936. The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in Sri Lanka held a lively online meeting last Thursday to discuss the socialist and internationalist policies required to combat COVID-19. SEP (Sri Lanka) online meeting (WSWS Media) The meeting, which was held on August 26, attracted almost 200 people with about 150 joining the event, along with dozens more watching on the partys Facebook page. Listeners attended from across Sri Lanka as well as India, France, the Middle East and several other places around the world. The video has so far been viewed by more than 1,200 people. SEP political committee member Prageeth Aravinda chaired the meeting, pointing out that the catastrophic situation facing millions of people around the world was a result of the ruling classes placing profits above human lives. The International Committee of the Fourth Internationals description of the pandemic as a trigger event arising from the contradictions of the capitalist system had been confirmed, he said, noting the new wave of working-class struggles emerging around the world. Workers, however, he said, had to break from their treacherous leaderships, and all bourgeois ideologies, in order to fight the pandemic on the basis of a socialist perspective. Dr. Kamal Mahagama who spoke on behalf of the Health Workers Action Committee (HWAC), provided the meeting with a scientific analysis of the surging pandemic and the criminal response of the governments everywhere. His report was enriched with information and remarks made during the August 22 international online discussion, For a Global Strategy to Stop the Pandemic and Save Lives! hosted by the World Socialist Web Site. Using data charts from Johns Hopkins University, Mahagama pointed out that Sri Lankas current death rate for the coronavirus rate is ten times worse than India. He explained that the so-called herd immunity and mitigation methods adopted by governments around the world were based on the profit motive and that these strategies were shown to be deadly. The bodies of COVID-19 victims placed on hospital stretchers in Sri Lanka (Source: Facebook) The WSWSs conclusion that the eradication of the pandemic was the only viable perspective was absolutely correct, he said. We, as health workers, can never agree with the inhumane and deadly policy of living with the pandemic. Using graphs to compare the possible outcome of the various methods of pandemic control, he concluded that if we made a scientific effort to control the pandemic completely, it could be completely eradicated within two weeks. This required proper public health measures with a complete lockdown and vaccination of the entire population. SEP Political Committee member and IYSSE convenor Kapila Fernando explained that the re-opening of schools in many countries had led to increasing death rates among children worldwide. He said that the government had refused to expand facilities for online education to cover all students in the country. The Rajapakse government is shifting the burden of the pandemic entirely onto the working class, whilst providing every opportunity for the big capitalists to maximise their profits, he said. Reviewing the ongoing struggle by Sri Lankan teachers, he called on teachers to break from the unions, which were preparing for another betrayal, and join the Educators Action Committee established by the SEP. SEP Assistant National Secretary Deepal Jayasekera gave the main report, emphasising that COVID-19 could not be eradicated in a single country and that a global effort was required. The international working class must therefore take up the task of mobilising and coordinating global resources to fight the pandemic, he said. Like his counterparts around the world, President Rajapakse has said that the people must understand the reality and live with the virus, the speaker said. This meant workers had to keep working in unsafe conditions, at the expense of their own lives and the lives of their children and loved ones, to generate profits for the capitalists. Jayasekera explained how the capitalist rulers everywherefrom Biden in the US, Boris Johnson in the UK and Modi in Indiawere moving to lift the limited existing restrictions to fully reopen the capitalist economy. In Sri Lanka the garment industry is defined as an essential service because it generates huge profits for the capitalists, and so it is operating without any hindrance, he said. It is the working class, not the bourgeoisie that must decide the essential services that must be operated during the pandemic, he added. The speaker said the Rajapakse regime was preparing dictatorial forms of rule to deal with workers now entering the struggle. Reviewing the role of unions, and their unwavering support for the government, he said workers had to take control of their struggles by building action committees in every workplace. Sri Lankan workers could only fight the worsening pandemic and the repressive methods of the Rajapakse government by fighting for socialist policies in solidarity with the working class in the region and globally. Jayasekera concluded by urging participants to study the International Committee of the Fourth Internationals analysis and program and joining the SEP to take forward the fight for socialism. Dr. Mahagama was asked several questions during the meetings discussion period. He explained that it was essential to shut down all non-essential industries and impose a full lockdown in order to eradicate COVID-19 pandemic. There should be no limit on the resources used to improve the overall health facilities but this is not possible without the working class seizing those resources from the capitalists, he said. SEP General Secretary Wije Dias participated in the discussion, noting the overwhelming audience response to Dr. Mahagamas report and placing it in a broader context. This showed how the working people, are keenly interested in a real scientific exposition of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Global capitalism operates in complete defiance of scientific explanations in order to defend its profit interests. Capitalism in crisis has become hostile to science, he said. Dias said that capitalism, which previously developed science in opposition to feudal mysticism and for the progress of humanity, was now in its highest final stage in the form of imperialism and that its promotion of genuine science had turned into its opposite. In the present period in history, he continued, the sciences can flourish only when combined with the historic interests of the working class which are opposed to the barbaric profit demands of the bourgeoisie. This has been amply revealed during the pandemic crisis. Dias quoted the last passage of Friedrich Engelss pamphlet Feuerbach and the End of Classical German Philosophy to explain the point. As Engels said: The more ruthlessly and disinterestedly science proceeds the more it finds itself in harmony with the interests and aspirations of the workers. The new tendency [Marxism], which recognised that the key to the understanding of the whole history of society lies in the history of the development of labour, from the outset addressed itself by preference to the working class and here found the response which it neither sought nor expected from officially recognised science. Dias continued: The public response to our meeting here, as well as the global response for WSWS online meeting on August 22, vindicates the perspective outlined by Engels The mantra equally repeated by Rajapakse government and all sections of the bourgeoisie and all its lackeys in the left, to justify murderous policies of the capitalist rule, is that Sri Lanka is a poor country and so it cannot afford to lockdown economic activities. All of them cover up the fact that the rich capitalist countries are no less reluctant to close down production despite deaths running into multi-millions and that it is the capitalist-imperialist system that they represent and cling onto which is responsible for the poverty that exists in the former colonial world. While arguing for the above position, the pseudo-lefts support all the anti-working-people attacks waged by the Rajapakse government, including cuts in social welfare benefits to the rural poor. But they keep mum on the spending of over $4 billion a year in debt servicing to foreign banks. They are completely silent about the multi-million tax concessions and cash subsidies paid to the large employers. In opposition to all the pro-capitalist parties, the SEP raises the demands to abrogate all re-payment of foreign loans and to establish a sliding scale of tax increases for the rich, Dias said. The speaker stressed that eradication of COVID-19 depended on the working class winning political power. He concluded by pointing out that the SEP would take the initiative in politically educating workers in all key sectors of the economy and amongst the youth, such as universities. What is required, he said, is to build the SEP as a mass revolutionary party to fight for a workers and peasants government in Sri Lanka, as part of a federation of Socialist States of South Asia and internationally. During a Republican Party fundraiser held August 26 in Memphis, Tennessee, Governor Tate Reeves of Mississippi addressing a group standing shoulder to shoulder, said, Im often asked by some of my friends on the other side of the aisle regarding COVID and why does it seem like both in Mississippi and maybe in the mid-South people are a little less scared, shall we say? This provocative question could have been answered with the frank admission that politicians like himself, who promote anti-scientific quackery, belittle vaccination and public health measures and appeal to ignorance and religious bigotry, are largely responsible. Instead, he attributed the seeming lack of concern over coronavirus to the religious belief in the afterlife: When you believe in eternal life, when you believe that living on this earth is but a blip on the screen, then you dont have to be scared of things. Richard Elardi, RN, right, and Cameron Clark, RN, left, walk through the Emergency Department at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass, Ore. (Mike Zacchino/KDRV via AP, Pool) Then, apparently realizing he was saying something so offensive it might backfire on him politically, he quickly added, Now, God also tells us to take necessary precautions. And we all have opportunities and abilities to do that, and we should all do that. I encourage everyone to do so. He proceeded to affirm optimistically that case rates and hospitalizations in his state were finally holding steady and fully vindicated his persistent opposition to imposing the most meager measure to contain the pandemic, including mask or vaccine mandates. Actually, Governor Reeves is presently presiding over a state that last week not only registered the highest rate of new cases of COVID-19 per capita in the country, it was also the pandemic hotspot of the world. If Mississippi were a separate country, it would lead every other nation on this planet in new infections per capita. As the graph below, obtained from the Mississippi public health website demonstrates, the numbers of new cases and patients in ICUs and on ventilators are the highest in the pandemic. The state also has the lowest vaccination rate, with 37.7 percent of the population fully vaccinated. Notablyand this is directly connectedthe median household income in the state is also the lowest in the country, highlighting the tremendous poverty that plagues the population. The upward acceleration in new COVID-19 cases across Mississippi commenced with the start of the school year in the latter half of July. In the first week of August, just two weeks into the school year, 69 outbreaks were reported across some districts, affecting at least 1,000 students and over 300 teachers and staff who tested positive for COVID-19. Yet the Delta variant was given free rein despite alarms raised by public health officials. COVID-19 hospitalization trends reported by Mississippi hospitals as of August 23, 2021 In the week of August 16-20, there were 386 COVID-19 outbreaks out of 835 schools reporting across 75 of 82 counties. In total, the Department of Health tallied 704 coronavirus outbreaks since the start of the school year. Close to 12,000 students have tested positive for COVID-19, and over 30,000 staff, teachers, and students have been quarantined. Against the governors wishes, the Mississippi State Board of Education, in the face of an out-of-control pandemic, provided school districts options for a combination of in-person and virtual instructions until October 31. They also remarked that when they meet again in October, they could extend the date. Last Wednesday, a sixth student died from COVID-19 complications. As the Mississippi Free Press noted, As many Mississippi children have died of COVID-19 over the past month as died during the first 16 months of the pandemic combined. The latest victim was under five years old. What consoling words would Governor Reeves offer these grieving parents? The current massive surge of infections has also taken an immense toll on the health care sector and not just in Mississippi but across the entire South, where the impact has been felt most heavily of any region in the United States. Many health care professionals are quitting due to the persistent post-traumatic stress they have faced in seeing countless deaths. Nicole Atherton, a Mississippi ICU nurse, recently resigned due to the stress caused by the overwhelming number of young people who have inundated hospitals only to die after their bitter struggle. She told CNN , It looks heroic, but thats not what it is. Its sweaty and hard and chaotic and bloody. And its hard to live in this every day and then go home and live a normal life. Other nurses have told the media that the most challenging part has been seeing patients in the prime of their lives quickly cut down, leaving behind their bewildered children asking where mommy or daddy is? Lacy Lancaster, a registered nurse at Ocean Springs Hospital near Biloxi, who works in the ICU, explained that many colleagues are crying and putting themselves down. They are angry and, at the same time, terribly saddened. According to the states hospital association, 2,000 nurses have quit since the beginning of the year, leading to a massive staff shortage that adds to the health sectors strain. There are approximately 875 staffed ICU beds across the state. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, almost all are used, and more than 63 percent are occupied with COVID-19 patients. Staff vacancies also mean underutilization of available resources. Even if a hospital had available beds and equipment, a lack of trained personnel to care for patients effectively reduces capacity. For instance, nearly 30 percent of the 500 beds at Singing River hospital are empty because there are 169 unfilled nursing positions. Those nurses on the job are overworked and exhausted, meaning that the potential for errors is compounded, leading to unintended injuries and deaths. Given these figures, Governor Reevess claim of case rates and hospitalizations having reached stability needs context. As one physician had observed, stability may mean saturation. Dead people, too, are stable. If state numbers are stable, it may be due to the recent halting of in-person classes and placing people under quarantine, which can mitigate the community spread and has little to do with a religious conviction that God has miraculously intervened. Perhaps Reeves, in the style of a preacher shrieking about hellfire and damnation, should have cited the Afghanistan disaster, mass evictions, and hurricanes striking New Orleans, along with COVID-19, as the arrival of the proverbial four horsemen of the Apocalypse, and urged his flock to rely on God and not the government to keep them safe. While wrapping himself in the cloak of religion, however, the governor is serving very earthly social interests. It is the capitalist class, not any heavenly deity, that is demanding that schools and businesses stay open so they can continue to amass profits and increase their wealth. It is the capitalist class that has systematically run down the social infrastructure of Mississippi to the point that neither the health system nor the schools can meet the needs of the population. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is pressing ahead with a full reopening of public schools for hundreds of thousands of unvaccinated children in the largest school district in the United States on September 13. The progressive Democratic mayor is opening schools as COVID-19 cases rise in the city, state and around the US and the world. Pre-K students arrive for the school day at Phyl's Academy, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) Behind de Blasio is the entire political establishment. No Democratic or Republican official in the city or state, no corporate media outlet and no union opposes the reopening of school buildings for over a million students. On the contrary, all of these forces are actively promoting this criminal policy. The United Federation of Teachers (UFT), which claims to represent over 70,000 teachers in the city, has been paying educators to go door-to-door and encourage parents to send their children to physical school buildings. Some Democratic politicians and organizations are seeking to quell the explosive anger of millions of parents and teachers with the bait of a remote option, which will permit parents to keep children home and resume remote learning if they choose. The Democratic Party and the unions are determined to block collective action, including an educator-parent strike, which would encourage similar actions across the country. They are using the remote option as a steam valve to encourage those opposed to the school openings to make an individual decision to keep their children home. Parents who cannot afford to stay home with children or who do not understand the science behind the spread of the coronavirus, will still be sending their children to school. Given the considerable economic pressures that parents are under to return to work, under a remote option, disease and death will again disproportionately impact the poorest layers of the working class. On Friday, three Democratic members of Congress, Adriano Espaillat, Grace Meng and Jamaal Bowman (who is associated with the Democratic Socialists of America [DSA]) wrote in an opinion piece for the Daily News that it is our hope that in the next few weeks, constructive discussion and consideration continue on behalf of families whogiven the legitimate and known concerns about COVID-19, the delta variant, and students who are not yet able to be vaccinateddeserve flexibility, and to have a remote option available to them as our children head back to the classroom. The Movement of Rank-and-File Educators (MORE), a caucus in the UFT that is associated with the DSA, has also called for a remote option along with others in the union. Given the advocacy of Bowman and MORE for a parent choice in returning children to school, one would expect the DSA flagbearer in Congress, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to promote a minimal mitigation measure such as the remote option. Nothing doing. On Thursday, in what has without doubt been one of the filthiest displays by the DSA of its subservience to the Wall Street program of reopening schools, an unmasked Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez surrounded by her unmasked staff, handed out 1,500 backpacks to children at a return to face-to-face learning event in the Bronx. The Bronx is the poorest urban county in the United States and one of the most under-vaccinated in the northeast. Everyones ready to rock this upcoming school year, the Congresswoman told the media. Will these children rock when they are in an ICU ward, or when they are unable to focus for a few minutes or even draw simple figures because they have contracted Long COVID? Even more disgusting was Ocasio-Cortezs posting on her Facebook page where she framed the event as a part of a series of progressive causes designed to help the working class, including alleviating the economic disaster to many families in her district from the pandemic. It said, Along with the backpacks, Team AOC and our partners are providing parents and community members with vital information about our Homework Helpers program, vaccinations, and pandemic relief resources. The reality is that the Democratic Partys school reopening program in New Yorkincluding the constrained debate over a so-called remote optionwill cause a massive spread of infection and death. Last week, de Blasios Department of Education (DOE) released a school opening plan that outlines what mitigation efforts it will implement to supposedly reduce the spread of the disease among students and staff. This back-to-school program, bizarrely named Homecoming, calls for a series of wholly inadequate mitigation measures, which will not stop the schools from becoming super-spreader locations as they have been in districts that have already opened around the country. Under Vaccination, the plan mandates that educators must, provide proof that they have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination by September 27, 2021. In other words, educators and school staff can be unvaccinated for the first two weeks of school, ample time to contract and spread the disease. We also strongly encourage vaccination for all students 12 and over, the plan continues. That is, vaccination is not required for students who are eligible, the only exception being for students who engage in high-risk sports. Scientists have pointed out that vaccinated adults can also carry and spread the highly infectious Delta variant, which now makes up 98.8 percent of the cases in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Under Testing, the plan says, every school will have ten percent of unvaccinated individuals who have submitted consent forms tested biweekly. This is an even lower percentage than the highly inadequate 20 percent that were tested monthly during the last school year. Under Social Distancing, the DOEs guideline does not mandate social distancing between students, but merely quotes the CDCs recommendations that a three-foot distance between students is desirable. The DOE knows it will be impossible to keep children this distance between themselves in the crowded conditions of New York City classrooms. It that regard the plan points to the most dangerous suggestions of the CDC, written by the Trump and Biden administrations, which declares, It is important to note that the CDC emphasizes that schools should not exclude students from in-person learning to keep a minimum distance requirement. Under Personal Protective Equipment, the plan says all children and staff will wear masks on campus. The DOE does not specify the quality of mask to be used, and notes that masks can be removed in lunchrooms during meals. The guideline does not address the fact that the likelihood of younger children keeping their masks on throughout the rest of the day is slim. As for Quarantining, the plan says children under 12 who test positive for COVID-19 will quarantine for 10 days. Children over 12 who are unvaccinated will do the same, the DOE continues. Vaccinated children are excluded from quarantining despite the fact that vaccinated individuals may carry high viral loads. The DOEs plan says nothing about tracing the community contacts that a child has had when he or she tests positive or if parents, siblings and grandparents will be tested. Under School Shutdowns, classrooms can be shut down for 10 days when a child in the room tests positive for COVID-19. Other students will quarantine for 10 days. The DOEs plan does not make it clear if these students will be tested. The DOE does admit that whole schools may be shut down because of widespread infection as they have been throughout the pandemic. There is no provision for a systemwide shutdown if the citys positivity rate for those tested for the coronavirus reaches a certain threshold. Regarding Remote Learning, only immunocompromised children (but not immunocompromised educators) or children who are quarantined may learn remotely. The DOE has issued no plan on how this will take place. It is not clear, for example, if students will have their regular teachers or substitute teachers instructing them. On Ventilation, the DOE plan calls for two HEPA purifiers in each room and larger units in cafeterias. Recent examination in the media and independent testing has revealed that the Intellipure model of air purifiers sold to the DOE by Delos may be toward the bottom of the rung in efficacy for air circulation in classrooms. One expert called them, better than nothing. Publicly available data analyzed by WNYC/Gothamist found that 1,500 city public classrooms still need repairs to be adequately ventilated by the time school starts. The news outlet noted that an education department spokesperson didnt confirm but pledged all rooms would be ready in time. De Blasios school reopening plan and the support it has gotten from the UFT and its parent organization, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), has sparked widespread anger among educators and parents. Not a day goes by when Facebook and twitter are not filled with sharp comments by New York City teachers at the lying statements of AFT President Randi Weingarten. When news came out that de Blasio would allow the limited remote instruction for children who are quarantined when they test positive, Weingarten tweeted Good It made no sense for DeBlasio to keep blocking a remote option Glad parents and @uft fought for it. One city educator responded, Uh is this some other @rweingarten commenting because youve been calling for every single kid to return to school in person all damn summer?! You are the biggest hypocrite right now!! Are you kidding me?! Ever greater numbers of educators, parents and young people are coming into conflict with the whole political establishment, including the unions, which is determined to get children into school in order to send their parents back to work to produce corporate profits. We encourage teachers and other school employees, as well as concerned parents, to join the New York City Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee. The committee is fighting for a policy not for the mitigation but the eradication of the deadly virus. This requires the closure of schools and non-essential business and the provision of full income protection, combined with universal testing and contact tracing, social distancing and masking, and a vast expansion of vaccinations globally. With the deadly fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic well under way in Canada, the World Socialist Web Site spoke with a nurse in Ontario about the terrible working conditions she has confronted since the virus first emerged in 2020. A nurse with over 20 years of experience, Tammy explained how health care workers are suffering under the strain of punishing workloads and lengthy shifts and spoke of their mounting anger with the political establishment. Asked how her working conditions have changed since the onset of COVID-19, Tammy said, The first wave was not that bad. Shifts and workplace assignments were not altered. We worked our eight-hour shifts. I felt appreciated, people would come in and thank us. But the second and third waves were very different. Workers were called back from holidays. They shut down operating rooms, day surgeries, outpatient clinics and redeployed everyone. The demands placed upon nurses grew. They would, explained Tammy, reassign people who worked in a clinic (i.e., diabetes) and put them on units like critical care. Some who had not done hands-on patient care in over 20 years were now put into a new role. Nurses were also transferred back to shiftwork. The 12 hour shifts really upset many nurses. This led to nurses having to request accommodations to remain on day shifts. It was very onerous. Lots of paperwork was created. Every nurse was affected by these changes. To this day nurses who were reassigned to areas like ICU or critical care are still there. Health care workers protest against Ontario Premier Doug Ford's wage-cutting Bill 124 (Facebook/ONA) For many nurses the second wave marked a turning point in their careers. Tammy recalls, Many of the older experienced managers retired and some cashed out their pensions early. The new managers were more confrontational. They began micromanaging us and watching us with suspicion. She continued, We had incidents where managers would have nurses remove the bonnets off our heads, saying that we were wasting supplies. We were very short of supplies, of N95s. They would only allow you to wear one if you were going into a room where CPR was being administered. The supplies were removed from supply shelves and put on carts to be rationed. You had to sign out supplies and provide a reason why you were taking them. The chronic lack of supplies was just one expression of the failure of the ruling elite, in Canada and internationally, to prepare for a pandemic that was both foreseeable and foreseen. Health care systems around the world have been ravaged by decades of cuts and pro-business austerity programs. According to estimates, over 100,000 medical workers have lost their lives globally while battling COVID-19. Tammy touched on this, remarking, They spent all this money on TV monitors that would tell us how low our supplies were. Did we forget we had SARS! They should have learned something! Tammy drew attention to the years of health care spending austerity imposed by federal Liberal and Conservative governments and Ontario governments headed by all three major parties, including the union-based New Democratic Party. She also explained her fear that the pandemic and its economic fallout could be used to justify further major cuts to health care provision. Our hospital system is running out of room, she said. The hospitals we build, the extensions we put onto them are not keeping up with the demand when they are completed. We are always behind. Its never enough. People are in makeshift rooms; they are in the hallways. There is no room for people who must stay overnight. In Brampton for example they have one hospital for a population of almost one million people, she added. How is this possible? And if you decide that if you live in Brampton and you will go to Mississauga, those hospitals are overcrowded as well. So, you go to the hospital in Georgetown and that small hospital is overcrowded too. Same problem in Oakville, and St. Catherines. They are not investing in health care. The government talks about investing all this money, but I dont see where its going to come from. The only thing I can see is a lot of cuts coming to clinics and outpatient care. Nurses are leaving the profession in droves. Mental health has become a huge issue. When people are injured, or are high on drugs, or have cut their wrists, where do you think they go? They come to the hospital, Tammy commented. We are the front line. When the cop leaves, its just us in there with the patient. COVID-19 has made all these social problems worse. Tammy added, Nurses are taking leave, retiring early, or going back to school to pursue entirely different careers. Nurses are burnt out. The negative impact on patient care has been devastating. In a recent CBC interview, Dr. Raghu Venugopal, a Toronto emergency physician, said hes seen three nurses care for up to 25 patients at a time. On a recent shift, he witnessed a man have a seizure without any privacy while other patients, including a small child, watched in shock. He explained, The nursing shortage is absolutely brutal. Tammys personal experience underscores that these horrendous conditions are far from exceptional. There should be no more than four patients per nurse, she told the WSWS. We are responsible for knowing the patients chart inside out. I have been on a shift where two nurses have had to care for up to fifteen patients. When one of us goes on break, the other nurse must take care of all fifteen patients. There is no way that I can possibly know who all my patients are. I only have two hands. Its like Im drowning in the ocean, and I can only save one child! Who do I choose to save first? The pressure produced by increased workloads, understaffing, and inadequate supplies has led to a drastic deterioration in workplace relations. Tammy stated, When you walk into the department the tension is so high it feels like the air is thick and you cant even breathe. Everyone is on edge; you dont know how to act. You dont know if you can say anything, or if you can crack a joke because everyone is just on edge. The reason morale is so low is because there is no respect anymore, no one knows whats going on, we are never told anything, they just throw all these nurses into the lions den. They are not ready for the situation they are put in. They have burnt out all the nurses everywhere in every department. No one is happy. To add insult to injury, with its Bill 124, Ontarios Doug Ford-led Conservative government has capped salary increases for nursesand all provincial public sector workersat just 1 percent per year. The trade unions, including those representing health care workers, refused to wage any struggle against this outrageous attack, which imposed an effective pay cut on over one million Ontario public sector workers. Meanwhile, Ford and Justin Trudeaus federal Liberals have doled out hundreds of billions in pandemic subsidies and stimulus to big business and the financial elite with virtually no strings attached. We appreciate the Tim Hortons commercials of how we are all in this together, but why do we always have to fight for raises? asked Tammy. Nursing is always underfunded and is dominated by women. A lot of nurses are single moms. Nursing is a dangerous occupation. We deal with violent people. Nurses get physically assaulted on the job. Under these conditions, Tammy is very concerned about what the fall and winter will look like as governments move to abolish all remaining anti-COVID-19 public health measures. The case numbers will spike absolutely, she said. This time it will be worse. Many hospitals that were designated COVID hospitals are no longer available. And on top of all that, we have major staffing issues at many hospitals. There are simply not enough nurses to meet demand. New recruits cannot replace the nurses that are leaving. Tammy believes that the Ford governments reckless reopening of schools will have a disastrous impact on the health care system. We will be in a chaotic situation, she explained. In fall hospitals are going to be jam-packed again. She pointed to the responsibility of the corporate elite for the consequences of school reopenings. I dont think (parents) have a choice because people dont know where to put their kids, she said. A lot of people dont have daycare. A lot of people want to work from home, but corporations want the workers back in the office so they can micromanage them. The business community absolutely has a role in pushing people back to workthat is the big corporations like the banks, the insurance companies, not the little Joe Blows like convenience stores. Tammys experience provides a moving account of how the capitalist system and the ruling elites profits before lives strategy have transformed what was once a dream occupation for many altruistic young people into a living nightmare. I knew from when I was seven-years-old, I wanted to help people, she told us. Nursing is gods gift. You cant describe the feeling of helping people. Giving them a drink of water. Getting to know who they are and listening to their life stories. But now, asked if she had a message for everyone, Tammy responded, When you come to the hospital because your relatives are sick, and you push that button and nobody comes to help, its not because we are ignoring you. Its not because I cant hear you. Please dont be mad at the nurses, we are trying our best. We just cant physically help everyone. We cant help you because of overwhelming demand on the hospitals. We are taking reports, doctors orders, mixing meds, taking out meds, or transferring a patient from unit to unit or to another hospital. Sometimes it takes 2-3 nurses just to transfer a patient from a bedside commode back to a bed. And not to mention if you are in an isolated room or in a COVID-positive room. All those nurses who are helping that one patient are all gowned up, and when we un-gown we do it very carefully in steps, so we dont contaminate ourselves and others. When a nurse goes home after their shift, do you have any idea how much of a toll it takes on them to have to go through that? And on top of it all, you are trying to keep safe because you have loved ones to come home to and you dont want to bring anything home to them. * * * The World Socialist Web Site is fighting to build health care workers rank-and-file safety committees in Canada. To get involved or share your story, email: cersc.csppb@gmail.com The World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a statement on August 26 stressing the importance of continued vigilance, as the Delta COVID-19 variant continues to have dramatic impacts in parts of the Pacific and Asia. WHO regional director for the Western Pacific, Takeshi Kasai, said it was up to everyone to stay the course. By continuing to make the best decisions based on our experience, shared learning and reliable data, he emphasised, it is within our power to reduce the threat of the virus. The WHO noted that 10 Pacific states have not had any cases of COVID-19 to date. They are some of the most remote: American Samoa, Niue, the Cook Islands, Pitcairn Island, Kiribati, Tokelau, the Federated States of Micronesia, Tonga, Nauru and Tuvalu. Another five have had no cases in the past 100 days: Wallis and Futuna; Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, and the Marshall Islands. A nurse stands outside Tamara Twomey hospital in Suva, Fiji. (AP Photo/Aileen Torres-Bennett) However, three Pacific countries where the Delta variant has gained a footholdFiji, French Polynesia and Papua New Guineahave all experienced a sharp spike in cases and deaths as the virus spreads out of control. In Fiji, infections recently spread beyond the capital Suva and the main island Viti Levu, to more remote villages and towns, including the west-coast holiday island of Malolo, which has 29 active cases. There has also been one death reported on Naviti Island in the Yasawa group. Health Secretary James Fong said new cases, revealed last week, showed the virus had reached all the major divisions of the country. There were 184 new cases reported on August 30, including 10 deaths from August 26-30, taking the toll to 489. Of the latest cases, 133 were reported from the Western Division, 40 from the Central Division and 11 from Kadavu in the East. The Northern town of Labasa also has three cases. Fiji now has 19,463 active cases, with 46,141 recorded since the outbreak began in April. Recent deaths include 10 young people, with the latest victims a six-month-old boy and an 11-year-old girl, reported last weekend. Official numbers however fail to show the true extent of cases, as the Health Ministry has admitted its reporting systems are overloaded. In many areas, no testing is taking place. Former health minister Neil Sharma told Radio NZ the virus has been moving faster than the provision of vaccines. The outer-islands of Rotuma, Yasawa and Lakeba only received their first vaccines on July 27. Fijis second island, Vanua Levu, now has restricted movement in place for 14 days. Sharma said the islands population of 200,000 will be badly impacted, as it had very limited health facilities, with only two small hospitals and a predominantly ageing population. Responsibility for the disastrous spread of the virus rests directly with the government of Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama. Since the beginning of the outbreak in April, Bainimarama has bluntly resisted calls for a national lockdown, saying it would destroy the economy. New Zealand epidemiologist Michael Baker told Radio NZ, as early as June 16, that the situation in Fiji was extremely worrying and an urgent national lockdown had to be seriously considered. It would be devastating, he predicted, if the virus were to spread from Viti Levu, due to the paucity of healthcare in the outer areas. Baker urged the Fiji government to act very decisively to return to an elimination position. Such warnings have been ignored. In line with the drive by governments internationally to begin living with the virus, the countrys chief medical advisor Jemesa Tudravu said on the weekend the virus would become an endemic disease similar to the flu virus. We are not going back to a COVID-contained or COVID-free country, he declared. Bainimarama has announced an easing of restrictions beginning this week. In his first national address on the pandemic in several weeks, Bainimarama claimed: As more of Fiji becomes fully vaccinated, we will forge a powerful shield of protection against severe disease and death from COVID-19, and much of what we miss most about our lives can be restored. Bainimarama said curfew would start an hour later, at 8pm, once the fully vaccinated target population is 50 percent, at 9pm when it reaches 60 percent, 10pm at the 70 percent threshold, and back to 11pm once 80 percent is reached. Containment area borders on Viti Levu will be lifted, once a 60 percent target is reached. So far, 95 percent of the target population of 587,651 has received the first dose of vaccine, while 45 percent are fully vaccinated. The target population, which prioritises front line workers, police, health care workers, hospitality workers and the elderly, is well short of the countrys total population of 890,000. The dire consequences of opening up have been exposed in French Polynesia, which opened its borders in July 2020 for quarantine-free travel, to boost tourism. President Edouard Fritch acknowledged at the time the probability that there would be more COVID-19 cases, but declared that if French Polynesia didnt reopen, the economic consequences would be catastrophic. The Delta variant has now quickly spread to 45 islands, including Tahiti. Daily new case numbers have hit more than 1,000, reaching a total of over 40,000. The pandemic has claimed 385 lives, with 412 COVID-19 patients in hospital, and 55 in intensive care. With hospitals at capacity, there are calls for field hospitals to be set up. The main hospital in Papeete has appealed for additional medical personnel to be brought in from France. Meanwhile less than half of the population of about 280,000 has had their first vaccination. The government recently published a detailed list of which people must be inoculated within two months. They include medical staff, people in contact with the public, such as teachers, and those deemed to be vulnerable. Anyone refusing to comply faces a fine of $US1.700 and possible suspension from work. Most of the territory has now entered a two-week lockdown. The French government in Paris said it would get the National Assembly to extend the state of health emergency in French Polynesia, until the middle of November. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Pacifics largest country, with a population of nearly nine million, already meagre testing for COVID-19 has recently been scaled back, as the confirmed case numbers and deaths approach 18,000 and 200 respectively. Six staff at PNGs national pandemic control centre, all of whom were unvaccinated, last week tested positive for the virus. Some authorities are downplaying the threat from the virus. Chief of Medical Emergency Services Sam Yockapua, claimed the rate of transmission and hospital admission had gone down significantly in recent months, and there was a risk of focussing too much on COVID-19. He said PNG had not been able to enforce lockdowns like New Zealand or Australia, and had to live with the disease. Glen Mola, head of obstetrics and gynaecology at Port Moresby General Hospital, however, told Radio NZ that authorities had little handle on how many people have COVID-19. The town of Goroka had done around 2,800 COVID tests since January. Only 2,800 tests in the whole of the five million people in the Highlands, and 468 of them were positive; thats about 18 percent. But we have no idea who that 18 percent are, he said. According to WHO figures, PNG has administered 143,192 doses of vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that is enough to have vaccinated only about 0.6 percent of the countrys population. Hurricane Ida made landfall Sunday as the second most powerful storm to hit the state of Louisiana in its recorded history, bringing widespread flooding from heavy rains and storm surge. High winds, blowing debris and falling trees damaged buildings and knocked out power to one million customers in Louisiana and over 120,000 in Mississippi. 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) So far two deaths have been attributed to the storm, but the toll is expected to rise significantly as first responders search damaged homes and respond to emergency calls. Catastrophic damage to the power grid is projected to leave the New Orleans area without power for weeks. All eight of the transmission lines that provide electricity to the city via wires that pass high overhead failed in the high winds, with one tower collapsing into the Mississippi River. While they wait in the sweltering summer heat for power to be restored, residents must rely on fuel generators that produce carbon monoxide and frequently lead to deadly poisoning when used improperly. In response to the power failure, New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Shaun Ferguson announced Sunday night that anti-looting patrols would be deployed throughout the city and demanded that residents shelter in place. Upstream from New Orleans in Laplace, residents put out desperate pleas for rescue on social media. Rapidly rising floodwaters had forced them to seek refuge in their attics or on rooftops. Residents of Lafitte, south of the city, also found themselves stranded. Wind-strewn debris clogged the streets of Houma. The storm, which originated on August 23 in the southwest Caribbean Sea, rapidly intensified into a hurricane that passed over western Cuba on Friday. Fed by the extremely warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Ida strengthened even further as it took aim at the Louisiana Gulf Coast, with sustained wind speeds reaching 150 miles per hour, just shy of a Category 5 designation. Climate change is warming the oceans and increasing the amount of moisture in the atmosphere, fueling larger hurricanes. The storm grew over waters in the Gulf that are well above average temperatures, following the hottest July and what is expected to be the hottest August on record. The response of city and state officials to the hurricane was essentially every man for himself. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced on Friday that there was no time to implement contraflow on the freeways and a mandatory evacuation order for those living inside the citys levee system. Tens of thousands of residents were left to figure out how to evacuate on their own or ride out the storm in their homes. Mayor Cantrell estimated Monday that 200,000 residents remained in the city Sunday night. Not only did Ida mark the first time in US history that hurricanes with sustained winds of 150 mph hit a state in back-to-back seasons, following Hurricane Laura, which brought widespread destruction to Lake Charles in August 2020, it also made landfall 16 years to the day after Hurricane Katrina hit the state, destroying much of the city of New Orleans. Hurricane Katrinas storm surge breached the levee system, inundating entire neighborhoods in toxic floodwaters, stranding residents on their rooftops who waited to be rescued by boat or airlifted by the National Guard. Thousands, with nowhere else to go, were stranded in squalid conditions at the Superdome stadium. Patients were trapped in hospitals that had lost power or been inundated with flood water. More than 1,800 people died in the social catastrophe that unfolded in the wake of the storms landfall, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in American history. This mass suffering was met by the homicidal indifference and criminal incompetence which Americans and the world have come to expect from the US government. As the World Socialist Web Site explained as the disaster was unfolding: The decisive components of the present tragedy are social and political, not natural. The American ruling elite has for the past three decades been dismantling whatever forms of government regulation and social welfare had been instituted in the preceding period. The present catastrophe is the terrible product of this social and political retrogression. The lessons derived from past natural and economic calamitiesfrom the deadly floods of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, to the dust bowl and Depression of the 1930shave been repudiated and derided by a ruling elite driven by the crisis of its profit system to subordinate ever more ruthlessly all social concerns to the extraction of profit and accumulation of personal wealth. More than a decade and half later, these processes have reached an even higher, and deadlier, level, with every aspect of society subordinated to the piling up of ever greater mountains of corporate profit and private wealth. The 16 years after Katrina have seen no improvement of the countrys crumbling social infrastructure, leaving millions at the mercy of intensifying storms, heat waves and fires fueled by climate change. A series of catastrophes testifies to the state of American society: the collapse of the Texas power grid during a cold snap in February which left 4.5 million people without power and killed more than 700; the flooding of Houston, Texas in 2017 by Hurricane Harvey, which killed more than 100; the collapse of Puerto Ricos power grid after Hurricane Maria, resulting in more than 3,000 deaths; the Camp Fire in 2018, triggered by faulty power lines, which destroyed the town of Paradise, California and killed 85. This year, hundreds died in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia under the pressure of a record-breaking heat wave. Regular summer rains in Detroit, Michigan have overwhelmed infrastructure, repeatedly flooding freeways and basements. The wildfire season in the Western US is set to be the largest on record, with more than 1.7 million acres burned in California alone. Most significantly, under the guise of herd immunity or mitigation, the COVID-19 pandemic has been allowed by the ruling class to run rampant through the American population, killing more than 650,000 people in less than two years by the official tally. As Hurricane Ida bore down on Louisiana, hospitals were already overfilled with COVID-19 patients, leaving little room for victims of the storm. After the intensive care unit at one hospital lost generator power, patients had to be hand bagged, or manually resuscitated, until they could be moved to a floor with electricity. The inability of capitalism to confront the consequences of seasonal storms and climate change, which has exacerbated weather phenomena in line with repeated warnings made by scientists, has been laid bare. The pandemic shows that capitalist societyin which every consideration is subordinated to private profitis incapable of dealing with the problems which confront humanity in a progressive manner. Only the working class, armed with a socialist program, can transform society to save lives, meet human need and resolve the burning issues of our time. Steven Brust is the son of veteran Trotskyists and founding members of the Workers League, Jean Brust and Bill Brust. August 31 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jean Brust, who died on November 24, 1997. Steven, a novelist currently living in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, sent the following reminiscences on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of his mother, Jean. To mark this anniversary, the WSWS has published an exhibit featuring essays on Jean Brust's life and political work. (See 100 years since the birth of veteran Trotskyist Jean Brust.) During one of the packinghouse strikes that happened between 1946 and 1948, in which my parents participated (they literally started dating on the picket line), the Farmer-Labor governor, Floyd B. Olson, called out the National Guard against the strikers. There was a mass protest at the state Capitol, and Governor Olson appeared and addressed them. My mother was in the back, telling people that someone should answer him. She kept getting pushed forward, until she was in the front, and so she did. Id love to know what she said. Ive never found the article, but the story is that in one of the Twin Cities newspapers that reported the event, she was referred to as Little Mount Vesuvius. Yeah, that was her. Jean in Minneapolis, July, 1991 (WSWS Media) My mother was one of few people Ive ever met who, when she got angry, became clearer and more precise in her arguments. One day, it must have been late in 1968 or early in 1969, there was a meeting of students and faculty at St. Olaf College to discuss the Vietnam War. She was quiet, listening, as people spoke against the war. At that time, to my perception, she was more or less in the background; a solid party worker, but, except for her history with the Twin Cities labor movement, she didnt really stand out. Some professorand Id love to know his name so I could thank himgot up and explained that we were in a small college in the Midwest, and, whatever we thought of the war, we had to accept that there was nothing we could do, students should concentrate on getting an education, and And Mom blew up. It was the first time since Id known her. She stood up and destroyed that poor guy. She gave that room a talking-to, about how the suffering in Vietnam and the conditions of the poor and the working class here at home were connected. She discussed the massive outrage against the war, and how it was a question of where this outrage was directed, and the role each individual could play in building a revolutionary party to take on the system responsible. Wed never seen her like that. From that day on, we had a solid cadre at that small, isolated Midwestern college, especially among students who had managed to win scholarships from impoverished regions of the South; and from that day on, Mom was in the forefront of all discussions. In that instant, she became the leader the members of the SEP now remember her as. It was breathtaking. It was the early 1970s, probably 71 in the midst of the Vietnam War, and before the complete collapse of union militancy. The immediate task was to draw the connection between the fight against imperialism and the issues being faced by the working classmost particularly, the packinghouse workers at the Armour Packing Plant in South St. Paul. We would show up, every Wednesday, and sell the Bulletin (the precursor to the World Socialist Web Site) to the workers as their shift ended. Over time, we got more and more positive responses, selling more copies every week. This response attracted the attention of the South St. Paul police, who began to show up and harass us. There was a long private road leading from the Armour plant across a set of railroad tracks and onto a two-lane highway. One week the cops would tell us we couldnt be on the highway because it was a public road; the next week theyd tell us we couldnt be in the road because it was private property, and so on. The day Mom got fed up with it, there were four of us: Mom, me, and two black students from the Deep South, Louis (Louie) and Terry, who Mom had recruited from St. Olaf College in Northfield. So, there we were, and as the workers started driving out, the cops showed up. The smaller of the two must have been about 64. They came out and started their spiel about how this was a public highway, and Mom broke in. Every week you tell us something different, she said. Make up your mind. Well be on either side of the tracks you want, but we arent leaving. We can arrest you, they said. All right, said Mom. Well discuss that. She pulled us together into a group to talk about whether we wanted to be arrested. The bigger of the two cops followed us, and Moma little 51 womanstopped and held her palm out. No, she said. You wait there. Well tell you what we decide. The cops eyes widened, and he stopped like hed run into a wall, his mouth open. We talked, and Mom reminded us we had a meeting on Friday, and it would be inconvenient to be in jail. We agreed that wed be arrested next week. Mom walked up to the cop and said, Okay, were leaving. Well be back here in one week, and you can arrest us then. That was the last time the cops showed up. When my sister Cynthia passed away, I was asked to write something about her for the WSWS, and, as I mentioned there, I struggled to say something purely personal and not at all political about her life, and eventually gave up. With the relationship between my parents, and with the entire family, it is a thousand times more difficult. The interrelationship between our personal lives and political lives was so fundamental to Mom and Dad that we never questioned it. (See A remembrance of my sister, Cynthia Brust Moore.) We sat down one evening to play a game. I dont remember what it was; I think it was a gift from some relative. It was one of those games where you draw a card with a question, and you have to guess how the other players will answer. The question was something like, How important is what you do for a living in defining who you are? I dont remember who answered it, or who guessed what, but I remember the discussion about it. Because for Dad, it was very important; he told us that one reason he was a socialist is because of how criminal it is that the greater part of humanity is forced to spend 40 hours a week for 40 or more years doing things they hate just to survive. Mom had the opposite answer. What I do for a living doesnt matter, what matters is the struggle for socialism, thats what my life is about. For my mother, the fight for a better world was what gave her life meaning. Health care workers belonging to the Korean Health and Medical Workers Union (KHMU) in South Korea, have overwhelmingly voted to strike, citing overwork and stress, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Workers are demanding improved conditions and plan to walk out at 7am on September 2, if their demands are not met. It will be the largest strike of medical workers since 2004. From among the 56,091 union members, 45,892 workers took part in a strike authorization vote, with 41,191 voting yes, the union announced Friday. Of the union branches, 124 took part in the vote while 72 others, representing approximately 24,000 workers, did not, with the union claiming their individual site situations prevented them from joining the strike. The health care workers have put forward eight demands. These include three demands to improve medical conditions and services: the construction of specialized infectious disease hospitals as quickly as possible; one additional health services center for each of South Koreas 70 medical zones; and improvements to existing medical infrastructure, as well as increased funding to address deficit issues. Members of the Korean Health Workers Union wearing protective suites hold warning letters during a rally to call for an increase in the number of nurses assigned to Covid-19 treatment wards and for better treatment of medical personnel in front of the Seoul City Hall in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. The signs read "Pls announce Covid-19 manpower standards." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) The five other demands address working conditions. First, workers are demanding clear guidelines for a sufficient number of personnel by job type, along with legislation for a maximum number of patients per nurse; second, regular and predictable work schedules and expansion of support for nurses dedicated to training; third, eliminating illegal medical practices; fourth, strengthening assessment criteria to eliminate irregular workers; and fifth, increase the number of doctors and public medical colleges. The conditions facing health care workers, like those in other industries, have worsened as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. One nurse, who works in an infectious disease ward, told the Hankyoreh newspaper, Even when Im sick, I cant take a day off. I have to go back to work because were short-staffed. A lot of people campaigned for a while to increase the number of health workers, but were still working under the same conditions as last year, yet a lot of people have forgotten about us. Its very sad. However, even before the strike begins, the KHMU, which is affiliated with the so-called militant Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), is working to isolate the workers and shut down the strike. The KHMU initially claimed, at an August 18 press conference, that all 80,000 members of the union would take part in the strike, yet, in reality, the union did not intend to call out the 24,000 who will be kept on the job. Laborers in other industries have also either gone out on strike or threatened to strike in recent months. Workers in the package delivery industry, for example, remain highly exploited and labor under brutal conditions, after their strikes in January and June this year were sold out by their union. They are represented by the Parcel Delivery Workers Solidarity Union, which is also a part of the KCTU. Furthermore, the demand to eliminate irregular workers is not about increasing the quality of healthcare, but is meant to drive a wedge between workers in the same industry, a common practice of the unions. Irregular workers are highly exploited and have even fewer workplace protections than their regular counterparts, while being paid significantly less for doing the same job. The union leadership is also addressing itself to the government, not to workers, in order to prevent a larger outbreak of working-class anger. KHMU leader Na Sun-ja stated during an August 18 press conference, Over the past six months, hospitals could barely afford to function, as they squeezed out the sweat and blood of medical staff. But no one is sure of when this pandemic ends, and President Moon (Jae-in) has not kept his word to secure more nurses and improve working conditions. For the unions, the goal is not to fight against the highly exploitative conditions under capitalism, which workers around the world face. If enough pressure is applied, the unions claim, bourgeois politicians and parties like Moon and his Democratic Party, which the KCTU supports, can be made to keep their word. This only serves to protect the capitalist system and maintain the exploitation of the working class. The KHMU is also supporting the Moon administrations plans to drop trying to eliminate COVID-19, and to live with the virus, in order to defend the profits of big business. I anticipate a lot of people will be very concerned, wondering how we can be going on strike during the COVID-19 situation, Na said, on August 18. But we cant go on with this approach of grinding workers up in our COVID-19 response when we have no idea when its going to end. In the with COVID era, it is difficult for society to cope without an expanding health and public medical personnel. (emphasis added) In other words, workers and young people must accept that the COVID-19 is here to stay, and not demand that the deadly virus be eradicated. If the struggle remains in the hands of the union bureaucracy, it will be sold out after a few days. The government will make a few vague promises it has no intention of keeping, and the union will send workers back on the job, having allowed them to blow off steam. The South Korean health care workers should join their counterparts internationally, fighting against the same brutal conditions. Nurses in Japan have protested against being overworked, as well as being forced to work at the Olympic Games. Nurses are expendable in the eyes of organizers and public officials, Mari Nagasawa, a nurse at a public hospital in Tokyo told the Japan Times in early August. Human lives are being endangered needlessly. In Worcester, Massachusetts, 700 nurses have been on strike for six months to demand safer working conditions. Another 30,000 nurses and health care workers in New Zealand have also struck this year, as they wage a similar struggle. It is to nurses and workers in Japan, the United States, New Zealand, and internationally that South Korean health care workers must turn. This requires a break with the unions and the Democratic Party, and the building of independent rank-and-file committees. Like its counterparts around the world, the South Korean government is placing the profits of big business ahead of the health and lives of working people. The struggles of health workers need to be animated by the fight against the capitalist profit system on the basis of socialist internationalism. Southern Cross Care (SCC), one of Tasmanias largest employers, is involved in a long-running industrial dispute with staff while attempting to silence angry complaints about conditions from residents in at least one of the age-care facilities it runs. Yaraandoo Hostel in Somerset, Tasmania (Source: HACSU Facebook) The not-for-profit provider operates nine aged care homes and 14 assisted living services with over 1,300 full time and part time workers. Employees are covered by two unions, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) and the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU), which are currently involved in enterprise bargaining negotiations. The dispute has been underway since the beginning of 2020 when HACSU served a log of claims on the company and saw negotiations drag on without resolution until this year. In February, SCC management indicated that it wanted to remove 30-minute paid meal breaks. In June, the company presented its own log of claims, which included eliminating the paid meal breaks, cuts to Sunday penalty rates (from double time to time and three quarters), reduction of night-shift penalty rates from 19 percent to 10-15 percent and afternoon penalty rates from 15 percent to 10-12.5 percent. The company also proposed a 1.5 percent wage increase each year for three years, starting in December 2021 which meant that the lowest paid employee would earn only $21.67 an hour in 2022 and $22.33 in December 2023. These proposals were rejected by staff, forcing union officials to denounce the company offer as absolutely brazen and paltry. SCC has assets of $125 million, even though it is a religious, not-for-profit company. SCC also called for removal of redundancy entitlements, such as the need to consult over redundancy arrangements, which in practice would mean consultation with the union. Early this month, HACSU reported that the company had withdrawn proposals to cut Sunday penalty rates and to reduce night shift and afternoon penalty rates but made no changes to its so-called wage offer. While the HACSU state secretary Tim Jacobson raised the possibility of industrial action to date all the union has done is mount a Our care is not worthless petition, and refer SCC to Fair Work Australia over a specific clause of the companys log of claims. SCC managements determination to increase the exploitation of its workforce is mirrored by its brutal treatment of residents as testified by its attempts to silence Brian Halpin, an elderly SCC resident. Brian Halpin (Source: HACSU Facebook) The dispute between the company and 73-year-old Halpin, who lives in the Yaraandoo Hostel at Somerset, northern Tasmania, has gained widespread media coverage. A resident of six years, Halpin has publicly raised concerns about conditions at the home, something two other residents had done in earlier months, concerns that were endorsed by the HACSU. HACSU noted that it was unprecedented for residents to come out publicly and call on the [SCC] CEO to resign, but the CEO left them no other choice. Publicly blaming what she [the CEO] claims is a small group of residents, in effect calling them liars, is a new low. We support Southern Cross residents and their calls for change. SCC management attempted to both silence and punish Halpin by applying to the Guardianship and Administration Board to have a guardian appointed to oversee Halpin as a disabled person. He responded by asking the board to appoint his daughter as guardian. The board ruled, however, on August 2 that he did not need a guardian. What it means is I can do what I bloody well like, Halpin said after the hearing. I now have a purpose in life: to represent the concerns and rights of the residents of this home60 percent of whom cannot speak up for themselves. Last month, Halpin reported that staff were often in tears because they could not provide the care they wanted to but did a fantastic job under the circumstances. I told them that weve run out of options to protect ourselves, he said. Bells are going unanswered and residents are being left in bed until lunchtime because they [SCC] cut hours and refuse to roster enough staff on. Staff are going above and beyond but now theyve got them delivering food rather than care. Its so bad that morning and afternoon tea are now listed as lifestyle activities. Halpin has organised monthly meetings in the home where residents can raise concerns. According to HACSU, chronic short staffing had meant residents left in incontinence pads for hours and chronic dehydration is also an issue, with care staff forced to spend hours daily delivering water rather than delivering hands-on care. HACSU Tasmanias website, which announced the boards decision confirming Halpins independence, published dozens of congratulatory messages. One from Lyn Jenkins stated: Their next move will be to evict him as too high needs. The sheer arrogance of a company, thinking they would get guardianship over a person speaking out against them. Glenda Powell said: I put in a complaint about a family member in Yaraandoo. His care improved a bit, but its gone downhill again. These people need to get their act together and make sure the right staff are employed and they look after our family members GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER. HACSU wrote to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQC) calling for its intervention. Yaraandoo is the most-sanctioned facility in Tasmania and is subject to extensive Royal Commission [into Aged Care] hearingsresidents need more, not less staff, it stated. The Royal Commission into Aged Care was established by Liberal-National Coalition government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison in response to growing anger over the abuse and neglect of elderly residents in numerous nursing homes across Australia and government privatisation of the industry. While its aim was to channel public anger into the months-long hearings, the Commission was forced to admit that little or nothing had been implemented from 18 enquiries and a royal commission during the previous two decades. The last royal commission estimated that $10 to $20 billion a year was required to implement its recommendations, which the government declared would not happen. The commission pinpointed widespread understaffing but did not propose any staff-patient ratios. The Health Services Union responded to commissions final report by declaring that the future looks brighter. On August 5, the ACQC announced that it had made a second visit this year to the Yaraandoo Hostel on July 26, in response to complaints that included staffing levels, continence care, infection and hygiene practices, concerns about meals, and cleanliness of the facility. It said a performance report would be issued but that the home had met compliance requirements. Two days earlier, ANMF Tasmania revealed that it had been contacted by a resident from SCCs Rivulet facility in Hobart voicing their concerns about over-worked nursing and care staff and staff members and the workers said they were worried residents safety was being compromised. ANMF state secretary Emily Shepherd linked resident and staff concerns to the enterprise agreement negotiations, vaguely suggesting the possibility of industrial action if SCC did not improve working conditions and staffing levels at the facility. While the anger of staff, residents and relatives is rising over ongoing company attacks on the conditions of the workforce and residents alike, the unions have taken no action over the long-running enterprise agreement negotiations. Notwithstanding their denunciations of SCC management, they are opposed to unified statewide action by SCC employers and other health care workers but keep them isolated and confined within the enterprise bargaining framework. In order to end the dangerous and worsening conditions at SCC and other age care facilities workers need to join forces with the residents and their families and form rank-and-file committees, independent of the unions, to fight for properly staffed and equipped age care and public health based on need, not private profit. Average daily hospitalizations in the United States due to COVID-19 have topped the 100,000 mark for the first time since last winter, the federal Department of Health and Human Services has reported. Hospitalizations are up 500 percent over the past two months. Medical staff tend to a patient with coronavirus, on a COVID-19 ward inside the Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport, La., Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) The statistic is an ominous milestone of an impending surge in deaths, which have already passed the mark of 1,000 per day for the first time since March. In portions of Florida and Oregon, as well as other states, portable morgues have been ordered to handle the current or anticipated demand. The rise in hospitalizations is concentrated in the Southern states. Florida leads in this dismal category, with an average of 16,467 COVID-19 cases so serious they require hospitalization, with Texas following with 14,352. The 11 states across the South, from Oklahoma to North Carolina and south to the Gulf Coast, account for 57,311 hospitalizations, more than half the US total. But no region is spared. California ranks third with a daily average of 8,700 hospitalizations, and New York, Ohio and Illinois are in the top 15 states. Infections have risen sharply all across the country, although the more heavily vaccinated areas have seen a somewhat lesser increase in the number of hospitalizations. Contrary to the official claims, from Biden on down, that children rarely become seriously ill from COVID-19, the total number of children currently hospitalized for coronavirus reached 1,500 Friday, according to federal figures, with the largest number in Texas, 317, followed by Florida with 215. Dozens have died. According to figures reported by the New York Times Monday, one in five intensive care units in the United States has at least 95 percent of beds occupied. States like Alabama and Mississippi, with decrepit health care infrastructures in the best of times, have virtually no beds available. Parts of Texas and Florida are approaching those conditions. The Department of Health and Human Services has issued a disaster declaration for Louisiana and Mississippi because of the combined impact of the pandemic and Hurricane Ida. The University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville asked last week for assistance from the National Guard to handle the crush of COVID-19 patients. Hospitals in many Southern states are running out of oxygen, which is indispensable to treating coronavirus. The cutoff of oxygen supplies would be an immediate death sentence to COVID-19 patients on ventilators. More broadly, sometime this week the United States will become the first country in the world to have had 40 million cases of coronavirus. The US infection rate, nearly one in every eight people, is the highest for any major country. This comes despite the US having administered 370 million vaccine shots and fully vaccinated 174 million people, 52 percent of the population. The soaring rate of infections and hospitalizations, together with deaths, mean that August 2021 has been a worse month for the pandemic in America than August 2020. This is a remarkable fact given that a year ago, vaccines had not yet been developed. The emergence of the far more contagious Delta variant of coronavirus is a primary cause of the current upsurge in the pandemic. This variant, which first emerged in India, is a byproduct of the failure of capitalist governments all over the world to impose the necessary lockdowns and shutdowns required to save lives, halt the spread of the virus in its earliest stages, and thus deny it the time and the number of human hosts required for dangerous mutations to develop. Another major difference between 2020 and 2021 is the reopening of most schools for in-person classes, and, in many states, the abandonment of masking either in schools or any other indoor setting. Social distancing has likewise been abandoned, in outdoor settings everywhere and in indoor settings in most areas. Both factors, the emergence of Delta and the relaxation of public health measures, are the outcome of the deliberate refusal of the capitalist ruling elites all over the world to make saving lives and stopping the pandemic the number one priority. Instead, they have subordinated public health and human life to the preservation of the economy, by which they mean the preservation of capitalist profit-making and the greater enrichment of the financial aristocracy. The US ruling elite is carrying out an increasingly deliberate policy of making use of the pandemic as an instrument of social policy, to cull sections of the population who no longer contribute to corporate profit, because they are retired, sick or disabled. Putting an end to the pandemic is only possible through a redoubled struggle by the working class, on an international basis, against the profit system, on the basis of a socialist program. Written and directed by Raanan Alexandrowicz Israeli-born filmmaker Raanan Alexandrowiczs 2019 documentary, The Viewing Booth, explores the notion that exposing pro-Israeli viewers to videos depicting the brutality of the military occupation of the West Bank alone can change hearts and minds. Alexandrowicz is well known for The Inner Tour (2001), James Journey to Jerusalem (2003) and The Law in These Parts (2011), all of them critical of Zionist policies. The WSWS spoke to the filmmaker at the 2003 Toronto International Film Festival. Four years ago, Alexandrowicz (born in 1969 in Jerusalem) left Israel to reside in Philadelphia, where he now carries out research at Temple University. In 2017, the writer-director compiled 40 short videos, half of which came from human rights organizations such as BTselem and half from far-right sources. He put out a call at Temple, where the 71-minute film was shot, for volunteer-participants to watch the video clips in a viewing booth, while Alexandrowicz would observe and film their reactions. Maia Levy in The Viewing Booth Seven students responded. Alexandrowicz focuses almost exclusively on Jewish-American Maia Levy, a strong supporter of Zionist policy. In the film, the director explains that the videos were chosen out of the hundreds that I have seen, there are thousands of others like them online. Each one captures a fragment of the reality we call The Occupation. One fragment of this reality that the person holding the camera wants us to see. Such videos transform the viewer into a witness ... During an hour and a half, Maia watched 11 videos. The camera fixes on Maias face as she witnesses scenes of Israeli military brutality against Palestinian civilians. One consists of a horrific night raid by masked Israeli soldiers, breaking into the apartment of a terrified Palestinian family. In another, an Israeli soldier assaults a young Palestinian boy. Maia is filmed twice, six months apart. They lie a lot, she says, referring to Arabs. She remarks that her parents, both Israelis, claim that footage from BTselem is manipulated propaganda. Its not so easy to change a belief system, concludes the student-viewer. Its an identity thing. This is who I am. She claims that the images are not convincing enough to alter her outlook. In the films production notes, Alexandrowicz explains that while it encompasses questions that were cultivated over a long period of time, The Viewing Booth finally happened, almost by chance, during a session that was meant to be a pilot shoot, testing a possible concept for the project. Ra'anan Alexandrowicz (WSWS) He continues: Years of thoughts suddenly and unexpectedly found a cinematic expression when Maia Levy, whom I had never met before, entered the improvised viewing booth that I had created ... Maias dialogue with the images of Palestine and Israel, as well as her reflections on her own perception of these images, lead me to confront myselfas an image makerin ways that I had not expected. The result is an intimate and tightly focused film that invites viewers to delve into quintessential universal questions on the perception of nonfiction images in our times. Alexandrowicz is an artist of genuine sincerity and integrity. In his documentary The Inner Tour, a group of Palestinians take a three-day bus trip throughout Israel, where they or their families once lived. The film provides a powerful glimpse of the suffering of the Palestinian population, driven out of their homes and dispersed into refugee camps and exile. The Law in These Parts is another penetrating documentary, dealing with the Israeli military legal system in the Occupied Territories on the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip over the last 45 years. Alexandrowicz attempts to be conscious in his artistry. He obviously has thought about filmmaking and its relationship to social processes. I dont agree that images are powerless, opines Alexandrowicz in an interview with Middleeasteye.net. I mean, look at what happened with George Floyd. I do, however, admit theres a great and rapid evolution in the making of non-fiction image-making and I can no longer follow the same paradigms that governed how I made documentaries before. Elaborating on that thought in another interview, with Haaretz, the filmmaker explained that in the past, I was quite devoted to trying to influence society by means of documentary images ... when I tried to look at every documentary scrap that had been done on the history of the occupation, I discovered a lot of films and articles that had asked the right questions earlier and prompted the right criticism. It made me question what I was trying to do, and have doubts about the medium and what could be achieved with it, and led me to the conclusion that I needed to redirect the camera from the reality to the viewersto see what was going on there, in their own eyes and minds. The Viewing Booth In other words, Alexandrowicz changed course, from treating the objective reality of the situation in the Middle East to concerning himself with problems of consciousness, particularly among those supportive of Israeli policy. His frustrations and concerns are legitimate, but, unfortunately, this change of direction has the immediate effect at least of rendering The Viewing Booth a somewhat minor work by comparison with previous efforts. While Alexandrowiczs intentions are worthy, his new project runs up against ideological and social problems that images on their own cannot overcome. In retrospect, the director continued in Haaretz, I understand that I also wanted her to push the limits of the frame, but I wanted her to see it in the form of 50 years of raids on homes in the middle of the night, when 99 percent of the time, it has nothing to do with a bomb [excuse for the raid], but rather with [a desire for] control, because that way, the population knows that youre there. That is what I wanted her to see. The problem is that human beings are not blank slates. There are reasons, some of them deeply rooted, why they think the way they do. There are historical reasons, for example, such as the ongoing trauma produced by the Holocaust. Moreover, an important motivation for a certain affluent social layer is its investment in Israeli bourgeois society and the defense of the profitable status quo. Why should such people transform their thinking, because of a few ugly images, when they are essentially content with the way the world is? In 2003, in an interview with the WSWS, Alexandrowicz commented: If you ask me if Im optimistic or pessimistic, then I would say, I have a deep optimism because I feel that I know something about the two societies, the two peoples, and I feel that they are very compatible. I feel this deep connection, and I know because of the way I live, the people that I know and the connections I have with Palestinians, I know that there is the possibility for a very good relationship between Israelis and Palestinians. So I would say that in this way, Im very optimistic on the human level. When I analyze the way the political issues are developing, I am scared to death, Im very afraid. This is the way I feel. These are sensitive, perceptive sentiments. But the essential decency of the two peoples can and will only truly find expression, in the final analysis, in an active political-revolutionary struggle, a struggle against the Zionist state, the Arab bourgeois nationalist regimes and US imperialist conspiracies, led by a united Arab and Israeli working class. It is that movement, above all, that will shake up and polarize consciousness, dramatically changing many minds in the process. August 31, 2021 marks 100 years since the birth of Jean Brust, a leading figure in the Trotskyist movement. Comrade Jean, who died November 24, 1997 at the age of 76, joined the Trotskyist-led Young Peoples Socialist League as a teenager in 1937. She fought, alongside her lifelong partner Bill Brust, for the cause of international socialism for the next 60 years. In 1963, Jean Brust refused to accept the betrayal of principles by the Socialist Workers Party, when it broke with the International Committee. She went on to become a founding member of the Workers League, the predecessor of the Socialist Equality Party, and was part of the leadership of the American and world Trotskyist movement for the rest of her life. To mark the 100th anniversary of her birth, the World Socialist Web Site is bringing together a number of essays on her life and political work, including a new essay by her son, novelist Steven Brust. Ten members of one family -- including seven children -- were killed in a US drone strike targeting a vehicle in a residential neighborhood of Kabul, a relative of the dead told CNN. The US carried out a defensive airstrike in Kabul, targeting a suspected ISIS-K suicide bomber who posed an "imminent" threat to the airport, US Central Command said Sunday. The youngest victims of Sunday's airstrike were two 2-year-old girls, according to family members. Relatives found the remains of one of the girls, Malika, in the rubble near their home on Monday. A family member told CNN that it was unclear whether Malika had been inside the vehicle or in the compound when the strike hit. They were "an ordinary family," a brother of the one of those killed said. "We are not ISIS or Daesh and this was a family home -- where my brothers lived with their families." Relatives of the victims spent Monday at a Kabul hospital identifying remains and separating them into coffins. The 2-year-old girls, Malika and Sumaya, were among the names marked on the coffins. At a funeral held later in the day, family members shouted "Death to America." Army Maj. Gen. William Taylor of the Joint Staff told a press briefing Monday: "We are aware of reports of civilians casualties. We take these reports extremely seriously." On Monday, Pentagon spokesman John F. Kirby said the US works hard to avoid civilian casualties. "We're investigating this. I'm not going to get ahead of it. But if we have significant -- verifiable information that we did take innocent life here, then we will be transparent about that, too. Nobody wants to see that happen," he said. "But you know what else we didn't want to see happen. We didn't 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 the airport as well as civilians around it and in it and that is another thing that we were very concerned about." 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 five or six 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." Another neighbor told CNN that they estimated that there might have been up to 20 people killed in the strike, "not much is left of their house and nothing can be recognized, they are in pieces." Another witness told CNN that after the strike, neighbors and onlookers "removed six dead bodies" and believes that there are "children who are still missing." The US military said in their statement on Sunday that "significant secondary explosions from the vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material," and "may have caused additional casualties." "We would be deeply saddened by any potential loss of innocent life," Capt. Bill Urban, spokesman for US Central Command, said in a statement. 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. "US military forces conducted a self-defense unmanned over-the-horizon airstrike today on a vehicle in Kabul, eliminating an imminent ISIS-K threat to Hamid Karzai International Airport," the CENTCOM statement read. 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. How the strike happened 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. 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 was "highly likely in the next 24-36 hours," and the US Embassy in Kabul warned all US citizens to leave the airport area immediately. Approximately 1,200 people were evacuated from the capital in the last 24 hours, almost entirely on US military flights, according to the White House on Monday. That figure is down from a high point last week when 21,000 people were evacuated in a 24-hour period. It brings the total to approximately 116,700 people evacuated from Afghanistan since August 14, and 122,300 people since late July. 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. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the 13 would be remembered as heroes. "These men and women made the ultimate sacrifice so that others could live," he said. 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. This story has been updated. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indiana University started its second week of fall semester classes Monday well short of full compliance with its COVID-19 vaccination requirement for students and employees on several of its campuses. The university faces an ongoing federal court challenge to requiring student vaccinations, although judges reaching to the U.S. Supreme Court refused to block the policy before the fall semester began. The latest figures released by the university show 87.4% of all students and employees at its campuses across the state were at least partially vaccinated as of Thursday. That breaks down to 86% of IUs some 90,000 students and 92% of its 40,000 employees. Compliance with IUs mandate, however, varies greatly among the campuses, especially among students. The highest student vaccination rates are at the largest campuses in Bloomington (91%) and Indianapolis (86%). But none of the five other principal regional campuses were higher than 76%, with the lowest at the campuses in Richmond (65%) and Kokomo (68%). University spokesman Chuck Carney said IU officials believe they can keep students and employees safe through required weekly testing of anyone not vaccinated. Well be doing testing on anybody who has an exemption because we need to make sure that they are healthy week to week and thats the way that we really keep a handle on any potential spread, Carney said. With Pfizers coronavirus vaccine receiving full federal approval last week, more colleges across the country are requiring students to get the shots. The Louisiana State University and University of Louisiana systems, for instance, decided to mandate the vaccines although, like Indiana University, students can seek exemptions for medical or religious reasons. Purdue University, which gave students the choice of submitting COVID-19 vaccination proof or agreeing to frequent testing, reported an 80% vaccination rate among students, 90% for faculty members and 75% for other employees on its West Lafayette campus as of Thursday. Indiana University faced a political backlash from conservatives after announcing the vaccine mandate in May, prompting university officials to make providing proof of vaccination optional and allowing students and employees to attest to their vaccination in an online form. Eight IU students filed a federal lawsuit, arguing that such vaccine requirements violate their rights to bodily autonomy and that the COVID-19 vaccines differ from other immunizations frequently required for college students, such as for measles and meningitis, because of their newness and the lower risks that younger adults have of suffering from severe bouts of COVID-19. A federal judge in South Bend and an appeals court rejected efforts to block the mandate before Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett did the same. James Bopp, the attorney for the students, said he would continue pressing the case as he expects IUs vaccine mandate to extend past the fall semester. I would be shocked if they dont require it for the next semester so were back at this thing all over again for any new students that are coming to IU, Bopp said. The university hasnt yet released figures on how many vaccination exemptions it has issued or whether any students or employees have been dismissed for refusing to comply. Carney said it wasnt clear whether the vaccination mandate has cost IU many students, although the main campus in Bloomington was expected to see a record enrollment for this semester. You cant always know why people dont come and we dont even always know sometimes who the people might be that didnt come, but we dont have any real indication that that is a particular reason why, Carney said. WABASH VALLEY, Ill. (WTHI) - Starting August 30, everyone in Illinois is required to wear a mask in all indoor places. This is regardless of vaccination status. Some of the places where masks will be required include schools, restaurants, public transportation, and healthcare settings. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker issued this mandate to help slow down the spread of COVID-19 and decrease hospitalizations. Some feel the mandate is necessary while others think it should be a choice. An employee at the West Union Cafe, Sara Riggs says their restaurant will not be requiring customers to wear masks despite the mandate issued. To protect their customers they make sure all their employees are healthy. "We monitor every employee closely. If they have any complaints whether it be a headache or a low-grade fever or whatever they don't come to work," said Riggs. Continue to check out our website to stay up to date on this mask mandate and other COVID-19 news. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTHI) - The State of Illinois will send help following Hurricane Ida's landfall. On Monday, the state's governor, JB Pritzker, said a 46 member urban search and rescue team would deploy to Louisianna. The team will help with water rescues after Ida. Members of the team are made up of firefighters and other first responders. The team will deploy to the hardest-hit areas for around 16 days. NEW ORLEANS (WTHI) - Indiana Task Force 1 is in Louisianna and ready to start helping following Hurricane Ida's landfall. On Monday morning, the group moved to help those in New Orleans. They are trained and specialize in search and rescue. Most recently, the group was deployed to the condo collapse in Surfside, Florida. They've been deployed to several hurricane missions. 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 states 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. JASONVILLE, Ind. (WTHI) - Students in the Shakamak school district will be on virtual learning for two weeks. The Greene County Health Department ordered the schools to be closed. That is due to multiple exposures to COVID-19. Students are expected to return to school on September 14. All extra-curricular activities are postponed until September 14 as well. The American Red Cross in Indiana has mobilized to help the victims of Hurricane Ida - but they still need your help. Right now, in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, there are more than a million power customers in the dark. The Red Cross needs volunteers The Red Cross says it needs volunteers to help with local and national disaster response. You can sign up to volunteer right here. If you can't volunteer, but you'd like to donate - you can do that right here. Do you need help? If you or someone you know needs a safe shelter in the New Orleans area, here's how you can find it: Text "LASHELTER" to 898-211 Text "NOLAREADY" to 77295 Call 211 Click on RedCross.org Call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) Download the Red Cross Emergency app Brice Johnson, our central Indiana chapter executive director, is currently in Baton Rouge, LA to help with hurricane relief efforts for those affected by the storm. Hear from him on how you can serve & help. #HurricaneIda #RedCross pic.twitter.com/FaHqLIDmPD American Red Cross (Indiana Region) (@INRedCross) August 30, 2021 The Red Cross provided the following updates on their storm efforts: Thousands of people fled Idas path and spent Sunday night in Red Cross and community shelters. The number of open shelters and people staying in them is changing hourly. As of midnight 8/30/21, the Red Cross was providing emergency evacuation sheltering to over 2,500 individuals in 60 Red Cross shelters and partners shelters for Ida alone. This is an increase of over 1,900 people from Saturday night/Sunday morning. We expect this number to increase over the course of the next day due to the large number of people in coastal parishes who did not evacuate but now may need shelter. #HurricaneIda is still over Louisiana as a category 4 storm. 600 Red Cross volunteers are ready to respond and provide relief to those impacted. pic.twitter.com/dYiyRsEp3s American Red Cross #HurricaneIda (@RedCross) August 29, 2021 Hundreds of Red Cross disaster responders are currently supporting evacuees and hundreds more responders are en route to the affected areas to provide additional support. Once the airports re-open well be able to get additional staff on scene more quickly (right now theyre flying into neighboring states and driving into Louisiana). All our workforce and shelters are safe following the hurricanes impact yesterday. In addition to pre-positioned supplies, the Red Cross moved truckloads of additional cots, blankets and comfort kits, along with tens of thousands of ready-to-eat meals into Louisiana and Mississippi this weekend. We currently have enough material resources on the ground and in transit to meet our planning assumptions of needs. 42 trailers are currently in-motion for post-landfall, and 35 Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) from around the nation are in transit to Louisiana and Mississippi. (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 is breaking and will be updated. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - A local fallen officer will be along with 25 others added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C. The National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum says Terre Haute Police Detective Greg Ferency will be added to the memorial in 2022. LINK | COMPLETE COVERAGE: REMEMBERING DETECTIVE GREG FERENCY Detective Ferency was shot and killed outside of the Terre Haute FBI field office in July. Previous fallen Terre Haute Police Department Officers Brent Long and Rob Pitts were also honored at the memorial. Learn more about the National Law Enforcement Memorial here. In 2019, News 10's Heather Good went to Washington D.C. as fallen Terre Haute Police Officer Rob Pitts was honored. You can see that coverage here and photos of from the event here. (CNN) -- Federal officials are on high alert for threats to the homeland following the mass evacuation from Afghanistan and devastating attack in Kabul this week that killed US service members and scores of Afghans. The Department of Homeland Security is tracking three primary threats, including whether individuals abroad in Afghanistan, who are associated with ISIS or al Qaeda, could use the relocation process as a way to enter the US, according to a federal government call with law enforcement partners on Friday, obtained by CNN. "To counteract that, there's an extensive screening and vetting process that is in place for those who are being relocated to the United States," DHS Intelligence chief John Cohen said on the call. The White House announced Friday that DHS will take on the major challenge of overseeing the federal government response for relocating evacuated Afghans to the US, an effort underway after tens of thousands of people were airlifted from Kabul in recent weeks. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced Sunday that Robert Fenton Jr., a regional FEMA administrator and former acting administrator of the agency, will lead the federal government's efforts to resettle Afghans in the United States. All Afghans heading to the US are vetted against classified and unclassified information. Some of those relocated to the US are subject to secondary screening, which includes interviews by the FBI. There are "a very small number of individuals who've been flagged for concern," said an official with the National Targeting Center on the call, who appeared to be referring to people overseas at so-called lily pad transfer point locations, like Doha, Qatar. CNN reached out to DHS for comment on the call, including for details on the individuals flagged for concern. Upon departing from Kabul, fleeing Afghans are sent to several overseas locations, were US Customs and Border Protection personnel are stationed. At that time, most evacuees provide biographic and biometric information, and are checked against US databases. Once these subjects are determined to be "green," meaning there is no derogatory information, their information is pushed ahead to be manifested for US bound flights, the official said. There is additional screening and vetting when the evacuees arrive in the US, which has been at Washington Dulles International Airport, but is expanding to Philadelphia soon. For those who fail primary screening upon arrival to the US, CBP conducts secondary screening that includes FBI support for interviews as needed, CBP's James McCament said on the call. It was not immediately clear what would happen if someone does not pass secondary screening after landing in the US. Earlier this week, the FBI stood up a command post at FBI headquarters, where personnel are working 24-7 to "ensure that we're lockstep with all of our partners," said an official with the FBI on the call. The FBI is supporting the US government's interagency efforts on relocation efforts and is involved in reviewing information on arriving Afghans in order to identify potential national security or public safety concerns. "We don't have any specific intelligence regarding foreign terrorist organizations using this as an opportunity. We cannot discount that it is a possibility," the FBI official said, calling for the US to remain vigilant. The FBI also anticipates a potential increase in domestic terrorism rhetoric, from racially or ethnically motivated extremists, as well as anti-government or anti-authority extremists who may be motivated or inspired by the situation, the official added. From a DHS perspective, the second significant security threat for the US is whether people already in the US, who may be inspired by narratives associated with al Qaeda, ISIS or other foreign terrorist groups, "will view the events in Afghanistan as an opportunity to engage in violence here at home," Cohen said. The ability to detect threats from homegrown violent extremists represents a challenge for officials because there may not be direct intelligence prior to an act of violence being committed, according to Cohen. "It's really important that we continue to maintain awareness of suspicious activities that may come to the attention of frontline personnel," he said. The third threat concern, from an immediate perspective, comes from individuals who are inspired or motivated to commit violence based on their connection with a domestic violent extremist narrative. Among anti-government and White supremacist groups, several narrative trends have emerged on online platforms related to concerns that the relocation of Afghans to the US would lead to a loss of control and authority by the White race, which is known as the "great replacement concept," Cohen said. "There are concerns that those narratives may incite violent activities directed at immigrant communities, certain faith communities, or even those who are relocated to the United States," he added. Additionally, there are narratives framing the activities of the Taliban as a success with commentary focusing on potential acts of violence directed at US government, law enforcement, and others who are symbols of the current government structure. This story has been updated Sunday with Fenton's role overseeing US government efforts to resettle Afghans in the United States. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Here's a look at the warning signs that preceded the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Timeline 1988 - Osama bin Laden founds al Qaeda (or "the base"), a militant group with a core goal of waging global jihad. January 6, 1995 - Abdul Hakim Murad is arrested in Manila, Philippines. He details plans to blow up US airliners over the Pacific and to crash a plane packed with explosives into either the CIA headquarters or another US federal building. August 7, 1998 - Bombs explode at US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, killing 224 people. Al Qaeda claims responsibility. October 8, 1998 - The FAA warns airlines and airports to maintain a "high degree of alertness." The warning is in response to statements made by bin Laden in the aftermath of the US bombings of al Qaeda targets in Afghanistan and Sudan. Late 1998 - The US intelligence community collects info indicating bin Laden wants to coordinate an attack inside the United States but the threats are vague, lacking in details about the time and place. Concern reaches peak levels during the spring and summer of 2001. 1999 - French intelligence puts Zacarias Moussaoui on a watch list of suspected terrorists. September 1999 - A federal study of terrorism is released. According to the study, al Qaeda "poses the most serious terrorist threat to US security interests." The study warns that al Qaeda "could crash-land an aircraft packed with high explosives (C-4 and Semtex) into the Pentagon, the headquarters of the CIA or the White House." December 1999 - The CIA intercepts phone conversations in Yemen detailing plans for an upcoming al Qaeda summit in Malaysia. December 14, 1999 - Ahmed Ressam is stopped trying to enter the US from Canada. In his car, investigators find 130 pounds of bomb-making materials. It is revealed eventually that Ressam planned to blow up Los Angeles International Airport. January 2000 - The CIA obtains intelligence pertaining to a meeting of suspected al Qaeda operatives in Kuala Lumpur. October 12, 2000 - Suicide bombers attack the USS Cole in Yemen, killing 17 sailors. Al Qaeda claims responsibility. 2001 - Moussaoui trains at flights schools in Oklahoma and Minnesota. January-September 2001 - The FAA issues 15 information circulars containing generalized warnings about terrorist threats. July 10, 2001 - FBI Agent Kenneth Williams writes a memo about Middle Eastern men training at Phoenix area flight schools, speculating that they could be connected to al Qaeda. CIA Director George Tenet briefs officials, including National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, about the al Qaeda threat. August 6, 2001 - President George W. Bush receives a memo titled, "Bin Ladin determined to strike in US." August 15, 2001 - The Pan Am International Flight Academy in Minnesota alerts the FBI to their suspicions about Moussaoui. He had paid for the training in cash and requested instruction on flying large jets, even though he had little experience. Moussaoui is later questioned by the FBI and arrangements are made to deport him. August 23, 2001 - The CIA sends an urgent cable to the FBI, State Department, Customs and INS, alerting them to the CIA's concerns about individuals linked to bin Laden. September 4, 2001 - Bush's national security advisers approve a draft version of a plan to combat al Qaeda. It includes provisions for $200 million to arm the enemies of the Taliban. The advisers plan to present the draft to Bush on September 10, however the president is traveling and does not see it. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. LUCEDALE, Miss. (AP) Two people were killed and at least 10 others were injured after a roadway collapsed in Mississippi on Monday night. Troopers say both the east and westbound lanes of Highway 26 in George County west of Lucedale collapsed. Cpl. Cal Robertson with the Mississippi Highway Patrol says the collapse is around 50 to 60 feet long and 20 to 30 feet deep. Robertson believes torrential rains from Hurricane Ida may have caused the collapse. The National Weather Service says Ida dumped up to 13 inches on Mississippi. Troopers say the rain was so heavy that drivers might not have seen the missing roadway before it was too late. Tupelo Cloudy 81 Hi: 83 Lo: 73 Feels Like: 86 More Weather Columbus Partly Cloudy 79 Hi: 81 Lo: 73 Feels Like: 83 More Weather Oxford Partly Cloudy 82 Hi: 81 Lo: 71 Feels Like: 86 More Weather Starkville Partly Cloudy 79 Hi: 81 Lo: 73 Feels Like: 83 More Weather Tropical Storm Nicholas will be the focal point of our weather forecast over the next several days. We will see some rainfall and some of the rainfall may be on the heavy side at times. Even a few isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out of the question at times. Frank Vitale blessed with family, faith; looks back fondly on military career that set him on path for business success Canada has been moved into the more severe Level 3 travel advisory for Americans, which means the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that U.S. travellers "reconsider travel" to Canada. "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice due to COVID-19, indicating a high level of COVID-19 in the country," the information from the U.S. government reads. "Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine." The CDC states that travellers to Canada "may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants." Travel advisories for Bermuda, Germany and Moldova were also raised to Level 3, while Azerbaijan, Estonia, Laos, North Macedonia, St. Lucia and Switzerland are now Level 4, highest risk, "do not travel" countries by the U.S. Several people took to social media to call out the irony of the increased risk measures. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. It would be very easy to lose hope reading the newest report by the U.N. International Panel on Climate Change, which offers dire predictions about what will happen should average global temperatures continue to warm. The better move, however, is to meet despair with action embracing individual changes and mobilizing to support regional and national measures to address the climate emergency evident all around us. Consensus documents such as the IPCCs tend to be tepid in their conclusions, but the August report states clearly that without a dramatic and rapid reduction in the consumption of fossil fuels, and a precipitous decline in the resulting emissions, the world faces a grim future one of extreme weather events, an increasingly inhospitable climate and widespread harm to humans, animals and plants. The IPCC has been sounding the alarm for years, warning that with global warming greater than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-Industrial age average would be difficult to reverse. Anything greater than 2 degrees of warming would be catastrophic. A 2019 report concluded that unabated warming would complicate food production for a growing global population, with droughts, flooding, deforestation and land degradation all reducing the amount of farmable land. The crisis would not be evenly distributed, with nations along the Equator predicted to suffer the most. That, in turn, will lead to climate-driven migration, and a host of problems accompanying the movement of large populations to more hospitable land. That is already evident in Central America, where tens of thousands of people in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama have sought refuge from rising sea levels, more frequent tropical storms, terrible droughts and related climate concerns. The foremost antidote to global warming is a sharp reduction in greenhouse emissions created by the burning of fossil fuels. It is critical that federal policies support that mission and that the nation moves quickly to adapt to a green-energy future. The United States must lead by example and use its international influence to advance a more rational and sustainable climate policy. Story continues Thats all beyond the scope of the average Hampton Roads resident, who is already seeing the effects of climate change in local communities including more frequent flooding, more intense rainfall, extended periods of drought, rising seas and more severe tropical systems in the Atlantic. A new report commissioned by the General Assembly looks at the threat to Virginias coastal areas, and it also makes for harrowing reading. Sea-level rise and flooding will require extensive resilience measures and substantial investment to protect vulnerable communities. Some of that is already happening. The creation of the Community Flood Preparedness Fund will help to fund resilience projects in at-risk communities and lawmakers in 2020 passed the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which commits to zero carbon emissions by 2050. But climate change cannot be an issue to address through legislation, but a thread stitched into the fabric of all that we do. Reducing emissions and building a green energy economy will both create new jobs and industry, expanding the commonwealths economic base, and help tackle the pressing need to address the climate crisis. Change can also be made by individuals and families, who make life and work choices with collective power. One person buying an electric vehicle makes some difference, but municipalities that invest in fleets of EVs can do more. Citizens should embrace thoughtful climate policies through their dollar and their vote. Whats clear, both from the IPCC report and the study focused on Hampton Roads, is that time is not a luxury we have. We cannot afford to endlessly debate these issues, not when the temperatures keep rising and the seas draw ever closer. All is not lost, but we face a grim future unless we act urgently and cooperatively to effect change. Global warming poses an existential threat to our region and we must move now to protect it from what we know is coming. AFGHANISTAN WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP via Getty Images Afghanistan Amid the chaos of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan as the U.S. ends its longest war and withdraws, a few key questions remain including what life will be like under the new regime and what will happen to vulnerable Afghans trying to leave. Another question: What will become of all the military equipment left behind? Forbes reports that the U.S. has provided an estimated $83 billion in training and equipment to Afghan security forces since 2001, when America invaded. According to Reuters the total spent included $28 billion in weapons from 2002 to 2017. Exactly how much of that equipment is still in Afghanistan, in Taliban hands following the collapse of Afghan national army and still operable all of that remains unclear. Citing a source, Reuters reported that the U.S. believes the Taliban now has at least 2,000 armored vehicles and up to 40 various aircraft from the American-supplied equipment. Earlier this month, photos circulated showing Taliban fighters had seized Black Hawk helicopters, which can cost upwards of $20 million each, and A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft. (There were other reports that several dozen of these aircraft were in neighboring Uzbekistan and out of reach as the Taliban advanced.) Though it's near-impossible to operate such armaments without proper training and continued logistic support, the photos of Taliban militants driving Humvees and armed with U.S.-made M16 rifles struck a chord with many. RELATED: What We Know and Still Don't Know About the U.S. Exit from Afghanistan and the Country's Future "When an armed group gets their hands on American-made weaponry, it's sort of a status symbol. It's a psychological win," Elias Yousif, deputy director of the Center for International Policy's Security Assistance Monitor, told The Hill. One retired Army general described it as "more like trophies" to Reuters. Arms like the machine guns and mortars and the night vision goggles, however, may prove more useful. Story continues Other reports such as the Taliban selling armored vehicles on social media are false. The White House, meanwhile, hasn't specified exactly how much equipment is in the possession of the Taliban and officials have suggested they might not even know yet. "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," the White House national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said in a recent briefing. "And obviously, we don't have a sense that they are going to readily hand it over to us at the airport." On Aug. 18, a group of Republican senators demanded a "full accounting" of all the U.S. military equipment left in Afghanistan. In a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the lawmakers requested information on "what military equipment has been seized by the Taliban, an assessment of how long it will take the Taliban to use each of the captured equipment," and whether the Biden administration was making any efforts "to recapture or destroy equipment that remains in Afghanistan and is at risk of being used by terrorist entities." RELATED: Afghan Baby Born After Mom Goes into Labor Aboard U.S. Air Force Plane Fleeing the Taliban in Kabul According to Sullivan, the Black Hawk helicopters that were distributed as recently as July, during the U.S. draw-down, were intended for Afghan forces and came at the specific request of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who then fled the country as the Taliban began to move into the capital of Kabul. "Those Black Hawks were not given to the Taliban. They were given to the Afghan National Security Forces to be able to defend themselves at the specific request of President Ghani, who came to the Oval Office and asked for additional air capability, among other things," Sullivan said. "So the president had a choice. He could not give it to them with the risk that it would fall into the Taliban's hands eventually, or he could give it to them with the hope that they could deploy it in service of defending their country." Sullivan continued: "Both of those options had risks. He had to choose. And he made a choice." PREMIERE Sky will premiere its upcoming Sky Original documentary Hawking: Can You Hear Me?, described as the human story behind one of the 20th centurys best known scientific minds, Stephen Hawking, on Sept. 20. The broadcaster has also shared a new first-look image a family photograph made available to the public for the first time to accompany the announcement. In the photo, Professor Hawking can be seen with his then wife Jane and children Robert and Lucy on their California estate in 1974. The documentary will feature interviews and archival footage provided by family and colleagues, many of whom are speaking publicly for the first time since Hawkings death in 2018. Rather than focusing on Dr. Hawkings tremendous achievements in cosmology, the feature examines the human cost of generational genius. Contributors include Hawkings children Robert, Lucy and Tim, his first wife Jane, and several renowned scientists who were influenced by Hawkings life and work. More from Variety After more than five years collaborating with the late Stephen Hawking and his close family and friends, and with exclusive access to their family archive, we have finally been able to tell his extraordinary story from the inside, by the people who really knew him, said Emmy and Bafta-winning producer Anthony Geffen. Hawking: Can You Hear Me? is produced for Sky by Atlantic Productions. Oliver Twinch directed. DOCUMENTARY BBC Studios Documentary Unit has commissioned Grenfell: The Untold Story, a new feature-length documentary for Channel 4 which uses previously unpublished footage shot by the towers artist in residence to provide a new perspective on one of the most tragic fires in modern U.K. history. Constantine Gras, a community artist who filmed much of the towers 10 million ($13.78 million) refurbishment in the years before the fire, including the use of highly combustible cladding applied to the buildings exterior. Gras also documented the efforts of the Grenfell Residents Group to raise concerns with the propertys landlord, the TMO, about the work being done on the towers at that time. Grenfell: The Untold Story will air on Channel 4 on Wednesday, Sept. 8th. Its directed by James Newton and produced by Daisy Ayliffe with Kirsty Cunningham and Jessie Versluys on as executive producers. Story continues Grenfell The Untold Story - Credit: Credit: BBC Studios Documentary Unit Credit: BBC Studios Documentary Unit PRODUCTION Priti Shahani, the Bollywood producer behind acclaimed films such as Talvar, Raazi and Badhaai Ho has launched her new production outfit Tusk Tale Films with thriller Phantom Hospital, based on an investigation into the Indian healthcare system. The film will mark hit Malayalam-language filmmaker Mahesh Narayanans (Malik, Take Off, C U Soon) debut in Hindi-language films. The screenplay of Phantom Hospital is by Akash Mohimen and Narayanan. The film is a co-production between Tusk Tale Films and investigative journalist Josy Josephs company Confluence Media. Mahesh Narayanan, Priti Shahani, Josy Joseph - Credit: Tusk Tale Films Tusk Tale Films TRAINING Bipoc TV & Film has launched a new Showrunner Training Bootcamp workshop for mid to upper-level writers and creators working in Canada. Executive producer Anthony Q. Farrel will lead the Bootcamp, which will feature several guest instructors and panelists from the U.S. and Canadian industries. The program will train up to 50 Canadian Bipoc Black, Indigenous or people of color writers on topics such as best practices in managing and staffing their writing rooms, managing production and post-production schedules, and managing relationships with stakeholders, including production companies and broadcasters. To qualify, candidates must have or have had a TV or web series in development with a Canadian broadcaster or production company, a minimum of a co-producer credit on a Canadian TV or web series, or a story editor credit on an animated series. The Bootcamp was co-designed by writer and producer, Jinder Oujla-Chalmers with support from Bipoc TV & Film, and will be accepting applications through Sept. 19. APPOINTMENT Main Event Media, and All3Media America company, has promoted Stephanie Valentin to VP of creative development and production. Valentins previous credits include Rokus recently launched Eye Candy, which she developed and co-executive produced based on Nippon TVs original Japanese format Sukkori Sweets, Celebrity Call Center for E! and While Black for Snapchat. Valentin has been with the company since 2017, having previously worked at TV O Povo in Brazil. Stephanie Valentin - Credit: Credit: Main Event Media Credit: Main Event Media Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. WASHINGTON A defiant President Joe Biden capped the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan by aggressively defending on Tuesday both his decision to end military operations and his handling of the evacuation that left some Americans behind. I was not going to extend this forever war and I was not extending a forever exit, Biden said during remarks at the White House, a day after the U.S.'s chaotic withdrawal ended. My fellow Americans, the war in Afghanistan is now over. He blamed his predecessor for making a deal with the Taliban that Biden said made the militants the strongest theyve been since the U.S. invaded 20 years ago. He said that agreement between former President Donald Trump and the Taliban enabled them to control or contest nearly half the country by the time Biden took office. Biden said that left his administration with the choice of either following through on the commitment Trump made to leave the country or sending in tens of thousands of more troops. Afghanistan news: Biden defends US exit, says could not extend 'forever war' To critics who say the evacuation couldve happened earlier and more orderly, Biden said, I respectfully disagree. Everything had changed. My predecessor had made a deal with the Taliban, he said. The Taliban onslaught was coming. He also praised an evacuation effort that he called unprecedented in history, and promised to continue helping the Afghan people while writing a new chapter in American military diplomacy. This decision about Afghanistan is not just about Afghanistan," Biden said. Its about ending an era of major military operations to remake other countries." Saying the nation must learn from its mistakes, Biden said his top takeaways from Afghanistan are that missions must have clear, achievable goals and must focus squarely on national security interests. Withdrawal from Kabul: With last plane out of Kabul, America's 20-year war in Afghanistan is over Story continues Moving on from a nation building mindset and large-scale troop deployments, Biden said, will make us stronger and more effective and safer at home. "I refused to continue a war that was no longer in the service of the vital national interest of our people," he said. Biden had hoped to spend August preparing for crunch time on his legislative agenda. Congressional Democrats must stay unified to pass more than $4 trillion in new spending on infrastructure, social safety net programs and addressing climate change. Instead, the administration scrambled to complete the Afghanistan withdrawal under a barrage of criticism from both Republicans and Democrats. Still, Biden began his remarks touting the extraordinary success of the airlift. No nation has done anything like it in all of history, Biden said of the tens of thousands of Americans, Afghans and others removed in the past few weeks. After 20 years of occupation: He was the last US soldier to leave Afghanistan The United States military withdrew from Afghanistan at 3:29 p.m. EDT Monday, one minute before midnight in Kabul and before Bidens Aug. 31 withdrawal deadline. The United States war with Afghanistan was the countrys longest, lasting roughly 20 years at a cost of $2 trillion by some estimates. More than 2,400 troops were killed, including the 13 who died last week as they helped Afghans and Americans flee the Taliban, which swiftly took control of the nation in mid-August, sparking weeks of chaos and violence in Kabul. White House press secretary Jen Psaki has said the loss of the 13 service members was "one of the worst things, if not the worst thing," of Biden's presidency. We owe them and their families a debt of gratitude we can never repay but we should never, ever, ever forget, Biden said in the remarks delivered from the State Dining Room. Rush to leave: What happened to U.S. military equipment left behind in Afghanistan? After evacuating about 6,000 Americans since Aug. 14, an estimated 100 to 200 U.S. citizens remained when the last military flight departed. The president made the morally indefensible decision to leave Americans behind," said Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse, a Republican member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. "May history never forget this cowardice. With the 20th anniversary of 9/11 approaching, Americans are stuck in Afghanistan and the Taliban have more weaponry than they did before the U.S. invaded, charged House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. I believe there should be accountability for what I see is probably the biggest failure in American government on a military stage in my lifetime," he said. Biden said Americans in Afghanistan were contacted 19 times since spring about leaving. Ninety percent of those wanting to get out did. For those remaining Americans, there is no deadline," Biden said. "We remain committed to get them out if they want to come out. Local diplomatic efforts will be led from Doha, Qatar, as the U.S. no longer has a presence in Afghanistan. The military mission is over, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday. A new diplomatic mission has begun. 'No option for us': US withdrawal marks terrifying moment for Americans, allies still in Afghanistan The U.S. has said it and international allies will continue to pressure the Taliban to make good on their promises, such as allowing Afghans to travel freely. Hours after the last U.S. military plane departed Afghanistan, the Taliban declared victory and walked across the sole runway at Kabuls airport as a symbolic gesture. The world should have learned their lesson, and this is the enjoyable moment of victory," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a livestream, according to The Associated Press. With the military withdrawal complete, focus will likely turn to what went wrong with either the intelligence assessment of how quickly the Taliban would take control or how the withdrawal was conducted. "In order to move forward, we need answers and accountability regarding the cascading failures that led us to this moment," Rep. Susan Wild, a Pennsylvania Democrat, tweeted last week about what she called the "egregiously mishandled" evacuation process. "Our troops deserve nothing less than a complete and unvarnished truth." Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers, the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, said the blame rests not with the Pentagon but with Biden, Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan. "This is not a military failure," Rogers said. "This was not a military operation. The chain of command in Afghanistan was led by the State Department." The administration will also have to contend with the politically sensitive and logistically challenging task of resettling thousands of Afghans while addressing what international officials say is a looming humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. The tricky aftermath takes place as the administration is also contending with catastrophic damage to communities and power systems from Hurricane Ida and with the still raging coronavirus pandemic. A narrow majority of U.S. adults back Biden's decision to end military involvement in Afghanistan, according to a Pew Research Center poll released Tuesday. But only about a quarter rate the administration's handling of the withdrawal as good or excellent. Most said it was only fair or poor. A substantial majority also said the United States mostly failed in achieving its goals in Afghanistan. Goodbye, Afghanistan: From George W. Bush to Joe Biden, no celebration as America's longest war ends The US is out of Afghanistan: What happens next in the nation now led by the Taliban? Reach Rebecca Morin at Twitter @RebeccaMorin_ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Afghanistan: Biden says war is over as he defends evacuation operation Amsterdam officials announced on Friday that the city will return a painting by Wassily Kandinsky to the heirs of its original Jewish owner. The decision ends years-long legal dispute over the painting, which has been in the Stedelijk Museums collection since 1940. The canvas, seen above, titled Painting with Houses (1909), will be transferred from the city-owned Stedelijk Museum to the family of Irma Klein and Robert Lewenstein. The couple owned the painting before the Nazi regime took over the Netherlands during World War II in 1940. It was auctioned at a price below its market value five months after the Nazis invasion, though it is unclear whether Klein or Lewenstein orchestrated the sale. More from Robb Report This is a historic injustice that is being put right, said Simon van der Sluijs, an attorney representing Kleins heirs, in a statement on Friday. Attorneys for the heirs have claimed in the past that the painting was sold under duress. In 2018, a Dutch court ruled that, while the painting was not confiscated before its public sale in 1940, the museum purchased it in good faith, without knowledge of its prewar history. It cited a policy around the, balance of interests, a measure used to weigh the value of the artwork to the museum versus that of the heirs. Last year, a court in Amsterdam upheld the 2018 ruling by the Dutch restitution committee that the Kandinsky, which Amsterdam bought in 1940 during the public sale for a sum for what today would be $1,600, could remain at the Stedelijk. The painting is now estimated to be worth $22 million, according to the Times of Israel. The decision drew public criticism, and led to a review by a panel established by the Dutch minister of culture that is known as the Kohnstamm Committee. The committee recommended Dutch officials in charge of restitution efforts change their policies in favor of victims persecuted during World War II. Two members of the Restitutions Commission resigned in response. Story continues Amsterdams municipality said in its statement it now has a moral obligation to return the painting. The city stands for a fair and clear restitution policy, returning as much looted art as possible to the rightful owners or the heirs of the owners, the statement said. James Palmer, the director of Mondex Corporation, a firm that handles art restitution research told the Associated Press that the decision clearly disposes with the flawed approach of the balance of interest test, which effectively placed the rights of the museum to display stolen property ahead of the rights of the property owners. Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Photo credit: Instagram/Kourtney Kardashian Wow: today has been a ride for Keeping Up With The Kardashian fans. After Younes Bendjima shared a DM of Scott Disick seemingly shading Kourtney Kardashian, her current boyfriend Travis Barker has subtly responded on his own Instagram Stories. Earlier today, Kourtney's ex-boyfriend Younes called out her other ex-boyfriend Scott, for trying to shame her current relationship with Travis. In a leaked DM, Younes revealed Scott had messaged him about Kourt's new romance, showing a dislike for her and Travis's PDA. The message from Scott included a picture of Kourtney and Travis kissing on a boat, with the caption, "Yo is this chick ok!???? Broooo like what is this. In the middle of Italy [sic]" Photo credit: Instagram/Younes Bendjima Younes replied, "Doesn't matter to me as long as she's happy. PS: I ain't your bro." and also added of Scott, "Keep the same energy you had about me publicly, privately." Now, it looks like Travis has had his own say, sharing a laughing meme to his Instagram Stories. The photo is of Ray Liotta aka Henry Hill in Goodfellas, who is famous for his slightly-mocking giggle. Photo credit: Instagram/Travis Barker h Is Travis trying to have his say on Younes calling Scott's shade out, or is it just coincidental timing? We'll leave you to be the judge. Kourtney dated Scott Disick on and off for over 10 years, and the pair share three children: Mason, 11, Penelope, eight, and six-year-old Reign. She then has an on-off romance with Younes after meeting at Paris Fashion Week in 2016, though they split in 2018. Travis and Kourtney went public with their relationship in January 2021. Watch: Unpacking the latest Scott Disick, Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker drama You Might Also Like As fashion retailers, manufacturers and distributors struggle to not just hire employees but retain them, some companies are offering quick fixes like signing bonuses and hourly wage increases. The U.S. Labor Department reported that pay increased by 3.5 percent in the private sector for the year ended in June. That uptick signaled the biggest jump in more than 14 years and some businesses willingness to adopt new strategies. Under Armour recently upped its hourly wage for retail and distribution employees in the U.S. and Canada to $15 an hour, while CVS Health no longer requires job candidates have high school diplomas. More from WWD While last months national unemployment rate weighed in at 5.4 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, several states were considerably steeper. Nevada, for example, was at 7.7 percent and California, New York and New Mexico all hit 7.6 percent. In addition, about 6.5 million people were not in the labor force but want a job. Despite these figures, companies in many sectors are scrambling to staff up. Education is one means that some large employers are offering to entice more workers. Last month Walmart revealed a plan to its 1.5 million part-time and full-time employees offering to pay for all of their college tuitions and books. Matthijs Crietee, deputy secretary general at the International Apparel Federation, spoke of how collaborating with schools is integral to the industrys future. The strength of the industry depends on people. Thats why education is one of the main pillars that an organization like the IAF is always looking at. And the collaboration between industry and education is really important. Educators need to understand what the industry needs and the industry needs to understand what educators can do, what their insights are and how they can work together to attract talent and to make sure that the people being trained now leave the schools with the right skills and knowledge for four years onward. Story continues While some analysts and economists have speculated about how federal stimulus checks, extended unemployment insurance benefits and child tax credits have impacted peoples decisions to return to work or seek new jobs, there are other factors at play. Concerns about remote schooling, the risk of contracting the Delta variant and the cost of child care are factors being considered by many thinking about whether to return to the workforce. Adam Lukoskie, vice president of the the National Retail Federations Foundation, said the industry is doing a ton to address the shortage by evaluating wages, scheduling and offering more virtual job fairs for hourly store associates and corporate roles. Through its Rise Up program, the organization is working with 1,200-plus training programs for high schools, community colleges, Goodwill, Boys & Girls Club of America and other organizations. Were doing everything within our ability to make folks out there know what jobs we have and what the jobs currently require. Some have outdated views of what a retail job is or its salary or hourly wages. Were also rolling out warehouse logistics training next month, given the explosion of new jobs in that part of our industry, he said. In the last few years, credentials have been approved in different states as part of their technical education programs such as in Arizona and Louisiana. Through a partnership, the Boys & Girls Club of America will incorporate its retail industry fundamentals into a platform they use with club members. Five clubs in the U.S. are taking part in the pilot program, which involves the participation of select retailers to bring that curriculum to life, Lukoskie said. It will be introduced to other clubs later. All in all, he is encouraged to see that people continue to look for work, that businesses are getting more creative about recruiting and are simplifying application processes and making them faster for job seekers. Not just retailers, but everyone is being forced to communicate more concisely and quickly. In response to that, jobseekers are actually looking. Addressing the need for agility in the year ahead, Lukoskie said, Everyone is just trying to get used to the unpredictability. You think one thing and two weeks later, its here-we-go-again whether its pandemic-related, regulatory-related or economically-relatedbut were seeing its forcing industries, not just retail, to move faster. What could have been a decision that took 12 months to be rolled out, now in some cases is being rolled out in two to four weeks, he said. As for whether how some of the ways that different retailers handle the labor shortage could lead to greater automation and potentially fewer jobs down the road, Lukoskie mentioned how the introduction of new technology in some stores still requires manpower. Sometimes it just looks a little different. With Rise Up, weve been looking at how it tends to involve having a little more skills and technical knowledge, he said, adding that store associates now must know how to troubleshoot problems at self checkout kiosks. As in-store pickups gain popularity, employees are needed to assist those customers and also gather their purchases. It just requires a higher level of mentoring. I dont think the jobs are going away. They are just changing. Then again, if more people are shopping online, which is a massive form of automation, were seeing all of the warehouse jobs pop up and logistics jobs pick up, Lukoskie said. Lynne Fox, international president of Workers United, said the labor shortage started to be evident two years ago and COVID-19 exacerbated the problem. While shutting down was hard, reopening was even harder and now weve got the labor issues. As I look back at it philosophically, the one gift that COVID-19 left behind is that labor and management unequivocally realize that we have a lot of common interests and goals. And theyre not going to be achieved unless we work together, she said. Unionized employers and workers are in a much better position to deal with this because its not just a wage issue. Were really focused on the whole package, and getting people in and retaining them. She emphasized how her team is focusing on a holistic approach in collective bargaining agreements wages and all benefits including life insurance, disability insurance, pensions, vacation time and more. Media coverage of the labor shortage tends to center on the hourly wage without taking into account any benefits that have been negotiated. Of course, I have a bent toward unionization but thats what those contracts deliver, she said. She said its not just about a workers hourly wage, but also about taking care of someone at work for the whole picture. I see all of these companies trying to attract people to come to work by offering an extra dollar or an hour, or a $1,500 bonus. But what is the point of all that, if you have to pay for your own insurance or you have no disability insurance? If you can work, youre OK but if you cant work, youre not OK. What good is that if you dont get any time off no sick days, no vacation, no personal days, Fox said. Arguing that the recognition that the living wage is no longer a minimum wage or $10 or even $15 an hour is one the U.S. needs to get to, Fox said. You cant sustain a life, raise your children, live in a decent place, pay for education on $10 or $15 an hour. Something more global has to be done to recognize that. Employers, who were against it saying they wouldnt be able to afford it, are now recognizing that without doing something, theyre not going to have a workforce. A Now Hiring sign at a CVS Pharmacy. - Credit: Jeff Chiu/AP Jeff Chiu/AP Fox also contends that employers who cover insurance for employees should get some kind of rebate, reward or acknowledgement. As for how some people do not consider the burgeoning area of distribution jobs to be as appealing as in-store positions, she considers distribution ones to be a very viable, middle-class job now. It used to be manufacturing much of that was shipped offshore in the 90s. Now its the distribution and service sectors that really are the mainstays of the middle class. We need to acknowledge that and make these places good places to work with complete benefits, Fox said. Looking at the situation from the luxury sector, Luca Solca, senior research analyst for global luxury goods at Bernstein, said that demand has rebounded so sharply that there have been reports of product shortages and rationing. Best-in-class companies can flex their manufacturing muscles by leveraging their own facilities and third-party manufacturing associates. Operations flexibility is of the essence to be on top of the competitive game, he said. Crietee of the IAF, which represents national and regional organizations in countries including India, the Netherlands, Brazil, Germany and Italy, among others, said the labor shortage was an issue in fashion for decades in different regions. IAF has about 80 members of which 25 are industry associations representing about 40 countries. Noting that one Chinese association has 20,000 members, Crietee said the number of members of IAF member associations would tally hundreds of thousands of workers. The labor shortage has been an issue pre-COVID-19 due to the apparel and textile sector being a mature, established industry that competes with others for personnel, Crietee said. The challenge of attracting young people to the industry is a recurring issue that southern European IAF members are dealing with. Enticing the next generation to get the education they need to work in the apparel sector is another hurdle, according to him. Areas that specialize in manufacturing like Pakistan or Bangladesh are not facing as much of a structural shortage of workers, as they are trying to meet clients demands for greater flexibility and speed. That in turn calls for more training for employees as quickly as possible to bring their skills up-to-speed. Offering child care, health care facilities and housing help to attract women to businesses. Companies also need to sell themselves as employers and to show that this is an interesting industry to work for by visiting high schools and fashion schools, Crietee said, adding that some industry representatives and schools in the U.S. and Europe have been successful in doing that. They are keen to communicate that fashion is not just an old-fashioned industry, but a modern one with new technology and digitalization. That is a constant struggle for these organizations to attract new skilled people. But thats not a recent thing. In some cases, its gotten worse because there is a mismatch in certain economies between supply and demand, now that demand is going up so quickly. Crietee said. Looking at the situation from the production standpoint, he said how some countries like Vietnam are still dealing with factory closures caused by the coronavirus crisis. In addition, some factory and retail workers are concerned about potentially contracting the coronavirus in jobs where they can be exposed to hundreds of others on a daily basis. The IAF cited other deterrents such as the fashion industrys reputation of being such a pollutant, individuals desires to start their own companies or a lack of awareness of the modernization that is taking place. To that last point, Crietee said new jobs are being created as a result and there is demand for data analysts. In some ways, technology is changing quicker than the supply of people, who are trying to use it, he said, surmising this is the case internationally whether that be in the U.S., the U.K., Germany or other countries. But there are regional differences in countries like Italy and France, where there is important production for high fashion where they need really skilled artisans to make very expensive shoes, handbags or $5,000 ski jackets. Thats always been a challenge to have enough young people get into those particular schools where they are taught those skills. With earlier generations, it was probably a tradition where your parents or grandparents were doing something and the logic was that you would do the same. Thats not there anymore. Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Travelers visiting Honolulu this fall will face new hurdles when visiting restaurants, bars, museums and other places. Effective Sept. 13, the popular tourist destination on the island of Oahu is requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours to enter establishments. Takeout is excluded, and children 12 and younger are exempt. Places serving alcohol will also have to stop serving at 10 p.m. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said at a news conference on Aug. 30 that the strict measures, which will last for a minimum of 60 days and come a week after he announced restrictions on gatherings, are needed given Hawaii's dire COVID-19 situation. The same day, Hawaii reported 720 new cases onafter a weekend of record-setting case numbers. and There are were 414 COVID-19 patients in hospitals, close to a breaking point. Just a month ago, the number of daily cases was below 100 and, in January, when Blangiardi took office, the figure was 15 cases a day. As many as a third of 911 calls in Honolulu over the weekend were COVID-19 related, with serious issues including trouble breathing, suffocation and cardiac arrest, according to Dr. Jim Ireland, head of Honolulu's emergency management services. Help didn't reach some of them in time, he said. "This is in the name of public health,'' Blangiardi said of the new restrictions. He said he is against shutting down the economy again, even for a short period of time, despite a proposal from Hawaii Lieutenant Gov. Josh Green, a doctor, to issue a stay-at-home order for Labor Day weekend. "We dont want a lockdown,'' Blangairdi said. "But we need to all work...to ensure that we dont all have to do that. And this is a good safe way to get it done.'' He said Honolulu is offering two options for customers rather than mandating vaccines after studying business fallout in other cities. Hawaii Gov. David Ige took to social media to shut down talk of a lockdown. Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The Hawaii Restaurant Association supports the new requirements despite concerns they could harm some businesses if people decide not to eat out. "We need an end (to the COVID-19 surge),'' said Greg Maples, chairman of the association. "We need this to stop.'' Vaccine proof and COVID-19 testing are Hawaii's latest efforts to encourage vaccinations and control the outbreak. Ige has begged tourists not to visit Hawaii through October. 'I'm conflicted': Hawaii travelers weigh vacation plans after governor announcement This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Hawaii COVID restrictions: Show vaccine proof or negative test The thin blue line of Earth's atmosphere appears on the horizon beyond the Red Sea and the Nile River in Africa, February 3, 2021. NASA Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) drink in stunning views every day. This composite photograph of Cuba, the Bahamas, and southern Florida was taken from the ISS on May 2, 2021. NASA From more than 250 miles above the Earth, they can see city lights, mountain ranges, major storms, and melting glaciers. The night lights of Istanbul, Turkey, split by the Bosphorus Strait and the Golden Horn, May 10, 2021. NASA Since the space station orbits Earth every 90 minutes, astronauts see 16 sunrises and sunsets per day. The sun rises above the Indian Ocean off the coast of Western Australia, as photographed from the space station, May 20, 2021. NASA There are currently seven people on the station. Mount Taranaki in New Zealand, captured from the ISS, January 25, 2021. Roscosmos Some of them - including European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet and NASA astronaut Megan McArthur - regularly post stunning photos on social media. The night lights of Tokyo, Japan, February 27, 2021. NASA Agricultural areas can make beautiful patterns, like these farms in the desert. It's not easy to pin down exact locations from space, but Pesquet said this was somewhere in Africa. A desert peppered with blue and green circles where crops are grown, captured from the ISS. ESA/Thomas Pesquet In some places, like Bolivia, those pretty patterns - and the crops growing within them - come at the expense of clearing tropical forests. Astronaut Thomas Pesquet shared this image on Twitter with the caption: "Star-like patterns in San Pedro Limon, Bolivia where areas of the tropical dry forest have been cleared for agriculture." ESA/Thomas Pesquet When spaceships launch towards the station, carrying astronauts or supplies, those aboard the ISS often watch the rocket streaking towards them. The plasma trail of Russia's Progress 77 resupply ship launching towards the ISS, July 26, 2021. NASA Astronauts don't always know what they're looking at. The far eastern, desert-covered portion of Western Australia, May 14, 2021. NASA But sometimes they spot something distinct and dramatic, like a volcano spewing gas. A volcano in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, captured from the ISS, April 2, 2021. Roscosmos Occasionally, they even spy their homelands - like this picture Pesquet snapped of his birthplace in Normandy, France. Story continues Astronaut Thomas Pesquet snapped this image of Normandy shortly after arriving at the International Space Station, April 28, 2021. ESA/NASA-T. Pesquet "How can something so beautiful be tolerated by human eyes?" NASA astronaut Mike Massimino told the Washington Post, referring to his feelings the first time he saw Earth from above. Cape Town in South Africa is pictured with the sun's glint beaming off the South Atlantic coast, captured from the ISS, February 28, 2021. Roscosmos Source: The Washington Post But lately, some of the sights from the ISS have been more concerning. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. "We've been very saddened to see fires over huge sections of the Earth, not just the United States," McArthur told Insider on a recent call from the space station. Plumes of smoke billow from wildfires in Northern California, August 4, 2021. NASA/Megan McArthur Other consequences of climate change are easily visible from the ISS, too. "We can see all of those effects from up here," McArthur said. The declining Upsala Glacier in Patagonia, captured where it melts into water by astronaut Thomas Pesquet. ESA/NASA-T. Pesquet/A. Conigli Pesquet photographed Hurricane Ida just hours before it struck Louisiana as a Category 4 storm. Hurricane Ida as a Category 2 storm on August 28, 2021. NASA "It's worrying to see these weather phenomena becoming stronger and more frequent from our vantage point," Pesquet said on Twitter. Hurricane Ida as a Category 2 storm, photographed through a space station window port on August 28, 2021. NASA Lately the astronauts can even see dwindling reservoirs along the Colorado River, which is in its first-ever official water shortage. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. On the bright side, though, astronauts caught a stunning view of the southern aurora earlier this month. The aurora australis above the southern Indian Ocean, in between Asia and Antarctica, photographed from the space station on August 2, 2021. NASA "I wasn't surprised by the auroras, but I was kind of bowled over by how breathtaking they really were, and how mesmerizing it was to see it with my own eyes," McArthur said. The aurora australis above the southern Indian Ocean, in between Asia and Antarctica, photographed from the space station on August 2, 2021. NASA McArthur has also been scoping out US National Parks to visit with her husband - astronaut Bob Behnken - and their son once she's back on the ground. Joshua Tree National Park, photographed from space by astronaut Megan McArthur. NASA/Megan McArthur Passing over the US, she can see several National Parks in just a few minutes. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, photographed from space by astronaut Megan McArthur. NASA/Megan McArthur "The other thing that we can see, of course, is the very thin lens of atmosphere," McArthur said. The atmosphere glows above the southeastern African coast, as seen from the International Space Station. NASA "That is what protects our Earth and everything on it," she added. "We see how fragile that is, and we know how important it is." The thin blue line of Earth's atmosphere appears on the horizon beyond the Red Sea and the Nile River in Africa, February 3, 2021. NASA Read the original article on Business Insider Wales have been forced to make alternative travel arrangements for Daniel James to join them in Finland after the winger moved from Manchester United to Leeds. James, 23, left the Wales squad on Tuesday to undergo a medical at Elland Road before completing a reported 25million transfer plus add-ons. Wales play Finland in a Helsinki friendly on Wednesday, ahead of 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Belarus and Estonia, and interim manager Robert Page insists James will rejoin his squad ahead of that game after the transfer was confirmed. Rob Page has seen his preparations for Wales camp affected (PA) He was on camp and I have to be flexible with the players, Page said at his pre-match press conference. I cant say he cant leave. Were still waiting to find out whats happening with that situation, but hell be rejoining the camp and will be in Finland. Theres not enough time to get him back into the camp from where he is. So well make other arrangements and the most important thing is he is with us. James almost moved to Leeds before joining Manchester United from Swansea in June 2019 for a 15m fee, with a potential 3m in add-ons. Daniel James is reportedly close to joining Leeds (Clive Brunskill/PA) The speedster made 74 appearances, scoring nine goals, but his game-time at Old Trafford was due to be severely impacted by the return of Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo. Its completely the right decision for my football career. I had an unbelievable time (at Manchester United) made great friends, the staff and fans were amazing to me but its my time to move on, James told Sky Sports. Ive got games under my belt at top level and think I can add something here. I want to go away for my country which I always love to do. Im thankful to the manager (Page) for letting me come here and get everything sorted. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Ill be meeting up with them later and getting a flight out there. James played fewer than 40 games for Swansea before moving to Old Trafford. He almost joined Leeds in January 2019 but Swansea called the deal off at the last minute. Page said: He got his move to Man United, a massive club, and was outstanding probably one of the bright sparks throughout that time they were having. Story continues What you find with young players, understandably, they go through spells of inconsistency. One minute they can be 10/10 and the next they can be a five or a six. Hes been told he can leave and hes potentially got himself a move to a club that wants him. Daniel James leaves the field after being substituted at Wolves (Nick Potts/PA) We all like confidence, we all like being told were doing well. Page said others members of his squad could be affected by deadline-day transfer activity but Wales would enforce a cut-off point before heading to Helsinki. We might get a couple of calls now, but there comes a point when weve got to think of ourselves and think whats best for the players, Page said. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Weve got two big World Cup qualifiers coming up and a friendly. Were travelling this afternoon and therell come a cut-off point when we say enough is enough. Wales have been disrupted by injury, visa and coronavirus issues before their three games. Aaron Ramsey, George Thomas, Joe Rodon and Neco Williams all withdraw from the squad on Monday through injury. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. David Brooks joined them on Tuesday when it was discovered that he had jarred a knee playing for Bournemouth at Hull on Saturday. Brandon Cooper, Ethan Ampadu and Tyler Roberts, will miss the Belarus qualifier, which has been switched to Kazan because of political reasons, because they were unable to get their Russian visa approved in time. There was more bad news on Tuesday when Stoke goalkeeper Adam Davies tested positive for Covid-19 and forward Kieffer Moore was identified as a close contact, ruling them both out of the three games. Jordan Henderson has signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool, the club have announced. The 31-year-old captain has made 394 appearances for the Reds, scoring 30 goals, since joining from Sunderland in 2011. Henderson skippered the side to Champions League glory in 2019 and to the Premier League title in the following season. The PA news agency understands the England internationals new deal runs to the summer of 2025. Henderson told Liverpools official website: Im obviously very honoured and proud to continue the journey Ive already been on here. Its amazing to finally get it done and just concentrate on looking forward and what the future may hold. Im in a different place of course, as a player and as a person, from when I first walked in. Ive learned and grown a lot over my time here, and Ive got to thank a lot of people for that. Ive loved every minute of it, even when I look back at the tough times, I was still enjoying being a part of this football club. The longer I can do that, the better for me really. I want to be here as long as possible, Ive always said that. To continue this journey is incredible for me and my family, and I hope the fans and the club feel the same way. The midfielder has also won the Super Cup, the Club World Cup and the League Cup during his time with Liverpool. Henderson, who was named 2019-20 Football Writers Association Footballer of the Year, and earlier this year awarded an MBE for services to football and charity, added: Every year is the same, every year is the biggest challenge, the biggest season ahead. I feel as hungry as ever. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. I feel as hungry as I did when I first walked in 10 years ago, to prove to people that I deserve to be at this football club and give absolutely everything every single day for the badge, for the fans and for each other in this building. Story continues If we do that, I feel as though weve got a good chance of being successful. Henderson, holder of 64 England caps, is the sixth senior Liverpool player to extend his contract in the last few weeks after Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Alisson Becker, Virgil Van Dijk and Andy Robertson all did the same. Liverpool later announced that defender Nat Phillips had signed a new long-term contract. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The 24-year-old, linked with a move away from Anfield, made 20 appearances for the Reds last season. Phillips told the clubs official website: Obviously after last year, its really nice to get that reward from the club. Im happy to be sticking around and being available if the club need to call on me again. Im excited for the next chapter and just to see what that brings. It is nice that the club has shown me that recognition and hopefully I can bring more of the same with whatever opportunities come my way. Aug. 31Lebanon City Schools will be closed for three days starting Wednesday to try reduce the student absence rate due to COVID-19, school exposures, quarantined students and other related illnesses. Superintendent Isaac Seevers said more than 900 students were out of school Monday due to COVID-19 protocols such as being in quarantine or isolation. School was in session on Tuesday because the district felt there was not enough notice for parents to make child care arrangements, he said. "As of Monday, the district had 80 positive COVID-19 cases," Seevers said. "The COVID positive cases has gone up over the last four days. With the amount of absences, we cannot effectively educate students." He said the district reported a 20% total student absence rate as of Monday. The district typically has a 5% to 6% student absence rate a day. Seevers said pausing for three days will allow students to get caught up. During the three-day closure, teachers will not be assigning new work for students, according to the district's website. He said when school resumes on Tuesday, most of the students will have completed being in quarantine and can return to classes. Masks will be required for all students for three weeks when school returns to in-person learning. The district, which had been mask optional, said it would re-evaluate the matter in three weeks. The Lebanon school board met Monday and approved Seevers' recommendation to close the schools for three days. While the district's buildings will be closed, its transportation services will continue for students attending the Warren County Career Center, the Warren County Learning Center, private/parochial schools and other facilities. Seevers told the board that the Warren County Health District epidemiologist is concerned about the level of spread the district is experiencing in its facilities. He said they have recommended that the district take action to slow the rate of quarantines. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on Afghanistan during a speech in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., August 31, 2021 (REUTERS) Last night in Kabul, the United States ended 20 years of war in Afghanistan, the longest war in American history. We completed one of the biggest airlifts in history with more than 120,000 people evacuated to safety. That numbers more than double what most experts thought were possible. No nation, no nation has ever done anything like it in all of history. The only, the United States, had the capacity and the will and the ability to do it, and we did it today. The extraordinary success of this mission was due to the incredible skill, bravery, and selfless courage of the United States military and our diplomats and intelligence professionals. For weeks, they risked their lives to get American citizens, Afghans who helped us, citizens of our allies and partners and others onboard planes and out of the country. And they did it facing the crush of enormous crowds seeking to leave the country. And they did it knowing ISIS-K terrorists, sworn enemies of the Taliban, were lurking in the midst of those crowds. And still, the women and men of the United States military, our diplomatic core, our intelligence professionals did their job and did it well, risking their lives, not for professional gain, but to serve others. Not in a mission of war, but in a mission of mercy. Twenty service members were wounded in the service of this mission. Thirteen heroes gave their lives. I was just at Dover Air Force Base for the dignified transfer, we owe them and their families a debt of gratitude we can never repay. But we should never, ever, ever forget. In April, I made the decision to end this war. As part of that decision, we set the date of August 31st for American troops to withdraw. The assumption was that more than 300,000 Afghan national security forces that we had trained over the past two decades, and equipped, would be a strong adversary in their civil war with the Taliban. That assumption, that the Afghan government would be able to hold on for a period of time beyond military drawdown turned out not to be accurate. But, I still instructed our national security team to prepare for every eventuality, even that one. And thats what we did. So we were ready when the Afghan security forces, after two decades of fighting for their country and losing thousands of their own, did not hold on as long as anyone expected. Story continues We were ready when they, and the people of Afghanistan, watched their own government collapse and their president flee amid the corruption and malfeasance, handing over the country to their enemy the Taliban and significantly increasing the risk to US personnel and our allies. As a result, to safely extract American citizens before August 31st as wells as embassy personnel, allies and partners, and those Afghans who had worked with us and fought alongside of us for 20 years, I had authorised 6,000 troops, American troops, to Kabul to help secure the airport. As General MacKenzie said, this is the way the mission was designed. It was designed to operate under severe stress and attack. And thats what it did. Since March, we reached out 19 times to Americans in Afghanistan with multiple warnings and offers to help to leave Afghanistan, all the way back to as far as March. After we started the evacuation 17 days ago, we did initial outreach and analysis and identified around 5,000 Americans who had decided earlier to stay in Afghanistan but now wanted to leave. Our Operation Allied Rescue ended up getting more than 5,500 Americans out. We got out thousands of citizens and diplomats from those countries that went into Afghanistan with us to get Bin Laden. We got out locally employed staff in the United States Embassy, and their families, totalling roughly 2,500 people. We got thousands of Afghan translators and interpreters and others who supported the United States out as well. Now we believe that about 100 to 200 Americans remain in Afghanistan with some intention to leave. Most of those who remain are dual citizens, long-time residents that earlier decided to stay because of their family roots in Afghanistan. The bottom line, 90 per cent of Americans in Afghanistan who wanted to leave were able to leave. And for those remaining Americans, there is no deadline, we remain committed to get them out if they want to come out. Secretary of State Blinken is leading the continued diplomatic efforts to ensure safe passage for any American, Afghan partner, or foreign national who wants to leave Afghanistan. In fact, just yesterday, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution that sent a clear message what the international community expects the Taliban to deliver on moving forward, notably freedom of travel, freedom to leave. Together, were joined by over 100 countries that are determined to make sure that the Taliban uphold those commitments. It will include ongoing efforts in Afghanistan to reopen the airport, as well as overland routes, allowing for continued departure for those who want to leave, and deliver humanitarian assistance for the people of Afghanistan. The Taliban has made public commitments broadcast on television and radio across Afghanistan on safe passage on anyone wanting to leave, including those who worked alongside America. We dont take them by their word alone, but by their actions. And we have leverage to make sure that those commitments are met. Let me be clear, leaving August the 31st is not due to an arbitrary deadline. It was designed to save American lives. My predecessor, the former president, signed an agreement with the Taliban to remove US troops by May the first, just months after I was inaugurated. It included no requirement the Taliban work out a cooperative government arrangement with the Afghan government. But it did authorize the release of 5,000 prisoners last year, including some of the Talibans top war commanders among those that just took control of Afghanistan. By the time I came to office, the Taliban was in the strongest military position since 2001, controlling or contesting nearly half of the country. Previous administrations agreement said that if we stuck to the May 1st deadline that they had signed on to leave by, the Taliban wouldnt attack any American forces. But if we stayed, all bets were off. So we were left with a simple decision, either follow through on the commitment made by the last administration and leave Afghanistan or say we werent leaving and commit another tens of thousands of more troops going back to war. That was the choice, the real choice, between leaving or escalating. I was not going to extend this forever war and I was not extending a forever exit. The decision to end the military lift operations at Kabul airport was based on unanimous recommendation of my civilian and military advisers, the secretary of state, the secretary of defence, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, and all the service chiefs, and the commanders in the field. Their recommendation was that the safest way to secure the passage of the remaining Americans and others out of the country was not to continue with 6,000 troops on the ground in harms way in Kabul, but rather get them out through non-military means. In the 17 days that we operated in Kabul after the Taliban seized power, we engaged in an around the clock effort to provide every American the opportunity to leave. Our State Department was working 24/7 contacting and talking, and in some cases walking, Americans into the airport. Again, more than 5,500 Americans were airlifted out, and for those who remain, we will make arrangements to get them out if they so choose. As for the Afghans, we and our partners have airlifted 100,000 of them. No country in history has done more to airlift out the residents of another country than we have done. We will continue to work to help more people leave the country who are at risk. Were far from done. For now, I urge all Americans to join me in grateful prayer for our troops and diplomats and intelligence officers who carried out this mission of mercy in Kabul and at tremendous risk with such unparalleled results. An airlift that evacuated tens of thousands to a network of volunteers and veterans who helped identify those needing evacuation, guide them to the airport, and provided them with their support along the way. Were going to continue to need their help, we need your help and Im looking forward to meeting with you. And to everyone who is now offering, or who will offer to welcome Afghan allies to their homes around the world, including in America, we thank you. I take responsibility for the decision. Now some say we should have started mass evacuations sooner. And couldnt this have been done, have been done in a more orderly manner? I respectfully disagree. Imagine, if wed begun evacuations in June or July bringing in thousands of American troops and evacuating more than 120,000 people in the middle of a civil war. There still would have been a rush to the airport. A breakdown in confidence and control of the government and it still would have been a very difficult and dangerous mission. The bottom line is, there is no evacuation [sic], evacuation from the end of a war that you can run without the kinds of complexities, challenge and threats we faced. None. To those who would say we should have stayed indefinitely, for years on end, they ask why dont we just keep doing what we were doing. Why do we have to change anything? The fact is, everything had changed. My predecessor had made a deal with the Taliban. When I came into the office we faced a deadline, May 1, the Taliban onslaught was coming. We faced one of two choices, follow the agreement of the previous administration and extend it to have, or extend, to have more time for people to get out. Or send in thousands of more troops and escalate the war. To those asking for a third decade of war in Afghanistan, I ask, what is the vital national interest? In my view we only have one, to make sure Afghanistan can never be used again to launch an attack on our homeland. Remember why we went to Afghanistan in the first place? Because we were attacked by Osama bin Laden and Al Quaeda on September 11th 2001. And they were based in Afghanistan. We delivered justice to bin Laden on May 2nd, 2011, over a decade ago. Al Quaeda was decimated. I respectfully suggest you ask yourself this question, if wed been attacked on September 11th 2001 from Yemen instead of Afghanistan, would we have ever have gone to war in Afghanistan? Even though the Taliban controlled Afghanistan in the year 2001? I believe the honest answer is no. Thats because we had no vital interest in Afghanistan other than to prevent an attack on Americas homeland and our friends. And thats true today. We succeeded in what we set out to do in Afghanistan over a decade ago. And we stayed for another decade. It was time to end this war. This is a new world, the terror threat has metastasized across the world well beyond Afghanistan. We face threats from Al-Shabab in Somalia, Al Qaeda affiliates in Syria and the Arabian peninsula and Isis attempting to create a Caliphate in Syria and Iraq and establishing affiliates in Africa Asia. The fundamental obligation of a president in my opinion is to defend and protect America, not against threats of 2001, but against the threats of 2021 and tomorrow. That is the guiding principle behind my decisions about Afghanistan. I simply do not believe that the safety and security of America is enhanced by continuing to deploy thousands of American troops and spending billions of dollars a year in Afghanistan. But I also know that the threat from terrorism continues in its pernicious and evil nature. But its changed, expanded to other countries. Our strategy has to change too. We will maintain the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan and other countries. We just dont need to fight a ground war to do it. We have whats called over the horizon capabilities. Which means we can strike terrorism targets without American boots on the ground, or very few if needed. Weve shown that capacity just in the last week, we struck ISIS-K remotely days after they murdered 13 of our service members and dozens of innocent Afghans. And to ISIS-K, we are not done with you yet. As commander in chief, I firmly believe the best path to guard our safety and our security lies in a tough, unforgiving, targeted, precise strategy that goes after terror where it is today. Not where it was two decades ago. Thats whats in our national interests. And heres the critical thing to understand. The world is changing, were engaged in a serious competition with China, were dealing with the challenges on multiple fronts with Russia, were confronted with cyber attacks and nuclear proliferation. We have to shore up Americas competitiveness to meet these new challenges in the competition for the 21st century. We can do both, fight terrorism and take on new threats that are here now and will continue to be here in the future. And theres nothing China or Russia would rather have, would want more, in this competition than the United States to be bogged down another decade in Afghanistan. As we turn the page on the foreign policy that has guided our nation the last two decades, weve got to learn from our mistakes. To me, there are two that are paramount. First, we must set missions with clear, achievable goals. Not ones we will never reach. Second, we must stay clearly focused on the fundamental national security interests of the United States of America. This decision about Afghanistan is not just about Afghanistan, its about ending an era of major military operations to remake other countries. We saw a mission of counter-terrorism in Afghanistan, getting a terrorist and stopping attacks, morph into a counterinsurgency, nation-building, trying to create a democratic, cohesive and united Afghanistan, something that has never been done over centuries of Afghanistans history. Moving from that mindset and those kinds of large scale troop deployments will make us stronger and more effective and safer at home. And for anyone who gets the wrong idea, let me say clearly. To those who wish America harm, to those who engage in terrorism against us or our allies, know this, the United States will never rest, we will not forgive, we will not forget, we will hunt you down to the ends of the earth and we will, you will pay the ultimate price. Now let me be clear, we will continue to support the Afghan people through diplomacy, international influence and humanitarian aid. We will continue to push for reasonable diplomacy engagement to prevent violence and instability, continue to speak out for the basic rights of the Afghan people, especially women and girls, as we speak out for women and girls all around the globe. And I have been clear that human rights would be the centre of our foreign policy. But the way to do that is not through endless military deployments, but through diplomacy, economic tools and rallying the rest of the world for support. My fellow Americans, the war in Afghanistan is now over. Im the fourth president who has faced the issue of whether and when to end this war. When I was running for president I made a commitment to the American people that I would end this war, and today Ive honoured that commitment. It was time to be honest to the American people again. We no longer had a clear purpose in an open-ended mission in Afghanistan. After 20 years of war in Afghanistan, I refused to send another generation of Americas sons and daughters to fight a war that should have ended long ago. After more than $2trillion spent in Afghanistan, costs that researchers at Brown University estimated would be over $300m a day for 20 years in Afghanistan, for two decades. Yes, the American people hear this. $300m a day for two decades. You take the number of $1trillion as many say, thats still $150m a day for two decades. And what have we lost as a consequence in terms of opportunities? I refuse to continue a war that was no longer in the service of the vital national interests of our people. And most of all, after 800,000 Americans serving in Afghanistan have travelled that whole country, brave and honourable service, after 20,744 American servicemen and women injured, and the loss of 2,461 American personnel, including 13 lives lost just this week, I refuse to open another decade of warfare in Afghanistan. Weve been a nation too long at war. If youre 20 years old today, youve never known an America at peace. So when I hear that we could have, should have, continued this so-called low-grade effort in Afghanistan at low risk to our service members, at low cost, I dont think enough people how much weve asked of the one per cent of this country that put that uniform on, willing to put their lives on the line in defence of our nation. Maybe its because my deceased son Beau served in Iraq for a full year and before that well, maybe its because of what Ive seen over the years as senator, vice president and president travelling these countries. A lot of our veterans and their families have gone through hell. Deployment after deployment, months and years away from their families, missed birthdays, anniversaries, empty chairs at holidays, financial struggles, divorces, loss of limbs, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress. We see it in the struggles many have when they come home. We see it in the strain on their families and caregivers. We see it in the strain on their families when theyre not there. We see it in the grief borne by their survivors. The cost of war they will carry with them their whole lives. Most tragically, we see it in the shocking and stunning statistic that should give pause to anyone who thinks war could be low grade, low risk or low cost. Eighteen veterans on average who die by suicide every single day in America, not in a far place but right here in America. Theres nothing low grade or low risk or low cost about any war. Its time to end the war in Afghanistan. As we close 20 years of war and strife and pain and sacrifice, its time to look to the future, not the past, to a future thats safer, to a future thats more secure, to a future that honours those that served and all those who gave what President Lincoln called their last full measure of devotion. I give you my word with all of my heart, I believe this is the right the decision, a wise decision, and the best decision for America. Thank you, thank you and may God bless you all, and may God protect our troops. Read More Afghanistan news live: UK into final hours of evacuation mission Who are Isis-K? Pen Farthings animals could die of heat at Kabul airport Its human nature to blame someone or something else when we screw up. We all do it, but onl Ian McDowell is the author of two published novels, numerous anthologized short stories, and a whole lot of nonfiction and journalism, some of which hes proud of and none of which hes ashamed of. A charity hospital operated by the Federation of Hungarian Jewish Communities (Mazsihisz) was inaugurated in Budapest on Sunday. Miklos Kasler, the minister of human resources, noted at the opening ceremony that the government had funded the reconstruction and expansion of the hospital in Budapests 14th district with a 5 billion forint (EUR 14.3m) grant. The building, which was reconstructed in the second leg of a major reconstruction process, will house the diagnostics, outpatient and rehabilitation departments. MTI Photo: Balazs Mohai New Delhi: Royal Enfield, one of the most loved motorcycle brands in India will be launching the Royal Enfield Classic 350 in the country on Wednesday, September 1. Royal Enfield has posted several campaigns across its website and its official twitter page Be Reborn. The Royal Enfield Classic 350 will be launched at a digital event at 11.30 am tomorrow. You can click here to watch the event live on company's official Youtube page. (Also read: Ahead of 2021 Royal Enfield Classic 350 launch, here's looking at 6 Enfield bikes that turned heads in the last decade) At a time when Bullet fans in India are waiting with baited-breath for the launch of the 2021 Royal Enfield Classic 350, any bit of information on the same heightens the excitement. Recently, a couple of variants of the bike has been leaked online, giving a sneak-peek into the various colours that the upcoming Royal Enfield Classic 350 is going to sport. Some other reports said that the 2021 Royal Enfield Classic 350 will be bearing Light green, Khakhi, Stealth black, Dual-tone red, black and white, British Green and Glossy Grey colours, the leaked images show. The new Classic 350 will reportedly have its engine inspiration from the Meteor 350. It will be powered upgraded 349cc DOHC engine producing a max power of 20PS peak power and 27Nm of torque. The bike will also use the J-platform from Meteor. The new Classic 350 will get Tripper Turn-by-Turn Navigation and a small screen to help riders navigate using a Bluetooth connection with their smartphone. However, the kick-starter will not be present in the new Classic 350, said reports. The new Classic 350 will get Tripper Turn-by-Turn Navigation and a small screen to help riders navigate using a Bluetooth connection with their smartphone. However, the kick-starter will not be present in the new Classic 350, said reports. The Royal Enfield Classic 350 with Matte Black Finish color option has been widely circulated in the media. The leaked images give a glimpse of the new generation Classic 350 featuring multi spoke dual tone alloy wheels. New Royal Enfield Classic 350 in the leaked images show retro style round taillamps with round turn indicators. The Royal Enfield Classic 350 also boasts of a retro style round halogen headlamps along with a small semi-digital instrument cluster. Live TV #mute New Delhi: Implementation of the National Education Policy, a four-year undergraduate programme and merger of College of Arts with the city government-run Ambedkar University will come up for discussion during the Delhi University executive council meeting on Tuesday. The implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) from 2022-23 and the four-year undergraduate programme were approved by the Standing Committee on Academic Matters and the Academic Council last week. The multiple entry/exit scheme (MEES), where students will be able to enter and exit any programme at various stages, and the Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) will also come up for discussion, according to the document circulated among EC members. They will come up for discussion in the meeting on Tuesday and are likely to be approved. The Executive Council (EC) is the highest decision-making body of the university. The EC meeting takes up the proposals approved by the Academic Council and also some other matters that were pending from earlier meetings. The Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA), however, will hold an online protest on Tuesday against the implementation of the NEP. "It is extremely unfortunate that threadbare discussion in the Academic Council of August 24 was not allowed on this major restructuring. The structure will lead to dilution of degrees and render workload unstable. "Any restructuring which will lead to dilution and jobs cut is unacceptable. Students and teachers have suffered hurried implementation of one 'reform' after another for the last one decade," the DUTA said. The Delhi Cabinet in March took the decision to merge the College of Art, currently affiliated to Delhi University (DU), with Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD). The matter of de-affiliation of the College of Arts with DU will be discussed in the meeting, according to the agenda. The setting up of DU Digital Infrastructure Support for Colleges and Departments (DUDISCAD) is also a part of the EC meeting's agenda, it read. The DUDISCD will be involved in assisting colleges and departments to develop in-house digital infrastructure. The university had earlier also said it will establish facilitation centres in Roshanpura in Najafgarh and Bhati Kalan in Fatehpur Beri on the land given by the Delhi government. The centres will save students residing in far-flung areas from a long commute to the university campus and will extend help in relation to examination and admission-related procedures. The university also has plans to set up a college in Fatehpur Beri for which the names of first woman chief minister of Delhi Sushma Swaraj, Swami Vivekananda, Veer Savarkar and Sardar Patel were proposed. In its meeting held on Tuesday last week, the academic council put forth five more names, including that of DU alumnus Arun Jaitley and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "The Council resolved that the name of these colleges/centres may be given after the names of Sushma Swaraj, Swami Vivekananda, Veer Savarkar, Sardar Patel. The Council also suggested the names of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Savitri Bai Phule, Arun Jaitley, Choudhary Brahm Prakash and CD Deshmukh. After general discussion/suggestions, the Council resolved that the vice-chancellor be authorised to finalize the name," read the agenda of the meeting. The vice-chancellor had constituted a committee for empanelment of adjunct faculty in the university departments and colleges for value addition and internationalization of the academic activities, to engage the international adjunct faculty from their own resources to significantly enhance the teaching-learning process in the University of Delhi. The discussion on appointment of international adjunct faculty is also included in the meeting agenda on Tuesday. Live TV Jaipur: 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` is 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". Have Been Going Over the Love We have Received.! Yes it is real and we are absolutely happy to announce an off on 3rd September naming it to be "Netflix & Chill Holiday" on the release of final season of #MoneyHeist @NetflixIndia- Please don't end this one! "Kehdo Ye Juth Hai" pic.twitter.com/M9RmFbZPOi Verve Logic (@VerveLogic) August 30, 2021 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." ALSO WATCH: Kristen Stewart's stunning transformation into Princess Diana in 'Spencer' trailer is jaw-dropping Live TV Srinagar: Four over-ground workers (OGWs) associated with the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were arrested in connection with the grenade blast at Sarpanchs residence in Baramulla. The blast had occurred at about 9 pm on August 8 when a grenade was lobbed towards the police guard and house of Sarpanch Narinder Kour. The explosion had caused minor damages to window panes and a Maruti 800 car. The police arrested Mohd Saleem Khan, Sajad Ahmed Mir, Bilal Ahmad Sheikh and Naseer Ahmad Dar for their alleged involvement in the blast. During the interrogation of both suspects, it came to fore that both the suspects are working as OGWs of LeT outfit and are working under the behest of one Pakistan-based handler of LeT and its offshoot TRF namely Ali Bhai, the police said in a statement. They said that the OGWs obtained the grenade from Batmaloo Srinagar. Two hand grenades and 100 grams of charas-like substance were recovered from the accused persons, the police added. A case under UAPA was filed and the investigation is underway. Also Read: Infiltration bid foiled in J&Ks Poonch, terrorist gunned down by security forces Live TV New Delhi: With the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries flowing above the danger mark the flood situation escalating in Assam. According to Flood Reporting and Information Management System (FRIMS), as many as 950 villages in 21 districts of the state have been affected due to floods following heavy rainfall in the state. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) also released a report on Monday (August 30, 2021) which stated that in these 950 villages over 3,63,135 people have been affected due to floods in the state. The report also added that the government has set up 44 relief centres that include 16 relief camps and 28 relief distribution centres to help the flood victims. At the moment, over 1600 people have taken shelter in these relief camps. Meanwhile, Central Water Commission (CWC) has warned that the water level in Brahmaputra river is expected to rise by 20 to 35 centimetres. The State has been suffering from flood situations for the past several weeks. Heavy floods forced people in Panikhaiti village of Kamrup district to live amid dreadful situations while their houses and croplands lie submerged. While speaking to ANI, Kamla Namoshuta, a mother of three who could not feed her kids in Panikhaiti village said, "Floodwater entered into my house and I can not feed my children as there is no dry wood for cooking, all logs are wet. What should I do now?" Speaking about the problems faced due to the floods, Khirud Namoshuta, a senior citizen villager, said, "My family comprises of 12 persons, We are not getting any relief funds from the government. I request the government to look into this matter." "200 homes are being hit by floods. This happens every year. No one has come here to help us so far," said, Ali, a resident of Panikhaiti village. As per ASDMA, the Kamrup district comes under affected along with 20 other districts. The ASDMA report also revealed that SDRF, Circle Office, Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) and local administration are involved in the rescue operations. (With ANI inputs) Live TV Mumbai: With the threat of third COVID-19 wave looming large, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday (August 31) slammed BJPs Ashirvad yatras for putting peoples lives at risk. He cited the Centres letter that warned against festival gatherings and said that those who still want to protest against orders banning crowds should take note of it. Central government has also said that the third wave of COVID-19 is expected and has asked states, through a letter, to avoid gatherings during Dahi Handi and Ganeshotsav. We should show this letter to those who want to protest, Thackeray said in a virtual address after inaugurating an oxygen plant in Thane. Some people want to take out yatras. This is so unfortunate. People are organizing events and putting the life of the common man in danger, he added. The CM said that these people do not seem to care if some people die due to such rallies. Thackerays statement comes after newly-appointed union ministers of BJP organised Jan Ashirwad rallies across the country to take the blessings of people. He said when Sena was formed it was announced that the party will do 80 per cent social work and 20 per cent politics. But today there are parties in the country that are 100 per cent into politics. They do not want to do any work that will benefit the people but they are organising rallies and events that would put their lives in danger, he said. Thackeray admitted that he was missing the excitement of Dahi Handi due to restrictions, which do not allow public celebrations of the festival. I must admit that I am missing the excitement of Dahi Handi and the celebrations for the last couple of years. I had personally attended some such events in the past, Thackeray said. Notably, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) celebrated the traditional 'Dahi Handi' festival in Thane and neighbouring Palghar district, even though the celebrations have been banned in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Live TV New Delhi: People are constantly joining the Aam Aadmi Party after being influenced by the Kejriwal government's monumental work in various areas like schools, hospitals, electricity, water, roads, and Wi-Fi services. AAP senior Leader and MLA Raghav Chadha inducted several former Congress workers and office bearers into the party. On the occasion, Chadha said that the country's politics needs youth leadership, and the Aadmi Party is the party of the youth and inspired by CM Kejriwals work, governance, and honesty, people have been constantly joining the Aam Aadmi Party. On Monday, Vikas Sharma and Mehar Yadav joined the Aam Aadmi Party with their supporters. Introducing the leaders to the gathering, Raghav Chadha said, Vikas Sharma served the Congress for the last 16 years. He held important positions, like the Block Youth Congress President and District Karol Bagh Vice President and was till now a Delegate of the Delhi State Congress Committee. Mehar Yadav has also held important posts like Block Youth Congress President, and Rajinder Nagar Vidhan Sabha Youth Congress President and was currently a Delegate of the Delhi State Congress Committee. With Mehar Yadav and Vikas Sharma joining the Aam Aadmi Party, the Rajinder Nagar Congress team has completely shifted to Aam Aadmi Party, making the party stronger in Rajinder Nagar. While inducting them into the party, Raghav Chadha said, They are taking these tough political decisions after being influenced by the development works done during by the Aam Aadmi Party. Both the leaders along with their teams have assured that they would serve the public by working step by step with the Kejriwal government. The country's politics needs youth leadership, and the Aadmi Party is the party of the youth Live TV New Delhi: Nine new judges, including three women, would be administered the oath of office as judges of the Supreme Court by Chief Justice of India (CJI) N V Ramana on Tuesday. It is for the first time in the history of the apex court when nine judges would be taking the oath of office at one go and the swearing-in ceremony would be held in the auditorium of the Supreme Court's additional building complex. Traditionally, the oath of office to new judges is administered in the CJI's courtroom. With the swearing-in of the nine new judges on Tuesday, the strength of the Supreme Court would rise to 33, including the CJI, out of the sanctioned strength of 34. 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 is shifted to the auditorium. This is done keeping in view the need for strict adherence to COVID norms, said a press release issued by the apex court's public relations office. It said the swearing-in ceremony would be telecast live on DD News, DD India and live webcast would also be available on the home page of official web portal of the Supreme Court. The nine new judges who would be administered the oath of office as apex court judges include -- Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka (who was the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court), Justice Vikram Nath (who was the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court), Justice Jitendra Kumar Maheshwari (who was the Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court), Justice Hima Kohli (who was the Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court) and Justice B V Nagarathna (who was a judge of the Karnataka High Court). Besides them, Justice C T Ravikumar (who was a judge of the Kerala High Court), Justice M M Sundresh (who was a judge of the Madras High Court), Justice Bela M Trivedi (who was a judge of the Gujarat High Court) and P S Narasimha (who was a senior advocate and former Additional Solicitor General) would also be administered the oath of office by the CJI. Justice Nagarathna is in line to become the first woman CJI in September 2027. Justice Nagarathna, born on October 30, 1962, is the daughter of former CJI E S Venkataramiah. Three out of these nine new judges, Justices Nath and Nagarathna and Narasimha, are in line to become the CJI. Justice Nath is in line to become the CJI upon the retirement of sitting apex court judge Justice Surya Kant in February 2027. Justice Nath would be succeeded by Justice Nagarathna, who would have a tenure of over a month as the head of the judiciary. Narasimha would succeed Justice Nagarathna as the CJI and would have a tenure of over six months. The apex court Collegium had on August 17 recommended these nine names for appointment as judges of the top court. Later, President Ram Nath Kovind had signed the warrants of their appointment as apex court judges. The top court, which came into being on January 26, 1950, has seen very few women judges since its inception and in the last over 71 years has appointed only eight lady judges starting from M Fathima Beevi in 1989. Presently, Justice Indira Banerjee is the lone serving woman judge in the apex court after her elevation on August 7, 2018, from the Madras High Court where she was serving as the Chief Justice. While high court judges retire at the age of 62, the retirement age of Supreme Court judges is 65. The recommendation of these nine names by the five-member SC collegium headed by CJI Ramana at its meeting on August 17 had put an end to the 21-month-long logjam over the appointment of new judges to the top court. The impasse over the appointment had led to a situation in which not a single name for the judgeship in the apex court could be recommended after the superannuation of then CJI Ranjan Gogoi on November 17, 2019. Live TV New Delhi: Several discrepancies came to light after a three-member panel, which was set up to audit billing by 35 private COVID hospitals during the second wave, conducted its investigation. The panel found that these discrepancies were also in form of overcharging ranging between Rs 10,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh. According to an English daily, the three-member panel comprises Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation commissioner Mahendra Singh Tanwar, the then chief medical officer NK Gupta and chief treasury officer Laxmi Mishra. The team was looking into the matter after receiving complaints from numerous COVID patients and their families alleging that they have been overcharged, following which the hospitals were given time till June 25 to comply. The report in Times of India also said that over 90 percent of the hospitals in question have returned the extra amount to the patients and the remaining hospitals are been given the last chance to do so and rectify their mistakes before the final report is submitted by the panel. We audited five bills each of the maximum amounts from 35 hospitals and found discrepancies in most of them. No punitive action has been taken, but the centres have been asked to reconsider the bills and return the additional amounts to patients. The process is yet to be completed. The panel will compile the hospitals replies and submit the final report to the administration, the report quoted Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation commissioner Mahendra Singh Tanwar as saying. ALSO READ | 100% first dose Covid 19 vaccination done for adults in Himachal Pradesh Additionally, Dr Ashish Agarwal, IMA president, Ghaziabad chapter, said, About 90% of the hospitals have complied with the committees order and returned the differential amount. The remaining facilities are looking into the matter. A sub-divisional magistrate has been appointed to hear the hospitals grievances and those who have any queries have met the officials for clarification. The health department had received over 20 complaints of overcharging by patients families, following which the panel was set up. Additionally, up to Rs 10 lakh was returned by private hospitals following scrutiny. Live TV New Delhi: The Centre has defended the legality of the new Information Technology (IT) Rules before the Delhi High Court, saying that the rules seek to "prevent the misuse of the freedom of press" and protect the citizens from fake news in digital media space which used to be largely unregulated. The Centre, in its counter affidavit filed on a challenge to the constitutional validity of the new IT Rules, has submitted that although the right to freedom of speech and expression, including the freedom of press, is critical for a vibrant democracy like India, citizens "cannot be treated as passive consumers." While submitting that there have been "past incidents of disinformation on digital media leading to disturbance of public order", the Centre has asserted that digital media "allows sensational content being re-circulated in a different context leading to misinterpretation by the audience", making it susceptible to being used as fake news. "IT Rules seek to prevent the misuse of the freedom of press by empowering the audience with a mechanism to raise their grievances related to the content being published by the digital news publishers through a grievance redressal mechanism with an emphasis on the self-regulatory architecture for digital news publishers, and are therefore not only within the ambit of the Act, but also fulfill the object sought to be achieved by the (IT) Act," said the affidavit recently filed jointly by the Ministry Of Information and Broadcasting and Ministry Of Electronics and Information Technology. "Before the notification of the Rules, digital news media was largely unregulated. It is submitted that before the notification of the Rules, no such mechanism was currently in operation with regard to news on digital media, thereby leading to a discriminatory imbalance within the news media ecosystem with respect to content on traditional media," it added. The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which were notified in February, impose several obligation on online entities including an obligation to take down contentious content quicker, appoint grievance redressal officers and assist in investigations. In its affidavit, the Centre has claimed that the regulation of media content in the electronic form, including news and current affairs content and online curated content, is well within the scope of the IT Act and the new rules do not provide any additional restrictions apart from what is already prohibited by existing statutes. The Centre has argued that the reach of digital media is "far wider as compared to traditional media, which makes it a powerful tool for information campaigns by foreign state and non-state actors to influence public opinion in any nation". "Online platforms, for commercial reasons, may have a tendency to retain the consumer on their platform for a longer period. This results in proliferation and spread of news content that appears to be sensational. The risk of false or misleading information is greater over the internet as the same can be spread rapidly within the society," the affidavit said. "It is an economic environment marked by competition for eye-balls and regulatory vacuum with respect to the content on digital media has led to spread fake news and other potentially harmful content without any accountability of digital news publishers," it added. The Centre has also claimed that there has been no discernible impact of the new IT rules on digital content and "over 1,800 digital media publishers, over 97% of them being publishers of news and current affairs content, have appointed a Grievance Redressal Officer (Level-I), and furnished their information to the Ministry." The high court had earlier issued notices and sought responses of the Centre on the petitions by Foundation for Independent Journalism, The Wire, Quint Digital Media Ltd and Pravda Media Foundation which is the parent company of Alt News. The petition by Quint Digital Media Ltd challenged the constitutional validity of the IT Rules under the provisions of Information Technology Act, 2000, in as much as they purport to apply to 'publishers of news and current affairs content' as part of digital media, and consequently regulate these entities under the Rules by imposing government oversight and a Code of Ethics' which stipulates such vague conditions as good taste', decency' and prohibition of half-truths'. The pleas sought striking down of the specific part of the IT Rules on the ground that it violates Article 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(g) of the Constitution creating a chilling effect on media freedom, Article 14 of the Constitution by creating an unreasonable classification and by setting up a parallel adjudicatory mechanism to be overseen by the officials of the executive and is ultra vires the IT Act. New Delhi: AAP Chief Spokesperson and MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj informed that the CAG report revealed that Uttarakhand has the worst health services amongst all Himalayan states. The condition of health services in Uttarakhand is so bad that patients lose their life before they even reach the hospital, according to him. Saurabh Bhardwaj further revealed that Uttarakhand's health budget was Rs 188 crore in 2018-19, reduced to just Rs 97 crores in 2019-20 and only 5.25 paise is being spent on per persons health in a year; Ambulances are not available to bring patients to hospitals, air ambulances are used only for big politicians and their relatives and the common man has been left to die there. He stated that debt on Uttarakhand continues to increase and at present Uttarakhand government has a debt of Rs 65,982 crore. He further revealed that Uttarakhand government accounts had adequate funds in 2019-20, yet this year a loan of Rs 5,100 crore has been taken at expensive rates. He said that if the Aam Aadmi Party government is formed in Uttarakhand, good and free health services will be available to people of Uttarakhand, just like Delhi. AAP Chief Spokesperson and MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj said, The recently published CAG report 2019-20 has revealed the extremely poor conditions of the Health sector in Uttarakhand. In the past, we have also seen many such news reports covering similar news. Uttarakhand, which has a rocky terrain, has an appalling state of dispensaries, hospitals, and government health facilities. Most of the people in Uttarakhand die before even reaching a hospital because the number of hospitals is very less. He said, This CAG report further reveals that, amongst all the Himalayan States, Uttarakhand has the worst health sector. The health situation is so grim that many women die in the initial stages of their pregnancy. The availability of ambulances is also very poor such that Dandi Kandis are used to take the patients to the hospitals and most of the time they die before reaching the hospitals. Saurabh Bhardwaj said, The health situation is so awful that the governments budget for 2018-19 which was Rs. 188 crores was reduced to a low of Rs. 97 crores in 2019-20. If this budget is distributed per person, then it will come out to be 5.25 paise per person. So, the Uttarakhand government spends 5.25 paise per person on health. As per CAG, the use of air ambulances is done only for big politicians and their relatives and when it comes to the common man, he is left there to die. He said, CAGs report has revealed many such shocking pieces of information as well. The most important information therein is that the loan on the Uttarakhand government is constantly increasing. Currently, the Uttarakhand government is in a debt of Rs. 65,982 crores. This debt is increasing every year. Moreover, the government has adequate cash in many sub-bodies. Yet, the Government is unnecessarily taking loans from the market at expensive rates. Despite the Uttarakhand government having adequate cash in its account in 2019-20, loans were taken at rates higher than the market in April, July, August, September, and December. The Uttarakhand government has taken a loan of about Rs 5,100 crore from the market at expensive rates this year. Moreover, the report also reveals that the government has spent about Rs. 100 crores and is not aware of where it was spent. He further said, If the Aam Aadmi Party government is formed in Uttarakhand, the people of Uttarakhand will be able to get good and free health services like Delhi. Live TV Doha: On Tuesday (August 31), a day when the US withdrew the last of troops from Afghanistan, the Indian envoy met Taliban representative in Doha, the ministry of external affairs said. Ambassador of India to Qatar, Deepak Mittal, met Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the Head of Talibans Political Office in Doha. The meeting took place at the Embassy of India, Doha, on the request of the Taliban side, the MEA said in a statement. The discussions focused on safety, security and early return of Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan. The travel of Afghan nationals, especially minorities, who wish to visit to India also came up. India has long had concerns about the Taliban because of the group's close ties to arch rival Pakistan. The talks come days after Stanekzai was quoted in the local press as saying that the Taliban wanted political and economic ties with India. There was no immediate comment from the Taliban on the talks with the Indians. India invested more than $3 billion in development work in Afghanistan and had built close ties with the US-backed Kabul government. But with the rapid advance of the Taliban, the Indian government was facing criticism at home for not opening a channel of communication to the militants. In June, informal contacts were established with Taliban political leaders in Doha, government sources said. The big fear is that militant groups fighting Indian rule in Muslim-majority Kashmir will become emboldened with the victory of the Taliban over foreign forces, one of the sources said. Ambassador Mittal raised Indias concern that Afghanistans soil should not be used for anti-Indian activities and terrorism in any manner. The Taliban representative assured the Ambassador that these issues would be positively addressed, the MEA informed. When the Taliban were last in power from 1996-2001, India along with Russia and Iran supported the Northern Alliance that pursued armed resistance against them. Stanekzai, who Indian officials say received training in an Indian military academy as an Afghan officer in the 1980s, had informally reached out to India last month, asking it not to shut down its embassy, the source said. (With Reuters inputs) Live TV New Delhi: After a gap of 32 years, the Kashmiri Pandits organised a Janmashtami procession to celebrate the birthday of Lord Krishna in Srinagar on Monday amid tight security arrangements. The group began the jhanki procession from the Ganpatyar temple in the Habba Kadal area of the city. The yatra covered major spots in the city including Kralkhud, Barbarshah, Amirakadal bridge and Jehangir chowk, a PTI report quoted officials as saying. The devotees, including people from all age groups, danced alongside the chariot and distributed sweets among people and chanted prayers of "Hare Krishna Hare Ram". "This Jhanki Yatra is a beautiful way of celebrating Janmashtami because through this we can show our devotion towards Lord Krishna," a local told ANI. "An act of brotherhood has been shown today as all the other communities of Kashmir, cooperated during the Yatra and it was smoothly conducted", said another local. There was no procession in 2020 due to COVID-19 while the lockdown imposed in the wake of abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status in August 2019 had led to the cancellation of the event. Jhanki Yatra organised at Lal Chowk, Srinagar on the occasion of #SriKrishnaJanmashtami. The devotees also sang Krishna Bhajans. This is the first time in 32 years Janmashtami processions were taken out in #kashmir #KashmiriPandits #Hinduism pic.twitter.com/JsqspmLde5 Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) August 30, 2021 Additionally, a BJP functionary, Shaurya Doval in a tweet said that the celebrations took place in the same place where hoisting Indias national flag was a life-threatening act in 1992. And today, people of the Hindu community are able to conduct their religious proceedings at the same location. It has only been possible under the able leadership of PM Narendra Modi ji," he said. (With Agency inputs) Live TV The special teams looking into the case of sensational Mysuru gangrape have arrested another accused in this connection, said police sources on Tuesday. The sixth accused was also arrested from Tamil Nadu on Monday night after police tracked him down. He had disappeared after the incident came to light. The arrested accused has revealed the involvement of yet another accused, the 7th, in the case during interrogation. Presently he is at large and teams have been launched for his arrest too. The special investigating teams probing Mysuru gangrape case had arrested five persons including a juvenile from Tiruppur district of Tamil Nadu on Aug 28. The incident of gangrape had taken place in the outskirts of Mysuru at the foothills of Chamundi hill near Lalitadripura locality on August 24. The gang had assaulted the youth and demanded Rs 3 lakh ransom. When they did not get money, the accused had allegedly gang raped the college girl. Meanwhile, Araga Jnanendra has stated that, the police department cannot force the victim of gang rape to record her statement. "We will not insist on the victim," he reiterated. By the arrest of the accused persons a big message has been conveyed to the society. "If anyone thinks they can get away with any crime they are wrong," he said. It has come to light in the investigations that, the accused were involved in a series of crimes like road robberies, molestation cases. Further investigation is on. Live TV Srinagar: National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday (August 31) said that his party would win polls in Jammu and Kashmir if they are conducted in a fair manner. I am telling with full authority that we will sweep the elections and our party will be largest in coming elections, Abdullah said at a function at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre. Speaking at the parliamentary outreach programme for strengthening Parliamentary Raj Institutions (PRIs), Abdullah said he regretted not participating in the panchayat elections held in 2018. National Conference also boycotted BDC polls which were held after the abrogation of Article 370. The former chief minister alleged that officers in Kashmir arent attending to public grievances and not picking up calls. Im telling them time is coming when there will be a government and they will be held answerable for such actions. On the recent development in Afghanistan with the Taliban taking over administration, Abdullah said he wasnt sure which country would be impacted the most the US or Russia or China. He added that all our neighbours are in distress be it Pakistan, China, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives or Russia. When asked if there is any change in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, he said, You people can judge yourself if there is any betterment or not. If I say anything they will say I said it because I am in opposition. On recent attacks on panchayat members in the union territory including the killing of several BJP leaders, Abdullah said that it was the responsibility of the administration to provie security to those people. Also Read: PAGD holds meeting without getting permission, discusses restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's special status Live TV New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has established a high-level group comprising of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, which is updating him on the Afghan situation and are taking required steps to focus on immediate priorities including evacuation of stranded Indians. As the United States completes its military mission in Afghanistan and the Taliban takes over complete control, India is closely monitoring the evolving situation. Sources told ANI: "In view of the evolving situation in Afghanistan, Prime Minister had recently directed that a high-level group comprising of EAM, NSA and senior officials focus on the immediate priorities of India." It is learnt that this group has been meeting regularly over the last few days. It is seized of issues pertaining to the safe return of stranded Indians, the travel of Afghan nationals especially minorities to India, and assuring that the territory of Afghanistan is not used in any manner for terrorism directed against India. According to informed sources: "The group has also been monitoring the ground situation in Afghanistan and international reactions, including the Resolution, passed this morning by the UN Security Council." India has said that it has evacuated the majority of citizens who wish to come back, New Delhi is on wait and watches mode as far as giving recognition to the Taliban regime is concerned. On Friday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India is closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan and is in touch with other countries as well. India also played an instrumental role in bringing resolution on Afghanistan on the last day of its presidency at the United Nations Security Council. The UNSC under the Indian presidency has adopted a resolution on Afghanistan in which the member states reiterated the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan and noted the Taliban`s relevant commitments. The resolution called for the Taliban to facilitate safe passage for people wanting to leave Afghanistan, allow humanitarians to access the country, and uphold human rights, including for women and children. Live TV New Delhi: Hailing Pranab Mukherjee as a visionary and statesman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that during the former president's outstanding public life, his administrative skills and acumen always shone through various responsibilities that he shouldered. In a message that was read out at the first Pranab Mukherjee Memorial Lecture on Tuesday (August 31) to mark the first death anniversary of the former president, PM Modi said that blessed with unparalleled intellectual capabilities, Bharat Ratna Mukherjee made remarkable contributions to the nation's progress. "A visionary and a statesman. Shri Pranab Mukherjee was widely respected and admired across the political spectrum. A distinguished Parliamentarian, his speeches and interventions were of the finest quality, reflecting his grasp over a range of diverse issues," the prime minister said in his message. During his outstanding public life, spanning over decades, his administrative skills and acumen always shone through various responsibilities that he shouldered, Modi said. As the President of India, Mukherjee upheld the highest traditions, further strengthening the democratic fabric of our nation, he said. PM Modi noted that Mukherjee made Rashtrapati Bhavan even more accessible to people. "I was blessed to have always got guidance and support of Pranab da. I vividly remember his insightful counsel on many policy matters," he said. As the nation is celebrating Amrit Mahotsav of Independence, it is only apt to recall Mukherjee's reverence for the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution, the prime minister said. Noting that the first annual Pranab Mukherjee Memorial Lecture was being organised by Pranab Mukherjee Legacy Foundation, Modi wished success for the initiative. In her remarks delivered virtually at the first annual Pranab Mukherjee Memorial Lecture, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recalled that as a young MP, Mukherjee took a bold initiative in Bangladesh's support and tabled a motion in Rajya Sabha in June 1971 for the recognition of the country. "The death of Shri Pranab Mukherjee has created a vacuum in the intellectual as well as the political arena of the subcontinent. He would be remembered as an inspiration for coming generations of the region," Hasina said. Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck said that while he cherishes the many meetings with Mukherjee, he feels the absence of the Indian leader's wisdom, wise counsel and support which he was fortunate to receive. "Shri Mukherjee contributed greatly in further strengthening the excellent relations between Bhutan and India. He had a long and close association with my father, the 4th King and they developed a close bond of friendship," Wangchuck said. "My father and I will always remember Shri Pranab Mukherjee with affection and respect as a warm human being, a wise statesman, and a very good friend of Bhutan," he said. Pranab Mukherjee served as the 13th President of India from 2012 until 2017. As a senior leader of the Congress, he also held several ministerial portfolios in the government of India. (With agency inputs) New Delhi: The Delhi government announced the reopening the schools and colleges in the national capital and released the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the same All the educational institutes in the national capital, including the schools and colleges, will be reopening from September 1. This decision was taken by the government after a list of recommendations made by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). The Delhi government approved the reopening of schools in the national capital on August 27, after a meeting, chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Here is the list of SOPs parents need to know 1. The schools in Delhi will be reopened for physical classes for students of Classes 9 to 12. 2. Students living in containment zones will not be allowed to attending physical classes till the COVID situation in their area improves. 3. The classrooms will only be opened for physical lessons at 50 percent capacity to maintain proper social distancing until further notice. 4 School authorities will have to set up an emergency quarantine room on the premises of the Institute for the safety of the students. 5. Schools are required to maintain their timetables and schedules according to the occupancy limit in the classrooms. 6. Authorities will have to make sure that there are no routine guest visits on the premises for the time being. 7. The lunch breaks in schools will have to be staggered to make sure that students dont crowd in a single area 8. Schools should make sure that all the students are wearing masks and following the COVID safety guidelines issued by the government. 9. The school administration should make sure that there are adequate medical facilities present on the premises in case any student shows symptoms of coronavirus. Parents are advised to keep a check on the schools if all the protocols are being followed by the authorities. The decision to reopen the schools in Delhi came after the national capital witnessed a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases. ALSO READ: Heavy rain lashes parts of Delhi-NCR, IMD predicts more rainfall Live TV Srinagar: The officials of the Indian Army and the police on Tuesday (August 31) addressed 83 family members of active terrorists, urging them to guide their wards back into society. Lt Gen DP Pandey, GOC Chinar Corps along with GOC Victor Force, Maj Gen Rashim Bali and IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar met the family members of terrorists at Shopian. The officials reiterated that the security forces are committed to taking surrenders even during active operations. They added that all assistance will be provided to the misguided youth in enabling them to surrender and that the security forces will work with these youth to address their concerns and assist them in joining the mainstream. The GOC Chinar Corps urged the families, especially the parents, to appeal to their wards to shun the path of violence and return home. He reaffirmed security forces' commitment to maintaining peace in the Kashmir valley. The interaction was intended to instill confidence and convey the intent of the security forces amongst the families of active terrorists. The security forces are focusing on the terrorists without weapons, who sustain and handle terror activities. The overall aim is to break the cycle of violence, they said. Also Read: 4 Lashkar-e-Taiba OGWs arrested in grenade blast case in Baramulla Live TV A special operation conducted by the Sri Lankan Navy in the high seas in the afternoon of 30th August 2021, led to the seizure of a multi-day fishing vessel carrying about 290kg and 200g stock of heroin, attempted to be smuggled into the island by sea. As per the sources seized drugs were smuggled from Pakistan. The operation also made way to the apprehension of five suspects in connection to this smuggling attempt. Meanwhile, the fishing vessel with heroin and the suspects were brought ashore on Tuesday. Based on information received from a coordinated intelligence operation led by Sri Lanka Navy Intelligence and other intelligence services, the Navy detected and searched a suspicious multi-day fishing trawler heading landward, during this special anti-drug operation carried out in the high seas in the afternoon of 30th August. The interception made way to the recovery of about 290kg and 200g of heroin in 259 packages stuffed in 10 sacks which were concealed in the vessel. Apart from the haul of drugs and the multi-day fishing trawler, the Navy also nabbed 05 suspects onboard the fishing vessel. The multi-day fishing trawler seized by the Navy on suspicion of smuggling heroin, had ventured out to sea on 30th July 2021 and it is suspected that the consignment of narcotics was fetched to the trawler from foreign smugglers in international waters. Meanwhile, the street value of the seized consignment of heroin is believed to be over Rs.2321 million. The operation was conducted adhering to COVID-19 protocols in force to prevent the spread of the pandemic. Meanwhile, the Navy and Police Narcotic Bureau are conducting further investigation into the incident as of now. Kolkata: The CBI has registered 10 more cases related to the alleged post-poll violence in West Bengal, taking the total number of such cases to 31, officials said Tuesday (August 31). In the latest tranche of cases, six pertain to allegations of murder, two are of alleged gang rape and rape and the rest are related to assault, trespassing, and destruction of property, officials said. "The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered ten more cases in compliance of the orders of Hon'ble High Court at Calcutta, passed in connection with WPA(P) 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149 & 167 of 2021, dated 19.08.2021 and taken over the investigation of these cases, earlier registered in different police stations of West Bengal on various allegations," CBI Spokesperson RC Joshi said. He said the CBI has so far registered 31 cases and investigations are continuing. The High Court directives came following the submission of an NHRC committee report on the violence in the state after assembly election results were announced on May 2 declaring the victory of Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress over its main rival the BJP in a bitterly fought eight-phase electoral battle. The cases registered by the agency include the murder of a resident of Jagdhari village whose body was found in a paddy field, an alleged gang rape in Birbhum district, and an alleged murder in the Ramnagar market in South 24 Parganas district. One of the cases pertained to a murder in Jagatdal police station in North 24 Parganas where the victim was killed by crude bombs and firearms, officials said. In another case of murder and molestation in South 24 Parganas, the accused attacked the house of the complainant with an iron rod, bamboo, pistol and stick. "It was further alleged that the accused tied the hands and feet of the complainant's husband and started beating him severely. When the complainant tried to save her husband, she was allegedly pushed down and molested. It was also alleged that the accused threw the blood-soaked victim in a jungle on the bank of a pond," Joshi said. The next morning, the complainant, after getting information, rushed to a nursing home where her husband died, he said. The CBI also registered two cases of attack on complainants' houses and business establishments and loot in Purba Bardhaman and Howrah districts. Two more cases of murders in Jhargram and Nandigram in Purba Medinipur have also been registered by the agency while one case of rape is registered in Purba Medinipur. (With agency inputs) New Delhi: Wipro has invited job applications from freshers under its Elite National Talent Hunt hiring programme. The new engineering graduates, who will complete their curriculum in 2022, can send their applications for the recruitment programme. Under its Elite National Talent Hunt hiring programme, the Indian tech giant will roll out over 30,000 offer letters this year for freshers to join in FY23. Wipro's Elite National Talent Hunt: Important dates Registrations commenced on August 23, 2021 Registrations to end on September 15, 2021 Online assessment between September 25 and 27 Wipro's Elite National Talent Hunt: Important information Year of passing: 2022 Age limit: 25 years Post: Project Engineer ALSO READ | UPSC EPFO exam 2021: Candidates should check date, other important points here Wipro's Elite National Talent Hunt: Eligibility criteria B.E./B. Tech (Compulsory degree)/ M.E./M. Tech (5-year integrated course) full-time course recognised by the Central/State Government of India. All branches except Fashion Technology, Textile Engineering, Agriculture and Food technology 60 percent or 6.0 CGPA or equivalent as per your university guidelines Only full-time courses; no part-time or correspondence or distance learning education in degree, 10th or 12th (10th standard: 60 percent or above and 12th standard: 60 percent or above) Wipro's Elite National Talent Hunt: Salary Rs 3.50 lacs per annum ALSO READ | IIT GATE 2022 registration process begins today at gate.iitkgp.ac.in, details here Wipro's Elite National Talent Hunt: Service agreement the service agreement will be applicable for 12 months post joining at Rs 75,000 on pro-rata basis Wipro's Elite National Talent Hunt: Other Criteria One Backlog is allowed at the time of the Assessment Stage. The offer will be subject to all backlogs being clear. 2022- Max 3 years of GAP in education allowed (10th to graduation) Candidates who have participated in any selection process held by Wipro in the last six months are not eligible. Should be an Indian Citizen or should hold a PIO or OCI card, in the event of holding a passport of any other country. Bhutan and Nepal Nationals need to submit their citizenship certificate. Live TV Bengaluru: Days ahead of the civic body polls to be held in various districts of Karnataka, BJP National General Secretary CT Ravi on Tuesday (August 31) equated Asaduddin Owaisis party All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) to the Taliban. Ravi said that the AIMIM is like the Taliban of Karnataka and that they would not be accepted by the people. "AIMIM is like the Taliban of Karnataka. The issues of Taliban, AIMIM, and SDPI are the same. Taliban will not be accepted in Kalaburagi," says BJP National General Secretary, CT Ravi in Kalaburagi on Kalaburagi City Corporation polls. Watch the clip here: #WATCH | "AIMIM is like the Taliban of Karnataka. The issues of Taliban, AIMIM, and SDPI are the same. Taliban will not be accepted in Kalaburagi," says BJP National General Secretary, CT Ravi in Kalaburagi on Kalaburagi City Corporation polls. pic.twitter.com/lk4AlhTbi4 ANI (@ANI) August 31, 2021 The elections to the city corporations of Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad and Kalaburagi, along with bypolls to a few other urban local bodies, will be held on September 3. The counting of votes will take place on September 6. The model code of conduct had come into effect on August 16. Elections will be held for a total of 252 wards across seven urban local bodies. They include city corporations of Belagavi (58 wards), Hubballi-Dharwad (82), Kalaburagi (55), along with the Doddaballapur City Municipal Council (31), Tarikere Town Municipal Council (23), Bidar City Municipal Council (2) and Bhadravathi City Municipal Council (1). According to the commission, there are a total of 14.01 lakh eligible voters, with the highest being in Hubballi-Dharwad - 8.11 lakh. Elections are being held as the term of some of these local bodies has ended and due to orders of the High Court, the Election Commission said. Live TV New Delhi: Actor Aparshakti Khurana and his wife Aakriti Ahuja recently welcomed their baby daughter Arzoie A. Khurana. While the proud parents are beaming with joy, the actor shared the first glimpse of their princess on his social media handle. On Tuesday, the actor took to his Instagram and shared the sweetest picture, where the new parents can be seen holding their little baby's hand. The picture seems to be captured at the hospital after Arzoie's birth. "It's a happy love triangle for life @aakritiahuja #ArzoieAkhurana," Aparshakti captioned the post. Netizens flooded the post with love-filled comments. "Waheguru," actor Angad Bedi commented. Dino Morea, who is producing Aparshakti's upcoming film 'Helmet' along with Sony Pictures Networks Productions, also dropped heart emoticons in the comments. Aparshakti broke the news on August 27 and shared the news with the world. Meanwhile, on the workfront, Aparshakti will be seen alongside Pranutan Bahl in 'Helmet', which will be digitally released on Zee5 on September 3. The film is a satire on the ground reality in the country, where people feel awkward while buying and talking about condoms. This comedy-drama is directed by Satram Ramani and also stars Abhishek Banerjee and Ashish Verma. Kolkata: Popular Bengali television actress Paayel Sarkar lodged a complaint with the cybercrime cell of Kolkata Police after receiving some obscene messages from the fake account of a film director. The director also lodged a complaint to the cyber cell against those using his name in social media. The actress spoke to the media that she had accepted a friend request from a well-known director. Soon afterwards she was told during a messenger chat that she has been chosen for the lead role of an upcoming film and then got an obscene message. The actress popular for her Bengali serials like Tapur Tupur, Andarmahal, Bene Bou, Tumi Rabe Nirobe said that she got an obscene message during a messenger chat. She shared the screenshot of the chat on her Facebook profile where her fans and friends told her to check the profile of the film director. After which she realised that it was a fake profile. The case which was initially registered in the Kolkata police cyber cell was later transferred to Barrackpore police Commissionerate that ultimately blocked the account. "She stays at Baranagar and so the case was transferred to Barrackpore Police Commissionerate. We have blocked the account and are looking into the details of the account. We hope to find the person soon," a senior officer of the Commissionerate said. "I understood soon afterwards it was not the verified account of ...... sir. The fake account had many inconsistencies I realised when I checked later. But I went ahead with the complaint as I want to punish those who abuse, stalk and harass women and girls on social media. I have got all the cooperation from the police," she said. On the other hand, after a director who came to know about the incident later said that he would lodge a complaint on the issue and want to know the people who are trying to taint his image. Actions Technology Co., LtdActionsrecently announced another collaboration with India's leading audio lifestyle brand, boAt. The Bluetooth speaker, Stone 1200 will be powered by Actions' IC solutions and soon be launched around the globe. "It is a great pleasure to work alongside India's no.1 audio brand, boAt Lifestyle. We'd like to extend our heartiest congratulations to our partner team for establishing themselves as one of the top 5 wearable brands globally. Besides the Bluetooth speaker category, we are also looking forward to working in tandem for the TWS as well as the Smart Watch categories in near future"; commented Ramon Liu Shuwei, the Executive Vice President of Actions. "Actions is a fabless IC design company and a rising star with some amazing products in the audio category. In the past 2 years, we've shipped a huge volume of Bluetooth speakers equipped with Actions' Bluetooth SoC. boAt is eager to collaborate with them again, this time for the global market as well in addition to the Indian domain. We're expecting a great response from the consumers in the global front for the same"; boAt's Product Head and Co-founder, Sameer Mehta was seen commenting. About Boat Lifestyle boAt Lifestyle, which had started its journey in the audio segment only a few years ago, has developed itself into a lifestyle giant in a short span of time, becoming the no.1 earwear brand in India and attaining a top 5 spot in the smart watch category globally. boAt offers a wide range of earbuds, wireless headphones, earphones, wireless speakers, etc. After establishing itself as an audio lifestyle leader in India, it is now intent on expanding its expertise across the globe. About Actions Technology Co., Ltd Better chip, better audio visual life! Actions devotes its resources to developing SoCs for low power wireless communication, multimedia processing and other IoT technologies. Over the years Actions has developed a portfolio of IP involving Bluetooth communication, ADC/DAC, power consumption management, high-speed analog interface and audio processing. Customers can leverage Actions IP with complete hardware and firmware engineering tools to accelerate the development of end products using Actions IC chips. For more information, visit: www.actions-semi.com (Disclaimer: This is a branded content) HYDERABAD: In a major development, the Telangana High Court on Tuesday stayed the state government's order to reopen educational institutions from September 1. Telangana High Court stays state government order to reopen educational institutions from September 1 pic.twitter.com/zKqiUcqeCt ANI (@ANI) August 31, 2021 According to reports, the high court said that physical classes are not mandatory. It also directed the state government to file a detailed report on measures taken by it before reopening schools across the state by October 4. No student from any school private or government, KG to class 12, shall be compelled to attend physical classes from September 1," the HC said in its order. The order came a day ahead of the scheduled reopening of schools and other educational institutions in Telangana from September 1 for classes 8 to 12. The Telangana High Court also warned the state government not to force students to join physical classes. Do not take action against students who do not attend live classes," the HC said. The Telangana government had earlier ordered all educational institutions to reopen from September 1, 2021 following COVID-19 safety protocols. In a review meeting held at Pragathi Bhavan on the impact of the closure of educational institutions, Telangana's Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao had taken the decision to reopen educational institutions in the state. However, during the meeting, objections were raised over concerns that many children were not yet vaccinated and there was a threat of a possible third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Live TV New Delhi: Bigg Boss OTT is all set to witness more dhamaka and drama as the makers have roped in popular TV actress Nia Sharma as the first wild card contestant on the show. Yes, you read that right. The new promo which is shared by Nia on her official Instagram handle, suggests so. She wrote, See you all Tomorrow.. #ItnaOTT #BBOTT #BiggBossOTT #BBOTTOnVoot #Voot #BiggBoss #Vootselect @voot @vootselect.. In the video, Nia can be seen sharing the news with her fans that she will be part of the most-controversial show. Clad in an all-white outfit, the Naagin actress can be seen in a hotel room where she is probably under quarantine before entering the house. She even heard saying in the promo, Ab game khelne ka time aa gya hai, ghar mein toofan lane ka time aa gya hai. For the unversed, in the recent Sunday Ka Vaar episode, Karan Johar announced that a wild card entry will take place soon after which everyone in the house had been on the edge. Currently, the contestants who are locked up in Bigg Boss OTT house are Shamita Shetty, Raqesh Bapat, Millind Gaba, Akshara Singh, Neha Bhasin, Pratik Sehajpal, Nishant Bhat, Muskaan Jattana and Divya Agarwal. Bigg Boss OTT is hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, and will last for six weeks and is currently in its fourth week. The 15th edition of the televised version of the show will be hosted by Salman Khan. Will Nia will be able to change the dimensions in the house? Well, only time will tell. As contestants will have to buckle up as she will surely be breaking some hearts and of course making her connection!! For more updates, stay connected with us and watch out for this space. Disturbing Visuals: Taliban flies Black hawk helicopter over Kandahar hanging US interpreter to it A heart-wrenching video has emerged of the brutal antics under Taliban rule. The Taliban released a video of fighters flying US-made Black Hawk helicopter over Kandahar, with which American interpreter was hanged. Through this the Taliban tried to send a message to America. Taliban attack Panjshir as soon as US troops leave Afghanistan, 7-8 fighters killed Fahim Dashty, spokesman for Ahmed Masood, who is leading the resistance movement against the Taliban, said seven-eight Taliban fighters were killed in a fighting in the Panjshir Valley on Monday night. Dashti said the Taliban attacked Panjshir on Monday night, where resistance forces are making a last stand against the organization in Afghanistan. Kolkata: Around 3000 petrol pumps across West Bengal will join a one-day strike on Tuesday (August 31, 2021). The West Bengal Petroleum Dealers Association (WBPDA) has called for a no-purchase-no-sale agitation on Tuesday to press for its two primary demands - stopping the supply of ethanol-blended petrol during the monsoon and putting an end to short supply of fuel to dispensing stations. The 24-hour strike will begin at 6 AM on Tuesday. "Ethanol blended petrol is highly hygroscopic. (During monsoon) it absorbs water from the atmosphere while rainwater goes into the underground tanks at petrol pumps. It causes huge problems for both dealers and consumers. This also causes mistrust between us and buyers," WBPDA Joint Secretary Prasenjit Sen said on Monday. Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) should create awareness among people on this and restrict the supply of ethanol-blended petrol during the monsoon, he said. Vice-President of the association Snehasish Bhaumik said the other issue - short supply of fuel to petrol pumps by the OMCs - is a long-standing one and is invisible to others. "A very large portion of our profitability goes in adjusting for the pilferage of fuel during transit. It can be as much as 1 per cent of the amount of fuel loaded. For example, in a typical tank lorry carrying 12,000 litres (of fuel), it can amount to around Rs 12,000," he said. Live TV New York: China, which abstained from voting on the UN Security Council resolution on Afghanistan, has blamed the disorderly withdrawal of foreign troops for the chaos in Afghanistan. "Recent chaos in Afghanistan is directly related to the disorderly withdrawal of foreign troops. We hope that relevant countries would realize that withdrawal is not the end of responsibility but the beginning of reflection and correction," said the Chinese representative at the UNSC. Resolution on Afghanistan has been passed by the United Nations Security Council. This crucial resolution was adopted with the support of 13 members with Russia and China abstaining and no one voting against the resolution. ALSO READ | United States completes withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan after nearly 20-year war Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla was chairing the UNSC meet under the Indian presidency in which the resolution was adopted. The Chinese representative on UNSC resolution on Afghanistan said that "China has huge doubts about the necessity & urgency of adopting this resolution... Despite this, China has constructively participated in consultations and put forward important and reasonable amendments along with Russia." "Unfortunately, our amendments have not been fully adopted...China has always opposed imposing or forcefully pushing for a resolution," he added. Targeting other countries, he said, "relevant countries should effectively change their wrong practice of imposing their own wills on others and change hegemonic practice of imposing sanctions. They should be responsible for what they have done in the past 20 years and fulfill their commitment to peace." Meanwhile, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US representative at UNSC has also said that the resolution establishes clear expectations regarding the future of Afghanistan. "The resolution establishes clear expectations regarding future of Afghanistan - UNSC expects the Taliban to live up to its commitment to facilitate safe passage for Afghans and foreigners who want to leave Afghanistan today, tomorrow, or after August 31," Thomas-Greenfield said. Live TV New Delhi: The US forces fled Afghanistan at midnight yesterday. With this, the Taliban took control of the Kabul airport and the world entered a new era of terrorism. The Taliban 2.0 could pose a serious threat to peace and security around the world. Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary on Tuesday (August 31) discussed the US failure in Afghanistan and the beginning of Jihad 2.0 owing to the Taliban takeover. The Taliban had given the US Army the deadline of August 31 to leave Afghanistan. But America's last flight from Kabul airport took off last night at 3.30 pm i.e. 20 hours before the deadline. With this, 20 years of America's presence in Afghanistan turned into an international joke in an instant. As soon as America's last plane took off from Kabul airport, the Taliban entered the airport. They celebrated with fireworks and fired bullets in the air in joy. After the night's celebration, the Taliban militants held a press conference at the airport and told the world that they have now completely liberated Afghanistan. The Taliban currently have weapons worth Rs 6 lakh crore left by America. This amount is almost twice the defence budget of India. This includes 75,000 vehicles, more than 200 planes, helicopters, more than 600,000 modern guns and rifles. The Taliban more Black Hawk helicopters than 85 per cent of the countries in the world. Imagine where these weapons would go. These will now go into the hands of those who spread terrorism in the name of Jihad. And that is how Taliban 2.0 will push the world towards Jihad 2.0. The Taliban have repeatedly said that the Haqqani network, which is banned by the United Nations and the United States since 2012, will have no role in the Afghan government. But as it seems so far, the Haqqani network may not just join the Taliban's government, they could very well take charge of their defence ministry. The members of such banned terrorist organisations are going to form the government in Afghanistan. Those who were once on the hit list of America would share platform with it. Perhaps President Joe Biden will even have to sign agreements with them. That is why it wouldnt be incorrect to say that the world has entered a new era of terrorism. Read more about Taliban here: Taliban's History Live TV Seoul: Sex crimes and homicides committed by members of South Korea`s military will be tried in civilian courts under a new law passed on Tuesday (August 31), sparked by multiple scandals and victim suicides. Activists and victims had accused South Korea`s powerful military of standing in the way of previous efforts to reduce the power commanders have over the process, but reform efforts gathered steam after a series of deaths and prominent crimes. Under the revised Military Court Act, all sex crimes, as well as violent crimes such as homicides, will be tried from the start at civilian courts, rather than courts-martial. Military courts will be consolidated, while military police and prosecutors will be placed under the defence minister and the chiefs of each service branch in an effort to reduce the influence of commanders. Fewer than 10% of almost 2,000 sex crime cases tried in military courts from 2016-20 resulted in prison sentences, compared with about 30% of such cases in civilian courts, according to court documents. ALSO READ: 'A new chapter has begun': US suspends diplomatic mission in Afghanistan, moves embassy to Qatar Live TV Washington: Former US President Donald Trump lashed out at the current US government and said that never in history has a withdrawal from war been handled so badly or incompetently as by Americans from Afghanistan. Trumps comments comes as the United States flew its last military flight out of Kabul bringing back all of its armed forces from the country. Never in history has a withdrawal from war been handled so badly or incompetently as the Biden administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan, said Trump as the longest American war came to an end and as the Taliban regained power in the war-ravaged country which they had lost after the American invasion weeks after the September 9/11 attacks. 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 USD 85 billion dollars in cost, Trump said. 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! he said. ALSO READ | United States completes withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan after nearly 20-year war Meanwhile, Donald Trump's successor President Joe Biden had retained Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad to carry out the last mile negotiations with the Taliban. The Biden administration was more focused on hitting an arbitrary targeted date rather than hitting the conditions that will permit the execution of the mission that delivers on behalf of America, alleged former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. No, there was no obligation for the departure date. The obligation was to the American people and to secure America, he said. Additionally, former top American diplomat to the UN Nikki Haley described it as shameful retreat. ALSO READ | Chaos in Afghanistan directly related to disorderly withdrawal of foreign troops: China at UNSC Joe Biden just completed his shameful retreat from Afghanistan, leaving American citizens and Afghan allies behind under the rule of a terrorist government. If anything happens to them, Biden is to blame, she said. Not only are Russia and China enjoying Joe Biden's retreat in Afghanistan, but they're also ready to seize the moment. The implications of Joe Biden's foreign policy could be catastrophic for America, Haley said. Delivering the Republican Address on the withdrawal from Afghanistan, Congressman Mark Green said this is a disgrace that has now resulted in the tragic loss of American lives. Our prayers are with the families and loved ones of these heroes. Our so-called Commander in Chief is abandoning Americans, our Afghan allies, and members of NATO who only came to Afghanistan to help us. We are in a crisis of leadership, President Biden has failed, he said. Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin, member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and United States Army veteran, said the US completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan with many Americans still stuck behind enemy lines desperate to get out, and USD 85 billion in US weapons and equipment was now in Taliban hands. This is a historic disgrace of epic proportions ordered by President Biden, he said. (With PTI inputs) Live TV Saint Joseph (France): Declared dead by a French court in 2017, Jeanne Pouchain has spent the past four years trying to escape a bewildering legal twilight zone and prove to officialdom that she is in fact very much alive. She says the experience has been devastating. "My name was Jeanne. It still is Jeanne, after I've been declared dead in 2017," says the 59-year old. She breaks into tears at times when recounting her ordeal - and what she plans for when she will officially be "alive" again. It all started, Pouchain recalls, when the family received a letter four years ago from a court saying mistakenly that she was dead and that her husband and son had to pay for money she was alleged to have owed. The letter was part of a complicated legal procedure launched by a former employee of Pouchain`s cleaning business and, unlike what they had assumed at first, it was not easy, or quick, to clear up the error. Pouchain, unable to work and afraid to leave her house because she had no valid ID or social security number anymore, started living as a recluse. Some of the family`s belongings were seized by court bailiffs, while all their savings, and more, went into trying to get things back to normal. "My life, well, it's nothing. I feel I'm of no use. And this is hard," Pouchain says, speaking to Reuters in the house she shares with her husband Pierre-Jean in a small village near Lyon, in south-east France. But with the courts looking at her case again, Pouchain and her husband have begun to have some hope again. Although it may still be months before her bid to get the case against her revised, and for a judge to officially recognise that she is not dead and should never have been considered dead, she has drawn up a list of what she wants to do when that happens. Also read: Bizarre! Singapore woman makes SOS call after suspecting hissing cobra in bedroom, turns out to be an electric toothbrush After years of hardships, the priority will be her health. "I know exactly what I will do ... I will get a health check, because I know some things are wrong with my body," she said, adding that, because she could not get proper treatment for lack of a valid social security card, she has only six teeth left, among a series of health issues. "I would so love to be able to bite into an apple ... I would love to have teeth. I would be so happy, even if they were to give me two dentures, I would be happy to have teeth." Her other dream is simply to be able to enjoy life again, at home, with her husband. "During the day, I manage to feel more or less alive, but my nights are awful. I wake up after an hour and a half because it haunts my nights," she said. Her husband, Pierre-Jean Pouchain, while speaking of how hard this all has been, also wants to be optimistic. "Hope is what makes us carry on," he said. "Eventually, the outcome will necessarily be in our favour." "It will take the time that is needed," he added, "but we're not asking for something extraordinary ... on some things there can be doubts but, between dead or alive, there is no doubt." Live TV Bangkok: Thai lawmakers began a censure debate against Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Tuesday (August 31), as opponents threatened to intensify street protests fueled by frustration at his government`s handling of a COVID-19 crisis. The political opposition accuses the former army chief and five of his cabinet ministers, including deputy prime minister and health minister Anutin Charnvirakul, of corruption, economic mismanagement and of bungling the coronavirus response. Prayuth has weathered two previous censure motions and is expected to survive a no-confidence vote scheduled for Saturday, owing to his coalition`s clear parliamentary majority. But the motion is unlikely to appease the youth-led anti-government groups that sought Prayuth`s removal last year and have returned with renewed support from Thais angered by lockdowns, record COVID-19 deaths and a haphazard vaccine rollout. Demonstrators have threatened nationwide protests while the opposition grills Prayuth in parliament. "Every seven minutes a Thai person died because of the blundered management of the COVID-19 situation," opposition leader Sompong Amornwiwat of the Pheu Thai Party said in opening the debate. "There are economic losses of 8 billion baht ($247.60 million) per day from a lack of management and lockdown measures that have failed." Prayuth told parliament the government was always working for public interest. "For those who suffered, I have introduced assisting measures," he said. "The government has increased domestic spending, investment and built healthcare. For you to tell me that I have nothing to show for my performance I`d say look again." Staunch royalist Prayuth took power in a 2014 military coup and remained prime minister after a 2019 election, making him the longest-serving Thai leader since the end of the Cold War. The protests against him, which are outlawed under coronavirus restrictions, have gathered steam in recent weeks, despite frequent, at times violent clashes with police who have responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon. ALSO READ: COVID19: Vaccinate teachers, children to keep schools safe- WHO Live TV New Delhi: The Taliban after taking over Afghanistan is trying to deliver a moderate image to the world in an attempt to gain international confidence. From giving interviews to female anchors to assuring their safety, the Taliban is trying every method to portray a good image on the international level. In the same course, the Taliban has now banned the cultivation of opium in various provinces which is one of the main sources of its funding. Reportedly on August 18, Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid informed that the Taliban will not permit the drug trade in the country. According to media reports, Taliban representatives began telling gatherings of villagers in the southern province of Kandahar that the cultivation of opium will now be considered illegal. After this development, the prices of raw opium have tripled in the market about $70 to about $200 per kilogram, due to uncertainty about future production. Taliban may end up paying a high price for this move as a major part of Afghanistans economy flourishes over the opium trade and it is also the main funding source of the Taliban. According to a U.N. official report, the Taliban likely earned more than $400 million between 2018 and 2019 from the drug trade. A May 2021 US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan (SIGAR) report quoted a US official as estimating they derive up to 60% of their annual revenue from illicit narcotics, reported Reuters. Taliban can earn about $40 million annually from trades of opium and its other derivatives. Last year Afghanistan accounted for 85% of total worldwide production. The last time the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, the poppy fields flourished but this time in order to gain international acceptance Taliban is getting into play that will undermine the economy of the war-torn country. Live TV Kabul: It was definitely the end of an era with the last of US troops withdrawing from Afghanistan on Tuesday (August 31) after 20 long years. This was America's longest war, which took the lives of nearly 2,500 US troops and an estimated 240,000 Afghans, and it cost some $2 trillion. And as the US soldiers left, it was celebration time for the Taliban. Celebratory gunfire resounded across Kabul as Taliban fighters took control of the airport before dawn. Shaky video footage distributed by the Taliban showed fighters entering the airport after the last US troops flew out on a C-17 aircraft a minute before midnight, ending a hasty and humiliating exit for Washington and its NATO allies. "It is a historical day and a historical moment," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told a news conference at the airport after the departure. "We are proud of these moments, that we liberated our country from a great power." An image from the Pentagon (below) taken with night-vision optics showed the last US soldier to step aboard the final evacuation flight out of Kabul - Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division. (Pic: Twitter/@DeptofDefense) Although it succeeded in driving the Taliban from power and stopped Afghanistan being used as a base by al Qaeda to attack the United States, it ended with the hardline Islamist militants controlling more territory than during their previous rule. Those years from 1996 to 2001 saw the Taliban`s brutal enforcement of their strict interpretation of Islamic law, and the world will keenly keep a watch now to see if the movement forms a more moderate and inclusive government in the months ahead. Thousands of Afghans have already fled, fearing Taliban reprisals. More than 123,000 people were evacuated from Kabul in a massive but chaotic airlift by the United States and its allies over the past two weeks, but tens of thousands who helped Western nations during the war were left behind. A contingent of Americans, estimated by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as fewer than 200, and possibly closer to 100, wanted to leave but were unable to get on the last flights. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab put the number of UK nationals in Afghanistan in the low hundreds, following the evacuation of some 5,000. General Frank McKenzie, commander of the US Central Command, told a Pentagon briefing that the chief US diplomat in Afghanistan, Ross Wilson, was on the last C-17 flight out. "There`s a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure," McKenzie told reporters. "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 leaving US troops destroyed more than 70 aircraft, dozens of armoured vehicles and disabled air defences that had thwarted an attempted Islamic State rocket attack on the eve of their departure. But as the Taliban watched US troops leave Kabul on Monday night, eight of their fighters were killed in clashes in the Panjshir valley north of the capital, said Fahim Dashti, a spokesman for the recently formed National Resistance Forces. Several thousand anti-Taliban fighters, from local militias, remnants of army and special forces units, have gathered in the valley under the command of regional leader Ahmad Massoud. Legitimacy and support will have to be earned: Blinken on Taliban seeking international support In a statement, President Joe Biden defended his decision to stick to Tuesday`s withdrawal deadline. He said the world would hold the Taliban to their commitment to allow safe passage for those wanting to leave Afghanistan. "Now, our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended," said Biden, who thanked the US military for carrying out the dangerous evacuation. Biden has said the United States long ago achieved its objectives set in ousting the Taliban in 2001 for harbouring al Qaeda militants who masterminded the Sept. 11 attacks. He has drawn heavy criticism from Republicans and some fellow Democrats for his handling of Afghanistan since the Taliban took over Kabul this month after a lightning advance and the collapse of the U.S.-backed government. Blinken said the United States was prepared to work with the new Taliban government if it did not carry out reprisals against opponents in the country. "The Taliban seeks international legitimacy and support," he said. "Our position is any legitimacy and support will have to be earned." Mujahid said the Taliban wanted to establish diplomatic relations with the United States despite two decades of hostility. "The Islamic Emirate wants to have good diplomatic relations with the whole world," he said. Neighbouring Pakistan's foreign minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, told a news conference in Islamabad that he expected a new "consensus government will be formed in the coming days in Afghanistan". The Taliban must revive a war-shattered economy without the foreign aid running into billions of dollars that had flowed to the previous ruling elite and fed systemic corruption. People living outside Afghan cities face what UN officials have called a catastrophic humanitarian situation, worsened by a severe drought. (With Reuters input) Live TV New Delhi: The Taliban are expected to adopt the Iranian model of the political system for governance. Talks have been ongoing between the top Taliban leadership in Kandahar for the last four days with government formation announcement likely in about a week's time. The supreme leader will be Hibatullah Akhundzada and under him will be the supreme council. The council could have 11 to 72 members, with the number still being decided. Interestingly, sources in Afghanistan have said that the supreme leader will stay in Kandahar. Kandahar has been the traditional capital of the Taliban. When it comes to the executive arm, it will be led by PM, with the council of ministers under him. Probable names include Abdul Ghani Baradar (Mullah Baradar) or Mullah Yakub, son of Mullah Omar. Mullah Omar founded the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in 1996 & led the resistance against the Soviets in the 1980s. Omar was ousted after the US invasion of Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks. Meanwhile, the Taliban plan to restore the 1964/65 Afghan constitution which was framed by the then Afghan President Mohammed Daoud Khan. The change of constitution is symbolic since the current one was drafted under foreign forces. Questions still remain on how inclusive the governance structure will be and will it include the other ethnicities of the country like Hazaras, Tajiks. It is learnt, while the Taliban are mindful of calls for inclusive government structure, particularly by the international community, internal divergence might be an issue. While hardline Taliban on the ground is not keen, the one in Doha wants more representation. Finally, when it comes to the judiciary, Mullah Hakim, is all set to be the chief justice. Hakim an elderly figure, had been the teacher to Mullah Omar. He is currently chairman of the Taliban negotiating team in Qatar. Read more about Taliban here: Taliban's History Live TV The Taliban were in full control of Kabul's international airport on Tuesday, after the last U.S. Plane left its runway, marking the end of America's longest war and leaving behind a quiet airfield and Afghans outside it still hoping to flee the insurgents' rule. Vehicles raced back and forth along the Hamid Karzai International Airport's sole runway on the northern, military side of the airfield. Before dawn broke, heavily armed Taliban fighters walked through hangars, passing some of the seven CH-46 helicopters the State Department used in its evacuations before rendering them unflyable. Taliban leaders later symbolically walked across the runway, marking their victory while flanked by fighters of the insurgents' elite Badri unit. "The world should have learned its lesson and this is the enjoyable moment of victory," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a livestream posted by a militant. Later speaking to Al-Jazeera Arabic on the airport's tarmac, Mujahid rejected having a caretaker government and insisted that Kabul remained safe. "There will be security in Kabul and people should not be concerned," he said. Taliban fighters draped their white flags over barriers at the airport as others guarded the civilian side of the airfield. Inside the terminal, several dozen suitcases and pieces of luggage were left strewn across the floor, apparently left behind in the chaos. Clothes and shoes also were scattered. A poster of Ahmad Shah Massoud, the famed anti-Taliban fighter, had been destroyed. The airport had seen chaotic and deadly scenes since the Taliban blitzed across Afghanistan and took Kabul on Aug. 15. Thousands of Afghans besieged the airport, some falling to their death after desperately hanging onto the side of an American C-17 military cargo jet. Last week, an Islamic State suicide attack at an airport gate killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. Service members. But on Tuesday, after a night that saw the Taliban fire triumphantly into the air, guards now blearily on duty kept out the curious and those still somehow hoping to catch a flight out. "After 20 years we have defeated the Americans," said Mohammad Islam, a Taliban guard at the airport from Logar province, cradling a Kalashnikov rifle. "They have left and now our country is free. It's clear what we want. We want Shariah (Islamic law), peace and stability," he added. Mohammad Naeem, a spokesman for the Taliban's political office in Qatar, similarly praised the takeover in an online video early Tuesday. "Thank God all the occupiers have left our country completely," he said, congratulating fighters by referring to them as mujahedeen, or holy warriors. "This victory was given to us by God. It was due to 20 years of sacrifice by the mujahedeen and its leaders. Many mujahedeen sacrificed their lives." Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. Special representative who oversaw America's talks with the Taliban, wrote on Twitter that 'Afghans face a moment of decision & opportunity' after the withdrawal. "Their country's future is in their hands. They will choose their path in full sovereignty," he wrote. "This is the chance to bring their war to an end as well." But the Taliban face what could be a series of major crises as they fully take over the government. The majority of the billions of dollars Afghanistan holds in foreign reserves is now frozen in America, pressuring its now-depreciating Afghani currency. Banks have implemented withdrawal controls, fearing runs on their deposits in the uncertainty. Civil servants across the country say they haven't received their salary in months. Medical equipment remains in short supply, while thousands who fled the Taliban's advance remain living in squalid conditions. A major drought also has cut into the country's food supplies, making its imports even more important and raising the risk of people going hungry. During the evacuation, U.S. Forces helped evacuate over 120,000 U.S. Citizens, foreigners and Afghans, according to the White House, making it the largest airlift in the history of the American military. Coalition forces also evacuated their citizens and Afghans. But for all who got out, foreign nations and the U.S. Acknowledged they didn't evacuate all who wanted to go. At the airport's eastern gate, a handful of Afghans still tried their luck to get in, hoping for any flight. As of now, however, commercial airlines are not flying into the airport and it remains unclear who will take over managing the country's airspace. On their way out, the U.S. Military warned pilots the airport was 'uncontrolled' and 'no air traffic control or airport service are available.' Several of those trying to come into the airport came from Kandahar province, the Taliban heartland in southern Afghanistan that saw some of the war's fiercest fighting. One of the men, Hekmatullah, who like many Afghans goes by one name, carried paperwork he said showed he worked as a translator. Hekmatullah said he had waited four days for an opportunity to leave. "But now I don't know what chances I have," he said. Live TV KABUL: The United States military left behind dozens of service dogs in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan as it raced against time to meet the August 31 deadline for a complete withdrawal from the South Asian Islamic nation. Major animal welfare groups have strongly condemned the US military for abandoning these contracted service dogs as they exited from the war-ravaged nation. Veteran Sheepdogs of America, a non-profit organisation, is now working to evacuate these poor animals from Afghanistan along with other groups. US military left behind dozens of service dogs in Afghanistan. The nonprofit org Veteran Sheepdogs of America are working to evacuate the animals. pic.twitter.com/58EbrLUiz3 ASB News / MILITARY (@ASBMilitary) August 31, 2021 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, Robin R Ganzert, animal welfare group American Humanes president and CEO, said. It sickens us to sit idly by and watch these brave dogs who valiantly served our country be put to death or worse, he said. Earlier this month, three Indian service dogs Maya, Ruby and Bobby that were deployed at the Indian Embassy in Kabul, along with 99 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel, were repatriated by the Indian Air Force during the evacuation process. The United States completed the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan on Monday, ending 20 years of war that culminated in the Taliban`s return to power. Forced into a hasty and humiliating exit, Washington and its NATO allies carried out a massive but chaotic airlift over the past two weeks, but still left behind tens of thousands of Afghans who helped Western countries and might have qualified for evacuation. Celebratory gunfire rang out in Kabul after completion of the U.S. pullout that ended America`s longest war. Taliban spokesman Qari Yusuf said, "The last US soldier has left Kabul airport and our country gained complete independence," Al Jazeera TV reported on Monday. A contingent of Americans, estimated by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as under 200 and possibly closer to 100, wanted to leave but were unable to get on the last flights. President Joe Biden, in a statement, defended his decision to stick to a Tuesday deadline for withdrawing U.S. forces even though it meant not everyone who wanted out could get out. Biden has drawn heavy criticism from Republicans and some of his fellow Democrats for his handling of Afghanistan since the Taliban took over Kabul earlier this month after a lightning advance. The 20-year conflict took the lives of nearly 2,500 US troops and an estimated 240,000 Afghans and cost some USD 2 trillion. Live TV For the first time since 2001 there are no American troops in Afghanistan after the United States completed the evacuation of most of its citizens and thousands of at-risk Afghans. More than 114,000 people have been airlifted from Kabul airport in the past two weeks as part of the U.S. effort. But the end of the U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan raises a new set of questions for Biden and his administration. WHAT HAPPENS TO AMERICANS AND AT-RISK AFGHANS LEFT BEHIND? The United States has evacuated more than 5,500 U.S. citizens since evacuation flights began on Aug. 14. A small number of American citizens have chosen to continue to stay in Afghanistan, many of them so they can be with family members. The Biden administration has said it expects the Taliban to continue allowing safe passage for Americans and others to leave Afghanistan after the U.S. military withdrawal is completed. But there are concerns about how those citizens will be able to leave if there is no functioning airport. Tens of thousands of at-risk Afghans, such as interpreters who worked with the U.S. military, journalists and women`s rights advocates, have also been left behind. It is unclear what their fate will be but officials are concerned that the Taliban may retaliate against them. The Taliban have pledged to allow all foreign nationals and Afghan citizens with travel authorization from another country to leave Afghanistan, according to a joint statement issued by Britain, the United States and other countries on Sunday. WHAT HAPPENS TO KABUL AIRPORT AFTER U.S. FORCES LEAVE? For the past two weeks, the U.S. military has been securing and operating Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport with nearly 6,000 troops. The Taliban are in talks with governments like Qatar and Turkey to seek assistance to continue civilian flight operations from there, the only way for many people to leave Afghanistan. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Sunday that repairs need to be made at Kabul airport before it can be reopened to civilian flights. Turkey, which is part of the NATO mission, has been responsible for security at the airport for the past six years. Keeping the airport open after foreign forces hand over control is vital not just for Afghanistan to stay connected to the world but also to maintain aid supplies and operations. WHAT DOES THE FUTURE U.S.-TALIBAN RELATIONSHIP LOOK LIKE? The United States has said it does not plan to leave diplomats behind in Afghanistan and will decide on what to do in the future based on the Taliban`s actions. But the Biden administration will have to determine how it is able to ensure a humanitarian and economic crisis does not break out in the country. The United Natinos says more than 18 million people - over half Afghanistan's population - require aid and half of all Afghan children under 5 already suffer from acute malnutrition amid the second drought in four years. Some countries including Britain have said that no nation should bilaterally recognize the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan. WHAT KIND OF THREAT IS POSED BY ISLAMIC STATE? The one area of cooperation between the United States and Taliban could be on the threat posed by Islamic State militants. There are questions about how Washington and the Taliban can coordinate and potentially even share information to counter the group. Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), named after a historic term for the region, first appeared in eastern Afghanistan in late 2014 and quickly established a reputation for extreme brutality. The group claimed responsibility for an Aug. 26 suicide bombing outside the airport that killed 13 U.S. troops and scores of Afghan civilians. The United States has carried out at least two drone strikes against the group since then and Biden has said his administration will continue to retaliate for the attack. ISIS-K is a sworn enemy of the Taliban. But U.S. intelligence officials believe the movement used the instability that led to the collapse of Afghanistan`s Western-backed government this month to strengthen its position and step up recruitment of disenfranchised Taliban members. Live TV